Respect your Decision
But cannot Accept it
Yell at me later for being gone for so long. I've been busy.
Okay. After she was thrown around by Megatron for a couple minutes, Starscream assured Megatron that he could put his plans back on course, but would require Selena's aide, therefore granting Selena extra hours to live. But what plan could Starscream mean? And how does Selena play into this fiasco.
(-)(-)(-)
"GRRR!" Selena growled, ragingly punching the wall of the medical bay. Her red eyes glowing the brightest red Starscream had ever seen. They almost lit up the entire room. "NXE KXO XOCC TEOJ XO KXADB XO AJ?" She howled in her native tongue! "SEMMUDTADW MO? JMUJXADW MO UHEIDT?" The scalpels and drills floated from the table, orbiting Selena like a planet. "KHOUKAWD MO CAOB JEMO JXAK EVV KXO WHEIDT?"
"If all that means you are upset-" Starscream ducked as a laser scalpel flew overhead, "I completely concur with your anger."
Selena halted the rampaging blows. "ANGER!" She spat, startling Starscream. "I'M FURIOUS!" She pushed off from the ground and got in Starscream's face. "MOSTLY AT YOU!"
"WHAT! ME?" Starscream shrieked in flabbergasted outrage. "WHAT FOR?"
Selena took a deep breath, relaxed her nerves and proceeded to say softly, "You said he was a little peeved." She pinched her fingers together, "A...LITTLE!" Starscream narrowed his eyelids, predicting her voice would rise again. "My body impressions on the bridge suggest he was," She got in his ear, "A LITTLE MORE THAN JUST PEEVED, STARSCREAM!"
Starscream's audio receptors whistled and rang. He gently pushed Selena back, waving a hand for her to wait a moment. Knocking his head he checked to make sure nothing came loose. He grinded and sharpened his fingers, snapping them. His hearing had returned. He folded one hand behind his back and swept the other out in a gesture, "Please continue with your rant. But do show mercy to an old seeker's listening mechanism, would you?"
Selena heaved in aggravation, but calmed down all the same. "On top of Megatron treating me like a floor mat, I am now part of a plan I didn't even know you hatched."
"Yes well..." Starscream mumbled, flourishing his hand so to entice his words to flow. "I concocted this plan during your absence. I intended to fill you in upon your return, but Lord Megatron returned before I could."
"Forgive me if I don't believe you."
"Would you be more inclined to believe me if I told you the specifics?"
"Depends on what they are and how I play a role in this...plan of yours."
"Oh trust me," Starscream purred, chuckling mischievously, "You play a significant role in my plan."
(-)(-)(-)
Night had fallen upon Nevada. Crickets chirped in the distance, Coyotes howled and stalked the vast open desert, in search of their next meal, and all of Jasper retired to their bedrooms for a good night's sleep.
In his bedroom Rafael rested on his bed, staring up at the glowing stars pasted to his ceiling in the shape of constellations. On his chest, clenched tightly in his fingers was his phone. For some reason he could still feel Selena lingering presence on the phone, as if she were still holding it. Part of him wished Selena were still holding it. He wanted to talk with her a little while longer. But thanks to the Cons and the weird war, his time was cut short.
"The War..." He sighed. Unlike me you still have a chance to get out. Selena's concerned advice replayed in his mind over and over again. I wasn't meant to be part of this war. Neither are you. Rafael gripped the phone tighter. Rafael heard her advice, but he chose to stay. Why? By being friends with the Autobots, Bumblebee especially, Rafael felt he contributed in a small yet meaningful way. Besides, remaining with the Autobots meant he would see Selena every so often. May be as an enemy. But at least he'd get to see her.
Rafael inadvertently giggled to himself like a nutty schoolgirl. "WHOA!" Rafael touched his chest. His heart pounded excitedly. His nerves jittered a tiny bit too. "What-what was that?" He panted.
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! His laptop rang. Rafael was receiving a video call. The 12 year old sat up, grabbed his glasses, and moved the laptop from desk table to his lap. Opening it the faces of Jack and Miko appeared in video screens. "H-Hey guys." He yawned. "What's going on?"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN WHAT'S GOING ON?" Miko boomed excitedly. Rafael lowered the volume, praying his mom and dad hadn't heard from next door. "Hello! Here we were, sitting at the you-know-what hideout, when Optimus arrives with this wicked dent in his door."
Rafael cocked a bewildered brow, "What dent?" He scratched his head. "Optimus was fine when I saw him."
"Well it must have happened afterwards." Jack assumed ominously. "Because when he returned to the plant, Ratchet began fixing the hand print dent in his door."
"Handprint?" Rafael thought back to early that afternoon, wondering when Optimus could have -"Selena!" He gasped.
"Oh yeah!" Miko boomed again. "Miss red eyed heart of gold was there." She cheered happily. "AW MAN! Did she and Optimus fight and I missed it?"
"Is fighting all you can think about?" Jack scolded her. "In case you've forgotten, Selena went to his house to threaten him!"
"Not really." Rafael corrected him with a warm smile. "In fact she did...almost the exact opposite." Rafael explained the particulars of his and Selena's meeting, how she came to him hoping to save him from a life she never wanted. Hoping she could give him a chance to live a life a of normalcy. A life she had long since lost. "She told me - since she can't - I had a chance to leave."
"What'd you tell her?" Jack wondered, apprehensive to the answer.
"I told her I'd stay because I can't abandon Bumblebee after becoming his friend."
"Hey, that's how I feel about Bulkhead." Miko pointed a grudging thumb to Jack. "Mr. Gloom and Doom here must not feel the same way about Arcee."
"Hey! I made my choice! Don't go assuming you know me!"
"Why? What happened?"
"Jack's taking Selena's offer of normalcy. He doesn't want to be part of the Autobots club."
"It's not a club, Miko! It's a bunch of robots in a war trying to kill each other!"
"Sounds like a club to me."
"Look, I'm not talking about this! This is about Raph!"
"Raph's fine, obviously! Aren't you Raph?"
"I'm great."
"SEE!"
"Well what did Selena do afterward, besides mangled Optimus's arm?"
Rafael shrugged. "She agreed to have a sundae with me when we're not all trying to kill each other."
Jack's mouth fell open in disbelief. "SUE-WEET!" Miko cheered. "Can I come?"
"Sure. Why not?"
"ARE YOU TWO SERIOUS?" Jack howled. "You actually trust that...that...monster?"
A vein popped in Rafael's head. "SHE ISN'T A MONSTER!" He pounded his keyboard, startling both teens. "Selena's not a monster! She's in pain! How would you feel if you had to watch your entire planet turn to dust? Or listen to everyone cry out in agony as they're incinerated? I sincerely doubt you'd be happy-go-lucky, want to hug everyone, sunshine and rainbows!"
"Whoa! Raph!" Jack raised his hands, wanting protection from Rafael's anger. "Take it easy! I was just-"
"Do you want to know why I want to have a sundae with her? Or why I really want to stay with the Autobots?"
"Why?" Miko asked.
"Because I know I'll see Selena. And by seeing her I'll learn more about her." He adjusted his glasses, narrowing his raging eyes onto Jack. "Do you want to know what I've learned so far?" He dared Jack to respond.
"What?" Jack asked, dumbstruck by Rafael's hostility.
"Selena laughs, cries, shouts, and jokes just like a human - regardless of being an alien. And whether or not others like her, she continues to live her life the way she wants to. I don't care if she works for the cons. I don't care if she had it out for Ratchet!" That was a lie. Rafael cared greatly if Selena hurt Ratchet. "I like Selena! And if you don't like that...maybe you should stay home." Without another word Rafael close his computer with a hard slam. He shoved the computer away, and threw the covers over his head. He buried his face into the pillows, forgetting his glasses were on.
"Selena's nice. She just sad." Rafael told himself. "I know deep down she truly cares. I just know it."
(-)(-)(-)
Optimus hummed thoughtfully to himself, eyes swaying left to right as his thoughts lingered on the ever enigmatic Selena.
"Luckily the handprint wasn't deep." Arcee remarked. "Though I'm confused as to why she only printed you instead of pummel you."
"Because not only was she serving to make her threats real, Rafael was present." Optimus elucidated, keeping it quiet that he too was still puzzled.
"On another note," Ratchet quickly added, "Led astray or not Magneetians are a species of honor." Bulkhead and Bumblebee arched a brow, doubtful of his claim. "Selena's quarrel is with us - Me." He corrected shamefully. "She will not harm the children or any other humans...so long as they do not push her."
"PUSH IT PUSH IT! TO THE LIMIT, LIMIT!" Fowler sang and danced from the medical bed the Autobots setup for him. "Cause we're in it to...to..." He fell back down, sawing logs.
Ratchet touched his forehead, erasing the tomfoolery brought on by the torture by energon from his mind. "Agent Fowler is obviously one of those instances." He was referring to the numerous cuts, bruises, and other abrasion inflicted to Fowler's body. "Selena can be as kind as a child or as relentless as a Decepticon."
"Making her both a riddle and unpredictable." Arcee added.
"I hate riddles." Bulkhead rumbled. "Riddles make my head hurt."
"Regardless of what she is, we must remain on guard." Optimus warned, earning nods from his team. "Selena aside, Megatron and Starscream are threats who are no doubt concocting yet another dastardly plan."
^Hopefully that plan waits until morning.^ Bumblebee yawned, stretching his servos. ^I'm beat from getting beaten like a piñata.^
"I'm with Bee." Bulkhead agreed, massaging his optics tiredly. "Selena handed our exhaust pipes to us so many times I'm scared to have one."
"Rest would be an ideal option." Ratchet concurred. "I've healed the wounds dealt to you, but your bodies need to be in stasis in order to heal fully. And with the children home I trust you'll get a full nights rest."
Arcee wrapped her arms around herself, thoughts falling onto Jack. The young Darby decided he no longer wished to be part of the Autobots world. He wanted live a normal, human life. Arcee respected it…but she couldn't accept it. Why? She lost one friend. She couldn't lose another.
(-)(-)(-)
June Darby, Jack's mom, pulled into the K.O. Burger parking lot. Jack sat in the passenger seat, leaning on his elbow as he grumbled in absolute humiliation. "You know, mom, I could have road my bike."
"I know, I know." June waved a hand, giggling at her son's desire for independence. "But with your bike in the shop and your other bike having a flat, I thought I'd give you lift before heading off to work." She rested a hand on his shoulder, soothing his embarrassment. "And to let you know whatever it is I'm always here for you to talk to."
Jack's eyes widened in surprise, though he shouldn't have been. With his dad out of the picture, June's tried extra hard to be there for Jack when he's needed her. Especially now that he was having…girl problems. "Thanks mom." Jack opened the door. "I promise everything's fine. But…I will tell you about my day…and whatever problems I may have." June nodded her head firmly, agreeing with the conditions.
As June drove off, Jack waved goodbye, praising the fact he had an awesome mom. "Problems you may have?" Jack whipped around. He gaped in horror finding Selena standing behind him with her hands to her hips. "Last I checked, human teens have problems every second of the day."
"And you're the beginning of my problems!" Jack hissed in outrage.
"I always thought that was your inability to land Sierra." Selena remarked sardonically. Jack's face erupted into crimson red. Before he could ask, Selena displayed her phone. "Miko and Raph love to talk." Jack clenched a fist, vowing revenge against his big mouth friends. "By the way, girls sort of like it when you compliment them and treat them nice."
"OH SHUT UP! What would you know about girls?" He boomed.
Selena giggled mockingly to the heated boy. "I may not be human," she touched a hand to her chest, "But I still am a girl." She bounced her boobs. "Or last time I checked."
Jack covered his eyes, hiding the pink in his cheeks. He stretched out a flat palm, begging her to stop. With a laugh, Selena obliged. "What the Hell are you doing here?" He demanded grudgingly. "Don't you have Autobots to track down? Or-or humans to terrorize?"
"I do, actually." Selena admitted elatedly. "But first I'd like to try out the new pancake burger blow out K.O. Burger's promoting." She held her hands to her growling stomach. "Maybe I'll get a frappe coffee and some French toast with that." She groaned.
"Wait." Jack erected a finger, halting the weirdness he just heard. "You're here…right now…at this point in time…" Selena rolled her eyes, finding his befuddlement entertaining, "Because you're hungry?"
"Despite all extraterrestrial factors, I do eat Jack." She remarked snidely. "If I don't I CAN starve myself into an early grave."
"EARLY?" Jack scoffed. "You're 300 years old and counting! I'd hardly call that early."
"First of all, SMARTASS, I'm only 270 years old - turning 271 next April first."
At first Jack rolled his eyes, finding the age the same thing as Potato po-tah-toe. Then, "Your birthday's on April Fool's day?"
"Yep. Greatest day ever! My friends on Magtora turned it into a tradition to prank me before the day ends. Halloween is even crazier!" Jack had to admit he was caught off guard. He didn't think aliens celebrated earth holidays. Or...that they even knew what holidays were. "That aside, even I need to refuel." She blushed madly as her stomach gurgled again. "And right now I could eat everything from the number one to the super-sized number 15." She held her hands together, playfully begging, "I'll buy your breakfast too, just please let me eat my weight in artery clogging food."
"Um..." Jack hummed, unsure of how to respond to the out of character request. Looking to his watch: he had another 30 minutes before he had to begin his morning shift. "Sure?" He answered dubiously.
"THANK YOU!" Selena boomed.
A few minutes later
"Here you go ma'am." A large burger constructed of two sausage meat patties between, eggs, bacon, pancake saucers, and buns was placed in front of Selena, along with an extra-large Mocha Frappe with extra chocolate drizzle, and a side of strawberries in a bowl instead of French toast. "That'll be-"
Selena flashed a 20 in his face, "Keep the change!" She snatched up the burger and shoved half of it into her mouth. The server blinked in astonishment, and backed away slowly to the kitchen.
Jack watched with a gaping mouth. Selena shoveled food into her mouth at an alarming rate. After a few seconds half the burger was gone, leaving a small bite, she inhaled the bowl of strawberries, and chugged the frappe. She would have eaten the napkin if Jack hadn't pulled it out of her line of gorging. "Uh..." Selena unleashed an ear breaking burp which lasted for three seconds, then she continued to eat. "Do the Con's not feed you?" He asked, trying not to laugh. Selena sipped more of her coffee, washing down the already consumed food. Only the trash remained - amazingly. "Better question: when's the last time you did eat?"
"Since I told you, Miko, and Raph to not hang out with me." She answered nonchalantly. "And after that I sort of forgot to eat."
Jack pushed up from his chair, "YOU HAVEN'T EATEN IN THREE DAYS?" He boomed, causing Selena to plug one ear. "Geez!" He fell back into his chair. "No wonder why you're stuffing yourself. And how do you forget to eat?" Selena shrugged with a guilty smile. Jack shook his head with disappointment. "Why do I get the feeling you forget to eat a lot?" He referred to her good figure. "You know it's not healthy, right? Neither is gorging yourself."
"Hey!" She slapped her coffee to the table. "I don't do it on purpose!" She pointed her waistline. "And I'll have you know I have an outrageously high metabolism - The reason behind why I gorge myself." Proving a point and making a joke, she retrieved her napkin and began to nibble on it.
Jack couldn't resist any longer. A hearty laugh exploded from his stomach. Selena caught the funniness and began to laugh herself. "God! Raph was right!" Jack hooted through laughs. "You are more like humans than I thought." Just then Selena received a text. "And here I thought you were just a sadistic, homicidal maniac."
Selena batted her eyes, "You flatter me." She teased.
"Raph also told me you tried to convince him to leave the bots."
"Miko told me you want to quit the Autobot fan club."
"When did she-" Selena raised her phone with a text from Miko. "Oh."
"She also told me to tell you..." She squinted her eyes, studying the text, "To come to your senses and rejoin Team Prime. If not she'll pound your man parts back to un-development."
Jack winced and held hands protectively to his groin. "Is that physically possible? Or...genetically?"
"It's Miko. I'm sure she'll figure out a way to bend the laws." For a minute the two thought about Miko's threat, then shuddered in revulsion. "That girl is scary weird.
"I sincerely doubt those words do her justice."
"Though I can understand her confusion about your decision. I honestly expected Raph to be the one to quit. But you..." She pointed her phone to him, "The kid who wanted a new bike...and hates the provincial," She gestured a hand to the restaurant, "Fast Food industry life."
"Hey, after the last few days, this provincial fast food life sounds like paradise."
"I don't disagree with you there. I wish I could return to a life of luxury and indolence."
"Why can't you? Or could' - I should say. You could have stopped."
Selena swished her coffee about, dazed in the swirling contents. "You're right...I could have."
"Then why-"
"Tell me something, Jack," Selena interrupted, gazing to him with harsh eyes, "If you watched someone kill your mother, if you listened as she cried out in agony," She narrowed her eyes, "If that event replayed in your mind each and every single moment you close your eyes," She leaned in, wanting Jack to see the roaring pain forever flaring in her eyes, "Wouldn't you want revenge on the ones who took her from you? Wouldn't you like to see the murderers suffer for their crime?"
"Well...yeah..." Shamefully Jack agreed. June was all he had left. If she was gone - taken or otherwise - his life would cease to turn. He would fall into a pit of everlasting despair. ""I guess I would. But it wouldn't bring her back. I'm sure you realize that."
"Of course I know that!" She spat resentfully, "I discovered that truth 30 years ago when I killed my first bot."
"Then why?"
Selena leaned back into her chair, wrapping her arms around herself, trying to hold in the sadness. "Because if I don't they'll kill me."
Flashback
I traveled every corner of the universe, searching for any of my kind who survived the explosion. Naturally in my search I came up empty. During my search I found Autobots. Surely one of them must have seen my kind somewhere. Part of me approached them, naively believing they would whole heartily tell me if they knew if anyone from Magtora survived.
They answered me with blasters and gunfire. Relentlessly I was hunted. For weeks the Autobots hunted me, desperately seeking to destroy me before I - according to them - sought to destroy them. It was the same with every Autobot. They declared war on my people. They declared war on me. So I gave it to them.
Flashback End
Selena clenched a tight fist, power gathering in the palm of her hand as she reminisced in her conquest for vengeance. "Alderon, Umbris, Earth – everywhere I go I find Autobots!" Two tables crunched into crinkled flaps. "And every time they want to kill me. Why?" She turned the tables into balls. The staff behind the counter ran into the kitchen in hysteria. "Because we magnet wielders are a plague to all Cybertronians and must be eradicated."
"That's…" Jack couldn't even begin to describe it. "That's horrible." Part of him wanted to inch from the table in case she decided to crush it too.
Selena scoffed, finding his statement an understatement. "I survive therefore I have to kill. I kill in order to survive." She recited as if it were a curse placed upon her. "That is the life I have been forced to live."
"Forced meaning...you never wanted to."
"My people were pacifists, Jack. If I could have avoided it, I never would have struck them down. But when faced with a choice - to kill or be killed - you tend to pick the option that'll keep you alive." Selena ran her fingers over her skull buttons, relishing in the many times she has called upon them to aide her in combat. "I've survived the last 30 years in endless combat. These last four years in Jasper have been the quietest." Not counting the last few days of Autobots and Decepticons engaging in an earthbound turf war.
"Selena I...I'm so sorry." He sighed hoarsely. "I never..."
"Don't be sorry." She reassured him with a warm smile. "Just understand why I do what I do." Half lowered his gaze, feeling guilty about his harsh assumptions made about her. Now he understood her purpose. He didn't like it. But he understood. "Jack, I know you don't like me - I understand." Jack's shame caused him to sink into himself. "But know that I do like you, Miko, and Rafael." Regardless of Miko and Rafael saying so, Jack was shocked to hear her admit she liked them. "True I attacked you." She leaned on her elbow with an amused smile. "But then again you raised uranium to me." Jack shrugged with a smile. Their conversation was interrupted by a familiar motorcycle appearing in the parking lot. Selena furrowed her brow. "It would appear our conversation has come to an end." Selena took that as a sign to pack up and leave. "You know...I find it rather odd. You left and yet she's still coming to see you. Something tells me…she isn't ready to let you go." Jack's eyes widened in astonishment. "It was good talking to you Jack."
"Wait! Selena!" Selena glanced back to jack with a curious brow arched. Jack inched back a ways, massaging his neck nervously. "Raphael mentioned you and sundaes...and..." Selena knit her brow, wondering what he was getting at. "And I was wondering if I could be invited? You know, when the fighting is halted, the days are cleared up, and we aren't fighting with each other."
"I'd like that." Selena took her leave, leaving Jack with his thoughts.
Selena entered into the parking lot. Nonchalantly she sat on Arcee's seat. "Jack does like you." She assured the two-wheeler. "And I'm sure you like him."
"Is there a point somewhere?"
"You want jack to come back. Jack's looking for a reason to come back." Selena patted Arcee's handlebars, signifying she meant her. "Now I don't care what the three do. If they leave they leave. If they stay they stay. But know that I don't intend to pull punches when they're around."
"And know that I won't hesitate to kill you if you go after them."
Selena chuckled maliciously, "You mean you won't hesitate to try and kill me."
"You're not invincible, Selena!"
"Neither are you! Nor are the three children you claim to be safeguarding." Selena gripped Arcee's handlebars. "Which is why I'm reminding you." More like a warning judging from the spiking vibrations being sent into the Arcee's handlebars, "Keep those three children safe." Arcee's hissed in pain. "Because if I find out they were harmed under your watch," Selena removed her hand, hovering from the ground, "Ratchet won't be the only bot in my sights." In the blink of an eye, Selena took off, vanishing beyond the clouds.
Jack meandered from the burger joint, catching a glimpse of Selena as she disappeared. Jack's eyes fell onto Arcee, an awkward silence filling the lot. "Hey."
(-)(-)(-)
Selena rested on the clouds, hands behind her head, and eyes closed as she drifted along with her mind in dreamland. In her back pocket she felt and heard her phone ring. She pressed a button. The phone transformed, crawling up her arm and clipping to her ear. The mouth piece and visor extended. "Speak and be heard."
"Where in blazes are you?" The cacophonous grinding voice of Megatron ruptured her ear.
"In the clouds, in more ways than one." She remarked with sardonic humor. "Perhaps you should join me, My Lord. The clouds are quite lovely."
"Perhaps when my plans to Rule this Planet have come to fruition."
"Oh yeah…" Selena gasped with false innocence, "That's right. You have a plan." She smiled impishly, a phantom snide gleaming in her crimson eyes, "Or rather you have Starscream's plan."
"ENOUGH OF YOUR IMPUDENCE, WHELP!" Selena flinched. The Con did know how to roar. "What is your location? Tell me now or suffer my wrath."
You've got to love his people skills. "I'm so close to the Nemesis right now, I can spit on it." The clouds cleared away, revealing the leviathan ship of the Cons. "Surely Soundwave could have told you that." Selena's smile grew as she heard Megatron growl in irritation. For the first time she heard him yell at Soundwave for not detecting her. "Perhaps it is time for the Con's eyes and ears to retire."
"JUST…ADJOURN…TO THE BRIDGE…FOR YOU ASSIGNMENT!"
"At your will, Lord Megatron." She ended the call. "I do so love it when he's angry." Selena opened the hatch she lied on and swooped in.
(-)(-)(-)
Megatron prodded his head with his dagger like fingers. "I swear as the Al Spark as my witness," He grumbled to Starscream, who staggered into Soundwave, "If she does not appear in the next five minutes-"
A Ventilation grate fell to the floor. All eyes rose to the ceiling. Selena poked her head out upside down and tipped her hat, "Morning everyone."
Megatron widened his eyes in confusion, then furrowed his brow in aggravation. "Where have you been?"
"On the roof of the ship for the last 20 minutes." She answered playfully. Megatron hissed in offense to being played. Selena floated onto Starscream's shoulder. "Scream you should join me next time. It's surprisingly comfortable up there."
"Perhaps I will."
"ENOUGH!" The two cowered behind Soundwave. "I am tired of this tomfoolery!" He stomped his foot, shaking the entire bridge off its hinges. "Plan your romantic getaway when I am NOT plotting my domination over this backwater planet!"
Starscream laughed nervously, "Y-Yes master! Right away!"
"AND I WOULD NEVER PLAN A ROMANTIC GETAWAY WITH HIM!" Selena howled. "If I'm going on a getaway with anyone it will either be with Sean Connery or Alan Rickman." She pointed a snarky thumb to Starscream. "Why would I date the squirrely jet?"
"SQUIRRELY?" Starscream shoved Soundwave aside. He and Selena glared each other down, squaring off. "I'll have you know LITTLE GIRL, I was the commander of an Elite team of seekers and I eviscerated a certain Cliffjumper."
"You were the Seeker Commander EONS ago! And I've killed hundreds of Autobots!"
An energon struck the two, shooting Starscream halfway across the bridge, and Selena into the wall like a bug. Megatron retracted his arm, blowing the steam from the barrel. Starscream and Selena groaned sickly, massaging their heads. "Uh…" Starscream shrugged a hand, "I believe I mentioned a plan."
"I believe you mentioned a plan involving me." Selena giggled nervously.
"Indeed I did." Starscream rose to his feet, grinning wolfishly. "And it is one you can sink your bloodthirsty teeth into." He purred.
(-)(-)(-)
"Oh man…" Fowler groaned sickly, sitting up from the hospital bed, "Haven't felt this bad since that time chugged half a pack of Jack Daniels."
"And you would do that, why?" Miko remarked scathingly.
Fowler rubbed the back of his neck embarrassingly, "It was…a LONG night in Vegas."
"Remind me never to go to Vegas." Rafael maoned.
The banter was interrupted by a familiar revving from a motorcycle. Jack and Arcee came riding in, earning exuberant smiles, even a half smile from Ratchet. "Hey guys. Good to see you again." Fowler smiled warmly. Then a ring came to his phone. Level S emergency call.
"Same here." Miko smirked. "What made you change your mind?"
"Someone texted Selena and told her to "Make me come to my senses." Miko grinned mischievously, giving two thumbs up, admitting her guilt full heartedly. "Thanks Miko. And Raph," Rafael raised a brow, "I'm sorry. You were right. Selena is like us in many ways. In pain…but like us. She may have it out for bots," Ratchet's guilt punched him in the gut, "But does care about us." He gestured his hand to Miko, Rafael, and himself. "And she's agreed to invite me on that sundae date you two planned."
"OOH, OOH, OOH!" Miko raised her hand, jumping like a bean. "AM I INVITED?"
"Call and ask." Rafael suggested. "Though I sincerely doubt she would mind."
"Would you all PLEASE stick a hub cap in it?" Ratchet howled, startling everyone in the room. "In case you haven't noticed I'm trying to calibrate very complex tech, on top of that Megatron plans to invade Cybertron and raise an army of DEAD Cybertronians! And what's worse," The computer panel fried for the umpteenth time, "The upgrades to the ground bridge keep frying my motherboard!"
"Would the calibrating of the complex tech be the upgrading of the Ground Bridge?" Rafael assumed, earning a death bound glare from Ratchet. "I'm guessing…" Ratchet slowly inched behind a pillar, "It's not…" He peeked around, "Ready." He squeaked.
"No!" Ratchet punched a beam. Miko and Jack hid behind Bulkhead. "No I have not! UGH!" He prodded his eyelids. "Could this day get any worse?"
"Maybe." Fowler answered somberly, closing his phone. "Turn on the TV. I think he Cons are on the move."
Bulkhead immediately jumped on the remote and clued the TV on. The picture tuned into a live military video feed centered on the Wind Turbines in Arizona. 40 helicopters, 30 army soldiers, 20 S.W.A.T officers, and 10 Policemen all heavily loaded surrounded the turbine felid. "Fowler! You there? This is General Markel!"
"I'm here General! What's the situation?"
"That girl you warned us about, what does she look like again?"
"Looks about 18 years old, 5'3 or 5'4, purple hair, red eyes, golden tan skin, wears purple and black, and stylish beret with skull badges."
"Wow." Jack gaped. "You described her…flawlessly."
"Back in my military days," Fowler pointed to his head, "It pays to have a photographic memory."
"THAT'S HER! READY YOUR WEAPONS!" Numerous clicks of gun hammers reverberated over the com. The camera found its way to the field. Selena stood in the center of the turbines and the numerous heavy duty weapons, arms folded, and smiling hungrily.
Fowler recognized that smile. "Hold your fire soldier!" He panicked hysterically. "She has power over magnetism!" He pounded his fist into the panel. "Firing any of those weapons will only serve her and kill you!" Ear piercing static suddenly interfered with the communications.
"FOWLER! What is that?"
"I-I don't know!" Fowler looked to Ratchet who began to run a diagnostic on the link. "There must be interference from-"
"Agent Fowler~" Selena voice tauntingly sang, coming in clearly. Dread filled Fowler and the Autobots. "It's not nice to give up family secrets."
"Selena?" He trembled.
"Glad to see you survived, Fowler. It wouldn't be any fun for me if you died."
Ratchet zoomed the hazy picture in, clearing it up. He discovered the scouter Starscream gave to her. "She's tapped into our communications." He reported dreadfully. "She can't locate us, but she can still hear and speak with us."
"Very good summation, Ratchet." She purred. "I do so love Decepticon tech."
(-)(-)(-)
Selena flipped her hair behind her ear, eyes roving over the many heavy duty guns aimed at her. "I also love how humans feel superior when handling guns." Selena let out a fake disappointed sigh, touching a finger to her cheek, "Although I was really looking forward to those weapons FIRING instead of their wielders standing idly by like cows waiting to be slaughtered." A sadistic smile crept across her face. She ran her tongue lovingly over the lips. "Slaughter…" She purred. "Now there's an idea."
"SELENA!" Ratchet roared, making her smile grow even wider. "What are you after? Surely it is not worth killing innocent humans over!"
"INNOCENT?" Selena threw her head back laughing. "They're aiming guns at me, Ratchet!" She stressed, almost sounding offended. "They were willing to shoot me long before they knew if I was who Fowler warned them of. They're little boys and girls with itchy trigger fingers. Yet you stand there and call them innocent?"
"It's called providing defense!" Fowler howled over the com next. "Protection! Something you wouldn't understand Fleshy-Con!"
"Clever, Fowler. Did you stay up all night coming up with that one?" Fowler growled, outraged she could stand there and joke while she threatened the lives of over a hundred humans. "As for why I'm here," She erected a finger, "I need the turbine propellers."
"For what purpose?" Optimus now asked.
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
"WE WOULD!" The general shouted over the com. He raised a hand, signaling the army to keep their weapons locked. "And either you tell us or-"
"Or WHAT, General?" Selena challenged. "You'll shoot me?" With a stamp of her foot, a ring of energy rolled out and washed over the army, lifting their guns from their hands. She aimed them for their heads. "Cue choppers." The helicopters unleashed heavy fire upon her. "Perfect."
"NO!" Fowler howled.
Selena flickered her eyes from glow to regular. The bullets halted mid-shot, becoming caught in a field which rippled like Jell-O. Relentlessly the pilots continued to fire on her, hoping to pierce whatever shield she had raised. Three men launched rockets in her direction, grenades, and smoke bombs. Selena guided the rockets around and redirected them back at the S.W.A.T Vehicles. The grenades were sent into the cop cars. A symphony of explosions quaked the grass field, sending chills running up Selena's legs. "Have you fools forgotten already?" Music came to her ears when she heard the empty clicks of the Gatling Guns. "I have power over Magnetism. Bullets, rockets, grenades," She curled her fingers in. The propellers of the helicopters bent and contorted, gnarling into pretzels, "Even your cheap flying metal – all metal bends to my will!" The pilots wasted no time in bailing out of their choppers. With a swift down motion of her hand Selena sent the choppers crashing into the burning cars.
The officers all dove to the ground, guarding their heads from the charred and flaring debris. "Now if you people are done," Selena clenched a fist. The guns and bullets fell to the ground, "I have propellers to borrow." Selena flew for the propellers.
"We're not done!" The General howled, taking up another rocket launcher. "We're far from finished!" He launched a rocket. Selena stopped mid turbine and rolled her eyes. A simple swat of her hand, the rocket was diverted away, exploding in the distance. Markel's hand's trembled. He gaped in horror.
Selena's eyes glowered, blazing with affronted embers. "You humans have officially annoyed me." She declared in monotone. "And you are now in my way." She stretched out a hand. The guns levitated from the ground
(-)(-)(-)
"GENERAL!" Ratchet boomed in excited horror. "You and your men must pull out now! Run! Get as far away as possible!"
"What's happening?" Rafael panicked.
"Selena's dangerous enough when she plays. Aggravated she's at her absolute worst." Ratchet informed them, recollecting Selena's metal work on him in the mines. Ratchet glared to the General, pleading, "General, Selena will kill you without a second thought and she will do it fast! RUN NOW!" Sickening grunts and choked gargles were coughed on the other end.
Miko, Jack, and Rafael's jaws gaped in terror. They had to do something…but what? What could they do from where they were?
"MARKEL!" Fowler boomed.
Bumblebee, Arcee, and Bulkhead clenched their servos, feeling helpless that they weren't bridging to their location. But if they do…Selena had turbines which she could use to wrench them into pieces. That aside, they needed to save their strength. They had a trip to space they would be going on soon.
(-)(-)(-)
The guns were broken in half and flattened and constricted the upper and lower arms. Tighter and tighter Selena constricted them. The struggling officers coughed and gasped for air, feeling the circulation dying in their bodies. Their heads felt like they were going to pop.
"They say humans possess eight pints of blood in their bodies." Selena curled her fingers in tighter. Blood curdling, agonized screams erupted from the restricted officers. She licked her lips, "I wonder how much I can wring out you before you stop screaming."
"SELENA, STOP!" Selena's grip lightened. She focused on her scouter, wondering if she recognized the voice coming through. "Selena, please," It was Jack, "You've made your point! Don't add any more blood on your hands."
Selena hmph'd with an annoyed smile. "Hello Jack." She replied dryly. "I see you've decided to return. Let me guess: Miko and Raph are there as well."
"All three of us are here. We've seen everything." Selena swallowed nervously. I can't believe this! She cursed herself. I feel like a kid caught in the cookie jar. "Selena, please, don't kill these men. You don't have to."
"Jack, I didn't want to kill them!" She stated with sincere bother. "In fact, I came here hoping to get the turbine propellers and leave." Not entirely true, but not false either. Selena knew there may be some type of security for the turbines. But she didn't expect a mock military. Though Starscream was correct. She was craving blood. And she would have it…were it not for three contingencies.
(-)(-)(-)
"What do you need the propellers for?" Miko asked.
"Unfortunately I can't tell you that. Save the Con's eyes and ear pummeling me into paste. And it wouldn't be any fun for me."
"So the Cons are forcing you to do this." Rafael assumed.
"Actually I chose to do this, Raph. The Cons don't make me do anything I don't want to – or have you not caught onto that?"
Jack's shoulders slumped. The bad side of Selena was showing. "Meaning you wanted to…kill those men."
"These militia nerds arrived and threatened to shoot me, Jack. I'm not a fan of getting shot." Meaning Selena wanted to kill the officers. Jack shook his head with sorrow.
(-)(-)(-)
"I'm sorry, Jack." Selena sighed. "But I did warn you." A timer flashed on her visor, alerting her to a time schedule. "And now I've got to cut this short. I've run out of playtime." One could hear the disappointment in her voice. Puffing a strand of hair from her face, Selena growled in the back of her throat. "Talk to you later."
"SELENA-"
Selena cut off the call. Glaring to the men below, Selena watched as they trembled in her wake. "HMPH!" Selena scoffed to herself, cursing her weakness. Damn those kids! She turned her back to the gawking crowd. Folding her legs she sat in a meditative pose. Closing her eyes she touched her middle and index tips to the thumbs. Moans and grinds echoed as the propellers wrenched and pulled away from the turbine. One…two…three…four…five…six propellers reels broke away.
"These are heavier than I thought." She grudged. Selena touched her com, "I've got 'em. Bridge me out."
"Roger that." A bridge opened to Selena in midair. Two by two she passed the propellers through. Finally Selena flew threw. When the vortex closed the officer's down below sighed with relief.
"Now how do we get out of these?" The general asked, struggling against the metal bonds.
(-)(-)(-)
Ratchet killed the feed. Jack, Miko, and Rafael sighed heavily with defeat, feeling that they had failed in swaying Selena. Nice though she may be, Selena was too engrossed in her sadness and pain.
Fowler massaged his furrowed brow, "Tell me there is some type of good news to this horror." He grumbled.
Ratchet input some last minute finish calculations into his project. Congratulatory blips altered to his progress, bringing a half smile to the Doc Bots face. "Though I have high doubts it'll work," He stated off hand so not to raise anybody's hopes falsely, "The Ground Bridge is ready."
"Ready for what?" Jack asked, having been the last one to join the party.
"A journey to the final frontier." Miko announced.
"Whuh? Space?" Jack gawked to Ratchet, "The Ground Bridge can do that?"
"Hopefully now it can." Optimus expressed his confidence in Ratchet.
"Now~ let's not get ahead of ourselves." Ratchet halted Optimus's elation. "The Ground Bridge can send and receive from space. But this may be a one way trip. Anymore could damage the bridge."
"Why the need to fix the Ground Bridge into a Space Bridge?" Jack asked, rather confused by the method of transportation.
"The Decepticons built a space bridge in the middle of space." Bulkhead answered, amazed by the irony himself. "He plans to raise an army of undead Cybertronians from Cybertron."
^If that's the case, why did Selena take the propellers?^ Bumblebee questioned.
"What for?" Arcee shrugged. "What can she use them for?"
"We will have to solve that mystery later." Optimus stated. "Right now the Space Bridge must be our top priority. For if we do not stop Megatron, I fear Earth and every other planet within the galaxy will become dominated by the undead. And none shall live."
Okay! I'll end it right there, but will bring you another chapter real soon. I'm working on it as we speak…or as you read this fic. LOL
Hey if you Guys know about a game called NiGHTS, I have a fic called Night Visitor. I'm toying with it a little but could use the criticism. Give me ideas for it. I love help.
