Before the Nemesis

Before being assigned to the Nemesis ranks, 43 was stationed on a drone storage ship. This was nothing unusual, but this particular ship seemed to have been forgotten by Megatron. They were abandoned, cut off from the rest of the Decepticons. Normally these ships were used for transport of ranks, but somewhere along the line, this was just an island unto itself. The drones allowed themselves, after a short life of servitude, to relax and enjoy life for once. Even with his loosened surroundings, the young 43 was still a quiet mech. He laughed and was quite social, and was known to have quite a snappy mouth, but for the most part, he enjoyed observing more than partaking. He enjoyed being in the company of his peers. Especially in the company of another drone named 75.

75 and 43 were bunkmates from day one on this transport and 75's lively nature perfectly balanced 43's reserve. 43 developed what even he could call a 'crush' on 75, finding fascination in how confident and socially able he was.

Life, for a time, was perfect. They were just like any other mechs. No duties, no reservations; just mechs who were allowed to enjoy one another. It was, simply put, a paradise, where they felt freedom for the first time. Relationships were forged, both friendly and romantic. The Eradicons and Vehicons integrated, having been previously holding a rivalry, and there was virtually no conflict. 43 and 75 got closer, and have been known to exchange friendly pecks on the cheekplating when there was a little highgrade in 43's system.

43 was happy...

Until they realized they were not forgotten.

One day, a Decepticon officer named Shockwave was assigned to train them.

Confusion, disappointment, and some relief filled the halls like wildfire when news of an Officer's arrival reached their "command center". Shockwave appeared to be in mean spirits from the start. He did not like the drones; saw them as cannon fodder and slaves, and nothing more.  

When Shockwave corralled them all up, and announced why he was here, 43 found this unsurprising. He was agreeable with Shockwave's protocols. He knew what they were, and was willing to start taking orders again.

However...75 was not.

75 mocked Shockwave over the next weeks, having long forgotten his "proper" place, and refused to follow orders whenever he could. He even went so far as to discourage other Eradicons from following orders.
43 was the last on board to fall through 75's example, and despite advising his friend that his actions would get them in trouble, his bunkmate only gave him that pit-forsaken smile and for the first time their lips touched. "Live a little," he had said.

Starstruck and brave, he took the chance...

One shift, 43 was assigned to record Shockwave's experiment results. This was a normal job for him and he did know that he didn't want to mislead Shockwave by giving him false information or just no information, he took vague notes and lazy numbers.

Shockwave was furious when he found 43's work, which had always been so thorough, was less than satisfactory. He concluded that this 75 whom had roused up rebellion in these lowly Eradicon ranks, had broken every drone, even those as obedient and efficient as 43 had been. These drones were faulty. And there was no logic to having faulty drones work under Megatron's great hand.

So Shockwave had no qualms over finally reacting to this disobedience.

One evening some six months after his initial arrival, the scientist called the drones into the main recreational room. One by one, Shockwave called them out of the room and into a smaller side room that was actually often used as a place where lovers could go to be overcharged and away from prying optics. However... once a drone went through the doors into the back room, they didn't come out.

As the crowd grew smaller, whispers of processing, interview, and execution passed through the ranks. After the tenth name was called, a pattern emerged; they were being called by bunk assignment. Tension rose in the room after this pattern was deciphered and the next drone knew when he was being called.

Soon, only 43's wingmates remained in the room. 75's clawed hand settled on 43's knee. "It's alright. We'll be alright." He tried to soothe. He smiled again...

Then...only he and 75 were left. Shockwave emerged from the back room. When 43 went to stand up out of respect, 75 held his arm and shook his head. An echo; 'Live a little.' He sat again.

Shockwave was standing in front of them without a word. His single red optic glowed and reflected off of their armor. They stared at him.

Then the scientist reached forward and grabbed 75's neck, hauling him off of the lounger and pulling him off of his peds, squeezing the mech's neck cables until energon poured from a choking vocalizer. He dropped him as 43 watched, too horrified to move or speak. He watched as Shockwave started tearing the staggering, gagging mech apart. Arms were torn off at the shoulder, chassis armor was shredded, legs were ripped off with squelches and sickening cracks, his head was decapitated, face mutilated.

43 watched too terrified to scream as Shockwave destroyed his friend.

And soon, 75 was nothing more than a pile of energon-soaked scrap metal.

Shockwave turned his attention to 43, that emotionless optic scanning over him.

And 43 immediately fell to the floor, bowing and begging for his life through broken sobs.

Shockwave left the room.

When 43 heard his heavy footfalls leave audioshot, he managed to stagger to the back room, and open the door.

His optics widened and he lurched as his tanks emptied at the sight of his friends, in the same state as 75. He ran out into the hall, dizzy as he was strangled by his fear. He needed to call help. Report Shockwave or…something. Something.

He ran to the communications wing, just down the hall, only to hear, just beyond the open entryway, Shockwave reporting the incident already.

"There was an uprising. A defective drone, designation 75, killed them all."

43 listened, not knowing who was on the other side of the console.

Shockwave continued. "One survived. "

Still, no voice came through from the console before Shockwave answered again. "Understood."

There was a low whirr as the console cut the transmission and before 43 could run off, he was standing in front of Shockwave. The large red optic lit up his purple frame and reflected off of his terrified ebony faceplates.

"I saved you, designation 43." He spoke, 43's chassis running icy cold. His spark chilled like the vacuum of space. "That drone was a threat to your potential. It was defective. It is the one who did that to your friends. Not me." He spoke as if it were true...as if 75 had killed them...Not Shockwave.

"Do you understand, drone?"

"Yes sir."

"You will be assigned to the ranks under Lord Megatron's command on the Nemesis." He replied, emotionless. "Do you understand, drone?"

"Yes sir."

"Good. Now go." The scientist snarled, shoving 43 to the side roughly.

43 nodded, coolant rolling down his faceplates as he walked briskly to the transport pods.