there's a million&one ways
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A/N: got this one out on time! :D -throws confetti- i should start updating regularly now, but i won't promise anything since i don't want to jinx my good luck. -guards good luck- && wow, i believe this is my quickest update ever! -throws confetti again- HAPPY EASTER EVERYBODY. HOPE IT'S FILLED WITH LOTS OF COLORFUL EGGS. ^^
replies:
autobot alythia,, thanks. ^^ && yeah. it's been pretty intense. hopefully this chapter will help to relieve some of that. :3 at least a tiny bit.
tlcoopi7,, yes, yes he is, but that is what makes him so much fun to mess with. xD
trans 7.4.7. formers,, -smiles evilly- hopefully this will satisfy your cliffhanger. i'm glad you love the story. && i know how you feel, lol. i just wanna go ring a few of their necks. i'm such an evil author for thinking about my characters like that. xD
inspire165,, thanks. ^^ i'm glad you love the story. && yay! i'm getting their personalities down. -dances- hopefully this chapter will add to the story's growing plotline. c:
x-whitemagic58-X,, i sent you a reply via e-mail. ^^ && don't worry. i had to look up annabelle up myself (via movie and internet) when i first read a few fanfictions. so don't feel bad. c: but anyway, if anyone else is curious, annabelle lennox is the child of will lennox; you only saw like a couple few second scenes of her as a baby in the movie.
pairings: starscreamxannabelle vs. ironhidexannabelle; what a twisted little triangle of love.
disclaimer: i do not own transformers or any of them; they are rightfully copy-writed to their respectful owners.
"this is com-link, or whatever the heck it is called these days."
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"Will, I can't believe you would arrest your own daughter!" screamed Sarah. "Who's side are you on anyway?!"
"Sarah calm down," Optimus suggested. "William was only following orders."
The woman turned towards Optimus with a wild gaze. "You are just as responsible for this as him!" she snapped. "If you had kept better locks on your doors, then my daughter wouldn't be in this mess!"
The Major grabbed his wife by her left biceps. "Sarah!" Will shouted. He looked her in the eye. "It's no one's fault other than Annabelle's. She knew what she was doing. She knew the consequences."
Yanking herself free, the woman glowered back at him. "She's just a child, Will! She isn't mature enough to know the consequences of her actions," she explained quickly. "Maybe if you had been home more, she wouldn't have to be acting so wild to get your attention."
"My attention?" Will asked bewildered.
"Yes, you're attention," Sarah retorted. "You're never home. Have you ever thought how that's affected your daughter? How it's affected me?!" She watched as her husband gave his full attention to her. "You don't know what it's been like raising Annabelle on my own."
"On your own?!" exclaimed an irritated Will. "You make it sound like all I've done is sit around on my ass."
"Well you have when it comes to taking care of your family," she remarked sourly.
"I've been protecting you and the rest of America," he yelled. "I've been on the front lines serving, and this is how you thank me?"
"Protecting and caring for are two different words, Will," she shouted.
"Will you two shut the fuck up," Simmons bellowed. "You can have your little family feud later." His hazel eyes watched as Sarah turned around and began to walk away from them. "Where the hell do you think you're going?"
"I'm going to get my daughter, and then take her home where she belongs," she remarked. "And if I have too, I'll get a lawyer." She took one last look at Will. "You're either with me, or against me, Major WIlliam Lennox. Which will it be?"
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Starscream couldn't believe what words came out of her little fleshy mouth. With a groan, he lifted himself into an up-right sitting position. He carefully looked at her, making sure she wasn't trying to pull some evil prank on him, but when he looked, he saw she meant it. Once more, he saw something he hadn't seen in a long time -- genuine trust. "Now why would I do that?" the Seeker asked bitterly.
Annabelle sighed. "I guess not." She looked down at the ground with her eyes glazed over in sadness. "I just thought . . ."
"Thought what?" he demanded.
"Never mind," she mumbled. Anna sighed heavily. "Wanna play a game then?"
"A what?" The Seeker looked at the girl as if she were a freak. "Why would you play a game with your enemy? Isn't that against the rules?"
She let out another sigh. With a roll of her eyes, Anna looked to the Seeker. "Do I really have to explain this again?" she asked rhetorically. "First, I've pretty much broken the biggest rule in all of the base. Secondly, have you forgotten that I have a weird sense of what is fun, already? Because apparently you have. Thirdly, why would you be my enemy?" She slowly scooted herself around to face him from the front. "As far as I see it, we're both prisoners to the autobots."
Starscream gave a skeptic sneer. "You're only a prisoner now," he retorted. "In a few hours you'll be released." His optics drifted to the floor. "The autobots are merciful like that," he mumbled.
"If the autobots were so merciful, then why did one of them not step in to save your life?" she snapped matter-of-factly. "Besides, you can't always see every chain."
He looked down at the human curiously. "Explain," he demanded.
"What do I get in return?" she asked quickly.
"What?" Starscream replied.
"You heard me," Annabelle stated. "What will I get in return if I tell you?"
He looked down at her, trying to figure out what was wrong with her head. Any other human he would have encountered, would've been running, but she didn't even seem intimidated by his odd form. 'It's probably from being domesticated by the autobots.' he thought. Oddly enough she was bargaining with him, but what as more disturbing, he was willing to bargain with her. Holding back a sigh, the Seeker said plainly, "I'll listen." The last thing he wanted to do in this world was to listen to a little brat complain about her li'l earth problems.
The girl looked at him suspiciously. "But can you listen?" she asked skeptically.
"If you mean if I can read in between the lines," Starscream said. "Then yes. I'm the king of reading in between the lines." He watched as she smiled brightly at him. "What?" he asked bitterly.
"Nothing," she replied. Annabelle closed her eyes as she shook her head softly from side-to-side. "Nothing at all."
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Unbeknown to Will and Sarah, Ironhide had been around the corner listening. his head was bowed to his chest in disappointment. Just when Annabelle needed the stable support from her family the most, Sarah and Will had to go into another argument. The old 'bot discontentedly sighed. 'Why are humans so short-sighted, Primus?' he asked silently.
"Ironhide!" called an exhausted woman. "Ironhide where are you?"
The old soldier raised his head at the sound of his earth name. Sarah's stressed voiced would usually cause him to rush to her aid, but instead he found himself standing still and unresponsive. Part him wanted to go to Sarah and comfort her, but a greater part was furious at her. Sarah had turned the conversation away from Annabelle to herself. 'Humans are selfish,' he told himself.
"Ironhide?" she called again.
The black autobot looked towards the sound of the direction. He should've answered the call by now, but instead he found himself moving away from it. 'I'm sorry Sarah,' he thought remorsefully. 'But I can't let you ruin Anna's well-being anymore.' He painfully closed his eyes.
"Ironhide? Answer me!"
Quietly the autobot crept away. He knew the consequences that would follow for not answering, but Anna had to come first. He was like her guardian (or at least he felt responsible enough to be considered her guardian), and like a good guardian he had to protect his human from danger. He just didn't expect that the danger would come in the form of a close friend.
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"So, are you going to explain or not?" Starscream asked impatiently.
"Well are you demanding," Anna replied bluntly. "I thought I was only a pathetic fleshy."
"You are a pathetic fleshy," the Seeker informed demeaningly. "But you're more interesting that staring at the ceiling."
"Aw, thanks for the compliment," she said sarcastically.
His optics irritatingly narrowed down on her. Starscream didn't enjoy how she seemed to want to open up, but kept avoiding her chance. It was cowardly -- it was like him. For all the genuine trust he had first seen on her face, she was full of distrust. "Look," he said more calmly. "I'll listen. I won't make a sneer or an insult so long as you tell me."
Annabelle's skeptical look on her face was replaced by a brighter, almost happier face. "Okay," she replied cooly. "But before I tell you, I need to know something."
"What?"
"This is only between you and me," Anna stated firmly. "No one else can ever know this."
Starscream looked wearily down at her. "Why only between us?" he inquired.
The girl's head immediately dropped. Her loose hair fell over her face. She looked as if she was shameful for what she was about to say. "Because I don't want to lose any more of my family," Anna muttered. She shut her eyelids close. "I don't want to end up alone and forgotten."
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Will glowered as his wife went off to find Ironhide. Turning his back to her, he looked at the others. "Sorry," he said in a voice that meant he didn't really mean it.
"You need to learn how to keep your personal life separated from your career, Major," Simmons spoke sternly. "It wouldn't look good on your record."
'I'd like to see how you balance that out yourself,' he thought angrily. He looked towards Optimus. "So," he said plainly. "What are we going to do about Starscream?"
"We're going to destroy him," Jetfire interrupted quickly.
"I believe he was talking to Optimus, traitor," Reggie scorned.
The black autobot looked apologetically at their leader. "I'm sorry for interrupting," he said. "But Starscream cannot be revived. You've seen just how much damage he can do. Imagine if Bumblebee hadn't been where he had been in the battle, Optimus? Like Ratchet said, Bumblebee was extremely lucky that he hadn't suffered any life-threatening wounds." He immediately bent down to looked at the humans. "And next time, it might not only be the raptor pilots who lose their lives, Sir." His eyes flicked to the major before glancing down the hallway. "And I'm not just talking about the humans right here."
His head dropped slightly. "You mean Annabelle," Will said softly.
Jetfire nodded. A new, more distraught look was spread across his face. This was the closest Jetfire had ever been to begging since he joined the autobot cause. "And Ratchet told me that when we took on Annabelle, you did not assign her a guardian," he explained. "At the time I can see why you didn't. We were safe, and no one knew the whereabouts of the Lennox family. So we had no need for her to have a guardian; especially when she would be in the care of all of us. But now someone does, and because of that, we can no longer sit around like lazy bums!" Even though he was the largest of the autobots, he felt tiny when he looked at Optimus. "Sir, with Starscream revived, it's only a matter of time before he contacts Barricade. If he contacts that decepticon, then they could begin to unleash another wave of attacks. Unlike the first time, they don't have a reason to fight except to get revenge for you destroying the cube. Imagine, a battalion of the deadliest decepticons coming to earth."
"Isn't that a bit extreme?" Simmons asked skeptically. "It sounds like something that would come from War of the Worlds."
The SR-71 'bot looked down at the older human with an unpleasant glare. "You've never seen the worst the decepticons have to offer," he Jetfire remarked bitterly. "You haven't seen what damage the decepticons can cause when they put their minds to it." Despite having optics for eyes, you could see the pain within them. You could see the fear in his eyes. "They are relentless, and if Starscream comes back into power, then they will have an one of the most ambitious 'cons for a leader -- even more so than Megatron."
"They couldn't get here that quickly," Will suggested. "After all, it took you what? Several, upon several thousands of years. It would give us time to prepare for an attack."
"Major Lennox," Optimus said. "If we weren't searching, we could easily get here within a two-hundred, maybe one hundred years or so. That's if you do not account for the number of Decepticons that could already be in this solar system still in hiding."
"Even quicker if they built a space bridge," Jetfire interjected.
"A space bridge?" the Major asked.
"Did you ever see the show Stargate?" Optimus asked.
"The portal they use has the same basic concept of a space bridge," Jetfire informed. "Only when we build space bridges, they are massive."
"How quickly could they get here if they built a space bridge?" Will inquired.
"It would be instant," Optimus replied.
"I'm still amazed you didn't give the Annabelle girl a guardian," Simmons remarked.
"There was no need to have a guardian," he explained. "With Annabelle basically raised in the comfort of all the autobots, we didn't need a single guardian. She was always with one of them." The Major sighed. Will sighed before looking up at the autobot leader. "What about Annabelle?" he asked. "Isn't there anyone that could be Annabelle's guardian?"
Optimus shook his head. "Not that I can think of," he said solemnly. "We'll need as many soldiers as possible."
"Not even Ironhide?" he asked more hopeful.
"Ironhide doesn't have the patience to sit on the sideline, nor do I think he would enjoy being Anna's guardian," Jetfire informed. "Besides, he would be needed for every battle."
"Why not the twins?" the Major inquired. "Surely, behind their childish attitude, is the chance to be a good guardian. Perhaps they could even mature a bit."
Simmons laughed cooly at Will's statement. "You make it sound like she'll be walking the streets," he remarked. "Have you forgotten that she'll be in jail rotting for the rest of her life. After all, she would've been the one to set all these bad things in motion."
His eyes narrowed hatefully down on Reggie. "What Annabelle did was wrong," he stated coldly. "But I don't think she would mean for all these things to happen. Besides, it's all theoretical."
"Actually there is a high chance that this could happen," Jetfire said.
"Listen to the super computer," Reggie commented.
"And look what you would've done to Sam," Will countered. "You would've had him locked up as well! If he had been locked up, then we might not be here. If it wasn't for Sam, then the human race could be dust in the wind."
"That was luck," Reggie snapped.
"Then I guess it was only luck that Annabelle hit you square in the nose," Will retorted.
"What's done is done," Optimus spoke. "We cannot change that, and there is no reason to fight over what we cannot change." His blue optics narrowed sternly down upon the humans. "To compensate for Annabelle's act, I'll contact Acree and Cliffjumper. They should still be in the solar system. With their help, we can construct the space bridge even faster, and therefore send troops here faster to protect Earth."
"You're just going to let Annabelle walk free?" Reggie inquired.
"I will deal with Annabelle personally," the leader spoke.
"What about Starscream?" Jetfire asked.
"I'll have Ratchet disable his weaponry and communication systems," he answered. "Afterwards, we'll move him to the holding cell in the basement. Maybe some time in solitary confinement will make him useful to us."
"Keller won't be happy to hear this," Simmons muttered.
"Nor will the army," the Major added.
"It does not matter what they think," Optimus replied. "All that matters is the safety of your species."
The agent looked towards Will. "I suppose you came with your own way back?" he asked smugly.
"No," he answered.
"Then I suppose you'll be needing a ride," Simmons remarked bitterly. Turning away, he marched towards the exit.
Lennox looked over his shoulder. He could hear the faint calls of his wife as she searched for Ironhide.
"As an FYI, I'm leaving now," he called over his shoulder.
Clenching his teeth, he glowered at Reggie. Old age had only made Reggie that much more of a sore in his side. Picking up his feet, the Major followed the old man. His eyes glanced towards Jetfire as he moved past him.
It was the first time Jetfire had ever seen the look of resentment and worry in the Major's eyes. The large autobot continued to watch the humans until they vanished behind the door. Jetfire turned towards his leader. His optics looked down at the ground. He, like the rest of the autobots, knew it was never good when Optimus dealt with someone by himself; and Jetfire knew what it felt like to be lectured by Optimus personally. "Please go easy on Annabelle," he begged softly. "She's not a traitor. I know she isn't." 'She just can't be,' he added silently.
Optimus let out a sigh. "Go tell Sunny that he's in charge of Annabelle," he replied. "And that he is to not leave her side until further notice."
The scientist looked brightly at his leader. A small smile tugged at his metal lips. "Thank you," he whispered softly. Feeling a bit more relaxed, he turned around to go find Sunny.
"And Jetfire," the blue and red 'bot called.
Stopping mid-step, he turned his head around. "Yes, sir?" Jetfire asked respectfully.
"Don't worry so much," Optimus said calmly. "That's my job."
He nodded. "I know," the SR-71 replied. "But you can't carry all the worry, Sir. It's unhealthy."
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"You won't end alone and forgotten," the Seeker replied. "Those slags care so much for your species. Primus, they destroyed our life-source in order to save your pathetic race." Starscream slowly and painfully crossed his arms over his wide chest. He let out a huff. "Not even the Fallen himself would be that treacherous."
"But the Fallen betrayed The Originals," Anna replied. "He joined sides with Unicron, and Unicron wanted to destroy the Transformers."
Starscream looked shockingly at the human. "How do - "
"You didn't actually think my bed-time stories were filled with fairy-tales that involved princesses and knights in shiny armor, did you?" she asked.
"How much did they tell you?" he inquired.
"I know all the stories by heart," she answered.
"But why would they tell stories to you?" Starscream asked. "You're an outsider. You couldn't possibly understand."
Annabelle's gaze narrowed down on the Seeker. "I know just as much about your society as I do my own," she stated firmly. "I've been raised by 'bots the majority of my life. Hell, I can hear your language almost perfectly. As all the 'bots say in the base, I'm a spark with a fleshy body."
"That's not right," He responded. "No human should be allowed to learn our secrets. It's unnatural."
"Why?"
"Why?" he repeated. "You're a human. We're Cybertronians. We're two different species. That's why. And if it wasn't for our war, then our species would have never met."
"You sound scared," Anna said sympathetically. "I don't really blame you either for being being."
Starscream looked mortified at her comment. "I'm not scared," he retorted. But he barely believed himself. "Only cowards are scared, and I'm no coward."
"That's not what I've heard about you," she spoke skeptically
"Their wrong," the decepticon remarked hatefully.
"Prove it."
"What?"
"You heard me," she reinforced.
"I don't need to prove anything to a fleshy," Starscream said proudly.
"Then why are you arguing with me?" Anna inquired. "Creatures only argue with one another when they have a point to make."
"Then what's your point?" he commented angrily.
"I don't have a point to make," she stated.
"Then why are you arguing with me?" Starscream asked.
"Because your fun to provoke," Annabelle said with a smile. "And you're so different that what I'm use too. It's kind've exciting."
"You make no sense," the Seeker said frankly.
"I make perfect sense," she responded. "It just takes some time to get used to my logic. Just think of it as learning a new language." Anna watched as he stared at her with a confused expression. "Because when you get down to it, it's not that complicated to understand me." Her eyes drifted to the floor. "After all, how complicated can a carbon-based organism be?" she asked aloud.
Starscream couldn't help but laugh lightly at her last statement. "You're different that Bumblebee's human," he replied.
She looked at him. Her face was much lighter and happier than before. "Phhh, I make Sam look like your average Joe," Anna stated.
Starscream titled his head. "Is an average Joe a subspecies of your species?" he inquired. His optics glared at the human as she began to laugh. "What's so funny?"
"You," Anna replied. "You have so much to learn. Even the twins know what your average joe is."
'The twins are smarter than me?' he asked himself silently. 'How pathetic.' The Seeker's optics widened as he watched the Lennox child. "Then teach me," he said. "I'm gonna be here a while, so I might as well learn."
"And what do I get for teaching you?" Anna asked.
"Why do I have to give you something?" Starscream countered. "You should just teach me out of the goodness of your fleshy heart."
"Because nothing in life is free, Starscream," the girl answered. "It's all about giving and taking."
"You gave me life," the Seeker said. "What did you expect to take from that?"
"I took a chance," Annabelle said calmly.
"A chance to what?" he insisted.
"You tell me," she said.
All the while, she said it with a contented smile. She was so confident and relaxed that he wondered himself if she wasn't made up of metal beneath her fleshy hide. Not even Megatron himself had ever appeared to be this frightening. The only thing that could compare to her calm attitude was him; and just like him, this child seem to defy his logic. 'I'm not scared,' Starscream repeated to himself. 'I'm not scared.'