The Good, the Bad and Starscream

Chapter 20: Hard Knocks

By the time Megatron had returned to the warship, it was dawn. Upon his return, the Combaticons welcomed him back, and Megatron was pleased to see that Onslaught was awake and well-rested. After the Combaticons had refueled and taken an oil bath, Megatron sent them off again to search for Vortex and Blast-Off.

Now, he was standing in the command center, merrily boasting about his victory against Optimus Prime to Soundwave, who really was just trying to concentrate on his work to decode the next Iacon relic, thus only partly listening to his master's bragging. Soundwave certainly was more tolerant and less distracted than Thundercracker, who couldn't concentrate on his own work, instead listening to Megatron's speech.

"You should have seen Optimus Prime's face when his precious Star Saber shattered like glass," Megatron chuckled, "and with it, his dreams of an Autobot victory! Granted, Optimus will be more determined than ever to discover the locations of the remaining Iacon entries before we can."

Despite Megatron's bothersome talking, Soundwave managed to finish decoding the next entry and displayed it on the big screen.

"Ah, very good," Megatron replied pleased. "I see you have decoded the next set of coordinates."

No thanks to you, I bet, Thundercracker thought. Soundwave was good at concentrating, but even he must find Megatron's behavior annoying at times, right?

"Way to step things up, Soundwave," Knock Out said, approaching the pair from the bridge. "I do hope this Iacon relic is something less sacred than more profane, like an electro-disrupter cannon. We could use one of those."

"Indeed, Knock Out," Megatron replied and opened a comm. "Dreadwing, report to the bridge immediately!"

"Please, Lord Megatron," Knock Out protested. "Allow me the honor of retrieving this relic for you."

Megatron turned his attention to the doctor. "I'm surprised you would risk your finish," Megatron said in a mockingly pitying tone, "so soon after your accident."

Knock Out cringed with embarrassment over the reminder of his mission in the tunnels of Manhatten.

"Nonetheless," Megatron continued, now in a more normal tone, "I remain unconvinced that you are the best choice for the task, since you failed to secure the Phase Shifter."

"I lacked the proper tools," Knock Out said undeterred, "but since Soundwave's currently occupied, I can't imagine he'll mind if I borrow this." The doctor held forth the Resonance Blaster, which Soundwave had retrieved himself, after fighting Wheeljack for it. The blaster caught Thundercracker's attention.

"So that I might better secure your prize," Knock Out finished, "and heap some hurt on the Autobots!"

Megatron thought for a moment. Soundwave didn't comment - he never did, but he did indeed not seem to mind Knock Out borrowing his signature weapon.

"Very well," Megatron finally replied. "Thundercracker, you will accompany Knock Out."

Thundercracker and Knock Out both perked by the order.

"You don't trust me, my liege?" Knock Out accused.

"Considering I currently have more warriors at my disposal," Megatron said, "I see no reason why you should go alone, doctor."

Knock Out gazed from Megatron to Thundercracker, who approached the others on the bridge, ready to go. "But... but I..." Knock Out sighed in annoyance and turned to the Seeker. "Oh, what the Pit, let's go!"

Thundercracker cracked a small smile at the Grounder. "I'm looking forward to this," he said. "My first relic hunt."

Soundwave opened a portal and let the pair of scientists off the warship. Then he turned back to the computer and went on to decode the next Iacon entry.