Transformers Prime: Merely a Whisper

Chapter Four

David Jamieson awoke to a light poke on the face, and the first things his eyes met were another pair of small, tear brimmed brown ones. The ones belonging to his only daughter.

"Danielle," he began groggily, propping himself up on an elbow, "what's wrong sweetie?"

The 5 year old trembled slightly- she had been part of the Jamieson family for two years now- clutching the teddy bear she had brought with her from the girl's home. She sniffed quietly before speaking.

"I had a nightmare," her voice trembled, a single tear streaking down her face as she recalled the terrifying dream. She shook her head, attempting to clear her mind of those thoughts. They weren't for now- or for ever again.

"Oh, sweetie," the father smiled sadly, pulling the covers off of himself, and swinging his legs over the side of the bed, "come here."

He opened his arms to embrace her, and the child didn't hesitate to accept his offer. Scooping the small Danielle in his arms, he carried her out into the living room, careful not to wake his wife, and set his daughter gently down on the couch.

"Wanna watch some cartoons?" he asked her softly, and she nodded vigorously, "okay."

TV light flooded the room, the volume adjusted to the early-morning hours, and a father and daughter were cuddled together on the couch, underneath a blanket. The young girl's eyes fluttered shut, and with a content sigh, young Danielle drifted off into an undisturbed sleep, huddled up close to a smiling dad's chest.

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10 years later.....

"We're what?" Danielle exclaimed, but Lee was silent, letting his words sink in, "no no no no," she chuckled, "I refuse."

"Too bad, princess," Drake mocked, swaggering towards her, his smirk growing as Lee tensed up, "Lord Megsy's orders."

She opened her mouth to make a snide remark, but one warning glance from Lee, and the sound of loud footprints from down the hall made her shut it reluctantly. No one wanted to trash talk Megatron behind his back with loyal Decepticons in ear shot.

Danielle knew she was failing at keeping her emotions in check-but it was only because Drake got under her skin.

Lee slightly nodded in approval, so only she could see, and turned his gaze up. She did also, and cocked an eyebrow at the unfamiliar Decepticon before her. He made her shiver, the way his red eyes seemed to glow with pure hatred for everything they saw. His scrawny build and devious smirk reminded her of a weasel.

"Commander Starscream," Lee addressed the bot with respect, and when Starscream turned his head down to view who had spoken his name, he glared, contempt for the vermin in his spark, although he tried not to make it completely obvious, his attempt failing.

"Ah, Stormrunner," he said, looming over the three humans, his optics pausing on Danielle, "is that the new Techno-Organic Lord Megatron sent you to retrieve? Well," he bent down, hands folded behind his back as he inspected her, "not bad," he practically purred-and not in a good way- sending shivers up her spine she managed to conceal, "she's a bit, frail, though, wouldn't you say?" he said with a dismissive wave of a servo.

Rage boiled up in Danielle again, but the only outward signs were her clenched fists that remained parallel with her thighs. The black-haired girl looked up at the so-called 'Commander Starscream' with a guarded look in her eye, and forced a painful, friendly smile,

"I agree, Commander," Lee shot her an apologetic look that went unnoticed, "but that is what training is for, isn't it sir?"

"Indeed," was the low, blunt reply as the bot stalked away, rolling his optics as soon as he was out of sight. Humans. How he hated the vermin. Them being half Cybertronian made him despise them more. It wasn't as strong as his fickle hatred for the Decepticon leader, or Shockwave, but they came next on the list.