"Can't believe that fragger actually kept his word." Jack seethed between his denta as they all watched the news, the femme showcasing growing support for Megatron on the feed, stores and rallies openly sporting quotes he'd made. There was some relief that familiar purple emblem hadn't shown up.
It had already been several sols, and Jack was on edge as there had been nothing the first night; the outline of the plan had been simple. Soundwave singled out the bots at first mostly likely to just need little convincing to change the system with their transactions and history, and they were just now seeing the result of that.
Jack's energon boiled, wondering if it had been Spectrum dragging things out or if it really was difficult. He wasn't in the mood to be kind though.
"Yes, especially with how he dragged his pedes." Megatron said darkly, clearly thinking the same as Jack on this. "I can already see he's going to likely take his time with the members of the list who are going to be more difficult to convince."
From his spot nearby, Knock Out looked up from the hologram with a frown. "What happened at that meeting? Isn't it a good thing you're getting other bots to support the cause, but given Wayward came back with a hangover I take it you weren't celebrating?"
"If you've never met Spectrum in person then count your blessings and hope you never do." Jack grounded out with a growl. "The mech has no sense of personal space and an interest for...'beautiful things'."
Knock Out grimaced, his features tightening in thought. "I take it your drunken state was a result of it?"
Jack nodded, then paused. "Have you ever heard of him? I know you're in different castes now, but…" he trailed off, hoping Knock Out would get it.
The red mech did. "Yes, I did hear about him, but never met him-though, I almost did once." He admitted. "Spectrum came into the clinic just after I started interning for Ratchet, and he asked to see me. I'll admit it was flattering, but Ratchet said no and Spectrum left. I thought Ratchet was just being paranoid, but given what you said…"
"You should be thanking Ratchet then." Jack said bluntly. "And I have to...go on a date with him once the agreement is fulfilled." He shivered, plating clanking together.
"That was what he wanted?" Knock Out asked, stupefied. "A high caste mech, and all he wanted was to spend time with you? I thought he'd be asking for the rights of the arena, or for Megatron to assassinate someone-"
"It's not just a date." Jack corrected him sharply. "If Spectrum tries anything I think I may kill him if Megatron doesn't first." He said, his lips curling. "Believe me, this would be easier if he wanted something else."
Knock Out looked more than a little spooked, especially with how Megatron's features darkened. "How the frag did he even know about you?"
"The news footage." Megatron stated grimly. "I believe that is where he found Wayward. Apparently, they met previously and Spectrum was taken with Wayward at first glance."
"I see." Knock Out said, grimacing. "That is…incredibly creepy."
"Yes." Jack grumbled. "Just glad he doesn't know my name." His 'real' name, if it could be called that. Though knowing Spectrum spent all this time wanting to see me just makes my plating crawl.
The door of the command center opened, and Breakdown walked in looking disgruntled. "Hey, Wayward, this came in for you." He held out a package.
Jack's spark pulsed, feeling suspicious. "Does…does it say who it's from?"
"Spectrum." Breakdown answered, holding the package out for Jack to take, and the mech reluctantly did so. Jack frowned at seeing the name, wondering what the mech could possibly have sent him.
"You can just throw it away." Megatron said.
Jack vented. "No, might as well see what he thinks he can buy me with." He said scathingly as he opened the package lid. "Though I'm more freaked out by how he got my name." he muttered. Frowning, he pulled out a bottled filled with a glowing liquid that was pink in color. "What is this?"
"It's wine." Knock Out said. Jack blinked, the word sounding different, but it was the only thing the translation came close too. Which was weird since the other words still sounded Cybertronian. "Finely aged too, given the look of it."
Jack narrowed his optics as he set the bottle down. "So, he thinks I'm worth old energon? No thanks." He huffed, and pulled out next a clear case filled with small little energon cubes packaged in rows, with tints mixed with each one. "Energon treats?" he asked incredulously.
Breakdown eyed those with intrigue, something Jack noticed with a raised brow. 'Breakdown likes sweets huh?' He thought, mouth curling into a little grin. "Here. Share them with Knock Out on one of your dates." He said, offering the box to the mech.
Breakdown huffed, but still grabbed the box and ducked under Knock Out's smirk as well. "Well, I guess I can take your cast-offs."
Jack shook his head, but frowned as he looked back into the container. He pulled out a datapad where a message was scrawled across it. His first thought was this being a poem, but realized it was an actual message. "Unbelievable, he wants me to meet him in two sols to over more strategies."
"Such arrogance to think I would need his help for that long?" Megatron narrowed his optics as he grabbed the datapad and looked it over. "Do you wish for this idea to meet be squashed now?"
Jack considered it, but shook his head. "No, it's better to go along with it for now. Imagine the damage he could do if he thought we were going to shortchange him on his end of the deal." He muttered, placing the datapad on the table. "Is there any way I can get weapon attachments?" He asked seriously, scowling at the message.
"Yes, it would be beneficial to arm yourself." Megatron agreed. "I will have attachments brought out that could go with your frame type." His optics narrowed further. "Do you believe you will need someone to come with you?"
"It wouldn't to hurt to have some kind of back up." Jack was grateful that Megatron was taking him seriously, even if Spectrum didn't seem to be to be a fighter. Not everyone was so obviously built for literal battle and armed to the teeth. "They would probably have to stay out of sight though- the message was meant specifically for me."
"Yes, that would need to be taken into account." Megatron said. He nodded to himself. "Very well, I shall have someone on hand should you need to get out of there." He glanced over at Soundwave. "Have you found anything on our benefactor as of yet?"
"Spectrum: Enjoys throwing parties." Soundwave said and Megatron vented. That wasn't particularly useful...
"No dirty secrets as of yet?" he questioned, and Soundwave shook his head.
Jack frowned slowly. "Well, if he's in the government caste, wouldn't that give him means to covering his tracks?" he questioned. "It sounds like he tried to creep on bots before, but nothing ever came of it?"
"Possibly. Or it means he's simply proficient enough to never get caught." Megatron seemed more concerned about the possibility.
Jack dreaded the meeting to come as well. He had no idea what he was walking into.
Jack stared down at the assortment of weapons. To lower suspicion, they were all smaller, sharp-edged blades that would come out from his wrist in a pinch should the need arise. Jack scowled. 'Spectrum better not try anything.' He thought darkly. The little mech picked up a mod with a thin, tapered point that would cause rather sufficient damage in the right spot and let him high tail it out. "This one."
Megatron nodded. "Good. The device matches your plating and it will not hinder you." He said. "Though I would advise not acting suspicious while carrying it."
Jack vented deeply, but nodded as well as he wrapped the mod around his wrist. It was not chunky, or blocky, and it hid rather well against his plating. "Let's get this over with." He muttered. "Who's my escort?"
"Knock Out and Breakdown." Megatron answered gruffly. "They'll accompany you inside. Should anything happen, they're to remove you immediately form the premises."
Jack raised a brow. "And they'll be able to blend in because...?"
"Soundwave found that it was no coincidence you were invited tonight; Spectrum is throwing one of his parties." Megatron replied. "It goes without saying, but be on your guard. I don't trust the high caste farther than I can throw the lot of them."
Jack nodded. "Yeah, I got that."
"It would best to leave soon, and get this over as soon as possible." Suggested Megatron, though he still seemed highly bothered by this whole scenario.
"Right. Contact Breakdown and Knock out and we'll get going."
Megatron nodded, and relayed that the two mechs in question were already waiting for him at the entrance. "Just be..." he trailed off, that familiar discomfort on his face.
Jack didn't make him say it. "I know." he replied. His features softened just a little. "Thank you for your concern." he said, and made his way to meet Knock Out and Breakdown.
The red mech crossed his arms. "I wish I could say let's all have a nice time, but given the circumstances..."
"Let's just leave it at 'have a nice time', which I'm sure you two will have no trouble pulling off." Jack replied. He frowned. "How'd you get on the invite list, Knock Out? I'm pretty sure you were on the tape too, and Spectrum might get suspicious if he recognizes you."
"It wasn't easy." Knock Out smirked and gave a little wink. "Had to do a bit of convincing-"
"He sent a video himself to Spectrum." Breakdown clarified, rolling his optics.
Jack raised a brow, peering at the flustered Knock Out. "You did?"
The medic nodded, resigned. "Yes, I said I was interested if he wanted a private medic, and that I wanted to check out the place." he crossed his arms tighter. "His reply came so quick I'm pretty sure he didn't even hear what I said." he vented. "Though, it got us in too, so there's that."
"Oh. Well...I guess that's one good thing?" Jack was unsure if it actually was, but everything about this seemed wrong to him. "Let's go- I don't want to be there any longer than necessary."
"Yeah, thinking of that creep looking at Knock Out makes me want to throttle him." Breakdown growled.
The three of them transformed and made their way through the current sector of the city, driving around other cars. Shops and bots were still a bit of a blur in Jack's periphery, but he was focused on just getting to this place. And the transition from lower to upper class was a stark one. The shops became less frequent, and there were more houses than apartments until they were only exclusively homes and few shops.
Jack thought it was a bit ridiculous about the bigger houses, but he knew their destination was ahead given the number of bots going into through the gates. And beyond that was what could only remind Jack of a mansion; with a lavish, large archway that led into the bright foyer, so bright he could see the light from where he was. "This is a lot of bots; do we just go in?"
"No, we have to state out names and they'll let us in." Knock Out replied, and Jack followed him and Breakdown to a line before transforming. When it came to their turn, Knock Out leaned towards the intercom. "Knock Out," he reached out, grabbing Breakdown's arm and pulled him into view, "and guest." Breakdown gave him a withering stare, but blinked along with Jack as there was a brief flash.
"Go in." Came the voice on the other line.
Jack stepped up to the intercom, glancing to see the other two mechs going in, and vented. "Wayward." he grumbled.
There was a pause on the other line, and Jack flinched from the bright flash. "Go in."
'Yeah, this isn't weird at all.' Jack thought, but hurried to catch up with the other two.
To say he was a little flustered by all the femmes and mechs mingling inside was an understatement- clearly this was a party for the rich high caste. He felt extremely out of place, but they hardly batted an optic at him.
Jack wondered if really did look like he might have belonged here, but just as thoroughly squashed the thought. He was here for a reason, and marched up to Knock Out and Breakdown by the table displayed with energon he hadn't even seen before. Some were regular blue, others too bright and different colored, and some even were pink.
"Creepy he may but, but our host knows how to lay out a platter." Knock Out said.
Jack grimaced, venting. "I guess."
"Decoration isn't bad either." Knock Out's optics scanned the room, judging it's contents.
The whole room was wide, with a high ceiling that Jack saw included the same skylight as the hotel in Praxus. It let the stars outside glimmer, almost blighted out by the light on the ceiling. There were pictures of art on the wall, shocking Jack more than he cared to admit by that fact. He knew Cybertronians probably had art, but he'd yet to see any of it. 'Guess not everyone can afford it.' Jack thought.
Knock Out noticed where his gaze was. "I expected nothing less from a mech who claims he appreciates beautiful things."
"I'll admit he has a good eye, but I don't understand why he would invite me here of all places. Isn't he worried about his reputation?" Jack's mouth twisted into a frown.
"I think he's already risking it with letting himself associate with Megatron, especially if word got back about his involvement." Knock Out replied.
Jack looked around at the bots, all of whom had yet to drink anything, which was rather odd but they were mingling rather easily, as if they knew each other. He wouldn't deny that they probably did, since he suspected the high caste interacted with each other. "Where is Spectrum anyway? You'd think someone as boisterous as him would show up to his own party..."
"Greetings, everyone!"
Jack almost jumped, looking over to a set of doors that opened to show the mech standing at the foyer. "Spoke too soon."
Spectrum grinned out at the party-goers. "I am delighted that you all could make it tonight." he said. "Please, have as much energon as you'd like, and remember to have fun."
Jack frowned, and glanced at Knock Out. "Do you what he's talking about?"
"Not a clue." Knock Out muttered, eyeing Spectrum from where he stood. "He's very...flamboyant." A brow was raised at the mech's color choice.
"Here." Breakdown said, offering a cube of energon to the red mech. It was the pink energon, which Jack still couldn't place as being a type he was familiar with.
"Thank you." Knock Out said as he took a sip. He blinked, glancing at the drink. "Huh, this is strong. He must have broken out the good stuff."
Jack snorted, but as several bots began to grab cubes, he decided to try one of the pink cubes. He drank down a little, raising a brow. "Huh, you're right. This is pretty good."
"Yeah. Not bad..." Breakdown muttered as he drank some too. "It's got a little 'kick' to it."
"Ah, so glad you made it." Jack tensed as Spectrum had made a beeline for him. His optics glanced to the energon cube, his smile widening before he looked at him and Knock Out. "Both of you, so nice to have you here."
"It was kind of short noticed. I wasn't aware it was going to be a party until the last minute." Jack said with a small frown. Spectrum just waved him off.
"Come now, no need to have a frown marring such lovely features." He insisted, placing a hand at the small of Jack's back. "Why don't you two join me? I have the real party going on further in the back."
Jack glowered at him, but Knock Out shook his head as he reached out and grabbed Breakdown by the arm. "No thanks, we're fine." Jack said firmly.
Spectrum looked briefly displeased, but smiled again. It was…off. "Very well, perhaps another time."
"What was so important about this 'strategy' that it couldn't wait?" Jack asked, steering the conversation back to the main topic. 'Hurry up so I can get the frag out of here.'
Spectrum dragged it out though, humming and glancing around at the guests. "How do you like the energon? It's a special blend I make myself. Very popular. Everyone loves it."
Jack narrowed his optics. Something sparked and slithered in his system. There was anger, but a strange heat which left him almost itchy. "Spectrum."
The colorfully plated mech vented almost dreamily. Disgust churned the energon in Jack's tank. "You didn't answer my question."
Jack rolled his optics. Of course, Spectrum was trying to cheat. 'He just wanted an excuse to see me. Fragger has nothing to report.' He thought and scowled as his spark thrummed. "If this was all some elaborate ruse to get me alone…" he trailed off, the weight of the mod heavy on his wrist.
Spectrum's optics widened. He almost looked innocent, if Jack didn't know better. "I would never go against our agreement. I'm certain I can…convince you when we have our proper date." His optic ridges furrowed together. He seemed to be waiting for something.
Jack heard a sigh beside him, and despite himself-he looked. He wished he hadn't. Jealousy and mortification clutched his spark tight. Knock Out was leaning against Breakdown, arms wrapped tight around the bigger mech and petting the blue plates. Breakdown was doing just as much, staring at Knock Out with such adoration that Jack hated how much he envied them.
Forcing himself to look away, Jack glared at Spectrum. Creep was staring at them too. It was definitely time to go. "Go back to your guests, Spectrum. And next time don't think you can waste my time and Megatron's with another stunt like this."
Spectrum's optics narrowed, and gave the energon cube Jack held a hard stare. His features slid too easily back into a serene and charming smile. "You didn't have any energon. Such a shame. Perhaps there's still time to sway you from your lover once we have our date."
Jack's denta gritted. Unbelievable. He forced himself to turn, and broke the two lovebirds apart before everyone got a free show. Breakdown blinked and Knock Out looked offended. Jack scowled at them. "Spectrum played me. He just wanted to weasel an early date out of me. We're leaving."
"What's a weasel?" Breakdown muttered.
Knock Out huffed and crossed his arms. "Figures." He rubbed his optics, blinking hard. "Energon got me overcharged. You don't think Megatron would mind if we worked it off after taking you back to the arena?"
Jack grimaced. "Just don't interface in the hall."
"Oh I'm sure we can at least wait to find a room." Knock Out grinned.
Jack rolled his optics. His vision blurred, systems growing hotter as he followed them out of the building. This was the strangest reaction he'd ever had to energon. "Spectrum said he made this energon. Wouldn't put it past him to poison us."
Neither his compatriots were in a very talkative mood, likely more concerned about their mood after getting back to the arena. Jack didn't want to think about it, and hoped they were at least quiet as he slept off his hangover. 'If this is a hangover.' He could see straight, but there was a haze beginning to cloud his mind the further the drive continued.
By the time they got back to the arena, Jack stumbled out of the way as Breakdown and Knock Out nearly barrelled into him to find a private room. Jack rolled his optics as he continued down the hall to the 'command' room as they'd taken to calling the office. Fitting, it a way. Jack grimaced as his spark pulsed. It took an even longer moment for him to realize that while Megatron was here, the mech with him was not Soundwave. The silent mech was nowhere to be seen.
This new bot was almost tall as Megatron, colored in silver, red, and blues. And he had wings, with a dark helmet and red optics that peered at Jack, before glancing at Megatron. "Do you normally allow mechs to stumble into your office?" The winged mech asked, in a raspy voice. Jack furrowed his brow. It was so weird; he swore he heard it before-maybe from the newsfeed?
Megatron frowned slightly. "He lives here. Wayward, what of your meeting with…our benefactor?" he cast a surreptitious glance at the seeker.
Jack scowled. "He tried to swindle us and get more out of me than agreed to." He rubbed his brow. This was not the time to vent though. "Is this a bad time? I can find some other place to rest."
"No, we were just finished with our own meeting." Megatron said. He nodded at the seeker, his tone gaining that charming cadence which never failed to starkly contrast with his usual tones. "I assume you'll be able to have another chance to meet in your schedule?"
The seeker smirked. "Of course. Though you do understand how crucial it is to keep my involvement to strictly need-to-know."
Megatron nodded. "Very much so."
"Then I'll be in touch." With that, the seeker breezed by Jack and the door closed behind him.
Megatron vented deeply. "You came back early. Will I be required to help you hide a body or provide an alibi?"
Jack almost smiled. "Nothing that extreme. Spectrum lied about wanting to talk strategy. He apparently thinks our deal is beneath him."
Megatron scowled. "You can still back out. Soundwave can take over from here on."
Jack shook his head. "If he tries this scrap again we can cut ties, but I'm not jeopardizing it just when things are starting to look up." His spark thrummed hotter, and he staggered.
Megatron frowned, and caught the smaller mech. "I thought you were getting this drinking under control?"
Jack glowered at him, and only half-heartedly swatted at the silver arm before placing his servo on the metal. "I am. It was a party. Not like I drank a lot. Only couple of sips."
Megatron's brows rose. "That's all?"
Jack nodded, and a pleasant haze began to cloud his vision further. He leaned against the warm, broad chest. His optics drifted closed. Discomfort warred with serenity as his plating crawled, but he found himself reluctant to pull away. Megatron was stiff as Jack wrapped his arms around him the best he could. "I never appreciated how…warm you are."
"What?" Megatron tried to pry Jack's arms away, but he held firm. "Are you certain you're not drunk? You've consistently shunned close contact."
Jack knew the mech was right, but some part of him was hot and heavy and this hug felt so very good. It sent disgust and pleasure down his spine. 'What's wrong with me?' he thought, trying to focus. His optic ridges furrowed. "I'm acting like Breakdown and Knock Out. Those two were about to interface before we left Spectrum's."
Megatron grimaced. "Perhaps he poisoned you all."
Jack wanted to laugh even though this was not at all funny. In fact, his optics snapped open, it dawned on him with the sharpness of a blade. "Spectrum drugged us. The energon we drank was pink and it tasted funny." The pleasure was driven out by the horror beginning to carve into Jack's spark, his vents hitching and wheezing. "Spectrum drugged us-he wanted me alone to-to-to-"
"Wayward!" The small mech flinched, tucking into himself as Megatron towered over him. The silver mech's faceplate was stern, but the anger was not directed at him. When their gazes locked, Megatron's fury simmered and cooled as he carefully held Jack by the shoulders. "Vent deeply, remember where you are."
Jack stared at him, his vents working overdrive to maintain a grip on his sanity. Why did this keep happening? How? Was it his healing which tried to purge the drug? Is that why he wasn't like Knock Out and Breakdown right now? His optics widened further as he pulled away. "I need to know what Spectrum drugged us with."
"It seems fairly obvious." Megatron said. Jack glared at him. That wasn't helpful. The silver mech huffed and crossed his arms. "Given the two of them are…indisposed as you said, I doubt you'll be getting anything for the time being until it wears off."
Jack groaned and slid to the ground, falling back on his aft and gripped his helm. His systems all felt primed and heavy and it left his spark sinking. "What the frag am I supposed to do then? Spectrum has no scruples, tonight proved that."
He heard Megatron rummaging around the desk, and Jack flinched as a small vial was held near his faceplate. "Use this to store energon. If you're healing is still fighting it off, it means there's enough left to know what Spectrum used."
Jack grimaced, but raked his claws over his arm with little hesitation. His arm shook as the energon beaded to the surface. The cuts weren't deep, but his tank churned. Could purging the energon help too? The vial filled just a little, but Jack hoped Megatron was right. His cuts healed and it left him drained and uncomfortable as the silver mech took the vial away. Jack hugged himself and wanted nothing more than forget all about this. "What now?"
"I'll have Soundwave do a more thorough check on Spectrum." Megatron scowled. "He may be good at covering his tracks, but now we have the scent."
Jack groaned as his insides were hot and prickly. "Please don't say scent."
"There is a solution to your problem." Megatron said. Jack stared at him, optics narrowed. The mech's expression almost softened. "Put yourself into emergency stasis until next sol. It will leave you vulnerable, but your systems will be able to stamp out of the drug quicker."
Jack's shoulder relaxed. "For a second I thought you were gonna say we should interface to get rid of it."
Megatron looked downright appalled and disgusted. "Why would I suggest such a thing when you're in a compromised state?"
Jack managed a smile. "And that's why I decided to trust you." The silver mech relaxed as well, though it didn't last before he was back to his gruff expression. Jack tilted his head, spark racing. "Will you watch the door?"
Megatron crossed his arms, brow raising. "I don't why you think I wouldn't."
Jack looked down, and grimaced as another shiver went down his spine. He needed to get into stasis now. "Thank you."
