A/N- Uurrgh, so sooo tired, would have written more, but can't. Need... bed....
Anyways, let me know how I'm doing! I love comments, as do we all! So have a little finger-dance on your keyboard when you finish reading!

Chapter 8

The two jets soared through the night, effortlessly. The skies over Earth were completely empty, void of human aircraft, and the firmament was theirs. They wheeled and dove over the clouds. Occasionally a hole through the clouds would reveal land below, dark, with maybe the tiniest sporadic pricks of light, where a year ago there would have been millions in clusters. But the jets paid no heed to the ground, only to the sky and the fierce joy of flight.

Behind them, some way behind in fact, a third craft flew, Cybertronian in design. It flew straight, unlike the jets, following them at a steady pace. Had there been an observer that night, it would have been clear that it was not able to match the speed of the other two.

Starscream sensed Sideways was lagging. He sniggered nastily and put on a further spurt of speed. Beside him Thundercracker reciprocated casually. Let that sneaky, unsavoury glitchead fall behind- it would not be Starscream who would be in trouble if Sideways got lost, he knew that. As he and Thundercracker enjoyed executing a double barrel roll, he sensed Sideways doing his level best to keep up. If he had to tolerate this despicable mech's presence on his turf, he may as well glean what small pleasures he could…

************

It was the middle of the night in the slave quarters. Alexis sat up against the bars in one of the highest 'containers', her legs stuck out and dangling over the edge, both hands curled round the mesh. She was humming a quiet tune, half dozing. But she couldn't sleep. Around her and in some of the sections below, people slept soundly, mostly huddled towards the back where it was darkest.

The silence in the base tonight was almost eerie. Alexis knew Starscream was away, as well as Long Haul, and that during the night some of the robots used the time to re-charge, or whatever it was they called it. Blackout had been past on patrol about an hour ago, giving the containers a cursory glance, grunting, and continuing on his way.

She shivered slightly and leant her head against the bars despondently.

The burst of elation she had felt, after managing to make life a tiny bit better for herself and her fellow captives, was ebbing away.

The days had turned into weeks in this place, and it was beginning to dawn on her that this was, in all likeliness, her life now. She was a slave, trapped in a lightless metal prison, every day a struggle, danger and degradation on every side. She thought about the people outside, huddling in the dark, hiding and fleeing every day, living on scraps, trembling with cold and fear… Qasim, John, Raheela… and what about the rest of the world? Was Sari alright?

Dad?

Don't think about that. Hot tears welling up now. Don't cry…

But how long can this go on for? How long can we live like this? What will they do to our planet? And when they are finished, will they keep us, living half lives and attending their every whim, or will they slaughter us like useless cattle? Will humanity be gone for good, no more cities, towns, cultures, gatherings, families, celebrations…?

Someone was approaching behind her, moving softly, and she wiped her eyes hurriedly. It was Hugo. "Hi," he whispered, gingerly lowering himself to sit beside her. "Can't sleep?"

She shook her head and he smiled faintly. She looked round and returned the smile. He looked as tired as she felt, the lines on his face more pronounced tonight, his receding hair sticking up in wisps. She wondered how old he was, possibly late fifties? He had a kindly face, and the build of a man who worked hard all his life. Since the day she had arrived, he seemed to have cautiously watched over her.

After a moment's silence he said- "Shall I get us a beer?"

Why not, she thought, I can't sleep. "Yeah, thanks Hugo."

He returned a minute later with the bottles, and they both twisted the caps off against the mesh, trying to be as quiet as possible.

"Something on your mind, Ali?"

She gave a short, bitter laugh. "You could say that." When he simply sat and waited, she carried on, her words spilling faster and faster. "Just wondering what the hell's going to happen to us. How did we all fall so fast, and without even putting up a fight? Will we ever be free again? Not just you and me, but the world? What do they want with us?"

He sighed, and gave a small chuckle. "That's a lot to lay on a man at what I can guess is around two a.m."

Then the smile faded. He sighed and rubbed his face tiredly. After a while he spoke, slowly.

"Humanity has… I suppose… we've found ourselves in a position of helplessness… in a world we are no longer the masters of. We aren't good, as a rule, at dealing with that so well.

"But our need to survive, to live, is as strong as ever, no matter who's calling the shots. And you've got the talent for survival. I can see it. You re-awakened our instinct to survive when you were brought here, Alexis."

"As for what's going to happen to us… I can't be of much help there." He glanced over at Alexis.

"Of course… there's the Autobots."

She made no reply. He pressed on: "I've heard people talk of Autobots, how they're on our side, they're going to help, going to fight." He swigged his beer and looked over at her again.

"Sounds worth waiting for. Worth surviving for."

"I'm not so good at waiting, Hugo." Alexis sighed and swung her legs moodily. "I'm more of a leap-before-I-look sort of girl."

Like when I fixed and aided the very being whose race now enslaves and slaughters us. Oh, didn't I mention that?

Starscream… he still dangled the awful threat in front of her every day, he didn't need to speak of it, it burned behind his optics- 'I have here the details of everyone you love and hold dear to you…'
But he hadn't so far carried out that threat. Alexis felt sure he would have taunted her with it if he had. And he let her go to get food for the others, and clothes… and then there was the other day when he had held her, (gently?) and checked her for signs of ill health…

He just wants you healthy the better to taunt and torture you…

OK, but what about that night, way back in front of the cathedral when he spared your life and lied to Megatron? Why did he do that?

As if sensing the whereabouts of her thoughts, Hugo spoke again:

"What exactly is going on with you and him?"

"What?"

"You know… it's like… he gestured to the beer. "Don't get me wrong… Life has become more bearable since you went out and got us all this. But… something tells me you're playing a dangerous game. Just… be careful Ali. If I were you, I'd keep your head down…"

Alexis laughed then, properly. "Hugo, I try! Believe me!"

************

Starscream roared into the base, banking sharply and transforming in the entrance, Thundercracker close behind. He straightened up with a satisfied smirk, enlivened by the flight. Behind him Sideways landed, slightly less elegantly.

"My my," he said in an oily voice, one clawed hand leaning on the doorframe. "Quite an invigorating flight, Starscream. My compliments to your exceptional abilities…"

Starscream ignored him, and strode forward into the base. Thundercracker raised an eyebrow at Sideways, then moved ahead and fell into step beside his friend. The three of them moved deep into Starscream's headquarters, the two seekers in front, the third decepticon struggling to keep up.

"How goes things for you, my friend?" Starscream glanced at the blue robot beside him.

Thundercracker moved his head a fraction, determining whether or not Sideways was eavesdropping.

"All goes well, according to Megatron's strategy." The sentence hung in the air between them, shimmering with what was unsaid. "And here?"

Starscream snorted. "Moving along well. The continent has been subdued and contained successfully. Almost disappointing…"

They had reached the wide hall. Sideways looked around eagerly. "Very nice... very nice…" He wheeled to face Starscream, who had reclined in his chair, optics narrowed. "I thought you kept human slaves, Starscream?"

"What of it?"

"Well, where are they?"

Starscream regarded the horned 'con with irritation. "Why…?" he drawled, sounding bored.

Sideways grinned. "I wish for them to wait on me."

"Whatever you want." Anything to shut you up. He gestured curtly to Blackout, who headed for the quarters.

Thundercracker had taken the other available seat, leaving Sideways standing by the table. He cast his gaze about the vast room, taking in the consoles and the various projects Starscream was overseeing. "Good work, Starscream," he rumbled amicably. "All proceeding to plan, it would seem."

An oily voice cut in. "Ah, well, about that…"

Starscream turned slowly back to Sideways at the interruption, murder in his optics. The three of them were distracted however, by Blackout re-entering, ushering in a group of tired humans, rubbing their eyes and shivering. Alexis and Hugo were with them, being the first two Blackout had clapped optics on when he had stomped in and roused the slaves. They all regarded the newcomers fearfully, hesitating at Blackout's feet, until he nudged them forward impatiently.

Starscream's eyes glittered maliciously as they approached. "Hi kids!" he sneered in a horrible mock upbeat tone. "This here is my dear friend Sideways. You're here to attend to his every whim."

His tone was dangerous. Alexis and Hugo exchanged wary glances as they hurried forward. They knew well the lethal mask of sarcasm and spite currently worn by their master, and braced themselves for an explosion. One that hopefully they wouldn't be caught in… The nasty tension crackled in the air above them as they busied themselves with the grease/wax stuff used for cleaning armour. A group of them climbed the rungs at the side of the table leg to gain access to Sideways' torso and arms. Alexis, Hugo and some others stayed at his feet. Now that she was required to be up and busy, Alexis was exhausted. Typical… she busied herself around Sideways' foot, and did her best not to indulge her curiosity and look up. So… Thundercracker, who she could just make out in the corner of her eye, looked a lot like Starscream, apart from his colours. And this one is the infamous Sideways…

Sideways was, for the moment, oblivious to the hate presently radiating in his direction from the Seeker. Instead he regarded the humans in the way a shark regards a shoal of small fish it intends to devour.

"How can anybot tire of this?" he said delightedly as the humans began to clean his frame. "Megatron won't have slaves actually on his base- you know his attitude towards organics being anywhere near him- but what fun he is missing! Ample opportunities for fun, as well as labour!"

With that he flicked a young woman who was working near his wrist. She staggered back and almost fell onto the floor, crying out in fear. Sideways laughed sadistically. Thundercracker gave a tiny, unseen grimace. Down on the ground, Alexis' head jerked up at the sound. She found her gaze wandering to Starscream, who was watching her. She looked back down quickly.

"Please continue with what you were saying." Starscream said to Sideways in the same dangerous voice, looking back up at the unpopular bot.

"I'll be frank, Starscream." Sideways inspected his free hand, in a slightly girlish way, turning his claws over and back again. "Megatron feels things are not progressing as fast in Europe as he would like. He does hope your enthusiasm is not… waning in the slightest?"

Starscream dipped his head, and narrowed his optics.

"Really…" he hissed. "How sad that our great leader does not trust his second in command to carry out his orders to his satisfaction."

"No disrespect meant, of course," Sideways continued, perhaps at long last detecting the seeker's simmering rage. "Nothing that cannot be remedied. We all know the need to play a proper part right now, do we not, with our enemies still to be eradicated? I took the liberty of summoning Long Haul to round up more of these delightful creatures for you, to contribute to the Great Conversion. They should be arriving the following orbital cycle…" his brow furrowed in concentration. "From the sector of this island known as… Staffordshire…"

Alexis started. Staffordshire…

Up on his seat, Starscream caught Alexis' movement, and laughed bitterly. "Why, it's where you were found in your little playground, Alexis."

Playground…

Alton Towers…

"You know their names?" said Sideways, incredulous. "What are they, pets?"

Starscream growled and Sideways took a small step back, forcing the humans to jump out of the way. "OK, OK…" he raised a hand in a pacifying gesture. "Just a joke…"

On the ground, Hugo slumped wearily, rubbing a hand across his face and taking a deep breath. He had been trying to shift a stubborn slick-like smear from Sideways' heel. The break in scrubbing caught the decepticon's attention. He leaned down, too fast for any of them to react, and snatched Hugo by one ankle, causing him to yelp in pain and fear. Sideway's raised him level with his face.

"Who said you could stop?" he whispered, loving the fear on the older man's face.

"STOP IT! PUT HIM DOWN, MONSTER!"

Sideways peered down at Alexis in disbelief at her outburst. She had thrown down her rag and craned up at him, breathing fast. It was sheer panic for Hugo, more than bravery that had prompted her to scream.

"Say that again, Alexis," he sneered. "Go on…"

"Put it down."

Sideways drew back, dumbfounded at Starscream's command. "It's just a human!" he gasped eventually. "What do you care? And you wonder why I thought they were pets?"

"It's my property." Starscream hissed dangerously. "Put. It. Down."

Sideways snorted and dumped Hugo on the floor at his feet. His face was a dark red and he gasped for breath. Alexis dropped down beside him and put her arm around his shoulder, supporting him.

The one known as Thundercracker seemed to want to defuse the situation, for he stood up and motioned to Sideways.

"Starscream keeps excellent energon," he said. "How about, if you're finished, we go and savour some? Starscream?"

Starscream snarled noncommittally. Sideways allowed Thundercracker to usher him out of one of the doors, glancing back at Starscream indignantly as he went.

The humans all released a silent collective sigh of relief, and began gathering themselves to finish up as quietly as they could, so as not to draw unwanted attention from a smouldering Starscream, who drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair, the other hand clenched in a fist. Alexis helped Hugo to his feet. The others lingered nervously, awaiting permission to go back to sleep. She risked another glance up her captor. Somehow, thanks seemed to be in order.

"Thank you." she said quietly.

His optics shifted down to her. His face had returned to the unfathomable mask, his gaze boring into her.

"Go back to bed," he said eventually.

The others fled, not needing to be told twice. Alexis brought up the rear, with a still trembling Hugo on her arm. She felt his optics still on her as she turned away. But it was the memory of Sideways' stare, not Starscream's, that caused a cold feeling of dread to caress her spine... The look of hate directed at the pair of them as Thundercracker had led him away… She didn't think it was possible for this place to feel more unsafe than it was… but suddenly the time before tonight seemed like a haven…

They would be tangling with that con again, very soon. She was sure of that.