N/A i got the idea from Armada, when bulkhead got stuck on the nemisis it was the perfect scenario :P
in this chapter Ellen comes face to face with Starscream :)
Predator well...not really.
Dad had still not talked to me since yesterday everyone had given there explanation from the night before, he mentioned his disappointment and lectured Jack, Miko and Raf even more then he did his Autobots, but nothing too cold, he still had a caring sound to his voice...but still had nothing to say to me. Is he being immature about the whole situation or something else? There was nothing immature about Dad that was for sure, but it's pretty hard trying not to get upset about this. So i can either cry about this or be stubborn and i normally take the second option, i have never cried in years and I'm not breaking that streak now.
So Yet again i had found myself in another canyon based area, all Autobots and their charges were scouting for Energon that included me and Dad. I had my wireless headset on if i ever had to contact him. See we decided to cover more ground by going separate ways...well it was my idea really, since it would've been pretty awkward going together. But normally when i suggest things like this he goes against the idea mainly because of my safety, but he wasn't...okay… that's fine.
So like the others i had my own little Energon dictator, i attached it to my bike and headed into a deeper canyon. The cliffs were much taller here and there was much shade, suits me fine since I'm not a fan of sun burn...oh i hate the silent treatment, its the typical guilt trip thing, okay it was illegal, okay there was still the potential of an accident but good God this is almost mentally torturing, "Beep" a sound rung from the detector it would beep every four seconds meaning it was a bit further away so i went to investigate.
I checked the area for any unwanted dangers...all clear, still better step lightly.
As i followed the source i came across a huge hole the readings were off the chart. I looked over the edge of the hole "it's pretty deep." I said to myself. Then i looked closer and there was a distinct color of glowing blue. "There's the energon already processed and packed, still why put it in a big hole?" I then looked around for any evidence of recent activity. "Ground hasn't been touched in a while, no tracking's, nothing." I said crumbling some dirt between my fingers, i then contacted Dad though i cringed in doing so, "Dad i...found Energon, and it's already packed. I'll send you my co-ordinates via text." I told him.
"Remain in your position." Dad simply said. Normally he praised me for something like this, but he didn't. I loved praise from Dad, who doesn't love praise it's such an uplifting feeling. I shook off the thought, I'm not a leech I'll get over it.
"O-okay." I simply said. I then thought as i stared down at the hole, "The time he gets here i could bring up some of that Energon and the work would be half done." It was about a 50 foot drop not that far down as long as i didn't fall down; i carefully placed my footing then made my way down. The walls of the hole were so delicate at the slightest of touch; it was hard finding a strong point.
"I think I've just made myself more work then less" i said to myself. It took me about 5 minutes before getting down though it felt longer. i carefully placed myself in-between the blocks of energon as i acknowledged them, then i reached a hand behind me to the backpack i had on, "now wheres that grapple?" i mumbled. "Ah, here it is i can climb up much faster with this." i said about to pull it out but then came a loud humming sound and i was instantly engulfed in a large shadow. I looked up and to my horror i saw the Nemesis, most likely to collect the Energon. Either way i was screwed even if i did attempt to climb out because a long tube came down from the ship, and there was no room to avoid it. It came over me and the Energon cubes, man i have the worst luck.
Seconds later it raised up back into the nemesis, i looked on as i was many feet in the air. "I am fragged." I sighed quickly looking to the outside world that passed on by like a car doing sixty. I lay myself between the cubes to avoid being spotted as i finally entered the Nemesis this was suddenly so real. and as such had to get out of this situation fast as I peeked behind a cube, "no guards." I thought but still i frowned intensely as i cautiously crouched down.
Then i tried to contact Dad "Dad?" i whispered. "Do you read?" all i got back was static. "Damn it" i hissed leaning a hand against one of the cubes trying to assess the situation, "I can't stay where i am, maybe i can access this ships computer and maybe find a way to navigate it somewhere closer to ground." I thought easier said than done.
I carefully moved my way through the room exiting it and then finding myself in the ships hallways, "the main room would most likely be where the controls are." I said that like i knew where it was. "Most main room doors always have a bigger door then the rest it's a well known cliché" i thought. "And i think i spotted that door" i said to myself as i peeked round the corner to reveal a door larger than the rest, every so often a group of Decepticons would come in or out so i would have to be extra careful. I hid myself in the shadows as i saw two Decepticons make their way to the room they were having a social conversation so i decided to stay very close behind too avoid being seen on entrance.
As i swiftly ran to another shadowed area of which is my only hope of not being spotted, my eyes widened as i was greeted with the sight of many Decepticons it was more like the cafeteria for Cons. I felt a sweat come on but i had to shake it off i had come this far i can't go back now. But i was alone. "i wish Dad was here, i wonder if he's trying to find me?" i thought as a single tear formed in my eyes. I brushed it off harshly mentally scolding myself.
I got back to focusing; I closed my eyes and inhaled, then tried to figure out my surroundings. One Decepticon stood out from the rest mainly because he was just standing there looking very proud of himself...Starscream. Though he has been known to have some comic relief moments, he was still a very deadly Decepticon. I heard him spout orders to this one Decepticon to change course.
I had found my objective, but it was typically the furthest away. Then i had to do something i found to be very humiliating, shuffle...shuffle against the wall until i got there. first I shuffled against the wall of this one control panel going all away around it, including treading lightly past a Decepticon, up against the wall again of another control panel and had to repeat that another two times before finally getting there.
Then i felt my heart in my throat again as the alarms went off i thought that was pointed at me but no. A Decepticon told Starscream there was an intruder in a different section.
"Well what are you waiting for? All troops find and destroy the intruder!" Starscream ordered. Then all Decepticons in the room looked at him. "Yes that includes all of you! I'm not taking any chances!" he barked.
With all the Decepticons (except Starscream) out of the room it makes it slightly easier for me as well as give me a boost of confidence hoping the intruder was my Father, hopefully. I quietly climbed up onto the computer; i quickly looked through the ships mainframe, I've had my experience with Decepticon tech, not much just the basics and hoping i can vaguely make out there written language, its much different in writing and dialect then the Autobots. "Maybe i can do a bit of damage." I thought.
I then proceeded to disable the ships weapons, its shielding and i managed to breach its cloaking which should come in handy too. I then attempted to try and find a way to get to the ground, but i felt a cold, shadowed presence behind me.
"Well, well, well." I froze Starscream spotted me damn i always manage to let my guard down at the last minute. "If it isn't Ellen the Autobots little mascot." He said walking over to me.
"Wow, you mean you remember my name? Could it be that maybe I'm a...threat?" i said, okay i am completely whacked out for saying that a major flaw on my part, i just can't help but say something sarcastic.
Starscream growled. Then he put one of his clawed fingers under my chin causing a slight scratch. "hardly! And For that little joke. I'm going to skin you alive, then leave your corpse to rot where no one will find it." He said threateningly. "Pity, you are a much better looking human then most i have seen." He added.
"If your gonna kill me, kill me, don't talk about it!" I bluntly said, my serious side told me say that but my humorous side told me to say 'flattering' first option was much better.
Starscream again growled and violently plucked me up. He then pressed a firm finger against my throat. "ugh." I choked; i couldn't keep it in this time no more witty remarks, no quick comebacks... I was scared "D-Dad help me!"
Starscream grinned evilly, red optics flashing as he saw my fear.
"Ugh..." i managed to choke again i couldn't breathe! "I'm not going to give him the satisfaction." I thought as a bit of confidence came to me, so i grabbed the finger he was using to attempt to slit my throat with and snapped it off with my right hand.
"Argh!" Starscream yelled. "Why you!"
Then i suddenly felt something, a warm feeling. Then in an instance i found myself in the air and Starscream was blown across the room and had fell to the ground below.
I was caught in a large metal hand.
I held my hand on my throat and breathed heavily. I looked up to reveal Dad.
"Are you alright?" Dad asked as he examined my face with his finger.
"Y-yes, you came for me?" I said somewhat surprised.
"Ellen, it does not matter what foolish things you have done, I would never abandon you." He said gently cradling me to his face. "Silly girl." He chuckled.
"W-well i-i...i was about to finish him off you know." i then changed the subject.
"I do not think a finger will cause Starscream to offline." he said.
"Who said anything about terminating him, i was referring to his ego." I said grinning triumphantly.
Dad then walked over to the edge holding me close to his chest, Starscream was out cold for the time being. i found myself looking only looking at Dads face...I'm so relieved that he came. Then Dad walked over to the computer, "time to make a temporary landing." He said as he placed me on his shoulder then proceeded to type. "As soon as i input these co-ordinates, I will then transform and make haste for the exit so be ready." He told me.
Then as the confirming beep came from the screen and without warning Dad transformed with me still on his shoulder, i felt my stomach bounced as i put on a dull surprise expression. "Uh" i groaned sitting at the wheel already with a seat belt on.
Dad then drove at full speed; reinforcements had arrived and were firing upon us. "I have been on this ship many times; the exit should just be on the left down this hall." Dad told me.
"Uh." Was all i could say.
He was doing about sixty, and then swerved round the corner the exit opened on approach as i pushed against the force that i swear felt like it was going to break my neck.
"Brace yourself." Dad said as he propelled off the Nemesis, it was still in the process of landing so we were still pretty high in the air. We hit the ground pretty hard; i might have got a little whiplash otherwise fine.
"...uh" i said again.
Dad just drove and drove until the Nemesis was out of sight with their weapons disabled they weren't able to fire upon us.
so we were now in the clear. I got out of the cab and Dad transformed.
He awkwardly scratched his helm as i shuffled my feet. "Ellen, I am, sorry that i had not spoken to you. I will admit, i was angry and that anger blinded my judgement...i-i should not have let you go alone." He then sighed. "When i figured out that you had been street racing, i had decided to not discuss the matter until i was completely calm...but Ellen you know how i am with law and respecting that law." He said calmly.
"I know." I said i was about to say something else but then Dad went on a rant.
"And i do not need to tell you that you could have brought harm to yourself and to others." He then said.
"But Dad i wouldn't have hurt myself or others, I'm a capable driver." I stated.
"Skilled or not you could not predict the outcome, other drivers could have taken you down with them...but i would be lying if i said i did not understand why you did it." He said my ears pricked up at that. "You are still young, curious, full of life and willing to give anything a try. But we will have to find something else for you to do." He then said.
"Really? Like what? Exploration? Unlocking the secrets of things of an uncertain nature? Finding hidden ancestry?" i asked frantically.
"Well how about you start by cleaning out storage and then we will go from there." He said mockingly.
My shoulders slumped.
"You still broke the law Ellen and that comes with punishment. But i still mean it when i said we'd find you something else to do, to satisfy your adventurous personality." He said.
"Dad...you're giving me diabetes." I said gagging.
He laughed slightly before turning back to a serious expression, i watched his optics scan my face (not literally), he then knelt down again as he held my face with plucked fingers like a ripe grape between your fingers i just hoped he didn't squeeze, he turned my face left and right and myself at that point got a little anxious as i swatted his hand away, "D-ad, I'm fine." i whined.
he expressed a small smile, "I just want to be sure you were not harmed, sometimes you are not completely honest when asked." he said.
"that's because every time i do you make a big fuss about it." i argued.
"I think Ratchet should double check just to be sure." he said placing a finger under his chin.
"hey Ellen what has your life been like? well its hard to explain its dangerous yet, sheltered." i said being two people at once, "that's my life, warm on the outside cold in the middle." i then placed my own finger under my chin, "but your completely the opposite, slight-ly cold on the outside but warm in the middle." i said grinning.
"Shall we call it a day?" he then asked me completely waving off my comment.
"Well, when we go back to find my bike, you wanna...?" i stopped, after getting busted for racing i didn't think he'd be sound to the idea so i just bit my lip as we walked.
"you do not need to hesitate when talking to me." he said lightly.
"yeah but, i don't think that its appropriate to ask given the fact that we just made up and all." i said scratching my head.
he shook his head as he smiled at me amused, "i am fond of how shy you can be."
my face blushed slightly, "I'm not shy!" i protested.
"you can be." he continued to push me, just more entertaining for him that way i bet.
"Fine. look here, you wanna race?" i asked more demanding then anything, certainly not shy.
though i dropped that sudden confidence to his so-so expression, and let myself look solemn as he made a lot of 'hmm' sounds and had a scowling look on his face and, at that point i dropped my head, i told him it was not a good idea, "Racing in a baron waste land sounds appropriate." He said as i shot my head up, he gave me a teasing smile as i frowned instantly.
"quick messing with my head!" i scolded playfully shaking a finger at him.
"Ellen?" he again changed his tone very quickly to that of concern.
"Yeah?" i asked slightly concerned myself.
"I, felt your fear." He said solemnly.
Ah damn i always forget about that, but i've grown so comfortable with it. "Argh, crap. You did? I gotta try harder in hiding my emotions." I said.
"Do not. I want to feel what you are feeling." He said.
"Well i don't, well its okay if I'm happy or excited but i don't want you feeling all the negative feelings as well. You've got enough to worry about." I said sadly.
"Would it have been best if we had never met?" he said solemnly.
"No!" Damn he has to be so realistic all the time. "I mean...it's just that...this has been on my mind for a while. if you choose a solitary life you avoid that pain of losing someone, but it is a lonely life and you would die alone too. But making friends, having family, maybe even a lover and then losing them is just...too painful. I don't know how people do it." I said rubbing my arm.
"it is inevitable that you would eventually have to face that reality, but you become a stronger person for it, you also have many memories of them, even if it were a few you still remember them..." i gave him a tired expression, "they would not want you to live a life drowned in sorrow." Dad said. Referring to my parents.
"Says you, when i lost my parents i became so timid when it came to the subject of losing someone else even timid in myself...i know i wouldn't be able to deal with it...it is my biggest fear." I said shaking.
"You were able to move on with your life when your Father died." He said softly.
"Yes, but not truly…besides i-i had you." I said.
"And you will always have that support when you are going through difficult times, from your friends, from family, from me." He said as i rubbed my arm again and as a force of habit he gently picked me up without even a hint, and then held me to the crook of his neck. "you forget that you were the one who told me it was better to know someone then to not know them at all."
"when did i say that?" i asked confused.
"during the events of our pursuit for the Allspark...our first meeting...did you forget?" he said, i felt him sway slightly and his armor plating shook whenever he spoke, okay i like these moments as long as it just us.
"No of course not, i just can't remember giving you advice." i said trying hard to think about that memory.
"Well you did, and I will repeat that you do not forget that either." he said firmly.
I felt a little better as i gave him a small smile, i rubbed my head slightly at the frustration that i had forgotten something like that, but i still can't help but think this way. "It's your fault I'm bonded with you anyway!" i yelled at him playfully whacking a hand against his plating, oh yeah, bonding...well its hard to explain but I'll get round to explaining it right now I'm just glad we sorted this out.
"How so?" he questioned.
"If you weren't so awesome I-I'd...be...erm..."
"Most likely taken in by a member of your family if i had not claimed you first." He finished.
I shuddered at that thought. "Don't even joke, still your able to feel what I'm feeling but i rarely feel what your feeling, well, i do feel what your emanating towards me but nothing like say your sadness or-or pain." I said puzzled.
"I do my best not to burden you with my troubles. And i certainly don't want you feeling my pain" He said.
"You hypocrite! You wanna feel what I'm feeling but you won't let me in!" i huffed. "Fine, whatever at least there's an advantage to this." I said sneakily.
"Which is?" he said raising an eyebrow.
"whenever i have parties i can sense you coming a mile off, by then everyone's gone before you can park in the drive way." I said giggling, that's also an odd feeling, its like his presence is there, but its not...as i said I'll explain it thoroughly sometime.
"When did you have a social gathering?" he asked and he sounded annoyed, yeah i bet mister i have optics in the back of my head heh.
"It never happened because you weren't there ha!" i said triumphantly.
I then sighed. The suns warmth felt nice and we both took it in for a very long few moments, we both then looked at one another and smiled warmly at each other, and then began our 30 mile drive back to my bike, well, he still carried me, and i love it when he does.
"Ellen." he said as we beheld my lonely bike.
i looked up at him as he suddenly turned solemn, "Hey whats wrong?"
he stared at my bike for the longest while before he lightly winced, "I fear for your safety caused by other threats, not by yourself." he said.
"I thought we sorted this?" i said slightly whiny.
he looked at my bike again before looking at me giving me a reassuring smile, "I do not want to lose you." he said gently before stroking my cheek with a finger.
"Urh, Dad no touchy." i moaned pushing his hand away.
he kept to the same smile as he retracted his hand, "now about this race?" he said.
It was about an hour and a half till we ground bridged back to base, Dad won our little race...he wasn't merciful either! Well that's a good thing i guess seeing how life isn't exactly merciful itself but still! i expect him to at least let me win, well actually he's pretty competitive and i've never beat him in chess once, its still one of my goals in life, I'm thiiiiiss close.
Everyone was already there before us, each with their own story to tell but the most chilling one was Jacks story. He and Arcee had found a ship belonging to a Decepticon; oh wait sorry an ex-con heh ex-con, never mind. Anyway this Con was named Arachnid and she literally wanted to mount Jacks head on a wall.
"Must've been scary." I said to him.
"nah...well actually, yes, yes it was." He admitted.
"So how did you get out of that?" i asked.
"Well i had my survival kit on me." He said proudly holding it in the air as it shone in the light i raised an eyebrow at him cutting his pride down. "i lit a flame and threw it in Arachnids ship, since it was drenched with Energon the place went up in flames. But it just made her even more ticked off and was about to finish me off if Arcee hadn't come in and stopped her." He said looking to the table.
"And what of Arachnid?" i asked.
He sighed. "She got away, tunneled into the Earth." He said regrettably. "I'll tell you this Ellen while no one else is here... that was the scariest day of my life." He told me whispering it.
"Know that feeling." I whispered to behind me.
"So how about you? You ended up on the Nemesis?" Jack said bewildered.
This is when i went into arrogant, obnoxious mode. I rubbed my nose smugly, "well you know, i was like, hey man you Cons better get up out of my face before something bad happens to you!...t-they totally backed off then."
"U-huh." Jack said raising an eyebrow.
"Well, until Dad butted in and blew them away." I snorted.
"Y-eah right." Jack said throwing his arms over head. "Come on, you weren't even a little bit scared?"
"No, maybe...a little." I said hiding my face, we'll keep that 'tear' business to ourselves.
"Well at least it's over now, and only tomorrow can bring something else." Jack said sinking into the couch.
"Yeah" i sighed. Also sinking into the couch i felt tired but i didn't want to sleep, i closed my eyes and re-visited my thoughts. Then i heard someone cough probably to get my attention, i opened one eye to reveal Ratchet.
"Optimus tells me you've been harmed." He said in a half concerned half hesitant voice.
"Just a scratch and Starscream didn't squeeze too hard." I said closing my eyes again.
"I'll be the judge of that." He grumped. "...n-now let me have a look." He said surprisingly softly. He placed a gentle finger under my chin to physically observe me, and then he scanned me.
I tensed a little, and narrowed my eyes at him.
He saw this "W-What?" he questioned.
"Since when do you care for my well being?" i pointed an accusing finger at him.
"I care about Optimus and for some reason he seems to find something likeable about you!" he said in a defensive tone. "And the tiniest damage to you can make him very concerned. Optimus has always been selfless, unlike you. Who is reckless and doesn't care whose feelings she might hurt. Not to mention worrying those who care about her half to death." He said coldly.
I remained silent, now there's a way to knock your self-esteem down.
"Go...get yourself a band-aid for that cut." He said more calmly before walking off.
"You not going to make a comeback?...he was a bit out of line." Jack said.
i wafted a hand at him, "Nah, Ratchets harmless, he's always yelling at me, maybe it's his way of saying he loves me heh." I said chuckling. Before jumping off the couch. "Look I'll show ya." I said to Jack as i motioned him to follow me.
He did just that as i made my way up to Dad. "Hey big guy?" i said to him, he looked down at me. "How come you had to tell Ratchet about me getting harmed you know it was nothing to worry about i told you that." I asked.
"It was never intentional, well i was going to inform him however; he asked himself if you were harmed whilst aboard the Nemesis." He told me.
I then turned my head to Jack "see? If he doesn't care why did he feel the need to ask if i was okay?" i said to him.
"I bet there's a reason, like to stop any chance of you complaining about a flesh wound half way down the month." Jack said not convinced.
"Why you're just a ray of hope aren't you Jack?" i said sarcastically. "Well i knew from the start that Ratchet had a spark it's just very, very, hard to find, you'll see." I said performing a digging motion like a little rodent.
Jack shook his head and shrugged his shoulders lightly, "Okay, okay, i get it come on let's go watch a movie and just watch our life's pass on by." I said lazily painting a rainbow with my hand over the air.
Might as well since I'll be on slave duty for a couple of weeks. Today was one of the many situations that have made me a...tiny bit scared. But I've come to expect that since i know i would come out of it okay since Dad or the other Autobots have came to rescue me, today was the exception since ...my paranoid head had doubts that this time i wouldn't be coming out okay.
And i don't know why i doubted him, maybe because in the past someone said that they'd never leave me...well they did. Though Dad promised the same thing, he can't predict the future...and i fear the worst case scenario should ever come, i don't want to be left alone again...
But! i won't think about that right now, at the moment i need to cherish every second i have with him and the other Autobots and Jack, Miko and Raf...even Fowler.
A/N still thinking weather to put season 2 as a different story ...hmm... oh well I'm thinking too far ahead ^^;
don't forget to R + R i've seen a few favorites ...but why? why do you like this story? let me know ;)