Key:

Bumblebee = BB

Knockout = KO

Moonracer = MR

Shockwave = SW

Starscream = SS

Steeljaw = SJ

.

.

.

.

.

MR: "I can't believe it! You guys are finally taking me to Earth!"

BB: "We promised, didn't we?"

MR: "I know, but considering how busy we've been, I didn't think it would happen so soon."

KO: "By the way, what did the clinic have to say about you running off again?"

Moonracer huffed and rubbed the back of her helm, embarrassment written all over her faceplate.

MR: "Yeah… They weren't exactly happy about it. I'm going to have to work overtime when I get back. I'd like to think my overall competence is what's giving me some leeway with the managers."

KO: "Well, if you ever need any help, just call! You know I'm always there for you!"

MR: "Thanks, doc."

Knockout smiled and skipped a step. He opened the front doors and revealed the outside world.

Nova Terra – New Earth – is what Steeljaw has named the planet, for it's obvious likeness to that of its elder cousin from the Milky Way galaxy. The main communications building that the bots are in sits upon a plateau among a sea of rolling green hills and miles on end of forest. The sky is bright and the atmosphere is clear.

BB: "It really is peaceful here. Steeljaw chose a good planet to call home."

KO: "You're just glad he won't be bothering your Earth anymore. And at least here nobody has to deal with fleshies."

BB: "Humans."

KO: "Whatever."

Bumblebee vented and shook his helm. Knockout was just one of those mechs you had to deal with, quirks and all, unless you want to go insane.

BB: "Fair enough. I mean, you guys aren't the biggest fans of humans…"

KO: "Especially when compared to you Autobots."

Bumblebee wanted to retort, saying something along the lines of – You switched sides, remember? – but kept his mouth shut, especially since he didn't know where Starscream was. Neither him nor Knockout liked it when that part of their past was brought up. Besides, Knockout almost immediately switched to Neutral after "joining" the Autobots anyway, so that argument wouldn't exactly count anymore.

MR: "Where are the others?"

BB: "Good question."

Bumblebee reaches for his commlink and makes a joint call.

BB: {Hey, Steeljaw, Starscream, this is Bumblebee. I'm at the meeting place with Knockout and Moonracer. Where are you guys?}

The line is silent for about a minute before a crackling of static alerts them to someone responding.

SJ: {Lieutenant? You arrived earlier than expected, although I guess I shouldn't be surprised.}

BB: {And here I thought you knew me.}

SJ: {Don't push it. I'm just waking up. Had a long, busy night.}

KO: {Oh? Doing what?}

Knockout's teasing tone and conniving smirk weaseled its way through the call, making Bumblebee and Moonracer roll their optics.

SJ: {Knockout. How shall I say this? There's this human expression… ah, yes! Get your mind out of the gutter!}

Knockout recoiled from the unexpected answer. Bumblebee and Moonracer just laughed.

SJ: {Anyway, I'll be there soon.}

BB: {And Starscream?}

SJ: {Last I remember, he stayed the night with Shockwave to do some extra work on the bridge. I'm hoping they didn't kill each other.}

BB: {We'll check on them. Thanks, Steeljaw.}

Once the call was dropped, Bumblebee immediately faced Knockout.

KO: "What?"

BB: "You just had to go that extra step with Steeljaw, didn't you?"

KO: "Hey, I can't help wanting to know more about what's been going on between those two! Don't tell me you aren't just as curious!"

BB: "Well I certainly wouldn't outright ask him about it!"

KO: "So you would rather what? Stalk them? Spy on them? You're pretty good at that stuff."

BB: "Steeljaw already has enough problems with the other Cons poking their noses into his and Ramulus' business. I am not getting involved and adding onto his stress!"

Knockout puts his servos up and backs away, still wearing that smug-eating grin of his.

KO: "Okay, okay, point taken. Now, how about we go bother Screamer and Shockwave instead?"

Knowing that one of Knockout's absolute favorite things to do is annoy the Pits out of Starscream, Bumblebee and Moonracer opt to ignore their need to stop the red medic and just quietly trail after him. The trip doesn't even last five minutes before they hear the tell-tale screech of a riled Seeker.

SS: "I know how to work a bridge, dammit! Just let me at the controls!"

SW: "And risk you making a miscalculation? Absolutely not!"

The trio share a knowing look and follow the ruckus to a partly open door. Knockout hooks his digits in the small gap and ever so gently slides the door aside. Their presence has yet to be noticed by the two occupants.

SS: "At least you didn't say logical or illogical. That really pisses me off."

Shockwave is silent for a moment. He cocks his helm, as if contemplating something.

SW: "Logically speaking…"

SS: "Frag you! You did that on purpose!"

Shockwave huffs, seemingly amused.

KO: "Well would you look at that? Shockers can laugh!"

The pair of mechs immediately turn around. Well, technically, only Shockwave turns, as Starscream is latched onto his back.

SS: "Knockout! How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling Shockwave by those absurd nicknames?"

The red medic isn't paying attention, however, as he is too busy laughing.

Moonracer keeps a servo plastered over her mouth as she circulates her vents to calm herself down and not laugh.

Bumblebee, on the other hand, is astonished by how well the former work rivals are getting along, in their own way. Starscream is, well, Starscream, but he hasn't tried to do anything traditionally deceptive or traitorous to Shockwave, and despite his rather cold demeanor towards everyone else, Shockwave has become slightly more open and casual around Starscream.

SS: "Stop laughing, Knockout! What's so funny?"

KO: "You are, Screamer! You're so fun to mess with, I love it!"

Starscream flares his wings and lunges at Knockout. The red medic barely has enough time to see the silver frame and dodge the attack. Starscream tries again, and once more, Knockout moves out of the way at the last second. They chase each other around the room, while Shockwave looks on with…

If Bumblebee had to guess, either disappointment or embarrassment. Either way, he's not sticking around.

BB: "Hey, Moonracer, I'm gonna go wait for Steeljaw by the entrance. Mind keeping an optic on things here for me, please?"

MR: "Of course! I'll make sure nothing disastrous happens!"

Bumblebee nods his approval, optics glinting in relief. He makes haste and exits the room, retracing their steps back to the building's lobby. He is just about to open the front doors when something outside catches his attention.

Steeljaw and Ramulus, having what can only be considered a private moment.

Bumblebee backs away and hides in the corner. As much as he wants to, he can't take his optics off the scene. Knockout was right, he is way too curious to know about the intricacies of this particular relationship, especially since they are conjunx-endura.

SJ: "And if Thunderhoof happens to ask you for Clampdown's location one more time, you have my permission to shoot him! Just don't kill him!"

Steeljaw closed the doors and headed in the direction of the others, passing Bumblebee's hiding spot.

SJ: "You can come out now, Lieutenant. No point in hiding."

Bumblebee didn't immediately move. How did Steeljaw know he was there?

BB: "I didn't think you saw me."

The yellow and black mech removed himself from his hiding spot and joined Steeljaw on their short trek.

SJ: "I didn't."

BB: "Then how did you know I was there?"

SJ: "My brother's been teaching me a few things. Turns out he can be quite helpful when he wants to be."

Bumblebee laughed, glad that the subject isn't veering into Ramulus.

BB: "How is Phantomjaw?"

SJ: "Driving everyone insane, as per usual. Which wouldn't be such a big deal if he didn't choose Thunderhoof of all mechs to antagonize on a daily basis, and you know how temperamental Thunderhoof gets."

Bumblebee hums in agreement.

BB: "I can only imagine. Then again, I do have to deal with Strong Arm and Sideswipe constantly being at each other's throats."

Steeljaw chuckles.

SJ: "True."

The conversation cuts short when they rejoin the others and Moonracer is the first to notice their arrival.

MR: "Steeljaw! By the stars, it's so good to see you!"

Beaming, Moonracer runs over and embraces Steeljaw. The Lupicon returns the favor.

SJ: "I'm happy to see you, too, Moonracer. It's been a while."

MR: "I would visit more often, but I've been extremely busy recently."

SJ: "It's alright. I understand."

Moonracer detaches herself just as Shockwave walks over to them.

SW: "Steeljaw."

SJ: "Shockwave. I presume everything is ready?"

SW: "Yes…"

Shockwave shifts and points to the far end of the room where Starscream is in the process of trying to strangle Knockout.

SW: "However, it would be logical to get those two under control first."

Steeljaw releases a tired vent.

SJ: "Why am I not at all surprised?"

Bumblebee and Moonracer laugh while Steeljaw and Shockwave pull apart Starscream and Knockout.

KO: "Oh, hey, Steeljaw! Thought you would take longer to get here."

SJ: "Let's just say the thought of you and Starscream together doesn't exactly put my processor at ease, even with others around to break up the fight."

KO: "Understandable."

Knockout wriggled out of Steeljaw's grasp and skipped over to the bridge.

KO: "Now, what are we waiting for? Let's get moving! We don't have all the time in the universe, you know!"

Moonracer and Bumblebee shake their helms, amused, and join Knockout. Shockwave passes a still pissy Starscream off to Steeljaw and retakes his spot at the console, running one last set of diagnostics before activating the bridge. A portal appears a few seconds later.

KO: "Sweet! Race you, Screamer!"

With a confident grin, Knockout transforms into his vehicle mode and drives off.

SS: "Oh, I am so not losing to a grounder, least of all you, Knockout!"

The silver Seeker pushed away from Steeljaw, transformed, and jetted after the red medic.

MR: "Well, can't let those two get too far ahead."

BB: "Agreed."

The responsible pair transform and roll out, leaving Steeljaw and Shockwave behind.

SJ: "Thank you, Shockwave. We won't be long. If you need anything, just call Ramulus."

Steeljaw is just about to enter the portal when a servo on his shoulder stops him.

SW: "Steeljaw…"

Yellow optics meet a single red one.

SW: "Keep an optic on Starscream. I don't want him getting into trouble and coming back in pieces."

Steeljaw scanned the mech before him. Shockwave sounded genuine, but Steeljaw already knew that. Since Starscream didn't want to go back to Cybertron, and Shockwave is still in-hiding from the authorities, Steeljaw allowed them to take up residence on Nova Terra. They have been living together since, and everyday, they grow closer.

SJ: "I retook my vow to never leave a pack mate behind. That courtesy extends to both you and Starscream, as well as the others. I promise to keep them in line and out of harm's way."

Shockwave nods, silently accepting the answer. He releases Steeljaw from his hold and steps back. Steeljaw gives Shockwave a reassuring smile and walks through the portal. Just before he disappears, he hears the other mech say something.

SW: "Let them take care of you, too."