[ti]Ep 3.5[/ti]Unto Trouble [Closed]

[Jack Darby]

Jack didn't think about zigzagging through the brush. He ran in an erratic line, dragging Miko along with him, mind racing as he tried to put together some kind of plan. The Cybertronian crashed through the trees wildly, seemingly bearing down on them from all sides. Jack darted left and right whenever he thought Windshield was getting too close, hoping that it was enough to dodge away from their pursuer.

The attempt at an intercept, unfortunately, worked. Jack was blindsided by Windshield's jump from the bushes, gasping as he attempted to yank Miko in the other direction. He was in the shadow of the spindly mech, and his heart dropped to his stomach before jumping to his throat. Jack stumbled, managing to catch himself at the cost of letting go of Miko's hand; he darted forward several feet, unknowing. It was only when he realized that Miko's thin wrist was no longer in his grasp did he turn around and run back for her.

It would be a perfect opportunity for Windshield to move forward and scoop them up. Jack's mind still worked to put together a plan, but he couldn't think of anything beyond "run and hide". He was fighting fear, he was lost, and he was moving back in the direction of where he came from.

[Miko Nakadai]

Running in combat boots was one thing.

Running in combat boots through the brush was another.

This sucked - and it was taking absolutely everything in Miko to keep upright as she and Jack moved. She knew he was trying to help her by grabbing and yanking her onto a different, safer path, but his erratic movements were hard to keep up with when she could barely manage to keep her footing over the myriad of smaller rocks and scattered branches.

It didn't help that she couldn't focus on anything except the noise of Windshield that sounded like it was coming from everywhere, as impossible as that was. Was he behind them? In front? Or somewhere else entirely?

The only thing that seemed louder than his heavy footsteps was her heart pounding.

Everything was so noisy, so loud, that when the Cybertronian darted out from seemingly nowhere, her startled gasp had no doubt gone unheard.

Without even thinking, without even realizing that Jack had let go of her wrist and was now on his way back her way, she had darted into the tree line immediately to her left in an attempt to get out of view of the monster. She didn't get far, slamming her back against a nearby tree with a thud as she caught a precious moment to catch her breath.

Wait-

Where was Jack?!

[Windshield]

And so the humans scattered, split apart again in an instant. The colorful one quickly disappeared into the greenery. Though Windshield could no longer see her, he suspected that she resorted to hiding somewhere nearby. It's what he would've done. And yet... He didn't stop to look around. The taller human was still in plain view, running back to where they came from.

It made him an easier target. An imminent target.

So close now, in the shadow of his pursuer—a fire-eyed metal devil that couldn't help but flash a smile as he realized that he finally had the upper hand. Without a hint of hesitation, Windshield closed the distance between him and the human, no more than half a step, and finally—finally—reached out with his clawed hand, bending down to grab him with a rapid swipe.

His claws found purchase. He had him.

Windshield held Jack in his hand.

His grip was firm, inescapable for a human. If he'd pressed any harder, he could seriously injure him, but he didn't. Instead, he straightened out his jagged form back to its full height, rolled his shoulder, and raised the human to his chin. He kept him some distance away from his face, but at least they could finally see eye-to-optic.

It was only only then that Windshield could finally get a proper look at the dark-haired teen. He raised an eyebrow with sudden realization.

"Oh, I know you!" the Decepticon exclaimed sharply. He did know them, the both of them. He most definitely did. Seeing him all up close and personal, this had to be Jack, one of the Autobots' intrepid helpers. And the one still hiding? That was Miko, of course. So colorful and spirited. They were Raf's friends. Windshield wondered briefly if the little guy was around as well, but he didn't dwell too long on the possibility.

Either way, it certainly made things a tad more complicated.

"You're Jack, aren't you?" He chirped with a plain smile and a friendly tone. Though, his optics briefly glanced in the direction of where he thought Miko may have gone as if he was still on the lookout for her.

---

Jack was grabbed with player permission.

[Jack Darby]

Jack made a strangled cry as sharp claws grasped him. The grip was firm, not intended to be crushing, but it was startling all the same. The teen wriggled and kicked with as much strength as he could muster, pounding on Windshield's fist with his own. He wanted to protest, but found himself eye-to-eye with the Cybertronian in a flash, felling his nerve like a tree in the forest.

Jack said nothing as Windshield asked for his identity. Instead, he put his hands on Windshield's fingers and vainly tried to pull, long legs awkwardly swinging to find something to kick at. The teenager's heart was thundering, but at least Miko was out of sight. He didn't care what happened to him, fearful as he was - as long as Miko made it away, he could handle himself.

Part of him wanted to scream out to tell Miko to flee. Part of him also told Jack that such an act would give away her position. Instead, he choked out, "Put me down!" and wailed on Windshield harder. The lanky, dark 'Con would be able to see the healing bruises all over Jack's face at this range, and it made the boy feel even more weak and vulnerable.

[Miko Nakadai]

The strangled cry seconds later was the answer Miko didn't want to hear, and in that instant she knew that Jack had been caught by the Decepticon monster.

She was stuck between trying to catch her breath, but also hold it at the same time - wanting to be quiet, wanting to remain still so that the monster didn't find her, too. He already knew they were both out here, and while she was pretty positive they were probably more use to the Decepticons alive - she knew this particular Decepticon was supposed to be dead.

Maybe he'd gone rogue. Maybe he wasn't working with Megatron at all and so didn't really care about using them both as leverage, and-

Ack, stop!

Snapping her thoughts back into the moment, her hand shifted to her pocket - fumbling for her phone. She didn't realize how much her hands were shaking until she tried to open it, it taking a half second longer than it normally would've on any other day.

If she could get even the smallest bar of signal, she could call Bulkhead for help, as while it'd be hard to track down where they were – as even she didn't know that – hopefully the Autobots would be able to work it out using the Control Panel and send a bridge!

Only-

No bars, and her battery was at a rather dismal 18% too - no doubt from trying to constantly find bars while they were out here in the middle of nowhere. That and uh, maybe she'd forgotten to charge it this morning but… she wasn't to know they'd end up getting chased by a Decepticon through the woods!

She wanted to rush over to try and help, and it was taking almost everything in her to remain where she was. There were plenty of decently sized rocks scattered around, if she could find one just big enough and throw it at the monster and- ugh, it'd do absolutely nothing of use. But she couldn't just stand here…

Slipping the pink flip phone safely back into her pocket, Miko remained still, with her back carefully against the tree to keep herself out of sight. She took deep, quiet breaths in an attempt to steady both her racing heart, and to also give herself a second to try and focus on what to even do here. They were alone, they couldn't call for help from the Autobots unless she ran and got lucky with some sort of signal…

The only silver lining was that hopefully nobody from their school group would venture out here and get themselves hurt, too, but even then… surely they'd both been noticed as missing by now?

[Windshield]

Windshield didn't comment on Jack's injury at first. Instead, his optics circled around the environment one more time before settling on him again. Perhaps he was trying to see if Miko was still about, hiding somewhere, ready to be lured out into the open by the distressed words of her friend. Hopefully, she didn't run off to find help. That would be most inconvenient. But even now, Windshield couldn't see her, whether she was running or hiding, so no dice on either hypothesis.

Then, Jack it was, for now...

"Tsk. Tsk. Tsk," he pursed his lips and pouted blithely, "You didn't say please, Jack."

He lifted the little human higher all of a sudden.

"Now, I'm going to ask nicely one more time: Give me that phone and nobody gets hurt," the agent continued in a much louder voice, his tone still playful but with a sharper edge to it—he was growing impatient and it showed. Clearly, he was banking on Miko still being within earshot. Those words were most definitely not meant for Jack—though he did squeeze his hand ever-so-slightly, enough to make him uncomfortable, when the word hurt left his mouth.

Maybe he wanted to force another yelp out of him for emphasis.

Either way, Windshield was most definitely not letting go of him, not for the time being. Instead, he set off with a casual saunter, walking over to a nearby stump of a once-mighty oak. There, he sat down with a loose plop, crossing his legs while keeping Jack away at a forearm's length. The rocking and swaying of a Cybertronian's walk cannot have been comfortable for the human—like being on an amusement ride with metal seats.

It wouldn't be much of a surprise if it made Jack queasy, but Windshield proceeded all the same. He turned to him again. Perhaps to kill the time while he waited for Miko to make her move, or simply because he relished the opportunity of a captive audience.

"I hope she likes you better than her little toy, 'cause I really don't like hurting kids, but, y'know..." He tapered off in that light theatrical manner of his, maintaining a coy simper, until...

There was an abrupt shift.

His optics narrowed, his eyebrows sunk, and he pulled Jack back in, much closer than he'd done before. His voice dropped several octaves. It made him sound so much older, almost like an entirely different person: "...doesn't mean I won't if she leaves me no choice."

[Jack Darby]

Jack gritted his teeth. He was caught in a strange place, afraid of getting the life squeezed out of him but hoping more that Miko got away. His blood was thundering in his ears, and though his life wasn't flashing before his eyes, he was seriously reconsidering the choices that led him to this moment. It would probably be the last time he went on a field trip, or at least let himself get so distracted he wandered away from his class.

Staying silent, the teenage boy only glared at Windshield. He was tempted to spit in the mech's face, but held back. As much as he knew his chances were slimming, Jack wanted to survive the current predicament. He had too much to do in life, too much to protect to risk further harm by antagonizing Windshield. If he was squashed like a bug, so be it, but there was no need in getting his Decepticon captor riled up. The teen glanced backward into the trees, wondering if Miko had taken off deeper into the forest.

Don't do the Miko thing, Jack silently pleaded. Stay hidden!

[Miko Nakadai]

Think, Miko… think!

What would Bulkhead do in this situation? Well duh, obviously he'd go over there and kick the stupid Decepticon's aft right back to Cybertron! But… she wasn't Bulkhead, nor did she have any sort of weapon or strength to do such a thing even if she wanted to.

Which she very much did.

The fact he had Jack made her blood boil even despite the fact she was terrified, though not quite to the point of rushing out there and doing something stupid. At least, not yet.

As Windshield spoke, she flinched - her breath catching in her throat as she tried her damnedest not to move. His voice was louder, making it sound like he was right there. She knew he was close, he had to have been to catch Jack, but he didn't know where she was in the moment, and so she still had the upper hand.

Sort of.

Maybe she didn't.

He did have Jack, and she didn't have anything except her phone.

Her phone. Her stupid phone with its photos of Bulkhead, Carbine, Bumblebee, and everyone else - of silly selfies she'd taken around the base with silly captions like #AnnoyingRatchetLOL - she'd never show them to anyone, of course, they were hers and hers alone. But her phone had evidence of Omega One, and more importantly? Her friends who lived there.

She guarded that phone with her life, and not just in a weird 'you damn kids and your phones' way, no. If the contents of that phone got out? She would be putting everyone in danger.

But- Jack was in danger right now.

It felt like forever had passed. Countless seconds, each longer than the last. She didn't reply, she didn't dare to. She didn't know what to do.

Running felt like a safe option, though Windshield would catch her in two strides. That's what sucked about being small - big things could catch up fast. She could stay hidden, though Decepticons weren't exactly known for their patience.

She could hand over her phone, and doom everyone back at base. No… she wouldn't. She couldn't.

What she did know was that she had to speak, and soon. The seconds were ticking, and she knew it well, and-

"I dropped it!"

She blurted out suddenly, though didn't move.

"When Jack grabbed me, it fell out my pocket!"

She sounded scared enough to be convincing, or at least - she sure hoped she did, and while she didn't move? She began looking for a new place to run and hide, should Windshield start moving.

[Windshield]

Ah, there she was, the little rascal. Windshield's simper turned into an affectedly coy grin as he stepped closer, Jack still firmly in his grasp. He stared in her direction, though he could not see her, and listened as she lied. Slowly, the mech's grin drained away into a scowl.

"Wrong. Answer," he snarled back at her. It was a fierce and guttural growl so very unlike his usual voice. He squeezed at once, enough to make it hurt this time, just so they were all aware of the stakes here. Jack would be lucky to walk away without bruises after this one—and if Miko didn't act, it was obvious that Windshield wouldn't stop there.

He approached closer... Closer, still...

The Decepticon was so very close now that she could hear him shuffle through the bushes behind the tree. Then, without a warning, he lurched forward, dragging Jack along with him. Suddenly, a dreadful, metal claw hooked into the right-hand side of the trunk. Splintered wood and bark flew off the tree as it rocked, and the shadow of her pursuer swung around that mighty trunk. And there, in the evening darkness, a pair of predatory, amber optics stared directly at Miko opposite of the horrid talons, to her left. Only a few feet below them, her friend still squirmed in jagged metal.

"I can't let you leave with it."

Quiet words, spoken at a startling near-whisper.

"But I can let you leave with him," he gestured with Jack as if though he were little more than a marionette, "So, make your choice."

Whether she ran again or stood her ground, he would remain, unchanging in his demands. It was clear he would not stop hunting them now, not until the phone was either his or destroyed. There was a newfound intensity to his stare—a forceful urgency. This wasn't a game to him anymore. Windshield must have realized at this point that he was working on a timer. Someone would come looking soon...

And he feared it wouldn't just be more humans.

[Jack Darby]

Jack let out a gasp of air as soon as the pressure on his ribs lessened. He sucked in precious oxygen, thankful he could finally breathe after Windshield's grip had tightened. His heart was thundering more loudly than he could remember it doing as he was gestured with, his eyes flickering to Miko with a wild look.

"RUN, MIKO!" he bellowed with all of his strength. Whatever happened to him, whatever Windshield had planned, he couldn't have that phone. There was no way in hell that there wasn't evidence of the Autobots on it, and it could put the base's location in danger, depending on how careless Miko might have been. Jack wouldn't admit it out loud unless pressed, but he didn't entirely trust Miko's impulsive streak. If she saw something she deemed cool, she was bound to fling herself into it.

Hopefully she would listen to him and leave. He was terrified, yes, but he was beyond caring about himself at that moment in time. At least if Miko could get away safely, he'd die okay with everything.

[Miko Nakadai]

The immediate, snarled response to her words made the hairs on Miko's arms stand on end. While she'd raised her voice to ensure she was heard, she hadn't expected him to sound like he was right there. She couldn't see him, nor could she gauge very well where exactly he was - only that he was close. Way, way too close.

And getting closer.

The footfalls were telling, heavy pedes crunching against the undergrowth as a step was taken, then another. She couldn't tell where he was, the noise echoing throughout the open space to the point she wasn't sure if he was behind her or to the side. Miko held still with her back pressed against the tree for dear life, holding her breath, keeping herself as still as possible - hoping that even though it seemed like he had a bead on her general direction, he didn't know where she was exactly.

But then– a sudden impact, and the sound of splintering wood made her yelp. She didn't dare look up, didn't dare see just what he'd done, even as shards of bark rained down around her, but in her mind, she could only assume he'd snapped the tree – and her hiding place – in two.

Then, she saw him. Amber optics that seemed to bore right through her to the point she struggled to look away, her jaw dropped as she tried to stammer out a word, tried to speak, but she was transfixed, almost, on the monster, her eyes wide.

What was she supposed to do now?

But then, an answer. Two bellowed words from Jack that pulled her violently back into the moment. She didn't want to leave her friend behind, however, should the Decepticon get ahold of her phone, everyone would be in danger, not just the Autobots.

If Jack could just hold on a few moments more, perhaps she could get enough signal to send out a distress call to Bulkhead or whoever was in the Control Room right now. She just had to move.

Pushing off into a run, she moved with everything she had. Rushing forward, she made a point of darting this way and that between scattered trees. She wasn't sure which direction to go, only that she had to keep going. Keep moving, and keep her movements erratic enough that should the monster lunge to grab her as well, he'd hopefully have difficulty predicting where she was about to go next.

It was one advantage to being small, she supposed, as while she hated running? She would probably have a far easier time of finding somewhere new to hide and buying herself a few, precious seconds more.

Was he behind her? She couldn't tell, the sound of her own footfalls and desperate gasps for breath seemed to drown out any and all other noise. A hand moved to her pocket, clutching her phone for dear life as she flipped it open - still no bars. Still no signal - though it did not matter. For it was now quite literally life or death, and should she get even one bar, or half a bar, even for a second it should be enough to get through to the point she could call for help.

Ducking behind another tree to catch her breath, Miko held down the speed-dial button for Omega One, holding it up to her ear and-

It was ringing.

[Prowl]

Prowl almost didn’t pick up.

The former enforcer had his own views on allowing humans into Omega One, especially the children. And he had not exactly been private with these views to Optimus Prime either. But as was typically the case Optimus had overruled him, citing the need to protect the humans since they were aware of their presence and that the Decepticons might harm them in an attempt to hurt the Autobots. Prowl had held his further opinions on the matter to himself though.

Casualties were to be expected. Bystanders could be killed by accident. It was a war. Prime had chosen to involve the humans the minute he set foot on Earth. For some reason he just refused to commit to that decision, trying to balance a line that had been already crossed.

That was why Prowl almost didn’t pick up.

But fortunately for Jack and Miko, and unfortunately for Windshield, centuries of programming and experience was hard to break away from. Even in the midst of a war for survival where he wanted nothing to do with the human children, Prowl knew that it was his responsibility to pick up the phone whenever someone called.

So after a moment to collect himself and keep it professional he opened the commlink line.

::Autobot Outpost Omega One, go ahead.::

[Windshield]

As soon as Miko darted off into the thicket, Windshield made a single rushed step in her general direction, only to find himself all too late to pursue. She disappeared again and even his honed sight was unable to keep up with her through the dense foliage. The Decepticon's grip tightened in frustration and his brow sunk. In a narrow-eyed panic, his optics madly scanned the surroundings for any signs of her.

Nothing. Still nothing. And more nothing.

She was as good as gone and his vice-grip became all the more constricting in response.

It was only then that he chanced to remember he still had Jack—and not a moment too soon. The poor human must have been choking by now. Windshield composed himself at once and released some of that strangulating pressure.

Unaware of Miko or her call, he set his sights on Jack. He still had him—his last advantage—and he would make the most of it. When that idea crossed his mind, it was like a second wind. He steadied himself, straightened out his back once more, and walked off in a dignified manner. No, not in the direction of Miko, but somewhere else entirely.

"Alright, Jack," the agent began in an inscrutable voice, his tone shifting up a pitch, "You've got guts. I will give you that... But, really? A phone is not worth your life."

He shook his head and scoffed, then faced the path ahead.

"You gotta learn how to pick your battles, man."

There was something odd about the way he spoke. The words were casual and he put on a matching tone, but it only just barely concealed his restrained frustrations. This was the voice of someone at the end of their wits—someone who would not hesitate to switch and bite after one more push in the wrong direction.

"O' course, there won't be much time to learn where we're going."

The corners of his mouth curled into a gentle smile.

[Jack Darby]

It was hard to feel beneath the crushing grip of his captor, but relief washed over Jack as Miko darted out of sight. She was fast, and nimble, and smart. She'd know how to get out of the woods, somehow. Maybe she'd find reception somewhere and call Omega One for help. Jack cracked a weak smile, wheezing and coughing as lights danced before his eyes. When Windshield released him, he sucked in a huge gasp of air that made his chest hurt.

Jack had nothing to say to Windshield's words. He simply glared at the Decepticon - or at least, as best he could while fighting back a cough and getting his wind back. Yeah, maybe he did have to learn how to pick his battles, but allowing Miko to get away was a fight that was worthwhile. The teen slouched over in Windshield's grip, arms and hands weakly gripping onto Windshield's hands and fingers as he tried to wriggle himself free.

That wriggling only became more frantic after Windshield's next words. Jack's eyes went wide, and he struggled and kicked and punched at the 'Con as best he could. It didn't take a genius to figure out where the thought-dead Cybertronian might be taking him next.

[Miko Nakadai]

Ring. Ring.

Ring.

Come on come on come on!! Normally someone picked up by now, but then again Miko wasn't even sure if it was even actually ringing anymore. Everything felt like it was going a million miles an hour, all she could hear was her heart pounding in her chest– too scared to peek around her new hiding place to see if she was still being followed, too scared to look and see if Jack was okay, or if he was even still alive.

Please pick up please pick up please pic-

"Autobot Outpost Omega One, go ahead."

Oh no, it was Prowl. There would probably be a tightening of rules once this was all over and done with, not that they'd broken any, this had been such a bad case of wrong place wrong time. Then again, she was just glad that he'd picked up at all. Prowl knew who Windshield was, and could hopefully get here fast enough before anything else happened.

"Prowl!" she gasped, more surprised that there was enough signal to connect than the fact he'd answered at all. She didn't yell, her voice a raised whisper that she hoped he could understand. Because there was signal, because she had gotten through to Omega One, they would hopefully be able to pinpoint where they were and get out here quickly.

"It's Windshield," she hissed the name with urgency, even if she wasn't 100% sure that's who it was - he certainly matched every description she'd been given of the mech. Not that it mattered, a Decepticon was a Decepticon. 

"He has Jack! C̶̺̲͋̃ó̸̫̌̽̋m̵͓͈͙̅̑ͅė̶̤̭̟̾́ ̶̡̪̘̀q̴̙͎͚͕̃̅̈́u̶͉̺͚̐ͅi̷͇̰̲̾̈ċ̷̤̘͎́̚ͅk̵͙̯͆ļ̴̳͉̅͊y̴̱̅̎͘" her voice began to scatter and break up as that precious 1 bar became half, and then…

Beep beep beep - a noise that made her stomach feel like it did a flip. No no no. She hadn't gotten to tell him where they were.

Prowl wouldn't have long to act, the brief moment of signal disappearing almost as quickly as it came, though hopefully it was enough.

Maybe she could buy him some time, as while she still couldn't focus enough as to where the monster had gone with Jack, surely he hadn't gone too far to the point he was still around.

"Hey loser!" she yelled as loud as she could, her voice carrying through the myriad of trees, hopefully enough to hide her exact location, though she didn't come out from her hiding spot regardless, carefully closing the flip phone and tucking it safely into her pocket. 

"If you want my phone you gotta come and get it!"