See Prologue for disclaimer.
Chapter 54: The Unlikely
She was searching for something, wandering aimlessly in a dark void. Someone was calling for her with such desperation and longing in their voice, but she did not know who it was. Every time she made a move towards the sound it would seemingly change location, usually to somewhere behind her.
She suspected that it was the cry of her people as they were crushed under the force of the Decepticon heel, forced to give up some of their own women to be the mates of their conquerors. Yet it also sounded deep, masculine, singular, as if it was coming from an individual who, in the dream, she could not name.
Eleaniris jolted awake, feeling unseen optics watching her. Thundercracker had left her in his quarters to recharge alone, much to her surprise. But considering his words of semi-apology, perhaps it wasn't so surprising. Regardless, he had assured her that the door was locked.
It was a relatively shoddy, improvised door. She doubted the integrity it would have against an enormous, evil robot that wanted to get inside. It was dangerous to engage in the belief that one would be protected.
She had learned that long ago, on the first day of the Invasion. She remembered thinking, rather foolhardily now that was reflecting upon it, that surely her jets and tanks and soldiers would overpower the metal titans before they got too far onto their objectives.
How wrong she had been, watching Megatron sweep aside a jet with one swipe of his steel hand. He had stood against bullets like they were nothing; they didn't even annoy him. Airstrikes missed their targets, their systems jammed by some unknown signal or were hit with shots from the powerful cannon on Megatron's arm. When a single blow from his fist had collapsed a tank, that was when she knew that his strength, the strength of his military, was too great for her. At the moment her mind had wondered, What could a fist so strong do to me?
Her heart had sunk slowly, every so agonizingly slowly, into her stomach as that day had worn on and more and more robots came to the party. She had had no time, nor signal, to send out a press briefing; the Decepticons had hacked the satellites and controlled what was displayed on every working screen in the world. Eventually Wilson had the idea to launch her Air Force One to distract the Decepticons from her to give her time to flee the underground bunker of the White House. One of them must have taken the ploy because later, while she was escaping Washington, she saw her formerly impenetrable flying fortress lying like a broken toy on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
No, don't think about that now. There is nothing you can do to change the past. Eleaniris shook her helm sadly at the words of her own mind, pondering, How scared might I have been that day if I had known that I would be a Slave Queen to such a powerful titan? That he wouldn't simply execute me and parade my dead body around on some kind of human-sized skewer, but instead make me into a sex slave?
To her horror, voices started to filter through the rough metal of the "door." She was suddenly very aware of her nakedness, her skirts who-knows-where by now and her cloak in Skywarp's quarters; her only adornment was the triple-cuff bracelet on her arm, leftover from her performance in front of Megatron.
They were getting closer and closer despite the fact that she could not discern what was being said. They sounded excited though, and an excited Decepticon was rarely a good thing for any innocent, small, defenceless beings around them.
Based on the latest reports he had received from Soundwave, the selected warships were ready to deploy to the skies to search for Starscream and Eleaniris. The admirals had accepted their orders and were ready to plan amongst themselves the specifics of their search.
Megatron had laid down only one rule: despite whatever occurs, none of their mechs were to hurt his Eleaniris. He wanted her captured uninjured and he had assured - in a maneuver to display that he bore no weakness for her - that she would be dealt with when he received her.
He had also promised that the admiral who found his mate would receive a choice of their own human female for Cyberformation. When he had dismissed them and left the comm., he had glimpsed a handful of lustful smirks. He had hypothesized that easily manipulated, small femmes would make a great prize for any of his interface-starved admirals and the gleams in their optics had told him that he was correct; they craved the subjugation of a femme in the same way they craved the subjugation of worlds.
So far none had seen any sign of her, any sign of beautiful Eleaniris. Even Dreadwing, whom Megatron placed a fair amount of trust in to find her, had reluctantly reported failures of his teams. Hopefully these ships would find and detain Starscream and bring his mate back to him.
Glancing at the datapad on his desk, Megatron briefly considered looking over Shockwave's plan for the human younglings but decided that it could wait for now. He had thought of a few more questions for the captured rebels and then he would go on the hunt again before he would call Susan in for more gentleness assistance.
He refused to call it help.
With his spark pulsing in yearning for its missing compliment, he carefully subspaced Eleaniris' daggers and promptly left his office.
"Soundwave," he growled into his comm. link, completly ignoring all of the salutes and "All hail Megatron"s that his subordinates gave him as he walked through the Command, "have the four human rebels sent to the medbay. Further questioning is required and so is Scalpel. Have him brought in from Eleanicon as well."
Scalpel had been phased out to the growing city, though Megatron had intended to move him further away as soon as Knockout had properly adjusted and there was no need for him. Though as it was, Scalpel would remain nearby until he was completly replaced by the more competent Knockout. He would not need to worry about Eleaniris being prodded at unnecessarily or experimented on - Knockout was not imprudent enough to attempt such a thing and risk his wrath, while Scalpel might be if the Emperor turned his back for a nanoclick too long.
Soundwave hurried to comply with the requests of his liege, completing them with all of the ease of a communications' officer with vorns of experience. Finished with speaking to the rather unpleasant head of guards - even among the Decepticons the mech was disagreeable - he hesitantly commed his leader once more.
"Lord Megatron, there are a few matters that should be brought to your attention." He monitored his console with a critical optic, watching the specifics of the warships as they launched and fed their data into his monitor in a live stream.
Megatron answered the comm. from Soundwave, listening. "You may continue." His optics were not seeing the members of the lower ranks that jumped out of his way as he strode past. The warlord's sharp subconscious, however, noted that they kept their optics down and did not make contact with his own.
"There is a possibility, my liege, that Eleaniris may be reached through Borealis." So far the launches were seamless and all was going according to plan.
"Borealis? The gryphon? Could I connect to Eleaniris via the mind?" Megatron continued on his path, nearing the medbay now. "Why wouldn't I just comm. her?"
Soundwave paused, suddenly aware that his master might not have commed Eleaniris lately. The only reason he knew was because Grace had said that she couldn't reach her. Seeing no other option, he reluctantly explained the truth to his leader. "Grace tried to speak with her yesterday, and she commed me in a panic that she received an error message that Eleaniris could not be found."
Soundwave was not supposed to be in contact with his mate outside of professional circumstances. If this news had reached him and it hadn't been attached to Eleaniris, he might have been angry enough to separate them permanently. However, his worry for Eleaniris overshadowed his fury at Soundwave's disobedience. Why was Grace trying to speak to Eleaniris? Likely to support her or try to coerce her into coming back. For now he would just keep them under close watch.
She must be somewhere comm. links couldn't go into or out of, and if she was with Starscream and unable to reach him for help…
Eleaniris had to be found immediately. Starscream would not hurt her in his cowardly attempt to dethrone him.
"I forged a connection with the processors of Eleaniris and her gryphon, though that was when Borealis was very young. Now that she has already reached her last update, my liege, it is no longer possible to make another connection with another processor without endangering the existing link." Uneasily Sounwave continued and tried to soothe the expected anger of the Supreme Commander, "If you speak to the gryphon directly, it is possible that she will hear your message and carry it to Eleaniris, though you will not receive a response from her."
"Your suggestion has been noted. Megatron out." He made a note to see the gryphon later. For now, he was too intent to leave behind his task. It might shed vital information that could bring Eleaniris back home to him; the sooner that that happened, the better.
Just before he could initiate the command sequence to close the comm., Soundwave added quickly "Also, my liege, did the human rebels mention why Starscream wanted Eleaniris? What his reason is for keeping her alive?"
Undoubtedly his temporary second-in-command had seen that video and developed an additional question. It was likely that he was trying to compensate for his errors that had caused Eleaniris to leave in the first place. Regardless, it was something the humans had hidden from him. He admitted as he stopped outside of the medbay, "Curiously, they did not. Resume your work, and once the ships have finished launching join me in the medical bay."
Soundwave complied and terminated their comm., thankful that his lord had not inflicted punishment on himself and Grace for their implied disobedience. He knew that Megatron was probably deeply distressed over Eleaniris, though outwardly he tried to appear collected and detached. He couldn't imagine his pain if Grace was in the same situation; kidnapped and scared of her captor but also reluctant to return to him.
Seeing that the indicated warships were successfully airborne, Soundwave left Command on the double; it was never wise to keep Lord Megatron waiting.
Megatron was pleased to see that the rebels had been collected and placed on a medical berth in the otherwise empty medbay. Pleasure also flared to see that they were nervous, shifting their weight so slightly so that it might escape his attention.
It didn't.
Knockout was speaking lowly - for once - with Scalpel at one of the counters, likely learning how to use the new device that would sort through human memory. Megatron intended to utilize it today, though it depended on how well they answered his questions and if he believed them. So far the two he had seen most recently had told him the truth, building up a miniscule amount of trust in their word.
Though it could be easily broken. Megatron was not one to trust easily, a habit from the gladiator arenas of Kaon that had only grown since he had made Starscream his second-in-command. However, these humans were of no threat to him; even armed they were not a danger to one such as he.
Maybe that was what had intimidated Eleaniris, made her feel helpless in his servos. Have I not convinced her that I will not harm her?
"Humans," he growled, studying them to make them a little more anxious.
He did not expect one of them to greet back in a similar tone, "Megatron." His optics narrowed in response; was this human mocking him or trying to hide fear? Upon gazing into frightened organic eyes, he decided it was the latter. Even given one of his most intense stares, one that made mechs ten times its size cower, the human stood tall.
Courage for one so small made him think of Eleaniris - but not much didn't, since she was gone.
"What are you called, fleshling?" It was best time for introductions. He did not care about their designations (the only human name he had ever truly cared for was Eleanor) but this way he could establish how trustworthy they were. If they lied with this small of a detail, it would make his choice easier. The Emperor knew that when the probe had been tested it had left several humans in a vegetative state, even after only one use. These humans knew about Eleaniris and he was greedy when it came to intel about his mate, but they would be of no use if he had to resort to the device.
"Flavius Burns." Burns hated his presumptuous first name and only used it when incredibly necessary. A snort from Simmons strengthened this sentiment further. He'd let the man know later that he had crossed a line, yet he was also full of pity for the former agent. He had spent nearly a week in Decepticon captivity, as a prisoner no less, and was in desperate need of more food. If he was even fed at all.
"Indeed." One of Megatron's clawed digits indicated Lennox, who spoke next. The Emperor sensed Soundwave enter quietly, as always, and stand a fair distance away, ready to take whatever orders given to him.
"William Lennox." He answered dutifully, trying to keep his posture unafraid and stoic, though his mind persisted in its efforts to remind him of how Megatron had shaken him and rolled him like a pencil between his sharp fingers.
"Soundwave." The robot behind Megatron stiffened, standing at attention. Megatron continued, still gazing at the humans, "Verify their identities."
He strode forward to stand behind his much larger leader, reporting in a monotone voice, "Master Sergeant Flavius Alexander Burns, United States Marine Corps, retired. Honorably discharged. Registered voter, party independent."
Just what information did they have access to? Was there a limit?
Soundwave was going to continue, opening his mouth to go on when Megatron stopped him. "The other." He only cared to know so much information about Eleaniris.
He gave a curt nod and started over again, "Captain William Lennox, United States Army Rangers. Registered voter, party independent. Social Security Number 497-5-"
Lennox cut him off this time, increasingly uncomfortable. "T-that's quite enough."
Soundwave looked at Megatron inquisitively, and to his relief the silver titan made a dismissive gesture with a huge hand. Lennox was sternly reprimanded however, "Mind your place, human. This will be your only warning."
Despite himself, the ranger dipped his head in acknowledgement. This is about keeping Ms. Sherman safe, nothing else.
"Whose idea was this…" Megatron paused to let them fester, pinning each of them with a steely, cold gaze, "trade?"
"I do not-" Burns started, not having expected the question. Regardless, Megatron interrupted him with a furious roar.
"To use Eleaniris, Queen of the Decepticons, as a bargaining chip?" The behemoth's fury had exploded out of his cold, clinical demeanor like a lava from a once-dormant volcano, his burning eyes flaring in his wrath.
The two men glanced at each other, Lennox asking with his eyes but not his mouth, Should we tell him?
There were so many things at stake with this. Nation's cover could be blown and the organization gutted with the discovery and capture of Galloway, as the coward would likely give them away liked he had tried to do with President Sherman. Burns doubted that Galloway could be found with just his name, and giving a location to him was impossible; none of the council members knew where the others resided. And did he want to wish the same fate on Galloway? Or, possibly, death?
Yet also was refusing him wise? Simmons had implied that there was something that could be used to force them to comply. Just as Eleaniris' tracking systems in her daggers had activated and called Megatron away, he had been squirming underneath Megatron's steel hand as a worm tried to enter his mouth, presumably to go to his brain. He had not wanted to talk about it, and in the dark cell Burns could hear the tears of terror in the man's voice. Did they want to be probed like that? What use would refusing him be?
Why does he even care whose plan it was? The fact that he couldn't answer made Burns exceptionally uneasy.
"Why do you care?" He blurted, surprised with his own boldness.
Now it was Megatron's turn to be surprised. They're just insects. Does it hurt for them to know? But he didn't want them to know about his care for Eleaniris; it wasn't their concern. But the humiliation and anger…
"Your former Commander-in-Chief has become my mate. As my mate," he cherished the clenched jaws of the humans beneath him, "she deserves respect."
He had been able to tell earlier that the humans were reluctant to initiate the bargain in the first place. Their facades had been all too easy to see through, revealing their loyalty to his Queen. Even for the proposed freedom of their race they had not wanted to sacrifice her because of their code of honor; they had been members of her now-disbanded military, after all. He envied their loyalty to their leader for he was not sure how many of his own mechs would do the same for him.
Not that the Decepticons would be scattered so ever again. His forces were now over a billion strong, and only growing as more and more of Earth's technology was incorporated into his army.
Burns could tell that Megatron was hiding something, but was not sure what to think of the prick of revenge he felt in his heart as he decided to reveal to him, "The man's name is Theodore Galloway." They were all going to die at this point anyway; why should Galloway get away?
Megatron looked back at the silver Mercedes, who was silent for a few moments until he spoke, "Theodore Galloway, National Security Advisor to United States President Eleanor Sherman. Political part-" Megatron silenced him, knowing where this was going and shifted his red gaze to the humans on the medical berth.
"Is this true? This is the vile bug that decided to treat my Eleaniris like scrap metal?" It was hard to look the giant in the eye, but Burns decided that he had to to prove their truthfulness. He allowed his fists to clench at his sides at the implied ownership of his President but also because he wanted to test a hypothesis.
Megatron growled deeply, the burning fury not directed at them but at this "Galloway" for trying to sacrifice his own mate to him. Cowardice transcends all races. "What of his location?" Despite himself he could feel a sort of camaraderie forming with the humans on the table; they wanted to protect Eleaniris as much as he did, and even felt that this deal was dishonorable to her. For that he would allow them reprieve for the time being. Now, the paramount goal was finding Eleaniris, bringing her home, and successfully wooing her. The human's pitiful resistance was just a nuisance to him and could wait for now.
"That I do not know." Burns was slowly making amends with giving away Galloway; the man was a slime and this was only Karma catching up to his sorry corpse. He wanted to sacrifice Eleaniris to save his own skin.
Now he won't make it out with it.
Megatron picked him up, Burns astonished with the newfound gentleness in those claws - more so than before, anyway - and held him before his face. The retired Marine tensed in the open palm, his hair stirring as the titan "exhaled."
"Is this the truth?" The conqueror's breath felt like a hot desert wind and his voice sounded like a brewing thunderstorm when he was this close. Though he was nervous, he was amazed to notice that his fear had mostly gone. It seemed that Megatron was not ready to hurt them yet, as bizarre as that sounded. Could he really care about Eleanor? Is that possible?
"Yes. I swear by my honor." Megatron didn't react at all, his gaze and expression frozen, but lowered him back to the table and tilted his hand to allow him to tumble onto the metal surface. At least he wasn't dropped.
"We have confirmed that Eleaniris was kidnapped by Starscream. What I need to know is if anything else was said." Lord Megatron kept his towering stance as he went straight at the matter, watching their reactions with a critical optic.
Lennox stepped forward, he and Burns having come to terms with the twisted deal in their own twisted way. They both agreed that Eleaniris was safer with Megatron physically - even though he was far from respectful with some of his attentions - than she was with Starscream, and as present and past members of the United States Armed Forces their duty was to return her to safety. Since security had been rendered impossible by the circumstances, they had had to settle for the lesser evil. They were not trying to bring her back so that they could sacrifice her for the freedom of humanity; they were trying to rescue her from the greater - or lesser known - evil. It meant that he had to cooperate with the being that had destroyed his world, but at least they would fulfill one of their duties. If they could not protect America from this threat, they would protect the country's leader.
"He wanted her to be his mate, or something." Lennox lowered his gaze and jumped backwards from the hand that came down to slam on the table, denting it with its strength.
"WHAT?" Megatron bellowed, on this occasion his anger obviously not aimed at them. His crimson, robotic eyes had taken on a faraway look again, his jaw clenched and his body shaking with fury. He was vaguely aware that Knockout and Scalpel had suddenly stopped speaking.
"It's true," he said half-heartedly, observing the reaction of the huge titan intently. Is he angry that his toy was taken from him? "I have no reason to lie. And we said that we believed she was safer with you." Talk him out of it. He looks ready to kill again.
Silence reigned for what felt like hours to the men but was, in all seriousness, likely only half a minute. Regardless, it was enough for them to feel very uncomfortable and uncertain about what Megatron was thinking. The tyrant's face was reflective, his optics narrowed not in threat but concentration.
"Your loyalty to Eleaniris is impeccable," the three men gaped at the sincere words of Lord Megatron, as did the other robots in the room. Compliments of any sort from the leader were rare enough, but for humans to be the recipients was as rare as a jewel in the pits of Kaon. Soundwave had only ever heard him genuinely blandish one human: Eleanor.
"For human fleshbags." Burns had to smirk despite himself as the backhand finally came with the compliment; he was wondering where that part was. Lennox was more daring and went so far as to chuckle.
"Soundwave, fetch me Eleaniris' bodyguard." Wilson is still alive? How has he not been killed? Megatron's facial plates were now sadistically grinning at Simmons, like a self-satisfied cat about to pounce on a hapless mouse. Burns' and Lennox's temporary relaxation at the discovery for Megatron's "respect" for them vanished like mist in the morning sun to be replaced with the raging fire of fear.
"I must continue with my interrogations." None of them, especially the cowering Simmons, liked the sound of that.
"I really miss Soundwave."
Grace panted - vented - and leaned over the edge of the oversized stair to pull Susan up. They had been climbing for what seemed to be hours, using the I-push-you-up-and-you-pull-me-up method of ascending the stairs that were obviously meant for mechs of Soundwave's size and larger.
"Remind me why we didn't take the other way again?" Susan ignored Grace's comment about her lover; the older stylist still hated the invaders with an understandable and undying passion.
"The servants use that way." Grace had never liked to use "slave" and words were one of the few things she had real control over now, "It might have aroused suspicion." It was her turn to allow Susan to step up onto the next level, and she outstretched her two servos and laced them together to provide a foothold.
"Righto." Susan still used some odd words. Grace snorted at the sprinkle of humor while the older woman pulled her up. If Grace still had muscles, she was sure her arms would have been stiff as a board by now from sheer exhaustion.
"Flat ground. Hallelujah." Grace muttered, counting the doors until she reached Soundwave's.
"How do we-" Susan started to ask about their entry when the panel opened of its own accord.
"Soundwave installed a specialised system for me to go in without having to reach the keypad." Grace replied nonchalantly, stepping into the apartment and watching for any of Soundwave's symbiotes.
"So like the door at a grocery store?" Susan watched as well; the panther was in the habit of pouncing in greeting, as had been told to her.
"Yeah." Grace spotted a recharging Laserbeak and whistled up at him sweetly.
The condor's red optics onlined almost immediately and the bird swooped down to nuzzle at her cheek. "Greetings," he seemed to hiss, "beautiful Grace."
She giggled and replied, lightly boping Laserbeak on the tip of his beak, "Don't let Soundwave hear you say that. You know how he gets."
"Do you know where Borealis and Wheelie ar-" Grace started to ask, only for a series of shouts to come from the small berthroom.
Both of them trotted into the room, Laserbeak following casually. Rumble and Frenzy were in the middle of tormenting a squirming Wheelie, who was slightly smaller than the twins, by pinning him to the floor while the other shocked him.
"Hey!" Grace shouted at them, fully aware that they knew who she was. Susan stood behind her, having had plenty of unpleasant experiences with them and also having heard from Eleaniris some of her unfortunate occurrences.
Rumble turned from where he was shocking the helpless drone, standing and greeting her, "Is that our master's pretty little mate I see, Frenzy?"
Confident that they wouldn't lay a finger on her, she growled "Let him go. The Queen wouldn't be happy about this." Soundwave had told them that they were to consider her as a mother figure of sorts, and therefore were to listen to her and respect her. Grace had noticed that he laid down a hidden threat to the two destructive symbiotes, one that said there would be severe consequences if they did not.
They complied, grumbling as they left. "The Queen is never happy."
Grace bit her lip at the muttered phrase, knowing all too well its truth. Wheelie stood up, still shaking a little from the electrical charges, and smiled weakly at her in thanks.
"Where is Borealis? It's urgent." Wheelie, unable to speak, pointed up at the berth.
"Thank you," Grace smiled warmly, going to the ladder and starting to climb up. Susan followed suit, and the pair quickly ascended to see the sleeping gryphon curled in the middle of the metal surface.
"Borealis?" Grace called softly, walking to the large creature. She onlined purple optics and raised her helm off her front paws, peering at her curiously.
"Borealis, I need you to tell Eleaniris something for me." Susan came forth, tentatively kneeling in front of the still-lying creature. The gryphon appeared curious and interested, but did not make a sound. Taking it as a sign that she was listening, "Tell her to comm. me as soon as she possibly can. It's really, really important."
Susan couldn't repeat what she had seen on that datapad; it was too horrible, too awful to re-explain for the gryphon. She seemed to be such an innocent, pure-hearted creature and Susan didn't want to tarnish her. That, and Eleaniris should hear it from the person that saw the datapad in the first place.
To her amazement, the gryphon nodded, purple optics sparkling with an intelligent light, before setting her helm back down on her paws and going back to her nap. Susan stood and left Borealis, who seemed just as sad about Eleaniris as she was. Susan was confident that Eleaniris would be reached, and that the mythological creature could be trusted.
On their journey to the unknown coordinates most had been silent. Only a few had spoken in protest when Optimus Prime had stated his suspicions about the Decepticons. To be safe he had saved a recording of the broadcast message and kept it for later translation. It would be useful later.
As they reached the edge of a solar system, Ironhide informed him of a particular radio frequency. Tuning in to the indicated frequency, he heard the same language that had been spoken in the SOS message. He studied what he could from it, but it was full of static and inaudible sounds.
"We must be close." Radio did not travel far fast.
"Are you sure that she is the right one?" One of the mechs in the circle around the image of Eleaniris asked the femme, who was standing outside of their ring. "This is of utmost importance."
"I'm aware of that." She was upset that they thought her so inept, after all this time with them, but refrained from showing it out of respect. "And I am positive. There cannot be another choice." Her voice was resolute, firm, and as sure as day.
The mech that had addressed her turned back to the centre of the circle, his optics going back to the image of Eleaniris. Taking this as her dismissal, the femme left to her own watching.
More of the Autobots, more of these mysterious mechs that like to peep in on Eleaniris, and an unexpected arrangement between Lennox, Burns, and Megatron. Hmmm.
nadillaandlaprasthefireandice: Not Overlord! *shivers* Thanks!
kate - Galloway's just-dessert is coming up! *Cackles* Thanks!
XxArtes-ZeroxX - We shall see what Susan saw later. And don't worry about the reviews thing; I've almost done it a few times myself. Thanks!
xxyangxx2006 - That nefarious Knockout. He might be met with a surprise when one fights back :3 ! Thanks!
sakurawriter - I dunno. Starscream might have just sealed his fate in this chapter. Thank you so much for your continued reviewership!
(Insert begging for reviews here.)
