Author's note: Some swearing as Knockout and Sunstreaker size each other up. Extra points to those who spot some ''Transformers Prime'' lines/references in the chapters involving Knockout... :-)

Chapter 185 – When Hell Freezes Over

Sideswipe P.O.V

''So - what's it like being the medic for the 'Cons?'' I asked Knockout as we made our way up Mount Jomolhari. We had arrived at our first destination, Bhutan, a Buddhist kingdom on the Himalayas' eastern edge.

Knockout shrugged his highly polished shoulder struts. ''It has its perks I suppose. Given my importance to Lord Megatron, I am usually spared harsher punishment than most.''

I furrowed my brows. I couldn't imagine what it must be like having a leader that punishes you brutally for any kind of failure, real or perceived. I bit back a snort of laughter. /If Prime had been like that I would have been scrapped millennia ago!/. Not for the first time, I thanked Primus for a leader such as Optimus.

Knockout turned, flashing me a huge grin. ''Mind you, I do prefer to break 'em as opposed to fix 'em.''

''And don't forget 'CON, that is something that I can arrange to happen to you if you so much as think about double crossin' us or gettin' in my way!'' Sunstreaker growled at the red Aston Martin DBS as he shoved past causing the Decepticon to falter precariously close to the edge.

''Watch it you bag of bolts! I just buffed my finish this morning!'' Knockout's voice held an icy warning.

''Ahhh buff this!'' Sunstreaker flipped him the bird without even turning around.

''Sunny!'' I called after him. ''Was that really necessary?''

Without a sound the yellow Lamborghini Countach turned around and narrowed his optics dangerously. ''Yes. It was.''

Knockout sneered spitefully at my twin. ''Well. It's clear to see who inherited the manners.''

I cringed internally, though in fairness, he wasn't far off the mark. ''Okay. Knockout, Sunstreaker, remember the truce. We are in this situation for as long as it takes to find the Star Saber, so let's try and be civil to each other?''

Sunny ignored me and began to stalk towards Knockout, his voice low and laced with venom. ''Who gives a shit about manners when a stinkin' 'Con is involved anyway!''

Knockout looked appalled. ''Stinkin'? I'll have you know Autobot, I take great pride in my appearance and maintenance.'' Knockout turned about on the spot, his armour glinting under the sun. ''SEE!''

Sunny closed the distance between them quickly, reaching out to grab Knockout by the neck, his electron pulse gun aimed squarely under his helm. His dermas were curved in a snarl and a low growl rumbled from within.

A flash of fear flickered in Knockout's optics. Sunstreaker had a bit of reputation amongst the 'Cons as a ruthless, cold sparked mech who shot first and didn't bother asking questions later. Sunstreaker noticed the reaction and he grinned sadistically at Knockout as he primed his weapon.

I sighed out loud and moved to intervene. To say things had been a bit tense since we first met would be an understatement. Dirge and Bumblebee eyed each other with barely restrained hostility and distrust and Sunstreaker almost broke the truce within the first five minutes upon setting sight on the 'Cons. /And it would seem, every five minutes since!/.

''Sunstreaker! Knockout! Enough!'' I placed a servo on Sunny's shoulder to pull him away. He roughly shook it off and glared at me, his weapon still aimed at Knockout. I returned his stare with equal determination. ''Alright fine!'' I threw my servos up in the air in resignation. ''Pull the trigger Sunny. Go ahead!''

Knockout looked aghast, ''Wh.. what? You can't be serious! Have you both lost your processors?''

I ignored Knockout's hysteria. Sunstreaker's withering glare faded slightly at my unexpected comment. His optics flicked from me to Knockout, indecision swirling within them. ''Well, go on!'' I yelled at him. Sunny whipped his helm to stare daggers at me. ''You think every problem can be solved by blowin' up some 'Cons, then go right ahead mate.''

''Ahh, I think we may have gotten off on the wrong pede here..'' Knockout pleaded as Sunny's gun waved threateningly close to his face.

I continued to stare defiantly at my bro. ''But before you do pull the trigger Sunny, just remember that action means you will have broken the truce. You will have broken Prime's and Ironhide's trust in you and you WILL be banished from the Autobots.'' I paused a moment as Sunny's weapon began to lower slowly.

Knockout nodded his helm. ''He makes a very valid..''

''SHUT UP KNOCKOUT!'' I bit harshly at him as I continued to eye my brother. ''Sunny, we have a very important mission to complete. One Optimus Prime is counting on us to carry out to the best of our ability. Now I don't know about you, but I intend to see it through and not let Prime down.''

I took a step back. ''So, if you are gonna shoot Knockout, hurry up about it. But, if you aren't, then put your gun away, shut the fuck up if you can't say anything remotely constructive and get the fuck on with the mission!'' I placed my servos on my hips and glared challengingly at my brother. I was the easier going of the two of us, but when I made my mind up about something I could be very determined. Sunny knew this.

Silence stretched out between us as Sunstreaker grappled with his choice. With a snarl, he stowed his weapon. ''You almost sound like slagging Prime!''

I smiled sweetly at my brother. ''That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me bro.''

''I didn't mean it as a compliment,'' Sunstreaker bit back.

''Still, I'll take it as such. Now hopefully you and Knockout can start trying to get along..''

''THE DAY I GET ALONG WITH A STINKIN' 'CON, IS THE DAY HELL FREEZES OVER!'' Sunny roared as he glowered at me, then Knockout and resumed his position walking point ahead of us.

Beside me Knockout seemed to visibly relax. Some of his bravado reappeared now the threat of an angry Sunstreaker had passed. ''Gees.'' He sniggered. ''Someone hasn't had their knob polished in while!''

I snorted at the loaded comment, though I turned to face Knockout with a very serious expression on my face. ''Knockout, I'd be careful with the flippant comments if I were you.'' I smiled at him as I placed a servo on his shoulder. ''The truce forbids killing each other. However, technically, there is nothing to say we can't rough each other up a bit.'' Knockout's smug grin faded abruptly at my interpretation of the truce. ''And if you keep taunting my brother, I'll personally hold you down while I let him go to work on ya. Capeesh?'' I tapped his shoulder strut and moved off to follow my brother.

''So,'' I turned to question Knockout again as we began to move towards the coordinates. ''Ever thrown a wrench at any of your patients?''

''I beg your pardon? Throw a what?'' Knockout sounded perplexed.

''A wrench. Or a spanner. Even a hammer once.'' I cast my mind back to that incident and chuckled.

''I can honestly say that I have never done those things. Why? Is that standard Autobot medical procedure?'' Knockout seemed genuinely interested.

I laughed out loud. ''Not Autobot per say, more like standard Rachet procedure!''

''Ah!'' There was a moment's silence as Knockout processed this. ''You know, I hear Rachet is quite the medic. Even back on Cybertron tales of his medical expertise and skill reached Kaon.'' There was a small snort of amusement. ''He would have to be very skilled considering how many times he has had to patch up Optimus Prime and you Autobots after fighting Lord Megatron and the Decepticons.''

I let the barb wash over me. /Pick your fights 'Sides/. ''Yeah. He is the most amazing medic. What old Hatchet doesn't know about being a medic, isn't worth knowin''. It was true. Though Rachet, my brother and I had some sort of love hate relationship, deep down I cared about the mech, and I know it was reciprocated – mostly. I paused briefly in my tracks as a thought, stupid as it might seem, crossed my processor. ''Ya know, maybe one day you could visit Rachet's Med Bay at our headquarters and I don't know, see him at work or maybe even work with him?''

Knockout's face seemed to run the gamut of emotions from shock to disgust to consideration before a small, sincere smile formed on his dermas. ''Perhaps. One day Sideswipe I may just take you up on that offer.''

I smiled back and nodded my helm before I continued upwards, taking care to place my pedes where a certain yellow twin had. All of a sudden, my comms went off. ::Sideswipe this is Ironhide, acknowledge::

I paused and moved to reply. ::This is Sideswipe, go ahead::

::What is your current status?:: Ironhide's gravelly voice travelled through the comms.

I smiled to myself. /Time for some fun after the previous tension/. ::Well ''Hide, I am currently officially single. BUT I do have high hopes of updating that status very soon to ''in a relationship'' with a very lucky femme. Thanks for asking::

There was a growl of frustration down the comm. ::I meant in relation to the mission you slagging idiot::

::Oh well, the current status in terms of the mission is I am cautiously optimistic we stand a 20% chance of completing this mission without killing each other. Though the percentage fluctuates to be honest::

:: I don't know why I even considered putting you in charge of this mission!:: Ironhide groaned.

:: Well, consider the other options shall we? A sociopath and a rebellious teenager. Have to say 'Hide, even I have to question your choices here mate:: I smiled to myself. I loved to stir the tough guy, though enough was enough now.

::To be honest, so am I Sideswipe. Optimus Prime wanted me to remind you of the seriousness of the mission:: He muttered under his breath ::Perhaps a lost cause with you::

For some reason I bristled slightly at the comment. While I may be a bit of a prankster, I respected Prime very much and Ironhide too. The thought of those two mechs thinking I might not succeed really got to me. ::I tasked Bumblebee and Dirge with exploring an adjacent mountain to cover more area. Despite their recent history, I felt I could trust them both. I haven't received a comm yet as to their progress. Sunstreaker, Knockout and I continue to explore the north-eastern slope of Mount Jomolhari. As soon as we have the Saber, or confirmation it is not here, I will contact you::

There was a moment's silence as Ironhide considered both my information and my change in tone. ::Very well Sideswipe. I shall await your comm:: Ironhide's gruff voice continued after a spark beat. ::Good work::.

Knockout came to stand beside me, a quizzical look on his face. ::Knockout says hi by the way Ironhide:: I winked at the Decepticon medic and he smiled brightly.

There was an audible groan through the comm. ::Ironhide out::

I turned to Knockout. ''Ironhide says 'Hi'.

''Ha! I doubt it. He has almost as much of a personality disorder as….'' Knockout paused. I raised an optic ridge in amusement as Knockout coughed awkwardly. ''Anyway. I take it they were checking up on our progress?''

I nodded. ''Ah hunh. Wanting to see if we have found it yet. Remind us how important the mission is and generally see if we haven't all managed to kill each other.''

''Ah well, so far, so good.'' Knockout replied upbeat.

''Are you two gonna stand around and flap ya dermas all day while you leave me to do all the work?'' A very irate Sunstreaker rounded the corner ahead.

Knockout opened his dermas to reply, and I stuck out an arm, slapping him in the chest before he could say anything. ''Sorry Sunny. I just recieved a comm from Ironhide.''

Sunstreaker's optics narrowed again. ''Oh yeah. What did he want?''

I shrugged my shoulders. ''Just checking on our progress is all.'' I omitted the part about not killing each other.

Sunny snorted angrily. ''Well, did ya tell him we ain't found shit!''

I bit back a sarcastic reply. ''I informed him that we were currently still searching the area and would comm him as soon as we either found it or were certain it was not in this location.''

Sunstreaker nodded sullenly. ''Well, unless Dirge and Bumblebee found something, it ain't here. I've already been to the summit. No readings anywhere!''

I sighed out loud. 'Well, I guess we contact Bee and Dirge and see if..''

The sound of a jet's engines igniting and rapidly approaching drew our attention skyward and we watched as Dirge flipped mid-air and came to land gracefully before us. ''Bumblebee suggested I come and tell ya we ain't found shit over there.''

Knockout sniggered and Sunstreaker smirked. The Seeker looked annoyed as he took in the various reactions. ''What? What did I say? What's so slagging funny?''

Knockout stepped forward and placed a placating servo on his shoulder. ''Nothing Dirge. It's just that, we came to the same conclusion not two minutes before you turned up.'' Comprehension dawned on the Seeker's face and he visibly relaxed.

''Well,'' I clapped my servos together. ''As team leader, I officially declare this location to be a bust and propose we move to the next location without delay.''

''Oh goody,'' Sunstreaker muttered under his breath as he folded his arms across his chest like a petulant teenager. ''The fun continues.''

''Oh, don't worry Autobot, the feeling is mutual,'' Knockout fired back looking distastefully down his olfactory sensor at him.

I closed my optics and ex-vented heavily as I activated my comms. /This was going to be a LONG mission/.