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Characters: @jazz, @knockout Location: The Great Rift Valley, Eastern Africa Content Warnings: N/A Plot Summary: In the Great Rift Valley of Eastern Africa, Decepticon Knock Out and Autobot Jazz go head to head to claim The Polarity Gauntlets.
Jazz honestly hadn’t realized just how urgent the the task to retrieve the Iacon relics had been when his conjunx and himself had been called back to the Autobot base only to be sent out on separate missions alone. Having spent so long with Prowl at his side, it had cramped his style in a rather major way, but they all knew how important it was to get to the relics before the Decepticons did. He’d bridged out at once, without having a chance to say goodbye to Prowl, and he felt more than a little off-balance because of it.
“One for luck,” he told himself, remembering the feeling of lips brushing against his knuckles: their pre-mission ritual had been missed during the mad scramble to get as many Autobot pedes on the ground and out searching for the relics. With a sigh, Jazz held up his scanner in hopes it would get a quick reading.
Luckily for him, there was indeed a reading, and it was within walking distance of where the ground bridge had dropped him. Unfortunately for him, his sensitive audio sensors picked up the sound of a ground bridge arriving - and it wasn’t an Autobot bridge. “Aww, no, this ain’ happen on my watch,” Jazz growled, and immediately took off in the direction of the relic, intending to get to it before any ‘Cons did.
“This will be easy.” they said! But he was not so sure. When Megatron had asked him to get the relic, he thought that he would be with someone, or maybe with some vehicons, but... no. He preferred to be discreet not to arouse attention. He was alone to go! But if the Autobots were there? He hoped they didn't detect anything. He don't wants to see the green ball, for example. The doctor is so fragile! Precisely, it IS a doctor. They aren't built to fight. Fortunately the red robot prefers to destroy that fixed. Build? Maybe it depends what. Somewhat stressed by the adventure offered to him, he decided to put music while driving. He had passed through groundbridge of Soundwave and transform himself. He was driving for 5 minutes. Why not appearing directly to the source? To be discreet, again. Then it would be silly if the Autobots take the opportunity to enter in the Nemesis. So bad.
- Baby I'm preying on you tonight, hunt you down, eat you alive ~ ♫
Yes, he sing. But only when he's alone and just a little. The music was in his integrated stereo speakers. He admitted without embarrassment that human vehicles are great. Especially those with wheels. That's why he take care of himself: he's proud of his appearance.
He reached a destination… Approximately. He arrived in a less wooded area. Now it was a great rain forest front of him. He turned into robot and began to sneak through the trees. Few moment later he almost fell because of a root and caught in a tree to not fall. He left large claw marks on the bark taking it.
- Gggh. Stupid planet.
So, yes, cars are amazing, but it's the only thing that he like on this “stupid planet”… With some type of music. Actually he always listened to it. He preferred this rather than listen to all the strange noises from the earth creatures. Some do shudder and fear when he ear them. Knock Out was always proud of himself, but he isn't very brave… Like most of the Decepticons in fact.
Finally he happens to the signal. He consulted the energy signatures present on the display embedded in his arm. Nothing. Just this strange signal. Soundwave suppose that it's a relic. Why not? And if not? It's probably something interesting… Or maybe just an old part of the ship who fell during the fly of the ship and is active only now. In short, he wasn't worry. He cut a few seconds his music, listening around him. Nothing special. So he activated it again and continued on his way with more loud music.
- Ye-e-ah~
In any case he didn't seem very focused on his mission. He was easy prey. And after ten minutes, Knock Out finally found the relic! Or so... he hoped. It seemed to be under a pile of rubble. He was going to raise it all. Why Breakdown is never here when you need him! So he started the dirty job, consoling himself with his music. Poor guy.
Jazz was a SpecOps mech, after all, and he’d been made Head of Intelligence for a reason. He knew how to be quiet and go unseen and unheard when the situation called for it. It was a simple thing then to creep along after the Decepticon (Knock Out, he remembered from the debriefing he’d been given when he’d arrived on Earth, the Decepticon’s only medic) unnoticed, for Knock Out didn’t seem to be expecting any bot to come and rain on his parade.
It was actually a bit embarrassing to watch Knock Out trip and crash through the underbrush, singing and making noise and generally being the opposite of covert, practically broadcasting his presence for all to hear. Jazz knew better than to get cocky on a mission so important as this one, but even now he was beginning to think that this search-and-retrieve would be easy-peasy.
Jazz decided he’d let Knock Out do all the work in uncovering the buried relic; that way, the Decepticon would already tired by the physical labour, giving Jazz an advantage he could exploit. Just when Knock Out seemed to have cleared most of the rocks away and was close to uncovering the treasure they both sought, Jazz finally revealed himself, strolling out into the open with a confident gait and a confident drawl.
“Hey mech, you busy? I think I took a wrong turn somewhere an’ I need some directions!”
With that, he dropped into a roll, with the intent of kicking Knock Out’s legs out from underneath him.
This relics was finally here, front of him! But… what was this actually? That thing was really an… old killing machine? What the… Knock Out seemed perplex. He raised up an eyebrow. What the hell was this…? Yes, he's a doctor, so a little a scientist, but for now it's totally unknown for him. He will take it and bring him to Megatron. His leader will be happy and that's the principal. KO don't need to know what is this… trinket. He bent down to pick it up. He take a look to it. That's in sort of rude. He don't like to know what he carries.
The problem now was what just come behind him: an Autobot. It was predictable. They have the gift to always appear when he did not have to, but they probably think the same about the Decepticon. He turned back to him, stopping his music.
- Busy? Are you kidd-- HUMPF!
He fell the kick of his enemy, but he led the relic to him. He was not going to be fooled that easily! He's not stupid! In his mind, it was already too late for Jazz, that bot who… He don't know yet in fact?
- HA-HA! … Wait. What…?
He was operating, but it did not work. It was broken? Probably after being here during so much time! The doctor seems suddenly panicked. He shook the relic with energy. “No! Not now!” he trough. He looked at the other bot, again. That was a problem. Second plan: the threats. He took advantage that his enemy was surprised to have been point by the “weapon” and therefore surprised to back on the floor. He tried to get up.
- Don't approach! Or I'll destroy it-- … ?!
Sparks appeared on the object of their fight. That was not good. Really not. Knock out dropped the relic and rose quickly to try to flee, expecting an explosion, but it was already too late. A blind flash, and then the red robot started to feel wierd. He opened his optics again.
- … ?
He was sitting on the floor. He did not understand what had happened, but the relic was not far. It was on the edge of the cliff, a little further. The energy had propelled it., and it was going to fall!
- No! Nononononono!
He tried to get up, but impossible. He felt something heavy clinging to his back. Too late, the relic fell! He growled, discontent and hits his fist on the floor... But wait? Where was the Autobot? … No, he's not…? He looked behind him and…
He had no idea what the relic was, but he wasn’t about to let Knock Out and the ‘Cons take it. His quick leg swipe succeeded in knocking the Decepticon’s feet right out from underneath him, but Jazz realized too late that Knock Out had the strange ancient device in his claws, and was likely looking to turn it on. “Don’t do it, mech!” He warned (using an annoyed tone to cover the sudden fear he felt) but of course the ‘Con didn’t listen. They never did.
“What, an’ risk your shiny finish?” Jazz had had him pegged from the second he laid optics on him, of course: with a shiny finish like that and a paint job that was meticulously tended to, he’d known right off the bat that this bot was vain. “Nah, I don’t think y’ will.”
To his surprise - and Knock Out’s, by the look of it - the device didn’t do anything. That was fortuitous indeed, as Jazz hadn’t been looking forward to being shot by the mysterious relic. The Decepticon was apparently displeased by this, and responded like a child having a tantrum by shaking it. “Dude, I really don’t think you should be doin’ that…!” Too late. The strange device started sparking ominously. Fantastic. This was compounded by the ‘Con dropping it in fear and trying to bolt.
The relic activated. Jazz flinched and dove out of the way, but it was too late: a bolt of energy buzzed through him, sending unpleasant sensations up his spinal strut and down his limbs much like the pins and needles of a numb appendage. Everything became a bit fuzzy then as things (literally) came together with a solid clunk, and that was how Jazz found himself literally attached at the hip to a Decepticon.
“Not cool,” Jazz uttered in disbelief, “Not. Cool.” He was completely unimpressed by this new situation of being stuck to a pit-fraggin’ ‘Con. He too tried to get to his feet, but found that the chatty new weight attached to his back weighed him down, and he ended up sliding back down to the ground onto his aft. “You have gotta be kiddin’.”
An ugly feeling of realization dawned on him then, and Jazz groaned in frustration. “We ain’t gettin’ up unless we work together.”
Suddenly, so much frustration. It really wasn't his lucky day. Why Primus? Why? Be attached to one of those stupid Autobots was worse than punishment! Even in his worst nightmare this wouldn't have happened! Anyway he hasn't enough imagination to dream of that. He growled, trying to move as he can, but it's wasn't very effective. The only way to be “alone” again was : Work together and try to find the relic. just thinking about it makes the robot grouch… And bottom of the cliff, there was water. Lots of water. They were going to have to go get wet in the middle of all these organic and disgusting things!
- That's why I hate you Autobot: Once you are there, you cause problems! All. The. TIME.
But the one who made this was Knock Out. He was he who damaged the relic. But he won't admit it. Never. Now he was muttering incomprehensible things. He looked like Ratchet when he was offended. Maybe all doctors are like him? Who know?
- …
And yeah, he wasn't decided yet to getting up. He crossed his arms. He stared straight ahead. He was very angry. Why ? Because he felt humiliated. Very humiliated. Please, Primus, do that nobody see them! He was silent a little, and finally said:
- … Okay. Let's work together. But don't do something that you could regret.
Five minutes ago he was so relaxed. He listened to music and was so happy! ... So, now he was ready to getting up.
“Hey, I wasn’ the one who was stupid enough t’try an’ turn the fraggin’ thing on, so don’ go blamin’ me for this!” Jazz felt indignant then at the ‘Con’s accusation. He certainly wasn’t the one at fault here! ‘Chill, Jazz, chill!’ he then reminded himself, for losing his cool now wouldn’t be helpful in the slightest. He couldn’t see the bot magnetized to his back, but he could feel the anger rolling off Knock Out like heat from a flame. Jazz knew he’d been in worse situations before, and he’d gotten out of worse, so having a cranky ‘Con stuck to his dorsal plating was small beans. He just had to go with the flow, and going with the flow was his specialty.
He turned to crane his head over his shoulder, trying to project an aura of calm (because Knock Out losing his cool wasn’t at all helpful). “I bet turnin’ that thing on again might undo whatever it is stickin’ us together,” Jazz said, “So we just gotta find it.” But where had the relic gone? He did a quick look around the immediate vicinity to see if he could spot it, but there was no sign of of it. It must’ve gone over the edge. ’Alright, I can work with that.’
“‘Kay, we’re gonna stand on three, yeah?” This is definitely one story he’ll be laughing about later. “One, two, three,” and on ‘three’, Jazz straightened his legs, and between the two of them they managed to to get standing. It’s an awkward, stilted process, and probably looked ridiculous, but luckily he’d lost his ability to be embarrassed about things a long time ago. “I’m gonna walk forward now, so just follow my lead.”
All of this was ridiculous. Absolutely ri-di-cu-lous. Fortunately, no one could see. What a shame ! If Breakdown was there, the problem would have been solved: It would have torn the magnetic part of the autobot (probably killing him by the way) and he could walk again properly... alone. Knock Out kept getting upset more, but this would only make the situation worse. Jazz accused the doctor, in addition, which did not help either.
The red robot rubbed his optics with two fingers, trying to keep calm. There were some positives: Their size was not very different, they could therefore co-ordinate to walk. They were alone, so no one would attack them. The best thing was that there might be a way to take advantage of the situation. KO seemed silly, but he really was not. Ok, he was not as smart as Starscream (or not?) But he had ideas. Win the confidence of the autobot would be beneficial to recover the relic... which he does not really see how Megatron could use it but whatever.
- Stop accusing me! … Grumpf. Yes, let's get up.
He listened to the countdown, and wisely raised during the "three". Remain seated would not be productive anyway. He noticed that the way to talk about the Autobot was unusual. So, he was one of those who spoke more or less familiar to seem “cool”? There was no other way to draw attention! Like having an impeccable paint, for example. It was what Knock Out thought, in fact. However, Jazz began to give orders, and that was not going to be... that way.
- Excuse me? I don't see why that would be YOU who give the orders. … And the relic fell this side.
It was his way of saying that we must go there, without being nice because he could not. He has a reputation to maintain! Maybe Jazz would understand it?
“Well, you were th’ genius who turned the thing on, so I dunno if I’d trust ya at givin’ orders,” Jazz replied, his voice rather dry and sarcastic. He figured out almost immediately that Knock Out’s cooperation was only due to their ridiculous and unusual circumstances. The saboteur was glad that he understood the gravity of the situation -- trying to fight each other now would probably be counterproductive to the both of them.
Still, he could read between the lines, and he knew when the ‘Con was pointing them in the right direction. “Okay. Did it go over the edge or...?” Like a rather unusual metal crab, the two of them scuttled sideways in tandem to the edge of the cliff in question, where Jazz awkwardly tried to peer over to see if he could spot the relic without tipping them both down the steep incline. “-Frag, yeah, there it is at th’ bottom. We’re gonna have t’get down there somehow.”
This was just great. This wasn’t how he’d imagined this mission going at all.
(Jazz wished Prowl were there right about now. While Jazz was pretty good at getting himself out of sticky situations like this with a little bit of improv, Prowl’s solid, calming presence would have been a huge boost to his mood.)
“Alright, Doc, how d’you propose we get down there? I’m all audio sensors over here,” he drawled, thinking hard himself at how they might move themselves from here to there. Jazz wasn’t seeing any easy ways down, which did not bode well.
He wanted to be sarcastic? Right. But who will be the best in this game? Yes, Knock Out turned on the gauntlet, but to protect himself. He did not understand again why he was sent alone here, in the middle of this stupid organic jungle. The Autobots may come everytime and Megatron know it. So, why? He wanted to get rid of him? Or thought he really that what was here was unimportant? He will probably never know.
The doctor takes advantage of the curiosity his enemy to approach the edge too. The relic had fallen, and it was deep. There was a waterfall right next to illustrate it. Jazz was talking, but the red robot remained silent. He thought. Yes, how to get down? They were too heavy to descend along the walls. There was no real solution. They just could jump into the void. But how to break the fall? The Decepticon had found an idea. He was suddenly very quiet. That was strange. He just realized that if he did not bring the relic, Megatron would punish him very violently for allowing the Autobots take the relic, but if he wants to bring it back, they will have to do something suicidal.
He finally grimaced, looking displeased. He rubbed optical with two fingers. The other robot could also refuses. Fortunately, Jazz seemed frightened by anything. The more frightened of them was Knock Out. Being tied to an enemy, in an unknown place and alone, this did not happen often to him. Doctors do not come often.
- Stop calling me “Doc”. I'm not your pathetic “Ratchet”.
So yes, he know him. He never really met him. He knows his name, more than by sight. But how? Megatron has already mentioned his name ... Pointing to kill him on sight. A team without a doctor is a dead team. The problem is that Ratchet is better than Knock Out on medicine.
- … We have to jump.
He suddenly said after a pause. He was decided. He stared at the void as if he knew what it could happen. Rocks could be under water. That's a problem. A serious problem. But they can't let the relic here. No. Jazz could feel the plates in the back of Knock Out tighten. It was easy to see that he himself was not thrilled with the idea, but they did not have choice. Then, as every time the doctor is stressed, he began to grumble ... Like Ratchet.
- Why Breakdown is not here when you need him?
The two enemies were not so different. Both dream of their partner to be here to help. Things would be so much simpler! But in any case, Knockout now began to complain alone, as if Jazz was not there. Poor Autobot. He must have an earache.
Oho, the renowned Doctor of Pain was touchy today! He could tell by the way Knock Out’s ruffled plating and by the general crabby demeanor being projected through his EM field that the Decepticon wasn’t happy at all. Knock Out could rest easy knowing that Jazz wasn’t exactly thrilled about their situation either. “Mech, if you were Ratchet, you’d’ve been smart enough not t’touch that thing, an’ we would’t be in this situation, now, would we?” Jazz could be just as mean and petty when we wanted to, and right now Knock Out was making himself a rather big target for his ire right now -- no easy thing, considering how easy going the saboteur was!
Jazz looked along the cliff’s edge as far as he could see, trying to spot any other place where they might be able to slide or walk down to the bottom, but it seemed that jumping was their only option. He peered over the edge again. It didn’t look too far to drop, but it wouldn’t exactly be a smooth landing, either.
He rolled his optics at the Decepticon’s excessive complaining. “Well, no point standin’ around. C’mon, let’s get this over with, yeah?” He wasn’t one to draw things out and be dramatic, anyways. Without much else fanfare, Jazz took a step forward and jumped off the cliff, taking a very unwilling Knock Out with him.
The doctor remained hesitant. If the other idiot would die from the fall, he could not move him easily on his back. Jazz was stronger than him. Maybe they should not jump finally! ... Too late. The Autobot jumped, dragging him in his fall. They both fell into the water. The fall was cushioned current and sent them on shore. The red robot spat out some water. Both were lying on their sides so the current was powerful! The Decepticon growled a little, again.
- You don't know how much a hate you, Autobot.
He rubbed his face. He had no luck. In addition of all of this, he had banged against a rock in the water, and he now had a gash on the top of the cheek. He put his finger on this one. It would be easily recoverable. Fortunately it will disappear! He was still unhappy until …
- … Hey! The relic! … No! No no no!
She was on the edge of the water, and had to be carried off after the wave caused when they fell. Helpless, he watched it go. It will not go away, but it was constraining. He struck his fist against the ground before trying to get up. He wanted to move! He wanted to end this!
- Can you please dare to get up, rookie?
Not knowing his name, he was inventive. It was obvious that Jazz was not a beginner, but Knock Out did not wanted to be nice. The relic was not far on the other side of the riverbank, 500 meters away.
He’d jumped from similar heights before, and so Jazz was not quite so intimidated by the drop from the cliff. It wasn’t so far, and it took a far bigger fall to kill one of their kind. He aimed for the river and took a leap of faith -- and with an almighty splash, the two of them ended up in the water. It was a rather rockier landing than he’d hoped for. Knock Out wasn’t the only one to get a bit dinged up: Jazz resurfaced with a splutter, sporting a good handful of dents and scratches but ultimately was alright.
“Well, I got us down here, didn’t I?” he snipped back, redirecting a burst of air through his vents to clear them of any water that had managed to get in. “It’s just a little water an’ some dents, no big deal.” He said so specifically because he knew Knock Out was vain and appearance-oriented, and hoped that his words might annoy him. Not his best moment, he’d admit, but Jazz was feeling petty.
Things got a bit tricky, though, when the water swept the delicate relic away down the river. “Aw, c’mon, now, don’t be that way,” he told the relic, and breathed a sigh of relief when it ended up on the other side of the river only a little ways down the riverbank. Satisfied that it wouldn’t move again, Jazz turned his attention back to the Decepticon stuck to his back. “Trust me, ‘Con, I ain’t exactly havin’ the time of my life right now with you, so the feelin’ is mutual.”
Rolling his optics at the jibe about the rookie thing (Jazz had been called a lot of things during his life, and ‘rookie’ wasn’t even close to being the worst), the saboteur straightened his legs and stood up, hauling Knock Out with him like an incredibly cranky backpack. “Sure thing, Doc,” he replied smoothly back, before wading back out into the river towards the opposite bank.
At the deepest point, the water came up to Jazz’s chest. He had no idea if Knock Out’s head was even over the surface, and at that point, he didn’t much care. All he wanted was to grab the relic, get them unstuck, and head home with a job well done.
Yes, he get them down of here, hopefully. Knock Out jump by himself? Never, and he will never do this gain. He like to destroy things, but he is not a bot of action. A battle is always fun, but only with Breakdown. For now, he will just growl because of the situation and let the Autobot do the dirty job but… WHAT? No big deal? He was disfigured! He retained himself to answer because he had no choice. They must continue to work together. They can not stay like this forever and this started to be paint full for his back. He tried to move a little, but it was hard.
- Arrrr…
In fact, it was really painful. By stirring, he had to move something. Surely part of the back mechanism. He would need help to repair it. For once the big fingers of his friend would be useful. He moved a little, trying to swim a bit to still help Jazz. Not to make her happy, but get it over with.
- I hope, it is. We are enemies, remember? And come on, I said no “Doc”. No doctor like to be called like this, even your own Autobot medic I'm sure.
He then growled. He had to defend the enemy doctor without realizing it. It was stupid. He was stupid. The doctor let his head fall back on Jazz's one. He did not want to approach him with this gesture. He had just enough of it. Yet it was less than 30 minutes they were 'glued', but it's already to much for him.
- It's like when I call you “Autobot”. It's general and you probably have a name… But I call you like this because it bothers you, and from a Decepticon it's a mark of disrespect, for you and all the other, while for us, when you call us Decepticon, it's pleasant.
Because it reminds them that they are, and that the Autobot hate them… He discussed because it could not do anything else. It was also his way for disturbing the enemy! Jazz and at least knew he did not have his head under water.
- So, you're disrespectful for an Autobot.
A compliment? Not really, but almost. Suddenly, the relic was taken away again. Knock Out was back of this, so it didn't see it at first, but the gauntlets diving under water and returned to the surface just before him. He hastens to catch him. What a surprise! He grinned, satisfied, and accompanied it by a mischievous chuckle.
- So, we have it, Autobot. I suggest to detach ourselves on the bank?
And he will flee with! But for now he was shaking it, wondering if it had not been drowned. Some water coming out of everywhere from the precious relic. It seems that its inventor was unaware of the existence of water. It is true that there were none on Cybertron, after all.