Hey everyone! I'm back with another chapter! And a long one at that. This is the longest chapter I have ever written for any of my stories. About 8,300 words to be precise. Whoop! lol!
One of you asked me if we'll see Lockdown again and the answer is yes. We will see him again in season three. That's all I'm saying though for spoiler reasons lol.
Anyway, I hope you like this new chapter. Enjoy! P.S. Sorry for any grammatical errors.
Transformers Prime: The Medic's Assistant
Chapter 60: Inside Job
Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers Prime
(Millions of years ago)
(Polyhex, Cybertron)
It was midafternoon in the city of Polyhex. A bunch of sparklings were running around the park playing games with one another. Two however were unaccounted for.
The two small figures scurried away from the park and towards the more deserted part of the playground. One was a white and blue mech while the other was a teal femme wearing a brown backpack and a pair of goggles on her helm.
"This way, Chem," the mech sparkling told his friend before hurrying over to the hill.
"Wait for me, Smoke!" the femme sparkling said as she ran after him.
Once they were near the top, they poked their heads up to spy on three bigger sparklings down below. The bullies were firing their sling shots at a lone toy sitting on the rim of a garbage bin. They missed the first few times before the blue and yellow one hit his target. The toy went flying back and landed in the trash bin, making the sparklings laugh and cheer.
The red bully reached into a bag and pulled out another toy. This one was a purple toy bot with a red visor on its face.
Chem's optics widened with fear. "Professor Ion! They're going to use him for target practice!"
"No they won't!" Smokescreen said. He leaped out of their hiding spot and stormed down the hill.
"Smokescreen, wait!" Chem shouted. Worried for her friend, she followed after him.
The blue and yellow sparkling was about to set up the toy before Smokescreen approached them.
"Hey, Bullseye!"
The three looked over to see the smaller sparkling glaring up at them.
"What do you want, runt?" the blue and yellow sparkling asked in a threatening tone.
"Give my friend back her toy!" Smokescreen demanded as he stuck his servo out.
The bullies only laughed at him.
"What, this wimpy thing?" Bullseye asked as he held up Professor Ion, "I just found it laying around."
"Liar!" Chem shouted as she stormed over beside Smokescreen, "you stole him when I wasn't looking!"
"Finders keepers, nerd," Bullseye told her.
"Don't call her that!" Smokescreen said angrily.
"Aww, you angwy I'm making fun of your wittle femmefwiend?" Bullseye asked tauntingly.
Smokescreen's cheeks heated up. "Sh-she's not my femmefriend!"
Bullseye laughed. "Figures. I'd say that too if I was seen with a loser like her." He looked at Chem and laughed. "I bet her sire isn't really dead. He probably was so embarrassed by her that he just split."
His words hurt the small femme as she began crying. "Th-that's not true! You're lying!"
"Aww, poor baby," Bullseye taunted.
Chem's tears streamed down her cheeks as she cried, making the bullies laugh more.
Smokescreen had had enough. "Leave her alone!" he yelled as he pushed Bullseye away.
The bully tripped over a broken pipe and lost his footing. He fell back with a thud against the garbage bin as he dropped Chem's toy.
Both Chem and Smokescreen's optics fearfully widened. Taking the opportunity, Smokescreen scooped up Professor Ion before grabbing Chem by the arm.
"RUN FOR IT!" he yelled.
Both sparklings ran for their lives with the bullies chasing after them. They made their way towards the jungle gym and dove through the small hole in the wall. Bullseye's overgrown friend tried to go after them, but soon realized he was too big for the hole and got himself wedged in.
"Hey, Bullseye!" the red mech called out as he tried freeing himself, "help me out, I'm stuck!"
Bullseye and the other bully ignored their friend's plea as they surrounded the jungle gym, waiting for the sparklings to come out.
Meanwhile inside the jungle gym, Smokescreen and Chem tried to think of their next move.
"Hate to say it, but I think we're trapped," Smokescreen said.
Chem then had an idea. "Then it's a good thing I have this." Opening her little backpack, she pulled out a full beverage bottle and a handful of energon candy.
"You were planning to make those rockets again, weren't you?" Smokescreen asked.
Chem grinned cheekily as she slid her goggles down to cover her optics.
Outside the jungle gym, the green bully was growing impatient.
"Come on out, losers, or I'm going in after you!" he warned them.
Just then a bottle was thrown out of the hole above him. He ended up catching it as he looked at it in surprise.
"What the-" he went to say.
Just then the bottle burst open from the built-up pressure inside. The lid went flying as the drink shot out in a fizzy state. The bully screamed as he got sprayed in the face before dropping the bottle. The bottle only spun around uncontrollably as it made a mess on the ground. The green sparkling staggered and ended up slipping around in the mess while flailing his arms around. Letting out a shriek, he eventually fell back and landed with a thud.
Bullseye rushed over to see his friend laying down in the fizzy puddle.
"What are you doing, Lunkhead?!" Bullseye asked in annoyance, "stop messing around!"
The friend only responded with a groan.
With the bullies distracted, Smokescreen and Chem escaped down the slide and ran away.
"Nice one, Chem!" Smokescreen complimented as they ran.
Bullseye saw the two escaping and continued chasing them, leaving his friend behind in the mess.
Chem looked over her shoulder to see the bully still chasing them. "Uh oh! Bullseyes right behind us!"
Smokescreen looked at the tall fence in front of them. "We gotta jump the fence!"
"What?!" Chem asked incredulously, "but it's so high!"
"Trust me!"
Chem wasn't so sure about his plan but followed him towards the shack near the fence. The two quickly climbed up with Smokescreen having to help Chem onto the roof. The two then pulled themselves up on top the fence and looked down. Chem felt dizzy at how high up they were.
"Are you sure about this?" she asked.
She and Smokescreen looked behind to see Bullseye climbing up onto the shack's roof.
"Nowhere to run, runts," he growled.
Smokescreen looked at the femme and held onto her servo. "No going back now."
Chem squeezed his servo tight as she looked back down. The two then jumped off the fence... and managed to land safely on top of a garbage bin below them.
"Here I come, losers!" Bullseye said as he hopped onto the fence and jumped down after them. However, by the time he jumped, Smokescreen and Chem had already gotten off the bin and opened the lids. The bully made an oomph sound as he fell right inside the bin and into the huge pile of trash inside. He made a face as he looked to see he was covered in garbage.
"And that's how you take out the garbage!" Smokescreen joked.
Chem snickered. "Come on, Smoke. Let's not use trash talk."
Both sparklings laughed as they ran away from the bully.
"Hey! Get back here!" the bully shouted as he tried to climb out, "I'll get you for- AH!" he shrieked as he fell out of the bin and into an oil puddle face down. Lifting his head up, he spit out the oil and grumbled to himself.
Once they were far away, Chem and Smokescreen stopped as they vented heavily.
Chem brought her goggles back on her head as she let out a vent. "That was way too close, Smoke. That had to be the craziest thing we've ever done in the history of craziness!"
Smokescreen grinned. "Then it's a good thing it was worth it." He pulled her toy out from behind his back and handed it to her.
Chem's optics lit up with joy. "Professor Ion!" She hugged the toy tightly, happy to have him back. She then hugged Smokescreen out of sheer delight. "Thankyouthankyouthankyou!"
Smokescreen blushed as she hugged him, but he tried playing it cool. "Hey, they mess with you, they mess with me."
Chem pulled away then nervously looked passed him. "Guess going back to the park is a bad idea."
"Yeah," Smokescreen agreed, "better wait til Bullseye cools off. What do you want to do now?"
Chem's face beamed. "Let's go to the library! They have that new chemistry data pad I really want to read!"
Smokescreen looked uninterested. "Yaaay," he said sarcastically as the femme dragged him by his arm.
The two were halfway down the street when Smokescreen noticed Chem sadly looking at the ground as she hugged her toy.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Do you think I'm a loser?" she asked.
Smokescreen's optics widened. "What? No! Don't listen to what Bullseye said. He's full of it. And he shouldn't have talked about your sire like that."
"But what if my sire did leave because of me?" she asked, "what if I'm the reason he's gone?"
"Hey, don't say that," he said, "He left for business, remember? He loved you. He's the one that got you Professor Ion and encouraged your science obsession."
Chem smiled a little, but it didn't last long as she sadly vented. "I miss him. I wish he was here."
Smokescreen sadly looked at his best friend before giving her a grin. "Hey, you still have your carrier. And I'm still here, aren't I? I'll keep you safe no matter what. I promise."
Chem looked at him and smiled. "Thanks, Smoke."
Smokescreen playfully nudged her arm. "Come on, race ya!" he said before running off ahead of her.
"Hey, wait up!" the femme yelled as she chased after him.
The two laughed as they raced each other down the street.
(Millions of years later on Earth)
(The Nemesis)
Stormracer groaned as she regained consciousness. Her head felt as if it was hit by a truck. She went to move, only to realize her arms were restrained. She opened her optics. She was in a Decepticon interrogation room. Looking down at herself, she was on a slanted berth with her wrists restrained to it. She then looked to her right. There she saw Smokescreen also restrained on a tilted berth next to her. The mech was still unconscious as he laid there.
"Smokescreen," Stormracer said, trying to wake him up, "Smokescreen!" The femme struggled to free herself as she tried pulling her servos out from the restraints.
"Stop that! You'll hurt yourself."
Stormracer stopped as soon as she heard the voice. She looked over to see Knock Out walking over to her.
"Knock Out, what's going on?" she asked.
"Apparently your friend here has the last Iacon relic," Knock Out said as he glanced at Smokescreen. He looked back at her. "And when Megatron and Soundwave saw you with him, they decided to take you prisoner as well in case he tries anything funny." He frowned as he pinched his brow. "I mean really, of all the times for you to go for a drive!"
"Whoa, whoa, back up," she told him, "Smokescreen has the last relic? That can't be right."
"According to the data base, it is," he said, "soon as it was decoded, your friend's mugshot appeared on the screen. Hence why he's here. And again, I say, why the scrap did you get yourself captured?!"
"Hey, how was I supposed to know!" she argued. She then noticed something on his arm. "Wait a minute... are you wearing the Phase Shifter?"
Knock Out glanced down at the relic attacked to his arm before trying to hide it behind his back. "Noo... Maybe."
Stormracer gave him a look.
"What? I can't let your friend have it during the interrogation," he protested, "besides, I very rarely get to use a relic."
"Didn't you just use the Resonance Blaster on Arcee and Bumblebee?" she asked with a frown, "which by the way; not cool!"
"They hit me with a train!" he protested, "I call that fair."
"You just had your paint ruined! Those two had to go through a bunch of repairs! How is that fair?"
Knock Out only shook his head and vented. "That's not important right now." He turned around and held his head. "Soon as Megatron gets the relic from your friend, he'll have you both disposed of. I've been trying to think of a way to get you out of here, but they'll know I helped." He looked at her. "The only thing I can think of is one thing."
"What?" Stormracer asked.
"You tell Megatron you wish to join."
Stormracer's optics widened at this. "I'd rather die!" she blurted out.
"Hear me out. Megatron knows how brilliant you are, and he has been in need of another scientist. If you accept to join the Decepticons, you'll be safe."
"And then what?" the femme asked with a frown, "Megatron has me locked up in a lab to make him weapons and ammunition to use against my friends? Against humankind?!"
"I mean... it could be worse," Knock Out said with a shrug.
Stormracer's frown deepened. "I'm sorry, Knock Out, but no. I'm not turning my back on the autobots just to save my own life."
Knock Out frowned at this. "Oh, come on! Can't you be selfish for a change?"
"And what good will that do for me?"
"You'll be alive!" the Decepticon exclaimed. He then released a vent. "Megatron would most likely have me be the one to scrap you. I don't want that. I... Please reconsider."
"Even if I did agree to join, what happens to Smokescreen?" she asked.
Knock Out vented, not wanting to answer that.
Just then they both heard the door open. Looking over, they saw Megatron and Soundwave entering the room. Knock Out immediately switched into his mad doctor role as he evilly grinned at Stormracer.
"Looks like the shows about to begin," he told her as he lifted her chin up, "Better get comfy, Sweetspark."
Stormracer frowned as she turned her head away from him.
Knock Out looked at his leader. "I was just explaining to dear Stormracer the perks of being a Decepticon. I'm sure she would make a lovely addition to our ranks."
"Not happening," she told him.
Knock Out gave her a quick look before looking back at his leader. "I'm sure given enough time I can convince her."
"You can attempt to convert her later, Doctor," Megatron said sternly, "we have more important matters to deal with."
"We're not telling you anything," Stormracer told him.
"I don't need you to tell me anything, Underling," Megatron said, "that will be up to your comrade here." He looked at Knock Out. "Silence her. I don't want her interrupting the interrogation."
Having no choice, Knock Out tore off a strip of tape and approached Stormracer. He looked at her apologetically before placing it over her mouth much to her disproval.
"Wake up our guest of honor," Megatron ordered the doctor.
Knock Out did as he was told.
It didn't take long for Smokescreen to start waking up. He groaned as he slowly opened his optics. The first thing the recruit saw was Knock Out's face looking back down at him.
"Wakey, wakey," Knock Out said evilly.
Smokescreen was surprised as he fully awakened. "What?" he asked. He tried moving before realizing he was restrained. He looked over to see Stormracer in the same predicament he was in. "Storm!"
The femme tried speaking to him, only for the tape to muffle her voice.
Smokescreen looked at Knock Out and glared at him.
"She's fine... for now. And if you're looking for your phase shifter..." Knock Out said before lifting up his arm, revealing the relic, "finders, keepers."
"Enough prattling, Knock Out!" Megatron said before walking over. He glared at Smokescreen. "Hand me the final Iacon relic. Now. And I suggest you cooperate, for Stormracer's sake."
Stormracer shook her head at Smokescreen, telling him to not tell Megatron anything.
"Yeah, I can't really help you," Smokescreen told Megatron. He glanced over at the Phase Shifter on Knock Out. "That's the only one I was packing."
Megatron glanced behind him. "Soundwave."
Soundwave's screen lit up as an image began forming on it.
"You got the wrong guy, Chief," Smokescreen said, "Optimus Primes the one who can decode the Iacon Data Base."
"Ah, but you miss understand," Megatron told him, "The final entry has been decoded by us. And according to our findings, it would appear that I indeed have the right guy."
Both Smokescreen and Stormracer were shocked as the pixels formed an image of the recruit.
Stormracer looked at her friend questionably.
"I didn't know," he told her.
"Question is, what is it you are still packing?" Knock Out asked as he held up a scanner. He scanned Smokescreen and instantly spotted the relic located inside the recruit.
"Why, hidden treasure of course!" the doctor said with a chuckle.
(Autobot Base)
Back at the base, the others had already told Ratchet what had happened. The medic grew worried about his assistant as he searched through the scanners on the computer, hoping to find any sign of her or Smokescreen.
"You can find them, right?" Bumblebee asked the medic.
"Smokescreen and Stormracer must have been taken aboard the Decepticon warship," Ratchet told him, "Tracing their signature through its shielding will be impossible."
"Continue monitoring all frequences, Ratchet," Optimus said, "far more than Smokescreen and Stormracer's fate is at stake."
"I don't get it," Bulkhead said, "How can Smoke be an Omega Key?"
"Perhaps he isn't the key, but it's container," Ratchet said.
"The other Iacon relics were sent to Earth in pods," Arcee pointed out, "why not this one?"
"When the Decepticons stormed Iacon, it may have been too late for Alpha Trion to launch the final Omega Key into space," Optimus said, "at least by standard means."
"So, Smokescreen assumed everything went black because he was hit by Decepticons," Arcee said.
"But Alpha Trions the one who turned out the kid's lights," Bulkhead added.
"It stands to reason that my mentor did not want Smokescreen to know what he was carrying in the event of capture," Optimus said.
"And with a mobile relic, Alpha Trion couldn't possibly supply fixed coordinates," Arcee said.
"So the Big A slipped us a clue instead," Bulkhead said, "Smoke's mug shot."
"The Decepticons got to Smokescreen first," Ratchet said, "I fear they have decoded the same clue."
"But why did they capture Stormracer as well?" Bumblebee asked.
"They must be using her to make sure Smokescreen talks," Arcee said.
Ratchet frowned at the thought of what the Decepticons planned to do to Stormracer.
"We'll find her, Ratchet," Optimus assured his friend, "her and Smokescreen."
(The Nemesis)
Inside the interrogation room, the computer screens showed Smokescreen's x ray with the key still inside him. Megatron and Knock Out both curiously looked at the image.
"Yet another of these identical relics?" Megatron asked. He looked at his medic, "remove it swiftly."
"With pleasure," Knock Out said before activating his buzzsaw, "I do so resent a finish flashier than my own."
The medic turned to Smokescreen and threatened to slice his torso open. Smokescreen fearfully looked at the spinning blade as he tried squirming away from it.
Stormracer could only watch in horror as she tried to break free.
But instead of cutting open the recruit, Knock Out deactivated his buzzsaw and laughed. "Ha! Made you squirm."
Though relieved, Stormracer scowled at the doctor for scaring them like that.
Knock Out then activated the Phase Shifter and tried it out. He brought his servo up and had it phase through his arm like it was a hologram.
"Trippy," he said. He stomped his pede twice to see the floor was still solid underneath him. "And intuitive. Proper grounding ensures that it's user won't phase through the floor."
"I said swiftly!" Megatron said impatiently.
Not wanting to anger his master, Knock Out used the Phase Shifter to reach his servo inside Smokescreen.
Smokescreen grunted as he felt Knock Out's servo inside of him. "Get your stink'n hand out of my gears!"
Stormracer couldn't help but cringe at the sight.
Knock Out rummaged around for a few seconds. "Aaaaand..." he smiled when he felt the key, "gotcha!" He then pulled it out of the recruit much to Smokescreen's discomfort. The key now in his hand, he held it up for his leader to see.
Megatron studied the key before looking at Smokescreen. "Tell me the function of these relics."
"Door stops, shavers... bling?" Smokescreen guessed cheekily, "beats me."
"Hm," Knock Out said as he admired his new toy, "a pity this little gadget won't allow me to just reach into his brain pan and pluck out the info."
"Fortunately... we possess a device that can," Megatron stated.
"You won't find anything in my head," Smokescreen said, "I barely got anything in there."
"I believe it," Knock Out commented.
Smokescreen shot him a glare.
"In that case, we shall see if dear Stormracer carries the answer," Megatron said as he approached the femme. He evilly grinned at her. "After all, it is not the first time I ventured inside her head."
Stormracer grew scared as memories of Megatron taking control of her filled her mind.
Knock Out dropped his facade as he looked at Stormracer with concern. He grew fearful for her, but also at the thought of Megatron stumbling upon her memories of their secret meetings.
Megatron frowned at the medic. "What are you waiting for, Knock Out? Fetch the Cortical Psychic Patch."
"O-Of course, my Liege," Knock Out said. He tried to think of something as he grabbed the patch and walked over to Stormracer. "Though perhaps she doesn't have the answer we're seeking," he said, "She is just an assistant after all."
"Then for her sake, she better," Megatron said, "I intend to get it, even if I have to rip her processor apart from the inside out."
Stormracer grew more fearful as she looked at the patch in Knock Out's servo. She didn't want Megatron in her head again. What if he decided to take control of her like the last time?
Knock Out gripped the patch as he tried to think of any way to stall.
"Why are you just standing there?" Megatron growled at the doctor, "connect the patch to her."
Having no choice, Knock Out approached the back of the berth to make the connection.
Stormracer squirmed as she tried pleading to Knock Out not to do it. She tried moving her head away, only for Megatron to hold it down in place. She ended up shutting her optics tightly, wanting it all to be over.
"Alright!" Smokescreen spoke up, gaining everyone's attention. Not wanting his friend to suffer, he let out a vent. "You can dig through my mind. Just leave her alone."
Knock Out let out a vent of relief as he stepped away from Stormracer.
"Very well," Megatron said as he released Stormracer's helm.
Stormracer could feel her spark pounding as Knock Out and Megatron moved away from her. Though she was relieved, she looked at Smokescreen worryingly.
"It's going to be okay," he quietly told her.
It didn't take long for Knock Out to set up the Cortical Psychic Patch. Once Megatron was on the berth next to Smokescreen, Knock Out connected one end of the Patch into the back of his master's head and the other end in the recruit's. Soon footage of what was happening inside Smokescreen's processor popped up onto the screen.
Since Soundwave had left the room earlier, it was now just Knock Out and Stormracer. The latter tried talking to the doctor with the tape still muffling her voice.
Knock Out glanced at her. Making sure his master was out of it, he walked over and removed the tape off the femme's mouth.
"Ow!" Stormracer yelped once the tape came off.
"Sorry," he told her, "I'll have to put it back on once Megatron finds what he's looking for." He let out a vent. "That was close. It's a good thing your friend said something."
Stormracer looked at him pleadingly. "Knock Out, please, you have to help Smokescreen."
"I can't," he said, "if I just let you both go, Megatron will have my head."
"Then I'll stay," she said, "but only if Smokescreen goes free."
Knock Out vented. "Do you really think Megatron will just let him walk away? I want to help you get out of here, I do. But one way or another, they'll know I let you go. Then we'll all be in scrap. The only way you can make it out of this is if you join Megatron."
"I will never join that monster," she argued, "but if you free us, you can escape with us. We'll keep you safe."
Knock Out frowned as he looked away. "I know you want me to join you. But you and I both know I am far from being an Autobot."
"Do you really believe that?" she asked, "or are you saying it out of fear?"
Knock Out looked at her. "I'm saying it as a fact."
"I don't believe you," she said, "I know deep down you have a good spark. You don't have to be afraid to show it."
"Don't you get it?" he asked, "if I start showing any sign that I'm going soft, I will be called into question. And if I just up and leave, Megatron will tear out my spark. This isn't about fear. It's about survival."
Just then they heard Optimus speaking through the computer. Both looked at the screen to see Team Prime huddled together as Optimus told them about the Keys... with Megatron standing right there.
Stormracer's optics widened in fear. "No."
"While I am unfamiliar with the lore of these Omega Keys, Alpha Trion knew many secrets," Optimus explained on the screen, "and the ancients possessed technology that has long been lost to what we consider, modern science. Whatever their function, this much is certain, we cannot restore Cybertron without all four Omega Keys in our possession. The future of our home world depends on it."
Stormracer shut her optics and lowered her head. Megatron now knew.
Knock Out's optics widened. "Restore Cybertron?"
The femme vented. "Yes," she whispered.
Seeing his leader got the intel he needed, the doctor looked at Stormracer. "I'm sorry," he said.
"Knock Out, ple-" she couldn't finish as he put the tape back on her. She sadly looked at him as he walked over to Smokescreen.
"That's a wrap," he said before unplugging the Patch off of the recruit.
Smokescreen grunted as he went back online. He looked at Stormracer who was looking at him worryingly.
"I'm okay," he assured her.
Knock Out then removed the other end of the Patch from Megatron, allowing the warlord to awaken.
"The Power to remake Cybertron, as I see fit," Megatron said ominously. He sat up and looked at Knock Out. "I will pry the other two keys from Optimus Prime's lifeless fingers," he continued as he stood up. "We must find the exact location of the Autobot Base. Patch in and tear apart both of their minds if you must."
Knock Out was confused as his leader walked away. "Me?"
"Who else?" Megatron asked as he picked up the Omega Key, "do you think I would entrust you to see this key safely to the vault containing the other one?"
Knock Out didn't say a word as Megatron exited the room. Soon as his leader was gone, he let out a vent. "Once more into the brain pan."
Stormracer tried speaking through the tape again to get him to stop.
"I'm sorry," Knock Out told her, "Orders are orders. Just... don't look, Stormy."
This only made Stormracer's muffles louder as she tried to break free.
"Really?" Smokescreen asked the doctor angrily, "that's all you're going to say to her while you dig through her friend's brain? Some friend."
Knock Out glared back at him. "At least I'm not the one who allowed her to be captured."
"You could at least try and help her escape. And while you're at it, me too."
"Oh gee, why didn't I think of that? I'll just release you both and walk you straight to the door. For your information, we are thousands of miles in the air! The only way you would be getting out of here is through an airlock."
"Hey, we've gotten out of all kinds of trouble as kids," Smokescreen said, "this is nothing."
Knock Out stared at him in disbelief before looking at Stormracer. "Out of all the sparklings you could have hung out with you picked this one?"
Stormracer only vented.
Knock Out shook his head before looking back at the recruit. "As much as I enjoy chatting with you, I have a job to do. This will go by a lot easier if you cooperate."
"No, not again!" Smokescreen said fearfully, "stay out of my head!"
"Now, now," Knock Out said, "you'll only make things worse for yourself." He walked past him before grunting. Looking down, he saw Smokescreen had grabbed hold of the Phase Shifter.
"Worse, how?" the recruit asked with a grin. Activating the shifter, he phased through his restraints and went to get the relic from Knock Out.
The two both grabbed hold of the Phase Shifter as they fought over it, refusing to give it up. They grunted as they circled around, trying to pull it away from each other. Knock Out then started pushing Smokescreen back, making the autobot go backwards.
Stormracer saw the two heading straight for her as she braced herself. However, she felt them phase right through her as they kept fighting. She couldn't help but shudder by that.
The two didn't stop as they made their way towards the wall. Once Smokescreen got a hold of the shifter, they phased through the wall before he pulled it off of the medic. He landed in the corridor with the Phase Shifter back in his possession. He looked up and grinned at the Decepticon.
Knock Out only made it halfway out and was now trapped in the wall, unable to move. "Well, aren't you the clever one," he growled. He grunted as he tried to move, but it was no use. He was stuck. The medic glared at Smokescreen. "This ship is miles in the sky and swarming with Decepticons! Do you really think you can escape?!"
"Not without Stormracer I'm not," Smokescreen said as he put on the Phase Shifter.
"Are you insane?" Knock Out asked angrily, "Megatron will have not just you, but her terminated!"
"I won't let that happen," Smokescreen said. He then activated the Phase Shifter and walked past the doctor. "Excuse me," he said as he phased through the wall beside him.
Knock Out angrily grunted as he tried to free himself.
Inside the room, Stormracer tried to break free as she squirmed. Just then she gasped in surprise as a pair of servos grabbed her from behind. They pulled her through the berth and out of her restraints, freeing her. She stumbled onto her pedes before looking up to see Smokescreen holding her.
"Hi!" he said with a smile.
Soon as she got back on her pedes, Stormracer removed the tape from her mouth before hugging her friend.
"Are you okay?" she asked him.
Smokescreen chuckled as he hugged her back. "Don't worry. I'll live."
Stormracer's optics widened when she saw the back side of Knock Out stuck in the wall. She pulled away and pointed at the Decepticon. "Is he...?"
"He's fine," Smokescreen said, "he's just going to stick around for a bit."
"You know he'll probably get you back for that, right?"
"Meh. I'm not too worried about it." He then grinned at her. "So, up for grabbing some souvenirs? Say... the Omega Keys?"
Stormracer smirked. "Sounds good to me."
Smokescreen took Stormracer by the servo and the two made their way through the walls. They went through the corridors and carefully passed the cons without being spotted. Phasing through another wall, Stormracer and Smokescreen looked side to side before seeing Megatron approaching a door with the Omega Key.
"The vault," Stormracer whispered, "that's where he's keeping the other Omega Key."
"I thought he had two," Smokescreen whispered back.
"He said we had two, and that he was going to put that one with the other. Singular, not plural."
"But if that's true, where's the other one?" Smokescreen asked.
"I'm not sure," Stormracer said, "but two keys are better than none."
Smokescreen looked at her. "You ready?"
"Shouldn't we wait until he leaves?" Stormracer asked.
"And miss the look on his face?"
Stormracer gave her friend a look before venting. "Let's do it."
Smokescreen grinned. The two stepped out from the wall before Smokescreen deactivated the Shifter. The two Autobots then ran towards Megatron while the warlord was busy putting in the passcode.
"Think fast!" Smokescreen said as he swiped the key from Megatron's servo.
Stormracer quickly grabbed hold of Smokescreen's arm before he reactivated the Phase Shifter. The two autobots phased through the door and into the vault in front of the surprised Megatron. Letting go of Smokescreen, Stormracer grabbed the other key before the recruit phased them both out of there.
"Yes!" Stormracer cheered as they ran down the hall.
Smokescreen laughed. "Just like old times, huh?"
"True," Stormracer said, "except these bullies are armed and ready to literally kill us. It would be easier if I'd brought my hologram projector with me."
"Don't worry," Smokescreen said, "all we need is the Phase Shifter, and a whole lot of luck."
They then stopped in their tracks as three vehicons blocked their path. Another group of three trapped them from behind.
"Oh, this isn't the way out?" Smokescreen asked them.
"I told you we should have made that left turn at Albuquerque," Stormracer jokingly told him.
The vehicons fired at the two, only for their attacks to phase through them. Instead of hitting the autobots, they shot each other, resulting in them offlining themselves.
"Oops," Stormracer said as she looked at the fallen vehicons.
"Now that's what I call luck," Smokescreen said with a grin.
The two then ran through the wall and into another corridor. They even phased through a passing insecticon as they kept running.
"Sorry, excuse us!" Stormracer shouted at the surprised insecticon before they phased through the other wall.
Soon they made it outside on top the ship. Sure enough, they were high up in the sky, leaving them trapped.
"That is onebig first step," Stormracer said.
The two turned around to see Megatron approaching them with a group of vehicons rushing over.
"The keys," Megatron demanded as the vehicons aimed their weapons.
Stormracer and Smokescreen backed away towards the edge. Both looked down at the long drop.
"A pity you both aren't capable of flight," Megatron said.
"Yeah, like we're going to let that stop us," Smokescreen said.
"Yea- wait, say what now?" Stormracer asked her friend.
"Don't hate me." Smokescreen told her. He wrapped his arm around Stormracer and ran towards the edge with her.
"Oh nonoNONO-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Stormracer screamed as she and Smokescreen went over the edge and into free fall.
The vehicons tried shooting at them, but the two Autobots managed to jump in time to make their escape.
Stormracer clung onto her friend for dear life as they continued falling.
"THIS IS OFFICIALLY THE CRAZIEST THING WE'VE EVER DONE!" Stormracer screamed.
"Hey, we're off the ship, aren't we?!" Smokescreen yelled back.
"I'M GONNA BE SIIIICK!"
"Don't worry! I got this!" Smokescreen then contacted the base. "Smokescreen and Stormracer to base! We could really use a groundbridge!"
Stormracer looked over her shoulder. "We got incoming!"
The vehicon fliers flew towards them and started firing.
Smokescreen placed his key onto his back. "Hold on tight!" he told Stormracer before diving down.
"Eep!" Stormracer shrieked as she held onto him from behind.
A flier was approaching fast as he kept firing at the two.
Smokescreen managed to avoid getting hit as he activated his Phase Shifter. He then allowed himself to slow down and phased through the flier. Once he was behind the enemy, he fired. The vehicon burst into flames as Smokescreen and Stormracer phased through what was left of him.
"Whoo-hoo!" Smokescreen cheered. He glanced at the femme still holding on to him. "You doing okay there, Storm?!"
"Yeah! You know, when you look past the fact we're free falling towards the ground with Decepticons chasing us, it's not so bad!" she said light heartedly.
Soon a groundbridge portal opened down below them.
"Ours?!" Stormracer asked.
"Yep!" Smokescreen said as he turned off the Phase Shifter. "Brace yourselves!" he told the team through the commlink, "We're gonna make an entrance!"
But just as they were about to go through, Megatron swooped down in his aircraft mode and rammed into them, knocking them off course.
"AH!" Stormracer shrieked as she lost her grip on Smokescreen. She flipped around in the air away from him as everything spun around her.
"Storm!" Smokescreen called out. He dove towards her as she flipped around a couple more times.
"Someone please get me off this ride!" she cried out as she grew very dizzy.
Smokescreen was thankfully able to catch her as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "I got you!"
Stormracer held onto him before they both looked down to see the ground approaching fast.
"If you have any ideas that doesn't involve us crashing and burning, I'm all in for it!" Stormracer said fearfully.
Smokescreen looked down at the Phase Shifter. "I have one idea. I just hope proper grounding on this thing doesn't apply to actual ground." He then activated the Phase Shifter and held onto Stormracer tightly.
The vehicons were still in hot pursuit as they dived down after them.
Seeing the ground getting closer, Stormracer and Smokescreen shut their optics as they held on to each other. But instead of crashing, they phased through the ground, saving both of their lives. The vehicons on the other hand weren't so lucky as they crashed into the solid ground, destroying themselves completely. Megatron was able to swoop up in time to avoid the same fate. The grounder vehicle, who had been thrown overboard, sadly had no chance as he crashed from the impact.
Stormracer was still clinging onto Smokescreen even after they had stopped falling. Everything around them was dark.
"Are we dead?" she asked.
Seeing the Phase Shifter was still activated, Smokescreen grinned. "I don't think so."
It took a while for Stormracer to find her legs as she staggered behind her friend. Soon they phased out of the ground and into the sunlight.
Stormracer vented in relief. "Let's not do that again."
Hearing Megatron and the other vehicons digging through the wreckage, they quietly snuck away as Smokescreen called the team. "Hey, Ratchet?" he asked quietly, "we could still really use that groundbridge."
Once the groundbridge portal appeared, the two made their way through and were greeted on the other side. Ratchet rushed over to his assistant to make sure she was okay. He then hugged her tightly, happy that she was safe. However, he soon pulled away when he noticed the surprised looks he was getting from the others. He cleared his throat but gave his assistant a stern look.
"You are not leaving this base ever again!" he told her.
Stormracer only smiled as she hugged him back.
"I'm still angry," the medic said with a frown.
"I know," she said as her smile remained.
She and Smokescreen presented the Omega Keys before telling everyone what had happened onboard the Decepticon Warship.
"Did I tell ya?" Smokescreen said victoriously, "Destiny. Alpha Trion knew I'd keep it safe."
Arcee gave him a look before sighing. "Nice work, kid," she congratulated him with a smile.
"But why did you only get two keys?" Bumblebee asked, "Where's the third one?"
"These were the only ones in Megatron's vault," Smokescreen said.
"Then three keys are accounted for," Optimus said as he picked up the two keys.
"Then the fourth is still somewhere on the cons' warship," Bulkhead said.
"It's not," Stormracer said, "at least we don't think so. Megatron thought we had two keys in our possession. He even confessed to having just the one key."
"Then that means the fourth key is missing," Arcee said.
Just then an alert went off on the computer. A signal then popped up on the screen with Starscream's picture.
"It's a high frequency signal," Ratchet said, "with an embedded message."
"Starscream," Bulkhead said with a frown.
Ratchet read the message out loud. "I have obtained something of interest to you which seems to be of no practical use to me."
"It's gotta be the Omega Key," Bulkhead said.
"He's the one who blindsided me," Smokescreen said angrily.
"What else could Starscream be referring to?" Arcee asked.
"Ep, ep! There's more," Ratchet shushed them before continuing the message. "Bring medical kit. I only ask for the surgical replacement of my T-cog in return."
"Ha! Like we're going to give Scream back his wings," Bulkhead said.
"Without the missing key, Cybertron will remain devoid of life," Ratchet told him.
"Broken record I know but, it could be a trick," Arcee said.
"It could be possible that Starscream does not yet realize the significance of what he holds," Optimus stated.
"And we do know that he has been incapable of flight for some time," Ratchet added.
It didn't take long for Optimus to decide what should be done. "The stakes are too great for us not to consider Starscream's proposal. However, we will take precautions."
Stormracer went along with Ratchet, Bulkhead, and Optimus as they groundbridged to Starscream's location. Arcee left the portal open for them while Bumblebee and Smokescreen stood guard in front of the ground bridge.
Optimus and Bulkhead had their blasters up and ready as they scanned the wooded area. It was nearly dark out with the clouds covering most of the sky. It didn't take long for the team to find who they were looking for.
"There," Bulkhead said as he pointed forward.
The four saw Starscream just sitting there against a large rock. He didn't even look at them as he kept his head down.
"Starscream, show us the Omega Key," Optimus demanded.
But the seeker didn't respond. He didn't even move.
The bots glanced at one another at this. They cautiously made their way over to Starscream as Optimus and Bulkhead kept their weapons on him.
"Give it up, Scream," Bulkhead warned. He nudged the seeker with his blaster. To their surprise, Starscream fell over onto his side. They gasped when they saw a scorch wound on his chest. Starscream had been offlined.
"We're too late," Ratchet said, "a T-cog won't help him now."
"Looks like the cons got to him first," Stormracer said.
Ratchet took out his scanner and scanned the body. It wasn't long before a look of confusion spread across his face. "Curious," he said.
"What's wrong?" Stormracer asked.
"Starscream has been deceased for quite some time," he answered.
"Well, how's that possible if he'd just sent us a message?" Bulkhead asked.
Optimus frowned. "We have been deceived." Immediately he contacted the base. "Arcee, close the groundbridge now!"
Soon the groundbridge portal disappeared as everyone got up and readied themselves.
"Autobots, maintain position," Optimus told them.
Stormracer had her EMP ready as she scanned the area. Just then she heard a sound. At first it sounded like a buzzing noise, but then it started becoming clearer... Into a voice.
"SLOW!"
She and the others turned around and aimed their weapons at the real Starscream.
The seeker nervously chuckled as he held the three keys in his arms. "The red energon wore off, didn't it?"
"He has the Omega Keys!" Ratchet exclaimed.
Optimus went to seize Starscream. The seeker shrieked as he fired one of his missiles at him. Optimus and the others immediately jumped out of the way before the missile hit the ground and exploded.
Starscream already took off running as the team chased after him while firing their blasters. Even Stormracer tried getting him with her EMP.
The seeker however was able to open a groundbridge portal. Before the team could reach him, he ran through the portal before closing it behind him, having escaped with the three Omega Keys.
Optimus deactivated his blaster as he stood there. Then to everyone's shock, he let out a loud angry yell which echoed all around them.
The other three looked at each other. They had never seen Optimus lose his cool before. Stormracer was even a little scared by it.
"We'll get em back," Bulkhead told the Prime.
"The keys can be of no use to Starscream while he scrounges in the wild like some scraplet," Ratchet added, "there must be something we can offer him in exchange."
"The fate of Cybertron now rests in Starscream's hands," Optmus said grimly before turning around to look at the others. "Whatever his intention."
(Time Skip)
After returning to base, the four explained what had happened. The room fell silent by the news.
Time went by as everyone tried thinking of a plan. Meanwhile, Stormracer was busy mopping up the wet floor thanks to Starscream who had set off the fire sprinklers while taking the Omega Keys.
"Steals the keys and makes a mess of the base," she grumbled, "man what a jerk."
"Hey, Storm?"
Stormracer looked over her shoulder to see Smokescreen standing there. Her frown disappeared as she turned around to face him.
"Hey, Smoke," she said, "what's up?"
"Can we talk in private?" Smokescreen asked her.
The femme was confused by this. "Um, yeah, sure."
The two made their way down the corridor. Once they were far away from the others, they then stopped to talk.
"What's wrong?" Stormracer asked.
"I really think you should tell the others about you and Knock Out," the recruit said.
Stormracer tensed at that. Feeling uncomfortable by the subject, she glanced away as she rubbed the back of her helm. "I don't think now's a good time," she said, "I mean, everyone's really upset about Starscream taking the keys. They'll be more focused on trying to get them back."
"I'm serious," Smokescreen argued, "I know you want him to switch sides, but I really don't think that's going to happen anytime soon. He was willing to tear apart our brains!"
"He's just scared," she said as she looked back at him, "he knows if he tried to help us, Megatron would punish him for it."
"Storm, you're only making excuses for him," the recruit continued, "how do you even know if he'll join or not?"
"I have to hold onto that hope. Just like Optimus said, without hope, we may never achieve lasting peace."
Smokescreen vented. "You've always been the one to see good in everyone, but I'm scared Knock Out will hurt you. And what if the team find out on their own? They'll think you betrayed them." He placed his servo on her shoulder. "I'm telling you this because I don't want you to get hurt. I'm asking you as your friend... please think about it."
Stormracer glanced away as his words sunk in. After a moment, she softly vented and looked at him. "I'll think about it. But after seeing Optimus losing his cool, I want to wait a while. I'll tell them when I feel the time is right."
Smokescreen vented. "Alright. Just don't wait too long, okay?"
Stormracer nodded before giving him a hug. "I won't."
The mech softly smiled as he hugged her back. "Thanks," he said. Once they pulled away, he walked back towards the main hangar.
A grim look spread across Stormracer's face as her friend walked away. She looked down at the floor as she thought on it. She wanted to wait until after they figured out how to get the Omega Keys back. But would she have the courage to tell them afterwards?
And that was Inside Job! I hope you liked it. Thank you Girl Anime Club for suggesting the ending scene.
Only three chapters left and then we're in Season 3! And let's just say, that season is going to be crazy for this story lol.
Thank you all for reading and hopefully I will post again soon. Until next time! God bless!