Author's Notes: This chapter is the first one where Knockout doesn't appear. Don't worry though, he'll be back soon. This is also the first chapter that involves a multi-chapter plot, and I can't help but wonder if anyone saw this turn of events coming. Anyway, I hope everyone enjoys this chapter, and please review :)
Chapter 6
Operation: Loose Screw
Motormaster stood on the bridge with Megatron, Dreadwing, and Soundwave. It had been nearly three months since he and his brothers had arrived on the Nemesis, and they had yet to see any action. It had taken a while, but Motormaster was finally getting fed up with Megatron keeping them cooped up on the ship and wanted answers now.
"Hey Megatron!" Motormaster boomed, and Megatron glared at him; sending a warning signal that Motormaster ignored, "You've had five skirmishes with the Autobots, and my boys and I haven't been apart of any of them! What gives?"
"Watch your tone when you address me, Stunticon," Megatron hissed, and Motormaster squared his shoulders uncomfortably, "As for why you haven't been sent out in the field, the answer is simple. You and your team are currently of no use to me."
"No use?" Motormaster repeated incredulously, "You let the fraggin' Vehicons out and we're stuck on this flyin' boat because you think we're useless!?"
"I said currently of no use," Megatron corrected him, "Make no mistake, you and your combiner team are a great asset to the Decepticon cause, but only when you are whole. Ever since you got here I have had Soundwave searching for other Decepticon warriors that fit your team's specific needs. He has already downloaded a spec sheet to give to Knockout so that a new right leg can be transferred to Menasor. However, we have yet to track down the perfect match, and we cannot allow an inferior mech to disgrace your unit."
"Well, I guess that's true," Motormaster reluctantly agreed, "So when we're made whole again you'll let us kill Autobots?"
"Yes," Megatron nodded, "Now, was there anything else you needed, Motormaster?"
"Uh, no Lord Megatron, not at all," Motormaster quickly replied as he backed away from the bridge; only now realizing the wrath Megatron could unleash on him, "Sorry to disturb you, master. I'll go tell the boys about your ingenious plan to get Menasor back. Well, uh, goodbye."
Motormaster then ran off before Megatron could fire his ion cannon at him or something equally horrendous. He still walked away feeling proud of himself though, because he finally had the information he needed and soon he and his gestalt would be allowed to leave this giant purple tin can.
The Stunticons sat around in the storage room waiting for Motormaster. Dead End had to bail on Knockout so he could answer his big brother's summons, and if he didn't know any better he would swear that Knockout looked pleased by this news. Wildrider and Drag Strip were taking turns bouncing a basketball against the wall and catching it in their servos. To a Decepticon a basketball was merely the size of a rubber ball, and to Dead End it was just as annoying.
Motormaster finally showed up, and his brothers all looked at him with impatient expressions. It reminded Motormaster of when they were sparklings and the four of them would stare at Breakdown like that to scare him. Breakdown eventually outgrew his fear of being watched, which Motormaster thought was a shame since it was so much fun to torment the blue bruiser.
"Stunticons, we've got a problem," Motormaster announced gravely.
"We know," Dead End replied sardonically, "But we can't seem to get rid of you."
Drag Strip and Wildrider chuckled, but they quit laughing when Motormaster smashed one of the empty crates with his heavy fist. The suddenness of the action caused the duo to yelp in surprise and sit up straighter.
"Now that I have your attention," Motormaster drawled, "Megatron ain't lettin' us out because we don't have a fifth Stunticon. It takes five to combine, and without combinin' we're slag outta luck. If we wanna fight, we have to combine. If we wanna combine, then we need a fifth mech. There ain't no fifth mech around here that fits the bill, so Knockout can't make us a new leg. Suggestions?"
"Has Megatron tried getting Soundwave to look for new members?" Drag Strip asked.
"Yeah, he did that," Motormaster replied roughly, "Megatron's smart, so he knew what to look for. Unfortunately he ain't findin' nothin'. He says we need somethin' specific for a good combiner. Now, what are we lookin' for and how do we find it?"
"The new member must be big and sturdy," Dead End mused, "As one of the legs, he would need to be able to support our weight. He would also need to be large enough to fit our mold."
"He'd need to be a grounder," Motormaster added, "No sissy fliers are gettin' in our gestalt. They break too easy."
"Can it be a femme?" Wildrider suddenly asked, "Since I'm the left leg and I'm grey, I want our other leg to be pink."
"What do pink and grey have to do with each other?" Dead End asked despite himself.
"If our legs are pink and grey we'll look like we're wearin' socks," Wildrider grinned; making even less sense than usual.
"Oh for crying out-!" Dead End muttered as he put a servo to his forehead.
"Hey guys? I think I know a mech that would fit," Drag Strip offered, "Though gettin' him here is gonna be difficult."
"Oh yeah? Where do we find this guy?" Motormaster asked eagerly.
"Autobot headquarters," Was Drag Strip's simple reply.
"Huh?" Motormaster asked uncomprehendingly.
"Well, uh, I kinda snuck out a few weeks ago," Drag Strip admitted to his big scary brother, "It was only once, well, twice if you include the beach race. Uh heh heh, uh, anyway, I was drivin' out in the desert when I came across an Autobot, but not just any Autobot, it was Bulkhead; Breakdown's old rival!"
"Did you kill him?" Wildrider asked casually.
"No! Pay attention!" Drag Strip snapped, "What I'm tryin' to say is I got a good look at him, and he has the same heavy armored body type as Wildrider and Breakdown! He's perfect! Not to mention we don't have a green guy yet."
"Bulkhead? Are you glitched?" Motormaster asked caustically, "We hate Bulkhead! He tried to kill our brother, and if Breakdown were alive he would be incensed at the idea of bein' replaced by the mech he hated most in the universe! We ain't usin' Bulkhead! End of discussion!"
"Besides, how would we even get him to agree to such an arrangement?" Dead End asked skeptically, "Autobots are pretty set in their ways. I don't think a bribe would work on one so single-minded."
"Hey, when I say end of discussion, what do you hear?" Motormaster groused at Dead End.
"Mostly the sound of your mouth spewing exhaust," Dead End replied with an impish smile.
"Actually, I think I might know a way to get him to go along with it," Drag Strip replied; the glimmer of an idea forming in his processor, "He has a pet human, and he really seems to care about it. If we hold it for ransom we can make him join us and then we'll have converted an Autobot and strengthened the Decepticons all in one blow! Ain't it brilliant? It's the best plan ever in my opinion."
"Can we squash the human when we're done with it?" Wildrider asked.
"No! We keep the human!" Drag Strip barked at his dimwitted brother, "We need it to keep Bulkhead compliant. Besides, it thinks I'm hot. Apparently humans are smart creatures."
Motormaster smacked his forehead and grumbled under his breath. He could barely handle the brothers he had, and now he was looking for another one of these? It seemed even crazier than Drag Strip's Autobot-as-a-replacement-part idea.
"Alright, fine, we'll try the Bulkhead route," Motormaster reluctantly agreed, "But if he starts gettin' uppity I'm gonna kill him, and I expect you bozos to help me do it. Got it?"
"As always, oh glorious leader," Dead End replied sarcastically.
Motormaster snorted like an angry bull but didn't hurt Dead End. He knew by now that physical punishments didn't work on that maroon masochist. Besides, it would take all four of them to keep Bulkhead in line if they were really going to try to make him a Stunticon. The more Motormaster thought about this plan, the stupider it seemed. Still, what choice did they have? Surrender and become peaceful? Hah! Yeah right! That just wasn't the Stunticon way.
"Hahaha! It tickles!" Wildrider giggled as he rocked on his tires in vehicle mode; splashing green paint all over the curb.
"Hold still, frag head," Dead End growled as he checked himself for paint splatter, and once satisfied he was still clean continued to paint Wildrider, "Now, you don't look exactly like this Bulkhelm person, but hopefully this will be close enough to fool the human. I don't really know how intelligent these hairless apes are to be honest. Hey, stop squirming!"
"But it tickles!" Wildrider protested, "Hey, do you have to paint my undercarriage?"
"No, thank the Allspark," Dead End muttered, "Okay, now this school place will soon release their captured specimens. You need to be parked in front of the school when the Miko gets out. You'll have an estimated fifteen minutes before Bulkhead shows up, so make it quick."
"Why is Bulkhead gonna take so long?" Wildrider asked curiously, "Did he get his tires slashed?"
Dead End sighed longsufferingly and shook his helm in exasperation.
"I already told you, Wildrider," Dead End grumbled, "Drag Strip and Motormaster are keeping Bulkhead busy, and I'm keeping you from blowing this plan to the matrix. There. Finished. Now, drive to the coordinates of the school and wait for the Miko. I have to return to the Nemesis to ensure no one looks for us. Don't call out to her, because then you might attract unwanted children."
"Unwanted children? That's sad!" Wildrider exclaimed sympathetically, "Can we keep some? We can bring home four, one for each of us. I want a purple one!"
"Humans don't come in purple, and you are running late! Now go!" Dead End shouted in an uncharacteristically loud voice and shoved Wildrider's bumper to make him drive away.
Wildrider took the hint and drove off in the direction of the school. There was a slight trail of drab green paint on the road, but by the time he got to the school he was mostly dry and ready to pick up his kidnapping victim.
Wait a minute! Wildrider suddenly thought. I don't know what Miko looks like! Aw, crud! It's Breakdown all over again!
Wildrider was mentally panicking, though on the outside he looked like any other lifeless all-terrain vehicle. The school bell was already ringing, and kids were already clamoring out of the building and either walking, driving, or riding home. Wildrider hoped Miko would come to him, because he had no idea which one she was. He couldn't even tell boys from girls.
Meanwhile, Jack, Miko, and Rafael were walking together out of the building and talking nonchalantly with each other. There was a crowd of kids around them, yet every clique was in their own world, so no one noticed or cared what the trio was talking about.
"So, is Bumblebee picking us up today?" Jack asked Raf.
"No, dudes. Bulkhead's picking us up," Miko informed them, "He said we could go by the KO Burger on our way home."
"Yeah, I kind of don't want to go there right now," Jack quickly muttered as he picked up the pace.
"Aw, don't beat yourself up, Jack Rabbit," Miko consoled the teenager as she slapped him hard on the back; making him wince, "Lots of kids get fired for missing too many days of work. You're better off without that job. New opportunities and all that. Besides, you're the first human to ever visit Cybertron, so clearly you're meant for better things."
"Thanks Miko," Jack replied with a sincere smile.
"Hey guys, does Bulkhead look a little...square today?" Ray asked as he pointed to the innocuous looking green jeep parked in front of the school.
"Nah, you're seeing things," Miko waved him off before running to get in the car.
The door opened for Miko and she hopped right in the front passenger seat. Before the doors could close, however, the two boys got in the back.
Wildrider didn't know what to do. He was supposed to only bring back Miko, so clearly he needed to get rid of the other two unwanted children, but he didn't know which one was Miko. Deciding Motormaster would know who was who, Wildrider drove off with the kids and hoped he wasn't in trouble for bringing unwanted pets. Then again, it could be a good thing. He wondered briefly if he could hide the other two and keep them for himself. They could live under the bed and eat leftover energon crystals from Drag Strip's distillery. Yeah, that could work.
"Hey Bulk, KO Burger is the other way," Miko told the Transformer after a few minutes of driving, "You're not even going the right way for Autobot HQ. What's going on?"
"Your bodies feel weird on my seats," Wildrider complained, "Can you stand up or somethin'?"
"That voice...Bulkhead, are you okay?" Jack asked nervously, "You sound...nasally."
"And Texan," Raf added as he scrunched himself up smaller; fearing this could be a trap.
"Textin'? I can't text the guys. I don't read too good," Wildrider admitted after mishearing the boys.
"Bulkhead, what's wrong with you?" Miko asked demandingly.
"Nothin's wrong," Wildrider replied, "I'm just not Bulkhead. Now if I were Bulkhead somethin' would be wrong, but right now I'm not Bulkhead so I'm fine."
"Not Bulkhead? Then who are you?" Jack asked; panic rising in his chest.
"I'm Wildrider," Wildrider introduced himself as if nothing were wrong, "I'm supposed to capture Miko and no one else, but I didn't know who was who, so now you're all my new friends. Well, I might have to give Miko back to Bulkhead, but I'm keepin' whichever two of you aren't Miko. Course I might have to squish you if my brothers say I can't have pets. So, sorry, but two of you are probably gonna die. Then again it's your own fault for gettin' in a strange car. You humans are real stupid."
"Let us out, you evil 'Con!" Miko shouted at Wildrider and kicked at his floorboards, though this did nothing to stop Wildrider from driving on his prepared course.
"No! I found you, and finders keepers!" Wildrider exclaimed immaturely, "Oh yeah, I should be callin' for a ground bridge or somethin', huh? Hang on a sec..."
Wildrider then contacted Dead End for a ground bridge, and within seconds he was driving onto the Nemesis with three human kids in tow. Wildrider opened his doors, but when the kids saw the big scary dark red Decepticon they were reluctant to leave. Dead End waited patiently, knowing they would get out soon, and Wildrider rocked on his tires waiting for them to vacate.
"Get out of my brother, children," Dead End ordered in a patronizing tone of voice, "I will reach in and grab you if you make me wait much longer."
Reluctantly the three kids exited the vehicle, and then Wildrider quickly drove off to take a shower and get the paint off. He normally didn't mind being dirty, but human-made paint itched. That left the kids alone with a strange Decepticon staring down at them with listless yellow optics and unknown intent.
"What do you creeps want with Bulkhead?" Miko asked as she balled up her fists; ready for a fight if necessary.
"We want to turn him into a giant leg," Dead End replied drolly just to see how they would react.
"A what now?" Jack asked in confusion.
"A leg. For Menasor," Dead End elaborated, though the kids were still clueless, "I am part of a team of Decepticons known as a combiner unit. When there are five of us we can combine into a much larger robot made up of our joined parts. This is our way of inviting your Bulkhead to become one with us. He would be a fool to refuse."
"Whoa, whoa, wait! You mean Cybertronians can mash together into bigger Cybertronians?" Miko asked almost excitedly, "Is it only Decepticons, or can Autobots do it too?"
"The Autobots considered Shockwave's combiner experiments unethical," Dead End explained, "Most test subjects either died, went mad, or had irreversible damage. Only three combiners were ever successfully made, but none of them are currently whole enough to combine again. We intend to change that."
"Excuse me, sir?" Raf spoke up, careful to be respectful even though he was talking to an enemy, "Did you really volunteer to fuse with other mechs? Weren't you scared of losing yourself when your minds joined together?"
"It was a long time ago," Dead End replied plainly, "We were young and poor. My brothers and I wanted to join the Decepticons pretty badly, but my older brother Motormaster was too proud to have us reformat as fliers. Volunteering for the combiner experiment was a way to not only join the Decepticons but also to make desperately needed credits. Honestly though, it is a rather...spiritual experience, to become so close to four other Cybertronians that way. My brothers and I were already related by coding, but once we became a gestalt unit our sparks were linked in a way that I doubt could ever be replicated."
"I don't understand though," Raf replied as he looked up at the Decepticon, "If being a combiner is so important, and you form such a strong bond with the others you combine with, then why would you want that kind of bond with Bulkhead? Do you know him? Did he used to be your friend?"
"I've never met the mech," Dead End shrugged indifferently, "This isn't about feelings, children. This is about serving the Decepticon cause and my family. My brothers need something to live for, and I need them to feel useful and happy, so if combining with a brain-dead brute is what it takes, well then it isn't like it will be the first time I've done so."
"If I understand your story correctly," Jack began uneasily, "You need five mechs to combine, but you only have four. You combined with your brothers. So...does that mean one of your brothers died during the war?"
"Does the name Breakdown mean anything to you?" Dead End asked.
"Breakdown? That creep that kept trying to scrap Bulkhead?" Miko asked hostilely, "You're Breakdown's brother?"
"One of four, to be more precise," Dead End replied with a wry smile, "Does it surprise you that Megatron's dumb muscle can have friends and loved ones? Well get used to it. Seeing as how you are so close to Bulkhead, I'm going to venture a guess that you are Miko."
"Yeah? So?" Miko snapped, though her anger was slowly turning to fear.
"So, welcome to the Nemesis," Dead End replied with mock cordiality, "It will be your new home, and your eventual tomb."
Bulkhead was getting tired. That crummy motorcycle from a few weeks prior had brought a large black and grey 'Con with purple pinstripe lights to help him fight, and Bulkhead was having trouble dealing with two against one. The yellow one would speed by and attack while the large one would attack full force and leave more dents in Bulkhead than he had ever had since arriving on earth.
Bulkhead refused to let himself fall to the ground no matter how winded he got or how many injuries were inflicted. He wasn't about to let these filthy 'Cons get the better of him. He had tried to call the other Autobots for backup, but the signal was being jammed. It seemed like every time they actually needed to use the comm it was jammed or offline or something. Sometimes Bulkhead wondered what the point of having a comm system even was.
"Gettin' tired, slag heap?" Drag Strip taunted the battered Autobot, "What do you think, boss? Think he's had enough?"
"You're in pretty lousy condition, eh Autobot?" Motormaster asked rhetorically, "Don't worry, slagger. We'll get the medic to beat out your dings real good. Hey Drag Strip, you think Knockout'll have a spark attack when we bring this one in?"
"Yeah! He might just keel over right then and there!" Drag Strip howled with laughter, "Eh, but seriously Autobot, you ready to come with us or what?"
"Go with you? I'd rather eat my own berth!" Bulkhead snapped defiantly despite barely being able to stand.
"I guess you surrenderin' is a bad idea," Motormaster replied with a snide knowing tone to his voice, "You just go on back to your own kind and forget this ever happened. Hey Drag Strip, how long do you figure it'll take Bulkhead's human to start cryin' when we rip her arms and legs off?"
"Not long," Drag Strip replied casually without even bothering to look at Bulkhead, "I hear humans have a real low tolerance for pain. Though if you pop the head off it just kills them, so don't start with that."
"If you go anywhere near Miko I'll-!" Bulkhead bellowed threateningly.
"Oh, but we already have," Motormaster dropped the bombshell, his smile growing wider in an unsettling fashion, "We have your pet, and if you don't want us to twist her into a painful little knot you'll do exactly what we say."
Bulkhead's optics widened in realization. This fight had been nothing but a diversion, and the 'Cons had kidnapped his best friend. Motormaster and Drag Strip grinned smugly as Bulkhead's spark struggled to keep up in light of this horrifying knowledge. Miko was with the Decepticons. There was also no telling how many new 'Cons Megatron had. Bulkhead already knew about the two, but there could be more. He had to save Miko, and in order to do that he would have to play along for the moment until he could find a way to strike back at his adversaries.
"Alright. You win," Bulkhead conceded, "I'll go with you. Just let Miko go."
"We'll see," Motormaster replied less than assuringly, /Hey Dead End, we need a ground bridge./
/One moment. I just need to get the kids out of the way,/ Dead End replied in a very put-upon manner.
/Kids? We only needed one, you moron!/ Motormaster yelled at Dead End over the comm.
/I know, but you know Wildrider,/ Dead End replied, /Don't worry though. As it turns out Miko is quite annoying, but the other two are tolerable. I might make a little coffin for the tiny one. He looks sickly./
Motormaster rolled his optics at that comment. He knew that Dead End saying an organic looked sickly was his version of saying it was cute. The last thing Motormaster needed was his brothers deciding they wanted their own human pets. Megatron hated the humans, and having them around might cause problems later on. After a moment of thought though Motormaster decided to drop it for the time being; deciding that they could cross that bridge later.
The ground bridge appeared a few minutes later, and Bulkhead was forced to walk in front of Motormaster and Drag Strip as they held weapons on him. The laser guns themselves probably wouldn't kill Bulkhead and he knew it, but he also knew that Motormaster's bare servos could kill him. He also knew he was Miko's only hope, so he had to keep his helm clear in order to save her...if he wasn't already too late.