Enjoy another chapter to hopefully brighten the final days of 2016. Be safe, hug your friends and family and enjoy calm weather.
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She woke to Sam's stricken voice.
Easing up, wincing at the pain, she considered Frank and Mark speaking with Sam.
He looked frazzled.
"Look, my mom will kill me when she finds out I have a tattoo on my back now."
"Tattoo?" Sarah asked, rubbing her neck.
Sam's expression turned to outrage, "Why didn't you warn me I'd be having out of body experiences?"
"I didn't realize you'd do it until Mark and the rest of the liaison team did before you. I asked Ratchet to put watch on you."
"You didn't tell me."
She gripped the top bunk bed rail, lifted herself out of bed, "Sam, I suspected, but couldn't confirm. What if I told you immediately and then it never happened? You'd worry needlessly."
He opened his mouth, then gasped, "You have a tattoo!"
She looked down, not seeing anything.
"Your back," Frank moved behind her, then pulled down the neckline of her sleep shirt, "It shares elements of Sam's."
"It could be a prank. We are due for one," she looked back over her shoulder at the mirror she and John used to prepare their outfits to perfection.
A 3D sphere with angular detailing graced her back, starting at her nape, going down further than she could see.
Sitting back down, she pulled her shirt over her head, then looked.
There were two empty circles on the sphere waiting to be filled in, and a third spot with a glyph.
"Peace," the glyph read.
Sam whispered, "My glyph reads 'Protection'. Why is yours Peace?"
Frank looked at him, "I don't see those words."
"The glyphs. They are Cybertronian," Sarah looked at Sam's red and pinched face, which he turned away from her, then down.
Sighing she pulled her shirt back on, "I'm decent again, Sam."
"Why these words, glyphs, whatever," Sam demanded.
"I don't know. Let's go ask Optimus. Would you set up my wheelchair, Mark? Frank, would you let John know I'm awake."
"Already did. He says Ballast and Soundwave need you to be present when the papers are finalized."
Sarah sighed, "I need ten of me to get through all this work," she pulled on some pants, then shifted over to the wheelchair, adjusting the blanket to her liking, "Sam, would you join us? Let's see what Optimus has to say, then we'll discuss how to break it to your parents."
"How are you going to explain this!"
She smiled at him, "One step at a time."
Mark pushed her to the office section, passing several soldiers and mechs.
Then Chromia transformed beside her party, "Liaison? I have a complaint about the educational system."
Sarah dreaded asking, but did so anyway, "What is the issue, Chromia?"
"They separate the children for lessons. They should have the same education."
"Is it a particular class, or all of them?"
"The Home Education, Shop and Computer classes."
Sarah blinked, "I will need to come see what the issue is in person. I need to speak with Optimus first, then assist Ballast and Soundwave before I can get to this. Is that acceptable, Chromia?"
"Yes," she nodded empathically.
Continuing into the Autobot section, she relaxed. Solutions could be found with the group.
Sarah got to Optimus in time for Ratchet to growl menacingly, "I will see you now, Soundwave."
Soundwave looked defensive yet he remained silent and still.
"My scan shows your faceplates are damaged. Now get in my Medbay."
Looking between him, Soundwave, Ballast and Optimus, Sarah felt like a mother stepping into the room while "Dad" tried to keep order.
Then she recalled her earlier conversation as Ballast looked confused.
"All Autobots out!" Sarah called, "I need to chat with them both in private."
"What are you doing?" Sam hissed.
"My job," Sarah stated, "Autobots, please leave for a few moments. I'll call you back when it's time."
They considered her, the two Deceptions, then hesitantly left the room, carrying Mark, Frank and Sam out, securing the door behind them.
"Soundwave, you need to admit your feelings. Now. Ratchet doesn't know your family's practices, and he'll fight you to heal your wounds."
He looked away, but remained silent.
Sarah listened to some words that drifted over the normal sounds she was used to, "Your family meant much to you. That is why you hide your expression passionately. Don't dishonor yourself because you are hesitant to open up."
Ballast put a massive servo on Soundwave's shoulder, "Do you love me?"
Soundwave nodded.
"Then what needs to happen next?" Ballast leaned down, "Are there words?"
Sarah pulled her blanket free, drawing their attention.
"I'm honoring your traditions. Your family says I need to block my vision."
Soundwave sighed, nodded.
Dropping the blanket over her head, she leaned back, "I do warn you, I might go back into recharge. Don't get too worried."
There was little sound for a little while then, "You're beautiful. Your faceplates must be aching."
"Pain: manageable."
"No more pain, for either of us," Ballast whispered, "What else do you need so your wounds can be tended?"
"Propriety: Honorably satisfied."
"Good. Sarah, you can uncover your optics."
She did, rearranging her blanket on her lap, looking up at the two, noting Soundwave's striking features. He was beautiful like a Lamborghini. Sleek, polished and perfect from any angle.
Except for what looked like swollen and cracked plates along his jaw lines.
"Is it okay for Ratchet to return?"
Soundwave nodded, wincing as his jaw brushed his chest.
(Ratchet, we have seen to the cultural norms. You can come back in.) Sarah pinged him.
Ratchet burst in, "Next time..."
"Your culture is fractured enough," she replied firmly, "No more. This was easily addressed so honor is retained."
Ratchet snorted at her, then rounded on Soundwave.
"Great Primus! You should have said you had an infection," Ratchet stormed out, "Sit down while I get my supplies."
Soundwave uncertainly took a chair, a towering Ballast over his shoulder swaying side to side.
Optimus and the rest returned, entering one by one.
"I was told you needed me to finalize the asylum request?" Sarah looked around the room, "What matters are left?"
Soundwave and Ballast looked at each other then her, Ballast speaking, "We want to make sure we aren't treated like Decepticons. Can you assure that?"
She stared at them in confusion, "Okay, I'm baffled why this is an issue. I'm treating you as refugees coming for help from your long war. What gave you the idea we'd treat you like Decepticons?"
Ballast hurriedly replied, "The video broadcast of your alien detention cells has us concerned."
"What alien detention cells? Wait, video?" Sarah had a terrible feeling, "Would you show me this video?"
Ballast linked to the screen and showed the "broadcast" to them.
When finished, Sarah sighed, "I see where the problem is. Soundwave, Ballast that was a fictional TV series. It's called X-Files. Humans create fictional broadcasts as a form of entertainment. Not everything on our broadcasts is true."
"Query: How can you tell?" Soundwave winced.
"Soundwave, if you need to say something you can say it wirelessly. Optimus, would you start it?"
(Soundwave, Sarah, Ballast) Optimus opened a channel.
(I'll explain verbally since we have some humans present who don't know I can communicate this way with you.)
Optimus frowned (Who?)
(Sam. Plus this helps settle issues faster.)
Lennox and Epps joined them then, "Sarah, Morshower wants to listen in."
"Ballast, if you would disconnect so Jazz can transfer..." the screen showed Morshower, as Jazz jerked.
(Transfer: Complete.) Soundwave stated.
"General, I am explaining that all our broadcasts aren't real," she caught him up.
"You should keep your rules on hand," he smiled slightly, "Stargate, Star Wars or Star Trek this time?"
"X-Files."
"You haven't had that one for a while."
Sarah looked at the confused mechs, then stated, "We have multiple cultures interacting for the first time. Human movies and TV shows are causing quite a bit of confusion and fear. If you want to watch a show or movie, let one of the UN Liaisons know. We will watch it with you and explain what it is. One of the partners you'll start working with soon suggested a show that details how humans produce special effects, and we have in the works a request to have those on base be part of making our own movie."
Frank spoke up as Ratchet stormed back in with a large medical bag, "Annie, one of the liaisons you'll meet later, is working on a master list of movies, TV Shows and books along with tags on if it's fictional or not, if it's allowed or banned, or is allowed to be viewed without a liaison present."
Sarah felt better knowing that, "Does this help settle the concern for now?"
Ballast nodded as Ratchet pressed a syringe into Soundwave's neck. The relaxing of his shoulders preceded a lessening of tension in the whole room.
"You mentioned rules. Is there a copy we can review?" Ballast asked.
Mark chimed in, "Here, I grabbed one of the physical copies. We have about a dozen more coming. It's an evolving list."
Ballast delicately took the stack of papers, carefully read each before setting them aside. She hadn't expected him to be able to read human sized paper without issues.
He handed the papers back to Mark, "Those are acceptable."
Soundwave nodded, before Ratchet growled at him to stop moving.
"Have we addressed all items for your asylum request?" Sarah hoped they had.
She wanted to go back to sleep.
"Yes. We are ready to sign the papers."
"Good. Then we can get you on the cleaning schedule," she yawned, "Sorry. Need more recharge."
"Clean?"
She looked at Ballast, then Frank and Mark. They both turned to her.
"Sorry, chief," Mark shrank, "I forgot to mention that."
Frank rubbed his neck, "I'm getting old."
Sarah shook her head in amusement, gazed up at the two mechs, "Welcome to the island where you get washracks, berths, deep cleanings and oil. If you can wait, we'll get paints prepped to seal chips and nicks."
"Meals are three times daily," Optimus appended.
"Full medical care," Ratchet scowled, "What is this? Did someone punch you Soundwave?"
(Assault made by: Megatron)
Optimus spoke grimly, "I was aware Megatron abused Starscream, but he hadn't done much to the rest of you. What changed?"
(Reason: Mission to recover shard failed.)
"Soundwave, it is disturbing that failing a mission, albeit for the shard, he would resort to striking you who has been fully loyal," Optimus folded his arms, "This is a sign of terrible times ahead."
Sarah cocked her head, then scowled at Soundwave, "That isn't the only reason, is it Soundwave? There is another you haven't mentioned."
He slumped, (Information withheld: location of this base.)
"Why would you hold back the location of this base?" Optimus frowned, "That is out of character for you, Soundwave."
Soundwave shook his head, drawing Ratchet's ire.
"One too many," Frank's words fell into the silence, "or civilians."
Soundwave looked away, then hunched from Ratchet.
Ballast placed a servo on his shoulder, "Go on, my love. I want to hear it."
Lennox and Epps exchanged a look, then money passed hands.
Sarah kicked Lennox's ankle, gave him a sharp look.
He flashed her a grin.
(Familial longing: Deep.)
Sarah knew why her words struck so accurately. He'd been thinking of them already when she hammered him.
"You did not want to shame your family further," Optimus nodded, "Megatron never respected that bond, even when most had only their family to keep sane on Cybertronian."
"Can I get the short version?" Morshower asked.
"Soundwave was thinking of his family shortly before the attack on the base, then with the failure self doubt circled that into shame. He did not wish to stain his servos further, and by extension his family," Optimus shook his helm, "I fear there are more like him out there, just as there are others who would sink."
"This means Megatron doesn't know about this base, right?" Sarah asked.
Soundwave nodded, turning towards her.
"That means we don't have to move," she looked at Morshower, "Is that correct, General?"
He sat back, paused, "I'll get with the Intelligence men, but that would alleviate a few problems. Moving you all while the world is at Red Alert would be delicate work."
"At least we don't have to renovate a new location," Sarah added, then yawned, cracking her jaw.
That made all the Cybertronians jump.
The humans froze as the floor shook.
"What?" she scanned their faces.
Ratchet leaned down, his optics narrowing, then eased back, "No damage."
Mark snorted, then grinned at her glower, "They probably thought you broke your jaw."
"I can't be the only one to yawn like that," she felt both embarrassed and worried.
"NEST doesn't have time to yawn," Epps quipped.
Mark pulled out a pen, scribbled on the rules, "Cracking of human jaw does not mean broken jaw."
Sarah covered her face, "Great. I freaked them out and made a new rule."
"Send through the revised rules. I will be in another meeting," Morshower faded to a black screen.
"Not much for peace either," Sam grumbled.
"Thank you for the reminder, Sam," Sarah looked up at Optimus, "Sam and I need a few minutes of your time Optimus to discuss something we both have."
He knelt, "A vision?"
"Both me and Sam have tattoos now. His has the glyph for 'protection' and mine has 'peace'. Would you happen to know if this is some prank?"
He blinked several times, then slowly shook his helm, "I am not aware of any prank like that. May I see the tattoos?"
"Oh no. My mom will kill me when she finds out," Sam sulked.
"Mark, can you help me?" she resisted another yawn, "I wish the yawning would stop."
Ratchet huffed, "You need more sleep. Frank go get her meds."
Frank trotted off as Mark helped pull up her shirt as she bent over her knees.
"I have not seen this before," Optimus admitted, "The glyph is for peace."
(Tattoo: Seen before.) Soundwave replied.
She looked up at his face, noted the baffled expression, "What do you mean, Soundwave?"
"He didn't say anything," Sam stepped back.
She straightened, Mark letting her shirt slip back into place, "Remember what I said before, Sam?"
"You can hear them, too?" Sam frowned, "Is this something I'll get too?"
"That ability was given by Frank's hands," Sarah smiled, "We have something like a wireless phone that ties into our minds."
Sam gaped, then twitched. He pulled out a notebook and started writing frantically.
"Soundwave, you were saying?" Sarah invited him to continue.
(High Priest: Carry hold marked with same symbol. Words: Peace, Protection, Love.) his optics locked onto Sarah, (Conclusion: Sarah is High Priest.)
"Both me and Sam carry this mark. Is it possible we hold the word as our purview? Like Sam is Protection, while I'm working on Peace?" Sarah felt like the universe agreed with this reasoning.
Ballast whispered, "No. There is an old story that new High Priests must work towards three goals, fulfilling them for the people. There once was a council of High Priests, but that dwindled to one mech when the Decepticons rose up."
Mark set aside the paper, "Um, what if there are more of us with it?"
"Why do you think that Mark?" Sarah then blinked, "Sam and I have both walked with the Primes. As did the rest of the UN Liaisons."
Frank grunted, "Like I need another tattoo."
Mark shrugged, "I could do with a cool one like Sarah's."
He revealed his back but nothing showed.
Sarah shook her head, "You don't have it. Why Sam and me?"
"Sarah, you are the driving force for our off world excursion. You brought peace to the Kup and his group by directing them here," Frank nodded, "We were support. Sam, did you do anything as leader of a vision?"
He sighed, "I found the Matrix of Leadership, got killed on the way to Optimus, met the Primes then came back to resurrect Optimus."
Sarah blinked, "That is why you have the glyph of protection. You fought to protect them all."
Sam sighed, "I just wanted to go to college."
"No college compares to this, Sam. I speak from experience."
"What do you mean?"
"I have a doctorate degree, Sam. This will help you more than studying from those professors in finding your place."
Sam shook his head, "I need the college," he walked out.
Hearing crinkling paper, she scowled at Lennox and Epps, "Don't make me do another rule, you two."
"Then don't be so awesome," Epps pocketed the money, "On a more serious note, his mom is not going to be happy."
Sarah blew out a breath, "I have to explain this to her."
Frank clapped her on the shoulder, "I got this one. Just send someone to rescue me if I'm not back on an hour. I want to keep some of my skin."
"Thank you," she yawned, "Frank."
Ratchet held out his servo, "Come on. You are going down for a long recharge."
"I'm forgetting something," she frowned, then scooted over to his servo at Ratchet's look, "Another task."
He cradled her as he straightened, "It can wait."
It hit then, so she called after Frank, "Chromia has a problem with the children classes. Something about segregation."
"On it!" Mark raced after Frank, "I'll drop off the rules with Annie afterwards."
A few minutes later, the comfy pillow bed took her down.