Bulkhead pulled into the base before Arcee or Bumblebee, giving Miko a reason to shout for joy.
"I totally told you!" She smirked as Jack got off Arcee.
"You got a head start." Raf complained as he hopped out of his ride. Bumblebee emitted a short burst of beeps and clicks, and Miko just stood there with a "Well?" look on her face. "He said we'll beat you next time." Raf translated with a smile as the 'bots transformed, the sigh of metal changing over metal echoing in the cavernous space of the base.
"Count me out." Arcee decided as she walked toward Ratchet.
"So, what do you want to do, Bulk?" Miko asked eagerly, but her protector simply sighed.
"I have reconnaissance, sorry. But maybe later." The 'bot replied, heading toward Arcee and Ratchet.
"Yeah, later." Miko said half halfheartedly. "What about you two?" Miko asked again of her friends, but they were already video gaming. "Oh well." she sighed heading up he stairs and plopping in a chair. Optimus entered the room and Miko turned eagerly toward the Autobots leader. All red and blue, Optimus reminded her of Superman. He was always saving the day, he was the Cybertronian Superman. With that decided she leaned back into her chair to stare blankly into space.
"Optimus, look at these readings." Ratchet's voice broke in and Miko got up eagerly to stare at the screen. Maybe some 'cons were attacking, she thought. Miko hadn't taken a single picture in what felt like forever, she could practically hear her cell crying to be used. Where were those stupid 'cons? When she didn't want them they were there, but when she wanted them they were no where! Where's the justice in all that?
"A route to be taken another day, old friend." Optimus's voice rumbled calmly. "But for now, children!" He called. The boys reluctantly paused their game and came to stand beside Miko at the railing. "I wish to speak with my comrades for a moment, could you please leave this area for a short time? Explore the base if you wish."
"Um, OK Optimus." Jack replied for the group. Raf quickly ran down the stairs and disappeared into a hallway. "Miko, come on." Jack sighed, waiting at the base of the stairs for Miko to hurry up. The Japanese girl was fiddling with her phone and taking her sweet time. That wasn't unusual. "Miko." Jack's voice warned.
"Comin', I'm comin'." Miko replied exasperated, putting her phone down on a table. Smiling brightly Miko raced down the stairs and ran to find Raf. "Jack, you are such a slow poke!" Miko's voiced whined, and sighing Jack followed his friends into the hallways. Sometimes, he wondered if he was the only mature one in the group. Probably was too. The minute all three were out of the main area of the base, Optimus lowered every door and locked it too. For the moment, all three humans were locked out of the main headquarters but they weren't worried. After Optimus said whatever he wanted to they would be welcomed back with open arms. The three started walking side by side lost in their own thoughts. But Miko, being Miko, didn't really know how to be quiet. "So what do you think they're talking about?" She asked excitedly.
"Probably on something that will keep you from tagging along whenever they go to fight the Decepticons." Jack replied thoughtfully.
"Hey!"
"Maybe it's nothing we need to worry about." Raf thought aloud. "Just something boring and mundane."
"'Boring and mundane'? Who talks like that? Sorry Raf, but I like the little words. Boring works. Something boring or ordinary. You're right Raf." She decided.
"'Ordinary' is a long word." Jack pointed out.
"Oh, will you just shut up?" The three continued walking in silence. It wasn't a bad silence, it just bored Miko to no end. "So, what's been going on?" She asked her friends.
"Not much. We're at the base so much you know everything we do." Jack replied.
"Well, then what about before all this? What had happened?" Miko tried again.
"You must be really bored." Jack observed.
"Not bored, I just really want to know what they're saying!" Miko cried, hopping from foot to foot in anticipation.
"I thought you had agreed it was nothing to worry about." Raf said.
"Well, how do we really know?" Miko asked eagerly. "It could be something, it could be nothing. But I just need to know."
"Well, I don't think you ever will." Raf said thoughtfully gazing ahead.
"Hm, you really have no faith in me. Why do you think I would let one little secret like this go by without me finding out?" Miko asked mischievously.
"Bulkhead won't tell you." Jack warned.
"I don't always need Bulk, I have my phone, remember?" Miko laughed.
"Your phone? What has that got to do with anything?" Raf asked confused.
"You'll see." Miko grinned.
"Miko." Jack began, knowing she was up to something. That one word made the girl roll her eyes. She had gotten to know Jack, and in that one word there was the promise of his curbing her activities and keeping her from something everyone knew she shouldn't do but what she was going to do anyway.
"Have faith, dear Jack." She laughed. "I'll even tell you what I find." She promised with a secretive smile. The two boys shared a look. Why couldn't Miko ever just listen to them?