Chương 6: LOG-006.

I couldn't lie. It felt good to be among some form of civilisation again. Sure, the Nemesis was a warship, but warships had crews. Even though the vehicons didn't talk much while in my presence, it was nice to just listen to the hustle and bustle of other people doing their own thing. It was a big change to be sure. The old Shockwave didn't much care for company. He was content, so long as he had something to work on.

That big change meant that I actually conversed with Knockout for the short time we spent together, the flashy medic leading me to what would be my new lab aboard the Nemesis. Smaller of course, but no less efficient. The red mech knocked a servo against yet another nondescript door, smirking.

"Well this is it, equipment is mostly set up and the rest will be delivered shortly. Not the most glamorous of positions but I doubt you care too much about that, right?" I nodded, passing the medic and placing a servo against the door's scanning pad. My new lab opened up with a ping as the door shifted out of my way, allowing me to step inside.

"Correct. The materials here shall suffice for my current work." Turning to glance at him, I tilted my helm.

"Have you received word of Megatron's return? I have yet to connect to the local comm network." Knockout crossed his arms, leaning against the doorframe.

"Mm, they're on their way back. I'll admit I'm just a little jealous. I was looking forward to performing a proper operation. Till you showed up anyway..." The slightly glum expression plastered across his faceplate told me all I needed to know. Stepping forward, I placed a servo on his shoulder, drawing the medic's attention.

"You are misinformed, I intend to observe the procedure in order to glean any possible information relating to the relic's construction. You will be working on Lord Megatron's new limb." His optics widened slightly, even as he brushed my servo off and stepped back, crossing his arms.

"Oh, well... good. I'll be looking forward to it." I nodded.

"Indeed, your medical expertise will likely prove invaluable." I stepped past the perplexed yet visibly pleased medic as I noticed Zero and Z-2 round the corner, arms full of some of the more important equipment we'd brought back with us from the surface.

"Excellent, place the components inside the lab. Zero, I want you to check up on the predacon's condition afterwards." Moving to the side, I let the Zakus do their thing, Knockout watching alongside me.

I strode down the halls, escorted by a pair of vehicons carrying some surplus equipment I'd requested. I'd had a brief meeting with Soundwave after getting my new lab setup. It had gone... well, essentially like I had expected it to. The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. The silent mech had provided me with a datapad detailing everything I'd missed. I nodded. He nodded. Not a single word had been spoken.

Slightly unnerving, but the emotion remained dulled, just like all the others. What interested me however, was a particular prisoner that I'd effectively forgotten about. Silas. Or rather, the hybrid abomination that he'd allowed himself to become. Fused to Breakdown's ravaged frame. I wanted to figure out how MECH had pulled it off, connecting a human mind to a cybertronian's system. It really was a shame that Silas had so foolishly killed his comrades. It would have been nice to pick their brains for a bit.

Either way, I'd have to schedule an examination after we attached Megatron's new arm. Perhaps I could prevent the vampire plague from becoming a thing? Or maybe I should let it happen? Thoughts to consider.

"Continue without me. I have other matters to attend to." My temporary assistants nodded, moving past me as I turned a corner, heading toward the flight deck. Without Starscream around, Megatron had largely left Predaking under my care. Which suited me just fine, considering I didn't want some halfwit Seeker smacking my creation with a shock prod. The doors hissed open, and I halted as a familiar draconic helm poked inside the hallway.

"Waiting for me, were you?' Predaking snorted, slowly pulling back and standing up, allowing me the chance to actually step outside. The dragon tried to play it cool, but I noticed his optics brighten as I pulled a familiar servofull of energon pellets from my subspace.

"Don't get too used to these, we need to get you adapted to intaking proper energon. Consider them a treat." Glancing around to make sure no one was watching, I held out my arm, letting the predacon quite literally eat out of the palm of my servo.

"I spoil you too much." My statement got a smug chuff in response.

Typing in the last set of commands into the console, I nodded.

"Scanners are running. Begin the surgery." Knockout grinned, shifting his arm into his signature sawblade and striding over to an impatient looking Megatron.

"With pleasure." I watched intently as he separated our warlord's servo from the rest of his arm, occasionally glancing at the replacement limb floating in a tank next to me. The hand of a Prime, huh?

Dreadwing stood next to me, alongside Knockout as Megatron continued to violently smash the forge of Solus Prime against a chunk of dark energon. The Nemesis was no longer in orbit of cybertron of course. No, we were instead en-route to earth, all due to good old Soundwave deciphering yet another set of Iacon relic coordinates. I still wasn't entirely sure what I planned to do in regards to the whole Omega Lock situation. If anything. Just how much would change with my presence? Would Dark Mount become a thing?

What about Beast Hunters? I'd have to find a way to mention the predacon remains located on earth. Predaking could do with some companions aside from myself, after all-"Shockwave." Dreadwing's voice tore me from my thoughts. Turning to face the current Air Commander, (What would I do in regards to Starscream? Oh, or Airachnid?) I tilted my helm.

"Yes?" The Seeker gestured to the melodramatic gladiator in front of us. Still grunting and groaning as he swung the funny hammer down upon the funny rock.

"You wished to observe the forge of Solus Prime's effects yourself, did you not? Have your instruments provided any insights into it's arcane power?" Arcane power. Bleh. Crossing my arms, I let just a smidge of satisfaction enter my voice.

"All things can be explained given sufficient observation and understanding. I have yet to uncover just how the forge reconstructs matter, though my leading theory is a mixture of rapid burst nanites and esoteric energy manipulation." Adjusting the recording device, I focused on the dark energon currently getting pounded into the shape of a sword.

"What I have learned is just why the forge will only accept the hand of a Prime." Dreadwing leaned forward, clearly interested.

"Why?" I gestured to Megatron's new appendage with my cannon arm.

"An incredibly subtle, internalised IFF system. One that matches that emitted by the forge. It is likely that the Matrix of Leadership is the key to unlocking the access codes to this IFF, which continues to remain within a chosen cybertronian's systems. Even post mortem." Crossing his arms, my comrade nodded.

"So it is merely another form of technology, despite it's legendary origins?" He seemed almost disappointed. Heh. I tilted my helm once again.

"Correct. Our ancestors were considerably more advanced than us. Likely owing to the direct assistance provided to them by the Creator. These relics, though seemingly mystical in nature, follow certain principles mirrored by modern day technology. Given enough time, I am certain I shall one day be capable of replicating such a feat." The Decepticon calmly continued to watch, just as Megatron raised his shiny new glowstick of a weapon.... It did look kinda cool though. In an edgy sort of way.

"That shall be a sight to see." Turning around, I began to pack up the scanners I'd deployed.

"Indeed. One I intend to witness in person."