Miko tripped and stumbled over herself. The dark tunnels of New York's underground subway were quiet, bar the soft groan of steel work holding up thousands of tons of cities. They were there for a relic of some kind. Miko couldn't remember. Bulkhead was far from here, he was hunting a different relic. The sweeper train clicked against the tracks, and the man who found them, Vogel, was ranting. She sat there and listened. They had become separated from the two Cybertronians that were present. She was just staring at the train tracks, watching them disappear under the train. Jack had made up a story about them becoming lost from a school trip. She was just quiet, she had been quiet all day. She scratched her ankle with her boot. She paused as she heard a noise behind her. Turning she noticed Jack had opened up the back door. Miko just blinked dumbly as she watched him. He looked back at her, a panicked look on his face. He gestured for her to follow him. She glanced back at Vogel, who was too busy ranting. They were not going particularly fast either…
She was quick to follow Jack, he took her hand and they both jumped. Miko grunted as her knees stung from the shock. They watched the train disappear down the tracks. Jack sighed as he looked down at Miko. He had a look of concern, he was worried about her. She just gave a thumbs up and a half smiled. They stood there, listening to the train get further and further away. Jack looked back to where they had come from. He sighed and started to walk back.
"Come on! Let's head back to the others." Miko didn't protest. She lacked the energy to and so they just walked back to where the Autobots should have been. Miko wrapped her arms around her. Jack slowed down and took a step back , falling on foot with her. He placed a hand on her back, he watched her shoot up in surprise. She looked around slightly panicked, when she realised it was Jack touching her, she calmed down.
"Sorry dude." She tried to laugh it off. But Jack just stopped walking, she did too when she noticed. Jack crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes. Miko made a face, she was confused. She avoided eye contact. Jack dropped his arms.
"No, Miko, it's fine! But are you okay? You've been really off for the past few days." He gestured to her. She narrowed her eyes at him, she was visibly offended. She turned away. She was about to argue, about to snap. But her shoulders fell and she looked at her feet. Jack froze. He watched tears trail down her cheek, to the tip of her nose. Jack rubbed her back as Miko covered her face with her hands. Quiet, choked out sobs escaped her.
"My parent's called me last night and I… I…" She sobbed as she remembered.
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Miko sighed as she undid her hair. She was tired and sore. Running up and down the Nemesis took a lot out of anyone. She looked at herself in the mirror. The first time she had been on the Nemesis, Megatron was dead or well in a coma. This time they had seen Megatron! He was huge, way bigger than any other Cybertronian. The moment was only dampered by the fact the ship was trying to kill them. Miko rolled up her pyjama leg, she saw some bruises from hitting some energon boxes as they ran. She still found it funny how Jack just scaled Megatron to turn the ship off, Megatron, Lord of playground climbing walls. She giggled at her cleverness.
Miko turned away from the vanity. She jumped as her phone screen lit up. She half expected to see her host parents ringing her again. They never called or walked to her room if they wanted her. They just rang her phone. She picked up the phone and saw something that made her heart stop. It was indeed one of her parents, not her host parents, her biological parents. She looked around in confusion. Why were they calling her!? Miko sat on her bed and answered the phone, pressing the flip phone to her ear.
"Moshi-Moshi, Miko, is that you love?"Her mother called. Miko smiled as she listened to her voice. She missed her parents sometimes. She truly did. She would have loved to tell them about the Autobots and all the cool adventures she was going on.
"Yeah! Hi mama, you okay?" She leaned back. Her mother laughed. Miko could hear the smile in her voice. Miko slipped off her shoes as her mother spoke, "Yes! I'm fine- How is school? We got your report back. You're doing so well at science nowadays!" Miko nodded. Her mother was correct. Miko was taking tutoring classes from Ratchet. She had no problems in school, as much as she hated it. She just always struggled at science the most so the Doc helped her.
"Oh yeah! I got a free tutor. You okay though? Where's papa?" Miko slipped off her shoes, pinching the phone against her shoulder and ear. Her boots thumped and fell to the side as they hit the ground by the door.
"Oh he's coming! We have exciting news!" Miko could hear movement on the other end of the line. She smiled as she heard her father's voice distantly and then he was loud and clear.
"Ah, Miko, there you are! Your mother hasn't told you anything has she?"
Miko laughed, "No! So why have you called?" This was bugging her. She was happy to hear from her parents, there was no mistake there. But there was a feeling of dread in the back of her mind. Had one of her grandparents died? Her grandmother was ailing or- Her cats! Was Chi-Chi or Ding Dong sick? Hurt? Her parents muttered to each other. Then it was her mother who spoke, "Do you remember that nice Riku boy you went to school with? The Tanakai's son eldest son?" Miko did indeed know the boy and family her parents talked about. Riku was two years older than her, he was an honours student. He had gone to one of Tokyo's best universities. She believed he was becoming a Doctor. His mother never failed to brag about it when they met in the streets. It had infuriated Miko's mother to no end. Miko didn't like the woman anyway, she always told girls they were too fat to take part in bake sales when the school held them. Miko confirmed this to them, she heard her parents chatter in joy.
"We've been talking to his parents and we've come to a conclusion." Her father's voice was calm, it made Miko calm down herself. She swung her legs on to the bed and sat against the headboard. Her mother squealed and grabbed the phone.
"We've gotten a dowry! You're going to become a wife!"
Miko felt her heart stop; she couldn't breathe. She was choking on the despair and the shock. Her heart stammered back to working. Miko felt a sobbing gasp escape her. She pulled the phone away so her parents could not hear her. She rubbed at her face, trying to get rid of her tears. The idea of an arranged marriage was something her parents had always talked about. Miko had always assumed they were joking. She had hoped they were joking. She took a deep breath. She knew what this meant. All her hopes were gone. She'd be a housewife, subservient to the husband. Her mother always spoke about how it was the most satisfying way to live- Yeah, so says the obsessive shopper who got to spend all her time shopping because she didn't work. Miko took a deep breath and held the phone to her ear.
"... What's the dowry?" How much was her freedom worth to her parents? She could feel a headache, her head was in pain. Her father took the phone from her excited mother. He sighed, he was calm. He seemed indifferent.
"Their Osaka home as well as their apartments in New York. They make good money from being landlords- Anyway. They also have some land here and there, the stocks they own are frankly impressive. You'd also get the bragging rights of being married to a neurosurgeon and have a stable life. Oh! You will get an allowance of what is equal to 10,000 US dollars every month."He explained. Miko sniffled. She closed her eyes. So she was worth some stock in whatever company and some rent in New York. She curled into a ball. Her father chuckled softly, "Your mother is so excited for grandchildren. We were thinking of flying to America to see you again. You don't have any exams soon, do you?" Miko felt sick. She closed her eyes. She was going to throw up. She knew Riku would be with them. But her parents were so happy, they really thought this was the best choice for her. Miko pinched the bridge of her nose. She nodded.
"Yeah, yeah. I'll see. I have to go now, bye papa, bye mama." She hung up before they could say their responses. She dropped the phone beside her and she stared at the wall ahead of her. She was set up in an arranged marriage? What an awful idea. Miko sobbed as she held her head in her hands. She was doomed. She had to give up her future as an independent woman, she could have gone to music college and pursued her interests. Not anymore! She was stuck as a future housewife. She was going to be stuck in a house for all her life. It'd drive her insane. She felt insane. Miko didn't want to marry, not yet! She wanted a few boyfriends, maybe marry after she had some experience. How was she going to tell the Autobots?
Miko sat up. She couldn't! They'd freak out! She didn't want to break their heart, they'd probably think so little of her. Her parents selling her off to become someone's housewife? She felt so dirty. She really did. She felt so guilty too. Her parents were doing it out of love, they truly cared and loved for her. They were doing this out of love. She knew deep down this would not be good for her. She could try to avoid going back to Japan. Then again her parents controlled her passport and the Autobots had the American Government they listened to. So if her parents applied, the government would send her back to Japan and she wasn't sure if the Autobots could protect her.
Miko just curled up and cried. She felt despair and that's all she'd feel for a while.
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Miko watched Jack's entire body deflate. He looked just as hopeless as she felt. He spluttered out words, failing and retrying to start a sentence. Miko looked away and sighed. She felt so dirty. Though there was some relief in telling him. Jack hugged her suddenly. She was frozen. She opened her eyes wide. Jack rubbed her back. She sniffled, trying not to cry as she hugged back.
"I'm so, so sorry. That's horrible Miko!" Jack looked down at her. Miko shrugged as she pulled away. She rubbed at her eyes, wiping away her tears. She tried to smile but it looked like she was about to start sobbing again.
"Yeah! But I have no idea what I'm going to do!? I can't say no. It's an arranged marriage, you can't say no to an arranged marriage." Miko rubbed at her head. Jack nodded as he guided them down the tunnel. She heard him mutter ways of fixing the situation. She kept her arms wrapped around herself. They avoided walking on the tracks themselves. Miko tilted her head as she looked up ahead. She squinted as she tried to see if Bumblebee or Arcee were any nearer.
"Maybe if we tell Optimus, he can help protect you." Jack turned to her. Miko shrugged as he continued, "It's the least they could do to say thanks, ya know. The whole almost getting crushed by the Nemesis." Jack ran a hand through his hair. Miko paused. She hadn't considered that. That the Autobots owed her for helping them with the Nemesis. She felt some hope as Jack listed all the way they could protect her.
"If mum hides you at our house!"
"If you stay at the base for a while!"
"Groundbridge the guy into the middle of nowhere."
"... Bulkhead crushes the guy?" Jack perked up. He had just said his newest idea. Arcee and Bumblebee were walking ahead of them. He shouted over to the two wheeler. Arcee turned. She smiled as she stopped walking, letting them catch up. Bumblebee turned to them too. He noticed Miko's red eyes. He buzzed worriedly as he knelt down. Arcee noticed what he said. Miko perked up as the two Autobots knelt beside her. Arcee placed a servo on Miko's shoulder. For the first time since she got the call. Miko felt safe.
"What's going on? Miko?" Arcee tilted her helm. Miko took a deep breath, Jack nodded to her, muttering for her to tell them. Miko took a deep breath and explained everything to the two Autobots. She watched their optics widen, Arcee's mouth fall open. Bumblebee sat back. He looked at Arcee. Once Miko was done, silence fell over them. The two Cybertronains took a moment. As silence fell, that was when they heard a drill going. Arcee frowned. She looked at the sound and then went back to Miko. Arcee stood up.
"Right. You kids stay here, we'll deal with that! Later. Come on Bee." The two transformed and off they went. Miko and Jack looked at each other. Jack frowned as he looked at Miko and then the noise. She could see him cringe and then he grabbed her hand.
"Come on Miko, we both know how much you like to watch the fights." Miko stopped at this. She smiled but then there was a noise. They both turned to see the sweeper train. Jack looked at Miko, he took the lead as the train driver jumped out. It was the Vogel dude, he started shouting at Jack. Miko winced at the shouting. She looked back at the noises of Cybertronians. She would love to be like them. If she was with the Cybertronians more often, she could hide easier from the arranged marriage.
Miko rubbed at her head, her mind spiralling back down into that pit. The what ifs, the possibilities. If she said no, she'd be a disappointment to her parents. If she said yes, she feared she would disappoint the Autobots. She didn't want to say yes! She barely knew Riku, so she couldn't marry him. She hugged herself tight. She looked at Jack who seemed to be panicking. Vogal noticed her. He started to shout at her, marching over to her. He was screaming questions at her. Miko frowned. Her mind was already in a blurr, unable to translate the English. She frowned as she tried to make sense of the foreign tongue. She just knew he was angry, he was coming at her. She felt herself panic and she stumbled back. Falling. She hissed in pain as her butt hit the sharp pebbles. Then Vogal fell, face down. Jack stood there, his fist hanging in the air. He had punched Vogal in the back of the head. He took deep breaths. His eyes snapped down to Miko. He ran to her. He hugged her as he helped her stand up. Her heart was racing.
"Hey, you okay?" Jack called. Miko swallowed. She was slow to translate. She nodded and gave a thumbs up. But he could see how panicked, how overstimulated and tired she was. He looked around. The noises of the battle intensified. Jack looked at the train. He looked back at Miko.
"I have an idea." Jack took her hand. He led her into the train. Jack stood at the controls. Miko just stood beside him. She felt her mind just shut down. She decided she wanted to go home. She watched as Jack pulled at the levels. They both watched as the train shuddered forward and slowly headed towards the fight. They turned across the curve, they saw two mechs fighting. Knockout and Bumblebee. Arcee had just finished off an Insecticon. Jack ran to the window of the train. He shouted down to the two-wheeler.
"Get Bumblebee off the track and Knockout on it!" He shouted. Arcee paused. She looked at Jack and smiled, she gave a thumbs up. She joined the fight, saying what she needed to at the scout. Bee looked over to the train. He nodded. The three fought and it was like tug-of-war. Jack frowned as he started to pull the levers. Miko looked at him.
"You're going to ram Knockout with the train!?" Miko shouted. Jack swallowed. He nodded as he shrugged. He looked back at her.
"One of us has to be reckless." He nodded as he talked. Miko blinked in surprise. She smiled a little. She grabbed the horn and gave Jack the thumbs up. He nodded back to her with a smirk. They both watched and waited. Then they heard a shout. Miko turned to see the Vogel dude. Jack spun around and fell. The train jerked forward, causing Vogel to fall forward again. Jack took a step back. He watched as the train sped up. It was faster and faster. The two humans watched as they sped towards the Cybertronians. Miko yanked the horn, making the train scream. Arcee turned and dove out the way. But the two larger mechs were busy fighting for the relic. They fell forward and the relic attached to Bumblebee's wrist. Miko yelled as Bee stood, but the train made contact with him. She screamed as the mech fazed through the train. They watched a blue aura glow where the train and Bee made contact. Miko and Jack turned to look ahead. Just in time for them to see Knockout's faceplate. He looked shocked. So were they. Knockout did not phase through the train, no he was hit. The humans covered their ears as the train screamed and screeched. The aston martin's body rolled as it was pushed forward. This continued until the train came to a stop. Knockout laid on his stomach.
Miko stuck her head out of the train. She shouted the scouts name, said scout just stood there as surprised as the others. Arcee walked up to them. She smiled as she looked at Bumblebee. Jack stepped off the train. He stared up at Bee.
"Mh. Phase shifter. Handy to go through solid objects or objects to go through you." Arcee explained. Jack tilted his head as he examined the relic. Miko jumped out of the window. She stood near the train. She groaned. Her anxiety and depression made her feel nauseous as she did so. She just smiled as she looked at the mech, boy and femme. Then a howl of disgust and pain came from behind her. Miko spun around as the train was pushed back, Bee caught it. Knockout stood there, snarling. He was badly damaged, all cosmetic injuries. He snarled as he looked at the two Autobots.
"You scratch my face! I scratch yours!" Arcee looked at Miko and transformed her servo into a blaster. Bumblebee copied and they pointed the charged blasters at Knockout. The mech glanced down, following Arcee's gaze. He saw Miko. She stumbled. Her body was too tired from all the stress to make a real attempt at fleeing. Knockout smirked and suddenly snatched her up. Arcee shouted her name. Miko screamed as she kicked and struggled.
"Fine! You take my relic, I take your human!" Knockout transformed. Miko watched metal shift around her. She felt sick as it all spun and shifted. She fell into a fake leather seat, the passenger seat. She looked around and saw the tinted windows, the black interior and red lights. She looked over to see the Decepticon symbol on his steering wheel. She jumped up, but the seatbelt hissed and spun around her. She cried out as it tied her down in the chair. The engine roared. Miko felt her body being pressed into the seat as they shot off, down the train tracks. She could hear blaster fire, just falling short of the mech. Knockout grunted as he swerved but kept driving.
Miko felt her heart pounding in her ears. She had been kidnapped by the Decepticons. She looked around, looking at the rearview mirrors. She was being taken away from the Autobots, from Nevada… From Riku's visit. She felt sick at how relieved she felt. Like being happy that you don't have to take a test because the teacher got sick. It was a bad scenario, it was a bad thing. But there was some happiness that came from it. Miko couldn't be forced to meet him, she couldn't be forced to marry him if she was a war hostage. Her shoulders dropped and she leaned against the seat. She just stared at her lap. She sobbed. She couldn't help herself. Her mind was spiralling downwards, she fell and sunk into a black ocean. She sunk further and further away from the light, until she hit the dim, almost grey bottom. Sand of depression being kicked up, surrounding her. She heard the blasters cease but the car engine continued.
Miko wasn't sure how far they travelled. She wasn't sure how long she had cried. She wasn't sure where they were. All she knew was that she was pulled out of her day dream by Knockout clearing his throat. She blinked, her eyes stung, she blinked and let her eyes tear up to stop them from drying up. She looked away from her lap, hissing from the sting of how bright the sky was. She let her eyes readjust. She looked up at the sky. They were out of the tunnels, driving in a forested area. She looked around the interior of the car, dazed and confused. Knockout tutted and then cleared his throat louder this time. Miko looked back at the steering wheel. She tried to ask 'What', but a dull noise escaped her. It sounded like a grunt or moan. Knockout went quiet at her attempt to speak. He grumbled a bit before speaking.
"Finally out of that brain dead coma I see. Mh." He grunted. Miko just looked away. She watched the road before them. Miko watched the clouds roll by, she watched the trees whizz past. They were all tall spruce trees, "Now. You're going to be a good human, yes? Lord Megatron will have my helm for not returning with the relic- You my dear are going to fix that." Of course. Of course she would be handed over to Megtatron. It was only natural. She would be given to Megatron and then used a bargaining chip or whatever. She didn't have the energy to protest. She just nodded and stared out the window. So either she was a war captive or a forced wife. What a grand life she had?
Knockout cleared his throat. He called the Nemesis, requesting a Groundbridge back. Miko shuddered. She looked at the review and saw no Autobots chasing them. The Autobots weren't chasing Knockout? Did they not want to get her back? Weren't they going to save her? She felt her stomach turn. She would have hugged herself if she wasn't bound. Miko stared at the mirror, she waited to see a motorcycle or a sports car. But none came. Miko felt tears roll down her cheeks. She couldn't wipe them away. She just sniffled. Miko heard radio static, Knockout got his response, she couldn't understand what was being said. Knockout sped up. Miko whimpered as they travelled. She cleared her throat, and she put concentration into speaking. She had to focus to speak English, she had to focus to make the words sound like words. Miko took a deep breath and then she spoke, "Are you going to torture me like you did with Fowler? With the energon rods?" Her voice was cracking. Knockout hummed. He hummed and sighed as he mockingly considered her question. He slowed down and sped up as he hummed. He chuckled and then he spoke.
"No promises kid! That's Megatron's choice. Maybe if you're nice, he'll just throw you into a cage and let you rot in the corner." Knockout cackled. Miko just took the information in. He was joking but he had some right points. If Miko just nodded and did whatever Megatron wanted, he may decide to be kinder to her. She fished information from the back of her mind. Megatron enjoyed having his ego stroked, but he also enjoyed someone who had a spine and remained loyal to themself. Miko never liked kiss-assing. But she didn't want to be electrocuted by energon. Maybe if she was nice, he would keep her long enough so her parents ever forgot about the arranged marriage. Miko closed her eyes. Knockout sped up again. Miko opened an eye to see a Groundbridge yawn to life. She stared at the glowing purple, green and blue vortex.
One last sob escaped Miko. She was really the Decepticons captive. She was really going to the Nemesis. Her head hung low. She went quiet, accepting her fate. The Aston Martin shot through the Groundbridge, straight to Miko's doom. The human felt nauseous as they drove through the portal. The Groundbridge stayed open, on the lonely New York road. It stayed open as the other one came to life. A green, large jeep-like truck shot from it. He was weak and tired. He had just experienced the full effects of Tox-En. He abandoned it to save her.
Bulkhead transformed, he spun around and that was when he noticed the portal a few hundred feet away. His mouth fell open, his jaw slack. He ran, as fast as his limping body could take him. But once he got about eighty feet to the Groundbridge. It shut. Vanishing into thin air. He stared in horror at the nothingness. He felt weak, he felt weak inside his spark chamber. Miko… His girl, she was gone. He felt tears come to his optics.
A motorbike and sports car appeared over the hill. They transformed and found the wrecker just standing there, he had his servos on his midsection, looking around like a lost child. He didn't even notice them as they approached. Arcee was quick to realise that they were Miko-less. Bumblebee's door opened and Jack sprinted out. He sprinted past Arcee and to Bulkhead. He was red in the face.
"Where is she!? Where is Miko!?" Jack shouted. Bulkhead was mumbling to himself. He didn't even notice the human. It became most evident when he took a step, not caring that he almost crushed the poor boy. Jack fell back, somehow managing to stay on his feet. Arcee placed a hand on Bulkhead's arm. He spun around and looked down at her. His entire frame was shaking.
"She's gone… I came- And the Groundbridge was wide open and then it shut when I got near the back of it- But it… It closed before I could get to them and she's gone. Arcee… Miko is gone." Bulkhead sobbed. Lubricant as the Cybertronians called it, ran down his cheeks. Jack was frozen at the news. No… No, Miko couldn't be! They were right behind Knockout!
They were right behind Knockout till those train tracks. He broke the barrier and shot past. Arcee almost didn't stop in time.
Jack looked at Bumblebee, the Scout was whining and buzzing. Arcee's focus was on Bulkhead. The wrecker was inconsolable. He cried his optics out. It was the first time any of them had seen the wrecker cry. It was a startling sight. Bulkhead seemed to have always seen the good in everything, he saw the light at the end of the tunnel. But right now, he was full of despair and pain. He was like a mourner at a funeral. A few moments from throwing himself on the casket. Arcee commed back to base. Only Agent Fowler was there. On the way there, they had sent a team wide alert. Wheeljack luckily had Ratchet to calm him down. Optimus was stoic and Bulkhead… Well Bulkhead lost it. He completely abandoned his mission and came straight to New York. Agent Fowler had made calls to see if anyone had spotted Miko and Knockout. It was how they found out which road he had taken after the train tracks.
Arcee pressed two digits to her audio receptor, she activated her coms' and called for a Groundbridge back to base.
"Did you get her back?" Fowler called. He sounded excited. He expected them to have Miko with them, cracking jokes at Jack's expense or she was being carried by Bulkhead. But Arcee just shook her helm. She whispered her reply as to not upset Bulkhead even further. The disappointment in Fowler's 'oh' reaction at the news. He muttered an answer and a Groundbridge opened beside them. Jack and Bumblebee entered first. Arcee placed a servo on Bulk's back. The mech looked down at her.
"Come on Bulkhead. Let's head home." Arcee rubbed his back and they walked into the Groundbridge. The base was empty and quiet. Jack was sitting on the couch, his head in his hands. Fowler stood on the platform beside the computers. He stared at the Cybertronians. Bulkhead sat on the floor, his back pressed against the platform. He was curled into a ball. Arcee and Bee stood with him. Rubbing his back and trying to give words of condolences. Jack just sat on the couch, staring at the black T.V.
One moment Miko was there, with them and the next, she was gone to the Nemesis. They had gotten the relic, but at what cost? Miko was worth so much more than some phase shifter. Jack knew that, he hoped the Autobots would too. He looked at the relic, he would trade all the Iacon relics they had to get her back. Raf, Miko and him, they were a trio. One without the others just did not feel right. Fowler looked at the boy. He just nodded to him and then went back to the computer. The others were still out there, searching for the other relics. They couldn't lose anymore.
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Miko had her eyes screwed shut. Knockout had handed her off to some Vehicon. The Vehicon had placed her in a small cylinder cage. He held her, waiting outside the bridge. She could hear Megatron roaring and shouting. He was enraged. He was stamping. Miko felt her heart sink. She rubbed her hands together. Mentally she was preparing herself, she had come up with a plan. As much as she hated it, she had to show 'respect' to Megatron. She had to call him 'Lord' and all that. She had to be polite. From the shouting Miko guessed there were a few people in there. The Vehicon just stood there, ready to come in at Knockout's command. He didn't look at her, he didn't talk to her. She liked it that way.
Meanwhile inside of the Bridge. Megatron was marching up and down the walkway. He didn't dare face his commanders. They stood shoulder to shoulder, closest to the door was Knockout. The red mech was badly damaged, scratched up, almost all paint gone. Knockout and then Dreadwing and then Soundwave and finally Hardshell. The newest recruit. Megatron turned as he walked from Knockout to Harshell. Megatron was enraged. Soundwave and Hardshell were the only two to come back with something and that piece of scrap bug returned with Tox-En! They couldn't use that, it was more of a liability then something that gave them the upper hand.
"How is this possible!? Four relics within our grasp… Yet Soundwave is the only one to return with anything of benefit?!" Megatron roared. He watched the Decepticons shudder and pull back. All bar Knockout. The mech was just smirking and tilting his helm back and forth. He seemed to be happy. Megatron stared at him. He snarled and turned to the Doctor. That cocky, narcissistic… Megatron stormed towards the mech. Knockout noticed this, he was afraid as he looked up at the warlord. He took a step back and bowed his helm.
"What is it Knockout!? You're empty handed as well." Megatron jabbed a claw into Knockout's chest. The medic grunted. He looked at the Warlord, he lifted up his servo, gesturing for the Warlord to calm down. Megatron just snarled and slammed his pede down on the ground. Knockout yelped and jumped back. Knockout sighed.
"I am in fact not empty handed! Quite the opposite!" Knockout placed his digits to his com'. Megatron arched an eyebrow. He felt some relief if the medic was truthful. Knockout bowed and gestured to the door. All the Commanders turned. The door hissed open and a Vehicon approached. In his servo, in a swinging cage, there was a human. The human girl, the wrecker's charge. Megatron's optics widened as he smirked. He looked at his commanders, he watched as Knockout took the cage from the Vehicon. He heard Dreadwing gasp. He could hear Hardshell click and growl as the two other mechs slowly took steps to face the human. Knockout was so pleased with himself, it was almost irritating.
Miko was curled in the cage. She watched the Vehicon stand up straight. There was a noise coming from his com' and the shouting had gone silent. Miko knew what was about to happen. She knew where this was going. She sat up slightly. They entered the room and Miko felt like a zoo animal. The Decepticons were staring down at her. She watched Megatron go from furious to a devious smirk. She held her breath as Knockout took her from the Vehicon. The Vehicon left. Miko felt so alone and scared. She knew the danger she was in. But she also knew the plan she had. She took a deep breath and remained how she was. She sat straight up, and looked around. It was obvious she had been crying, she couldn't hide that. But she wouldn't cry again. Not in front of Megatron. Knockout bowed, holding her cage up to Megatron.
"I have captured the Autobots pet!" He announced. Megatron grunted. He snatched the cage away from Knockout. Miko winced as the cage swung from this. Knockout folded his arms behind his back and smiled up at the Warlord, "She is yours my lord, whatever you wish to do." Megatron tutted. He held up Miko, turning the cage ever so slightly to examine her. She felt pin-pricks cover her arm and back. But she just kept her head held up high.
"Your the wreckers charge… I never forget a face, especially one that has threatened me as bravely as you did." Megatron hummed. He gave her a smirk, smiling down at her. He had a mock kindness about him. Miko remembered that day easily. She took a deep breath. It was time to deploy her plan. She nodded and spoke, not shouting but loud enough for Megatron to clearly hear her, "I am… Lord Megatron. Yeah." Miko felt her ears burn as she spoke. Megaton stopped tilting the cage. She looked at his shocked faceplate. He then chuckled, placing a servo on his hips. Miko didn't take her eyes off of him. She didn't want to look at any of the other 'Cons. She felt somewhat better if she pretended he was the only 'Con there.
"Mh. You're a lot more timid than I remember." He leaned in closer. Megatron opened the cage. Miko shuddered as he reached down and scooped her up. She squirmed in his digits. But he held her tightly, squeezing her. She yelped and stopped squirming. Megatron handed the cage back to Knockout as he held her up. He tilted his helm back and forth. Miko was aware that he could easily crush her if he so wished. She just put on a brave face and smiled up at the mech. The warlord paused at that. He examined her smiling face. Her tear stained eyes, her pale skin, her shaking hands. He had been doing this for long enough to see when someone was faking their confidence. He also realised that she was hiding something else, even deeper than some fear. Megatron gestured for Soundwave to approach. The purple mech silently stalked over. Miko watched his screen come to light, camera footage appeared. Miko remembered where it came from.
They all saw a photo. Her, Raf and Jack. The others looked terrified however Miko was smiling at the mech. Taking a photo of the mech back. She held her phone up and was aiming it straight at the camera. Miko frowned as she looked at the photo and then back at Megatron.
"Now where did that brash human go? You show no fear… But now, mh. I have to say I'm disappointed." Megatron scratched at his chin. Miko was getting flustered, she knew it. She turned away, looking down at the floor. She regretted it. She felt sick when she realised how high up she was. She stared down at the floor. Megatron grunted. He was expecting an answer from her. Miko looked back up at him. She swallowed as she bowed her head to the mech.
"Last time I didn't have the threat of an energon electrocution hanging over my head…" Miko admitted. She looked back at Knockout. A new plan came to her head. She frowned but then sighed. She put a neutral expression on her face as she looked up at Megatron. The mech tilted his helm back. He looked at the human and hummed, "So Knockout has informed you of your possible fate? Mh." Megatron looked at the red medic. He smiled up at his Master. He shrugged as he looked up at the Warlord. He looked back down at the human. Miko glanced at Knockout, but then just looked back at Megatron. She looked at his chestplate. She needed to keep her eyes on him.
"Yes Lord Megatron." Miko hugged herself. She looked back up at Megatron's faceplate, he had an eyebrow raised. Miko then shouted, "And you can't torture me either!" She pointed out. Megatron paused at that. He held Miko up to be optic level with him.
"Oh and why is that?" He was curious where the human was going. Miko cleared her throat.
"When your ship went haywire! It was me and the others who saved your sorry afts!" She explained. The Decepticons went quiet at this. Surprised by this. Only Jack had been spotted by Knockout, "We're the ones who drained the ship of Dark energon- You owe me!" She added. Megatron turned to Soundwave. The mech stepped up and his screen came to light. The Warship security cameras showed the three humans running around. The camera showed Miko and Raf distracting the ship as Jack climbed to the lever. Megatron snorted. He cackled. Miko cried out as she was shook as he laughed.
"My, my! Those who save the Decepticon cause are the Autobots' pets! Now the pet that calls me 'Lord'... Very well, you will stay here on the Bridge with me." Megatron put her back into the cage. Miko stared up at him. He smiled down at her as he closed the lid. She took a few deep breaths. She had a feeling the fact she was calling him 'Lord' Megtaron was going to be used against her. Knockout took a step forward, he was ready to take her away. Instead Megatron turned away from the mech. He walked to the main, centre console on the Bridge. Miko looked around confused.
Megatron looked at Soundwave. The mech nodded and followed the warlord. Megatron set Miko's cage down on the desk. She was a desk ornament right now. Then again, she was sure that was a better fate than being electrocuted. She closed her eyes, leaning against the glass wall. Megatron turned to Soundwave. The mech nodded, kneeling down. Miko came face to face with his screen. She opened her eyes and stared up at him. Soundwave nodded and took a photo of her. She jumped at this, Soundwave stood up. The photo of her in the cage was still on his screen. Megatron looked at the photo. He nodded in approval.
"Good, give the Autobots some time and then we'll send the ransom. How many relics do you think you are worth?" Megatron glanced at Miko. She stayed silent. She wasn't sure if she knew the answer. Honestly, she felt like she was worth nothing. Then again the longer she stayed here, the further away the arranged marriage was. Miko just closed her eyes. Her mind was blurry and she felt so tired. Maybe she could sleep through this. She curled into a ball, head tucked into her arms and knees. She tried to zone out. It was easy enough. Miko fell asleep. Her mind and body were exhausted.
Megatron frowned as he looked down. He noticed the human was asleep. How strange. Just captured and she could relax enough to fall asleep? Megatron turned back to Knockout. The medic took a step forward and smiled.
"The human, she is quite timid and drained. Was she like this when you captured her?" Megatron remembered Miko from quite a few previous incidents. He knew this was far from what she usually was like. The young girl had shouted and threatened him before, having to be dragged away by a different human. But now she seemed like the complete opposite. Knockout shrugged as he looked at the human.
"She was silent throughout the entire drive. She just kind of… Stared at her lap and cried. Took me a while to get her to even respond to me. Why do you ask?" Knockout looked back at the Warlord. Megatron went quiet as he examined her. He tilted the cage, Miko moved but did not wake. He looked back at Knockout.
"That is none of your concern," Megatron turned to the other soldiers. Hardshell, Dreadwing and Soundwave, "You are all dismissed!"
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The base was busy. It was in a rush. Optimus frowned as Ratchet treated Bulkhead for his Tox-En exposure. Arcee was telling them what had happened. June had rushed over to the base to check on Jack. He couldn't resist a hug from his mum right now. Bumblebee paced up and down the main room. Optimus looked at Arcee.
"So Miko is truly a captive of the Decepticons, worrying." Optimus crossed his arms. He closed his optics as he tried to think of a simple solution. But he was sure there was only one option for Miko's safety. A thought was in the back of everyone's mind. The thought that Miko was being tortured as they stood there. No one wanted to vocalise it. No one wanted to talk about it. No one wanted to think about it, but the thoughts still came. Optimus had to just sit there, stoic and quiet. While inside of his processor, he could only see and hear Miko screaming while Megatron loomed above her. But he would never tell the others. He couldn't. They needed faith in him. He could not destroy that. He sighed as he tried to think of the best way to get her back. The option was clear. They'd have to trade a relic for her, "I'll see if I can contact the Nemesis." Optimus turned to the console. Bulkhead groaned as he rubbed at his helm.
"I can't believe it, she's just gone! Just like that…" Bulkhead held his helm in his servos. Arcee nodded. She shifted her weight from one pede to another. Something had been bothering her.
"Miko didn't run either. When Knockout was standing beside her, she didn't even seem to notice him." Arcee rubbed at her helm. The others paused at this. Optimus turned to Arcee, his optics wide.
"The kid let herself be captured!?" Fowler shouted. Arcee shrugged as she looked at them all. The idea that Miko would willingly go with a Decepticon. Miko was an Autobot, true and true. She was a Wrecker! But Arcee had no reason to lie or exaggerate. Jack frowned. He pulled out of his mother's arms and walked to the edge of the platform. He cleared his throat, freeing the noise of tears and pain from his throat before he spoke. Arcee turned to her charge. She was so thankful he was safe, he was still here. The relief in her spark was almost unbearable. Jack looked at Optimus and then to Fowler. He spoke finally.
"Maybe she's trying to run from the arranged marriage?" The sentence dropped like a penny. Bulkhead snapped his helm at Jack. He stared at the human. He then turned to Arcee. If Arcee had blood it would have drained from her faceplate. She looked at Optimus. Who had walked away from the console.
"Jack? What arranged marriage?" June walked up to her son. Placing a hand on his back. Jack closed his eyes and sighed. He hated to talk about anyone's business. But Miko was in danger from two sides. He didn't want her to get back from the Decepticons just to be taken from them again by the arranged marriage. It was a horrid idea, it made him feel sick. Jack looked up at his mother and then looked back at Optimus.
"Miko's parents. They're trying to force her to marry some guy because his parents are super rich. That's why she's so off today… And they can't exactly force her to marry someone if she's not even on world." Jack rubbed at the back of his head. Bulkhead's shoulders fell. He looked at Optimus. He stood up. Despite Ratchet's barks and protests, Bulkhead limped over to the platform Jack stood on.
"Miko's being taken away? What?... Why didn't she tell us!?" Bulkhead turned to Optimus. The Prime placed a servo on his back. The wrecker was panicking. Optimus frowned. The news of Miko's capture was disturbing enough but now on top of that, they had the news of an arranged marriage. Optimus could only pray to Primus that either way, the young girl would be safe and free.
"I had to force it out of her." Jack sighed. He had tears in his eyes, but he was quick to wipe them away.
"Because to say it, would make it true." Optimus explained. He sighed, bowing his helm, "Our first priority is to assure Miko's safe return home. I will try to contact the Nemesis." Optimus left the group and returned to the consol. Bulkhead growled. He pounded his fists together. He let Ratchet take him back to the medical bay.
"First I'll beat the scrap out of Mega-bum and then out of that creep trying to marry Miko!" Arcee and Bumblebee laughed at this declaration. Ratchet tutted as he did another scan on Bulkhead.
"Not until I discharge you! You are far from battlefield ready." Ratchet warned. Bulkhead grunted. Jack looked at Arcee who just shrugged. She looked back at Optimus who was busy trying to contact the warship.
While the Autobots should have been celebrating. They could not bring themselves to do so, for while they had their relics. They missed their dear human. Wheeljack came down from his ship, he had planned just to fly off but then the call came through. He patted Bulkhead on the back and then walked up to Optimus.
"Find anything chief?" He placed both hands on his hips. Optimus glanced down at the freelancer. He sighed and shook his head. He gestured to the screen. Both Cybertronians saw the exact same thing. Two missed calls. The calls were going through and just not being picked up. Optimus clenched his fist and looked back at Wheeljack. He spoke calmly, "It seems Megatron will only talk in his own time." They both frowned. Wheeljack looked at the others, he leaned in close to Optimus and whispered.
"Think they're doing something to the kid and that's why they're not answering?" Optimus sighed. He was glad someone was able to vocalise the darker thoughts he couldn't. He nodded and leaned in close to Wheeljack.
"I fear that they are harming Miko. The more desperate we are, the more likely we are to give away more and more valuables." Optimus explained. Wheeljack nodded. He looked at the screen as Optimus tried to call the Nemesis again. Wheeljack looked at the others who were talking amongst themselves. He then turned back.
"The more banged up the kid gets… She will slowly give in… You don't think they'll try to get the base location from her?" Wheeljack looked at the Prime. Optimus paused. He had not considered that. He swallowed what bile came up. His tank felt like it was churning. He watched as another call went unanswered. He felt his spark get colder and colder in panic.
"... I don't know." It was the terrifying truth. The Prime, with the wisdom of the original thirteen, didn't know. He was unsure about Miko's future. If the Decepticons would show her mercy. If her family would show her mercy. If he could save her from the Warlord. If he could save her from the marriage.
Optimus did not know. So he just called again… Waiting for an answer that would never come.