Hammerhead

by The Archer Black

Continuation of the plot started in Beauty of the Beast, this time not focused on June and Megatron - it's been few weeks since Megatron returned June and Optimus was rescued by Agent Fowler, now Optimus is recovering and Megatron tries to forget little organic femme when old enemy returns. My stories are available exclusively on my official accounts on , dA, AO3, Chomikuj.

29. Expect the Unexpected

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 ending of the series and because the first chapter was posted before the last season was aired).

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.

Spellcheck performed by Monstrous-hourglass of dA.

Expect the Unexpected

(…)

You never know where

You won't know how

When you least expect it

Expect the unexpected

Boom! What a terrible sound

Planes go up, and crash back down

You never thought when you left the ground

That you would not be found

Took a big chance when you made that bet

Laid it on the line now you're starting to sweat

This is one day you'll never forget

Cash in your pockets and no regrets

Fly in the sky, or sail in a boat

It don't matter which way you go

Titanic, don't panic,

There's other ways to cross the Atlantic

Don't be surprised by what you hear

Things aren't always as they appear

The unexpected ain't nothing to fear

The truth is always clear – "Expect the Unexpected" Dog eat Dog

oOo

Nevada, four days after the first joined mission – Thursday. Morning.

The Red Aston Martin was parked in the middle of nowhere. Pristine, dark red paint shone in the bright sun and darkened windows reflected the desert. It looked out of place. True, someone could have been driving the sports car off road, but the fact that there was no dust on the bonnet or the roof denied the possibility that the car was driven there. There were also no tire marks. It just looked as if the vehicle was simply put there somehow, perhaps by helicopter since there were no marks of any kind of tow truck.

The serene silence of the desert was broken by the low growl of a heavy duty engine. It was nothing like the purring hum of a sports car, the sound was so different in many ways. Not as smooth and vibrating, the sound resembled more of a roar of an engine designed to power up something far more heavy than the light chassis of a speedster. The ground vibrated under sheer weight of the speeding car.

And there it was, a green ATV driving with amazing speed. The ATV's horn beeped as the car neared the Aston Martin and immediately its coachwork begun to shift while still in motion. The plating moved, bent and twisted to form the bulbous figure of the Autobot Wrecker.

At the same moment the red Aston Martin shifted and transformed into the smaller form of the Decepticon Medic.

"You're late." Knockout stated with irritation in his voice.

"Some of us have duties." Bulkhead answered calmly. "Not just play with rotary buffer all days."

"Yeees… I can clearly see." Knockout measured his 'partner' with critical optic. "You are covered in scuffs. I am surprised that your paint job is still holding to your plating. It should have fallen off long time ago."

"My paint job is fine." Bulkhead growled. Every day it was the same. Knockout would start to whine about his finish and how the desert sun was bad for it. Sometimes he would criticize Bulkhead's and claim that he needed to do something about it, namely repaint and buff. "Let's get going."

"No need to be rude." Knockout growled and followed the Autobot. It looked like it would be a very long day for one gorgeous Decepticon Medic.

oOo

The time flew slowly. Knockout appreciated the lack of action, but even he had a boredom threshold and he was approaching it fast. He was surrounded by nothing but dried land and he could feel the sun working on his finish. He knew that UV radiation could dull the paint. Right there and then he envied organics – the UV wasn't good for them either but they had sun-blocks that they could apply on their disgusting derma and protect themselves to a degree. Knockout couldn't. In theory the wax he used was supposed to protect his finish from UV, but in all reality it was useless in the desert sun.

He and Bulkhead were on their pedes for something close to an Earth hour and found nothing. They had quite a lot of ground to cover, just like everyone else. Common agreement was that they would give up the scouting and change their tactics if they would fail to find any kind of M.E.C.H. trace. Judging by results do far, they would. So far they found nothing. Well, nothing of importance anyway. Remains of an old, rusty pick-up trucks didn't count anyway.

Knockout would gladly just quit the search on the spot not only because of how boring, tiresome and bad for his good looks it was. There was one more thing and the Medic regretted that he wouldn't be allowed to dismantle Starscream for pairing him with Bulkhead. The SIC claimed that Knockout had experience in cooperation with such large frame-types. It was truth, to a degree, but it wasn't the problem. The problem was that Bulkhead reminded him of Breakdown. He and the big lug were good friends, and Knockout still felt the anger rising every time he thought about Arachnid or M.E.C.H.

"We should check out behind that hill." Bulkhead's voice snapped him from musing.

"Excuse me?" Knockout looked at the big, green Autobot.

"I said we should check what is behind that hill." Bulkhead pointed his thick digit at small hill.

Knockout was just about to reply when banging could be heard from inside of Bulkhead's chassis. Both mechs almost jumped.

"What was that?" Knockout stared at Bulkhead. Not being an Autobot he had no idea what that could be. But Bulkhead did.

"Aww, not again!" The green ATV moaned and opened his chest compartment.

For a moment there was nothing, but then instantly a small human femme popped out making Knockout to jump back.

"Phew! Bulk! What the hell?" She panted and rubbed her forehead with her hand.

"You have a human living in there?" Knockout's optics grew almost two times in size. "It's… It's… Disgusting! It's almost like in this human film, what was it called? Alien! The scene where this tiny alien pops out of that skinjob's chest!" 1]

"Miko!" Bulkhead chose to ignore Knockout's comment. "What are you doing here?"

"You tell me." The girl answered while giving Knockout an evil glare for comparing her to a Chestburster. "You picked me from my host parents' house. I dozed off on your backseat and the next thing I know I'm in your chest compartment, it's hot and dark and almost no air."

"Aww, bolts! Miko, you shouldn't be here, we're searching for M.E.C.H. What if we'll find them?"

"Not very likely." Knockout snorted. "All we do find all week long is desert, few bones and deserted truck."

"Bulk, if we'll find M.E.C.H. then it's bad for M.E.C.H." Miko shrugged.

"I'll call for Groundbridge."

"We were supposed to maintain radio silence, except for calling for back-up or to get back in the evening." Knockout crossed his servos.

"See? You can't send me back now." Miko beamed. She absolutely loved to be in the middle of the action.

oOo

It was different now – Knockout thought – the human changed everything. It wasn't as boring anymore. The organic femme was chatty and cheerful. A small volcano of energy in fact. He knew few things about her, but ever since he learned that she literally blew Hardshell into pieces he even respected her a tiny bit. He hoped that he would have his chance to do the same to Arachnid for terminating Breakdown. Only he would do it by hand, or to be more precise by his rotary saw.

They met in person maybe once before, but only now Knockout had chance to take a closer look at the squishy. She was slim, energetic and mouthy. Very much like him. Or Starscream, though she seemed much less screechy and way tougher than the Seeker (considering that she was a tiny organic, easy to squish). Her colours were interesting as well. Her skin was light (even considering her origin, which Knockout was aware of), her hair had those pink streaks that fitted her perfectly. Her eyes were very light brown, almost amber. Few shades lighter and they would be almost like Breakdown's. Her outfit was the usual indigo blue, light violet and yellow belt complete with those heavy boots of hers. All in all she seemed to be in her element around big mechs.

Knockout remembered that Breakdown held interest in Miko 2] and how much she and Bulkhead were alike himself and Knockout. Knockout had his own reflections on the subject and recalled that he promised himself that if he would ever meet the skinjob he would congratulate her.

"I almost forgot." Knockout started. "I promised myself to congratulate you for killing Hardshell." He continued while giving a slight bow to where Miko was perched on Bulkhead's shoulder.

Miko blinked and gave him odd look. "Say what? Why would you congratulate me killing one of yours?"

"Yeah, shouldn't you be mad?" Bulkhead agreed with his Charge.

"Are you kidding me? That bug was never part of 'us'. He started brawls with Vehicons and was so full of himself that I welcomed his demise. You have no idea what kind of infuriating buffoon he was." Knockout waved his servo lazily.

"It was revenge." Miko stated remembering how angry she was back then, and how scared for her two best wrecking buddies.

"Yes, I know. I was there when Wheeljack called Megatron." Knockout's voice turned more serious. "And it was priceless to see Hardshell trying to explain himself. I saw what was left of that bug, and I must say, it was piece of art."

"You're the first mech I've met to say a corpse could be piece of art." Bulkhead stated while giving Knockout an odd look.

"What corpse? That wasn't as much of corpse as melted and mangled metal." Knockout giggled. "The only reason they knew it was Hardshell is because the head was still there."

"Whoa, you really must hate Insecticons." Miko eyes widened.

"I don't mind them much if they keep themselves away from me." Knockout only shrugged. "At least not all the time, but I do have unsettled business with a certain bug." This time there was a dark tone in the Decepticon's voice.

"Who?" Miko asked knowing the feeling.

"Arachnid." Knockout growled menacingly. "One day I will snuff her."

"Get in line, buddy." The human girls said. "You're not the only one after her."

"I know." Knockout replied matter-of-factly. "Arcee. And D.J.D."

"The what?"

"Decepticon Justice Division." It was Bulkhead who answered the question. "Quite a bunch. They specialize in extreme punishment."

"I didn't know that Decepticons had anything like that." Miko scratched her head. "Always figured that it was everybody for themselves kind of situation."

"No. Well, mostly yes. It depends." Knockout wasn't sure how to explain. "There are rules and there is everyday life. And of course Soundwave. Mostly we prefer to deal with our problems on our own, and Soundwave always has some sort of blackmail so everybody leave him alone. But when someone breaks the law and flees to avoid punishment from his superior's servo, then he will be pursued. And if he's really important or dangerous, then the D.J.D. is informed about him and they add him to their list of targets."

"Are they really that scary?" Miko asked in disbelief. "I mean, you do have Megatron, I thought he's the scariest dude around."

"Megatron will beat you or offline you. Beating you will survive, and if he'll choose to kill you, he'll just shoot you quick and clean." Knockout shook his head. "The D.J.D. makes practice of making example of those they catch."

"So I've heard." Bulkhead confirmed. "Though I don't know much. There are what, five of them?"

"Yes. Five Decepticons. If I was Arachnid, I would off myself before they catch me. But everyone who ends up as their target fools themselves that they can escape. Or defeat them." Knockout smiled darkly. "Arachnid won't be any different."

"Wow, she must've piss Megatron real time." Miko grinned one nasty grin, matching Knockout's perfectly.

"Oh, she did. But Megatron wanted to deal with her himself. But after she off-lined Breakdown and ran away, then set her pet Insecticon on Megatron, he lost it. He informed the D.J.D. about her and told them that the next time they're close to Earth, they're to come here and finish her off."

"It was her?" Bulkhead stopped. "I mean we knew, I've met Silas after he… Took over Breakdown's body, but I had no idea who killed him."

"It was the spider all right." The red Medic peered behind some random boulder. "Dreadwing said he could hear his screams."

Knockout remembered well that day. It was Dreadwing who told him about Breakdown's demise. The Seeker said that he was sorry and Knockout believed him. He knew about Skyquake and had no reasons to think that the now Second in Command wasn't honest. Then Knockout cleared Dreadwing's joints and seams from webbing that the damned spider shot at him and then performed necessary scans for port-combat evaluation. Dreadwing asked him if there was anything the Doctor needed or wanted, but Knockout thanked him and said that he needed some time alone, which he was granted. The rest of his shift passed very quickly, almost instantly, Knockout almost didn't noticed. He was too shocked to pay attention to his chronometer. The feeling of being crushed engulfed him entirely, he just couldn't comprehend that ever again would he have his assistant around. Never again would they exchange puns, jokes or gossips. Breakdown would never again walk in with a goofy look on his face plates.

Next couple of days passed quickly, Knockout functioned on 'auto-pilot', doing his job or recharging. Most of the crew decided that they would rather leave their only Medic alone for the time being. And then everyday life just seeped in, slowly, and bit by bit all returned to normal. Or as normal as it could. People tried not to mention Breakdown around Knockout, except when the Medic did it first. And even then they limited themselves to 'Yeah, Breakdown was a good person.' or something similar. Nothing could fill the void though, the only thing that he could do was to live with it. It was strange to just carry on but his duties had to be fulfilled. So he took in a few assistants, Vehicons that had some knowledge of medicine. But they were killed and he had to replace them. Until recently he asked Megatron to allow him three permanent assistants and, surprise, surprise; he was granted. For some time he tested few Vehicons he knew that were medicine savvy, and lately he chose three. All of them femmes. But even after that he missed Breakdown.

It wasn't that he and the big mech were a couple, even though Knockout held warm feelings for his assistant. Breakdown had never shown any signs that he felt something to his partner and Knockout didn't want to start an unwanted courtship. Now he had plenty of interfacing but he would give that all up only to have Breakdown back.

"I always thought that Breakdown was as tough as nails." Miko peeped in. "I mean, he was huge and heavy, and even gave Bulk a workout."

"Arachnid is sneaky." Knockout murmured. "I don't know how she did it, but she had to immobilize him somehow. She's good at that. And she is venomous as well. Everybody told Breakdown to be wary of her."

"But he was easy to rile up." Bulkhead added. "I know because I did it myself couple of times."

Miko wanted to say something more, but she noticed Knockout's face. There was something odd in the Decepticon's optics and contrary to what most people thought she could do sensitive and was quite observant too.

"I'm sorry that he died." She suddenly spurted. "I mean, he was evil, he threw a column at me once, but I guess he at least was honest about it all. And we kind of heard him talking to a Vehicon… That wasn't actually a Vehicon, but Breakdown thought it was and he sounded like a decent guy."

That earned her a look from Bulkhead, but he said nothing. He knew his Charge and if she was going like this there had to be a reason. She wasn't that soft and nice normally, at least not to Decepticons. Come to think about it, neither to Autobots or even other humans.

"He was a maestro with the rotary buffer. And he was a good assistant." Knockout vented deeply. Memories hurt, but he couldn't run from them.

"Were you a couple?" The sudden question made Bulkhead stop in place and send Miko a bewildered stare.

"No." Knockout's optics widened. Was he that obvious? "Why… How?"

"Oh, come on. I have eyes. You have the kicked basset hound puppy look." Miko huffed as if she was stating the obvious. "And from Ratchet I know that most Medics chose to be carrier mechs so you and Breakdown wouldn't be that much of surprise for me."

"I'm not a carrier mech." Knockout straightened his back struts. "I am most definitely, one hundred per cent mech. With all the mechly parts. You should know, femmeling, that most doesn't mean all."

"Wait!" Bulkhead almost jumped out of his armour. "If you're a mech, and Miko has in-build romance radar… Then… Does that mean that… uh… Breakdown was…"

"A carrier mech." The Medic finished. "Yes, he was. Does it make any difference?"

"Aw, mech!" Bulkhead repressed urge to facepalm. "And there I was promising myself to never hit a femme or a carrier! Except for Arachnid that is."

"Well, though scrap." Knockout shrugged. "Besides making such promises is foolish. Mind you that no femme or carrier mech will give a damn about your promises and will send you to scrapyard without any remorse."

"Maybe Decepticon ones." Miko spat.

"Would he fight any other ones?" Knockout asked and turned back to them to climb the small hill they were heading to.

He wanted to end the discussion about Breakdown before the human femme would ask why he didn't ask his partner out or something like that. He really didn't want to discuss it, especially with an Autobot and his pet human.

"We will have to fight M.E.C.H. and their new boss is a woman." Miko stated with unshaken certainty.

"I don't think that it counts, Miko." Bulkhead didn't sound all that sure. "I won't be fighting her directly."

"Then you'll be fighting her indirectly." The girl shrugged, for her there was only small difference between direct and indirect fight. "As long as you won't be shot. Again."

"Don't worry, I won't be. First of all, we would have to find them first." Bulkhead smiled at his Charge. She cared for him, he knew that. And if she went after an Insecticon, he knew that it would take a lot to prevent her from going after Silas' daughter. They would probably have to cuff her to something, or lock her up in a room without windows and set sentry by the door. Or maybe cuff her into a water pipe in a room without any windows and only one door, lock the door and set a sentry by the entrance?

"Umm… Finding them won't by much of a problem." Knockout said hiding behind some boulders on the hill top. "I think they're here."

Bulkhead sneaked to the pile of large stones that Knockout was crouching behind and took a peek. There, down the hill, near a couple of ruined building that once could've been a stage – coach station, judging by the looks of wooden ruins and a well, was camp. And not just some random camp. It was M.E.C.H. if men wearing characteristic uniforms and goggled masks were any indication.

"What should we do now?" Knockout asked in what had to be his best try at whispering.

"We should call for back-up." Said Bulkhead in a very low tone. He was much better at whispering.

"You kidding?" Miko in theatrical whisper, still much quieter than both Cybertronians. "Bulk, we're Wreckers. Wreckers don't call for back-up. We call for clean-up."

"First of all, Miko, you're a Wreckerling, still in training. Second of all, they may have that cannon that Megatron was shot with and I would hate to find myself on its working end, not to mention finding you there. Third of all, Knockout here is not a Wrecker and I'm not sure if he qualifies as a warrior." Explained the green Autobot, earning himself stifled 'hey' from Knockout. "And the most important, we are only scouting here, we were ordered not to engage M.E.C.H. if we would somehow found them."

"Aww. But we could take them down." Miko whined, still silently.

"No we couldn't." Bulkhead insisted. "And I will have to talk with Wheeljack about teaching you bad Wrecker habits and giving you even worse example."

"Now I'm interested." Knockout mumbled with small smile.

"But Bulk, he was teaching me the same things you were."

"Miko, do you know what happened last time Wheeljack said that Wreckers don't call for back-up?" Bulkhead asked in absolutely serious tone.

"No." The girl answered.

"I almost got blew up by Dreadwing and it took Optimus to save the day. He and Wheeljack forced Dreadwing to dismantle the bomb in the last moment." 3]

"Whoa." Knockout glared at Bulkhead with awe that usually was reserved for Miko. "You seriously don't play nice."

"Nope." Miko answered hiding her own expression. "Being a Wrecker means business."

"Business or no, we'll retreat now and call for a Groundbridge to the rendezvous point." Bulkhead decided.

"Good call." Knockout began silently and slowly backing from the hill.

Bulkhead with Miko on his shoulder followed making sure not to alarm M.E.C.H. soldiers in the camp with loud noises.

TBC

1] Knockout does watch movies in drive in cinemas. It's canon info – he admitted it in season 3, ep. 8 "Thirst".

2] See my fic "Impressions of Miko", chapter 2 – Team Megatron, for reference.

3] Transformers Prime, season 2, ep. 6 "Loose Cannons".

Also IMPORTANT.

I have seen the Predacons Rising (when it leaked to the internet, and now I got second version that confirmes what I saw) and I am most disappointed. Visually it was great but everything else is just embaressing. Why? I don't like Megatron's (or is it Galvatron now?) look, I liked him better before. Also there are at least four unsolved plots.

1. Where did Megatron go, what happened to him and what will he do now?

2. Where did Shockwave go? He clearly survived the attack (he does have his optic cracked so he's not a ghost – ghosts don't have cracked optics), he will need to fix his optic. And what with that unfinished predacon that he had?

will happen with Soundwave who is still in Shadowzone?

5. And what Predaking and his two lackeys did to Starscream?

So, you may think that there's no pleasing me, but if that was to be the end of Prime Series, then they screwed big time with the unsolved plots.

Unless, there will be continuation of sorts, but then could they give us any word about that, thank you very much?

This is also why I chose to ignore ENTIRE third season as a whole and not include its plot into my fiction.

MEET THE AUTOBOTS!

All right, here we go, it's introductions time! I will now introduce you to new Autobots and Decepticons that will make appearance in my next long fic. I will do my best to keep those introductions similar to what you can find in More Than Meets The Eye because I find them cute.

We will start with Autobots (as it was in the voting). Here we go!

HOT ROD – Real name: Rodimus. Young and reckless candidate for a Prime (someday). He may be suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or perhaps just can't sit still.

BLASTER – The Voice. Bigger than life Autobot Rocker. Both affable and deadly. Soundwave's anty-fan. Don't ask about his tentacles.

JAZZ – Saboteur and Culture Vulture. Loves pop-culture, especially Earthen. Pre-war cultural studies adept. Good soldier, great saboteur and even greater friend. Don't ask him to remove his visor.

REWIND – Walking Database. Blaster's symbiont that records everything. Loves to share the facts with everyone. Easily likeable.

STEELJAW – The Sniffer. Blaster's cat-forming symbiont. He depends on his smell more than sight. Can sniff what day of the week today is. Cold professional, enjoys smelling ladies' perfumes.