Author's Notes: First of all, big news! My novel "The Legend of Yan-Kan Mar" was featured on a blog called "Bite My Book". If you guys want to check it out to see my bio or just to check out other books on the blog, that would be awesome both for me and for the person who hosts the blog :)
Also, I'm sorry this update took so long to post. I meant to have it ready over a month ago, but life and other projects get in the way. I hope this stupidly long chapter makes up for it. Most of this chapter is an AU version of the episode "The Human Factor", however some dialogue has been changed to better fit the narrative of this fanfic. Thank you for checking out my story, and I hope you enjoy this chapter of "My Spark Still Shines" :)
Chapter 25
The Drone Factor
Thundercracker flew into the hangar of the Nemesis with the spark scanner tucked away in his cockpit. He did his best to look casual, but he was looking in every direction to make sure no one saw him. Starscream had said he could fit in, but Thundercracker still wasn't sure. He had been gone for weeks. Sure, the officers wouldn't notice one Eradicon being missing, but the other Eradicons would definitely notice. Fortunately the drones respected Starscream, so that might save him in a pinch.
He walked down the halls until he found a group of Vehicons conversing next to the door to the wash racks. He quickly pulled out the scanner and turned it on, hoping that at least one of these drones was someone that would favor Starscream and his ambitious plans.
The names read off were Hoist, Jetstream, Gloworm, Shard, Hauler, and Scrimshaw. Thundercracker typed in each one in the database, but every name belonged to either an Autobot or a civilian. No luck here.
Thundercracker moved on until he found a training room. There were two Vehicons in there in the middle of target practice. He read the sparks, and the names read were Trailbreaker and Hindsight. Neither of these were former Decepticons either, so Thundercracker didn't stick around.
It felt weird that virtually every former comrade that Thundercracker had worked with when he was VS-5001 was either a former Autobot or a neutral. On the one servo it was a good thing that Megatron didn't punish his insubordinate fellow 'Cons like this often, but on the other servo it meant that everyone working here could easily be led to betray the Decepticon cause if they got their memories back. That didn't bode well for Starscream's plans.
As Thundercracker turned the corner he saw that Soundwave was walking by. That mech scared him, as well as most of the troops on board the Nemesis. Still, the drone didn't want to raise suspicion with Megatron's most loyal officer, so he walked past Soundwave slowly and without looking into the communication officer's visor. Soundwave walked past him without a second thought just as he would with any Eradicon, and Thundercracker was grateful in that moment that all drones looked the same.
/Thundercracker, report!/ Starscream's clipped voice blared over the comm.
/Infiltration is successful,/ Thundercracker replied, /No signs of potential subordinates yet. Will continue search./
/Good. Starscream out./
Thundercracker focused back on the task at hand, and saw that he was near the energon vault. There were two Vehicon guards standing there with impassive expressions, and VS-5001 nodded to each of them to let them know he wasn't a threat. As he passed by he turned the scanner back on and read their spark signatures. The names displayed were Frenzy and Huffer.
Thundercracker typed the names into the database. Huffer was a former Wrecker an the son of a current pain in Megatron's side, Bulkhead. Frenzy was...wait.
"It cannot be," Thundercracker whispered to himself as he saw the results for Frenzy's file. It was an extensive list of accomplishments for the Decepticons as one of their top spies, but that wasn't the part that stopped Thundercracker in his tracks. This mech was one of Soundwave's creations!
Thundercracker had to do something, but he didn't know what. A Decepticon that was loyal to Soundwave would never support Starscream. Soundwave and Starscream might have been professional colleagues, but everyone knew Soundwave would never betray Megatron for the sake of the flighty grey seeker. Then again, this was one of Soundwave's own symbiotes, a part of his very spark. How could Thundercracker withhold such information? This could give a loyal Decepticon officer his son back. Thundercracker knew that Soundwave only had one creation left, his beloved Laserbeak. This could change everything for him.
Making his decision, Thundercracker decided he would spy on the former spy until he was off duty, and then make his move. He just hoped Starscream would actually repair the mech once he knew who it actually was.
Back in the Autobot base, everything was quiet for the mechs and humans. Raf was at home because he was grounded, which was still strange to anyone who knew him. Raf was the very definition of a good kid, and it seemed unfair that him flaking a little on his homework for once in his life was enough to warrant lockdown.
Meanwhile, Miko, Klunker and Saline were having a difficult time getting Bulkhead to exercise.
"Come on, Ironhide has done twice as many reps as you!" Miko urged the big green mech.
"Forget it. I'm never gonna get better," Bulkhead lamented, "Might as well just sit here. I'm not able to fight. What's the point? New guy's got it covered anyway."
"Who? Smokebomb?" Saline asked derisively, "He's a sparkling, Bulkhead. This is your job and you're going to get up to do it. Now listen to the tiny pink human and lift that ball!"
"No!" Bulkhead snapped back at his mother, "They don't need me."
"Hey, what's going on?" Smokescreen asked as he walked into the room, "How's your training going, Bulkhead?"
Bulkhead just glared at him and growled, and the ICN couple looked at each other helplessly.
/Say something,/ Saline demanded of Klunker over the comm.
/Say what? He's clearly not in the mood to exercise,/ Klunker replied.
/Do you want his gears to lock up?/ Saline asked demandingly, /Klunker, our son is letting himself waste away! We need to do something!/
/Or maybe we don't,/ Klunker suddenly announced, /Look./
"I don't need a crutch!" Bulkhead shouted furiously at Smokescreen as he knocked an artifact out of the younger 'Bot's servo; the apex armor. The armor of course landed on a computer terminal and broke it; upsetting Ratchet.
Bulkhead then started lifting the lob ball up and down as he worked through his rage at the insinuation that he needed a muscle suit to be a warrior again. Smokescreen shrugged and walked away, and Miko smiled up at the miners who were smiling back down at her.
As this was going on Ratchet and Bluestreak were repairing the machinery that Bulkhead broke when he threw the apex armor too hard. Ratchet was cursing under his breath and Bluestreak was trying to pretend he didn't know what those bad words meant so as to keep the illusion of innocence that no longer fit him.
"Everything that mech touches breaks..." Ratchet continued to grouse about Bulkhead, "Even when he couldn't walk he was still able to break things! Blasted earth technology...fragging glitches...this'll take all day to fix."
"Reminds me of the time I broke an energon dispenser aboard the Nemesis," Bluestreak recalled, "That was back on Cybertron. I was afraid of Lord Megatron finding out I broke it so I hired Swindle to install a new one for me. Since I didn't have any money to pay him I had to give him my gun arm, and then I told the medic Autobots tore it off so I could get a new one. Still took a deca-orn to get it replaced. That was back when Scalpel was the medic. He's dead now."
Ratchet didn't say anything, but his spark still felt troubled when he heard his son's casual description of Decepticon enslavement. Ratchet had to look at it that way, because to admit his son had been a soldier as well as a victim was more than he could bear.
PLX-7205 had been on guard duty all day and was finally being relieved. He intended to go straight into recharge after a long boring day of just standing in front of the energon room. With Starscream and the Autobots still at large the fuel stores had to be guarded, but at this point PLX-7205 almost wished they would be robbed just so he could move his stiff legs.
As he got closer to his room he noticed the faint sound of pede steps behind him. He wasn't too surprised actually since he had noticed Eradicon VS-5001 standing near him for the past three hours. That flying fool thought he was being so clever by not getting too close, but PLX-7205 knew he was there. Now he was being followed by the oversized metal bird. What could he possibly want?
PLX-7205 didn't feel like playing games with VS-5001. He knew the mech was in charge of the Eradicons but beyond that knew nothing about him. It was safer to not get to know the merchandise when tomorrow they could be dismantled by crazed Autobots or capricious Decepticon officers. Still, this stalking thing was a new one. Maybe VS-5001 was going crazy like a bunch of the other drones that had to be put out of commission.
Not wanting to drag this out, PLX-7205 stopped in the middle of the hallway, backed himself against the wall, and sat down. If he was lucky the Eradicon wouldn't notice his purple paint against the purple walls, but if he did notice that was fine too. He just didn't feel like leading a stalker to his room.
Thundercracker, meanwhile, was reading his spark scanner to let him know where Frenzy was without having to get too close. He wanted to make sure he was alone with the drone just in case Soundwave was listening. Aside from the danger to his own life, he didn't want Soundwave to accidentally kill his own symbiote by turning him in to be dissected by Knockout.
The spark scanner stopped, so Thundercracker stopped. He looked down the hall but didn't see anything. He looked back the way he came but didn't see anything there either. Then he looked down and saw the Vehicon sitting quietly against the wall and looking up at him matter-of-factly.
"Why are you following me, Eradicon?" PLX-7205 asked suspiciously.
"I have something important to tell you," Thundercracker replied in as neutral a tone as he could manage given his internal nervousness and excitement, "I have found a cure for the processor glitch affecting our fellow drones, and I need a healthy specimen to accompany me to the medical site."
"Site? You mean the medbay?" PLX-7205 snarked; not buying this for a moment, "Look, I don't know what's wrong with you but healthy drones don't need a cure, and besides, you couldn't come up with a cure anyway. You're only programmed to shoot things. Get me a note from the medic and I might believe you."
"You would rather be treated by Knockout?" VS-5001 asked incredulously, "Listen, you're more important than you can even imagine. You're not a mere drone. You are a sleeper agent, and I can prove it. I know where Starscream is, and he can cure you. Just come with me, and I'll prove it."
"Go to some unknown location with the crazy guy? No thanks!" PLX-7205 scoffed, "Although, if you know where Starscream is, then I'm sure Dreadwing will be very happy to hear your story. In the interrogation room."
"You don't under-" But before Thundercracker could finish talking PLX-7205 shot at the Eradicon; barely missing him.
Thundercracker transformed and took off like a...well, like a jet. PLX-7205 then turned into his car mode and took off after the Eradicon. Thundercracker weaved around the tight spaces of the hallways with finesse, but the Vehicon was gaining on him fast. This was not how the retrieval was supposed to go. Thundercracker might've been a real mech, but he was still a lousy negotiator.
The chase between Thundercracker and PLX-7205 went on for several minutes, but then Thundercracker crashed into someone as he turned a curve. He transformed and fell to the ground, only to see an ominous sight above him...
Soundwave.
PLX-7205 transformed back into robot mode and saluted Soundwave. Soundwave looked between the two drones, though it was impossible to tell how he was feeling due to the black face mask.
"Soundwave, sir! This Eradicon is defective, but claims to know the location of the traitor Starscream," PLX-7205 informed the TIC, "What are your orders, sir?"
"Wait!" Thundercracker exclaimed in a last desperate attempt to save himself and his mission, "Sir, I know this will sound strange to you, even insane, but that Vehicon is your symbiote. His name is Frenzy, and he was turned into a drone by Shockwave. Starscream knows how to fix his memory chip. Please let me take him to Starscream, and Frenzy can regain his memories. You can have your son back. Just give me one chance to prove myself, I beg of you."
The Vehicon, despite the seriousness of the situation, found himself chuckling at the Eradicon's ludicrous story. Soundwave's son? There was literally no greater way to ensure his own death than for that Eradicon to suggest a mere drone was a mech's sparkling; especially a mech as powerful as Soundwave. VS-5001 was going to die, and PLX-7205 wondered what kind of torture the drone would endure first.
Soundwave, meanwhile, didn't move. He stared at VS-5001, and the Eradicon wobbled nervously as he struggled to stand up. He had no idea what Soundwave would do to him, if he would believe him, or if he would simply turn him in to Megatron for his blasphemy. Thundercracker only hoped that he would live for a little longer to aid Starscream in finding at least one other drone to continue his plan.
Finally, after a moment of silent staring, Soundwave suddenly backhanded VS-5001 with such force that the Eradicon was knocked back a couple meters before hitting the ground hard. He felt of his helmet, and the jawline was dented. He looked up to see Soundwave walk away from them, and PLX-7205 ran after and caught up to their commanding officer.
"Soundwave sir! Do you want me to lock up the defective?" PLX-7205 asked.
Soundwave shook his helm no, and then turned around to regard PLX-7205. The drone bowed his helm respectfully, knowing this mech despite being third in command was for all intents and purposes second only to Megatron. Soundwave raised his servo to PLX-7205, and the Vehicon cringed in preparation for a blow, but none came. Soundwave's servo just stayed in the air between them for a moment before he put it back down at his side. He then turned back and walked toward where he left VS-5001.
Thundercracker was walking toward the hangar when he saw Soundwave walking toward him once again. He considered flying away, but he knew the former gladiator-turned-communications-officer was faster than him, so he stayed where he was. He only hoped Soundwave wasn't there to finish the job.
Soundwave stopped in his tracks just as he was about to approach the Eradicon, and then he motioned for Thundercracker to come closer. Thundercracker reluctantly obeyed, and Soundwave displayed Cybertronian glyphs on his mask.
::Megatron beckons me. Follow me, Eradicon.::
Thundercracker knew this could not be good, but he didn't want to disobey Soundwave. That mech was the scariest one on the ship, maybe even more so than Megatron himself. With no other viable choice, Thundercracker trudged behind Soundwave and followed him to whatever fate might await him.
Back in the Autobot base the computer's comm system blared; indicating a call from Agent Fowler. Everyone stopped what they were doing to watch as Prime answered the call.
"Prime! We got a situation," Fowler's voice boomed on the other side of the screen, "We think Megatron is working with MECH. Apparently the 'Cons have stolen a valuable top secret government project. You may remember it. Codename Project Damocles."
"Damocles? Was that not-" Prime started to ask.
"Yep," Fowler interrupted, "Silas' pet project."
"Who has a pet?" Skywarp hollered from the other side of the room.
"Who was that?" Fowler asked.
Skywarp then came closer to the screen along with Jazz, Bluestreak, Klunker, and Saline. Skywarp waved to the camera, and Fowler's eyes bugged out in disbelief at what he saw.
"Great liberty's ghost! They're multiplying!" Fowler exclaimed, "Prime, you said you had a Vehicon. A, as in one! Now you're collecting them like commemorative coins! Are you sure your area is secure?"
"Rest assured, Agent Fowler. These Vehicons are not a threat to you or anyone else on this planet," Optimus replied stoically.
"As long as we watch where we step," Skywarp added cheekily.
Fowler then groaned and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"Fine, whatever," Fowler sighed in defeat, "We have bigger problems on our hands anyway. Apparently the 'Cons are working with Silas. Breakdown was seen stealing the prototype for Project Damocles, so we therefore suspect that Silas might be alive and assisting Megatron."
"Dude, how could Silas be alive?" Miko asked skeptically, "He was flattened like a pancake back during the whole Nemesis Prime thing."
"Who's Silas?" Jazz asked.
"Breakdown is alive?" Bluestreak asked at the same time.
"Humans can turn into pancakes?" Skywarp asked at the same time as them.
"One at a time, people!" Fowler snapped, "Alright, first of all, Breakdown was at the scene stealing Damocles. Second, Silas' death has neither been confirmed or denied. Third, is there something wrong with that Vehicon?" He asked as he pointed to Skywarp.
"No, there's nothing wrong with him," Bluestreak defended Skywarp.
"Yeah, I have 1,285 confirmed kills," Skywarp added; thinking that helped his case.
"I thought it was 825," Klunker muttered to Saline.
"Prime!" Fowler shouted anxiously.
"Everything is alright," Prime assured Agent Fowler, "We will be on the lookout for Breakdown or any other Decepticon activity."
"Be careful, Prime," Fowler warned, "Damocles is a serious threat to all of us. It's an orbital satellite that can be remotely controlled by whoever has the interface codes, and the 'Cons just stole it. We're talking death laser."
"Really?" Skywarp asked; interested, "Hey guys, does that mean we picked the wrong side?"
"Shut up, Skywarp!" Jazz shouted, "I'm tryin' to hear what they're sayin'."
"The server is stored in a military base in Colorado. I'll send you the coordinates now. We cannot allow that server to fall into Decepticon hands. Don't let us down, 'Bots," Fowler said solemnly, "The world is counting on you. If Megatron controls that laser, he could char any place he wants like a 4th of July barbecue. I'll be there to assist shortly. Fowler out."
The transmission was then cut, leaving the Autobots with more questions than answers as Ratchet started working on locating any Decepticon signals in the area.
"It's been a while since Breakdown showed his ugly face plate," Bulkhead commented, "Optimus, you gotta let me in on this mission. This is finally my chance to get back at that good for nothing slagger."
"But he's dead," Bluestreak said quietly, "Airachnid killed him. He's dead. Dreadwing saw it. How could he be...?"
"Maybe he survived," Jazz guessed, "I mean, no one recovered the body. Maybe he got whacked on the helm and forgot who he was until recently. Maybe his comm was broken. Maybe he was trackin' down Airachnid and gave up."
"Yeah, maybe," Bluestreak replied in a hopeful tone of voice, "Maybe MECH found a way to...well, what if they can revive the dead? What if he's a Terrorcon now?"
"That's ridiculous," Ratchet scoffed, "Bluestreak, Breakdown is not a Terrorcon. Bulkhead, you are not clear to leave the medbay. Everyone else, go back to what you were doing until we find a signal."
"You're the boss, Doc," Jazz shrugged goodnaturedly as he walked away from the conversation and the room.
"But Ratchet!" Bulkhead whined.
"Ep, ep, ep,!" Ratchet stifled Bulkhead's complaints, "Doctor's orders."
Bulkhead huffed and crossed his arms, and Klunker and Saline put their arms around each other's backs. They were just happy that Bulkhead wanted to get out and fight again, even if they knew he couldn't. It meant he was recovering and everything would be okay.
Soundwave entered the control room with PLX-7205 and VS-5001 in tow. He knew of the corrupted signal from Breakdown the ship had received, but what he saw when he entered the room made even his energon run cold. What was supposed to be Breakdown was nothing but a shambling rotting corpse.
"Knockout, what is this abomination and why have you brought it here!?" Megatron bellowed at the medic as a battered and altered Breakdown stood before him.
"I am Cylas, as in Cybernetic Life Augmented By Symbiosis," The alleged Breakdown introduced himself.
Well, that was an odd development. Soundwave was stunned by what had transpired and even Megatron seemed rattled. Thundercracker and PLX-7205 didn't quite understand what was happening, but then-
"This is the human that dissected Breakdown!" Knockout shouted accusingly as he pointed to Breakdown, or technically Cylas, "Please my liege, allow me to return the favor!"
Knockout then turned his servo into a saw and stepped closer to the former brute. There was murder in his red and black optics, and Soundwave almost respected him in that moment. Knockout had gone through the trouble of leading Cylas into a trap just so he could avenge his former friend. It was macabre, but Soundwave had to admit he would do the same thing in Knockout's situation. In fact, a few times he had.
"I propose you not overlook an asset that gives Prime an advantage," Cylas spoke smoothly and calmly despite Knockout's threat, "At least on this world."
"And that would be?" Megatron asked skeptically.
"The human factor." Cylas replied conspiratorially.
"Look around you, Cylas," Megatron spat out the name in disgust, "I command an army from a mighty warship. What could a mere human possibly have to offer?"
"I am no ordinary human, and this is no ordinary weapon," Cylas replied confidently as he gestured to a briefcase sitting nearby.
Soundwave scanned the case and saw that it was some sort of satellite laser. It was mildly impressive, but if given enough time Soundwave could probably reverse engineer it. He didn't say this however because he had other issues on his processor. He needed to get Knockout's attention away from Cylas long enough to enlist his services with the Vehicons. Soundwave more than most mechs understood the liability a Vehicon with a memory could be, and understood more than most the credibility of the Eradicon's proclamation.
Frenzy. Soundwave was sure that Vehicon was not his symbiote. Megatron only used the raw materials from Autobots and weakling civilians for his drone army. He was sure Frenzy died on a mission at the hands of Autobots, but at the same time the feeling that something wasn't right kept niggling away at the communications officer. What if he was wrong? What if Frenzy had accidentally ended up in one of Shockwave's machines? What then?
"...with pinpoint precision," Cylas concluded his presentation, and Soundwave mentally kicked himself for not paying attention.
"And what is it that you want in return?" Megatron asked; intrigued by the weapon's possibilities.
"Merely a place at the table," Cylas declared with fake humility.
"Soundwave," Megatron addressed his TIC, "You will retrieve the interface code for us to activate and control the weapon. You will be given 20 Vehicon troops to command."
Soundwave nodded as he always did after receiving an order. The first thought that came to his mind was that he finally got a fun mission. Travel and hacking. Who could ask for more? His second thought was toward the Vehicon and Eradicon that were giving him so much trouble at the moment.
He passed by the two, who were still standing by the doorway. Soundwave looked at them, and they nervously looked back at him. He then pointed to the ground, indicating that he didn't want them to leave that spot. Both drones nodded meekly and took their positions. When the Damocles mission was over then Soundwave would deal with whatever malfunction was befalling these drones, whether it be mental, physical, or systemic.
Team Prime ground-bridged to Colorado to protect the interface codes from the Decepticons, however when they got there the entire area was under Vehicon guard. This was going to be a problem, since they knew what would be lost if even one more Vehicon was killed in battle.
/Go for the entrance,/ Optimus advised the others over the comm, /However, don't shoot at the Vehicons. Attack physically if you have to, but do not terminate them. Are we clear?/
/We're clear, Prime,/ Arcee replied.
/Got'cha,/ Chromia agreed.
[I just hope we're not too late,] Bumblebee added.
/Are we sure they're all Autobots?/ Smokescreen asked for clarification.
/Smokescreen!/ Arcee snapped at him.
/Alright, alright, I'm sorry!/ Smokescreen replied defensively, /I just don't feel like getting scrapped by zombies today, okay?/
/Kid, you are so lucky Ratchet didn't come with us or you'd be in real trouble,/ Chromia laughed over the comm signal, /You know how he feels about his kid bein' called a zombie./
Prime then drove ahead in his truck mode, leading to the other Autobots to follow him quickly to catch up. They drove up to the Vehicons, who then began shooting without letup. The Autobots transformed into robot mode and dodged the attacks being directed at them, but they couldn't dodge every shot. It was hard to attack Vehicons without shooting them because nobody could get close enough.
Smokescreen skidded close to one of the Vehicons and tackled it to the ground, punching it repeatedly in the face in an effort to knock it unconscious without killing it. The other Autobots couldn't even seem to get that close due to all the shooting. It was pure chaos on the battlefield, and then something happened to let them know they were already too late.
"Smokescreen, look out!" Arcee shouted as she pointed up.
His gaze went toward the night sky, where an orange beam of light was heading right for him! It was Damocles, and apparently the Decepticons were already controlling it.
Smokescreen jumped up right away to dodge the laser, and as he ran away from the light he heard a soft groan. It was the Vehicon he had been punching before, and it was directly in the way of the laser!
Smokescreen without even thinking ran back for the drone, and everyone shouted for him to come back since he wouldn't have enough time to retrieve the Vehicon without getting blown to bits himself.
The Vehicon came out of his daze in time to see the laser coming right for him, and the drone was sure this was the end. He like so many others would die on duty. Just as the light was coming for him however, The drone felt a hard push and barely had time to process what had happened before the shockwave from the blast knocked him and his rescuer back and into the wall of the building.
The Autobots were still locked in combat, but Arcee managed to break away to check on Smokescreen. She saw that he and the Vehicon had been knocked into a wall, but was surprised to find they were both still conscious. Smokescreen's right pede had been hit by the blast and was completely gone, and he was leaking energon pretty badly. The Vehicon was uninjured.
The Vehicon looked around to see what had happened and saw that an Autobot was laying next to him with a missing pede and another Autobot was running closer to them. The white and blue Autobot had come back for him. An Autobot had saved his life. That made no sense from any angle. They were enemies, and the drones weren't even real mechs. So why would an Autobot save him?
"Smokescreen," Arcee called out when she got close enough, and the Vehicon drew his gun arm out and aimed it at her, "Hey, put that away, will you? I don't wanna hurt you."
"Why not?" The Vehicon asked, "This is crazy! We're enemies! Why did he save me?"
"Hey, he is right here," Smokescreen groaned sarcastically, "And you're welcome."
"We're gonna need to get you back to base," Arcee told Smokescreen, "No way can you continue with an injury this bad. You're leaking energon pretty badly."
"Hey, it's cool. I'll be fine, just help Team Prime stop that laser," Smokescreen assured her, "I can tell you from experience that that laser really hurts."
Smokescreen's attempt at lightening the mood fell flat, and Arcee was close to calling for a ground bridge, but then she noticed the drone turn its gun arm into a welder and close the leak in Smokescreen's leg.
"Ow! Hey! What are you doing?" Smokescreen protested.
"I'm saving your life," The Vehicon replied, "You're welcome."
Arcee couldn't help but laugh at that line, though Smokescreen merely pouted and crossed his arms like a spoiled child.
"Hey, I didn't know Vehicons had those kinds of additions to their limbs," Arcee commented after a moment.
"They don't," The drone replied, "I made this last month. I get hit a lot in battle and wanted to be able to fix myself without seeing Knockout. That guy has been really testy lately. I think he's secretly sabotaging Megatron by killing all the drones. Well, I'm not gonna be in those numbers. No way."
"You will if you stay with ol' Buckethead," Smokescreen pointed out, "You know, you don't have to go back to Megatron if you don't want to. We've been taking in Vehicons that want a better life away from the Decepticons. Think about it, no more Knockout, no more being cannon fodder, and you'll be treated as equals. You won't be a slave anymore if you come with us. What do you say?"
"I think you're insane," The Vehicon replied point blank, "I might not like my job, but it's my duty and I won't abandon it. I'm still your enemy, but I'll call a truce this time because you saved my life. Farewell, Autobot."
With those words the Vehicon left the duo and rejoined the fighting with the other Vehicons against the other Autobots. Arcee sighed and Smokescreen scratched his helm anxiously.
"I can't believe it," Smokescreen finally said after a minute of silence, "He said no. I told him he could be freed from Megatron, and he still said no. Why?"
"We know the Vehicons are slaves, but they don't know that," Arcee pointed out, "To that Vehicon his choice was a logical one. He thinks he has honor as a loyalist to Megatron. He doesn't understand what was done to him."
"Should I have told him?" Smokescreen asked, "Do you think it would've made a difference?"
"I don't know, Smokescreen," Arcee replied ruefully, "I just don't know."
Ratchet was connected to Prime's comm and could hear the struggle Optimus and the others were having against the Vehicon troops. Soundwave was likely already controlling the laser, and their hopes of ever reclaiming the dangerous satellite rested in the small but capable hands of Rafael, who was hacking into the system from his house.
"Come on, Ratchet!" Bulkhead practically pleaded, "They need backup! You gotta let me do it. This is Breakdown we're talking about! He's my arch rival."
"You're not clear for duty," Ratchet replied with authority.
"But I'm rusting over here!" Bulkhead countered.
"Ironhide isn't going either, but I don't hear him griping about it," Ratchet retorted.
"Ironhide snuck out three hours ago to watch a double feature at the drive-in," Jazz informed them.
Ratchet grumbled under his breath about stubborn old mechs and rubbed his face with his hand.
"Ratchet, I can help," Bulkhead pleaded, "Team Prime needs me."
Finally, after looking Bulkhead right in his desperate cyan optics, Ratchet sighed and said "Fine, you're cleared for duty."
"Yes!" Bulkhead exclaimed and fist pumped.
"A duty of my choosing," Ratchet added, making Bulkhead stop his celebration in his tracks, "And I insist you take qualified medical assistance with you."
"What? You're going with me?" Bulkhead asked in disappointment.
"Not me, Bluestreak," Ratchet told him.
"Me?" Bluestreak asked apprehensively, "But I don't do well in close combat. What if I choke? Or freeze?"
"There will be no combat," Ratchet assured him, earning a groan from Bulkhead, "I'm sending you both out on patrol duty to watch the kids. They might require your assistance."
"Alright! Road trip!" Skywarp cheered.
"Ep, ep, ep! You're not going, Decepticon," Ratchet snapped, earning a moan from Skywarp this time, "You stay here. This is just a mission for Bluestreak and Bulkhead. Now, if you want to make yourself useful..."
Ratchet then handed Skywarp a mop, and Skywarp looked at it the way Miko looks at a math test. Finally resigning himself to his fate, Skywarp left the room.
Ratchet then activated the ground bridge, and the duo were off to patrol Rafael's suburban neighborhood.
...
Bulkhead and Bluestreak drove along in silence for five minutes. It wasn't long, but it still felt awkward for both of them. Bulkhead hated to admit it, but driving next to a Vehicon still felt wrong somehow. He liked Bluestreak well enough, and he even trusted him, but seeing that shiny purple car so close to him still made Bulkhead feel uneasy. It just looked too much like an enemy was cornering him.
Bluestreak felt uncomfortable for a different reason, however. He couldn't stand silence for long periods of time, especially if there was someone to talk to so close. He really did want Bulkhead to be his friend, but it didn't seem like the two had anything in common other than being Autobots, but that was a new development for Bluestreak.
"Hey Bulkhead," Bluestreak spoke up in an effort to start a conversation, "Why did the chicken go to the other side?"
"The other side of what?" Bulkhead asked in confusion.
"Um...Huh, I never thought of that," Bluestreak replied contemplatively, "The punchline of the joke is 'Because it wanted to cross the road'. I, uh, I don't really get it either to be honest, and I'm not even sure I'm telling it right."
"Oh, so it was a joke," Bulkhead commented with feigned interest.
"Um, yeah, it was a joke," Bluestreak replied awkwardly, "I'm sorry if I annoyed you. I know you didn't ask for- Breakdown!"
"Huh?" Bulkhead grunted.
"Around the corner! Breakdown's gonna shoot the house!" Bluestreak shrieked in panic.
Before Bluestreak could even finish his sentence Bulkhead was driving toward the blue brute at full speed. He rammed into Breakdown and drove him into a ravine. The two heavyweights then transformed and faced each other. Bulkhead expected Bluestreak to follow him into the ravine and offer backup, but instead he saw the Vehicon driving away in the opposite direction.
"That traitor!" Bulkhead shouted indignantly.
"It seems your minion has deserted you," 'Breakdown' taunted Bulkhead, "That just leaves you and me."
"Breakdown?" Bulkhead asked nervously, "No, you're not Breakdown."
"No, but you are Bulkhead, a Wrecker," The alleged Breakdown replied as he advanced closer, "You are the muscle of Team Prime. Not too bright though. This should be a fairly simple challenge."
That was when it clicked for Bulkhead. He knew exactly whose voice that was.
"Silas?" Bulkhead asked as his optics widened in horror and realization.
"In the flesh, so to speak," Cylas replied.
"What did you do?" Bulkhead asked accusingly, "What happened to Breakdown?"
"The same thing that's going to happen to you," Cylas replied; a sinister edge in his tone.
Then Cylas advanced on Bulkhead, and Bulkhead attempted to dodge, but he was too slow and got hit square in the jaw. Bulkhead staggered and hobbled over to attack Cylas. Unfortunately Cylas picked up on Bulkhead's stalled movements.
"You're moving slowly," Cylas commented as he came closer to attack again, "And favoring your right side. Too easy."
Cylas attacked again, and this time Bulkhead fell down hard on the ground.
Meanwhile Bluestreak had driven around so that he could stand on top of the bridge overlooking the ravine. He knew he would be of no use to Bulkhead in a close combat situation. No, Bluestreak's specialty was sharpshooting attacks from long distances.
Bluestreak looked through his scope to see what was happening. Bulkhead and Breakdown were fighting, though it was clearly one-sided as Breakdown was in far better shape than Bulkhead. That was saying something considering how crummy Breakdown looked at the moment.
Then Bulkhead was thrown down on the ground. Breakdown approached him slowly with a smug grin on his face plate as he turned his servo into a hammer. Bluestreak tensed as he readied his gun arm. Unwanted memories clouded his processor. He remembered when he saved Breakdown's life by shooting Bulkhead at long range. Now he would do the same for Bulkhead against Breakdown. For a brief moment he considered not firing, but what would his sire think of him then?
Forcing himself to look at Breakdown's face through the scope, Bluestreak fired a sabot round and aimed for a non-vital part of the large mech's chassis. Just one shot and Breakdown was unconscious.
Bulkhead, meanwhile, couldn't figure out what had happened at first. Breakdown had been ready to scrap him, but then suddenly Breakdown was shot and thrown several feet away. Bulkhead looked around but didn't see anyone. Who had saved him? Then, he caught a glimpse of a purple car driving on the bridge. Bluestreak hadn't abandoned him after all.
When Bluestreak made it to the ravine Bulkhead had managed to stand up, but he was still unsure on his pedes. Cylas was still unconscious.
"Are you alright, Bulkhead?" Bluestreak asked.
"Yeah, though apparently I've been replaced by a machine," Bulkhead joked.
"Very funny," Bluestreak retorted as he lightly punched Bulkhead on the arm, "I am sorry though. I know this fight was between you and Breakdown. I probably should not have interfered."
"That's not Breakdown," Bulkhead informed him, "That's Silas."
"Silas?" Bluestreak gasped, "B...B-Breakdown...used to have nightmares...about Silas," Bluestreak stammered as he stared down at the body of his deceased friend, "I can't believe he did this to Breakdown. What kind of monster...? You know what? Megatron and Silas deserve each other. They're exactly the same. They use mechs for their own purposes and don't give a slag about who they hurt. The Nemesis can have him!"
"You're awfully emotional about this," Bulkhead noted, "I mean, I'm freaked out too, but...Breakdown was evil. He ain't worth mourning."
"You didn't know him like I did," Bluestreak replied bitterly, "Breakdown befriended many Vehicons like me. We did stuff together, and we talked about things. Personal things or even just stupid small talk. He didn't know about the Vehicon conspiracy. I know he didn't, otherwise he never would have showed me my spark."
"Showed you what?" Bulkhead asked as he tried to figure out what Bluestreak meant.
"Vehicons are taught that we have no sparks," Bluestreak explained, "Breakdown was a medical assistant though, so he knew better. He was the only Decepticon officer to treat me like I mattered. He was the first one to ever make me feel worthy. Like I could do great things too.
"Wow, I didn't know that about him," Bulkhead replied quietly, "All I ever saw was how destructive he could be."
"Um, if you don't mind my asking," Bluestreak said hesitantly, "Why do you hate Breakdown so much?"
"He destroyed my home town," Bulkhead replied almost casually, though Bluestreak knew it was likely a touchy subject, "Not where I was living I mean, but where I grew up. He and the other Stunticons were assigned to destroy every home and company store on Sulfur Hill."
"I've never heard of Sulfur Hill," Bluestreak commented.
"It's a mining town just outside Iacon," Bulkhead replied, "Back then I wasn't even an Autobot yet. I was just an average mech working a construction job in the city. I had no idea what was going on until I saw the news coverage. The Stunticons leveled everything and killed any miner or civilian they could find. Sparklings were stepped on like they were garbage, mini-drillers were crushed under hammers and fists, and miners were shot one by one execution style. Then there was the image I will never forget. There was a photo of Breakdown smashing a shingle and tar shack to pieces with his hammers and there was dripping energon on his pedes. That shack was where my parents lived. That's when I knew...Breakdown killed my parents."
"Um, you mean the same parents that are back at base watching TV right now?" Bluestreak asked pointedly.
Bulkhead's optics widened when he realized what he and Bluestreak had both just said. Bulkhead had spent so much time hating Breakdown for what he did to his parents, and yet...
"He's innocent," Bulkhead whispered into the night air, "All this time, and he didn't do it. Don't get me wrong, Breakdown still had a lot to answer for, but...they're still alive. Megatron destroyed their bodies, but not their sparks. Bluestreak, how many hundreds of Autobots must be feeling as bitter and angry as I felt? How many of them are wrong too?"