Let's not think about Starscream's sacrifice later 🤫

Annoying.

Not a word Shockwave found himself using all too often. Yes, irritating or infuriating for the remaining Cybertron grounded Autobot forces. Whether it was Ultra Magnus or Elita One. Both were helmaches in their own regard.

You, however? Shockwave had not believed he'd found a mech he could only describe as that.

Annoying.

You'd not avoided his sentinels or traps. You'd lured them away to break or purposefully set them off and use the reaction to cause even more chaos in your wake. Not making big enforcing moves he would have to defend from like your counterparts. You were only one bot after all.

Only that meant he had to contend with you forcibly disrupting his other plans at every waking moment. Not even big things that would drive every optic or attention onto them. For example you'd broken a latch that held a large storage of building material. Meant for rebuilding the area destroyed in the last Autobot theft. And not done anything else but that. So once the building begun it was not until the shipment was moved overhelm that all the pieces of equipment came loose and crushed more than a few sentinels.

Every one of your plans were subtle. Subtle and typically unavoidable. Something that may not even be the cause of outside interference. Statistically it could always simply be a case of bad luck.

Which only annoyed Shockwave even further when he had realized it was you sabotaging his operations at every waking opportunity you'd had.

He'd promised Lord Megatron he'd capture you and present you to him functional (at his reminder). And that he would do so soon after your unplanned stranding on Cybertron. Let alone your stranding on Cybertron in the vicinity of his territory. Annoying as it was, he'd had to work for it. Not simple work either. Outside the method thinking. Ones he despised to dabble in long term.

The Rain Makers would have been tasked with hunting you down as their main mission if they weren't the main source of defense in the outer edge. Low and behold you ended up concocting a plan that sent two of them hurtling down one of the many crevices left in the architectural part of the city. Nova Storm had managed to avoid the sudden loss of control you’d caused but still crashed in root mode.

Nova Storm who had pursued you when you'd made a bolt for it.

And the only reason he'd even been able to catch you was because the left over effects of their still falling acid rain finally took you down.

Now you were here captured in his hold.

There was sometimes, on the fleeting general occasion, when Shockwave lamented his position as Cybertron’s watcher. Of being bounded here- unable to make the trip to earth to put his efforts directly on the front line instead.

This was not one of those times.

Frankly Shockwave was glad he didn't have to deal with you on a regular basis. Let alone have you be one of their reoccurring battle opponents. You were dangerous and more importantly... annoying. Shockwave would gladly settle for Ultra Magnus or even Elita One in these circumstances.

The names- Primus and pit, the names. "Pet names" you'd said. Making his audial enhancers flick and his digits twitch at the incongruous drivel that made it’s way out of your mouth. No place for a battlefield, let alone in his presence. The fact that Megatron had let it slip this was your "little habit" and even he'd been on the receiving end of them, did nothing to quell said irritation. Clearly you needed your vocalizor adjusted if you didn't know how to behave with it fully functional.

Nova Storm had lately suppressed a chassis shaking engine growl when he was dropping you off bound and subdued. You'd said something to him with an amused smile on your derma that gained an immediate reaction from the seeker. All before leaving as quickly as possible before he had to deal with you for even a moments longer. Leaving you to be Shockwave's problem prisoner to instead retrieve his missing trine.

Shockwave of course gagged you as soon as he could find the blasted thing. Before he locked you behind the closest energon powered bar cell on the off chance you would make an escape.

He'd flagged Megatron to inform that you were captured and to be picked up via space bridge for transfer at his leisure. The praise he'd received from Megatron at his success still humming lightly in the back of processor when a sound broke his thoughts.

The sound was loud. A thud. Loud enough it gave him pause. Meaning it was loud enough to give him much worse than that.

Shockwave paused immediately to go investigate, only to unexpectedly find you on your front, face down and twitching. He'd loudly lamented and lambasted the obvious ploy at getting him to drop the fields. Waiting for you to stop with your embarrassing display.

Only for a leak of energon to slip out between the gaps of your gag and onto the floor.

With a curse Shockwave flagged for back up from his sentinels and dropped the bars.

Once he'd removed the gag, you jerked against the ground and purged violently. It sounded as if you were purging so violently you were struggling not to inhale your own sick into your ventilation system. And with the amount you'd spit up onto the floor and nearly on himself, he'd immediately gained a sickening sense of dread in his chassis.

One that was immediately followed by rage. Having jumped to the conclusion that'd you'd taken something before he could gag you. Poisoned yourself. It wasn't a new event for Shockwave, suicide over prisoner as a fate. Though it had certainly been a while since he'd been on the receiving end of it and been taken off guard. After he’d reported you alive and well-!

You would not be denying him a proper delivery to Megatron!

He'd had to haul your limp leaking frame into the main room with due haste and plug you into every machine he could, to try and reverse the damage you'd already done to your frame. You would not be escaping Shockwave’s grasp that easily.

He'd managed to stabilize you and much to Shockwave’s chagrin... his tests concluded you hadn't attempted to kill yourself simply to spite him.

No, you'd merely caught a virus. A virus that had quickly mutated in your frame and begun shutting your systems down by force. Though the treatment was necessary to keep you alive, his momentarily emotional reaction was anything but. Even if it was warranted considering the current context clues he'd had.

He couldn't gag you or make heavy altercations to your frame least he risk your already waning stability. So, unfortunately Shockwave was left stuck when you'd regained enough of your stability to flicker in and out of consciousness.

He was subjected to one of said moments when he was cleaning the remaining overflow of purged energon out the more delicate wiring of your chassis. Not trusting a mere sentinel with the rather diaphanous task.

Your harsher venting had evened out to slow before your voice fell on his audials yet again. "Hey Playboy, I still say... take me out for a cube before you start rooting around in there. Have... some class." Shockwave did not know what exactly a "playboy" was but the tone and context in which you'd said it in- coupled together with the other names out of your mouth- only made him dislike it on principle.

"Believe me, I would have just adored to have you taken out back and smelted down for spare parts, Autobot. Be gracious Lord Megatron has requested your continued function." For whatever means he'd felt necessary. Rather frankly and admittedly, only in the confines of his own processor, over the time Shockwave had come to… understand.

Understand why Megatron had ordered you be kept alive.

You were a strong solider, yes. A high ranking officer, yes. And a long surviving problem as well, yes.

But the needling and the things it brought with it with your words and actions. Were quick, sharp, and easily overwhelming at times. The seemingly no outlet and ever building contempt and instinctive reaction pursing forward to meet it.

Loathe as he may admit it, Shockwave had even begun entertaining (on his more heated cycles with you) on other punishments he could subject you to when he'd captured you. Ones he should not be entertaining when Megatron was quite firm about you being his, and only his right to deal with. However, again loathe as he must admit, you had a certain... annoyance to you that seemed to wedge itself directly underneath the wrong section of a bot’s plating.

"Aw, Playboy... don't get jealous of Megatron." Shockwave went utterly still. "It's... not a good color on you..." He then made a point to purposefully and tightly grab a portion of your more sensitive internals with more force then he'd needed and he pulled.

Your reaction was instantaneous- Jaw clamping shut and a strangled noise edging in your throat cables. Frame even slightly arching off the table to try and get his hold to relax. Which he did a moments later. Your frame slouched back against the examination table. Expression going lax and hurried vents now puffing out of your parted mouth. Another lightly and barely audible noise of pain sounding out of you, when he'd begun cleaning said exact same internals.

The sound making a type of satisfaction he'd felt no inclination towards in vorns form in his chassis. But currently it was settled in his frame like it belonged there and was urging him to hurt you again while you were at his mercy.

Yes... Shockwave understood perfectly well why Megatron had ordered your continued function.

Honestly Starscream didn't know what exactly to expect when he'd waltzed into Shockwave’s lab to obtain your status and frame. You running your mouth and annoying Shockwave just as thoroughly as the rest of them perhaps. You trying and failing to get Shockwave’s attention from across the lab in the farthest cell away from Shockwave. Starscream having to drag you out of the lab by the back of your throat while you, in stasis cuffs, had to obey him.

What Starscream had not foreseen was you on one of the main experimenting tables, with multiple wires hooked into you.

All while your colors weren't as solid as they should have been.

"What did you do!? Of all the pit slagging idiotic no processor tracked decisions-!" Shockwave may have been on Cybertron for vorns. But surely surely that brute half-wit that Megatron is, would have no doubt ordered you to be kept alive! You were worth your weight in Shainx and then some still functional. You were the pathetic Autobots spark. They can't use you to their advantage if you were gray and gone! (He also couldn't break you himself if Shockwave had fragging done it himself in the most unsatisfactory way possible!)

Shockwave only huffed nonpartisan, his one servo smoothly dancing across the keys with a skill that only came from vorns of practice. "I didn't do anything Starscream. Lord Megatron had conveyed he'd wanted them as functional as possible." Eventually he turned the screen to face Starscream, stopping to point his gun attachment at a scan of your frame. "They'd simply caught a virus when they'd crawled through vorns old disabled and dead frames to flank The Rain Makers." Starscream approached and squinted at the diagram. He could read it- of course he could! He was one of the few who had to dirty his servos trying to fill in position of Decepticon medic. Before they'd gotten a hold of The Constructicons on that human infested planet.

Starscream's frown deepened at what he read. Your fuel tank was urging you to purge everything you had in your frame and than some. The virus seemed to be causing your nanities to malfunction and begin attacking your own systems. Some of your physical systems had already shut down due to the strain to try and combat the problem of you frying your own mainframe. "Infectious?"

"Only direct energon to energon contact- or fluids. More alchemical Virus. Some mutated variant that seemed to attach itself through their wounds. And caused the reaction to begin with."

Mutated.

Unpleasant and-

"No known cure?"

Shockwave turned the screen back to himself "No. A new mutation, but frame is currently responding positively to a combination of Energon Discharge Virus and Photodegradation treatments. The current problem is that their age is making the effects of the virus hit much harder than it would in a younger frame."

Starscream sneered at the news. Really- of all the no good rotten luck!? They finally captured you with no chance of rescue from your over productive allies and now you're infected and fighting a virus. You weren't mildly sick either. Your vitals said you were low enough on energon you'd have hit stasis lock if Shockwave hadn't done what he had as quickly as he did.

Starscream turned to stare down at your slack faceplate. Color just as foggy as the rest of your frame. He wasn't prepared for when your optics onlined of their own accord.

Your optics that were only at about forty percent brightness. But when you saw Starscream you smiled at him. "Aw, Doll come to visit me? I'm... touched." Your voice was static laced and dry. Your optics dimmed afterwards. Starscream had to physically restrain himself from reaching out to latch onto your throat cables to make you keep looking at him. Knowing he'd more than likely shred through your weakened metal with zero satisfaction of resistance from your plating.

Starscream’s engines growled a touch in annoyance at the circumstances. He wanted you dead and gone. Such a vital part of The Autobot strengths and a helmache in every sense of the word.

Starscream was intent of his plan of breaking you down before he allowed you to die. A borderline peaceful virus ridden final few moments? That would not due for Starscream. He wanted you begging. Pleading. Bargaining for a salvation that would not come to you. The only salvation for you being if he'd felt like taking pity on you and allowing you a moments respite.

At his beck and call and tied to his demands and wants. Slave to his desires and anything and everything he'd wanted to inflict upon you- for every single word out of your disrespectful mouth.

He'd wanted to hurt you. He still does. He still plans to. Oh, he plans to. Starscream had many a plans for you. To let you know exactly how much every little confounded word out of you was appreciated from him from across the battlefield. To let you know how much he's had his sights set on this, since you'd stupidly decided to become a piece of shrapnel in his side.

To make you understand exactly where in his good graces you've placed yourself in and what exactly that rewarded you with.

So Starscream yanked the monitor around to face himself, ignoring Shockwave’s indicative noise of displeasure.

You could be adjusted on what's functioning and not to help alleviate the strain on your system. He shoved it back around and walked over to the other monitor hooked into your functions to adjust just that.

He still had plans for you after all.

You would not be offlining here.

Starscream returning to The Victory after space bridge travel had Megatron’s servos fisting at his sides. Having already been informed that something had gone amiss in his absence. "Lord Megatron, as Shockwave had tried to convey before the attack. Unfortunately the plan has run into a... unforeseen roadblock."

"An unforeseen roadblock-?" The question was gritted. Megatron could feel his temper already shimmering at the tone he knew was Starscream badly trying to hide the fact something he found funny had occurred. You were held up against Starscream’s frame, chin tucked against your own chassis and slouched full frame weight against the seeker.

The fact that Starscream allowed you to do so with zero objections only made him glare with more scrutiny. Your plating was disheveled, out of place, your colors were dull. Not dull enough to be deactivated, but dull enough to warrant a second glance at anyone who saw you.

But one detail made his optics narrow and him approach with a purpose.

You weren't even in stasis cuffs.

But slouched and nearly dead weight against Starscream’s own form. "Yes, well... our merry Autobot morale officer here has caught a case of an alchemical virus." Starscream tilted and you almost fell onto your own front.

Megatron grabbed you by your pauldron and forced you to stay up on your shaking pedes. He didn't miss how his servo dented your metal laughably easily. His digits sinking into your plating to a degree even he hadn't planned on. Drawing a hitch in your vents at the treatment while Starscream continued on. "Quite a nasty one at that. Shockwave believes they'll be out of service for a good while simply just to recover from it. Purging their lines out every couple of klicks."

"Really now?" The casualty of the statement made his temper lower just a degree. More out of the reveal that it well and truly was a chance that had afflicted you with an ailment. Not even Shockwave employing one of his own created one's from the sound of it.

There were always benefits to chemical warfare. Quiet but deadly and not something that can be combated easily. It's something he's entertained more times than he can count. (Something he's partaken in more than once.)

Megatron's free servo reached forward to grab you by your jaw and pull your helm up correctly. Making sure to only leave mild indents in your jaw this time.

Your optics lately onlined at a dimmed setting, a foggy touch to them still present even at the closer proximity you were to him. Your vents were quiet but labored. Seemingly shaking your frame from the effort you were exerting to continue doing just that.

Megatron didn't bother suppressing the urge to smirk at the rather pathetic sight you'd become. "Well well, the great and beloved Autobot fighter. Reduced to such a pitiful state from just a little virus." Your optics focused just slightly at his words.

Good. He wanted you aware enough to know what was happening still. "Now... what exactly would be the correct placement for you in our hold as our prisoner?" You smiled and huffed. Your heat ridden processor obviously working overtime, trying and failing to have you functional at your usual level.

"Lord Megatron-" Shockwave’s voice feed through the monitor of it’s own accord.

"Yes, Shockwave."

"I'm sure our prisoner has been transferred with no troubles?"

"No, nothing unforeseen. Starscream had just informed me of our guests rather... unfortunate predicament."

"Then I'm sure he’s also informed you that they are Infectious through engeron and fluid contact as well."

"Ah, really?" Megatron turned to openly glare at Starscream at the comment while his traitorous second in command looked away.

"Yes. Though the recommended energon needed to cycle through their constant purging is quite abundant. I must ask Lord Megatron, are they truly worth the effort of trying to keep them functional just as a temporary prisoner?"

Megatron’s gaze returned to you. Optics focusing and form still thoroughly disheveled.

He entertained the thought of ending you now. Having Prime have to contend that he'd have simply grown tired of playing by your outrageous and infuriating encounters. It would be simple- easy. Laughably so. You were weak enough he could probably force his servo through your chassis and rip your spark out directly at this point. Physically feel your spark go cold in his palm while your em field slips out if his grasp like sand. The last fleeting moments of your overstayed function being at the mercy of him.

However the longer Megatron recalled said encounters the longer he'd found himself still rather fixated on his other more... entertaining fantasies of conquest. Weather it was besting you on the field of battle and using a moments chance to blast your spark right out of your chassis. Or finding yourself once again captured in his grasp and at his mercy for whatever he'd like to do with you, or to you.

You were a long standing victory he had more than a few expectations pertaining to.

One your current set of circumstances did not privy to meet either or any of them. And though Megatron was not entirely adverse to using more unfavorable methods of attaining victory. The current state of things only felt as if a “victory” in these conditions would only upset him more than anything else.

Megatron made sure you were looking him in the optics when he’d gotten even closer to your faceplate. Only a gap of space between the both of you before hissing to you. "You do not get to offline from a Primus forsaken alchemical virus and deprive me of a deserved victory over you, you old coot."

"Okay- I'll try." You smiled again and he almost bit his glossia when your em field brushed weakly against his front.

Too weakly.

He pulled back before addressing Shockwave once more "They'll be more than adequate bargaining material Shockwave. One we will be using to get energon we haven't managed to acquire during any successful raid on this planet." His servo found the back of your neck and he hauled you towards the monitor where you would be visible even on the ground. Before unceremoniously dropping you as you fell onto a crumpled heap on the floor. "Make yourself look good you old fool." He ordered before moving to flag Prime on the monitor screen.

You chuckled lightly, the sound slightly static coated when your servos braced on the ground to get yourself up on shaky arms. "That's the thing, I always look good, sugar..." Megatron resisted the urge to click his glossia at the rough sound of it.

Prime, soft sparked fool that he was, would be more than lenient on what he'd be willing to trade if he was aware of the decaying state you were in. Megatron would be able to reap benefits far greater using you as the weak struggling sick ridden bot you currently were.

And he was not one who would allow an ample opportunity to slip by his grasp.

The measure of disorganization in The Ark was more than a touch chaotic. Nothing Optimus wasn't at least part way adapted to. But still something that felt... off. Especially considering the circumstances and of your current stranding on Cybertron. They'd attempted to hail their allies on Cybertron, Elita and Ultra Magnus both reporting that you were deeper than either of them usually venture into Shockwave’s territory. And that they'd both failed to get in contact with you despite numerous attempts on your COM. Something Ultra Magnus likened to as Shockwave’s doing. Scrambling unverified means of communication.

On their side of things they'd elected to stake out the space bridge. Which had failed to yield any benefits, yet anyway. Megatron had set to have the space bridge guarded to the struts. Obviously having assumed they'd want you rescued as quickly as possible. Or at the very least not stranded in the deep of enemy territory by yourself.

The mood was rather... tense around The Ark in your absence. Understandably considering your status or lack there of and where you had last been before your COMS were forcibly disrupted.

Despite it, Optimus had done what he could to try and alleviate the strain on the rest of The Autobots. Making sure not to be shy with his appreciation and reassurances on the day to day. Stress running at an all time high- especially as of late, considering the most recent word of development. Word Elita had received from Firestar via an anonymous bot that owed her something.

Word that you'd nearly taken out The Rain Makers by yourself. Only to be apprehended by Nova Storm after the effects of their acid rain did it's damage.

It was the last reported sighting or hint of your appearance. And it was of you being captured.

It was not a sure report but Optimus much like Elita was inclined to believe it. Much as it stressed him so. Optimus knew you were a hardy bot all things considered. You'd survived this long on that and your skills. Aware and cunning to a degree- even if you did not seem to be to some bots. But as your leader- as your friend Optimus could not help but worry about you.

Especially when Shockwave would be the most likely bot holding you captive- that is if Megatron had not registered for your transfer earlier today.

Megatron had launched an aggressive attack on the city closest to the space bridge. All while keeping security on the space bridge heavy. An attack not shy about involving civilians in the damage and destruction the move brought. He'd had to divert the Autobots stationed at the space bridge to immediately work to keep the number of human casualties to zero. An effort that barley paid off, when the general he'd just spoke with informed him the people in the hospital all seemed like they would be pulling through their injuries.

Gears was stationed at the space bridge to keep watch with Ramhorn and Eject as back up in case something occurred. It was something he'd had to talk Gears into- Optimus knowing he'd would have preferred helping as directly as he could. His upset response warranted. But Optimus had to remind Gears that you also needed help. To which he grumbled and cursed under his vents but agreed to with a muttering of the situation.

It turned out to be the right decision. Because otherwise they'd of had no idea you'd been brought back to earth through the space bridge. Starscream leading you along pressed up against his side. Soundwave showing up after long with Astrotrain. The trio all reporting you looking worse for wear and struggling to even keep up with Starscream’s pace. Then you were gone just as quickly boarded on the Shuttle. Before the group could even plan a reckless course of action in rescue. (One Optimus is not even entirely sure he's glad or not on)

So needless to say Prowl's abrupt flagging of him to immediately come to Teleatran 1 for negotiations made the sinking feeling in his chassis stick even heavier on his gyros.

Walking into the room with nearly all his officers certainly had his plating want to skew even more (but he kept it as relaxed as he could). Ironhide being the only one missing, but considering the delicate circumstances Optimus knew exactly why that was the case. A few of the other Autobots were off to the side. Out of sight of Teleatran's monitor broadcast but close enough to hear what was going on. Expressions all tense or gritted in some manner of way. Optimus could only suspect the number would grow the longer the negotiations ran.

Optimus still was not quite ready for the sight that greeted him when he'd approached Teleatran 1.

Megatron standing next to you, your frame in a heap on the ground. On shaking servos. Your armor scratched and your helm down.

The lack of bright healthy color on your armor was anything but what he wanted to see.

You moving slowly showed you were still functional despite it all.

"Prime. How wonderful of you to join us." Megatron's addressal made his optics snap to attention and his pauldrons to square even further than they already were. "I was just describing the rather... dire state your poor officer was in." Megatron crouched down and didn't hesitate to grab you by the back of your neck and haul you into standing with him even on shaking uneven pedes.

The light barely audible sound you made in response made Optimus even worse off. Most of your weight clearly being held up by Megatron’s servo on the back of your throat. "Your officer has been struck by an... unfortunate virus that has been wreaking havoc on their poor out of date fire walls. Truly no respect for the older generation..." Megatron droned before turning to look back at the broadcast.

"Here is how this is going to go Prime. You are to give me exactly every ounce of energon I demand in this exchange. And I return your weak officer to you."

Teleatran 1 spat out a physical read of the transfer demands Megatron had decided on. Prowl being the closest ripped the print off as soon as it finished and scrutinized it. He visibly balked and grit his denta. "This is-!" Oh dear. "Optimus, this is-" Prowl clamped his jaw shut lately and COM'd him the rest of this thoughts as he moved to physically hand Optimus the demands to read himself.

>Ludicrous. Absolutely Ludicrous.

Even with the warning Optimus still couldn't exactly help his own optics widening at the demand. Jazz clicked his glossia at his right from where he was leaning into his space to read it himself. Before he messaged Optimus back as well.

> Prowl's right. It's doable obviously, but we can't exactly be handing them that much in supplies and expect no consequences.

Optimus was a moments away from messaging Jazz back if he truly believed they even had a choice in the matter. When your life was what was what they were bargaining for.

A sharp cough made his attention snap back upwards at the monitor. One of your servos was up to your own mouth cupping to cover it. Unfortunately it wasn't successful in hiding what was behind it.

Especially when your energon started rolling down your throat in thick amounts.

Optimus forced his frame still and locked himself in place so he wouldn't grab onto Teleatran 1 and show Megatron exactly how much the sight affected him.

"Ah, do you think you'll need time to decide on what you're to do, Prime? Well-" Megatron chose then to release you and unceremoniously let you drop to the ground in a heap. You landed on your front and begun coughing more roughly. No doubt due to to rough treatment exasperating your already delicate state.

Optimus couldn't hide his finials tilting back at an angle and his plating shaking in held back anger when a small puddle formed underneath your helm. No doubt purging more of your own energon as the moments went by.

"Time is something I do not believe they have."

Megatron raised one of his pedes up slowly-!

"Megatron!" Optimus immediately protested in warning.

But instead of kicking you full force and sending you rolling like he'd assumed. Megatron simply placed his pede on your back and pressed downwards. Flattening your frame against the ground in a moment. Forcibly pressing your cheek and face plate up against your own purged energon. You only made a short labored noise before going quiet again. (He didn't know if that was worse than the idea of you being louder at the treatment).

"Tick tock Prime, I suggest you make your decision soon. After all who knows if they'll even last the rest of the cycle. Over and out."

"Wait-!" The feed still forcibly cut when Megatron disconnected.

The silence it left behind was deafening.

Jazz clicking his glossia again broke it.

"Optimus-"

"I know, Prowl." Optimus knew that folding to Megatron’s demands was dangerous. Freely giving a warlord like Megatron so much energy to do whatever he pleased with, only spelled disaster.

"Optimus-!" Ratchet rushed up behind him and was as obviously upset about the display as the rest of them. His own optics heated a couple degrees more than usual due to no doubt anger circling in his medics optics.

Ratchet glanced at where the others were watching the four of them converse between their own panicked talking. Ratchet only getting even closer to Optimus and dropping his voice a couple of octaves. "I hate and I mean hate to admit it, and I hate to agree with rust bucket out of all mechs in the actual galaxy... but he's right." The anger in his faceplate crumpled slightly and a peek of despair replaced it. "I don't know if they'll survive the rest of the earth cycle just with how they looked."

Optimus's servo crumpled the printed demands still resting in his hold.

"Optimus. Call?" Jazz brought him back to where he was with the words and a firm servo on his arm. His em field even nudging up against him with reassurances. Optimus let his plating untighten and allowed himself stand tall again.

"Yes... I'll have to make quite a few calls to meet the demands as quickly as possible."

Ratchet audibly sighed at Optimus's words before turning and making his way out of the room. "I'll get my equipment ready with Hoist so we'll be ready to load everything into Skyfire, as soon as it's time to get them."

Optimus shared a look with Jazz who’s neutral look finally broke with a small quirk of his derma.

Optimus looked to share a look with Prowl next, who's optic ridge was creased but his door wings flicking and tilting rather liberally. Prowl eventually sighed deeply and broke the quick stare they'd shared before dragging his servo down his own faceplate. "I hope you'll be ready for the eventual consequences Optimus."

"Yes Prowl. We will be." Optimus had to be. Otherwise they'd condemn you to a soon to be death in a Decepticon cell.

You just needed to survive long enough for them to save you.

Defense was what was ordered and defense was what they'd be getting. Brawn knew that. But that didn't mean a part of him didn't want things to go sideways so he had an excuse to throw some Decepticons around. After you'd already made it back to them of course. Brawn wasn't at Teleatran 1 when buckethead’s negotiations suddenly came ringing in. But he'd heard about it. From Hauler, from Gears, and most importantly from Trailbreaker.

The first two putting their own spin on things. Hauler obviously exaggerated and fuel tank aching about how ya were as good as dead already. Gears muttering and raving about Megatron and how he wasn't able to get you out earlier. Which Brawn said was bolts and nuts since he wouldn't have even been able to work that rescue himself either. Couldn't just beat the cons, they would've needed to get you out of there before they could recapture you. (Can't be doing that with one mini bot and two cassettes. Sure maybe the battle part in Brawn's case. But getting ya away afterwards too? Fat fragging chance.)

Trailbreaker was Brawn's buddy. Neither of 'em were exactly shy about the fact. (Why would they be?) So Brawn went straight to him after he'd heard he saw what happened too. Asking how bad you actually were and how seriously they needed to be sticking to the plan. Or If you'd be able to add your own spin on it like you usually did when you couldn't be there for the planning stage.

But nah. Trailbreaker was spooked. It was obvious. Going quiet, his expression shocked before trying and failing to be neutral. Trailbreaker said you'd looked bad. Real bad. Bad enough you were already starting to lose color bad.

Bad enough he sorta thought he might watch ya offline right there on Teleatran 1, when he couldn't do anything about it.

So yeah. Bad enough they needed to be real slagging careful not to be stepping on any pedes while playing trade for you. A stupid amount of energon trading for you. But if you were actually that bad off then he can't exactly be mad at Optimus for not deciding to just march into The Victory and pull you out himself. No point if you probably wouldn't survive that fight anyway. So instead he got ready knowing he'd be going even before they told him. You need good defense for a negotiation trade. Definitely when you're trading a bot.

He wasn't really ready for Jazz stopping him and Trailbreaker by themselves before the launch.

"I need you two to to do me a favor. An officer favor." Brawn's causal stance melted away at the remark. "Keep an extra optic on Ironhide out there during the trade. For- well, obviously. Do I need to spell it out?" No, no Jazz did not. You two knowing each other so long only made it make sense Ironhide was itching to bust helms; When those helms were what was keeping them from reaching you. "Just make sure he doesn't do anything too crazy to jeopardize the trade and our bots already not great physical state. Alright?"

They'd agreed before boarding onto Skyfire with the rest to make the trade in a desert. Dry rocks all around and no organics neither. Least they wouldn't have to worry about that if it did go sideways. Only you and their own after burners in that case. His digits drumming on his gauntlets while he watched Megatron and Optimus talk. Boy, did Buckethead just love to yap.

Finally after the energon was counted by Soundwave, Megatron snapped his digits and called for Thundercracker.

Thundercracker who came out of Astrotrain with your limp frame draped across his back. Holding you up completely while he walked the distance between your sides.

Brawn waited on his heel struts. Waiting for the other tread to drop, pit breaking lose, and them having to yank you out of his hold instead.

Once Thundercracker passed by Optimus some part of him relaxed. Hoist and Ironhide rushing forward to meet Thundercracker halfway sent Brawn and Trailbreaker moving after them.

Thundercracker crouched at least and let Hoist haul you off of the seekers back. As soon as he did Ironhide put himself between you two and him. Brawn and Trailbreaker coming up on Ironhides other sides so he couldn't get any bright ideas.

And yeah, Brawn sorta kinda had to make sure he didn't stare at you when he saw ya. You looked bad. Real bad. Bad enough he doesn't know if you'd of lasted through the rest of the fragging day. Your colors certainly already fragging gave up trying to keep up with how bad you already were. But ya weren't dull gray yet. Just off color and getting there.

Thundercracker stared. Stared at Ironhide for a glance.

And frankly Brawn thought he was about to have to do something he'd never fragging imagine. And he'd have to save the seeker from a cold clock. Even when Ironhides fists at his sides stopped shaking he half expected one of them to still jut out to punch. But Ironhide stayed where he was. Planted in front of you and Hoist.

Hoist who'd turned and made his way back to Skyfire to get you worked on with Ratchet obviously. When he couldn't hear Hoist’s pede falls anymore Thundercracker finally turned and made his way back over to his own faction.

When Thundercracker passed Megatron- Bucket head smirked at Optimus. "A Pleasure doing business with you, Prime."

"... Likewise Megatron." At Optimus's words Ironhide moved. But he walked towards Optimus instead of Skyfire.

Brawn and Trailbreaker shared a look and followed after him. Megatron saw 'em coming so he just tilted his helm slightly- smirk still on his stupid faceplate. Optimus turned his helm and broke away from Megatron to instead met them halfway. Brawn would bet he saw whatever look was in Ironhide’s optics and decided he wasn't about to let it happen. And that was kinda a shame when Brawn was betting on what he was betting on Ironhide doing.

Optimus stopped directly in front of Ironhide. And they'd stared.

Before Optimus nodded towards Skyfire and eventually Ironhide sighed before turning back round. Optimus now following behind.

"Ah, Optimus" Megatron's voice cut through and they paused- and Brawn would've laughed if he wasn't such a sparkdamn grease ball. Because Bucket head really loved to yap. "Do be careful with them. Just one small squeeze- and they'd be gone just like that." Megatron clenched his fist in open air- like if you were right in front of him.

And Brawn knew Ironhide wasn't at the negotiating like him. But Brawn also knew damn well Ironhide would've done what he did and found out exactly what happened during them.

So he wasn't too shocked when Ironhide's plating tensed and his em field went sharp real quick.

He also wasn’t shocked when he turned and took a step towards Megatron. Brawn latching onto his arm, Trailbreaker his pauldron, and Optimus putting his servo flat on his chassis stopped him directly in place.

Optimus calmly turned back towards Megatron. "Noted, Megatron." His voice clipped. Definitely not happy about it as much the rest of 'em.

So they had to shove Ironhide along to get back to Skyfire and take off.

So yeah they'd came over to you after they’d started heading back to base. Well, the medical and Perceptor fixed ya up good in the pretty short time they were still out there. Mostly hooking you into everything and getting energon into your body but you were talking to Perceptor at least. Not limp and non response like scrap metal.

So they tried to see you but Ratchet immediately told them to step back before they bumped something keeping you stable, before he launched a tool at one of them. They did but they still stood where they were allowed and watched ‘em work on you.

Optimus was allowed close. Leader privileges and all that scrap. "I'm sorry we hadn't managed to rescue you before you were in such dire states my friend. But I'm glad you're back with us now."

You looked at Ratchet and smiled softly. "Ratchet." He paused where he was next to Optimus adjusting one of the wires in your neck port. "Smack him for me."

Ratchet did exactly that with zero hesitation.

Brawn laughed loudly at the sound that rang out at the hit. Trailbreaker slapping his own servo over his mouth to avoid doing the same. The rest of the rabble present either letting a laugh or chuckle slip or holding one back. A smile or a smirk on most derma. "Ratchet-" Optimus rubbed over the spot he'd been struck at as if it actually hurt him.

"Sweetspark, Optimus-" you cut him off making him look back down towards you. "Don't be dumb. Please." You slowly raised your servo which only came out about halfway above yourself towards Optimus. "You did what you could. And you kept everyone going while I was gone so don't mope. You did good."

"They're right you know." Ratchet scoffed with his own smirk on his derma despite the sound. "Now don't mope and do the important thing as leader and go plan a party for a successful mission." Ratchet stepped away from you before looking at the rest of them on the side. "Okay, now you may come closer- but!" They all stopped in place when everyone took a quick step forward. "Do not overwhelm them. They're exhausted. They don't need any excitement right now." Everyone waited as Ratchet got out of the way "Now go you glitch infected turbofoxes!" It was said with a smile.

Everyone rushed over again. Sideswipe made it first to one of your sides asking you how you survived. Bluestreak right after him and his mouth running a mile a minute about how scared they were. Ironhide was next taking the spot on your other side. Brawn also noticed Ironhide immediately reaching and grabbing your arm with a servo. His mouth still shut firm but you glanced over to him anyway at the contact and smiled.

"Primus, I feel like Astrotrain ran me over in train mode." Was what you admitted after a good amount of everyone else yapping.

You did look absolutely positively terrible. Brawn had to agree with you there. "Yeah, you look like slag too."

"Brawn!" Perceptor snipped at him for the blunt remark.

"What!?" Perceptor with his specs knew more than anyone in the damn room how slagged your frame was. "Hero, you wanna tell them they look good right now?!" Brawn held his servos out towards your obviously very slagged frame.

Perceptor’s plating fluffed a bit and he panicked "Well- I-"

A soft sound made them all glance back at your berth. Your frame shook lightly as you chuckled. It was weak and a bit wheezy but it was a laugh.

Sideswipe started laughing right after, making a few more of them break into chuckles.

You finished and dragged a servo down your throat. "Sorry... I just missed you guys."

"We missed you too!" Bluestreak said the quiet part out loud, leaning forward a bit towards you when he did. Which only made Ironhide and Sideswipe shove him back onto his side of your berth "Sorry-"

"Nah, you're fine baby blue. Everyone still alive while I was gone?" Bluestreak launched into a rant about everyone's status and Brawn sighed.

Least you were back and not grey'd out. Brawn will count his blessings about not having to do another goodbye to a good solider.

… Or a good friend.

Divider support credit: @/cursed-carmine

Cybertronian! Insert/Reader

Knockout prefers bigger bots, yknow, the 'heavy duty type'. That doesn't necessarily mean taller bots. Though if you're shorter, he'll definitely tease that.

Maybe it's a security thing, but he prefers bots who can left more then their own share. [Bigger, better]

Just like his frame type, he likes his relationships to develop fast. Sure he'll slow down if you prefer that, but he'll make his feelings and desires known. So LOTS of flirting.

Clingy, and one for PDA, mostly as a dominance thing to scare other bots off. Territorial? Maybe.

Likes to glide his pointed servos over your shoulders and back when passing by, not hard enough to leave scratches, but enough to feel a flick of static electricity trade itself between you two.

Will slide his servos and digits between the gaps of your hips and lower back when simply loitering beside you. He tends to fidget absent mindedly with the mesh and wiring- similar to squeezing a partners love handles or sliding a hand over your lovers ass.

Will expect to be pampered and loved on, though ironically gets flustered with PDA directed towards him.

Human! Insert/Reader

It takes KnockOut a while to even consider being JUST FRIENDS with a human.

Best way to this mechs spark is stroking his primus-forsaken ego.

Still a bit iffy about you touching him, even when you get close. This is due to your natural oil, which he TRIES [not really] to explain nicely that your dirty little mits are covered in. Though soon enough he starts seeing them as little marks he can wear with him when he's not around you! Not that any other bot notices...

He's the type of mech to treat his lil human F/O like a purse dog, SORRY. He carries you around, coz he doesn't want you stepped on OR getting dirty.

Drive in movies are a MUST and he loves having someone to talk to about said movies. Breakdown rarely accompanies him to said movies, so its a welcome change.

He may or may not convince you to pamper the shit out of him. Relating back to point three, he may just say it's what you owe him for getting him covered in your little oily finger prints.

Probably would love to pamper you back, whether not it's healthy, he sees your presentation as an extension of himself. He'd probably somehow get his hands on the finest [most likely red and gold] clothes and accessories.

Would probably pick and prod at you, pet you and overall be all over you.

HUGE flirt, and uses human movies as education on how to court you. It's cringe as fuck, but some how works with his charisma.

Human-ish/Changeling! Reader

Most of what Human! Insert applies to Changeling! Insert. He views you as a interesting "specimen", but ultimately finds you easier to relate to then a plain human due to the shared ability to change forms.

Would be really interested in your species mimicking abilities, and if they also apply to mechanical life [it does, just takes a hella lot of practice!].

With your ability to change form, the size difference that would be seen between a human and a Cybertronian can easily be bridged. Though frankly he prefers when you're smaller, since seeing an organic as big as a Cybertronian, no matter the form is a bit... disconserting.

Doesn't let you out of his sight much. You're not exactly safe around your own kind [humans] or Cybertronians, especially if it's known of your abilities.

He would NOT trust other scientists around you, and especially not human governments. If Megatron or Soundwave knows you're a changeling, then KnockOut is even more fretful.