A/N: This is a shout out to Hexalys for their recommendation of our story, thank you so much!
Jack was torn between the gnawing guilt of 'me or them' as he kept waiting for his next fight, if he would even fight again. Megatron was thankfully still kicking, though Jack wouldn't be able to stop the surprise every time he thought it. He shook his head, the action strange because his receptors were still dampened, and it only served to make him feel even more irritated he couldn't do anything yet. 'Maybe Megatron's finished his fight and we can talk about how selling the crystals are.'
With Soundwave now running the arena under the guise of Taciturn (who was not to be disturbed under any circumstance) while Megatron acted as it's true head, Jack had no doubt they were beginning to accumulate credits from the fights, adding to horde that was lying underneath their pedes.
It seemed excessive to keep that much energon in one place, but it wasn't like Jack couldn't see the need for it, especially if it meant unloading the more useless items. Walking to the entryway, Jack glanced around the waiting room before spotting Megatron entering. "I see you're still in one piece." he said smirking. "Good thing too. Healing is you is more exhausting than I realized." he added with an exaggerated huff.
"You were the one to offer, in case you forgot." Megatron retorted with a snarky smirk, bearing his denta down at him.
Jack smiled self-consciously. "Yes, well, not like I regret it." he paused when Megatron's smirk turned into a scowl. "What is it?"
"Something I do find regrettable is that your master keeps coming around for gladiators." Megatron spat.
Jack's not-stomach twisted. "He does?" he asked wearily, and more apprehensively continued with, "Did you happen to see if he was here now?"
"Soundwave would inform me of his arrival, were he here." Megatron informed, and though Jack knew he would be pleased by Soundwaves no doubt excellent surveillance, it would be stymied by his dislike of Shockwave.
"Has he said anything at all? Why exactly he's taking the gladiators?" Jack asked, more than a little worried. "Do any of them ever come back?"
Megatron scowled. "Shockwave keeps his reasons to himself, and few though they are, the ones that come back do not say anything. I've witnessed a few injured and their injuries healed quickly enough that there is a strong reason to suspect he's attempting to replicate your abnormal self-repair."
"That's not good." Jack's fists clenched tightly, optics going hard. "That's not good at all."
Megatron nodded sharply. "Indeed." He said firmly.
Jack sighed deeply, trying to get back on topic. "In other news how's the...stuff coming along?" He asked cautiously, not wanting to be overheard.
"As well as can be expected." The mech paused a little, looking over something in the datapad before continuing on. "The lesser quality gems and metals have been selling with ease, though the Lysken crystal has yet to be sold. I require an appraiser to determine its exact value."
Jack nodded, understanding but worried about how long it would take. Then again, with a gem so apparently valuable it made sense not to rush it. "I see. At least I'm still building my own funds. Then it's goodbye Shockwave." He tried to smirk, to feel braver than he actually felt.
Megatron nodded, pulling his arms behind his back. "After which we can focus on more long-term goals." He mused thoughtfully.
Jack nodded. Which would likely include things such as getting a bigger rally area, finding a way to spread the message further, and garnering more support. "So much to do." He drawled.
The silver mech smirked, but scowled as he tilted his head, and it reminded Jack of how the Autobots listened to their comms. "Soundwave has reported Shockwave arrived."
Jack hoped he was scowling too. "Fragger always showing up to ruin things." He muttered.
"Yes, he has a remarkable talent for that, doesn't he?" Megatron scoffed, no more pleased than Jack was about the announcement.
Jack nodded grimly. "Yeah." He crossed his arms consciously. "I'm going to hide before he finds out I'm here then." Megatron chuckled, eyeing him in amusement as they continued on.
The two barely got to the other side of the room before an unpleasant surprise found them. Jack nearly tripped as he halted when Shockwave came marching around the corner. Jack must have been tense, lips pursed tight as Shockwave came into the waiting room. Almost immediately, that single red optic locked onto Jack, but flickered to Megatron briefly before narrowing.
Jack gritted his denta, but spat out a greeting. "Master," he said, "what a pleasant surprise. May I ask why you're here?"
"It is of little concern to you," Shockwave answered in a disparaging tone.
Jack didn't make any sound, but he wanted to growl. He took deep vent before replying. "I understand." he said evenly. "You must be busy, so we'll just go." he said quickly.
"No." Shockwave said in a low tone before Jack could make a step to leave. "It is time for you to return to my laboratory for the time being. Come, J-23."
Jack was sure he was going to let out an unflattering sputtering sound, staring incredulously at Shockwave. It sent an unpleasant jolt through him to be called that, especially by him, but more to the point of the terror of going back to the lab even with the promise of the receptors being turned back on. "What? S-so soon?" he asked.
"Yes. I require your presence to further my studies." Shockwave said, his voice unrelentingly monotone. Always so calm. As if he wasn't using a living person as his guinea pig.
Jack hated how he flinched, grimacing. He stiffened when Megatron's arm moved, grabbing his own. "You will be delayed," the silver mech said coldly, "Wayward's help is required elsewhere."
"You have no say in what I do with my property." Shockwave strode forward, his optic going from dull red to scarlet in the span of a klick.
Megatron was not intimidated, scowling back at him. Jack though didn't want the mech to have a target on his back, so he brushed the silver mech's hand off as he stepped forward.
"I won't be your property for long." Jack said firmly, taking a deep vent. "I've been keeping up with the price you had set for me, and my own funds are growing. I'll be buying my freedom from you soon." he tried to sound confident, but it felt flat.
The singular optic narrowed into a point, focusing on him and him alone. Jack would be lying if he said it didn't creep him out, and he was sure his not-stomach would be in knots with the one-optic mech's next words.
"You deceived me; all this time you've been plotting to free yourself." he said, voice dark.
"I don't want to be an experiment." He responded coldly. "Or a slave for that matter."
"You have no choice, you are still my slave. And we are leaving."
Jack stepped back a little. "No." he said firmly, glaring at him.
"Now, if you'll excuse us..." Megatron sneered, unable to keep the slag eating grin off his face as he grasped Jack's shoulder.
Jack was yanked suddenly, hearing a crack in his shoulder as his arm hung eerily limp by his side. Jack stared in shock, and flinched when he found Shockwave's hand was gripping his other shoulder as he'd pulled him to his side sharply. "We are leaving." he repeated coldly.
"Y-you broke my arm!" Jack sputtered.
"You will heal in moments." Shockwave said just as coldly. For once Jack was grateful that he couldn't actually feel his arm dangling useless at his side.
Jack growled, trying to get out of the grip, but it wouldn't budge. "Let me go, I am not going to be your property anymore! You can't stop me from buying my freedom!"
Shockwave's grip became crushing, from how his plates yielded under the harsh touch.
Jack knew without a doubt he'd be screaming if he could feel it, and gritted his denta as he glared at him.
"You will come with me. Now." Shockwave stated, and began dragging Jack along with him to the hallway.
"I think not." Megatron snarled, grabbing hold of Jack's free wrist to pull him back.
Jack gasped, feeling nothing still but he saw the metal dent. He at least knew Megatron hadn't meant to grab so hard, but it still made him terrified his arm would be ripped off they tried to do a tug of war.
"Release him. Or have you forgotten this gladiator ring is an illegal establishment?" Shockwave questioned.
"One which you are willingly partaking in in order to obtain gladiators for your own twisted experiments." Megatron countered against Shockwave. "Or do you believe we have forgotten the little offer you made in the waiting room? Your experiments have not gone unnoticed as you believe."
Shockwave went still, his optic narrowing to a point, but his voice remained even. "Then it is only logical to take out the equation of freedom altogether." he said, and Jack's optics widened as Shockwave looked at him. "The valuable insight I am gathering from your physiology, it merits...complete observation, and the information I am gleaning from you is...priceless."
Jack was sure he could hear his spark pounding in his chest, his tank twisting into something painful. "Y-you can't just change the price!"
"As your master it is well within my right to assign whatever value I see fit to my slave." Shockwave replied. "And if you insist on being so unruly, I will summon the enforcers not only to arrest him for obstructing me," Shockwave glanced at Megatron, "but when you are returned to me I will gather my samples with your receptors active."
Jack gritted his denta, but the gnawing grew when he noticed that the gladiators watching were starting to grow restless, unwilling to get involved but also looking irritated and angry, muttering to each other with things Jack could just pick up, "Unfragging believable." and, "What's Taciturn thinking letting them stay here?" along with another mech muttering, "More trouble than its worth." And Jack realized that a mutiny could not happen, not when he knew things were still so tenuous and uncertain.
"...alright. Alright." He gritted out, reluctantly pulling himself from Megatron's grasp. The mech looked startled by his action. "I'll go. Just...please leave them alone. There's no need to get anyone else involved."
"Wayward-" Megatron started, but Jack shook his head.
"I-I don't want things to be ruined." he said meaningfully. He met the other mech's optics, who frowned deeply. Jack grunted as he found himself dragged off his pedes, Shockwave pulling him toward the hall. "I-I'll see you again!" he called.
"Illogical." Shockwave told him as they turned on the corner. His words were low. "Given that you will never see him again."
'You're wrong,' Jack thought fiercely, 'I will, and then I'll find a way to never see you again.' he didn't know how long it'd take, but he'd find a way out. "I might not be versed in laws, but I know that if there's an allowance for a slave to buy their freedom, you can't just act like the rules don't apply to you." he said bitterly. "You won't keep me forever."
"Away from the arena, there is no logical course you could take to purchase your freedom." said Shockwave tersely, pulling him along that much faster.
Jack scowled and glared at him, nearly stumbling as he was forced to practically run up the steps to keep up with the other mech. He hated feeling so trapped, and the reminder only served to anger him further. "It's also illogical for you to keep me in your tower, there isn't any room unless you plan to have me sleep on the floor of your lab." he said spitefully.
Shockwave's grip tightened again, his optic blazing. Nothing was said as they exited the dilapidated building that served as the cover up for the pits, then to Shockwave's own vehicle, which was hovering just above the pavement in park.
Jack was shoved into the back of the transport, frowning as the door was shut and Shockwave climbed into the driver seat. "Did I stumble on a touchy subject?" he asked. He knew it wasn't wise to antagonize the mech this much, but he was frustrated and powerless and just wanted to vent somehow. "You can ignore it all you want, but we know there's no room for me."
The vehicle purred to life as Shockwave started it. They were off, the pit becoming smaller and smaller the further they were, until he couldn't see it at all.
Jack was sure his frown had grown deeper, glaring at the back of the seat. Jack wanted to keep going, but the mech was too silent, too foreboding that it sent a sense of unease through him. 'What's he planning?' he thought suspiciously. 'Nothing good.' He added glumly. Nothing to do with Shockwave was ever good. And right now he could bet Shockwave was planning on vivisecting him with pain receptors back on just out of spite. 'He's already shown not to be above being petty, wouldn't surprise me.' he thought darkly.
The ride was spent in silence, though Jack had no clue how much time had passed since leaving. Either way, it was much too soon for Jack's liking when they came to a stop, Shockwave stepping out. Jack grimaced as he was pulled out if the transport. By now he wouldn't put it past Shockwave just trying to psych him out and frighten him. Jack almost snorted, as if the mech would use subtle threats.
It wasn't Shockwave's style- he was blunt, to the point, without the need for vague threats.
Jack narrowed his optics. If he was already going to be punished again, he decided to cut to the chase and brace himself for it. "I guess your ominous silence means another live vivisection."
"No." His arm was grabbed, pulling him out of the back. The hold didn't relent as he was directed towards Shockwave's home, the mech nearly dragging him there.
Jack tried not to stumble, frowning as he was pulled inside. He grimaced though as he saw the decontamination shower ahead. "You're still going to take samples from me though?"
"Yes. Your energon vials have run out. I require more samples to test the unique coding in your CNA."
Jack vented deeply. "Did you use it up testing but out on the gladiators?" He asked bluntly.
"An astute guess." Shockwave moved him to the door barring the decontamination shower, before finally releasing him. "Clean yourself. I will not have the filth from the arena sully my lab."
Jack vented again, nodding slowly, while silent fuming. "Can you turn my receptors back on? I need to feel my plating to know I'm getting all the grime."
This caused the mech to pause, optic cycling from a point to a wider circle. Then, he nodded. "Very well. But only long enough for the decontamination."
Jack nodded. "Yes, I understand." he said plainly. Jack held still as Shockwave reached behind his head, and in a flicker every sensation came flooding back. First the feeling of his limbs, and then the pain of his arms came over him. Jack gasped, hugging himself as he rubbed his shoulders. It didn't hurt, but he was deeply aware of the painful aching that remained. Blearily, Jack furrowed his brow, aware of the pressure still on his neck. He stiffened up, and looked up.
Shockwave held his gaze for a moment longer, before he removed his hand from Jack's neck finally. "You are due for another scar removal, given your poor maintenance."
"It's not my fault." Jack retorted, the words bitter to his own receptors. "It's hard knowing what's wrong if you can't feel what's happening. Even in the mines."
Shockwave said nothing, only opening the door to the shower. "Get in."
Scowling, Jack did as told, where the door shut behind him, trapping him in the room. He sighed as he adjusted the knobs so it wouldn't be too cold or too hot.
Jack took a long moment to just enjoy the solvent that washed over him, getting in his joints and tearing away the loose grime and dust. It was just the right temperature, warming his plates as he tried to ignore everything else and dwell in the moment. It helped, but honestly, nothing would make him forget the overbearing presence outside the door. Grumbling, Jack reluctantly grabbed a cloth and began digging at the grime still clinging to his plating.
The guards in the mines rarely allowed for even the basic of cleaning supplies. Usually only when someone found something particularly valuable, as he had before. The arena was better, but still far too few for his liking. He hadn't realized that so much gunk had built up on his form until he started scrubbed it out.
Disgust churned in his not-stomach at the clumps of sloshing grime that went down the drain and the grit that clinked against the floor. Jack's plating foamed with the solvent, but soon his plates gleamed as the dirt gave way and he was getting cleaner. With each scrub he felt a bit better, prying loose any bits and kibbles that may have ended up stuck in his seams or gaps.
All too soon Jack found himself clean, the solvent having washed away the remainder of grime and grit that might have been caught. Jack vented as he looked himself over, and reluctantly turned the knobs to shut the solvent off. Once certain no more solvent would pour out, he grabbed a 'cloth' of sorts that was held in a compartment, away from the nozzle so there was no risk of exposure. He was drying himself off when the door opened, letting in a cool breeze.
Jack shuddered, though whether from the coolness of the draft or the fact Shockwave was standing there he honestly couldn't tell. "I just got done washing, I'll hurry and dry myself in a klik." He hurried out of the shower, wiping down his arms and chest before cleaning his face of any remaining solvent.
A cold digit touched the back of his neck, causing him to gasp, before digging into code before all sensations left him once more.
Jack staggered, his joints tensing that he could not feel, rooting him to the spot. It was not a pleasant thing to go through again so soon. "I still needed to wipe down the rest of myself." he muttered.
"Then do so along the way."
Jack scowled at the mech, but had little choice as Shockwave's imposing form stood behind him. Reluctantly, he started to walk, leading the way to the laboratory.
Jack had to carefully maneuver, both drying off his lower plating while making sure not to go to slow for Shockwave to shove him along or decide to just drag him to the lab. The cloth wiped away the solvent still clinging to spots, and Jack kept glancing up to make sure he wasn't about to stumble, keeping his mutinous grumbling silent.
Unexpectedly, Shockwave took the cloth away from Jack once he was done. Jack stared for a moment, but after no explanation, kept moving. Honestly he didn't want to ask, because nothing good would likely be the answer. He just kept going, frowning heavily as they drew closer to the lab.
He dreaded the sight of the entrance- dreaded everything within this place. There was no telling what Shockwave would do to him now.
'He better not try to pull a fast one.' Jack dreaded the thought of getting a vivisection instead after all. He made his way to the berth, grimacing as he noticed there was a chunk of dark energon still muddying up the place as he twitched at the sight of it.
The energon coursing through him prickled at the thought of Shockwave using the dark energon. Such a vile substance was of no good to anyone.
And to know that Shockwave was likely experimenting with not only his energon but the dark energon as well made him uneasy. He glared as Shockwave went to retrieve a syringe and vials, more than two this time.
"Do you really need all of that?" Jack asked uneasily as he was made to lay across the berth.
Shockwave didn't answer him for a moment. "Yes, I need enough energon to continue my experiments." He replied as he pricked Jack's vein with the needle. Jack still flinched despite not feeling it.
"What are you experimenting on anyway?" He asked, though feared he already knew the answer. "Why do you need my energon?"
"I have begun my research into how to replicate your healing capabilities. It has caused fatalities in most subjects, and quite limited results in others." Shockwave explained.
"And you don't see anything wrong with that?" Jack hissed out between gritted denta.
"No, nothing is off limits to achieve progress, and if that includes losing a few specimens, then that is a meager price to pay." Shockwave said.
Jack scowled at him. "That's rather hypocritical if you, given the ridiculous lengths you're going to in order to keep me here."
"The lives of nameless slaves mean little in the face of the advancement of our race." Shockwave put away one vial of energon, before grabbing an empty one and drawing out more. "As the epicenter of this progress, the value of your contribution is beyond measure."
Jack scowled deeper as the vial was filled. "Lucky me." He spat. "Do you intend to keep me until you have all you need from me?" He asked bitterly.
"Yes." Shockwave drew away the second vial, this time grabbing a scalpel to no doubt take pieces of him.
Jack sneered, because it was easier than being terrified of what his energon could create, is creating. "And then what? You'll finally let me go?"
"...no." Shockwave's voice was quiet, but Jack heard it all the same. It sent a spike of fear directly into his spark.
Jack's optics widened. "What?" He whispered. "What do you mean 'no'? It would be illogical for you to keep me if I have no more scientific value." He spat.
"The value of your biology will still be a necessary component in my procedures, even after I have discovered all there is to know about you." Jack winced when he heard the scalpel cut away at his plates. "Thus your presence shall always be required."
Jack glanced away from his plates being taken off, not wanting to see even if he couldn't feel it. "So I'm just supposed to be your science project forever?" he muttered and added angrily, "You gonna make me sleep in your lab too?" If he did, it'd give him an opportunity to chuck the dark energon away.
"No. That would be illogical, given the likelihood that you would tamper with my projects."
'Damn.' Jack thought. "Where am I supposed to sleep then?"
"There is only one room with a proper berth in the building." A clang rang out as Shockwave pulled pieces of his body away from the inside, dropping them into a container.
Jack's optics widened again, horror flooding him as he realized exactly what the mech was talking about. "I'm not sleeping on your berth again."
Shockwave turned to look at him directly, pausing in his work. If Jack could have, he would have swallowed.
That single optic cycled into a narrow point, the glaring red boring into him. "Until such arrangements have been made to accommodate your continued presence here, you will be recharging in my quarters."
"I won't-!"
"You are my slave, and any decision I make regarding you is final." Shockwave said coldly. "If you continue to behave so unruly I will simply cancel the contractor to build you a room, and have you sleep in my berth indefinitely."
"N-no." Jack said too quickly, clenching his fists. "I...I'll behave."
Shockwave gave him a long, calculating stare before he scrapped several shavings of metal off Jack's arm, the other plates having regenerated with scars littering the area. "The first logical thing you have said this sol." he said, and Jack stifled his scowl.
"That should do, for the time being." He informed Jack as he moved away, allowing the largest cut to heal as he tended to his samples instead.
Absently, Jack tried to rub his arm, but scowled upon realizing Shockwave had restrained him after all. It was easier to be angry about that than trying not to shudder as he thought of going into recharge. "What next then, Master?" he added the title reluctantly.
"You shall remain on the berth as I study these samples." Shockwave said, not releasing Jack from his bindings.
Jack gaped incredulously, uncaring how ridiculous he looked. "Are you serious? You have your samples, and it's not like I can make a break for it!" And the sad truth was that it was probably true unless he knew the details of the security or got extremely lucky.
"Due to your poor attitude and your earlier cheek, you will remain confined there until I see fit to release you."
Jack growled and struggled despite how useless it was. He groaned and slumped against the berth. There was no choice but to listen to Shockwave's mutterings, pulling pieces of Jack's metal and energon under what he assumed was a microscope of some sort. He never jotted anything down on a datapad, continuing to make small remarks, talking to himself.
It made Jack wonder how Shockwave was keeping track of everything and frowned. "No datapad? You install a recorder or something?"
"All information regarding my work is kept strictly with myself." He never paused in his work as he answered, not even twitching a little to look his way as he spoke.
Jack stared at him incredulously. "What?"
"My research is far too valuable to be out in the open where it could be stolen."
"Again." Jack added, feeling spiteful.
"Precisely." There was no hint of insult in his voice, to Jack's dismay. He huffed indignantly.
"And I supposed it's also your reasoning for deciding to keep me locked up here?"
"Yes." Shockwave said simply. Jack hated the tone of his voice. Like he wasn't keeping him locked up and out of the way.
Like he was just some pet.
Jack pulled once more at the restraints, but it was all for naught. They didn't budge and Jack was unsure of how to break them. Was he really expected to just lie here for hours? He thought incredulously, as Shockwave made no movement to free him.
It seemed he was mistaken, Shockwave could be petty after all. Jack scowled spitefully at the mech, who continued to ignore his existence.
The silence was tense and thick, and from Shockwave's muttering he was off in his own world. Jack vented deeply and racked his processor for something. He didn't want to sleep in that dreaded berth but he hated being tied down like this. "How long would getting a room done take?"
"Several sols." Shockwave answered after a minute or two. "I have already contracted workers to begin the construction."
"That was fast." Jack said, then his optics narrowed in realization. "We're you ever planning on letting me go even if I gave you the credits?"
"Not once I realized your value." Shockwave admitted bluntly.
Jack scowled, but didn't expect any other kind of answer. "And I suppose my time here is going to be me locked in my cage, sorry, I meant my 'quarters' once samples are taken?"
"You would do well to remain silent." Shockwave warned, his voice containing an underlying tone of a threat.
Jack narrowed his optics again as he struck a nerve. "Actually, a room would be nice," he said darkly, "then I wouldn't have to wake up to you every sol."
Shockwave stopped what he was doing, straightening himself as he turned to Jack. His optic narrowed, glowing with an intense red as he stared him down.
Jack got nervous, but he wasn't going to show it and he glared back. He knew it wasn't wise to keep ribbing him, but he wouldn't say he wasn't above being spiteful either. "I mean, who would want that?"
A step away from his work, then another, his antenna twitching slightly.
Jack knew he must have actually hit a touchy subject if the mech was visibly starting to act up.
"You will refrain from voicing such statements if you wish to continue to maintain a pleasant stay here." Shockwave warned him, claws curling slightly. "Or you will be reminded how unpleasant a vivisection can be."
Jack gritted his denta, harder than he thought because he heard his jaw clench. He teetered on the edge, wanting to mock him more but knew the next wrong thing would have him being sliced open again. Swallowing his fury, Jack said, "Very well, Master."
Relaxing just a bit as Shockwave turned back to his work, he resigned himself to being confined to the berth for the time being. Jack glared at the ceiling, and wished he could punch something. Preferably a large red optic. 'I'm going to be useless trapped in here.'
He wondered what Megatron was doing right now- taking his rage out on other arena combatants maybe? Jack sighed. Really, he was wishing he could do the same thing. But now...would he ever see Megatron again? Would he ever step outside of this tower?
Jack couldn't take that, wouldn't and he'd have to find some way to escape. 'I will not let the future go ahead without me!' Not when so many depended on him in the future. The lives he could save...he had to keep that at the forefront of his mind. Even if it meant he had to act cowed and scared until he could find a way to escape.
And he would- even if it meant dying again and again until he figured out how.
