Something new for me as I don't usually write stories for cartoon series, but this series has intrigued me from the start and I thought I would add to the Transformers Prime story list. I will continue the story if anyone's interested. Gregg.
Disclaimer: I don't own, or profit from, these characters or franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
"So what are we going to do about Prime?" Fowler asked, clearly disturbed by the events that had just been revealed.
"The real question is what is the leadership structure going to be," Ratchet mused, looking at Jack intently. A look that was not lost on Arcee.
"What are you talking about Ratchet?" Arcee asked. "I'm Second in Command, so I am in charge. And why are you looking at Jack?"
"It's not that simple, Arcee," Ratchet told her. "Just before you left on the mission, Optimus gave Jack the Key to Vector Sigma to safeguard. He told him that he had earned that trust and responsibility. Without the Matrix of Leadership, you know what that key represents."
Arcee, as well as Bumblebee and Bulkhead, looked stunned.
"Well I don't," Jack said from where he stood next to his Mom, Miko, Raf, and Agent Fowler.
"Jack," Ratchet turned to the young human. "Vector Sigma is an ancient super computer that gave Cybertronians sentience. Whoever holds the key, also holds the future of our race in their hands. We Autobots have guarded that key for eons. Apart from the Matrix of Leadership, it is the only other symbol of leadership for the Autobots. The protection of that key is a sacred trust, and responsibility."
"Wait a minute," Jack said holding up his hand. "Are you saying Optimus put me in charge in case he didn't come back?"
"Not exactly," Ratchet said after a long moment.
"You know that's exactly what it means," Arcee said firmly, still stunned, but defending the choice Optimus made. The crushing fear of Jack coming to harm slammed into her, though, and her feelings for her human friend were becoming more and more focused.
"Optimus knows that a human would not be able to lead us, as the leader of the Autobots needs to also be a part of any battle," Ratchet explained his reasoning. "But Optimus has also long desired to make humans our partners in our endeavor to defeat the Decepticons once and for all. I mentioned once before that Jack was very similar to what Optimus was like before he became Optimus and a Prime. I believe Optimus sees those qualities in Jack, and wants him to become that partner in leadership. That means he expects Jack and you, Arcee, to lead us together."
"Hey, I know Optimus knows what he's doing, but Jack is just a teenager," Fowler said from where he stood. He turned to Jack. "No offense, Jack. You know I'd want you by my side against the 'Cons, but this is a whole lot more that just having a partners back."
"None taken, Agent Fowler," Jack said, knowing that the guy was right. He looked at his Mom who was looking suddenly very worried. "Hey, Mom," he said weakly.
"June, I assure you I did not know about this," Arcee told her. "If I had, I would have talked to Optimus about this and convinced him not to do it. Jack, however much he has shown himself to be a true warrior and trusted ally, is not ready for this."
It pained Arcee deeply to have to try and keep this responsibility from Jack, but she was very concerned about him. He just wasn't ready.
"I know you didn't, Arcee," June replied, worried beyond belief about her son, but trusting Optimus. She had learned that her son was much more than a teenage boy in these last couple of months, and she trusted Optimus implicitly. It was time to show Jack that she knew he was grown up. "But I think we should trust Optimus."
Arcee knelt down at a level with Jack. "Jack, I'm not trying to put you down," she told her partner. "But this is much more than just helping us. Much more. If you tell me to back off on this, I will, but I want you to know that this is real, and dangerous beyond what you've been dealing with so far. I'm not even sure I'm ready."
Jack knew that Arcee and everyone were looking out for his best interests and safety. He appreciated that. But Optimus was someone who he respected beyond measure. If Optimus felt this was best, then for some crazy reason so did he.
"I think this is something I have to do," he said finally, knowing he looked less than confident.
Arcee stood and nodded. "The first thing I think we should do is bring in Raf and Miko's parents," she stated. "We are going to need our charges assistance and that means a lot more time here. The parents should know."
Jack nodded. "Right," he said firmly. "But we need to contact and bring in Miko's real parents, not just her host parents."
Everyone had turned and looked at Jack when he had said that. Something in the tenor of his voice had caught them. It was as if he had matured immeasurably in the space of a few moments. The humans were shocked enough, but the Autobots were even more stunned. It was then that they all began to see what it was that Optimus had obviously been hinting at when he'd had his one time conversation with Ratchet.
"I'll make the arrangements," Fowler said from his spot. "I'll also make the other arrangements that were discussed when the kids were brought into this."
"What arrangements?" June asked curiously.
Fowler turned to her. "The kids now work with the Autobots officially, Mrs. Darby," he told her. "I made some secret arrangements and now they will be paid for their work as full time government agents. They now have the highest security clearances, and they have the civilian equivalent ranks of four stars, like me for this kind of work."
It seemed off talking of mere teenage kids having such high equivalencies, but the Autobots weren't about to let anyone get in the kids way of helping them, and as such the kids needed the authority to be able to get the job done. Fowler had known that for some time and the discussions he'd had with Prime had only confirmed how much these kids meant to the Autobots.
"Arcee," Ratchet said. "Jack is going to need to be briefed on all the material that has been withheld up to this point."
"Right," Arcee replied. "Come with me, Jack. We need to have a long talk about a number of things."
A/N: I know that this will be AU once the second season begins, but I thought I'd have a little fun and attempt a story in this fandom. As for the kids having such a high civilian equivalence if the Autobots think of them as their primary allies and "one of them" then I can't imagine them accepting the kids having too little authority in dealing with matters that may possibly come up if Fowler isn't around to smooth things out. I hope you enjoy it. Gregg.