A/n: Warning: Though the chapter is light-hearted for the most part, the final scene touches the M rating due to torture and violence. If you're squeamish, do not read once the name Ebon pops up.
As she had promised Optimus Prime, Faera stayed visible to the cameras at all times, making it easy for Red Alert to track her down. So, the next day, when Perceptor wanted to know where Faera was, Red Alert informed him that she was taking a stroll outside the Ark. The scientist thanked the security chief, and it wasn't long before he found the Sadjen by some pine trees, breathing in their scent. Perceptor walked up to her and greeted her with a friendly smile.
"Hey, Perceptor," she said politely, "Is it time?"
"Indeed," Perceptor answered with a nod. "Wheeljack is expecting us."
She nodded her understanding and obediently followed the scientist to Wheeljack's laboratory. The engineer welcomed them quite cheerily, then beckoned Faera to sit on a chair nearby. She complied, crossing her legs and resting an elbow on the back of the chair. She seemed relaxed and nonchalant, yet she kept her eyes locked on both Autobots, waiting.
"Uh…" Perceptor started, "Did Prime tell you what this is about?"
"He mentioned that I'm not as easy to locate as the rest of the Cybertronians," she answered. "And that you try to figure out a way to work around that problem."
"Yes, quite right," Perceptor said, more to himself than anybody else. "But, before we attempt anything, I feel obligated to ask you what your people's customary means of communication are."
Faera raised an eyebrow. "You want to know how Sadjens talk to each other?"
"Partly," Wheeljack said. "We need to know how you contact someone when they're too far away, or you're in your battle raiment."
"How come?" she asked curiously, "Will it help?"
"That's what we intend to find out," Perceptor answered. "We don't wish to place you in any discomfort by having you act against your nature."
She regarded the Autobots with a strange expression in her eyes, and her lips curled slightly upwards in a small smile.
"I see," she said. "I don't think a Sadjen's talk is practical by Cybertronian standards though."
"What do you mean?" Wheeljack asked.
"When we're in this form, we aren't all that different from your race or the human one," she explained. "When we're in our battle raiment, however, our form of speech changes to a set of roars, growls, grunts and purrs that are connected to our body language. The differences to some of these patterns are so subtle that only a Sadjen can pick them up; a great asset in battle."
"The enemy isn't aware of the information you pass along to your fellow Sadjens," Perceptor said, catching on.
"Yes," she said.
"Hmm." Perceptor's optics reflected his thoughtful expression. "Are those sounds produced in your core?"
"Yes," she answered. "Our core vibrates, and then we manipulate the pulses to utter words."
"Intriguing. Where's your core located?"
Faera clenched her jaw at that, and her face darkened in a visible frown. Perceptor didn't know what triggered that kind of reaction at first, but he quickly realised that a Sadjen's core was as valuable as a spark was to a Cybertronian. You did not expose it that easily to just anyone, allowing yourself to be vulnerable in such a way.
"I apologise. It was quite indiscreet of me to--"
He was taken aback when she pointed at a ridged line that went down her chest, reaching her abdomen and ending at the gravely joints that formed her waist.
"Under here," she said softly. She smiled a bit when she noticed the incredulous looks on both the Autobots' faces. "Ratchet is a medic. That means he knows about your inner functions better than anyone else – he has to if it means helping you. Let's just say I appoint you my personal doctors."
Perceptor and Wheeljack nodded, seeing her point and approving her decision.
"Now…" she continued on, relieved that the matter was settled, "What else do you want to know?"
The Autobots exchanged a look.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Wheeljack asked.
"I believe so," Perceptor said. "Although," he shifted his weight uncomfortably at that, "I'm not sure how appropriate it would be to ask that."
"Ask what?" Faera asked, more than just a little perplexed.
"To feel your chest," Wheeljack replied casually, but froze in realisation at the next moment. "Okay… that sounded a lot better in my mind."
Faera blinked once, twice… then laughed out loud, her deep, slightly echoing laughter filling the room almost like music. Perceptor and Wheeljack looked at her, unsure what to make of that reaction, yet relieved that she wasn't angry with them at least.
"I'm not thatkind of girl," she finally said in a tease, still trying to stifle her laughing fits. "But I think I know what you have in mind so I'll allow it this once."
Neither Autobot could help it. They chuckled, accepting her sense of humour graciously, and the engineer walked up to her. He placed his hand firmly on the ebony exoskeleton, feeling the warm, smooth surface rising up and down under his palm – a sign of breathing.
"Say something," he said.
She frowned. "Like what?"
"Thanks," Wheeljack said happily, and he turned to Perceptor. "I think we're onto something. Her exoskeleton vibrates whenever she talks."
"Ah, perfect," Perceptor noted. "Faera, may I have a closer look at your chest-ridge?"
Faera nodded her acquiescence, so Perceptor transformed to his microscope mode and rolled close to her. He focused his lens on the slightly ragged line, and measured its thickness before rolling back once more.
"Good. Could you transform now, please?"
She did just that, her hands touching the floor as her exoskeleton thickened with a loud crackling sound. In a matter of moments, she was in her animal form, a soft grunt flowing out of her throat. Perceptor rolled close once more and examined Faera's chest, measuring again the now almost invisible to the bare optic line.
"Uh-huh!" Perceptor exclaimed. "Very interesting."
"What is it?" Wheelack asked.
The way Faera tilted her head was enough indication that she was asking the same thing.
Perceptor transformed and faced Wheeljack. "The ridge on her chest is just as thick in both her forms. And I've also noticed that it's made up of interloping layers that expand and contract every time she breathes."
That set in motion the gears in Wheeljack's processor.
"I think I have an idea…" the engineer said. He turned to the Sadjen, who was sitting on her hind legs and regarding him curiously. "You can transform back, Faera."
She complied, pushing herself back on her feet. There was the hissing sound of something burning swiftly, a surge of green light, and Faera was back to her humanoid form, ashes falling at her feet. She winced and scratched her head in an embarrassed manner.
"Sorry about that."
Wheeljack laughed and waved his hand dismissively. "Heh, this is nothing. I make bigger messes when I'm working. I'll clean it up in no time afterwards."
"All right," she said, although she still looked slightly guilty. "You said you had an idea?"
"Yup," Wheeljack answered. "From what I gather, your exoskeleton burns when you transform so that it stays clean from any impurities."
She nodded.
"But, if we attach on you a transmitter that's similar to your exoskeleton under that ridge, it might stay safe," Wheeljack concluded.
"A silicon-based lamina comes to mind," Perceptor added thoughtfully. "It's compatible, and with the right microchips…"
"It could translate the vibrations of your core to words that you can transmit to an Autobot frequency," Wheeljack completed.
"But will you be able to transmit back to me?" Faera asked, a small frown on her features.
"Don't fret, Wheeljack will think of something," Perceptor said. "For now, I'll have to analyse your exoskeleton, so we'd better go to my laboratory."
"See you later, folks," Wheeljack said, waving Perceptor and Faera goodbye as he also exited the laboratory. "I'll go find Optimus and tell him of our news."
-----------------
"And you think it's going to work?" Optimus asked, regarding Wheeljack curiously. The Autobot leader was in the control room with Jazz, and both of them listened with interest to the engineer's report.
"It sounds like the best solution for now," Wheeljack answered, his speakers flashing rapidly in his excited state. "The principle is simplicity itself if you think about it. The microchip will translate the vibrations on her exoskeleton to conventional language, and then vice versa if and when Faera isn't in the company of any Autobots."
"But that thing isn't gonna hurt her, is it?" Jazz asked, frowning under his visor.
"It shouldn't," Wheeljack replied. "That chest-ridge is pretty thick."
"And how long is that microchip going to take for you to build, Wheeljack?"
"Perceptor will have to analyse her exoskeleton, so the microchip will be made of materials that won't get rejected by her body," Wheeljack said. "Then there's carving, assembling, adjusting, connecting…" His voice trailed off as he still made his calculations; then finally reached to an answer. "Three days."
"Hmm…" Optimus rubbed his chin in thought. "Three days it is, then. I'll have to ask Faera to stay within the area of the Ark until you're done."
Jazz, however, shook his head. "Prime, we both know she isn't gonna say anythin', but won't it be unfair to her to stay cooped up in the Ark when the rest of us can come and go as they please?"
"I don't like it any more than you do, Jazz. But we can't place her on patrol with any of the Autobots if they feel uncomfortable with her animal form and unfamiliar with her language," Optimus pointed out.
"Well, she can still accompany you, Optimus," Wheeljack suggested. "She can stay inside your trailer as you drive."
"I've thought about it," Optimus said, "However, it won't be any different than keeping her within the Ark. In some ways, it'll be even worse."
All three Autobots bowed their heads, still trying to come up with a solution. And then, Jazz's visor flashed brilliantly.
"Hold on! There is an Autobot who can accompany her!"
Wheeljack and Optimus blinked, since they couldn't guess about whom Jazz was talking.
----------------
Bumblebee headed to Perceptor's laboratory and pressed the call button. As soon as he heard the scientist's brief "Come in!", he stepped inside and saw that Faera was indeed there, just as Red Alert had said. The minibot smiled broadly and waved the Sadjen in greeting, an action that was mirrored just as open-heartedly.
"Good morning, Bumblebee," Perceptor said, currently in his alternate mode and examining one of Faera's forearms; the ragged feel of it was of particular interest to him. Even so, one could detect a certain teasing lilt in his tone as he added: "Should I guess the purpose of your visit or is it that obvious?"
Bumblebee scratched his head embarrassedly. "Well, you know, Perceptor… I was on surveillance duty all day yesterday and I'm leaving on patrol soon, so…"
Peceptor chuckled. "Yes, I understand perfectly. You may carry on," he declared, and he resumed examining Faera, humming softly to himself.
Bumblebee grinned and faced Faera. "Well, how are you today? Do you like the Ark so far?"
"It's certainly different from what I had expected," Faera replied. "I didn't think there could be so many of you here."
"Actually, you've just seen about 1/3 of the entire Ark crew," Perceptor pointed out, focusing on her wrist joint. "It will be some time before you get the chance to meet all of us."
She frowned slightly. "Where are the rest?"
"On duty," Bumblebee said. "There's no telling where the Decepticons will attack next, so we have to be ready at all times."
"I see," she said thoughtfully.
Bumblebee cocked his head and regarded Faera curiously. "What's in your mind?"
"It just occurred to me that I know very little about your war with the Decepticons," she said. "If I'm to fight the Decepticons alongside you, I should know my adversaries better."
"That is a knowledge that is easily attainable. Everyone here will be more than willing to fill you in on that matter," Perceptor said, examining the Sadjen's long, flesh-like fingers. "Make a fist, please."
Faera complied. "Even on their fighting techniques?" she asked.
Bumblebee chuckled. "Trust me, after fighting them for so long, we know them like the back of our hand. Ironhide and the Twins can personally attest to that."
"Who?"
Faera didn't get an answer, because it was then that the door hissed open again.
"Hey, Bumblebee. You good to go?"
Bumblebee turned around, just in time to see Sideswipe stepping inside Perceptor's laboratory. Sideswipe's step was lively and brisk, very much like his brother's, who was following the red Lamborghini closely behind.
"Yeah, sure thing guys. Do you have the patrol route?"
"Right here," Sunstreaker answered and tapped his temple, where his memory circuits were. "That will save us from my dear brother's shortcuts."
Sideswipe glared at Sunstreaker in feigned indignation. "You realise that I only got us lost twice in the last three years we've been here, right?" he huffed.
"That's still twice more than I got us lost," Sunstreaker said, hardly fazed. "Now come on, let's go. With any luck, we might get back before MacGyver starts."
"No way, Bro! I wanted to watch Alf!"
The twins' argument was short lived, however. At that moment, Optimus walked in the laboratory as well. All the Autobots stood in attention at once, and Perceptor even transformed back to his robot mode. Faera stood up as well, showing her respect to the Autobot leader.
Optimus nodded in greeting to everybody present. "Bumblebee, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, are you setting off on your patrol?" he asked.
"Yes, Prime," the twins answered in unison.
"Has there been a change of plans?" Bumblebee asked.
"Only a slight one," the Autobot leader replied. "Faera will also join you, so that she gets to know the area."
Everyone could tell Bumblebee lit up at the news. The twins, on the other hand, kept their expressions neutral as they nodded their acknowledgement.
"Good. You can carry on then." With that, Optimus walked out once more. When the Autobot leader was out of sight, Sideswipe turned to Faera, a cheeky smile already on his lip components.
"Heh, looks like you're stuck with us for today," he said teasingly. "I'm Sideswipe, by the way, and this is my brother, Sunstreaker."
"Oh?" Faera said, locking her eyes on both Lamborghinis.
"Yeah, hard to believe that I'm actually related to him, isn't it?" Sideswipe said, nudging Sunstreaker with his elbow.
"Yes, as you can see, I got the good looks," Sunstreaker replied, a smirk creeping on his features. "Well, come along then. I hope you can keep up with at least one of us three." He patted Bumblebee on the head, then transformed and drove outside. Sideswipe followed his brother's example, leaving the minibot, the Sadjen and Perceptor behind.
"Are they always like that?" Faera asked Bumblebee and Perceptor, arching a brow in mild curiosity.
"Indeed," the scientist said quite dryly.
"Pretty much," Bumblebee answered with a laugh, then transformed as well. "So… how about we show them what we've got?"
Faera didn't reply at once; she first looked at Perceptor. The scientist smiled as he understood what was in her mind.
"We can continue with our work later. I've already gathered enough data for now," he said. "Good luck out there."
"Thank you," she said, a small grin forming on her lips. At the next moment, she was back in her animal form and running beside Bumblebee to catch up on the twins, her pace steady and smooth.
The patrol was uneventful, something that Bumblebee welcomed gladly. If anything, it gave him the chance to enjoy the Portland landscape while driving, for the yellow minibot always liked the autumn colours that specked the trees at this time of year. And, from the look of things, Faera seemed to like them too. The minibot could definitely tell by the way she was running beside him, a calm expression reflected in her feral eyes.
Bumblebee guessed it probably had something to do with how different Earth was compared to her planet. For Faera had talked to the minibot about Sherba while they were onboard Skyfire, and she described it as a land of fire, ash and blackened dunes. Certainly not the best place for anyone to live in.
Yes, it was a harsh place, she had said back then, answering Bumblebee's look of distaste. A place fit for the strongest and hardest of us.
Bumblebee sighed. He supposed Sherba wasstillhome to Faera, no matter how ugly or barren it was. But, Bumblebee felt that the Earthen nature suited her calm, composed demeanour better; even her ebony form seemed to blend in nicely with the rich red and yellow that surrounded them.
"See, Bro? I told you they weren't that far behind," Sideswipe's voice sounded at that moment, cutting off Bumblebee's train of thought.
"Lucky guess," Sunstreaker commented in a matter-of-fact tone. Both Lamborghinis were sitting on a rock by the edge of a cliff, their arms and legs crossed as they relaxed against each other's back. The yellow warrior regarded Bumblebee and Faera with a raised optic ridge. "So what kept you two?"
"Oh, you know… We didn't want you guys feel bad or anything if we beat you," Bumblebee answered teasingly and changed into his robot form. "But why did we stop here?"
"It was Sunstreaker's idea," Sideswipe answered. "He figured that if Faera is to learn the area, the best way to do that is to see everything from a spot with a view."
Bumblebee frowned. "We are supposed to be back to the Ark in an hour."
"We will," Sunstreaker said. "This won't take long."
Bumblebee finally decided that there was no point in arguing with Sunstreaker about this. He faced Faera, who was currently sitting on her hind legs and looking at the three Autobots curiously.
"I guess it's up to you, Faera. Do you want to have a look?"
She bowed her head, her tail gently twitching to and fro in thought. Finally, she stood up and changed into her humanoid form. The twins watched the transformation with a curious look reflected in their optics, then Sideswipe nodded as if he reached to an important decision.
"Nice, swift, flashy… I'll give it an eight," he commented.
"Seven," Sunstreaker said, pointing at the ashes on the ground. "It's messy."
To say that Faera looked utterly confused would have been an understatement. Bumblebee chuckled and decided to explain things to the Sadjen.
"They've just graded your transformation; they always do that whenever someone new gets added to the Autobot army," he said, and grinned broadly. "Congratulations. They aren't usually so generous with their marks."
"Are you still bitter over that five I gave you?" Sunstreaker asked, smirking. "Besides, we gave her an extra point for original transformation style."
"That's nice to know, I suppose," Faera said, still feeling slightly confused. She shook her head in the next moment, clearly deciding to forget about the whole matter, and she stepped closer to the edge of the cliff. Bumblebee stood beside her and regarded the landscape as well.
He smiled in approval. The twins had picked a really good spot.
"Is this whole area part of Portland?" Faera asked curiously.
"Pretty much," Sideswipe answered. "There's the city over there."
Faera turned her gaze to the direction the red Lamborghini was now pointing, taking in the sight of the skyscrapers on the horizon. "And where's the Ark located?"
"On the left, at the base of that big mountain," Sunstreaker said. "Can't miss it."
"Oh." Faera squinted her eyes, trying to discern the metallic outline of the spaceship. "We're quite far from it. I can barely see it."
Bumblebee was surprised, since he could see the Ark quite clearly. All he had to do was adjust his focus and…
He stopped midway, because it was then that he realised what the problem was.
"How far can you see?"
She shrugged. "Not overly far. And I'm quite short-sighted when I'm in my battle raiment."
Sunstreaker cocked his head. "You don't seem to have much problem with it though."
"I don't have any," she replied and tapped her nose. "I mostly use this and my ears anyway."
Sideswipe regarded Faera curiously. "So what do you smell now?"
"Besides you three?" Faera asked.
Sideswipe nodded.
Faera didn't answer at once. She took a deep breath, and then smiled knowingly. "The scent of dead leaves decaying, the aroma of the grass; the rich odour from the ground, the moss that's under the rocks nearby, the smell of quite a variety of animals and birds…" She paused for a moment and sniffed again. "… and that it's going to rain."
All three Autobots frowned and looked up at the sky.
"There isn't even a single cloud up there!" Bumblebee said.
"I didn't say it would rain now," Faera pointed out. "I'd say in an hour or so."
"Right," Sunstreaker declared and he stood up. Poor Sideswipe had barely enough time to brace himself as he suddenly lost the comfortable support his twin provided. "We should return to the Ark. I've waxed myself just today, and I don't want any mud on me, thank you very much," he added, and he quickly transformed to his alternate mode.
Sideswipe huffed a bit at Sunstreaker's haste; nevertheless he transformed too, and both Lamborghinis drove westward. Bumblebee and Faera watched them go for a while and, once the minibot knew they were out of the twins' hearing range, he faced the Sadjen.
"Okay, can you really tell the time it will rain just by sniffing the air or did you make this up?"
Faera winked in Bumblebee's direction. "If in doubt, trust the old Sadjen's nose."
Bumblebee laughed. "Let me guess. A Sadjen proverb?"
"Close enough," Faera answered, and she changed back to her animal form. Her tail swayed in a playful manner as Bumblebee changed to his own alternate mode, and, as soon as he set off, she started running beside him once more.
Somewhere in the back of his mind, Ebon knew he was being moved. Even so, he didn't open his eyes. It had taken him a lot of his will power to shut the pain off his sensors, and he didn't want to lose his focus. If he did, the pain would return ten-fold, and his involuntary screams would only satisfy his… allies.
Disgust filled his core as his mind drifted to the Decepticons. They had the audacity to treat him like a tool, a slave, when he could easily sink his teeth into their necks and take pleasure at the sound of breaking circuitry under his jaws. They jeered at him, when they should cower at the sight of his claws.
They treated him like nothing. As if his racemeant nothing.
Aeknar curse you all.
Somebody probed his head with non-too gentle fingers and forced his eyes open. Ebon couldn't tell who it was though; his senses were still numbed.
"How intriguing," a voice declared, its sound low and distorted to Ebon's ears. "You must be in quite the pain to induce yourself to a coma."
Ebon said nothing, and if those relentless fingers weren't holding his eyelids, he would have shut his eyes again.
"I wonder what it will take to get your undivided attention," the voice continued. "Maybe if I did this?"
The sensation of his right wrist slitting further open pierced through him, snapping him out of his concentration. Touch, smell, sight, everything came back with the force of a tidal wave that swallowed him whole. He bit back a scream that threatened to rush out of his lips, and he looked back at his tormentor.
Starscream.
"That wasn't so difficult, I see," the Decepticon second-in-command said with a smirk.
"What do you want?" Ebon said in a snarl, breathing hard in his attempt to somehow ease the pain.
"Me? Nothing," Starscream said almost sweetly. "I'm only a bearer of news."
"Well, I don't want to hear your news!" Ebon all but shouted. "Leave and be thankful that I'm not free from my bonds yet!"
"No, you aren't," Starscream agreed, regarding Ebon as if he actuallypitied him. "But she is."
Ebon froze.
"That's right. We know where she is," Starscream said, "And she's free as a bird, enjoying the company of the Autobots, who treat her as their friend." He chuckled. "Not quite the results you were after when you started that hunt of yours."
The male Sadjen couldn't have felt more revolted. She fought against him, against the chance for a new, better order; she detonated the devices that wiped out their home-planet; and instead of suffering in punishment like the traitor she was, she was laughing happily with pathetic inferiors as though they were all equals.
A growl emanated from his throat, and his pain was forgotten to be replaced by sheer outrage.
"Yes… it makes you want to tear everything in sight, doesn't it?" Starscream said, still smirking. "I would like to release you so you two could settle your score, but I have different orders." He started tracing Ebon's chest in thought, as though trying to find something. "I examined you while you were in that self-induced sleep of yours. Do you want to know what I discovered?"
Ebon said nothing. He just glared at the air commander.
"Your exoskeleton isn't evenly thick, at least in your present form." His hand stopped moving, fingers feeling the centre of the black surface. "And this area, in particular, feels much warmer than the rest of your body."
Ebon bared his teeth. He knew where Starscream was going with this, but he didn't want to make things easier for him by saying anything.
"It's interesting," Starscream continued on, while getting out of subspace a knife with an electrum blade. "Your chest is smooth, while I noticed hers has a dark line stretching from her neck to her waist. Probably a distinction between males and females… though you both keep the same secret underneath."
Ebon let out a sound very much like an angered animal, and he tore his right arm free from the metal rods to grab Starscream by the throat. The pain made his limbs tremble, but he didn't let go, intending to end the seeker's life once and for all.
Though Starscream flinched at first, his gaze hardened again. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."
Ebon paused, trying to understand what Starscream was telling him. He looked down, and he realised that the air commander kept the electrum blade poised over his core.
"I don't think you want to die before you have your revenge on your ladyfriend," Starscream pointed out tauntingly.
"It will take more than that puny knife to kill me," Ebon snarled.
"In your animal form, yes. But I don't think you can transform that fast in your current state," Starscream retorted.
Ebon gnashed his teeth, his breathing quick and coming out in gasps. His fingers twitched, longing to fry the seeker's circuits so badly that the Sadjen could almost taste it. It would mean his own death if he killed the seeker, yes; but it would be a dignified death, at the very least.
And she would remain alive, unpunished and mingling with outsiders, disgracing the Sadjen race. Disgracing him.
His hand dropped at his side, releasing Starscream. The air-commander quickly stepped back, rubbing his neck and keeping his eyes locked on Ebon.
"A wise choice."
At the next moment, he plunged the knife straight through Ebon's throat. Ebon opened his mouth in a scream, but no noise came out – it couldn't. So, he simply succumbed to the pain and lost consciousness, Starscream's last words echoing in his ears.
"Stay here for now."
TBC...