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.
Down in a Hole.
Down in a hole, feeling so small
Down in a hole, losing my soul
I'd like to fly,
But my wings have been so denied
Down in a hole and they've put all
The stones in their place
I've eaten the sun so my tongue
Has been burned of the taste
I have been guilty
Of kicking myself in the teeth
I will speak no more
Of my feelings beneath
Down in a hole, feeling so small
Down in a hole, losing my soul
I'd like to fly but my
Wings have been so denied
Bury me softly in this womb
Oh I want to be inside of you
I give this part of me for you
Oh I want to be inside of you
Sand rains down and here I sit
Holding rare flowers (oh I want to be inside of you)
In a tomb... Oh I want to be inside... – "Down in a Hole" Alice in Chains
oOo
Autobot Temporary Base. Area 51. Nevada. Two hours after the battle.
"No trace of M.E.C.H., Silia or machines they've… ahem… commandeered." Fowler winced while reading the contents of a thin, yellow folder. "I seems like they just vanished into thin air."
"That is most unfortunate." Optimus Prime's face remained stoic but his opticbrows furrowed. "Is there any way of anticipating their whereabouts?"
"No. Silia went worldwide. M.E.C.H. is no longer a strictly USA group, they can be anywhere." Fowler closed his folder and threw it onto small table that stood on the catwalk he was on.
"Not that they could go far." Arcee stepped closer to where the Special Agent stood. "Their helicopters have limited range. They can only go so far without refuelling."
"They can go far enough if they have places to refuel." Fowler shook his head. "It's actually easy to go anywhere as long as there are humans around."
"Have you contacted Nurse Darby?" The Prime asked.
Everyone stared at the Agent in silence. None of them held much enthusiasm for June and Megatron's relationship but they all appreciated June herself and they didn't want to see her disturbed. They were even ready to accept the fact that she and Megatron were seeing each other if that meant that the woman would be somewhat happy. She already lost her home due to their war; she didn't need to lose anything else.
And right then, as if on cue, June's car stopped in front of the hangar and the woman ran in. She looked nervous and scared.
"Agent Fowler called. He said that there was a battle. Is everyone all right?" She said in a stern voice.
"June, none of us was wounded in the battle." Prime kneeled before the woman as he spoke in calming voice. "We arrived when it was already over."
"What happened?" The Nurse asked suspiciously. Fowler called her to come to the base and now she learned that no one was wounded. So why was she called in the first place?
"M.E.C.H. attacked New Kaon." The Prime said and offered his hand on which June sat to be taken to the recreation area on the catwalk. "The fight wasn't very long but it was fierce."
"Oh my God." The woman got pale. "Did… Did… Did the Decepticons… "
"No, Decepticon haven't managed to overpower M.E.C.H. before they fled the scene. But not before they destroyed New Kaon." Optimus gently cleared, aware that everyone in the hangar was listening to him speaking. "June, please sit."
June sat silently on a couch. She had bad feelings. "Who died?" She asked, feeling as if she was punched in the stomach.
"No one died." Optimus ensured calmly. "In fact thank to Megatron's sober thinking there was only one wounded." He said, not knowing how to break the news.
"Who? Optimus, I swear, do not force me to pull information out of you, just tell me."
"It was Megatron." The Prime said and noted that June turned even paler than before; her skin actually starting to look greyer than anything else. "Do not be alarmed, he lives. He was unconscious when we last saw him but Ratchet claims that he should regain his consciousness after some time."
"What happened to him?" June was still pale, though not as pale as mere seconds before.
"A concussion and a broken cheek strut." Ratchet approached the catwalk. "Nothing too serious, he had worse during his fights with Optimus. If being repeatedly beaten on the cranium by Optimus didn't damage his empty head, the latest injury won't do him any harm either."
"Ratchet!" June cried in indignation. "You're talking about injured mech. You should be ashamed!"
This outburst managed to send the Autobot Medic into stunned silence. There were few snickers behind, coming from other Autobots, but other than that there was nothing but silence.
"Relax, June." Arcee was the first to speak. "If Ratchet actually spills his venom on Megatron's head, it means that he thinks that the old Megs will be fine. You should be worried when he's actually nice; it means that his patient is in heap of scrap."
"Thank you Arcee for clearing my ethics." Ratchet spat grumpily. "I believe I will be able to repay you properly for this courtesy the next time you require non-life saving yet painful procedure."
"Ouuuh! Arcee's in trouble." Bumblebee beeped in a cheerful tone but then immediately silenced under Ratchet's heavy stare.
"We haven't heard anything from Decepticons since we saw them just after the battle." Optimus wisely ignored the entire scene. "But we were assured by Starscream that the truce is still in place. We should learn more soon."
oOo
DBS Nemesis. Half way between Earth and Moon. 1]
The med bay looked almost deserted if not for Knockout, his three lovely nurses (now wearing special markings on their shoulders – courtesy of Knockout's need to mark his staff) and the four highest ranked Decepticons in the entire Decepticon army. One of them still out cold.
"I have given him tranquilizers." Knockout explained the state of his sole patient. "Otherwise he would already be up and demanding to be released to his quarters." The Decepticon Medic pointed at the life sign monitors. "As you can see, Lord Megatron's life isn't endangered in any way."
"Then why wouldn't you release him if he wanted to go to his quarters?" Starscream asked with irritation. He was usually irritated when in Knockout's ward. The place held too much of bad memories.
"There are two schools of proceeding with concussions. One claims that the patient should be held awake or at very least wake him regularly so medics could observe his brain module's functions. The second one teaches that it is best to allow the patient to recharge in peace so his brain module can rest peacefully after the abuse." Knockout explained. "I belong to the second school."
"Amazing!" Starscream growled with all the boredom he could muster. His irritation was starting to grow. Megatron was unconscious and everything hung in the air. He was Second in Command but he didn't feel like making any serious decision that Megatron would scrap him for later. "And just what kind of school did you managed to graduate you fourth class sawbones?"
"I resent! I'll have you know that my tutor was Pharma!" Knockout said with pure outrage in his voice. "The same Pharma that studied with my Autobot counterpart so you will excuse me for claiming that I know what I am doing!"
That statement managed to silence Starscream. Not many had the privilege to claim that they were taught by Pharma as the brilliant medic rarely took protégés. Even Ratchet had more students of his own and the old Medic was always picky about them. And he and Pharma were of the highest medical league. Both ended up as Autobots too but when Ratchet became field medic and was performing his duties on battlefields, Pharma stayed behind to manage all those who could manage the trip to the medical point far behind the enemy lines.
"How long do you plan to keep Lord Megatron under?" Shockwave asked seemingly indifferent to Decepticon Medic's prestigious education.
"Hmm, tomorrow morning I believe, a good night's sleep will do him well." Knockout decided. "That's would be roughly around 12 cycles 2]. Why?"
"We should contact Autobots in regards of their human accomplices' progress in finding absconded M.E.C.H. agents." Shockwave explained in monotone voice. "As well as it would be beneficial to inform Lord Megatron's paramour of his state."
"And how would that be beneficial to us?" Starscream snorted arrogantly. "She's nothing but weak fleshbag."
"She may be a weak fleshbag, but she is a weak fleshbag that holds Lord Megatron's interest." Shockwave began to explain with his usual patience. "It will be to our benefit to show respect for his choice of partner, whom ever said partner might be. It is customary to inform personas that are in relationship about their significant other's state, so logic dictates in order to honour Lord Megatron's choice his femme."
Starscream stared at Shockwave in silence for a moment, then looked at Soundwave in search for support, which he didn't found as Soundwave silently but clearly moved to stand next to Shockwave, signalling that he agreed with the Tarnian noble.
"Looks, like you're outvoted, Commander Starscream." Knockout presented his brilliant grin. "Besides, I must agree with Shockwave." He added. "It won't hurt us but it will only do us some good to be on Lord Megatron's better side."
Finally Starscream vented deeply in defeat. He knew when he was losing and there was no point in continuing futile discussion.
oOo
Autobot Temporary Base.
June wasn't sure if she should feel relieved that Megatron lived or worried about him being injuries. It seemed that the mech was a living target. From what she gathered he was constantly blown up, assassinated (without success), beaten, shocked, shot and hit by objects.
First he was almost in the event horizon of an exploding Spacebridge. Of course she had no idea about his existence at the time, but that doesn't change the fact that he got himself blown up by a teleportation device.
Then Starscream tried to assassinate him by removing his Dark Energon shard from his Spark Chamber. Megatron survived and everyone agreed that he only made it out of spite.
Then he survived heavy beating from Optimus during the Unicron crisis, when he was also shocked by the Unmaker in attempt to subdue the Lord of Decepticons. Then he fought with that Insecticon, which wasn't that easy for Megatron, he was exhausted after it due to what Optimus claimed. Then he was shot by that M.E.C.H. device and now he had a brain module concussion.
Arcee went to pick Jack from his part time job and the rest of the Team Prime was energon scouting since the ceasefire lasted still. Optimus, Ratchet and Smokescreen were the ones that left in base with June and Fowler.
Fowler was talking with Optimus about M.E.C.H. and all the complications that the terrorist group being on the loose meant. Smokescreen was silently listening to them and adding his own observations every now and then. Ratchet was focusing on the monitors, still undergoing his "punishment" for eavesdropping on Megatron and June when the Warmonger was still under his tender mercies.
The not so quiet conversation was interrupted by the incoming call from Nemesis (right when Fowler was in the middle of a rant about Federal charges against M.E.C.H. in addition to the organisation breaking the international law as well).
Ratchet gave the Prime a questioning look; he wasn't sure if he should answer but Optimus only nodded. The screen shimmered and came to life showing Shockwave's large, red optic. Optimus stood up from his sitting place and approached the console while Fowler following him on the catwalk.
"Greetings Autobots." Shockwave began. "Be calm, the truce is in place for now."
"Are you in need of something?" Optimus asked in steady voice, all suspicion well hidden.
"Indeed Optimus Prime. I have called you for three reasons." Shockwave's antennae stirred slightly in what could be anxiety or excitement. "I have a question, information and request."
"Go on." The Prime stepped closer to the console. With Shockwave no one could have been sure of his intentions. Where others were ruled by ideals, greed, anger, rage or fear; Shockwave was ruled by his own brand of logic.
"Firstly, have you learned of M.E.C.H. whereabouts?"
"No, they vanished. We still hope that interrogation of captured M.E.C.H. soldier will allow us to learn something more." Optimus answered truthfully.
"Why the prisoner wasn't interrogated yet?" Shockwave's antennae went up in what would be surprise if the mech was capable of feeling it.
"Because he was wounded." This time it was Agent Fowler who answered. "He was undergoing treatment for his burned back. He will be interrogated when doctors will give us OK for it."
"I see." Shockwave's titled his head slightly. He couldn't see the man, but his voice was enough. "Do you know when he will be released by your medics?"
"Soon." Fowler said while giving Optimus odd look. The man wasn't sure where the conversation was going and wasn't going to take any chances.
"I understand. Flesh of organic life forms heals in slow and uneven pace." Shockwave's antennae relaxed slightly. "Allow me to make a request then. I would like to have a Decepticon present during questioning of the prisoner."
The hangar flooded in utter silence, no one expected the Decepticon to make such a request. They all stared at the screen for a moment before Optimus cleared his intake to speak.
"Why would you want to be there?" He asked.
"M.E.C.H. and their weaponry is a threat to us just as much as it is for both Autobots and humans. This prisoner may hold information that will allow us to nullify this threat, acquiring said information is in Decepticons' best interest." Shockwave explained. "However this prisoner may not be in possession of direct location of M.E.C.H. hiding place but only approximate area of where his associates may have founded their hiding place. In such case knowing this location or locations will enable us to be more cautious while passing those areas in order to avoid being captured as we know that M.E.C.H. wouldn't miss such an opportunity."
"Good point." Fowler folded his arms, he wasn't fond of the idea of having a 'Con watching the interrogation, but the 'Cyclops' was right.
"Your argument has a merit." The Prime agreed with the human. "Who would you send?"
"It is not decided yet." Their interlocutor admitted. "Certainly one of higher officers. They would of course be ordered to cooperate."
"We will consider it." Optimus said strongly. "It is not just our decision. You mentioned having question, request and information, what is the information?"
"Yes. The information concerns Megatron and it is for his inamorata. Is she present?"
That again managed to stun everyone into silence. No one expected to ever hear that Megatron have an 'inamorata' as Shockwave had put it, or at very least to have someone named that in public. The fact that he was interested in June wasn't news to anyone anymore, but the fact that other Decepticons knew about this interest was definitely something unexpected. Not to mention other Decepticons knowing that Megatron cultivated a relationship with a human.
"I'm here." June's soft voice reached Shockwave while everyone else digested what he said.
The woman silently approached the console and Ratchet reached down to offer her his servo so she could be lifted to the camera range, which she took.
The Autobot Medic lifted her to his upper chassis level and Shockwave focused his optic on her. He observed her silently for few seconds while his antennae stirred a bit and then relaxed into neutral position not unlike a dog's ears.
"You must be June Darby." Shockwave addressed her in his best try at casual tone. "I was informed about your designation by Soundwave." He explained when she opened her mouth to ask him how he knew her name. "I won't take much of your time; I only wish to inform you about Lord Megatron's condition…"
"Why you want to do that?" She managed to interject. This wasn't anything she expected. She was prepared for long wait before Megatron himself would contact her.
"Megatron took his interest in you, and he kept it for the longest time that any of us witnessed that he ever held it in a femme since I have known him. This convinced me to view you as his Conjunx Endura. 3]" Shockwave didn't seem affected by this at all, in fact he sounded as if all Decepticons dated humans exclusively. "Now, allow me to continue. I believe Ratchet informed you that he examined Lord Megatron and what his examination revealed?" Shockwave asked and waited for June to nod in confirmation. "Good. Knockout managed to confirm. Currently Lord Megatron is resting, Knockout will release him from med-bay tomorrow morning."
"Thank you." June smiled. It was good to know what was happening with someone you cared about. Ratchet told her that Megatron should be fine and she greatly appreciated that but hearing this information from the Decepticons was another thing.
"You are welcome." Shockwave answered her with his usual cold tone. "This is all I have to tell. We will be in contact, until then, farewell."
With that the transmission ended.
"Well, that was odd." Smokescreen commented when the silence lasted for too long in his opinion.
"Decepticon interest in getting rid of M.E.C.H. is no surprise." Ratchet said ignoring Smokescreen. "But their will to witness the questioning of that Ripley person, that's new."
"They probably think we would hold any information he would reveal to us and not inform them." Optimus deducted. "But the decision to allow their presence isn't ours."
"I'm not fond of the idea. But if you guys will be there they will think we're trying to play dirty on them." Fowler said pulling unhappy face. "So, it all depends if you want to be there. If not, we will provide you, and the 'Cons, with video from the interrogation."
"This sounds like a merit idea." Ratchet nodded. He liked the idea.
"But if you guys had any questions, you couldn't ask him." Fowler pointed out. "You can write your questions down, but in course of interrogation something new may surface. You may want to be there."
"That would mean that one of Decepticons would have to be there too." Optimus said seriously.
"As long as it's not Starscream." Fowler answered.
"I have a question." June reminded everyone about herself. "And would like to Ratchet to put be back on the ground."
Ratchet looked at his hand in surprise, he forgot about June and the woman still sat in his servo. "I'm sorry Nurse Darby; I forgot that you were there." He said in gently placed her on the catwalk.
"Thank you." She composed herself, she didn't mind being held by a Cybertronian, but she liked to stand on her own much better. "Now, would any of you tell me what it means and why Shockwave called me 'Conjunx Endura 3]'?"
"It's a term in Primal Vernacular, Old Cybertronian." Optimus explained with strange expression on his face, as if he wasn't sure if she should frown or smile. "It means someone remaining in lasting relationship, be that official or unofficial one. In Neocybex – Modern Cybertronian, we use term Bond Mate for lasting relationship, or just Mate for developing relationship. You can also translate it as 'Significant Other'."
"I see." June blushed.
"And to answer why Shockwave called you that?" Optimus chose to ignore the blush. "He has a tendency to use such obsolete terms when he speaks of things that escape his sense of logic yet he acknowledges them as existing. Just as he used 'inamorata' which I believe means a woman that someone is in love with." Optimus again ignored June's face turning even deeper shade of red. "And, as he said himself, Megatron remains involved with you for a longer time than any other since he was rejected by the Senate and the Council as candidate for a Prime…"
"Optimus, please." Ratchet cut Optimus' tirade short. "You will make June's face bleed."
And indeed, June's face was now red as a poppy.
oOo
Autobot Temporary Base. Much later.
Optimus still read some old reports from scouting missions while Ratchet was spending his time fixing one of his tools that Bulkhead sat on after he returned earlier. The rest of Team Prime was recharging in the next hangar. Ratchet's sensitive audio receptors could distinguish the snoring of each and every team member. Every now and then he could hear Wheeljack's louder snores. Arcee was mumbling in her sleep, it seemed that she was choking Airachnid to death with her bare servos. It meant that she will wake up in a good mood.
"Ratchet." Optimus' voice made the old Medic jump a little bit.
"Yes Optimus?"
"I was wondering." The Prime started with hesitation. "I know that you probably don't know but perhaps you can speculate… I can't stop wondering about it ever since I saw Megatron's helmet… I knew that he wore one ever since we met, but I never really thought about it before. But why was it welded to his helm? Was it because of the Functionists?"
"Actually, I don't have to speculate." Ratchet spoke still tinkering with his tool. "I hadmany patients in my time and some of them wore helmets just like Megatron. You can say it is the Functionists' doing to a point, though they never enforced them to be welded."
"Then why?"
"They were 'prescribed' to those who were sent to work in dangerous places like mines, steel-works, construction sites but had delicate helm constructions. Very much like Bulkhead chin guard, though he chose to wear his because he wanted." The Medic explained while screwing something back into its place. "Many had their helmets welded because it was easy to lose them if your cranial construction forced the helm to be rather shallow. And Megatron's helm has one of the most sensitive constructions. He had to wear it as a miner and later as a Gladiator, he would have never made it without it."
"I do not understand." Optimus gave his old friend a confused look. Being Matrix Bearer didn't help him as the Matrix held the wisdom of Primes not a Medical Handbook.
"You saw Megatron's helm… Optimus, do you know what frame type Megatron has?"
"It's an old war model." The Prime answered. "Megatron told me himself, back when he was still a Gladiator."
"Yes. But not only. Megatron is Tarnian and Tarn used to hold an armada of fliers impressive enough to compete with Vosian Seekers. But where Vosian Seekers were built universally to serve at any position that was required (despite differences in their built); Tarnians were more specialised. They had various classes of fliers and various classes of grounders." Ratchet stopped to consider his next words, not sure how to explain what he needed to say. "Optimus, do you know just what kind of flier Megatron is?"
"No, he never spoke of it."
"He's a commanding unit. Somewhere among his ancestors was a general, maybe even noble, definitely a commander. Those fins on his helm, I've seen such things only in a medicine textbook. It is an antenna, a very accurate one too. The owner of such an antenna was flying above the battleground or stood on some high point and directed his soldiers. If engaged he could fold his crest and fight, but mostly he was commanding." Ratchet finished repairing his tool. "The southern hemisphere demilitarised much slower than the northern, and many war framed prevailed, especially in Tarn. Functionists made Megatron war his helmet not because of his ancestors' high stance as it fell long before Nominus' reign, but because as a miner he needed to have his delicate helm protected. He probably had his helmet welded to his cranium when he received his latest upgrade and was to begin working in a mine."
"I understand." Optimus nodded and fell silent for a moment, pondering on what it all meant. "If Megatron is a commanding unit, does that mean that back in the War Era he could have been a Prime?"
"It was possible, though no Tarnian was a Prime back then. Why do you ask?"
"Because back then, before we became enemies, he was a Gladiator, already an experienced warrior and now I learn that he also holds a commanding unit built. Maybe his right for the title of Prime was more valid than mine? I was but an inexperienced data clerk with head full of ideals, but he was already a politician and he had a predisposition for leadership."
"Don't be ridiculous, that's Functionists' talking: function based on frame type." Ratchet huffed angrily. "This is everything you always stood against Optimus. You and Megatron alike, if I recall correctly, and he would be first to lecture you against such thinking."
"Thanks you old friend." Optimus managed to smirk. "But I believe Megatron would first whack me on my helm and only then lecture me as an afterthought."
"If you want I can use my wrench on you." Ratchet offered kindly. "Go to rest Optimus. You need your recharge."
"And you?"
"Bumblebee will come in an hour to change me. I still have a few tools to work on."
Optimus shook his helm as he leaved the hangar but said nothing. He knew his old friend wouldn't be able to recharge without taking care of his tools first.
TBC
1] DBS – Decepticon Battleship.
2] 12 cycles = 15 hours.
When Knockout is answering Shockwave it is around 5 PM (the battle started around 2 PM, lasted no longer than one hour, and then it was two hours after the battle, add few additional minutes) giving him 12 cycles of recharge, which gives 15 hours meaning that Megatron will get up at 8 AM.
There are various definitions to some of the time units for Transformers, so where is more than one I will stick to IDW (since there's no Prime defined time measure).IDW's time measure definition will be marked as such. Here's the conversion rate:
1 Astrosecond = 0,498 seconds.
1 Nanocycle = 1 second (more or less).
1 Klik = 1,2 minutes. – IDW
1 Breem = 8,3 minutes (roughly 8 minutes 33 seconds).
1 Groon = 1 hour (more or less).
1 Cycle = 1,25 hours (1 hour 15 minutes = 75 minutes). – IDW
1 Joor = 6 hours.
1 Mega-cycle = 93 hours. – IDW
1 Deca-cycle = 3 weeks (more or less). – IDW
1 Orbital Cycle = 1 month (more or less).
1 Quartex = 1 Earth's month (more or less).
1Stellar cycle = 7.5 months (more or less) – IDW
1 Meta-cycle = 13 months.
1 Decivorn = 8,3 years.
1 Vorn = 83 years.
These units are taken from Transformers wiki.
3] Conjunx Endura – it is derived from Latin conjunx – "to be united/bonded" and it may refer to a husband, wife, concubine or finance/fiancée. And English endure (which is derived from Latin duro – last, endure, harden). A nifty little phrase for lasting relationship that appeared in More than Meets the Eye, issue 12 "Before and After" to describe Chromedome and Rewing's relationship (which by the way is now canon and as such I will stick to it).
Hope you liked Optimus' explanation of the term to June, this way I can use fan made term Bond Mate and the canon Conjunx Endura at the same time and still write coherent fic!