I am so sorry that I haven't updated, but I have been very busy teaching piano and working a new job. Story of my life. Enjoyed the reviews and hope I haven't lost any reader since I am slow to update; I will finish this story. I promise. I am just starting to take my writing in a different direction. I have a friend trying to help me get publish. I also write short stories based on real life events.
Take a moment and review. I live for them, and I will respond back. Enjoy!
Soundwave worked silently at his post as he watched the Ultra Magnus work across from him. The truck former was schedule for his first outing since he had come to Darkmount unwillingly so Megatron had Soundwave watching him. Ultra Magnus patiently waited for the vain doctor to make an appearance so that he could handle the previous night's discrepancy. No one was happy with Knockout for the moment since he had placed families and mates in jeopardy without any regard for safety or thinking it through to alert anyone of the type of experiment he was conducting.
Soundwave vented with relief that what was once known as Silas/Breakdown was now nothing more than a scrap heap waiting to be smelted in the furnace just below Darkmount. Megatron was deeply angry and Ultra Magnus knew that he would take the heat if the punishment did not satisfy the crime.
Knockout slowly dredged in as he looked to see if their lord and master was anywhere in the vicinity. He momentarily looked relieved before glancing at Ultra Magnus who nodded his helm to him before walking to the private office that he and Soundwave used to talk privately. No word was spoken even on the communications system as Knockout reluctantly followed the blue and white mech in before the door closed silently after him.
"Knockout I presume that I don't have to relate events that led you to this disciplinary hearing?" Ultra Magnus asked as he took a seat and motioned for Knockout to stand on the other side of the desk.
"No sir. I screwed up by not following proper protocol when testing in my lab. I placed femmes and mechs in unnecessary danger, and I caused a system wide panic among the crew of the Nemesis." Knockout stated flatly.
"Yes, but you also placed our leader's mate in jeopardy thereby causing our Lord High Protector to become upset. Furthermore, you placed Optimus in a very delicate position that could have caused him to lose the sparkling he is carrying. We also lost several of the crew to that monster, that terrorcon, that you created causing further panic from within the crew. They are still on alert for any that might have escaped from the wide spread scan that Soundwave did on the ship." Ultra Magnus stated bluntly. "I have conferred with Soundwave, and he agrees. You will continue as medic, but you will be demoted as our Senior Chief of Staff. Soundwave stated that the only reason you held CMO was because Scalpel was deactivated while performing triage on the battlefield, and Hook is currently working to assist the Constructicons on Cybertron. Ratchet will step up in your place, and Megatron has approved this," it was said quickly before Knockout could say anything though Ultra Magnus could tell that he was about to dispute his words. "I feel better that you work under a senior medic who was known for his expert care even before the war."
"Sir, Ratchet hates me." Knockout said without any oily sarcasm.
"Yes he does, but that will mean you will work harder to prove to him that you deserve your position as a fellow medic." Ultra Magnus replied looking pointedly at the young speedster. "You will also clean the public wash racks on all levels of the Nemesis and Darkmount after you are finished with your regular shift. I had to convince Megatron not to put you in the brig. The only reason he yielded is because he is concerned about his mate more than he is concerned about you. Soundwave or I will inspect them, and if they are not up to our standards you will clean every one of them again until we say otherwise."
Knockout looked at him incredulously, his optics going huge at the implications of how many public wash racks were aboard the Nemesis and Darkmount. "You want all of them?" He said looking gob-smacked at the idea of hard and tedious work.
"Yes, all of them." Ultra Magnus confirmed. "You are dismissed." He said with a flick of his helm before turning in the computer terminal at the desk and entering data to document his decision. Knockout looked at the truck former in disbelief a moment longer before turning and slowly walking out of the door. At least he would not spend the night in the brig, but to have to clean every wash rack would be an insurmountable project that even he could not see ending anytime soon. For the first time he regretted the end of the war and how lonesome it was without Breakdown.
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Megatron cradled Optimus in his arms. Since the previous night's incident his mate had not gotten better and Ratchet was checking him every hour for any change. There were few choices that Megatron ever regretted, but the dark energon was one of them. Even though the terrorcon incident was over Optimus was not responding to any of the treatment that Ratchet had tried and Megatron worried that he might not only lose the sparkling, but his mate as well. Even now, Optimus was running warmer than normal, though he was not in danger yet, and Ratchet had kept the sparkling monitor hooked up in their room since the medic did not want to move Optimus to the med bay. Ratchet also noticed that Optimus rested better with Megatron present, but that did not surprise the medic since there had been studies before the war proving that bond mates rested better in the presence of their other half.
There was no studies about dark energon. This was the perplexing problem that no amount of love and cuddling would help the infected victim. Their sparkling was a mix of the light and dark, and until Ratchet could develop a break through, or Optimus come out of this stasis, there was nothing that Megatron could do hence regretting messing with dark energon in the first place.
"Hey." Megatron looked up to see Arcee standing in the doorway of their berth room.
"I thought you might want a cube of energon. Ratchet says that you haven't left Optimus' side." She walked in slowly unsure if the warlord would accept her presence. He continued to look warily at her as she silently glided closer. He had never seen what Soundwave saw in the femme until this moment. It was her devotion to her friends and Megatron was glad that Soundwave had earned her trust enough to gain this small measure from her.
"Thank you." He gruffly stated. The words unused and grating as they came out, but worth the surprise that he saw on her face.
"You're welcome. Ratchet sent me and I wasn't sure how I would be received." She said it softly. "No change?"
"No. It seems that he doesn't or won't come out of this stasis since last night." Megatron told her quietly. Arcee sat down on the edge of the berth as she watched the distraught mech hold his mate. In this moment there was no warlord or captive, but only two bots sharing a concern over someone they loved very much.
"Ratchet is good, and I cringe even thinking this, but have you asked Shockwave to help? I mean he is a scientist, but sometimes having both a knowledgeable medic and a super focused scientist work together can help find a cure quicker. Optimus used to have both teams work together before the war got so bad." Arcee looked at her unresponsive friend before turning her gaze up to catch Megatron's optics.
"Shockwave is working an energon converter along with Starscream since Ultra Magnus has taken command. I can't let Starscream go unsupervised for too long, but maybe Shockwave can spare some time to help Ratchet." Megatron said catching Arcee smile and almost laugh at his words.
"Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer." She commented smiling at the warlord before turning serious again.
Megatron had to laugh softly at her choice of phrase. In that moment his once enemies were now on his side, but even still he would never completely trust the wayward seeker. "Starscream has his uses, but you are right, though I hope that this new bond with Ultra Magnus will help fortify and settle him."
"I still can't forgive him for Cliffjumper, but at least I can find some comfort in that we have all done things that are not right during this war." Arcee looked at Megatron again. "If you would leave the humans alone I can live with the consequences of how this war ended." She pleaded softly. "Optimus would want the humans to have some kind of choice. I know we need the resources of this world, but the Omega Key give us power to rebuild without destroying this world."
Megatron looked at the femme. He had to admit that she had courage to come to him. It was also very smart that she would choose now when Optimus laid between them, and he was unable to raise his voice or chastise her in any way.
"Does Soundwave know that you have come to plead the human's case?" He finally asked watching her reaction. She looked him in the optics as she rose up to sit tall and proud.
"No. I just thought to talk to you about it." She answered simply and truthfully.
Megatron thought about what she was asking for. While it was true that the Omega Lock would repower Cybertron by powering the Well of All Sparks, there was still the concern of long term duration. The lock would respark the lifeless cities and once Optimus separated he would be able to return the Allspark that Megatron was sure was hidden, not lost. The Allspark could restore the lifeless shell of the city formers that once protected their residents before the war, but until Optimus would trust him, Megatron was not sure of his long-term plans. Their relationship had improved and last proved without a doubt that Megatron more than cared, but it would not take much to break any trust that Optimus placed in his mate. Besides, Optimus still had not revealed where he had hidden the Allspark.
"We will see Arcee. Right now I am more concerned for Optimus than dealing with humans, but thank you for bringing it to my attention." Megatron finally told her as Optimus whimpered and shifted painfully in his mate's arms startling both of them.
"I'll get Ratchet." Arcee said as she stood and backed out of the softly lit berth room.
"He's on his way." Megatron said as his focus shifted from Arcee to Optimus.
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"Hey, when will your shift be over?" Starscream asked. He was tired, filthy, and irritable. He wanted his mate and nothing would soothe him until they were safe in their quarters alone. Megatron had gifted them with a four room apartment style quarters. The living area big with a soft meshed silver couch that would accommodate wings. It was the first thing that they had christened as a bonded couple in their quarters and Starscream was looking forward to plying his mate with energon while he watched Ultra Magnus pour it over his chest plates that protected his spark and Starscream lick it clean. It was a fun game that the two had developed while forming a closer intimacy and adjusting to the newness of the spark bond.
Starscream felt confident in his mate, and was sure that it was Ultra Magnus' natural ability to be at ease within a military environment. Starscream feeling his mate's contentment now understood why he had never fully accepted this type of environment. He was meant for far greater things and science was one of them. The only time that Starscream truly loved the military was when he was out performing any of the aerial units. His only regret was losing his trine mates. He still missed them, but he also saw through his bond with Ultra Magnus that there was other seekers still out there. Now he only hoped that they would come in with the end of the war. The few that had not followed the Vosian noble to Megatron's side were neutrals that ran from Cybertron to escape deactivation. It would take a long time for those few to ever trust either side, but at least Starscream had hope. Ultra Magnus would never drive fully the desire to nest that only a trine could understand, but at least he would have creations with his bond mate which gave hope that more flyers might be created. So few of them were left, and the aerials that were on the Nemesis did not count as worthy as the strong aerial sparks lost during the war.
Starscream flicked his optics over the demur room that now served as Ultra Magnus' office. There was not much in the spartan room. Megatron did not leave much for Ultra Magnus to keep from his transport schooner that he had flown when he saw the energy beam of the Omega Lock that had been generated from Cybertron, and channeled into the space bridge to earth. Most of that ship was now stripped for spare parts and any undesirables left for scrap. The only thing that did capture attention was the simple Magnus plague that sat on the truck former's desk. Starscream had never seen it before. The trophy/plague bore Magnus' name in neat beautiful glyphs, and a delicate hammer was sitting on top (which reminded Starscream of a human judge's gavel that he had seen on the internet) made of a sturdy blue crystal from Praxus that had not been seen since the city-state's destruction. The blue seemed to match Ultra Magnus' armor and Starscream reach over to gently stroke the crystal which vibrated and sang back to the awed seeker.
"Optimus gave it to me when I made commander." Ultra Magnus said as he looked up from the data pad he was working on. "I will be late unfortunately. I have to supervise a certain racer that dabbles in medicine and science." Starscream smirked at his mate.
"You didn't kill him then. He really screwed up this time." Starscream huffed before leaning back and fluttering his wings provocatively. "Well if I can't entice you away I might as well join you." He straightened up before striding around the desk, shoving Magnus back with his office chair and sitting down in his lap.
Ultra Magnus was not amused, but Starscream didn't let that sway him. "Star, this isn't the time…"
"Oh but I think that it is. The bond is still new and I feel it calling us." He smoothly drawled. Ultra Magnus twitched and Starscream choked back a laugh. "You know you want it, me!" Starscream purred in his audial causing Magnus to shiver.
"As much as I am in agreement with you I can't. Megatron is on his way with Soundwave." Ultra Magnus dryly stated and Starscream jumped up looking at the door suddenly as Ultra Magnus laughed at the fear and anxiety that Starscream emitted over their bond. He didn't mean to. Ultra Magnus knew how much Starscream hated the warlord, but he also knew that it was a good deterrent and effective way to get the highly strung seeker off his lap.
Starscream looked around the simple office before glaring back at his mate. "You lie!" He snarled. "You did that to upset me."
"No, I am stating a truth." Before Ultra Magnus could say anything else there was a ping and then the door opened with Ultra Magnus rising to stand at attention. Megatron walked in with Soundwave following and Starscream looked at the stoic pair with optics cycling on and off in disbelief. ll: I never lie about my work, Starscream :ll was softly heard over their bond and Starscream straightened up immediately before his master.
"Am I interrupting something?" Megatron smoothly asked as he and Soundwave came to stand side by side as they took in what was not being said.
"No my lord. It was just a surprise to see you. I would have thought you would not leave your mate since he is unwell." Starscream said placating the pair as he tried to adjust from the discomfort of being caught off guard.
"I would not normally do so, but Ratchet is tending to him. Ultra Magnus, you commed me about an issue?" Megatron turned the flow of conversation smoothly toward the commander he preferred to deal with as he and Soundwave waited for the ever calm officer to brief them.
"Yes, Special Agent Fowler is requesting to talk with Optimus. I have informed him that he is indisposed, but Fowler is insisting. How shall I address the issue? He is used to Optimus and it seems that he suspects that something has happened to the Prime." Ultra Magnus stated evenly but Megatron saw the subtle glare that the commander tried to hide. He knew that Ultra Magnus still did not approve of his bond, but it was futile to say anything since there was nothing that could be done without Optimus ending up hurt or deactivated.
"Soundwave will take over. He has talked to the human with Optimus. Maybe that will appease him until Optimus is better. "Megatron glanced briefly to Starscream. "Optimus is still in pain. Ratchet had agreed to allow Shockwave to study energon examples from both myself and Optimus to see what may be causing the pain, but Ratchet wonders if the Matrix is rejecting the CNA from me due to the dark energon. That will be the focus toward finding a cure for Optimus' ailment." Megatron informed them. He turned directly his gaze at Starscream. "Shockwave wants you to finish your work on the sample taken today, and then I need you to make sure that the air armada is at its best. We cannot let our guard down until the humans understand that we have no intention of leaving."
"Yes Lord Megatron, it will be done." Starscream dutifully replied. He nodded his helm according to a subordinate addressing his superior and Megatron smirked to see the seeker's wings flick in submission as well. Megatron did not understand all of the seeker cant and how the wings portrayed their own language, but he did understand submission.
"Thank you. You have improved since coming back and I appreciate your work. Don't fail me now and I will see that you are rewarded accordingly." Megatron said and Starscream shivered. He knew that Megatron's idea of a reward was not the same as his.
"Magnus, I always exalt superior work in my commander's but even Soundwave doesn't work more than two double shifts back to back. You need recharge, and Starscream needs his wings clipped." Megatron stopped to smirk at the stuttering outrage that suddenly came from the seeker before continuing. "Don't take it so personal, Starscream, even I know that seekers run hot and I am sure that Ultra Magnus is more than mech enough to handle you. Take your mate to his quarters and get him some energon. It will do both of you good." With that Megatron turned and left with Soundwave silently following.
Starscream watched silently as if in a trance with his mate looking slack jawed from Megatron's parting words.
"Did he?" Starscream finally managed, though still not a full sentence.
"Yeah, I think he did." Ultra Magnus quietly stated. Both mech stood there trying to process that their Lord High Protector could actually be agreeable. "It has to be Optimus rubbing off of him."
"Yeah, what you just said." Both would continue to keep that slack jaw look and trance like state for a moment more before Knockout would comm them to ask if he was free to go to his quarters.
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Okay, I got off of Facebook and actually wrote something. I hope you enjoyed it.