Chapter Text
*After his morbot saved the mayor from certain doom, he ordered a meeting to be called, with him and Chief Burns, to determine the best “Rescue bot.” If he wins, then the first step of his plan, his takeover and revenge, will be in motion. Given that he has a little extra time, and things have changed since he was here last. Yes.. Things have indeed changed. Or they will, rather. He’s decided to take a small stroll. He looked at his pocket watch, before placing it back inside his right pocket on his vest. He walks ahead, hands behind his back as he observes the townsfolk of griffin rock along the way, each of them giving either looks of curiosity, skepticism, or murmuring. All things he was used to at this point, In his life. As it turns out.. Maybe things have not changed as much as he thought. He smiled to himself, not really surprised. Small town, after all. The only thing that appears to be consistently updated is the technology. There was the same town hall, the same laboratory, the same stores… Even most of the same people. However, his thought process of comparing days of old to the present is stopped instantly, The moment he sees something that catches his eye. Catches him off guard. Something.. Different. Not what he expected in the slightest- No. Not at all. Hardly anything changes about this town…* “And.. What’s this now, hm?” *He stopped on the sidewalk. Parked near a small grocery store, sits a car. Not an ordinary car, either. No. A hearse. One does not see that every day, at least not in griffin rock. Last time he checked, there were no tragedies. And he doesn’t recall any morticians nearby.. And it's absolutely stunning in the sunlight. Sharp, sleek, bat-tires and a beautiful, shiny black paint job, with red tinted windows. Whoever owned the vehicle must’ve had not only impeccable taste, but was a lover of the dark and gothic, judging by the modifications made to it. But he couldn’t stand there, ogling the car forever. No, he was a man with manners. The much more civilized option, the one the common man refuses. And he was no common man. He then began a slow, methodical approach to the car. When he approached, the car’s engine idled with a soft rumble.*
“What a remarkable vehicle.”
*Internally.. Martyr began to panic. A human man just approached her, while she was in her vehicle mode. When she was meant to be observing the humans, watching them and their behaviors, so she could perfectly blend in with them. Not to mention, she hated sudden contact. And this was sudden contact. Worst of all, however.. She had yet to try out that technology she’d stolen. The one from the trash of that laboratory? The one she modified? She hadn’t tested it yet. This.. Insect, approached her. How dare he?*
“And who might you be?” *He said with a small smirk, his curiosity striking. Martyr had to come up with a fake name and fast. In a calm tone, she says with a slight hiss:*
“Miss Stoker.. And you?” *That was it! Named after the author of dracula, how brilliant!*
*Martyr had perfected that voice. That attitude, the energy from the human vampire films she watched with knockout,
over and over again. Particularly dracula. She was a bit of a theatrical and dramatic bot, It was an easy role to step into. That voice.. Doctor Morocco's eyebrows raise. The woman In the car.. She sounded lovely. Such a unique voice. It compliments the car well.
“Doctor Morocco. And Miss Stoker, hmm?” *He chuckled.* “No relation to the man who wrote of the undead rising from their coffins?”
*Morocco tilted his head slightly. The car's headlights blink a bit. Great, what was she meant to do now? She'll admit, hard as it is.. She quite liked that joke. She gave a chuckle, pity beneath it.*
“Ah, I wish.. I'm afraid not. I just have a specific sense of style.”
“An impeccable one, at that. ..Are you a fan of the dark, stoker? ” *He said, gently tracing the hood of the car. He’s just a human, he’ll go away…*
“You could say that, yes.” *As he continued to caress the car gently, he was none the wiser to how this was affecting her. Affecting- NO! He’s an insignificant lifeform! She could crush him within an instant! Yet.. Her engine rumbled quietly, anyway. Something felt.. Strangely comforting about this. And she loathed that. This “doctor morocco” is a fool. He then says:*
“There’s something beautifully haunting about the night, Is there not? The way it wraps you in its enigmatic embrace.. The shadows surrounding you, her beauty… Unmatched. The unknown is more tantalizing than ever, almost beckoning, tempting you to get closer, until you finally fall into its spectral hands. It’s quite captivating. Not to mention how quiet it is.”
“You.. Certainly have a way with words, Doctor. You’re rather poetic.” *Martyr was unsure how else to respond. The headlights blink again. She had to stay focused.* “But.. Yes. I much prefer the night over this dreadful sun.” *The doctor nods as he listens.*
“I see.. Then what are you doing, practically basking in its glow?”
“Just a few errands, I’m afraid.” *Despite her internal conflicts, martyr was proud of herself for how well she was pulling off being human. I suppose all of the people watching, what she was really here for, paid off.* “..You, doctor?”
“I have a meeting to attend soon. About progress for this town on a mechanical matter. Which is a shame.. I quite like our conversation. And, If you don’t mind me saying.. Your car is lovely.” *A gloved hand is pressed onto the hood of martyr’s alt-mode. Martyr suddenly feels something, as his fingers gently trace across the hood, almost reverently, as Morocco's voice lowers, a small smirk on his face.*
“Almost as lovely as its driver…” *..Martyr went silent. How dare he? He was getting in her processor! Like this was a game to him! This organic..! Has left her at a loss for words. She’s a strong cybertronian, specifically a weapon built for war! But there was something about the way he said that, the caressing of her hood… Her engine let out a low rumble, almost like a purr. And his eyes widened. This wasn’t supposed to happen! This couldn’t happen! But it already did. And her processor was overwhelmed with all sorts of emotions. Foolish ones. Morocco chuckled.* “I think she likes me.” *He refers to “the car.”*
“..I believe she does.” *Martyr said, trying to hide how nervous she was. Morocco felt something. His pocket watch is going off. He sighed, a look of disappointment suddenly crossed his face.*
“Well, then… I’m afraid our time is up.” *He gently taps the “car.” He moved his hand.* “But you.. Intrigue me, Miss Stoker. With your passion for the dark and strange, not to mention your lovely voice. Perhaps I shall see you and your ride yet again when we cross paths. You’re a mystery. And I do love a good mystery.”
“Perhaps.. Perhaps not.” *The last thing he said caught her attention. But maybe seeing him again wouldn’t be so bad. ..What was she thinking? Okay he had to get out of here. Now.*
“Then I bid you adieu for now,” *The doctor bows.* “And hope we meet again.. If you do not mind, I have a meeting to attend.” *And with that… He was gone. Martyr ex-vented in somewhat relief, before driving away, and into the forest. When she knew that confidently, she was alone, she transformed into bot-mode, falling onto the ground and laying on the grass. She held her faceplate.*
“You’re such a fool..” *She said to herself, shifting to lay on her side. Why did her engine rumble when he touched her so gently? Why did she feel this way again? With a human, no less? A grimace forms on her faceplate. What did she just get herself into? ..She stayed in that forest after that encounter. Deciding it was best that she remained here for the rest of the day. Eventually.. Night fell, and martyr had fallen into stasis. The forest was quiet. Morning eventually came. Martyr didn’t have a peaceful recharge. She sighed, holding her faceplate with a groan, coming to one conclusion..*
“....I have to see him.” *Yes, the source of her restless recharge… GAH! This was STUPID! But it was the only way… Yes, the only way. Then she’ll never have to see him again. Just enough to satiate her curiosity, just enough to make these feelings go away.. Just enough so she may rest peacefully. She gets up, transforms.. And drives off, into the town again..*