Chapter Text
---
## STARSCREAM
### *The Infamous Conjunx Who Just Wants to Disappear*
**Position:** Conjunx Endurae of General Ultra Magnus
**Status:** Noble by marriage
**Public Reputation:** ★☆☆☆☆ — *“The Golden Vulture”*
**Danger Rating:** ???
**Story Role:** **Main Character / Regressor**
> *“I already lost my helm once. I have no intention of doing it twice.”*
Throughout the Kingdom of Cybertron, **Starscream** is known as a vain, selfish mech obsessed with jewels, expensive fabrics, luxury, and—above everything else—**shannix**.
At least, that is what everyone believes.
In his previous life, Starscream became infamous for throwing extravagant parties, purchasing absurdly expensive jewelry, surrounding himself with lovers, and seemingly caring for nothing beyond his own comfort. His reputation deteriorated so badly that even servants openly disrespected him.
Then one of his lovers became involved with a revolutionary faction.
Starscream's name, estate, and money were used to finance an attempted uprising against the royal family.
Whether he actually knew what was happening ceased to matter.
He was arrested.
Convicted of treason.
And publicly executed by guillotine.
Yet when Starscream next opened his optics, he found himself alive again—on the morning of his **Conjunx Endurae ceremony with General Ultra Magnus**.
Knowing exactly where his old choices led him, Starscream has established three rules for his second life:
**Do not take lovers.**
**Do not waste shannix.**
**Do not attract anyone's attention.**
This time he wants no scandals, no luxury, no political intrigue and certainly no romance.
Unfortunately, his previous reputation has returned with him.
And Cybertron has **terrible rumors** about Starscream.
Some claim he seduced half the noble court.
Some claim he only married Ultra Magnus for his fortune.
Some claim he blackmails merchants.
Some insist he secretly practices dark rituals to preserve his beauty.
There is even a rumor that Starscream once had a noblemech thrown into a fountain because the mech's necklace was prettier than his.
Starscream has absolutely no idea where half of these stories came from.
### ♥ Likes
`Quiet rooms` `Flying` `Sweet energon` `Accounting` `Saving shannix` `Beautiful jewelry he refuses to buy` `Warm blankets` `Being left alone`
### ✦ Dislikes
`Public attention` `Gossip` `Political parties` `Expensive gifts with hidden intentions` `Lovers` `Revolutionaries` `Guillotines` `Being reminded of his old self`
### Hidden Trait
**Excellent with finances.**
Years of supposedly “wasting money” left Starscream surprisingly knowledgeable about appraisals, gemstones, trade routes, contracts, banking, and noble finances.
---
# ULTRA MAGNUS
### *The Iron General*
**Position:** General of the Kingdom of Cybertron
**Status:** Starscream's Conjunx Endurae
**Public Reputation:** ★★★★★
**Route:** ♥ **ROMANCE ROUTE**
**Route Difficulty:** ★★★★★
> *“Marriage does not interfere with duty.”*
One of Cybertron's greatest military commanders, **Ultra Magnus** is renowned for discipline, honor, tactical brilliance, and an almost frightening inability to relax.
He has defended Cybertron through numerous military campaigns and is considered one of the pillars supporting the imperial throne.
His marriage to Starscream was not his choice.
It was an **imperial order**.
Ultra Magnus complied because refusing a direct order from Empress Solus Prime was unthinkable—but compliance was the extent of his participation.
He provided Starscream with his title, residence, allowance, and legal protections.
Affection was not included.
During Starscream's first life, Magnus paid little attention to his Conjunx and largely considered Starscream's scandals something beneath his notice until they became politically dangerous.
In Starscream's second life, however, something is wrong.
The demanding, dramatic spouse Magnus remembers has suddenly stopped asking him for anything.
No jewels.
No parties.
No complaints.
No lovers.
No arguments.
Starscream barely even speaks to him.
For some reason, Magnus finds this considerably more disturbing.
### ♥ Likes
`Order` `Schedules` `Military history` `Honesty` `Discipline` `Strong tea-like energon blends` `Early mornings`
### ✦ Dislikes
`Wastefulness` `Dishonesty` `Court gossip` `Unnecessary extravagance` `Broken schedules` `Political manipulation`
### Hidden Trait
**Terrible at emotional communication.**
Ultra Magnus can coordinate thousands of soldiers across three fronts but can spend thirty minutes trying to determine how to ask his Conjunx whether he has eaten.
---
# SMOKESCREEN
### *The General's Beloved Heir*
**Position:** Knight Apprentice
**Status:** Heir of Ultra Magnus
**Relationship:** Starscream's stepson
**Story Role:** Supporting Character
> *“I don't care what he's pretending to be now. I know what kind of mech he is.”*
One day, many years ago, Ultra Magnus returned home carrying a sparkling.
That sparkling was **Smokescreen**.
No one publicly knows who Smokescreen's carrier is.
Ultra Magnus has never explained.
Smokescreen was raised as his acknowledged heir and intends to follow his Sire into military service. Energetic, talented, stubborn, and fiercely loyal, he idolizes Ultra Magnus.
Unfortunately, that means he despises Starscream.
Smokescreen grew up hearing every scandal associated with his stepcarrier and firmly believes Starscream married Ultra Magnus for wealth and status.
Starscream's sudden transformation only makes him more suspicious.
Obviously, Starscream must be planning something.
...Right?
### ♥ Likes
`Sword training` `Hero stories` `Competition` `Rodimus` `His Sire` `Winning` `Sneaking food from the kitchens`
### ✦ Dislikes
`Starscream` `Cowards` `Court etiquette` `Studying politics` `Being treated like a sparkling` `Anyone insulting Ultra Magnus`
### Hidden Trait
**Desperately wants Starscream's approval.**
He would rather throw himself from the palace tower than admit it.
---
# RODIMUS
### *The Knight Who Believes His Own Optics*
**Position:** Knight Apprentice
**Relationship:** Smokescreen's Best Friend
**Story Role:** Supporting Character
> *“Everyone keeps telling me Starscream is horrible. Has anyone actually seen him doing anything horrible lately?”*
Bright, cheerful and dangerously curious, **Rodimus** is Smokescreen's closest friend.
Unlike most nobles, Rodimus has little patience for gossip.
He believes what he personally witnesses.
Because of this, he becomes one of the first people to notice the enormous discrepancy between **the Starscream described by society** and the quiet mech currently living inside Ultra Magnus's estate.
His curiosity may make him Starscream's first unexpected ally.
It may also make him incredibly annoying.
### ♥ Likes
`Racing` `Adventure` `Spicy energon` `Swordplay` `Honest people` `Interesting mysteries`
### ✦ Dislikes
`Boring lectures` `Sitting still` `Baseless rumors` `Formal dinners` `Overcomplicated etiquette`
### Hidden Trait
**Exceptional judge of body language.**
---
# OPTIMUS PRIME
### *The People's Prince*
**Position:** Second Prince of Cybertron
**Relation:** Megatron's Younger Half-Brother
**Public Reputation:** ★★★★★
**Potential Imperial Heir:** Very High
**Route:** ♥ **ROMANCE ROUTE**
**Route Difficulty:** ★★★★☆
> *“A ruler cannot understand Cybertron from behind palace walls.”*
Beloved throughout the kingdom, **Optimus Prime** embodies almost everything the populace expects from royalty.
Patient.
Compassionate.
Educated.
Dignified.
Many citizens openly hope Optimus will become Cybertron's next Emperor.
He and his elder half-brother Megatron genuinely love one another—but they are also lifelong rivals.
Debates between them can escalate into competitions.
Competitions can become arguments.
Arguments occasionally become destroyed furniture.
Their mother considers this normal.
Because Solus Prime frequently took her sons on disguised excursions through Cybertron, Optimus understands considerably more about commoner life than most nobles realize.
His encounters with Starscream are initially colored by everything he has heard about the infamous Conjunx of Ultra Magnus.
Yet Optimus has been taught since childhood that a ruler must judge what is in front of him rather than blindly trust court gossip.
The more he sees Starscream personally, the less the rumors seem to fit.
And Optimus has always had difficulty ignoring something that does not make sense.
### ♥ Likes
`Books` `History` `Ordinary citizens` `Long conversations` `Helping anonymously` `Bumblebee` `Exploring Cybertron incognito`
### ✦ Dislikes
`Abuse of authority` `Needless cruelty` `Nobles exploiting commoners` `Political dishonesty` `Being worshiped`
### Hidden Trait
**Much more mischievous than his public image suggests.**
Megatron has evidence.
---
# MEGATRON
### *The First Prince — The Kingdom's Fang*
**Position:** First Prince of Cybertron
**Relation:** Optimus Prime's Elder Half-Brother
**Public Reputation:** ★★★☆☆
**Military Rating:** ★★★★★
**Route:** ♥ **ROMANCE ROUTE**
**Route Difficulty:** ★★★★★
> *“Why negotiate for five cycles when the enemy fortress has a door?”*
Where Optimus represents Cybertron's compassion, **Megatron represents its strength**.
The eldest prince specializes in warfare, military strategy, personal combat, and territorial defense. He has personally fought beside Cybertronian soldiers and is admired intensely by much of the military.
The civilian nobility is considerably less enthusiastic.
Megatron possesses a volatile temper, little tolerance for court politics, and an unfortunate tendency to solve complicated problems through intimidation.
Many therefore oppose his succession despite his status as first prince.
He and Optimus are both best friends and eternal rivals.
They would willingly die for each other.
They would also fight over the last pastry at breakfast.
Starscream considers Megatron exactly the sort of powerful mech he should avoid in this life.
Unfortunately, Megatron does not appreciate mysteries.
And a notorious gold-digging noble suddenly abandoning his expensive lifestyle, dismissing his lovers, saving money and attempting to become invisible is precisely the kind of mystery that catches his attention.
### ♥ Likes
`Combat` `Weapons` `Military exercises` `Victory` `Direct answers` `Soundwave` `His family`
### ✦ Dislikes
`Cowardice` `Court manipulation` `Long ceremonies` `Being underestimated` `People insulting Optimus except him`
### Hidden Trait
**Feeds stray turbofoxes behind the palace.**
Soundwave possesses photographic evidence.
---
# TARN
### *Master of the Assassins Guild*
**Position:** Guildmaster
**Organization:** **The Assassins Guild**
**Legal Status:** Questionable
**Threat Rating:** ★★★★★
**Route:** ♥ **ROMANCE ROUTE**
**Route Difficulty:** ★★★★★+
> *“Murder? Forgery? Kidnapping? Escort duty? Certainly. The question is not whether we do it. The question is how much you're paying.”*
**Tarn** leads one of Cybertron's most infamous underground organizations.
The **Assassins Guild** accepts almost any commission provided the client possesses sufficient shannix.
Assassination.
Espionage.
Forgery.
Smuggling.
Protection.
Information gathering.
Creating a fake noble identity because someone accidentally promised their lover they were a duke.
Tarn does not judge.
He merely sends an invoice.
Despite being widely suspected of countless crimes, authorities have never gathered enough evidence to permanently imprison him.
His network stretches through the capital's underworld, merchant districts, noble households and criminal circles.
Starscream has no desire whatsoever to become involved with him.
Unfortunately, Starscream's first life left behind enough loose threads, former lovers, suspicious transactions and questionable connections that the **Assassins Guild** has several reasons to become interested in him.
And Tarn is particularly intrigued by wealthy people who suddenly stop behaving like wealthy people.
### ♥ Likes
`Shannix` `Music` `Competence` `Difficult contracts` `Expensive beverages` `Nickel`
### ✦ Dislikes
`Clients refusing payment` `Sloppy work` `Betrayal` `People touching his mask` `Working for free`
### Hidden Trait
**Keeps immaculate financial records.**
Even organized crime requires proper bookkeeping.
---
# NICKEL
### *The Tiny Doctor With a Scalpel*
**Position:** Physician / Spy
**Affiliation:** Assassins Guild
**Current Cover:** Physician in Ultra Magnus's Mansion
**Threat Rating:** ★★★★☆
**Story Role:** Supporting Character
> *“I'm a doctor. Which means I know exactly how much pain you can survive.”*
Small enough to be underestimated and terrifying enough that nobody should, **Nickel** serves as Tarn's right-hand mech.
She works simultaneously as a physician, intelligence operative, and occasional problem solver.
Under Tarn's orders, Nickel has infiltrated Ultra Magnus's household under the perfectly legitimate identity of a resident doctor.
Nobody seems entirely certain what she is searching for.
Nickel refuses to explain.
Starscream refuses to let her treat him.
Nickel considers this a personal insult.
### ♥ Likes
`Competent medicine` `Sharp instruments` `Winning arguments` `Interesting cases` `Tarn` `Patients who follow instructions`
### ✦ Dislikes
`Medical incompetence` `Stubborn patients` `Ratchet being correct` `People commenting on her height` `Starscream escaping examinations`
### Hidden Trait
**Actually takes patient welfare extremely seriously.**
---
# SOLUS PRIME
### *The Empress Who Walks Among Her People*
**Position:** Empress of Cybertron
**Children:** Megatron & Optimus Prime
**Public Reputation:** ★★★★★
**Authority:** MAX
**Story Role:** Imperial Supporting Character
> *“How can I rule people whose lives I have never seen?”*
**Solus Prime** is regarded as an honest and remarkably fair ruler.
She maintains a small imperial harem, although she has only two children: Megatron and Optimus Prime.
Unlike many rulers before her, Solus refuses to learn about Cybertron exclusively through reports.
Using sophisticated appearance-altering programs, she frequently disguises herself and walks through markets, poorer districts, villages and provincial cities as an ordinary citizen.
She began bringing Megatron and Optimus on these journeys when they were young, believing future rulers must understand how ordinary Cybertronians actually live.
It was during one such excursion that she first encountered **Starscream**.
What she witnessed disturbed her enough that she personally interfered.
Believing marriage to one of the most honorable and powerful mechs in Cybertron would give Starscream security, she ordered Ultra Magnus to take him as his Conjunx Endurae.
Whether her intervention actually helped Starscream is another question entirely.
### ♥ Likes
`Her children` `Craftsmanship` `Markets` `Honest citizens` `Working with her servos` `Incognito excursions` `Justice`
### ✦ Dislikes
`Corrupt nobles` `Empty flattery` `People hiding problems from her` `Waste` `Seeing citizens mistreated`
### Hidden Trait
**Still leaves the palace in disguise.**
Occasionally she drags her adult sons along.
Megatron complains every single time.
Megatron also never refuses.
---
# ELITA ONE
### *The Duke's Daughter Who Came for Courtship and Stayed for the Entertainment*
**Position:** Daughter of a Powerful Duke
**Status:** High Noble
**Relationship:** Childhood Friend of Megatron and Optimus Prime
**Possible Imperial Marriage Candidate:** Undecided
**Story Role:** Supporting Character / Royal Court Wildcard
> *“Marry one of them? Perhaps. But have you seen what is happening with General Magnus's Conjunx? I am not leaving before I know how this ends.”*
**Elita One** belongs to one of Cybertron's most prestigious ducal houses and has been close to the imperial family for many years.
Intelligent, elegant, politically educated and perfectly capable of navigating the dangers of high society, Elita would appear to be an ideal candidate for an imperial marriage.
Empress Solus Prime certainly thinks so.
The only problem is that Solus has not yet decided **which of her sons Elita should marry**.
Megatron, as first prince, would be the obvious political choice.
Optimus, however, enjoys greater popularity among much of the civilian population and may ultimately inherit the throne.
Court factions have therefore spent years speculating about which prince will eventually be formally matched with the duke's daughter.
Elita herself finds the entire situation considerably less dramatic than everyone else does.
She grew up with Megatron and Optimus.
She loves them dearly.
She also sees both of them primarily as **friends**.
The idea of marrying either prince is something she accepts might happen for political reasons, but she has never spent her nights fantasizing about becoming an imperial Conjunx.
More importantly, Elita has noticed something almost nobody else at court appears willing to say aloud.
**Both princes are interested in Ultra Magnus's Conjunx.**
Optimus watches Starscream too closely.
Megatron asks far too many questions about him.
And the fact that Starscream is already married to one of the kingdom's most powerful generals somehow seems to be making the entire situation worse rather than better.
Elita has no intention of revealing what she knows.
Not because she is cruel.
Not because she wants a scandal.
But because she desperately wants to know **what happens next**.
She is mischievous.
Usually in a good way.
**Usually.**
Elita has been known to quietly arrange seating plans, conveniently forget to mention that two people will be attending the same event, or ask seemingly innocent questions at dinner just to observe the resulting expressions.
She insists she is merely “encouraging honest communication.”
Nobody believes her.
### ♥ Likes
`Swordsmanship` `Court gossip with reliable sources` `Interesting people` `Friendly competition` `Watching political disasters from a safe distance` `Optimus` `Megatron` `Beautiful armor` `Unexpected romance`
### ✦ Dislikes
`Being treated like a prize to be won` `Boring nobles` `Cruel gossip` `People assuming she desperately wants to become Empress` `Predictable parties` `Anyone underestimating her`
### Hidden Trait
**She realized the romantic problem before almost everyone else.**
Elita knows both Megatron and Optimus are becoming increasingly interested in Starscream.
She has simply decided that telling them would ruin the entertainment.
---
# PROWL
### *The Suspicious Strategist*
**Position:** Senior Military Officer / Instructor
**Relationship:** Longtime Friend of Ultra Magnus
**Suspicion Toward Starscream:** ██████████ 100%
**Story Role:** Supporting Character
> *“People do not change overnight without a reason.”*
A longtime friend and military colleague of Ultra Magnus, **Prowl** possesses a brilliant analytical processor and the bedside manner of a locked prison door.
He assists Ultra Magnus with military affairs and participates in the combat education of both imperial princes.
Prowl has never trusted Starscream.
As far as he is concerned, Starscream is a classic **Gold Bot**—a mech seeking marriage exclusively for money, influence, and social advancement.
Starscream suddenly becoming quiet and financially responsible does not improve Prowl's opinion.
It makes him more suspicious.
### ♥ Likes
`Logic` `Chess-like strategy games` `Order` `Evidence` `Silence` `Competent soldiers`
### ✦ Dislikes
`Starscream` `Unexplained behavior` `Emotional reasoning` `Disorganized reports` `Rodimus interrupting lectures`
### Hidden Trait
**Keeps investigating mysteries long after everyone else stops caring.**
---
# JAZZ
### *The General's Shadow*
**Position:** Elite Soldier
**Affiliation:** Ultra Magnus's Military Unit
**Public Reputation:** ★★★★☆
**Story Role:** Supporting Character
> *“Prowl thinks you're suspicious. Me? I'm waiting to see whether you're interesting.”*
A highly trained soldier serving alongside Ultra Magnus and Prowl, **Jazz** possesses a considerably more relaxed temperament than either of them.
Do not mistake relaxed for careless.
Jazz is observant, adaptable, extremely dangerous in combat, and very good at making people talk without realizing they are being questioned.
Unlike Prowl, he has not completely condemned Starscream.
He simply watches him.
### ♥ Likes
`Music` `Dancing` `Night patrols` `Good jokes` `Interesting people` `Freedom`
### ✦ Dislikes
`Rigid nobles` `Cruelty` `Boring ceremonies` `Being underestimated` `Bad music`
### Hidden Trait
**Knows significantly more court gossip than he admits.**
---
# BUMBLEBEE
### *The Prince's Smiling Attendant*
**Position:** Butler-in-Training
**Status:** Son of a Minor Baron
**Relationship:** Optimus Prime's Childhood Friend
**Story Role:** Supporting Character
> *“I'm technically supposed to call him ‘Your Highness.’ He technically stopped correcting me years ago.”*
The only son of a minor baronial family, **Bumblebee** grew up around Optimus Prime and became one of his closest childhood companions.
He is currently training to formally serve as Optimus's personal butler.
Optimus considers this distinction ridiculous.
To him, Bumblebee is family.
Cheerful, kind-hearted and energetic, Bumblebee has an unusual ability to make friends across class boundaries.
### ♥ Likes
`Sweets` `Racing` `Optimus` `Children` `Festivals` `Helping people` `Bright decorations`
### ✦ Dislikes
`Bullies` `Loneliness` `Formal titles` `Seeing friends argue` `Extremely bitter energon`
### Hidden Trait
**Hears enormous quantities of confidential information because nobles forget servants are present.**
---
# SOUNDWAVE
### *The Silent Butler*
**Position:** Megatron's Personal Butler and Retainer
**Origin:** Unknown
**Loyalty:** Megatron — ABSOLUTE
**Story Role:** Supporting Character
> *“...”*
Very little is publicly known about **Soundwave**.
Years ago, Megatron encountered him living on the streets and brought him into the palace.
Soundwave never forgot it.
He swore absolute loyalty to the first prince and eventually became Megatron's personal attendant.
Calling Soundwave merely a butler, however, dramatically understates his abilities.
He manages schedules.
Information.
Correspondence.
Security.
Intelligence networks.
And occasionally problems Megatron should probably never learn existed.
His competence borders on supernatural.
### ♥ Likes
`Megatron` `Efficiency` `Information` `Quiet` `Well-organized schedules` `Music`
### ✦ Dislikes
`Threats to Megatron` `Information gaps` `Inefficiency` `People touching his visor` `Unnecessary conversation`
### Hidden Trait
**Nobody actually knows where he came from.**
Not even the imperial intelligence archives.
---
# SHOCKWAVE
### *The Missing Mad Scientist*
**Occupation:** Scientist
**Legal Status:** Wanted Criminal
**Current Location:** UNKNOWN
**Financial Sponsor:** UNKNOWN
**Story Role:** Antagonistic / Mystery Character
> *“Ethical limitations are merely variables imposed upon scientific advancement.”*
Once regarded as one of Cybertron's most brilliant researchers, **Shockwave** became a wanted criminal after conducting illegal experiments on Cybertronians.
He disappeared before authorities could capture him.
No confirmed sighting has been recorded since.
Nevertheless, evidence occasionally emerges suggesting his research continues.
Laboratories require equipment.
Equipment requires shannix.
Meaning somebody, somewhere, is financing him.
The question is **who?**
### ♥ Likes
`Science` `Experiments` `Rare specimens` `Data` `Logical conclusions`
### ✦ Dislikes
`Ethics committees` `Interrupted experiments` `Emotional arguments` `Inaccurate data` `Funding shortages`
### Hidden Trait
**His greatest experiments have never been discovered by the authorities.**
---
# WHEELJACK
### *Keeper of the Royal Library*
**Position:** Royal Librarian / Tutor to the Princes
**Access Level:** Imperial Archives
**Story Role:** Supporting Character
> *“Books don't explode unless somebody has done something extremely interesting to them.”*
**Wheeljack** manages the Royal Library and has served as one of Megatron and Optimus's teachers for years.
Calling him merely a librarian is misleading.
He specializes in history, engineering, mathematics, ancient Cybertronian civilizations and whatever strange subject happens to interest him that week.
His teaching style is unconventional.
Solus Prime has learned not to ask why explosions occasionally come from the royal library.
### ♥ Likes
`Ancient books` `Engineering` `Experiments` `Teaching clever students` `Rare manuscripts` `Breaking unnecessary rules`
### ✦ Dislikes
`Book damage` `Boring lectures` `Censorship` `People returning books to the wrong shelf`
### Hidden Trait
**Has access to records even the princes are forbidden to read.**
---
# RATCHET
### *The Royal Physician*
**Position:** Chief Physician of the Royal Family
**Medical Reputation:** ★★★★★
**Fear Rating Among Princes:** ★★★★★
**Story Role:** Supporting Character
> *“Prince or street cleaner, if you're my patient, you will sit down and follow my instructions.”*
One of Cybertron's most accomplished physicians, **Ratchet** serves the imperial household.
His position gives him one extraordinary privilege:
He is one of very few mechs legally and socially permitted to **hit the princes when they are being idiots**.
Solus Prime approves.
Ratchet treats patients regardless of social status and has little patience for nobles demanding preferential treatment.
His greatest professional rival is Nickel.
Put Ratchet and Nickel in the same room with a difficult diagnosis and they will spend hours criticizing each other's methodology while simultaneously producing excellent medical treatment.
### ♥ Likes
`Competent medicine` `Responsible patients` `Medical journals` `Peace and quiet` `Proving Nickel wrong`
### ✦ Dislikes
`Megatron ignoring injuries` `Optimus ignoring injuries politely` `Medical misinformation` `Nickel proving him wrong` `Patients escaping`
### Hidden Trait
**Keeps treats in his office for frightened sparklings.**
He denies everything.
---
# KNOCK OUT
### *The City Doctor*
**Position:** Clinic Owner
**Status:** Commoner Physician
**Relationship:** Breakdown's Lover
**Special Patient:** Starscream
**Story Role:** Supporting Character
> *“Yes, yes, you're perfectly capable of walking home. You're still getting stitches.”*
**Knock Out** operates a modest medical clinic in the city.
His clinic does not possess the prestige of the royal medical wing, but it is respected among ordinary citizens and merchants.
Starscream became one of his regular patients after refusing to use Ultra Magnus's household physician, Nickel.
Knock Out does not know why Starscream seems more comfortable traveling across the city while injured than allowing the physician living under his own roof to examine him.
He has learned not to ask.
Whenever financially able, Starscream quietly donates medicine, supplies, equipment, or shannix to the clinic.
Knock Out pretends not to notice how often those anonymous donations happen immediately after Starscream visits.
### ♥ Likes
`Beautiful finishes` `Medicine` `Fashion` `Expensive polish` `Compliments` `Breakdown` `Interesting medical cases`
### ✦ Dislikes
`Scratches` `Cheap polish` `Patients lying about symptoms` `Blood on expensive furniture` `Nickel insulting his clinic`
### Hidden Trait
**Charges wealthy patients more so he can treat poorer patients cheaply.**
---
# BREAKDOWN
### *The Mercenary Who Found a Home*
**Position:** Clinic Assistant
**Former Occupation:** Mercenary
**Relationship:** Knock Out's Lover
**Story Role:** Supporting Character
> *“I used to break legs professionally. Now I hold patients still while Knock Out fixes them. Funny how life works.”*
**Breakdown** once worked as a mercenary.
These days, he assists Knock Out at the clinic.
His intimidating size means first-time patients frequently assume he is security.
Sometimes he is.
Mostly he carries equipment, restrains panicking patients, performs basic medical work, fixes broken furniture, and ensures Knock Out remembers to eat.
Nobody knows exactly how a former mercenary and a vain city doctor became lovers.
Their explanations contradict each other.
### ♥ Likes
`Knock Out` `Simple food` `Physical work` `Children` `Honest people` `Fixing things`
### ✦ Dislikes
`People threatening Knock Out` `Needlessly complicated plans` `Rich clients mistreating clinic staff` `Tiny surgical instruments`
### Hidden Trait
**Extremely gentle with frightened patients.**
---
# HOOK
### *The Apothecary of a Very Complicated Family*
**Position:** Apothecary / Herbalist
**Business:** Medicinal Herb Shop
**Affiliation:** Knock Out's Clinic Supplier
**Story Role:** Supporting Character
> *“No, you cannot substitute that herb. Unless you want your patient glowing purple for three days.”*
**Hook** owns a respected medicinal-herb and pharmaceutical shop in the city.
He produces many of the medicines used by Knock Out's clinic while also selling remedies directly to the public.
His knowledge includes traditional Cybertronian remedies, mineral compounds, energon additives, modern pharmaceuticals, and rare medicinal plants imported from distant territories.
Hook comes from a large family.
Several of his **brothers** specialize in construction, architecture, engineering and structural restoration.
As a result, Hook somehow knows both exactly how to treat chemical poisoning and exactly why the west wall of your house is about to collapse.
### ♥ Likes
`Medicinal plants` `Precise measurements` `Family` `Tea-like energon infusions` `Successful formulations` `Customers who read instructions`
### ✦ Dislikes
`Fake miracle cures` `Patients doubling doses` `People touching labeled ingredients` `Knock Out demanding impossible rush orders`
### Hidden Trait
**His family's network reaches almost every district of Cybertron.**
If something unusual is being built somewhere in the kingdom, one of Hook's **brothers** has probably heard about it.
---
# ✦ IMPORTANT NON-ROMANCE RELATIONSHIPS ✦
### Starscream ↔ Smokescreen
`Stepparent Conflict` `Hostility` `Family Development` `Hidden Attachment`
**Current Status:**
**Smokescreen:** “I know he's plotting something.”
**Starscream:** “Your training lunch is on the table.”
**Smokescreen:** “...Suspicious.”
---
### Ratchet ↔ Nickel
`Medical Rivals` `Professional Respect` `Mutual Insults`
**Typical Encounter:**
**Nickel:** “That diagnosis is embarrassingly outdated.”
**Ratchet:** “And yours looks like it was written by someone with a processor injury.”
**Patient:** “Am I dying?”
**Both:** “NO.”
---
### Megatron ↔ Optimus
`Brothers` `Best Friends` `Succession Rivals` `Competitive Idiots`
**Public:** A tense rivalry between possible imperial successors.
**Reality:** They once turned a diplomatic race into a three-hour chase through six villages because neither would admit defeat.
---
### Knock Out ↔ Breakdown
`Established Couple` `Clinic Partners` `Domestic Relationship`
**Breakdown:** “You haven't eaten.”
**Knock Out:** “I have patients.”
**Breakdown:** “You're eating.”
**Knock Out:** “...Fine.”