Bumblebee short circuited himself to prove his love for Drew but she couldn't decide between him and Prime. She wished she could have a human boy so love could be easy so Bumblebee sought out Dr. Orbiton to see if he could help. Dr. Orbiton said he had been working on substance called Cybercide which could transmute metal to flesh but it had very harmful side effects. Bumblebee didn't care. Perceptor told him he shouldn't tell Drew of his real identity, it might freak her out. So he changed his name to Shortcut. He approached Drew with a wild made up story and they talked for hours. Drew went to check on Prime where she told him of her new friend. She seemed torn and Bumblebee wondered if he was making her life better or worse. As he walked away, he ran into Sydney who questioned him thoroughly. Fearing her, seeing that she retained a little Decepticon, he blurted out his secret but swore her to secrecy. The side effects began to show, his voice changed and his body was riddled with pain. Ironically, a huge blast separated them. Sydney tried to run to Hot Rod but Megatron found the two of them. He made fun of their love while Hot Rod shielded Sydney with his own body. Megatron whipped out his energy sword and sliced Hot Rod across his chest. He fell to the floor and Sydney knelt beside him cradling his head in her arms. Megatron criticized her and laughed at her. She grabbed Hot Rod's gun and shot Megatron in the face as he lunged for her. Soundwave found him and dragged him back to their ship. Hot Rod's strength came back as Sydney helped him off to Ratchet's lab.
Drew told Sydney of the "human" she met and spoke highly of him. Bumblebee asked Dr. Orbiton to help him with the side effects and he did as much as he could. Drew approached him to go to Cybertron to retrieve a chip from Optimus' old base. He didn't want to but he agreed just in case she got into trouble.
Sydney sat by Hot Rod's side as he got repaired. Afterwards they lay in bed together, Sydney couldn't get Megatron's harsh words out of her head.
The Constructicons rebuild him into Galvatron, 50 times more powerful than his previous form. His mental functions were enhanced as well as his strength and firepower. Galvatron shocked the Autobots with his deviousness and lack of inhibitions. He became focused on Sydney and knew she was the key to breaking down the Autobots. He tried many tactics to get at the Autobots through her. He also has a fascination with the love that she has for Hot Rod and his willingness to sacrifice himself for her. He knows that is the way to get to him, is through Sydney. He vowed to avenge his former self's murder by destroying the two of them.
Chapter Two - Sweet and Sour
Ebon Base One.
The cells.
She huddled in the dark corner of her cell sobbing into her knees hugged close to her chest. She could see nothing through her tears but she could hear him moving closer. He stood in front of her gazing down at her quivering in fear. She backed away feeling him near as close to the wall as she could. He kneeled down and took her face gently in his large hand. He detected the wetness and heat on her cheeks as she struggled against his grip. He curiously surveyed every motion of her confused by his reaction. She was a mystery he could not rationalize. Her neck strained in his grasp then he was right in front of her. She could feel his breath hot on her slick skin as he licked the trail of her tear up her cheek slowly. Baffled, she opened her eyes slightly to see the crimson glow of his optics staring at her an inch away from her face. His forehead pressed softly into hers wedging her head painfully against the metal wall of her cell. He seemed different. Pensive and torn. His thumb caressed her cheek, his optics closed. She could feel the hum of him comforting her ebbing away her fear. It was a though they were connected in fear of each other, finding common ground in confusion. She whimpered in shock biting her lip. He pulled away slightly lifting her face to him. Then she felt his metal lips brushing over hers, instantly by comparison alerting her to how violently she was shivering. Against her mind's will, a heat began to radiate through her. She fought the feeling once she remembered how like Hot Rod's lips they felt waking her to the taboo.
"Why am I doing this?" Galvatron whispered in the the darkness almost hypnotized. He took in her scent, savoring the sensation of her.
She felt the movement of the words on her lips, her heart rate increasing, shallow breaths, the space between them becoming hotter and hotter. Then they seemed to wake, pulling away from each other surprised and cold returning. As they seperated an undeniable loneliness invaded both of them. They both knew it would only go away by their rejoining yet they both fought the unfamiliar feeling. She shook her head attempting to crush away the thoughts. Stiffening, repeating "No" over and over in her head she tried to think of Hot Rod and his sweet innocence. She began repeating his name in the hopes to focus her mind on what and who was right to her.
Galvatron stood erect, his hand on his chin, rapidly trying to figure out what was going on. He looked down to his feet noticing her blood slicking the floor. Blood he had spilt interrogating her earlier. He slid his foot in it feeling remorseful for the first time in his life. "What is happening to me?" He rubbed his lips with his fingertips savoring the sensation.
Sydney stared up at him taking note of his mutual confusion. She watched as his optics, two red slits, lit his face in the darkness. She could feel her body aching for him to return to her then she shook her head again feeling as if she was losing her mind. The want growing to overwhelming as the light suddenly went out. She felt as though her mind and her body had never been so seperate. Then her heart, a completely seperate entity, was fighting them both. "Oh God." She whimpered through the internal struggle.
The words stuck Galvatron odd. "God? Do you think your God will help you now?" His voice penetrated the silence and entered her again. "Your God," he chuckled, "I do not understand why you talk to hi so much. You cry out his name as if he could magically show up at your beck and call. Primus is at least real albeit elusive. Are you so powerful that your God obeys your commands or do you just delude yourself into believing so?"
Sydney's sat in shock at his tirade. "What?!" She grabbed her head feeling crazier than before.
"Tell me. I'm curious."
"You kiss me and then you want to talk about God? Do you have any idea just how strange all of this is?" Sydney chuckled as she whined.
"Would you rather me kiss you again?" He crouched down to her grabbing her chin holding it up to face him. Her eyes wide, she pursed her lips as if to lock him out.
"Stop all this talking?"
She pulled defiantly from his grip turning away from him. "Stop this, please."
Galvatron violently grabbed her again smiling coyly at his power over her. "Don't be naive, Sydney." He pulled her close to him, her shoulders in his tight grip. "You feel this... don't you? I know you do. I can smell you."
She turned away embarassed and offended. He inhaled deeply running his nose up the curve of her neck. She acted disgusted but her body reacted with sensual excitement. The smell of her, the quickening of her heartbeat at his touch stimulated an unfamiliar yet unquenchable desire deep inside him now coming to the surface uncontrollably. He couldn't hold her close enough, couldn't quench his thirst for her sweat, his hunger for her flesh and knew what she didn't, she had power over him now. But his desire overpowered his rage at the thought of him having a weakness. She held the key to alleviating it. And as she pushed off him, resisting, she presented him with a battle he knew he had to win if for nothing else but not to lose. The thought of that was unacceptable. She would not conquer him. He would be the victor in this battle. She would yield or she would die.
Ebon-Base One. Galvatron's Throne Room.
Galvatron sat in his throne tapping his fingers on the arm rest. He could hear her screaming in his mind, wearily he stood tall and growled off to her room. He clinched his fists, not knowing what he was going to do once got there but the screaming had to stop.
Soundwave and Shockwave stood guard at the door, tall and silent. Galvatron stopped as they parted to let him enter. He looked at the metal floor, seeing his shadow hunched over. The pain in his head mounting, he opened the doors and scanned the room for her.
"Come out, little girl. Where are you hiding?" He growled.
"I'm not hiding." Sydney stepped out of the shadows, her hand letting go of the drape she clung to.
Galvatron slowly approached her like a cat sizing up its prey. Sydney tried to stand tall and not flinch but as he grew nearer to her, she could feel his ominous mood signaling eminent pain.
"Is something wrong?" She quivered as he stood before her so close she could feel his anger rising like steam from his chest. She lifted her eyes to meet his reluctantly. He stared down at her, the crimson light of his optics illuminating her with a blood red glow. He didn't say a word, just stared at her. Then he lifted his massive hand and took her wrist with a mighty grip. Sydney tried not to whimper from the sharp pain but crumbled under his easy strength. She gazed up at his emotionless face as tears began to form in her eyes. His gaze was so cold; As if he were analyzing everything about her, memorizing the moment, reminding her with crystal clear clarity that he was a machine.
The light in the room was so faint that their outlines cut sharp shadows in the reflective onyx floor. Her knees began to bruise from dropping to the unforgiving surface under the pressure of his grip. She wondered when it would stop, all of this torture that seemed to last a lifetime. She grew tired of the futile struggle and slumped. Galvatron loosened his grip and pulled her off the floor and into his arms. Her head hung limp over his wrist, eyes blushing with tears.
In this slight moment, they looked as if they had been dancing with ease and he was holding her in the graceful dip. Any second they would rise and begin the elegant dance again. He pulled her close to his chest and noticed a lone tear on her cheek, like a diamond resting on the fuzz of a plump new peach. He was overwhelmed by the beauty of it and almost lost the reason for his visit. He leaned forward slightly, savoring her scent and quietly licked the tear from her cheek. He marveled at the sad saltiness of it. He wanted more but had no desire in the brief moment to cause her pain but he knew what to say. By now, he had learned exactly what drove her to madness- his own way of seduction. Then she spoke.
"I refuse to fear you, Galvatron." She whimpered.
"Is that so?" Galvatron whispered back.
"I know what you want. But no matter what you do to me, you'll never get it. So, I fear the pain...not you." Sydney trembled in his arms as she knew this insubordination would not go unpunished.
"You amaze me. It is almost as if you do not live in reality. Don't you have a reason to live?"
Sydney squinted her eyes, recognizing an opening. "Hot Rod. He is my reason."
Galvatron chuckled. "Oh, my dear, sweet, stupid, little girl. Your precious Hot Rod won't be around for long." Sydney struggled slightly at this.
"You wouldn't..." Sydney whispered terrified.
"I won't...if you agree to stay here with me." Galvatron kissed her neck, gently tracing the outline of her sternum.
"No..." She whispered trying futilely to push him away.
"Yes!" He held her tighter to him, the jagged parts of his chest digging into her hip bones.
Cybertron. Ebon-Base One.
Galvatron's Chambers.
Galvatron gazed down at her writhing against the sedation. He felt a heat rising within him that had only been quenched with violence and aggression. Now, in the sweet silence of her shallow breath, he heard the call of a deeper desire yet untapped. He knelt by the bed and allowed his vision to wash over her chest rising and falling reflecting the pale moons-light. He reached up quietly to her throat pulsing and glistening with sweat. She rose to his cool touch soft to her skin like an ice cube slicking down her throat over her clavicle and across the thin skin over her sternum between her breasts slipping beneath his curious touch. He rubbed her hot flesh moving her sheer top over the tips of her young breasts revealing their firmness. His mouth watered as he took in a breath in an attempt to stave the hunger a moment longer. He felt his body tense and quake as he gingerly caressed and inspected her nipples rising with his movements. He leaned forward shivering with lust and pressed his lips into the supple flesh of her throat. She turned her head and pressed her cheek tightly to his as he suckled the curves of her neck nibbling gently. She clutched at the sheets beneath her as she felt waves of heat surge within her chest and crash on her diluted mind. He licked the sweat from her burning flesh following the path he traced with his fingertip. She held the bed tightly as her fear of him fogged over in her mind. The wrongness slipped away and was rapidly being replaced by an undeniable hunger for his touch. The heat grew to unbearable and she felt as though she would melt into the bed. She grabbed at the sheets the way she wished she could grab at him. She felt his kisses on her chest firming and cooling her skin. Her only instinct was to cover herself with his body to save her from melting away from him. He hovered above her belly swaying slightly from side to side as he rubbed his face over her slick stomach. She lifted slightly to his lips with her hips and he looked up to her surprised and enchanted. He came back up to her breasts, clutching the fabric of her top and ripping it open to loose her breasts to his passionate kisses. She could stand it no more. With a pained whimper, she reached up from the bed and grabbed his neck pulling him down on top of her. Her body cooled fast as if she had dived into an icy bath. Galvatron lost himself in her heartbeat racing between his lips. He grabbed her hip as she pressed them firmly against him. She held his head tightly against her neck as her body writhed beneath the weight of him. "Oh, God."
She sighed opening her glassy eyes slightly. Galvatron's hunger became insatiable as he consumed her. Her excruciating sighs electrified waves of passion within him. He squeezed her hip, his thumb curled into the curve of her thigh. He pulled her body into him, his icy knee pressed hard between her legs and she let out a cry. It shocked his body as he ravaged her. He lifted her off the bed in one arm, her head falling limply onto his shoulder and caught her breast with the other. He leaned her back onto his hand taking her ripe nipple into his mouth pressing her body roughly into his face. She grit her teeth as the pleasure mixed evenly with a pain she had never felt before. Her body slipped over his slick metal skin like water as her thighs clutched him quivering. She was wet all over as she laid in his grasp. He pulled away to look at her ready to explode with desire in the palm of his hand. This was a completely new conquest for him. Conquering her desire and his own. And now he knew she wanted him. As much as she had denied and feared him, this was what she wanted deep inside her rebellious soul. But, then he had a strange thought. He wondered what this was doing to him. He had no desire at this moment to hurt her and hadn't thought about the Autobots for a second. It was the first time in millions of years his mind was not concentrated on their destruction. Galvatron became confused and angry. He dropped Sydney to the bed and snarled at her.
"What have you done to me? What the fuck is this? How did you-?" She didn't look at him. The heat of her fever returned and she whimpered at the loss of his coolness. Then he noticed a tear rolling slowly down her cheek. He was disgusted and aroused at the same time. He leaned over her, his face above her own.
"What is this?" He wiped the tear from her cheek, angrily. "Are you in pain? Answer me!"
She shook her head wearily from side to side. "No," she sobbed.
"Then, why are you crying?" He growled.
"It's wrong." she whispered.
"Wrong? What's wrong? This?" He slipped his fingers between her legs slowly. Her legs jumped at the shock of the touch. "Is this wrong?" He grabbed her throat with his free hand as he sat on his knees letting his fingers find their way inside her slick warmth.
She clutched the hand gripping her neck as she tried to twist away from him. "No...stop, Galva-" he moved inside her sending bolts of ecstasy racing through her body as her shaking thighs squeezing his hand tightly.
"You like that. I know you do. I can feel it." Galvatron grinned devilishly as he held her miserly.
Sydney fought with all of her diminished strength but his hold offered her no escape. She could feel him plunging deep inside her again and again. The more she tried to pull away from him, the more the pleasure intensified and the rougher he became. She didn't want to enjoy this. She thought of Hot Rod and her betrayal by allowing Galvatron to touch her. He gave her no choice. She tried to look away from him as he licked her sweat from his lips. Then she saw a shadow moving in a darkened part of the room. As the waves of painful ecstasy washed over her, she tried to make out who was watching them from the shadows. As her eyes adjusted, she saw a familiar outline.
"Hot...Rod..." She whispered losing her strength to resist the rising energy within her.
Galvatron glanced over to his prisoner and back to Sydney flushed with forbidden desire as he lifted her to his lips. He kissed her passionately and gently as his touch became soft and slow. Sydney shuddered aching for release not being able to fend off his consuming kiss. He loosed his grip on her throat and wrapped his arm behind her, holding her into his kiss. He felt her heat coming to a climax. Her eyes rolled back in her head as she pushed off of him panting, writhing on his hand. He had ceased to move as she dug her hips into his palm. Her mouth gasped for air as her sighs grew louder and more pained with every thrust. He watched her close as she exploded on top of him letting out an intoxicating cry of relief. She went limp as he slid his finger out of her and cradled her in his arms. He slid off the bed and walked over to Hot Rod bound and gagged in the corner of the room. He stood looming over him as Hot Rod fought wildly with his restraints. Galvatron keeled in front of him winded and still excited, Sydney draped in his arms. He smiled at Hot Rod laying Sydney across his legs as Hot Rod ceased to fight. Hot Rod glared at Galvatron then down to his wife spent in his lap. Galvatron, then held out his hand slick with Sydney's juices. He brought his hand to his mouth and took in the scent of it.
"Mmmm. Sweet." Then he licked the length of his hand savoring the taste of her. "But of course, you already know that."
Galvatron removed Hot Rod's gag and clutched his mouth shut with his slick hand. Galvatron stared at him closely as he struggled disgusted with his grasp. Then he smiled staring straight into Hot Rod's burning optics.
"I like your wife." Then, Galvatron let him go and laughed as he left them there in the darkness.
Hot Rod shook with anger and shock as her stared down at Sydney. He hung his head as he wept from the disappointment and pain. His tears fell on her cheeks and woke her from her stupor. She opened her eyes to see him glaring pathetically down into her his cheeks slick with her liquid lust. Her eyes grew wide as she realized the levity of the moment and what she had done. She reluctantly looked up into Hot Rod's optics. He seethed with pain and shook his head biting his lip.
"How could you?" He whispered as if he was about to be sick.
Sydney had nothing to say still feeling resonate waves of heat rippling over her skin. Her mouth hung open in shock as Hot Rod's tears fell onto her cheek. Her fingers clutched the floor as they dried to her temples. He couldn't look at her. He sucked up his hurt and turned away.
"Oh God...Hot Rod-" Her mouth was dry as she searched for him.
"Don't fucking talk to me!" His whole body trembled with his words. Sydney brought her aching legs up around his waist hugging his stomach. She sobbed as her hands slipped over his metal skin. He tried to ignore her but he couldn't push her away.
"Please don't hate me." Praying more to herself than his cold attitude, she whispered into his chest.
He clinched his fists as he felt the brush of her lips, churning the rage within him in aide of flash images of her flushing elation. Her cries grew more and more hysterical as she repeated the words, begging for his forgiveness.
"I'll die if you hate me...please."
Hot Rod felt a strange twinge in his chest, some abstract electrical murmur he couldn't ignore. He began to feel the sorrow ebbing onto him and began to see from her eyes and noticed that no matter how much pain he was in, it nothing compared to what she would have to live with. But he couldn't ignore the anger that would eventually free them in more ways than one.
"Syd, please. Just don't talk to me. Go away." Hot Rod nudged her to try to signal her to his distaste but she was deep in the fleeting embrace.
"GO AWAY!" Hot Rod summoned the will to force her as he kicked her over to the bed. She landed with a thud on the solid onyx floor. Her eyebrow split in a gush of red. She held in her whines and clutched her head as she pulled herself up to her knees. He hadn't meant to hurt her and he cursed himself when he saw the blood.
"FUCK! Why, Galvatron?! I'm going to KILL YOU, You FUCKING BASTARD! I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!" Hot Rod flailed wildly about in a blind rage. He made one grand movement and broke his restraints by tearing his own hand off. Sydney covered her gasp as she watched the hand roll out from behind him. He bit his lip more in pain over knowing he'd have to look at her because he would have to rescue her. He found her through his foggy optics, terrified, clutching sheets off the bed to cover her nakedness. He shook his head again, wondering how he got into this. She tied the soaked sheet in a knot above her breasts, he could see her hands shaking and having trouble with coordination. When she noticed his pathetic gaze, she could hold it in no longer. She gabbed her face and let out a howling shriek as she slid to floor, sobbing.
Instinctively, Hot Rod rushed over to her and cradled her in his arms. She clutched him tightly muffling apologies into his chest.
"Quiet, Sydney. It's gonna be ok. Alright. I'm gonna get us outta here. Stop crying."
"I am so sorry." She held tight to this chest as he struggled with his good hand to help her cover up. "Forgive me, please."
"Let's not think about that now. Let's just find a way out of here." He quickly stood up and headed for the window. He surveyed the ground below and began to tear the heavy velvet curtains down.
"The watch will be around again in ten minutes." He ripped the velvet into strips and began to braid it together.
Sydney tugged at the remaining bed sheet and began to rip it as well. "How do you know-"
"I just do.
Sydney overlooked his suspiciousness giving him the right to treat her any way he chose. She felt she deserved much worse.
"Damn, it isn't long enough. I'll go down first then I will catch you. It's about 200 feet. Can you handle that?" He looked over at Sydney weeping and weak. He reached out and took her by the waist. "I'll carry you down." He spoke calmly. "It'll be tricky near the end but just follow my lead. We'll be alright." He gave her a reassuring look and urged her to climb on his back.
From the base of the North Tower, Blitzwing noticed a rope being fed down from Galvatron's Chambers. He followed it up and saw Hot Rod climbing of the balcony with Sydney on his back. He quickly radioed Galvatron.
"Let them go." Galvatron bellowed.
Blitzwing was confused. 'You don't want me to stop them? I've got them locked."
"No. As I said, let them go." Galvatron sat back and watched their escape on the viewfinder. "They've got bigger problems than us now."
As they reached the bottom of the rope, Hot Rod stopped. "Are you ready?"
"I think so." Sydney trembled, the cold desert air chilled her exposed skin.
"Alright. Grab the rope." Sydney did as he instructed. "Now let go when I say. O.K.?"
"I can't, Hot Ro-"
"Yes, you can! Trust me!" Hot Rod let go of the rope leaving Sydney dangling in the wind. He quickly changed into car mode and yelled, "Now!"
Sydney let go and began to fall with him. His sun roof hatch opened wide as he opened his doors to slow his fall. Sydney landed lightly on his front seat and the glass roof shut with a hiss. He hit the ground skidding into the black sand and raced as fast as he could away from such a nightmare. She watched the Decepticon base get smaller and smaller in the distance and she felt him watching her go. She was relieved he let her go. It was why that frightened her. As Hot Rod sped toward IACON, Sydney fell asleep. When she awoke, Drew was by her bedside.
"Hey, there you are. How are you feeling?" Drew smiled taking her friend by the hand. But the smile quickly turned to a frown when she saw the look in Sydney's eyes. The immediately upon waking filled to bursting with tears. "Syd, what is it? What happened out there?"
"Where's Hot Rod?" She sniffled.
"Ratchet's lab, getting repaired." Drew's heart ached to see her friend in so much pain.
"He hates me." She blubbered.
"Who hates you? Hot Rod? Why would he hate you? He loves you!"
Sydney got quiet and still. "He should."
"What the hell happened to you guys out there? What did those pricks do to you?" Drew was getting frustrated.
"I can't tell you." Sydney turned away.
"Woah, wait a second. You can't tell me? Me? Syd, you are talking crazy." Drew folded her arms trying to lighten the moment unsuccessfully.
Sydney stared out the window secretly wishing she could see the Divide. She searched for anything on the horizon that would remind her of him but there was nothing. "I can't. I'm sorry."
"Why did they take you? Were you interrogated? Did they hurt you?"
Sydney could still feel the void Galvatron filled aching and she shook her head.
"Well, what did they want?"
Sydney lifted her heavy eyes to barely meet Drew's concerned gaze. Drew could see a new type of sadness in them. Something horrific had happened to her friend and she was determined to find out what.
Sydney said nothing. She squeezed Drew's hand then laid quietly into the bed. Turning away from Drew, she continued to sob into her pillow. Drew sat there for moment resting her hand on Sydney's shoulder.
"I'll go tell Ratchet that you're awake." She gave her shoulder a squeeze the left the room. Once she closed the door, she became furious. She stomped off to Ratchet's lab to get some answers.
Ratchet huddled over Hot Rod's hand meticulously reconnecting various wires. The scent of smoke and lubricant hung heavy in the air with the mood. Hot Rod stared at the wall motionless as his hand was reattached. Drew peeked around the corner and slid into the darkened room illuminated only around the work station. Ratchet noticed her footsteps and smiled.
"Come on in, Drew." He sang from behind his magna-lenses as a spark sent a ribbon of smoke into the air. "How can we be of service today?"
"Oh, I just came to see how my best friend's boyfriend is doing." Drew leaned on Ratchet's shoulder as he worked.
Ratchet glanced up to Hot Rod still aloof and unresponsive. "Well, Boyfriend? Aren't you going to tell her how you're doing?" They both waited. Nothing. "It's no use. This has been the quietest repair I have ever done."
"Syd's just about the same." Drew smirked. Hot Rod cringed when he heard her name. They both noticed. "She's awake if you want to check on her."
"I will be finished with this in moment. How did she seem?'
"Like him." Drew became determined. "Hot Rod, please tell me what happened out there. What happened to your hand?"
"I ripped the fucker off." Hot Rod exploded.
Ratchet ignored the outburst but Drew got the hint. "Fine. I'll go warn Optimus that the two of you are going to be hell at debriefing." Ratchet grabbed her arm as she turned to leave and gave her a disapproving look.
"C'mon." Ratchet let go of her arm gently holding her hand.
Drew understood. The Leo in her hated the not-knowing but it was just going to have to do until they agreed to speak. She left them alone feeling unsatisfied.
"Well, that was rude." Ratchet scorned.
"She should mind her own damn business." Hot Rod growled.
"Hey my little foul-mouthed friend, she was just trying to help, like the rest of us." Ratchet slammed his tools on the ground. "I have all the sympathy in the world for you but not when you are acting like this. I can see whatever happened was extremely traumatic but you are making me feel like I should sodder you mouth shut."
Hot Rod finally heard him and sighed. Ratchet sat back down and stared at him.
"Was it bad?" Ratchet picked up a tool and began working on Hot Rod's hand again.
"Yeah..." Hot Rod relaxed staring up at the ceiling speaking barely above a whisper. "It was bad."
"Sydney didn't seem to be hurt as bad as you."
"I hope she was."
"What?" Ratchet stopped, shocked.
"Let me put it this way...if she wasn't hurt then she would no longer be my wife."
"Hot Rod, look, whatever happened out there is your business but I am going to examine her after I finish with you." Hot Rod ignored him turning back to the wall. "Fine. Have it your way, tough guy. Maybe we'll never know."
IACON. Sydney's Quarters.
Sydney hugged the pillow close to her face. Images flashed before her eyes, sensations raced over her skin and she could feel him, as if he was there with her. He swollen once again found their way to the window. Fruitlessly she searched again without even knowing why.
"You're thinking of me." A voice whispered in her mind shattering the chaos of Sydney's thoughts. Stopped and stared wide-eyed. She turned to the door where she was sure he was standing. When she looked, her expression turned to horror. She was alone. "You can look but you won't find me there." He growled louder.
She rubbed her ears and pulled her knees close to her. Frantically she searched the room for any sign he was there. The fresh tears clung to her soaked eyelashes as she trembled in the dark.
"I'm here. I can hear your thoughts calling to me."
Sydney closed her stinging eyes tightly. "What have you done?" She whispered shaking her head.
Galvatron's low chuckle sent waves of energy through her veins and her whole body vibrated with the frequency of his voice. The heat began to rise again. "I am inside you now. Only you can hear me. I can hear you, feel you and see you. The mindlink I implanted transmits your thoughts directly to me and connects with IACON's surveillance system." Every word he spoke seemed to be tuned to her body. Each perfectly formed syllable sent shockwaves rippling under her skin and filled her mind with the velvet of his voice. He could feel what he was doing to her through their mindlink. Her fear sent shivers over metal flesh and her quickening heartbeat pounded in his chest. The ecstasy filled him with a warmth he had never felt before and he leaned his head back savoring the sensation. "Oh, Sydney. What you do to me." His breath became heavy and he was quiet for awhile as he riddled her body with sensation.
Sydney struggled not to move but she could feel an icy touch on her stomach. She looked down to her exposed flesh but saw nothing. The feeling was unmistakable. She felt the touch become a hand pressing her chest back into the bed. She fought slightly but quickly gave in. The invisible hands coated her body memorizing her every crease. She closed her eyes and let the chill permeate her being.
"I can touch you." Galvatron whispered in the light of his view-screen. He watched her trying her best to resist responding to his mental touch. "You can't resist me, Sydney. There is no reason to fight it."
She quickly sat up in her bed whimpering. "I will fight you! There is a reason."
"Hot Rod?" Galvatron laughed. "Let me look in on him to see what kind of competition he is."
Sydney listened intently as his voice and the sensations went silent. She felt empty and alone. "Galvatron?" She shifted in the bed looking for him, remnants of weeping still streaking her cheeks. She sat on the edge staring at her bruised knees. She rubbed them preciously pressing slightly to feel the pain. Something about the dull pain pleased her. She felt relief wash over her with every sting. Confused, she stopped and crawled back under the covers to shut out reality. She thought of Hot Rod's pained face staring at her from the shadowy corner of Galvatron's chambers. The hatred he stared into her. Her chest felt heavy. She clutched at her heart and curled up as tight as she could. "Oh God, make it go away." She whimpered as exhaustion from violently sobbing took her over.
IACON. DE-Briefing Room A7.
"Aren't they supposed to be here by now?" Drew sat across from Optimus as he paced in the DE-briefing room.
He rubbed his face shield nervously. "They'll be here." He stepped out into the hall and looked from side to side. He re-entered the room frustratedly. "Teletran?" He called out.
"What is your request, Optimus Prime?" A voice filled the room.
"Find Hot Rod and Sydney Goodfellow. What are their locations?" Prime folded his arms and waited tapping his foot.
"Combat Strategy Officer Hot Rod is leaving Ratchet's lab on level 4 heading north at 2 clicks a breem. Sydney Goodfellow is located in her room, level one, B wing. Is there anything else I can do for you, Optimus Prime?"
Prime sighed. "No, Teletran. That's all for now." Prime leaned on his fists.
Drew laid her small hand on his fist. "Maybe it is too soon."
"What do you mean?" Prime shook his head confused looking to her for answers.
"Something happened out there. Neither of them want to talk about it. I don't think we should force them. If they want us to know then they will tell us."
Prime hung his head. "That isn't how it works, Drew. They have to be DE-briefed of what they learned of the Decepticon base and their plans. They need to tell us everything they know for intelligence reasons. The more one knows about their enemy the closer they come to defeating them."
Drew could now see how little Prime understood about emotion. "You may not be able to handle this situation in a military way, Prime. You are going to have to handle this one with your heart."
"My heart?" Prime was confused. He wanted to follow procedure but he also felt overwhelming concern for his comrade. From the way Drew made it sound, he had greatly underestimated the damage Galvatron had done to his friends this time. "I have to know what happened, Drew. I will work on Hot Rod."
Drew finished his sentence. "I'll work on Sydney. Prime, you'll help them, won't you?"
"Of course." He gave her a smile behind his mask instilling her with his confidence in the task at hand.
Hot Rod rubbed his sensitive wrist as he headed to his quarters. Bumblebee passed him and smiled.
"Hey, Roddy! You're back! Glad to see you're-" He noticed Hot Rod's disturbing demeanor. He grabbed his arm concerned. "Hey, hey. Hot Rod, what's wrong?"
Hot Rod couldn't hold it in any longer. He looked up at Bumblebee expressing so much pain with his expression that his body shook in his hands. Bumblebee knew exactly what to do.
"You're coming with me." Bumblebee threw his arm around Hot Rod's shoulders and took him to his quarters. Hot Rod moped into the room and plopped down into one of Bumblebee's plush armchairs. Bumblebee sealed the door so they wouldn't be disturbed. Hot Rod stared out the window blankly while Bumblebee poured him a drink.
"I can't take it." Hot Rod mumbled.
Bumblebee half heard what he said and handed him his drink. "Talk to me." He sat across from him on the edge of his bed and clinked his glass.
"This pain. THIS pain." He motioned to his chest with the drink. He shook his head and sipped from the glass.
"I don't understand, Rod. You are going to have to be more specific." Bumblebee knew the pain he spoke of but wanted to validate his own secret desires by hearing someone else say it. Prove it really was possible. To let him know he wasn't the only one.
"I love her, Bumblebee." Hot Rod laughed uneasily. "I do. And these feelings...are killing me."
He sipped from his glass again smiling with a tear on his cheek.
Bumblebee sensed he needed direction. "You just returned from the Decepticon base, right? You rescued her! You're a hero." Bumblebee clinked his glass attempting to lighten the moment, completely unaware of the intensity of his comrade's predicament. "Is she alright?"
"She's..." Hot Rod broke down sobbing into his hands.
Bumblebee now realized just how serious the situation was. He reached over and rubbed Hot Rod's back as he cried. "Hey, talk to me. What's up?"
Hot Rod gathered himself enough to try to speak. "I thought I was being the hero. Her hero. I was going to smash in there and scoop her up..." he sniffed, "and be home before anyone even noticed I was gone. I was convinced that was how it would go down."
"I am guessing all didn't go according to plan."
"I got as far as the Great Hall and then I fucked up. There was a room full of Con Leader statues and I couldn't resist. That was when they got me." He bit his lip smiling bitterly. "I'm such an idiot." He sipped again. And again. Then he stared into his glass. "He drugged me, took me to his Chambers and sat me bound in a corner." Hot Rod swallowed. "Then he brought her in...and laid her on his bed."
"Oh, Hot Rod." Bumblebee lowered his head.
"He bound my vocal speakers so I couldn't speak. I just sat there and stared at her...on his bed...as she slept. It seemed like hours." Bumblebee poured him another drink. "I tried to get out of the restraints but whatever he drugged me with sapped all my strength. Then he finally came in and...stood over the bed...watching her."
"Just watching her?"
Hot Rod looked up at Bumblebee. He could feel the effects of the drinks and his inhibition began to slide. He didn't want to say the words but the drinks were talking more than he was. "He...he fucked her, Bumblebee." He dropped his head exhausted. "He fucked...her."
Bumblebee spit out his drink. "What?! How?!"
Hot Rod wagged his middle finger and Bumblebee picked up on the sign right away. "Oh, Primus be merciful. And you were there? You watched...it?" Bumblebee shot the rest of his drink riveted.
"For every disgusting minute."
Bumblebee poured him another drink knocked off balance by the thought of it. "I am so sorry, Buddy. That is intense."
Hot Rod began to tear up again. He stood up as if he was going to leave and stopped. "That isn't the worst part."
Bumblebee watched his back as he hunched over as if he was powering up to speak. He waited nervously as Hot Rod paused.
"Bumblebee...the worst part of it was...she liked it." He fell to his knees and hung his head.
"No." Bumblebee gargled into his drink, shocked.
"She...she wanted him." Hot Rod sat silently then he let out a disturbingly broken cry surprising Bumblebee. He sat his drink down and knelt by his broken friend's side.
"Hey, I know how you feel." Hot Rod looked up at Bumblebee confused. "Well, somewhat how you feel."
"What are you talking about?"
"Drew." Bumblebee sighed. Sitting next to Hot Rod on the floor. Hot Rod knew immediately that he did have an ally in Bumblebee when it came to these two human girls. "Our situations aren't exactly the same but there aren't many of us anywhere who knows how this feels."
"Does she know?" Hot Rod began to clear up.
"Yeah, she knows. But she chose him. I don't blame her. I can't really compare to him." Bumblebee reached back for his drink.
"That's a tough one. They have history, too."
"I know. But...I do have an edge. It's a long shot but I am getting desperate." Bumblebee opened his hip hatch and pulled out a vile of silver liquid.
"What is that?"
"My only chance with her. It's Cybercide. Dr. Orbiton has been working on it for me. It isn't perfect but I will do anything for a chance to be with her."
"What does it do?"
"It reconfigures metal molecules into flesh molecules."
Hot Rod's jaw hit the floor. "How is that possible?"
"Ask Dr. Orbiton. I don't know. Too complex for me. All I know is it works."
"You tried it?!" Hot Rod began to see hope.
"Once."
"It turned you into a human?"
"Yeah. Shortcut. I introduced myself to her. She thinks I am another survivor."
"Wait. She doesn't know it's you?"
"I choked. I got nervous. I felt things..."
"How long does it last?"
"Not long. Half an hour, maybe. Needs more work."
Hot Rod saw his chance as well. He instantly thought of a way to make her his. "Is there any more of that stuff?"
"I can talk to Orbiton. You are thinking the same thing I am." Bumblebee winked.
"I am, Buddy. Yes, I am." They slapped hands and stood up rejuvenated and full of hope.
"Thanks, Bumblebee. Count on me if you ever need anything."
"Ditto, Bud."
IACON. Dr. Orbiton's Lab.
Hot Rod impatiently banged on the door. It whooshed open to a mess of scientific equipment.
"Doctor?" Hot Rod crept in slowly.
"Yes?" The doctor poked his head out of the organized mess wearing headgear with ten lenses of different size attached. "Ahh, Hot Rod. You're back. No worse for wear, I see."
"No, sir, you don't see. I need your help."
IACON. Sydney's Quarters.
Sydney finally slept but her mind was full of his thoughts. Galvatron, half a world away, leaned back in his chair bathed in the light from her. He spoke into her mind gently but constantly. He was determined to have his plan come to fruition. Its complex beauty excited him but he knew this plan would also take time. He was no longer interested in selling the humans or killing them. He wanted one for himself. As he stared at her image on the screen he realized that he had to have her. But he didn't want to just take her. That proved to only strengthen her will to stay with the Autobots. No, he would have to make her come to him. His mind happily traced over his plan but he was frequently distracted by memories of her scent as she writhed beneath him. Her heat. Her passion. Her want. Him. Every time his mind came around to it again he was more compelled to make her his own. He wanted that feeling all the time. To never cease. He was drunk on her. Addicted to the lust to experience everything of her. To own her. To have her cling to him always. He succumbed to emerse himself in the dream her while he was all alone. It was the most peaceful he could ever remember being but he wasn't going to let anyone see him so vulnerable. Only her and only when she couldn't see him. It was his secret. The only thing he truly had all to himself. His peace was interrupted when he heard the door to her room open. Hot Rod crept in slowly carrying something in his hand. Galvatron couldn't make out what it was but an unfamiliar fear fought through him.
Hot Rod approached the bed slowly placing the vile of Cybercide he had procured from Dr. Orbiton on her nightstand. He sat on the edge of the bed next to her. She stirred slightly and opened her swollen eyes.
"Hot Rod?" She groggily sat up.
"I'm sorry, Sydney."
"No, Ho-"
"Let me finish. I'm sorry I didn't do this earlier." Hot Rod kneeled down on one knee and faced her staring at him in shock. "Sydney?" He reached down to his side and retrieved a small box from his hip hatch. He opened the box revealing a gold ring with a ruby in the center surrounded by diamonds. "I've been holding on to this. I don't know why. But...," he steadied himself, "I love you, Sydney Goodfellow...will you be my wife?"
Sydney sat still quaking in her own skin. Her smile touched her ears as all of the pain she had ever felt in her life instantly vanished. She threw her arms around him shouting, "Yes! Yes!" Hot Rod pulling her into his lap and they kissed as if they were trying to consume one another.
Galvatron watched the view-screen enraged, feeling her sickly sweet happiness infecting his vile insides. With a roar he smashed the view-screen and began pounding the machine into scrap. He tore the mindlink from his temple and crushed it in his hand severing the connection.
Sydney felt a click in her head as she held Hot Rod's neck tightly. She suddenly remembered Galvatron. She felt a twinge of regret but also felt the satisfaction of him not being able to destroy their happiness. They had won the battle. Their love was stronger than his hate and nothing could tear them apart.
Hot Rod picked her up and laid her on the bed. He kissed into her and felt her heat rising. Her breasts heaved up to him with every breath. He slipped her top off and coated them in his kisses. Sydney shivered with excitement. Hot Rod kissed the soft, velvety flesh of her belly letting his hands explore all over her. He brought her to the brink as he was but he wanted to do what Galvatron couldn't. He reached over to the nightstand and retrieved the Cybercide.
Out of breath, "What's that?" Sydney huffed.
"The next step."
Cybertron. Ebon-Base One.
Surveillance Operations.
Galvatron plopped into his chair and stared at the rubbish he had made of the monitor. Then he felt something inside of him burning. He clutched at his chest. Then slowly reached down to his hip hatch, opened it and retrieved a spare mindlink. He fingered it gently staring up at the ceiling. Then he reluctantly slipped it on and was hit with a rush of sensations. His body tingled all over with building waves of energy. He tried to push past the racking surface feelings and find her thoughts. Like a mantra they rang behind her pounding blood pulsing in a hypnotic rhythm. He listened and his heart turned cold as he heard her passionate inner pleas for Hot Rod. The rhythm becoming faster and faster until his body lifted itself up off the chair in a crashing burst of warm, tense release. Then his body slid slowly down into the chair spent and slick. He savored the gut wrenching pleasure she felt that moment so far away. In that instant he felt he was right there with her and he wanted to be. The feeling faded as he came back to himself. He slipped off the mindlink and held it in his hand. He started to crush it as he noticed his body suddenly felt hollow and cold. He then stopped and slipped it back into his hip hatch. Leaning forward, he began to burn as he thought of them together.
"Touche, Hot Rod." He leaned back exhausted. "Touche."