Miko had been drifting in and out of consciousness as she was taken away. All she could really see was the creature carrying her in the dark of night. She could hear gunshots somewhere, but the creature was running further and further away from all of that.
Miko closed her eyes and when she opened them again, she was sitting on the ground with her hands tied behind her back. She looked around at her unfamiliar surroundings. An abandoned gas station. The creature was pacing back and forth. It was waiting for something.
"What…What are you?" Miko murmured. The creature growled at her as it proceeded to pace. After what felt like forever, Miko saw something flying toward them. A jet. A very familiar jet. She felt dread sink in as it got closer and closer until it transformed before landing before them. Starscream.
"Ah, it's so good to see you once again, fleshling," he purred, kneeling to get a better look at her. He saw the injury on her shoulder and smiled cruelly as he reached down to poke it with the tip of a sharp finger. Miko groaned in pain, but did nothing else. She wouldn't let him see her cry. Starscream pulled his finger away and Miko looked at her damaged shoulder. It was starting to stop bleeding before, but now it was bleeding again.
"What do you think of my new friends?" He asked as some more of those creatures suddenly appeared from the darkness. Some of them appeared injured.
"They're awful," she grumbled. One of the creatures crawled over to Starscream and rubbed its head against his leg, hissing softly. Starscream frowned as he pushed it away, looking absolutely disgusted. Miko couldn't help but smile as she watched.
"Where are the other fleshlings?" He asked as another large creature approached. There was a strange device attached to its neck.
"Enemies too strong…Take fleshlings away…,"it said in a strange mechanical voice.
Starscream let out a tired sigh as he turned to Miko. He appeared unhappy, but that didn't last long before that awful smile appeared on his face.
"Well, one fleshling is enough. A ground bridge will be provided for you soon. You're coming with me, fleshling," he crowed as he picked her up. Miko didn't dare move and closed her eyes as he took a running start, jumped up high and transformed around her. Her heart was beating a mile a minute when she found herself in his cockpit as he flew off into the night sky. She hoped her friends would find her soon.
Miko had passed out again during Starscream's flight. He had been taunting her at the start, but she started to ignore him before blacking out once more. She was starting to come out of consciousness and kept her eyes closed. She moved her legs a bit and found that she wasn't inside Starscream. She opened her eyes a bit and saw that she was inside a small cage. She was alone in a large dark room. It was cold and there was a horrible sense of dread hanging in the air. She closed her eyes when she heard footsteps approaching.
A door opened and she could hear someone walking around in the room.
"Megatron will be pleased," Starscream's voice murmured as his footsteps got closer.
"Wake up, brat. We have a video to record," he growled as the cage was suddenly turned over. Miko let out a surprised cry and fell on her injured shoulder. Sharp pain coursed through her, making her grind her teeth together.
"You didn't have to do that," she said as she tried to sit up.
"Quiet. You need to save that irritating voice of yours for the screaming you'll soon be doing," Starscream replied as he picked up the cage and carried her away. Miko looked around and saw that she was on board the Nemesis. Starscream walked by countless Decepticon soldiers. Some of them paused to gaze at her curiously before going back to their duties.
They walked past a rather dark corridor and Starscream paused, looking over at it.
"That's where all the fun is," he crowed as an agonized scream filled the air. A multitude of hisses and animalistic screams soon followed.
"You're going to go there very soon," Starscream chuckled as he walked away from that awful place. Miko's mind was racing. She could stall for time, but what could she do? She could run, but she was sure someone would be watching her every move. There could be some weapons lying around for her to potentially use, but would she even get a chance like that? It was a very small possibility.
Her thoughts were interrupted when a soft growl filled the air. Miko looked up and saw one of those creatures approaching Starscream.
"Hello…friend…," it said in that strange voice before it nuzzled Starscream's leg.
"I don't have time for this," Starscream grumbled as he tried to push the creature away with his leg.
"It's kinda cute that they like you," Miko said.
"Be quiet," Starscream growled. Miko couldn't help but giggle softly as the creature kept getting in Starscream's way.
"Mother making…special egg….No other eggs…until special egg comes…," it said.
"Ah, good. Run along now. Get something to eat or do whatever it is you're supposed to be doing," Starscream replied, giving the creature another hard push. It growled softly before rushing away.
"Disgusting things," he grumbled as he continued carrying Miko.
Moments passed and Miko was brought into a large chamber. Megatron was typing away at a large screen, his back turned to them. Miko didn't dare make a sound as Starscream approached.
"Master, I have one of the humans. The soldiers actually did their job right," Starscream crowed as he placed the cage on a nearby table. Megatron was silent for a moment before he turned to glare at Miko and then at Starscream.
"I wanted all three, but one is enough," Megatron said as he walked over to the table. He opened the cage and motioned for her to come out.
"Come on out, little one. We have a lot to discuss," he said. Miko wanted to refuse and wished to make his life difficult by being her usual self, but he could easily hurt her more if she dared defy him. She let out a deep breath as she stepped out of the cage.
"Starscream, go get one of the infected and an egg," Megatron ordered. Starscream nodded and rushed off.
"What are you Decepticons planning to do?" Miko questioned.
"I'm sure you've met my new soldiers. They're wonderful. Always so loyal and willing to serve me," Megatron said as he picked her up. He smiled cruelly as he touched her injured shoulder. Miko grunted in discomfort. The Decepticons were sure having a grand time tormenting her.
"My soldiers have been bred only knowing one thing and that is to obey me. The Autobots will meet their doom trying to rescue you and once they're gone, they'll help me eradicate humanity," Megatron crowed, squeezing her a bit. Miko looked all around the room for something useful, but there was nothing.
The door opened and Megatron turned. It was Soundwave. He cocked his head when he noticed Miko in Megatron's grip.
"Ah, are you ready to intercept the Autobot's video feed, Soundwave?" Megatron asked. Soundwave simply nodded and went to the large screen. Megatron walked over and glared at the screen while tightening his grip on Miko. It was nothing but static at first before an image of the familiar main quarters of the Autobot base appeared. Ratchet was there. He looked surprised at first before he glared back at Megatron.
"Megatron is calling us," Ratchet grumbled. There was a loud crash from somewhere as heavy footsteps quickly approached. Miko already knew who it was was before he came on screen. Bulkhead looked absolutely devastated and angry as he glared at Megatron. Optimus and Arcee soon joined them, looking tired and beaten.
"Greeting, Autobots. I see that you've met my new soldiers. Very efficient at taking humans," Megatron crowed as he pressed the tip of one sharp finger against Miko's damaged shoulder once again. She cried out when he tore her skin.
"You hurt Miko one more time and I'll come over there and clobber you!" Bulkhead yelled.
"Stand down, Bulkhead. What do you want, Megatron?" Optimus asked, his hands balled into fists despite his stoic demeanor.
"I just wanted to show you something absolutely wonderful," Megatron crowed.
At that moment, Starscream returned. He had a person in his clutches as he approached. Miko looked over and froze when she saw the homeless woman from the security footage. She looked absolutely dreadful. Starscream placed her on a movable table and pushed it so the Autobots could see what was about to happen.
"Where is the egg, Starscream?" Megatron asked.
"The queen is making an extra special egg for Optimus Prime. She can't make regular ones until this one is laid," Starscream explained. Megatron appeared confused before he shook his head and turned his attention back to the Autobots.
"Well, one surprise is gone, but I still have something else to show you," Megatron grumbled.
"Why are you doing this?" Arcee asked.
"I'm sure you already know. I'm creating a special army to take all of you down," Megatron crowed as he went over to the table. He placed Miko next to the woman as she began to moan in pain. The woman looked over at her with a pained look in her eyes.
"Please…Kill me…You...You have...No idea...," she said in a whisper before letting out a dry cough.
"Your human's fate will be the same if you don't come and rescue her," Megatron said as the woman coughed some more. Miko wanted more than anything to help the woman, but something told her to stay far away. Something awful was going to happen.
"Hey, what's going on? Is that Miko? Is she okay?" Jack's voice asked from the other line. Miko could see him with Raf in the background.
"Jack, Raf, go. You don't want to see this," Optimus said.
"Oh, I think they should see this," Megatron chuckled as the woman began to cry out in agony. Miko wanted to run when the woman let out a deafening shriek, but she was frozen to the spot as she watched.
"Help me!" The woman screamed. She looked over at Miko and got to her feet, approaching her.
"You…You have…have to help me. Please! Kill me!" She begged as she grabbed the front of Miko's shirt and pulled her closer. Miko could hear bones cracking within the woman's chest. She could see a bit of blood staining her already filthy shirt.
"Miko, get away from her!" Bulkhead yelled. Miko snapped out of her frozen fear and tried to pull herself away from the woman. The woman had an iron grip on her as she cried out in agony. Megatron was laughing as he watched on.
"Let go, granny!" Miko cried out as she gave her a push. The woman fell on her back and Miko fell on her bottom. She quickly backed away as the woman tried to get back up. The woman got to her knees and froze when she gazed at the screen. The Autobots were watching with wide eyes full of shock, anger, and fear. Raf was covering his face and trembling while Jack watched on in horror.
"Save us," she said before her chest suddenly burst open. Miko let out an anguished cry as the woman screamed and fell back. Dead. There was a small creature curled up in her chest cavity, hissing and screaming as it looked around blindly.
"Come here, little one," Megatron purred as he carefully picked the creature up. The creature hissed softly, but calmed down in Megatron's grip. He then picked up Miko with his free hand. The bloody creature hissed at her.
"If you want to save your precious human from a horrible fate, then come on over and save her. We'll be ready," Megatron crowed.
"We'll be ready too," Bulkhead growled.
"I know you guys can do it," Miko spoke up, smiling at her friends weakly. The screen went back to static and Megatron chuckled darkly.
"Now, I think it's about time you two met the queen," Megatron said as he turned to leave the room.
"Clean that mess up, Starscream," he ordered as the door closed behind him.
Miko glared up at Megatron as he walked through the hallway. He didn't notice as he was focused on the tiny creature in his other hand. It was so tiny and terrible as it hissed softly.
"They're going to come and you're going to lose again," she said defiantly. She hoped she was right about that.
"Oh, they will come and they will perish," Megatron said. Miko rolled her eyes and grunted when Megatron gave her a squeeze.
"You…You're wrong," she murmured, tears welling up in her eyes when she felt a sharp claw dig into her back.
Moments passed and Megatron went down that dark hallway. The smell of death was strong in the air. Miko felt sick to her stomach. She looked around and saw how the creatures watched Megatron from the walls and ceiling. There was a strange secreted resin that stuck to the walls and floor, making the hallway appear even more otherworldly. The creatures blended in perfectly.
"Someone come take this little one," Megatron ordered, showing them the newborn. One of the creatures dropped down and approached cautiously. It had a device attached to its neck.
"Give the little sister…to me…Master," it said, standing to its full height and holding its arms out. There was a hint of fear in its mechanical voice. Megatron lowered his hand and let the newborn slither into the creature's arms.
"Little sister…," the creature whispered before rushing into one of the chambers. Miko had an uneasy feeling as she watched all of this go down. This didn't feel right at all.
"Let's meet the queen," Megatron crowed as he went into the opposite chamber the creature had gone into with the newborn. The room was dark before Megatron turned on the lights. Miko gasped softly when she saw a massive creature at the far end of the room. It was suspended by long thick strands of that strange secreted resin as it sat atop a giant egg sac. The creature growled softly as it looked over at them. It looked absolutely regal. There was another creature by its side. It looked much bigger compared to the other ones, but still smaller than the queen
"Ah, you're already here, my lord. I was just doing a bit of research on our lovely queen," Knockout's voice said from behind them. He walked over and smiled smugly when he saw Miko.
"Hello there, girly. It's good to see you again," he crowed.
"I see you're still looking tacky and ugly as always, you walking eyesore," Miko replied, smiling when she saw the annoyed look in his optics. Megatron smirked before approaching the queen.
"She hasn't been laying any eggs lately, my lord," Knockout said.
"I've heard. Why is that, your majesty?" Megatron asked, glaring at the queen.
"Creating new life….New egg…For Prime…," the queen said after a few moments of silence.
"And you didn't think to tell me of this before?" Megatron questioned. Miko grunted when he tightened his grip on her. The queen noticed her and growled softly.
"Wanted…to surprise you…Will be here…soon," she said and continued, "That human…Belongs to Prime?" She asked.
"I don't belong to anyone. Optimus is my friend and he'll beat you," Miko spoke up. She bit her lip to stop herself from crying out when Megatron dug a finger into her back, cutting her a bit. The queen cocked her head as she watched on.
"You will be silent or else I will I have your tongue torn out," Megatron growled. Miko stuck out her tongue at him before turning her attention to the queen who's lips were curled in a disgusted snarl.
"The human will…stay here…Children will….set trap…," the queen said.
"Good. Good. Immobilize her and infect her as soon as possible," Megatron said as he placed Miko on the ground. The smaller creature went over to her, growling softly as it picked her up and brought her to the queen.
"Have fun, Miko," Knockout crowed as he and Megatron left the room, leaving Miko alone with these horrors. The creatures were silent for a moment as Megatron's footsteps slowly disappeared.
"Why in the world are you working for Megatron? He's crazy," Miko spoke up.
"Megatron…brought us into….the world…Will hurt us if we…disobey…Too many children…dead," the queen said as the other creature stuck Miko to the wall next to the queen. Miko tried to move, but found that she was quickly stuck as the creature broke off some resin and rubbed it on her. It was uncomfortably slimy.
"Will be free…soon….Starscream….helps us…The egg is not for Prime….For Megatron…," the other creature spoke up. That was certainly interesting. She had a lot of questions to ask the queen, but there was one thing she really wanted to know.
"Are you…Are you still going to infect me?" Miko asked.
"Don't know yet…," the queen said.
Optimus was deep in thought as he tried to think of something. It was hard to think as Bulkhead ranted and raved about the ways he would pummel Megatron into the earth.
"We gotta go now, Optimus! Miko could be getting even more hurt right now!" Bulhead exclaimed.
"I want to go as soon as possible too, Bulkhead. We need a plan that won't put her in much danger," Optimus replied.
"The more we wait, the more likely she'll end up like that lady," Bulkhead said, shaking his head. He was the most distressed when the video feed with the Decepticons was cut off.
"I know, Bulkhead," Optimus murmured. He paced back and forth as the others watched on as they got ready. He knew that Megatron had some sort of trap laid out for them. They had to think of the safest option possible.
"I think we should just sneak in and get Miko back," Bulkhead said.
"That's suicide, Bulkhead. Plus, sneaking around isn't exactly your thing," Ratchet grumbled.
"Well, I'll do it for Miko," Bulkhead replied.
Optimus thought for a few more moments before he sighed tiredly. There was only one option to do.
"We'll sneak onto the Nemesis first thing tomorrow," he said.