"How goes evaluating the assets?" Megatron questioned, having been sure to speak with Soundwave in a secluded spot where no bot could stumble in.
"Slow. Moving a rare item requires patience." Soundwave said as he brought up the hologram of said item.
Megatron scowled as he looked upon the Lysken crystal. It was beautiful, a perfect cut and rare-had he not needed it to trade for credits, he would have destroyed the useless trinket. It represented the waste of wealth, of how bots would literally kill each other for it. "True enough." he admitted. "And no one suspects yet that Taciturn has met his end?"
"He has refused personal meets for the last seven forms. Most assume he is overtly paranoid." Soundwave explained, having listened in on multiple conversations.
Megatron nodded. "Good. We'll let the truth come to light once I've secured my power here."
Soundwave nodded, going back to work while Megatron left the room, a scowl set firmly on his face.
It had only been two sols since Wayward had been taken away by his scum master, but it felt much longer with the grim knowledge that this time there would be no seeing him in the arena. Perhaps never again, if things did not change. Though even then, there was no guarantee Wayward's master would let him go.
It had been a turning point for Megatron. At seeing how low high caste scum would be willing to go to keep them down in the pits.
'And Wayward is being tortured or worse.' Megatron thought. Given the dangerous route the high caste scum had started to into, how taken he seemed to be by the little mech…it was a troubling assumption that torture would be the lesser of the vile treatments Wayward would suffer from.
The thought that Wayward might be going through that, right now...
Heat surged through his chest, righteous anger coursing through him. No matter how long it would take, they would bring about change. 'And Wayward nor any other bot will have to suffer under a master again.' Megatron thought fiercely.
Already he was beginning to gather a following among the crowd, those whose lives were unsatisfied under the current system. The crowds chanted his name in the arena, cheered at his speeches...
It had been a short time, but a fire had been lit, burning and consuming for the change he wanted to bring to Cybertron. Where none were forced to live under the oppressive system, and that meant finding a way to take down the corruption that kept them all down.
The council and the Prime had to be done away with, abolished just like the caste. Though Megatron was not so naive to believe they'd willingly give up their power. Perhaps if enough of the populace were unsatisfied with their governing it would force their hand.
Which meant next getting out onto a bigger stage to spread his message so others could hear. So that Wayward could hear his message and know that hope was not lost.
Would know that he did not have to give into despair.
Though to be a dissenter invited more scrutiny from the world, from those who cared to listen anyway. But that meant from like-minded potential allies, as well as those who'd sell them out. Despite Soundwave's competency, he could only do so much and Megatron would need to keep sharper optics on who would perform such treachery.
Jack was deep in an uneasy sleep when he was jostled by a hand, jerking away from it and staring wide-optic at Shockwave. It hadn't been long, but the few sols he'd spent here, in this berth, had time terrified him each time the purple mech held him night after night. It was tense, making him freeze. Jack didn't want to be around for when the tension finally broke.
"It is time to wake- the laborers shall be here shortly. You will remain in the lab for the time being while I contact Knock Out for your clean up." Shockwave informed, the events of the last several nights instantly on his mind.
Jack shuddered as he felt the digits on him. "May I take a shower?"
Shockwave stared at him. "No. You will be cleaned by the intern soon enough. Now follow me."
Jack scowled as he got to his pedes, glaring fiercely as he followed after the purple mech. He wanted to wash away the feeling of violation, not have it painted over by polish. He distracted himself by thinking of how he could help Megatron once he got out. 'Well, I do need a doctor, and Knock Out's pretty close to being one...'
It lent itself to several problems; the most obvious that Jack would need to be free, he'd have to bribe Knock Out into helping him-and yeah, he'd need to be free to accomplish any of it.
They took the elevator down to the ground level, where the labs were. It was a very uncomfortable ride for Jack, but thankfully a short one. It opened, giving him a clear view of entrance, a small commotion on the other side, which is where Shockwave headed.
Jack's spark pulsed rapidly, hopeful unease stirring. He kept his steps light and quiet as he followed after Shockwave, frame tensed to run the second the door opened and he stepped outside. Jack lightly turned to the open space going down the other street, but his rising hope was crushed when Shockwave's painfully tight grip caught his arm. The mech said nothing as he dragged Jack over to the commotion.
Behind the door laid a group of mechs, most of them lugging around materials and tools. For the new room, Jack realized with a scowl.
There was sheet metal, and glass fibers. Jack couldn't recognize the other items, nor most the mechs lugging the items. He did blink when he noticed a familiar blue mech with an orange face looking over a datapad. Unbidden, Jack looked around and tried to see if Bulkhead was around too.
Jack caught a glimpse of the mech, carrying a heavy load of materials he couldn't name before disappearing around the corner, causing his spark to sink in his chest as his hopes were crushed once again. Looking back to Breakdown, he saw the mech glance at him, feeling his optics linger too long to be a cursory look. Appreciatively, Jack decided. When he went back to checking off on the holopad, Jack rolled his eyes.
Jack really wasn't surprised, but he was getting tired of the looks he received. Disdain from the high caste who saw him a slave, and the far too pervasive ones he had often felt in the arena.
He winced as Shockwave dragged him with him over to the contractor, foreman? He wasn't sure what the term was, but it became a moot point when Shockwave reached Breakdown.
"The room will be done within four orns, as you stated earlier?" Shockwave said to the mech, who nodded in turn.
"So long as nothing disrupts our operations that is." He informed, Shockwave's optic narrowing at the proclamation. Jack winced, having learned whenever that happened he wasn't in a particularly good mood.
"There will be no disruptions, or I will dock payment for every orn you stay past the agreed upon date." Shockwave said sternly.
The mech sputtered. "But there's no way to account for-"
"Nothing less." Shockwave said, his tone lowered in warning.
Breakdown stopped short, posture tense before he nodded. "Yes, sir."
"I expect no less than perfection." Shockwave warned, the grip on Jack's arm tightening as he looked down at him. Jack was tempted to pull away, but knew nothing good would come from it if he did.
"Well someone certainly is busy today," Came a snarky voice, and Jack saw Knock Out had arrived and was now moving through the workers Shockwave had hired.
Maybe it was his imagination, but he swore he saw Knock Out grinning at the workers from behind, with a glint in his optics that Jack couldn't quite name. He raised a brow at the medic, who tore his eyes away.
Behind him, he saw Breakdown had paused again, now staring at Knock Out. Only this time he had stopped in his tracks entirely. His mouth was slightly agape, expression one of awe. It took another worker bumping into him to break him out of his stupor, but Jack didn't miss how he would look at Knock Out when he thought no one was looking. Not that he was alone in that endeavor.
'Hm...'
Once Knock Out reached him, his red optics looked over Jack's frame, tsking as he did so. Displeased at seeing his work tarnished again, no doubt. "And you called not a moment too soon. Looks like you were put through the ringer."
Jack scowled at him. "Well I don't exactly have control over how much I get scrapped up here." He muttered.
"Point." Knock Out said, looking over the working mechs with intrigue, but pulled away as Shockwave ordered him to come inside. "I take it this is going to be another routine scar removal?"
"Yes." Was the short answer from Shockwave before he ordered Jack to lay across the berth, doing so begrudgingly. Knock Out merely shrugged as he opened his kit, prepping his tools to begin his work.
Jack watched each scar gradually disappear, turning into nothing more than lines just like the last time. When the buffering came, he watched the lines this time slowly disappear, metal smooth and sanded or filled like nothing had ever blemished his plating.
Shockwave looked at him for a long moment, and Jack tried not to shudder under the stare. The purple mech's head tilted slightly. "There is a problem with the construction." He said. "I must go, but I expect you to be finished when I return."
"Yeah, alright." Knock Out said absently as the purple mech left the room. Jack closed his optics as Knock Out buffered the rest of his front, taking solace in the comfort that his slaver was no longer in the room with them.
Jack couldn't keep every limb and wire from relaxing, his vents letting out a deep, relieved sigh. "Finally."
Knock Out raised a brow. "Trouble in paradise I take it?" Whether or not he was curious or cared, Jack wasn't sure, but he wasn't going to pass the opportunity up.
Jack snorted. "He never leaves me alone. Every second now it's like I have to stay by his side."
"He does seem rather possessive." Knock Out commented.
"You don't know the half of it." Jack muttered. "I-" here he paused, because this was where the tricky part came in. How could he get Knock Out on his side enough to help him? He didn't even entertain the thought of helping him escape, just- 'I guess I'll just need to spin it like we're doing favors for each other.' he thought. "I even managed to save up my credits for my fights to buy my freedom, but Shockwave changed it so he didn't have to give me up."
"Hm. Rather unfortunate for you then. I'm guessing Shockwave isn't the most 'gentle' of masters." Knock Out said as he observed the scars he had buffed over. "Most of the scarring were from surgical incisions."
Jack grimaced, resisting the urge to rub at one of the non-existent scars now. "Yeah, it's like just because I can heal he takes less care about being too rough."
"I suppose it's not hard to believe that block of logic has some kind of sadistic streak." Knock Out mused.
Jack hesitated again, but vented deeply as he tried to think more, before asking tentatively, "I'm surprised you're so willing to keep coming back here. You're good and all, but don't you have to help your, er," he wasn't sure what to call it, "boss? Like, at the clinic?"
Knock Out's shoulders hunched. "I have free time, and Shockwave pays well." It was more like a reassurance, likely to himself.
"I see." Jack replied slowly. "And...you don't get paid well by other clients?"
"It's not that, it's...well," For the first time, Knock Out looked uneasy, "I'd rather not be an intern forever, but...when I get my own practice I'd rather have my own clients than just taking on the jobs Ratchet can't do."
Jack found his in. "So, what if I could help you?" The red mech gave him a suspicious stare. "Since my..." he kept himself from spitting, "master likes me, I'm sure I could convince him to tell other bots about your...amazing services."
"I doubt Shockwave is the type to indulge idle gossip to others in the high caste." The medic stated bluntly with a scoff.
"It wouldn't be though." Jack said, trying not to sound frustrated. "He'd have proof." he said, unwilling to say it but he did. "Me. Wouldn't the work you perform on me convincing enough of your skill?"
"Hm. If Shockwave finds you as valuable as he does then there must be a reason for it." Knock Out mused. "But something tells me this wouldn't be a free gesture on your part."
"Very perceptive." Or Jack was just being obvious, but he could care less if he got this favor. "Let's call it an even trade. I'll do this for you, and you do something for me."
"And, what exactly do you want?" Knock Out asked suspiciously.
"I want your surgeon skills to be used for my friend." Jack said bluntly.
Knock Out stared at him in disbelief. "And how am I supposed to find-"
"It wouldn't be for right now." Jack said swiftly. "I meant at a later time. So, we have a deal?"
Knock Out eyed him cautiously once more, but nodded in confirmation. "And what exactly would I be doing for you?" He asked, continuing his work.
"You'll be cutting out my T-cog. Without Shockwave's knowledge, of course." Jack added in for safe measure.
Knock Out blinked. "You would give up your ability to transform for this friend?" he asked, as if the concept were difficult to comprehend. Jack didn't have to think hard as to why. Transformation was an every day thing to Cybertronians. Losing would be akin to losing an arm or leg.
Jack nodded though, unsure if he should give away the extent of what his healing could do. "Yes."
"And so when would I be called upon to do this favor for you?" Knock Out questioned. "Especially if your stuck in here and Shockwave won't let you out of his sight."
"Just let me handle that." Jack replied. "And be prepared to do the surgery."
"Fine." Knock Out said gruffly, "Be all cryptic about it." He mumbled to himself.
"By the way," Jack started, unsure if he should go this route. But it could be another chip he could bargain with later. So he took the shot in the dark, hoping it would help him in the long run. "What's your type exactly?"
"My type?" Knock Out repeated, curious. "Why do you want to know?"
"Well...you did complement me on my looks before." Jack shrugged, trying to look as casual about it as possible. "And don't think I missed how you flirted with me- you know, before Shockwave nearly eviscerated you alive for it."
The mech scoffed. "You might be good looking, but you're definitely not my type." He stated haughtily, optics flickering to just outside the room again before returning to Jack. "Besides, I'm not fond of the idea of your Master peeling my paint for even considering the idea. Sorry."
"No offense. I wasn't asking for myself anyway." Jack nodded towards the door, Knock Out glancing to the side again. "That mech working on the new room? The one with blue paint, orange face and gold optics? I think he's just your type. His name is Breakdown."
Knock Out narrowed his optics in scrutiny at Jack. "And how would you know that exactly?"
Jack treaded carefully. "Overheard a few of them talking." He explained away easily enough. "And you like to keep maintenance on yourself; that must take a lot of work, and wouldn't a big, strong bot be just the kind of help you need? Especially if they can handle a buffer just the way you like?" he knew he was laying it on thick, but that point wasn't to be accurate, it was to get Knock Out interested. He smirked smugly. "Besides, I saw how you looked at the laborers."
Knock Out paused in his work, a sort of half-curious look in his optics, as if he weren't quite on board just yet. "And what makes you think that this Breakdown would be suitable for my tastes?"
"He's in construction, so he's got to know his way around tools, and be just as adept at handling them." Jack shrugged. "You can check him out once your done, just be sure to send your thanks if things work out." he added with a cheeky grin, to which Knock Out snorted at as he got back to work.
Jack looked down on himself, seeing Knock Outs undoubtedly expert workmanship. There was no doubt that Knock Out was an expert in his craft, who only needed a way to 'get out there' as it were.
'Which is why I need to find a way to get Shockwave to go along with this.' Jack thought. The only reasonable way to get that done would be nice and Jack resisted scowling at having to keep playing along. 'Doing this will help me get a surgeon to give Megatron my T-cog though, but I need to find a way to get out of here too somehow.'
Jack closed his optics when prompted as Knock Out got started polishing his face, but that only let him hear the heavy footsteps returning, gritting his denta as the purple mech walked back in.
"Ah, Shockwave sir." Knock Out greeting with his usual smirk. "I'm almost done here; is this to your liking?"
Jack instinctively stiffened when he glimpsed Shockwave walking up to his side. The mech's optic cycled as he looked over the newly cleaned body.
"Yes, it is satisfactory."
Knock Out grinned cockily, rubbing polish along the mechs legs now, applying it evenly around.
Jack averted his optics again, but found Shockwave's claws gripping his chin and forced to look into that single optic. "Yes, master?" he asked quietly.
"Do you find this work satisfactory?" Jack was surprised Shockwave would even bother to ask him that, but nodded.
"Yes, master. He's very skilled." Jack replied, and Knock Out's grin widened.
"Indeed." Shockwave uttered, his optic cycling through narrowing and widening. "You shall receive the full payment upon completion. Have a slot in your schedule available for more calls of your services."
For a moment, Knock Out looked stunned. Slowly, he shook himself out of it and nodded graciously. "Thank you, sir." he said, and packed up his kit once finished. "Then I suppose this is it 'til next time." he said more pointedly to Jack, who lowered his eyes and nodded.
Jack got to his pedes and peered down at himself reluctantly as Knock Out took his leave, twisting and turning to see how his plating gleamed in the lighting. He hated seeing the paint now, but it was a complicated feeling to even see himself free of blemish. "It is pleasant to gaze upon." The praise was well deserved at least, admiring the effort Knock Out put in anyway.
"Yes, it does." Jack stiffened, and stepped back when he saw Shockwave coming around the berth, optic cycling as it was locked on him.
Soon Jack was pushed against a wall, craning his neck to look away from where he was being pushed up against. 'No, this can't be what breaks it.' Jack squeezed his optics shut, gritting his denta as digits trailed lightly across his side, teasing wires and pulling them as Jack squirmed, but he was pinned to the wall by the larger body against his. "M-Master…ng…I thought you didn't want to ruin my polish?"
"This does not constitute as blemishing your plating." Came his low, distracted voice, pulling on a sensitive set of wires.
Jack gasped, arching against his will as pleasure shot up his spine. His vents began to heave, and a whimper escaped as Shockwave's digits trailed down to his thigh, claws dipping into a seam and rubbing against the nestle of wires. "M-Master, please-!"
"Beg," Shockwave rumbled out lowly. A single digit pried on a tightly wound set of cords.
Jack squeezed his optics shut again, humiliation burning in his spark. "Please…" breathed out, managing just barely to keep the venom out of his voice, "don't stop." He squirmed, wriggling against the other mech. "I want you to," 'stop, please stop', "keep touching me, M-Master."
That single optic became impossibly bright as Shockwave pushed harder against him, careful not to scrape his precious plating or scratch the polish. Jack whimpered as Shockwave gripped his aft, pulling him upward.
Jack cringed as he felt the heat of the mech's panel as it was pressed against his own, just like that night sols ago. It didn't open this time either, but Jack was still wary and terrified of what would happen if it did. He wriggled as the digits dug into a seam on his aft, claws teasing the wires and cables.
Shockwave teased him a little longer before slowly backing off, his vents slowly winding down as he observed Jack against the wall. Finally, he seemed to regain himself, backing away, giving Jack some breathing room.
Jack was immensely relieved, more than he could afford to show as he tried to stop from shaking.
"I will take you," Shockwave with such a finality that Jack froze, "but not this sol."
Jack didn't dare question it, merely nodding robotically at the words. He would do whatever he could to delay that, would fight against Shockwave with everything he had in him. No matter the punishment, Jack wouldn't let Shockwave have him. Wouldn't let him violate him more deeply than he already had. "What now then, Master?" he asked quietly instead.
"You will lie back on the berth." Shockwave looked to the slab, Jack's spark halting as he feared what would happen if he did so. Would Shockwave attempt to force himself on him or would he be dissected again so soon?
"Master, what are you doing to do?" Jack asked cautiously.
Shockwave didn't look at him as he went over to a desk, digging through a cabinet. "Get on the berth." He repeated, his tone stern and warning.
Jack warily climbed onto the table, but when Shockwave turned around, Jack couldn't stop staring. After everything, he'd forgotten about the box of crystals Shockwave had bought. "You…kept them in the box?" he asked, unable to hide his confusion. "Why did you buy them if you weren't going to do anything with them?" Internally he was disgusted; had all those credits really just been wasted on useless trinkets?
"Do not question me and remain still." Jack pursed his lips together, watching warily as Shockwave pried the box open, then ignored them, grabbing a strange looking tool from the side, bringing it over Jack.
Jack stiffened as he warily eyed the tool, but flinched as his pain receptors were turned off. This didn't settle his nerves, only enhanced them. 'What is he doing?' he thought. "Have I...done something wrong, master?" He dared to ask, trying to keep his voice from cracking.
Shockwave gave him a long stare. "No, you haven't." he answered calmly. "I am rewarding you for how you've…pleased me." His optic cycled, and Jack felt sick because he knew what that was referring too.
"O-oh." Jack stammered out, wincing when Shockwave struck the metal of his hide precisely.
Jack had no idea what Shockwave was even doing, flinching each time the loud smack repeated, despite how he couldn't feel whatever was being done to him. He kept his optics averted, and it was only when the pain receptors flooded with an ache in his chest plating did he finally look down.
Jack's optics widened, seeing the small deep blue crystals were embedded into his plating, running over it as they glimmered in the light. The crystals felt…odd, as though they were emitting a strange sense of serenity. "What-what is this?"
"Praxian crystals," Shockwave explained, lightly touch one as Jack struggled to look down at them. "Prized for their exquisite beauty and ability to give off a tranquil aura to those near them. The largest of them reach can reach the sizes of buildings, but those are rare and cost billions."
Jack's optics widened as he remembered the jeweler mentioning the crystals being in a garden, and his tank churned while his spark burned. "You mean…all this time you bought these for me?" he asked incredulously. "W-why?" his panic was eased by the crystals doing their job, but it still left him feeling disturbed by the notion.
"As a reward good behavior, I allowed you to choose the most pleasing jewel to your eye- incidentally, it adds to your value and will reflect well on me once I show you off to others of the scientific branch." Shockwave said dispassionately.
"Show me off?" Jack repeated. A flush of anger burned through his spark. "I'm not some pet you can parade around when you feel like it!"
Jack winced as Shockwave gripped his chin, tilting his head up as the mech leaned down. "On the contrary, you are very much at my beck and call." He stated coldly.
"Still doesn't explain why you'd want to show me off." Jack muttered.
"Scientific inquiry," Shockwave allowed Jack to sit up, getting off the berth, the mech looking around for something to look at himself in. He had never seen his own face in the time since he arrived on Cybertron. It was a strange thought, really. "I will eventually display my research and findings to other scientists to examine."
Jack grimaced at the idea of more bots finding out about dark energon. "Right, yeah." He muttered. His optics landed on a tray. It was a poor excuse for a mirror, but it was clear and reflective enough that Jack finally got a look at himself.
He...didn't look bad he supposed, but Jack didn't know what passed as 'attractive' on Cybertron. Though from the way Shockwave intended to use him he must not have been ugly. That was not a good thing, and he grimaced in disgust.
Jack could still recognize his own twisting features despite the pale silvery coloring, just shifted to fit into a more alien face, for lack of a better term. His optics though were a shade of brighter blue than his human eyes had been. Jack touched his cheek, blinking as the face blinked back. "So this is what I look like." He muttered.
"You have never seen yourself before?" Shockwave inquired, a bit of curiosity seeping into that dull voice of his.
Jack grimaced as put the tray down. "No. My creators didn't want me to be...vain." he explained. "And I was never curious enough about it to wonder before."
"Your creators were highly controlling as well as secretive." Shockwave said, Jack feeling that hated gaze on his back.
'Like you're one to talk.' Jack thought bitterly, but outwardly all he did was shrug. "Given my creator was dabbling with that purple stuff and used it on me, I don't really think they'd have wanted the neighbors to know." He drawled, trying to ignore the staring as best he could.
"A logical conclusion if he did not want to be caught tampering with a potentially volatile substance." Shockwave put in, but Jack had to restrain a scoff since that's exactly what Shockwave was doing.
"How are you going to explain me then?" Jack asked. "Or have you been messing around with that stuff even more than I thought?"
"I have done much research and experimentation with the substance both from the mineral and energon which I have extracted from you." Shockwave explained, coming to stand close enough to Jack so he could run his digits across the crystals in his chest.
Jack shuddered. It was as though with the knowledge Jack wouldn't be leaving him, that the purple mech took it as an implicit right to touch him more frequently. Jack hugged himself. 'I just hope I can find a way out before he tries to go any further....'
"And...what would they think? Your...friends?"
"I have no need for such frivolous things such as 'friendship.'" Shockwave replied. "It only distracts me from my work."
"Then what am I?" Jack asked, his voice just short of growling.
Shockwave didn't seem to care though, as he cupped Jack's chin to meet his gaze. "You are a part my research. You are my slave. Do not think even for a moment you would ever be my equal."
'Believe me, I don't.' Jack thought darkly. 'To you I'm just something to play with, aren't I?' he added silently. "So what, you only go out for work, no social gatherings?"
Shockwave narrowed his optic; this time he did seem to be trying to detect if Jack was being sarcastic. "Regrettably, both of those are one in the same." He finally answered. The mech's digits trailed down Jack's chest to rest over his stomach plates. "Are you in need of refueling?"
An abrupt change in topic, but he couldn't deny his tank felt empty. "Yes, master." He said, voice low so the mech wouldn't hear the spite.
"Then let us refuel while the construction bots continue their work."
"As you wish, master." Jack conceded, following Shockwave out of the room.
Jack could hear the working as they got to Shockwave's room, and his tank churned with unease when he finally realized where his room would be. His optics widened when he still saw the workers at the end of the hall, already working on making a new space in the wall. "M-my room is going to be so close to yours?" he asked. "Why?"
"To keep a close eye on you." Shockwave stated as though this were obvious, Jack ducking his head low in embarrassment. "And should I need you for anything, both scientific and personal matters, you will be well within reach." he added.
Jack scowled at the ground. "And what if I'm out of the room when you call for me?"
"Impossible, as the door will be locked at all times. Only I will have the passcode." Shockwave explained calmly.
Jack's insides froze. "W-what?"
"You shall remain in your room unless I call for you. There is no need for you to be outside it otherwise." Shockwave stated stoically.
"No other- what if I get bored?" Jack asked, petty as the idea was, but he couldn't let go that he was being put in a literal cage. "Do you really expect me to sit around and be a good little slave who does your bidding without question?"
"Yes." Came the short, quick reply, causing Jack's spark to erupt in a flame inside his chassis.
Jack seethed as they went inside Shockwave's room, the door closing behind them. Jack shuddered when he saw the berth, memories he tried to block slowly and unwillingly coming back to him. With little choice for lack of seating options, Jack sat down on the berth, plating held tight as Shockwave came back with the half-empty cube Jack hadn't drank up last night. Jack sipped it, the sweet taste leaving only a bitter tinge in his mouth now.
"Do you desire extra flavoring?" The purple mech asked when moving back to the cabinet to retrieve a cube of his own.
Jack narrowed his optics, and wondered why Shockwave was trying to be nice to him still. Though more importantly, whether or not accepting it would get him angry. "Yes, master."
Shockwave inclined his head, and brought with him a small green cube, like a tablet. He let it slide into Jack's drink, where it dissolved and Jack watched his energon gain an even brighter glow, almost green.
Taking an experimental sip, Jack blinked as there was a stronger taste to it, but not unpleasant. "What was that?"
"A lead sulfide crystal. It lends itself to a stronger taste without the chance of becoming inebriated had you been drinking Engex or Visco." Shockwave explained.
'Inebriated? Wait, robots can get drunk?' Jack thought incredulously. "It's...good. thank you." He said quietly, not looking up at Shockwave as he spoke. Another sip, the energon flowing down his throat a little more smoothly. Jack had no idea that Energon could have such varying flavors...
"Continue to please me, and I will continue to reward you." Shockwave said, and Jack grimaced; being fed was his reward?
What was worse was that he was being treated like a dog, given 'treats' for good behavior. It was degrading, being treated like a pet.
And soon he was going to get his own little 'kennel' to be placed it and taken out at his 'master's' convenience. Jack morosely took another sip of the energon, still hearing the sounds of construction outside and knowing it was too early to sleep. 'Thankfully.' He thought, relieved that he wouldn't need to be subjected to being trapped in the other mech's hold. "What happens now then?"
"You will remain in here; I have much to prepare for in presenting my findings at the next scientific gathering." Shockwave explained.
Jack glanced away so the mech couldn't see him rolling his optics at the pompous words. "Yes, master." Jack hooked he could find a way out before then, before Shockwave decided to...
Shaking his head Jack vowed he wouldn't allow that to happen. Not now, not ever.
