"SCRAP! WHY WON'T THIS STUPID THING WORK?"
The agitated mech slammed the still loading data pad on his desk and punched it.
"KNOCKOUT! WE NEED THAT!"
Another mech – older, with white and red/orange detailing – snapped from the other end of the room.
"Calm down! Do you have any idea how expensive it is to replace anything here?"
"I KNOW!"
Knockout vented to calm himself down before he really made a mess of things.
"I know. Sorry, Ratchet. I'm just..."
Knockout leaned his elbow joints against the desk and lowered his faceplate into the open palms of his servos, letting an exasperated sigh escape him. He soon felt a heavy servo rest atop his shoulder plate.
"Other 'Bots still giving you a hard time," Ratchet said, sounding more like he was stating the obvious as opposed to asking a question.
"You don't say," Knockout darkly chuckled.
Even after the Great War ended, Knockout knew things wouldn't magically become perfect. He was right in his assumptions, for post-war life was far from the peace and tranquility he hoped for.
Considering his war crimes, but also his last minute switch to the winning team, Knockout underwent a trial of probation, and ping-ponged between the members of Team Prime. When the False Council – a mysterious group of Decepticons masquerading as Autobots – took over their home, associates and supporters of Optimus Prime were exiled, including Knockout. They all scattered, but managed to keep in contact; not too frequently to be tracked down and caught, though. Knockout would help where he could, putting his medical expertise to good use. This gained him a little trust among the Autobots.
Not long after Bumblebee's team defeated Cyclonus, Optimus Prime left in-charge a new yet temporary High Council, which included his most trusted of colleagues: Ratchet, Windblade, Bulkhead, and Jazz.
As a reward for good behavior and active assistance in the field, Knockout was released from probation. He stuck to the field of medicine, and has been working alongside Ratchet ever since.
However, despite all the good he's done since the Great War ended, he's only really ever been accepted by Team Prime, and even then, his relationships within the group are spotty at best.
"Knockout?"
The red mech snapped back to reality, having subconsciously sunk into his thoughts and memories of the past.
"Huh?"
"I was asking if you were alright to continue working," Ratchet said, sounding slightly irritated, which was nothing new. Knockout was getting quite used to the older medic's grumpiness.
"Yes, of course. Why wouldn't I be?"
Ratchet stared at the younger mech, unconvinced. Knockout fidgeted under the other's gaze.
"Right, but I know how you get before visiting your patient, and if I'm not mistaken, your next scheduled visit is… tomorrow," Ratchet explained, bringing up that week's schedule. It had a note attached to a block representing the next day.
"Err… scrap," Knockout moaned, slamming his helm onto his desk. A ping followed, and the red mech turned his helm to get a better look.
The data pad he beat out of frustration for failing to load quickly was online and functioning properly.
"Oh, sure, now you decide to work."
Knockout heard Ratchet chuckle as he removed his servo from his shoulder plate and walked away.
"Go get some rest, Knockout," Ratchet said without looking up from his own data pad. "Something tells me you're going to need it."
"Yeah," Knockout replied half-heartedly. He pushed himself up and away from his desk, grabbed some personal items to bring back home, and left.
He checked out of the clinic and exited the building, but instead of transforming to drive home, he stayed in bipedal mode and walked. Even if everyone else didn't like having to share the streets with him, Knockout didn't really care. Nowadays, he was just happy to have company, even if said company is cold comfort.
At least on the Nemesis I didn't have to worry about anyone killing me, being the only medic on the ship and all. However, if there was someone else, like there is now…
Knockout shook his helm, knowing that kind of thinking wouldn't lead to anything good. However, he couldn't help admitting that he, in a way, missed the Decepticons. Sure, most of the time they were terrible, but they had their moments, and Knockout was at the very least needed by the Decepticons. He wasn't needed by the Autobots, and it has become undeniably clear that the majority don't want him, either.
His thoughts on the matter as a whole will not stop bothering him. He wants to help, but he doesn't know how or why, and it's not like he can talk about it with anyone. Not that anyone would bother listening to him, anyway, and even if they did, Primus only knows what would happen next.
"OW!"
"HEY! WATCH THE PAINT!"
Metal clanged against metal as a distracted Knockout walked right into another bot, causing both to stumble backwards.
"Maybe you should watch where you're… oh, Knockout, it's you!"
The red mech rubbed his dented chassis and looked up at who he bumped into. A yellow and black mech. Knockout recognized the bot immediately.
"Bumblebee?"
It was quiet for a minute, then both mechs burst out laughing.
"Sorry about that, Bee. I didn't know it was you," Knockout apologized.
"It's alright, Knockout, but in the future, you really should watch where you're going," Bumblebee replied.
"I'll try to keep that in mind. Anyway, what are you doing here? I thought you lived on Earth now?"
"I do, sort of, but I just came-by for a visit. Need to pick up some supplies, say 'hi' to a few old friends. You know, the usual. I'd like to stay longer, but unfortunately I still don't trust leaving my team alone with each other for an extended period of time."
"Afraid they can't handle things without you?"
"More like I'm afraid of them trying to kill each other while I have my back turned. I swear, Knockout, they drive me absolutely insane!"
"Sounds like a handful."
"Ugh! You have no idea!"
Knockout got a good laugh out of that. Once he recovered, though, he noticed that Bumblebee's smile fell a little, and his optics were alight with concern.
"Knockout, are you okay?"
The medic was taken aback by this. First Ratchet, now Bumblebee.
"I… Of course I'm…"
No! I can't lie to Bumblebee!
"Not okay," the medic relented, then proceeded to vent out his frustrations to the Lieutenant as they made their way to Knockout's apartment.
.
. .
. . .
It was dark outside by the time Knockout and Bumblebee reached their destination. Both mechs were tired, one more so than the other. Knockout retrieved the items from his subspace, placed them on a table, then collapsed on his berth. Bumblebee stood and waited for the medic to say something.
"Well?" Knockout eventually spoke-up. When he didn't get a response from Bumblebee, he adjusted his frame into a sitting position on his berth, facing the other mech.
"You think I have a screw loose or something?"
Bumblebee hesitated for a minute before answering.
"Well, I wouldn't exactly say screw loose…"
"But you still think it's a far-fetched idea."
"I mean… Yeah, kind of…"
Knockout sighed as his gaze fell to stare at the ground.
"Wait, Knockout, I'm sorry. It's just that others have tried to make what you're suggesting a reality. Honestly, it's kind of an impossible idea."
"Improbable."
"Huh?"
"Improbable," Knockout countered, raising his optics to look at Bumblebee. "Just because something seems impossible, doesn't mean it is impossible. It just means that it'd be extremely difficult for said thing to happen. Ergo, the outcome of the idea, regardless of how good or bad it is, is an improbable one, not an impossible one. Does that make sense?"
"Yes, it does. Listen, Knockout. I'm not saying that it's impossible per-se for what you're thinking of trying to do to actually happen, but it is highly unlikely that the Council will allow there to be the existence of Decepticon Island."
Bumblebee joined Knockout on his berth and put a comforting arm around the red mech.
"I'm not saying this to dissuade you. I just want to make sure you know what you're up against, if you still want to go through with it."
"I know you do, and thanks," Knockout replied, leaning into the embrace. "I just want to do something that matters. I've already tried it with the Autobots, and I'm sure you've seen how well that's going over."
"Not good?"
"I mean, it could be better. But what're you gonna do?"
.
.
.
.
.
"Knockout?"
"Hm?"
"What makes you think you're better off trying your luck with Decepticons?"
"Honestly, Bee…" Knockout paused, then sighed. "I have no idea. I guess I just..."
"Have a feeling?" Bumblebee interrupted.
Knockout didn't answer. Instead, he pressed closer to Bumblebee until his slouched form rested against his chassis, optics closed and servos resting in his lap. Bumblebee was surprised, but he didn't object. He tightened his grip around Knockout without disturbing him, then proceeded to gingerly rub his servo up and down his frame in order to comfort him.
.
.
.
.
.
"I'll help."
Knockout's frame stiffened and optics flew open.
"Come again?"
"I said I'll help you," Bumblebee repeated.
"Are you serious?" Knockout practically shouted, but nearly fell off the berth immediately afterward. Luckily, Bumblebee's quick reaction time allowed him to catch the medic before he hurt himself.
"Whoa, calm down, Knockout! Ratchet will kill me if I let you get a concussion on my watch!"
"Sorry! I'm just… It's just you… Seriously?"
"Yes, I'm serious! Of course, I'll probably regret it later, but it's better to be safe than sorry. I don't want you attempting something like this on your own."
"So you think it's possible?"
"Not by a long shot! But just because it seems impossible, doesn't mean it is impossible."
"And that sounds logical to you?"
"Hey, now don't go turning into Shockwave on me, Knockout!"
"Wouldn't dream of it!"
Knockout and Bumblebee laughed.
"Well, I'll make arrangements with the Council and see if we can't get an audience with them as soon as possible," Bumblebee said as he arose from Knockout's berth and headed for the door. "If we're lucky, we can go in tomorrow morning and get everything cleared by the end of the day."
Knockout was shocked yet pleased that Bumblebee was ready and willing to jump into this so quickly…
"Oh, scrap!" Knockout cursed, smacking his helm with one of his servos.
"What is it?" Bumblebee asked, turning a concerned gaze onto the red medic.
"I forgot, I have something to attend to tomorrow."
"Can't you just reschedule or something?"
"Ha! I wish!"
"Oh. Important medical work, huh?"
"And more. Trust me, I would rather face the Council than go to that appointment tomorrow."
"Hmm… For where you need to be tomorrow, is it at any specific time?" Bumblebee asked.
"No," Knockout answered, forming his servo into a fist and resting his chin on top of it. "Why?"
"If I can get us in early enough, that'll leave us most of the day to worry about, well, everything, and then you can go take care of what you need to later. Assuming your thing doesn't require a lot of time?"
"It doesn't, thank the Allspark."
"Alright, then. Sounds like we got a plan."