Author's NB: I had an idea for this story years ago and actually started writing for it but then got lazy and didn't get past chapter 3. I found it on of all things a 3 ¼" and decided to have another go at writing it. I edited it a heap and I did what so many have and I have ignored a good deal of Transformers official mythos so there will be characters mentioned who should be dead, but you'll figure it out as you read where I've taken poetic license.
Disclaimer: Me no owny Transformers
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The Gift
Chapter One
Corpus
(In the flesh)
Staring down at the intricate curved ridges on her finger tips, the reality slowly sunk in. She was human, she was really, really human. Flesh covered with skin and wrapped around organs and bones and whatever else these creatures they protected were. The thoughts that passed through her human mind concerned her. Would she ever be her real self again? An Autobot who could transform and roll into battle with the Decepticons? How could beings of flesh, humans, have this kind of technology? And could it be reversed?
Arcee placed those amazingly shaped hands with the biologically unique patterning up to her face. It felt so strange for those soft hands to be holding that soft face. An index finger rested against a closed eye. Squishy.
"You right, Arcee?"
She looked up and saw Springer standing there.
"Yeah… sure. Just wanna get back home".
Rodimus stood by the door of the shack they hid in. Magnus next to him peering out the window, his firm, but still soft, hands parting the flimsy old curtains.
"I don't think this was intentional, we weren't meant to survive this… and certainly not in these forms".
The city commander continued to stare out the window without altering his view. Obviously in human form they didn't have the luxury of expanded visual range.
"What are we going to do, Prime?"
Arcee asked standing from the crate she sat upon.
"You head back to Metroplex and try and find someone to listen…"
Rodimus continued to explain his plan and what they would they each do to try and find their way back to metallic forms. Arcee of course, hadn't meant what they were going to plan wise… regardless; she had to put aside any thoughts of failure and of remaining in these short lived forms.
--
"So you're Arcee, the Autobot?"
The man reclined in the large cushioned chair, sitting across from her in the small room.
"I keep telling you, yes! Some humans had some sort of machine, it sucked us right out of our bodies and…"
"And into the bodies of humans?"
"YES!"
"Did these human bodies have people in them before? Are their… essences… in your robot bodies?"
"No… well, maybe, I don't think so".
"How long have you had these thoughts that you were an Autobot?"
"I am an Autobot!"
"Yes, yes, but how long have you been an Autobot in a human body?"
"I don't know, about half a rotation?"
"Half a rotation?"
"Yes, half an Earth's rotation… about 12 of your hours".
"Of my hours?"
"Why aren't you listening to me? Rodimus and the others are out there! In human form! They could be hurt or worse! Why won't you believe me?"
"I didn't say I didn't believe you, Arcee, I'm just interested to know more about you and how you came to this circumstance".
"I already explained! We went to investigate a warehouse to try and stop a gang from planting more explosives around the city. The police commissioner requested us personally".
"And that's when you ran into the humans who took you out of your body, your robot body and then put you in this body, this human body?"
"Yes!"
"And so you and Rodimus, Ultra Magnus and Springer decided to try and get your robot bodies back and you were sent here?"
"Yes! By Rodimus!"
"Your commander?"
"Yes! You must know that, you work here!"
"So, Arcee, do you have any other concerns at the moment? What are your living arrangements like? Do you have a job?"
"I don't' think you believe me! The only concerns I have at the moment is that I'm stuck in this human body and my friends are out there stuck in human bodies! I have no living arrangements because I'm not really human! And the only job I have is as an Autobot warrior and I was sent here to try and get you people to believe that I'm really Arcee!"
"Okay… Have you taken any drugs tonight, Arcee?"
"What…? NO!"
"Okay, what about alcohol? Have you been drinking, Arcee?"
"Of course not!"
"Are you on any regular medication?"
"I've told you! I'm Arcee! An Autobot! I don't take any drugs or alcohol or any of those human vices! Just get Ratchet in here, or First Aid, or Perceptor! Find Kup! He'll be able to confirm me! I know things that only an Autobot could know".
"Like what? What other things do you know what only an Autobot could?"
"I can't tell you! It'd be a security breech! Please! Just go find Kup!"
"Have you thought about harming yourself, Arcee, do you have any plans to kill yourself?"
"What… NO! Of course not! Just get Kup! JUST GET HIM IN HERE NOW!!"
"Alright… okay, you just stay here then and I'll go find Kup".
--
"What's the say, doc?"
"HHhmmmm, definitely delusions of grandeur. I think we're definitely dealing with a case of split personalities, possibly multiple personality disorder. I'm concerned she might have also ingested narcotics tonight, so I think we need to let her sober up and then reassess her mental state. That way the chemicals should have gotten out of her system".
"Well, sir, we don't really have the facilities for that".
"Okay, she definitely needs to be placed under a compulsory treatment order, so I'll get the paperwork done. Should only take 20 minutes, then I'll organise a transfer over to Silver Falls facility and they can hold her in seclusion until she sobers up a bit".
"What about insurance? Silver Falls is pricey and the last thing they'll want is to be forking out for some crazy lady to come down from her high".
"Its okay, the Autobots fund this sort of thing for people who show up here, something to do with one of the treaties they signed with the government and the UN".
"Alright, doc, we'll you do what you gotta, I'll go sort out secure transport".
