Author's note: Hi. Here's something out of the ordinary for me: a story about the good guys. This one is meant to read like one of the G1 episodes. I'm going for more humor and less realism than I usually do and I'll try to have it no longer than three chapters.
The Unlikely Hero
By:
Quetzal
Chapter 1
xxxxx
Prowl wasn't sure how he was going to break the news. They needed some help, but this was not what anyone had in mind. He stared at the information on the small screen before rubbing a hand across his faceplate in irritation and resignation.
"Oh man, that's bad. I don't envy you," Jazz said, after strolling up and reading over Prowl's shoulder.
"It's going to be your problem too, you know."
"Yes, I know, but I was talking about when you tell Ironhide and Optimus."
"Please don't remind me. Ironhide's gonna blow half his circuits and a gasket when he finds out."
"Finds out what?" Ironhide asked as he entered the room.
Frag. Prowl was hoping for a way to break the news gently. So much for that. "See for yourself," he said gesturing at the small screen.
"Cheer up Prowl. It can't be that bad," Ironhide chuckled as he came over to see what the big deal was.
He maintained his easygoing demeanor for a few more seconds until the information was processed. His expression suddenly fell.
"Aw, no. This is all we need." And then turning to the security chief, "Can't you do something about it? Stop it somehow?"
"It's too late. They're already on their way and we need all the help we can get."
The defense of Earth was becoming more and more difficult. The Decepticons were getting smarter and harder to fight and worst of all, there were more of them. If they got the advantage of numbers they might be impossible to stop and so they had requested reinforcements. The list that was transmitted to Prowl had looked good. Initially, that is. The names were familiar. There was Powerglide, Seaspray, Windcharger, Warpath and … Wingnut.
Wingnut had been a neutral at first but joined up with the Autobots when it became apparent that the Decepticons meant business and proved their intent by destroying several small cities on Cybertron. His spark was in the right place and the mech was easy going and agreeable, the first to volunteer and the last to complain. None of them tried harder. The problem was, he was a total screw up. No one knew of anything that he was good at. His involvement with any project all but guaranteed multiple problems and potential failure or at least huge delays. And now he was coming to Earth.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"These are great!" Spike said. The human was perched on top of a rock that brought him to the proper height to peer through the lenses of a device that was small (by giant robot standards) but powerful. The scope could function like a regular telescope, but also had a night vision setting as well as x-ray ability.
Spike and Bumblebee were high atop the mountain at whose base the Ark had come to rest centuries ago, thinking it a good spot to test Wheeljack's latest invention. One could see for miles in any direction and it was a beautiful day. Things had been quiet lately too, except for the new Autobots showing up. They had each come to Earth in a different area and as secretly as they could manage. The humans knew about the Autobots, generally speaking of course, and would welcome any new members of their faction, but Prowl suggested that they maintain stealth so that the Decepticons would remain unaware of their presence. It would be great to suddenly even the odds without those creeps seeing it coming. All the new additions had chosen well when it came to alternate modes. They blended in and no one would notice them or suspect what they really were.
Bumblebee, whose optics were extremely sharp, caught a quick wink of light on the eastern horizon.
"Hey Spike, what do you see at 30 degrees east?"
The boy spun the scope around, carefully maintaining his balance upon the boulder and then peered through the large eyepiece. He could nearly fit his entire head in it. A simple push of a button switched the view from x-ray to normal and it took only a couple of seconds to locate what the mech was asking about. At first it was hard to see because it was kicking up a big cloud of dust as it headed straight toward their location, then the breeze shifted, revealing the incoming vehicle. This surely wasn't an Autobot, but he couldn't be certain.
"What is it?" Bumblebee asked when he saw the human frown in confusion.
"It looks like a…." He leaned forward and had another peek, as though to confirm for himself what he was about to say.
"Like a what?"
"Like a pimpmobile."
The mech glanced at him curiously. Was that something dangerous?
"Here, check it out," Spike said, gesturing at the scope and moving back.
The Autobot scout followed the suggestion. The dust was obscuring the vehicle again and then it blew back to reveal a large, low slung, red car. A quick run through of his internal database told him that it was known as a Lincoln Continental Mark IV, Earth year 1976. The color was extremely bright. Several of their group were red, but not like this. In the sunlight it would be almost painful for a human to look at. It was sporting a white vinyl half top with a large sunroof. Wire chrome wheels glinted in the light and upon closer inspection Bumblebee noted that the interior was upholstered in a fuzzy fabric that resembled the fur of a leopard. Completing the stylish accessories was a continental kit mounted on the trunk where there was ordinarily a rounded protrusion common to that make and model.
"Do you recognize it?" Spike asked.
"Nope. We better get down there in case it's trouble." The mech gently picked up his human companion and then descended the mountain in leap and bounds, getting to the entrance of their headquarters only seconds ahead of the mystery car.
The duo was joined by several Autobots who were alerted to the new arrival by Teletraan 1. The car advanced closer before locking its brakes, causing the rear to slew sideways and fling loose stones at the mechs gathered.
"Sorry about that guys!" It said in a friendly voice. "I haven't quite gotten the hang of this new alt mode." The car began the process of transformation.
"I should have known," Spike heard Ironhide grumble.
Standing before them now was a mech of average size and happy demeanor. No one spoke at first.
"How you doin' Wingnut?" Jazz said, trying to lighten the mood and drop a giant hint to the others to mind their manners.
"Good, Jazz. I wasn't sure I was going to be able to find you guys at first, but here I am."
"Yeah, here you are." Ironhide said, trying for welcoming and not sounding very convincing to those who knew his real feelings.
"That's a flashy disguise you've got there," Sunstreaker said, not liking anyone to be showier than him.
"You don't think it's too much do you? I found the car I borrowed it from behind a police station. I didn't know why they would have it but if the authorities liked it, it seemed like a good idea."
"It was just sittin' there?" Wheeljack asked.
"Yeah, it was in a big fenced yard with some other cars and vehicles. The sign said it was an impound lot, whatever that is."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
All the new arrivals settled in quickly and took up their assignments with hardly a hitch. Except Wingnut. No one wanted to be saddled with the task of being partnered with him full time, so he was regularly pawned off on someone different as soon as his current colleague would reach the limits of their patience. Though to their credit, they would do it in a way that made it appear routine so as not to hurt his feelings. Ratchet was in the midst of adding to the sensor array inside the Ark and routing the various connections into Teletraan 1. Nearby, he had assigned Wingnut to hold a light to illuminate the interior of the area where the main connector panel was located.
"Ratchet, could I talk to you a minute?" Gears asked as he leaned around the edge of the doorway.
The medic looked up from his work. "Sure," he said, and then to assistant: "Sit tight, I'll be right back. And don't touch any of those wires, you could get a nasty shock." He immediately regretted that second part as soon as he said it and Wingnut's expression fell.
Earlier in the week he had accidentally electrocuted Wheeljack. The jolt had only scrambled the inventor's circuits for a few minutes but he'd been pretty mad. He was working on one of his latest gadgets and had assigned Wingnut to stand by the main power supply to activate it when he was told to do so. Wheeljack often talked to himself as he worked and forgot how literal the other Autobot could be, so when he tried to say to himself, "Now, let's see what we've got here," he got no further than 'Now' because the high voltage was applied and knocked him into a wall. The other mech had felt terrible and was extremely upset until it was clear that his friend would be okay. He had gone on to work with Ironhide and then Gears before being assigned to Ratchet.
"What's up?"
The smaller mech motioned to him to continue down the hallway and away from the door before speaking. "Some of us are gonna go talk to Prime about Wingnut," he said quietly.
"I don't know."
"What is there not to know?"
"He isn't a bad guy."
"I know, I know, but we can't keep going on like this."
Ratchet considered. Nothing bad had happened to him yet, but it could be he was merely lucky. "Alright. Let's go." Perhaps he could keep the others from suggesting anything too radical.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"He only shot me in the aft side at low power, but still, it could have been more serious," Ironhide groused.
"Yeah, like when he knocked me off that cliff and into the river. If Hoist hadn't been there, who knows how far I would have gone," Gears added.
"And I cause enough damage to myself, I don't need him zapping me," said Wheeljack. Other Autobots jumped in and soon it was a cacophony of overlapping voices.
"Quiet, all of you," Optimus Prime said. Seldom did he ever have to raise his voice. "You're forgetting that he is one of us. There is a place for anyone who wants to fight Decepticon tyranny, we just have to find his." He gave them all a stern gaze. Bumblebee hadn't joined in the complaining and neither had Ratchet. "Bumblebee, what do you think?"
The small, yellow mech appeared uncomfortable when everyone turned to look at him expectantly. "I don't know. I think he has to be good at something. Has anyone ever asked him what he's interested in?" The other mechs all glanced at one another but said nothing.
"Yeah, but can't we put him someplace where he can't do any more damage while we figure it out?" Ironhide asked. "I don't need our guys shooting at me, the Decepticons are enough."
xxxxx
Ratchet was smart, but what he was doing didn't seem so hard, Wingnut thought. There were only a couple of wires left to connect and then the task was finished. It was dull waiting around. Hey! Maybe he could do them both a favor by hooking up those remaining wires. Ratchet had told him not to touch it, but he'd be careful. And wouldn't the others be impressed! Now and then he got the idea they didn't think he was too bright.
xxxxx
"What about you, Ratchet?" Prime asked, ignoring Ironhide.
"So far it's going okay. In fact, I think you guys might be overreacting a little and…" The medic trailed off as an alarm began blaring and fire retardant foam started to jet from outlets in the ceiling.
"You were saying?" Gears asked smugly.
The Autobot leader tried to maintain his dignity as the foam sprayed down from directly overhead, coating him thoroughly and making him resemble a giant Christmas ornament of some kind.
"Alright. I'll see what I can do," he said.