A/N- hm, bit of a filler chapter, this one. But hopefully you'll find some juicy bits to enjoy. And when you're done, swing by the Review Lounge!
Chapter 16
Pitch darkness weighed oppressively over them and all around them, suffocating darkness only kept at bay by the lights of the two casseticons, and the glow-wormesque light emanating from the minicons. They were in the third cavern, having been down there for maybe forty-five minutes, Alexis guessed, although it was hard to tell. She wasn't even sure how on earth they were going to find this weapon, although the minicons seemed to be leading the way, slowly and placidly negotiating the blackness. They looked as if they knew where they were going, she hoped so anyway. After a while even Rumble and Frenzy had stopped sniggering to each other, and peered about as best they could, looking for anything that might be a clue.
"This sucks," Rumble complained, kicking a pebble that lay in his path. It bounced out of sight with a faint echo. "We don't even know what this thing looks like. Or if it even exists. The Requiem Blaster… I mean, I've never heard of it."
Frenzy gave a snort. "Well… it must not exist then, if you've never heard of it, smart-aft…"
"I'm bored already," growled Rumble, choosing to ignore Frenzy. "It was way better back over in America. There I was trashing stuff, having fun hunting squishies, annoying Ravage… now we're stuck in a cave with three mini-morons in the dark. Make that four," he added spitefully in Alexis' direction. "And we're not even allowed to play with her. What's that about?"
Alexis sighed. Rumble was clearly not as laid back as his brother… Frenzy looked positively affable next to him. Sometimes it was easy to forget the highly unusual situation she was in- of course, decepticons were cruel and ruthless, capable of killing thousands of humans without a thought. How very lucky for her and the rest of Great Britain, that currently Starscream had other things on his processor. It didn't sound as if people in other countries were so fortunate. All the more reason she assist him in finding this weapon… As Rumble snarled grouchily again she searched for something to talk about.
"So… what do you two think about Starscream taking command? Do you mind at all? I mean… what's it like being under Megatron?"
"Do we mind?" Rumble sneered. "I couldn't give two tail-pipes, fleshy. It makes no difference. They're all bigger than me, with big weapons and big mouths. If you don't fall in line with whoever's wearing the crown, you're slagged, end of. We'll see if Starscream succeeds this time. I guess he'll have to, someday. Then I'll be following orders from a big red and white jerk instead of a grey jerk. Whoop-dee-doo."
"Well, I want to go back to Cybertron," chipped in Frenzy. "Don't you, Rumble?"
Rumble gave a concessionary grunt. "At times like this, yeah…"
He gestured to the cavern walls around them. Alexis could just make out whorls of rock above them in the gloom, punctuated by needle-like stalactites, golden and white, hanging down, and on the ground beautiful mirrored stalagmites stretched up to meet them. Somewhere water dripped steadily. They passed into another passage, still following the mini-cons.
She knew she ought to keep quiet, given the tone of Rumble's voice, but Alexis had never been very good at keeping quiet. "What do you mean?" she said lightly. "This place is beautiful. Just look at the rocks and the shapes and colours in this cave! And that's only one tiny part of what makes this planet, my planet, so amazing."
"You are seriously glitched," said Rumble, pityingly. "This planet is a mudball! How can you bear to be made of mud, to live in mud?"
"What?? Being a human is wonderful!" Alexis smiled and spread her arms wide. "There's smells, and flavours…Food and animals and touch and sounds… things you will never know! How can you live as metal creatures, knowing no other textures, no other tastes?"
Rumble opened his mouth to retort, but just then Alexis' pocket began to vibrate, and a ringing tune resounded, sounding very loud in the enclosed space. The two casseticons whirled about, confused.
"What's that?"
She reached for her iphone, as perplexed as they were. On the bright screen something flashed purple as the phone rang. There was no number. She squinted, waiting for her eyes to adjust. Then, astounded, she recognised the decepticon insignia.
She raised the phone to her ear, and pressed the answer button. "You have got to be kidding me."
"Alexis." Starscream's voice sounded in her ear. It felt very weird to hear him on the phone, his voice at normal volume like a human's. "Have you found anything?"
"Don't you know it's rude to take a girl's phone number without asking her first?"
"And when did you assume I ever ask permission for anything?"
"Good point."
A low chuckle came down the line. "Any luck yet?"
"Not yet, no."
"Hmmm." He paused, thinking. "I'm certain we have the right place."
"We'll keep going. There are more caverns to search. If you're certain, then I'm certain."
"That's what I like to hear..." She could see his smile in her mind's eye as clearly as if he were in front of her. He rang off. She pocketed the phone again and moved forward, bumping into Rumble.
"Come on then. Let's follow the minicons."
"If you're certain, then I'm certain…" Rumble sneered, mimicking her. "What a little suck up…"
"You are really starting to piss me off, you know that? Shut up and come on!"
She barged past the stunned casseticon and strode resolutely up the passage, after the others.
Dirge's feet sank into the muddy ground as he landed, chunks of earth and singed grass thrown in all directions. He stared about wildly, weapons primed and ready to fire.
"You felt that too then?"
Thundercracker strode to join him. "Yes. I felt it."
Starscream was stood stock still at the entrance to the cave. A small smile played around his lips, and he seemed oblivious to the agitated behaviour of his soldiers behind him. Presently they joined him, feet thudding across the tarmac.
"Starscream." Skywarp regarded his motionless Commander, puzzled. "Uh… Dirge and I and TC… we picked up a faint energy signal. Autobot. Nearby. Um… permission to pursue them?"
Starscream didn't move, optics still fixed on the entrance. Skywarp was just beginning to think he hadn't heard him, when he spoke, not taking his gaze from the cave.
"There's a human with him too."
"Huh?"
"A human," Starscream repeated absently. "An Autobot and a human. Over to the west. A brief malfunction in their signal shield, it would seem. Very interesting."
"Permission to pursue," Skywarp repeated, impatience creeping into his voice. "C'mon Starscream, be a sport…"
"Patrol if you must," Starscream replied carelessly. "They matter little to me. A pair of insects. My focus will not stray from my prize. After the Blaster is recovered, I need not heed a thousand enemies, let alone one."
Skywarp took this strange speech as permission, and with an enthusiastic roar, took off, Dirge beside him. Thundercracker decided to investigate on foot, and set off over the rugged ground, crushing vegetation as he went. All the while Starscream remained where he was, vigilant and waiting. Until very recently, he too would have relished the opportunity to indulge in a skirmish with a pathetic autobot, and take pleasure in watching an organic squirm and plead for mercy at his feet… but there were bigger things to focus on at present. Much, much bigger things. And he would not be distracted now.
Alexis ran, over slippery black rocks, barely able to keep up with the minicons and their faint light as they hurried ahead down the narrow passage. Something had got them excited. Her breath came in ragged gasps and she was suddenly far too hot from the exertion. She emerged into yet another cavern, this one was massive, the roof reared above too far up to see. She waited for her eyes to adjust, and heard Frenzy and Rumble come out behind her.
The minicons had reached one wall, and were running their hands along it. They were beeping and clicking rapidly to each other. She moved up behind them cautiously.
"Hey," she said softly. "What have you found?"
They turned to face her then, going quiet. One moved forward and took her hand silently, it's blank glowing eyes meeting her own. Gently it placed her hand onto the damp rock, and looked at her expectantly.
"Um… sorry, I don't feel anything…"
But maybe she could feel something… She closed her eyes and concentrated. A faint thrumming… the slightest of vibrations through the rock… or was she imagining it… it was hard to tell…
"OK, I'm guessing this is where I come in."
Rumble had stepped up beside her. She backed off to give him room, wondering what exactly he was going to do. Her mouth fell open as his arms transformed with a smooth gliding of hydraulics, into thick piledrivers which he used to ram at the rock. The sound boomed throughout the cavern and the ground shook alarmingly. Rumble stopped after a few seconds, to assess for damage. After a few moments when it was established the roof wasn't going to cave in, he began again. Then there was an almighty crash- Alexis and Frenzy dove out of the way instinctively. They landed on hard ground- Alexis felt sharp rocks digging into her back and thighs as she landed, the pain making her inhale sharply. She heard the sound of falling rock and tensed… until the quiet returned. She was still alive, and relatively unhurt… A piece of Blue John stone lay on the floor in front of her, having been blasted from the wall. She reached for it and picked it up, seeing it gleam dully in the dim light.
Frenzy sat up, and activated a brighter light in his chest. It illuminated an enormous object in front of them.
Lying on its side, the gun sprawled where it had fallen out from the very strata of the rock. It was at least ten feet long, maybe more. Alexis stared, unable to take her eyes from the gleaming tarnished metal, and the fearsome rockets mounted along one end. She swallowed nervously… lethal looking was putting it lightly. Rumble was frowning and bending over it, brushing the dust off to reveal weird markings and characters all along the barrel.
"Right, good," he said brusquely. "Now we gotta get it back out to Screamer."
He grasped one end, and the minicons and Frenzy followed suit, grabbing sections each. Alexis watched as they all grunted and strained to lift it. It wouldn't budge. Not one inch.
"Uuggh… how're we supposed to move this thing?" Frenzy let go and stared, incredulous. "No way! How much does this thing weigh?"
"You're obviously not lifting hard enough…"
"Oh yeah? Maybe I am, maybe it's you who's the weakling…"
Alexis hurried forward. "No one's weak. Come on. I'll help."
"You're just a fleshy!" But Rumble shrugged carelessly. "Whatever. Let's see you try…"
She grabbed one end, secretly thinking that of course Rumble was right, there was no way she was even half as strong as one of them… as her hands made contact with the Blaster, the metal leapt away from her touch, and the weapon gleamed as a series of clicks rang through the cavern- she heard Frenzy cry out in surprise and peered forward, trying to see what was happening…
"That's just nuts…" said Frenzy softly.
The Requiem Blaster had transformed, well, it hadn't changed shape- it had changed size. Retracting in on itself, finishing off at about two feet long, lying innocently on the floor.
"Have you ever seen anything like that happen before?" Alexis asked, glancing from one casseticon to the other.
"Well yeah, but not quite like that…"
She stepped forward, and hoisted the gun onto her shoulder, wincing and puffing with the effort- it was still massively heavy and her arms began to ache almost immediately. They turned as one and set off back towards the mouth of the cavern, Rumble chuckling, his mood lifted somewhat.
"You'd better hope that thing grows back to it's normal size," he sniggered over his shoulder at the sounds of the girl panting with exertion as they made their way up some narrow steps. "Can you picture Screamer trying to use that thing now?" He laughed louder. "If he gets mad, I'll tell him his pet went and touched it, and messed it up…"
"No worries…" Alexis grunted with effort as she leant to one side to stop the Blaster from slipping off her shoulder. "Too bad you rely on fleshies to get you out of trouble Rumble, that must be hard…" She heard him growl angrily and continued. "Don't worry, if you're scared of big bad Starscream, I'll have a word for you, seeing as you're so chicken…"
"Why you little…" Rumble stomped ahead in the dark, seething. "You may be flavour of the month now, squishy, but just wait 'til Screamer gets bored of his mouthy little pet. Then you'll be no more than an organic mess under his foot. And I'll take your mashed up bones and all the other nasty things you humans are made of, and throw them outside for Ravage to play with…"
"Touchy today, aren't we? What is your problem?"
"You're my problem, squishbag."
How would she react when she discovered the plans he had in store for her?
Starscream mused to himself as he waited for the group to emerge from the cave, turning over and over in his mind the future, and what it held… incredible that he was thinking about that, when he had bigger fish to fry first…
Starscream was selfish. He would be the first to admit it. He was aware that the girl would not necessarily conform to his plan for her at first… but she would adapt in time. She would have no choice. He had it all laid out, in his processor. Nothing would interfere. He had always liked everything just so. That included her. As he had said, he never asked for permission.
She wasn't going to like it. He was certain she would struggle against him, rebel, shed tears… No matter. He could wait. In time, she would come to be content. And he would be kind. Make concessions for her, give her everything she asked for. Yes... His optics narrowed as he focused once more on the entrance, staying diligent. Not long now. Until all he had ever wanted would be within his grasp.
He summoned Skywarp over his link. "Anything?"
"No," his wingmate growled. "Slagging signal has vanished again. And I was looking forward to some fun…"
"Return to me with the others. Leave the autobot. He is of no consequence."
Skywarp sighed, but obeyed, signalling to his wing-fellows. Soon the howl of their engines could be heard as they wheeled round and soared back towards their superior. Thundercracker appeared over the hill, striding down towards him, shaking his head as he approached to indicate he too, had found nothing.
His timing could not have been more perfect. As his soldiers assembled beside him, small sounds turned their heads to the hole, and the minicons emerged, followed closely by Rumble and Frenzy. Last of all, Alexis moved out into the daylight, shielding her eyes from the sudden brightness, and carrying something in her arms…
In the shadows of the trees, the two of them crouched low, pressing themselves to the earth as best they could, watching the scene unfold below, down the hill. He could see better than her, having the advantage of in-built zoom… she anxiously kept one eye on his signal mask, in case of yet another malfunction… this was plain dangerous, it was a miracle they hadn't been caught earlier… but the drama unfolding before them was too mesmerising to look away…
She watched as the girl emerged from the cave, and ran towards the winged decepticon eagerly, holding something out to him… he took it, and straightened up.
Nothing happened for a few seconds. Then the two of them gasped as suddenly a huge weapon seemed to materialise in his fist, growing and extending with clunks as it enlarged… and configured itself to Starscream's arm, sitting snugly on his armour, more lethal looking than Megatron's cannon, if that were possible…
Bumblebee shuddered and shrank closer to the ground upon sight of the Requiem Blaster. But Sari was more interested in the girl on the ground…
"Alexis…"
Starscream stared in wonder at the weapon, which had indeed returned to its huge size on making contact with his palm, the gun enlarging and attaching seamlessly to his circuitry. The weight of it felt so good… the power coursing through him…
He looked down at her. "You did it," he breathed. "Alexis, you did it…"
A smile illuminated her face, and she ran towards him, she squealed in delight as he snatched her up, and raised her triumphantly to his face. She leaned forward, placing both hands on his cheek. He felt the heat from her small palm-prints.
"Did I do well?" she asked coyly.
"Oh, Alexis, you did more than well…"
Skywarp appeared beside them, flanked by the others, gazing at the Requiem Blaster with unrestrained relish.
"Try it out, try it out! Come on!!" he fidgeted impatiently.
Starscream smiled arrogantly, and cast his gaze around for a target to test his new weapon on. He spied the ruined castle on the hill, and raised his arm with a smirk. "Brace yourselves…"
"HEY!" Alexis grabbed his fingers. "Woah, that's Peveril Castle! It's…"
But she was too late, for a second time that day. Starscream unleashed the Blaster, and a ray of intense light and heat roared from the barrel. The whole earth seemed to shake, and Alexis' ears rang as she lost her balance and fell into a ball on Starscream's palm… Seconds passed, and she heard laughter from the gathered decepticons, Skywarp whooped and punched the air with his fist…
She sat up, and her mouth fell open. The hill and the castle were gone. The whole hill. Murky smoke shrouded the scene, and a massive crater yawned in front of them. She shook her head, astounded.
"What do you think?" Starscream turned his head to her, a look of amused triumph on his face.
"Yeah, great. A thousand years of our history just gone, but never mind…"
But Starscream had already returned his attention to his wingbrothers, as they pressed in, cheering and laughing victoriously. Dirge stared at the crater in disbelief. "This is really going to happen, isn't it?" he said. "How will Megatron be able to withstand such a weapon?"
"He won't!" Skywarp jeered. "Starscream will pulverise him!"
"Perhaps." Starscream frowned in thought as he beheld the Requiem Blaster. "There was a time when I would have agreed with you without hesitation, Skywarp. That was before, when all my attempts to take power were doomed to failure. But Megatron is strong, and I am prepared for the fight ahead. Complacency is for fools…"
His optics strayed to Alexis on his palm, she had fished something from her pocket and was turning it over and over in her hands. Squinting, he saw it was a piece of Fluorite, yellow and purple glinting in the jagged facets. She must have salvaged it whilst she was in the cave. She was studying it, running her fingers over the rock, exploring all the edges and the feel of the hard shapes. He watched her, an idea forming in his mind…
The group of Decepticons transformed, and roared off into the sky, causing Sari and Bumblebee to flinch as they shot right over the small copse where they crouched. Within seconds, the sound of their engines had faded, leaving the hills silent once more.
"So. She's one of them now."
Bumblebee turned his back on the devastated hillside and sat hunched, his arms resting on his bent knees, despondent. Sari paused where she was, still gazing at the space where the castle had stood. Then his words sunk in and she wheeled round.
"What?"
"Well, what did it look like to you?" he cried, gesturing wildly. "She found that thing and brought it out to him! They were all laughing together! She's joined them!"
Sari was shaking her head, pulling her glossy black hair though her fingers, agitated. "No," she said firmly. "That's not possible."
"In the supermarket she wouldn't come with us, I thought it was because she was afraid to, was in danger… but all the time she never wanted to escape… she's in league with him…"
"She saved our lives that day!" Sari cried. "She lied for us!"
"What about the phone then, hmm? How come she's got hold of that again? I thought Starscream had it to keep her in line! Doesn't look like he needs to, anymore," Bumblebee said darkly. "Sari… I'm sorry, but your friend is…"
"NO!" Sari snapped, and Bumblebee fell silent, looking miserable. This was the first time they had ever argued.
"I know her better than anyone," said Sari quietly. "We've known each other since we were four. Alexis has the kindest heart you could ever find. She's strong, and brave, and…and… she wouldn't betray Earth! OK?"
"So what just happened back there?"
"I don't know," Sari said wretchedly. Tears spilled over her cheeks, and she hid her face in her hands. She had lost Alexis again, and this time, she wasn't even sure if she'd lost a friend, or an enemy.
Bumblebee tried to comfort her as best he could, wrapping his arms about her gently. She sniffed and wrapped one thin arm around his, to show him she wasn't angry with him. They were silent for a while, the wind blowing softly through the trees above them, rustling the new green leaves.
Eventually Bumblebee stirred, gently cupping Sari's face in his hand.
"I think we should head north, and go to the shelter," he said softly. "I'm sorry. I don't know what we just saw. If you trust Alexis, then I trust her too. But Sari…" she looked up into his optics, "…We can't rescue her alone. They'll kill us without a thought, if they're feeling merciful that is. When Optimus arrives, he'll help. He'll know what to do."
After an age, she nodded reluctantly.
Alexis was back at the base, having ridden back in Thundercracker. Starscream had charged him with returning her to the base safely, and she had watched him veer off and vanish through the cockpit glass. He'd been gone for hours. She sat on the table-top in the main hall, still examining the rock she had taken from the cave. Frenzy had run off with Rumble, they were talking rapidly down on the ground in Cybertronian. The hall was packed with decepticons, dozens and dozens of them, no doubt waiting for their leader's return… news of the Requiem Blaster had spread like wildfire, and they had all come to witness his arrival. Where was he?
Suddenly, a huge roar deafened her and made her jump. The gathered mechs as one raised weapons and fists in the air, and let out a stupendous cheer that shook the walls. From where she was upon the table, she couldn't see what they were cheering at- but she could guess. Presently the crowds parted, and sure enough, Starscream strutted down the middle, brandishing the Requiem Blaster, and smirking triumphantly, drinking in the roars of praise. He seemed to literally swell with pride, standing even taller than usual and puffing out his chest as he stalked through the crowd. Thundercracker and Skywarp strode behind him. As they passed, Alexis was thrown into shadow, and looked up to see Dirge leaning his elbows on the table, propping his chin up on his hands.
"So, a new age," he mused, almost to himself. "The Age of the Seekers. Let's hope it's a glorious one, for us all…"
"Huh," Blackout snorted next to him. "He hasn't taken down Megatron yet. When he has, then I'll cheer."
"Starscream has never come so close before now, and that's an impressive looking thing he's holding," observed Dirge. "I wouldn't want to be on the wrong end of it. To think he used to be nothing more than a joke, a long time ago. Now look at him. He holds respect and fear in his hands, like Megatron."
Blackout made as if to reply, but then a boom rent the air, and a hush fell over the hall, as Starscream seated himself on his huge chair, and Thundercracker lowered his smoking weapon, fired to get everyone's attention.
"Decepticons," he rumbled. "Starscream has retrieved the Requiem Blaster." (Down on the floor, Rumble folded his arms indignantly at the lack of praise in his direction.) "The fall of Megatron is nigh. Now is the time to search your sparks as to where your loyalties lie, and pledge undying allegiance. Not just to Starscream, but also to our noble world, Cybertron, which has lain neglected for too long." He paused for effect, and the mechs all waited, alert, focused. "Now, hear the orders of your leader."
He stepped aside, and Starscream raised his head, luxuriating in his power. A smile appeared as he watched the waiting decepticons, ready to hear what he had to say. This moment… he had waited aeons for this moment. First things first…
"We will not exert ourselves at present, fear not, my loyal soldiers," he said. "Megatron will come to us. I have assurances from our soon-to-be ex-leader that he will honouring me with a personal visit sometime soon…" He paused as raucous laughter filled the room. "You will all have your parts to play. But in the meantime…"
He paused again, and the mechs waited to receive their commands. Would they be put on patrol? Repair duty?
"Tonight… we will open the energon store. Celebrate this new era with me!"
A cheer even louder than before burst forth from the decepticons. Thundercracker looked stunned, then a pleased grin split his face. Beside him, Skywarp leapt forward, fist in the air.
"ALL HAIL STARSCREAM!" he bellowed jubilantly.
All around the hall the call was answered- "All Hail Starscream! All Hail Starscream!" Below, Rumble and Frenzy sprinted towards the door, fighting to be the first to the energon stores… Long Haul transformed into vehicle mode and zoomed after them, for once he was glad to be sent to fetch and carry… Alexis laughed at the sight- dozens of battle-hardened decepticons falling over each other to go and grab their share of energon, grinning idiotically and yelling to each other.
"Nice move, Screamer!" Skywarp yelled. "Parrrrrr-tyyyyyyyy!"
From the door, Frenzy hung back. "Time for a re-match, I think!" he yelled up at Alexis, and she giggled and waved as he shot after his brother.
"Alexis."
She turned round to see Starscream standing in front of her, leaning down, his optics gleaming expectantly as a small smile curved his mouth.
"I have something for you."