This chapter is all from Kacey's POV. I must stress that this chapter is a dark chapter and not for the faint of heart. These are scenes of torture and violence. It was also a difficult chapter to write. I didn't like putting Kacey through all that stuff and is why it took longer to finish. However, it was necessary for the story.
On a more uplifting note I have a couple of fics to mention! Plenoptic wrote another Kacey AU fic called Coveted. And Bunnylass wrote an adorable Optimus and Elita fic involving the femme magnet's sparkday called Hindered Celebrations.
WARNING: Scenes of torture and violence
Author's Notes: Italics denote either Kacey's flashbacks or comlink chatter; "***" normal talk, '***' spark link talk
Kaceystar
Day 1
It was nearly three hours after Soundwave had started when Megatron stormed out of the interrogation room growling. Despite my exhaustion, I smiled within at my small victory. The pain I was able to endure gave me hope that I could possibly hold out until I was found or escaped. And I did not give the fragger the satisfaction of hearing me scream.
"So, you have been trained," Soundwave said standing before me, no emotion on his face. No hint of frustration or glee in his voice. I didn't answer as his steady hands quickly removed the sensor nodes from my chest and head. Then he let a small smile slip that sent a shiver down my back. "Good. I enjoy a challenge. Guards, take her to her cell!"
Two mechs suddenly came in through the door. My guess was that they were stationed just outside the door in case I tried to escape. They promptly removed my restraints and roughly dragged me out. As tired as I was, I was mindful of my surroundings taking in every detail I could, just as Prowl taught me. Anything could be important no matter how minute in detail.
It was difficult however. My automatic recharge wanted to come on because my energy levels had reached critical. Probably why Soundwave suggested we stop and take a break. The torture was…intense. I had never felt such excruciating pain before.
Yet, I endured it. I had to. I had no choice but to. I had to survive as long as I could. I had to give the Autobots the chance the rescue me or be patient enough to make an escape.
Prowl said it was highly unlikely that they would kill me. I was to be tortured and used more as a bargaining tool against my father and the Autobots. My termination was still a possibility. However, I was going to fight them all the way. I was not going to give in.
Three hours of physical torture and the 'Cons learned one thing - I was not going to break easily.
"Enjoy your recharge…it could be your last," one of my captors said as I was shoved into a cell.
My legs felt a little wobbling but I managed to stay on my feet. I turned to face the two 'Cons that dragged me to my cell and glared at them. They both snorted. One activated the energy barrier before they both left.
Alone, I wasted no time in examining my cell. As expected, there wasn't much to examine. Three walls a floor and ceiling. Not even a bed to lie on. It was a temporary holding cell according to what I was taught. This meant they would be coming back for me soon.
So with nothing much to do I did as trained. I lay down and recharged. I knew this was only the beginning and I knew I had to recharge when I could. It would be the only way to conserve energy. Energy would be crucial for my survival or even my possible escape.
With no signs of being able to escape yet, survival was my top priority.
Two hours later…
"GET UP YOU AUTOBOT PIECE OF SLAG!"
My systems jolted awake suddenly just in time to find myself being yanked up by my arm. However, I wasn't able to stop myself from hitting the floor as they tossed out into the hallway. I didn't even have a chance to recover as I was jerked up onto my feet and dragged down the long hallway.
I refrained from talking or attempting to flee. Too many unknown variables right now to make an escape attempted. Plus I needed to conserve energy as I knew the next session of torture was to be more intense and possibly longer than the first one.
And I wasn't to be disappointed.
I was hauled back into the same interrogation room, quickly strapped down, and then left alone to stare at the ceiling. I knew I was alone for the room was empty when I was brought in and I distinctly heard the guards leave.
I was alone for some time with nothing but my own thoughts. I did my best to not dwell on the situation but it was exceedingly difficult. I either thought about what lay ahead of me or I thought about how long I was going to last through these 'interrogations'. And if I wasn't thinking about that I was thinking about home…my family…my friends. I missed them terribly right now. My spark ached to feel my family – the ones that loved me and filled my spark with so much warmth and affection.
Shaking my head I force those thoughts away. They wouldn't serve me well at the moment. Right now, I needed to be focused. I needed to be prepared as best as I could. Prowl taught me that despair was a dangerous emotion when in captivity. He also said there would be moments when I could think about my loved ones and to take advantage of those times. Because the love we have inside gives us strength…gives us hope.
This wasn't one of those moments.
Soundwave appeared above me. His presence was almost a relief. I didn't like waiting like that even though I knew it was just another way to mess with my processor. Not that I was looking forward to more torture. I felt nervous and had to control my spark rate as he said nothing nor did he make optics contact with me. The silence was…foreboding. His fingertips were cold on my soft metal skin as he attentively placed the sensor nodes.
"Is my Uncle going to supervise again?" I asked as the sensor nodes were activated.
He said nothing. And he still didn't make optic contact with me. Again I felt apprehensive.
'Relax Kacey. Stay cool,' I told myself.
"You have remarkable control of your reactions young one," he said to me. "You're able to control your fear."
"Trion taught me to use my fears to my benefit. Father taught me to conquer my fears. You will find little frightens me."
"Shall we test that?" he grinned and didn't waste a moment.
I felt the sudden sharp, stabbing pain within my processor. The interrogation room faded away and morphed into the tunnels I grew up in…
The ground shook so violently I nearly fell over. My spark instantly felt my mother's call. I reached out to her, running faster until I finally saw the secret door was open.
"Hurry child!" Alpha Trion shouted after I dropped my cloaking shield so he could see me.
Mother was right there behind him, anxiously waiting.
"Mother!"
"Shh, it's ok Kacey," she said, taking me into her arms.
"It's the Decepticons!"
"We know child," Alpha Trion replied calmly as he closed the door.
My optic covers blinked rapidly as I forced myself out of the memory and back into the real world.
"Impressive," Soundwave commented with an almost gleeful expression. "You're resistance is remarkable for a youngling. I must compliment Prowl. He trained you very well."
I gasped slightly.
"Oh yes, youngling," he grinned. "It is common knowledge to us how Prowl does his best to protect Optimus Prime and his loved ones. Let us see just how far along your training went."
My processor felt as if it were on fire as the pain increased. I kept my mouth shut to muffle my scream as best as I could as the room faded once again…
Another explosion rocked the base viciously. This time it was much, much closer. The lights suddenly flickered off and all the power cut out. The back up lights immediately came on.
"They'll breach the main entrance in a matter of astroseconds!" Alpha Trion shouted, running into the room. "Elita…you must send her now as we discussed!"
My optics widened in fear. My spark raced with panic.
"Kacey, listen to me…"
"No, I want to stay with you, mother! Don't make me go!" I wept, desperately clinging onto her.
Mother held me so close that I could fell her spark racing along with my own.
"My darling daughter, I love you so much. You've made me so proud. You are so much like your father. You must promise me…promise me that you will find him. You must find him for me. Go to the Denan Quadrant as Trion instruct you. Go there and find a way to your father."
"No…you're coming with me…tell me you're coming with me!" I pleaded.
Another explosion sounded from inside the base.
"Elita! Now!" Trion shouted more urgently.
"NO!!" I screamed.
It was the only way to come out of it. I didn't want to relive that moment. I didn't want to experience such loss again.
Only I had no choice. Soundwave chuckled increasing the strength of the nodes energy to the next level. I screamed, arching my back, my arms and legs straining against my restraints.
"Back off you fragging slaghead! No Decepticon will ever lay a hand on my child!" mother growled at him, taking aim with her plasma rifle. Then mother turned to me. "Go now!"
I hesitated for an astrosecond as my mother sent all her love to me over our bond, telling me, 'Remember, my darling Kaceystar, you are your father's daughter. And I will love you always. Now go!'
I ran.
Laser cannons and plasma rifles fired behind me. After a ways my sensor detected a single Decepticon made it in the tunnel after me. I headed for the only place I could make an escape from. I ran for the cavern. He gained on me and just as he was about to grab me I activated my plasma burners and shot out into the cavern.
The Decepticon wasn't expecting the drop. He fell a short ways before hitting the ground. It gave me the opportunity to hide and activate my cloaking shield. He scanned for me but couldn't find me so he left muttering a string of curses at me.
Then I felt mother…she was in pain. I couldn't leave her. I had to go back. I had to. I took a different tunnel. One that I knew would lead to where my mother was.
Only before I could get there the tunnel rocked and I was hit with an immense wave of energy as the ground exploded before me. I was flung backwards and lost consciousness.
I woke up in total darkness unsure of how much time had passed.
My instinct was to reach out to my mother through our bond. Only I couldn't sense her. My sensors weren't even detecting any energy signatures of any kind. I panicked and started calling for her over and over. Tears trickled down my face plates as I stumbled through the darkness in the rubble.
"MOTHER!"
There was a light up a head. I recognized the moonlight. It was shining in the room where I had last scene my mother. I raced to it as fast as I could. The ground above was gone allowing the moonlight to stream down…stream down a fall upon…
"MOTHER!" I screamed, tripping, falling and then crawling over the fallen rocks to where my mother's offlined body laid.
"NO!!!!! MY MOTHER'S NOT DEAD!" I screamed the world of reality coming back to me in such a rush that my head felt like it was spinning.
"It was how you remembered it," Soundwave snickered.
"That's not how I remembered it!" I growled at him.
"It does not matter," he smirked. "Your mother is dead. Megatron himself saw her go down on the battlefield."
"No she's not dead!" I shouted, my voice wavered slightly. I was trying to convince myself more than Soundwave. I honestly didn't know if my mother was alive or dead. I had felt her life force fading and I could feel my father's anguish. I had never felt that before from my father. That was all I felt before I lost consciousness. Fresh tears welled up in my optics. It took a lot of will power to hold them at bay. "I don't believe you!"
"You will," he simply said. "You will."
He just suddenly left me alone. I wanted to cry. Only I wouldn't allow myself to do so. I tried to stay focused like Prowl taught me. It took me a few moments to find something on the ceiling to focus on and another few minutes to calm my spark down. Still, even though I was able to relax my body and calm my spark it did nothing to stop the lingering doubts I had within my processor.
Was my mother really dead?
And…what about Leo…or Bumblebee?
Two hours later…
I was still strapped to the table. I tried to recharge while I could. Only one of the guards kept slapping my face preventing me from recharging. When Soundwave finally returned, he picked up where he left off.
The next several hours were a blur of agony and despair as I was forced to relive my youngling hood moment over and over. Each time I reached the end the memory was different, not mine as I knew the device could cause false memories. Sometimes my mother would barely be alive only to die in my arms. Sometimes her body would be in pieces. But every time she'd be dead one way or another.
Each time I emerged into reality it took a concerted effort to cling to what I knew to be the truth. I knew my mother didn't die at Alpha Trion's underground base. I knew that much at least.
"You definitely have courage and strength, young Kaceystar," Megatron said.
I showed no surprise upon hearing his voice. I just lay there, unmoving until he came into view. I could see he was pleased with Soundwave's results today. He was smirking and had this triumphant look in his optics. No doubt he heard my painful screams and was laughing.
"You haven't beaten me yet," I growled at him, turning my face away.
"Perhaps not today," he said grabbing my chin and wrenching my face to look at him. "You will give up."
"What makes you so certain?"
"Because you have nothing to hope for," he said, touching almost caressing the symbol on my cheek. I tried to turn away from his touch. "Your mother is dead. Your sibling is dead. Even that runt of an Autobot that tried to rescue you is dead. My brother has no idea where to find you. So what hope do you have Kaceystar? Hmm?"
"You know nothing about me," I countered.
"I know your parents very well. You have their strength and courage. You've even managed to surpass your mother's beauty. You are so willing to sacrifice yourself to save another, just like my brother. His compassion for others is his failing and it will be yours."
"Let me loose and I will show you just how compassionate I can be!" I said struggling against the restraints.
He laughed at me and I snapped. I retaliated with the meanest, dirtiest Cybertronian curse word I could come up with. I even managed to get work some lubricant up into my mouth and spit it at his face.
Megatron was furious and yelled for Soundwave to inflict pain on me.
"Her energy levels are at critical it could kill her!" Soundwave protested.
"DO IT!" Megatron roared and then hit the button himself.
White hot, searing pain ripped through my systems. I screamed so loud that in an instant that my vocal processor cut out. I tried to remain conscious for as long as I could. But Soundwave was right. My energy levels were below critical. Warning signs flashed from one system to the next.
It felt like an eternity of agonizing pain before I finally blacked out.
Day 2
My systems slowly booted up. The first thing I became aware of was the aches and pains. My processor felt as if it imploded on itself and my chest was very sore where the sensor node had been placed. If that wasn't bad enough, my ankles and wrists throbbed from where the restraints held them.
Next, I accessed my internal chronometer. I had programmed it to keep track of how long I've been here. I winced. It had been more than a day now, some thirty hours. And at least eight hours had passed since I had blacked out. Yet I did not feel rested.
I groaned as I turned onto my back and tried to slowly stretch my legs. Ouch. Every minuscule movement seemed to hurt. Frag, no wonder I don't feel rested. I must have been damaged when Megatron activated the...
A hand suddenly clamped over my mouth and a heavy weight pinned me down. My optics covers popped open in an instant to see and recognize who my attacker was. I froze in somewhat disbelief that this could be happening at the worst time possible with my energy levels still so low.
"It will all be over soon, so be quiet," Skyshadow whispered harshly.
I shuddered, feeling his free hand sliding over my chest. His optics hungrily followed it.
"So pretty too," he smirked, moving a knee between my legs. "I'm going to enjoy you."
I don't know if it was Prowl's training, my mother's teachings, or the sheer desire to not be raped that gave me a sudden power boost to my systems. Quite frankly I was so scared out of my processor that I didn't give a slag at the moment!
I clawed, punched, kicked, bit, and did anything and everything I could to get Skyshadow off me. My legs thrashed wildly to try and kick him off me. My arms wrenched free of his hands from time to time as he struggled to keep me pinned down. My fists, when free, connected with any part of him I could reach hoping to do some damage to him.
At one point I had no idea that I had been screaming until he punched me in the mouth and growled at me to shut up. I was slightly dazed but just enough for him to use it against me.
His forearm pressed hard against my neck almost strangling me. He resorted to using his chest to hold mine down and his leg were painfully pinning my own legs down. About the only thing free was one of my hands and I made good use going for his optics.
I managed to smash one making him scream in pain. While he was concerned for his own well being, I slid one of my legs out and brought it up as hard as I could right between his legs. Just my luck, his interface appliance had been totally exposed and he went down to the floor fast.
It was at that moment that I realized I was in a prison cell and that I had been struggling on a recharge bed. Luck again was on my side for Skyshadow left the energy barrier down. I made a break for the doorway out.
Only the fragger grabbed hold of my ankle and yanked me down. I wasn't expecting it and my face hit the floor hard. I was quickly pulled back. My soft metal skin burned at the sensation of being dragged so fast.
"You'll pay for that!" he snarled, lifting me up and slammed me down onto the bed face first.
His weight was on me again, pressing me into the recharge bed. I tried to get onto my knees so I could use some leverage against him. Only his legs held mine down.
"Told you I was going to enjoy you!" he whispered and then licked my audio receptor.
Taking a guess and praying my aim was true I threw my head at him as hard as I could.
"AAHH! YOU FRAGGER!" Skyshadow screamed as I felt the gush of warm energon falling onto my back. My head smashed his nose good with that amount of energon.
Deciding he had enough of my resisting, he pounded his fist into my back over and over. The room around me was spinning. The edges were fading to black. I whimpered, pleading with myself to not black out as my systems were nearly depleted of energy.
Then a miracle happened. One I never would have expected.
A loud, deep, menacing growl filled the room making Skyshadow instantly stop what he was doing. Pure rage fueled me the moment he moved off me. I lunged for him, sickened and outraged at what he had done to me, probably what he had done to other femmes who weren't as lucky. Even in my weakened condition I managed to throw a hard punch causing him to stagger and then I grabbed hold of him and kneed him in the abdomen over and over.
"Primus! We might make a Decepticon of you yet, Kaceystar!" Megatron laughed heartily, obviously enjoying the show.
Of course I instantly stopped my assault and staggered away. I was so revolted that he would even associate me with his kind. Then I collapsed in a heap on the floor. Even my arms trembled badly as I tried to climb up onto the recharge bed.
"You're lucky Skyshadow. I've seen her kill Decepticons. She enjoys it."
"That was a long time ago," I panted, managing to sit at least sit up against the bed.
"Cyclonis, get this piece of slag out of here. Make sure he understands I do not tolerate such behavior on my base."
"As you wish, Megatron," Cyclonis nodded.
Cyclonis roughly grabbed Skyshadow by one of his wings and dragged him out of my prison cell. They were only gone a few seconds when I heard a crash followed by yelping. The sound of metal being brutally pounded was accompanied by Cyclonis' voice yelling at Skyshadow for his insubordinate behavior.
Then I realized Megatron was observing me. I could feel his cool gaze gauging me. So I shifted my attention to him, staring into his optics. I wasn't sure if I should thank him or not as he towered over me. If I had the strength I would have stood up defiantly. Right now, I'll settle for just sitting on the floor since I couldn't get onto the bed.
"You will find that the monster within can be very tempting to let free," he said to me. I shot him a puzzled look. "Ah, so my brother as not taught you every thing. Of course he wouldn't teach you about such things. He's too pure, or so he thinks."
"My father is a good mech!" I weakly yelled.
A systems wide alert warned me of my impending recharge. I was afraid. I wasn't sure I could do this for much longer. And I didn't want to go into recharge for fear of Skyshadow returning.
"My brother is just like me when it comes to battle," he grinned, kneeling before me and holding my face up gently. "We get off on it. It's a powerful feeling to take another's life. Don't tell me you haven't felt the rush my brother gets through your bond. He's just better at taming the beast within unlike Skyshadow who lets it rule him with reckless abandonment."
I glared at him, saying nothing. Hot tears stung my optics. My father wasn't even remotely close to Skyshadow! Or Megatron for that matter. I understood about the beast within. What soldier would deny that he or she got a rush from battle?
"Soundwave, may we continue with her or did that slaghead frag up our plans for the day?"
"Energy levels are far too low. I'm amazed she is even conscious. She'll require a least a day of recharge before we can even continue with the interrogations."
"That is unacceptable. Get the Quintessons to repair her!"
"Megatron...wait…"
I fell over as Soundwave chased Megatron out.
"Father…please hurry," I wept quietly just before I finally black out.
Nine Hours Later…
My optic covers opened slowly to see these dark yellow eyes framed by a pale grey face starting down at me. A cybernetic implant was situation over his left temple and another one over his chest. From Alpha Trion's teachings I easily recognized the Quintesson.
They were Xenophobic by nature and technologically far superior to my own race. It was also common knowledge that the Quintessons travel in groups of five. Each group working together, even speaking in unison was common or each one talking individually and finishing each other's sentences. Most believed that if you killed one you killed the other four of the group. According to Trion, that was not the case unless you killed the leader or the alpha Quintesson, shortened to just alpha q, as he or she is called.
This Quintesson was not the alpha q. I could tell by his markings. And he was alone. Where were the others and why was he here with me in the interrogation room?
I spoke to him, saying hello in his language as I had been taught. If he was surprised, impressed, or angry he did not show it. He did however blink his eyes a few times.
"So, the little Autobot is awake. Good, we can finally begin."
I growled at the sound of that voice. He was responsible for hurting…possibly killing…Bumblebee! I swear if I wasn't strapped down to this table I would beat the slag out of him for what he did to my friend!
"How's the arm?" Starscream asked as he came into view. The Quintesson was roughly shoved aside. "I see a faint scare where I had ripped it off. Soundwave, take the Quintesson back to his prison cell with the others."
I was not surprised by Starscream's presence. I knew that I would eventually see him during my time here. I was surprised to see a femme sparkling in his arms, warbling and beeping softly. Her red optics looked down at me with a curious fascination. Perhaps, what was most surprising was that I felt her within my spark.
"See that Viper, she is our enemy," Starscream snickered, one hand reaching to caress my face. "A pretty enemy at that too."
I didn't think. I just reacted, biting down on Starscream's hand. He yanked it free, howling out in pain. And Viper, the little sparkling spawn of Megatron, was giggling hysterically. Such sadness filled my spark that one so young was already so accustomed to violence.
"You are mine to torture today, Kaceystar," Starscream sneered at me. "Venom! Come get the little slag so I may begin! And keep better track of her, don't let her go wandering into places she has no business."
At the mention of that name I was filled with an almost uncontrolled rage. It was after all, Venom who nearly killed my father. I quickly calmed myself. Venom was only a youngling and only doing as he father told him. I should not…
My mouth opened slightly and my optics widened.
"Surprised, cousin?" a fully mature, heavily armored mech smirked, taking Viper into his arms. Yes, I was totally shocked. He was only a mere youngling of five when he bit my father. And now he was fully mature? "Yeah, the Quintessons boosted my growth, even helped me with my upgrades." He flexing wings…wings!...that rose up behind him. Viper shrieked and clapped almost reminding me of Leo when I used to fly with him in my arms. "They even brought this fragger back like my father."
"Get your wings out of my face and shut the frag up, Venom. Just get out of here with Viper before Thunderblast's energon line gets in a knot," Starscream ordered. "Last thing I need is that femme screaming down my back."
"Alright! Alright! I heard you're the first time, Screamer. Oh and Kaceystar, nice move. Reminds me of…me when I bit your father," Venom winked at me.
I let him feel my rage that time making him take a step towards me.
'You don't want to do that now cousin,' he said over our family's bond, opening himself up to me more than I cared for.
I quickly cut myself off. It was only a brief connection to his spark. But it was enough to make me recoil. He was a vial and cruel as his father. Slag, he even looked a lot like Megatron. Only he didn't have his father's imposing height and width.
"Silly femme," he chuckled as he left the room with.
'That was stupid Kacey. Get it under control,' I told myself. 'Focus!'
The sensor nodes started tingling against my skin signally the start of the interrogation session. That quickly made me focus. Especially with Starscream looming over head. The grin on his face made my tank churn uneasily.
"Tell me Kaceystar, were you foolish or really that brave when you fired at me all those years ago," he started, his red optics burning intensely, gauging my reaction. "Or was it something different. I know that single blast had depleted the last of your energy. To do so was extremely risky. And to make such a sacrifice meant that you must love your father very much."
"It comes naturally when raised like a normal sparkling."
Pain flashed through my systems for my comment. It didn't let up either as he continued.
"Scream if you must. I won't mind. No one can hear you except me."
"I won't give you the satisfaction," I gritted.
The pain intensified. I growled, glaring at Starscream, almost daring him to give me his best shot.
"Your father can't save you!" he snarled, his mouth so close to my audio receptor. "You should know that you will not be there in the future to save him. He will die now that he has nothing to live for. Elita is dead. His son is dead. You will be dead."
"LIAR!" I screamed at him and was reward with his back hand smacking me hard across the face.
"Oh I speak the truth. I will rip his arm off like it did yours and use his own blade to kill him just as he killed me!"
The next stabling pain occurred in my processor and like before with Soundwave the room faded…
I was standing on the road. Starscream and my father were both racing towards me. One in the air and the other on the ground. Both roaring towards me at frightening speeds.
Then Starscream suddenly slowed up and started firing upon my father. Several direct hits caused my father to lose control. He skidded and rolled in mess of twisted metal. Somehow during one roll he managed to transform just before coming to a stop.
I ran towards him as fast as I could. Only I didn't get very far as Starscream swooped down from the sky, intercepting me and lift me up high off the ground.
"FATHER!"
"KACEY!" he screamed back, reaching form.
"Goodbye, Optimus Prime!" Starscream laughed and fired every weapon in his arsenal at my father
"NO! FATHER!!!" I screamed, scanning the dust cloud anxiously.
When it cleared enough I saw my father's face. His optics were offline. His chest was totally blown open. His spark chamber…had no spark.
"YOU FRAGGER!" I roared at Starscream as I emerged into reality.
I had pulled so hard and suddenly against the restraints that I broke free. I spat at him, screaming one Cybertronian curse after another as I leapt for him. My hands managed to grab hold of his chest armor just as the guards came into the room.
However I refused to let go. They pulled and yanked on my arms with no luck. Even Starscream couldn't tear hands away as he ripped at them.
"GET HER OFF ME!" he shouted, pushing at my face.
As quick as I could I let got, kicking of his chest with my feet. The two guards and I toppled to the floor. I leapt up onto my feet ready to defend myself. Then a plasma blaster sounded. I went down grabbing my shoulder.
"Thunderblast, what are you doing here?" Starscream nervously asked.
"Just checking to see if the femme is close to breaking," the Decepticon femme growled. "Obviously, she's not."
"She is rather resilient as you can see," he groveled. "She broke her restraints. The love she has for her father gives her strength."
Thunderblast was quiet for a moment. And in that moment I could feel her hate for me. No, not for me…for my mother? Her optics suddenly flared and turned to on me as if sensing my curiosity.
"Then I suggest you stop provoking her," the femme finally said, not taking her intense gaze off me. "Forget about using her creators to get to her. Focus on her only. And Starscream, do not be gentle with her. Beat her if you must."
"It will be done, Thunder," Starscream nodded.
And thus the worst of my torture began. It mattered not if I cried out in pain or not. Starscream didn't care. No one cared. When the pain became too unbearable, I didn't even care.
Eleven hours later…
I was barely coming out of an injury induced recharge as I was carried from the Decepticon med bay to my prison cell. From what some of my systems told me, I was repaired…somewhat and given a minimal concentrated dose of energon. None of which helped with the pain I still felt as my repair systems were using the energon dose to finish repairs the Decepticons neglected.
Alone and in deep thought, I lay on the recharge bed of my prison cell and wept quietly from the pain…from the tiredness. Everything hurt so much that I was ready to give up. I honestly believed that I couldn't take another day of it.
My spark sank as a choked sob escaped my vocal processor. I was such a disgrace to the Autobots right now.
"Kaceystar."
I heard my name and looked towards the energy barrier, wiping my tears. Only no one was there.
"Hello?" I called out timidly.
No one answered. Perhaps I'm already so far gone I'm hearing voices now. Suddenly thoughts of what happened earlier when Skyshadow was in here filled my processor. I closed my optic covers and forced them away.
"Kaceystar, are you functioning enough to respond?"
I sat up quickly, wincing and grimacing, and looked around my cell. I wasn't hearing things. That was definitely a female's voice. And then it dawned on me.
"Who are you? Where are you? And how did you get my communicator frequency?" I asked.
"All good questions, young one," the voice answered. "I am Rema. I am Quintesson. We are in the same cell block as you only further down from you."
"I am Klatu," another said, a male's voice. "It was I who was able to acquire your communicator frequency so that we may speak with you."
"Won't we be detected?" I hastily asked.
"Our way of communicating with each other is similar to your communicator only much more advanced and can only be used in short ranged and cannot reach beyond this cell block," Klatu quickly explained. "The Decepticons cannot detect it as it is almost like telepathy but not. They will not detect yours as they only scan for long range communications, nothing within the base."
"I am Vopal," yet another male chimed in. "We are most impressed that you've been able to survive this long."
"I am Gorte. We were hoping that you survived the interrogation."
"I am Turak. We are all Quintesson and we are hoping that you can help us."
"And in return we will help you," Rema added.
"Hate to break it to you guys, but I can't even help myself right now," I sighed, gingerly lying back down.
"You are wrong, young one," Rema countered. "You're frame is much more durable than you think. You have an inner strength that cannot be so easily extinguished."
"How is it that you know so much about me?"
"We know much about your father, young one," she replied. "We are good friend with Alpha Trion."
"It was the Quintessons who helped Alpha Trion in the planning phase of your protoform," Klatu answered.
"Your protoform was to be the first of many new Autobot warriors able to combat the Decepticons and give Optimus Prime the necessary power he needed to defeat Megatron," Vopal explained.
"We knew Megatron's thirst for power would not stop with the All Spark. We decided to assist those deemed worthy of ruling Cybertron," Gorte said.
"You mean the Autobots," I commented.
"No, we mean Optimus Prime," Turak corrected. "He is not a warrior by nature but by necessity. He was meant to be a ruler during a time of peace."
"We each do what we must," I sighed.
"Precisely, young one," Rema said. "That is why I assisted Alpha Trion in the defense programs of your protoform. We knew he'd be able to duplicate it for the many new protoforms he was constructing at his base."
"Then his base was attacked. He barely made it out with the prototype," I added.
"That is true," Turak said. "However, what foiled the plan was when the youth sectors were attacked and nearly everyone destroyed. One in particular had nothing but femmes with sparks all ready to be delivered into the new and improved protoforms. None of those femmes survived."
"Imagine our surprise when we examined you and discovered what you were!" Klatu said, almost sounding excited but not quite.
"You are what we've been waiting for, young one," Rema explained. "You will be our salvation and take us away from this place."
I laughed out loud.
"You must be joking. Me? I'm as much a prisoner as you are. Besides, how do I know this isn't some kind of a trick? You revived Megatron. You revived Starscream. You did Primus only knows what to that pit spawn Venom. Besides, even if I did get out of my cell, I don't have armor. I wouldn't last long out there in a fire fight."
"Because Kaceystar, we know the schematics of this base," Rema answered. "Your skills as a fighter do not rely on your armor. And…as a reward, we can correct the glitch in your systems."
I slowly sat up.
"What glitch?" I had to ask.
"We recognized Alpha Trion's handy work having collaborated with him many times. We know it was he who took yours transformation systems offline because he believed it was the only way to stop the glitch that caused a retardation in your growth rate," Klatu responded.
"He was partly correct in that it was your transformation systems that caused it," Vopal added.
"Only such drastic measures didn't need to be taken," Gorte said.
"A simple re-sequencing in the program's algorithm would have sufficed," Turak said.
"Only the program was of Quintesson design and Alpha Trion did not know it was easily correctable," Rema added.
"But you can…correct it?" I asked, rising to my feet.
"Yes, we can," Rema answered. "And we can restore you to your true form. All you have to do is get us out of here."
My true form? I looked down at my arms and legs. To think, I could be restored. I could be the Autobot I was born to be! My spark beat with such excitement. I had never dared to hope for such a thing!
"I take it this procedure would take a long while since you examined me on two separate occasions and did nothing," I mentioned.
"Yes, we would have to take you offline," Rema answered.
"What about activating my transformation systems?" I pressed on.
"We could have activated them," Klatu replied.
"Then why didn't you?!"
"Because, young one, Soundwave is exceptionally knowledgeable of transformer systems and watched us closely."
I sagged in defeat, sitting back down. Rema was right. With Soundwave watching them so close they couldn't have done much and got away with it.
"Too bad," I frowned. "If I had my transformation systems I could guarantee a seventy-five percent success ratio."
"Still, we know the escape route," Klatu added, almost sounding desperate.
"Even with that knowledge our success rate is thirty percent. I do not like that number."
"Your transformation systems do not make that much of a difference!" Rema snapped.
"Yes, they do," I replied calmly. "With them I have an additional power source, sensors, a cloaking shield, a defense shield that hides my energy signature, and weapons at my disposal. All of which I know I would need to protect the five of you. I'm sorry. I'm not willing to sacrifice us all."
"You are right. Of course," Rema sighed wearily. "Fighting and strategizing is not in our nature. But it is in yours. I trust your judgment, young one. Forgive me."
"Don't worry about it. If I'd been a prisoner here as long as you guys have I'd be a little desperate too. So, any of you have any ideas how to get one of you to examine me again to activate my transformation systems?"
Day 3
I only got about four hours of recharge. But discussing the possibility of being returned to my true form with the Quintessons renewed my strength…it gave me hope. I had prayed when I was younger for some kind of miracle. I only wanted to be returned to my true form so that I could be the leader that would make my father proud. And now it was going to happened…if I got out of here.
That was a big fragging if right now as I sat strapped to a chair in the interrogation room with Megatron towering over me, Soundwave behind him and Thunderblast on her way.
"You must be proud, uncle," I said, lazily glancing around looking like I was bored. "Venom he looks a lot like you. What you did to him by the way? You're really one sick fragger to experiment on your own son. So tell me, if he's all mature, physically, he must still have the processor of a youngling. I mean he can't even keep his optics on that little pit spawn brat of yours, Viper."
"SHUT UP!" he growled, backhanding me across the face.
The energon pooled up in my mouth so I spit it out at his feet, making him growl.
"You will not break me, uncle," I said, glaring up at him defiantly.
"Every mechanism has a breaking point. You are simply proving to be a far greater challenge than originally perceived."
"Thanks," I smiled brightly.
Megatron snorted, "You remind me of another particularly annoying Autobot. He too smiled at me just before we interrogated him. I doubt you ever met him he died on Earth before you ever arrived. I ripped him in half and tossed his pieces aside like unwanted scrap metal."
I growled. I knew who he was talking about. Prowl had talked often of Jazz with me particularly over the past few months. I feel honored for he rarely mentions his bond mate's name to anyone else anymore. He missed Jazz so much now that his grief has almost completely consumed him. I fear in another few years or even less the Autobots will lose him.
Megatron chuckled at me and then the lunged forward and grabbed my face roughly.
"You will break! It is inevitable!"
"You'll have to do better than that, uncle," I smiled. "I do not frighten so easily."
"Perhaps we should do a direct attack on her spark," Thunderblast said as she entered the room. "It would give me great pleasure to feel her pain."
"I'm afraid an assault on her spark will not work anymore," he replied, red optics locked intently on my blue ones for a moment longer before letting go and turning away. "She is not the frightened youngling I attacked many years ago. Her spark is strong, like my brother's."
"Yes, Soundwave told me she's been annoyingly resistant to his interrogation techniques do to her training," Thunderblast said, moving to stand directly in front of me. Once again I could sense her hatred of me. One didn't need to share a spark link to sense it. "Let us find out if she's been prepared for another kind of interrogation…my favorite kind."
I showed no reaction, nor did my spark rate elevate slightly. I knew precisely what she was talking about. Prowl warned me that some Decepticons preferred the old ways where hallucination drugs were used to not only pry information from a mechanism but also used to enhance pain. For that, all he could do was give me the best advice possible which was to do my best to keep my wits and try to remain focused.
Most mechanisms couldn't handle it because they lost their focus, they couldn't distinguish the real world from the imaginary. I honestly had no idea if I was going to be one of those mechanisms. But I was sure as pit not going to go down without a fight.
"Give me your best shot," I growled, leaning forward as far as the restraints allowed me.
"As you wish," she grinned evilly.
Again I showed no emotions and did my best to not react to the injection she jabbed into the main energon line in my neck. At first all I felt was the stinging sensation of the hypospray. In a matter of astroseconds I felt a rush of heat course through my body accompanied by blurred vision.
I shook my head then tried to focus on Megatron. His form was all distorted and barely came into focus when his face suddenly appeared right in front of mine. Even his voice was so distorted I couldn't make out what he was saying.
Then the room started spinning. I couldn't tell with was up or down. My head felt so heavy that I could barely keep it up right. Yet I kept trying…I think. A warm substance trickled down my chin and someone grabbed my head keeping it steady. I swear I could even feel my spark rate decreasing.
"Yoooouuuu gaaaavvvvve heeeeerrrrr toooooo muuuuccchhhh!" someone said their voice sounding as if it were in slow motion. "Frrrrraaaaagggggg! I dooooonnnn'ttttt waaaaannnntttt heeeeerrrr deeeaaadddd!"
I barely felt the sting when another drug was injected into my systems. Images became clearer. My spark rate sped up. The room was still spinning causing me to purge my tank. I didn't put much effort into it and I felt my own vomit roll down my chin and drip onto my chest.
"Clean her up," Megatron ordered, his voice sounding back to normal.
A towel roughly wiped my face and chest.
"She's still a youngling, Megatron," Soundwave said. "The drugs are too strong for her systems. They're meant for fully mature mechs or femmes."
"Then I'll just have to beat the slag out of her!" Thunderblast snarled.
I saw her fist up close as it connected with my cheek. My head snapped back. The chair threatened to topple over. She hit me a couple of more times in the face before Megatron grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
"Thunder, please. I can't have my femme damaging herself," he smiled, caressing her face. He seemed so tender and affectionate I almost couldn't believe my optics. Was that really Megatron?
"She must pay! I'm tired of waiting to take my revenge!" Thunderblast growled, pulling away from him.
"You will do as I command!" he ordered, quickly grabbing hold her by the neck, looking very much like the Megatron I always expected to see. I could even feel her fear.
What a fragged up relationship! Love, hate. Slag, he probably beats her too. Makes me wonder if he forced himself on her to produce those two spawns of his. I shuddered at the thought of forced interfacing. No femme or mech deserved that fate. I almost felt pity for her. Almost.
"Do I make myself clear, Thunder?"
"Yes, my Lord," she choked out.
"Good," he said letting her go. "Soundwave, prepare the youngling. We will have to resort to your methods. Thunder, over here love. You can handle the controls."
"As you wish, Megatron," she responded, keeping her head bowed down, submissively, as she moved to stand at his side. The she softly added, "Thank you."
He grunted in response not even bothering to look at her. His red optics flared at they locked on me once again.
"You haven't felt the worst yet, Kaceystar," he said.
"I understand," I said back, narrowing my optics at him. "You'd just better hope your femme doesn't kill me. You know the consequences if she does. Brother or not, my father will kill you."
Thunderblast laughed, "That's an empty threat and we know it."
"Is it? You know the beast better than anyone Megatron. Do you really want to let one in particular loose?"
I noticed Thunderblast twitched just before she growled softly. Megatron must had said something to her over their bond. I had no doubts in my processor that she would have killed me if I hadn't said something.
And despite the pain I was experiencing, I earned a small victory once again over Megatron. I was able to sway him taking advantage of the fact the Thunderblast would not disobey him as he stood there. I just prayed he stayed in the room as I was tortured!
Fourteen hours later…
The Quintessons only asked how I was when I was finally returned to my cell. I lied, telling them I was fine. No sense telling them how every nut and bolt hurt like pit, that I wanted my processor to explode so I couldn't feel how much it hurt, and that I was beyond exhausted. I don't know what was worse the psychological torture or the physical torture.
Laying there in the darkness I tried to forget about the pain or how tired I was. I needed as much recharge as I could before each and every interrogation session. Only for some reason my recharge system wouldn't initiate.
If that wasn't bad enough I felt a tingling sensation throughout my entire body. Then the sensation started to burn. Not enough to hurt but enough to be alarming. Sitting up I started to wonder if I should call for medical attention. Then quite suddenly, a system wide alert sounded within my processor.
After a long moment of analyzing the dada a huge smile fell across my face.
I got up and moved to the energy barrier to make sure no one was coming. The hallway was clear from what I could see. So I retreated back to the recharge bed and sat down. Staring at my right hand, I initiated a simple command.
My spark raced with such excitement. I was practically giggling with elation as my hand slowly transformed into my blade. I marveled at it for a moment, the rest of my longing to allow my battle armor to extend and be free for the first time in…far too long.
Only this was not the time and place. Not yet. I retracted my blade and wiggled my fingers.
"Rema," I called, laying back down. "Our odds just got better. You and the others must be ready. We'll be leaving this place when the opportunity presents itself."
"We will be ready."
I initiated my recharge programs. From now on I needed to conserve as much energy as possible for an escape.
Up next: Back on Earth with the Autobots.
One more item: The poll is up to pick the name for Optimus and Elita's little femme who will be appearing in the Kacey-Bee love story! So go pick one!