Part 4: Let the Liar Lie/Lamb to the Slaughter
"Loyalty means nothing unless it has at its heart the absolute principle of self-sacrifice."-Woodrow Wilson (13th July 1916)
Knock Out lay on his berth, the Breakdown doll cradled in his arms. He was humming an old lullaby to himself, rocking the doll gently as if it were a newborn. He giggled almost silently and pressed a kiss against the doll's forehead. "It's okay Breakdown… they can't hurt you… aren't you happy?" He said quietly, receiving no response as usual. "What am I saying? Of course you are…"
Someone banged on the door. "Knock Out!" A familiar voice hissed.
The medic cursed and sat up right, panic coursing through him. He hopped off of his bed and paused. What should he do with the doll? He couldn't let ANYONE see it! Knock Out panicked and then settled for shoving it underneath the pillow on his berth. He walked over to the door and had to stop the sneer as he saw who it was. "Starscream." He greeted curtly.
The seeker scowled, flicking a wing in annoyance. "It's Commander Starscream." He said, folding his arms across his chest. "I need to discuss something with you."
Before Knock Out could protest or argue, the seeker barged his way into the medic's room and looked around with a sneering critical air. He crossed his arms and huffed. "Knock Out. As I am sure that you know, Airachnid and Soundwave have disappeared."
The medic rolled his optics. "Of course I know that. I don't live under a rock, for frag sake." He snapped. "But why are you asking me about it?"
Starscream walked across the room and sat down on the medic's berth, crossing his legs and not acknowledging the other's scowl. "I was wondering if you had any insight on the matter." He explained, his wings flicking a little. "Although we have not recovered the bodies of either Airachnid or Soundwave, I thought you'd have an idea of what happened. After all, as the medic, aren't you supposed to keep track of their life signals?"
Deep down, Knock Out was slowly panicking. What if Starscream found his doll? His most prized possession? No… he wouldn't allow it!
The seeker smirked. "Something wrong, doctor?" He laughed. "Are you hiding something from me?"
The medic narrowed his optics. "Of course not." He snapped. "Look, I don't know what happened or where they were when they disappeared, but I had nothing to do with it if that's what you were wondering. Now would you kindly get out of my room?"
Starscream laughed and had the sheer audacity to recline on Knock Out's berth, stretching out leisurely. "And if I don't wish to?" He said, his wings fluttering tauntingly. "Besides, I still have a higher rank than you, so I—"
He stopped as his head rested on the pillow, prompting the seeker to sit up. "What the…?" He reached under the pillow and pulled out the doll.
No!
Starscream examined the doll and chuckled. "What is this, doctor?" He asked mockingly, turning it over in hands. "Does our resident doctor have something he doesn't want to tell us?"
"Put that down." Knock Out snarled, his body tense. "Now."
The Second-in-Command appeared to think it over. "Hm… No." He answered. "I'd rather keep it."
With that, the medic pounced in anger, lunging to try and grab the doll, only for Starscream to dodge to the side and keep it away from him. Starscream darted to the side and laughed, holding the doll in both hands. "Pathetic, doctor… Didn't anyone tell you? Dolls are for Sparklings!"
The seeker adjusted his grip and started to pull. Knock Out turned and his anger swiftly melted into panic and fear. His optics widened as he realised what was going to happen. "Starscream, stop it!" He screamed. "JUST LET GO! DON'T YOU DARE!"
Too late.
Starscream pulled on the doll, tearing it in half. Knock Out could only look on in stunned silence as the doll was torn and the seeker cackled, throwing both halves behind him. "See?" He hissed. "You really are pathetic, Knock Out… But you already knew that didn't you?"
Without any further words, the SIC turned on his heel and walked out of the room, making sure to step on the doll's top half as he went. He laughed loudly and strutted through the Medbay, pride and arrogance in his posture.
Knock Out scrambled off of the berth and went on his hands and knees, picking up both halves of the Breakdown doll. He looked at them sadly, tears forming in his optics as he looked into the doll's 'optics', seeing pain in them. He held the pieces close to his chest and sobbed. "I'm sorry…!" He keened sadly. "Forgive me!"
He remained there in the centre of the room, crying over the doll's remains. But in a dark corner of his processor, anger bubbled up, telling him just who he would take care of next…
***
Knock Out scowled as he spotted Starscream in the loading bay, examining the newly harvested energon. The medic knew he needed to handle this as quickly as possible; it would be a disaster if he was found out now.
Silently, he picked up an empty crate used for storing energon, the weight light but still heavy enough to cause damage. He crept up behind the seeker and raised the crate up, his target not suspecting a thing…
Knock Out brought the crate down, the corner smashing into the back of Starscream's head. The SIC squawked in pain and surprise at the impact, forcing him to his knees. He turned his head and growled when he saw his assailant. "Knock Out! Have you lost your mind!?" He snapped, his tone bitter and hateful.
Knock Out's own expression was mixed with a variety of emotions; anger, madness, joy, intent… He brought the crate up again. "I've been told I've already lost it." He said, his tone eerily calm. "And I'm just doing something I should have done a long time ago."
Starscream barely had time to scream before he was struck again, forcing him to the floor. Knock Out kept on beating the seeker, not caring about the damage. The SIC deserved this anyway, didn't he? For all the lies and worming his way up the Decepticon hierarchy?
The medic finally stopped, dropping the crate. He noted almost absently that the corner had a little bit of energon on it, no doubt from Starscream's head. He turned his attention to his target, tilting his head as the other remained still. Knock Out gently tapped the other with the tip of his foot, concluding that Starscream was still alive, but knocked out.
Perfect.
He leaned down and grabbed hold of the seeker's left wing, dragging him out of the room. Along the way, Knock Out started singing to himself.
"There's a hole in the world that's a deep dark black pit and it's filled with people who are filled with sh*t. And the vermin of the world inhabit it… but not for long…"
***
The Vehicons on the Nemesis tried their hardest to avoid the attentions of the commanding officers, which normally failed horribly. Especially if Starscream was having one of his infamous 'hissy fits' and required someone to slap around.
Only one didn't mind.
Vehicon ST-3V3, or Steve as he was called, was demure, but he had an almost bizarre fixation on the seeker and then it became common knowledge among the lowly drones that Steve actually had an unrequited love for him.
It was a normal day for them in the mess hall, the Vehicons sipping their rations and chatted about everything and nothing. Steve finished off his energon and excused him, with his friends 3R-N13 (Or 'Ernie') and K3-V1N (Or 'Kevin') muttering goodbyes. He walked out of the room and sighed, remembering that he had monitor duty in half a joor. Better kill some time before then.
As he was about to leave and go back to his room, a quiet noise distracted him. Steve looked up and down both corridors, turning to his left. He peered around the corner and was stunned by what he saw.
Knock Out was walking down the hall, singing under his breath. It was no secret that he was crazy, but no one really knew the extent of it. But what really made the Vehicon panic was what he was dragging across the floor like a sack of scrap.
Starscream.
Steve tried to keep quiet as Knock Out eventually left, turning a corner and disappearing. He shuddered at the sight of the energon trail left behind. Just what did he do to Commander Starscream?
Ignoring common sense and self-preservation, the Vehicon followed suit, wondering just what was going on…
***
Knock Out sat on the edge of a table, muttering to himself. He had Starscream all ready for action; the seeker was strapped to a modified chair, his arms, legs and abdomen strapped to it. He also had a little surprise for later, but he had to wait for the seeker to wake up first. He focused on the SIC's wings, which were also bound but still held high.
Starscream moaned a little, his optics flickering open along with minute twitches of his wings. The seeker glanced around the room, settling his still bleary glare on Knock Out. "You… what are you…?"
The medic laughed, sliding off of the table and approaching his victim. "I think you can figure it out, Commander." He said mockingly. "Long story short… I'm going to kill you."
The seeker's optics widened, only for him to burst out laughing. "Excellent Knock Out, but I highly doubt you mean it. You're just trying to make me scared." He sneered. "How pathetic."
The red mech snarled. "Oh, I am very serious." He picked up a laser scalpel and walked up to the bound SIC. "I'll make sure that this will hurt… Airachnid was gone far too quickly and Soundwave tried to act tough… But you? I'll make it last."
Starscream's expression slowly shifted into genuine horror as he realized the weight of the other's words. "You… It was you…" He gasped. "You killed Airachnid and Soundwave!?"
The medic clapped his hands. "Bravo! You figured it out." He taunted, smirk firmly in place. "But you weren't really as clever as you let on, were you? You are even dumber than Skywarp…"
The SIC froze and his glare intensified. "Don't mention him." He hissed.
"Oh? Did I strike a nerve? Still sore from seeing him shot out of the sky?" Knock Out said, leaning in closer to his victim. "What about Thundercracker? Do you still remember him being crushed to death at Helex? Oh… and how about Jetfire? Or was it Skyfire? The explosion that offlined him, was caused by YOU, wasn't it?"
"SHUT UP!" Starscream roared, baring his denta. "Don't you DARE SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THEM!"
Knock Out sighed. "That's one of your biggest problems… you talk too much." He said, holding the scalpel up. "But here lies another problem; I can't stand your voice, but I want to hear you scream… I'll wait."
He held onto Starscream's left hand, moving the fingers until the index was by itself. "I'll start here. After all, you used these to ruin my finish, didn't you? And you've probably used them in more lewd endeavours, am I correct?"
Knock Out didn't wait for an answer, bringing the scalpel down and severing the finger. Starscream squawked in pain, trying to keep himself together. The medic watched the energon flow from the remaining stub and moved onto the next digit, severing that as well.
He continued, ignoring the SIC's pained screams until the hand was completely devoid of fingers and bleeding profusely. Knock Out held the scalpel up and watched the energon drip off of it. In a sheer moment of curiosity, Knock Out slowly licked the energon off, savouring the flavour. It was very sweet yet a little sharp and spicy, no doubt from the specialised fuels that Seekers from Vos consumed for optimal performance.
He looked up at Starscream and smiled, amused by the other's expression of pain and fear. "How about we move onto the next hand?" He asked.
"Please… don't!" Starscream begged, his voice already weak.
"Hm… No." Knock Out taunted "I'd rather keep going."
He grabbed hold of the seeker's other hand and immediately set to work, slowly slicing off his victim's thumb. He hummed as he continued to amputate each one of Starscream's fingers, focus unwavering.
He finally severed the last digit and smiled as Starscream whined in pain, his wings twitching a little. "Knock Out…" He sobbed, his head hanging. "…Please… let me go… I can't…"
The medic responded by slapping the Second in Command across the face. "I don't think so. Just because begging gets Lord Megatron to leave you alone doesn't mean it's going to work on me!" He suddenly smirked. "Or maybe… you do something else to get off the hook? What do you do? Let him drag you to his berth and frag you until you can't see straight? Do you let him touch everywhere on your scrawny little body? Or maybe tie you up like this and he does whatever he wishes?"
Starscream hissed. "Of course not!" He snapped, fury flaring up in his optics. "I'm not some pleasure drone like you!"
Knock Out still wore his smile, but he gave off a dark air. "Oh? And you aren't?" He said. "You had Skyfire first, right? Then you had your precious little trinemates… and now Megatron. You. Are. An. Absolute. Whore."
"STOP IT!" The seeker screamed, tears bubbling in his optics. "JUST SHUT UP! YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING! YOU DON'T-!"
The Aston Martin slapped Starscream again. "Be quiet. I'm not finished." He looked up at the other's twitching wings, a cruel idea forming. "Actually… I've always wondered how sensitive your wings are. Let's find out."
Knock Out put the scalpel to the side and brought out his infamous buzz saw, grabbing the seeker's right wing. "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing! I am the chief medical officer after all!"
Starscream turned his head and saw what was about to happen. "NO! PLEASE! DON'T DO IT! JUST STOP IT, I BEG OF YOU! DON'T DO—"
His begging was taken over by a bloodcurdling scream as Knock Out brought the saw down on the wing, cutting through the thin metal. He made sure to twist the saw every so often, maximising the pain for his victim. He finished severing the wing sooner than he liked, but the look of agony on the other's face was more than enough to make up for it. "What was I thinking? Of Course they would be sensitive!"
The SIC panted, tears running down his cheeks and his optics shut tight. A truly pitiful sight.
Knock Out placed the severed wing on the table and moved over to the other side, preparing to do the same to the remaining wing. "How about we even up? Trust me, it'll make you look so much better."
Starscream couldn't beg as the saw started to cut through his other wing, his vocaliser cracking from his screams. He kept his optics shut tight as the pain became even more unbearable. Thankfully, it ended a little faster than the first wing and the seeker was left there with his head dangling, tears dripping from his optics.
The red mech dropped the second wing and held Starscream's face in his hand. "Oh, did that hurt?" He cooed, leaning in closer to whisper to the SIC. "Good. You deserve this."
"Let him go!"
Knock Out turned to the door, shocked when he saw a Vehicon there, rifle raised and primed for attack. His arms were shaking a little, but he tried to appear threatening.
***
Steve walked slowly through the dark hallways, keeping his optics out for where Knock Out had gone with Starscream. Tailing the medic led him down to the underbelly of the ship, which was virtually unexplored territory for anyone on the Nemesis; Megatron had the power cut from certain segments of the ship to conserve energy.
He heard something.
The Vehicon panicked, shifting his arm into a blaster just in case he was attacked. He crept forwards, continuing to follow the trail of energon and the sounds. They progressively got louder and louder, words becoming more distinct.
"You… It was you… You killed Airachnid and Soundwave!?"
Starscream.
Steve hurried his pace, hoping to find the air commander and make sure that he was okay. But why would Knock Out take him down here? And who was Starscream talking to?
"SHUT UP! Don't you DARE SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THEM!"
The Vehicon focused on where the commander's voice was coming from, tracking it down. It steadily got louder and louder until he came to a door, which was opened just a tiny crack. He peered through the crack and was stunned by what he saw.
The magnificent seeker was strapped down to a chair and Knock Out was there, scalpel in hand… What was going on!?
He was answered as the scalpel came down onto Starscream's hand, making the Seeker squawk. Steve watched in horror as the seeker's hand was further mutilated, only for Knock Out to do the very same to the opposite hand.
It continued, the entire torture laced with venomous insults and energon bleeding everywhere. Steve trembled as Starscream screamed and cried in pain, being broken down. He saw Knock Out grab hold of the seeker's wing – oh, how Steve longed to run his hands across them – and his spark stopped when he witnessed what happened next.
The wing was slowly and painfully cut off, the SIC howling in agony as it was taken away. It only got worse as the other wing was cut off as well. The mad doctor leaned closer to the seeker and whispered something to him.
No more!
He couldn't let his commander be hurt anymore!
Steve knocked the door open and aimed his blaster at Knock Out, trying to cover up his trembling. "Let him go!" He shouted.
Starscream wearily looked up, his cheeks stained with tears and fear in his optics. "A… A Vehicon…?" He said quietly, his voice broken. He suddenly snapped to attention. "GET OUT OF HERE!"
Knock Out only laughed, turning to fully face the intruder. "So this is your knight in shining armour?" He jeered. "A lowly faceless drone?"
"Let Commander Starscream go!" Steve snapped, keeping his blaster aimed at the mad medic. "If you don't… I-I will shoot!"
The medic grinned maniacally, raising his energon stained saw. "Oh? I wouldn't do such a thing if I were you." He said, walking backwards slightly to get closer to Starscream. He suddenly grabbed the air commander's head and held it so that his neck was exposed, allowing the medic to hold his saw up to it. "Try it and say goodbye to your precious commander."
Starscream screeched in panic, tears running down his cheeks frantically. "L'VAU!" He screamed. "NAAKU OOT! SHIJWA! DUNAO NOWI!"
Steve looked up, surprise overtaking him. He had only heard audio of this language and never once heard Starscream speak in the tongue. "…Was that…" He started. "Seeker Cant?"
Knock Out chuckled. "The native tongue of seekers from Vos…" He said. "It's such a beautiful and hideous language all at the same time… I had heard that not only do they know how to speak it from birth… but revert to it when they're scared or under stress… Is that right, Starscream?"
The SIC frantically nodded, trying to keep away from the saw blade. "Osaë! Osaë!"
The red mech laughed, leaning forward until he was barely touching the other's face. "This is the only time I like Starscream… when he's crying and begging." He pressed a mocking kiss against his victim's cheek.
"STAY AWAY FROM HIM!" The Vehicon shouted. He moved a step closer, only for Knock Out to press the saw closer to the seeker's throat.
"Put your weapon away and we'll be okay."
The room filled with silence, tension thickening by the second. Steve finally relented, his blaster shifting back into his arm. He glared at Knock Out, who pulled away the saw from Starscream's throat. "…Hishnajka… Hishnajka…!" The seeker panted.
The Vehicon tensed. He didn't want to back down and leave his beloved commander at the hands of this maniac, but… who knew what the medic could do? He only had his superior's safety at spark and would do anything for him.
Knock Out smirked and pulled the saw away from his captive's throat. "There we go." He said, the blade shifting back as well. "Although…"
Steve froze at those words. He shifted into a more aggressive stance, preparing for attack.
"You found out about what I've been doing all this time… I can't let you go now. You'd tell everyone, now wouldn't you?" He said, a smirk spreading across his face. "I'm afraid you'll have to die."
The vain mech lunged forward, grabbing hold of the drone's neck and knocking him to the ground. "So would you like to have it over and done with quickly?" He sneered, his optics wide with madness. "Or would you like it drawn out and excruciating? Maybe you'd like to watch as your commander's spark fades!?"
The Vehicon lashed out at his attacker, scratching the other's face. Knock Out stopped and looked at the wound in horror. Steve took advantage and kneed the medic in the abdomen, pulling his hands away from his throat. As his opponent reeled from the blow, Steve continued to strike out and wormed his way out of the medic's grasp. He stumbled to his feet and bolted for Starscream. "Don't worry Commander!" He said, starting to fiddle with the bindings on his arm. "I'll get you out of here. I promise!"
The SIC looked up in panic, his optics wide and fearful. Those ruby red optics were so beautiful… "L'Vau! Shijwa inao!" The other pleaded. His gaze focused to behind the Vehicon and he looked even more scared.
Steve barely had time to ask what was wrong before he was grabbed again, facing an absolutely furious Knock Out. "You little sack of scrap!" He hissed, throwing the Vehicon away to the side.
He tried to reach out and grab hold of the medic, but just barely missed him. Steve cried out in pain as his head collided with a small table, pain searing through the back of his head. He fell to the floor and lay there, his vision blurring steadily. He could see the beautiful seeker thrashing in his binds and Knock Out walking forward, an evil smile on his face…
***
Pathetic.
Truly, truly pathetic.
Knock Out picked up the downed Vehicon and dragged him to the wall opposite of Starscream, propping him up and reading straps he needed. The seeker was trying to escape again. He never would succeed.
The medic set to work on binding the lowly drone, tying him so that his arms were spread out and his legs were tied together. He focused his attention back to the SIC. "How could anyone want to risk their life to save you?" He hissed, picking up the laser scalpel. "You're a snivelling cowardly traitor. I'm still curious why you haven't died yet!"
Starscream panted and looked as if he were trying to gather his wits. "…Stop it." He rasped finally. "Let me go… I will not tell a soul what has happened…"
Knock Out laughed. "I don't believe you!" He snapped. "You've lied to Megatron. You've lied to the Autobots. You've lied to the Decepticons. So why start telling the truth now?"
"No! I am telling the truth! I sincerely promise to keep silent!" The SIC screamed, squirming in his seat. "Please! Cross my spark and hope to die!"
"You're going to die anyway. Now just shut up and let me work!" The medic's tirade was interrupted as the Vehicon started moaning quietly. He turned around to the other prisoner and smirked. "Oh? So he's coming round too…"
The Vehicon came to full attention, trying to break free. He looked at the scene before him and was visibly shaken. "Commander!" He shouted. "Let him go!"
Knock Out smiled, turning back to Starscream despite the Vehicon's protests. He reached out and grabbed hold of the SIC's face. "You know, there's something I really should do." He hissed. The medic slipped his fingers into the other's mouth and pried it open, eventually grabbing hold of and pulling on his captive's tongue. "Breakdown hated your voice Starscream. I'll make him happy by tearing your fraggin' tongue out!"
The medic raised the scalpel, watching Starscream's optics widen in panic as he pressed the blade against his tongue…
"KILL ME INSTEAD!"
Knock Out stopped, letting go of the seeker's tongue and pulling the scalpel away. He turned to the Vehicon and raised an optic ridge, his look completely questioning. "Excuse me?" He asked, walking towards his other captive. "You're willing to die just so that Starscream can survive?"
The drone nodded. "Yes. I am completely willing."
The medic laughed. "That is very interesting!" He said mockingly. "What is your designation, drone?"
"ST-3V3." The answer came quickly. "But the other Vehicons refer to me as 'Steve'."
"Oh? Very well, 'Steve'…" Knock Out said, holding up the scalpel to the Vehicon's visor. "I won't be merciful to you… I'll make sure that it hurts."
'Steve' only nodded. "Whatever will make you show Commander Starscream mercy."
The red mech smiled. "Very well." He said, pressing the scalpel against the Vehicon's left arm. "Let us begin."
He slashed the other's arm open, energon flowing freely. Knock Out laughed as he watched the substance flow freely, even though the drone was quiet. A small idea emerged into the mad mech's mind as he reached for a beaker on the nearby table, holding it underneath the cut and watched as the energon dripped into it. "I could probably have some use for this yet." He murmured. "But I might need some more…"
The mech slashed at the same arm again. And again. And again. Soon 'Steve's' arm was dripping with warm energon and sparking with cut wires and damaged circuitry. The red mech chuckled as the beaker filled up rapidly. "I wonder if your other arm can give me some more?"
With that, the Vehicon's other arm was slashed in the same way, the energon coating it as well as the medic's snow white face. It dripped swiftly into the beaker until it was filled, the contents threatening to spill out. Knock Out pulled away and admired his handiwork, impressed by just how broken the Vehicon looked. He glanced down at the beaker of energon and took a small sip of the blue substance, a droplet of it running down his chin. He licked his lips and laughed, looking back at his prisoner. "Trying to brave, drone?" He taunted. "How about I give you a taste of what your beloved commander has gone through?"
The medic set the beaker down on the table and then walked back up to 'Steve', grabbing hold of the fingers on his right hand. "Your beloved commander has committed many sins and losing his fingers is one of his punishments…" He growled, pressing the blade of the laser scalpel against the Vehicon's fingers on his right hand. "However, he's committed too many to be made up for with his own fingers… so I'll take yours as compensation."
The blade dug into 'Steve's' fingers and the Vehicon winced, trying to ignore the pain he was feeling. His intakes became ragged as the Aston Martin continued to amputate the drone's fingers, energon dribbling from the stubs.
Knock Out smirked as the last of the fingers was cut off, throwing the digits onto the table and moving onto the other hand. He swiftly sliced off the fingers, humming as he did. "It's really a thankless job… someone's got to do it…" He hissed, enjoying the feel of the Vehicon's energon on his own fingers.
Soon enough, the remaining fingers were finally amputated, leaving 'Steve' whimpering and his hands and arms bleeding profusely. "Pathetic… You came in with fake bravado so that you could save your damsel in distress Commander…" He sneered, holding the scalpel up to 'Steve's' visor. "But you're here crying like a sparkling… But then again, your precious Commander is a snivelling little mess too."
The Vehicon's whimpers ceased. "…D-Don't say those things about Commander Starscream…" He said, his voice low. "…You monster!"
Knock Out put the scalpel and fingers down, shifting his hand into the dreaded saw. "We're all monsters. I thought you knew that." He said, the saw buzzing to life. "On both the outside… and inside."
The medic then swiftly brought the saw down on the drone's chest, revelling in the victim's screams as energon came to the surface. He slowly dragged the saw down, cutting open 'Steve's' chest and pulled the saw away when it reached the bottom of his abdomen. Shifting the saw back, Knock Out wedged his fingers into the incision and pulled it open, exposing the drone's inner workings.
The Vehicon's spark was whirling and pulsing rapidly, violet mixed with green and red. Energon pumped through transparent tubes and cut cables sparked and fizzled. Knock Out moved to the side and held his hand out, presenting the grotesque display to the Second-in-Command. "See what a loathsome drone is willing to give up, Starscream?" He taunted the seeker, who had long since given up struggling. "What he is willing to throw away to rescue a whore like you?"
"DON'T CALL HIM THAT!" 'Steve' shrieked angrily, his spark pulsing in anger. "Commander Starscream may have done wrong, but he would never offer himself in such a way to just anyone!"
"And how would you know that?" Knock Out snapped. "Has Starscream ever told you? Or maybe he really is fragging everyone and you just think he's so pure…!"
The room fell quiet, only to be broken by Knock Out's laughter. He grabbed hold of the Vehicon's chin with one hand, while the other reached for his spark. "I'm already bored of you…" He hissed. "So how about some last words to your beloved commander? Just before I rip out your spark?"
'Steve' paused and then finally sighed, lifting his head so that he could see the seeker. "…Starscream, sir… I-I… I may have failed to break you out of here, but I wanted to show that… I will give my spark so you can live…" He said quietly. "I'll stay strong! I'll risk everything! And it's because I love you! I always have and always will!"
The SIC gasped almost silently at the confession. "Steve… I don't know what to say…" He said, his voice shaking. He smiled weakly, laughing quietly. "…Thank you… you've done well, soldier."
If the Vehicon had a mouth, he would have smiled. "It's been my greatest honour to serve you, Commander Starscream…"
Knock Out smirked cruelly, wrapping his hand around 'Steve's' spark. "Time's up." He said, his grip on the drone's life force tight and unrelenting. "Too bad your devotion still leads to your death… Farewell, 'Steve' the Vehicon."
The medic pulled at the drone's spark, watching the victim's reaction. He kept on pulling and pulling…
Until the spark was torn out.
The medic looked at the still-glowing orb, smirking as the light slowly faded away. He glanced up and saw that the Vehicon was limp, his red visor dimming. "And thus ends the story of our noble Vehicon." He sneered, carelessly tossing the spark onto the table. The crystal and metal orb rolled lifelessly alongside 'Steve's' severed fingers, the once bright sphere now dull and cold.
Knock Out turned his attention back to Starscream, whose optics were now solemn and guilty. The red meh only laughed. "Oh, lighten up, will you?" He snapped, picking up the laser scalpel again. "At least he was put out of his misery!"
"…Let me go." Starscream finally said, looking up at the medic pleadingly. "You took out Steve's spark… and he laid down his life so that I can go… so release me!"
The Aston Martin paused, the words sinking in. Did he just say that? He suddenly started giggling, which soon evolved into full-blown cackling. "Did you really think that!?" He taunted. "Not once did I say that I would let you go!"
The seeker froze. "What? NO!" He screamed, restarting his struggling. "He gave his life for me! Just let me go! Please I won't tell anyone about what happened here!"
"I'm sorry, 'Scream. I can't let you go." Knock Out said coldly. "But don't worry… it will be all over soon enough." He walked up to the seeker and knelt down. "But think of it this way… you get your own throne. Isn't that what you wanted? To become the leader of the Decepticons so you can sit pretty on a throne and bask in your glory?"
The seeker thrashed around harder, his entire frame and voice screaming with panic. "NO! DON'T!" He pleaded, his optics shining with unadulterated terror. "PLEASE!"
Knock Out laughed, reaching underneath the chair and pulling out an odd contraption. "For the last part of this… I'll have to clamp your head in place." He explained calmly, as if he were merely talking about the weather. "I'll just attach this to your head and chair and then we can move on, can't we?"
He stood up and, ignoring the seeker's distress and screams, moved to start attaching the clamp onto the chair. The medic smirked as the SIC continued to panic, which intensified as he kept the seeker's head still. "Hush now…"
The red mech tightened the vice to the chair and set to work on the clamp itself, the cold jaws closing in on Starscream's head. Knock Out pulled his hand away and kept on tightening the clamp until his victim's head was held still. "Now I'll just get one more thing…" He muttered, walking back over to the table and opening up a small box. He rummaged through it and every now and again, he would pull out a small implement; retractors, forceps, drains…
"Ah! There it is!" The medic announced, pulling out a steel gag. He approached Starscream once more, the gag in one hand and the scalpel in the other. "For the procedure, I need to make sure that your mouth remains open until I'm done. After all, I don't want any mistakes."
The seeker's optics were wide and teary, fear shining as he saw the gag and scalpel. "Please…" He pleaded again. "Stop it…!"
Knock Out only smirked and started to fasten the gag onto Starscream's mouth, prying his mouth wide open. The medic laughed as he caught sight of the seeker's tongue and quickly grabbed it, pulling on the appendage. "Well… now we can finally have some peace and quiet… that is really nice, wouldn't you say?" He raised the scalpel and pressed it against the SIC's tongue. "Also, you can't spread your little lies anymore… and that is one of the best effects of this."
Without hesitating, he started to cut into the tongue, watching in delight as energon and oral lubricant poured onto his hand. Before long, Knock Out pulled out the now-severed appendage and laughed as the seeker spat up energon and shook in pain. "There we go!" He said cheerfully. "You're doing very well Starscream, I'm impressed~"
The seeker couldn't say anything, instead gasping and coughing up more and more energon.
The Aston Martin strode over to the captive and removed the steel gag, tossing it and the scalpel onto the nearby table. "Now we've come to the end of our little session." He announced. "But there's one problem… How should I get rid of you? Should I saw your head in half? Or maybe just drill a hole in between your optics…"
The medic appeared to ponder over the decision, only to smirk after a few kliks and take out his drill. "I'll go for the latter!" He announced, holding up the tool to Starscream's face. "Now then… Goodnight, dear commander…"
The SIC's expression twisted into sheer horror as the drill came closer and closer to his face, his body going stock-still.
"…Die."
The drill was jabbed forward, the tip piercing the victim's forehead…
***
"There. Good as new! Aren't you happy, Breakdown?"
Knock Out smiled as he held the newly repaired doll up to the light, examining the careful stitches around its abdomen. "Oh, what am I saying? Of course you're happy!" He chirped. He held the doll close to his chest, his hold tight. "You're welcome… I love you too…"
A knock on the door distracted him from any further thought, forcing the medic to hide the doll in one of the drawers in his desk. Knock Out walked over to the door and when he opened it, he smiled. "Breakdown. How very nice to see you." He greeted, only for his smile to drop into a concerned expression. "Breakdown? What's wrong?"
The large blue mech's frame slouched, his expression hollow and almost… fearful? His arms were wrapped around himself and avoided any optic contact. "Hey Knock Out… I shouldn't be bothering you about this but…" He started, his tone quiet. "…Starscream's gone missing now… and…"
The medic laid a hand on his love's arm. "Breakdown… it's okay…" He said quietly and soothingly. "Tell me what's on your mind… You know I'll always listen…"
The ex-Stunticon grunted, still refusing to look the red mech in the optic. "…What if we're next?" He asked. "I mean, you've been my friend for a long time… and the other Stunticons are already gone… I don't want to see you dead…"
The medic's spark soared at those words. Breakdown was concerned for him… How sweet of him! "It's nothing to worry about Breakdown, don't worry… You don't have to worry about me and you don't have to worry about yourself… Everything's going to be okay."
Breakdown finally looked up, a small smirk on his lips. "You think so?"
Knock Out smiled in response. "I know so."
TBC
Also, YES, I was attempting to create my own version of Seeker cant, which is a popular fanon term for a language spoken only by Seekers (E.g. Starscream, Thundercracker, Skywarp) and so, here's what Starscream was saying in this chapter:
Osaë - Yes
L'Vau - No
Shijwa - Please
Hishnajka - Thank you
Dunao nowi - Stop it
Inao - Go
Naaku Oot - Knock Out
It sucks, I know. :P
Ah and the song Knock Out was singing was 'Epiphany' from 'Sweeney Todd: Demon Barber of Fleet Street'.