AN: Originally I was just going to post these scenes one by one, but now I just want to get it all posted so it can be another finished story. I have too many unfinished.
vvvv
It wasn't supposed to be like this, Jazz mused as he waited patiently in an obscure parking lot. The shards, the remaining pieces of the Matrix of Life, were supposed to be tangible. They should have been able to dig them up, find them in human possession, anything but this. The Autobots desperately needed shards and needed the new warriors, but there had to be a limit to what they would do.
"Jazz?"
The Second Lieutenant turned his sensors toward his companion. The dark green Jaguar was giving of waves of nervous energy and Jazz felt the need to sooth the youngling.
"Yeah, Neo?"
"Do you think something's happened?"
Jazz was quick to reassure his companion that everything was probably alright, but his own processor began to turn over the dark possibility that something had happened. Bluestreak could out race most Autobots and Decepticons, but there were Decepticons faster than him. Sunstreaker and Sideswipe had taken on all the Decepticons on Earth at least once and either beaten them or at least held their own, but they had also been defeated before. If the Decepticons learned of their plan-but no, he wouldn't let himself think like that.
"Jazz?"
"Neo?"
"Is this...are we doing the right thing?"
Jazz sighed. He had asked himself the same thing. The question burned in his processor every time, but this time was especially troubling. There was stronger doubt about their choice of actions. He wasn't so sure it was the right thing to do, but the alternative was even less appealing.
"If we don't the Decepticons will and they won't be nice 'bout it," Jazz finally said.
No Autobot had witnessed it, but they could all guess that Decepticons didn't take the shards gently. They wouldn't spend months devising a way to make sure the humans lived like the Autobots had. Every Autobot knew what happened to the humans they lost to the Decepticons. That gave them bitter determination to make sure it didn't happen this time.
"If we don't want the 'Cons getting this sparkling why are we moving in small groups?" Neo asked.
Any other time Jazz might have been amused by the youngling's curiosity, but the situation made him tense and slightly irritable. "We already went over this, Neo, pay attention next time."
"Yes sir," Neo said quickly.
The Jaguar's formal response brought Jazz out of his melancholy thoughts. The Porsche silently scolded himself to letting his mood effect how he responded to the youngling. Younglings were notoriously curious mechs, at a time in their development when they wanted and needed answers to everything. Just reading it in datapads wasn't enough. They needed to hear it vocalized. While Neo had recently been formally inducted into the Autobot army he was still a youngling. It wasn't Neo's fault that he constantly needed to ask questions.
"I'm sorry, kid. I'm just on edge," Jazz said softly. "We're doing it this way so as not to draw attention to ourselves. The Decepticons will surely notice a large force moving."
"We've never done it this way before."
"This one is different."
There was the loud revving of a powerful sports engine and Jazz brought his own engine roaring to life. Beside him Neo did the same and both Autobots brought their sensors on full alert. Jazz knew that most of his fellow Autobots were powerful sports cars, but the Decepticons had their team called Stunticons. A good portion of the Stunticons were sports cars. Any one of them could be coming and Jazz knew they needed to be prepared to fight or run.
A red Lamborghini came screeching around the corner, tires scrabbling for purchase against the tight turn. The car's powerful engine roared as it shot forward into the parking lot. Just behind the Lamborghini came a silver Nissan followed very closely by a yellow Lamborghini. The three cars blazed a trail straight toward Jazz and Neo, but the Nissan began to slow down before the other two. The two Lamborghinis practically slammed on their brakes and stopped just short of actually hitting the waiting cars. The Nissan rolled to a gentle stop between the two and then its engine cut off.
"You've gotta hurry and take her Jazz and get out of here," the Nissan said quickly.
"We're being followed," the red Lamborghini explained.
Jazz used his holo-matter projector to create a facsimile of a human. He controlled the dark skinned projection with ease, using him to walk to the Nissan. At the same time a light haired teenager got out of the Nissan and the rear passenger door opened.
"C'mon Emily," the teenager coaxed. "It's time for you to go with my friend."
"No." a petulant voice replied.
Jazz snickered, showing his amusement through his projection. The yellow Lamborghini's engine revved loudly in a distinctly unhappy way. Jazz knew that was meant to convey urgency. If the three were indeed followed then they would need to scatter quickly.
Using his projection Jazz slowly walked to the open car door and peered in. The first thing he noticed were dazzling blue eyes not unlike the color of Autobot optics. They were wide and conveyed a small amount of fear, but there was more curiosity than anything. It was a look he knew was always present with sparklings. Further examination revealed silky blond hair pulled back into a ponytail to reveal a slightly chubby face. He estimated this sparkling...child, he corrected himself, to be no more than twelve human years old though he couldn't be completely sure.
Jazz made his projection smile as he addressed the little girl. "Hello."
The little girl stared at him with a expression of mild interest, but didn't reply. This of course had no effect on Jazz's cheerful disposition. He'd read her file and the files Prowl had included for better understanding. He knew what he was dealing with and wasn't going to be phased.
"My name's Jazz. What's yours?"
"Emily," the little girl replied softly.
"Emily, that's a beautiful name," he said kindly. "I need you to come with me."
The little girl simply stared at him. Jazz shot a quick help-me look at Bluestreak's hologram.
The yellow Lamborghini revved his engine again. "Just take the kid, Jazz, the 'Cons are coming."
"Shut up, Sunny," the red Lamborghini snapped.
"Emily, I need you to go with Jazz, please," Bluestreak coaxed the little girl. "Maybe if you ask nicely he'll stop and get you sweets."
There was no verbal response, but the little girl did perk up a little.
"Sure, why not," Jazz agreed. "But we really have to go now."
The little girl hesitated before slowly climbing out of the car. Jazz smiled at her and held out a hand, but the little girl didn't take it. That did little to affect the Porsche's good mood and instead he ushered her into his backseat. He buckled her in, made sure she was secure, then shut the door. He then made his projection take up residence in the driver seat.
"Alright, boys, scatter," Jazz ordered.
The Lamborghinis and Nissan peeled out and tore out of the parking lot. Since the Decepticons were looking for them their parts were to play decoy. Jazz wasn't going to waste a moment of that. His tires squealed as he floored his accelerator and spun to head in the opposite direction the other Autobots had gone. His sensors told him that Neo was following close to his bumper and he desperately wished the youngling wasn't there. Neo was too young to face the Decepticons should they figure out the plan. Oh sure Ratchet had finally agreed that Neo was old enough for integrated weaponry, but they weren't powerful and he was still undergoing training. Primus if anything happened to his youngling...
"Can we stop for candy like you said?" Emily asked hopefully.
"Not for a little while, Emily, but we will," Jazz promised the little girl.
"Okay," she agreed, though Jazz easily read the disappointment in the soft voice. He thought quickly, scanning through what little he'd had time to study on human sparklings...children, he scolded himself once more.
Finding what he was looking for a smile spread across his projection's face. "Hey Emily, wanna play a game?"
vvvv
Prowl paced just inside the entrance to Fortress Terra, the name chosen for the Autobot base on Earth. Normally he was a patient mech and he knew the value of keeping ones cool. He'd faced down Megatron himself without blinking an optic. He'd charged into a line of Decepticon soldier drones without flinching. But this was somehow different in a way the First Lieutenant didn't quite understand. There was no logic to it and Primus if it didn't drive him just a little crazy.
"Not here yet, eh?"
Prowl stopped his pacing and turned to face the speaker. "Jazz is two Earth hours late, Ironhide."
"They have a long drive," the older mech replied with a shrug, a human gesture he had picked up. "'Sides, none of us really know how ta handle a human sparkling."
"Child."
"Huh?"
Inferno, the mech on guard duty, smirked just slightly. "A young human is called a child."
"Don't be correctin' me, fraggit, there's too damn much ta remember," Ironhide snapped back irritably.
Inferno held up his hands in a show of surrender. "I'm sorry, Ironhide, I didn't realize you were having so much trouble adjusting to using human vocabulary."
"I'm not," the red mech snapped defensively. "S'just easier ta use Cybertronian."
"Of course," Inferno agreed amiably obviously deciding not to push the Third Lieutenant's temper any further. It really wasn't Ironhide's fault. Most of the mechs were younger than the Third Lieutenant and had no problem adjusting their thought patterns.
"Are the sensors picking them up yet?" Prowl asked trying to bring their attention back to the matter at hand.
"No sir," Inferno replied. "I've pushed the scanners to their maximum, sir. They're not...wait...two Autobot signatures, one with a human, on the edge of the scanners range."
"Prowl to Clamp Down."
"Clamp Down here."
"They're approaching your location. Fall into escort," Prowl ordered.
"Yes sir."
"You wanna go out an' meet 'em?" Ironhide questioned.
"No," Prowl replied. "Too many cars would attract more attention."
Prowl remained silent even as Inferno triggered the giant door that served as a protective barrier. He watched it creep open slowly, optics fixed on it without a hint of moving. Slowly sunlight began to spill in from outside and the sound of revving engines filled the corridor. Prowl transformed to his car form and had the other two do the same just before Jazz, Neo, and Clamp Down appeared through the door. The police car and the jaguar screeched to sudden stops while the Porsche did a few circles around the area to bring himself to slow stop.
Jazz's holo-matter projection got out of the car and offered Emily a hand out. The little girl once more refused his hand and got out of the car herself. She looked around cautiously and seemed to take note of the wide variety of vehicles. She glanced up at her tall dark-skinned companion and he smiled down at her and she smiled just slightly.
"Emily, I'd like to introduce you to some friends of mine," Jazz said. "This is--."
"You don't have to pretend anymore," Emily said. "I can sense you're not normal."
Jazz's projection blinked. "You...can? And you're not scared?"
"Should I be?" was her reply and Jazz used his voice diagnostic to read between the lines. She was just a little scared, but more than that she was curious.
"How does she sense we're different?" Inferno asked.
"Could be the shard energy," Jazz suggested. "The shard energy reacts t'our presence so it's not surprising she can feel it."
"So what do we do, sirs?" Neo asked, not sure which of his commanding officers to address the question to.
"If we're gonna be keepin' her here she's gonna have ta know what we really are, there's no way we can all stay in alt-mode the whole time," Ironhide mused.
"She deserves t'know," Jazz added.
"Her reaction will most likely be unfavorable," Prowl pointed out.
"Don't you think she'll get suspicious if cars are following her around?" Jazz reasoned.
"'Sides, she's the right age range ta have seen the cartoon. Maybe she won't be scared," Ironhide added.
Prowl took in their comments and reluctantly had to admit the two had good points. Emily was going to be on base until they could find a sufficiently safe place for her to grow up. That could take days if not weeks and there was no way all the mechs on base could stay in their vehicle forms while she was around.
"Neo, transform," Prowl ordered.
The jaguar's engine revved loudly before it started to change. Parts moved and shifted. Things twisted and folded revealing more and new parts. A head was revealed, arms and legs formed, and within seconds a mech stood where the car had been. Emily took several quick steps back, bumping into Prowl. She stared in terrified surprise at the mech several feet taller than herself.
Neo shot a desperate look at Jazz then focused his optics back on the little girl. He slowly got to his knees so that while he was still taller than her it wasn't by as much. The two studied each other in silence.
Prowl scanned her biosigns and was satisfied to find that though she was breathing just a little harder than usual her body was relaxing slowly but surely. She was still scared, but the fight or flight instinct that had surely grabbed hold of her was beginning to drain away. As the the seconds ticked by she calmed even further and finally the fear seemed to pass, though Prowl could still read nervousness and uncertainty in her body language.
"Wow, so you're all robots?" Emily asked with wonder. "Like the cartoon show."
Jazz's projection shot Prowl an amused look, which the First Lieutenant ignored. "Yes, Emily, we are the Autobots. If you are familiar with the cartoon then you know we will not harm you."
Emily hesitated then nodded slowly.
"The rest of us are bigger than Neo. I do not want to do anything that makes you uncomfortable," Prowl continued. "Would it be okay for the rest of us to transform?"
"I'm not scared," Emily replied in an almost defiant way.
One by one the Autobots transformed, each introducing himself afterwards. Prowl was the last one to transform and he knelt, hydraulics hissing softly at the movement, to be closer to the young human. Emily was looking around with wide eyes and was clearly more than a little shaken by so many things much bigger than herself. But it was clear she was trying to control herself. Whether she was afraid they might be displeased with her being upset or because she just didn't want them to see she was upset was unclear. Either way, Prowl felt the need to reassure the girl.
"I know we are very big, but--."
"I'm not scared," she said. Which by her body language he could clearly see she was scared of them, but obviously didn't want to admit to such a thing.
"You are a very brave little girl then," Prowl said.
"I'm not a little girl," was the indignant reply.
Prowl looked to Jazz for help, but the Porsche simply laughed at his blunder. Sensing his commanding officer's need for help, Neo drew Emily's attention back to himself
"Don't feel bad, Emily. They still call me youngling."
"That's cause ya are," Ironhide replied with mild amusement.
"He's the closest to your age, Emily," Jazz said, smiling down at the little girl. "Would you like him t'show you around?"
Emily stared at Neo for a moment before nodding. It was clear in her body language that she was still overwhelmed by it all. Prowl couldn't blame her. It seemed, though, that her curiosity was stronger than any negative emotions and Prowl admired that.
vvvv
Prowl was not all that surprised at the grumbles of protest that followed the arrival of a human child to Fortress Terra. Even though, maybe even because, they had been on Earth since the early 1940s many Autobots weren't actually all that fond of humans. Some Autobots weren't happy about having to defend them while staying incognito. Prowl could understand their feelings though he felt many of them were being hypocritical. They said humans were warmongering, close minded, and primitive. Prowl pointed out that as a race they themselves had become warmongering and by judging all humans by the actions of others that made them just as close minded. He allowed them to keep the primitive comment. Humans were rather primitive.
As he watched Neo show Emily around Prowl kept a close optic on the reactions of the other Autobots. He worried about how certain mechs would respond to the little girl. A few in particular had him concerned. When Neo introduced her to Huffer and Gears, Prowl was pleased at the effort the two put into being at least a little friendly. Neither mech was happy about being on Earth and pretty much hated the human race. They even attempted to smile at her, though both were pathetic excuses for smiles it was the effort that counted.
It was when Neo led her into the main rec room, the one aboard the Ark, that Prowl watched very carefully. Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Smokescreen, Bumper, and Blurr were playing Trap and it appeared the Bumper at least was quite overcharged and heading toward shutdown. Prowl gave them all a disapproving look as soon as they realized someone had entered the room.
"Prowl, join us," Sideswipe called cheerfully.
Prowl frowned. "You were warned that the human child would be arriving today and yet here I find you all overcharging anyway."
"So now that the little fleshling is here we can't have any fun?" Sunstreaker demanded.
"That is not what I said."
"You implied it," the yellow mech retorted.
"I did no such thing," Prowl said calmly. "I simply meant you will have to be more careful and more responsible about when and where you chose to have your fun."
"Fair enough," Smokescreen cut in before Sunstreaker could comment. "So, where is our newest guest?"
"Right here," Neo said as he stepped forward. Prowl again stood back to watch. "This is Emily. Emily, this is Sideswipe and his brother Sunstreaker, Smokescreen, Blurr, and Bumper."
"'lo," Bumper greeted, optics slightly duller shade of blue. The yellow and silver mech threw back whatever was in his cup and received a thump on the shoulder from Smokescreen.
"Hi," Emily greeted shyly. Prowl could tell that the little girl was starting to feel overwhelmed again. Perhaps meeting so many mechs so quickly was a bad idea. He was about to speak up when Emily spoke again, looking directly at Sunstreaker. "You're very shiny."
Sunstreaker perked up immediately. "That's because I use the best wax available."
"Like car wax?" Emily asked shyly.
"Yup."
"Can I see?"
Prowl smirked to himself as Sunstreaker quickly got up to oblige. There was nothing the yellow mech liked more than getting to show off how good he looked. With the familiar sound of transformation Sunstreaker reverted to his alt-mode and revved his engine. Prowl knew if he could have the Lamborghini would have preened himself as Emily made sounds of admiration. Without knowing it Emily had just won over one of the mechs that had been amongst the most adamant about her not being around. He had no doubts that there could still be issues to pop up, but for the most part as long as Emily continued to stroke Sunstreaker's ego there wouldn't be much problems there.
Not to be outdone by his brother, Sideswipe reverted to his alt-mode as well and Emily was equally as impressed. That spurred the other mechs into doing the same. Emily was suitably impressed with them all and stroked their egos accordingly. It seemed she was warming up to the idea of them.
"Not bad for only being here fifteen minutes," Neo commented to Prowl.
The First Lieutenant nodded. "I confess to be surprised by how quickly she has at least seemed to accept us. However, I find it doubtful that everyone will be so quick to change their views."
"The day she gets Red Alert I'll be impressed."
"I do not believe even Emily could gain Red Alert's trust."
"We'll see."
vvvv
"Ah, but do I have to?"
"That is quite enough of that," Prowl admonished. "You may still be a youngling, but you are too old for that immature attitude. You can either share quarters with Emily while she is still here or you will remain with Getaway and Stakeout in the youngling quarters."
"Besides, you seemed to be getting along with her," Jazz added.
"Why can't she have her own room? Wouldn't she feel more comfortable like that?" Neo pointed out.
"She's too small t'trigger the doors not t'mention the fact that she's alone in an unfamiliar place," Jazz replied. "Now stop being a sparkling 'bout it."
"Sorry sir," the green youngling muttered.
"Jazz," Ratchet's barked over the comm.
"What's up?"
"I'm done."
"Copy that. I'll be right there," Jazz put his hand on Neo's shoulder. "C'mon bud, Ratchet's done with your new roommate."
vvvv
Security Director Red Alert
Personal Log E334667232133275
In continuance of my previous log I am happy to note that as of my last check all security systems are finally in proper working order, despite the best efforts of some to delay me. One day I will prove that Sunstreaker and his infernal brother are working for the Decepticons by disrupting the proper working order of this Fortress. How Optimus Prime and Prowl cannot see it is beyond any reasoning. Inferno believes I'm looking too far into it, that the Pit-spawned hooligans are loyal to the Autobots, but I have my doubts.
And speaking of security risks that human sparkling is still on base. It has been a week and despite my warnings Prime has kept the sparkling here. For all we know she has already been approached and brainwashed by the Decepticons. It would not be beyond their evil to use a human sparkling against us. I've seen her creeping around with one of our younglings as an accomplice. I hope for Jazz's sake that Neo has not been persuaded to betray us to the Decepticons. Not only would it be a crushing blow for the Autobot army I know Jazz would be especially hurt. All the more reason for the Decepticons to do it.
Besides coercing Neo to help her, the human sparkling has got many Autobots on base wrapped around her tiny fingers. I do not know how she has done it. Maybe she is reprogramming them during recharge, but I have not seen her go into any quarters that were not hers unless the occupants invited her in. It could be nanotechnology that she was provided by the Decepticons, but I have not figured out why my systems have not been infiltrated. How? How has she done it?
I must solve this mystery before it is too late.
vvvv
Hound's engine thrummed lowly as he approached the massive door that served as the main entrance into Fortress Terra. He was prompted for a clearance code which he sent back easily. He was rejected with a message that the code he had used was outdated. Tired and a little irritated at the rejection he activated his comm.
"Who ever is on guard duty had better let me in."
"Your security code is invalid." was the immediate response and Hound grumbled in annoyance. It would be Red Alert on guard duty.
"I've been on a scouting mission for almost a month. I was out of comms for half that time. I haven't been given the new codes." Hound told the Security Director.
"You could be a Decepticon infiltrator posing as Hound and hoping that sympathy will get you inside," Red Alert replied. "You will remain where you are until security arrives."
Hound sighed in resignation and cut his engine. Red Alert could be such a glitch sometimes, but the Recon Specialist couldn't really fault him. Red was only doing his duty. Though, he was still slightly surprised by how much more adamant Red Alert had been. Something had the mech more on edge than usual, if that was even possible, and Hound wondered if the twins were behind it.
The jeep kept his sensors alert and easily read the energy signature of two approaching Autobots. But he heard them approaching before he ever saw them. It wasn't difficult when one was grumbling loudly.
"I hate this dirt ball almost as much as I hate the flesh bags that live here."
"Do ya always gotta complain 'bout everything, Huffer? Hows 'bout ya just give your vocalizer a rest for a bit."
"Don't tell me you like this rotten place, Brawn."
Hound saw the two Autobots approach and transformed at the same time they did. The two minibots scanned him, asked him a bunch of questions only he would know the answer to, and deemed him safe to enter. Huffer darted off quickly while muttering something about "fixing the fraggin' wiring again" while Brawn and Hound headed to the base together.
"What's got Red so wound up?" Hound asked and at Brawn's snort he amened, "More wound up than usual."
"Oh, you'll see," Brawn replied in an uncharacteristically mysterious way.
"Have the twins been at it again?" Hound prodded, but his companion remained annoyingly silent.
Hound easily ignored the suspicious look Red Alert gave him despite the fact Huffer and Brawn found him fit to enter. The Recon Specialist headed directly for the wash racks to get good and clean before he had to report to Ironhide. That was his intention anyway, but as he passed by the rec. room he heard a sound that was distinctly out of place. The green mech paused just outside the door and listened for a moment, thoroughly confused as he heard the sound again. With his curiosity piqued he went into the rec. room and stopped in surprise.
"What the Pit?"
Hound stared in growing confusion at a scene that made no sense. Neo, the Autobot's first sparkling on Earth, was barely distinguishable. There were things...pillows, Hound's database supplied, tied around every conceivable part of the youngling's body save for the head which was still exposed. The youngling's battlemask was down, hiding every feature except those expressive blue optics that crinkled at the corners hinting at a smile.
But even more surprising than that was the presence of one very small human being. Even though Neo was the smallest Autobot on base he was still much bigger than the human. Hound had the sudden realization that it was a human sparkling. Then a bigger question assaulted his processor. What was a human sparkling doing in Fortress Terra?
A chuckle to his left caught his attention and the scout turned to see several of his comrades sitting at a table playing Bits and Chips, a favorite Cybertronian game. He was too tired to join, but for the moment the group had paused to watch him. Hound smirked slightly to himself when he saw that Bluestreak and Inferno were beating the Lamborghini twins, but refrained from commenting on that. Instead he threw a questioning glance at the human sparkling and her Autobot playmate.
"That's Emily, she's been staying with us," Inferno answered the unspoken question. "She's a shard."
Hound's face twisted. "A human sparkling?"
"Child," Sideswipe corrected.
"Child, sparkling, whatever-she's too young," Hound protested.
"Oh yeah, Ratchet won't let 'Jack or Percy anywhere near her," Sideswipe said. "He says they can't use that 'blasted life-sucking-Pit-spawned sorry excuse for a machine' on her until she's fifteen human years old."
"Causing a bit of a problem for the command element," Inferno added. "They can't decide on what to do with her."
"They should leave her here," Bluestreak spoke up. "She's got friends here, she has plenty of room to run around, she's probably safer here, she--."
"We get the point," Sunstreaker cut off the gunner before he could keep going.
"She can't stay here," a voice said behind them and they all watched as Jazz sat at the table. The Porsche leaned back in his chair and put his feet up on the table so that the chair was balanced on two legs. "This isn't a place for a human child t'grow up, no matter how much we may want her t'stay."
At this Hound watched as all the mechs present turned their attention to the little girl wrestling around with Neo. Hound watched his comrades for a moment, taking note of the affection on Jazz's face, before he too looked at the scene. Emily had managed to get around onto Neo's back and looked like she wanted to put the youngling in a choke hold, but her arms were too small to get around his neck. She also happened to be in just the right spot to stay out of the youngling's grasp as he couldn't twist his arm in the right angle.
"Emily, go for the audios," Sideswipe called out.
Emily listened to the red Lamborghini's instruction and managed to get one thumb into Neo's audio receptor module. The youngling squealed as the sensitive area was probed by small fingers. Emily laughed brightly and Hound realized that was the sound that had been so out of place.
Suddenly Neo managed to snag one of the girl's legs and gently pulled her off. She laughed madly as she was hung upside down. The green youngling poked at her ribs and stomach making her squeal and laugh harder. She tried to swat his fingers away, but her awkward position hindered her too much.
"Help," Emily squealed to the audience in general.
Sideswipe jolted to his feet, followed by Bluestreak, and the two entered the fray. Bluestreak got Emily out of Neo's grasp and put her down safely at his abandoned seat at the table. Sideswipe then pounced Neo and he became the one squealing. Hound was just mildly surprise. He had seen Sideswipe wrestle with Sunstreaker, but most of the time it actually turned into something violent. And while Sideswipe loved to play pranks it wasn't often the red mech was that playful. In general the only mechs that played around like that were sparklings and younglings.
"Give up, sparkling," Sideswipe taunted.
"Get him!" Emily cheered while laughing along with everyone else.
Hound smiled as he watched the scene. It was always good to hear laughter in what could be a rather dismal place at times. It gave him hope for the future.
vvvv
"By the Pit, Bluestreak. If I didn't know any better I'd think you have a target painted on your back panel," Ratchet grumbled. It was the fifth time in as many days that Bluestreak had been in his med-bay for repairs.
"Not my fault," Bluestreak immediately said in his defense. "Sunstreaker ran me off the road because I swerved to avoid a box in the road cause you never know if it might have a nail in it and I really hate blowing tires on those nails because it hurts y'know and I accidentally tapped Sunstreaker and he let out this scary sound and ran me off the road."
"There's possibly more information than I needed to know in there," Ratchet grumbled. "Just, mute your vocalizer for half a breem, if that's even possible."
"Why do you and Ironhide refuse to use human measurements?"
"Mute it!"
Ratchet worked in silence for several more minutes before the med-bay doors whooshed open and Neo burst int. The youngling's optics were wide and his whole body vibrated with energy. Ratchet could hear him rapidly cycling air as his internal systems hissed from overheating, something younglings could do quite easily. Ratchet opened his mouth to scold the young mech when he realized there was something like fear on the youngling's face.
"Ratchet, come quick, something's wrong with Emily," Neo finally managed to get out.
Ratchet grabbed his medkit and followed Neo out of the medbay and toward the youngling's quarters where Emily was sleeping. Bluestreak followed, scooping up Neo so that the two bigger mechs could run full speed without leaving the youngling behind. Ratchet screeched to a halt at Neo's room and triggered the door open and could immediately hear whimpers from within. Troubled, Ratchet stepped into the room and headed straight for the beds where the whimpers were originating.
"I couldn't get her to wake up," Neo explained, clearly terrified. He unashamedly attached himself to Bluestreak's side for comfort.
Ratchet peered down at the sleeping child, scanning her easily. There didn't seem to be anything physically amiss. Having done extensive research on human biology and psychology he worked out what the problem was quickly. With one finger he gently prodded her in the side. The little girl whimpered, but remained asleep. The Chief Medical Officer tilted his head in thought for a moment before he decided on a course of action.
"Neo, get into that ridiculous play outfit of yours," Ratchet ordered.
"What's wrong with her, Ratchet?" Bluestreak asked, clearly disturbed.
Ratchet shot the gunner an annoyed look as he was never really pleased about explaining things. "Nightmare."
"Oh."
"Neo, get to it, boy. Stuffs not gonna get on ya by itself."
Neo hesitated, but moved at a gentle push from the gunner whose side he had been attached to. While the youngling was doing that Ratchet carefully lifted Emily off the bed. He cradled her in both hands and waited not-so-patiently for Neo to finish. When the youngling was covered in the pillows he used for playing with Emily the CMO gently handed the little girl to the green mech. Neo took her into his now soft arms and held her like Jazz used to hold him when he was a sparkling.
The change wasn't immediate, which was a disappointment to all mechs present, but eventually her whimpers ceased and she slept soundly in Neo's arms. Ratchet watched for a moment, his spark feeling all warm and toasty from the sight. There was affection in Neo's optics as the youngling gazed down at his charge. Neo had once said he wished he had siblings and it was obvious to the older mech that Neo had adopted Emily as his sister.
Ratchet sighed suddenly. How was Neo going to handle it when she left?
vvvv
"She can't stay here, Optimus," Ratchet stated firmly. "A military base is no place for a human child to grow up. She needs to interact with children her own age, go to school, do the things human children do."
"You gotta be jokin'," Ironhide exclaimed. "If we take Emily somewhere else the 'Cons'll find her. She's safer here than anywhere else."
"You're biased," the CMO snapped, pointing an accusatory finger at the Third Lieutenant. "You just don't want her to leave."
Ironhide balked. "Hey, I have her best interest in mind."
"And I'm a fairy princess."
"You're--what? What the Pit are you talkin' 'bout now?"
"Enough you two," Prowl spoke up before the argument could go forward. "You both have valid points that we must consider while making this decision."
"She is a security risk," Red Alert added.
"Oh mute it," Ironhide grumbled. "That little girl is no threat ta anyone."
"You're biased," Red Alert retorted.
"Next mech that calls me biased is gonna get rocket in the aft!"
"Enough of this foolish bickering," Prowl said with a disapproving look at both mechs. "We must approach this with logic. If she cannot stay here then where could she go?"
"Where on Earth would she possibly be safe for the next four years? Red an' I run the best possible defense 'round here an' this place is so fortified the Cons don't have the bolts ta do anythin'. Where would she be safer?" Ironhide demanded. "If someone could answer that I might consider movin' her a good idea."
"I've gotta admit, 'Hide brings up a good point. We couldn't protect her as well somewhere else," Jazz spoke up.
"What about the human military? Surely they could protect her," Red Alert suggested.
"D'ya really think they could stop the 'Cons if Megatron finds out she's a shard?" Ironhide asked in return.
"They have some--."
"Give it a rest, Red. She's not a security risk."
Red Alert sat back in his seat and glared at Ironhide, but for the moment he remained silent. Jazz shared a brief amused look with Ratchet, but his attention was grabbed as Optimus leaned forward in his seat. The Autobot Commander gained the attention of all the mechs without uttering a sound.
Optimus sighed wearily. "Ratchet, are you absolutely sure we can not remove the shard from her now?"
"I'll rip the spark out of anyone who takes her anywhere near that fragging machine," Ratchet retorted.
Jazz snickered, but a glare from the CMO silenced the Second Lieutenant. Optimus rubbed a tired hand over his face and looked around the room. His Command Staff all looked equally weary about having to make a decision like the one they were faced with. All of them knew it wasn't right for Emily to grow up on a military base surrounded by alien robots with no human children to make friends with or to simply interact with.
"We could collaborate with the US government. They may be able t'help," Jazz suggested.
"They're gonna be plenty fragged off that we've had her for almost three orns an' not said anythin'," Ironhide commented. "You know how they get 'bout those things."
"They'll grump and groan, but ultimately they'll help," Jazz said.
"I fear," Prowl spoke up, "that we have not considered how she will take this. From the file at the adoption agency we know that she has been through several homes, some of them unpleasant, and that she had been at the center for three years. Now, we have given her a home and it may not be with humans, but I dare say she would consider at least some of us family."
"She's really attached to Neo," Ratchet admitted. "I haven't seen them separately since she got here."
"I do not believe she would want to leave," Prowl added. "And I think it would be detrimental to her health."
"As much as I hate to admit it, Prowl is absolutely right. At this stage of development what Emily needs is stability," Ratchet said. "She needs a family."
"Then the question becomes how can we make a military base child friendly? There have been too many close calls even with that proximity tag on her. She is too small, too easy to get underfoot and get hurt. If she is to stay here something must change," Prowl said.
The Command Staff was silent as they contemplated the problem. Fortress Terra was actually a combination of four ships-the Vigilance, the Marauder, the Ark, and the Sentinel. The maintenance crew had built corridors between the docking hatches of each ship to make them one big ship. The Fortress itself was hidden under a mountain range that had been tunneled into and then hollowed out by the maintenance crew with the help of the US military who simply wished them to get out of sight. There was a main entrance with a very large thick metal door that the humans had provided. There were also hidden entrances and exits for emergencies, but they were well guarded. How then could they make such an obviously military operation safe for the human child?
"We could clear out the Marauder, move all the guys to different quarters and make that her place," Jazz suggested. "'Course a few would have to stay with her to watch over her."
"For that matter if some mechs were assigned to keep watch of Emily and the sparklings we could ensure the safety of them all," Ratchet suggested.
Jazz snorted. "You're just tired of playing watch-mech."
"Mute it, Jazz or I might reschedule your next check up and make sure it's a thorough one."
"Ratchet has a good idea," Prowl broke in. His tone was a calm as ever, but there was just a glint of amusement in his optics. "We can assign some mechs to guardian duty and have them rotate shifts."
"We could also get Hoist, Huffer, an' Grapple ta make the Marauder more kid friendly," Ironhide said.
"Someone will have to tutor her," Prowl continued. "She must have a proper education."
"Well, none of us know a thing 'bout teachin' a human," Jazz said. "We'd need a human teacher. Thing is findin' one we can trust."
"I must confess I have reservations about keeping a child on a military base, especially with how...spirited this outfit can be. However, I agree with Prowl. We cannot tear this little girl away from the family she has finally found," Optimus said with determination. There was still a weariness in his optics, but it was clear a decision had been made. "Jazz, as the Marauder is your ship I leave you to give the Autobots there notice of the impending move. I also leave it to you to chose the mechs for guardian shifts. Prowl, please handle the relocation to the other ships and the reworking of the duty shifts. Ironhide, I want you to make sure the Marauder has the best possible defense along with clear plans for what to do in case of Decepticon attack. I will procure a human tutor. If there are no further concerns or questions..."
"No sir," the rest of the mechs replied instantly.
"Then I expect you all to work quickly and efficiently. Dismissed."
vvvv
"Surely you cannot be serious."
Mirage stared disbelievingly at Jazz as if the Second Lieutenant had suggested he jump in the Pit.
"I'm serious," Jazz replied calmly. "It's not gonna be that much work, man. Just live in the Marauder and help keep watch."
"I am not a sparkling-sitter, Jazz," Mirage argued. "I have no knowledge of how to handle sparklings."
That was true enough, Jazz admitted to himself. Under other circumstances he probably never would have considered Mirage for guardian assignment. Mirage had not dealt well with Bluestreak, Blurr, or Bumper when they were still young.
"We're short on options," Jazz replied. "Plus we're hopin' some of your sensibilities will rub off on them. You can teach 'em how to escape and evade 'case somethin' happens."
"But Jazz--."
"You don't gotta choice so you might as well accept it."
"Yes sir."
Jazz watched the spy leave his office and sighed. Assigning mechs to play babysitter wasn't easy. None of the mechs on base were meant to be babysitters. They weren't geared or programmed for it, because that had always been the job of the femmes. So, Jazz was choosing mechs who could provide good protection and hopefully be good teachers as well. Previously they hadn't really done much for their own sparklings. Jazz had willingly bared the brunt of the work in raising Neo. He hadn't really had much of a choice as Neo had latched onto him from a very young age. Getaway and Stakeout had been taken care of by several different mechs. And though a good portion of the mechs had raised Bluestreak, Blurr, and Bumper it had been so long ago that most mechs were out of practice. War was all that they knew anymore.
But Jazz couldn't bare the responsibility to raising all the sparklinsg that were being created nor care for the young girl that was staying in the Fortress. And there did need to be clearly assigned guardians. There couldn't be some half-aft way of doing things. Though it was doubtful things would ever be the same as it had been on Cybertron what with most of the femmes dead and the others lost to space. Still, they needed to get as close to the way sparklings had been cared for in the old days.
He had already informed Bluestreak, Inferno, Tap-Out, and Mirage of their new assignment. Bluestreak had been excited as he loved the sparklings and it meant fewer front line missions for him. Inferno had been a little dubious, but when Jazz explained that some warriors needed to be on the assignment to provide protection in case of Decepticon infiltration the mech had relented. Tap-Out had been an obvious choice as he was fiercely and violently protective of anyone he was put in charge of protecting. Mirage's incredulous response had been expected and Jazz had fully expected to have to just order the spy to obey. Truth was Jazz thought most of the mechs on guardian assignment would probably benefit from the experience.
"Windcharger, please report to my office."
vvvv
Bumper was thrilled to be chosen to bring Emily's tutor to Fortress Terra. Usually his duties were just restricted to patrols. The more experienced mechs got the important jobs. He along with Blurr and Bluestreak were the last Cybertronian born mechs and the older mechs still tended to be protective of them even though all three were definitely beyond old enough to be considered mature mechs. Some mechs still called them younglings even after Neo had been brought online. He knew it had something to do with what happened to Bluestreak while all the groups had been split up, but that didn't make it any less frustrating.
Therefore he was surprised when Optimus Prime himself had pulled Bumper aside and given him the coordinates of the tutor's home. It was Prime's hope that one Autobot by himself wouldn't garner much attention from the Decepticons. Bumper was capable and confident and Prime selected him personally. Bumper accepted the mission with enthusiasm. Sure he had just come in from a long night of patrol with two squabbling companions, but a quick cup of fuel and a few energon snacks and he was good to go.
Bumper activated his holo-matter projector as he merged onto the interstate. A teenager wearing a baggy black band t-shirt appeared to have one arm hanging out of the window. Loud rock music blared from inside the car and teenager bobbing his head to the music, long blond hair flying in the wind. Bumper hadn't felt so free in vorns.
He was having so much fun weaving in and out of traffic that he was caught completely by surprise as a white Lamborghini roared up behind him. Startled, Bumper scanned the car and swore viciously when the energy signature came back Decepticon. He opened a comm channel to call for backup, but the Lamborghini rammed his quarter panel and sent him into a wild spin out. He managed to pull himself out of it and gunned it, but he knew he wasn't as fast as the Decepticon Lamborghini tailgating him.
"What's a runt like you doing running around on your own?" Breakdown transmitted over an open comm.
Bumper swerved to avoid the Decepticon's next attack and a civilian blared her horn at the two of them. Realizing the danger the humans were in he used his scanner to find the next exit ramp. Breakdown gave him a not so gentle tap to his rear bumper and Bumper swerved to take the exit. The white Lamborghini followed with ease and it was as he got off the ramp and onto the road that he realized his mistake. A quick swerve saved him from a head on collision, but a dark gray Ferrari still clipped him and spun him around.
"Where ya goin' in such a hurry, pipsqueak?" Wildrider taunted.
Bumper tried to reverse out of Breakdown's way, but the Lamborghini slammed into his driver's side door with jarring force. Thankfully his armor was strong enough to absorb the blow but he was still sent skidding several feet. Bumper recovered quickly and floored it away from the interstate, but the two Stunticons were faster than him and they caught up before he could get very far.
Bumper transformed as soon as he thought he was out of sight. He armed his grenade launcher, selected what he called the sticky grenade and fired at the rapidly approaching Stunticons. Both Decepticons transformed, but several grenades attached to Wildrider. The dark gray mech swore and tried to bat them off, but that only succeeding in getting them stuck to his hands. The frantic mech shook his hands furiously, but the grenades exploded with enough force to completely mangle the Stunticon's hands.
Breakdown bellowed in fury and armed his weapons and fired. Bumper tucked and rolled, arming his pulse gun, and as he came up he fired into the bigger mech's face. Breakdown swore and lashed out, but Bumper dove to the side. As he rolled to his feet once more Bumper fired his gun at the Stunticon's right knee joint. The knee gave out and Breakdown fell to his hands and knees. Bumper then ran, jumped onto Breakdown's back, and then launched himself at the still stunned Wildrider.
The dark gray mech was trying to get over the fact that both his hands were gone and his weapons neutralized. Bumper fired his gun into Wildrider's face then landed a punishing kick to the Stunticon's audio receptor module. He landed on the bigger mech's shoulder grabbed it with one hand and then hung down on the Stunticon's back so that he could get a perfect shot right into one of the linkages in Wildrider's back. Instantly the dark gray mech collapsed to the ground as he lost control of his legs. Bumper rode the Decepticon to the ground and jumped off right before he hit.
Bumper's sensors registered a weapon powering up to his left and he instinctively flipped backwards. Gatling shells tore into the ground where he had been, but a concussion blast slammed into him full force. It threw him backwards into the rock wall of a cliff that the road hugged. A second shot drove him against it even harder and alerts began to blink all over the place. He scrambled to move as Breakdown limped toward him, but the big mech anticipated his move and grabbed him in both hands. With his arms pinned Bumper couldn't do anything except stare at the furious Stunticon.
"We were just gonna have some fun, maybe wreak ya a bit. Now I'm gonna crush you into a ball and send you back to your precious comrades," Breakdown snarled.
Bumper struggled, but the Stunticon was just too much bigger than him. Alerts were flashing as Breakdown's hold on him continued to tighten pain began to pulse through his entire frame. Wildrider was cheering on his teammate and Bumper desperately tried to activate a secure comm line, but Breakdown's fingers curled into his back and he only manged to get out a "this is" before his radio went dead.
"Crush the slagger already!" Wildrider yelled.
Suddenly a police car came flying up the exit ramp and launched into the air. The car transformed landed on both feet with two plasma guns pointed at Breakdown. Bumper stared in surprise at Clamp Down, but winced in pain as Breakdown tightened the hold on him. Clamp Down calmly stared the Stunticon in the optics, guns unwavering.
"Release him," Clamp Down ordered.
"You won't shoot me," Breakdown retorted. "You'll hit your pal."
"Are you sure of that?" Clamp Down replied calmly. "I'm an excellent shot."
"You're not that good Autobot," the Stunticon sneered. "Everyone knows Autobots can't hit the broadside of a--."
Bumper managed to land on his feet as Breakdown dropped him to bat at the burning plasma that struck the Stunticon in the face. The small Autobot raced to his comrade's side and brought his own weapons to point at the Decepticon. Breakdown glared at them both and kept his weapons trained on them.
"Now, we're going to drive away and you are going to stay here with your comrade," Clamp Down said in a tone that Bumper recognized as the do-it-or-else warning that Decepticons tended to ignore. And then regret it.
"You don't scare me," Breakdown retorted defiantly.
"If you really think you're going to delay me long enough for your teammates to get here and slag us both, you're sorely mistaken," the police car countered.
A smirk filtered onto Breakdown's face and his red optics flashed. "You're still standing here, aren't you?"
"Not for long."
Clamp Down transformed and Bumper quickly followed suit. With sirens and lights flashing the two Autobots tore off. The Deceptions continued to shout insults.
"I'm never going to get an important mission again," Bumper complained.
"Never say never, my friend. You don't know what the future holds," Clamp Down replied. "Besides, you haven't failed the mission yet."
"Yeah, but I had to have help," Bumper pointed out.
Clamp Down laughed at that. "And do you think the rest of us never need help? It doesn't make you weak, Bumper. That's why we have teammates."
vvvv
Mirage was on guardian duty when Bumper arrived back at the Fortress with the human female that would be Emily's tutor. And as was Prowl's orders he made sure the little girl was there to meet her tutor. It was apparent in the little one's attitude that she was not pleased with the idea of having to continue her education, which Mirage didn't quite understand but then there were a lot of things about humans that he still didn't understand.
Mirage watched via his alt-mode sensors as Bumper's front passenger door opened and a tall, skinny woman stepped out. The woman had dark hair pulled into a ponytail and light brown eyes that flicked from one harmless looking car to the next. She wore a simple black dress that just made Mirage think she was simply too skinny for a human female. Overall she matched the datafile he had read about when some of the Autobots met her some fifteen years previously. Here finally was one Heather Williams who had escaped the clutches of the Decepticons and returned a shard to the Autobots. She didn't look like much in his opinion.
Heather then opened the back passenger door and helped a little boy climb out. The boy had the same dark hair, but his was much shorter and far messier. His eyes were a mix of brown and green, which confused Mirage slightly that the offspring of the woman didn't have the same eye color, but he dismissed the thought. The boy looked younger than Emily by Mirage's estimation, but he was no expert on human ages. And oh Primus! The boy was wearing a black shirt with the Autobot symbol on it, which explained why Neo was making an odd revving noise. The youngling was trying to hold back his laughter. The humans certainly had taken the "Transformers" idea further than he expected.
Bumper's driver's side passenger door opened and an older looking boy, a teenger Mirage's databanks helpfully supplied, stepped out. This boy had a little shade of hair than the other two and it was even shorter than the younger boy's was. Was this male going bald? Mirage dismissed the question as quickly as it came and focused on the teenager as the boy started to approach him. Surprised and a little wary, Mirage revved his engine in warning and reversed back a little. The teenager stopped and stared.
"Don't worry, 'Raj, he probably just thinks you look cool." Jazz said with a little hint of "behave" in his voice.
"That's all well and good, but I would prefer he not get his biologicals all over me in some misguided show of admiration," Mirage shot back.
"What say we put on a little show for the kids?" Bumper suggested with a definite hint of mischief in his voice.
"Agreed, no sense in putting it off." Prowl said.
The reaction was mildly amusing. The youngest boy screamed and clutched his mother in terror. The other boy was older than Emily stared in shock and took a step toward his mother but made no sound. Heather shushed her youngest and even towering over the human female Mirage felt cowed by the look of disapproval she shot he and his fellow Autobots.
"I apologize, Ms. Williams. We did not mean to frighten your children," Prowl said, optics carefully watching the young humans. "We are not accustomed to actually revealing ourselves to humans, as I am sure you remember."
"I do," Heather replied. "See honey, they're just like the cartoon. Didn't you say just the other day that you wanted to meet an Autobot?"
"Yes," the little boy said and carefully turned to look at the mechs.
Mirage felt his patience for the whole affair wavering and wished not for the first time that Bluestreak was in his place. The younger mech was much better at being friendly to newcomers.
"And see there, remember I told you about Emily? She's not afraid of them."
Mirage glanced at Emily. Sitting on Neo's shoulder like she belonged there the little girl made the perfect example. She was still nervous around some of the bigger mechs and the ones she rarely spent time with, but with Neo was she was completely at ease.
"Hey Em, why dontcha do the introductions?" Jazz suggested.
Neo knelt to let Emily off his shoulder and the little girl hesitated only a moment before she walked toward the trio standing in front of Bumper. Mirage watched, his curiosity piqued by the interactions between the little ones, as Emily approached the younger boy first. It seemed like only a matter of seconds before the two children were best of friends and the little boy, Brandon, went willingly as Emily introduced him to each of the Autobots present. She then introduced herself a little more cautiously to the teenager, Ethan, who seemed much more interested in meeting the Autobots.
Mirage watched in surprise as Emily and Brandon darted over to Neo, who went to his alt-mode with no prompting. The two youngsters jumped inside and Neo gunned his engine and took off for the Marauder. Mirage shouted in frustration, transformed, and took after them.
"Hound?" Mirage called over the private comm to his friend.
There was a moment of silence before Hound replied. "Yeah?"
"Are you in the rec. room?"
"Yeah."
"Can you have a cup of high-grade ready for me? I think I'm going to need it."
vvvv
"I want a pet."
Bluestreak stared into bright blue eyes that were filled with determination. "Well Emily, that's something you have to take up with command, but I really don't think they're going to agree."
"Why not?"
"Ern...well...this is a military base and pets aren't allowed."
"Can't you talk to them for me?"
Bluestreak balked, optics wide. "Me? What makes you think they'll listen to me? I'm only a gunner."
"Yeah, but I'm only a kid. They're more likely to listen to you."
Bluestreak was still doubtful, but nonetheless promised his young charge the he would ask. So, he made his way to Jazz's office. It was technically a matter to take up with Prowl, but Bluestreak hoped that by taking it up with the more jovial Second Lieutenant he could accomplish his goal. He activated the door chime and didn't have to wait long before the door slid open and Jazz smiled brightly at him. The Porsche ushered Bluestreak into his office and motioned to a chair.
"Blue, what brings you t'my office?"
Bluestreak took a seat and watched Jazz do the same. "I...um...well...Emilywantsapet."
"I think you've spent too much time with Blurr," Jazz said with an amused smile. He processed what Bluestreak had said and leaned back in his chair. "A pet? Shouldn't ya take this t'Prowl?"
"Er, maybe."
Jazz laughed. "I see, you think I'll be the pushover, is that it?"
"I wouldn't go as far to say pushover," Bluestreak said quickly.
"Of course not," the Second Lieutenant said with obvious amusement. He smirked at the young mech he viewed as a little brother. "You just came to me because I'm in charge of the youth assignment."
"Exactly!"
"Well, I'm afraid that bringin' a animal onto base has t'be cleared through at least Prowl," Jazz said. "Though, I'm sure if she choses something small that'll stay in her room there shouldn't be much of a problem."
"Will you talk to Prowl?" Bluestreak asked hopefully.
Jazz laughed again. "And do all the work for you? Where's the fun in that?"
So Bluestreak left Jazz's office resigned to the fact that he would have to talk to Prowl after all. Not that he really minded talking to the First Lieutenant. Prowl wasn't an unapproachable mech. But Bluestreak had never gone to him to special request anything before. Even when Prowl was helping to raise him he had never made a special request of the First Lieutenant. Prowl had always been the most disciplinary figure in his life, not one to accommodate his wants. That had usually been Jazz or Wheeljack's place.
He made the trek from the Marauder, where Jazz's office was, through the Ark and into the Vigilance where Prow's office was located. He activated the door chime and entered at Prowl's call only to find Sunstreaker and Sideswipe standing before the First Lieutenant's desk. Sideswipe had that look on his face the one that screamed "I did something, but you have no proof" while Sunstreaker was doing a fair job of looking impassive. Prowl looked calm, but there was a glint of irritation in his optics.
"Bluestreak, could this wait?" Prowl asked calmly.
Bluestreak hesitated. He didn't want to interrupt what had to be an impressive lecture to the two troublemakers. Not that it was anything that wasn't going in one audio and out the other. It was the hopeful blue eyes that he pictured in his processor that he couldn't ignore. He needed to have an answer to take back to her.
"Ah, don't blow the poor mech off, Prowl," Sideswipe said. "It must have been important for him to come all the way from the Marauder."
Prowl gave Sideswipe a calculating look before fixing his optics on Bluestreak. "Very well Bluestreak, what can I do for you?"
"It's Emily sir," Bluestreak said and then watched as all three mech's perked up. "She has a special request."
"And that would be?"
"She um...she wants a pet."
Sunstreaker snickered, but swift elbow to the chest plate shut him up. The twins glared at each other as Prowl stared at Bluestreak thoughtfully. Bluestreak watched the First Lieutenant apprehensively. He could see the word 'no' forming on the other mech's lip components. He didn't like the idea of returning to that little girl and tell her she couldn't have the pet she desired.
"What kind of pet?"
"Sir?"
Prowl's lips twitched just slightly at one corner. "What kind of pet does she wish to have? For obvious reason a canine or feline would be out of the question."
"She didn't say, sir. Just that she wants a pet," Bluestreak replied.
"I believe a rodent or reptile would be acceptable with the understanding that her pet is not to leave the Marauder for any reason," Prowl said after a few moment's of consideration. "If her pet were to leave the Marauder I would be forced to confiscate it."
"Yes sir, thank you sir," Bluestreak said, beaming as if he were the one allowed to get a pet.
"Now, if there is nothing more I have other business to attend to," Prowl continued, optics flicking from one Lamborghini to the other.
Bluestreak beat a hasty retreat, not wanting to stick around for the continuing lecture. He practically flew from the Vigilance through the Ark nearly taking out a disgruntled Huffer (when wasn't he disgrunted?) and into the Marauder. Hearing laughter coming from the rec room he went straight there and found Emily and Neo playing a spirited game of Bits and Chips. Emily was winning, but Neo was catching up. Bluestreak was approached by a rather harried looking Mirage.
"Do watch them for a while, please. I need a break."
Bluestreak smiled. "Sure thing."
Mirage smiled gratefully and ducked out of the rec room. The duo who had been playing the game burst into laughter. Bluestreak smiled fondly, but quickly schooled his features into one of disapproval.
"What have you two been up to?"
"Nothing," was the immediate answer. Bluestreak prayed the two never took lessons from Sideswipe. Though the warrior never outright lied, he was very good at giving a distorted truth.
"Well, I suppose if you've been naughty you don't deserve the good news I was bringing you," Bluestreak told the two, though his optics were locked with Emily's eyes.
Emily's blue eyes widened. "We weren't really doing anything, Bluestreak. I promise. We were just being too noisy for his liking."
"You know Mirage, he's stuck up and stuffy. He doesn't know how to have a good time," Neo added.
Bluestreak was inclined to agree, but he knew better than to do so. All the guardians had agreed to present a united front when it came to each other and decisions that were made. Sometimes he found himself wondering if he put Evac through half of what Emily and Neo put him through.
"Please Bluestreak, please tell me the good news," Emily begged.
That look should be illegal, Bluestreak thought to himself. Emily's blue eyes were wide and pleading with just that little bit of a shimmer that were not-quite-tears. Bluestreak could never deny that look.
"Prowl said you can have a pet, but only a rodent or reptile and that it has to stay in the Marauder or else he'll confiscate it."
Emily whooped with joy and jumped from her seat. Neo watched her with a furrowed optic brow. "Where are you going?"
"To find a pet of course."
vvvv
"Absolutely not."
Prowl stared defiantly back at the human woman standing beside his desk. Heather Williams had been chosen by Optimus to provide Emily with an education. The woman was headstrong and trustworthy and not at all afraid to stand up to the Autobots when they did something she didn't like. She had proven herself worthy by going above and beyond what was expected of her to protect the shard that had been found in her possession. Prowl was impressed by her bravery, but wasn't going to be cowed by the dark look filling her face.
"Prowl, she's a human child," Heather sighed. "She has to get out and get fresh air. She needs to experience more than just the inside of a military base."
"She would not be safe outside the Fortress," Prowl stated calmly. "Her safety and security is of the utmost importance."
"You mean the security of that...shard is of the utmost important," the dark-haired woman shot back.
Prowl sat back as if she had physically stuck him. "Her life is more important than the shard energy she carries, make no mistake of that. If that had not been the case we would have simply taken the shard from her and ignored the possible side-effects on one so young."
"Yes I'm sorry, I spoke before thinking," Heather was quick to assure the First Lieutenant. "I'm just frustrated."
Prowl studied the woman thoughtfully. Her logic was undeniable. He knew the file on human children well. Ratchet had made sure that every Autobot had received that particular file. Emily needed to leave the base and have a little fun in the human world. However, her safety would be compromised and it was hard for him to accept that. Williams was aware of the dangers and yet she still insisted Emily leave the base. That must have meant it was more important than Prowl realized.
"What did you have in mind?"
That was how two days later Deep Cover found himself accompanying Heather, Brandon and Emily to Disneyland. It was not exactly the kind of assignment he was used to. However his unique ability to fold himself down into normal human size and use his holo-matter projector to appear completely human made him the perfect mech for the job. Much to his annoyance. He was supposed to be doing undercover work, busting criminals, and instead he was watching a human sparkling play around. What's more they expected HIM to ride the infernal contraptions and take part in their play.
"C'mon DC, come on Space Mountain with me," Emily begged.
"I do not--"
"Go on the damn ride with her or I'll tell the Ratchet you neglected her," Heather hissed into the Impala's audio receptor.
Deep Cover managed not to shudder at the thought and quickly agreed to go on the ride. The ride couldn't be anything like what the Lamborghini twins would do to him if he didn't. With a wary sigh the police car allowed the little girl to pull him into the line for the ride.
Once the ride was over, Deep Cover wondered what had been so great about it. Brandon and Emily were both talking enthusiastically while the Impala trailed behind them. He resigned himself to the fact that he would simply never understand humans.
After that he found himself standing guard while Emily, Brandon, and Heather played something they called video games. Deep Cover was hardly amused or impressed by what he saw, but he kept that opinion to himself. Instead he busied himself with keeping a watchful optic on everyone and his scanners at full strength. His audio receptors were tuned to pick up and scan every voice pattern. If there was anything amiss he would find out.
"Hello little girl, would you like some candy?"
"What kinda candy?"
"Oh, anything you'd like."
Deep Cover linked his audio with his scanners and searched for the speakers. Turning, targeting sensors highlighted a middle aged man talking to a young girl. Had he not known any better he would have simply thought it was a nice man offering candy to a child. However, voice pattern analysis and detailed bioscans revealed the man was being deceitful. With a quick scan toward his own charge and finding Emily perfectly safe with Heather and Brandon, Deep Cover strode over to where the man was beginning to lead the little girl out of the arcade.
"Halt," Deep Cover called, making his voice boom.
The man looked up, spotted the rather large muscular man headed his way, and grabbed the girl. Without thinking Deep Cover took one bounding leap and grabbed the man. In fright the man released the little girl as the disguised Autobot lifted the man high in the air.
"You were attempting to kidnap this child," Deep Cover accused as the man swore that wasn't the case.
The Autobot kept a hold of the man until the security arrived and took the man away. Deep Cover then had to field tearful thank yous from the little girl's parents and pats on the back from the crowd who had watched the whole thing. He finally managed to separate himself and scanned the surrounding area for his charges. He found them standing a ways back from the crowd and watching the proceedings.
Deep Cover approached them apprehensively. He was afraid Emily would be upset at having something ruin her fun. And he was a little scared about what the twins would do to him when they found out. As such he stopped a short distance from them and waited.
"That was awesome!" Emily exclaimed excitedly and rushed forward. "You're a hero."
Deep Cover's projection blushed appropriately. "Just doing my job."
With that bit of excitement Deep Cover decided it was late enough. They still had a rather long drive back to the fortress. Emily of course wasn't happy to be leaving, but Deep Cover would not be persuaded. He sent a coded message to Sunstreaker and Sideswipe to return to the rendezvous point. The Lamborghinis had escorted them there and were supposed to escort them back.
He had just got on the highway when something slammed into his back end. Emily and Brandon squealed in fright as Deep Cover struggled to regain control. Another slam threw the police car completely out of control. Other cars on the road blared their horns and did their best to avoid the wreck. Deep Cover was glad that his armor meant that he could take a few wrecks and keep on going. He reversed so fast his wheels threw up smoke in great waves.
"This is Deep Cover calling for immediate assistance! I am under attack, repeat, under attack!"
"We'll be there in two minutes," Sideswipe replied instantly.
Deep Cover spun and tore off down the road as fast as he could with his sirens blaring and lights flashing to get cars out of the way. Unfortunately for him the car pursuing him was capable of speeds he could never reach. The car roared up beside him and slammed into his side. Deep Cover jerked over and slammed into the other car.
"Oi! Give me the shard, mate, and I'll let ya live," the Decepticon called.
"Blow it out your tailpipe," Deep Cover shot back.
"I was hopin' you'd say that."
Deep Cover acted faster than the Decepticon. The police car slammed on his brakes and then swerved sideways. His front bumper hit the other car in just the right spot to send the 'Con into an uncontrollable fishtail. Deep Cover then shot off, pushing his car to the limit as he knew the Decepticon had no doubt reported the presence of a shard to the others. It wouldn't be long before more Decepticons closed in on them.
"Is everyone okay?" Deep Cover asked while he had the chance to. Even though he could use his internal scanners to note neither of his charges was injured he still wanted to hear them say it.
"I'm fine," Heather spoke up.
Emily remained silent.
Deep Cover knew he should be concerned about that, but his scanner's picked up the 'Con closing in on him again.
"Give me the fleshies and I won't do you in," the Decepticon transmitted on an open channel.
Deep Cover refrained from responding. The Decepticon was almost on his bumper when he saw headlights coming directly for him. He scanned forward and was relieved to find Autobot energy signatures. His pursuer must have noted them as well, because the Decepticon slammed on the breaks and spun around. The Decepticon was apparently smart enough not to face the terrible Autobot twins on his own. However, the Lamborghinis blew right past Deep Cover and chased after the fleeing Decepticon. It was just lucky for the Decepticon that it could reach top speeds the Lamborghinis couldn't.
"You two get back here and provide backup," Deep Cover called to the twins. "Protecting Emily is more important than your bloodlust."
"Don't lecture us," Sunstreaker snapped back.
However, Deep Cover sensed the two Lamborghinis coming back. The rest of the trip was made in silence with no further interruptions. Though the twins did play an annoying game of weaving back and forth so close Deep Cover really did think they were going to hit him once. When he scolded them for their carelessness, Sunstreaker gave him a not so friendly tap and then the two kept their distance.
Deep Cover sighed when the Fortress came within sensor range. The sooner he was back doing undercover work the better.
Soon enough he stopped outside the Marauder and let his passengers out. He then transformed and at Emily's prompting scaled himself down to human size and at further prompting he knelt. Finally at her level he waited patiently and was surprised when she threw her arms around him and squeezed. Deep Cover blinked, surprised, before he hesitantly wrapped his arms around her.
"Thank you for taking me to Disneyland, DC," the little girl said into his chest.
Then she released him and scampered inside. Heather gave him a pat on the shoulder and then followed. He wast still kneeling there when the Lamborghini twins drove up and transformed. Sideswipe laid a heavy hand on the Impala's shoulder.
"Oh DC, you're just the greatest!" Sideswipe crooned.
"Go suck a tailpipe."