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Note: I left out a chapter in the first story. I've added it so enjoy. Sorry about not posting that sooner.
Sarah crutched into the hanger, noting all the Autobots sat silently in vehicle form, including the two new behemoths, a stealth bomber who answered to Silverbolt and Cosmos who assumed the shape of a space shuttle but bigger.
She paused before the latter, pinging him, (How are you, Cosmos?)
(Ratchet has done most of the repairs. I'm support capable. Appreciate your concern.)
(That is what a good liaison does, Cosmos. Let me know what you need to make you comfortable and I will slog through the paperwork and red tape to get it.)
(Acknowledged. I will convey once known.)
She nodded, moving over to Silverbolt, greeting the Autobot Aerialbot.
He confirmed he needed nothing before she nodded and moved over to Optimus' semi.
(Lennox is bringing the new recruits,) Optimus told her, (He says they could go either way.)
(We will see their mettle shortly) she bowed her head to him before making her slow but determined way to a chair in the center of the room.
Sitting with a sigh, she propped her crutches against her side before pulling out the list of rules.
John stalked into the hanger, Mark, Frank and Annie following.
Noting John's angry posture, she asked, "Something I need to deal with, John?"
"More cowboys," he replied icily.
She translated that to more racists.
"Not everyone is as flexible as us," Sarah countered, "We'll see if education will solve it."
"Or laps," John huffed, standing to her left, his suit perfect and sharp.
The hanger doors slid open, the outside light briefly blinding. Her new eyepatch, made by Wheeljack with Ratchet's help, monitored her mental signatures and allowed her limited sight through her damaged eye. It paled compared to her undamaged sight, but it helped her to see someone moving in her blind spot.
Figures entered the hanger in lock step, Lennox leading them.
The new recruits from some of the signature countries to NEST.
Per the files she'd read, four Americans, four Britians including one raised in Australia, a Scot, two Chinese, two Russians, four French. Only one woman among the them.
That brought the female personnel to five on a base serving thousands. If they added the families on the island, the count rose to twenty, half being children.
She wanted to shake her head at the stupidity of not having a good mix. When the Decepticons attacked, everyone would have to stand up and defend. Young, old, male, female, wealthy or poor. Evil respected no designations.
Epps ordered the men and woman to line up while Lennox came to stand to Sarah's right.
"Good morning, Liasion Twintower," Lennox nodded to her.
"And to you, Major Lennox," she smiled, "I hope this is a productive meeting."
He looked over the soldiers as Epps joined them, "I think so."
"Soldiers, you've joined an elite team," Lennox stepped forward, "This team is the first line of defense against an enemy who'd destroy us all. They don't see nationalities, culture, surface appearance, gender. We are to be exterminated. We are the best because we don't see that either. We are one team, united in defending this planet to the last. You will be fighting alongside individuals who are amazing. Through teamwork, you'll be greater than the enemy. Private Goldsmith and Aspirant Jean-Claude. Step forward."
A man stepped forward with the sole woman.
"You are listed as being scouts, correct?"
"Yes, sir," Private Goldsmith stated stiffly.
The woman nodded sharply, "Oui, Major."
"You will be working with the team's senior scout, Bumblebee," Lennox turned and nodded to the yellow camaro that Bumblebee preferred, "Bumblebee, front and center."
Goldsmith looked confused as the empty vehicle drove slowly to the space to Sarah's right.
She turned her head, her undamaged eye able to see the full experience.
Bumblebee transformed, shifting.
Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Goldsmith back away, reaching for a weapon he didn't have. She figured she'd have to be on hand to help the scouting group.
However, Jean-Claude's response gave Sarah hope.
She watched with interest, tilting her head back as Bumblebee rose above her.
Bumblebee knelt slowly and offered his servo to her.
Sarah noted the hesitation on her face, "Aspirant Jean-Claude, he wants to shake hands, or in this case hand and servo."
The woman glanced over briefly, then reached out her hand to cover the tip of Bumblebee's finger, "I look forward to this assignment, Senior Scout Bumblebee."
He nodded and played a clip as he gently shook hands, "Pleasure is mine."
She raised an eyebrow, "That is from a movie clip."
Sarah rose, taking up her crutches, handing the rules to John to hold before she moved to the Jean-Claude, "He has a war wound that prevents him from speaking aloud without a device. He uses clips of movies or songs to speak with the human section of the team."
"Oui?" Jean-Claude looked up, "Does that include French media?"
Bumblebee played something that made her smile.
"Goldsmith, would you care to come get acquainted with your teammate?" Sarah stood beside Bumblebee.
He sneered, "What the hell?"
Bumblebee hung his head, his eyes widening as he asked with his expression what he did wrong.
Sarah crutched over to the man, "Do you see my cast?"
He frowned, "Yes."
"The same fight where I broke my leg, my other leg was sprained, my eye damaged, and the gash that left the scar," he noted it, "The enemy leader did all this to me in less than three minutes while I had advanced armor. If I had Bumblebee beside me when that fight occurred, the fight would have ended with the enemy being the only one wounded. Without him and the rest of the team, this world would vanish in hours."
"Says the Muslim."
She snorted, then laughed, "You think me a Muslim? How amusing," she looked up at Bumblebee, "Do you have a clip to explain?"
"Pardner, she's an Indian of these United States. Like Cowboys and Indians," Bumblebee spliced together many clips.
Jean-Claude offered her hand, "You are the Native American that I heard about. The Liaison leader."
Sarah carefully braced herself, gripped hands and shook briskly, "Liaison Sarah Twintower. Any questions you have while you serve with Bumblebee I can answer or find the answer."
"Ma'am?"
Sarah turned to the Australian accented Brit, "Corporal Aarons?"
"To whom are you a Liaison, ma'am?"
"Major Lennox, would this be a good time to introduce your co-leader?"
He looked over the recruits, gauged, "Optimus Prime is my equal on this team. He leads the Autobot division of this team. You will meet him shortly. His orders are to be respected as if they come from me."
(Private Goldsmith doesn't seem pleased with his assignment,) John spoke over the link, (His buddy Wilsons is cut from the same cloth.)
(We give them time. We accepted the Autobots since we see differently. They may learn this view. Jean-Claude showed she is willing to take that step. Notice her countrymen? They're reacting like her. Curious but not alarmed.)
(The two other Americans seem to be like the French,) Mark pointed out, (The Scot has a strange face.)
(He's from a long line of storytellers and army men. He could be reviewing the stories he knows against what he's observing.) Annie shrugged when everyone glanced at her, (I got to talk with him before the muster. He wanted to know the legends I grew up with.)
Lennox stood at attention, Bumblebee straightening, "Optimus Prime, if you would join us?"
Sarah turned her head so she could watch both Optimus roll closer and most of the recruits faces.
He stopped then transformed, regal in every movement as he rose to stand on his pedes.
Sarah never tired of watching the Autobots switch forms, nor the expressions of people just introduced to them.
Aarons breathed, "Crikey."
"Oui," Jean-Claude leaning way back to watch Optimus' finials extend and lock into place.
Optimus then knelt, lowering to speak with the recruits, "Greetings. I am Optimus Prime. We are autonomous beings from Cybertron. We are Autobots. The enemy are the Decepticons."
Most of the new recruits moved closer, examining Optimus.
Goldsmith and Wilsons did not.
(We'll keep watch on them.) John offered.
"Sir?" Aarons asked, "Are we each being assigned to a section of the team?"
Lennox nodded, "Yes. We have each of you assigned to parts of the team to partner with weapon and explosive specialists, special ops, espionage and communications officers. We have new methods and techniques on both sides of the team. If you have questions on procedure, you come to me. If it's cultural or in an area that is delicate, the liaison team has a good selection of answers already or rules that cover it."
"Rules?"
Sarah smiled, "We are at rule 90. I imagine we will have more shortly knowing how this base is. I will let you know one of the critical ones is to have your ear and eye protection on your person at all times. We have a very prolific scientist who seems to invent gadgets only when an explosion is involved."
"That isn't true," Wheeljack protested, "I invented many without."
The recruits looked at the row of vehicles still sitting.
"Yes, they all are your teammates," Sarah grinned.
"Including the space shuttle?" one of the Russians asked.
She nodded, "Yes, Warrant Officer Krutin."
"You pronounce my name very well for an American," he replied.
"I practiced so I would not insult. The Autobot who has the shuttle form is called Cosmos. Silverbolt is the one who is the stealth bomber," Sarah nodded to the Autobots, "This hanger unfortunately is too short to enable their transformation. They are the tallest Autobots currently."
"Are there more coming?" the other Russian asked.
"We may have more on the way. We'll let you know as soon as we do, Starshina Losev."
Both Russians grinned, then Krutin stated, "You are changing our view of Americans, Liaison Twintower."
"She's not a true American," Goldsmith growled.
Both Russians scowled at him.
Sarah shook her head, "Sometimes those who haven't lost everything never understand they are not who they think they are."
Everyone looked at her, two looking ready to attack her.
"Native Americans are the first Americans. None of us can change that. We just deal with it. I prefer to think of us born on Earth as all human. We have no skin color that changes we all bleed red when cut. There is no culture that prevents us from crying tears of grief. There is no religion that blocks the courage to stand up to an enemy to protect what or whom we love."
Losev stepped up to her, making her realize he stood shorter than her. Impressive since she barely reached five five.
He clapped her shoulders, "You should have been Russian. I want to meet everyone on the team. If they are like you, then they are welcomed comrades."
Lennox introduced the rest of the team, going through the pairings. Wilsons would have to deal with Ironhide as part of the explosives part of the team. He may last if he checked his attitude. Ironhide would trump anything Wilsons put out with sheer gumption.
John read through the rules then Lennox dismissed the recruits.
Once the hanger doors were closed, Lennox turned to Optimus, "What are your thoughts?"
"Two seem to be antagonistic. Not a good quality for a team of this nature," Optimus replied after a moment, "They could improve as any sentient being can so they should be given that chance."
Lennox glanced at Sarah, "What is it about you that is so polarizing, Sarah?"
"I'm female, smart, inventor, follow an uncommon religion and my skin is darker than most. Take your pick."
Epps clapped her on the shoulder, "At least this time we didn't have an explosion. It was funny to see you being so calm and reasonable they freaked out in response to your tranquility."
She rolled her eyes, "I don't want to go through that again. That was a nightmare."
Bumblebee added, "It wasn't a good time for us either. We didn't know what to do to help."
"That is why John and I have the responsibility to know the timing of Wheeljack's experiments and have them safely shutdown or paused before introductions," Sarah looked up at Wheeljack as he stood beside Ironhide, "Wheeljack please have the usual team help you restart your experiments."
"That is acceptable," he walked off and out of the hanger.
Lennox frowned, covered his ear with the communication device.
"We have a mission. Germany," Lennox looked up at Optimus, "I'll get the planes ready."
"Good luck," Sarah replied.
"I'll take it and any divine assistance you can muster."
The eyepatch flashed, making her blink.
"Okay, what does the world say?" Lennox asked.
"Be careful with the factories. One is toxic to human life, but not Cybertronian, and something is coming. Not on this mission. A general uneasiness," Sarah shook her head, "I suppose that is all assistance I can offer."
"Appreciated, Twintower," Lennox clapped her shoulder, "You be careful. Over a minute this time."
The eyepatch said she'd zoned for one minute thirteen point six seconds.
Rubbing her neck, she sighed, "I hope it's sufficient."
Optimus knelt, drawing her gaze, "Do not push yourself. Some answers are vague to give us free will to change the future."
"Optimus, something terrible is coming. If I know what it is, I can lessen it," she insisted.
"Sometimes you cannot be ready for tragedy. What you do in the moment counts the most," he stood, "Silverbolt, would you assist us with transportation of the team?"
"I am happy to," Silverbolt confirmed.
Sarah watched Optimus leave, the members of the assault team forming up at his back.
"Sarah," Ratchet knelt, "Would you join us in Medbay?"
"Sure," she let him pick her up, holding her crutches as he raised her into the air, "John would you handle paperwork for now?"
"On it," John strode away.
Ratchet said nothing as he walked to the Medbay making her worried.
Exo and Mantra followed, chatting with a slow moving Jazz.
Ratchet set her down on the walkway, waved to the chair as the other three sat on the medberths.
"Please give us a moment to secure the room against an explosion," Ratchet stated, "Jazz lay down before I knock you out."
Jazz grinned, "Sure thing, doc."
He stretched out, servos behind his helm. He looked so much like a teenager, Sarah smiled at him.
Ratchet returned, "Sarah we have a delicate situation that needs your expertise."
She sat straight in the chair, "Please tell me, Ratchet."
He nodded to Exo and Mantra, "We have a sparkling on the way."
Sarah smiled, "A child? That's wonderful! What do we need to set up so they are ready? Is there time to get toys and other sparkling friendly items ready?"
"Slow down," Ratchet grumped, "There are other pressing matters."
"What could be more pressing?" she frowned at him.
"We have concerns about what the governments would do if they discovered we have a child on the way or born here on Earth."
She blinked, "What are your concerns? Anything specific?"
"Sector Seven held Megatron for over eighty years, cutting into him to create much of the current technology humanity wields."
Horror washed over her, "The same technology my tribe used to create the armors?"
Ratchet considered, sighing, "Some of it is based upon that learned from Megatron, but your steps beyond it are not based on him. The cyberlink you created is something we've never encountered before. It does mirror our ability to speak with each other, but the construction is unlike ours as our biology is from yours. I would say that you learned what is currently possible and then made the next step uniquely yours."
She relaxed slightly, "So humans kept Megatron and cruelly cut into him to learn about him while he lived. I wouldn't wish that on him, much less a child. You are worried they could get the sparkling?"
Ratchet nodded, "We'll take Exo and Mantra out of the regular line up, but if something catastrophic happens..."
"There would be no one here to watch out for the sparkling," a shiver ran up her back.
Mantra stood beside Ratchet, "We want you and your tribe to be the sparkling's caretakers if that occurred. We don't want any government to take the sparkling."
Sarah nodded, "We'll add your sparkling to the tribe list like we've done with everyone else."
Exo chuckled, "Your method of adding our names to your tribe's registry would be welcomed. Especially for this sparkling."
He rubbed his chest as Earth whispered, "Two."
Sarah looked at Ratchet, "I'm not sure about your biology but is there a chance Exo is carrying twins?"
"The world talking?" Ratchet picked up a set of cords from a drawer.
"Yes. When Exo said this sparkling, the world said two," Sarah frowned, "There is no message on the eyepatch."
"You didn't zone out," Ratchet gently plugged into Exo, examined data on a device he held in servo, "Your information is accurate. Exo, you have twins to look forward to."
"I'll do everything to make sure they are safe, Exo," Sarah promised, "When you decide their names let me know so we can find the appropriate translation."
Mantra laughed, "Oh, we will. We know you'll keep our sparklings safe."
"I pity the enemy who tries it," Exo nuzzled Mantra, a rare show of affection for the Autobots.
"Especially if Annie is the one to step in," Sarah looked at Ratchet, "Is this something only I can know for now, or can I bring in the members of my tribe?"
"Bring them in discretely. I'll explain our biological differences in regards to sparklings," Ratchet rubbed his helm, "There are similarities as there are differences."
"I'll get it scheduled," just as Earth spoke, "Triumph only on this path. Another human will bring tragedy to all."
"Sarah?" a gentle poke woke her.
Chill coated her skin, "The world said this is on a path to triumph. Another human will bring tragedy to everyone," she paused, "Someone off base."
"Maybe Sam?" Jazz offered.
"Sam?" Sarah mentally riffled through her files, "I don't recall anyone military or civilian with that name."
Ratchet grumbled, "When we arrived to recover the Allspark, Samuel Witwicky had its location embedded on a pair of glasses he possessed. He became involved with our cause and helped us kill Megatron the first time."
"Who's been keeping an eye or optic on him? Megatron may try to punish him for thwarting his plans."
"The NEST operatives nearby," Ratchet snorted dismissively, "Sending ants to guard another ant from an anteater."
"With Megatron back, do I need to argue with the top brass he needs Autobot protectors?" Sarah rubbed her right shoulder.
"It will be difficult. Bumblebee was to be his protector but the United States government hid us away," Ratchet sighed, "Misguided humans."
"I'll get on it. Maybe this tragic path can be averted," Sarah stood, "Is there anything else I need to know and keep close to my heart?"
"Not today," Ratchet snorted, "Hiding the separation of the sparklings will be hard."
Sarah laughed, "Not really. Just have the twins, either set, cause a ruckus. I'm sure everyone will be focused on them. Of course I will deny saying this if they get caught."
Jazz chuckled, "You would make a fine saboteur, Chief Bobcat."
"Please don't say that where the soldiers can hear," she slowly made her way across the platform, "They still call me the Rainbow Pirate. If they heard my birth name, they'd call me Rainbow Bobcat or Chief Catfight."
"Priest Bobcat," Exo ducked his helm politely at the looks, "You saw Primus, therefore you are a priest."
Sarah shook her head, "I saw him once. That doesn't make me a priest or priestess."
Ratchet chuckled, "We have priests who haven't seen him once. Priest Bobcat is appropriate to your status."
Sarah rolled her eyes, "Great, knowing how the base works, I'll be Chief Rainbow Priestess Bobcat the Catfighter."
"Catfighter Pirate!" Jazz added helpfully, "Can't forget pirate."
"Haha," she said looking down the stairs with exhaustion.
Ratchet picked her up, then set her down on the floor before disengaging security, "You need to get rest, Sarah."
"I will...eventually," she felt Mark ping her with (We have a bit of a situation, chief)
(What happened?)
John interrupted, (Someone showed Prowl an episode of Bugs Bunny where Coyote has an anvil follow him down to a ravine bottom, then he's on crutches the next scene. Prowl said Coyote should be dead then ran the probabilities of survival. I think he's stuck in an infinite calculation. Also someone asked Major Lennox's wife why she didn't wear make-up nor encouraged her daughter to. Right now we have six very upset army men in drag with super glued wigs and eyelashes, plus three Autobots sporting "girly" paint and tutus. Remind me never to get on Mrs. Lennox's bad side.)
"Ratchet, Prowl needs help," she sighed, "Great, more television bans and another rule about natural beauty."
Ratchet pulled out the medic bag for Prowl, scooped her up then walked out.