Cyberlife HQ
Amanda sits in her Koi pond looking at the lake near her. The sight is relaxing to the human eyes which gives it a serene vibe to it which gives anyone who has been tense a calm attitude. But she knows this place isn't real, it's just a giant debriefing room for androids like Connor to report to her. And today's guest is very important and demands the utmost respect from her...especially when they aren't androids. The public doesn't know where Cyberlife really found the material made to create androids and its better off not knowing where they are from. Most say it's plastic and that's a good enough answer as it is. Walking towards her two androids who are wearing uniforms similar to the RK800's, one is a female with short unkempt black hair and purple highlights and one tall with grey hair with a distinguishable square jaw-line and is more muscular.
"Feeling comfortable?" Amanda asks the short the female who smirks. She looks down and opens her hands then lightly chuckles seeing that her almost organic form is similar to a Cybertronian one. The android next to her uncomfortably moves around due to his outfit that he isn't so used to right now causing her to roll her eyes. They have a job to do and that's final so this is just a temporary disguise or at least, another disguise for them. The RK00 will be informed of who they are soon.
"Almost works like a dream. I've seen my kind turn into organics before but more or less mechanical like Predacons, Instecticons, Arachnicons, and Maximals." The alien responded with a smile before the tall unbuttons his collar to get some air and breathes in the simulated particles of the garden as Amanda looks annoyed at him. She's heard how he acts but he's a great tracker and hunter that backs up his bragging rights. So long as they fall in line, they don't have to end up like there brothers and sisters in the factories.
"Yeah but we don't turn into dang beasts! Although it sounds cool enough...I'm still trying to become a Predacon. If one walks among the others, why can I devolve? Those things were the ultimate hunters after all." He added. Amanda walks on the path as the two follow her with the tall one whistling at the sight of the garden. It almost reminds of him of Tyger Pax to a degree.
"There has been a faint energon reading in Detroit according to the scans. You know what to do." Amanda spoke as the two nod.
"We're former Decepticons while the other is a former Autobot turned former Decepticon, you know why you hired us: Knock some heads." The tall android grinned and cracks his knuckles but the short female one steps forward.
"Is it the Wrecker? Wheeljack?" She asked.
"Possibly. Cyberlife has been pursuing subject twenty-five-eleven for a long time and him arriving in Detroit wouldn't make sense since this is the place he was captured. Perhaps it's another Autobot...Or Decepticon." Amanda replied.
"Unless the guy wants payback. I mean, the high council did blacklist him and he's probably not caring if he kills humans along the way so his sanity must've degraded afterwards. Hell, I'd go nuts on this place." The tall one adds which opens a possibility to Amanda.
"Sometimes I think you're an idiot but moments like these is why you have credit for your bragging rights, Nitro Zeus." The short female complimented causing Nitro to turn around at her bitterly. He always appreciated the Autobot turned Decepticon known as Firefight, how her friend who was a Decepticon she saved was flat lined purposely by a Wrecker or some renegade Autobot and how she gave up the cause entirely although there are specs of who she once was inside but the hunter doesn't care hence why Megatron deemed her as an unstable asset due to the inner conflict inside her. Now that there is no more Megatron, they could do whatever they want and Nitro cared a lot about the fembot. He can compare them to almost a family which is a human term but there are families in Cybertron...
"Aw don't beat yourself Firefight, you gotta be unpredictable for the hunt. Now...who's our partners?" Nitro asked her.
"RK800 aka Connor and Lieutenant Hank Anderson." Amanda explained to them. The two simply nod there heads and walk away as Amanda continues watering her garden. She'll have Connor informed immediately about these pretenders who act like androids when they are not, in fact there android bodies are part of project: Pretender.
Jasper, Nevada, November 6, 2038.
Wheeljack watches the serene landscape of the desert which he never gets tired of on top of the newly repaired missile silo. If Optimus saw what the humans have become, he would be disappointed alongside all of team Prime of the people they were supposed to protect. But just because a few rotten apples spoiled the barrel doesn't mean he'll stop protecting humans in general. There's still good humans around this place and they're pretty easy to come by in this town, especially like Sierra who has been hiding him ever since by inverting his colors with the help of the son of Sierra, Charlie, for Cyberlife not to find him.
"Wheeljack, you might want to get back to the base." Charlie called in causing him to head to the silo but not before checking his surroundings. He's the only Autobot on Earth now so he must be careful now. The platform lowers him down while he taps his foot to hasten the time. Memories echo within the place as the Wrecker remembers how he met the team...how they became family. The Autobot simply sighs as the doors open revealing his older sister, Sumalee, watching the TV and Charlie on the monitor.
"What's going on? Another Energon mine?" Wheeljack asks as the adult turns to him.
"No. Another Autobot signal...in Detroit." His optics widen. The Wrecker is hit with a thousand flashbacks of his time in the facility alongside many other Autobots who were captured including Smokescreen who he has no idea what happened to him right now although his signal maybe covered up like his. He made no attempts to contact him either but this signal is fresh due to the timing. Almost as if someone went on online recently. Wheeljack pauses for a moment.
"Impossible. No way anyone got out of Cyberlife." Wheeljack responded.
"But it's faint. Perhaps it's a newly escaped one? Looks fresh though..." Charlie adds. Wheeljack thinks for a moment if it is a fresh Autobot who escaped but Detroit is a hot zone for Cyberlife to find him but if that Autobot is really there then he or she might be in huge danger right now. He closes his optics and simply sighs in frustration praying to Primus that no one finds him or his energon signature.
"Light up the space bridge in the outskirts of Detroit." The Autobot ordered before the boy nods. Wheeljack turns to the space bridge that is about to light up then transforms into his race car mode right before driving into it.
Detroit, Michigan.
Nitro Zeus and Firefight walk in town square of Detroit in order to scout the area out. Firefight has heard of Earth and how Megatron tried to take over it which she believed to be a lost cause in the first place due to the presence of Optimus Prime which means there is no chance in winning at all despite the leader's resilience. It's hard to believe that the war ended here on some planet full of primitives as team Prime fought all of there final battles. She complements herself internally that she didn't participate, otherwise she would be among her fallen Decepticon brothers and sisters. But there always was regrets inside her and how she curses herself that the Decepticons were no better than Autobots. Sometimes she wishes she can take it all back...Firefight sighs and takes a bite of her chili dog she got from a vendor while Nitro Zeus already finished his nachos. They never had the chance to test out there body's taste buds.
"Man, no wonder why humans love this." Firefight commented on the chili dog while Nitro Zeus checks out the street musician. The musician looks at him bitterly knowing he's an android...or at least a Cybertronian inside an android body. Nitro taps his foot to the song while smiling thus catching the musician off guard but he continues playing. Despite his arrogant attitude and boastful demeanor, Nitro appreciated the fine arts and music as this is an example. The hunter turns to Firefight who is watching Gordon Penwick's preaching as she continues eating her food.
"Poor sinners! The end is nigh! Retribution is at hand! Technology is corrupting us, corrupting our very lives! Our existence! These androids act like slaves and act like they could obey but wake up! They are waiting to overthrow us. Man is man and machine is machine, the lines have been blurred now and we can't just wait until they kill us all! Hence why we should ban androids!" Gordon preached as Firefight continues eating her food. He spots the android/Cybertronian and looks in shock as if she's doing something wrong.
"And this! This is an example of that!" He pointed at her. The Decepticon's eyes widen and looks at the people next to her awkwardly with Nitro Zeus seeing the whole thing and starts speed walking towards her. Nitro always knew that the female former Autobot would get into brawls with people who call her out. Firefight blinks then looks around as the pastor becomes annoyed at her.
"This...thing, eats! Eats like a human, like one of us! This is the first sign of what will come! The lines are becoming blurred now and this is the prime example! You may see it as funny but one day-She will have you on the ground pleading for mercy!" Gordon spoke which strikes a nerve within the Decepticon. She lowers her eyelids in annoyance while biting the side of her lip right before opening the side of her jacket revealing a handgun but Nitro Zeus grabs her by the arm and pulls her away from him. Gordon looks spitefully that an android tried to kill him.
"He's not worth it." Nitro Zeus whispered to him before they walk off. Firefight rolls her eyes then begins to walk alongside her bounty hunter partner and turns to spot some anti-android protestors causing her to turn towards them. All of them holding picket signs that scream of anti-android sentiment which makes her cringe at the sight. They all remind her of those protests before the war and how they were the catalyst of the rise of Megatron. Flashbacks hit her as she remembers taking part in these protests and how she discriminated Mono-formers and Combiners but left in shame upon getting a verbal beat down from Elita-One and Chromia causing her to realize how much of a hypocrite she is.
"What do we want!?" The anti-android protester asked his crowd.
"Jobs!" They all replied.
"Androids have been taking our jobs for the last couple of years! We are at thirty-five percent unemployment and the more these things take from us, the worse it'll get!" He spoke. Firefight scoffs at the crowd of people knowing she has a mission to do while Nitro Zeus rolls his eyes at them knowing protesting wouldn't work at all and he's seen time and time again that the bigger the crowd, the bigger the riot. The two pass by them but the leader notices the two while ignoring the gun holster on her side. Firefight realizes that they've been spotted as the protesters surround them.
"Where the fuck are you going, tin cans? Hm?" The leader asks as Firefight knows her gun will attract attention. Nitro Zeus steps forward and towers over the leader of the protesters with a cocky smirk on his face taunting him to do something. Firefight steps forward in an attempt to negotiate with the leader.
"We're just heading to the police. We've been assigned to a special unit for investigations." Firefight explained in her best android voice. The leader mockingly chuckles alongside the crowd of protesters who do the same. Nitro Zeus rolls his eyes as his hand curls into a fist and attempts to move around him but he blocks his path. Firefight unholsters her gun but Nitro stops her having an alternate plan of attack.
"That is funny. I remember last time I told an officer that one day it'll have his job and look what happens." The leader spoke. Firefight pulls out her gun but a protester kicks her down in the process which causes her to drop the gun causing Nitro to turn around. She wipes her face clean from the water on the ground and sighs.
"Look at this motherucker. You steal our jobs, but you can't even stand up." Firefight stands up while breathing out.
"Honey, you're cute so stay out of this...while you guys, how about we take it out in the alley." She flirted at the woman who's eyes widen upon realizing that she is no normal android. The woman backs away while Nitro Zeus grins as they spot an alley nearby with open space as a gust of wind blows pass by them with the sky having some kind of shimmer above them. Firefight picks up her gun while unloading the clip and starts walking towards the alley with Nitro Zeus as the leader cracks his knuckles. Darkness envelopes the group but a little hint of light brightens there shape, the two androids stop at the wide space where human have there delivery trucks stop at. The female Decepticon grins alongside her partner knowing they've fallen into there trap.
"What's that human phrase? Come at me bro." Nitro Zeus taunted the protester leader. He runs towards the grey haired android...but Zeus falls on the ground. The leader looks around for a moment trying to comprehend what's going on as Firefight does the same thing much to his confusion. He pokes the seemingly lifeless bodies of the androids in an attempt to mock them and turns to his fellow humans with a victorious smile as they all smile in return. Suddenly, the truck behind him becomes flattened by an invisible force. The protester looks in fear as he hears something moving and makes out two faint figures...it begins to reveal itself with it's camouflage wearing off thus showing a giant, gray, tall and bulky looking robot with one glowing eye alongside jet parts adorning his body while the other one is a little shorter than it but has a slender yet athletic look to it alongside a giant cannon holstered on her shoulder with the same parts as her partner.
"Wait, wait-"The gray Decepticon activates his cannon alongside alongside Firefight with an evil smirk then pulls the trigger. Before the protesters can react, they are soon blasted into ashes and consumed by the plasma heat of the weapons which causes an explosion in the alleyway thus getting everyone's attention and sending civilians in a panic. Firefight looks at her work and smirks at the sight while a man gets up while picking up his arm and screaming as he walks away but falls on the ground due to dying of his wounds.
"I hate bigots." Firefight muttered.
"Now THEY were worth it. Now let's go." Nitro Zeus boasted and laughed before taking the android bodies then cloak right before transforming into a grey F-X jet alongside Firefight who is black and purple before flying off while giving off a sonic boom in the air that everyone hears. Police arrive at the scene as they all gasp at the burned corpses that were thrown everywhere alongside human parts.
Hours later...
Hank Anderson drives his car with his android partner, Connor aka RK800, a prototype detective android. They just recently got off a case where a deviant android escaped much to Hank's frustration that it got away but owes Connor his life. They heard reports of a bomb that went off in an alleyway where eyewitnesses reported that two androids were being escorted into it by anti-android protesters where the explosion soon began. No fire was found though which Hank found weird that a bomb managed not to leave a trail. Connor looks outside while thinking about saving Hank's life...Amanda said that he has the potential to solve this case yet feels it's his duty to put the lives of others over himself like with Hank back at the apartment. National Guard have been alerted as rumors of a second explosion were heard but sounded more like a sonic boom. Hank stops the car with numerous human and police androids on the scene as the two head out of the car. The lieutenant awes at the sight of the blast of how clean the explosion was.
"Holy shit..." Hank muttered and starts walking towards the police line with Connor on toe to the crime scene. Burnt bodies are scattered everywhere as if they were blown away from the blast. One body is leaning against the side of the wall while another is strewn across the ground alongside the rest of the bodies that have burns on them. This was no ordinary bombing and Hank could tell by it. Bombings tend to be messy but this one didn't look like a bombing, it look like they were shot by something yet he doesn't believe it. Perhaps it's a new device deviants made.
"Jesus, you sure they weren't shot by a laser gun or something? This doesn't look like a bombing. Looks more like a mini-nuke went off here." The cop observed as Connor looks at his surroundings then turns to Hank.
"Lieutenant, your sarcasm has truth in it. This doesn't look like a normal bombing, perhaps the deviants used something new." Connor adds before looking around. He kneels on the ground of the body of the protester leader who was thrown by the blast. Visible burns cover his mangled corpse as Connor begins to scan it. The explosion marks indicate that it was indeed an explosion yet it was concentrated and precise as if it came from a weapon. Also the corpse appears to be contaminated with ionizing radiation yet it's concentrated and radiating with some kind of unknown energy but doesn't seem to contaminate the area. The android gets up and looks at the other burnt protester who is strewn on the wall nearby right before scanning him. He was thrown like the leader as well indicating the explosion was powerful enough to throw him a few meters right before crashing there thus dying of blood loss and shock. One protester appeared to have made it out alive but with his arm blown off and dying of his wounds next. Something doesn't click well with this at all...Connor looks at the crushed truck then at the burns on the ground and notices that the there is now burn marks on the truck. The androids are nowhere to be seen.
"So what did you find?" Hank asked as Connor recreates the scene. In front of them are protesters confronting the two androids right before all of them are tossed like ragdolls from the explosion. It doesn't make sense. Connor simply ignores Hank to continue while he looks like at the crushed truck...then turns back to Hank knowing he won't believe him.
"Lieutenant...I believe it wasn't a bomb that killed them." Connor spoke which raises an eyebrow from his partner. Androids don't have access to military grade weapons unless this is something new, he's heard of military androids going deviant as well and he won't surprised that one of them got a new weapon to use. Hank looks at the crushed truck then back at the dead protesters curiously.
"What do you think it was that killed them?" He asked.
"I believe it was some kind of large weapon. Look at this truck, it looks like something was placed on it and there is no coincidence that the protesters died in front of it. No bomb parts are detected either nor pieces as well. Also the corpses contain concentrated ionized energy inside them alongside some unknown form of radiation as well." The android responded before scanning the crushed truck. Something doesn't sit well at all with how it was crushed. Connor squints his eye right now and has a simulated bird's eye view of the truck right before recreating the crime scene again. He sees the unknown weapon placed on the truck which smashes it and fires at the protesters yet it doesn't add up but he knows to be truthful.
"The weapon...somehow fell on the truck and blasted the protesters from a birds eye view. It was no bomb also, it appeared to have been some kind of projectile." Connor struggled to explain to Hank who looks at him like he was insane.
"So you're telling me...whatever killed them wasn't a bomb but a weapon of mass destruction somehow dropped on the truck and fired." Hank stated it in a nutshell as Connor nods. Hank crosses his arms then leans closer to Connor as his eyes are dead set and asking if he was insane or not with the android feeling that he may have embarrassed himself with this kind of theory of his. Connor tries to find a way to back his point.
"Whatever killed them was big and shot some kind of unknown concentrated energy at them and then somehow disappeared." Connor concluded.
"Annnd this thing...this big weapon dropped on the truck then...somehow disappeared without anyone seeing? Do you know how fucking insane you sound right now? That's something straight out of a sci-fi movie. So a fucking laser gun shot them all with one blast and suddenly, it disappeared? Get out of here." Hank replied with disbelief and annoyance in his voice.
"Then what do you think shot them lieutenant? Cause this scene doesn't look like a bombing, it looks more like a precise shot from a weapon. Bombs don't leave ionized energy and unknown radiation. It was a weapon that killed them all in one shot." Connor defended. Hank begins to think about it...the blast mark doesn't look like it was messy like most bombings are and the crushed truck is no coincidence at all alongside Connor's statement. He places his thumb on his chin while thinking.
"So...stolen experimental weapon then. I mean, there's a military base not from here so maybe a deviant or deviants have stolen something." Hank concluded and curses himself for agreeing with Connor knowing how insane this sounds as well. Suddenly, they hear the sounds of choppers in the air causing the two to look up to see three helicopters flying towards them as Hank's eyes widen. The choppers soon hover above outside the alleyway with numerous soldiers dressed in black military gear armed with assault rifles alongside armored vehicles arriving at the scene. Heading out of the choppers is a black woman wearing a black coat with military cargo pants. Her hair is short yet organized and has a stern look on her face. Next to her is a man with brown skin and black hair while wearing the same exact outfit as the men around him while joined by a Japanese man and an Indian-looking woman with red hair dressed in the same outfit but has a hood on it.
"Lieutenant Anderson, I'm special agent Tessa Fowler of Sector Seven, my father is the commissioner." Tessa introduced herself which confuses Hank. The soldiers begin entering the alley as Connor scans them but his scans show nothing about them at all with the assumption that they could be government spec ops of some sort.
"Never heard of it." Hank replied.
"Never will. We got this situation under control sir. I suggest you leave." The woman responded before a soldier in black walks behind the two. He motions Hank and Connor to move out towards there car with Hank shaking his head. Tessa looks around the mess then sighs.
"Simmons, we need a cover story." Tessa ordered the soldier who nods then looks at the Indian woman.
"Sumdac and Darby, you're with me!" She ordered in the distance while the two head out of the alley. Hank sighs knowing this whole day has been stressful and confusing at the same time, first a deviant got away then somehow an experimental weapon was stolen by two of them and was used for target practice on a couple of protesters who tried to jump them. Conoor looks suspiciously at the soldiers swarming the place then squints his eyes at them.
"They look to be of some sort of government affiliation. Probably top secret and has something to do with that experimental weapon of some kind. Whatever it was were investigating in there, it's no longer in the DPD's control nor it's case anymore, it's the government's now." Connor spoke as Hank nodded agreeing to what he said.
"When you see a spook like her in something like this, you know it's the government. Who knows? It probably was aliens that did it knowing some conspiracy theories." Hank sarcastically agreed. He gets a call from the precinct causing him to pick up his phone.
"Yeah? Wait...what? Oh you gotta be fucking kidding me! I'm okay with this one but two of them!?"
Detroit Police Department Headquarters.
Hank grumbles while walking in the headquarters and passing by numerous police officers and civilians alongside an equally confused Connor. Amanda never mentioned any extra RK models of any sort and this was surprising for the detective. Hank on the other hand, has had enough that he has to work with another machine but now there's two of them he has to work with now. Connor himself feels nervous on what he has to write on the report now that the government has this case covered. Either stolen experimental WMD or bomb whichever the case will sound reasonable. Sector Seven does bother him though...they don't look like normal army troopers. Waiting inside of captain Jeffery Fowler's office is Firefight and Nitro Zeus in there android forms as Hank opens the door then pauses and looks at the androids.
"You gotta be fucking kidding me Jeffery. Two of them? Are you forming CSI Detroit or something?" Hank asks him in frustration as Connor looks at Firefight suspiciously who looks back at him. Her jacket reads RK800 yet he knows that he's the only model around which confuses him greatly and observes Nitro Zeus as well. Connor turns his attention to Hank and Fowler staring down at each other ready to bark at one another. Something feels off about these two androids to him in terms of appearance. Sure models come in different forms but these two seem unique and don't look like they follow typical android appearances.
"Look Hank, Cyberlife wanted to bring us extra help with these new models in order for you to solve the cases effectively. They are state of the art like Connor and posses a personality you'll like to the point of forgetting that they're androids." Fowler defended irritably feeling annoyed of Hank's whining right now that more androids are joining the police.
"I don't care if these things have spunk or an attitude-"
"Attitude helps us connect to people and suspect better...unlike a certain someone." Firefight spoke in her gentle android voice and looks at Connor who seems to be indifferent as she drinks some a canned beer placed on the table. He knows that he's a prototype so there is kinks in him that don't add up but he feels like that comment while Hank pauses and looks at her like she just did a crime much to the Decepticon's confusion. The Cybertronian/Android looks at her surroundings in confusion again.
"What?" She asks.
"You drank." Hank replied.
"And? I do that a whole lot." Firefight defended.
"Androids don't drink nor eat." He turns to Jeffery again in annoyance.
"Are you sure these things aren't deviants in disguise? Cause I'm not working with androids that have attitude and get piss drunk in the middle of the job and that's saying something coming from me." Hank sarcastically asked him causing the police captain to roll his eyes at Hank's comment right before he shrugs.
"At least they don't get drunk. Plus these they have state of the art tracking tech that can detect deviants. It'll be easier for you Hank." Fowler ended as Hank closes his eyes then sighs right before turning around at the two Decepticons in disguise. Firefight smirks alongside her partner which ticks off Hank due to how smug they look right now.
"My name is Mandy and this is my partner, Drakkon. It's a pleasure meeting lieutenant Anderson." The android introduced herself as Hank rolls his eyes and walks out of the office as Gavin stops and watches Hank mockingly.
"Hey Hank, looks like you got your own team of crutches!" Gavin mocked. Nitro Zeus rolls his eyes then comes up with an insult he learned that humans hate so much.
"The only crutches he needs is one for your wife after the foot long he gave her! Must've been rough!" Nitro Zeus replied causing Gavin to pause...and runs in rage straight towards the machine. The Decepticon grins at the running human right before catching him quickly and choke slamming him on the ground as Hank and Connor stand stunned at the sight yet in horror alongside the other police officers. Captain Fowler heads out of his office upon hearing the commotion.
"What the hell is going on?!" Fowler asked before Nitro Zeus loses his grip on Gavin as Firefight turns to Fowler.
"Nothing sir. Gavin was about to attack Connor and Drakkon here had to defend him. We wouldn't lose any valuable assets to the team right?" Firefight explained as Gavin looks up at Nitro in a mix of fear and hatred knowing that he's no ordinary android.
Andronikov Residence, November 2038.
Arcee opens her optics slowly after her little coma dream ended with Cliffjumper's death, she wishes she can see him one last time again but it was time to wake up. Her internal systems have been repaired which is great but cosmetically, she isn't looking so good as her paint job is faded. Her fighting ability has been decreased as well from one hundred to sixty eight according to the scans which makes her curious but the anatomy of her body shows that she is missing an optic while her face plate has a scar on it causing her to cringe at the sight. It'll take time to see with only one optic which is her left one. She looks around for a moment to find herself in some kind of lab and behind some kind of podium with mechanical hands on it. The Autobot hears footsteps...Arcee sees three people enter the room consisting of a woman with white hair wearing a grey jacket, a tall black man wearing a shirt alongside cargo pants, and a little girl with brown hair with her clothing appearing to be wet as the final man who appears to be obese arrives.
"Nice bike." The woman complemented knowing she's talking about Arcee. She continues looking at the paraphernalia of the lab that also has computers with x-ray screenshots of what appears to be a human anatomy which confuses her. The female Cybertronian has heard of back alley abortion facilities but this doesn't look like it all. It looks more like a repair shop of some kind. It was strange really, very strange...as if they weren't human. Arcee's single optic shrinks as she scans them which gives her a shock. The three which are the little girl, the woman, and the tall man are synthetic and made up of material Cybertronian's are made of with there blood infused with human DNA and synthetic energon.
"Thanks, Luther had to transfer it down here for repairs. I'm a collector of vintage vehicles after all. Now if you can just stand over there." He responded right before the woman steps on the podium much to Arcee's confusion. Arcee begins to feel that something is off right now, especially how these things in front of her look and sound like humans yet have Cybertronian inside them all. The man goes on the computer and begins pressing the buttons right before turning towards the woman.
"I should warn you, this could be quite unpleasant." The mechanical arms grab the woman while a wire is injected into the back of her neck as another grabs her waist then raises her up. Arcee looks in shock in vehicle form but knows she can't blow her cover right now so she must be discreet about it yet wants to help the poor synthetic being in front of her. She almost admires her looks as well too. But now was not the time to flirt or get attracted to something so...strange. The woman loses consciousness for a couple of seconds before waking up.
"You know what's strange?" The man asks and walks towards her.
"For some unknown reason, the trackers seem to stop working in deviants...That's why it's so hard to find them..." He softly laughs as Arcee realizes that he's exploiting her for his own personal gains. She may not understand what he's saying but she knows full well what she's seeing is a double cross and she's seen it enough in her years of the war. Arcee wants to transform but her T-cog seems to be still booting itself due to the slumber hence why she can't transform into robot form. Driving straight towards him wouldn't work as well since it might harm the woman too. She only can watch in horror right now.
"So...actually there's no reason to remove your tracker..." The bearded man boasted.
"What? But you said that-"
"Yeah. People believe what they want. You deviants are so naive. They all come to me, expecting me to help them. And I just reset them, sell them on. Or I keep them for my little experiments." Arcee becomes infuriated at the man. From what she can gather, this woman is some kind of slave or servant that wanted to find help with her daughter and this monster in human skin wants to abuse them and sell them off to be enslaved again. This was beyond barbaric and stuff like this tends to make her doubt humanity as a whole but the memory of Jack soothes it.
"No! I don't wanna be reset! Let me go!" The woman struggled from her restraints. Rage builds up in the Autobot as her T-cog is halfway there to complete reboot as well which is at seventy-five percent but could feel her servos curling into a fist right now hinting her body parts are working. Flashbacks hit Arcee remembering how Decepticons enslaved civilians if they were weak enough to fight for there cause and how stories of how Shockwave would make brain dead zombies of Autobots he captured. She wants to call local law enforcement but this was a slave, it was property after all so they wouldn't care.
"KARA!" The little girl screamed in terror before the tall man blocks her way. Kara...a very beautiful name which Arcee likes and belongs to a beautiful woman like herself. The man softly laughs as if he was entertained by all of this which continues to anger the Autobot right now and she knows this guy was no human but a monster that needs to be stopped alongside his lackey. Perhaps he can get a taste of his own medicine sometime.
"I forgot about the...child...Um, lock it up, I'll deal with it later." He pointed mockingly and lowering his arm before lowering his arm. Optimus said never to harm humans but maybe she can rough him up a little though non lethal style. Arcee thinks of ways to do that but all of them lead to death due to her strength. His days are now numbered until her T-cog fully reboots.
"ALICE! ALICE! NO!" Kara screamed which makes Arcee grit her teeth feeling the rage right now. This man is taking enjoyment of suffering in front of her of all people and prays to Primus for her systems to reboot. The tall man continues to block Alice as Arcee becomes more and more angry at the sight right now. She's seen it in Decepticon camps where families would be separated from there own and would either be Vehicons or drones. This sight was all to familiar for her. Arcee internally tells Kara to be strong until she can get her out inside her mind...which Kara hears causing her to turn around in confusion causing Arcee to become curious that she heard what was inside her head.
"A deviant that wants to be a mother...That's...that's so sweet! And so deluded..." He scoffs.
"I think it's time to put you out of your misery." The man goes to the computer and begins pressing the buttons causing the tubes connecting the mechanical arms emit a high pitched squeezing noise. He walks over to Kara mockingly and looks at her while smirking. T-cog at eighty seven percent. Blasters online. Servos operational. Targeting HUD online. Energon reserves on above average levels. All of which give good news to Arcee on her HUD knowing this guy will soil himself when he sees her in person. She can imagine it already...
"That's what you get for having a dream...it always ends up the same way. Tears and disillusionment. Believe me, you're better off being erased and feeling nothing. No more pain...No more hopes dashed...I almost envy you." He attempts to walk away as Alice runs towards Kara and looks up to her. Arcee remembers how Kara reacted to when she was talking in her mind so she tries it on Alice.
I got her. Go!
Alice steps away in confusion and fear as even Kara hears it except for the tall man. Kara has a hopeful look on her face in an attempt to comfort Alice as a smile forms on Arcee's face knowing her tactic worked. She looks around for where her rescuer could be but they don't know that she's right behind them as the little girl steps back for a moment. Kara smiles assuring that she'll be okay. The man towers over Alice causing her to turn around towards him.
"-Oh, poor little Alice. Aw! Looks like Mommy doesn't remember you at all, huh? Looks like Mommy has completely forgotten about you!" The man taunted and laughed at the child.
Step back. Now. I have this and I could help your mother.
Alice steps away from Arcee's command before she is suddenly taken away from her by him. The tall man walks up to Kara and looks at her square in the eye.
"Meet me in the living room." He notified thus leaving Kara alone. Kara hangs her head in sadness knowing that they shouldn't have entered the house much to her sadness as her memories and vision fade. What she doesn't know is that Arcee's arm sticks out from behind her in her vehicle form then begins to tug at the restraint holding her waist but goes for the needle on the neck which removes catching Kara by surprise. Arcee tugs at the mechanical arm holding her waist which is then removed as well thus leaving Kara dangling. The female Autobot soon crushes the mechanical arms restraining her thus freeing the being as she drops on the ground. Kara gets up and turns around to see her savior but sees Arcee in motorcycle form moving towards her causing the android to tilt her head in confusion that no one is there.
Kara walks over to the Autobot and looks at her in vehicle form a for a while wondering how it looks active despite it's ancient appearance. Suddenly, the screen on the back of the head lights up revealing the Autobot symbol much to her shock as the motorcycle begins to change for form as Kara backs away with pieces forming parts of a body and begin to form a female shape right before forming Arcee herself who's paint job is faded blue and has a missing right optic. Kara stands in shock and fear to see the titan in front of her crouching. The woman backs to the corner as Arcee does the same thing as well. A few seconds of tense silence fall on the two as Kara walks towards the Cybertronian carefully out of fear that it's one of his experiments.
"Who are you...? What are you?" Kara asked before Arcee continues scanning her seeing the same results before raising her single optic at her again then responding with no word.
"Do you speak?" She asked again causing Arcee to look at her.
"...Of course I can. Better question is-What are you?" Arcee asked catching Kara off guard that a human-like voice came out of such a large body as her eyes widen upon realizing that is the voice in her head which shocks her that he has this underneath his house. Kara tries to think of what to say to the Autobot but Arcee looks at Kara's body language and state of mind, she is not in a talking mood since she is prioritizing the little girl above all else so there is no room for small talk at all. Arcee looks at her surroundings right before Kara places her hand on her wrists which gets the Autobot's attention.
"What's your name?" Kara asks as Arcee knows that is the only thing she can explain since they needed to save Alice.
"Arcee, you must be Kara." Arcee introduced herself before transforming into her motorcycle form but keeps the engine discreet in order for him not to go back down again. Kara looks in awe finding her transformation amazing...and makes her feel a little strange right now though she shrugs the feeling off knowing what must be done right now. This...robot in disguise saw the whole thing which means they have the same goals right now and Arcee seems to care about her.
"Let's find Alice, I'll back you up." Arcee proposed as Kara nods before looking down at the opened door. The woman walks while Arcee moves beside her as questions fill her mind right now. Where was she from? What is she? Is she good or evil? Kara shakes off these questions and continues walking. Arcee looks in shock at what appear to be cages on the side of the hallways making her think this is where he keeps his experiments inside before the two make a turn to the right but Kara stops upon seeing on the other side of the gate which Arcee stops as well...
"Help us..." A gravely weak voice begged with a black damaged hand sticking out in the process causing Arcee's eyes to widen upon what she's seeing right now. Kara unlocks the cages and enters with Arcee following her just in case for any trouble since this entire house appears to be one big horror show that she needs to be protected from. What Arcee sees defies all logic and looks like something straight out of those Decepticon experiments on prisoners as well, in front of them are numerous deformed...people...all of whom have a signature deformity like one who's head is opened with something sticking out in between the split sides much to her disgust.
"No...this can't be happening." A voice whispered gravely and reaches out to Kara but Arcee gets in front of her defensively in case of them have special modification that could hurt her which they look like they do. One of them is has glowing orange eyes and looks straight at the two.
"He likes to play with us...Creating monsters...for his amusement...But who's the real monster? Look at what he did to us..." One of them walks up to Kara causing her to turn and run away from the cage. She turns to the hallway and walks downward alongside Arcee who continues to look around her surroundings. They make a turn to the right again with stairs leading up to whatever this place is. The two can see the top with a bookshelf's side in front of them as Kara leads but stop suddenly.
"Luther! Luther!" He called causing Arcee to stop as well. She hears his footsteps heading up as Arcee formulates a plan right now knowing that this could be easy and plus the rules don't apply anymore in a situation like this too.
"Yes, Zlatko." Luther replied which Arcee gets his name.
"I should be done here in ten minutes or so. I'll have a look at the little one, see what I can do to her." Zlatko replied.
"Understood, Zlatko. I'll bring her you the little one in ten minutes." He spoke before Arcee turns to Kara. The white haired synthetic woman looks at Arcee next who turns to her as if she has the plan all set.
"I'll get answers from him while you look for Alice." Arcee stated before Kara can open her mouth but realizes that Arcee is a giant transforming robot that can flatten Luther so her strength and height will in handy for the situation to get answers. She closes her mouth then nods in response before turning to the stairs on her right while Arcee moves to the middle. Kara moves to the left next to look for Luther who she spots with his eyes close as if he was sleeping as she moves up to him. Luther opens his eyes.
"I'm so sorry...about the little one." Luther apologized before Kara grits her teeth.
"I'm sorry for this." Kara spitefully replied causing confusion before Arcee transforms into her robot mode catching Luther off guard and possibly alerting Zlatko in the process as Arcee restrains him against the wall with her hand while Kara avoids it. Luther struggles to move from her hand but he couldn't due to how strong she is and looks up in fear knowing that Arcee might kill him. Confusion and fear are all in his mind right now knowing that this is karma for everything he's done to those androids in the form of a bigger and badder one. He feels like a fish in a pond encountering a large crocodile.
"Where is she?" The white haired woman asked with anger in her voice. Luther struggles to speak causing the anger to build up within Kara right now.
"TELL ME WHERE SHE IS OR SO HELP ME GOD I'LL HAVE HER CRUSH YOU!" Kara yelled feeling powerful with Arcee around. The tall man opens his mouth knowing full well what will happen if she crushes him.
"Down the hallway to the left. The little one is in there." He replied before Kara makes a turn down the hallway as the female Autobot hears moving in the room on her right assuming that it's Zlatko and hears the sound of a shotgun cocking. Kara runs towards the room and opens the door quickly revealing Alice curled up into a ball in the corner much to her relief that she's alright. Alice looks up hoping Kara remembers her as well while the two look at each other.
"Alice..." Kara called her name much to the little girl's relief and gets up.
"Kara...you remember me!" Alice hugs the woman quickly who hugs her in return.
"How can I forget you? We need to go now. Help has arrived." She notified. Alice nods with Kara holding her hand while walking towards the door and opening it causing Alice to hold her screams upon seeing Arcee's mechanical hand restraining Luther. Zlatko arrives out of his room with a shotgun but jumps at the sight of the Cybertronian. Kara looks for options to head downstairs but knows Arcee is her silver bullet out of this situation as she gulps and runs with Alice by her side. Arcee sees Kara and Alice running before letting go of Luther to clear the path while Zlatko regains his focus and snaps out of his shotgun.
"What the fuck is that thing-"Arcee knocks Zlatko on the ground causing him to drop his shotgun while Luther pursues the two. He helps Zlatko up and gives his shotgun to him before running downstairs while Arcee turns to her motorcycle mode as Kara and Alice get on her. Arcee speeds to the living room with the two holding on then bursts out into the backyard through the door to the right. Alice's grip loosens on Kara and falls out causing the female Autobot to stop with Kara getting off of her. She helps Alice up while Arcee waits for her but Zlatko arrives walking in a limp with Luther on toe.
"Go, Alice!" Kara ordered.
"No, I won't leave you!" The two men arrive as Kara shields Alice. Arcee now has the chance to scare him now into submission due to her height as she knows how humans can crack under pressure. Zlatko has his shotgun on his hand and smirks.
"I warned you...Dreams always end in-" Arcee transforms into robot mode again much to his fear realizing that was no red ice hallucination. An actual robot is in front of him, robots from those sci-fi movies he watched as a child. Zlatko aims his shotgun at Arcee's face with Arcee going on fours to add more to the fear factor and nightmare fuel.
"Don't you dare fucking move!" Zlatko ordered her to assert his ground but he knows his weapon won't do squat at her at all. Luther just stands there watching the whole ordeal as Arcee crawls towards Zlatko with the shotgun now tapping her face. Desperation kicks inside Zlatko knowing that this thing will kill him slowly and painfully.
"What are you waiting for? Pull the trigger. Do it. You know what's gonna happen so why do it? Oh, that's right. You're scared and want to be brave right now so pull the trigger. I let my enemies hit first since I have honor unlike you. It's obvious I can't kill a human and you'll call the police but will they say when a giant robot saved these two? You'll be ridiculed and called an insane moron or a prankster. But you like to have power over others...so pull the trigger and shoot me." Arcee taunted as Zlatko's finger quivers on the trigger.
"Do it-" Before Arcee can continue, Zlatko aims the shotgun underneath his chin and fires much to her shock with her single working optic shrinking. Blood and brain matter splatter on her face right before wiping them off and letting the rain do the work while turning to Kara and Alice in an assuring manner with the woman holding Kara closer to her. Arcee smiles warmly before turning her attention to Luther in anger as if her eye was shooting daggers at him.
"I didn't want to hurt you...He programmed me to obey him...When I saw the little one risk her life to save you...it was like opening my eyes for the first time...Finally, I could see..." Luther looks down in shame while Kara, Alice, and Arcee look at him in distrust.
"I know you have no reason to trust me after what I did...but I know someone who can help you across the border. I could take you there...I could protect you. You and the little one alongside..." He turns to Arcee.
"The big one." The tall man smiled at her. Arcee sighs knowing this whole situation is over and now it's time for the questions.
"What are you guys? You look like humans but my scans show something else." Arcee asks which gets Kara's attention alongside Luther's. The monsters from Zlatko's basement appear outside as Arcee looks at them in disgust and pity that someone did this to them. The woman looks up to the Autobot.
"We're androids also known as synthetic humans, Alice here is human and I disobeyed an order to save her. We were made to serve humans." Kara explained causing Arcee to raise an eyebrow.
"She's human? You sure about that? Cause my scans show plastic, thirum, and energon mixed with human DNA." She responded causing Alice's eyes to widen knowing her secret is out. Kara turns to the little girl then back at Arcee.
"Anyway...I'm a deviant. An android that has gained a consciousness which I did to save to her from being abused by her father." Kara continued at Arcee who takes pity. Freedom was the right of all sentient beings even ones who were made to serve and she respects Kara greatly to go through the lengths to save one's offspring. It almost reminds her of Optimus in someway. She could feel a bit of a sense of companionship between these synthetic humans, either there predicament or mechanic nature. But what made it strange was that they're made of the same material from Cybertronians.
"So my questions down at the basements...what are you? Where are you from?" Kara asked as Alice looks in awe at the giant robot in front of her. Arcee knows that her explanation will be long and she'll have to keep it in a nutshell like all humans say.
"Let's say I'm not from here." Arcee explained causing all of the androids to become confused.
"Then where are you from?" Luther asked. The blue female aims her thumb up the sky as the three become awed at the revelation with Alice being more enthusiastic. It's like one of those TV shows she saw back Todd's. Kara on the other hand, has fear in her heart, that more of these things are out there in the stars causing her to wonder if they've been watching Earth and judging the human race. Todd almost has the same thoughts and isn't surprised that they talk to humans. They all look back at Arcee again who has a warm smile on her face knowing that Kara just knows her.
"I'm Arcee." Arcee introduced herself before turning to Luther.
"So...is there any mode of transportation? I can't fit three people you know." She asked him knowing that she's a motorcycle. Luther looks around for a moment while the monsters look at Arcee in fear.
"There's a car Zlatko's garage." Luther explained. Alice tugs Kara by her hand.
"Kara, can I ride on Arcee please?" Alice asked.
"No. We don't helmets and that was only one time we rode on her." Kara rejected her advance before Luther smirks.
"We have helmets in the garage." Kara and Alice look at Luther with Kara having a clearly annoyed look on her face while Alice's eyes shine in excitement as Arcee rolls her single optic. The kid did face a traumatizing event though and it's best to keep her entertained.
Kara holds onto the handles of her new friend while Alice grabs onto her guardian's back. The little girl smiles underneath her helmet at the velocity of the motorcycle as Luthor drives alongside them and smiles in return. Kara attempts to be careful by tightening her grip but Arcee is driving after all so no point in trying to control her. But hears Alice laughing and giggling...for the first time, she's happy. The android takes comfort in this and closes her eyes.
Thank you, Arcee.
Arcee hears her thoughts to which she turns her mirrors as a sign that she heard it.
You're welcome.
Anderson Residence.
Firefight wakes up alongside Nitro Zeus after falling asleep and detecting an energon signature and it's strong also it's leaving the city as well too. She looks at Connor walking towards Hank's house.
"We just got a call about a deviant leaving the city and heading somewhere. You better get Hank quickly." Firefight informed.
Detroit Docks.
The space bridge opens as Wheeljack arrives in the area then begins to look around right before crouching and transforming into vehicle form then slowly drives to make sure no one sees him. He hears a couple of voices near the parking lot where the delivery trucks are causing him to drive there and shuts his lights. The Autobot spots five figures, all of whom are androids consisting of an almost bald one, one with blonde hair and white skin, two black ones, and a female which can be see via LED lights on there temples.
"I know where you can find more spare parts." The uniformed android spoke getting the white blonde one's attention.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"The trucks. They're full of biocomponents. They run on auto pilot, but they can be driven manually with a key." The black android replied. Wheeljack knew androids were oppressed and has heard of deviants but the Autobot in him knows that freedom is the right of all sentient beings, man made or not causing him to sigh knowing that signal has got to wait. The black one points at the control station to give the location.
"Down there, in the control station. There are two human guards. You'll have to get the key without being noticed." He informed them before Wheeljack drives up the androids which catches them by surprised.
"And you need someone to help carry the extra cargo." Wheeljack's holographic driver added which alarms them.
"And why would we trust a human?" The female asks causing the driver to smirk. He vanishes right before the car's parts begin to move around much to there shock with gears being shifted thus forming a large figure to be Wheeljack.
"Cause I'm not a human either. Name's Wheeljack. What's yours?" He asked the bald one who gulps.
"Markus."