MISSION AND A BOY NAMED MELVIN

The dawn broke on the day of Taiya's first mission. She was so scared. Even though she knew the entire procedure backwards and forwards it was still nerve racking. It was her job to get into a federal building outside of the pentagon. Megatron knew she wasn't ready to try and gain access to that. She had everything set, a new ID badge, wig, costume, her skates, and two small blasters. She was supposed to enter the building with the cover that she was a utility worker. She had to cover her tattoos with this cream that Arkeville made. It worked wonders in covering up the marks, scars, and various wounds form training. She then placed pieces of skin colored tape over her access ports. Finishing off her look with a turtle neck; she did not want anyone to see the one on her neck. And the fear of sweating off the tape made it even more apparent that the turtleneck be used.

The only good side to the mission was that she could get away from Thrust's new PET. She was so annoying. She was a rather shallow girl that had long blonde hair and grey eyes. She was stuck up and a bit of a show off. And the way she hung onto Thrust complimenting him in a rather scandalous way made Taiya sick. The comments that slipped her mouth were full of sexual innuendos. All of which made Taiya and Stephen cringe. Thrust also spoiled her rotten, giving her fancy jewels and golden jewelry. The only thing he wanted was for her to wear scandaly clad outfits. Her name was Loren and she was a handful. Loren also thought it was "so cool" being the PET of a Decepticon. The sad part was that Thrust did not see that she was just using him, to gain perks and have special privileges over the people see deemed "not transformer worthy". She made Marie and Taiya's life miserable because of her constant obnoxious ways. The only thing about Marie, Loren, and Dirges PET Wren that bothered Taiya and Stephen was the fact that Megatron let them choose wither to be a PET or a Decepticon. Marie was excluded because of her sight issue, Loren was too much of a coward, and Wren wanted some time to think about it first before making any agreement. They still had to get tattoos and that was easy in comparison to what the twins had to go through. Megatron said that he my need to give them some additional upgrades in order to be useful. But nothing as severe as having liquid cover your bones and data ports put into your limbs. Megatron just wanted them to have the sensors under the hand and the implant in the ear. Without the sensors in the hand; it would be hard for them to get around the nemesis. Megatron was not a fan of keys or access cards. He always said that they would cause a security issue. And with the implant in the ear; they would be able to understand Cybertronian.

Marie was given the task of building an engine from a box of parts and a Braille instruction book. Megatron wanted to see how fast she could do it as a test for her. One thing people and cons knew about Megatron was that everything was a test. He did not want to make it easy for anyone and Marie's blindness was not an exception. She liked the fact that Megatron did not treat her different from the others; a first for her. She was happy that someone in her life did not make special treatment rules when it came to her. Soundwave made Marie a small machine that gave out information in Braille on her wrist. All Marie had to do was touch it and it would give her information about her location and the locations of people/Decepticons in the nemesis. It was her way of getting around. She also like the feature that it told her if things were in the way. The stick was now obsolete and she even put away her glasses. Rumble thought her pale green eyes were kick ass looking; making Marie confident not to wear the glasses. So along with the new wrist computer each PET got a pair of skates. The skates however reacted to vocal commands instead of the sensor output way. With them not being Humanacons they were not allowed weapons until they earned the right to them. More time would be needed to get the ear implants in, and once they are installed the PET's and Decepticons would be able to talk to one another no matter where they were. It was sort of like a security measure. Megatron did not want any of his " property" to go missing.

Wren, Dirge's PET was so different from Loren. She was quiet and reserved. She was more in thought then in an actual conversation. She spoke very little but when she did it was usually something smart or something needed to be said. Dirge liked it how she would point out things without either of them having to say a word. All it would take was a look from either one of them for them to know what the other was thinking. But unlike Dirge Wren was a tad bit more laid back. She thought more just for the sake of thinking then trying to perfect herself. Before being a PET to a Decepticon she was living alone in Hawaii when Dirge saw her on the beach. She was a half Hawaiian – half Philipino girl. She had black hair and brown eyes. She had no family and was living on her own. She was on the beach when Dirge showed up in front of her. Dirge was caught by the fact that instead of sun bathing or surfing; she was reading, and she was reading a lot. Wren loved two things, psychology and philosophy. Two classes that Dirge a fear loving con shared in common. Wren and Dirge were not romantically involved. Dirge and Wren were more like partners. Dirge said that the idea of a transformer and a human acting romantic is a nonsense notion he did however say that he could treat her kindly and with love in a friendship sort of way. Wren had her own job, she was told to catalogue information and to take down psychological notes on the cons and the Humanacons. She was the resident psychoanalyst. She had earned the name Wren the Bio-gal. As far as Taiya, Stephen, and Marie went; they were a tad bit harder to figure out. Loren on the other hand was as easy to see though as glass. Loren could talk about nothing for hours, to this Wren would just get up and leave, usually to go and meditate with Dirge.

Taiya tried desperately to be the "leader" and to no avail; she could not boss Stephen around. It was damn near impossible, every time she tried to order anything Stephen would just put on the pouty face and Taiya lost her nerve. He kept using the cute-ish aversion strategy. Eventually Megatron said that Stephen did not have to listen to Taiya. But as far as female PET's go, Taiya had to rain them in. overall, Taiya had a simple time with Marie and Wren, but Loren would not take orders. She did not listen to Taiya worth a darn. So on top of her mission and the constant stress of her other responsibilities Loren was putting the last straw on Taiya's back. Loren would have to take a backseat to this until Taiya got back from her mission. Taiya even felt bad for Megatron because Loren was constantly annoying him. He did not want his secondary seeker leader to desert him so he had to put up with it. Loren constantly insisted that she be leader instead of Taiya, to this Megatron would point out the obvious. {"Did you go through hours of initiation surgery? Did you swear yourself to the Decepticon way forever?"} To this she had to say no. Loren thought that being 4 years older then Taiya meant that she had rights over Taiya. Needless to say Loren was like a human girl version of Starscream.

Taiya and frenzy left and Barricade would drive them to the location. Barr had to tone down the police insignias. So he just had to stick with the plain old black. Barr did not like that. But seeing as his old form would have given him away he had no option. They drove up the government building and Taiya got out. In her new costume; she had on a navy blue utility uniform and a red wig, she also had a fake ID badge that hung on to her chest pocket. Frenzy transformed into his tape mode and Taiya pocketed him. The security detail would not be able to see what was inside of it nor detect it because Taiya had an antimagnetic detector in the bag. They would also not be able to see Taiya's skates and her small weapons. The bag gave out a signal to not only the magnetic detector but it also had a very cool cloaking ability that fooled the X-Ray machine into thinking it was just a bag of tools and a few other "non-hazardous" material. She went down into the parking garage where she was stopped by two security guards. They checked her ID and the log. Frenzy had gone into it and changed the repair schedule. They took her bags and checked her for weapons. She cleared and they let her through. Frenzy said through the implant. "Chill, now just enter like you own the place". The building was crawling with guards and security detail. Some of which looked like secret service Taiya was kind of excited, she had always wanted to see what places like this were like in the top secret zone. Man she thought, some people would have killed to be able to be in here. She went down a rather vacant hall and saw the panel she had to remove. She took out a screw driver and un-hinged the plate. She placed the plate down when a guard grabbed her hand. Alarmed Taiya whipped around.

Guard – "Excuse me but I have to check your clearance." {Without asking he took the ID badge off of Taiya's pocket and looked at it. Touching an earpiece he spoke} "I have an issue in quadrant 6- B . . . Name, her tag reads Sofia Fairborn . . . "{he kept a tight grip on her wrist}
Taiya – "Let go of me.'
Guard – "I suggest you remain still, or I will have to use force."
Taiya – {thinking own the place…what to say} 'I have direct orders from The Pentagon to be here, And if I don't get my job done someone is going to be fired, and it aint gonna be me!"
Guard – "Yeah right . . . Wait what {he touched his earpiece again} are you sure? Agent Anderson signed off on a repair? That can't be the records say next Tuesday. . . . I saw them myself."
Taiya – {taking the baseball cap she was wearing and tuned it backwards} "Listen rent a cop, if I don't fix these wires a ton of data will be at risk, and just how happy will the pentagon be if they cant talk to their soldiers, OH and lets not forget the War Room. General McAlister wouldn't be too happy about that wouldn't he?"
Guard – "Rent a cop! Just who the hell do you . . . {earpiece} ARE YOU SERIOUS!? Arg. . . . I guess you're free to work" {he threw Taiya's hand down}

The guard left and Taiya sighed in relief. She was a tad bit shaken up and had to steady her hand as she looked for the wire she was supposed to plant the bug. She looked in and read off labels. {A12, 9P, RE5, . . . ] Taiya thinking the whole time, where is that wire? Where is hard wire S7-32? There must have been hundreds of wires behind the wall. It took Taiya about 15 minutes to find the wire she was looking for. She stretched it out to do her job. Now the hard part, she had to clip the sides of the wire just far enough to get to the metal part. She took out a small wire stripper and carefully pealed off the rubber insulation. Taking out a small box with two wires hanging out of them attached them to the two wires in the cable. This was so that anything going out or in was now being feed directly into the Decepticon mainframe. She very carefully without anyone looking took the wire out of her sleeve that lead to her access port on her neck and plugged it into the box. She would have to send a code to the box to activate it. Taiya was nervous about the security cameras but from what Soundwave had told her she was an invisible woman. . Well more like cloaked. When frenzy and her got near the building frenzy sent out a signal jamming the security feeds, the only thing the security guards saw on the screens was recycled footage. She finally got the code in and reset the wire back into its location. It was cool because when the code was accepted Taiya got to her code name for the first time. The machine sent a message to her ear implant {Code Accepted Eclipse. Beginning data transferee now.} Taiya was far from done though; the wire she just bugged was one of 8. The hard wire she just finished was a sector 7 line. She still had to handle the wires that lead to The Pentagon, Whitehouse, Capital Building, FBI, CIA, DOD, and NSA. The only downside was that they still could not get to the files in those areas without going there directly. After the incident on Air Force One they decided all secret files would remain solitary. Which meant they were not connected to anything or any other mainframe or network making remote hacks impossible; not even frenzy was able to get in. But that's what Taiya would do; sneak in and make the connections necessary. A few times Taiya was stopped by security guards. Taiya only feared that she may encounter "confrontation" that would result in her going on the defensive.

Meanwhile back at the nemesis Stephen and Rumble ran exercise drills. Rumble was teaching Stephen the so called "Martial Arts of Kicking AFT." Stephen was having a lot of fun with his training. The only part that Stephen did not like was the idea that he now knew 24 moves to kill a person before they hit the dirt. Stephen was doing really well with his hand to hand combat training. He never thought he could get as good as action film heroes but from Rumble's perspective he was surpassing them. All of the compliments made Stephen work harder. Taiya was jealous because he was getting the fighting bit better then she was. While Taiya struggled with the weapons training Stephen seemed like he was born to handle a blaster. Megatron couldn't figure out why she was struggling with the blaster rifle. While Stephen trained Marie was making headland on the engine. She was covered in soot and a layer of grease. You could barely see her skin under the black tar. Marie didn't mind it though, and Brawl thought it was adorable. Wren was asking the cons about their past to develop bio's. While Loren was shopping Again.

Taiya finished her job at the government outpost and packed up her stuff into the bag and found a washroom on the civilian level. She locked the door and took off the wig and washed up a bit. She took off the navy uniform and wig and threw it in the trash. She thought, less evidence the better. As for the tools, she tossed them in the trash as well. She put her skates back on and put her hair into a pony tail.

Frenzy – {to ear implant} 'okay you're good, can we go now?"
Taiya – 'Hey I am just trying to make sure I blend in to the crowd okay."
Frenzy – "femmecon, or female it doesn't matter, you chicks are the same. Breems in front of the mirror, and still not done."
Taiya – "do you want this job finished fast or right? Because if we get found out because I didn't take my time, megs will have both our heads."
Frenzy – "cyber-slag"
Taiya – {putting what was left of her supplies into her bag} "okay, now where is that camera?"
Frenzy – "Camera, why do we need a camera?"
Taiya – "I need to look like a visitor, and most visitors have cameras. And I better sign out so the guards don't go looking for me." {She picked up the courtesy phone in the bathroom that was put in there in case of emergencies and dialed the key to the security check point she came in earlier} "This is Sofia Fairborn, I am done and am going to the café on the main level to get something to eat." . . . "Yeah I will be leaving through the civilian level, which one? Y-6, yeah that sounds good officer Dan, so you can sign me out now."

Taiya took out the camera and attached it to her wrist with the wrist strap. Walking out of the bathroom and headed towards the tour guide that she knew would be there. Taiya joined the crowd. The tour was boring and redundant. Taiya already knew what the tour guide was saying, after hours of getting ready for the mission she had spent a lot of time memorizing key parts about the building. She felt like a walking textbook. Taiya snapped a few photos just to look interested, making oo's and ah's as she went.

Tour guide – "Now ladies and gentleman I ask you that you put your cameras away as we are now in a no camera zone. This next exhibit is a prototype model room and cameras are not allowed. We can't risk security. But we aren't worried much; with the Autobots on our side we are safe." {Taiya wanted to hurl, she knew what the Autobots were hiding. What secrets they chose not to disclose. How they had beaten a miner to death just for telling the truth. And how they had systematically killed transformers they deemed obsolete. But Taiya had to keep her mouth shut.}
Frenzy – {earpiece} "safe, Autobots my slagging afterburners, stupid moronic fraggers. I can't believe they are buying this'
Taiya – {earpiece} "I know, I wish I could say something but I can't. Right now we both have to keep our coolant."
Tour Guide – "Now folks this young man will take your cameras and give you an ID tag so you can pick it up when we are done here."

The people handed over their cameras and Taiya just placed hers back into her pocket. The reason why she did this was to get photos of the new F-22 design and give them to Starscream so he can modify his design. With that everyone went inside the secret room. Taiya being as careful as she could slipped the camera into her sleeve and started to snap photos. The camera she was using was a slim model that could be used with one hand. She would hold it close and try and angle her hand as best as she could. The new F-22's were simply amazing but not that different from the old ones. Taiya had to joke that she wished Starscream was as quiet as the planes around her. And Taiya found it stupid that the only real thing that had changed was the paint insignias. The lady started to speak but was cut off by a boy behind her.

Boy – "And their top speed is classified but we can say this, they can go hypersonic hitting up to the thousands of miles per hour."
Tour Guide – "Melvin, do you have to make me look bad every time I see you. You may be the son of a general but that doesn't mean . . . {she was cut off again}
Melvin – "Yes Misses Claire, I am a son of a general and that is exactly why I am interrupting you. I have been getting word that you keep mixing up your info. I have had to correct you several times and I am here to help you set it straight."
Claire – "what are you doing? Off doing more errands for your father."
Melvin – "Actually my mission here is classified as are most things in the government. You would be wise to remember that."
Claire – {blushed in embarrassment} "You are going to get me fired if you continue to do this."
Melvin – "Well that's the funny part misses Claire; you are fired. I just put in the pink slip for you."
Claire – "I don't understand, how can you fire me!?"
Melvin – 'Seems my dear dad wants me close to home, he got me a job; here actually. And my new position lets me fire you."
Claire – "WHAT!"
Melvin – 'What part of You-Are-Fired did you not get? Oh maybe I need to put it another way, we are letting you go, you are going in a different direction, we are not picking up your options. Are there any more I can use to make it clearer?"
Claire – {Took off her hat and threw it on the ground} 'I heard you McAlister Men are jerks but this! "
Melvin – 'Eh, Eh, Eh I would chose my words more carefully Claire. Or you may live to regret them."

Claire left the room crying. This made Taiya sad for her; Taiya thought that who cares if she forgot a few numbers. But Taiya had to keep quiet. Melvin broke the silence in the room.

Melvin – 'I am sorry for that, I really did not want to make a scene but good help is hard to find these days. Am I right or am I right?" {The crowd was lulled into his words and laughed with him, except for Taiya who felt like she was stuck in a room with shockwave} "If you didn't get my name, I am Melvin McAlister, and I am head of public affairs for this building. Along with other classified jobs. Now ladies and gentlemen right behind me you will see the German Raptor design, this is a crossbreed between the F-22 and the German Flauke 1200AG. All of the German planes here have been flown and tested by the aerial commander of the German military, General Takashephili {Taka-sheve-li} or just general hawk. She will be here for the gala and she may even stop by here next Wednesday if she can. Take your time folks, as that is one of the most advanced planes in the world."

The others gawked and ah-ed at the design. It really was awesome, and by Taiya's estimates it had the ability to carry twice the payload. She snapped a few more photos. While Melvin worked the crowd she just stood aloof to the side with her arms folded. She was startled when Melvin walked up to her. She quickly moved her hand behind her back to try and hide the tiny camera.

Melvin – "I noticed you didn't laugh at my little joke." {He took off his glasses and put his hand next to her head resting on a wall; so that it was like he overcastted her}
Taiya – "I don't think that was a joke, to me that was rude the way you made her cry."
Melvin – "Well workers like them are a dime a dozen, we can't let them get away with minor mistakes just because they are low level."
Taiya – {getting really uncomfortable moved back hitting the wall} "Call it what you want, you still were being a jerk."
Melvin – "Strong willed; I like that. Now... {Noticed Taiya hiding something.] What do we have here? [Grabbed Taiya's arm and pulled down her sleeve revealing the camera.} Cameras are not allowed in this area." {He snatched the camera out of Taiya's hand}
Taiya – {just opted for silence}
Frenzy – {earpiece} "Slag, think of something!"
Melvin – "You realize I could put you in jail for a long time with this?"
Taiya – 'Yeah how long?"
Melvin – '3 years, but {he caressed the side of Taiya's face and maneuvered her head to look into his eyes} you are far too cute to put in jail. Considering what they do in those places. And we wouldn't want anything horrible to happen now would we?"
Taiya – " Please stop touching me, I have a boyfriend."
Melvin – "Oh really? He really should take better care of his things."
Taiya – "I am not a thing."
Melvin – 'I know, but you see you can help me out. And you know the saying, you scratch my back I {touched Taiya's arm and moved up} scratch yours."
Taiya – "what do you want?'
Melvin – "now that's the correct response. You see the gala thing; you are supposed to bring a date. And me being the generals' son I am invited. But I don't have a date. That's where you come in. I need a date and you need this back {waved the camera}"
Taiya – "you are blackmailing me?"
Frenzy – {earpiece} "well there's one more to add to blackouts list of people to kill. Just tell this guy to take a hike and we can take him down later."
Taiya – {earpiece] "nope that wont work. I think I have to play into this perverts delusions"
Melvin – "Blackmail, such a nasty word. It's more like a favor. And it may even be fun for you. I mean, who in their right mind would pass on a chance to go to the gala of the year with the son of a general?" {Getting coy}
Taiya – 'one dinner and that's it?"
Melvin – "Yeah, that's it, and oh, did I mention it's a three day affair? But as I said, three years in jail or three days with me? You pick.'
Taiya – {scared to move} "Fine. Deal."
Melvin – "Oh and before I forget, the Autobots are coming and I want to show them how much of a fan I am. So wear blue, I will be wearing red.'
Taiya – "Optimus Prime colors?'
Melvin – "You got it."

Melvin handed her; her camera but took out the memory card and gave her his card. With instructions on where to be and who to ask for. Taiya left and meet up with barricade right where they had decided to meet. Taiya kept silent the whole way afraid of what Megatron would do to her when she tells him what just happened. On the way home frenzy kept remarking on how he wanted to slit the brat's throat for being so "smart-assed". When they got back to the Nemesis Taiya took a deep breath and Barricade spoke up.

Barricade – "Just get it over with Taiya. When it comes to Megatron its best to own up to your mistakes. And you can trust me on this one; Megatron won't kill you for this. Starscream has done things about a million times worse and he keeps him around."
Frenzy – "I have to go and meet up with Soundwave so we can start the data feed. And I am with barr on this one, the mission wasn't a failure and that's what counts." {He zoomed off and Taiya stood dead cold in front of Megatron's chambers}

Taiya – [using the intercom} "Megatron sir, I am here for the debrief. Permission to come in.'
Megatron – "yes, come in."
Taiya – {steeped inside and saluted her leader} "Sir all connections and bugs in place. All systems are nominal. No errors to report with them.'
Megatron – {smiled} "Ah good, is there any thing else?"
Taiya – {spoke rather quietly} "Uh sir, I uh - - - have a bit of an - - - issue."
Megatron – {with that the smile went away} "Taiya! I am going to say this once, SPEAK UP WHEN YOU ARE TALKING TO ME!"
Taiya – "Yessir, I HAVE AN ISSUE SIR!"
Megatron – "What kind of issue {a huge slam echoed in the room and blackout was standing at the entrance}
Blackout – " PERMISSION TO KILL SOMEONE MEGATRON!"
Megatron – "Why are you in a rage?"
Blackout – "I SWEAR WHEN I FIND THAT LITTLE SLAGGER!"
Taiya – "Blackout calm down, its okay, I fixed . . . . Well sort of fixed the problem."
Megatron – "Blackout! Cool your afterburners, Taiya do you have something to say?"
Taiya – "THE MISSION WAS A SUCCESS BUT. . . "
Blackout – "SOME BRAT BLACKMAILED TAIYA INTO GOING ON A DATE WITH HIM!"
Megatron – "What the spark!?"
Taiya – 'He caught me with the camera, and he is General McAlister's son and I uh, he said!"
Blackout – "He threatened Taiya with jail if she didn't agree! NOW CAN I KILL HIM!"
Megatron – "Wait. Melvin McAlister, he caught you?"
Taiya – 'Yes! And how do you know his name?"
Megatron – {seeing blackout getting impatient} "BLACKOUT GO OUTSIDE AND SAY THE DECEPTICON CREED OVER AND OVER UNTILL YOU CALM DOWN!"
Blackout – 'NO! I WANT TO KILL HIM NOW!"
Megatron – {Utterly shocked to hear blackout refuse and order} "Taiya wait here.'

Megatron grabbed blackout by the collar and dragged him outside the room. You could hear a bunch of clangs and bangs along with blackouts cries in pain.

Megatron – 'HOW DARE YOU INSULT ME LIKE THAT!" {WHACK}
Blackout – 'OUCH!'
Megatron – "HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN WHO YOUR LEADER IS!" {WHACK}
Blackout – "OUCH! I AM SORRY, I MEANT NO DISRESPECT!'
Megatron – "WHO AM I BLACKOUT!" {WHACK}
Blackout – "OUCH! YOU ARE LORD MEGATRON SWORN LEADER OF THE DECEPTICONS!"
Megatron – "Now that you remember, PUT A SPARKPLUG IN IT! FOR YOUR INSOLENCE YOUR PET NOW HAS TO GO WITH THE HUMAN. I WAS GOING TO SPARE HER OF THAT BUT NOW YOU JUST GAVE ME REASON NOT TO! ALL BECAUSE OF YOU! CONSIDER THAT YOUR PUNISHMENT!"{Megatron ripped one of blackouts blades off of his back and smacked blackout across the face with it.}
Blackout – "AH-OU-OU-OUHCCC!'
Megatron – "Don't you have anything you would like to say? Eh-Blackout."
Blackout – {could barely see straight} "Sir, I was wrong to speak out of turn and to disobey orders. I wont do that again and please don't hurt me!'
Megatron – "That's right, NOW DON'T YOU HAVE A JOB TO DO!? BESIDES BOTHERING ME!"
Blackout – {stood against a wall and started to say the Decepticon creed over and over}
Megatron – {sighed and went back into the room where Taiya had her hands over her mouth in fright]

Megatron – 'Back to you. I know what happened so don't bother trying cover anything up." {Taiya told him as best as she could sometimes halting in fear.}
Taiya – "So now, I have to go to this Gala thing or he will tell on me."
Megatron- "You know why I am not angry with you?"
Taiya – "No sir, I would think you are royally pissed at me.'
Megatron – "One, I wouldn't send you anywhere without eyes and ears over you. I don't want you to go backstabbing us while you are away. Two, your mission was a success other then the boy. Three you may have given us what we need in the process, making the mistake null and void. Four, how do I know Melvin McAlister? I know him because of his father; I have to know all I can about him. And now the opportunity has just presented itself."
Taiya – "So you're not going to kill me?"
Megatron – "No, but you will have to go on that date.'
Taiya – {felt heartbroken} "Yes sir."
Megatron – "Consider this a mission two. You are on your own though, can't risk having one of the Minicons with you. Knowing them they will do something stupid and ruin the entire thing. But don't think you are out of the meteor field yet. That implant in your ear can give me audio of everything that goes on, I will have to think of someway to have visual too. And we will have a Decepticon eye in the gala."
Taiya – 'Yes sir, anything else?"
Megatron – "I am pleased you came to me to tell me without me having to order you. Any thing that goes wrong or array, tell me, because one way or another I will find out. So speak up, and speak clearly."
Taiya – {gave another salute} "Yessir."
Megatron – "Taiya.'
Taiya – "Yes sir."
Megatron – {they just stood looking at each other for a few seconds} "Sad, a human shows me more respect then my second in command. Oh well, what in the crab nebula can I do. You along with the other pets have weapons training with me in a few days; however, you don't need to show. You have an image to maintain. And we can't send you with scars."
Taiya – "Yessir. I will go and get ready. Permission to leave."
Megatron – {nodded}
Taiya – "I am sorry sir, that I haven't earned your trust.'

Taiya left to go see what she could do about a dress and three days of clothes. She was very sad, she felt like she was hurting blackout. She gave blackout a big hug and a kiss before leaving him to his creed duty. It was hours before blackout could calm down. Taiya plopped down in a bean bag chair in the TV Room and sighed.

Frenzy- {who was bored from not being able to play PS3 was watching the news.} "So what did megs say?"
Taiya – "Argh, I have to go through with it."
Frenzy – "Really!?"
Taiya – "Yeah, I can tell you one thing, I aint happy."
Frenzy – 'Now I am not happy."
Taiya – 'Why are you unhappy?"
Frenzy – "Because, I CAN'T COME WITH YOU! AND THAT MEANS I AM STUCK HERE WITH NOTHING TO DO BUT WATCH boring…old…news." {He plopped down on the floor with a clang}
Taiya – "I didn't even go to my own prom; how the slag am I supposed to go to a gala?"
Loren – {who was painting her nails joined the conversation} "WHAT! You didn't even go to your own Prom!? What kind of girl are you?"
Taiya – {turned to look at her} "I am a cyborg, built for infiltration by the Decepticons and designigate humanicon, dumb butt."
Loren – "oh my poor dear this is worse then I thought. DENIED YOUR OWN PROM! HOW TRAGGIC! DON'T WORRY LOREN WILL HELP YOU!"
Taiya – "Great, {leaned over to frenzy} kill me."
Frenzy – "I would gladly do that if I did not want you around but"
Loren – {yanked Taiya up onto her feet and dragged her}
Taiya – "Loren!"

Taiya gave out a few orders to which Loren just ignored and continued to drag her. It took all of a few hours for Loren to find the right dress. Loren had a ton of them. She said that when prom came for her she had bought several just in case. {Or in the event she got bored with one and just threw it away}. She handed Taiya a huge sack of stuff. The sack had everything she could need, thank primus Loren was about the same size as Taiya when she was in high school. So all week before the gala Taiya was "tormented" by Loren. Manicure, pedicure, facial, waxing, plucking, priming, ECT. . The whole time Taiya just cringed. Oh how she wished it was surgery instead but no; she was now Loren's little Barbie doll. Blackout kept trying to get Megatron to change his mind but to no avail. When it came to Megatron; once he made a decision he was going to stick to it no matter what. The other cons laughed when they saw Taiya; in a towel went running away from Loren who had bikini wax. By now Skywarp had found a pet too. Her name was Rina. She had an older sister who intrigued Barricade. Allison was her name and the two were the daughters of a lawyer. They did not stick to the path of the lawful; they mainly just told authority to f**k off and go to hell. They were a pair; both were laid back and had little care in the world. When Allison grew up she opened her own skateboard shop and hired her sister. {{Writers note: I will tell you more about them in another story}}. The thing that made Loren freak was when the two siblings agreed to go through with the surgery saying it would be "way wicked and totally awesome". But Megatron wanted to determine what job they would be best suited for before doing anything.

Taiya did not want to go to the dinner. The more she reviewed of the past of the Autobot "times of glory" the less she wanted to be around them. But she still had a job to do and that was primary objective number one. Another morning another mission, Taiya stopped in on the exercise room and her brother was fast asleep like she was through the first weeks of training. It was funny because rumble fell asleep too and Lazerbeak had nested on his head. She decided to leave them alone and went to gather up her stuff. She was to meet Melvin in front of the Washington monument at 1500 hours. She asked barricade for a lift and he was okay with it, Allison came along. They wanted to tag the city with Decepticon logos. And maybe terrorize a few people. Allison was funny the way she just let Barricade do whatever. They dropped Taiya off about a block away. Taiya got out and walked the monument. She waited until Melvin showed up. When he did he was in a big black suburban and he had an agent with him. Taiya knew this because of the earpiece he was wearing.

Melvin – "Hello Taiya, this is agent Anderson, he sticks with me. Right Anderson?"
Anderson – "Yes Melvin sir, my job is to accompany you as you father requested."
Taiya – "Nice, your own secret service agent." {Thinking Frag me and smelt me down}
Melvin – "I thought you would like that, {he snapped his fingers and Anderson grabbed Taiya's suitcase and loaded it up into the SUV. Melvin extended his hand} shall we go?"
Taiya – {grabbed his hand and was lead into the back of the SUV. Thinking she was just happy that with one click of a button she could talk to the Decepticons}
Melvin – {a few minutes into the ride} "So what Autobot do you like best?"
Taiya – {Thinking none but in need of an answer} "I don't know, they are all so different and I think it's too hard of a choice. I mean if they are like us then it's like picking one human over the other."
Melvin – "Yeah, you are correct on that. You already know my favorite."
Taiya – 'Optimus prime."
Melvin – "Yes. I need to stop at my house for a moment but after that Anderson will take us to your quarters for the weekend."
Taiya – "Okay. Where is that?"
Melvin – 'It's a building built for military families who have visitors. It's in a small air force base about 30 miles away."
Taiya – "cool." {This may be a change to plant a bug. Good thing I brought a few}
Melvin – "We're here.'

The two got out of the car and headed up a walkway to a large house. It was huge, about 10 bedrooms! It had oak wood with red brick. It was 24 feet high and had huge columns. She looked around and there were the biggest roses and lilies she had ever seen. Taiya started to feel out of place, around such decadence. The house was so beautiful only Architectural Digest could rival its beauty. A walnut tree was in the front of the mansion with a marble fountain at its feet. Just when Taiya started to get comfortable a big crash came from upstairs as a tiny device fell down to the grass igniting on fire. Along with the device a downpour of glass showered the ground. This made Taiya jump and in response grabbed Melvin's hand by mistake. They looked up to see Mark McAlister with a gun in his hand. He blew the smoke from the barrel of the gun before laughing.

Mark – "THAT'LL SHOW YOU SMOKE DETECTOR!'
Melvin – "oh not again . . . {Rolled his eyes and sighed} Nice shot dad!"
Mark – "DAMN RIGHT GOOD SHOT! NOW I CAN GET SOME WORK DONE!"
Melvin – "Dad breaking those things is a federal crime! You do remember that right?'
Mark – "AH HA HA HA, Melvin I am the federal government! Like the fire department will do anything."
Anderson – "Right you are General!'
Mark – "Anderson!"
Anderson – "Yessir!"
Mark – {pointed at the fire}
Anderson – "YES SIR, RIGHT AWAY SIR!" {Anderson ran to get a fire extinguisher}
Mark – "And when you are done Anderson call a repair man, I think my window is broken" {he chuckled to himself.}
Melvin – "DAD YOU CANT JUST CALL A REPAIR GUY, THAT WINDOW WAS 200 YEARS OLD!"
Mark – "Out with the old in with the new, now who's your friend?"
Melvin – "She's my date dad."
Mark – {grinned and walked out of sight}
Taiya – "Oh god."
Melvin – "Just calm down and take a deep breath."
Taiya – "He he yeah just calm down" {thinking I AM ABOUT TO MEET MARK MCALISTER MOTHERBOARD-SLAGGER}
Mark – {came outside and holstered his gun before offering his hand to Taiya} "And you would be miss?"
Taiya – 'I am Taiya Dalton sir, {she shook his hand and his grip was significantly stronger then hers} or would you like me to call you general?"
Mark – "Respectful, good, but at my home its just sir, in front of the military its general."
Taiya – "Yes sir mister McAlister."
Mark – "Good Melvin you did good, respectful girl you have here."
Melvin – "thanks." {Loving the praise from his father} "And dad, how many of those things are you going to break before you just replace the battery?"
Mark – 'Battery? I am a four star general; I have more important things to do then to change a battery."
Melvin – "Just call me then and I can get it fixed."
Mark – "But where is the fun in that?"
Melvin – "My dad the hair pin trigger."
Mark – "Do you know how to shoot Taiya?"
Taiya – "Me? No" {lying}
Mark – "The gala is two days away so in the mean time how about the McAlister's teach you? How does that sound?"
Taiya – "I would be a fool not to accept."
Mark – "Wonderful, because if you are going to be any kind of friend of the McAlister's you better learn how to shoot. We all know how to shoot; even Melvin here is an 85% target hitter. My eldest son James is a 95% target hitter, and I am a near flawless 100%."
Taiya – 'Well you would have to give me something small to start with sir." {Letting a few fake laughs]
Mark – "Well then, we know what we are going to do tomorrow. And it will be a nice distraction from the Gala, I hate them myself, boring unenlightened conversations.'
Melvin – "Same people same
Mark – "Mentality"
Taiya – {seeing how much Melvin was like his dad was a tad bit peculiar, it was almost like they shared a brain}
Mark – "Well let's not just stand around, let's head inside. I could use some refreshments."

They went inside and inside was just as magnificent as the outside. Marble floors and crown molding, gold leaf, and the most expensive furniture Taiya had ever seen. It looked like it was straight out of some rococo painting. And heck there was rococo paintings, real ones too, not just some poster from a store. Taiya had to tell Loren thank you later for letting her borrow some of her clothes. They sat in the kitchen around a central island. There the wonder did not cease. Granite countertops, cherry wood cabinets, and stainless steel appliances littered the room. Anderson was already in the kitchen washing his hands from cleaning up Marks mess.

Mark – {touching an intercom} "Josephine round up some drinks. What do you guys want?"
Melvin – "Iced tea. With just a tad bit of scotch."
Mark – "Taiya do you drink?"
Taiya – "Only a few times a year."
Mark – "We will have to change that. Okay Josephine, hard iced tea, Irish coffee for me and for the little misses, hum. . I am thinking a Maryland Mink." {1 part coffee, one part cream, and one part low grade vodka}
Josephine – 'Right away Sir.'
Mark – "What about you Anderson?"
Anderson – "I think I will just get myself a tall glass of ice water."
Mark – 'Suite yourself."

They sat talking for a few hours before taking Taiya to the quarters. Melvin handed her a card that stated who she was and her privileges. He also handed her a cell phone and a list of numbers. Commenting "If there is anything you want, someone on that list can help. Oh and don't worry about paying for anything. Just show them your card and it will be taken care of. the compound you are in has everything. And if you really get lost, I am just a phone call away."

Next installment : Moving McAlister and Autobot Deceit
Preview- - -

Knock, knock, knock

Taiya – "one moment Megatron, there is someone at the door." {went up and got the door. It was Agent Anderson.} 'Agent Anderson?"
Anderson – "Miss. Dalton, I know it is late but I have to speak with you. May I come inside?"
Taiya – "One minute, {Taiya saw a lot of fear in his face. Taiya threw all of her Decepticon stuff into a drawer} come in."
Anderson – {Stepped in and you could see sweat on his forehead} "Thank you Miss."
Taiya – 'You can just call me Taiya. What's wrong?"
Anderson – "if I were to call you Taiya that would be against protocol. I think I should tell you something I know I shouldn't."
Taiya – "what is it Agent Anderson? Please."
Anderson – "I have to warn you about General McAlister.'
Taiya – "I don't understand.'
Anderson – 'The McAlister's are black holes when it comes to people who are around them. especially the girls that get involved. Every girl that has ever married a McAlister has been assassinated, poisoned, or died of mysterious causes."
Taiya – "I am not planning on marrying Melvin.'
Anderson – {grabbed Taiya around the shoulders and looked in her eyes} "Do you think that you will be able to just leave after the gala. General McAlister likes you, and once he likes something he doesn't let it go. "