Hammerhead.

Warnings: Violence, bad language, gore and possibly some sex.

"Through this doorway what's on the other side, never knowing exactly what I'll find, locked and loaded, voices screaming: let's go, come on do it, here we go!" – Hammerhead, the Offspring.

Timing: Post season 2 finale, set few weeks after Beauty of the Beast in my very own BotB Prime Timeline (due to the fact that season 3 – The Beast Hunters is about to be aired at the end of March).

Rating: M (alternative – if there will be any – or extended chapters will go MA and will be available on my Tumblr account, the address is available on my profile page).

Pairings: Megatron and June, Bumblebee and Miko, maybe some Shockwave and Arcee.

Disclaimer: Transformers Prime © Hasbro. Story's plot and OC's © me. There may be some OC's that aren't mine – they belong to their respective creators.

Knocking on Heaven's Door

Mama, take this

badge from me

I can't use it anymore

It's gettin' dark, too dark to see

Feels like I'm knockin' on heaven's door

(…)

Mama, put my guns in the ground,

I' can't shoot them anymore.

That long black cloud is comin' down,

I feel like I'm knockin' on heaven's door. – "Knocking on Heaven's Door" Guns'n'Roses (Bob Dylan's cover).

Miko peered over Raf's shoulder as he checked some UFO and other mysterious phenomenon devoted page. There were pictures of Big Foot and Loch Ness monster, as always unfocused (what was it that all those cameras always suffered from malfunctions). There was a ball of fire that under closer inspection looked just like jet engine in the dark and it probably wasn't Starscream or any other single engine Decepticon flyer. There was video of some flashing red light on the night sky that could be UFO but also could been a plane's lights, it had to be large one, maybe one of those large passenger ones.

And there was beautiful take of Knockout's alt mode. The black and white photo was obviously made by photo radar, there was location, date, time, and speed printed in bold white figures on the picture. The Aston Martin DBS v12 was speeding, a lot, and while the picture didn't provide any colour, the car's finish looked pristine, and in case there were any doubts the registration number was perfectly visible: JOFY 892.

"Whoa! Dock Knock got himself caught!" Miko flashed her teeth in wide grin. "It practically a mug shot! Tee-hee!"

"Lemme take a look!" Smokescreen almost shoved his head into Raf's laptop's screen. "That had to be one hell of a ticket he got! Talking about bad luck! I never got myself caught like that!" Smokescreen stretched himself to his full height with satisfied grin and then noticed that everyone was watching him like he suddenly grew another head, even Prime risen an opticbrow. "Err… That's because I never break traffic law." He added quickly.

"Anywho… Even if he got a ticket, it's not like he couldn't pay it." Miko pointed at the picture. "He's like racing all the time in those illegal quarter mile races; he has to win a lot."

"I don't think he collects his wins. They pay in cash; he couldn't pick his win without revealing himself. And that's assuming he knows that there is any kind of prize to win." Raf scrolled down to see comments under the picture. "And he never paid the ticket. Look."

There was a description.

'The mysterious car's number is phony, there is no Aston Martin with this licence registered in state of Nevada, the Police had no address to send the ticket to.'

Underneath a full blown argument took place. Half the people claimed that it had to be something supernatural, a ghost car or maybe some sort of government secret. The other half claimed that it was perfectly normal car with false registration number and that it was only natural if the driver was using this car for illegal racing.

"You think we should erase the picture?" Raf scrolled up returning to the picture.

"Nah, he's a 'Con. Let his buddies erase his shots and replace them with funny animations." Miko folded her arms. "What are we? Charity?"

"I highly doubt that Soundwave has time to hunt Knockout's pictures over the internet." Ratchet whipped his servos in clean rag. "I doubt he would touch it even if he knew it was there. He would rather save the page and use it as blackmail."

"I think we should erase it." Raf opened folder with set of prepared animations. "It doesn't matter if he's a 'Con, he's just as secret as Autobots."

"Not that he works very hard at keeping the secret." Smokescreen snorted.

"No, but we don't do it for him." Raf chosen one particularly ugly example of a jellyfish and replaced the picture of Knockout. "And done."

"Hey, maybe we should add a comment?" Miko reached and tapped the touchpad to open the comment box. "What say you, Raf?"

"Do you know what to type?"

"Sure!" Miko took the laptop from Raf and started to type.

'Congrats KO, next time just park outside of nearest Police station.'

oOo

"Are you sure this is one of them?" Silia stared intently at the picture of a speeding car.

"Yes. The numbers and model are fitting. It has to be one of the Decepticons." Ripley zoomed in the shot so Silia could take a better look. "He is known to be illegal race enthusiast. Every time he takes part he wins, and those who were too close usually end up in ditch. He has quite a collection of damaged cars, broken bones, concussions and one case of auto-phobia.

"This may prove useful information." Silia scratched her chin. "Anything else?"

"Not at the moment."

Neither Ripley nor Silia noticed that the photo changed suddenly. Instead of perfectly buffed Aston Martin ugly looking jellyfish appeared.

oOo

Knockout strolled into the command centre in search of Soundwave. He was in need of someone who knew how human programming worked and Knockout didn't felt apt enough to try anything by himself. At least not yet.

The Decepticon Medic looked over the centre and noticed that Starscream was gone. Probably went to check out on his seeker armada. Shockwave didn't even acknowledge that someone entered the room and Soundwave wouldn't allow himself to be bothered by opening and closing doors.

Knockout hoped that the Spy was in good mood and would help him.

"Soundwave, may I have a moment of your time?" He walked closer and stopped when Soundwave glared at him in utter silence. The unspoken question hung in the air for a moment before Knockout could answer. "I find myself in need of an expert."

The TIC nodded once and returned his attention to his work station. Knockout took it for permission to approach. And so he walked closer.

"I found this and I would like to get rid of it but I just can't deal with human programming." Knockout typed something and suddenly an internet site showed itself. There was a picture of Knockout, black and white, made by photo radar.

Soundwave cocked his head to one side. The picture was clear; all important details were well visible. The spy took notice of the time, date of the picture and the speed of the Medic for the future use. All ground based Decepticons who took alt-modes that could be used in populated areas had to learn traffic laws and were instructed about photo radars. How come Knockout managed to get himself caught like that…?

Suddenly Soundwave returned to reality, Knockout offered to share next race win with him. Those prizes were usually high. This was tempting.

"Honestly, 50:50, you'll get half of whatever win I'll have." Knockout promised and Soundwave knew that the Medic would keep the bargain. No one dreamt of cheating Soundwave, consequences of such a mistake would be grave.

Soundwave considered the offer for a moment. Knockout had ways of collecting his prizes and he usually spent them on whatever new car related products were available. Soundwave pondered what could he do with his share. He quickly decided that he would buy himself a lot of tiny internet cameras. He could create secondary surveillance grid, just for his very own use. He smiled behind his visor and nodded once accepting the Doctor's offer.

Knockout couldn't believe his luck. Soundwave accepted his offer. Sure, he agreed to give the mech half of his next win, but he won a lot so he wouldn't feel the loss at all. It was true, those prizes were usually high and Soundwave just got himself plenty of local currency for what would probably take him five human minutes, but Knockout was sure that the picture would vanish once and for all. And he wouldn't have to battle the human server. The infernal machine was immune to his actions, he spend half of human hour trying to delete the picture without any visible result.

"Wonderful! I leave it to you then." Knockout sent Soundwave one of his most charming smiles. "The next race is this evening, so tomorrow morning you'll get your share." With that the Medic left.

Soundwave stared at the picture for a moment and then extended single, long digit to press couple of keys when the picture suddenly vanished. Soundwave froze, this was odd, he didn't do anything yet. Then a picture of jellyfish appeared. It was truly gross; the organic creature had a dead fish caught in its thin and venomous flagellums. There was another fish inside its transparent body, clearly being consumed. The light was cold, the water looked grey and everything in the picture looked slimy and cold. Then a comment appeared underneath the new picture. Soundwave read it and shrugged, this had to be the job of Autobots' human assistants. He already found couple of cases where a Cybertronian (usually Bumblebee) was photographed and then the photo disappeared only to be replaced by something else. He decided that he didn't mind. He would still collect his reward and he didn't have to even move his single digit, literally.

oOo

"What you're up to Miko?" Jack started to climb the stair to the catwalk.

"Raf found Knockout's mug shot." Miko handed the computer back to its owner.

"What?" Jack eyes grew large.

"It was photo radar picture of Knockout speeding." Raf explained. "We just replaced it with ugly jellyfish."

"Did you save a copy?" Jack asked meaning Knockouts mug shot.

"Naturally." Raf tapped a folder, scrolled through its contents and picked a miniature. Knockout's picture appeared in the browser.

Jack grinned.

oOo

June followed her son to the hangar, summer sun shone brightly from cloudless sky. It was still quite early but even now the heat was noticeable and she was glad the hangar provided some shadow.

The moment she entered the hangar she was blinded, it took her few seconds for her eyes to adjust to the shadow. The Nurse cursed under her breath for not taking any sun glasses as she blinked to get rid of spots that appeared in her eye sight.

"Nurse Darby!" Ratchet greeted her from where he stood at the monitors. "I see you came."

"Yes. How are you?" She asked walking closer.

"I would be much better without your friend over there." He pointed at the place where Megatron laid behind crate wall.

June smiled with humour. "I understand you don't feel comfortable with him here, but think of it this way, if he's here he's not out there plotting."

Ratchet glared at the woman with his mouth ajar. He had no reply to that.

"That's a good point." A low voice behind June said. "But it would be just as true if we could lock Megatron in a prison."

June spun on her heal only to see Optimus Prime wearing his new paint job. It was gleaming in the light that entered the hangar by its open gate. There wasn't a single scratch on the finish and the metallic paint seemed to truly be on fire.

"Optimus!" June marvelled his new paint. "This new paintjob looks very smart!"

"Thank you June." Optimus lowered his pals for June to climb on. "It is good to bear my own colours once again."

"It must been awkward for you." June held the gigantic thumb as the Autobot leader lifted her higher. "Not having any paint."

"No that much. But it served as visible proof of my weakness whereas I should stand as an example of strength to my soldiers."

"Optimus, you were this close to die." June index finger and thumb almost touched as she gestures how close Optimus was to his end. "The mere fact that you're walking and talking is the best example of strength."

"Thank you June."

"Remember, I saw you when you arrived, before Ratchet was able to work on you properly. I can't imagine anyone to survive such injuries." The woman patted the thumb she hold for safety. "And now, look at yourself; you look even bolder than before. I can't imagine better leader of the Autobots than you."

Corners of Optimus' lips turned slightly up. It was true that his recovery was almost miraculous, but it was Ratchet's hard work and human engineers and medics assistance that allowed him to survive long enough for Ratchet to arrive. And he was only able to function properly thank to spare parts that was taken from M.E.C.H.'s dummy. This wasn't only his strength. Then he realised that his greatest strength was not just his own physical force, but his friends and allies that he could count on.

"Thank you June. But I know that you didn't come here to praise me." Optimus gave her knowing look. June noticed that there was something else in it, but couldn't tell what it meant. "Ratchet, is Megatron awake?"

"No, I left him in stasis lock as his hydraulic liquid tank is refilled. I don't need him to wriggle and make things more complicated." Ratchet's voice wasn't exactly hostile but the old Medic sound like he perceived Megatron as one big inconvenience. "In fact I think we may check on him, his tank should be full or almost full by now."

"Why Megatron being awake would make filling his hydraulic tank more complicated?" June asked with nothing but curiosity in her voice.

"That's because it's unpleasant. I believe the closest sensation that humans have would be deep itching of the auxiliary inlet." Ratchet decided that he could explain. "The mech or femme would wriggle all the time causing trouble, pulling the hose out or at very least make the entire process last longer."

"I see." June smiled, it didn't matter what species it was, medicine was never pleasant for the patient.

They entered what now was known as 'Megatron's room' and saw that Megatron was still out and the hydraulic liquid container was empty.

The Warlord vented calmly, his chassis moved slowly and steadily, his both servos at his sides. It was the first time that June saw Megatron unconscious and decided that he looked as calm as never while awake. His opticbrows were low, so low that she could see ridge of his helm that usually were hidden. His mouth was closed and she noticed how the scars matched on his both lips, the middle of his face slightly darker than sides and his optic lids closed.

The Nurse recalled Optimus lying just like Megatron now, but they looked so different. Optimus' face was different, smoother and looking younger. Megatron's face carried evidence of how brutal his life was. Optimus was usually serious and sometimes plainly sad. Megatron was severe but she couldn't tell if he was always like that or did he had better humour at times. From what she heard he didn't but no one really knew Megatron well enough to tell. Except for Optimus but she didn't want to ask him about that.

"I will wake him now." Ratchet pulled the tube free. "He should wake instantly."

Optimus tensed now knowing if Megatron, now free and mobile, would attack. Ratchet detached wire that he used to induce stasis and all optics and eyes focused on Megatron who did nothing for full minute. Then he stirred and tried to open his red optics. His opticbrows rose higher but his optic lids barely moved. It took few attempts for him to open his optics in full, then he vented a deep in-vent and blinked once.

Megatron felt it again – the nasty taste on his mouth, like he ate bunch of dead and rusting scraplets. That was one of many reasons why he hated stasis locks so much. His vision was blurred so he waited patiently for it to recalibrate, it wouldn't take long.

The first thing that he saw after his vision sharpened was Ratchet who was the closest. That he expected. Then he concentrated on the second figure in his optic sight, which was Optimus Prime but Megatron's optics instantly found that the Prime held someone much smaller in his palm. The figure was tiny. She wore green scrubs with pale yellow sweater, had black hair and stared at Megatron with her blue-grey eyes. Megatron's optics instantly focused on June, his spark pulsed stronger and his electromagnetic field flared in presence of an organic femme that he was forced to admit before Prime (but mostly before himself) he fancied. He was cursing Optimus Prime for touching this subject, but he knew that sooner or later he would have to answer the same question on his own and that the answer would be the same.

"I trust you feel well, Megatron?" Optimus' voice brought Megatron's attention to the Prime and only then the Decepticon Warmonger noticed that his archenemy looked different. He eyed the other mech for a moment taking in the whole image.

"So do you, Optimus." He spoke in even and calm voice. "I must say, this new look fits you."

"So I was told."

"Enough the small talk." Ratchet pulled out his scanner. "Hold still, do not speak and vent evenly."

Megatron gave Ratchet amused look and obeyed. There was flash of light, the good doctor hummed and then shoved his scanner to wherever he kept it. Then he tapped Megatron's abdominal plating and scanned it with his arm-mounted scanner only to step back the moment he finished.

"All seems to be good. Your injuries healed well, the new wields look good so far and your hydraulic liquid tank is full so you can move." Ratchet made a pause to see Megatron's reaction, which was non-existent. "But, for now you are to take it easy. Today you may sit and move freely as long as you don't try to stand up. Tomorrow you will be allowed to walk a little, and remain under my care until wields won't absorb enough for you to transform, which should take three to four days. Is that clear?"

"And if I decide that I feel like getting up today?" Megatron taunted his temporary personal medic.

"Then I will wield you to this berth by your aft." Ratchet transformed his servo into wielding torch. "And then put my wrench to use. This is my infirmary and you're going to be treated just like any other patient would."

"Understood." Megatron seemed amused by Ratchet's behaviour but he knew well enough that the Autobot Medic would keep his promise and wield him to the berth. The Warmonger learned already on Knockout's example that medics tended to be greatly authoritative when it came to their med bays. Knockout would never dare to threat Megatron like this, but he threw few hissy fits and every Vehicon and Insecticon on Nemesis knew to behave when under their Doctor tender mercies.

"Your mechs called us earlier and wanted to speak with you. They said that they will contact us later today or tomorrow, so you will have chance to talk to them." Ratchet started to shut down the monitors and other equipment that wasn't needed anymore. "If you like you can sit but do it slowly, wielding is large but thin and it may not withstand any abrupt movements."

Megatron was tempted to give the Autobot Medic some sort of sarcastic reply but he decided that it was below him. He would probably heard similar instructions from Knockout and he was wounded enough times to understand that wields like his were fragile (he managed to tear them few times and it wasn't pleasant) and required time to absorb, which was very important for flyers as their protoform-armour fit had to be as tight as possible.

"Now we will leave you with your guest." Optimus came closer and set June in the same spot that she occupied last time.

"Thank you Optimus." June hopped down from his open palm.

Prime only nodded to June and sent stern look to Megatron. Both mechs watched each other for a moment. To a bystander it looked like staring contest, but in reality it was communication. Optimus was giving Megatron quiet warning and Megatron was challenging Optimus to accuse him of any kind of malicious intentions toward object of Prime's concern. Megatron knew that Optimus didn't trusted him entirely but he wasn't about to try and convince the Prime. Optimus knew that this was perhaps the very first time that Megatron perceived a creature other than a Cybertronian as something worthy of his attention, but he couldn't force himself to not worry about the human woman.

Then just as quickly as the tension rose it disappeared and Optimus left followed closely by Ratchet towing his equipment with grim look to his face.

"What's with Ratchet?" June looked after the Medic with concern. "He looked like he wanted to murder someone."

"That would be me." Megatron said with humour in his voice. "Or Prime. Perhaps both of us."

June turned to the Decepticon and gave him a fish eye.

"Ratchet wanted to ban me from having guests, namely you." The grey mech explained. "He believed that the moment I would be able to move I would kill you."

"But I'm here…"

"Optimus didn't listen to his Good Doctor and decided that I should be allowed to see you."

"Which makes me wonder." June took few steps closer to where Megatron laid and stood at the very edge of the crate that she was set on. "Why did you want me to return?

"Like I said, it is good to have a company that isn't hostile."

"That's all?" June cocked her head to one side, she was truly curious. She was always told how cruel and evil Megatron was. Then she was taken prisoner by him and spent few hours talking with him. She still wasn't sure what did he want back then, but she managed to see his other side, the one that was lesser talked about. Who knew that Megatron was a gentleman, or gentlemech?

The look she received from Megatron was odd. It told her that there was more but she could bet that he wouldn't tell her. At least not yet. The stare was intense and the blood red colour of his optics doubled the feeling. He wasn't as week as he was merely day before, but he still didn't look like the mighty Warmonger that he was. He was close though, where his body was still recovering his mind returned to its old state, his wit and will were back.

TBC

OK. We're reaching half-mark of the story, Megatron will be back in the game and the hunt will begin. Also some other parts of the plot that were either partially dormant or completely hidden will take their momentum now.

After the latest episode I'm not very thrilled. Though there were few good moment. Who knew that Predaking can transform his arm into weapons? Anyone, tell me what is the difference between him and regular Cybertronians then? He's to be a predacon but he's just like any other Transformer.

Also, OP head-butting Preddy? That was nice.

Starscream – traditionally – didn't checked if he got the right hangar, or if there was anyone in.

And as to Ratchet… well, I have one thing to say to him: Stall dune, staaaallll! They're getting to you!

And Megatron: You sneaky… piece of fine aft (because he is, have you seen it? I think they shaped his… bum just to please female and few male, fans XD).

And, oh, a Guest demands humanxrobot sex. Be calm, be patient, we're getting there. As well to robotxrobot sex as well.