This chapter I'm not terribly happy with, but I think it came out ok. I'm not good at action scenes.
Mikaela was having a hard time breathing. Barricade was squeezing her so hard that her breath was coming in short gasps. It didn't help having a fully loaded, very large cannon pointing at her temple. Everyone was totally silent, even Frenzy, who sat by Barricade's feet, giving Mikaela looks of complete hatred. Optimus and Arcee were unmoving, and Megatron was waiting expectantly for Optimus' answer. Mikaela could feel the thousands of years worth of hatred running through the air like electricity. She was surprised she didn't see the anger crackling in sparks around each robot. Mikaela's heart was beating fast. Too fast. She felt like it was about to jump out of her chest. The fear in her stomach was making her sick, and even though she squirmed a bit, the gun never moved from the side of her head. Barricade's grip did lesson a bit, making it easier for her to breath. Her small hands gripped the side of Barricade's large black forefinger that was wrapped around her waist. She was frantic, and her panicked face laid bare all of her emotions. Where were the others? Bumblebee? Sam? Ironhide, Chromia, Elita? Ratchet? Had only Arcee and Optimus undertaken the quest to rescue her? Mikaela dearly hoped not. If so, the Autobot's were severely outnumbered. It also rather hurt her feelings if they hadn't come.
Optimus had never been more terrified. And he had never been at more of a loss. He had no idea what to do. He wanted Mikaela out of there safely, but it seemed like that was out of the question, especially with Megatron there.
"I know you have the shard, Optimus. Give it to me!" Megatron broke the silence with a thunderous roar, shaking a fist at Optimus, yet refraining from attacking him. There would be time enough for that.
Optimus' blue optics widened briefly. They hadn't learned that from picking through Mikaela's mind?
The same thought had just entered Mikaela's own mind, piercing her life a knife. How had they not found that specific piece of information? In her pocket, resting comfortably against her leg, she could feel the warmth of the shard pulsating lightly against her. She had forgotten she had it. Perhaps that was how they did not know? Everything had been on her mind when Shockwave tore through it, from Optimus to Sam…except that. She had forgotten about it, therefore perhaps there was no memory for Shockwave to retrieve. It still didn't make the situation any better. Now, the Decepticons had Mikaela AND the Allspark shard. The only difference it might make would be if Optimus could safely get Mikaela into Autobot hands.
"Give me the human first." Optimus stated, his voice low and cold.
"Oh, I don't think so. See, we know how important she is. Especially to you." Megatron said, walking over to Barricade, who held Mikaela. Mikaela started squirming frantically against Barricade's grip, but this time the grip didn't slacken. Megatron watched Optimus the whole time, judging his reactions. Giving Mikaela's back a stroke with a long finger, Megatron was delighted to see Optimus struggling to contain his weapons and his composure. So, he had found a weakness in the Autobot after all. Perfect. "Besides, she brought me back. Gave me my spark back. Aren't you proud of your little mechanic? I rather think I would like to keep her as my pet." Megatron said, drawing a razor sharp finger under her chin, looking like a sensual gesture but in reality drawing blood in a fine line across Mikaela's chin. Wincing in pain, Mikaela drew a hand up under her chin, shakily wiping the blood away once Megatron's finger had moved.
"Stop!" Optimus shouted, the voice reverberating throughout the warehouse. Megatron looked at Optimus, an amused expression on his face.
"So I am correct, then, am I? Optimus cares for a pathetic little human." Megatron sounded deliciously pleased with the confirmation. "Then it won't be a problem for us to exchange then, will it? There's no need to involve the fleshling more than she already is."
Optimus was conflicted. He knew Mikaela still had the shard, so he had nothing to barter with. He knew that Megatron would never release Mikaela unless he got the shard in return, and even then it was doubtful he would keep his end of the bargain. Optimus' inner battle with himself was taking up precious time, and he knew it. The silence was unbearable, it was making Mikaela's head pound. The minutes ticked as nothing was said, and only Mikaela's heavy breathing was audible. She was uncomfortable in Barricade's vicelike grip, and, shifting her weight, she managed to arrange herself in a somewhat better position, although not by much.
"What made you take her, Barricade? You could have taken any mechanic." Arcee said, her clear voice echoing through the hall. She was only buying time for the other Autobot's to get in position. Barricade looked at her, amused.
"Optimus' original message. It was loaded with hints of her, especially her past, and the fact that she was important. I knew I could easily get another mechanic, but I figure she would be the best choice. I was correct."
"Enough talking, Optimus, the shard, now, or she dies." Megatron said, his hand clinching into a fist. He nodded to Barricade, who gripped Mikaela tighter and pressed the gun to her head, harder than before. There was a flicker in Optimus' eyes as he noticed the other Autobot's in place. A quick jerk of his head was enough to signal them to open fire. Shots exploded throughout the warehouse, causing the ceiling to rain down on them in large chunks. Mikaela threw her hands over her head as it fell, Barricade still holding her tightly, although instead of pressing a gun to her head, he was cradling her against his chest. Mikaela stared up at him, wide eyed. It felt like he was...protecting her. She could hear rapid machine gun fire coming from Barricade, and she panicked, not knowing whom he was shooting at. She could hear missiles being fired, robotics screams and yells echoing throughout the warehouse. She felt Barricade moving as he fired, and she frantically squirmed, trying to get loose from him in the confusion. His grip was deathly tight, and she couldn't get loose. She managed to get her head up, and got a brief glimpse of what was going on. It was Decepticon vs. Autobot, a horrible battle taking place in the huge abandoned warehouse. She could see Arcee and Thunderblast wrestling each other, occasional shots being fired. Everyone was a blur, nothing was in focus because it all was moving so fast.
Shortround and Lugnutz were dealing with Ironhide and Ratchet; Ironhide's missiles went flying through the air, missing Shortround by inches and exploding into the wall. Mikaela could hear Ratchet's saw buzzing through the air, connecting with metal and creating a high pitched shriek from Shortround that sent shivers up and down Mikaela's spine.
Shockwave had his hands full with Chromia and Elita, each female shooting at him, taking shots with machine guns whenever possible, and avidly trying to avoid Shockwaves missiles.
She saw Megatron throw Optimus into the wall, and watched in horror as Optimus fell to the ground, hidden by the huge bulk of Megatron. Mikaela began screaming and fighting, clawing at Barricade's hand until her fingernails were bloody. She heard Barricade's gravelly voice in her ear, telling her to stop squirming, but no, no she couldn't she had to get to Optimus-
And she was free. She hit the ground running, watching in terror as Megatron raised his cannon, aiming at Optimus' chest- and then Bumblebee was there, launching himself at Megatron, knocking him to the ground and taking hit after hit as Megatron pummeled him with a huge fist. He was so much bigger than Bumblebee, he didn't stand a chance. Mikaela's legs were pumping, her only thought: get to Optimus. Get to Optimus. Arcee flew across the room, hit by one of Thunderblast's rounds, slamming into the wall. She got up quickly, throwing herself back across the room and into Thunderblast, deftly avoiding missiles and bullets on the way. Mikaela screamed as she was picked up and literally thrown by Barricade into the wall as a missile from Starscream whizzed by her ear, her breath knocked out of her from the force of his throw. Unable to wrap her mind around Barricade saving her again, she ignored it by standing and running towards Optimus.
She gave a shout and covered her head as a body went sailing over her head, she didn't know who it was until she turned and saw Lugnutz hit the ground, eyes flickering and then going out. One down. Tucking and rolling, she managed to avoid getting hit by Starscream's shots that were aimed directly at her, he seemed to have some sort of vendetta against her. Luckily, Starscream was now distracted by Ironhide, giving her a clear view of Megatron and Optimus. She saw Bumblebee laying motionless in a heap off to the side, and she bit her lip in fear. She saw Sam running to Bumblebee, inhuman shrieks emitting from his mouth and tears running down his face. She could barely hear him over the noise.
"Bumblebee! Oh, God, BUMBLEBEE!"
"MOVE, Mikaela NOW!" Arcee's voice was heard over the sound of shots firing, and Mikaela stopped and turned, watching as the walls of the warehouse were crumbling, the whole building was coming down on top of them. She screamed in fear as she felt a hand wrap around her waist again, and she felt herself moving, the bot holding her taking off for the wall, barreling through the last standing wall cradling her to his chest and throwing them to safety. Struggling against the one holding her, she sat up and watched in mute terror as the building fell before her eyes.