Brothers
Chapter 15: Soundwave and Knock Out, Freedom

Knock Out and Soundwave held Starscream between them.

Once again, Megatron had brutally beaten their brother but this time he intended to kill him. He found out about Starscream's latest takeover attempt.

Soundwave blamed himself.

If he had stayed in Starscream's quarters, he would've never run into Megatron. The tyrant would've never remembered the shard Soundwave had was the warlord's original shard that Starscream had taken. He wouldn't have started digging around and he wouldn't have figured out about Starscream's encounter with the Autobots.

Now, Starscream was dying and his brothers could do nothing for him.

The Seeker had long since gone into emergency stasis-lock.

Soundwave stared at the Decepticon emblem on Starscream's chest. Three lines went over the emblem. It was Megatron's mark. It meant Starscream was no longer a Decepticon.

Soundwave and Knock Out may have intervened again and gotten Starscream away from Megatron. But now, even if they managed to save him, he wouldn't be welcome among the Decepticons.

Knock Out shook his head. He refused to let his brother die like this.

An idea suddenly struck him.

Starscream wasn't a Decepticon anymore.

And he knew a certain bot who wouldn't allow any living being to just die. No matter who they were.

"Soundwave," Knock Out began, "I'm going to need your help if we're going to save Starscream."

The spy looked at the medic. He didn't need to see his face to know his optics were asking, "What do you need me to do?"

"I need you to find a way to contact our Autobot friends."

XXX

It was no easy feat contacting the Autobots. Just like it wasn't easy to both keep Starscream stable and hidden from Megatron.

But the two brothers managed.

The face of the Autobot medic appeared on Soundwave's faceplate as he finally made contact with the Autobots.

"What in the name of-How'd you get this frequency?" the Autobot known as Ratchet exclaimed.

Knock Out raised his hand and quickly spoke, "Please, hear me out. I need to speak with your Prime."

"What do you have to say to Optimus that's so important?"

"I need his help desperately."

"And why should we help you?"

"Because if you don't someone will die because you didn't help them." No need to mention that the being they would be helping was Starscream just yet.

Almost immediately, Ratchet's visage was replaced with Optimus'. "Speak quickly Knock Out," the Autobot leader instructed.

"All you need to know is that Megatron has kicked a bot from the Decepticon ranks and is now trying to kill him. Prime, I beg of you to help."

Optimus contemplated his words then stated, "This could be a trap, Knock Out."

"Then bring all your Autobots, choose the meeting place so you have the advantage. I'll do whatever you ask, just please help us."

Knock Out was desperate. Optimus could see it in his face and optics. And it seemed to be enough to convince the Prime.

"Meet me and my Autobots here in one hour Knock Out. We will take the mech in."

Knock Out let out a relieved sigh and nodded.

Soundwave's faceplate went blank and coordinates began to appear instead. Knock Out couldn't help the sad smile on his face. He had saved his brother. But now they had to say good-bye for a while.

XXX

Soundwave held Starscream in his arms as they waited for the Autobots to show. They didn't have to wait long.

A ground-bridge appeared before them and Prime and three of his Autobots walked through it. The one called Arcee looked at Starscream and sneered. "He didn't say we were taking in Starscream of all bots."

Optimus looked down at her and said, "Even so, we will still take him back with us."

The Prime stepped toward the two then held out his arms, ready to relieve Soundwave of his burden.

Soundwave walked toward the Prime and stood before him. He looked down at his brother one last time.

"Good-bye brother."

"Good-bye middle brother."

The two said their last good-byes before Soundwave carefully handed his sibling to the Prime. Optimus handled the Seeker gingerly and held him close to his chest.

Soundwave sighed silently and watched the Prime as he turned and walked toward the still open ground-bridge.

A single tear fell from his optic behind his faceplate as the group of Autobots disappeared with his brother. He looked to the ground then back at Knock Out who made no secret of how much he hurt. Tears flowed freely down the automobile's face and he tried futilely to wipe them away.

Soundwave looked back in the direction that the Autobots had disappeared.

He felt his spark warm a little at his next thought. He had given at least one of his brothers a chance at freedom. Soon enough, he and Knock Out would join him.

They would be brothers again...

He had no idea that he just handed Starscream to the Seeker's future mate.

Hey guys. This is the last chapter of this story. But, those of you who have read the fourth chapter of my OPXSS series of one-shots will know what's coming up next. I had fun writing this story. It may have been short, but it gave me a chance to try a little something new. Speaking of new things, I'll be trying to post two new stories today. The first one is a TFA story that I started at the beginning this year. The second is an experiment of sorts. I've been watching video clips about and playing a video game called Darksiders. Well, I found a clip that showed the ending. Quickly deciding I didn't like it, I got my notebook and began making an alternate ending. So, as soon as I finish up a few things you guys will be seeing two new stories from me. Also, one more thing I want to say. I'm trying to get into a bording school, it's called the MS School of the Arts. But in order to go, I have to write orginal stories and one-shots. So, I might be taking a little longer to update. Sorry. Thanks to all the people who read this story. I hope you enjoyed it. See yall later! :)