Shell Shock

Writers: Denny and Leila
Rating: PG-RG
Warnings: Ratchet/Azimuth. Violence.
Disclaimer: We value our lives too much to even dare think about claiming Ratchet and Alister as our own. We borrow them for an RP, so don't worry. [Put the Wargroks back into your cage!]
Summary: Everyone's nightmare is to wake up in a cold, dark place without a clue where one is. Sadly, that's what's happened to us. What's even better, we have monsters and weird encounters to endure as well. And then there's them…
Lucky, right? If I ever get out of here, I will need some therapy sessions.

Chapter 27

-

Blue lights danced on the surface of their bodies; the low hum of the barrier filled the corridor they walked in. The Superior sneered as it folded its hands behind its back. Why did they have to walk to the doctor's quarters like those lowly organic life-forms? Couldn't they simply turn off the energy force field?

No, the butler had explained to them, it would have been too much of a hassle now that it had been turned on. To turn it off completely would apparently put more strain on the energy circuits – and this, admittedly, neither of the involved parties wished for. To force them to walk between narrow paths through the barrier while constraining their shapeshifting abilities, though! What disgrace. What utter disgrace. It wouldn't leave the entity's mind that this dreadful butler did that only for his amusement.

Another sneer. Perhaps it was time to teach him another lesson whenever the doctor was not looking.

Not that either Lawrence or Nefarious had any intention to let this happen. There was a reason Nefarious had pushed his subordinate scientists and himself to developing the collars restraining the Shapeshifters somewhat, and not only for the proclaimed reasons. Nefarious, for all his zany schemes, knew how dangerous the creatures were that had been accidently created in this factory and for once he took no chances whatsoever. At least as much as he could if you considered the sheer power the Shapeshifters possessed.

He was watching them from his hidden security console, optics narrowed at the monitors. Lawrence was in a different part of the facility to avoid a repetition of the incident that had led to the collar's development. They stood in contact via the Shapeshifter-safe communication technology – the same Lawrence had given to the Lombaxes. He would have still felt better if his trusted butler was with him.

"Are you certain you don't want me to come to the meeting?", reached the doctor's mind. "I am done with the ridiculous task of warning the Lombaxes and could arrive at the room just in time before the Shapeshifters do." A chuckle. "There has to be some sanity in all that madness after all."

"And worry about one of the Superiors attacking you? Now that they've gotten even stronger? Fat chance." He snorted mentally back. "Besides, you are going to have a better overview of the whole situation than if you were here."

"Oh? Worry from the oh-so magnificent doctor Nefarious? I am terribly flattered." Even though Lawrence wasn't there, the scientist could imagine a faint smirk on his servant's lips. "That aside, I don't think they would harm me when you are around. They fear you for whichever no discernible reason."

"Oh shut it, Lawrence. I wouldn't need to worry at all if you just stopped harassing them. Even you should be more cautious with your actions around Shapeshifters."

"But I am not doing anything!" Lawrence sighed theatrically. "All I did was to give them a bit of a… challenge to overcome before arriving here. We have to keep their senses sharp, no?"

"What they deem as an insult to their claimed superiority." The scientist leant back in his chair, propping a foot up on the console.

"Oh, but they are not the only ones with that issue- Ah, I have to leave now, sir. It seems there was yet another incident with our workers, and with what little staff we have in this facility, I fear I have to tend every problem."

"Leave your jibes for a better time, I'm not in the mood. And we don't have a too little staff. Only too few who are trustworthy enough to be overseeing the workers."

"Perhaps. Either way, have a nice chat with your subordinates. I am certain you will have quite the enlightening conversation." And with that the connection cut off, leaving the doctor to his own thoughts as he waited for the Superiors.

Enlightening conversation? Hmph. As if. He would only get bad headaches again which in turn would worsen only his already off mood. The last thing he needed when dealing with the entities – losing his cool could cost him dearly.

A few more moments the robot was left thinking about the possible course of events; then the doors slid open and revealed the Shapeshifters whose smile seemed more forced than their usual grin. The Superior stepped forward and bowed lightly before the doctor, waiting for him to stretch out his hand so that they could form a connection.

Nefarious never understood the Superior's need to do this when it despised the robot so much. Well, the feeling was mutual – the idea of it kissing his hand…

It was so simple and profane but it summarized his sentiments the best: Eeew. Suppressing a disgusted sigh, Nefarious stretched his hand out as graciously as he could, presenting his hand while he emptied his mind of every of the plans that were meant to destroy the Shapeshifters. Even the Superior couldn't directly read minds like this yet it was always better to stay on the safe side.

As always a slight jolt went through the scientist when the Shapeshifter's lips touched the surface of his hand. Disgusted, he jerked his head away and rubbed the spot vigorously as if it had been tainted by the Superior. Giggling was the reward for his reaction as the entity straightened its back and grinned in the same forced manner as before. "Your structure tastes maddeningly different as always, doctor," it echoed within Nefarious' thoughts, "And your behavior never ceases to amaze me with its unique… elegance."

He really didn't get them. "Alright, we're done with the pleasantries." He whirled on his heel around, arms clasped behind his back. "You had something you wanted to discuss with me, didn't you?"

"Oh why, yes." The Superior let its eye lids fall while it raised its brows. "Several things, of which one I didn't expect to be added to this arduous discussion at all." A pause as the entity had to wipe the discontented expression from its lips and replace it with the innocent grin. "You may thank your butler to have extended the period of our conversation."

"Lawrence?" He tensed, bristling anger covering for his sudden tenseness. "Of what things are you speaking?"

"It happens that he makes it his personal devotion to complicate our lives – and I am almost certain that this assumption does not relate to only us Shapeshifters. What he does to us by mixing poisonous energy into that force field he does to you by undermining your plans, I believe." The Shapeshifter tilted his head a little. "After all, I doubt that a mind as… transcendent as yours would fail all his plans in such a flamboyant manner."

"Lawrence. You. Idiot."

"You were calling, sir?"

"Actually I didn't. But this doesn't matter either way – I know of your tendency to annoy the Shapeshifters because you can't stand them but what you have done now was the most stupid thing EVEN I WOULDN'T HAVE THOUGHT OF DOING."

"Oh? My apologies. I fear my test run with the improved energy force field has been initiated a tad too early, hasn't it?" Before the doctor could answer, though, Lawrence's attention was drawn away by some distant shouts and noises. "Whoopsie. I have almost forgotten the purpose of coming out here. I will speak to you as soon as I have taken care of that ruckus."

"Doctor Nefarious?" The Superior narrowed its eyes under a frown and tapped its fingers against each other. "Some attention would be appreciated."

"Sorry, just had to battle the urge to rewire Lawrence's hardware into that of a toaster." This came easily as he actually had entertained this thought. He sighed. "Good employees are hard to find these days, you know. It seems I have given him too much leeway considering the security, however."

He walked to the visible console at the wall. Typing in some commands, a tone of confirmation sounded and he faced the Shapeshifters again. "There, Lawrence is no longer able to access the highest routines for security."

"You might want to consider disposing of your butler entirely." The Superior giggled when it saw the doctor blink infuriatedly at the suggestion, only to continue before Nefarious could cut in. "I would, at least… After all he is not only letting rats into your house, but also feeding them vigorously." A pause as it gazed contemplatively at its fingers. "Which is a hindrance for the guardians of said house since they are ordered to keep it clean of all sorts of pests."

"Letting rats in? Feeding them? What the hell are you going on about?"

"I am going on about him letting in certain… organics that obstruct your plans." The Superior looked at the doctor silently. "We have been trying to chase the vermin down for a few days now, and miraculously they have been able to escape us every day." The Shapeshifter's lips curled to a pursed smile. "And it seems they found their way to devices whose origin can only lie within the facility's closest staff."

"Letting in where?" Nefarious narrowed his optics. "Inside the facility? That would be your fault that you let them get in. And if you are implying Lawrence let them inside this part of the facility – preposterous! They could have stolen it from one of the storage rooms by abusing a security breach. But if…" A certain glint appeared in the red light of his optics. "Even he would have to face the consequences."

"Except if you agreed to it, Doctor."

Silence followed the Shapeshifter's words. Nefarious' optics widened slightly as he stared into the Superior's eyes. An entertained, all-knowing smirk adorned its lips as it crossed its arms and lowered its head a little. "We know that you are more than eager to dispose of us," it continued, "No supplies of energy, sudden complete exclusion from your quarters… And then the fact that those marvelous Lombaxes use equipment that is conceptualized to facilitate the process of destroying us – it all points to the fact that you no longer wish for us to be your guards. Isn't that true, Doctor?"

As there was no reply, the Superior sported a belittling smirk. "How unfortunate that you do not appreciate our services for you. All our efforts to keep your facility clean – for naught? We are hurt." The surroundings slowly dimmed into a purple tone as the Shapeshifters behind the Superior seemed to vanish.

"Terribly hurt."

Silence followed these words. Orange eyes stared into red optics with such a strong note of hostility that one would have expected the Shapeshifter to attack him any time – but before any of that could happen, Nefarious broke into delirious laughter. In fact, he was so exhilarated, he even had to bend over and hold his stomach. This reaction was more than unexpected for the Shapeshifters; bafflement appeared on the Superior's face just as it did in the eyes around them.

"What are you trying to pull?", Nefarious brought out, trying so hard to look at the entity. "Do you really think you have the means to hurt me? How ridiculous!" Slowly he calmed down and straightened up again, not being to suppress the wide grin on his face, however. "You know exactly that I could deal with you right that instant! One push of a button and you will all be annihilated!" A blatant lie, but as blatant as it was, the danger from the situation he was in could make anyone into the most convincing liar. "Or have you forgotten the collars around your neck already?"

Growling came as answer. The purplish tone slowly retreated as the Superior gritted its teeth. "No," it replied, "We have not."

"And who gave you the means to survive as unstable entities?"

"You, Doctor Nefarious." The Shapeshifter folded his hands behind his back. Only the guards could see the angry shivers going through their Superior's limbs.

"Then tell me why I would ask squishes to annihilate you!" Nefarious' optics gleamed as they challenged the entity. "Give me one valid reason and—"

"Because the collars might not work as well as you had assumed."

The robot blinked at the sudden interference of another guard that stepped beside its Superior. "Or can you prove it otherwise?"

Nefarious rarely felt fear. He owned self-preservation instincts, don't think otherwise despite his temper – he treasured his life, thank you very much. His character just didn't allow much for reservations or feeling seriously threatened. Who could harm him, hm? The great Nefarious? Galactic authorities could do nothing against him, the ones of Polaris not even noticing him usurping the Breegus System with how distracted they were hunting down the last of the Cragmites. And even so they were powerless against his troops and technology.

… Ratchet didn't count.

But as said – he owned self-preservation instincts. Standing alone in front of the three strongest Shapeshifters, the memory came back when Lawrence, disturbed, had informed him the collars of the two Prideful that had fallen to the Lombaxes were gone. There were only few possibilities where they could have gone to.

Each one involved the Shapeshifters and them figuring out something about the devices they ought not to know.

Nefarious knew with an inner shudder they had exactly done that.

"Well, doctor?" The Shapeshifter looked at him calmly. "Do you have the means to prove it right here and right now?"

"Well, certainly. If you want to die that much." That his voice was so even came as a surprise to him.

The reply did not come immediately. To Nefarious' surprise the Shapeshifters' eyes seemed to trail astray as they sensed something he could not fathom. It was only after another moment that one of the entities sighed deeply while the other two smiled in delight. "Us? No. Not us." The Superior giggled lowly as it folded its hands before its mouth. "Someone else would be an adequate guinea pig."

"And who would be that someone else?"

A sudden groan left the third entity as it shook its head theatrically. The smile on its lips did not vanish, though. "Ah, my goodness. They are doing again." It rubbed its temple vigorously. "Why can't we control these inferior fractures of our mind just as well as the rest? Whenever they forget to cap the connection between our minds it is so bothersome, and they are creating yet another mess in the production area again."

Two emotions filled Nefarious at this: anger and dread. Anger for the Superiors mocking him and disturbing the facility; dread about the likely hinted at threat of one of the inferior Shapeshifters attacking Lawrence.

He settled for anger.

The other Shapeshifter tapped its lips. "As far as I see them, they are currently cornering your butler, Doctor."

"Lawrence can take care of himself." He waved off. Truly, he could with all the anti-Shapeshifter devices he carried. Still, Nefarious felt bites of worry – after the last incident, even if it had been now several weeks ago…

"Of course he can." The tone in the Shapeshifter's voice showed its disbelief as it smiled endearingly. "But you could use this to demonstrate the power you have over us. Why not disable the Loving if you have the means to?" As the doctor wanted to reply, the entity cut in. "Your dear butler is at stake. And no matter what he does, I cannot predict what they will do."

"Lawrence, we've got a problem."

"Do tell…" Nefarious could hear metal scraping over metal as Lawrence was moving about; but it was not that noise that caught his attention – it was the tension in his butler's words that made him blink. "I… seem to have encountered… a graver problem than I can handle."

"They planned this." He seethed over the link. "They knew you would come looking for the source of trouble as long as you didn't know it was them causing it. These morons want to make an example with you, it seems."

"I know." The reply was incredibly short-lipped for Lawrence's standards as giggling came closer and closer. He moved away, slowly, cautiously, but the giggling would not stop.

"Is something the matter, Doctor?" The Superior tilted its head and looked at him contemplatively. "Don't you value your butler enough to save him?"

"One of your 'games' again." He growled, letting the channel to Lawrence open so the other robot knew what was going on. He crossed his arms. "Are you trying to make a point? As if you don't care what is going to happen to you?"
"How long can you hold the Shapeshifters off? From which of the groups are they?"

"I…", the butler replied, "I don't know." The scientist could hear fingers scratching over the walls; whether it were Lawrence's or the Shapeshifters' he could not tell.

" … Are you sure you are Lawrence?"

No answer.

Now that was disquieting. "Lawrence?"

"I… I…"

Okay, DON'T PANIC NOW. That was what he told himself. Towards Lawrence he growled,

"Get a hold of yourself! This isn't like you, getting shown up by some pesky Shapeshifters." 'Shown up', oh indeed. Not like Lawrence was again in mortal danger due to these beasts.

But it wouldn't happen again. He wouldn't let it happen again to Lawrence.

"Doctor?" The Shapeshifter blinked questioningly. "You are awfully silent. Quick, or your butler will die, and so will our belief that you still have us under control."

Silence. Then Nefarious turned to the Superior, optics narrowed in displeasure. "Call them off", he ordered under a hiss. "Call them off immediately or I will kill you first."

"Do you want me to, Doctor?" The Shapeshifter looked at him, brows pulled together in concern. "Do you really want me to? If yes, I will use my power over them to hold them back. For that, however…" A cruel smirk appeared on its lips.

"Show me you really want it."

"… You mean I should kill you?"

"Maybe, maybe not." The Superior tilted its head and giggled. "But if you kill us, we cannot save your servant. And mind you," it added, "I fear time is running out quick."

"Then WHAT do you want me to do?" Nefarious bolted out, anger straining his vocal processors to a point where cracks and sizzles ripped through his words. The entity's lips split into malicious grin.

"Teleport five vessels of energy into our quarters now." A pause. "The finest kind of energy."

"Are you MAD?" Nefarious stared at them in complete bafflement. "Five energy vessels… That's… That's just-"

"It is either that or my power over them shall never be used to save him." The Shapeshifter raised its hand and stretched out four fingers. "Forty seconds, Doctor."

"Lawrence, what the hell are you doing?" He snapped internally as kept hearing labored, static-filled noises.

He got only a spitting hiss as answer, like from steaming bursting through vents from an overheating metal-body.

One finger curled down. "Thirty seconds, Doctor."

"Lawrence, do I have to remind you how bad an idea it is to give them pure energy, even more so when we have no idea for what they are going to use it?"

Giggling.

Nefarious clenched his hands to fists. Had he had lips, he would have bitten them in frustration now – frustration and worry for Lawrence. Five vessels of pure energy were extremely costly, yes – but in light of the cost that losing his butler ensued, it was something he would give up... With utmost reluctance.

"Tick, tock, twenty-two," was melodically announced. The Shapeshifter was tremendously enjoying this play.

Silence from the scientist. You better compensate me for this, Lawrence…, he thought to himself before he let out a loud snarl and shook his head. "Fine. FINE. I'll do it, I'll do it, just call them OFF!"

"The energy vessels first."

Aggressive clicking sounded, followed by a confirmative beep. "There! All transferred! Now call your god damn inferiors OFF!"

It was now the guard's turn to remain silent. "Thank you kindly, Doctor. Now to keep my part of the promise—oh!" Suddenly its eyes and mouth widened in shock. "I forgot something awfully crucial…" The lesser Superiors broke into deafening cackling while their leader smiled endearingly at the robot.

"What?"

Turning its head to the side, it bared its teeth while grinning as it folded its hand behind its back.

"I have no power over them to begin with. Sorry."

"…" Nefarious didn't answer. He didn't have an anger attack. The robot didn't even scream. He turned half-way to the console again, pressing one key with an ominous 'beep', then the second which caused the console to shut down.

So this was how it was going to be.

"Lawrence? Did you hear this?"

"… Yes." Finally a word from his butler… "I… I heard it."

Five seconds. Five cursed seconds – if the Superiors weren't toying with them again and the Loving would let Lawrence suffer a bit longer. Nefarious sounded still calm- no, monotone as he spoke again to his butler.

"They will pay. And for before that, I'm going to find a way to humiliate them. Is this to your liking, Lawrence?"

"… Heh. Maybe." Lawrence, too, sounded calmer. "Yes… Maybe it is." A pause.

"Nefarious?"

Time was up. The giggling got deafeningly loud in Nefarious' communicator.

"… Yes?"

"I-"

Sudden silence. Not even giggling reached the scientist's audio processors.

The nothing filled his processor. He felt hazy, as if dunked in liquid oxygen – he didn't know anymore how he had learnt he could survive this – when all concern and worry and fear just vanished because the reason to feel them was gone. Gone… Just like that. They had taken Lawrence from him, his one and only butler, and—

This. Meant. War.

Smiling so sweetly it could have burned metal, he opened his arms. "Congratulations. Well played for a bunch of cross-wired goo."

But even the Shapeshifters had fallen silent, blinking in confusion and genuine wonder. They looked at each other, hectically exchanging thoughts until their expression mellowed down a little.

His smile widened at their confusion although his own face fell a bit as he realized they were staring over his head. For a tiny moment he felt all of his emotions morphing into a ball of molten rage as he let go of them in his confusion –

But then he heard the singing.

Usually he would have started a ruckus and a scream-feast because he HATED THAT SONG. That it managed to draw the Superior's attention, however, had him turning around in confusion to one of the monitors, looking what was going on. Walking over to them and selecting the corresponding surveillance camera, he engaged the speakers – much to the Shapeshifters' delight – and watched the scenario unfolding before him.

"Hopelessly," echoed faintly through the room with quite the pleasant voice, "I love you endlessly." The Shapeshifters on the monitor turned around to the source of the sound which soon revealed itself to be one of the facility workers.

"Hopelessly," he continued as he walked down towards the entities until he stood before them, "I'll give you everything. But I won't give you up." To the doctor's surprise the robot dared to touch one of the guards at its cheek without a moment of hesitation. "I won't let you down." Arms were slung around the worker's waist as the Loving felt itself enticed by the sweet words, eyes threatening to fall shut under a soft smile. "And I won't leave you falling." It was pulled closer, almost as if the robot wanted to be kissed by the Shapeshifter.

"If the moment ever comes."

To Nefarious' surprise the entity let go of the worker without damaging him. The almost playful display before him lasted as long as the song did, and when the worker was done singing, the Shapeshifters had been turned into mellow creatures looking at him with an enamored gaze.

A different worker appeared on the screen, carefully approaching the wall Lawrence was still pressing himself against. The other worker started singing again, just much softer. The Loving didn't move towards him this time but swung their bodies lightly to the melody.

Low humming reached Nefarious' processors from behind. The Superiors, too, seemed a little mellow from the sound. Disappointment that the butler had gotten away once again did not seem to bother them as much as expected.

The worker slung an arm around his shoulder and led the dazed Lawrence away, helmet screen still keeping track of where the Loving were.

Then, from one moment to another, the robots were gone – only the guards remained there, dazed as they were, and looking quietly into the direction the initial singer had vanished to. A moment of silence, then a deep and melancholic sigh.

"You are terribly lucky, Doctor, if you are anything, it seems," reached Nefarious' mind, "I wonder why someone like you has such luck with things. But then again, they say luck is part of genius. Perhaps that statement is correct." A low giggle. "Hm… Such pleasant singing…"

"Since you have proven your point, gotten what you wanted, you should just SCRAM. For all your pretentiousness is getting on my nerves already and I don't want to see your ugly faces anymore."

"Very well." The entity smiled at him faintly. "But before I go, I have something I've been dying to propose since ages now, and only with today's information I found our position to be equal enough to say this. So let me extend an invitation to you." Bowing down elegantly before the doctor, it continued to speak.

"Let us play a fine game, Doctor. Us Shapeshifters against your… Resources."

Finally they came out with it. "You don't care that I'm trying to kill you with the Lombaxes, do you? You want something from them. That's why it's a game to you."

At this he only received a genuinely joyous grin. Standing up slowly, the Superior folded its hands behind its back again. "Protect our Precious with all you have. If you don't, we will make sure he will be safe within your facility. I can't guarantee the same for your regular stuff, however." Turning around, the entity walked towards the door with its company. "And do make sure to keep us entertained until we are satisfied, all right, dearest Doctor?"

They had humiliated him. Mocked him. Robbed and deceived him. And their worst crime of all, they had sicked some of their stupid cronies on Lawrence, attacking him not only yet again but far worse than the first time.

The first time he had raged. His natural reaction. Workers had fled for days the areas when he entered, ducking behind large pipes and behind doors as not to be spotted. Lawrence, shaken, had stabbed his normal insults veiled by double-handed compliments but whenever Nefarious would look at him he would avert his gaze. This went on for weeks until the butler seemed to have come to himself again.

Still, even then Lawrence hadn't sounded so lost and uncertain. They wanted him to be broken and the tremble coming from his butler's voice had confirmed this they had almost done it. At least cracked him a bit and the shard had embedded itself in his mind.

Now… Now? There was rage. Not over-the-top annoyance, no irritation, no anger – rage it was, he realized.

Rage was different from raging; it was so hot it burnt away any useless, petty thoughts, concentrating everything in his mind in a melting pot without causing a mass burning. He felt the shard melt away as well, using it to hone the rage for the last steps to his goal.

He was calm. He was focused. His head was clear and his mind showed him a wonderful spectacle that he would subject the Shapeshifters to in Lawrence's name.

So. They wanted a game, eh? Oh dear – if they wanted one so much, who was he to deny this? Too bad for them he had already set a piece ahead, but they would notice soon enough.

Lips curling, his optics began to throb red.

The Shapeshifter, not even turning around, raised its hand to wave good bye. "Give us one hell of a game, Doctor," it transmitted under a giggle. As the doors slid open, they—

All of them screamed as a poisonous wall of blue burnt into their backs, pushing them forward. Their structure sizzled, smoked, the top most layer evaporated. It wasn't lethal but it hurt, hurt like they hadn't felt pain as individual figures for a long time.

"You want one hell of game?" The Superior's eyes widened at the laughter that was coming from behind them. Mad, unbroken and so full of glee that should not be possible after what they had done to-

It couldn't finish the thought as the wall sent an energy shockwave that threw them forward. There was a panel that hadn't been there before and the Superior screeched in rage and indignation as the teleporter caught them in mid-air. It glared icily at the robot once it could turn its head somehow but he just cackled through the light veil at their misfortune.

The beam engulfed them now completely. Even as the beam had begun transporting them, they heard the words that the scientist threw after them.

"Then prepare for complete annihilation, you MORONS!" He continued laughing and the laughter now distorted, warped, lengthened until the guards wanted to rip the parts out of their heads that made them hear. The Superior entity growled in frustration. If it could only reach out so it could crush that head-

It wouldn't come to that. The teleporter's energy yanked them away, the cackles still echoing.

As the panel's humming died down, metallic footsteps stopped in front of it. Nefarious raised one corner of his mouth higher than the other as he smirked.

"It's time to make some plans. Can't disappoint them after all, can I?" He whispered, red optics throbbing in delight.
Give us one hell of a game, doctor. The challenge echoed in his mind, intensifying with each time he imagined all the things he could and would do to them now. And then, as he clasped his clawed hands together, a manic grin appeared on his lips.

"Don't worry. I will give you one hell of a game."