Updated - 25~07~2021

Second chapter is finally here! I'm sorry I made you wait so long, I've been busy working on many different things at the same time.

I recently came up with new ideas for a long time story I had had in hiatus, Dark Side, which I'm now slowly rewriting. Also, a friend of mine signed me up in a literary contest and I've been typing like crazy, among other thing.

I'm not sure when will I update again.

Hope you like it,

Enjoy!

2

Things had settled for a vorn now since he had received the bad news. Where shattered cubes and tossed materials had been laying around, there was now an impeccable Med Bay running back as nothing had happened at all. He was back into tending the wounded and doing his usual researches. Apparently, everything had gone back to normal. But that was just an illusion.

Knockout had his smirk back in place again and his paint flashier than never before, despite the unreachable spots. He had even returned to his cocky nature, showing himself off here and there in front of the crew, demonstrating them he just cared about himself. But when he was alone and out of curious optic range, things changed radically.

He kept himself in the darkness of his room, where his mind seemed to be set in motion. He did not mourn nor cry, that went agains his Decepticon coding, but it didn't mean he didn't keep his partner in mind every single click. His demise would not go into oblivion, fair not.

He had being pondering it for some cycles now, and each click it sounded more and more feasible. Knockout had made up a plan, meticulously measuring every detail, and he was looking for carrying it out. He had waited patiently until the opportunity had presented itself.

The Med Bay was quiet, his patients recharging and he had finished his duties for the day. He was set to go. He exited the room stealthy, making sure no one noticed his getaway. The doctor walked down the dark corridors, until he reached the nearest ground bridge generator. He introduced the coordinates and waited until the green vortex came to life. It was insane, but he was determined. Venting deeply, he made his mind up, transformed and rushed through it.

Knockout had appeared onto the well known dusty road he had traced zillion times before. The choice of the location was not casual, no. It had been deliberately chosen, as he had done for the past vorns. And there was a concrete reason why.

The first time he had gotten there happened to be few solar cycles after his loss, by mere chance. He was in need of some drive, in a vain attempt of burning his frustration and clearing his mind from the recent events. The red mech did not manage to fulfill his objective, but instead, he found out something that had stirred up all his plans, bringing up a new opportunity he had never thought of. It was thus he had made out of that dusty area, he so much hated, his location of preference.

Knockout's following incursions turned less idle and more productive. He had taken it seriously, most of the times leaving races aside and twitching focus on his mission of very personal nature. He had explored the area, recognized the terrain and got used to drive in it, but more important yet, he had observed, until he found the pattern he had being looking for. Same place, same jour. Never failed. Since then, he traced the exact same route every time he returned to the location, until it came natural to him. That night, though, it wasn't a practice anymore. That night it went for real.

The luxury red car drove smoothly over the wore away asphalt that divided the bast desert in half. The thin reddish sand grazed his finish in a way he very much detested, but had muted his inner self-caring voice about the matter. He knew that if he wanted to fulfill his mission he had to leave his complaints aside. It was a sacrifice he had to do, for his partner.

The spot he had been looking for began to be visible from his position, as it was laying ahead. Bold, he accelerated, expectant. The moment he had been waiting for was almost before him, and he was ready to face it.

It didn't took him much to cut the distance, and when he was sure he was near enough, he transformed. With a quick scan he recognized the place, and proceeded cautiously, all senses alert. His steps were steady at first, advancing fast, but then, when he reached the edge of the forest his attitude became more wary.

The signs on the ground confirmed his suspicions, yet again, he took few breems to kneel down and examine the tracks laying there. With a single servo he measured the prints onto the still warm sand. He then stood up and followed them. Narrow tyre marks lead him deep inside the forest, until they changed into barely noticeable and delicate pedeprints, which almost faded away onto the short grass.

The red mech continued, until he found himself almost at the boundary of a clearance. He did not advance more, instead, he waited protected by the vegetation around himself. There, sat at the edge, stood the cybertronian he had being looking for.

The views were impressive, it could be seen the whole reddish rocky canyon, and at the horizon, far away from the spot, the Outpost Omega One. Fresh air venting through her systems made her feel calm, like never before, grinning lightly at the satisfactory sensation. She leaned her helm backwards, closing her optics for a moment before opening them to admire the overtaking starry night sky. It was a rare situation when she could have a peaceful moment just for herself.

She couldn't avoid thinking about the time she had been trapped in that European forest with the Decepticon medic. He would have loved to stay under such the precious views. That brought her a sudden memory she did not expect, which lightened her humor even more.

The femme smiled when she remembered the encounter with the wolf, and a snicker escaped her at the way the mech had reacted at it, talking about it like an expert in the field. He had truly believed said animal was a real legendary creature. She shook her helm, her grin still there. Good thing she had consulted Jack about it.

Arcee had left him at home few hours prior and then she had done her patrol shift as usual, just to make sure there were not 'Cons messing around the town. The kids had to be safe, and that was something Optimus had implemented first day they became part of the Team. Once sure work was well done, it was leisure time for her.

Even if this wasn't the most spectacular place on Earth, she loved the area outside Jasper. It had lovely views and she enjoyed driving through it very much. Back when they were new to the planet, her partner had found a little forest, over a hill, that survived thanks to a natural flowing river. It was a miracle, an oasis on the desert, never better said.

Arcee would never change that spot for any other one in that world, not only because the beauty it held itself, but for what it meant for her. It was next to her protégée and also next to her now family, but probably the main reason why was because it used to be the place where Cliffjumper brought her on getaways, although that wasn't happening anymore. If he only had waited for back up…

She shook her helm to dispel those thoughts away. She did not wanted to remind what happened that day. She just wanted to keep that place as she remembered it, a place where sadness, hate and distrust were out of place.

The femme focused on the sunset's last rays, finally disappearing to let night rule, slowly becoming darker and making stars stand out. The white crescent moon, bright in that clear sky, came to greet her. She stood there for few breems more, admiring the wonderful display before her. It really amazed her the way the canyon changed its usual orangish red color to a purple one. It was almost magical.

The femme vented, closing momentarily her optics, and reopening them few clicks later. It was perhaps time to return back to base. She slowly stood up, with no rush, giving one last glance at the scenery, lost in thoughts, although alert.

She didn't turn around right away. It had been a while now since she had sensed something was not right in there. The disturbing feeling of being observed had just grown stronger from the pass breems, anticipating what was about to come.

She had known there was someone there, mostly because of the vegetation noise at her back she had heard few moments before. It gave her the idea that whoever was spying her was not a professional, making her vent in relief. It was the fact they had remained hidden what made her cautious. She forced herself to remain relaxed, despite the adrenergon running through her veins. With her back still turned towards the forest, Arcee raised her voice up and talked serene.

"If you were to attack me, you would have already done it." She turned her helm to the side, side looking over her shoulder, moonlight reflecting over her frame. "Am I wrong?" She obtained no response.

The femme waited for few clicks, before slowly turning around. Her frame tensed, and her expression got impossibly serious, unconsciously bringing her guard up. She knew she couldn't have just imagined it, there was someone there. She brought her blaster out and scanned the area, trying to determine how many enemies could there be and if she was being ambushed.

She swept the area thoroughly from her position, until she came to a stop, her blaster aiming at the shadows. She still couldn't see her eavesdropper, but she knew it was there, hidden between the woods. She charged and started up her blaster, ready to shoot.

"I don't have all night, and my patiences is running thin." She warned, resting her other servo on the armed forearm. "Show yourself." She wasn't expecting anyone to reveal their position, but apparently her words had the desired effect.

A shadow advanced with no rush between the trees, slowly defining as it approached. Arcee immediately recognized a pair of red optics, which flashed warnings all across her mind. Yet, she maintained her position. The Decepticon finally came into the clearance, letting his enemy had a good look at her prowler from a reasonable distance.

The Autobot studied him, looking for any sign of menace. Instead, the frame language of the medic showed no tension at all, not even given the situation. Arcee immediately knew something was not right with him. His lack of reaction at her blaster was strange on him, his expression was more. There was definitely something different with him that night, and she didn't like it.

Where his usual smug smirk used to be there was a straight thing line. His optics, once beholding seductively, now where dimmed and dead serious. He didn't let her see much, but she could read hate into them, much of it. Arcee could only describe her visitor as a latent danger.

He did not move, he did not gesture, he simply stood there, staring at her. The uncomfortable silence embraced them both, but he didn't look disturbed by it. After few breems, the femme shut her blaster down, but she kept it, wondering herself if she would need to use it against him.

"What are you doing here?" It was Arcee who finally decided to break the silence with her demand. He didn't reply immediately, he took few click to examine her, pondering the situation.

"Lower your blaster." His respond was emotionless. "Let's talk like the civilized cybertronians we are."

"Civilized?" She exploded, not believing her audio receptors. "Last time I recall, you were trying to dissect me with that saw of yours. That's not exactly the definition of civilized…"

"That was on the battlefield, and this is not said situation now, is it?" He came back coldly, cutting her off. "Besides, haven't you heard? We're on different factions, that to begin with. And secondly, Megatron was there, as well as Soundwave. What were you expecting?" He grunted, denta gritted. "Now, lower your blaster."

The femme held his intense burning gaze under his scowl, vainly trying to read his intentions. After a pair of breems that felt like an eternity, she gave him a defiant look, before folding her blaster, transforming it back into her servo.

"I'm listening to you." She stated. "Why are you here and how did you find me?"

"I was just driving by when found this lovely place. Pretty views of sunset you have here, truth said. I just happened to fortuitously find you." He spoke emotionless, evading her question by telling her only part of the truth. The mech wandered closer until he was by her side, looking at the desert.

"Enough with the talk arounds." She retorted, aware of his lies. His proximity made her tense even further, narrowing her optics distrustfully.

"Always straight to the point, huh?" He directed her a side look, his expression still not giving anything away. "I came here to make you a proposition. A temporary truce."

"What for?" She relied, turning her frame in his direction, always making sure she had him under control.

"To get ride of a common threat." A deep venomous hiss came out from his vocalizer as his optics got lit in hatred. She could see rage flames into them.

"Forget about it." She stood firmly, her optics returning a shine of her own. "You and I have nothing in common."

She didn't know what he wanted from her yet, but she had one thing clear, she didn't wanted to get involved in it. Her spark screamed her to leave, but her instinct told her other. If she left now, he would probably get angrier and discharge his ire on her. She probably would even have to fight for her runaway. He was a ticking bomb, and she wasn't willing to tempt an unpredictable 'Con into attacking her. Instead, she remained where she was, listening.

"I wouldn't be so sure." He finally faced her, barely leaving a pair of microns in between, leaning forwards. She suppressed the urge to push him away, maintaining her position. "Airachnid." He hissed, fangs in sight. She stiffened at the name.

"What is it to you?" Arcee spatted, her expression darkening in disgust, past memories coming at her.

"She took from me someone I cared about." He diverted his gaze, full of bitterness. "I wanna make her pay... Make her suffer." He remarked the last word before silencing, locking optics with her again. "I've heard you lost someone to her too…"

"No." Arcee immediately cut him off, without letting him finish. This time it was her who leaned forwards, determinately, making him take a step back. "No, Knockout, no. I know where you're heading. I'm sorry for your loss, but my answer is no." He huffed, frowning even further, as he straightened up.

"You don't know what I'm gonna sugge…"

"I know exactly what you're planning." She retorted, firm on her posture. "You intend to avenge your fallen, and because I am the only one who has fought Airachnid and survived her, you want me to help you decease her."

"You once teamed up with me to defeat a common enemy, and worked just fine. I'm intending to replicate the same now." He tried it again, hoping she would attend to reasons. "It would be a win-win situation."

"No. That was on a completely different situation with another different menace. That was survival, this is revenge." Arcee singling with her index outwards and then downwards, denying it again, sharply. "You don't know anything about her, you're not even by chance ready. She will terminate you without second thought, and I won't risk my spark for that." She declared resoundingly, turning around and starting to walk away. She had had enough. "You're on your own."

"I thought we had a deal." Knockout's mouth bent downwards, tension notorious in his frame as he followed the femme with his fierce gaze. "I prevented those fleshies from shutting you down at the forest. I saved you at the cliff fall. I created the perfect distraction for you to scape at the communication tower, and I risked my spark at the highway. You own me one."

Bothered by his words, the femme stopped on her tracks, her winglets stiffing up. She turned around and stomped until she was face to face with him again. Her optics showed a wild fire now, not ready to let that insolence easily go unnoticed.

"Don't think for a moment you were the hero back then, Knockout. Perhaps you got my back out there in few occasions, but I was the one who prevented M.E.C.H. from frying you at the canyon in first place. I was the one who refused to leave you behind when you broke your axle. I was the one who prevented you from getting lost on the middle of the forest. I was the one who did all the shooting, which allowed you to carry on your 'perfect distraction'. And more important yet, I was the one who risked her spark to guide the Decepticons to you so you could get back home."

"You have no right to come here demanding my collaboration. I owe you nothing. You saved me and I saved you. We're even." Her retort was solid, as they always were. "Also, as you so kindly reminded me at the mine, that deal you're talking about, it's over. Now, unless you want to push your luck further, I strongly suggest you to call down that plan of yours. It will never work, and you will never convince me into it. We're done."

His plates puffed up menacingly, as his surly glare hardened. His strong neck tensed too, his jaw tightening. All those signs were what made her prepare for the attack, which surprisingly never came. Arcee had expected him to unleash his frustration against her, but he didn't. He never did.

The crimson mech simply limited himself to a grunted 'Fine, I'll do it on my own.', before walking past her closely, slowly getting into the forest. Again, that attitude got her confused, as she was left behind deep in thoughts. She simply watched him leave, his last words still resonating in her helm. Even if he was the enemy, and after the recent events, part of her couldn't avoid feeling uneasy.

Knockout was known for his cowardice, but she knew he could be impulsive too. If he had been so determinate to find her and explain the plan to the enemy, she was almost sure he was gonna give a try and hunt Airachnid on his own. And he would perish. He would perish because she would have let him go alone... But, if there was a slight chance he got successful, the vengeance would be his, and not hers... She cursed. It couldn't be happening to her.

She decided to follow the way he had disappeared. If she was lucky enough she might still find him. The femme retraced her steps trough the forest and when she made it to the edge of the road she had a look around. Once sure there weren't humans nearby, she studied the recent tyre marks on the sand, allowing her to take the guess which direction had he gone. She transformed, activating Sadie, and drove down the road.

The blue motorcycle had been driving for few breems now before she spotted a dark red car ahead, advancing slowly. She pulled the gas open, finally recognizing him. She approached and honked the horn twice to let him know she was there.

The sport car reduced until he came to a stop, immediately transforming and crossing his arms over his chest. His crimson optics fixed onto her alt mode, and followed her transformation sequence until she was standing up in front of him.

"What you want, femme?" He spatted, irritated.

"I want to make sure you're not gonna do any stupidity." She replied, stern, resting her servos on her hips.

"Oh, you now care? How very Autobot of you!" Arcee did not say a word at his scoff. She passed her leg behind his knee joint, making him knelt down, and blocked his right on a chokehold, making him pout. "Ah! What are you doing!?" He demanded, thought there was a hint of uncertainty on his face.

"Don't get confused. I do not care about you." Her voice was icy cold. "You weren't expecting me to subdue you. What chances you think you'll have against her?" Her optics were locked onto his as he struggled to get free. "Careful, you will only scratch your paint job." He huffed at her mock, before diverting his gaze away, clearly angry.

"I still can do it." Knockout huffed, clouded thoughts. "I'm not a duffer."

"No, you can't." Her reply was lightly softer now, her expression still serious. "There much you don't know about Airachnid. If you think you will just defeat her using the prod and saw, you should have learned to properly use your blasters. That to begin with." She shortly paused, examining him.

"If you want to have a slight chance against her, you must be stealthy, you must be quick, you must be invisible. Honesty, all I see is a too colorful and noisy mech who knows nothing but complaining and whining around about his finish." He grimaced, trying to push himself up in two again, only to find himself firmly held in place. He cursed in Kaonian. "You have never fought her, you lack experience. If you go there, you will only suffer."

"Teach me then." His comeback wasn't expected, as his determined gaze fixed onto hers. She stared at him for a moment, surprised. "I can learn fast. Teach me how to move."

"Absolutely no." The femme shook her helm. "Teaching fighting skills to the enemy is something no one in their right mind would do. Nothing guarantees me you won't use it against the Autobot later on."

"We may be enemies on the battlefield, but not here." Knockout insisted. "Think about it. We will have higher chances of surviving if we're both at the same level. That glitch will never see us coming if we work together." He let his words sank in her processor.

After few breems in silence, Arcee finally released him, getting some distance in between. He slowly got up, rolling his sore shoulder, which had been forced into a unnatural posture. He then face her again, awaiting her response.

"It will never work." She diverted her gaze towards the bast desert. "I would suggest you to stay away from her, but I highly doubt you'll follow my advice."

"I won't…" He denied, stubbornly. "…Unless you promise me you will think about it."

The femme studied him for a moment, partly desperate and partly amused. He seemed serious on this one, so much that he even refused to listen to her solid reasons, and that would be the first time she saw him truly determined to carry something on, on his own. She finally sighted.

"I ain't promising anything... I might, by chance, reflex about it." She muttered, directing him an ice cold glare. "Just don't get your expectations too high. I might still say no." With that she began to walk away.

"I'll be waiting for your response. Until we meet again, Autobot." He greeted silently.

Arcee never turned her gaze back. She transformed and drove, leaving a quite confused and hopeful Decepticon behind. When he had disappeared from her rear mirrors' sight, she asked for a ground bridge. She couldn't risk to give away their base location.

Ratchet had been at the monitor, as usual, though never asked about the reason why she had asked the ground bridge. She had neither told him she had encountered a Decepticon. As quietly as she had appeared, she disappeared inwards the base, heading her quarters. Arcee made into her room and sat on her berth, concentrated on what Knockout had said before.

'That glitch will never see us coming if we work together.' He had said, and he was right. Airachnid would never expect such team up. She would never see them coming. 'Teach me how to move.'

Even if she hated to admit it, Knockout had turned to be right in few things. She wanted the spider out of game too, more than anyone else. Yet, if she wanted to accomplish that mission, she would have to push her Autobot coding aside. She would be betraying all she believed into, and she would be betraying her Team too, something she wasn't sure she could do at all.

The second question that circled her helm was the idea of training Knockout into combat. She should under no circumstances do that. Once the truce was over, he would turn against her, as he had showed her before. He would know enough to get rid of any of his enemies, and she could not allow herself to put her team in such risk. But if she didn't teach him, and actually faced Airachnid, he would have no chances.

She sighed, her gaze dropping the ground. What was she getting into?