Updated - 17~03~2020
4
Knockout finally got his opportunity as he saw the commander leaving the warship. Since the rest of the crew didn't really mind whether he was there or not, and Megatron was too busy with his plans, he could sneak away for a drive again. Two months without racing on roads was too much time for him. He could say Megatron was a dark energoholic, he could also say Starscream was powerholic. He, Knockout, was speedholic, with no doubt. He loved it. It was freedom for him, his addiction. A live with no liberty at all was no life. And that was what he was gonna do, recover his freedom, at least for some hours. He exited the Nemesis through a ground bridge, and as soon as he was on the ground, he transformed and speeded away.
Knockout managed to find some decent races, which of course he won easily. He lost track of time, but he didn't really care. He was driving through a curvy road, when he found a yellow Urbana with black stripes heading the opposite direction. He came to a stop as realisation hit him hard. He knew that car, it was Bumblebee! An idea crossed his mind. He turned around and followed the other cybertronian. There was no way he was missing this opportunity.
Since it was a lonely area, there weren't cars at all, and thanks to that, it was possible to overtake other drivers without needing to rush. He caught up with him and drove side to side with Bumblebee. That excursion of his had turned out to be his lucky day, after all, he would have the chance to discover who was faster. He only needed to taunt the scout.
"The Autobot they call Bumblebee!" He teased. "Let's see who's faster, bug."
*Go away, Knockout.* The yellow Urbana tried to shoo the 'Con, but since he couldn't change direction sharply, nor get away from there, he couldn't do anything but bare that mech. He couldn't neither speed up, and that was precisely what Knockout was looking for. *I'm not gonna play your sick game.*
"Oh, come on, just a race. You know I wouldn't mind at all winning you effortlessly or without scratching my flawless pain job. But, even though we both know I'm better, I want to test your horse power." The red Aston Martin replied. "What do you say, Bumblebee, deal?" Knockout manoeuvre in front of the Autobot as a car came from the opposite direction. That made Bumblebee tense. If the 'Con stopped then, he would have no escape. Fortunately, once the other driver was gone, the doctor moved again to his previous position. "Come on, you don't want to disappoint your human friend, right?" He tried as he saw the kid was inside.
*I've already told you, Knockout. Go away!* Bumblebee growled in desperation as he accelerated to keep up with the rule.
The 'Con followed him closely. He stayed in silence for a moment until he talked. "Not in the mood, uh?"
The scout cut him off. *Look, I'm not gonna bare you not now not never. So you can go and tell Starscream I'm not giving up. And no matter what, he won't win in this game. And if he has sent you here to make me do any mistake, I assure you you're losing your time here.*
"Oh, wow!" The decepticon silenced for a moment, braking shyly. "I made you mad! K, got it." He caught up with his rival. "By the way, 'Screamer didn't send me. I sneaked out. You know, a mech needs to have some fun, right?" He was thinking about leaving when something got him. "By the way, what game are you talking about anyway?"
*You know what I'm talking about, Knockout. Don't play me fool.* Bumblebee beeped irritated. *I do have a situation right here. I'm carrying a bomb and you know it!*
"Wait, Starscream did what!?" The Aston Martin braked forcefully. He could have driven away, but he speeded up and kept by his side. "How much time?" He sounded serious.
*Until I hit my speed limit.* The scout answered. He didn't know why, but he told the situation to that 'Con. Just an instinctive reaction, right?
"An speed bomb. That's clever." The 'Con said thoughtfully. "I never thought they would build it up."
*What do you mean with that, Knockout?* The Autobot inquired. Bumblebee tried to make the curves as straight as he could, avoiding speed ups and downs. Knockout also seemed to give him more space, for respect, or maybe because of fear. He couldn't help, but also whispered to Raf everything was gonna be ok. The kid was afraid, but he kept calm, trying to figure out how to help his friend.
"Come, follow me." The 'Con overtook them, trying to keep the same velocity. "There's a motorway not far away from here. It will make it easier for you."
*What are you up to?* That was strange for a mech like him. He was narcissist, vain and selfish... A Decepticon! Why was he trying to help? What was he up to?