Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 34

Alexis stepped down off the outstretched palm onto the shining surface, delicately using Starscream's thumb to help her balance. All around her in the vast, gleaming space that made up Starscream's laboratory, dozens of mechs were gathered, forming a looming wall around the wide table.

She calmly shrugged off her jacket, discarding it beside her. She grabbed handfuls of her messy hair, piling it up onto her head, fishing a few pins from her jeans pocket and securing them in her mouth as she pushed them into the up-do. The loss of the jacket exposed her arms, and there were a few quiet murmurs as the Decepticons noticed the angry bruises, and blisters around the black cuffs from the doomed experiment. If Alexis had heard their comments, she didn't show it, merely placing her hands on her hips, her expression resolute.

Starscream leaned down, and Alexis held up both of her wrists, watching as he began scanning them. On the huge screen behind him, a glowing diagram began to emerge, bit by bit, as the information was relayed across to the main computer.

The room was silent as rapid glyphs began scrawling next to the diagram as the data was logged. Alexis leaned ever so slightly to her left, craning her neck in order to see.

Starscream straightened up, frowning and pressing his fingers to his chin thoughtfully as he scrutinised the glowing glyphs. Alexis stepped forward, joining him.

'Well?'

After a few moments, he shook his head. 'Strange.'

'What?' she asked. 'What is?'

'That's adapted technology from a T-cog jam,' said Thundercracker, whose head was tilted on one side.

'Mm. The circuitry is most distinctive,' agreed Starscream.

Alexis shrugged, looking impatient. 'Well, we already know they stopped me from changing, so what? Can I get them off now?'

'How were they able to work in your human form?' asked Starscream thoughtfully. 'Such a shame I don't have more of the team who developed these to interrogate. Perhaps another look at the slave manifest would enlighten us? I want a list of jobs the humans did on the base. In particular anyone under the command of Captain Botrill.'

Thrust nodded, and slipped out of the main doors.

'According to accounts the Captain was interested in your blood,' continued Starscream. '...But I fail to see the link between that and these cuffs. There is something just inside the inner edge that monitors ion activity… possibly they thought there was a chance that…'

'Get them off.'

Alexis spoke quietly, but the layer of steel in her voice caused the jet to pause, and look down. Alexis held up her wrists, her jaw clenched, her eyes bright. 'You've got the data. Now get them off.'

Dirge spoke up. 'The lab staff might get more out of the scans if we possibly go a little deeper. If we escort Alexis down to the sub-level where we've got the rest of the…'

'Did you not hear... what I just fucking said?' hissed Alexis, and Dirge swiftly closed his mouth. 'Get these fucking things off me, or so help me the next person to suggest anything else will get the wrong end of the Blaster. I MEAN IT!'

Something small emerged on the edge of the gleaming surface, and Alexis recognised the silent form of Sureshock, one of Starscream's minicons. Its glowing, orb-like eyes were tilted up towards its master, and Starscream acknowledged it with a curl of his finger. Sureshock trotted forwards, approaching Alexis, who let out a slow, shaking breath, her eyes narrowed towards the hateful things on her wrists. Now that the time had come, every second that ticked by with them still on her felt like agony.

Sureshock's hand transformed into a glowing solder, the end soon becoming white hot. His head tilted on one side and he gently slid one slim finger between the cuff and the flesh of her wrist. Alex understood, and kept very still, closing her eyes.

Presently there was a small snapping noise as the solder cut through the first cuff, Sureshock deftly swinging it away without burning her skin. She watched as he got to work on the second, the looming crowd around her silent and stock still.

She felt the weight fall away as the second cuff was cut. Sureshock stepped back, carefully placing the cuffs on the surface of the worktop. Alexis let out a long sigh as he turned, trotting off back the way he had come. She looked down, rubbing the raw skin where the horrible things had sat.

Dirge once again broke the silence. 'Well. They can still be useful for analysis.' He dropped his voice to a passive-aggressive murmur. 'Though if someone had been a little more patient it may have been more productive for them to have remained…'

'In any case...' said Thundercracker, cutting in swiftly with a meaningful glance in Dirge's direction, '...we can send the cuffs down for further analysis before… what do you think, Starscream? Archive them? Or perhaps we should store them securely in the armoury?'

A sound behind them caused both wingbrothers to turn. There was no longer any sign of Alexis on the table. She had stepped off, her femme form unfolding as she changed and grew before their optics.

There were more than a few disbelieving exclamations as the transformation came to an end. Alexis straightened up, wings jutting proudly behind her, her amber optics glowing as she lifted her chin. As they all stared, she rotated her shoulders, as if relieving her femme self of cramp, finally free after so long imprisoned in the cuffs.

Alexis met Starscream's optics. The jet's fierce, proud gaze took in every inch of her form, and he tilted his head, the faintest trace of a smile tugging at his mouth as she reached down, picking up the now tiny broken cuffs in her fingers. They clattered into the centre of her palm, suddenly looking frail and useless against her new size. She looked down at them, her expression cold.

Abruptly she spun on her heel, marching out of the lab.

She burst into the main corridor, her long legs covering the distance rapidly, her hand rising to her com link. 'All senior and mid-ranking Decepticons to the main atrium. Now.'

In her wake behind her streamed the mechs from the lab, Dirge hurrying after her. 'Um… those cuffs… they might be… where are you going with them?'

Alexis didn't slow down. 'Never you mind.'

'The thing is, we could learn a lot if you just hand them over…'

She didn't slow down, or even acknowledge him as he struggled to keep up, in spite of his height advantage.

Alexis reached the main staircase, striding down it as the atrium started to fill with curious mechs of all shapes and sizes, their faces turned towards her.

She stopped in the centre of the atrium, the crowd drawing back to give her room. Dozens and dozens of mechs watched as she dropped the tiny cuffs onto the floor, stepping backwards. She lifted her head, her voice raised to a shout, echoing off of the walls.

'Decepticons! Take note!'

Her weapons emerged from her right arm as she took aim, whining as they built up to full power. The nearest mechs had to cover their faces with their arm as she fired, her laser blasting in a white-hot line towards the cuffs on the floor. The blast went on and on, the tiles scorching in a circular crater as she stood, unwavering, watching the tiny objects collapse into a charred heap of ash. The floor surrounding it buckled with the heat.

Eventually her weapons retracted, and she stood proud and tall, her mouth set in a pinched scowl of fury. 'Everyone present send out this recording in your processor, into every corner of the galaxy!' she yelled. 'To any who may think of threatening me, or my family again, to any who may think they can investigate me or my powers, or to hold me against my will! YOU WILL BE ELIMINATED!'

There was a total hush, broken only by the gentle crackling of the floor as it cooled, the smoke from the charred cuffs rising into the air. Alexis strode out of the atrium and down the steps out of the fortress, the crowds swiftly parting to let her through. Thundercracker watched her go, a pleased grin on his face. 'You tell 'em, kiddo,' he muttered softly.

Alexis strode into the dark streets, her spark pounding with a sense of furious elation. She could feel some of her previous self return to her, the old fighting spirit coming back. She looked down at her arms, taking in the flawless, gleaming metal, the internal hum of her weapons. Her mind was clear. She felt invincible.

As she walked, her fizzing spark beginning to settle down, she wondered what Starscream thought about what she had just done. Would he be angry? Impressed? Alexis would put credits on the latter, but Starscream was never predictable. She shrugged internally. Dirge and the lab staff would just have to be content with whatever data they had managed to harvest. Those cuffs had been a symbol of her captivity by that slimeball Black and Silas, wherever he was. Now that she was free of them, Alexis was fully floored by just how humiliating the whole experience had been. The last thing she wanted was folk thinking she was some timid, helpless creature existing only to be rescued and protected. If her actions in the atrium quashed that notion amongst the Decepticons, then Alexis reckoned it was worth the wrath of Starscream.

Her com link activated, and Alexis halted, half expecting Starscream's voice to growl into her processor, but instead it was Frenzy, decisively stating just one word.

'DRINK.'

She tilted her head. He must be in Warp's bar. Had he and Lucy really resolved everything so fast? That was quick, she mused to herself as she resumed her rapid pacing. Presently the glowing doorway to Skywarp's establishment came into view. She slipped inside, nodding to the mech on guard. 'Hey, Mixmaster.'

'Alexis,' the hulking mech nodded back in acknowledgement. 'Good to see you, my lady. Have you crushed all of those insignificant bugs who took you?'

'Working on it,' she replied, peering through the packed bar. 'Is Frenzy here?'

Mixmaster gestured towards the back. 'On the bar. He's working up quite a tab.'

Alexis frowned. She stepped further into the crowd… and was suddenly hit by a huge, collective roar of raucous cheers as she was spotted. Skywarp, behind the bar, raised his hands high over his head.

'Here she is! OUR CONSORT RETURNS!'

There was a huge, deafening cheer from all around her, energon sloshing onto the floor as the surrounding mechs raised their cubes into the air. Skywarp flipped a switch, and Little Angel by Hard-Fi began playing over the speakers.

Smiling and nodding modestly, she shouldered her way through the eager crowd, finally reaching the bar. Skywarp was pouring some coloured energon into an elaborate glass with a flourish, grinning at her. 'Nice little stunt you pulled in the atrium, girl. This one's on the house!

'Thanks,' she said absently, still looking around for her friend. Correctly guessing her intentions, Skywarp gestured to the end of the bar. 'He's there. Hang on a second…'

Skywarp strode to the end of the bar, plucking up the diminutive casseticon, ignoring his indignant yells. He dumped him rather unceremoniously in front of Alexis.

Frenzy was muttering to himself as Skywarp withdrew. Alexis could tell he was already several energon cubes in. He patted himself down, grabbing his cube, before turning his head, spotting the towering femme.

'What the frag are you… Alexis! You're here! Good, let's get this party STARTED!'

He peered blearily up at her. 'Oh. You're massive again. Cancel the wine, Skywarp!'

'Frenzy,' she said concernedly, her spark picking up speed. Lucy was nowhere to be seen. 'Is everything OK?'

'Never better,' chirped the casseticon cheerily. 'You said, back on Earth, we should go and get drunk together. I'm simply making up for lost time. Come on, you need to catch up!'

He downed another cube, choking slightly as the energon dribbled over his chin, wiping his mouth. 'Finish yours, then we can move onto shots. Or how about Lithone? The space bridges are open again. Yeah! Let's do Lithone!'

He turned, gesturing for more energon, but Alexis' hand came down, blocking him. 'Frenzy. What happened? Where's Lucy?'

'Psh.' Frenzy stood on tiptoe, attempting to get Skywarp's attention. He was studiously avoiding Alexis' stare. 'How should I know?' He beckoned another bar mech forward, who slid a tray of cubes towards him. 'Now THAT's what I'm talking about…'

'Frenzy!' Alexis reached down, physically turning Frenzy around to face her with her long fingers. 'What happened with Lucy? How did the talk go?'

Frenzy looked down, his grin slipping from his face.

'Really fucking badly.'

'What? Why?'

He shrugged, picking up another cube. 'Turns out humans are a bunch of scum. Present company not included, of course…'

Alexis batted the cube away, and scooped Frenzy up, deaf to his indignant protests. She strode through the bar and out of the back entrance, where the empty energon barrels were stacked. The noise dropped away, and she lifted Frenzy closer to her face. He was glaring at her. 'Not cool, Alexis! You don't just get to grab me like a…'

'Tell me what happened,' she said firmly. 'I'm not putting you down until you do.'

'You can't just pick me up, it's disrespectful!'

'Don't care,' she replied without hesitating. 'TALK to me.'

'There's nothing to SAY!' Frenzy yelled back, slamming his fists into her palm. 'She rejected me!'

'What?'

'You heard,' said Frenzy angrily. 'I stood there… told her it was me, and she was having none of it.'

'No!' Alexis shook her head, refusing to believe it. 'She wouldn't! I haven't known her all that long but she doesn't seem…'

'Yeah well, you know what she said? Frenzy slumped down, his tone heavy with bitterness. 'She stood there for a while… and… and she looked me up and down… and then she reached for my arm… she could barely even touch me, fleshie. And she said… she said… "All this time I've been deluded."'

Alexis's optics widened in shock. 'Oh, Frenzy…'

'I didn't stick around after she said that,' said Frenzy quietly. 'And you know what? She's right. It was all a delusion. I'm a Decepticon, she's a human. I was an idiot for thinking we had a connection. You know the worst part?'

Alexis shook her head, silent. Frenzy stared at her in despair.

'I want to cry. About my human body dying. About Rumble. About Lucy. And I can't. Because I'm back in this form, forever, and it's gone, all of it's GONE!'

Alexis stood in silence, staring sadly as her friend leaned back against her fingers, offlining his optics.

'Frenzy,' she said softly. 'We'll go back, and…'

'No,' he said.

'So, what, you stay in here for the rest of your life, drinking?'

He shrugged, not meeting her gaze. 'Rumble's gonna die.'

'We don't know that yet.'

Frenzy looked up. 'Starscream's not gonna let him get away with defying him twice. Heck, I wouldn't, if I was leader.'

'One thing at a time,' said Alexis. 'Come back with me, to the fortress. We'll find Lucy, sort this out, and then see about Rumble. I'll try and make Starscream see… there is still hope. I promise.'

Frenzy gave a hollow laugh, looking up. 'You don't give up, do you?'

She smiled at him. 'Never.'

He looked down, his shoulders sagging. 'Listen. You're my best friend, and… I love ya, but you can't fix this.' His head began retracting into his chest as his plating shifted.

'Frenzy… wait!'

But as she watched he folded down into his cassette form without another word, the lights along the front of the small rectangle glowing softly. He had put himself into stasis.

A burst of raucous laughter floated out into the night air. Alexis sighed, closing her fingers gently over Frenzy's alt mode. A glance into the bar told her not to bother venturing back in - a fight had broken out, two constructicon mechs brawling whilst the rest of the clientele looked on with drunken cheers. Instead she slipped off down the back alley, heading back towards Starscream's soaring fortress.

Lucy knelt on the table top, her face red from crying. She was trembling, in total shock, still reeling from the speed with which the red mech left, ignoring her pleas for him to come back. She was still having to remind herself that he was apparently the same person as her Freddie, who now lay dead just yards away from her, covered by a sheet.

She stared around her with unseeing eyes, her hands knotted in her lap. The sense of dread, of everything falling apart, was growing inside her. In her back pocket, her phone buzzed. Amazingly, it still worked on this strange planet - Freddie's handiwork, no doubt. She pulled it out, opening the text, the words on the screen failing to register properly until she had read it a few times.

Due to missed shifts and repeated attempts to contact you, Bigley Nursing Agency regretfully informs you that your employment with us has been terminated...

Fresh tears falling, she slowly put the phone away, her shaking hands pushing her hair out of her eyes. It was the mark of how bad she felt that getting fired was just another part of this terrible day.

'Easy, Luce. Easy,' she whispered. 'You can either stay here, by yourself, waiting for someone to come. Or… you can get up, and you can go and find him, and try to make things better.'

She hauled herself to her feet, taking a shaky breath, and headed for the ladder set into the table leg.

The med bay doors had been left open. Lucy made it as far as the doorway before freezing against the frame, her courage deserting her. The passage was busy, with giant mechs striding this way and that. Lucy flattened herself to the wall, closing her eyes and taking deep breaths.

'Well, another day, another hole in the floor. I'll summon the maintenance drones to… what in Primus' name? HUMAN!'

Lucy opened one eye. She had been spotted, and shrank back as a giant, dark grey mech strode towards her, the ground shaking, his long legs covering the distance as if it were nothing. She didn't even have time to run before she was grabbed.

Dirge straightened up, carelessly tossing the girl into the air and catching her in his palm. He was not in a good mood - Alexis' stunt, whilst completely understandable, had thwarted his plans to conduct more thorough research. His optics were narrowed in anger as he beheld the trembling little human on his palm. 'What are you doing roaming the halls, organic? You should be locked up with the others! How did you escape?'

The redhead stared at him. Dirge growled, pinning her down with his thumb and squeezing hard. 'Answer me!'

'Ow… ow! Please, I'm looking for Freddie… I… I mean Frenzy!' the girl cried, trying to push the crushing weight of his thumb away, but he was much too strong for her struggles to make any difference.

'Frenzy? What has that bolt-bucket got to do with you, slave?'

'I'm not a slave... please, let me go! I'm with Frenzy and Alexis!'

'Ah, but you're not, are you?' growled the seeker. 'You are by yourself. Prove that you're telling me the truth, or I will squash you to a pulp.'

Lucy stared up at him, her heart racing. 'No… please, I'm telling the truth…'

'What's this?' rumbled another voice.

Dirge was joined by Thundercracker, who leaned in, observing the struggling woman, still trying to free herself with pained gasps as she wriggled in Dirge's grip. Lucy's wide eyes met the optics of the second-in-command, willing him to remember her.

Thundercracker rubbed his chin. 'That's Frenzy's little companion,' he rumbled. Lucy went slack with relief, and Dirge frowned. 'Really?'

He looked down, grudgingly relaxing his grip. 'That's a shame. I could do with some mindless slaughter, to be honest. I guess I'll get in trouble if I scrap this one.'

'Give her here,' said Thundercracker.

Dirge upended his hand, and Lucy fell painfully onto another giant palm. Grunting moodily, the grey mech stalked off. Thundercracker began to walk, and Lucy closed her eyes, feeling sick at the sight of the floor whirling past below. She shivered.

'Walking around a Decepticon fortress without a faction to your name is not a very good idea,' rumbled Thundercracker above her. 'Why are you by yourself, human?'

'I was trying to…'

'Speak up.'

'I was trying to find Frenzy,' said Lucy, raising her shaking voice. 'I need to speak to him. Do you know where he is?'

'No,' said Thundercracker. 'You would have been wiser to have remained where he left you. You are not authorised to be wandering around alone, even if you can claim friendship with our kind. Your species are not exactly flavour of the month round here.'

Lucy looked down. 'I didn't think about that. Thank you for helping me.'

Thundercracker grunted. '"Helping you" is a bit of a stretch. I will com link Alexis when I get time, and ask her to find somewhere safe for you.'

Lucy blushed, feeling insignificant, another chore in a long list of more important tasks. Thundercracker continued speaking above her. 'I need to speak to Lord Starscream first. Word of advice, when we go in there, keep your mouth shut and stay still.'

Lucy's mouth suddenly went dry, but before she could protest, the jet strode into another room. The world spun dizzyingly as she was lowered onto a surface.

Starscream was seated in his lab, tapping his mouth with his fingers, looking thoughtful. When the doors hissed apart he looked up… hoping to see Alexis… but it was Thundercracker, who grinned upon seeing his brother's expression. 'Sorry, brother. She's gone out, you'll have to be content with me for now. Just need you to authorise the next stage of the recruitment camp's expansion in the western sectors.'

'Riveting,' said Starscream, reaching for the datapad. He glanced down, spying the trembling form of Lucy knelt on the workstation. Her eyes were wide with fear, calling to mind her last encounter with the intimidating Decepticon leader. Starscream leaned back, a less-than-pleased frown on his face. 'Why is this human here?'

'Apologies, Starscream,' said Thundercracker, scrolling through the report. 'I found her wandering in the corridors. Little scrap almost got herself crushed. I'll get her out of your sight in just a klik.'

'Put her on the next vessel back to Earth,' said Starscream dismissively. Lucy gasped, the word bursting out before she could stop it. 'No!'

Starscream paused, and turned his head to face the human once more, a calm veneer of menace in his voice. 'What did you say?'

Lucy shook her head, licking dry lips. 'I… don't want to go home. I'm trying to find Frenzy, I need to speak to him.'

Starscream looked down at her, then he sat back, letting out a short, humourless laugh. 'Is that so? I've heard he survived transfer into his proper Cybertronian form, which means he is ready to speak to me concerning his treachery.'

Lucy stared, feeling the colour fall from her face. 'T...treachery?'

'That's right,' said Starscream casually. 'The fact he is not with you must mean he has absconded. He won't have got far. Very soon he will having a rather uncomfortable conversation with me about the activities of his useless brother. So, human, you won't find him readily available to speak with you. You may as well go home and put him out of your mind.'

He gestured for the datapad, the conversation seemingly over. Lucy got to her feet, clasping her hands together in front of her. Thundercracker, who was watching, gave a tiny, warning shake of his head, but Lucy ignored it, bravely clearing her throat. 'Excuse me…'

Starscream paused once more, turning his head back towards the human. His hand moved forwards, coming closer and closer to her, and she stumbled backwards, eventually feeling her back bump against a beaker twice her size. With nowhere else to go, she closed her eyes as she felt his fingers encase her, lifting her up. He had pinched her around her ribs, leaving her feet dangling, and she winced at the tightness, struggling to breathe.

Starscream brought her right up to his face, his brow creased in irritated bewilderment. 'How do you have the courage to come in here and address me without invitation?' he asked, watching her squirm between his fingertips. 'It's not a rhetorical question, I'm genuinely curious.'

After a moment or two of silence, Lucy realised he was waiting for an answer, and opened her eyes to stare into his glowing, narrowed optics. 'Don't send me home, not yet, please,' she gasped. 'I messed up badly with Freddie… I mean… Frenzy, and I need the chance to…'

'Your involvement with Frenzy does not interest me in the slightest,' said Starscream softly. 'It was a mistake to indulge his fascination with humans. You are the proof of that. What reason do I have to keep an insignificant scrap like you around, hm? What is your value? Besides, you surely have things on Earth to go back to. Some dead-end job or pathetic friends and family?'

Lucy shook her head, feeling hot tears well up behind her eyelids. 'The nursing agency texted me to say I don't have a job at the hospital any more,' she sobbed. 'Because of missed shifts. I'm going back to nothing.'

'Hospital…' Starscream repeated the word, a look of dawning understanding on his face. 'You're medically trained.'

'Yes... I'm a nurse…'

Starscream opened his mouth to reply… but the doors hissing open behind him turned his head, and his optics widened in sync with Lucy's eyes. 'There you are!'

Forgotten about, Lucy was lowered to the worktop, dropped from a height of a couple of feet. The Decepticon leader stood up, and Lucy stared in awe at the femme who moved into the room. She was shorter than Starscream, but her shadow still swamped the human, who took in her graceful, slim figure, bedecked with fearsome weapons and shining armour. Her amber optics alighted on him and she smiled.

'Hey, big guy. I just came to… holy shit! Lucy!'

Lucy had been spotted, and scrabbled back on her rear, raising one hand to protect herself as the giant femme leaned in to see her better, her optics wide with concern. 'What are you doing in here? What happened?'

When the girl didn't immediately reply, seemingly speechless with awe, Alexis smacked the side of her head. 'Shit, sorry, I should have said. It's me. It's Alexis.'

Lucy lowered her hand, gazing in wonder at the giant female jet, who smiled back. Behind her, Starscream loomed, watching the human thoughtfully. Alexis unfolded her hand, gently depositing a red cuboid down next to the young redhead. 'Lucy, whatever happened between you two... we'll sort this out. Alright?'

'Alexis, a word.'

Starscream was tugging at her arm, and she straightened up. 'It's going to be OK,' she said as she moved off.

Starscream took her over to the other side of the lab. Alexis tore her optics away from the tiny kneeling figure of Lucy, and looked up into Starscream's optics. Thundercracker had slipped out, giving them privacy.

'Starscream. About earlier. I'm sorry if…'

He tilted his head. 'Sorry? What for?'

'For, you know, taking the cuffs, and blowing them up…'

He dismissed her apology with a wave of his hand, his optics glowing. 'Forget the cuffs, I don't care about the cuffs. Between you and me...' he leaned in, grinning widely, his voice growling into her audios. '...it was hot.'

Alexis looked down, abashed, trying and failing not to smile. 'Really?'

'Oh yes. That's my girl. That's the Alexis I've been missing. If I weren't being pulled in every direction right now…' He slid his hand up her arm, lingering near the elbow, drinking her in hungrily. There was no need for him to continue. She turned her face up to his. 'We have all the time in the world, now I'm back with you,' she said softly.

After a few moments gazing at each other, they returned to the present, Alexis gesturing to the worktop.

'I brought Frenzy in.' Lucy had scooted over to the cassette, seemingly whispering to it. Starscream glanced over his shoulder as she spoke again.

'He put himself into stasis.'

'Really? Then he's saved me a job,' said Starscream disdainfully. 'He'll be given over to Soundwave, then he'll be brought forward at the trial to give evidence.'

Alexis looked down at the floor, nodding. 'As you command,' she said quietly.

'He's left me with no other choice,' said Starscream, tilting his head to find her gaze. 'You do understand that, don't you?'

Alexis nodded. She gestured to the worktop, her tone becoming sharp. 'Anyway, what are you doing with Lucy?'

'Me?' Starscream held up his hands in a show of innocence. 'She found her way to me, not the other way around. She was bleating about Frenzy.'

Alexis regarded him suspiciously for a moment. 'Fine. Well, I'll take her back to…'

'Not so fast,' said Starscream. 'I'm not done with that little scrap just yet.'

Alexis shot a look at him once more. 'What are you up to?'

He held up a hand once more, in a placating gesture. 'I've no intention of harming her. You have my word.'

'Well, what do you want with her then?'

'Just a little negotiation, is all. Trust me on this. Go with Thundercracker, I'd like you to inspect the human slave quarters and feed back on them. Any thoughts you have will be very valuable.'

Alexis stayed where she was for a moment. 'Anything you do or say in this room, concerning that young woman… just remember you need to be able to look me in the face when you tell me about it.'

Starscream smiled deviously, but he nodded. 'Of course. Com-link me when you're done.'

The doors closed. Lucy was kneeling next to Frenzy's alt mode, fresh tears falling as she bent her head to be near him, speaking to him quietly. Starscream seated himself once more, snapping his fingers.

'Human. Come here.'

Swallowing, Lucy detached herself from Frenzy, scrabbling forwards to be as close as she dared. Alexis and Thundercracker had gone, and now that Lucy was alone with the Decepticon leader she felt more nervous than ever.

'It seems you have one of two choices before you,' said Starscream, picking up a datapad and scrolling idly through it. 'Either, you return home to Earth, and get on with your life. Or, you remain here. Which one will you choose?'

Lucy thought for a moment, wiping her eyes. After a tense silence, she lifted her head. 'I want to stay here. Please.'

'Then I will grant your request.'

Lucy exhaled, allowing herself a smile… but her chin flew up as Starscream spoke again.

'At a price, of course.'

Lucy stared up at him. 'A… price?'

Starscream lowered the datapad, and Lucy leaned forward, watching the Cybertronian glyphs rearrange themselves into English.

'Read it carefully,' said Starscream softly.

Lucy stared down at the words glowing up at her. Cybertronian Decepticon Manumission Agreement. Below this title there were more words in much smaller print. She heard her heart thump in her ears, and looked up. 'Slavery?' she said, falteringly.

Starscream smiled. 'If you want to be here you will need a faction. And you will start where everyone here starts. At the very bottom.'

Lucy's mouth was dry. 'Forever?'

'That will depend on the assessment of your servitude. Your complicity, your work ethic.' He glanced down. 'Your obedience.'

He touched the datapad with a huge digit, enlarging a paragraph. 'You'll have some small extra privileges, owing to your medical expertise. And the chance to accrue credits which can add to your level of comfort over time.' He leaned down, and she shrank back. 'You will find me a most reasonable master.'

'But I'll be a slave,' she blurted. 'A prisoner!'

'Yes.'

Lucy stared down at the datapad, her mind spinning. Above her head, Starscream spoke again, his voice soft.

'Think about it. Shelter. Food. The safety that comes with Decepticon slave rank - no one is allowed to damage you. I can't say the same if you try to roam my streets or this planet with no faction. You might even get to see your little Frenzy again. You'll have everything here you need, and in exchange for what? Your precious freedom?'

He lifted her chin with the tip of his finger, his face now filling her vision. 'It's only freedom,' he said softly, raising his eyebrows as he smiled. 'Only freedom. I promise you, you won't even miss it.'

Fun fact - I took inspiration from the Decepticon approach to slavery from the Roman Empire. Apparently back then if you found yourself short on cash you could sell yourself into slavery in return for guarantee of food and shelter. Slaves could be freed if they worked hard enough, but there were also cases of slaves being freed who then complained about it because they suddenly found themselves with nowhere to live etc! It's really interesting, read up on it.