Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Disclaimers! (And Misc)

This fic is a passion project I decided to share with the public of my TFOC Roadway. As one of my oldest OCs, she originally started as a throwaway, background character name of a police officer-type femme for roleplays and stuff with friends. As I wrote more and more, I decided to flesh her out into her own thing. And now, because she has a new, better filled out character, I have taken the time to throw her into blenders all for my personal enjoyment. 

As I do not post fics very often due to the fact I dont actually do writing as often, this is going to be my very first multi-chapter fic. It is, however, marking my second OCxCanon fic. So I suppose that says a lot about me. With the fact that I do not often write, I am going to do my darndest to get chapters out for all who reads on a timely manner. If you spot any spelling errors, feel free to point them out! I type really fast, and I will end up messing up a word or two because of it.

The first chapter I will be uploading is this Disclaimer chapter and the Prologue. The Prologue was written more recently, as I wanted to flesh out why Roadway is in the situation she's in, and also just introduce a few of the elements. 

If a few of the tags startle you, like the "Elements of Rape/Non-Con", don't worry! It was hard writing this kind of thing myself as a victim, but nothing super detailed or graphic actually happens to any of the characters. 

[Edit 12/9/25: I've taken out the "Rape/Non-Con Elements" tag, I've realized it doesn't really apply to Anything that's gonna be in the fic.]

As for Roadway, I'm including here a little headshot doodle I've done so she can be better pictured in minds! 

That is all, enjoy! 

Chapter Text

"Again." Prowl spat, watching Roadway closely with folded arms and a disapproving glare. 

Roadway forced herself standing, moving to swing before she was quickly subdued yet again by Segway, her sparring partner. 

"Again." Prowl demanded with a heavy sigh. 

And once more, Roadway forced herself up off the floor, trying to attack Segway in return. But once more again, he easily subdued her. 

"Alright! Alright.. thats enough, Segway. You're free to go." Prowl huffed, waiting a moment before walling over to Roadway on the floor trying to regulate her vents. 

"Get up." He hissed, snatching hold of her doorwing and yanking her up. Roadway stifled a cry, wincing at the pain as she was forced to stand in front of him. 

"Pathetic. You're pathetic." Prowl sneered. "You can't get one hit in? Not one?" 

Roadway didn't say anything, fidgeting as she lowered her head. This agitated him further, however, as he harshly grabbed her by the jaw and forcing her to look up at him. He pulled her close to speak quieter. Not that he needed to, they were alone in the training room.

"You are my protégé. I need you to stop being so weak and pitiful. Got it?" He hissed. "If you can't learn how to fight without relying on your Outlier, you are no use to me." 

"..I'm sorry.." Roadway spoke quietly, not knowing what else he wanted her to say. She was always bad at figuring that out, and still was it seemed as he growled and shoved her away. 

"Get your act together!" He barked, pointing at her now on the floor as she stumbled and fell over. "If you can't fight a mech you'll never survive out on the field! Those Decepticons will eat you alive like ther horrible little cannibals they are!" 

"I'm doing this for your own good, Roadway. Get. It. Together." Prowl finished, turning around to storm towards the door. "And clean this mess up!!" 

Roadway flinched when the door slammed shut, sighing defeatedly. 

Heading back to her quarters a little while later, Segway appeared around the corner and bumped into her. 

"Oh, hey Roadway." He hummed, glancing up and down at her. He was Prowl's newest mentee, a mech the copbot picked up to eventually replace Roadway if she didn't improve. 

"Hey, Segway.." Roadway muttered, keeping her head down and doorwings flat to her back. She quietly apologized and moved to the side to move around him- only for Segway to step the same way. 

"Hold on.. Let's not be too hasty." He murmured, holding up a hand as it found it's way to Roadway's shoulder. She finally looked up, confused. Even more startling was when he caught her chin with his other hand, much more gentle than before. 

"Mm. You're real cute, y'know that?" Segway grinned, slowly moving to have Roadway's back to the wall, keeping her pinned. Her fear elevated, not liking this at all as their fields collided. His intentions felt all wrong. It felt nasty, like spoiled Energon. 

"Please let me go. I need to get back to my quarters for tomorrow." Roadway spoke up quietly. 

"How about.. you come back to mine? You got pretty roughed up today.. I could make you feel so much better." Segway just purred, leaning a bit closer. He was taller, bulkier, and much stronger than her. Trapped, he made it all worse by shoving a leg between her own to pin her even further. Roadway squirmed, trying to get away. 

"I- I need to get back to my room. Let me go." She didn't ask. She demanded, voice small and shaky. 

"Shh.. I'll make you feel so good, Roadway. I promise."

The servo on her shoulder trailed down, tracing armor seams of Roadway's plating. Before she could speak again- plead again- Segway trapped her into a kiss. His servo continued to move downwards, finding her modesty plating as he tried to manually pry it open from the outside. She squirmed harder, fought harder, but he held her frame firmly in place with his own.

"You forget," He whispered, pulling from the kiss for just a moment. "I'm still stronger than you, Roadway. So, you gonna open up?" 

Roadway stared at him with pure terror, expression souring into a hateful scowl. With him not silencing her now, she finally shouted. 

"LET- ME-" 

Clickclickclick- Three sharp, quick-succession clicks her vox made as she screamed, her Outlier activating and sending Segway backwards with a powerful shockwave. He collided with the wall, the force creating damage to not just him but the structure itself. He fell away from it, collapsing as he began to wail in agony, his audials completely blown from the sound. 

Alarms in the building began to go off, the systems detecting an explosion. Roadway was frozen, unsure what to do. Her instincts clouded her processor. Panic rose as her whole frame began to move without her guidance. She ran. 

---

She'd blacked out, Roadway figured. She finally became aware once more when she found herself in unfamiliar territory. It was quiet. Dead quiet. 

Her legs trembled with each step, weak from running. Her cooling fans were working overtime as her vents tried to keep up as well. She didn't know where she was, but it wasn't long until a sharp, small voice suddenly startled her. 

"HEY! What're you doin' here, Bot!?" The minicon shouted, red and black coming into Roadway's view. Frenzy, one of the Decepticon Communications Officer's Cassetticons. 

"I- Wh- Wait-" Roadway tried to speak, but she couldn't form any words. She backed away from him, holding herself close and trying to appear smaller. The Cassetticon just tilted his head, eyeing her. 

"You're not a spy, are ya? If you are, you're doin' a pretty bad job." Frenzy hissed, stepping closer. He then sneered, laughing as he turned his head. "'EY, RUMBLE!! We got ourselves an Autobot!" 

Roadway didn't even realize tears had started to fall from her eyes, too disoriented to even know what was happening. She backed up again, yelping when her pede caught on a rock and caused her to fall backwards. She quickly scrambled to sit back up, scooting away in a panic. 

Frenzy just.. paused, confused by her behavior. Rumble ran up soon after, slowing down and watching the Autobot warily. 

"..Hang on, Frenz.." He murmured, hesitantly approaching Roadway He watched as she glanced between the two, but her optics just seemed.. wrong. Like she wasn't actually seeing them correctly. "This one ain't right.. I think somethin's wrong." 

"Oh. Uhh.. Should we get the Boss?" Frenzy asked, rubbing his neck. 

"Request for presence: Unnecessary." The familiar monotone voice spoke from behind the two. 

"Boss!" The twin bots shouted in unison, startled by Soundwave's sudden appearance. Roadway also seemed startled, sputtering and stammering and trying to speak out pleas for mercy. 

Soundwave watched her closely, carefully stepping forward. Ravage, who had also walked up with him, jumped up onto his shoulders to sit. 

"She doesn't look right. This isn't any Autobot Spy I've seen." Ravage noted softly. "She's in terrible shape..." 

"Ravage: same thoughts spoken." Soundwave confirmed with a nod, reaching a gentle hand out to Roadway. "Autobot: advised to come with. Do not resist." 

Roadway just stared up at him blankly, tears still rolling down her face from the blind panic and fear. He reached forward just a bit more before it finally clicked for her to take it. Soundwave was shockingly gentle, using his other servo to help guide her back to standing. Having used his own Outlier, he scanned her most recent memories very briefly. He understood she could not go back. 

"Rumble, Frenzy: continue surveillance." He instructed the twins. 

"Aw, what? We found somethin', don't that mean we get a break?" Frenzy complained. 

"Autobot: running from other Autobots. More may be around. You two: keep watch." Soundwave ordered more firmly. The two Cassetticons hushed up, nodding silently and muttering a quiet "Yes, Boss" before turning to split off again. 

In the meantime, Soundwave carefully guided Roadway towards the Decepticon Headquarters ahead. She stumbled as she walked, but with her servo in one Soundwave's and his other servo on her back, he kept her steady. Ravage jumped off his back once inside to report to Megatron and alert the Warlord of the newer arrival.

Roadway was brought straight to the brig, carefully guided back to the floor so she could sit and relax. Soundwave closed and secured the cell, leaving but only to return shortly with a cube of energon. He left her alone once more once she'd taken at least a sip. 

Megatron needed to be informed why exactly Roadway was now here. He would know what to do from here. 

Chapter Text

The cell was cold. The floor was cold, the walls were cold- all of it was cold. Roadway's fear and panic had finally washed away once she was fed and actually gave herself a moment to calm down. Terrible- this was all terrible. A terrible, terrible and awful choice she'd made. What was she thinking!? Roadway felt she would've been better off facing punishment in the Autobot brig for causing such harm to a fellow Autobot.

She knew the Decepticons were terrifying. They were horrible. Horrifically energon-thirsty mecha, hellbent on making sure all of Cybertron was theirs and theirs alone. But.. as she thought on it more... From what she could barely remember, Soundwave had handled her with such.. care. He spoke softly to her on the way to the base, on the way to the brig. He didn't ruthlessly shove her to the ground, he lowered her so she could sit on her own terms. He even got her a cube rather than let her starve.

As far as she knew, the Soundwave she'd heard about was cold, ruthless, calculating. Just like the Decepticon Head Scientist, Shockwave, supposedly was. But the Communications Officer she interacted with was the complete.. opposite. Even his Cassettes were strangely calm, recognizing she was in a terrible state.

As Roadway ruminated further and further, she realized it all just.. looped back around to...

Prowl. He was the one that taught her everything she knew about the Decepticons and the soldiers amongst their ranks. And she knew how horrible he'd been.. so.. Was it really that far-fetched to think that maybe, just maybe, the Decepticons.. weren't as bad as he claimed?

Her mind-numbing thoughts were interrupted when there was a knock on the wall beside her cell, doorwings stiffening in alert. When Roadway looked up from where she'd been staring at the floor in the corner of her little cell, she was stunned to see Megatron himself standing there, Soundwave at his side.

"Get up." The warlord ordered with a flat voice, expression stern as he tapped away on the control pad on the wall and stepping inside as the barrier fell. Roadway was quick to scramble to her pedes when he approached, nearly stumbling over herself when he quickly took hold of her arm and began to drag her out of the cell.

"Wh- wait-" She pleaded in the quietest voice, her doorwings flicking in anxiety. Megatron walked with a purpose and a speed she could barely keep up with. Soundwave tailed behind them as they left the brig and headed down the many halls of the Decepticon base.

Roadway tripped over herself, yelping as she toppled to the floor and Megatron released his grip. The three of them were in the middle of the hallway now as Roadway awaited a berating from the warlord for falling over.

"Stand up." Megatron ordered in a tone Roadway.. hadn't exactly expected when he turned to look down at her. It was much softer than the yelling she thought she'd receive. While he was glaring down at her, it wasn't a glare of anger. At least not directed towards her, it seemed. There was also something almost similar to.. understanding behind those optics.

Roadway got herself standing again, a bit shaky still from her fear. Her doorwings trembled just as much, pointed down nervously. Megatron grabbed her arm again with his hold still shockingly gentle.

"You will not survive down here if you cannot even walk. Your fellow Decepticons cannot wait for you if you fall." Megatron stated firmly, ready to lead again. What was he talking about? "Fellow Decepticons"? This didn't make any sense to her. "You must walk with purpose and without fear. If you don't, you won't last a week."

"If you can't even fight a mech, you are of no use to me." Prowl's voice echoed in her mind. She winced at the reminder.

With that, they kept walking and soon arrived to a medbay. Roadway was still just.. confused about it all, being brought to a berth and ordered to sit.

"Get her badges changed and her file in our system." Megatron ordered quietly to the red medic Roadway identified as Knockout. "Soundwave, see to it that she gets her accommodations."

"Accommodations"? "Badges changed"?? Just what in the Pits was going on??? 

"Affirmative." Soundwave responded simply as Megatron took his leave. The officer remained close to the berth, supervising as Knockout approached with some of his tools on a cart.

"My, not very often we get defectors, especially delivered to me by Lord Megatron himself! Let's get you some new badges, yes?" The red mech grinned, grabbing one of his round sanders from the cart beside him and stepping closer. Everyone was moving too fast, she couldn't even understand what was going on. They weren't even giving her any time to process!

"Wait!" Roadway exclaimed, grabbing the sander and wrenching it away from herself before Knockout could sand off the Autobot emblem off her chest. She froze, staring back at the mech's surprised look in fear.

Soundwave made no move to step forward, the moment suspended in silence as he simply watched carefully. Roadway trembled as she slowly removed her hands from Knockout's arms, hugging herself. She was eyed warily, but no one reacted in hostility. Just.. confusion.

"..Not quite ready, are we?" Knockout simply commented with a soft hum, still a little surprised from the outburst. Regardless, he put a smile back on and set the sander back down with a soft chuckle. "I assure you, this process won't hurt-"

"It-" Roadway had started to speak, interrupting him. She stared at the ground before lowering her voice to a quieter level. "..It's not that.. It's.. I don't know what's going on.. Just minutes ago I was in a cell. Now I'm in here- getting my badges changed?"

"Oh, sweetspark, what do you mean??" Knockout asked, giving a soft laugh like she just told a joke. When he realized she wasn't joking, he got a little more serious.

"What do you mean?" He asked a little more firmly.

"Roadway: fled the Autobots. Doesn't want to join the Decepticons?" Soundwave spoke up with a slight tilt of the helm before Roadway could respond.

Roadway was just.. lost. Did she? Is that why she left? She.. really didn't know herself. All she knew at the time was "run flee get out" as her flight or fight instincts guided her wherever blindly. They thought she wanted to be a Decepticon?

"I see the problem." Knockout hummed with a slight nod, turning to face Soundwave. It was clear he was annoyed now. "You brought me a terrified, stray Autobot who didn't even know she was joining the Decepticons. Is that how we're getting new soldiers now? We're just forcing them among our ranks??" He questioned the officer accusingly.

"That is not-" Soundwave tried to argue.

"Ohh-hoh-hoh, no. Don't try to make excuses, Soundwave. You may be my superior, but unless she has directly expressed a want to become a Decepticon, I am not doing squat." Knockout interrupted, crossing his arms. "This is a whole new type of low, Soundwave."

This greatly agitated Soundwave, the mech clearly trying to keep it together as he retorted back.

"Knockout: knows very well that isn't the case." He spoke in a strained voice.

"Oh? And what is this? Sitting on one of the medical cots? In my Medbay?" Knockout retorted, gesturing vaguely to Roadway.

The poor Autobot was left looking back and forth between the two as Knockout chewed out Soundwave, becoming more and more lost. She tried to speak up, but her whispers were drowned out by the two beginning to argue amongst each other. She shrank in on herself, having no choice but to listen.

When she tried to speak again, a different, rougher voice spoke up behind her.

"HEY!" They barked as they walked up. "Knockout, why are you arguing with Soundwave? Again?" They spoke a lot softer despite the rougher, deeper voice. This much larger, blue mech crossed his arms and glared.

Knockout groaned, rubbing his face. "Breakdown, back me up here. You can't possibly force a mech to swap sides, yes?"

"We are not forcing her." Soundwave snapped back, usually monotone voice holding a bit more annoyance in it.

"Then why is she sitting here scared out of her mind!?" Knockout argued back, and the two went right back to bickering. Unbeknownst to them, the mech Roadway now knew as Breakdown just sighed. He rolled his optics, pulling the rolling berth she'd been sitting on away to leave the two to argue. He brought her to a farther corner, using his own frame as a block-out of the bickering.

"Now.. Let's get you a proper check up." He offered in a much softer tone, grabbing a scanner and hooking it up to a nearby monitor.

"Why are you really here?" He added calmly, his attention and focus on the scanner he held as he ran it over Roadway's frame to get diagnostics.

"..I ran from the Autobot base.." Roadway began quietly, trying to think of the words without giving away too much. As well as not succumbing to the terrible reality that was what actually happened. "Something.. happened. My instincts just.. kicked in and I ran.."

"It's a lot of a blur, but.. I don't think I mentioned anything about- switching sides." She muttered incredulously, shrugging. "I haven't even really.. considered it."

"Hmm." Breakdown thought hard, looking at the diagnostics results. Malnutrition, unstable levels, various injuries all old and new. He gave himself a moment to observe her frame. Dents, scratches, dull paint.

"..I'll tell you what I think." He spoke up again after a few moments, meeting her optics. "Based on what these results say, and how rough you look.. I'd say you really shouldn't be an Autobot anymore."

Roadway stared at him long and hard, and his firm but soft gaze left her feeling.. strange. Not in a bad way, just strange. It was a kind of feeling she had long since suppressed, she realized. The feeling of getting away. The feeling of leaving such an awful situation to find something new. Was this.. her new chance? The one she'd longed for for ages? A change she'd forgotten she'd ever wanted?

Breakdown frowned at her, watching the conflict happening behind her own optics, the war waging on.

"Look," He started, stepping a bit closer. "I have an idea. I can tell just by looking at you, you shouldn't go back. I think you'd do better here."

"So, here's what we'll do," Breakdown hummed, setting his datapad back on the cart by him and unplugging the monitor. "I can give you some temporary emblems. No sanding needed. Just some temporary stickers."

As he spoke, he pulled from his subspace some vinyl decals of the Decepticon emblem.

"Stickers. No sanding, no paint, no welding. Just a temporary solution until you want more permanent ones." He smiled softly, gently applying stickers over the Autobot emblems on her chest and doorwings. "You'll be a Decepticon from now on, though. You'll learn our codes, our rules, and how things run around here. But in the meantime, you can still breathe. That good?"

Roadway was surprised, but relaxed as she fidgetedly picked at the sticker on her chestplating.

"..Thank you, Breakdown.." She whispered, receiving a warm smile in return as she was helped back to her pedes. Directed back over to Knockout and Soundwave, they were still arguing.

"Ahem." Breakdown cleared his vox forcefully, gaining the two mechas' attentions. "Soundwave, Roadway here was simply startled, is all. She's the nervous type, she'll need a little help settling in."

Soundwave was a bit surprised by this, but nodded and turned his attention to Roadway to motion her to follow. Breakdown patted her shoulder, allowing her to walk over to the officer and head off with him.

"Breakdown: get Roadway's medical results into a file. Send it to me later." He ordered calmly, leading Roadway out of the room.

"Will do. Make sure she gets some good energon in her system!" Breakdown called after the cassette player.

"..I can't believe you stole a patient out from under me." Knockout huffed, crossing his arms.

"I wouldn't have had to if you weren't busy bickering with Soundwave. Again." Breakdown hummed simply with a smug grin, turning and heading back to his station

Being led down a few more hallways by Soundwave, Roadway was brought to where more of the living quarters were. They finally came to a stop at one of the rooms and he knocked on the door, announcing his presence before another, larger mech opened the door.

Dark blue and blueish-gray, the mech practically towered over Roadway. Soundwave was already tall, but this mech was just as large. A running theme, it seemed.

"Designation: Killjoy. Will be your roommate and guide as you adjust." Soundwave explained to Roadway, gesturing to the mech and back to her. Killjoy seemed rather stunned by this, looking between Soundwave and Roadway with a furrowed brow in confusion as most of his face was obscured by a face mask. Soundwave turned his attention back to Killjoy, gesturing to Roadway. "Designation: Roadway. Ex-Autobot and new Decepticon. Will need protection and guidance through the base."

"Woah, hold on. Roommate?? I was never informed of any roommate I'd be getting." Killjoy waved a hand in confusion.

"Roadway's appearance: Sudden. Other roommate options: Unsafe. Killjoy: Safest." Soundwave explained. With a name like "Killjoy", Roadway definitely felt safe.. Not... Killjoy gave a heavy sigh, rubbing his head.

"..Alright. Fine. Not like I have an option anyways.." He murmured, motioning a very terrified Roadway inside the room. Soundwave nodded to the mech and then took his leave afterwards.

"First thing's first," Killjoy began, annoyance lacing his voice while Roadway watched as he grabbed a marker from a nearby desk. Dragging it along the floor, he halved the room. Pointing at the side he'd shoo'd her towards, he then pointed to the side he stood on as he continued. "That- is your side. This is mine. Your stuff gets on mine or you touch my stuff, there will be problems. Got it?"

Roadway nodded quickly, hugging herself tightly. Despite desperately trying to hold her field close to herself, she was still visibly scared. She didn't want to be left alone with a mech she didn't know. She knew nothing about him- what he was capable of, anything. All she knew was that his name was Killjoy, and he was a rather large mech. Killjoy, however, made no moves to say anything else or come closer to hurt her. He just silently turned back around and went to his berth and picked up a datapad, flopping down and leaning back to read.

Roadway was left very unsure what to do now. She just looked around instead, observing what was now her living space. Her side was.. a little occupied by some of Killjoy's stuff, something he would probably fix since he had a new roommate. Hopefully. He seemed to be a rather organized mech from what she gathered, at least. It wasn't messy thankfully, it was actually rather clean and didn't smell. That was a pleasant surprise to her, really. Previous roommates she'd had in the past never really.. cleaned enough to remove smell. Or maybe there was a smell and she'd been so used to it?? Roadway didn't know anymore.

"So.. Are you just going to stand there?" Killjoy muttered, looking up at her from where he sat, quirking a brow. That snapped Roadway back to reality as she turned to him.

"Huh-? Oh- Uh. Sorry, I'm uh.. I don't.. I just don't know what to do.." She admitted meekly.

"Ugh- Right. I didn't think I'd have a roommate at any point.." Killjoy grumbled, getting up and walking over to start gathering some of his stuff out of her side. Roadway just stepped off to the side to stay out of his way as he moved stuff back to his side. He kind of just.. left it all in a pile in the corner. "I'll organize that later.. There, your side is empty now though. Go ahead and unpack or something."

Roadway paused again, fidgeting. His words made her realize something she very much forgot about. "Uhm.. I.. I don't have any belongings.."

"Huh? What do you mean you don't have any belongings? You left the Autobots, yeah? Surely you took your stuff with you."

"..N-no.. I.. I ran.."

Killjoy went quiet, expression softening when he realized the situation. "..Oh. You ran.. from the Autobots?"

"..Yeah..." Roadway murmured, giving a slight shrug.

"..Ok. Uh..." Killjoy rubbed his neck, looking around. "Primus.. You're starting off entirely fresh then, I guess."

Roadway just gave a meek nod, but then jumped when her tanks growled. Very audibly so. Even with the cube she was given much earlier, she was still fairly hungry.

"..When was the last time you refueled?" Killjoy asked after the brief silence that came after.

Roadway, now flustered as she hugged herself tightly again, was quiet a moment. Killjoy interpreted her silence as admission of not properly refueling.

"..Alright. We're going to the mess hall then." He sighed.

Chapter Text

The both of them were quiet on their way to the mess hall, Killjoy having taken hold of Roadway's arm to keep her close in case they passed any unsavory mecha. But it was also for him to keep tabs on her, as Killjoy assumed that Roadway being an Ex-Bot specifically placed as his roommate, he had some sort of responsibility over her wellbeing. Walking into the giant mess hall, it was bustling with activity. Killjoy rolled his optics when Roadway pulled herself closer into herself and kept her head down.

"Will you relax? No one's gonna tear your head off here." He muttered, walking her up to a refuel station to collect a cube for her. "Let's see if there's an empty table nearby.."

Killjoy found them a table shortly, sitting down and encouraging Roadway to do the same before sliding her the cube he'd gotten for her. Roadway was quick to catch it before it slid too close to the edge and just held it close to her for a moment.

"So.. Realized the Autobots weren't that great, huh?" Killjoy asked after the moment of awkward silence that fell over them.

"..I'd really rather not talk about it." Roadway murmured softly. She just stared at the table, too nervous about accidentally making eye-contact with the wrong mech. Taking a sip of the cube, it tasted just the same as the cube she was given in the brig. Bitter. More bitter than the standard energon with the Autobots.

"Come on, everyone that switches sides always has a reason, I'm sure. It's never for no reason or boredom. It's a pretty serious choice."

"I said I don't want to talk about it.."

"..Fine." Killjoy huffed, letting some silence hang in the air a bit longer. "..Well.. You got any special talents? Stuff you're good at? I can at least try to help you get into one of the divisions. Obviously you can't be under Starscream's flight command."

Roadway thought long and hard on that for a moment, staring at her cube.

"..My mentor.. He was always trying to train me to be a field mech.. Training never went very well.. I can't.. fight good." She sighed. "..I'm just too weak.."

"Probably just not training right." Killjoy shrugged. "You'd be surprised how many mecha here need different strategies. You're likely not "weak", you're just not training right."

"Maybe.." Roadway huffed with a slight shrug, swirling her cube. "..He was always trying to get me to fight without the use of my Outlier. He-"

"Hold on-" Killjoy cut in suddenly, sitting up straight with big optics. "Outlier? You've got an Outlier? Does Big M know?"

"Wh- uh.. No? I don't.. think so.." Roadway murmured with a little worry now. "Is.. is that a bad thing..?"

"No, no, that's great, actually! Not often we get Outliers here. So, what can you do??"

"Uh.. If I scream, it sends out a powerful sound blast.. It's.. a little destructive.."

"Really!? That's kinda cool, actually!" Killjoy laughed, smacking the table. "You could be pretty strong with that ability, you know. Why don't you use it more??"

Roadway just went quiet, shrinking in on herself. Killjoy got his silent answer, backing off a bit.

"..Right. You probably don't like it, huh?" He asked a bit softer, earning a nod from Roadway. "No wonder you're so quiet.. Well.. What else can you do?"

Roadway thought for a moment once more, looking up at Killjoy with a slight smile. "I've always uh.. wanted to get into science? Engineering n' all that stuff.. I always kinda.. felt like I was smart, you know..? Like, with handiwork- like weapons tech?" She murmured.

"Ohhh.. Hm... You'd have to bring that up with.. maybe Shockwave then." Killjoy shrugged, watching as Roadway's expression changed to horror. Oh, he found this delightful. He forgot how utterly terrified Autobots were of the Decepticon Scientist. He had to try and mask his humor.

"I'd... I'd have to.. talk to him...?" Roadway's voice wavered.

"Yeah, probably. If you wanna get to work in that field, he'd be your superior. He's the head of our Science and Engineering department afterall."

Roadway felt like she might faint. The mere thought of going up to Shockwave himself to ask to be part of the department made her tanks roll, made them do flip-flops even. Her processor recounted the many other horror stories she'd heard, not just from Prowl this time..

Killjoy was having a bit too much fun with this, shaking slightly as he tried to stifle his laughter.

"Y-yeah. You'll uh.. You'll have to go see him yourself. He doesn't like a lot of people in his lab, so you'd have to go alone." He snickered.

Roadway just stared at the table in horror, silently dreading the idea. Going.. alone. To see Shockwave.

"Hey, KJ. Who's this?" A gruff voice then spoke up as an equally large Con walked up. It pulled Roadway's attention as she looked up meekly, shrinking down a bit. He loomed over her a bit.

"Oh, Blockbuster, hey." Killjoy greeted. "Hey uh, give her a little space, huh? She's a new Con, she's the nervous kind."

"Hm." Blockbuster gruffed, eying her closely from behind his visor. "*Roadway*. You were an Autobot."

"Huh? Oh, hey, she's cool, don't worry." Killjoy assured him, waving a hand. "Fresh Con. Very fresh. Just today, even."

"Her badges ain't right." Blockbuster pointed out, tapping directly on one of Roadway's doorwings, which her upwards in startled alert. At the tap, they flipped down and pressed tight to her back.

"I-I have to get uhm.. get n-new ones soon.. The stickers are temporary.." Roadway explained quietly.

"Speak up. You're too quiet, Bot." Blockbuster hissed, leaning just a bit more forward. Roadway found herself pressing her head and arms into the table to try and appear small. "We ain't gonna tolerate a weak little Autobot makin' us all look bad."

"Hey, Block, leave her alone, will you?" Killjoy spoke up, getting defensive of Roadway as he stood up to try and get between them. She'd covered her head now, hiding in the table.

"She's a Bot, Killjoy. Bots are all slimy cowards. They wouldn't put a bullet in a mech's head if it would save 'em." Blockbuster hissed. "Y'know this. Her bein' here is a disrespect to us all. It's downright offensive. She ain't gonna survive a week."

"You're being a fraggin' bully, Block. Leave her alone. She just became a Con today. She needs time to adjust." Killjoy snapped back, leaning forward a bit more. Block was just a little taller than Killjoy, but they were pretty much equally matched.

"I don't like y'er tone, KJ." Blockbuster scowled with a low growl, optics narrowing behind his red visor. He stepped closer to Killjoy threateningly.

"Well I don't like yours either." KJ hissed quietly, glaring up at the mech. "Back off."

"Make me, runt." Blockbuster snarled back.

The tension had Roadway wary, their fields radiating aggression as she carefully got up and shuffled away.

"Please don't.." She whispered to herself quietly, pleading to Primus that they didn't start a fight.

They did.

Blockbuster took the first swing. Roadway let out a startled yelp when Killjoy hit the table, Blockbuster's fist having collided with his mask. He growled, clambering back up and using one of the seats to leap up to tackle Blockbuster. Many mecha in the room caught onto the commotion, standing to surround and watch. They started cheering on as Killjoy started landing a good few hits just before he was tossed off to the side.

Roadway just watched in horror, trapped with nowhere to go. She looked around in a panic. An opening! She found an opening between a few mecha, quickly scampering off after squeezing through. She ran out of the mess hall just as she heard heavy footsteps approaching. Rounding a corner, she could hear Megatron's booming voice yelling at all the mecha in the mess hall.

She just kept walking, trying to keep away from the commotion. Unfortunately, she didn't know her way around the damn place.. It took a while, but she was able to make it back to their shared room.

A few weeks passed since Roadway initially joined the Decepticons.

After doing her studies on Decepticon Law and relearning just about everything, getting a bit of help from Killjoy, she'd earned her proper badges and was officially named a Decepticon. Things were going pretty smoothly for her as she adjusted to the environment. Killjoy had become a decent friend to her, and they got closer as time went on.

With training, she was actually.. Improving. It seemed Killjoy was right, it was the way she was being taught. He helped her in working herself up to where she needed to be, and she was working out her frame much better now. He acted as her new sparring partner, doing things the right way by starting off easy and working up the difficulty. Her skills were still.. not great, but she was making progress. Some was better than none.

Currently, Roadway had just left the training room after observing and visually learning some new techniques from Killjoy. She walked down the hall alone, heading back to her quarters while Killjoy left to go get his midday ration.

What Roadway wasn't expecting was for a little femme to come crashing into her, nearly falling over before being caught by the older femme. She looked up, watching a larger, angrier mech round the corner after her. Optics widening, she had to very quickly assess the situation.

Little Femme that crashed into Roadway; small, shaking- scared. She was trying to get away from Large Mech; angry, agitated- dangerous.

She had to act quickly, doing the one and only thing she thought to do. Roadway's stronger arms pulled the little one closer to her frame as tight as possible, protecting her audials as she reared back and let out a very sharp scream. The shockwave that emitted from her vox sent the mech falling back on his aft, letting out a pained cry as his audials blew, painfully so. As he writhed on the floor in agony, the distraction gave Roadway the perfect opportunity to swiftly pick up the femme and book it down the hall, around and away from the mech. She'd leave him to be found by someone else.

She kept running and running until they'd looped around a hall to her quarters, Roadway quickly shutting the door and locking it. Walking over to her personal berth, she kneeled amd set down the little femme to check on her.

"Are you alright, sweetspark? Are you hurt?" She asked quickly and softly, frantically checking the femme over for any injuries and finally cupping her face.

The little one hiccuped as she sobbed, Roadway helping her wipe away tears. 

“It- I-It was j-just a jo-oke..." She croaked out, shaking like a leaf.

Roadway just pulled her close, petting her helm and whispering soft comforts to calm her.

"Shh.. shhhshshh.. it's ok. You're ok.."

This was a youngling, she gathered. Just barely a child. What was a child doing with the Decepticons?? What was a Decepticon doing chasing the poor thing!? She had a dent in her head! This would need to be brought to Megatron's attention.. Surely he wouldn't dare not mind his soldiers harming such defenseless young. She hoped..

Roadway got her calmed down after a few moments, just sitting with her on the berth.

"What's your name, sweetspark?"

"..H-Hi-Tech.."

"Hi-Tech.. So.. what happened? Why was that mech chasing you?" She asked softly, rubbing the little one's back. She was really worried about that dent, hoping there was no bad internal damage.

"I swapped his gun.. The one I switched with his only shot out glitter.." Tech explained with a sniffle, wiping her face. "He just got so mad.. It was just a harmless little joke, his gun was fine! He punched me in the head just before I got away.."

Roadway's energon boiled at that, but she remained calm.

"He shouldn't have done that. That is absolutely no way for a mech to act towards a youngling. I'm so sorry that happened, Hi-Tech.." She apologized softly. "Do you know where your creators are? I can bring you to them safely." Roadway then offered.

Earning a nod from Tech, who sniffled once more, Roadway stood and offered a servo and a warm smile.

"Alright, come on. I'll take you to them."

Tech took her servo, standing and practically hugging Roadway's arm. It was there Roadway saw the dent in the smaller's head once again, frowning. She thought a moment before changing plans.

"Hm. You know what, how about we find the medbay first? Your creators can meet us there. That way that mean mech won't get you again." Roadway offered. She received another nod before they left the room. 

Each hallway was closely inspected as they headed down each one, Hi-Tech being kept close to Roadway's frame for her safety. Soon, they arrived at the Medbay with no one else to see them in the hall.

"Ah, Roadway. How can I-" Knockout had begun to greet when he heard the doors open. His optics blew wide, darting to the little femme clinging to Roadway. "HI-TECH!"

He rushed over and kneeled as the little femme was set down, hugging Tech tightly. As he left out a deep sigh of relief, Breakdown's head shot up from where he was working.

"She's ok??" Breakdown called, sounding just as worried. Knockout inspected Hi-Tech, examining the dent.

"All I got was a dent.." Tech explained to him.

"Another mech supposedly hit her after she'd played a harmless prank by switching his gun with a glitter one, as Tech had explained to me." Roadway further explained for her.

"Oh, we've already got the mech, trust me. Soundwave found him writhing in the hall." Knockout growled in agitation, picking Hi-Tech up and bringing her to a medical berth. "Let's fix that dent, sweetspark.. Breakdown! Call Megatron down here, let him know she was found."

"Megatron??" Roadway asked, a little startled. She didn't see the mech much, but he sure was intimidating.. She didn't exactly like the idea of him showing up to the medbay.

"Why are you calling him first? What about her creators?" She asked, genuinely confused. "Surely they need to know she's safe first."

Knockout just paused, looking at her in confusion before it clicked. He then moved to start fixing the dent in Tech's helm. "..Right. You hadn't met Hi-Tech yet. You Autobots never knew about her. That was for good reason, at least.." He murmured. "Megatron is-"

"-her father." Megatron's own voice spoke up as he briskly walked into the room. Roadway jumped, backing away from the berth Knockout and Hi-Tech were at. Her optics widened in shock as Megatron strode over to the berth, worry and fear masked by his angry field and matching expression. He leaned forward to Tech as the younger femme quickly reached out to hug him.

"I'm sorry! It was just a joke!" Tech pleaded with new tears. Megatron quietly shushed her, rubbing her back as he whispered quietly to her. The sight was strange to see for Roadway, the cold, cruel mech she knew being.. soft. He was kind to Hi-Tech, reassuring her. Knockout was unphased by this behavior, neither was Breakdown. The medic actually seemed pleased to see Hi-Tech was calming down in the warlord's arms.

"She's only got the one dent. Doesn't look like there's any other damage beyond that." Knockout explained calmly, a big smile on his face. "Very easy fix, Hi-Tech's gonna be just fine."

"Good. The mech responsible has been dealt with." Megatron stated firmly as he stood up straight again, gently patting Tech's back while being careful of her door-wings. "Hi-Tech, for your sake and my sanity, no more pranks on the soldiers. Please." He asked quietly.

"Yes, Baba.." Tech gave a small nod, looking down at the ground.

Roadway was just.. stunned. Megatron's.. daughter? She was trying her hardest to process it. He was a creator? Who was her carrier? Or did Megatron carry her? Did he carry her?? Imagining a carrying Megatron made her processor hurt. There was no way he would've been able to hide it. Unless he was a "no-show"..? Those weren't entirely common but not super rare..

He was likely her sire, Roadway could only assume as she remained lost in thought. Where was Hi-Tech's carrier, if that were the case then? Unfortunately, she couldn't dwell on it much longer when she finally noticed Megatron turning his attention to her, Hi-Tech in his arms now and her helm fixed right up.

"Thank you, Roadway, for protecting Hi-Tech." Megatron nodded firmly to her.

"O-Of course, sir- My lord." Roadway quickly responded with a curt nod, correcting herself with how she addressed him.

"Train that Outlier of yours more, Roadway. It seems to come in handy for you." Megatron then hummed, walking out of the medbay. Roadway was able to catch him planting a kiss to Tech's forehead, relaxing just a bit at the sight.

His comment made her wary, however. She didn't want to just be reduced to a soldier- a weapon even just for her Outlier.

"You have no idea how good that was for you just then, do you?" Knockout chuckled, having been watching her for a moment.

"Huh? What do you mean??" She asked, snapping back to reality.

"Hi-Tech. You know how much Megatron cares about her? I'll be surprised if that mech that hurt her isn't dead." Knockout laughed.

"She's all Megatron has left of his conjux. She passed as soon as Tech was born." Breakdown then softly chimed in. "No one really.. talks about it. It's a real sore spot for Megatron. Her name is practically a banned word."

Roadway frowned, looking between the two sadly as her doorwings drooped down. To know Megatron loved someone so much that the very mention of their name had been banned from ever being muttered in the case of causing him to become upset.. it made her feel all the more bad for the mech. She was discovering sides of the Decepticons she'd never seen before, everyday it seemed..

"..That's awful.." She murmured quietly. Knockout nodded solemnly in response, sighing.

"But.. No use dwelling on the past. You should get back to whatever business you had going on." He hummed as he waved a hand.

Roadway said nothing more, just lost in thought now as she took her leave with a nod. Megatron.. was a father. And he seemed to care quite a lot for Hi-Tech. No wonder the Autobots never knew anything about her, he'd been keeping her as safe as possible.

Having cared for Hi-Tech in such a short period of time.. It made Roadway think of herself. She'd longed to one day have a little one of her own to raise and care for. A little one she could care for better than Prowl ever cared for her. It was a lot to dwell on for the future..

Chapter Text

Killjoy finally convinced Roadway to go talk to Shockwave. She dreaded the meeting immensely, but she'd already been with the Decepticons for almost two weeks and still didn't have a proper assignment. He'd encouraged her to get into the position in the Decepticon field of science if that was what she truly wanted. The Decepticons could always use more help in the background during battles, he insisted. 

Reaching Shockwave's lab, Roadway nervously knocked on the door and waited for an answer.

"Enter." She heard Shockwave call from inside the room just a moment later. Roadway tapped the keypad beside the door as it slid open, stepping inside.

"What can I help you with?" Shockwave asked flatly, moving to stand from his seat as he turned to face her. When one, lone optic met her own two, he froze.

"You. I know you." Shockwave then murmured, tone a twinge darker as his head tilted to the side just a bit. He stepped towards Roadway, who found herself paralysed from anxiety. She could only look up as he studied her closely, practically looming over her own frame. 

"Yes.. you're Roadway. Little Autobot trainee." He muttered, glancing down at the Decepticon emblem on her chest. "At least, not anymore, it would seem."

"U-uhm.. Y-yes. Yes, I'm a-a Decepticon now.." Roadway nodded firmly, fidgeting with her digits. She offered a nervous smile and chuckle.

"Well then.. What brings you to my lab? Or did Megatron send you down for me, I wonder? I've been needing some fresh volunteers." Shockwave hummed, stepping closer as he examined her frame further. He was a full two heads taller than her, so he easily towered over her as he looked her frame over in a manner that made her feel.. Queasy.

Roadway felt her energon run cold at the statement. "Volunteer"; whatever the Pits that meant, she didn't want to find out.

"N-no, sir. Not at all, a-actually.." She gulped, steadying herself. "I uh.. I came to w-work in the Department. Uh- Sc-science Department. I was told to uhm.. Talk to y-you..?”

The fins on Shockwave's helm flicked upwards as his optic brightened just a bit in a display of curiosity, watching her closely.

"You wish to become a Decepticon Scientist such as myself?" He asked, tone almost softening a bit.

"Y-Yes sir."

"Have you previously done work in the field?"

"No sir, b-but I-"

"So, you have no prior experience at all?"

"Well, no? But-"

"Then you have no place in a lab, I'm afraid."

Roadway's optics widened in surprise, silenced by the sentence as the scientist himself turned back around and walked over to his desk. He waved a dismissive hand her way, his next words going fuzzy in her head as she tried to process what had just happened.

'Find your voice. No one will respect you here if you only talk in little whispers.'

Killjoy's words rang in her head at that moment, words that had been exchanged to her in the first few days she'd been there. Taking a deep vent, she built up her courage, steeled her nerves, and spoke up.

"Listen to me." Roadway stated firmly, but immediately regretted the action once the words flew out of her intake.

Shockwave had paused, having been in the middle of speaking when she spoke up. She interrupted him, something she didn't realize she'd done. He slowly turned back to face her, eerily quiet.

"..I beg your pardon?" He asked, tone low and flat but with that quiet sense of danger to it.

Roadway swallowed hard. 

"I-I may not have uh- a-any experience working in a lab, but I have uhm.. Assisted the A-Autobot scientists on numerous occasions." She stated, firmly standing her ground, albeit with a trembling frame. "I know a lot m-more than I look like I do.."

Shockwave fully faced her again, having slowly stalked forward as she spoke. He loomed over her once more. His field was held tight to his frame, Roadway left unsure how he took her interruption.

".. I.. uhm.. I a-also am willing to.. to learn.." Roadway shrank in on herself, volume lowering as she stared up at him. Shockwave was silent for many more grueling moments before he finally spoke.

"You certainly have the passion of a scientist working under my command." Shockwave then hummed, leaning back as he watched her. Folding his arms- well, one arm and one gun- behind his back, he continued. "You'll start working with Tarantulas, effective immediately. His own lab is a few doors down."

Roadway's optics widened, relaxing a bit as she realized he was allowing her to work in the field. 

"..R-really?" She asked almost in disbelief.

"I said effective immediately. I do not like others in my lab while I work." Shockwave stated a bit more firmly. 

"Tarantulas will train you." He waved a hand to shoo her, turning around once more to return to his desk.

"Ah- right! Y-yes sir." Roadway quickly nodded, scampering out of the room to get out of his space.

A couple doors down the next hallway.. the doors were open, the place identified as a lab due to the interior as Roadway peered in. Looking around, it looked like there were lots of projects, unfinished and completed, that littered the lab. There were lots of.. Webs too. All over the walls. It was then that she looked up and felt her spark drop to her pedes, maybe even farther.

The ceiling went up higher than most rooms, a lot more webs covering it as there was suspended equipment. But in the midst of it all was a very, very large-

Spider.

"Tarantulas", the name should have tipped her off. Roadway hadn't met many Beastformers, especially the insect and arachnid kind, so this was truly a sight for her.

And it was very, very intimidating.

The arachnimech shifted when multiple eyes had opened and glanced down, the mech having been taking a quick nap it seemed. Many legs uncurled themselves as he unlatched himself from the web, suspending downwards. Tarantulas transformed as he neared the ground with graceful movement. Standing up straight, he clasped his servos together.

"Hello.. What brings a mech like you to my lab?" His smooth yet raspy voice purred, the mech looming over Roadway, taller than Shockwave. He folded two spider-y claws together, looking so terrifyingly polite.

Roadway swallowed hard, not letting her nerves get to her too much. Get it together, Roadway.. Come on.

"I-I uhm.. was told to c-come here.. Sh-shockwave sent me." She explained, fidgeting.

"Ah, another intern then?" Tarantulas chuckled darkly, leaning a bit closer as the mandibles on his face shifted. "A shame what happened to the last one."

Roadway gulped. What did he mean "last one"? Was she-

"Roadway!" A little voice cheerfully called out. Hi-Tech! She ran up from the side, hugging the taller femme's leg. Soundwave walked up beside her.

Roadway was surprised by the sudden appearance, but Tarantulas' entire demeanor changed– which surprised her even more.

"You're Roadway?" He asked, looking at her with wide optics. His posture straightened out, looking a bit more proper. 

"Uh.. Y-Yes?" Roadway murmured as she knelt down to properly greet Hi-Tech.

"Well, that certainly changes things! Really, I must thank you for protecting my little helper." Tarantulas laughed, his threatening tone having completely dissolved. He stepped forward, scooping up Hi-Tech as Roadway stood.

"Hi-Tech: Needs to be watched for a few hours." Soundwave then chimed in, nodding firmly to Tarantulas before taking his leave.

"...Little helper?" Roadway echoed to Tarantulas after Soundwave left.

"Oh yes, Hi-Tech is such a smart little femme. Gave Shockwave quite the scare long ago!" Tarantulas snickered, affectionately nuzzling Tech before he turned to walk into the lab, an extra limb beckoning Roadway to follow.

"I made a bomb!" Tech proudly announced over Tarantulas' shoulder.

"A bomb??" Roadway asked in shock.

"A bomb!!" Tarantulas cackled, setting Tech back down and moving to pull some tools out for her from his nearby station. 

"Granted, she lacked the actual ignition, but it was beautifully constructed for a youngling her age at the time." He hummed, collecting some materials from another cabinet and handing them to Hi-Tech, patting her on the head before turning to Roadway. The little femme, as if routine, quickly headed off to a smaller workbench and began her work after thanking Tarantulas. 

"She's built far better since, obviously." He beamed proudly with his claws on his hips. 

Roadway was astounded. Hi-Tech, at an even younger age than now, built a bomb.. Non-functioning, but it was intended as such. She was baffled.

"Now! As for you working in my lab.. What sort of experience do you have?" Tarantulas asked, having turned away to focus on another project currently strung up on the ceiling web. He had to reach up for it, grabbing hold of said web and then climbing up. 

"Uh.. Minimal. I.. I helped in the Autobot lab on occasion, learned from them, but my mentor was trying to train me as a soldier, so uh.. Didn't get taught much.." Roadway explained quietly, rubbing her arm. 

"A fatal mistake on their part. I can tell already you've got a curious mind. Ambitious, even." Tarantulas hummed, having turned to face her again as he gestured vaguely to her frame. "A mind like yours is a hot commodity in this field, you know.. I will teach you all you wish to know."

Roadway's expression brightened, a bit surprised with how quick he was willing to teach her. 

“You.. You will? You'll actually teach me?” She asked softly, optics alight with hope.

"Of course, my dear! Besides, you hadn't hit the pavement at the sight of me.. Last intern Shockwave sent my way hightailed it." Tarantulas shrugged with a laugh. "Most of them usually do."

Oh. Oh– That's what he meant! He was testing her!!

Roadway lit up at the realization, looking up at him with wide optics. 

"You were testing me." She echoed her thoughts aloud.

Tarantulas seemed rather happy she'd realized, the limbs on his back shifting and mandibles chittering as he laughed, nodding. 

"Yes! You're already getting it, see? You're a clever bot, Roadway!” 

She smiled warmly, having relaxed greatly. This was going to be a great thing for her, she realized. She was finally going to get to work in science! No more grueling training sessions!

It was that very last thought that made her freeze. The realization hit her.. Pretty hard. She could finally breathe. No more mecha breathing down her neck cables about failed training. No more terrible sparring sessions. No more harassment. No more Prowl. Roadway was free. She was finally able to take her destiny for herself and make it her own. 

And Prowl can't do a thing about it. No one could. 

This realization, however, resulted in an overload of emotions. As her processor flooded, so did her optics. She hadn't realized she was even crying until she felt the coolant roll down her face. Tarantulas looked down at her after having looked back at the equipment in front of him, nearly falling out of the web with how he flinched. 

"Tears??? Why are you crying??" He asked quickly, now deeply concerned. He dropped down from the web, reaching for her to check on her. 

"I-I'm fine, I promise. I just.." She sniffled, giving an attempted smile after furiously wiping at her face. "I just.. I can finally relax.. I don't n-need to worry so much a-anymore.."

"Well, of course not. Now. Let's get you started on your first lessons, yes?" Tarantulas hummed, motioning her to follow him over to a desk. Roadway sniffled, wiping at her face again as she followed him. 

“Ohh, you Ex-Autobots and your emotions..” He cooed playfully, holding her shoulders. “You'll be fine here. I promise.” 

----

The weeks went by as Roadway became more and more comfortable with her new environment– And her new job! She soon became an official scientist alongside Tarantulas, serving as his understudy same as Hi-Tech. Speaking of the young femme, Roadway became entrusted as a sitter for the little bitlet as well. When none of the others could watch her, Roadway was next in line. It was a pleasant agreement she had very little issue with. She enjoyed taking care of Hi-Tech, and she liked to believe the little femme liked her as well.

Watching Tech was fun, really. The little heir was so full of energy and life, it made Roadway think of her own younger self.

With push from her superiors and her peers, Roadway reluctantly began further training with her Outlier ability. Some gave her the nickname "Siren" because of such ability. Luckily for her, thankfully, Soundwave actually had a similar ability using his speakers, and his cassette-twin sons Rumble and Frenzy also shared that same power. They were able to help her hone her Scream and better control it.

With better controlling her ability, she also regained her confidence– Sorta, at least. She started getting more acquainted with mecha, that is. People liked her. Killjoy was still her best friend, of course, but she started making acquaintances with other soldiers, being on friendlier terms. She was comfortable.

She was home.

"So, how's training been going?" Roadway asked, sipping at the cube she held in her hand. She was sitting across from Killjoy in the mess hall, their leisure time finally alining aside from Lights Out.

"Eh, same ol'-same ol'." Killjoy shrugged, staring at and swirling the energon in his own cube. "I've been getting sloppy lately.. I dunno what it is."

Roadway frowned. "Well that doesn't sound good. Have you gone to see the medics at all?"

"Nahh.. It could just be me not trying that hard. You know?" Killjoy tried to wave it off, taking a sip. “I've been a bit distracted lately.. Could be it.” 

"Well, if you haven't done anything different to your routine, you should go see a medic. It could be something serious."

"I don't want to waste their time, Roads. They've got way better things to worry about."

"I'm telling you, go see a medic if you're not feeling good."

Killjoy rolled his optics, but then looked towards the entrance and groaned in pure annoyance.

"Ugh, great.. Demo Team's on break.."
He muttered, avoiding making eye contact with them.

"Demo.. Team?" Roadway echoed, turning in her seat to the entrance. She watched as six large, bulkier mecha strode in, all conversing. They were all the same color palette of bright green and purple, the group heading right for the dispenser counter.

"The Constructicons. They're one of the combiner teams here– They make Devastator." Killjoy explained, carefully watching the mecha walk through the mess hall to the counter to get their rations. "They're also annoyingly obnoxious. They're even sloppier than me when they're combined."

They proceeded to prove Killjoy right, loudly laughing about some joke one of them made. 

"Point 'n case.." Killjoy grumbled, looking away as he sipped at his energon.

"I.. Get the feeling there's something else behind those words." Roadway pointed out after prying curious optics away from the group of brightly colored mecha, turning her attention back to Killjoy.

"Ohh, ever the insightful type." KJ teasingly joked, setting down his cube as he sighed. "They're just.. sloppy. Every time they're called to the field, it's like Devastator can't even focus. It's like they're.. Distracted, they don't even respond to commands well."

"They cause more damage to us then they do the Autobots. I also just.. Really don't like ‘em much.” KJ shrugged, pausing to sip at his cube again. 

Roadway frowned, flinching harshly when she suddenly felt a heavy arm wrap around her shoulders.

"Well, hello, Hot Stuff! What's a pretty bot like you doin' here?" One of them asked, having draped himself across her back. Roadway had stiffened, a familiar fear having creeped up her spinal struts as she stared at the green and purple mech with optics blown wide.

"Hey, go away, slaghead! You're bothering her." Killjoy barked, trying to shoo the mech away. He was ignored however, the mech leaned on Roadway moving to sit beside her properly.

"Name's Long Haul. What's yours? Never seen you around the Mess Hall before." The Constructicon grinned behind his mask, holding a servo to her. He kept an arm around her, keeping close. Too close. Roadway could barely vent. She felt stuck, trapped. Unable to get away from a mech that-

Before she had any more time to panic, one of the other, larger Constructicons came behind Long Haul and wrung him in a chokehold and pulled him back to the ground. He flailed and fought against his other, but the mech was unphased.

"I do 'pologize for my fellow colleague's behavior, he don't know how to act right." The mech hissed in feigned calmness, squeezing his arm around Long Haul tighter as the mech angrily fought harder.

"Let- Lemme go, 'Crusher! Y're gonna– Crush me!!" Long Haul argued, struggling to pull himself free.

"Shut it. Y'er ruinin' this f'er us."
Bonecrusher hissed to the other quietly. Long Haul caught his footing and moved to try and flip them both, the two beginning to wrestle on the floor.

Killjoy was quick to get up from his seat, collecting their cubes and prying a startled Roadway out of hers and dragging her out to the hall away from the other mecha.

"Come on. Back to our room before those bolt-brains break something." He huffed.

He kept her close in the hallway, not liking how silent she was. Her field was pulled taught to her frame, so he couldn't tell how she was feeling.

Back at their room, Killjoy had Roadway sit down on her berth, him sitting beside her. 

"..You ok?" He asked quietly.

Roadway was quiet for a long while before she found her voice, tiny and small.

"I don't know.."

"It's alright. I'll make sure to get it reported that Long Haul was harassing you and they should leave you alone after a nice reprimanding." KJ nodded firmly, patting her on the shoulder. He then stood up, heading for the door.

"Welp, break-time's over. You get some rest, I'll put in that report and send a message to Tarantulas for you." KJ hummed.

"..Thank you." Roadway was able to speak up just before he left. Killjoy paused right before he left the room, nodding to Roadway.

"Don't mention it, 'kay?" He hummed, shutting the door behind him.

Chapter Text

A younger Roadway sat on the desk, wincing and trying her best to hold still. A welding gun worked at her helmet, attaching a new piece.

"Ow-" She whimpered, flinching rather harshly this time. Prowl, in front of her, let out an agitated sigh and pulled away.

"Roadway, please hold still. I'm almost done." He huffed, looking at her rather annoyed.

"But it hurts.." Roadway whined, rubbing her head.

"No it doesn't. Your helm is fine." 

"Why do you have to do this anyways..?"

Prowl took hold of her chin, holding her in place as he finished up the welding. She winced again at not only the sound but the stinging feeling of plating being melted together.  

"Because, Roadway," He began. "This chevron will let everyone know you are my student. They'll know better than to try and teach you any other way."

"..I miss my momma.." She muttered, making Prowl pause as he stared at her, the younger femme's head lowering.

"She's gone, Roadway. So is your sire. And we're in a war." Prowl stated flatly before focusing back on his welding. "There's no use trying to dwell on it." 

Roadway left the room a while after Killjoy the next day. However, when she did, she nearly stepped on something that was left in front of the door. Looking down, it was a decently large chunk of scrap metal. Sitting on top was a note.

All the note read, was:

"sorry   :(
     -scav" 

Roadway didn't know who "Scav" was, but she couldn't help but think this was.. Oddly endearing. Inspecting the metal a bit closer, it was actually decent quality, really. Her or Tarantulas could make use of it for something.. Thinking on it, she decided to keep the metal and take it with her to the lab.

"Now where did you find this???" Tarantulas' fascinated voice spoke as he examined the metal Roadway presented to him.

"It was just.. Kinda left in front of my door?" Roadway shrugged, a bit confused and surprised by his reaction. She reached forward and passed him the little slip that was left behind. "Here, this was the note attached to it."

Tarantulas inspected the note, his demeanor changed as he passed her a sly look.

"Ahh.. I think those Constructicons got an eye for you. Based on this note, they did something to make you upset, huh?" He asked.

Roadway, a bit flustered by the accusation, blushed slightly before crossing her arms.

"..Kinda." She huffed, a little annoyed as she recalled. "One of them got just.. Touchy. He got too close and it made me uncomfortable. Another pried him off of me."

Tarantulas then stepped over, dangling the metal chunk in her face.

"This must be their apology. Scavenger got it for you." He hummed, backing off to examine again. "He must've looked pretty hard, this is great quality! He has a knack for that sort of thing."

"..So that one of them wasn't just.. Flirting?"

"Oh, they were all thinking it. Only one of them actually acted on the feelings." Tarantulas hummed as he walked to his desk, setting down the metal.

"They're a gestalt, they've got a bond of sorts together, called a "Gestalt bond". They share a lot of the same feelings. They fancy you. When some emotions get so strong to the point of being overwhelming, sometimes it prompts one of them to act."

"Oh.." Roadway grew quiet, thinking about it for a bit.

Tarantulas was also quiet for a bit, brainstorming what to do with the scrap piece.

"Hmm.. You know, as I think about it, it's been a long time." Tarantulas suddenly blurted.

"What?"

"Oh, right. It's been a long time since the Constructicons had a seventh, you know? They've been trying to find the right one." He hummed. "Last mech cut things off so harshly and so suddenly.. He broke a lot of sparks, really."

"Oh.. I'm very sorry to hear that.." Roadway murmured, walking over to pull her seat up to sit beside him while she worked on a smaller component. "..You knew him?"

"Oh yes, he and I were close.. Conjuxes, even. Had a son. Our boy, he.. I don't know." Tarantulas grew quiet, staring at the desk in throught. "..My son was lost a long time ago. My Conjux, he then left me many, many years ago and then joined the Autobots. Optimus' right hand.." He scoffed.

Right hand..? Oh boy.

"Was.. was his name.. Prowl?"

"Yes. Prowl. The bastard-" Tarantulas bristled, pausing to let himself take a deep vent and calm himself. "..He was with the Constructicons before me. He left them abruptly. Severed the Gestalt connection on his end rather harshly and left them squabbling."

"Ever since, they've been missing their other piece. Leaves them disoriented, leaves them confused when they're combined." He shrugged.

Right. Roadway remembered just then she never actually shared with Tarantulas just who exactly mentored her with the Autobots.

"..Killjoy mentioned they were sloppy on the field. That's.. Awful." She murmured, frowning. "..Prowl was.. Prowl was my mentor, actually..."

Tarantulas' head snapped up, looking at her with a stunned look.

"He was?"

"He wasn't the greatest, honestly.." Roadway sighed deeply, resting a head in her hand propped up on the desk. "He was.. Abusive, to put it bluntly. It took me a while to come to terms with everything since I got here. If I remember correctly, since I blocked a bunch out.. He was part of the reason I left, I guess you could say.."

Tarantulas' eyes were just saucers, blown wide from how shocked he was. "So you're.. You're his little mentee. We got intel that Prime's right hand.. Had a little mentee.."

He then nearly fell out of his chair when he burst out laughing.

"HAHAHAHAAAA!!! Oh, Prowl! He can't even keep a mentee!! And to think; you're my mentee now!! This is incredible!" He laughed having grabbed Roadway's shoulders, much to her surprise.

"Uh.. Yeah, it is kinda funny when you think about it.." She murmured, offering a nervous grin.

"It's HILARIOUS!" Tarantulas exclaimed, backing off to stand again and turn back to the rest of the lab. He continued to ramble about Prowl being a stubborn fool and an idiot, just getting back to his work.

Roadway's thoughts, on the other hand, trailed off again thinking about the Constructicons. Liked her, huh..?

Roadway lied awake in her berth that night, staring at the ceiling in deep thought. A Gestalt bond.. It was something she didn't understand, something she barely read about.

A part of her wanted to help them. They'd been wronged by Prowl, it almost felt just.. Right wanting to fix what he'd done. At the same time, a Gestalt.. It was so....

Intimate. It scared her, just a bit. Being approached like she'd been in the mess hall frightened her in a way she wished she could forget, feeling so.. Scared and helple-

"Hey." Killjoy suddenly spoke up from his berth, tired. "You're thinking too loud.."

"Oh- Sorry." Roadway whispered softly, snapping back to reality to pull her field back to her. It was silent in the room for a moment, her not even realizing he was still staring at her.

"..You seem more restless than usual. What's going on?" Killjoy asked softer.

"..Just thinking, I suppose.."

"About?"

"The uhm.. The Constructicons."

"Pfft- Them? Don't sweat them too much, Roads.. they're annoying, but don't let 'em bother you so much."

"No, it's.. Well... It's kind of about that. It's two different things. I'm.. conflicted?"

"....About?"

Roadway stayed very quiet for a long moment before giving a heavy sigh.

"..Tarantulas told me their gestalt connection with their seventh member was severed badly, which is why they're so disoriented.." She explained. "It was Prowl, who was my mentor as an Autobot.. I just.. A small part of me kind of-"

"Woah woah woah- Don't tell me you're actually thinking about something like that??"

"..Is that really so terrible..?"

"Roadway, you barely know them well. Long Haul was harrasing you not even two days ago."

"Well-! Scavenger apologized!"

"Really?" There was a sarcastic tone to KJ's voice.

"He dropped off some really nice material at the door!"

"Roadway."

"He even left a little note! He drew a frown on it."

"Roadway.."

"I-" She let out a groan, realizing how she was sounding herself. "..My processor's a mess right now. I want to help so badly but I'm just.."

"You're just what?"

"..I'm just scared.."

That made Killjoy actually pause, thinking about it for a moment.

"..It's not just about the Gestalt bond, is it?"

Roadway didn't respond, just shaking her head.

"Don't. Don't think about it too hard, ok?" He sighed, keeping his voice soft. "You don't owe those weirdos anything, got it? Whatever complex your processor's trying to start, shut it down. Quickly. They're not good mecha."

"There's a reason they lost their last seventh.." He huffed.

With Roadway remaining silent, he grew concerned, sighing softly. She'd never actually told Killjoy what happened before she fled, but he could tell something had happened. He didn't like how Roadway remained so quiet, so he carefully got out of bed, walked over with slight hesitance, and sat at the end of her berth.

"..Talking about things helps sometimes. I'm here for you, you know.." He offered gently. "Even though you used to be an Autobot." He tried to joke at the end. Roadway scoffed slightly, still staring at the ceiling.

The room was really, really quiet, Roadway internally fighting with herself on how to proceed. Just thinking about the very incident that catalyzed her entry to the Decepticons felt like a 500 ton weight being dropped onto her spark. It hurt too much, but.. Killjoy was right. It was better to talk about things. She had to get it off her chest before it decided to fester and spoil into something terrible.

"A uhm.. A mech.." She strained the words out, trying to not let her threatening sobs break through her voice. "A mech tried to force himself on me. I- I blew his audials with my scream."

Her voice wavered. Killjoy stiffened. She could feel his field pull away. Before he could even make a hesitant comment, Roadway found the courage to continue.

"He uh.. cornered me. In the hall near my quarters." She swallowed down the lump in her intake. "Tried to manually- Uhm.. Manually-"

"Hey." Killjoy stopped her, reaching out to grab her hand tightly. His voice softened, looking at her sadly. "..You don't gotta keep going. I understand.."

It was there she was more aware now of the tears that had filled her optics. She trembled, unable to keep from crying.

"You can cry. It's healthy." KJ assured her with a nod. "Need more?" He then asked, holding out an arm.

Roadway was hesitant, but after sitting up she shifted closer and hugged tight. She proceeded to sob into his shoulder at the comfort. Quiet, ugly sobs she choked on as she just let it all out. Killjoy just let her, holding her close and rubbing her back.

She, like many of the Decepticons, had been wronged and hurt in some way that damaged her severely. Physically or not. He understood that much at least.

Heading into the lab that mext morning, Tarantulas noted Roadway seemed off. Hi-Tech noticed it too, prompting the scientist to approach Roadway at her desk.

"..Something's different. Something bothering you?" He asked curiously, tilting his head as Roadway immediately pulled a few blueprints to study them.

"Just didn't charge well last night is all.." Roadway murmured flatly, doorwings barely twitching in usual habit. Unaware to her, he knew something was wrong thanks to her unusually looser field.

Tarantulas reached out to grab her shoulder and turn her to face him. Panicked optics caught his servo in her peripheral, to which she very quickly and very suddenly grabbed his hand to wrench it away.

"Do NOT touch me!" She barked, but more like cried. She stiffened, pulling her field back close to herself. With wide eyes, she stared at Tarantuas as his hand stayed up in the air. He squinted, almost a glare as the legs on his back twitched.

"Out." He snapped in a lower voice. "Out of my lab. I will not tolerate behavior like that in here."

Roadway's optics widened in shock, doorwings lowering in dejection.

"I- I didn't mean-" She tried to defend, voice softer. He cut her off, however.

"I said out." He said in a low hiss. "Get yourself readjusted and then you can come back."

Roadway didn't understand. At the same time, she did. She did act out of line, but why was he suddenly so.. Unfriendly? She simply just lowered her head, exiting the lab. She caught a glimpse from the side of Hi-Tech at her desk, curled up in her seat and startled by the outburst that had just happened.

Right... that must've been it. Stupid- Stupid- Of course he would get protective over Hi-Tech's peace.

Exiting the lab and heading down the hallway, Roadway was stuck stewing in her thoughts. Last night had brought back so many unpleasant thoughts and memories, ghostly sensations that wouldn't go away. On top of the lack of proper sleep, she was exhausted and just in a generally terrible mood.

Distracted, she hadn't even noticed the bright green crew when she rounded the corner.

"Ah- There she is!" One of them shouted excitedly, Roadway's head snapping up as she heard the horde of pedesteps grow closer. Before she knew it, she was surrounded by green mecha, nearly pinned to the wall. Thankfully, they seemed to at least give her a little room. But it wasn't quite enough. Back pressed to the wall, Scrapper spoke up.

"Hey! Where ya headed? Mess hall? Mind if we come with?" He asked, grinning under his mask, evidently by his optics.

"Come on, you should get some cubes with us!" Long Haul suggested.

"I'd suggest getting some highgrade, but its still too early in the day." Bonecrusher chuckled. 

Too many mecha surrounding her. Too many talking at her at once. Roadway felt dizzy, trapped. Her vents felt lacking of any airflow, like they'd seized up. Static filled her audials. She barely registered Scavenger talking next, looking a bit more concerned as he studied her.

Before she knew it, she blacked out, which just made her internal panic worse. She didn't know what was going to happen- What they'd do.

That is, however, until she found herself waking back up in the medbay with a start. She gasped, sitting up quickly and nearly hitting poor Knockout in the face.

"Woah- Hey!! Easy, easy." He tried assuring her, letting her catch her vents. "Welcome back, Roadway.. The Constructicons brought you in, said you blacked out in the hallway."

"They- I- Huh?" She sputtered, confused. Checking her internal clock, only a few minutes had passed. She patted herself down, quickly checking herself. Safe. Unharmed.

She noticed the curtain up around her and Knockout before hearing familiar voices nearby. They were talking to Breakdown, asking about Roadway.

"Look, Knockout's looking her over. Now will you six please leave and get back to work?? You're needed on the field later, we need you all focused." She could hear Breakdown insisting.

"We just wanna know she's ok! She blacked out so suddenly!" Longhaul pressed.

"Yeah, after you got so close in her face." Bonecrusher accused.

"Ey! You were in her face too!"

"Was not!"

"Cut it out, you two! We were all crowding her!" Scrapper interjected. "Just didn't expect her to pass out."

"Ok, enough! Just- Get out! Get back to work- Now." Breakdown barked.

Roadway could hear the Constructicons grumble and mumble, all filing out of the medbay.

"Hey, you alright?" Knockout asked softly, snapping her back into it.

"..Yeah, just.. Frazzled.. I guess." Roadway muttered, quickly moving to get up. She was very swiftly grabbed and gently shoved back onto the berth.

"Nope. Not going anywhere. Not with you in such a state." Knockout promptly stated, crossing his arms.

"Wuh- What state are you talking about? I'm fine?" Roadway insisted.

"Tarantulas contacted me, you know."

Roadway paused, confused expression falling as she stared at him.

"..Tarantulas contacted you."

"Yep. Now, are you going to tell me what's going on?"

She deflated, doorwings falling flat as Roadway stared at him. She must've looked truly pathetic, seeing as Knockout's expression softened, looking more empathetic. The expression soon turned sour, however. But not directed at her.

"What happened? Did some idiot cause some trouble?" Knockout began to question in a soft voice. "Was is the Constructicons? So help me if they're stooping to all new lows-"

"No- It's-.. It's not them." Roadway quickly defended, sighing as she rubbed her face. "It's old stuff. I already talked to Killjoy about it. I'd really rather not bring it up again. Please."

Knockout was quiet as he studied her, crossing his arms.

"..You know I can't just go poking around with other mecha about my patients. There's a thing called "patient confidentiality", you know.." He sighed.

"Please don't make me say it all over again.." Roadway pleaded in a quiet voice with her head low, internally cursing at how her vox cracked. Knockout went silent.

"..Alright. I get it.." He whispered. "Just.. Go to your quarters for the rest of the day. I'll send a message to Megatron and Tarantulas that you are on medical leave for the day."

"..Thank you, Knockout." Roadway murmured after a moment, carefully getting up at Knockout's prompting and soon leaving the medbay.

Chapter Text

"Roadway, this is Segway. He'll be your sparring partner while you undergo training." Prowl spoke firmly, gesturing to the mech beside him. Said mech held out his hand with a wide grin.

"Hey! Good to meet you, Roadie." He greeted with a laugh. "Looking forward to working with you, but don't think I'll go easy because you're still training!"

Roadway offered a nervous smile, shaking his servo.

"Nice to meet you too.. Uh.. Just Roadway is fine." She murmured.

"Eh, Roadie sounds better." He shrugged.

"Alright, alright." Prowl sighed, stopping them from any more banter before Roadway could correct Segway again. "I want you two to get along, got it? Unless being enemies will help you provide results. Whichever works."

"Training starts early tomorrow, Roadway. I expect you to be up and bright here in the morning." He then stated firmly to Roadway. She seemed unsure, but gave a firm nod.

"Yes sir.." She murmured, fidgeting. 

"This ain't workin'." Long Haul huffed pitifully, resting his chin on his hand. They were all sitting in their quarters in a circle, trying to decide the next course of action.

"Well.. We did kinda unnecessarily crowd her.." Mixmaster hummed.

"Bound to make anyone not like someone." Scrapper chimed in.

"You think I don't know that!?" Long Haul barked. He gave another frustrated huff, leaning back with his arms crossed. "There's gotta be somethin' we can do.. She's.. She's perfect. I can just feel it."

"We all can, Haul, but what good is it if she hates us?" Bonecrusher groaned.

"She doesn't hate us." Hook interjected with a roll of his optics behind a visor.

"Yes, she does.. She don't like our affections." Bonecrusher huffed, frowning.

"What if we.." Scavenger began quietly, only to be cut off.

"She only don't like 'em 'cause we're too forward. I think.." Scrapper muttered.

"Maybe we could–" Scavenger tried again.

"I don't think we're too forward." Long Haul said, interrupting again. "We just gotta try a different approach."

"Hey, maybe–" Scavenger tried one more time, voice even smaller.

"Oh, ok. Well then, what do you suggest, smartaft?" Crusher snapped at Haul.

"Hey." Hook barked loudly, gathering the attention of all of them arguing. He then pointed at Scavenger, who shrank in on himself. "Scavenger has something to add."

All heads turned to him, making the smaller mech of the bunch shrink in on himself.

"Uhm– I was uh– thinkin’–" He stammered.

"Yeah? Spit it out!" Mixmaster urged.

"..What if we just.. Approached her one at a time..? Just– One of us hanging out around her.. And the rest of us hanging back..??" Scavenger offered. He didn't like how quiet the rest of them got, but he could tell they were thinking about it through the bond.

"..Why didn't any of us think of that?" Long Haul asked quietly, looking at the others.

"Hey! That's a great idea!" Scrapper excitedly nodded. "And that way too, we can still enjoy spendin' time with her!"

A couple of them gave Scavenger solid pats on the back, making him deflate in relief that his idea was widely accepted. They just now all hoped it would work. They weren't used to such a skittish mech..

They decided to make an attempt a couple days later, catching her and Killjoy in the mess hall at a table in the corner. And of course, the team waltzed in to find their own table, away from Roadway. They quietly deliberated amongst themselves, and then decided to shove Scavenger Roadway's way. Afterall, he was the one that came up with the idea in the first place.

Nervous, he approached the table. Killjoy noticed him approaching, eyeing him suspiciously while he listened to Roadway talk. It was there Scav himself noticed how.. Awful Roadway seemed. She was visibly exhausted, and her field felt tired and weak too even.

"Ah– H-Hey." He stammered, waving as he then quickly sat down without asking.

"Hey." Killjoy greeted flatly, watching him closely. "Never really see any of you separated. What gives?"

"I uh. Just wanted to talk to Roadway.. Is all.." Scavenger swallowed.

Said femme lifted her head from where her chin rested in her hand, giving Scavenger a tired look.

"..Hey. You're...?"

"Scavenger. I'm the one with the uh– The little scoop on my back." He quickly introduced himself, pointing to said scoop.

"Right.. Listen, you seem really nice, Sca–" Roadway muttered, cut off as Scavenger suddenly waved his hands.

"Oh nonono– We're not asking you to get drinks with us again! I just uh– Wanted to hang out here with you? For just a bit? Just me. Promise." He tried defensively explaining. "Just for a little bit. Only me. The others are at their own table."

"Hey. If she doesn't want you here at the table, then scram." Killjoy hissed. Roadway, having been about to speak, was rather stunned at the harsh reaction.

"KJ.." She muttered, frowning.

"I– Sorry.. We– I just wanted–" Scav shrank.

"Go on, go. She's not in the mood for your Constructicon antics today." Killjoy insisted.

"Killjoy!" Roadway spoke up a bit louder, shocked at him dismissing Scav like that. Especially on her behalf.

"Hey– Take it easy, mech.. I just want to get to know her.." Scavenger attempted.

"Right, right. You definitely don't have ulterior motives." Killjoy responded sarcastically, crossing his arms.

"Killjoy." Roadway said firmly. "That's enough. I can decide my own interactions, ok?? You're certainly not helping.."

Killjoy was quiet, huffing before shoving himself up to stand before walking off.

"Whatever. I have to get back to work anyways." He huffed. Roadway watched him leave, wondering just what in the Pits got into him..

"..I'm sorry.. I have no idea what's gotten into him right now.." She sighed.

"That's fine.. Not many people like us much anyways.." Scavenger sighed, looking up at her while he fidgeted with his hands. "..Are you doing ok? You do seem kinda.. Rough."

Roadway sighed, staring at her energon cube as the liquid inside gently swirled.

"..Trying my best. I can't sleep well as of lately.. I'm just having a bad time at the moment.." She murmured.

"..Wanna talk about it? I could uh.. Be a good listening audial.." He offered.

"I'd rather not, if that's fine.."

"Yeah-- Yeah. That's ok."

"..."

"..."

The silence hung in the air heavy between them, but Scavenger was the one to finally break it first.

"So uh.. What kind of stuff are you doing now? You're working with one of the scientists, right?" He asked.

"..Yeah. Working with Tarantulas.."

"That's cool! He's pretty scary to be honest.."

Roadway couldn't help but give a weak laugh.

"Please, he's a softy.. Freaked me out pretty bad too, but he's a great teacher." She hummed, swirling her energon. "He's taught me a lot."

"Really? That's really nice.."

"Yeah.. That scrap metal you dropped off at my habsuite.. it actually came real in handy at the lab."

Scavenger perked up, his scoop raising up too.

"Oh– R-Really??"

"Yeah.." Roadway smiled warmly. "It was really nice quality.. Tarantulas was able to melt it down for important components."

"Oh-!! Well, I'm uh– I'm really glad it worked out for you.. Happy to help– I guess." Scavenger chuckled nervously, rubbing his neck.

They continued to have pleasant conversation, just.. talking. Roadway talked about projects, Scavenger talked about the team's own projects. They'd talk about people, little peeves, interests- anything.

Soon, they were called away to other things, however. But Roadway? She left the mess hall feeling.. actually much better. She got herself back to her room later. Roadway figured she'd get to the lab tomorrow, hopefully Tarantulas would finally clear her to work again. She needed the added distraction.

"I hope you understand why I forced you out of the lab." Tarantulas sighed that next afternoon.

"..My attitude was pretty bad.." Roadway admitted softly with a nod, setting her tools down. "I shouldn't have been acting like that in front of Hi-Tech.."

"No, no.. It wasn't just that." Tarantulas shook his head. "You were clearly distracted. Distracted and not in a good mindspace. Situations like that can create accidents, Roadway. Accidents and disasters that we can't risk to have in such delicate work that we do.."

Roadway paused, registering his words. She nodded slowly as she relaxed her shoulders. That.. made a lot more sense.

"..Right. Yes. That.. That makes perfect sense.." She murmured. Tarantulas nodded firmly, reaching out to pat her shoulder. He visibly hesitated though, and then rescinded.

"..Something has been bothering you though." He sighed. "If it's anything I can help with, just tell me. You are my disciple, Roadway. I need to make sure you're at your peak performance."

"..I know. It's.. It's just something I can't.. I can't talk about right now. From when I was an Autobot.." Roadway sighed, looking away.

"I understand.. But– I am here." Tarantulas hummed, holding out his arms in a vague gesture. "You are the best little mentee I've ever had the joys of working with, you know. Besides Hi-Tech, of course." He chuckled.

"You're very clever, Roadway. I like that of you. Never forget that."

Roadway smiled sadly as she looked back up at him, nodding.

"Thank you, Tarantulas.."

"Of course. Now, now, back to work. I'm glad to see you in better spirits."

Chapter Text

Roadway felt like she was in a dozen laps, surrounded by bright green and purple armor. Six sets of optics, six sets of servos, all on her– tracing seams and edges of her plating with gentle precision. An intake catches hers, a light hint of strong High Grade in taste as one of the Constructicons kissed her. Her vents were heavy, breathless as her internal cooling fans ran high trying to cool off.

"Shhh.. Shshshhh..." One of them whispered, engine purring as their servo brushed over her modesty paneling. It sent shivers down her struts, Roadway sighing a moan as she angled her hips into the servo.

"Easy now.. Just let us take care o' you..." Another purred right into her audial, groping the joints of her doorwings. The feeling had Roadway arching her back, whining as she let her panels snap open. Approving fields flooded her own as one of them positioned between her legs, their own panels open and spike pressurized.

"Please.. Please, frag me.." Roadway whined, feeling like she'd die from all the teasing.

"As you wish, doll.." The Constructicon in front of her leaned forward to kiss her, lining up and–

Roadway sat straight up in berth with a gasp, servos clasping over her intake. She just stared at the wall, trying to understand what she'd just dreamt of. Her face flushed, internal fans clicking on as everything now felt.. Very hot and bothersome. Array pinging at her, she ignored the warnings and checked the time.

SLAG! She was late for work at the lab! She'd already missed two comms from Tarantulas!!

Rushing to the lab, Roadway was honestly relieved to see Hi-Tech wasn't there. She felt.. Off still, and the youngling didn't need to see her in such a state.

"THERE you are! Where were you!? I tried calling you!" Tarantulas exclaimed, walking closer as he fussed at her. "You'd better have a good explanation– I was actually getting worried!"

"I'm sorry.." Roadway apologized, breathless as her vents tried to catch up. "I don't know how I slept through my alarms.."

She was startled when his hand then stuck out, pressed to her forehead. Tarantulas squinted, mandibles shifted as he studied her.

"You're rather warm.. Your fans are already working despite not being that warm.." He began assessing, backing off before he instead chose to just circle Roadway, much to her confusion.

"Your field is closed off, but–" Tarantulas paused, facing her again.

"Roadway," He began carefully. "When was the last time you got your blockers updated?"

Roadway's optics blew wide, freezing up as her processor blanked. Wait.. How long had it been?

"I– I don't.. I don't know.." She murmured. Tarantulas just shook his head, pinching between his many eyes.

"Great. Stay here." Tarantulas sighed, walking off to the side. He opened the door to a room and disappeared inside. He was in there for a while, but soon stepped back out. He stepped away from the doorway and pointed into said room.

"Alright. In you go."

Roadway was.. Confused. Really? What was in the room that was related to any of this? Regardless, she walked closer. Hesitantly peeking into the room, she yelped as Tarantulas shoved her inside.

"What was that for!?" She cried, sitting up on the floor.

"You're in heat, Roadway. Your blockers are out of date, I'm fairly certain, allowing one to trigger. I can't let you trigger any of the other Cons here on base to go through a rut, so until your heat is over you'll stay in here." Tarantulas explained simply. "Don't worry though– There's some self service toys in here in a box and the room is soundproofed."

"What!? You're just– Gonna lock me in here!?" Roadway gawked, horrified.

"Yes, exactly!" Tarantulas nodded. "What, would you rather be suffering out your heat in a small, shared quarters??"

That made Roadway think a moment finally, thinking of Killjoy. She didn't like the immediate road her mind went down, so she just shook her head.

"Good. If you need anything, just hit the button on the wall here." He hummed, pointing to a red button on a panel. Tarantulas then promptly stepped back and shut the door, locking it tight.

There was no window, so Tarantulas couldn't see Roadway slump a bit while staring at the door. She was, quite frankly, astonished still. He really just.. Stuffed her in this little room? To wait out her heat?? She wanted to be mad, offended even, but.. At the same time she couldn't exactly fault him. The whole situation could've been much worse for her...

She couldn't think much on it, however, as heat pooled in her tanks and three simultaneous pings hit her array. Roadway huffed, thrown off by the rush of symptoms. Seemed after being blocked for so long, this heat was hitting as hard as it could.

Tarantulas mentioned... Toys..? She searched the room, finding a box under the berth. Sliding it out and opening the lid, her face flushed bright pink at the sight of multiple false spikes and other various toys. They were all clean, as they were very nicely wrapped or packaged still. There was a.. Shockingly large bottle of lubricant. It was still sealed and full. She didn't want to think too hard on implications, so she settled on the idea that these just never got the chance to be used.

"Knock, knock. Hey, Tarantulas!" Scrapper greeted with a wave as he entered the lab doors a little while later. Scavenger was walking beside him, the two pushing in carts of materials.

"Ah! Yes, you've brought me my delivery?" Tarantulas hummed, placing his tools down and walking over to them.

"Yep! Scav here found a lot of it, so it should be some quality stuff." Scrapper boasted, slapping Scavenger on the back firmly which nearly knocked the mech over.

"Yes, yes– Thank you, boys! This will definitely come in handy." The scientist hummed, rubbing his servos together while looking over the metals.

Scavenger and Scrapper both nodded to him, about to take their leave before Scav found his arm caught.

"Actually..." Tarantulas hummed, a strange inflection to his voice. "I think one of you may be able to help me with another little "problem".."

The two stared in slight fear, before Scrapper quickly turned around and began to leave.

"Welp, that's all you, Scav." He said, swiftly heading for the door without a second glance.

"Wh- You're just leaving me!?" Scavenger cried, yelping as he was dragged towards the small side room. "Ah– Wh-waitwaitwait– Tarantulas– This– This ain't gonna hurt, is it–?"

"Quite the opposite." Tarantulas hummed, punching in the unlock code and knocking before opening the door.

Scavenger was promptly thrown into the room, the mech yelping and grunting when he hit the back wall. He sat up just as the door relocked while rubbing his helm, stiffening when he smelled something.. Strange. Turning his head, optics widened at the sight of Roadway seated on the berth.

Legs pressed together to try and hide her array, she had a false spike deep in her valve with wide optics that stared at him. Scavenger just stared back in stunned wonder at the sight, including the scent of a mech in heat. It had his own senses muddled and his interface protocols activating without command.

The moment of silence however was broken when Roadway screamed, startled by the fact that Tarantulas just threw one of the Constructicons into the room he'd locked her in. Her heat-addled processor thought this was the perfect opportunity, meanwhile her conscious mind thought this was a nightmare scenario.

Scavenger scrambled to his pedes, clumsily covering his optics with one hand and waving desperately with the other.

"AUGH– SORRY, SORRY!!" He cried, blindly heading for the door. Door was still locked as he tried it, and then pounded on it. "HEY! THIS ISN'T FUNNY!!"

The knowledge he wasn't going to immediately try anything was at least comforting. Nonetheless, this was still mortifying. For both of them, it seemed.

The door was left unanswered, Scavenger slumping back to his knees before sitting on the floor in front of the door. He looked down, keeping his gaze away as he rubbed his neck. Primus, the scent was making it hard to focus.

"I'm uh– I'm really sorry for uh. Scarin' ya.." He murmured nervously. "I don't know why Tarantulas threw me in here..."

Roadway just watched him carefully, thinking for a moment. She the groaned in frustration, letting her head thunk back to the back wall.

"..To help me.." She huffed, adjusting herself to sit up better. The toy shifted, making her shudder.

"That's uh.. That's what that smell is, isn't it..? You're in uh.. Heat?"

"..Yes."

"..Do you.. Want my help...?" Scav asked hesitantly after a long pause, still refusing to look at her. Roadway was silent as she thought about it.

"I'm.. Not sure.." She admitted, looking away from him flustered. "I guess.. It.."

"I could– Uhm–" Scav interjected, sheepish as he kept his head down. "Just.. Help you with the toy?"

"..That might.. That might work, yeah.." Roadway nodded.

Scavenger then looked over again finally, very nervous as he stood up and made his way over. Roadway could see his hands shake. It at least eased her nerves a bit as he approached, seeing him being equally nervous about this. That is, as she splayed her legs and propped herself up on her legs, she could practically hear his spike hit the back of his own panels.

Scavenger's field gave him away too, excitement and anxiousness swarmed by nervousness. He got himself situated close to her, swallowing as he took hold of the base of the false spike in her valve and slowly pulled it out to the tip. Roadway's vents hitched, doorwings furiously flicking up and down as she tried to bite back a moan. Scav looked down at her immediately, gauging her response to his movements.

Keeping his optics on her, he got to moving, pushing the false spike in and out in a steady rhythm. Roadway let out soft moans and gasps, optics either trained on the spike in his hand or closed tight. The idea that he had her under him like this, the idea that she was moaning from his efforts– It drove Scavenger nuts, but he kept himself restrained for her own comfort. He had to, at least. For her.

The other Constructicons could feel all of this through their bond. Scavenger's emotions, his restraint. The worst part was them egging him on. They were emcouraging him, sending him ping after ping of "go get 'em" without realizing just who exactly it was that Scavenger was currently restraining himself for.

He increased the pace upon Roadway's quick request, pulling more moans from her vox. She soon reached out, grabbing his arm tightly and stopping him.

"It's not– It's not enough.." She sighed, rolling her hips into the toy in his servo. "I-I need– I need..."

Scavenger's spike only pressed harder against his panels, the mech trying desperately to not let them open on their own.

"Please.. Please spike me.." Roadway finally admitted, begging softly.

The request had his panels immediately snapping open finally, spike pressurizing at an almost painful speed as it throbbed. Scavenger nodded, taking a deep vent to relax himself as he helped slide the toy from her valve and set it aside. The Constructicons were getting even more eager on their end of the bond, cheering Scavenger on to keep going as the nervous mech got himself lubed and lined up to Roadway's valve.

He pressed into her with a soft sigh, rocking his hips slowly to inch deeper. Roadway gasped at the feeling, letting out a low moan as she rocked her hips back against him. Scav was struggling greatly with control. Roadway's valve was plush, warm, and Primus, she was tight. It drove him mad, even moreso than the scent in the air.

Both of their cooling fans spun incredibly fast, trying to cool down their warm frames as Scavenger got moving. He tried something experimental, snapping his hips in shallow thrusts against her own hips. The response was near instant, her legs locking around his own hips with a sharp gasp and a much louder moan.

"Oh– Frag! Oh, please– Please, more–" Roadway begged, clinging to the berth tightly. Scav was quick to oblige, thrusts changing to pull out further and strike deeper with each one, pace hardly changing. He could already feel his overload building quickly, hoping and praying he wouldn't first.

His prayer was answered though, it seemed, as Roadway very soon shouted in overload. Her valve cycled down hard on his spike, and he couldn't keep himself from overloading next. He rocked his hips with each pump of transfluid, moaning softly with servos trying desperately to not squeeze her hips too tightly. Roadway whined at the feeling, sighing as they both came to a stop.

The only sound for a moment was their vents working air through their frames and their internal fans continuing to spin. Scavenger adjusted himself to pull out, but Roadway caught his arm.

"Wait.. Please.. Again.." She begged softly, rolling her hips slowly with fluttering doorwings. "That– That was really good..."

Scavenger felt his spike pressurize once more, almost harder this time. Swallowing a gulp, he quickly agreed and adusted himself properly.

Four times Scavenger realized he'd overloaded when he woke up on the berth with Roadway later. He'd pulled five from her. He lied on his back now, Roadway fast asleep and snuggled up beside him. They were both still messy, and the fluids had started to dry a bit. Gross, he remarked.

Scav noted the Constructicons checking in over the bond, sending back a ping of success. They congratulated him over the bond, an insistence that he tell them the details later. He knew they'd lose it once he did.

He checked over Roadway carefully, not wanting to disturb her. He noted some light scratches she got, but no other serious denting or damage to her frame. His spark spun fast, realizing he'd managed to interface with the femme they'd been trying to get close with. It made him incredibly excited, knowing he'd not only interfaced with her but she enjoyed it.

A knock at the door startled him as he looked over, the door sliding open as Tarantulas peeked in. Well, he kept his gaze away at least.

"Ah, I figured you'd be done by now.. Are either of you awake?" He hummed.

"Uh.. Me, sir." Scavenger murmured.

"Good, good. Well, the washracks are connected to the lab, its one of the other doors. Do be sure to clean up yourselves and the room." Tarantulas instructed. "The door will be unlocked, but I'll be closing it again for privacy."

"Yes, sir.." Scavenger nodded, watching Tarantulas turn and leave, the door sliding shut again.

He sighed softly, looking to his side at Roadway. She was still deep in recharge, unconsciously snuggling closer. His spark spun fast, flustered.

.: Hey. It's been hours. We assume you're still alive? :. Hook came through the internal commlink.

.: Still alive.. Snuggled up together right now.. Don't wanna wake– :. Scavenger replied, interrupted.

.: Ohhh, who was the lucky mech?? You two really went at it. :. Bonecrusher teased.

.: Yes, we need details. :. Scrapper piped in. .: What exactly did Tarantulas need you for? :.

.: TARANTULAS? There's no way you fragged him. :. Longhaul laughed.

.: No– No, it was uh.. It was Roadway. :. Scav tried to explain.

The line was silent for a long moment, but Scavenger could feel them all collectively losing their minds.

.: You interfaced!! You actually interfaced with her!!! :. Hook cried, laughing. .: HAHAA!! Atta mech, Scav!! :.

.: Slag.. I can't believe it was her.. :. Scrapper was breathless. .: Good job, Scavenger. :.

.: This mean she likes us now?? Maybe?? :. Longhaul eagerly chimed in, causing the others to wish the same.

.: ..I hope so. I really like her.. She's a really good fit.. :. Scav admitted. .: If we include her on the bond, I really hope her processor can handle it.. I just don't wanna overwhelm her, y'know? :.

.: I'm sure it'll be fine.. If it gets too much, we can always help sever it again. Properly this time. :. Bonecrusher suggested.

.: Crusher's right. It's up to her anyways. :. Hook affirmed. .: Gotta get back to work. Get cleaned up and report back soon, Scav. :.

.: Got it.. :.

Scavenger stared up at the ceiling, relaxing a bit. That was awesome. He really, really wished this meant good for the future. 

Chapter Text

"Alright, Roadway. Updated blockers have been installed, and I'm happy to report you're still in perfect health." Knockout smiled warmly as he walked back over to Roadway, seated on a berth. He looked back down at his datapad, taking another look at the results.

"While your forge blockers were up to date, a surprise heat can seriously affect them, so I'd like you to check back in a couple days in case there's any unwanted activity, ok?" He hummed, looking back up.

"Yeah, thank you, Knockout.." Roadway nodded with a heavy sigh. She rubbed her head, still a bit embarrassed. "I can't believe I didn't get them updated in the first place.. I'm just glad uh.. I was able to cut it short.."

"And I too. It would've been a nightmare repairing mecha in rut who were fighting to try and get a chance." The red medic joked with a hearty laugh.

Roadway felt her face heat up in even more embarrassment. The idea that she could've possibly triggered more than one mech to go into rut was mortifying. She was more than grateful now that Tarantulas had just shoved her in a room away from others.

"Well.. You're all good to go now, Roadway. Don't forget to check in." Knockout nodded firmly.

"Of course. I'll.. Be honest.." Roadway began, fidgeting after she got up. "I'm uh.. Still not exactly used to how.... Positive the Decepticons are about interface, I guess. The Autobots were a bit more prudish.."

"Eh.. It's just different cultures, I suppose." Knockout shrugged. "Breakdown was an Autobot Wrecker before, he'll tell you that they were probably the most interface-positive of all the Autobots. So.. Transitioning to his own combiner team wasn't too much of a bad transition."

"Breakdown– He's a combiner?" Roadway asked curiously.

"Nnnot.. Really." Knockout winced, realizing he brought it up. "Not anymore, at least. Megatron had–"

"Megatron had the Stunticons disbanded." Breakdown spoke up as he left the office, expression flat but tired. "Motormaster was executed."

Roadway looked horrified, giving him a saddened look.

"..I'm so sorry, the Autobots ha–"

"No." Breakdown was quick to stop her, looking even more tired just having to talk about it. "The Autobots had nothing to do with it.. Motor pulled too many bad wires. Megatron had his orders for a reason."

"Breakdown.." Knockout began, resting a hand on the other's shoulder.

"She deserves to know, she's a Decepticon." The large mech insisted. "Motormaster was.. Terrible. He was horrifically abusive. He always put on a huge act in front of Megatron, which is how he got away with it for so long. Insisted we do the same."

"Megatron had him executed when he decided to be too bold one day. Made a comment he shouldn't have shortly after someone's unfortunate passing." Breakdown finished. "..He used a lot of our weaknesses against us. I'm frankly glad he's gone. But Dragstrip suffered for it."

"..What happened to Dragstrip?" Roadway asked hesitantly. She frowned when she saw Breakdown's servos tighten. His face tightened all the same.

"..Dragstrip was the only one Motormaster successfully established a Gestalt bond with. When Motor was killed, Drag felt all of it." Breakdown explained in a quiet voice. "He went insane from the constant and agonizing pain."

"..He asked me to end it for him." Knockout explained quietly, stepping in when he noticed Breakdown's vox waver. "He passed not five months after Motormaster was executed."

"..That's.. That's horrific.. I don't even know what to say.." Roadway whispered.

"There isn't much to say about it. That's just the reality of it all." Breakdown muttered flatly. "But.. I work here in the medbay with Knockout now. Hook sometimes comes in to help with patients. It's good work, at least. Keeps me occupied."

"I see.. I'm.. I'm glad you at least have something you enjoy." Roadway gave a hesitant smile. He reciprocated with a slight smirk.

"Yeah.. Yeah, it's good work. I've got Knockout too." The blue mech murmured, said cherry red racer wrapping around his arm.

"Of course you do. And I'm never leaving." He smiled brightly. Roadway beamed at the sight.

"Well.. I'll get going now." She murmured, rubbing her neck. "I'm.. Sorry for bringing it up. Thank you again, Knockout."

"It's fine. Take care, sweetspark." The medic waved as she headed for the doors.

Walking through the hall, Roadway perked up from deep thought at the familiar sound of an approaching group. She stopped, turning her head to see the Constructicons laughing with each other as they walked down the hall. Her frame tensed up unconsciously, mentally preparing for them to see her and swarm her.

She caught Hook's optic, the mech excitedly pointing and waving. The others very quickly turned attention to her, all waving in the same manner. They were patient and more calm to approach, giving Roadway decent space when they closed in.

"Hey!! Roadway!!!" Hook greeted cheerfully. "Say, you wanna get some Energon with us? We were just heading to the mess hall!"

"Ah.. Sorry.." Roadway nervously smiled, rubbing her neck. "I have to get back to the lab.. I've missed enough work as it is."

"Maybe later today? I should be off in eight hours." She offered instead.

Bonecrusher gave a thumbs up, nodding firmly as the others also agreed.

"Works for us! We'll see you there!" He beamed.

Roadway gave a soft smile and nod, waving to them as she turned to continue down the corner to the lab.

"See you all then." She hummed.

"See ya!" They called unanimously, continuing straight down the hall.

They didn't.. Crowd her this time. They were patient, and they waited for her to answer. Thinking back to her.. Ahem.. Time with Scavenger...

Roadway realized she was really starting to like them. She didn't really mind that, she supposed. They'd grown on her.

 
Arriving at the lab, Roadway was greeted by Tarantulas as she returned to her station and quickly got to work on projects she'd previously neglected.

"I assume Knockout gave a clean bill of health?" Tarantulas hummed, looking up from his work to greet her.

"Yes, Knockout got updated blockers installed and I'm all good now." Roadway chuckled, nodding as she continued working.

"Good! Good. I hope my methods weren't too uncouth." The spider murmured, returning to his work. "I hope you understand it was for your own benefit."

"It's all good. I just.. Probably would've preferred a better warning. It was kind of terrifying having a random mech tossed into the room with me."

"Oh please, he wasn't that random. You at least knew of him."

"I still barely know the Constructicons well, Tarantulas.. I got incredibly lucky that Scavenger was such a gentlemech."

"Oh, you didn't get lucky. I knew Scavenger would be too meek to try anything bad, especially since I was the one that tossed him in there. He's the most docile of the bunch."

"Seriously? So you just tossed him in and hoped for the best?" Roadway had paused to stare at him in disbelief.

"Of course not! Well, kind of. I just knew he wouldn't hurt you, lest he suffer my own wrath." Tarantulas chuckled, waving a servo without even looking up.

"Unbelievable.." She shook her head, a bit stunned.

Turning back to her project, there left a short beat of silence between them. Only for a moment.

"..The Constructicons are good mecha, though. I trust them. They wouldn't do anything that would seriously hurt the mech that interests them." Tarantulas then began. "Believe me, they're in here whenever you're not working, asking me for details about you– Not that I'll just give them information like that."

"..What kind of details?" Roadway looked up again curiously.

"Oh, basic stuff. They just want to know more about you. They're trying to give you your space, but they want to know you better so they can actually approach you later. They're rather persistent, but patient. They feel terrible that they keep screwing things up, I can see it on their faces."

Considering those words, Roadway just.. Needed to ruminate on it for a bit. She went quiet soon after, just resuming her work.

A couple hours later, she finally spoke up again.

"Tarantulas, what uh.. What do you know about Gestalt Bonds?" She asked. The spider froze, turning his full attention to her with a curious head tilt.

"..Why do you ask, Roadway?" He inquired, albeit mildly suspicious.

"I just– Wanted to know. Helps to better understand the combiner teams we have, I suppose.." She shrugged. Tarantulas just nodded thoughtfully, quiet a moment.

"..Well.. Gestalt bonds are a bit tricky. The mecha involved with said bonds have to be compatible to each other, be it physically or mentally. Their processors are intertwined, creating something akin to a spark bond between two related mecha or two conjunxes." He explained. "The difference is– Gestalt bonds are much more.. Intimate. Only combiner teams– Namely mecha whose frames can combine together– Can properly handle gestalts, as it makes combining into one being much more smooth. When one component goes missing.."

Tarantulas just vaguely gestured, then shrugged as he turned back to his desk.

"Gestalts are finicky. They can fail, they can succeed far past expectations, or they're just.. Normal." He continued. "It can be either difficult, or very easy to establish a bond like it. Depends on how many mecha are already involved."

"..Huh." Roadway simply hummed, thinking about it for a moment.

"..Were you considering being in a Gestalt?" Tarantulas asked, to which Roadway immediately got flustered and quickly began denying it.

"What? No– No, I wasn't. Again, I was just– Curious. That's all." She defended. Poorly.

"Uh-huh.." Tarantulas hummed, crossing his arms and facing her again. The smaller police bot looked up meekly. "I can't say I blame you, really. They have been looking for a seventh since Prowl left. And knowing you as long as I have.. You want to help them."

The two stared each other down for a good few moments. Roadway's shoulders finally slumped, a heavy sigh as she accepted defeat.

"..I do."

"I know." Tarantulas' gaze softened. "You're much too kind a mech, Roadway. Just don't let anyone, especially the Constructicons, take advantage of that. Alright? I'd hate to see my little mentee get hurt.."

"I know, I know.." Roadway sighed, giving a slight smile as she fidgeted. "..Prowl always said I was too soft.."

"It's not a terrible quality. There's many Decepticons here that are very kind in nature. The only difference is they know how to bite back to protect themselves."

Tarantulas stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder. Firmly.

"Do not ever let someone here think that your size or the softness of your voice mean that you don't pack the meanest of bites or punches." He stated firmly. "Don't be afraid to use that Outlier of yours either. They'll learn quick."

"...Yes, Tarantulas." Roadway nodded, giving a slight smile.

"Now.. Back to work, of course. Lots to make up."
 

After leaving work, Roadway headed for the mess hall to have her meal with the Constructicons. Interacting with the group as a whole, they were actually pleasant. The focus wasn't all on her, so it was less anxiety-inducing and stressful. They were loud, obnoxious, but it was actually fun to hang out with them. She was eager for more hang-outs, more time to spend with them, she realized. She couldn't wait.

They walked Roadway back to her quarters, bidding farewells as she opened the door and stepped in to finally get some rest. 

"So. Where were you?" Killjoy questioned. 

Chapter Text

"So. Where were you?" Killjoy questioned from his berth, sitting up and reading a datapad. His voice was accusatory– He hadn't even looked up at her.

Reasonably thrown off, Roadway just stopped and stared at him a moment when the door closed. She studied him closely. This wasn't really like him..

"..What?" She asked, confused. "I was.. At the mess hall?"

"With the Constructicons." Killjoy hummed, looking up and setting his datapad down.

"..Yeah. Why–" Roadway stammered, shaking her head. "Why is that an issue?"

"Because they're nothing but trouble! I've told you this multiple times!"

"Why are you yelling at me? I'm not a sparkling, you know."

"Because as your best friend I need to look out for you! But you don't even listen to me!" Killjoy shouted as he stood up and walked over. Roadway backed up into the door with her hands up as he approached, his EM field disgustingly hostile.

"Ok– Stop yelling at me." She spoke firmly, admittedly beginning to feel a little afraid now.

"No! You don't listen to me!! I'm your friend, Roadway! Those failures of a combiner team just want under your fragging panels!" Killjoy spat, flailing his hands before jabbing her in the chest. She knocked his hand away.

"Why is that such a problem for you? For me to have more than one friend?" Roadway questioned. "I can have more friends. And– And what if I do like them romantically? They've certainly been real kind to me."

"Are you actually hearing what I'm saying? Are you neing intentionally dense right now, Roads?? I can't believe you've been through this slag before and you aren't seeing it happening in front of your very own optics!!"

"Excuse me? Are– Are you seriously bringing that up?" She questioned, horrified. "I confessed that to you in absolute secrecy– You cannot seriously be bringing up what happened to me when that has nothing to do with this!"

"It has everything to do with this!! You're acting completely blind to their motives all because– What, they said "sorry" that one time?"

"What motives!? They've made themselves perfectly clear!"

Killjoy let out a frustrated growl, shaking his hands furiously before he suddenly lunged. Grabbing her by the shoulders, he shook her.

"Can't you see they're fraggin' morons!?! They only want you for your frame– Not for who you actually are, unlike me, who actually cares about you!!" He shouted, shaking her slightly. This terrified Roadway, the femme starting to panic a bit.

"Is– Is this–" She stammered, staring up at him with wide, startled optics. Her doorwings stood alert and rigid as she sat completely stunned. "Are you confessing to me?"

She realized accidentally said that a lot more.. Disgusted than she meant to sound. Killjoy stiffened, optics widening. He was quiet only for a moment before he then became much more irrationally angry.

He pulled Roadway away from the wall, but not after he swiftly turned and threw her to the adjacent wall. She went barreling into it with a sharp thud and a grunt, holding her head as she tried to regain her balance. Everything else just.. Blurred.

She could only register Killjoy launching his attack– Throwing punches, denting and damaging her armor, kicking her when she hit the ground. He hurled curses and other vulgar language she didn't quite catch. Before he could injure her further, Roadway finally twisted herself around to look him in the optic and scream.

The force sent him back into the shelf on his side, knocking down it and everything on it on top of him. Killjoy was swiftly immobilized as he writhed and shouted in agony from his audials being temporarily deactivated. Roadway got herself up and scurried out the door, charging down the hall. The Constructicons were already rounding back before she could call for them, it seemed, as they looked rather concerned and were heading her way. They'd likely overheard the commotion, all rushing over at seeing Roadway's condition.

Hook gathered her into his arms when she collapsed into him, sobbing from both the physical and emotional pain of being so damaged. Being attacked by the one mech she considered a good friend, it hurt almost worse than the injuries.

Longhaul had the report sent to Soundwave for review once they all got Roadway to their shared quarters. Hook was getting her patched up, while Bonecrusher and Mixmaster prepared one of the berths for her. Scrapper and Scavenger were retrieving rations for them all. Their space was much larger with more berths to accommodate the whole team, so it was nice and roomy, at least.

"..You'll be a'ight. You can stay here with us for the night." Hook spoke gently, holding Roadway's chin with as much care as possible as he cleaned up spilled energon. He grimaced. "Aiyee... He got your dentae pretty good.. I can help repair that in the morning, don't worry.."

"Come on, Hook. Just let me handle it." Mixmaster spoke up with a sneer after popping his servo joints.

"Yeah, Hook! Mixmaster 'n I got it covered." Bonecrusher urged with a sick grin.

"No. Absolutely not." Hook hissed, keeping his focus on Roadway. "Let Megatron handle it. Or Soundwave. Just- let the higher ups take care of it, got it? This kinda thing's gotta go through the right channels. As much as I'd like to do it myself.." He scowled.

"Ugh.. Fine." Mixmaster huffed, rolling his optics. "Berth's ready."

"Thank you.." Hook murmured, drying up Roadway's optics for her. Holding her face gently in both hands, he looked her in the optic. "There we go.. All clean. I can finish up some of your dents n' other bits in the mornin'. Right now, I want you to rest up some.. Alright?"

Roadway just nodded softly. She looked.. Really pitiful, the wave of pain hitting all of the Constructicons as they looked at her sorry state. Hook helped her back up from his bench, bringing her to the prepared berth so she could snuggle in and recharge for the night.

"Sleep well, Roadway.. Ev'rythin's gonna be just fine.." Hook patted her shoulder once she was settled, returning to his bench to clean up and get to recharge with the others.

Killjoy was in the mess hall later that next day. He was drinking his energon. Alone. He looked rough, which had mecha whispering.

He and Roadway were usually always together when in the mess hall, so it raised some eyebrows. The way he looked so beaten up, the scowl on his face, the commotion reported the night before.. Mecha suspected something sinister.

The doors opened and the hall quieted. Heavy footsteps filled the air as Megatron strode into the room with Soundwave close behind. He stalked over to Killjoy, the mech looking up in mild surprise.

"Oh, uh.. Lord Megat–"

SHOOM 

In one swift motion, Megatron raised his canon upon reaching Killjoy. It had been pre-charged, the blast going right through Killjoy's head. Smoke rose from the base of his neck where his head used to be, plating soon greying as he slumped limp in his chair. Killjoy's body soon slid off and onto the floor with a heavy thud, energon pooling beneath him.

Mecha were horrified, some scrambling up from their seats in shock and fear. Watching as Megatron looked around with a terrible scowl, the mech began.

"Let this be a lesson to all of you!" He roared, raising his still smoking canon. "Your fellow Decepticons are your allies! You will respect them, and if I hear once more that one of my own has been hurt by one meant to be a brother in arms–"

He pointed down at Killjoy's body.

"–I will not hesitate to make an example!!"

The mess hall was silent, but the wordless agreement was unanimous. Megatron ordered someone to clean up the mess, snatching up the rest of Killjoy's cube to drink it as he walked back out with his dear leader.

"There we go! Good as new!" Hook grinned cheerfully, leaning back to look at Roadway's face. She gave a soft smile, carefully getting back up from his workbench.

"Thank you, Hook.." Roadway murmured softly.

"Anytime, Roadie." He chuckled. "Can I call you that? Roadie?"

"..Roadie is fine." She giggled at the nickname, nodding. It held new meaning.

"If you wanna take some time off today, Tarantulas already messaged us that you were good to relax." Mixmaster spoke up with a warm smile.

"He did? Is he sure??" Roadway immediately asked, looking a bit worried. "I can come in and work I just–"

"Bah, you're fine." Scrapper dismissed, waving a hand from where he sat on a nearby berth. "Tarantulas cares about your well-being a lot. You're his best worker."

"I'm his only worker.."

"Which is why you're the best!" Scrapper insisted, shifting to sit up. "Look, it's fine. He said so. Go to the mess hall, get some Energon, and just relax. Ok?"

"..Alright." Roadway sighed, giving them all a polite wave before heading out.

As she headed down the hall though, she stopped when her comms pinged.

"Terribly sorry to bother you, Roadway, but as you are last in line for watch duty, I need you to watch Hi-Tech for a while." Tarantulas spoke. "Shockwave is requesting my assistance with some rather dangerous and delicate experiments, and as everyone else is unable to, you're needed." 

"Oh, yeah, of course. Is she at the lab? I can meet you there." Roadway replied, immediately changing direction to head for the lab.

"Yes, yes. No need to worry about working, you can continue your already established day off. We just need you to take care of her is all."

"Yes, absolutely." Roadway nodded.

Walking into the lab, she lit up at the sight of a little purple frame running over. Roadway kneeled with her arms open, catching the little bitlet as she was hugged tight.

"Roadway!!" Hi-Tech cheered.

"Ohhh, hey Lil' Tech." Roadway giggled, scooping her up as she stood straight. "My turn to watch you today, alright?"

"Thank you, again. Now, I must get to Shockwave. He gets terribly impatient." Tarantulas hummed, quickly gathering his tools. He then walked over, patting the little femme on the head. "Be good, Hi-Tech! Your father will be back soon to collect you."

"Ok!" Tech nodded firmly.

"No worries, Tarantulas. I'll make sure she's fed and safe." Roadway smiled warmly, both parties leaving the lab and leaving different directions.

"So where are we going?" Tech asked curiously.

"Mess hall first. Have you had any energon yet today?" Roadway asked softly.

"Mm.. only this morning."

"Got it. We'll get you something too then."

Reaching the mess hall, Roadway got them their energon and got herself and Hi-Tech seated at a table. They just talked about science stuff; projects and the like and what they wanted to make next. Hi-Tech was very enthusiastic about wanting to refine the bomb she made as a wee bitlet.

A larger mech soon approached them, his shadow casting over Roadway. She looked up only to freeze up at the sight. Roadway's doorwings lowering meekly, Tech also seemed to quiet up a bit from the other femme's nervous field.

"Hey." Blockbuster nodded to her, voice flat. "I uh.. just wanted to come over and say hi. And.."

"..Apologize."

Roadway actually relaxed slightly at that. He didn't seem as harsh or aggressive as before, a lot more calm now. And "apologize"?

"..Apologize?" She asked quietly, parroting her own thoughts and him.

"Yeah. I was uh.. Quite the jerk before. I don't got any excuses.." Buster shrugged, reaching to rub at his neck and look away. "Many of my past friends either were killed by Autobots, or really just.. Abandoned me to switch to the Bots. So, I guess I just kinda.. Grew hateful."

"Seeing as you've stuck around a while, you're pretty good." He added, then held out his servo to her and nudged his head away to another table. "I uh.. Heard what happened too. Wanted to invite you to my group's table."

"Oh.. Really?" Roadway perked up a bit, feeling less tense. "..That would be cool, yeah."

She helped Tech gather her stuff, taking Blockbuster's servo to stand and head to his table.

"Oi! BB!" Another femme at the table called to him as he walked over with the two. "What's all this?"

"This is Roadway. She's an Ex-Bot." Blockbuster explained, finding her and Hi-Tech a seat at the table while he also sat down. Roadway simply had Tech sit in her lap protectively.

"Ex-Bot?? What's she doing at our table?" Another mech questioned him.

"Easy. She's cool. Big M made her a watchmech over his daughter." Buster pointed out, gesturing to Hi-Tech. There was a collective "Ohhhh" as they recognized Hi-Tech standing beside her, the rest of the group relaxing.

"Roadway," He began, pointing to the rest of his crew. "This is Hard Drive, Blinker and Breaker, and Shell."

Hard Drive was the first femme that Roadway heard speak, being a much smaller frame. Likely a motorbike based on kibble, bearing a bright red and orange scheme with black accents. Blinker and Breaker looked to be Sparktwins, sharing similar frame types and features with similar blue and green color schemes. The two of them were racer frames, it seemed. Shell was a large frame, an armored truck maybe. She had optics that bore into a mech, expression unreadable with the mask she had. Not to mention the Energon-pink paintjob. Scary..

"Nice to meet you all.." Roadway nervously smiled.

"So, you're that new scientist working with Shockwave, right?" Shell asked bluntly.

"Huh? Oh, no.. I work with Tarantulas." Roadway clarified. "He's great to work with. Hi-Tech usually spends time there at the lab too, so we all just work on projects?"

"Oh yeah? What are you up to now?" Blinker spoke up, the question more directed at Hi-Tech.

"We're working on some blueprints Shockwave gave us. It's a secret." Tech giggled with a shushing motion. "Because my hands are small, Tara has me working on the smaller parts needed."

"She's got some quality work." Roadway hummed softly, loosening up a bit.

"Well yeah, this lil' thing's why the whole base was on lockdown for a day." Breaker laughed.

"That was years ago, Breaker." Blinker snickered.

"She still managed to build that thing though!" Drive pitched in. "Pits– She could've been blown to pieces! She got lucky!"

"Well, the important thing is she didn't." Blockbuster gave a soft chuckle. "What about you, Roadway? We don't know much about you. Any stories?"

"Yeah. We wanna know more about you if you're gonna sit at our table." Shell hummed.

All optics on her, all expectant, Roadway clammed up. She stammered nervously, trying to think.

She tried her best, bringing up the few good stories she had– And the few that would be fine for Tech to hear, of course. They continued conversing like that for a while, but eventually, everyone's breaks ended. With Roadway still on her day off, she was left alone with Tech again. They in turn headed to the training rooms to do some mecha-watching.

A little while later though, she received an urgent message from Tarantulas.

.: Done here earlier than expected! You're needed at Shockwave's lab as well. Be sure to bring Hi-Tech, I'll collect her from you. :. Tarantulas explained via the comm.

.: Of course, I'll be there as soon as possible! :. Roadway was quick to respond. She gathered Hi-Tech and their things and headed on her way. 

Chapter Text

"You needed me?" Roadway asked as she stepped into the lab with Tech sitting on her shoulders. Tarantulas scampered over, plucking Hi-Tech from the other femme and holding her close.

"Yes! Well, Shockwave did. I'll be taking back watch on Hi-Tech for now." He hummed.

"Oh.. Shockwave needed me?" Roadway asked, now a bit more nervous. It was a bit.. Foreboding to say the least.

"Yep! Don't keep him waiting too long, he's in Lab Room 3."

As he walked off with Tech, the little bitlet saying bye to Roadway with a little wave, the copbot found herself terrified. What did Shockwave need with her?

"Good, you're here." Shockwave hummed from the desk once she opened the door after knocking, motioning her to come in. "Close the door behind you."

"..What did you need, sir?" Roadway asked nervously, still staring anxiously at the back of his head. He finally turned around to look at her, holding a datapad.

"Your outlier. There's some tests I wanted to run." He explained plainly. "Not to worry, of course.. Nothing painful."

That reassurance didn't exactly help.

"My.. Outlier.." She murmured, still unsure. She glanced around at the lab, lost in thought for the moment. Looking away from Shockwave gave him just enough time to come closer. Before she could react, a needle was in her neck.

"AUGH! What–!?" Roadway shoved herself away, holding her neck where he'd injected her. "What– What was that!?"

"Calm down. It was only a sedative. In order to begin my experiments, I'll need you unconscious." Shockwave spoke smoothly, a lone, still optic watching her movements closely as she began to slow down and stumble. "I wouldn't want to conduct delicate surgery on a live, squirmy patient."

"S.. Surgery...?" Roadway gasped out, as she tripped over her own pedes, collapsing to her hands and knees. Her vision blurred as she tried fighting the anesthetic, world spinning. Her arms trembled under her weight as her frame felt heavier with each second. Shockwave strode over to her, very carefully scooping her up off the ground.

As she lost contact with her reality, she barely heard him speaking to her, strapping her down to one of his tables. The last thing she saw was his singular, bright optic staring down at her...

And it was the first thing she saw when she woke up.

"There you are.. Welcome back, Roadway." Shockwave greeted, undoing restraints.

Her whole body felt numb, but it ached all at once. Her neck felt most painful. Her helm throbbed. She tried to speak–

"Be-woo..." She froze, optics beginning to focus. She then panicked, realizing she couldn't speak normally. "Woop-oo– BEWOOOW??"

"Easy now. I had to disable your vox." Shockwave explained, helping her sit up.

"Now," He began, pulling her to her pedes off the berth. "There's still much to do.."

Roadway quickly found herself pulled into another testing room. Shockwave had her force her vox, even disabled, to test if the Outlier ability truly was connected to her vox or if it was something else related. With some strain, she managed to pitch a high frequency towards the target directed by Shockwave, the scientist standing in a protective room. Outlier activated, the resulting shockwave destroyed the target dummy.

Shockwave was most pleased with the results.

He pulled her back out of the room, holding her neck to make quick– and painful– readjustments as well as restore her vox before leading her back to Lab Room 3. And just in time too, it seemed, one of the Decepticon soldiers having brought in a much lower ranking mech. Roadway stared at the mech in wary terror.

Shockwave caught onto her fear, studying her expression.

"Oh, this? Not to worry, we won't be using that version of your outlier. He won't be hurt." He murmured. He led both the Con and Roadway into a testing chamber, retreating himself to another connected saferoom.

"Alright, Roadway. Filibuster." He nodded to each of them through the reinforced window, using an intercom to communicate. "Roadway. I want you to think about having Filibuster walk to the opposite end of the test chamber, away from you. All the while, I want you to simply hum a tune."

"..Hum?" Roadway muttered, looking at Filibuster with a confused look. He returned an equally confused, unamused look.

"Get on with it." Shockwave ordered impatiently, watching close. "We still have much testing to conduct."

Roadway sighed in defeat, taking a moment to think hard as she closed her optics. Her vox hurt, but she got herself to begin humming.

Filibuster.. Grew confused. And then scared. He shook his head sharply, scrambling away from her.

"Hey– What the Pits is this!? Is she in my head!?" He barked at the glass keeping him from Shockwave. This startled Roadway, who looked at Shockwave in mortified horror.

"Keep. Singing. I will not cut this short." Shockwave only replied. "Louder. Don't forget to focus your intent."

Roadway hesitated, but began humming louder, thinking of the command Shockwave ordered for her to give Filibuster. She watched with worry as the mech tried to fight off the control, but as she sang louder– vocalizing now rather than humming– the strength of the control grew. Filibuster's optics finally glazed over, his frame relaxing. He stood up better, lazily making his way over to the far wall. Away from Roadway, just as instructed. As he reached the wall, Roadway stopped.

"What the–" Filibuster sputtered, shaking his head when he came to. "Wh– HEY! How– You were in my head!?"

"Excellent, Roadway. Very good." Shockwave praised, clapping by simply patting his gun-arm. "We aren't done just yet. There's still more that must be done."

Hours. Shockwave had her run tests and experiments for hours. He'd make occasional on-the-spot adjustments, run a (successful) test, and then make more adjustments. Her neck hurt, her head hurt– Everything hurt. Speaking hurt the most, so did singing.

She'd begun to slack from pain, Shockwave growing frustrated. She was on the table again, chin strapped down to her helm, craned back. Her shoulders were strapped down tight as well, stretching out her neck to give Shockwave better access as he worked. All while awake. She'd given up trying to fight the adjustments hours ago, but this newest surgery was pushing it.

"I can't waste much more time waiting for you to wake up after this, I'm afraid. Which is exactly why I needed you awake." Shockwave murmured, pulling a particularly sensitive cable aside. Roadway winced, straining to not yell as her vox garbled static. "I'm sure you understand, yes?"

The lab doors opened, Shockwave looking up to see Tarantulas enter.

"Shockwave, my friend, is Roadway still–" The spider jolted at the sight, optics widening and spider legs flaring up. 

"ROADWAY!?"

"Yes, Roadway has been assisting me with more experiments." Shockwave hummed, standing straight and patting her arm. "She's been a most wonderful subject. Her Outlier's upgrades are coming along smoothly."

"I– GET OFF OF HER!!" Tarantulas hissed, rushing over to Roadway's side. She looked up at him with pained optics. "Great Primus– you have her awake for this!? She's a fellow scientist, Shockwave! She's not some– Experiment fodder!"

Shockwave backed up, tilting his head as he watched Tarantulas undo the restraints with haste. He then quickly stepped closer, shaking his head as he realized what was happening.

"Hold on– No. You can't just take her–" He snapped, grabbing one of Tarantulas's hands.

"Bite me, Shockwave. She's my mentee." Tarantulas spat, extra legs splaying out in an aggressive display. "Megatron isn't even aware of this, is he?"

"Megatron will appreciate an upgraded soldier, Tarantulas."

"She's one of US!"

Tarantulas shoved Shockwave away from Roadway, finishing undoing her restraints and quickly gathering her up. Turning around, Shockwave grew irritated.

"You are interfering with my experiments!"

Tarantulas whipped around, holding Roadway close.

"You were experimenting and operating on another Scientist while she was awake, without Megatron's permission." He spat. "He will be hearing about this."

"You–" Shockwave's optic flickered. "You're seriously going to just go and interfere with my work like this?"

"Yes. You went too far this time, Shockwave." Tarantulas hissed, not looking back as he walked out of the medbay.

He muttered an apology to Roadway, taking her straight to the medics. 

"Welcome in. How can I–" Knockout began flatly as he was unphased by the doors slamming open, looking up from his datapad and then exclaiming at the sight. He jumped right out of his seat, rushing over. "Roadway!? What happened this time??"

"Shockwave's foolish experimentation. Her neck will need repairs and closing up." Tarantulas urged, huffing as he passed her off to the red medic. 

"I have to go. This needs an urgent report to Megatron. Shockwave had zero clearance for this." He left the medbay without another word, his extra limbs still twitching with bottled agitation.

Roadway just looked up at Knockout sadly, trying to say something. All that fizzled from her vox was static. There was so much damage from strain that she couldn't even communicate in beeps.

"Oh.. Poor thing.. He must've tried messing with your Outlier." Knockout sighed once he got a weak nod, getting her onto a berth and quickly gathering his supplies. Returning with a syringe, she was immediately stuck in the arm before she could react to it.

"Here. Anesthesia. This will knock you out and help with the pain while I work." He informed, Roadway giving a slight smile in thanks. She drifted off, his words becoming nothing but muffled noise.

The Constructicons were ordered to come pick her up from the medbay once Knockout was done. Hook showed up rather early, when she was still unconscious, and he just carried her back down to their quarters. Knockout was sure to brief him on her treatment going forward until she was healed, as he was another medic afterall. Poor thing had gone through so much in the past couple days..

Roadway stirred as she woke up, slowly opening her optics to find herself bundled up in a thick blanket. She wasn't alone on the berth, Mixmaster seated by her head to keep an optic on her. He was reviewing some things on a datapad, looking down at her when he noticed Roadway stir.

"Well, hello, sweetspark. Feeling ok?" He asked quietly. Receiving only a tired nod, he returned the gesture as he moved to rest a servo on her shoulder and rub his thumb over the plating. "Good, good. Knockout and Hook told us to let them know if you were still in any pain. Can you speak?"

"..Bwoo..." Roadway attempted, then frowned. The sound was garbled, glitchy.

"Ah.. They must've deactivated your vox to let it heal.. Even your beeps sound bad." Mix murmured, reaching down to pat her head. "Just let that vox of yours heal. We're here to take care of you."

"She awake?" Hook asked as he entered the room.

"Yep. Vox is deactivated. No pain." Mix informed.

"Good. KO deactivated it for healing. It needs time to reset." Hook nodded, walking over. Roadway shifted to try and sit up, to which Hook helped her do so. "There we are.. Need some energon?"

Roadway nodded wordlessly, giving a slight smile.

"Alright. I'll head back out and get some. Just wanted to check on you." Hook nodded back, smiling softly. "The others are still working, but they should be done soon. How are those blueprints lookin', Mix?"

"Prints are looking good. I don't see anymore edits that're needed." Mix nodded, passing Hook the datapad he just reviewed. "Megatron will like these."

"Yes, yes he will." Hook chuckled, taking the datapad and subspacing it. "I'll be back soon. Hold tight, Roadway."

She only gave a wave in response as he left, relaxing against the wall of the berth.

"..Heard Shockwave got in a lot of trouble." Mix chuckled after a moment. "Experimentin' on you was a real bad call. I think he's not allowed to watch Hi-Tech anymore."

Roadway thought on that a moment, but then gave an amused smile. She nodded slightly, letting out a heavy vent in a huff. That was good. At least he got in trouble for that.

"..Megs uh.. He did wanna see what you were capable of now though. Once you're all healed up of course." Mix then mentioned.

That made her frown, shoulders falling a bit. Mind-controlling mecha with her voice.. It didn't bode well to her. She didn't like the idea, and she didn't like everything Shockwave had her do. She worried what would've happened had Shockwave not been interrupted.. 

"..It's gonna be alright." Mix murmured, noticing the look. "Megatron really does respect his mecha that are powerful. It's like a.. An equal exchange thing. Like maintaining your tools at work.."

"Keep 'em clean, keep 'em in good shape– They won't fail on you." He shrugged. "..Did that make any sense, or did I just make things worse?"

Roadway shook her head, looking up at Mix with a small smile. She dipped her head, reassuring him it was fine using her field.

"Yeah.. Megatron's a good leader. I promise. He knows what it's like to be used as just.. Nothing but a tool. Or a weapon.. He understands us.." Mix sighed, staring off at the wall. "..I swear though, if he even *thinks* about using you like a disposable.."

He punched his fist into his servo, growling.

"Devastator will sure give him what for.."

He whipped back around to look at Roadway, hearing popping static and glitching. He quickly relaxed, realizing the sound was her laughing. She'd only giggled at first, but hearing how awful she sounded just made it worse as she laughed harder.

"Hey– Haha– You're gonna make your vox worse." Mix snickered. Laughing with her for just a moment, he then just hummed, thinking. "..Don't that feel good though? Laughing? I don't.. I don't think I've seen you do that much."

His statement.. Stunned her, really. She just stared in bewildered silence. The realization kind of hurt, knowing the Constructicons usually just saw her at her lowest. Something in the back of her processor pushed back, though. Her will, she guessed. She wanted to be better. It seemed not just for herself but.. For them. She'd grown to really like the Constructicons.

They were a ridiculous bunch of mecha, but.. They were truly endearing. They cared so much, despite it all. They knew how to be gentle. They recognized her moments, they slowed down for her, considered her feelings and conditions.

"Uh... Roadway?" Mix asked with a tilted head, snapping her out of her thoughts. "You've just been.. Starin' for a while."

Her face changed a dark shade, Roadway quickly looking back away to fidget with her hands in embarrassment. Primus.. She was just staring at him. Mix watched her for a moment, giving a soft chuckle.

"..You ok?"

Roadway nodded. The door opened again, the both of them looking up as Hook walked in with some energon cubes.

"Good news! Megatron approved the designs. He sent them over to the labs." He hummed, walking over to hand Roadway a cube. "Even better news, I brought energon."

"Thanks, Hook." Mix nodded, taking the cube he was offered and humming softly. "Say, we should get a form of communication for Roadway squared away. Her vox being so damaged made it so even her beeps don't work."

"Hmm.." Hook thought, looking at Roadway. He then shrugged. "I mean, we could always just.. Get you a datapad with Text-to-Speech or somethin' like that."

Roadway nodded, giving a thumbs up and a smile.

"Ah! Perfect then. I'll grab one of our blanks, you can use that for now." Hook chuckled. 

Chapter Text

The next day, Roadway wasn't assigned to much at the lab. Tarantulas was still fuming about Shockwave, giving Roadway such a guilty look when she greeted him via the datapad. That moment of silence in the air felt awful for both of them. He simply just had her work on busy-work and repairs. Scavenger came by at some point to drop off– as his namesake– scavenged materials for Tarantulas. He stayed behind for just a bit to check on Roadway upon Hook's request before leaving.

Once she was released from her duties, Roadway headed for the mess hall to relax and get some energon. Entering the hall, a familiar voice called her over.

"Roadway!" Blockbuster shouted to her, waving an arm to beckon her towards the table. "Over here!"

"You look pretty worse-for-wear, more than yesterday." Breaker remarked with a hum, giving her an odd look. The table watched in confusion as Roadway then looked to the datapad, pressing a couple buttons.

"My vox was damaged from strain and experiments Shockwave was conducting. I can only communicate like this." The TTS feature read out for them. There was a communal "Ohhhhhh" throughout the table.

"Oh Primus, so Shockwave got his hands on you?" Blockbuster muttered. Roadway nodded sadly, moving to sit with the others. "Primus, you just can't catch a break, can you?"

"You can't even beep?" Hard Drive tilted her head. Roadway shook her head, attempting to use the alternative as an example. Rather than beeping, all that spilled out was stuttered glitches and static.

"Oughh.. That's rough." Blinker grimaced. "Hey, glad you're alright though! Shockwave can be really harsh with his experiments."

Roadway grimaced right back, nodding as she tapped away at the datapad.

"Tarantulas was the one to pull me away and take me to Knockout. Shockwave got in trouble. He was trying to upgrade my outlier."

"Oh, upgrade?" Blockbuster asked curiously, tilting his head. "Well, was he successful? What can you do now?"

“I would rather not discuss.” Roadway's TTS explained, the femme looking a bit uncomfortable.

"Yeah, just leave her alone." Shell defended her. "Let's talk about something else."

"Yeah. Oh! Have you guys noticed how the Constructicons seem more collected than usual?" Breaker asked, a big grin.

"Oh yeaah! Well, I wouldn't say collected, more of just.. Happy I guess?" Drive hummed.

"Either or, they definitely seem different." Buster confirmed. 

"Oh, that may be because of me? I think?" The TTS spoke up, Roadway having hesitantly typed out the statement. She shrank on herself when they all gawked at her.

"...What do you mean, "because of you"??" Drive questioned slowly, optics narrowed. Roadway nervously looked at them all, the group watching as she typed away with her head down.

"Well, I think I may be a small part in whatever they have going on now." She typed, adding on some more. "Nothing's exactly official, but we have been getting friendly, and they even have been taking care of me as of the last few days."

Optics just blew wider before they erupted into joyful laughter. They weren't laughing at her, but they seemed.. Almost excited.

"Wait, wait, so have you actually been considering like.. The Gestalt Bond?" Blinker asked with a wide grin.

Roadway paused, thinking about it for a long moment. She considered all she'd learned from both Tarantulas and her own personal research. It would be something incredibly invasive to her own mind. She'd be baring not just her raw processor but her spark to all seven mecha, and all seven of them would be doing the same. On top of it all.. There was the chance she wasn't even compatible. She worried that.. Maybe they did only want her for her frame. An extra body to fill the gap in the bond. Only there for support.

A servo snapped its digits in her face, pulling her back to reality as she bewilderedly looked up at Shell. The femme's flat expression still held some slight worry in the way she stared down.

"There you are. Stay in reality with us, yeah?" She murmured softly. "I don't think you should worry about something like that until you and those bots are all official, ok?"

Roadway considered that. Yeah, she didn't need to think too hard on it.. She'd cross that bridge when she got there. She gave Shell a small nod, the larger femme squinting into a smile under her facemask.

"Well, I think you should go for it." Hard Drive hummed, resting her chin in her hands on the table. "You're all so cute together. I can see it in my head."

"You think so?" Roadway quickly typed out.

"Those guys are so stupid they couldn't possibly know how to actually hurt you." Breaker snickered. Blinker scooted closer to his twin.

"Yeah!" He grinned, almost spilling his cube in Breaker's lap. "Plus, I'm pretty sure they'd throw themselves in the brig if they did ever hurt you."

Roadway raised a brow, but Blockbuster was quick to chime in.

"While we didn't know about you actually being involved with them.." He began, giving a soft sigh. "Rumor spreads here. Fast. Almost everyone here that's actually social knows that Combiner Team is obsessed with you. They'll talk about you here, sometimes. People have overheard them discussing ways to win your favor without freaking you out."

"I was here when you had drinks with them the other night." Drive grinned. "They looooove you. Everyone could see it. I, in particular, watched real close. You couldn't even see the way they were analyzing every expression and movement you made. They were trying so hard to not ruin it."

That made Roadway particularly blush, Shell letting out a low laugh and shaking her head.

"You're gonna make her blow something, Drive." She hummed. "Relax, they're not total weirdos. They just like you a lot."

There was a loud buzzer that went off in the mess hall, multiple mecha groaning as they quickly got up and began heading out. The rest of Roadway's table got up as well.

"Ugh.. I hate that battle horn." Drive whined.

Seeing Roadway's unspoken confusion, Block took the moment to fill her in.

"That buzzer means there's Autobot activity, and field mecha are needed." He explained, patting her shoulder. "There's gonna be a fight, but you don't have to worry since you're one of the Scientists. You stay on base."

"Don't worry, Roadway! We'll all come back in perfect shape!" Breaker boasted, linking arms with his sparktwin over each others' shoulders and laughing together as they walked off.

Having not much else to do, Roadway just waited until the entrance was less crowded and left to go find Tarantulas in the lab. There was probably work to be done while a battle was happening.

Megatron was very pleased with the results Roadway presented him with a couple weeks later, once she was fully healed. While he seemed eager to see more, he expressed firm disinterest in having her on the field just yet as she was still one of his best Scientists. Not only did she have good work ethic– despite setbacks– but she also worked very hard. Not to mention efficiently as well. She was instructed to continue her work in the lab with Tarantulas, and if they needed her for the field she would be contacted directly by Soundwave of himself.

Released from the bridge at Megatron's dismissal, Roadway was deeply relieved. The meeting had gone much better than expected, and she was eager to get some energon. Hard Drive, her newest good friend and willing test subject during the meeting with their Leader, briskly walked alongside her.

"That went well! Hadn't seen Big M smile like that before." She grinned, arms folded behind her back as she strutted. "That new ability of yours is so weird too! Like uh.. What do the humans call them..?"

"Oh, those fishy, human-ish organics? Sirens, they call them. I think.." Roadway murmured, thinking. "They're called mermaids too, if I'm right."

"Yeah, that's it! It fits your current nickname. Siren. Both for your loud blaring siren and your Siren voice!" Hard Drive cackled, skipping. Roadway gave a soft chuckle, nodding.

"..Yeah. I'm just.. Glad Megatron is so merciful. I can't imagine being on the field. Not right now at least."

"Yeaaah... No offense, Roads, but you're not very "battle-ready". Won't be for a while. You've been through a lot."

"No offense taken." Roadway sighed, rubbing her arm. There was a brief silence between them as she thought.

"..You know, I don't think I've ever really been "battle-ready".. I've always been jumpy from the sounds of explosions and gun-fire." She sighed.

"Why's that?" Drive asked curiously.

"Years of abuse.." Roadway stated bluntly, giving a dry laugh.

"Ohh.." Drive nearly whispered, not knowing what to say for a moment afterwards.

"..Yeah, you've been through a lot. You seem to handle it well, at least."

"You think so?"

"Yeah. You're tougher than most Autobots I meet." Drive grinned. "I mean, you've been through all that and you haven't given up. That's pretty tough."

Roadway smiled softly at the sentiment, thinking on it for a moment.

"..Megatron likes tough soldiers. Maybe that's why he was so willing to make you a Decepticon." Drive suddenly mentioned.

"..What do you mean?"

"Well, I mean, Soundwave can read minds. He must've checked your head and seen what you've gone through." Drive shrugged, giving a soft hum as she thought. "Come to think of it, Megs ain't exactly the most secretive. We all know he's gone through lots."

"He was a miner, oppressed by the Council like many of us and abused by superiors.. Then they tried messing with his head, I think. They tried to get rid of him, at least." She continued. "Then they made him into a gladiator. Lower in rank than a miner. He fought for his life constantly, but it just emboldened his followers."

"I.. I remember, yeah.. He was practically undefeated." Roadway nodded as she listened.

"Oh yeah, he was unstoppable. I still remember the first time I saw a fight in person.. He tore the mech in half!!" Drive cackled. "It was incredible. When he finally began his uprising, I was more than ready to fight alongside him."

"..That's incredible." Roadway chuckled, thinking it all over.

She recalled reading old documents about it all, everything that happened before the war began. Roadway remembered feeling terrible for thinking Megatron was.. Right, in a way. Even if the story had been misconstrued by the Council. She still found his ideas to be reasonable even when painted as horrible and inconceivable. She never told Prowl, in fear of his anger about it. She just buried the feeling, focusing on her training instead.

She figured it was what eventually pushed her to run, to leave the Autobots. Afterall, she'd been shown nothing but near exactly what Megatron fought for. A mecha's right to their own frame, their own right to their destiny– Not what their altmode "says" they should be. Back with the Autobots, Prowl insisted Roadway were to become a soldier like him due to her altmode. With the Decepticons, no one stopped her when she wished to get into Science. They even encouraged her.

And then Roadway's new family she found herself with. Tarantulas, the brilliant Decepticon Scientist that taught her everything she knew. He was kind of.. Like a father to her. Not just a Mentor. The spider really cared about her and her wellbeing. And then there was Hi-Tech, who had taken to call her "Aunt Roadie" as of recent. Primus, the youngling was just so full of energy and life.

And the Constructicons.. They cared so much for her.. They did everything they could for her– Everything. Cared for her when she'd been attacked, cared for her when Shockwave tampered with her vox, gave her space when she needed it, gave her patience– Since day one, they continued to do what they could to earn her favor. And earn her favor they did, they fully captured her attention. And Primus, was Roadway more than happy to oblige. The treatment wasn't anything she'd ever experienced prior to the Decepticons. It made her feel wanted, loved, cared for, adored.

It made her feel important.

"Cybertron to Roadway, helloooo." Drive snapped her digits, pulling Roadway's attention back. She laughed. "Welcome back, you were distracted a while."

"Ah, sorry.. I was just.. Thinking."

"About?"

"..Everything." Roadway sighed, giving a tired smile. "Joining the Decepticons changed my life, Drive. For the better."

"I couldn't be happier." Her smile brightened. Drive returned with a brighter grin, giggling.

"You deserve to be, Roadie. Glad you're here with us." Drive hummed contently.

"Uh.. Roadway, yeah?" A voice from behind them spoke up, the femme in question turning around to give a raised brow. The mech in front of her was bulky, rougher looking. One of the miner mecha that work with the energon processors, she figured.

"Um.. Yeah? That's me." Roadway nodded, a little confused. She exchanged an odd glance with Drive before she finally noticed the small stack of datapads in the mech's servos. He handed them over, looking a little uncertain.

"These are uh.. For you." He muttered simply, giving a shrug "Considering you're mentioned so much, higher-ups said they should go to you.."

Roadway was just more confused, sifting through the small stack to see if there was anything noteworthy to see initially. She just shook her head, looking back at the mech again.

"What– Sorry, what are these for??" She questioned.

"Tackstrip. He was the mech that owned those datapads. He uh.. He got taken out in battle a few weeks ago." The mech sighed, looking.. Pretty bummed out. "..After we went through his stuff, it was decided that you're the rightful mech to inherit it all."

Roadway just.. Froze. She went still at the name, optics wide as she stared blankly at the mech, who excused himself and left quickly to return to work. Roads' gaze just fell back to the datapads, stunned.

"...Uhhhh, you good? Did you know a mech named Tackstrip? Why would you get his stuff??" Drive asked, confused. She wanted to look through the datapads too.

Roadway was silent for only a moment longer before she just looked back up at Drive, expression lost.

"..Tackstrip was my Sire."

Chapter Text

Roadway didn't remember a lot of the rest of her younger years as she developed, many memories lost from the trauma or simply forgotten as she got older. Although, a mech never forgets the day they open their optics for the first time.

Her earliest memory, her creation day, was waking up. It was dark. Everything felt tight, constricting her all over. She squirmed some, trying to knock herself against the walls of wherever she was.

She could faintly hear voices, garbled sounds she didn't understand. She tried to force her frame to stretch–

CRACK!

Roadway rolled out of the confinement– A shell. It was her egg, the hard metal shell that protected her throughout her creation. She squinted at the bright lights, focusing on the two mecha hovered over her.

"Welcome to existence, sweetspark.." A teary-eyed mech murmured softly, giving a weak laugh. Roadway's carrier, Frameline. He was blue, black, and silver, a high-caste racer. The other mech, her sire, Tackstrip. A dull, black and grey mech with plating far less colorful and flashy. Tackstrip was bulkier, larger than Frameline, Roadway remembered. He was a miner mech, a hardworker but a lower-caste mech.

Both were so overjoyed when she was out, scooping her up in arms much larger than her own to hold her close.

"Look at her.. We made her..." Frameline looked up at Tackstrip with the biggest smile. Tackstrip leaned in to kiss Frame's helm, humming contently.

"That was all you. You carried her." Tack grinned, looking down at Roadway, the sparkling's eyes wide and curious. "Mmn.. She needs a name, love."

"How about.." Frameline hummed in thought, staring at their new sparkling with loving optics.

"Roadway. Welcome home, Roadway."

Everything else in her younger years was really a blur. All melded together, muddled from age and time.

Roadway did remember specifically that something bad happened to her parents. They tried to keep her existence a secret, but of course it didn't last very long. After being discovered, she remembered being separated from them and just.. Waiting. After a while, she was reunited with her creators some grueling hours later, which felt like days with her poor sense of time in the moment. But when they came out they were.. Wrong. Their hands had been replaced with claws, and they no longer had faces.

Roadway couldn't comprehend it then. She still barely understood the reasoning, but after growing up, she understood now they'd become victims of Empurata. A cruel procedure done by the Council as a public humiliation ritual for "criminals". Roadway knew her creators didn't commit a real crime, but to the Council, they had committed one of the worst crimes of all-- Creating a sparkling between two mecha of opposing "functions". It still infuriated her thinking about it whenever the memory crossed her processor.

They'd been allowed to keep raising her together, but they were given strict rules; raise Roadway within the guidelines of her "function". If they did that, she could stay with them. And so, Roadway was raised the best they could muster. Her police vehicle mode, when it showed itself, made them wary. She could tell. They tried their best regardless.

Eventually, the riots began. They went into hiding with her, moving to "Decepticon" controlled area so they were away from the Council's sights. Roadway's creators did everything they could to keep her safe from the mess it all created, tried to shield her from the disasters outside. She saw it all regardless.

And living there was exactly when the explosion that destroyed their home happened.

The day was fresh in her mind. Roadway's creators left to take care of something, leaving her at home as she could take care of herself. She'd left at some point for something, despite Frameline's firm orders for her to stay home, not wanting her to get hurt outside. But she left anyways. Roadway couldn't exactly remember the reasoning.

She was just down the street when it happened. A loud, deafening explosion with a shockwave that knocked her flat on her aft. Mecha ran, scattered. Those that got caught in the blast were left with severe injury, or were simply offlined. Disoriented, deaf, and scared, Roadway was calling for her creators. She couldn't even hear her own voice, hoping they could hear her.

That day was the very day when Prowl found her too.

The policemech rushed over to her, checking her for injury. Roadway couldn't hear him, but he was trying to calm her down. Soon, he just picked her up and carried her off while trying to help her relax. Roadway remembered he stopped at some point, watching the wreckage before quickly running off. She always just figured he saw something bad, leaving before she could see too.

He tried to locate Roadway's creators, he told her for years. But in the end, he found no leads. That was what he said every time she asked, growing up.

[VIDEO LOGS: 85]

[SELECTED: VIDLOG_1.MOV]

[PLAY: VIDLOG_1.MOV]

[LOADING.........]

The bulky, faceless mech sat in front of the screen, fidgeting with his new hands. He was sitting in a barracks room, alone.

"I'm uh.. I'm gonna make these videos for you, Roadway. If you're out there. Hopefully.." Tackstrip muttered sadly, rubbing his neck. "These will be like-- Updates, in a sense. When we find you, and I have hope that we'll find you, I'm gonna show you these."

There was a long beat of silence, the mech looking off-screen.

"..We miss you, Roadway. Since the day you vanished." He sighed, looking at the screen again. "They never found you in the rubble. They never even found evidence you were ever in the building when it exploded, not a piece of armor left behind."

"We know you have to be out there.. Frameline believes so."

"..."

"I believe so.."

"We'll find you, Roadway. I promise." Tackstrip finished as he reached to turn off the monitor.

[END OF VIDEO LOG]

[SELECTED: VIDLOG_12.MOV]

[PLAY: VIDLOG_12.MOV]

[LOADING.........]

"Is it on?" A blue, silver, and black mech asked as he slid into frame, also bearing no face but new hands.

"Yes, it's on, love." Tackstrip chuckled. Frameline quickly moved to sit.

"Things have been so crazy over here! You'd be terrified of Megatron, Roadway. You were always nervous around larger mecha." The racer laughed. "He means well, he just has to be harsh."

"He's trying to run an entire revolution, of course he's going to be rough on us." Tack nodded.

"Yeah– Not the point though!" Frame quickly shook his head, looking at the screen. "We wish you could be here, Roadway. You could be yourself. I know, I know.. We raised you to be a policemech, but that's not what you wanted."

"You've always been such a curious little sparkling.. asking all sorts of questions." He continued. "I'm so sorry we had to force you away from it when you showed interest in science.."

"You'd love it here, I think.. The scientists Megatron recruited, they're terrifying. But they're so clever.." Tackstrip murmured sadly. "Clever, just like you were. Are. You'd fit right in."

Frameline lifted his helm, looking off-screen before quickly standing.

"We gotta go, we're needed." He urged Tackstrip gently. Tack just nodded, reaching over and switching the monitor off.

[END OF VIDEO LOG]

[PLAY: VIDLOG_20]

Tackstrip was alone this time, a stark difference in his demeanor between all l other logs where they were usually together. He was quiet at the start, holding his head in his hand on the desk.

"..Your.. Your carrier uh.. Offlined today." He spoke in the smallest voice. "The riots are getting worse, the Council is pushing back more. I.. I'm gonna have to pause these for a bit."

"..I'm sorry." Tack's voice cracked, vox skipping. "This one's real short."

[END OF VIDEO LOG]

[PLAY: VIDLOG_28.MOV]

"We did it." Tackstrip immediately started, seeming much more excited than the last few video logs. "We got them. Megatron finally dissolved that Primus-forsaken Council."

"They're gone. We won't have to worry about them ever again. I can't wait until we find you, Roadway. You'll finally have a proper home."

"..I just wish Frameline could be here for it."

[END OF VIDEO LOG]

Knock Knock Knock

"..Roadway?" Scavenger asked softly as he poked his head inside the room. Stepping inside, he found her sitting on one of the berths with datapad in hand. She was slouched, doorwings still and flat with little emotion. It was a depressing sight to see, Scavenger's scoop lowering.

"..You ok?" He tried, walking over hesitantly. "..You've been watchin' those on loop for a while.."

"..They were alive the whole time." Roadway whispered, not lifting her head a moment. Scavenger could see a droplet fall onto the datapad screen and roll down. Roadway trembled.

"The whole time.."

Scavenger frowned behind his mask, fidgeting with his digits before moving to sit beside her. He rested his chin on Roadway's shoulder, providing as much comfort as he could.

"..I bet they'd be super proud of you, though.. You came a long way.." He reassured. "You've been through so much, and you just came out of it stronger.. They'd be so happy to know you're still here."

"A whole month ago.." Roadway began, sniffling as she wiped her face. "I was here.. Tackstrip was still alive... I could.. I could've seen him..."

Roadway collapsed in on herself, dropping the datapad and covering her face. She sobbed into her servos, curling up.

"He was alive this whole time..."

Scavenger was nervous, unsure what to do. He just moved to hold her as it was the only thing he could think of to do in the moment. He let her cry, Primus knew she needed it.

He sent out a private message to the others in the bond.

Hook stepped into the medbay, briskly walking right over to where Knockout was working sorting tools.

"Hey– You got medical files on a couple mecha named Tackstrip and Frameline?" He asked quickly. Startled, Knockout stared at him incredulously.

"..Who??" Knockout blinked.

"Tackstrip; bulky mech, gray in color, offlined about a month ago? Frameline; blue and smaller, was Tack's partner?" Hook tried. "Empuratees?"

The last word made it click in Knockout's head, the medic nodding quickly with a snap of his digits.

"Oh! Yes, yes I know now. Bad with names, I see so many patients." The red mech rolled his optics and waved Hook over to the computer. He rapidly typed in some information, pulling up the exact mecha Hook needed.

"This them?" Knockout asked. "Why do you need this anyways?"

"It's uh.. Not important." Hook urged, pulling out a datapad and coming closer to try and download a copy– Only to be bodyblocked.

"What is this for?" Knockout demanded at Hook with a stern glare. He was given a defeated sigh.

"..It's for Roadway." Hook explained in a soft voice. "Tackstrip was her sire, Frame her carrier. She never even knew Tack was still alive when she was here."

Knockout raised a brow.

"Sire???"

"Yes, her Sire. Roadway wasn't forged like most bots, she had Creators that made her– Like Hi-Tech."

"..Fine." Knockout sighed, moving aside to let Hook take a copy of the file. "..Wait, if he's her Sire, then–"

"She's the next in line to get all his stuff, I know. We're working on it." Hook nodded, connecting the datapad and beginning the download.

"We??"

"The other Constructicons, they're gettin' the rest."

"You know you can just report this to Megatron."

"I know, but it'll take longer if we do that."

"It'll be less of a hassle if you just let him handle it with his mecha."

Hook turned away from the computer and looked Knockout in the optic, a bit agitated now.

"Our Roadway just learned her Creators were alive the whole time, one of 'em bein' still alive when she was here, and now he's dead." He hissed, getting close as Knockout raised his servos defensively. "She needs this. So, I'd rather you off my back about it."

Knockout studied the other mecha with furrowed brows, slowly nodding. He held a stern gaze, narrowing his optics.

"Ok. Fine." He relented, stepping back and letting his servos rest on his hips. He watched Hook take the datapad and quickly leave, rubbing his head.

"These mecha are gonna make my processor ache.."

"Found 'em?" Hook asked as Scrapper intercepted him in the hallway.

"Tack's other belongings, including Frameline's." Scrapper nodded, holding up the small crate. "Some other mech got their badges, Mix and Haul are trackin' 'em down."

"Good, good. I got the files for both Tackstrip and Frameline." Hook nodded firmly. "And Scav is keepin' her busy?"

"Yep. He's still keeping her comfortable and distracted. Bonecrusher's busy doin' work."

"Ok– Once we get their badges–"

"HOOK!" Long Haul called out, approaching with Mixmaster in tow. He held up something, waving. "Got 'em!"

"Yes!!! You got their badges!?" Hook asked excitedly.

Long Haul walked up and held out his servos, Mix doing the same, to show off the badges. They were cut from the plating of both deceased mech, turned into wearable and displayable mementos, like medals. Two badges each, one set smaller than the other. The backings had been painted to match the original plating of each mech too.

"Yes! Oh, thank Primus we could find these." Hook nodded, urging the others to hurry with him as they rushed back to their shared quarters.

Scavenger looked up upon seeing them enter, hopeful as he asked a wordless question. He was holding Roadway, who was just quietly enjoying the comfort.

"Roadway." Hook spoke up to get her attention as he walked over, having taken the badges from Scrapper. He held one of them out to her after kneeling beside the berth. "Found these for you."

Roadway lifted her head from Scavenger's arms. Exhausted, she stared at the badge with confusion.

"What.. What's that..?" She asked.

"It's uh.. It's Tackstrip's badges. We got Frameline's too.." Hook spoke softly, giving her a warm smile.

Roadway's optics just blew wide open, staring at the badges in shock. She then sat up properly and took the badge in her servo. Tearing up while she traced the edges with a digit, she looked at Hook.

"You.. You found them..?" She trembled.

"Nah, not just me.. The others found 'em for you. Scraper tracked down the rest of their things.." Hook explained as he then pulled a datapad from his subspace, handing it over. "I pulled copies of their medical files for you.. Give you closure on what happened to them.."

Roadway just.. stared. Stunned was an understatement. All of them had scrounged the base all day, possibly even further, just to find this stuff for her. The waterworks were inevitable, Roadway bursting into sobs as she clutched the badges closely, Scav quickly moving to support her. The others came closer to comfort her, staying right by her side.

"We got you, Roadie.. We got you..." Hook reassured, gently petting her back. "We've got you..."

Chapter Text

While Roadway grieved the loss of her parents over the next couple months, the Constructicons were with her whenever they could be. They'd check on her when dropping off supplies to the labs, include her in their piles when they recharged at night– They did everything they could to help her recover.

It was nice, at least. Being included and being cared for. Nothing had ever been properly announced, but they might as well have become her partners now. Her friends had also been great helps in keeping her company when the Constructicons were busy. They were patient for her on her bad days, and on her good days they just laughed and laughed about the silliest things.

But while they all worked to help her mentally recover, something new brewed in Roadway's processor. Something she didn't think she would feel. Not ever. The grief reformed itself, curated into something entirely new– a burning sort of feeling. One that ached and hurt all over as it's own thing entirely.

Rage.

Prowl had not only lied to her about the Decepticons, but he'd lied to her about her parents. He ripped her from her home, only to treat her like an object much less than him for most of her life. The realization left her feeling something terrible over the next weeks that passed.

Without the Constructicons' or Tarantulas' knowledge, she'd applied to Soundwave about being a field soldier when needed. Her application went through nearly immediately thanks to her Outlier making her valuable– and it was accepted.

She was going to find Prowl. And she was going to make sure he regretted his choices.

The opportunity finally arose roughly a month later when Autobots were caught trying to raid a Decepticon station. Roadway and several other mecha were dispatched to the field, dropping down from a shuttle. Regaining her bearings after hitting the ground rather rough, Roadway set off firing at the Autobots around her. She fired at their pedes, thighs, knees, and even their servos, remembering old training intended on disabling a mech– they weren't who she was after.

And finally, she spotted him. Prowl, protecting Optimus' side, as was usual for battles. She stood her ground firm, raising her weapon to aim as fellow Decepticons pushed back around her. With her gun charged, she fired.

"AUGH!!" Prowl shouted, clutching his newly damaged servo in pain as his gun had been shot from it. He hastily looked around for the source before reaching down– only to have it shot away from him again. The mech whipped his head up towards the source of the shot..

Only to stare right in the optics of the mentee he'd almost forgotten.

Roadway was a good distance away, blaster still raised and aimed Prowl's direction with a stern look. Her doorwings sat upright on her back proudly, displaying her Decepticon emblems clear as day. They stood, both frozen, before Prowl finally scrambled for his gun.

With his back turned, Roadway charged forward to tackle him. She jumped onto his back, pulling her arm around his neck to pull him backwards.

"Ack– Let me go!!" Prowl shouted, fighting to claw her off of him.

"Prowl, what's happening!?" Optimus commed him, having been separated.

"MAYDAY! I need backup!!" Prowl was quick to respond, yelling into his comm. "I'm– I'm being pinned!"

Optimus acted quickly, calling for mecha to reach Prowl and come to his aide. When those mecha arrived, Roadway was tackled and pried off of Prowl.

"Outlier– Her Outlier!!! Get her muzzled!" Prowl quickly ordered, digging in his subspace. He tossed them a mask of sorts, and as Roadway barely opened her mouth, it was shoved onto her face and pulled tight.

She struggled, fighting to get them off. Her mind went to static as she watched Prowl with hate, she could barely hear him ordering for the mecha to take her prisoner.

Quiet. It was quiet in the Autobot Brig. That's always how she knew it anyways.

Roadway sat in an interrogation room, awaiting questioning. She knew the proceedure, knew to keep her trap shut about any information that could be useful to the Autobots about the Decepticons. When she was made a field soldier, Soundwave helped install extra firewalls into her processor so they couldn't just pick at her mind.

Arms bound behind her and mask still clamped to her face, she just waited. That's all she could do.

Roadway looked towards the door as she heard it slide open, two mecha walking in. Optimus Prime and Prowl. She glared as the officer entered, wings flickering in an agitated display. However, her attention was pulled away when Optimus pulled the chair on the other side of the table back and sat down.

He rested his servos on the table, fidgeting with his own digits. He looked unsure, unnerved– almost saddened.

It took him a moment to speak.

"..Hello, Roadway.. Unless, of course, you have changed your name.." He spoke softly. Diplomatic. A gentler nature that never left him unless in the midst of battle.

"I never changee my name. It's the name I was given, and I will not disrespect my own history by changing it." Roadway responded firmly, voice muffled by the dampening mask made to supress her outlier. Optimus only watched her, studying her. His own headfins tilted backwards as his shoulders slouched.

"..You left." He muttered, like he didn't want to admit it.

"I did."

"Why?" He asked, leaning a bit closer. "Why did you defect? You were a good soldier– I just need to understand.."

Roadway was quiet, expression unchanging as she stared at him. Her optics moved to look at Prowl, standing in the corner with his arms crossed. Her gaze hardened, harsh.

"I think you should ask him." She hissed.

Optimus paused, looking confused. He turned to look at Prowl, who exchanged an equally unaware look.

"..I'm.. Not sure I know what you mean." He murmured.

"Ask him about my parents." Roadway stated bluntly, still staring at Prowl. She saw his doorwings stiffen, optics flickering. She understood the look perfectly. He knew. And now he was wondering if she knew.

"Your parents?" Optimus asked, turning to look at Prowl again before looking back. "What about your parents, Roadway?"

"Ok, clearly she's not going to talk." Prowl huffed, annoyed as he rolled his optics. "I've already explained to you a long time ago that her parents are deceased. Let's not waste time, Optimus, we have work to–”

"No, she is clearly talking, Prowl. I want to understand what's going on." Optimus cut in, voice soft yet firm. "If there's new information, I'd like to know more."

"You're going to believe a mech that defected to the Decepticons?" Prowl asked, expression incredulous as he stared at Optimus.

"I'm going to listen to a mech that was once one of my Autobots. Who is running this interrogation, Prowl?" Optimus replied firmly. Prowl's jaw opened and closed, but he finally shut it and quieted down. The larger mech sighed and turned back to look at Roadway again.

"Apologies.. Please, continue." He spoke. "What has happened regarding your parents?"

"..They were alive." Roadway finally spoke after prying her optics away from a visibly anxious Prowl. "They were alive and they were Decepticons. Tackstrip and Frameline."

"They were victims of Empurata. Tackstrip was a miner before the war, Frameline was a racer. I was created before the Council was liquidated." She continued, steeling her nerves to keep calm. "They did not die in an explosion that destroyed my home. They were nowhere near it."

As Optimus listened, his optics widened. The name, Tackstrip, sounded so familiar, and it clicked.. Yes, he remembered now, seeing reports from past battles and intel collection. Tackstrip had died in battle not too long ago, one of many reported casualties.

"..I am.. Terribly sorry for your loss." Optimus spoke, but before he could say anything else, Roadway added more.

"I didn't even know he was alive. He wasn't stationed nearby. I only learned of his death because another Decepticon that had been given his things found video logs left for me." Roadway stated firmly. "I could have met him. I could have met my family."

Her glare found it's sights on Prowl again, who seemed to look a bit too nervous..

"But he lied to me. He told me both of them had died."

Optimus was stunned, turning to look at Prowl.

"In your report, you claimed having seen their frames and identified them." He stated, in pure disbelief. Prowl feigned shock.

"What!? I did! I did verify those grey frames!" He exclaimed, defending himself. "She's lying to you, Optimus! It's what they're trained to do as Cons!"

"Then how come the mech she states was her Creator was alive not too long ago?" Optimus questioned.

"Ask him about Segway." Roadway suddenly spoke up. Her voice had wavered, and the room went silent. She was fuming, staring right at Prowl. Optimus glanced at her, only to look back at Prowl.

"..Segway? Your other mentee?" He asked.

"What about him? You two only sparred together– You attacked him!" Prowl exclaimed, pointing at Roadway. He ignored Optimus.

"He was going to hurt me!" Roadway shouted as loud as the mask would allow.

"His audials were nearly blown, they almost had to be replaced entirely! How is that reasonable self defense??"

"I had to– You and Optimus never did anything else about his constant harassment! I told you constantly!"

"Harassment?" Optimus cut in, standing up to silence the arguing. "Prowl, had Segway been hurting Roadway?"

She froze, optics wide as she stared at Optimus. Roadway trembled, anger and rage building even more until she thrashed, staring at Prowl.

"YOU LIAR!!!" She roared, tears welling up in her optics. "You told me you brought my reports to him!! You said Optimus couldn't do anything about it!!!"

"What reports?? You never filled out any reports of harassment!" Prowl argued back.

"Enough!!" Optimus barked, holding up his servos. He pointed Prowl to the door. "Prowl, out. I cannot have you in here any longer."

"You really believe her!?" Prowl asked in pure disbelief.

"I believe that one of my Autobots was hurt and had no one to protect them, which is what I entrusted you with. Now go." Optimus spoke firmly, his gentle tone far less friendly.

Prowl stared up at Optimus in shock, going silent. His doorwings twitched, the kech swallowing his words as he turned and left the interrogation room.

It was rough. Spilling everything to Optimus about all she went through– It hurt to relive it all when she'd made so much progress recovering from it.

She sat in a cell now, still in cuffs and still masked. Tears had stained her face despite Optimus' efforts to gently dry them for her.

She looked towards the opening of the cell when she heard a strange noise, watching as the pink field suddenly fizzled out. A familiar Cassetticon then peeked around the corner– Ravage.

"Let's go, hurry." She whispered to Roadway as she trotted up. "Soundwave sent me to collect you. We need to go before their security systems come back online."

The cassette undid Roadway's cuffs, the mech quickly standing to them pry off the mask.

"Thank you.." Roadway whispered back, jogging out of the cell following Ravage. She stopped down the hall though, looking down another corridor. When Ravage noticed, she was rightfully frustrated.

"What are you doing? We need to move! They'll notice you're gone!" She hissed.

"I-I know– I just–" Roadway whispered back, looking antsy and wanting to run down. "I need to do something–"

Ravage had already turned back around, snapping and biting at Roadway's pedes.

"Move!! You'll get us caught!" The cassette snarled. Roadway yelped quietly at the nips, quickly getting back to running down the hall to escape.

They made it out of the base, Ravage leading Roadway to the small shuttle that awaited them.

"You're lucky Soundwave sent me to collect you so quickly." Ravage huffed, hopping up into the pilot seat to paw at the console and type in coordinates. "If it weren't for the insistence of those stupid construction mecha, you would've been left there longer until we could properly rescue you!”

"..They.. What?" Roadway asked, clipping herself into her seat to prepare for take-off.

"Yes, they were driving Soundwave up the wall, even flat out refused to work until you were safe–" Ravage growled, then turned around to look at her. "And what in the Pits was that back there!? You almost got us caught! What was so important you had to stop!?"

"I–" Roadway stopped, unsure what she was actually trying to do herself really. "I was– I needed to–"

"Whatever it is–" Ravage snarled in agitation, turning back to the console. "Deal with it later."

"Megatron is not happy about this, you know." She added. The silence was heavy in the shuttle as they escaped successfully, undetected.

A knock on Optimus' office door, the leader looked up and called for entry.

"You needed me, Optimus?" Prowl asked as he walked in, still a little agitated from earlier.

"Yes.. I needed to inform you of something." Optimus sighed, clasping his servos together. "Pending investigation, you are hereby demoted from your position as Second in Command and suspended from work."

There was the briefest pause of silence before Prowl exploded.

"WHAT!?" He yelled, servos slamming onto the desk as he leaned forward. Optimus did not move, brows only furrowing at the reaction. "You're seriously– You're believing a Decepticon over one of your own soldiers– your SECOND-IN-COMMAND for that matter!!"

"..I talked with Red Alert." Optimus stated flatly, not at all liking Prowl's tone. "There were no cameras in the hall at the time that Segway had been found attacked by Roadway's Outlier. Furthermore, evidence shows Roadway's disappearance and defection was not planned. It was hasty, and sudden. All of her belongings were still in her quarters, all now still in boxes in Confiscation."

"Given everything I was also told during my interrogation with Roadway, I have reason to believe there are indeed things that were never actually brought to my attention." Optimus continued, he paused, a look that told Prowl he received a comm ping. He leaned back in his seat. "Actually.. I have evidence that tells me this exactly."

"I subpoenaed your logging history from before Roadway disappeared." He began, expression souring. Prowl's own expression fell. "Red Alert has found evidence of deleted files that never crossed my computer, reports sent to you that were scrubbed."

The silence hung heavy in the air. Prowl just slowly stood back up, stepping away from the desk as he stared at Optimus in stunned silence.

"..Have a good day, Prowl." Optimus nodded firmly, tone indicating the other mech should leave. Now.

And Prowl did just that, wordlessly nodding before he just turned and left. Optimus sighed when he heard something hard hit an adjacent wall when the office door shut.