Wheeljack cut his link to Knockout before speaking to Kerri. "He bit, kid. Are you ready?"
Kerri was terrified. She wasn't thinking about how this could go right, only about the any ways that it could go wrong. Common sense finally kicked in, and she was having second thoughts.
"I don't know, Wheeljack. How can we trust him to come alone? Especially after what happened last time. He's not stupid."
"Quit worrying, sweetstuff. I don't see Megatron sending troops down here just so Knockout can grab a human. Hell, I'd be surprised if Megs even knows what Knockout is up to."
Kerri wasn't convinced, however. She was shaking in the passenger seat and her heart was racing.
"We can go back if you wanna,' Wheeljack said. "But Knockout is never gonna stop and you know it. I owe it to you to fix this, babe."
Kerri shivered and sighed. She was very afraid. What if they failed? If she ended up on the Nemesis again there would be no escaping. She would die there. But constantly being afraid of Knockout was taking its toll on her now. This dark cloud was constantly hanging over her head. What if he attacked while she was with an Autobot? One of them could get killed in his rabid quest to get back, and she couldn't allow that.
"Ok, I'm in," Kerri exhaled. "But if anything, anything, seems off, we get out of there. I can't risk it again. Deal?"
'Got it, kid. But you're worrying about nothing," Wheeljack drawled. "I can handle Knockout."
"I have a bad feeling, Wheeljack. I don't trust this."
"Well, it's too late now. We're here.
Kerri looked out of the windshield into the dark desert night. She didn't see anything out of the ordinary, but she knew better than to trust that.
"Where are we, Wheeljack?"
"Where I told Knockout to meet me. I need you to get out."
"What?" Kerri exclaimed. "Why?"
"Because I want you to hide behind that rock over there. We're not taking any chances. Everything's gonna be fine, but just in case, I need you to be able to contact the Autobots."
Kerri was liking this less and less. 'How did I let him talk me into this? This is crazy!' But she obliged and climbed out of Wheeljack.
"Ok, babe. Stay here and don't move, no matter what. I'm going down the road a little more. I don't want any chance of him seeing you."
"Ok, Wheeljack, please be careful." Kerri went and crouched behind the rock as she watched Wheeljack's lights disappear down the road. She was shivering, and not just from the cold desert air. For an instant, she considered calling the Autobots. But her thought was interrupted by the roar of a car engine racing down the road. Knockout! She curled up closer to the rock, afraid that somehow Knockout could sense her presence. But he didn't stop, didn't even slow down. It was time, and this was going to happen, one way or another.
Knockout raced his way to the coordinates Wheeljack had sent him. He commed Starscream to let him know that he was nearly at his destination.
"Are you in position, Starscream?"
"I am, Knockout.'
"Good. Make sure that you stay hidden until I need you. I won't get another chance at this."
"I am aware, Doctor. Don't worry about me. I'm Second-In-Command for a reason. Just worry about your own tailpipe."
"Ok, Screamer, ok. I'm in position. Knockout, out," he purred.
Knockout stopped and transformed. Wheeljack was already standing in the road, katanas out.
"You hurt a friend of mine, Knockout. I'm here to settle the score."
"Where is she? You said she was with you."
"She's safe and sound. The only person you need to be worrying about is me."
Knockout pulled out his electric prod and began walking towards Wheeljack.
"We can do this the easy, Wheeljack. Just return her to me and be on your way. You Autobots have lots of human pets. You aren't going to miss one. She's mine and I want her back. You aren't going to stop me."
"What's your deal, Knockout? Meg's can't be too happy with his medical officer going cuckoo over a human. Weird fetish you got there, doc." Wheeljack smirked.
"Well, I guess we all can't be fine, upstanding citizens like the Autobots. It isn't my fault that you don't know what to do with a femme like Kerri. I had her moaning my name. She'll never want you after experiencing me," Knockout responded smugly.
"Well, you right about one thing, Doc," Wheeljack replied, equally smug. "She doesn't want me. Ultra Magnus seems much more her type."
"What do you mean?" Knockout asked Wheeljack, voice a low growl.
"Apparently she goes for the big bots. I know, I know, I was pretty shaken up myself. Who would've thought ol' Mags had it in him? She's head over heels with the guy, though. I'm pretty sure you're no more a blip on her radar than I am."
Knockout charged, blinded by rage. He was lying! He had to be! Kerri was his, and nobody, not Wheeljack, not Ultra Magnus, was going to stop that. Knockout aimed his prod squarely at Wheeljack's chassis, but the Autobot easily evaded the blow. Knockout was lashing out angrily, and Wheeljack used it to his advantage. As Knockout passed him, the Autobot caught him on the back struts with one of the katana blades. The Decepticon howled in pain and anger. He transformed and raced back towards Wheeljack, taking robot form once he reached the Autobot. His prod caught Wheeljack in his side, between his armor plating. The bot dropped to his knees in pain, and Knockout took the opportunity to get the prod into Wheeljack's cables on the side of his neck. Wheeljack got his elbow into Knockout's midsection, dropping the Decepticon, before getting up from the ground himself, katanas ready to strike again. Knockout stood up at the same time, rage on his face.
"You're lying about Kerri and Magnus. Admit, it Autobot," Knockout snarled.
"No can do, doc. Believe me, I'm not too happy about it either. But I'd have her be with Magnus over you any day. You raped her. Hurt her pretty bad. That's never gonna happen again. This ends here and now."
Kerri was too far away to see what was going on. She saw lights in the distance, but nothing else was definable.
"I can't take this anymore. I'm calling the Autobots."
"Now, now, dear girl. We can't have that, now can we?"
Kerri spun around and was face to face with Starscream. She didn't know where he had come from or how he had manged to sneak up on her, but here he was, in robot form, staring down at her. She made an attempt to run, but was easily grabbed up in Starscream's servo. Starscream took the phone from her hands and threw it.
"You were extremely foolish to come out here. Did you really think this was going to work out in your favor?"
"Let me go, Starscream. Knockout is crazy. He doesn't need me. He needs serious help!"
Starscream ignored her words, instead focusing on her face. He seemed repulsed by merely touching her.
"I honestly don't understand it. What does Knockout see in you? You're like any other fleshbag: weak , puny, and pathetic. Why does he think you're any different?"
"I don't know, Starscream. I'm no different. Please, just let me go," she pleaded."
'Sorry, my dear, but I can't do that. Because for some reason, the good doctor wants you. And I did promise to help him."
"And what's Megatron gonna do when he finds out you're in on this? He can't be happy about what happened earlier, and Knockout can't hide me aboard the Nemesis forever."
"Ah, that's where the story takes a turn. Knockout isn't taking you to the Nemesis. He has decided to take a "different path."
"What are you talking about?"
"Let's just say that the doctor has decided to strike out on this own. Megatron will never know that I helped because Megatron will never see Knockout or you again."
Kerri's heart was in her throat. This was the worst case scenario. She was firmly in Starscream,'s grip. Without warning, the Decepticon transformed, and Kerri found herself restrained in the cockpit as he hurtled toward Wheeljack and Knockout.
"Let's go see how the showdown is going, shall we?' he hissed.
Wheeljack heard Starscream before his saw him. As the jet raced into view, the Autobot pulled out his gun and began firing.
"I wouldn't do that, Autobot," growled Starscream. "I have rather precious cargo on board."
"He pulled up and landed behind Wheeljack, transforming to robot mode as his peds hit the ground. In his servo was Kerri.
"I have your pet human. I suggest you hold your fire. It would be a shame if you shot her by mistake."
"Let her go, Screamer. This is between Knockout and myself. Don't involve yourself in this."
"I can't do that, Wheeljack. My friend has been very upset recently, and she is the reason why. He's taking her, whether you like it or not."
"Over my dead body," roared Wheeljack as he raced toward Starscream, katanas swinging. But in focusing solely on Starscream, he forgot about Knockout. The doctor flew up, catching Wheeljack solidly in the side with his prod. Wheeljack dropped again, and Knockout caught him on the side of his helm with the prod. Wheeljack went down, processor scrambled. Knockout stepped over Wheeljack's unconscious body and reached for his prize.
Kerri was screaming and thrashing about in Starscream's servo, trying to get to Wheeljack and avoid Knockout, but there was absolutely no escape. Knockout took her from Starscream's servo and wrapped her protectively in his.
"Now, now, my dear. Don't worry yourself about Wheeljack. Just be happy that I have you back."
Starscream walked over and looked down at Wheeljack's prone body.
"What about him?" he asked Knockout.
"Do whatever you want. I have what I came for."
Starscream ginned and extended his arm, missile ready to fire.
"No!", Kerri screamed. She looked wildly at Knockout. "Please, Knockout, if you really love me, don't let him kill Wheeljack. Please! I'll go with you. I won't fight anymore. I'll do anything you want! Please!"
Knockout thought for a second before turning to face Starscream.
"Leave him. If you kill him, Megatron will know that you were here. Besides, there's nothing he can do now. I have my prize. And when he awakens, he will have no idea where I've taken her."
"Your choice, doctor." Starscrea looked down at Wheeljack again before walking back to Knockout.
"You'd better get to the Harbinger. I must return to the Nemesis before Megatron gets suspicious. If he asks, you overpowered me after you fixed my wing. I was injured and couldn't stop you. You need to hit me with your prod."
"Why would I do that? You helped me?"
"Because, idiot, if I tell him that you overpowered me, he's going to want to know how, and he's
"Of course, of course," Knockout answered. "This is going to hurt."
He took the prod and jammed it into Starscream's cockpit. The electricity flowed through his body, and Starscream howled in pain.
"Enough, enough, dammit!" he screamed. "I actually do need to make it back to the Nemesis,' he snarled. Knockout walked over to his and put his free servo on his shoulder.
"Thank you, Starscream. I won't forget this. If you need anything, ever, I'll be at your disposal."
"I'm quite certain I will be taking you up on that offer sooner rather than later." he answered. Starscream looked at the woman in Knockout's servo before catching the doctor's optics again.
"Good luck, Knockout. You're going to need it. But at least you had the strength to leave."
He contemplated saying more, but instead, leaped into the air, transformed again, and roared off. Knockout turned his attention back to the woman in his servo.
"Very well, my dear. It's time for us to leave. Remember what you promised. Wheeljack will be out for a long time, and it will take no effort for Starscream to come back and finish him. Now say goodbye. For the last time."
Kerri looked down sadly at Wheeljack. It was over, for real this time. She was back with Knockout, and he was taking her somewhere that the Autobots would never find her. The only consolation was that they had allowed Wheeljack to live. He would be ok. "You won't die like my friends did.' Her thoughts turned to Ultra Magnus. "I'm sorry, Commander,' she thought. 'I didn't intend for it to happen this way. I would give anything to see your face again.'
Knockout transformed, making sure the woman was properly restrained. But his concern wasn't necessary. Kerri sat in the passenger seat, numb to everything around her. This was her fate. There was no use in fighting anymore. She couldn't and wouldn't. No one could save her now.