17.Dec.06

A Real Nightmare

A partial daydream

PG-13 for language

By Starath (starathbot@geekgrok.com )

Author’s Note:  One night at 3 AM this scene ran through my head.  It was real, so terrifying, it ran through my head several times until I got up to write it down.  Unfortunately (or maybe luckily) I don’t remember much of what happened before and after this situation.  The first part of this sets up its own context.  A note for the wise:  Never trust Rampage! 

She didn’t like where this discussion was going and tried reasoning with him. 

“Rampage, I’ve always thought of you as a person and comrade.  That’s why I come to you for advice—”

His loud snort interrupted her.  “You come to me because you’re just a child who hardly knows what she’s doing.  You became leader only because you can wave that fancy blade around.  They know you can best them.”

Starath bristled at the remark.  “I became leader because I had no choice!  Megatron is gone, forever for all I know, and someone had to take over his role! Otherwise the Predacons are just a useless rabble!  Someone had to bring things back into order!”

 “Yes…” His emerald optics narrowed.  He took a step closer.  “Megatron IS gone… isn’t he?”

Her blue optics widened, flashing with grief and fear.  “They came back for him and took him away from me!”  The last words were nearly a shriek.  Rampage only smiled. 

“You’re all alone…. Poor girl…”

Starath backpedaled when he moved even closer.  Desperate to bring things back under control, fear replaced better judgment.  Reaching into her subspace pocket, she withdrew the energon box that held Rampage’s spark.  Her voice trembled with the uncertainty of a frightened child.  “Don’t—don’t make me use this!  I don’t want to hurt you!  I consider you a friend!” The word had a hopeful sob.  Surely he wouldn’t… right?  He wouldn’t! 

Rampage’s optics gleamed with a vicious glint.  He had her cornered and she didn’t even know it. Anticipation flicked across his face, unbidden.  A frown creased Starath’s features when she saw the expression, realizing his predatory gaze was now on the energon box she held.   In a thunderbolt she realized what she’d done and cursed in her native language. 

“Oh God!  Fuck no!”

She instantly spun to run, mentally opening her subspace pocket to replace the box.  Rampage moved faster than his size betrayed.  He grabbed her shoulder and yanked her back, pulling her off balance.  Her arms spread wide to catch herself from falling.  The box flew from her hand. 

Starath stumbled against Rampage when he abruptly let go.  He shoved her away and went after the energon box.  He was able to take two steps until they both saw it inches from smashing into the wall.  The air was sucked from the room.  Starath couldn’t breathe, her air intakes paralyzed when she watched the box creep forward in midair.  The box crashed into the wall and cracked in half.  Splinters of energon spewed forth, gouging the fragile life force within their grasp.  Rampage fell to his knees, howling in agony.  Starath backed away from him and pressed herself against the opposite wall, optics fixed on the pulsing spark.  The energon fell away in tiny explosions that reduced the shards into nothing, leaving the spark floating free. 

It hovered for a moment like a captured bubble, allowing her to see the essence of Transformer life.  She reached out, tempted to touch it, but a low groan from Rampage snapped her hand back.  The spark left her and went to its true owner.  He hauled himself off the floor and onto his knees just in time to see the pulsing globe of his spark.  Its brilliance reflected in his optics when it brushed by his face, as if greeting a lost lover.

“That’s right… Come home…” his harsh voice whispered, raw from pain. He offered his hands, welcoming it back.  The spark paused for a brief moment.  And then plunged into his chest. 

Starath’s blue optics filled to the brim with human tears.  She tried to press tighter against the wall, shaking her head in disbelief.

I have sealed everyone’s fate!

Her fear reached a new extreme when Rampage arose, his emerald optics glowing brighter.  He seemed to bunk up and stand taller, but she wasn’t sure if that was for real or if she imagined it.  She turned to face the wall in an attempt to hide when his triumphant laughter flooded the room, echoing in her mind and terrified heart.  Starath felt his breath on her neck and shivered from the cold shadow he placed over her.  She wept openly, still shaking her head.  She expected hatred and fury in his voice when he spoke.  But Rampage never did what one expected.

“Hush, child…” his voice was gentle, soothing.  “It’s all over now.  Things will be fine…”

Confused, she swallowed, taking a cautionary glance at him.  His optics were wide and friendly.

“It’s alright to face me, little one.  I won’t hurt you now…” His right hand came up to cup her face as he continued lulling her into false safety.  “After all, you said I was your friend…”

Starath choked, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks.  She threw herself at him, sobbing with relief when he embraced her.

“I… I knew y-you wouldn’t hurt m-me…”

“No…. not now…” Rampage smiled a malicious smile that she couldn’t see.  He led her to a chair in front of a computer console and dragged it from the desk.  “You sound so tired… Come now, sit down.” 

She nearly collapsed into it, wiping hard at the saltwater on her face.  She sniffled, looking up at him with a small smile.  “I… can’t let the tears stay or my face might rust.” 

He gave her a low chuckle, walking around to the back of the chair.  “Indeed.”

“Heh, yeah…” she tried to turn and look at him, only to have herself gently moved back.  “What are you doing?”

Rampage didn’t reply. There was a clang of metal.  Sounds of ripping circuitry came from under the computer console.  Starath attempted to turn again but was roughly shoved forwards.  “Hey---”

Wires roped themselves around her body, pinning her arms to her sides, throwing her back against the chair.  Panic flooded through her.  She struggled. “Rampage!”

“Don’t mind me, my dear Starath, I’m just making you comfortable,” His voice now had a sarcastic edge.  He tightened the makeshift bonds, making them painfully secure.  He paused in his work when he savored a spike of fear flowing from the little Predacon.

“But-but, you said you wouldn’t hurt me!  You’re my friend!” Betrayal and anger blended with the fear.  Rampage made sure the wires were firmly knotted together before walking around to face her, bending on one knee so they could see optic-to-optic.

“That is true, but that was only part of what I said.”  He caught her foot when she tried to kick him, gazing at the fury etched on her face.  “Tsk tsk!  You should behave better to one of your friends, Starath.” 

She jerked her foot away.  “And friends don’t tie up friends either, you traitorous

bastard!” 

Rampage shook his head, disappointed that she hadn’t caught his meanings. He knew she was brighter than this.  It must be the emotions clouding her thinking.  Standing up, he roughly patted her head.   “Think about what I said, and it will come to you.”  He made to walk away, then stopped, turning back to the fuming femme.  “Oh… I nearly forgot…” 

Shoving his hand between her back and the back of the chair, he searched for what he wanted.  Pulling his hand out, he ripped the flight pack free from her body and tossed it on the floor.  Kicking it against the wall, he ignored her scream of pain, studying the object in his hand.

“I can’t have you flying off… Or using this nice toy…” He let her see the gold sword handle in between his fingers.  He flicked the green laser blade on and off before tossing it into the air, dropping it into his subspace pocket. 

“How such a little girl like you acquired such a toy is quite interesting.  Anyway, ta ta, young Starath, I’m off to greet your comrades!  OhohohohahahahahaHAHA!”

He made sure to slam the door behind him.