Ch. 193

Knockout and Bumblebee still hadn't moved. It was starting to get dark out. The mechs weren't entirely bothered by this fact, and neither were the children. All of them were tired, especially after what they had just endured.

"So," Raf said tiredly, "what do you think the Wreckers got up to on their mission?"

Knockout scoffed, "Knowing Breakdown? He probably picked a fight with his own shadow."

Bumblebee scolded him gently with a flurry of soft beeps, saying Breakdown was smarter than that.

The red mech shrugged, "'Bee, until you have seen him pick a fight with his own shadow, you do not know how truly significant that statement is."

Jack smiled lightly, "You know, I'll bet Miko kept a close eye on him. She wouldn't have let the mission go that south."

Raf giggled quietly, "Maybe Wheeljack got to teach her a bit about stealth."

"Yes, I'm guessing she would have excelled in that lesson," Knockout teased.

He whined when Bumblebee lazily batted at him but was too exhausted to fight back. He scowled instead and pouted.

"Hey, be nice to me! I'm injured and, more importantly, scuffed to bits!"

The scout riddled at him with a few choice clicks and whistles before starting to scold the children; they had intentionally put themselves into danger.

Knockout shrugged, "I don't know, 'Bee, they did save our bumpers."

Raf nodded, "We couldn't leave you guys in there on your own! If we hadn't come to get you, Shockwave would have-"

The boy didn't want to think about it. They had already lost too much.

Jack smiled softly, "But he didn't, Raf. We got there in plenty of time and you totally worked your tech magic. That was amazing!"

Raf hid behind his tablet, "Oh, it wasn't that great. The Decepticons did all the bad engineering for us, anyway. I just made sure the generator malfunctioned, that's all."

"'That's all'?" the older boy laughed, "You hacked into their weakest system and totally ruined them with it! Pushing generator four to its limit was genius."

Knockout was careful not to move too much as he chuckled, "And it worked, they lost and we won. Now all we need is for someone to come get us 'cause this red racing machine isn't moving."

Bumblebee bubbled out a weak laugh, asking if the red mech was finally putting on the brakes.

The medic sighed, "For now, yes. My wheel's trashed and I can't drive on that. And my legs hurt so much I may as well have my pelvic sockets connected to a smoldering slag pit. They either come get us or we crawl back when able..."

Raf tsked lightly and patted at Knockout's chest plate beneath him, "Don't worry, they'll come get us. And I'm sure Ratchet can have your repairs done in a pinch."

The thought of making it to the med berth before a long, hot shower made the red mech's peds tingle. He would need a lot of well deserved rest after this.

"Doc? Hey doc?"

Knockout blinked in confusion and carefully lifted his helm, frowning, "Alright, which of you can throw your voice and imitate Breakdown at the same time?"

Jack shook his head, "Wasn't us. That might be them," the boy stood carefully, almost feeling guilty when he saw his shoes leave prints on the marred red paint beneath him, and looked out towards the ridge they had come from; a smile grew on his face when he managed to see three pairs of bright optics glowing in the dark of the encroaching night, "Seems we have our rescue party."

"Ugh, they couldn't be anymore on time!" the medic pouted; he raised an arm and waved, "Breakdown! Come get me! Carry me, slag it!"

Raf rolled his optics, smiling with Jack when they saw Breakdown, Bulkhead and Wheeljack make their way out of the tree line and descend down the ledge towards them. Their smiles disappeared, however, when they caught sight of Miko and the largest smirking grin on her face they had every seen.

"Ok," Jack finally managed, trying to hide his jealousy and awe from the rest of the group and failing miserably, "why does Miko get to wear the Apex Armor and we don't?"

Shockwave had been dutifully going over his notes as he compiled the research he had been saving. Tests on Starscream had to be non-invasive, he was told; Starscream was not to be harmed in any fashion. Why the restrictions upon the seeker were so tight, he didn't know. But he wasn't about to question the orders of his esteemed leader. The more he observed, recorded and theorized, the more he was beginning to glimpse into the warped and twisted vision the warlord was foreseeing. Megatron saw limitless power trapped within his treasure and Shockwave was tasked with extracting it.

The purple mech strode across his lab with a datapad, plugging the device into his computer console to back up the data his machines had been receiving in the past few hours. From what he could see, Starscream had been a very busy mech indeed.

"Shockwave!"

The science officer turned and immediately bowed as Megatron entered his lab, the warlord's scowl already telling him he had to make up for his sour mood, "My lord."

The silver mech growled on approach, his heavy peds shaking the floor, "I was informed of what happened at the offsite lab from one of the drones. You dared to keep this information from me?!"

Shockwave was expecting to be struck but when no assault came, he spoke clearly and quickly, "No, my lord. I was on my way to inform you of the situation when I had been updated on more pressing matters," he moved out of the warlord's way so he could see his computer screen, "and I wanted to confirm it was something promising before relaying it to you."

Megatron glared, his optics moving from the purple mech to the screen and blinked, his hard expression softening enough to register as disbelief, "Shockwave, are these readings correct?"

Shockwave nodded, "Yes. After Starscream's attempt, I was able to upgrade his cuffs accordingly. They have been recording energy spikes all afternoon. He is trying to activate his power without outside influence."

The larger mech sneered, "Excellent. Let him practice. The stronger he becomes, the more satisfying it will be to make that power mine," he turned, calling back when he reached the door, "Good work, Shockwave. Keep me informed on his progress. And when you find it convenient, have the Predacon tanks moved off this ship. I want them operational as soon as possible. We may have use for them yet if the Autobots are daring to fight back once more."

Shockwave nodded when Megatron left, his optic brightening is excitement when another small energy spike recorded itself on his computer screen, "Of course, my liege. It will be done."