Thoughts and criticisms are encouraged and appreciated.
Soundwave stepped towards the console in front of him, staring up at the code displayed across the screen; the code that had been transmitted to him the moment Knockout had brought them up on the computer… the code that he was just now detecting in his own systems as he scanned them. He had read through the lines of data immediately upon receiving them, and he knew exactly what the function of this virus was. Though his expression remained stoic, Soundwave felt his spark sink. He had failed in his duty to the Decepticons. He had failed his Lord and Master.
Although the 'Con had realized all this by himself, for some reason Knockout felt the need to inform him thusly, "A virus, Soundwave?" he did a poor job of keeping the glee out of his voice as he chastised his communications officer, "Oh, that is just rich. Honestly, I'd have thought someone in your position would be more careful about something like this… I mean, how did you not notice it?! There's hardly any encryption on this thing, it's so crudely written" Placing a hand on the console, Knockout strummed his digits lightly, "Hmm, well it's too late now, anyways. This thing has already sent the entire Iacon Database straight to the Autobots.
"…But you know, this does explain how they were able to beat me to the relic… and if they got to that one so quickly, I don't see how we have any chance of finding the other ones before the Autobots do." Knockout shook his head solemnly, but his voice still had that slight trace of mirth to it, "Oh dear. Megatron will not be pleased when he hears about this." He reached forward to press a button on the console, "So… Do you want to tell him, or shall I?"
Soundwave turned from the screen over to Knockout. He hovered his gaze on the medic for a long moment as he processed his situation. He was right, of course. Megatron would be furious when he learned Soundwave had practically handed over the database to the Autobots… Although he had always been the most loyal and dependable of Megatron's followers, and this was the first big mistake he'd ever made; surely his glorious leader would show him mercy on those grounds.
…but, he realized, this wasn't just a mistake; this was monumental. There was no telling what sort of opportunities the 'Cons would now miss out on because of this or even what kind of advantage the Autobots would gain from it. Things would never be the same if Megatron knew Soundwave had allowed this to happen. The trust he alloted to his third in command would forever be tarnished.
Taking all this into account, Soundwave turned back to the control panel to call Megatron… He knew what he had to do, and since the trust between him and his Master would be broken either way… He would have to lie.
Knockout stepped back as Soundwave reached out to the console and crossed his arms across his chassis. He knew this virus was a terrible blow to the Decepticon cause, but all the same. It took all his self-control to keep the satisfied smirk off his face as he watched Soundwave hesitate over the controls, his digits giving a slight twinge before he finally brought them down. He looked up at the screen as a view of the brig came up with a Vehicon in front of the console. On the edge of the camera's range, Megatron was visible.
"Lord Megatron," the drone said, turning to his master, "Soundwave is calling from the data archives."
Megatron turned and approached the console, his expression was already quite displeased, "Soundwave! What are you doing there?" he commanded, "I told you to meet me down here with the human!"
Soundwave looked down at the control panel and proceeded to type out a command which brought up a window on the screen with the virus coding. Megatron paused a moment as he scanned the coding.
"What…? Is this… A virus?!" he shouted, "What is its function?"
Soundwave replayed Knockout's words from earlier: "-sent the entire Iacon Database straight to the Autobots."
"WHAAAT?!"
Knockout couldn't help but flinch at the sound of the enraged Megatron's voice. He hadn't heard that kind of ferocity from his master in a long time. A loud clang resounded through the console speakers as Megatron brought his fists down on the control panel in front of him in a fit of rage.
"WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS?!" He demanded, his optics flaring in anger.
This was the moment Knockout had been waiting for. He looked back down to Soundwave, still fighting to keep his expression from looking too smug in front of Megatron, and watched as the 'Con bowed his head slightly… but suddenly he turned and raised his arm, extending a digit towards-
"KNOCKOUT?!"
His mouth fell open in shock. Suddenly all that satisfaction he had felt just moments ago vanished. Soundwave was trying to frame him?!
"Wha- NO! NO, HE'S LYING!" he cried, pointing back at Soundwave, "He's the one who-"
Soundwave interrupted him as he played back more recordings of his own voice, "A virus-? Oh, that is just rich- Megatron will not be pleased when he hears about this."
"NO! TH-THAT WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTEXT!" Knockout screamed. But the delight in his voice on those clips… He really shouldn't have been so jovial as he was chastising Soundwave before. But how could he have known that Soundwave would flat out lie to Megatron? The idea was so ridiculous he hadn't even considered it… which was exactly why Megatron wasn't going to believe him.
"SILENCE!" Megatron's optics narrowed as he glared at the medic, "And to think… all this time I just took your blundering for the work of a coward… but a traitor?! I had thought you were smarter than that, Knockout."
"No! Lord Megatron it's not tru-"
"ENOUGH!" Knockout took a defensive step back as his master's voice shook the console. "I don't want to hear any of your lies. Soundwave! Escort him to me in the brig. I want the pleasure of pulling out his circuits for myself."
There was a click as communications were cut off and Megatron disappeared from the screen. Knockout looked on in horror as Soundwave turned towards him, his one free tentacle unwinding from his body, the tendrils on the end writhing in anticipation of clamping down on the medic.
"No… NO! You won't get away with this!" he shouted, backing against the wall and away from the approaching mech, his hands raised defensively. "I… I can prove that you were the one who introduced the virus!"
Soundwave stopped in his tracks. After pausing for a moment, he played back, "LYING!"
"You and Laserbeak both have the virus coding still inside you!" Knockout said, raising a digit and pointing at the mini-con clamped onto Soundwave's chest, "I can show Megatron that not only was the virus your fault, but then he'll also know that you were lying to him just now!"
Soundwave stood frozen in place, his processor working fast trying to determine his next move. It didn't take him long to decide: drawing back his tentacle slightly, he proceeded to drive it straight towards Knockout, claws spinning and poised to pierce through his spark.
Knockout screamed and dove out of the way just in time and the tentacle crashed into the wall behind him. It tore through the exterior metal, twisting it as the claws rotated and pulled it apart with a metallic shriek. Now sprawled across the floor, Knockout couldn't tear his optics from the tentacle as it struggled to remove itself from the wall… Soundwave had intended to do that to him. He realized that revealing how he intended to prove his innocence was a mistake, because now Soundwave had no intention of taking him to Megatron alive.
Finally pulling out of the crater it had formed in the wall, the tentacle turned its attention again towards Knockout. The medic scrambled to his feet as it lunged for him again, taking aim at his helm. Just before the claws could smash through his face and tear his processor into pieces, he managed to reach up with both servos and grab the tentacle, stopping it mere inches from his optics. However, Soundwave began stepping closer, pushing his tentacle harder against the grip holding it back, and Knockout started to feel his digits slipping. He leaned away but the spinning claws continued slowly closing in.
"AUGH! You fragging maniac!" Knockout stumbled backwards, still struggling with the tentacle and trying to keep it from mutilating his face, "You- you can't… do this!"
Soundwave responded by stepping closer, pushing harder against his resisting servos. Knockout had backed himself against a wall again; trapped between Soundwave's attack and the solid metal behind him. The tentacle slid slightly through his digits again, and Knockout turned his helm away. The very tips of the claws began skimming across his temple just behind his optic, tearing up the paint and scraping the soft metal underneath.
As if sensing his impending termination, Knockout felt a sudden surge in his spark. With all the strength he had, he tightened his grasp on Soundwave's tentacle and slowly managed to pull it away from his helm. However, he couldn't keep the tentacle at bay forever, and the claws were still only a short distance from tearing into him. He had to act quickly while there was still time. He released the grip of one of his servos, transformed it into his saw blade, and drove it deep into Soundwave's tentacle.
Letting out a sound somewhat like a hiss, Soundwave stumbled and pulled his tentacle away, splashing energon across the floor between the two 'Cons.
Knockout didn't hesitate, transforming his servo back, he pulled out his energon staff from where it was clipped to his side and lunged for Soundwave.
Having lost use of his one unoccupied tentacle, Soundwave had to quickly free up the other one. Taking a few steps back to give himself more space between the two, he flicked his tentacle to the side, sending Jack skidding across the floor. With his tentacle now unencumbered, he thrust it towards Knockout as he descended on him.
However those few moments in which he had to rid himself of the human were critical, allowing Knockout to see the attack coming and avoid letting the tentacle pierce his chassis. He couldn't dodge it completely though, and instead the rotating claws drove into his side. The red 'Con cried out in pain, but regardless, he continued pushing forward and shoved his energon prod towards the connecting wiring of Soundwave's neck.
There wasn't time to dodge, and with his tentacle still lodged in Knockout's side trapping him in place, he was forced to take the full brunt of the prod's attack. After faltering backwards for a moment, the 'Con finally went crashing to the floor.
As his surge was wearing off, Knockout doubled over as he began to really feel the painful throbbing in his side, but he managed to keep his footing. Still grasping his staff tightly in one servo, clutching his injured side with the other and venting heavily, he glared down at Soundwave's unconscious form in front of him.
…He had just fought Soundwave. By every right he should have been dead. It was a miracle he had managed to even land a blow on the 'Con let alone take him down.
Yet, as the initial awe of the moment passed, he felt an encroaching sense of horror as he started to realize exactly what had just happened. Dropping his staff, he staggered back until he hit the wall and slid to the ground, his optics wide and terrified.
"Oh no… No! What have I done?!" he cried, placing his helm in his servos. His processor was racing, his spark fluttering out of control as he took fast and short intakes, "They'll never believe I'm innocent after this! No…. No, I… I'm- OH FRAG! What am I supposed to do now?!"
Just as he was about to plunge into a full on panic attack, Knockout was suddenly pulled back from his anxiety by a small coughing sound. He looked up to see Jack standing in front of him with a nervous smile on his face.
"Ahem… Uhh… Well… You could escape." he offered, "…W-We could escape… together."