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watch?v=h_LvbjeVrQs Listen to this while reading, it's where I got some inspiration for this chapter.
After what seemed like eternities to Ultra Magnus, they all arrived back outside of Jasper, Nevada where that evil fortress loomed. Its spires continued to rip through the sky like spears and made the clouds bleed its clear liquid upon Megatron and his hunting party. Magnus never budged a single inch while in Predaking's immense claws, instead he had been reaching out to Optimus in an attempt to keep updated with him.
:: Smokescreen, :: He spoke to his brother through their strengthened bond, :: Is he alright? ::
:: No news as of yet. Are you faring well? :: Magnus could sense the Prime's worry.
:: They haven't done any harm to me, and I don't think they will quite yet. But don't worry about me too much, Orion, I'll be okay. Keep me up to date on Smokescreen. :: He would send back more calming vibes back Optimus.
Then Predaking landed back in his cavern, throwing Ultra Magnus to the ground in the process. Several Eradicons surrounded him, pointing their energon blasters at him as their barrels hummed with growing energy. Yet even though they threatened him, Magnus showed no fear. He refused to give them the satisfaction.
Three other Eradicons began chaining Predaking back up, and the beast obliged to them as he lied back down onto the damp rocks of his lair.
"Come, Ultra Magnus. We have much to do before the spectacle begins. "Megatron purred evilly.
"Spectacle? "Ultra Magnus echoed back to the Decepticon warlord.
"Why yes. Predaking here had been looking forward to spilling the energon of an Autobot for many, many joors. What better way to motivate my troops than to show the feared Ultra Magnus being ripped to shreds by our great Autobot hunter. "Megatron continued, "Here's a deal; if you survive this match, we'll allow you to live so you can keep fighting against Predaking. "
"There's no other way out, is there? "asked Ultra Magnus with his famous stoic look.
"The only way out, "Megatron laughed, "Is if you die, or if your brother comes to recue you. From what I've seen back at that hangar, the latter is entirely unlikely. Take him to the brig, and make sure Shockwave doesn't get any ideas of experimenting in him yet. "
Ultra Magnus did not even try to resist them. He knew that if this would keep them away from Orion and the others for the time being, then so be it. This would be all he could do for the time being, all he can do is survive like he had done in the old days with his band of Wreckers. Except now, he was alone. At least he was alone for now.
Once more, he reached out to Optimus as the Eradicons forced him further into the gaping maw of New Kaon. A sense of relief washed over him as he felt Optimus' warm presence, almost as if his dear brother was standing next to him in this moment of need. It was that very warmth that assured Magnus that he had to live, for he knew that he couldn't leave Optimus like this. Not when their bond had been rekindled.
When they reached the damp cells of the brig, only a single floor above where Predaking awaited, the Eradicons forced the great Autobot into the cell and onto his knees. Magnus didn't resist them as the clamped a pair of stasis cuffs to his wrists. He stood obediently and allowed the cuff to drag him upward so that he was just barely scraping the floor below with the tips of his pedes. Most of the Eradicons then turned and exited the cell save for two who had been put in charge of guarding the Autobot, mostly so Shockwave wouldn't get a hold of him.
That warmth remained even in the cold air of the cell - it just refused to leave Magnus for a single moment as he dangled in that one spot.
:: You know, I may die in the next solar cycle. :: He said through their bond.
:: No, I don't. I know you better than that, Magnus. :: Optimus replied, which made Magnus secretly smile to himself. The Prime was a stubborn one sometimes.
Back at the hangar, the Autobots were still waiting for news on Smokescreen's condition. Each of them simultaneously grew more anxious with every passing joor, and Bumblebee's worried pacing didn't make them feel any better. Smokescreen had done something incredibly stupid for them, but he was still their friend nonetheless.
"Smoke was right there next to me. I coulda' stopped him. "Bulkhead kept berating himself for things he could have done.
"Bulk' stop. We all could have done something to stop Smokescreen, but none of us did. It's in the past now. All we can do now is hope that Smokescreen will pull through - which he will, by the way. "Arcee shot over to him. She actually didn't know if the young soldier would be alright, but she had to say something to try and keep everyone calm.
Then Ratchet walked out of the makeshift medbay, and everyone around the medic ceased making all noise. Not one of them even vented as they waited for Ratchet to talk, and it almost seemed as if the world in its entirely had hushed for Ratchet.
"The shot from Megatron came very close to his Spark chamber, causing Spark failure to occur. "He paused for a few seconds, everyone remained silent and Arcee had placed a servo over her silver lips, "That kid's a fighter. His Spark nearly flickered out three times, but he seems to have stabilized at the moment. However, he's still very weak and he still needs to be monitored. Nonetheless, he'll recover. "
A rush of utter relief passed throughout the group of Autobots with that piece of knowledge. Although Smokescreen was still in bad shape, the fact that he had a chance made them finally allow themselves to vent.
Bumblebee began chirping and beeping in Ratchet's direction, most likely asking something.
"Not yet, Bumblebee. Smokescreen shouldn't see more than one bot at a time as of right now. He requested to see Optimus first, and then you may see him. "Ratchet responded.
The young scout's doorwings wilted sadly like dying leaves in the autumn cold as he proceeded to sit down on a large crate. Arcee crossed the hangar floor over to Bumblebee's side and attempted to console him, while Optimus too stood and strode over to Ratchet.
"Just try not to excite him. "Ratchet forewarned his leader before permitting him access to the medbay.
Smokescreen was lying on the berth with his doorwings spread out like a butterfly pinned to a board. He was almost completely motionless, save for the simulated rising and falling of his chest as he vented to circulate cool air throughout his body, and the occasional twitch of a doorwing. The hatch to his Spark chamber was opened, revealing the soft glow of steadily pulsing Spark. A single weld and a few scorch marks lined where Megatron had shot the young soldier.
Optimus Prime marched up beside Smokescreen, the digits on his servo reached over to brush the little Guardsman's own gray digits. The single touch alone was enough to coax Smokescreen out of his light recharge. He looked up to Optimus with the brightest azure optics, giving him a weak smile that soon faded.
"Easy, Smokescreen. I'm here. "The Prime spoke softly.
"You- "The Guardsman whispered, "You're here. Megatron didn't take anyone, did he? "
Now there was a question that the Prime feared Smokescreen would ask. He didn't want to worry the small soldier about what has happened to Ultra Magnus, but he had to tell the truth to him. Optimus held Smokescreen's grey servo in his own jet-black one before he said anything.
"He was going to take me, but Ultra Magnus offered himself to go instead. Megatron only took him because of what he means to me. But I have faith that my brother will survive, no matter what Megatron or Predaking does. "He told.
"Ultra Magnus, "Smokescreen spoke with widening optics, "He's your brother? And Megatron has him? We have to save him! We- agh! "
The young Guardsman had attempted to sit up, but his trying was in vain. His weakened Spark jumped and flickered in his struggles causing him to collapse back on the berth, his venting deepened to cool his frantic Spark, and his optics offlined and clamped shut from pain.
Optimus could only watch as the little bot soldiered through his agony, he never let go of Smokescreen's servo as he suffered. But soon the spasms of pain subsided and he finally relaxed again.
"Smokescreen, you're in no condition to go against the Decepticons again at this time. I fear that none of us are. As I've said before; I have faith that Ultra Magnus will survive while we devise a plan to rescue him. You need not worry about him, for now you need to rest and gather your strength. Understood? "Optimus told him tenderly, but with a slight hint of authority.
"Yes, sir. "Smokescreen said sadly, knowing that there was nothing he could do to help.
With that, Optimus finally let go of Smokescreen's grey servo and left the medbay to see Ratchet, who had been watching and waiting close by just in case Smokescreen's condition worsened. The medic grabbed hold of Prime's arm and gently pulled him to the side, a silent gesture for a private conversation. In the meantime, Bumblebee had seen Optimus leave and rushed over to the medbay to check on his friend.
"Optimus, we can't stay here and you know that. I'm waiting for further instruction from Agent Fowler, but I'm at a loss about what to do about Smokescreen. He can't take another attack from the Decepticons, and he most likely won't make the trip on wheels. What do you suggest we do? "Ratchet asked.
"Did Ultra Magnus leave his ship here? "Optimus returned with another question. Ratchet already knew that the Prime was going to suggest taking the ship.
"Yes, he did. But are you certain that we can use it? "
"Of course," Optimus assured, "You're right about Smokescreen, he's too weak to make the trip. I'm sure that Magnus would permit us access to his ship in such a dire moment of need. I trust you will take care of it in the meantime. "
"In that case, I will make sure that it won't get a single scratch. "The medic said with a smile, "I'll go back to watching him now. "
:: Magnus, Smokescreen will make a full recovery. :: Magnus heard Optimus over their bond.
:: Excellent, make sure you watch over him. He'll make a fine warrior someday. ::
Meanwhile, Shockwave was being persistent in begging Megatron to allow him to perform some kind of experiment on Ultra Magnus as he had done previously with other countless Autobots. However, each attempt at approval was met with harsh denial.
Soon Shockwave dropped mutilation and reconstruction as a means of experimentation on the Autobot Commander. Instead, he offered up another suggestion that eerily wasn't met with immediate rejection. In fact, Megatron seemed to be pondering the idea that Shockwave had given, and appeared to be deviously delighted. Magnus tried to listen in on their conversation to make out what they were saying. When he heard it, he felt his Spark plummet in his chest.
The cortical psychic patch, a practiced long outlawed by Autobots and created by Decepticons. Yet he and countless others knew of the forbidden practice all too well. What insanity were they planning on inflicting his processor with? Or what information could they hope to pull from him that would be of any use to them?
Megatron walked in with Shockwave following in his shadow, that single red optic eyed Ultra Magnus from afar. The two guards stood aside and saluted their warlord before promptly leaving the room for the two higher-ups. Magnus only glared at the two Cons as they made their approach.
"As it turns out, there's been a change of plans. Shockwave, take him to Knock Out and prep him for the cortical psychic patch. Let's see if we can weed out those old memories from that twisted processor of yours, eh Magnum? "Megatron taunted as the Autobot's azure optics blazed like one thousand blue suns from a distant galaxy.
The last thing that Ultra Magnus' audios picked up was the disturbing laughter that the Decepticon leader emitted, as Shockwave pulled out an energon prod at its highest setting, and shocked the Autobot prisoner into stasis.
Will Magnus remember his days long before the war alongside Orion Pax, or are those memories long gone? As those crazy humans say; We must go deeper!