Forever is a Long Time Coming
Discussion
Raf decided to answer. "Okay. We come from a very hopeless future. Well, hopeless when we left. But I'll get back to that." He let out a heavy breath, then continued. "See, when you guys originally showed up in the Ark," He pointed at Sentinel, "Ratchet, Bulkhead and Bumblebee used the ground-bridge to escape. Something went wrong, and Ratchet and Bulkhead were lost for ten years."
"What?" Ratchet asked, "How is that possible?"
"We don't know." Miko shrugged. "Anyways, with those two gone, things pretty much went downhill from there. Bumblebee managed to make his way back, but he was damaged. And without Ratchet, he couldn't really fight."
"Right." Raf picked up from there. "Well, an hour after Bee got back, the Combaticons showed up, lead by Scorponok. Optimus told Arcee, Spotter, and Silverbolt to retreat, with Miko, and me."
"Yeah," Miko said, "We managed to escape, but Arcee and Spotter went back to help. But once the Nemesis showed up, along with Megatron -"
"Megatron still functions?" Optimus asked in a concerned, but calm voice.
"Yes." Raf nodded his head. "We don't really know what happened next, exactly. But, Sentinel, you Optimus, and Blaster were killed. Spotter was destroyed from the waist up, and Arcee vice versa."
"Bumblebee was cut in half at the waist, but Silverbolt managed to recover him and Arcee." Miko said. "But two drones managed to get the drop on him and mess him up. He destroyed them, though they couldn't report back to Megatron."
"I see." Optimus hmm'd. "And how did you two manage to survive all that time?"
"Silverbolt swore to protect us." Raf answered with pride. "We ate the military rations left over in the bunker, and Silverbolt rebuilt Ops."
"And how did you come to our time?" Sentinel asked.
"Well..." Miko said, a little hesitantly, "Ratchet, our Ratchet, used the rebuilt ground-bridge, that Bulkhead and Silverbolt fixed, to bring us here. But he never told us how."
"Hump," Ratchet grumbled. "Fine. But you mentioned that the future was hopeless before you left. What happened?"
"Well, in order for you guys to get rid of a techno virus developed by MECH-" Miko continued, but Sentinel cut her off.
"I apologize, Miko. But who, or what, is MECH?"
"A human organization, bent on conquering this world by use of advanced technology." Optimus explained. "And, through series of uncontrollable circumstances, discovered who we autobots are. Now, they are obsessed with us, and are trying to steal our own technology, in order to duplicate it."
"I see." Sentinel said. "Please continue, Miko."
"Well, like I said, MECH used a virus to knock out all tech that wasn't the Cons." The older girl explained. "Which meant our team couldn't change forms, or do anything. So we, that is Arcee, Bee, and Ratchet, rigged the Ark's drive-core to emit an EMP blast-"
"And wipe out the virus for good." Ratchet said in awe. "Foolish, but also very clever."
"And now we're here." Raf finished, somewhat lamely.
Optimus looked deep in thought. "And, you are unable to return to you own time?"
"Our Ratchet said that would be a bad thing." Miko looked at the titan with a smirk. "First, he said that the time line may not even exist anymore-"
"-And if it did," Raf said with a shrug "Now that Megatron is aware that those guys survived, he'll stop at nothing to destroy them. So, it would be safer for us to remain here."
"Of course." Sentinel agreed. "However, if your younger selves where to discover your existence-"
"The repercussions could be catastrophic." Optimus said.
"Then what should we do, Optimus?" Ratchet asked. "We can't just get rid of them. Not after what they've been through."
"Are you concerned, Ratchet?" Miko quipped with a chuckle. "You're not going soft, are you?"
Ratchet narrowed his eyes at the sarcastic girl, and grunted. "Hardly."
"No, Ratchet." Optimus agreed with his medical officer. "I would never suggest that we do. They are ours to protect now. And we must do our best to keep them safe."
Sentinel took a minute to asses the situation. "They require new identities then. That much is obvious. That, and they seem to be giving off a rather pungent smell. Is this common for humans?"
Ratchet shook his head. "While humans can be rather, smelly, at times, this level of odor is uncommon. I suggest they get a change of clothes, and a decontamination bath. Not particularity in that order, though."
Miko and Raf looked rather indignant.
"Hey." Raf grumbled, looking rather put out, "It's not our fault we haven't bathed in 10 years.
Miko crossed her arms and frowned at the med-bot. "Yeah. Proper hygiene wasn't exactly at the top of our list, you know."
Optimus decided to intervene before things got out of hand. "While our older human friends are in need of a bath, Ratchet, I believe Sentinel was referring to Raf and Miko's pheromone levels."
"Our... what?" Miko gasped, looking stunned.
Raf hid his with both his hands face, as he blushed rather brightly.
"Their bio-metric readings suggest they wish to mate with one another." Sentinel explained, as he "sniffed" the air again. Not realizing what he was saying.
Miko blushed as she realized what the autobot general was suggesting. "What? Are you saying... that I..., that we actually want to..."
"Please don't finish that sentence, Miko," Raf pleaded.
"What is that matter, Rafael?" Sentinel asked out of concern. "Miko is a fertile female of breeding age. Why would not wish to mate with her?"
"Humans do not simply mate with each-other, Sentinel." Optimus explained, as Miko and Rad looked anywhere but at one another. "They have courtships and traditions that they follow. It does not always make sense to us Autobots, but, that is how it is done on Earth. With various degrees amongst certain cultures."
"Be that as it may, they still need clothes, a bath, and some food that doesn't consist of Military rations." Ratchet said, going back to his original point. "Should we call Mrs. Darby for assistance? She's most likely the only individual we can trust to help at this point."
"Who is this, Mrs. Darby, that you refer to, Ratchet?" Sentinel asked out of concern.
"Silverbolt's mother." Miko decided to answer, now that they weren't discussing her and Raf's "mating rituals". "She can be trusted with our secret, that's for sure."
"I agree with Miko and Ratchet's assessment." Optimus added. He activated his communicator. After a few rings, the call was answered.
"Hello, Optimus." June's voice said. "How are you today?"
"I am fine, June." Optimus answered, being used to that particular human tradition. "Thank you for asking."
"To what do I owe the pleasure of the leader of the Autobots calling me?" June asked with a touch of laughter in her voice. "Usually it's Jack that calls."
"Jack is busy returning Miko and Raf to their homes at the moment, June." Optimus explained. "What I require is your assistance in a rather, delicate, matter."
"The last time you asked me for help, Jack was infected." June stated, sounding concerned. "Are one of the children hurt?"
"No." Optimus reassured her. "What I require your help with, is something completely different. Are you able to come to our base of operations?"
June sounded curious, but answered anyways. "Yes. I am. I can there within half an hour. Is that alright?"
"That is acceptable." Optimus said. "I will see you then. Good day, June."
"Goodbye, Optimus." June said, disconnecting the call.
Raf spoke up, voicing his concern, "You know she's going to freak out when she see's us."
"To say the least." Miko added, reverting to her old habit of blowing her bangs out of her face.
"That's a risk we have to take." Ratchet said, as though it was obvious. "Now, what shall we call you two, should you accidentally be discovered?"
"June once tried to fool me with the names Mike and Rachael." Optimus admitted. "Those identities should be adequate."
Miko crossed her arms and rolled her eyes, "Ugh. What's with you guys and lame code-names? Why the heck would I want to be called Rachael?"
"I kinda like it. It suits you." Rad admitted, rubbing the back of his head, looking at her shyly. "And really, those names are better then nothing."
Miko shrugged, but didn't say anything. She did notice, however, that Sentinel was sniffing the air again. She narrowed her eyes, and pointed a threatening finger at him. "Not a word, match-maker."
The titan didn't now what to say, so he remained silent.
"Since the name issue is settled-" Ratchet began, but stopped once his audio receptors picked up something.
"... So I forgot my purse, big deal." the younger Miko said, as she walked back into the Ark's med-lab. She stopped short as soon as she saw her older self, and the older Raf.
" It is a big deal, Miko." Silverbolt said, as he an Raf came walking in, "I don't like wasting... wasting... what the frag?"
"Who are those guys?" the younger Raf asked, as he adjusted his glasses. "And why do they look familiar?"
Miko looked over her shoulder with a look of disbelief. "Really, Raf?"
"What?"
"Uh, hey Optimus." Silverbolt greeted, rubbing the back if his neck. "Sorry about-"
"Do not worry, Silverbolt," The autobot leader said, as he stood up. Ratchet and Sentinel stood up as well. He looked at Raf. The younger Raf, and answered "Do not be alarmed. But the two individuals you see before you are your older selves."
"H-How much... uh, older?" Miko asked, her voice squeaking with a mixture of awe nerves.
"It's okay, Optimus, I got this." The older Miko said, as she walked over to the young girl. She bent down and looked her in the eye. "You're shorter than I remembered."
"I'm still tall-" Young Miko began to argue, but was cut off by her older self.
"-for my age. Yeah. I remember saying that." Old Miko chuckled, as she stood up straight. "Man. That brings back memories."
"Speak for yourself." Young Miko said a sarcastic tone. "You still didn't answer my question."
Young Raf decided to answer for Old Miko. "Judging by their height, hair length, and the amount of dirt, dust, and grime on their clothes... I would hazard a guess at ten years or so."
"Was I always like that?" Old Raf asked rhetorically.
"Yep." Both Miko's answered anyways at the same time, looking at Old Raf.
"Funny." Old Raf quipped, shaking his head. "But yes, uh, Me. We're from ten years in the future."
"How is this even possible?" Silverbolt asked. "Isn't time travel... I don't know... impossible."
Ratchet sighed, and crossed his arms. "Clearly not, considering the evidence right in front of you. But, we can't get side-tracked by that story. Just accept the fact that those two are from the future, no questions asked, and let's move on."
"Okay." Miko said, still staring at Old Miko. "Are there any weird time-travel rules we should know about?"
"There's one paradox that we should consider." Old Raf said. "It's the theory that no two people can exist at the same place, at the same time." Everyone was looking at him, "Basically, just don't touch each-other."
"What would happen if they do?" Optimus asked, now concerned.
Young Raf picked up on the tone. "Nothing to the point of certainty. But, in theory the person in question could merge, and either melt, become one person with traits from both people, or erase themselves from time completely."
"You mean, the person would have never existed, at all?" Ratchet asked in an astonished voice.
"Possibly." Young Raf shrugged. "But it's best that we rather not take that chance."
The two Miko's exchanged a look, and quickly put some distance between themselves.
"Now that they are aware of their older selves," Sentinel said, then looked over at Optimus "What are we going to do, Optimus?"
"A difficult question, General." The red and blue titan said. "I still believe our future guests need some rest and relaxation. As for their fate? That is a decision that must wait until all factors are considered."
"I agree, Optimus." Ratchet said. "Once things have settled down, then we can decide what to do with them."
"We're not considering just abandoning them, are we?" Silverbolt asked, almost in a demanding tone.
"No, Young warrior, we are not." Sentinel stated, in a relaxing tone. Abandonment is not the Autobot way."
Both Rafs and Mikos let out a sigh of relief.
"They cannot remain here, though." Optimus added. "Again, that is something to discuss later. For now-"
"Arcee to all Autobots. Respond." Arcee's voice suddenly said, coming through all their communicators.
"Bulkhead here."
"Blaster reading you loud and clear."
"Sentinel standing by."
Bumblebee honked and beeped.
"Optimus here."
"Ratchet here."
"Silverbolt ready to go."
"Spotter and I just got the main power on-line, and the Ark's radar just lit up with three contacts." Arcee said.
"Yeah." Spotter added, sounding worried. "Three hostile contacts."
"You are certain of this?" Optimus asked.
"Very." Arcee answered. "Two are unknown. Which are coming from the south and east. And the third... it matches the Nemesis. It's coming from the North."
"What's the ETA, Arcee?" Blaster asked, sounding a little worried and shocked.
Spotter answered, "I'd say... 30 for the Nemesis. 45 for the unknown coming from the South. And about 25 to 30 for the unknown coming from the East."
"That doesn't sound good." Silverbolt said.
Optimus, however, was calm. "Bulkhead. Status?"
"We got one cannon removed, Boss." Bulkhead answered. "We can have it relocated, and running in about 25 minutes, if we had some help."
The red and blue titan looked over a Silverbolt. "Silverbolt?"
"On it." The silver bot said, as he ran out to help.
Optimus then looked over at Sentinel, and nodded his head.
Sentinel drew himself up to his full height. "Autobots. Battle stations."
TBC.
A/N: And that's how it's played.
