By the time Megatron did return, Ratchet had already made his decision. He could not give him access to those coordinates. Not with Earth and the lives of everyone on it hanging in the balance.

"Now that you've had some time to consider your options, I am eager to hear your decision." Megatron began as he slowly approached Ratchet, his servos folded behind his back. His expression was neutral as he eyed the medic curiously. "So... what shall it be?"

Ratchet held his ground, staring down the warlord as he approached. He drew in a long breath in preparation for what was likely to come next. "I'm not giving you those coordinates. But you already knew that, didn't you?" He spoke firmly, his optics narrowed.

A dark chuckle escaped Megatron. His dermas curled into a devious smirk as he paused directly in front of Ratchet, his massive frame towering over him. "Predictable as always, Ratchet. You never disappoint." He seethed venomously. His arm shot forward, grabbing Ratchet where his chest armor stuck out near his neck. He yanked the medic off his pedes and let him dangle in the air. "I suppose I shall have to change your mind."

Ratchet let out a yelp as he was flung across the room. He crashed into the opposite wall and crumpled to the floor, the air having been driven out of him. Megatron was already on top of him before he could stand, bringing his massive pede down on his back. A strained cry of pain escaped him as he slammed against the floor. The cuffs on his wrists pinched painfully, starting to bend inward under the pressure.

"I had hoped you were smarter than this, doctor..." Megatron growled as he pressed down harder. "Putting the lives of others before yourself is admirable, but foolish. Do you truly think protecting the humans will benefit you?"

"Earth needs to be protected... from you." Ratchet hissed through clenched denta. "You would have.. stripped it of its resources like you did to... Cybertron.."

Megatron removed his pede and stooped down to grasp Ratchet's head in his servo. He hauled him up, the medic's head now even with his own. "Playing savior is a dangerous game." He hissed softly. "One that will only result in your death."

Ratchet's pedes awkwardly shuffled underneath him to maintain his balance. "Then so be it. I would rather die than be forced to watch the extinction of another race." He seethed. Then, in a flash of movement, he drove his elbows into Megatron's midsection. The pressure on his head was released as the warlord stumbled backwards.

Ratchet turned and charged Megatron, hoping to catch him flat-footed, but it didn't go so well. While he was able to land a hit on the warlord's chassis with his shoulder, the cuffs around his wrists put him at a severe disadvantage. Megatron saw that weakness and used it to his advantage. His blade unsheathed from his forearm in the blink of an eye and swung down towards Ratchet's servos. It sliced clean through the metal of the cuffs at an angle, taking part of two digits in the process.

Ratchet let out a howl of pain, immediately clutching his servo as he staggered backward. Fresh, hot energon spilled from the stubs that used to be his digits and dripped down the side of his servo. More than half of the cuffs remained attached to his other wrist due to the angle Megatron had cut them at.

Megatron longed to draw more energon from his unwilling prisoner. At the same time, however, he enjoyed the idea of inflicting torture that gradually became more brutal. His blade retreated back into his forearm and he withdrew from any further attack he might've made. "Cross me again, and your entire servo shall be severed next." He spoke, flashing his denta in a nasty sneer.

Ratchet only scowled at him, currently nursing the throbbing wound he'd been given. It wasn't a total loss since he was free from the cuffs, but it was still a setback. Without the use of two digits on one servo, using his servos to do things only became more difficult.

Seeing that his point had been made, Megatron swiftly turned and departed, the door closing with a soft whoosh behind him. He would return later to repeat the cycle, hoping to be more successful.

***

It wasn't long before Megatron made another appearance. During his absence, Ratchet had used his repair torch to seal off the open wounds on his digits. It was a measly repair job, but it would have to do for now.

When Megatron entered the cell, Ratchet could sense that something had irritated him beyond his usual level. Perhaps Starscream was to blame. The seeker annoyed him so much that he constantly stood on the thin line between life and death, never knowing if the next day would be his last. Despite what little pity Ratchet felt for him, Starscream deserved nearly everything that had been brought upon him thus far.

"Starscream must have struck a nerve." Ratchet muttered, though mostly to himself.

Megatron closed the distance quickly, and Ratchet shifted sideways to counter the warlord's movement. If he stayed out of reach, he might avoid serious injury.

"You cannot elude me forever." Megatron hissed through his denta. His claws flexed eagerly at his sides. "I shall get what I desire, one way or another."

"Over my sparkless husk." Ratchet spat in defiance.

Megatron released an enraged roar and charged Ratchet, his anger reaching its boiling point. Ratchet reacted quickly by stepping aside and using his servos to propel the warlord forwards. Megatron crashed headfirst into the wall, causing the entire cell to tremble.

The door!

Seeing an opportunity arise, Ratchet tore his gaze from Megatron and bolted for the door. However, his hopes of escape were shattered as a blast from Megatron's cannon struck his right leg. He immediately wiped out from the loss of balance, careening into the wall just as Megatron had previously done. The acrid stench of melted metal clogged his vents as he struggled to reorient himself.

Megatron stalked over, vicious intent gleaming in his optics. "I believe you know what comes next." He seized Ratchet's arm and gripped it tightly.

Ratchet's optics widened. "No!" He shouted, struggling against Megatron's advances. He fought and kicked, but to no avail.

But just before Megatron could bring down his blade, the door opened.

———

I wonder who's at the door...