AN: Some Cybertronian time units you might need: nanoklik = 1 second, joor = 6 hours, breem = 8.3 minutes, klik = 1.2 minutes, solar cycle = 1 day.
:: Somebody had better answer him, or we are all going to get in so much trouble! :: Starscream quickly told all of the others over com.
:: Shall I do it? :: Dreadwing asked. He received affirmatives from the others. Before he could speak, Megatron shouted again.
"Are you aware of my order involving the dare club?!"
"Yes, lord Megatron." All of them chorused.
"About it being disbanded and that it was not to be started up again under any circumstances?!" They all could sense Megatron getting angrier, but answered as before.
"They which of you would like to explain how what you are doing does not violate my order?!" They all shivered, knowing that Megatron was going to dislike the answer.
"This isn't the dare club." Dreadwing spoke; Megatron was more likely to listen to him or his twin.
"Then what is it?" Megatron still glared at them.
"We were playing a game." Megatron's glare intensified.
"You mean to tell me that all of you have been playing a game instead of concentrating on your duties?" Megatron sounded less annoyed, and more incredulous now. At least, Knock Out hoped he did; because he was going to end up being scratched up otherwise when he spoke.
"Allow me to explain the game to you, lord Megatron." Knock Out paused and bowed to his leader. Megatron didn't speak, and Knock Out hoped this meant he was interested.
"Each player chooses either truth or dare. If they choose truth they are asked a question by someone else; which they must answer with the truth." Knock Out told his master. Megatron looked somewhat intrigued. Knock Out decided that since his lord didn't interrupt him; he could continue.
"If they choose dare, they are told something which they must do. If they do not, or choose not to, they receive a forfeit instead; usually the greater of two evils." Knock Out remembered some of the forfeits; they were quite nasty!
"And why, pray tell, have you decided that this is more important than your duties?" Megatron had thankfully for the rest of them, calmed down a little.
"We have still been completing our duties, master." Skyquake told him, also bowing.
"We have just been… raising the morale of the troops at the same time." Starscream told him, being very careful with his words.
"You have also been distracting the troops with what you have been doing!" Megatron glared at them; all of them fearing that someone had said something wrong.
"They have been still performing their duties though, master." Breakdown told Megatron. Megatron took a few nanokliks to think. The troops do seem to be in a better mood; I did notice that when I spoke to them yesterday. They seem to enjoy this. Megatron clearly liked the idea.
"Some of what we have been doing has helped you obtain relics as well." Airachnid bowed as well, knowing that her leader might mention the other relics that they lost because of their games as well.
"When? You all cost me a relic yesterday!" Megatron glared at them.
"And the time before that; we distracted all of the Autobots so you could escape with the relic." Airachnid reminded him. Megatron thought back and, yes they did help.
"So this game of yours helps to raise morale and can improve mission success rates?" Megatron had a look that suggested he was plotting something. The rest of them decided that might be a good sign and so continued on.
"Yes." All of them answered, silently thinking that it could also be rather fun.
"Can… anyone join in?" All six of them smiled; knowing that was Megatron's roundabout way of saying it intrigued him and he wanted to try.
"Yes, maybe you and Soundwave could both appreciate how much fun this game is if you both tried it." Knock Out looked hopeful; he was already coming up with some ideas about things he could ask Megatron to do for a dare!
"Just this once, I will indulge you." The rest of them weren't to know that Megatron was thinking, 'Unless I enjoy it; then I will have to make this a recurring event' to himself.
"Then you can both draw one of the wires from this bucket." Airachnid told them, silently relieved that she wasn't going to have to do the dare Knock Out was setting her up for. It had sounded horrible, but she might have been over-thinking it. Soundwave looked confusedly at the wires, or at least they all thought he looked confused.
"All of the wires are different lengths. Whichever of you two gets the shortest wire goes first. We will decide what you will do." Starscream smirked; he had a few particularly evil ideas in mind for Megatron. Both of them grabbed one of the wires. It was immediately obvious which one was shorter.
:: Which of us will ask him? :: Knock Out asked the others.
:: Can I? I really want to be the one to suggest something too.:: Breakdown sounded hopeful. The others didn't have any problem with that.
"Soundwave, truth or dare?" Breakdown asked. Silence answered him for a few nanokliks, before he heard an answer.
"Truth." Soundwave answered; using Knock Out's voice.
:: I know what question I want him to answer with the truth! :: Skyquake was the first to speak over the coms.
:: Is it something to do with what his actual speaking voice sounds like? :: Knock Out sniggered out loud, making Soundwave a little bit curious; what were they discussing over the coms?
:: How did you…? :: Skyquake asked.
:: Because that was the exact question I was going to ask him! :: Knock Out sniggered again, this time it made both Megatron and Soundwave look worried; in Soundwave's case act a little worried.
:: How many of you were going to ask that question, apart from me as well?! :: Breakdown couldn't believe that; did all of them really have the same idea? Breakdown had to try very hard not to look shocked when Starscream, Airachnid and Dreadwing all answered that they wanted to know that as well. Breakdown decided this meant he had to ask that question; they all wanted to know the answer!
"Soundwave, can you speak like the rest of us do; without using a voice recording?" Breakdown's query was answered by silence. The others seemed to think this meant that; no he couldn't.
"If you can, can you answer me?" Breakdown looked worried; had he somehow offended the other Decepticon?
"I prefer not to speak." Starscream visibly recoiled; he didn't know what he expected Soundwave to sound like, but this low pitched growly voice wasn't it!
"You… can speak like the rest of us?!" Skyquake shouldn't have been as surprised.
"I am fully capable, I just choose to be silent."
"I wasn't expecting you to sound like that Soundwave!" Knock Out looked visibly shocked and silently thought that if he sounded like that; he would probably be a lot quieter too.
"You got a mask covering a face up, or is that screen your face?" Airachnid asked.
"I have answered the question that was asked. I do not intend to answer another." Soundwave didn't raise his voice, but everyone decided it would be better not to pester him further.
"Now then, lord Megatron. Truth or dare?" Dreadwing asked.
"Which would you all choose?" Megatron looked at them with a wicked smirk on his face; he had a feeling they had some way of telling if someone was lying and it would tell him if they lied in this answer as well.
"Truth." Dreadwing and Skyquake both answered straight away. They both remembered the horrible dares they had given each other.
"Dare." The other four all said, making Dreadwing and Skyquake inwardly suspicious. How did they manage to lie without setting off the lie detector?
"But that sounds the worse of the two. Why would you do one?" Megatron pondered.
"To prove you are not afraid of what others may ask you to do." Starscream answered, knowing that Megatron would definitely choose dare now.
"Dare." Megatron instantly regretted that choice when he saw the evil grins on the faces of Starscream, Knock Out and Airachnid.
:: Before you three clearly plot how best to humiliate our lord, how didn't you set off the lie detector? We both know that you would rather roll around in the mud than do a dare Knock Out! :: Dreadwing told him, a smirk appearing on his face.
:: Simple. I switched it off. ::
:: Then how do we know you didn't do that at any other time? :: Skyquake hoped to catch him out.
:: Because if I was to reach into subspace to pull it out, you would have all seen me doing it. You were all looking at Soundwave when I switched it off this time; I really wanted Megatron to pick dare and knew you two wouldn't lie, so we all agreed we'd say dare and lie. :: Both twins seemed slightly impressed that he thought of that.
:: So, what exactly are we going to make Megatron do? :: Airachnid asked.
:: You know, I had lots of ideas but none of them seem… evil enough. :: Starscream shrugged.
:: Uh… are any of those ideas things you've been made to do and hated? :: Breakdown was genuinely curious. He took Starscream not answering him to mean yes, at least one was.
:: We could ask the other mech in here who hasn't done this before. :: Knock Out suggested. The others agreed, some of them grudgingly.
"Soundwave, have you got any suggestions?" Knock Out asked him quietly.
"Actually, yes." Soundwave then whispered his suggestion to the rest of them.
"That is… actually nastier than my ideas!" Starscream purposefully spoke loudly so Megatron would hear. He didn't see his master stiffen.
"I'm… intrigued by that myself."
"You would be." Breakdown sniggered, and so did the others, having been on the receiving end of that particular part of Airachnid's curiosity.
"Shall I tell him?" Knock Out looked a little too eager.
"Go ahead." Both Skyquake and Dreadwing answered. Megatron saw all of them turn to look at him and decided that meant his fate was sealed. I only hope they don't ask me to do anything with one of the Autobots… Megatron shivered just thinking about it.
"Do you know the opinions of us to some of our troops, lord Megatron?" Knock Out asked. Megatron was inwardly worried; that didn't sound like a lead in to a particularly kind dare.
"Would you care to enlighten me?"
"Apparently, they find us quite… attractive." Knock Out thought he must be seeing things. Did Megatron just shiver?
"I also imagine that there would even be troops who found Soundwave or yourself attractive as well." The other five were certain they saw Soundwave stiffen when Knock Out said this.
"Shall we make those troops happy?" The other five said yes, making Megatron wonder what Knock Out was getting at.
"Get to the point, Knock Out." He growled.
"Lord Megatron, I dare you to perform your normal duties for a joor…"
"That doesn't sound so bad…" Megatron didn't realise that Knock Out had paused.
"While not wearing any armour." They were all certain they saw Megatron's cheeks flash pale blue for the briefest of instances.
"You expect me to do this?" Megatron sounded worried as well.
"In all fairness lord Megatron, the only one of the six you see standing here that hasn't been seen in their protoform by the troops is me." Breakdown told him, making Megatron wonder when exactly his underlings had been wandering around in their protoforms and decided he really didn't want to know.
"You mean all of you have done this?" Megatron couldn't believe it.
"Did you expect us to be given a dare and not do it?" Starscream was goading him again. Megatron seemed to take the challenge.
"Fine. I will report to the bridge in a couple of breems to begin." Megatron told them, before turning to head towards the door.
"Where do you think you are heading off to?" Airachnid asked, standing with her hands on her hips.
"What do you mean? I'm going to…"
"Stay in here and remove your armour." She suggested with an evil grin. Megatron didn't like that look; he had a sneaking suspicion that he was going to have to but…
"I'm not going to do that! It is… impolite." He told her.
"I'm the one who is wanting you to!" Airachnid gave him a look that said 'get on with it!'
"All of you turn your backs and I will." Soundwave did as asked almost instantly. The other six had heard this kind of response at least once and so complied. About half a breem later, Airachnid decided to chance turning around. She saw that Megatron wasn't wearing any armour, didn't pay that much attention to the fact.
"You can all turn around now." She told the others. They all did so and unlike her, they did pay attention. Skyquake shivered and Airachnid was certain she saw his optics flicker. He must like what he sees… Airachnid then paid more attention and her optics flickered as well. I don't think our lord has realised yet quite why some of the troops might find him attractive. Damn… I envy the femme or mech who gets him…
"Should I report to the bridge?" Megatron asked, the others thought he looked a little nervous for some reason.
"Unless you'd like to stand around in here for a bit longer. Can't say that I don't appreciate the view I'm getting." Airachnid smirked, hoping that Megatron wouldn't get annoyed by her attempts at flattery this time. She could have sworn she saw his cheeks flush pale blue. Apparently, our lord has never been told he's attractive. She thought; trying very hard not to smirk.
"No, I shall head to the bridge. You had all better report there promptly, or else." Megatron growled; still not liking the attention. He turned and headed off out of the door.
:: How many of your underlings think lord Megatron is attractive? :: Airachnid commed the highest ranked female Vehicon.
:: I'm not sure; they tend to not say so. :: Airachnid smirked at the comment she received.
:: Tell your underlings that do to make sure they go to work on the bridge today. :: Airachnid told her. The highest ranked female Vehicon answered confusedly.
:: Why? Do you know something I don't? ::
:: I just have a suspicion they'll thank you. :: Airachnid then closed the com; leaving the Vehicon to ponder what she'd meant.
"I'd better get on with decoding the Iacon database; then we might have to fight the Autobots for a relic…" Soundwave told them all. They were all certain he sounded smug. He walked off out of the door, leaving a stunned silence in his wake.
"Watch out for the quiet ones…" Knock Out shuddered.
"They're the most evil!" Breakdown didn't realise how right his comment was; Dreadwing wasn't known for saying much either.
XxX
Megatron was certain that everyone was staring at him. This normally wouldn't be a problem; he was the lord of the Decepticons, his troops should look at him with respect, fear or a mixture of both. He didn't like the fact they all seemed to be staring at him not with fear or respect but something else entirely. He could also hear them whispering. He didn't like it. It was making him nervous. With the way they are looking at me; you'd think they'd never seen a mech without any armour on before. Megatron was trying not to let the staring get to him and so continued along the corridor. As soon as he'd walked out of audio range, the Vehicons began to discuss what they'd just seen out loud.
"I've got to be dreaming, right? I'm going to be woken up by an alarm in a few nanokliks aren't I?" One of the Vehicons asked the others, hopefully. There was no way he'd just seen his lord without armour. No way.
"In that case, we must all be having the same dream." This one was female; but she wasn't interested in Megatron. Not in that way at least.
"Didn't Megatron outlaw the dare club?" A third, this one male, asked the others.
"I was sure he did as well." The first one to speak told the other two.
"Then how did he end up being given a dare?" The second one asked, silencing them all. None of them could figure it out. A different group of Vehicons were… a little bit happier about the current turn of events.
"I don't know what made Megatron decide to do that but…" The first sounded like she wanted to jump up and down.
"Damn… I want that!" A second one finished off the first's sentence.
"He'd never want a Vehicon like us…" This one sounded disappointed with what he considered a fact.
"Did you hear about what commander Skyquake did?" The first to speak asked the other two.
"You mean wander the halls in his protoform with 'touch me' written on him?" The second one asked; she had an idea what her friend was hoping for now and so was she!
"You don't think that our lord will be doing the same, do you?" The third one hoped so; he definitely wanted to touch his lord. All three of them clearly hoped so, as they scurried off in the direction their lord was heading. They hadn't found him by the time they reached the door to the bridge, but figured this is where he would be.
"Who's going to ask him the question?" The first one asked the others.
"I will." The male one told them. He only hoped that he could ask the question without making an embarrassing noise. All three of them then strolled through the doors to the bridge. They weren't surprised to see Megatron sitting in his throne. They were surprised by the fact he wasn't sitting to hide his… they decided not to dwell on that for too long.
"Lord Megatron, is there any way we can assist you?" The male Vehicon of this trio asked his master. Megatron would have normally complained that his underlings should only speak when spoken to; but he had a rather cruel idea in mind. These three seem to have an… interest in me. Maybe these rumours my underlings have been overhearing are founded in some truth after all. In that case; I'd better… indulge their curiosity. Megatron sat up straight and pretended to ponder what he would like them to do for a klik. He then answered them, sounding somewhat… different. The Vehicons couldn't place what had changed in his voice.
"Actually, there is." Megatron paused. The Vehicons didn't know whether or not he wanted them to ask him what it was, but he thankfully spoke before one of them could.
"I would like you to locate my lieutenants and tell them to report to the bridge. Only Soundwave has turned up and found out what his duties are for the day. If you can bring them here within the next two breems…" The Vehicons couldn't believe the way he spoke next; it sounded… flirtatious.
"I might just have to reward you." Megatron had to try not to laugh at the way the Vehicons spun and bolted for the door. Maybe there is a grain of truth in those rumours. He thought, purposefully not setting an internal timer. He was going to reward them regardless; if just to see the looks on his lieutenants' faces when he did so. The Vehicons got some strange looks as they ran through the corridors. The rest of their kind figured Megatron had shouted at them and they were fleeing his wrath. They couldn't have been more wrong.
"If the commanders have started up the dare club again…" One of the female Vehicons stated; hoping the others caught on.
"They might be meeting in the place one of the others said he heard Starscream shout out his feelings for commander Airachnid." The other femme told the others.
"The med-bay." The male Vehicon realised, and moved a bit faster. It didn't take too long for all three of them to reach the med-bay doors. The male Vehicon knocked on the doors. They heard an 'enter' from Knock Out and so the three of them went through the doors. They were relieved to see that all six of the commanders who apparently hadn't reported to the bridge yet were in here.
"Lord Megatron requires your presence on the bridge commanders." One of the female Vehicons told the six commanders.
"Maybe we should see what he wants." Starscream had to try very hard to pretend he didn't know that his lord wasn't wearing any armour. The other commanders didn't say anything, but they all followed Starscream out of the door. The three Vehicons inwardly cheered; that took no convincing at all, and they could be back to the bridge within a breem and a half! They followed their commanders along the corridor, hoping that they weren't mistaken; and that they had taken less than two breems. They wanted their lord to reward them! They saw all of their commanders go through the door and quietly followed them.
"What was it you required, lord Megatron?" Dreadwing asked. Megatron glared at them.
"You have not yet reported in for your duties this solar cycle!" Megatron then gestured to the board in the corner.
"You should all have been in here already and found out your duties!" Megatron stood up as he shouted at them. All of the other commanders looked shocked when they saw what the Vehicons did earlier; their lord wasn't wearing any armour. Said Vehicons however, weren't to know that the other commanders were the reason behind this.
"As you command, master!" The Vehicons thought they saw commander Skyquake shiver. They didn't think it was with revulsion though, could that rumour be true? One of the other Vehicons said he'd heard commander Skyquake say he had the hots for Megatron. The three Vehicons realised that their commanders had moved off over to the notice board and that their lord was now looking at them.
"Uh… we have brought you your lieutenants, as you ordered lord Megatron." The male Vehicon told his lord, trying very hard to keep his optics on his lord's face.
"So you did… And within the time frame I gave you… Very impressive…" The Vehicons shivered with their lord's next line. His voice was doing that thing again…
"Now, how should I reward you…?" The Vehicons hoped in a similar way to the way that commander Skyquake was acting a few solar cycles ago. By… letting them touch him.
"Reward us?" One of the female Vehicons sounded nervous.
"Yes, you did do as I asked; I believe you are deserving of one." Megatron saw the strange looks he was being given by the six of his commanders who were present; he didn't normally reward his troops, but that was why he was doing it. He wanted to see the looks on their faces!
"We didn't actually expect you to…" The other female Vehicon started to say, but was interrupted.
"Follow through with it? I am a mech of my word." Megatron paused, before answering with… a seductive tone.
"And I have figured out exactly how I'm going to reward you…" The other Vehicons on monitor duty began paying attention; they had noticed that three other Vehicons were about to be… rewarded by their master. They hadn't noticed yet what said other three had; their lord wasn't wearing any armour.
"So come here you three." Megatron gestured for the three of them to come closer. All three of them nervously walked closer to him; not wanting to annoy him. When all three of them were stood just out of arms reach, Megatron spoke again, more quietly; he didn't want everyone in the room to hear!
"Do you… find me attractive?" The three Vehicons thought their lord sounded… unsure. They also knew that he would probably turn on them if they said no; but it would be difficult to tell him their feelings!
"We… don't just follow your commands because you're an amazing leader…" One of the female Vehicons told him, very quietly.
"We…" The other female knew what she wanted to say; but was too nervous to actually come out and say it.
"We also think you're… the most attractive of the commanders, lord Megatron." The male Vehicon just about managed to say all of what he did without clamming up. The three of them could have sworn they saw their lord's cheeks turn slightly pale blue a nanoklik later. Megatron shook himself and then spoke again; hoping that the six of his commanders who had been playing truth or dare were looking when he did it.
"In that case would you like me to… hold you in my arms?" The three Vehicons couldn't believe what they had just heard. Of course they did!
"If that is how you would like to reward us…" The male one bowed, before moving closer to his master. Megatron glanced over to where his six commanders were and saw that, yes, they were all looking. He slid his arms around the Vehicon and prayed silently that no one asked what he was doing. Said Vehicon thought to himself how lucky he was, not only was he getting a hug from the mech he had the hots for; said mech was also… The male Vehicon decided he better not think about that while he was being held by said mech. He also would never admit to being slightly disappointed when his lord let go of him and ushered one of the female Vehicons forward. The one that did walk forward shivered slightly; she was worried about whether she could control herself.
"Come on, I don't bite…" The Vehicon was certain she imagined what she heard next; because only in her fantasies did her lord say 'unless you want me to' after that. She stiffened, but managed to walk forward. She quickly found herself being, well if it was anyone else she would have said cuddled but Megatron didn't do cuddles, held by her lord. She made sure to stay completely still, not trusting her hands not to wander. Before she'd realised what was happening he'd let her go and, apparently, expected her to join her male friend. She quickly walked off, not wanting to show herself up.
Her friend moved forward a lot more quickly than she did. Megatron didn't seem to mind all that much. He slid his arms around her too. The female Vehicon could have sworn she felt him stiffen just a tiny bit when she slid her arms around him. He can't be nervous of physical contact… She pondered, absentmindedly running her hands across his back. She definitely felt him stiffen this time. Megatron let go of her and she let her arms fall by her side nervously; believing she had overstepped her authority. When Megatron didn't say anything she went over to join her friends.
"Right, now that you three have been rewarded, you may go back to your duties." Megatron told them, before going to sit back in his throne. The three Vehicons headed out of the door and only then did Megatron allow the smirk he'd been trying not to show to appear. All six of his commanders were standing with their mouths open in shock at what they'd just witnessed.
:: I wish you all could see the looks on your faces. :: Megatron commed them. All of them then shook themselves and closed their mouths. Megatron chuckled at them, pondering if it was really that surprising. They'd all been doing similar things; based on what the Vehicons on the bridge had been saying.
:: I dare you to ask him to reward you like that! :: Starscream commed Skyquake.
:: No way! This is not the time to be bringing this up any way! :: Skyquake purposefully ignored his com now; he knew the others were going to tease him about that.
"Surely you six have better things to be doing than standing around in here?" Megatron growled at them.
"If we do a task for you; will you reward us like that, lord Megatron?" Knock Out asked glancing to see how Skyquake reacted. The slight blush on his cheeks told him all he needed to know about Skyquake's opinion. Megatron had only one answer in mind, a definite no, but then thought about it. He'd seen Skyquake blush as well.
"Possibly…" Megatron answered; his voice doing that thing again. He saw Skyquake shiver and then pondered something. Skyquake appears to share same interest in me the Vehicons do. Should I give him an assignment? Before Megatron could ask the opinions of the other truth or dare players, Soundwave walked through the doors. He walked straight up to Megatron, completely ignoring the other commanders still stood around.
"I have decoded another one of the Iacon entries, master." Soundwave told Megatron quietly, the others couldn't help noticing that it didn't sound like a recording.
"Then we shall go out to retrieve it." Megatron paused, before addressing the room's occupants.
"Attention Decepticons! Soundwave has decoded another of the Iacon database entries. Anyone who wishes to join me on this mission should report to the ground bridge room with the next breem." Megatron's response was met with some incredulous looks from the Vehicons.
"He does realise he isn't wearing any armour doesn't he?" One of them whispered.
"If he doesn't, I'm not telling him!" Another answered.
"The Autobots might not be able to do much!" A third Vehicon said. A 'why?' answered his comment.
"Because they'll be stunned by the fact Megatron isn't wearing any armour!" The other Vehicons sniggered along with him at that.
"I don't suppose we are staying behind?" Starscream asked, apparently having seen quite enough of his master with no armour on for this solar cycle.
"No way." Skyquake answered almost straight afterwards.
"I want to see the look on Arcee's face when she sees Megatron's spike." Airachnid smirked.
"I want to know if Optimus will fight with Megatron the same way he normally does…" Knock Out sniggered.
"You mean by grappling and… oh!" Breakdown started laughing when he realised the problem with this.
"I hope our lord remembers that he isn't wearing any armour before we go through the portal." Dreadwing didn't particularly want his lord to make a fool of himself, but decided that there wasn't much he could do.
"If he doesn't, I'm not telling him!" Starscream told them, before joining in with the laughter of the others.
XxX
About a breem later, ground bridge room…
All of the Vehicons who found Megatron attractive decided they had to go on this mission; they'd get to see their lord without any armour on, if what the others had been saying was true. The heard the door slide and looked to it hopefully. They were a little disappointed to discover that it wasn't their lord, it was his underlings and all of them appeared to be wearing their armour. The Vehicons weren't sure why all of them would want or need to go on this particular mission.
"Maybe they know something about this relic that we don't…" One of them suggested.
"Maybe we should ask them?" Another suggested, before speaking to one of the commanders.
"Commander Breakdown, is there something special about this relic that means all of you have decided to go on the mission for it?" It surprised the Vehicon when it was not Breakdown who answered.
"Not quite…" Starscream spoke first, before sniggering.
"We all have our own reasons." Airachnid told them, before she started laughing about something. Most of the Vehicons were wondering what the joke was. Only one of them was brave enough to ask, however.
"Is this to do with rumours we've heard concerning our lord?" She silently hoped so.
"What rumours would these be? The ones concerning our lord not wearing any armour?" Knock Out asked them, silently hoping it wasn't.
"Are they true then? Is lord Megatron actually wandering the halls in his protoform?" The same Vehicon asked, apparently Knock Out had hit the nail right on the head.
"You'll find out shortly; lord Megatron will be joining us any nanoklik." Dreadwing told them, leaving the Vehicons to speculate about it. The underlings decided that their lord must have been summoned by someone mentioning his name; as he came through the door a few nanokliks later.
That is… quite a turn out. Megatron thought to himself, glancing around at all of the Vehicons stood in the room. He was certain he heard a Vehicon say 'Oh my Primus, he is!' but decided against calling him out on it.
"Soundwave has given you the coordinates, hasn't he?" He asked the Vehicon at the controls. She was trying very hard not to faint; she idolised her lord and he was not only speaking to her; he also wasn't wearing any armour.
"Yes, I'm just inputting them now." She answered him, purposefully not looking at him. She knew if she did she would be stumbling over her words. Just after she spoke a ground bridge opened up.
"Everyone, through the portal!" Megatron shouted, pointing towards it with his right arm. A few of the Vehicons who had turned to look at him mimed fainting; they wouldn't dare actually faint, they knew that would get them the wrong kind of attention. A few of the others flickered their optics, making sure to take a picture of what they witnessing for those who were miming fainting, and in some cases for themselves as well. It only took them a few nanokliks to recover and head through the portal. Megatron then turned to his commanders.
"All of you had better follow them… except you, Skyquake. I need to speak with you… privately." Megatron smirked and the other commanders sniggered. Skyquake looked rather flustered. All of them walked towards the portal, Starscream elbowing Skyquake and whispering 'have fun!' to him.
Only once Skyquake and his lord were the only two mechs in the room, did Megatron speak to him.
"Do you… find me attractive?" Skyquake shivered; he knew couldn't confess this, ever! Megatron didn't seem surprised that he wasn't answered.
"If you retrieve the relic… would you like me to reward you in the same way that I reward the Vehicons?" Megatron paused, hoping that he could convince Skyquake to actually answer him. He took Skyquake's cheeks turning pale blue to mean that, yes he would. Megatron gestured to the portal, and Skyquake quickly ran through it. Megatron shook his head and walked through after his commanders. It surprised him that the Autobots weren't there yet. The Decepticons had located the capsule and were just going to carry it over to him when another ground bridge portal opened. The Autobots quickly ran out and started shooting at the Vehicons. All of them fell to the ground, either playing or actually offline.
"You won't get away with the relic this time Megatron!" Optimus shouted at him. Optimus didn't noticed the surprised looks on his team mates faces. Airachnid was trying very hard not to laugh at the look on Arcee's face; it looked like a bizarre mix of shock and admiration.
"Do you think we should tell Optimus about…?" Bulkhead whispered, hoping that Optimus didn't hear him.
"No, he'll realise." Cliffjumper said nonchalantly.
"I will get away with the relic Prime! There's nothing you can do to stop me!" Megatron pointed at his rival. He couldn't help noticing that the Autobot femme seemed to be paying more attention to him. Maybe she likes what she sees? He didn't dwell on it for too long. Optimus began to run towards his rival, and Megatron prepared for the usual fight. This could be… interesting, considering Prime doesn't appear to have noticed that I'm not wearing any armour. Megatron didn't dwell on that for too long either; it would only distract him. Optimus drew his swords, seeming confused as to why Megatron had not drawn his yet.
"I am unarmed Prime. If you want to fight me fairly, you will have fight as I am." Megatron held both of his arms out to the sides, hoping that Prime would realise that his rival wasn't wearing any armour; before he started grappling with him. The rest of the Autobots and Decepticons attempted to match up as well. Bulkhead went after the twins, which Breakdown couldn't help sniggering at. Airachnid ended up against Arcee, with Starscream against Cliffjumper. Breakdown decided he could keep a watch on all of the battles that were going on, his partner could handle that yellow Autobot he usually fought on his own. He saw that, yes, Optimus was battling with Megatron in his usual fashion. I really hope that Optimus realises soon that Megatron is in his protoform; or it will become very awkward for him. Breakdown thought, purposefully running to hide behind one of the trees in the area. He didn't want to be shot at while standing watching. He seemed surprised that Bulkhead was holding his own against both Skyquake and Dreadwing. I'm not sure he'd be able to fight me now; not after the last two times! Breakdown sniggered, remembering the disgusted look on his rival's face all too well.
He also had spotted that both Airachnid and Arcee had kept jumping to assist their partners and swapping targets. Maybe the Autobot femme and that red Autobot are partners in the same way Airachnid and Starscream are… He pondered for a few nanokliks before turning to see how his partner was faring. He couldn't help noticing how aggressive Knock Out was being. He then saw why and smirked. That yellow Autobot shouldn't have scratched Knocks' paint job then he wouldn't have to fight like a mad-mech just to dodge blows! Breakdown sniggered, before looking for the capsule. He saw that no one was trying to get the relic capsule and so snuck over and grabbed it. He then went back to hide behind the tree. He then turned his attention back to his leader.
"You won't get this relic, Prime!" Megatron growled, being very careful not to take a blow to that region. He was the one currently being pinned on the ground with Optimus leaning over him. He was trying not to wriggle too hard, less one of his immature underlings get the wrong idea. He glanced around, but couldn't notice the capsule anywhere. He also couldn't see where Breakdown had got to and concluded that maybe it wasn't a coincidence that both were missing. I wonder if any of my underlings have done this sort of thing? Megatron pondered before speaking to his rival.
"You know… if you wanted me that badly you only had to ask Prime!" Optimus went still at Megatron's words.
"What… what do you mean?" Optimus really is clueless! It hadn't escaped Megatron's notice that Prime was now using his body weight to hold down his hips. It also hadn't escaped Breakdown's as he was contacting his comrades about it as well. The Autobots that were fighting seemed confused when their opponents stopped, until said opponents pointed at their leaders. Unbeknownst to Megatron and Optimus, all of their underlings had their optics on them.
"You're the one holding me down like this…" Megatron shivered slightly for effect; as though such a thing was appealing to him. The other Decepticons were trying very hard not to laugh; they'd done something like this as well. Optimus still looked confused.
"It is preventing you from squirming, so that my comrades can get the relic." Said comrades looked a little worried; they hadn't got the relic at all, but they also found humour in the situation; how could Optimus have not realised how he was sitting on Megatron and how could he have not noticed that Megatron wasn't wearing any armour.
"Never took you as one of those…" Megatron was doing that thing with his voice again, Arcee's reaction was similar to Airachnid's when she first heard it.
"One of what?" Optimus was still clueless.
"One of those mechs who wants their partners to be still on their backs and take it!" Megatron told him, apparently not caring about being made to do this.
"Partners? What are you blathering on about now Megatron?" The other Decepticons gave up and started laughing; there was no way that Prime could be that clueless!
"You're the one who is straddling my hips!" Megatron told him, turning a seductive look on him. Optimus glanced down and saw that was exactly what he was doing. He quickly stood up and backed off. He then noticed that Megatron looked… thinner than usual.
"And as much as I would appreciate you riding me…" Megatron's voice then started doing that thing again; the one that made all of those attracted to him pay attention.
"I'd rather you did so with your armour off too…" Optimus then finally noticed why Megatron looked thinner than usual and that, combined with Megatron's comment made him go completely still. Megatron was certain if Optimus's face wasn't covered by his mask, he would have seen the Prime's cheeks go bright blue and a disgusted expression on his face. The other Autobots looked torn between laughing and looking as disgusted as their leader must be. Optimus finally shook himself out of his stupor and glanced around. He couldn't notice the relic capsule and determined that there was no point remaining here.
:: Autobots, the Decepticons have made off with the capsule. There is nothing to be attained by remaining here. :: Optimus then began to run away from the Decepticons; he refused to say Megatron, what Megatron had said didn't frighten him in the least. Or at least, that is what he was going to tell his comrades when they inevitably asked about it. The Autobots looked a little confused with what their leader had told them but headed in the same direction as their leader had ran. They all were trying not to laugh at their leader's mistake when they saw him.
:: Ratchet, we require a ground bridge. :: Optimus told him over comm. A ground bridge opened a few nanokliks later. The Autobots all headed through, pondering exactly how a relic capsule managed to disappear from right under their noses. However, if the Autobots had decided to stick around and actually look for the capsule; they could have found it and made off with it without any of the Decepticons noticing. They were all too busy laughing at reactions of the Autobots to do much else!
"Were you being serious there Lord Megatron, or where you faking it like the rest of us did?" Knock Out just about managed to ask without cracking up.
"You don't really think I would be attracted to the Prime, now do you?" Megatron didn't even sound annoyed.
"I think Prime might think you are though." Skyquake trailed off; he'd just been commed by Breakdown.
"I don't think Prime will ever be able to look at you straight again, master!" Starscream just about managed to say before cracking up again.
:: What did Megatron ask you before we headed out? ::
:: If I did something for him, would I like to be rewarded in the same way as the Vehicons were. :: Skyquake answered, fully expecting to be teased about that once again.
:: That would be a yes, wouldn't it? :: That didn't sound teasing, but Skyquake decided he should probably answer him anyway.
:: Yes. Megatron won't have a reason to though… ::
:: Come over here and I'll give him a reason. :: Skyquake didn't think about it he just made his way over to were Breakdown was hiding. Breakdown held out the capsule to him.
"Take the credit for finding this." Skyquake really didn't want to, but with the way Breakdown was looking at him he felt it would be rude to refuse. Skyquake took the capsule and walked over towards his master; who was thankfully not paying any attention.
"I have recovered the capsule, lord Megatron." Skyquake bowed, presenting the capsule to his master. Megatron took it and then made an announcement to all of the Decepticons around the area.
"Skyquake has recovered the relic, we are returning to base!" Megatron silently requested a ground bridge and one opened up near the clearing. Megatron and the other high ranking Decepticons went through first, closely followed by the Vehicons who were playing offline on the ground.
XxX
It was only when all of the Vehicons had headed back to their posts that Megatron approached Skyquake. The capsule had been handed off to one of the Vehicons who was supposed to be guarding the vault, but they'd come to ground bridge to see if the mission was a success.
"Would you like me to reward you for your performance, Skyquake?" Skyquake stiffened; he hadn't actually expected his lord to want to reward him like that.
:: Go on, tell him you would. ::
:: You probably aren't going to get another chance! :: Skyquake seemed emboldened by what his twin and Airachnid told him.
"Only if you would like to, master." Skyquake then stiffened, realising he'd actually said it!
"Well then, come here… and let me show you some affection." Skyquake was certain that he'd imagined that last part, there was no way he'd just heard his lord say that! Skyquake nervously wandered forward close enough for… Skyquake then felt his lord's arms slide around him. He quickly reciprocated, not wanting his lord to feel like his 'reward' wasn't appreciated. He was sure he felt Megatron stiffen. Is he as afraid of physical contact as I am? Skyquake pondered, slowly sliding his hands up his lord's back. Megatron stiffened again, and that confirmed it to Skyquake. It was then Skyquake's turn to stiffen, he felt his lord's hands stroking his wings.
:: Did you tell him to do that, Dreadwing? :: Skyquake asked.
:: No, I did. :: He could how smug Starscream was; maybe it was revenge of some sort? He then felt his lord let go, so he quickly did so and stepped back.
"Did you enjoy that?" Megatron asked quietly. Skyquake silently nodded, not trusting his voice at that moment.
"Then maybe I should reward you in such a manner… more often." Skyquake then could have sworn he was seeing things; Megatron winked at him. That got Megatron the blush he'd been trying to get.
"Why are you acting like that lord Megatron?" Knock Out asked.
"Did you all not go around doing something similar?" Megatron gave his underlings a look. They all then realised that their lord wasn't as blind to the goings on of the Nemesis as they first thought.
"Yes… sort of." Starscream answered with a shrug.
"Can I go and put my armour back on now, or do I have to stand around here?" The like this went unsaid.
"It has been near enough a joor, as much as I don't want to admit it." Airachnid told him, sounding only a little disappointed.
"After the solar cycle's shift is over, why don't all meet up in the med-bay for a little discussion?" Knock Out suggested. Everyone else agreed, and so they headed off in different direction to get on with their tasks for the day.
After the solar cycle's shifts were over, as they'd said they had all gathered in the med-bay; including Soundwave. Knock Out figured either he'd been told by someone, or he'd heard it on the surveillance footage. Either way; all of the Decepticon hierarchy were gathered in the med-bay.
"You have all enjoyed doing this haven't you?" Knock Out asked to them all, adding that he knew he had. He, unsurprisingly, received yeses from Starscream, Dreadwing, Airachnid, Breakdown and Skyquake.
"It was quite fun, watching all of you make fools of yourselves on the surveillance footage." Soundwave's comment made all of the other Decepticons wonder exactly how much he'd seen.
"As it happens, even though I felt a little foolish wandering around with no armour, it was fun scandalising the Autobots." Megatron begrudgingly admitted.
"Such a shame that such a thing is outlawed then, isn't it master?" Starscream was purposefully trying to get Megatron to overrule that law.
"It is. But I can change that." Megatron saw all of the original dare club start cheering.
"But." They all stopped and went silent. Megatron paused for a few more nanokliks to make them worry.
"It will only be possible after the solar cycle's shifts are over. I will not have you spending your shifts on this pursuit!" Megatron received a 'yes master' from all six of the other Decepticons who had been playing truth or dare in first place.
"And you will not play it for seven solar cycles as punishment for it being played during your shifts this time." They begrudgingly agreed with this as well.
"And after those seven solar cycles and after that eighth solar cycle's shifts you will allow me to join in with your game." Megatron's comment made them all surprised. So he must have enjoyed it more than he let on. Knock Out thought, not daring to voice his opinion.
"I want the chance to dare one of you!" Megatron's comment went unanswered for a few nanokliks; they were all nervous of the sort of things their lord might make them do!
"Are you wanting to know when we are planning on doing this Soundwave?" Breakdown turned to their communications officer, who seemed to be trying to sneak out of the door.
"No, I have no desire to be made a fool of by any of you." Soundwave answered, before heading out of the door.
"So, we meet back up in here in roughly eight solar cycle's time?" Airachnid asked.
"Unless you need repairs, or you'd like to pay me a visit." Knock Out told them, fully expecting them all to head out of the door. All of them began to head out of the door and go towards their quarters. All of them who were wanting to join in with this particular meeting had plenty of time to come up with different truths they wanted to know and dares they wanted each other to do.
AN: And so this brings us to the end of Truth or Dare. I hope none of you saw that coming! Megatron allowing the dare club (and doing a dare!) and Soundwave breaking his vow of silence in one chapter! That chapter was pretty much written for anyone (including me, I wanted it to happen as well!) who wanted to see Megatron doing a dare. And that would be two Autobots who won't be able to look at their rivals straight now! If anyone has any suggestions for what truths they would like characters to say or what dares they would like to do, I'll be happy for them; I'm certain you have plenty of ideas! (I might have to do a little one-shot series after this if I get any…) Anyway, I'm sure you've heard enough of my prattle, I hope you've enjoyed reading this as much as I've enjoyed writing it!