Enigma
I woke up to a higher ceiling.
Blinking, I wondered where I was. Certainly not my cramped holding cell. Slowly, the memories returned. The blackout. I had tried to escape, but…
Knockout.
My head throbbed. Instinctively, I reached for the collar around my neck.
It wasn't there.
"... And I thought I was the one being tormented."
I shot upright, immediately regretting it. Another bolt of pain shot through my skull. A hand settled over my shoulder, steadying me.
I blinked again, staring at him. Soundwave. Seeing I had recovered, he moved away.
"Who are you?" I questioned, barely able to speak above a whisper. "Why did you save me?"
For a long time, he didn't reply. That mask thing that he wore hid his eyes, but I could feel his gaze on me. Curious, and thoughtful. Not hungry or malicious.
"Would you rather I didn't?"
Not waiting for an answer, he turned and went towards the door. It opened for him, revealing a quiet hall beyond. He glanced back at me;
"Stay put this time."
I opened my mouth to say something, but the words were lost as the door slid shut behind him. Followed by a soft click of a lock.
Figures. I thought bitterly. Of course I'm still a prisoner.
And now, it seemed like I always would be.
xxx
The hours dragged by, slower and slower. At least here, there were a few things to entertain myself with. A computer screen on the wall, which denied access as soon as I figured out how to turn it on. A handheld tablet.
Picking it up, I tapped at the transparent screen. Instantly, it flickered to life. Spilling green light into the dim room. A message appeared;
Stay put. It read. I'm going to help you escape.
I realized this was the same message he had tried to show me the other day.
Now I was truly confused. What was going on here? I felt like I was missing something.
I could only stay guarded, and ready for anything. If he really was a friend, I would have to find a way to be sure. To test him. If it was a trick, I would be ready.
xxx
Knockout was livid.
He couldn't remember half of what had happened the other night. There was a power outage, Megatron had sent him to the deck to check the satellite connection. As long as the ship was in the air, surveillance was the highest priority. Cameras everywhere, watching, waiting for the Autobots to slip up.
He had come across a pleasant surprise, there. Audrey. Sweet, pathetic Audrey, alone on the main deck. He remembered the way the starlight outlined her pale armor. The fear in her eyes when he snuck up on her.
Where was this feeling coming from? Deep, gnawing hunger mingled with frustration. It made him sick, realizing what it was. He wanted her. Something primal within was begging, insisting that he have her. No. She was an experiment. Nothing more than a test subject to be tested and observed.
And yet…
And yet…
Knockout shook his head, hot with annoyance. The feeling had driven him too far. Audrey was gone, now, and he didn't know where she had gone. Already, he had tried tracking her, but the device must have been damaged. Perhaps Soundwave had removed it.
Soundwave.
Knockout had never hated him. Rivaled, maybe, but not hate. Once, he had even been afraid of him. The commander that had once fought Megatron himself. The gladiator.
It was only now that he really loathed him. He was sure Soundwave had stolen his pet project. If only he could find where he had hidden her! Now, he had to explain it all to Megatron. He couldn't reveal his suspicions. Megatron wouldn't believe him. Soundwave was the flawless servant. The thought of defiance never crossed that processor.
Fuming, the medic rounded the corner, only to bump into the last mech he wanted to see.
Soundwave stopped in his tracks, staring down at him. Knockout froze, his irritated thoughts blinked away.
"-Soundwave!" He exclaimed, embarrassed to hear his voice falter. The officer said nothing, as if he had no memory of the other night. Not waiting for Knockout to get his facade back together, Soundwave breezed by, continuing down the hall.
The heat returned, and Knockout forced himself to start walking again. He hated the way the officer had looked at him. Blank, yet judging. Oh, how he wished he could just rip out that mech's…
No. It would be suicide. Megatron would have his head.
Growling, knockout pushed the conflicting feelings away. He had to prepare an explanation for Megatron.
xxx
I busied myself with removing the four bands around my wrists and ankles. For a solid two hours, I strangled them until they broke off, one by one. Soon, I had the complete set. The collar, and four mangled bands. Placed on the floor in front of me. A broken lock, only to open the door to another prison.
I found myself comparing them to my new cage. Small. Really only made for one person. I glanced at the still-glowing tablet.
Electricity.
I shivered. The memory was all too clear. I hadn't gotten shocked in twenty-four hours, and yet…
What am I going to do? I thought hopelessly. A question I had asked myself over and over that day. It was beginning to seem like this ship was all I would ever see, even if Soundwave really was on my side.
But deep inside, I knew there had to be some way…
As long as there was a mystery, there was hope of escape. Soundwave's alliance might have a chance, if I could learn to trust him in time. There was no telling how long it would be before Megatron secured me again.
The possibilities seemed far-fetched and endless, but the question remained.
And the answer lie in the enigma that was Soundwave.