While Ratchet, Wheeljack and Raf began to work on creating the tracking device, Arcee surveyed the Autobot Base. Bulkhead, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee were off somewhere, Wildstar and Smokescreen were in their rooms, Miko and Jack were sitting with Mitch, all three trying to comfort each other. Arcee frowned a little. It hadn't been that long ago when she had brought in Red and her brother for the first time. Heck, she hadn't even wanted to bother with the red-headed teenage girl and her older brother. But fate had other plans in store for them.
Flashback...
Arcee drove in front of the rusty green pickup truck, nicknamed 'Jess' by the man, Mitch. He drove along carefully, his sister Red sitting beside him in the passenger seat. They were accompanying them to the Autobot Base, where Optimus Prime and the others waited for them. Wildstar drove from behind, keeping an eye on them to make sure they didn't suddenly turn and try to make a break for it. Although, with what Mitch had said about his sister, both highly doubted it.
Arcee then veered off of the highway onto a faded back-road, heading for a column of rock. Mitch of course, followed. They drove through a secret entrance, down a long corridor, and came into the Main Area. Arcee used her mirror to position and see the two new human's gaping faces. Mitch looked more terrified then his sister did. They parked and Red unbuckled and leapt out, taking several daring steps forward and staring up at Optimus Prime and the others. Arcee and Wildstar transformed and stood behind them, faceplates set in a firm look.
"Optimus, these are the humans we told you about." Arcee stated. Out of the corner of her optic she saw Red's wide green eyes staring up at the mech with both amazement and curiosity.
Optimus nodded. "Thank you Arcee." He looked down at the young humans and kept a straight face as he talked. "We are Autonomous Organisms from the planet Cybertron, but you may call us Autobots. I am Optimus Prime, leader and the last Prime."
Mitch gulped and remained frozen, but it was his sister who spoke. "Mah... Mah name's Red suh. Red Botson!" She spoke, showing little-to-hardly any fear.
Optimus smiled a little. "Welcome, Red."
Mitch finally got his voice back. "Ah-ahm Robert-Mitchel Botson suh! But uh, everyone calls m-meh Mitch fer short."
"Welcome as well, Mitch." Optimus greeted, nodding at the human. "You have already met Wildstar and Arcee," The two femmes looked down, and while Arcee kept her stone-hard look, Wildstar waved a little. "This is our medic Ratchet," Optimus gestured to the red-and-white mech, who grumbled under his breath at the aspect that more humans would be joining their ranks. "Bulkhead," The huge green mech nodded at the pair of red-heads. "Smokescreen," A smaller red, white and blue mech smiled as his name was said. " And Bumblebee." A yellow mech with buggy, blue optics beeped and bleeped.
Mitch raised an eyebrow while Red spoke up. "It's nice 't meet ya 't!" Everyone stared at her with disbelief. "Uh, eh-heh. Tadah?" She said sheepishly.
"How, how can you understand him?!" Ratchet sputtered.
"Ah just can. His voice is a tad-bit rough -no 'fense- but ah can hear him clear as day!" She shrugged.
"And I thought only Raf was able to understand him."
"Raf?!" Both Red and Mitch asked together.
As if on cue, three humans walked into the room. "Somebody call us? Well, him?" A Japanese teenage girl asked, running up beside a short twelve-year-old boy and-
"JACK?!" Mitch exclaimed about the same time he exclaimed,
"MITCH?!"
Both were stunned. "WHAT IN SAM HILL ARE YA DO'N HERE?!" Mitch asked, practically yelling his words.
"I, well, I sort of hang out here!" Jack shrugged, unsure on how to exactly answer him.
Mitch blinked. "S-so ya know 'bout these thangs?!"
"I guess-"
"Who're the carrot-tops?!" The girl asked.
"HEY!" Red snapped. "AH RESENT BE'N CALLED THAT, THANK YA VERY MUCH!" Red glared at her.
"Miko!" Jack sighed. "Sorry about Miko."
"You two know each other?" Arcee asked, a bit curious.
"Yeah uh, he's the fry-cook. We're on the same shift together." Jack shrugged. "Red tends to drop by there every now and then."
"It is good to know you are already familiar with the Botson family Jack." Optimus said.
"Well, uh semi-familiar that'd be." Mitch spoke slowly.
"Huh?" Jack asked.
"Ah think it's time 't show ya why we're here in 'th first place. Sis?" Mitch turned to his sister.
Red took a deep breath in. "HANDS: ON!" She said loudly. Jack, Miko, Raf, and the entire Autobot crew watched the impossible happen. Red's hands separated to reveal Cybertronian wiring and plating underneath. Her fingers had lengthened with black wires peeping out between segments. In the palms of her hands were two large holes surrounded and connected to the plating and wires. Cybertronian blaster cannons, Arcee quickly identified and bristled. Just like her's.
Ratchet was the first to speak. "I-I don't believe it! A techno-organic!"
"A what-now?" Jack asked.
"A techno-organic is an organic being merged with Cybertronian technology. It was rumored that there was a theory of such a creature existing, but we all assumed they were nothing but myth." Ratchet explained.
"So ahm like yer proof or someth'n?" Red asked.
"It appears that you are indeed our 'proof'. Somehow you were merged with Cybertronian technology-"
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Hold onna moment!" Mitch said, throwing his arms up. "So y'all are tell'n meh tha' mah sister here is some kinda part robot?!"
"It appears so." Optimus confirmed. "And if the Decepticons were to ever get their servos on her, it would be disastrous."
"Dece-wha?" Red asked, raising an eyebrow. "You mean 'em cars that tried 't kill mah brother?!"
"That was them. At least, the Vehicons. There are plenty more where they came from." Arcee hissed.
Red's eyes snapped with a bright fury. "WELL IF THEY THINK THAT THEY CAN JEST GO WALTZ'N 'ROUND 'AN HURT FOLKS, THEY GOTTA 'NOTHER THANG COME'N 'T THEM!" Red yelled, angrily hands balled into fists.
"Next tahme ah see one, POW!" She thrust her arm forward, and Bumblebee had to duck as a red-energy blast whistled out and hit the hall behind him! "Right in 'th- kisser." She smiled sheepishly. "Ah-heh! Whoops! Sorry 'bout that!" She apologized then deactivated her hands.
Arcee eyed Red. Somehow, she had a feeling that the techno-organic would come in handy.
Flashback End
Arcee rubbed her arm plating a little. She missed Red extremely. 'It's all my fault...' She thought to herself. 'It's all my fault she's gone.' She clenched her fists. 'But I promise you Red, I'll make sure you come home safe and sound, and not end up like Tailgate or Cliffjumper. I swear it upon the AllSpark we'll find a way to get you back.'
Red continued to yell at Soundwave, her green eyes snapping as he padded to the brig. "YA SERIOUSLY GOTTA PROBLEM YA KNOW THAT?!"
Soundwave shook her to daze her. Already he was nearly at the end of his cable, dealing with this feisty, stubborn techno-organic. He brought her into the brig, where Megatron stood, Starscream at his side, with Breakdown, Knockout, and Airachnid all along the right side, watching him come in with Megatron's newest weapon. He held her up so the mech could see her.
"Thank you Soundwave." Megatron said, eyeing her. "Hmm, a bit scrappy, but it will soon learn."
"Soon learn what?!" Red snapped.
"You, techno-organic, are powerful. The only one of your kind, the only one in existence."
"Yeah, ahm special! So?!"
Megatron growled. "Watch your tongue! You will be my new pet, my newest and greatest weapon against the Autobots."
"SAY WHA-MM!"
Soundwave covered her mouth with a digit. "Apologies: Techno-Organic now under control."
"I see that... Now, as I was saying. Starting in one earth day, you will be trained in combat to the farthest extent of your abilities. It is wise that you do not fail us." He waved his servo. "That will be all!" Soundwave nodded, then turned and made his way down the walkway to the door.
"Hmph. Odd little half-fleshie isn't she?" Knockout murmured.
"Indeed." Breakdown also muttered, watching her.
But it was Arachnid who stopped Soundwave by lifting one of her ponytails with a single digit and smiled. "Such a beautiful red. Perfect."
Soundwave yanked his servo away from her, knowing what she was up to, then padded out of the brig. He walked for a little bit, deciding she could use some time out of the cell, then a few earth hours later, eventually went back. He dropped her back in the cell, pushing the human food closer. "Request: Food needed." Her vital signs were lowering, her tanks becoming empty again.
Red frowned. "No way! No way am ah gonna eat 'gain!" After all of that, she wasn't about to let him think he had an advantage and she was just going to obey!
Soundwave glared from under his visor. She had to eat something or else the little thing would starve and perish. He tried coaxing her for the next several minutes, then went stiff when he heard Megatron's heavy peds coming towards him, followed by the much softer ones of his Seeker.
"Soundwave, have you made any progress with the techno-organic?" the silver warlord asked, raising an optic ridge. Starscream stayed silent, not wanting anything to do with a half-fleshie.
"Status: Unsure."
"I suggest you become sure soon. Otherwise you might be demoted." Megatron snapped, peering into the cell at Red.
Red glared back, totally unafraid. "What?! Whaddya want?!" She growled at him, as if daring him to put a claw inside to touch her or something.
Megatron growled back, displeased so far with his new pet's training. Soundwave had assured him he knew what he was doing and so far... well, it looked like there had been no progress made whatsoever. "Soundwave, she does not seem any more docile than the last time I looked upon her." He growled deeply, his blazing red optics locked onto Red within the cell. "I will give you three more Earth weeks. By then if she is not trained, I will have you de-ranked for failure. Is that clear?"
"Affirmative."
"Very good." Megatron purred, reaching into the cell and grabbing Red in one clawed servo. "And you, little pet, will need to behave. I am not a mech with a good temper." She kept her own firm gaze locked into his, before Megatron dropped her. She let out a grunt and stood up, muttering a number of words under her breath that Soundwave knew were insults.
"And if I hear one word against me, I will personally see that you are collared and leashed." That shut her up quickly.
Meanwhile, Starscream pulled his wings tensely together, furious this little femme thing had taken all of Megatron's time away from him! He was the best creature there! He was handsome, he was perfect, he was already well trained! How DARE a half fleshie be worth something to Megatron?! "Shouldn't you terminate the pet, not the trainer?" Starscream asked, slyly skittering out of Megatron's reach as he spoke, wings lowering with submission as he did so.
Red's eyes danced. "WELL 'SCUSE MEH FER BE'N KIDNAPPED, INVOLUTARILAY BRANDED 'AN BE'N FORCED 'T TRAIN T' FIGHT MAH TEAM!"
Megatron grinned a little, showing off sharp dentas. "You will be broken in time. I believe Soundwave is being too gentle with you. A pet does not need the upmost care, most of all one as resilient as you are."
Then he turned to Starscream, deciding whether he was going to make an example of him or let the comment slide. He decided the latter, allowing Starscream to get off the hook this once. "Continue your work, Soundwave. Starscream, you may also stay to supervise."
"I have no time to supervise a useless pet! I am your second in command and I do NOT do such menial tasks!"
"You do if I command it." Megatron snapped, fusion canon powering up. Starscream backed down, nervously making his way to the cell's door.
Soundwave said nothing, still trying to get Red to eat. If she perished he would surely be punished. He tried nudging the food closer, but she was being stubborn and continued to back away with a scowl. Starscream turned to look at her after glaring daggers into his bondmate's back. Stupid fragger would regret trying to tame a flesh thing. They were too worth the trouble. He hissed a little when Soundwave gave him one of his 'unimpressed' looks, rankling the Seeker even more.
Red huffed, looking away from the crate of apple, then turned her eyes to Starscream, remembering how he freaked out. A devious smile suddenly came to her lips. Oh, why not give him some trouble? She slowly walked up to the cell door, towards him, making herself look as threatening as possible.
Not noticing Red approach, the lithe mech let out a high pitched squeak of surprise and fear, retreating back a step when the techno-organic fixed him in her sights. She followed his movements with her intelligent gaze and he flexed his claws nervously, ready for anything. She gave a small smile, before springing forwards and making a slash.
"BOOO!" She yelled, lunging at him!
Starscream yelped loudly, throwing himself backwards and knocking Soundwave right over. He remained on his pedes, skittish as ever and watching Red with huge optics. His wings drooped when she began to laugh at him, his faceplate contorting into a scowl. How dare she! From that moment on Starscream decided he would have to rid the Nemesis of her once and for all. That way he could get his mate back, save Soundwave, and be rid of the organic creature that had now taken to pestering him.
Red had doubled over, laughing hard. At least there was a bright side to all of this! "Wh-what's 'th m-matter...?" She said between gasps for air. " 'F-'fraid 'a 'lil 'ol me...?! Hahahaha! No wonder they call ya 'Stahscream'!"
Starscream pouted, not pleased that even that little thing was making fun of him now. But his calculating mind was already going over the options. Perhaps he could convince her to strike a deal of sorts with him...
Soundwave, lucky for Starscream got a comm to come and break up a fight between the Vehicons and Insecticons, and quickly hurried out, deciding to use more force when he returned.
"I am not afraid of you, flesh creature." he scoffed, haughtily trying to pretend he hadn't just freaked out. "But I do have a proposition for you." he purred slyly, coming a little closer. Sometimes he was like an earth cat, sly and smooth in all his movements and words. "You want to get out of here, don't you? To go back to your little Autobot friends?" he asked, waving a clawed servo around. Now that they were alone, Starscream knew he could get away with speaking to her.
Red raised an eyebrow. Okay, now what sham was he up to? Still, she needed to get back, and this could be her only opportunity to actually get anywhere. "All right, what's 'th catch?"
Starscream growled a little, claws flexing as he paced a bit as he plotted. "I dislike you a great deal and so far you have only gotten in the way. So I could kill you and be done with it or I could set you free. Seeing that if I kill you, someone will be blamed and surely it will be myself. If you flee, on the other servo, that puts the blame on Soundwave." he said, wings perking up.
"If you leave this ship, you will owe me a debt, of course. But nothing you can't handle." Starscream added, using one of his insanely sharp claws to pick the lock. "Run along, little creature. I will pretend I never saw a thing."
Red, seeing her chance darted out of the cell. "Thanks... ah think." She sped down the hallway, out of Starscream's sight. This was it. Her second chance. She was going to make sure she didn't blow it like last time!
Making sure to double-check before crossing the hall, she darted across, and replayed Soundwave's patrol in her mind, her sharp memory replaying each corridor and door to a tee. But as she slipped down the fifth hallway... something hit her legs and she fell!
"WHOULF!" She grunted, and quickly tried to stand. But something was gluing her legs to the ground. She snapped her head up and around. White, sticky paste covered her legs. Webbing. And a threatening laugh echoed as, from the shadows, out padded- uh oh, Airachnid.
"Well, what sort of little insect have I trapped inside of my web, I wonder?" She said in a dark, sleek voice that sent chills shuddering down Red's spine.
"Hands: On!" Her hands activated and she attempted to blast Airachnid away, who merely dodged the shots and webbed her hands to the floor!
"Hmm, interesting. It appears that I've caught a very lively little prize indeed."
She reached down and gently ran a sharp digit around Red's exposed neck, then hooked and slid off her ponytail ties, causing her long red hair to fall loose. "And such a pretty red too. Mmm, a wonderful head for my collection" She began to dig her claw in as she ran it across her neck again, taking her time to watch her prey squirm under her. Red thrashed, trying to pull away from the webbing but it stuck hard to the ground, and there was no way she'd be able to get herself out in time!
'If ah git outta this alive,' she thought to herself frantically. 'Ah'll clean mah room more often! 'Specially once ah git offa this ship-'
She let out an involuntary squeal went the digit pierced her flesh, and Airachnid above her cackled with glee. Red bit her lip and screwed her eyes shut, ready to feel her neck slice in half.
Then, Airachnid hissed as Soundwave came shooting out of nowhere and punched her away! He stood between her and Red, letting out a static-laced growl as he dared her to even make one move against him.
The spider-like femme snarled in retaliation, bright pink optics narrowing. "I should have known you would be the one to stop me." She grumbled. Soundwave stood his ground, not saying a word. "It's not my fault Megatron's newest pet escaped from her cage-"
"WELL 'SCUSE MEH FER BE'N CAPTURED!" Red snapped angrily, glaring up at her from behind her hair which was now drifting over her eyes.
Airachnid hissed again and took a step forward, claws ready to strike. Soundwave raised an arm, signaling that if she moved in for the kill, he would strike back. After a a seemingly endless, tensed moment, Airachnid slowly turned and padded away. "You would be wise to make sure she stays in her cage, lest I decide to make her my newest trophy." She called over her shoulder.
Soundwave knelt down and sliced the webbing encasing her arms and legs carefully, freeing her from the floor, though he left enough so her hands and feet were still stuck together, making it impossible to attempt another escape. Then, as he stood up, he noticed the odd things that she had been wearing in her fur on the ground, and how her neck was damaged. With his other servo, he scooped them up and padded back to her cell, stopping outside of it and pulled out another mech cloth. He gently dabbed away the blood as she flinched and hissed, then once satisfied he subspaced it and cleanedoff what was left of the webbing still clinging to her, then dropped her in. But as he turned to close the door, he dropped her hair ties as well.
Red blinked and watched him close the door and turned his back, Once sure, she scooped them up and retied her hair, brushing her ponytails back. But a thought occurred to her as she did so, noting the way he'd protected and handled her. 'Why IS he be'n so nice 't me?'