"I no longer feel any allegiance to these monsters called human beings, despite being one myself."

~Suzanne Collins, Mockingjay

>>•<<

Ultra Magnus stood high on his two pedes, however his legs shook almost uncontrollably and he had a limp, indicating that there was some pain in standing and walking. He brushed off any attempts to help, however he allowed for Ratchet to give him a large, study pole to use as a cane.

"-and I want you to use that until I deem it unnecessary." Ratchet concluded after giving Ultra Magnus a long lecture on what he could and could not do with his weak legs.

The second in command looked incredibly unhappy with this development, Optimus noticing this and carefully putting a massive hand on his shoulder.

"You have come a long way, old friend." He rumbles. "Don't let that go to waste by hurting yourself again."

"I will do my best to heal as quickly as possible." Ultra Magnus promised.

Wheeljack snorted, but it was out of good nature than anything else. "You're quite the Wrecker, Magnus. You'll be running around again in no time."

"Thank you." The commander nodded, respect for Wheeljack on his features. But then he frowned. "You gave an inexperienced Ve- Autobot grenades?"

The Wrecker had wondered how long the subject could be avoided. "It didn't feel right to have him enter the field without something besides his wits and guns. So I thought he could use some grenades."

"And he was right!" Shovel cut in. "I had to use one to fight the Predacon."

"During which you almost sent both yourself and Bulkhead to the Allspark!" Ratchet argued. "Wheeljack may have had good intentions, but they were misplaced."

"Easy on him, doc." Wheeljack replied calmly. "He wasn't hurt, and neither was Bulkhead. Don't get your panels in a twist."

Ratchet gave the Wrecker a death glare, giving Shovel a once-over. "You didn't sustain any injuries, have you?"

Shovel shook his head. "Just a few scratches. Same with Bulkhead. No big dents either."

Ratchet quickly scanned him, grunting his satisfaction. "Good. It seems you haven't suffered any internal damage either." He sighed. "And with our energon resources so low, it would make the healing process longer and harder."

"And we haven't found any new energon mines as of late." Arcee added, also muttering. "And after that trap I don't think we'll be happy to explore other mines either."

As if on cue, the monitors dinged, and when Ratchet tore his concerned gaze away from Shovel and Bulkhead (but mostly Shovel) to look, his mouth hung open a little.

"We have an energon reading."

"I know that our past experience has made us wary, but we need that energon, with our own resources now at a critical low." Optimus Prime states. "Autobots, we must be careful as to not injure ourselves, in order to preserve as much energon as possible." He turned to the swirling Groundbridge portal as Ratchet opened it. "Autobots, roll out!"

This time, Shovel did not hesitate to transform and drive with the other Autobots, Ratchet watching him go with a concerned frown. Ultra Magnus, though he wanted to go, and be useful, stayed behind, knowing he would only be a burden to the other Autobots if he tried to tag along.

They arrived at the lip of the mine entrance, peering down and watching as a small group of Vehicons carted out a few measly carts of energon. Nevertheless, it was energon they desperately needed. Optimus quickly gave the quiet orders for Arcee, Smokescreen, and Bumblebee do go around and trap the Decepticons on the opposite side, wanting as little chance for escape as possible.

Wheeljack handed the Vehicon a relic. "Here. It's no grenade, but it'll help get the job done."

Instantly recognizing the energon whip, Shovel nodded. "Thank you."

"No problem." Wheeljack grinned at him. They remained posted at the top of the mine for several harrowing minutes before Arcee gave the signal, and the Autobots  prepared.

"Decepticons!" Optimus declared. "Step away from the energon, and surrender!"

It was a chance for them to be spared, but the Vehicons did what they were trained to do: shoot at the Autobots.

Shovel was unconsciously made to follow behind, the Autobots providing him more cover than necessary as they shot and sliced the other Vehicons into the Allspark, the unrecognizable faces of the foot soldiers making it much easier for him to return fire. He was reluctant to use the whip, however, as he was inexperienced and he didn't want to accidentally hurt someone.

The decimation of the small squadron lasted only a couple minutes, and as the dust cleared the Autobots circled around the carts of energon.

"Look at all this sweet, sweet fuel." Smokescreen practically drooled, picking up a crystal.

"There may be still more inside." Optimus added, optics scanning his team. "Stealth team, return to base with the energon. Bulkhead, Wheeljack, I need you to continue to investigate the mine."

"Can I go too, Optimus Prime sir?" Shovel asked excitedly.

The Prime's optic lights dimmed, voice softening. "Shovel, I cannot ask that of you."

"Why not? I'm probably the best at figuring out where the energon is! I've been monitoring the mines for a long time on the Nemesis; if I can recognize this mine, then I'll know where all the operations are!" The Vehicon insisted. "Um, with all do respect, Optimus Prime sir."

"He'll be safe with Bulk and me." Wheeljack promised. "Primus knows Ratchet will have our heads if we don't come back with his buddy in one piece."

The reassurance didn't work well on Optimus, but then Smokescreen spoke up.

"Hey, I can tag along. I've always wanted to roll with the Wreckers!" The rookie (though not so much anymore) put his fists on his hips, puffing his chest out. "We'll all look out for each other. And with Ultra Magnus out of commission, Shovel could come in handy."

Bulkhead nodded. "Yeah; Shovel rolled with us before already. I think he can do it again."

Optimus paused, giving it long, drawn out thought, before consenting. "You may all go. Be safe."

"You got it, sir." Wheeljack turned, his servos holding his katanas, as he and the rest of the Wreckers disappeared into the mine.

>>•<<

"These are the experiments." Megatron introduced Predaking to their new additions. "Former humans transformed into Cybertronians by Shockwave, a revolutionary engineering that could increase our numbers immensely, should we have enough resources to do so."

"Would my brethren not be enough?" Predaking sounded insulted.
Megatron, careful of his words, thought quickly before speaking casually. "Your brethren will be more than beneficial to our cause, but it never hurts to have more numbers, does it not?"

Jack glared at the Decepticon and his evolved pet, his larger body between the two of them and the two other kids.

"I suppose it doesn't." Miko could almost swear the dragon had a British accent, or some kind of European-esque accent. Was it possible for giant robots to have accents similar to those on Earth? "But what kind of use will these former humans be, if you have yet to break them?"

"Don't worry, Predaking." Megatron replied smoothly. "They will be broken. It is only a matter of time." His red optics glittered, sharp denta bared at the kids in a grin. He gestured for the Predacon to follow him, turning away from the experiments and toward the door. "Now come. There is much still for you to see."

Jack watched as the warlord left, frowning slightly. Megatron had brought Predaking here for more than just to show him the kids. It had been a warning; Megatron would be more than happy to sic his Predacon on any of them. The beast was no longer mindless, and could stop when he believed the damage was done.

"Great. Another Decepticon for the Autobots to deal with. Where do they keep getting these guys?" Miko asks, servos on her hips.

"Ever since Shockwave was added to their ranks, they've been getting new 'assets' all the time." Jack pointed out.

Rafael gulped. "And it sounds like he's making more."

Miko growled a little. "We gotta do something, anything! Whatever it takes to make sure Megatron doesn't get any more Predacons." She grinned mischievous, blue optics glowing. "We'll make like ninjas and sabotage the place without them ever knowing it was us!"

"Yeah, except Soundwave." Rafael added gloomily. "He knows everything."

"Nah. I bet he doesn't know what my favorite color is." Miko stated proudly.

"It's pink." Jack said flatly. "One look at your hair could tell anyone that."

"Maybe the color just looks good with my hair!" She sputters defensively. She crossed her arms and looked away. "Though it happens to be my favorite color too."

Jack rolled his optics, gazing at the closed door. "But you're right, for once, Miko. We need to somehow help the Autobots without letting Soundwave figure out what's going on."

Raf frowned a little. "If I had a computer of my own that wasn't tapped into the mainframe, where Soundwave could detect it, I could build a virus or something that shuts down the whole system. It would halt everything, and if I put enough precautions in place it could keep everything down for a while."

"Good plan, except we have two problems." Miko lifted her pointer finger. "One, you need a personal computer. Two, a virus is a dead give away that it's you, Rafman."

Raf gave it a little thought. "You think they'd accuse me with only the assumption that I did it?"

"Megatron doesn't care if there's evidence or not." Jack replied meekly. "If he thinks it's you, then it will be you, regardless of who actually did it."

The smaller boy's optics widened at that, his lip plates trembling a little. "S-so I guess that won't work . . ."

The room fell silent, each child contemplating what to do. Jack didn't want Miko or Rafael to get hurt, especially at the hands of Megatron. It made him sick, thinking that on a whim the warlord could simply lash out and severely injure any one of them.

Their insignias said that they belonged to the Decepticons, but Jack could not even fathom believing any of their ideals. Megatron preached about equality, and yet he only made effort to ensure that he stayed on top. It was an unstable and misfit merge of a gladiator and an equaliser.

And in the gladitorial field, only one victor stands alone. And Megatron could not let go of that.

>>•<<

June lifted her weak head as the light and mech came back, her body confused about what time it is and thus forcing her into an odd sleeping pattern. It didn't help either that she had not eaten or drank recently, her metabolism slowing as her empty stomach protested. She squinted, eyes burning in pain, as a second figure approached, taller than the first by a small margin. Maybe this time they had something for her . . .

"I'm not sure how Lord Megatron plans on keeping her alive if he doesn't feed or water her." Knock Out bent down, poking her. "Is this human even alive still?"

June whimpered and curled up, the poke having hurt more than Knock Out probably meant. Her prone form was picked up by the mech, and he turned to walk with her out the door.

"Shockwave still have those supplies from the first three humans?" He asks, June's eyes still adjusting despite the fact that the Nemesis already had dimmed lights.

His taller and slender companion nods the affirmative, Soundwave walking with Knock Out to the old laboratory that had been used for the kids.

June was laid set down on the table that had, ironically, held her son, but Knock Out didn't strap her down. Instead, he fished through the different drawers for edible things and some water for her to drink, grumbling under his breath about how picky humans were with their food sources.

Soundwave, on the other hand, continued monitoring his master's human. His blank visor just gazed at her, watching as she sat up with trembling arms and looked around. He had taken to the personal care of her clothes, having dusted her off when she became sick and unconscious after the Groundbridge transportation, and was pleased to see that they had remained clean for the most part. Though she was in need of a bath.

"Aha, found some." Knock Out grabbed a fist full of granola bars and water, dumping it next to the human. "There. Enjoy."

June gave him a rather nasty glare for a woman of her size and predicament, weakly trying to unscrew a cap from a water bottle.

She gave a tiny shriek as one of Soundwave's tentacles slithered up and took the bottle from her, the delicate components of the tentacle unscrewing the bottle cap for her, and even opening a granola packet and offering it to her.

Staring at the two things for a moment, she reluctantly reaches out and takes them. "Th-thank you."

Soundwave said nothing, simply observing.

Knock Out rolled his optics, crossing his arms and watching. "What does Megatron even plan on doing to her? It's not like we have the resources for another experiment! And I highly doubt he's going to go through with the mad idea of turning her into a Predacon."

June felt ill at that, almost as bad as she had going through the Groundbridge. Did Megatron intend to make her into one of them? Or worst, some mindless beast?"

"Though I will say it would be nice to have someone else on my medical staff." Knock Out sighed dramatically. "I can be swamped with work sometimes."

By the way you're acting? I doubt it. June huffed to herself, finishing the water bottle and reaching for another. Before she can take it Soundwave is there, opening it again for her. It was a little annoying for the mech to just assume she needed help. I can take care of myself.

If her annoyance showed, Soundwave didn't acknowledge it, instead opening her granola packets for her and even discarding her trash when she was done, doting over her like . . . She was some pet.

It was slightly reassuring, however, to know that her human well-being mattered. That meant they currently had no use for her as anything else but being human, as she was okay with that. For now.

The more she thought about it, the more she didn't mind becoming a Cybertronian. She could be with Jack, her only family, and with the Autobots she wouldn't have to worry about getting a job. As much as it somewhat begrudged her to think this way, she wouldn't need to have a job to support herself; at least, like she does at the hospital. She would be more than happy to be a new addition to Ratchet's one-man medical staff, because she knew he was truly swamped with work. It would give him a well-deserved break.

And he of all people needs one.

Knock Out, despite his lack of answers, kept musing and asking questions. "I suppose she could be just a play thing, but humans are so fragile! There are many other fleshlings on that planet. Take the blue whale, for instance. Did you know it is the largest mammal on that rock? Or the giant squid, which can be as tall as any of us! But no, Lord Megatron wants a pet human?"

June wanted to yell at him to shut up, but doing so could get her squished. Though it might be worth it if Megatron tore off his head later. One less Decepticon for everyone to worry about.

"Did you- learn that on Discovery Channel- too?" Soundwave answered, mask glimmering in a way that warned the mech to stop talking.

Knock Out immediately took his cue, closing his mouth and stiffening, not trying to defend himself. Soundwave seemed to have endless patience . . . Until he ran out. And that was something Knock Out didn't want to see.

June finished her "meal" rather quickly, putting the cap back on the water bottle once she was done, her eyes having now adjusted better and her body feeling more energized; though Knock Out's talk about being someone's pet probably helped, and it sent chills down her spine. She didn't want to know what being a pet entailed.

Soundwave then put everything back in a neat and orderly place, sending instructions to a select group of Vehicons to retrieve a few things for him. There were still some caretaking things he wanted to accomplish before he put June back in her cell. Sending a status report of her condition to Megatron, he returned to monitoring the woman patiently while the Vehicons did as told.

Knock Out had been right about one thing.