Jolt in Time Chapter 4
Everglades:
Soundwave and his team fall into a routine. Rumble and Frenzie enjoy being children of destruction that no one but Soundwave can punish. The birds enjoy the hunt of fleshling prey. Soundwave is bored out of his cranium. Ravage is right there with him. Even though he has the cougar for distraction. One day, Soundwave follows his feline pet into the jungle.
When he finds Ravage, the cat is basking in the sun with the cougar cleaning the inside of his ears. Soundwave leans back against the tree and sighs, listening to the cats purr. Ravage is probably the only one who has found a comrade in this form.
Soundwave actually is finding himself slipping into despair. Separated from his leader is nothing new. Separated from his body is new. He has no one on his own level to talk to. True he was a being of few words. But now he really wished he had someone to talk with… on his level.
At the sound of very soft footsteps behind him, he raises his fists into a defensive pose. The young female is not frightened by him. She shoots him a look that was clear in any language, You won't hit me, so drop it.
Now he is shocked, as she goes back to gathering the local fruit from the trees. She only calls one more thing over her shoulder. "You don't fool me. You are no god." By the time he has translated what she said, she has returned to the village.
That night as the others bring food to the new god and his family, she brings him a plate of the fruit she had gathered, but with a sassy chuck of her head. He raises an eyebrow to her.
That night, when everyone is bedding down, Rumble asks, "What was up with the young squaw?"
"She's not a squaw, idiot. She's not matched," Frenzie chides.
"So what? What's with her disrespectful attitude?" Rumble shoots back.
Soundwave chooses not to answer. Ravage looks up to his master. They share a look. Ravage looks longing out the door. With the slightest tilt to his head, Soundwave gives his permission for Ravage to leave. In a flash of fur, he is gone. Soundwave goes to the door and also steps out, "Remain here," he orders the others.
Soundwave latches his hands behind his back and strides though the quiet village. The edge north end of the village is a river of fresh water. Soundwave takes his time walking over there. His red/violet eyes cast an eerie glow on the ground, but he doesn't care. He really doesn't have much he cares about anymore. Well, Ravage.
Slowly he makes his way into the middle of the cool river. The water comes up to his waist. He ponders slipping under, just to find out how long these human lungs really can retain oxygen.
"I'd be careful. The under current can be strong," the voice comes from a nearby rock. He whirls around and looses his footing on the smooth river bed stones. Soundwave's feet are pulled out from under him. When he goes down, his head hits a rock. Blackness and water over take him.
When he comes to, he is on the sandy bank of the river. His head hurts badly. The voice giggles, "Some water god you are." He narrows his face to a scowl. It just makes him madder. Yanking away from her hand quickly, he pulls himself to his feet in an offensive domineer. He tries to look down on her, lording over her.
Instead it just causes her to relax back and continue to smirk. "You don't frighten me."
"Why not?" he finds the words.
"Because you are clearly unable to take care of yourself. You need us."
He leans over her, "I could break your neck." He flexes his fingers to a fists.
Her eyes rake over him admiring his physique. Reaching up, she squeezes his bicep with two fingers, "I don't doubt that. But you won't."
Her touch sends strange tingles through his flesh. He growls at these new sensations, "Why not?" He likes the sensation but hates that he likes it.
She stands up to him. Face to face with him. Eye to optics. Then she pokes one finger to his broad chest naked wet, "Because, tough guy, who would feed you and your two brats. And yes, they are brats."
Soundwave looks down at this female human challenging him. The Autobots have a feisty female like this call Arcee. How does Prime deal with her? Soundwave growls again and turns away from her. He strides down a path.
"Village is the other direction, smart guy."
He shoots over his shoulder, "I wasn't headed for the village."
"Where are you headed?"
Soundwave stops. He has to find the right words. This language is tougher to crack than the Junkions. "Ah, star watching."
She chortles, "You, star watching? Yeah right."
He turns back to her and scowls again, "Why is that so hard to believe?"
She cocks her head sideways, "You look more like a rock masher. You know, someone into physical activity, rather than thoughtfulness."
He strides back to her and points finger right in her face, "For your information, I am an intelligence officer. I am a scientist." She stares at him. She doesn't recognize the words. He softens a moment and tries again. "I am a spy. I am a tracker." Then thrusts his finger to the sky.
"You are from the sky? Oh, please." She rolls her eyes. Once again he growls and clenches both fists. "You really don't like it when you don't have control, do you?" His eyes bore into her. But it only frustrates him even more that it has no effect on her. As a human she should be a weakling. Certainly as a young Indian female, she should be bowing to his feet. Lord Galvatron, I want to throttle this woman, he groans to himself. But as daughter of the medicine man's, she can not die at his hands.
He huffs, "No!"
"If you are truly from the stars, then how did you get here?"
He throws his hands up, "I don't know!" She starts laughing. He gives her another one of his forceful stares.
She tries to cover her mouth to stop giggling, but she can't. He huffs again and starts to walk away. "Wait, I'm sorry." But he doesn't stop. She has to dash to catch up with him.
Soundwave turns a corner in the path and stops. He is on a cliff ledge overlooking a vast span of a field. The stars pour out in front of him. He hasn't seen the stars so bright in years. The Earth he terrorizes has so many city lights that blot out the stars. When he is on Cybertron, it is always inside. There has been no time for him to just gaze out at the vastness of the universe. Yes, it is a universe he wants to conquer. But looking at it this way, does he really think they have a chance? Should they?
The girl almost slams into him just standing there looking up at the sky. She asks him quietly, "Where are you from?" All he does is point to a blank part of the sky with one bright star. "How can you be sure?"
He decides to answer with a tone that leaves no doubt, "This isn't my first trip to Earth. And I hope not my last."
"Who are you?" She asks him carefully.
"Soundwave. Lord Galvatron's chief intelligence officer of the Decepticons. And who are you?" He knows the words will be lost on her, but he has to remind himself who he is.
"I am Star Dreamer, daughter of Sky Watch our medicine man." He nods his head in acceptance of her title. She sits down and then lays back looking at the sky. "How long will you be here?"
He looses the will to rein over her. Star Dreamer is such a piece of work, a real headache. Soundwave lays back beside her with his arms tucked behind his head watching the summer shooting stars "I don't know."
"But I take it, you want to return home."
"I must."
"Don't you like it here?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"A million reasons why."
"I have known nothing different, so enlighten me." He rolls his head to look at her. Star is watching him for an answer. She isn't teasing him anymore. She honestly wants to know. Instead he rolls his head back to the stars, remaining silent. "Thought so."
"Thought what?" he lets out a frustrate tone.
"You are a liar."
This time he rolls completely on his side and looks at her indignantly. "What do you mean?"
"You aren't a star traveler at all."
"Do you know how infuriating you are? You are so much worse than an Autobot!"
"A what?" honestly confused.
He just growls laying back and then begins a string of obscenities that are not translatable. She giggles. "It was not meant for your amusement," he swears again.
"I'm sorry, but my people are so boring. I know there is so much outside the village. Even these Spaniards sound exciting. I would love to travel with them."
"They will kill your people," his tone is deadly serious.
"Yeah and what was your plan?"
"To enslave them."
Her eyes widen. "Really?"
He doesn't turn to her, "Absolutely. And we will."
She giggles again, "Well, all we have to do is lead your warriors to the river and we shall enslave you pretty quickly."
He rolls over and pins her to the ground with his hips and large hands on her biceps, "You have no idea what you are dealing with. I'm not talking about your village. I am talking about your whole planet. Get that through your stupid human brain." Then rises quickly.
She jumps to her feet and grabs his arm. With a yank and a swift kick to the soft side of his knee, he hits the ground. From no where, Soundwave finds a knife at his throat, and her knee ground into his soft belly, "Fine, bring your people on. Just as we have defended ourselves against the Spaniards, we will take on your people. Never under estimate the weak. We have talents and brains far above brute strength!" With that, she leaves a slight nick to his chin. Then she strides back to the village. He is left kneeling and watching her curvy siloet saunter back to the village. What is this burning in his gut? Somewhere between admiration for her feistiness and angry the truthfulness of her words. No, it was something else. Desire.
The next day, the chief offers his daughter as wife and servant to the god of the waves. But Soundwave pushes the frail young woman away and continues through the crowd. He comes right up to a different woman, "Star Dreamer. She has potential." He extends his hand. It is her decision to make. She looks around the group. All the young men in this group have wanted her for status, but none could deal with her defiance. They knew it would take a brave and strong handed man to deal with this woman. Truly this man before them had to be a god to pick her. Her ideas have been so outlandish. Unheard of in this community. Maybe this god would bless them and take her away. Star Dreamer takes his hand. The community is silent as Soundwave leads her back to the chief, "This female is mine."
She turns her head to him and snorts. Soundwave narrows his gaze for her to shut up. But she cocks a hip at him. Her body language screams, Make me. Soundwave stares at her. How is he going to do it? How do human males make their females remain silent?
Oh, yes. Now he remembers. It sickens him to think of doing it, but he must have control over this woman. If he doesn't control this woman, then he will not be able to control this community. He does it quickly. Faster than lighting, he cups a hand around her waist and one to the back of her neck. He silences her cry of shock by placing his mouth on hers. He did not count on the human reaction of his body. Pleasure comes from this? He can't stop his body from molding to her form. His hands have a mind of their own tenderly pressing their forms closer together. Her body responds likewise, curling her hand around the firmness of his shoulder while the other snakes around his waist.
Finding his head beginning to swim from the lack of oxygen, he breaks the bond gasping. There is a very satisfied look on her face. Somehow Soundwave manages to keep his stoic. The village is also shocked.
Rumble and Frenzie are gagging and hacking. Quickly Soundwave turns on them, "Silence!"
"What? Will you do that to us too?" Rumble enjoys teasing him.
Sound wave places his fists to his hip and leans over, "When we get back, you will be transformed into a toaster."
Rumble quickly lowers his head, "My apologies, sir."
Then Soundwave turns to his new servant and snaps his fingers, "I want a meal." Star Dreamer decides that for now, she will comply. Wait until tonight though, when she puts a frog in his bed. She smiles to herself.
Inside the Mayan Ruins: night
The door closed with a heavy crunch and a thud. Only Jolt's eyes illuminate the area. Kegan reaches over and takes his sleeve, "Now what?"
"We find the space bridge." He leads the way.
"Who do you know it is here?"
"I can feel the Energon. But it is very weak." Kegan stays keeps a hand on his shirt tail. She can't see anything and it brings out her old childhood fears of the dark.
"Jolt, I'm a little nervous. I don't like poisonous spiders… snakes… ya know."
"Well then let's keep your mind off it."
"Sounds good." But he remains silent. Kegan tries again, "How do you know about my family?"
"I, ah… found a file." He doesn't reveal anything more.
"Jolt," she draws out his name in warning. But before he answers, he hits a slick spot. They slide to the bottom of a pit. Kegan is on top of the canvas bag. There is a sound coming from inside. Jumping back, Jolt tears open the bag. He digs around and pulls out a small component.
"Ha, I figured it would work!"
"Gee wiz, Jolt! Please tell me what is going on." But instead he wanders around the room looking at the walls. Then at the ceiling. "Can I help you find something?" she tries again.
"Alright. I heard a rumor, that a space bridge had been built over by the Mayans. I think this is the one. With my transponder responding, I think it is here. But now we have to get out of this room. Look for our shield. If you find it, let me know."
Kegan starts looking at the floor. After about twenty minutes of running her hands along the floor she tells him, "Jolt, the floor is the shield."
"Oh, what a dolt I am!" He laughs. Then he brings the transponder to the forehead of the shield. He sets the transponder directly on it. The floor splits in two, retracting into the walls. Jolt drops down to the floor below. He reaches up and catches Kegan with the canvas bag.
There it was. A space bridge. A much older model than the one Kegan and Jolt were used to working with. They pour out the pieces from the canvas bag. Kegan, using a drop of Energon, lights the torches around the room. With out a word, they begin bringing the space bridge back together and online.
After a couple hours Jolt declares, "Here goes," and crosses his fingers pressing a button. Nothing happens. "No," he sighs heavily.
Kegan comes to his side, "Let me look." Reluctantly he steps aside. After an hour of double checking everything, Kegan sighs, "We need a solar flare to give us the boost in radiation we need."
Jolt smiles broadly, "Help me determine what date today is." Kegan instantly tell him. "How do you know that?"
"We all learn in school when Cortez landed in Mexico. Duh."
Jolt smiles, "Well good. Because I know there was a solar eclipse tomorrow. And from calculations, I believe there was a major solar flare that day too."
Kegan smiles, "Oh good. So all we have to do is wait until tomorrow. Right?"
Jolt smiles and settles back against the inside wall of the space bridge, "Right."
Kegan hands him a banana, "Good. Then you have time to tell me what is in my personal files that I don't know."
Jolt sighs and then nods. "Fine. What do you want to know?"
"Why was my mother adopted? And what do you mean Aunty Nicky is really my aunt?"
Jolt ponders for a moment how he is going to tell her this, "What I am going to tell you, you can not tell anyone. I know. Ratchet knew. But your great grandfather didn't know. Your great uncle can not know."
Kegan's eyes are getting very wide at him using present tense for her great uncle. "Your grandmother met your grandfather on Ocean City. Nicolas was an electrical engineer with EMC. Your grandmother was…well sort of… in another division."
"Who was she?"
"Not yet. They married in secret when on leave. When your grandmother found out she was pregnant and couldn't hide it any longer, she asked her medical officer for leave. He gave her a transfer state side. Two days later, she got word. Nicolas was killed in an explosion on Ocean City. She would have been working by his side." Kegan's eyes go even wider. There were no words to be said. Jolt wraps an arm around her shoulder seeing her shaken. He is well aware of her knowledge of Ocean City. She had been denied access. But never knew why. It had angered her not get that assignment. The truth is filtering down now. Somebody had denied her access. Who else knew her parentage?
Jolt continues, "Your mother was born. Her medical officer knew. He kept it secret. Even from his commander."
"Why would he do that?"
"It really wasn't something the commander needed on his shoulders during the current invasions. Your grandmother tried to raise her daughter the first few months alone stateside. But her commanding officer and her team, desperately needed her back. Her own mother was her commanding officer. They were both under her father's command. And he was killed in the line of duty."
Kegan puts a hand to her mouth. She comes from a long line of military officers. Dedicated officers. Kegan knew she was a loose cannon. What would these people say if they saw her? Jolt smiles. He can see all these thoughts going across her face.
"I know exactly what her father would have said. Your great grandfather, would have said, (putting on his best gruff voice) "Ha! Sounds just like a few friends of mine. Now lets go kick some punks to the far side of the moon." Kegan can't help but laugh at Jolt's impersonation.
"So what happened?"
"Well, your grandmother gave your mother to Nicolas' sister. Nicky was very excited. Nicky was Nicolas' twin sister. And your grandmother found it quite fitting. See your grandmother is a fraternal twin… in a way." He laughs to himself. Kegan doesn't understand the joke. "Anyway, that's how your mother was raised by her aunt. As you know, your mother began running with the wrong crowd. Try as Nicky might, she just couldn't keep Starlight under control." Jolt shakes his head. "She ran off with her high school sweetheart. He was in jail less than a week later."
Kegan knows her own history from there. Her mother got very sick with out proper prenatal care. She did not recover after Kegan was born. Jolt knows this as well. They both sit back digesting the information. Then Kegan looks up at him and asks the most important question.
"I have the medical officer's notes," he lets her try to figure it out. She doesn't get it. "I got his notes when he was killed in action as well." Still Kegan isn't getting it.
Kegan closes her eyes. She is trying very hard. She wants to figure this out for herself. Finally Kegan asks, "Does Ferrous know?"
Jolt smiles, "Very much."
Kegan turns her head sharply to him. "Is that why she has been spending so much time with me?" Jolt nods. "Ferrous knew my grandmother?"
Jolt nods. "Ferrous is your grandmother."
Kegan is in utter shock. The information is rushing through her head. "Chromia is her mother." Jolt nods. A slow releasing breath, "Oh my God, Ironhide is my…."
"Great grandfather."
Kegan's head begins to spin. "You fought beside him."
"Yes." He says almost sadly.
"I'm sorry." Her sympathy is pure.
Jolt cups her face and makes her face him, "I have a duty to get you back to Ferrous. Trust me, I will take care of you."
Kegan pushes back from him, "Look, it doesn't matter who my parents and grandparents were, I am still Kegan. I can still hold my own."
Jolt smiles, "Oh yes, very much like Chromia. She would not hesitate to put Ironhide in his place. Just as Ferrous would stand up to her father and let him know. She carried the shield with pride."
Kegan comes to a new realization, "The Autobot shield is mine as well."
"Yes it is." Jolt tells her with honor. "I believe that Ferrous has Chromia's. I'm sure she plans to pass it to you. I must get you home."
Kegan comes to that conclusion as well, "Cybertron is my home as well."
Jolt once again nods, "Yes it is."
Kegan slams him in the shoulder with all her might, "Anything else you are holding over my head?"
Jolt thinks for a moment, "Ah, I don't think so." She slams him again in the shoulder. "What's that for?"
"Being a jerk. Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"Well, I didn't know how and I wasn't sure when and.. And.. And..." the machine begins making sounds, "And it looks like it's time to get ready to go."
"So where should this take us?"
"Oh I have no idea. But I hope it will take us home. Then I can get my body back."
Then the clouds begin to break over the room. The blue and red lighting begins again. Then the zapping begins. And poof, the room is gone.
