Summary:
Miko Nakadai wasn't really a Japanese Exchange student. That was her cover story. She made sure that people knew she was from Japan. But, in reality, Miko wasn't human at all. For some reason her host parent knew that. So when she met the Autobots, her first thought was, "Perfect! I can get info on the Autobots!"... But, after awhile, she starts to see the Autobots as family, making her question if she truly was an Autobot. Miko hopes to prove that her true self is now good, even if her brother try's to throw a wrench in her plans. (Female Skywarp)
Chapter 1: Stranded Knee-deep in Autobots
Why did life hate me? First, I lose my brother, then I'm left on a dead planet by my other brother. Now, I'm stuck on a planet alone. Guess it's a good thing I have Pretender in me, else I wouldn't have been able to blend in by disguising myself as an organic. Isn't life great? I do my best to blend in, I even go to school like a "normal" teen, everyone thinks I'm an exchange student from Japan in a small school in Jasper, Nevada. I even have a host family, well one person in said family, but still.
I sat there sketching a blue motorcycle drawing stars and hearts. Maybe back on Cybertron I could have been an artist, maybe. But, things change, people change, lives are changed. How I hope that Lord Megatron destroys the Autobots, then maybe this war that cost me my brother will be over.
I looked up from my sketching to find the motorbike was driving away, following my classmate Jack. Could it be… an… Autobot? I followed and found that it was indeed fact an Autobot, she was talking to Jack.
"Dude! You should totally go with her!" I exclaimed without thinking. As Miko I don't bother thinking all that much. Nothing like my true self. As my true self I seem more like my brothers then anything else.
"Great…" The Autobot muttered, I wasn't too happy about this either especially since she made me come with her and Jack. Wait this means I'll find the Autobot base on Earth, then all I have to do is contact the Decepticons! Yes! We entered the base. And I saw my other classmate Raf was there too.
"I thought there were two?" The red and white one asked looking at the three of us
"Haven't you heard?" The motorcycle asked, "Humans multiply."
I noticed a big green Autobot, I ran up to him and started to question him. Might as well get as much info as possible while I'm here.
"I'm Miko." I said, "Who're you?"
"Bulkhead." He said with a large amount of uncertainty in his voice. He must have been a bit afraid. I would be afraid of me too.
"Are you a car?" I asked, "I bet you're a truck, a monster truck! Do you like heavy metal? How much do you weigh? Ever use a wreckin' ball for a punching bag?" I just bombarded poor Bulkhead with questions.
"So… If you guys are robots…" Raf started to ask, shyly.
"Then who made you?" he finished. The medic rolled his optics and snorted.
"Puh-lease." He grumbled. Wow he's rude.
We heard the sound of thundering footsteps. A large red and blue robot walked in. We all looked up to him wide eyed. I'm surprised I didn't faint, because the 'Bot who walked in was none other than Optimus Prime.
"We are Autonomous Robotic Organism from the planet Cybertron." He said in what I think was his best attempt at not scaring us in any way, "Better known, as Autobots." Jack walked up to the giant 'Bot.
"Why are you here?" He asked. That… was a good question. Although, I think I already know.
"To protect your planet from the Decepticons." He answered.
"The jokers who tried to bump us off last night." Arcee stated.
"Okaaay," Jack said turning his gaze to the Prime, "why are they here?" That was something I already knew.
The 'Bot knelt closer to Jack.
"A fair question, Jack" He told Jack. Jack's eyes widened. Mine opened wide. Jack never told him his name.
"In part," The 'Bot continued, "Because our planet is uninhabitable, ravaged by centuries of civil war."
"Why were you fighting a war?" Raf asked, with his usual innocence. I never knew someone could be so innocent, not even me… Actually I was innocent before the Decepticons happened.
"Foremost," He began, "For our world's supply of energon. The life blood of Autobots, and Decepticons alike." And with that he began into the story of the war on Cybertron. I wasn't really interested, because I already knew it. He finished, and I yawned.
"Is there going to be a quiz?" I asked.
"So… What does this Megatron…? Or any of this… Have to do with us?" Jack asked.
"Megatron has not been seen or heard from in a sometime," The 'Bot began, "But if his return is imminent, as I fear, it could be catastrophic." Megatron, even the name made me think of my brother, who was probably about to get thrashed around soon.
"And since you know of our existence," The Prime said, "I fear that as of last night, the Decepticons know of yours." Great. It'll be easier to contact Lord Megatron that way.
Jack nodded, "Got it. If we spot any strange vehicles, call 911." He said. "Can we go now?" Really Jack?
"Are you insane?" I demanded, "I'm living a dream here in Botswana! And I won't allow you or anyone else to shatter it!" I couldn't let this chance to gather intel on the Autobots go to waste.
"It is best that you four remain under our watch," The Autobot leader said, "At least until we can determine our enemy's intentions." Yeah right. Like you'll be able to do that.
"Optimus," The medic began, "With all due respect, the human children are in as much danger here as anywhere!"
Jack's eyebrow's shot up, "Children?" He asked annoyed.
"They have no protective shell!" The medic hissed, "If they get underfoot they will go… squish." He stopped his foot for emphasis, making Jack, Raf, and I jumped.
"Then for the time being, Ratchet," Optimus began, "We must watch where we step."
Suddenly, we all heard an alarm going off.
"What's that?!" Jack asked. Well Jack probably not something good.
"Proximity Sensor" Bumblebee gave for an answer. "Proximity Sensor," Raf translated, "Someone's up top!"
I'll never get used to Raf being able to understand the Autobot Scout…
"It's Agent Fowler." Ratchet said with hardly a happy look on his face… Then again I doubt he ever really is happy.
"I-I thought we were the only humans who knew about you guys?" Jack asked. Well apparently not!
"Special Agent Fowler is our designated liaison to the outside world." Ratchet grumbled.
"As he tends to visit only when there are… issues," Optimus began to tell us, "It may be best if you do not meet him at this time." The three of us look at each other.
We ran over to a wall to just as the elevator came to the balcony floor. A man I assumed was Agent Fowler walked out. He looked really, really… Angry.
"Seven wrecks, thirty-four fender benders," Agent Fowler yelled, "a three-hour traffic jam, and a particular note, numerous reports of a speeding motorcycle of unknown make… and a black and yellow muscle car…" Yikes…
Bumblebee and Arcee looked innocently at Agent Fowler.
"So, anything you care to get off your tin chest, Prime?" Fowler demanded.
Optimus looked at Agent Fowler, "We have the situation under control, Agent Fowler."
"They're back… Aren't they?" Agent Fowler asked.
"If you are referring to the Decepticons," Optimus said, "I have doubts that they ever left. your planet is much too valuable,"
"Then it's time to wake up the Pentagon," Agent Fowler said.
I heard a sound that I think meant that Prime was losing his patience…
"Here me, Agent Fowler," Prime began, "We are your best, possibly your only, chance against the Decepticon threat."
"Says you," Agent Fowler hissed.
"That does it," Bulkhead snarled, "Now I'm mad. I don't care what anyone says about not hurting humans… The squishy's going down!" Okay Bulkhead not good when mad!
Thankfully. 'Bee grabbed his arms before he could get too far forward.
"Bulk! You're making it worse!" He whined.
"Hey, fleshy!" Bulkhead yelled, "Did anyone get splattered on that freeway?" Fowler glared him as Bulkhead got away from Bumblebee and picked up one Ratchets tools.
"Team Prime knows when to use force," He growled as he started to crush Ratchet tool, "And how much to use."
"Bulkhead!" Ratchet yelled annoyed, "I needed that!"
"Enough," Optimus ordered then turned to Fowler.
"Military involvement will end in catastrophe," He told him, "Perhaps you can condone widespread human casualties, Agent Fowler. I, however, cannot."
Agent Fowler looked at him, "Then do us both a favor and handle this Prime," he turned to the elevator, "Under the radar." He must have gotten into the elevator and pressed the button, "Or I will." We heard the elevator shut.
"Pretty big bearings…" Bulkhead said annoyed, "For a human,"
"Agent Fowler is concerned for his world, Bulkhead," Optimus said, "As he should be."
"Blasted Earth tech!" Ratchet groaned annoyed, "Cliffjumper's signal popped back online."
"Who's Cliffjumper?" I asked the other 'Bots very hopefully.
"How's that possible?" Optimus asked. Okay so by the sounds of it, Cliffjumper should be dead. And that signal says he's not.
"It isn't." Ratchet said.
Ratchet gestured to the screen disgusted, "Another bug." He spat, "The system's chock full of them!"
"If there's any chance Cliff's alive…" Arcee started.
"Ratchet, prepare sickbay," Optimus ordered them, as his battle mask shut, "We may need it." Optimus was standing by a Groundbridge.
"Hey!" I yelled, "What can we do?"
The Prime looked at her. "Remain with Ratchet,"
I gave a disappointed whine and pout. And so did Ratchet. I'm guessing Ratchet doesn't really like humans. The Groundbridge fired up in a swirl of green and yellow and everyone left.
"What just happened?" Jack asked.
"I transported them to the designated coordinates via the Groundbridge." Ratchet explained.
"Wait. What's a Groundbridge?" Raf asked.
Ratchet sighed and turned back to the computer.
"Scaled down version of Spacebridge technology," He said with a grumble.
Raf opened his mouth to ask a question.
"Don't worry about it." I said dismissively.
"Since we don't currently possess the means… or the energon… required for intergalactic travel…" Ratchet said.
"You're stuck here." Jack began to finish. "On Earth."
"With the likes of you, yes," Ratchet growled, once again facing us, "But I constructed the Groundbridge to enable us to travel from here to anywhere on this planet."
"Whoa!" Exclaimed Raf, "Does it work on humans?"
"Naturally." The medic said.
"You mean I could just shoot on over and visit my folks in Tokyo?" I asked even though those parents didn't exist.
"Within moments," Ratchet said, with what I swear is an evil grin on his face.
"In fact," Ratchet said his optics gleaming, "allow me to send you there immediately, all three of you!"
"Watch it, Ratchet." I warned.
The three of us started to get used to our surroundings
"What is this anyway?" I asked, poking a piece of machinery.
"Broken," Ratchet said, as he walked by, "Don't touch."
With his back to me I tried to touch it again…
"Don't touch that either,"
"Is there anything we can touch?" Jack asked.
A warning popped up on the old medic's computer.
"How come you guys are using human computers?" Raf asked innocently from the balcony.
"It certainly isn't by choice." Ratchet grumbled, "It was handed down by the previous tenants when we inherited this former missile silo. I've made modifications as I see fit,"
Ratchet growled in frustration as he began to fix the problem… Only he made it worse and more warnings came up.
"I think I can fix that…" Raf spoke up, though still quiet, pulling his laptop out of his backpack.
"Really?" Ratchet said with more sarcasm in his voice then he normally has. Raf plugged his laptop into the computer mainframe, "You know this is complex technology don't you?"
"I mean, it isn't a child's toy…"
Raf looked back to him, "Now try." He said.
Suddenly all the error messages turned green. Raf fixed it.
I couldn't help but let out a little laugh at that. "Never underestimate the power of Raf's skills."
We waited around for a while until we heard Optimus yell over the Comn. Link, "Ratchet! Bridge us back. Use the arrival coordinates! NOW!"
We saw part of a blast come through the Groundbridge.
"Whoa." All of us kids breathed, astonished.
"Cutting it a bit close," Ratchet pretty much complained, "How about Cliffjumper?"
They were silent…
"What was that explosion?" I broke the silence, "Was there a fight? Can I come with net time?" With that said Arcee gave a growl and glared at her.
"Look…" She started.
"Hey, Miko," Jack said, saving me from Arcee's anger, "Let's go see what the 'bots hide in their sock drawers…"
"Seriously?" I asked as Jack started to drag me away.
"Arcee," Optimus asked, "What did you see?"
"Not Cliff," She muttered, arms crossed, "At least, not anymore,"
"He was mutated, butchered…" Her voice cracked, "Like something from those 'Con experiments during the war…"
Her knees suddenly gave out beneath her.
"Arcee… Are you…" Bee began to ask.
"I'm fine," She said dismissing them, "Just… dizzy,"
"Robots who get dizzy?" I asked.
"Robots with emotion," Raf said.
"Robots… who can die." Jack said with eerie finality.
Ratchet ran his scanner over Arcee, it turned red when he went over her left servo. There was a dark purple liquid on it.
"What's this?" Ratchet asked, his voice barely a whispered.
"Don't know." Arcee said, holding her helm, "Cliff was covered in it, leaking it."
Ratchet carefully scarped it off onto a slide.
"Go take a decontamination bath," he said, "Now."
"I got her." Bumblebee whirred.
"Uh, Optimus," Jack said holding his phone, "I hate to bug, but… no bars,"
"A security precaution," He answer, "The silo walls isolate all radio waves."
"Well, if I don't call my mom, like, now I'm pretty sure the cops will be out looking for me," He said. Optimus seemed confused.
"Have you broken the law?" He asked. I about laughed out loud right then and there.
"No." He said, "Just curfew, it's after 10 pm."
"I better get home too," Raf said, "Or I'll be grounded for a year!"
"Earth customs," Optimus said, "I hadn't considered," No kidding.
"But, the issue of your safety remains," he continued.
He turned to Bulkhead, who was just coming up.
"Bulkhead, accompany Miko home," Optimus said.
"AWESOME!" I yelled, "My host parent will freak!"
"And maintain covert surveillance," he finished, "In vehicle form,"
"Curbside duty," Bulkhead nodded, "Got it."
"Aww," I whined.
Optimus looked at 'Bee and said, "Bumblebee, you'll watch over Raf," 'Bee optics lit up happily.
"Ratchet?" He asked.
"Busy!" He said, right as Arcee came in to the room.
"Arcee," Optimus said, keeping her from backing out, "You will accompany Jack."
She tensed, "Ooo, still dizzy." She said.
"You're fine, says your physician," Ratchet said, waving his servo.
Arcee, Bumblebee, and Bulkhead transformed into their vehicle modes.
We said goodbye and left. I found myself having a strange feeling. Like a feeling of belonging. It was something I hadn't felt in years. Primus, could I really be thinking that I belong with the Autobots? My place was with the Decepticons, through and through. Right?