Transformers: Animated: Shadows of Redemption

Chapter 14: The Return of Starscream

In the dimly lit laboratory, awash in hues of dark purple, Orion Eclipse slowly opened his eyes. A groan escaped his lips as he struggled to regain consciousness.

"Ughnnn...Ohh, my head...Where...where am I?"

A playful, yet unsettling male voice echoed through the room. "Wakey, wakey, Orion~!"

Orion's eyes widened in panic. "What!? Who said that!?!"

Emerging from the shadows was a figure, its red form gleaming ominously. "Just a friend. Don't be afraid."

A scream tore from Orion's throat. "AAAGH!! Wha─who are you!? What happened!? Where am I?!"

A searing pain radiated through his broken arm, drawing a cry of agony. "OW!! Gah!"

The red Decepticon raised his hands, a gesture of false reassurance. "Woah! Easy there! Just calm down. I wouldn't move that broken arm if I were you. To answer your question, you're in the Decepticon base. Your father knocked you out cold and brought you here. He ordered me to repair your broken arm until you woke up. Your arm still requires healing, so just remain calm."

With an almost mechanical precision, the Decepticon handed Orion an arm cast, its cold metal contrasting sharply with the heat of his pain.

"Keep that arm cast on until your broken arm is healed," the Decepticon instructed. "I repaired your injured arm the best I could while you were asleep. You should feel better by tomorrow."

Orion's voice was shaky. "Uh, thanks. How...how long was I unconscious?"

"You've been out cold for over a megacycle. Lord Megatron told me what had happened earlier between the two of you."

As the memories flooded back, Orion's eyes darkened with realization. "Oh, my god. I...I remember! Megatron told me that he is my father and I'm his son. Then he asked me to join him and I accepted his offer, hoping that he would spare Optimus Prime and his Autobot friends. But when I took his hand, he broke his promise to let them live and he tried to kill them. Then I got angry, and I tried to punch him, and he...he twisted my wrist and broke my arm while telling me that I was weak! The next thing I knew, he knocked me unconscious and...and now I'm here. He...he kidnapped me!"

"There, there, now, Orion Eclipse. I know that you must be scared and confused," the red Decepticon soothed, his voice almost mocking in its attempt at comfort. "But you need to understand. Your father only broke your arm as a way to discipline you for trying to attack him."

"'Discipline'?! Megatron just injured me and said I was weak when I tried to fight him! This can't be true. My father can't be some evil, cruel, ruthless, and tyrannical warlord! And who are you anyway!? You didn't even tell me your name yet."

The red Decepticon chuckled, a glint of amusement in his optics. "Oh, right! Sorry, where are my manners? My name is Knockout. I'm a Decepticon medical officer, a doctor, a surgeon, a scientist, a mechanic, and an automobile enthusiast who is good-looking with the finest paint job in existence! I had just rejoined the Big M and his Decepticons recently after they finally escaped from that Autobot prison back on Cybertron."

Orion's eyes narrowed, suspicion and defiance mingling in his gaze. "Am I a prisoner here?"

Knockout shook his head, a smile playing on his lips. "No. I believe that your father requires your presence. Come with me."

With a sense of dread and resignation, Orion Eclipse followed Knockout through the winding halls of the Decepticon Earth base. The atmosphere was oppressive, the metallic corridors echoing with every step they took. As they reached the grand throne room, Orion's eyes fell upon Megatron, who sat regally on his throne, a goblet of oil in his hand. Knockout bowed deeply before the Decepticon leader.