[ti]Ep 3.5[/ti]Hanging Around [Closed]

[Knock Out]

Ah, it was only a matter of time before this little 'meeting' was found out - and the telltale thrum of distant footfalls meant that this moment of reprieve was almost over. Honestly, Knock Out had expected things to end before they'd even begun. This room was being watched via cameras, he was sure, and even despite his current predicament? He could still be considered dangerous.

At least this moment of unexpected conversation had granted him the ability to finish his ration. The conversation had been pleasant, and even welcome compared to the interrogation prior and whatever was to come going forward.

But all good things must come to an end, and the moment he opened his mouth to respond to the offer, the Prime made his way into the room - speaking with a warmth that he… hadn't quite expected.

Should this have been Megatron, Unit 74 no doubt would've been shot for interfering with a prisoner. There would be no words of kindness, no offer to assist with such a menial task that was certainly beneath someone of any sort of rank or status.

Did Optimus think of him as a threat? The tiny Minicon had already crossed the gap in handing him the cube, and while admittedly the thought of doing something to hurt him had crossed his processor, he hadn't followed through.

It'd be far more trouble than it was worth, for one. Hanging upside down, well- he didn't have much leeway, and with his servos – and therefore his weapons – bound? It wasn't as if he could really do much of anything.

The softness from the Prime shifted in an instant when his gaze fell Knock Out's way, and he found his grip tightening as best it could on the half-finished cube of Energon.

He knew this moment was coming, yet it was nice to forget for a moment (or as best he could, given where he was) and have some relative normalcy in even a simple conversation.

Venting out a gentle sigh, his attention shifted to the smaller mech - and with it, a smile.

"It seems I am needed for important things. Until next time, mm?"

There probably wouldn't be a next time, and again his thoughts turned to the Decepticons and what they'd do in a situation like this. If the Minicon wasn't outright killed immediately, he would probably be punished for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, no doubt, and he wondered if any of the Autobots would be that cruel.

Prowl, perhaps – though if only because he seemed a little unhinged to begin with.

"I hope Caliper makes it to Earth safe and sound!"

His words sounded genuine enough, wanting to keep up the facade of friendliness rather than taking this rare opportunity to yell for help. It wasn't as if Unit 74 would be able to even do anything, as everyone else probably had the common sense to leave a Decepticon prisoner well enough alone.

And besides, maybe it'd earn him some much-needed brownie points with Optimus, as he had a feeling he'd need it.

[Unit 74]

The steady pede-falls of a big mech didn’t go unnoticed. One of the most important things for a cleaning unit to be was not in the way, so as the heavy steps of Optimus Prime brought the faction leader into the room, and closer, Unit 74 glanced back, and so very far up, not moving until it started to look like he might be in the way. Without a thought the cleaner turned as he stepped away, lowering to his usual height, ready to move whether by the mech’s command, or simply to let the larger Cybertronian to carry on without him being in the way.

He knew who Optimus Prime was, before earth, his friends had shown him in slowly fading out datapads. He wasn’t afraid, or anxious, his optics no less calm and bright as he took in the mech’s visage. Still, it was hard to speak up, the voice of the master… no, leader is what he was told this mech was, not master (though he wasn’t quite sure the difference)... that voice made everything sound important, that it was time to listen… It was too bad that Optimus Prime wasn’t a brother, he was probably lonely not hearing when others were listening to him.

Not hearing was…so quiet.

“This Unit is happy to comply.” His chipper response was offered more for the big mech’s sake than his own need to be heard, his thoughts on the ‘quietness’ that the Autobot leader must suffer from urging him to speak where his programming would usually dictate otherwise. A shier look was aimed at Knock Out as it was more difficult for him to know, should he speak in this case? It felt like now was definitely the time for good cleaning units to not be seen… but… he didn’t want to neglect his new friend.

“We hope that Optimus Prime can convince our friend to come down”, he offered softly, hints of concern briefly coloring his vocals, though they would, no doubt, disappear before too long. “Knock Out doesn’t need to…” He paused, reconsidering his words.  Knock Out had said it didn't hurt.

“Be upside down. He looks forward to seeing his friend again.” With that, Seventy-four wasted no further time in transforming and rolling his way out into the halls beyond. It was time to return to work, the base was mostly learned, and how exciting it would be to clean better with his new understanding.

---

(Unit 74 out)

[Optimus Prime]

The pause between his request and Knock Out's response on the matter felt far longer than it was for the Prime, a tension in place where things could drastically shift from pleasant, to very much not so in a single tick of a clock. Perhaps, there were stereotypical judgments that played a role in everything he was feeling, his mind already actively considering how he would get Unit 74 out of the room safely with as little distress as possible for the mech, before he had to set Knock Out in his place once again and remind him where he was, and yet... that didn't happen. His bottled tension was completely unwarranted as not only did Knock Out not cause a scene, he instead played along as though this was an entirely normal incident so that nothing came off as suspicious.

With kind tones still in effect, Optimus replied to the minicon.

"That is dependent upon his conduct"

This statement was almost a lie in some form, given the fact Optimus had already made his decision, however it came off as earnest enough, his gaze flicking over to look at Knock Out, before glancing back down to Unit 74, watching as he seemed to still be happily ignorant to what was occurring around him. Perhaps deep down there was a tiny bit of envy in that regard, the absolute joy that must be felt with being in such a simple state, the weight of the war, or even the conflict itself, not even a stone upon one's shoulders. It was not a place he would ever be however, and such a flickered emotion dissipated as quickly as the smaller mech had from the room, his palm placing gently against the flat panel of the door to press it closed enough the latch clicked.

Leaving them alone.

Silence settled for a moment, Optimus almost waiting to make sure Unit 74 had continued, though really, there was no way he could have heard any footfalls through the metal given just how small he was. It wasn't like how he would wait for others to depart, where the soft sound of a stride, or even the faintest of trembles along the ground could be picked up upon. No. He was too small, and as such he had to rely upon just stalling a couple of beats before turning to finally address Knock Out.

"It has not gone unnoticed you did not seize an opportunity."

While the profound warmth and kindness did not remain, his voice couldn’t be called harsh, it almost shifting into a neutral state instead of overt aggression or irritation. It wasn't the captive's fault Bumblebee neglected to make sure the latch engaged on the door, and it was not his fault a mech who was meant to clean had found his way there when exploring everywhere they may have to work. It would be an act of cruelty to assume as much, and Optimus was anything but. Even the sorry state Knock Out was in couldn't be called cruel, as while it was unconventional and odd, he wasn’t injured or tortured in any way.

Turning to fully face the mech, Optimus would start to then walk forward, his longer gait letting him cross the distance rather easily with little hesitation or seeming thought over his next actions. It was almost as though he knew what he was going to do before he had even entered the room, though in truth his plans had changed once he had seen how the event was handled by the Decepticon. This deviation resulted in his left hand quickly wrenching forward, grabbing onto Knock Out's chest plating, while his right hooked up to grab onto the bent metal table leg.

With a seamless pull as though it was a simple act, the metal rod was wrenched out of the wall with a scrape of steel against stone, a few small pieces of concrete falling down around them, though Knock Out would not join them, Optimus' grip upon the thicker plate of armor acting as support. With this act, Knock Out would soon find himself pulled upright so that his legs would be hanging down, giving him an opportunity to try to get his bearings again.

Optimus' grasp did not let go, though that was more an act of mercy than it was aggression, wanting to make sure the Decepticon wouldn’t fall to the ground if fully freed, wanting him to get his feet beneath him properly and reorient to the fact that after days he was finally righted.

[Knock Out]

"That is dependent upon his conduct"

Well, that didn't bode well - though it was probably a good thing that he'd been on his best behavior. Something that'd been helped, of course, by the fact he was hanging upside down with minimal use of his servos. He had been nothing but pleasant in conversation, even going so far as to play along with Optimus - even if part of him wanted to fall back on his usual dramatics and plead for help.

It wasn't as if the minicon could even realistically do anything to assist, though, should he have gone that route. The fact he'd managed to reach up and hand over the cube of Energon had been a miracle in and of itself - and he couldn't exactly ask for more than that.

As the minicon began moving from the room, Knock Out smiled at him once more.

"Likewise, Seventy-Four!"

The moment the tiny mech had left, though, that smile would fade. Alone again once more with the Prime - the very mech who had not only impaled him onto the wall, but left him for days on end. It'd been a stroke of luck that Bumblebee had left the door slightly open, perhaps done on purpose as a subtle cruelty, in letting him know that freedom was so close and yet completely unattainable.

Just as his warmth faded, so too did Optimus', it seemed; and while the Prime's words weren't harsh or even yelled, they certainly did not hold the same kindness they had moments prior toward the other mech.

Opting to not admit that the thought had indeed crossed his mind, Knock Out shrugged.

"Yes, well - he was the most conversation I'd had in days. Except for talking to myself, of course! Though that got old quickly…" he cut himself off before he began rambling, instead tapering the sentence with an awkward laugh.

As Optimus began moving toward him, his frame tensed. Or, as best it could given the circumstances. Despite the fact he was holding the cube, both servos would raise - using the object to shield his face, just on the off chance that the other mech was about to attack him or do something equally cruel.

Squinting, almost as if he was expecting something bad to happen - he found himself surprised as the other mech put his servo to his chassis.

"Wh-"

It took him a second to realize just what exactly was happening, and there was a sense of relief – followed by instantaneous panic – at the realization that his leg was now free from the metal bar. He wasn't falling, though, which was the expected outcome… no, instead the other mech helped him down gradually, even going so far as to hold him steady.

Primus, it felt strange having his pedes upon something solid again, and he wasn't quite sure at that moment if he could even support his own weight.

It was a shame this wasn't under better circumstances, as the urge to say something inappropriate simply couldn't be passed up. He'd certainly dreamed of such a moment – and would've had no issue admitting that to anyone – and normally would've jumped at the opportunity while he had it.

However, today? He knew far better. Too tired from a lack of decent recharge, still fuzzy from the single cube of Energon still making its way through his systems (not helped by the fact he'd been upside down and now righted) - he didn't want to end up back on the wall mere seconds after being released from that torment.

"Thank you."

Shifting his weight just slightly, trying to get a better footing for when he was inevitably left to stand on his own, Knock Out could do little more than peer up at Optimus, wondering what would happen next in this whole interrogation procedure.

[Optimus Prime]

"Thank you."

"Moving forward, I hope consideration of your current predicament is of greater importance."

Knock Out wasn’t visiting friends to chat about things and possibly mill up some gossip for the sake of talking down about others or being dramatic. He wasn’t here on vacation from his other duties, nor here to simply deny the Decepticons their CMO as retaliation for them more likely than not having their own medic in turn. He was here to be actively questioned to figure out everything they could in order to get an upper hand. It started with an interrogation that was harsher in approach due to Prowl's tactics, then transitioning to a more cutting style with cold facts and no emotion, only to then swing hard once more with an act that stepped soundly out of normal practices by hanging their captive upside down.

Now, kindness in some form was back, though how Knock Out would choose to handle this grace had yet to be seen.

Still keeping his grasp firm upon the thicker portions of chest paneling, Optimus' stance was unwavering, absolutely no strain seen in his actions when it came to supporting the other mech even should all of his weight be lifted away from the ground in an attempt to struggle. It was a sign of his power, and further evidence of the strength he was capable of that could be lashed out with, though such a thing was already displayed clear as day with how effortlessly he had ripped him off his feet the other day. With a fractioned amount of rage, true pain could be applied, though a display of power on those levels was not something Optimus would approach, trying to rely on the fact that it was a possibility as a deterrent for someone who did not know better.

"Are you willing to speak with me with the respect I deserve."

Cyan optics that normally held so much warmth and understanding, instead had a colder edge to them once again, the exposed apertures cycled smaller with the level of intensity. He truly was not in the mood to deal with the mech before him, his personality and approach to things truly grating in a time where his tolerances, in general, were so thin, however they needed answers, and they couldn’t leave Knock Out rotting on the wall as a semi-permanent feature for long term. His Autobots were at such a disadvantage that he had to make the time to do this, he simply HAD to in order to seek even the smallest glimmer of information that could lead to any level of hope.

If he had to wade through a sea of pain just for a flicker of something beneficial, he would suffer through it, silently pleading that he wouldn't be pushed too far, already holding a level of dissatisfaction with himself over the way he had left Knock Out after their last exchange. Time could only tell, however, for he was already keyed up due to the return of another individual to the base that often brought his own frustrations in his wake. While that had left on acceptable terms, it already picked at the frayed edges of his psyche and left Knock Out at a disadvantage right out of the gate.

He needed to be mindful of where he was.

[Knock Out]

There was no immediate reply to what Optimus said, or at least- not in the form of words. A gentle, almost non-committal 'Mm' was instead given after a moment, one that showed he was probably mulling over the phrase and its meaning somewhat, though with not enough care to outwardly guarantee he would do such a thing.

It could certainly be worse, though it was rather lose-lose for him either way. Here, he had to be careful with what he said, and what he did - as even though he hadn't been tortured within an inch of his life (yet), he knew that with his rank and status? He was a valuable prisoner indeed. He had information. Names, numbers, locations - most everything the Autobots would need to infiltrate several of their established mining systems at the very least.

Though, not Blackridge. While he'd bridged in and out of the outpost itself, and could probably give a rough estimate of its whereabouts? He'd never left on pede nor wheel - and as such had genuinely no idea where it was to the point he could direct someone there.

A saving grace, perhaps - though it wasn't as if anyone would ever believe him should they ask.

Ah, yes. His current predicament indeed. One that certainly got worse by the second, even if nothing was happening at present.

Should he survive this mess and ever be found and freed by his own faction – something he was still hoping would happen any time now – he knew there would be further interrogation, no doubt from Megatron himself, to find out just what'd exactly been said.

The thought terrified him, which- admittedly wasn't exactly a good thing. As much as he wanted to be found, the thought of going back and possibly being punished? Well, the less he said the better his chances.

That's how it worked, right?

So far, he'd done fairly well at keeping quiet, though it didn't take a genius or master at reading body language to know that things were certainly tense around here. Prowl had lost his temper almost immediately, Optimus even faster than that – only he'd had the strength to act on it without inflicting any real harm. Even Bumblebee had been rude, taunting him with the Energon cube and the cracked door that he knew deep down was probably done on purpose.

It was probably only a matter of time before one of them did snap - and as the only Decepticon within spitting distance? Well, it was obvious where that anger would be directed should he do, or say something that wasn't deemed correct.

But- he was tired. Hanging for days on end upside down with no sense of time, nor food to quell the hunger pangs that were quick to sneak up and pull him from any semblance of rest? It'd certainly worn him down.

Aside from the earlier gentle shifting of his weight, he made no motions of trying to stand on his own, not wanting to risk it looking like he was trying to fight or put up any sort of struggle. It'd be stupid to even try, as even without his servos bound, the Prime outclassed him both in terms of armor and height, and he wasn't exactly at an advantage with his back to the wall.

So, he simply stood, listening to the statement that wasn't quite a question - one that was spoken with further meaning behind those cyan optics.

Averting his gaze from the Prime for a second, Knock Out would gently try to adjust his weight once more, grip tightening ever-so-slightly on the cube that was held awkwardly with both servos.

"That-" he started, clearing his throat in an attempt to find his composure, peering back up toward the other mech. His own expression was not cold, though should Optimus look closely he would no doubt notice the fact the cherry-red mech seemed to struggle some in maintaining optic contact.

He was nervous, not helped by the exhaustion – though his voice did not falter as he spoke.

"That depends. Are you willing to speak to me with the respect I deserve."

Since he'd arrived here he'd been threatened with death, argued with, berated, accused of things he had no part in, denied basic medical care (as had Carbine, to his knowledge), denied rations and rest… and while he fully understood he was at a complete disadvantage here being a prisoner, they certainly needed him to the point he felt confident enough in his retort.

He only hoped it wouldn't backfire, and while his optics did not leave those of the other mech? His grip on the cube tightened once more.