Updated - 02~08~2020

5... 6... Same number, right? Well, the next one will be the real 6th part and I think it will the last one, unless my mind comes up with any other chapter, what most likely will happen.

Curiosities. I did had 3 different ideas for this chapter, and each one better than the one before. The second one was hilarious, but I decided to spare it for another fic. But I must say I was moving away from the main theme of this story and it would make it more difficult to explain it in the next chapter. If I had followed my initial idea I would have complicated myself too much, and most likely would have lost the thread.

I also had fun with the idea of Arcee stinging Knockout around. I wasn't planning it. I initially thought of using it just once, but then my mind found the way of playing with it. They kinda ended up looking like an old married couple...

Anyway, less left to know the reason why of so many chapters...

Enjoy!

Knock-ouh...

Part 5

Each team member was in position, hidden into the nooks. Ratchet and Knockout held a chain, while Arcee and Bulkhead held the other one, ready to pull when Bumblebee gave the signal. Everything was set. They had only left one component. The Rookie itself.

Breems passed. They waited patiently, optics well opened, yet again, all that could be heard was silence.

"It's taking him a while." Bulkhead commented.

"He will turn up eventually." Ratchet replied, maintaining his calm.

"He'd better." The former 'Con muttered. "If not..."

"Knockout..."

"I know, I know. Too creative." The red mech complained, again.

"Good to know you start to think like an Autobot." Arcee teased, to what Knockout replied with a silent grunt.

*Hey, I think I hear someone coming.* Bumblebee announced, as he was hidden onwards. The scout was right. They started to hear a faint sound of some steps into distance. There he was.

The team adjusted their position, getting eager. The steps were getting closer, each time louder. At the back of the dark corridor, they could descry just one only light source, coming from the biolights of the approaching mech.

The figure stopped for a moment, apparently surprised that the lights hadn't switch on as he passed by. But soon dismissed it, turning his attention to the data pad he was reading, oblivious to what was about to happen. He kept advancing. He was almost in place.

The cybertronian walked up to where the container was, and it was thus that the signal was given.

*Now!*

The Team members pulled strongly, releasing the content over the poor mech, who had no idea of what was going on. The cargo fell effortlessly, barely making any sound. Joy cries and laughs filled the corridor as the plan had gone perfectly well. Only that...

"Ratchet? Would you mind explaining what is going on?"

Everyone froze in place, cold silence filling the hall now. It wasn't the reaction nor voice they were expecting to hear. Arcee hurried to switch on the lights just to find that the plan had gone just the other way round. It had been a complete disaster. Where Smokescreen should have been standing, they found the much larger Optimus, cover in zillions of small pieces of white cork over his frame, impossible to shake off.

"Oh-oh..." It was Knockout who gave voice to all their thoughts.

The Prime looked up to have a look at the container hanging over him, before turning again to his warriors. Their leader's inquiring optics travelled from one member to another, trying to understand what was all that, and why his team had acted that way.

Still maintaining his tranquility, he finally spoke. "I want you all in the main hall. I do believe you need to explain few things."