Slipstream wastes no time in assembling a search party for the missing Rainmaker. She takes to the skies with Sunstorm and Starscream. Bumblebee, Knockout, and a squadron of Vehicons split-up their search on the ground. Everyone else remains on the ship.
– Hour 1 –
"Alright, that's it!"
Knockout slows down and transforms, continuing his trek on foot.
"This is ridiculous! There is no way that Ion Storm could've possibly disappeared without a trace! Not out here, anyway. Of course, he could be on another part of the planet, but the others would've called if they found any trace of him. So far, there hasn't been anything.
By the Allspark, this is giving me a major helm-ache! If only Steeljaw and Phantomjaw could track scents in the air, this would be so much easier! But, no, of course we aren't that lucky.
Then again, it's not like we bothered to ask them, but they are going through some stuff right now. Well, Steeljaw is, anyway. Seriously, what is up with him lately? After Phoria, it's been one thing after another. First we had that talk, sort of, then the whole Star Seekers debacle, and now his brother is back in town? And he hasn't talked to anyone else since then? I mean, I guess if someone I cared about was gone for a long time and I finally reunited with them, I would want to spend all my time with them, too.
No, quit it, Knockout! You can continue to worry about Steeljaw's personal life later. Right now, you have something more urgent to attend to, like finding a missing flier."
.
.
.
.
.
"Okay, this is probably a bad idea, but now's as good a time as any to pester Steeljaw for more information, and in the meantime, he can help in the search. Two birds, one stone."
Mind made, Knockout found a cluster of rocks and sat atop them. He sighed in relief, happy to be giving his legs a break. He shifted and activated his commlink.
{Knockout to Daytrader, I request assistance from St…}
The red medic never finished his call when the ground caved-in, sending both him and the pile of rocks he was sitting on down a hidden tunnel. He barely registered his fall as he blacked out.
– Hour 2 –
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN KNOCKOUT'S MISSING?"
After receiving the transmission, Wreck-Gar panicked and called back everyone immediately. They weren't happy about giving up the search, and even more so when they learned that someone else was added to the MIA list.
"Only Knockout would go and get himself lost on a simple search-and-rescue mission!" Starscream snapped, throwing his servos in the air while angrily pacing the bridge.
"I won't disagree with you there," Moonracer vented. "He's never had the best sense of direction, I will admit. Still, this planet is pretty wide open, much like Velocitron. I have a hard time believing that Knockout wouldn't be able to find his way around."
"Considering you've known him for longer than I have, I'm not going to argue with you about it."
"Thanks?"
Slipstream looked away from Starscream and Moonracer to Bumblebee, who appeared deep in thought. He was unusually withdrawn.
"Whatcha thinkin' about over there?" Slipstream called out.
"Huh? Oh, sorry, didn't know you were talking to me," Bumblebee perked. "Anyway, yeah, I am thinking. Based on Knockout's last transmission, it sounded like he was requesting help."
"He was."
"I know. I mean, whoever he was asking for, their name starts with 'St', and there are only two bots on this ship that fit the bill: Starscream and Steeljaw. Now, Starscream was out on patrol, so if Knockout wanted his help, why would he call the ship?"
"So you believe he called for Steeljaw's assistance instead? Why?"
"I think…"
The others looked at Moonracer. She realized she had spoken and covered her mouth.
"Moonracer?" Bumblebee said.
"Sorry, but I can't tell. Doctor-patient confidentiality. You understand."
The other bots shared mixed looks of concern and suspicion. However, they were well aware of the rules, and left Moonracer alone on the matter.
"Although, now that Knockout's missing, we might as well ask for Steeljaw's help. Knockout has a ground alt mode, so tracking him will be a cinch. And who knows? We may find Ion Storm in the process as well."
"Good point," Slipstream praised. "So, who wants to fetch him?"
– Hour 3 –
Knockout's optics blinked open, taking in dim lighting. He is in a daze and sore all over.
"That fragging sucked. Wasn't expecting that to happen. I should have known the first rock pile in the middle of the biggest green patch in the history of green patches in the universe was a red flag. Frag me and my need to rest on a perch of some kind. Next time, just stick to flat earth."
Knockout ran a diagnostics check on his systems. He sustained minor damage, the worst of it to his scarred leg, but nothing he couldn't handle. Once again using his Energon prod as a walking stick, Knockout limps off, hoping to find another way out. He soon comes across an unusually blue stalagmite in the tunnel's bend. Upon closer inspection, it looked more like a large blood stain.
Energon! It's dried by now. What if this is Ion Storm's? No, don't think like that! Based on the amount, Ion Storm will be weak, but not hopelessly so. He should be fine, unless he's damaged himself even further, or he started rusting…
Knockout shook his helm to clear himself of his deep-diving dark thoughts.
"Come on, Knockout, think positive. You're the one who always looks on the bright side, right? Speaking of the bright side, my finish needs to be completely redone, again! Buffed, painted, waxed… Why does the universe hate my paint job so much?"
The red medic would have continued complaining, but as he rounded another bend and entered a cavern, he saw someone resting against the far wall: a lean, electric blue mech, with black and silver detailing, and glazed red optics. Upon seeing Knockout, the blue flight-frame pressed his wings tightly against his backplate and curled into a ball, shifting in place to keep his right side hidden from sight.
"Whoa, easy there!" Knockout exclaimed, raising his servos in a way to let the other mech know he wasn't here to hurt him. "Ion Storm, right? I'm Knockout. I met your siblings Acid Storm and Nova Storm. Don't worry, I'm here to help."
Ion Storm analyzed the red medic approaching him. He showed no signs of wanting to cause him harm, and it sounds like he knows his family. He remains cautious, but if this mech really is here to help…
"If you trick me, I will force you offline for eternity," Ion rasped, surprising Knockout. "What?"
"Nothing!" Knockout exclaimed, taking out his med-kit and sitting in front of Ion Storm. "I just wasn't expecting you to threaten me like that. Don't worry, I won't trick you. I may be a former Decepticon, but I prefer living with a perfectly undamaged frame, thank you very much."
"I don't suppose you realize how bad it looks right now?"
"Oh, trust me, I do. Fell through a hole in the ground with a bunch of rocks."
"Lots of hidden traps around here."
"Is that what happened to you?"
Ion Storm nodded.
"Where's the damage?" Knockout asked, looking over Ion Storm. So far, he doesn't see anything terribly wrong with the blue mech, but his suspicions rise when he notices discoloration beneath a clenched servo. "Care to tell me what happened?"
"I… I was trying to dig out some Energon crystals, and I wasn't being as careful as I should have been and got caught in a cave-in," Ion Storm explained, flinching from the memory.
"Ouch."
"Yeah…"
"And your injuries?"
Hesitantly, Ion Storm removed his clenched servo and turned to allow Knockout access to his right side. The red medic gasped at the sight: a crushed shoulder plate and a fractured wing, both wounds still leaking Energon, as well as forming rust.
"I'm not leaking as much anymore, and the pain's become bearable…" Ion Storm started.
"I can't do anything about the rust right now, and that's the thing I'm most concerned about!" Knockout exclaimed, interrupting the blue mech.
"That's not making me feel better! I'm already worried about it enough as is!"
"Sorry, sorry. I can get a little carried away at times."
"It's alright. So can my sister."
– Hour 4 –
Ion Storm had fallen asleep in Knockout's lap, and the red medic had wrapped his arms around the injured blue mech, comforting him and keeping him safe.
"I promise we'll both get out of here," Knockout whispered. "I just wish I knew how."
Knockout felt something move and looked down. Ion Storm was waking up.
"Did you say something, Knockout?" The blue mech asked.
"Just talking aloud to myself. Sorry about that."
"It's okay…"
"What?"
"What?"
"It looks like you're about to say something."
Ion Storm whined and crawled out of Knockout's lap.
"I was just thinking about what I think you're thinking about, too," he answered.
"You mean a way out?" Knockout clarified.
"Yes, that. Maybe we could go back to where you fell in and get out there?"
"The tunnel's blocked by rocks."
"Are you sure?"
Silence.
"You didn't check, did you?"
Knockout vented and shook his helm. He got to his pedes, then reached down to help Ion Storm up. Keeping a tight hold on each other, the mechs backtracked the way one of them came in.
Eventually, they reached Knockout's tunnel.
"Huh, it's much brighter in here than it was earlier," Knockout said.
"Are you sure? Weren't you still a little, you know, out of it?" Ion Storm inquired.
"Maybe…"
"IS ANYBODY DOWN THERE?"
Knockout and Ion Storm froze.
That's Bumblebee's voice!
"Steeljaw…"
"After the Insecticon incident, you better not be questioning my tracking skills!"
Oh, thank Primus, my transmission went through!
"He's right, Scout."
"Don't you start, too, Starscream!"
"I'll start whatever I want, whenever I want!"
Knockout laughed. Ion Storm raised an optical ridge.
"That's how they always are, trust me," Knockout reassured, then yelled, "HEY, SCREAMER, STOP ANNOYING EVERYONE!"
Silence.
"Knockout?" All three voices called down.
"Who else?" The red medic jokes. "Oh, yeah, and I found Ion Storm!"
The following reactions were mixed.
"You did?"
"Explains why no one else could find him."
"Of course Knockout would find someone by sheer dumb luck!"
"I heard that, Screamer!" Knockout teased. His demeanor flipped when he felt Ion Storm nearly slip out of his grasp. "Uh, not that I don't love messing around with you guys, but Ion is in bad shape and we really need to get him out of here."
"Sorry, Knockout! We're on it!"
Bumblebee soon joined Knockout, and together, they were able to carry Ion Storm through the tunnel. At the top, Steeljaw grabbed Ion Storm, Starscream grabbed Knockout, and Bumblebee climbed out all on his own.
"Thanks for the save," Knockout said.
"Don't you mean another save?" Steeljaw corrected, keeping a hold of Ion Storm.
"Considering we've saved your aft how many times now?" Starscream added, crossing his arms.
"I don't know, a lot?" Knockout guessed. Starscream just rolled his optics.
"Knockout, you really need to be more careful…" Bumblebee started.
"I was being careful! I even called for assistance! How was I supposed to know that there were hidden tunnels all over the place? I didn't drive over a single one, and the one time I stopped to make a call, viola! Suddenly, one magically appears out of the blue!"
"Okay, okay, calm down, Knockout! I'm sorry! We were all just worried about you!"
Knockout circulated his vents.
"Yeah, I know, but on the bright side, if that didn't happen, I wouldn't have found Ion Storm!"
That fact alone was enough to get them off his back for the time being. Bumblebee called the ship and requested a bridge. One appeared seconds later, and they all walked through. They entered a room, which was occupied by Wreck-Gar, Slipstream, Sunstorm, and Shockwave.
"We're back," Bumblebee announced.
"About time," Slipstream hissed. Her mood shifted when she took note of the blue frame in Steeljaw's arms. "Is that…"
"Hi, Slipstream," Ion Storm greeted weakly. "I hope my absence didn't cause too much trouble."
Silence.
"Sunstorm, please retrieve Acid and Nova," Slipstream said, her optics never leaving Ion Storm.
"Two panicking yet otherwise perfectly fine Rainmakers coming right up, boss!" Sunstorm piped, giving a little salute and running off.
"Panicking?" Ion Storm repeated.
"Acid Storm lost his temper with everyone," Slipstream said. Ion Storm flinched, optics wide.
"Okay, so it really was that bad. Acid never loses it like that, ever."
"It's fine. I'm just relieved to know that you're online and well."
Wreck-Gar nodded in agreement with his conjunx. Shockwave walked over to the rescue party.
"Shockwave, I'm sorry, I…" Ion Storm tried to explain, breaking under Shockwave's gaze.
"You are injured, so it would be logical for you to save your strength and rest," Shockwave responded, his tone surprisingly gentle. "I am glad that you are still online and functioning."
"Me, too, Shockwave, and thank you for looking out for us."
Shockwave patted Ion Storm lightly on his uninjured shoulder. The other bots stood idly by, dumbfounded by what just happened. None of them, not even Wreck-Gar and Slipstream, expected Shockwave to act like that.
"Is there something wrong with all of you?" Shockwave asked, a hint of irritation expressing itself through his voice.
Having been on the receiving end of Shockwave's anger before, – nowhere near on the same level as Megatron's rage; he somehow managed to avoid harm when getting on Shockwave's nerves – Starscream immediately whisked away his disbelief and denied ever possessing any in the first place. The others followed suit.
"Thought so."
"Smug, aren't you?" Starscream teased, getting an unknown reaction out of Shockwave.
"What's this I'm seeing?" Knockout mused, sensing a golden opportunity to not only annoy Starscream, but Shockwave as well regarding their relationship. "Courting, are we?"
"What? No! Knockout! You know how much I love to patronize others! That's all there is to it!" Starscream spluttered, faceplate developing a blue tint.
"Specifically Shockwave, and especially recently."
"I like to annoy him! So what? Nothing more, nothing less!"
"Are you sure about that? What do you think, Shockers?"
"Don't call him that!"
"Aw, what's the matter, Screamer? Jealous?"
"Of what? You? Of course not! Don't be ridiculous!"
"I will neither confirm nor deny anything," Shockwave interrupted, silencing the quarreling mechs…
For all of 5 seconds, possibly less.
"Oh my, that certainly wasn't a no!" Knockout chuckled.
"It wasn't a yes, either," Starscream grumbled, crossing his arms and turning away.
"Aw, sounds like poor Screamy is disappointed."
"What did I tell you about those absurd nicknames?"
"Oh, please, you love 'em!"
"No, I don't!"
"Yes, you do!"
Bumblebee, Wreck-Gar, and Slipstream were thoroughly entertained by Knockout and Starscream's arguing. Even if he didn't seem amused, Shockwave was at least invested in the argument, if only for the sake that he was dragged into it. Ion Storm just looked plain confused.
"Do not!"
"Do, too!"
"SHUT UP!"
Steeljaw's yell scared everyone, concerning them all.
"Steeljaw, are you okay?" Bumblebee asked.
"Does it look like I am okay to you?" Steeljaw snapped. He handed Ion Storm to Shockwave and left, passing Sunstorm, Acid Storm, and Nova Storm on his way out.
The Rainmakers were beyond overjoyed to be reunited, but Knockout, Bumblebee, and Starscream weren't concerned with that anymore.
Now, they had someone else to worry about.