Linariel - *blinks at review count* Well snap it you go off to college out of state get busy and turn back to find a mess of reviews wow. I apologize for not responding sooner college life has kept me busy and others things more complicated have gotten in the way.
Bet you weren't expecting this huh? I don't know about you but with the Transformers Dark of the Moon trailers now out I've been getting excited I can't wait for the next movie.
If you don't know already this story takes place post RotF I may go into DotM but that's if it works into the plotline I worked up. Nevertheless I'm going to try to stay at a cannon level.
I'd like to point out one thing before we get started on the story this is in no way a Maggie/Soundwave pairing fiction it's more pet and master if anything. I will say no more though to explain Soundwave's actions it will be explained later on in the story.
Disclaimer: I do not own any Transformers the credit for these remarkable characters goes to Hasbro and Michael Bay's team who produced the movie, and Dreamworks. I do however own all the characters that don't appear in any of the TF or any other show, movie, or book.
Interfaced
Chapter 2: Detected Problems
By: Linariel
Her soft brown pupils slowly emerged from underneath her eyelids as the sleepy blonde awakened. She yawned as she stiffly stretched out her aching muscles. Her body felt worn to the brim but her burns from the energon were slowly starting to heal thanks to the surprisingly gentle work done by the technician claws. Vaguely she could remember the cold gel like substance he'd rubbed with aching detail onto her skin as she struggled vainly in his grasp trying to get away. Then he'd all but left her alone in the cage he'd set up with the energy bars still glowing brightly just daring her to try and touch them again.
The room was a void that was all there was. Nothing happened nothing came. Her mind was quiet full of nothing but data raw as it was. Images flashed every once and a while but then they faded. Replaced by her metal world, the echos from outside, and the few colors of blue, red, yellow, and silver. Maggie Madsen didn't know what do with her time it was idly spent. That was until the sparks flew and the energon seeped in to melt her flesh. Then she knew she was being called on, then she knew she was needed.
How long had she been here? It seemed like the days never got older nor younger. Not since she'd been whisked from her refuge to this place of despair. Her soft brown eyes were wild with ill contempt as she waited for her so called master to return. He always came back and when he did she had something to do. When he was gone the room was lifeless. She was going mad with the silence. It continued on for far longer then she could hope.
So she did the only thing that seemed possible she reflected on her past that by a twisted fate lead her here. If asked before things transpired she'd never have imagined this to be so. She thought she'd finally found her place in life taking up the title of the advisor to the Secretary of Defense a place where she could shine. This was proof to her parents and the rest of the people who doubted her that she, Maggie Madsen was bright and fully capable of reaching her goals. Then the fateful day came that John Keller stepped down from office and a new Secretary of Defense was enlisted by the name of Carl Green. The man Carl did not appreciate her talent nor her expertise and saw fit to remove her at once. Thus she did the only thing she could do she gave in to an obsession that haunted her mind for the past years.
Alien codes more specifically understanding the cybertronian language. For days her mind replayed the sounds of Decepticons isolating the differences between them and the Autobots. From the sinister garble to the calm splur of static it all had its own tune. While her friend's signals were pleasing to the ear the interface of a decepticon could leave one feeling the brunt pain. Maggie found it all so fascinating it was an untapped research a new discovery something that she pursued studying to the deepest extent as close to the limit as the human brain could take. It was like wine to her to do so. Sweet refreshment with it's own tang of bitterness that made her crave to understand more.
With the contact she still received off and on from their Autobot allies she'd been able to put her brain to work and slowly but surely understand how to detect even the slightest trace of decepticon code. The scratches, the screeching, and the murmurs melted into wording on the screen and from there she figured out many things which she relayed straight to their headquarters helping them with many run-ins with Starscream whom had claimed leadership after Megatron's departure. Fairly soon once NEST was established she was offered a position full time as their chief analyst. She jumped at the opportunity to finally have a full time career again and be among the gentle giants whom she'd worked with in the past.
However when you tap into the unknown there are always consequences she'd just chose to ignore them. Look where it got her in the end.
"Hell-o in-scet." Came a scratchy voice from nearby.
Her soft brown eyes met red optics a smirk firmly on them.
She ignored him holding her leg closer to her chest. He'd disturbed her before and their meeting had not been a pleasant one. "Leave me alone Rumble." Maggie said coldly. A normal human would have cowered before the drone but she had been around mechs long enough that his gaze didn't even make her flinch. Only his master and those who towered over her could do that.
The little drone cackled lightly clicking his claws together. "You miss Mas-ter do-n't you."
Her eyes widened but she couldn't deny it. She needed Soundwave like she needed air. Imprisoned in this cell she found her time used by waiting. It was all she did there was nothing she could do without his commands. The collar around her neck proved the ownership. No matter how degrading she had nothing left in life but to be a tool in the decepticon's drawer of instruments.
Metal met cloth as the autobot Ironhide labored effortlessly to clean his artillery. Grumbling slightly as he picked out more and more grains of sand in barrels. It was meticulous work but something that weapon specialist loved doing. He took great care of all his ammunition and worked the hardest to keep it in shape. It was difficult to believe that with how trigger happy he was the mech would even spend the time to look over his equipment but the autobot if anything was thorough in this area.
His human charge sat on a fold out chair that had been set up nearby watching in interest as his guardian concentrated on his artillery. It fascinated Will Lennox to no end the capabilities that autobots had. It was hard not to have him work with their own weapon specialist to improve the design bases on many of things they used to take down the decepticons. Out of all the autobots Ironhide was Will's favorite. True he didn't get along with half the humans on base so well but they shared a special friendship that only soldiers could.
"You almost done there 'Hide?" Major Lennox asked the focused mech.
Not looking up from his work Ironhide replied with effortless resolve. "I just need to adjust some of the settings and then it will once again function properly."
"Took a rough beating out there eh?" Will asked referring to the few times the bot had to switch cannons during the intense battle.
Ironhide retorted with a grumble. "I've never had to work in so much organic sand for extended period of time. It nearly ruined half of my armaments. Thanks primus they're still functioning enough to fix.
"How about the other mechs weapons?" Will asked finally remembering the matter of business Ratchet and some of the other mechs had ask him to discuss with the trigger friendly bot. It wasn't easy to have a normal conversation with Ironhide but for some reason Will was one of the few humans/mechs that could work with him.
Ironhide looked up a small smirk came on his faceplates gesturing to a wide array of weapons that were mounted on the wall. "Fully operational now, I also upgraded some of our newest members gear to function more sufficiently within the Earth's gravitational pull.
Will nodded his head in approval. If anyone knew about weapons it was Ironhide and it was always good to hear when the bot figured out something new for the arsenal.
Ironhide turned back to his weapons and worked on tinkering with the wiring leavingLennoxto his own musings.
Times like these were alright not the best, since Will was practically born a soldier and the art of warfare was nearly hard wired into his brain. But with all the panic going on in the normal world the government had confined everyone who had involvement with NBEs at Diego Garcia, Nest Headquarters and the only place unknown to the populace. There was to be no leaving base or any contact with the outside world till the matter was resolved.
Things were complicated at the moment as soon as The Fallen came on screen many conspirators had came up with their own theories about the truth of the sentient beings, questions were going back and forth. The world leaders had yet to reveal the truth behind the hacked video of the supposed alien.
A beep came from the nearby intercom that thankfully was at human level caught Lennox's attention he strode over to it. Touching the talk button he spoke in a clear authoritative voice. "Lennoxhere."
"Uh this is Glenn Whitmann from Analyst HQ we've got a situation… foreign signal… seems to be of decepticon origin… having trouble pinning it down."
Will shook his head rubbing his temples. This was not his area of expertise. "Have you informed Optimus Prime of the situation yet?"
"Yeah he's here right now." Came Glenn's voice over the intercom. "He wants you down here ASAP."
Lennox shook his head. Even if others may not see it this way Will acknowledged Prime as the leader of the NEST in many ways he rarely didn't respond to something the autobot requested. "I'll be right over." Getting off the intercom he turned to prepare to walk down the Autobot area of NEST towards the Human headquarters.
The entrance was blocked by a large foot belonging to his guardian glancing up he could almost see an intensity sparking in the mech's optics. "Allow me to assist." Ironhide said his tone holding no room for argument. He placed his palm flat on the ground designating it as transportation for his small friend.
Will shaking his head with a sigh he climbed onto the black mech's hand. Ironhide then raised him up and walked towards the Anlyst Headquarters of NEST.
The quarter itself wasn't very large given the fact they only had five individuals who handled the frequency controls. Two were all highly trained members from the military and other sections of the government. But none could compare to the raw team they started out with consisting of one analyst, her hacker friend, and a neutral autobot. Though usually working behind the scenes they were instrumental in finding decepticon locations or spying on their operations.
As soon as they were close Glenn Whitman turned from his conversation with the autobot leader to greet the approaching group while the other two members of the team typed furiously away at their keyboards barely acknowledging the new presence. "Hey man!" he glanced at the autobot with a small nod. "'Hide."
"Whitman." Ironhide said with a grunt before giving Will a quick nod goodbye and leaving the Major to his work. The weapons specialist saw no need to hang around and he had his own business to deal with.
Will folded his arms behind his back and took a deep breath before turning to the towering mech. "Alright what seems to be the problem Optimus."
The autobot leader seemed very somber and he looked as if he'd been pondering something. "The analysts have detected a new decepticon transmission."
"Glenn informed me of that over the intercom. But isn't this something that you mechs should be able to understand."
Before Optimus could reply another voice broke in. "That would usually be true but today we haven't been able to decipher this code. I've had nearly every mech working on it."Out of nowhere the nearby large red boombox sitting by Glenn's computer transformed into a human size mech. "Those decepticreeps are getting wise to our ways. The codes a mixture of the usual mechanics but it's garbled and too organic for normal translation."
Will folded his arms over his chest looking intently at the bot. "Well why haven't you informed Ms. Madsen of the situation she's the best when in comes to detection Blaster."
The red autobot optics brightened slightly as he snapped his fingers (a human gesture he'd picked up since coming to earth). "Ah and there in lies the problem."
That was when the Major noticed that every member of the team was present save for the blond hacker. "Where is she?"
Glenn bit his lip before responding. "Well she's not answering her phone, and I've been unable to get in contact with her. Remember she was sent away shortly after Galloway arrived."
How could Lennox forget it had been an incident that would be forever planted in his memory, he'd come upon a near fist breakout between the Australian female and the Government Liaison. Apparently Maggie had been walking down the hall when she'd bumped into Theodore Galloway who saw fit to ridicule her for becoming a member of NEST after loosing her place as advisor to the sec def. The position she claimed he'd stolen from her.
It had taken Blaster, Glenn, himself, and a handful of soldiers to keep her from attacking him and risking their good terms with the president. He snorted at the thought. 'If it wasn't for need to stay on good terms with the government I would have allowed her to teach that jerk a lesson.' Oddly enough now that he'd considered it she'd been one of the few humans that hadn't been put under quarantine at Diego Garcia.
Will nodded. "Alright then what do you need from me?"
Optimus Prime took over speaking in an authoritative tone. "I need your permission Lennox to send a portion of my scouts to bring her back to base. We need this code translated." His optics softened with his next words. "I also fear she may be in danger."
It was true he had been left in charge of Diego Garcia while Morshower conversed with Carl Green in Washington, D.C. but still… "Hey Big Guy you don't need my permission for anything." Will said with a shake of his head. "The way I see it after everything we've been through together you're entitled to do whatever you think is necessary."
"Nevertheless we are not from here and must respect the governments wishes at this current moment in time." Optimus said his voice carrying much wisdom and experience. He nodded his head slightly. "Very well I shall send Arcee, and Ratchet her current guardian to go retrieve her."
Lennox nodded. "If anyone asks I'll tell them they just snuck out. After all it should be up to you whether you leave or stay." The autobot leader nodded before exiting the room. Will turned to Blaster and Glenn who had remained quiet the entire time. "Is there anything you two want to add?"
The two of them were apart of the original team that headed the analyst section of NEST. While Maggie had started it she enlisted an out of work Glenn, and when Blaster came to Earth he jumped at the opportunity to work with other sound technicians like himself finding it fascinating he'd be working with humans. They'd become an inseparable trio.
The two of them both cared about Maggie very much. "We're just wondering if there is anyway we can assist." Blaster stated quite efficiently.
Glenn rubbed the back of his neck and looked sheepish. "Yeah man Mags is our partner and we want to make sure she get's back here."
"Well the best thing you can do is keep trying to figure out that code." Will said in a straight forward tone. "So far the last battle has left the decepticons quiet. But we need to be prepared for anything."
The two nodded and Blaster transformed back into his altform near Glenn's desk tentacles reach out connecting to the computer's hard wires, while the hacker focused on the codes that ran across the screen. That would keep them busy Lennox decided now the only thing left to do was figure out a decent distraction so Arcee and Ratchet leave Diego Garcia undetected.
The swoosh of the entrance door caused her to open her eyes startled by the sound. One of the only ones she'd heard in a while. Rumble had went into recharge himself but was now fully online. They both glanced up at the towering mech watching his stiff gate as he moved across the room with a large bundle in his arms. Maggie had to squint her eyes to get a full scope but soon the remains bits and pieces of a metal body came into view.
It looked terribly familiar though she couldn't place it. After setting the cargo down her captor fixed his red visor gaze directly on her causing the blond young woman to shift back away from the entrance of the cage. But the technician was already moving towards her at quicker speed. Soon the energy bars were deactivated and she saw the giant hand reaching out for her.
Maggie tried to evade him but she found herself roughly picked up by Soundwave. The large mech was none to gentle as he squeezed her small body a bit tighter then necessary causing her to squeak in protest. Stroking her harshly on the head he moved over to a large metal table near the berth that she'd figured out he recharged on. He said not a word but placed her on the table.
Knowing this was yet another task he wanted her to complete to prove she wasn't expendable she turned to face the new project. Only to bulk away almost falling off the table if it wasn't for the decepticons palm preventing her fall Maggie would have surely died. She stared at the mess of wiring and teeth with a shiver. It was nice to know her worst enemy was gone but seeing Ravage's remains made her feel terribly uncomfortable. She glanced up at her captor puzzled why had the mech put her on the table with this corpse?
Unless… no she couldn't do that. "I don't think I can help him." She said solemnly to the large decepticon.
A moment of silence went through the room as Soundwave remained still if it wasn't for his lit optics she'd almost think he'd been offlined. But he replied all too soon with his ultimatum. "Maggie Madsen will fix Ravage if she wants to continue functioning."
"But I can't." Maggie pleaded as she watched Rumble climbed on top counter with her now familiar tool box. "There is no way to bring someone back from the dead. Please try to understand."
"Fix. Ravage." Soundwave said in response.
Maggie couldn't take this. "But…"
"FIX RAVAGE!" He barked his tone reaching a high level but remaining the same robot like speech pattern. The circle on Soundwave's right wing lit up and from there Maggie knew what would come next.
A rush of energy flooded her systems as a shock caused her to spasm and fall down. She panted slightly trying to get up but it started again. She turned to look at him trying to appeal to any ounce of kindness that may be in the mech but she found none. All she found was a grief stricken decepticon walking in absolute denial.
"FIX RAVAGE!" with his tone a bit higher.
Maggie panted trying to get her bearings as she took deep breathes. Her eyes widened as she noticed the light on the wing was flickering. "Alright!" she cried then took a deep breath trying to calm down and not appear disobedient. She did not want to give her captor any reason to dispose her. Her life hung on the line with every wrong move she made. "I'll try to repair him."
The mech remained silent for a moment as if scanning through was she said to reach an answer. "Adequate response Soundwave will check on Maggie Madsen's progress after recharge."
Maggie breathed a sigh of relief. Fate was once again in her favor. Now she needed to try to repair Ravage or just work on him long enough to satisfy the mech's grief. The analyst doubted she'd be able to fix him. From what she'd learned of the transformer anatomy under Ratchet's guardianship and she knew for a fact that when a spark was extinguished it was gone for good.
A/N: Before you ask the question the quarantine at Diego Garcia (my story idea) happens before Sam returns to college so he and Mikeala are there too. More will be answered in the future. I'm trying to stay as close to cannon as I can though it may be a little off after Dark of the Moon comes out but we'll see. I will try to stay in line with the prequel comic to the next movie too.
Now the updates of this story rely on you my readers. I'm looking for a decent amount of reviews because I'm really busy with a few other stories and I want to only keep this one going if people are still interested.
Hope you enjoy!
Review please so Ratchet doesn't come after me with his hatchet!