Transformers Prime: Dangerous Liaisons
Chapter Two
…He was moving through woodland. Or, rather, it seemed like he was. The air was think with fog, or smoke maybe, he could not really tell, his senses felt muted and distant. He couldn't see very far ahead of him, the trees pushing in from all sides. He tried to make his way through the gloom, calling out for anyone, feeling as though he was looking for someone though he could not, for the life of him, remember who that was supposed to be.
He opened his mouth again, but nothing came out. Above him, high above the tree tops, the sky lit with flashes, and a rolling sound, like thunder, rebounded back at him. Somewhere close by there was fighting, he knew. Terrible fighting.
Was that what he was searching for? Or was he trying to get away? He felt so turned around. He stumbled forward, feeling so weak, as though something was heavy upon him. He looked down to see if he was dragging something through the brush and saw that the clothing he wore was torn, blood showing through the tares. Likewise his hands were red, but he could not recall if the blood was his own or someone else's.
He wanted to scream but, as before, there was nothing of his voice to use. He began to wonder if he would wander those woods forever until he eventually laid down in the dirt to die. Then there was a new light, like the flashes above, but close and more brilliant. After a moment it didn't fade and, shielding his eyes, he stumbled towards it.
There was something so familiar about it. Warm. For the first time in that place he did not feel afraid. Moving closer the light seemed to take shape, a figure at the center that was both strange and familiar. While his own voice was gone the figure spoke, the words reaching out for him. "…choose." It said. Choose what? He wondered. "…choose."
He continued to move closer, yet what it was that was speaking to him he could not see. He stretched out his hand, pleading with his eyes for answers. "…Jack." It said. Or did it? "…Jack." Then there was a flash, and he was falling…
. . .
"Jack?" June Darby asked him from the doorway of his bedroom.
"Hmm?" He answered with a start, staring back as his reflection in the mirror set into the wall. He blinked, realizing he must have gotten lost in thought. He looked over to where his mother stood, looking equally bemused and slightly concerned. "What did you say, Mom?"
"I asked you where you were going." June clarified. Belatedly he realized she must have just returned home from her shift at the Hospital. "I called you when I came in and you didn't answer. I came in here and found you preening."
"Preening?" Jack balked. He looked down at the ensemble he had chosen for his night out with Arcee. While the Cybertronian woman didn't much care what he wore out, within reason, it was one of the few times he actually cared how he looked. He'd pulled on the best pair of jeans he had, pulling on a black t-shirt and a leather jacket that had belonged to his father. Over the last year he had finally grown into it.
"No, I wasn't…" He laughed. "Nevermind. I'm just going out."
"May I ask with whom?" She inquired, single brow raised mirthfully. "Somehow I don't think Miko or Raf warrant all that attention. And don't tell me it's for work."
"It's not." He told her. "Well, not technically. I mean, it's with someone from work." He ventured, wondering if it was time be more upfront, as Arcee had broached.
"Really? Who?" June asked.
"You, uh, remember Agent Cera, right?" He inquired, using Arcee's alter ego in Fowler's federal department, the persona she has used on multiple occasions to converse with both June Darby and other authority figures in Jack's life not directly connected with the Autobots.
"Oh, yes. I remember. She seemed very nice." June's eyes narrowed. "The two of you are going out on a date?"
"Yeah…pretty much." Jack answered, trying to work up his courage to finally be open about his relationship.
"Jack, isn't Rebecca much older? In her twenties?" June asked him pointedly. "She sounded about that age."
"She's…I mean, yeah. That's about right." Jack agreed, having always been hazy in regards to Arcee's age when measured in human years. He had asked Arcee in the recent past and her reaction to the question had not been cordial.
"Well, Jack, isn't that a little inappropriate?" June told him. "She's far older then you. On top of that she's your superior, isn't she? She should know better then to date a minor."
"Mom, are you serious right now?" Jack asked her incredulously. "I'm going to be eighteen in, like, six months. I think at this point the age difference thing would pretty much just be a technicality."
June looked as if she was about to argue the point, then thought better of it. While not looking exactly pleased, she did not press him further on the issue. "Well, if you feel comfortable with it, I guess there isn't anything I should be worried about."
"Appreciate that." Jack answered sincerely. He began searching for his wallet, then stopped himself. He had already brought up Arcee, in a roundabout way. Now was as good a time as any to test the waters. He knew he couldn't come completely clean about everything. Not yet. But there was a chance to see how things might go…
"Mom?" He asked before his mother had walked away to settle in for the night. "You…like Rebecca, don't you?"
"Aside from the fact that she's dating my technically underage son?" She teased. "Yes, I suppose. She seems very…professional. Ironically."
"What I mean is, if you got to know her better, it wouldn't matter if she wasn't…like other women, right? I mean, you'd judge her for who she was in her heart, wouldn't you?"
"Jack, you seem more concerned about this then I am, and that's saying something." June leaned back against the doorway, eyeing her son carefully. "Is there something I should know?"
"No. I mean, it's nothing…look I just," He sighed. "She's kind of become really important to me." Jack turned away from the mirror, moving to sit on the corner of the bed. "I mean. She is really important to me. I, honestly, can't imagine doing anything without her. You know what I mean?"
June was silent, listening intently to what her son was telling her, turning the words over in her head. After a moment she sighed herself, giving Jack a sympathetic look that was equal parts paternal pride and sadness. "I guess you had to find it eventually."
"Find what?" Jack asked, confused at the statement.
"You're in love." She told him. It wasn't phrased as a question.
Given that he was speaking to his mother, Jack's initial reaction was to deflect what she had said, but he realized quickly how, frankly, childish that would be; more importantly, how much it would be denying the truth. Feeling as though some measure of weight had been taken off him, Jack nodded.
"I am." He said without reservation. "I think I loved her from the moment I met her. Even if we didn't realize it until later." He added with a chuckle.
"Huh. So it's we, hmm?" June inquired, coming over to sit beside him, giving her son a playful nudge with her shoulder. "That mean Rebecca feels the same way?"
"Yeah." Jack admitted, somewhat sheepishly. "And, before you ask, yes. She's said it too."
"Wow. I have to admit I wasn't expecting to have this conversation when I walked in the door. I was just going to ask if you'd eaten dinner." She ran a hand over Jack's hair, which he quickly smoothed back into place.
"You don't think this is moving fast?" June asked gently. "Your only just going on eighteen Jack. There's no rush to fall in love."
"She's my soul mate, mom." Jack told her with firm belief. "It's the one thing I'm completely sure of in this crazy world."
"I believe you, Jack." She said with a smile. "And I'm very happy she makes you so happy. It does seem like she's brought a lot of good into your life. The new job, your grades at school. And I don't think I've ever seen you this…grown up." She laughed, albeit somewhat sadly. "Something else that had to happen eventually I suppose."
"Believe me, mom." Jack said. "I've done plenty this year to know I'm no kid. I don't think I'd even know how to be a kid anymore."
"What do you mean?" She asked, looking suddenly worried. "Don't you just work in an office?"
"No, I just mean that, for the first time, I'm looking ahead, you know? And it's not about just getting out of Jasper or getting rich and living easy. She showed me how important so many other things are. Without her I might still be that guy stuck working at the K.O. Diner, trying to figure out what to do with myself."
"I don't know about that, sweetheart." June told him. "I've always known that you were going to see the bigger picture, and do something great when you did. And that's not just me being a mother."
"Ar…Rebecca's told me the same thing." Jack said. "Even if that's true, can't say I'm not unhappy with how things turned out regardless."
"Me too." June agreed. "So, if she's so amazing why were you so worried about what I'd think about her?"
Jack blinked at the question, trying to produce an answer that would not complicate things further. "It's just that she's…different. Not in a bad way. It's…man. It's just that you both are two of the most important things in my life, and I'd never want to be forced to pick between you if you saw her as being too different."
"Jack, you're being awfully vague." June shook her head, trying to put possibilities together in her head. "I mean…it has nothing to do with her race, does it? Do you think I'd judge her for the color of her skin?"
"No." Jack replied. "Actually, I think you'd really like her color. Looks great in any light." He joked.
"Then what are you worried about?" June asked at a loss. "If you love her as much as you say and she feels the same then I'm happy enough with that. At least I know she has good taste." She hugged Jack close, kissing him on the temple. "My son deserves someone special."
"Mom, this is a bit emasculating." Jack admitted with a laugh.
"Sorry." She relented, letting him go. "I'll respect your manly personal space."
"Right…" Jack sighed. "Anyway, I need to get going. We're going to be late for that movie."
"Not so fast good sir." June rebuked. "You can't just drop this bombshell on me and not go the extra mile. When do I get to meet her?"
"What?" Jack asked, taken off guard. Yet again, Arcee's foresight had been spot on. "I mean, I didn't think you'd want to meet her so soon."
"When my son tells me he's in love I'm not going to just except that without seeing the woman for myself. As it is, you sound almost like you're ready to pop the question to her."
"Ha. Yeah, I don't think we'll need to do anything like that." Jack observed.
"Why not?" June inquired, looking suddenly suspicious. "Just how deep is this relationship with Rebecca?"
"I told you how we felt, didn't I?" Jack asked.
"That's not what I mean." June shot back. "I mean, are you already having a sexual relationship with her?"
"Oh God, mom. Why go there?" Jack recoiled, having flashbacks to his conversation with Miko earlier in the day.
"Jack, it's perfectly natural. And I trust you, it's just that…I want you to be safe." June explained. "I don't have a problem with you taking that step. Are you at least using protection?"
Jack put his head in his hands. He was well aware that Arcee, if she so chose, could very easily listen in to what was being said from the garage with her enhanced audio receptors. He knew there was a very good chance that the Autobot femme was laughing her gears loose.
"Mom, please, I beg you. Stop." Jack pleaded.
"Well, do you have any questions…?"
"Holy Hannah," Jack bemoaned, rising from the bed. "Mom, there are things in this would I have tons of questions about, even with everything I've already seen. I can guarantee you, I don't have questions about that."
"Okay, okay. Consider it dropped." June relented. "So, now that that's out of the way, when do I get to meet this woman face to face?"
"I'll try to figure something out. Soon. I promise." Jack told her, knowing he wasn't being completely honest in that regard.
"I suppose that will have to do." June told him. "Of course, I could always drop in at the Bureau Offices and surprise you both…" She added whimsically.
"You do realize I would be legally required to disown you, right?" Jack told her sardonically.
"Very cruel, sweetheart." She mocked.
"Ah!" Jack said, finally locating his wallet. "At last. And I'm out of here." He gave his mother a kiss on the cheek. "I should be back in a few hours. Don't wait up."
"I'll try not to think too much about that." June playfully admonished. "You just be sure to tell that woman she better have a wedding ring in mind before she takes advantage of my little boy."
Jack groaned, saying nothing further as he turned and left expediently, his mother's gentle laughter following him down the hallway and out the garage door. Much as he had anticipated Arcee was waiting patiently, appearing to have heard nothing of the exchange.
"All set?" She asked him.
"Yes. God yes." Jack declared, grabbing his helmet and slipping a leg over the rider's seat. The garage door opened and Arcee quickly powered up, moving out onto the street. Feeling as though he had just gone a round with one of the 'cons, Jack let himself breath a small sigh of relief.
"So," Arcee asked deadpan. "You think your mom would want us to have a summer or spring wedding?"
Jack only hung his head.
. . .
"Ma'am?" One of her agents, Ensign Whitman, called gently from the door to the small wardroom. "I think I have something."
Putting aside the latest operational report MECH's spies inside the Pentagon had been able to intercept concerning the search and seizure mission currently underway in Nevada, Jessica motioned the man inside. "What did you find?" She asked, reaching out to take the smart-pad.
"We confirmed that Jackson Darby's personal records appear to be safeguarded against investigation from sources it can't immediately identify as safe, even then it will wipe a server of stored information. It's some kind of smoke-screen code that deflects all inquiries to false or irrelevant data." The tone of awe in the man's voice was evident. "Pretty impressive stuff."
"Military or CIA software?" She asked.
"I don't think so, ma'am." In possession of a second pad with a copy of the data-mined findings, Whitman tapped through the results. "The encryptions and reaction times are faster then anything I've come across. Even the most well funded shadow groups don't have stuff like this. Given the fact that this Darby's been working with these hostiles I think it's safe to assume this program running interference for his background checks is alien in and of itself, or was written by someone who has access to that kind of tech."
"So, we have no way of knowing where, exactly, in Jasper this kid is." Jessica observed, her ire rising. She had given her word to the Director that she would find the teen before the U.S. Military did, and so far she was coming up short on that promise. Her father would not be pleased.
She continued to scroll through the data, putting her own skills with Intel gathering to use. After several minutes something on the screen stopped her.
"Wait…we know he has a mother. June. What did you find on her?"
"Single mother. Employed to Jasper County General as a nurse. Again, false address in the system. What the hospital has on file was a dead end." Whitman chuckled. "Makes me wonder how they get their mail."
"Stow that." Jessica admonished. "Stay focused. What else do you have on her? This is everything?" She inquired, holding up the smart-pad she had been given.
"For the time being, yes ma'am."
"Hmm." She mused, combing through it again. "Wait. There's an old address still on record for her. Childhood home?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Do you have listings for her parents and siblings in here?"
The agent checked his own pad. "Yes. Both parents deceased. Looks like she has a sister, married." Whitman frowned. "Her records were smoke-screened as well."
"What about the sister's husband. Anything on him?"
"Few things except their address. It's a feint"
"Cell phone?"
Whitman double checked. "No," Then the man paused. "Wait. Yes. We do have an account for a local service provider in the Barstow area."
"Checkmate." Jessica exclaimed quietly. Memorizing the number on file she set the pad aside, accessing the computer interface built into her desk's glass surface. She initiated a search and waited. It didn't take long for the computer to access the cell company's records, which she pulled up and began shifting through.
"Ma'am?" Ensign Whitman inquired. "Did my people miss something."
"I'll deal with your lack of ingenuity later, Mr. Whitman. For now, be quiet." She ordered. After several more seconds of searching she found what she wanted. The cell company's records showed a single call made several months before to a number in Nevada, likely June's sister forgetting her own phone and using her husband's. Jessica traced the number and found it's point of origin. The number was registered to a home in Jasper County, Nevada.
"Got you." She whispered. "You're dismissed," She told her agent. "I want continued updates on the operation out of Nellis and William North."
"Yes, Ma'am." Whitman answered with a salute, departing quickly. Jessica did not hesitate in contacting Silas.
"I take it you have good news?" He ventured.
"Yes, sir. I have an address, something the protective program missed. I'm confirming, but I'm confidant I have him. Do I have your approval for retrieval?"
"I'll have a squad and a bird fuelled and ready out on the tarmac in ten." He told her. "Good work, Lieutenant."
"I'll accept that once I have him, sir."
"That's my girl." With that he killed the connection.
. . .
The Drive-In theatre, one of the few spots of entertainment he could enjoy with Arcee, was modestly crowded for a Saturday evening. The months were edging towards summer and the night was cool, something Jack was thankful for. The pair found their preferred spot along the back rows, which made it less likely Jack would run into someone from the High School and risk compromising Arcee's stand-in whom, at present, had materialized behind him on Arcee's riders seat.
Only a few of Jack's contemporaries had met the leather clad and enigmatic Sadie on rare occasions, and most who had learned quickly that she wasn't much for conversation. Given the woman's runway like features her status as Jack's girlfriend had earned him respect to even begrudging admiration from those who had treated him like a social pariah only a year or so prior.
None the less, Jack never went out of his way to show Arcee off. He preferred uneventful evenings where the two of them could just enjoy each other's company. Their lives, they agreed, were exciting enough.
"Hungry?" Arcee asked. "I could put on my stern face to keep prying eyes away while you grab something from the stand."
"No. Tonight's Q and A left my stomach a bit knotted." Jack admitted. "I'm good."
"Was it really that bad?" She teased. "You should feel grateful for how much your mother cares. It's one of the things I've always envied about you humans. We have elders we respect, but nothing close to what you have with parents. The closet thing I can compare what you have to is how everyone on the team see's Optimus." She observed fondly. "In a lot of ways, he's a father to all of us."
"I can barely remember my dad. I wish I could say he and Optimus were alike, but…" Jack just shrugged. "Most of what I remember is a blur."
"I'm sure he'd be proud of you, Jack. Even if your mother doesn't know everything about your life, I know she's proud of you regardless."
"Yeah. I know." Jack reflected. "Just wish I had the backbone to tell her more then how I feel about you." Behind him, Arcee's Sadie persona gave him a squeeze.
"You'll get there." She told him gently.
"Before the planet get's invaded, you mean?" He observed somberly.
"Jack. We don't have to talk about that." Arcee said. "We don't even know for sure if what we saw really was Primus or the Quintessons. Or if what he told you is the truth. I believed it after we came out. But…I might have been wrong."
"Optimus believes." Jack told her. "Even if he didn't, I know what I saw in that place was real. I wouldn't have escaped if I hadn't trusted it."
"I suppose you're right." Arcee relented. "I guess, with everything that's happened since the War and The Fall, it's hard to believe we still have a creator who cares anything about what happens to us."
"Hey, I don't pretend to be all philosophical, but, with everything that's happened to us? I mean, statistically, we should be dead a few times over."
"Skill and the intervention of a higher power are two different things, Jack."
"Skill might have won a few battles against the 'cons. But that doesn't explain the other stuff." Jack countered. "Not just everything that happened through the patch, but times where you and I have been down for the count. But, we still managed to come out the other side."
Arcee sighed, or, to be more exact, Sadie did, the projection resting her chin against his back. "Maybe you're right. I guess I'm just trying to convince myself you could be wrong. I can't say I like the idea of some ancient enemy that nearly conquered Cybertron millions of years ago coming back to take away the only home we have left." Arcee's voice grew quiet. "Maybe I just want the universe to give us a break."
Jack agreed. "Sure feels like it's over due."
They both laughed at the agreement, allowing themselves to grow comfortable in the silence that followed as the night's movie began. Then the com-signal on Arcee's display lit, prompting Jack to don his helmet to keep the conversation from prying ears as she answered.
"Go Ratchet. Trouble?" Arcee inquired.
"In a manner of speaking." The Autobot medic replied. "I take it Jack is with you?"
"Yes." She answered. "What's going on?"
"I'm afraid I don't have an overabundance of time to get into the details, Arcee. Optimus wants you to take Jack and relocate to the secondary HQ site. Stay off the surface streets, and avoid the Highway. Go off-road if you have to."
"Ratchet?" Jack asked, his tone anxious. "What's the emergency. Is it the Quintessons?"
"No, thank the All-Spark." Ratchet said. "It's a far more…earthly concern. I will explain as much as I can but you two need to go. Now."
"Roger." Arcee replied, already powering up and pulling out from the lot, angling for the exit. "Alright Ratchet, we're moving. Now, start talking."
. . .
June had been about to settle in for the night when a knock at the front door brought her up short en-route to her bedroom. Walking back through the house she stepped to the door, peering out through an adjacent window to see who it was calling after hours.
"Yes?" She asked through the door. "Who is it?"
"Mrs. Darby?" Asked a somewhat familiar voice. "My name is Special Agent Lucia, I'm with the Bureau, Fowler's Department. I believe we've spoken before."
June recognized the name and, likewise, the voice. Conscious of the fact that she was wearing a bathrobe she gingerly opened the door. On the other side was the man, his identification out for her to see. However, it was immediately evident that he had not come alone.
Parked in front of the house were two Army Humvees accompanied by a pair of black SUVs of a kind she had seen before. June had to find her voice, fear rising in her chest for her son.
"Jack?" She asked, her voice almost breaking.
"No. He's fine, Mrs. Darby. That's actually why we're here." He told her calmly. "Do you know exactly where Jack is right now?"
"I…I mean, he's out on a date with a co-worker." June told him. "She works for your department. We've spoken a few times over the phone."
Carlos's expression appeared momentarily surprised.
"That wouldn't happen to be his partner, would it?"
"Ms. Cera? Yes." June asked confused.
"Arcee," He said pointedly. "Figures. And you said they're out on a date?" He asked her, sounding somewhat bemused.
"That's what he told me." June answered, feeling suddenly put out. "Agent Lucia, What is this about?" She insisted.
"I'm not at liberty to divulge very much at this time, Mrs. Darby. Just know that Jack's perfectly safe. We just need to find him and Agent Cera as quickly as possible. Do you know exactly where they went?"
"The drive in…I think." She answered. Carlos nodded in appreciation. "Thank you, Mrs. Darby. Now I'm afraid I need to go. Again, don't worry about Jack, he'll be perfectly fine."
"Wait!" June said, stepping outside. "You said Jack's safe. If that's true then why are you looking for him with military trucks? I want to know what's going on right now."
"Mrs. Darby, I assure you…"
"And let me assure you, Agent Lucia, that I'll be on the phone with the police department in ten seconds if you don't tell me what's happening with my son." June fired back.
Carlos looked as if he was going to attempt to argue, then, slowly, reconsidered. "Why don't you grab a coat, Mrs. Darby. You can come with us and I'll tell you…well, as much as I can."
Momentarily satisfied, June slipped back behind the door to grab a jacket, looking quickly for the house keys on a table nearby. Locking her house closed behind her, she followed Agent Lucia and his men back to their vehicles, listening intently as the man began speaking. It wasn't long before she felt as though the world has suddenly become the stuff of Science Fiction.
. . .
"They want to what?" Arcee nearly growled. "Over my dead body they will."
"I'm sure it won't come to that. Even now, Optimus is speaking with their leaders. He will not permit Jack to be taken without our consent." Ratchet explained calmly. "Or his."
"Ratchet, why would they think I knew something I wasn't being upfront about? I mean, you ran all those tests…" Jack inquired.
"As I explained to Agent Fowler, and as I'm sure Optimus is explaining to the President. However, your leaders have proven to be…less then trusting in the past. It does not surprise me that they would not take our word for it."
"This is crazy. I mean, everything I knew was what I told you and Optimus. If I knew anything more about what the Quintessons were bringing there's no way I'd keep that to myself."
"No one's doubting you, Jack." Arcee told him. "At least not anyone with half a neuron in their head. If those knuckle draggers don't want to believe you then that's their damn mistake. You're not going to be locked in some hole in the ground while they ask you twenty questions."
Jack was silent as he tried, as he had done often in the days since coming out of the link with Arcee and the late Coatzin, to focus on what the voice of Primus had told him. All he could recall was the vision he and Arcee had shared of the massive Quintesson ship, descending on the ravaged battlefield of an alien world to acquire and corrupt Coatzin to set her against those she loved. Then the voice had told him that this ancient enemy was coming. As far as he could recall that's all there had been. Unless…
"Jack?" Arcee asked, pulling him back into the moment. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." He told her. "It's just…I'm not sure. There was…something weird yesterday. And today, I think."
"What, Jack?" Ratchet inquired, his voice cautious.
"I thought it was just fatigue, but I don't know. I'm been kind of…zoning out, I guess? It hasn't happened very much but, now that I'm trying to focus on them, I can't seem to remember what the hell I was even thinking about."
"Ratchet? Could it be something?" Arcee asked.
"I do not know for sure. It may, indeed, be nothing. These have been very eventful days of late and Jack's mind may simply, indeed, be fatigued." He mused. "When you reach the secondary HQ we can use the medical station there to run a scan and ascertain a more detailed explanation."
"Sounds like a plan." Arcee agreed. "We're just pulling up to the outskirts of town. Our ETA should be about thirty minutes, tops."
"I will relay that to Optimus and likewise keep you informed. Ratchet out."
"I still can't believe they think they can just take you like this." Arcee fumed. "The arrogance. After everything we've done they think they can just step in and…"
"Arcee. Maybe their right." Jack interjected.
"What? Have you lost your mind?"
"What if Ratchet finds something. What if I really do have information locked in my head that Primus wanted me to hold on to till the right time? We know that the Matrix inside Optimus works kind of the same way. All that knowledge tucked away until he needs it. What if Primus did something like that to my head?"
"Jack, I can't even begin to understand the Matrix, but I don't think a human brain, even one as sharp as yours, could take even a tiny portion of Primus' wisdom. Our scholars said it was infinite."
"Maybe truth is stranger then fiction or something." Jack surmised. "Not saying your beliefs are fiction, but maybe you guys aren't meant to understand everything."
"Are we really going to get into a theological debate while trying to keep you from being locked up?"
"Sorry." Jack said. "Maybe I'm just trying to rationalize all this."
"Something there isn't a point to. Just accept the situation as it is until you're in a better position to break things down. For us, that's after we get you someplace safe."
"I guess. But maybe we should…Arcee!" Jack exclaimed with a start, pointing out onto the road in front of them. Several kilometers ahead an Army Humvee had just pulled onto the backstreet, angling towards them.
"Scrap. Must have caught us on a traffic camera." Arcee observed heatedly. "Hold on."
The Autobot femme banked hard, slipping between two buildings and coming out onto a vacant street, speeding ahead to outmaneuver the Army vehicle that was already trying to double back to intercept them. They had gone less then a block before another military unit came up behind them, spotlight out, trying to keep them in sight. Then Jack's cell began to vibrate with a call. Arcee's display indicated it was June Darby.
"Jack, this might not be the best time." Arcee warned, having likewise recognized the number.
"I told her not to wait up. She wouldn't be calling if it wasn't important." Jack had a startling thought. "Something tells me this isn't a coincidence of timing." He keyed the cell channel.
"Mom? Everything alright?" He asked with as much ease as he could manage.
"Jack. You need to stop." June told him. "Sweetheart, they're trying to help you."
"Help me? With what?" Jack countered, somewhat stunned. What did they tell her? How much? He wondered.
"Jack, I don't pretend to understand even half of what Agent Lucia told me…I just…I don't know what to think." June bemoaned. "But I do believe Fowler's team is trying to keep you safe. These…machine people you're with, maybe they don't know everything they think they do."
"Mom, those machine people have kept this planet safe for two years without asking for anything in return. I can't think of a safer place to be then with them. I don't think Lucia's told you everything."
"He told me you might be in danger. That something might have been done to your mind, you might not even realize what's happening to you."
Jack paused, thinking back to what he had told Arcee and Ratchet about the blackouts. But he still couldn't believe for a moment that he would not be able to remember something that important, or that Ratchet would not be able to find something the military could.
"Mom, my friends, and the woman I love, don't trust what the Fed's want. And if they aren't sure, I can't take the chance. I trust them too much. I'm just asking you to have the same trust in me."
"Jack…I don't know what to think…at least…at least stop. We can talk. You can help me understand."
"Mom, where are you? Where do they have you?" Jack asked her.
"I'm with Agent Lucia. His cars are the ones trying to get you to stop."
"Arcee?" Jack asked anxiously.
"Don't worry, Jack. I wasn't planning on shooting out any tires. Don't think Optimus would appreciate that, even if your mom wasn't along for the ride."
"Jack…" June pleaded into the phone.
"Mom, it'll be okay. Trust me." He told her. "When everything's calmed down, I'll explain all of it."
"Damn it." Arcee said, drawing Jack's attention. The pair had made it to the town limits and the ramp onto the interstate. Set atop the ramp was a small roadblock, the lights visible in the night. "Looks like Ratchet was right about a hard ride. Hold tight Jack."
"Jack, I can see you! Please, tell her to stop!" June yelled into the phone.
"I'm sorry Jack, I can't risk that." Arcee argued, pulling a hard turn over the embankment onto the hard packed desert terrain. Jack thought he could see his mother in the open window of one of the SUVs. Behind him, the two Army Humvees were following off road, churning earth and dust in their wake.
"Chased by military vehicles twice in a year." Arcee observed angrily. "Starting to wonder what the hell we're doing fighting for these yahoos."
"You're not fighting for them, your fighting for the people who can't. Isn't that what Optimus always says?"
"Wonder if they'd react any differently." Arcee said bitterly. "Even your mother thinks we're just giant toasters."
"She didn't say that…" Jack tried.
"You heard her. She doesn't trust us. Or me. You mother is one of the kindest souls I've ever come across. If she can't see us for who we really are…"
"Then we have to help her understand." Jack exclaimed. "We have to help them all understand. If we're going to fight off this invasion, if it's coming, then they need to trust you like I do. Understand why I love you the way I do." Jack felt his hands tighten on the control. "We can't do that running."
"What do you…?" Arcee asked.
"We have to stop. I won't be what brings a wedge between humans and Cybertronians. What's coming…it's coming for all of us. If me being in a box somewhere gives us a chance….then that's my choice."
"No Jack." Arcee shot back, her voice heavy with anger and frustration.
"Stop Arcee. Please." Jack asked her gently. "Let me show my mother that she doesn't have anything to be afraid of."
She cursed. "You better not make me regret this." Arcee whispered. Tires spinning Arcee pulled a wide turn, moving back onto the Interstate. Dust billowing about them, the pair waited for the Army vehicles to catch up and pull to a stop. From their interior several armed soldiers emerged, weapons ready, though not pointed directly at either Jack or Arcee. The public address on the lead Humvee popped to life.
"Jack Darby, advise the Autobot to stand down." The Task Force officer ordered.
"Like hell," Arcee answered.
Coming behind the Vehicles were Lucia's SUVs. The lead car stopping, with June Darby practically leaping out, his mother trying to move towards her son who stood illuminated in the spotlights. Two Task Force soldiers intercepted her, holding her back.
"That's my son!" She yelled, reigning blows. "Let me through!"
"Wow. Your mother's got a great right hook." Arcee observed.
"Never thought I see her use it." Jack told her. "Mom! It's alright."
Agent Lucia approached quickly, doing his best to calm June and placate the Task Force men. "It's fine, Sergeant. She's cleared. Let her through."
June was past the Humvees and running towards Jack, who quickly climbed off his mount to meet her. June embraced her son, holding tightly for several seconds before stepping back to look at him, relieved. Then she slapped him.
"How could you keep something like this from me?" She cried. "You almost died, Jack. And you sat in that hospital bed and let them lie to me about it being an accident. Do you have any idea what I thought when Carlos told me some alien robot had almost killed you?"
"Mom, I'm sorry. I just…I wanted to tell you, but I didn't want to get you involved. There was too much chance the Decepticons would learn about you and then I'd have to worry about what could happen to you."
"That's not fair." June countered. "What would have happened if you had gotten killed? Would I have ever been told the truth?"
"That didn't happen. And I'm fine. Arcee and the others are keeping the entire world safe, and I'm a part of that." Jack told her. "You told me you always thought I'd do something great with my life. And this is it. Fighting to protect the planet and the human race. Helping the Autobots. It's their world to now."
Jack turned slightly. "Speaking of which…there's someone I think you should meet." He placed his hand on his partner's side. "Arcee? Show her."
"Of course." Arcee said. Metal and alloy moved, the high pitched electrical whine of her servos shifting, allowing the Cybertronian woman to assume her true form. Within seconds June was staring up into radiant azure eyes and a warm face that belied the almost overwhelming nature of her physical form.
"Mom, this is my partner…and my girlfriend." Jack introduced, feeling equal parts anxious and relieved. "I guess, technically, you two already kind of know each other."
"I…I've walked past you a hundred times in our garage, and I never even imagined…" June breathed, hand over her mouth.
"Yeah, that's kind of the point to the whole motorcycle thing." Arcee teased without mockery. "It's nice to finally meet you formally, Mrs. Darby. I have nothing but admiration for you. You're an amazing woman, and you raised an extraordinary guy." She added affectionately.
"Uh…thank you." June looked between them. "So…you two? I mean, are you?"
"It's not as complicated as it seems, Mom." Jack looked over his mother's shoulder. "But, now really isn't the time. I just wanted you to see her before, well…" Jack trailed off as footsteps came up behind them.
"Jack." Agent Lucia said casually. "Arcee. Thanks for not giving me too big a mountain of paperwork. Now I have to highly suggest we get this show off the road. We've got local police tied up with Red-Tape, but one idiot with a cell phone camera can ruin this evening quick." Lucia signaled the Task Force men to mount up.
"Jack, I have to ask you, please, to come with us." Lucia asked.
"That's not going to happen." Arcee warned. "Jack asked me to stop for his mother's sake, and I did. But that doesn't mean I'm going to let you lock him up."
"Arcee, no one's locking him up. We're just going to get him someplace out of the way that's secure. He might stuff in his head that could protect the whole damn planet, you really think they'd put him in some hole in the ground at Area 51?"
"I don't know what to expect from your people anymore." Arcee answered coldly.
"Same here, Carlos." Jack said. "How could you bring my mother into this? Was she supposed to be something to hold over my head?" Jack was tempted to test his own right hook as he eyed the Agent.
"Whoa. Hold on. I just went to her because Optimus didn't want to give up where you were and Fowler was worried what might happen if you weren't found. We couldn't track you so I did the next best thing. I never even intended to bring her along, but your Madre can be pretty insistent." Agent Lucia explained. "And, uh, kind of scary."
"True." Jack admitted. June gave her son a push in mock offense before pulling him into a hug tightly.
"Can't expect me not to protect my baby." June said. "Even from himself."
"Mom…emasculating me in front of the Military…and my girlfriend."
"Sorry sweetheart." June said, letting him go.
"Okay, so, now that we have all that cleared up. Jack, I have my orders. We have to get you to Nellis. There's a C-130 ready to take you to an off-site facility. Someplace they can help you figure out what you might know. As a guest, not a prisoner."
"I won't agree to that either, Agent Lucia." June interceded. "And unless you're going to lock me up as well, I'll make sure the authorities know."
"Mrs. Darby, I thought you agreed that…" Lucia argued.
"I said I wanted him to be safe. But after watching you chase my son down like a fugitive I won't be satisfied with your people looking after him." June looked up at Arcee. "But I'll agree to it if she's allowed to accompany Jack."
"Mrs. Darby, the President doesn't think that's the best…"
"I voted for that man. The least he can do is put a mother's mind at ease." June countered. She looked back up at Arcee. "Do you love my son like he says you do?"
"Yes." Arcee answered without hesitation.
"You'd protect him from anything?" June asked.
"With my life."
"She's proved it, mom. And I'd do the same in a heartbeat."
"Well, that's enough for me." June agreed. "Agent Lucia, you can tell your Generals or superiors or whatever that unless they want me to show them how much an angry mother can ruin their day they'll take both Jack and Arcee to this off-site place. Together. And they damn well better let me talk to him whenever I need to."
"I…" Lucia tried with a look of a man utterly defeated. After a moment he simply sighed, hands up. "Hey, what the hell, I guess I can enjoy the look on Fowler's face when this gives him an aneurism, right before I loose my job." He turned to his Task Force officers. "Arcee will take Jack to Nellis. We'll provide escort till their on the plane. Now let's get the hell out of here before we end up on the news."
"Arcee, might be a good idea to let Optimus know about this. If he doesn't already." Jack advised.
"Good idea." Arcee activated her com, speaking to Ratchet on the other end, the latter's voice, and his clear shock, slowly audible even as Arcee walked away to let Jack and his mother speak.
"I still can't believe it." June told her son as she watched the Cybertronian woman. "She's…really something amazing."
"Yeah. She is." Jack agreed. "And you really haven't even had a chance to get to know her yet, or meet the others. She kind of reminds me of you sometimes. She's just as strong." He told her.
"Ha. Yes, I'm sure I'm just as intimidating as a three story tall robot woman." June joked before she saw the admonishing look on her son's face. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to call her that."
"They're just as alive as we are, mom. They're just…made a little differently. They laugh. They cry, in their own way. They bleed, though I can't say I'm ever happy to see that." Jack said gently. "She even has a heart, and it's even more beautiful then ours."
"I can only imagine." June thought.
"There's so much to tell you about them. I'm sure Agent Lucia only gave you the bullet points. It's a lot different when you learn all about them from a Prime."
"A what?" June asked.
"Come on, I'll tell you on the way." Jack promised. Before June could inquire what he meant Jack called out to the Task Force agent. "Carlos. My mother's riding with me."
"Whatever gets this night over with." The man answered over his shoulder as he started towards his own vehicle.
"Ride? Oh, Jack, I don't know. I don't want to offend Arcee." June said anxiously.
"It'd be an honor, June." Arcee said rejoining them, her call to Ratchet over. "Besides, it'll give us a chance to talk a bit more. I'm sure there are some fantastic stories you can tell me on the way to embarrass Jack. As I understand it, Baby stories are particularly good."
"Oh, I like her." June said with a laugh, moving over to join the Autobot woman, the two quickly in deep conversation. Jack was left to stand there, somewhat as a loss.
"How did that just happen?" He thought aloud.
To Be Continued…