The display listed off malfunction after malfunction, all complex. A line image of a Cybertronian was lit up with blue at key points. The readout did not look promising. Avi studied every bit of it intently, aware that Knockout, arms folded, was watching him think.
One of Avi's wings dipped, but he didn't fidget. He knew what he saw. "It looks like an actuator problem."
"Not bad," Knockout commented. Avi straightened proudly. The medic smirked and held up a finger. "Ah-ah-ah. Don't start patting yourself on the back just yet. All you did was identify the issue. The real question is how you would—"
Two terrible things happened at once. The door to the med bay opened, and an all-too-familiar voice shouted, "Knockout!"
Commander Starscream couldn't catch Avi here, not in the middle of training. He'd think Avi didn't want to be in the Seeker squadrons, or he'd want to know why he hadn't been told before. It would be a disaster. The only thing that saved Avi was the fact that the commander was still looking at the datapad he was holding up in one hand.
"You would not believe..."
Avi dove behind the nearest surgical berth.
"... the tedious surveillance duty that—what was that?"
"What are you talking about?" Knockout asked smoothly as if there were nothing wrong at all.
Avi was squeezed behind the berth, limbs curled up and wings tucked down. He tried not to vent despite the spike of nervous energy.
"That noise." Starscream's footsteps drew toward the console, and Avi scooted quietly around the berth. "Don't tell me you didn't hear it."
"Your audio receptors must be on the fritz, Starscream. It would explain why you're here after I asked you oh-so-politely not to barge into the med bay anymore."
Starscream scoffed. "Why, so I don't interrupt your important work in this time of crisis?" Avi could picture the commander staring pointedly around the practically empty med bay. "Like looking over old diagnostic files?"
Avi hoped that Starscream was busy looking at the console and darted for a small stack of energon crates. He only knew he had been right when there was no accusatory shout.
"Hmm." There was the click of a key and the descending tone of a closed screen: Knockout had taken down the file. "Since you're here, what's ruffled your feathers this time?"
"I'm so glad you asked."
Avi pressed his wings as far down as they would go and peered over the crates. Knockout was leaning against the console and facing him, but Starscream had his back turned. Avi eased upright. The door was just a few steps away. He backed toward it slowly.
And then it hissed open.
Starscream only turned his head, but Avi felt like a targeting laser was on him. He froze in the middle of the doorway.
"What are you doing here?" the commander asked curiously.
"I just came in," Avi blurted out. "For repairs."
Starscream's wings snapped up in alarm. "Why? Are you injured?"
"No, sir! Commander. Sir." His improvised excuse came out rapid-fire. "I meant a standard physical exam."
Starscream had relaxed from his initial concern, but now his expression started toward confused. Avi noted with despair that Knockout, safely behind Starscream, was grinning broadly. Maybe he wasn't the officer to trust with a secret.
"But you're..." Avi pointed at Knockout but then hurriedly dropped his hand. "But you're busy. So."
Starscream tilted his head, a frown forming. Knockout struggled with silent laughter.
Avi turned on his heel and ran for it. "Bye," he called without looking back.
Being discreet was a lot harder than he'd thought.