Author's note. Heh, I know I gave a summary in the last chapter how this chapter would go but I'm afraid it hasn't gone to plan. But rest assured, what I've said will happen, just not in this chapter.
It's been pointed out the story was becoming slightly M. I'm just going to say I have no plans for it to become so and will ensure it doesn't go that way too much.
Suggestions are welcome.
Enjoy and please review.
Alexis was the first to wake that morning. For a moment, she enjoyed the warm, sleepy state that first accompanied waking up. Unfortunately, this did not last long as she was rudely jolted awake by a sharp pain in her lower abdomen.
"Ohh," she groaned as she forced her tired eyes open as the pain continued to throb.
A beeping caught her attention and she raised her head to see the Minicon assigned to watch them, regarding her with concern. He had just asked her if everything was alright and she smiled despite herself. The Minicons were always so kind and helpful.
"I'm fine," she assured him as he moved closer.
"It's just cramps," she explained, rubbing her abdomen ruefully.
"I just need to get a drink..."
Before she could get up, the Minicon had scooped up a bottle of water and brought it over to her. With a small smile, he offered it to her.
"Thank you," she said gratefully as she took it.
After drinking her fill, she realised she needed to go and freshen up. With a chukle, she removed the blanket someone had covered her and the two boys with and got up. Her two friends were sleeping soundly and would likely stay that way for some time.
She scooped up a little toiletry bag Starscream had gotten her, containing all the necessary things for a girl on her period. And as she had discovered last night, it also had a new tooth brush and toothpaste.
Starscream had remembered Carlos's request and had gotten some for each of them. It had felt so good to finally give them a proper clean, she hadn't realised how furry her teeth had been until then.
Ten minutes later, she was finished and heading back to where Rad and Carlos were, still feeling tired.
Sometime later, Cyclonus came stomping in, apparently looking for something. But he was making so much noise that she feared the boys would wake.
"Will you be quiet!" she snapped at Cyclonus who stopped dead.
"Huh," he said blankly, staring at her.
"You're going to waken them with your clomping," she hissed, angrily pointing at the boys who had shifted ominously.
"Sorry," he replied deciding not to argue with this small glaring Femme.
He quickly found what he was looking for and carefully exited. Only when he was gone, did Alexis flop down again, dimly registering she'd cost her temper pretty easily.
This made her groan, she had a feeling that her short temper was going to get into trouble this wreck. She'd just have to try her best at remaining relaxed.
Eventually the boys started to stir and waken. When she noticed this, Alexis quickly got up and grabbed a couple of bottles of water for them.
"How are you doing?" she asked softly as Rad mumbled and opened his eyes.
"Mmm, okay," he said, his voice sounding raspy.
She quickly gave him some water and he gulped it gratefully.
"Thanks."
"No problem," she said with a smile as Carlos woke up.
Stretching as high as he could, Carlos yawned widely before turning to sleepily grin at his friends.
"Hey amigos," he said sleepily.
"How's it going?"
"Heh, only just woke up," Rad said returning the grin.
Carlos chuckled and then sat up a bit more, accepting the water bottle Alexis handed him. He drank greedily from it, draining nearly half the bottle before putting it down.
"Thirsty much?" Rad teased before suddenly grimacing.
"What's wrong, dud?" Carlos said in alarm.
"Need to go," Rad said through gritted teeth. "But I can't get up."
"We'll help you man," Carlos said with concern as he and Alexis started to help Rad to his feet.
But suddenly the Minicon was at their side and carefully scooped Rad into his arms. As Carlos and Alexis scrambled to their feet, the Minicon said softly.
"He should move as little as possible, I will assist you."
"Thanks dude," Carlos said as he followed NikNak.
Alexis watched them with a small smile, she wasn't needed.
Starscream's POV.
Starscream walked into the Throne room, idly wondering why he had been called. No doubt Megatron had some task he wanted to bestow on Starscream. The question was, did it involve the Decepticon cause or the kids.
A small smile graced his features as he thought this. He wouldn't mind if that was the latter, he'd really become fond of them. Especially Alexis.
She actually seemed to understand him like no other, not to mention, she could make him laugh. He actually found himself regretting the times he'd spanked her for the simple fact it had caused her pain.
But he didn't have time to dwell on it, he needed his attention on his smirking leader. To Megatron's left was Scavenger, impassive as always. He did wonder where precisely this Mech had come from, he'd never heard of him before.
"Ah, Starscream, good of you to join us," Megatron said, his smirk widening.
"What do you want Megatron?" Starscream asked evenly.
"I contacted the Autobots last night," Megatorn began, which Starscream guessed was the reason his leader looked so pleased with himself.
"And told them that unless I get a Minicon, Prime will go hungry."
Starscream's optics widened slightly as he stared at Megatron, not noticing Scavenger's grimace.
"You're planning to starve Prime?" he asked in disbelief, trying not to think how the kids would react once they found out.
"Only until his men pay up," Megatron said with a shrug. "Once they do, I want you to go and collect it, so you'll be on standby for today."
Starscream nodded, that made sense. Though he wasn't looking forward to meeting the Autobots when the time came, they would be raging mad. Of course, he could take care of himself, Autobots didn't scare him. Still, it wouldn't be pleasant.
"Is that all Megatron?" he said softly.
"Yes, you may amuse yourself until then," Megatron said in an offhand way, as he suddenly stood.
"Scavenger, why don't you check on Prime, find out what kind of state he's in."
"I'll do that," Scavenger said simply, making Megatron smile.
"Good."
As the three Mechs started walking, Megatron added.
"I do hope they send a Minicon soon, I rather fancy sparing with Prime."
He smirked coldly.
"Not much point when he's likely to collapse from hunger."
And with a short harsh laugh, he proceeded them and was soon gone from sight.
"Think the Autobots will pay?" Starscream asked Scavenger as they continued walking together.
Scavenger snorted.
"What do you think?" he said flatly and Starscream didn't reply. There was no need.
As they parted, he briefly debated going to see the kids but decided he'd go later. Right now he wanted to get some sword practise in. Before the inevitable meeting with the Autobots.
Optimus's POV.
"Optimus?"
Optimus looked up as he recognised the gruff voice saying his name. He smiled behind his mask at the sight of Scavenger standing inside his cell.
"Scavenger, good to see you," he said warmly.
"Likewise," Scavenger said before asking.
"How are you feeling?"
"Like slag but I'll live," Optimus said with a small chuckle before turning serious. "How's Rad and the other two kids?"
"As far as I'm aware, he's recovering and the other two are fine," Scavenger said. "I think Megatron allowed them all to sleep together in the Med Bay."
"That's good," Optimus said before breaking off slightly as his tanks gave a rumble.
"Hmm, is Megatron going to allow me any Energon?" Optimus asked lightly.
"Yes, but only if your men hand over some Minicons," Scavenger said, his tone grave.
Optimus nodded, that sounded like Megatron all right.
"And we both know they'll do it," he said with a sigh.
Scavenger nodded.
"You know, the Minicons aren't treated too badly here," he said softly. "Megatron likes them to be all doing stuff but their fed and he doesn't ever beat them."
"I know that but it's not the point," Optimus said, just as softly. "He doesn't think of them as equals, merely tools. He treats them well because he treats all his weapons well. And though he doesn't beat them, other Decepticons cannot say the same thing."
He paused and then added.
"To be fair, I don't mean any of the current Decepticons on this base, they do all seem treat their Minicons well."
"Indeed," Scavenger said.
There was silence for a moment and then Scavenger said.
"If it helps, I'll ask Megatron if I can have the Minicon, I'll look after him."
Scavenger smiled ruefully.
"I'm the only one without one, I doubt he'll begrudge me."
"I'd certainly feel a lot better about that," Optimus agreed as Scavenger suddenly brought something out of sub space.
"Something to keep you going," Scavenger said softly as he held the tiny ration of Energon out for Optimus.
"Megatron will be suspicious if my energy levels aren't low," Optimus pointed out but Scavenger just smiled.
"This won't bring them up that high, just make things a little easier. Trust me, you'll burn it through it pretty quickly, Megatron will never know."
He held it close to Optimus's masked face and the blue and red Mech laughed.
"You know me too well, old friend," Optimus said as he retracted his mask in order to drink.
Carlos's POV.
Carlos was chilling next to his sleeping friend when Megatron walked in. The Decepticon leader came over and barked a question at NikNak. The Minicon quickly responded that Rad was doing fine and well on the road to recovery.
Megatron nodded and then turned his attention to Carlos.
"Where is the girl, I thought I left you all together?"
"Ah, she's here but a little, ahem," Carlos gave a little cough. "Indisposed."
"Indisposed," Megatron repeated, wrinkling his brow slightly.
Carlos sniggered and then said.
"One word Megatron, period."
"Oh," Megatron said in a tone of understanding and disgust.
He eyed Rad for a moment, the boy was currently under the influence of painkillers. Apparently, humans healed better if allowed to recharge a lot. He then realised that Carlos was eying him up and growled
"What?"
Carlos just grinned.
"Sorry, just thinking about stuff."
"And that involves gawking at me, does it?" Megatron asked silkily.
"Kind of, yeah," Carlos said with a shrug. "I mean, I can't help thinking about all that sex stuff you told us."
Megatron grimaced as he said.
"I have no interest in your immature thoughts."
This really made Carlos laugh.
"No man, I'm not thinking about how gross it is thinking about you and Optimus doing it."
Megatron's optics seemed to bulge with shock and utter rage so Carlos quickly said.
"I mean, not you and Optimus doing it together, just doing it in general."
Megatron growled and turned away from the small, irritating boy. How was it these children always seemed to throw him whenever the subject of interface was brought up? They were just so...impertinent.
"And then it got me thinking," Carlos continued, seemingly not bothered by how flustered Megatron was.
"Well, when you kissed Alexis, it seemed a bit, you know, weird."
This made Megatorn frown and turn back to face him.
"What do you mean weird?"
"Well, for starters, you're really, really, really old," Carlos explained. "And we're so young, so it's kind of odd."
This made Megatron huff slightly, he wasn't that old. Obviously, by human standards, yes but not so much by transformer. Carlos now cocked his head slightly.
"You didn't kiss her because you...liked her, did you?"
"Liked her, do not be foolish boy," Megatron immediately said, his lip curling into a sneer.
"Why would I, the supreme overlord of all Decepticons, be interested in a slip of an organic like her when I can take my pick of any pretty Femmes back home. Especially as interface is impossible between us," he added for good measure.
Carlos sniggered, it figured that's all Megatron would care about.
"I don't know, you seem to spend an awful lot of time with her, and you didn't look that repulsed when you kissed."
Unbeknownst to either of them, Starscream had been about to head into the Med Bay when he heard their voices. Pausing to listen, his optics widened at the turn their conversation had taken.
"Megatron has kissed Alexis? When did this happen?"
"I was amused by her reaction, nothing more," Megatron said coldly. "And you know perfectly well boy, I only did it in the first place to silence her."
"Heh, couldn't argue with her, could you?" Carlos laughed. "Not when she's like that. My pa always told me never to do that, you just need to give in cause you just won't win."
Megatron looked very annoyed at the implication he couldn't handle a hormonal Female. Starscream meanwhile, was getting angrier by the moment.
It was typical of Megatron to show interest in something Starscream liked and then try to take it from him. Well, he wasn't going to allow that to happen. With a snarl, he stalked off, determined to think of something to thwart Megatron.
"So you're sure you don't like Alexis?" Carlos teased, glad the girl in question wasn't here or she wouldn't be happy. He really didn't want her wrath turned on him.
"This conversation is pointless," Megatron announced.
"I merely came in to make sure you brats were behaving."
"Sure you were," Carlos said with a sly grin.
Megatron simply growled and stalked out of the room. Carlos waited until he was gone and then burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?" came a voice from behind him.
Carlos turned to see Alexis looking at him curiously.
"Oh, nothing," Carlos said with a grin. "Just thinking about some stuff."
"Boys," she chuckled affectionately.
Megatron's POV.
Megatron growled as he stalked into the Control Room, grumbling over that ridiculous boy's observations. It was all nonsense of course. Sure, he enjoyed teasing her in such a manner but that hardly meant he felt something for her. As if a transformer could ever fall for such a weak organic.
A beeping snapped him out of his mood and he managed to smile. Ah, this must be the Autobots surrendering a Minicon, at long last.
"Well, well," he sneered as he opened the channel and was greeted by the sight of Hotshot.
"I take it you have a Minicon for me."
"Um, yeah, we do," the young Autobot said a little uncertainly.
"We just found one."
"Excellent. And you're going to hand it over to me," Megatron said smugly.
"Hmm, there's just one thing," Hotshot began, causing Megatron to roll his optics.
"Spit it out Autobot, you're beginning to bore me."
"It won't activate," Hotshot said in a rush. "The Minicon Shield, it's just staying dormant for some reason."
"But it is a real Minicon," he said quickly. "We just...don't know what to do with it."
Megatron considered him thoughtfully. The Autobot didn't seem to be lying and it made him wonder why a Minicon wouldn't activate.
"I'll still take it," he said finally. "And if it's genuine, Prime will get a cube. But if this is some kind of trick, I'll want two Minicons in exchange for Prime being fed."
"We're not trying to trick you," Hotshot protested.
It didn't matter, they soon worked out where the handover was going to take place. They knew that if the Minicon was for real, Megatron wouldn't bother contacting them. So they couldn't only pray that he accepted it.
As Megatron switched off the computer, he suddenly got an odd feeling of foreboding. Something told him that things were about to change for all the Transformers on Earth.
To be continued.
Author's note. The appearance of a new transformer changes things for everyone but who will it affect the most? The Autobots or the Decepticons? Find out next time.