Author's Notes: This chapter is depressing. Sorry to be so blunt, but other than a few cute and funny lines most of this chapter is quite melancholy. This chapter focuses on further character development and backstories, but you have been warned. Thanks to everyone who is reading this fic. It's one of my favorites right now, so I'm glad it's had such great reception! Please remember to review, favorite, and follow to keep up with this story :)

Chapter 7

Spark Break

PR-35, TGP-538, and SS-PLX-04 were all sitting together in the drone cafeteria refueling and catching up on the day. This was where drones came to be themselves and speak freely. They suspected that Soundwave might listen to them even here, but it seemed like the least likely place to hold the communications officer's interest. Soundwave would be far busier spying on the officers as opposed to worrying over a few pseudo-mechs.

The three were excited because Breakdown was going to come by and show them a few photos from their home world. Even though the Vehicons didn't have families or hometowns, they still missed Cybertron as much as everyone else and looked forward to listening to Breakdown reminisce. He told such cool stories about his life as first a youngling living with his four brothers and then as a soldier serving in the Decepticon army.

"Check this out," 4 said jovially as he showed them a new song he downloaded, "I figure the big guy will love this one. It's about fighting the corrupt system. The song's from the Golden Age, and I tell you it has Decepticon Freedom Fighters written all over it."

"That is so cool!" PR-35 exclaimed before even listening to it, "Say, why do you have so many songs downloaded? It seems like a waste of processor storage."

"You know how it is, P," 4 replied as he leaned back in his chair, "Vehicons aren't allowed to own anything since we're considered property. We have no personal weapons, we have no solid photos or keepsakes, and we don't even have our own cleaning implements. My music is mine, though. It might just be virtual, but it's mine. I don't know why that matters to me, but it does."

"I understand," TGP-538 nodded amiably, "Truth is though I wouldn't risk it. Nobody likes a Vehicon they think is malfunctioning, and to Lord Megatron a personality is a malfunction. Frankly, it took me forever to trust Breakdown. He's the real deal though. I still squirm in fear at the thought of Knockout, though. I hear he likes to experiment in his spare time."

"Knockout can't be all bad," PR-35 reasoned, "He's Breakdown's best friend, and since when has Breakdown been a bad judge of character? He told me the story of how they met. It was just as cool as you would think."

"Well don't keep us in suspense," 4 prodded, "Tell us."

"Oh, but what if Breakdown doesn't like me gossiping behind his back?" PR-35 asked nervously.

"Then he might kill you," TGP-538 shrugged pessimistically, "To be fair though, I think he would give you a merciful death. Not like that she-beast that replaced Starscream. I'll be honest guys, I didn't think it could get worse than Starscream, but I was wrong. Airachnid is way worse."

"Oh, she's not so bad," PR-35 waved away his concerns, "She just isn't used to things yet. You know how rogues can be. I think she'll do a great job here. I'm pretty sure she has a crush on Lord Megatron."

"Bleh!" 4 gagged in an exaggerated way, "Okay, enough of that topic! Let's get back to how Breakdown met Knockout."

"Oh, right," PR-35 tilted his helm apologetically, "Well, Breakdown told me that it all started at the battle of Tyger Pax. Breakdown was leading a bunch of Vehicons into battle against a bunch of Autobots through the remains of the city. There weren't many civilians left, so Decepticons would go into random houses and buildings to loot valuables and search for energon. Anyway, Breakdown went into a small house in search of fuel or supplies, and when he got to one of the bedrooms he found a red mech sitting there on a berth, staring at him with a cold angry glare. Breakdown didn't see a faction symbol on him, so he figured out it was a neutral, and thought he could scare the mech away."

"Wait, Knockout was a neutral?" TGP-538 asked incredulously.

"Yep," PR-35 replied with a nod, "Well, Breakdown unleashed his hammer and told Knockout to run away or else he would kill him. Knockout didn't leave though. He took out his electric prod and charged at Breakdown with a savage yell! He and Breakdown fought until Breakdown finally managed to get the upper hand and push Knockout to the ground. Breakdown was so impressed though that he didn't want to hurt Knockout or take him prisoner. Instead he asked Knockout where he learned to fight. Knockout told him he learned to fight like that to protect his patients during the war. When Breakdown realized he was a medic, he knew it would be no trouble to convince the Decepticons to accept Knockout. They've been best friends ever since. Pretty cool, huh?"

"Sounds like a load of slag to me," TGP-538 commented, "I can't imagine Knockout caring enough about his patients to protect them. He's such a coward and a sadist. All he cares about is his paint job. He doesn't even talk to Breakdown like he's a friend. More like a servant."

"Of course he talks like that," 4 replied, "We're Decepticons. Decepticons don't talk about their feelings. That's an Autobot thing."

"You think Autobots talk about their feelings?" PR-35 asked curiously, "What else do you know about them?"

"You tell me," 4 replied with a smirk, "You're the oldest one here."

PR-35 was about to reply, but then he noticed there was a shadow over the table. At first he thought it was Breakdown finally come to join them, but then he saw it was, in fact, ICN-995.

"What are you doing here, dirt digger?" TGP-538 asked rudely, "Aren't servant class Vehicons supposed to stay in the mines?"

"I have some terrible news," ICN-995 said solemnly, "I've been going around to all the Vehicons who were close friends with Breakdown. I'm afraid he was killed in battle. I'm sorry."

"No he wasn't," PR-35 refuted; certain it was just a mistake, "We just talked to him this morning. He was going to show us some old photos from Cybertron, and we were going to show him some music 4 downloaded."

ICN-995 didn't reply. He just hung his helm in sorrow. The other three Vehicons looked at one another with feelings ranging from disbelief, confusion, to dawning realization and grief.

"Which one was it?" 4 asked; his voice low and full of venom, "Which slagging Autobot killed Breakdown?"

"None," ICN-995 replied softly, "Breakdown was sent out to assist Dreadwing in the assassination of Airachnid. She killed Breakdown and managed to escape. Our new second in command is Dreadwing."

"Does Knockout know?" PR-35 asked in a voice barely above a whisper, though he didn't know why he was whispering.

"Of course," ICN-995 replied, "All of the senior staff know. The only reason I know is because my mate and I were sent to collect the body. Unfortunately, it has been stolen. I intend to inform Lord Megatron alone in case he is angry with the news. If I am offlined for my failures then please look after ICN-994. I know she seems strong, but she's never been alone before."

Normally TGP-538 would yet again inform ICN-995 that ICN-994 was not a femme and therefore not a she, but under the circumstances it didn't seem appropriate. The atmosphere was suddenly oppressive and silent. It just didn't seem real. How could Breakdown be gone? He was just there.

Later that night, PR-35 couldn't recharge. Nightmares were one thing, but he knew he was going to have to wake up to this reality, and therefore it seemed like too much trouble to leave it in the first place.

He had talked to HX-346, who had gone in for minor maintenance, and had asked the other drone how Knockout was doing. HX-346 informed him that Knockout didn't seem all that affected and that no one had come to comfort him. It was as if the whole thing had never happened.

PR-35 knew that couldn't be right though. Knockout had been friends with Breakdown for deca-vorns. PR-35 thought about it, and realized just how lonely Knockout must have been in the wake of this tragedy. Breakdown had a lot of friends. The Vehicons were his friends. He got along with the other officers. Everyone seemed to like Breakdown. Knockout on the other hand was vain, off-putting, and had zero filter when it came to his snide comments. Knockout didn't have anyone else. If he had died, Breakdown would've been the only one that would've missed him.

Deciding that he couldn't leave the medic to suffer alone, PR-35 got up and decided to go to the medbay and talk with him. He was nervous about meeting with the torturous medic alone, but he also knew Knockout needed someone to be there for him.

PR-35 went to the medbay first to see if Knockout was there. No such luck. The dark and ominous medbay was empty, and so quiet that it made PR-35 nervous. PR-35 never told anyone this, but his greatest fear was absolute silence. He hated silence, and it terrified him to be alone in eerily quiet places. He didn't know why. It had just always been that way.

Venting air heavily, PR-35 knew if he was going to find Knockout he would have to go to the medic's quarters. Sure, there were no medical instruments there that could hurt him, but there were other considerations. Knockout might be angry at PR-35 intruding at such a late hour, and order the poor drone to the medbay. Vehicons couldn't disobey orders, so he would have to follow the doctor to his own execution. That sounded like a very bad idea.

PR-35 figured it wasn't worth it and turned to go back to the Vehicon quarters. He would recharge and hope for the best the next day. He would dream about- ohhh...PR-35 knew exactly what he would dream about. He would dream about Breakdown, or else he would dream about Knockout. His processor would torture him all night and well into the next day. No, he couldn't let that happen. His only absolution would come from doing the right thing and attempting to comfort Knockout.

The nervous Vehicon made it to Knockout's room, but it took him several minutes before he worked up the nerve to knock on the door. He rapped quickly on the door and held his intakes waiting for a response.

"Who is it?" Knockout asked through the door; sounding fully awake and a tad bit annoyed.

"Um, Drone PR-35, sir!" PR-35 replied in clipped and formal tones as he instinctively stood up straighter for an inspection.

Knockout then opened the door and glared crossly at the drone. The red mech then put his hands on his hips and leaned to one side like a teenager confronting their nosy parents.

"Why did Lord Megatron send you here?" Knockout asked after a moment of awkward silence, "Is there someone in need of repairs?"

"Um, no sir…" Pr-35 didn't know quite how to start this conversation, "I just, um, I just wanted to talk, sir. I thought you could use a listening audio receptor after what happened with Breakdown."

"Is this a joke?" Knockout asked dryly, "Who told you to say that? Was it Soundwave? Everyone thinks he's so stuffy and would never play a prank like this, but I know a sadistic glitch when I see one. I wouldn't be surprised if Soundwave broadcasted videos of all of us singing in the wash racks one day. Probably when he gets promoted to second in command. Frankly, I don't know why he isn't already. Wait, why am I even telling you this? You're just a drone! Ugh! I must be going crazy."

"No one ordered me to come here, sir," PR-35 explained, "I just...Breakdown was a really good mech, and what happened to him was unfair. I know he was closer to you than to anyone, so I thought-"

"Get out!" Knockout suddenly screamed, "I don't need artificial sympathy from some fragging battle-droid! If I had time I would repair your glitching processor, but right now Megatron's troops can all be reprogrammed into ballerinas for all I care! Just get out of my sight and remember how to aim a gun at an Autobot's fragging skull! That's all you're good for anyway!"

PR-35 couldn't help but be hurt by Knockout's outburst, but he had never disobeyed an order before, and he wouldn't start now. He bowed his helm respectfully to the irate medic and walked away.

When the Vehicon was out of sight, Knockout shut the door and went back to his berth. He hadn't recharged all night, and it looked like he wouldn't get a chance to for a while. He went back to what he had been doing before the drone interrupted; staring at an album pad with holographic photos from his past.

There were hundreds of photos in Knockout's collection, and he kept some of the strangest shots. Many of them were before and after shots from his patients back when he still had his practice as a cosmetic surgeon. Many more were of him and his older brother. Still others were of him and Breakdown. He didn't take as many photos after he joined the Decepticons, so there weren't as many photos of Breakdown as he would like, and it pained him that he would never get another chance to take one. He sighed deeply and shut off the album pad.

"Everyone I draw close to dies," Knockout said softly in the stillness of the room, "Maybe I should just face facts. I'm bad for people."

Knockout thought back to his past in Tyger Pax where he had been a cosmetic surgeon and at that time a neutral. Knockout and his brother moved around a lot, and Tyger Pax seemed like the perfect place for neutrals because both factions had bases there.

Knockout hadn't always wanted to be a medic. He liked carnage and destruction, and so did his brother. They thought they would pick a faction and join the war when they decided which side they liked better. That all changed when the Insecticons attacked the town they were staying in; Kaon. Knockout's brother, who had been a mech as beautiful as any on Cybertron, had been horribly disfigured by the Insecticons' acid. Knockout decided to learn cosmetic surgery to help his brother return to his normal stunning self.

As it turned out, selfish reasons soon became charitable ones, when Knockout realized he had hit upon a need in Cybertronian society. Many mechs and femmes wanted to change their identities and switch sides. Some just wanted to look different for undercover work. Because of this they were willing to pay Knockout a lot of money and energon to work on them. His business was a forbidden one that many would consider morally dubious and subversive. He remodeled Cybertronians and helped them turn traitor to whichever side they were on.

That was why he and his brother settled in Tyger Pax. There were Autobots and Decepticons there, and depending on how the war was going he got a lot of customers who wanted to change to whichever side was winning. On some days he would get a lot of Decepticons hoping to become Autobots. On other days it was the other way around. No procedure was off-limits and no form of payment was rejected. Well, except for that coneheaded guy that wanted to trade him a scraplet in exchange for a helm reduction surgery. In retrospect that might've been a threat.

Everything changed for him during a decisive battle that he didn't know about until it was too late. He was working late at the clinic when he got a comm from his brother. It was mostly static, but he could tell that something bad was happening.

"Hey! Moonracer!" Knockout called to his nurse, "Watch the clinic. I've got to get home. Something big is going down!"

"Be careful," Moonracer replied, but he barely heard her since he was already out the door and transformed into his alt mode.

Knockout raced through ruined streets with jagged metal that could pop his tires if he wasn't careful of it. He remembered that there were a lot of Autobot patients that day. That meant the Decepticons were winning right now. If there was a problem at home it was probably a Decepticon raid.

Everything was deserted where Knockout lived. Most of the inhabitants left long ago, but he and his brother weren't afraid of staying in the city. Nothing scared Knockout as long as his brother was there beside him. Problem was, when he was alone he got very, very, scared.

Knockout burst through the door in time to see an Insecticon chewing on the internal wires of his brother; already long dead. Knockout felt like he would purge his fuel tanks. It had to be an Insecticon. He hated Insecticons. The way they flew in unison, their ugly identical frames, and their mob mentality. They were just living versions of Vehicons as far as he was concerned.

Working with nothing but primal rage, Knockout screamed a war cry as he took out his electric rod and swung it at the Insecticon. The Insecticon bit it back and tried to push forward to attack Knockout, but the red mech took his pede and pushed back the Insecticon! He grabbed a piece of peeled metal from the walls of the broken down house he was living in and plunged it into the Insecticon's spark; killing it instantly. He turned away from the monstrosity and picked up his lifeless brother; now so broken it was hard to tell he was ever alive.

"Don't worry bro," Knockout said quietly, "I'll rebuild you for the funeral. I'll make sure you're buffed and polished to perfection. I know you wouldn't want anyone to see you like this. I'm sorry I was so slow. I'm sorry...Next time I'll…"

He broke down then, realizing there would be no next time. He had failed, and there was no second chance for this. He didn't know what he would do. He was alone now, and his patients would need a protector. What could he do though? He was just the medic. His brother was the warrior that protected the patients. Sure, Knockout knew a few moves, but it wasn't enough to face a cruel and unstoppable army like that of the Decepticons.

He placed his brother's broken pieces in a box, and decided that when he was ready he would rebuild the body. His family always cared about physical appearance, and he knew this was no way for his brother to look after death.

Knockout then sat on the berth and listened as the battle got closer. He knew that eventually he would have to leave, but he just didn't have the motivation to do so. It was half a joor later that he heard the sound of someone entering his home, and saw the massive Decepticon soldier that had broken in. He didn't realize then that the fight with that Decepticon would culminate into a friendship that would last for many centuries.

Knockout sighed as he lied back on his berth and stared up at the ceiling. He never thought anything could hurt as bad as losing his brother, but he was wrong. This was just as bad. Knockout never had the chance to repair his brother, and now he didn't even have Breakdown's body at all. Then again, Breakdown was a much simpler mech than Knockout. Outward beauty was never that important to him.

"Fragging drone…" Knockout muttered under his breath, not sure if he meant the intrusive Vehicon or the long-dead Insecticon that took his brother away.