Jack leaned against the console, tilting his head as he watched Predaking narrow his optics at Grimlock as he sized him up. Everyone was gathered back on the bridge, and Ratchet came back from checking over Knock Out.
"What Shockwave did to him is unheard of." Ratchet said. "For the time being I will remain on the Nemesis until I am sure Knock Out is not going to relapse and can be fit to go back into a holding cell."
Optimus nodded, and glanced over at Ultra Magnus. "And you are certain you wish to accompany Jack, Miko, and Cindersaur back to Earth?"
The other red and blue mech nodded. "I am certain. They need training, and luck nor anymore reckless stunts will save them."
Miko scowled as she crossed her arms, situated on Cinder's shoulder while Blackbeak hung over Cinder's other shoulder.
"Very well." Optimus said. "Bumblebee, will you accompany Bulkhead to retrieve Wheeljack and Arcee?"
"I doubt Arcee's going to be hurt, but sure." 'Bee shrugged.
Smokescreen kicked the floor, and Jack heard him mutter, "I never get to do anything."
Due to standing right next to the yellow and blue bot, Jack leaned down and nudged him gently on the shoulder. "Don't beat yourself up, you looked very heroic falling on your face." Smokescreen scowled at him, but Jack smiled to soften the words and Smokescreen's face started turning an odd shade of blue as he looked away quickly.
Huh, that was kind of strange. Jack tried to apologize, but Smokescreen quickly ducked away and out of the room. Jack glared at Miko as she snickered.
Jack leaned against the wall as he sat on the floor, with Blackbeak lying against his leg. For safety reasons, Dr. Keen had taken a seat up on the catwalk. He watched her scribbling something down. "Are you listening?" he said teasingly.
Dr. Keen chuckled. "Yes, of course I am. It sounds like you had quite an adventure."
That's one way of putting it, Jack thought. He had only told the woman the bare minimum of his time on Cybertron, staying far away from things Shockwave related or anything to do with Skystalker. He would tell her…eventually, but for now he just wanted to talk about the happier things. Or, well, 'happier thing's.
Though Fowler would highly object entirely to even that description, given he was currently yelling at Cindersaur and Miko for acting out Jurassic Park. Ultra Magnus had tried to corral them, but his attention had quickly been taken with the other government officials. Jack wasn't quite sure who he pitied in that situation.
More quietly, Jack could hear just outside his mother talking to Grimwing. Given when they'd arrived back and Jack got an earful from his mother for being so reckless and taking off. Jack had glared at Miko for getting off scott-free, but he couldn't stop the grin from forming when June said her parents were on their way. It had been worth seeing the shock on her face.
It didn't quite get the look Jack remembered seeing on Arcee's face out of his mind though. The blue femme hadn't looked happy when she came back from the apparent underground city. She'd waved it off as nothing, but Jack had been unsure in doing so. There's still time ask. Hopefully there would be, and they weren't going to get shut out.
"There's still so much going on, it's really hard to keep everything straight." Jack said. "I can't really stop myself from worrying about it. Before it was just my human life, and then it was Autobot things. Now it's how the government is supposed to keep a group of robots from being seen."
"One thing at a time." Dr. Keen said gently. "It's dangerous to do too much, or you'll burn yourself out." She tapped her chin. "As for your visibility thing; I take it your Cybertronian friends would be kept from leaving the base until they can understand the severity of being seen. Just for now I suppose."
"Hmm. It really wouldn't be a good thing for Cinder to accidently burn something down." Jack agreed, but he wondered if her control was more ingrained than having to learn control, like Jack still did with his EMP howl. Cinder hadn't been created like Jack, and his not-stomach churned as Shockwave invaded his thoughts. He screwed with all their heads, not just their CNA. Predaking had been a prototype, Grimwing, Cinder and Blackbeak were supposed to be an upgrade but they still had their freewill.
It honestly terrified Jack what Shockwave's next 'upgrade' would be.
Jack shook his head to try and rid himself of the thought. Dr. Keen was right; for now he only needed to focus on Earth things.
Hopefully in time everything could be solved.
A/N: Yes, really, it's the epilogue.
I know I left some things hanging in the previous chapter, but that was by design. Those things need their own arc, and the careful development for the payoff.
I would like to thank the readers who have followed this story, and I hope I can bring the third installment soon. Just got to plan a few more things out.