"Alert: end Recharge."
"Go jump off a cliff." I muttered.
"Warning: failure to comply will resu-" I spun around, glaring at the Con with every bit of hatred I could.
"What?! My lack of listening to you will result in what?!" I fell to my side as I screamed in pain. The electric charge to the cage only lasted for a second, but it was enough to get my attention.
"Retort: that." My muscles spasmed as I curled into a ball.
"Ow…" A tentacle wrapped around me, lifting me out of the cage. He brought me over to a workbench and set me on a metal slab raised slightly off of it. Vices latched onto each of my limbs, pinning me to the platform. "Wh-hey!" I glared at the Con as he pulled up a datapad and looked through it. There was some microscopic tilting of his head before he scanned me with his visor again. I had to blink to get rid of the spots in my eyes.
"Test conclusion: control of optical replacement compromised."
"Could have told you that…" I grunted, looking away. He continued to mess with his fancy tech before setting it down and looking to me, seeming to pause in his work. I did a double take before scowling at him.
"What?"
"Status."
"What?" I repeated, only to have no clarification.
"Status." I took a deep breath as I thought about my next words carefully.
"If you were human," I spat, "If there was even anything left by the time I was done with you, the morticians would need tech from so far in the future, your insignificant Decepticon cause will have faded from history." It took him a second to respond.
"Violent tendencies noted."
"Way to go, you're a genius." I rolled my eyes and head so I wasn't looking at him.
"Difficulty: nonexistent."
"What, you want a trophy?" I drawled as I lolled my head back around to face him.
"Tone: Sarcasm." Came the reply a few seconds later.
"Careful, it's learning." Soundwave shifted in a way that made me think I actually got under his plating a little before he raised his hand and a blue mist came out. "Oh, screw yo…"
««{{}}»»
I groaned as I woke up.
[Soundwave:Is it "good morning" that humans say?] My eyes shot open as I stared at the message. It took a second to register what I was seeing.
"Sh*t." I looked up and Soundwave standing by his computer again, same place as always.
[Soundwave:I assume you are awake enough to answer some questions]
"Rot in a tar pit…" I groaned as I tried to shift on the uncomfortable metal slab I was still strapped to. "What did you do to me?"
[Soundwave:Is it not obvious?] I glared at him.
"If you weren't multiple times my size and made of metal, I'd kick you in the teeth." He finally turned to face me, that blank screen still creeping me out. "If you even have any in the first place.
[Soundwave:Still trying to not show fear]
"Why should I give you the satisfaction of seeing me shake like a leaf in a hurricane?"
[Soundwave:You need not fear me. I did not bring you here to cause you harm]
"Why are you talking in complete sentences now?"
[Soundwave:Vow of Silence] I glared at the ironically short statement.
"Oh. I guess the sampling doesn't count?" He tilted his head to a greater degree than before.
[Soundwave:Inquiry]
"Answer." I said in the flattest tone possible. He ignored it.
[Soundwave:You claim to not show fear, and yet your body is showing all of the signs] He stepped closer and leaned forward, looking over me. I felt my shoulders curl a little.
[Soundwave:If you do not wish to show me fear, why do you still show it? Do you humans have such little control over your instinctual functions?]
"Because you're bloody well terrifying," I spat, "Of course I'm scared of you. An alien lifeform decided it was going to replace one of my eyes with one of its own creations and watch my life for years without me knowing. You probably know just about everything about me, including things I never even told my parents. Then you send two of your lackeys to kidnap me, one of which shows that you Cons have no concept of mercy or honor because he probably just murdered one of my friends right in front of me. Now I have no way of knowing if he's alive or not because Noface decided to smash my only means of communication with my friends and family!" I took a long breath, but didn't him the chance to respond, "So, yes! I'm terrified! I am sarcastic and witty because it's the only thing keeping me grounded and not throwing myself off this table so I can get away from you, you psychopathic heap of junk! Are you happy?!" I panted as I glared death at the Con. Soundwave hadn't moved the entire time. I seethed with rage as I turned my head to my right, not even able to look at him. Silence rang out, not even broken by his next words.
[Soundwave: I did not observe you the entire time. It was only a live feed to avoid detection. With 3,000 other experiments, I could only observe you occasionally]
"Like I care, you still stalked me like a creepy old pedophile." He didn't respond for a while.
[Soundwave:What is the point in mercy if it is not returned] Out of the blue question, but whatever.
"Look in a mirror," I hissed through my teeth, still not looking at him. He tilted his head again.
[Soundwave:Elaborate]
"No."
[Soundwave:Elaborate] I finally looked up.
"Renegade. He left because he was being abused for his power. Someone who doesn't even like fighting, and you made him do it!" Soundwave paused.
[Soundwave:He did not tell you everything] I jerked an arm against its bond.
"I'll trust him with my life a thousand times over before I'd ever trust you! You're willing to kidnap humans for your own amusement, for your stupid science experiments! That is something he would never do!"
[Soundwave:Did he not kidnap you as well?] I scowled.
"He saved my life. More than I can say for you! He needed my help, and openly explained it once he had a chance. He has never hurt me, and once I knew what he was and what he needed, he allowed me to make a choice. Something you haven't done. You don't compare in the slightest."
[Soundwave:Understood] He straightened up and took a step back.
[Soundwave:If you are so desperate to believe him trustworthy, then I will show you something that he has kept from you] A hologram shimmered in between us. Renegade, though only standing about 20 feet tall, spun slowly in the air between us. Suddenly the digital copy leaned forward before shifting to his dragon form. It let out a loud roar and shot fire from its maw. I ducked my head.
[Soundwave:If he is so trustworthy, then why do you avoid looking at this visage?]
"This? This is what he's kept hidden from me…?" My shoulders began shaking.
[Soundwave:This bot is of legends older than Megatron. A monster from time beyond time] He stopped as I began to chuckle, then laugh, which only increased in volume when I realized just how little Soundwave actually knew about Renegade and I.
[Soundwave:Explain] I wanted to wipe the tears from my eyes, but my hands were still locked down.
"You! You're hilarious! You really think that this is surprising?! Were you not watching through your fancy little eye spy game the day that Renegade saved my life?! That was the form I met him in!" I threw my head back and laughed again. Soundwave actually leaned back a little. Just enough to be visible to someone my size. "I've wanted to meet a dragon my entire life! You think I would be scared once I realized he was fully sentient and didn't want to hurt me?! I was more afraid of offending him than him lashing out like a wild animal!" My laughter toned down after a little, but the occasional chuckle still came through, making me sound just a little unhinged.
[Soundwave:This was not in my calculations] I took a few breaths as I thought about my response.
"Here's a bit of advice, soundboard. Never put humanity in a box. We're 7 billion strong and every single person is unique. Sure, we have our basic instincts that tie us all together, but that's about where the similarities end. We all love different things; we fight for different people and different reasons. Some lie, steal, cheat and murder in order to get what they want. Others work tirelessly in order to get a bite of food on someone else's table, even if it means starving themselves. Every day millions of people are creating things that no one else could have thought of. Each person is their own. There is no "calculating" humanity. Not for us, and especially not a machine who can't grasp the concept of individuality on such a large scale." He was silent for a long time. Wordlessly, he reached towards me. I clenched my jaw as I held back a flinch, unsure of his intentions.
"Soundwave!" Both of us turned as the door opened and a massive bot walked in. Built like a bunker and pointed like a mace, the silver form with gleaming red eyes stepped over to us. "I hear you have something to report." His voice was like a constant lava flow, burning anything the fiery tone touched. It was the bot from my nightmares! I felt sweat run down my face as I paled more than ever. Soundwave, having straightened up as soon as the door opened, held out a data pad. The bigger bot looked it over for a few minutes.
[Soundwave:Stay still if you value your continued existence] I felt like withering away just being in this monster's crushing presence, and I was desperately trying to not let out a whimper or something equally as pathetic. The dream of him shooting Renegade's dragon form in the face was as plain as day in my mind. The bot handed Soundwave the datapad back.
"Shockwave is almost ready for a field test." The way he said it made my spine crawl. He turned and walked towards the door. Soundwave went back to his computer, only for both of us to freeze when the Con's voice hissed across the room. "Oh, and Soundwave?" He looked over his shoulder, a single bloodred eye locking onto me, the white ring glowing brightly. "Keep your pet quiet." I couldn't breathe. Just having his attention solely on me made it feel like he was stepping on me. My body shut down, leaving me locked in my own head as my nightmares came to fruition. What felt like minutes after he stepped out, my vision started to waver from lack of air.
[Soundwave:Breathe] Soundwave firmly hit the side of the platform I was strapped to, and I gasped for air before letting my head hang forward.
"W-who…"
[Soundwave:Megatron. Decepticon leader]
"R-right," I tried to swallow, but my throat was completely dry, "I uh…I think he wanted to stomp me flat…"
[Soundwave:As entertaining as that would be for the rest of the Cons] He left the thought at that as he reached over and unlocked my bonds. I sat up on the metal slab, checking my wrists.
[Soundwave:Stay quiet, and you may have freedom to move]
"Are you trying to show me mercy now? That's cute." He locked gazes with me, but after Megatron, his faceless stare had lost its edge. I pointedly turned away, walking to the far side of the workbench and sitting with my legs hanging over the edge. I ignored Soundwave as he watched me for a while.
There was interesting tech in the room, but it would have been completely unusable to me. Size differences aside. I heard a mechanical shifting sound and turned to the Con. Detaching from his chest was a birdlike Minicon. It flew around his head once before heading in my direction. I warily held an arm up to protect myself, even as its sharp angled form slowed to hover near me.
[Soundwave:Laserbeak]
"Huh?" He looked over at me with what could only be exasperation. Or I assumed so.
[Soundwave:Minicon:Designation Laserbeak]
"Ah." I slowly reached out my hand, and the plane like form pressed into it. "Hey, little guy." It let out a trill and zoomed around me before settling in the same spot. I smiled and set my hand on its head. "You're cute." Soundwave's giant screen paused and he turned to me after a second. The message took a half second longer, like he was confused.
[Soundwave:Elaborate] I was tempted to not, but decided I only needed one angry Con glaring at me today.
"He's cute. I like him." Laserbeak rolled sideways in the air in a happy manner before returning to my side for more ministrations.
[Soundwave:Cute] I could feel the flat tone.
[Soundwave:Explain]
"He's got a small body and big wings. It reminds me of a metallic butterfly." Soundwave tipped his head to one side slowly, as if unsure how to process this information. I turned away from him, planning on ignoring him.
[Soundwave:Define cute]
"I can't explain cute," I huffed, "I just know it when I see it."
[Soundwave:Examples] I shot him a side eye, only for Laserbeak to gently bump my shoulder.
"Most baby animals are cute. Especially cats and dogs. Human babies too."
[Soundwave:Does not equate]
"Not my problem." I shot back. Laserbeak looked between us before nudging me again. It was no surprise the Minicon would be loyal to Soundwave. I shot him the stink eye before getting up and walking over to the wall. I curled up against it, ignoring the chill on my back and side from the metal. My clothing was not made for colder temperatures, and after that blood freezing experience with Megatron, my body did not appreciate the metal sucking away its heat. I wrapped my arms around myself a little tighter to try and stave off the chill.
[Soundwave:Laserbeak Objective:keep human at ideal temperature] I flinched as a metal wing folded over my shoulder. I looked up the see Laserbeak resting next to me. Laserbeak's front opened with a mechanical hiss, revealing a vent that began blowing warm air at me. My eyes drifted over to Soundwave, who's head was turned toward us. He regarded us for a moment before silently turning back to his work. I continued staring at him for a few minutes, trying to gauge his own "objectives".
First he had me kidnapped. One of my friends was in serious condition, if not dead already, because that scrapheap of a Con couldn't keep his word. I lost control of my eye to the freakazoid again, and my device was destroyed. Then Soundwave keeps me prisoner for whatever reason. Was it because he was curious, like he had stated when he had first made contact? Or did he have something else planned for me.
'I need to find a way out of here, or find a way to tell Renegade where I am…'
[Soundwave:What is the status of the human youngling?] I did a double take before spinning around, nearly sending Laserbeak reeling.
"What?"
[Soundwave:The human youngling you took to the medical officers. What is his status?] I felt a rock form in my stomach. I gently brushed away Laserbeak when he tried to nudge me shoulder. Then it clicked.
"You B*STARD!" Soundwave finally turned to look at me. "He nearly clawed his own eye out, and it was your fault?! He couldn't remember anything but his name!"
[Soundwave:The subject held inconclusive data]
"We are not your science projects! We're living, breathing people!" I ranted for a few more seconds before stopping to catch my breath. I welcomed the heat my anger gave me.
[Soundwave:Experiment#2301 was a failure. A new experiment was needed. A plant was placed]
"You made his eye drive him crazy, you were the one he was screaming at! You planted him at that rest stop so I would find him…" Soundwave once again became a nightmarish form in my eyes. He didn't care what happened to his experiments, as long as he got results. I wasn't getting out of here alive if he had anything to say about it. He was too curious, too driven. Like a mad scientist. I took a step back.
[Soundwave:Experiment#2857 was more of a success] I took another step back as he fully turned to me. Even from this distance, I could see my small form reflecting off of his visor.
[Soundwave:You located a Decepticon traitor, lead us not only to him, but to the Autobot base. You were well worth the wait]
'Renegade was able to join the Autobots because of my help, but we led the Cons right to them! Siege would have been safe in our home, along with my parents! It's all my fault!'
[Soundwave:Your fear is no longer disguised behind anger. Your reaction is different than calculated]
'My family can never be safe while I'm around. Not my parents, not Siege, and not Renegade. I can't go back. Soundwave has me under his foot.' Another step back, only for there to be nothing there. A silent scream came from my lips as I fell into open air.
Soundwave lunged forward with terrifying speed, his hand snapping towards me. I fell just fast enough for him to miss me, a single claw tip ripping my pant leg. My arms pinwheeled as I fell.
A high whirring sound approached me far faster than I could react and Laserbeak flew under me, catching me with his body and slowing our decent just enough that I didn't break anything when we hit the floor.
It still hurt like the dickens when I smacked my head against his wing, but I was alive. I rolled off the Minicon and slumped to the floor, groaning in pain.
[Soundwave:Foolish human!]
"Ugh." Soundwave's tentacles reached under the workbench and retrieved the both of us. Laserbeak reattached to his chestplate, while I was dropped onto the metal slab again. It locked down my limbs before I could even think.
[Soundwave:I should not be surprised by your clumsiness. You humans have always managed to harm yourselves when no one is around]
"Take that ego and see if you can fly with it like a hot air balloon," I said as my world spun. I flinched when a blue light struck my eyes, and I realized he was scanning me. "Hey! Every heard of priva-woah…" I squeezed my eyes shut when the world reversed its direction.
[Soundwave:Scan conclusion:Concussion. Knowledge for human aid: Unknown]
"Whoopty-frickin-do," I drawled. I could have sworn that was a sigh coming from him.