Authors Notes- And here I am back again with yet another chapter to Until I Break You. As you can gather I don't own Transformers that belongs to Hasbro. I only own the plot. Now that we got that out of the way here is Chapter Three. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter Three: Escape Attempts

He needed to get out of here. Jack thought as he found himself sitting in a small cage in Megatron's quarters of all places. Bloodshot eyes scanned the darkened rom, as he wrapped his arms around his eyes. He shivered, and it had nothing to do with being cold. His thoughts going back to the little conversation he had with Megatron before sticking Jack in this make-shift cage, that was barren of all creatures comforts. Including a bed or anything for the boy to sleep on.

And Jack's first night in the Decepticon base, in the room he was unwillingly sharing Megatron he slept on the floor and occasionally waking up in the middle of the night, sometimes with a start. He had half expected to wake up, and see Megatron staring at him. But not once had the warlord entered the room. The only one who even entered said room had been a faceless Vehicon, who had obviously been assigned to watch over him, and take care of all of Jack's needs.

At least the food and water needs. Jack didn't know where it had gotten the bottles of water, or the various candy bars but he made no move for either of them. And now here he was trying to find away out of his make-shift prison. Straightening Jack looked up at the top of his cage, remembering Megatron lifting the top of his cage and placing him in here. Like he was some sort of pet. Just add a giant water bottle, an exercise wheel and Jack would know exactly how his pet hamster felt back when he was a kid. Except Chewy had shavings to keep him warm.

God, he missed that hamster. Jack remembered his four year old heart shattering when his grandfather had accidently stepped on him. Except he was pretty certain Megatron wasn't going to keep him as some pet to be loved and cared for. Before Megatron had left him to his lonesome the warlord had been nice enough to inform him that Shockwave would be by to run some tests. Tests for what Jack had no idea. But what he did know of the Decepticon scientist was that whatever he had planned it wasn't going to be good for poor Jack. By now Jack was mentally kicking himself for even agreeing to go on his mission with Arcee. Then he wouldn't be here in the first place. But it was too late now, and despite that Jack wasn't about to give up anytime soon. He was going to get out of here, and when he did...well, Jack worried at his bottom lip. He hadn't gotten that far yet. But if it meant he was no longer in the clutches of King 'Con as Miko liked to call him then he would be okay.

And if he was lucky, and skilled enough he would find away to contact the Autobots. He just needed to find away out. Getting to his feet Jack moved to the bars, he wrapped his hands around them. There was no way he would be able to climb them so that was out. And they were too narrow to squeeze through. Gnawing on his bottom lip he was soon jerked from his thoughts as the doors to Megatron's quarters hissed open. And in walked Shockwave. The scientist fixed Jack with his single optic, taking the boy shiver and take a few steps back.

"I see that you are awake." Shockwave commented, moving towards Jack's cage, as the boy pressed harder against the bars.

And here he thought Megatron was terrifying but Shockwave was a whole new level of scary. Maybe it had to do with the fact that he knew so little about Shockwave. Aside from the stories he had heard from Ratchet of the experiments, and the other horrific things the Decepticon in question had done during the war. What was Shockwave going to do with him? Jack watched wordlessly as Shockwave opened the top of his cage, and reached in for him. Crying out, Jack leaped out of the way of his hand, and raced to the other end of the cage.

"Enough." Shockwave said, a slight hint of irritation tinting the scientists normally emotionless voice, as he reached for Jack once more. "This behavior is illogical."

"You might think that." Jack said, backing away. Crying out as his foot caught on one of the water bottles littered on the floor. Sending him stumbling, and falling to the ground with a grunt.

That was the chance Shockwave needed, as he grabbed a hold of Jack's ankle, and lifted him up and out of the cage.

"Stop!" Jack cried out. "Let me go!" However, Shockwave paid him no heed, as he turned on his heel, and walked out of the room with Jack in tow. "This hurts!" Jack snapped, he knew it sounded like he was whining, but dangling by his ankle like this hurt.

He was surprised Shockwave hadn't broken his ankle when he grabbed him.

"What do you plan to do to me?" Jack asked, as Shockwave turned his single opticed gaze to the boy, as they reached his lab.

Dread crept into Jack's chest, as he looked into the room. Swallowing thickly as his terrified gaze took in everything in the room. Noting the various tools that looked like they could inflict extreme pain to anyone unfortunate to end up strapped to the medical table in the middle of the room. The door hissing closed behind the two of them. Making Jack flinch as Shockwave moved towards the table that was stained with god knew Jack if had to guess it was dried energon.

Jack let out a relieved sigh when Shockwave finally placed him down on a relatively clean part of the table, before turning his back to Jack. Jack watched as Shockwave began to type something into the only console in the room, before moving to the table with various tools on it. Tools Jack sincerely hoped weren't going to be used on him. Swallowing again Jack tore his gaze away from Shockwave to look around the vast room.

Escape still on his mind when Shockwave spoke again. "It would seem that someone has taken some of my tools." He told him, optic cycling as he moved towards the door once more. "I suggest you remain where you are. There have been enough setbacks in regards to this project as is."

Jack scoffed as he watched as Shockwave left him alone. And when he did Jack wasted no time looking for a way out.

Things were going extremely well. Megatron thought, as he read through various reports from his men, however that task alone seemed to be harder than it normally was. His thoughts constantly going back to Jack. Remembering the conversation he had with him hours prior. A familiar feeling forming behind his chest plate. A feeling he had thought he had buried so long ago. Feelings he once had for Optimus Prime. Back when the Autobot leader was Orion Pax, before he betrayed Megatron, before they had become mortal enemies. Megatron let out a low growl, giving up on the reports and headed down the hall towards his quarters.

He knew Jack would be in Shockwave's lab by now, being prepared for Shockwave's little experiment, one that would change the boy forever. A cold smile crept to his face plate. Soon, Megatron thought, as the doors to his quarters slid open, the boy called Jack would be no more... Megatron's optics looked to the make-shift cage where Jack had been held. Sure, it hadn't been the ideal place to keep the boy. But until Jack's new body was ready it would suffice.

Megatron eased himself onto his berth, his thought then going to the Autobots, especially Optimus. Did they already know that he was behind the boys disappearance? And more to the point how was his old friend handling it? As he knew than Optimus cared about the humans he called friends, so perhaps Optimus was wracked with guilt for being unable to protect Jack.

And now, Megatron thought darkly. Jackson Darby was no more. Now he belongs to me. However, Megatron's good mood soon turned sour, when Shockwave's voice cut through his thoughts.

"Lord Megatron," the science officer spoke. "The boy has escaped."

"What?!" Megatron snarled, getting to his feet and stomping towards the door, anger swelling in his chest plate. How dare he? Megatron thought.

When he got his hands on Jack he would make the boy regret his decision. A low growl escaped his lips, red optics blazing.

Jack had to admit, as he ducked around the corner. Escaping Shockwave's lab of horrors had been far easier than he had thought. Granted, he had thought that getting of the table would have ended up with him with a busted leg or something. But it had seemed that luck was on his side, as when he had been looking for away off he saw a long cord dangling off the table. Jack had thanked whatever god had been watching as he slowly slid off the table by the cord.

Unfortunately was just a tad too short, forcing the boy to drop to the ground, and ended up spraining his ankle in the process. Something, Jack told himself, as he hissed between his teeth as he picked himself up. Thought it could be a hell of a lot worst. And now, he was being hunted. Jack pressed against the wall as a couple of Vehicons strolled past. Jack thanking god once more as they paid him no mind, secretly thankful for being so small.

Looking left and right before continuing on. Maybe if his luck held up he would find away to contact the Autobots, and get the hell off of the ship. Peeking around the corner he darted down the hallway, stopping at a set of doors. Sadly the button that would open said doors was far out of his reach. Biting down on his bottom lip once more before deciding to give up. However, as Jack turned away from the door, when it suddenly hissed open, making him jump out of his skin and whirl around.

Ducking out of sight as two Vehicons stepped out, conversing amongst themselves. Obviously word hadn't gotten word that he managed to escape, and was currently roaming the base like he owned the damned place. Looking away from the Vehicon troopers he ducked through the doors as they began to slid shut. And found himself in what looked like a control room of sorts. Much like the one he, Miko, and Raf had been in when they first met the Autobots. Something, that seemed like forever ago. All around him Vehicons typed away at computers murmuring to each other.

Creeping around the room, his eyes lit up as he spotted a familiar console, much like the one at the Autobots base. Looking around, Jack, with some difficulty managed to climb up the console, despite his ankle giving him some trouble. Panting Jack frowned, placing a hand on his chin, now how was he supposed to contact the Autobots? Sure, he knew a little about Autobot technology but not a whole lot. And another question how was he going to do that without alerting the Decepticons to his presence.

When suddenly Megatron's voice came through the intercom. Anger tinting his voice, sending a shiver down Jack's spine as he flinched and looked around. Half expecting the Decepticon in question to be standing behind him.

"Attention Decepticons," Megatron growled, as the Vehicons looked up at the sound of his voice. "Our human guest has somehow managed to escape. And I want him brought back. Anyone who harms Jackson Darby will answer to me."

So much for being able to roam around the base without anyone searching for him. Tears burned in Jack's eyes why of all things did this have to happen to him? As that Jack thought this there was an exclamation from behind him.

Whirling around Jack found himself looking up at a Vehicon looming over him. Its visor glowing a sinister red as it reached for him. Crying out Jack leaped out of the way as its hand came crashing down where he once stood. Leaping to the other console and disappeared. The Vehicon watched as Jack disappeared behind the consoles.

"Lord Megatron," The Vehicon said, as it continued to search for Jack. "I have found the human."

Great. Jack thought, dread forming in the pit of his stomach. So much for his escape attempt. He thought as he ducked into the shadows, hoping that Megatron wouldn't find him.

So, the boy thought he could try, and escape did he? Megatron thought. His hands clenched into fists as he made his way to where Jack had been sighted. Though he really couldn't blame him Megatron thought. Hell, it wasn't even surprising, he would have been disappointed if Jack hadn't tried to escape. But never less it was time for them to continue on with their plans. Entering the room Jack had been seen in the warlord's optics blazed as he scanned the room.

Seeing a couple of Vehicons in one corner of the room. Gritting his denta he roughly shoved out of the way before wasting no time tearing the place flying everywhere as Megatron tore the consoles off the wall. Only stopping when he heard a startled scream followed by the sight of Jack cowering in the shadows, eyes wide.

Megatron straightened, a cold grin on his face plate. "Well, well," he purred, reaching down for the boy. "I hope you had a wonderful time touring your new home, but now I think playtime is over." Cold metal fingers closed in on, as the Jack flinched and tried to get away from him.

"No, please, let me go!" Jack pleaded, earning an amused grin from Megatron as he looked down at the boy. "You don't have to kill me, you can just let me go. I won't tell the Autobots where you are."

It was a bluff Jack knew but maybe, just maybe Megatron would believe it? At this Megatron laughed, before bringing Jack up to his face plate.

"Dear Jack, I have no intention of killing you, or letting you go. In fact when Shockwave is done you'll be better than ever."

At the mere mention of Shockwave's name Jack felt tears spill down his cheeks. This was the end for him wasn't it? Biting down on his bottom lip he looked away from Megatron. Jack watched silently as the drew closer and closer to Shockwave's lab. All the while Jack wished this had been some messed up dream, brought on by too much stress or something. But he knew that wasn't the case, and he knew his life as he knew it was over...

Authors Notes- And thus concludes Chapter Three. I hope you liked it. And this is The Exhausted Writer signing off.