Healed [Sequel to Burned](Transformers Prime)

Chapter Fifteen | Rescue Attempt

"Aidez-moi, tout s'effondre puisqu'il n'est plus là,
Sais-tu mon bel amour,
Mon beau soldat,"

»«

Dana could barely feel her wrists, they were bound so tight. Her face had been cleaned up a little, but the young woman suffered from other bruises, hidden from view. Alpha - the name of the M.E.C.H leader she had since learned - had given her punishment for Ratchet's "insolence," as she called it, though the woman knew there was nothing justified about the beating. Alpha was purely a sadist.

Gentler hands from the third in command, Gamma, wiped the blood from her nose and took her to a secure cell, where she was allowed to eat and sleep. He seemed nice enough, but when she tried to make small talk or try to understand what was going on he was dodgey, avoiding questions and just briskly leading her to where she needed to go. It was more than enough to tell her that he was doing his best to not become attached.

It was obvious he was the weak link in this chain in command, and everyone seemed to know it.

When it was time for Soundwave to meet them at their destined place with Megatron, Dana fought. She twisted and growled, crying when Alpha used a thin whip-like rod to hit her back, treating her like an animal being herded for slaughter.

"Please," she begged, "I will do anything. Just don't hurt Megatron!"

Lockdown was displeased that the young human was attempting to bargain; if she managed to change even one person's mind, that could throw a wrench in their plans. Those who were in attendance seemed indifferent to her pleas, however, so he was put more at ease.

Their location of agreement was in the middle of a desert. Dana had no idea which desert, but it was there nonetheless. Once she stepped out of the chopper it was clearly over ninety degrees, perhaps even warmer, sweat breaking out on her oily skin immediately. Sand poured into her shoes and stuck to her pants, one of the most uncomfortable feelings ever. Squinting, she noticed they were the only ones around, a massive expansion of sand dunes spread before them.

"Beta, with me," Alpha instructed. "Gamma, you remain with the prisoner. If they don't show, Psi has a camera ready. We'll record the consequences of their actions right here."

Dana felt her throat close up, making it hard to breathe in the already suffocatingly hot air. "Please . . ." She whispered. "Run tests on me, pick me apart. But don't hurt Megatron or Soundwave."

"We have a preexisting deal," Alpha waved a hand dismissively. "Yours holds no value to us."

Lockdown warmed his weapon, waiting patiently, optics scanning the horizon all around them. Soundwave was highly intelligent, and it made the Decepticon uneasy that he was willing to give up his master for a human. Something was not right about that equation. He must have a trick.

About fifty yards out a Groundbridge opened before them, mirage-like in the heat waves of their current location. One of the M.E.C.H members took a swig of water before readying their weapons, Dana wishing she could have just a drop. It had only been a few minutes, but she was already thirsty.

The Groundbridge was inactive for an unnerving amount of time before Soundwave walked through, at first seemingly alone, but then it is revealed that he is dragging an unconscious Megatron behind him, the mech's large body creating deep rivets in the sand.