Dirty Little Secrets 6
Cornered
A Transformers Prime Fanfiction
:Warning: Violence and sexual content
Optimus was working steadily away at the computer consol when the comm. system buzzed red.
"This is Optimus Prime," he responded, "report."
*Three humans just accosted Jack in the garage,* Arcee's message scrolled across the screen in text. *They have him cornered but do not seem to recognize me as a threat. Hostile intentions assumed, correction, hostile intentions revealed.*
"I am on my way Arcee. Agent Fowler!*
The man shot up from the chair he was in at the tone and stood at attention.
"Prime?"
"Jackson is confronting three human aggressors at his domicile," the mech informed him calmly. "Please inform Nurse Darby."
"No."
Optimus looked at Fowler in surprise but the agent only shook his head as they moved towards the groundbridge.
"She's still busy with Miko," he explained, "and given what they are discussing she will be much happier if we forgo interrupting them and just make certain Jack is safe."
The Prime nodded and transformed. Fowler leapt into the cab and they tore through the ground bridge.
O
O
"I have no idea who you are talking about," Jack stated blue eyes flashing dangerously.
The large man facing him noted the way he was standing, the way his eyes darted around the room not frantic but analyzing, and most of all the lack of fear in his voice. He signaled his two cohorts to not underestimate this boy. But he did have a job to do. He stepped forward and leaned on the motorcycle, a pretty sweet ride for a lower middle class schlep like this Darby kid, crossed his mind. The kid took the violation of his personal space without flinching and glared evenly back at him.
"Just what we said. We're looking for a little whore. Tiny little Asian thing, dyes her hair pink, real friendly if you get my drift," he added with a leer.
The young man in front of him visibly fought down a retort, hands clenching and stretching on the blue paneling of the bike. He took a deep breath and looked him straight in the eye.
"I don't know anyone of that description."
The cold controlled fury in his eyes set off warning bells in the older man's head. This kid had far too much poise for his age. His reaction was perfect too; a very carefully worded denial.
"Well maybe this will stimulate your memory," goon number three growled, reaching into his jacket pocket.
His hand paused and he frowned as the boy tensed. Had the bike just moved? But he shrugged it off and carefully pulled out a stack of photographs. The lead goon stepped back and accepted the bundle. He undid the rubber band that held them together and tossed them onto the floor at Jack's feet. The boy looked down and felt a thrill of fear run through him.
Scattered over the concrete were dozens of pictures of Miko; some of them showed her alone, many included him and Raf, and others depicted her climbing into Bulkhead. He glanced up at the men and to their surprise his first responded was a low growl. Jack stepped forward leaning over Arcee and though any of the three facing the young man outweighed him they all stepped back in surprise.
"Where did you get these?"
"We're private detectives kid," the lead goon sneered, recovering from his surprise and stepping forward nearly touching noses with Jack. "It's what we do. Now we figure she won't be showing up at school but you know where she might be hiding out."
"Show me your license."
"What?"
"You're detectives you say? Show me your license!"
A bark of laughter came from goon number two.
"Listed kid," goon one growled. "What we have here is your basic runaway problem. That girl calling herself Miko? She's just a little slut who didn't want to obey Mommy and Daddy anymore. Now her parents want her back safe and sound and they hired us to find her. Now you can help or we can call the police on you for aiding and abetting a runaway minor and statutory rape."
Jack's eyes narrowed further and Arcee didn't need the heart monitor to tell her that he was overheating. She sent a quick prayer to Primus that Jack would keep his cool, and added she'd like to keep hers as well.
"What are you talking about?" he asked dangerously.
"See this one?" goon one bent down to pick up a picture of Miko smiling mischievously as she climbed into Bulkhead. "Any idea how much a rig like that costs?"
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"Forty to sixty grand kid. Now could some sixteen year old punk afford that? No way. That thirteen year old girl is riding around with some well to do middle aged shmuck, and what do you think she trades him for gas money?"
Jack snarled and lunged at the man only to have a well placed palm blow to his chest knock him backwards. An amused chuckle rippled through the goons.
"Look kid, we don't want trouble with you. We just want to do our job and get the little slut back to her parents. So, like we said, if you don't want to end up in court for being an accessory to statutory rape you'll tell us what you know."
There was a fire in Jack's blue-grey eyes that Arcee had never seen before. She wasn't entirely certain what the strange humans were accusing Miko of but it clearly infuriated her partner. Suddenly she senses a radio transmission and goon number three gave a small sign. Goon number one nodded and reached into his pocket.
"Think about what we've said kid, and one last thing, something to remember us by."
The cycle-bot had no idea what the human intended; the keys he held didn't look threatening but Jack reacted instantly, giving a shout and shoving his arm down between her side and the striking gesture the man made. The Autobot easily ignored the small tearing discomfort across her mesh but the cry of pain that Jack let out filled her with rage. Red, iron rich liquid dripped down to mingle with her energon as the men turned to leave.
"Like I said kid. Don't do anything stupid and you'll be fine. We'll be in touch."
The men slid out of the man door and left Jack clutching his torn forearm.
"Are you okay?"Jack and Arcee chorused, each trying to examine the other's injury.
"Raf," Jack suddenly said straightening.
"What?"
"If they came after me because I'm Miko's friend…"
"I'm on it."
*Bee! Do you have Raf with you? At a family function? Lots of witnesses around? Good. I'll explain later. Make sure you don't let him out of your sight.*
"Jack! You okay?" Fowler burst through the door hand hovering near a bulge under his coat.
"I'm fine, Arcee got keyed."
"He's bleeding Fowler," Arcee snapped. "Right arm."
"Arcee!"
"Let me look at it kid," the older man ordered. "I take it the jokers who did this left?"
"Yes they did. How's Jack?"
The special agent took the young man's arm with surprising tenderness and examined it.
"You'll be fine son. It's ragged but not deep, a lot of blood but not too much damage. Just go in and wash it off with soap and water. Come back out and I'll bandage you up. Don't look at me like that Jack. I may not be your mother but I do know basic first aid."
"Fowler," Jack said firmly, keeping pressure on the cut. "Look at that."
He gestured to the photos scattered across the floor.
"I see them Jack," the agent stated grimly, "I see them."
The young man left to follow his instructions and Fowler bent to pick up the pictures.
"Are you okay Arcee?" he asked glancing at the thin line of energon seeping out of her plating.
"I'm fine. What the Pit is going on Fowler?"
The man let out a tired sigh and he looked at the last picture of Miko. She was sitting on a park swing next to Jack, legs kicked out and head thrown back in joyful laughter; the image of a child without a care in the world. There was deep sadness in the man's voice as he replied.
"I'm afraid that's classified."