(A/N)
Hey guys, sorry that this came a little late but hey, I stuck to my schedule a lot longer than I thought I was, so I'm proud of myself. Anyway, I made this one a little longer for ya'll. Please tell me what you think. I hope that this chapter isn't too much of a "Here! Look! Information! Drink it in!" kind of thing, as in I hope that the info isn't shoved in your faces. If so, I apologize.
Knockout had suggested moving to a more secluded room where he could explain his theories and perform the tests without interruptions. The two mechs and the small human moved to a different part of the Medbay, where the curious audio receptors of the vehicons couldn't pry. Rafael noticed how, like all the other rooms he's seen on the Nemesis, it consisted of dark and depressing colors. In the room, there were two computer terminals that were positioned on either side of the two large medical berths, while a third terminal laid between said berths. On the wall, a familiar black cord with purple highlights was looped on a hook. It was the cord used for a cortical psychic patch.
Rafael's glass container was put down on one of the metal berths. The young human fell over when Knockout had laid his container on its side. The boy had to put his glasses back on before he could stand up again and face his captors, or at least try and face them. Due to his container being a cylindrical shape, he had to focus his balance so he wouldn't roll the container, and him, off the berth.
The container's lid was removed and the human felt the slightest change of more air rushing in. Then, thin metal claws reached inside and quickly grabbed him before he could move away. Rafael squirmed in the cold servo, but Knockout's grip was too tight and thus he gave up quickly.
"Indulge me, Doctor," said the Decepticon Warlord.
"Well," Knockout started as he moved over to the central computer terminal. "To be straightforward with you, I doubt you'll be able to control his body like you could a terrorcon." Rafael noticed how the medic spoke to Megatron without fear. The boy presumed it was because he was the only other medic beside Ratchet on Earth.
Rafael paused when he recalled what Knockout had said instead of how he had said it. 'Control my body?' He didn't like the sound of that.
"But..." Knockout continued. "Due to the fact that you both have dark energon running through you, there is a chance you'll be able to do something, I'm just not sure what exactly." He paused, shrugged, and then said nonchalantly:"That or he could die."
"He is an interesting specimen, it would be a shame if he perished." Megatron let a toothy grin occupy his faceplates for a moment. The warlord then looked down at the young human, who was now standing on the berth. Shortly after, the Decepticon insignia that rested above his spark began to pulse with a subtle purple hue. His optics too glowed a shade of purple.
At first, nothing happened, but then Rafael started to feel a little warm. In fact, it was like his body-temperature was heating up. Any fear he felt before was now pushed to the back of his mind as he clasped his head with one hand, swaying slightly in his stance. His head was reeling and he began sweating tremendously.
Knockout blinked with interest as he watched the organic's actions.
However, Rafael was blind to all outside presences. He was too focused on the massive headache that hit him. He reached up with his other hand and now both were gripping the side of his head. Whimpers of pain began to escape him before they turned into moans and then howls of anguish. His heart began aching as well and he collapsed to his knees. The pain was so much and his body felt like it was going to burn from the inside-out, yet he couldn't pass out. It was as if there was something keeping his body from doing so; influencing it not to give into its natural functions.
Knockout shifted a little nervously as he listened to the pained sounds the young organic made. "Um... Lord Megatron, perhaps you should -"
"No," He interrupted, not wavering in his concentration. He was so close, he could feel it. He wasn't sure what he would accomplish by doing this, but he knew that he was about to achieve something useful if he continued for just a little longer. "Not yet."
Megatron wasn't deaf though, he could hear and see the youngling's pain. Yet, at the same time, he could almost feel it as well. He felt his spark beginning to ache and his focus was wavering. 'Not yet.' He told himself, repeating it as he forced himself to continue, despite the voice in his helm telling him to stop before the pain became too great.
The warlord's patience was rewarded when suddenly the human stopped screaming and all the pain ceased abruptly. The human panted before collapsing on his side. His eyes were still open but drooped heavily from exhaustion. He stared blankly at the two mechs, not registering their words as the only sound he heard was the loud ringing in his ears.
"My Lord?" The medic asked as he began scanning the silver frame.
Megatron let out a vent but never took his optics off the human, who lay sideways on the berth, his glasses fallen off and his recharge clothing drenched in his own sweat. "I believe that the subject requires a scan more than I do, Knockout."
The medic blinked before obeying and running a medical scan over the exhausted body. "Well, his blood pressure seems to be much higher than normal... same thing with his body temperature." He hummed over the other results. "Although, it seems that his body is in immediate need of nutrients and hydration. It seems we-er-I forgot to feed him." He awkwardly looked back at his master. Maybe he should have scolded himself for not taking proper care of a patient, but this 'patient' was only just a test subject, a disgusting organic test subject.
"Make sure that the subject receives his required needs. It would be most unfortunate to have gone through all this trouble," Megatron glanced at the human, "only for him to die after the first test."
The medic stared at his master in disbelief. "I'm not only watching him but I also have to take care of him?"
The warlord growled in response. "You know the most about the human culture so I am making him your full responsibility. Your charge, if you will." Megatron left without giving Knockout a chance to object.
Hours later, the small form that laid on a medical table moved and groaned.
"... Wha... what happened?" Rafael asked groggily, placing the glasses on his face. Knockout, who was on a nearby monitor, huffed before abruptly snatching up the human boy. Said boy was desperately trying not to throw up the previous night's dinner. The thought of food made the child's stomach grumble, which did not go unnoticed by the red sports car carrying him. "Um... Where are you taking me?"
"Well according to Lord Megatron, I'm now your babysitter." He responded dryly. "I would have gone to get your requirements without you but apparently not everything that's shown in movies is true. So now I have to take you with me." He finally stopped in a room with five vehicons inside; three at the control panels and two next to what looked like a Groundbridge. Knockout told them to open the Groundbridge near a human town that was, much to Raf's disappointment, very far from Jasper, Nevada.
When they fired it up and the green swirling vortex appeared, Knockout tossed the boy into the air as he transformed. Raf grunted as he hit the backseats of the Aston Martin, the seat belt quickly strapping him in. "Keep your hands and feet to yourself, got it squishy?" He shuttered. "I don't need your disgusting fingerprints all over my interior."
Rafael nodded quickly before the Decepticon medic drove through the portal with one of the vehicons behind him and all three came out on the other side. It was in the evening and Raf noticed how they were under a freeway bridge. Knockout, after making sure no humans saw them, drove out and turned left onto the almost deserted freeway.
"Where are we?" Rafael asked as he looked out the window, careful not to even breathe on it in the likely event of angering Knockout.
Said mech responded: "We're on the outskirts of Concord, New Hampshire." His tires quietly rumbled as they passed over a river. Not five minutes later did Knockout turn off the freeway and started on a straight road.
Rafael watched in silence as more and more houses appeared until they were fully in town. They crossed yet another bridge and soon a very large Fencemart came into view.
Knockout and the vehicon found a couple deserted parking spaces not far from the store's entrance. "Alright squishy, here we are." The Aston Martin announced as he unstrapped Rafael and tilted his rearview mirror to get a better look at his passenger. "Grab as many things as you can and run to either me or the vehicon, got it? Whatever you didn't grab, we'll head to a different store and get."
"W-wait." Raf stammered. "I'm stealing? B-but that's illegal! I can't do that I -"
"I don't care about your organic laws," Knockout interrupted. "If you get caught, we'll just have to... squish a few bugs, simple as that. Now hurry, or Megatron will have my finish for keeping you out for so long." Rafael hesitated before stepping outside the sentient vehicle.
"Oh and one more thing..." The red sports car said, drawing Raf's attention back to him. The human could feel the optics of the bot on him, even if they weren't visible. "Don't even try to contact the Autobots. Soundwave will tell me immediately and we'll be on the Nemesis long before they can even bridge here."
The boy nodded slowly and fearfully before looking back at the bright Fencemart in front of him. Gulping down the lump in his throat, he took the first step forward, then another, and another, and another until he reached the store entrance. Rafael knew that he was currently on camera and that everyone inside, which wasn't many, could see that he was in his pajamas.
Rafael tried to remain calm and casual as he made his way over to the boys clothing department, still, he couldn't help but glance at every camera and person he passed. Once he reached the section, he immediately began to search for what he needed most, as he knew he wouldn't be able to carry much. So he first searched for a T-shirt and pants and then made his way to where they kept the socks, shoes, and undergarments. Raf also saw a school supplies section and grabbed a spacious backpack, stealthily shoving all the stolen clothes inside. After that, he moved to where the sweaters were.
As he pushed hangers aside, looking for the most practical one, he noticed an employee who kept glancing at him. Quickly, Rafael grabbed the sweater with the thickest material and moved on to the bedding section.
Raf searched first for the warmest blanket but instead saw one that looked very similar to the one he had back at home. The boy bit back the tears that threatened to fall before turning away. He quickly found a suitable blanket just as he once again noticed the same employee behind him. Raf knew that the man was beginning to suspect him of stealing, and he also knew that he didn't have time to grab a pillow.
Rafael suddenly took off towards the entrance, backpack over the shoulder and blanket flying out behind him. The boy knew that he couldn't outrun the full-grown man, but he tried anyway, not wanting to risk him getting hurt from Knockout or the vehicon. Soon, the security guards in the building were also chasing after him.
Rafael didn't realize that he felt slight relief at the sight of Knockout sliding right out front and opening his back door. He just wanted to not be caught by the guards.
His pursuers watched in shock as the boy dived into the red car, which immediately slammed the door shut and sped off, a purple custom automobile chasing after. Unfortunately, neither vehicle had a license plate.
Rafael panted heavily as he finally relaxed within the heated seats. "Well?" Raf jumped when Knockout's voice abruptly ended the silence and reminded the boy of his presence.
"I... was only... able... to get... clothes..." He spoke softly between breaths. He still was recovering from the adrenaline rush and the regrettable fact that he just robbed a Fencemart.
"So you still need fuel." Raf nodded quietly. "Fine, but the food is going with the vehicon, not me." Knockout stated before calling for a new Groundbridge portal to somewhere else. "I recommend that you change into your new clothes, squishy, before we get to this 'Trader John's' place."
Rafael didn't respond though instead did as the 'Con advised. He tried very hard not to think about the next theft he was about to commit. He tried not to think about his actions or the consequences. He tried to not think about what his family would say-what his friends would say-what Bumblebee would say.
Rafael felt... wrong.
The boy didn't notice that he had fully dressed and was now waiting outside the grocery store labeled 'Trader John's'. "I don't have all day, squishy." Knockout complained impatiently as he opened his door.
Rafael had never felt so much guilt in his life.
(A/N)
So at the end, I actually went on both Google Maps and a Day-and-Night-Time-World-Map website so that I could make it accurate.
Also, show of hands: How many people actually got that "Fencemart" was a reference to Wallmart? Or that "Trader John's" is a reference to Trader Joes. I was thinking "Hey, it's a different universe, why not have some fun?", ya know?