Hey everyone! I hope you're all doing great! I am back and with chapter 54! I hope you like it! PS sorry for any grammatical errors.
Transformers Prime: The Medic's Assistant
Chapter 54: The Human Factor
Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers Prime
(Somewhere in the States)
Inside a hangar, the MECH surgeons and technicians were working on their patient. One of them connected a cable to the computer, allowing another to start the procedure with a push of a button.
The other end of the cable was connected to Breakdown's body as electricity coursed through it. On the other side, the body was hooked up to a tank of energon that was being transfused into the corpse. It wasn't long before the mech's servo moved on its own.
Soon as the technician saw this, he pressed another button on the console.
Electricity rapidly danced around Breakdown's body as smoke began filling the air. There was so much electricity that some of the electric bolts reached outwards, almost hitting the MECH agents. Soon the procedure stopped as the smoke slowly cleared. The MECH agents looked up at the mech, hoping it had worked.
After a moment, one of the con's optics lit up in his hollow socket before his head snapped up. Both optics glowed brightly as he looked down at the humans.
"Welcome back, Sir," one of the agents greeted.
The mech looked at his new body in shock. "What have you done?"
"What we needed to in order to save you, Silas."
Silas looked at his now large arm. "I'm... one of them."
"The logical evolution of MECH's experiments in biotech," the technician explained, "your brain, fused with the donor's nervous and skeletal systems."
"The perfect meld between man and machine... Exquisite!" Silas grinned as he looked at the others. "Thank you all, for your dedication and a lifetime of service!" he said as he disconnected himself from the cables. He stepped towards the agents in his large form as his grin disappeared. "But I now seem more suited to keep the exclusive company..." The MECH leader then activated the cannon on his shoulder. "Of titans," he finished as he aimed the weapon at his own men.
The MECH agents didn't have a chance to fight back as their leader fired at every one of them.
(Time skip)
(Autobot Base)
Ever since Smokescreen joined Team Prime, Stormracer noticed Bulkhead becoming more and more upset. As much as she and the others told him he wasn't being replaced, he still didn't believe them.
Trying to get the wrecker to do his daily exercises, Stormracer and Ratchet stood in front of Bulkhead who was sitting down pouting.
"Bulkhead, you really mustn't allow yourself to decline." Ratchet said.
"Yeah, Bulk," Miko agreed from the platform, "you gotta pull yourself out of this funk."
"What's the use?" Bulkhead groaned.
"Come on, Bulkhead," Stormracer said as she tried to encourage him, "it will help you get better."
"You need to regain your strength," Ratchet said, "the time will come when-"
"When what?" Bulkhead angrily interrupted, "when all of you need an assist? Isn't that what the new guys for?"
Smokescreen approached the group with the apex armor in hand. "Hey, Bulkhead. I've been thinking. With your injury and all, you might wanna take the advantage of the armor I snagged from Starscream. Instant muscle suit!"
That however angered the wrecker. "You think I need a crutch?!" Standing up, he smacked the armor out of Smokescreen's servos. The relic flew into the computers, damaging them in the process.
"Bulkhead, I needed that!" Ratchet exclaimed.
Bulkhead only growled as he shoved past Smokescreen. "Out of the way, Rookie!"
"He can walk!" Smokescreen said.
Bulkhead picked up the lob ball and proceeded to do his exercises.
"Looks like he's for duty to me," Smokescreen said.
Ratchet grumbled, "I don't know what you're talking about," as he shook his head and walked away.
Seeing he got her guardian to do his exercises, Miko gave Smokescreen a thumbs up.
Stormracer picked up the armor before walking back over to the new recruit. "I know you were trying to be nice, Smokescreen, but maybe give Bulkhead some space for now." She told him.
"He really doesn't like me, does he?" he asked.
"Hey, he will," she assured him with a smile. "Just give it time. If it makes you feel better, Arcee didn't like me when we first met."
"What?!" he asked in disbelief, "But you're likeable!"
"Yeah, and overly friendly. Gave her one hug and she avoided me like the rust plague."
Smokescreen laughed. "Sounds about right."
Meanwhile on the platform, Jack, Sierra, and Miko sat around Jack's phone as Raf spoke through it on speaker.
"You've gotta be kidding, Raf," Jack said, "you of all people, grounded?"
"Big time," the younger boy said, "I misplaced some homework and blew a couple tests."
"Translation; A- instead of A," Miko said.
"I'm probably spending too much time at the base." There was a pause as they heard a distant female voice on the other end. "No, Mama!" Raf answered the voice. He continued speaking to his friends. "Say hi to Bee for me. Until I improve these grades, I'm off Team Prime."
"We get it, Raf," Sierra told him, "We'll see you soon."
Soon after the call ended, the three had sad looks on their faces.
Miko looked over at her guardian still doing his exercises. "Just when we get one back, we lose another."
Sierra looked at her. "Hey, we haven't lost Raf. He's smart. He'll get his grades up in no time."
(The Nemesis)
Knock Out let out a yawn as he monitored the computer. The med bay had been very quiet lately, so he was placed at the computer to watch the scanners for the time being. He had never felt so bored before in his life.
He wanted to use the scanners to see if Stormracer was out. However, he was smart enough to know Soundwave would notice. He was lucky the last time he looked for her when the surveillance officer went off on a mission. He doubted he would be that lucky again.
His spark sank at the thought of Stormracer. Megatron had him running around a lot, barely giving him time to go out. Normally he would dismiss the fact he wanted to see her. But ever since the last time they saw each other, he couldn't deny it anymore. He wanted to spend time with her again. If only he could just simply call her without Soundwave catching him. He could send her an imbedded message, though her team would surely see it and question her. He vented. Stupid war, he thought to himself.
Just then something popped up on the scanners, gaining his attention. He brought it up on the screen to identify it. His optics then widened in shock. He didn't believe what he was seeing. It couldn't be.
"Breakdown?"
Sure enough, his partner's signature was right there on the screen. He couldn't believe it. Breakdown was alive! But there was something strange about it. It looked as if it was corrupted. Still, if there was a chance his friend was still alive...
The decepticon medic turned to his leader. "Lord Megatron. It appears Breakdown's signal has popped back online; all be it corrupted."
"Investigate with caution," Megatron told him, "It may well be an autobot trick."
"I certainly hope not. Breakdown may act the brute but he's a maestro behind a rotary buffer."
Taking a group of vehicons with him, Knock Out groundbridged to the signature's location. He found himself at a human military base. What was left of it anyway. Everything around the yard was scorched or mangled with a huge amount of dark smoke coming from within the hangar. It wasn't long before a large figure stepped out through the smoke, dragging a large metal crate behind him.
Knock Out looked at the arm dragging the crate. It was Breakdown's. It was his partner!
"Breakdown, where have you-" he stopped however when he got a good look at the large con.
The smoke slowly cleared as the large mech turned his head to face him. His armor was a mess, looking like he had been welded back together. His eye patch was removed and replaced with a small glowing optic deep within his hollow socket.
"Breakdown? What happened to you?" Knock Out asked.
The mech spoke. But it wasn't Breakdown's voice.
"There lies a tale, which won't be nearly as interesting to Megatron as this." The mech held up the crate in front of Knock Out and evilly grinned. "So, take me to your leader."
Knock Out stared at him in shock. That was not Breakdown.
(Autobot Base)
Soon as Agent Fowler arrived at base, everyone gathered around the computer as he told them about a recent attack.
"At 1630 hours, a satellite was stollen from a high security military vault," Agent Fowler reported, "Surveillance shows the decepticon known as Breakdown at the scene."
Stormracer's optics widened as the surveillance feed showed the blue decepticon in his vehicle mode. "Say what now?"
Bumblebee looked at the assistant. "I thought you said he was terminated by Airachnid."
"He is. Or was. Airachnid even admitted it. But they never did find his body."
"Well, he's back now," Bulkhead said.
"It looks like Breakdown entered the base in vehicle mode with someone behind the wheel," the liaison continued.
"A decepticon paired with a human?!" Ratchet exclaimed.
"And I have a pretty good hunch who. The stolen satellite was project Damocles."
"Invented by Silas," Optimus added.
"I guess the former Colonel Bishop wanted it back," Fowler said.
Stormracer couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Wait, this doesn't make any sense," she said, "why would Breakdown team up with Silas after what he did to him?"
"Black mail maybe?" Sierra guessed.
"Are you kidding?!" Miko asked, "BW would have squished the guy and his goons!"
"But didn't Silas get crushed by Nemesis Prime?" Bumblebee asked.
"Yeah," Arcee said, "I thought Silas was paste."
"So did I," Agent Fowler said.
"Agent Fowler, even if he were alive, are you suggesting that Silas has allied MECH with the decepticons?" Ratchet asked, "I highly doubt Megatron would even entertain such an idea."
"Why not?" Jack asked, "The human-bot alliance works for us."
"Most of the time," Arcee added.
(The Nemesis)
Knock Out didn't know what possessed him to bring the human wearing his friend's remains to the ship. He begrudgingly took him straight to the bridge where Megatron was waiting.
Even his leader didn't look pleased.
"Knock Out." Megatron said with a frown, "what is this abomination? And why have you brought it here?"
"I am Cylas," the human introduced himself, "as in cybernetic life augmented by symbiosis. I come with a proposition."
"This is the human who dissected Breakdown!" Knock Out exclaimed before activating his buzzsaw, "Please, my Liege, allow me to return the favor."
Megatron silently looked at him before looking back at his unwanted guest.
"I propose that you do not overlook the one asset that provides Optimus Prime an advantage," Cylas continued, "At least on this world."
"And that would be?" Megatron asked.
"The human factor."
"Look around you, Cylas. I command an army from a mighty warship. What could a human possibly offer?"
"I am no ordinary human." Cylas then gestured to the crate beside him. "And this is no ordinary weapon."
(Autobot Base)
"What does Project Damocles do?" Stormracer asked.
"Damocles is a particle beam cannon so powerful it can slice up the pentagon like a birthday cake or give everyone on Mt Rushmore a mohawk, all from a satellite in orbit." Agent Fowler explained. "It's the work of a mad man. And in Megatron's hands-"
(The Nemesis)
"A threat to anyone, anywhere on the planet," Megatron said, sounding intrigued.
"With pinpoint accuracy at the flick of a switch," Cylas added.
"And what is it you wish in return?" the Decepticon leader asked.
"Merely a place at the table."
Megatron studied Cylas for a moment. Thinking it over, he spoke. "Let us see if what you claim about Damocles is true. Then we'll talk."
Cylas smirked and gave a small bow.
Knock Out didn't believe what he had just heard. His master was allowing the human to prove himself. The doctor continued glaring at the abomination standing there as he grinded his dentas.
(Autobot Base)
"The cons may have the satellite, but they can't use it without the interface code," Fowler explained, "the only existing copy is stored on the secure servers at headquarters in Colorado."
"We must keep the code out of Decepticon hands at all costs," Optimus said.
Bulkhead pounded his fist into his servo. "It's roll time." He said before turning around to leave with the others.
"Yep ep ep!" Ratchet exclaimed, making the green mech stop. "I have not cleared you for active duty! Nor are you ready to roll!"
Bulkhead aggravatingly shook as he growled.
Stormracer walked over and placed her servo on his arm. "Don't worry Bulk. You'll be back out there soon."
The mech huffed but made his way back towards the computer.
Soon as the bots were groundbridged to their destination, Ratchet, Stormracer, Bulkhead and the humans stayed by the computers.
Stormracer couldn't help but frown as she thought to herself. Breakdowns alive? The Decepticons allying themselves with MECH? None of it made sense. Granted, it meant Knock Out's partner was back. But if he was alive the whole time, where was he? And why is he helping Sylas after what MECH did to him?
Stormracer was pulled out of her thoughts when she heard Optimus speak through the comm unit.
"Ratchet, we require back-up," Optimus said.
"I'm there," Bulkhead said before attempting to head for the groundbridge.
"Yep ep!" Ratchet exclaimed as he grabbed his arm.
"Can you remotely disable Project Damocles under Agent Fowler's advisement?" the Prime asked.
"On a human based computer network?" Ratchet asked, "Without my back-up? Without Rafael?"
(Raf's House)
Sitting at his desk in his bedroom, Raf sadly sighed as he stared at the computer. Just then a groundbridge portal opened behind him, making the boy snap out of his thoughts as he turned around. Jack, Sierra, Miko, and Agent Fowler stepped in before the portal closed behind them.
"What are you guys doing here?" Raf asked as he hopped out of his seat.
"Son, your planet needs you," Agent Fowler said as he approached the boy and handed him a government file.
Rafael looked at it before looking at the others questionably.
"We thought you could use a study break," Sierra joked.
(Autobot Base)
Wanting to help out, Bulkhead paced back and forth behind Ratchet before stopping.
"Ratchet, you gotta send me in," Bulkhead said.
"So you can be an even easier target?!" Ratchet asked before turning to face him, "you have yet to regain your full range of motion."
"But Breakdowns back. He's my arch enemy. Come on, even the kids are in on the action!"
Turning back around, Ratchet groaned in frustration. "Very well, Bulkhead," he said, "you are clear for duty."
"Yes!" Bulkhead cheered before turning to leave.
"A duty of my choosing!" the medic added as he stopped him.
Bulkhead looked at Ratchet questionably as he rubbed his head.
(Time skip, Jasper Nevada)
"Told you we'd be on our own mission soon," Stormracer told the green SUV.
Both she and Bulkhead were parked in their vehicle modes a block away from Raf's house. Since Bulkhead still hadn't regained most of his strength, the medic found it best to place the wrecker on curbside duty while Rafael worked. And as a precaution, he had his assistant accompany Bulkhead as well.
"You and I both know you're only here to babysit me," Bulkhead said angrily.
"Think of it as a start."
The green vehicle only vented in frustration.
(Raf's House)
Back in his chair, Rafael had the network up on his computer. Everyone else stood behind and watched the boy work.
"I'm in," Rafael said, "but I can't reach the targeting systems. Too many firewalls."
"Come on, son," Agent Fowler said, "if the cons make off with that interface code, Damocles will light up the sky twenty-four seven."
"Let them have the code. It won't do them any good without the satellite."
"Can't say I follow," the liaison said questionably.
"All satellites have maneuvering thrusters so they can adjust their orbits." The boy picked up the file and scanned through it. "If I can break into the navigation sub routine, I can bring the whole satellite down."
"Good thinking, Raf!" Sierra said.
"Great!" Fowler added with a thumbs up. He then glanced over his shoulders. "Say, uh, which way's the bathroom?"
The others just looked at him as Raf lowered the file.
"What? No!" the boy said before turning around to look at the man. "If my mom sees you-"
"Relax. I've trained in covert ops."
Raf wasn't convinced as he hopped off his seat. "I don't care if you were trained by ninja! My mom has eyes on the back of your head."
The agent gave him a look.
(The Nemesis)
Detecting something in the system, the computer sounded an alert as it showed Megatron and Cylas there was a breach.
"An intruder in the system?" the decepticon warlord said. He frowned as he shoved Cylas away and walked over to the computer. "Soundwave, we have a breach."
It wasn't long before the intruder's whereabouts were pinpointed on the screen.
"Jasper, Nevada," Cylas said as he walked over, "it could only be the autobots human allies."
"Then perhaps you should attend to the matter," Megatron told him.
"Surely one of your subordinates is more suitable-"
"Now!"
Not wanting to anger the warlord, Cylas left the bridge and made his way towards the groundbridge. However, he failed to notice Knock Out leaning beside the bridge door watching him leave.
Knock Out glared daggers at Cylas as the human disappeared around the corner. If it were up to him, he would have terminated Cylas hours ago. He regretted not having him shot back at the military base. Though he didn't dare say it in front of Megatron, he hoped Project Damocles failed.
(Jasper, Nevada)
It wasn't long for Cylas to reach the hacker's home. Stopping in front of it in his vehicle mode, he could see the four children through the window, huddled around the computer as the youngest continued tampering with the system. He grinned as he activated the blaster on top of his vehicle form and aimed it at the children.
"Good night, hacker," Cylas said as he locked on target.
But just as he was about to fire, two vehicles came speeding around the block straight towards him. A teal sports car and a green SUV.
Bulkhead rammed into the side of the truck, knocking Cylas onto his side before the wrecker and assistant pushed him away from the house.
(Raf's House)
Hearing a noise outside, the kids glanced up and looked out the window, only to see nothing there.
"What was that?" Sierra asked.
Thinking it was probably nothing, the four just shrugged it off and looked back at the computer.
(Down the street)
"Good call on curbside duty, Ratch!" Bulkhead said as he and Stormracer continued pushing the large vehicle away.
Soon they went off road and headed straight towards a drainage canal. Cylas rolled down the slope with the two Autobots driving down after him before all three transformed into their bot modes and landed in the canal on their pedes. The two autobots and human circled each other, ready to fight.
"Been itching to trade paint with you again," Bulkhead said, "where've you been, Breakdown?"
"Be patient," Cylas said, "I'm about to send you there."
Both Bulkhead and Stormracer were confused as they stopped in their tracks.
"That voice," Stormracer said. It wasn't Breakdown's. But she swore she heard it before.
"You're not Breakdown," Bulkhead said.
"But you are Bulkhead and Stormracer," Cylas continued, "and this is the last time you both interfere with one of my operations."
Realizing who they were really dealing with, both autobots were in shock as their optics widened.
"Sylas?" both said in unison.
"In the flesh. In a matter of speaking."
Stormracer stared at him. "What have you done?"
"After your leader decided to bring my last project down on me, my men did everything in their power to keep me alive. Using the remains of Breakdown we found, my team managed to fuse me into my new body."
Bulkhead had a look of disgust on his face. "Now that's just wrong on so many levels."
"MECH truly achieved so much in biotech. It was a pity I had to dispose of my subordinates so soon. But, in order to move up, one must make sacrifices."
The femme and wrecker couldn't believe what they just heard. "You killed your own men?!" Stormracer exclaimed.
Cylas evilly grinned at them. "Just like I'm going to kill you two." Activating his hammer, he charged at the two with a battle cry.
Bulkhead activated his wrecking ball and swung at Cylas, only for the human to block the wrecking ball and hit the wrecker with the hammer.
Stormracer jumped out of the way as Bulkhead flipped back. Knowing Bulkhead was in no condition to fight, she contacted the base. "Ratchet, we need back up! I repeat, we need- AH!" She fell back as Bulkhead went flying back into the wall before falling on his front. Activating her EMP, she fired at Cylas, only for her foe to block it with his arm.
"EMP," Cylas said as he looked at her, "non-lethal. Though yours appears only effective if it hits the opponent's head."
Frowning, Stormracer transformed into her vehicle mode and began driving around him.
"Heh. I see you use your wheels in order to maneuver around your enemies," Cylas added as the femme circled around. He ran over to bring the hammer down on her, but she quickly swerved out of the way. She then transformed and went to fire at him from behind, only for Cylas to turn around and grab her arm.
"So predictable," he said. He then swung the femme away, making her fly back into the wall. Letting out a grunt, she fell to the ground and groaned. Cylas smirked as he went to approach her, only for Bulkhead to tackle him from behind. The two fell to the ground as Bulkhead tried to overpower his opponent.
"I'm not done yet!" Bulkhead growled.
Punching the wrecker off of him, Cylas got up and readied his hammer. "Very well."
(The Nemesis)
Knock Out noticed Cylas had been gone for a while. Curious about what the human was doing, he went over to a computer and located his signature. He was somewhere in Jasper, but he wasn't alone. Knock Out saw the Autobot wrecker's signature pop up beside Cylas' along with... Stormracer?
The doctor's optics widened with worry.
(Raf's House)
Oblivious to what was happening close by, the four kids kept their focus on the computer.
Raf groaned as he searched through the system. "Where did they hide the substring?"
Agent Fowler quietly made his way back into the room. "FYI, you're low on TP."
(Drainage Canal)
Both Cylas and Bulkhead continued fighting, but Bulkhead's weakened state was already showing. Cylas began critiquing the autobot as he easily dodged him.
"Reaction time is slow," he said before dodging again, "you're favoring your right side."
Bulkhead groaned as his legs creaked.
"Legs are weak."
Angered by his comments, Bulkhead swung his wrecking ball, only for Cylas to kick the autobot back and hit him with his hammer. Bulkhead tumbled back and landed on his front. His legs were hurting but he refused to stand down.
"I'll show you weak," Bulkhead said as he forced himself up. He let out a battle cry as he charged at Cylas and swung his wrecking ball.
Cylas again easily dodged the wrecker's attack. He spun around and swung the hammer into Bulkhead's back, making him fly forward. Bulkhead grunted as he fell onto the pavement and skidded on his front, causing sparks to fly from his armor.
"You should have stayed in bed, Autobot," Cylas said.
Seeing Cylas about to bring the hammer down on her friend, Stormracer fired her grappling claw at Cylas' arm. Soon as it latched on, she pulled it back, making the hammer hit Cylas in the head. He let out a grunt as he staggered. Soon as he faced her, she aimed her EMP and fired multiple shots.
Cylas again blocked her attacks before grabbing hold of the grappling claw's cable and yanking it hard.
Stormracer shrieked as she found herself yanked off her pedes and towards the large foe. Cylas caught her before slamming her down into the pavement, making her gasp from the impact. Her frame shook as the concrete cracked underneath her. She let out a painful groan as she laid there, her vision going blurry for a second. Once she could see clearly again, she saw Cylas standing over her with his hammer ready.
"You don't belong on the battlefield," he told her. Raising his hammer, he went to finish her off. Then out of nowhere, a shot was fired at his chest, making him cry out as he fell onto his back. Stormracer was surprised as she saw Cylas now on the ground. Looking behind where the shot came from, her optics widened at who she saw.
Knock Out had stepped out from behind one of the overpass' pillars and fired his energon staff at the human, saving Stormracer at the last second. He glared at the human before looking at Stormracer with concern. The femme gave him a smile and a thumbs up, telling him she was okay. Just then the sound of an engine made itself known, making Knock Out hide back behind the pillar as someone else arrived.
Cylas got up as he heard a speeding vehicle approach him, followed by a transformation sound. Soon as he looked over, he was greeted by a flying kick, sending him flying back to the ground.
Stormracer's smile grew once she saw who joined the party. "Smoke!"
Smokescreen smiled back as he helped her up. "Didn't think I'd let you have all the fun, did you?"
Observing from around his hiding spot, Knock Out raised his optical ridge at the new autobot. "Who's he?" he asked himself.
The two autobots made their way towards Bulkhead as the wrecker looked over his shoulder to see the new recruit.
"Assist. What the new guys for," Smokescreen said as he and Stormracer helped the wrecker back up. They then brought their attention back to Cylas as he approached them.
"One new guy to another..." Cylas said before cracking his neck and reactivating his hammer. "This is your final day on the job." Letting out a yell, he charged at the three and slammed his hammer down, sending dust flying everywhere as the bots dodged his attack.
(The Nemesis)
Megatron was still at the computer when Soundwave sent him an update, showing what was happening in the system. Seeing that the humans were still in the system, the Decepticon leader glared at the screen once he saw what the hacker was doing.
"They're attempting to disable the satellite!" he said angrily as he slammed his servos against the console. Immediately he contacted Cylas. "Cylas, how difficult is it to squash a human child?!"
He received no response from the human.
"CYLAS!" he exclaimed.
The warlord then received another notification from Soundwave.
"We have the codes?" Megatron asked before giving his intelligence officer an order, "Then target the intruder and destroy him!"
(Raf's House)
"I'm almost there," Raf said as he kept working. The computer then showed the satellite's targeting system moving away from the autobots.
"Raf, rock on!" Miko cheered, "It's moving!"
Raf however was confused. "Uh, that isn't me," he told her.
This made everyone else confused as they watched the screen.
"But if you're not the one moving it, why is it going away from the bots?" Sierra asked.
They watched the computer as it showed the satellite going a different direction. It wasn't long before Jack recognized the area it was moving to.
"Uh, guys?" he said, "that's Jasper."
"Ooh, I can see my host parents' house!" Miko said.
The satellite then stopped over an outline of a house. The very one they were all in.
"And I can see my house, right in their target sight!" Raf added.
All eyes fearfully widened at this.
"Anytime, son!" Fowler told Raf.
"Full thruster burn!" the boy said as he quickly typed on the computer.
The satellite was about to fire down at the humans before it's thruster activated, causing it to go off target. Instead, it shot straight over the house and over Jasper, only damaging the corner of the K.O. Burger sign.
(The Nemesis)
Megatron watched the screen as the satellite fell from Earth's orbit, making him angrily growl.
(Raf's House)
Raf let out a sigh of relief while the group cheered. But their celebration was cut short by a loud knock on the door.
"Rafael Jorge Gonzales Esquivel!" Rafael's mom sternly spoke from outside.
The group quickly scrambled before she opened the door.
"What is going on here?!" she asked. She walked in to see her son with three older kids and a grown adult sitting in a circle on the floor, each with a book in their hands. They all looked at her and innocently smiled.
"Study group," Raf responded.
(Drainage Canal)
Cylas soon found himself stuck in the middle as he tried to fight off the three Autobots. He let out a grunt as Bulkhead punched him in the torso and then kicked him away. He staggered around and hunched over, allowing Stormracer to give him an upper cut to the chin and a spinning kick also to the torso. He staggered again, this time towards Smokescreen. His optics widened as the new recruit leaped into the air and kicked him in the chest, sending him flying and tumbling back onto the pavement. Laying on his front, he let out a groan as Megatron contacted him.
"Cylas, return to base immediately," the warlord ordered before cutting the call.
Cylas looked at the three Autobots before activating his shoulder cannon. Aiming it at his enemies, he fired a missile, making the three leap out of its way.
The missile exploded soon as it hit the ground near them, causing fire and smoke to fill the air. Soon as the smoke cleared, the bots were able to see Cylas retreating through a groundbridge portal before it disappeared. They then heard a noise from above, making them look up to see the satellite now in pieces as it reentered and burned up.
"Now that looks cool," Stormracer said with a smirk.
"Looks like someone's plan just burned up in reentry," Bulkhead said before he, Stormracer, and Smokescreen each high fived one another.
"And for the record, I've studied every one of the Wreckers' battles," Smokescreen told Bulkhead.
"There's hope for you yet, Newbie," Bulkhead said with a smile.
Seeing her two friends finally getting along, Stormracer smiled at the both of them. She then looked over at the pillar where she saw Knock Out, wondering if he was still there.
"Let's head back and tell the others," Smokescreen said.
Stormracer turned to look at her friends. "You two go on ahead," she said, "I want to check up on the kids."
Both nodded before transforming and driving off. Once they were gone, the femme made her way towards the overpass before stopping in front of the pillar.
"They're gone now," she said, "you can come out."
Sure enough, Knock Out stepped out from behind the pillar and approached her.
"Are you hurt?" he asked.
"I'll live," she assured, "thanks for the save."
Knock Out then frowned as he glanced away. "So... I see you met Cylas," he said bitterly.
Stormracer sadly looked at him. "I'm so sorry."
The doctor quietly huffed. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think I preferred it when Breakdown's body was missing. Anything's better than..." His servo balled into a fist as it shook.
Feeling sad for the Decepticon, Stormracer stepped forward and gently embraced him.
Knock Out tensed up at this. However, when he looked at her, his frown disappeared as he relaxed. He let out a sad vent as he rested his chin on her shoulder and placed his servos on her back. Neither of them said a word as they stood there. The mech slowly began feeling better as his arms went more around the femme, as if they didn't want her to leave. Their moment however was cut short when Megatron contacted the doctor.
"Knock Out," Megatron said through Knock Out's comm unit. "Head to the bridge. I believe Cylas's usefulness has run out."
Hearing that, Knock Out evilly grinned before pulling away from Stormracer and giving her a soft smile. "I have to go. You should get going before your team question where you are."
"Are you going to be alright?" she asked.
He smirked. "I'll be fine. Trust me. And try and stay out of trouble, will you?"
Stormracer couldn't help but smirk back. "Hey, it's not like I go looking for it."
"I don't know," Knock Out teased, "sometimes I wonder."
"Knock Out!" Megatron impatiently shouted in the Decepticon's commlink, making him flinch.
Not wanting to upset his master, Knock Out immediately answered. "On my way, my liege." He looked at Stormracer. "See you around."
He went to leave before the femme stopped him.
"Hey," she said, "if you feel like you need someone to talk to... we can meet at the drive-in tomorrow if you like."
A smile spread across Knock Out's face. "I would like that. See you later, Stormy."
Stormracer watched as a groundbridge portal opened before the doctor vanished through it. She smiled softly, happy that she got to see him again. Her smile however then faded once the portal closed. Knock Out must have felt the same way she did when she and her team thought Cliffjumper was still alive, only to learn he was reanimated into a terrorcon. She still had a hard time believing Silas was just walking around in Breakdown's body. The way MECH just desecrated the Decepticon's remains... she couldn't imagine how Knock Out felt. Not to mention the fact Cylas thanked his men for saving him by terminating them. Thinking about it only upset her.
Letting out a vent, she made her way out of the canal to check on her human friends.
(The Nemesis)
Soon as everyone returned to the warship, Cylas was sent straight to Megatron who was waiting for him at the bridge.
Megatron turned around to face the human. "Cylas, you have earned your place at the table."
"Lord Megatron, I am honored," Cylas said.
"Knock Out's dissection table." the warlord clarified.
Immediately a look of horror spread across Cylas's face. Turning around, he saw Knock Out standing there with two vehicons behind him.
The doctor grinned as he held his energon staff. "Breakdown would be tickled."
Cylas looked back at Megatron. "No, Lord Megatron! Why?!"
"Because Damocles was the best you had to offer," the Decepticon leader explained. "And it is no more. The human factor did indeed tip the scales..."
Soundwave, who was standing behind Megatron, turned on his face screen, revealing the Autobots' four human allies.
"In favor of my enemies." Megatron finished.
Cylas was too shocked to speak. He then let out a grunt as an electrical shock coursed through his body, making him fall back as Knock Out pulled his energon staff away from him. He groaned in pain as he laid there, looking up at the three decepticons looking back down at him.
"He will be a fascinating case for study," Megatron said.
"I will leave no fiber nor fiber optic unexamined," Knock Out gleefully said as he knelt down and tapped his digit on Cylas' optic.
Cylas was horrified as the vehicons grabbed him by the arms and dragged him away. "No. No! Megatron, I'm here to serve you!"
Knock Out evilly grinned as he stood up and followed behind.
"No!" Cylas continued pleading as they dragged him out of the room, "No! No! NOOO!"
And that was chapter 54! I hope you liked it. Next chapter will be a SR/KO one and then Legacy. Thank you all for reading and hopefully I'll post again soon. Until next time! God bless!