Chapter 29

Nevada Desert…

Alex was careful as he wrapped the bandage around the mans' arm. He paused as his patient flinched. "Still stinging, sir?" he asked.

"A bit." He replied, lying back onto the gurney. "But the missus doesn't like the idea of me sitting about the house all day." He grinned.

"I still don't see why you don't tell them." Stated Nurse Darby standing close to him while attending a young girl.

The two were working in a ward of the nearby hospital. It was a small facility that only catered for the area's military community, but that didn't stop it from needing an extra pair of helping hands. A week and a half had passed since the conversation with Smokescreen and in that time absolutely nothing significant had occurred. Decepticon activity had been at its lowest since Darkmount, and despite the tofu dinner helping to improve relations between Alex and the Autobots, it was still too awkward to hang around the base. Because of this, he had jumped at June's offer to come out here and help her with her patients. It passed the time and for Alex, it was something useful and productive.

"If I tell them, they'll try and make it happen and then it probably won't." he replied as set the bandage roll on a nearby table. "I don't know how the universe works when it comes to these things."

"So you'd rather just let them keep going blind?" continued June.

"Isn't that how life's supposed to work?" said Alex.

June said nothing, but she couldn't help but give a small smile at the remark. Ushering the girl out into the passage she turned her attention to Alex's patient. "Hmm, the wound looks clean enough. Let's head back." Leaving the man on the gurney the two headed slowly down the passage to the nurses workstation. June then turned to look at Alex. "Just off the record," she said. "Was there any point in the show when…Jack's father was mentioned?"

Alex thought for a second. "Only when you described it to Agent Fowler as a 'saga.'" He replied. "Nothing more."

June nodded and turned her head back. Alex decided not to enquire further, sensing a bone that should rather stay buried.

They arrived at June's desk. Suddenly one of the secretaries' appeared from around the corner and walked up to them. "Nurse Darby," she stated. "There's a message for you from an Agent Fowler. He says that your associate," she motioned to Alex. "Is needed and asks if you could please bring him."

"Thanks, Amy." June replied, grabbing her bag off her desk and flinging her jacket over her shoulder. "Looks like the mid-season break is over." She smirked somewhat.

"Very funny."

Hangar E…

Agent Fowler was waiting for them at the side door as June pulled up next to the base. A look of concern on his face.

"So, my dear Agent Fowler." Smiled Alex as he got out of the car. "What situation could possibly garner your need for one of my consultations?"

"Don't be cocky, son. This is serious." Fowler replied. "Thanks June."

"No problem, Bill." June replied as she walked through the door with them. "I hope everyone's alright."

"Not exactly." He replied solemnly. But before he could explain further a shadow fell across the trio as an Autobot walked up to greet them. Alex took a moment to study Wheeljack. The mech was sporting new dents and scratches to his frame and the look on his face could have been likened to one of a recently disgruntled warrior.

"I'm guessing that whatever happened Wheeljack, you got the brunt of it." Observed Alex.

"Believe me kid I was the lucky one in all of this." Replied the mech. "If Prime hadn't shown up when he had Megatron's pet would have left us for scrap."

"So what was the predacon up to?"

Wheeljack stared down at the teenager.

"It stood up and talked to us."

Instantly Alex's mind switched to serial default. His eyes went wide. "What?"

Before Wheeljack could continue though the air was suddenly filled with the sound of welding. Turning their attention to the far corner of the base Alex saw that the rest of team Prime had gathered round Ratchets medical berth. Briskly they walked over to join them, where Alex got a close-up view of what was ongoing.

Suddenly Ratchet finished welding and took a step back. "I've done everything I can. Considering the limitations, and less than ideal spare parts."

For a brief second Alex wondered how the commander, if not in stasis currently, would have reacted to his skeleton-like hand. From what he could make out it was made up of just three pointy bits of metal. But the somewhat frightening truth of it was that Magnus had lost his right hand in a battle. The loss of a characters' appendage could not have gone unnoticed or unexplained.

Then Alex recalled what the wrecker had just told him.

Evolution had occurred.

He looked back up to Wheeljack. "Tell me exactly…what happened."

Wheeljack proceeded to describe the events of the past few hours surrounding their discovery of an energon mine to Alex. Two minutes into the explanation Alex held up a hand to signal the mech to pause.

"How many clone machines were there?" he asked.

"About 22, 23. Looked like it was all the ones that the 'cons could've collected." Replied Wheeljack.

"How do you mean?" Persisted Alex.

"He means that we just put a stop to the whole of Shockwave's operation." Cut in Arcee.

"Yeah, guess that Megatron will just have to make do with the one predacon he has." Added Smokescreen with a chuckle.

Even though Alex had taken register of that last remark from the rookie, it was not with the same feeling of achievement. He turned back to Wheeljack. "Tell me, Wheeljack," he asked. "Would you say that was easy?"

"Huh?"

"Would you say…that destroying Shockwave's lab and preventing other predacons from being created was…easy?"

The mech paused while he processed the odd question. "Yeah, I'd say it was easy." He finally answered.

"Alex, what are you getting at?" enquired Arcee.

But Alex wasn't listening. Halfway towards the door already he called out. "Optimus, a word. Now."

The Autobot leader watched as the teenager disappeared through the door towards the adjacent hangar. Not answering any of his comrades' gazes, he began to make his way out of the hangar.

When he was gone, they turned to look at each other.

"Since when does he have a license to order our leader about?" asked Wheeljack.

"He's always acted as if he's above us." Murmured Jack from his perch. No one noticed that he was a wearing a look of growing anger on his face.

"You know what, I'm not surprised." Came Ratchet's voice. Everyone turned to the medic still standing next to where Magnus lay. "Well, from his perspective we are a collection of characters from a television show." "An animated TV show." Huffed Miko, as if that was the central issue of the conversation. She had failed to notice that Jack had left her side on the railing.Hangar D…

"You can't ever face the predacon alone."

"Why not?"

"Because it's become sentient."

Optimus and Alex were now alone. Upon entering the hangar Alex had wasted no time in explaining to the prime what he thought. Optimus meanwhile remained calm, displaying as little emotion as always.

"Alex, you have no reason to be concerned for our safety. We have faced the predacon before and the possibility of it possessing a low level of intelligence-"

"That's not the point." Alex snapped. "The simple fact that it can transform Optimus, indicates that it's self-aware. It's no longer just a tool that Megatron or Shockwave can use whenever they want."

"Are you suggesting that it could begin to question the Decepticons command?"

Alex was growing annoyed. "Optimus," he said through gritted teeth. "Are you always this thick?"

A frown appeared. "Excuse me?"

"Can you not see how it was too easy?" Alex continued. "Wheeljack and Magnus stride into Shockwaves lab without a fight whatsoever, Wheeljack throws one bomb and destroys every predacon clone. The end. Doesn't that strike you as a tiny bit suspicious?"

"Wheeljack reported that Shockwave retreated when shots began firing, but before he did he activated the release the mechanism on the predacon clone tanks."

"And then two minutes later the predacon shows up through a groundbridge just in time to see the explosion? Oh no, it's too convenient."

Optimus huffed. "Are you suggesting, that because of the predacon's newfound 'sentience,' Megatron destroyed his brethren fearing that he and they would become a potential threat?"

"You basically did the work for him. And because of it you're gonna have a hard time convincing the predacon of it."

"So do we have any reason to suspect the future creation of any more predacons?" asked Optimus.

"I doubt it." Alex replied. That sentence was in actual fact a lie, but Alex wasn't sure why.

All of it didn't actually make sense. The series finale was entitled Predacons Rising, and yet the predacons had apparently just been taken out of the picture. If Megatron did believe the one predacon to be a threat to him, then there was no way he would allow Shockwave to create more at a later date. Unless Shockwave had other predacons stashed away or if he went rogue. Alex didn't feel the former to be plausible, for the same reason as the latter not being either. Shockwave's amount of loyalty to Megatron was level with Soundwave's, a fact proven by Starscream's dislike to the decepticon scientist.

"In that case we must remain alert for enemy activity." Optimus stated. "With the cloning of predacons no longer an issue, it is uncertain what their next scheme may be."

"Yeah, that is a good question." Agreed Alex.

Optimus frowned again. "Surely you have some idea about what lies ahead of us."

"Honestly, no clue."

"But are there not indications as to what the decepticons may-"

"Not enough information and only five episodes left, Optimus." Alex walked up a bit closer to the mech. "Five episodes and then all of this is over. And remember I don't run guarantees, especially when it comes to who-"

Suddenly Alex stopped, realizing that that sentence wasn't such a good idea.

But Optimus was curious. "When it comes to what?" he asked.

"Nothing. It doesn't matter." Said Alex quickly, trying to wave it off.

Optimus took a step forward. He wasn't convinced. "Alex," he said somewhat sternly. "The last time we spoke like this I asked for complete transparency."

"And did you really expect me to agree to that? C'mon Optimus, you know better." Alex scoffed.

Optimus's footstep forward was louder than usual and caused Alex to make eye contact him. His optics were glowing bright blue and Alex could see that the mech was now being deadly serious.

"For what reason and for who can you not 'run guarantees?'" he asked with vigor.

Alex stared up at him eventually he spoke.

"I can't run guarantees over who's gonna end up surviving this." He said flatly.

Optimus was quiet, processing what he had just heard.

"Who do you suspect?" he asked.

"I can't tell you." Alex replied quickly.

Optimus bent down, his face plates now almost level with Alex. "Who do you suspect?" he demanded.

Alex stared back at him.

"You." He replied.

Optimus didn't flinch. "I hold more concern over the well-being of my team members than I do for my own."

"Oh, I know that." Said Alex. "You're just the Autobot that I would place my money on."

That last statement caused Optimus to blink.

Alex leaned forward. "They're not scared of killing you off, Optimus Prime. They've done it before."

"Done what before?"

Alex and Optimus turned to the direction of the new face, coming to face Jack who had just entered through the giant hangar doors.

"Jack, can we help you?" enquired Optimus.

"I want to speak to Alex. Alone." Answered Jack, walking forward.

"I do not think that this is-"

"Agent Fowler's actually calling for you." Jack interrupted. "Not sure why."

Optimus gazed down at the raven-haired boy. "Jack, I do not think it best that-"

"It's okay, Optimus." Now it was Alex's turn to interrupt. "I think we have a while before the next big thing happens. You can go and talk to Fowler." With the interruption he seemed to indicate that he was willing, almost wanting, to go through the oncoming fire.

Optimus looked down to Jack and then back to Alex. He could see conflict brewing and wished to prevent it, but he knew Jackson to be responsible enough to remain composed, and Alex smart enough to not begin a fight. Agent Fowler was waiting for him. "Very well." He said. He exited the hangar, leaving Jack and Alex alone.

There was a silent pause. Alex didn't dare say the first word. He knew judging by Jack's expression, that he would never get a full sentence.

Finally Jack spoke. "What did you just tell Optimus?"

"I can't tell you."

"Why not?"

For a moment Alex said nothing. Then he spoke. "Because it's between me and Optimus."

"It's not a good idea to keep secrets from us." Jack stated.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Because we'll eventually find out what they are and when we do we might not be quite okay with you keeping them from us."

Alex blinked. "Even if Optimus knows about them as well?"

"Well he wasn't quick about telling us that he was going to make Smokescreen the next Prime." Replied Jack.

A look of utter surprise etched itself across Alex's face. "How did you-"

"I overheard your chat with Smokescreen that night." Jack said crossing his arms. "Why you guys are still keeping that a secret from everyone though I don't get."

Interestingly, Alex had no idea what explanation to give to that. "Uhh…"

"I would ask for a reason but what I'll get is probably just another lie." Interjected Jack.

"Jack, surely you can understand-"

Suddenly Jack stepped forward so close that the two boys' noses were nearly touching. He wore a look of malice.

"You may think you're something special what with your balls of fire or your fancy sword," he hissed. "But this is not some kids' TV show that you can just jump in and be all hero. This is a real war and everybody plays their part, and where secrets are a dangerous weapon in the wrong hands. That's why I need to be sure on what side you're on, Alex."

"I'm on your side, Jack." Said Alex exasperatedly. He opened his mouth to continue but Jack was first.

"Then you better start proving that. Because if you don't, you're gonna need a bit more practice with your fireballs. You may be good enough to run away from Megatron but taking on the whole of Team Prime is another matter." He sneered.

Alex said nothing. Believing that he had had the final word, Jack turned around and began to head out of the hangar. As he neared the exit, he heard Alex speak.

"I don't need to use my powers, Jack." He said slowly.

Jack stopped in the doorway. He turned round to face Alex.

"Like I once told Smokescreen." Alex continued. "All I have to do is start talking."

"That's the only thing you seem to do." Jack replied. "And you're not very good at that either, considering the only person you've managed to convince is Raf."

That's when it happened. The judgment, the logic, the tolerance, everything that helped contain the flood of grief, fear and anger that Alex had bottled up for so long, was shoved aside. In that one moment Alex forgot whose side he was truly on.

He grinned at Jack. "Yeah well," he said. "Rafael is too young to have the problems that the rest of us have. I guess that's why Transformers Prime is a bit darker than the previous shows. Everybody's got issues." He began to walk slowly towards Jack while still grinning. "Oh and for the record, it's not just Raf I've managed to convince. I mean your mother seemed okay with telling me about your dad."

Jack stiffened up, eyes going wide. Alex continued to walk forward.

"But you know what, Jack?" Alex said, putting his hands together. "It doesn't really matter what's happened in the past. We live in the present, right? And in the present you are a mature, responsible young adult. You're respected, you're taken seriously. Hell, Optimus gave YOU the key to Vector Sigma AND THAT conversation you had with Megatron in that energon mine. Really, that was beautiful." Alex chuckled slightly. "You're also probably the first human character in Transformers history to try to walk so early away from the action. Granted, that may have been a smart thing to do, considering what you were getting yourself into."

Jack's eyes became narrow slits. "Don't…"

"But again, everybody on this team's got issues. Let's go through the list shall we?" even though it was the middle of the day the inside of the hangar seemed to suddenly grow colder as Alex approached Jack. "First we have a commander who doesn't have respect for anyone shorter than his shoulder pads. Do you want to know something cool about Magnus? In the last Transformers series he was actually above and beyond Optimus Prime. He was leader of the whole of Cybertron, and do you know what happened to him? In order to get control of the hammer, Shockwave tore his arm off!" Alex gave a small laugh. "Funny how some of these small details get carried through. Makes good TV, I guess."

"Then we have a medic whose 'cybertronian pride' seems to be the only thing that matters. For the briefest of moments he was willing to sacrifice this whole world for his. Sure, he's been through a lot and I can understand if he's become a bit of a grouch, but after spending so much time and bonding with you humans, that's a bit too selfish, don't you think?"

Jack's whole body tensed up. His hands closed into fist and he wore a look that threw blades. Alex continued to walk forward.

"We have the rookie who can't stop being so full of himself, the wrecker who can't keep Miko under control, the other wrecker who-" Alex stopped for moment, thinking about what he wanted to say. "Actually Wheeljack can be quite interesting some of the time." But then he bowed his head a bit still looking at Jack. "But then you have the scout who has no voice and can't stop Megatron from pumping Raf full of dark energon."

That last sentence was like a galleon of petrol that was poured onto the already raging and still growing fire. Jack began to breathe heavily.

"And then you have Arcee. Optimus Prime's second-in-command before Magnus showed up. A fantastic warrior. Really. Though very much the most broken one of the lot. You know when I first arrived in Jasper all I had to do to get her attention was mention two names. I did sort of mention yours, but it didn't quite have the same effect. But it could've though. After all," Alex was now standing in front of Jack. He never broke eye contact. "You nearly did end up in Arachnid's trophy case."

He would've attacked him then and there. The only thought that was crossing Jack's mind was to grab Alex and hurt him. But he couldn't bring himself to. Something deep inside his gut was preventing him.

Alex saw this hesitation and smirked. "You can't bring yourself to do it, can you? You'd love to throw a punch at me right now but you won't. You can't. Do you want to know why that is, Jack Darby?" Alex leaned forward. "It's because your character was written to not be like that. You were written to be the good responsible one and because of that you won't attack me now. You might argue with me but that's about it."

Jack then spoke softly and with a voice laced with enough venom to down the Predacon. "Who…do you think…you are?" He snarled.

Alex leaned back. "Oh I'm no one, Jack." He replied simply. "Just a fan of a certain kid's TV show."

Jack said nothing after that, just continuing to breathe deeply.

"Now," said Alex straightening up. "That was a nice rant, so I think I should cool off now get out of everyone's hair for a while. If anyone's looking for me I'll probably be in the mess hall raiding the fridge. I'm famished."

He walked right past Jack who hadn't moved.

Stopping in the doorway Alex spoke behind him. "And you're actually right, Jack." He said. "I do need a bit more practice. After what I've learnt today, I'm going to need it."

Jack still didn't move as Alex left him alone in the hangar. The only movement was the clenching of his fists.

To be continued…

A/N: Okay. Now we're gonna have some fun…