Ratchet's P.O.V:
As Optimus and I returned to base, we were met with the worried looks from the others. "Did you guys find Julie?" Miko asked leaning over the railing. "Does it look like we found her?" I barked out at the young girl, a little harsher than I had intended.
"Juliana was nowhere in sight when Ratchet and myself arrived to inspect the signal." Optimus said calmly, trying to take away the tension I had caused when I had shouted at Miko. "What we did find was the human boy Vince in his vehicle, badly beaten, and he had this in his hand." Optimus showed the slightly broken bracelet he had in his servo and everyone looked blankly at it.
"Wonder who beat the scrap out of him?" Miko asked "I would love to give them my thanks." Taking the bracelet from Optimus, I had to slightly agree with Miko. Whoever did this to the boy was in my opinion doing everyone a favor.
"That we do not know Miko. I called the law enforcement, telling them where Vince was so they could take him to a medical building. But that is not what we must worry over. Our top concern is finding Juliana and bringing her back." everyone agreed with Optimus and I began my search for anywhere Juliana might be.
"Anything we can do to help Ratchet?" Rafael asked as he and the others join near the computers. "Yes, there is something you can do. I need each and every one of you calls Juliana's cell phone repeatedly. If we are able to make contact with her it will help us great in finding her location."
The children nodded and went back over to their couch and each of them pulled out their cell phones, each taking a turn at calling Juliana. Turning back to the computers, I tried my own ways of finding Juliana.
OoOoOoOoOo
Juliana's P.O.V:
I don't know how long I have been stuck up in this tree but if I had to make a wild guess, I would say about two hours maybe even three. But that wasn't the sad part about it. What was sad was that it was still drizzling and I was completely cold and wet.
"Is this rain ever going to let up?" I asked no one with a slight grumble. Giving off a sneeze, I started to wish I had woken up somewhere else. "Why couldn't I have woken up somewhere dry; a dark cave would have been better than this."
Groaning loudly, I bravely looked down to the far away ground. It was about a good ten maybe fifteen feet drop and even I knew that if I jumped down from this height it wouldn't end well. "Great, how am I supposed to get down from this tree?"
Suddenly a soft chitter came from above me and I near fell out of the tree in surprise. Looking up, I saw a pair of small bright gold eyes looking back at me. Not taking me eyes away from whatever this was, I watched as it came closer to me and I finally got a good look at who the gold eyes belonged to.
As the small figure came to sit on my lap, I took in its appearance. It was a small lemur with brown and white fur and its tail looked a little too big for its body. "Hello there little guy. Where did you come from?"
The lemur didn't answer me, go figure, but it leaned into my face and placed it hand on my face while it gave me a good sniff. After a while, he gave me a lick on the nose and went back to sitting on my lap.
"Your cute you know that little guy. Do you happen to know how to get out of this tree?" I asked, knowing that I was not going to receive an answer. The lemur looked at me then looked up into the tree before he jumped up into it and disappeared. "Bye I guess." I was kind of disappointed to see the little guy go, it had gotten a little lonely up in this tree and just having someone to talk to was nice.
Looking back down to the earth below, I sighed knowing that I was as good as stuck. Hearing a soft chitter again, I looked up to see my lemur friend sticking its head out from the mass of leaves. "You want to play, is that it?" I asked as he went back into the leaves than came out and repeated.
"Okay, I'll play along." Standing up, trying not to fall down or bump my now broken arm, I poked my head into the mass of leaves to see my lemur friend sitting in front of me. "Now what?"
The lemur took a few steps to the side, almost asking me to come up. "Alright, hold on." Trying my best to climb up using the other branches on the tree, I slowly made my way up the tree following my lemur friend as he continued to move.
"Slow down buddy. Where are you taking me?" I asked him as he still continued to walk through the tree. Suddenly he stopped and sat down on a branch. "End of the road I see." Finally joining him on the branch, I looked down and to my surprise there at my dangling feet was a fallen branch that was propped up against the tree and was touching the ground. I don't know how he did it but the lemur had brought me to my escape from the tree.
"Thanks buddy. See you later." Stepping onto the branch, I sat down and just like a slide I slid down it and came to the ground with a thud. Picking myself up, I looked around and saw nothing but a dimly lit forest with the rain still going at it. "Well, maybe I'm in a zoo. That lemur isn't from America I know that much." I said to myself as I began to walk into the forest.
Chitter chitter chitter!
Looking back behind me, I saw that the same small lemur was following me now at a slow pace. "Hey little guy, do you want to come with me?" I asked him as I stuck out my good hand and he happily climbed on and scurried up to my shoulders.
"I'll take that as a yes. But if you're coming with me I'll have to call you something… how about Squirt. You look like a Squirt." Squirt only responded with yawn and curled up into my neck and soon fell asleep. "Alright Squirt, let's try to find our way out of this place." Continuing forward, I watched as the rain started to slow down and oddly, it seemed as though it was getting darker out than brighter out. "Shouldn't it be getting brighter out? It should be morning soon."
OoOoOoOoOo
Ratchet's P.O.V:
It's been at least four earth hours since the morning light shone out, making it the first day Juliana was declared missing. Everyone was trying their best to find ways to find Juliana but so far none of them worked.
"Any luck Ratchet?" Jack asked and I sadly had to say "No Jack. This attempt was yet another failure. Sadly I have to say that without Juliana answering our calls or her wearing her bracelet, I am having a hard time trying to find her." I finished my sentence with a sigh, what good was I here if I couldn't find Juliana.
"Don't worry Ratchet, I'm sure we'll find her soon." Rafael said as he and Miko join Jack. "Yeah, don't worry Doc bot. Julie is a tough cookie, she knows how to take care of herself." I was a little puzzled by Miko's 'Tough Cookie' remark but I just figured it was an earth term. "I hope you are correct Miko… and don't call me Doc bot."
Suddenly a call came in on the screen, showing Agent Fowler's photo. Answering the call, Agent Fowler popped up on screen. "What is it Agent Fowler? We have a situation here and I need to keep the call lines open."
"Listen up Ratchet, I'm bringing some stuff over for Juliana that she needs to look at so have her meet me at the elevator when I come in." before I had a chance to inform Agent Fowler of Juliana's disappearance, he ended the call and the sound of the elevator's motors started up.
"This is not going to end well." Jack said as he stepped in front of Miko and Rafael, ready to take most of Agent Fowler's words. As the Elevator came to a stop, the doors opened to show Agent Fowler hold a large envelope in his hand and in the other a small brief case. "Where's Juliana? I told her I was stopping by this weekend for her to look at something's."
Every one of us fell silent, almost waiting for other to start. "Agent Fowler, there is a situation concerning Juliana." I started and from the look on Agent Fowler's face told me that this was not going to end well.
"What kind of situation Ratchet?" I paused for a moment trying to find the best choice of words. "Juliana, as of yesterday, has gone missing." The room fell silent but the way Agent Fowler's face look, it was going to be short lived.
"She's missing! How in the name of Uncle Sam is she missing! I placed her in your care and this is what I get in return! My superiors are going to blow a fuse when they find out about this!" If Agent Fowler could scream any louder I think he might have cracked the computer screens.
"If was not our intent to lose her Agent Fowler. She was last seen at school by Rafael and her bracelet was found with an injured boy on the outskirts of Jasper." I explained to Agent Fowler and he suddenly calmed down a bit. "You mean that boy that was sent to the hospital that had the pulp beat out of him? Why was her tracker with him?"
"I honestly don't know that Agent Fowler. We have tried calling Juliana but she is not answering any of our calls." I stated and the look on Agent Fowler's face showed pure shock. "Did you find her cell with the boy?" I shook my head, "No, why?" "I placed a military grade tracker in it. We can find her anywhere in the world in less than fifteen minutes!"
The whole room fell silent and I couldn't help but feel quite stupid. I didn't think of using the fact that we didn't find her cell and track that instead. "Rafael, assist Agent Fowler with the tracker. I have to inform the others about this." As they began to work into the military tracker, I comm.'d Optimus.
:Ratchet to Optimus!:
:What is it Ratchet? Have you find Juliana?:
:Not yet, but Agent Fowler just came in and told us that he placed a Military tracker in Juliana's cell phone. We'll be able to see where she is in less than fifteen minutes!:
:That is great news Ratchet, bridge us back to base and we can see where Juliana went together:
:Alright Optimus. Ratchet Out:
As the comm. ended I turned to see that on the computers was a downloading signal. "We should be able to see where Juliana is soon. Just as soon as the file finishes downloading the military tracking system." Rafael explained.
"Nice work kid. Are they others coming Ratchet?" Agent Fowler asked and I nodded. "I just have to bridge them over and then they'll be here." I explained as I walked over to the Ground Bridge controls. I had a smile on my face as the thought of find Juliana crept into my processors.
OoOoOoOoOo
Aboard the Nemesis
"Lord Megatron. The energon signal has popped up again." A drone spoke up as he pressed a button to show where the signal was. "A little far from where I saw it last. Interesting, interesting indeed. I shall go and retrieve the signal and return back shortly."
As Megatron walked out of the room, he thought about the signal and how he was going to use it.
OoOoOoOoOo
Juliana's P.O.V:
By now it was super dark out and the rain had completely stopped but I was still wet and cold. As I continued to walk on I began to notice that nothing looked different, all trees and other wild life. "This must be one big zoo, I've been walking for so long now one might think I was walking in circles Squirt."
I turned to the little lemur who was still sleeping on my shoulder. Squirt didn't acknowledge me as he only gave a quiet yawn with a squeak and went back to sleep. "Wonder why? Maybe instead of a zoo, maybe this is a nature reserve? What do you think?"
Squirt only yawned and snuggled deeper into my neck. "You're a real help Squirt." I said as I continued on down what looked to be a trail.
After a while the trail looked no different from when I started out on it and I finally emitted it. "Squirt, I think we're lost. " but yet again Squirt only yawned and squeak.
Taking only three steps into the brush, I suddenly felt the ground shake after a loud sound filled the air. "What was that?" I asked and then it dawned on me. "Ratchet!" I don't know why I just thought of Ratchet cause I know Optimus and the others would most likely be there but his name was the first and only popped in my mind at the moment.
Running through the brush, I notice Squirt trying to hang on for dear life by gripping my neck with his arms and tail. "Sorry Squirt, but I need to find my friends." Picking up my pace, while I placed my good hand around Squirt to steady him, I soon saw a clearing coming into view. Slowing down, I walked into the clearing but to my horror it was not Ratchet or the others. Standing with his back to me was the tall silver Mech Megatron.
Not wanting a repeat of last time, I slowly backed into the brush I came from to try and find a place to hide but sad a twig snapping thought otherwise. Looking down at my feet, I saw that I had stepped on a small branch and it was now in two pieces under my shoe.
Looking back up to the towering Mech, I prayed to Primus that he would turn around. But sadly, that pray wasn't answered as Megatron turned around slowly and with an evil grin looked me in the eyes. "I knew this was going to be a relatively quick retrieval but I never thought it would be this easy."
Backing up, I watched as Megatron took only one step and he was now in front of me. "I suggest Fleshling, that you come willingly. It will be easier on both our parts." Megatron held his hand out for me but I quick shook my head. "Not in a million years Bucket Head!" dashing into the forest I came out of, I could hear Megatron growl angrily but it quickly turned into a scary laughing fit. "Very well human. I do enjoy a good chase. I shall give you a quick head start."
Not wanting to know how far I could go with his head start, I just bolted as fast as I could from that Bucket Head creep and I dared not looked back.
Feeling the grip around my neck tighten, I saw the freaked out face on Squirt but I couldn't do anything for him as I continued to run. "Sorry Squirt but unless you want us to become a Decepticon test subject, I suggest you hang on." As soon as I finished talk Squirt gripped my neck even tighter, as if he understood what I meant.
"Ready or not human! Your time is up." I could hear Megatron shout and with it heavy footsteps coming towards us. "Oh Scrap! Where are the Autobots when you need them." I said as I ducked under and over trees and other wild life in my pursuit away from Megatron.
OoOoOoOoOo
Ratchet's P.O.V:
"Okay, that should do it. Pull it up Ratchet and we should be able to see Julie on the screen." Rafael said as he plugged his flash drive into the computer. "Here goes anything." I said as I pulled up the file and amazingly a red dot appeared on the screen. "We've got her!"
The humans shouted in glee and the rest of us sighed a sigh of relief. "Let me expand the grid and we'll be able to see how far away Juliana is." I said as I zoomed away from Juliana's signal but something startled me. The more I pulled away from Juliana's signal, the more I saw blue waters surround her. "How is this possible?"
My voice caused the base to fall silent and everyone turned to the computers to see what was wrong. "What is it Ratchet?" Jack asked. "From what the computers are telling is that…" as we watched the computers zoom out more we saw that Juliana was now completely surrounded by nothing but water. "Juliana is out in the ocean." Everyone looked at the computers in shock. "Ratchet dim her signal light a bit. I think I see something." I did what Jack asked and as the signal light on the screen dimmed down, we could now see a small mass of land.
"Where is that?" Arcee asked. "I believe that is…Madagascar?" Rafael said a little baffled and I couldn't blame him but there is was, Madagascar, on the screen clear as day. "How is that possible? Julie can't be in Madagascar, can she?" Miko asked and I couldn't answer. "Whatever the reason as to how Juliana is on the island, we must act. Juliana could be in trouble and we must go to assist her." Optimus said through the silence, snapping everyone into action.
"I'll start up the Ground Bridge." I said as I programmed the exact location of Juliana on the island. "Ratchet, Bumblebee, and myself will go and try to find Juliana. Arcee manage the Ground Bridge in case something drastic happens." Optimus order and Arcee nodded. "I have a fix on Juliana's location Optimus." I said as I activated the ground bridge. "Autobots, Roll Out!" Optimus ordered and I was more than happy to and we drove through the Ground Bridge with such Speed that I think we might have left tire marks back in the base.
OoOoOoOoOo
Juliana's P.O.V:
I lost track of the path a while ago, so far I was just running in any way that seemed like it would slow down Megatron. But in the process it was also causing me to slow down to watch out for the many tangles of trees and other obstacles that covered the ground. By now I had only made a small distance between Megatron and myself but at the moment I had no visual on that Bucket Head so I allowed myself a moment to rest.
"We can't wait for long Squirt. Bucket Head will be back soon and we need to keep going." I looked at the small lemur that was still attached to my neck but by now he had loosened his grip, allowing me to breathe better. I was starting to wonder why this little guy was still with me, I figured he would have by now rushed up a tree to find shelter away from Megatron but he was still with me.
"Human?! I know your around here somewhere! You can't hide forever!" Megatron's voice shouted not too far back and I sighed in frustration. "Can't I get a break here?!" Picking up speed again , I dashed through the forest dodging the many more obstacles that came my way.
After about five minutes of running, Megatron's voice rang out through the silence. "Human! I am growing tired of this game! If you value your pointless life, you will give up and end this now.
Like the Pit I was ever going to go with him willingly. As I continued on with my running, I heard a familiar noise which was followed by the shouts of a certain medic bot. "Juliana! Juliana are you here?!"
My body suddenly found extra strength to run faster towards the sound of Ratchet's voice. "Ratchet! I'm over here!" I didn't care if I was giving Megatron my position, knowing that the Autobots were here to take me home blinded me of his onslaught.
"They will be unable to help you my dear, no one can!" Suddenly a blast came from my left and it caused a couple of trees to fall down. "Hold on Juliana, we're coming!" This voice was Optimus' and then I heard a series of beeps and I knew right away that it was Bumblebee.
"Over he-" I was cut short when a tree was blasted and it sent me flying into another clearing. Landing, horribly, on my broken arm I let loose a painful shout which was answered by a quiet chitter. "I'll survive Squirt" Looking at the small lemur that now sat on my chest, pushing myself up, I saw as both hunting parties finally found who they were looking for.
The Autobots a few feet away stood there both relieved to see me but once they saw who stood only a few inches from me, their faces quickly turned to concern. Pointing his blaster directly at me, Megatron charged it and I glowed a bright purple/blue. "One more step Autobots and this Fleshling is blown to pieces."
The Autobots stood there frozen, not wanting to see if Megatron kept his word. Looking back from the Autobots to Megatron, I didn't want to just stand there and wait to be blasted away so I bolted for the Autobots as fast as I could. "Not so fast Fleshling!" Megatron shouted and suddenly I felt nothing but an unbelievable pain shoot through me. The pain was so intense that I dropped to the ground screaming my lungs out. "Juliana!" Ratchet's voice spoke, trying to get over my screams of pain but they were so loud that you could only hear him slightly. This pain was nothing I have ever felt before, it started in my brain and it quickly pulsated down my spine and through my nerves. To say I was in pain would just be brushing it; I was in nothing more than excruciating pain.
Ratchet's P.O.V:
"One more step Autobots and this Fleshling is blown to pieces." Megatron's voice held a tone that told us that he meant every word. At that moment I wanted to do nothing more than pull his evil spark right out of his body but with his blaster pointed directly at Juliana, I couldn't risk having him harm her.
Looking over to Optimus and Bumblebee, they both held the same expression I did and we held our ground. But as I cast a glance at Juliana I was shocked to see her running away from the distracted Megatron but it was short lived. As Megatron looked down he saw her running away and reached for her. "Not so fast Fleshling!".
She was just about to reach us when Megatron's sharp fingers sliced passed her back, cutting off the ribbon held end of Juliana's hair. Suddenly, without warning, Juliana fell to the ground in front of us screaming at the top of her lungs. She stayed on the ground as her screaming only intensified as I went over to her. "Juliana!" I shouted out to her but do to her high pitched scream, she was unable to hear me as I lifted her off the ground.
Glancing over at Megatron, I saw how he delicately lifted the small amount of Juliana's hair up by the ribbon and almost studied it. "This should do for now. Far well Autobots, I shall be seeing you real soon." As a ground bridge appeared behind Megatron, he stepped into it and it closed behind him.
Turning my attention back to Juliana, I watched as she continued to scream in my servos. "Ratchet, is Juliana injured!" Optimus shouted pasted Juliana. "I cannot tell until we get back to base!" I shouted but we both knew something was not right by how Juliana was still screaming. "What could have Megatron done to make her scream like this!" Bumblebee asked but I didn't have a clue as to what was causing Juliana pain.
:Arcee, we need a ground Bridge! And have Jack call his mother! we'll be needing assistance!:
Not too soon after I had shouted through the comm. link was there a ground bridge waiting for us. "Hold on Juliana, just hold on." I tried to calm her down but it sadly wasn't working. As we rushed into the bridge, I could help but think something was horrible wrong with Juliana. Maybe even life threatening.
Another cliffhanger! Bam! I wasn't even on planning another one so quickly but I think it did it justice. X)
Review please, and tell me what you think of this CHPTR.
Girl Supersonicboy OUT!