Raf, Ratchet, Professor Sumdac and Bulkhead have been trying to figure out a way of returning Sari & Jazz back to their dimension.
"Any luck, Raf?"
"Not yet, Professor. The bridge configuration we have at our end is capable of going out and pulling down a trans-dimensional transit, but we haven't figured out how to send one."
"I'm afraid it may take a while before Raphael and I can design and assemble that capability," said Ratchet. "The biggest problem at our end is, with our Cybertron nonfunctional; I do not have the needed Cybertronian parts available and have to rely on Earth technology."
"Well, what if I get them from here and send them over?" said Bulkhead.
"By Primus, that just might work!" said Ratchet. "We'll have to proceed slowly though, step by step, since our ground bridge is of a different design. But as we identify a part that could be used, Bulkhead, I will let you know."
"Sounds good, Ratchet. I'll let our Optimus know, and he will keep the Autobot High Council up to date on things," he responded.
Isaac sighed. "Thank goodness we have this communication pathway. Very well, gentlemen, we will continue to work at our end. I am confident that a solution will eventually be found. Please give my best to Team Prime, Jazz and Sari."
"Same with me," said Bulkhead.
"Sumdac Tower out," said Isaac.
"Autobot Outpost Omega One out," said Ratchet. And they ended the communications link.
"So we haven't yet been able to complete the circuit," said Optimus. "Until that time, Jazz and Sari will remain here."
"That is correct," said Ratchet. "Completing the circuit is possible, but only if we can design and install the necessary components. Fortunately, Bulkhead – that is, Sari's Bulkhead – believes he can supply equivalent parts from his Cybertron and send them to me. I am hopeful that I can modify them to our ground bridge designs."
Later that day, Sari was having dinner with Jack and June, and told them the news about the ground bridge.
"It Looks like Jazz and I may be here a while," said Sari. "As it stands right now, until they figure out how to make it work, the trip from my world to here is going to be one way."
"Oh, Sari, I'm so sorry you won't be able to make it back to your Dad yet," said June. I'm sure you miss him."
"I do, but at least we have that comm link, and I can talk to him – almost like we're chatting on the phone. Raf and Ratchet are confident they'll have a solution eventually. In the meantime, Jazz and I will remain part of Team Prime."
"Well, you two did a terrific job with Miko's rescue, that's for sure," said Jack. "And Arcee loved the way you melted down all of MECH's weapons."
"That is one dangerous group," Sari responded. "I'm glad we took down that little unit, but unfortunately it was only one compound out of who knows how many."
"Anyway, I think if I'm going to be here a while, it would be good if I found a way to help out here financially. I want to look for a job."
"You don't have to do that, Sari," said June.
"But I want to," she replied. "I can find a job and help with the expenses, just like Jack does, working at the KO Burger. Besides, it would also help with my cover, to be seen having a regular day-to-day job."
"Hey Sari, I saw a job posting at school," said Jack. "They're looking for a library assistant. Part-time, too."
"Perfect! I didn't think I could do a full-time job, not while being a member of Team Prime. Oh! But I'll need a resume."
"Looks like you'll want to enlist the help of Agent Fowler," said Jack. "Let Ratchet know, and he'll contact him."
"Well, Miss Sumdac, I must say, your resume is quite impressive," said Principal Johnson. "You've been an assistant to Agent William Fowler for two years, and before that, you interned with your father in his robotics company."
"Yes, ma'am," Sari replied. "I was very fortunate to secure a position in Unit:E, and Agent Fowler was a great boss. However, as you know, there was a downsizing in the Federal Government, and our agency was no exception. All assistants with less than three years tenure had to be let go, no exceptions. My Dad will be busy commuting back and forth from the states to Mumbai over the next few years, and rather than go back to Detroit, I was interested in a fresh start. My family is close friends with the Darbys, and Mrs. Darby invited me to come here to Jasper."
"Oh yes, Jackson Darby. Good student, very serious young man. So you're only looking for a part-time position?"
"Yes, that way I can devote the rest of my time toward additional correspondence courses at Detroit College. When I was working at Unit:E, I only had time to take one course a semester."
"With a major in…International Studies. A difficult subject!"
"I enjoy it very much! When I graduate I hope to eventually secure a position in the State Department."
Principal Johnson switched to French. "The State Department! How's your French?"
"I learned French from an early age, as well as Hindi. My family is multi-lingual."
Impressed, she switched back to English. Well! If our librarian, Miss Hawthorn, has no objection and you are hired, I may call on you from time to time! We occasionally get exchange students. Since you know Jackson, you may know Miss Nakadai."
"Oh yes."
"A bit of a wild spirit, that one," Mrs. Johnson smiled.
"The next step for me will be to pass your resume on to Miss Hawthorn, Sari, and I will let her know I have no objections. Would you be available to speak with her tomorrow?"
"Yes certainly, tomorrow would be great! Thank you very much, principal!" And Sari got up to shake hands.
"So, Miss Sumdac, have you had any experience working in a library?"
"Not directly, Miss Hawthorne, no. However, I've done research for my coursework and am comfortable working in and around libraries."
"With your background, a lack of direct library work experience shouldn't be a problem. I assume you are a fast learner?"
"Yes, I can pick things up quickly," Sari responded.
"Now, you're not that much older than our students. As I'm sure you can imagine, we have all kinds here: shy kids, outgoing kids, good kids, braggarts, and an occasional troublemaker. Some may see you and think they can take advantage. Do you think that will be a problem?"
"I can see how a student may try to do that," Sari responded, "but I can usually read people well, and I'm always happy to help if they need help; if they're trying to snow me, I can often tell. I'll still help of course, but I won't let them fool me," she smiled.
"Well, I do appreciate your candor and your answers, Sari; everything looks very good to me," she responded. "There are some other applicants, and Principal Johnson and I will meet tomorrow to choose the final candidate. We will give you a call."
"Thank you very much, Miss Hawthorne!" And Sari got up, shook hands, and went to go meet June in her car.
"So, how did it go?" she asked Sari.
"I think it went well. Miss Hawthorne seems like a very nice person, as was Principal Johnson."
June chuckled. "Not if you ask Miko!" And they drove away from the school.
"Hey, Sari! They've got your picture on the school website already!" said Raf.
"Wow, that was fast! I only got my ID today," she said. "Let's have a look."
"Memorial High School gives a warm welcome to our new Library Assistant, Miss Sari Sumdac," it read.
"Hey, Sari! I've got some overdue books; you gonna cut me a break?" asked Miko.
"Uh, no?" Sari responded.
Miko huffed and crossed her arms. "Lame!"
"Miko, how do you think it would look if Sari started cutting favors to friends?" said June.
"Still lame!" she protested. Jack rolled his eyes and Raf suppressed a laugh.
"Congratulations on your job, my Sari! I have a little present for you; that is, if it's alright with Ratchet and Raphael. I'd like to send it over."
"Alright with us, Professor," said Ratchet. "Ready when you are." And they prepared the ground bridge. The tunnel lit up with green, blue, and yellow rings, and a large bubble-wrapped package came bouncing out.
"What the…?" said Jack, scratching the back of his head. "That box is huge!"
"Unwrap it! Unwrap it!" yelled Miko. And she and Sari began taking the bubble-wrap and packaging off.
"Oh, my!" laughed Sari out loud, as she saw what was inside. "Dad, you're something else!"
"A scooter?" said Miko, eyebrow raised. "That's it?"
"This was a Christmas present from my Dad from many years ago," Sari explained. "And it's not just any scooter, Miko. Watch." She pressed a button on it, and it transformed before their eyes into a one-person jet pack.
"What the…? Jeez!" said Miko, wide eyed.
"Now that's cool!" said Raf.
"I figured, since you now have a job, you'll need a way to get around," said Isaac.
"Thanks, Dad, you're the best!"
"You are welcome, my dear! Congratulations again. I'm off to a board meeting, so I must cut this conversation short."
"Bye, Dad! Love you!"
"Love you, my Sari!" and the comm went silent.
"Of course, around here, I'll just be using the scooter mode," she said, and transformed it back to a scooter.
"I'll say one thing," said Ratchet, "your father certainly is a talented engineer."
"I assume you used that jet pack in 'human' mode?" asked Jack.
"Oh, no," said Sari, "the jet pack is compatible with my robotic body. I used it in 'bot' mode, before I got my plasma boosters. Technorganics get their mods slowly, as they grow into adulthood. In fact, I didn't have any mods at all until I turned eight. Of course, my situation was unusual, in that I didn't even know I was a Technorganic until that time."
"Wait a minute," said Jack. "You didn't know you were a Cybertronian until you were eight?"
"Yes. I learned it accidentally when an explosion blew away the skin on my elbow, and exposed my bot circuitry. Until that time, I'd assumed I was a normal human girl."
"Your father never told you before that time?" asked Arcee.
"No, he kept it a secret from everyone, for fear that if it was discovered, the government might take me away. That's why I was home schooled by tutor bots."
"Wow," said Raf, and looking down, had a sad feeling in his heart for how lonely Sari must have felt growing up.
"Well it was very thoughtful of your Dad to send you the scooter," said June. "You can commute to the school library as your hours see fit, as well as have more independence."
Sari was at work in the school library one afternoon, pushing a cart full of returned books and taking them back to the stacks. Raf was sitting at one of the study areas, quietly working on a research paper.
In the library walked Vince and Sierra. They spied Raf, and as usual, Vince began ragging him. "Well, looky here! If it isn't the little Nerd-o-tron. What 'cha workin' on, solving the world's problems, or better yet, you come up with my winning lottery number?"
"Even if I did, Vince, you're too young to collect on a lottery win," countered Raf, afraid to even look up at him.
"Well, that's where you're supposed to be the brainiac who'll figure out how to collect my money!" He snatched up Raf's paper. "What's all this stuff, anyway?"
"That's my research paper! Give it back!"
By this point, Sari decided to intervene. She came up to the group and approached Vince. "Is there something I can help you with here in the library, Mr. Vogel?"
Vince turned to her and with his typical chauvinist swagger, responded "Why yes, Miss Sumdac – and may I say, you are looking very nice today! I've come in to the library to do some research on…" and he pinched Sierra on the rear. She squealed and slapped his hand. "…cheerleaders."
Not missing a beat, Sari responded, "Well, that's wonderful! I'm glad to hear you're getting more involved in school. You know, Memorial High needs more male cheerleaders."
Embarrassed at the thought of being a male cheerleader, Vince's face suddenly turned beet red, and had a horrified look! "What…? No! That's not what I…"
"But I'm sorry, we don't have that much here in the school library under the category of cheerleaders," Sari continued. "however I'm certain the public library will have what you need; I can get Miss Waterson on the phone, and I'm sure she would be more than happy to help you put together some materials. Do you need their hours?"
"No, no, that's fine, Miss Sumdac, thanks!" and dropping Raf's papers, he backed out of the library. Sierra ran after him. "Vince! Come back! Vince!"
Raf picked up his papers and looked up to Sari. "Thanks!" he smiled.
Miss Hawthorn came over and complimented Sari. "Nice job Miss Sumdac – you handled Mr. Vogel quite well."
So Sari seems to be doing well in her new job! She'll be earning a paycheck and will be helping out the Darbys with their expenses while Ratchet and Raf work with Bulkhead and her Dad on finding a way to engineer a return trip to her world. In the meantime, she and Jazz will continue to be part of Team Prime, looking for Iacon Relics and defending Earth against the Decepticons and MECH! Thanks for reading. Please review.
NOTE: I couldn't find a last name for Vince, so I invented one. If anyone knows whether Hasbro had an official one for him, let me know – also a last name for Sierra. Thanks!