"How are you still alive? Where are you? Why can't I see you?!" Knockout asked the ghost, who he now knew was Soundwave.
The Datapad appeared at his feet again with a new message.
The Autobots didn't tell you, in fear that you would want me released.
"Released? From where? Where are you?" His voice echoed throughout the hall.
The Shadow zone. A different dimensional plane in the same space as yours. I can see you, but you can't see me.
Knockout pondered for a bit. "Okay. . . makes sense, I guess. Did your Groundbridge trick finally fall through on you?"
He swore he could hear a laugh as the Datapad appeared again.
It's amusing how brave you are when talking to air.
Well , no slag. He was supposedly having a conversation with Soundwave, probably the most oilpan-emptying Decepticon there was. It was much easier to be brave when he couldn't see the mech's pitch black visor staring into him.
"Well, nice catching up you. I really should go now." Knockout decided now was probably the best time to leave. He began walking out of the room.
Until he was hit with a flying datapad, that is.
"What the- what was that for?!" He gave a sharp glare until he realized how stupid he looked glaring at nothing. He sighed and then picked up the datapad.
Wait don't leave don't leave.
Knockout turned around. "What do you mean?"
Get me out. Need to get out. Out. Out. Help.
Knockout read over the plea again, unable to believe his optics. It was almost like an entirely different person was talking now. This couldn't be Soundwave.
He looked over the empty space in front of him. "Are you. . . alright?"
There was no reply.
Most of the Autobots didn't know that Knockout had even left the Medbay in the first place, so it was easy for him to bridge in unnoticed.
He went over to the empty medical berth and sat down. He put his servos on his faceplate and sighed.
What had just happened? Soundwave had just contacted him. He had a conversation with him. And Soundwave. . .
Soundwave wasn't alright. But neither was the whole situation. For one, the Autobots had lied to him. If Soundwave was still alive, why didn't they tell him? They didn't trust him, apparently. Did they still think of him as a Decepticon? There was no doubt Ultra Magnus did.
After five years, five whole years of loyalty and they still wouldn't trust him. After he gave up the Decepticon symbol for their own. Frag, he even changed his optic color back to his natural yellow, and apparently they were still afraid he would start the war again. Who did they think he was? Starscream?!
Knockout flinched when the door to the medbay opened. Smokescreen came waltzing in.
"Hey, Doc! Where were you today? You missed some mighty tricks out on the track. . ." He stopped. ". . . not a good day today, huh?"
Knockout tried to perk himself up a bit and put on his best fake smile. "Are you kidding? Everything's fine. I just wanted to practice on my own for a change. You know, without some slow 'Bot on my tail."
"Really? The look on your faceplate kinda says otherwise." Smokescreen sat down next to him.
"Well I don't know what you're seeing, because everything is just dandy with me." Knockout said, and then internally face-palmed. That was way to cheesy.
Smokescreen gave him a weird look. "You sure about that?"
"I said I'm fine!"
Smokescreen got up. "Dude, no need to shout at me. Geez."
"Get out."
"Okay, okay." The recruit backed towards the door, servos in the air. "Going out now. But if you want to talk later, I'm free."
Knockout ignored him, and was grateful to hear the door finally shut. Finally, some peace and quiet.
But the silence grew louder. His servos were still shaking with anger. And he still had questions to be answered.
It was a relatively quiet day on the bridge. Ultra Magnus was at the center command console. He was reading over a status report, curtesy of Arcee, on the Well of All Sparks. Last week, the energy sensors they had placed there had spiked, so he had sent her out to investigate the signals. According to Arcee's report, a new generation of Cybertronians were going to be sparked in about three weeks.
A notification interrupted the report. Ultra Magnus clicked it. It was a message from Bulkhead. It was an update on construction: The new space port had finally been finished, and was now able to handle ships the size of the Nemesis. He deleted it after quickly glancing it over one more time.
The bridge went silent. Even the normal sounds of work stopped.
"Is there a reason for the pause in work?" He asked, before turning around.
He saw Knockout storming towards him.
"Is there something you need?"
"Would you mind informing me about what ever happened to Soundwave?" The ex-con was surprisingly casual sounding, yet seething with rage.
Ultra Magnus raised an eyebrow. "You already know the answer to that question, Knockout. He died defending the bridge. Now, unless you're here for something useful-"
"Hmm, you're right. I do know the answer to that question." Knockout smirked. "If he is dead, then where is his body? I want proof."
"Why would you care so much?"
"Because he was my comrade."
"Decepticons don't have 'comrades', only competition, I'm sure."
"What, because you know?"
The entire bridge froze as if Ultra Magnus was going to charge his blaster and force Knockout back into line. To the surprise of everyone, he didn't.
"We, err, dumped the body on the surface. There. Are you satisfied?" He replied.
He was caught off guard when Knockout laughed. Loudly.
"I didn't think that Autobots could lie. Guess I was wrong."
He sighed loudly and shrugged his shoulders, clearly making a show. The surveillance workers were a gossipy bunch. Those who weren't working on the bridge would hear of this little incident soon. He waltzed off the bridge unchallenged.
All the Vehicons stared up at their commander. He had to order them back to work several times before they complied.