Hey everyone! I'm back already and with chapter 45! Just saw Transformers Rise of the Beasts and it was AWESOME! Loved it so much lol!
Bit of a short chapter today, but I hope you still like it. Sorry for any grammar errors.
Transformers Prime: The Medic's Assistant
Chapter 45: Memorial
Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers Prime
(Somewhere in the states)
In a clearing on top a wooded cliff, Knock Out waited in vehicle form as he watched the sun slowly set. It had been days since he and Stormracer fought Airachnid. After the battle, he was able to stabilize Stormracer before she could go offline, though had to flee once he heard the autobots coming. In the spur of the moment, he wrote a message on her device and placed it in her compartment to find later. He requested a later date, knowing it would be a while for her to fully recover. Still, he couldn't believe he wrote that message. What was he thinking?! Sure, she saved his life. But she was still an autobot. And yet there he was waiting for her to show up.
His tire struts twitched as he waited. He checked the time, seeing it was five minutes past seven. He wasn't sure if she would come or not. Maybe her injury was worse than he thought. Maybe she didn't see the message. Or maybe she didn't want to meet him.
He was beginning to question why he was still waiting around when he heard a warbling sound behind him. Looking through his rear-view mirror, he saw the teal femme stepping out of a groundbridge portal. A wave of relief swept over him to see she was alright. Keeping his cool, he transformed and approached her as the portal disappeared behind her.
"I was beginning to think you wouldn't show up," he said.
"Yeah, sorry," Stormracer apologized, "took me a while to sneak past Ratchet. You okay?"
"Shouldn't I be asking you that?"
She let out a chuckle. "I'm alright. Thanks to you."
Knock Out huffed as he folded his arms. "Yes well, you saved my life first. Rather foolish if you ask me."
Stormracer folded her arms back at him. "Is that your way of saying thank you?"
He frowned. "Why put yourself in harm's way like that? You could have gotten yourself offlined! Not to mention, you did it to save me, the enemy! I'm a decepticon, remember?! Neither of us should care if one or the other gets scrapped."
"And yet you saved me. You could have left me to bleed out, but instead you stayed to help. And don't think I didn't notice how concerned you were."
Knock Out's optics widened in embarrassment before frowning, avoiding eye contact with her. "Psst! I don't know what you're talking about. You were probably hallucinating from energon loss."
Stormracer snickered. "Well... I thought it was really sweet."
He looked back at her, his frown remaining. "I'm a decepticon. I'm not supposed to be sweet. I was only evening the score. Nothing more."
Stormracer smiled at him. "Well either way... thank you."
His frown disappearing, he let out a vent. "You're welcome." Instantly his frown reappeared. "But do that again and I will let you bleed out."
The femme chuckled. "Uh huh, sure you will."
He only rolled his optics at her.
"So... why did you want me to meet you here?" she asked.
Dropping his frown, he looked over in the other direction. Stormracer followed his gaze to see a drive-in theater down below. She was confused by this.
"You invited me to a movie date?" she asked.
"Not exactly." He walked over to the large rock near the edge and sat down on it, looking at the drive-in theater. "Breakdown and I would come here often. We occasionally enjoyed the odd human film every now and then. Humans certainly do have wild imaginations." He let out a vent. "I've been thinking about him lately. Sometimes I even wonder if the outcome would have been different if I was there."
Realizing what this was about, Stormracer walked over and sat down beside him. "What did happen?"
Knock Out was quiet for a moment as he looked at the drive-in. Finally, he spoke. "When Megatron left to deal with Unicron, Airachnid tried to take command during his absence. Megatron of course learned of her treachery and sent her, Dreadwing, and Breakdown on a 'mission', but it was really a trap to terminate her. According to Dreadwing, she learned of their plot and fled. Breakdown went after her and... He wasn't seen since. We never even found his body... I always knew his temper would get the better of him. I should have been there to stop him."
"You didn't know," Stormracer told the doctor.
"But I should have known! We all knew how dangerous Airachnid is!" He tightened his servos into fists. "I was his partner! I should have been there with him!" Needing to calm himself down, he took a big vent before continuing. "And you know what the worst part is? No one else even misses him. Never even gave him a proper memorial or even recognition for his service." He sadly looked at the ground. "It's like everything he did didn't matter at all."
Stormracer had never seen Knock Out like this before. She looked at the con sympathetically, seeing his sadness pouring out of him. After a moment, she spoke. "You know, when me and Bulkhead rescued Breakdown from MECH, he saved us during the fight. MECH fired this weapon at Bulkhead and I, but Breakdown rushed in and tackled us out of the way. He could have let MECH apprehend us, but he chose to help... I'll always appreciate him for that."
Knock Out looked at her, touched by her words. Though he hid it with a chuckle. "Heh, an autobot appreciating a decepticon? That's a new one."
Stormracer chuckled along. Her smile then faded. "I have to ask. Why are you telling me all of this? You said so yourself we're not friends."
"We're not," he said. He vented as he looked away. "But... I have no one else to talk to. The only one I ever confided in was Breakdown. And you seem to like listening." He looked back at her. "Besides, if I tell any of the others, they might think I've gone soft. I do have a reputation to uphold."
"Ah," she said with a smirk, "we wouldn't want to ruin that."
"Ha. Ha. Ha," he said dryly.
Stormracer chuckled. "Well, don't worry. I won't tell anyone. Autobot's honor."
Looking at her for a moment, he gave her a soft smile. "Appreciate it."
Both looked down at the drive-in to see the human workers getting ready to open.
"So, how did you and Breakdown meet?" Stormracer asked.
Knock Out leaned back as he used his servos for support. "A long time ago, I was stationed with Motormaster's group; the Stunticons. Breakdown was relocated to us after a scuffle with his former teammates. I was assigned to break him in and... well, we hated each other. I was the doctor, and he was the brute that wanted to destroy everything he touched. There were times I was ready to heavily sedate him. It wasn't until one day we were out on a mission and got separated from the group. With it being just the two of us, we had no choice but to learn how to work together. Afterwards we not only became partners but Breakdown became my assistant."
"Aww, that's swee-" Stormracer went to say before Knock Out gave her a look, "thaaat's... cool?"
Knock Out rolled his optics. "Of course he struggled at first. He was more used to breaking things rather than helping around medbay. The lunkhead even set my workspace on fire once." He chuckled softly, "I nearly scrapped him for that one. Eventually he got the hang of being my assistant. Work improved and I was able to get the job done faster." The sad expression reappeared. "I never thought I would miss the sound of him dropping my tools or knocking something over."
"... He sounds like he was a great assistant," Stormracer said, trying to comfort him.
The con let out a small laugh as he looked at her. "Yes. He was."
The two quietly sat there as the leaves rustled from the wind over their heads. After a moment, Knock Out spoke up. "What you said back in the woods, about Starscream... that was really hard for you to admit, wasn't it?"
Stormracer tensed up but said nothing as she glanced away.
"It's nothing to be ashamed of. If I had a cred for every time I wanted to scrap a bot that crossed me, I'd be rich. It's not uncommon."
"I almost allowed him to be killed." she said, looking at Knock Out, "it would have been no different than him watching his subordinates offline an autobot for him. I never want to be like him."
"Trust me, we all don't want to be like him," he said, "but you're nothing like Starscream. You're too soft. No offense. If you want my opinion, I say you should have let Arcee scrap him. Would have done us all a favor. Besides, you said so yourself Starscream was the one who snuffed your friend's spark. He must have been very important to you."
The femme vented. "He was. Cliffjumper was my best friend."
"So then why stop Arcee?"
"... Because it was the right thing to do."
Knock Out looked at her before looking away, scoffing at her answer with a smirk. "Autobot morals. Of course. Well, you certainly have more restraint than I ever did. Or Starscream for that matter. If anyone can hold a grudge the longest, its him."
Stormracer looked at the doctor before sadly looking down. Knock Out's smirk disappeared as he looked at her. After a moment of silence, he asked. "What was he like? Cliffjumper I mean?"
She looked up at the view before them. "He was... talkative. Always had something to say." A small smile made its way on her face. "But he always knew what to say. He was a good bot. Had a good spark."
"Sounds like you both had something in common." Knock Out said with a smirk.
Stormracer blushed as she shyly glanced away. Looking back at him, she smiled. "Thanks," she said quietly.
They looked down to see a few cars already making their way into the drive-in to get the best spots. Thinking of something, Stormracer looked around where they were sitting. "You said you and Breakdown came here often."
Knock Out looked at her questionably. "Yes?"
She looked at him. "You also said you didn't give him a proper memorial, right? Why not give him one here? Seems like a nice spot for him, don't you think?"
Knock Out was about to say something witty but stopped. He... didn't think it was a bad idea. Thinking it over, he looked around before laying optics on the perfect spot.
It wasn't long before they built a structure, using the large rocks they found. Stormracer even went so far as to find flowers to decorate around the base. Once they were done, Knock Out stood in front of it as Stormracer stood off to the side.
Knock Out looked at the femme, almost nervously. "I'm... not very good with this sort of thing."
"Just say what's on your spark," she encouraged him.
Knock Out looked at the structure before letting out a big vent. "Breakdown... was more than just another decepticon. He was a good soldier, and a great partner. Yes, he was a brute at times, but he still cared for his fellow decepticons. " He chuckled, "Well, at least those he didn't want to pummel." His smirk disappeared as he sadly looked at the structure. "I couldn't have asked for a better partner. It's... it's still hard to except the fact he's gone. Nothing will be the same without him." He let out a deep vent. "Breakdown... I don't know if you can hear me but... I'm sorry. I know I was never the greatest friend nor partner. You were there more times for me than I was for you. You were always there. And- and I should have been there with you. Maybe, if I had been... you'd still be here." The tears stung his optics as he shut them tight. "I'm sorry I didn't do this sooner. I hope you're at peace now... Goodbye, Breakdown."
He lowered his head and covered his face with his servo as the tears welled up in his optics. He remained like this as he silently mourned. Just then he felt a servo gently placed on his shoulder, making him look to see Stormracer now standing beside him, her optics looking at his with sympathy. Looking at the teal femme, a small smile made its way on his face as she smiled back at him.
Soon the sun disappeared with the movie playing on the big screen. But the two cybertronians were too distracted as Knock Out told Stormracer stories about him and Breakdown. Hours went by and they were still talking, even way after the movie ended. Both were laughing their heads off as Knock Out shared a funny story.
"You should have seen the look on Starscream's face when Breakdown knocked that pillar on top of him!" Knock Out laughed.
The femme snorted at the image in her head. "Wish I could have seen that!"
Knock Out let out a vent to calm himself down. "Of course, we got in trouble. But we were still laughing about it for cycles. I only wish I took a holoscan of the whole thing."
Stormracer chuckled. Letting out a vent, she smiled at Knock Out. "You know... this was nice. I'm glad we got to do this."
Knock Out smiled in agreement. However, his smile soon disappeared as he cleared his throat. "Yes, well, don't expect it to happen again," he said as he stood up and brushed himself off, "This was just a temporary truce."
Stormracer's smile disappeared once he put his decepticon veil back on. She let out a vent. "What if it doesn't have to be? I mean, it's just the two of us talking. Where's the harm in that?"
"Oh of course! I'm sure our teams will be very forgiving if they ever found out. Megatron might even grant mercy by giving me a swift execution."
He did have a point, Stormracer thought. Heck, she didn't even tell anyone she went to see Knock Out, knowing they wouldn't approve. She hated going behind their backs, but she wanted to reach out to the con. Looking at him, she stood up. "Then come with me."
The decepticon gave her a look. "I'm sorry, what?"
"Come join Team Prime."
He stared at her, speechless. Then he threw his head back and burst out laughing. "That's funny!" he chuckled, "that's a good one!" His laughter soon died down once he realized how serious she was. "Wait, seriously? me an autobot!"
"Why not?" she asked.
"Three reasons," he said, holding up his servo to count the reasons down with his digits. "One; I hate them. Second; Megatron would hunt me down and mount my head on a wall. And three; I'm not interested in sticking my neck out for a mudball inhabited by fleshbags. Besides, I highly doubt your teammates would be so eager to let me join their merry crew."
"Optimus always gives others a chance. And so do I."
Knock Out scoffed at her. "You're too trusting for your own good, you know that? What makes you think I won't stab you all in the back?"
"I know there's good in you, Knock Out. I've seen it."
"Well, you saw wrong," he argued, "I'm a decepticon inside and out and that's not going to change." Letting out a vent, he turned his back to her. "It's getting late. You should probably head back before your team comes looking for you."
Stormracer silently stood there before letting out a vent. "Yeah. I probably should." She began walking away before stopping to look at him. "Will you be alright?"
He glanced over his shoulder at her. But instead of a snide comment, the decepticon nodded. "I'll be fine," he assured her.
Stormracer nodded before walking away.
Listening to her footsteps leaving, Knock Out released another vent as he turned around. "Hey, Stormy."
The autobot stopped to look at him.
"Thanks. For everything."
Hearing how genuine his voice was, she smiled. "Any time. See you around, K.O."
Knock Out paused for a moment as she kept walking. "Wait, K.O?"
The femme spun around to face him as she walked backwards, a cheeky grin spread across her face. "Yeah! You keep calling me Stormy, so I'm calling you K.O. It's fair!"
The decepticon frowned as she turned around and kept walking. "We're still not friends!" he reminded her.
"Yeah, yeah!" She shouted back with a wave. Transforming, she drove off and disappeared into the wood.
Knock Out watched her as he put his servos on his hips. "Psst! K.O." he muttered, shaking his head. He looked over at Breakdown's memorial spot, having a feeling his late partner was grinning at him from beyond the grave. But it wasn't long before he smiled, happy he got to do something for his friend.
He looked back in the direction Stormracer left. He didn't want to admit it, but his admiration for her was growing. And he knew the danger of it. If Megatron ever learned of it, the doctor would surely be joining Breakdown in the Allspark.
Well, it wasn't like they were going to have another heart to heart. He made it perfectly clear. Besides, he was only thinking about himself. He only wanted someone to talk to and that was it. Their meeting had nothing to do with him wanting to see the teal autobot again.
So then why did he want to be with her?
And that was chapter 45! I hope you liked it. As you can tell, Knock Out and Stormracer's relationship is growing more. Both good and bad. Dun dun daaah! Next chapter we'll be jumping back into the story line and into Armada. I think you might all get a chuckle out of that one. Until next time! God bless!