OBJECTIVES
#28: REFRAIN FROM BRINGING ELIZA INTO MEETINGS.
OYMYAKON MILITARY BASE
18: 45 P.M
Eliza entered the cafeteria. It was the daily dinner rush. She didn't understand why these people literally killed each other to get at the slop that they served. It was practically disgusting. The food that she got back in her old division was much better. By a lot.
So, begrudgingly, she grabbed a tray and waited. The ladle that was held above the plastic plate was filled with porridge like substance. Or what looked like porridge.
'Oh Primus what is this stuff?' she muttered, as the recruit walked away while looking down at the mush. A voice drew her attention upwards.
'Eliza!' Melissa's ever recognizable cry was something she had grown used to, and headed for the table.
To pause when she saw a young girl sitting at it, looking at the food with disgust as well. She was an Asian American. The brunette remembered a report on her. Her name was Emily or something.
'Hey Melissa.' Agent Jover greeted. The blonde smiled, 'So, who's this?'
'Oh this is-,' Melissa started, but was stopped by the girl.
'Emma. Emma Ahn Le. I'm from an orphanage. Melissa's looking after me.' The short clipped reply. She turned dark eyes on Eliza, 'Are you the friend that knows about her problem?'
The two older females blinked, before Agent Goodwen answered for her friend, 'Yes. And you need to be less open about it.'
'Oh… okay.' Emma seemed to hesitate, 'Does she know about you and Bl-' a hand was instantly clamped over her mouth, Melissa glaring evilly, sending a silent message for her not to say anything.
Eliza sat down; 'Know about you and who?' a small smile playing on her lips. The food was forgotten.
'Uh… no one. Nobody at all. Seriously.' The blonde recruit skirted the matter very "Professionally". Her hand was still held over the twelve year olds mouth, but a mischievous glint had entered the child's eyes. She was plotting.
'Okay…' the brunette spooned a bit of the gross slop into her mouth and cringed. As horrible as it looked. And surprisingly Melissa had finished hers, 'How can you stand this stuff? It's revolting.'
'Eh, not that bad.' Absent minded reply. Muffled sounds came from behind her hand, 'Oh right. Sorry.'
Emma dragged in an exaggerated breath for effect, 'Thank you. And I agree with her. This is terrible.'
'Stop complaining you two. You just haven't gotten used to it yet. Take it from someone whose been working here for four years. You've just gotta roll with it.' It was very laid back.
'Right.' They both answered simultaneously and sarcastically. Then a thought struck Eliza, and a way to get more information.
'So, has Melissa given you an actual tour of the place?' she questioned the twelve year old, who caught onto her plan instantly.
'Not really. Would you mind showing me around? It would give her some time off from having to drag me around.' That instantly got the blondes attention. It was a way for her to have time off from the kid.
'Yeah, you guys do that. See you later.' She was up from the table almost instantly, and literally sprinting out of the cafeteria.
'My god that was easy.' Commented the girl. Eliza nodded.
'Melissa's always been like that. I'm surprised she even agreed to look after you. I distinctly remember her saying that she would never have a relationship or a family.' The brunette smirked at the memory.
'Family is a loose term. And I don't believe that she or Blurr had a choice. Evident by their lack of enthusiasm for it.' She had a very pronounced vocabulary for someone so young. But the older female didn't really notice that. She had instead caught on about the "Blurr" thing.
'Her and Blurr?' down to business. Emma nodded slowly, 'Tell me more.'
'Alright…' she thought quickly, 'For a price.' The child was very bold.
Eliza sighed. She could just say no… but she wanted to know more about this, 'Ok, name your price.'
'A camera.'
'A camera?'
'Yes.'
You have got to be joking. Agent Jover thought. Yes, she had a camera. It was slagging expensive though. But… knowledge was power.
'Deal. Now spill.' It was annoying having to wait. But the Asian American shook her head.
'I want to see it. I never make a deal without seeing the actual pay. I learnt that the hard way.' – Orphanage flashbacks.
The brunette sighed, 'Fine. Come with me and we'll head to the dorm.' The two females got up from the table and left their unfinished food on the metal slab.
Meanwhile, Melissa was walking down the hallway to her and Blurr's room. Finally, a little bit of peace. It's not like she didn't like the kid, it's just that she wasn't good with people under the age of eighteen.
It was rather quiet in this part at the moment. Good, that meant no interruptions. Unfortunately, that was shattered by a familiar voice which she did not care for. How this guys kept finding her was mystery enough.
'Melissa!' he called. She sighed and turned around.
'What is it Harry?' an annoyed note was in her tone.
'Uh, I just wanted to talk to you-' he started, but the blonde cut him off, already walking away.
'Not now. I have important business to take care of.' Yeah…
'But it'll be really quick…' his voice was blocked out as she turned the corner. What was so hard to understand about no? It's like when woman say no, nobody listens.
So, with one last glance around, she ran the rest of the way to the large doors. She typed in the code quickly, and then slunk in, closing it behind her. Blurr looked up at her entry. He was going over pictures on a datapad that were taken back on Diego Garcia.
'Melissa? Where's-Emma?' he asked. The human smiled.
'Eliza's showing her around. We get some time off.' Even though you've only been looking after her for a day.
That is good. The Bot initiated their link.
Most definitely. What are you looking at? She motioned to the datapad, and stepped onto his outstretched servo. He shrugged, and placed her down next to him, lowering the file.
Photographic images taken by Major Lennox's daughter back on Diego Garcia. This is on the day of Thanksgiving. A picture of Optimus and Elita were on the screen. He flicked to the next one, which showed Prowl and Eliza asleep/ in recharge on his desk. Agent Goodwen laughed.
That was one messed up day. She commented. He agreed.
Annabelle asked her mother to forward all of these to the Autobots. I just got mine now. I'm surprised the child's still okay after your friend went mad, and… uh… kissed Prowl. It was very awkward seeing that happen.
Yeah… I think she regrets it, but I can't be sure. Melissa was always wary on her friend's emotions. One day, she's having a great time, the next day; she wants to rip her colleague's head off.
Blurr clicked over to the next picture, and low and behold, exactly what they had been speaking about. Eliza standing on the balcony, and a very surprised Prowl in front of her. Nobody really knew why the SIC had crashed through the wall, but that basically brought an end to the celebrations.
The blonde stared down at the photo. Agent Jover looked so… serene. Like it was almost something that she had wanted to happen…
But that couldn't be right. After Jonathon, the girl had fallen into her work – work that was watching people have other romances of course – and had been rather distant. Then she gets moved to the base, and boom. She starts working with the most emotionless and secretive mech there is.
Melissa just shook it off. It was most definitely the booze. Definitely. Eliza always did stupid things when under the influence of alcohol. That was it. Nothing else-
She was brought out of her reverie of thoughts by a large metal finger stroking her back. She smiled and turned towards the Bot. He held out a servo and she stepped on, not breaking eye contact – or in this case, optic contact.
The intelligence officer brought her closer to be at his level. She placed a hand on his faceplate, slowly caressing it. His engine purred, and she smirked. The human leaned in closer, her eyes closed. Blurr shuttered his optics, and brought her nearer.
They were barely a millimeter apart, when the familiar sound of a camera clicking sounded from behind them. Both immediately snapped to attention, and turned sharp optics and eyes on the person at the door.
Who appeared to be their charge.
'You have got to be joking. Why are we always interrupted?' Melissa muttered, just to her and Blurr. Then louder, 'Emma, hand over the camera.'
The twelve year old pretended to think, 'Hmmm… uh, no. This is for making me get up at six in the morning. Now I have payback.'
'More like blackmail!' the older organic shouted. Then wished she hadn't, as a glint of interest sparked in the child's eyes.
'Thank you, Melissa.' The Asian American said, before running off. Agent Goodwen jumped down from the berth and ran after her, leaving behind her very annoyed Sparkmate.
'For Gods sake, where's Eliza, she was supposed to be looking after you!' the blonde cried as she followed after her charge.
'I don't know. She ran off after some dude said that there was one of those large planes landing, and then I just went and got this from her bunk.' The kid called back.
And at the hangar:
Eliza strode into the room. The plane was just pulling up, but Prowl was walking in behind it. He didn't seem very happy. Then again he never was, but this time he was exuding anger.
The brunette noted that Yuri wasn't with him. In fact, the man wasn't around anywhere. She wondered what had happened.
The female organic walked up to him, just opening her mouth, when he bent lower and scooped her up in his servo in one swift movement, still walking.
'Ok, you did this once before, and it did not turn out good.' She reminded him, as he made his way rather quickly down the passages, 'Where are we going?'
'To a meeting, which Prime, Ironhide, Elita-one, Jazz, Chromia, Red Alert and Ratchet are attending. Including your sister. It is a security meeting, so it will be fine to interrupt.' The way the Bot talked sent a shudder down her spine. He was really pissed about something.
'Uh… alright? But why am I coming?' she wasn't authorized to attend these events. Her status wasn't as high as her sisters.
'You will want to hear this.' Was the short and slightly quiet reply. She didn't press further, as the emotionless mask that Prowl had perfected slid into place. A moment later he was typing in the code.
He placed her on the floor before the doors opened, and then stood up straight. Just in time to disturb Red Alerts rant about how unprotected this place was.
'Prowl?' Optimus looked to the door and saw his SIC. Along with Eliza by his pedes. But then, his surprise turned into disappointment, 'You did not inform us of your leaving.'
'That is true Prime.' The tacticians words were more strained than any had ever heard them, 'I was under the impression that you already knew. But I was misled. Only one being actually knew of my departure.' Terry had gone rigid, 'And that is General Jover, after she initiated this mission without my knowing, until I arrived at the location. It appears we have a leak in our midst. Agent Arkhov and I were sent to get information from a missing head of department known as Natalie Silverman. Her real name was then revealed to be Natalia Schebschitz. She has been watching all of our transactions for the past four years.' He explained the main details of why he had left.
The Prime blinked, as did the others, 'There is a leak?' he asked.
'Quite. Yuri and I were sent to Prague to gather anything we could about the man. It seems that he will be attending a formal ceremony on the eighteenth of October. Then, we were asked to do something.' This was what he had been waiting for, 'While there, Natalia asked us to find out who had been burning human bodies in the town she is situated at. We followed the direction she gave us and found a complex that was testing V-' Terry interrupted him.
'That's enough Prowl. Thank you for finding out about this, and I am sorry I didn't inform your superiors. I shall be taking care of it. Where is Agent Arkhov?' she asked the last question so innocently, as if she had no idea. But the Praxian knew she had ordered him to destroy that base, whether he was in it or not.
'I believe you know exactly where he is Ms. Jover. His corpse has been incinerated in the explosion you ordered him to initiate when he informed you that the facility was a Viral Warfare complex, intent on targeting Albania in a few weeks, after they had perfected the anthrax powder.' His words silenced the entire room. She simply glared, while Eliza looked between the two of them.
'In fact, I have not been fully honest in my past transactions that Yuri informed you of. That third mission was no accident. We were ordered by you to destroy that ship, which wasn't carrying humans, but was carrying weapons of mass destruction, which were being transported to Latvia to start a civil war in that country. But you couldn't allow that to happen, due to the fact that the Viral Warfare operation you had set up was located there. It was to large to be destroyed, so you had us make sure that those weapons never got there. And you also ordered Yuri to make sure that no living being – excluding himself – were to be spared in the actual human smuggler operations.' Prowl had returned the glare that the General was giving him.
The others watched in silence, taking this in. Eliza was the first to say anything, 'Wait a minute. Prowl, what are you talking about?'
The SIC straightened, 'I am informing you that Terry has been running a classified division which incorporates the use of Viral Warfare to end their enemies.' At this, utter chaos broke out.
'What!' Ironhide shouted, 'Is this true?'
'I can't believe this! You humans are pathetic!' – Chromia.
'Viral Warfare? Not even tha Decepticons go tha' low.' Take a wild guess…
'General, is this correct?' Optimus silenced this by a few words, waiting for the humans reply.
'What? Of course not. You can't trust this guy. He's so secretive. He's ended so many lives-' she defended herself, but was cut off by said Bot.
'I wouldn't lie Ms. Jover. I will undergo a full processor scan to prove my points. It is best if you just admit this.' He leaned closer to the human, who scowled.
'I should have disposed of you years ago.' She hissed. He growled.
'That is why Yuri supplied me with enough money to leave. He knew what you would have done. How does it feel to know that you are trash and a disgrace to your own species?' he ground out between clenched denta. It was very surprising to see Prowl insult somebody like that.
Her scowl deepened – if that was even possible – 'Listen you. I don't like that job, but I do it for the betterment of mankind. And if anyone knew about this, World War III would break out. You want that on your conscience?'
His door wings flared, 'No, I would not. But there is one last thing that I believe they should know about.'
Her eyes widened, 'You wouldn't.'
'Yes, I would. You have been incorporating Cybertronian specs into the diseases you have been manufacturing, so as to provide a more swift death. Approximately three days of suffering before they die.'
It was like all the air was sucked out of the room. Eliza just stared at her sister, totally lost. Optimus remained calm faced, but inside emotions were boiling. So Elita answered for him.
'You have been using Cybertronian schematics in "Upgrading" diseases that you use against your enemies. You make me sick. What type of person does that to another living being?' the femme demanded. Terry shrugged.
'One who has to end the lives of the most terrible people on earth. You won't believe how many global travesties we have stopped using that division. If it wasn't for us-'
'How could you?!' Eliza snapped, 'You keep saying I owe you, even though you owe more than I ever could. I want that five thousand dollars that I took from Prowl back!' the brunette realised what she had said, and turned back to the Bot, 'Sorry.'
His gaze softened noticeably, 'It is fine Eliza. That money is not what I want.' He turned his optics back to Terry, and uttered the phrase he knew was a code, 'The money is under the Vater.'
As expected, the high ranking human reacted with open surprise, 'How do you know about that?'
'Yuri's parting words.' Was the simple reply. She scowled.
'The bastard. Huh… 34 N; 10 W. Open chasm, display case.' She finished saying the confusing words. Prowl nodded, already looking up the coordinates she had given him.
'Morocco?' the question was evident. She sighed.
'It was the only available location at the time. Now, whatever you've heard cannot leave this room, it is of top priority that this is never leaked. If so, total devastation could ensue. The last thing we want is a full out-' once again the organic was interrupted by her sister, but this time it was in the form of a well placed punch to the jaw line, which sent her staggering back.
'I hate you!' Agent Jover shouted, '"Don't lie to yourself", and "He's a monster". God, and what's even worse, I actually considered your words. I know I'll never be making that mistake again. You little-'
'Look,' the older sibling butted in, 'I had to keep it a cover up, for the reasons that I told you. How Prowl knows is because of Yuri.'
'A man that you sentenced to death.' The Praxian interrupted. The other Bots watched the drama unfold before them in mute anticipation.
'It was of top priority.' She muttered. But that actually set the mech off, and his fist slammed against the table.
'You sentenced hundreds to death. Some without even good reason! And what's more, you knew I was on Earth, yet you failed to inform the Autobots of my presence, or even reveal where they were!' he shouted. All of that devastation could've been avoided if he had been able to get to the base sooner.
Terry huffed, 'You were a valuable asset at the time. When we were done with you, you would have been killed because you knew too much. But then you got out. So, we've been devising a plan to end your life the minute you arrived at the base. I thought that when I saw you after you and Eliza got back from that little road trip of yours, you'd be dead before morning. Unfortunately you weren't. This mission that you were sent on, was supposed to end your life and Yuri's. But, only one actually died.'
Horrified silence settled over the room, but was broken by the other organic, 'You wanted him dead?' it was asked slowly and deliberately. Then she lashed out, fists flying, 'If anyone's gonna kill him, it'll be me, got it?!'
That made Prowl feel so much better.
Terry blocked the blows and fought back, getting in a few well placed punches. Optimus then decided to intervene.
'Enough!' he thundered. The two females paid him no attention, still hurting each other. The gathered Bots sighed, and the Praxian then grabbed Eliza. She fought against his grip.
'Let me go.' She ground out.
'Not in a million vorns.' He whispered. After about ten minutes of back and forth swearing, the two women calmed down enough.
The Prime started again, 'Dismissing the new – and terrible – information that has just been revealed to us, we are concerned about the leak as well. Prowl what is this arrangement that the man shall be attending?'
'It is what humans also call a "Ball",' the word was said with a resigned tone, 'A… dance… of sort, where the organics pass the time by conversing, and a representative makes a speech.' Everybody knew where this was going. The base was going to have to go undercover with this.
'Just brilliant.' Eliza grumbled.
'Ah don't know. Sounds kinda cool.' Jazz voiced his own opinion. There was a silent pass between the others which simply stated – For some.
'But how will we be able to do this without alerting the leak?' Red Alert asked. They thought for a moment.
'It… could be said that a high ranking member is in danger of assassination, and we're looking out for that person.' Chromia suggested. That was actually a really good idea.
'Yes. Now we simply have to set this up.' Optimus nodded. Terry had started heading toward the door.
'I'll bring it up with the other generals.' She threw back to them. All the Bots growled lowly.
'We will not be forgetting about the Cybernetic enhancements that were made to the diseases. Or the whole Viral Warfare division in the first place.' Ratchet reminded her. She nodded.
'I know. But for the time, it'll be best if you keep your mouths shut.' The door slid open, but then shouting reached their ears and audio receptors. Two seconds later, Melissa and Emma came running down the corridor, the young girl with a camera in her hands, and the blonde threatening to shoot her.
Terry just sighed, defeated and left.
'Uh… well, sorry for the false accusations Prowl.' Ironhide muttered. That was all the Praxian was going to get.
So, instead of saying thank you, he turned towards the door and opened it, Eliza still in his servo, 'I'm going to complete my work.'
Once outside, the Bot realised bringing his human colleague with him was not a good idea, especially if it involved her sister.
OBJECTIVES
#1: ATTEND ALL FUTURE MEETINGS WITH OPTIMUS PRIME.
#2: AVOID RATCHET BY ALL COSTS. - FAILED
#3: REFRAIN FROM ALLOWING BLIND SIGHTED ANGER TO CLOUD JUDGEMENT. CONSEQUENCES MAY BE DIRE. - FAILED
#4: BE AWAKE FOR MORNING REPORTS. NECESSITY – TOP.
#5: DO NOT LISTEN TO THE NEW RECRUIT (ELIZA JOVER) - FAILED
#6: AVOID TWINS BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY UNLESS PUNISHING THEM.
#7: HAVE ELIZA RECORD ALL FUTURE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN HER AND OTHER AUTOBOTS.
#8: EDUCATE ELIZA IN CYBERTRONIAN HISTORY.
#9: KEEP CONTROL OVER EMOTIONS
#10: REMAIN FOCUSED ON DUTIES. SOCIAL INTERACTIONS LIMITED TO MEETINGS. - FAILED
#11: AS THE HUMANS SAY, DO NOT GET YOUR HOPES UP. DOING SO WILL JUST LEAD TO DISAPPOINTMENT AND IT IS ILLOGICAL TO BELIEVE THAT ANYTHING WILL CHANGE.
#12: WHEN IT COMES TO HUMANS, FEW HAVE THE CAPACITY TO REMAIN QUIET.
#13: NEVER LET HER GO.
#14: NEVER LEAVE WITHOUT THAT DATAPAD
#15: LEARN MORE ABOUT ELIZA JOVER.
#16: DO NOT LET ELIZA NEAR ANY GAMBLING LOCATIONS.
#17: PROTECT ELIZA TILL DEATH.
#18: THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE. NEVER STOP HOPING.
#19: ALWAYS KEEP NUMEROUS WEAPONS IN SUBSPACE.
#20: NEVER ALLOW ELIZA NEAR ALCOHOL.
#21: KEEP ANY AND ALL OTHER PAST EXPERIENCES QUIET.
#22: DO NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS UNTIL ALL FACTS HAVE BEEN DISPLAYED.
#23: WHEN SEEKING REVENGE, EMPLOY A MORE TACTICAL PLAN.
#24: ALWAYS SPECIFY YOUR INTENTIONS, ESPECIALLY TO THE HUMAN WHO SUPPLIED YOU WITH THREE THOUSAND AMERICAN DOLLARS.
#25: DON'T LISTEN TO YURI AS THAT WILL LIKELY LAND YOU IN A DIFFERENT COUNTRY TRACKING DOWN DANGEROUS PEOPLE ON THE WORD OF AN ESTRANGED WOMAN.
#26: EXPERIENCE.
#27: REMEMBER THAT HUMANS ARE NEVER GOOD IN SITUATIONS THAT PRESENT THEMSELVES WITH MORE POWER THAN THEIR OWN.
#28: REFRAIN FROM BRINGING ELIZA INTO MEETINGS.
The brunette looked up at him.
'So,' she started, 'How was Prague?'
PLEASE REVIEW
I got this one out really early, because I felt bad making you guys wait for ages with the last chapter.
And back to the main point. One hundred and one reviews! Yes!
Thank you awesome people fro reviewing. This is a total milestone – again.
Anyway, next chapter, there is going to be a time skip so that we get to the "Ball". I also understand that there will be a lot of hate reviews to Terry Jover. Go ahead.
I want to say thanks to the people who made this hundred review mile happen:
velociraptor4659 (3): I hope you enjoyed the punch!
2211Nighthawk
Spirit Kiss
And anyone else who has previously reviewed, or favourite/ followed the Fanfic and also made this happen!
Ok, next chapter will incorporate a bit more romance, but also with action, seen as we haven't had a lot of that in a few chapters, and this one didn't really count.
Once again, please review! And any requests are totally welcome. You just have to be more direct than vague.
Oh yeah, have you ever noticed that there are a lot of female writers on Fanfiction?
