Occurs a bit after the previous chapter.
The Skystrikers huddled in a shallow cave on one of the barren Sandokan moons, waiting for Miko's return from reconnaissance. Everything was pitch black before dawn, but Captain Sari knew she could rely on the Technorganic Predacon's superior night vision and ultra-sharp optics to gather intel on the enemy's location and capabilities. The moon's atmosphere was thin, but Miko's flight was aided by Unit:E's silent fusion pack.
"On my way back, Captain," Miko said through her secure comm link.
"Roger, Miko," said Sari. She, Jack and Raf, in his "Agent X" enviro suit, stood at the cave entrance ready for her return.
The pink and purple Predacon landed.
"No chance they detected you?" Asked Sari.
"Nope. This cloaking device of Unit:E's worked great! I flew above them from 10,000 kilometers, and they never saw me."
"Good. What did you learn?"
"The compound is 2.5 klicks southeast from our location. The terrain is pockmarked with small craters and rock formations which will help hide our approach. There's also an old trail that winds its way to their location."
"How close can we approach, hiding behind the terrain?" asked Sari.
"Their compound is on a large plateau. The trail approaches from a low ravine, then ascends up before coming level with the compound. Once we get up to the plateau, we're out in the open, about half a klick from the entrance.
"Once we step up from the ravine, we're right in their line of sight," sighed Jack.
"I'm afraid there's more," said Miko.
"Go ahead," said Sari.
"I could see several cameras along the trail."
"Well, shoot! The trail's no good to us then!" Grumbled Jack.
"Not necessarily," countered Raf.
"What do you mean?" Jack replied.
"If I can sneak up on the cameras from behind, I should be able to quickly hack into them and feed each an endless loop of the prior 5 minutes. Where are they located?"
"It's stored in my processor," said Miko.
"Hold on," said Sari, and placing a servo on Miko's Predacon head, she retrieved the data from her processor, then put her servo on Raf's Agent X helmet. The prods on her digits came out and made contact with the surface; her optics went from blue/white to all white. She began "seeing" Raf's helmet circuitry. She placed the data in his storage area. "I put Miko's reconnaissance data into your helmet's data storage." The prods returned to her digits and her optics changed back.
"Thanks, Captain," said Raf. "I've got it. I'll head toward the cameras and let you know when they're all disabled." And he took off running.
"Alright, that will take care of any long-distance alarms," said Sari.
"What about their defenses?" asked Jack
"8 Pirates patrolling the compound walls, and I saw 12 more in the compound itself. While I was hovering from up high, I didn't see anyone else leaving the buildings."
"What about where the prisoner would be held? There would be guards stationed near that building," said Sari.
"Oh, yeah! The building in the center had two Pirates standing in front of the door. It faced the east, the same side where the main entrance was."
"Alright, that's probably where she's being held. She got on her comm. "Raf, are you picking up any ship activity?"
He checked the long-range sensors through his visor. "Nothing near the vicinity of the moon, no. The nearest ship is over 55,000 kilometers distant."
"And no ship on their landing strip either," said Miko.
"Then they're stranded, and if we can disable their communications, they'll have no chance to call for reinforcements," said Sari.
"I assume an aerial approach is out of the question," said Jack.
"No aerial approach. Unfortunately, Miko's the only one with a long-range cloaking device. Raf's got one for close-range, but he'd be detected from the sky. We approach the old-fashioned way," said their Captain.
"Uh, Sensei? At our next status meeting, can we put in a request to Agent Fowler for those devices?"
"Sounds like a good idea, Jack," she smiled. "As soon as Raf's got the cameras disabled, we head out."
"First camera disabled, Captain," reported Raf.
"Excellent, Raf! Keep us informed of your progress. We will rendezvous at your final location."
"Roger."
"Alright, I've got Miko's aerial reconnaissance in my processor, so Jack and I can head out on pede toward the first camera. Miko, you take off again, and give us aerial reconnaissance as we make our approach."
"Roger, Captain," said Miko, and took off. The two Cyber-Ninjas ran out of the cave and followed the trail to the location of the first camera.
"So, tell me again about our mission, Sensei," Jack asked.
The Nebulans sent an urgent request to Unit:E for assistance. The President's daughter was abducted by these Pirates and is being held for ransom, threatening to kill her in two solar cycles. Luckily, Lt. T'Resh had Regulan contacts who were able to trace the Pirates' location to this moon, and Agent Fowler dispatched us to rescue her."
"Second camera disabled," said Raf.
"Acknowledged, Raf. Jack and I are at the location of the first camera. Heading to the second. Miko is flying above us."
"Acknowledged. Three more cameras to go. Arriving at third of five now."
"Roger."
In this way, they made their approach to the spot that led up to the plateau just as dawn arrived. Huddling with Raf, Sari contacted Miko.
"I've been following you all," Miko told them. "No signs from the compound that they detected your approach."
"We're ready to attack," said Sari. "It's important that the President's daughter not be injured by the Pirates during the battle. We three on the ground will fly toward the gates. Miko, you come down and just as they start firing on us, turn off your cloaking device and spray your Predacon fire at the Pirates on the ramparts. That will take most of them down, and those that aren't should be scared senseless by your sudden appearance."
"Roger," said Miko.
"Then, once we've made it to the gates, land inside and take down the Pirates on the ground, making your way to the prison where she's being held. Our priorities will be to disable their communication systems and protect the prisoner as quickly as possible. Raf, use your cloaking device and find their communication building so you can bring down their comm systems."
"Roger," he responded.
"Jack, you and I need to help Miko take down any remaining Pirates, and then find where they are keeping the environmental suits. The prisoner needs to be put into a suit that will fit her before we open her door, and I will help her get into the suit."
"Roger, Sensei."
"Everyone ready?"
"Ready!" They all replied.
"Let's go!" And Sari and Jack fired up the plasma jets on their pedes and servos. Raf fired up his jet pack. They took off into the air, flying toward the compound. Miko descended toward the ramparts.
"Captain! Intruders heading toward the gate!" Yelled the sentry.
"Well what are you waitin' for? Fire on them, you idiots!" And the Pirates started firing. Jack and Sari used their Skyboom shields against the blasts from their guns; Raf twisted and turned to avoid them. All three fired back.
From up in the air, Miko turned off her cloaking device.
"What the...what the h*** is that thing?!" yelled the frightened sentry, as Miko suddenly appeared above them.
"Try this on, jerks!" Yelled Miko, and opening her mouth, she blasted a stream of burning hot flames straight at the Pirates on the walls. She managed to take down 6 of the 8 on the wall, but two jumped off.
"We're under attack from the air as well! A Predacon!" One of the surviving rampart Pirates yelled.
"What?! What's a Predacon doing here?" Demanded the Captain.
By now, Sari, Jack and Raf had reached the gates. The Cyber-Ninjas used their orbs to blast open the doors. Miko landed on the ground and roared at the Pirates. They fired their weapons at her, but everything bounced off her thick Predacon hide. Those that rushed her from behind were quickly slammed by her spiked tail and batted over the walls. "Wrecker home run!" She yelled.
Sari, Jack and Raf flew through the hole in the gates.
"Raf! Begin your search! Shut down their comm systems."
"Roger Captain," he responded, and touching the controller on his arm, his image faded and he disappeared. He landed inside the compound and began a building-to-building search. Jack and Sari meanwhile, flew around, helping Miko take down Pirates.
The Pirate Captain had run into the armory and gotten out his plasma blaster. Coming out, he saw Jack flying ahead of Sari and aimed it at him.
Sari immediately detected the danger. "Jack, watch out!" she yelled, but it was too late; Jack turned toward the Pirate just as he fired a shot, blasting off Jack's left arm. "Aaah! He yelled in pain, as his severed arm flew back, landing on the ground below. He reached over, holding his left shoulder as Energon began leaking out. Sari used her orb to take down the Pirate Captain before he could get off another shot.
Jack landed, and Sari came beside him. "Jack! Are you alright?"
He groaned. "I'm...OK." She used P-O-M to close off the severed circulatory systems on his stump to stop the Energon leaks. "We'll get you back to sick bay as soon as the mission's over."
Sari got on her comm. "Raf! What's the status on the enemy's comm systems?"
"Found their communications building. Took out the Pirate inside. Shutting their comm systems down now," he responded.
"Jack's injured. As soon as you're done, meet him and Miko at the building where the prisoner is being held."
"Roger."
Miko rushed up. "Jack! Oh, damn, Jack!" She yelled, seeing his missing arm.
"He'll be alright," said Sari, grabbing Jack's severed arm and handing it to him. "Go with Jack to the building holding the prisoner; Raf will be joining you. I'll get her enviro suit." And Sari got on her comm. "Raf, did their computer system indicate which building housed the enviro suits?"
"Yes. It's in the southwest corner. There's a lock on it. I'm opening it for you."
"Good!" And she rushed to that location. Going in, she rustled through the various sizes, looking for one that would fit a human. Finding it, she used her plasma jets to get back to where Jack, Raf and Miko were waiting.
"The hold had a lock as well, and I turned it off," said Raf. "However, her door is pressurized. As soon as we open it, the air will escape. We'll have to work fast."
"Acknowledged, Raf," said Sari. "On my mark. One, two, go!" And Raf opened the door, while Sari rushed in with the enviro suit. She helped the President's daughter into the suit, and put the helmet on her, then turned on the air. Sari got on her comm. "Ro! We need a bridge back to Skybolt!"
"Roger, Captain Sari," said the Sirian Transport Technician, and a bridge opened for them to enter.
"Good training exercise!" Said Agent Fowler, and turned off the simulation. Everything disappeared, including the President's daughter, and they were back in the Skystriker's training room. Jack's severed arm disappeared and reappeared where it belonged, attached to his shoulder. "Well, that feels better!" he said, flexing his left arm and wiggling his digits. "Waay too realistic for me!"
"The simulator gives your processor and minds the ability to fully experience the simulation," said Agent Fowler. "All except for a fatal injury, of course. Should that happen to anyone, we would end the simulation."
The team assembled with Agent Fowler in the Skystriker's conference room for a training post-mortem.
"Alright, what have you learned from this exercise?" Asked Fowler.
"We need more of those cloaking thingies," said Miko.
"So I heard," he replied. "I'll put in a requisition. What else?"
"I made a tactical error," said Jack.
"And what was that, son?"
"Captain Sari has much more combat experience than I do. I should not have been flying in front of her when we were inside the compound. If she had been in the lead, she would have sensed the danger from the Pirate and taken him down. I was too Gung-ho, and got my arm shot off."
"Don't be too hard on yourself, Jack," said Fowler, "that's why you train."
"I think you all have done an excellent job for your first training exercise," he continued. "In fact, I think you've earned a little time off. Why don't you head on out for some R&R?" He smiled.
"Wooot!" Yelled Miko, giving a fist pump.
"Just report back in two days. Have fun!"
"I can't believe this!"
"What is it, Miko?" asked Sari.
"I was talking with my friends in Japan; there's a Slash Monkey concert tomorrow in Tokyo!"
"Well, that's wonderful! Ro can bridge you to Tokyo today, and you can stay with your parents tonight!"
"No, you don't understand! The concert's already sold out!"
"Not all tickets," said Agent Fowler, with a devilish grin.
"What?! What what?! You have tickets?! The Japanese Technorganic got down on her knees and walking up to him this way, grabbed his jacket. Please! Oh Please, please, please tell me it's true!"
"Alright, Miko! Alright!" Fowler laughed, and took out a ticket. "Here! Thought you might like it!"
Getting up, gasping, she took the ticket. Her hands shook. "Oh, thank you, thank you!" She hugged him.
"You're welcome! Have a good time!" He chuckled. And Miko ran to her quarters to pack.
"How about you, Captain? What are your plans?" asked Fowler.
"After going down to Outpost Omega One, I'm going to the other dimension to stay with my Dad, and he's contacted my Bumblebee. We'll have a get together at Autobot Central," she smiled.
"Sounds wonderful. Hope you have a terrific visit," he smiled.
"And you two?" He said, turning to Jack and Raf.
"Going home to my family," smiled Raf.
"Spending time with Arcee," said Jack.
"Sounds perfect!"
"Jack! I can't wait to see you!"
"Me too, Arcee!"
"I felt your pain when your arm got blasted off; so glad it was a simulation!"
"That was intense!"
Miko came into the space bridge chamber carrying her suitcase. "I'm ready!"
"Alright, Miko, I can...oh! Miko! What happened to your eyes?" said Ro, staring at them.
"Huh? Oh!" She laughed. "They're contacts. I wear them whenever I need to blend in." Putting the back of her hand to her mouth in a fake whispering gesture, she leaned to Ro and said, "especially in Japan."
"Ah! I see. Not too many of us with golden eyes on Earth," she winked. Transport is ready for you, I've set coordinates to have you exit in front of your parent's home. Enjoy your stay in Tokyo," said the transport technician.
"Thanks, Ro! See you guys in a couple days!" And she ran in.
The bridge opened up before a home in Utsunomiya in the Tochigi Prefecture. It was early afternoon, Japan time. Miko walked up and rang the bell. Mr. Nakadai opened the door.
"Miko!" He smiled.
Smiling back, Miko bowed low. "Good afternoon, father! It is so good to see you!" He returned the gesture.
"I am so happy to see you!" They embraced, and entered the house.
"Your mother is in the kitchen making tea. Come! Put your suitcase down and join us." They walked toward the kitchen.
"Now, Miko." He asked her. "What is this 'Slash Monkey'?"
"Rafael, you're next. I'll have you coming out in front of your mother's house. Just a minute"
"Have a wonderful visit with your family, Raf," said Sari.
"Mama and Pilar have been preparing dinner all day," Raf smiled. "We're eating out in the backyard. Carne Asada, grilled corn with chili powder & lime, Cosido, Sonoran tortillas, and for dessert, Tres leches cake!"
"You sure you don't want to join us, Captain?"
"I'd love to! But I'm having my own dinner with my Dad," she smiled. "Probably some sorpatel and vindaloo, and maybe my favorite, varan bhaat."
"But before that, we will do our afternoon tea ceremony. I'm so much looking forward to it."
"All ready for you, Rafael," said Ro, and giving his good byes, Raf ran into the tunnel.
The tunnel opened up in front of the Esquivel home. A little boy watched in excited anticipation.
"Raf! Raf!" He yelled, running up to his brother as he stepped out. He jumped up into his arms.
"Hey Miguel! How are you?" said Raf, smiling broadly.
"Good. You stayin' for dinner? Cause Momma's makin' lotsa stuff!"
"Yup! Hey! How's your RC Car?"
"The one you gave me that looks like Bee? It's fast! Lemme show you!" And he jumped down and picked up his controller. "Watch!" The little yellow car went speeding around in a circle. "Brrrrummm!" He said as he turned the controls.
Raf laughed, "Good job, Miguel!"
Pilar came running out from the backyard. "Raf!" She hugged him. "Welcome home! Mama's so happy you're here! She's been cooking all afternoon. Come on in the back!" And she took him by the hand.
"Mama!" Waved Raf, seeing her at the grill.
"Rafael! Oh, mi hijo!" She put her grilling fork and spatula down and ran up to her son. "It is so good to see you!" She squeezed him.
"Oh, Mama! I can't breathe," he laughed.
She pulled his face down to hers and kissed his cheek. "Come! Sit! Dinner is almost ready. Pilar, get the children!" And the Esquivels sat down to a wonderful meal!
"Captain? Jack? I'll send you both down to Autobot Outpost Omega One," said Ro. She got on her console. "Ratchet? Two to transport."
"Acknowledged, Ro. Ready when you are," he replied.
"Have a good furlough," Ro smiled.
"Thanks!" They said, and powering up their plasma jets, flew into the tunnel.
Exiting the tunnel into the Autobot base, they were met by Optimus and Arcee.
"Welcome, Captain Sari, Jack! Always good to have the Skystrikers visit," said Optimus.
"Thank you, Optimus," said Sari. "We're all glad for our two orbital cycle furlough," she smiled.
"Always good to be here, sir!" said Jack. "Thanks for letting me stay in my old room."
"A pleasure, Jack," he smiled.
Jack walked up to Arcee and looked up into her optics. "Hey there!" He smiled, holding her servo, "how's things down here?"
"A little quiet lately. Almost too quiet, if you ask me," she replied. "But it's sure nice to see you back here," she smiled, squeezing his servo.
"Well, hey, if anything should arise while I'm here…" then, remembering his protocol, he turned to Sari.
His Captain turned to Optimus. "Should anything occur during our furlough, and Team Prime desires their assistance, of course, any available Skystriker should immediately step forward and report to you."
"Thank you, Captain," Optimus replied. "Let us hope that will not be necessary."
"Captain Sari, your space bridge is ready," said Ratchet.
"Thank you, Ratchet," she replied, and Sari saluted Optimus, who returned the salute. "Have a good visit with your father," he told her.
"Thank you," she smiled.
Jack saluted Sari. "See you in two solar cycles, Captain."
"See you, Jack!" she said, returning the salute.
And bidding farewell to Ratchet and Arcee, Sari flew into the tunnel.
"Welcome, my dear!" said Isaac, as she landed on the roof of Sumdac Tower.
"Hi, Dad!" she replied, and in a blue flash, transformed into "human" mode. Running up to the console, she gave him a warm hug.
"How go the Skystrikers?"
"We're doing great! Just had our first training session on Skybolt. It was pretty intense, but we performed extremely well as a team - I'm so impressed with everyone!"
"Oh, that's wonderful, my Sari! And you've arrived just in time for tea. Shall we head on down?"
"It's what I've been waiting for!" she smiled.
Up on Farside Beacon One, Bumblebee was in his office reviewing the latest status report from the Autobot crew, in preparation for his weekly management meeting with Major Fanzone. Suddenly, a wonderful, warm sensation came to his Spark.
"Sar! You're back!"
"Hi, Bee!"
On the elevator down to the Sumdac residence, Isaac couldn't help but notice a broad smile suddenly cross his daughter's face. He was about to question it, but then remembered something.
"Bumblebee?"
"Hmm?" she answered back dreamily. "Oh! Yes," she grinned. "We're together again."
"Jack, there is something you could help us with," said Optimus.
"Absolutely, sir! Be glad to help!"
Wheeljack discovered another Energon vein on Ayers Rock that the Decepticons have abandoned, but his sensors indicate there are some deposits still further in. It's in a cave section too small for an Autobot, but you could investigate and find its source. Ratchet can bridge you and Arcee to the spot, and if it's as good as Wheeljack suspects, tomorrow Bulkhead can join you two to mine the vein."
"I was hoping you'd be willing to help out, partner...uh, that is, Jack," Arcee chuckled. "Here's Wheeljack's portable sensor," and she handed it to Jack. He was able to hold it with two servos.
The ground bridge opened up near the Ayers Rock cave that Wheeljack had investigated, and Arcee and Jack stepped out.
"Alright, let's head on in," said Arcee.
"Should I pay a visit to our friend in the village, to let him know we're here?"
"I'd say you can do that tomorrow, if the vein looks promising and Bulkhead arrives. For now, we're just going inside to trace the vein and see how big it is." And they walked in.
On the Nemesis, Soundwave came and tapped Starscream on the shoulder.
"What is it now?" he grumbled. And the Decepticon Intelligence Officer displayed the latest Intel gathered by his minion Laserbeak. It showed Arcee and Jack standing by the cave at Ayers Rock.
"Oh ho! So that new Technorganic has returned! This is an excellent opportunity for Shockwave's new pet, wouldn't you say?" And Megatron's Lieutenant and Intelligence Officer went to speak to the one-eyed scientist about this find.
"This is indeed a good turn of events," said Shockwave. "I have learned all of Scalpel's techniques for building a Technorganic clone, and have no need of his assistance."
"Oh good! Megatron didn't care for that scurrying little tunnel drone anyway," said Starscream.
Shockwave turned to his newly-birthed creation. "Ripclaw!"
She faced him. "Yes, Master?"
"I have a mission for you. Observe Soundwave's video."
The Predacon watched Laserbeak's video of Jack and Arcee.
"Take down the large Autobot, and bring me the small one."
"At once!" And Ripclaw left the lab to fly down to Australia.
"I still don't like how your new Predacons can talk," said Starscream.
"Ratchet, we're done here," said Arcee. "Jack's found the vein. It looks very promising."
"Good job, you two," said Ratchet. "Let me know when you're ready to bridge back."
"Acknowledged." And the two Spark Mates stepped out of the cave into the hot Australian outback.
"It's a pretty place, the outback," said Jack. "Reminds me a little bit of southern Nevada."
"Certainly not like our spot though," smiled Arcee. "Let's plan on…"
The next few seconds happened in a flash. Arcee was grabbed from behind by Ripclaw's Siphon-Claw, and injected with mech-venom. She screamed in pain!
"Arcee!" Yelled Jack. He turned to see Ripclaw. "A Predacon!" he yelled.
"Well! You're certainly a tiny Autobot," said Ripclaw, as she picked Arcee up with her tail and tossed her limp chassis aside.
"You...you speak?!" Jack got out his broadsword, ready to fight her, but in a flash, she snatched him up with her Siphon-Claw and plunged her injector into his stomach. "Aaaah! He screamed, as the venom coursed through his system, until overcome with pain, he passed out. She then opened her wings and took off into the sky.
Back at Outpost Omega One, Ratchet was growing concerned. He hadn't heard back from Arcee. Finally, he got on his comm. "Arcee! Are you two lovebirds returning any time soon? Arcee? Arcee! Come in!"
"Ratchet? What's wrong?" said Optimus.
"I haven't heard back from Arcee, or Jack. They found the Energon vein, and were going to contact me to bridge back, but now I can't reach them."
Optimus turned to Bumblebee and Smokescreen. "Come with me," he said. "Bridge us to the site," he told Ratchet, and the tunnel energized.
Stepping out at the cave site, they found a prostrate Arcee near its entrance. Optimus picked her up. "Arcee!" She started coming to, but groaning in pain. She opened her optics and looked up at Optimus.
"Jack! Jack! Where's Jack!" she yelled.
"Can you sense his presence?" he asked her.
"Jack? Jack? Can you hear me?"
"No! He doesn't respond!"
"Alright," said Optimus, "he must be unconscious somewhere. "Bumblebee, Smokescreen, see if you can locate Jack. I'm taking Arcee to sick bay." And transforming into their alt modes, they sped off.
"No! I need to look for him as well!" she said, and tried to stand, but her knees buckled.
"You are in no condition to search," Optimus replied. "I'm taking you to Ratchet." He got on his comm. "Ratchet! Bridge me back. Arcee has been injured and needs to go to sick bay."
"Acknowledged," and a bridge opened up.
"Wakey wakey!" said Knockout, slapping Jack on the face. The Technorganic was lying on his examination table, with stasis cuffs on his wrists and ankles.
Jack woke up. He looked up at Knockout's smirking face. "Whaaa…? What do YOU want?" he frowned.
"Oh, I can get anything I want, boy! Let's start with a few samples from your face!" And he took out a rotary saw. Turning it on, he held it near his optics. Jack grimaced.
"Hmm. What should I take off? Oh, just kidding!" he laughed, and put the saw away. "That routine never gets old!"
"Optimus, Jack's nowhere to be found," Bumblebee reported back.
"Acknowledged," he replied. "I'll have Ratchet bridge you back. I'll go talk to Arcee."
"We've got to find him!" yelled Arcee from her bed in sick bay.
"We will," said Optimus. "Can you tell me what happened?"
"Jack and I were outside the cave, talking, when suddenly I was struck from behind by something. It was a powerful, painful sting. I passed out."
"You were injected with Mech-venom," said Ratchet, returning to sick bay.
"Mech-venom?! How?"
"The work of Shockwave, I'd imagine," said Optimus. "Likely one of his creations."
Suddenly, Arcee got a communication in her processor.
"Arcee!"
"Jack? Where are you?"
"I'm on the Nemesis! I've been captured!"
"What is it?" asked Optimus, seeing her expression.
"It's Jack! He's on the Nemesis!"
"Jack! We'll rescue you!"
"Ratchet! Contact Professor Sumdac," said Optimus. "We need to let Captain Sari know what happened."
So the Skystriker's furlough may be cut short (uh oh, Miko!). First, Sari will return to assess the situation, and bring in Fowler. A rescue will be planned; should be a good battle (Ripclaw vs. Miko, anyone?). What do the Decepticons want with Jack? If you've read the "Sari and Transformers Prime" series, you probably already know! But this one's going to be a little bit different!
Thanks for reading. Please review.