Author's note. I've finally updated, hope you all like.
If anyone has any suggestions, please give them to me.
Enjoy and please review.
The place they arrived in was a sunlit wooded area. The kids were already grinning in anticipation as Starscream gently set them on the ground. Starscream smiled, pleased to see them so had chosen this place because of it's peacefulness. Also, they were only ten minutes from a small town where the kids would be able to get something proper to eat."Aw, man, I can't believe it," Carlos was now saying as he stretched his arms out. "We're really back.""Yes we are," Alexis said happily as she tipped her face towards the sky. "And can you feel that sun, I'd almost forgotten what it feels like."
Starscream watched fondly as the kids ran around, enjoying the feel of being on their home planet once again. Alexis was running her hands over the grass while Carlos was leaping around a set of boulders. Rad meanwhile was climbing a fallen tree before flopping down on it.
The Seeker relaxed against a sturdy tree, he wasn't in a hurry. He was keeping an eye on the time, he knew they had to be back in plenty of time before Megatron went to check on Prime. Which of course meant also checking on the kids.
But he wasn't too worried, he had left Swindle to keep watch. If Megatron looked like he was planning to leave the Throne room, his Minicon would warn him and he could quickly spirit the kids back to Prime's cell.
But he was sure that wasn't going to happen any time soon, Megatron would want to enjoy himself in peace by doing a bit of gloating. Not to mention he would be knocking back the High Grade which would end with him having a good nap. The kids would be the last thing on his mind.
At that moment, Rad spoke and Starscream focused his mind back on the kids.
"Hey Starscream? Could we take these collars off?"
He indicated the black collar around his neck which helped him and his two friends to breathe on the Decepticon base.
"Just while we're on Earth," the boy added quickly. "I know we'll need them when we go back but can't we….Just…feel truly free for a while?"
Alexis and Carlos turned to look at him with pleading eyes, obviously not sure if he would say yes. He smiled.
"Oh course you may," he said softly. "It would look strange to other humans to see you wearing them. Come here and I'll take them."
They quickly ran over to him and one by one, he removed their collars. They ruefully and gleefully rubbed at their necks which had been collared for so long. Starscream quickly sub-spaced them for later use.
"Wow, that feels really different," Alexis said with a smile. "I got so used to them and now, it's like I never wore them."
"I know what you mean," Rad said with a grin.
"So dudes, what are we gonna do first?" Carlos said eagerly.
"Don't know," Rad said thoughtfully. "Maybe we could explore a bit first and then decide."
"There's a human town in that direction," Starscream now said with a nod towards what looked like a path.
"I thought you'd like to get some proper food from there."
Their faces lit up at this thought.
"That would be great, Starscream," Alexis said happily.
"Come on then," Starscream said, standing up properly. "I'll come with you till the edge of this forest and then I'll wait for you."
The kids grinned and they set off, trotting at his heels as he led the way.
They breathed in the earthy scent of the forest as they walked, wonderful sunlight warming their skin. All around them birds were chirping and they could also hear many different insects buzzing. These were very normal sounds, they had heard them there whole life.
But somehow, after spending all that solid time with the Decepticons, it felt like a completely new experience.
All too soon, they had reached the outskirts small town. The three of them ducked into a shaded area with Starscream as he cleared his throat.
"Here's some human currency," he said and held out his hand which held several dollar bills.
They took it but looked curiously up at him.
He smiled and said.
"Cyclonus picked this up by mistake, don't worry, I believe there was plenty more."
They nodded, there was no point protesting and they did need it. Starscream's expression now turned serious.
"Kids, I'm trusting you to behave appropriately. Now I know I said you can contact your parents but you must not, under any circumstances, tell them anything about this. The humans cannot find out about us, it would affect both us and the Autobots."
He looked them all squarely in the eye as he continued.
"This way we do not hurt anyone, we search for Minicons quietly and without fuss. You kids were there when we all first arrived and that's why you know about us. But no one else does and we all want to keep it that way. Do you understand?"
They all nodded solemnly, their expressions serious.
"We understand Starscream, we just want to let our parents know we're alright," Alexis said, coming forward and laying a hand on his.
"But we swear we won't tell them anything, not about all, Optimus or even where we are at the moment."
"Yeah," Carlos cut in grimly. "We don't want Megaron tuning into the local news and seeing that we managed to make contact. Man, he would go loco."
"He would," Starscream said quietly. "And you would be severely punished, worse than the last one."
He sighed and shook his head, murmuring.
"You haven't seen him truly angry yet, hopefully you never will."
""We won't say anything," Rad promised before adding. "We don't want you punished for your kindness."
Starscream smiled and gave them each a small device that looked like a phone.
"I will call you when I think you should return. Or if something comes up. Be safe and enjoy yourselves kids."
"We will," they all said and after thanking and bidding him goodbye, they set off.
They happily walked through the town, it was a normal quiet place where everyone simply went about their business. A few people gave them curious looks but didn't stare and just carried on.
"It's these outfits," Carlos muttered, tugging at his purple jumpsuit.
"Looks a bit weird."
"Can't do anything about that," Rad said regretfully. "We'll probably be flagged as tourists doing some camping, something like that."
After a few minutes of walking, the came to a busy area with several shops and cafes. The kids paused, wondering what to do first.
"Why don't we just have a little look around?" Rad suggested. "We can split up and meet back here in maybe half an hour or so and have a bite to eat?"
"That sounds good," Alexis said with a small smile.
Even thought the two boys were her best friends, they had spent an awful lot of time together over the past few days. It would be nice to do her own thing for a while, get her own personal space as it were. She knew the boys felt the same, it was a much needed break for them all.
They separated and Alexis started wondering down the street. Spying a book shop, she grinned and rushed in for a quick look. She spent a happy ten minutes looking over all the stuff she had to offer. Regretfully, she knew she couldn't buy anything, she had no where to put in.
And even if she did, she couldn't risk Megatron finding it and demanding to know where it came from. He wasn't stupid, he'd soon figure out what had happened.
So with a sigh, she put down the text she'd been looking at and exited the shop. Browsing was good but when you weren't buying anything, it lost it's appeal after a while.
As she continued along the street, she suddenly spotted a phone box and her heart gave a painful thud in her chest. Her parents must be so worried…..
She quickly rushed into the booth, fumbling for the change she'd gotten from a nice lady at the counter. Breathlessly, she shoved the money in and then typed her home number.
She stood, twisting the cable in her hands as she listened to the dial up. As it rang, she tried to calm herself down but it was hard. She was so nervous, she couldn't only imagine what her parents had been thinking all this time.
Her heart nearly broke as her mother tearfully answered the phone.
"Mom, it's me," she began quietly.
"Alexis? Oh my God are you alright, where are you, are you with Rad and Carlos?"
"Yeah mom, their with me," Alexis replied, trying not to cry at her mother's tone.
"Their….their just contacting their parents."
"Alexis," her mother said voice trembling. "What happened to you, you were camping with Billy and Fred and then you never came back."
"We..," Alexis started to say but her voice broke. She cleared her voice and then said.
"Mom, a gang took us when we were going back home, and we've been with them ever since."
"A gang?" her mother repeated, horror entering her voice. "W-what kind of gang?"
"I…I can't say mom," Alexis said sorrowfully. "I can't tell you anything, I'm sorry."
"Alexis," her mother said, sounding like she was gripping the phone in a death grip.
"Have they hurt you? Have they t-touched you?"
"No mom," Alexis yelped, she really didn't want to think about that and Megatron in the same thought.
"Alexis, you can tell me if they have,"
"They haven't, their not interested in that kind of thing, at least not with us," Alexis said earnestly.
Her mother made a noise of disbelief so the girl said.
"Look mom, they did spank us a couple of times but only because we tried to get away. But apart from that they haven't hurt us."
She didn't see any need to mention how Megatron had starved them a couple of times. Or the fact he had spanked them so hard, they still had bruises.
"Spank you? Why the nerve, they have no right to do that,"
Her mother was now angry and a small part of Alexis chuckled at the dressing down she knew her mother would give Megatron if she could.
"How could you let them do that to you?" her mother now demanded.
"He's too strong for us to stop him," Alexis answered quietly.
"Oh, baby, I'm so sorry,"
Her mother was now regretful and sounded close to tears again.
"Of course you couldn't stop….him?"
Her mother paused and then asked.
"Who is he?"
"The leader," Alexis explained. "He's the one who usually deals with us when we're in trouble."
"Tell me who he is," her mother now said. "Your father's out with Rad's father, I can contact him and he can tell the police…"
"I can't mom," Alexis cut in gently.
"Alexis, no one would know…"
"He would, trust me," Alexis said wearily. "Mom, the only reason I'm talking to you is that one of the gang's members is really nice and he felt sorry for us. He's taken us out for food and fresh air, his leader would go nuts if he found out he'd done that."
She took a deep breath and then said.
"It doesn't matter mom, even if I told you where we are right now, it wouldn't help you find us. We're hidden too good."
"There must be something we can do," he mother said softly.
"I-I sorry, mom," Alexis replied tearfully. "There really isn't. I know you don't understand but please, just trust me on this."
"Will I ever see you again, baby?"
"Yes mom," Alexis said firmly. "Meg…..he said he would let us go, he just doesn't want to at the moment. And you can't tell him anything, he'll do the opposite just out of spite."
"A-and your sure he isn't hurting you or the boys?"
"I'm sure mom," Alexis said, putting conviction into her voice.
"Mom, I-I don't know when I'll see or talk to you again. I just wanted to let you know I love you and dad."
"Oh baby, we love you too, we love you so much," her mother replied, her voice choking up.
"And don't you ever forget that or doubt it."
"I won't mom, thanks."
Alexis took a deep breath, knowing this was going to be very hard.
"Mom, I know you've probably got people out looking for us. But they won't find us and actually…..I-it would be better if you didn't tell anyone we called."
"What!" her mother exclaimed. "Alexis, honey, we have to tell, we can't pretend…"
"You have to," Alexis pleaded but keeping her voice sincere.
"Mom, if he watches the news and sees that we made contact, he'll go ballistic. And not only will he punish us, he'll punish the one who's letting us out. And Mom, I can't let that happen, he gets picked on enough as it is."
"I-I'll have to talk with your father about this,"
"You do that, Mom," Alexis said. "And talk to Rad and Carlos's parents about this too. But I know the boys will be saying the same things I've said."
She glanced over a large clock, it showed nearly half an hour had past since she'd left the boys.
"Mom, I gotta go, my times up,"
"But you only just got on, stay longer darling,"
"I can't Mom, I'm really sorry," Alexis said, tears running down her face. "I love you Mom."
"Alexis," her mother cried but she simply said.
"Goodbye,"
She put the receiver down, knowing that at the other end, her mom would be crying. She hated having to do this, absolutely loathed it. But if she hadn't, her Mom might have kept her on for ages and she just couldn't do that.
Dashing away her tears, she rushed out of the phone box and run along the street, trying to find the boys. She spotted Rad up ahead, and sped towards him.
"Alexis?" he began but she flung her arms around him, cutting him off.
He patted her back and she released him, trying to hide the fact her eyes were red.
"Did you have a nice time exploring?" she asked.
"Yeah, I had a look in a couple of stores," he said with a smile before it disappeared.
"And then I called my parents."
She nodded in understanding and Rad didn't need to ask her if she'd done the same. The evidence was written all over her face.
"Go well," he asked finally as they looked for Carlos.
"As well as expected," she replied softly. "It was my Mom who answered, and I had a hard time putting her off the idea of trying to find us. They just can't understand what's going on."
"No," Rad said softly and didn't bother to say how it had been his dad who had answered. And how difficult that phone call had been.
"Hey guys,"
They turned to see Carlos running up to them, he didn't look as unhappy as they did.
"Did you call?" Rad asked but Carlos gave a small grimace.
"I did but there was no one home, I had to leave a message."
"I'm sorry, Carlos," Alexis said but he simply shrugged.
"I was kinda dreading talking to them over the phone, they'd have chewed my ear off. A call just doesn't seem enough, you know."
"We know," they both said and nothing more was said on the matter.
They went to a fast food bar, and treated themselves to some junk food. They chatted about what they'd seen, stuff they'd liked to have bought.
But finally, they decided that they wanted to return to Starscream, it was hard to act normal when the circumstances were anything but. They headed back to the forest, making sure not to attract attention.
The red Seeker looked up as they entered the little hollow he was in, he'd been lightly dozing.
"Back so soon?" he said with mild surprise.
"Yeah," Carlos said with a small shrug. "It was nice for a while but.."
He shrugged again, there were no words.
Starscream nodded.
"Why don't I carry you for a bit?" he suggested. "We can explore this place together."
The kids eagerly nodded and he bent down and gently scooped them into his hands. Clinging on, they peered down as he started walking. He smiled sadly as they relaxed, it was clear they had been tense for a while now.
He only hoped that depression didn't set in.
Megatron's POV.
Megatron sat comfortably on his Throne, a nearly full cup of High Grade in one hand.
He was enjoying himself thoroughly, the thought of Prime as his helpless prisoner was almost too much. Oh, he had plans for Prime, and he couldn't wait to carry them out. He would great take pleasure in their talk later this cycle.
Thinking of Prime reminded him about those brats of his.
He mused that they had probably been punished enough, they'd surely learned this lesson. And if not, he could always reapply it. But he doubted he'd need to.
He maybe take them for another bath, he quite enjoyed the last one with them They were amusing to watch as they played in the water, and the warmth seemed to make they more docile. Yes, that sounded like a good idea.
He gave a small sigh, he was starting to feel tired. It had been quite a day, and it never hurt to have a quick sleep.
Downing his cup of Energon, he settled back into his chair and closed his optics, ready for a good nap. He briefly wondered what his men were up to but didn't really care.
It wasn't as though any of them would be doing anything he wouldn't like.
Author's note. In the next chapter, Starscream returns the kids but how does this go? And what about Megatron and Optimus? Find out next time, until then.