[Author's note:
Again I honestly didn't spell-check or grammar-check this because of reasons... I hope it's fine though!
Also thanks for following my story to those who did!]
The Enemy Is Us
Chapter 2
The next couple of weeks were hectic. England's borders were mostly closed and the rest of the world was chaotic. No one was allowed in or out of countries without good reason. Governments were arguing as usual and people were going mad with worry. Anyone who wanted to get to London to join the enemy had no way of going there in a normal manner but thanks to some Decepticons interacting with humans through the internet, many of the fans were given private messages of abandoned places where ground bridges would open to allow them passage. Some locations were discovered but the police and army that went to secure it were met with force from Decepticons guarding their new recruits. Which caused the more wary of fans to be more open about how serious this recruitment was. If they wanted to kill them, the Cons wouldn't risk soldiers to defend them. Others began to worry more as Decepticons never risked their life without a good reason.
It was all over the news though for all people to see. Unlike what was hoped for, it gave more admirers of the alien faction the courage to leave. Because if the military couldn't stop small groups of humans from going to London, they could never stop the Decepticons. Who, by the way, had some sort of energy shield around their base of operations as well as anti-aircraft guns. Bombing them caused no good either.
Many countries sent their diplomats to England to hopefully create peace. They were surprisingly met with a somewhat friendly welcome as the Decepticon leader seemed willing to discuss terms. In the end though it all turned out to be a ruse. A clever trick to buy time as the tenth day was growing near.
Today the dawn broke of day number none since the message was brought to the world.
'Keep breathing... Just breathe slowly... Inhale... 1... 2... 3... And exhale... 1... 2... 3...'
Lily stared at the giant metal gates they were slowly approaching while her bag dangled over her shoulder and behind her back. For as many people as walked with her, it was eerily quiet. No one dared to speak or had the words to do so.
A loud screeching of metal marked the opening of the gates. Huge creatures made of the same material stood by the sides, armed with weapons in their hands, keeping a close watch on the group.
"Lauren, I think I should go."
The words repeated themselves in her head as Lily marched forward with everyone else, second guessing her decision now that it all became real.
Because who would've thought Decepticons could be real? Anyone here probably hoped for it at some point but who really expected it?
"I already worried you'd be thinking that..."
Lauren's voice was as loud as thunder as it resonated through her head. Her stomach felt incredibly upset and all tangled up as she entered the dark metallic hallway and the doors slowly slid closed behind them, locking them in with a loud bang that sounded as if it came straight out of a horror movie.
Cringing at the sound, Lily continued to walk with the group as she tried to ignore the pain in her guts from being so nervous. They were led to some unknown place and not even the Decepticons said anything. Their silence and lack of mocking worried the girl.
"I know, I know... But it's just... I'm sick of this world, this government, this system, humans... You know? It's not gonna get better... People fight anyway. About everything. We've been dealing with wars for years! Maybe not in our country but... Yeah." Lily had pursed her lips to the side in an awkward manner. "I like the Decepticons because well.. In the series, Prime series at least... Or well the Covenant of Primus states so I guess? Anyway I read that they fight because they were opressed and their society was shitty and they wanted change. I want change too. Maybe this way that can happen. Maybe the Decepticons can bring some good."
Oh, the theory felt incredibly naïve at this moment. The Cybertronians hadn't hurt them yet but how stupid was she for thinking they could do some good? Decepticons were evil.
"Think about your physical health, Lily! Forgive me for saying it but they will never accept someone in such a poor condition as yours."
That was very likely and true and the impending doom came closer now that she was here. Lily shouldn't have come. She may be able to give up on humanity but her body was shit. There was no way she could fight.
Her memory was interrupted as they were brought into a large hall. There were more Decepticons here, some smaller in size but all very creepy looking. Lily gulped and forgot to breathe for a moment.
From the looks of it, she'd almost say it was a huge medical facility. But then a very dark and sinister looking one. Metal tables and berths were placed nearby the walls and from what she could see there were unconcious or even dead Cybertronian bodies placed upon some of them. Some alive ones were working on them too.
The group of humans was led further to another room where a menacing Cybertronian waited. After some closer observation Lily decided that had to be Dreadwing... He looked the same as in the series somehow.
The Con who had led the group fleshlings to this place finally spoke. "This is the first group of the day, sir. Twelve in total."
The one who looked like Dreadwing to Lily nodded in acknowledgment. "You are dismissed." He then glanced down upon the recruits. "Sit."
Furrowing her eyebrows, Lily turned around to see there were normal chairs placed behind them and everyone decided to obey and sit. She dropped her bag to the floor and softly shoved it under her chair.
"I am Commander Dreadwing. You will refer to me by my title." In case those fleshies knew nothing of respect and how it worked.
Lily was pleasently surprised that she guessed who he was upon entering. Though she wondered what this could possibly be about.
"Each one of you has come here in an act of loyalty to our leader: Lord Megatron. I will assign you a number after which I want to know your name and motivation. Make sure you remember the number as we will use it to address you for now." Dreadwing explained with slight annoyance. He had done this too many times the past nine days already, but it was an important job. Megatron had requested a list of all that wanted to join and put Dreadwing in charge of keeping track of newcomers.
He began to point at them one by one. "Number 212."
A boy with black hair in a very dramatic style, as Lily observed, began to talk. "Josh Danielson, Commander Dreadwing! My motivation: all hail Lord Megatron." His mouth formed into a smug and satisfied smirk as he leaned back a bit. He thought he had nailed it.
The others went nearly the same way. The motivationd varied from "I had nothing else to live for anyway. Got nothing to lose." to "I fragging love Decepticons! When can I meet Starscream?! Oh! And Soundwave!" and "I just thought Decepticons were more likely to win than the humans. I want to be on the winning team."
It honestly sounded like a bunch of misfits. Some looked normal and others more like they never quite fitted in, but they were all here for a reason... May it be a good one or not.
The finger was directed at Lily then. "Number 223."
"Lily Bates, sir." Her voice pitched before it got stuck in her throat. She coughed a few times, laying her hand on her chest while doing so, and had some difficulty regaining herself. The nerves were playing up again. "My motivation is... Well... I think humans are messing up the Earth and they're going to destroy themselves eventually anyway. They're... kinda stupid. No offense to anyone here, I'm human too..." She quickly looked at the others in a slightly ashamed manner. "I hope the Decepticons can bring about a good change." Which was a stupid thought, she knew. She could swear the first guy, 212, laughed at her foolishness.
Dreadwing took the answer though and simply moved on to the last of them. 224. Lily never even heard it happen as her mind went over her words again. She should've said something else... Given a much better reason at least... This was such a bad first impression.
Once they all had done their part, the one who led them in her also began to show them out. Dreadwing went the opposite way and disappeared behind automated doors. They seemed to have a lot of those...
They were once again led through the medical hall and taking a better look at her surroundings, Lily was sure the technology looked once again mostly like how it all looks in the Prime series. Maybe a few small differences but it got close somehow. She wondered how that was even possible...
The group got taken to another room where they were left alone to wait a few minutes.
212 scratched himself on the back of his head. "So.. You ready for this guys?"
"Ready for what?" Another blonde girl asked. If only Lily could remember her motivation. The blonde didn't look like she'd have had a tough life. "We don't know what they'll do."
212 shook his head. "Nope. But they kept us alive so far. It can't be too bad."
The conversation would have continued if it wasn't for multiple vehicons coming in. They began to pick up the humans one by one to the great dislike of some of them.
That's where the group got seperated. Lily was taken to an individual room where they waited for awhile in silence. She didn't dare speak to them, even if it was just a 'Steve'. Who knew how mean they could be to Earthlings..
After what felt like hours but was probably just around half of one, he took her back to the medical hall and placed her on one of the metal tables.
Lily tried to stay calm through it all and reminded herself to breathe slowly if she didn't want to faint from hyperventilating. Though maybe that wouldn't be so bad around now.
A weird blue light shown on her body and when the girl glanced up she realized she was being scanned. A screen nearby began to register a lot of data but none of that was in a language she understood. Probably Cybertronian...
Her head shot to the side when she heard a guy screaming. The sound was very familiar and very human... 212. Josh. She could see him on the table besides her with wires attached to his whole body, some even going under his skin.
When she looked a little further she noticed the dead Cybertronian body was attached with wires to the same device the boy was. A screen showed the guy's heartrate dropping and flatlining.
Once again Lily was breathless as she watched it happen, barely noticing the Vehicon began to prepare some tools.
The Cybertronian body besides 212 then opened his optics, a deep red glowing as it looked up to the ceiling. He was obviously confused. The drone that tended to him began to do some test before stating: "Mind transfer of subject 212 has been succesfull."
Lily tried not to throw up as the words were being processed. That guy Josh was put into a Cybertronian body? Or his mind was at least?!
Shivering, she sank through her knees and felt her stomach twist again. While she caught herself with her hands she couldn't help but look besides her. And there it was... A Cybertronian body. Dead or unconcious... Next to her metallic table. And the Vehicon? He was closing in on her with wires ready to attach her to the same kind of machine.