Rian: Sorry for the delay everyone! There's been issue with the internet which bogged down our progress some! But it's fine now I think, and we have a shiny new chapter ready for you ^^
The speakers at the conference took their time, droning on about boring stuff mostly, but Jack grudgingly admitted there was some interesting things going on too - research into advanced methods of travel, even more than the nascent space bridge technology being murmured about. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Shockwave had something to do with it being possible
While that gave him a valuable timeline of what time period he was in, he was a bit baffled by how enforcing plating against wear helped anyone but those who were devoted to cosmetics. How this could top something like interplanetary travel. Though something that did put him on edge was the progress of advancing their weaponry.
And soon, all too soon, Jack heard Shockwave's name being called. The purple mech stood, and Jack grunted as he was dragged from his seat, pulled with the mech to the stage. He tried to ignore the looks, because while the other speakers took props with them or evidence of their findings, no one else brought a bot on stage. Jack grudgingly admitted Shockwave knew how to take the whispering in stride (was that something about an exile? Jack hadn't heard anything about that yet) and the only thing which made Jack even relax just the slightest was seeing Orion near the edge of the stage, the little camera focused on them.
"What you see here is a marvel of science." Shockwave began, Jack beginning to feel more self-conscious by the second. "What I have discovered will null and void the need for medics."
Jack's fist clenched, in an effort not to tense up. 'What the frag are you trying to pull?!' he thought incredulously. Did Shockwave really think that would happen? Even Jack couldn't be sure if there were any side-effects to what he could do. And the thought still made his tank churn. He saw it made the crowd stir, murmuring breaking out at the bold statement.
Jack winced as he was told to outstretch his arm. Unwillingly he did so, stifling the gasp of pain that threatened when claws raked across his plating. Energon leaked downward, the crowd watching with fascination as the wound began to close itself quickly.
The pain was quickly dulled as Jack felt the crystals in his plating calm his nerves, but that just made him grimace. The wound closed until there was nothing but a scar, and his spark sank as the crowd began to grow more animated.
"As demonstrated, the plating has quickly healed itself at a far faster rate than it would take a normal self-repair." Shockwave explained. "I have had some success replicating this ability in others. In particular, these dark crystals I discovered aid in the rapid healing of those who consume them." Shockwave went on to say, bringing up Jack's hand. "Which in turn is amplified when the host is in contact with the unique strand of CNA of my slave. It is even capable of regenerating limbs."
Jack found this information unpleasant to hear – just how had Shockwave been able to transfer this ability and to what level? Through injection, making them eat the dark energon? He didn't like the way the crowd was becoming more interested in this.
"I have documented and verified my findings for this discovery." Shockwave continued. "Should there be any inquiry, I will discuss it at a later time."
Jack looked down when he saw a grim expression on Orion as the crowd began to talk louder and louder, bombarding Shockwave with questions.
Perhaps it was a small mercy, but Jack felt a bitter sense of relief that Shockwave didn't decide to kill him. 'Maybe he can't replicate that.' It would explain why he didn't mention it, but with how all of Cybertron was going to know about dark energon, even if they weren't sure what it was called, was not good at all.
He flinched again when Shockwave demonstrated his ability once more, unable to hold back the yelp as one of his fingers was ripped from his hand, the other snatching towards it in a death grip as energon poured profusely.
Jack glared at Shockwave as he held his hand, cringing as pain radiated sharply from the wound and shooting up his arm. He stiffened when he felt the digit start to regrow. Shockwave wrenched his hand, shaking the other away as he held out Jack's hand for the crowd as they leaned in. Jack's tank churned as they all saw the digit regenerate until the only evidence anything was wrong was the faint scar around the finger and silver coloring.
"Fascinating." He heard someone say loudly above the crowd, relieved when was allowed to have his hand back.
Jack avoided looking at Orion, whose frown was continually growing deeper. Jack didn't know what he was thinking, but he hoped it wasn't anything bad directed at him.
"And, I have uncovered an interesting affect where it's not only centered to my slave, but this experiment has allowed him to heal others." Shockwave said. Jack stiffened. Now it was making sense why Shockwave said medics would be obsolete.
Jack himself wasn't entirely sure how it worked- he had only ever attempted it with Megatron before, and even then it had only ever been a handful of times.
With little hesitation, Jack watched as Shockwave raked his claws along his own shoulder. Energon beaded, and that optic focused on Jack. He knew what was being said, and clenched his fists as he reluctantly held his hands over the wound. Trying was a better effort than outwardly rebelling. Focusing his concentration, Jack watched the purple electricity zip through his fingers and onto the plating. He pulled away, drained, and the crowd watched as the plating closed, leaving just a scar.
He ducked his head, avoiding any gazes that were fixated on him, Shockwave's voice a blur in his receptors as he continued to speak. Once or twice he peeked out at Orion, who consistently held an expression of disapproval, askance with occasional surprise.
Jack wanted the floor to swallow him up to get him out of here, out of this mess, but when he felt Shockwave's hand around his arm, he flinched. Blinking, he dazedly realized the mech was finished talking, and dragged him off the stage. Jack caught Orion's optic, and saw the brief sympathy in his gaze before Jack ducked his head as they went back to their table. This part was over, but Jack's spark still pulsed as unease filled him.
"You performed satisfactorily." Shockwave complimented as they took their seats. Jack still didn't look up though.
"Thank you." he murmured, and then tentatively asked, "Was...this enough to please you?"
"Partially." Shockwave replied, and Jack kept his head down so the other didn't see the grimace on his face.
"I hope the exhibition went well for you master." He said quietly, grabbing a small drink.
"I will determine that once my work is recognized as sufficient enough to acquire additional funding." Shockwave replied. Jack blinked, because they got money to look into their work? "Once the event is finished for the night, I shall allow you a trip to the gardens."
Jack waited for the additive, but nothing came. "With you." It wasn't a question, but the other mech nodded anyway. His unease grew, but he tried to tell himself that any chance of stalling going back to the rented room was a good thing. "So I take it from the 'for the night' it's going to be another d-er, sol after all?"
"Yes. There are many presentations- too many for a single sol. As a high-ranking member of my caste, I am required to remain and observe them."
Jack peered over at him, the faintest stirring of hope. "So, if your presentation is finished for the night, then that means you won't need me to be here tomorrow, right? You're just going to keep me in your room?" 'Please say yes, I'll take being bored for a day away from you.'
"I do not require you here tomorrow." Shockwave began, hope coiling in Jack's chassis. "And I do not intend for others to take advantage of my work."
Jack tried to decipher what the other mech was saying, but decided to interpret it. "So you're going to lock me in the room?"
"Yes. I expect you to clean yourself tomorrow." Shockwave said.
'What?' Jack thought, but didn't find himself surprised by it. Spending the day alone would give him the chance to try and find a way to escape, or at least devise a plan too. "Yes, I understand." he said evenly.
"It would also be prudent to call Knock Out once back in my tower." He said, observing the scars and regenerated finger.
Jack vented deeply, and nodded. He couldn't say he wasn't looking forward to seeing Knock Out, but he knew he would need push Shockwave more to get him to recommend the red mech. "He's very talented," he murmured, and carefully tested the water by wrapping his arm around Shockwave's and leaned against his shoulder, peering up at him with wide optics, "it's a shame he can't have more clients so they can see how good he is too."
"You are proof enough of his craftsmanship." Shockwave retorted. Jack felt the mech's hand move, but it stilled when he saw the attention of other high caste elites. "Release me. Now is not the time for your display of affection."
Jack was more than glad to do so, pulling back into his own seat as he tried not to shudder. 'I'll need to take a shower anyway just to get rid of feeling like my plating's crawling.' he thought, but hoped the idea was planted and it got Shockwave to go through with it. "Sorry, I've just been...feeling overwhelmed. This is the longest I've been out of the tower."
"It is understandable for one of your status and upbringing." Shockwave replied, optic glowing softly, staring out to the crowd to see who might be watching them.
Jack only nodded along, because he wasn't sure what he should say to that; it made him angry, but that wouldn't go over so well. Instead, he seethed in silence as he picked up another small cube to sip from.
"This stuff tastes...odd." Jack muttered. "Good. But odd."
Shockwave glanced at the cube. "That would be Engex." he said, but elaborated nothing else on it.
Jack couldn't help snorting, drinking another sip. "Yeah, well, it tastes good." he muttered. Anything to try getting his mind off this place. "Aren't you going to have some?"
"Perhaps." Shockwave eyed the cube near his own hand, grasping it lightly.
Jack tried not to blink, because he was curious despite himself as to how Shockwave drank at all. "Don't you ever relax?" He asked, keeping the bitterness out of his voice. "And isn't the thought of having more funding worth a drink?" 'Like how you'll also be too drunk to try anything later.' He thought darkly.
"Hm..." The scientist considered, claws tapping against the glass before gripping it fully.
Jack only looked away for a moment when someone already drunk knocked against his chair. He scowled, but turned back, only to stare incredulously at the purple mech's glass, a quarter of the liquid gone. Jack groaned softly and drank more of his own. "How do you do that?" He mumbled, pointing to the glass. "I didn't even see you sip it."
Shockwave looked as disinterested as he was capable of being. "That is unimportant." He said dismissively.
Jack grumbled, taking another sip. "Oh? Then what's not unimportant? Like the fact bots were whispering about you being in exile?"
His single optic swiveled, locked on him as the red brightened a fraction. "That is nothing to concern yourself with."
Jack narrowed his optics. "How is not? You want me to hear some version by someone else?" He asked, and found himself grinning as he leaned forward. Buzzing in the back of mind, he reached out to brush the mech's arm. "Why not give me the real version?"
"It is not something I wish to discuss-" Shockwave started once more, but Jack stroked the back of his hand, cutting him off. Shockwave stared sharply at the hand, optic swiveling again.
Jack smiled wider. "Please?" he asked in a breathy tone.
"...very well." He reluctantly agreed. Jack swore he almost heard a sigh in his voice as he said so.
Jack tried not to flinch, hoping he heard wrong. "Okay." he murmured, and the purple mech grabbed his hand, tugging Jack to sit in the seat next to him. "Don't want others to overhear I take it?" Jack asked softly, wanting to shudder but resisted.
"No." He begrudgingly admitted, 'glaring' at the others chatting around the room.
Jack nodded, hoping he at least faked pretending interest. "I see. So what really happened? I didn't know exile was a possibility." his lips twisted. "I just assumed bots were thrown to the mining pits if they weren't useful."
"That is not always the case." Shockwave answered quietly. "I was not without use- far from it."
Jack scrutinized him. "I guess a renowned scientist would be more useful than a creditless mech."
Shockwave grunted, sounding displeased.
Jack frowned, but continued on. "What happened to get sent go Kaon anyway? Get someone angry at you?"
"A failed experiment." Shockwave grumbled, sounding a bit angry now. Jack blinked when a passing bot touched his shoulders, winking at him as Jack watched them go. When he turned back, most of Shockwave's Engex was gone.
Jack felt even more bewildered as he stared at the cube. "Oh, I take it something bad happened with it?" He asked, taking another sip of his own Engex to gather his wits. The buzzing in his head started to spread further, dimming his optics a little.
"Yes. A section of the city was destroyed and my experiment dissolved." Shockwave leaned back, easing more into his chair. "As a result, I was exiled to Kaon. However, I retained my status."
Jack blinked again, in disbelief that something so severe had so little consequence. Bitterly, he knew he shouldn't have been surprised. "It still sounds awful." He murmured.
Shockwave stared at him, optic just as dim but intense. "It has allowed me to conduct research in a far better capacity, with better material." Jack stiffened as Shockwave reached over to stroke his arm.
"How did you keep your status though?" He asked, refilling Shockwaves drink. "Anyone else would have been executed or sent to the mines..."
Shockwave shifted his hand to grab his cube. "I too am high in the caste, and the one who commissioned the experiment was not influential enough to get me more than exiled." He explained.
"I'm guessing the invention of the space bridge certainly helped." Jack added, sipping slowly. "Can't brush that under the rug."
"No, they cannot." Shockwave replied. "I am expected to continue with better inventions."
Jack frowned into his drink. "Well I guess making medics obsolete would do that." He murmured, trying not to give away his anger.
"Indeed." Shockwave rumbled, bringing him closer.
Jack kept himself from flinching as he was tugged to the mech's side. Engex has certainly loosened him up. "Wouldn't it cause problems though?" He said gently, taking note of how his new glass was nearly depleted again. "A whole caste would be put under...what would happen to them?"
Shockwave was silent for a moment. "They would likely be shuffled to other castes if they have aptitude. If not, they have no purpose besides filling the mines. Physically appealing bots may be taken in."
Jack's back tingled, his spark raced. Did he dare ask? "What exactly does...that mean?" He asked warily.
"Others of the high caste may take them as personal servants for the sake of their enjoyment." Shockwave slumped forward slightly, his optic dimming a tad. "Knock Out would be a likely candidate, if he did not already have other talents."
Jack's optics widened, blinking hard. "You mean...like us?" He asked, voice straining not to give anything away.
"I did not purchase you for your looks." Shockwave muttered lowly. "But it does not detract from your value."
Jack vented sharply as the mech ran his hand along his arm again. "Looks like you'd still be having Knock Out to touch up my paint." He mumbled
"Yes." Shockwave hummed softly. "His work thus far has been excellent."
Jack nodded along, trying not to grimace. "Which I'm guessing you'll be making another appointment for us both?" He asked, eyeing the scars on the mech's shoulder. He tried not to look at his own.
"Yes. Soon." Shockwave informed as Jack drank the rest of his Engex.
The certainty made Jack want to wince. His buzz spread even more. It made him lean against the nearest thing. "Good. I don't like scars." He muttered. Jack grumbled softly as he rested partially against Shockwave's shoulder, staring down at his hands. "...I miss home." He muttered almost too quietly to hear.
Shockwave slipped his arm around Jack's waist, squeezing. "We will be returning to the tower once the conference is over." He said not a moment too soon, as he watched the last showing end, standing up slowly.
Jack squirmed a little at the touch, feeling uncomfortable at the misunderstanding. It couldn't be helped though. Not if he wanted to be safe. He had to play along. "Can't wait." He murmured.
"It is time for us to take our leave."
Jack vented deeply, nodding shakily. He hoped nothing was going to happen. "Okay." He muttered, and shakily stood up. When he did, he stumbled - right into Shockwave's chest. "Sorry." He muttered, hiccupping slightly.
The mech stared down at him, optic glowing brightly. "Quite alright, you stumbled." he said in a strangely low voice.
Jack just nodded, a bit too buzzed to think much of it. The thought of leaving this room was both an uneasy and relieving thing to hear.
"Mn..." He groaned, swaying a bit as Shockwave led the way out and to what would be the equivalent of a hotel back on earth. Jack didn't think much of it as they took the elevator up, or when Shockwave opened the door. He sat on the berth, ready to pass out any moment.
"I miss Raf and Miko." Jack yawned out, foggy mind drifting to his friends. How things could have been with the three of them. "Woulda been easier with them."
"Friends of yours?" Shockwave didn't sound interested, but Jack took it as prompting anyway.
Jack mumbled incoherently for a moment, gathering his thoughts as he lied down. "Miss 'em." he repeated, curling into himself. "Never gonna see 'em again."
"You are...lonely?" Shockwave queried, observing Jack with almost akin to worry.
"Is a lot to take." Optics started to shutter close, words heavily slurred. "Went back...didn't know what time...not supposed...supposed...this...time..."
Jack's systems began to simmer down, the engex taking a toll as he drifted off to sleep. He knew he was babbling at that point, but he didn't care as in his dreams he found everything harder to remember; his mother, his friends, the Autobots like they were in the future, he could still see them as they were (or going to be?) but the actual sensations and being on earth were harder to grasp. It worried him deeply, and caused him to slip into an equally uneasy sleep.
Shockwave watched his slave as he slipped into recharge, curious at his strange words, but ultimately putting it as the ramblings of an overcharged mech.
It was a bit astounding that J-23 has drank so little yet he managed to get overcharged so quickly. Either his systems were truly unused to such concentrated energon mixtures, or he'd been drinking some earlier during the conference when they arrived, and it just caught up with him. It would explain his slave's oddly affectionate behavior.
He seemed to desire a touch up from Knock Out as much as Shockwave wanted to see him fixed. But for what reason? To see the mech again or to be cleaned and polished?
And he was adamant about Shockwave telling others of Knock Out's services; logically, from the mutterings it could be that J-23 actually saw Knock Out as his 'friend', or he was so lonely he latched onto anything. 'Except for the one he should be focusing on.' He thought, feeling possessive about J-23's attention diverted to anyone else.
Even if the little slave had been overcharged when he showed his affection, it had been...pleasant to have it directed at him, bolder than he'd been before.
So maybe indulging J-23 wouldn't be out of the question- provided it prompted him to be more forthcoming with him in the future. Praising the work of Knock Out could be a start, and perhaps he would take J-23 to the gardens tomorrow, as he had been too inebriated tonight to do so.
Though he would take him to the gardens when there were less bots to be around, sometime during the evening when the conference was truly over. He wanted to keep J-23 away from others more than just because he wanted his work to avoid sabotage, but that he'd had an unpleasant reminder that while he could appreciate J-23's pleasing form in private and subtle in public, others were too crass and ill-mannered to be around him.
'Keeping him locked up is for his own good.' Shockwave thought to himself, as taking J-23 out of his tower proved it would only lead to overt staring and crude propositions. He found he immensely disliked it, despite how well his slave's clean, maintained appearance reflected on him. Still, his chest tightened in that way he also didn't like. 'It is illogical to see him as anything other than a slave.' he thought, but still found his claws reached out, and tracing along J-23's cheek.
The mech sighed softly in his sleep, the side of his digits pressing against a cheek that only he could touch so familiarly.
His digits slipped to J-23's arm, brushing against the scarred lines that would need to be cleared away. His slave squirmed, inadvertently shuffling back against him-rubbing against him briefly. And quick as it was before the mech settled down, it made a heat tighten in Shockwave's chest. It tempted him to go further, like he hadn't the first night J-23 shared a berth with him, but he wanted to preserve his slave's appearance just until the conference ended. Despite wishing to trail lower, his hand only wrapped around the little slave's midsection and pulled him close.
Jack awoke with a processor deep ache in his helm, groaning as he stirred into consciousness. 'Ugh. Never thought robots could get hangovers.' he thought with a groan, shuffling up.
He flinched as he heard the clattering on the berth, blinking as he stared uncomprehendingly down at the databoard that was beside him. Jack wouldn't deny being relieved Shockwave wasn't in the room, but it made him wonder how long he'd been asleep for. His processor hurt as he picked up the board and tried to read the words, translating never feeling more difficult.
It did make him feel indignant and angry that Shockwave apparently felt the need to outline what he was allowed and not allowed to do while he was gone. ''Energon in cabinet. Make it last until I return. Clean yourself up'...he really does think I'm just some intelligent pet.' Jack thought fiercely.
Tossing the datapad to the side, Jack made his way to the showers anyway- he felt dirtied and gross from last night exhibition, along with having to share a berth with Shockwave.
Jack found the shower in the room were bigger than his own unsurprisingly, and it gave him enough room so he didn't feel boxed in. He made sure the water was warm, hot enough to help purge the reminder of last night, of all the staring that made his plating crawl and the touching that made him sick.
Jack scrubbed down every inch of himself, torn between enjoying the shower and making sure he didn't miss any places. The mesh cloth scraped over his scars, grimacing as he remembered how those came to be, and what Shockwave did to demonstrate Jack's healing ability. Once he was finished his thorough scrubbing, Jack stalled to finally enjoy the warm solvent washing over him as it heated his plating.
Venting deeply, Jack reluctantly turned the shower off, and dried himself down. He glanced at the cabinet; there were likely polishes in there, but that didn't matter. Jack wasn't being paraded around like some show dog, and so he didn't care enough to add anything more. He was hungry though, and went for the energon left for him.
It was devoid of the Engex he had last night, most likely because Shockwave didn't want to deal with another drunken episode. Jack didn't want to deal with the aftermath either, the memories like a blur in his own head.
It all was a dizzying mish-mash, some hazy and hard to reach thing-everything from the previous night. Jack hoped he hadn't done anything incriminating or embarrassing. One would be easy to brush off, the other would get him suspicious looks and make his mission that much harder.
Jack picked up one of the cubes, and took a sip as he looked around the room. He hadn't remembered being dragged back here, and that made his gaze turn to the door. Just trying his luck, Jack made his way over to the locked door, looking for a keypad like he'd seen on other things. He couldn't find one, but blinked when he noticed a card slot. 'Okay, this is weird. Then again, they'd need their cleaners to access the rooms easily enough when the guests leave.'
That could be his opportunity to escape, if a cleaner actually came before Shockwave returned.
They likely wouldn't know who he was, just a 'guest' and he could play it off as leaving while they cleaned up. It wasn't much of a plan to just sit and wait, but at least he had an idea of what he was going to do. Though what he would do after that was a bit iffy since had a few options to choose from.
He could seek out Orion after the day was finished, and be long gone before Shockwave even knew he had escaped. Or he could find his way back to Megatron.
Jack wished he could do both; bring Orion with him to meet Megatron, but right now that could just end with everything going sour again. It was better to wait that out for a little while. 'I know it's going to take longer to get back to Kaon, so getting out I could finally get an alt-mode.'
Jack briefly wondered what it would be like to transform. His body contorting, shifting in on itself, changing shape. Unbidden the image of his human body doing the same came to mind, and all he would imagine was broken limbs and blood.
Jack shuddered, grimacing as he pushed the thought away. 'Okay, real morbid, even for me.' Yet he still found the idea of breaking apart and folding into a vehicle strange despite wondering about it. 'It's necessary. I have to learn eventually.' He told himself, despite how uncomfortable he was with the idea of it.
Though it did lead into what kind of vehicle he'd turn into. It would have to be something small but not let him cramped, and there would be nothing to account for the mass disparity for a larger vehicle. 'It'd probably have to be some kind of motorbike or compact car.' Given he was literally on Cybertron, they likely had modes for specific frame-types. 'Of course, I'm gonna have to guess since I can't just go into a place and pick something out.'
It would make things easier if he could, but should he escape he'd be on the run to make sure Shockwave couldn't find him again-and that meant staying out of sight much as possible. The guards at the mines had alerted the police to his escape then, and he had no doubt he'd have them after him again for this too.
Jack grimaced at the thought of running into the police again. Of seeing Arcee again...
Every time he thought of her, it hurt to know that before everything she was so different. Whether because she actually believed in the slag she sprouted, or just conditioned to accept it. 'Well, she did end up changing though, so maybe something showed her that things weren't right.' Jack thought. It was just difficult to reconcile that this was the same Arcee, but not at the same time. It was like that with everyone else he met. He snorted. 'Well, except Shockwave and Soundwave; they pretty much act like I remember.'
Jack sighed, leaning on the wall. He needed to get out of here, get out there, where he could actually make a difference.
'And I can't do any of that being some pampered pet.' Jack thought. He might have a day away from Shockwave, but for all the relief it brought it only came in sharp contrast that he was still under his thumb and the mech made it more than clear he intended to... Jack grimaced, wrapping his arm around his other as his grip tightened on the cube as he put it down. Jack knew being trapped with him would only bring about the inevitable, and he hated how that was even a thing.
Agitated, Jack once more swept through the room, looking for anything that could help him at least pry the door open. But despite how nice and luxurious the room was, it several lacked anything that could remotely help him in any way. The berth had no loose parts that could be wedged into the door, the blinds on the window might have worked, but they were too tightly compacted together.
Jack tried the shower room again, but all he found was the same type of high grate above the washing area. He sighed and rubbed his brow, sitting on the edge of the shower as he tried to think. It really did feel like he was going to be stuck in here. And he wasn't sure how long he wallowed in his self-pity and loathing before he heard the click on the door. His chest tightened; had Shockwave come back? Was the conference over?
The door slid open, but the footsteps were too light to the mech's, and Jack probably looked just as surprised as the bot who saw him. "Oh! I wasn't aware anyone was still in here. I-"
Jack saw the carrying kit, and the cloth and bottles before he realized who this was. "You're here to clean the room?" he asked carefully. His chest unwound, hope stirring.
"Yes sir," The bot replied with a nod, a cart with what he assumed were cleaning supplies behind him. "I can come back later if you're busy-"
"No, I wouldn't want to mess up the schedule," Jack said, but found it a bit off to be called sir, "you can clean the room." he paused, appearing thoughtful. "Do you want me to go so you can work?"
The bot stiffened, optics wide for a moment. Likely they weren't used to getting spoken to. "Well, I-it's no trouble-"
"Really, I don't mind leaving. It has to be better to work undistributed with me rummaging around and messing things up." Jack replied.
The bot looked down for a moment, before nodding slightly. "If you wouldn't mind, sir."
Jack nodded back, sidestepping the bot who went further into the room while he opened the door. Jack grinned to himself, giddy as he slid the door open and walked into the hall. 'I'm out, I'm actually out!' he thought, and looked around the empty hall. His optics glanced to the elevator, grinning to himself as he took off for it. 'Freedom, I practically taste it!'
Jack eagerly pressed the button for the ground floor, eager to step outside- outside to where he could go where he wanted and do what he wanted without anyone bossing him around.
Jack watched the elevator pad light up, smiling as he could hear the humming of the elevator coming from the top floor. 'It's so close-no more being dragged around, no more being treated like a pet, and best of all, no more-' The cabin door opened, but his entire being froze when he was met with that single red optic. '-Shockwave.' he finished, his expression slackening in horror as his chest tightened right back up. 'Frag, oh frag!'
Shockwave was still for a second, his optic wide and dull before narrowing faster than Jack had ever seen, the small pinpoint glowing deadly red as his hand lashed out to snatch Jack.
Jack let out a strangled gasp as the claws wrapped around his neck, lifting him off the ground as the mech stepped out of the cabin before harshly slamming him back down on his pedes, Jack's knees buckling as the only thing which kept him from collapsing was the hand holding him up.
"How did you get out?" Shockwave demanded, grip never loosening.
Jack's chest tightened even further in fear. "I-I-I-" he stuttered, too scared to string together words right away, but managed to get out, "I had to leave the room, a cleaner came by." he gripped the wrist, his optics widening. "I was coming to see you, I swear!"
The brightness of the optic never dulled, examining him closely- to detect if he was lying, Jack assumed, the grip never loosening.
"And you didn't think to stay anyway?" Shockwave asked suspiciously.
Jack vented deeply; here's where his acting really paid off. "I thought I had to leave," he admitted softly, "because I would be in the way otherwise." his frame slumped, optics lowering submissively. "I didn't question it further, and I'm sorry for angering you, master." he held his metaphorical breath, waiting to see if Shockwave bought it.
Slowly, ever so slowly, the optic cycled back into it's normal state, dulling as the grip started to ease off. Jack made a sharp intake, relieved that his throat wasn't about to be crushed now.
"I suppose your ignorance cannot be blamed if you do not know the rules." The purple mech stated.
Jack's jaw clenched, optics narrowed, but he covered it by wincing as he rubbed his neck and felt the metal smoothing out. "It's true, I can't say I know much unfortunately."
Shockwave turned back to the elevator, waiting for Jack to do the same. He did so, though much more reluctantly than he would have otherwise.
Jack stepped into the elevator, slightly worried about what was going on. "Isn't the conference over?"
"Yes, it is." Shockwave replied.
Jack peered at him as the doors closed and the other mech pushed a button. "Then why aren't we going back to the room?"
"It is being cleaned as you said." Shockwave said. "And this aside you've been well behaved, so I decided to reward you."
Jack grimaced at the thought of whatever Shockwave thought of as a reward. Still, he couldn't afford to appear ungrateful. "Thank you, master."
"This way." Shockwave ordered as they exited the elevator.
Jack was still nervous, frowning as they walked down a long hall. "W-where are we going?" He still wasn't completely sure this 'reward' wasn't going to end horribly for him.
"You will see when we arrive." Shockwave replied, and Jack grimaced as the mech grabbed his arm. He glanced at him briefly. "You cleaned and fed yourself?"
Jack's grimace threatened to turn into a scowl. "Yes, I did that earlier." he replied. The hall gave way to an archway that led to an oddly glowing exit, the night sky just barely visible beneath the glow. Jack's brow furrowed, but once they stepped outside, a gasp slipped out as his optics widened at the area.
It was an area full of crystals of every size and color, glowing softly in the gloom of the night sky that blanketed them.
"It's beautiful." Jack couldn't help saying. The view really was breathtaking, and he felt the blue crystals on his plating resonating with those here. He still flinched though when Shockwave pulled him along.
"Yes, the Helix Gardens are a marvel to behold." He replied.
"Are they privately owned?" Jack asked, as thus it had to belong to someone. "This must cost a fortune..."
"Provided one can afford to stay here, the gardens are a luxury one can visit at any time." Shockwave said.
Jack noticed he hadn't answered his question fully. 'So a yes then.' Jack thought. He glanced around at the crystals lining the path they were on, sparkling against the dim lighting and he couldn't help finding it peaceful despite the churning of his tank.
Jack grunted as he when they came to what could only be a viewing platform with its ornate chairs and benches. Shockwave sat on the bench, and forced Jack to sit next to him. He glanced down at the hand that still kept a grip on his arm as it trailed to his wrist. "You- you can let go now. I-" he caught himself, making sure not to give away his anger, "I won't run away."
In an almost surreal monument, Shockwave did so, though through the intensity of his optic Jack could see an underlining threat should he try.
Fighting the urge to flee right then and there was stronger than Jack ever felt, still reeling from freedom having been so close. He let out a ragged breath and glanced around again; he noticed some crystals even looked around the same size and cut as the ones in his plating.
"If this garden is so renowned," Jack touched one of the crystals on his plating, "then that means those bots at the conference knew what these were?"
"Certainly. Such a detail would not go unnoticed."
"Only the best." Jack drawled, and whether or not Shockwave cared or knew Jack was being sarcastic, he still nodded in complete seriousness.
"Of course."
Jack resisted grumbling as he cautiously got up. He glanced at Shockwave, who made no move to stop him, but his optic was narrowed intently and Jack grimaced. He looked away from the exit to avoid getting himself into more trouble.
Instead, he made his way up to a patch of crystals that were hanging low across a high fence, styled in away that reminded him of vines that rose along walls. Having lived in a desert he couldn't say he'd ever seen one in person, but there had been enough pictures of them on television. The simple reminder made his optics lower, but he shook his head and rubbed his arm. "This place really is beautiful." He couldn't help but grudgingly admit.
"It is." Shockwave said in agreement. "It took many vorns to complete." He went on, Jack's optics widening at the length of one Cybertronian year as it was translated in his head. Eighty three earth years for one of theirs?
Jack's knees buckled as he wanted to scream. 'That long? I could have to deal with this for that long?' he thought, his head reeling. He hadn't understood until now that all he'd been through hadn't even qualified as a year on this planet.
He knew on some disconnected level that robots would have a different view of time, but Jack had taken it for granted that it wouldn't have been a big difference with how similar things seemed. 'In more ways that I'd like to know too.' He shuddered, still feeling the phantom touches from that night.
His tank churned, because for all he knew Shockwave had violated him last night and he wouldn't remember. 'I'd have felt it though,' he thought, 'and saw the…evidence. Nothing happened.' He really wanted to believe it didn't.
Forcing the words out, Jack needed to know if they'd be spending another night or leaving-where Jack could get to his own room and wouldn't be touched again. "Thank you for bringing me to see this." He said, at least managing to sound convincingly grateful. "Will we be spending another night, or leaving?"
Shockwave observed him, optic cycling at his slightly unusual behavior, then nodded. "There is no need for us to linger any longer than we already have. We shall return to the tower once we're finished."
Jack nodded, and looked away with a relieved sigh. 'Good. Awful as that place, at least I don't have to lie next to you.' He thought. He caught sight of his scars illuminated by the crystals, and found something ironic. "I don't know whether Knock Out's going to be happy or not to be seeing me again so soon."
"He will be satisfied with credits and my endorsement." Shockwave's voice held a strange tension as he said this, but Jack couldn't think of a reason why.
Jack decided to ignore it, as he was more focused on getting time on the DataNet to contact Orion. He cautiously stepped back over to Shockwave, edging closer nervously. "Are you…pleased enough to let me use the DataNet again?"
Shockwave didn't answer him right away, and Jack felt deeply uncomfortable by how he was being stared at. "I will be," he said eventually, and Jack's chest tightened as he stiffened, "once you have shown me the application of your previous use."
Jack tensed up even further, disgust and despair coiling tight in his tank. 'Frag, frag, frag!' he shouted internally. "You...you mean when we return to the tower?" he asked coarsely.
"There would be no point in ruining your plating if I waited until after Knock Out cleaned you." Shockwave replied evenly.
Jack grimaced, because he still remembered how much a liar the mech was. 'You might not have forced my panel open but you still groped me.' "V...very well master..." He muttered, his insides screaming.
"You are still skittish about it?" Shockwave asked suspiciously.
Jack tensed up. "Uh, n-no! Not at all." He forced himself to laugh. "J-just glad you aren't making me do it out here." That was a terrible way to cover his tracks, but Shockwave bought it anyway. The statement both relieved and terrified him- he still had time, but not much by the sound of it. And he expected him to 'preform' for him.
Jack had no idea what that meant; just that if he seemed unsure or off the fact he hadn't looked up anything would bust him. 'I'm in so much trouble if he has a search history.' Jack thought, but maybe 'I didn't know any better' would keep being a buzzword that made Shockwave lenient with him hold up.
It was little more than a reassurance, as Jack unsteadily sighed again. He was torn between drawing the stay out, because while it would give him more time to figure things out, it would just as much get Shockwave irritated with him.
Shockwave placed a hand at his back, ushering him with surprising gentleness outside, though the hand switched to his arm as soon as others were in sight.
Jack slowly realized that there was a discrepancy in how Shockwave behaved when they were alone and while around others were there. He likely only didn't brush Jack off the first time Jack became 'affectionate' yesterday because he was likely surprised. The second time he'd had a brusquer response. Had anything happened after that though?
Then again, being treated 'nicely' in private didn't mean much when the tradeoff was literally only what his body had to offer. The dark energon in his veins, his weird biology, the…other things. Jack slumped, ignoring the others still lingering by the lobby as they walked back to the transport.
Jack didn't need Shockwave forcing him into the cabin, doing so himself as the mech shut the back and locked him in. Jack leaned back, closing his optics to get some rest.
It was going to be a long trip back, and Jack didn't want to think about what would be happening once they got back as much as he could.
What was he even going to do? He...he could try human...'techniques' but he wasn't sure how well received that would be by a Cybertronian, the very idea of willing, however begrudging, disgusting to Jack.
His tank churned, and if it weren't for the opportunity to talk to Orion again he'd rather come clean and take the punishment-however unusual and cruel it was. 'Maybe he'll buy that...I'm just not very good-or at least, he's too out of touch to notice.' Jack thought.
The thoughts plagued him long after he found his systems going into standby for the trip back to Kaon.
