Ok so my recovery is going slow but steady. I had the surgery Monday, was out of the hospital by Tuesday and I'm now at least able to sit up for a bit at the computer. Here's to hoping the rest of my recovery goes as smoothly! Oh, check my profile for a link to my Livejournal. I'm going to be posting this fic as well as several others there as well. The chapters here will be family friendly and compliant with the site's guidelines. The chapters on Livejournal will be more detailed and more in keeping with my usual style of writing.
Later on that evening Brie sat in her room, staring at the wall pensively. Elita had asked if she wanted a room closer to them, for protection, and had assured her that she had plenty of time to think it over. They understood her need for privacy and would honor her request no matter what she decided. She sighed softly. Why did making decisions have to be so difficult?
'Because for two years I haven't had to. I've done as told,' she thought to herself. She frowned slightly. She could only recall bits and pieces of her two years. She hadn't realized just how spotty her memory was until she had woken up in the med bay with no recollection of how she had gotten there or why. Perhaps it was her mind's way of protecting itself. She had a feeling that some memories she just wanted to never remember.
'Damn maybe I should go see Ratchet,' she thought as she rubbed absently at her right leg. It had been hurting her off and on for the last couple of hours and she had noticed a worrying tingling as well. She slid from the bed and stood and her unease grew as she felt the stiffness. It was especially prevalent in her right leg and she quickly sat back down as she felt it tremble slightly. She had a feeling she didn't want to know what was going on with her legs at the moment any more than she wanted to recover some of her hidden memories.
A soft knock at her door distracted her from her thoughts and she had never been so grateful for the distraction. She stood again, grimacing at the pain that shot through her leg momentarily, before making her way to the door. She noticed that she had a slight limp and wondered how she could disguise that. She didn't want Elita and Optimus worrying about her any more than necessary.
She opened the door and smiled slightly as she saw Sam and Mikaela standing there. Her smile faded at the uneasy expression on their faces. She couldn't help the slithering of fear she felt. Had she again done something wrong?
"What's wrong?" she asked anxiously. Sam and Mikaela stared at her for a moment before shaking their heads slightly, as if to clear their thoughts.
"Optimus just asked us to tell you that he and a few of the others are going out on a mission. You don't have to worry about Sunstreaker they're making sure he goes along," Mikaela said. Just the mention of the golden mech's name sent a shudder through Brie and the couple exchanged looks. It was more than obvious that the incident had left a mark on the girl's already scarred psyche.
"O-Ok. Who's going to stay here?" she asked. Mikaela smiled.
"Don't worry you'll be safe. It's mostly going to be a few of the 'Bots you haven't left yet," Mikaela said. Brie didn't look convinced.
"I promise we won't let anything happen to you. Will also asked us to get your clothing size. He figured that they might pick you up a few things while they're out," Sam said. Brie's face brightened momentarily as she turned to retrieve a set of her clothing. As she did so Sam and Mikaela noticed that she had a limp and made a note to speak to Ratchet about it. Brie returned with her clothing, blushing at the ragged state of them, and handed them to Mikaela.
"These are pretty close. A little loose but that should help," she said. She shifted her weight slightly and while the couple noticed, they said nothing about it. They sensed that it was something she was trying to ignore.
"You up to heading to the rec room for a bite to eat?" Sam asked. Brie shook her head slightly.
"Actually I'm more tired than anything at the moment," she replied. While it was partly true it wasn't the reason she didn't want to go. She simply did not want anyone to see her limp or run the remote risk of running into Sunstreaker again. Mikaela nodded.
"All right Brie get some rest. We'll check on you later," she said softly. Brie watched the pair turn and make their way down the hall before closing and leaning against her door heavily. After a moment she made her way to the bed, her limp growing more pronounced with each step. She fell into her bed, biting back the cry of pain as she did so. She managed to shift into a comfortable position and tug the covers up over her. She forced her mind to go blank as sleep crept up to claim her. She just didn't want to think about anything at the moment.
"Barricade! Any news from Starscream?" Megatron's growled question carried across the room as the mech stepped inside. He shook his head as he approached, kneeling before his leader briefly before rising.
"No Lord Megatron. Skywarp and Thundercracker have yet to check in as well," he replied. Megatron snarled as his clawed hand clenched into a fist. What in the pit could be taking the glitch so long?
"My apologies for being out of contact Lord Megatron. It took time but…we have found the girl," Starscream's voice was appropriately solemn as he entered the room, carrying something covered in a sheet in his claws. Barricade had to turn away to hide a smirk as the SIC passed him by. He caught sight of Soundwave watching the Seeker and he realized that he knew that the body Starscream held was not the body of the human female.
Megatron merely stared at his SIC, his optics narrowing slightly. He could almost see the smugness radiating from the mech, though he tried to disguise it underneath a false concern. He moved to stand before his leader and extended his hand towards him. Megatron took it from him and peeled back the sheet. The charred disfigured remains of a female of the same size and build as Brie met his optics. He stared at it for a moment before raising his optics to Starscream, who was watching him with an intensity that clinched for the Decepticon leader the suspicions that the body was not the missing human female.
"Where did you find her?" he asked coolly, keeping the body within his claws. Starscream met his optics, relieved and feeling a bit smug that he had managed to pull the wool over Megatron's optics.
"In a town not very far away. It appears as if she had taken shelter in a damaged building and when she attempted to warm herself she set it on fire. As you can see the damage was…extensive," he replied. Megatron leaned back, drumming the claws on his other hand on the arm of the chair he sat in.
"So if the damage was extensive, how can you be certain this is the same female?" he growled. Starscream's smile faltered slightly. He hadn't thought about how to answer that particular question.
"Well…I…she was found within range and appears to be similar in looks…" his voice trailed off at the dark glare he was receiving and he cringed. Why had he ever thought such a stupid idea would work in the first place? Well if worse came to worse he could always blame it on Skywarp. He always was a strange one.
"Did you really think that you could fool me Starscream?" he snarled as he rose from his chair. He allowed the body to drop to the floor, kicking it carelessly and sending it flying. Acknowledging the unspoken command, Barricade scooped it up and carried it from the room to await the burning with the rest of the bodies. As he heard the sound of Megatron showing Starscream just how displeased he was he chuckled.
"Fool will never learn," was all he said as he strolled down the hallway, ignoring the puzzled and wary glances he was receiving from the humans. He stepped outside and tossed the body carelessly on top of the others before turning to head for his quarters. It was time to go. He knew that the Autobots were aware of the scouting party that had been sent out and were on their way to engage them.
"The disruptor is ready," Frenzy hissed. Barricade smirked and nodded and watched as Frenzy deftly fixed it onto him. It was tiny, discreet and Barricade knew that it would work. Frenzy had worked with him for so long that he knew exactly what the small mech was capable of. It wouldn't be long before Soundwave realized that he had lost track of him and report to Megatron.
He transformed into alt mode and, after Frenzy had slid inside, crept out of the base. He made sure that the disruptor was on. It would serve to not only blind Soundwave to his movements but make him untraceable even to Laserbeak or Ravage. It was only after he was several miles away that he increased his speed. He could only hope that the two Autobot spies would convince Prime to grant him sanctuary. If not…he was so slagged.
Brie heard the sounds of the strike team leaving the base and she turned onto her side. She had been awake for a while now, the feeling of her stomach rumbling reminding her that she hadn't eaten since early in the morning and she threw the covers off and slid from the bed hesitantly. She was relieved that her legs seemed to be feeling normal and she walked over to the door and opened it. She jumped slightly as she nearly ran into Mikaela, who had her hand poised in a knocking position.
"Oh jeez Brie!" she exclaimed as she jumped back slightly. Brie couldn't help the small giggle that escaped her and the girl glared at her playfully, though she was pleased by the sound. Brie needed to laugh more often. She looked so much younger and carefree when she did.
"Sorry Mikaela I was just getting ready to head to the rec room," Brie said as she stepped out the door. Mikaela smiled.
"What a coincidence I was just coming to get you," she replied. Brie smiled slightly and Mikaela was disappointed. She had been hoping to draw another laugh from the girl.
The walk was spent in a pleasant silence, neither girl feeling the need to speak. Brie had never had a close female friend so the experience was new and slightly uncomfortable. She didn't really know how to interact with Mikaela. She would just follow her lead and hope that she didn't make too many mistakes.
"Hey Mikaela I see you managed to wake her!" Sam called out from a table. Mikaela extended a finger and had to hide her smile as Brie giggled again. The sound was a nice change from the cautious and submissive air she usually carried.
"Stifle it Sam! Brie, are you feeling ok with being in here?" she asked, concerned about the way the girl was suddenly gazing around stealthily at everyone in the room. Brie nodded hesitantly before turning towards Mikaela.
"The two mechs over there, the red and green one. They're the other set of twins right?" she asked. Mikaela nodded.
"That's Skids and Mudflap. They…you might want to wait to meet them until one of the other 'Bots are around. They tend to get into fights frequently." No sooner had she finished her statement than the sound of clanging and cursing could be heard. Brie stared as the two began to toss each other around, eventually being 'escorted' out of the room by a rather large green mech. Mikaela sensed her question.
"That's Bulkhead. He was one of the ones that offered to stay behind. He's one hell of a fighter," she said. Hearing his name, he turned and waved to the two girls. He remained a respectful distance, knowing that Brie was still more than a little leery of meeting new mechs without someone nearby. He wanted to meet her but he was willing to wait until Jazz or one of the others brought her to him. He was pleased when she waved back hesitantly before quickly turning away, a warm unfamiliar feeling washing through her as she followed Mikaela. Perhaps things were going to be ok after all.