Dirty Little Secrets 7
Confusion
A Transformers Prime Fanfiction
:Warning: Violence and sexual content
"Primus help me! If he says that one more time I am going to forget everything Optimus ever told us about protecting humans!" Bulkhead snarled as he paced back and forth across the silo floor.
"Easy Bulkhead," Ratchet warned from where he was bending over Arcee. "Do remember that Fowler is working to protect Miko as well."
"But why won't he let her tell us what's going on?"
"What I want to know is why June is going along with this?" the blue femme wondered. "He is a government agent and might be under orders but why won't June let us do anything if Jack is in danger? It makes no sense."
"This isn't about Jack Arcee," the green mech griped. "Miko is the one freaking out here."
The conversation stalled as a cluster of humans came out of the medbay. Fowler and Jack were talking low and earnestly while June followed along sifting through her black bag.
"Bulkhead," she called out, "I have something for Miko. Can you go get her?"
"I thought she was with you?" the green mech replied nervously.
Ratchet turned silently to the consol and dialed her phone. The merry buzzing issued from the couch but no girl was to be found. June let out a sigh and rubbed her forehead tiredly.
"She probably got overwhelmed and wanted some alone time," the nurse explained.
"I'll go look for her," Jack offered.
"No!"
The young man stopped, startled by the intensity of his mother's reaction.
"Right now Miko wants to be alone," she stated firmly. "Do not intrude on that. She will come out when she is ready."
"Yes Mom," Jack replied softly, but Arcee could tell he desperately wanted to go to the girl.
"Hey," Bulkhead stepped forward and looked like he was about to confront Fowler again but the man spoke up before the mech could.
"I wanted all of you to know that in light of recent events a pair of undercover agents has been assigned to guard Rafael and Jack at all times for the next week. They will be operating covertly and do not have the clearance to know about you. Mainly they are there to observe. This shouldn't be an issue much longer."
"What shouldn't be an issue?" the green mech demanded.
"Bulkhead," Optimus's voice echoed through the silo, commanding silence.
The ex-Wrecker gave a low snarl and stormed off. Fowler shot the Prime and apologetic look before heading to the elevator.
O
O
In the furthest corner of the base she could find, flanked on one side by massive pipes humming with some internal power and a concrete wall on the other Miko sat curled into the smallest ball she could make. The nightmares were becoming real. Jack had been hurt because of her. She had been a fool to think she could escape her past. Not even the power of the Autobots could protect her. Maybe she should just give herself up to the Decepticons. They at least would kill her quickly and end the nightmare that was her life. She was after all a useless sundal. Her thoughts swirled darker and darker, pulling her further down. She began to whimper and writhe trying to escape the phantoms that pulled at her mind; a painfully beautiful woman, a dark man with bleached hair, men, so many men. She let out a small scram and stiffened. Something dug painfully into her back and she wiped away the tears to glance at it.
There was a weld on the pipe. With a start she realized where she was. Her long fingers reached out and traced the seam on the repair. It was theirs; hers, Raf's, and Jack's. Her mind wandered over that day; the thrill of battle, the pleasure of working with her friends to accomplish something important, the terror that had slowly sunk in when she had time to think later, time to realize that the Autobots' lives had been in danger. Slowly the girl uncoiled and crawled out of her hiding place. Her fingers traced the grooves in the metal that the scraplets had eaten. She pressed her face to the pipe, letting the memory of that accomplishment fill her. She took a deep breath and her back stiffened. After the scraplets were gone Ratchet had come to fix up their work, but after careful examination he had declared the repair unimprovable. Jack had grinned at her and held up his hand for a high-five.
"We did it Miko!" He had stated triumphantly.
"I am Miko Nadakia and those gigli are going down like scraplets!" she snarled to the empty corridor.
The girl took off running and slipped into the silo. She didn't feel like talking to anyone just yet, she was exhausted from crying and stress. Carefully she slipped over and lay down on the couch, pulling a handy blanket around her. The space was too exposed but she forced herself to relax. There was nothing to be afraid of.
"I am Miko Nadaki," she whispered.
O
O
A knock at the door brought Mrs. Esquivel's attention up from the small pants she was mending. After the big family reunion several families had lingered and their house was currently bursting with noisy children. There was a scramble of feet as roughly thirteen cousins raced to see who would have the honor of opening the door to the guest. A subtle change in the tone of the greeting was the woman's first warning that something was amiss. Ten of the cousins vanished into the back of the house while the three eldest formed a protective barrier with their bodies and glared out at the intruder. Time to intervene, the mother decided.
"May I help you?" she asked of the neatly dressed woman at the door.
The black suit and the clipboard screamed government employee. The faux kind smile suggested social services. The piercing eyes indicated a level of intelligence that would be difficult to counter if antagonistic.
"Yes Mrs. Esquivel was it?" a caring voice asked. "I am with child protective services. We are looking for a friend of your sons, she goes by the name Miko Nadakai, and we were wondering if you could help us?"
"What is the problem?" thought her tone betrayed nothing but polite respect warning bells were going off in the mother's mind.
"The young lady, her actual name in Angrak Bulan, is actually a runaway and we are attempting to locate her. We believe she may be in danger and a flight risk. Can I come in?"
"Just a moment," the older woman closed the door and signaled to the eldest standing by. "Leave Raf only," was all Mrs. Esquivel said.
The daughter responded with a curt nod and disappeared. There was the noise of shuffling feet and then nothing.
"May I see you credentials?" the mother asked with a smile as she opened the door again.
"Of course. My name is Ms. Black."
For the rest of the interview Ms. Black noted how oddly quiet the house was, as if there wasn't another soul present.
O
O
Morning came with a crash of Bulkhead crumpling something and Ratchet bellowing in rage. A smile flickered across the girl's face as she rolled out of her makeshift bed and onto the floor. Without pausing she picked up the duffle bag Mrs. Darby had left her. Inside were all the supplies she'd need and something more. Wrapped around a box of her favorite Girl Scout cookies was a hand written note.
Miko,
Always remember; you are a strong, intelligent, beautiful girl. Worthy of every respect.
June Darby
The girl clutched the scrap of paper to her chest and smiled softly. What must it have been like to be raised by such a woman she wondered? But a glance at the clock on her phone spurred her into action. She ran into the converted boxcar that served as their bathroom and stripped for a shower. Contacts were popped out revealing eyes such a pale blue they were almost white. For a second her torn fingers paused to touch the purple brindle marks on her abdomen. She showered quickly, using the powerful shampoo to rid her hair of the pink dye. She turned on the powerful air driers and let the hot wind remove the water. Carefully brushed hair was set in a neat bun and her usual casual wear was exchanged for a painfully boring but eminently respectable grey dress. Thick glasses completed the ensemble. Gazing at her reflection critically the girl was satisfied.
"The perfect witness!" she declared, trying to ignore the knot forming in her gut.
Last night's courage was fading fast in the face of what she would have to do today; who she would have to face. A knock on the door caused her to jump and June stepped in with a smile. The woman looked equally respectable in a grey three piece suit, the skirt just past her knees.
"Are you ready? Agent Fowler is here to take us to DC."
"I was born ready," Miko declared, but she couldn't hide the tremor in her tone.
June gave her a hug and the two walked out of the bathroom together. June saw Miko's eyes darting around the base and felt her tensing up with every step. Optimus gave them a nod from his position at the computer screen but otherwise the base was empty of bots. When her eyes fell on Fowler waiting for them at the elevator she froze. The girl pressed up against the nurse and let out a whimper.
"Come on Nadakai," Fowler called cheerfully. "Let's go wash out some scum!"
"I can't," the girl whispered clutching June's hand frantically.
"Sure you can," Fowler coaxed. "This is the day you've been waiting for!"
"I can't," she repeated.
"Miko," Fowler groaned casting a sideways glance at the Autobot.
The Prime sensed the conversation was about to turn private and turned off the computer to leave.
"Optimus wait," June called out suddenly, then she knelt down and looked Miko in the eye. "Would you be more comfortable if Optimus took us?"
A thoughtful look replaced the fear on Miko's face.
"But Fowler still needs to come," she whispered.
"Optimus? Would you be free to escort the three of us to DC today?" the special agent asked.
The leader of the Autobots lowered himself until he was looking at Miko.
"Do you wish this Miko?"
"Yes! Please yes!" the girl gasped out.
He noted curiously that even thought her body was releasing high amounts of stress hormones there were no tears in her eyes.
"Very well. Ratchet!"
"Yes Optimus?" the medic responded as he walked out of the med bay.
"Please rearrange the rest of the day's schedule. I will be spending it in this nation's capital."
"What?" the healer's face scrunched in confusion, "but I thought they didn't want us anywhere near their large cities unless absolutely necessary?"
"I'll get the clearance," Fowler stated flatly. "We can bridge into this old military warehouse I know across the border in Maryland."
"Ratchet, enter the coordinates."
The Prime transformed and the three humans climbed into his cab. At first they positioned themselves so that Miko was sitting between the two adults but as the semi rolled across the event horizon and they left the base behind the girl's heart rate skyrocketed. She began to hyperventilate and frantically jerk at the seat belt.
"Here Miko," June offered calmly. "Switch places with me."
Optimus released the seatbelts and Mrs. Darby scooted over to sit beside Fowler while Miko scrambled over to the passenger side. She curled up in a tight ball and pressed her forehead into the warm mesh of Optimus's side. The Prime carefully looped the safety belts around her and her breathing began to even out. He followed the directions the agent gave him to a large parking lot half full of government vehicles. His own form stood out among the sedans and SUV's causing the Autobot a moment of discomfort.
Fowler and June climbed out and the nurse walked over to the passenger side to help Miko out. The girl paused at the open door and took a deep breath. The Prime could sense the fear radiating off her in waves, but her shoulders stiffened and she gave Fowler a fierce grin.
"Let's do this!"
O
O
The sun was just touching the western horizon when The Prime spotted the three humans exit the building. Miko and June both looked exhausted but somehow the girl found the strength to break into a sprint and pull away from the adults towards Optimus. Neither June nor Fowler seemed particularly worried about this and continued their low conversation.
The Autobot tracked Miko's progress across the asphalt but suddenly snapped to high alert. Several humans were approaching the girl rapidly through the maze of cars. They were dressed in the same suits worn by the government workers but the way they were honing in on the girl was distinctly predatory. From the speed they were traveling Miko would reach him significantly before they reached her but the situation made the Prime nervous. The Autobot attempted to contact Fowler but the man had apparently deactivated his cell phone while in the building and had yet to reactivate it.
Miko was in the clear now and headed for Optimus at a dead run. She smacked palms first into his side and collapsed laughing against one tire.
"It's over!" she called out gleefully. "I can't believe it's actually."
"Miko! Get in!" Optimus ordered whipping his door open.
"What? Why?" she asked glancing around in confusion until she spotted the dark forms moving towards her rapidly.
With a gasp the girl froze in terror for a moment then leapt into the protection of the semi's cab just as the lead figure jumped up on Optimus's running board. Miko on the seat and stared blankly at the face of the man trying to get in. Slowly a fierce grin split the girl's face and she lounged back onto the seat waving a particular handgesture at the furious figure as he was joined by several others surround the semi's cab.
"Miko, will these people pose a danger to Mrs. Darby and Agent Fowler?"
"Oh scrap yes!" Miko responded her eyes widening in realization.
"I see. Cover your ears."
The girl obeyed and was instantly glad. The trucks air horn opened with a blast that probably broke the sound pollution levels for several counties in all directions. As the shocked assailants staggered away clutching their ears in pain both doors on the big rig snapped open sending three to the tarmac in crumpled heaps. The Prime started his engine and let it run at a low ominous growl. The remaining half dozen attackers circler the semi with new respect but did not seem inclined to leave.
Fowler and June came pelting around the corner at a dead run and the man had his sidearm out and ready. He took in the situation in a glance and placed himself to cove the nurse.
"Get in the truck," he ordered.
June obeyed, leaping in her stocking feet to the running board and through the door that opened for her. Fowler positioned himself with his back to the semi and faced the circling men. He could assume they had at least one firearm among them and a few had their hands in their pockets threateningly but they seemed to want out of this without gunplay.
"Well, you're not Jones," the attackers' leader growled, he had drawn a knife and was circling the agent.
"No, I'm not. Who are you jokers?"
"We are here to claim what is rightfully ours," was the smug reply.
"Well, I am certain we can arrange that," Fowler said with a grin. He tapped the barrel of his Beretta meaningfully. "I got a full clip of lead with your name on it in here."
The sound of choking issued from behind him and under Optimus's trailer causing surprise to flicker across the other man's face.
"And that would have been the shmuck you goons were going to have sneak up on me, right? So tell me what do you want?"
"We want the girl."
Fowler only let out a dry laugh.
"You think we will not have her?" the man asked with a sneer. "We are many and we are patient. Even if you succeed here and those on trial are incarcerated there are many more where they came from."
The agent noted that the mobile members of the party we disappearing into the parked vehicles now.
"When your government grows tire of protecting the little whore we will reclaim her. And tell the traitor this. She will suffer for what she has done!"
With that the man turned and fled. Optimus watched as Fowler's finger tightened over the trigger and then relaxed with a curse. The man dragged the limp bodies out from the semi's path.
"You three head on back to base," he stated. "I'll be along after I get this cleaned up."