Chapter 7: The Jobs

Note: At this point I wanted my OC Scanner to become one of the main characters. So expect to see him more often in this.

That night, Scanner laid in his new bed in deep thought. He seemed to be troubled. Earlier, Moonstriker had told him about Shockwave's scuffle with Barricade. Scanner's processor seemed to backtrack to the time he fought Prowl in Kaon. Scanner tried to wipe it away but it just kept coming back.

"What if I see Prowl again? What if, we have another fight? What if he beats me? Why can't I get it out of my head?" So many thoughts covered his mind. He then remembered telling Shockwave many years ago about his run-in with Prowl. He worried about what Shockwave would think the next time he meets Prowl.

Flashback...

It was one cold night back in Kaon. Not a lot of mechs or femmes were out. Most of them were either asleep or had night shifts at work. A much younger Scanner was on his way over to Moonstriker's house to tell him about his medic business when he passed by a younger Prowl who was standing around in an alley. Scanner already knew Prowl was a troublemaker. Prowl and Barricade were born troublemakers. But while Barricade only went after mechs who messed with him or got in his way, Prowl went after anybody he saw as weak or afraid! Scanner's alt. mode was an ambulance like his friend Ratchet who worked in the Iacon hospital. As he raced down a few streets he was nudged from behind by Prowl. Scanner knew Prowl was also known for teasing others in vehicle mode by nudging them. Prowl was in a fighting mood and was trying to pick a fight with Scanner. Scanner tried to ignore the shoves and continue on knowing Prowl never treated his job seriously. However, once they reached the street near Moonstriker's house, Prowl sped up and blocked Scanner's way. Scanner ended up ramming into the side of Prowl forcing them both to transform.

"ARE YOU TRYING GET YOUR FACE SMASHED IN?" Scanner threatened.

Prowl was not expecting Scanner to actually run into him, so he was mad also!

"WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA OF RUNNING INTO ME?" Prowl snarled.

"YOU BLOCKED MY WAY!" Scanner snarled clenching his fists.

"YEAH, I DID! SO WHAT?" Prowl said.

"ARE YOU TRYING TO START A FIGHT?" Scanner said.

"Mabye I am, but I'm going to rip you apart for hitting me in the side, should be easy, you medics can't even fight at all." Prowl smirked.

Scanner, now fully enraged, lunged at Prowl forcing them both into the nearbye alley. Both mechs were punching and kicking each other, but it was Prowl who was taking it the worst. Scanner was bigger than him thus making him stronger. Plus Scanner's claws enabled him to slash Prowl's chest. After a few minutes, Scanner had Prowl wrapped in a tight headlock against the wall. Prowl tried to bite down on Scanner's armor but there was no effect.

"TAKE IT BACK!" Scanner demanded.

"NO!"

"DO IT!"

"NEVER!"

Scanner shoved Prowl to the ground hard and stepped on his back applying pressure.

"I'm not going to ask you again, TAKE. IT. BACK!" Scanner snarled and changed his right hand into a Buzzsaw and brought it close to his face.

"You wouldn't dare!" Prowl said.

"Is that so?" Scanner said and moved it closer till it started to cut up the left side of Prowl's mouth.

"OW! OW! ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT! I TAKE IT BACK! MEDICS ARE TOUGH AND THEY CAN FIGHT!" Prowl admitted defeat.

Scanner turned his hand back to normal and took his foot off of Prowl and left without a word. Prowl weakily got up wiping the energon that had spreaded across his mouth off. He stared at Scanner who transformed and raced away. Prowl clutched his chest and walked home to get himself repaired.

Back to present...

Scanner gripped the sides of his bed with his claws and felt relieved that he was able to get through the whole memory without getting too worried. The white mech sighed as he got up out of his bed and went to get some energon. He returned to his window and looked out. The air was nice and cool and it brushed against his white and gray armor. A smile grew on his face knowing that he had made the right decesion of coming along. He was excited for tomorrow when he goes to work at the hospital. He knew Moonstriker was going to the contruction sites tomorrow and Shockwave was going to work at the Advanced Science and Tech Center which was downtown. The next day, the three separated to go to their work. Moonstriker drove around town happy to see other Monster trucks on the road. They were treated on the road the same way others were. Of course the seekers would sometimes misbehave. Moonstriker arrived at contruction site where a new hotel was being made. His first task was to help set up supports. Seemed easy enough for them. Many other workers were doing the best they could. Moonstriker would occasionally help them out. Everyone there had heard about Shockwave's brutal event with the enforcers back in Kaon. Somehow the news had spread.

"Moonstriker, how's that son of yours doing?" One mech asked during break.

"He's doing great! He's getting his first job today. He just wasn't expecting those enforcers to be here!" Moonstriker said sipping on energon.

"I wish those enforcers would leave...nothing but trouble!" A monster mech said recieving agrees back.

"Shockwave said that Barricade ran off after just getting punched once!" Moonstriker said.

"Heh, Barricade's a little baby! I bet even Prowl wouldn't stand a chance!" A regular mech said.

"So Striker, you planning on being in construction for the rest of your life? None of us don't know yet, I mean Iacon is huge and there just isn't any more room for more building after this!" Another monster mech said.

"Yeah you're right...I don't know! There could be something else out there for me. I'd just have to find it!" Moonstriker said and the others agreed.

Meanwhile at the Advanced Science and Tech Center, Shockwave was talking to the boss about getting a job there. So far he was doing great! Shockwave waited patiently as the boss looked through a few papers. Shockwave looked at the ground with his claws intertwined and twirling his thumbs. Shockwave's antenna's would twitch every once in a while. Finally the boss looked up from the papers and back to Shockwave who looked at him. Blue optics met one red optic as one prepared to speak.

"Shockwave, I would like to welcome you to the business." A smile appeared on the bosses face and he nodded. Shockwave couldn't believe it!

"Thank you so much Optimus sir! I won't let you down!" Shockwave said happily.

"Now, I will appoint to you a guide to show you around." Optimus said getting on the phone.

Shockwave wondered who his guide was. A few seconds later, the door opened slowly to reveal a tall and slim mech. He was very different from everybody else. He had a monitor for a face. He seemed to have some kind of bird-like deployer on his chest. Shockwave was a little creeped-out at first, but he remembered not to judge him because it looked like the mech could probably kick his aft.

"Ah Soundwave, meet our newest member, Shockwave!" Optimus said as he and Shockwave got up.

"Another Wave?" Shockwave thought. This was strange.

"Soundwave, I want you to be his guide!" Optimus said.

"Yes Sir!" Soundwave says. "Come with me!"

Shockwave looked back at Optimus who smirked. Soundwave showed Shockwave the entire building. Shockwave was loving every moment of it. There were different labs, advanced weaponary and tools, a large book room and much more. Soundwave would often stop and ask if Shockwave had any questions...but he didn't have any. That was what Soundwave was expecting. Many other mechs would cast confused glances at Shockwave who tried not to look back. About 20 minutes later the tour ended at the very top floor where Shockwave was going to be stationed at. The building had 10 floors.

"And finally the highly advanced science floor. This is where you will be stationed." Soundwave said. Shockwave was amazed at all the equipment stored here. And he found he would not be alone. Three other mechs were also on that floor working. Shockwave was too busy looking around to notice a seeker pop up behind him.

"Soundwave, who is this?" Starscream asked examining the one-opticed mech.

"This is Shockwave, our newest member and will be working up here!" Soundwave said.

"Uh...hello!" Shockwave says nervously to the long-clawed mech.

"Hey!" Starscream said in a low evily tone.

Soundwave walks Shockwave away from him.

"Don't worry, Starscream can be a bit...mean! But trust me, you get used to him. He just never trusts new guys at first." Soundwave assured. "If he gives you trouble...let me know...I'll set him straight because I work up here too!"

"Thanks!" Shockwave said sounding much better. "So who are those guys!" He asked pointing to the two mouth-plated mechs.

"Those two are our oldest members, Brainstorm and Cerebros. Trust me, you will like them as soon as you meet them!" Soundwave said. "So, your first task is to get aquainted with the tools and other equipment around here. I believe Brainstorm will be perfect for that!"

Just then Brainstorm came over to them with a few data files.

"Did you need these Soundwave?" Brainstorm said carrying a pile of files.

"Yes Brainstorm thank you! Now then, think you can show Shockwave here how to work all the equipment in the room?" Soundwave asked taking the files.

"Of course!" Brainstorm said happily and motioned for Shockwave to follow him.

Starscream meanwhile was talking to Cerebros.

"You think we can trust him?" Starscream asked.

"I think so, heck, I bet me and Brainstorm could trust him more than we do you!" Cerebros said earning a grip on the chin.

"Now your just asking for trouble!" Starscream sneered leaning in towards Cerebros.

"STARSCREAM GET BACK TO WORK!" Soundwave demanded.

"Fine!" Starscream said giving Cerebros one last glare before releasing his chin and returning to his desk.

Starscream heard Shockwave and Brainstorm chuckling and turned to them. The laughers quickly continue on what they were doing! Meanwhile at the hospital, Scanner had just been given the task of assisting Ratchet. He was happy to be working in a real hospital instead of at his house.

"Great job Scanner, you're really getting the hang of this!" Ratchet said as Scanner was working on his first patient.

"Thanks Ratchet, I have always wanted to do this!" Scanner said as he tried to connect a piece of the mech's arm in place. Since he had clawed-servos he made sure he didn't scrape the mech's armor.

"How long exactly have you wanted to do this?" Ratchet said.

"Ever since I was little, I forgot what age!" Scanner said as he stitched up the patient!

That night, Shockwave brought Mirage, Brawl, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker over to his basement to hang out. Moonstriker and Scanner were also down there to talk about their day.

"Starscream sounds like a real slagger!" Brawl laughed.

"Yeah, but I believe I can get through it!" Shockwave said.

"I wonder how the word spreaded about you!" Moonstriker wondered.

"Yeah, that does seem strange!" Scanner agreed.

"At least they won't bother you again!" Sideswipe said with Sunstreaker nodding.

"Well, that was just Barricade, what about Prowl?" Mirage asked.

They all notice Scanner looking uneasy by that name!

"You alright Scanner?" Sunstreaker asked.

"Yeah, I'm...alright!" Scanner said.

Somewhere downtown, Barricade walked into a bar where he still looked uneasy from his fight with Shockwave. Prowl was already there.

"Uh Barricade, what's up with you...you look like you saw your life flash before your optics." Prowl teased.

"I kinda did yesterday!" Barricade said.

"How?"

"Well, Shockwave and Moonstriker are here now! I got into a fight with Shockwave!" Barricade said.

"You fought that runt, he must be scrap metal by now!"

"Uh...actually it's the opposite."

"What? He beat you?" Prowl said alarmed.

"He scared me, when we saw him as a kid, he was just a weakling, but yesterday, he just...got stronger. He blocked my first punch and bent my arm nearly tearing it off. Then he punched me in the face hard as heck. I ended up bleeding out of my nose and mouth and right optic was blackened." Barricade explained.

Prowl was surprised. Barricade, the most cruel cop in Kaon and Iacon, was defeated by a regular mech.

"Wow dude, you going to get him back?" Prowl asked.

"I don't think so, he really was scary this time, he's changed. I think I'll just stick to picking on others." Barricade said.

"Whatever, I bet I could take him!" Prowl bragged.

"Okay, have fun getting your aft handed to ya!" Barricade said sipping on his energon.

Prowl then wondered, if those two were here, what about Scanner?

To be continued...