Chapter 11: Rag doll
Megatron growled, thrumming his fingers against the arm rest of his throne. His patience was at a bear minimum and was still quickly receding. He waited for Thundercracker to come in, he was not pleased. Starscream stood beside him, fidgeting as time passed on. Who knew if his trine would still be on-line after Megatron finished with Thundercracker? In all honesty, Starscream didn't know what he felt, relief that for once he wasn't the one getting beat up…yet. Or, anger that it just happened to be one of his trine mates that lost the femme, however accidental- it still happened. It seemed that everything that happened always made it look like Starscream's fault. The doors finally opened and Thundercracker warily walked in, Skywarp trailing after him, careful to keep his eyes on the floor- he was wise too. Thundercracker stopped a few feet from the throne, just out of Megatron's reach. He carefully met the eyes of their commander, and he could have sworn his eyes looked like burning embers in a roaring fire.
"Come closer," Megatron drawled out slowly, his jaw clenched. His hands gripped both of the hand rests with enough power that it started to crumble into dust. Throwing a look towards Starscream, he took a step closer, and then another. Finally, his feet just touched the bottom tier of stairs as Megatron sank into his chair. Flinching, Thundercracker slightly raised his arms to protect his face, only to put them down by his side. He had been expecting Megatron to chew him out and spit his spark-less body back out in various deformed segments.
Instead, he just sat there, looking at Thundercracker- a cold blank look on his face. He didn't know what was scarier, an angry Megatron or a quiet, pensive Megatron? Staring at Thundercracker for a while more he finally opened his mouth.
"Tell me, what happened?" Megatron asked- no hint of his previous anger. It scared everyone in the room.
"I-Lord Megatron, we- I mean, I took her to the Canyon near by and she stood near the edge of a cliff. It started to crumble underneath her, she fell…" Thundercracker slowly trailed off as he stared at his leader. Megatron leaned forward, annoyance clearly written on his face.
"She fell, and what else?" Megatron grounded out.
"The cliff crumbled and…she fell. I flew after her, but she fell faster and into a cavern opening." Thundercracker mumbled.
Megatron roared and clamped his hand around the blue seekers throat. Rising from his throne, Megatron lifted Thundercracker off the floor.
"Then why didn't you fly after her into the cavern!"
"I-I my I couldn't fit" Thundercracker gasped out.
"Then you ask for assistance from someone smaller!" Megatron roared again before flinging the seeker across the room like a rag. Tumbling, Thundercracker tried to get to his feet as he noticed Megatron walk towards him. Megatron beat him, Thundercracker groaned as Megatron suddenly kicked him in the side. Rolling across the floor, Thundercracker raised to his feet as energon started to leave from his mouth and dribble down his chin. Turning away from the blue seeker, Megatron looked as Soundwave.
"Send Lazerbeak into that cavern," turning towards his second-in-command, he addressed Starscream.
"Search the skies for her along with the other fliers." Walking towards his throne, Megatron sank into his throne and glared at the air in front of him.
"I want her body here- alive would be preferred, for now."
Shadowblur awoke slowly, her mind was slightly hazy. Memories started to bubble in the front of her mind, and yet she couldn't remember what happened. Bright lights flooded her optics and she flinched bringing her arms to cover her eyes. Setting her optics to accept the bright light, she put down her arm and looked around. A strong, almost rancid scent pelted her nose. White tile bleed to touch the soft grey that made up the walls. Various tools and parts were organized around the room on and in shelves or baskets. Twisting over the edge of the berth, she swung her legs over the edge and let them dangle for a moment before hopping off the berth entirely.
A blue curtain was hanged, slightly pulled back. Peaking around it warily, she found a bright neon yellow mech with red decaling. He sat at a desk, hunched over a data-pad. He hadn't noticed her yet, and she let her eyes wander around the new part of the room. Her optics stopped on a red Autobot insignia painted on a grey wall. The words: 'N.E.S.T.' was around it in a circle. Looking at it for another moment, she felt a sense of euphoria wash over her.
"Autobots," she whispered to herself.
The yellow mech suddenly looked up at her surprised.
"Glad you're awake," he called at her.
Starscream flew into sky, easily transforming into the sky. His thrusters ignited and propelled him upwards even more. The sound of other thrusters surrounded him as he led a group into the sky. Skywarp flew underneath him as Dirge took his left flank, Thrust and Ramjet behind him as well. Thundercracker trailed quietly, dents were visible on his body, even in the dark. Flying over the city, the human lights glowed on their underbellies as they flew. Dreadwing joined them shortly and went into place near Skywarp. A good thirty minutes was spent in an awkward silence until Starscream commanded the group to split up and look around.
Ravage slithered across the floor like a ghost as he made his way towards a cavern hole. Sniffing the floor, he made his way easily into the hole –his claws digging into the rock wall stabilizing him. Water started to beat against his body, but he maintained a good grip. He went down a good length downwards, before he started going up to the surface again. Clawing himself out, Ravage shook off the water droplets that hung to his body. Looking up into a nearby tree, he nodded, and Lazerbeak exploded from the treetop and swooped into the hole. Ravage started into a sprint, following the energy signature of his fellow cassette. Reaching a small cave, Ravage stopped and sat patiently for Lazerbeak to emerge. And, he did. Water drops and scratches adorned his body. Soaring into the sky, Lazerbeak followed the faint energy signal of the femme. The faint trail of energon she left from a cut wasn't too big for a normal sized mech to pick up. But, he had the necessary equipment to track even the smallest of drops. Lazerbeak heard the silent patter of feet running underneath him, knowing that Ravage was behind him. Swopping around a big oak tree, he landed on a branch and looked at the base that stood a few miles away. The energy was radiating from deep within the building, she was there.
Shadowblur wobbled a little, her knees threatening to collapse underneath her. Apparently, she had been out for a day. When she had woken up, she had been interviewed over and over again as if testing her answers every time. They all remained the same. She didn't have anything to hide- Megatron didn't include her on plans, she doubted he would at any time soon. It was funny, with the decepticons she was a prisoner; here it was the same, only they seemed to sugar coat it. She saw right through them. Her door wings slightly dropped; everywhere she would go it was always the same. It angered her and yet, she couldn't feel enough anger to fuel her into a rampage, self-pity held her back. Walking through the halls trying to find her way towards the med-bay where she was forced to stay, humans would glare at her as if waiting for her to go blasting her guns randomly. Yea, that was going to happen. Hey, let's shoot the Autobots so they can haul my aft down into a brig, just to sit there and wait for my execution. Yea, she was totally looking for that to happen. Autobots glared at her too, some were more compassionate towards her. Or, at least one was, make that two. Optimus was pretty nice, but why wouldn't he, she was his niece in a weird way. Though that relation didn't gain her any favorite point with any of his soldiers, she still appreciated his kindness. The other one who was semi-nice to her was a bit weird. A babbler. He helped guide her towards Optimus's office since no one else wanted too. Though he did talk a lot- she appreciated that he didn't let them slip into an awkward silence. Shadowblur regretted now asking what his name was, but oh well. Maybe, they'd meet again. Using her memory, she went into what she was sure was the medical hall. It wasn't- it was the base entrance. Humans and Autobots stood guarding and checking who came in and out. Discarding any thoughts of going outside and stretching, she continued on her way before something made her stop in her tracks.
"Elita-1, is your group ready to leave already?" a voice asked, perhaps a human, there was no metallic tint in the voice to make it sound cybertronian.
"My femmes are always ready, now will you permit us on our mission?" Elita-1 asked politely.
Backtracking into the hall, she looked at the pretty decent group of femmes and started walking towards them. She stood a few feet back and watched them- it'd been a long time since she'd seen any cybertronian femmes like herself. Of course, there was Nightbird, but she was an organic made machine. She was no cybertronian femme, far from it. Looking for a while longer, she studied their forms and slightly felt her ego deflate. Beautiful, graceful, and deadly, all their bodies radiated this aura. Her optics landed on Elita-1 and she felt like slowly melting out of existence. She had heard of stories of her, they held no candle to how pretty she really was. Confidence and kindness screamed from her. She had seen enough for one night-possibly to make her self-conscious for the rest of her life, she turned on her heel as the group of femmes started to filter out. Ramming into something hard, she fell onto her aft and glared upwards. A black mech glowered down at her.
"Don't even think about it, decepticon." He frowned and powered his guns. They whirled in her face, the heat radiating into her skin. Pushing them away, she glared.
"I wasn't going to, I was just looking." She snapped back.
The guns were back into her face.
"Keep the attitude to yourself, unless you want to end up a burn mark in the floor."
She laughed at him and pushed the guns away. Standing up, she looked up at him.
"Empty threats are weak." She laughed and started to walk away before a hand painfully gripped her elbow, she twirled around to face the offender.
"Well see," he growled as he started to walk off with her in too. He pinned her arm between his body and his arm, struggling to get away she used her free hand to pound into her back.
"Let me go," she demanded, twisting and turning her arm trying to get it out. Eyes stopped and stared at the couple, sneering at her in amusement. A deep voice made them both stop.
"Ironhide, what is the matter of all this?" Turning around, they faced Optimus himself.
"I caught the decepticon femme trying to escape." Ironhide explained.
"Escape? I wasn't escaping, I told you I was only watching the group of femmes that left a while ago, I was going on my way to the med-bay," she defended herself with whatever dignity she had left.
Optimus looked at them both and raised a hand towards Ironhide,
"Release her, there is no harm." He asked the other mech.
"But- she," Ironhide was cut off.
"I trust her- she has done no wrong to use yet."
The grip around her elbow eased and she stepped away, glaring at the black mech.
"Take her for some air outside, Ratchet believes this is best- her fuel lines have not been pumping properly."
"Outside? She can escape and- why doesn't she just go to the training room it's-" Ironhide was cut off in his angry ramble.
"The rec-room is full. Ratchet knows best, I know his examination is not wrong. Or, do you believe otherwise?"
"Prime, she is-" Ironhide rambled off, he stared at Optimus for a moment looking up into that knowing face.
Ironhide put a hand on her lower back and lowered his voice to a whisper before pushing her forwards harshly.
"If I find you back with the decepticons, your head will be mounted, you're all scum." He pushed her forwards and started to walk away. Looking up at Optimus, he motioned her to continue on her way. He smiled kindly down at her. He watched as a small smile touched her lips, before it disappeared. Her eyes never stopped smiling at him. He watched her as she quickly made her way towards the entrance.
Skywarp landed on the roof of a tall building, street cars driving below creating streaks of light as they zoomed on. He held on the edge of the building and leaned over. Resting his weight on his toes he looked down. Rain started to come down and run down his face- his crimson eyes glowing from the dark set of his face. The sky was grey with patches of white here and there. Dark spots started to cover the dry of the building he stood on. He watched and studied every face down below, children, female, and men. He studied every car, looking for the familiar purple that made up Shadowblur's color scheme. He looked long and hard before he grew satisfied and went to fly onto the top of another building, each on different streets. Rain pelted down on his body, streaking into his joints. He ignored the water and continued with his task. The familiar presence of Thundercracker was across the city, Starscream in the forest. Skywarp powered his thrusters before stopping, something catching his attention from the corner of his eyes. Turning around, he leaned over the edge and looked into the street below. A cherry red car zoomed down, maneuvering through the other cars. He looked a while longer and frowned- neutrals were a rare thing to see. Especially one who left his spark signature unmasked. Leaping off the building, he fell, feeling the air rush across his wings- caressing the sensitive panels before he turned on his thrusters and disappeared into the sky.
Shadowblur walked through the thick organic matter that made up the forest. Rain poured down on her armor and sliding into her insides. Looking up towards the sky, she watched as ran came down at her- the grey clouds tumbling around with a few white ones. The rain was warm- the sun having to have warmed it up in the day. The rain slid across her face, making it look like she was crying. Looking back down, she continued to walk and picked up her pace, her strides getting faster and faster. Her feet hitting the floor in a rhythmic pattern, a laugh bubbled from her mouth. The thick, moist rain colliding with her body as she ran. A sense of freedom erupting from every gear in her body, each wire, her spark raced and glowed brighter. She hadn't felt this alive in such a long time.
Starscream froze; laughter rang from deep within the forest, the metallic tint in the sound catching his attention. Running to catching some momentum, he threw himself into the air and powered his thrusters. The bright blue fire emerged from his heels propelling him towards the sound. A beeping started in the back of his head, answering the Com. Link. He never faltered.
: Lord Megatron, your call is so much unexpected I hope-: Starscream was cut off.
: Save your nonsense, Ravage just reported Shadowblur to have left the security of the Autobot base. It appears that you are near her location, find her.: Megatron growled before cutting the link. Saving the sarcastic comment for later, he pushed himself to go faster. The green of the forest smearing into a giant blur of green around him as he went faster.
: Skywarp, contact Thundercracker and meet me at the following coordinates: Starscream simply sent to his trine mate. He didn't slow down- not until the sound of laughter was getting louder. Tilting upwards, he went higher into the sly and decided he would take her out from above. He hovered a few feet away from her. He watched her strides across the forest floor, her feet pattering against the wet ground. Something small blinked a bright blue light from a tree top. Starscream squinted; he looked at the light and realized what it was. And, yet he didn't do anything. He stood by and watched, amusement masking his face in evil.
She ran, completely oblivious to the world around her. Despite what she has learned from growing up, she tuned out the world and concentrated on the drops of water that hit her body. It wasn't until something sharp was hit into her neck. Stopping, she looked around, her defense systems coming on. Nothing stirred in the dark forest, and that only made her even more wary. Taking a step forward, something shot her in the neck again. Growling, she reached up to her neck and felt the bump of a dart. It had lodged itself into a wire in her neck. Hissing, she pulled it out and held it in her palm. A thin trail of energon started to spurt from her neck and ran along side with the rain. She stared at the dart for a while longer before she recognized the thing. Nerve shocker darts. Her eyes widened, powering her weapons on line, she tensed her shoulders. Looking around, her vision started to swarm out of focus. Shaking her head, it cleared for a moment. Her knees started to wobble, but she would not succumb to the darts effects. Frag no, not until she gave a good fight. A group of humans emerged from the foliage and she aimed her gun at them. They seemed unaffected by the threat she posed.
"Take her down," one human barked.
Wires burst from the tops of trees and wrapped around her wrists. Pulling at them, other wire spread out from the ground wrapping around her ankles. She pulled on her left arm and pulled a group of humans from the tree branches. They screamed at each other, she swung her arm around and growled.
"She isn't tranquilized enough! Shoot her again!" A couple of darts made their way towards her at the same time more wires wrapped around her wrist. Her mind went fuzzy as a dart made its mark in her neck. Her knees started to wobble and the ground suddenly stated to come closer.
"Why did humans have cybertronian weaponry?" her mind thought before it shut down on forced stasis.
Skywarp stood beside Starscream and frowned.
"Aren't we going to do something, Megatron wants her back-"
"Change of plans," Starscream answered with a smirk on his lips. The black and purple seeker looked at him briefly, wondering what was going through the other seeker's mind.
"But, Megatron said-" Skywarp was cut off as a null ray was shoved into his face.
"Megatron! Megatron! He is not here and there for I command! Do you have a problem with this, Skywarp?"
Skywarp looked at him carefully and stood quietly. The null ray lowered down.
"I didn't think as much."
Shadowblur came online after a while. She tried to stand up, only to have a chain around her neck pull her back down. Yelping, in surprise she looked around. An angry voice suddenly boomed from outside.
"I requested Elita-1, that is not Elita-1!
'Elita-1?" she wondered.
"Master, I can explain, we did not know!" a small voice pleaded. Raising her head slightly, she heard a gun shot.
A door slid open and a cheery red mech walked in,
"Pathetic squishes," he mumbled. Looking up at her, he froze.
"Quickdart?" he asked her.
Looking at him confused for a moment, she frowned.
"My name isn't Quickdart, its Shadowblur, remember it," she growled at him.
He looked at her for a while longer and she frowned even more. She briefly wondered if he had a staring problem. Recognition slowly made its way onto his face. He quickly ran towards her and un-wrapped the chain from her neck. Hugging her she squirmed away. Pushing him away she looked at him and hissed.
"Don't touch me," she hissed her eyes glowing.
"You, you," He stuttered "Your mother, I knew her."
Her spark froze and so did she. He knew her mother?
A/N: Don't know what to say about this chapter…Just that it seems rushed to me and she's being thrown around the different factions around like a rag doll. Different pov's were necessary, the last part with the humans and neutral mech wasn't originally supposed to happen, but I needed to put it in to move on to the next chapter. So…yea. Chapter name is crappy, I know. I Didn't know what else to name it.