Rian: Thanks to everybody who reviewed! :D Now some questions... How do you thinks the world we made is interesting Foxbear? o: And to magiclover13 thanks so much for the praise c: Back to you Inkcrafter! -Spotlights Inkcrafter-
Inky: I'm blind now x.x anyway, thank you so much to everyone that reviewed! And You guys remembered to refer to both of us! Yay! XD So, we RPed about three chaps, but Rian edits all the chaps, and they're long chaps, so it may take some time x.x I'd edit them, but as Rian has already informed me, I am awful at that -.-" Anyway, enjoy!
Jack waited as Ratchet scolded Sam, looking out Bees front window at the city. At least ratchet had remembered to use his holoform before someone saw a full grown robot in the city. The orange and white haired man was quite the sight, an uncanny look anger on his well aged face. Sam was looking pale, a funny look of fear and nausea on his face.
Jack turned his gaze to the other side of the street. He went paper white. He quickly ducked his head, hitching his breath and chest heaving. Bee chirruped in confusion, the first to notice that something was wrong. Jack ignored the bot, hyperventilating. Only then did Sam and Ratchet realize that there was a problem, their argument coming to an abrupt halt upon turning to the teen.
"Jack? What's wrong?" Sam asked as 'Bee noises caused him to look over.
Jack didn't reply. He felt his heart pounding against his ribs harshly. No, this couldn't be happening! It couldn't! The man he was looking at walked on, oblivious to Jack and his horror stricken eyes. Sam began to panic when Jack didn't respond, beginning to shout at the medic.
"Ratchet! Ratchet something's wrong with him!"
The medic, midway in his lecture, paused. Jack trembled fiercely, shaken up. This wasn't normal behavior for anyone unless they had Parkinson disease. Jack was shaking like a wet dog in the rain and didn't look much better.
"Help me put him inside." Ratchet said calmly, grabbing Jack beneath his arms and pulling him into the hummer. Jack yelled in fear, struggling.
"Jack, relax! We aren't here to hurt you!" Ratchet stated as he struggled to put Jack on the table, holding him down securely. "Sam, go with Bumblebee and meet me back at the base!"
Sam hesitated, but then nodded, doing as told. Jack continued to struggle fiercely, screaming as he was put inside the Hummer."No! NO! LET GO!" He shouted, fighting with everything he had to not go inside the car. Where were they going to take him? Were they going to hurt him again, stick needles into his arms? No, no not again. Not again!
"Jack, look at me." Said said firmly, holding Jacks arms together to keep the boy from hurting himself. The teen didn't comply, eyes squeezed shut as he trembled fiercely. "It's okay. Everything's going to be alright." He promised,waiting as Jacks tension lessened little by little, slowly realizing that he wasn't in the hands of M.E.C.H. and that he was with friends. People that would help him or at least that's what he hoped for. Soon, the teen was simply trembling, but no longer struggling against the medic, breathing erratic. Ratchet gave him an impassive look, voicing his question aloud.
"Now, what's wrong?"
"S-Saw him." Jack managed, voice wavering.
"Who?"
"S-Silas...H-he's here, h-he's going to find m-me!"
"No he is not." Ratchet assured even though he had no idea who Silas was. "You're safe with me and at base. I won't allow harm to come to my patient." Jack didn't reply, continuing to shake uncontrollably. Ratchet started quickly towards base, where he hoped to get Jack to calm down and rest.
"Here." Said Will, wrapping Jacks shaking form in a blanket. Jack curled in it as though it could protect him from the world and Will patted him on the back reassuringly, . "Hey, don't worry kid. We're here for ya." Jack flinched and the man gave him an apologetic look before turning to Ratchet, who was looking even more stressed than was customary.
"What happened to the poor kid?"
"I believe it is from the time he was held captive. Something must have reminded him of the experience." The man nodded in understanding. It was understandable. Many soldiers suffered from flashbacks at the the simplest noises and images. He saw plenty of good men suffer from their memories. "He also mentioned someone named Silas."
Jack whimpered at the sound of the name.
"Any idea on who that is?"
"None, and I don't think it would be wise to ask Jack at the moment." The medic then turned to Jack, gently pushing him down. "Get some rest, Jack." The teen didn't protest. He was out in moments, the stress finally getting to him. Dreams were preferable to this living nightmare.
"That bad?"
"I'm afraid so." Ratchet replied grimly. The two left into the main hanger, Ratchet walking slowly so that Sam could keep up. Will remained behind to keep an eye on Jack.
"Is he okay?" Sam asked, worried.
"He will be." Ratchet answered vaguely.
"'Will'? So he still isn't doing better?"
"Sam, you must understand that he is traumatize. A few days will not be enough time to recover from his scars."
"But what happened?! He was doing perfectly fine!"
"Something must have triggered his panic attack. Did you notice anything odd or unusual?"
Sam shook his head.
"I was too busy being scared for my life with you yelling at me. 'Bee?"
He shrugged his shoulders, unable to give an answer. "All he mentioned was that name." Sam concluded. "Maybe he saw someone from that group that hurt him?" He suggested, hoping to offer some clues and ideas. Ratchet hummed in response as he thought on it.
"Hm..." Ratchet hummed, thinking. "Were there any nearby cameras where we were at?"
Sam shrugged. "Probably. I'm not the one to ask though. I couldn't tell you to save my life." There was a sigh and Ironhide groaned as he stood. Sam looked over with a raised brow and an intelligent, "Uh...?"
"Tell meh where ya were and I'll check." He said grudgingly.
"Um...near the fast food place at the end of town. Y'know, the one across from the T-mart?" Ironhide nodded, muttering profanities to himself as he went to the main monitor in the corner. Sam stared at his retreating backside, a smirk twitching at the corners of his mouth. "Wow. He actually gives a damn." He laughed. Ironhide huffed.
"I heard that!"
Sam smiled sheepishly, looking back at Ratchet, who gave him a sharp look. Shivers went down his spine. He was going to get it now.
"You are not 'off the hook'."
He gulped. "I just...I felt bad that he was stuck here..."
"And look what happened." The anger was clear in his voice.
"I didn't know that would happen." Sam said.
"And yet it did." He scolded, poking him. "You will be my assistant as punishment."
Sam groaned. "Great. Can't wait." He blew out a sigh. He had some long days ahead of him. Dammit Jack...
"Found it." Ironhide spoke up. "Or rather, found him."
"Great!" Sam exclaimed, glad for the sudden change in topic. "So who's him?"
"I'm assumin' that Silas guy." Ironhide replied, moving aside so the others could see. He'd enhanced the picture and focused in on a heavily scared whistled sharply.
"Bet he's a hit with the ladies." Sam commented. He was one ugly son of a bitch and that permanent frown sure didn't help out any.
"I might be able t' use th' cameras t' see where 'e went next. Might clear some stuff up."
Optimus nodded. "Please do. Inform me when you have found anything." He ordered, going off to his own work and leaving Ironhide to his own devices.
"Yes Optimus." With that he turned back to the monitor and set himself to work.
Sam grumbled under his breath. Ratchet was working him to death! He was jealous of Jack who slept peacefully, unaware of his troubles and pains that was all his fault! Well, mostly any away. The teens peaceful face contrasted so much to how he had been earlier. Sam sighed. He wished he knew more about the guy. He was like a puzzle with half the pieces missing.
Jack began to stir slightly. Sam looked up.
"Hey Ratchet, he's waking up."
"Don't crowd him. It may set off another panic attack."
Sam nodded, watching from a few feet away. Jack blinked tiredly, yawning. Sam smiled at the silly look on Jacks face and the bed hair that stuck up and every direction. Jack stretched his arms wide, swallowed, then looked at Sam, who was hovering above him. He was too sleepy to jerk back.
"Hey man."
"Mmmph..."
"You feelin' better?"
"I'm feeling lazy.." Jack mumbled tiredly, flopping back on the bed with a yawn. Sam grinned, chuckling lightly at his newest friend.
"Well I feel like that all the time."
Jack hummed, sitting up and rubbing his eyes.
"Hungry?" He smirked when Jacks belly growled.
"Yeah, but I don't...I don't feel good right now. I'll eat later."
"Yeah, okay." He said, nodding in understanding. And uncomfortable silence fell between them, neither speaking up as they remembered yesterdays eventful evening. They looked up when Ratchet came over. From his expression he didn't have good news to share and it filled Jack with a sense of dread.
"Jack, I need you to come with me into the main hanger."
"Why?"
"To confirm something." Ratchet offered his palm for Jack to climb whom hesitated before stepping into it, hanging onto the medics thumb for balance.
"So...what's this about?" The medic didn't reply, instead approaching the monitor where Ironhide and Optimus stood. Jack paled at what was on the monitor and took a step back on the medic's palm. It was a group of men garbed in black suits, one of which who was showing his scarred face.
"Do you know this human?" Optimus questioned, noting Jacks frightened face.
Jack gulped, managing a shaky nod. "Y-yes..." He responded shakily, looking away.
"Would you inform us of his identity? Ironhide was unable to find any information on this man." Optimus took note in Jacks frightened face and voice. He was afraid, more so than yesterday. What had this 'Silas' done to him?
"S...Silas." Jack mumbled.
"Is this the one who harmed you?"
Jack didn't reply.
Optimus waited patiently. The teen was shell shocked. A few long minutes passed before and answer finally bubbled pass Jacks lips.
"I...He's the leader of M.E.C.H."
"M.E.C.H.?"
"The group that...That had me p-prisoner..."
"Optimus. I tracked the fleshie." Ironhide spoke up. "'E's talkin' with some other fleshies." Ironhide spoke up, focusing in on the group of humans with a low grade camera. The image was grey and not so clear but Jack could easily tell who they were as they began talking.
"Turn the speakers up."
Ironhide did as asked.
"*We haven't found him yet, sir.*" One soldier spoke up.
"How hard can it be to find one teenager that doesn't exist in this world?" Silas snapped, irritated. The speakers crackled for a moment as the scarred man yelled at his lowly subordinate. The man gulped, thinking of an excuse on the spot. He certainly didn't want to be the object of Silas's ire. People who did tended to disappear, like the kid they were looking for.
"I-It's proving difficult with s-such a large city-" He was cut off as Silas struck him, the man dropping to the ground from the blow. He held his cheek in pain, reeling in pain as a bright red mark formed on his face.
"Then do better! I do not intend to stay here for the rest of my life!"
"Maybe we should just get one of those other kids." Another suggested.
Silas glared at him. "Except for the small fact that we do not know their location." Jack was trembling, but trying to hide it as they watched. Another man spoke up as the fallen soldier picked himself off the ground, still cradling his cheek.
"We're trying sir! Maneuvering in this city is proving to be difficult...
"Just find him. Without him we'll never find the Autobot base."
"But sir...I don't...I don't think this is Nevada. Not the one we knew."
"I said find him!"
Ironhide decided that then was a good time to cut the feed, considering how pale Jack was.
"So they're after ya?" He asked, looking down at Jack with hard optics. The teen flinched in response.
"..Yeah."
"Do you know why?"
"Because they want information..." Jack fiddled with the key around his neck absently, trying to block out the situation and the memories. It glowed dimly in response to the teens touch.
"What did they do to you?" Optimus asked. Jack went paper white again, pretending to not hear and messing with the chain once more. "Jack." Optimus repeated more sternly. Jack flinched, as Optimus always had a way of making him feel guilty. This time was no better.
"It doesn't matter. It happened and is over with. I didn't crack, so who cares." He replied, trying to keep his voice cold and impassive. It didn't help much that it broke toward the end.
"I do."
"Why? It's not like I told them anything."
The Prime gave him a look.
"I wish to know just how far they go to get information."
Jack scowled, sitting down. "They do a lot, okay? Just leave it at that." The Prime held out a hand and Ratchet handed the teen over, making Jack yelp. "W-woah! A little warning, sheesh!" He complained, stumbling as he fought to maintain a grip on Optimus fingers. The Prime didn't reply, turning and heading off. Jack quietly sulked.
"What is it now?" He whined, hugging his knees as he sat down in his palms. Optimus held his silence up to when they entered his room and set Jack on his desk carefully. The doors shut to ensure them privacy.
"Jack, I want to know what they did to you. I fear that perhaps I didn't realize how much danger you are in."
Jack frowned, looking down.
"Look, I'm an Autobot ally. I'm going to be in trouble no matter what."
"Do you realize that you may die?"
"It is a war." Jack responded, looking Optimus straight into the optic without fear. It reminded him much of Bumblebee when he first wanted to be involved in actual battles and mission. The same look of determination and loyalty...
"That we brought to this planet. Are you sure you wish to be part of this?"
Jack nodded.
"I've been in this for a year, I'm not gonna back out now."
"As long as you know the possible repercussions."
"I've gone through those repercussions." Jack deadpanned.
Optimus smiled, if only briefly. "I believe Sam is waiting for you. Shall I take you to him?"
"Sure." Jack replied with a shrug. "I'm pretty sure I can't get down on my own anyway."
"Sam. You can come in now." Optimus said aloud, opening the door. Sam fell over backwards in surprise, a sheepish look on his features. He brushed off imaginary dirt off his pants and had the decency to look embarrassed as he hid a glass cup behind his back. Optimus raised a brow at his peculiar behavior and Sam whistled inconspicuously.
Jack laughed.
"Niiiice."
Optimus smiled. "Up to something Sam?" Jack laughed harder as the older teen fidgeted uncomfortably.
"Uh...Just wanted to make sure Jack was alright."
Optimus looked to the glass Sam held in his hands.
"And that is for?"
"I uh...wasn't trying to listen in...?"
Jack laughed again.
Jack watched as the 'bots trained.
It was interesting, seeing how they fought and practice. Granted, anything a giant robot did was bound to be interesting merely because it was, in fact, a giant robot. Ironhide was doing target practice while talking with Lennox, while Sideswipe and Sunstreaker sparred. Now that was fun to watch. They attacked each other furiously, neither willing to give into the other.
Sunstreaker was stunned into silence when Sideswipe scratched his plating. Then he exploded.
"You'll pay for that!"
All hell broke loose. Sunstreaker attacked with renewed vigor, slashing and dicing at his twin, Sides' yelping while dodging as his brother attacked furiously. Jack yelled in alarm ass he was nearly stepped on, jumping away only to his in pain when he landed on his bad leg. Jack curled up tightly around his leg, clutching to it tightly as it stung, unaware of Sam coming over until he shouted his name.
"Jack!"
The twins stopped, looking down in alarm.
"Back off guys! You're gonna step on him!" The two had the decency to look guilty as they moved back. Jack grimaced as he carefully stood. He almost immediately fell back down. At least he would have if Sam hadn't caught him.
"Woah!" Sam yelped, carefully helping Jack sit on a crate. "You okay?"
Jack nodded.
"Y-yeah. Just stood on it wrong."
"I can take you back to Ratchet if you want. I know where the painkillers are!"
"No, I'm fine." Jack replied, forcing a smile. "I've felt way worse." Sam stubbornly sat next to him as Jack loosened his hold on his leg. Sam looked him over, acting much like a mother hen. Jack bit back his tongue, hiding the smile as he let Sam measure out the damage. He'd never tell him how much he was like Ratchet in this moment.
"Well I'm staying by you to make sure."
"You alright?" Lennox asked, coming over.
Jack nodded.
"Yeah."
"I think you might need a new leg."
"No kidding."
Will smirked.
"Might know where you can get one. We've got quite the selection!" Jack rolled his eyes, shaking his head as Will brought Epps over, lifting his leg up and ignoring his best friends protests. "Over there's is Epps! He has a nice strong pair of legs." Will pointed out to a black male, smirking widely.
"Maybe he's got a brain that works better than yours too."
"Hey! I resent that!"
Jack raised a brow.
"No you don't." He laughed.
Will shrugged, the smile never quite leaving his face. "Whatever it takes to bring a laugh or two."
"Yeah. War is tough business."
Ratchet entered the room and Jack bolted.
Will turned to Sam. "Something just happen...?" He asked, confusion on his face as Jack left a trail of dust in his wake. Sam just laughed, shaking his head in a disapproving way.
"Jack doesn't like the meds Ratchet has." Sam explained.
"Why? They help him out with the pain don't they?"
"Yeah, but they taste awful."
"So? He should man up and take them."
Sam gave a deadpan look.
"Those M.E.C.H people probably stuck him with a lot of needles. It isn't his fault he's nervous."
"Yeah well he's had plenty enough time with Ratchet to know he isn't going to off him."
"Still, it's hard for him."
"Yeah, I guess it would be..."
They watched as Ratchet chased after Jack.
"Ugh!" Jack said as he was forced to take his medicine.
"You know that it's for your own good." Ratchet chided lightly.
"That needle hurts!" The teen huffed as fluids trailed up his arms, making it considerably colder.
"It's a small prick. If you didn't think so much about it you wouldn't even feel it." Jack stuck his tongue out at the medic. "You're always so fussy." Ratchet scolded, dabbing at the vein with a cotton ball and taping it down so Jack would think twice about removing it. Jack just sulked.
"It's not like I need them."
"It's to help you get better. Now stop pouting."
"It doesn't help that much."
"Hush." Ratchet exclaimed with a sigh. Jack pouted, looking away as he flopped on his pillow. "Your leg is doing better, but you still need to wear the brace and not stay on it. Another week or so and you'll be fine."
"Then what? I don't...it's not like I have anywhere to go..."
"You stay here, under my watch."
"But I mean after I heal completely?"
"You stay here, like I just said. Will Lennox may be gracious enough to invite you into his domicile for a few days if you'd like."
"Oh."
Jack fell silent in thought, fiddling with the key around his neck as he always did. Where would he go if they decided to kick him out? He had no where to go, and his friends seemed to be far away by the looks of things. Heck, the friends he had found didn't remember him at all.
"Do you wish to be with your own kind instead?"
Jack looked up, confused.
"Hm?"
"Do you prefer the company of other humans over us?"
"No...Actually, I...Never mind." A blush formed on his pale cheeks, turning his head again. Ratchet poked him to regain his attention.
"You may speak freely in front of me. Medics honor to keep his patients secrets."
Jack hesitated.
"I...I never felt like I fit in before until...until I met the 'bots."
"Hm...were you an...'ugly duckling'?" Ratchet quoted, unsure of the expression. "I am not sure if that is quite the right phrase..." He scratched the back of his helm confusedly and Jack laughed, nodding.
"I guess you could say that."
"If it's of any consolation I do not think you are ugly. Or a duckling." He offered, petting his hair. Jack chuckled, brushing it aside. The Cybertronians here were even more ignorant of human ways than the ones back home. It was endearing.
"That's not what it means. It means I just wasn't accepted."
"Ah. Forgive me. Earth metaphors are not my strong suit." Jack nodded in understanding, Ratchet petting his head again. This time Jack didn't push it away, accepting the comfort. "You could belong here." Ratchet offered kindly, warmth in his voice.
Jack smiled shyly.
"I...I'd like that."
Optimus and the other's spoke quietly, Jack fast asleep on a crate.
"He's recovering well Optimus, though I fear the scars left on his mind will not fade for quite some time."
"What do you mean?"
"He's traumatized Optimus. The mere mention of that human, Silas, makes him cringe. That is not normal by any means." A sound brought the medics attention to Jack. "Not again..." He whispered as Jack began tossing and tossing and turning in his sleep, muttering incoherent words as a cold sweat broke out across his forehead.
"Ratchet?" Optimus asked curiously, looking worriedly to the small human.
"He's having another nightmare."
"We must wake him then."
"He has had so little sleep though.."
"Can you give him medicine for it?"
"No."
"There must be something Ratchet. Humans have many methods of curing their ailments." Ratchet gave him a sharp look.
"They are mental scars, Optimus. Do you remember in the earlier stages of the war, when a soldier would be rescued after being tortured by the Decepticons?" Judging from the look of sorrow that crossed the Primes face he would say yes.
"I can never forget Ratchet."
"It's like that. Except some how he is still sane."
"Then perhaps he had not lost all hope."
"Yes. But my point is that there is nothing I can do for him."
"Very well." Optimus said solemnly, looking back to the nightmare ridden teen. Optimus shook him awake. The teen gasped, eyes shooting open, chest rising and falling harshly with heavy breaths. He looked around wildly, panic slowly dissipating as he saw Optimus. "Jack?" Optimus said softly. The teen sat up, looking around before giving a sigh of relief. He was safe in Autobot base, not with M.E.C.H.
"Here." Said Ratchet a glass of water that was pitifully tiny in his hands. He struggled to hold and not break it. Jack smiled wearily, taking it. He didn't even bother to question the cloudy nature of the water.
"Th-thanks." Jack took a small sip, laying it down before snuggling back into his pillow. He was out like a light. The medicine would keep him asleep for a few more hours yet. At least Ratchet hoped that he would. He wasn't exactly an expert in human medication. The two bots were driven out of their thoughts as Ironhide came over.
"I got more footage of tha' Silas fleshie an' his group, Optimus."
"Bring it up."
Ironhide nodded, turning to the monitor.
"Anything yet?"
"Nothing sir. Dried blood in a back alleyway that's his, but nothing else."
"Are you as stupid as you are incompetent?!"
The soldier gulped as Silas glared at him.
"How hard is it for you to find a sixteen year old who was at death's door?!"
"S-sir, there's thousands of people here!"
"When he got free it was after he got a broken leg! How can you not find him? He can't have gotten far you idiot!"
"I-I...! Please forgive me sir!"
"Find him!"
"Yes sir!"
"If you can't find him you'll find a bullet in your head! The information he has is as priceless as those Cybernetics we put in him." Silas warned in a dangerously low tone. The soldier cringed back, nodding his head furiously.
"O-of course sir! We shall not cease in our search!"
The feed was cut off and Ironhide turned to the other 'bots, face grim. Ratchet would've been pale if it was possible. He knew he should've run some scans on Jack. "Move out of the way." He said, a certain harshness to his voice, concealing the immense worry he felt. He went as far to push Optimus out of the way to get at Jack. Ratchet scanned him, quickly and thoroughly. His expression was grim.
"Ratchet?" Optimus asked quietly.
"He does indeed have foreign technology implanted in him. I do not believe his is aware of it."
Ironhide growled.
"Those fragging..."
"There's nothing I could do for him right now. It would take years to remove it and that would not be a wise choice. For all we know he may very well be dependent on on the cybernetics. It might be the reason he survived at all." Silence fell over the hanger for a long few minutes, uncomfortable and thick.
"What now?" Ironhide asked, an unusual amount of concern in is voice. "We can't jus' leave 'em fer scrap."
"After he is fully healed I think it'd be best for him to have a guardian." Ratchet supplied, looking at Optimus. "But it isn't my choice to make. Optimus?"
"...Yes. I believe that would be wise."
Ratchet inclined his head, picking up Jack carefully. "I believe it's time for me to retire to the medbay." He said gruffly, taking care to cover Jack up as he left for the medbay.
"Of course Ratchet." Optimus said, nodding in understanding. "I will decide his guardian in the mean time."
"Good night." The medic said before turning and going back to the medbay.
Optimus was left to his thoughts and new revelations. The more they discovered about Jack the more mysteries and questions that rose. He found himself wondering about this M.E.C.H. and the teens own welfare.
Just who was he?