Renewal Chapter 1: Arrival, a transformers fanfic

AN: There's a spoiler for DotM in the notes at the end of this chapter. I assume by now anyone reading this has seen the film, but if you haven't you might want to stop reading before you get there...

xxx

Part 1 - Arrival

Of course it wasn't as easy as that. First they had to get Prime's agreement, then Admiral Morshower's, and decide who would deputise for Poppy while she was gone. And Morshower was very unhappy about the whole situation, and not at all inclined to allow it, except that Prime - and Ratchet - overrode him, pointing out that 'Spin was essential for the process, and a neutral and, since they were no longer at war, could not be ordered to do anything nor coerced by military means.

He'd had to give in, but even Poppy understood it came at a price which someone would no doubt have to pay in future.

She just hoped it wouldn't be herself...

Finding someone to replace her for a month or so wasn't particularly easy either. Phil volunteered to stay behind to keep an eye on things (although Poppy got the distinct idea he'd much rather accompany her), which would help, and they drafted in a couple of NEST admin operatives as well as a couple of administrators from an outside agency supposedly specialising in such matters. Poppy vetted them, and thought they'd be more than sufficient. In fact, she'd already decided to ask one of them to stay on as her deputy after she returned, assuming all went well in her absence.

And 'Beat insisted on going too.

For which Poppy was profoundly grateful. He knew the Autobots already and would make a perfect buffer between them and her. Phil and Graham were also pleased, to her relief.

So, a month after first suggesting it, Poppy, 'Spin and 'Beat touched down on the runway on the fabled island.

xxx

The first thing Poppy noticed was the heat. The second was the stillness; for a military base it was surprisingly quiet. Then again, as far as she could gather, the main NEST bases were now in more heavily populated areas of the world, America, China, Russia and Europe. Diego Garcia was still a vital resource, but not the primary base any more.

Instead it was being used as a transformer induction and training facility - and somewhere for Ratchet to work in peace, on the odd (but hopefully now more frequent) occasions when he could be spared from his duties with the Prime. It was here that Ironhide was being slowly restored, and here that the medic planned to attempt to reformat Starscream.

Poppy still thought he was insane to even consider it, and, on the quiet, simply didn't believe it could be done.

But the island was beautiful, the sort of place she'd fantasised about visiting when she was younger - who hadn't, after all? Holidaying on a desert island was a meme before memes had been invented - and she had every intention of taking full advantage of it while she could.

They were met by the Prime himself. Poppy stared up as he slowly crouched down to bring his face almost level with hers, not realising she was trembling until later.

How could something so huge move with such grace?

"Greetings, Poppy. Welcome to Diego Garcia."

She managed a smile and a shaky "Thank you". Behind her 'Beat saluted; beside her she heard 'Spin's internal fan hitch as the smaller transformer lowered his head. Prime's gaze flickered to him.

"We thank you, Sparkspinner, for agreeing to help us: we could not attempt this without you. I know you are reluctant, given the subject, but everyone deserves a second chance, and we would not be true to ourselves if we were to deny that to Starscream."

'Spin shuddered at the name, then pulled himself a little straighter.

"It ith my duty, my Prime. And I will do anything you athk of me."

Prime's mouthplates moved into a smile.

"I will never ask more than you are willing to give."

xxx

Poppy threw herself onto the bed on her back and sighed happily. It had been a wonderful afternoon...

Prime had ushered 'Spin to the cavernous space, half-underground, that Ratchet had for his own lab-come-medical facility, promising that Poppy could visit it later, to see what the old medic was doing. As the two transformers walked away, Cable had squirmed out of her pocket to perch on her shoulder, gazing after them with awed optics.

Poppy petted him. "Why didn't you say hello?"

Cable squeaked. "To the Prime?"

Poppy laughed. "Too shy? Never mind - maybe later." She watched as a young soldier drove up, introduced herself cheerfully as Private Karen Smith, and loaded Poppy's luggage into her jeep. She'd opened the passenger-side door in invitation: Poppy hesitated, glancing at 'Beat, but the MGC had waved her towards the car.

"Get acquainted with the human, she's going to be your liaison here. I'll find you later: I'm going to say hello to Jolt and the others."

He transformed, and Poppy grinned and patted his roof.

"Have fun!"

'Beat's engine revved in a chuckle. "Do me best..."

Private Smith had driven to what she called a 'hooch', a kind of raised wooden bungalow with a tin roof, a mile from the main runway near Marianne Point, looking out over the lagoon. Inside it was spartan but reasonably comfortable and fairly well-stocked, although Poppy was more than welcome to join the rest of the island's inhabitants for meals at the base if she preferred. There weren't that many people here any more - the island was now tacitly considered to be Autobot territory and far fewer military vessels used it - but the satellite and communications stations were still operational and fully-staffed. A quick call to the base - Cable beeped as he internalised the numbers the soldier reeled off - and someone would come to pick her up, if she didn't want to walk. Poppy had thanked her.

"But it's more likely 'Beat will drive me."

The soldier's eyes had widened.

"He's yours?"

Poppy chuckled. "More like I'm his."

"Oooh, you are so lucky..."

"I know."

The soldier sighed. "Maybe one day... Shall I leave you to get yourself squared away or do you need a hand?"

Poppy looked around the place and shook her head.

"I'll be fine. Won't take long to unpack and then I may take a nap, it was a long flight and I feel a bit jet-lagged."

"Sure. But if you need anything, just call."

Putting everything away took ten minutes: Poppy always travelled light. She took a few minutes to walk down to the shore and enjoy the sunshine, until she found herself yawning widely. Rubbing her eyes she made her way back to the hooch, ready to catch up on some sleep.

xxx

The quiet voice sounded in her ear.

"Poppy?"

"Mm?"

"Time to wake up now."

"Huh?" She opened one eye and gazed blearily at Cable, who was sitting on the pillow beside her head. "Wha?"

The little transformer tilted his head to one side. "It's evening. 'Beat's arrived and says he thinks you should go to the base for dinner. Also, it's very pretty outside. The sky looks like it's on fire."

Poppy stretched, yawned and sat upright: the light streaming through the window flooded everything with gold. She hastened outside, 'Beat following in root mode as she made her way to the ocean side of the atoll, and paused on the sand, staring in awe at the western horizon.

Her first tropical sunset. She would never forget it.

'Beat gently touched her shoulder.

"We should get moving if we want any choice of dinner."

She stared down at herself, cursing mentally at falling asleep in the clothes she'd travelled in.

"I should shower and change first. I feel gungy."

"I don't think they'd mind..."

"Maybe not, but I would. I'll only be ten minutes. I'm sure there'll be something left by the time we get there."

xxx

Twenty minutes later, Poppy feeling much refreshed and awake and with the breeze through 'Beat's open window drying her hair, they arrived at the chow hall. There were still a few people there, drinking beer or coffee: most of them smiled and waved or saluted lazily as she entered. She smiled back, and moments later Private Smith appeared at her side.

"Everything OK?"

Poppy nodded. "It's great, thanks."

"I hope the accommodation's all right. It's hardly five star, but we're not really geared up for VIPs."

Poppy laughed. "I'm hardly a VIP! And it's fine. I'm hoping to spend most of my time here or exploring the island anyway."

"I hope you won't be bored..."

Boredom wasn't an option - Poppy had brought 'Beat's history with her in case the pleasures of swimming, snorkelling, and simply enjoying the change of scenery paled. She smiled at the soldier.

"I'll be fine, honestly."

"Well, call me if you change your mind or anything. Now, what would you like to eat?"

xxx

Sitting near a window with a plate of different sorts of lumpia, Poppy heard the distinct sounds of transformation outside, and gazed out to see Jolt settling himself beside 'Beat. To her delight, after a few seconds of chat between the two the blue transformer looked her way and raised a three-clawed hand in greeting, buzzing her name. She waved back, grinning. Opposite her Private Smith watched enviously, smiling as Poppy turned back to her as the two transformers resumed their conversation outside.

"I'm jealous. They're all friendly enough, in a weird alien sort of way, but we're not supposed to get too close to them, or interrupt what they do."

"That's a shame. They can be great fun..." Poppy paused, then pulled Cable out of her pocket. "Here you go. Please meet Cable. Cable, this is Private Smith."

The soldier frowned at the mobile phone, then glanced at Poppy. "Please, call me Karen... OH!" She stared open-mouthed as Cable transformed and gazed up at her then waved one little limb.

"Hello."

Karen blinked, then grinned delightedly. "Oh, you're so cute! Hello Cable." She beamed at Poppy. "I've heard about the little ones but never seen any. It's mostly the big warrior models we have here."

"The smaller ones tend to be neutrals. I have several back home."

Karen leaned forwards, expression eager. "If it's not confidential, can you tell me more?"

Poppy laughed. "Oh, I don't think it's confidential. Given we've been in half the newspapers back home and there's always someone visiting the consulate. Let's see..."

xxx

It was three in the morning, but Poppy wasn't tired after her earlier nap. She'd have to work on adjusting her bodyclock. But for now...

She sat on the sand, gazing up at a moonless, star-blazing sky, and sighed contentedly. 'Beat touched her shoulder, and she turned her head to smile at him.

"I've never been anywhere where there wasn't at least some citylight. I've never seen the sky like this. It's... overwhelming. "

"It's beautiful, even with the atmospheric distortion."

She leaned against his cool frame. "What I wouldn't give to see it from space."

His engine revved quietly. "Maybe one day... But for now, you should try to get some rest. Doc-bot and 'Spin are going to start working on Starscream..."

Poppy interrupted with a giggle. "Does he know you call him that?"

"No, and if he ever found out..."

"I won't tell him."

He gazed down at her. "Thank you. As I was saying, they're going to start work early tomorrow morning, and Ratchet has agreed to let you watch. If you want to."

Poppy was silent for a moment, then jumped to her feet and tugged at his arm. "Like I'd miss that! C'mon - time for bed..."

xxx

Lumpia are Fillipino spring rolls.

xxx

As you know, Bay killed Ironhide in Dark of the Moon. It's something a lot of people, including me, will never forgive him for. Not that he cares...

However, femme4jack and merfilly have written an excellent and very moving Ironhide fixit story - Patronus - at /s/7155265/1/Patronus. It's beautifully written - brought a lump to my throat. Since these two authors have already dealt so well with the subject, I won't be covering Ironhide's 'resurrection' in my own story.