Rage against the night: Chapter 1
"Do not go gentle into that good night, old age should burn and rage at close of day; rage, rage against the dying of the light." The words slipped like greased velvet from the man's lips as he quietly read from the book held lightly in a gloved hand. "Though wise men at their end know dark is right, because their words had forked no lightning they do not go gentle into that good night." Unfortunately for the silent individual his moment of pleasant relaxation was rather bluntly interrupted by thundering whining that was emanating from inside a coat pocket.
"They better not be sending me back to that fucking jungle." muttered the figure as he raised the mobile phone to one ear; in retrospect he hadn't needed to as the person on the other end let themselves be known.
"God damn it Agent, where have you been!"
"I can hear you just find Agent Fowler, though I don't think they heard you over in Dublin." countered the man as he gingerly ran a hand over his aching ear.
"Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting for you at the air base mister?" roared the rather irritated individual. "You were supposed be on that cargo plane Jack, you know the one that landed over an hour ago!"
"There's no need for concern Fowler I'm already within Jasper's city limits, I have been for some time." the announcement rather understandably did not go down so well the person on the other end of the phone.
"That was not your decision to make, the orders clearly..."
"My orders required me to meet you at the designated coordinates twenty miles south of the city, nothing more nothing less, when and how I arrive is up to me; are we clear agent?"
"Crystal" spat the unseen associate coldly.
"I'll finish my investigation of the town and meet you there in a few hours" that seemed to take the unwanted caller rather by surprise.
"Why the hell are you snooping around Jasper?"
"Because it's my job, I go where I'm told to go and do what I'm told to do; which normally involves ruining some else day, permanently." Said Jack as he left the last word hanging in the air for a long moment. "So when I'm instructed to go to some backwater in the middle of nowhere without a drop of intel I tend to get suspicious"
"I was going to brief you on the way to the location." Pointedly stated Fowler as he let out a deep sigh, rather fortunately for the listener something rather interesting decided at that exacted moment to waltzes brazenly by him.
"Got to go agent, something's just come up." the reply was lost in transit as Jack gratefully disconnected the call with a flick of his finger. "Now isn't that interesting" whispered the agent as a female figure clad head to toe in matte black leather homed into view, perched upon the back of a gleaming motorcycle. "Well aren't you a beauty." whispered the man as the pair arched into a nearby burger joint, he waited until the sounds of the engine had completely died away before slowly pulling himself upright once more. "Got to admit." grumbled the individual as he slowly made his way across the street "I've sat on more comfortable park benches" A small smile played across the man's face.
"Worth it though to piss off Fowler, bloody ranger gets on my nerves" he turned the buildings corner to come face to face with the unoccupied vehicle. "And there you are." quietly commented Jack as he slowly paced around his intended target "An original Ducati 848 in mint condition, I was half expecting an Evo model, they stop making you guys almost four years ago." the man paused as he lowered himself down on his haunches until he was at eye level with the bikes headlamps "Which raises the question what exactly are you?" the utter silence that followed didn't seem to faze the individual in the slightest. "Hey I've got all the time in the world." stated Jack evenly as he slowly tapped a finger on its bodywork. "But I get the distinct feeling that you don't." as if to reinforce the threat a pair of rumbling muscle cars came trundling around the nearest turn. "And by the looks of it those two aren't on your side either, so choose" the statement hung there for a long moment as if reality was making up its mind before there came a low snarl from directly in front of him.
"Damn you human." the man let out a short chuckle.
"Don't worry I have that effect on most people." Jack added dismissively as he glanced at the slowly approaching vehicles in a nearby window. "But right now I suggest that we run." before the Ducati could responded it found itself being calmly mounted as the figure swung a leg over onto the opposite side.
"What do you think you're doing?" Demanded the unseen speaker in a voice which was sounding more feminine with every passing moment.
"Escaping, unless you want to stay here and fight, which I guessing isn't something you want to do, judging by the way your acting."
"By the Primes will you shut up!" roared the bike angrily as it tore off down the street, muscle cars now hot on its tail "It's hard enough to focus with a stinking mammal on my back!"
"No need to be racist." replied Jack calmly as they darted down a grubby alleyway. "I was going to get off now anyway" and just like that the man stepped off, fortunately for him the Ducati had the presence of mind to brake just enough so that the individual only found himself sliding backwards for the merest of moments.
"Are you completely insane?" snapped the mount as it caught sight of the annoying person ambling off down a narrow side street.
"Probably" came the echoing response.
"I hate humans." muttered the bike as it caught sight of their pursuers. "I really do" the next few moments descended into a frantic haze as the Ducati performed a perfect donut before making a mad dash towards the opposite exit.
It was rather unfortunate thought the agent as he heard the rumble of a V12 engine; he'd kind of hoped that the maneuver would have dragged more opponents off the chase but judging by the rapidly approaching sound only one pursuer had taken the bait.
"Could be worse." coldly stated Jack as he stepped slowly back into then clinging shadows.
"No one could have come at all."
The Cadillac quietly pulled into the alleyway with a slow, hungry movement that begot its size as it slowly advanced up the corridor, scanning with its headlights as it went.
"Do you have readings on the target?" Demanded its colleague over the intercom.
"Negative."
"Then transform and conduct a thorough sweep of the area."
"And risk being detected?" Snarled the unseen driver as the vehicle came to a stop. "Are you completely out of your scrapping command module?"
"It's better than going back to base with your servos empty." came the curt response.
"Ugh, don't remind me" muttered the Cadillac as it seemingly started to break apart at the seams; gears and power feeds slipped into place as the towering giant pulled itself up right.
"You want to know what your first mistake was?" whispered a hard voice in the creatures' right receptor; the titan spun around in startled surprise only to see nothing but empty space. "Your first mistake" it repeated "Was turning your back on me!"
Agent Fowler was having a bad day, well to be honest every day was a bad day for him, but it just so happened to be that this particular bad day was becoming even worse by comparison, if that was at all possible.
"I don't get paid enough for this shit." muttered the dark skinned individual irritably as he straightened his tie before entering the waiting elevator. "Maybe I should just up and retire; go and live in Utah, nothing crazy ever happens in Utah. It's Utah for christsake." the man let out a deep sigh. "Ah who am I kidding, knowing my luck I'd get there only to find the damn molemen were invading or something." but the individuals unhappy rambling was quickly put to one side as the lift he was currently ridding came to a shuddering halt. "Prime!" the thundering demand echoed out around the lofty area as the rather portly man stormed out into the abandoned missile silo, well mostly abandoned if you didn't count the towering colossi that turned to look at him with varying levels of frustration.
"Greetings agent Fowler" Answered the tallest of the group who came striding over towards the elevated platform that dominated one end of the large space. "What seems to be the problem?"
"My problem Prime, my problem is that your people don't seem to be able to keep themselves out of trouble, high speed chases through high populated areas, hand to hand fighting underneath highway bridges; are you trying to give me a stress induced heart attack?" the imposing figure raised a metallic hand in quiet acceptance as he attempted to placate the enraged visitor.
"Calm yourself agent Fowler, I give you my word that none of my family would ever knowingly risk human life, if it is within their power"
"Though it would make our lives a lot easier." grumbled a particularly hefty looking robot, who was standing with his arms crossed at the back of the group.
"That is not how we operate Bulkhead." stated Prime disapprovingly as he turned to glare at the individual behind them. "This is their planet and as long as we are guests here I expect you all to conduct yourselves accordingly, am I clear?"
"Yes Optimus" the blue and red painted giant smiled briefly as he heard the reply.
"If that doesn't work" added Fowler coldly as he locked eyes with the green titan. "I could always make you start paying back the outstanding property damage that you've accumulate so far wrecker." bulkhead let out a muttering retort that quickly changed into a yelp as the being next to him corrected his grammar with the business end of a wrench to the back of the head.
"I think we have bigger things to worry about right now then your ego bulkhead" stated the red and white mecha as it turned to look at their leader. "Wouldn't you agree Optimus?"
"Indeed my old friend." replied prime sombrely as he turned his attention back towards the waiting human.
"Why do I get the feeling that I'm not going to enjoy this" sighed the agent as he caught the worried glances' that were being passed around the little gathering.
"Regrettably you are correct agent Fowler." rumbled the giant as his face took on a serious tone. "It seems that for whatever reason during the last engagement Arcee's cover was compromised by a local human." to say that the agent was angry would have been an understatement, as little veins started bulging on the side of the man's head as he took on a particularly burgundy hue.
"Please tell me that you have the individual in custody." whispered Fowler as he ran a shaking hand across his face. "Just tell me that Prime, that's all I ask." the towering figure closed he's optics in regret.
"Unfortunately it seems that in the confusion the witness somehow managed to escape Arcee's safekeeping and at the moment is still at large, we assume somewhere within the city limits of Jasper." you could hear something snap inside the man's head as he let out a low groan as he shank down into a nearby seat .
"God damn it, what is wrong with my life today!" roared the agent as he pinched his eyes closed in frustration. "By Uncle Sam's beard I don't need this!" the room fell silent as everyone watched the scene unfold in front of them. "I've got enough shit of my own to deal with, I thought you lot were supposed to be professionals for crying out loud!"
"We are." Snarled the fembot as she locked eyes with the human.
"Really Arcee, really?" countered Fowler as he moved towards the safety railing. "Because it seems to me that if a normal person can just turn around and see a giant robot walking down the street then I think we have a slight problem."
"I was in disguise you aft." countered the titan as she took on a hostel stance. "Or are you questioning my judgment?"
"He may not be, but I'm thinking it rather loudly." stated an unseen speaker as a lone shadow stepped calm out into the lamp light. "Then again I'm rather biased because unlike a certain motorbike, I can actually do my job" added Jack as he jerked a thumb in Arcee's general direction, it didn't go down well as stunned surprise was quickly replaced with livid realization as the femme caught sight of the strangers face.
"You!" roared the autobot as she took a vengeful step towards the unwanted intruder, only to find herself being hastily restrained by two of her teammates.
"And I take it by your general demeanour and feminine voice that you're the bike in question?" countered the man as he cast a critical eye over the struggling figure. "I find myself rather unimpressed." the bot's left optic twitched dangerously as she allowed the comment to sink in, it was rather fortunate for everyone then that someone else decided to force their way into the discussion.
"Jack!?" the individual's name reverberated off the surrounding walls as the over human in the room finally recognized his colleagues voice.
"Ah Agent Fowler I presume." responded the man as he watched the rather chubby fellow come storming towards him.
"Don't you 'Fowler' me agent, where the hell have you been?" demanded the ex-ranger stopping a hairs breath from Jacks face.
"Exactly where I was expected to be." came the replied as he indicated towards the ground "Here."
"What?"
"I've been right here." repeated the man evenly. "For the last half hour; this was a intended destination correct?" a rather bemused Fowler ran a hand through his hair as he tried to make sense of the conversation.
"Yes but." he glanced unsurely around at the rest of equally disbelieving crowd. "What have you been doing all this time?"
"Having a look around, though the layout of the bunker is standard for the cold war era I was rather interested in seeing if the extraterrestrials had added anything remarkable to the complex" he stopped to look up at the towering giants above him. "I take it that you are extraterrestrial in nature correct?"
"Indeed" rumbled Optimus Prime as he quietly analyzed the situation. "And you must be the human that discovered Arcee earlier."
"I'd rather use the word 'noticed' rather than discovered, your female associate wasn't doing a particularly good job of remaining hidden."
"What's that supposed to mean?" snapped the fembot as she lent down to something approaching eye level.
"It means you made four noticeable mistakes in the time I was watching you back in Jasper." he raised a corresponding amount of digits into view as he continued talk "Do you want me to list them for you or should I just let you guess?"
"Oh scrap." whispered Bulkhead uneasily as he court the look spreading across his friends face. "This isn't going to go well."
"I don't mind Bulk" muttered Arcce coldly as she locked eyes with the human; or she attempted to, the fact that he was wearing sunglasses indoors was making it rather more complicated then she first imagined. "What's wrong with a bit of professional criticism anyway?" it was a loaded question and one the wrecker was smart enough to avoid.
"If you're sure Cee." stammered the hulking wrecker as he gingerly let go of her arm.
"I am." see turned her attention back towards the waiting figure.
"May I continue now?" snidely enquired the human as he crossed his arms impatiently "Or do you need more time to chat?"
"Please do." snarled the Autobot from in between her clenched teeth.
"That's enough Arcee!" the pair glanced around to find Optimus Prime glaring at them disapprovingly.
"But-" the statement was cut down with a single raised hand.
"This individual has quite clearly demonstrated that he has the professional ability to back up his statement, although" he eyed the human forcefully as he continued talking "I would appreciate it agent if you would refrain from antagonizing my second in command."
"Which you shouldn't be doing in the first place!" snapped Fowler heatedly as he finally managed to regain some control over the conversation.
"I take that this is the person that you told me about agent Fowler" added Optimus looked down at the liaison officer. "The one that was supposed to arrive with you earlier today?"
"'Supposed to' being the key phrase." muttered the man as he eyed the erstwhile colleague irritably. "I was meant to pick this guy up at headquarters over four hours ago but he never showed, next thing I know he's stomping around in your back yard." he jabbed an accusing finger at the unrepentant individual. "And I take it that little episode in town was your doing as well!" Jack raised his hands in blatant denial at the comment.
"That had nothing to do with me."
"Yer right and what about the dead con we found in that back ally?" Fowler turned around to steer resolutely at the titan above him. "You're doing I take it?" but the stilly confidence seemed to waver slightly as he court the look of confusion that darted across Arcee's face plate.
"I didn't offline anyone yesterday." stated the autobot firmly as she replayed the events over again in her mind. "And the only time I was in an ally was when..." the comment died away as everyone slowly turned to look at the lone figure in front of them.
"What?" countered the agent dismissively as he turn to walk away. "It was self-defense" the following silence was almost deafening as the man in question calmly looked at the array of computers set into one wall.
"That was you!" bellowed Fowler as his rather stunned expression turned red once more. "Do you have any idea long it takes to get energon out of brickwork, I had to demolish an entire building in the end due to the readings it was giving off!"
"And this is my problem why?" replied Jack disinterestedly as he tore his gaze away from a data feed.
"Because human." stated one of the robots rather testily "We are trying to keep as low a profile on this wretched planet as possible" the agent turned to look at the speaker.
"And you would be?" the red and white mech let out a sharp snort as the pair fixed each over with a cold steer.
"I'm Ratchet, autobots chief medical officer " stated the medic as he ran a scathing optic over the uninvited guest. "And I would prefer it if you didn't fiddle with technology that you obviously don't understand."
"Well if the tech was any good then I would." countered Jack as he kicked a nearby power cable. "But at this exacted moment it's all rather shit so I won't." the look on the doctor's face as he heard the comment was priceless; the whole moment would have been rather entertaining if not for the imposing wrenches being held rather tightly in one of the titan's massive hands. "Do you intend to use that?" added the man as he took on a more hostile air.
"Don't tempt me." muttered Ratchet as a split second later he felt a reassuring hand being placed on one shoulder.
"At ease old friend." stated Optimus reassuringly as he looked down at the defiant figure. "My apologies Agent..." the autobot paused ever so slightly as he realized that he hadn't been told the individual's name.
"Jack, Agent Jack" responded the man.
"My apologies Agent Jack, it seems we have as your people say 'gotten off on to a bad start' I would like to amend that."
"If that's what you want I don't mind" replied the human evenly. "But in all honesty I'm rather used to being hated." The remark didn't seem to sit well with the towering giant as an almost sad expression seemed to paint itself across the titans features.
"That may have well been the case in the past Agent Jack but I hope that your new assignment here, with us, will be on more amicable terms." rather understandably the room exploded into a torrent of disbelieving declarations as various individuals made their opinions known to world at large.
"Optimus you can't be serious" spluttered Arcee desperately as she forced her way towards the front of the bickering crowd. "This is a terrible idea!" the human raised a hand in whole hearted agreement.
"I second Pinkie's statement." added Jack as the pair exchanged piecing glares before turning their attention back towards the imposing figure, who was watching them quietly all the while.
"Well then you're both going to be royally disappointed." Said Fowler resolutely as he positioned himself next to his fellow agent. "The top brass want a human observer in the field with you at all times from now on and before you start!" countered the man as he blocked the impending firestorm that was rapidly developing. "I told them that it was totally suicidal and that they would never find someone competent enough to undertake such an assignment" Fowler paused for half a moment before continuing. "Next thing I know your personnel file is sent across my desk Jack and from the bits of it that I had security clearance to read lead me to asking for your transfer here to undertake this task."
"And though I reiterate my earlier statement that I will never deliberately risk human life." added Prime as he crossed his arms imposingly before continuing "I concede that having someone qualified to provide such assistance would prove invaluable in the future, so I agreed to Agents Fowlers suggestion to add Agent Jack to team prime" the giant glanced at the ex-ranger for half a moment. "As long as it sites well with him" stated the autobot firmly.
"I don't get much say in the matter to tell you the truth." countered the man as he stepped into the titans line of sit. "My bosses 'volunteered' me for this mission so until I hear otherwise you're stuck with" Jack grimaced. "My sympathies." the towering figure smiled slightly at the comment.
"I belief myself fortunate to have your assistance Agent Jack, I look forward to working together from now on." an audible groan could be heard escaping from several metal lips as they heard the statement, they weren't going to hear the end of this everyone thought; and they were right.
Thank you there much for reading, let me know if you found this enjoyable or just leave a review as it is a pure concept at the moment and I want to know what people think.
gratefully.
Gods-own
