Please read the intro before the story. So we can avoid any confusion, I'm going to let you guys know ahead of time that I have brought up my new OC character from my other story. If anyone reading this chapter doesn't know who Silvia is, hop over to MERCY: One Shots and take a gander at her. And for anyone that has already read One Shots and are getting tired of me repeating myself in each introduction, I get it! I can hear your eyes rolling from here. XD I know a lot of you have read the branch off, but I also know a lot of you have not mostly because I haven't been advertising it very well. I don't blame you if you skip the intros (I've done it too) I mostly want to make sure I don't see the question in the reviews, "Who the Hell is Silvia?". I did my best to write around her and Ratchet in this chapter to keep the main plot flowing properly. So I hope it didn't come up to confusing.
In this chapter I briefly gloss over the scene where Megatron incapacitates Ratchet in the energon caves in the show. A few things had been changed around to both fit my story and the original script, but you can pretty much get the idea of what is generally going on. Later on, we find out what has become of Caspian after his brief reunion with his master… Megatron gets some pretty… Exciting news. Wink. Wink.
Special shout outs to: CreepyLolita, kura86, maria-ioanna984, Megatronas, and Vampgirliegirl. To CreepyLolita, oh yeah! There's more fluff on the way, I guarantee it. And there will be much, much more Cass cuteness to come too. To kura86, yay! Another new name… I think. I'm starting to lose track XD. Hang for the next chapter. I think will pretty much be entirely dedicated to Soundwave and Cass having a spark to spark. To maria-ioanna984, the crazy Greek strikes again! XD Glad to hear from you, and I hear you have a new job. Congratulations, and try not to work yourself too hard. To Megatronas, don't cry bug! There is more to come, don't worry. To Vampgirliegirl, just so you know I am like the energizer bunny of fanfic. I keep going and going and going and going… You get the idea.
Remember! Don't be afraid to leave a review and ask questions. I love to hear from my readers!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own any stocks, trades, or licensing from the Transformers franchise. All rights are reserved for HASBRO entertainment.
MERCY
Chapter 23
Everything can change at any moment,
Suddenly and forever.
-Paul Auster
Megatron left Knockout to collect samples of Ratchet's energon. The warlord was rather surprised to see the old model so sprightly. It had been a very long time since he and the Autobot medic had encountered each other face to face. The last time they had the privilege of seeing each other was anything but pleasant and it seemed that this chance encounter was going to be no different. As soon as Ratchet was incapacitated, Megatron was already walking away; sauntering as if he had just flicked a fly from his shoulder. The very minute the tyrant disappeared down the opposite corridor, Knockout disobeyed his master's orders and ran straight to Breakdown's side. The wounded Autobot wasn't going anywhere with a large bleeding crack over the haul of his chassis. It wouldn't have mattered anyway; Knockout's lover would always come first.
"Breakdown?!" He knelt beside the former wrecker. One servo was placed lovingly over Breakdown's helm and the other delicately soothed over his broad chest. "Breakdown?! Please say something… I need to know you're okay!"
There was no reply and the Decepticon medic was on the verge of switching from worried to frantic. "Breakdown? Breakdown?! Please open your—Waa!"
Near panic was quickly replaced with annoyance when he finally felt his partner's arm snake around his hip. Breakdown's bulky servo cupped over Knockout's aft almost entirely and gave it a good squeeze. The red mech shook in frustration and he griped at his lover through tightly clenched dental plates.
"There's hardly any time for that right now…!"
"Shush!" Breakdown smiled cheekily with his optic still closed. "I'm in stasis…"
"You're going to be in trouble if you don't get your aft up!" Knockout slapped the giant mech's servo away. He allowed Breakdown to chuckle as he sat up, but his lover indicated his irritation with a forced pout on his lip-plates. "Give me a hand here. Megatron took out that Bot that clocked you and he's ordered me to take a sample of his energon. Looks like he's been hyped up this entire time with a new chemical enhancement."
Breakdown quickly stood and patted the side of Knockout's shoulder apologetically. "I'm sorry my love but you're on your own for now. I found Caspian, and I told him to double back to the south entrance and hale an emergency ground bridge back to the Nemesis. I want to retrace my steps and make sure he made it back safely."
"Very well, you do that." The medic stood as well and took hold of the servo on his shoulder so he could kiss it in understanding. "Comm me if anything happens. I'll meet you back on the ship."
"Okay, I love you." The blue mech sped off in his alt-mode, and barely heard his lover's reply.
"I love you too. Be safe." At first Knockout smiled warmly as he waved goodbye to his partner, but gradually it widened into a wide smirk. He narrowed his red optics into a devious squint and walked closer to the downed mech. The Decepticon medic would be lying if he didn't admit he some what enjoyed this part of his profession. Although Knockout could be kind and caring in his occupation, it also gave him great opportunities to exercise his little sadistic side. He quickly grabbed some equipment he kept in his sub space for such an occasion and got to work. The strange green substance would've been easy enough to collect as it abundantly pooled on the cave floor, but Knockout smirked as he told himself he needed a clean sample. Taking the catheter end of his siphon tube he slowly inserted it into the larges gap of Ratchet's armor. The white medic tensed but was in too much pain to try flinching away. Knockout could've made it worse by inserting the catheter into a thinner crack and intensifying the sensitivity in Ratchet's nervous system, but the look of agony that was already etched over his faceplate took some of the fun out of it. What was the Con going to do to this Bot that he hasn't already done to himself? It didn't take long for the canister in his servo to fill, but as he began to take apart his equipment, he could hear the weak white mech whimper.
"Oh! O-Optimus… I have been a fool…" Ratchet reached up and placed a servo over his wound. His optics slowly started to change color from green to the standard blue most Autobots' sported. As they flickered low his mumbling continued, not caring that Knockout was ignoring him. "Optimus… I'm so sorry I didn't listen… And Silvia… How could I have said such horrible things to you…? Forgive me…"
The red mech had enough loitering around the cavern and decided to put an end to the Bot's suffering. "Doctor to Doctor, I must say… Your contribution to the Decepticon cause is very much appreciated…" He taunted while he examined the canister of green energon above his helm. "I'll be sure to boast about your accomplishment when you're gone…"
No sooner had Knockout announced his boast, he transformed his arm into his buzz-saw. He positioned himself above Ratchet and just as he started his count down, he was interrupted by the whirling whine of a plasma shooter powering up. The startled red mech hardly had any time to react when he was suddenly placed under fire by the most unusual of attackers. He wasn't being suppressed by an Autobot, but by a human woman. One who somehow, managed to take an Eradicon's damaged and severed blaster and rigged it to fire continuously. Even more remarkable was her apparent strength. She was able to hold the underside of the blaster over her shoulder and drag the base of it along the ground. Fortunately for Knockout this made it difficult for her to aim, so he was able to dodge every shot, but it was still pushing him further back into the cavern.
"Gah!" He shouted as he bobbed and weaved into a corner. "Where did you come from?!"
"From your worst fucking nightmare!" The angry, and possibly insane woman shouted back. "Now get your aft away from Ratchet!"
"S-Silvia…?" Ratchet squinted, slowly gaining a sliver of adrenaline as he watched her slowly step by him. "No… It's too dangerous… Turn back…"
"You're in no position to be giving me orders Doctor!" The woman now addressed as Silvia shouted over a long line of blasts. "Besides, I've got him on the ropes now—! Oh…" She stopped moving when the shots from the blaster began to slow, but she held onto it right up to the point it petered to a complete halt. Clearly the weapon had run out of whatever fuel was left in it to keep it firing. It was a detached limb after all. "Uh-oh…"
"Heh. Heh… What's the matter? Run out of energon?" Knockout sneered as he advanced towards the strange woman. His buzz-saw whirling to life once again and drawing in to where Silvia stood.
"Stay away from her!" Ratchet pushed the threatening Con away with his ped. Kicking Knockout so ferociously he hit the cave wall behind him and dropped the canister of green energon. Both medics' collected themselves and clumsily put one another into a scuffle.
"Oh shit!" Silvia yelped as she leapt out of the way of the tumbling robots brawl, hiding herself behind a random boulder. She watched from behind the large rock as Ratchet was pushed against another cave wall. He struggled with Knockout's arm as it came uncomfortably close to the Bot's helm. "Ratchet!" She called out for her friend, fearing the worse, and feeling helpless to stop it. To her relief, Ratchet managed to dodge one more forceful thrust of the Con's buzz-saw. The red mech was now stuck deep in the rock face, and he pulled his arm desperately in a quick attempt to free himself.
Ratchet fumbled on his pedes a moment, before he found the canister of what was known as Synth-N to him. He held it in a light grasp and stared at it with a mix look of mild shock and awe. So much trouble and pain had come from this false promise he made from this substance, but now that he stood there with a clear processor, he knew that wasn't entirely true. This creation of his wasn't the cause of his anger and it hadn't forced him to say and do the terrible things he had done. It had merely brought these feelings to the surface.
"Ha! Ha! Ha!" Knockout laughed at the expression on Ratchet's face, and even though he was still stuck he compelled himself to continue his taunting. "What are you going to do?! Drink it?!"
The tired mech stared at the canister once more and held the wound in his chest. Then he finally glanced at Silvia, and with as much confidence he could muster he confessed his declaration. "No… I'm going to destroy it!" He through the canister into the wall next to where Knockout was caught, but merely a second later the red mech managed to free himself.
"You idiot!" He shouted furiously. "Megatron will have my head!"
"Yeah?! Sounds like a you problem!" Silvia shouted back, expressing the pride she felt for Ratchet's moment of courage. But when the red Con's attention was placed back on her, she quickly hid herself behind her shelter one last time. Also doing her best to suppress a frightened 'yipe!'.
"S-Silvia…!" Ratchet weakly lifted his servo in the human woman's direction, but he no longer had the strength left to keep himself up right. He crashed and fell out cold onto his back. No longer fearing her own safety, Silvia ran to her friend's side. She desperately called out for him, and clung to the side of his helm, completely unaware, or just ignoring the Decepticon still behind her.
Not that Knockout had any chance to do anything further. Down the opposite side of the cavern the red mech was made aware of the Autobot ambush that may have been going on for some time. But just as quickly as the Autobots' had arrived, Knockout fled just as abruptly. He knew his master was going to be manic with him when he arrived back to the Nemesis empty handed, but he would have to deal with it head on. He was certain he could survive the warlord's discipline, but he wasn't going to risk his function trying to fight his way through the enemy. At least for now he couldn't afford to do so.
"Soundwave!" Knockout called the telepath as he sped away in his alt-mode. "I need a ground bridge open at the east entrance of the sixth energon mine! Make it quick, because I'll be there within thirty seconds!"
The communications officer didn't bother with a response, but to Knockout's delight he was able to see the swirling green vortex in front of him. "Coming in hot!" He warned while driving into the large void. Within moments he was back on the Nemesis, and even noticed as he transformed back into his bi-ped mode that he had been transferred directly to the communications bridge.
"Doctor!" Soundwave ran up to him with his visor already slid back. The curl in his dermas clearly showing his well-placed worry. "Did you find Caspian?! Was he there?!"
"He hasn't called you?" Knockout stood and huffed heavily through his tired exasperations. He had only just arrived back, and he knew in his tanks he wasn't finished. He couldn't rest yet and soon he'd be on the run again. "Breakdown had found him. He gave him instructions to contact you and request a ground bridge."
"He hasn't…!" The navy blue mech cried softly. "I… I haven't heard a word…!"
"Stay calm," the medic placed a servo over the side of Soundwave's shoulder, "the good news is that we found him, and Breakdown is doubling back to find him again. I'm sure he'll—." He stopped dead in his tracks, but the third in command understood that Knockout was receiving an order when he placed his other servo over his audio. But the red mech didn't linger for long. He immediately bounded down the halls, hardly noticing Soundwave following him on his heals.
"I have already completed my task in the mines my Lord!" Knockout shouted obviously replying to Megatron over his comm links. "I'm on the Nemesis now and heading for the med-bey for prep! Bring the patient there upon arrival!"
Not long after that, Soundwave received a message of his own from Breakdown requesting an emergency ground bridge to his location on the south side of the mine. Again, the communications officer didn't reply, but before he fulfilled the former wrecker's request, he opened a ground bridge for both himself and Knockout. The medic didn't have any time to react when that green vortex appeared out of nowhere in front of him. He ran through it yelping along the way until he reached the other side of the bridge. With wide optics and an even wider stance of shock and surprise, he finally noticed that he was now outside the med-bay. He twisted his frame and discovered Soundwave was right behind him.
"How did you do that?" He asked and was quickly rebuffed.
"Silence: Concentrating." Soundwave had closed his visor again and the telepath went straight to work on opening a third ground bridge. The first bridge he opened was done in the communications bridge, but the second one he produced he used the new program he installed in Laserbeak's homing systems. There was one aspect of this new program Soundwave didn't consider. The use of this installation had apparently taken a lot of energy and it was draining on Laserbeak. So, if her master wanted her to open another bridge, she would need to borrow energy from him as well. She fought the idea of doing such a thing at first, fearing she would hurt Soundwave in the process, but he signaled her through their connection that this was the only way to help Caspian. He was positive that the young model was in danger and he begged Laserbeak to take whatever she needed too from him. With a heavy conscious she did as the third in command asked and opened the third bridge. The ground bridge crackled and almost appeared unstable at first, but it was just strong enough to hold as Breakdown stepped through it, followed by their master… Carrying a very damaged and wounded small Vehicon.
"C-C-Cas-Cas-pian-n…" Soundwave's vocalizer hissed with heavy static before all of his strength left him, and his knee-joints buckled under him. However, he was caught by Breakdown before he hit the floor, but it was unlikely the slim flier noticed. He fell straight into a deep stasis and became lost in Breakdown's hold on him.
No time was waisted with explanations or arguments. Knockout opened the med-bey and went straight to work. He pulled out two berths and handed one of them to Breakdown to set up for Soundwave on his own. The second one was laid flat and he instructed Megatron to place the drone upon it. As the warlord did so, ignoring the insubordinate tone in the medic's voice, Knockout ran to the other side of the room to set up his monitors. Breakdown was right behind him after he was sure Soundwave was resting comfortably.
"Pardon me Lord Megatron!" He announced himself before attaching multiple sensors and cords to the small models frame. Cass was unconscious again at this point, so he was completely unaware of the world surrounding him, but that didn't stop Megatron from clinging to his young lover's servo. He knelt on the opposite side of the berth, certain he was out of the way of the medic and his assistant. Knockout shouted a few random orders as he set out multiple pieces of tools and equipment, and Breakdown followed them all to a perfect tee, leaving nothing to chance. The monitors that were now attached neatly to Cass's frame were indicating that the drone was still feeling uneasy and distressed, but so far nothing was showing any major internal damages. He had a strong flow of cycling energon, and his spark pulse was fluxing rapidly, which was to be expected after such a traumatizing event. The red mech quickly added both an energon line and coolant line, then went straight to examining Cass's armor and mesh, searching for any leaks or hemorrhages in his proto form. Meanwhile, Breakdown took a handheld and a small sensor from his subspace. He used it as a sonogram to check on anything he may have missed on the monitors. The giant mech started at the top of Cass's chassis and gradually made it's way down to his abdomen.
Everything appeared to be going well, and soon Knockout and Breakdown would be able to move onto fixing the poor Vehicon's more visible injuries. That is until the handheld in Breakdown's servo lit itself up with bright yellow lights and loud consistent beeps. The giant blue mech's orange faceplate turned into a sickly pale color as he read the information on the handheld, alerting both Megatron and Knockout to the immediate change in Breakdown's disposition.
"What is it?" Knockout took the handheld and placed it into a cartridge jack on his console. The monitor above them became a large stream of new information which the medic quickly sorted through to find what it was that forced his strong partner to become so unraveled.
"By the All-Spark…" The seasoned medic whispered with wide red optics. All of this suspense was beginning to irritate their master to the very boundaries of his patience.
"Well?! What is happening?!" Megatron growled as he stood, unable to read the monitor from the position he was in.
Both of the other mechs were startled by the tyrant's sudden outburst, but the information was so scandalous that Breakdown could hardly move. Knockout, however, turned to face his master with whatever professionalism he still had a hold of. "My Lord? I need to ask you a few very personal questions." His optics remained wide open, apparently too amazed to close them. "How recently have you and Caspian had valve intercourse?"
"How do you know of—?" The warlord would have been more embarrassed if it wasn't being overshadowed by his building frustration, but Knockout wasn't going to give his master the wiggle room to debate with him.
"Forgive my boldness Lord Megatron, but for Caspian's sake never mind how I know right now!" He took a great gamble by back talking to Megatron like that, but it was out in the open now. So, he needed to get to his point quickly, before the tyrant decided to take out his anger on the medic. "Please answer the question my Liege, it is important!"
"Grrr…" Megatron growled, but he decided he needed to be placid. If not for himself, then for Caspian. "Three weeks ago… Almost a month…"
"Okay…" Knockout sighed heavily, but also took a deep intake and continued. "Brace yourself Lord Megatron, for there is much we need to discuss… Starting with the fact that Caspian has a gestation chamber."
Nothing could faze Megatron. He was the most stoic, blood thirsty, warmongering, and tyrannical mech currently in existence. He had fought his way through the pits of Kaon, survived the majority of a four-million-year war including cataclysm after cataclysm on Cybertron, and most recently survived an intergalactic explosion on the space bridge… But nothing could've prepared this battle filled mech for the news his medic bestowed upon him. He didn't even notice he let Cass's servo slip from his own as he stood there like a steel pillar.
"Wha…? He what?" The usually stonewalled silver mech muttered, surprising Knockout immensely.
"It is as I said my Lord," he answered quickly, "he has a gestation chamber… And it is currently occupied."
As the human expression goes, Hell must have frozen over, because the most unlikely and surreal thing happened before the medic and his partner… Megatron's CPU froze, his air-vents backfired, and he crashed right there on the med-bey floor. Everyone stood still in total disbelief. Nobody knew what to do, or what to say, and for what seemed like forever the two lovers' just stared at their master in the most amazing sense of awe. It was Breakdown that finally broke the spell, and he was almost certain he was right with his statement.
"You killed him…"
-END-