Knockout was glitched. Of that, Soundwave was certain. How did I not notice it before? He had offered to assist the doctor because he liked the mech, and now he was regretting that. Not only had Knockout failed to retrieve the woman at the center of his obsession, but he had suffered a decent drubbing at the hands of Ultra Magnus in the process. How difficult is it to kidnap a human? The mech had returned empty-handed, missing a door, and generally battered from head to peds. And for the cherry on top, Megatron was already back aboard the Nemesis when Knockout returned. Soundwave didn't hesitate to tell Megatron everything (I had no choice), and Megatron did not take it well.

Soundwave stood behind his master, trying to remain out of Megatron's sight, but it barely mattered. The warlord's fiery gaze was focused solely on Knockout. He paced slow circles around the medic, who stood on the bridge holding a servo protectively over his damaged limb. Knockout, Soundwave noticed, didn't even really appear to be paying any attention at all. He was looking at his damaged appendage, wondering how he was going to repair it without an assistant. "Dammit," he groused to no one in particular. "I'll have to ask Starscream to help. That's going to cost me."

Megatron had stopped his pacing and now stood in front of the doctor, mouth agape in surprise. He' s staring at Knockout like he has bugs crawling out of his audial receptors, thought Soundwave. The entire scene was absurd to the silent mech. Megatron is going to tear his spark out right here, and Knockout couldn't care less.

Megatron gathered his wits about him again and brought his face to within inches of the doctor's.

"What is the matter with you, Knockout?", he asked, his voice a low growl. "Not only did you leave the ship, despite my orders, but you involved Soundwave in your ruse. All to gain possession of one human female. And you didn't even manage to do that. All you did manage to do was get your aft handed to you by Ultra Magnus. What is your explanation?"

Knockout continued to fiddle with his damaged arm. Without looking up at Megatron, he answered, "She was mine. Wheeljack took her from me. I wanted her back." That was it. No stuttering apology. No begging for forgiveness. No fear. Just a matter of fact answer.

In a flash, Megatron had one clawed hand around Knockout's neck, lifting him up off of the bridge deck.

Knockout struggled against Megatron's grip while wheezing out one sentence: "You did ask me for an explanation, my liege."

A Vehicon at the helm of the Nemesis emitted a short burst of laughter only to be silenced by Megatron's steely gaze. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. It was just a matter of time before he was going to be cleaning up spilled energon and body parts from the floor.

The Vehicon turned his attention back to the monitor, and Megatron refocused on Knockout.

"I should tear your spark out for this," he spoke, slowly and deliberately. "Luckily for you, we have no other medical personnel on board this ship. That, dear doctor, is the only thing that is saving you right now. Starscream will meet you in med bay to help you with the repairs to your door. After that, you will return to your quarters and stay there unless I summon you. Do you understand me Knockout?"

"Yes, my liege," the doctor managed to say before being unceremoniously flung across the floor by Megatron. He picked himself up and stumbled down the corridor, still cradling his arm.

Megatron watching him leave before turning his attention to Soundwave. But instead of fury in his gaze, Soundwave saw disbelief.

"I'm afraid the doctor is losing his mind."

:I had noticed

"You noticed? Was that before or after you groundbridged him to the surface?"

:Only when he was standing here in front of you, my lord. He seems to be losing his grip on reality.

"Yes," mused Megatron, "he does. I want him under constant surveillance. I want to know every move that he makes. Are we clear, Soundwave?"

:Yes, my lord.

"Good," he said. Megatron headed off of the bridge, hands behind his back, head hung low in thought. Before walking out of sight he stopped.

"Soundwave…your loyal servitude to this point has not gone unnoticed. But do not ever betray me again."

A/N Ok, I'm infatuated with the thought of a batshit crazy Knockout. It's the only explanation for why he would chase this one woman, when he could literally snatch up another one at any time. And I think it's kinda funny.

Thanks for reading :)