CHAP 18

Just a little further, Sari encouraged herself as she slowly climbed up the steeply sloping wall toward the exit. Just a few more feet and you're home free.

The girl had nearly reached the exit when her ears picked up a scraping sound coming from below. She looked over her shoulder, her eyes locking onto the coffin. It sounded like Nos-4-a2 was moving around inside it. Don't wake up, she begged, her heart pounding. Please don't wake up.

The sounds continued for a bit longer then stopped. She waited, expecting something else to happen, like him to open the lid and look right at her. It didn't happen. The vampire in the coffin remained still. She sighed. Maybe he had just been changing position.

Now if only fang face can stay asleep for a little longer, she thought lifting her head and focusing her eyes on the exit. At least until I am far away from this creepy place.

The ledge was just inches away. She crawled forward, carefully checking her balance. She didn't want to get this far then lose her footing and slide back down into that hell pit. She was getting out, not matter she was close enough she reached up to grab the ledge. The scraping sound from before started up again, this time louder. That could only mean one thing. He was waking up!

Sari panicked. She grabbed at the edge with both hands but missed. Her feet slipped and her balance was lost. She plunged toward the floor, screaming.

The techno organic girl feel for a few seconds longer until she slammed onto something smooth and metallic. She grunted on impact then bounced off, crashing to the corpse covered floor. She fought her way out of the mess, creating quite a racket as she did so until a much louder sound met her ears. She froze, her eyes locking onto the coffin which she realized had been the thing she'd landed on.

Uh oh. There was no way Nos-4-a2 would have slept through all that noise. She heard him moving around again inside the casket and then the lid started to open. A few seconds later Nos-4-a2, looking a bit groggy, sat up and looked down at her. Their eyes met..

Sari gasped. I'm dead! I am so dead!

An eternity passed

But what he said to her was a total surprise. "Would you mind keeping it down!?" he demanded. "I have a horrible processor ache and I would be happy if you stopped making such a racket!"

"P-processor Ache?!" she exclaimed.

"Shut up!" he yelled, grabbing his head. he groaned. "Oh why did you have to do that? Do you want me to-" he cut himself off. Sari noticed he suddenly looked sick. "Oh.." he moaned, resting his head in her hands. "I don't feel well at all."

The girl couldn't believe what she was seeing. a Robot with a hangover and sick? What kind of oil has he been drinking? High grade energon?

He glared at her. "This.. this is your fault!" he suddenly accused, pointing a shaky finger at her as he pulled himself out of the coffin. Thanks to all he noise he wasn't going to get anymore sleep. He might as well get up and face this thing. "You and your-" he lost his grip and fell, crashing to the floor in front of her, landing on a bed of spare parts.

She stared, watching him as he tried to get up but whatever made him hover wasn't working and all he could do was push himself up with his hand. He rubbed his head, glaring at her. "Why are your eyes so bright?" he snapped, squinting. "Can't you dim those things?"

"Uh.. excuse me?"

"Hush!" he yelled. "Stop talking so loud! What is wrong with you? Don't you understand English?"

She fell silent but not because he told her to but because she was too weirded out to say anything else. Yup, definitely a hang over.

Nos-4-a2 continued to glare at her as he rubbed his aching head and tried to sit up properly. To do that he had to roll over which was humiliating, with his prisoner watching him. What was she thinking? His eyes focused on her neck. Below the fang marks her dress was stained purple. Her blood.. all that energy. All that delicious alien energy. This was her fault he felt this way. He would have to punish her for it.

Once his head stopped pounding.

Zurg summoned in a Grub to deactivate the magnets holding Shadowstar to her cot. Once she could move again she sat up and punched the hornet that had come in with the bug. It went flying outside of the cell and crashed into the wall on the other side of the room. "Primus, that felt good," she said, rubbing her fist as the Grub shivered then dashed out of the room. She grinned, watching it flee. That's right, insect. Flee because you're next.

Zurg stared at the broken and smoking hornet for a moment. "Oh my. Temper temper," he stated, looking at her as she stood and headed towqard him. "What would your mother think?"

"I don't have a mother," she said, stepping out of the cell. "I don't have a father either."

"Of course not, you're a robot."

"Where I come from that doesn't matter," she informed him.

He looked startled. "Where you come from?" he asked. In all the time he had her there he hadn't given any thought of where this energy vampire was built or who had built her. What was the name of her home planet? "Where would that be?"

"It's in important," she told him, walking toward the door. The fembot vampire didn't want to talk about it. Her homeworld wasn't any of Zurg's business. "Why don't you just tell me what you want me to do so I can get going?"

Zurg followed her out of the room. He was frowning. "Don't give me an attitude, young lady," he said to her, thinking he'd better exercise his authority. "Just remember I can put you back in that cell."

She looked at him, not the least bit intimidated by his threat. "But you won't." she stated. "and we both know it."

"Well you're right about that," he consented, looking taken aback. "But only because I need you."

She smiled. "Yes, you do need me. I'm the only one who can go against that guy and defeat him."

"Well you and Buzz Lightyear."

This was a name she had never heard before. "Who is Buzz Lightyear?" she questioned.

"Only the greatest Space Rangers in the galaxy," he replied, looking angry. He clenched a fist and punched the wall. " and the biggest thorn in my side! That stupid space ranger ruins all my plans but not this time! I'll show him!"

The fembot watched him as he ranted, amused by his reaction to her question. Whoever this Buzz Lightyear was he sure seemed to have some kind of hold on this guy. Space Rangers. They sound like the good guys. she thought. If they're the good guys that means Prowl and his freak pet might try to team up with them. Hopefully that hasn't happened. I don't want another thing standing in the way of my revenge, especially more stupid wannabes. It's bad enough I have to deal with that stupid vampire I would go crazy if I had take care of these space rangers out too.

But she knew nothing about space rangers. Maybe this guy did though. Of course he did. He was the universes bad guy.. more or less. She was just having a hard time taking him seriously.

"Zurg," she said trying to get his attention as he glared at the wall, panting.

"What?" he demanded, looking at her.

"Before I head out why don't you tell me a thing or two about these space rangers?"

Aware of the fact that Sari had already been bitten thanks to the cyber ninja's empathetic link, Prowl and the Space Rangers grew more serious as they continued following the trail of the energy vampire. Every once in awhile they came upon another drained robot which only served as a reminder of their mission. The city was big and hours passed without much luck besides finding dead robot shells lying on the ground. Prowl looked up at the sky which was beginning to lighten.

Day was coming and still no luck. Prowl had tried to use the link again but he felt nothing which meant Sari was either unconscious or not in any danger. Not in any danger? She was the prisoner of an energy vampire! She'd be in danger until they got her back.

That leaves the question. If Nos-4-a2 does make her his slave will I become one too because I'm linked to her?

Okay it's called Empathy not shared pain, though I did feel her pain... maybe because I've gone through it myself. It's very unlikely that just because she might become his servant that I will too.

That bothered him. If that was true would he feel it if another machine he knew was bitten? He looked down at XR was who was walking beside him. If Nos-4-a2 decided to snack on him would he feel that as well? Probably not because he didn't know him very well and they hadn't established a link. The cyber ninja didn't realize he was staring until, XR asked. "Why are you staring at me like that?"

Prowl jumped. "I uh.. sorry," he apologized, looking away. "I was just thinking."

"About what?" he asked curiously.

"Nothing, it's not important."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

There was a silence then Prowl asked him, changing the subject completely. "Can you tell me why your friend Booster is acting so strangely?"

"What do you mean by strangely?"

"Well..," the cyber ninja looked back at the red alien space ranger. He would have to be careful what he said. He knew that Booster and XR were best friends and he didn't want to offend the other robot by making assumptions. "I noticed he seemed strangely happy when I said Sari and I weren't together then when I mentioned the possibility that she might be under Nos-4-a2's control he started getting violent and said some strange things.."

"Oh that," XR said. To the cyber ninja's surprise he laughed and waved it off. "Don't worry about that. He's just crushing."

This was a surprise. "Crushing?"

"Yeah, he's got a crush on your friend," the robot replied. "I'm surprised you didn't notice. It's rather obvious."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why does he have a crush on her?" Prowl asked him. "He barely knows her and Sari hasn't exactly been all that nice to any of you..."

XR shrugged. "I don't know," he replied. "That's Booster for you."

The fact bothered him, though he didn't really know why. Why should it matter if Booster had a crush on her? It wasn't like she was going to share his feelings. Maybe that was it. He didn't want Booster's heart to be broken. He knew Sari wouldn't share the other alien's feelings. Maybe he won't tell her. He looked back at the red alien again. I'd hate to see what would happen if he did.

Sari sat back and watched Nos-4-a2 with a strange fascination. He was crouched over slightly, still holding his head and moaning like he had the worst migraine ever. She'd never seen a robot with a hangover before. But what would cause a robot to get a hangover in the first place?

I bet he got it from eating too much, she concluded. Like when the Autobots have too much of that weird high grade energon stuff and stagger around and talk all funny. It wouldn't surprise her in the least if other robots could get drunk too. But where would this guy get high grade, if that's what gave it to him?

An amusing though came to her. Maybe he's got some spiked oil stashed around here. Yeah he probably has some wild parties and once he gets his guests all good and drunk he eats them all and gets all trippy. she couldn't help herself from giggling. That would be a party to die for! She jumped, startled by her own morbid humor.

Nos-4-a2 looked at her with an annoyed expression. "Something funny?" he demanded.

"Oh no.." she said, trying to look innocent. "Nothing at all."

He continued to glare at her for a moment longer, seeming to be trying to decide whether to believe her or not then he looked away. She noticed he looked kind of.. sick?

Oh crap! Don't tell me he's going to-

The energy vampire suddenly turned his back on her and she heard a not so pleasant sound coming from him. Retching. She was familiar with that sound because her father made the same noise the day after he had cocktail parties.

Ew...

Finally he stopped making that noise and looked back at her, wiping his mouth off with his hand. He noticed the disgusted expression she wore and took offense. "What's that look for?"

"You are gross," she stated.

"Gross?!" he exclaimed, angrily. He got off the floor and hovered over her, his optics flashing angrily. "This is all your fault, you stupid wench! You and your energy with its alluring scent!"

My energy?! she had no idea what he was talking about but the answer came quickly. She'd done it. He must have gone trippy after he'd bitten her. She was responsible for his hangover. Interesting.

"Maybe next time you'll think twice before snacking on me!" she shouted. Serves you right, you creep! I'm glad I made you sick!

Shouting at him proved to be unwise. He struck at her, slapping her cheek hard enough to knock her over. "Don't give me your mouth, brat," he ordered as she sat back up, holding her reddening cheek. "I am still the one with the advantage here." he pointed into her face. "Don't think just because your energy did this that I am going to let you go. Oh no. I'm going to keep you here and there is nothing you can do about it."

"Keep me here and what?" she growled, the whole left side of her face stinging from the blow. She shouldn't have been so surprised. He was a villain and a jerk, of course he'd hit her. "Teach me a lesson? Are you going to drain my energy again? I dare you to. I hope it makes you feel worse than you already do, you stupid energy sucking poor excuse for a machine!"

He hit her again, harder this time, sending her flying into the side of his coffin. "Don't you ever talk to me with such disrespect again!"

"What are you going to do?" she demanded, glaring at him. Her entire right side hurt like heck. "Kill me? I dare you to try!" she pushed back her hair which had fallen out of her ponytail, revealing her neck. "Go ahead and bite me, you sick freak!"

Nos-4-a2 wanted to do just that. He could smell her energy from where he hovered. It was calling to him. He shook his head. "No," he said.

She looked surprised. She'd been hoping he would. If he did and passed out she could try to get away again and make sure he didn't stop her by tying the coffin shut.

He flew toward her and grabbed her face, turning it up so she was looking him right in the eyes. "You'd like that wouldn't you? Then while I'm out of it you'll use it as a chance to escape." he smiled. "I don't think so. I've got a much better idea."

It took Zurg quit awhile to explain everything to her because she'd stop him every once in awhile to ask questions. She could tell by the look on his face that he was annoyed by having to waste so much time telling her all of this. She sensed that he thought she should already know it all. But how could she? This wasn't her universe. It was his. At least he wasn't asking her why she wanted to know.

When he was finished he ended with. "But I am sure that you won't have to worry about the space rangers."

"I should hope not," she responded, folding her arms. "Though I wouldn't mind if I did, especially if they have a certain individual with them."

Her tsatement got him curious. "Eh and who would that be?" he questioned.

"Never mind," she said, waving him off. "You don't really need to know that."

But she'd peaked his curiosity. "Oh, come on," he prompted, moving closer to her, invading her personal space. "Who is it? Somebody important?"

She glared at him. "I said forget it!"

"Okay fine," he relented. "Venus, you must really be embarrassed about this person to react like that!"

"That's not it at all," she informed him. "It's just none of your concern who or what this person is. He isn't your problem so don't make it such."

"Okay fine, fine," he consented, shrugging. "Whatever you say. If you want to keep him to yourself then feel free to do so." then he questioned. "Is it your ex-boyfriend?"

"Argh!" she screamed, turning on him and throwing a punch. He ducked to avoid getting hit and her fist smashed into the wall.

"Oh dear," he said, looking up at the indent in the wall. "Touche touche."

"I told you to forget it," she growled at him, pulling away. "The least you could do is respect my wishes after what I'm doing for you."

Mira yawned hugely, covering her mouth with her hand. "Man, I'm tired," she stated, stretching her arms out wide. She looked up at the sky and saw the sun was starting to rise over the buildings. "It's morning already?!"

"It looks like it," Buzz replied, also looking fatigued. "and I don't think we're any closer to finding Nos-4-a2's lair."

"Well since it's morning maybe he'll go to sleep?" Mira suggested, rubbing her eyes. "Maybe we should wait until it gets dark before we look again. He goes out at night. So if we wait for sunset we can follow him when he comes out to feed."

That sounded like a plan. Buzz nodded. "Good idea."

But Prowl didn't want to rest. Being a robot he didn't get tired. He looked at the others. "I don't want to wait," he said. "If he sleeps during the day it would be wiser to keep looking while he's sleeping."

"We can't do that," Buzz told him. "Trade World is more active during the day we'll never be able to find him with all these people getting in our way."

"Plus I'm due for a recharge," XR spoke up.

The cyber ninja looked from one space ranger to another. They all looked tired and cranky. Something told him if he continued to argue they'd snap at him and he wouldn't win anyway. He sighed. "Fine." he consented. "We'll wait until dark."

There was nothing else he could do. He looked in the direction he thought Nos-4-a2's lair might be. I'm sorry. Please wait a little longer, Sari. Just a little longer. If you can don't allow him to drain anymore of you energy.

"Let's get a room," Buzz said, heading toward a nearby hotel.

Prowl followed not because he wanted to but because he had no other choice. Or maybe he did? Just because they needed to rest didn't mean he had to. "Go ahead," he told the space rangers.

Buzz and the others looked back at him. "What?" the human space ranger asked.

"You can all rest," he answered. "but I'm going to keep looking."

"In broud daylight?" Mira questioned, looking startled. "I don't now if that's a good idea. You might attract unwanted attention."

"I can take care of myself," he told her, not about to change his mind. "I've been doing it for millions of years. Besides," he added, turning away. "There really isn't anything in your universe I need to be worried about except for those energy vampires."

"Oh no," Buzz said. "you're not going to walk around the city by yourself."

"Are you going to come with me?" he asked him. "I thought you were tired and needed to rest."

"I am," Lightyear admitted. "I was referring to somebody else." he looked at XR. "Somebody who doesn't really need to get any sleep."

"Wait me!?" XR exclaimed, putting his hands on his chest. "You've got to be kidding! I need to recharge! I can't stay up all day long without at least a power nap!"

"Prowl can't search the city by himself, XR," Buzz replied, folding his arms. "It would be unprofessional to leave him alone in a city he is not familiar with. Besides-"

"Oh no!" XR cut him off. "There is no besides! I get what you mean. Well fine! I'll baby-sit the Autobot while you guys go up and lie on those comfortable beds." he cast a longing glance over toward the hotel. "I know when I'm not wanted."

"Oh don't start with the pity party, XR," Mira said. "It's not like we're trying to get rid of you or anything it's just that you're a machine so you don't really require sleep. I promise you that after this is all over you can recharge to your power cores content."

"Okay fine." he consented. "You'd just better have some good oil waiting for me when we get back." he wheeled over to Prowl. "Come on. Let's keep looking."

"I'm sorry," Prowl said, as they walked away. "I didn't intend for you to come with me."

"Yeah, sure sure whatever." XR said. he didn't want to talk about it. "Let's just keep looking."

A/N

Even if I only get one review per chapter I'm updating because that one review is worth it.