Authors Notes- And here I am back again with yet another chapter to Gilded Earth. As you can gather by now I don't own Transformers that belongs to Hasbro. I do, however own the plot. Now that we got that out of the way here is Chapter four I hope you enjoy.
Chapter Four: Bent But Not Broken.
They needed to get out of here. Jack thought as he paced around his cage, hands clasped behind his back. As much as he wanted to believe that the Autobots would come rescue them soon he also knew that the Autobots were currently scattered, and both Arcee and Wheeljack were in the clutches of the Decepticons. And with both Ratchet and Optimus being dead the Decepticons had the Autobots out numbered a hundred to one. If there were any Autobots left that was. He knew he should remain positive, But, Jack thought as he stopped pacing around his cage, and peered up at the screen that showed what remained of his home.
Sorrow gripped him as he saw the charred remains of his home, when they had lost this war Megatron had first set his sights on Jasper, turning the small town to ash. But after that Megatron was still not satisfied, and soon turned his sights on other cities, in what Jack could only assume was an attempt to show the humans that Earth now belongs to Megatron and his Decepticons. And now Earth, once so vibrant and full of life was now a lifeless husk much like Cybertron.
And Jack had to wonder if he and the others were the only ones left? Turning away from horrific sight he sat down. If he was anyone else he would have given up right then and there as his home was destroyed. But Jack was never one to give up, he didn't give up when Optimus lost his memories and was in the clutches of Megatron he wasn't going to give up now. He would get out of here, he would get Miko and Raf out and his mother out of here, the main question was how?
Biting down on his bottom lip Jack racked his brain for any idea, his eyes narrowed.
"My you sure are quiet." Megatron spoke, jerking Jack from his thoughts. Anger swelled in Jack's chest as he glared up at him.
"What do you want?" Jack growled, noticing the sneer on Megatron's faceplate at Jack's tone. What? Did Lord Megatron think that just because Jack was his captive that he would give up and be his little pet? Yeah right!
Jack would have rather died than do such a thing. However, as quickly as it appeared the look was gone and was replaced with a smile that sent chills down Jack's spine.
"What I want doesn't matter right now. I only came here to see if you're comfortable." Megatron said.
Jack scowled, arms crossed over his chest as he glared at Megatron. "I'd be more comfortable if you dropped dead." Jack growled. He knew provoking someone like Megatron but Jack just couldn't help it.
"Really?" Megatron said, straightening. "Is that so? Would it make you feel better to see your beloved friends? Your dear mother?"
Jacks heart skipped a beat at the mention of his friends, of his mother. Megatron took Jack's silence as an confirmation as he lifted his cage up suddenly. If Jack hadn't been sitting down he would have been knocked to the ground, as Megatron held him up to optic level. Before turning and leaving the room, Jack remaining silent as they walked down the halls, Jack keeping his gaze focused ahead of him as Megatron walked down the halls. Passing several Vehicons as they did so. Until, after what seemed like forever they came to a room, and Jack's eyes lit up when they settled on Miko, Raf, and his mom.
Silence permeated the room they were all in as Megatron placed Jack's cage down on the table where all the others were. Saying nothing as their cages were opened, and they were unceremoniously dumped onto the table by the Decepticons. Letting out a pained groan Miko picked herself up off the ground, and glared up at Starscream. Who chuckled as he watched her. It was then Jack noticed the dried blood on her right arm.
Opening his mouth he was about to ask her what had happened when someone else stepped into the room. All eyes were on Shockwave as the scientist looked down at the four humans. Raf moving to hide behind Jack, gripping the back of the older boys shirt in a white knuckled grip, peering over Jack's shoulder as he did so. Before Shockwave turned his gaze to Megatron.
Megatron looked to the humans before turning to Shockwave. "I leave these humans in your care, Shockwave." Megatron said.
"Really? You're leaving Cyclops in charge of babysitting us?" Miko asked, drawing their attention. "So much for him being your prized science officer. What next? Knock Out or Starscream going to be tasked with taking us for walks?"
A scowl formed on Megatron's faceplate as he glared down at her. Both Jack and Raf glaring at her as well.
"You're mistaken, Miko." Starscream spoke, moving closer to her. "You're not just our pets. Shockwave and Lord Megatron have something very special planned for the four of you."
"Starscream!" Megatron snapped, Making Starscream flinch and step back. A chill running down the four humans spines at what Starscream had implied. What could they be planning to do with them?
Jack had been so certain that the Decepticons were going to keep them as pets, some sort of glorified trophy, a sign of victory over the Autobots. But now, thanks to Starscream's big mouth it would seem that was not entirely the case. A pit of dread forming in his gut as scenario after scenario played through his mind. Whatever they had planned, Jack thought, it most certainly wouldn't be good for them. What did Decepticons plan to do to them? However, before Jack could dwell on this train of thought for much longer he felt a hand on his shoulder, making him jump slightly.
Turning around he heaved a sigh when he saw his mom standing there. June looked exhausted, and why wouldn't she? It wasn't like he and the others were fairing much better. But despite what they had endured there still shone that same fire in her eyes. Saying nothing Jack pulled June in for a hug, burying his face in her shoulder. Tears welling in his eyes. His mother shushing him as he sobbed. He wanted to his to be nothing but a horrible nightmare, to wake up and have everything be okay.
He would be safe with his friends, and his mom, along with Arcee and the rest of the Autobots. But, sadly that was not the case. However, Jack thought as he pulled away from June. Wiping his nose on his sleeve as he looked to the others, seeing that Raf was looking to him with red rimmed eyes, there were dark bags under the smaller boys eyes. A sign that even Raf was having trouble sleeping. Not that Jack could blame him things were rough, and Miko, Jack looked to the girl. Relief washing over him when he saw the same fiery look in her eyes.
Obviously despite everything the girl in question hadn't let it get to her, then again Miko never seemed to let things get to her no matter how hard things got she never broke.
And perhaps that would be a good thing. Because Jack thought as he regained his composer as he looked to his mother once more. Silence fell over the four of them as Jack glanced over his shoulder at Shockwave. Who was immersed in something on the console before him as he typed away. Paying no attention to the humans. Looking to the others once more Jack moved to the corner of the table, and hopefully out of ear shot of the scientist.
"We need to get out of here." Jack whispered, his hand resting on Raf's shoulder. Now all eyes were on him once more, June's eyes were wide as she looked to her son.
"How?" Miko asked, arching an eyebrow at him. Jack chewed on his bottom lip as he struggled to come up with an idea. He knew there was no way they could escape now, Shockwave would be on them the moment they tried to get down off the table. And there was no way they would be able to get through the door, Megatron would no doubt have posted some guards outside the door in case something happened. So that was out.
But, Jack vowed, they would escape soon...
"Are you sure this is wise, Lord Megatron?" Starscream asked, as he, Knock Out, Soundwave, and Megatron in the newly built throne room. Megatron was sitting on his throne, red optics fixed on his SIC.
"Do you have a problem with my plan, Starscream?" Megatron growled.
Optics wide Starscream shook his head. "Of course not, Master, but this plan to turn those humans into Cybertronians. For what purpose?" Megatron scowled, lip plates curling back, optics narrowed. I mean turning them into Shockwave's little experiments is all well and good. And certainly a perfect way to punish those humans for joining the Autobot cause and constantly meddling in our affairs. Especially Miko." The last part ended in a growl as Starscream thought about the girl. And his first night assigned to Miko, how the girl in question had annoyed him to no end calling him every name under the sun. And if not that then she was singing off key.
If Starscream could call screaming at the top of her lungs singing, that is. And when Starscream had demanded that she shut the frag up she looked down at him mockingly. Asking him 'What's the matter, Screamy. Don't like Slash Monkey?' Now, Starscream didn't know who or what a Slash Monkey was but if he ever discovered what it was he would put an end to it. And if Miko kept her act up he would put an end to her as well. Or he would if Megatron hadn't given him and the others strict orders to not harm the humans, let alone kill them.
So, Starscream suffered all for the sake of this project Megatron and Shockwave were cooking up. "But how do we know if this will work?" he asked.
Megatron growled again. "It will work, Starscream. And when it does those humans that the Autobots so loved will have their humanity stripped away. And thus, they will truly belong to us."
Starscream was silent as he looked to Megatron. Wondering why Megatron would waste time, energy and resources on this. Cybertron had been revived, Earth was now theirs. And Megatron wanted to turn the Autobots humans into Cybertroninas, and for what purpose?
All to claim owner ship of them? Starscream chewed on his bottom lip, then it dawned on the SIC. Once those children were transformed they would be forced to do Lord Megatron's bidding, optics lighting up, a slow, cold smile forming on his faceplate. As Starscream saw it there would be no greater punishment for them.
Brilliant!
Chuckling Starscream looked to Megatron. The Decepticon leader returning his smile. As Starscream came to terms with this it he had to wonder. What would the Autobots think? Oh they would be so devastated to see their human friends hurt. What better way to punish the Autobots. This would be perfect!
"So," Starscream spoke, clasping his hands together. "How do we start?"
Authors Notes- And thus concludes Chapter Four. I hope you enjoyed it. And this is The Exhausted Writer signing off. Have a good day!