Chapter 10 – Destructive Memories
As we raced into the main command centre, I hopped off my partner without her fully stopping. I landed without breaking my stride as she transformed next to me as we both walked up to Optimus. If the situation hadn't been so dire then we would have been smiling at each other, having practiced that move more than once when it had ended in embarrassment.
"Optimus, what's the latest?" my partner asked
"Some of agent Fowlers men are scouting ahead, so far thier reports indicate... massive amounts of destruction" the red and blue giant sounded older.
"Well let's get going" I chipped in.
All eyes and optics turned to me, then I noticed my mom spring up as if from nowhere.
"Jackson Darby, you are NOT following them, you are not eighteen until tomorrow young man, so you don't get to make decisions like that".
"Mom, listen, I..." I tried to get my point across before I was interrupted by a loudly comforting voice.
"Jackson, might I speak to you for a moment"
"Sure thing Optimus" I answered as I followed him a little ways down a corridor.
"Jack, I entrusted something very valuable to you before, even though that trust eventually put you in danger, I fear I must ask such a task of you once more" the prime said, eager worry evident in his voice.
"You want me to take the key again? You plan on not coming back again?" I asked, fearful of his response. Last time he did something like this he lost his memories of being a Prime and joined the decepticons. That time away almost tore this team apart, and I didn't fancy our chances of getting through it again.
"Do not fear. I fully intend on stopping Megatron, no matter the cost. That being said I also plan on coming back functioning. The reason I need you to bear the burden of the key once again is in the hope that we can unite out two species". The giant explained
"We will no longer be able to hide our existence from your world, and while Agent Fowler has been a competent liaison and stalwart ally, we need someone who has not been forced to interact with us to show the rest of humanity that we are not as inherently evil as Megatron would lead them to believe"
"Okay, so you want me to be the 'bot cheerleader or something?" I asked with a slight grin, trying to lighten the mood, it went un-noticed.
"The key is also a symbol of leadership Jack, it can only be used by a Prime, or one appointed by a Prime. Do not take this burden lightly, this key will show that you are our chosen representative to the human race".
A solemn moment passed between us, both knowing what was being asked. If I had any dreams of going to college and having a normal life, then taking this key would more than likely put an end to them.
Feeling that the situation needed a more formal gesture I spoke up.
"I humbly accept the reasonability you are giving me Optimus Prime, and hope that I can show that I am worthy of the trust you are placing in me"
A small smile graced his face plates as he reached down to hand me the key to Vector Sigma, it quickly transforming into its smaller form.
"Your worthiness has never been in doubt Jackson Darby" He spoke with an edge of pride in his voice.
"Though this time I believe our allies, human and Autobot know of our intentions from the start. Wear the key with pride" and with those words the small, flat object sprouted two long strings from its top that joined to form a chain. I place the key around my neck and it started to glow.
"The key has accepted you as its new host. Now let's get back to the others" he said motioning back to the control hub.
As we walked back in I noticed agent Fowler had arrived, his face looked gaunt and devoid of emotion until he saw Optimus. With his usual call of "PRIME" the two began talking what I assumed would be strategies for defeating Megatron.
"What did the big guy want?" my partner asked, awakening me from my thoughts.
I simply waved my hand over my chest where the key had now made its home. I saw the multitude of emotions fluctuate through my guardian's optics. First pride, then fear and finally anger. I could also see my mother gawking at the object around my neck. Soon everyone was just staring at me in silence before my mom and partner both screaming in unison.
"Optimus, YOU CANT BE SERIOUS?"
They both looked at each other, shocked that the outburst had been so in sync. They gave each other a small nod, as if admitting finally that they had always really been on the same side. Optimus turned to mom and gave her a grave look.
"June, I understand your trepidation, but..." he started
"You understand nothing! Last time my son had that freaky looking piece of scrap metal, he had to go halfway across the galaxy to save YOU. Which in turn led to OUR house being attacked by YOUR enemies. Now you want him to do the same thing AGAIN?" My mom was seething with anger, she looked over at me, then up at my partner for her opinion.
"June is right Optimus, Jack cannot go through that again, and to be honest, neither can the rest of us, if you're planning the same stunt as before, and this is just a way for us to get you back at the expense of Jacks safety, then I suggest you find another way" my partner added to my mom's argument.
For his part Optimus just looked at the two women in front of him, both overwhelmed with emotions over my protection.
"Uh... Hi, can I say something here?" I asked sheepishly, rubbing the back of my neck.
All eyes and optics in the room turned to focus on me, I gulped down hard as I tried to formulate the best response I could think of in order to dissolve the tension.
"Optimus didn't give me this so I could help him, it's so I can help everyone. Megatron has basically declared war on our planet; we need to stand together if we're going to stop him. That's what this represents. Autobot and human working together for the greater good. I'm honoured that Optimus thinks I can help bridge the gap between our two species, and if I said I didn't have doubts, I'd be lying. But if we stand together, and work together, and the rest of the world sees it, then maybe one day we can have peace."
I spoke as confidently as I could, as I looked around the silo I could see the faces of everyone, 'bot and human, looking straight at me.
Bulkhead spoke first.
"Works for me, good to have you on the team Fleshy"
'Bee let out a long string of beeps that Raf translated as
"'Bee says you'll do a great job Jack, I think so too" he added with a smile.
"Okay, fine, but anymore off earth adventures and I'm coming too" Miko chipped in, with her usual over animated gestures.
"I can... think of no better choice" Ratchet shocked everyone with his statement, as he turned back around to his screen, eager to escape any unwanted attention.
"You sure about this Jack?" my partner asked with concern.
"Yeah, I told you once, me and you vs. the world, well now it's true" I told her softly.
"Okay, but you're not going into the field" she added quickly, I just smiled at her. I think she knew then that there would be no stopping me, but she kept quiet. Everyone seemed to grasp what was going on except mom and agent Fowler.
"So what's happening? Is Jack an Autobot now or something?" Fowler queried in confusion, while my mom just looked at us all with an open mouth.
"Not quite agent Fowler" Ratchet spoke up
"Optimus has chosen Jack to be our representative to your race, while you will still have your leaders and politicians, Jack will be recognised by all cybertronians as Earths most trusted ally, and the blueprint of everything good about humanity and what they could accomplish, much like Optimus is seen to us as the best any of us could ever be". The medic finished.
"So, I know I asked this last time, but does that mean Jack is like a Prime now? But for humans?" the young Japanese girl asked scratching her head.
"For all intents and purposes Miko, yes. Although I think a better title would be in order" Ratchet admitted.
Everyone looked at each other, clearly unsure of what was coming next. I looked up at the autobots leader to see him beaming with a smile while focusing on me, pride evident in his optics. I saw the same look on my partner when I turned to face her, but there was something else there. Not the fear and anxiety I had seem so much of lately, but something else. Something powerful but what the emotion was eluded me.
"Well, I hate to break up this Hallmark moment, but there's a town being burnt to the GROUND" Fowler spoke with urgency, and all at once everyone walked off, each knowing their part to play. The 'bots began discussing battle plans while I made my way to the human area, to make plans of my own. Once I reached the top of the stairs I saw mom standing in front of me with tears in her eyes.
"It's gonna be ok mom, trust me" I spoke soothingly as I put my arms around her, pulling her into my embrace.
"I... I know Jack, I knew you'd be doing some growing up soon, when you turned eighteen, I just didn't think it would be so quickly" she said, I was glad to see her accepting my role, but I could see the fear in her eyes as well.
I released mom from my hug and made my way over to Raf leaving Miko to her eager bouncing, I had plans to make myself and so we stood out of earshot concocting our own strategy when we heard the 'bots moving near to us.
"Autobots, this is likely going to be one of the most dangerous situations Megatron has pitted us against on this planet. While he needs to stopped, we must attempt to keep human casualties to an absolute minimum" the confident leader said.
"Leave that to us Optimus" I spoke up.
"Jack, you are not coming, I'd expect this from Miko, but seriously?" my azure guardian told me forcefully.
"She is right Jack, your place is here" the Prime agreed
"With all due respect Optimus, you've said it yourself. This isn't you against them anymore; it's about all of us now. Every human on this planet has a right to defend it if the so wish" I talked with confidence and I could see by the stares I was garnering that the room was taken aback at how I spoke to him as equal.
"Be that as it may Jackson, your time will come, for now it would be in humanities best interests if you stay here to man the ground bridge. I fear Ratchets services will be need in the field on this day." The red and blue titan replied.
If such a thing could happen it seemed as if the silence grew louder as everyone took in our exchange, with a look into each other's eyes, as if to convey words left unsaid the giant mech turned and bellowed.
"Autobots, ROLL OUT"
The ground bridge fired up and he was the first through, with a last glance at our friends and guardians before they left, we all spoke what needed to be said with gestures and looks. Facial movements telling each other what could not be told aloud.
As soon as they were all through I saw Miko make a break for the portal before it closed, knowing what I had to do, I chased after her and grabbed her arm.
"Let go Jack, you can't stop me going" she said with annoyance in her voice.
"I'm not stopping you Miko. I'm coming with you" I answered her flatly.
With a last look back I nodded at Raf who replied with a small smile. Miko and I then ran through the green vortex before it closed behind us.
What I saw that day will forever be burned into my memories, as will the aftermath.
...
Rachael Darby stared at the page in front of her in shock. She couldn't remember her father ever being some kind of alien ambassador. Somebody would have mentioned it. Stranger still was the faith these despicable robots had put in him.
Despicable didn't seem right anymore however. She could feel her opinions on the matter changing. When she had first began reading these stories she hated the aliens with every fibre of her being, but now, after seeing how they had interacted with each other, and their human friends, she couldn't see how they could have caused such malevolent destruction.
As she glanced over the few remaining pages, she could see small water stains speckling the paper, making the ink run in small rivers down the pages. She knew instantly what had caused it. Tears. She imagined in her mind's eye Tina Esquivel, her father's nurse, crying as she wrote these final few memories. Whatever was coming, whatever she read next, she knew in her soul that it would be heart wrenching, and would change her father, Jackson Darby, forever.