[ti]Ep 2.5[/ti]Cruor [Closed]

[Flatline]

This was going to rip Skywarp's hand completely off, and if the barbs held true and it was rooted deep enough?... well... it could pull the brute of a mech forward into the rail system if he was lucky. The plan was sound, it would be agonizing whatever the outcome, and it would deal very real damage to anyone it would fall upon, but it all hinged upon individuals being normal. It all hinged upon Skywarp NOT having the teleportation powers.

Which he had.

The moment Flatline let go of the chain, the world around him seemed to slow down to a crawl. He could see what was happening, watch the subtlest of details, observe the change of tide away from his favor, but just because time gifted him this observation, it didn't mean he had ability to do anything to alter from the course that had been set out before him.

The severed chain fell down into the rail system the moment Flatline had let go of it, the long connection between it and Skywarp's hand going taunt for only the briefest of moments. Taunt was perhaps... being generous, for no additional pressure but the light pull was even transferred into the injury before the teleportation ripped the link in half with a bang of space rupturing around it.

A sneering grin, a look of joy, Flatline had been so proud, so sure of himself, but once the flash of light erupted, and the end of the chain had flicked up into the air with its end glowing red hot at the sever point... well... there wasn't much to be happy about for much longer. His smile dropped, red eyes following the path of the connection, but his view of the odd phenomenon was blotted out suddenly by the massive shape of Skywarp having teleported directly in his vicinity.

Pain. Injury. Fear. It all surged to the forefront of Flatline's processor before it even happened. He knew Skywarp was going to hurt him, he knew that a strike was going to happen, but there really was no time to properly formulate a way to dodge, and no time to even take said action if he had plotted it properly. All he managed to do was start to duck, his frame flinching down towards the ground to try to allow a punch to swipe over his helm, but this only landed his core more in-line with the kick, and as such it slammed into the black and red medic at full force.

Two loud noises occurred at once then, the first being Skywarp's foot and shin colliding hard with Flatline, the second being the severed chain whipping and being sucked into the rail system. An instantaneous screech of metal and rain of sparks flew out from the typically enclosed system as the chain was pulled in, it a horrible noise. Links and the cylinder latch whacking into arches and magnetic beams as it went, tearing into the system and undoubtedly causing damage before the fail-safe shut off the pull to the sector. Angry sparks spat out from the open wall panel, spits of rage from the injury it had taken. Meanwhile the second noise was far more...crushing.

Crackling, a loud pop of plating caving inward, Flatline was flung from the kick, the significant size and weight difference meaning it wasn't much of a chore to launch him. This caused him to slam in to the ground a short distance away, and slide over the smooth surface to a gradual stop after a brief moment. It was far less entertaining than the mech's previous fall, but it had far more staying power, for Flatline did not immediately try to get up, and remained curled in upon himself.

A raking noise, a rasp of a heavy ventilation, Flatline's digitigrade leg scraped out and loosely kicked at the ground once to try to find traction that wasn't there, while his right forearm lay curled over his torso, helm hooked forward and tucked out of sight.

Knock Out and Breakdown would turn the corner just in time to see the aftermath.

[Knock Out]

Knock Out was glad that he was built for speed in both his forms, because he knew time was of the essence here. He tore off from beside his partner and ran as fast as he could. That noise was almost certainly Flatline's harpoon being fired, and he didn't want to waste any time in getting to the feral mech and whoever it was that'd had the unfortunate luck of finding him. Part of him hoped it was someone important that'd found the other Medic – Megatron, Starscream... Soundwave, even, so they'd know that the panicked yell over the comm wasn't just Knock Out being dramatic for the sake of being dramatic.

He willed his legs to go faster and pushed himself to go as quick as he possibly could, as more painful sounding noises were heard from one of the other corridors. There was a bang, followed by a screeching of metal that made his field bristle as he shuddered. Whoever it was, was no doubt experiencing first hand what Knock Out and the Vehicons had only moments earlier in the Medical Bay.

That Flatline was dangerous.

He pulled further away from Breakdown and sped ahead with ease, knowing that his partner would be close behind regardless, tearing down the corridor and into the original hallway where he had first run into Skywarp and Breakdown. He paused, briefly – there were still two corridors, and he couldn't tell at first glance which one was the correct one – and he didn't want to lose precious time in making a wrong decision. Not now! He couldn't afford to!

He could hear angry sparks echoing from somewhere down the middle corridor. There. That was where Flatline was. He'd push off into a sprint again and moved down the corridor, almost skidding as he turned the corner – scrambling to another stop at what he was now confronted with.

His gaze drifted first to Flatline. His red optics wide as he took a moment to take it all in. Flatline was down. Sparks were coming from rail system in the wall. The harpoon that'd been fired... The harpoon was... He looked around quickly. The harpoon was embedded in Skywarp's servo. Well, that explained the bang and the brief sounds of fighting. While Skywarp was hurt? It seemed that he'd won – at least for now. He was still standing, unlike Flatline. But they'd have to act fast to ensure Flatline didn't get back up.

He heard the rasping of ventilation coming from Flatline, and his attention would quickly shift back to the fallen mech – watching him closely with narrowed optics should he even dare think of getting back to his pedes.

He tightened his grip on the Energon Prod in his servo, and his thumb would slide down it swiftly to switch it on – there was a brief noise of minor-transformation as his saw would retract into his forearm, to be replaced by his other servo, shifting to hold the prod with both servos now. He regretted not snatching up a vial of pain suppressant, or something to numb Flatline in an instant so he couldn't walk even if he did manage to scramble to his pedes and try something with the three of them here – but this lack of foresight was probably for the best, as it was only moments after he'd injected him to begin with that Flatline had completely snapped.

He'd vent in sharply with a hitched breath. He had to stun Flatline just long enough for the two bigger mechs to be able to move him with ease – because even though he was down? He was most certainly not out. And until he was restrained on a Medical Berth unable to move or attack? Knock Out was taking zero chances. Flatline had gotten the upper hand on Skywarp somehow in the moments they were alone, and with the harpoon rammed through his servo? He wouldn't be able to help as much.

With the Energon Prod held outwards, crackling with energy – Knock Out would hesitantly move forwards toward Flatline, knowing he had the backup of his partner, as well as Skywarp should things turn really sour in the next few seconds. He knew Breakdown's temper would be flared after what Flatline had done, and had no doubt that after getting a harpoon lodged into his servo? Skywarp would also be fuming – Flatline was probably lucky in that he was still online at this point.

He would have to keep them both calm. As fun as it would be to watch them beat Flatline senseless after what he'd done to Knock Out's perfect faceplate? The punishment for doing so wouldn't be worth it. While he knew full well he'd get his payback for that, this was not the time nor place.

He wouldn't say anything as he moved, hoping Breakdown and Skywarp had the initiative to rush in and restrain Flatline, once he'd been subdued further with the jolt from the Energon Prod - while having the common sense not to beat the ever-loving slag out of him – at least not yet. He was trying to be quiet as he moved, taking advantage of the fact that Flatline's helm was hooked forward – hoping that he wasn't paying attention nor even aware that Knock Out and Breakdown had arrived (despite Breakdown's thunderous footfalls no doubt giving them away) – and once he was within range? He'd thrust forward quickly with the Energon Prod, attempting to land a blow solid enough to stun Flatline so the two bigger mechs could restrain his limbs.

He made contact. Not that it was hard – Flatline was clearly done and unable to get back up so this was a very cheap shot. This jab was... For good measure. Nothing vindictive about it at all, although the smirk which was now on Knock Out's faceplate may have revealed his true intentions. He'd keep the prod held firmly against Flatline until either Breakdown or Skywarp moved in – and then would pull away so they could work at restraining him.

This was going to be the start of a very long, painful night for Flatline.

((OOC: I did think about him barking an order out to Skywarp to just simply rush in and teleport himself and Flatline to the Medical Bay, but given he's already teleported three times or so already in this thread, he probably wouldn't be able to again? I can edit my tag though if we think this is doable, just to move things along – either that or we time-lapse somewhere in Flatline's tag with them moving him to the Med Bay. -Shrugs-))

[Breakdown]

     It took every ounce of restraint for Breakdown not to go after Flatline and turn him into a heap of twisted wires and missing limbs after what he had done to Knock Out. Seeing his conjux's faceplate in the state it was in, feeling the tense sensation and underlining fear in his field, and having the snapped rejection of his attempts to bring Knock Out from that riling point? Oh, it was almost too much for big blue to take. He still did his best to lasso his anger and keep it under lock and key, knowing what was just under the surface waiting to come out and deal with this situation. If he slipped, if he was blinded by the rage that Knock Out and he had worked so hard on containing throughout their partnership- he very well could do far more damage to Flatline than intended... or to someone else.

     Like Knock Out. That was unacceptable.

     Though as Breakdown thundered after his partner and his footfalls carried him closer to the source of the screeches and battle cries that echoed through the Nemesis corridors, he found that he was becoming more tense, less able to control that rage. Why was it forcing its way through? It couldn't have only been Knock Out's factoring that was making this as much of a problem as it was. What else was going on within his processor? Whatever it was he knew he would have to keep himself in check with.

     When he finally caught up it was to the sight of the medic with the energon prod pressed firmly into the already downed frame of the scientist. He wasn't going anywhere fast, and Breakdown was more than certain to keep it that way. Digits cracked as he stepped forth, a looming presence over the smaller Flatline and Knock Out. He didn't even pay attention to what Skywarp was doing at this point even though he was quite aware that the other mech was nearby. He didn't care. His focus was on the culprit who was now at his pedes.

     Careful containment. Beating the scrap out of him in the corridor wouldn't be befitting on any of them. 

     Little attention was paid to the rather dangerous weapon that had been brought to life by the medic, almost as though he were dismissing it the very way that he had to Skywarp's presence. Breakdown leaned down with one servo and, rather unceremoniously, moved to yank Flatline up by the upper portion of his nearest arm, conveniently right near where the very delicate and much needed rotating joint of the shoulder allowed his lower arm and servo of said arm to be functional at all. There was pressure applied, more than what was needed, and coupled by the way he pretty much attempted to haul Flatline to his feet as though quite weightless was enough of a threat to damage it to a painful extent- if not rip it almost clean off should Flatline attempt to yank himself free in any way. Though that would have been comical to see considering that the force that Breakdown had with that whole silent 'stand up' demand would almost keep his pedes from even touching the metal of the floor before Flatline would find himself smashed faceplate first into the opposing wall with the full massive force of Breakdown pretty much bearing down into his back. 

     "I don't care if we're supposed to be careful with you," he whispered low enough to keep the conversation between him and the feral Flatline. "If you move, I'll twist each one of your arms off and beat you with them, then crush your knees to the point that not even Knock Out will be able to fix them. Understood?" He didn't care of Flatline wouldn't understand him for whatever reason. The intent in his tone alone made him dead serious about the threat, and Breakdown was one of few mechs on the Nemesis who could actually carry it out.

     Not like a little roughing up couldn't be explained away by the need to apprehend Flatline and keep the Nemesis safe from his tirade right? Right. Afterall, he'd managed to even apparently piss Skywarp off- who Breakdown finally took a moment to acknowledge- and cause damage to him. So Flatline was clearly dangerous. 

     "Stay still." Another command, this one loud enough to be heard and he kept Flatline against the wall, still with a fixed hold on his upper arm and reached for the other one so he could fix them both securely behind this spiny creature's back. Only if that was successful would he pull Flatline back, needing to make sure he had a secure fix on him himself should Skywarp not be able to assist with his damaged servo. 

------

OOC: So I know it was said that Flatline probably wouldn't resist, but I did want to leave some openin' and wiggle room should it be needed. Also, I can adjust the post as needed should somethin' not be accepted in the manhandlin'. Just let me know!

[Deleted]

Much to Skywarp's immediate delight and satisfaction, his kick landed. The spindly mech had dodged downwards, of all things, putting the bulk of his body directly in line with Skywarp's foot. There was the screech of metal on metal as the harpoon's chain was sucked into the rail system but Skywarp wasn't paying any attention to that. Instead, his focus was drawn to the loud crackle as Flatline was flung across the hallway.

Kicking the spindly mech sated most of the bloodlust flooding Skywarp's processor. The seeker allowed himself to admire his handiwork - Flatline was curled up on the floor and it didn't look like he was going to be moving under his own power any time soon. Ha! See? Despite the throbbing in his right hand, Skywarp was the victor! The spindly mech had gotten a good hit in but in Skywarp's mind, there had never been any doubt about the outcome of this battle. Of course, he was the winner.

Skywarp hadn't quite decided what he was going to do next - tear a limb off perhaps or kick Flatline again and see if he did the wheel thing this time?- but the set of approaching footsteps took the decision right out of his hands. Knock Out was first, the mech paused to take in the situation before activating his energon prod and hesitantly approaching the downed mech.

The seeker's optics narrowed at this. Not because he was concerned that Flatline was going to do something -Skywarp was pretty certain Flatline was down for the count and Knock Out's caution wasn't warranted- but because the red medic was interrupting him! This was his fight, his battle! And he wasn't done with Flatline!

Unconsciously, he clenched his fists - which proved to be a very painful mistake given that one had a harpoon embedded through it. The fresh burst of pain was enough to distract him, jolting him out from the boiling rage and by the time he'd looked up again, Breakdown had arrived on the scene.

Ugh. Skywarp pursed his lip-plates together. He wasn't quite sure what he had been about to do -tell Knock Out to stand back while Skywarp pulverised the spindly mech?- but the opportunity to do something had been lost. The medic was a commanding officer and now he had Breakdown to back him up. The bigger mech was already moving in to deal with Flatline. The seeker gave them both a sneer, then he raised an optic ridge when Breakdown smashed Flatline against the wall.

Now - see. That was something Skywarp would have liked to have done himself! The two grounders were seriously ruining things. And they were being so cautious, like the spindly mech was about to get up again and attack them or escape. Pfft, like that was going to happen. Even though Flatline had harpooned Skywarp, the seeker wasn't worried at all about their fallen foe.

"I don't think he's going anywhere," Skywarp snorted, moving in closer. His right arm hung limply by his side, the seeker ignoring it for now. He was more than capable of helping with his other hand - but why should he? Knock Out and Breakdown didn't need any help and they'd ruined things by interrupting the beat-down Skywarp had been about to deliver.

"If you let him go, he'd probably just fall over," the seeker cackled. "But I would be happy to break his legs, just in case, since you're both so afraid."

---

OOC: Breakdown really seems to have things in hand, so I'm really not sure how Skywarp could assist him! XD Instead, he'll just watch and needle y'all.

[Flatline]

There was a very wonderful thing in play this day that was going to keep Flatline from passing out from pain, and that was a fantastic little bit of grace Knock Out had given him before an unknown element had flipped the switch in his processor. He had been ready to go into surgery, he was going to be cut into, sliced apart, and Knock Out had given him painkillers to try to combat this actively so that he wouldn't be moving while his internals were being tampered with. It was only because of his mercy that Flatline was clutching onto the waking world, and why he didn't start making heinous noises of agony that would screech down the hall or just pass out. No. He was still moving, writhing, trying to get his bearings after the horrific impact that had sent him to the ground. His frame twisted, injured leg scraping out against the smooth floor to try to find traction still, while his primary arm furthest from him was pulling in front to lay flush, as if contemplating rolling his weight onto it to start to sit upright.

This wasn't permitted to happen.

Footsteps, a charge of movement, Flatline heard Knock Out coming, going so far as to start to lift his helm to try to peer back at him, but nothing happened past that point, the prod connecting solidly with his frame. That weapon... it truly was a weapon to be wary of, and it truly was something that could cause immense pain. Smaller versions were deployed in interrogation rooms, so the agony of the larger counterpart was very real and crippling. At its current charge and for how long Knock Out was deploying it? It should have knocked Flatline down completely, should have made him go offline temporarily, but thankfully the pain killers kept the darkness at bay, and staved off the worst.

It still hurt though; painkillers could only do so much.

A halted screech of agony ripped forth momentarily from the Cybertronian, his frame contorting instantly to thrash and try to knock the weapon away. His motor skills didn't function that well however under the high charge, his primary arm thrashing up with a spazzum, claws bared and ready to swipe, only to lurch abruptly in the other direction while he twisted his spine to and fro. Energon, it smeared and streaked beneath him in his thrashes, seeping out of the gunshot wound nestled on his hip, the open wires and connectors sparking actively as the charge from the prod coursed down his lines.

Finally relief came, a halt in the weapons brutal assault, but of course this wasn't over for him, and Flatline's bleary gaze could only watch in dismay as Breakdown's hulking form approached, and he grabbed onto his arm forcibly.

Flatline's upper arm was an odd assortment of parts not typical to the vast majority. His bicep was composed of his wheel in his alt mode, and the joint itself could slide and swivel over this ring of metal and rubber to hold awkward angles better when doing precision work on something. This left the elbow joint completely motorized by parts nestled within his lower arm, and made the connector under his shoulder that much more valuable. So when the brute's hand compressed down around here, and pulled?... Flatline could only let out a groaned whine, still trying to recover from the electricity that ravaged his systems.

Hard ventilation, an occasional flick of wayward electricity from the weapon, Energon dripping from an open wound, with the black mech pulled upright like this, his body was forced to stretch out and become fully visible, showing the full extent of the wounds he harbored thus far this day. The kick that Skywarp had landed had left its mark, and was now plainly visible.

Flatline's left secondary was tucked up tight against his chest, the small fingers curled inward, while the wrist crooked down, trying to be as tiny as humanly possible. Typically the limb would be able to slide under the flaring beneath the pectoral armor, slotted underneath one of the two vents on his front, but now it was forced out at an awkward angle, the surrounding area bashed in and crooked. The small post jutting out from the vent was kinked in at his body, nearly invisible as it ground against his abdominal armor, while the red orb that connected his secondary was dropped down lower as if dislocated. The limb itself was miraculously still whole, but its 'bicep' was crooked with a sharp kink in it, making it hang awkwardly.

He only had a chance to weakly stretch a leg down, to start to try to support his own weight, more out of automatic reaction than anything else, but Breakdown then slammed him into the wall, and a new biting edge of pain forced itself through the numbing system put in place. His helm had struck its surface first, a smacking whack that left the world spinning in dismay. This oblivion would have been welcomed at that point, but consciousness stubbornly remained and he now had to endure being pressed against, being smashed up upon the angled walls of the Nemesis' corridors.

A single searing white optic opened then, glancing back at Breakdown with a hazy gaze. The pinprick of a pupil was flaring a bit, trying to focus, trying to regain bearings while Breakdown spoke, dancing between the mech's missing eye and remaining optic. A rasped ventilation flicked out then, his mouth opening to gape in air while the single optic rolled back a bit and closed, trying to gain his bearings.

"Take... o͘wn ad̛͞v͜ice̢..."

[Zercon]

Soft clicks, rhythmic footfalls. Everyone had their own gait to them, their own stride that could be recognized by those that took a careful moment to listen. Knock Out had a smaller frame, and narrow peds mixed with a conscious grace and the mass of a sports car, making lighter footfalls that held some heft behind them. Breakdown was large and burly, broad peds that moved in clunking strides of so much weight being brought down to the ground with a rhythm of intent and utility. Megatron's were surefooted, strong, loud enough to resonate among the halls around him, and screaming of power in a way that all would move from his path like a shark swimming through a school of fish. But loud and noisy footfalls and those belonging to the big beasts of the Nemesis weren't the only ones to split waves, and sometimes the softest of sounds could still enact a reaction.

Soundwave strode down the corridor towards the small grouping of Cybertronian, his steps still the same calm even footed as it had been before Breakdown had nearly trampled over him a few minutes prior. He was in no rush, didn't appear to be in a hurry to catch up to the raucous, and honestly it likely didn't matter if he was physically present in a location or not, for the spymaster was the eyes and ears of the Decepticon cause, and was more than likely very well aware of what had occurred in the hallways. Any bit of action, any bit of chaos, his attention turned to record and view, and this event was definitely something to catch even the most negligent of individuals attention.

It helped Knock Out had announced it in a panic however.

A calm even aura, a smooth field radiating around the slender mech that felt like open air and nothingness. He blended into the shadows at any given moment, becoming one with the massive warship that was his domain. It was different this time though, a prickling static, a subtle touch of presence that equated to asserting oneself among the trio and their current victim. It was this that strode down the hall, and that mixed with WHO it was held enough force to make Skywarp yield and slide out of his path with mere presence alone.

Soundwave's black faceplate did not so much as incline in Skywarp's direction as he passed, acting as if he large mech that surpassed even Optimus' size, was simply not even a thing within the large hallway they were stationed within currently. He continued to walk, likely prompting Knock Out to scuttle out of the way as well, for he did not abort his directive and would not change course at this time. However, while he passed Breakdown and Flatline, his helm finally moved, a soft tilt of the neck, a sheen of the dulled overhead lights sliding over the slick glass.

There was an image projected on the typically black visor, a varied mix of minute displays that pulsed and jittered as active information was brought into play. Centralized among these however, was a 3D depiction of the Nemesis, the large ship gradually rotating on an axis, framed in white lines, while tiny dashes lead to certain points with glyphs scrawled out as notes.

He didn't seem too concerned with making sure anyone saw what he had to... say... however, not even stopping in his goal and continuing past without acknowledging anything any of the others may have said to him. Ignored. Shunned, the only 'sound' coming from the muted mech being the soft crackle of static laced in his field. It was this purposeful gait that took him to the division in the hallway that was tucked around the bend of the corridor, where only a couple moments later there was a yelp of surprise followed by a loud bang of something or someone being rammed up against a wall and thrown to the ground.

An instant after this, from the opposite end of the hallway, some more Vehicons were following the shadowed path where Soundwave had once been. It was a trio, a good number for patrols and watching each other's backs, each with their rifles already drawn and ready to aim out and fire at any given moment while they ran. The opened wake where the spymech had once been, left a clear path for them to blast past, none stopping to ask if the commander and his two helpers needed assistance, none wavering to look over more than the briefest of glances, intent to follow through on whatever goal they had set before them.

They looked ready for war.

[Knock Out]

Knock Out had helped Flatline in more ways than one. While he could be forgiven for the pain suppressant which had kept Flatline functioning this long to begin with – as that was the Chief Medical Officer just doing his job in getting ready for some routine, boring surgery? The other saving grace for Flatline had been more deliberate.

The Energon Prod.

The Energon Prod wasn't set anywhere near high enough to actually do any permanent damage. Knock Out just wanted to stun him. To keep him down and subdued until Breakdown or Skywarp moved in to assist, even if it wasn't needed – they could inflict more pain than he ever could (at least at the moment), and he wouldn't get into trouble for going overkill with the first blow. The Energon Prod was a dangerous weapon, one which Knock Out had used on the Prime himself! The length of it kept him out of harm's way, and it packed a powerful punch. It also had multiple settings, and if needed could be used on those pesky little fleshbag humans without killing them.

If Knock Out wanted to? He could've amped up the power to jolt Flatline into an almost comatose state – even with the pain suppressant currently numbing most of the damage and discomfort. Instead, it was on a relatively low setting in the grand scheme of things.

Even so? It would still hurt. It would still do its job. And it was still fun to do.

As Knock Out heard the thundering footfalls behind of Breakdown, he would pull back and away from Flatline to watch the scene unfold. The smirk still visibly on his faceplate - even though it hurt due to the scratches - as Flatline was roughly hauled up by his arm, and he couldn't help but feel an odd sense of glee as Flatline was smashed faceplate first into the wall.

He should probably say something to get Breakdown to back off... But so far, he was enjoying this. Breakdown had managed to control himself and that rage which he was prone to, and Knock Out didn't think things were going too far.

Not yet, anyway.

He didn't hear the words uttered between the pair, and Skywarp's snort drew his attention away just briefly – and so he'd turn to look at the Seeker.

“Well not anymore, he isn't.” He hummed, switching off the Energon Prod and setting the end of it down, leaning on it just slightly - his attention shifting back to the pair as he continued to watch as Breakdown twisted Flatline's arms behind his back.

Skywarp's offer made him quirk a brow, and he'd glance back at him momentarily. He was seriously considering taking him up on it. Skywarp needed some kind of payback too, for the damaged servo! Sure, Flatline had a nice new dent in his frame thanks to the Seeker – which would probably hurt like frag - but Knock Out was all about petty revenge, after all.

He opened his mouth to give him the go ahead. Sure it would be more to fix later, more work and more hassle - but the agony inflicted, and the sheer pain that Flatline would be in after the pain suppressant had worn off? Would be more than worth it.

But something stopped him from actually giving the command.

Soundwave.

Where the frag did he come from?! Knock Out had been so preoccupied with what was going on that he hadn't even heard the Spymaster approaching. But now that he was oh so very aware? He'd sidestep quickly out of the way, throwing his free servo up into a salute - allowing the higher ranking Officer to walk past unheeded. He was silently ever so thankful that he hadn't given the okay to break Flatline's legs, because that would not have ended well.

“Everything is under control, Soundwave. We'll get him-” Knock Out started, but quickly realized that Soundwave wasn't even paying attention to his words. He tapered off some, before quickly clearing his throat. “-To the Medical Bay shortly.” He finished the sentence anyway, watching as Soundwave continued on down the corridor. He'd then lower his arm back to his side.

Weird.

Knock Out didn't think too much of it, Soundwave was just... Being Soundwave. And he would turn once again to Flatline and Breakdown – ready to give the order to have him taken to the Medical Bay so this whole thing could start on the path to getting resolved.

Only... That didn't seem to be happening anytime soon, as there was a yelp, and a loud bang from where Soundwave had just gone. Before Knock Out had even processed the thought to rush around the corner and see just what'd happened? Three Vehicons charged past like they were on some kind of mission. Their rifles were out, and they clearly weren't stopping.

Just what was going on here!?

“Hey!” Knock Out yelled out after them, hoping they would have the decency to stop whatever the hell they were doing and explain just what was going on. They had Flatline restrained. He was the issue here, and it'd started to become rectified. So this? This was unexpected. 

Two of the Vehicons didn't stop. The third, however? Faltered slightly, turning to look back at the Chief Medical Officer. He didn't stop moving, though - back peddling in an attempt to keep up with his brethren, but he was quickly falling behind - and would stare at Knock Out as if waiting for him to ask a question, or yell out a command. 

"For frag's sake..! What's going on!?" Knock Out growled, mostly out of pure frustration more than anything, as he pushed off into a run to follow the pair that hadn't stopped - hoping the Vehicon that'd faltered would follow and possibly explain.

His grip tightened on the Energon Prod, just in case it was needed. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe a Vehicon had simply gotten into Soundwave's path and he'd reacted angrily and shoved him aside - and the Vehicons had gotten a call over the comm for help. But his field had been so calm, so... Well, normal. Plus the Spymaster didn't seem the type to lash out in anger. But then again stranger things had happened tonight, so Knock Out decided he better check it out while he knew Flatline was secured and not about to make this entire evening even worse.

"Breakdown, keep Flatline there! Don't let him move!" He called out over his shoulder, just on the off chance that Breakdown had the genius idea of following and bringing Flatline with him.

[Breakdown]

     Breakdown had a lot more frustration that he wanted to take out on Flatline, and when he heard the mech speak to him? Well, it only caused him to narrow his optic and an audial growl to escape his throat. He had nerve, that was for sure, but it wasn't from having an iron pair. Maybe it was from him being just... dumb? Maybe he didn't realize the magnitude of danger he was in with Breakdown just about a klik away from snapping him in two. He grip on the arms would tighten, reminding him of the threat that Breakdown brought with him. All it would take is one little twist to the right, all the way around...

     There was a distract and Breakdown looked to see Soundwave pass. Knock Out had spoken to him... at him rather... but there was no response from the usually silent mech. Breakdown didn't even bother wasting his breath on him most of the time since Soundwave didn't seem to care about whatever was being said to him. Much like Breakdown himself, it was a 'nod if you understand' sort of situation. That much they shared in common. About ALL that they shared in common. Heck, Breakdown was fairly certain that even Soundwave probably just looked at Breakdown as cannon fodder, which always made him glare when the intelligence officer wasn't looking.

     They were ready to get back to their prime focus, which was taking care of Flatline. Then Knock Out took off after some passing Vehicons and... well... there was that anger again. Without even realizing it, Breakdown had once again tightened his grip on the arms of the captive and turned them a bit, which was probably going to be less than comfortable for him. Perhaps the sensation of having one's arms ripped out at the shoulders would have brought some sort of satisfaction to where Breakdown's processor was going...

     If he were paying attention. But he wasn't. 

     "For flying frags sake, Knock Out," he cursed under his breath, disgusted by his partner's just rushed leave of what they were doing here to take care of something that may not even concern him. Then again, it involved the Vehicons, so why would Knock Out assume that by practically yelling at him to stay put would make him do just that. 

     Though, Breakdown DID have to convince Flatline to stay where he was. So what was the best way to do that? Immobilizing him. 

     ... With a very direct diagonal kick of his pede to one of Flatline's knees.

     It wasn't done as a way to put him on the floor alone, but rather the direction of the kick had been done precisely to drive his knee forward and to the side, going against the natural rotation of the limb. If it connected, it would render the knee pretty much useless by a separation of the two pieces that held the piece in place to allow for the fluid bending. It was bad enough that Breakdown had large enough pedes to do probably more damage than what he was intending just due the sheer size in comparison to Flatline's knee, but the fact that he put a lot of power behind it from the rage that was boiling from his core? It would probably be painful, but Breakdown didn't even let that thought cross him. If contact was made, Breakdown would replace his pede to the ground then shove Flatline to Skywarp, figuring that the seeker had his own punches to get in. If it didn't? Well, he would shove him to the large purple mech anyway.

     "Don't lose him, Skywarp. I'm gonna see what the frag is going on." 

     Without anything else, Breakdown turned and took off after Knock Out....

     ... Leaving Flatline in Skywarp's 'delicate servos'. At least he would have the best of care...

[Deleted]

Disappointingly, Knock Out did not say yes to him. The seeker might have laughed when he made his offer to break Flatline's legs but he was every bit serious about it. The urge to cause violence against the mech that had hurt Skywarp was building and ever persistent. It was different from before, more…muted as most of his rage had left him now. This did not mean that Skywarp would go easier on Flatline, if given the chance, but he'd certainly have more fun and enjoy it more.

Skywarp wasn't given a chance to argue his case, more footsteps approached, softer than before and these were distinctive enough to give even Skywarp pause.

Soundwave.

The Decepticon head of intelligence rounded the corner, his gait calm and direct. His path took him right through the gaggle of Cons gathered around Flatline, with the big seeker being the one in his way. With a frown, Skywarp stepped back, letting Soundwave pass. As far as Skywarp was concerned, the less he had to do with the spymaster, the better. He quietly watched as Knock Out rushed to assure Soundwave that all was well and that Flatline was taken care of.

It seemed like the obvious reason why the spymaster was out here but Soundwave didn't stop, just continued on. His faceplate was displaying something but Skywarp didn't understand what it meant nor did he care. So long as Soundwave didn't interfere with what was going on here with Flatline, Skywarp was content to ignore him.

Only - a number of events happened almost at once as Soundwave disappeared round the corner. Someone cried out, there was a bang. Then a Vehicon patrol came charging past. Skywarp didn't know where to focus at all. Before he could decide, Knock Out had yelled at the Vehicons then run off after them when he failed to get a response.

Skywarp blinked at that. Whatever happened to the immediate task of - well doing something with Flatline, something preferably painful. Something preferably painful that Skywarp got to be involved with. Because now Breakdown was kicking Flatline's knee in and shoving him towards Skywarp.

So many things were happening in a few short seconds, the big seeker was struggling to keep up. He was half- bristling that Breakdown was giving him orders, half still wondering what the deal was with the Vehicons and so he did not act in time, allowing Flatline to hit the ground instead. The spindly mech was far too damaged to take advantage of Skywarp's distraction, instead he lay on the ground shuddering and shaking as the extent on his injures took their toll. Still, he made an effort, attempting to push himself up on his elbows.

This all came to an end when Skywarp casually lifted on leg and placed his foot on Flatline's back. Then shifted some of his weight to rest on that leg, immediately crushing Flatline to the ground. There. It wouldn't kill him but the pressure would certainly be very, very painful with no reprieve and Skywarp was content to live with that.

[Flatline]

Flatline wasn't doing so well, and it didn’t need a Medic's observation to really understand why. He was losing a significant amount of Energon from his injuries, and tiny sparks flicked out from the open wound upon his hip as well as from a seam on his now crooked and bent secondary limb. A muffled crackle could be heard within his ventilations, shuddering, crinkling, heard only when he raked in a breath to try to cool his stressed frame. This would be bad enough, but Breakdown was taking it upon himself to use the black and red medic as a stress ball, his grip tightening and putting strain and pinching pressure on his restrained limbs.

The pressure caused Flatline's one closed eye to open some, his features twisting a bit with pain. The sneer of anger from before, seemed to have bled away entirely at this point, his expression more a twisted look to hold back a short yowl that wanted to form. All hopes to bite back this noise however were abolished like glass against the floor when Breakdown's foot collided with his knee in a hard strike.

The noise that ripped out was true and unrestrained, a full cry of agony that barked out at a higher octave than was normal for the growling voice of the Cybertronian. Pain, panic, a lurching shock to systems, the strike of the much larger mech's leg against a limb that was so fragile and narrow... it was no competition. It had no chance to stand up to the blow, and a clatter of metal that hit the flooring just after punctuated his agony well.

The knee assembly was not very thick, and didn’t hold much heft to it. There was a basic hinge accented by red, and a kneecap flaring to keep the joint safe from forward bumps and lighter strikes. Nestled between the hinge and the kneecap were many cables and wires, a few Energon lines, some tensile straps that acted as tendons, all the essentials. Breakdowns kick slammed the joint at an angle, which caused the kneecap to not only wrench off to the side, but forced a piece of it to break off of its thin connectors to lob it down to the ground audibly. This tore with it some of the more fiddly internals, leaving the side of the tensile cable exposed, raw silver now slicked in coolant and oil, while the actual hinge itself was dented.

While the leg was still attached, and held the core components needed to be functional, it was now missing the proper angle of pivot gained from the knee plating, and the pinched connectors couldn't relay signals properly down to the hock and pronged toes. This left the leg spazzuming a bit, the foot flaring and clenching in twitching lurching movements, while Flatline thrashed.

Thrashing would gain him nothing, but thankfully Breakdown seemed to be done with him anyway, casting him down to the ground where he collided solidly upon his chest.

Everything hurt so much... everything was so painful. Flatline had never experienced anything like this before, always hiding behind lines in the war, able to help others that feel this, able to release them from their torment by mending or euthanasia... but he had never had to deal with it on a personal level. It left him fried, left him ragged, and despite all the ire and hate and venom that pulsed through his spark, all he wanted to do was get away, to hide. To find his way to his lab so he could take away the biting snap that tore and his neural net.

With a ragged motion, Flatline started to prop himself up on his forearms, his head hanging and frame shaking. A tremble, a struggle, he wanted to get away so bad, wanted- no... NEEDED to find refuge and shut down, but this day was cruel, and Skywarp saw to it he wouldn't be going anywhere anytime soon by planting a solid foot on his back, and pressing down.

A high pitched strain whirred out from his engine, and Flatline rasped out a soft whimper

He couldn't... he couldn't... this was too much, his body can only handle so much. The painkillers can only take so much of an edge off, and... this was it... this was the line.

With a crackled exhale, Flatline's helm slumped forward, and he fell immobile.

[Zercon]

The Vehicon looked to be in a rush, and seemed perplexed and almost bothered that Knock Out was trying to stop him and was making him fall behind. Strained emotions flicked through his small field, twinged with impatience and a dabbling speck of distress. This last emotion however faded some, when the Chief Medical Officer actually started to follow, and didn't make him get completely separated from his siblings. It was once they were running to catch up, that he started to speak.

"Sir, we are reporting to the distress message you called for!"

He was almost looking at Knock Out like he was some sort of alien, wondering how he wouldn't have had a clue at what was going on, when he had made the cry for help to begin with.

"For DIZ-901!"

Clipped on at the end, AOF-238 was hoping to jog the memory of the officer, and was seriously hoping that he wasn't losing his mind. How could he have forgotten so quickly? How could he have dismissed it already? And why was Knock Out in the hallway? No wait, that last one was easy. He knew Flatline was a concern, and he probably didn't want to risk more damage against whatever was attacking DIZ-901. Damage that was painfully evident. He was happy he didn't have much of a face, so he could plainly stare at Knock Out's injuries, without being called out on it.

AOF-238 was about to speak more, but he looked up to where he was running, and noticed the other two had slowed to a halt in the split in the hallway. The trooper as such started to skid, small squeaks ringing out from the rubber on his heels while he slowed down to not collide with DJM-091 and KLQ-451.

The other two were looking at the Energon smears from before, confused by the mess, and not knowing what to make out of them. Normally when someone was injured, they didn't... paint with their own blood like this, and none of the trio had experienced such a sight before in their time serving the Decepticons. Least, not in three directions, it was always only in one, of someone trying to drag themselves to safety while bleeding out. Unintentionally leading a trail to their ragged body to be finished off, or claimed for scrap.

Down the path towards the Control Room, the retreating frame of Soundwave was visible. A black outline, a near shadow in the darker hallways of the Nemesis, his navy armor bled into the surrounding area to make his frame start to vanish in the distance. He didn’t seem bothered or injured in any way, and evidently was not the source of the yelp, nor was halted at all by its presence, as if it had never happened to begin with.

Sharply, KLQ-451 lifted a hand to press to the side of his helm, trying to contact DIZ-901, and figure out if the trouble had gotten out, and was the cause of the smears.

"Medical Bay, Report."

Nothing.

"Medical Bay?..."

"What is going on?!"

A familiar roar, a booming voice, its sudden existence a jarring shatter to any remaining semblance of calm that the immediate area had held. It came from down the hallway where RGE-529 had run to try to help, the opposite direction from where Soundwave had gone. It was a good distance away, the volume and reverberating nature of the hallways making it so it could travel as far as it had, but despite this, there was no mistaking Megatron's roaring voice, and the anger that was evident within it.

Instantly the three Vehicons with Knock Out and soon to be Breakdown would hunker back in fear, a recoiling look of terror at what was possibly going to come thundering down the corridor. Without another word, or another prompt, they would sprint again, though in the direction of the Medical Bay, trying to keep on track and 'unintentionally' avoid their Lord to not be in the rampaging path of the beast. If they were summoned, they would come to heel on command, but until then?... well... no one wanted to be stuck in his path on happenstance.

If the other two were smart, they would probably follow.

[Knock Out]

Knock Out faltered in his run just slightly at what the Vehicon said – but didn't stop.

The distress message?

While the distress message itself had been a garbled, panicked squawk that had severely underplayed the situation at hand – Knock Out knew damn well that he'd said it was Flatline that was the issue and that it was he who had attacked him and needed to be stopped.

The addition to the sentence didn't help him any. It only confused him more. DIZ-901 was a Vehicon designation, he knew that much – he just didn't know which one of the many soldiers it actually was. Was it one from the Medical Bay earlier? Was it the weird one from the corridor? Was it one he hadn't encountered on this evening?

What was going on? Were the Vehicons confused? Why had they run past Flatline?

He was one hundred percent certain he hadn't mentioned ANY Vehicon designations in his message – simply because he didn't even know their names. He'd called it for himself, and himself alone. Not DI.. Whoever it was!!

“But I...”

He started, but trailed off some, as if thinking and doubting himself just slightly. Had he had too much high-grade earlier? Had he been so panicked that he couldn't remember what he'd even ordered? No... He had to have said Flatline and Flatline alone, given Skywarp and Breakdown had both rushed over and done what was needed to the feral black and red mech.

Speaking of...

Somewhere from behind him, he heard Flatline cry out in pure agony, and he heard echoes of a thud, and scraping. The noises made him shudder, and he could only begin to imagine what the pair were doing to him now that Knock Out wasn't around to keep them at bay. But he didn't have time to go back and tell them to stop.

Stopping his run, though, was something that he could do – and he'd slide to a stop himself as not to collide with the two other Vehicons that'd paused in the corridor. He saw them looking at the Energon trails that Flatline had left, but his gaze would shift down the walkway to Soundwave.

Why hadn't he stopped? Where was he going? Surely even he was curious as to the Energon smears that were splattered all over the walls and floor...? He never did understand Soundwave... More questions filled his processor. What was the noise he heard before? There was a noise of someone yelping and...

What was going on?!

The movement of KLQ-451 lifting his servo drew Knock Out's attention away from the Spymaster and his muddled thoughts of what that earlier noise was, and he'd stand and watch. Mouth hanging open in a dumbstruck gape at what was being said. Why. Why was the Vehicon contacting the Medical Bay? He was the Chief Medical Officer and he was standing right here! He might've forgotten about the Vehicons left inside the Medical Bay from Flatline's first rampage, but even if he had spared them a thought – he wasn't sure why this Vehicon was calling for them. Why were the Vehicon's all being so strange tonight?

“What are you doing!? I called because of Flat--” He started to squawk out in confusion. He wanted to explain that he'd called because Flatline had attacked him and the others. That he was now restrained by Breakdown and Skywarp. That things were going to be resolved. That they had run straight past the problem and were just making things confusing.

A booming voice, however, cut him off mid sentence before he could even get out a quarter of what he wanted to say.

Megatron.

Could this night get any damn worse? Then thundering footsteps caught up to where he was stood. Breakdown. Angry Breakdown. Yes. Yes, it could. But sadly for his partner, Megatron was the most pressing matter here. Sort of. He was still so very confused as to what was going on with the Vehicons and the earlier noise. Again, he opened his mouth to ask – but the Vehicons had bolted.

In the direction of the Medical Bay.

He had a few options.

• He could run toward Megatron. Assure him things were under control before he came further down the corridor and saw the mess. He could assure him that Flatline was hopefully still restrained. And just hope to Primus that it was enough to sate their Warlord's rage. Being assertive might end well! Confronting their Warlord head on would show he has nothing to hide! Plus he wouldn't get into trouble for running away!

• Another option was... He could stay right here where he was, and let Megatron come to him and see the gritty, weird Energon that lined the walls for himself; not to mention the evidence all over Knock Out's faceplate that Flatline was crazy.
  
  

• Running? That also sounded good. He could follow the Vehicons and yell for Skywarp to bring Flatline to the Medical Bay, since eventually he would be going that way anyway, why not right now?

• Or he could give up. He could throw himself out of an airlock because of this whole thing... While it was Flatline's fault, had become a confusing mess since Knock Out had called over the comms. All blame would be on him for this. And Megatron sounded pissed.

Running was probably out of the question. Knock Out's voice was unmistakable and he'd flailed and squawk-yelped over the comm, and there were very few places on the ship that Knock Out frequented – so if their Warlord wanted to find him? He wouldn't have far to look.

Giving up? No! Then Flatline would get promoted to his position! Well, if he survived all of this, anyway. But the mere thought of that alone was enough for Knock Out to quickly rule that option out of the equation.

Running toward Megatron? Even Knock Out had his limits, and running toward something bigger and angrier than you wasn't exactly smart.

Option two it was.

“Breakdown, go back to Flatline and Skywarp,” His tone low, and quiet. Like he wasn't messing around. He had brought this upon himself, and he would deal with Megatron and his wrath alone – knowing he could sweet talk his way out of whatever their Warlord could, and would throw at him. “Take Flatline to the Medical Bay, and when I am done speaking with our Lord I will join you. The Vehicons went that way, too. Find out what they were on about.” This was an order. And if Breakdown had any sense about him? He knew that Knock Out was not in the mood to be questioned or have his authority challenged.

He would then turn to face the direction from where the furious roar came from, standing straight and at attention – Energon Prod gripped firmly in his left servo as he waited for the inevitable.

[Breakdown]

     Breakdown had no idea what was going on. His arrival on scene didn't anger him further, but rather it confused him. There was energon smeared around, the Vehicons were panicking, and Knock Out was standing there in the middle of it looking like he didn't know what to even do with himself. He wanted to confront his partner about his attitude but he knew that there was a time and place for anything and this was certainly not either.

     The sound of their Warlord's voice stalled any chance Breakdown would have to ask Knock Out what was happening. And there was definitely anger there. Lots of anger. The vehicons scattered, which was a good thing because Breakdown would have told them to do so if they hadn't on their own. He didn't want them around when Megatron finally came to where they were. 

     Another order from Knock Out came and, while any other mech would taken the chance to leave as not to be in the path of whatever Megatron brought with him, Breakdown was no such mech. He had seen what Megatron could do even when he wasn't in a tizzy and there was no way he would leave Knock Out to face that alone. It meant to defy yet another order from a superior officer to those on the outside looking in. To Breakdown? It was more. It was about protecting Knock Out and through all of the hysteria that was currently happening around him and the anger raging in his core, that was the single most thought that was clear as day to him. One strike the right way could really hurt Knock Out and he was in no state to take the risk of a blow from their Lord. Breakdown was a different story.

     His stubborn mind was made up.

     "No."

     That was all he said, though his actions made his intentions clear. After speaking, Breakdown stepped infront of Knock Out and turned slightly enough that the red mech would be seen by their Lord, but Megatron would literally have to push him aside to get to him. With the stance he held? Breakdown was rigid and solid so it wouldn't be an easy feat.

[Zercon]

An inevitable that didn't seem to happen.

The long hallway was empty, no thundering footfalls, no heavy slams of the Decepticon Leader making his way to the scene in a charge. There weren't even any more yelled words, or anything to indicate that the Warlord had even been there to begin with. It was just a long stretch of the warship that was devoid of any movement or additional noise.

Least for a moment.

Softer taps rang out in a charge, a rushed sprint pattering up the hall at full tilt. It was light, it belonging to a smaller frame, the sound growing more prominent after every fleeting moment. It was then that RGE-529 came scrabbling around the corner, nearly stumbling as he banked the curve.

Breakdown would recognize him due to the angular scar that was on his forearm, a mark obtained some time ago and never properly healed. It was not super noticeable, but to one that actually cared about who each Vehicon was? Well, it would be a tell, a tell that this soldier was typically professional and fearless, acting with surgical precision and talents that were above the norm. The calm collected reserve he normally had, and showed earlier in front of Knock Out, was long gone though, as something had scared him enough to go into a state of panic that was far more in line with what you would expect from a typical Vehicon faced with confusingly bad news.

He had mixed emotions upon seeing Knock Out and Breakdown, part relief, part additional confusion, with that fear still laced in in healthy doses. This said, he didn't really have a chance to yell anything of warning, or do much more before everything took another turn for the bizarre.

The speakers around the halls started to crackle then, paired with a groaning sound of metal being put under immense stress and strain, creaking as it tried not to snap. The sound was accompanied by clicking, the soft noise popping in and out until the pinnacle in which an abrupt bang ruptured forth. The bang was loud, reconnecting relays to their proper lines, and immediately after its completion, pure noise started to screech out through the communication relays the Vehicons used to coordinate. But... it wasn't through comms, it was all being broadcast through the primary speakers, something no Vehicon should be able to do readily.

It was as if a damn holding back a torrent of water finally broke, a huge flood of communication bursting forth in blind panic and fear, numerous Vehicons all scrabbling to try to coordinate. Their voices were scrambled, static laden and disjointed, and between all of the cries and attempts to organize something, there were frantic yells of troopers fighting for their lives and not being so lucky, blaster fire ringing out.

It would explain why RGE-529 was so fearful all of a sudden.

"Wait so the left wing is completely purged!?"

"Unit four and seven are wiped out!"

"Anyone over in the loading bay?"

"Why is this heard in speakers!?"

"No! I am part of seven we are still here!"

"I am in the loading bay but you aren’t here?"

"Oh Primus Megatron is-"

"Medical bay report!"

"Bodies found at quadrant nine."

"Oh my way with unit three!"

"Can anyone hear me?"

"Hanger report!"

"Unit three is dead! What is your unit!?"

"Wait what?... I didn't say that!"

"Energon storage is being raided!"

"My team vanished!"

"What is going on!?"

RGE-529 rasped and panted, trying to scrabble and run past Knock Out and Breakdown at full speed. While he did so, he was yelling, his voice heard physically among the trio, and through the speakers with a static filter.

"Unit eight location request!"

Right after he had yelled that, an angry roar belted out from the medical bay hallway, startling RGE-529 enough that he lurched to the side and stumbled, unintentionally ramming into Breakdown's larger form to clip his arm and nearly topple the smaller trooper to the ground in the process. The moment he regained his footing enough so he wouldn't cascade to the floor, he reeled the gun up to aim down the empty passage, trying to orient himself to the threat. But upon seeing that some beast wasn't there, he swung the trembling rifle to point at the ceiling, his visor glowing bright and vents flared.

Immediately after this, everyone's equilibrium would tilt a bit, the halls feeling slightly crooked all of a sudden, while a soft rumble of the distant engines roared active.

[Knock Out]

Knock Out would ignore Breakdown's single word for right now. He could've, and probably should've seen that coming. Breakdown had refused to obey his orders twice this night, why would it be any different now? He wasn't sure what'd gotten into his usually loyal and submissive partner but it was annoying. Knock Out had fully intended to take the brunt of Megatron's punishment – knowing that as the ship's Chief Medical Officer, he wouldn't exactly be killed or maimed in such a way that he could not do his job – especially with the only other 'Medic' on this ship being a little indisposed at present. He could've explained the situation with ease to their Warlord.

Well, most of it, anyway. The most recent changes to this situation were confusing and Knock Out hadn't wrapped his processor around them just yet – but he'd still be able to sweet talk his way around it, given he was an excellent liar and conman when needed.

So when Breakdown moved in front of him? He was more than a little insulted. He knew what he was doing, and Megatron would take this as a sign of weakness if he caught Knock Out cowering behind the bigger blue mech!

Yet he would not move. Figuring at least this way, he could watch from afar as Megatron barreled down the corridor toward them – to try and gauge his mood given his stance and gait. Then again, it was Megatron, and he sounded beyond pissed – so it wasn't exactly rocket science. He also didn't want to deal with Breakdown's mood if he dared step in front of him. He was annoyed enough already, without getting into a yelling match with his partner for Megatron to see.

He just... Waited.

There was... Nothing? No more yelling. No thunderous footfalls. No Vehicons scrambling to get out of the path of their Warlord. No orders screamed over the comm...

But then, there was the sound of someone running their way – but it certainly wasn't Megatron.

A lone Vehicon. Again, Knock Out wished that he knew which one was which, as he couldn't recall off hand which one this was, despite interacting with him earlier this evening. Whichever one it was, he seemed to be in a hurry – and looked terrified, given his scrambled run.

Knock Out opened his mouth, to start to ask what was going on, where was Megatron? It'd sounded like he was coming right this way but... He was nowhere to be seen. But fate, once again, intervened. It seemed Knock Out was not allowed to get answers about anything this night; for no sooner did he open his mouth? The speakers around the halls would crackle, before there was the chilling sound of groaning metal.

This had to be a bad stasis dream. He'd passed out at his desk due to the high-grade and slipped into some weird, horrible dream because of it. Too many horror movies. That was it. It had to be. This had too many twists and turns, too many terrible plot-holes. It didn't make sense.

The sound continued, and Knock Out would turn to look at one of the speakers as if it'd help solve this annoying riddle of what the hell was going on now? There was clicking, like some idiot was sat at the control desk and messing around with wires and had the 'broadcast to the entire ship' button held down. Was that even a thing?

Then there was a bang that made Knock Out yelp in surprise, flinching and looking around frantically. Due to it coming from every single speaker, it was almost deafening.

Then there was noise. So much noise.

Voices. Yells. Gunfire. Fighting. All the voices had one thing in common, in that they were all panicked and frantic.

Was there really something else on the ship? Something else than Flatline attacking people? Knock Out flexed and curled his digits around the handle of the Energon Prod, trying to make sense of the scared voices on the speakers – it also didn't help that the majority of the Vehicons sounded the same, too, so it wasn't like he could distinguish who was saying what.

Loading bay... Something was happening there... Quadrant nine? Bodies? Unit three dead? Megatron? Energon storage?!

The Vehicon beside them spoke, his voice crackled over the speakers – but it was what came after he'd finished speaking that made Knock Out flinch once more in surprise, squeaking out in alarm. Okay yeah. There had to be something else. Someone else? Something? He didn't know.

What the frag was that?!

His first instinct was to hold out the Energon Prod – as if it would help defend him against whatever beast was roaring and screeching. But again, nothing. There was nothing. He'd follow the Vehicons gaze upward, looking at the ceiling.

Only to be caught off balance slightly as the engines started and his equilibrium would tilt at the subtle motion. It was an unmistakable noise. One that Knock Out had grown more than used to. One he'd zoned out. Ignored. But now? In the middle of this night when things kept twisting and turning, more and more happening, each getting more wrong and more terrifying? He paid attention.

And he did not like it.

Soundwave.

The realization smacked him like a ton of bricks. He'd been walking toward the control room. The noise that'd first sounded of someone being slammed into a corridor had only been heard when Soundwave had turned the corner and went out of sight. He hadn't paused at hearing Megatron's voice when Knock Out knew damn well how loyal the Spymaster was. He hadn't stopped. He hadn't reacted to the Energon. He hadn't reacted at seeing Flatline. He hadn't reacted at all. And now he was in the control room.

It made sense. He was the eyes and ears of the Decepticons. Why not be the voice, too, given the noise coming from the speakers. The only way to get to the controls for the speaker system, to Knock Out's knowledge, was the control room. Which was where he had gone. The voices over the speakers? Were they even really being said? Soundwave could manipulate things. He could use prerecorded messages. Scramble sound. Was it a distraction? They'd said there was something wrong in the loading bay but then another had said nobody was there.

What was going on? Why was this going on? Was this issue bigger than he first thought? Had FLATLINE done all this?!

All he knew was now that the engines had started when they probably weren't supposed to, especially at this hour? This was going to derail fast.

Had Soundwave gone feral too? Was he now controlling the ship? Why hadn't he attacked if he was feral? 

What. Was. Going. On?

Questions. So many damn questions!! But rather than stand around and wait for more terrible things to happen? Knock Out would run. He didn't bark out an order to Breakdown, nor would he issue a command to the Vehicon. It was obvious where he was going, and he knew that Breakdown would follow. This made him fearless.

He would run as fast as he could to the command room.