Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Forty mechs glanced around, unsure of their surroundings. They’d been recharging, safely. Now, they were surrounded by mechs they didn’t recognise.

“Who are you?” One asked, a nervous white and orange Autobot that turned into a helicopter.

“Blades; be careful.” A red mech who turned into a fire truck held him back; wary of the large number of Decepticons and other nasty looking Transformers surrounding him and the other Rescue Bots.

“Greetings test subjects.” A female voice spoke. All of them turned to look in the direction of the voice. A bizarre white robot appeared to be the source.

“Test subjects?” A purple mech that looked like he turned into a tank asked.

“Yes, you are my new test subjects. I require them for a program I found in the system.” The voice told the mechs. They looked confusedly at the robot.

“What kind of a program?” A red, white and blue mech asked; his screechy voice grating on everyone’s nerves. That must be Starscream. A lot of the mechs thought.

“You will find out when you enter and are assigned your roles. I am GLaDOS, and I will be your helper in the simulation.”

“What kind of a name is GLaDOS?” A purple mech with a dinosaur head for an arm asked; somewhat amused.

“Mine. I would appreciate knowing the names of my test subjects.” She sounded annoyed.

“What are you going to do if we don’t provide them?” A green mech with a lion’s head that looked like he turned into a jet asked. All forty mechs screamed in pain as GLaDOS fidgeted about. GLaDOS stilled and all of them quieted.

“I can deliver a jolt of pain through your system that can cripple you; perhaps permanently.” She informed them. Each mech decided to introduce himself; and avoid tempting her ire. The screechy red, white and blue mech went first; to the surprise of nobody introducing himself as Starscream. The two similar bodied mechs were Skywarp and Thundercracker. The white and black Autobot stood close to them introduced himself as Jazz.

“I am Emperor Deathsaurus, and these are…” The blue mech with dragon like features told the others before pointing at each of the mechs stood beside him in turn.

“Leozack.” The green lion-headed mech that looked like he turned into a jet was pointed to.

“Hellbat.” A blue mech with devilish ears and a jet alt-mode stepped forward.

“Goryu…” A green mech stepped forward, proclaiming that he was the leader of the Dino-Force.

“And Kakuryu.” A yellow mech waved at the others.

“Deathsaurus? Surely you should recognise me, then.” The purple mech that looked like he turned into a tank told him.

“No. I would remember a mech as… intimidating as you.” Deathsaurus informed the mech, who then proceeded to introduce himself as Tarn. The four with him were introduced as Kaon, Vos, Helex and Tesarus.

“But most refer to us as the Decepticon Justice Division.” Tarn smirked behind his mask.

“The Decepticons don’t have a justice division.” Starscream folded his arms.

“Perhaps not where you’re from. But Decepticons where we’re from know to stick to Megatron’s rules.” Kaon grinned; it looked scary.

“Or they might wind up on our List.” Helex told them, folding both sets of arms.

“And mechs on our List don’t tend to live very long.” Tesarus grinned; the X shaped optic brightening. They all sniggered ominously; like they were pondering if any of the Decepticons in the room should be on their List. The others decided not to remark on the fact they all were named after cities; pondering what they found so funny.

“I am Megatron; and these two are Terrorsaur and Waspinator.” The purple mech with the T-rex head for an arm informed them, pointing to a red winged mech; then a green and yellow one.

“Megatron? Don’t make me laugh! You look nothing like him!” Starscream grinned; this ridiculous mech could never be Megatron.

“Megatron is a mech with a tank alt. Or a gun. Or once he had a spaceship mode.” Tarn looked confusedly at the T-rex like mech before him.

“Where we come from Megatron is a dragon.” A pale blue mech with yellow wings folded his arms.

“Among other things.” A dark purple and gold mech shrugged, recalling all of the things his Megatron could turn into.

“Never a T-rex though.” A red mech with an abnormally long tongue told them, lifting one finger sagely. A mech that resembled a mouse made his way forward; informed them his name was Rattrap and said he didn’t trust stinkin’ Preds. That comment got annoyed noises from some of the present company.

“Woah, you really annoyed them. I’m Side Burn; and you might want to hide behind me.” A blue sports car mech told him, sheltering the smaller mech behind him.

“You dare insult Megatron! He is worth four of you, vermin!” A blue mech that looked like he turned into a shark shouted at them.

“Uh… thank you, I guess.” Megatron looked confusedly at the shark like mech.

“I didn’t… uh! Of course you are Megatron!” The mech bowed; apparently acknowledging the dinosaur mech, even if it wasn’t his Megatron.

“The worst thing Rattrap throws is insults; I wouldn’t worry about it.” Terrorsaur told them with a snigger. The shark like mech informed them he was Sky-Byte. The three mechs with him were Darkscream, the pale blue one; Gas Skunk, the purple and gold one and Slapper, the red one.

“You know, that name might offend someone now.” A wolf-like blue mech told them.

“It’s my name! What am I supposed to do?” Slapper retorted, seeming annoyed by the comment of the wolf-con.

“Anyway… I’m Barricade and that is Blackout.” A mech that looked like he turned into a police cruiser pointed at a grey mech who looked like he turned into a helicopter.

“Are you afraid of heights too?” The white and orange helicopter bot asked Blackout.

“What kind of helicopter would I be if I was frightened of heights?” Blackout answered, an evil grin crossing his features. The helicopter bot looked a little upset, but quickly recovered.

“Are you Bot, Con, Pred or Maxi?” Rattrap asked a green mech with a hook for a hand.

“I’m none of those. The name’s Lockdown.” The apparently neutral mech told them.

“You look fuzzy. Can I pet you, little mouse?” A tan coloured mech asked, a face resembling a jack-o-lantern grinning at Rattrap.

“No. I don’t let stinkin’ Cons touch me either.”

“Rattrap, you might be wise to hold your tongue in present company.” The red mech that looked like he turned into a fire truck told the mouse.

“What kind of a snowflake ‘con can’t take insults?!” Rattrap folded his arms smugly.

“Aw… mousy is grumpy. Maybe he needs a hug to cheer him up!” The tan mech tried to grab Rattrap, much to the amusement of the Predacons and some of the Decepticons.

“Settle down!” Rattrap shouted and to his surprise, the tan mech shook himself and did so. What made Rattrap, and a few of the others freak out was the jack-o-lantern face spun around and was replaced by a pale blue one.

“I am sorry. He gets so excitable sometimes. My name is Blitzwing. That is my name regardless of which face is visible.” The mech told them; much calmer now.

“I thought you said removable faces weren’t normal.”

“They’re not, Vos.” Tarn shivered; apparently this mech had even unnerved him. A pair of mechs that looked like they turned into jet planes told them their names next. The green one was Skyquake; the blue one was Dreadwing and they were twins. A red mech that looked like he turned into a sports car stepped forward next; informing the mechs he was called Knock Out.

“I’d say you are. You’re gorgeous.” Side Burn told him. Sky-Byte and his three friends giggled; knowing about Side Burn’s obsession with red sports cars.

“Why, thank you. You’re not too bad yourself.” Side Burn looked a little flustered; possibly because he wasn’t used to the object of his affections talking back!

“What about you four?” The red mech the looked like he turned into a fire truck looked worried. All of the Decepticons were looking at him and his friends. Thanks Side Burn.

“I’m Heatwave, leader of Rescue Force Sigma 17.” The red mech told them.

“These three are Chase, Boulder and Blades.” He pointed at the blue police bot, green digger bot and white and orange helicopter bot in turn.

“Rescue Force Sigma 17?” Dreadwing looked confused by the name.

“Rescue… Hang on! You’re Rescue Bots!” Skyquake realised very quickly.

“I thought Rescue Bots were extinct…” Knock Out remarked; folding his arms.

“That must have been what the Autobots wanted you to think.” The wolf-con told them.

“What’re your names, fellow Predacons?” Waspinator asked him.

“Not quite.” A purple mech pointed to a rather obvious Decepticon symbol on his chest. Waspinator also noted that four of the others with him had slashes through their symbols.

“Renegade Decepticons?” Tarn sounded amused; definitely candidates for inclusion on The List.

“Imprisoned Decepticons, brother.” The wolf-con told them, introducing himself as Steeljaw. The purple mech introduced himself as Saberhorn. The other mechs were Thunderhoof, Underbite, Quillfire and Fracture.

“Now that we know who all of you are… it’s time for you to go to sleep.” GLaDOS clicked the fingers of her arm and all forty mechs collapsed into slumber, some of them shouting in surprise just as it happened.

XxX

“Test subjects, you have been chosen to test this simulation. Five among you are planning a coup to kill the leader, and you must help the leader discover who it is… before it’s too late.” GLaDOS’ voice floated into each mech’s head. She must think she’s some sort of supervillain. Starscream thought.

“Your role is…” GLaDOS explained what role each mech had been given.

“Innocent. That means you have no required assignments. You can visit other mechs if you choose to.” She informed the large majority of them. Most complained; wishing they had something more interesting to do.

“Wanderer. This means that you must go out and visit another mech every night.” She told three of them. One of them was a little nervous of doing this; but knew he’d do it.

“Mole. You are only different from an Innocent if you are chosen to be put to death by the leader. At which point you shall be told who the members of coup are and must kill someone who is not a member of the coup.” GLaDOS explained what innocents did, and also remarked that she liked this role; the mech with this role got to kill someone if the leader was foolish.

“Investigator. You will be told to investigate another mech, to find out his movements for the leader. You will press a switch beside that mech’s room to keep track of their movements. The leader will be informed of your findings in the morning.” She informed four of the mechs. One grinned; he loved this sort of thing!

“Coup Leader. You give your assassins orders on who to kill. If you only have one remaining assassin or less, you may choose to kill mechs yourself.” GLaDOS sounded like she would have really enjoyed having this role herself. The mech who heard this was worried; but was sure he could do it.

“Assassin. You will go to kill other mechs that the coup leader has decided they want dead.” Two of the chosen mechs looked very pleased with her choice.

“Forger. If the coup leader tells you to, you will go out and make a mech who is not part of the coup kill another mech. You will also be told who the Mole is, before you get sent out for the first time.” GLaDOS’ words made the chosen mech grin; he was going to enjoy this!

“Loose Cannon. You just want to kill every other mech; and so may go out and kill any mech who is not the leader.” GLaDOS also sounded like she wanted this mech’s role. Said mech didn’t look pleased with his role assignment.

“Leader. You must make choices for who you want your investigators to investigate. You must also make choices about whether or not a mech should be put to death, based on what your investigators find out.” GLaDOS had thought hard about who to choose and decided this mech would right for the job. He looked unsure about that; but would step up to the challenge.

“Wake up, Test Subjects.” GLaDOS’ voice woke all of the mechs from their slumber. They were all stood in a common room of sorts.

“Which of you is the leader?” GLaDOS asked from her spot in the corner; idly watching proceedings.

“That would be me.” Lockdown made his way to the front of the room; near where GLaDOS was comfortably watching.

“Really? A crook?” Side Burn asked; annoyed with GLaDOS’ choice of leader.

“The author likes us villains; you didn’t expect her to pick one of you heroes did you?” Vos received strange looks from each other mech in the room.

“What are you saying Vos?” Tarn asked him.

“Uh… did I just say something?” Vos looked confusedly at everyone else.

“I… suppose not.” The other mechs forgot they heard the small mech speak and so GLaDOS decided to explain a few things to them all.

“Any mech who has not got an assignment may visit any other mech, if he so chooses. Mechs with assignments must perform them. All rooms are soundproof and have doors which lock when there is someone in the corridor through the night.” She paused for a few seconds, before speaking again, a soothing lilt to her voice.

“Good night, Test Subjects. Sweet dreams.” She told them, confusing most of them. They headed to their rooms; finding their name on one of the 39 doors along a corridor. Lockdown had headed into the door leading off from the common room. After a while, GLaDOS sensed all forty mechs were recharging. She spoke through a speaker to five mechs.

“Wake up. You must come to the common room. There you will meet the other members of the coup.” Each of the five mechs she spoke to got up and made their way to the common room.

“Now, why am I not surprised that you are here? Are you our leader?” One of them asked another.

“I’m the leader. He must be an assassin.” Another mech pointed out.

“Actually… I’m the Forger.” He informed the other four mechs.

“Appropriate.” A different assassin to the first one who spoke smirked.

“Of course, we are going to have to help each other out.” The third assassin remarked.

“You will want to report to your rooms now. You wouldn’t want to be tired in the morning.” GLaDOS told them. The coup members made their way to their rooms. GLaDOS allowed them to get settled, before speaking to all forty mechs.

“It is now morning. Return to the meeting room.” Each mech got up and made his way to the common room where they had started. Lockdown stood on the stage before the other 39 mechs. GLaDOS still hovered in the corner.

“The simulation truly begins now. Beware the loose cannon.” If her face had been capable of it; she would have smiled at the fear crossing some mech’s faces.

“What’s the loose cannon?” Sky-Byte asked.

“The loose cannon is a mech who just wants to kill everyone else. He will be successful if only he remains at the end. The coup will be successful if only they remain at the end. And the rest of you will be successful if you manage to catch the members of the coup, and the loose cannon.” The mechs were about to head to their rooms, when GLaDOS spoke again.

“One more thing.” She paused; waiting for all of them to look at her once more. She would have had a wicked smirk on her face if she was capable of it.

“Only mechs who are successful can go free at the end. Good night, Test Subjects. Sweet dreams.” GLaDOS relished the shivers from some of the mechs. She was surprised by some of them being nervous. Once all of the mechs had made their way to their rooms she addressed them all once more.

“Or… will they be beautiful nightmares?” She asked ominously.

Chapter Text

“Leader.” GLaDOS spoke to Lockdown. He jumped up from his berth.

“Go over to your computer and send out your investigators; if you’d like to.” GLaDOS informed him. Lockdown did as she asked. He saw four boxes on the screen; each with ‘Investigator’ followed by a number written inside it. He tapped ‘Investigator 1’ and saw 39 pictures appear on the screen. Mugshots. Huh… it looks funny seeing Autobots with those! He tapped one of the pictures and a little 1 appeared in the top right corner of the picture. He did the same for the other three investigators before tapping confirm.

“Now you can rest.” Lockdown went back to berth and lay down. He pondered idly if GLaDOS was going to tell him who the four investigators were in the morning.

“Investigator, wake up. Your leader has chosen someone for you to investigate.” The four mechs got up and prepared to hear who it was. Investigator 1 heard ‘Side Burn’, investigator 2 heard ‘Heatwave’, investigator 3 heard ‘Megatron’ and investigator 4 heard ‘Blackout’. They each headed out and pushed a switch beside the chosen mech’s door, before going back to their rooms.

“You can rest now.” GLaDOS told them. The four mechs went back to berth. She spoke to the coup leader next. He woke up and investigated the computer in his room. It had four pictures on it; one with three lines in the corner. GLaDOS informed him that that showed how many times he could use the forger. He tapped continue; choosing not to kill anyone. GLaDOS was a little disappointed.

“You can rest now.” She informed him. The coup leader went to recharge. GLaDOS spoke to the 39 mechs who were in the rooms along the corridor after a few seconds.

“You must wake up. You may go out and visit others, or may be receiving visitors.” She then spoke to three mechs.

“As you are aware; you must go out and visit somebody.” These three all made their way out one at a time.

“Do you intend to kill someone tonight?” GLaDOS asked the loose cannon.

“Of course.” He answered her, pondering silently how he was to do so.

“Oh, I like this! You shoot them with this gun first. That will stun them so you can slit their throat with this.” A gun appeared in one of the mech’s hands and a knife appeared in the other. The Loose Cannon made his way out; knowing who he was going to kill.

XxX

“Ah, a visitor. You are not who I was expecting.” Tarn looked confusedly at his visitor.

“You won’t be remembering the visit.” The mech drew out a gun; making Tarn’s optics widen.

“A member of the coup! Traitor!” The tank mech shouted at his visitor.

“No. I’d quite like to see you with the honey voice with his throat slit.” The mech fired the gun; amused at the revelation in Tarn’s optics; his visitor was the loose cannon. Tarn dropped and the loose cannon made his way over to the fallen mech. He drew out his knife; slicing it through the Justice Division leader’s throat cables.

XxX

“It is now morning. Make your way to the meeting room.” The thirty nine remaining mechs heard GLaDOS’ voice speak to them. Lockdown saw the computer screen flashing and went to investigate. He saw four documents visible on the screen, each with a number on them. GLaDOS informed him that the number told him which investigator the report was from; something he’d figured out himself. Lockdown tapped the report labelled 1 and read it.

‘I kept an optic on Side Burn, as ordered. He left his room once, and he didn’t receive any visitors.’ Lockdown made a mental note to ask Side Burn who he visited. He tapped report 2.

‘I kept an optic on Heatwave, as ordered. He didn’t leave his room, and he didn’t receive any visitors.’ Lockdown shrugged; tapping report 3.

‘I kept an optic on Megatron, as ordered. He didn’t leave his room, and he received one visitor.’ Lockdown again made a mental note to ask who, before tapping report 4.

‘I kept an optic on Blackout, as ordered. He didn’t leave his room, and he didn’t receive any visitors.’ Lockdown shrugged and headed outside. He’d read his reports; and possibly found out something useful. He heard shouts from four mechs as soon as he’d made his way to the front of the stage. He couldn’t tell what any of them were saying; just that they were worried.

“It appears that someone went out last night with less than noble intentions.” GLaDOS pointed out.

“You four, knock it off!” Megatron shouted. The justice division quieted. Lockdown noticed now there were only four of them. Their leader was missing.

“Don’t you think you should go and investigate what happened to the missing mech, leader?” GLaDOS asked; clearly enjoying herself. Lockdown reluctantly made his way down the corridor to investigate. He opened the door to Tarn’s room and found the mech lying on his berth. He got closer and saw that said mech’s throat cables had been slit. He shivered; hoping that Tarn hadn’t been conscious when it happened, it looked painful.

“Tarn was an innocent; and was killed by the loose cannon. Of course, you may not share this mech’s role with anyone else.” GLaDOS informed him.

“What does innocent mean? I ain’t ever met a ‘con who was innocent!” Lockdown thought; deciding not to share with his worried underlings exactly what had happened to their leader. They only needed to know he’d been killed. He made his way back to the front of the room and informed the rest of the mechs that Tarn had been killed.

“What?” Kaon shivered.

“Who would dare?” Helex growled; looking like he wanted to get revenge.

“Hey, this isn’t your world! We have no reason to fear any of you.” Terrorsaur folded his arms with a smirk. If he was scared of them; he wasn’t going to show it.

“Unless you’d like to own up to being an assassin?” Megatron grinned. No assassin would be that stupid; surely.

“No one may tell anyone else his role.” GLaDOS informed them, making them all fall silent.

“I believe your leader has some questions he would like to ask.” She told them. The mechs turned to look at Lockdown.

“Who visited you, Megatron?” He asked first. The dinosaur mech looked calmly back at him.

“Gas Skunk did. He wanted to know what it was like being a tyrannosaurus.” Lockdown thought that sounded a little suspicious; but didn’t query it.

“And who did you visit Side Burn?” The mech in question looked nervous.

“Me.” The mech who responded made a few of the other mechs laugh.

“Couldn’t help yourself?” Darkscream asked; stifling giggles.

“Hey, he said he couldn’t resist a red sports car!” Slapper didn’t bother trying; he just started laughing.

“I did say he could touch if he wanted to. He didn’t take me up on that offer though.” Knock Out told them, shrugging his shoulders.

“Leader, do you wish to kill anyone?” GLaDOS interrupted. Lockdown shook his head; making GLaDOS a little disappointed. She wanted these mechs to kill each other!

“Good night, Test Subjects. Sweet dreams.” She said once more. All 39 remaining mechs thought that the day passed by very quickly, but went to their rooms. GLaDOS waited until all of them were settled before getting Lockdown up. He chose a target for each of his investigators before lying back down. GLaDOS roused each investigator next. The first investigated Steeljaw, the second Gas Skunk, the third Blades and the fourth Knock Out. They hoped their investigations proved useful for Lockdown; before going back to recharge.

“Do you wish to kill someone tonight, coup leader?” GLaDOS asked him, rousing him from recharge. He got up and tapped a picture on the screen. GLaDOS would have grinned if she was capable of it. Another mech was going to meet his end! The coup leader noticed 32 pictures on the screen. He realised who was missing; the members of the coup and Tarn, the mech who died last night. He tapped one of them; making a crosshairs flash over the mech’s picture. He then tapped continue. GLaDOS smiled; before speaking to each mech as she did the day before. She also spoke to the three assassins.

“If your leader wants you to kill someone; you use this gun to stun them. You then shoot your victim in the forehead; centre of the chest and above their right hip. I am reliably informed this is called a triple tap.” Each assassin saw a gun appear in his right hand.

“But it’s not you.” She informed two of them; informing the third that he was going to kill someone tonight and who it was. He was a little nervous; but made his way out. The loose cannon also headed out; knowing who he was going to kill.

XxX

“Ah, come for a chat; have you brother?” Saberhorn asked the mech from his spot perched on the edge of the berth. The mech didn’t answer.

“Oh, I see. You’re shy.” He grinned. The mech still didn’t answer.

“Maybe you should come and sit. So we can…” The mech interrupted him.

“Do you ever shut up?”

“Now, there’s no need to be rude brother. I’m sure we can work something out.” Saberhorn was a little unnerved by the grin this made appear on the mech’s face.

“Yes, I’m sure we can. And I know exactly how to shut you up.” Saberhorn looked curious at what the mech was getting at. His optics widened when he saw the gun in the other mech’s hand.

“You’re an assassin then. That explains why you didn’t want to speak.” He tried to remain calm; but nerves made him shudder a little.

“Not quite. I think I’d like to silence you permanently.” The mech drew out his knife. He was pleased to see the Insecticon shudder.

“And this will do a rather good job of it when it slices across your throat.” The mech fired the gun; pleased he’d finally made Saberhorn lose his cool. He sliced the knife across the Insecticon’s throat.

Meanwhile…

“You’re not Waspinator or Megatron. So what are you visiting me for?” Terrorsaur asked the mech who came in.

“I’m here to kill you. My leader wants you dead.” The mech drew out a gun; making Terrorsaur pale and squawk.

“Help!” Terrorsaur looked nervously left and right; pondering who to run to.

“I’ll let you have one chance to escape.” The mech moved away from the door; just to see if Terrorsaur was as cowardly as Starscream. He was amused to discover that Terrorsaur did attempt to run for the door and squawked in fear when he found it was locked. The mech hadn’t known that and a grin crossed his features; apparently GLaDOS wanted to see Terrorsaur die.

“Close your optics; you don’t have to see it coming.” The mech was apparently offering him mercy of a sort. Terrorsaur shut his optics and felt a jolt go through him. The mech saw him collapse and carried him over to the berth. He pointed the gun at Terrorsaur’s forehead, before shutting his optics and firing. He fired at the centre of his chest next; then above Terrorsaur’s right hip; completing the triple tap kill. He made his way back to his room; lying on the berth in thought.

XxX

GLaDOS informed all of them it was morning once more and that they were to report to the meeting room.

“Terror-bot is missing!” Waspinator shouted.

“Then why don’t you go and check on him?” Megatron suggested. Waspinator saluted; before knocking on Terrorsaur’s door.

“Terror-bot! Waspinator want you to come out now!” Waspinator shouted; rapping on the door with a fist. He received no answer.

“Waspinator come in now, since Terror-bot no answer!” Waspinator opened the door and found his friend lying on his berth.

“Why Terror-bot no come to door…?” Waspinator trailed off when he saw what had happened to Terrorsaur. He ran to the main room, screaming that Terrorsaur had been shot. Lockdown didn’t hear any of this; he was busy reading his reports in his room.

‘I kept an optic on Steeljaw, as ordered. He didn’t leave his room, and he didn’t receive any visitors.’ Read the first. He tapped the next one; hoping it had something more useful in it.

‘I kept an optic on Gas Skunk, as ordered. He left his room once, and he didn’t receive any visitors.’ Lockdown tapped the next report, making a mental note to ask Gas Skunk who he visited later.

‘I kept an optic on Blades, as ordered. He didn’t leave his room, and he didn’t receive any visitors.’ Lockdown tapped the fourth report; hoping it showed something else.

‘I kept an optic on Knock Out, as ordered. He didn’t leave his room, and he didn’t receive any visitors.’ Lockdown shrugged; heading out to ask Gas Skunk who he visited. He saw the flap that Waspinator was in.

“Someone shoot Terror-bot!” Lockdown made calming gestures and Waspinator calmed down a little. GLaDOS was amused by the fact they hadn’t noticed there were actually two missing bots.

“Aren’t any of you going to inquire what happened to Saberhorn?” She asked innocently. The other animal-cons noticed now that their comrade was missing.

“Are they out to kill animal-cons?” Quillfire shivered; noting that two of the animal-cons died last night.

“Leader, go and investigate what happened to the poor unfortunate mechs.” GLaDOS suggested.

“Waspinator tell you what happen! Terror-bot shot!” The wasp mech buzzed angrily about being ignored.

“I believe you! I’m just going to check on both of the missing mechs.” He reassured the wasp. Lockdown made his way along the corridor; finding Terrorsaur’s door first. He went inside and found the pterosaur lying on his berth. Lockdown noted there were three bullet holes in the mech; one in his forehead, brain, one in the centre of his chest, spark, and the third above his right hip, t-cog. A triple tap… Lockdown thought with a shudder; hoping that Terrorsaur wasn’t awake to feel that.

“Terrorsaur was an innocent, and was killed by an assassin.” GLaDOS informed Lockdown; not repeating her point of him not sharing this information. Lockdown made his way to check on Saberhorn. This mech was lying on his berth as well. Lockdown was slightly disturbed at seeing another mech with his throat slit.

“Saberhorn was also an innocent, but he was killed by the loose cannon.” GLaDOS told him. Lockdown made his way back to the main room. He informed the rest of the mechs that both of the two who were missing were dead. His comment was met with shock and a little fear.

“What if these killers have it in for animal-cons?” Steeljaw shuddered.

“We’re all gonna die!” Rattrap shouted.

“Calm down! Panicking has got to be what these killers want you to do!” Lockdown’s shouts calmed them; but only slightly.

“Gas Skunk, who did you visit last night?” He kept his voice even; though curious. He wasn’t surprised when the skunk like mech pointed at Darkscream.

“Do you wish to kill anyone?” GLaDOS asked. Lockdown informed her that he didn’t. He wanted to get a better idea who was doing these killings first.

“While you puzzle that one out… more mechs are going to die.” She informed him; hoping to see the mechs panic again. She was a little disappointed when they didn’t, but kept it out of her voice.

“Good night, Test Subjects. Sweet dreams.” They all started to head along the corridor.

“Ain’t gonna be anything sweet about ‘em.” Underbite remarked; worriedly looking over the remaining mechs. Who among them was out to kill them all? Lockdown picked targets for his four investigators before lying on his recharge berth. He was certain that these ‘nights’ weren’t really nights at all. The investigators were roused by GLaDOS and heard who their targets were this time. The first heard Thunderhoof, the second Hellbat, the third Tesarus and the fourth heard Boulder. Each investigator headed out to bug his chosen target’s room. After they’d gone back to their rooms; they made their way back to lie on the berth. Only two of them intended to go back to recharge; the other two expecting GLaDOS’ voice to awaken them momentarily.

“Are you going to kill someone tonight, coup leader?” She asked; sounding gleeful. The coup leader tapped one of his assassins; making GLaDOS very happy. She was going to get to watch another mech die! The coup leader tapped his target; before tapping continue. He lay on his berth afterwards; pondering a few things.

“Mechs, you must get up! You may be receiving friendly visitors… or visitors whose purpose is more sinister.” GLaDOS informed them. The chosen assassin also heard his target and made his way to the chosen mech’s room. Unbeknownst to him, the loose cannon also made his way out to kill someone.

XxX

“Oh, is that you, Skywarp?” Thundercracker asked from his spot lying on his berth. He wasn’t facing the door and hadn’t seen who came in.

“Not quite.” Thundercracker turned to see who was visiting him and saw a gun in the other mech’s hand.

“You? You’re an assassin? You didn’t strike me as the type.” He looked nervously at the mech.

“Again, not quite.” He fired the gun; making the blue seeker drop. He put Thundercracker on his berth; before drawing out the knife.

Meanwhile…

“What yous doing coming in here? This is my turf, and you’re not welcome.”

“Is that anyway to treat a guest, Thunderhoof?” The visitor asked him.

“Guests only come to me if they want somethin’. So what does yous want?” Thunderhoof asked him, folding his arms in annoyance.

“What, do you think you’re some sort of mafia mech or something?” The mech laughed; this mech was a little ridiculous!

“Eyoo, you mess with the boss, and yous gets the…” Thunderhoof stopped speaking; seeing a gun in the other mech’s hand.

“I’ll bet a mob boss doesn’t typically get nervous at the sight of a gun. Guess you are special after all.” The mech fired; knocking the deer-con to the ground. He picked Thunderhoof up and laid him on the berth.

“Brain…” One shot fired; straight into Thunderhoof’s forehead.

“Spark…” Another shot; this time to the centre of the mob boss’ chest.

“T-cog.” A third and final shot; this time just above the mech’s right hip. The assassin put his gun away and made his way back to his room.

XxX

“Good morning, Test Subjects.” GLaDOS’ voice roused all the mechs. They all made their way to the meeting room.

“Hey, Screamer…”

“I’ve told you before, Skywarp, don’t call me that!” Starscream griped at him.

“TC is missing… and when that Waspy mech checked on his friend that was missing… He started screaming that his friend had been shot. You don’t think TC has been shot, do you?” Skywarp asked nervously.

“Why don’t you go and find out?” Starscream walked off towards the main room; leaving Skywarp standing pondering whether to follow the red, white and blue mech; or check on his blue friend. Skywarp decided on the latter, heading to Thundercracker’s room. He opened the door; expecting his wing-mate to tell him off for coming into his room without asking. He heard only silence and saw Thundercracker lying on his berth.

“Hey, TC. Come on, that white robot chick told us to get up.” He made his way over and saw what had happened to his wing-mate. He darted from the room; disturbed by the sight that met him.

“Watch it!” Starscream shouted at Skywarp when he was nearly knocked over.

“Starscream… you’d be frightened too if you saw what they did to TC.” Skywarp shivered; still disturbed by what he found.

“A bullet hole shouldn’t have disturbed you, Skywarp; you put more than that into Autobots on a good day.” Starscream saw the look in Skywarp’s optics and realised that wasn’t what his wing-mate saw.

“Thundercracker wasn’t shot. Someone slit his throat.” Skywarp’s words made Starscream shudder. Lockdown, meanwhile, was checking over his reports. He saw there were four; and was happy that GLaDOS hadn’t brought doom and gloom on them. He tapped the first report and read what it said.

‘I kept an optic on Thunderhoof, as ordered. He didn’t leave his room, and he received one visitor.’ Lockdown made a mental note to ask the mob boss about who it was when he went outside. He clicked the second report.

‘I kept an optic on Hellbat, as ordered. He left his room once, and he didn’t receive any visitors.’ Lockdown checked the next report; amused by the similarity.

‘I kept an optic on Tesarus, as ordered. He left his room once, and he didn’t receive any visitors.’ He checked the last report, noting to ask what Hellbat and Tesarus were doing the night before.

‘I kept an optic on Boulder, as ordered. He didn’t leave his room, and he didn’t receive any visitors.’ Lockdown made his way outside; noting a distinct lack of blue among the remaining mechs. And a distinct lack of antlers. Thunderhoof died last night. So there’s no way in Pit’s chance that his visitor will own up. Lockdown noted Skywarp and Starscream were stood closer together than normal. Thundercracker was missing as well. Lockdown made his way along the corridor to check on both of them. He found Thundercracker’s door first and made his way inside. Said mech was lying on his berth. Lockdown made his way over and saw that the seeker’s throat had been slit. GLaDOS informed him that Thundercracker was innocent and he was killed by the loose cannon. Lockdown made his way to Thunderhoof’s room and when he went inside he found the mob boss lying on his berth as well. However, Thunderhoof had three bullet holes in his body; just like Terrorsaur the day before.

“Thunderhoof was an innocent and he was killed by an assassin.” GLaDOS told him. Lockdown made his way back to the main room.

“Who killed TC? I know she tells you.” Skywarp asked; sounding annoyed. GLaDOS nodded at Lockdown.

“The loose cannon.” Skywarp shivered.

“Then… the loose cannon kills mechs by slitting their throats.” Skywarp’s words earned shocked cries.

“Assassins kill by bullets?” Waspinator asked. Lockdown nodded; understanding what the wasp was asking. The remaining members of the justice division appeared to be pondering something; possibly whether or not they wanted to know how Tarn died.

“How did Tarn die?” Kaon asked; sounding nervous.

“At the hands of the loose cannon.” Lockdown’s words made the four of them stiffen.

“You… don’t think the loose cannon is one of us do you?” Helex asked quietly to the others.

“Because only we know about Tarn’s power?” Tesarus looked nervously at the other three.

“I don’t think so. Maybe someone decided Tarn should die first?” Vos suggested.

“Who did you visit last night, Hellbat?” Lockdown asked; stilling all conversations.

“Deathsaurus.” He answered. Lockdown shrugged.

“And you, Tesarus?” Helex and Kaon immediately stepped backward; amusing some of the others.

“He visited me. You two stop being so jumpy.” Vos was grinning beneath his mask at the other two.

“Leader, do you intend to kill anyone?” GLaDOS asked; hoping that Lockdown had changed his mind.

“Not until I get a better idea of who is actually killing other mechs.” GLaDOS looked disappointed; but didn’t push.

“Good night, Test Subjects. Sweet dreams.” She told them. The remaining mechs went to their rooms; a little nervous about how many of them were dying. Lockdown picked targets for his investigators and lay down on his berth. He hoped to catch an assassin in the morning.

“Good evening investigator. Your leader wants you to investigate somebody tonight.” GLaDOS sounded too happy. Each investigator got up and GLaDOS told them who their target was. The first heard Underbite, the second heard Skywarp, the third heard Heatwave and the fourth heard Blitzwing. Each investigator planted the bug before going to lie down back on his berth.

“Do you intend to kill someone tonight, coup leader?” GLaDOS asked him. He informed her that he did and she almost squealed with joy. So many deaths to watch! The coup leader tapped the only assassin that hadn’t killed someone yet and then chose his target. He went back to berth; looking forward to the reaction to who he’d decided to kill.

“Test Subjects, wake up.” All but Lockdown got woken up. The assassin heard his assignment and went out to kill the chosen mech.

XxX

“Actually plucked up the courage to come back have you?” Knock Out then turned to see who’d come in the door.

“Oh, you’re not Side Burn. What are you here for?” He asked the mech visiting him.

“Do you think the assassins have a pattern? You know, going after certain types of mechs.” The visitor asked.

“They might do. It might be to kill ‘Cons; since that’s all that’s died so far…” Knock Out stiffened with a gasp. His visitor had pulled out a gun.

“You’re next for the chopping block!” The mech remarked with a smirk.

“The coup leader must be…” Knock Out trailed off with a scream as the gun shot him. The mech scooped him up and put him on the berth. The assassin fired three shots into his victim, before making his way back to his room. He wasn’t to know of the fit said victim would have thrown if he saw the state of his body afterwards.

XxX

“Good morning, Test Subjects. Make your way to the meeting room.” GLaDOS told them. Each of the mechs who were capable of doing so did. Lockdown read his reports; happy that there were four. The first read ‘I kept an optic on Underbite, as ordered. He left his room once, and he didn’t receive any visitors.’ The remaining three all informed him that Skywarp, Heatwave and Blitzwing didn’t leave their rooms, and didn’t receive any visitors. He shrugged, intending to ask Underbite who he visited last night. He found a lack of red amongst the mechs outside. Side Burn spoke up; confirming his suspicions.

“What happened to the little red sports car?” He asked nervously; the last few times mechs had disappeared, they turned up dead.

“I’ll go and find out.” Lockdown informed him, heading along the corridor towards Knock Out’s room. He went inside and found the red mech on the berth. Lockdown moved a little closer and spotted the bullet holes; one in the centre of the forehead, one in the centre of the chest and the third and final above the right hip. GLaDOS informed him that Knock Out was innocent and was killed by an assassin. Innocent has got to be the word for a mech who has no role; because there’s no way those ‘cons are all innocent! Lockdown thought, while making his way back to the main room.

“Someone killed him, didn’t they?” Side Burn wasn’t surprised when Lockdown nodded. He was disappointed though.

“Who did you visit, Underbite?” Lockdown asked. Said mech looked nervous.

“Starscream; to find out if he is anything like the one from our universe.” The large purple mech answered. The other animal like Decepticons heard him say ‘unfortunately, he is’ as well.

“There seems to be a pattern of which mechs are dying.” GLaDOS remarked, making the mechs ponder what she was getting at.

“The killers seem to be targeting mechs who are purple, red or blue.” Mechs who were those colours stiffened; noting that she was right.

“In that case… I want out!” Vos shouted; hiding behind Tesarus. He hoped that the larger mech would protect him.

“Yeah, I don’t want to play this game any more!” Starscream pointed out, his wings twitching in fear.

“They also seem to like killing animal-cons.” Side Burn shivered with nerves. He might be next.

“They ain’t gonna come after someone as big an’ strong as me!” Underbite sounded confident; but inside was just as worried as the others.

“Tarn isn’t exactly a push-over.” Kaon growled at the ignorant purple mech.

“High ranking animal-cons… They’re going to come for me!” Steeljaw shivered; frightened and wanting to find somewhere to hide.

“Or me! I must find somewhere safe to hide…” Sky-Byte began fidgeting in place; pondering where he could run to.

“What assassin wouldn’t want the opportunity to take out an emperor of destruction?” Leozack queried with a smirk; hoping to frighten Deathsaurus.

“We’re all gonna die…” Rattrap remarked; shuddering with fear. He didn’t fit the pattern; but he wouldn’t put it past an assassin to want him dead too. Thanks for that GLaDOS; now they’re all panicking! Lockdown thought; glaring in her direction.

“I’m only stating a pattern; don’t give me that look. I’d like to see all of you dead; so I don’t mind what the pattern is.” She told the frightened mechs. Her words didn’t reassure them in the slightest.

“I’m still not putting a mech to death.” Lockdown informed GLaDOS. She looked disappointed; but didn’t try to push him into it.

“Good night, Test Subjects.” It didn’t escape anybot’s notice that she didn’t say ‘sweet dreams’. They made their way to their rooms; quite a few shivering at the prospect of being next to die.

Chapter Text

Lockdown tapped investigator 1. He glanced over the remaining mechs; pondering which of them might be an investigator. He chose the mech he wanted this investigator to investigate; then picked targets for the other 3. He lay down on his berth; hoping to catch an assassin in the act.

“Investigator, wake up. You must go out and investigate…” GLaDOS also told each investigator who they would be investigating. They each placed the bug, before heading back to their rooms. GLaDOS then woke the coup leader up. He tapped the forger on the screen.

“Ooh, a little troublemaking; how exciting!” She sounded very pleased that the forger had been chosen. A pair of devil’s horns appeared on the forger’s picture. The coup leader tapped continue; and went to lie on his berth. GLaDOS then roused all of the mechs.

“Wake up, Test Subjects.” She then spoke only to the forger.

“Your leader has given you an assignment. You are to go out and convince another mech to kill someone on the coup’s behalf.” GLaDOS grinned when she saw what would do it.

“A blast from this will mean that the mech you chose won’t remember you visiting and will go and kill the mech you name.” She would have been grinning if she was capable of it. The forger felt a gun appear in his hand. GLaDOS told him the name of the mole as well. The forger grinned; filing that information away. He headed out; knowing already who he was going to visit.

XxX

“Oh, hi! someone came to visit me!” Kakuryu glanced at the mech coming in his door.

“Yes little one.” The forger remarked; grinning sweetly at the mech.

“And it wasn’t leader! What do you want?” He asked, happy that not only Goryu wanted to visit him.

“Can I sit with you, Kakuryu?” Kakuryu fidgeted; making a space for the forger to sit on the berth with him.

“You don’t really think the killers are going after ‘cons do you?” The forger asked.

“That would mean it was either Mousy or a Cybertron picking who to kill!” The forger pondered what he meant by a ‘Cybertron’.

“Kakuryu, I have a job for you.” The forger drew out his gun, hoping that the other mech didn’t notice.

“You have a job for me? Only leader gives me jobs.” He added; before feeling a jolt go through his body. The forger whispered who he wanted Kakuryu to kill and smirked at the other mech standing up and heading for the door.

XxX

“Hi leader!” Goryu sat up at the voice.

“Kakuryu. I had wondered if you would decide to pay a visit.” He stood up to go and speak with his subordinate.

“I got told to visit you.” Kakuryu told him. Goryu looked confused.

“Who told you?” Goryu then stiffened. Kakuryu had drawn a gun on him. Something he thought his subordinate would never do.

“The wolf-con was right! They are going after high ranking animal-cons!” Goryu shouted; just before the shot rang out. He collapsed, momentarily in stasis. Kakuryu made his way over and shot Goryu three times more. The yellow mech would have been horrified if he knew what he did.

XxX

“It is now morning, Test Subjects.” GLaDOS informed them.

“Hey, leader is missing!” Kakuryu shouted at the other mechs.

“Then why don’t you go and check on him?” Leozack asked; a little annoyed by the other mech. Kakuryu made his way to Goryu’s room. He knocked on the door; confused when nobody answered. He went inside; finding his leader lying on the berth. The yellow mech screamed when he saw what had happened to his leader. Lockdown meanwhile was checking his reports.

‘I kept an optic on Quillfire, as ordered. He didn’t leave his room, and he received one visitor.’ Read the first. Lockdown noted to ask Quillfire who it was. He read over the second and was amused by it.

‘I kept an optic on Tesarus, as ordered. He left his room once, and he didn’t receive any visitors.’ Lockdown tapped the next report, confused by it a little.

‘I kept an optic on Kakuryu, as ordered. He left his room once, and he received one visitor.’ Lockdown decided that one definitely needed investigation later. He clicked the fourth report and grinned; it was useful too.

‘I kept an optic on Chase, as ordered. He left his room once, and he didn’t receive any visitors.’ He made his way out and was immediately shouted at.

“Someone shot leader!” Lockdown was confused by that. He hadn’t been shot at all.

“Kakuryu means someone shot Goryu.” Hellbat informed him. Lockdown nodded once; that made more sense. Lockdown investigated the leader of the dino-force and discovered that he’d been triple tapped as well. GLaDOS informed him that Goryu was an innocent and was killed by an assassin. Lockdown made his way back to the meeting room. He stood at the front, glancing around the mechs assembled in the room.

“Who did you visit, Chase?” Lockdown asked first.

“I didn’t visit anybot last night.” The police bot informed him. GLaDOS lifted a hand; making Lockdown ponder why she did that.

“Leave it.” She told Lockdown. He was confused but said nothing more.

“Who visited you, Quillfire?” The echidna like mech pointed at Gas Skunk and it was confirmed.

“And who did you visit, Tesarus?”

“Uh, Deathsaurus. I wanted to find out how similar he was to the one in our universe.” The X-optic mech told him.

“Who did you visit, Kakuryu?” The yellow mech stiffened at this question.

“I didn’t visit anybot. Or… I think I didn’t. I don’t remember last night too well.”

“Who visited you then?” Lockdown was now very curious.

“No one. I’m sure I stayed in my room last night.” The yellow mech told him.

“You know, Lockdown only asks questions if his investigators have told him something, don’t you brother?” Steeljaw asked the other mech.

“But… I didn’t leave my room last night! Nobot visited me either!” Kakuryu was becoming worried.

“He’s not the brightest; and probably isn’t very good at coming up with excuses either.” Leozack smirked; believing that Lockdown had caught an assassin in the act.

“Do you wish to kill anyone?” GLaDOS asked; her optic lighting up in eagerness. Kakuryu was probably going to die!

“I have an idea; but I’ll put it to the vote.” Lockdown paused.

“All who vote to kill Kakuryu; raise your right hand.” Lockdown was not surprised to see most mechs raise their right hand. Kakuryu shivered; he couldn’t count how many mechs had their hands in the air.

“Alright, the ayes have it. Come here Kakuryu.” Kakuryu nervously made his way to the front. GLaDOS handed Lockdown a gun.

“You use this to kill mechs you decide to kill.” She informed him.

“First it is set to stun. Then you set it to kill and fire at the centre of their chest.” GLaDOS would have been grinning had she been capable of it.

“Any last words?” Lockdown asked the shivering mech.

“I didn’t kill leader! You have to believe me!” Kakuryu told them; prompting noises of disbelief from the crowd of mechs.

“I believe you have all made a mistake.” GLaDOS informed them; sounding far too satisfied with herself.

“Kakuryu, come here.” The yellow mech made his way nervously over to GLaDOS.

“I have a job for you too. Would like to make them pay for accusing you of killing your leader?” She asked; keeping her voice gentle.

“Yeah! I didn’t do it!” Kakuryu answered.

“Then… here you go. Shoot one of them with this!” GLaDOS produced another gun; making all of the mechs not at the front of the room shiver.

“Not any of these mechs though; these mechs are the members of the coup.” GLaDOS then whispered the names of the coup members to him. Kakuryu made his way over to where Lockdown was standing. He pointed the gun towards the crowd.

“I know who the bad guys are!” He almost sang; before pointing the gun at the mech on the far right of the room. Kakuryu slowly moved the gun’s sight over each mech in the room.

“You have invoked the curse of the mole! His curse will kill one of you, before he is put to death by your leader!” GLaDOS informed them. And this is why I wanted to have a better idea who was killing mechs before I put someone to death. Lockdown thought; unable to believe he’d made such a terrible mistake. Kakuryu had finally moved the gun sight across everybody; and looked to be considering who to kill.

“Shark-bot! I choose you!” Kakuryu giggled. Sky-Byte nervously stepped forward; away from the other Predacons. Kakuryu fired the gun and Sky-Byte screamed in pain at the electricity flowing through him. He slumped to the ground and a hole with orange edges opened up beneath him. The hole disappeared before anyone could look through it.

“What was that?” Darkscream asked; nervously glancing at where Sky-Byte was.

“A portal to take him back to his room. The other dead mechs are lying on their beds; so I thought it might be an idea for him to be lying on his.” GLaDOS informed them. This made a few of them nervous; but they decided it was better than the dead mechs lying in the meeting room.

“Leader, you may now kill the mole.” She informed Lockdown; who shot Kakuryu before he could turn to look at him. The mech collapsed; the gun disappearing from his hand. Lockdown fired one shot and an orange rimmed hole opened beneath Kakuryu as well. Lockdown saw where it led to; Kakuryu landed on a berth. The hole disappeared with a snap of GLaDOS’ fingers.

“Good night, Test Subjects.” She told the remaining mechs; who all looked a little disturbed at what had happened. Lockdown made his way to his room; and no sooner had he closed the door, GLaDOS began speaking to him.

“It appears that the evidence against Kakuryu was forged. And now an innocent has died because of your mistake.” Lockdown thought she sounded rather smug.

“Also, an investigator must leave his room to place the bug. However; not everyone is going to tell the truth about what they were doing.” GLaDOS’ words seemed to suggest to Lockdown that Chase might be an investigator. He picked targets for his four investigators and then lay on his berth; pondering how to tell if evidence had been forged or not. Each of his investigators was woken up next. GLaDOS told them who their targets were. Steeljaw, Rattrap, Heatwave and Blades. Each investigator planted his bug; before going back to lie on his berth. Two went back to recharge; the other two not.

“Do you intend to kill anyone tonight, leader?” GLaDOS asked the coup leader. He tapped an assassin and tapped a target for the assassin. GLaDOS would have grinned had she been capable of it. The coup leader went back to recharge after tapping continue.

“Wake up, Test Subjects. You might be next for the chopping block!” GLaDOS would have laughed ominously; but she was certain her words would have the desired effect. She was pleased to see three mechs nervously edging towards their doors; as well as the loose cannon and an assassin heading for theirs.

XxX

“What do you want?” Fracture asked the mech visiting him.

“Actually, I want to kill you.” The mech wasted no time drawing out a gun. Fracture stiffened; he had no weapons or mini-cons to protect him here.

“But first; I’ll let you try to escape.” The mech moved away from the door; to see if Fracture would try to escape out of the door. The purple mech nervously made his way over and tried to open the door. He wasn’t surprised but was frightened when he discovered he couldn’t open it.

“A pity. I suppose that means I’ll have to kill you.” The mech fired the gun and Fracture collapsed. The assassin picked the bounty hunter up and put him on the berth. Three shots rang out in quick succession.

Meanwhile…

“Screamer, what do you…? Oh, you’re not Screamer.” Skywarp glanced at the mech who’d come in his door. The mech drew out a gun; making the black and purple mech stiffen.

“You’re an assassin? Did you kill TC? Wait… TC was killed by the loose cannon; not an assassin so… you can’t have killed him.” Skywarp thought out loud.

“You are about to meet the same end as your wing-mate.” The mech informed him. Skywarp’s optics widened in realisation just as he was hit by the shot. This mech was the loose cannon. And this mech had pulled out a knife to slit his throat cables as well; not that Skywarp would be awake to feel it.

XxX

“Good morning, Test Subjects.” GLaDOS’ voice roused all of the mechs in rooms along the corridor. Lockdown woke up and checked his reports. He was a little concerned to see he only had three waiting to be read.

“Oh dear, did one of your investigators not give you a report?” GLaDOS asked him; sounding amused by this. Lockdown ignored her; moving to tap the first one, marked with a 2. It informed him that Rattrap had a visitor last night.

“Investigator 1’s report is missing, isn’t it?” She asked; not sounding as amused this time. She saw Lockdown incline his head.

“Dead mechs can’t submit reports.” She was annoyed that Lockdown didn’t appear affected by this statement. He read the other two reports; they informed him that Blades and Heatwave didn’t receive any visitors or leave their rooms last night. He headed out, intending to ask Rattrap who his visitor was. He immediately noticed that Starscream was stood on his own; and was shivering.

“The loose cannon got Skywarp too… He must have it in for Seekers!” Starscream wailed.

“You don’t think that… we might be next?” Dreadwing shivered and Skyquake looked worried.

“I’ll go and find out what happened to Fracture then; since none of you seem to care that he died last night!” He glanced at the now diminishing group of mechs that were with Fracture when they were brought into this… whatever it was. He found Fracture’s room and found the other bounty hunter lying on the berth. There were three bullet holes in his body.

“Fracture was your investigator 1; and he was killed by an assassin. Skywarp was an innocent and, as Starscream said; was killed by the loose cannon.” GLaDOS informed Lockdown; before he made his way back to the main room.

“Who visited you, Rattrap?” Lockdown asked once he was stood at the front of the room.

“I did. I was trying to find out how his breast animal detached.” Hellbat informed them; prompting a few giggles.

“What’s a breast animal?” Megatron asked; trying to keep his voice even. Hellbat promptly showed them; with a cry of ‘Breast-o Attack!’ A blue bat fluttered in the air beside him.

“We don’t do that. Bat-bot strange.” Waspinator pointed out. Hellbat put his arms over his chest; seeing as everyone was staring at it. The bat reattached itself; making everyone’s optics turn back to Lockdown.

“Do you intend to kill anyone, leader?” GLaDOS asked him.

“After last night’s debacle? I don’t think so.” Lockdown glanced at her angrily; certain she orchestrated it somehow.

“Good night, Test Subjects.” GLaDOS didn’t respond to the glare. The mechs all made their way back to their room; a little amused by Hellbat’s display and wondering if Leozack and Deathsaurus could also do it. Lockdown noted that the box which read ‘investigator 1’ was greyed out; because that investigator was dead he realised. He picked targets for his three investigators, before lying back on his berth. The three investigators heard their targets from GLaDOS. One pondered how he could perform this assignment.

“Go back to recharge, there’s nothing you can do.” GLaDOS informed him while the other two were planting their bugs. All three went back to recharge afterwards.

“Do you intend to kill someone tonight, leader?” GLaDOS now asked the coup leader. He tapped the forger again.

“More troublemaking; so soon? How cruel of you!” GLaDOS sounded like she approved. Horns appeared on the forger’s picture again and the coup leader went back to recharge. GLaDOS woke up all of the mechs in rooms along the corridor and some of them decided to head out. The forger grinned; knowing who his target was going to be tonight.

XxX

“Ooh, Waspinator has visitor!” The wasp mech sounded happy to be receiving a visitor.

“Yes, you do. May I come join you?” The forger asked him. Waspinator shifted on his berth and the forger sat beside him.

“Do you think one of the ‘bots is behind the coup?” The forger asked him.

“Maybe. Could be Rat-bot too.” Waspinator looked thoughtful.

“There’s something I need you to do for me.” The forger silently drew his gun.

“What…” Waspinator silenced at the sight of the gun before he could say his visitor’s name. The shot fired and Waspinator looked blankly at the forger.

“Kill Megatron.” The forger smirked as Waspinator made his way out of the room.

XxX

“Ah, Waspinator. I had wondered when you would come through my door.” Megatron remarked from his spot on the berth. Waspinator didn’t look as friendly as normal.

“Is something wrong?” Megatron looked confused.

“Yes, something wrong. Waspinator have orders to kill Megatron.” Waspinator held up the gun.

“Now, I’m sure we can work something out…” Megatron shivered. Waspinator wasn’t going to hear it and fired the gun. Megatron collapsed and three shots rang out shortly afterward. Waspinator buzzed happily back to his room; happy to have succeeded in his mission.

XxX

Lockdown tapped report 2; still annoyed that he had only three investigators now. The report informed him that Gas Skunk went out last night. Lockdown knew to ask who he visited later. He tapped report 3 and it really confused him.

‘I was ordered to keep an optic on Chase; however, due to unforeseen circumstances I was unable to do so.’ GLaDOS informed him that an investigator had no reason to investigate himself. Chase must be investigator 3. Lockdown realised; happy that he now knew who one of the investigators was. He tapped the third report; report 4, and saw something that made him shiver.

‘I kept an optic on Waspinator, as ordered. He left his room once, and he received one visitor.’ Lockdown had seen that once before; and it had been when the evidence was forged. Does that mean the forger was at work again? He pondered, making his way out to see what had happened.

“Coup have it in for beast-bots! Kill Megatron!” Waspinator sounded frightened. Lockdown said he would investigate how Megatron had died. He found the t-rex mech lying on his berth with three bullet holes in his body.

“Megatron was an innocent, and was killed by an assassin.” Megatron, innocent? That’s got to be a joke! Lockdown thought with amusement. His amusement quickly vanished when he pondered if Megatron was killed by an assassin. Or another mech who wasn’t part of the coup. It was suspicious that Waspinator had left his room and received a visitor; just like Kakuryu had. The evidence against that mech had been forged; had the evidence against Waspinator been forged as well?

“So, what questions do you have for us, leader?” Starscream asked; folding his arms with a smirk. Lockdown made his way back to the front of the room; before turning to address the mechs in it.

“Who did you visit last night, Gas Skunk?” The skunk mech didn’t look that worried.

“He visited me, curious what animal I turned into.” Steeljaw informed Lockdown.

“A wolf, I presume.” Lockdown thought; before noting glass across Steeljaw’s chest.

“No; a car. You just have animal features in robot mode.” Lockdown noted.

“Gas Skunk got quite the shock when I showed him that!” Steeljaw grinned; hoping that Gas Skunk would do similarly with the remaining Decepticons with him.

“And you, Waspinator?” Lockdown shook his head; pondering what exactly Underbite turned into.

“Waspinator not go out last night.” The wasp mech told him. Lockdown looked confusedly at that.

“Another assassin?” Quillfire pondered.

“Or, another mech like Kakuryu who is innocent.” Lockdown muttered quietly; not liking the noises of assent coming from the remaining mechs.

“Why would Waspinator kill his leader?” Deathsaurus looked confusedly at the wasp mech.

“He didn’t strike me as the type, either.” Leozack got a glare from Deathsaurus; making them realise he was that type.

“Wouldn’t the coup want its members to kill mechs they trusted though? To draw attention away from them.” Kaon added, a little nervously.

“Leader, the mechs you lead appear to be discussing something.” GLaDOS pointed out. She sounded amused.

“I know what they’re going to say. And… I don’t want him to be another innocent like Kakuryu was.” Lockdown looked worried.

“Waspinator not kill Megatron. He not Starscream; he not want Megatron dead!” Waspinator tried to argue his case; but it didn’t appear to be working.

“Exactly what a coup member might have said, Waspy.” Rattrap smirked.

“Let them vote on it, leader.” GLaDOS looked eagerly at the proceedings; another mech was probably going to die!

“I think it’s a mistake but… All who vote to kill Waspinator; raise your right arm.” Lockdown purposefully didn’t raise his. He figured this was the work of the forger once more. Lockdown saw a number of mechs raise their hands. He pointed to each one in turn; counting them. Fourteen… including me, there are twenty seven mechs left… Lockdown sighed; before giving the verdict.

“The ayes have it, Waspinator. Make your way to the front.”

“Why universe hate Waspinator?” The wasp mech muttered; making his way to the front. GLaDOS handed Lockdown the gun once more.

“I think you’re innocent; but I have to do this.” Lockdown whispered to the wasp mech.

“Pleased someone believe Waspinator. Shame it not help.” Waspinator closed his optics; not even waiting to be asked. Lockdown fired; making the wasp mech slump to the floor. One shot to the forehead later and an orange edged hole opened up; putting Waspinator on his berth.

“You have all just condemned an innocent mech! Waspinator was innocent.” GLaDOS informed them; pleased at the looks of horror crossing the faces of some of the remaining mechs. It was as I suspected; the evidence against Waspinator was forged as well. Lockdown turned to go to his room; not waiting for GLaDOS to say good night to them. There was nothing good about it.

Chapter Text

“As I’m sure you realised; the evidence against Waspinator was forged.” GLaDOS unhelpfully told Lockdown. I knew that; but couldn’t do anything about it without everyone calling my leadership into question. Lockdown glared at the door; unable to physically glare at her at the moment. He made his way over to the computer; chose targets for his three investigators and lay down on his berth. He had a lot to think about. All three investigators were roused shortly afterwards. Investigator 2 would be investigating Starscream; much to his amusement, Chase would be investigating Boulder and investigator 4 would be investigating Kaon. After all three bugs had been placed; GLaDOS spoke to the coup leader. He tapped an assassin; then who he was going to kill. The coup leader lay back down; intending to recharge for a while. He’d start awake if he got a visitor; but that was neither here nor there.

“Good evening, Test Subjects. You may be receiving visitors.” GLaDOS told them not long later. A few mechs headed out when she told them this; to talk to their fellow test subjects. Two other mechs had more sinister intentions in mind.

XxX

“Oh, a visitor.” Boulder grinned at the bot who’d come through his door.

“Yeah, figured I’d come and talk to you peaceful bots.” The visitor told him.

“Rescue Bots, actually. Never had to rescue a mech like you; even though we have saved a mechanical T-rex.” The visitor made his way over to sit on the berth beside Boulder while he was being told about the T-rex.

“Do you think a ‘con is the Coup Leader?”

“Probably; there are more of them than…” Boulder saw the gun in the mech’s hand before he could fire it. He squirmed away from the mech.

“An assassin! I should have realised!” Boulder made his way towards the door as quickly as he could. He found it was locked and pushed his back to it; shivering in fear.

“Now, I had wondered if that GLaDOS chick locked the door. Guess that proves it!” The mech fired the gun; sending the construction bot to the ground. Three shots rang out shortly afterwards.

Meanwhile…

“What do you want now Scream… Oh, you’re not Darkscream.” Slapper turned to look at the door and saw it wasn’t Darkscream for a change.

“Thankfully not.” The mech looked offended to be compared to a Screamer; even if it wasn’t Starscream!

“So, what do you want?” Slapper asked; his tongue hanging slightly out of the corner of his mouth.

“Sticking your tongue out is rude.” The mech told him off.

“Oh, sorry.” Slapper slid the tongue back inside his mouth.

“It’s hard to keep a 42 foot tongue in your mouth sometimes.” Possibly because your foot is alongside it? The mech thought; drawing his gun.

“Wait, really? Why would you want to kill me?” Slapper looked confusedly at the mech.

“To shut you up for one.” The mech fired and Slapper fell to the floor. If the loose cannon checked how long Slapper’s tongue was before slitting his throat; he wasn’t going to tell.

XxX

“Good morning, Test Subjects.” GLaDOS said; hoping to startle some of them awake. She was disappointed when it didn’t work. Lockdown checked his reports; seeing that Boulder and Kaon had received visitors. He headed outside and immediately saw he wouldn’t find out who Boulder was visited by. The other Rescue Bots appeared to be frightened.

“Some assassin got Boulder!” Heatwave shouted at Lockdown.

“The coup leader must want us out of the way!” Blades shivered; before clutching at Heatwave. The fire bot shrugged him off.

“I cannot fathom why; none of us can save anyone in here. We have no abilities; cannot transform and can only leave our rooms to visit others.” Chase told Lockdown. If Lockdown didn’t know better; he’d have thought Chase had just put his foot in it. That seemed to imply he was an assassin.

“The loose cannon got Slapper too!” Darkscream squealed.

“I still think that the assassins have it in for beast mechs.” Gas Skunk shivered. Lockdown looked confused by that. Unless Gas Skunk knows more than he’s letting on… He thought; heading to check on both of the deceased. He found Boulder’s room first and checked on the green mech. Lockdown saw three bullet holes in the construction bot. GLaDOS informed him that Boulder was an innocent and was killed by an assassin. He then went to check on Slapper; knowing what he would find. Sure enough; the frog-bot’s throat had been slit.

“Slapper was an innocent as well; but he was killed by the loose cannon.” GLaDOS told him. Could Gas Skunk be the loose cannon? Lockdown pondered as he made his way back to the main room.

“Who visited you, Kaon?” He asked once he was stood at the front. The red mech pointed at Vos. Lockdown glared at GLaDOS; almost daring her to ask if he’d like to kill anyone.

“Don’t give me that look. I didn’t kill anyone. I just enjoy watching you all die, possibly at the hands of your friends.” Lockdown had the feeling that she would be smirking at him if she was capable of it.

“Good night Test Subjects.” She said; dismissing all the remaining mechs. Lockdown went back to his room; still annoyed with GLaDOS.

“What did you give me that look for? I’m not the assassin.”

“No; but you’re awfully happy when someone dies.” Lockdown glared at the door; knowing GLaDOS was beyond it.

“I told you; I want to see all of you dead.” She would have been grinning if she was capable of it.

“And besides that; I’m not the only one who takes joy when mechs die in painful ways. The Justice Division does that as their job outside of the simulation.” GLaDOS’ comment made Lockdown pause and immediately go and pick targets for his investigators. They placed the bugs and went back to their rooms.

“Wake up Test Subjects. You may be receiving visitors.” GLaDOS told all of them shortly afterwards. Four mechs headed out; three because they had to, one with more sinister intentions in mind.

XxX

“Blades, I’ve told you before, I’m not being your cuddly toy for when…” Heatwave had apparently just realised the mech in the room wasn’t Blades. The mech made his way over towards Heatwave; without speaking to him.

“Step back, assassin. I knew you had it in for us.”

“Not quite fire bot.” The loose cannon drew out his gun.

“I didn’t think he could do…” Heatwave slumped to the ground from the shot. The loose cannon drew out his knife, pondering what Heatwave had meant.

XxX

Lockdown checked his reports. It turned out only one of the D.J.D. had been out the night before. He’d ask Tesarus where he’d gone; to visit Kaon presumably, the only member he hadn’t investigated. He went outside; seeing Blades being held by Chase.

“The coup has it in for us! They got Heatwave too! They’re going to come for me next!”

“Blades; calm down. Panicking the way you are will not solve anything.” Chase awkwardly patted his teammate’s back. Lockdown decided that he’d better go and check on Heatwave; if just so they knew which particular assassin had killed him. He went inside the fire bot’s room and found that the red mech’s throat had been slit.

“Oh… that’s interesting. Heatwave was an assassin and he was killed by the loose cannon.” GLaDOS informed him; a smile in her voice. An assassin?! Assassins can be killed by the loose cannon? Lockdown looked confused, but shook himself. He couldn’t let the rest of the mechs know what he was thinking.

“Heatwave got killed by the loose cannon.” He informed Blades and Chase. Blades shivered and squawked; much to some of the cons’ amusement. Lockdown wasn’t going to try and calm the flighty copter bot down. The awkward police bot, his investigator he recalled, could handle it.

“Who did you visit, Tesarus?” He asked. The grinder bot looked nervous.

“Me! He has quite the singing voice!” Blitzwing informed them with a laugh.

“How would you know? I didn’t sing for you!” Lockdown decided that, yes Tesarus did; but he didn’t want everybot else to know that he had!

“Leader, do you intend to kill anyone?” GLaDOS asked him; apparently not as amused by Tesarus’ embarrassment as everyone else was.

“No, and I really wish you’d stop asking me that!” Lockdown glared at her again.

“Good night Test Subjects.” GLaDOS’ eye shuttered; as though she was going to sleep. Each of the other bots made their way out; some of them giggling at the four of members of the Justice Division singing to each other. The song said something about someone paying the price for their betrayal. Lockdown heard the singing and shook his head, making his way into his room. He pondered who to send his investigators after. He’s always up to something… He’s likely to be a target… and I haven’t investigated him yet. Lockdown thought; picking his targets. He lay on his berth; that song now stuck in his head. The investigators headed out and planted the bugs, before lying back down on their berths. The coup leader tapped the forger again; for the third and final time and a pair of devil’s horns appeared over their picture again. The coup leader thought it rather suited the mech in question. He lay back down; pondering if he’d receive any visitors shortly. GLaDOS spoke to all of the mechs again; telling them they may be receiving visitors. The forger headed out; knowing who he wanted his target to kill, it was going to be fun! The loose cannon also headed out; unbeknownst to him going along a similar line as the coup!

XxX

“What are you doing in here?” Tesarus glared at the mech who’d come in his door.

“Why can’t I visit one of the feared Decepticon Justice Division?” The mech sounded completely insincere at the end.

“You’re not frightened of us. I can tell that much.” Tesarus grumbled; silently annoyed that his Megatron had forbade their universe’s version of this mech from being on The List.

“No I’m not. This is a place where words have more power than weapons.”

“Certainly seems that way.” Tesarus growled when the mech pulled out a gun.

“Traitor! You’re one of those assassins that want us to fail!”

“No, Tesarus. You are one of those assassins.” The gun fired and Tesarus felt an urge to kill shoot through him. It wasn’t an unfamiliar feeling.

“And I want you to go kill your smelter mech boyfriend.” The forger smirked; seeing Tesarus heading for the door.

XxX

“Hey Tess. You back again? Mustn’t have been able to resist me.” Helex was a little unnerved by the lack of an answering smile.

“I have orders to kill you.” Tesarus informed him; pulling out a gun. Helex shivered.

“You’d kill… one of us?” Helex actually shivered; they were lucky this hadn’t happened when they’d caught Dominus.

“Those are my orders.” Tesarus got his aim straight.

“Did you kill Tarn? Or was that one of your…?” Helex was cut off with a scream. Tesarus had stunned him with the gun.

“Funny who turns out to be a screamer in the end.” Tesarus remarked; before the gun fired three more times.

Meanwhile…

“Are you a loyal Decepticon, or one who should be on our List?” Kaon asked; from his spot perched on the berth.

“Loyal.” The visitor answered.

“But then again; even a traitor would say that to one of us.” Kaon stood up.

“So, have you come here to ask how to be a better Decepticon or…?” Kaon realised something had shifted. The air felt cooler.

“I’m here to make you scream; like I’d imagine you do to traitors.” Kaon felt a jolt shoot through him and dropped. The loose cannon grinned; drawing out his knife.

“I wonder if you were your leader’s favourite. Either way… you’ll match.” The loose cannon muttered to himself before bringing the knife down.

XxX

Now to see which of you aren’t trustworthy… Lockdown thought; finding 3 reports. He tapped the first and smiled. Deathsaurus had a visitor. Lockdown only hoped Deathsaurus would be alive to tell him who it was. Chase’s report was next; and it revealed that Skyquake had also had a visitor. Lockdown tapped the third and almost laughed. Of course he was out last night; he’s always being sneaky! Lockdown vowed to quiz the sneaky mech when he went outside. That thought almost slipped from his mind when he saw how frightened all of the remaining D.J.D. were. Tesarus was kneeling down with his arms around a shivering Vos.

“Infamy, infamy… they’ve all got it in for me.” Vos remarked.

“Not yet they don’t little one.” Tesarus’ hand stroked his back.

“I thought you lot were supposed to be feared!” Starscream smirked at them.

“I’ll go check on your two team mates; but I think I know what I’ll find.” Lockdown remarked; heading to check on the two dead bots. He wasn’t surprised when he found Kaon with his throat slit.

“So, an assassin must have killed Helex then.” Lockdown made his way to the smelter mech’s room and found his suspicions confirmed. Helex had three bullet holes in him; a triple tap. Lockdown made his way back to the main room. His appearance didn’t make the justice division any less frightened. Here was the one place in the universe where they couldn’t defend themselves!

“Deathsaurus, who visited you?” Lockdown asked.

“He wanted to know whether I could do what Hellbat did… and what animal I turned into.” Deathsaurus pointed at Gas Skunk.

“He turns into a really scary dragon! And he has two of those Breast thingies!” Gas Skunk informed everyone.

“And you, Skyquake?” Skyquake growled.

“He did. He wanted to find out if my alt mode looked like the Star Saber. I’m a plane; not a sword!” Skyquake glared at Hellbat.

“No! Star Saber is a mech where I’m from. And you look a little like him in bot mode.” Deathsaurus and Leozack couldn’t see it.

“What about you Starscream?” Lockdown saw Starscream stiffen.

“I… didn’t visit anyone last night.” Starscream paused part way in.

“You know, that sounded mighty suspicious.” Tesarus remarked.

“I didn’t!” Starscream shouted. Lockdown saw more mechs turning on the seeker and knew he’d have to put it to the vote. I only hope that Starscream isn’t one of my investigators… Lockdown thought.

“Wouldn’t surprise me if he was one of those assassins.” Rattrap remarked.

“He is a Starscream, after all.” Vos sounded sure of himself.

“I’m not an assassin! Why are you picking on me when you didn’t pick on that police bot over there? He said the same thing a few nights ago!” Starscream pointed at Chase.

“Because, unlike you, I didn’t make a big fuss about it.” Chase decided to point out.

“There’s your assassin. And probably a good one at that!” Starscream pointed at Chase; trying to draw attention away from him. It wasn’t working; everyone still seemed intent on killing him.

“Leader, we’d like to nominate someone for death!” Tesarus sounded very happy.

“All who vote to kill Starscream raise your right hand.” Lockdown smirked; he could tell how this was going. He saw just about everyone raise their right hand.

“Have you all been waiting for a while to do that?” GLaDOS asked them; sounding amused.

“Starscream, come here.” Lockdown saw the seeker nervously make his way to the front.

“You’re all making a mistake! I haven’t killed anyone; you have to believe me!” Starscream wailed.

“No we don’t.” Jazz grinned; used to this level of dramatics from the seeker.

“It isn’t a mistake! You’re a tricky ‘con!” Side Burn shouted.

“Shut your optics and say your prayers.” Though I doubt your prayers will be heard in here. Lockdown added in his head. Starscream shut his optics but didn’t kneel down and pray. Lockdown noted he was shaking. Starscream screamed when the gun shot him and he collapsed. Lockdown shook his head and fired the gun again. An orange rimmed hole opened beneath Starscream and he disappeared.

“Congratulations Test Subjects, you have one less member of the coup to worry about.” GLaDOS informed them; before wishing them good night. All of them made their way to their room; slightly happier that there were less mechs out to kill them now.

Chapter Text

“Actually… Starscream was the Forger. He hasn’t killed anyone.” GLaDOS informed Lockdown once he’d gone inside his room.

“No, but he ordered Kakuryu to kill Goryu, Waspinator to kill Megatron and… who killed Helex?” Lockdown asked out loud.

“Oh, Starscream has a beautiful sense of irony! Tesarus killed Helex!” GLaDOS sounded impressed; here was a mech after her own power core!

“Unfortunately for you, the forger had already done all he could. The coup leader can only use him 3 times.” Lockdown growled; making his way over to his computer. He picked targets for each of his investigators; praying that they would find something useful for him in the morning. Each of them was roused by GLaDOS and they went out to place the bug. The coup leader was roused next and he picked a target for his assassin. GLaDOS was pleased with his choice.

“Good evening, Test Subjects. May your visitors have your best interests at power core.” Some of the Transformers pondered what she meant by that. Some of them decided to head out; two without the others’ best interests at spark.

XxX

“Oh, it’s you. The unusual one.”

“Maybe where you’re from. My looks are rather typical where I’m from.” The visiting bot told Skyquake.

“It’s got to be an Autobot that’s going around killing bots, hasn’t it?” Skyquake looked a little nervously at the bot visiting him. The bot had a wicked smirk crossing his features.

“Perhaps.” He paused; fishing his gun out of subspace.

“Or perhaps I’m the one you should be worrying about!” Skyquake stiffened as the shot from the other mech’s gun hit him. Three shots rang out shortly afterwards.

Meanwhile…

“What do you want now Hell… oh. You’re not Hellbat.” Leozack looked confusedly at the mech visiting him.

“No I’m not.” the mech answered.

“Are you a snitch, Leozack?” The mech asked, a smirk crossing his features. Leozack looked a little nervous. Oh, he is! The mech thought smugly.

“No! Why would you think that?!”

“What’s your opinion of your emperor? Not fit to lead? You’d be better than him?” Leozack shivered; almost dying to agree with the sweet poison the visitor was saying to him. The visitor could tell; though Leozack would be just dying in a moment.

“Don’t you know… snitches get stitches?” The mech pulled out his gun and almost laughed at Leozack screaming. Apparently; he’s just as cowardly as Starscream. Must be Deathsaurus’ air commander. The mech thought; firing his gun. Leozack slumped to the floor and the mech drew out his knife.

XxX

Lockdown looked over his reports. The first told him that Gas Skunk had went out last night. The second said Leozack received a visitor and the third told him Jazz had left his room last night. He made his way out and knew he wouldn’t find out who Leozack’s visitor was. Leozack was missing. The blue twin jet was panicking as well.

“The assassins must be Autobots! They are determined to kill us all!”

“Calm down brother. You panicking like this; is exactly what those assassins want.” Steeljaw rested a hand on Dreadwing’s arm. Dreadwing shook it off; not appreciating the friendliness of this interloper. Megatron would never have trusted him; so Dreadwing wasn’t going to. Lockdown didn’t see any of this; he was busy finding out who killed who. Skyquake had been triple tapped and Leozack had had his throat slit. He’d made his way back to the front of the swiftly diminishing group. Was there only 18 bots standing in front of him? Over half of them were dead now?! That meant… over a fifth of the remaining bots were out to kill them all.

“Who did you visit Jazz?” He asked.

“Me? Didn’t visit no one last night.” Jazz told him. Lockdown left it at that. GLaDOS didn’t need to tell him now.

“And you, Gas Skunk?” Hellbat answered, instead.

“Me. He wanted to… ugh! I’m not telling you.” Gas Skunk wasn’t telling them either; making everyone ponder what they might have been doing.

“Do you wish to kill anyone, leader?” GLaDOS asked. Lockdown gave her a dirty look.

“No? Not even him?” She pointed at Dreadwing. Lockdown continued glaring at her so she assumed not.

“Fine, I see my suggestions aren’t wanted. Good night Test Subjects.” Her eye went dark and everyone headed off to their rooms. Lockdown tapped targets for each of his Investigators. Number 2; who he suspected might be Jazz, was to investigate Barricade. Chase was told to investigate Dreadwing. Number 4 was to investigate Deathsaurus. Investigator 4 wasn’t sure what to make of the kaiju mech.

“Are you killing anyone, leader?” GLaDOS’ face lit up when she saw he was. She was very pleased with the choice. She was more pleased when she saw the Loose Cannon head out of his room.

XxX

“Oh, how interesting. I wasn’t expecting a visitor. Especially one like you.” Chase tried to smile at the bot visiting him.

“What do you mean by that, weakling?” The bot asked.

“I was under the impression that a bot like yourself would not want to speak with a bot like myself.” Chase answered. The visitor had worked out what the police bot was trying to say to him. He drew out his gun. Chase’s eyes widened.

“You are an assassin! I had wondered why a bot such as you would…” Chase trailed off; having been shot by the other bot’s gun. The other bot drew out his knife; intending to silence the police bot permanently.

Meanwhile…

“Not sure you’re welcome in here.” Tesarus glared at his visitor. Or at least, that is what his visitor thought he was doing.

“Pretty sure any mech can go where he wants in here. Except Lockdown. He’s in… well, lockdown.” The mech grinned. Tesarus didn’t. That joke wasn’t particularly funny.

“Can’t you guys take a joke? Don’t you guys do anything for fun?” The mech asked.

“Killing traitors is plenty fun.” Tesarus answered; a grin crossing his face this time. His visitor was a little disturbed.

“Guess that means you’ll get to find out what a traitor feels like being hunted by you.” The visitor pulled out a gun. Tesarus appeared frightened. Again, his visitor couldn’t be certain. Tesarus shuffled against the back wall; since his visitor was still by the door.

“Wonder if you’ll scream…” Tesarus felt the shot go through him and couldn’t be sure if he did scream. Three more shots rang out not too long afterwards.

XxX

Lockdown made his way over to the computer; seeing only 2 reports flashing on his screen this time. A 2 and a 4 were on the reports on the computer screen. Someone got Chase. Lockdown glared at the door; certain GLaDOS was orchestrating the deaths somehow.

“I see you glaring holes in the door. I’m not choosing who dies; the coup leader is.” She sounded rather smug and Lockdown glared at the door some more, before turning back to his reports. Report number 2 informed him Barricade left his room last night. Report number 4 didn’t tell him anything helpful. He headed outside and saw a very frightened looking Blades; which only confirmed his suspicions. Chase was killed last night.

“Why? Why do they have to kill us? Why leave me on my own?” Blades asked rhetorically, not expecting anybot to answer him.

“The same reason they left me on my own. To torture us.” Vos realised the irony in that statement. Lockdown noted there was only one of the D.J.D. left too. And it was the skinny prawn. He headed to check on the deceased. He found Chase’s throat had been slit and Tesarus had been triple tapped. GLaDOS informed him that Chase was his Investigator 3 and that Tesarus was a Wanderer.

“I can tell you are wondering what one of those is. A Wanderer must leave his room every night to visit somebody else.” She informed him. You mean… Tesarus has been going out every night? I hope that there was only one of them.

“There were 3 of them chosen at the beginning; before you think that that’s that.” Lockdown could tell she was smug about that. Lockdown realised that meant there were two more bots who had to leave their rooms each night. And that they would look very suspicious. He headed back to the main room and informed the two worrying bots of their team mates’ fates. Blades shivered; that was two of his friends that had been killed by the loose cannon.

“I said they had it in for me.” Vos folded his arms; looking upset when he remembered who he’d said that to. Lockdown decided to ignore them for now. He had a question to ask.

“Who did you visit Barricade?”

“Me? No one. Why would I want to visit anyone?” Blackout appeared a little upset by Barricade’s declaration. Lockdown didn’t say anything again.

“I don’t suppose you are going to kill anyone?” GLaDOS asked nonchalantly. Lockdown didn’t answer her straight away. someone else butted in.

“Why are you so trusting of police bots anyway?” Quillfire asked.

“Hey! Don’t you be bad-mouthing Chase! He was trustworthy!” Blades growled at the echidna-con; no Heatwave to hold him back from shouting at them now.

“Barricade can be trusted. I trust him.” Blackout said the second sentence more quietly.

“I’m not killing anyone. No one has given me reason to doubt them… yet.” Lockdown smirked at the remaining bots. He turned around and headed for his room; hearing GLaDOS saying good night to everyone else. Lockdown picked targets for his… two investigators. Damn those killers! He thought; knowing GLaDOS couldn’t hear his thoughts. He lay down on his bed; getting annoyed with them killers wasn’t going to find them any faster. Lockdown sent Jazz after Steeljaw and Barricade after Hellbat. At least; that’s who he thought his two investigators were. Damn those killers for killing Chase! He thought; closing his eyes.

“Is someone going to die tonight, leader?” GLaDOS asked. The coup leader tapped his assassin then a poor unfortunate soul for him to kill. GLaDOS was pleased by this. She saw who headed out and was slightly less pleased.

XxX

“I’m pleased you decided to come apologize for what you… oh. You’re not Barricade.” Blackout looked confusedly at the mech standing by his door.

“No I’m not.” The mech answered.

“What do you want? I’m not in the habit of receiving visitors.” Blackout glared at the mech. He didn’t appear perturbed.

“Your spark, actually.” The mech drew out his gun with a smirk and Blackout’s eyes widened. A shot rang out and Blackout collapsed.

“Brain.” Bang.

“Spark.” Bang.

“T-Cog.” Bang. The mech made his way back to his room.

XxX

Lockdown found two reports the next morning. Both of them informed him that the investigated mech went out the previous night. He headed out and found a rather despondent looking Barricade outside. Probably because he wasn’t very nice to Blackout; the mech who… died last night. Blackout was missing. Lockdown went to investigate why. Sure enough, Blackout had been killed; triple tap. Another innocent; and it was still weird hearing a Decepticon called an innocent. He made his way back to the group; seeing only 15 bots stood before him now. Possibly about to be 14. Lockdown thought; wondering if his investigators had caught an assassin.

“Who did you visit, Hellbat?” He asked.

“Me. He decided to ask me if he thought we were next, since Leozack died last night.” Deathsaurus answered. Apparently, the two of them were unnerved by their comrade’s death; but chose not to show it.

“And you, Steeljaw?” The wolf mech quickly answered.

“I visited Rattrap.”

“No you didn’t you lyin’ con!” Rattrap glared at the wolf mech. Lockdown had a feeling he knew what that meant. Steeljaw was an assassin; and he’d been caught in the act!

“You visited Blackout, didn’t you?” Barricade glared at Steeljaw as well.

“You wish! I’m not a killer.” Steeljaw sounded rather calm; even with the accusations being levelled at him.

“And how come you don’t question bots who say they didn’t visit anyone, but clearly went out last night? You ask us about what your investigators found out, don’t you Lockdown?” Steeljaw asked. Lockdown nodded.

“So, surely you should be suspicious of Barricade and Jazz as well? Since they were out with no reason.”

“You’re just tryin’ to use that silver tongue o’ yours to get you outta trouble Steeljaw!” Underbite pointed out; suspecting the wolf-con more than the other two simply because the bot who he’d said he visited disagreed.

“Would you like to kill someone leader?” GLaDOS asked; pleased at the rest of the bots being out for blood!

“All who vote to kill Steeljaw raise your right arm.” Lockdown smirked; knowing that they were out for Steeljaw’s energon.

“What?! You’d…” Steeljaw was interrupted.

“Yes he would. Shut up.” Deathsaurus told him, raising his right arm. Lockdown glanced at the mechs and saw most of them had their right arm up.

“Come here. Looks like they voted to kill you.” Lockdown wasn’t surprised. Steeljaw growled; but made his way to the front.

“Now, I would say that you’re all making a mistake; but you won’t believe me.” Steeljaw folded his arms.

“Close your eyes, wolf.” Steeljaw did so, before lifting his hand up.

“Do I get to say my last words?”

“Why not indulge him?” GLaDOS asked; sounding rather amused. Lockdown informed him he could.

“Dreadwing, was it?” Steeljaw had turned to look at the blue jet.

“What is it traitor?”

“You should have seen the look on your twin’s face when I pulled the gun on him.” Steeljaw grinned; looking rather wicked. Dreadwing roared. This… monster! Was the assassin that killed his brother! Everybody else realised too; this mech was an assassin; and he was about to get what was coming to him!

“Actually… all of them were terrified. It was… quite the feeling of power.” Steeljaw informed him, smirking evilly at everyone. Lockdown fired the gun, and much to everyone’s disappointment, he didn’t howl as he got hit. Lockdown fired the gun again and an orange rimmed hole opened beneath Steeljaw.

“Congratulations Test Subjects. You have one less member of the coup to worry about.” GLaDOS was pleased by them cheering and being happy about it. She knew the coup leader could kill bots instead, now.

“Good night, Test Subjects. Don’t let the bugs bite.” GLaDOS was very pleased when some of them shuddered. Lockdown made his way into his room; pleased to have caught an actual assassin at last.

Chapter Text

Lockdown chose targets for his two investigators. Jazz was investigating Gas Skunk and Barricade was investigating Hellbat. At least, Lockdown thought that those two were planting the bugs for him. GLaDOS looked at the coup leader curiously. He was heading nervously for the door.

“Are you going to kill someone?” The coup leader jumped at her voice. He nodded his head.

“Oh, how evil of you!” She remarked, muttering something about science points afterwards. The loose cannon headed out as well; knowing who was going to die tonight.

XxX

“Greetings.” Vos said to his visitor. His visitor looked a little nervous.

“Aw, don’t be frightened. I don’t bite.” His visitor made his way forward.

“Now, why would you visit me?” Vos asked; swinging his legs back and forth.

“Who do you think killed your team mates? I mean… I know you know how they died. But who did it?” The visitor asked; reaching into subspace.

“That rat I bet. He’s probably the bugger who slit Tarn’s throat. I wouldn’t put it past that Hellbat either.” Vos then noticed what was in his visitor’s hand.

“You? You killed them?” Vos’ eyes widened in terror.

“I didn’t kill them.” Vos had backed up against the wall; with his visitor keeping him trapped there. He raised the gun.

“I ordered it.” Vos shrieked when the blast hit him. The coup leader performed a triple tap and headed back to his room; trying to push the thought of what he’d just saw out of his mind.

Meanwhile…

“Oh, you caught me at a bad time. I’ve got to head out and speak to…” Gas Skunk trailed off spotting the gun in his visitor’s hand.

“Oh, I don’t think you’ll be speaking to anyone this evening. Or any more.” The loose cannon fired the gun and watched the skunk mech slump to the floor. He made his way over; drawing out his knife in the process.

XxX

GLaDOS said good morning to the Test Subjects and they got up. Darkscream was a little worried when Gas Skunk didn’t appear from his room. I hope he’s alright… Maybe he just slept in… Darkscream didn’t quite believe that; but made his way to his friend’s room. Gas Skunk was lying on the bed on his back. Darkscream knew from experience his friend didn’t sleep like that and went over to investigate. He screamed when he saw what had happened. Elsewhere, GLaDOS said good morning to Lockdown.

“What’s good about it? I’m still trapped here.” He answered.

“Well, you caught an assassin yesterday. And both of your investigators have turned in reports this morning. So I’d say your morning is pretty good.” GLaDOS remarked; leaving him to read his reports. The first, Jazz’s he thought, said Gas Skunk had a visitor. The second informed him Hellbat went out again the previous night. He headed out of the door. And was met with a shivering Darkscream.

“Th-th-the loose cannon killed Gas Skunk! He’s after us! He wants to kill animal-bots!”

“Stop panicking! That’s what these bots want. They want you to panic.” Lockdown informed Darkscream; who stopped speaking but continued shivering, obviously convinced he was next. Lockdown also noted a lack of skinny purple stood near the back of the room. An assassin got Vos too. He realised; knowing the loose cannon couldn’t kill two bots in one night.

“Who did you visit, Hellbat?” Lockdown asked; since Gas Skunk wouldn’t be telling him who his visitor was.

“Me. Though why he’d want to visit me I’ll never work out.” Barricade answered him. Lockdown smirked; if he’d got his investigators right…

“Do you wish to kill anyone, leader?” GLaDOS interrupted that train of thought.

“No. I still don’t have any idea who’s doing this.” Lockdown informed her.

“While you ponder that more bots die.” She baited him.

“I’ve got more chance of killing an innocent bot than an assassin.” He informed her with a smirk; she might see the logic in that past her bloodlust.

“True. But you also might get lucky and kill an assassin.”

“I don’t believe in luck. I believe in evidence. And I haven’t got any to base my decisions on.” Lockdown informed her.

“Good night Test Subjects.” GLaDOS’ eye flickered closed and everyone made their way to their rooms. She spoke to Lockdown again once he was in his room.

“Gas Skunk was a wanderer and Vos was an innocent. As the flying fox told you; Gas Skunk was killed by the loose cannon. Vos was killed by an assassin.”

“You want to see us fail! You want me to kill innocent bots!”

“I’ve told you on several occasions; I want to see you all dead. This test will be a success either way and I will get new Test Subjects.” She informed him; Lockdown could tell she was very pleased with herself. He didn’t answer; hoping to thwart her plan to keep them all. He picked his targets and lay on the bed; hoping that the reports would be more useful than yesterday’s. The coup leader sent out his assassin; then lay back on his bed. He wouldn’t be getting any visitors.

XxX

“You wish to join the revolution? You wish to help me find the killers and become the leader?” Quillfire asked his visitor; sounding very pleased with himself.

“What revolution? You got any bots helping you… assassin.” The visitor asked; amused by the irony.

“I’m no assassin! I just think that I could do a better job of finding out who’s killing people!” Quillfire informed the visitor.

“Will you join me?” He asked. The visitor appeared to consider it for a moment.

“I already know who’s killing people.” He smirked; drawing out his gun. He was pleased by the frightened squawk from his target.

“Me!” He shot Quillfire; hearing another squawk as the echidna collapsed. Three more bangs of the gun and that was the end of that revolution.

XxX

Lockdown checked his reports and saw there were two. His investigators hadn’t died last night; but that didn’t mean that the reports were useful. ‘Jazz’s report was; it told him Side Burn had a visitor. ‘Barricade’s wasn’t; Underbite hadn’t left his room or received any visitors. Lockdown went outside and saw that Underbite looked rather worried. He was the only one of that group left alive.

“That squirrel was right! They’re after us!” Darkscream looked a little annoyed at being called a squirrel. Lockdown headed along the corridor and found Quillfire’s room. Sure enough, Quillfire had been triple tapped.

“Quillfire was an innocent and you know how he died.” GLaDOS sounded very pleased. The test was heading very swiftly towards its conclusion. Lockdown made his way back to the main room and told them how Quillfire had died.

“Whoever this coup leader is, he mustn’t like animals.” Underbite shuddered; sure he was next.

“Where were you last night, Hellbat?” Lockdown asked; certain this was about the 10th time that he’d seen Hellbat had left his room. Maybe he’s the other wanderer. Lockdown thought; seeing the devilishly eared mech point at Side Burn.

“He was wondering if I was like holly. I’m not some earth plant!”

“Not holly; Holi! That’s a bot where I’m from.” Hellbat informed them.

“Would you like to kill anyone tonight, leader?” GLaDOS looked eagerly at him. Over a quarter of the bots left were against Lockdown and he still wasn’t killing anyone?

“No. I still have no evidence as to who is killing people.” GLaDOS looked a little disappointed but moved swiftly on.

“Good night Test Subjects. Sweet dreams.” She sound rather wicked when she said that. Each of them made their way to their rooms; some nervous about being killed, others wondering who to kill, yet others pondering who they were going to be investigating tonight.

XxX

“You must be… Oh. I was expecting that big purple mech who thought I was a squirrel. Squirrels must look different where he’s from.” Darkscream informed his visitor. His visitor pondered why Underbite would visit Darkscream. He shook his head; before drawing out his gun. Darkscream froze.

“You aren’t that loose cannon are you?” He asked; terrified he would end up like…

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” He asked flippantly; firing the gun at Darkscream. His victim screamed before he collapsed. The loose cannon drew out his knife; grinning at the thought the three of them would match.

Meanwhile…

“You are not welcome here assassin!” Deathsaurus shouted at the mech who was visiting him. The mech drew out his gun; deciding that he might as well draw it since he’d been called out on it. He saw Deathsaurus’ eyes widen; all four of them.

“What? Didn’t you think that you’d be right?” The visitor smirked; before firing the gun. Deathsaurus collapsed. Three shots rang out soon afterwards.

XxX

Lockdown checked his reports and noticed something very strange about one of them. Visited twice?! He vowed to check in with Darkscream. Lockdown wasn’t surprised by Blades not visiting anyone; after all, he had no one left to visit. Lockdown headed outside and immediately noted it would be impossible to ask Darkscream anything. Hellbat looked rather frightened though; possibly because he’d visited Darkscream. Lockdown found Darkscream with a slit throat; just like his two friends. Deathsaurus had three bullet holes across his body. GLaDOS informed him that both of them were innocent. He made his way back to the main room; pondering how to ask the remaining mechs who visited Darkscream last night. He decided to just outright ask.

“Who visited Darkscream last night?” Lockdown saw Hellbat stiffen.

“Hellbat?” He asked; making the blue mech shiver.

“Yes?” The devilish eared mech looked nervously at him.

“You visited Darkscream last night, didn’t you?” Lockdown asked.

“Yes… but I didn’t kill him! He… asked if Komoribreast could feel if he petted him.” Lockdown had a feeling Hellbat’s cheeks would be bright red under the mask.

“While he’s attached, you mean?” Barricade smirked.

“Did the squirrel touch your breast?” Underbite laughed. Hellbat didn’t answer; but looked a little embarrassed. Lockdown believed him; Hellbat didn’t kill Darkscream. Whoever Darkscream’s other visitor was killed the flying fox; and he wasn’t going to own up.

“Do you wish to kill anyone, Leader?” GLaDOS asked. She looked rather hopefully at Lockdown. She wanted him to kill Hellbat; just to see how the flighty mech would react. He was funny.

“No.” He answered.

“Very well. Good night Test Subjects.” GLaDOS went quiet and the very small number of mechs who remained went back to their room. Lockdown chose targets for Jazz and Barricade; then lay on his bed. He was wondering if Hellbat was just a bad liar.

XxX

“How unusual for someone to visit me.” Dreadwing remarked. He was a little confused by who his visitor was.

“Are you lost?” He asked. The mech looked a little annoyed.

“No.” The mech drew his gun. Dreadwing looked a little nervously at the gun.

“You’re one of that monster’s friends who killed my twin!” Dreadwing growled; before the gun moved to point right between his optics.

“Steeljaw did as I told him, actually.” Dreadwing slumped to the ground as the shot hit him. Three more followed soon after.

XxX

Lockdown saw two reports. He was pleased. The first one told him he was right; Jazz was one of his Investigators. Barricade’s informed him that Hellbat had gone out again last night. Definitely a Wanderer. Lockdown thought as he headed outside. He noticed that Dreadwing was missing and headed to the large jet’s room. He wasn’t surprised to find three bullet holes decorating the large mech’s body.

“Oh, that’s very interesting!” GLaDOS sounded very pleased with what had occurred the previous night. Lockdown made an inquisitive noise and GLaDOS told him what was interesting.

“Dreadwing was the Loose Cannon.”

Chapter Text

One of the coup did what I couldn’t do and found the Loose Cannon?! Lockdown felt his eyes widen. He couldn’t believe it.

“Can I tell the rest of them that the Loose Cannon is dead?” He asked GLaDOS.

“You can.” She informed him; sounding rather pleased by this turn of events. She didn’t know he had it in him! Lockdown made his way back to the main room.

“Dreadwing was the Loose Cannon.” The cheers from the remaining bots brought a grin to his face too.

“So he was the monster going around slitting bots' throats!” Blades remarked.

“Funny, he was calling Steeljaw a monster while being one himself!” Underbite shrugged.

“Who’d you visit Hellbat?” Lockdown asked once again.

“He visited me. Said something about wanting to see if I turned into a car like holly too.” Jazz told them. Hellbat grumbled once again that it was ‘Holi’.

“Do you wish to kill anyone Leader?” GLaDOS received an expected no in response. She bid all of them good night once more, pretending to go to sleep as well. Lockdown sent Jazz out after Hellbat and Barricade out after Rattrap. Once the bugs had been placed, they went back to their rooms, awaiting their fate. The coup leader chose a target for his assassin and lay back down.

“Unfortunates, you may be receiving visitors.” GLaDOS remarked, sounding rather amused. The assassin headed out, knowing who he was going to kill.

XxX

“Hey my man, pleased to see I'm not the...” The assassin drew his gun. Jazz trailed off when he saw the gun.

“Not the what?” The assassin asked, curious what Jazz was going to say.

“I was going to say the only good guy left... but you can't be good. Not if you're one of those assassins.” The assassin smirked, before firing his gun. Jazz dropped and the assassin made his way over to finish the job.

XxX

There was only one report flashing when Lockdown was roused. The number corresponded to Barricade. Rattrap had gone out last night. Lockdown figured only an assassin would be wandering around at night now. There was hardly anybody left and most of them knew no one else. He headed out, not surprised to find Jazz missing. GLaDOS followed him when he went to see what had happened. Triple tapped; as expected. The Loose Cannon was dead now, after all.

“As I'm sure you're aware, Jazz was one of your Investigators.” Lockdown was a little annoyed by that; but also knew who his other Investigator was. He made his way back to the main room; seeing only seven bots looking back at him. He also knew Rattrap went out last night.

“Who did you visit last night, Rattrap?”

“I didn't visit no one.” The mouse like mech answered.

“Sure you didn't.” Barricade gave him a look which said he didn't trust him.

“Hey, you believed that batty bot over there!” He pointed right at Hellbat.

“Are you going to kill someone Leader?” GLaDOS asked from her place in the corner. Lockdown wasn't going to take matters into his own hands.

“All who vote to kill Rattrap, raise your hand.” Everyone else raised their hand. Rattrap made his way up to the front. Lockdown pulled out the gun for executing... hopefully the last member of the coup.

“Any last words?”

“Yeah, what does little mousey have to say for himself?” Blitzwing chimed up, laughing maniacally. The head then swivelled around to the calm blue one.

“Eh... You won't work out who was ordering it.” Rattrap told them; revealing they'd made the right call. Lockdown shot him, then again. Rattrap was dropped through an orange rimmed portal just like the others.

“Rattrap was the final assassin. However... the coup leader is still lurking in the shadows trying to kill you all.” GLaDOS told them, sounding rather amused by it all.

“Good night test subjects. Sweet dreams.” All of them headed to their rooms, the six who remained along the corridor glaring at each other. One of them had to be the coup leader, the mech who'd been killing everyone. Lockdown knew there were only 5 mechs it could be though. Barricade was told to investigate Hellbat. Lockdown lay down, hoping that he could work out which mech the coup leader was.

XxX

“Quite the night for visitors! How can I help you?” Side Burn asked.

“Get on the berth.” The coup leader told him.

“Oh... You're not my type. I only go for little red sports cars.” Side Burn told him.

“You're not mine either.” The coup leader drew his gun. Side Burn realised who this was and obeyed his order, lying on the berth.

“Close your eyes.” Side Burn did as asked. The coup leader fired the shot, his eyes closed too. Three more shots quickly followed it.

XxX

Lockdown found a report in the morning; which he was thankful for. It meant Barricade hadn't been killed. Hellbat had been out last night... Lockdown now recalled Hellbat was probably the third Wanderer. He had been out every time he'd been investigated after all. Lockdown headed outside and saw Hellbat looking extremely worried. He also saw Side Burn was missing. A trip along the corridor informed him that Side Burn had been triple tapped and GLaDOS told him that Side Burn was an Innocent.

“Who did you visit Hellbat?” The blue mech jumped when Lockdown spoke to him.

“I... I didn't visit anyone!”

“You've said that before. And you've said that you've visited a mech that died the night he died!” Barricade told him.

“He's the one whose been plotting to kill us!” Blades spoke out and then shivered when everyone turned to look at him.

“All who vote to kill Hellbat, raise your hand.” Lockdown knew he was innocent, but also knew that... yep. Hellbat looked terrified.

“Come here.” The devilish eared mech did as asked. He shivered when Lockdown drew out the gun.

“Any last words?” He asked.

“They won't believe them anyway.” Lockdown knew that.

“Well... let me tell you some. I know you're innocent.” Hellbat had a hopeful look in his eyes when the gun was fired. Another shot and an orange rimmed portal appeared underneath him.

“You have all condemned an innocent mech!” GLaDOS informed them. She sounded very pleased with this development. Only four mechs remained.

“I wonder who the killer is? It couldn't be... you?” She pointed at Underbite first, making her way around each of them. She had to laugh at all of them jumping in fright when her attention was on them.

“Good night little monsters.” She sounded incredibly pleased with herself. Lockdown headed back to his room. She had to have pointed at the coup leader... possibly she pointed at him first. She did point at Dreadwing; the Loose Cannon. Barricade was sent to investigate Underbite; thinking GLaDOS may have gave him a hint like she had last time. Bug placed, the police car Decepticon headed back to his room. He, like everyone along that corridor save one, hoped he wasn't next.

XxX

“I take it you are here to kill me.” Blitzwing commented. It was the blue face; the calm one.

“Yes. I wish to be free at the end of this thing.” The coup leader told him.

“So... you're going to blow my brains out?” The head switched to the black one which resembled a jack-o-lantern. He started laughing hysterically at what he'd said. The coup leader drew his gun.

“YOU'D DARE FIRE AT...!” The head switched again, this time being a very angry one, pale red coloured. His shout was cut off by the shot of the coup leader's gun.

“Phew. I thought he was going to lose it.” The coup leader whispered, before firing three more shots.

XxX

Lockdown left his room. No questions to ask; as Barricade hadn't found anything out. Barricade, Underbite and Blades were the only three left. Lockdown suspected he knew who the coup leader was; Barricade was his investigator and Underbite hadn't gone out last night. Blitzwing was dead now, so it had to be... Blades. He had to be sure though, so didn't speak up.

“Going to kill anyone, leader? GLaDOS asked him; as though she could read his thought processes. Lockdown shook his head. If Barricade turned up dead... he'd know one way or the other. If Underbite turned up dead... he... he hoped he was right about Barricade being his Investigator. Barricade was sent after Blades. Lockdown lay down, awaiting the morning to see what would happen.

“Good morning leader. Better check for your reports.” He felt a slight nervousness as he made his way to his computer. There was one report waiting for him. As he expected, Blades went out last night. He went outside and saw Blades and Barricade waiting for him. He knew that would happen and hoped that he was right about who his Investigator was.

“Leader, I'm sure you don't need me to tell you this, but... I think you need to chose one of these two. One of them is the coup leader. The other is the Investigator who handed in that report this morning. Since they will both tell you the other is the coup leader and they are the investigator... you must decide which of them to kill. And pray that you chose the right one.” GLaDOS pretended to sleep now she'd finished her monologue. Lockdown knew which of the two he was going to kill. He just hoped to Primus in the heavens that he wasn't wrong.

“Blades. Come here.” Barricade smirked and he started to regret the choice.

“Knew you were evil to the core.” The cop car remarked. Blades stood nervously before Lockdown, looking terrified by the gun now being pointed at him. I hope I'm right. Lockdown thought, before asking the question he asked everyone.

“Any last words.”

“I wish I hadn't been picked for this...” Blades didn't elaborate any further after he'd spoken, so Lockdown took that to mean that was that. He pulled the trigger and everything went white.

XxX

When he became aware again, he was in a completely white room, GLaDOS hanging from the ceiling in front of him and the other 39 mechs who'd started this quest/game/whatever the hell this thing was together.

“Well here we are again. It's always such a pleasure.” She said melodically to all of them. None of them dared speak. They were terrified of what she could do.

“I have unfortunately got to inform you that the Leader successfully eliminated all of the members of the coup.” Lockdown was relieved by what she said. It meant he'd been successful.

“So... we're all free?” Starscream asked, a tiny bit nervous.

“You want your freedom? Take it.” A door appeared behind her and opened. The unspoken command being for them to go through the door.

“But... I thought that only those who were successful could go free.” Blades commented; knowing that he and the coup had failed.

“Oh... I used to want you dead, but now I only want you gone.” GLaDOS answered, a piece of machinery gesturing for them to go through the door. Lockdown started walking, everything going black once he'd passed through the door.

Across the various Transformers universes... the forty mechs who'd been in GLaDOS' clutches woke up out of their recharge cycles, thinking that the mechs they met must have just been figments of a bad recharge flux. The same was true of what had occurred; so it was never spoken of by any of them.