DISCLAIMERS: I don't own Transformers. They came over from Hasbro to pester me, so I drafted them into my fics. I thought it sounded like a fair deal but somehow, they don't agree...
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story idea has been floating around my head for at least as long as Close Encounter. Never thought it would see the light of day, but Okami-chan talked me into sharing. Hope you have as much fun reading it as I am writing it.
Special thanks go out to Okami-chan for beta reading and Autumn Sparrow for cheering me on.
Chapter One
**Translated from Cybertronian**
From the hand of Prowl, Lieutenant Commander, 2IC of the Autobots, Chief Tactician
Date Unknown
I am Lt Cmdr Prowl of the Autobots, second to Optimus Prime and if recovered, I would ask that this journal be sent directly to him.
Prime,
I regret to inform you that I have failed in my mission to secure intelligence on Starscream's secret experiments. We were discovered, by what agency, I do not know, and captured. Upon our imprisonment, we were questioned and though Jazz and I held out as long and valiantly as we could, the combined efforts of Soundwave and Vortex extracted vital information from us. I do not know what information Jazz surrendered; indeed, I cannot clearly recall exactly what information was taken from me. I am aware that this missive would reach you far too late to give you warning of this. I am comforted by the knowledge that Red Alert would have been as diligent as ever in changing any access codes that could have been compromised and bolstered any vulnerability.
I am at a loss on how to explain our current situation to you. At the time of this writing, we are all still alive, albeit a bit battered and traumatized. I am aware you may have been lead to believe otherwise. Starscream would have found it irresistible to flaunt our greyed out corpses to you. There is quite a simple explanation to the contradiction this presents.
Starscream has turned us human.
The exact mechanism of our transformation is a mystery to us. We generally refer to it as 'the machine'. Sunstreaker, as you are probably aware, has much more colourful names for the device, none of which are suitable to be recorded here.
We have been placed among the Decepticons' other human prisoners, of which there are a frightening number. This solved one of the many mysteries the mission was to clear up. That being the horrendous number of human corpses we were discovering at abandoned Decepticon bases. Corpses that were far greater in number than could be accounted for by kidnappings, captures or gaining captives by more nefarious means. The explanation is once again simple. Starscream is creating human clones for use in his twisted experiments. We have observed many of the clones being taken for this reason, though the nature of these experiments is still unclear. It so far has been impossible to tell if any of the snatched clones have been returned or if it is just new clones being deposited into our cage. Until today, none of us had been selected to participate in them. Hound was taken a short while ago by Rumble and Frenzy. I fear for his continued function.
Most of the human clones we are imprisoned with are savage and brutal creatures. Reason holds no sway with many of them and for our own defence; I have had to give Sideswipe and Sunstreaker free reign in dealing with them. I implored them to try not to kill their opponents, only disable. That tactic has so far proven effective enough. I pray to Primus it remains so.
Hound's patience and observation skills have once again benefited us in that we have made contact and a form of alliance with some of the more civil groups. They seem to be extremely wary and nervous around us, almost in awe. I'm not sure what we have done to cause this reaction. We are trying to dispel it amongst our allies at least. I feel it would be detrimental to try to dispel it entirely at this time. We appear to be stronger physically than the average clone but they have the advantage of numbers.
The Decepticons periodically drop supplies into the clone quarters, food, clothing, blankets and random "toys" to keep the clones occupied. This is how I obtained the journal in which I am chronicling my report. It is a battle to obtain supplies to survive in this place. Jazz has volunteered to spearhead that effort and has recruited the twins and Hound to assist him. Bluestreak and I remain behind for the most part to guard our "camp". This arrangement seems to be working well for the time being.
However, adjusting to living as a human in a Decepticon lab is another story all together.
Prowl closed his journal with a sigh, placed it on the floor beside him and leaned back. The alcove they had appropriated for themselves was well furnished and comfortable, at least by the standards of this place. They had enough blankets, some crates converted into use as furniture, even some extra supplies they could use to barter with. He hadn't been sure at first about Jazz and Sideswipe's strategy of grabbing as much as they could and storing it, rather than just what they needed but they quickly convinced him otherwise. Better to have too much and share with their allies, than to not have enough. And it was easier to make allies here with gifts than promises. Promises meant little in a place where life was the commodity with the least value.
Bluestreak stood near the entrance, silent and watchful. Jazz had taken the Twins again for another supply run and scouting mission. Hound was still missing, taken by the Decepticons for Primus knew what reason. Prowl had a cold, heavy feeling in his midsection every time he contemplated that. He wasn't a religious mech, but situations like this made one want to say a prayer to Primus or to the Matrix, or even to the First Builders. Anything was better than this heavy, gnawing worry and helplessness.
"They're coming back Prowl. They have someone with them," Bluestreak's soft voice interrupted his musings. Prowl stood and walked over to stand beside Bluestreak. Sideswipe and Sunstreaker had just turned down the hallway that led to their campsite. Both were laden down with the makeshift bags that Hound had come up with, stuffed with supplies. Sideswipe cradled a small figure wrapped snugly in a blanket. Their voices could be heard echoing down the hallway from their usual argument.
Sunstreaker's acid tone echoed loudly. "I still don't know why you are bothering."
"Because she needed help," Sideswipe retorted.
Sunstreaker growled something that sounded uncomplimentary, probably attempting to speak Cybertronian. Unfortunately, human vocal apparatus-flexible as they are-couldn't replicate enough of the sounds to form coherent dialogue. The best they found they could accomplish was a cross between gibberish and baby talk. It also hurt like the Pit.
Sideswipe spotted Prowl and Bluestreak watching from down the hall. He strode purposely towards them with his bundle, ignoring Sunstreaker's grumbles. As he got closer, Prowl could see discolorations on the fabric. He began to get that now familiar feeling, the one where his midsection felt like it was falling.
"Sideswipe! What are you carrying?" Prowl stepped towards the red haired warrior.
Sideswipe sighed. "Long story Prowl. I'll gladly give you my report, but we need that medic girl from our allies." He carefully hefted the wrapped figure into one arm, lifting the blanket off its… her face. "She's hurt pretty bad."
Prowl looked at the clone girl Sideswipe had brought back. Her face was swollen and discoloured from bruises. Blood, both dried and still damp matted her hair and smudged her too pale skin. Sideswipe was right. "Bluestreak, if you would be so kind as to request CeeCee-37 to assist us? I'll discuss price with her when she gets here. Sunstreaker, drop off your load and get a bucket full of water. Sideswipe, bring her inside, we'll start cleaning her up."
Sunstreaker quickly dropped his load and grabbed one of the empty buckets. He and Bluestreak hurried down the hallway, Sunstreaker grumbling under his breath. CeeCee-37 was the 'wise one' in the allied clan that controlled the nearby showers and bathrooms. Fey and independent, she gave Sunstreaker the creeps. Prowl was sure he'd be hearing complaints from the now blond warrior for quite sometime.
Sideswipe headed into their alcove without prompting and lay the girl down gently. He stood and quickly divested himself of the bags he was carrying while Prowl knelt on the opposite side of the girl from him.
Prowl stared down at the girl, cursing silently. He knew a little bit about human first aid and repair from assisting the human authorities with rescues and accidents but he never actually attempted it. Normally he would perform the rescue and then turn any injured over to the human medics. He looked up into Sideswipe's expectant blue eyes. "Sideswipe, do you have any experience with human first aid?"
Sideswipe's eyes narrowed. "Oh sure. I took it as an elective back in the Autobot War Academy. Second period, right after Innovative Combat Techniques," the red haired warrior snarled sarcastically as he glared at Prowl. "What do you think?"
"Unfortunately, that leaves us both unable to assist her." Prowl chose to ignore Sideswipe's jibe. They were all on edge and it was slowly worsening since Hound's abduction.
"You don't know? I thought you'd know… something. You transform into a … uh… I mean you used to …" Prowl held up a hand to halt Sideswipe's astonished sputtering.
"Sideswipe, my alt mode did not equip me with the knowledge to care for injured humans however I may wish otherwise. You were correct in your original assessment. We need CeeCee-37 and there is little we can do until she gets here." Prowl gave the girl one more helpless look before standing. "Monitor her condition while you give me your report. I'll stand watch."
Sideswipe waited until Prowl positioned himself by the doorway before starting his report. "When we got there, we found that the drop had been made early and there were several new clones dropped at the same time. Some of the scavenger types had gotten there first and made a mess of the supplies. Most of the newbie clones had been killed by the scavengers. This one was the only survivor." Sideswipe stopped speaking abruptly.
Prowl glanced sharply over at him.
Sideswipe sat, head bowed, looking at the clone girl. He gently moved the sticky brown strands of hair from her face.
Prowl could only stare at the warrior. His behaviour seemed out of character but then, the tactician had never seen Sideswipe outside of duty or rowdy social events. He strangely felt like he was intruding on something very personal and intimate. He swallowed and blinked a couple of times to settle himself and find his voice. "Sideswipe?" he tried softly.
Sideswipe looked up at him, eyes glittering. "I've done a lot of nasty things over the vorn, Prowl. You know what I was before the war. You know what I've done since it started. But I've never done anything like this. Never hurt anyone this bad. It was horrible, what they were doing."
Prowl spared a quick glance down the hallway. Seeing no one, he walked over and crouched down beside Sideswipe, placing a hand on his shoulder. He squeezed gently. He wished Jazz were here. Comforting distraught warriors was not one of Prowl's strong points. "What happened Sideswipe?"
Sideswipe took a deep breath then described the scene. "You know how the new clones aren't even online when they are dropped?" He paused, glancing up at Prowl. When Prowl nodded, Sideswipe continued. "Yeah, well, new clones may have more in common with just-sparked mechs than newborn humans but they are still children."
"That's true Sideswipe. What are you getting at?"
"Fraggit, what kind of sick fragger gets kicks out of raping and killing children? Of any kind." Sideswipe wouldn't meet Prowl's eyes, glancing down instead. He stared at the girl for a moment before looking off to the side. It really wasn't any worse than anything they had already seen over the course of the war and since they came here. Horrible yes, but nothing Sideswipe hadn't seen before. Something else was bothering the warrior.
Prowl took a deep breath and plunged ahead. "You've seen worse over the years, Sideswipe. Worse here. Something else is upsetting you. What is it?"
Sideswipe looked sharply up, into Prowl's face, eyes wide and mouth open. It gave him a curiously open and vulnerable look. Prowl could also see the cause of the glittering effect now. He patted the warrior's shoulder, cutting off the stammered protest. "It has something to do with Sunstreaker. You always get like this when he's done something that you don't agree with but brotherly loyalty keeps you from talking to anyone about it. Talk to me Sideswipe, it's eating you up inside. Your eyes are leaking."
"Huh? My what?" Sideswipe blinked, hand flying to his eyes. He stared at his damp fingers. "Ah frag. I don't believe it."
"Wipe your face and tell me what happened. There isn't much time left before Bluestreak and Sunstreaker return with CeeCee-37."
Shoulders slumping, Sideswipe wiped at his face. "When we got there, we stopped and stared. The shipment hadn't been in for long and we had hurried. Could hear the screaming a long ways away. The amount of carnage in such a short time was CPU blowing. Jazz sorta stiffened and went all cold like he does from time to time. All he said was 'Frag them all' and we were off. Slagged them all."
Prowl nodded, encouraging him to continue.
"Well when they were all off-lined, we were shoving the bodies to the side. Sunny was helping me pick up this big slagger. He was laying on top of this girl. She started coughing up blood when we got him off of her. She was a complete wreck. Sunny cursed and bent down to grab her. He was going to kill her Prowl. Put her out of her misery," Sideswipe rasped, voice rough with anger.
"Ah, I see. Continue, please."
"I shoved him off of her and we wrestled a bit. Jazz came to see what was going on and would have attacked Sunny if I hadn't been between them. He yelled at Sunny a bit instead and sent us to gather up the supplies. Jazz took care of the girl. He had her wrapped up and handed her to me. Told me to have CeeCee-37 fix her up before sending us back."
"And where is Jazz now?"
"Why didn't you ask me that earlier?" Sideswipe tilted his head, puzzled.
"Several reasons. If something bad had happened to Jazz, you or Sunstreaker would have volunteered it right away. Therefore, I could wait for your report. As well, Jazz is a seasoned operator. Did he give you a reason for not returning with you?" Prowl removed his hand and sat back on his heels.
"He wanted some time to cool off. He was pretty fragged off at Sunny. And he wanted to keep an optic… er … eye out for Hound. So the same thing doesn't happen to him." Sideswipe glanced back down at the girl. "Fraggit all to the Pit."
Prowl looked at her as well. She hadn't woken yet and Prowl didn't know whether that was a good or bad thing. He knew he should say something to Sideswipe, something reassuring and comforting but words failed him. He just couldn't find anything reassuring to say about their missing comrade that didn't sound trite or was an outright lie.
Fortunately, in the sudden awkward silence, they could hear Bluestreak and Sunstreaker's voices echoing down the hallway.
"Sunstreaker, be polite. We are asking her for help."
"I don't give a flying frag! If she touches me again, she's scrap!"
Sideswipe leaned into one palm. "Slag. Now he's going to be extra pissy for the rest of the day."
"Pissy?" Prowl looked back at Sideswipe and arched a brow.
Sideswipe looked up at Prowl and gave a rueful smile. "Gonna be like this for a while, might as well pick up the lingo."
"I'll comfort myself with the fact you are no where near as bad as Jazz." Prowl stood and walked back over to the doorway. Sunstreaker and Bluestreak were approaching with CeeCee-37. CeeCee-37 walked with her usual serene grace, Sunstreaker walked stiffly, anger apparent in every movement, Bluestreak carefully keeping between them.
When CeeCee-37 spotted Prowl, she gave him a warm smile and hurried forward. She stopped in front of Prowl and dropped into a curtsy. "Warm greetings, Lord." Sunstreaker and Bluestreak slipped past them, Sunstreaker depositing the bucket just inside the door. Prowl noted that the warrior had taken a moment to clean up while he fetched the water.
Focussing back on the woman before him, Prowl sighed in exasperation. "CeeCee, please, get up. Call me Prowl, not Lord."
CeeCee-37 stood with an unrepentant smile. "As you wish Lord Prowl. Where is the girl?"
Prowl swallowed his automatic response, just to get things moving. He had yet to break her of the habit and he doubted he ever would. "She's just inside."
CeeCee-37 nodded and walked past him into the Autobots' camp, hurrying to the girl's side. She gave Sideswipe a cursory greeting and fell to her knees, quickly examining the girl. "Fools! You should have brought her straight to me. You, pick her up and follow me." She pointed at Sideswipe as she leapt up and strode for the doorway. The startled warrior jumped to obey, gently scooping up the injured girl and hastening to follow.
"Wait, where are you going?" Prowl stared at the woman. She had never been anything but completely deferential and respectful to them before.
"We are going to get her cleaned up proper. That bucket is not enough. I only hope she hasn't lost too much blood. Come Lord Sideswipe, we must hurry!" She hurried out the doorway, Sideswipe close on her heels.
"Well, that has to be the shortest house call in the history of medicine," Sunstreaker said, breaking the sudden silence.
Prowl could only agree.
OoOoOoOoOoO
Sideswipe hurried along behind the healer woman, clutching the girl close to his chest. It wasn't too far to the shower rooms CeeCee-37's clan lived in.
"Out of the way Apex! Got an emergency here!" CeeCee-37 shoved past the clan member on guard. Sideswipe gave him a quick smile as he jogged past. Judging from his wide-eyed startled look, Sideswipe figured he must be new.
"Lord, if you could take her to the showers and start cleaning her up. I'll get the rest of my kit and join you in a moment." CeeCee-37 stopped at the hall junction. To the left was the living area of the clan; the right was the showers.
"Huh? What? I… I thought I was just carrying her. I'm not a medic," Sideswipe sputtered. He looked down at the girl in his arms, at a loss.
CeeCee-37 gave him a considering look. "Lord of Destruction, I don't expect you to heal her. Only start cleaning her. I will assist you momentarily." With that, she disappeared into the left doorway.
Sideswipe blinked, staring at the empty doorway. "Lord of Destruction?" Sighing he turned and headed into the shower area. "Well sweetspark, I'll try not to frag this up too badly. I'm not Ratchet or First Aid after all." He told the unconscious girl.
He lay her gently down on the floor in the centre of the room and went to turn on one of the showers. Fiddling with it for a moment, Sideswipe finally found a setting he thought would work. He returned to the girl and carefully removed the bloody blanket from her before lifting her and carrying her into the warm spray.
The girl gasped when the water touched her, eyes flying open and looking about in utter confusion. She coughed hoarsely and her gaze came to rest on Sideswipe. He gave her a small, encouraging smile. Her eyes went wide and she let out a squawk, squirming and flailing to escape.
"Hey! Whoa! Settle down! I'm not going to hurt you! You're safe!" Sideswipe struggled to hold her without hurting her. After wrestling with her briefly, he found himself on the floor with her cradled in his lap, her head tucked under his chin, one arm pinning both of hers down, the other wrapped around her back. He found himself babbling reassuring nonsense while he held her and rocked back and forth. He felt like an idiot but it seemed to be working; her shrieks had subsided into soft whimpers and she had stopped her panicked flailing.
A soft chuckle from the doorway drew his attention. He lifted his head and glanced over.
CeeCee-37 stood there with an amused smile. She had stripped down and held the large metal box that she stored her medical supplies in. A couple members of her clan stood behind her with expressions that ranged from shock to amazement.
"I just killed my rep as a tough guy, didn't I?" Sideswipe sighed.
"Perhaps Lord Sideswipe, though I doubt anyone would wish to duel with you to contest it." She turned and shooed her companions away then strode over to join them. Kneeling beside them, CeeCee-37 lay her box down and stroked the girl's hair. "Poor child, let's get you taken care of. Lord, if you could continue to hold her, I'll get her cleaned and bandaged."
"All right, no problem."
"This would have been easier if you had disrobed as well," she chided him.
Sideswipe shrugged. "I didn't think of it."
"A habit shared by all of the Lords, I've noticed."
Sideswipe just shrugged again. He would leave the awkward explanations to Prowl.
OoOoOoOoOoO
"Prowl! Sideswipe's back. He's brought a friend too."
Prowl jumped, startled out of the fitful doze he had finally fallen into. He sat up, rubbing blearily at the encrustations clogging his optical sensors. One of the many small nuisances they now had to endure. He shook his head to clear away the static clogging his processor and got to his feet.
Sideswipe entered the alcove, clapping Bluestreak on the shoulder in greeting and headed straight for Prowl. A human girl followed closely on his heels, looking around at them with wide, frightened eyes.
Prowl glanced at her, then looked at Sideswipe, tilting his head and raising an eyebrow.
Sideswipe rubbed the back of his neck and wouldn't meet Prowl's eyes. "I… uh… she wouldn't let me leave without her. CeeCee-37 said it would be better if she stayed with us 'cause she feels safe with me. And no, I don't know why."
"I see. What designation does she go by?" Prowl inquired. He could see no reason why the girl couldn't stay for a couple days. At least until she had recovered somewhat from her ordeal.
Sideswipe put his hand on the girl's shoulder, drawing her attention. "Prowl, Sunstreaker, Bluestreak," he indicated each of them in turn. "Meet DNMG-432. I just call her Dee."
OoOoOoOoOoO
From the hand of Prowl, Lieutenant Commander, 2IC of the Autobots, Chief Tactician
Date Unknown
I am Lt Cmdr Prowl of the Autobots, second to Optimus Prime and if recovered, I would ask that this journal be sent directly to him.
Prime,
It has only been a short time since I recorded the last entry but much has happened. Sunstreaker, Sideswipe, and Jazz have rescued a clone girl by the designation of DNMG-432. Sideswipe calls her Dee and she seems to have formed a sort of bond with him. It is amusing to see how embarrassed he is about it. My sole concern with this was a possible problem with Sunstreaker being jealous. Sunstreaker quickly put my fears to rest; he teases his brother mercilessly about his "little shadow".
Bluestreak, unsurprisingly, is rather taken by the girl. He chatters to her for hours at a time, while maintaining his diligent watch at the alcove's entrance. Dee sits nearby, listening to him intently. This is much to Sideswipe's relief; it is the only time she is not within arm's reach of him.
It is fascinating watching Dee develop. At first, she seemed very child-like, almost like Daniel at a young age. She has learned extremely quickly since joining us and is now a quiet, introspective youth. I am enjoying her presence as much as the rest of us. She is a fine distraction from the hopelessness of our situation, a small light in the dark.
On that note, I now fear for Jazz's safety as well as Hound's. He had remained behind after the supply run that Dee was retrieved, to watch for Hound's return. But he has been gone too long without checking in. We have searched, even enlisting the aid of CeeCee-37's clan but are unable to locate him. I am not a religious mech by any stretch but I find myself praying for their safe return. I can do little else.