After nearly two exhausting sols, Jack hoped they had finally found almost all of the modified gladiators, but Makeshift was still eluding them. He and Soundwave were waiting for Megatron in the arena office-more like headquarters now-and the silver mech stepped inside, optics narrowed. "You've gathered the experiments?" Soundwave nodded, Megatron pausing in thought at the situation. "I suppose an interrogation of each of them is required, along with the removal of their implants. Call Knock Out and tell him he'll be paid double the usual amount for this job."
"Affirmative."
Jack though looked worried. "If Makeshift was given plans by Shockwave, we shouldn't disregard the others could have been given similar orders if they saw him recently."
"Then we find this Makeshift and take care of him." The gladiator snarled, looking over the feed of the 'prisoners'. "I will not allow that psychotic mech to tamper with my operations."
Jack nodded, but frowned. "You haven't found him yet either?"
"He's a Shifter, he can switch forms." Megatron retorted irritably. "So far it's been difficult to find him, both by feed and Soundwave can't get a proper read on him due to the nature of his transformation."
Jack bit his lip, and the idea he had made him ill, but if it helped... "Well, if...if he's ordered to come after me, I could use myself as bait to lure him out."
"True. But he could be anyone in the pits." Megatron said darkly and scowled.
"If he's like the others, he'll heal after he's hurt. That would tell us who we're dealing with right away." Jack suggested.
"Then how do you suggest we route him out?" Megatron challenged. The tension between them was still palpable, and it hadn't lessened when Megatron found out what Jack to Flamewar.
Jack thought his idea over in his head. "Soundwave, from the previous while, just after the last gladiators experimented on were rounded up, bring up the feed." he said, and walked over to the screen as the footage was uploaded.
"What is the meaning of this?" Megatron asked gruffly.
"Well, Makeshift would have already changed to throw everyone off-track, but because he can heal, he wouldn't need Knock Out's help-it's something I noticed the ones rounded up doing." Jack's optics were locked onto the feed. "I'm hoping to find the bot still refusing help even now-that's going to be Makeshift."
"So it's a waiting game." Megatron mused as he too observed the feed.
Jack nodded. "I hate to say it, but it looks like it."
"In that case we had better start looking." Megatron muttered, scanning through the feed.
Jack couldn't help thinking that Megatron might not hate him as much as he thought he would, but this was for protecting the cause from interlopers and whatever fragged up thing Shockwave would do and a lot of wishful thinking. It still hurt, but Jack accepted that he couldn't demand forgiveness. He kept his gaze on one screen, occasionally glancing over at another, but he wasn't sure how long it was until he noticed a mech Knock Out approached to help with a cut trailing with energon, but denied the aid.
Jack's spark twisted as the mech made for the door. "I think I got something." he said. "I'll go check to make sure."
"You will be accompanied by Soundwave-"
"No, it's better I go alone or he'll notice somethings up. Keep watch on the feed!" Jack yelled out as he ran out the door, slowing down once he neared the entrance of the waiting rooms. His optics scanned over the crowd, noticing Knock Out almost immediately due to his shiny red paint.
"Knock Out." Jack called, and the medic looked up as Jack approached. "The mech you just tried to treat, where did he go?"
"How-" Knock Out shook his head. "Never mind, I don't want to know." he gestured to the door that went to the hall off to the side. "He went through there."
"Thanks." Jack said, and quickly sprinted to the hall. It was a bit dim, but his vision adjusted as he walked down it quietly. 'Now, where are you?' He didn't see anyone, and there weren't any footsteps. A worrying sign, he thought grimly. If Makeshift had already caught onto them and escaped, then they were in trouble.
Jack was going to turn away, but jumped when the mech in question was suddenly right there, red optics peering down at him. "Ah, hi, I was just looking for you." he laughed nervously. "Don't you know it's not nice to startle bots in the dark?"
"Is that so?" The mech questioned in a strange voice that warbled unpleasantly in Jack's audio receptors. "Yet it's always entertaining to see the expression of those surprised by my appearance."
Jack wondered if that was a reference to his real form, but decided to huff and still tried to play it off as a 'joke'. "That's a real morbid habit to have." he replied.
"It's simply a habit of mine." The mech stated casually, his mouth twisting up in a smirk.
Jack chuckled, still trying not to be suspicious despite the chill that went down his spine. "Ah," he said simply, "well, Knock Out sent me to get you; he thought that wound looked too deep, but he couldn't come because he was busy with someone else." he grabbed the mech's uninjured arm, and gestured to the hall that led back to the waiting room. "You're not afraid of the doc, are you?" he asked, slipping too easily back into being teasing.
"I don't need the help of some snobby high caste medic." Makeshift pulled out of his grip roughly, clearly disgruntled by the idea of going to the medic. "It was merely a mesh wound, nothing more."
'Well, this is going to be harder than I thought.' Jack thought. "That's what you think until you bleed out."
The mech snorted. "Now who's morbid."
Jack shrugged. "Fine, keep being weird by sneaking up behind bots." he jerked his chin up as he passed by him.
He was gripped by the wrist and pulled back, something Jack had expected and anticipated. "Now, now, no need to be so stiff is there?" Makeshift asked, grinning fully now. Jack returned it with a coy smile, catching a bit of movement from behind a corner. Just the edge of a shadow, but it was getting closer.
"Oh. Is that what you thought I was being?" Jack asked, keeping his tone light and evasive as he raised a hand to the one the mech had on him. It took everything he had not to shake from the touch. "I thought I was trying to be helpful." The mech hissed as Jack ran his claws across the plating of the hand, bringing the energon coated digits up to his face. "Then again, a mech that can heal on his own doesn't really need a medic, does he?"
Makeshift scowled at him, optics narrowed. "So you figured it out, huh?"
"Wasn't like it was hard." Jack retorted. He grunted as Makeshift jerked him forward, trying to drag him to the exit opposite them.
"It doesn't matter, once we're out you'll be back in Shockwave's tender care."
"As if, fragger." Jack snapped, ripping out of the grip, even as it pulled his hand off from how tightly the mech had been gripping him. He hardly felt the pain as his spark raced, scowling at his would-be kidnapper.
The mech stumbled, and stared at the regenerating hand. He only stalled briefly, and then narrowed his optics as the grayed hand re-formed. "I guess this means I don't have to worry about handing you back too hurt."
Jack ducked as the mech lunged for him, and smashed his fist across Makeshift's face. The mech grunted, but Jack screeched as his arm was grabbed again, the joint snapping as he was slammed into the wall, his head swimming as his joint tried to heal itself.
"Get off me!" Jack shouted, smashing his other elbow into the mechs' throat, satisfied when he heard a crunch and a choke.
"You slagger!" Came the even more garbled shout, and Jack's head was grabbed and his face smashed into the wall.
Energon blurred the edges of his vision as his optics cracked and splintered his gaze. The pain radiated through every fiber of his being, but the rage kept him going. Jack kicked his leg out, slamming the tip into one the mech's knee joints, but when the other bot went down, Jack was pulled with him and forced to take the full brunt of it as he was shoved into the floor. Jack felt his insides shake, like his tank was going to vomit in its entirety out of his mouth. Everything was off-kilter, and Jack's grip slackened, going wide when he wanted to punch the other.
It was something Makeshift noticed, as he grinned and began to drag Jack to the exit. "Now, time to go."
"As if!" Jack shouted through the haze, kicking the mech in the midsection in an attempt to loosen the hold he had on him, only managing to make him grunt and slacken a little.
The mech smirked, tightening his hold. "Don't think I won't mess you up even more if you try resisting."
Jack glared at him, but his equilibrium was still swimming. "You're going to be leaving in pieces." Jack snarled, finally catching a flash of silver in the corner of his optics. With every ounce of strength he could muster, Jack hauled himself up and used his newly regenerated hand to impale the claws in the underside of Makeshift's chin.
Makeshift jerked back, but Jack held him still, long enough for his chest to give a lurch, plating caving in as his spark was ripped out the back. Jack pulled his claws out, and looked at Megatron.
"Thanks for the help." He said, more than a little relieved.
Megatron made a disgruntled noise as he dropped the spark casing. Jack removed his claws, the body falling forward. "Make sure he's dead." Megatron said instead.
Jack frowned, but didn't say anything on it as he leaned down and checked the wound. It showed no signs of healing, or any residual hum through the plating. "He's dead-I guess ripping out the spark is the only way to deal with them." 'This feels a lot like a zombie movie thing.' He thought. It only reinforced the suspicion that was dawning on him, making him uncomfortable to think about.
"And the implant?" Megatron persisted, wanting to make absolutely sure.
Jack glanced at him, but nodded and turned the body over. He clawed open the T-cog cavity, and reached in to rip out of the disk. He tightened his hold, claws digging into the component until it snapped in two. "Yes, it's taken care of."
"Good. Take the body to Soundwave for disposal." Megatron ordered him as he turned and walked off, leaving Jack with Makeshift.
"Megatron, wait-" he called out, but the mech had already turned the corner.
Jack vented, frowning as he looked down. "Right, on it." He said softly, and glared at Makeshift before pulling him with him, dragging the corpse through the hall that bypassed the waiting room. There was no need to make everyone suspicious about why this mech had suddenly 'dropped dead' as it were.
"Shouldn't have ever went to Shockwave." Jack said scathingly as he dragged him along, metal shrieking against the floor. "Then again, this means the future really can be changed. You'll never terrorize us in the base by pretending to be Wheeljack."
Jack wasn't sure whether this would create a vacuum, but he would take any good change he could. He brought the corpse to Soundwave, feeling overheated from having dragged him all the way. "Here-it's done." He wheezed out.
Soundwave nodded, gesturing to the hidden door that led to a room where they were currently storing the bodies- all to be smelted to prevent their tracing.
Jack groaned at moving the body again, but nodded and dragged Makeshift over, shoving it through where it landed with a loud clang. "Even if Megatron's still mad at me, there's one problem taken care of." He muttered. "Though I think it should be impressed upon the remaining gladiators that going to Shockwave for these healing implants will not be tolerated."
"Gladiators: will be informed." Soundwave conceded as Jack shut the door behind him.
"Good." Jack said, and went back to the feed. "Hopefully this will be the only ones who were modified."
"Assumption unlikely." Soundwave said, causing Jack to hum in disappointment.
"Yeah, I suppose you're right. We need to keep an optic out for these mechs then since I highly doubt Shockwave's going to give up that easily." Jack said, grimacing as he still remembered everything he wanted so much to forget.
"Shockwave: determined."
"No doubt about that. Fragger never stops, except to sleep." Jack wrapped his arms around himself, because he could still go without ever remembering being trapped underneath the purple mech. It made his spark hurt and his chest tighten. He shook his head roughly, just to distract himself. "So what else is on the agenda today? Any new meetings?"
"Meeting: supporter." Jack raised a brow, curious as Soundwave continued, "Status: high caste."
"High caste?" Jack repeated incredulously. "Really?" Soundwave nodded. "Are you sure this isn't a setup?"
"Affirmative. Supporter: no contact with outside source after meeting appointed."
"Hmm," Jack hummed, "well, I suppose it's not too suspect to assume even someone from there would help change things. Do you know when it's supposed to take place?"
"Time: next cycle."
"That soon? Are you going with Megatron to meet this mech?"
"Negative." Soundwave replied. "You: presence requested."
Jack frowned. "You mean this bot wants me to be there?" he glanced away. "Did they say why?" The other mech shook his head, and Jack vented. "Alright then, I guess it can't hurt."
Jack looked to his hand then, and his arm. Maybe it was him growing a bit vain but… "And tell Knock Out to come up here, will you? I need a touch up."
"Affirmative."
Jack nodded, and set up a small space for him to lie on before he heard the steps coming down the hall. He lifted himself onto the support as Knock Out stepped into the room.
The medic's optics roved over his frame, venting when he saw all the scars and grayed areas. "No wonder you wanted a touch up." He said grimacing.
Jack nodded as he leaned back onto the plank, shifting to let Knock Out turn his receptors off. "Not only to make myself feel better, but I can't exactly go into a meeting looking so…scuffed."
"That's one way of putting it." Knock Out snorted, already chipping away at the scars. Jack huffed, and turned over once the medic was finished with the front. "I take it though there's a reason your whole hand is gray now?"
"Pulled it off. Makeshift wouldn't let go so I had to tear it off."
"Sounds...messy." Knock Out frowned, but brought out the grinder to remove the rigid scars first.
"It was." Jack hummed in agreement, listening to the sounds of his plates getting smoothed out. It took a bit longer to get rid of the scars, and to buffer the lines away, but Jack was glad he couldn't feel it or it likely would have hurt like the pit.
"Lift your head and close your optics." Knock Out said as he unhooked the smaller buffer. Jack nodded and closed his optics as told, hearing the whirling of the tool but not feeling it against his face. "Okay, roll over, time to apply your paint."
Jack nodded again and laid onto his back once more. He glanced down as Knock Out got out the pen-like device, and started with his hand first, letting the color seep into the plating. He alternated between adding the detailing colors, and moved onto the other parts of his body that were grayed. He couldn't help tensing when Knock Out stopped at his gray panel, but was relieved as the medic worked quickly before moving on.
"Almost completely new again." Knock Out chuckled. "Just need the to apply the polish." He said gathering up the cleaning goop as Jack called it. "Did you think Megatron would be interested in a polish?"
Jack snorted as the cloth rubbed along his leg. "I doubt it, though you could always ask him."
"I'd feel safer walking into a pit of scraplets than mention how badly he needs a clean up." Knock Out said as he moved to the other mech's chest. Jack snorted.
"Probably for the best." He said, glancing down to see the gleam of his plating. "So, standard fee?"
"It's not like you're going to invest in anything fancier." Knock Out retorted.
"Yeah, no. It'd get ruined too easily." Jack replied. He closed his optics when Knock Out reached his chin, and was likely going over his face with the cloth.
"Alright, you can open your optics, now back on your front so I can get the rest."
"I'll try to suggest to Megatron to get a touch up." A contented hum left Knock Out. "With any luck he'll actually listen to me."
Knock Out nodded. "Even if he's angry with you he's less likely to-glare than if someone else were to say it."
Jack snorted, but didn't bother bringing up how things were still strained between them. He let Knock Out finish with the polishing before he sat up. "I'll send your credits later. Soundwave, where's the meeting taking place?"
"Engines and Engex."
"Uh...what?" Jack blinked at the name, confused.
"It's a restaurant." Knock Out informed Jack. "On the higher end of the middle caste, it's typically a place couples go to. Breakdown and I have gone a few times..."
"Okay, I get it." Jack said quickly. "I-uh, just didn't think that, well…it would be in an actual restaurant. Doesn't really seem like Megatron's kind of place." He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "So, send me the co-ordinates, will you, Soundwave?"
"Affirmative." The mech replied. "Time: 3 breems remaining."
Jack's optics widened. "Scrap!" he jumped off the plank, ignoring Knock Out's call to watch his work, and sprinted to the door. Jack skid around the corner, and hoped he would be able to make it on time. 'Being late is a bad way of making a first impression.'
And frag if Megatron wouldn't be pissed if Jack blew this meeting for them. As soon as he was outside, he transformed, tearing out into the road.
Jack got the message from Soundwave, the co-ordinates showing him the place, and the path to follow. Soundwave had even been insightful enough to give him a picture of the mech, clearly taken from an ID and his name below so Jack wouldn't make a fool of himself.
The small mech swerved along the road as he couldn't stop the surprise from getting to him. 'Spectrum?' he thought. It felt so long ago since he met that colorful mech at the science convention. He was interested in being a dissident? 'Well, stranger things have happened.' Jack thought, and continued minding the other cars as he weaved past them. He occasionally heard someone yell at him if he swerved too close, but Jack couldn't afford to slow down. His spark was practically racing as much as he just wanted to get to his destination.
When he came to the narrow roads, Jack slowed his speed and skidded to transform onto the sidewalk. 'I can still make it on time if I run.' He thought, hurrying through the crowd. Shops and bots passed him by, and he had to do a sharp turn around when almost passed it. Jack stared at the sign, the glyph translating the words to 'Engines and Engex', and he walked inside. 'Okay, this place definitely looks like it was made for couples in mind.'
The inside had tables were set up precisely five feet apart, polished to glisten under the dim lighting. Even now he could see couples being served an arrange of drinks.
The Engex which Jack smelled made him want to take a heavy drink, but he'd put it off until he was sure this meeting would go well. He paused, tilting his head when he found that attached to the co-ordinates, was the private room they'd be meeting in. Jack wasn't really surprised by that, given the subject matter was liken to treason.
Jack was met at the entrance by likely a greeter, who had a perfectly practiced smile. "Welcome, do you have a reservation?"
Jack nodded. "Yes, room…" he checked the attachment, "4."
"Ah, this way please." The other bot said, leading him to the secluded off room. "Would you like something while you wait?"
"The strongest drink you have." Jack looked back out as he was taken to the room.
"Our specialty is Engex, but we do carry Visco if you would prefer." The host offered, Jack resisting the urge to raise a brow.
'Why not.' Jack thought, having never actually tried the drink before. "Yes, if you please."
The host nodded, and when they arrived, entered a code in the keypad before the door opened. "Enjoy your stay, your drink will be brought shortly."
Jack nodded, and walked inside. He blinked as he looked around. It had a softer lighting than the main restaurant, with a cabinet to the side, but a fancy booth settled into the wall. It was wide enough to hold bigger bots, so Jack wouldn't have to worry about Megatron being irritable. 'Then again, he's probably going to be annoyed to be here anyway.' He thought and took a seat in the booth.
He didn't have to wait long as Megatron came through the door, looking eerily calm. Shortly after so did their guest.
Jack wondered what was wrong, but when the silver mech tried to sit next to him, Spectrum slid in before he had the chance. He blinked when Megatron looked deeply annoyed, and reluctantly sat in the other side of the booth. Jack was more startled when the high caste bot grabbed his hand and kissed the back of it. He stared wide-optic as the other mech smiled at him.
"You are simply more stunning now than any grainy video could do you justice. It's felt too long since I saw you."
Jack stare dumbfounded as he pulled his hand back, sure of whether to accept the compliment. "Thank you?"
"If you wouldn't mind, my companion and I need moment to speak." Megatron insisted, standing up and gesturing for Jack to follow him.
"Certainly." Spectrum said, his optics roving over Jack's form.
Jack frowned at the glance, but the mech let him pass by as he followed Megatron to a smaller room. It was too dark to see anything, but what mattered was the gaze Megatron gave him. "What's wrong?"
"I learned only when we arrived, what our supporter wanted." Megatron said darkly.
Jack stiffened at the tone. "What did he want?"
"You."
"Me?" Jack's mind went blank for a second, Megatron's tone containing its usual blunt edge. "I'm sorry, what? What is that supposed to mean?"
Megatron frowned deeply. "Spectrum said he would support our cause, but it was not until kliks before arriving that he laid out the rest of the conditions. He wants to spend a night with you, for as long as we use his support."
Jack stared at him, spark burning hot. "Excuse me?" he asked heatedly. Inside he despaired, because why did every high cast bot turn out to be such a creep.
"I will keep my promise." Megatron said gruffly. "If you do not wish to follow through, I will turn him away now and never think of it again."
Jack frowned. He still couldn't believe this. What the frag? This was extortion. "And...you had a plan to keep it from...me ever going through with it?"
"Yes, I would lay out the conditions of my own, in retaliation of this knowledge, and should he breach anything of it, the agreement is void." Megatron explained.
A pause, Jack considering the terms of the deal that was being laid out before him. "And would I have to...do it, with him?" Unable to repress the shudder, Jack balled up his fist, antsy about exactly what else this mech might try.
"He only specified he wanted to sleep with you after our arrangement had come to an end."
Jack crossed his arms, because that was not helpful information. It weighed on him though that even with all the money Megatron was gathering, it didn't mean much if they didn't have public interest to funnel it into. They needed clout and support. Jack remembered how easily Shockwave had gotten Knock Out clients, and vented harshly. "Just...try to get as much connections as you can then."
Megatron nodded sharply. "I will ensure that he cannot sleep with you."
Jack glanced down, his tank churning. "Let's just get this over with."
"After you," Megatron offered, holding his hand out. Jack scoffed, leaving the small room to go back to their table, where the bot was waiting for them.
"I take it you had something important to discuss?" Spectrum asked as they took their seats again.
Despite the circumstances, Jack felt safer sitting next to Megatron as the silver mech spoke. "Yes, I was just going over with my companion about some other business to attend to back at our base."
Spectrum tilted his head as he leaned his elbows on the table. "Don't be so coy, surely this pretty bot has a name? I'm afraid I didn't catch it when we last met."
"For the duration, I think it's prudent that we keep things professional." Megatron said stiffly.
Spectrum vented heavily. "Fine, fine." he said, but looked at Jack with a sharp glimmer in his optics that made Jack tense, even more so after a waiter came and set down their drinks. Spectrum raised a brow at Jack's choice. "Visco? Are you sure you can handle that?"
"Not so sure, actually." Jack said, eyeing the cube with a wide optic, wary look. "I'll take it to go if I have to. It's been a long day."
"Yes, so let us not stall any longer." Megatron said gruffly. "And as you sprung your condition on me, I feel its only fair to name my own."
Spectrum blinked, but waved it off. "Very well. Name your price." Jack tensed. Price, like he was being bought.
"I desire endorsement from you, promoting our message to middle and high caste in open or quiet support." Megatron started, Jack watching them carefully now. "Though I expect results to come in soon after. If you stall, the agreement is off."
Spectrum nodded. "I figured as such. I will forward your messages discreetly to my entourage, and you should see results soon enough. Anything else? Money?"
"No, it would be best not to draw too much attention and leave a trail back to this." Megatron said and the other mech nodded. "There is one more thing I want a guarantee to."
"What?"
Megatron's optics hardened, but he still glanced at Jack for the final say. Hesitantly, Jack nodded. "My companion will go on one date with you once your service has ended. He is not for sale, and you will not bother him before the agreement is over."
"Or after." Jack added in for safety measure. He could go through with one date, and was more than relieved Megatron still cared enough about him to whittle this down to it.
"And," Megatron added forcefully, "you will also not take more than he is willing to offer." The threat hung in the air.
Spectrum looked at them both, titling his head. His expression was unreadable, but slowly he smirked. Jack's plating crawled. "Agreed," he said finally, shrugging, "it's not as though I can't persuade you for more, so it's no bother to me." Jack grimaced at the gaze he was given, his plating crawling further.
"Moving on," Megatron stated, his voice losing the blunt, direct tones that Jack was so used to, becoming charming and persuasive in a way which the smaller mech never heard before. "What else is it that you want?"
Spectrum hummed, looking thoughtful. "Well, for safety I can't claim credit, so I guess...hmm, I'd like to get to know this lovely mech after the meeting over if I can't see him anymore until our date." Jack stiffened, biting his lip to keep the retort back.
Megatron narrowed his optics briefly, but his tone didn't change. "Anything else? You are holding the reins here."
"That will do for now." Spectrum conceded, leaning forward on the table a little, getting a closer look at Jack.
Jack tensed, stiffening as the mech's optics stared at him, carefully trailing his gaze over what he could see. It made his tank churn. This was too easy, there was something deeply concerning about how cavalier Spectrum was.
Spectrum tilted his head. "Then this meeting is adjourned. Now get up, let me see the rest of you." Jack tensely got up, and gritted his denta as the mech twirled his digit, and Jack turned in a full spin. "Yes, very nice."
Jack froze when a hand grabbed his wrist, and he was dragged back into Spectrum's booth. "What are you doing?"
Spectrum smiled disarmingly at him, but his fingers rubbed Jack's wrist. "I'm getting to know you."
"And looking at me is all you need to do?" Jack asked incredulous, but honestly, he wasn't very surprised. A lot of the high caste seemed to share this arrogant attitude.
Spectrum chuckled, as if Jack had said something funny. "Oh, there's more to it. There's also touching," Jack flinched when the mech cupped his cheek, fingers trailing along to his jaw, "which can be much more pleasurable than merely looking."
"Not in my experience." Jack muttered, resisting the intense urge to impale the mech's spark as he was reminded once again of Shockwave. Megatron seemed no different at his seat in the berth, flashing fangs as his mouth curled into a snarl.
Spectrum chuckled, and Jack grimaced as his head was tilted back and forth for inspection. "Though I do commend you for moving on from Shockwave so quickly." Jack's optics flashed as rage stirred at the implication. Spectrum turned a grin towards Megatron. "I know better than to step too much between a couple, so I'll not try that hard to steal your little mech from you."
Jack sputtered. "W-what?"
Megatron though managed to remain calm if strained. "See that you don't."
Spectrum gave Jack a mocking pat on the cheek as he slid out of the booth. "I'll see you when this is done, my dear."
Jack shuddered and wanted to purge the touch from him. He hugged himself before drinking down the Visco. Jack winced at the taste, but it did its job quickly. "Fragging creep. He better not try anything or I'll kill him myself." His hands were still shaking, why wouldn't they stop? Megatron reached over and placed a servo on his shoulder, to which Jack immediately recoiled, shaking his head. "Not, not right now." Jack murmured, drinking another gulp of the Visco down.
"I…I did not know he would do that or assume-"
Jack shook his head again. "Neither of us knew." He said, venting deeply. "Then again, you can't exactly see how much a creep someone is just by looking at their information." He muttered.
"You can still back out of it." Megatron suggested, but Jack shook his head.
"N-no...we need supporters from the high caste." Jack trembled, sipping on his drink again. "Even if he is a disgusting pit of rust."
"Since he does not know your name, he will not be able to find you even if does try." Megatron said, but Jack wasn't very reassured.
Still, he was trying, and Jack nodded. "Then just focus on getting your message out, and let me deal with this."
"If you truly wish to go through this then I will not stop you." Megatron conceded, Jack sitting down beside him with a heavy thunk.
"Yes." Jack said wearily. He could feel the buzz in his tank, slithering along his body to numb him. He peered down at his drink, venting as he knew he was stuck. "Didn't think this through, how am I supposed to get back to the arena?" He glanced to the, he grimaced, bedroom. "Wonder if I can sleep it off since I'm pretty sure its illegal to drive drunk here too-even more so."
"I could carry you back," A small smirk grew on Megatron's faceplates. "But I'm afraid the authorities would attempt to stop me should I be carrying your drunken aft across the streets."
Jack grimaced. "Yeah, it would look like you're kidnapping me." He said. "And that's the kind of attention you don't need."
"Then go sleep your buzz off, I will commune with Soundwave about the methods to which we'll more effectively use the contacts we will have now." Megatron looked grim. "I cannot guarantee this will be an easy process, and it may take more than a sol. Spectrum could try and wring his original condition out of it."
Jack vented deeply, and took a final gulp from the cube. "It's in the clause," he said, shaky but not willing to back out now, "he can't force me." He wondered if he was trying to reassure Megatron or himself, but decided that it might as well have been both.
Megatron watched as Wayward stumbled into the room at the back, and listened to him crashing onto the berth once there. He frowned, but said nothing more as he contacted Soundwave. "The meeting was.. successful, so I trust you have received a list contacts of already?"
"Affirmative. Query: course of action?"
Megatron contemplated it for a moment. "Look through it and find those of the list who would be most open to changing the system; while your there though, be sure to do a more thorough background check for Spectrum. I do not…wish to have anymore surprises."
Soundwave was silent for a moment. "Query: issue with supporter?"
"More than one." Megatron spat out through the line. "A bot with no sense of personal space and an interest in Wayward. Not an appealing combination."
"Affirmative. Action: will check for suspicious records."
"Good." Megatron replied. "Inform me if you discover anything."
"Affirmative." Soundwave cut the call then.
Megatron was left to contemplate the little mech that was currently passed out. There was deep discontent in him from how Wayward had so readily offered his help, even knowing what Spectrum had wanted. A part of him was still angry with him, but it had faded from the inferno it originally been. Guilt replaced it, because was this Wayward's attempt at regaining his trust?
Perhaps what had made the anger simmer to its current, less volatile state was the devotion Wayward had consistently shown him, from letting Shockwave take him away to prevent the police from raiding the arena, to making his way back once he'd escaped the fragger. It felt different than even Soundwave's loyalty, and made him uncomfortable that even now Wayward was still trying for him.
For the sake of it all Megatron couldn't continue to keep holding the grudge against Wayward. Even with all the secrets and lies, Wayward had been there for him when he needed it, and continued to do so afterward.
'Maybe I am growing soft.' Megatron thought sardonically, but knew that the only thing which had changed was the comradery the two of them had, which had formed down in the mines.
So Megatron sat down, ordering a cube of mid grade for himself as he waited for Wayward to wake, so the two of them could go home. He'd have to just do the meeting with this 'Starscream' by himself later.
