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 huffs and rubs 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 smiles and skips over to the front doors. He opens them and reveals 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 Earth anymore, and at least here nobody has to deal with fleshies."

BB: "Humans."

KO: "Whatever."

Bumblebee vents and shakes his helm.

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

KO: "Especially when compared to you Autobots."

Bumblebee wants to retort, saying something along the lines of – You switched sides, remember? – but keeps his mouth shut, especially since he doesn't know where Starscream is. Neither him nor Knockout like it when that part of their past is 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 weasels its way through the call.

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

Knockout recoils from the unexpected answer while Bumblebee and Moonracer choke back their laughter.

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 is dropped, Bumblebee faces 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 him and Ramulus! 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 their business. I am not getting involved and adding onto his stress!"

Knockout puts his servos up and backs away.

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.

SS: "Stop laughing! 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 anyone had to guess, either disappointment or embarrassment.

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 closes the doors and heads in the direction of the others, passing Bumblebee.

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

Bumblebee doesn't immediately move.

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

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

BB: "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 laughs, 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.

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 and Knockout are trying to kill each other.

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 Knockout and Starscream.

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 wriggles out of Steeljaw's grasp and skips 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!"

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

The disaster friends transform and speed off through the blue/green vortex.

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 plate stops him.

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

Steeljaw scans the mech before him. Shockwave sounds genuine, but Steeljaw already knows 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."