As opposed to the last chapter this one will finally focus on Mercy, and also a little bit on our other two girls, but it's a bit wacky due to the order of things being slightly confusing until you realize what's going on. We might finally begin to discover some secrets? /wink-wink/
Warning: bad grammar, misspellings, and I do NOT own TFP or its characters, only my OCs! This chapter also contains some minor mentions of self-harm and suggestive themes but I'll keep the rating T so everyone could enjoy. (The rest is up to your imagination.)
Chapter 16: Shadows of the past
…..
Mercy POV
I was surprised when Megatron assigned me a mission. An outside errand? Really? I wish there was someone else to take the job but we were one mech short on the team - Breakdown's place couldn't be filled no matter who took on his previous tasks - so I had to go.
The reason was very simple: Megatron had all his officers out on other missions at the same time because he wanted to gather all the four discovered relics before the Autobots got to them. Time was of the essence so we had to hurry.
After Knock Out and Dreadwing had left, Soundwave was the next in the line to be sent out. Even him? So rare! I don't remember ever seeing him go on an outside mission.
Just when he was about to leave me in charge of the Communications Panel at the bridge, another Iacon signal popped up on the displays and I quickly located the source in Middle-Europe. Soundwave tilted his head in Megatron's direction.
"Another one? Good," Megatron noted the findings with a pleased smirk and waved a servo in my way. "I trust you to ensure its arrival to the ship, Mercy."
"M-me, my Lord?" I gaped at him, unable to hide my shock.
"I believe I addressed you correctly. Now stop standing around and get to work immediately!"
"R-right away, my Lord!" I stuttered and bowed my head, thoughts reeling.
Scrap, I don't want to go! I cannot do anything if a fight breaks out and I'm not good at dealing with tricky situations. Fighting is not my forte, neither are negotiations….I'm not qualified for field trips like these! There was no place for protests though. Whatever Megatron wanted, I needed to please him with results and good news. Otherwise I'll get in trouble.
Soundwave opened a ground-bridge for me at the correct location and I nodded to him with a nervous smile before I started towards it.
"Um, good luck with the other relic! See you soon!"
He didn't respond, and a second later I was on the other side, stepping onto a humble hill which stretched on into the distance. Golden wheat swayed in the wind as it blew over the field gently. The sun began to set on the horizon. What a beautiful place….
Right! No sight-seeing, get the job done!
I glanced at the tracking device in my servo. The relic should be somewhere nearby. Probably underground. How will I get to it, I have no idea….Do I have to dig it up myself? I should've brought some equipment.
As I walked around I could only hope that I wouldn't run into any Autobots. I would hate to argue with them, and I doubt they would just let me take the relic if I asked nicely.
"Here," I stopped as I reached the spot. My device was beeping loudly enough. So it is underground…my luck.
A frustrated sigh escaped my lips as I subspaced the device and knelt down to dig up the ground. How troublesome! But at least there is no danger in sight. My sensors haven't picked up any Autobot signal yet.
Long minutes passed as I worked my way deeper and got my servos all dirty. I'll need a good shower once I'm back at the ship later…..with Crossflare. I don't have the courage to ask Soundwave ever again. We have this awkwardness between us now anyway.
I'm losing focus again! Concentrate Mercy!
My servos suddenly touched something metal. With a newfound enthusiasm over my success I quickly dug around the relic's circular form and pulled it out to the surface.
Hm, an interesting device for sure, even at first glance. If I had to compare it to anything then I would have said it was a gigantic mechanical clock and astrolabe fusion. It looked like a complicated machine with multiple ancient Cybertronian characters decorating its golden and silver surface.
I stood up and dusted myself off as much as I could then ran a quick scan on the relic and connected my processor to the Iacon database. What could this be? What's the use? Will this be a new weapon of sorts or just a scientific trinket?
I tapped the surface display lightly with a digit and it lit up with a soft blue light.
The database couldn't come up with results but the device itself offered an encoded security description:
"Item 5884207, property of Alpha Trion and banned from use..." I read in disbelief. Alpha Trion? Where have I heard that name before?
My musings were cut short when the display lit up once again as if reacting to the things I was saying, and several codes appeared, with numbers quickly changing. Uh-oh. I didn't intend to activate anything.
"It's best if I return quickly," I looked around and raised a servo to my comm-link. "Lord Megatron, the relic is secured, I'm requesting…."
There were a series of clicking sounds coming from the device and I glanced at it nervously. Hurried to make it stop, I pushed its blue core button in hope it would stop making noises, but then a swirl of blue light emerged from it like claws and before I could shriek or drop the device, it swallowed me whole.
I felt like my body was being pulled while I was trying to reestablish the connection through my comm-link, hoping to get help, but all communications were cut off inside the blue shining ball I got myself into.
What in the name of Solus….!
Suddenly I was dragged along the relic through a vortex similar to that of a ground-bridge's but unlike in a ground-bridge, there was immense pain. I shrieked and tossed as electricity ran through my frame.
Why is this always happening to me?!
I screamed in pain, but still clung to the relic. I can't fail. I will figure something out but I can't fail!
Then everything went blank for a few minutes after I hit something solid and hard. My sensors were haywire and needed some time to come back at full capacity.
My head swayed as I raised it, trying to make sense of my surroundings. The blurry edges slowly sharpened and I blinked several times before I realized that I'm inside a building. Well, inside a room to be more precise.
I gasped and sat up in panic.
This isn't the Nemesis! Where am I?!
Despair started taking control of me as I got to my pedes and looked around once more to take in the sight.
I was in a large room with a huge table with datapads scattered on its surface and a large metallic book placed in the middle. There was a very interesting and exquisite quill placed beside it. A quill? And a book? What? The rest of the room was similar to that of an archive. Many, many files were stored on shelves in strict order, categorized and neatly sorted. The computer panels on one side hummed softly, the displays showing live news popping up one after the other.
News from Iacon, Altihex and Crystal City….what?
My spark skipped a beat as I stumbled closer, not even realizing that I had dropped the relic and I absently walked up to the computers. Optics widening, I gaped at the displays and hurriedly typed on the keyboard to confirm what I was seeing.
The date on the computer wasn't in harmony with the date in my processor. Which I just noticed was stuck. The numbers froze in time, as if the jump through that weird portal stopped my chronometer entirely.
But I quickly overlooked that fact as I checked the news, which was talking about a very lively Cybertron, not a dead one as I knew it.
What is the meaning of this…? Could it be….? Could it be that I….? That this place and this time is…?
My thoughts were reeling.
No way. There is no such thing like that! There can't be! That's impossible! I must be hallucinating! That relic creates illusions for sure! This must be an illusion and I'm probably passed out in reality while dreaming up something extraordinary. Or is this a vision?
Lord Megatron won't be pleased if I run late so I have to wake up somehow!
But before I could figure out how, the doors to the room swished open and I froze in place as I stared at the one entering.
An old bot, possibly older than time itself stepped in with a sigh, and then halted at the sight of me. We stared at each other in shock for a nanoclick, then he drew his optic ridges together in a frown.
Uh-oh….I have to get out of here quickly!
"How did you get into my office? This sector of the building is highly guarded…"
"Umm…sorry!" I yelled in panic and made a run towards the window in the back.
Then I realized that I forgot the relic and quickly halted and turned to make a quick grab of it, but the mech was already there.
No! Scrap, scrap!
Thinking nothing at that point, I made a desperate leap, transformed and stormed through the window with a loud crash. I will come back for the relic later.
Glass shattered and flew everywhere as I burst outside. The vast landscape of Iacon came to my view, shocking me with its glow and liveliness.
I forgot everything for a moment just to take in the impossible sight.
Then I snapped back to reality as I heard commotion under me when guard bots looked up from the ground and pointed in my direction.
No, no, no, no! How could I mess this up? How could I fail so horribly? Lord Megatron will have my head for this if I can't make this right!
A shot tilted me off-course as I cried out in pain. One of my wings was shot. I was reeling out of control. It felt all too real. Too real to be a hallucination, a dream or a vision.
I was about to crashland. But I can't be captured like this, I have to fly farther…!
Things blacked out the moment I hit the ground somewhere on the streets of an Iacon I thought to be dead along with our cherished Cybertron.
Halo POV
Awakening from a good dream is always hard. Especially when you mistake reality for a dream you think only your processor made up. I definitely doubted reality right now, because morning came and I lay caged between two arms belonging to someone I quite liked but didn't expect to really like me back the same way.
Oh, wow, we really did all that yesterday…..
My thoughts were running wild now.
There were no prominent sounds in the berthroom save for the steady pulse of Starscream's spark behind my back. It was a nice sound to listen to. The feeling of not being alone in a berth is also quite a nice change for once. I could get used to it.
My thoughts wandered back to yesterday, to our stupid quarrel and my stupid stunt, then to our rather heated exchange of kisses, touches, moans and cries.
A chill run up my spine. Slag, I really needed that.
But what now? Clearly, we weren't just partners anymore. I'd wanted his attention and got it. Now will this be a one time mess-up or…?
Ugh, stop it Halo, you're overthinking! Try to enjoy the moment instead!
"What's going on in that complicated processor of yours?" Starscream grumbled from behind me.
Oh…so he was awake!
"Ah, good morning to you too, I guess?" I tried to play it cool and stretched slightly against his frame.
"Careful with those wings!" he pushed them down. I didn't even notice I lifted them.
"Sorry," I giggled and rose slightly to turn around and face him with the biggest smirk I could muster.
"You look awfully satisfied with yourself," he noted with a mock-pout but I leaned in close and raised a servo to trace the side of his face.
"Why wouldn't I when I just took Air Commander Starscream to berth with me? I'm feeling rather proud!"
Calling him all kinds of titles actually got him worked up. It was a funny discovery and I could see him grin on impulse this time too. This prick! It was quite easy to please him once you played by his whims.
"I must admit you have your way with words, Halo."
"That I do. And look at you! Who would have thought that a decent frag would do wonders to you!"
"Clearly, it was you in need of one. You were rather needy last I remember."
"Based on what I remember, you were the one who pushed me to the berth first!"
"I recall, you were the one repeating my name like a prayer, darling."
"And I recall, you couldn't get your servos off me, dear."
There was a heated stand-off as I grinned at him and he measured me with a knowing smirk. Damn, this game was too fun not to play. I couldn't resist leaning towards him.
"Uh-uh!" Starscream stopped me by placing a claw on my lips, making me stare at him questioningly.
"What?" I pouted, disappointed that he wouldn't let me advance.
"I'm flattered by your eagerness but…." he rose slightly, then unexpectedly pushed me down and towered over me with a satisfied smirk, "I like it this way."
Overcoming my moment of surprise, I pouted and sneaked two arms around his neck, pretending to play along.
"Fine, if you want it so…" then with a quick move, I lunged and turned us around, almost falling off the berth while doing so. This time around I was the one straddling him and his expression was priceless. I couldn't help but laugh merrily.
"Haha! You should see your face now…!"
I was cut off when he turned us back around, making me fall back against the berth's surface. Starscream grinned down at me mockingly.
"Nice attempt, but pointless. Let's try again, shall we?"
I groaned in protest and kicked with my pedes, but didn't stop him this time. Fine, have it his way! At least he was in a good mood. Far better than how he previously had been.
And I was happy for him, as well as for myself. Perhaps, I don't have to think too much into it. Maybe all I need is to let nature run its course. We will surely land somewhere at one point. Where that landing will be, I don't know but I do hope when the time comes to put a label on our relationship, it will be a lasting one.
I could only hope he thinks the same.
Mercy POV
Dizzy, disoriented, heavy. My head was aching when I came back to my senses. What I saw was darkness, only my own biolights shone faintly on my protoform.
I was curled up in a small place and unable to stretch my limbs. My pedes bumped against walls. It seemed like I was caged in a large box with no window. Was it a container?
My surroundings were moving, it felt like we were rolling so I guessed I was on a transporting vehicle. But why boxed? Am I…am I being abducted?"
I had my answer when I tried to move my arms and found one of my wrists shackled to the box. Touching around the cuff with my other servo, my spark sped up as anxiety washed over me.
No….no, no, no….. Where are they taking me? Who found me? And what do they want from me?!
I have to get out! Think, Mercy, think! What would Halo do in such a situation?!
She would probably blast her way out.
Encouraged by the idea, I transformed my free servo into a small and humble blaster - courtesy of Knock Out who was adamant about giving me a small upgrade fitting for a Decepticon - and carefully aimed it at the cuff's end.
The shot blasted through just like I expected, but hearing it from so close made my audio-receptors scream. Stilling in panic that someone might have heard, I waited, listening, but nothing happened.
When I was sure no one noticed, I sat up as much as I could inside this tiny container barely fit for a bot, then aimed my blaster at the seams of the entrance lid.
Please, oh please, let this work!
I shot, and the lid was blasted off, making an opening for me. Not hesitating anymore, I pushed it fully open and darted out, ignoring the stinging pain in my wing.
"Hey!" I heard shouts, but I wasn't risking a glance behind my back.
I doubt I would've seen much anyway because the city we were in was so polluted it made seeing anything farther than a few feet difficult to make out. I saw high buildings looming over the busy roads which criss-crossed through the terrain, but everything was in such a disarray, my processor got overwhelmed just by looking at it.
So instead I focused on what I can see. I was on top of a transportation vehicle, large enough to carry a dozen containers similar to mine and I could only imagine in horror how many others were trapped just like me in those.
Bot-traders? Police? Which one were they? I skidded down the side of the vehicle and leapt as far as I could, hoping to make a landing on one of the large lamp posts. Their lights shone like beacons in these horrible circumstances. I wished I could at least make out where I was.
Although one thing I knew for sure: I wasn't in Iacon anymore.
"One of them escaped! Hurry and catch her!" I heard muffled noises from the large vehicle which came to a halt with a sudden screech.
"What?! How?!"
"She has a blaster!"
"How the frag does a slagging pleasure-bot have a blaster?!"
Oh no, they were onto me!
Gritting my denta, I transformed and flew off into the distance, ignoring the ache, the disorientation and the exhaustion.
This is why I'm not fit for field-duty! I barely left the ship and instantly got abducted! How could this get any worse? I could really use some luck now! Oh, Solus have mercy!
My injured wing trembled against the wind currents and it didn't help that I almost crashed against a building I barely noticed in time. I rose higher involuntarily, trying to get a view of where I was.
The sight sickened me to the core.
The whole city sat under a dark cloud of pollution, blackened buildings were built on top of each other above a jagged landscape, unwelcoming and unsightly. Although I've never set foot in here, now thinking back on my geography lectures, I recalled that only one city was told to be this dirty and horrendous: Kaon.
My thoughts started reeling, and I felt my frame strain in agony as I reached my limits. No, no, no, no, this can't be happening to me!
Descending in a spiral, I tried to keep myself intact and prepare for a rough but safe landing. My other thoughts about how I ended up in the past-Decepticon Capital had to take a backseat for now.
I will think about all that later.
Flying past some rather worn-down towers, I turned into a less busy and hidden road between two tall buildings shielding the view. Finding a hiding place shouldn't be that hard around here…
Transforming mid-air, I stumbled and fell face-first against the road's surface, making some cars honk and yell at me as they steered out of the way. One little bot however got caught in my near crash-land near the sidewalk and fell in the process.
"HEY! Watch out where you crash, you crazy femme!" the little blue bot was probably a minicon judging just by the size and he had no servos to speak of, but instead large pile drivers for arms.
"Ah, sorry…" I coughed, sitting up. I flinched as the pain struck stronger this time. I must have really strained my wings. Finding a medic should be a priority if I want to get back on my pedes and have the power to make an escape when needed.
Another car passed by me and I weakly stumbled to the side-walk where the poor minicon I hit was trying to stand back up.
The air smelt like rust and burnt metal all over this place. It was so horrible it made my fuel tank twist, but I tried my best helping the minicon up.
"Are you alright?" I patted the little guy's back but he only swatted my servos away, angrily measuring me from behind his red half-visor which only covered his optics.
"Get your servos off me, slagging pleasure bot! If you wanted to offline yourself by diving into the fragging ground you could have done so without dragging me with you! See what you did? You just shattered my glass of high-grade! Do you know how expensive it is around here?!"
Why was he so loud? I had to cover my audio-receptors as I looked at the shattered glass beside him. Shining blue energon stained the metal surface of the sidewalk.
"I didn't intend to…sorry for hitting you, I was only just…"
"Nope, not interested in your excuses! I'm busy and you are hindering me!" the little angry bot was about to turn when a laughing other one quite similar to him showed up, grinning.
"You busy, Rumble? Ha! You sneaked away from the mission just to get your servos on some high-grade. And when I finally find you, you are yelling at a pretty pleasure-bot? Not cool! What am I gonna tell Boss now?"
"We finished the assignment, I just wanted some drink for myself! Primus knows this day went on too long!" the one addressed as Rumble snapped back.
"And you wanted to leave me out? How cold of you Rumble!"
"Shut it, Frenzy! I had enough of your nonsense for today!"
I just stood there awkwardly as they bickered and my weakening knees reminded me that I needed to find a safe place and a medic as soon as possible, so I raised a servo in a placating manner and interrupted with a forced smile:
"Um, sorry to interrupt, but could you please tell me where to find a medic around here?"
The two minicons stopped arguing and now looked me up and down, noticing the energon leaking from my injured wing.
"Got a rough night, huh?" Frenzy, the red one, raised an optic ridge and muttered something under his breath as he scratched his chin in deep thought.
"As if we would tell ya when we don't even know you!" Rumble turned away with a scoff.
"I guess Rearview is quite close. Just over the block near the large entrance of the underground tunnel," Frenzy pointed out in a certain direction and I eagerly put the information away in my head.
"Is this Rearview a medic?"
"Why did you tell her, Frenzy?! Boss'll be pissed!"
"Chill out, Rumble, this is just a helpless pleasure-bot," Frenzy shrugged.
"I'm not a pleasure bot!" I straightened my back as much as I could, recalling how Crossflare always demanded respect by just her stance alone. She could look quite intimidating when she wanted to but I wasn't sure I could pull it off like her.
"Ya sure…?" Frenzy pointed behind me and I turned questioningly, only to freeze when I realized that two flying bots were closing in on us.
"How did they find me?" I whispered in terror, thoughts reeling. Where to now? How could I hide when they located me this soon, this easily?
"Maybe the trademark tracker of the bot-sellers has something to do with it, idiot," Rumble pointed at the lower corner of my healthy wing and just by a glance I spotted a small emblem welted on it.
Scrap….
"Oh no…I-I have to go, thanks for the help Frenzy!" I gasped and beckoned towards the red minicon before I broke into a dash.
It was too late however, because one of my pursuers shot in my direction and I barely ducked out of the way. A yellow-green bot slammed into the ground as he transformed and landed right in front of me, halting me.
"Got you!" he grinned, his features were littered with dents, unsettling me as he stared down at me with yellow optics.
"Leave me alone! I'm not a pleasure-bot!" I yelled in panic and transformed my arms into blasters, more for show than for real threat.
The bot's expression transformed into one of confusion and fright.
"How did someone like you get such weapons?!"
"Just capture her you fool, she is right in front of you!" the other pursuer arrived with an electric rod in his servos, ready to jab me with it. I pointed each of my arms in their directions, spark hammering in fear as I tried to come up with an escape plan.
"She has weapons, dumbaft!" the one before shouted back at the other.
"So do you, idiot!"
Using their moment of confusion and disagreement to my advantage, I shot without aim and made a quick dash. Both ducked out of the way in an attempt to survive the badly aimed shot, but it gained me enough time to run far enough. I noticed the underground tunnel entrance Frenzy had talked about and made my way towards it, hoping the inside would shield me from their detectors.
I'll have to get rid of that tracker somehow….
Just as I skidded past the entrance, a large gray bot stopped me with a frown. He was so tall he had to lean down to look me in the optics.
A few other bots passed by him as they left the tunnel, and a few others went in without him batting an optic. What was his problem with me?!
"You ain't going down there with those," he pointed at my arms, which were still blasters, and he transformed his own into a much larger one, making me back away. "Why does a pleasure-bot like you even own weapons in the first place?"
What was with everybody saying that?! As if no one in this city would be armed to the full! Wasn't Kaon a place where everybody had a weapon even if not for combat then just for fun?!
"Ah, sorry, I promise not to…!" I was about to lie my way out somehow, which wasn't my forte either, when I heard my pursuers catching up to me from behind and I glanced around helplessly, trying to find an escape route.
Then I saw him.
I had no idea how he got there, leaving the tunnel with a cat-like minicon as if strolling around here was as natural as his stroll around the Nemesis halls, but I was immensely relieved at his sight, even if he looked a bit different than what I was used to. I would recognize him anywhere.
My spark burst in joy, all thoughts and logic thrown to the side as I moved from instinct, yelling his name in relief and hope:
"Soundwave!"
Halo POV
Returning from my quest to find energon and bringing back two chunks of it really brightened my mood. It wasn't that much, but at least I didn't fly miles for nothing! I wonder what Starscream was up to while I was away….
I grinned, happily strolling into the laboratory where he could usually be found. And there he was!
"Hey, Star!"
Starscream perked up on my arrival, placing the tools down and stood from his seat as he turned towards me with a questioning raise of his optic ridges.
"So it was indeed a resourceful location."
"There were some more but I could carry only this much. I can make a second tour, if you want me to," I placed both chunks in the containers we set up at the side then skipped over to him with a big grin.
"Do I get a hug?"
Starscream rolled his optics and turned away with a huff.
"You better come over instead and look at what I fixed."
I pouted but didn't take it to spark as I followed him to the worktable.
"Whoa!" I blinked in awe as I realized that I was staring at a working ground-bridge remote controller. "Is this what I think it is?"
"It is. Now we have even more of an advantage! I can open portals to any place on this wretched planet. It will save us the long travels," Starscream puffed his chest out, proudly presenting the fruit of his hard work.
"A-are we moving out…?"
"Of course not. The Harbinger will stay as the base of our operations, but with this technology at our disposal I'll be able to safely escort you on your missions."
I processed what he had just said, then raised an optic ridge at him and smirked.
"You want to monitor me that badly, Star?"
"It will probably help that there is someone watching over you while you're at work," he smirked back, placing a claw under my chin as he leaned closer. "Or do you have a problem with this setup, Halo?"
"Primus, no, I'm glad you want to come along. It'll be less boring alone!" I sneaked my arms around his neck, grinning.
Strange how freely I could touch him now. He stopped complaining and pushed me away. Although there were times when he found my attitude simply too much, so I tried to keep my clinginess to a minimum most of the time. I was a natural hugger and he was pretty huggable, so it was damn hard to restrain myself, but I did my best!
Starscream was more reserved with showing any form of affection - being his twitchy not so touchy self - but when he was in the mood, he could be quite adamant about seeking attention - by any means necessary - and he was very open with what he wanted. He had no problem getting his point across.
And he could be clingy when he wanted to, just in a different way: he always wanted to know where I was. At first I thought nothing of how my disappearance might have affected his view on me, but after resuming my task of seeking energon, he started calling me more often, always checking in that I was where I told him I would be and that I would return, and not disappear on him like the last time.
I wanted to laugh at first, but then slowly realized that some of his trust in me was broken and that this was his way of making sure he wasn't deceived again. Making him alert of me was the last thing I wanted, so I tried to compensate and be as useful and responsible as I could.
My stupidity made him second-guess me, and it hurt to think that he actually believed that there is a chance I would really disappear on him for real. Congratulations Halo for planting this idea in his head! I was really angry with myself for this.
The days passed by in a blink, the atmosphere of the Harbinger lifting just a little as we teased back and forth while making plans, sharing rations, fixing machinery - like a scooter for him to ride which I found so funny I doubled over while laughing - and continuing my training.
Starscream was one impatient teacher, but a surprisingly good one. He would push me to my limits without batting an optic and kept track of my progress without having to record any data. My hand-to-hand combat skills improved greatly under his lead. But he had no idea how to fix my bad shooting skills, so that part always made him frustrated.
"Argh, at this rate you'll shoot me on the battlefield even if you aim at the enemy!"
"No I won't! I'll keep practicing and it will get better, I promise!"
"You've been practicing for months now, and you still miss so badly it's a wonder you still haven't shot yourself!"
"Now you're just being mean!"
"Show me some progress then and I'll stop criticizing you!"
Irritated, I challenged him to hand-to-hand combat - again - and I was really hell-bent on taking my frustrations out on him this time but then he simply took advantage of my anger and defeated me easily with a victorious chuckle.
"All that energy wasted on a petty fight," he chided, shaking his head as he leaned over me and I grunted in protest, trying to kick him off in vain. I had no idea how I ended up writhing in pleasure under him a few minutes later, but I have to admit he knew how to make my anger disappear like a puff of smoke. This sneaky bastard!
But I really couldn't complain that much. Starscream was considerate most of the time, although the words that left his mouth tended to ruin anything nice he did beforehand and oftentimes I wished he could just shut up and let his actions speak for him. He really was a better person than anyone gave him credit for, even in spite of his shortcomings.
So I really wanted to show him that I appreciated his efforts. Even if I had to give up my T-cog, to give him back his ability to fly which he loved so much, but he refused when I offered.
"What do you think I keep my clone hung up there for?" he gestured towards the clone he offlined and then hung up on the wall, making me creeped out by it ever since.
"Ooh…."
"Yes, ooh, Halo. We can make use of its T-cog, for me."
"Okay, but how will we extract the T-cog?"
"We'll look up the procedure on the medical database."
Basically he meant that we will perform a medical procedure based on some files? Like humans tend to do complicated things based on tutorial videos? Seriously?! If it was that easy, anyone could be a medic anytime!
But Starscream was adamant about it. He acted like he knew what he was doing, but as I watched him collect the correct tools and read over the files, I noticed his unease. This dumbaft wasn't sure at all. Oh, Solus, what am I gonna do with this idiot?
"Are you sure this will work? We don't have a medic to fix you if something goes wrong," I arched an optic ridge in doubt.
Ignoring me, he listed the tools he prepared.
"Don't worry Halo, I know what I am doing."
"Well...I can help if you need an extra servo," I offered but he just shook his head as he settled himself on the medical berth.
"I need a steady servo now. It will be just a simple, painless procedure…"
I rolled my optics and chuckled. He was clearly nervous, and his own servos trembled. How is that any better than my help?
Starscream swallowed, then held the drill up, positioning it above his chest plate, ready to bring it against the metal. Wait...why there? Isn't the T-cog on the side? Does he even know his own anatomy?!
"Nothing to it, really, provided one possesses the nerve," he tried to calm me and himself as well, but his servo was trembling all the more as the tip of the drill almost touched the symbol on his chest.
"Star, please reconsider..." I was about to cut in when rapid beeping distracted the both of us.
Starscream gasped in surprise and questioningly turned towards the sound. He turned off the drill, much to my relief, and got off the berth. We moved in unison to check out what was displayed on the screens and saw five signals across the globe. I raised an optic ridge questioningly, confused, but Starscream only smirked in satisfaction, making me assume he knew what's going on.
"Five detachments of Decepticons ground-bridging to five different continents at the exact same time? Ah. Procedure postponed," he grinned, having that typical look on his face when he had a plan.
Should I start worrying?
"What are you up to again?" I crossed my arms with a frown.
"Look, this might be a good chance for us to gain something valuable if we are quick enough to find whatever the Decepticons seek before they get to it," he pointed at the signals.
"Hm, sounds like a plan where we fail and will be punished badly," I deadpanned.
"Argh, can't you be optimistic for once?!" he growled, "You have to come either way, I'll need your wings."
"Fine, if you need me, I'll go," I nodded with a resigned smile, then jogged back to the worktable and picked up the remote controller in excitement. "We finally have a chance to try this out!"
Merc POV
Soundwave looked different from how I remembered him. His slim body was now one of a strong warrior's: broad shoulders, robust chest and there was an intimidating aura radiating from him, which commanded respect and inspired awe.
I would have stopped to admire him if I wasn't in a hurry to hide. The gray mech who stopped me at the entrance could only blink in wonder as I darted away from him.
I ducked behind Soundwave without a second thought, ignoring the cat-like minicon's threatening growl. Soundwave silently glanced over his shoulder then turned his attention to the ones chasing me.
The two bots stopped once they reached the entrance, clearly agitated and annoyed, cursing because I've found someone to shield me.
"Hey! You! Soundwave, is it?" one of them called out to him.
Soundwave didn't move or respond.
His partner, the yellow-green one glanced at his comrade with an uneasy expression, but the other one didn't seem to take the hint.
"Step aside and let us take that femme! She belongs with us rightfully. This isn't your business anyway!"
I shuddered in fear as I peeked out from behind him. Please don't let them...I beg you! You can't hand me over to them!
Silence followed the bot-trader's demands and nobody moved until the bot snapped in frustration: "Didn't you hear me?! You're hindering us from doing our job! Step aside already!"
My spark hammered in anxiety and I visibly shrunk behind Soundwave, silently pleading and praying. I felt my senses going dizzy but then I saw Soundwave clench his fists and straighten himself. This small action and change in posture caused the two bots' confidence to waver. Just when the brave one was about to speak up again and step forward, Soundwave changed stance, threateningly glaring at my enemies from behind his dark visor as he raised his fists, ready to welcome a fight.
"We should just leave her be..." said the yellow-green one uneasily, putting a servo on his companion's shoulder in a placating manner.
The other one gritted his denta in hopeless fury. His chances to pick up a fight with Soundwave and survive it in one piece were close to zero and he was very well aware of it.
"Argh, fine! We will find you later pretty femme! You can't hide forever behind your robust gladiator buddy!" the brave one hissed, then reluctantly turned around and left with his partner by his side.
Relief couldn't describe what I felt at that moment. It made me forget about my injuries, my exhaustion, and my overall state. But this feeling didn't last long because the moment my pursuers disappeared, the gray mech guarding the entrance crossed his arms and growled down at us with an unimpressed sneer:
"Would you finally scram now? Take your petty fights elsewhere! There is construction going on inside for Primus' sake!"
Oh, so that's why weapons weren't allowed in there.
Soundwave stared up at the large mech, as if only noticing him now, then silently stepped away and continued his way as if nothing had happened just a nanoclick before.
"W-wait!" I stumbled after him, dizziness returning now that the excitement has worn off.
A part of me wished to stay with the only person I knew in this big mess but another part of me screamed in unease, knowing that this Soundwave was not exactly the Soundwave I knew and it seemed like he didn't recognize me at all.
Meeting him at this place and hearing of him being referred to as a gladiator only verified my suspicions, no matter how ridiculous it sounded: I might have just traveled back to the past, and the Soundwave I met just now was his past self. A Soundwave, who wasn't a Decepticon yet.
My illogical hope of reaching him was cut short when the cat-like minicon stood in my way, growling. It had the same color scheme as Soundwave but its optics shone red.
"Hey Boss!" I heard familiar voices welcoming Soundwave and looked up to see Rumble and Frenzy jog up to him eagerly.
The cat-like minicon noted their presence with a glance, then growled at me one last time before he turned around and joined the odd group.
"We totally nailed the mission!" Frenzy showed a thumbs-up, grinning, while Rumble only mumbled something under his breath with a sour expression. Then his gaze fell upon me and he perked up in surprise:
"What the slag, that weird pleasure-bot managed to get away!"
Frenzy looked out from behind Soundwave and beckoned to me with a wave.
"Oh, hi weird femme! Glad to see you still intact!"
"You know her?" Soundwave tilted his head as he looked from the minicons in my direction.
My jaw slackened as I gaped at him, trying to process what I had just heard. A deep voice with a faint layer of autotune, probably due to the visor. Did he…did he actually speak? With his own voice? Was that his real voice?
"She crashed into me!" Rumble hissed.
"The bot-traders chased her saying she is a pleasure-bot but she's got blasters so fine I'm kind of doubting it," Frenzy added his own commentary as he stepped towards me.
"Hey, got a designation, missy?"
I was still too stunned and too dizzy to speak. Noticing the expectant stares on me, I managed to stutter:
"M-Mercy…."
"That's one soft name for a pleasure-bot," Rumble sneered.
"Stop saying that! I'm….I'm not a….!"
My vision grew hazy and I blinked in confusion, barely noticing my knees giving up on me. I fell forward, hitting the ground with a thud. Darkness enveloped me once again.
Crossflare POV
I was typing diligently, analyzing samples after samples in the laboratory when I felt it. The dull pain in my spark suddenly worsened and I felt like my spark was squeezed by an invisible servo.
What…what is happening?
Stumbling with a blurring vision, I found purchase on the worktable but soon my hold slipped and I fell hard against the floor.
The assistant Vehicon in the back perked up at the sound and rushed to my side when he noticed that I wasn't responding. Hurriedly, he called for help and I was soon dragged back to the med-bay. With Knock Out busy with an outside mission, they could only wait and so they fussed over me in frustration.
"Shouldn't we hook her up to the machinery? She looks like she could use some instant help," one of them said.
"I think pain-killers would help more. I don't know how to operate these machines," said the other.
"We should wait till Doctor Knock Out returns," the third suggested, silencing the other two.
Maybe an hour passed, but I can't remember most of it due to the seizures and occasional waves of nausea. I just gripped the edges of the medical berth and held on for dear life. It felt like my consciousness could slip away any second. I did not want to pass out. I did not trust myself in the care of these Vehicons. Whatever they would do in their state of panic, it wouldn't do me any good.
Then Knock Out returned, finally, and although my processor had registered his arrival, I was too delirious to really understand what was being discussed between him and the Vehicons.
"What happened to her?" he sounded like he was in a bad mood.
"She just collapsed. I don't think it's poisoning or has anything to do with Synth-En, but…" my assistant Vehicon explained.
Knock Out growled in frustration, snatched a scanner from the counter and stepped over to my berth and did a quick scan.
"Spark malfunction. Argh, what a great timing!" he put the scanner away then reached up to the machinery above me, pulled the cables down and typed in something on the side-panel before he practically threw the fussing Vehicons out of the med-bay and opened my chest plates manually to hook me up to the many cables hanging from above.
I could only groan weakly.
"Knock Out…"
"I know, it probably hurts. I'll come check on you once I have treated myself as well. I'm in no shape to do anything else now," he gritted his denta as if holding back a series of curses then left towards the back while mumbling something under his breath, "Curse those Autobots, I swear I'll decapitate them one by one the next time we meet!"
My consciousness drifted back and forth for the next couple of hours. The machinery around me hummed constantly and only beeps once in a while. I couldn't feel Knock Out's presence in the near and it was starting to worry me. Even in my semi-conscious state I knew that he should be close, but he wasn't.
"Knock…Out…?" I forced out, voice weak and optics blinking rapidly to clear my vision.
The doors hissed open and his familiar figure strolled in, exhausted and tense judging by the way he moved. I called out to him once more and he looked up from his datapad in surprise.
"Oh, you're awake. Good, you won't guess what those slagged Autobots did to me! I don't even know where to begin…"
"Knock Out, what's wrong with me?" I cut in, annoyed by his lack of attention to his patient.
He came to my side with a pout but answered nevertheless:
"You had a spark-attack. Strange, considering that you are rather young, but not unexpected, considering the state of your spark. I ran the necessary scans and you are stable for now so there is nothing to worry about."
Well, if he said so…I wasn't too sure about the 'nothing to worry about' part, but he was more knowledgeable than me so I believed him.
"I see…so what happened to you?"
Maybe I shouldn't have asked because he got into a long monologue about how he was sent out on an outside assignment without a partner to protect him so he had to fight two Autobots by himself for a relic he lost to them while he was being run over by an underground train. Oh…certainly not a good day for him.
"You're lucky you haven't seen me in the state I was in when I came back, it was the most repulsive sight you can imagine! It took me hours to fix my paint job! And there are still places I haven't fixed properly…! You will help me with those, will you?"
Knock Out glanced at me expectantly and I stared back with a deadpan expression. Seriously? I'm lying in the med-bay hooked up to machines because I just had a spark malfunction, and that's the first thing he asks of me? This mech…ah, he never changes. But at least he was back to his usual self, even if he was angry and complaining like the drama queen he was.
"We'll see about that. I'm not feeling quite good right now."
Knock Out frowned and went to check on the displays presenting all the information on the state of my spark.
"You are stable. You shouldn't be feeling any discomfort by now."
"But I still do."
"Hm, lets try getting you off," Knock Out gestured with a servo and I obediently sat up. He expertly disconnected every tube from my spark-chamber and as soon as the last one was unhooked I curled on myself, groaning in pain.
My spark screamed in agony, as if a black hole had just opened right in the middle of it, sucking all energy and life away.
"Whoa, easy!" Knock Out grabbed my servos because I tried to claw at the chamber. "Describe what you're feeling! Crossflare! Look at me! Concentrate!"
"It hurts…it's eating me…." tears welled up in my optics as I tried to fight the spasms inside my spark. It felt like a scraplet had been let loose on the inside. I wanted to simply tear it out. The entirety of it. Chamber and spark both.
It was maddening.
"Lie back, I'll open you up!" Knock Out frowned, pushing me back by force against the berth's surface and my whole frame writhed in pain. I had to claw into the edges of the berth, trying to find steadiness and to prevent myself from clawing into him instead.
Knock Out's face didn't tell anything as he got to work, manually opening the spark-chamber. Then his expression turned into one of unease and concern. I did and didn't want to know what he saw at the same time.
"How bad is it?" I gritted my denta.
Knock Out shook his head and brought his scanner over, running a thorough scan before he said anything.
"Your spark is…collapsing on itself. The procedure has just sped up, which is strange, considering both your amica enduras are alive…well, I guess they are anyway."
I stilled upon hearing his words. It wasn't my state that made my thoughts halt immediately, but something that he had hinted at.
"What are you talking about? What do you mean you guess? Where is Mercy?"
"Erm, well, about that…argh, how should I break it down to you…" Knock Out stepped back, scratching the back of his head nervously.
My sparkpulse increased, and now I felt like I was being stabbed in the spark multiple times. Trembling, at the verge of tears, I whispered in despair as I looked at him with begging optics:
"Knock Out! Where is Mercy?"
The medic glanced away, mouth pressing into a thin line before he relented:
"She has gone missing during her field-assignment. Soundwave is back already and trying to locate her just as we speak, but so far we have no knowledge of her whereabouts."
It happened.
Again.
My spark burst in agony.
It felt like the whole world just tilted out of balance.
I lost her too…? Mercy….
Oh Mercy, forgive me. For everything.
Desperate and delirious, I clawed into my spark-chamber and ripped.
Mercy POV
I woke with a jolt, disoriented but very much online.
"Whoa, whoa, calm down, dear!" an unfamiliar bot came to my side and I scrambled away in fright. Seeing my reaction, the rather old yet seemingly friendly bot raised both servos in a placating manner.
"Have no fear, I'm the medic who patched you up."
Frozen in disbelief, still trying to process what was happening, I glanced around wildly, trying to make out where I was. It seemed like a small makeshift med-bay, but one corner of it was a wall filled with shelves storing spare body-parts. It creeped me out. The rest of the place was illuminated by a sickly green light, and there was this sterile scent that filled in the air…
The bot who had tried to calm me was an older model grounder vehicle, his paintjob a worn-down green-gray with minimal light blue accents. His optics were yellow, reminding me of the bot-trader who chased me.
"Sorry for scaring you, I should've introduced myself first," the bot smiled at me kindly. He was the first to welcome me with a smile. How strange that I found it suspicious yet relieving at the same time…
"I'm Rearview!"
He sure had exceptionally large rearview mirrors positioned on his shoulder blades, the first thing you noticed while looking at him. I guess his name fits his appearance well.
"Soundwave brought you to me, and Frenzy over there informed me that you've been searching for me."
My thoughts halted immediately. I needed a moment to process what I had just heard.
"S-Soundwave brought me here…?"
"Yeah, be grateful missy!" Frenzy hopped onto the berth and sat at the edge with his pedes dangling off the side. He was pouting, arms crossed. "Now I'm stuck here with you!"
Blinking in confusion, I opened and closed my mouth dumbly.
"Um…thank you…both for helping me out," I finally managed.
"No problem. You got yourself in quite a mess didn't you?" Rearview held up a small emblem between his digits, making me gasp. The tracker of the bot-traders! It was on my wing….But when I glanced over my shoulder to check, my wing was empty of any emblems save for the Decepticon insignia on the upper half in the center.
A relieved sigh escaped my lips.
"I don't know when they put that on me, but thank you for taking it off," I took it as he dropped it in my palm so I could inspect it from closer.
"No offense, but my first impression of you was that you're a pleasure-bot and seeing such a tracker on your kind isn't that much of a surprise around here," Rearview crossed his arms, explaining calmly while he continued to smile. "Sorry for misjudging you, Kaon tends to influence all minds that live here for long enough…"
My shoulders slumped. Even he thought so. This is concerning.
"I'm not a pleasure-bot. Never have been."
"I know, Frenzy told me you are adamant about saying otherwise."
"I believe her," Frenzy shrugged. "No sane slave-owner would allow a pleasure-bot to have weapons like hers. Plus no slave has permission to own weapons aside from guard slaves anyway. The fact that she openly walks around with them is enough proof for me."
I blinked in surprise. So that's why the bot-traders were so put off by the sight of my blasters.
"I see..do you mind letting me have a look?" Rearview gestured towards my arms and I hesitated a moment before I transformed them into blasters.
Frenzy exclaimed in awe and Rearview's optic ridges shot up in clear bafflement.
"I've never seen such models before…it doesn't look like it was made in Kaon…" the medic stepped closer, carefully inspecting the structure of my blasters with gentle servos.
Well, I can't tell them it was made in the future, with technology eons ahead…. But I can't lie either because I don't have any knowledge on weaponry either. You are in trouble, Mercy!
"Well, uh, I had this made by a pioneer weapon-engineer."
"It looks like high-class engineering," Frenzy pointed out, mouth curling into a suspicious pout.
Considering my answer options, I eventually nodded. As far as I know Knock Out comes from the higher castes.
"It is….kind of."
"So you are from a high-caste?" Frenzy shot me an even more suspicious look to which I shook my head intensively.
"N-no! Far from it. I was born from a sparkbond and into the Art Caste."
"Plenty of Art Caste bots are high-class," Frenzy crossed his arms.
Why did this sound like an interrogation?
"Well, I'm not one of them," I tried placating him, but didn't seem to quell his suspicions.
Why was he being so unfriendly all of a sudden?
"It is quite strange that a middle-class Art Caste femme can get her servos on such weaponry," Rearview made an offhand comment but didn't elaborate. His thoughtful frown returned to a smile as he looked up to my optics and let go of my blasters.
I transformed them back and rubbed my wrists nervously. It felt like none of them trusted me that much now that I've managed to provide confusing information on who I really was.
"Your designation was Mercy, I recall?" Rearview asked, reaching a servo out.
"Yes…nice to meet you Doctor Rearview," I shook servos with him, forcing a smile as I did so.
"The feeling is mutual! You are quite extraordinary, dear."
"No, that's not true really," I cast my optics down, fidgeting nervously.
"Well, you're patched up and taken care of. Your wings will heal completely in about two weeks but your self-regenerating systems will take care of that. Just don't overwhelm them. Is there anything else you needed me for?"
Realizing that he was hinting at the fact that I was due to leave, I anxiously slid off the berth and bowed my head thankfully.
"N-no, I was looking for a medic because I was injured but now that you've helped me, I'm good to go. Thank you, once again!"
"And where are you off to?" Frenzy hopped off the berth as well and expectantly stared up at me as if he was about to follow me. It made me wonder why.
"I need to get back to Iacon. I…forgot something there that I need to pick up."
"Iacon, huh?" Frenzy didn't look surprised. "I should've guessed. Your armor is too flashy and your optics too healthy for a place like Kaon and the neighborhood."
"I'm originally from Praxus," I pointed out. "It's just that I have a job in Iacon right now."
"It'll be a long drive then," Rearview remarked and scratched his chin in deep thought. "There is no way you can fly the distance with your injured wing. I advise you to rest for a couple of solar cycles before you head back."
"Um…I can't really do that," I shifted weight from one ped to the other.
"Why?" Frenzy inquired. Why was he so nosy?
"I fear my abductors will come looking for me and I…don't have a place to stay."
Silence hung in the air for a few nanoclicks before Frenzy spoke up:
"Well, that sucks."
"I could provide shelter for the time being," Rearview offered after a moment of consideration, still scratching his chin as he looked at me with a questioning raise of his optic ridge. "For fair compensation of course. I'm a medic of humble income and energon is expensive, so I can't really provide free lodging but I'm willing to help you out."
"W-would you really?" I felt my spark warm in relief and hope. I might not be all alone in this mess. Rearview seems to know Soundwave and Frenzy is right here, so maybe staying here would grant me an opportunity to meet Soundwave once more.
"Can you provide me at least six shanix per week?" Rearview crossed his arms, now more serious than before.
Oh, right I had to pay him for my stay. What should I do? I don't have money nor a job. Where could I get one around here? I barely know anything about Kaon! And even if there is a list of jobs, I'm only good at performing… Wait a second! There should be bars and restaurants in the city, right? There is no city without any. Not all hope is lost it seems!
"I-I think I can. Give me a few days to get a job somewhere around here!"
"Very well. Just be careful. You'll be targeted either way for how you look," Rearview nodded in acceptance but I heard some concern in his voice.
I smiled reassuringly in spite of feeling the opposite of confident. There was too much going on and I felt lost. My first priority should be getting back to Iacon and recovering the relic, then somehow returning home, to my time and place, but how will I accomplish all that, I have no idea. The relic must be under heavy security now so if I want to get it I have to break in and steal it.
I don't even know how to divert attention! How does one break into the Hall of Records and get out without being noticed?!
This needs serious planning. Something Crossflare was good at and in which Halo's creativity would be appreciated. But I was alone. None of them could help me now. I had to fight this all alone.
I might need more than just a few weeks to make this mission a success…
Right, let's focus on what I can do! Get money quickly! It can't be that hard!
I found myself strolling absently through the dirty and smelling streets of Kaon, slightly lost and anxious after I parted from Rearview. At least I marked the place on my internal map so I will find my way back but it is little relief if I can't provide Rearview fair compensation for the trouble.
Frenzy grunted for the twentieth time now, clearly unhappy with the situation but still following me like a shadow. He could have left me if he wanted to, but the fact that he was still here pointed towards only one conclusion:
"Soundwave tasked you with monitoring me, right?"
Frenzy snapped his gaze up to me.
"You figured it out?"
"It's just something he would do. I'm not surprised. But I'm thankful nevertheless. Knowing that he watches from a distance gives me peace of mind."
"Oookay….it sounds like you know Boss somehow."
I realized my mistake and chuckled nervously.
"Maybe a little."
A little, as in I knew his working habits, some of his quirks, his strong bond with Laserbeak, saw his face, saw his spark and showered together with him on occasions. I had all that yet I knew very little of his actual thoughts, beliefs and opinions. It felt like he was close yet far, unreachable.
Frenzy frowned in confusion.
"I know basic things," I added, trying to explain. "But surprisingly little of his past, actually."
I felt him narrowing his optics at me in spite of not seeing them behind his red half-visor, which was similar to Rumble's.
"Do you think I can talk to him sometime? There are some things I'd like to ask."
"He is pretty busy, but I guess he will hear you out. He seems to be interested in your hidden abilities."
"Hidden abilities? You mean, my blasters?"
"If there is someone with a questionable past, it's you missy!"
Did that mean Soundwave had found me suspicious and felt it was necessary to investigate? That's…a familiar aspect of our dynamic. He constantly monitored me on the Nemesis afterall. If not in person, then through Laserbeak.
"I don't mean any harm, really," I raised both servos in an innocent way and smiled kindly at him, much to his annoyance.
"Yeah…tell it to someone who is actually blind."
I chuckled at his response, but he just huffed.
"So, what's your plan? Where do you get money?"
"I thought of visiting bars. They do provide live performances don't they?"
"Eh, not all of them. I can show you a few but they won't just hire anybody. What do you do? I can't imagine you doing comedy…"
"I sing. And dance."
"Oooh, nice!" Frenzy's face lit up and he seemed to be more excited about escorting me now that I've revealed that bit of information. He bounced happily on the side-walk beside me as he pointed in the direction of a bar he supposedly knew.
Well, a happy Frenzy is better than a grumpy Frenzy….
The place he took me to was a two-storey building squeezed between much larger ones. Loud music and heavy beats filled the air the closer we got. It seemed like more of a nightclub than a bar to me with all the flashy neon-lights and many colors. Drunk bots excited the entrance, some of them bickering, laughing and pushing around, some of them barely walking and alone. Quite a few others were heading in like us.
I risked a friendly smile in the bruiser's way at the front, but the red and green mech stopped Frenzy with his large servo, almost as big as the minicon himself.
"No minicons are welcome here. You should've learned that by now, Frenzy," the bot sneered in disdain.
I was taken aback by the way he looked at the minicon as if it was a vermin.
"Aw, come on Dropout! We hit it off so well in the past! Let me pass, I promise I'll behave! I'm doing charity service right now!"
The mech stared down at the minicon with a deadpan expression and I interrupted, placing both servos on Frenzy's shoulderplates.
"He is with me. We'll be quick."
The mech took me in with a ravishing gaze, unnerving me to the core, but then he just nodded towards the entrance with a flick of his head.
"You sure have it lucky today, Frenzy," the bot commented but said nothing else after we entered, making Frenzy grin like someone with a pile of energon-candy dropped in his lap.
"Hehe, today might turn out to be good!" the minicon rubbed his servos together and I nervously followed him through the small hallway and into the main room filled with bots in different shapes and sizes.
Some sat around tables, drinking, some chatted while standing or walking around, some others danced on the separate dance floor.
The beat was getting to my head. It vibrated through the walls, it filled the place and made it very hard to concentrate. This might not be the place I was looking for. It seemed too violent for my tastes.
Yet I jogged after Frenzy who made it to the back and asked some of the bots standing idly by the wall. They pointed in a certain direction, the minicon thanked them and beckoned towards me before he started in the direction he was told.
I nervously fell into step beside him. All the courage I had before fell apart in seconds. What if I can't do it? What if I can't blend in? What if they look at me and only see a pleasure-bot? Can I get out of here in one piece if something goes wrong?
I felt like I was being suffocated. I needed some space…
Frenzy led me to an office in the back. Probably the owner's based on the scarcity of people and only some of the staff present.
There was one lithe femme in the middle of the room, drinking her own colorful glass of energon as she chatted away with one of her subordinates. She was pink, mostly. And golden at the seams. Her optics were hetero-chrome, gold and blue. Her sight was marvelous and unsettling at once.
Upon noticing us enter she sneered at Frenzy, similar to how the bruiser reacted to the minicon.
"Who let this vermin in here?!" she demanded, but her smaller gray subordinate next to her just shrugged in confusion.
"Relax Neonbite! I brought a new hire!" Frenzy grinned, ignoring the nasty welcome.
"I never said I needed new hires," the femme put her drink down on the counter and swayed over to us, measuring me with narrowed optics.
"Looks nice, but what is she good for other than being an eye-candy?
Airachnid's words echoed in my mind and I swallowed, casting my optics down. I didn't like this femme. Nor this place. Should I just excuse myself? That would be the best but how do I…?
"She sings! Isn't that cool? You never had luck with singers in the past but she is definitely a good one!" Frenzy gestured towards me enthusiastically.
The femme glanced back at me, momentarily considering, then just waved a dismissive servo.
"No, thanks. I gave up on singers a long time ago. We have a good DJ now, he provides just enough."
"But…!"
"Get out of my office vermin for as long as I ask nicely!"
Frenzy shook his head, but said nothing as he patted my arm and turned, leaving.
I nodded towards the femme submissively and followed Frenzy out without a word. We stopped at the side-walk once we were outside and exchanged helpless glances.
"So…do you have any other places in mind? Some with…less of an image like this one?" I asked then, unsure about how to move forward.
"Yeah, some…um, I'll think about it along the way. Let's-let's just go!" Frenzy pointed in a random direction and I followed him quietly.
This will surely take a while….
We combed through the streets, visited bars and clubs, but everywhere we went we got the same response: "We have enough performers. Get lost." Frenzy was looked at in disdain because he was a minicon and I because I seemed like a pleasure-bot. What a duo we are!
Then, as if sensing our growing distress, Soundwave appeared around the corner as we started our way back towards Rearview's place since it was getting late.
"Soundwave!" I perked up, all exhaustion and feeling of defeat evaporating at his sight. I had to fight the urge to run up to him.
Soundwave walked over to us and Frenzy welcomed him with a pout and some complaints about how tiring it was to watch over someone like me and why couldn't Rumble take his place now. It made me feel like a burden and I nervously fidgeted with my servos as I fell into step with them.
"Looking for a job?" Soundwave inquired as he tilted his head in my direction.
Still unused to hearing him talk, I gaped first and answered second:
"Um, yes, it seems I overestimated my chances. Getting a job here is harder than I'd thought."
"Why in Kaon?"
"It wasn't really my choice. I was dragged here by the bot-traders and now I have to pay rent to Rearview somehow. I need to get money."
Soundwave said nothing and his attention turned towards my arms. Realizing that he was curious about them, I transformed one into a blaster for him to see. Soundwave looked at it silently, then turned his gaze forward.
I let my arm transform back and I questioningly glanced up to him.
"Is it really weird that I have these?"
"Slaves aren't allowed to have weapons."
"I'm not a slave."
"Middle-class doesn't have the need nor the money for it."
Trying to find out where he was going with this, I frowned in deep thought. How do I explain myself without sounding suspicious?
"Has the High Council sent you?"
"The what? No!" I gaped, confused by the suggestion.
"Who are you working for?"
Essentially, Lord Megatron. But the Decepticons don't exist yet. What now, Mercy?!
"I'm alone."
"What does that emblem symbolize?" Soundwave pointed towards the Decepticon insignia on my wing and I marveled at how strange the question sounded from his mouth.
I glanced over my shoulder and recalled my oath, and how the insignia was placed on me. The circumstances were horrible. I'd thought that I would never align my morals with the faction that I ended up serving. But I have also heard of the early Decepticon sentiments. If I ever wanted to romanticize them, now might be the time.
"Freedom. Freedom to choose whatever function you want. Freedom from castes, from oppressors, even at the cost of truth labeled as deceit."
Soundwave said nothing. He spared another moment to inspect the insignia, then turned his gaze forward once again.
"You believe in deceit?"
"No, I believe in truth. But sometimes you have to wrap the ugly truth in a nice exterior for people to acknowledge it."
"Those who don't want to see the truth won't care about the exterior. If you profess the truth you'll either be ignored or silenced."
"Then I'll just have to speak louder. So that others who might listen could hear."
"Words mean nothing. Talk has never changed anything in this world."
Frenzy looked from one of us to the other, clearly confused by the philosophical path we went down but truth be told, I was enjoying every moment of it. Finally, I had the chance to listen to what Soundwave thinks. Yes, he was interrogating me, but this allowed me to see where he stood. I was happy to be a part.
"I partly agree with you, however, there are times when only a speech can move a crowd."
Soundwave huffed but said nothing afterwards.
"By the way, I wanted to thank you for helping me out. You saved my spark, so thank you, Soundwave."
The mech barely glanced at me with a nod of acknowledgement, and after a few minutes of silence between us, he pointed in a direction down the road.
Due to the horrible smog - now I have an idea why Soundwave and all his minicons wear visors - I could barely make it out, but after narrowing my optics I noticed that there is a bar not so far from us named "Energizer". It had multiple entrances. It wasn't too flashy, it was a little bit worn-down on the front as if it had seen multiple crashes and fights. There was a large crowd going in and out, most of the bots large and bulky, similar to Soundwave's build.
"What's this place?" I asked, curious.
"A bar often visited by low-caste bots and gladiators of the eastern arenas. If you want to get a job, apply here. They probably won't turn you away, however I suggest you change your appearance as soon as possible. You attract too much attention."
I gazed over my figure and sighed, slumping my shoulders. Always my appearance! I can't help being born this way!
"Does changing my colors help?"
"It wouldn't make much of a difference," Frenzy shook his head, "You need a little more armor, missy."
"I'll try…but I can't do much more than this right now," I nodded in resignation, then closed my optics and concentrated hard on color options. There was a thing my carrier taught me, and it used to be one of my favorite abilities: changing color by will. I used to have fun changing colors when I was younger but as I matured I settled with my current colors permanently: white, black and jade green. It felt like they suited me.
It broke my spark that I have to change, even if for just a short period of time, but if Soundwave suggests something, I must take his words into consideration. He probably means well.
So the many biolights on my protoform flickered, taking on a light pink color, then afterwards the rest of my plating followed suit, taking on faint purple with darker shades as complimentary colors. Basic Decepticon appearance. This should be fine, right?
"Whoa! You know how to camouflage!" Frenzy gasped in awe and I chuckled upon seeing his enthusiasm.
"Camouflage? No. This is just a trick with light."
It was a skill my carrier taught me. I wondered if all pleasure-bots had this feature. Probably. Changing color by will was not common but those whose jobs were pleasing others would surely find ways to exploit it.
"But you can use it for camouflage. Like right now!"
"I guess you could say that…"
"Frenzy, we're finished here. Return," Soundwave beckoned towards his minicon and I blinked in confusion and sudden fear.
"W-wait! Don't you come in with me?
"I have no obligation," Soundwave replied in a flat voice and simply turned, then walked away. Frenzy waved to me with a helpless grin, then ran after his employer eagerly.
I don't know why I'd thought that Soundwave would stick beside me. He doesn't know me. And the only reason he took interest was because I was weird and he wanted to investigate me. Have I already lost his interest? Was he not going to come find me after this? Am I ever going to see him again during my stay here?
Many questions plagued my mind, and doubts stirred in my spark. How am I going to get through this alone?
I felt so lost.
Then I took a deep breath, recalled Crossflare's and Halo's encouraging words and turned towards the entrance of the bar.
Now or never.
It's at least worth a try. Soundwave said so himself.
Halo POV
I flew through the ground-bridge into a snowy canyon in my jet mode as Starscream followed me on his scooter. I wanted to laugh but withhold it. Starscream would have thrown a fit otherwise.
"I despise this planet. If it isn't a scorching desert, it is a frigid wasteland," Starscream shivered and I had to agree. Extreme temperatures aren't my thing either.
"Now, where are you, our Decepticon brethren?" he looked around, inspecting our icy surroundings with great interest.
Then my sensors picked up two signals out of nowhere. Were we detected already?! I yelled in the comm-link just in time when two Vehicon jets soared over us, opening fire from above.
I cursed loudly while trying to get out of the way, but Starscream was in more danger, unable to increase the speed of his scooter. Scrap! Not a good start!
"Aah! Faster, faster!" he squeaked and I sped past one of the jets from up close, making it tilt out of balance to avoid a crash, but the other one managed to land a lucky shot on the scooter and Starscream tumbled off into the snow with a loud yelp.
Not good, not good!
Changing direction, I was ready to open fire at the Vehicon who now had his blaster aimed at a defenseless Starscream, but suddenly more jets arrived and landed beside him. Scrap! That's too many! Even for me!
While my thoughts were occupied with possible rescue plans, I didn't notice a large blue and golden jet fly towards me. It practically threw me into a turbulent dive as he bumped into my side, making me yell in pain.
I landed face-first in the snow not too far from Starscream and was immediately grabbed by Vehicons from both sides.
"Halo! We never thought we would see you again!" one of them said, surprised.
"Um, hello? Nice to see you guys again!" I forced an innocent grin, hoping that they would release me and I would have a chance to escape.
"Sorry but if you're with Starscream, we have to take you into custody," the other one shook his head, serious.
That's it for getting their sympathy I guess….
"Decepticons, do you not realize you have just shot down your ship's Commander?!" Starscream furiously yelled at the Vehicons surrounding him and I sighed in annoyance. This trick of his won't work this time if it had failed back on the Nemesis.
Then the next moment the blue and golden jet made its appearance once again and performed a powerful landing while transforming mid-air. It was a Seeker-like large mech with a golden faceplate and red optics. Whoa, now that's a warrior class jet!
The anger and disdain he looked at Starscream with made the smaller mech recoil in unease.
"You command no one, deserter," the blue mech threateningly towered over him.
"S-Skyquake...?" Starscream asked in disbelief.
"You mistake me for my brother, who is one with the Allspark, as you are no doubt aware, former Commander Starscream," the blue mech narrowed his optics and Starscream nervously laughed (I bet it was one of those things he forgot to tell me) then the two Vehicons thrust me forward and I fell on my knees next to my partner, cursing under my breath.
I glanced over to Starscream with a serious expression, trying to snap him out of his shock. Whatever history these two had, we needed to get out of here. I needed him to make up a plan. Immediately. But now that both of us were grounded and surrounded with enemies, it seemed nearly impossible to make an escape unscathed.
"Were it up to me, I would end this here and now," the blue mech continued, leaning closer and I saw him put a handcuff on Starscream. Scrap!
"But it is my duty as first lieutenant to Megatron to render all traitors to my lord and master for due punishment," the mech added calmly, with the dignity of someone more superior.
"First lieutenant?! That's my post!" Starscream yelled but was silenced once all the Vehicons charged their blasters, ready to fire.
"Uh, was my post," he corrected himself nervously and I rolled my optics again. I wanted to slap him in the face but my anger-issues can wait.
"Um, sorry to ask, but who are you?" I inquired, raising an optic ridge while looking the new guy up and down, "I've never seen you on the Nemesis before."
"I could ask you the same. What relation do you have with this traitor?"
"I'm Halo, and his partner for the record."
The blue mech narrowed his optics, his mouth setting into a thin line. He seemed to be considering something.
"I see. So you are the friend our Communications Assistant and Chemical Researcher have mentioned."
He meant Mercy and Crossflare? What? Did they talk to him about me?
"My designation is Dreadwing. Considering your relationship with the two, I'll go easy on you, but due to your involvement with Starscream I have no option but to take you into custody as well," and just as he finished his sentence, my wrists were cuffed too.
Oh, that's great….
Without minding us any longer he turned around and started ahead in a certain direction. The Vehicons dragged us to our pedes and shoved us so we were forced to follow the new Commander in the company of our not-so-friendly guardian circle.
"I told you it's not a good idea," I murmured to Starscream
"Do you always have to blame me?!" the mech hissed back, angrily glaring at his cuffs.
A displeased huff left my mouth, then I quietly whispered:
"Next time teamwork, okay?"
We walked in silence afterwards until Starscream couldn't keep his mouth shut anymore:
"Commander Dreadwing, this must be a very important mission if Megatron has dispatched his second-in-command. Scouting for energon, or something else altogether?"
What is he planning by trying to initiate small-talk?
"That is none of your concern," Dreadwing coldly replied.
"If I knew what you were looking for, perhaps I could help," Starscream tried but pointlessly. He only got a shove in his back from a Vehicon. How rude!
Dreadwing suddenly looked up, observing our surroundings.
"We have arrived at the coordinates," the mech stated but as he walked ahead he only found a huge hole in a sturdy wall of ice. Tiny red flags were pinned into the snow all around it and I immediately understood why.
Humans. Who else would put tiny flags to mark a place where they found something?
"The relic," Dreadwing narrowed his eyes, "It has been taken."
I looked around with narrowed optics, trying to find vehicle tracks. Humans wouldn't come here on foot. They surely left some traces.
"Relic? What sort of relic?" Starscream curiously asked but once again, he was totally ignored.
"Search the area!" Dreadwing issued command and his subordinates left in all directions.
"Humans, most likely," I muttered as I looked over to Starscream who nodded in agreement.
"Commander Dreadwing, we have discovered vehicle tracks," one Vehicon returned quite quickly.
"I thought so!" I mumbled.
"The Autobots," Dreadwing clenched his fists angrily, conclusion drawn.
No, not them, you idiot.
"Perhaps. Though I've never known them to plant flags at the site of their victories," Starscream corrected him with a disdainful smirk.
The Commander didn't seem to like the jab and abruptly grabbed Starscream by the shoulder. He easily lifted the smaller Seeker into the air as if he wasn't weighing tons. I gaped at the show of power.
"Do not try me, traitor! I will leave your lifeless husk in this frozen waste," he threatened and I was about to make a move and interfere when the sound of a vehicle distracted our attention.
My optics widened in disbelief. That truck...Optimus Prime! I think I never expected to be so happy to see him, but I was elated.
This is our chance to make an escape!
Dreadwing growled in anger and dropped Starscream in the snow, facing the approaching Optimus with a serious expression, ready to fight. I helped Starscream up but didn't take my optics off the Prime.
"You two, guard the prisoners!" Dreadwing beckoned to the Vehicons who stood in a circle around Starscream and me, then the blue Seeker walked ahead to greet the unexpected guest.
Optimus transformed as well but halted in a safe distance.
"Optimus Prime, I will request only once that you surrender the relic!"
"I was going to request the same of you, Dreadwing," Optimus answered while sparing a glance towards me and Sctarscream.
"Then I would say that we are on equal footing, were it not that there are five of us and only one of you."
"Seven, if you'd relieve us of these ridiculous shackles," Starscream corrected and I elbowed him in the side with a warning look.
"Don't you dare act like we are with them!" I hissed.
"Why not? We are at an advantage!" he whispered back.
"Optimus is much stronger than mere five Deceptions. Don't be stupid!"
"Who is stupid?!" he snapped but then we were all silenced by the Vehicons' blaster shoved in our faces.
Dreadwing and Optimus continued to stand still, waiting for the other to make a move. It lasted for an awkward minute and we couldn't help but look from one to the other in anticipation.
Then Dreadwing had enough of waiting and reached over his shoulder, pulling his enormous weapon forth.
Wow…that's a pretty impressive weapon he got there!
I shouldn't have gotten distracted by mere show of weaponry because the two fired at each other and the Vehicons also chose to run into the fray a moment later, creating a battlefield on thin ice.
Well, this is just great!
Mercy POV
Measuring the stage, I felt my sparkpulse quicken and my thoughts reel. So this is it. I'm going to be performing tomorrow…. I still couldn't believe that I was hired on the spot. It seems Soundwave's suggestion was truly my best shot.
Yesterday, when I gathered as much courage as I could, I met the owner of the bar 'Energizer', a mech named Mixtape, who was a dark blue vehicle with neon green stripes and optics covered by a transparent half-visor. He had an obsession with collecting tapes…He was proud of his collection and he excitedly showed me around first before I could actually get to the point of why I was there. He was a little weird, but overall much more friendly than anyone I'd previously met.
"So you say you can sing," he propped his pedes up on the table in the staff room as he took a seat in his crooked chair.
"Yes."
"And you dance too?"
"Yes."
"Cool. You're hired for a trial period."
"W-what? Just like that? Don't I have to show you something before you accept me?" I gaped in disbelief.
"That's what the trial period is for, beautiful. And let me be honest, you are one gorgeous piece of femme, so just having you on stage will surely attract more customers. That's what I care about. So please put on a good show for them and entertain the masses till their spark's content."
"I-I will try."
It happened all too fast. After we settled the finances and the schedules I was introduced to the rest of the staff. We had a comedian, a musician and another singer as the entertainment crew. I was the first one who could dance.
"Primus poured quite a lot of his beauty resources on you, femme," the comedian, a short light blue bot named Twist remarked with wiggling optic ridges once we gathered in the staff room to get acquainted.
"Um, thank you?" I forced a smile.
"Do not mind him, he can't stop spewing nonsense," the musician, a black and white armored lanky jet named Highnote, waved a dismissive servo in his colleague's way.
"Can we spare the chit-chat and move onto the important details? I want to know how she is scheduled," the third one, a completely black sleek motorcycle femme named Overflow cut in, already annoyed by the news of a new hire. I assumed she was upset by the fact that I was a singer too and feared that I would take her spot, which wasn't my intention, so I tried to be as friendly as possible with her.
"Of course…. I'm on trial for now so I got the start of the week." I began explaining and we all discussed how each one of us preferred the stage, and who would be the replacement of which member in case they had to cancel their show for whatever reason on certain days.
And so here I was, trying to figure out how to debut and get on the good side of my new boss so that I could pay Rearview the rent for my stay in Kaon.
How did I get into this predicament in the first place?
I felt like I had too much on my plate. Returning to Iacon is one thing but successfully stealing a relic from the Hall of Records is another. So in order to be as ready as possible, I decided to stay here until I had a solid plan and the means to make said plan work.
Once I was finished inspecting the stage and the equipment, I retreated into the shadows and watched as Overflow took the stage for her shift in the evening. It was hard to describe her style or genre. She was singing about fights, victors and struggles. She had a strong voice box. I noticed that the gladiators enjoyed this kind of harsh music, which made me wonder what I can bring to the table for them to enjoy.
Have they ever heard Earth-songs?
Oh! An idea popped up in my head. That's it! I can shake things up if I show them something they've probably never heard before. What should be the theme? If I want to touch them with a message, I need something they can relate to…
Ideas after ideas came to me in waves and I felt like I was finally doing something I was confident in. I might even enjoy it a little? Why not? I could use some positive feelings in my poor predicament.
So I decided to return to Rearview's that evening. But what I'd thought would be a quick run turned into anxious hiding because I spotted a yellow-green bot similar to that of the bot-trader who chased me on my way back and I panicked on the spot, which resulted in me running into the closest alleyway. From then on I sneaked from one alleyway into another, nervously scanning my surroundings and praying that no one noticed me.
These narrow passages were filled with filth and scrap, and to my horror, torn body-parts. I carefully tip-toed around the rubbish and other unidentified things, hoping that I wouldn't draw attention while trying to maintain my nausea.
But then I saw them.
Red optics glowing in the dark ahead of me, watching me.
Oh no…
"What do we have here?" I heard a menacing voice whisper in delight, and I backed away in fright.
"Nothing to fear darling, just give me your inner gears and you're good to go! There won't be a scratch!"
Terrified, I turned and ran. The bot in hiding burst out of its hideout and gave chase, firing at me. My pursuer was aiming at my pedes, hoping to knock me off and they partly succeeded. One shot grazed me but not enough to make me halt. I continued to run even with a yelp of pain.
How could I be so stupid to hide in an alleyway in the middle of Kaon?! Crossflare would definitely lecture me on it.
Finding a crossing, I turned and didn't care about the filth anymore. Escape was the only thing on my processor until I noticed an opening and jumped out into the open with little care to where I arrived.
I found myself in a large square with a crowd flowing from one direction to the other in front of a huge pyramid-like building. Bots chatted and yelled all around, excitement and tension spreading like a current in the air.
Stumbling to regain my balance, I accidentally bumped into a group of bots, who turned upon the impact and measured me with angry looks.
"Watch where you are going, slut!"
"Hey, why are you so mean? Look at her, she might be here to get some company!"
"N-no, thanks…" I shook my head and backed away, only to be caught by servos and ushered forward with the group.
"Come on, don't be shy! You'll have so much fun with us, gorgeous!"
I was pushed along with them against my will no matter how many times I told them that I had to be on my way and didn't have the time. They were so adamant I feared their wrath in case I took my refusal too far so I tagged along reluctantly and hoped to see an opportunity to leave.
The destination was right ahead: the arenas.
I gaped as I took in the enormous pyramid-like building from closer. It housed the arenas and looked imposing enough from the outside. As we passed the gates where my companions paid for the entrance, I was floored by the sheer size of everything in there. I've never seen so many bots gathered together in my life. The sound of a howling crowd filled the place around the coliseums and the neighborhood beyond, chanting names and demanding spectacular fights.
The floor trembled under my pedes as I stood in shock. There was something unmistakably oppressing and overwhelming in the way the crowd screamed and chanted together as one person. And there were all kinds of bots in here, all kinds of castes, all shapes and sizes.
"Come on, femme! Don't just stare!" I was touched on the aft and jumped in fright, much to the mech's amusement.
I was dragged along into a coliseum and up to the seats in the upper half of the spectator area but all I saw and heard was noise. So many stimuli, so much information…. My head was reeling and dizziness made me sit quickly. I had to regain my senses.
Somebody was talking to me from both sides but I didn't quite understand, then the crowd stood as the announcers declared the beginning of the fight between…who? I didn't catch it. It didn't really matter. All the people were yelling, "Kill him!' or 'Rip him to shreds!' while cursing at the gladiator they weren't rooting for.
Too loud. Everything was too loud. Too much. Overwhelming.
"We are gonna win tonight! Haha! Look at that!" one of the mechs on my side caged me with an arm as if to embrace from the side while pointing at something in the ring, which was a large field littered with piles of scrap. The lights were blinding. I narrowed my optics to see, but all I felt was immense discomfort and the need to run.
The fight went on, the crowd either cheered or booed, and all I could think of was peace and quiet. My companions were standing, shouting at the top of their lungs as their preferred gladiator was gaining advantage, and I slowly backed out, excusing myself between the infinite rows of bots as I made my way towards the exit.
Multiple servos touched me indecently on my way out and I was at the verge of crying, trying to get away from this horrendous place and predicament.
Once I was out of the coliseum, I leaned against the closest wall and slumped down, hiding my face behind my servos as I tried to hold back the tears.
So this was Kaon. A chaotic, burning pit that wanted to eat you alive. Not even the bots living here had any care or decency for each other. Everything was about money, greed, entertainment and aggression.
How will I get home?
Will I even get back to Rearview?
Hoping that no one saw me in this state, I glanced up to see several bots walking around but having no interest in a crying femme. But then I spotted a cat-like figure.
The minicon who was with Soundwave!
I gasped, wiped my optics and stood. The minicon was heading down a corridor towards one of the underground sectors of the huge building and I followed him absently. He didn't seem to notice me and jogged calmly ahead until he reached an entrance to something like a workshop. Heavy machinery filled most of the place with a large worktable in the middle and several other unidentified equipment scattered everywhere. It looked chaotically orderly.
Careful not to startle anyone, I announced my entrance with a shy hello.
The minicon whipped around immediately and upon seeing me it growled in warning. I decided not to enter further until Soundwave showed up and tilted his head at my sight.
"Ravage: withdraw."
The minicon addressed as Ravage huffed and turned with a flick of his head before he retreated to the back. It seems like Rumble wasn't the only one who didn't like me.
"Um, sorry for the sudden visit, I got here by accident and wanted to leave, then I saw Ravage…"
"Why are you here?" Soundwave cut in with a hint of impatience in his voice.
Did I come at a bad time?
"I-I…" realizing that I had no concrete reason, I bashfully fidgeted with my digits. "No reason, I guess I just wanted to see you."
Soundwave did not answer so I dared a glance around.
"What is this place?"
"My workshop."
"Oh…right under the arenas?"
I didn't get an answer so I continued looking around with interest. This was his place, so I wanted to get an impression of how he organized his things.
"Why are you here?"
That question again.
"Well, if you want the whole story, I was dragged in by people I don't even know and I didn't even want to see the arenas from up close but…"
"What is the reason you're in Kaon?" he clarified, and I noticed an edge to his voice.
Was he still suspicious of me? Did he consider me a threat? What was going on in his head?
"Like I said before, I was abducted. I passed out in Iacon because I was shot. I don't remember how I got here but my best guess is the bot-traders brought me all the way to the city."
"What were you doing before you got abducted?"
"I was…" panicking in the Hall of Records while forgetting an important relic Lord Megatron entrusted me with. But I can't say that!
"I was looking for a relic."
"Relic?" Soundwave echoed. "Why?"
"My lord wished for it, so I had to acquire it. But it was lost in a commotion," I mumbled.
"Your lord? What is your function exactly?"
"I'm…a simple file organizer, essentially. Most I do is translate ancient Cybertronian to modern for him. I rarely get assignments like these."
"What can the relic do?"
Time-travel. But I can't say that either….
"I don't know. I didn't ask and didn't have the time to check."
It was true. Sort of.
My answers didn't seem to satisfy him though. He slowly came over to me and I noticed the doors to the workshop slid shut as if on a silent command.
"This is the last time I ask: why are you here?"
Intimidated by his threatening stance, my optics darted from his visor to various points in the workshop while trying to come up with an answer that would pacify him.
"I don't understand why you keep asking that. I've already told you."
Wrong answer.
The next moment I found myself grabbed by his tentacles and lifted into the air. I gasped in shock and fumbled for something to grasp but I was slammed onto the worktable and before I could have moved or acted my wrists were cuffed to the surface.
"W-wait! Soundwave! Don't do this! I'm not a threat I swear! I'm not here to harm anyone!" I begged, my spark filling with anxiety.
"Then what is your business with me? You have exactly 60 nanoclicks to tell me. Who sent you and on what orders? Are you a new agent of the spyweb? There is no information about you. What are your motives?" he raised his voice only slightly, demanding and emotionless.
Soundwave watched my struggle against my bindings with little interest.
"I told you the truth!" I cried, "I did not lie to you! I'm not part of the spyweb! I don't even know what that is… My motives are clear! I want to get back to Iacon and get my job done!"
"Then why are you seeking me out? How do you know me?"
"I-I…." my thoughts were reeling and my chest felt tight. I sought him out because seeing him gave me comfort. Seeing him made me feel safe, because I was used to his care and watchful attention in the future.
But this Soundwave harbored no positive feelings for me. He didn't even look at me like an acquaintance. To him I was just a stranger who acted suspiciously from the first moment he met me. He would be naive and reckless not to investigate me thoroughly. I knew of his cold efficiency but I ignored the possibility of him hurting me because my mind was clouded by his future self's image.
A person who the current Soundwave is not yet.
Tears welled up in my optics as helplessness and despair filled up my spark.
"I sought you out because I like you…but of course you wouldn't believe that," I confessed, my voice resigned, tired, hopeless. "And even if I told you the whole truth you wouldn't believe me!"
Soundwave tilted his head, challenging me.
"Try me."
I blinked in surprise, taken aback by his readiness to hear me out even if I was about to say something crazy. Or was he testing me again? See if I'm finally telling the 'truth' which he assumed I'm not sharing?
"You have 15 nanoclicks left."
Mortified by the countdown I blurted out without thinking it over first:
"I came from the future!"
Silence settled on the workshop and even Ravage raised his head in clear bafflement.
"You dare mock me?" Soundwave's tone darkened and one of his tentacles slammed against my chest.
Before I could plead, an electric shock ran through my systems, making me scream.
"Stop! STOP!" I cried, writhing in agony for a minute, then the torture stopped, "I'm telling the truth! Look into my processor! Use a cortical psychic patch if you want! You'll find your answers!"
Coughing, weakened and still dizzy, I whimpered as I fell back against the table. Of all the things I expected, Soundwave torturing me for information was not on my list. I did not take him for a bot capable of doing it, but I was proven otherwise yet again.
I do tend to forget that we are in Kaon, and that he is a gladiator. I might have had a wrong impression of him all along. It hurt. More than the physical pain.
"Cortical psychic patch?" Soundwave echoed, tilting his head. "What is it?"
Opening my optics just a fraction, I stuttered in disbelief:
"Y-you don't know?"
"Femme: explain."
"It is a cable that can connect minds and through it a party is able to read the other's memories. Does it not...? Oh….it was invented during the Great War…it doesn't exist yet…."
I stared at the ceiling in shock, spark hammering at the thought that there is no way to prove myself if he can't read my memories. It was the only way to make him understand and believe me.
"Never heard of such technology before. Who is developing such a device?" Soundwave demanded.
"I-I think it's the famous scientist called Shockwave…"
"I'll look into it. Now tell me the truth. Do not attempt that ridiculous lie again."
"But it is the truth! See? You don't believe me!"
"How could I, when time-travel does not exist."
"If Primus, Unicron and the Primes exist, then time-travel can too."
"You're mocking me yet again."
"I'm not! Aren't you a believer?"
"I don't believe in anything and anyone but myself."
"You must be very lonely then."
"Spare me your nonsense, femme."
"Are you not going to listen to me at all? Then what's the point of this? Please let me go! Let me go and I'll leave you alone! I swear I won't come back looking for you!"
"It would be unwise of me to let you roam about without supervision, assuming I would even spare you, which is yet undecided," Soundwave pointed out, his words chilling me to the spark.
"Please Soundwave... I have nothing more to tell you than the truth…and if you can't accept that…I…" hiccuping, I fought back the tears.
Why was this happening? Why him? Why me? Why us? How could I ever convince him, Soundwave of all bots who was steadfast and confident in his own beliefs, to accept such an unbelievable truth?
What could I possibly show as proof? I had nothing. Nothing but my…
Realizing that this might be my last ditch attempt, I muttered a short prayer, then took a deep intake and let my chest-plates shift aside.
Soundwave withdrew his tentacle momentarily and was ready to shock me again at a different angle but halted when the bright light of my spark illuminated his frame. The image reflected back from his visor clearly.
My whole frame trembled in fear and anticipation, worry and all kinds of other muddled feelings, yet I managed to open my mouth, even if it was bare whisper that came out:
"Here. Have it. I don't have anything else as proof. You don't believe me and I don't know how to convince you, so I….so I swear by the light of my spark present to you, that I am telling the truth, that I came from the future, that I know the future you, and that I wouldn't do anything to hurt you, nor your minicons, although the only one I know is Laserbeak. Whatever you wish to do with me…please do it quickly."
I shut my optics, afraid, ready for anything, even intense pain and even the darkness that would follow, but there was only silence.
"Don't you fear death, femme?" he asked after a minute, his voice a touch surprised.
"I don't know anybody who doesn't," I whimpered, opening an optic to look up at him, and noticed that he withdrew his tentacle and began removing my cuffs.
"You are brave. I give you that," he said as he took a step back and let me sit up.
Disbelief was written all over my face as I stared at him in shock, unable to process that I'd managed to make him change his mind….Did I do good? Am I safe now? Will he finally listen to me?
"Thank you…" I started but was cut off by him as he glared at me from behind the visor:
"Do not thank me for anything yet. I want details. And unless you can provide me with more information, I may reconsider my decision."
I nodded quickly, still wary of his intentions.
"Close up, femme. You shouldn't bare your spark so recklessly to another, not even to make oaths."
I obediently shifted my plates back to their place, placing both servos on my chest as I cast my gaze down, ashamed.
"Sorry…I did not intend to offend you."
"You did not. I'm more surprised you honored me with it in such a situation. You are either too desperate or simply foolish."
"Maybe both," I chuckled weakly with a small smile.
The air lifted only slightly in the room and Soundwave crossed his arms as he stood before me and flicked his head slightly as he ordered:
"Now explain. Who are you and how did you travel through time?"
"You believe me?" I gasped in hope.
"Let's just say I entertain your story for now."
That was enough for a start. I flashed a grateful smile and began the explanation he requested. I started from the beginnings, trying to tell him who I was, about Praxus, my home, the way my creators shielded me from the outside world - he was surprised to learn I was bond-created which made me assume he was Well-created, which was the norm for most Cybertronians - and told him how seeing Kaon now has opened my optics to the reality of our world: the cruelty of living in an inferno where hatred and cruelty was the basis and not empathy and kindness.
"What did you expect?" he taunted. "Rust in our society is everywhere, not just in Kaon. Iacon is no different."
"Now I understand. I haven't before. And I'm ashamed I've been living so blindly for so long, shielded by walls."
"Do you wish to do something to atone?"
"I do, I just don't know how."
He did not ask more on that topic, so I continued my explanation, giving him a sum-up of my relationship with my friends whom I joined the Decepticons with, the faction in the future war he will also serve.
"What is my role in the ranks?" he inquired.
"Third in command, Communications Chief. I'm going to work with you as an assistant," I replied.
"Who is the second in command?"
"Commander Starscream."
"The Military Air Commander of Vos?" he sounded surprised. "Why would a privileged Seeker aid a faction made of low-caste rebels?"
"I don't know why or how he joined the cause, all I know is he doesn't have a good relationship with our lord, Megatron."
"This Megatron you speak of reminds me of a popular mech named Megatronus."
"He is a gladiator in the arenas now, right? I've heard of him," I nodded.
"Are the two the same?"
"Yes. Although I don't know when he will shorten his name."
Soundwave glanced at the insignia on my wing once again, silently processing everything I told him.
"Assuming what you had told me is true, I will lose a match against Megatronus and become his friend then aid the revolution he starts from Kaon which will spread over the planet resulting in a civil war."
"Yes," I nodded in hope he will accept it as it is.
Soundwave tilted his head, contemplating.
"Let's see if your words hold true. My match against Megatronus is in but a week. I don't intend to lose and I haven't been beaten yet."
"Is…is this a challenge?" I perked up.
"If you are right, I'll accept your truth. If you aren't, I'll consider everything you've said a lie. What's your bet on this match, femme?"
Happy that he finally gave me a chance, I eagerly nodded, unable to hide my smile. He offered a servo and I took it.
"I bet that you lose!"
"Brave of you to even say that out loud," Soundwave shook servos with me. "But make no mistake, if I discover you contacting anyone in secret while you're in Kaon, I'll just assume you've betrayed my fickle trust in you."
"I promise I'll play fair," I put a servo on my chest to emphasize. "You can trust me! I always keep my word!"
"Then we'll see how much your words weigh by the end of this week."
Halo POV
There was darkness. My limbs felt numb. But my spark was pulsing and my consciousness was slowly returning.
"How is she?" a deep, familiar voice asked from somewhere near me.
"She is stable. Only suffered minor injuries and a small concussion, nothing serious. I'm sure she will wake up soon," replied another familiar voice.
The noises were messy in my head and it didn't help that it was aching like slag. At first, moving felt impossible but soon I managed to move a digit. Good, I found my servos! I stretched my claws and listened to the metallic sound in delight. Cool, I hear well.
"It seems she is awakening."
"Right. Let's see if she can hear us."
I heard approaching steps and I felt a servo on my arm.
"Halo. Halo, can you hear me?"
"I can..." I wanted to answer but my mouth didn't obey. Damned mouth, work!
"Optimus, I think it's better if we leave her to slowly regain..."
"Optimus?" the name echoed in my head. Wait, what?!
So that's why the voices sounded familiar!
All my sensors came back online within a moment and I felt twice as much energon rush through my tubes as I suddenly sat up, my optics widening in disbelief as I faced the surprised Prime and his medic.
"Optim..."I whispered but my voice cracked, vile coughing followed.
"You shouldn't do such sudden moves! Lie down!" Ratchet wanted to push me back to the medical berth but I slapped his servo away. He backed off with a grunt.
"Where am I?!" I snapped in panic once I regained my voice, but one glance was enough to recognize the med-bay of the Autobot base. It has been almost a year since I last saw it.
But...how did I get here? And where is...?
Before any of them could have answered I cut ahead with the next question:
"And Starscream?!"
Optimus sadly closed his optics for a moment, preparing to answer while Ratchet mumbled in annoyance: "Tch, I fix you up all the time but the first thing you say is that Con's name and not a thank you."
"Halo, please stay calm and listen to me," Optimus searched for my optics, as if trying to make me understand the weight of the situation. I felt my spark squeeze in worry. What...what happened? What happened after I was knocked out by Dreadwing when I tried to protect Starscream and Optimus?
"Starscream stole the Apex-armor which made him invincible for a while. Dreadwing and I had to work together in order to stop him but the ice exploded under him and Starscream fell into the sea of the Arctic pole..." the way he explained, with understanding and concern, I felt like he was trying to console me.
Was he trying to tell me…
No.
Starscream can't be dead.
No way.
That jerk survives anything! How could he possibly be….?
"No, he can't be dead!" I cried out, "I'm sure he survived somehow!"
"Don't be foolish, Halo. None of us survives under cold water for too long. Especially if it's as cold as the Arctic Pole's," Ratchet rubbed his forehead, sighing.
"I'm sorry Halo. We did everything to stop him," Optimus apologized, as if it was his fault it happened in the first place.
I clenched my fists and bit into my lower lip in order to stop the tears. I can't cry in front of them. Even though my spark was overheating from the shock and the realization of loss, I couldn't allow myself to show weakness. Especially over an unconfirmed death. Was Starscream really offline? Just like that? Just when we were...
My spark felt like it was being stabbed. I held back a whimper.
"It's not your fault. He was just stupid like usual," I gritted my denta and swung my legs over the side of the berth.
I couldn't think about him now. I was sure he was okay. I know that he survived and will show up soon and no one can convince me otherwise!
"Hey, hey, you can't leave yet! You have to...!" Ratchet was about to stop me but I shot him a piercing glare, warning him to forget about it. The last thing I wanted now was to lie on a berth and stare at the ceiling helplessly like the last time I've been here.
"I'm totally fine. Where are the kids?" I hopped off and stretched my limbs.
"The children are here. Miko is up on the roof with Arcee," Optimus answered in a soft tone, like he understood the fragile state of my mind.
"Do they know about me...being here?" I asked carefully.
It has been a while since I last saw them, and I've become a Decepticon and gone rogue with Starscream since then. Surely they were confused about where I stood.
"Not yet. We kept it a secret. But you'll have to be on your best behavior because Bulkhead was seriously injured recently and is still recovering so he has to take it easy," Ratchet was the one who answered me with a warning in his tone.
"Okay….I'll try."
"Halo, you might be a friend of ours, but due to your involvement with our enemies we have to take precautions," Optimus held my gaze with a serious expression. "So you'll be monitored inside the base. You have no permission to leave. Am I understood?"
I nodded in resignation, sighing.
"Fine, I understand. Thank you….for saving me once again."
"Ah, you're very much welcome!" Ratchet said with heavy sarcasm in his voice. It seemed like he wasn't too thrilled about my return.
I couldn't say that I was happy to be back here either. Not like this. And definitely not at the cost of possibly losing Starscream.
I could only hope that he was okay.
The last part with Halo happened with a skip but I think you noticed that. Quite a few unexpected turn of events, no?
I mean, did you suspect that time-travel is the big secret? Or was it a surprise? :O
Also, have I mentioned how much I absolutely adore Soundwave's minicons? Especially Frenzy and Ravage? You are gonna see them a lot in the next chapter.
But enough for today. See ya next time! Please leave a comment! Thanks for the support! :)
