​"Knockout! I told you a thousand times, don't place the synthetic-energon containers next to the ammunition!" Starscream shouted from across the storage deck. The seeker clacked his heels on the cold, metal floor of the Nemesis, brimming with impatience the red mech known as Knockout knew all too well.

Knockout honestly could care less where any of this stuff went but, with a great sigh, he moved the containers elsewhere. If only to keep Starscream from bursting his audio sensors.

Today, Knockout, Starscream, and Soundwave were sent to organize the storage deck and get some actual work done around the Nemesis. Though, instead of cooperating, Starscream decided he was best fit to order them around and 'supervise' as he liked to put it, much to Knockout's distaste.

Soundwave, as usual, was indifferent.

"Listen, Screamer, is this really necessary?" Knockout huffed as he kicked another storage container into a corner, "I mean, who even comes down here anyway? There's enough dust in here to scrub my paint off!" He brushed his fantastic finish with a servo.

"First of all, that's Starscream - no - it's Star Lord - N-no wait that's Lord Screamer! I mean - AGH!" Starscream threw his arms in the air in frustration. Obviously ordering mechs around wasn't his strong suit.

Knockout couldn't hide his chuckle, "W-what was that Lord Screamer?" His enjoyment only made Starscream angrier.

"LORD STARSCREAM!" Starscream shouted, "AND I WANT YOU MOVING THIS JUNK TO WHERE IT BELONGS THIS INSTANT!" His wings flared in a flash of brilliant silver.

Knockout only shrugged, "Fine, but don't think I won't be calling you Lord Screamer from now on." He reached down to pick up another box when he turned and bumped right into Soundwave, who was also carrying boxes of decepticon junk.

"Soundwave!" he yelped, dropping decepti-trash all over the floor, "don't sneak up on me like that! And watch the finish!"

Soundwave reached down and collected the dropped boxes and vanished into the shadows of the storage room without even acknowledging that Knockout was there. Knockout stared after him.

"What is with that mech..." he whispered.

Starscream smirked. "Hmph, probably tired of all your whining."

Knockout whipped his helm at the seeker. "Excuse me!?"

Starscream crosses his plated arms, "You heard me, doctor."

Knockout fumed. Always starting the arguments. Always trying to test his patience. Well, if Screamers thought he could insult this mech's finish and get away with it, he had another thing coming -

"Starscream, Knockout, Soundwave! Report to the main deck immediately." Megatron's voice rang out on the speakers overhead.

Knockout put down his share of work with a smile. "Finally, a break!" he stretched his arms over his back.

Starscream grumbled, "What does that oaf want now? I was doing perfectly fine getting you slackers to get something done around here." He waved a servo at their unamused faces, "Leave it to Lord Megatron to spoil all the fun."

Soundwave moved between the two and opened up a ground bridge, the eerie purple glow he dragged across the floor as he moved turning a bright, neon green. The groundbridge began to close around him as Knockout and Starscream finally snapped to attention.

"Hey! Wait for us!" Starscream called. Starscream and Knockout raced after Soundwave, the bridge launching the two into the main deck. Soundwave casually walked away as the other two tumbled in behind him.

"Ha! I got in first!" Knockout taunted, scrambling to his feet.

"I clearly arrived earlier!" Starscream retorted.

"Enough!" Megatron shouted, making Knockout jump and Starscream flinch.

Lord Megatron's imposing figure was standing in front of the main computer server with his servos folded behind his back. He glared at the two mechs as Soundwave slowly walked up to stand beside him, compliant as ever.

Starscream and Knockout shot a quick glance at each other before making their way towards their irritated leader.

"Now if you two are quite finished bickering," Megatron began, "I have a task for you."

"A task?" Starscream complained, "What kind of task? We were already filing all the nemesis' scrap, not to mention I had to order around these two simpletons! I mean, that's hard work! I have a crick in my wing just from standing and watching them screw up all day and we-"

"Stop groveling, Starscream!" Megatron glared at the small seeker who squeaked in surprise. "I need you three to search for energon supplies in the Amazon Rainforest. Our supplies are running low and for once I need you to do something useful, commander, and retrieve some. I hear there is much exotic life there." He grinned at Knockout's horrified expression.

Soundwave's screen lit up, focusing on one location in the middle of South America. Starscream inspected the dot closely, humming to himself in thought. Megatron smirked, "Problems, Starscream?"

Starscream's red optics widened in surprise, "This was where Unicron awakened! Back when we - er - you teamed up with Optimus Prime, My Lord."

Knockout gasped while Megatron simply laughed in his sinister, Megatron-y way.

"Why yes, it is. The energy signals should be off the charts there, and the energon supply abundant considering this miserable planet received such a hard blow. Sure, the area may be dangerous ... deadly, even. That's why I'm sending you three."He rumbled, "I'm sure you all can handle it." Knockout didn't miss the hint of challenge in his tone.

Starscream wriggled his digits together, "B-but it could be very dangerous! The offset effects of the Earth splitting could expose us to-"

Knockout squinted, "I'm going. Come on Screamers." He couldn't stand to watch the seeker whine to Megatron for another minute before their master lost his temper again.

Starscream only gaped at him. The race car gestured for Soundwave and Starscream to follow him towards an open space to ground bridge. Soundwave followed without hesitation, and Starscream only gulped until he received a glare from Megatron and he scurried after them.

Soundwave opened a groundbridge and stepped inside. Knockout glanced at Starscream who returned him with a nervous stare.

Knockout smiled," "Don't worry, Screamy, I'm sure Unicron won't jump out and scare us." He said with a laugh and jumped inside.

Starscream huffed, "Idiots, the lot of them."

Had they no idea the kind of mutations that could form from that kind of raw, cybertronian energy? The kind of monstrosities that jungle could hide now?

The seeker stiffened as cold, metal claws lightly tapped his shoulder.

"Should you have any concerns, commander, " Megatron's deep voice hissed out the title, "feel free to share."

The talons on his shoulder squeezed for emphasis, the silver metal underneath denting ever so slightly enough for Starscream to take the hint: he certainly should not feel free to share. And he certainly had no choice in this mission, no matter how dangerous this jungle was.

Starscream stood for a moment, took a deep breath, and stepped into the ground bridge.

~Just a quick note! This story is mostly just writing practice but there will be a plot and a real story line later on, so thx - Enjoy~

-Lord Starscream