Disclaimer: I only own my OCs.
Paul: Wait, I'm not liking this.
Pandimala: Why?
Paul: Because my name is the first word in the story.
Pandimala: Oh.
Authoress: Let the fun begin. =)
AN: This chapter is Paul's 3rd P.O.V.
Ch. 35: Background History
Paul grumbled as he walked down the hall of the office building with Fowler. Pandimala had asked him to go with Agent Fowler to make sure that the meeting today went smoothly and that nothing changed. Of course, while he was at some boring old meeting, Pandimala was being let out of base on good behavior to go and take a flight alone for the day. Of course, Paul knew that she was going to the Harbinger to help the bots there prepare for Starscream coming soon. They couldn't let the Decepticon second in command learn of their doings at the ship due to the fact that he was going to be put under the cortical psychic patch by Megatron when he brought said Decepticon Lord the four Omega keys.
"General Bryce isn't bad once you get to know him." Fowler stated. Paul guessed that Fowler was trying to make him feel better about the man that was giving the Autobots and himself so much scrap. Bryce hadn't been to happy to hear about his involvement with the bots but Paul had threatened the man over the phone that he would pull all of his funding of the government, which was actually quite a lot, if the man tried to interfere with his involvement. Of course, they hadn't told Bryce about Lizzie's accident yet. That was going to be discussed today...maybe.
Shaking his head, Paul said, "I'll take your word for it Bill. But, I cannot guarantee that I will not talk back to him."
Sighing, Fowler said, "I figured as much. Of course, I think that bringing you would be much safer then bringing anyone else."
Paul knew that Fowler was right and followed the special agent to the room where the grilling was going to take place. Paul smiled when he saw the title on the door, Unit E. That was going to be the warehouse that they were going to be staying in after the Decepticon citadel Darkmount was destroyed. It was ironic.
When they opened the door though, Paul hesitated. He didn't like the fact that there was a camera there. It made him feel uncomfortable, like he was going to be exposed at any moment.
"Special Agent Fowler, Mr. Muskogee; please, come in." Bryce greeted, pointing to two fold up chairs. Paul was so going to have a cramp in his back after this. He hated those seats. They were so uncomfortable.
"What's Private Daley doing here with that camera?" Fowler asked as they walked into the room and took a seat.
"He will be making a record of today's session." Bryce answered.
Paul nodded but, when said Private brought the camera too close, he turned. "Soldier, too close." He wasn't happy that he was being filmed, but at least it didn't have to be that close. Why did Lizzie have to leave him with this?
"Sorry we didn't dress for the occasion." Fowler stated. "We didn't know that this was to be filmed."
Bryce was quick to answer. "Formality won't be anymore necessary than usual Bill." Paul frowned at that. He was pretty sure that Bryce wasn't too happy to see him. Of course, the feeling was mutual. "But I do need to inform you that our higher-ups are on the warpath."
"They want answers regarding recent events." Paul surmised.
Bryce nodded. "Perhaps we should begin with the demise of Optimus Prime."
The shock that traveled through Paul was the only thing that stopped him from laughing at the General. Was this guy for real? He thought that the knock off that Silas and MECH had built was really Optimus? Maybe he would refrain from the comment that Pandimala had told him about only someone with half a processor would think that copy was the real deal.
Thankfully, Fowler answered instead of him. "I though we'd straightened all of this out. Prime is alive and well."
"That's difficult for our superiors to accept. Without the benefit of seeing Optimus, and the alleged imposter." Bryce shot right back. Of course it was. Optimus being dead would allow Americans to fight against the 'Cons. They were rearing to get at them and Paul knew it. They had no idea what they would be up against. Of course, they should have learned from Nemesis that taking on Cybertronians was a lot for humans to handle and maybe even the American government wouldn't be able to do much.
"Side by side?" Paul questioned. "That didn't seem to be the smartest plan at the time."
Fowler nodded. "Exactly. The sky jockeys were under direct orders to destroy any and all Autobots on sight."
Paul smirked at the uncomfortable look that crossed the General's face. "We were in a heightened state of security."
Fowler, thankfully for the General, continued on. "Let's focus on the positives. We now possess greater intel regarding MECH, particularly their leader, Silas. The stage name of one Colonel Leland Bishop. Ex-special tactics."
"The architect of Project: Damocles." Bryce connected.
Paul was a little fuzzy on Project Damocles and was happy when Fowler went into a little more detail about it. "Satellites in orbit firing laser-beams at any target on Earth." Ah, that was right. It was going to be a big problem for them later on. Fowler then paused. "Long since mothballed, and the primary reason for Bishop's discharge. He had other wild ideas, which he practiced with even greater abandon once he went rogue."
"And still no sign of his remains." Bryce added. Paul shivered at that. Just thinking about what his poor offline creation's chassis was going through to keep that monster alive made him sick.
"But what's an even greater concern are MECH agents like Silas, might also be special tactics." Paul added.
"As in currently enlisted." Bryce again connected. Hey, he should get a gold star sticker for that.
Fowler nodded. "One obvious motive for hiding their faces. I would urge a thorough investigation and leave bigger threats to metal hands more capable than our own."
"Because you've been allowed to operate at such deeply classified levels, perhaps you could provide some background." Bryce asked. Paul could tell that he wanted more information in case another bot goes 'rogue'.
"Our transforming visitors are autonomous robotic beings from the planet Cybertron. They were fighting a war foremost over the control of their worlds supply of energon. It's the fuel and lifeblood for both Autobots and Decepticons. During the war, both Autobots and Decepticons hid their energon supplies off their world and one of those places was here on Earth and that is how energon deposits started here on Earth. It is also why their fight was brought here." Paul stated. He should know since he had watched them do it.
Fowler than took over. "These battles over energon and its dark counterpart continue to this day."
"You know this for certain?" Bryce questioned deeper. Paul didn't like it. Was this done yet?
"I've seen more than enough to make me a believer. But, I rely upon field reports from Team Prime which I in turn share with you." Fowler shared.
Bryce seemed to be in some kind of hurry because he said, "Skip ahead if you would to the history of your involvement Agent Fowler." Thankfully, he had asked about Agent Fowler and not him. Paul didn't want to answer that yet. He wanted to see how Fowler answered these other questions before he got into it.
"As you know, I wasn't overjoyed with what I assumed was going to be a bot-sitting assignment." Fowler started. Paul resisted the urge to shake his head. That was the understatement of the century. "But its occupational hazards turned out to be surprisingly severe. And by now the bots have saved my bacon more time than I can count." Great, now Paul was craving bacon. He hoped that the General here would be providing them with some sort of meal after this was done. He was now really hungry.
"Of course," Fowler continued. "I returned the favor a time or two. Sometimes exercising my authority, sometimes relying upon quick thinking, and I've made a few mistakes." Paul barely contained a laugh at that. Fowler had made a few alright, and they were funny ones.
"If you would Agent Fowler." Bryce interrupted. "Provide a roll call."
"So we'll know who's who in the event that another bot snaps?" Paul asked. He was surprised that he didn't growl. But, he was glaring.
Bryce narrowed his eyes at him. "Something like that."
Paul kept his glare as Fowler started the roll call. "Well, there's Bulkhead. Before their war, he was in construction. Of course, big foot and I don't always see eye to eye and he may not be the most agile bot and he's the first to admit he's no rocket scientist, but his brute strength is invaluable."
"Thankfully," Paul took over. "the science angle is more than covered by Ratchet. The doc can be a little...tightly wound up, but he brings his 'A' game when the situation calls for it." He then paused. "Then there's Arcee."
"The motorcycle?" Bryce asked. He could see the doubt that Bryce had about Arcee's usefulness. Thankfully, said femme wasn't here right now.
"Don't let her size fool you." Paul continued. "She leaves a mark." Oh and how he would love to see her scare Bryce. He hated how Bryce was acting. He didn't like the bots' personal lives being splayed, even if it is for a little bit. "Cliffjumper is the optimism on the team. He finds the positive in all situations that catches to 'Cons by surprise every time."
"Bumblebee's the team scout." Fowler started. "But, the warrior in training's pretty accomplished if you ask me. Arcee may be a bot of few words, but Bumblebee doesn't use any...that we can understand. Turns out, it's with good reason. During the war for Cybertron, the poor kid got his voice box torn out, by Megatron."
"So the Autobots aren't quite the indestructible war machines we hoped." Bryce assumed. Yeah, it was really hard for Paul not to yell at the man. But, this was on tape. Fragging recording.
"Don't misunderstand. They can take serious punishment. But, they do have their vulnerabilities. Fortunately, we haven't lost anyone." Paul stated to him.
Bryce stared at him before turning to Fowler. "Can you confirm that there have been no Autobot casualties?"
Fowler sighed. "Yes. The lifeless Autobot you have in storage isn't Prime. It's a knockoff."
"We have only your word to go on without any trace of Silas or the technology used to control said knockoff." Bryce challenged.
"A clean scrub is MECH's M.O., you and I both know it." Fowler stated.
Bryce seemed to not want to give in because he said, "Your last debriefing had indicated that Optimus Prime had joined the Decepticons."
Paul had enough. "Not willingly! He had amnesia and thought he was an earlier version of himself who trusted Megatronus, Megatron's name before he started aiming toward war."
Bryce didn't like his outburst. "But, you can see where outside observers might connect the dots to the recent attack on our base." He then paused. "Bill, the five stars have grown nervous that we've been placing our trust in beings who could easily inflict harm, if they chose to turn on us." He then paused. "That's why I have been asked to determine whether I should bring you before a tribunal."
Paul was going to lose it if he had to stay here any longer. Pandimala punked him into it for missing that call. Of course he deserved it if it was. She had been injured because he had accidentally hit the mute button.
"Tribunal? They could shut down operation. Put me in jail." Fowler stated in shock before he calmed down. "General Bryce, Prime is no loose cannon. He's anything but. The bots may be big but they watch where they step. Heck, even the kids,"
"Kids?" Bryce caught. Paul really had to resist face palming at that one. Of course, they still had to tell Bryce about Pandimala. That was going to be fun.
Paul figured he would save Fowler's aft. "That's what we call our in house support team, which includes Paul over here."
"I wasn't aware you were utilizing any of our resources other than yourself Bill?" Bryce questioned deeper.
"They're...not enlisted." Fowler started.
"You've involved civilians in a classified operation?" Bryce didn't look too happy now.
"Highly accomplished civilians who contribute specialized expertise in computer science, medicine, communications, support." Paul explained.
"So, they know how to take orders?" The General asked.
"You...could say that." Fowler stated. Paul's mind immediately went to Jack at the K.O. Burger. "But, what they lack in military discipline, they more than make up for with outside the box problem solving. Their courage is to be admired. They've proven time and again that they are willing to put their lives on the line for their country and their planet. We've recently had a, casualty, that has proven that." Great, Fowler was bringing that up.
"What happened?" Bryce demanded.
Paul decided that he should take over. "It was my employee. She was with the bots traveling to base when they were attacked by Megatron. She made sure that the younger one was safe and that caused her to get hit. The bots healed her but she was out of commission for two months. When she woke up, she changed. She is now a Cybertronian known as Pandimala."
Bryce stared at him and said, "So, your civilians have made enemy contact." Paul could see a yearning to ask to do tests on her but Paul as glad that the man was smart enough not to say it. Maybe Bryce wasn't so bad.
"They've, pretty much seen it all." Fowler answered. Paul was glad that went smoothly. Guess this part was going to be focused on Optimus and not Pandimala. "Rest assured, the safety of these humans, of all humans, remains the primary concern of the Autobots."
"And we wouldn't have it any other way." Paul responded.
"They've forged meaningful bonds with the bots and they provide valuable assistance whenever I'm, otherwise engaged in the field." Fowler finished. "But, their involvement was never intended to be anything other than humanitarian. To provide the Autobots with a means of better understanding life on our planet." He then paused. "Sadly, we haven't begun to take full advantage of their science. I mean, I can pilot my v-ta without having to wear a flight suit."
"What keeps your organs from exploding?" Bryce asked, producing quite the mental picture for Paul. Great, like he didn't have enough images to think about.
The answer, however, was quick coming from Fowler. "A modification Ratchet preformed on the cabin pressure regulator. I like to be comfortable."
The look Bryce gave them told Paul that he was trying to register what they said, "We may be getting off subject." He then asked. "Please address why we haven't been served Megatron's steel head on a silver platter."
"The leader of the Decepticons has nine lives, plain and simple." Paul answered. "It's not like we haven't tried."
"The sick part is," Fowler took over, "the moment we might have pulled it off, we needed him. Megatron actually helped us save humanity."
The pause that followed allowed Paul to see why Pandimala hated them. "Elaborate." The General finally stated.
"We found ourselves facing an even greater threat than MECH or the Decepticons, believe it or not. Literally, an enemy within. Unicron." Paul answered.
"I know this is going to sound crazy," Fowler started, which should have been a clue that he shouldn't be saying it to Bryce. "But what if I told you that our planet's core isn't made up of what science has led us to believe it is."
Yeah, that sounded crazy and that might have been a little too much information for Bryce. "Agent Fowler, I'm sorry to say I'm forced to discontinue this debriefing until you undergo a full psychological evaluation." Just a little too much information Fowler.
"Seriously?" Fowler asked.
"As a representative of the United States government, I believe that you may have lost your sanity." Bryce explained.
Fowler was quick to recover. "General Bryce, I assure you I am quite sane." Yeah, because none of the insane people say that.
"it defies all logic Bill. Dark energon? Then, you go on record saying that you believe in magical horses with horns on their heads."
Another pause. "What?" Fowler asked in confusion. Paul was just having trouble holding in his laughter at the second person to make the connection between his brother and unicorns.
"Do you deny previously reporting that Megatron helped defeat a unicorn?" Bryce demanded.
"That's what you...Unicron. The ultimate evil." Fowler retorted before pausing. "Permission to strike this from the record?"
"Granted. But, consider yourself on notice." Bryce granted to his friend. "You were saying; Megatron proved to be an ally."
Fowler nodded. "The circumstances were unique. Oddly, the 'Con most likely to be of service is Starscream."
"Only by default." Paul added. "Because he may despise his team more than he despises ours. But, even after Megatron attempted to terminate him, Starscream still tried to win his master's favor."
Fowler then took back over. "Starscream's insecurity is what makes him less predictable than Megatron and, in some ways, even more dangerous. He really needs to figure out if it is Megatron's job he wants, or Megatron's approval."
"I must in turn ask why successful termination of Starscream has not been achieved?" Bryce asked.
Shaking his head, Paul said, "Air superiority continues to provide the 'Cons with the upper hand, though we managed to inflict the occasional setback."
"But the fact remains," Fowler took back over, "Starscream has supplied valuable since he went rogue." He then paused. "Not to worry, the bots know better than to trust him implicitly. Fortunately for us, despite his strategic brilliance, Starscream is his own worst enemy."
"And he isn't the only one whose taken flight from Megatron." Paul jumped in.
"The spider." Bryce confirmed knowing who he was talking about.
"Airachnid, as sadistic as they come." Paul continued. "And she and Arcee have quite the history. I have a feeling that next time they lock horns, only one of them will come out alive." He then smirked. "Well, that is unless Megatron gets to her first."
"So," Bryce stated, "The infighting among the Decepticons ranks continues."
"And then some." Fowler stated. "Megatron can't seem to keep his inner circle holding hands."
"And you don't think that we can't take advantage of the chaos? Motivate a Decepticon to join our cause?" Bryce pushed.
Yeah, that is not going to happen. "There is one whom Prime seems to respect." Fowler stated. "But, having witnessed Dreadwing tear up a town, I wouldn't hang my hopes on it."
"So I must press the point." Bryce continued. "If Optimus believes that even a Decepticon holds the potential change, why couldn't the reverse be true? No one truly knows what went on behind the Decepticon curtain while Optimus was off the grid. Not you, not the Autobots."
Paul now felt more sympathetic to Bryce's position and so he stayed calm. "I'm one hundred percent with Ratchet on this one. Being a Decepticon is a choice, one that I have a hard time believing Optimus would make at any point in his life."
"Against all odds," Fowler started. "Suffering amnesia, Prime engineered his own escape to face down Megatron. But, is Prime capable of change?"
Paul smiled. "Prime has recently proven he is willing to go further than ever to protect humanity. Optimus Prime is a true patriot. He and his team continue to risk their lives, day in and day out, asking absolutely nothing in return." Paul raised an eyebrow when his phone went off.
Thankfully, Fowler had him covered."The simple fact it, Prime doesn't have a bad circuit in his body."
"I decided to drop by and see you guys. Guess Bryce is going to get to meet me sooner than we thought.-Pandimala."
"As liaison to the Autobots, I strongly caution that now would be the worst time to call Prime's dedication into question. We're on the verge of an even greater threat than we faced before. The Decepticons are on the hunt for long buried relics from Cybertron. Preliminary intel suggests they could be sacred objects with mystical properties or weapons of mass destruction." And Fowler slipped again. If Paul wasn't Primus and was actually a human, than he might believe that Fowler was crazy.
"Mystical?" Bryce questioned.
"Ah, scratch that too!" Fowler stated.
Paul decided that he was going to finish this. "The point we are trying to make is," He then groaned. This was going right. "Hold on." he then pulled out his phone and dialed Prime. "Prime, I need an assist."
Heavy footsteps followed his call and Paul smiled as Optimus appeared in the newly opened window, thanks to Fowler. "Paul, Agent Fowler; have you uncovered MECH agents?"
Pandimala was having a field day with this. He knew that she was standing by Optimus. "No, they're okay." Fowler responded. "General Bryce here just needs to confirm the state of your health and well-being." Yeah, Pandimala was loving it.
"I am fine General Bryce." Optimus stated.
Paul smirked as Pandimala's face joined in next to Optimus'. "I'm fine too." She stated with a smile. "We haven't met. I'm Pandimala. Nice to meet you."
Oh, Paul was loving the looks on Bryce's and Daley's faces. Yeah, Pandimala was pretty intimidating in size and yet disarmingly happy and positive that it was confusing.
Optimus nodded. "How are you?"
"I'm uh, well soldier." Bryce responded, clearly taken off guard. Then, one of those silence things happened. Thankfully, it didn't last too long. "Bill, I believe I have everything I need to make a persuasive case that Optimus Prime is indeed alive and well. And firmly on our side."
"We appreciate your support sir." Fowler saluted.
"Dismissed." Bryce finally said the word that Paul had been waiting for.
Paul smirked and slowly walked out. But, of course, as soon as the door to Unit E was closed, Paul bolted out of there and outside to Optimus and Pandimala. Pandimala walked up with a smirk on her faceplate. "So, how was your day?"
"Oh ha ha." Paul laughed sarcastically. "Just transform and get me out of here. Let's get to base."
Pandimala laughed as she transformed into her jet mode and opened the cockpit. "Come on. The daylight's wasting."
Paul nodded and jumped in before Pandimala strapped him in and took off. Yeah, this was a good day, even during all of the boring parts.
Paul: That was incredibly boring.
Authoress: Well, thankfully for you it is Pandimala up next chapter. So, you get to take a seat as we focus on her.
Pandimala: Oh joy. This should be fun.
Authoress: *evil smirk* Oh trust me, it will be very fun indeed.
AN: And am I good or what? Two chapters up in one day. I can barely stand all the wonder that I can produce. All fun aside though, I hope you all enjoyed this. Paul seems to be a little less against Bryce. Of course, we have no idea what they have planned later on, or if they even do. I could just be building you all up for something that will never happen, or am I? *laughs* Well, until next time, please drop a review, even if it is to say hi. =D