Forward: I had this chapter already written, this story wrapped up. Then I had the opportunity to observe a very strange reaction that my actual young 'horse mule' (AKA castrated male mule) had toward our new 'mechanized' 4X4 Mule. This observation caused me to rewrite this chapter.
So yes, this is actually based on true 'horse mule' behavior.
Passing the Time
It got late into the next evening, from the texts' that Amus had been receiving, the storm was due to pass in just a few more hours. The boys were tired, so they lay down next to each other, covering themselves with hay to add insulation. Neither one was worried, for the temps had stayed in the twenty degree zone, and they had on more than enough layers to ward off any chance of hyperthermia.
Bluestreak sat silently as the exhausted boys slept, the howling wind and creaking barn filling his audios. Jake interrupted the Mech's thoughts with a low bray, the strange sound making the Mech chuckle.
Looking at the two strange creatures, the Autobot wondered if he could make friends with them, just like he did with humans. The mules seemed gentle enough, for Amus had climbed all over them as he had taken off their harnesses. He knew they weren't nearly as intelligent as humans or Mechs, but getting to know them would sure beat just sitting here bored for the next few hours.
Sliding his bulk to get nearer to them, Bluestreak noticed that the one called 'Jake' was watching him. The mule put his comically-long ears back and swished his tail as the Mech got nearer to the pair. Thinking that this must be communicating an interest in getting to know him, Bluestreak slid even closer.
At this, Jake shook his head. His enormous ears flopping around, then pinned behind his head again. Bluestreak chuckled, thinking the mule just wanted to be funny. He could see why the Amish liked these creatures, for they seemed to be very entertaining. So Bluestreak slid even closer.
Jake brayed again, his tail swishing even harder. Turning, he faced the Mech, throwing his head up and down. Those hysterical long ears just flopping away, as he then stomped his front hooves, kicking out toward Bluestreak like he was trying to kick a ball to the Mech. This just made the Mech's smile get bigger, for this mule must really like him if he was reacting this much! So Bluestreak decided to stretch out his hand, he wanted to touch the mule.
Without warning, Jake spun around and kicked the Mech's chest with both of his hind hooves. A sharp metal clang resonated through the barn as the mule's hooves connected with his armor plating. The powerful force of those metal-clad hooves caused the astonished Mech to be thrown back into the huge stack of hay in the rear of the big barn. His shout of shock, blended in with Jake's challenging brays – causing the two boys to spring up from their slumber in total shock.
The sight of the Mech buried in the hay with his optics wide in shock, with Jake stomping his satisfaction that he'd eliminated the mechanized threat towards his herd mate – caused both boys to begin to roll in hysterical laughter.
Cleaning the hay off himself, Bluestreak sat back up. Keeping a wary optic on Jake, he made sure to slide himself to the opposite side of the barn from the mule. He looked at the two boys in confusion. "Well, he was stomping and shaking his head at me. I just thought he liked me." he stammered.
Amus had finally quit laughing, but Bluestreak's explanation got the boy rolling in laughter again.
Finally, the two boys quit laughing, though they were still trying to hold back snickers. "When a mule is stomping and shaking his head, he's warning something to stay away from his herd." Daniel began to explain.
"And if the threat doesn't back down, a horse mule will attack it." Amus added.
Daniel chuckled again. "That's why we use them to also protect our livestock. They'll kill any predator that comes near."
As he figured out that he had totally misread Jake's communication, Bluestreak found himself chuckling. For a stupid animal had managed to take him down with just one kick!