It was strange... having her sight back. After existing in darkness for so long, the first few moments had been nearly overwhelming. Everything seemed glaringly bright and dizzying, making her tanks churn and her helm ache. She'd been given a short time to adjust before being returned to her cell, where she'd been promptly and firmly reminded that if she chose to 'abuse the gift he'd given her', Megatron would take it away once again. She'd simply nodded, her gaze purposefully avoiding him. She hadn't wanted to see him with his smug expression... he hadn't given her a choice.

Deadly talons had wrapped around her neck and forced her to meet his gaze. He grinned down at her, taking several kliks to study her face. After a time he'd released her, his tone slick as he reiterated his threat. "I prefer you like this... your optics have always been so lovely... but if you force my servos I will deprive you of their use without hesitation."

While she considered this development a win, her optimism had suffered a brief derailing shortly after. Having her vision back had very quickly alerted her to the fact that there were far more Decepticons here than she'd been aware of. Bots she'd never seen before, and some she hadn't seen in a long time. Before her capture she'd made the assumption that he had called for the return of those who still followed him, having noticed the swell in airspace activity, but she had never expected something of this scale.

This... would make executing her plan far more difficult than she'd initially anticipated. Drones were easy... they moved like clockwork, hardly a thought behind their optics. Easy to track and map... easy to anticipate. His other followers, however, created several obstacles she hadn't accounted for. She was quick to shake off the veil of despair and remind herself that unexpected did not mean impossible. She would simply need to adjust her planning. Bide her time until no one expected her to act out, then make her move.

So for now... she would wait, and study her surroundings.

When she wasn't in her cell, Megatron paraded her around, one of many trophies of war. The artifacts and weapons he'd collected he displayed on raised platforms in shimmering cases... she was displayed, bound and subdued, on the steps of his throne. She spent several cycles there, which provided her with the opportunity to covertly map out the rooms layout, as well as the halls they travelled to get there, though what lay at the end of each she couldn't be sure. In time she would find out.

"Well, well, well."

The familiar tone snagged her attention, drawing it away from the other side of the room, where Megatron stood with a slim blue mech whose designation she had yet to learn. The bot who'd addressed her stood at the foot of the stairs, and she recognized him instantly as the one who'd captured her all those orbital cycles ago in the woods. She withheld the urge to scowl... or to spit at his pedes. While the warlord held the tools of her torment, this mech had been the one to deliver her into his clutches. How she hated him for it.

His finish gleamed a spotless onyx, expression haughty as he regarded her. The way he carried himself reminded her an awful lot of a certain red medic.

"Gotta admit," he drawled, "I'm surprised to see you're still online. This isn't what I'd expected your fate to be when your profile showed up on my data pad, but you sure do make a charming addition to the room."

"BlackOut."

The smarmy bot stood rigidly as his master's booming voice cut through their hushed, one sided conversation. Turning, he saluted the immense mech as he approached, sharp red eyes pinning him in place.

"I expected you vorns ago," the words were pointed, tinged with displeasure.

The bounty hunter stammered a hasty apology as his leader ascended the steps, seating himself upon the throne and looking down at him expectantly. Knowing it would not be wise to keep the tyrant waiting any longer, he began his report. "The past two orbital cycles show a steep decline in interstellar activity as of late, with the exception of our own. Seems we're running out of stragglers... to be honest it's been incredibly boring. Gearbox and I-"

"You would do well to remember your amusement is not my concern. What does concern me is the fact that your report suggests a rather uneventful turn since last we met... yet your ship's lack of fuel would suggest otherwise."

BlackOut stood up a little straighter, Arcee noticed, the look of panic that passed over his features smoothed out quickly as he gave a light chuckle.

"Easily explained, my liege. Given that the activity here was so slow, my partner and I decided it would be advantageous of us to-"

"Go against my orders and make an unsanctioned trip to the Arca System, yes... I'm perfectly aware," Megatron interrupted yet again, baring his denta in a menacing snarl. When the younger mech made no move to respond, he reminded him, "Do not forget to whom you speak."

Loosening his grip on the armrests, the warlord leaned back into his seat, his faceplate softening into a deceptively cordial expression. "Now, since you and your partner seem so very desperate for a change of scenery, I'm sending you both to Nebulos."

"N-Nebulos, sire? What are we supposed to do there?"

"Upon arrival you will report directly to Thrust; he has been overseeing the excavation of several alloy deposits located there. The planet's inhabitants are similar to those here on Earth, and as of late they have become somewhat of a hindrance to our efforts. You will assist in keeping them away from our sites."

The hunter made a disbelieving face. "Pest control?!"

Megatron narrowed his optics. "Is there a problem?"

Recognizing his folly, he shook his head. "No, my liege."

"Good. Now, prepare for departure immediately. I expect an update within the cycle of your arrival there."

Bowing low, the bot turned to leave, carefully hiding his scowl.

"BlackOut..."

Pausing, he carefully schooled his features and turned back. "Yes, Lord Megatron?"

"Waste my time or my resources again and I won't be so lenient. Do I make myself clear?"

The dark mech gave a fearful nod before turning on his heel and striding briskly away.

Arcee couldn't help the small smile that crept across her faceplate, though she was quick to remove it when she noticed her captor glancing down at her.

While she had briefly hoped that being present when he attended to his business would offer the chance to gain insight, she had come to learn quickly that he was not so careless. Any time something of greater import arose, he had her returned to her cell. He allowed her here for two reasons... to cement his power over her by showing her how complete his authority was, and to remind those who served under him just how efficient he was at bringing his enemies to heel. Megatron ruled through fear, and was sure to use every opportunity to remind those around him why they should continue to follow him. Obey... or die.

Hang in there, Cee...