TMWolf: Okay. I decided I'd get one more chapter in before Spring Break, so it gives me a bunch of time to not worry about this and just study my aft off. So- here it is! Chapter 29! P.S. Engineering Math is the devil!
The song for today is from the Mamas and the Papas - Monday Monday. A good, classic, although the lyrics don't have much to do with the story again xD;; Or, well, maybe they do a little. Kinda? Eh.
And now reviews! :)
Angel897: I always try to add some excitement in each one! :D
Autobot Alythia: Aww, don't worry about not replying every chapter! :) People have lives outside of the computer, so it's only natural~ and heck yes they're too epic to break apart. I mean, otherwise I'd have to change the Sides x OC in the summary! xD OMG ICE KING! Adventure Time is so great, and you're right! It is Tom Kenny voicing him! xD That also the voice of Spongebob, so I always love it when people dub "Spongebob" quotes over Starscream in Animated clips!
Autobot-Bre: Hopefully this one is just as good, and that you didn't have to wait tooooo long :3
Cascadenight: Well, hopefully now that they're friends again, things will be much better for them :) They have each other at least, right? Glad Jazz is to your liking. I'd be a shameful fan if I didn't make him so! D: Ratchet's actually pretty easy to make angry ;) Just gotta tease him a little, ha ha. Same for Barricade, although he's more annoying than actually angry~ :P And that's Catherine! :D She wants her "uncle-like" figure to relax and have fun. Of course, Prime is such a stubborn butt and so accustomed to being a Prime it's kind of impossible xD You're not weird, by the way! I love it when that happens! I had it myself on my wrestling team, which was my "family", so to speak :) And thanks! I'll do my best! xP
BluePheonixPrime: Awww, well thank-you Pheonix Prime! :D Catherine tries her best :P
Iceshadow911247: Oh ho-ho! Getting bold are we? ;) Just don't get it picked up! I thought it described Will quite well :P And just you wait on Prime/Elita. I have some good... or, well, maybe not-so-good stuff on them ;)
Megan666: Thanks! And to answer your question- This story is about my OC, but it's also going to follow the movies. I've gotten through the first, and the other two will happen, but right now I'm focusing on character relations/development. It is getting somewhere, though :)
Shizuka Taiyou: Well, while I support Optimus x Elita, I can't say the same for Prowl x Jazz. They're more of just close comrades, but that's because I really only go for "cannon" couples, which they aren't. And I answer no spoilers! :D You'll just have to wait and see!
Topkicker26: GURL I WATCHED THAT THE MOMENT IT CAME OUT. I SAW IT. I AM READY FOR IT. THANK PRIMUS IT'S COMING OUT THIS YER. He's taking too long for dramatic effect :D Mirage will be there once ROTF is over... soo... like probably 30 chapters, ha ha! xD And Sides is only vain for comedic value ;) Although he totally could be vain with how sleek he is :D I figure Ironhide because it says a "Legendary Autobot", and it's called "Loose Cannons", and well, 'Hide is known for his cannons... But who knows! I'm excited regardless! :)
As always, reviews are loved and welcomed! Not onto the show! :D
XXIX. Monday Monday
The months that had passed by so quickly essentially came to a crashing halt. Or, that's how it felt to Catherine, and that was just fine by her.
Granted, sometimes it made her days as a liaison pretty long, which meant reading paper after paper until she could finally burst through the door shouting "freedom" in such a way that Mel Gibson could only be more proud of if she'd worn a kilt and blue face paint. Unfortunately, the Autobots didn't always understand, and she was often left alone to take humor in her antics. Her human companions were a bit better and even joined in some times, which helped make it feel like she was finally able to spend more time with them.
It was a shame that today wasn't going to be one of those days, though. No; today, unfortunately, was paper duty day, and she had a larger load than usual. She had the new Autobots to blame—their arrival called for much paperwork and letters to government people about their skills, who they would work with, and all kinds of crap she didn't really want to deal with, but she would. She did technically need official "approval" from the President for the grouping, although she had pretty good idea it was really the Self Defense blokes who dealt with and the President signed it without reading. Thankfully, General Morshower was one of those "blokes", and usually kept things going smoothly. "Usually", being the imperative word.
"Marissa, one of these days you're going to have to tell me how in the hell you didn't go crazy doing all this," Catherine sighed as she flipped her finished page over. She had completed her main report on the teams, and was just checking for errors or anything to be added, but it was still a pain.
Across from her in a chair, the brunette chuckled, "It gets easier the more you do it, especially once you show them they can't push you around. They're still testing you right now, but poke a little back and they'll back off quite a bit."
"Huh. I'll remember that. I'm expecting them to call any day now, anyways," the redhead snorted, glancing over at her actual business phone. She refused to let anyone use Teletraan to call her except the Autobots, Lennox, or Sam.
"Did I miss out on something?" Marissa inquired, glancing up from her own paper with a raised brow. Catherine leaned back, meeting the woman's brown eyes. She was glad Marissa was her fellow liaison in this, although that time was soon to be over. She was intelligent, funny, and didn't take crap from anyone around here. Granted, neither did Catherine, but she had to be less upfront about it since not everyone liked the Autobots, and therefore her. Marissa, on the other hand, was well known and could act as much like a matriarch dictator as she wanted. Catherine really wished the day she had to leave would never come.
"Not exactly. I think," the redhead frowned. "There have just been questions about some of the materials ordered, and I happened to mention Ratchet was working on something to help out around here, and they're taking it completely out of proportion."
"Ah. Yes, they tend to do that. No doubt a ploy to get Autobot technology, I'm sure," she hummed, returning to her work.
"Of course, and the answer will always be 'no'. For one, Ratchet's just trying to make something to turn Earth metal into Cybertronian so their repairs will be better, and then he needs an easier way to make anti-rust thanks to all the sand and moisture around here."
"Do you need any help? I can talk to a few people and see if the General can help, too."
Catherine waved it off, "No. I've got this one. It's just another basic 'read-the-agreement-you-ninnies' kind of thing. Minus the 'ninnies' part, of course."
"Good to hear. I'm glad you're finally feeling better, by the way," Marissa smiled, and Catherine returned to her papers to try and get out of talking. The brunette was smart, and anything might tip her off. Catherine didn't really want a lot of people knowing the truth of her "sick leave".
"Same, although I almost wish I had stayed off duty with the workload waiting. Thanks for taking some of it off my back, by the way."
"Of course. You've learned all you need according to the requirements, but you're still young and new at this. I can't have NEST's only good liaison on their side collapse, now can I?" she grinned, and Catherine clicked her tongue as she set her elbow on the desk and pressed her chin into her palm.
"Ugh. I'm still kind of worried over who they'll send. Considering the recent increase in calls and messages, I'm guessing it's going to be Galloway. Thank God he'll be staying off the island—I don't think I could live with him stalking me everywhere, demanding this and that. His arrogance is enough to make me want to punch him in the face… or the balls. If he has any."
Marissa gave her a mock-admonishing look, "Now, now, Catherine. That is no way for a lady liaison to talk about her coworkers, no matter how egotistical and obnoxious they are. Unfortunately, it does look like he will be working with NEST once I leave. However, you should be good enough to trade blows with him by then. You also have Prime and Jazz on your side, and they are both excellent at politics."
"Trust me, I know, and I am glad for it!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms up and leaning back into her chair. The movement startled Teletraan, whom chirped and hopped down into her lap. She smiled and stroked him, glad for his company. She saw Marissa smile, and was doubly glad for her companionship. She was one of the few that had accepted her drones without a second thought. If only there were more like her on the base. "I think Smokescreen will help, too. I've already asked Prime to send him a request since I don't know his schedule or where his room is, and asking the others would have been… informal, I guess is a good word for it. Anyways, he seems like he'd do good with working things how we need."
"That's good," the older woman nodded. "If I can, I would like to see him myself and maybe help get him better acquainted with the situation. If he isn't already, that is. I envy their computer mind, sometimes."
"It would help, I admit. Especially with stuff like this, but it does have its downfalls. For one, they still have some trouble appreciating the finer wonders of cartoons and comedy and sarcasm. I don't think I could stand not understanding sarcasm."
Marissa laughed softly, but paused when the alarm on her watch went off. She looked down briefly, and then stood as she began to gather her things. Catherine watched, already knowing the reason. Since her time was almost up, Marissa was spending a lot of time talking with the General and her own team about the switch and where she was going to be placed. It still wasn't safe to be with her old team, so she was going to be sent to a new one in a new area for a little bit longer. She was by no means happy about it, but she understood, and so had agreed to the meeting to discuss details.
"Well, it's time to for the meeting, so I'll probably end up talking you tomorrow, seeing as you're always off spending time with your little Autobot boyfriend," she smiled playfully.
Catherine rolled her eyes, "Not my boyfriend!"
"That's not what your team is saying," she replied as she headed out.
"That's because my team is full of jerks who can't give me a break! Besides, that's weird!" she shouted back, but then the woman was gone, laughing as she did so. The redhead huffed and slumped in her seat. She grumbled, mimicking the woman's words, and then cursed her teammate. She ended with a sigh and looked down to Teletraan who had grown curious to her odd behavior. She smiled as she stroked him, rubbing the sensitive wires on his neck, which made him purr. Despite her earlier statement, she thought about what it would be like if one of the Autobots were her boyfriend.
She started with Sideswipe, wondering how that would be like, and found it wasn't so bad. The size difference was unconventional and problematic, but it was a nice, cutesy relationship that she reeled as a movie in her head, but then transformed into a comedy as she thought of what kissing would be like. She tried out the idea with some of the others—Bumblebee; Knock Out; Evac; Springer; Bluestreak. All had their ups and downs, but, in the end, she busted out laughing. It was honestly ridiculous to think how that would work, and she could see why her teammates thought it was so funny, too.
"Besides, they don't have the same understanding of relationships that we do," she said aloud to the drone, picking up his hands to play with him. The little guy clicked and beeped excitedly as it swung its arms. "And honestly, Sideswipe as my boyfriend? First of all, we just barely became real friends. Secondly, sure he's got a nice vehicle mode and has his soft spots, but he's sooo not my type. I'm more of the… Hmm, well, not sure, exactly. He needs to be strong and exercise, though. And make me laugh, too, I guess. Well, I've got a bajillion years to figure that out, and, frankly, I do not need any romance or relationships going on right now. No, sir!"
Though he didn't understand, Teletraan still chirped in agreement and she poked his nose gently before placing him on the table. He rolled around on the papers, wanting to play more, but she poked him away, knowing she needed to work on them. She didn't have too much more to do, to be honest, and she wanted to have it all finished by the time her duty was over. She could stay as late as she wanted—she wasn't exactly getting paid after all—but she hated to do so. Thus, she worked.
Or, she would have, if the business phone hadn't come ringing. She sighed deeply, already having an idea of just who it might be and, asking Teletraan to be quiet, picked it up. With a quick scan of the caller ID, her suspicions were confirmed.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Galloway," she spoke with such bright and happy etiquette that she wanted to gag. "What do I owe the honor?"
"It's nice to see somebody has manners over there,"his voice, like sharp nails clawing at a chalkboard, rang in her ears, and she silently rolled her eyes. "I've called to discuss my earlier request. You've failed to reply, and I thought it would be better to resolve it at once rather than waste more time on e-mails."
"Logical. I apologize for my tardiness. I have been sick these past few weeks, and was placed off-duty until I was fully recovered. I have finally gotten back and I have seen your request. I planned to send the reply once everything was done, but since you have essentially done us both a favor by calling I will give it now: the answer, I'm afraid, is no."
"I see. Don't think it rude, but I would like to have an explanation. We're not asking for much, after all," he replied after a few moments, his tone growing hard and unhappy. She was tempted to tell him to "fuck off" and hang up the phone, but the professional side of her kept her from doing so.
"If you would recall, Mr. Galloway, the Autobots and the United States agreement does not allow for the sharing of Autobot technology outside of what Sector Seven already found and the Allspark Shard. What you ask for is beyond those parameters."
"I believe that was in regards to weaponry, Ms. Wolf. All we ask is that the Autobot medic—the green one, I believe—share some of his medical technology. It is our hope to adapt this to our own and improve upon it. I thought I clearly stated that in my letter."
Oh, you did you arrogant son of a bitch."The alliance specifies all technology, Mr. Galloway, includingmedical tech. Furthermore, Chief Medical Officer Ratchet has made it clear that their technology is not suited to human means, and if his word is not enough, you may ask the young man who had the misfortune of tampering with some of his repair equipment and causing quite the fiasco not so long ago. I believe you sent a reply about keeping them better under control, but do correct me if I'm wrong. What I am getting at, Mr. Galloway, is that it is unsafe for any Cybertronian technology beyond the Shard and what Sector Seven has acquired to be put into the hands of humans. So, I reiterate: the answer is no."
She could tell he was about to make some argument, so she quickly continued, "And if you feel you are unsatisfied, then you are welcome to take it up with the General, although I can assure you his answer will be much the same. Now, you must forgive me, but I do have business to attend to so, if that is all you wished to ask me about, I would like to return to my work."
"No. That's all."
"Until next time, Mr. Galloway" she spoke, a hidden smirk on her lips, which became a laugh once she'd put the phone back on the receiver. "Oh my God! What a douche! Oh, geez, that was fun, though. He has got to be so pissed! Man, that, right there, Teletraan, makes this job worth it, I swear."
Teletraan tilted his head again, then rolled onto his back—a new cute habit of his—and she swirled her finger around his belly, which happened to be a phone screen. His legs kicked and pawed at her finger as he chirped happily. She smiled and playfully rolled him off her papers again, and he settled down by returning to his phone form and displaying three Z's to show he was recharging.
"Clever little guy, aren't you? Well, you are my kid, after all," she smiled warmly and resumed reading her work, still hoping she could get finished by the end of the day, and that Galloway could defy all possible logic and suddenly came to the realization that he wasn't going to get anything. At least one of those things had hopes of coming true.
-O-
-Bbl, 'Bee. Something's going on and they need my help.-
Teletraan sent the message while he clung to Catherine as she started jogging through the hallway, her short talk with the yellow Autobot cut short when Michael suddenly appeared in her office, shouting about a fight going on. She almost considered it ironic how she had just barely managed to finish her work and had been trying to talk with 'Bee and then Sam later on since she'd been too busy to do so as of late, when the incident came up. All she heard was "fight" and "Autobots" paired with the worried expression on his face, and she knew it wasn't good.
-Hope it's nothing serious.- Bumblebee replied, and she really hoped so, too.
Thankfully her office wasn't all that far from the training room, which was apparently where the problem was. Michael, panting from having been already working and sprinting to her office, waved and pointed at the small crowd of soldiers and Knock Out, standing just outside of it uneasily and at a complete loss. She could hear the shouting, but not necessarily make it out, and so rushed over. One of the soldiers noticed her and quickly motioned her over and helped push her through, noting he was glad she was here. She asked what was going on, but by then she was in the circle, and she watched as one of the two men in the middle—a medium-built, dark-haired man that was American by accent—jabbed a finger up at Knock Out.
"How can you just take orders from one of them like we're their lap dogs?!" he growled, glaring at the other man—this one of larger build, tanned skin, brown hair, and an unhappy frown. "I, for one, am so sick and tired of taking their orders! He's been running us dry and for what? For his own damn purpose! I joined this team to kill these things—not obey them!"
"B-but that's not—I didn't—," Knock Out tried, but he faltered as the men and women supporting his attacker shouted up with agreement.
"We're not obeying them! They're training us to work with them to stop the real enemy—the Decepticons!" the brown-haired man barked back, his arms folded across his chest, and his gaze hard.
"What Decepticons?! You mean the one they let right into our base? Yeah, they're sure as hell protecting us alright!"
"He's a neutral, though," Knock Out tried once more, and the man turned on him.
He snarled, "Shut it you overgrown tin can! We don't want you or the others here! We can fight the Decepticons ourselves!"
Again a chorus of agreement went up behind him, and Catherine decided enough was enough. Despite realizing her disadvantage in both strength and numbers, she stepped closer with a blare.
"You really think that?" she spoke up loudly, and all eyes turned to her. The brown-haired man let a brief smile come to his face as she came to stand in front of him, Knock Out breathed a sigh of relief, and the dark-haired man sneered.
"Damn right I do. We've been training on our own for months, and we have the weapons to do it."
"If you believe that then you're as arrogant as you are foolish, and I'm in the right mind to ask General Morshower to dismiss you," she replied coolly, eyes narrowing. "The Autobots are the only real defense humanity has against the Decepticons should they come full force rather than using the clandestine strategies they're using right now. We should consider ourselves lucky they don't want to be found; there would be many more dead if they did."
"Don't try and use your fucking words on me, Autobot-lover. We all know you prefer them over your own kind!" he snapped back. "What do you know, anyways? You haven't been to war—you're just a god damned liaison!"
She kept the scowl from her face, "I prefer the Autobots whenever I have to deal with people like you—people who are intolerant and stupid. I won't deny I've never fought in anyhumanwar, but I can guarantee I know damn well what I'm talking about when it comes to Decepticons. I was there at Mission City. You ask anyone else who was there. I fought the Decepticons. I fought fucking Megatron. You have trained with Autobots—mechs who are trying to help you, not kill you. So yes, I do know what I'm talking about even if I am just a god damned liaison!
"And you know what I learned in Mission City? I learned how powerful the Decepticons are. They slaughtered thousands in a matter of minutes. They can take out a man like you with the flick of their finger if they don't feel like using their blasters which can incinerate you and everyone else around you! The only reason I, or anyone else, survived that battle was because the Autobots were there. There would be no NEST if the Autobots hadn't been there. There would be no United States—hell, no North America, or Europe or Asia or Africa or anywhere—if the Autobots hadn't been there! Therefore, I suggest that the next time who think you shouldn't listen to their guidance or think you don't need their help, think twice."
While the man still seethed, those behind him seemed to have shrunken back, their courage not so great anymore. Behind her, she heard some calls of "yeah" and other forms of approval, but didn't acknowledge them. She did not intend for her to become a hero for this—or even a martyr of sorts if it came to blows. She had a sinking feeling it might with the demeanor of the man before her. She recognized him a little now, and recalled him being one of the more prominent opponents to the Autobot integration. His hubris was astounding, and she knew her words had done nothing to temper his hate. She knew not what caused it, but she would not have it ruining things. He either had to change, or he would have to go.
He smirked a little, "You must think you're something special then. The Commander brought you here himself, didn't he? That guy is an Autobot-lover, too, huh? He and the black one get along swell. He probably thinks he's hot shit from all the talk in Mission City. Probably fancies himself a damn hero. But I'm not buying it. I think you and him and all you other damn robot-huggers are full of shit."
"Don't you dare talk about our Commander that way!" her brown-haired ally snarled, stepping forward.
"Some 'Commander'!"
"I would advise you desist, soldier. You are verging on a court martial," Catherine hissed.
"Look at you—thinking you have so much power. All because you're his little slu—," he began, but never finished.
She saw it in her mind even before he said the word. Her fists had been aching to do it. Just his face was enough reason for her to sock him, and that last bit was the final straw. She had it building up the whole time—charging forward, her fist pulled back. She saw him unprepared; saw time slow for a split second as everyone watched with wide eyes. She saw him mouth "oh shit", and then the collision of knuckle upon flesh.
Only, it wasn't her fist.
She almost didn't realize it at first, but it had not been her punch that sent the dark-haired man sprawling and blood splattering across the floor. The crowd around them grew quiet as the brown-haired man stood above the arrogant one, his knuckle red, busted open from the strike. The others made no sound or movement as the dark-haired man staggered up, the blow dizzying him. The brown-haired man meant to make another strike, but Catherine regained herself in that instant and pressed a hand against his chest, stopping him.
"You've done enough," she spoke softly, and he pulled back while she looked to the man's supporters. "One of you—take him the clinic. The rest of you, get back to training. The Commander will hear about this, I assure you, and so I would advise you think twice as well before you chose what side to stand behind in this fight."
A woman complied with her request and helped guide the dark-haired man until he regained his balance while the rest backed off, returning to their original posts. A few of the redhead's supporters remained, including the brown-haired man, and so did Knock Out. Catherine turned to the soldier, wishing to thank him, but unable to do so. He had really saved her with his punch. If she had done it, it would have been devastating. Not only would she have slandered herself, but Lennox too by acting out violently to protect him. They didn't know he was like a father to her and meant so much because he had done so much, and she was not inclined to tell them the story behind it.
"Go get yourself looked at, too, soldier. Although, I'd suggest in a different wing than the asshole," she smiled up at him, and he nodded.
"He's been like that for some time. He's harassed Knock Out a lot, but the little guy won't say anything. I couldn't let it stand—especially not when he started to insult the Commander. Brat has no respect. I don't even know how he got into NEST," he sighed, looking over his knuckles and then pressed his other hand to them to stop the bleeding.
"Well, hopefully I can find a way to get him out. It might make him look more right, but the longer he stays the more harm he'll do. I don't suppose you know his name?"
"He's William Hickey," Knock Out spoke for the soldier, his optics dimmed and his mouth set in a frown. "Thank-you Catherine, and you too, Gregory. I'm sorry, also. This is my fault. If I wasn't always trying to make you guys the best team…"
A blonde-haired female spoke up, "It's not your fault, Knock Out! Will's just an asshole, and we need to be the best if we want to beat all those 'Cons hiding out there, so don't you worry, you hear?"
Catherine smiled, as did Knock Out, whose wheels turned with excitement and optics glowed a bit brighter.
"Yeah," spoke another soldier, this one a black-haired man with some European accent. "Besides, you're a great guy, Knock Out! You're really funny, too! And we are doing better than a lot of the other teams."
"Most of us don't feel the way Brent does, either," Gregory added, smiling up at the Autobot. "Those guys with him were just lazy asses who didn't want to do all the work, even though we need it. They'll figure that out, though, whether I have to punch all of them in the face or not."
"Better let me sock the girls then, otherwise you'll look bad," the blonde-haired woman laughed, patting the brown-haired man on the shoulder.
Knock Out's smiled widened, "Thanks, guys. I promise I'll keep making sure we do our best then!"
Catherine stood off to the side, watching, and just like Knock Out, her smile grew wider. This. This was one of those rare things that made her happy. To see the Autobots and the humans getting along almost as well as she did… It was thrilling. It gave her hope, and made her worry less about the future for the organization. Of course, there would always be the problematic people who threatened to rip apart the tentative bonds they were making, but so long as people like Gregory, the woman, and the European soldier were around, then it would continue to hold on, slowing growing until not even those who opposed it could lay their hands upon it.
I think my work is done. Time to let Optimus and Lennox know about this. They're going to be unhappy, but… Well, hopefully getting rid of the tumor will heal some of the cancer, she thought as she turned to leave. She found Michael waiting for her not far away, a happy smile on his face. She grinned a little as she came to stand beside him, and they both looked back at the small group of three humans and one Autobot, the other soldiers out working and waiting for their teacher.
"That didn't go so bad," he began, chuckling a little.
"Thank God," she sighed, shaking her head. "I've got to get that guy out of here, though. I've got a name, so it can be done."
"No objections here. He's an ass to normal people, too. I know I've never gotten along with him," the young man grinned foolishly.
"And maybe no one else will have to either. Anyways, you should really stop coming to me only to drag me into this stuff, Michael. I'm going to start avoiding you if you do."
He rubbed the back of his head, "Yeeeeah… I'm, uh, sorry about that. I, just… I know you can handle it and it's like your area of expertise and all. Um… Yeah. Sorry?"
"Don't worry, I'm only teasing, although you did interrupt my conversation with 'Bee," she laughed, waving off his apology. He tilted his head curiously and she lifted up Teletraan. "He's the one with Sam. I text message him every now and then. He's a lot of fun to talk to, especially when you read his stuff in his British accent."
"Um… You know," he began, his eyes looking down as he rubbed his head again. "Maybe… Maybe you should…. Y'know, spend more time with us."
When she gave him an unhappy look he quickly continued, "I mean that- that, um… It would… It would look better to people if you did. You do…um, spend a lot time with the, ah, Autobots. You don't have to be with random people, though. I mean, you could, um, hang with me or something or…"
"You have a point," she sighed, setting her hands on her hips to think. Besides her, Michael got hopeful. "I guess part of it's because I spend most of my time over there and the rest is with my team. But then people over here don't exactly help. I'm not going to lie—I can tell people aren't all the easy going around me. Sure, you, and Gregory and the others might be, but a lot aren't. It's not like I don't want to hang with you or anyone else, but it's like they don't want to, and I don't want to make them uncomfortable by forcing myself on them. Maybe after more time passes I'll be around more, but they still need time to get used to things."
He frowned, disappointed, "O-Oh… I guess that makes sense…"
"But hey!" she exclaimed, clapping him on the shoulder. "You should come to the Autobot side more! I bet you'd get along great with Bluestreak! Evac loves everybody so he'd work, too! I'd introduce you to Opti—er, Prime,but he's always shut in his office, the workaholic! I'd let you meet Sideswipe, too, but he likes to play the rude game or some trick or something like the idiot he is. I promise they're all great, though!"
"Um… I guess… Maybe… If I have time."
"Cool! Just let me know and I'll see if we can't find any free people. Anyways, I actually do need to go report this. Good luck with training!" she smiled and hurried off, quickly sending a message to Bumblebee that things were alright. For now.
-O-
"I heard there was a fight down in the training room," the familiar voice of a certain silver mech hummed, and she let herself fall onto her back to look at her friend from an interesting perspective. He chuckled at her antics as she set her datapad down and rolled up.
"Something like that, but it was resolved," she waved, and then ducked as Ratchet's arm went over her head to grab a giant, Autobot-sized wrenched provided by the government.
Ratchet glanced over at the mech, "I'm either hallucinating or this is some prank by you and Jolt, because Sideswipe is here on time. If I were Prowl I would have short-circuited by now."
"Well, since I'm just as surprised as you are, and not stupid enough to prank you, that really is Sideswipe here. On time," Jolt replied, peering around his mentor to look at the silver mech who rolled his optics.
"Look, I had nothing else to do, alright? Besides, it's better to just get this over with, and I don't feel like playing dodge-the-Ratchet-wrench tonight," he huffed as he rolled over to one of the propped medical tables. He stepped in calmly and folded his arms while Ratchet continued to work and Jolt still stared. Catherine did, too, and raised a brow.
"That's still unlike you. When you're bored you either go spar or you come looking for me," she began, and then smirked a little. "And since I'm here, it must be the latter. Missed me already Sidey-kins?"
"If I didn't understand sarcasm I think I might have gagged," the medic rumbled as he turned from his project to Sideswipe. The medic was one of the few that did, and it was a good thing, too.
Catherine grinned cheekily, "Don't worry, Ratchy-poo, I have a name for you, too, and oh shit that rhymed."
"By the Allspark, offline me now! I don't know if I can take this idiocy any longer!"
"Well, you're going to have to with the Twins due tomorrow morning," Jolt spoke, and ducked with perfect timing as a wrench went right through the space his head had been occupying. One of the perks of beings Ratchet's assistants was learning how to dodge his throws, and the electric-blue mech was a master.
"'Sidey-kins'?" the silver mech inquired, and the redhead shrugged.
"Not my best impromptu, but hey—It's late and I've had an eventful day."
"I've made better impromptu than that during a sixteen solar cycle battle."
"Pssh. Liar," she huffed and turned back to her spark studies. She still wasn't sure she was getting better. It didn't feel like it, anyways, although she basically knew everything about them now.
"No, he's telling the truth. They're just usually kind of 'corny', if I'm translating that right. Like those human 'puns'," Jolt stated, and Sideswipe just shrugged in confirmation.
"Stop moving," the medic barked, and the silver mech straightened at once. "Unfortunately they're both correct. I've been the victim of it for vorns."
"Vorn? That's… eighty-three years right?" she asked, and Jolt nodded. "Well, damn. I know when I'm beat. Oh, well. At least I can make better comebacks than you any day. Jackson's been training me up some, too, so I'm better than ever."
"Only because Ratchet's comeback-proof, so being within a fifty mile radius makes it impossible to do," the silver mech barked back, and she snorted.
"Lies. I totally owned you at the farm, and Ratchet was nowhere in sight."
"That's because Ironhide was there, and so was Annabelle. I can't curse around her."
"Cool story, bro, but it ain't gonna fly this airline."
"You know what, you and me—we're going to go to the Lennox's one time and we're going to go out in the fields and I'll show you how good I am. Just you wait."
"I look forward to it. Bring a cube for your tears so you can refuel your suckage intakes!"
"As happy as I am to see your relationship blooming so wonderfully, would you both kindly shut up?! He keeps moving and throwing off my scans, and I could have had him out of here kliks ago!"
"Ratchet, you have plenty of time to work on the project," his student spoke softly, but the medic scowled.
"Not nearly enough. The more repairs I make with Earth materials, the weaker your armor gets. Your Energon nanites can't convert the metal completely and it leaves you vulnerable, which means you'll be in here more often with greater damage," he grumbled, and the group became quiet as they realized the severity of his work. Even Sideswipe had nothing to say as he lay still, allowing the medic to finish the scan and look over his data. That was over quickly enough and he gave the silver mech the O.K. Then he turned back to the half-made machine sitting on the table not far from Catherine, looking through the blueprints on his own datapad. Jolt exchanged looks with the two of them before moving over to join and help him with calculations.
"Sorry, 'Ratch," Catherine spoke at last, eyes downcast. The medic paused in his work, his optics dimming as he looked over at her. "I just—I didn't realize it was that serious."
After a moment he sighed, "And you shouldn't. I did not meant to give you reason to worry. In truth, it would take countless of your years to make us dangerously vulnerable, but if we do nothing, it will happen. I cannot rely on your powers, either, and your lifespan is not infinite like ours can be. Anyways, don't worry yourself over it. We're doing well so far, and it should be able to work in the end."
"Well, whatever you need just let me know. I'll make sure you get it," the redhead smiled, and a smaller one appeared on the medic's face. He returned to his work then, and Sideswipe came up beside Catherine.
"And, um, I guess I'm sorry about always making things hard," he spoke, rubbing the back of his helm. The medic looked up suspiciously, but then nodded and looked back down. The silver mech exchanged a look with the redhead, but she shrugged.
"I actually kind of enjoy your stupidity," Ratchet said suddenly without looking up.
Sideswipe chuckled, "I'll take that as a compliment then."
Ratchet hummed, keeping his eyes on his work, while Jolt met the silver mech's optics and gave a thumbs-up. He was quickly elbowed in the side, his antics having not gone unnoticed by his mentor. Both Autobot and human laughed a little, and then moved off to be by themselves.
"So, how are the studies?" he inquired, gesturing to the datapad. She knew he no longer meant it as an interest for reviving his brother, and so she was not reluctant to answer.
"Eh, so-so," she replied, emphasizing with her hand. "As in, I know it, but then I don't know it. You know?"
"Um. No. That… No."
She sighed, "Okay, um… It's like, I know all the information, but I can't apply it. Something's just missing from it. Like, if I know how to solve a math problem and have a pencil, but no lead. I think that's it, anyways."
"I… I think I get it. So no ideas on how to fix that?"
"Nope, which is frustrating! I just wish I knew what it was!" she groaned, throwing her arms up and then slumping to one side.
"Maybe if you stopped studying and just let it come to you?" he suggested, and, seeing her weird look, continued. "Well, it's like how I am with my moves. I once trained for forever to get this one move right, but I just couldn't. I got frustrated and stopped, but then when I came back after a long time I got it. I don't know how, but it all just suddenly worked. Maybe that's what's going on with you?"
She thought on it for a while, and nodded, "Maybe. I wouldn't mind taking a summer break from spark school."
"Then you've come to the right mech," he winked, holding out his hand. "Allow me to escort you."
"Goodness, Sideswipe. You're such a gentleman these days! Me gusta," she laughed as she stepped on.
"Don't get used to it. I'm just in a good mood."
"As in you didn't get completely whooped by Ironhide?" she teased.
"You just had to pull that one, didn't you?" he sighed, shaking his head as he set her on his shoulders and rolled for the door.
"Of course, but it's only because I love you oh so much, Swipey-kins."
He paused to look up her, optic ridge raised, "Okay. We need to talk about these nicknames. They're… they're weird. 'Swiper' and 'Sides' I can understand, but 'Swipey-kins'?"
"Well roll on then—we've got plenty of time before I have to sleep."
She didn't need to say more, and she and the silver mech strolled out through the hanger doors, leaving Ratchet and Jolt to their work. When they could no longer hear them, Jolt glanced up at the door and then back down.
"They're kind of adorable together," he mused with a silly grin.
"I wouldn't call it 'adorable', but he's certainly much better for it. Less annoying. And it helps his spark. He was a fragging mess when I checked him in the brig. I don't know what happened, but she's helped him a lot in just a few days."
"Well, that's good," the electric-blue mech hummed, and, after a pause, spoke softly. "I really hope Sunstreaker is alive."
Ratchet paused for an eternal moment before continuing his work, "Me, too, Jolt. Me, too."
XXIX. End
TMWolf: And that's that! :D So, I hope you enjoyed that little visit from Galloway! You also got see Catherine "professional" side! I work the same way- with friends I'm completely casual and tend to have a dirty mouth (tee hee), but with work/adults/discussions I take a proper, formal tone :) Galloway is, of course, a pushy jerk, but 'Cat won't let him get what he wants ;) Jerk underestimated her, too, which is the reason why he completely lost that conversation, fyi. Don't expect things to be so easy as time goes on :P
Anywho~ SO. She does talk to 'Bee- mostly through text messaging and generally whenever Sam is busy. You also get to see some of the divide between NEST over the Aubobots. Just to relieve everyone- MOST are for the Autobots! And not all the reasons are the same as Brent's, but some are similar to that. Catherine, obviously, gets to deal with it. Good think Gregory was there to keep her from getting in trouble :D Knock-Out's so lucky to have such good human companions? (and again, this is ROTF Autobot Knock-Out who is VERY different from Prime Decepticon Knock-Out. Like a 180-different character, actually xD)
Alas, poor Michael. He gets no love. :D Catherine is oblivious, too, ha ha~ I'm such a terrible authoress, tee hee~!
And so he see some of the fruits of their conversation! The two are on rather good terms now, and Cat is even making nicknames! Yes, they are dumb. Not her best "impromptu" as she said ;) And Ratchet's dialogue is and will forever be the best thing to write. Oh Primus, I have fun writing his words :) And, yes, some of his anger issues/intolerance has been stemming from his stress over the project. I'd say it's pretty serious, since Earth metal is definitely weaker than Cybertronian, and he can't (and won't) rely on Cat since it could easily put her in danger, and then it's a bit of medic pride, too.
Oh, and, so yes, Sideswipe spark was unstable during the past few weeks/months, which is why he started to snap. It's been going on for quite some time, actually, which is why it got so bad in that one incident~ And, of course, as you all know already, Jolt's worries are for naught- SUNNY IS ALIVE! HUZZAH!
Oh, and a note on Catherine finding the thought of a relationship with a Cybertronian funny- first off, as a human being, that should be natural. Cybertronians and humans are entirely different species. While it is VERY POSSIBLE to overcome the species boundary, it would take a lot longer to have any kind of attraction than if the Cybertronians were human. Much of human attraction is based on looks and hormones, which a Cybertronian does not have- or at least, not the human equivalent, and thus, Catherine does not feel an "attraction" to any of the Autobots. (At least not yet). However, you'll find some of those things can be bypassed as the story goes on, so if you feel disappointed... well, hopefully the eventual revelations will help :)
And I'd say that's it for now. So... That's all folks! :D
