Author's Notes: Hi everyone! This is a big chapter for me. When I wrote my novel "The Legend of Yan-Kan Mar" back in 2016 it was 36 chapters long. Well, this story has just officially surpassed that! Woo! This is my biggest word count, biggest chapter count, and most views! This wouldn't be possible without your support, so thank you so much! This story is not even close to finished, so this will definitely be my longest work for a long time, if not forever. Thank you so much, and please enjoy this next chapter of "My Spark Still Shines" :)
Chapter 37
Playing Doctor
While Ratchet had been tending to Jazz's morale, Bluestreak had been tending to Arcee and Bumblebee. Arcee had been the most severely injured, though judging from the scans it was nothing that her self repair systems couldn't handle. The one that was likely in the most danger was Smokescreen, and that was only because of his big mouth.
"Mech, I wish I had been there when Knockout went all sonic!" Smokescreen exclaimed, his energy and eagerness most unwelcome in the current atmosphere, "I would've-"
"You would have what?" Arcee snapped, tired of hearing it after ten minutes of constant chatter, "Brought back that key like you did the last one?"
"Well...I mean, maybe..." Smokescreen stammered awkwardly.
"Yeah, well I don't know if you've noticed or not, but that last key cost my sire his life," Arcee sharply replied, "You've done nothing but bounce around and talk about how great you are since you got here, and I'm sick of it. You wanna be a great Autobot? Fine. But you can't do it without teamwork."
"I'm sorry Arcee, I just..." Smokescreen trailed off from there, unable to explain himself to the injured femme.
"Just let it go, younglin'," Chromia sighed at Arcee, "He's a kid. They act like that. Believe it or not, you were young once too."
Arcee turned away then, not wanting to look at either her carrier or Smokescreen. Bluestreak wished he could do something, but the truth was he was kind of scared of Arcee when she got like this. Bluestreak knew he was welcome in the base, but he also knew he didn't have the history that the others had. He still wasn't sure if he belonged around Autobots like Arcee and Bumblebee. He wondered if he would ever get over these doubts in his spark.
Amid the chatter there was a beeping noise coming from Optimus Prime's terminal. Since it wasn't the Decepticon locator beacon it could only mean one thing...
"The computer has detected another Omega Key," Optimus informed them.
"Yes!" Smokescreen cheered, "I'm on it! You can count on me to bring that key back to base, sir."
"Bulkhead will accompany you," Optimus ordered.
"Alright! Time to stretch my actuators," Bulkhead replied gamely.
Smokescreen was at the portal before Ratchet even had a chance to activate it, forgetting everything Arcee had said a mere few moments ago. Bluestreak thought it was nice that Smokescreen didn't hold a grudge, but detrimental that he never learned from his previous actions.
As Bulkhead turned to follow Smokescreen, Arcee grabbed his hand and roughly pulled him back to talk to him.
"Keep an eye on destiny's child, would you?" Arcee muttered softly so only Bulkhead would hear.
"Compared to watching Miko? Piece of cake," Bulkhead bragged.
With that the duo walked through the ground bridge, ready to do whatever it took to bring that key home. They might have lost one key, but they possessed one as well. As long as they kept most of the keys out of Megatron's hands, then Megatron would not be able to remake Cybertron in his own image.
Klunker and Saline watched their son go from the shadows of the hallway. The air in the base was pensive, and the two former miners didn't want any part of the drama surrounding the Autobots in that moment.
"Think he'll be alright?" Klunker asked.
"Who, Bulkhead or Smokescreen?" Saline asked; amusement clear in her tone, "Don't worry, our boy will be fine. He's got his strength back and his good spirits too. Hopefully he can be a good mentor to the youngling. That Smokescreen needs some guidance, given how brash he is right now."
"He hasn't seen combat like the others, at least not as much," Klunker reminded her, "In a way he's kind of like us. We're not soldiers, and honestly I'm surprised Optimus Prime puts up with us draining their resources. I'm glad we have a good life, and I think that's all Smokescreen wants too. Let's hope once Cybertron is restored everyone can be as happy and carefree as that kid."
Saline rested her helm on Klunker's shoulder, and together they just stood there and watched everyone else work. One advantage to the Vehicon bodies was that she was now tall enough to reach his shoulder without having to sit on it. Still, sometimes she missed her old height. It would have come in handy on a planet full of such short aliens.
After their triumphant return to the Nemesis Knockout had quickly handed over the newly acquired relic to Megatron, and Frenzy ran down the halls in search of Blaster. Sure, they had brought back the trinket and all, but the real prize to Frenzy was the music he had swiped from SS-PLX-4. Why 4 had joined the Autobots he didn't know, and frankly at this point he didn't care. He had stolen a treasure trove of hits and wanted to share them with his new Vehicon friend.
Frenzy pinged Blaster to track his location, and found him to be in one of the energon refueling rooms, likely sharing a meal with other faceless drones. Frenzy ran like the wind to get there, nearly tripping a few careless Eradicons in the process due to being too small to easily see.
When Frenzy got to the refueling room he found Blaster without difficulty. A normal mech would never be able to tell one Vehicon from another at a glance, but Frenzy knew each one of them due to being a drone for a good portion of his life. Blaster was alone, and he looked depressed. At least, as depressed as an expressionless face plate can make one look.
"Hey, Blaster! You doing okay there, pal?" Frenzy asked after hopping up to the table to talk to his friend, "You seem low."
"Oh, yeah sure. I'm alright, sir," Blaster lied.
"Uh huh, and I'm a tank-former," Frenzy quipped, "Cheer up, mech. I got you a present."
"A present? But I'm not allowed to-" Blaster tried to say.
"Hey, none of that, okay?" Frenzy cut him off, "You told me a couple days ago that if you could have anything you'd want music, right? Well, I went out and got you the biggest collection I could find!"
"Really? Sir, that's amazing! Thank you!" Blaster exclaimed with joy, "Can I download it now?"
"Sure, why not?" Frenzy replied nonchalantly.
With that Frenzy used his encryption cable to transfer the data into Blaser's processor. Blaster couldn't believe how many types of music Frenzy had managed to get for him. There were songs from Nebulon, songs from Galagus, and even songs from the Golden Age of Cybertron! It was like a dream come true.
"I don't know what to say..." Blaster said after a moment, "No mech has ever done anything like this for me before. But why would you keep a promise to me? I'm just a drone."
"Because you deserve it," Frenzy replied, "You're my friend, and you help keep me sane. Well, sort of. I ain't exactly sane at the moment, but I'm trying."
"Could I ask you a question, sir?"
"Of course, ask away!"
"Well...Have you seen TGP-3006 and ICN-8675?" Blaster asked, "They're my roommates, and they never came back from their last mining expedition. I'm being moved to a new room with 11 other Vehicons, so...are they dead?"
"Probably," Frenzy shrugged, "I heard over the comm chatter that an Autobot raided that mine. He probably killed them with an explosion or something. You know Autobot soldiers don't care about nothing. They just take and take and take."
"Don't worry. I'll get the next one I see," Blaster vowed.
"No, you won't," Frenzy ordered, "I don't want you anywhere near the fighting. You're my friend, and I don't wanna lose you. Understand?"
"Not really, but I will obey," Blaster replied honestly.
"Anyway, when you're finished refueling can you walk me to the medbay? I need to pick up some processor glitch pills from Knockout."
"I'm not gonna be torn apart, am I?"
"Nah. Like I said Blaster, I don't want you to get hurt. By anything."
Blaster nodded his compliance and then returned to refueling, making sure to drink faster so he wouldn't waste Frenzy's valuable time. He still didn't know why a mech like Frenzy would care so much about him, but at that moment he felt like the coolest drone on the Nemesis. He had his own music collection, he had a friend, and that friend made him practically untouchable. Yet...something felt wrong. Blaster didn't know why, but something inside of him still felt wrong.
Bulkhead and Smokescreen walked out of the ground bridge and found themselves in a vast leafy forest. It was autumn here, and sunset as well, so everything was bathed in a beautiful array of orange and yellow. The area had a serene feeling to it, yet Bulkhead couldn't help but sense that danger was lurking around every tree and every shadow. Someone was watching them.
"Remember kid, stay focused," Bulkhead cautioned.
"Sure thing," Smokescreeen replied as he looked around, his weapon aimed.
"I mean it!" Bulkhead warned.
"Me too," Smokescreen replied defensively.
Satisfied with this answer, Bulkhead went back to searching for the relic. For the first few minutes everything was quiet, and it seemed like their relic hunt was going to go smoothly. When Bulkhead suddenly heard rustling in the leaves he could have thought it was an animal, but Bulkhead's Wrecker-trained senses told him it was not.
"What was that noise?" Bulkhead asked.
"The last sound you will ever hear!"
Both 'Bots turned and looked up at the hill behind them, and there saw Dreadwing standing atop it among the trees. The large blue seeker wore a scowl on his face and held a detonation button in his servo. He flew away, and in an instant their audials were assaulted by the sound of dozens of little beeps. There were bombs on almost every tree around them!
The Autobots drove as fast as they could, and managed to escape the worst of the blast. Both were pushed forward however, and transformed back into robot mode in order to properly cushion their falls.
"You get the relic. I'll take care of Dreadwing," Bulkhead ordered.
Not even waiting for a reply, Bulkhead ran off in the direction where he saw Dreadwing fly. Smokescreen, seeing his chance at a victory for his team, was only too happy to search for the relic. The best place to start in Smokescreen's mind was near the cliffs. The ancients seemed to prefer hiding their toys among stone crags and mountains, so it was a fair assumption to make.
Smokescreen drove for several minutes, and could even hear Bulkhead and Dreadwing fighting in the background. He knew Dreadwing was strong, but Smokescreen had no doubt that Bulkhead was stronger. The Wreckers were the best, after all. Smokescreen wondered if he could be a Wrecker someday...
When Smokescreen stopped at the cliff he couldn't help but smile as he saw a piece of pottery sticking out of the rock facing. He knew he was right! Bulkhead would distract the ugly 'Con and Smokescreen would return with a valuable prize for Team Prime. That would make up for Optimus losing his sword, as well as...other things.
Smokescreen sighed as he approached the relic. This moment should have been one of his happiest moments. He was working with the great Optimus Prime to save their ruined home, yet...Ironhide's face popped up in his processor. Could finding one key really make up for being responsible for a great hero's death?
"I should have known we would be followed."
Smokescreen started at the deep voice, not noticing that someone else was there. He turned around and was face to face with what he thought was Starscream, but a second look at the blue paint indicated this was in fact Thundercracker.
"You don't scare me, shorty!" Smokescreen bragged, all bravado back in place in the presence of this Decepticon.
"Give me the relic, and I will not fight you," Thundercracker offered, "Do this the hard way, and only one of us will leave this place."
"Hah! Yeah, right," Smokescreen scoffed, "I've beaten Starscream, and I can beat you too."
Thundercracker didn't reply. He merely closed his optics and bowed his helm. His body was perfectly still, and Smokescreen wondered if he was surrendering. The ground felt a little funny, but otherwise nothing was happening.
Smokescreen, curious about what the 'Con was doing, walked closer to the seeker; so close in fact that he could touch him. Smokescreen tentatively reached out his servo, ready to touch the tip of the red steel feather protruding from Thundercracker's helm, when suddenly he felt the force of a hundred blows!
Thundercracker had concentrated all of his thruster's energy without allowing it to release, and then when Smokescreen was close enough had unleashed a sonic boom! Thundercracker was lifted upwards from the attack, but landed gracefully enough on his overheated pedes. Smokescreen however was knocked out cold.
"I warned you, youngling," Thundercracker whispered to the unconscious mech.
Thundercracker then casually walked over to the intricate jar and opened it, taking the Omega Key with him. He spared a look at the young Autobot, and even considered slitting his neck cables, but what would the point be? This Autobot was a mere child.
So was Prowl...came the warning from inside his head. You let him live, and Megatron had you turned into an Eradicon. They see everything you do...everything you think. Do you want to be a drone again? Do you want to lose Starscream, and everything you have worked toward? Well, do you?
The conflict in Thundercracker's mind tormented him. He held no grudge against this mech, but that wouldn't matter to Megatron. Someday Thundercracker would be free to make his own decisions. Someday he and Starscream would destroy Megatron's empire and take it for themselves. Someday they would make peace with the Autobots...but not today.
"I apologize, Autobot," Thundercracker said softly as he approached the prone form of Smokescreen.
Thundercracker put the relic in his cockpit, and then readied his sharp talons to rip Smokescreen to shreds. He didn't really want to do this, but it was as if his body had a will of its own. His fear drove away his spark, and the only thought that he allowed to drive him was the dread of Megatron's wrath. At least he would spare Smokescreen the fate of becoming a drone.
Just as Thundercracker was about to strike Smokescreen however, something struck him from the left side and sent him flying into a row of trees! Thundercracker stood up quickly, ready for a fight, when he saw the big green Autobot running toward him; his hand transformed into a wrecking ball. Of course. These things could never be easy, could they?
Dreadwing flew overhead, looking worse for wear, and landed in front of Thundercracker as if to protect him.
"Get away from the kid!" Bulkhead growled at them.
"Soundwave, we need a ground bridge, now!" Dreadwing shouted into his comm aloud.
"But sir, the fight-" Thundercracker protested.
"We are retreating! That is an order!" Dreadwing insisted.
The ground bridge came, and both blue seekers were off. Thundercracker was secretly grateful for the excuse to leave without harming the youngling, but he could never say so. The patch would pick it up if Megatron ever asked someday, so Thundercracker knew he had to pretend to be loyal and enthusiastic for destroying Autobots.
Meanwhile, Bulkhead checked on Smokescreen to see if he was okay. A few of his parts sounded loose, which told Bulkhead it was likely the result of that sonic boom he heard from the other side of the forest. Thundercracker was many things, but subtle wasn't one of them. Bulkhead couldn't help but be amused by the contrast. Dreadwing was large yet relied on ninja-like stealth, while Thundercracker was small yet relied on big loud attacks to force his opponents down. It felt like it should be the other way around.
Smokescreen groaned and began to stir, and Bulkhead smiled down at the kid. At least Thundercracker hadn't managed to kill him.
"B-Bulkhead?" Smokescreen managed to say, "The...the seeker..."
"Don't worry, he's gone," Bulkhead assured him.
"No!" Smokescreen cried out, which confused Bulkhead, "The relic! He has...the relic."
Bulkhead's good mood was gone in an instant. That meant the Decepticons had two Omega Keys while the Autobots only had one. No one could yet restore Cybertron, and the hopes of the Autobots getting those other keys was looking slim. Bulkhead just had to hope that Optimus or one of the other 'Bots would come up with a brilliant plan. All he could do was take Smokescreen home before the seekers came back to finish what they started.
Wheeljack knew he was probably doing this wrong, and the fact that he had a prying visor watching him was making the operation all the more unnerving. Still, he was confident that he could replicate Ratchet's surgery that removed the control chips from a Vehicon's processor. After all, a frame was just a complicated machine, and Wheeljack could fix most machines, right?
The Jackhammer had been flying through the air for a couple days at this point. Wheeljack had kept his new Vehicon guests confined to the cargo hold during the journey since he didn't have a brig. They weren't happy, but they couldn't exactly do anything about it either. While they were contained Wheeljack had used his time to do some research on Vehicon processors, and he only hoped that what he found was worth the effort.
Convincing the Vehicons to cooperate had been slightly more difficult than the research. At first they would try to attack him whenever he got near their containment field. Obviously that wasn't the response he was looking for. Wheeljack wanted to convince them that this was in their best interest, but they were both brainwashed. If he wanted Springer back, he would have to think outside the box. He would also have to do it alone, since he realized Ratchet would probably tear him a new one if he ever saw him again, given what happened with Miko.
The Vehicons were just sitting and sulking when Wheeljack enacted his plan. Rather than go inside to talk to them, he instead stood outside the doorway and held his fingers to his helm, as if he were on the comm. Then...
"...Yes sir. I got them...Of course, Lord Megatron. If that's what you want I'll be happy to oblige. Wheeljack out."
"Lord Megatron?" ICN-8675 asked in puzzlement, "What just happened?"
"You guys didn't hear?" Wheeljack asked in mock confusion, "I switched sides. I'm working with the Decepticons now."
"No you're not!" ICN-8675 objected, "You're a Wrecker, and from what I understand the Wreckers would never side with us!"
Wheeljack had to resist the urge to look proud of Springer at that moment. Of course the former Wrecker would understand their team's integrity, even if he didn't remember why he knew that. Wheeljack had to keep up the charade however, if he was going to get his way.
"Yeah, well, I did," Wheeljack replied offhandedly, "Old Optimus Prime has led us into one tragedy after another, and I'm tired of cleaning up all his messes just because he's too soft-sparked to get the job done. At least Megatron gets results."
Wheeljack felt like he needed to scrape his tongue against something after saying that out loud. He could act with the best of them, but that didn't mean he enjoyed the opportunity.
"So, if you're working with us, then why did you kidnap us?" TGP-3006 ventured to ask.
"For protection," Wheeljack replied, "You see, the Autobots infected that mine with a virus that eats away at the Vehicon processor. You're both infected."
"Infected!?" ICN-8675 shrieked, "No! This can't be happening!"
"Relax. I got you covered," Wheeljack grinned, "I know how to treat the virus, and Megatron said if I cured his army that I could join the 'Cons. So, I'm here to save you. I just had to make sure there were no Autobot listening devices on my ship before I could tell you."
"Why should we believe you?" ICN-8675 asked skeptically.
"Because if he doesn't cure us, we'll be sent to Knockout," TGP-3006 reminded him.
At first ICN-8675 just stared at Wheeljack for a moment, his immovable face plate unreadable. After a few moments however...
"Welcome to the Decepticons, Wheeljack," ICN-8675 finally said.
Wheeljack smiled wider, pleased at finally being able to do something to help his friend. However, he didn't know if the operation would succeed, so he needed a way to test it. He knew most Autobots would suggest running artificial simulations in a fancy computer or something, but the Jackhammer didn't have those kinds of frills. It flew, it shot targets, and that was it. So, Wheeljack would have to make an executive decision regarding these Vehicons.
"You. You're first," Wheeljack ordered as he pointed to TGP-3006.
"Yes, sir," TGP-3006 nodded dutifully.
Wheeljack hated using the former civilian as a guinea pig, but in a battle situation Springer was the more valuable asset, as well as a close friend. Wheeljack would perform the first operation on this Vehicon, and if they survived he would try on Springer. He really didn't want to go to the other Autobots with this. He knew Ratchet's anger blazed like the Pits of Inferno, and he also knew he wasn't about to join them given how strict working under their rules could be. So, if he could rescue his comrade himself, that was the path he was going to choose.
TGP-3006 laid down on Wheeljack's berth and looked up at the ceiling. A medbay berth would have been better suited for such delicate work, but Wheeljack's sleeping quarters would have to do. Wheeljack had dreamed of getting a femme in his berth for a while now, but this was not how he pictured the scenario. For one thing she looked like an ugly mech, and for another thing he was opening her helm instead of her chassis. Oh well, some sacrifices had to be made.
Wheeljack induced stasis, but then wondered if that was the right thing to do. Ratchet's patients had been conscious when he performed the operation so he could measure their cognitive responses. They usually passed out anyway though, so maybe it was okay...Wheeljack was confused, and he feared he was performing the procedure wrong. Oh well, too late to go back now.
Operating on the Vehicon was difficult, and the surgery was made all the more stressful by the laser-focused visor watching him from the hallway. He knew it was Springer, but the fact that he looked like the enemy still made his stare somewhat unnerving. Besides, even before the change Springer could have quite a temper. Wheeljack would just have to work harder and focus.
Frenzy and Blaster entered the medbay to pick up Frenzy's prescription when their audials were suddenly assaulted by desperate and pained screaming! Frenzy wondered if it was real or just his imagination, but his hallucinations were usually visual, not audial. When he saw Blaster cringe slightly, he knew it was no dream or illusion. Someone was hurt in there, and it could be serious.
"Doc?" Frenzy called out, "You in here? You, uh, hear that?"
"AAAAHHHH!"
"Oh hush!" Knockout could be heard shouting, followed by the clang of metal on metal, "Over here, Frenzy!"
Frenzy was nervous, so he held his Vehicon friend's servo for comfort as he walked closer to the sound. He hated seeing mechs getting operated on. It reminded him too much of when he was a powerless Vehicon and fearing for his life every time he had to step foot in a medbay.
When Frenzy and Blaster made it to the back of the room, they could see Knockout was next to a medberth that was caked in expired energon. On that berth was a large blue and red mech that looked like he was already dead, yet somehow had one strangely glowing yellow optics. It had tires, so was possibly an Autobot, but it just looked...ghoulish somehow. The features were terrifying, yet the expression on his face was one of pure terror.
"What happened to him?" Frenzy asked about the supposed patient.
"He caught a parasite," Knockout quipped nonchalantly.
Knockout then jabbed his electric prod squarely into the abdominal struts of the hapless victim, who then screamed bloody murder once again.
"What are you doing!?" Frenzy shouted in fright as he backed into Blaster's leg, "Is he an Autobot?"
"No. He's a human," Knockout replied, still smiling.
"A human? I don't understand," Frenzy replied, his voice small and his limbs quivering.
"You don't have to," Knockout said easily, "Let me just go to the shelves and find the right mixture for your medicine. I'll only be a moment or two."
Knockout then went to his collection of chemicals to find just the right thing to cure Frenzy's delusions, but Frenzy and Blaster continued to stare at the miserable mech strapped to the table.
"It looks like Breakdown," Blaster finally said after a minute.
"Now that you mention it, I think it is Breakdown," Frenzy realized, "I thought Knockout cared about this guy. How could he do this to his best friend?"
The mech, supposedly Breakdown, tried to move his helm to look at Frenzy and Blaster. When he couldn't make his head move, he settled for trying to speak. All that came out was static noises, so he moved his fingers to indicate he was awake and alive. Frenzy felt like he could either cry or purge, but he didn't know which one he would end up doing.
"Here you are," Knockout said from behind them.
"AAH!" Frenzy shrieked, having not heard Knockout walk behind him, "Why did you do this to Breakdown!?"
"This isn't Breakdown," Knockout corrected him, "It's only his body. There's a human inside him piloting Breakdown like some sort of twisted suit of armor."
"Really?" Frenzy asked in fascination, "How did that happen?"
"I don't know, and I don't care," Knockout replied coldly, "All I know is he makes for a perfect lab rodent. Today we're testing different voltages of electricity."
"But...how long has he been here like this?" Frenzy inquired.
"I don't know. A few weeks?" Knockout guessed, "Maybe a month. I lose track of time when having to go by the earth rubric."
"He don't deserve to suffer that long," Frenzy declared, "Knockout, he's almost dead anyway. It would be so easy to kill him and give Breakdown the sendoff he should have had all along."
"I'm not done with him," Knockout argued.
"Please, Knockout?" Frenzy requested, "He's helpless, and he'll never be himself again. I can't look at him like this any longer. Just kill him, please?"
"You have your pills. You should take them and go," Knockout replied crossly, "I'll attend to my business, and you attend to yours."
"I thought we were friends," Frenzy sniffed, cleaning fluid forming in his optics, "If you can do this to Breakdown then what could you do to me, a guy you just met?"
Knockout just gave him an angry scowl, and Frenzy walked away; Blaster following behind him. Neither one turned to look back at Knockout or his ghastly prisoner.
Knockout harrumphed and turned back to Cylas, ready to inflict more punishment to satiate his foul mood. As he was almost ready to proceed however, Frenzy's sad yet judgmental look forced itself back in his mind's optic. Why should a human's suffering upset Frenzy so? Frenzy was an adult, not to mention a Decepticon with vorns of experience as a gladiator. He of all mechs should know about the concept of revenge.
As Knockout looked back down at Cylas however, he noticed that he could no longer see his reflection in Breakdown's frame.
Breakdown wasn't good at taking care of himself when they first met, so Knockout would have to bribe him with energon treats just to get him to take a shower. They would buff each other's trouble spots so both could look presentable to their commanding officers, and they would tell each other about their past traumas that no one else wanted to listen to. Friendship among Decepticons was rare due to all of the chronic backstabbing, so the fact that they had each other was something neither one took for granted.
Knockout touched the ruined and cracked frame, his servo soft and comforting. His logical mind knew it was Cylas, but for just one moment he wanted it to be Breakdown. Frenzy was right. Knockout wasn't moving on. He was using his revenge as a crutch to not deal with the real problem.
"Breakdown," Knockout whispered in Cylas's audial, "I'm sorry. I never got to say goodbye."
Knockout then turned his servo into a circular saw and swiftly cut into the area of the body where Breakdown's spark should be. He felt the fleshy bits that belonged to Cylas, and he didn't stop until he was sure that...thing was dead.
His work done, Knockout took in several intakes of air and tried to steady his nerves. He shambled over to the sink and washed the blood off his saw, and then turned it back into a servo. He didn't cry, but he felt like it. He just wanted to have Breakdown back one more time, to say goodbye to him. Why did dead frames have to be so ugly? His brother's was ugly too, even though he had been handsome in life. It just wasn't fair...
"Don't worry, Breakdown," Knockout said to the emptiness of the room, "I'll find a way to make you presentable again. I'll buff, scrape, and polish you until you are perfect...and then I'll bury you by our favorite race track here on earth. Megatron might forget you, the Decepticons might forget you, but I will never forget you. Goodbye, Breakdown."
The first operation had been successful, so Wheeljack decided it was safe enough to try to operate on Springer. Moonracer, the femme he revived, had been confused and scared when she woke up on his ship. Wheeljack wasn't the best at giving comfort, so he simply told her he still needed to fix the other Vehicon and ordered her to stand in the hallway and wait. Even as he worked however, he could feel her concerned stare boring into his helm.
"So these really are my memories?" Moonracer asked while Wheeljack continued to work, "It's not like an implant or anything? I actually am Moonracer?"
"Yep," Was all Wheeljack said in reply.
"So...do you know who that other guy is?" Moonracer inquired.
"Yeah. This is my friend, Springer," Wheeljack replied, "Now if you don't mind lady, I'm really busy."
"Oh. Right. Of course," Moonracer nodded awkwardly.
Wheeljack continued to operate, and Moonracer (much to his annoyance) continued to watch. After a few minutes however...
"Don't touch that!" Moonracer suddenly shouted.
Wheeljack jerked away as if he had been electrocuted, and then glared at Moonracer for scaring him like that.
"Sorry sir, but you were about to fray a very important wire," Moonracer informed him, "In fact, your method for this procedure is very crude. How long have you been a medic?"
"I'm not," Wheeljack replied, "I am a mechanic though. Same thing."
"It most certainly is not!" Moonracer shouted indignantly, "I was a nurse and receptionist at a clinic for 75 vorns, and even I know you're botching this surgery."
"Fine. You wanna take over?" Wheeljack suggested snidely.
"I could...if you need me," Moonracer reluctantly said, "My digits are rather blunt though, thanks to being a...you know...drone."
"Fine. You tell me where to go, and I'll do it," Wheeljack replied; more sincere in his offer this time.
"Thank you," Moonracer replied with forced politeness, "First you need to take the modula primera wire and tape it to the side of the helm so you'll be able to locate it again. It must be hooked up exactly where you found it before."
Wheeljack did as instructed and then turned back to her for further input.
"To remove the unnecessary chip, you'll need a scraping tool, a micro-wrench, and a little solder. The solder is for reapplying, so don't get any on the processor during removal of the chip."
Wheeljack and Moonracer spent the next few minutes working on Springer, and in short order everything was back in place. Wheeljack thought he did everything right, but Springer didn't seem to be waking up.
"It didn't work," Wheeljack spat.
"No, it did," Moonracer corrected him, "When Knockout used to do similar procedures it would take several breems for the processor to reboot itself. I know it's not the most efficient method for removing unwanted chips, but it is the safest."
"Knockout?" Wheeljack asked suspiciously, "You watched him work without him taking a piece of your plating to use as a doorstop?"
"You have a very colorful imagination," Moonracer replied wryly, "Actually, I was talking about Tyger Pax. I don't know how or why Knockout joined the Decepticons, but things weren't always like this."
Moonracer then sighed heavily and sat down on the berth next to Springer's unconscious frame. She sagged where she sat, and Wheeljack could tell she was mulling over something tragic. He had seen that look on femmes too many times to not know what it was.
"Something on your mind?" Wheeljack asked, "I mean, Ratchet told me that most Vehicons go through a pretty painful transformation. You, uh, wanna talk about it or something?"
"Oh, it's not that," Moonracer replied, trying to sound reassuring, "Actually, I don't remember getting turned into a Vehicon. I guess I was unconscious at the time. The last thing I remember is the siege of Tyger Pax by the Decepticons. I was working the night shift at the clinic with Knockout. Thunder Wrath had gone home to get some supplies for our patients, and I was so eager for him to return. I had a present for him, but it was going to be a surprise. I never got the chance to give it to him though.
"The Insecticons invaded Tyger Pax, and Thunder Wrath sent a comm to Knockout during the siege. I don't think he managed to transmit anything other than static, but Knockout left me in charge of the clinic to see what was going on. The last thing I remember is the Insecticons ramming our windows and bowling me over. I lost consciousness, and the next set of memories is of me receiving my Vehicon programming."
"Uh, you lost me a little," Wheeljack drawled, "Who's Thunder Wrath?"
"My fiancée. At least, he was," Moonracer told him, "He was Knockout's brother, and he provided security for our clinic. He was so strong and passionate! Usually he kept his feelings hidden from the world, but when he would let me in it was the most beautiful thing ever. He had trouble loving anyone besides Knockout, so when he confessed his love for me it was the greatest moment of my life. Um, sir? I think Thunder Wrath is dead."
"You never know. He could just be a drone like you," Wheeljack pointed out.
"I hope so," Moonracer sighed wistfully, "I just don't understand how this could have happened though. We promised to stay neutral. Everyone who worked at our clinic knew better than to get involved in the war. When I was a sparkling, I lived in Iacon. I saw the terrorist attack on Praxus on the broadcasts, and ever since then I wanted nothing to do with the war. I thought Knockout agreed with me. He always seemed to. If anything I always worried Thunder Wrath would join the Decepticons. Or the Autobots. He had a lot of anger in his spark, and Knockout was the only one who knew how to keep him calm. Why would Knockout become this...monster? He was always so fun loving and gentle. He would have never intentionally hurt his patients before, but now..."
Moonracer then did something Wheeljack didn't know Vehicons were capable of. She broke down and cried.
Sobbing into her servos, Moonracer didn't even notice Springer waking up and moving his body into a sitting position on the berth while she sat there. Wheeljack noticed however, and was torn between feeling bad for the fragile femme and wanting to smile that his friend was alive and awake.
"Wheeljack?" Springer looked at him strangely before saying, "Tell me I was dreaming just now."
"About what?" Wheeljack asked.
"About being a filthy- Aw frag!"
Springer examined his purple arm and his factory standard servos. Wheeljack could see the red visor brighten in rage and dim in thought, alternating between the two every few seconds.
"Tell me we're going to the Nemesis to kill Megatron," Springer growled.
"Sorry, not yet," Wheeljack replied with a cavalier smile, "We gotta find more drones and cure them first. Good thing we got Nurse Moonracer on our side."
"What?" Moonracer squeaked, pulled out of her depressive stupor by that statement, "Sir, I never agreed to help you. I only did it this time because you almost killed ICN-8675!"
"Springer!" Springer shouted irately.
"Your real name is Springer? Oh, right. Wheeljack already told me that. Heh heh..." Moonracer laughed awkwardly, "My real name is Moonracer. Guess we're not roomies anymore, huh?"
"Guess not," Springer replied playfully, calming down in the face of the other Vehicon, "Can you believe this? How did Buckethead turn us into his stooges?"
"I don't know," Moonracer shrugged, "Everything about this feels like some sort of conspiracy."
"It is," Wheeljack interjected, "Megadumb and Shockwave invented Vehicons to act as servants, and apparently decided it was also a good way to get rid of their enemies."
"Well the joke's on him," Springer replied, "Because he didn't kill me when he had the chance, and now he's got the Wreckers to deal with! How many more of us are there?"
"Sorry. We're it," Wheeljack replied matter-of-factly.
"Seriously? Just us?" Springer asked incredulously.
"Yeah. Bulkhead's working with Team Prime, and everyone else is either dead or missing," Wheeljack informed him, "I think there are others on Megatron's warship, but we have to find them. We're also gonna need Moonracer to help us revive them. I could do it myself if I concentrate, but if I screw something up it could be a disaster. What do you say, Moonie? You in?"
"Don't call me Moonie," Moonracer replied crossly, "Frankly I'd rather be called TGP-3006 than that. Also, why should I trust you? I remember my life as a mining drone. You Autobots don't care who or what you kill, and I lived in fear every day going to work that I would be next. Knockout is on the Nemesis, and even though he might be evil now he's still my friend and former boss. I would rather try to reason with him then work with you at gunpoint."
"She always this feisty?" Wheeljack asked Springer.
"Not really," Springer replied, "Look, Moonracer, I get it. You're scared."
"You were scared too, remember?" Moonracer countered.
"Yeah, but that was before I had my memories back," Springer pointed out, "I'm a Wrecker again, and I'll never give that up willingly. Megatron stole our lives and our identities. He also did that to countless others, and we have the power to give them back what they lost. Don't you want to liberate our fellow Cybertronians, Moonracer?"
"Would you listen to yourself?" Moonracer chided Springer, "You're not a Wrecker. You're a mining drone. Your only weapon is a drill, and the only thing you transform into is, you guessed it! A drill! We're not heroes, ICN-8675. I never signed up for this, and I don't see why I should trust an Autobot that has literally killed mechs in front of us before."
"Wheeljack isn't a bad guy," Springer assured her, "He was one of my best friends in the Wreckers. We always had each others' backs, and he risked a lot to save us-"
"He risked a lot to save you," Moonracer interrupted him, "He only wants me around now because he knows I'm useful to him. How is that different than Megatron?"
"Because you get to be yourself," Springer declared, "That should be enough. I'm going to help my friend save this planet and our people. You do what you wanna do. I can't stop you."
"We're flying in the air," Moonracer noted dryly, "If Wheeljack wants, he can keep me up here forever. It's not like I can fly."
"You don't give me enough credit," Wheeljack smirked, "Frankly I'm insulted. Look, if you're serious I'll drop you off somewhere and leave you be. Is that what you want?"
"Really?" Moonracer asked skeptically, "Even though I might go back to the Decepticons?"
"I don't think you will," Wheeljack replied knowingly, "I don't think you can risk it. You know too much now."
Moonracer looked at him with wide optics, realizing that he had used logic to back her into a corner. She growled loudly at him, stomped her pede, and crossed her arms with her helm down. Wheeljack had never seen a Vehicon pout before, and he couldn't help but laugh.
"Stop that!" Moonracer shouted indignantly.
"Come on, you have to admit you look ridiculous!" Springer laughed right along with Wheeljack.
"If I agree to help you, will you stop laughing like a bunch of brats?" Moonracer asked heatedly.
"Yeah," Wheeljack replied with an amused smile.
Moonracer took a deep intake and tilted her helm back, the best approximation of rolling her optics she had. Finally she held out her servo and said...
"I think clasping servos is how humans come to terms on an agreement."
"It sure is," Wheeljack replied as he took her hand and shook it, "So, it's a deal. Welcome to the Wreckers, Moonie."