Broken: A Transformers Fanfic

Chapter 7: Of shadows and red eyes

 "I take it the mission was failure," a voice rumbled off somewhere near the shadows in the entrance to the medical bay.

"Affirmative," a shiny red mech stepped away from a console, what were presumingly life signs blinked steadily upon the display. "It's a miracle he's still functioning."

"He assured us that he would be perfectly able to handle the Autobot." The disdain in the hidden figures voice was unmistakable, and their glowing red eyes narrowed.

A sigh, "yes, well, apparently not." He tinkered with a cable that was attached to the unconscious mech laying on the berth.

"What was his condition upon arrival?" The voice finally stepped out into the lighting of the medical bay, revealing a sleek, white and red jet.

"Not good," seeming satisfied that the cable was secure, the mech turned to regard the jet. "Patrol found him missing his right arm, and the shot just barely missed his spark chamber."

The jet arched an optic ridge, "lucky."

"Extremely."

"And what of the Autobot? Do we have a positive identification of their identity?"

"None yet, but I can check his drives to see if the data was corrupted or not...With this kind of damage-"

"Then get to it, doctor. Lord Megatron will not be pleased with further delays." The jet leered towards him, an unspoken promise that he would pay in some form or another if he failed to complete his task in a timely manner. The red mech suppressed a shudder at the thought of what Lord Megatron would do to his newly rebuffed finish.

"Of course, Commander Starscream." A hint of sarcasm laced his words as he gave the jet a two fingered salute, turning back to his patient, waiting for the telltale whoosh of air to indicate the door had closed again.

"Alright, Grandswitch, let's see what you've got for us." The mech muttered, setting to work.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Grandswitch onlined, he hesitated to activate his optics, instead choosing to reboot his audio receptors.

No point in letting the Autobot, if he was even still there, know he was back online so soon and ruin any sort of element of surprise.

There were footfalls just to his right, and he heard them get closer and closer until they stopped.

He heard the figure lean over him, and that's when he struck.

"What the - Grandswitch! It's me!"

His optics focused just in time to stop himself from spearing a red mech through the neck with his sword. He let go of the doctor abruptly. "How did I get here?"

"What? No 'Thanks for repairing me, Knockout, and keeping me from dying since I specifically promised Lord Megatron that I would be able to handle the Autobot easily'?" The other mech's voice rose with every word as he glared, crossing his arms. "What were you thinking?!"

"I was thinking that since the Autobot is unaccustomed to this planet that he would be more vulnerable." Grandswitch defended, shoving the medic backwards as he twisted to get off the berth, disconnecting the cable from his chest plating. He rolled his shoulders, door wings fluttering slightly to relieve the ache of being trapped in one position for so long.

"Not so fast. As soon as you walk out that door, there is nothing to stop Lord Megatron from scrapping you!" Knockout clenched his fists in emphasis. "And I don't want to waste any more resources on something that could easily be avoided!"