Chapter 3
As Breakdown and Knockout endured their Carriers' excitement for their first grand-creation over the VC and their worthiness of Knockout's high energon pressure, they had told them they would call later on after Knockout got some rest. While Knockout was in their quarters recharging, Breakdown was looking for a bigger home online since they were getting a new addition to the family. Obviously they wanted to be close to their jobs and around a good neighbourhood. He wanted to be prepared for when their sparkling comes, he wanted to make sure they had everything they needed for the little mech or femme. He sighed, he went on his VC and called an old friend.
"Hey Howlback, I was wondering if you are available now."
-Transition!-
Knockout online his optics, feeling a bit more well recharged. He got up, the apartment was silent. He went out to the living room to see if Breakdown was recharging on the couch like he always did when he watched television but he wasn't there. He spotted a note, down on their crystal table.
Knockout,
I'm just going to visit Howlback, I'll be back in a bit. Have some energon and keep resting.
Knockout put the note down on the table. He looked at the time, he had been recharging for a few joors. He sat down on the couch, he turned on the television to see what was on. Of course, there was nothing that caught his interest nor was his favourite show, Insane E.R Stories, was on. He turned the television off. He heard a knock on his door, sighing he went up to open it, revealing a cheerful Starlight with a huge data pad.
"What is that?" He asked.
"Everything you need to know about being sparked, sparkling illnesses, being a high risk Carrier, Sire Coding… etc." She happily pushed pass Knockout to be inside. "Also Ratchet and Red Cross says your next appointment would be next week."
Knockout gave his friend a small smile. "Thanks for the data pad."
Starlight chuckled. "I can't let my best friend not know anything about raising my niece or nephew, could we?"
-transition-
Breakdown made it to the eastern part of Crystal City where his friend, Howlback lives. Howlback's home was big nor fancy but it had the comfort feeling as soon as you reached it. Breakdown transformed back into his bot mode, walking up to the door and knocked. From the outside, he could hear Howlback saying something before a loud crash and a youngling laughing.
The door flung open to reveal Howlback. "Hey, Breakdown." He moved to the side to let him in.
Breakdown stepped inside. "Hey Howlback. Hey Drift."
The white, black and red younglings with golden optics looked up at Breakdown with a smile. "Hi Breakdown!"
"I thought you worked a double this orn."
"I was but Knockout has high energon pressure so I took the orn off," Breakdown said. "And also he is sparked."
Howlback stared at his friend before breaking out into a laugh. "Haha! About time you became a family mech." He slapped his friend on the back. "I thought it would have been sooner but congratulations."
"Thanks." Breakdown went to sit on the couch, avoiding Drift's toys on the floor. "So, what is it like? To be a Sire."
Howlback shrugged. "It's rewarding, you know. You get to watch what you and your mate created grow up, experience their first word, their first step. It does become stressful; finding a sitter, expenses… hard- helm moments." That last part he stared at Drift before turning back to Breakdown. " The only advice I can really give you is to follow your instinct. If it tells you something is too dangerous for you family, trust it."
Breakdown sat in silence. Maybe he should call their Creators to come help them when the sparkling is born. Or should he wait until the sparkling is a bit older when Knockout has to go back to work? Should they move to a different town or was Crystal City good enough?
"I'm guessing you're not going to Kaon again?" Breakdown asked. He didn't know why though but it seemed like something he wanted to know. Howlback is a Decepticon born and raised in Kaon while his mate Viper is a Neutral born and raised in Metroplax and their son, Drift took on his Carrier status as a Neutral, also born in Metroplax.
"Pit no." Howlback frowned. "I gotten out of Kaon and I'm not taking my family there. Too much crime. And apparently, a mech from Kaon wants to talk to the Council for equality among Cybertron."
Breakdown blinked. "Uh." He really didn't know what to say. He wasn't from Kaon, so any news from there he wouldn't know. "So, what how do you figure which designation is best for the creation?"
"I wanted to give him Pit-spawn as a designation buy Viper beat me up," Howlback chuckled. "Drift was second best."
"I am the best!" Drift smiled. To be honest, the two grown mechs had forgotten he was still there.
"Of course you are," Howlback mumbled.
Breakdown smiled. Drift was a mini version of his Sire through and through; his actions, his attitude, His words… and Howlback is a stubborn mech so Drift had to be even more. The only thing Drift had taken from his Carrier was her optic color and the love for adventure. Breakdown wondered if the sparkling would be a mini version of him or Knockout.
-transition-
The Sire Coding would kick in when the Carrier is exactly one month into his or her carrying. The Sire Coding heightens up the protection for their carrying mate and won't die down until the sparkling is a few orns old but remains in place. The Sire would pamper his mate, making sure that their mate is comfortable.
The Carrier Coding kicks in around the same time as the Sire Coding. The Carrier Coding is just wanting to be with their mate and, of course, protective of their unborn sparkling when strangers appear.
Knockout finished reading that part. His mate was going to be overprotective of him soon. He leaned back on the couch, doing calculations in his processor. "I'm close to a month."
"What?" Starlight looked at him, her attention off the television .
"I'm close to a month or I should be a month," Knockout said. "The Carrier and Sire Codings would be kicking in soon." Knockout continued to scroll, he was the one reading out loud while Starlight listened or pretended to.
The Carrier and Creation Bond would form when the Carrier can feel movement. The Sire and Creation Bond will happen later when the Carrier is showing and the Sparkling cam be felt to the outside world.
"In all honesty, the sparkling will be happy," Starlight assured him. Knockout looked at her, now finally knowing she was actually paying attention.
There can be many factors that can cause trouble for a carrying Carrier. If the Carrier had a smaller frame than the Sire does, the Carrier's energy can be drained. If the Carrier is carrying more than one spark to a larger frame Sire, the Carrier must immediately be on berth rest due to the energy lost and must share energy with their mate by connecting sparks.
Knockout really hope he was just having one.
A Carrier with high energon pressure is at risk of losing their sparkling. The Carrier would be monitored by medics through their carrying until the sparkling is born. The medic's would take tests to see how the Carrier is doing and the sparkling; sometimes, the medic's would make the patient stay in the Medical Center until they see fit that he or she can leave. A carrying mech or femme is expected to take it easy, stay away from stressful situations and have at least two medical energon- according to your medic. If the Carrier's high energon pressure is too much, the Carrier will miscarry.
Knockout shoved the data pad away. Breakdown is a larger frame than him so his energy levels are going to be low; he has high energon pressure that could potentially kill his sparkling. It would crush his spark if his miscarried, and Breakdown's as well.
Starlight wrapped her arms around him, hugging him. "Trust Ratchet and Red Cross. They delivered a lot of sparklings, they know what to do."
Knockout gave a small. He now just wanted the carrying to be finished.
A/n:
O/c: Viper= Howlback's mate and Drift's Carrier