C0-R4's (Cora) P.O.V
This is really starting to concern me.
I've been feeling really bad in the past weeks. My mate, T4R4 (Tara), is concerned for me, but I don't feel into bothering Breakdown and Knockout with something that I'm sure it's going to fade in time.
The Vehicon never stops flowing. Most of the time is just gossip or someone needing someone to assume his or her post for a while.
Recently, one Vehicon in particular have been really talkative.
K4-R0L has been fluttering something about a new femme that arrived a few days ago. They say she is Soundwave's younger sister and that they are her friends and things like that.
The quantity of femme Vehicons is very small, but they sure know how to build a reputation. Karol is known for being daring, but is far from being a liar.
But her story hardly seems plausible.
I am walking through the halls with Tara by my side.
- Cora, please. - He begged, holding my hand - Just a quick visit. You have nothing to lose.
- Tara, I'm not going to bother Knockout for a simple cold. - I said.
- It's not a cold. - He replied - You're not okay.
I was about to reply, but a sudden wave of weakness made me fall to my knees.
- CORA! - Tara panicked, kneeling by my side and helping me up - That's it! I'll be taking you to the sickbay whether you like it or not.
- Tara? Cora? - I've heard a female voice above us. Karol is there, and seems to be worried. She ran until us and helped Tara to lift me up.
- Tara, what happened? - She asked.
- He's been feeling very bad for the past weeks. - My mate answered, stroking my back gently - But he refused to go to the sickbay.
Karol nodded and focused on helping Tara. Dizziness overflew me and I passed out.
Karol's P.O.V
Cora can be very stubborn when he wants to, but I never thought he would get to the point of ignoring a medical problem. Tara is a friend, and I know how much he is concerned for his mate.
It's not uncommon to find a drone with a mate. Most of the crew has or had a mate and some even formed trines. Steve used to be obsessed with Starscream when they first met, but his interest faded to the point that the closest thing he does to admire him is stare his aft 24 hours per week, so he did not refused when Nate and I invited him to form a trine. That's why people see the three of us together most of the time.
Soundchip's P.O.V
Soundwave sprouted in the rec. room shortly after Breakdown and I finished our rations. I explained him what happened and why I had chosen to go for Breakdown instead of him.
He understood and now we are just walking together in the halls.
- Soundwave, do you think Knockout knows how to do tattoos? - I asked, looking at him. He shrugged and his visor lit up with a question sign.
- I want to cover that mark in my hip and thought that maybe I could tattoo something beautiful over it. - I answered - Seeing that Knockout definitely knows how take care of his paintjob maybe he also knows how to tattoo.
Soundwave nodded, showing that he understood. Suddenly, my ringed and I opened the message.
"K4-R0L - CHIP! WE NEED YOU IN THE SICKBAY, NOW!"
- Soundwave, someone's in trouble. - I said - I have to go!
He nodded again and I ran until the sickbay, trying hard to remember the way Nate taught me. I didn't get lost this time and arrived at the sickbay in record time.
The door flushed open and I saw Karol and two other Vehicons, one of them lying in a berth and the other by his side, stroking his helm.
-Chip, this is Cora. - Karol said, pointing at the drone in the berth - And that is his mate Tara.
- What happened? - I asked, shyness replaced with professionalism in a matter of seconds.
- He's been feeling bad for the past weeks. - Tara answered - But didn't to come here to check.
- We brought him here because he passed out in the corridor. - Karol finished for him. I know how much it hurts for a bonded couple to see each other suffering.
I nodded and went for a hand-scanner. Knockout made sure that I knew where to find everything over here.
I came back and started the scan. The scanner beeped and I panicked to see that Cora's energon levels were depleted.
- Karol, I need your help. - I said, looking at her. She nodded - He needs energon, now. Get a cube.
She nodded again and went to get a cube. I went to find a support to start the IV drip. When Karol came back, I smiled to see that she brought an extra cube.
-Thanks. - I said, getting one of the cubes and starting the drip. I took the liberty to mix a few nutrients in the energon to make sure he was going to be just fine.
- What happened to him? - Tara asked, sounding concerned.
- I'm not sure. - I answered, grabbing the scanner again and looking at the results - As far as I can see, there's something in his spark-chamber. I need to wait until this thing finishes processing the data to know what.
Tara lowered his head to look at his mate.
- Hey, don't worry. - I said, placing a gentle hand in his shoulder - I'm sure he will be alright.
- You think? - Tara asked, sounding happier.
- I know. - I answered - And I'm also going to do my best to make him feel better.
Knockout's P.O.V
I left the sickbay to refuel and found Breakdown in the rec. room.
- Well, hello you. - I greeted, getting a cube of energon and sitting beside him.
-Hi. - He said back, not really looking at me.
-What's in your mind Breakdown? - I asked, taking a sip from my cube.
-Soundchip slept with me last night. - He answered, making me split what I had just drank - Not the way you're thinking!
-Excuse me, do you bother to explain? - I asked, taking a rag out of my subspace and cleaning the mess I did.
-Starscream hurts her. -He answered - He learned something about her past and started to throw it in her face. She came for me later for comfort and ended up sleeping. I didn't wanted to wake her up so I let her sleep in my chamber.
- Primus, you really like that femme. - I said, drinking my cube slowly.
- What can I do? - He said, finally looking at me - She is just that way.
I smiled. I must admit that I feel happy that Breakdown finally found something that makes him real happy.
When I finished my cube, the two of us started to walk back to the sickbay.
And I found myself surprised to see Soundchip in there.
There's a femme Vehicon helping her taking care of a mech Vehicon who is recharging in a berth with another Vehicon beside him.
-Knockout, Breakdown! - Chip greeted, walking until us - I could use some help, c'mon.
The Vehicon standing beside the one in the berth and the femme helping Chip made a short explanation for us while Chip showed me the lectures she got from the scanner.
- Resuming, there's something in his spark chamber that's draining the energon he consumes and making him feel weak. - Chip finished while I read the data - I have a theory, but wanted a second opinion.
- Wait until the results are ready. - I said, placing the scanner in a table - For now, we wait him wake up.
Chip nodded.
- Knockout, this is Karol. - She said, pulling the femme Vehicon closer - And those are Cora and Tara.
- Are they bonded? - I couldn't help but ask - They sure act like they are.
Karol nodded and Chip smiled.
-Knockout, do you know how to tattoo? - Chip asked, looking at me.
-Why? - I asked. I will not lie, I do know a thing or two about tattoos, but why Chip wants to mark her pretty body?
- I have an ugly mark. - She answered, placing a digit-tip in her hip joint. I could see a spot where the purple was darker - It brings me sadness whenever I have to look at it, so I thought that maybe I could cover it with something beautiful.
I smiled.
- I'm not going to lie I know a few things about tattoo. - I said - I can try and do one for you.
Chip's smile grew wider and she nodded.
- I just need a base. - I added.
-I'll search for one. - She said - Thank you KO.
-No problem Chip.
...
So, I want to thank A-Mais-Pura-Preguiça-Do-Mundo for giving me the idea of covering Chip's tattoo with another, beautiful one.
What do you think that Chip should tattoo? And what do you think that is happening with Cora?
See ya in the next chapter with answeres for these questions!