XV
Orion groaned, stretching as he left the makeshift berth. He hadn't gone home since he'd been arrested, instead finding residence in Shockwave's lab alongside the latter. Though Shockwave wasn't much company, it was nice to have someone around, especially when paranoia seeped into his thoughts. It was nice not to be alone anymore, but the makeshift lab was not entirely equipped to work as a home, leaving Orion sore and worn out.
"Morning."
Orion groggily looked up, meeting Shockwave's gaze. The scientist was fiddling with a small device, though he placed it on a counter at the sight of Orion. The groggy bot shambled over to a seat, resting his head on the counter. Sleep. He really needed sleep.
"Nightmares?" Shockwave questioned, turning away.
"Are you pretending to be friendly or is that a real question?"
Shockwave didn't respond, simply walking away. Orion nodded lightly. Figures. Ratchet wouldn't be back for a few more mega cycles and only Primus knew wherever Knockout ran off to. Soundwave had yet to respond with a location. All that was left for Orion to do was wait for everything to come back together.
"I just want to be able to recharge normally again," yawned Orion. "No nightmares. No visions. Just…recharge."
"You sound chipper."
Orion groaned, again looking up slowly. Knockout stood in the doorway, waving at Orion. The latter grumbled before resting his head again. Knockout shrugged, sauntering into the room.
"Boy, do I have a story for you," he grinned, placing a hand on Orion's shoulder. "Turns out our councilman may be up to more than we thought."
"Oh?" Orion raised his head again.
There was a slight ping from a data pad on the counter. Orion did reach his arm out for it but his fingers just barely grazed the edges. Knockout chuckled slightly as he leaned over and gently nudged the pad into Orion's hand.
"Thank you," whispered Orion.
"Don't Hatchet know you haven't been sleeping well?" hummed Knockout.
Orion sat up, opening the data pad and scanning through the information.
"Hatchet?" Orion mumbled. "If he heard you call him that, he'd rip you apart."
"Oh, I am fully aware," purred Knockout, leaning against Orion. "Get something new?"
"Soundwave replied," Orion perked. "We know who the original councilman was."
"Oh?" Knockout's voice echoed in a sing-song way. "How exciting."
Orion glanced over his shoulder at Knockout. The murderous doctor seemed to be in a much better mood than previous. This new level of playful personality would be sure to get on Ratchet's nerves, maybe ever Shockwave's. this was a new level of Knockout.
"Ever been to Torus States?" Orion grinned.
"Once," Knockout frowned. "Let's just say that it didn't end well." He paused. "Why?"
Orion shook the data pad.
"Our missing councilman seems to have taken up residence there."
"Joy…"
"So that's a no, you're not coming?"
Knockout shrugged, stepping away.
"Take Hatchet with you. He loves following you like a pet."
"Are you trying to get him to kill you?"
Knockout winked.
"Killing who?"
Knockout and Orion nearly jumped, seeing Ratchet entering the room. Knockout covered his mouth, shook his head, and stepping away either bot. Orion laughed, leaning back in his chair. Ratchet looked between the two.
"What?" Ratchet mumbled.
"You're here early," Orion grinned. "I've got the info on our councilman!"
"Road trip!" blurted Knockout before covering his mouth again.
"Where?" Ratchet mumbled, raising a brow at Knockout.
"Torus States. A small village," Orion nodded.
"Who are we looking for?"
Shockwave seemed to appear out of nowhere, directly behind Ratchet, forcing the latter to scream. Knockout stifled his laughter, still holding his hand over his mouth. Orion looked back at the data pad, scrolling through the file. Soundwave added a tag to the top, noting that he'd be available for any further information gathering given a reasonable amount of time. Glancing down from there, Orion found the former councilman's name.
"Alpha Trion."