OOOOOOOHHHH GET PUNKED. Only one chapter? Yeah, you thought. Get two chapters, stupid-heads. Merry holidays! Happy 2023!

Also my Husband had to hear literally all 8 rewrites of this one chapter, so please everyone, thoughts and prayers for him. No, seriously, I struggled deeply with this one, you guys have no idea. I rewrote this from scratch so many times. I'm very happy with it, but perhaps only for the fact it is now done, and I may rest.

Jk, of course. I rest when this fic is finished, or when it kills me.

HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR. I LOVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. I legit reread everyone's comments when I'm feeling stuck. You all are the best.

Sorry for calling you stupid-heads ( ˘˘з) 3

~~~Back to your Regularly Scheduled Programming~~~

Cautiously, I stepped from the door and into the open space. Cells lined the walls and all my doubts evaporated. This was absolutely the Brig.

The cells extended in both directions, I was almost certain I could see the end in the distance but the gloomy red light made it difficult to say. I scratched absentmindedly at the bandages on my arm, the skin underneath felt itchy and hot. My arm had been bothering me a bit more than the other cuts. Above me, the ceiling was vaulted with sharp angles, and rectangular red-tinted lights were spaced evenly. I could only wonder why so much thought had been put into the design of this place, and not the many hallways this ship seemed to have in great excess.

I made sure I was alone, and then carefully I approached a cell. Bloody-looking stains, burnt splotches of metal—yeah, the crimson glow really accented all the neat details. I squinted; no way those stains were actual blood, right? Right?

The cells seemed fairly identical. They were large, squarish, and separated by thick walls. The only decor within each one was a single slab extending from the wall. Comfy. I spotted a few indents on the walls too, they suspiciously looked like ideal places to chain something, or someone, up. I saw no chains though. It wasn't like they were in any short supply of metal around here, so maybe that was a good sign?

Bars extended from the ceiling down to the floor, so close together that I didn't even think I could slip through them, but the desire to test this theory really wasn't there. The scratching sounds continued on and off, separated by more loud crashes.

I began my long walk toward the angry sounds. It was colder here. Were these humane conditions? Just the thought of being thrown in a place like this made me shiver. What sort of things did robots need though? Maybe being given a blank slab was considered generous? It certainly wasn't for humans.

I passed cell after empty cell. Would I have been spending my time here if Misdirect had not found me? The real sobering thought was whether or not I'd be joining Ravage if I got caught. Just don't get caught. Simple. I should have been hurrying, but I felt unable to move faster than a brisk walk. Bruised knees and wobbly legs aside, being here felt wrong, plus its creepy atmosphere and long echos were really starting to get to me, I found myself peeking over my shoulder every few seconds. I squeezed Melody's badge again. What would dad think of me when he found out about the mess I've caused? Maybe I was looking at everyone's future right now: the last of humanity withering away within these dirty gloomy cells.

Optimus had been kind. Everyone had been kind. It felt like a betrayal of trust, being here after all they'd done for me.

Some cells didn't have bars at all and instead had huge heavy doors, sealing off their contents completely. Despite myself, I lingered before these massive structures. Who would need this much security? Another loud crash made me flinch and I decided I actually didn't want to know that answer. I was definitely getting closer to the source of the noise. I picked up the pace. It didn't seem like the Autobots were keen on locking people up, could I also take that as a reassurance?

When I couldn't have been a few yards from the source of the noises, a harsh Cybertronian voice snarled out. I may not have recognized the words, but there was no mistaking that they had come from Ravage. I stopped in my tracks. Thankfully, his cell had bars. I really wasn't sure what I would have done if he had been locked behind a meter of steel. Maybe we could have tapped to each other?

"Hi," I said a bit meekly and approached. He stood in the center of his cell, the floors and walls around him held patches of fresh scratches. He tensed up as if to make himself appear larger, but it certainly wasn't needed. One look at his curved claws and needle-like teeth was plenty to convince me to maintain my distance.

"Ravage. I'm Kathrine, we met before, sort of. You kind of…" I looked down at my arm and trailed off, losing whatever it was I had planned to say.

I cleared my throat nervously. He narrowed his eyes.

He looked in good health. Kind of. He was nearly just as I remembered. Big and sleek with a body that resembled an odd blend of feline, canine, and alien-robot. He shifted, and in the dim light I noticed that the dark armor along his sides was bent and twisted, some pieces even dangled from him. Were those injuries new?

"Could we talk?" I said.

He did not respond.

"Did someone do that to you?" I asked.

He scoffed, as if my question was ridiculous. A small flick from his tail guided my eye to the slab against the wall, directly across from it were dozens of large violent scuffs, as if he had been leaping from the perch, throwing himself against the wall.

"You did that to yourself?" I asked, "But why?"

His voice was a low, satisfied, growl, "Failure requires punishment, but what would an Autobot pet know of true loyalty?"

I guess he had me there. That didn't sound like any sort of loyalty I knew of, at least none that was sane.

"The Autobots sent their pet to interrogate me?"

"I'm not their pet," I tried to be polite, "And anyways, I didn't come because of them."

His eyes did not leave me, but he moved around his cell relaxed as if he did not see me as any real concern to him.

"Then the pet must be here for its revenge," He said.

"For the stuff like my arm? It was just a few cuts, I'm fine."

I guess he was out of possible reasons for me to be here talking with him, because he did not offer another guess.

"I wanted to know about the war. The Decepticons and Autobots: why you guys fight each other, what your goals are."

He stretched, taking his sweet time. I wondered if it was a show he was putting on. If it was, all he was missing was a big yawn to really sell his point, but I doubted he'd know what that was.

"It wastes my time," He said simply.

"Am I really interrupting that much?" I asked, wincing again at the wall full of scuffs and scrapes.

"It will speak with respect to its superior."

I gave him my own performance, looking around myself as if confused, then back at him.

"Shall I bow?" I asked.

He bared his teeth and a bristle of sharpened metal ran down his spine.

I tried to keep my breathing calm. I shouldn't have been antagonizing him.

"Sorry," I said, "Look, I was worried about you, I thought the Autobots were going to kill you or hurt you. I wanted to see for myself that you were ok."

He snarled, "As if I need the pity of a pet."

"I'm allowed to be worried," I shrugged, "I don't think you being desperate deserves death."

He kept his voice low and dangerous, "They plan to kill me?"

"No!" I said, "Sorry. No, I don't know what they were planning, that's why I came here."

He relaxed from his prickly stance and gave me a vexed look, "So it wastes its time, and mine."

"I did try to ask," I explained, "But I didn't really get an answer. And then everyone ran off because of, they…uh. They ran off."

He paced in his cell now, walking in a slow lazy circle around the room. He was silent for a time. Only once he had made the turn to walk back towards the bars did he speak.

"It comes here alone?"

I took a precautionary step back, "Don't get any ideas. Also, by the way, my name's Kathrine. You can use that, or maybe 'she,' 'her,' 'you?' Suggestions."

Ravage spoke, "The pet…"

I sighed.

"...Will watch its words." He was getting angry again.

I put my palms up and relented, "Ok. I'm sorry."

He glared at me, muttering something, and continued walking.

"So, about that question, about the war," I said.

"I wonder…" Ravage said. "The Autobots don't know about this visit. Do they?"

I stumbled to find my words. "I was helped, getting here. I just decided to do this part, here, by myself."

"The Autobot warden is here, the Ultra Magnus," Ravage studied me out of the corner of his eye, "Did the pet know that? A simple shout, and he'll be here."

I shivered, looking down the long empty corridor. Was that true? Was he bluffing? If he wasn't then this would be all over. I'd have learned nothing. A mix of fear and frustration boiled away in my stomach. I balled my hand in a painful fist and released it a few times. I looked back at Ravage.

"Ok," I said, "You got me. They don't know."

He laughed quietly, the hoarse noise sounded just as off-putting as I remembered. I crossed my arms and he completed another circle around the cell as if only to make me wait.

"Well don't get drunk with power," I said.

"Silence," He said coolly.

Reluctantly I obliged.

When he turned back towards the bars he looked at me with a smirk.

"So the pet finally learns its place?" He allowed a few seconds of silence to pass, clearly enjoying himself.

"I have a question," He said, "What could possibly cause such a loyal and trusting organic pet to suddenly cower from its masters? Conspiring with Decepticons now? Has it lost all faith in its new Prime, so soon?"

I tried to respond, but his teeth flashed at me in warning.

He made as if to laugh again, "And does it really stumble so poorly through its own schemes? Tell me! Coming here, asking ridiculous questions, expressing its useless sympathy, betraying its intentions to me. Did it think it could trust me? Did it think I'd swear my gratitude?" He shook his head, "Such useless creatures." He looked back at me, "Does a single thought actually squirm through that jellied mass it calls a brain module?"

I held my tongue. But I did give him a bored sigh, as I shifted my weight.

"Fine," He faced me directly, all humor had shriveled and left, "I won't test the pet's patience. I know why it comes here in secret, asking about our great war. This is about the artifact. The one that was found by the pet's disgusting kind."

Ice ran through me. The seconds that passed felt long, and I struggled to keep my composure neutral.

"No?" His brow was raised in amusement. He dramatically sniffed the air, "What is that, that it reeks of? Fear, perhaps? And that repulsive beating in its chassis…"

Without thinking, I snapped a palm to my chest in alarm. Could he really hear my heartbeat?

He smiled, "Yes, I know about the artifact. I've known for a very long time now, and I've sent word of it to Megatron. Did the pet know that?" He chuffed, "No. No, it was too busy mewling about its home and having such great fun learning all about its new friends. Learning everything except for their great war. I did notice how that topic always seemed to…slip. Pity."

In horror, I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Had he been watching me? A memory surfaced of the two glowing red dots within the vent in Misdirect's room. Dread pooled within me.

"It asks me about the war just fine" He purred, "Does it not trust its friends anymore?" He dropped his expression, growing serious again, "No. The pet isn't loyal to the Autobots, and I think it never was. It's always been loyal to its planet, its masters on its planet. And, I admit, this dedication to loyalty the pet has…" He spoke carefully, "Well, perhaps its kind isn't entirely as pathetic as they seem."

His tail flicked, "It comes here because it fears for its planet and its earthly masters, and what information does that tell me? Say it, pet. Perhaps it might learn a thing about subtlety."

He whipped around to look at me, "Speak!"

I shrunk back, "Tell you what?"

"Shall I call the Ultra Magnus?" He scoffed in disbelief. "What could it possibly mean if the pet fears, for, its, planet?"

I cleared my throat, keeping my eyes down, "It means that I'm afraid war is coming to Earth."

"Excellent. And why would war be coming to Earth?" He said, "Go on."

My voice shook, and I mumbled, "Because the Autobots know about the…"

I choked on the words. They know about the cube because I told them. And I've been right. I've doomed Earth.

A single claw tapped against the floor. TapTapTap. I didn't need to feel my chest to know he was tapping in sync with my racing heartbeat.

Ravage sneered, "I think it finally understands. Correct?" The tapping stopped.

"Answer!" He barked out.

I hastily nodded.

"And now," He said, "The organic pet knows its place exactly. It is not clever, it cannot lie, and it cannot even hope to hide anything from me." There was a smile in his voice, "Is that correct?"

I nodded.

He laughed, louder this time. He paced before the bars, like a predator sizing up its prey. I could feel myself sweating in the cold air.

"Surprising," He seemed to speak to himself now, "That the Autobots betray their code, just to go after it. What power must be on that planet, to tempt the great Optimus Prime? Oh, Megatron will be very pleased to hear it. He may even know what it is, who else knows the Prime better?" He looked at me, "I think the pet has saved my spark. Megatron may even forget this… embarrassment of mine. I'd offer the pet my gratitude, but…" He laughed again.

"Does the pet know what's coming? Megatron will be here soon." He lowered his voice, drawing closer to the bars, and his claws ground horribly against the floor, "I think he'll want to take a look at what you organics found, don't you think? Oh, just the thought of tearing you organics apart, one by one."

He drew even closer, voice just above a whisper now, "But what I think… I think he won't have the patience. I think he'll simply crack your infested planet to pieces, just to be done with it." He cocked his head, "How does that sound, pet?"

Horrible. But, this time it was Ravage who had revealed something. With a sting of relief, I realized that he didn't actually know the 'artifact' was the cube. It shook me, just how close I had been to accidentally telling him. That meant the Decepticon leader, Megatron, didn't know about the cube. And, as small of a victory as that was, I was going to take it. Ravage couldn't talk to Megatron from his cell. As far as I knew, the only person contemplating even going to my planet was Optimus, and Ravage had said there was some code Optimus followed?

Everything was still up in the air, and that meant I had the faintest hope of changing this future Ravage preached. What it also meant, was that I needed to get the hell out of here before I slipped up and spilled anything else.

I held my chin up, "I'm leaving."

It was his turn to be caught off guard. He recovered alarmingly quickly.

"Bold," He admitted, "I'll call the Ultra Magnus, if that's what the pet wants."

"Call him or don't." I snapped, "I'm leaving regardless."

He scowled and his voice grew dark, "It watches its words."

I should have walked away. I really, really, should have. Instead, I drew closer, making a show of looking at the bars separating us.

"Then make me," I said.

Claws screeched beneath him. He threw back his head and bellowed a roar that tore through my head. I dropped to my knees, desperately clutching my ears in pain. The sound bounced through the empty cells and down through the corridor.

When he stopped, echoes came and went for several moments. My ears continued to ring. Dizzily, I looked up, and he took that moment to leap at the bars. I tumbled backward. Grating, horrible, laughter surrounded me. Meer feet from me he gnawed wide at the metal, neck twisting. With his jaws forced open, I could see past his rows and rows of teeth and into his throat. His voice erupted from the back of this serrated gullet with perfect clarity.

"You disgusting sparkless machines! Abominations, all of you!" He pulled away from the bars, letting his teeth drag out flickers of sparks.

Already, a loud commotion was coming from down the corridor. Magnus had indeed been called.

A smile curled across his maw. "Enjoy their protection while you have it."

My legs shook so hard I could not get to my feet. Down the hall, a large hulking form entered my peripherals. Magnus.

"I'll make you a promise," Ravage said, "When Megatron comes, you'll be spared. First, you'll watch us tear the sparks from the Autobots. Then, we'll go to your planet and purge every sliver, every filthy, rotting, sliver of your kind. Only then, once you are the very last, will I even consider allowing you to die."

I swallowed hard. Jesus Christ.

"Explain yourself!" Ultra Magnus's shout was deafening, and for a second I thought the ringing in my ears had come back. His footsteps felt like an approaching earthquake.

Despite every atom within me shaking, I forced myself to stand. I looked Ravage straight in the eyes, and I refused to give ground. The lieutenant thundered closer.

I could say Ravage had already answered any questions I had about who the Decepticons were. But he now provided another answer. His talk of punishment, his exclamation of joy that Megatron would spare him, the threats that he spoke as if they were second nature, and now this: how he remained calm and composed, smirking, while the might of Magnus shook the very ground around us. I could barely hear my own thoughts anymore, and yet this realization pushed past it all: Ravage was used to this. Used to these exact, terrifying situations, used to the pain, used to making a show of his resolve. Jailed up on an enemy ship, alone, and hated by everyone onboard, and yet he didn't even blink. He feared nothing here, and still he had flung himself at the walls, denting, mangling, and gouging himself, because he was terrified of something far worse—someone far worse.

I had wanted to know who the Decepticons were? I had my answer. They were the ones who had created him.

The deep shadow of Ultra Magnus crashed over us. Still, I stared at Ravage, this cruel, arrogant, horrible person, and I gritted my teeth, and I hated myself for this crumb of sympathy I still felt for him.