Knock Out worked meticulously, ensuring he was exceedingly careful not to accidentally cause harm to the mech. He wasn't one hundred percent certain how to install this particular T-cog. It had to work though, or he was fragged.
It looked like a normal T-cog, though that might have been a bit of a generous description with how unnatural the coloring was. What if it was incompatible with Megatron's frame and his body rejected it? There could be a massive fallout from such a thing. It made Knock Out a bit antsier with handling the T-cog, where he placed it carefully inside the empty cavity for it. At least these insides didn't look alien. It made him wonder just how much Shockwave screwed Wayward up.
Another twinge of pity flared in his chest for the mech, but he brushed it aside to finish up the job. Once certain it was secured in place, he began the painstaking process of installing the T-cog.
Knock Out wasn't familiar with this kind of surgery, and so recalled how for every wire he could in Wayward's cavity he installed in Megatron's. His hands were steady despite the glare still leveled on him. He made sure every wire was secured firmly in place before he even considered things good. Closing the plating, Knock Out nodded to the mech. "Try and see if anything shows up on your systems alert."
Megatron watched him closely, doing just that- then growled. "There's nothing-"
The mech stopped, optics narrowing when an alert suddenly appeared. It was asking permission to accept the T-cog. Though a bit unnerved by this function, as he'd never had the experience of needing upgrade before-well, it would be something to get used to, when he upgraded his form. The silver mech focused on the alert, and accepted it.
Knock Out watched Megatron warily, more than aware of Soundwave drawing in closer, that same tense look he had around him as before. "Well?"
"My systems have accepted the T-cog. It seems you're more competent than I originally believed."
Knock out was affronted by the clear lack of faith. "I am an intern under Ratchet's tutelage, I'll have you know!" He responded haughtily. "I beat out thousands of other bots to train exclusively under the best medic Cybertron has ever known!"
"And you think that alone means your skills are up to par with his?" Megatron retorted.
Knock Out's shoulders tensed as he found enough resolve to glare at him. "I just did two surgeries in one sol without any assistance! That should if nothing else prove my skill."
"At the very least it appears Wayward's faith in you was not misplaced." Megatron stated, praising his work and running a claw down the weld mark where the medic had used a torch to seal the metal. "Thus, I would like to offer a proposal."
Knock Out tensed further, wary and uncertain. "A proposal?" he repeated, and narrowed his optics slightly. "What kind of proposal?"
"The kind you'll be paid handsomely for." Megatron stated, ignoring the suspicious look he was given.
"Didn't Wayward say he was going to be paying me himself?" Knock Out questioned.
"Not for that." Megatron retorted.
Though still wary, Knock Out couldn't help being a tiny bit curious despite himself. This was either going to be a terrible idea -good or bad. "Alright, I'm listening."
"As Wayward seems to trust you enough to help with his escape, shelter him, and perform surgery, I take it you're not one to judge solely on caste."
Knock Out rolled his optics. If he cared about such trivial things, he never would have considered even going to Breakdown in the first place.
Megatron grinned lopsidedly. "Then I would like to employ you as a personal medic- for myself and Soundwave." He left out Wayward intentionally, as the bot would never require a medic save to remove scarring.
Knock Out narrowed his optics, thinking over the offer in his head. Really, credits were nice and all to have on hand, those weren't the issue. "Shockwave knows who I am. If it ever gets back to him in some way, whether I'm recognized here or seen coming in, wouldn't that just put this place under scrutiny?"
"As though it likely already isn't?" Megatron snorted. "Just say you've been hired to provide your medical skills here."
Knock Out frowned, silent for a long time. "I'm so scrapped if I get caught." he said, but glanced at Wayward as the mech curled up on his seat. "Though he would also need someone to take care of his scars too." he mused, and deliberately shrugged nonchalantly. "Fine, you got yourself a deal."
Megatron nodded. "You will receive a down payment of a thousand credits wired directly into your account. Will that be sufficient?" Megatron gestured for Knock Out to approach Soundwave. The medic paused.
"And a cube Engex for the road," Knock Out added, though he wouldn't be able to leave until Wayward woke. "It's been a long sol."
Megatron nodded. "Very well. You may retrieve it before you leave."
Knock Out nodded, and let Soundwave send the virtual credits through. "I guess is the part where I say I look forward to doing business with you." he drawled. He glanced at Soundwave. "Though I don't appreciate being manhandled like earlier."
Megatron gave Soundwave a strange look, nothing but silence coming from the mech.
"Whatever." Knock Out said lowly as he moved over to the desk, where Wayward was passed out. "Be prepared for Shockwave- he seemed pretty obsessed with him. Shockwave had me clean and polish Wayward almost after every time he got a scar, had his paint job changed, and trussed him up with those crystals." Knock Out continued. "Doubtful he'd let Wayward go so easily, science experiment or not."
Megatron scowled. "Yes, even when Wayward almost had enough credits to buy his freedom, Shockwave rescinded his value to "priceless" and took him anyway." his glare hardened. "Wayward told me of that mech making him recharge with him, and now it appears he's gone even further."
"Hard to believe that someone such as Shockwave would be berthmates with anyone of the low caste- it would put a stood dent in his reputation." Knock Out drawled. With a flick of his wrist, he switched Wayward's receptors back on.
"I am less than surprised." Megatron said gruffly. "Even before Wayward told me anything, Shockwave showing up at the mines was not normal."
A soft groan rang out, and Wayward squinted as he blinked his optics open. "What hit me?" he rubbed his forehead. "My head's killing me."
"Nearly an entire cube of Engex." Megatron said gruffly, moving to Jack's side. "Any particular reason for being so overcharged you couldn't even stand properly?" Megatron questioned the recovering mech, unable to keep the amusement off his face.
"Less taking please." Jack griped as he thrummed digits against his temple. Jack tried to collect himself, taking in that he hadn't just dreamed everything. 'Okay, so aside from the hangover, it looks like-' he stopped when he saw the scarring on Megatron's plating where the T-cog would have gone. "Surgery got done-good. Want me to heal it?" he asked, but his hand was already reaching out.
Megatron didn't even have the time to answer as the violet energy strummed through Jack's digits, surging into the fresh weld. Metal tightened, any soreness or pain that Megatron previously had fading away by the time Jack withdrew his hand, giving Megatron a sleepy look.
"There, now you don't have to wait to get an alt-mode." he leaned back down, tilting his head. That took more out him than usual. Probably the hangover. "You're bigger-lucky you gets a wider selection of alt-modes to pick from." he touched his own cavity. "I'm stuck with smaller vehicles."
"That's not so bad." Knock Out said haughtily. "We're smaller, but sleeker and faster. I'd say that's a good trade off."
"I guess." Jack grumbled, going to stand and wobbling a bit. He managed to catch himself before Megatron needed to keep him from falling. "I've got it. Thanks." He murmured.
"We should probably head back now, Wayward." Knock Out insisted, ready to go home.
"Yeah." Jack blinked slowly, mind still sluggish. "Really missed you y'know." Jack said to Megatron, too hung over to help himself out without Knock Outs assistance. Both missed the slight stiffening of Megatron's expression when they left.
"...Wayward cannot hold his Engex." Soundwave commented a klik after the two were gone.
Megatron snorted, forcing the tension out of his frame. "No, he cannot."
Jack grimaced as his head still pounded, and it made for an awkward fit into Knock Out's interior as he stumbled. The red mech grumbled about paint scratches and Jack curled up tightly as he waited for them to get back to the apartment. 'Still, I got done what I said I would.' he thought.
Though it took some time, the fact he managed to get Megatron a T-cog bolstered Jack's confidence. Perhaps the stress of it all made him drink the Engex, and now he was still paying for it as his healing took its time getting rid of it. "Couldn't get my money this time; I'll give you what I owe next time we go there."
"Well, I guess the trip wasn't a complete time-waster." Knock Out said haughtily. "Your friend offered me a job. Already gave me a down payment."
"Really?" Jack was a little surprised but not overly so. Megatron had to have recruited Knock Out previously somehow. A mech in his position would require a medic for many things, not least of all repair. Jack felt a little off-put about how things were still trying to be like the future. His tank churned with unease rather than wanting to purge. "I thought you never wanted to set foot there again?"
"Well, he did offer to pay a lot..." Knock Out trailed off. "He's scary as the pit for sure, but I wouldn't back out just because of that."
Jack hummed. "So, I guess even after I go back I will be seeing you again, after all."
"Without a doubt."
"Does this mean I can stay at your apartment for awhile?" Jack asked, a little nervous about overstaying his welcome.
"Just don't leave and get me in trouble, and I won't make you pay rent too." Knock Out replied.
Jack smiled despite himself, wincing as his head ached again. "I can do that." he said.
The ride back to the apartment for the remainder of the trip was relatively quick, thankfully. Jack still it a bit awkward getting out of the vehicle, and Knock Out transformed. Jack looked around cautiously out of habit, and Knock Out caught him when he stumbled.
"Come on, light-weight." he huffed, pulling Jack with him. "Let's get back to my floor before you fall and hurt yourself."
"Yeah. That sounds great." Jack agreed, leaning on Knock Out for support as they went to the elevator and took it up.
"Once we get there, I just wanna crash on your couch and go back to sleep." Jack mumbled.
"Well, might wanna check the news first just to see what your status is." Knock Out retorted. He glanced away. "Though I don't know how I'm going to explain your presence to Breakdown."
Jack stiffened up, squinting his optics. "What?"
"Breakdown visits frequently- I can hardly keep you a secret when you're crashing on my couch can I?" Came the reply, Knock Out grimacing nervously. "Plus I'm not the type to go behind a bots back."
Jack grimaced as well. "You make it sound like we're a thing."
Knock Out snorted. "Not my type, remember? Just play it cool and make it clear you're not trying to get with me."
Jack groaned, rubbing his brow. "He's not a jealous mech, is he? I've had enough of dealing with those-'specially the one who thinks feeding me and buying me gifts makes up for it."
Knock Out raised a brow. "And who did Shockwave ever get jealous of?"
"Anyone who get in three feet of me." Jack rolled his optics. "Megatron, mechs at the gathering. He even killed a guard for touching me. Though he never said anything about you, which I thought was kind of...odd."
"Well, I was there for professional purposes." Knock Out said. "And he did tell me to keep my comments to myself."
Jack nodded. "You were absolutely right when you said Shockwave is a control freak." he grimaced. "Every minute he wasn't torturing me, he kept me by his side and practically had a grip on me at all times."
"Seems to me the bot has some issues he needs to work out." Knock Out analyzed, opening the door to his apartment. "Feel free to watch the news- I'm going to get a nice batch of energon to relax with."
Jack nodded slightly, though he hadn't missed how the red mech got a cube of Engex before they left. "Try not to get overcharged eiither." he said.
Knock Out snorted as he left the room. Jack sat on the couch, lying down as he grabbed the remote and turned it on, the holographic screen appearing over its console. Jack blinked, but his optics widened when he saw his own face on the screen behind the bot at the desk.
'Well, looks like Shockwave finally got to the police.' Jack thought.
"-the police have been authorized to use non-lethal force when apprehending the suspect." The femme spoke like this was an everyday occurrence. Too casual, Jack thought. "The suspect, dubbed J-23, is of the low caste, property of the renowned scientist Shockwave who has been a leader in his field for the last several decivorns, and has been reported to be working on a new project in the medical field." Jack scowled, almost tossing the remote through the hologram for all the good it would have done him. Jack's grip only tightened on the remote, scowl intensifying at the hologram. "If spotted, do not approach," the femme continued, "remain calm, and contact the authorities."
Jack switched the station back to the racing feeds. 'How many times has this happened before?' It was disturbing to think, with everything he knew now, that there were others like him enslaved to bots just as messed up as Shockwave. And given the reaction, Jack suspected they were kept out of public, and why Jack hadn't noticed any others.
"This planet sucks." Jack growled, shifting so he was laying on his side now.
The sounds of the racing on screen blocked out the footsteps until Jack heard the front door opening. "Hey, Knock Out, you here? Your doors un-"
Jack stiffened, his optics wide when he met Breakdown's yellow gaze as they just stared at each other. 'Okay, this sucks too.' he thought. "Uh, hi?" he said awkwardly.
"Who the frag are you?" Breakdown demanded, optics narrowing down on the lithe form.
Jack wanted to shrink under the glare, though relieved that Breakdown gave no recognition of him. 'Good.' he thought, and vented. "Uh, a guest."
"Guest?" Breakdown repeated aggressively.
Jack nodded rapidly, wincing as his head ached. "Yes, uh, Knock Out's friend whose helping me out. That's all."
By the expression on his face, Jack didn't think that Breakdown believed him- hell he probably wouldn't have either if he had gone to his girlfriend's house and found a guy he didn't know lounging on her furniture.
"-and stay out of this Engex!" Knock Out warned from the other room. "I have a special occasion planned with Breakdown, and I don't need you getting drunk off your aft again-"
"Knock Out!" Jack shouted, feeling small under the bigger mech's scowl. "Breakdown's here-like, right now!"
There was a silence in the other room, and soon enough Knock Out popped his head out from around the corner, blinking before smirking at Breakdown. "You're here earlier than I expected."
The blue mech shrugged, but then glanced at Jack. "Who's this? Says he's your friend."
Knock Out raised a brow, and Jack glanced down. "He is, just getting his apartment renovated and couldn't find a cheap hotel to stay in so he's staying with me." he said, and Jack rolled his optics.
"Really?" Breakdown muttered.
Knock Out came around the corner fully, and crossed his arms as he heard the accusation. "Excuse you, what do you take me for?"
And for the life of him, Jack would never forget the look on Breakdown's face- slightly insecure, some fear, and even a bit apologetic.
"He's so..." Breakdown trailed off, looking at Jack and then away from them both. "And you're so...I thought-"
"What?" Knock Out pressed, but then his optics widened as it seemed to dawn on him. "Ah," he said in understanding, "you think because he's good-looking I'd cheat on you with him?" his gaze softened as Breakdown wouldn't look at him. The red mech walked up to the bigger bot and reached up, his digits just barely able to graze the cheeks and turn his head to him. "I'm nothing if not committed, and a pretty face wouldn't make me stray."
Jack looked away, trying to give the pair a bit of privacy. He was left with a feeling of being out of place, and moved on to the next room, but not before he saw Breakdown wrapping an arm around Knock Out and pulling him closure for a kiss. It brought forth memories of Shockwave touching him as well as a surge of jealousy- that he couldn't even look at another couple without remembering his touch.
'Shockwave ruined everything.' Jack thought morosely, keeping his optics away from the other room. He already felt enough like an intruder, didn't need to add spying on them to the list as well. The numbness of overcharge may have faded, but that just left him with his plating crawling as he still felt Shockwave holding him in a mockery of an embrace, fingers curled around his plating with possessiveness. Jack shuddered, and looked around the room to distract himself. 'It's a pretty nice place.' Jack thought as he examined glossy floors and walls, the furniture glistening with a shine. Knock Out must have taken as good of care of his apartment as he did himself.
Which wasn't surprising, given he doubted Knock Out would have allowed any kind of grime to stain an inch of this place. 'He's really all about that cleanliness.' he thought. Jack glanced at the cabinet, and could guess that's where the energon was. Snorting, he turned away and peered through another door that led to what looked to be a workshop-probably for Knock Out's plating, given the familiar items he recognized for cosmetic detailing. 'Which means the final room is probably his berth room.'
"Wayward," Jack nearly jumped as he whirled around and found Knock Out standing there, the mech smirking at startling him, "Breakdown and I going out now-don't drink my Engex, and don't go out. Oh, and don't wreck my apartment."
"Yeah, because I'm totally going to have some wild party while you're gone." Jack drawled.
"Knowing your two friends, I don't doubt you know how to throw around." The red mech smirked knowingly.
Jack rolled his optics. "I promise I won't trash your apartment, won't go out or drink your Engex." He promised. "Am I allowed the regular energon?"
"Can you tell the difference?" Knock Out challenged.
Jack crossed his arms. "Of course I can. The first time was a mistake, the second I knew from the color. I swear, you won't come home and find me drunk off my aft again." he gestured vaguely to the direction of the 'television'. "I'll just be spending my time in there keeping track of what my status is." he looked down. "Saw a report just before Breakdown got here-Shockwave finally got the police involved so it might be a bit risky for me to go back next time."
"I can always touch up your paint again if it'll help." Knock Out suggested. "Having an alt should help out a lot too."
"Thanks, but I'll hold off on the paint for now. An alt though would be useful to finally have." Jack said thoughtfully.
"Choose something nice." Knock Out winked, obviously referring to himself. "Sporty, fast, just the right amount of flash..."
Jack snorted, finding it a little bit of a relief to still be able to chuckle. "I thought the idea was for me blend in? I go around with a fancy alt-mode, won't that attract attention?"
"Not if they're admiring your finish than looking at your face." Knock Out replied.
Jack shook his head. "Then I guess I'll think about it." he replied. "Have fun on your date."
"Oh believe me, I will." The mech stated smugly before leaving with a lecherous smirk. Jack sighed and shook his head.
Jack listened for the door to close, and walked back into the living room before sitting on the couch again. He glanced out the window briefly, taking in the darkened sky and jets flying through the night, before looking at the television again. 'Maybe I can find a design I like watching these races-it's a long shot, but it's a start.' he thought. And with the threat of being recognized now a distinct possibility, Jack knew he needed more to keep his identity hidden than a paint change.
He just hoped it would be enough to keep Shockwave off his trail. If the mech found him...Jack didn't even want to think of the horrors that would be visited upon him.
'None of it good, and I can only imagine how painful.' Jack thought, but truly wished not to think of that. Instead, he focused his optics on the racing, and for just a little while tried not to let his mind wander to anything else. He just needed to remind himself that he was safe.
After a while had passed, the scene was different; laying passed out on the couch, and reruns of the race still on the 't.v.', was how Knock Out found him when he returned home, sleeping peacefully for the first time in what must have been a very long time.
He tried not to judge, but upon seeing the tall, sinister tower had Orion on edge. It seemed to worsen due to the mech he knew resided inside, and having to speak with him. Still, his mentor had seemed rather...worried almost when he saw the footage Orion had recorded of the conference, taken keen note of the dark purple crystal Shockwave had. And so Alpha Trion sent him to speak with Shockwave about where he found it, but strangely told him under no circumstances was he to touch the dark crystals if he saw them.
That Alpha Trion was so concerned over these small items brought great worry to Orion as well; what were they and how were they such cause for alarm? He suspected that his mentor knew more than he was letting on, but Orion hadn't pressed him for more information.
He trusted the mech, as Orion knew his mentor had been around for quite some time. Plus, Orion could not deny being disturbed by the crystal's properties as well, how Shockwave had not only injured and mutilated Wayward in front of everyone to prove regeneration, but had inflicted injury to himself to show the healing potential. That though did not seem to cause concern in his mentor, only the fact the crystals were the cause.
So after a long journey from Iacon to Kaon, Orion found the tower Shockwave lived in. He had thought it would be harder to find the building, but no, apparently. The mech walked up to the entrance, and found the purple mech waiting inside. Orion couldn't be sure for how long, so he decided to preface this meeting with a polite introduction, "Greetings, I apologize for my lateness and meeting with you on such short notice."
"You wasted a joor of my time. I have more important matters to attend rather than waiting for a data clerk." Shockwave informed impatiently, his form tense. "I assume your visit will be brief?"
Orion was not completely unfamiliar with hostility from other meetings, since he was 'only a data clerk.' "Yes, depending on how much you're willing to disclose about your research." he replied, and outlined the meeting agenda. "I will be asking: where you got those crystals, how far along your research has come, and to what degree you've managed to succeed with Wayward-would it be possible to interview him as well for the record?"
Shockwave's optic glowed brightly for a second, Orion finding the occurrence strange, but otherwise did not comment on it. "The crystals were found deep inside a mine. My research is not available for public viewing, and J-23 is currently indisposed." Shockwave stated, Orion just barely noticing a tension in his voice that wasn't there before.
J-23? Ah, right, it must have been Wayward's… other name. 'Though indisposed?' That sounded...ominous in some way. Orion decided not to press the question on that subject for now. "Then may we continue with the meeting?" he asked instead. "Would it be possible to see the mineral you discovered and their properties?" Right now, that seemed to be the most important thing-finding out just what was odd about these crystals.
Shockwave narrowed his optic briefly, and made his way to the elevator. "Follow me." he said, the strange tension in his voice not lessening. "Your camera will remain in the lab at all times, and you are not permitted to see the rest of the building without my permission or you will have to leave-am I understood?"
Orion stilled at the condescending, disdainful tone, but nodded anyway. "Yes." he said, and brought his camera from subspace as the elevator ascended to the higher floors.
"Then we shall begin." Shockwave informed Orion as the device blinked from white to red. Shockwave opened the door to his laboratory.
Orion studied the room briefly, optics catching a glimpse of large purple crystals at a desk not far away.
They certainly looked just as foreboding as it had at the conference, and that had only been a small piece. The same dark purple, the ominous glow... Orion kept his distance as he let the camera begin recording. "Have you discovered what the crystal is made of?"
"It bears a similar structure to crystallized energon, though it's properties vary extensively." Shockwave went on to explain.
"In what way?" Orion questioned.
"It holds a higher radiation factor than energon does, with a denser structure." Shockwave continued.
"That explains the glow then?" Orion asked.
Shockwave nodded tersely. "Yes. It also takes a longer time to filter, and with a great deal of effort to ingest given the incompatibility."
Orion mulled over the information, and found another Segway. "You presented Wayward at the conference as your successful experiment; you applied this process to him?"
"Yes. He is the first to exhibit these abilities."
"Does that mean others exhibit the accelerated that J-23 exhibits?" Orion pressed.
"To a lesser degree, yes."
"I see." Orion said. "And, you are certain that I can't speak with him? It would bring perspective on what he thinks of this."
"His perspective?" Shockwave questioned tensely.
"Yes, it would be beneficial to know what he feels-"
"What he 'feels' in this matter is of no consequence. As a slave of the low caste and my personal property and experiment, it is his function to provide himself for study."
Orion was silent for a moment, seeing the tension in the other mech's frame as his optic narrowed. Orion found it appalling to hear such rhetoric sprouted, but he found asking about Wayward was a more dangerous subject than he initially assumed. "And...have your other experiments shown themselves to heal anything else yet?"
"No. The rate of healing is slower, but their progress is ongoing and strengthening. It is logical that this will continue towards healing others as well"
"I see." Orion said, finding it more difficult to say much else about the subject. The camera though kept recording, processing everything it saw. "And, have there been any setbacks?"
"Yes, as can be expected in any long-term testing." Shockwave answered, moving to show slides of close ups of samples; a dark purple crystal, energon likely coated with it. "I lack a diverse pool of subjects to test the substance on, thus limiting my results."
Orion had the camera close in the slides, recording how the substance on them looked before pulling it back. "So you are thinking of finding more volunteers?" he kept his tone neutral, because he could not be certain there were genuine volunteers who agreed to this.
"Yes, for progress to be made there must be a wider selection to use." Shockwave replied.
Orion didn't say anything to that, of how the mech seemed to just view bots as experiments and nothing more. "And...what of side-effects? Have there been any adverse effects of using these crystals?"
"None thus far." Shockwave answered short and simple, intentionally keeping his voice measured.
Orion found it a bit odd, but had nothing to call him out on if he were lying. Grimly, he pondered if he spoke to Wayward that he would have something to say about it. Still, it was all just speculation. "Since your current progress is unavailable, what of future endeavors?" Orion questioned. "You made a bold statement about medics being obsolete, do you truly think it will be so?"
"If all goes as intended, it will be." Shockwave stated resolutely. "Everyone will be able to heal from devastating wounds instantaneously, there will be no issues with rust or other maladies."
"And there will be a vacuum of how to deal with the influx of medical personnel out of work." Orion pointed out. "What do you say to those who would want things to remain as they are?"
Shockwave stared at him for a moment. "Progress cannot be hindered. For too long there has not been any meaningful advancement; this will change that. One part of the caste may be obsolete, but nothing that would be a cause for any upheaval." he said dismissively.
Orion frowned slightly. "Thank you for your time." he shut down the camera, placing it back into his subspace. "I will ensure that your interview is properly stored within the vaults."
Shockwave nodded tersely. "Then I am sure you can escort yourself out." he said, turning away to look back over his work.
"Yes, I will." Orion replied, but paused before he left. "If I may ask one last time; where is J-23?"
Shockwave tensed. "And you care about the well-being of a slave you only met at the conference once why?"
"He seemed decent when I spoke to him and well mannered. A reflection of his master, I'm sure."
Shockwave looked back at him, optic narrowed into a point. "Leave, now." he said, all pretense of 'politeness' leaving him, likely having struck a nerve.
Orion didn't stay a moment longer, walking out of the room as he thought of all he'd learned. What Shockwave suggested wasn't change for the better; it would abolish the medical caste, but the same structure of the system would only rearrange itself, likely pushing those 'obsolete' now to the low caste altogether and thinking nothing more of it.
This 'change' only benefited those who stood to gain anything from it. Such as the science caste, or the government. This healing ability could even be kept to only a select number of individuals, monetized to prices not everyone could afford, if just to keep it out of the hands of everyone. Even wrapped up in 'progress', it was no progress at all.
It was something that couldn't be allowed to happen, for the good of Cybertron and its people. Such a devastating flux in the economy would affect the planet for vorns upon vorns. Perhaps a far-away notion, but the threat was very real. And there was something clearly wrong about those purple crystals, there could be no telling what bots would be putting into their systems, affecting them in more ways than merely strengthening self-repair.
The way Shockwave had avoided directly answering his question, or even possibly lying, had Orion greatly concerned. As did his refusal to reveal Wayward.
Had something happened to him? Was he suffering from side-effect of these strange crystals? Wayward looked fine at the conference, if understandably upset about his situation. And he'd never given any sign of being unwell through their chat-no ticks of words, nothing to indicate anything than his unrest and discontent.
A few orns later Orion would discover why when he turned on the news- Wayward had escaped.
