-09-

School's out

Ever had one of those days you thought things are getting you nowhere? No? Well these people do. All these men and women working for M.E.C.H. for the past few months they have been all working on one single project. If their Project: Übermensch was to be still around, it would take much, much shorter. But with him back with the Autobots it was taking them so much time. The fact they also lost the alien technology was of no help either. Worse, it was a major setback. The Professor managed to save some data, but the team was skeptical. In fact, the whole organization was.

That is for the Professor and CyLAS. The two would have no excuses. The Professor was simply to proud to admit the project was on a scale too high to reach. CyLAS on the other hand simply was demanding. He has already lost his perfect being, Dinobots, some of his flesh, nearly lost his life, became a cyborg... His plans were slowly falling. Project: Sideways was his last chance to get back in the game. The future of M.E.C.H. depended on this project's success.

"How goes the progress, Professor?" he asked. The man in the lab coat and a gas mask never seized to work on his tablet.

"We are working at our maximum, Colonel." The Head Scientist reported. "We were able to fill some of the gaps in the data and work around the majority of problems." Leland smiled, satisfied to hear there was progress, despite the setbacks. "We will be behind schedule unfortunately. But everything appears to be in the right place."

"However..." CyLAS's smile dropped. Now a big frown appeared on his face. Anger was building up within him. There were bad news? "We do have two problems we were unable to solve, no matter how many hours of sleep we cut and how much coffee we drank. And that's no joke."

CyLAS understood what Professor meant. Knowing the leader's temper, Professor had the team work nearly 24 hours to solve the more complex problems. He should know. He witnessed them. And the Head Scientist showed himself perhaps even more cruel than the disgrace colonel at times. "What are they?" he asked.

"The first one involves the power source." The Professor started. "But I believe it will be solved pretty quickly as we can just refer to the original blueprints provided by our traitorous prototype-of-the-boy. The second problem however is a serious one."

"What's that?"

"You did mention the AI of our drones, even the Dinobots, was fault. Remember?" Professor showed the tablet to CyLAS, flashing an image of Grimlock. "We failed to find the remnants of the drones. From what we learnt, it seems they ran away on their own free will."

"That's impossible." CyLAS commented skeptically. "The Dinobots, like other drones, have a command inputted into them to return to the nearest M.E.C.H. HQ should they be actually operational, merely presumed destroyed."

"It would seem that last blast Übermensch used to disable them, rather them actually destroy them, changed something in them, intentionally or otherwise doesn't matter." Professor explained. He had several teams break into the military facilities where he believed the Dinobots' remains would be kept. But they failed to find them there. It was later, thanks to the informants inside, that they learned the military has also failed to salvage the Dinobots during the incident. Since then, he was doing his best to convince Leland to not program the artificial intelligence into their new project.

"Which is why I suggested man-piloting our newest prototype. However, as things stand, it would take at least five men to pilot this... thing." Professor stated.

CyLAS did not like the sound of that. "FIVE MEN?!" he roared, making everyone flinch. "This is a complete setback not only to our organization! It's an insult to our civilization!" He caught Professor by the coat, lifted him and pressed him against the railing above their new prototype. "I don't HOW you do it. But Project: Sideways IS to be operational with ONLY ONE pilot needed." he threatened.

Professor merely shrugged.

"It is not possible... for us." He said, as CyLAS set him down. "The thing is, Colonel, that our Übermensch is the only one smart enough to make this work, if anyone can. No matter how many years we spend, we just lack the brain capacity to make this work. The aliens' tech is just too complex to make it work without either multiple men controlling it or AI."

CyLAS growled at that. Things were going down the drain. Why? When did things go so wrong? When his greatest creation turned on him? When he lost the Dinobots? When he lost the Cube? When? Things were not supposed to get worse. He was supposed to get the power. Move humanity to greatness. But this...

No. He would not accept this.

"If Übermensch is indeed the only one who could make this work, than I will retrieve him." He stated, much to Professor's shock.

"Find him?" he double checked. But he was hearing right. "You do realize that our alien friends are likely keeping a close eye on him since we abducted him?"

"A minor problem." CyLAS commented. "I will have my prototype back. Even if I have to cripple it and kill everyone who lives in whatever hole they hide him in."

"Do you even know where to look?" Professor asked. When CyLAS turned around, flashing with his cybernetic eye, his smile looked just that much more maniacal.

"Oh, indeed I do." He said. "Believe me, I do." He gazed into the distance. When CyLAS found Jack, recognizing him easily, he ordered searching for any hints of his whereabouts. Social networks were quiet the source of information.

And he knew just where to strike.

Jasper, Nevada, Jack's hangout place

"Oomph..." Jack hit the ground hard, rolling a few feet. But he quickly got back up on his feet. He gave a sharp glance at the person who tossed him- Kelly. The young woman was in the battle stance, smirking at her little brother.

"C'mon, Jack. You're moving like a boulder." She taunted him. What was the reason? Well, it's been four days since the prom. Since Jack decided to quit school. Kelly understood he had reasons. Surprisingly, she was a bit happy he decided to go to one of the universities that wished for him to attend to. That alone would make anyone proud, right. Jack was a smart kid- probably the smartest kid on the planet, though Doctor Doom in the equation would make that debatable.

But she wasn't proud of him. She wasn't even happy. Not fully. She was mad that he dropped school just because he snapped. And even though Vince, that arrogant racist bully, had it coming for years now, Jack should not have gone to this extend. The red head ended up not only expelled, but in a hospital for a month with bruises and aching bones. Lucky they were not fractured.

Jack was always emotional. There was always something with people with brilliant minds. Genius and madness were, are and always will be two sides of the same coin. Like darkness and light or good and evil cannot exist without one another. And Jack was always rather emotional. He was able to control himself most of the times, but there were times he would snap like that. And that's the only reason why she spared him most of her wrath.

Instead, she decided to make his rehabilitation more harsh. Yes, Jack was still recovering after the whole Nemesis Prime incident. And Kelly decided her little brother would be sparring her every day. After all, their father and grandfather were military. It's rather normal they'd teach them at least some moves to protect themselves. And Kelly would often get Jack into a spar, whether he liked it or not.

Though he would win after he turned eleven. That was when his brain capacity and physical attributes enhanced. But now Jack was weakened. And Kelly was pushing him.

Jack slowly approached her, ready to make a move, yet kept his distance. The older one of the siblings decided to mock him. "Keeping distances, Jack? I thought you were better than that, baby brother."

Jack gritted his teeth and dashed at her. Kelly smirked seeing he took the bait. Just like old times. The pride blinded reason. When her brother was about to put a grip on her, Kelly caught his arm and tossed him over. Luckily, Jack merely rolled a fair distance away, smirking.

However, the sweat on his body and deep breaths caught someone else's attention. "I think that'll be enough, Kelly." Arcee commented, staying in her vehicle form. "Jack's at his limits."

"Sorry Arcee." Kelly spoke, refusing to stop. "But I need my brother to take one more move."

"Just one more?" Jack asked. Then dashed at his sister, who seemed ready to strike. She was about to grab him by the wrist again. But to her surprise, Jack quickly took his hand back. Then he jumped, rolling on Kelly's back, landed on the other side of her and delivered an open palm strike to her gut, knocking her down on her back.

Kelly just lied on her back with her eyes wide open. She could not believe how her little brother outwitted her. If Arcee were in her robot form, her optics would be wide just as well. What's more, her jaw would likely drop, like in those cartoons Raf sometimes watches back at the Ark with Bumblebee. That would be embarrassing.

"Guess that's my win." Jack stated with humor, catching his breath. Kelly got up on her feet, giving a slight glare to him.

"Don't think your off the hook though." Kelly warned. "I am still angry with you."

"Can't really blame you, can I?" Jack asked, rubbing the back of his neck. His sister glared at him for a few more seconds, before turning away and making her way to the basket for some sandwiches.

Then the teen's head dropped. Actually, Jack fell on his backside with a deep sigh. Arcee switched to her bipedal mode and kneeled next to her partner. "You okay, Jack?" she asked.

"Yeah, just exhausted." The boy answered. After a few deep breaths, he got back on his feet and entered into the garage. More specifically to the next room. That's when Kelly approached the female Autobot, taking a bite on her sandwich.

"What's with him?" Arcee asked. Kelly shrugged.

"To be honest I fail to understand that boy lately."

If only they knew. After Jack locked the door, he rolled up the sleeve, revealing some kind of contraption on his arm with tubes and three empty vials. After he removed them, he reached for the drawer and pulled out a new vials with a dark blue substance. He inserted them in and the substance was now running through the tubes. He took a deep breath, slightly grunting. Then he exhaled, as his veins blazed under his skin for a few seconds.

Franklin High

"It's... So... Boring..." Miko groaned, her face in the desk. Why, you ask? Chemistry, why else? "Why do I have to stay for this experimentation after school?"

"Because you did not read what you were signing up for, Miko. Remember?" Raf asked as he set a box with dry ice on the table.

"I was signing up for the school play, dude." Miko answered annoyed.

"Then you shouldn't have gotten that excited. You signed up the wrong list."

"Urgh. That's why nobody likes you smart guys. There's just chance winning with you." Miko was truly irritated. She folded her arms and turned away, mumbling something to herself. She would continue on missing out for the school play, when she heard Raf cry. "What happened?" She asked in worry.

"The Gas burner was work!" Raf panicked. "I think there's a leak somewhere!"

"Don't you have anything to fix it?" the Japanese transfer student asked.

"N-no, I don't."

"Mind if I take a look?" some student with blond hair cut in a mullet asked, approaching. He looked at the damaged part and looked at the two. "Any of you got gum?" he asked. Miko blinked and nodded, pulling out a small package. The teen pulled some out and chewed on it. After a few minutes, he spitted it out and wrapped it around the damage, sealing it. "That should hold it.

Miko and Raf were at awe by this. "Cool. What's your name?" Miko asked.

"MacGyver. Mac for friends." He introduced himself, making his way back to his group.

"T-this hold it until we're done." Raf commented.

"Yeah..." Miko answered, memorized. That guy must have made an impression on her.

Then Miko's phone rang. The punk girl pulled it out and answered. "Hello?"

"/Miko, It's Bulkhead./" Her guardian spoke. "/Listen, I know you're staying after school. And I'm afraid I won't be able to pick you up./"

That got the girl shocked.

"What?! Why?!"

"/Fowler. Someone just attacked one of the military facilities and he's calling for us to back 'im up. You're a big girl. You can manage without me, can't you?/" he asked teasingly.

"Yeah. It's just not so fun without you around." She complaint, ending the call. "Bulkhead won't be picking us up today." She told Raf.

"What a shame." A familiar hostile voice commented. All the students and school staff present turned to find the doors rammed. And several, armed men in green suits entered. They demanded everyone to gather into the school gym. Miko and Raf recognized them only by the stylized 'M' on their suits.

And one more thing gave their identity away. He looked different because of the cybernetics and prosthetics, but was still recognizable- Colonel Leland Bishop, a.k.a. CyLAS.

"Ladies and gentlemen.!" He got everyone's attention. "You are now the asset of the Mechanics of Evolution and Cybernation of Humanity- M.E.C.H. I am CyLAS. You will do as I tell you..." he pulled out a gun and pointed it at Raf, making the poor boy tremble in fear. "... and this won't get any more ugly than it has to be." He finished with a smug grin on his face. The look of fear in everyone's eyes, young or old, just pleased him to no end.

Jack's garage

Kelly just finished another phone call and had to leave. She wanted to talk with Jack some more, with Arcee nearby. But she just got a call. Arcee also just got a call from base and was ready to leave. Jack... he just kept working on his bike. And judging by the look on his face he was about done, probably just making the final adjustments.

"Jack." Arcee called, transforming into her vehicle mode. "Optimus just called. I have to..."

"Say no more, 'Cee." Jack said calmly. He turned to look at her and smiled warmly. "If it's the 'Cons, give them a beating to remember."

Arcee chuckled at it. "Oh I'll make them remember it alright."

And with that, she was driving away.

Jack returned to his bike. He finally finished it. After washing his hands, he jumped onto it, started the eng...

"/We interrupt this program to bring this special report!/" The radio sounded. Jack forgot to turn it off. "/Franklin High School has just been raided by the terrorists! From what we know, there are at least 40 people being held hostage!/" That got Jack's attention. "/The armed with some high tech gear and are extremely dangerous. The local police tried to get close, but were forced to set the perimeter due to the terrorists' strategies./"

Jack gave it a thought. It couldn't be. There was only one terrorist group they knew that would take Nevada for a target. But why would they. The answer hit him like Genocide's punch.

Elsewhere

Optimus and the other Autobots were at the facility, which was overrun by M.E.C.H. drones and men. All shooting at the Autobots. It was strange though. The thing is, this facility did not contain any high tech. It was a simple factory. There were no prototypes, schematics or equipment that M.E.C.H. would actually bother with. So why did they strike here?

"/Optimus?/" Ratchet spoke through the comm.-link. "/I just received news here. The school kids attend to has been taken by the terrorists./" Ratchet informed. The medic rarely listened to the news, mostly focusing on his work. However, lately he's been watching the news, hoping to make a far better energon shot for Jack. Then it was interrupted by the news.

"Understood. However we have our servos full." The Prime answered.

"/Optimus. The terrorists are M.E.C.H. And judging by the footage, their leader is leading the operation personally./"

Optimus's optics widened. He turned away to think. And not a moment too soon, several more M.E.C.H. trucks and choppers arrived. And not only more men got off the vehicles. More drones were deployed from the trucks.

"This fight here is a distraction." Optimus stated. "But why would Bishop attack Jasper...?" His optics slowly widened in realization. There was only one thing, or rather, person CyLAS would want in Jasper.

"Jack." He stated. And all the Autobots heard him. "Ratchet! Get Arcee to stay by Jackson's side!" He ordered. "No matter what, CyLAS cannot get Jack in his hands!" As the Prime said that, M.E.C.H. drones fired at the Autobots, causing the Autobots to fight at both sides.

Jasper, Nevada

Racing down the street, Arcee was wondering why the ground-bridge did not open yet. She should have the transport by now. So what was keeping Ratchet? It was unlike him to delay this much. Maybe the ground-bridge broke again? Nah, not likely. Maybe something got his attention?

"/Arcee! It's Ratchet!/" The medic spoke.

"Ratchet? Where's the ground-bridge vortex?" she asked. "I should've been in the Ark by now."

"/We have a situation! The mission the team went on is a distraction! M.E.C.H. took the Franklin High hostage! Miko and Raf are there! They're likely hunting for Jack! Keep him safe!/"

"M.E.C.H.'s what?!" Arcee actually stopped, not believing her audio receptors. When did they get this bold? Actually, this was worse than when they abducted Jack. But taking the school and everyone in it hostage?

Then something fast drove past her. It was fast, but Arcee was able to identify it.

"Ratchet. About keeping my charge safe..." she started nervously.

Franklin High

"The boss is getting a bit mad, don't you think, Kyle?" one of the M.E.C.H. soldiers commented as he and Kyle walked down the hall towards the school entry doors.

"Yeah, I think he needs a prosthetic brain as well lately." Kyle answered. "Taking a school hostage and threatening kinds? Y'know, I think I'd do better quitting this job and hiring myself as a circus clown, Mickey."

"Instead, we have to walk around the school hallway." Mickey answered. "I did not quit school at the age of 16 just to get back here."

"Guess that's what you get for dropping education." Kyle commented. The two men were about to open the door, when they heard an engine roar. The two men looked at the door, backing away, slowly, aiming their guns. They were confused on what could make this kind of sound. Other than their drones, nothing should be nearby.

Then, the door ram opened, revealing a strange looking bike fly in, knocking the two out cold. It slide a few meters into the hallway, before coming to a stop. Jack looked at his little handiwork with some pride. Then he turned to face the hallway.

And as expected, four more M.E.C.H. men.

"Typical..." he murmured, getting off his bike and taking cover behind the corner.

As the armed men got ready to fire, one of them spoke to the radio. "CyLAS! It's the target! He's here!"

In the gym hall, CyLAS was patiently looking at the kids and school staff, his hostages. He had no true interest in them. They were nothing but bait. Jack was his only concern. The boy was not in the building as he had hoped. Still, surely he would come. So he waited patiently.

And his patience finally rewarded. "Use rubber bullets! I want him alive! I repeat: I want him ALIVE!" he spoke to the radio, giving the order. "Then get him to the rooftop! The chopper will be waiting!" he finished and turned to the other men with him. "Set the charges and seal this room! No witnesses." He instructed, making his way towards the exit. Two of the M.E.C.H. agents ran over to a big cylinder device and inputted a few numbers before making their way out. As they exited, there was a clank. No doubt they sealed the door. No matter whether it was just a lock or some device, that was no way out.

"Great... This is why I hate staying after school." Miko mumbled.

"M-Miko. This is n-not the time." Raf pointed out.

"How do we get out?" one of the students asked as three teachers tried to unlock the doors, only to get electrocuted.

"T-there's an emergency exit." Raf pointed. "B-but it's sealed tight." Raf pointed out.

"If only we could improvise some kind of bomb to blow them out." Miko thought out loud, earning a look of disbelieve from Rafael.

"That... might be a good idea." The young boy said, thinking. "Bu-but we need materials t-to make it."

Back in the hallway, Jack was still behind cover, not knowing what to expect. M.E.C.H. men were closing in, ready to shoot if it comes to this. The teen took the fire extinguisher, but that was hardly a weapon. Mustered his courage. There was only one way to finish this nightmare.

So he waited. And waited.

The footsteps were getting closer.

The footsteps were getting louder.

They were close.

Jack jumped from behind the corner and the foam all over the terrorists, confusing them. Taking advantage of their temporary blindness, the teen ran past them further down the hall. One of the M.E.C.H. men was able to recover and saw Jack running. He took his aim, ready to knock the kid down.

What he failed to notice was a certain white bike ride in and switching to her bipedal form, swatting the four humans away into the wall. As they were out cold, Arcee looked down into the hall, just to find Jack turn around the corner.

"Jack!" she called. She transformed, aware she would be able to move around better as a bike.

"Okay, so the fire extinguisher is set by the door along with any other flammable stuff." Miko commented. "Now what?"

"Now set the fire and hope it works." The preteen answered, done with his vest and Miko's stockings, both torn to act as a fuse.

"One problem, dude. WE DON'T HAVE MATCHES!" she pointed out.

"Ahem!" the janitor commented, handing a lighter.

"This'll do." Miko commented sheepishly.

So, they set the fuse on fire and took cover behind the benches. This was their gamble. They hoped this would work. An a manner of minute, there indeed was an explosion, opening the door.

"YES!" Raf and Miko cheered, sharing a high five. And with the others they ran.

"What was that?" CyLAS demanded. He pointed at his men. "Get down there and see to our hostages!" He demanded.

Jack was able to outmaneuver multiple of M.E.C.H. men, leaving them to mess with Arcee. She was growing real angry with these guys. Finally, there were only two more, who merely ran pass Jack as he took cover. Looks like they were more concerned about something else. Maybe the explosion?

Whatever, he made his way up. And soon found...

"CYLAS!" Jack roared. The man turned around, shocked to find Jack walking towards him. But then he smiled.

"Übermensch." He greeted, opening his arms. "I see you came back to me."

His smile dropped when he heard a click. Looking down, he found Jack pointing a gun at him.

When passing the first group of his men, Jack managed to snatch it from one of the men.

"Yeah. I came to you. To end this nightmare you brought on my family!" he said through his teeth, growling.

CyLAS chuckled. Jack was clearly willing to go with the threat. He could see it in his eyes.

"Now now, Jack." He spoke, using his given name. "Surely you're better than this."

"You bet your sorry ass I am! Then again, that's exactly why you won't stop, will you?"

As Jack and CyLAS were having their conversation, Arcee, finally dealt with the terrorists. Now, she made her way up the stairs, she was about to make her presence known.

"Of course I won't stop, Jack." CyLAS said. "You are still imperfect, after all."

"And whose fault is that, I wonder." Jack commented. "YOURS! YOU JUST HAD TO EXPERIMENT ON YOUR BEST FRIEND'S FAMILY AND HAVE ME BORN AS A... A... MUTATE, MUTANT! A FREAK! BECAUSE OF YOU... I CANNOT LIVE A DAY NORMAL WITHOUT FEAR I'LL DIE ANYSECOND NOW!"

"I did choose my best friend's family, your grandfather's, your namesake's family, because he was my best friend." The disgraced colonel tried to reason.

"And what has this brought you? You think anywhere nearer godhood than humanity already has the nerve to consider itself?!"

"Out of all other research subjects? Yes."

That got Jack's attention. "What is that supposed to mean? You actually put others through this?"

"Of course I did, Jack." CyLAS answered calmly, as his prosthetic arm slowly opened, arming a small gun. "There was a total of ten thousand others I used my Microbots on to rewrite the human genetic code, infusing it with our alien friends technology. However, out of ten to actually be born alive, you are the only one to live this long."

That shocked Jack. He alone survived. Out of this many. Just how many lives...? Was this man truly this mad? Ten thousand lives in search for godhood? This was insane even by standards of other inhumane treatments known.

CyLAS took this opportunity and shot at Jack, shooting the gun out of his hands. Now he was pointing at the boy. "Your family has strong genes, Jack. Or perhaps it's because of your father and grandfather. Maybe they somehow learned of what I've done and found a way to ensure you'd live. Either way, they got in a way at some point. So, they had to go."

Jack took a step back. He was responsible for his father's and grandfather's deaths?

"Getting rid of your father was easy. But my old friend Shaman... I wish I was the one to handle him. But alas, someone else got to him. Just because he found how deep Project: Übermensch goes. Just who was involved."

Jack stopped trembling. What did CyLAS mean by that? Someone else in the government was also a part of this? Who?

"But I can still save you, Jack." CyLAS continued. "I still have the technology. I can fix all this. Just come with me, boy." He extended his hand, hiding the gun. "You want to live, don't you? Like any other human being or animal, you have the survival instinct. And it's telling you to take this chance."

"N-no..." Jack hesitantly answered, yet his hand was reaching for CyLAS's. the man smiled.

"That's right." His smile grew. "Take the chance. Live. Life is the true greatest gift and treasure. We humans are merely greedy to the point we don't want it to end. But even we have the right to live, even though we keep proving otherwise." He kept mumbling, as Jack was about to take CyLAS's hand. "And I am willing to help you, since technically I am your father as well."

Jack's mind suddenly snapped. He was no longer trembling.

"You and I are so much alike..." the man added.

Then Jack looked up and kick CyLAS in the gut, making the man step back a bit.

"I AM NOTHING LIKE YOU!" Jack shouted, delivering a punch to the man's face. "YOU'VE FALLEN SO FAR IN SEARCH OF IMMORTALITY YOU'VE BECOME THE VERY THING YOU USED TO HATE! YOU DISRESPECT LIFE!"

Jack was about to deliver another blow, but CyLAS was still a trained soldier in comparison to Jack. He managed to block the next punch and kneed Jack in the face, sending him back flying. The teen found his footing and looked at CyLAS, who dashed at him, delivering a devastating blow to his jaw. Jack fell and rolled on the floor. Then CyLAS put his foot on his chest, increasing the pressure.

"I've invested in you too much time, resources and patience, Übermensch!" the former colonel growled in anger. "I will retrieve you! And I WILL see to it you are COMPLETE!" he stated.

And that's when the bomb in the gym went off.

The blast, the quake...

CyLAS lost his footing. What's more, part of the roof beneath him collapsed. He did not fall, but it gave Jack a perfect opportunity to attack him. He caught the man by the prosthetic arm. It looked as if he was saving him. Oh, but how wrong was he.

Using his enhanced strength, Jack kicked CyLAS in the gut, ripping his arm. The prosthetic was still there, but the arm was now rather useless. Guess he should've invested in Stark or Sumdac tech. No matter, Jack continued assaulting him, actually getting the man on his back. Jack was able to get his other arm out of the way as he viciously delivered punches to the man's face. He was truly seeing red. He just wanted this man dead. To pay for all he's done.

"JACK!" a voice called him. The teen looked in the direction the voice came from.

There he found Arcee, halfway out on the roof. She was about to get here when the bomb exploded. It did not hurt her badly, but it did slow her down. Now she was covered in scratches and dirt.

The way she looked at Jack... it was as if their souls could see each other. She could see his emotions. The pain. The fear. The sorrow. Whatever was all this about, Arcee was silently telling him not to go there. Not to cross that line.

The teen was taking deep breaths. He looked back at CyLAS. He was in a bad condition anyway. Jack must've damaged some device in his prosthetic suit that kept him on his legs. He lowered his arm. He knew this was over.

Then the sound of the chopper got his attention.

Arcee could hear it too. She turned around to find M.E.C.H.'s chopper descending, shooting at her and Jack. Jack actually lost his balance and fell into the hole. He would've fallen if Arcee was any slower. She caught him just in the nick of time. But now all she could do was watch as M.E.C.H. took their leader away. She considered shooting the damn thing down, but heard the roof cracking. So she pulled her charge up. And leaped away from the pit to the part of the roof that was still in a good condition.

"You okay, partner?" she asked him. Jack just looked up at her, before gazing away, clearly in shame.

"I-I'm sorry, Arcee." He said.

"For what?" she was a bit confused.

"For getting into this." He clarified. "I knew it was a set up to get to me, but I still acted." He sighed. "You must be really mad with me."

Arcee would be lying saying she wasn't. If the kid knew, he shouldn't have stepped in. What was he thinking? What If M.E.C.H. abducted him again?

Still, If it was Airachnid or Tyrantulas using her sisters as hostage, she would likely act the same.

"You know, Jack..." she started, thinking on what to say. "You could've been smarter." She said. "Still... My previous partners used to be way worse." She surprised him. Jack was a bit happy to hear it. While his relationship with his guardian started off rocky, they really made progress.

That's when he felt immense pain. It felt as if his bones were on fire. His muscles ripping. His senses going haywire.

"Jack!?" she panicked. "Jack?! What's wrong?! JACK!?"

"Flash... drive..." Jack was able to mumble, letting the said device drop from his pocket. Arcee, without arguing, picked it up and called for the ground bridge.

Elsewhere

"/What do you mean, 'impossible'?/" CyLAS managed to ask, though it was hard for him to speak. His cybernetics were badly damaged. Professor shrugged at the question.

"Just what I said, CyLAS." He said. "I am afraid you and the men on your chopper are on your own. But consider Project: Sideways, that is still left in the HQ, a farewell gift."

"/Professor, this isn't.../" the communication was cut off. Just then the mask the man was usually wearing was set down by the console. Along with the lab coat.

As the man was changing, a man dressed in a dark blue/ grey suit entered. "Sir. The majority of personnel has left the facility as commanded. But they are concerned about the wellbeing of CyLAS. Was it really necessary to leave him?"

"Ah, poor Colonel Bishop." Professor fake pitied. "Guess they don't make terrorists like they used to." He commented, putting on a dark uniform along with a cape.

"So, what now, Sir?"

"M.E.C.H. was originally supposed to act as the reborn version of Reinblütigen. But then our leader lost sight of our goal." The man, formerly called Professor explained, putting on a silver, mirror-like mask, fashioned with a dark cloth and some red markings on the face-plate, on his face. Then placed a helmet on, reaching for a saber he was soon strapping to his waist. "Godhood is a delusion of pitiful ego-driven fools. The world's domination is a far more down-to-Earth goal. Tell the men we are now working under a whole new management."

After saying that, he turned. He looked like a high ranking officer. As he walked out of the room, all former M.E.C.H. soldiers were now wearing the dark bluish suits. But what caught their attention truly was a new, red symbol of their organization.

The once Head-scientist of M.E.C.H. cried laughing "COBRA!"

Now the world would tremble before Cobra Commander.

To be continued...

A.N.: Sorry it took so long, guys. I was really hoping to upload this chapter last week, but s**t happened. Anyway, how'd you like it? Good? Bad? So so? Next time, we will learn what's wrong with Jack. And CyLAS will make one last appearance. What's going to happen? Stay with me to find out. See ya.