Chapter 26
The next morning was spent mostly in silence. With the results of yesterday's failed mission still fresh in their minds, the Autobots didn't want to speak too much on the matter. They had lost their opportunity to repair the Genetic Exchanger sooner than later, and they had received a threat from the Decepticon warlord himself. Things were not looking up to the Autobots and they were desperately searching for a solution.
The six of them, Arcee, Optimus, Ratchet, Bumblebee, Wheeljack, and Bulkhead, sat at the kitchen table, silently eating their breakfast. June has an early shift every Sunday and Jack has disappeared in the morning. Arcee's been noticing her boyfriend's new morning ritual and was beginning to become worried about it. She would no longer wake up wrapped around his arms and it made her feel left out, as if Jack had forgotten about her.
"Hey Arcee, where's Jack? Did he wake up yet?" Bumblebee asked.
The former two-wheeler sighed. "Yeah, he did. I think he has some new morning ritual where he wakes up early and disappears. He won't tell me about it and I'm starting to get worried."
"Now that you've mentioned it, he's been acting kind of strange lately" Bulkhead pointed out.
"Yeah, ever since you guys returned from vacation." Wheeljack added.
"I don't know what happened. We had such a great time together and I we were closer than we've ever been. Then we get back and it's as if all our time together was thrown out the window." Arcee said in sad tone, forcing herself not to start crying in front of the others.
"I too have noticed a change in Jack's attitude. Furthermore, I have begun to sense a strange darkness around him. I did not wish to alarm anyone with my findings, but it seems as though this factor has brought a change to his personality. I have attempted to converse with him on the topic but he has denied all of my concerns." Optimus stated.
"Well maybe if Arcee talks to him, he'd finally speak up. I mean, no one is closer with him than his own girlfriend." Wheeljack suggested.
"I've tried!" Arcee exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air. "I try to talk with him every day but he never tells me anything! I feel like he's forgotten about me and has moved on." Now she was really getting emotional and was really forcing herself to not fall apart in front of the others.
"Hey, don't say that Cee" Bumblebee said, trying to comfort his friend. "Jack would never forget about you. You're his partner and closest friend, just like Raf is with me."
"Bee's right, you don't need to be worried about that" Bulkhead added. "Miko would never leave me in the dust and same with Jack."
Arcee sighed and nodded, her friends' words giving her hope that her Jack was still in there.
"You said that you've tried to talk with him. Does that mean he's just not admitting that he's changed?" Wheeljack asked.
"That, and he's got a method of ending all our conversations whenever he wants."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well... he kisses me." Arcee said sheepishly, embarrassed to share her weakness. "But it's not just any kiss. He puts so much emotion into it that he normally doesn't add, and the feeling of his soft, warm, lips against mine just, I don't know, mesmerizes me."
The three boys couldn't help but laugh. Even if they were in a serious conversation, hearing Arcee talk like that was something they've never heard before.
"Aren't you supposed to be a hardcore warrior?" Wheeljack teased, snapping the former two-wheeler out of her love-struck thoughts.
"Hey, if you knew how it felt, you wouldn't be laughing right now."
The three boys continued to laugh until the sound of a lock turning made them all stop. The six of them turned to the front door, just in time to see Jack walk in. The teen didn't look at them, taking off his shoes and walking in.
The group watched in silence as he came into the kitchen, opening a drawer and dropping something inside. What the item was, well none of them could get a good look at it. Jack was hiding it from them and they were curious to see what it was.
The teen turned around to see a dozen eyes tracking his every move. He raised an eyebrow and walked to the table, looking at his breakfast; bacon and eggs, along with some toast and milk. Jack grabbed the toast and pushed the rest of it forward.
"All yours Bulk" he said to the wrecker before walking off towards the bathroom in the hallway. Bulkhead brought the plate of food closer to him but gave it a strange look, as if he wasn't sure what to do with it.
"Arcee, if you may..." Optimus said quietly, motioning to Jack with his head. The former two-wheeler nodded and quickly got up, heading into the hallway. A couple doors down, Jack was in the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face. He was hunched over, taking deep breaths as he tried to relax his mind.
Arcee went over to her boyfriend, wrapping her arms around his body and laying her head against him. She let out soft whimpers as she nuzzled his neck with her face.
Jack knew what she was doing and turned off the water. "Babe please, can we not do this right now." He said with a sigh.
"Then when Jack?" she asked, making him turn around. "I just want to help you but you never give me an answer. You always-"
She was cut off by the feeling of his soft lips pressed against hers. She tried to fight herself to not be distracted but she couldn't help it. She closed her eyes, moaning into the kiss as Jack sucked on her lips.
Once he knew that he had won, Jack gently pulled away, playfully tugging at her lower lip. He then placed a hand and softly caressed her cheek, looking straight into her eyes.
"When I'm ready" he said quietly, giving her another passionate kiss before leaving the bathroom. Arcee was frozen, her face completely dumb-founded as she was mesmerized by his kisses.
Back in the kitchen, the five former Autobots watched the hallway attentively when they heard the footsteps coming closer. They all expected Arcee to show up, but were surprised to see Jack pass by. The teen saw them staring and gave them a look saying 'what are you looking at?' before going up the stairs to his room.
Minutes later, Arcee slowly trudged into the kitchen, still dazed by her boyfriend's show of affection.
"Well?" Ratchet asked when he saw her.
The former two-wheeler merely shook her head, taking a seat and staring forward. The three boys crowded around her, waving their hands in front of her face.
"Wow, he really got her good this time" Wheeljack chuckled.
"Maybe we should ask Jack to do this every time she gets angry" Bumblebee joked.
"I don't know about you, but Miko would love to see her like this" Bulkhead said, pulling out his phone. "Say cheese!" he exclaimed, snapping a photo of Arcee's face.
The flash from the phone brought her out of her dazed state and she rubbed her eyes, trying to remember what just happened.
"He did it again, didn't he?" she asked quietly, ashamed that she fell for the same trick again.
"Do you recall what you both talked about?" Optimus asked.
"I didn't even get to start talking with him before he kissed me. The only thing he said was that he'd talk to me once he was ready, whenever that would be."
Arcee crossed her arms and sighed. Relationships were not her specialty.
...
Later that morning, the group gathered inside the command center, humans, former Autobots, and Autobots alike. There were many unsolved problems and new implications that had to be discussed.
"... therefore, without knowledge of Megatron's plan, we must not risk the well-being of anyone on this team." Optimus concluded, receiving a nod from everyone.
"So what do we do now?" Smokescreen asked.
"Our priority at this moment is to have the Genetic Exchanger repaired. If we are able to have it functional before the Decepticons proceed with their plans, we may not need to worry about the threat above my head. However, I believe it is very unlikely for the relic to be repaired in that short amount of time."
"Sir, would the production speed be increased if you had our aid?" Ultra Magnus asked, referring to Smokescreen and himself.
"Ratchet?" the Prime said, giving the question to him.
The medic scratched his chin. "Hmm, perhaps. However with your lack of knowledge on Cybertronian science, your aid may only be of use for lifting materials."
"Very well, your assistance may be required" Optimus concluded.
The group separated, heading in different directions to do their things. The two older men and the Autobots went to work on the artifact while Raf and Bumblebee jumped onto the couch to play some video games. Miko took the two wreckers with her for a 'band rehearsal' which left Jack and Arcee all alone.
"So, what are we going to do?" Arcee asked, grabbing onto his arm.
"Don't know, you're choice."
She tapped her chin, trying to think of an idea when the thought of his kiss in the morning came to mind. She smirked and led him down the stairs by the hand.
"Where are we going?" he asked, making sure he didn't trip as he was being dragged along.
Eventually the two reached Arcee's quarters and the former two-wheeler put in the pass code that opened the giant doors.
"We haven't had a good session for a while now, so I thought, why not now?" she whispered into his ear with a seductive tone.
"Uh, I don't know Arcee..." he said quietly. He didn't know that this was what she was planning and there was a reason for not having a session with her for a while.
"Please Jack? The kiss you gave me this morning was so nice, I want more" Arcee pleaded with an innocent tone.
Jack sighed and smiled. He too liked the kiss they shared, and even though it was for a different intention, it still felt great.
Arcee grabbed his arms and pulled him into the room with the doors closing right behind them.
...
Red lights flashed and a loud alarm spread throughout the Omega One base. Knowing protocol, the group gathered back in the command center, stopping whatever they were doing earlier. Judging by Jack and Arcee's disheveled looks, they were clearly in the middle of something when the alarm. Their looks didn't go unnoticed and Miko elbowed Jack in the arm, giving him a knowing look.
"What's the alarm for Ratchet?" Jack asked.
The medic looked up at the screen to see an incoming transmission. "It appears to be Agent Fowler trying to contact us."
Ratchet answered the transmission and a picture of Agent Fowler was enlarged on the screen.
"Go ahead Agent Fowler, we are all listening" Optimus said.
"Prime! Megatron and a couple of his henchman are attacking one of our military bases!" the agent yelled and the group widened their eyes. "We're firing back but our men are getting wiped out by the second!"
"No Agent Fowler, tell your military to stand down. Megatron is far too powerful for your army to take down, nonetheless a group of Decepticons. Order your men to retreat immediately." Optimus commanded, stretching his authority.
"Sorry Prime but it's not my call to make. General Bryce made the direct order to attack and he won't respond to any of my transmissions."
"Scrap!" Bulkhead yelled, crushing a nearby soda can that was sitting on a table.
"Bulkhead, I needed that!" Ratchet said off instinct but quickly took it back when he realized it was only his soda.
"We need to get out there commander. We can't let the humans take the casualties for us!" Wheeljack started.
"Jackie's right, that's our fight not theirs" Bulkhead added, Bumblebee nodding in approval.
'I understand your frustration but we are just as vulnerable to Megatron's attack as are the humans." Optimus said.
"Send us in, I still need payback for when he shot me off the cliff" Smokescreen jumped in.
"Revenge is never the right answer Smokescreen. Furthermore, your involvement is exactly what Megatron wants, and I will not risk losing a member of this team."
"Prime! I'm getting contacts saying Megatron is going off about you. You might want to send a drone in to see what's happening" Agent Fowler suggested.
"Very well, I will see to what Megatron is doing. In the meantime, you must evacuate all military personnel before there are any more casualties." Optimus said, motioning to Ratchet to start up one of the drones.
"Already underway, but it's not going as planned. The 'cons are really holding our men down."
A second screen popped up as the drone came online. Ratchet quickly shared the video feed to Agent Fowler's line before activating the groundbridge and sending the drone through.
They needed to know what Megatron was up to, and they needed to know quick.
...
Blaster fire rained down on the military base as soldiers ran for cover. The area looked like hell; fire burning everywhere, unmoving bodies spread across the ground, destroyed vehicles smoking. The Deepticons' attack had only started a couple minutes ago, but already the end was near. The remaining military forces fired back helplessly at the giant robots, only to be destroyed by their blasters.
"Where is Optimus Prime?" Megatron yelled out, sending a volley of blasts onto nearby vehicles. A group of soldiers who were taking cover behind a Humvee were caught in the explosion, screaming in pain until it slowly died down.
Suddenly a ground bridge opened up to the side, going unnoticed by most, but not by Megatron's keen eye.
"Ah, you fail to disappoint Optimus" Megatron said. To his surprise, Optimus' robot form didn't leave the vortex, but rather a small human made drone. The surveillance machine turned its camera, regaining its focus so it could relay a clear image.
Back at the base, the group looked in utter horror at the destruction shown on screen. Soldiers were heard screaming in the background and their voices were occasionally blocked out by the sound of blaster fire. The entire area looked like the aftermath of a bomb site, except the bombing wasn't over.
Ratchet moved the drone so they could get a better look at the attackers. However, while the camera repositioned itself, it caught a glimpse of what appeared to be unmoving human bodies. The missing parts and the discolored skin made it hard to tell, but just the thought of it made Miko turn around and barf on the floor.
When the camera was finally adjusted, a plain view of the Decepticons were shown. Megatron stood in the center of the squadron with over a dozen Vehicons flanking him. Further to the side was Breakdown and Airachnid, happily shooting down structures and blowing up vehicles.
"Optimus, have you become so cowardly that you choose to hide behind this little machine?" Megatron asked, reaching out and plucking the drone. The warlord pointed the camera at the destruction and laughed. "The destruction of this military compound is only the beginning, for I have much bigger plans. If you do not show yourself Optimus, the habitants of this planet will suffer!"
Ratchet tried to regain control of the drone, but Megatron's grip on the machine was far too great. "Optimus, I cannot operate the drone while it is in Megatron's grasp."
The Prime didn't answer, only looking up at the screen with wide eyes. He watched as the remaining resistance fought back, but to no avail. In mere moments, they were easily dispersed and the final bullet was shot.
This... this is awful. Came Agent 000's voice in Jack's head.
I know. Megatron is ruthless and will do whatever it takes to show his power.
The destruction... it reminds me... of me. Of whom I was before and what I've done.
Hey, don't think about that. That was the past and now, you've changed.
Suddenly the camera changed to show Airachnid walking towards the warlord. She appeared to be holding something in her hand since webbing was covering her dark armor plates.
"Lord Megatron, I found stragglers who were trying to escape. I will allow you to do what you which to them" the spider said, placing down five webbed up soldiers on the ground. There were two females and three males, all of them with tied up mouths and widened eyes.
"Ah, this will do Airachnid" Megatron said, kneeling down and bringing the camera closer to the captured soldiers. "You will see Optimus that I do not go against my word."
Megatron used one of his servos to cut loose the webbing from one of the female's mouths. The soldier instantly started to beg and plead, wanting to be left alive.
"Silence! State your name, position, and family relations!" Megatron ordered.
The woman was now crying and spoke between sniffles. "P-Private Marie Riggs, engaged and s-soon to be wife."
Megatron smirked. "Good."
The Autobots and humans watched as he continued down the line of captives, each one of them stating their name and family. Optimus knew what was to come next and forced himself to keep his emotions together. He could see that the rest of them were also doing the same.
Megatron reached the last captured soldier and cut the webbing off his face. Jack gasped when he saw who it was and the group gave him a worried look.
I know him… we know him!
I know kid, I remember him too. Agent 000 said with an angry tone. The agent wasn't stupid and also knew what was going to happen next.
"Officer John Bailey, husband and father to two."
Megatron laughed. "And why do you not coward in fear like the others?"
"Because I don't want to give you the pleasure" Officer Bailey spat back.
The warlord's look of amusement turned to a look of anger. "Very well, you will be the first."
Megatron reached down and picked Officer Bailey up, bringing him right up to the camera. The soldier kept a straight face, still hiding his fear from the Decepticon leader.
"Are you watching Optimus? This is the result of my wrath!" Megatron wrapped his servos around Officer Bailey's body, only leaving his head. "Officer Bailey, former husband and father to two!"
What happened next made Jack's blood boil; the Decepticon warlord squeezed as hard as he could, crushing Officer Bailey's bones in his hand, instantly killing him. The man's head went limp and blood oozed form Megatron's hand. He laughed, squeezing a couple more times before throwing thee limp body away as if it were a rag doll.
"No…" Jack said quietly, the feeling of anger and rage building up.
… he is going to PAY! Agent 000 thought out loud. I will tear out his heart and squeeze it in my own hands, just like he did with Officer Bailey! Megatron will pay!
No! Agent 000, revenge is never the answer. If you choose that pathway, you are no better than Megatron, or your past self. I know that you're angry, and so am I, but you need to keep it in.
The agent didn't respond but Jack could feel him calming down inside of him. That wasn't all he felt though, he felt his own rage and anger. He felt his own feeling of defeat and he felt his own need for revenge. He forced himself to ignore the feelings, following his own words and keeping them inside.
What Jack didn't know was that there was another feeling that he ignored with everything else. A feeling that fed off of his emotions.
The darkness had broken free during his burst of anger.
The darkness had returned.
…