Ch. 52

Optimus and the rest of the Autobots joined Starscream, Bumblebee and Miko in the main room a few minutes later, Knockout's angry faceplates on the larger screen in the room.

"You couldn't call me after it happened?!" he was roaring, the mech refusing to look directly into the camera he was using, "Not even a quick ping to let me know you were going to the 'Bots for a medical assist?! I'm insulted!"

"You've also been crying," Starscream noted in amusement, making Knockout snarl loudly.

"I- you- shut up!"

The seeker smirked, "That's alright, I did my screaming earlier. Our anguish aside, I can vouch for Ratchet's technique. As good as you are, Breakdown is doing far better here. And you should be proud of the brawler; he managed a direct hit on that glitch when she had me pinned up against a rock."

The red mech hummed, trying to subtly wipe lubricant from his optics, "Really? Well, bad news for her is always good news for us."

Miko looked back and forth between them, "So now that Breakie is here, when are we going to get Doc Knock?"

Knockout's optic ridges rose and he blinked, "What? I can't just leave now! And on top of that, what about Soundwave? How do we move him out? It's not like the pair of us can just skip off the ship and into the sunset to meet up with you!"

Optimus came up behind Starscream, looking at Knockout through the screen, "If we may interrupt?"

The red mech nodded, "By all means. Because now that the 'Cons think Breakdown is dead," he glared at the seeker, "as I thought until about five minutes ago, they've created a full lockdown. Megatron is counting three losses; Breakdown, Airachnid and, for some reason, Starscream. Three bots down isn't doing too good for his numbers. And Dreadwing isn't exactly making up for anything. Big M's not just going to let anyone off the Nemesis now unless we have a very good reason."

Starscream groaned, "And I took away the best reasons when I gathered all the-" Knockout's optics widened and the seeker nearly choked himself into silence, "ah, ha, ha..."

Arcee grabbed his arm roughly, pulling him to her level, "All the what? You gathered up all the what?"

Starscream tried to smile, "Um... The Iacon relics?"

Ratchet growled, "You?! How?!"

Knockout sighed, "Don't you get it by now? Seriously, Screamer, haven't you told them anything?"

The seeker whined, "I did- I tried-" he snarled, "You know, it was easier telling you and Breakdown, at least it was quick and painless, like ripping off duct tape!"

Miko giggled, "Duct tape?"

The red mech smirked, "Desperate times and repairs call for something sticky."

Starscream growled, "Why is she still here?!"

The girl shrugged, "I still need to do my job, which is to make sure the human element is not forgotten. Right, Optimus?"

The Prime smiled gently, "That may be true, Miko, but Starscream is right. It is time that you return home."

Miko whined loudly, "Really?! And miss the Insecticon-Megatron show down? Bulk, don't let me miss out on an Insecticon!"

Bulkhead slowly backed away behind Ratchet, "Whew boy, you know, Miko..." the girl frowned at him, "Right, yeah, I'm not going to say either 'yes' or 'no'..."

Starscream's wings flared and he growled, "Look, we don't have anymore time for this! If the Nemesis isn't hailed in the next two minutes with instructions for Megatron to follow, then Airachnid will simply find the Insecticon hive and wait for the best moment to strike the ship! That's what we need to worry about right now because that is what either will or will not happen!"

Optimus nodded, "Agreed, Starscream. Miko, please return home with Bulkhead. We will brief you, Jack and Rafael tomorrow in the morning, as it will be a Saturday."

Miko whined loudly again but complied when Bulkhead transformed and opened his side door for her; as she climbed in, she pointed up at the seeker, "You and I will be having a long conversation, mister! Don't you think you're getting away from me yet!"

The green mech closed his car door and drove off, Knockout doing his best to hold in a laugh, "That little human is going to mangle you!"

Starscream growled, "Let her think what she will..."

Optimus turned his attention to the red mech on screen, "Do you think that either you or Soundwave are compromised? Are you safe?"

Knockout shrugged, "Well, as safe as anyone can be on the Nemesis. Soundwave has always been Megatron's go-to mech; he'll be fine. No offense, Screamer."

Starscream huffed, "None taken. And stop calling me that!"

The red mech hummed, "Though, if the Nemesis does get hailed by Airachnid, we could leave then if Megatron leaves the ship."

The Prime shook his helm, "This is something I do not advise. At least, not yet. The position you are in now affords us an incredible edge."

Knockout laughed loudly, "Oh, no! Soundwave and I are just a delectable bonus!" he pointed down, "Starscream's the edge! That's probably why the Big M has been all creepy and possessive of you! Seriously, I have never seen so many scouting parties dedicated to one mech! You're number one on his list!"

Starscream shuddered, "If you're trying to compliment me, it isn't working."

The red mech shrugged again, "Fine, I tried... So, you'll keep an eye on Breakdown while I'm up here? Are you sure we should be separated?"

Ratchet sighed, "He will be tended to accordingly, but I agree with Optimus. If you were to suddenly leave, or Breakdown to suddenly reappear, it could put Soundwave or yourself in danger. We have to deal with what we've been given."

The old medic glared at the seeker and Starscream pouted, whispering, "I tried to talk to you first."

Knockout shook his helm then perked up, answering a COMM, "Well, if it isn't 'Wave. What happened?" after a few moments, the red mech smirked, "Ouch, and I say 'ouch' because he has no idea what's coming. I'll prep the med bay just in case. Thanks for the update... Oh, and Break-... I..." he frowned, "Why are you always so good at just knowing this stuff? ... No don't, actually answer- Fine, we'll talk later!" he grumbled softly, cutting the COMM.

Starscream smiled up at the screen, "Oh, good news, I hope?"

Knockout nodded, "Airachnid sent coordinates. Megatron's leaving the ship in a few minutes."

Optimus looked down at the seeker, "What are we supposed to do now?"

Starscream flinched in surprise, "You're asking me?"

The Prime nodded, "If you know what is to happen, how do we proceed?"

The silver mech shook his helm, "I... well, that depends..." his wings fell flat and he whined, "You know what? No. I gave you the information, you figure it out. If you want to go after Megatron and Airachnid, be my guest. What I know can change on a dime and I don't get an advanced warning for any of that!"

Bumblebee whirred, saying that the point Starscream made earlier was a good one; that they could take out the two 'Cons or risk Airachnid finding the rest of the hive.

Knockout chuckled, "I'll leave you to deliberate. Keep me updated on your end and I'll update you back on mine."

Starscream whimpered, "Knockout, don't you dare leave me alone with them!"

The red mech smirked, wiggling his digits as a 'good-bye', "I'm not actually there, you know."

"It's better than nothing! Don't you dare sever-" the COMM cut and the seeker whined again, slowly looking around the room, "This is not fair..."

Optimus gently set a servo on his shoulder, "Starscream, we believe you, even if it is hard to fathom. We are going to take your advice and proceed with caution."

The seeker flinched away, "Y-you are? So, what are you going to do then?"

Arcee clenched her servos into fists, "Going after Airachnid should be a priority. We can't let her get to the other Insecticons."

Bumblebee beeped in agreement.

When the yellow mech looked back at Ratchet for a response, the medic threw up his servos, "Now, don't you look to me to put my thoughts on all this! I'm still laboring over a theory that explains even a fraction of it! ... And I have a patient that will require an extensive amount of medical care. I can't leave the base for any reason, or at least for this."

Optimus nodded, "Breakdown will need you if something goes wrong, old friend. Your expertise is needed here. Starscream?"

Starscream hesitated as he looked up, the Prime smiling softly, "When Bulkhead returns, will you be ready to guide us through this event?"

The seeker felt his servos clench and his wings twitch. His chassis felt stiff and sore from what he had been through, but if he had the support of the Autobots, then maybe, just maybe, he could finally squish the spider.

Starscream frowned and nodded, sighing, "What do you need to know first?"