Chapter Four: Stormlark's Soul

(Hospital)

The receptionist sat at her desk, quietly filing her fingernails until one of the more muscular interns walked past her desk with a smile in her direction. She looked around, seeing that no one was watching got up and put a 'Be back in 15 minutes' sign before walking off to follow him.

A few seconds later, a cardboard box that was under the desk fell over and a small cassette recorder slid out. Its cassette door opened with a quiet click and a cassette forcible jumped out on to the empty chair bouncing off, flipping in mid-air then finally landing on the desk next to a computer. A small antenna came out its side and the computer suddenly turned on. File after file flashed across the screen until one titled 'Magess, Rachael' appeared. A downloading indicator then appeared on the monitor.

Some time later, the receptionist returned straitening her dress and hair as she returned to her desk. She nearly tripped over the cassette recorder. After she sat down she bent over to pick it and return it to the box wondering how that happened. The woman then straightened up her desk finding the cassette next to her computer. She shrugged, dropping it into the box under her desk.

(Hanger, Pendrake Industries Compound)

Wheeljack looked around the hanger with interest. Even with the still apparent damage, it was obvious that-for this world-the facility was state of the art. It seemed that humans had an amazing knack for technology and if they kept going as they did they might come to surpass Autobot technology in a few centuries. He then looked at the Stormlark and then reassessed that estimate…it might only take decades IF the right people were brought together. Wheeljack looked at his human friend, Chip, who frowned at the computer screen and then grinned as a new idea came to mind. People like Chip, this Magess girl and even Sparkplug. That is if they don't get themselves killed. For some reason, it seemed that the more intelligent in one area a human gets the more foolish they are in others. Take Sparkplug, a brillant mechanice...but how did Carly describe it...counldn't handle a buck to save his life.

"What the…"said Chip as he read what was on the screen, "That's impossible."

"Something wrong?" asked Wheeljack.

"You could say that, "answered Chip tiredly, "What programming I can get into, keeps changing. It's as if someone else is working on this, but this is the only terminal connected to the Stormlark."

At that very moment the screen went completely black. "Oh man…not now, "mumble Chip as he pressed a few keys. The screen flickered and a few words appeared on the screen.

Can I go now?

"Huh?" said Chip but then looked at his watch to find he had been at it for hours. Suddenly, his shoulders started to hurt from being at the keyboard for so long. He turned off the terminal and turned around as he said, "Yeah. Think its time for a break as well."

Stormlark eyes lit up and she moved away from the wall harness. She raised her arms and stretched. Chip didn't pay any mind but Wheeljack thought it rather strange for such a human habit to be portrayed by a robot. Then again she was created and programmed by humans…

"Wait a minute, "said Chip as he shook off the fogginess caused by too many hours in front of a computer screen, "How did you do that?"

Wheeljack asked, "Do what?"

Chip rolled over to Stormlark and glared up at her as she shrugged. "She…she asked if she could go now. Its one thing to deny an answer to a pre-programmed prompt but to create a completely new inquiry would mean…"

(That evening at the Decepticon Underwater Base)

The two of Decepticon jets circled the silent Nightbird who stood in a defensive stance. Thundercracker then attacked with a fist aimed for her face which she dodged and counter with a sharp kick to his mid-section. Skywarp tried to tackle her assuming she was distracted by Thundercracker's attack only to find himself thrown into the air to land flat on his back.

Starscream entered the training room and snorted when he saw his 'brothers' sparring with the alien female. He was about to make a smart remark when he saw Megatron leaning against the opposite wall watching the match with interest. Remembering the punishment he suffered not long ago, he swallowed his words and headed into Megatron's direction.

"What is it Starscream?" growled the Decepticon leader not removing his eyes from the spar.

"I have located another of the units you are sooooo interested in, "drawled the jet who then asked, "Just what is the point of this….fight."

The three Decepticons stopped sparring and Skywarp answered, "Lessons. Her fighting style enabled her to face down Prime…."

"Hmph! It's a sad day when a Decepticon takes fighting lessons from a human made toy, "said Starscream who then found himself pinned to the ground with a small foot in the small of his back and one arm forcibly held up behind him.

Megatron smirked at Nightbird's efficiency and said, "Lessons are not mandatory, but highly recommended."

A notification ding sounded, Megatron tapped his own shoulder and said, "Report."

Soundwave's voice responded, "I have the information you requested."

"Good, meet me in the command room, "Megatron started to walk away and then as if it was an after thought, "Ah…dear Nightbird, please release the moron. Starscream come with me."

Minutes later, Megatron sat down in his chair listening to Starscream's report first. On the main monitor, an aerial view of a castle with some more than modern add-ons could be seen. "Another of the humans' robots can be found here in an underground hanger. From what myself and Reflector have seen it is next most completed but is nowhere near to the level of completion as Nightbird or Stormlark are. She was to be the cold weather and artic region unit, capable of handling weather and temperatures that even we would find dangerous."

"Hmmmm, it seems the humans were trying to create specialists that had the ability to cover each others duties to a certain degree in case of emergency. Clever, "admitted Megatron, "A stealth unit for reconnaissance and covert actions, a medic and energy converter, and now an expert in harsh environment survival and actions. Each possessing decent fighting skills and making intelligent decisions…..wish I could claim the same of all my warriors. You may leave."

Starscream frowned knowing that Megatron didn't want him present when Soundwave made his report, once again proving that his position as second in command was nothing more than an empty title. The jet seethed as he left the room. Once the door closed a slam could be heard as if a fist when into a metal wall.

Megatron noted Starscream's anger but did not show it when he ordered, "Tell me what you found out about the girl."

The monitor flickered and a new image appeared…one of a still picture of Racheal Magess and some text. In his monotone voice, Soundwave began his report, "The human know as Rachael Magess is reported to be in a condition called a coma by the doctors. However, after examining the information provided I discovered that diagnosis is incorrect." The screen changed to reveal two lined graphs with the lines going up and down in what appears to be random pattern. "This is the brain pattern of a normal human. " The screen changed to show another set of graphs one with a similar pattern the other completely flat. "This one is the one the woman's brain patterns as reported by the doctors, "Soundwave continued, "Taking into…"

"Enough with the lecture, "interrupted Megatron, "Just give me your conclusions."

"The mind of the human has either been erased or transferred to another, "answered Soundwave.

Megatron smirked as if Soundwave's report was a confirmation of something he already knew. "Good work Soundwave, "he said, "Now I want you to collect a certain someone, I believe you already know who."

"Yes, Megatron."

(Art Drake's office, Pedrake Industries Compound)

Talking into the phone, Drake said, "Look I understand…I didn't have a choice, if I didn't allow the boy and Autobot in then more questions would have been raised. Besides, the boy has proven resourceful in overcoming…Yes, I agree fully but…There is no way just the presence of the Autobots could contaminate the project as you put it…That is ENOUGH! I am not going to bother to explain my actions to you any further, we will meet next week as planned with the others and then you can tell all of us your opinion on the matter!" Art Drake then angrily slammed down the phone. The man sighed as he leaned back into his chair closing his eyes. He knew it would have been a mistake to report what has happened to the others, but had no choice. It would have been worse if they found out on their own and they would have had his head…literally in the Russian's case.

The intercom on his desk buzzed and then his secretary's voice came throught, "Sir, Mr. Chase is here to see you. He says it is important."

Drake sighed tiredly and then responded, "Send him in." He released the button before continuing, "At least I know that oversized 'friend' of his can't be with him."

The door opened, letting Chip Chase roll in with a serious look on his face. "Is there something wrong? "asked Drake in a monotone voice.

"I wanted to tell you that I believe may have I found what the second security protocol is, "Chip said, "but I don't think you're going to like it."

"Well, "Drake prompted.

"It seems that the AI is the second protocol, "answered Chip, "Stormlark herself must allow access to her programming. For some reason she is refusing."

With a raised eyebrow to indicate his disbelief, Drake asked, "And how did you come to this conclusion?"

"She keeps changing the security programming, "answered Chip, "Every time I start making progress, everything I've done so far gets erased and a new wall is put into place so that I can't use the same method. I didn't figure it out until I got the prompt asking if we could take a break. Stormlark herself is preventing access."

"Why would Stormlark…"Drake started to ask but then a thought crossed his mind and said instead, "What if the second protocol should have been the nanites' programming deciding who is to get access could Stormlark take it over?"

"I don't see why, "answered Chip, "but that could happen from what I've seen. The nanites' have a hive mentality with the Stormlark being the 'queen' in charge. Although why give the second protocol to the nanites when having Stormlark's own AI being more secure in the first place? To convince the nanites to let us get by all you would need to do is trick them into thinkingwe were the 'queen.'"

Drake slammed the side of his fist onto the desk in frustration and said, "Damn it…there shouldn't be a Stormlark AI! The Stormlark project was put on hold before an AI was completed and downloaded."

"Well there's one now, "Chip said trying not to let his own thoughts show. If no AI was given to the Stormlark, there where did she get it? There is no way the Decepticons could have done it in the short amount of time they were with her….then he remembered what happened that one time Spike was in the hospital. His mind was transferred to…oh crap. Chip suddenly backed away, turned around and started to head to the door. "I think I just figured something out, "he said as he reached over to open the door.

Outside, Stormlark was once again sitting on that low hill but this time Wheeljack was sitting next to her having a one sided conversation which she seemed to be trying to ignore. "Since you're able to use the terminal to communicate, perhaps a voice modulator could be…"

Stormlark suddenly stood and looked towards the night sky as if seeing something. Buzzsaw flew down to drop something and then flew off before Wheeljack had a chance to respond. "What the…."the Autobot said but then added, "Don't touch that it could be…" Stormlark picked up the cube that the Decepticon dropped. "…dangerous," Wheeljacked sighed.

A holographic image of Megatron appeared above the cube and said, "Greetings, Stormlark or should I say Miss. Magess. I have a proposition you might find interesting." The hologram flickered to reveal the image of Dr. Merv Magess being held between Rumble and Frenzy. Megatron's voice continued, "You will meet with us or your uncle will pay the ultimate price. The coordinates and time are embedded in the cube, I suggest you hurry."

The hologram disappeared as Wheeljack said, "You can't be considering…" his protest was ended when Stormlark kicked the Autobot in the mid section and followed through with a two fisted blow to the back of his head. By the time the Autobot recovered, Stormlark was no where to be seen. Rubbing the back of his head, Wheeljack activated his communicator, "Wheeljack calling Prime. We have an emergency."

The End…

Next Time on Flight of the Stormlark….

Art Drake sighed in surrender, "She and Nightbird are…were parts of a special project call Elements. The project was put on hold due to Nightbird's apparent defection. There are three others called…"