Chapter Text
[Patient File:Knockout]
[Physician:Knockout]
[CMO:Knockout]
Cycle:{REDACTED}
[Reason for visit:] Loss of Consciousness, Persistent pain in Chassis/Spark Chamber, Fatigue
"Due to time of visit, patient's symptoms could not be investigated till the end of the cycle, at which point, other symptoms became clear (persistent fatigue and pain). Initial System Diagnostic after regaining consciousness showed no obvious concerns, save for an elevated spark-rate, which ,at the time of writing this report, has yet to calm down. A scan of the patient's chassis revealed no obvious cause for the pain or high spark-rate, other than some markings which were visible on the Spark Chamber. However these are most likely scarring from past injury to the component and therefore it is unlikely to be the current cause of the pain.
As no physical underlying cause can be discerned (at this moment in time), the cause is assumed to be psychosomatic, likely brought about due to increased stress. If approved, I recommend the patient to be taken off of field work indefinitely and prescribed pain medication."
[Request Status:] Partially granted.
The medical file sat in front of Knockout, mocking him, as ,somehow, it's contents, that he had written weeks ago mind you, still rang true. Never mind the multitude of tests that he's ran on himself.
So, there hes sat, hunched over with numerous datapads scattered, all offering different test results but failing to come together nicely for a cohesive diagnosis.
Everything on that desk was a mess but ,unfortunately, this wasn't something he could ignore; not when hes already collapsed in the corridor or the fact that ,some cycles, he finds himself unable to function with the pain ripping through his fame- especially within his spark.
Knockout would have stayed in that state all cycle ,again, if it wasn't for Starscream's intrusion. The mech strutting into the Med-bay as if he owned it. The doors opening with a hiss being the only warning he got before the Seeker called out.
'Knockout!' In that shrill voice of his that echoed through the empty room, cycling through the Doctor's auditory system for far longer than he wished, 'I'm in need of your expertise.'
He swivelled around shapely on his seat to face him, 'What is it now Starscream; a dislocated plate? Snagged cables?'
Taking in his appearance, nothing immediately jumped out as wrong, in fact, the other bot even looked shiny as if freshly buffed. A fact that only served to annoy Knockout, he didn't even want to imagine how dull his paints gotten since Breakdown left and his times been stolen by this "mystery disease".
'Not that kind of expertise,' Starscream waved his servo, rolling his optics as he spoke before his focus sharpened on Knockout. Taking his turn to look him up and down before speaking, 'Although, you look like you could use that yourself, Doctor.'
With a small click, vents shut as Knockout held back some ill-thought-out retort or insult towards the Commander, finally spitting out after a few klik, 'What do you want Starscream?'
The seeker paused, and Knockout could feel him truly taking in the mess of a work desk, his attitude and tone. Whatever conclusion he came to caused his expression to pinch with some inexplicit emotion, it wasn't sincere enough to be concern but there was some degree of worry that Knockout could gauge.
'Walk with me.' Starscream finally spoke, turning on the spot as he did, not even sparing him a second glance as he marched out the door.
Ah, so it was going to be of those talks. The kind where the Seeker has some sort of scheme he's cooked up and needs his advice or support, something that he doesn't want certain eyes and ears catching on to.
Hence the walking, he couldn't remember who came up with the idea , but ,so far, it seemed to have been effective.
Different corridors, different cameras- all in all it's more effort to keep up with them and whatever conversation they were having. So it should ,theoretically, keep Soundwave off Starscream's tracks, at least temporarily.
Knockout didn't really care for overthrowing Megatron, or whatever plan Starscream was going to propose this cycle. Especially as the last plan he helped with failed spectacularly, and he had only just managed to save his own paint from Megatron's wrath .
On the other servo, the company would be nice, seeing as Vehicons were reluctant to go to Med-Bay now that Breakdown was gone. Plus, it's not like hes getting any closer to figuring out what's wrong with him.
So, he wordlessly stood to follow Starscream but, before he could even take a step, a sudden overwhelming feeling of dizziness overtook his processor. It felt as if the ship had been moved under his pedes and forgot to take him with it. He was left leaning on the desk, trying to stay standing and recalibrate his systems.
'I don't have all cycle Knockout!'
Just as quickly as it came, the feeling was gone again and left Knockout wondering what in the pits happened as his own spark thundered in his audial. However, he couldn't question it for too long and had to add it to his growing list of "investigate it later" symptoms, right now he had to entertain Starscream before the bot gets his plate peeled, or something in that nature.
'How dare you leave me waiting out here!' Starscream sneered as soon as Knockout emerged from the med-bay doors, 'Never would I have expected you to act so uncouth!'
'My apologies Der Kommandant,' he drawled, still thinking about the sudden dizziness he felt just a few moments ago, 'I had some…complications.'
'Complications!' The seeker muttered to himself ,although still loud enough for Knockout to hear, as he started down the corridor with the other walking just behind him, 'A poor excuse that I would have expected from your former lackey.'
'Breakdown was far more than a "lackey".' The response was immediate and snappy, it left his intake before he had the chance to think about what he was saying.
Strangely, he felt some pressure within his vents- specifically in his throat and an alert in his hub showed there was some sort of obstruction but failed to give any sort of useful information.
Meanwhile Starscream was staring at him from the corner of his optic, seeming to take the opportunity to study the other further before uttering in a low tone, 'Careful, Knockout, don't let your affection turn you traitorous.'
They quickly fell into silence, only their pedesteps echoing through the empty hall.
For some reason, it was palpable, heavy and beginning to press on Knockout. Perhaps it was the whole mess surrounding his health, or the reminder of his partner, but whatever it was it had yet to dissipate.
'How have you been anyway? Soundwave had disclosed your recent "incident"' In an instance the tension was gone and replaced with a fragile sense of peace, and for once, Knockout was glad the commander was directing the conversation.
'Better, I suppose. Although I'm still trying to figure out why that happened.' He admitted, looking around as he they walked to try and tell where they were heading.
'Ah, good, I'm glad to hear,' a smirk grew on the Commander, 'Then I will be needing your expertise after all.'
I need you to investigate something for me- don't give me that look, it's some thing I think you'll find quite enjoyable.'
'Yes, well I'm not exactly cleared for field work Screamer.'
In a fluid motion, Starscream twist around to face Knockout, already pointing a clawed digit at his face and forcing Knockout to step back.
'Oh please, you were never going to convince me of that Scrap!' He hissed in a low voice, continuing to push forward, 'You just so happen to fall ill after your "partner" betrays us, quite the coincidence don't you think.'
'Starscre-!'
'I was willing to give you the time to grieve or wallow in you're lonesome, but I do not intend to let you abuse my charity!'
At this point, Knockout was pressed against the wall, forcing his wheels against his back in an uncomfortable manner. Claws still posed, itching to tear into him if he so much as vented wrong.
'And, I suppose, the footage means nothing to you?' His voice steady and measured as he kept his optics on them claws. He wasn't actually sure if there was footage of the incident, but the fact that Soundwave helped him after suggests he had ,at least, been in view of a camera.
Although, it seems his point wasn't exactly the "gotcha" he was hoping it was. Starscream just laughed and said, 'Oh yes, when you just so happen to collapse right in front of a camera, 'The silver seeker sneered, 'Honestly Knockout, you're clever but you can't con a 'Con.'
Taking the Doctor's silence as a sign to continue, stepping back and waving a servo in a dismissive gesture, 'You lacked finesse on this occasion, however, I'm willing to keep your little stunt on the low if you look into some signals for me.'
The corridor was silent as Knockout considered his options, he hadn't noticed till now but they were heading towards the ground-bridge and it isn't like Starscream's giving him much choice.
Starscream smiled as he saw the other mech's reservations crumble in the Doctor sigh and his audials drooping.
'Come, Doctor, I want to get this done before Soundwave catches on.'
The seeker finally pulled away, Knockout was thankful for the strain to be off his wheels and rolled his pauldrons to ease any off the remaining tension as he caught up to Starscream- the fragger couldn't even wait for him and had started walking down the hall.
'So, Starscream, if I may ask, why did you need my "expertise"? Wouldn't it have been quicker to just send a group of Vehicons?'
'I barely trust them to refuel on their own, never mind locate an artefact.' The commander scoffed, back to their charade of friendship it seems, 'I swear, each batch that gets produced is worst than the last.'
All he got in response was an affirmative hum, it wasn't like Knockout could argue against it, although he was sure Breakdown was present he would have if-
Something caught the back of his throat, he had almost forgotten about that pressure he felt earlier and now it was back with a vengeance. It caused his vents to spasm in an unnatural way- something humans would recognise as "coughing".
The other bot remarked, after a few kliks, 'Are you quite done Knockout?'
Starscream's voice easily cut through his harsh coughing and was watching him, faceplates smooth and unbothered, as if he was watching a sparkling in the middle of some sort of defiant fit rather than a comrade in the throes of a medical emergency.
Even though, with each vent Knockout was painfully aware of something brushing against internal metals that shouldn't be touched.
He forced his vents even, despite the fact he could feel them still shaking and struggling to displace that unknown obstruction.
The final stretch to the Ground-bridge was silent.