Trigger Warning: sexual assault!
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It started out as a perfectly normal day… But since when do days that start out like that ever stay that way?
"Please?"
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"Pretty please?"
"Knockout! No!"
"Why not?"
"Well, let's see…"
"What's going on over here?" Starscream asked as he approached Moonracer and Steeljaw, the two just standing outside of the med-bay.
"Knockout's trying to convince Bumblebee to do something," Moonracer answered as she watched the argument unfold.
"And how long have they been at it?"
"About an hour, maybe longer," Steeljaw answered.
"Well, I wish you luck with breaking them up anytime soon," Starscream scoffed.
"And where are you going?"
"To my room for some recharge."
Not that it's any of your business.
"You know, we really should give him his own room," Moonracer admitted after Starscream rounded the corner. "I know he's a dangerous criminal and all, but I still hate how he's been so helpful so far, and yet…"
"He is still restricted to a cell if it's not an emergency or mission-related," Steeljaw interrupted. "I agree, – in my perfectly, non-biased opinion – but you want to try telling the others that?"
If Moonracer said anything else, Starscream didn't hear. He was out of earshot by now, and personally, did not feel like sticking around.
I have nothing against Moonracer or Steeljaw. Knockout and I are working things out still, and most likely will be for a while. Bumblebee, however…
Starscream shook his helm with a growl.
The former scout considers me, as he so eloquently put it, a flight risk. The Pits be damned, he puts more trust in that beastly rival of his than me! Of course, I can't blame him. I don't think I would trust myself, either. Or, I could be looking at this all wrong, and he trusts the two of us about the same, which might as well be non-existent.
Lost in his thoughts, Starscream didn't notice that he had already reached his destination until he slammed face first into the door. He recoiled a couple steps with a loud clang and raised a servo to rub the point of impact.
"This day," the Seeker growled, opening the door with his free servo.
Starscream was about to make a B-line for his berth when something caught his optic. It was the Lightbender Knockout had given him after they left Velocitron. The dark purple orb, glowing bright blue/green, was resting on the shelf next to his cell. Today, something about its aura drew him closer.
"I think I'll keep you handy for a while," Starscream hummed, picking the Lightbender from its place and turning it over in his claws, entranced by its mysterious beauty. "I can't help but think that something's going to happen."
His attention remained on the Lightbender for another minute before grabbing some material and retreating to his berth.
For however long it took, Starscream didn't care. The Seeker wasn't paying attention to time flying by as he carefully – artistically – crafted a wing clip for his Lightbender, and angled it in a crease of his armor by his wings so that it couldn't be easily seen or removed.
"Good, you're stuck there," Starscream said, flicking his wings. "Now, for the real test."
The Seeker located a mirror, and activating the Lightbender, watched as he transformed in front of his very own two optics. Instead of sporting his old style of red, silver, and blue, Starscream now featured a beige and black color scheme, with maroon wings, orange optics, and a short, jagged helm.
"Not bad."
He turned this way and that, admiring his new sleek frame…
BOOM!
But then something hit the ship, causing it to shudder and shake violently, and the alarms to go crazy. Starscream struggled to keep his balance while covering his audio receptors.
"What in the Pits is going on?"
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"Moonracer, let go! We can't leave!"
"I don't want to, Knockout, but we have to!"
The medics half ran, half limped down the hall to the room where the escape pods were, the mech unsuccessfully trying to get the femme to listen to him.
"Moonracer, listen to me!"
"I am listening to you, but Bumblebee's right, we have to get you out of here!"
"But we can stay and help!"
"I can, you can't. You've only just gotten back on your pedes, and you're still unable to function properly! Besides, the others can take care of themselves."
"Yeah, I know that, but we have no idea what's going on!"
"All the more reason to get you out of here!"
Knockout would have continued arguing, but he kept his mouth shut. He knew he wouldn't win this argument, and he hated the fact that he'll have to resort to the idea that's been forming within his processor since they realized they were all in danger.
At the escape pods, Moonracer leaned Knockout against a closed pod next to the only open one and ran over to the main console. She inputted coordinates for a nearby planet.
"Alright, that's all set. Let's get you out of here."
Another blast hit. Moonracer stumbled and fell against Knockout. The alarms blared even louder than before. Lights above the closed escape pods were sparking and going dark.
"Scrap," Moonracer cursed, righting herself with Knockout's help. "That's not good. All those hits are doing a number on the power. If we don't get out of here now, our one working pod will be as good as useless."
"My thoughts exactly," Knockout said, voice taught with regret. Before Moonracer could process the words, the red medic tightened his grip on her and forced her into the escape pod.
"What the… Knockout!"
Moonracer scrambled to her pedes and lunged forward out of the pod, or at least she would have if the door didn't shut and lock on her first. She banged a fist on the window.
"Knockout, what the frag do you think you're doing?"
"What does it look like, Moonracer?" Knockout chuckled, wearing a grim smile.
"You… you…"
"Call me all the names you want, it's not going to change anything."
"Why? Of all the stupid, stupid things you could have done! Please, Knockout, I just got you back! I don't want to lose you again!"
"And neither do I, Moonracer. Why do you think I'm really doing this? It's because I don't want to lose you like I did Breakdown. I couldn't do anything for him, but I can for you."
"Knockout…"
"I know, I know, I'm a self-centered idiot."
"I was going to say that you better not die on me because if you do I will find a way to bring you back to life then kill you again for being an absolute afthole."
"Don't worry, I've got the others watching my back. I promise we'll come get you as soon as it's safe, but I really do have to send you off now or else you'll be stuck here and I don't want that."
Knockout raised his servo…
"I need you all back alive, Doc."
"Same here, Moony, same here."
And slammed it against the eject button.
The last thing Knockout saw was Moonracer's pod being launched into space, hopefully somewhere safe and unnoticed by the attackers, before a huge EMP blast hit the ship and knocked everyone out.
When Knockout regained consciousness, his entire frame ached. He groaned as he attempted to move, his systems other than his pain receptors refusing to work properly.
"Knockout?"
The red medic only had enough energy to open his optics. It took a couple minutes for them to adjust properly, and when they did, he couldn't help the relieved vent that escaped him.
"Hey, Bee," Knockout rasped.
"Thank Primus you're alright!" The yellow and black mech vented.
"Yeah, well, I wouldn't say alright. I mean, I have had better days."
"We all have."
At the sound of the new yet familiar voice, Knockout adjusted his vision to see a blue/gray frame on Bumblebee's right.
"Steeljaw, is that you?" Knockout inquired.
"Who else would it be?" Steeljaw retorted.
"Okay, okay, I was just checking."
A tense silence fell upon the mechs. Knockout was contemplating asking the others if they had any idea what was going on.
"Aye, so they are awake."
The loud, booming voice and heavy, intimidating ped steps shook Knockout to his spark chamber. It reminded him too much of Megatron.
The owner is a large mech with white, blue, and gold plating, and gleaming red optics that hold no mercy within. A gray helmet perched atop his head and a beard-like plate of armor hung from his chin and the sides of his faceplate. In place of a normal leg is a metallic pegleg, and a sword of gold and silver is attached to his waist.
"As you wanted to be informed, Captain Thundertron," a tall, blue and silver mech said.
"I know, Cannonball, no need to repeat what has been said," Thundertron rumbled. "Now, where is your mate?"
Cannonball just stood there with a blank expression.
"Why're you askin' the forgetful one where I'm at?" Another mech questioned, suddenly appearing from the shadows. This one is a beast-like mech with white, yellow, and magenta plating, his optics a more blood-thirsty red than those of the Captain's.
"Brimstone!" Cannonball cheered.
"Brimstone…" Thundertron growled at the same time.
Wow, deja vu, Knockout thought as he watched everything unfolding in front of him. I feel like I'm back on the Nemesis.
"There you are! I was wondering where you were!" Cannonball exclaimed, dragging Brimstone into a tight embrace.
"I was just around the corner ya idiot!" Brimstone snapped, though not as harshly as anyone would have expected him to.
"Save it for the berth, you two! Now shut up and go grab the others!" Thundertron ordered.
"There is no need for that."
While no one was looking, three new bots had entered the room.
In front is a small, rather grumpy-looking mech with brown, cream, and black armor, yellow optics, and wings reminiscent of a helicopter. A pistol is attached to his right hip, and – keeping with the pirate theme – a cutlass is attached to his left hip.
Alongside him is a sharp, well-built mech – very much raven-like in appearance – with dark gray, cyan, and magenta-marked silver armor. He has green optics and a right arm cannon.
Okay, now this really reminds me of the Nemesis and the old gang. That one is, like, the perfect mix of Soundwave and Megatron, and I guess Laserbeak, too.
"Ah, Sandstorm, Starquest, I trust the fugitive proved useful?" Thundertron asked.
Sandstorm and Starsquest nodded. A devious grin formed on the Captain's faceplate, sending shivers up the captives' backplates.
"Excellent! Then I suppose you will live to survive another day, Dust Devil."
"Of course, Captain Thundertron."
That voice…
He looked different, but he sounded the same.
Starscream? By the Allspark, what are you doing?
"If he's all good, then what're we doin' with them?" Brimstone asked, wrenching one of his arms free from Cannonball's hold and pointing to Knockout, Bumblebee, and Steeljaw.
Thundertron glared at his subordinate, but he didn't verbally reprimand him. Humming in a gravelly voice, the Captain turned to face the three mechs before him, completely at his mercy. His optics scanned their frames with great intensity. Knockout would have flinched, if his systems weren't on the fritz.
"I assume you all know a mech by the name of Megatron," Thundertron said. "I want to know where he is."
Bumblebee and Knockout shared a brief look, one that did not go unnoticed.
"Ah, they know somethin'," Brimstone mused.
"I can see that!" Thundertron snapped, then calmed down. "I suggest you tell me what you know."
"Not much," Knockout replied, the words tumbling out of his mouth of their own accord. "Last anyone's seen or heard from him was when he disbanded the Decepticons at the end of the War."
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"Well, at least he's still alive," Thundertron rumbled, stroking his beard. "Assuming, you're telling the truth."
"Why would we lie?" Bumblebee questioned.
"Why is an Autobot traveling with an unrestrained Decepticon?" Starquest countered from his new spot next to Steeljaw.
Knockout and Bumblebee nearly jumped out of their plating. They hadn't heard or noticed the raven-like pirate approaching them. They certainly weren't expecting him to talk, either, but they will admit, his low, even tone of voice is fitting.
"And how's can you tell he's a 'Con?" Brimstone demanded.
"The insignia is engraved on his shoulder plates, although I do not know why they have been slashed," Starquest answered.
"Slashed, you say?" Thundertron repeated, walking over to Starquest and Steeljaw.
"Yes, and by the looks of it, he did it with his own claws."
Starquest backed off when Thundertron approached. Knockout couldn't see very well from his position, but it was just enough. Steeljaw appeared uneasy with the Captain's close proximity.
"Interesting," Thundertron rumbled, running a servo over one of the destroyed marks, causing Steeljaw to flinch. This amused the Captain.
"Don't like that, do you? Well, hate to disappoint you, but there's more where that came from, and I promise, it won't be…"
Suddenly, Steeljaw lunged for the servo running along his plating and sunk his fangs into it.
"GAH!"
Thundertron retreated, clutching his leaking servo. Starquest and Sandstorm rushed to his side. Brimstone and Cannonball remained where they stood, optics unblinking with clear shock and surprise. Knockout, Bumblebee, and Starscream/Dust Devil wore the same expressions, but they weren't looking at Thundertron.
"Steeljaw, what were you thinking?" Bumblebee whisper-yelled.
"His servo was starting to wander! What did you think was going to happen?" Steeljaw snapped.
"He does have a point," Knockout admitted.
"Not helping!" Bumblebee hissed, turning on the red medic.
The mechs immediately shut up when Thundertron stormed back over to them.
"You little glitch, you'll pay for that!" The Captain reached down and grabbed Steeljaw by the throat with his good servo and lifted him into the air. "But, I won't kill you. Not yet. Unless you prove to be useless. So, I suggest you cooperate, if you want to live. Understand?"
Thundertron didn't give Steeljaw a chance to answer before he let go. Steeljaw landed on the cold, hard ground, his vents attempting to get back to circulating in a normal fashion after being held in a brief yet painful chokehold.
"Let's start where we last left off. I don't need to repeat myself, do I?"
Steeljaw regained his bearings and glared at the mech standing above him. He hated answering to others, especially those who see themselves in a higher position of power than him, but his need to live outweighed his want to defy.
"The Autobots placed a tracker in me, so that if I ever escaped their custody, they could track me down and recapture me," Steeljaw answered.
"And you found this out on your own? Clever, aren't you?" Thundertron commented in an almost taunting manner.
Steeljaw laughed, confusing everyone.
"Please, while I am not denying that I am clever, even the thickest of processors would have figured it out eventually. It was the Autobots' idea to place the trackers in the most noticeable place on a 'Cons frame. You honestly think the Autobots are that smart?"
"Smart or not, they still managed you Decepticons quite efficiently."
Steeljaw didn't respond to the Captain's comment.
"Although, that does bring me to another question, and I highly doubt it has anything to do with loyalty," Thundertron continued, stalking around the mechs, unsettling them even further.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Steeljaw growled, his defenses building. He tensed when he felt the Captain's presence right behind him.
"Well well well, aren't you the defiant one?" Thundertron rumbled, his servos restarting to wander.
Knockout, and least of all Bumblebee, couldn't believe what was occurring. They wanted to look away, but couldn't. Their optics were glued to the sight before them. Neither of them would have ever thought in a millennia that Steeljaw would be dominated physically by a mech like this. Not to mention, not having the power to do anything about it.
"Just ask the question…" Steeljaw hissed as he attempted to escape Thundertron. He jerked in the Captain's hold when he felt digits teasing a sensory point between his plating and protoform.
"And stop touching me!"
"Leave him alone!" Bumblebee yelled, jumping to his pedes. Despite his bound servos, he felt his rage at the ongoing scene would be enough to at least get one good hit in.
However, it was not to be. Cannonball finally released Brimstone, and rushing over with tremendous speed, caught Bumblebee before he could do anything to Thundertron. Knockout – still paralyzed – and Starscream – in disguise as Dust Devil – could only watch.
"Oh, so you care for this mech?" Thundertron mused, looking between Bumblebee struggling in Cannonball's arms, and Steeljaw being held in his own tight grip.
"I care about my team-mates," Bumblebee said. "And whether he likes it or not, Steeljaw is a part of my team. So of course I'm going to try to protect him!"
"Try being the key word," Brimstone chuckled, walking up to the group.
"I hate to break this up, but I have a ship to pilot, and I'm sure everyone else has tasks to get back to as well," Sandstorm interceded. He didn't wait to be dismissed as he turned around and walked away.
"I agree with Sandstorm," Starquest said after the other mech's departure.
"Very well," Thundertron vented. "Take Dust Devil with you and get him started on something."
Starquest bowed and gestured for Starscream/Dust Devil to follow him. The Seeker in disguise spared his comrades a subtle look before leaving with Starquest.
"Cannonball and Brimstone, take those two to the brig, then join me in the Chamber."
Bumblebee and Knockout's Energon ran cold from the way Thundertron was looking at Steeljaw, with lust-filled optics.
"I have the feeling you two will have some fun with this deceptive spark."