// smokescreen.
Listening carefully, it was then Smokescreen realized Knockout made a valid point. The very same trail that lead him to Knockout had started this whole thing was proof enough. And given how heâd caught the other off guard, he reacted just as anyone would when caught doing something they werenât suppose to do. Not to mention Knockout didnât relax until they were underground and even now the Medic had yet to made a move to attack nor had he reverted back to his usual narcissistic nature.
Smokescreen was no tactician and was neither trained to pick out lies nor knew how to properly interrogate a mech, but even he could see how neatly everything lined up with Knockoutâs claims, but that wasnât enough to fully convince him.
Knockout may have just explained his reasons for wanting to defect, and it didnât take a genius to figure out why Knockout hadnât left right off the bat; it was too dangerous of a task for one mech alone, especially since he was valuable to the âCons. And there was no doubt that Megatron would not let the Medic go that easily.
Still that brought up another round of questions, âalright but you know youâre going to have to elaborate further. What is your current criteria? What do the Autobots have that the âCons donât that you want? I know weâre make for better company,â he paused raising a servo to tick off his digits as he spoke, âweâre loyal, not gonna kill ya for simple mistakes. You can actually have a civil conversation with our leader. But even you know we donât have even half the materials and supplies as the âCons do. Youâd have to forgo your comfortable life. So help me understand how switching sides is beneficial to you.â
   ââ  and so the questioning continued.  knock out sighed, optics directing their gaze to his pedes, clawed digits still tapping against his leg in thought.  sure, he had an answer to all of smokescreenâs questions;  his criteria now, what he wanted from the autobots, why heâd give up such a comfortable life aboard the nemesis for less than pleasant conditions.
or, perhaps if he looked at it another way, they were technically ideal. Â more ideal than what he has to go through currently.
     â  my current criteria is actually doing GOOD and not killing everyone i see just because their methods to peace is different.  that, and what kind of peace IS there with a tyrannical ruler that has NO care for his own?  â  thereâs a pause, as knock out paced slowly, trying his best to calmly explain.  â  yes, i am WELL aware of your current situation involving materials and supplies.  it is one of the many things i have been trying to help you obtain.  in fact, i was GOING to leave you a lead to a decepticon energon mine.  limited guards, enough energon to last you for a FEW weeks at most.  but, thatâs besides the point.  â
knock out stopped his pacing, crimson optics redirecting their gaze to the other mech with a hint of uncertainty. Â as if he was worried that smokescreen wasnât believing what he said. Â sure, his current posture demanded otherwise, but his overall emotion residing in his optics gave away any hidden emotions and intentions.
     â  switching sides?  sure, it comes with a FEW downfalls.  but there is one thing that matters more to me than many would assume, and thatâs a familial connection.  you autobots, you care for each other so MUCH, andâ  and, well, my sire once told me that the âcons were like a family.  i never had the chance to truly experience a familial connection, but SOMETHING tells me that the way the âcons treat each other, how they push each other around and hurt one another?  thatâs not what was meant by â  family  â.  so i feel...  OUTCAST, i guess.  iâm just trying to find somewhere where iâm a part of something better.  â




















