[Video] [Solus's Temple]

[hammer_bro]

Right. So some little guy in a robe just explained a lot of stuff that basically means I'm not where I'm supposed to be.

[Breakdown glances around briefly.]

Never been in a temple before. It's pretty fancy.

[He shakes his head and turns back to the camera.]

Guess I'm checking in or whatever. Anybody else I know stuck here? Knock Out? Ehr, uh- Lord Megatron? [Let's hope the big M isn't mad he mentioned his partner first.]

Comments

[audio only - 4/4]

[automobile_enthusiast]

[And finally, a concerted effort to sound normal and unconcerned. It's probably not very convincing.]

Breakdown. Where are you?

[hammer_bro]

Oh hey, you are here!

[Whoa, that is a ton of unfinished sentences you are dumping on him there KO.]

Like I said, I'm in a temple. You okay?

[automobile_enthusiast]

Yes, I'm-- fine.

Mn, I got that. You're in the temple of Solus, to be precise. [He can tell by the location ping on your transmission.] Now where are you in temple?

[hammer_bro]

Oh. Alright. [That means he's not okay, but it also means he doesn't want to talk about it right now.]

Well, I woke up in this little room and now I'm outside the room- Hold on.

[He's just going to send coordinates because this is stupid.] There. You coming over?

[automobile_enthusiast]

Yes.

[And boy, if BD didn't already know KO was acting funny, that single terse syllable would have been the thing to tip him off.]

[hammer_bro]

....Okay. I'll uh, just hang out until you get here then.

[And prepare for some major damage control. Maybe he should ask the acolyte if he had a spare buffer around.]

[automobile_enthusiast]

[Knock Out doesn't answer, he just drives. He doesn't know what he's going to do, or what to expect when he gets to Breakdown, but he does know that he wants to find him before anyone else gets there.

And before too long, there would be the roar of an engine approaching, and tires squealing against the flooring as he practically drifts around a corner and skids to a stop.

He is not in good condition.]

[hammer_bro]

[The tell tale sound of KO's engine warns Breakdown of his approach. When the red sports car actually turns the corner the sight of it makes him wince and draw in a breath through his dentals.]

Oh, wow. You look like total slag.

What the frag happened?

[automobile_enthusiast]

[KO doesn't answer him. Actually, KO doesn't even stop moving-- he's skidded to a stop, sure, but only as a way to dump his forward momentum into a leap as he unfolds from his altmode.

A leap with Breakdown at the end of it.

A leap with his energon prod in his hands, business end centered on Breakdown's chassis.

If anyone's going to do away with the undead specter of his partner, it's going to be him, and he knows he has to do it fast or he won't be able to do it at all.]

[hammer_bro]

[Breakdown's optics widen as Knock Out flies towards him, his audials filling with the sharp crackle of an energon prod that is now aimed straight at his spark.

Pure instinct takes over, one hand changing swiftly into a hammer and maneuvering to intercept. Unfortunately, if it connects- this means KO is about to get clobbered. Big time.]

[automobile_enthusiast]

[Big time. Knock Out yells as the hammer catches him in the side, sweeping him away from Breakdown. He hits the wall hard enough to bounce off, prod clattering to the ground and spinning away.

He lands in a crumpled heap, and doesn't get up again immediately.]

[hammer_bro]

[Oops. Breakdown stands there for a few moments, staring at Knock Out's prone form and trying to put his thoughts together.

Why would his partner attack him? Was this actually some crazy kind of clone thing? Or something to do with dark energon?

Breakdown grunted and shuffled carefully towards the limp medic, keeping one hand as a hammer just in case. Geeeently he tapped KO's helm with the side of it.]

Hey. If you're an evil clone, you should say so now.

[He kind of hoped it was. Because if it wasn't...well, he was going to get an audial full for accidentally on purpose hitting him.]

[automobile_enthusiast]

'M not an evil clone. [The words were tiny bit slurred, but the movement of his hand was controlled enough as he reached up with a clawed hand and shoved the hammer away. The rest of him followed his hand up, even though it hurt enough that he groaned as he shoved himself up to his hands and knees.

He didn't look up at Breakdown, though. No, his optics were lower, roaming the floor until he found his prod. Despite the pain, he scrambled for it, knowing he needed the weapon if he was going to have any chance...

Any chance.....

He couldn't think about it. He just had to do it.]

[hammer_bro]

[Breakdown watched him warily, not really assured by the mumbled profession- especially when Knock Out went right back to scrabbling for the prod.

Breakdown growled and grabbed his arm, holding him away from the weapon and shaking him.]

What is wrong with you!?

[automobile_enthusiast]

Let go of me! [Knock Out tried to yank his arm free, still straining towards his prod with the other hand, but it was no use. Breakdown was bigger and stronger and KO's determination to get this done and over with was rapidly flagging.

He went limp in Breakdown's grasp.]

You're not supposed to be here. They said if you came back--

[He can't bring himself to finish the sentence.]

[hammer_bro]

Not until you stop tryin' to stab me! [Breakdown insists, refusing to let KO break his grip. It's not hard and eventually the medic relents.]

You're right- I'm not supposed to be here. But I haven't been here before. Okay? Who were you talkin' to?

[Somebody was going to get a hammer to the face for telling KO crazy things.]

[automobile_enthusiast]

[That stops Knock Out dead, and he stares blankly up at Breakdown.] What? Of course you were here before! You came here the same time I did! We had-- have-- had quarters together in this temple!

[hammer_bro]

[Shakes his head.] I just got here. This is the first time I've seen you after leaving on my mission.

You gonna sit still or do I hafta keep holding you like this?

[automobile_enthusiast]

[Knock Out tugged at his trapped arm.] Let me go. I'll be good.

...Which mission?

[hammer_bro]

You promise?

To go take care of Airachnid.

[automobile_enthusiast]

Yes I pr--

I--

...Breakdown, what's... the last thing you remember...?

[hammer_bro]

[Again with the unfinished sentences. Really, KO isn't usually this incoherent.]

Walking in the forest with Dreadwing. Why?

[automobile_enthusiast]

Looking for... Airachnid. Nothing after that?

[hammer_bro]

Nope. 'Cause then I was here.

Hope Megatron isn't going to be pissed with me.

[automobile_enthusiast]

[Knock Out tries to tug his arm out of Breakdown's grip again. Amnesia was not a good sign; he can't forget the warning that if Breakdown came back, he'd be different... and dangerous.]

Let me go, Breakdown.