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Shadows of Tomorrow	By : Breech_Loader Category: Transformers > Transformers: Animated > Het - M/F Views: 1756 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 13
- 14
- 15
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Shadows of Tomorrow

Co-Written by Harley Quinn hyenaholic and Froggy22651

~~~

Harley: Curses! I so totally forgot it’s a Wednesday! That’s why I’m updating late, kiddies.

Froggy: In other news, no, everybody doesn’t get back together for a few chapters. There’s still major plot to be worked with.

Harley: Hotwire’s been captured by people she doesn’t like! How’s Prime going to deal with this bitch? Froggy did all of Optimus’ lines. He’s better at the noble type. How’s Hotwire going to manipulate somebody as smart as Prime? Will she be able to? Will I just fuck all of that and have some sex scenes? The torture comes in this chapter.

~~~

Chapter Fourteen: Interrogation

Hotwire was twisting around in the back of Ironhide, trying to get her hands free so that she could rip his head off. Unfortunately she was currently stuck in Alt-Mode, "You're a jerk, Autobot!" she snarled at him, her transformation sticking thanks to all the cables around her.

Ironhide didn't argue against that point. Taking someone prisoner against their will wasn't the kindest thing he could do, nor was forcing her to stay in her alt-mode. Still, he was doing what he had to, "I'm following orders,” he quipped back.

"Oh, yes, that's the Autobot's excuse for everything," Hotwire snapped at him, "I was just following orders! That excuses anything wrong I do, although of course it doesn't count to excuse Decepticons!"

Ironhide was swiftly getting tired of Hotwire's angry, senseless rants, "Fine,” he spoke with booming finality, "I'm containing and transporting a Decepticon sympathiser on the advice of my superior because I believe her to be a dangerous threat to my comrades and the inhabitants of this planet. Is that a more satisfying explanation?"

"That's all based on the idea that Optimus isn't a jerk too," Hotwire replied, furious, "You don't even know what those meatbags are going to do with Barricade! Humans aren't even kind to other humans, what makes you think they will treat Cybertronians with any respect?"

"Gratitude,” Ironhide replied, "The fact that most of them are unaware of us," The weapons specialist contemplated it further for a moment before admitting, "And maybe a healthy dose of fear."

Hotwire just continued to sneer, "You must think that I'm just going to become an Autobot," she snapped, "What do you plan to do if I refuse?"

"Actually, it seems obvious to me now that you won't join us,” the Autobot spoke harshly with a hint of a growl. His voice growled somewhat as he added, "After that, the decision is not up to me."

"So, I'm dead then," Hotwire snarled, "I suppose I've got nothing to lose then by fighting." She glared, or at least she would have glared if she had a head right now, "I haven't even done anything wrong!" she whined.

Ironhide mentally scowled. Hotwire had some rather funny ideas about the Autobots, which was probably why she seemed partial to the Decepticons. Maybe a little educating would change her mind a little. He hoped so, at least, "Autobots don't kill their prisoners,” he insisted.

"Slag," Hotwire snapped, "I suppose you just put them all on one side until you get bored of them then," she sneered, "And then you just let all your prisoners go on a whim," she continued.

Ironhide would have shrugged if he had shoulders, "If Optimus decides you're not a threat, he might let you go,” he spoke, although judging from her behaviour, that didn't look like an option.

"Then he's an idiot," Hotwire returned, "And what about Barricade? You just let those meatbags take him! They might do anything to him!" Indeed, she could barely feel him through the bond, but what she could feel suggested he was angry and afraid.

"I doubt that he will come to harm. The humans have ethical codes, just as we do. He will likely be frozen and contained,” he replied, although it didn't sound as reassuring as he hoped, "In any case, the humans are well within their rights to defend their homeworld against Decepticon aggressors. ...They could have simply destroyed him."

"And that's supposed to make me feel better, is it?" Hotwire hissed venomously, "In case you didn't notice the last time I told you, I do believe I love him."

"Love him?" Ironhide spoke, shocked and exasperated, "Have you completely lost your mind?" As soon as he spoke the words, he realised they answered the question for him. "You have lost your mind,” he said, "Barricade is a ruthless, cruel tormentor of his fellow Cybertronians. His only good trait is his loyalty, but he's pledged it to a pack of power-hungry beasts!"

"So what?" Hotwire snapped, "You think I'm not aware of who he is and who he sides with? And, for your information, I like that in a mech. Besides, the important thing is that he cares about me too."

"Well, forgive me if I remain sceptical about that,” the Autobot replied dryly. That wasn't entirely truthful. It was becoming obvious to him that Barricade was capable of caring about someone else. However, that didn't say anything flattering about the one his affections were directed towards.

"I don't see how it's any of your business anyway," Hotwire returned, "Except that we bonded just the other night and I absolutely promise you if he gets hurt I'm going to kill something."

Bonded. Ironhide sighed heavily. Any hopes he had of swaying Hotwire to their cause were obliterated by that word. She and Barricade were partially of the same mind now, "I have enough trouble without making new enemies,” he lamented.

"Well you just made yourself one, you smug jerk," Hotwire returned, scowling. She attempted to turn away from Ironhide, made more difficult by the fact that she currently lacked any legs. She'd have to work something out. Possibly involving faking an excess of emotion.

Ironhide sighed again, annoyed with this mission and frustrated by his lack of personal success in it. He should have known better than to try and sway some former, immoral Autobot medic to a cause she never agreed with in the first place. Optimus' overly-sensitive merciful nature was rubbing off on him.

Hotwire was now silent, except for her growling engine. The most frustrating thing was that she didn't want to be here.

After a long journey filled with uncomfortable, angry silence, the two Autobots had returned to their base, their comrades waiting for them. Stories of the mission had reached them while Ironhide and Ratchet were away, especially about the prisoner they were bringing back with them: a former Autobot medic turned Decepticon sympathiser. All of them wondered what their leader's decision would be.

Hotwire was allowed to return back to her bipedal form so that she could at least walk. Flanked by Ratchet and Ironhide, she was being taken to see Optimus Prime. She had never met him before.

To reach him, she was taken off the beaten path away from the city and the humans, likely so this conversation could take place without their interference. Optimus Prime himself, the striking leader of the Autobots, was standing on top of a grassy hill, looking out at calmly at the sun as it descended towards the horizon. He looked more like a statue than a person as the other three robots approached, but upon noticing them, he turned to face them, "Leave her with me,” he spoke, much to the discomfort of his two subordinates. Neither of them felt well about leaving a traitor alone with their leader. Still... orders were orders. Releasing Hotwire, they backed away, leaving her alone with Prime.

Hotwire crossed her arms over her chassis and turned away from Optimus, refusing to look at him, scowling as she did so.

"Hotwire,” Optimus spoke calmly to the much smaller robot, "Do you know why I had you brought here?"

"No," Hotwire said sharply, "But let me guess... I'm not really all that evil," she sneered, "Also, you guys need a spare medic because Ratchet has some horrible rusting disease? Or is that too much to hope for?"

Optimus Prime turned around the much smaller robot, glancing down at her calmly, "I want to show you that we are not your enemy,” he explained carefully.

"I know that," Hotwire said simply, "I'm neutral. You know that, I'm sure. You're not my enemy, but I don't see why I should have to be your friend." The neutral femme looked at him, her mouth a perfectly straight line.

Optimus stood up straighter, replying, "You don't have to be my friend, but I'm not convinced you're not my enemy. Your recent actions leave much to question."

"You're talking about Barricade, aren't you?" Hotwire checked, "We're friends now. Not that it's any of your business. I made a choice, and it's just something that happened. And you let those dreadful sacks of meat take him away to Primus knows where, and you don't even care."

Prime looked down at her sadly, finding her last statement cruel, "Do you really think so little of me?" he asked, shaking his head, "Of course I care what they do to him."

"Then why did you let Ratchet and the other mech-"

"His name is Ironhide," Optimus said helpfully.

"Why did you just let them throw him to those humans?" Hotwire asked him, sounding hurt, "He might - oh!" she clutched her chassis with a sharp gasp of pain and staggered, leaning on a tree briefly.

"I wasn't there,” Optimus tried to say helpfully, but then frowned as saw Hotwire in pain. He could see no obvious injury or reason for her feeling that way. The larger robot knelt down to face Hotwire at her level. "What is the matter?" he asked her.

"It's... not any of your business, Autobot..." Hotwire hissed softly, straightening as the pain faded, "The other important thing is, where is Frenzy? I have no idea what your lot is doing to - ARGH SLAG!!!" she screamed and collapsed to her knees, cursing in genuine physical and emotional agony, "Oh... slagging... Primus..."

"What is wrong?" the Autobot repeated insistently, "This is my business. Do you need to see the medic?" Again, he couldn't see any obvious sign of injury, but that didn't mean much.

The genuine concern in Optimus' voice made Hotwire want to punch somebody, "It... it's..." she started, "It's none... of your business..." she kicked a few times, "It's nothing..." she hissed painfully.

"It's Barricade,” Optimus concluded eventually, "Something bad is happening to him. And you bonded to him, so you feel it too."

"How... how did you guess..." Hotwire managed, her emotion circuits overloading.

"Ironhide told me,” Prime answered helpfully, still looking at her in that kind way that drove her crazy, "He's in pain, and you're feeling it. What is happening to him?"

Hotwire grimaced, "He's being hurt... I don't know what exactly they're doing but he's angry... and he's afraid... and he's in pain..." she shivered, "And sweet Primus he's cold..." frost was crystalising on her visor, "And being afraid always makes me so angry..." she managed.

"The humans are doing this,” Optimus repeated before saying, "They should know better." The larger mech shook his head in disappointment, "You have to remain calm, Hotwire. Do you know where they have him?"

"I only know what he knows..." Hotwire clenched her fists, "And he doesn't know where he is! He thinks he might be at a place called Hoover Dam, wherever that is..." she closed her eyes, gasping and clutching her head as she stood, "And wherever he is, if you want to stop me helping him you'll have to kill me now!"

Optimus Prime stood up, looking down at the agonised femme-bot, "Don't be so quick to act, Hotwire,” he warned her, "If you rush to Barricade's defence without help, you will end up in the same position as him, and you know it."

Hotwire glared at Optimus, "You are so... smug," she growled, her electric blue eyes behind the visor watching him intently, "As if you'd ever help a neutral femme rescue a Decepticon..." The ex-Autobot managed to conceal her thin smile with a cool stare.

"Then you've never understood the Autobot cause,” Prime told the neutral, "I fight for the freedom and safety of all beings, Decepticons included. If the humans are torturing Barricade... I cannot allow that."

Hotwire's slim hands twisted around each other nervously, and she grabbed the plait down her back, tugging at it anxiously, "Why not?" she asked, sounding suspicious, "What do you want in return?"

Optimus glanced down at Hotwire with a slightly puzzled look, "In return?" he repeated before shaking his head, "I want nothing in return."

"Oh, come on," Hotwire sneered, "Everybody wants something. Nothing is for free. You don't seriously think I'm so naive as to believe you, right?"

Optimus sighed, wondering why this was so difficult a concept for Hotwire to understand, neutral or not, "I will not ask you for anything in return,” the Autobot leader repeated, "But if you insist on repaying me, I would like for you to remain neutral and not become an enemy."

"See?" Hotwire said smugly, "I knew you'd ask for something. Nothing ever comes for free."

Prime felt like putting his face in his hands, but he held back from doing so. It wouldn't be very leaderly of him, "I haven't asked you anything. You are the one who is insisting that you must give me something,” he said, shaking his head, "Regardless, something must be done about Barricade's capture."

Hotwire nodded quietly, "And as I said, I don't know where he is exactly, only where he thinks he might be..." her voice shook slightly, "I said I wouldn't leave him, and now I have..."

"Not for long,” Prime assured her, "I will discuss this matter with the humans, and you can search their databases with Frenzy's help. Perhaps this can be settled without violence, but if it cannot, we'll be prepared."

"What?!" Hotwire almost choked on her own rage, "So I'm supposed to do nothing because you don't want to damage the humans?" she asked him, shocked.

Optimus remained patient with the easily angered neutral, "Not if I don't have to,” he explained, "Although, there was another reason I already explained: if we rush in now, the humans will destroy us."

Hotwire clenched her fists, "That's just a cowardly excuse!" she snapped at him, "Where's Frenzy? I'm taking him back now!"

"You must calm down,” Optimus Prime rumbled, an edge to his booming voice. He could not allow Hotwire to start trouble in his camp, and he was fully prepared to stop her if she insisted on that course of action, "Rushing in at the humans without preparing will result in your expiration,” he said, the final word coming out with sudden finality, "You will only bring Barricade greater suffering if you do this."

Hotwire's engine growled angrily, "So I do nothing," she growled, "I sit back and I do nothing while he's in pain! I don't know what planet you come from, but that's the worst idea I've ever heard! And I've had to listen to Decepticons plotting a timetable for torture!"

Very slowly, Optimus Prime repeated himself yet again, giving time for her stressed CPU to process the plan, "You, along with Frenzy, will scan the human databases. I will attempt to negotiate with the humans. If that fails, we attack."

Hotwire turned away from Optimus. Most of her words were carefully chosen to manipulate Prime’s nobility, but her emotion circuits were becoming more stressed, especially when she kept on picking up Barricade's distress signals.

~~~

He didn't know where he was. Presumably, it was some hidden, stinking human instillation, and obviously, he was strapped down to a large metal table somewhere inside it. What Barricade knew for certain, though, was that the human agents and scientist and whoever the Pit else was there were hurting him. Barricade was angry and in pain, and although he wouldn't admit it, he was terrified, his mind reaching out to Hotwire through their bond, seeking strength and comfort... something, anything at all, to keep him sane, "Release me, you pathetic meatsacks!" he bellowed.

The humans were ignoring him. Megatron had been frozen the entire duration of his captivity. Bumblebee had only managed radio static and garbled transmissions. One of them was trying to work out what he was using to speak with, to silence him, and because the Decepticon was currently in bipedal form, they were working around his neck.

Barricade fought and struggled and pulled against the steel restraints wrapped around his body, trying desperately to free himself and get those stinking little humans hands off of him, but whatever they were holding him down with, it was strong stuff, "I'll tear you all apart!" he threatened the scientists working around him.

He could feel Hotwire, out there somewhere. She was angry, so much so it was almost painful. She was angry because he was in pain, and that was the only clear feeling he was getting from her.

Through the bond, Barricade reminded her that he was still alive, and that was the important thing. He would break free and punish these humans soon enough. He could take some pain. That was what he told himself right up until the point where the humans starting drilling into his chassis. Then he thought and expressed vocally the sheer agony he felt, his screams filling the room.

To their credit, the humans weren't trying to hurt him. They weren't trying to damage him either. But it still hurt a lot. They were trying to take him apart, piece by piece, and put him back together again so that they could make copies, or control him.

Whatever their intentions, it felt like they were driving giant robot-sized daggers deep into his innards, and it was a new sort of misery for him, one he never wanted to experience. More shouts of agony left the bound robot, and soon he found himself spouting mindless, crazed obscenities at the fragile creatures, insulting their design, creator, relatives, and faulty programming. The anger made the pain just slightly easier to take.

Since he was currently cursing in digital code, it was impossible for the humans to understand him. It made him feel better though. Hotwire was still out there, somewhere, trying to concentrate on two things at once, neither of which were willing to be ignored. Her thoughts increased somewhat in clarity.

I said I wouldn't leave you. The thought was sudden and crystal clear.

So was her intent. She was going to try and save him, "No!" Barricade shouted out loud, imagining the humans do the same thing to her that they were doing to him, Don't be a fool! he cried out to her through their bond, You can't save me!

Do you seriously expect me not to? Anger, thick and heavy, registered across the bond, but because of the bond Barricade could also feel Hotwire's emotional distress, I refuse to abandon you. And you have no fragging idea how easy Autobots are to manipulate.

Confused, the Decepticon looked through her optics and found her talking with none other than Optimus Prime himself. Suddenly, her meaning became clear. Despite himself, Barricade laughed, the sound full of pain.

All I have to do is stand here and accuse him of being just like Megatron and he falls over himself to prove his nobility, Hotwire sneered, and because they were bonded, the thought was completed, It's almost as easy as manipulating Decepticons through their Warrior Pride.

Barricade was almost insulted. Almost. He couldn't deny the truth of that, though, even as the humans were prying off plates of his armour and poking around inside his sensitive electronics. Static filled the air as Barricade screamed again, shaking uncontrollably as electrical bursts misfired inside his body. It made him feel a little better imagining Prime in the same position.

Somewhere else, Hotwire flinched at the cry of pain, I will get you out of there! she insisted, and there was certainty in the words this time, not just pain or anger, I will!

I believe you, Barricade managed to think, and then more pain flooded him, and he began to thrash on top of the cold, steel table, But don't be stupid about it! he warned her, trying to get it out before his thoughts became too jumbled and feverish.

As the humans continued to remove his armour, piece by agonising piece, Barricade was certain that the pain itself increased, somehow. The liquid nitrogen burned his circuits worse than any fire. It would have been preferable to go offline, but they weren't letting him. He tried to insult and curse them again, but it seemed his voice box was no longer operating properly, shooting out static and noise with no intelligible language. The pain had become all-consuming as they dug further into his circuit panels. It felt like he was dying. He hoped he was dying. At least that would end this.

But the thought, the anger swung thought the bond, No! Don't die, Barricade! Hotwire thought, You're too important to me! I will get you out!

So much for wishful thinking, huh? came his return thought, full of sarcasm. At least his sense of humour wasn't compromised. That was a good sign.

I still think I love you, Barricade, Hotwire insisted, I will find a way to sort this out! She could feel his pain, and she was going to do something about it, at least those were her intentions, impossible to mistake for anything else.

~~~

Harley: No, no more sex scenes. Lots of thinking between them. Hotwire’s falling in love! That is what it is she’s feeling, right? It’s hard to tell with her...
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Shadows of Tomorrow