OH GOD! I finally finished translating! –faints- I hope I didn't take too long, but I'm living quite a chaotic month, especially with my final high-school exam coming up(Holly crap!).
Anyway, I hope yall like this new chapter and that I didn't butchered the characters and/or the language… -prays- Have fun reading!
Oh, and thank you Answerthecall for the review. I hope you like this chapter. –smiles-
NOTE: some words in italics are foreign words (well…In this chapter there is only one…)
Disclaimer: I believe it's quite obvious that Transformers is not mine but Hasbro's (or is it to the Japanese?). But, Luis Vieira Mendes and his aunt Rita are indeed mine.
(PS: Am I the only one who had the idea on comparing Transformers to another old TV series?)
Chapter 2: Luis
"So… Why did you guys come here? "
Sam asked his question with a slight ironic tone. Old machines, half broken equipment and other type of electronic gadgets almost irreparable were piled up in front of the young teenager. While they awaited the return of their commander, the Autobots decided to gather in the military ex-hangar all the electronic instruments they found, in order to make good use of it.
From the robot's point of view, all the parts grouped in the storage were "materials filled with potential despite their primitive designs and programs". But this point of view -of course- contradicted the human's. This regrouping of these metallic parts remembered him the tons and tons of junk that people piled up in a flea market, with a ridiculous paper where it had written "ON SALE" put in front of each one of the piles.
Sam observed Ratchet silently dismount one of the devices while Ironhide and Bumblebee brought back others, which size and especially the condition were largely different from the previous ones.
"What will you do with all this?" the young man asked while tipping randomly on the dusty keyboard of one of the machines "Most of these antiquities don't look like they can work…"
"Despite the fact these devices can be characterized as 'antiques' and that the great majority are inapt to be put in a state of activity," Ratchet put aside some pieces before continuing, "the many mechanical parts constituting these electronic instruments can be repaired so that we use them for our profit. »
"Will it be possible to build our own algorithmic machine?" asked Bumblebee
"Yes. It will not be as powerful or be as performing as Teletran, but I believe it will do."
Finishing his sentence, the medical officer started to examine other machines while dismounting them, piece by piece. Ironhide scanned the electronic heap of material put aside, analyzing its condition by the detail.
"Hey Ratch, I don't think we have enough parts to build our own algorithmic machine … Certain parts are incompatible with each other," Ironhide observed some parts more closely ", and some of the electronic circuits are - as would the humans say- screwed'. »
Ratchet analyzed his assembled material and his systems confirmed the weapons specialist's observation.
"Frag… That complicates things. "
"I can bring back what you need, if you want to guys... " proposed the teenager.
"Do you know where to find a C-49 processor?" Ratchet sighed, looking at Sam's confused expression, "I suppose not."
"Don't you worry Sam. " the youngest of the Autobots reassured "We can always go seek the necessary material ourselves, using our human forms. »
"Yeah, but do you have money?"
"Have what?" the three robots asked in perfect harmony.
"….Oh crap, we do have a problem here." Sam said with a slight desperate tone.
"And I fear that we have another one."
The group of friends turned to the entry of the hangar to see the leader of Autobots in his alternative form - the semi truck-. Before one of his companions asked anything, Optimus briefly explained his unexpected meeting and showed his comrades the young human's alarming message.
"But it's only a kid." Sam commented "I don't see how it could be a problem… The police will likely never believe an eight year old child who claims to have seen a giant robot. They'll think right away it's a joke."
"Perhaps not the police," the medic retorted ", but I bet the media would be more than jovial if they finally had a witness ready to reveal what he knows. »
"You think the kid witnessed our combat in Mission City?"
"There is no other explanation." Optimus answered, this time in his robotic form. "The government is undoubtedly one of only groups of humans aware of our existence. The few of Mission City's inhabitants who saw us prefer to keep on silent. »
"I bet it's the government who's behind that… " Sam commented quickly.
"But that does not exclude the fact that they are aware of our presence." the leader of Autobots continued.
The human teenager glanced at the leader for a few seconds, not understanding his remark. He asked nervously – having the impression of being a moron- a clearer and simpler explanation.
« What Optimus tried to develop that if the child decides to reveal to the media our secret, there were be without doubt some humans who would share the same opinion and would have the same statements. » simplified Bumblebee.
« Oh… …Yeah, from that point of view, we have a problem. » Sam admitted while scratching the back of his head, embarrassed. The young man immediately tried to make it up. « I can go talk to him, if you want. »
"I do not recommend you to make such a thing. When I met the little one, his relative interposed suspecting me in a rather aggressive way of having captured him. »
« Basically, she's not friendly… » the young human interpreted while trying to imagine Optimus' face when the woman harassed him.
« What do you suggest sir? » Ironhide asked his superior.
« I will return to the town tomorrow and have a private conversation with the boy. I know where I can find him. »
Once the discussion was finished, the leader of the Autobots requested from each one of his fellow-members a quick report of their new base's state and started to take part in the operations. Sam helped of the best he could with the constructions and the gathering of material. When the sun started to set, he went back to his dwelling, accompanied by Bumblebee, letting the three other Autobots continue the constructions of their new home.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
The sun was barely up over the small town Despertada. Yet, a young red-headed went down the wooden stairs of her modest home, her hair slightly standing up and dressed with the first clean clothes she found. As prepared her sacred coffee, the red-haired girl glanced at the kitchen's clock and muttered:
« It should be illegal to wake up this early during the summer break. »
"And it should also be illegal to wake up the others this early during summer break. »
The young adult turned to her nephew who stood up close to the room's entrance, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
"Luis, what are you doing here, up at this time in the morning?" the adult asked.
« Dah, you're the one who woke me up. »the child yawned before continuing « You threw the alarm clock, so… »
« I didn't throw it, it fell… » she dryly answered, embarrassed by the remark.
« But why are you up this early? » before his aunt could answer, the young boy continued his sentence with a joyful smile on his face « Are you preparing the stuff for the road trip? We can finally go to the mountains? »
« I already told you, Lou. I still have some cars to repair and I can't just abandon them in the garage during the summer holidays. »while his aunt explained the situation, the boy's smile slowly faded "I woke up early today so that I could buy the parts I need at Mission City, to finish repairs. »
The young red-headed watched her nephew lower his head and she saw right away disappointment and slightly sadness in his brown eyes. The adult sighed and went near the child.
« Don't worry rapaz. »she said as she caressed gently the child's head « As soon as I have the parts, I'll be able to finish the repairs and take you as promised to the mountains. Besides, » the young woman bent down to look straight at her nephew's face, grinning «, I really want to see your future drawing of the mountains. I bet they'll be beautiful. »
The little one nodded and returned his aunt's smile.
After setting her nephew back to bed, the aunt returned to the kitchen finish her breakfast. Leaving then a post-it on the refrigerator's door, the young woman left her house, entered her car, started the old engine and took the road towards Mission City. Whereas she was going to enter the highway, she peeked one last time on her watch. 6:30 AM. Luckily, she would be back before the lunch.
«I just hope Lou won't get in trouble… »
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
A few hours after his aunt's departure, Luis woke up once more and decided to get up, ignoring his tired brain. He staggered to the kitchen and took the cereal box his aunt left him on the table. Closing again the refrigerator, a box of fresh milk in his hand, the young boy read the post-it.
I don't know if I'll come for lunch because of work. I left macaroni and cheese in the microwave and some money on the TV.
Call me if you need anything.
Aunty Rita.
PS: You can go out if you want, but be careful and DON'T TALK TO STRANGERS!
It's not the first time her aunt left this kind of message. Ever since she took him in, Rita has been trying to balance her work and her private life, which she didn't do before from what his father told him.
Thus the child decided to spend a morning similar to his previous ones. He changed clothes and took his beginner's drawing material. He always loved to draw Despertada, to discover it.
Though, as soon as he crossed his new home's door, the child saw across the street a memorable semi-truck Peterbilt and near it, a driver even more memorable. He was leaned on his truck, his hands in the pockets and his pensive glance directed towards the sky. But as soon as he heard the sound of a door being closed, he stood up and looked at the youngster, who had an enormous smile. Luis crossed the street in a precipitated way then approached the dark haired driver calmly.
« Hey mister! » the little one said « What's up? »
The adult glanced at the child, keeping his guard on. His intuition was telling him that the young boy was hiding something behind his innocent smile. As if he just read his interlocutor's thoughts, Luis made his smile disappear -or at least decreased it- and crossed his arms behind his back.
« I guess you're not here for sight seeing… »
« No. » The older boy dryly answered showing no emotion on his face « I came to ask you some questions. »
« Oh? »
« About the message you gave me yesterday. »
« Ya' haven't guessed? »-silence-« I'm one of tha bad aliens. »
The drivers couldn't contain his surprise. He took one step back and looked at the child with wide eyes. He expected any answer except for this one. Was he being serious or was it a joke? The little one quickly answered his doubts by laughing.
« Don't worry, I was joking! » the young boy started to laugh hard « You should have seen your face! It was so funny! »
« Honestly, I don't understand how my reactions could have been considered as 'funny'… » the adult retorted as he glanced at the laughing child.
Luis breathed deeply, calming down, and then asked his knew acquaintance to continue their conversation elsewhere. Just for precaution… The male adult took them where they met the previous day.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Unlike the previous days, mainly the day before, the parking lot located near the town's limits was deserted. None of the places available were used by any type of vehicle, and most of the inhabitants were still sleeping. Well, not until Luis and his friend arrived. The two boys wanted to benefit from the situation to continue their private conversation without being disturbed.
« So, about your question, » the child started «, I lived in Mission City's suburbs. So I saw one of your fights there, against another robot. He was at least…Five feats taller than you and his armor was also darker. »
The adult immediately guessed who the 'other robot' was. But...
« The suburbs you say? » the elder asked « The fight took place downtown, how-»
« My school was near the center of the city. Summer break hasn't still started that day, but the teachers let us out earlier. So, I decided to visit my dad, who worked in a lawyer's office not far from school. » The child gazed the ground, erasing his emotions from his face. «Whereas I approached the building –I could already see it- you came out from the office where my dad was, clenching to the other robot in his airplane form… »
The little one stopped speaking for a few moments. Although he didn't show any emotion, the grown-up saw the sadness present in his eyes. Before the combat, the adult was conscious that there would be wounded and tragedies. Nevertheless, he prayed that the number of wounded wouldn't be considerable and that cases, such as the one the child faced, would not occur. Apparently, his prayer fell in deaf ears… On each day, in every hour, the adult was with himself for the numbers of Autobots and humans who died and were injured during Mission City's battle. His heart ached from the close relations he lost, comrades, all the brave soldiers, friends,… and much more. So much more…
As if he read again his new friend's thoughts, Luis pulled the sleeve of his dark-blue jacket, in order to draw his attention.
« Don't be so hard on yourself, mister. »the little one said with a faint smile « You did everything you could. »
The weight inside the adult didn't become considerably lighter, but these simple words succeeded in making him smile, thing which he hadn't done for quite a time.
« Thank you little one. »
« Luis Vieira Mendes. »
« …Excuse me? »
« Instead on callin' me 'little one', which is a nickname I don't like, ya can call me Luis Vieira Mendes. » -silence- « Or simply Luis. » he gave his new acquaintance a bright smile before proceeding « And you ? What is your name mister? »
« Optimus Prime. »
It was this time Luis the one who looked carefully, to try and guess if the other one was serious.
« It's your real name? You sure? »
« As far as I know, I have no other name. » Optimus answered dryly, not entirely pleased of the remark
« Sorry. It's not everyday I meet an alien you know... »the little one looked at his interlocutor more closely « You are an alien, aren't you? You come from another planet? Or are you a top secret governmental organization, like the Power Rangers? »
The Autobot adult interrupted the youth before he continued his confusing questions. The Autobot's commander had without doubt research about Earth's culture to do… He related Luis his origins and also explained him the reasons behind the events which took place last month. During his justification, the child looked him with a very interested and attentive look, not interrupting him even once.
« Wow. That's cool. » Luis said once the explanations were finished « Say, Optimus sir, can I 'borrow' your story? »
« Why not?…But on what purpose ? »
« Se-cret ! » the child answered with a wide smile.
The leader of the Autobots smiled interiorly. This human sure has an interesting personality.
Noticing that the sun had a certain level, Luis took a peek on his watch. Surprised by the time showed on it, the child gasped and said a few foreign words.
« Rita's gonna kill me!! »Luis looked back at his new friend « Euhm, mister Optimus, do you have a cell phone? »
« I alas don't have a mean of communication in this form. Do you have to contact your relative? »
« Yeah…It's almost noon and knowing my aunty, she must have called home at least a hundred of times. »
Luis stood up and looked for a phone box. He saw one not far from where stood the two boys and ran towards it, followed closely by his elder. Once arrived at the phone box, Luis typed his aunt's phone number. Optimus helped the child, since he had difficulties on reaching the phone's buttons (I thing his height has something to do with it…). The human waited a few moments before his aunt picked up. As soon as the child said « Hi! », the female adult started to yell, apparently scolding her nephew. Her screams were so loud that the poor boy had to move the telephone away from his ear. And although he was behind the infant, the adult Autobot could clearly hear the woman's yelling.
The child started to talk with his relative, always in the same foreign language, unknown to the Autobot. If it were possible for him, he would search and learn this language with the World Wide Web right now. But, as well for any other robot, his capacities were limited in his organic form. In other words: in this form, Optimus is one simple human like the others. A mere mortal…
The conversation between Luis and his aunt lasted a couple of minutes. Once finished, the little one put back the telephone on its place and turned to face again Optimus, asking something which was more than unexpected.
« Ok, are we going? »
The Autobot's commander looked at the child with wide eyes, confused and surprised at the same time.
« What do you mean by 'Are we going'? »
« I told my aunty I was goin' to a classmate's place so that I could met his friends." Luis answered with an innocent smile.
The adult immediately understood the meaning hidden behind this apparent lie.
« I'm sorry, but it's out of the question. We are doing dangerous constructions at the base, and I wouldn't want you -»
« Oh, come on, be cool! I just wanna take a peek! I won't bother, promise! »
« No, I don't -»
« Pweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaase! » the youngling answered while doing what the humans called 'the puppy eyes'.
Optimus sighed and thought for a few seconds… It would be risky let the little one accompany him knowing that the Decepticons could attack at any moment. Luis would be in this case more in danger than him… The adult did not want to include a human so young in this war.
But…
« Alright. You can come. » Luis yelled a « Yey! » before Optimus could continue « But I demand that you do precisely what I tell you to. I don't want you to return here injured. »
"Especially that if anything happens to me, Rita would kick your butt." the young human commented with an amusing smile.
Reviews please! Critics are more than welcomed!