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Chapter Four: Punishment And Reward.
The room Frostbite entered was full of crates. Most had labels with 'Explosives'. One, Frostbite noted, had been opened and was labeled 'Experimental'. So he went to see what was inside. He found it was filled black, hand sized capsules. Each had a notch on top that would set off whatever was inside.
Frostbite, in his curiosity, and perhaps not his brightest moment, turned the knob.
Almost immediately it spewed a black gas that stained his tri-colored armor with a soot like substance, and he yelled out, "What the hell is this stuff?!". It quickly filled out the room, causing him to cough, his vents lacking fresh air to purge his systems. Frostbite threw the capsule has hard as he could to the other side of the room, where it continued releasing the gas.
He ran out the door, smoke trailing on his heels, as he tried to escape the awful smog. There was an odd hissing noise coming from behind and he spun around to see what it was. Some of the smoke was rising from the cracks and seems of the entrance. Frostbite heard more footsteps coming his way and assumed that whoever it was had heard the small commotion. He turned to where the steps sounded, afraid of who he was going to face.
Knockout was making the next corner when he saw the now blackened Frostbite.
And ran right by, ignoring him and the ever increasing smoke, yelling his name.
Now he was confused. Why didn't Knockout notice him? The 'con was almost at the end of the hall when he called out, "Knockout!"
Knockout stumbled at his voice and turned in an instant. "Frostbite?!" He looked him up and down, trying to figure out what had happen to the previously white, black and green mech. Knockout grabbed him by the shoulders.
"Why did you leave the medical bay? I told you to stay!" Frostbite flinched, upset that Knockout was furious with him.
"W-well...it's just you and Breakdown were gone for hours! I-I thought I'd look around the place. But then I got lost!" He shied from Knockouts burning gaze, but the grip on his shoulders kept him from moving away.
"What happen to you?" Knockout demanded.
"I heard someone talking down the other hall. He sounded familiar...and not in a good way." Frostbite paused and looked toward the room, small bits of smoke still rising from it. "I panicked and went through the closest door. One of the crates inside was open. So I...I went over to it and turned on one of capsules. It sprayed all this black soot on me!" Frostbite was indignant.
"That could have been a bomb for all you knew!" Anger at Frostbite stupidity shown in his optics.
"I-I'm sorry!" What else was he suppose to say?
Suddenly he was hefted from his feet and onto Knockouts shoulder. He struggle at his new position, but couldn't move from Knockouts firm hold.
"H-hey! Where are we going?!" Frostbite yelled.
"To get you cleaned up. If your going to act like a sparkling, I will treat you as such." Explained Knockout.
"Put me down!" He didn't want to be carried like a child!
"Now why would I do that? I have a nice view from here." Knockout smirked as he stared at Frostbites aft.
Frostbite fought harder to get loose, face plates heating and hit the 'con for his remark. Knockout just laughed at him. He comed Breakdown, telling him he had found Frostbite.
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Knockout carried him, kicking, punching, and with no small amount of yelling, to the wash area. There were nozzles to fix the preferred pressure and temperature. Still holding Frostbite, he adjusted the water until it was comfortably warm. He placed Frostbite, who had stop struggling by then, under the light pressure. He grinned at the slight scowl the little mech was giving him.
While the small mech back was turned to him, enjoying the water running down his frame, Knockout grabbed a cloth and container of soap. Wetting it under the running water and mixing in the soap, he began washing Frostbites back. Not expecting the contact, he jumped forward. Knockout sat behind him and continue washing the soot off.
"What...what are you doing? Frostbite asked. He tried turning, but Knockout simply turned him around again.
"I thought that would be obvious." Knockout said as he moved the cloth lower and lower.
Frostbite yelped when one of the hands touched his aft and the cloth was moved toward it. He twisted and yanked it from Knockout. "I think I can wash myself now!" The 'con smirked as his hand was smacked away.
As soon as his lower regions were scrubbed clean of any trace of soot, Knockout took back the now dirty cloth, tossing it away. He reached for another and worked down Frostbites legs slowly, much to the younglings indignation.
"Give me that! I can do it own my own!" Knockouts response was to press himself closely to Frostbites backside. He gently moved down his legs.
"Just relax..." Knockout said, ignoring Frostbites frustration.
"Ju-just keep your hands to yourself!" Knockout chuckled, and kept working on the small body against him.
Frostbites optics shuttered, straining to keep them open, as Knockout started on his arms. In truth he liked what Knockout was doing, even if the perverted touch wasn't entirely welcome. He liked the warm water rushing down on him, liked that Knockout was so close, the only person he could trust.
Knockout moved him to his front, the only place left dirty his face and chest. Frostbite felt his face being held and a light pressure as it was cleaned. There was a warm feeling on his chest as Knockout worked his way down and he briefly wondered what it was. It was his last thought before he slipped into recharge.
Holding his little charge close, Knockout waited until all the inky water had drained before switching the valve off. "Ah Frostbite...Even with no memory, you are as feisty as before. That's what I love about you." He ran he fingers down the beautiful little face and smiled. He lifted the little mech, placing him in his arms like one would a bride, careful not to wake him.
Knockout walked through the doors and into his room. Before placing Frostbite on his berth, he gave the beautiful mech a small kiss on his lips. He had to leave Frostbite for awhile. There was work to finish in his med bay. Making way to the door, he was surprised when it opened on its own.
And then Megatron walked in, the large, silver Decepticon Lord as imposing as ever.
"Knockout, I want you and Breakdown to-" He paused, his optics shifting from the red mech before him, to the much smaller one on the berth. "What is an Autobot doing on my ship?!" He roared, face contorting with rage. He remembered the little mech, the one whom he had tried to force himself upon.
L-lord Megatron! I can explain!" Knockout put his hands out from his chest, terrified of the warlord.
"What reason could you possibly have for bringing an Autobot here?!" He said, bearing down on the medic.
"He has no memory! There was an accident. He didn't even know who he was! Frostbite doesn't have any idea that he was sided with the Autobots!" Knockout hastily said.
Megatrons brow rose. "Is that so? But you forget to mention how this benefits me." He flashed a malicious smirk toward to Frostbite.
Knockouts processor clicked and whirled rapidly, trying to think of a way Frostbite didn't get killed or worse. "He already thinks he's a Decepticon. He's small and fast, he could be a scout for you!"
The warlord thought for a moment. That much was true. One less Autobot was great in itself. To add said Autobot to his own ranks was marvelous and would send a blow to Optimus. Besides even if the fragile looking mech didn't turn out as a good scout he could always use some...entertainment. A malevolent grin formed at the thought.
"Very well. He is permitted to stay, under your watch. Do not disappoint Knockout." He took one last glance at Frostbite. "I'd hate for anything to happen to my newest recruit." He chuckled and left the room.
Knockout was both relieved and worried. At least Frostbite wouldn't be killed. But he suspected the Decepticon Lords dark thoughts. He knew that Megatron found him attractive. Who didn't? But how could he protect him if Megatron decided to take the little mech, whether he was useful or not?
He left the room with a worried look, locking the door so no one could disturb him.
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-Autobot base-
Arcee was in the training room when Bulkhead inside
"Arcee! C'mere! Ratchet has something on Jack!" He said. The femmes optics widen and she raced to the main room, where the Doc bot was staring at the monitor intensely.
"Ratchet! What is it? Have you found Jack?!" She asked, desperate for answers.
"Its faint and there is a lot of interference coming from the signal, but I believe I have found Jacks location." He turned to meet them, face grave. "The signature indicates that he is inside the Nemesis." Everyone's spark sunk at that revelation.
Arcee recovered first, a fire in her optics. "Well, lets go get him! He's probably scared out of his processor! Who knows what happening to him!" Optimus shook his head.
"No. Infiltrating the Nemesis is dangerous enough on its own and the coordinates are ever changing. If they were to detect your presence they may kill Jack. Do you wish to take such a risk?" Optimus said solemnly.
"No but...! We can't just leave him there!" She argued.
"Have confidence in your partner. Jack is clever. I believe he will find a way to either contact us or escape." Arcee nodded reluctantly, angry that she could not help her closest friend. She didn't want to loose another one.
She walked off, back to train, praying that Primus would watch over Jack.
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Good? Bad?