Chapter Ten: A shadow of doubt
Notes: clearly a lot of proof reading was NOTdone to chapter nine and too, it was way to short. I just went over it and so I begin on chapter ten. This discussion prior to chapter ten hopefully will clear up some matters regarding chapter nine and where the story is right now. Chapter nine was way too confusing to me and I have no doubt, to you the reader as well. And I know that I posted on my profile page that I would have this chapter up a week ago so, I'm sorry for the delay. I went over this chapter several times and each time I found something that needed to be written better so again, I'm so sorry for the delay. Please tell me if you were interested in any of my other stories. Right now I'm working on this one and Ratchet's journal. Please review or suggest idea's if you have anything. Thanks!
Here is some clarifications on where the story is now.
When Optimus left the base to go to Chicago in chapter eight to meet privately with at least representatives from seven countries including Great Britain. They had finally came to an agreement trusting that Optimus Prime will not allow Suncast to leave the base or have access to the world's internet. So for now Suncast is allowed to remain here on Earth, at the Diego Garcia air base under strict supervision. This meeting with the representatives happened because there was growing questions by their leaders being raised about some kind of aircraft or object that was detected six mouths ago from one of the ten orbiting satellites that had crash landed on earth, (that was Suncast crashing at the air strip at Diego Garica.) Before Optimus left Chicago he agreed to make a brief statement to a reporters to explain that the meetings he had today with several of the international dignitary's was to reaffirm that there has not been any Decepiticons activity on earth. He however, had no further comments and did not take any questions from reporters. Now, yes Optimus did not speak the truth to the reporters; but, he chose only to so that it would not raise alarm to the general public. However, it was a dicey dissension. If there was to be more Decepiticon activity for what ever reason; he and his autobots would be under pressure to possibly exile Suncast or they could be banned and forced to leave this planet. He deep down hoped that the Decepiticons would not came back.
Now, the jest of chapter nine was that Suncast finally got to speak with the General there at the base about his true intentions and that all he wanted to do was to live in peace and maybe be of help in scientific research with the humans. The General though, had made it clear to Suncast that if there was another drone or any Decepiticon activities reported that he would have a grave decision to make. That decision would be, to inform the countries about the drone. He would have no choice in the matter; it wasn't that he after speaking to Suncast that he totally mistrusted him; no, it was because those countries did detect Suncast's crash landing from the engeron detectors. Now, the drone did not have an ion signature nor was it a sentient being. Too, it was not detected by the other countries. So the only other person besides the base that knows of it is General Mooreshower, for know.
Okay chapter ten picks up with Suncast in his bunker worried about what the human General told him and what he remembers vaguely about Megatron. But, truthfully he was not the only person concerned; Optimus was concerned too that if a drone was sent then possibly the decepiticons thought that maybe Starscream was still in this solar system.
Chapter Ten: A shadow of doubt
After the battle in Egypt Megatron had fled the planet shortly behind Starscream and with this battle rose even more fear from the humans of their kind. From the destruction of the pyramids in Egypt, the announcement made over the air waves by the Fallen about them living here on Earth raising fear in the humans of their presents here in his quest to get the boy, Sam to more sadly the over whelming massive human death toll world wide. They, the Autobots themselves are now on borrowed time. Again, their victory chased off the decepiticons for now but, this time the world feared at some point and time the decepiticons will return and their world could be destroyed. With the Autobots stationed back at the island air base of Diego Garcia; the only country the Autobots could rely on was the United States. Recently Optimus had been in meetings with several ambassadors from seven nations including Great Britain in Chicago in hopes that they would trust him(Optimus) in allowing Suncast to continue his sanctuary here on earth. Optimus had reports from the human doctors, his CMO, Ratchet and close circuit video of procedures done on Suncast and observations also in hopes to convinced them that Suncast posed no threat nor physically could he and that he, Optimus, strongly believes that freedom is the right of all sentiment beings. But now the stakes could rise; so far, the only person besides those on the base that are aware of the drone is General Mooreshower and he promised for now it would not go pass his desk unless, there is another drone found and or Decepiticons return to earth reeking hell.
The next morning Suncast woke up and laid there on his berth with his optics closed thinking about what the General had said to him yesterday evening. Then he stopped thinking long enough to look around and see that Ratchet had not showed up as usual and it was already seven o'clock nor has anyone else for that matter and he was starting to be alarmed. So, he closed his optics again as he laid there on his berth and pondered about what had happened.
Suncast's POV- point of view
I don't know for sure if this was just one drone. This I do know Megatron will not be stopped, anything he wants, he will destroy to get. I know that the humans are uncertain; are the autobots now too? I don't know, I really don't know. Ratchet's not here and no one has come by this morning. I know Optimus will not stop trying for me nor will Ratchet for sure. But what if another drone comes then what is the question I want ask Optimus: that is if I can see him or anyone today. I'm confused, lonely and depressed all at the same time it's like maybe I made another bad choice in coming here to Earth and asking Optimus to help me.
End of Suncast's thoughts
"Suncast!" Ratchet said even louder than before. But this time Suncast opened his eyes frightened and he screamed. Ratchet quickly covered his audios but only briefly then he went about trying to calm down Suncast whom by now was staring up at Ratchet with his good hand up covering his face, "I'm sorry Suncast but, I kept saying something and you didn't answer me." Ratchet said to him. "Well, don't freak out – damn" Suncast replied loudly in which earned him a rather surprised look from Ratchet. They both saying nothing in fact, Ratchet stepped back and took a seat in the chair next to Suncasts berth. Suncast looked away and right then and there Ratchet thought about how Suncast must be feeling right about now.
"Suncast, I know your are upset about all this aren't you?" No response yet but, a few seconds later Suncast did turn his head facing Ratchet and said low and softly "yes." Then Suncast leaned over and picked up his tablet that was on he's side table and began typing on it. When he was done he lifted it up and then Ratchet took the tablet and began to read a whole slew of questions on it with one of the questions asking to speak to Optimus alone as soon as he could this morning. "Hold up, wait! One question at a time Suncast." Ratchet began to tell him. "First, no you can't leave the base. You, you can't fly anymore I thought you knew that." Ratchet paused as he saw by the look on Suncast's face he was wrong, Suncast didn't remember. "Secondly, It is not your fault and no, no one is sure if another drone will show up here. As far as we know it did not detect your ion signature here on earth. Secondly, for all they know you could be on any one of the many different planets in this galaxy or went onto another solar system by now. Listen, Megatron never was patient if you remember and to tell you the truth and it was something only few of us knew then but, Optimus struggled to pick up on the ion trail in search of the Allspark." Ratchet told him. Suncast just continued to look at Ratchet. "Look, I'm sorry Suncast more than anyone on this base for what happened to you but, if you think for a second it was a mistake for you to come here the answer is swiftly NO!" Ratchet said with conviction in his voice. Ratchet at first was surprised that Suncast thought this way but, again Ratchet had to admit to himself that really he wasn't surprised. Suncast was never a fighter until Megatron filled him up with lies and turned him bitter.
Just then there was a knock at the door. Suncast looked back at the only window he had there to look outside as Ratchet got up and went to the door. It was Optimus there at the door and Ratchet stepped outside to see him. Optimus said, "Ratchet, please come with me," so Ratchet followed Optimus outside the hanger and around to the other side then Optimus turned to face Ratchet. "What is going on Ratchet?" Optimus demanded. Ratchet at first said, "how much did he send you?' "send me what and again what is going on?" Optimus said this time with a stern look on his face. "He is depressed and questioning himself for even coming here." Ratchet finally answered. Optimus took his hand to he's face rubbing his brow seemingly frustrated then continued to speak to Ratchet. "His scream was heard all over the base, thank Primus the humans are conducting in a flight training course and are in the air at this hour and oh and by the way, why did he scream?' Optimus said rather curiously. Ratchet scratch the side of his head then said, "he said I scared him when in fact, he scared me first." Optimus gave Ratchet a rather puzzled look.
Ratchet cleared his throat then said, "Okay, I came in the door, sat his glass of engeron down on the table next to him and I said good morning but, he didn't move or say anything and I saw that his optics were still close. So I shook him a little and according to him I was shouting at him causing him to scream; now I have this loud ringing sound in my audios." Optimus fought hard not to laugh but, he did bow his head shaking it a few times and stood there listening as Ratchet continued on explaining to Optimus that Suncast also wanted to speak to him. Then Ratchet went on discussing his own concerns about what would happen to Suncast if the decepiticons come back to earth. Optimus was concerned too as he spoke up, "old friend I share this concern for Suncast as well but there is very little we can do about it except give him some more activities with visitors there in his bunker and reading material." Ratchet just thought of it and said, "what about I load him up and take him down to the beach with Ultra Magnus and his flat bed trailer?" "I think that would be good but, it would have to be very late in the evening when the humans are asleep. I'll discuss this with Magnus and Ironhide this evening first." Optimus really did like that ideal but keeping it a secret from their human allies here on the base was not something he felt comfortable about.
Later on that morning shortly before noon, Optimus came by to speak with Suncast. But, on the way over he saw Suncast sitting in his motorized wheelchair just outside the door watching the jets land and take off from the airstrip across the big field. Optimus just stood watching as he remembered talking with Ratchet about this earlier this morning and how good it might help Suncast to sit outside. Magnus came around the corner seeing Optimus there he said, "good afternoon" Optimus nodded then Magnus went on to say that Suncast has been sitting out here for about an hour but, it seems it raised his spirit some. "How are you?" Optimus asked Magnus, "good, I heard about what happen from Ratchet. Optimus I'm sure that at some point, the decepiticons will return here I'm I right?" Magnus was coming around to believing in Suncast because, his old friends were starting to believe him. It's obvious he reached the point where he had almost quit on himself and not wanting to fight anymore. Then Optimus spoke up telling Magnus, "I'm afraid so Magnus and we can't blame the humans. First and foremost, this is their world and the battles fought by us here have only strained the only trust we have from the humans here in this country. Convincing the humans that we can change our ways and right our wrongs just as they can will not be an easy one." Magnus only nodded at Optimus and he knew Optimus was right. Optimus excused himself and left Magnus thinking about it as he went on over to speak to Suncast. Optimus stood there watching Suncast for a minute then he walked up behind Suncast saying, "Suncast, it is my understanding that you wish to speak with me. Suncast tried as best as he could to sit up straighter in his chair and then he simply replied, yes sir. He picked up his tablet and opened a file in which he wrote and held up his tablet for Optimus to take and read. So Optimus reached over and took the tablet from Suncast and he began to read it.
What Suncast wrote on his tablet
I know now that the humans are not going to accept that I've changed. What happens now? Convincing them that we can change will not be easy for you but, I know if they listen you can get them to see, I hope. OptimusI just have to ask, what happens to me if another drone or the decepiticons come back? Is the advice of what the human doctor reported going to matter?
"Suncast, if it had not been for the human doctors report, you would no longer be here on this base." At that Suncast had a shocked look upon his face. Optimus went on to say more to Suncast trying to give him some reassurance but he did not promise Suncast anything was ever final. By now Suncast looked on as the fighter planes were still landing and taking off the air strip. Optimus knew now that Suncast had his doubts for ever coming here and maybe he wanted to leave because, he was outside watching the fighter jets. But, Suncast knew he was impaired and never could fly again; but that didn't stop him from wishing he could. Optimus for the first time began to realizes this and said, "Suncast, please look at me; as I have said when you first wanted to land here the humans, Optimus paused knew he had to tell Suncast; "did not want you here they had only agreed because of me." to which Suncast replied slowly slurring his words, "yes Optimus and thank you for trying." Suncast didn't say any more in fact he began to drive his wheelchair back around the building to go back inside as Optimus followed slowly behind him. Then Suncast stopped long enough to say, "please help me to my berth, I'm tired." Optimus did help him back onto his berth and he saw that Suncast was exhausted and seemed even more depressed. But, Optimus felt he did the right thing though by sharing this with Suncast; he also told Suncast do not loose your faith, for I will never lose mine. Suncast then closed his optics and with that Optimus quietly left the room to let him to rest.
Several weeks have passed by and Elita, Chromia and some others have been with Suncast at least once ever other day or so but they have told Prowl that he isn't looking good. Optimus decided tonight with Ironhide, Ratchet, Magnus and himself they would try and load Suncast into his trailer and head out to the beach at midnight and he would tell Ratchet this morning in the med bay while Ratchet was doing some maintenance work on him. Ratchet is worried again now cause suncast isn't talking, his nannits count is decreasing and his energy levels are getting lower by the day. Suncast still has tubes attached to him, still unable to walk, his right arm and leg do not function and he has to have help with his needs. Ratchet got up from his chair satisfied that Suncast was in deep recharge, he been with him for a few hours this morning but Suncast didn't talk. Ratchet took care of Suncast almost everyday and Optimus knew Ratchet wouldn't have it any other way. Three days ago Ratchet reinsert a feed line for Suncast and today Chromia came by to sit with Suncast awhile so Ratchet could leave. Ratchet then left and headed to the med bay to take care of the rest of the team's maintenance work and is where Optimus was parked waiting on him.
This afternoon four Autobots are leaving on a recon mission. The good news if you want to call it that is that there has not been any Decepiticon activity lately. The engeron detectors that were developed during the third year they have been here on this base; have greatly helped the U.S military monitor in real time locations throughout the world. But, with the heighten concerns that the humans have, Optimus has maintained the mandatory recon missions that are conducted twice month. By four Autobots to four different regions throughout the globe. Then later tonight Optimus is going to try and get Suncast loaded into his trailer and take him to the beach quitely.
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Okay I think I'll leave it here and I hope that I have cleared up the story and got it back on track! The next chapter will cover the beach trip and I'll get to work on that chapter soon, again sorry for the long wait, Merry Christmas y'all and hope you all have a great start to a new year!
Please review if you like and again thank you for continuing to enjoy my stories! Oh by the way go over to my profile page. I have been writing current things on there.