In the moments which followed, Megatron scowled again, but Knock Out looked fearful. Both seemed like understatements. Jack couldn't deny feeling something similar though. He had no idea what this was going to turn into. Were they going to get arrested already? Apparently, they took too long, as the door was kicked open.
Megatron snarled, optics brightening in fury. "I assume you're trespassing and damaging my property for a reason?" He asked the pair of guards, who eyed the surrounding mechs with contempt.
A mech stepped forward, jerking his chin up. "You've been stirring up discontent with your rallying." He said. "Have we even stumbled upon a meeting going on?"
Megatron sneered back. "I am merely going over the payment for this medic that tends to the gladiators."
The guard narrowed his optics, and Jack tensed when that gaze landed on him. "And this one?"
"My bodyguard." Knock Out answered quickly.
The mech snorted derisively. "Him? He looks more like he should be on his back than-"
Intense heat coursed through Jack as his spark thrummed rapidly in anger. A retort was making its way out of his mouth when Knock Out beat him to it. "He saved my life and my credits during an attack in an alley." The medic stated before tempers could flare any further. "Obviously, I valued my life more than credits so I hired him right after."
The guard narrowed his optics again, then scoffed dismissively. "You," he pointed at Megatron, "stand accused for besmirching the system and sowing discourse."
"On what grounds?" Megatron retorted. Jack had no idea how he could calm down so quickly.
"On the orders of Sentinel Prime we have been ordered to take you into custody to stand trial before the council. Resist and we will not hesitate to terminate you here and now."
Jack straightened up, frame tensing. This wasn't how things were supposed to go. He saw Soundwave stand up, and wondered if he was willing to fight to keep Megatron away from the guards, but knew the answer before the thought finished. 'Of course he would.'
"Are bots not allowed to speak their minds?" Jack asked, but grimaced as he got a blank stare from the guards. "You have no cause for anything here, and you can't terminate anyone without repercussions."
The guard scoffed again. "You're a whole bunch of nobodies. Who's going to believe you?"
Knock Out vented, but stepped up. "I would know, and not only as high caste, but part of medical, my word is higher than yours, both figurative and literal. So, think very hard before you throw around termination without just cause."
"Sentinel Prime has ordered us-"
"And is Sentinel Prime above the law?" Jack pressured. "You're saying it's okay for him to endorse senseless murder; something he'll throw you into the nearest trash compactor to free himself of the blame for?"
"He is the Prime." The guard snapped. "And if you're going to cause trouble too, you can join this dissenter."
Jack scowled grimly. Were they really not going to leave them any choice?
"If you won't surrender peacefully, then we will be forced to employ more drastic measures." The guard said placidly, but there was a dark look in his optics.
"We're not fighting in the first place!" Jack snapped.
"Then make it easier on yourself and don't resist." The other guard reached out, and Jack flinched as the mech grabbed his arm.
"Release him," Megatron stepped forward, grabbing Jack's shoulder tightly, "and I will agree to go with you willingly."
Jack looked at him with widened optics. "Me-" The silver mech shook his head, and Jack frowned. He winced as the guard tightened his grip.
"You will?" The guard questioned. Megatron nodded, looking grim, and the guard released Jack. "Fine, put your hands behind your back."
The silver mech did as told, placing his hands behind his back yieldingly. A sneer crossed his faceplates as the guards cuffed him, then turned him around.
"But you can't do this-!" Jack tried to argue, only for Megatron to knock him back, his knee scuffing Jack's paint on impact. Jack stumbled back, wincing from the kick and stared at the taller mech, whose face was set in a firm scowl.
"My decision is final, don't interfere." Megatron said grimly.
Jack was chilled to get a flash of the future Megatron, and his spark twisted by how hurt he was at the outburst. He pulled himself together, holding his frame tight. "Fine then." He held the silver mech's gaze before he was led away, and Jack slumped over once they left. He rubbed his brow. "I can't believe this; how's he supposed to get out of this?"
"No idea." Knock Out muttered, eyeing Soundwave who had been silent the entire time. "Do you have any idea if he had a secret plan or something?"
"Affirmative: in case of potential threats, instructed to use feed to advantage." Soundwave replied, and the screen of his faceplate shifted to show them the room, which was being recorded.
Jack stared incredulously. "He knew he'd be targeted?" Soundwave nodded, and Jack growled. "He made me worry and then he kicks me!"
"Well, it looked like he did to it to protect you." Knock Out pointed out.
Jack glowered. "Screw that, he still kicked me!"
Knock Out scratched the back of his helm with a sigh. "Look at it like this- He gives himself up, with a plan, and then you ruin it trying to help him. Bad end- we all get caught in a crossfire, one of us ends up dead- probably me- and then the guards are killed. How would that look instead?"
Jack grounded his denta, causing a scratching sound that even grated on his own audios. He knew there was a reason, a sound reasoning, but it still hurt. "He did this before," he muttered, "pretended to give me up, and then turned it around when he revealed he did all for his own ends."
"Still, it's not like he ever intended to let you get hurt." Knock Out said.
"That's hardly the point. It's dangerous and I can't let him end up becoming-"
"Megatron: exiting premises." Soundwave cut him off, changing his screen to reveal the mech being escorted out of the building.
Jack frowned, glaring at the ground. "Now what then? How's he supposed to get out of this?"
"Visual feed: sway opinion. Outcome: Megatron's release."
Jack's expression scrunched as he tried to work out how that would help, and crossed his arms. "Of course, he didn't fight back," he said quietly, "and all anyone viewing the feed will see is him being unfairly persecuted. Really, I'll look like the dissenter, but given the opinion every seems to have of me, I doubt they'd care to look into it further." That was even more underhanded than what he'd done with Jack before, no matter how much it made sense. And it worried him.
"How's this supposed to get shown to the public? I doubt you know how to hack a news feed." Knock Out replied.
"Soundwave: severely underestimated." The mech stated almost smugly, which was the most infliction Jack had ever heard him use.
It was also not as much of a surprise as Jack should have expected. Soundwave was Megatron's eyes and ears, even in this time period; he probably knew how to hack a lot of things. "Then when are you going to send it out?"
"Opportunity: when charges are announced. Reason: video will show truth of the matter. Solution: avoid public backlash, council will have no choice but to release Megatron. Execution: too suspicious."
"You two certainly thought of everything." Jack said, not quite sure about just how bitter he was over it. Maybe because it was starting to feel like he was being replaced. The other part was because of how badly he was failing. So far it hadn't seemed like he made any real change. 'It's like everything's just trying to happen the way it did before, even with the changes that I caused.' Jack thought, and knew most of it was haphazard, but there was a sinking despair that began to form in his spark. He was here to make things better, wasn't he?
Knock Out, sensing something was wrong, moved over to Jack. "You want to stay here or go back to the apartment?" He offered. "I have Breakdown coming over after work- you could get to know each other then."
Jack was more than ready to leave. "Yes, and I'll try to watch to news and see how this plays out." He could at least do that, useless as he felt. He shot a glance a Soundwave. "Keep me updated, okay?" Jack said despite his anger. "If anything happens...we'll need to help him out."
"Affirmative."
Jack nodded, and he and Knock Out left the room, making their way through the halls. Jack's tank churned; anger mixed with unease. "How could he not tell me at least? We agreed he wouldn't go around me anymore."
"Well, maybe you just weren't supposed to get involved." Knock Out said.
"I've been involved since the beginning." The words came out spitefully, leaving a bitter taste on Jack's glossa.
Knock Out blinked. "Well, that does put a wrench in things." He muttered. "Maybe taking your mind off it for a little while will help."
Jack vented. He doubted it, but it was worth a shot. "Maybe."
It was a short drive to the apartment, or so it felt like, Jack's mind distracted with the day's events. The one positive was that Megatron hadn't outright killed the guards, proving that he wasn't quite as bloodthirsty as Jack had originally feared. The highly manipulative aspect of him was front and center though. Not a terrible trait, and a useful one to be sure, but it hinted at something more.
Another thing Jack hadn't wanted to acknowledge, was the worry if Megatron was playing him. Just acting and keeping him around for some long-term plan. 'I shouldn't doubt, but he's done it twice now.' Jack sighed, and rubbed his brow again on the way up to Knock Out's apartment. "I think I need a drink."
"After seeing how you are overcharged? No way!" Knock Out retorted. "And besides, Engex is meant for parties, not drinking away your sorrows."
Jack grimaced. "I don't have sorrows." He protested, though it was a weak refute. "Look, I'll pay you back, alright?" Now that he was able to do so because he had access to his funds. "Speaking of which, I'll do that before I get smashed. What's your account?"
Knock Out blinked. "Now, now?" Jack nodded, and the red mech sighed as he gave the number, watching as Jack raided his stores for an Engex and took a sip. "And try not to get drunk so fast, I don't want Breakdown to think I keep poor company."
"He 'officially' met me when I had a hangover." Jack retorted.
"Well, he didn't know that." Knock Out said.
"Fine, I'll drink slow." Jack murmured, bringing up a holographic image of his funds. "How much do I owe you exactly?"
"Let's see..." Knock Out was likely counting the amount in his head, tapping his chin. "Add everything together, including this Engex...it'd be 50, 000 credits, plus 10 credits more."
Jack stared at him. "Engex cubes cost 10 credits each? I didn't realize it cost so much to get drunk."
"And this isn't even the most potent stuff." Knock Out replied.
"I'll have to find the stronger stuff then." Jack said as he sat on the 'chair' in front of the 'television'. "When will Breakdown be here?"
"Soon." Knock Out said as he sat down too on the couch.
"Then I think we should get our story straight." Jack said, and took another sip. "Did you tell him how we 'met'?"
"During a routine touch up- paint, polish, buff, the works."
"That's not far from the truth." Jack set the cube down, and leaned back with a sigh.
"Already feeling it?" Knock Out asked.
"I will be soon." Jack replied.
"You know there are better ways to relieve your stress, right?"
Jack scrunched his expression up. "Yes, but none that lets me block out things I'd rather not think about so thoroughly." he replied and shook his head. "Anyway, did you tell him anything specific?"
"Well, since touch ups aren't cheap, I told him you were in high caste, but that you were just starting out on your own and needed to save your credits up." Knock Out explained.
"Which nicely glosses over why I'm staying with you." Jack said, and could already feeling the humming in his systems from the Engex. "So pretty much what he'll think of me as some snob whose too cheap to stay at a hotel?"
Knock Out snorted. "No, hotels aren't cheap either." he narrowed his optics. "Do I have to take the Engex away now?" A hum was his answer, with Knock Out taking it as his cue to grab the cube and set it on the table out of Jack's reach.
"So, any subjects I should avoid?" Jack asked, not drunk out of his mind yet but pleasantly buzzed.
"Obviously, don't ask too much about me and Breakdown's relationship. He still feels insecure about it." Knock Out said.
"I may be many things, but I am not a homewrecker." Jack said seriously. Knock Out furrowed his brow, and Jack waved it off. "Wait, I didn't use that word right-I meant I wouldn't dream of causing you two to break up." he tilted his head, optics dimming. "Though I am kinda jealous of how comfortable with each other you two are."
"I assume there's a reason?"
"Shockwave." A hand slid down his face, Jack taking the time to stare at it as though it were very interesting. "I look at how you are with each other, and then I think of how Shockwave would touch me. The last time he made me lay with him I had to be on his front, my valve in full view for him to violate."
Knock Out looked shaken. "You mentioned something back at the arena, about what Shockwave did, and...how it wouldn't be his digits next time?"
Jack grimaced, his tank churning as he leaned his head against the back of the chair, arms dangling at his sides. "Yes. And I still...overloaded," he whispered, shame burning in his spark, "got slick every time he shoved his digits into me."
Knock Out was silent for a long moment. "The body reacts to stimulant, good or bad; it's not your fault." he said, but Jack remained silent. The red mech glanced away and frowned. "Plus, from the sound of it, not only was Shockwave going to break a taboo by wanting that mod, but he likely broke the law in keeping you beyond the agreed payment."
Jack frowned, tilting his head to look at him. "How so?"
"Well, a slave can buy their freedom, and that's all there is to it." Knock Out said. "Though I might be oversimplifying it; point is, if you can prove you were within the reach of the agreed credits, it'd be enough to at the very least knock him down a peg."
"But not enough to throw him in jail for an offense." Jack grumbled.
"No, not enough to toss him in jail." Knock Out answered grimly. "He's too high up and too rich to go to prison for that."
"Figures." Jack muttered. "We had this huge Lysken crystal to trade. Shockwave nulled the agreement before we could sell it. At least Megatron managed to sell it after."
Knock Out blinked. "Really?"
Jack nodded. "Yeah." he said, and slumped even further in his seat. "And even if I did get free, he's too obsessed with his precious research. Probably have me hunted down-even more than the police are already doing."
"When we're checking the news later, we can see if there's any more mention of you." Knock Out said. "Though even if there's not, I wouldn't get your hopes up he quit; the police would just likely be trying to lure you into a false sense of security."
"Trust me, I know better than to think they'd give up." Jack said, remembering the time he'd managed to escape previously. A knock at the door drew their attention. Jack glanced lazily at Knock Out. "That's probably Breakdown. Better not keep him waiting."
"Right." Knock Out said, and walked over to the door to allow Breakdown entry, with the bigger mech glancing at Jack.
He stiffened up. "Is...is this still him? He looks...different."
"Yup. He got himself a new alt. Thought the other one was too slow." Breakdown was led in, taking a seat on the couch beside Knock Out.
"Nice to see you again. I'm… Wayward." Jack said, holding out his servo, only just remembering his fake name. Breakdown stared at the appendage, and Jack realized he hadn't seen anyone shake hands. He pulled it back, somewhat sheepish. "Sorry, just a strange little custom I had growing up." Jack said. "Shaking hands with new people was supposed to be polite."
"Strange custom." Breakdown commented. "Where are you from?"
Jack's brain stalled, and he tried to come up with something plausible. "Uh, well, I lived in a well-off town near...hmm, Praxus." he had chosen the name at random, wincing as he hoped it would hold.
"Pretty far away, no wonder you're crashing on Knock Out's couch." Breakdown said.
Jack tried to hold back the sigh of relief. "And you?" he returned the question slightly curious.
"The planet Velocitron. Same place as Knock Out actually."
A brow was raised, as even Knock Out didn't seem to know this. "Oh?" Jack's curiosity grew, having not been aware that there were other planets Cybertronians could prosper on. "What's it like?"
"Mostly desert. But they have race tracks that span the entire planet. All anyone cares about there is racing- One reason it's also called the Speed Planet." Breakdown explained as Knock Out fetched a cube. "I wasn't quite the typical mech on Velocitron."
Jack tilted his head as he leaned back. "Really?"
"Yeah, I'm pretty bulky compared to you and Knock Out-and pretty slow too. Speed's everything there, so being slower is pretty much worthless." Breakdown replied. "Cybertron's messed up, but it's a better living than I had there."
Jack wondered if there were other worlds that could sustain Cybertronians, and the incredulity that here was preferable to anywhere else. "I see." he said. "I didn't know that-uh, I mean my creators were...pretty controlling, so I don't know much about what other planets Cybertron has come in contact with." he shrugged.
"There's a lot- I don't bother keeping up with them all." Breakdown shrugged, golden optics peering at him. "So, how did you know about me?"
Jack scrambled to remember what he'd said about this. "Er, well, I saw you working construction actually. I, uh, didn't think much of it then, but then I saw you again while I was out...getting a touch up." he tilted his head. "I know it's a pretty weird thing to mention." he shrugged.
"A touch up from Knock Out?"
"A buff, paint job and polish." Knock Out interjected on his way back in, seeing how Jack was getting a bit fuzzy. "He mentioned out of the blue that you would be my type." A sly smirk worked its way to his features. "Turns out he was right."
Breakdown straightened up, glancing at him. "Yeah."
Jack looked between them, that gnawing feeling started to act upon again. "So," he said quickly, "what do you like to do?"
"I enjoy building personal crafts in my spare time." Breakdown shrugged again, moving a little in his seat. "Sometimes I sell them for extra credits. You?"
Jack grimaced. "Well, not much." he admitted. "Haven't really gotten much of a chance to do anything, just..." he clenched his fist. "spent it working odd jobs, mostly...scientific stuff." he grimaced again.
"I take it you don't like it?" Breakdown asked.
"That's...putting it lightly." Jack said, and he looked thoughtful. "Probably should have been in the medical caste, but...well, I don't think I'd measure up."
"Not everyone can be as accomplished as I am." Knock Out said haughtily.
"Or as stuck up." Jack snorted, rolling his optics. "How has training under Ratchet been for you anyway?"
"I've been learning a lot, thanks for asking." Knock Out replied cheekily. "And given my recent excursions, he should be pleased with my progress under his tutelage."
"That's good. Things seem like they should work out well for you then, yeah?"
Knock Out slowly frowned, crossing his arms as he glanced off to the side. "Well, Ratchet's sort of...pushy. He always thinks I can do a better job, and rarely does he praise me, instead criticizing my work and saying I need to be more considerate with the patients. As if he's got any room to talk, with his blunt bedside manner."
Jack blinked again, the description of the Ratchet in the now being rather...similar to the one he knew, and yet different enough he recognized which traits were from an earlier time. "Hmm." he hummed noncommittally, but decided to move away from the awkward subject. "So, anyone up for watching some programs?"
"I am." Breakdown agreed immediately. "Interested in the metalworks network?"
"Sure, fine by me." Jack said, and got up to snag his Engex cube.
Knock Out glowered at him as he sat on the couch beside Breakdown, and handed him a cube as well. "You're going to get overcharged again."
Jack huffed. "Mind if we check the news first?" he asked as he grabbed the remote, waiting for the reply.
"Go ahead."
With Knock Outs permission, Jack turned the televisions on, switching the channels until he found the news station. The same femme from before was being broadcasted, though she wasn't talking about him.
"Earlier this sol, the Elite Guard arrested a dissenter calling himself 'Megatron', through use of justifiable force." she reported, and her expression turned to a carefully made mask of concern. "Though a video was leaked from this very station, showing not only was the suspect not resisting, but the Guards showed unlawful hostility toward civilians."
Jack raised a brow. 'Civilians?' he thought, but supposed they had nothing else to call them it fit. He watched the feed as it was played back, staring at it before taking a gulp of his Engex. "It's weird seeing myself." 'Still.' he kept from adding.
Breakdown raised his brow when Knock Out's voice rang over the feed. "What were you doing there, Knock Out?"
"One of the excursions I was talking about. Got hired as a medic for the gladiators that needed touching up after their fights. Good for expanding my skills. The money isn't bad either."
"Oh. More interesting than buffing out a nick or two on the usual clients?" The bulky mech persisted, intrigued by the feed.
"Certainly is." Knock Out replied.
Jack narrowed his optics, watching as the him in the feed was grabbed, only for Megatron to defend him, and then kicked him away. To anyone watching, it was a show of protecting Jack, but the little mech wondered whether Megatron thought it was a boon that his original intention of being freed by public opinion was bolstered by this show of care. Jack bitterly drank another gulp of Engex, glaring at the feed even as it ended.
"There is already considerable backlash due to the official report, and the feed shown on camera." The newscaster said. "We will keep you updated as the story unfolds."
Jack flipped the channel, frowning as he found the metalworks station. 'No mention of me, but that doesn't mean much.'
"Here," Jack said to Breakdown, passing him the remote. "Watch whatever you want." He leaned his chin on his servo, arm propped up on the armrest.
"Is he okay?" Breakdown asked Knock Out, who glanced at Jack.
"Rough sol." he said.
"Yeah, I can kinda see how given that video feed." Breakdown said.
Jack leaned against the chair further, taking more sips of his drink while noticing Knock Out discreetly leaning against Breakdown, and Jack tried to keep his optics on the hologram, deeply wanting the jealously to go away.
"Hmm. Might have to try that sometime." Said Breakdown at seeing something on the screen.
Jack vented deeply, and wondered how long the buzz would take again. He took another sip, and closed his optics as he finally felt it in his head. "I don't want to be a downer, but I'm starting to feel like a third wheel."
"A what?" Breakdown asked.
"He's always saying weird stuff." Knock Out assured him as he looked at Jack. "Maybe you've had enough for the night."
"Or maybe I haven't." Jack muttered.
"I think you've had your fill." Knock Out decided, frowning and taking the cube from him.
Jack pouted, leaning against the other side of the chair. "That's not fair," he slurred, "you two are still drinking."
"We're drinking regular energon, that's why." Knock Out said curtly.
Jack huffed, glaring blearily at the double vision of Knock Out. "Still not fair, you flashy red racer."
"He's, uh, a lot looser when he gets overcharged." Breakdown observed.
"As I found out the first time. And he overcharges easily." The medic complained, crossing his arms.
"Yuuuup," Jack drawled out, "pretty sure the fraggger didn't touch me then, at leeeast."
Breakdown frowned. "What's he talking about?"
"Uh, bad relationship." Knock Out said quickly.
Jack scowled at the description. "Haaate him." he snarled.
Breakdown narrowed his optics, but said nothing more on it as the smaller mech started to slip off, muttering a bit of nonsense now and again. "You sure he's going to be okay?" he asked.
Knock Out nodded. "Gonna regret ever drinking that much, but he'll be fine once he sleeps it off." he looked on as the small mech mumbled, curling into himself on the chair.
"Though I think it's rather cute that you care." The red mech said, leaning against the other mech once more, trailing a digit along his shoulder playfully.
"I'm not saying that I care-" Breakdown immediately tried to deny, but was silenced by a clawed digit on his lips.
"Really, it's sweet." Knock Out said, and cupped his cheek as he leaned up to him. "While it'd be rude to start something with company, promise to make our next alone time worth it." he kissed the orange cheek. "What do you say?"
Breakdown wrapped an arm around him, returning the kiss with one of his own. "I won't disappoint." He promised Knock Out, pressing the mech closer into his side.
The two huddled on the couch, drifting off into recharge.
