Jack shifted nervously on his pedes. Weeks of training, it all leading up to this. The roar of the crowd outside was nearly deafening. A group of slaves, all waiting for their chance in the gladiatorial pits of Kaon. Jack couldn't muster enough confidence to squash the anxiety down. He jumped when Megatron clapped his shoulder.

"Don't be afraid, Wayward. This is your chance- don't squander it." He advised, Jack nodding stiffly in turn.

"It's just...there's more than I thought there'd be." he said quietly.

"From all mines near here, yes, there's plenty." Megatron said darkly. "It would be best if you register before things pick up."

Jack nodded, and tensely made his way over to the mech Megatron had pointed out as the proctor. Jack was still a bit sore from standing for so long, having been crammed in a small space with so many other miners. He had questioned how they were supposed to be transported while kept under control seemed blindingly obvious once the door to the exit had opened-and just a trailer was on the other side, which hadn't opened again until they were in some underground docking bay.

Jack's approach to the proctor caught the mech's attention, and he resisted scowling when the mech looked him up and down. "I'm here to register to enter the arena."

"Designation?" He asked without much care.

"Sharpstrike." Jack offered, fingers twitching slightly. It was the best he could come up with in the weeks leading up to this moment.

"Go wait with the other new combatants. You'll be called soon enough." The mech said apathetically, jerking his thumb to a section of the arena kept separate.

"What about the rules?" Jack asked, but the other mech snorted.

"Rules are for bots who make it past their first round." he retorted. "Now get out of here."

Jack backed away, grimacing as he walked over to the place which he was directed too. He looked over the competition before he went in; bots of different sizes, some much taller and bulkier, some even smaller than Jack. Underestimation got you killed, and Jack hoped he wouldn't have to die today.

He couldn't fathom how Megatron did this and didn't feel at least a little apprehensive about what was to come.

'Maybe he just likes battle.' Came the worrisome thought. 'Or his desire to get out of the mines overpowers everything else.' He hoped it was the latter more than the former.

Because if it was the former, Jack was in for the long haul of needing to keep that desire tempered. 'If I know my Earth history just barely, winning our freedom is going to be difficult.' he thought. Inside the pen, because there was no other way to describe the area which was cornered off for the newbies, he stayed away from the other combatants.

Jack sized them up just as some doing the same to him, wondering which would be his first opponent. His gaze drifted to the exit, where beyond the tunnel he could already hear the sounds of fighting, of the crowd egging it on.

Despite Megatron's words and training, he was apprehensive, form tense. He was eager though to get it underway. He'd be lying to himself if he said he wasn't looking forward to the fight at least a little, his ticket to freedom.

'This is what it all came down to, isn't it?' Jack thought to himself. 'To get out of the mines, to get away from Shockwave, to-' he caught himself, because instead of save Cybertron, he almost thought change Cybertron. 'Wouldn't it be one and the same though?' he thought, conflicted about the change in mission.

It felt that way. Cybertron was on a downward path and if nothing changed then even if he managed to save Megatron then someone else would rise in his place.

'This place needs change." Jack thought angrily. It wasn't the Golden Age like many proclaimed, but the Gilded Age, to take a phrase from Mark Twain.

'Can I really keep it though from spiraling into an outright war like it did though?' Jack wasn't sure, but that's what he was here to try and stop. 'This place is terrible for everyone except the high caste, and the council and the-the Prime are keeping it that way.' he thought.

Some time had passed, mechs and femmes being called left and right into the pits to fight each other to the death. The numbers were whittling down when a name Jack didn't recognize was called on the intercoms, Jack audibly gulping when his own stage name followed after.

'I can do this...I can win!' He told himself. The training Megatron had given him wouldn't be for nothing!

Jack could spy the weapons tray out on the field, having risen in the center by a platform. Once he stepped out into the arena, he was almost deafened by the shouting and hollering of the crowd. It was enough to almost not notice the bot standing across him from. Almost.

He eyed the weapons, giving it half a second of thought when he snatched up a dagger looking one, short but sharp. His opponent, a mech called Scattershot, had chosen a battle axe. He'd need to keep out of reach of that if he wanted to keep his head on his shoulders. Confident though he might be in his abilities, Jack wasn't sure if he could regrow his entire head.

The crowd was roaring above them still, unwilling to silence themselves even as the countdown began. When the timer buzzed, Jack's opponent charged him, while he stood firm in his stance.

It was only a few seconds, but Jack thought a mile a minute. 'He's not that much taller than me-which means I need another plan.' he thought morosely. It clicked in his head, and Jack crouched, ducking to the left as the axe was swung down in an angle at him. He immediately shoved his dagger between the joint on the wrist before scurrying away.

Scattershot's hand slackened as the axe was buried into the metal floor. Energon spilled from his servo, and the sight of it made the crowd go wild. The mech snarled at Jack before ripping the axe out of the ground with his other servo, though noticeably kept his uninjured hand's grip on it more firmly.

Jack also noticed that it took a bit of effort to dislodge the axe from the ground. A more concrete plan began to form in his head. 'I get that axe stuck, and then I can hopefully move in for the-the-' Jack didn't think now was a good time to be stalling on finishing that thought.

Jack went around to the mech's back, but was forced to move away when Scattershot whirled around, swinging the axe in a half circle. Jack hissed as his plating was nicked- he had barely moved out of the way in time.

He'd prefer the thing the axe got stuck in not be him. 'Damn it, looks like I need to be even more careful now.' he thought. Jack felt the cut patch itself up, something which the other combatant noticed.

"What's with-"

Jack lunged forward. The axe came swiftly at him, but he managed to duck before bringing his fist up and smashed it against the mech's face. He felt the familiar feel of cracking glass before skittering out of dodge. 'Well, that could have cost me, but a good defense is a good offense.'

"Nngrh!" Scattershot shouted angrily, shards of his optics falling to the ground, the light glistening off them like little stars. Jack smirked. He was at least partially blinded now.

The mech glared viciously at him, and swung axe wildly at Jack, who felt the familiar steps to avoid the blade like he avoided the metal shards. Granted, this would end even worse if he got hit again than mild annoyance. Scattershot was worked into a frenzy, and Jack found it harder to get even a quick cut in.

The fact the other mech had a visible blind spot gave Jack an opening he needed; when the mech swung the axe, Jack dodged to the side and aimed for the neck.

The fact the mech had whirled completely around caught Jack off guard until it was too late. The slash of the axe cut into his shoulder, pain erupting as the blade didn't stop going, angling downward across his body until it reached his hip before sliding off. Energon seeped from the wound, and Jack's body screamed in pain as he collapsed onto the ground. 'How could I have been so careless?' he thought, feeling the cold void take him once more.

And then he was back, the roaring of the crowd the first thing he became aware of. Then the staggering pain of nearly being bisected, the fact that he died again and the shadow of his foe looming over his still bleeding body. Jack remained deathly still, optics closed as the mech raised his arms into the air, enjoying the cheers despite his half-blinded state.

A few footsteps passed and Jack ventured a peek- the mech's back was to him, unaware of his healing wound. When the mobility in his body returned, Jack struck.

The mech's face was still in an expression of glee when the dagger struck through the back of his neck and out his throat, slowly fading into stunned confusion as death took him. Warm, sticky energon poured over the blade, and onto Jack's hands.

Jack didn't know if the silence that cut through the crowd was his own audios failing or the crowd's stunned silence. Jack wasn't sure if he would be sick or not, as the mech fell off his dagger with a wet squelch. Jack suppressed the urge to heave, his optics growing wide as his shaking hands dropped the knife.

Hushed whispers and murmuring broke out-before the crowd erupted into cheering. It was enough to stun Jack for a moment, jolting as he held his aching wound as it stitched itself back together. Soon the plating was healed, leaving nothing but a long scar as he unsteadily made his way out of the door which was not the pen he came in from.

The moment he was inside he slid down a nearby wall in exhaustion, intaking heavily. "I am so tired of dying," He muttered to himself. There was no denying its usefulness though, as it had given him the opening he needed to win. Accelerated healing was probably the best thing he could have ever gotten.

Hopefully that most he could expect was that the crowd just thought it was a 'neat trick' like an illusion or some kind of modification. Did they even let gladiators have those? Jack wasn't sure, about the only thing he was certain of was how much his wound ached as his insides righted themselves.

Footsteps quickened down the hall, and Jack tensed up but had the strangest feeling of being relieved to see Megatron of all bots. It was another feeling he was quickly getting used too. The silver mech's face was unreadable as he briskly marched up to Jack, and looked over the energon still coating his plating.

"It happened again, didn't it?" he questioned gruffly.

Jack nodded. "How did you even know?"

"There are places for us to watch the matches, to study our competition." Megatron explained.

Despite how much he ached from the wound and exhaustion, and the horror of how energon coated his hands from the other mech- Jack shook his head, and drawled, "It's so nice to know you worry about me too."

If Megatron was amused, he didn't show it through those hard as adamant crystal optics, practically glaring at him for trying to make light of it. "I'm fine. Getting used to it actually." He muttered, only slightly bothered about the reality of that statement.

Jack blinked, but looked down for a moment, still feeling sick as he looked at his stained hands. "So, what happens now? Are they going to send me back out so soon?"

Megatron was silent just a touch longer before he spoke. "Not right away; they'll want to get through all the newcomers first before the 'real' show starts."

Jack scowled, and unsteadily straightened back up. Anger was easier to deal with than horror. "So essentially we're just the opening act?"

Megatron nodded. "Now come, you're allowed to refuel during the lull. It tastes like slag, but it'll replenish your reserves."

Following Megatron to the 'waiting room' as it were, Jack quickly snatched up a cube, not knowing if there was a limited supply or not. An unsettling thought drifted in his mind.

"...What if we have to fight each other?"

Megatron frowned as he thought over his reply for a long time. "It would change nothing, we'd still be expected to fight."

Jack was not comforted by that answer. He knew Megatron wouldn't take a dive, and he knew all of Jack's tricks. "There has to be a way for it not to end in one of us dying!" He could at least 'play' dead, but then would still be expected to get up and fight until he stayed dead? Even if that were possible, Jack didn't want to know if it was.

"As I have told you before; if it's enough of a show, you're allowed to live to fight again." Megatron said gruffly, though he didn't seem to think this was a better option.

'I can see that-playing to the crowd to not be killed?' Jack thought. He took a large gulp of his energon ration. "I freaked out just hurting you by accident-how am I supposed to put aside that in a real fight?"

"You have too." Megatron said roughly. "And there is no refusing to fight; the crowd demands entertainment."

"The only upside to this is that you could just kill me and I can pretend to stay dead until you leave and I'm carted." Jack grumbled out, scrunching his face at the taste of the terrible energon.

Megatron raised brow. "And what of next time?"

Jack shrugged. "I'll just say it's a gimmick-er, do they do those?"

"Not particularly." Megatron grinned, causing Jack to scowl.

"Then you come up with the plan smartaft!" Jack jerked up, annoyed at Megatron now.

The silver mech paused, actually seeming to think it over. "We bribe the pit boss to make sure we never have to fight each other then."

Jack stared at him flatly, too incredulous to even emote. "What."

"To avoid this situation is to make sure it can't happen." Megatron replied. "It's not as though bribes don't work here."

"I have no doubt about that." Jack said. "What I mean is with what?"

"Crystals from the mines." From his subspace Megatron removed a hand full of small, but brightly colored crystals. Not energon, Jack took notice immediately. He had seen these while drilling from time to time. "These can be used as credits. Not nearly as valuable as I'd like, but it should be enough to bribe the pit boss."

Jack blinked, picking one up to examine it. It was certainly pretty and shiny, but he slowly frowned as he put it back. "How were you able to hide these? Aren't the guards always watching?"

Megatron grinned. "It's quite easy to hide it if you know where the cameras are and when the guards change stations."

Jack blinked again, and wondered if he'd be in the mines long enough for those tricks to sink in. It was a bleak thought. "I know you said they weren't really valuable, but why would you hide them than get extras at the mine?"

Megatron raised a brow. "I use them here, and play it off as just more of what I win."

Jack thought it over, and conceded to Megatron's point. "Okay, that's pretty clever."

"One of my many winning traits." The smirk on Megatron's face was nearly insufferable, Jack rolling his optics at the mech.

"You certainly aren't lacking in confidence."

"I merely have assurance in my own abilities." he stated as he eyed the doors opened revealing a newcomer. Megatron wasn't impressed. "I know what I'm capable of, Wayward."

'You really don't.' Jack thought grimly, but said nothing of his thoughts as he nodded along. "Long as you don't let that confidence turn into arrogance."

"Arrogant, me?" Megatron asked, and grinned again. "Perish the thought."

Jack snorted. "Then I hope I can get good enough to keep up with you." He drawled, but inside, he knew that would need to be true. "Wouldn't want you to leave me behind."

"I suggest you don't lag behind then." Was the simple reply, and Jack sighed. He expected that honestly.

"So, where do we go to bribe people around here?" He asked Megatron, changing the subject.


Jack looked around the hall, grimacing as he could smell the strong disinfectant that was likely sprayed along the walls. It made his optics want to burn, and there was a worrying possibility it was clean because of the constant flux of bots bleeding out everywhere. He wasn't sure what he was expecting from going to a pit bosses' 'office' as it were, but so far he was not impressed. "You sure this is the way, and we're not going to get beat up?"

"I'm certain and as long as you don't threaten the owner, break the rules or cause trouble they'll have no reason to attack you."

"That's...not reassuring Megatron." Jack murmured, decidedly warier now. "And I have no idea what these rules or trouble even is."

"Just…don't pick a fight." Megatron said. Jack stared at him flatly. "Yes, I'm aware of where we are and what happened; that's for the arena, you get far worse if you cause a scene outside it."

Jack thought back to the waiting station. "So that's why everyone there seemed…oddly calm."

"Partially. No one wants to fight to the death and be unable to get anything for their efforts." Megatron added as they cane up to a door bared by a single mech.

It was certainly a big, bulky mech who just barely towered over Megatron. The mech scowled down at them. "What do you two want?"

Megatron walked up, looking unperturbed as he crossed his arms. "We've come to speak with your boss."

"Boss isn't expecting anyone." The guard stated bluntly, glowering at the pair. "I suggest you low caste dregs get back to the arena if you know what's good for you."

Jack started to get nervous, but Megatron didn't even look fazed. It made him wonder just how he could remain so calm and manage to keep his poker face up.

"Ah, but being here is good for us," Megatron said, "because we've come to talk business." Jack's optics widened when Megatron pulled out one of the crystals he had and held it up. "Surely that's worth your boss' time, isn't it?"

Jack wanted to ask Megatron what he was thinking in giving the crystal away, but kept his mouth shut to not start a scene.

The mech observed it for a moment, narrowing his eyes. Jack thought they were about to get the scrap beat out of them when he tilted his head in a slight nod, then moved out of the way of the door.

"Cause any trouble and you'll be metal dust for scraplets." He warned dangerously as he opened the door with a series of codes.

Jack was almost shaking by the time they got through the door, and he glanced at Megatron with wide optics, who only smirked back at him. "I know it should have worn off, but I still find myself surprised by you."

"Always keep them guessing." Megaron counseled as they walked in.

The inside of the room wasn't anything like Jack had expected it to be. It was like nothing from any gang movie he had watched back on earth, but he couldn't honestly have expected it to be either. No priceless paintings or artifacts, no tasteful decor...it was bland and solemn, the pit boss sitting at a desk like Jack would expect from an office job. It rubbed him the wrong way.

The disconnect unsettling him just as much as the pit boss' gaze locking onto them. It wasn't…cold but calculating, as though sizing them up like they were only commodities than bots.

"I presume you're here for a reason?" He stated in a voice that wasn't as deep as Jack had expected it to be.

"Yes," Megatron stepped forward to the desk, "we're come to make…negotiations." Jack glanced at him, not missing the inflection on the word.

"About?" The pit boss, Taciturn asked, looking bored. "Because if you came here to waste my time-"

"I can assure you we haven't." Megatron cut in swiftly.

"Then get on with it. I'm a busy mech with a schedule to keep." He stated, tapping his claws against the desk impatiently.

For a moment, Megatron's optics narrowed and Jack started to get worried, but the silver mech only vented calmly. "It would be in your best interest if he," the mech gestured to Jack, "and I were to never meet in the arena."

The pit boss' expression finally looked something more than irritated-he started to look angry. "And why would I do that? It's bad for business."

Megatron brought out the crystals, placing them on the desk as his voice grew insistent. "Because it's a fight no one would be interested in seeing."

The pit boss observed them drolly, rolling the around with the tip of a claw. "And why is that? Is he too cowardly to fight against one such as yourself?" Jack stiffened as the gaze went to him.

"No, it's…" Jack thought of something. He had no idea if word of his 'miraculous' recovery was spreading, but he figured it was as good a reason as any. "Do you really think anyone's going to want to watch him beat the scrap out of me? Especially since I can heal rapidly?"

Taciturn's expression gave away nothing. "Then he'll just beat you until you're dead." He said coldly. Jack spark twisted. "You haven't given me any reason not to-"

"We're fragging." Jack's head whipped to look at Megatron in disbelief, but the silver mech's expression was tight as he resolutely avoided looking at him. "We come from the same mine, and I'd rather not spend my time looking around for someone else to my taste."

The boss raised a brow at Megatron, then stared resolutely at Jack, as if appraising him. Jack nearly choked on his glossa, but managed to play along.

"He's...rough." Jack pulled it out of the air, but he had no doubt that if Megatron did frag anyone with he would be. He ignored the sour taste the words left in his mouth. "It's only because of my healing that I can handle him." Gesturing to several scars, Jack was surprised when the pit boss smirked at him.

"I can see that- you two must have quite an active interfacing life."

Jack tried to keep the grimace off his face. "Yes." He said stiltedly. "We do."

"Let's say if I do agree to this little deal," the pit boss said thoughtfully, rolling a crystal around carelessly, "then what's in it for me?"

Megatron scowled and Jack was inclined to do the same. Fragger was trying to cut blood from a stone.

"Anything of exceptional value in the mines will find its way into your hand, should we come across any such thing." Megatron supplied, the last thing they had to offer.

Jack metaphorically held his breath, every inch of him tightening as Taciturn stared at them both for a long time, his expression stony.

Finally, he glanced down at the crystals, and his optics narrowed. "Fine, we've got a deal. Though I don't think I need to tell you what'll happen to you and your frag toy if you try and double-cross me."

"Understood." Megatron stated as he stood. Jack did as well, the boss gesturing for them to leave with a flippant wave of his hand.

Once out of earshot, Jack turned to Megatron, scowling. "Don't ever do anything like that again." He hissed, angry that he went behind his back. "I'm not even interested in-"

"Neither am I." Megatron interrupted him. "It was the only thing I could say that would shut down any questions about this."

Jack scowled at him, crossing his arms. "If you even thought it was a possibility it would help the bribe, you should have told me than just blurting it out like that!"

"We were being pressed, and the fragger wasn't budging." Megatron retorted. "I had to say something or this whole thing would have been for nothing."

"Fine." Jack gritted out, though he wasn't any less upset about this. "Now do we go back to the pits to keep fighting or head back to the mines?" He asked, wanting to take his mind off all this.

"Today was not a particularly fast day." Megatron replied. "While they sent the newbies in, there were fights interspersed with the real gladiators. We'll be sent back to the mines."

"So glad to know we were just the half-time show." Jack said sullenly.

Megatron looked at him oddly. "Another one of your made-up sayings?"

Jack winced at the slip he made. "Yeah. Something like that."

"Anyway, lets head back," Jack insisted, moving ahead. "I'd rather not get dragged into another deal where I have to sign my spark away."


Jack wouldn't say he was happy being back in the mines, in fact he'd rather be almost anywhere else, but the fact he came away with his first win still left him ambivalent. 'It had been him or me.' he thought, but that didn't make dealing with the aftermath easier. Add to the stress of the deal he and Megatron had made with Tatciturn, and Jack was wound tighter than a coil on the way back to the mines.

"I hate that we're going back here just to mine for scrap," Jack said quietly as he stood next to Megatron. "I almost wish I was back in the arena. At least then I could do something other than drilling."

"Yes, I always find myself looking forward to the next trip to the pits." Megatron grinned sharply. "Much more exciting, more freedom to release everything that's been building. And in this place, there's no shortage of that."

Jack would have been worried to hear the bloodlust surfacing in Megatron's voice again, but he was more worried to find he agreed with him. Then again, maybe that was only because he knew what it was from now.

Jack almost groaned once the trailer came to a stop. The ride back felt so much shorter than the one going to the pits. Megatron laughed at his expense. "More grit for the mill then," He muttered, keenly aware of the bewildered look Megatron was giving him. "Don't pay it any attention. I say stuff like that all the time."

"Yes, I'm starting to grow used to your odd phrases- though I don't know what that says about me or you." Megatron replied.

Jack snorted. "You know what? We'll call it a draw." he parroted the words Megatron had said to him during their mock match.

"How amusing." Megatron commented dryly as the trailer was opened, and they made their way out eagerly to get out of the box of crammed bodies. Jack rolled his shoulder, loosening a gear or two that had stiffened on the ride back when he noticed it- a large, foreboding purple form standing inside the tunnel the trailer opened up to. Megatron frowned at him, following his gaze.

"I've never seen that mech before," Megatron glanced at Jack again, "but it looks like you know him."

Jack stiffened up as the purple mech's single red optic locked on him. "It's Shockwave."

"Your...owner?" Megatron queried as they were forced forward by the guards. Jack grunted, sliding to stop not far away from Shockwave.

"Yes." Jack muttered, and crossed his arms as he glared at Shockwave. "What are you doing here? I figured this place was too beneath you to come to."

That single optic narrowed a fraction. Jack gulped, tense as he back up a step. "I see you are still an insolent and uncouth mech." Shockwave said drolly. "I was informed you were at the gladiator arena. I came to see how true it was."

Jack's optics widened. "You...heard? How? We just got back!"

"I made a call to arrange your transport only to be informed that you were not currently in the mines." Despite the dull tone it managed to convey an invisible threat.

Jack shifted uncomfortably. He was hyper aware that while most the miners were ignoring them and quickly getting away, the guards were skulking around the back of the tunnel. Effectively, only Megatron was with Jack right now.

And he took what comfort he could from it, despite the mech's earlier blunder. Jack straightened up, narrowing his optics. "That's right, I wanted to blow off steam at the gladiator arena. I was getting restless."

"I sent you back here to work." Shockwave said. "Not to waste time."

"And I have been working." Jack replied stiffly. "Though not everyone can be so fascinated by their work as you."

"Logic dictates that there is only one reason for you to try your hand at the arena." The voice lowered an octave, Jack going ram rod straight as he fought the urge to panic. "You are attempting to obtain your freedom."

Jack quickly shook his head, going for the first excuse he could think of. He was uncomfortably aware of how Megatron was in full view of his cowardice. "N-no, that's not it at all." He managed to stammer out. "I was...testing out my abilities. For your research." He grew more confidant, boldly gesturing to the large scar going from shoulder to hip, front and back. "It should only be logical that I try to figure out the extent of my abilities for you to study later."

Shockwave gave him a long, hard stare, his optic locked on the scar. "You were able to heal from such a wound?"

Jack clenched his fists briefly, still trying to keep calm. "Yes."

"Such a devastating injury should have resulted in your death." Shockwave mused, optic moving a bit more urgently now as it took in the details.

Jack resisted the urge to cringe, because that was more on the mark than he would have liked. "Yes, it should have." He agreed, both neither confirmed nor denied the assumption. "I'm still here though."

"You are." Shockwave said. "Though why should I allow you to remain here knowing you disobeyed me?"

Jack gritted his denta, but couldn't afford to lose his temper right now. "I wanted to see what I was capable of," he reiterated slowly, "but I figured you wouldn't let me, so I went behind your back, and now I know some of what I can do."

"You think to deceive me with an illogical paradox?" Shockwave's optic narrowed again, this time with a hint of warning behind his words.

It made Jack freeze, struggling to find something to say.

"It isn't like Wayward could purchase his freedom from you regardless." Megatron stated from behind, his voice calm and composed. "As I recall, he has an intricate value to one such as yourself."

Jack felt a huge sense of relief to hear Megatron speak, even if he gave away nothing of how he felt about the deception.

Shockwave though seemed almost contemplative. "His value for the research he provides is secure; there is nothing he could do which would allow him to acquire the fifty million credits necessary."

Jack's spark dropped, because even in human terms that was a big number. And from the way Shockwave spoke, it sounded like a big number here too. He stiffened when Shockwave turned his gaze to Megatron, just barely about to keep from freaking out.

"And what is your part in helping J-23?" Shockwave questioned, and Jack felt a shock. It wasn't his name, but he couldn't recall Shockwave ever bothering to use it.

Optics narrowed- dangerously so. Megatron managed to reign in his temper though, to Jack's relief. "We merely work in the same mines. Wayward desired to learn combat to test the arena shortly after he returned from your care, and in exchange for a share of rations I obliged."

"You use his name?" It was a strange thing to comment on, and for a split-second Shockwave's optic brightened. Since it was the first time Jack ever saw it happen, he wasn't sure what he was thinking now.

"Yes, because it's my real name." Jack retorted. "Something I would like to point out you never bothered to ask."

"You are beneath me-your former name holds no weight." Shockwave said, and Jack felt his lips curl into a scowl, but he kept the scathing retort back.

Megatron hadn't liked it either, if the tending of his frame was anything to go by. His clenched fist uncurled slowly. "It is of little consequence what slaves call one another, so long as we respond to our given designations they gave us here."

Shockwave regarded Megatron for a moment. "Is that so? Why have you not gone back to working as well then?" his optic narrowed slightly, and he slowly walked up to Jack, who stepped back, but was prevented going any further by the one-optic mech grabbing his arm, and grimaced as he was pulled to stand by him. "And why is the well-being of my slave of such value to you that you would risk angering your betters?"

Seeing the mech temper was about to get the better of him, Jack spoke up before things could get worse. "I-it's okay Megatron." Jack winced when the grip tightened considerably, leaving dents. "Go back to work. I'll be fine."

Megatron's optics had brightened in surprise to hear the name, and Jack winced again, this time out of letting such a thing slip. His optics though narrowed at the hand around Jack's arm, and the visible dentation in the metal. "You're sure?"

Jack tried to smile, and it just barely managed to look like one, despite how foreboding Shockwave's sudden silence was. "Yes." He nodded, and tried to add reassuringly, "I'll be back before you know it."

Megatron looked rightfully dubious at the weak claim, but vented heavily. He eventually conceded with a nod, and Jack looked down as the mech's footsteps grew fainter. And soon enough, it was just Jack and Shockwave left in the tunnel.