Bent and Broken
Chapter 1
Freedom is the Right of all Sentient Beings
I ran for it, leaving everyone else in the dust or snow I should say... if they weren't strong enough the fend for themselves then they deserved the shackles.
I hated this, once the news hit my platoon that The war was over but there was no peace, the Prime had his goon squad out on the hunt for us.
His big speeches of freedoms and rights, I hope he chokes on them.
I'll regroup with the others, I know where they were heading. A small force on Kingdah a abandoned organic plant. Once I get there I can fight for my right as a leader and become the new leader of the Decepticons.
But that wasn't important now, I was being followed.
No, I was being chased.
The snow was thick, I could see fine it's just walking throw it proved to be the issue. The terrain was rocky and uneven non deciduous trees made up the random nature around me.
It didn't mater though I wasn't driving, Unfortunately I didn't have a good Altmode, I couldn't become a Jet or a speedster, like the rest of my platoon. I was a tank. A very big tank and very slow.
"Halt! Leadframe," a deep voice rumbled, I turned around. It hadn't been the first time I heard it today.
Ultra Magnus of the Tyrist blah blah blah, Scariest space cop and kill joy across all the galaxy.
"You can't run forever," he shouted pulling out a blaster, he was right but he can't chase me forever too. I transformed into a tank. And shot at him again and again, he matched each one with a well timed shot, having them go off in mid air. Like a big ninja I ran off while his sight was still unclear.
I won't lie he's a big scary dude. What made matters worse is I was running dangerously low on Energon so I couldn't risk a full shootout at the moment. But I couldn't risk getting a hit either. But it doesn't matter I need to focus on the here and now, perhaps a fake trail too fool him. That might be difficult in the snow-
"AHHHH!" I shouted I felt fire down my spine. Cracks in my armour spit like a river of scorching pain. I couldn't vent right... it was to hard. I couldn't even fall on my knees, I hit the ground at full speed.
"Frag!" I hissed repressing the agony. My eyes widened in horror as I heard Magnus's heavy footsteps get closer and closer.
They were slightly a ways away.
Did he just snipe me?
I tried to crawl but it was no good, I used my arms to drag myself but even that hurt. Arching my back only made my armour stress more. I had one last trick up my sleeve...
I kept crawling until I knew he was directly behind me. I used all my strength to rolling over and fired both my shoulder canons.
"Eat slag Autoscum!" I made one hard hit into his chest doing significant damage. I heard him grunt out before the big guy took a big fall. No way he'd be waking up from that any time soon. This was my chance to get away.
But get away to where?
No... I refuse to let this be the end. It wasn't over for me. I kept crawl before I... I have no idea how bad by back looks. It must be awful. It hurt soooo sooo bad. My Adrenaline pump was the only reason I was still pushing forward when my hub alarm started going off.
I used to much Energon in that last shot...
I felt myself glitch slightly but shook it off.
It hurt sooooo fraging much but I couldn't stop here, I needed to get to Kingdah. I was no weakling who would simply fall to the likes of some heroic fool. My vents got as heavy as my body did, my optics fluttered and my hub was yelling at me to go into status.
That wasn't a opinion. That last hit knocked shoulder out but in no way killed him.
But I kept on dragging myself, I'd Rather die on the run then be some good for nothing but the berth, slave!
But something in me broke something in my back. I-I don't know what it was but it made me cry out and I couldn't move, I was bleeding energon faster. Oh Frag, I gritted my dentals and tried to start moving again but it was no use. My Hub Over ruled me and started to put me in stasislock. I screamed at it internally to not let me fall into recharge that if I did I'd be caught. My vents gasped for cold air, despite there being snow everywhere it found it hard to cool off.
I did not come this far just to become another Autobot slave!
My hub warned me that stasislock was imminent, giving me a timer. I gasped as everything started to go dark despite my demands to say online. I dug my servos into the frozen water desperately.
Shortly I felt my Hub systematically turning off my non essential fluctuations, like it knew better then me.
The flood of panic translated as determinism as I slowed down the timer, but it didn't matter. I could barely move as my body's shock had faded and my adrenaline reservoir were drained.
No,No,No,No,No- Primus damnit!
I cursed myself as I herd a deep voice say just as the lights faded and I went limp.
"It's over,"
...
Oblivion frightened me.
But so did living at the moment.
A few times I'd feel myself wake up a little, but I would force myself to go back to sleep. I wouldn't see anything besides vaguely defined shapes and images. I probably didn't even choose to go back to sleep, chances are, I'm drugged and they keep knocking me out.
They'd do that to there new pets to keep us unruly ones in check.
Smart.
If my body didn't feel so dead I'd kill them all...
But for now, I was too frightened to open my optics. I've... never been once held prisoner. Pits never took any ether. Meaning I don't really have a good grasp on what to expect.
What really got me worried was the sound... I could hear the gentle beeping, a tell-tale for a medical bay. At the moment I felt groggy but overall less drugged out. But if I opened my optics... where would I wake up too...
I shuddered to think what damages a medic could cause. While weak on the battlefield, a monster if you're pinned down.
I had to stop being a baby and get out of here.
I vented softly to get back my strength, no doubt dulled but the drugs. I tried to move my arms. At first I thought they were too heavy but they were bolted down.
I slowly opened my optics to find myself in a clean well organized medbay. No dried stains, no piles of corpses, nothing like the ones we had... and to top it all off I was completely alone and unguarded.
The more I struggled the more I sank into the berth. I looked down to see my legs weren't pinned. I couldn't help but smirk weakly.
"Dumb Autobots," I whispered. I couldn't use them to help tip over the berth and shatter my magnetic bonds.
But my lags...
I could only barely move them. I tried to lift them slightly when a suddenly jolt of pain coursed through my body and hit me hard. I gritted my dental forbidding myself to cry out.
Oh it hurt...
My back, something... something was wrong with it. The pain lingering there making it impossible to do so much as think straight. The drugs did nothing to numb the pain. That did nothing to help as I started to panic.
That was when a small little Autobot opened the door to my room. He looked surprised to see I was up. I growled at him clenching my servos into a fist making with a sharp glare. I made sure he could tell his boss what mood I was in.
He ran off but I couldn't help but feel nervous, why couldn't I just have died. I'd rather be dead in the Pit then be trapped here. Primus, I made it sooooooo far... I've been on the run for months... I've dodged every trap, every ambush, I've fought off every hunter. It wasn't fair!
That stupid space cop got a lucky shot, that was all. Put me in a REAL fight, Put me on equal footing and I'd have been able to take him.
I let out a growler.
It really, really wasn't fair.
I struggled in the bindings but it was no use, these thing were make to keep much larger mechs and femmes down. But that wouldn't stop me from trying.
I may not know what they'll do to me next but I do know is; I won't be wanting to stick around for it. I need to get out of here. Now, before the Autobots show up.
I tugged against the bonds. Oh, I was only at half straight. My lags, I could barely use them...
That's when the door opened, FirstAid and...
Ultra Magnus?
I felt my optics sharpen into a glared He didn't even have so much as a scratch on him? How? I hit that spawn of a glitch with everything I had! I fired practically everything I had left, that shot should have taken longer!
I felt myself growl again.
That's when I saw a doctor come into the room and... and... I was frozen solid.
R-Ratchet? everyone in there right mind knows to never ever fall into the hands of the enemy medic. But this was more then a enemy doctor... a powerful soldier and possibly thee most skilled medic to ever walk in cybertron. I fixed him a glare shifting myself, preparing myself for whatever cruel torture they had in mind. I vented myself.
I won't brake!
I'm not telling them slag!
Primus why doctors, the- the skills, knowledge, all of it soooo easily be turned into a weapon. Can so easily be made to hurt.
But this was Ratchet... that made this fifty times worse. And believe me, you won't see me complementing war nurses often.
I got tense as he approached, he looked down at me with a tired look in his optics. Probably looking for week points. I tended myself, bracing for whatever he has in store for me.
"Calm down, I'm just here to tell you the damage." He said quietly with a sleepy rasp. like but I ant stupid enough to fall for it.
"Listen, you just came out of surgery. It's why you're all tired and groggy," He explained. Yeah, I'm sure that's why he drudged me. But I wasn't gonna say anything that might provoke the doctor.
I-I'm not scared, I-I just don't feel like it.
"I did the best I could but the damage was... overwhelming. I won't beat around the bush, I was able to stop you from going offline. You're Spark by the time you got here was a little weaker then I'd like for surgery. Half your body had already gone not shutdown. And By the time you got to me, your spine was setting in damage this is... irreversible. I-Is gonna lead to some permanent damage. You'll likely never walk the same again," The Doctor said but not a word registered, Nothing. I blinked a few times before the words finally landed. "On the plus side, with much physical therapy you may get back on your feet."
I was crippled...
No, no I'm no weak sparkling. I'm a fighter, a Colonel. Soldiers called me ma'am out of rank, respect and fear. No.
I am many things but I'm not slagging crippled!
That filled me with a fire of anger.
Ratchet had taken my servo using his thumb, he lightly cress it.
"I'm sorry I couldn't do much better..." he said sombrely.
I grit my dentals.
No, this wasn't me... I-I was fine.
I used everything I had to move my lags so I could tell the Doc to suck a tailpipe. But even all my strength wasn't enough to barely lift my lag. I cried out in pain as the movement echoed up my back again. But unlike last time I couldn't bite it back, but I did bite my glossa mid cry to silences myself.
"You idiot, Stop it! you'll snap the welds," Ratchet scolded. His hand had gotten tighter.
This was probably some form of torture. He'll disable me until I tell him some sort of information.
"I'm not going to say a word," I hissed "you'll never make me talk! I don't care what you sick spawn of a glitch.
"What are you talking about," he asked
"You know damn well what I mean you insane spawn of a glitch!" I spat with a little more emotion then I'd have liked. At this point I was shivering mad. Out of panic, fear, anger the works. I tugged again at the cuffs.
"I could have taken a shot like that fine! Barely a mesh wound! You did this on purpose you sick pile of scrap!" I shouted at the medic. My spark clenched into despair. My vents struggled to keep up as the true horrors set in. I was to be sold as a non functioning slave... there Autobrats ruined me. They broke my body. If I couldn't stand how can I fight?
My spark felt like it was being swallowed into darkness. Everything this meant...
shrugged again only letting the Autobot see my burning hatred. Ratchet turned to the quiet Ultra Magnus who had done little more then cross his arms. The doctor gesture to the door. "A word,"
And like that the two were gone... I was left alone, I struggled with the cuffs. I know where my people are hiding, I need to get out of here.
This can't be happening.
Ultra Magnus's P.O.V
"Ratchet I've already told you, I can't," I said frustrated.
We had been over this before. Except this time; according to Fortress Maximus the prisons were full. Now Ratchet expects me to just take her home with me. As if he hadn't the slightest clue about my painfully clear my thoughts on the mater slave system.
"You know I won't ask if I wasn't completely out of options," Ratchet said looking annoyed. " I would have taken her in but I already have Soundwave and all his cassettes. Not only do I don't have time, but I'll be arrested for hoarding slaves."
"Hoarding? Is that a new rule now?" I asked
"Yep, a Autobot can grab whoever they want but can only buy two more. Any more then three slaves and they will be taking away. The only reason I got away with it is because not only is Soundwave a special case but how I got him. But that's not the point. Magnus I need you to do this... you have a good head on your shoulders and I don't what to have to sell her off to The auction house, but I'll have too."
"Why would they have a Hoarding law anyway. Don't they want credit." I asked
"The senate is afraid we're building a army," Ratchet whispered.
I took in a deep vent.
I still didn't want the Con. This was wrong, she needs to be in a prison. Seeing a proper trial, being punished by the law not on the whims of others. I refused to play the senate's games, a cheep ploy to not have to take care of so many Con refugees. Disgusting.
That's not even mentioning how the Con in question. She wasn't exactly thrilled.
"I'm not equipped to handle this, I'm a officer, I wouldn't even know how to come at this." I said letting my discomfort fall throw my field.
I could straighten out the most unruly mech on the planet. But this wasn't the Wreckers. This wasn't some bootcamp this was Slavery. Actual slavery. I... I can be apart of this. My optics fell away from Ratchet.
"Magnus do you want her to go to auction!" Ratchet said bitterly
"Ratchet-"
"It's not a trick question, yes or no," The medic yelled
"Of corse not, but why does it have to be me?" I asked folding my arms, honestly I felt a little like Rodimus when he complains.
"Everyone I trust already has at least one and not enough money to buy her, you and Hotshot are about it and he's won't be back in Iacon for months." He said frustrated. I vented, I really didn't want her.
"If she gets put up for auction and she can't walk... she'll go for cheep. And be anyone's game."
Ratchet didn't need to spell it out. I... I know what that would mean for her.
...
...
...
"Fine, But I have no idea what I'm doing." I didn't need this, I have work to do, Rodimus to deal with. I won't have time to train someone.
Primus, just thinking that makes me sick...
"Thank you," Ratchet said with a genuine look of relief. He rubbed his tired looking faceplate.
I had superior rank but I wasn't gonna pushed it. I know he couldn't care less and... he was right. No one would purchase a broken femme would likely end up in unpleasant hands. It still felt... dirty and messed up.
Ratchet just wanted the best, but I really don't need the extra burden.
"I'll keep her until Fortunes Maximus has room for her then I'm done," I declared.
"That's fine... but, thank you anyway..." Ratchet said again. "If you wanta go talk to her while I get a collar and some paperwork," he offered.
I rubbed the bridge of my nose and just went back in with Leadfram.
I walked in on her trying to kick her lags a trying to chew the bindings on her hands. I couldn't bother the be surprised. As I stepped closer she got more fearfully aggressive.
"Don't you come near me you heaping pile of Autobot slag!" She said gritting her dentals. Oh joy this was going to be fun...
"I'm taking you with me, under new law 4744737 (697) you are hear by claimed as my property. As a Victor of war and proven superior, you must obey me," I said firmly, but it felts odd coming out of my mouth. She let out the most fake laugh I've ever heard.
"I'm slave to no one you hear, fraging no one," She shouted thrashing. I approached her slowly and gently.
"Relax, I promise I don't intend to harm you-"
"You aren't taking me away!"
Behind all the anger there was real fear in her optics... I wasn't sure what to do.
Firstly I need to get her to stop struggling. Or else she might hurt herself more. I need to explain this very gently.
Leadframe's P.O.V
I felt my spark in my chest and could hear it in my audios. No, I'll die first!
I need out.
"I'm doing you a favour-" he stared but Ratchet came in with a clipboard and something in his servo- no no no no no no. I fought the bonds again in a blind panic, I could move I couldn't think. My mind went blank but I refused. This wasn't happening! I'll kill them all if I have too!
"I'm n-not gonna-, I'll- fight me with honour and release me!" I demand as the evil doctor had given Space cop a datapad to sign. Ratchet got closer with the collar.
"Shhh, it's ok... we're not going hurt you," Ratchet said gently.
"No, What happened t-to Freedom is the right of all sentient beings!" I shouted.
The doctor I forced my chin to my chest so he couldn't put it on. I tried to kick him but he was to far.
"Stay still," he said wrestling with me as I thrashed. I was stronger then the old medic but suddenly something stabbed my thigh making me freeze instantly. My body went limp as the doctor put a needle down. I felt numb and hollow, but felt the cold metal collar click in place around my neck and a second click for more rings around my vital neck cables. A tiny whimper past my lips as I shut my optics heavily, just like that my freedom, everything I've fought for was over.
The 4 million of years I fought meant nothing...
I... I lied earlier... I didn't abandon my Platoon. They left me...
I was too big and slow to keep up. They... flew away...
I hope they burn.
I hope they crash and burn, get there aft kicked for leaving their strongest leader in the dust because I was a tank.
Now look at me, I can't even plot for revenge...
Paralyze mentally physically, I was weak. I felt weak, the shame burned my armour from the inside. The cold closed collar locked.
I heard the doctor whisper an apology.
As if that meant a damn thing now.
My vents went into full power as he left my side.
I herd Magnus step forward, and put his hand gently on my shoulder. I wanted to scream in anguish to whatever sick god put me here. Whatever weakness brought me here to this emotional low.
I'd kill them, I swear I'll kill them all!
I fought off tears... refusing.
Everything hurt, all for different reasons... but damn it, I won't give them the dignity of seeing me cry. That was mine. They can't take that away.
"I won't hurt you, but you need to listen to reason. I promise I wouldn't be cruel," he said gently also leaving my side.
My mind echoed in scream, calling him out.
Liar!
No one does charity for free, no one. When the door closed I found something was happening to me something that hasn't in a long long time.
When the door closed something different inside me snapped.
I bursted into tears.
It's over...
I wasn't a Cybertronian anymore. I'm property. Ultra Magnus was my M-.
No I'd get out. I'd get free.
Primus, I'll brake these chains and make Ultra Magnus EAT this collar. I'll make him rue the day he decided to make me his slave.
End note: This is a side project spin-off of No More Freedom. Thank you for reading!