The bright, warm sun's rays filtered in through the opening of the large trunk of the tree hiding two small mechs inside. The rainforest was alive with noise outside, from the sound of trees swaying in the slight breeze to the short chirps of colorful birds flittering across the jungle.

The sunlight shone and reflected of a normally shiny mech's finish as it seeped in through the hole, making the robot squirm in discomfort.

​Knockout slowly opened his optics and squinted against the bright light, raising a servo to shade it from his view.

Ugh... Knockout thought, why is everything so bright here? He supposed he wasn't used to it, considering that the Nemesis was always so dark all the time.

Oh well, Decepticons must be dark and mysterious, should they not?

​Knockout moved to sit up and widened his optics when he realized something was on top of him. The medic quickly glanced down and saw Starscream curled up under Knockout's one arm, which was tucked protectively around him.

The silver seeker's claws rested on Knockout's chest plate, his helm lying against his shoulder plating, and his wings folded down over Knockout's arm. His small chest plate gently rose and fell with soft breaths in his sleep, his expression peaceful and exhausted.

​Knockout couldn't help but smile at the sweet sight. Starscream always looked so cute when he was asleep, like an innocent little sparkling rather than the mischievous traitor he truly was.

Knockout gently rubbed his servo on the seeker's wings, being careful to avoid the extremely sensitive wiring located in various places. Starscream smiled in his sleep at the nice feeling and fluttered his wings in content.

​Knockout laughed quietly at the seeker's grateful little gesture.

Though, he knew he had to wake Starscream up before any danger decided to come in their direction.

The red mech hesitantly placed his other servo on Starscream's shoulder plating, giving the skinny mech a rousing shake.

​"Psst, Starscream, wake up. It's morning, now. We have to get a move on."

Starscream squirmed under Knockout's touch and raised his helm slightly, still leaning against the red mech's frame. The seeker slowly opened his large optics and blinked a few times before settling his gaze on Knockout, who was looking back at him with a calm smile.

"Knockout?" Starscream whispered hoarsely.

"Yes, Scream, I'm here." Knockout whispered back as Starscream tried to regain his bearings.

The seeker sat up a little more in Knockout's hold and widened his optics as he realized where he was, his optics darting nervously around the trunk of the tree encompassed around them.

"K-Knockout, wh-why are we in here? I-It's so small, a-and cramped."

Starscream lowered his wings right up against his back and gripped Knockout's chest plate tighter.

Knockout felt his spark drop.

How could he have forgotten? Seeker's had extremely sensitive systems and powerful senses. Keeping them in an enclosed space for long periods of time went against their programming, which, ultimately, was to fly. It caused the bots to become jumpy and scared in the situations.

Seeker claustrophobia.

Knockout raised a servo to Starscream's helm and placed it on the back of the seeker's helmet, pulling it closer. He slipped his other arm under Starscream's knees and slowly began to get to his peds. Starscream squeaked in surprise as his body was lifted from the ground, and he clung to Knockout's chest as the red mech crawled out of their makeshift shelter into the early morning sunrise.

He slowly crawled out the opening in the tree and stepped out, lifting his helm towards the bright sunlight and basking in its golden glow. The sun reflected off his scuffed finished and the red mech glanced down to his skinny comrade.

Starscream's expression was filled with relief and his ruby red optics glowed bright with elation at the beautiful morning sky, a small smile splayed on his faceplates. Knockout smiled as well and turned his helm to look out over the colorful rainforest once again.

He had to admit... it was much more magnificent when there was no deathly cold conditions and robot-eating monsters.

As Knockout gazed over the tropical paradise, he recalled all the disastrous things that had happened in the past few days. The sudden attacks from the panthers, the devastating flash flood, the shocking Insecticon chase, the viscous alligator attack, the scorching lightning strike...how could such destructive incidents come from a place so peaceful? He supposed that this unassuming planet could be much more dangerous than he thought.

Though, the experience did give the red mech a chance to see Starscream from a whole other level. He had always assumed that the devious Air Commander was nothing more than a deceitful, backstabbing liar, but the red mech learned that the silver seeker had an entirely hidden side to his being, concealing a painful, tragic past and fear-stricken state of living. Knockout knew Starscream had questionable motives and made plenty mistakes resulting in brutal punishments he most likely deserved, but the medic couldn't get the memory out of his processor of the seeker's scorched body sparking painfully on the ground after the seeker had nearly sacrificed himself to save Knockout from the lightning strike. Why had he done it?

"Er...Knockout?" a raspy voice asked.

Knockout snapped out of his thoughts and turned to look at the little seeker in his arms, a confused expression on his faceplates.

"Yes, Starscream?"

"Um, you're bending my wing-ow ow ow ow!" he yelped and squinted his optics, squirming in Knockout's grasp.

Knockout looked down and saw his digits were crushing Starscream's wings against his other arm. He gasped.

"Ack! Sorry, Scream!" he quickly adjusted his hold and lowered Starscream to the ground with gentle precision.

Starscream crawled out of Knockout's hold and slowly got to his peds, thin legs quaking ever so slightly as he stood. The silver seeker stretched out his arms and spread his wings out in a magnificent display.

"Ah, much better." He said flexing out his wings and clenching his claws.

Knockout relaxed at the seeker's calmer expression.

Hopefully today would be an easier trial than last night. He thought, remembering the brittle conditions of the previous day.

Knockout glanced up and watched as the grey seeker tested each leg, steadying his stance and letting his systems recover from the chilling night air that penetrated his fragile systems.

Knockout prayed to Primus that Starscream did not remember much of the night's events, the temperamental seeker would never trust Knockout again knowing that the red mech knew some of his deepest, darkest fears.

Starscream suddenly shot his helm up from looking at the ground and gazed across the morning sky, optics squinting, searching for something. The grey mech's wings twitched slightly in the breeze, sensors obviously at work. Knockout sent a questioning glance in the seeker's direction.

"Starscream? What's-"

"Shh."

Knockout was taken aback at Starscream's order for silence. He was about to respond when the seeker raised his servo, one digit raised symbolling the medic to wait.

After a few klicks, Starscream returned his ruby red gaze to Knockout a perplexed expression on his faceplates, wings lowering.

"What's wrong?" Knockout asked.

"I-I sense a change in the air pressure..." Starscream returned his gaze to the ground, thinking. "But...the day is so calm..." the seeker thought out loud.

"Why? What are you talking about, Scream?" Knockout was becoming worried. What did Starscream mean it was a nice day? What was wrong?

Starscream was silent for a few more moments before looking back at Knockout, expression distraught.

"A storm is coming."

Knockout couldn't have heard that correctly.

Another storm coming? Starscream sensors must be malfunctioning, the breeze soft and slow, morning sun shining over the calm rainforest, not even a cloud in the sky! What was the seeker thinking?

Starscream shifted nervously on his pedes, glancing up at the sky as if a hurricane was suddenly going to appear and destroy everything in sight.

Well...seeker sensors were usually never wrong.

Starscream spoke up, "We must hurry if we are going to keep searching for Soundwave."

Soundwave!

Knockout had completely forgotten about their lost friend! It had been at least three days since the last time they saw the silent mech after he had been swept away in the violent rapids of the flood. Was the surveillance officer even still online?

Well, this is Soundwave we're talking about. Knockout thought recalling just how tough the skinny, purple mech could be considering how long he lasted through the war. Soundwave was incredibly smart and strong, with instincts and abilities that the medic hoped would keep him alive in the jungle alone.

Knockout then realized he still had Soundwave's little drone, Lazerbeak, still in his subspace.

The red mech quickly opened the small compartment and took old of the little minicon. It seemed that Lazerbeak had fallen into recharge until Knockout pulled it out. The little drone onlined once again and chirped at the medic making him smile. At least Lazerbeak was safe, the medic thought, returning the little minicon to his subspace.

"You're right, Scream." Knockout said looking back at the seeker, "A storm got us into this mess in the first place! We should get a move on and get in as much searching as we can, then we should find some sort of shelter to wait out the storm, then we'll figure out what to do next." He explained, dusting off his filthy finish with a look of pure disgust.

Starscream placed his servos on his hips with a smirk on his faceplates, "Well, well, look at you, calling the shots now. If I didn't know better, I would have guessed you were the Commander in charge here." He said in his raspy, teasing tone, a mischievous glint in his optics.

Knockout rolled his optics with a smile. "What's the matter, Screamy? Jealous?"

"With me about to become leader of the Decepticons when we get back?" the seeker placed a servo to his chest plate dramatically, "Never." He smiled.

Knockout laughed and began to make his way into the forest to begin their search, "You keep telling yourself that, Lord Starscream."

Starscream snickered and followed alongside the medic. "I will become leader you know! I'll show everyone that I am a much better leader than Megatron. Just you wait, filthy finish!"

Knockout stopped in his tracks, "What. Did. You. Just. Call. Me?"

Starscream smirked again, "Filthy. Finish."

The seeker laughed at the fuming look on Knockout's face plates, clutching his side to contain his giggles.

Knockout seethed with anger at the seeker's amusement, but his scowl began to falter as he caught the sight of Starscream's genuine smile. He looked so happy. It was a bubbly smile that Knockout rarely got to see. It made the red mech's expression crack and he joined in to the seeker's laughs. The two mechs slowly began their walk once again, smiles splayed over each face plate.

~~~~~~

It seemed to Knockout that Starscream was right about that storm coming now.

The two Decepticons had been walking for about half the day now a large cover of clouds was beginning to roll in, accompanied by a stronger breeze than before.

Soon enough, the sun would be enveloped by the overcast and the cold would set in once again. Knockout dreaded to think of what would happen if they did not find shelter in time before the storm began.

Would history repeat itself?

So far, there had been no sign of the missing surveillance officer throughout they're whole search. Honestly, how big was this forest? It felt like they had searched the entire rainforest without a trace of their friend! If they couldn't find him in time, Knockout just hoped that Soundwave would find a place to wait out the storm before it hit, assuming he was still alive.

Knockout glanced over at his travel partner. Starscream had his servos on his hips and a tired expression on his faceplates. The silver seeker was obviously frustrated at the fact that Soundwave had disappeared over the face of the Earth without a trace.

Knockout watched Starscream's wings slump and the seeker sighed.

"Primus, where could that mech be?" Starscream mumbled to himself.

"There is literally no sign of his presence anywhere! Besides his little drone of course."

Knockout nodded and tapped his subspace. "He has to be here somewhere. I know for a fact that Soundwave would never leave this dangerous jungle without Lazerbeak."

"I suppose you're right, but that storm is rolling in," Starscream gestured toward the darkening sky, "and any clue of footprints or tracks that we could have found will be washed away."

Knockout hadn't thought of that! That storm could wipe out any leads to Soundwave's location in one fell swoop. Once those clues were gone, it was going to be nearly impossible to find the silent mech.

Knockout glanced up and saw Starscream fidgeting nervously, optics darting left and right, a frightened look on his faceplates.

The seeker suddenly reached up and gripped his helm with his sharp servos, scrunching his optics shut and taking short breaths. His frame shook and he let out a wail, sinking to the ground on his knees, helm in his palms.

Knockout gasped and ran to crouch beside him, worry filling his optics. He reached out to put his servo on Starscream's shoulder plating, feeling the ragged breaths and trembling under his arm. Starscream seemed truly frightened of something.

"Starscream! Starscream what's wrong? Does something hurt? Are you alright?"

The seeker gripped his helm tighter breathing fast, "N-no, no, no, th-this is all terrible." Starscream gasped out.

Knockout listened, "W-we're n-never going to f-find Soundwave, and w-when we return t-to the Nemesis empty h-handed, I-I will get p-punished, I j-just know it." The seeker trembled more.

Knockout gazed sadly at the frightened Air Commander as he continued, "I-I will g-get b-beaten in f-front of the whole c-crew! Knockout, I-I can't d-do that again! I just can't!" he wailed in despair.

"Hey, hey, Starscream, it's alright. We'll find Soundwave ok? We won't return emptyhanded, and you won't get punished." Knockout repulsed at the idea of this vulnerable and frightened mech getting beaten to a fraction of his life when the problem was not even his own fault.

"We just need to stick together, got it? We can work as a team to find him. It's gonna be ok, buddy, you can calm down now." Knockout gently rubbed Starscream's shoulder as the seeker slowly lifted his helm out of his hands. He looked up at Knockout with wide confused optics, his frame's trembling ceased.

"Buddy?" he asked.

"Oh," Knockout laughed, "It's just another word for friend."

Starscream looked surprised once again, just as he always did whenever Knockout referred to him as a friend. It made Knockout wonder whether anyone had ever called Starscream a friend besides himself.

How lonely. He thought.

Knockout sent Starscream a gentle smile as the seeker continued to stare at him, ruby red optics wide.

"Knockout-"

Starscream was interrupted when something moved in the bushes to their left. Both mechs turned in time to see a bright blue, circular light pointed straight at them, the small hum of a blaster charging up ringing in their audios.

Starscream reacted first.

"Blaster!" He squeaked, leaping to his pedes and shoving both him and Knockout to the side just as the blaster took a shot.

The shot missed them by and inch as Knockout slammed to the ground. They turned to see the Autobot Bulkhead charging out of his hiding place, blaster still poised at its targets. Starscream leaped up once again, claws flexed, and battle stance ready.

"Starscream." Bulkhead began, "What are you doing here?"

"Nothing you need to know, Autobot." Starscream hissed.

Bulkhead ran his optics over Starscream frame, the seeker's previous injuries from the last few days obviously not taken care of nor healed.

Knockout was crouched behind Starscream staring at the two mechs, waiting for their next move.

Bulkhead squinted his optics, "Listen, Scream, if you come quietly, I'll let you off without a fight. You don't exactly seem to be in the best condition for one."

Starscream cackled in his raspy, high pitched way, like a bot who had a million tricks up his sleeve. "Do not underestimate me, Autobot. However, I am in a bit of a hurry so how about instead we both go our separate ways without a fight and go about our daily business." Starscream said.

Bulkhead sighed, "Sorry, Scream, but if you're here for the taking, the easiest mech to crack," Starscream growled, "then I have to take that chance. So, are we gonna do this the easy way, or the hard way?"

Starscream raised his optics and fluttered his wings innocently, "Hmm, how about..." the seeker whipped around backward suddenly, raising his blaster arm and shooting into the trees opposite Bulkhead.

Knockout gasped when the Autobot Bumblebee leaped out of the foliage just as the shots hit, exploding behind the yellow bot. Bumblebee landed on his pedes, raising his blaster arms at Starscream. Starscream smirked.

"My way."

Starscream swerved around and leaped at Bulkhead. The green bot let out a yell as the smaller seeker landed on top of Bulkhead's shoulders, claws latching in place. The seeker flared his wings and swayed Bulkheads heavy frame back and forth, causing the large mech to lose balance while trying to shake the seeker of. Bulkhead fell backward onto the ground, Starscream leaped from his position and landed heavily on Bulkhead's chest plate earning a grunt from the large mech. The seeker raised his claws to swipe Bulkhead's face plate when Bumblebee ran forward, knocking Starscream off and tackling him to the ground.

Starscream hit his back and wings hard on the ground making him shout in pain as he and Bumblebee wrestled in the grass. The seeker squirmed under Bumblebee's weight, his thin frame unable to wrench itself free. Starscream narrowed his optics, looking straight into the yellow mech's optics and swung his heeled pedes at Bumblebee's frame, kicking his chest and sending the bot a few feet away crashing into the dust.

Starscream winced as he got back to his pedes, turning his helm to see Bulkhead charging at him, giant smashing sphere wider than Starscream's chest replaced his blasters.

Before Starscream could dodge, he swung his massive fist at the seeker, the sphere colliding with Starscream's side with the sound cracking metal, sending Starscream crashing into the rough terrain a few yards away.

Knockout had been watching the scene from where his frame was crouched on the ground. He winced as Starscream impacted with the ground and rolled of few more feet as he skidded to a stop.