The blast knocked Jigsaw's entire frame into a datapad shelf. It collapsed on him when he fought to get up, pinning him under its weight. He relaxed a second before twisting as much as he could, getting his shoulder plate under him as he kicked up. The shelf flew off, and he laid there, notifications alerting him on various cosmetic damages. He sat up, and his optics focused with difficulty in the room filled with smoke.
::Cerebrius?:: he called urgently via direct messaging. A small ping appeared on his HUD, and he scrambled to the jet's still figure, following the directions.
Cerebrius seemed to take the brunt of the blast. His left side showed signs of blast marks, and his wing was covered in rubble. ::You idiot, you slaghead, we have a rule. We do not self-sacrifice ourselves for each other, you made me promise we wouldn't do that stupid slag for each other.:: he demanded as he picked up metal shrapnel and threw it over his shoulder angrily. They needed to get out, their positions were compromised.
:: Oh love. You didn't honestly think I'd keep that promise? It was much less likely I'd do something like this anyway. :: Cerebrius lifted his hips, trying to shimmy out from under the rubble without further damaging his wings. He managed to, exhaust labored as he fought to self repair.
The cadet looked silently at the white bot frowning. He got an alert that there was someone behind him and he twisted-
Something slammed into his helm and he hit the ground hard. He rolled out, taking a knee as his HUD came back online. He was welcomed by a kick to his faceplates, feeling a servo dragging him to his knees by his helm adornments. Jigsaw gasped, strong servos scrambling to hold on the digits in the plating of his head.
The Autobot officers turned their attention to Cerebrius' angry figure. The scientist was still the tallest in the room, his frame straightening up as he switched to battle mode. He stood there defensively, blue optics flaring.
"Let the cadet go, he was simply following orders."
Another white figure stepped forward through the smoke, red accents glinting. Prowl. "We are well aware of your courtship with Cadet Jigsaw, Doctor. Strategically speaking, it would be best if we kept him in our hold until matters are settled."
"There is nothing to be settled Prowl. He doesn't need to be here for this. He doesn't need to see this."
Prowl looked away briefly, before steeling his gaze. He was a good bot, on occasions had come to Cerebrius for new weapon ideas for the Elite Guard. But the officer had his orders, he knew what he had to do. "Perhaps not, but under Elite Law 8-03 legislated today, one mech outside the force must bare witness to the justice carried out by the Guard."
Cerebrius fumed. "Legislated today? Frag, do you all not realize Sentinel passed that so Jigsaw would have to watch you all attempt to kill me? He's part of the Guard, if 8-03 is active, he shouldn't be here."
Prowl looked to the cadet on the floor kneeling between the two officers. "Look I-" the mech sighed. "I understand. But I have to do this, do you realize what offense you've committed? We are susceptible to believe you'd attempted contact with the Decepticons. By law you must be brought in, or terminated under treacherous reasoning. Jigsaw doesn't have to take the fall. Come with us and he'll just be discharged-"
Jigsaw felt like he was going to purge.
"And he could perhaps find a place mid-caste, lay low for a bit."
Cerebrius shook, optics glancing down to his sparkmate.
:: Don't do it. :: Jigsaw managed to send to him over their private frequency. :: Don't leave me. ::
The scientist held his gaze before powering down, weapons sliding back to reveal much less lethal appendages. :: You'll be fine without me. There will be someone else. You have to promise me you'll forget about me and give yourself that. ::
Jigsaw yanked his arm free from one of the officers, kicking the other in the knee. He surged forward, trying to get to Cerebrius before other officers grabbed onto him, slapping stasis cuffs on his servos.
:: Please, don't say that. ::
The jet held his own servos out, readily allowing himself to be cuffed and taken in.
:: I hope you find it in yourself one day to forgive me. Your clock will reset and there will be someone out there for you who could love you as much as I did. He or She will see the good in you like I did. ::
Cerebrius didn't look at him while he said that, optics locked on the bots around him.
:: I don't need someone who sees the good in me! I need someone who sees the bad in me and still wants me! Like you did, for some reason- you wanted me-::
"Goodbye Jigsaw. I hope you make the right choice."
They escorted the jet out and left Jigsaw on the ground, staring at the back of his mate until they walked down the corridor and turned the corner, out of his sight. A horrible, staticky sound ripped up from his modulator, and he kneeled there, helpless. If only he was bigger, stronger. He knew Cerebrius could have taken those bots, but it was him that caused the scientist to hand himself over. He didn't think he could cry, but that's what he wanted to do. It was unfair, to have Cerebrius ripped from him like that- Cerebrius didn't even fight. It was all for him.
He sunk down on to his side, optics stuttering behind his visor. The smoke was clearing and he looked around at the destruction. Something glinted on the floor, and he squinted, recognizing it as the drive Cerebrius downloaded all his work on to. He dragged his beaten frame to it, cuffed hands encircling the delicate piece of tech in his digits. It was clear what he had to do, and where he had to go.
As soon as it was safe, he'd find Ridgeback.
