Author: T'Reilani

Rating: T for some violence and Cybertronian swearing

Warnings for this chapter: None.

Summary: The humans arrive at the base.

Pairing(s): None

Disclaimer: I don't own anything except Echo.

"normal"

thoughts

radio

::comm::

A/N: SailorShinzo and ida-criss-wild, thank you for the reviews! I'm glad you like it! Sorry about the delay, this was a hard chapter to write. Hope it turned out well.

Chapter 4: Planet of Humans

Once back at base, Echo and Ratchet returned to their work on the computer. Neither of them spoke, except for swearing occasionally about the human tech; there wasn't anything else to say.

After about three hours, after it got dark, Arcee, Bumblebee, and Bulkhead pulled into the base, tires screeching as they came to a halt and transformed. Optimus turned to them. "Report."

Arcee raised a shoulder in a slight shrug. "The twins came after me. Bumblebee and I fought them, then when Bulkhead showed, they decided they didn't like the odds. Took off. The 'Cons would've been scrap metal if I hadn't been distracted by the human."

That word got everyone's attention. Echo turned to look at Arcee as Optimus inquired. "Human?"

Bumblebee beeped an explanation. Optimus sighed. "Two boys."

Arcee raised a hand, in a "don't look at me" gesture. "I guess the second one caught us in action, I don't know. Was a little busy at the time." Her tone had a bite to it.

Optimus turned back to the monitor. "If the Decepticons are targeting us, anyone percieved as our ally will be at grave risk."

"So?" Arcee raised an eyebrow arch.

"So?" Echo stared at her. "So those humans could get killed!"

"Not my problem," the older femme snapped. "It was the older one's choice to get involved, I didn't ask him to show up. Besides, what are the odds the 'Cons will even remember them?"

"Pretty good," Bulkhead pointed out. "I mean, they did go after them. They probably got a good visual image."

"Bulkhead and Echo are right, Arcee." Optimus turned to face her. "Which of you did the boys see?"

Bumblebee beeped the answer.

"Alright. Tomorrow, the two of you will make contact with them. Bring them here."

"Are you sure about that, Optimus?" Ratchet looked up from the computer. "You know what Fowler says about contact with civilians."

"Yes, Ratchet, but the alternative is leaving them to face Decepticons alone. We will help them." Optimus's tone left no room for argument.

"Fine. Now if no one objects, I'm going to get some recharge." Arcee stalked off toward her quarters. Echo sighed and looked after her. "Isn't there anything we can do, Dad?"

"No. This is something she has to deal with alone." Ratchet put a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "You should recharge too. Go on, I'll clean up here."

The next day, as usual, was quiet. The most activity came from Arcee, complaining about having to deal with a human.

"How am I even supposed to find him? I don't know anything about him."

Ratchet sighed. "Would you mute it already? We get it. You're not happy."

Echo looked up from the computer. "Does he have a name?"

Arcee thought. "Jack Darby, I believe he said. Talking to a girl."

"Jack Darby." Echo typed in a few commands on the computer. "Here it is. Goes to Jasper High. This is the address. Classes get out at 3:30 P.M. You can probably meet him then. See? That wasn't so hard. And if we can do it, so can the Decepticons."

"Hmmph." Arcee snorted and turned away. Optimus turned to Echo. "Good thinking, young one. Can you trace the other boy?"

"Not without a name, but there would be humans from ages twelve to eighteen there, and it's the only one in town. He should be easy to find, especially if he recognizes Bumblebee."

"Thank you, Echo. Ratchet, how is the computer modification coming?"

"How do you think? It's not coming. At all. Blasted human tech is useless." Ratchet slammed a fist down on the console. "On Cybertron, this would have been a ten-minute job. Now it's a ten-day job."

"This isn't Cybertron, as much as I wish it was, Ratchet." Optimus sighed.

Echo turned back to her computer console, sighing. This was going to be a long, long day.

Arcee and Bumblebee left for the school at 2:30, much to Echo's relief. Arcee was a good friend, but her complaining was getting on the young medic's nerves. It was bothering Ratchet too, but he was better at concealing it. At least, most of the time.

When they returned, though, everyone got quite a surprise.

Echo, standing next to her father, looked up from the computer, to see that there was one young boy in Bumblebee's passenger side, and two humans - an older boy, and a girl - with Arcee.

"I thought there were two," Ratchet said, moving to stand next to Bulkhead. Echo nodded. "Yeah, you said two boys. Where'd the girl come from?"

"Haven't you heard?" Arcee smirked. "Humans multiply."

"Not that fast!" Echo rolled her optics. "Seriously, Arcee."

The youngest boy looked up at them, then held up a hand. "I'm Raf."

The girl ran toward Bulkhead. "I'm Miko! Who are you?"

He stared at her. "Bulkhead."

She gasped, with what was most likely delight. "Are you a car? I bet you're a truck. A monster truck! Do you like heavy metal? How much do you weigh? Ever use a wrecking ball for a punching bag?"

"Well, she's not shy," Echo commented dryly. "Not sure if that's good or bad."

Raf looked from one to the other. "So...if you guys are robots, who made you?"

Ratchet snorted in irritation. "Oh, please!"

"Easy, Dad," Echo muttered as Optimus entered the room. The three humans all turned to look at him as he spoke. "We are Autonomous Robotic Organisms from the planet Cybertron, also known as Autobots."

The older boy - Jack, Echo assumed - stepped forward. "W-why are you here?"

"To protect your planet from the Decepticons."

"And to make life hard for me," Ratchet muttered. Echo suppressed a giggle.

Arcee clarified. "The jokers who tried to bump us off last night."

"Okay..." Jack still looked confused. "Why are they here?"

"A fair question, Jack." Optimus knelt in front of them. "In part, they are here because our planet is uninhabitable, ravaged by centuries of civil war."

Echo shrugged. "That's partly why we're here too, actually. I don't remember Cybertron very well anymore; I've lived here most of my life cycle."

"Really? Cool!" Miko looked up at her. "Are you a motorcycle too? How old are you?"

Echo groaned internally, but before she had to start answering, Raf spoke to Optimus. "Why were you fighting a war?"

"Foremost, over control of our world's supply of energon, the fuel and lifeblood of all Autobots and Decepticons alike. The combat was fierce, and endured for centuries. In the beginning, I fought alongside one who I considered a brother. But in war, ideals can be corrupted; and it was thus that Megatron lost his way."

Miko sighed. "Is there gonna be a quiz?"

Echo grinned. "Fair question," she whispered to Ratchet. The older medic just shook his head.

Jack shook his head. "So...what does Megatron, or any of this, have to do with us?"

Optimus sighed. "Megatron has not been seen or heard from in some time. But if his return is imminent, as I fear, it could be catastrophic."

Echo's optics widened. She hadn't known Optimus thought Megatron would be returning soon. How did I miss that?

"And since you now know of our existence, I fear that as of last night, the Decepticons know of yours."

Jack nodded. "Got it. If we spot any strange vehicles, call 911. Can we go now?"

Miko protested. "Are you insane? I'm living a dream here, in Botswana, and I will not allow you or anyone else to shatter it!" Echo rolled her optics at the pun.

"It is best that you three remain under our watch," Optimus informed them. "At least, until we can determine our enemies' intentions."

"Wait - here?" Echo stared in shock. Ratchet shot her a let-me-do-the-talking look, before turning to their commander. "Optimus, with all due respect, the human children are in as much danger here as anywhere."

"Children?" Jack looked offended.

Ratchet ignored him. "They have no protective shell! If they get underfoot, they will go - squish!" Echo grimaced at the thought, then added, "And it's not like it would be hard to step on them, they're so small!"

"Then, for the time being, Ratchet and Echo, we must watch where we step."

Echo pressed a servo to her forehead with a groan.