Fallout: Apocalypse
Chapter 49
By Nan00k
:) It's been a wonderful ride, guys. I hope you enjoy this final segment. Don't forget to read the Afterword!
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Warnings: character death, foul language, violence, disturbing imagery and discussion, religious ideological discussions, theoretical science, and original characters
Disclaimer: Transformers © Dreamworks/Hasbro. The original characters found in this story were created explicitly for this story.
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California, United States
2010 CE
Earth was beautiful.
The New Year had come and gone. Jazz had enjoyed the small celebration that the NEST personnel had been able to arrange, though he knew it was a far cry from what it could have been if they hadn't all been so busy with new mechs to house and politics to avoid. Cheap beer had given the humans the chance to unwind and the Autobots were more than willing to join in on the frivolous holiday cheer, if only to relax themselves.
Things were changing, rapidly and for the better. Miles was now more welcomed in their group; Bluestreak seemed to have accepted the fact that Kass wanted Miles in her life. Jazz was glad Kass had finally found someone to share her affections with, and everyone else had to agree. Even Rachel had warmed up to the idea of having Miles around as additional family. Sort of.
"Has anyone seen my notebook?" she demanded as she tore up their encampment looking for the spiral-bound notepad.
"Miles was looking at it," Danny offered, pointing across the hangar where Miles and Kass had been walking away.
Jazz laughed when Rachel turned red-faced. "Are you serious?" she exclaimed. She lunged to her feet. "Yo, Uncle! Come'ere!"
Miles, despite being a little slow, was quick to notice the agitation. "I plead the Fifth!" he shouted before rushing out of sight around the hangar bay door, leaving the rest of them (minus Rachel) laughing.
The kids were incredibly optimistic about their future now, and Jazz was simply ecstatic for them. They would be given permanent resident status soon, courtesy of a very grateful United States government, with Keller's enforcement. That was one less thing Jazz had to worry about in the long run; given the amount of political strife that the Autobots were facing, their humans needed the legal protection that VISAs would give them. Most of them seemed to feel that it was uncomfortable to "settle down" as citizens of a single country, but all of them agreed that Earth was their home. And the US was a good place to settle, where NEST and the Autobots would be able to support them.
His six mechs were aiming to apply for their own Green Cards of sorts, though it would take a few years for it to be official. While the US government was figuring out the details on how to regulate immigration of interplanetary aliens, they'd continue to support the "pro-Autobot" political agenda by aiding NEST in their roundup of any remaining Decepticons. Jazz would also assist Prowl and Optimus in dealing with the political arena. He'd spent decades longer dealing with Humans than either of them, and he did have a way of charming people, most everyone agreed.
The base had expanded a lot in the last few weeks. Now that the existence of the Cybertronians was public fact, there was no reason for the NEST personnel to stay separated from their families. Most families had settled in Cold Springs, but Lennox and a few others had been given permission to move their families onto the base. Jazz had been impressed by Sarah's calm reaction to meeting giant alien robots. He didn't know if it was Ironhide's doing or not, but by her second day on base she'd already realized that Annabelle could toddle around the play area they'd created without fear of being stepped on. He liked her, and could see that Ironhide respected her, and he was glad that Lennox would finally get to spend time with his family.
There were a lot more Autobots around the base now, which was fun for many of them. Jazz was overjoyed to see so many familiar faces. It was a bit awkward to have to explain the whole he-was-actually-a-time-traveler thing, but mostly everyone was receptive toward him and the other mechs in his group. Arcee was nervous about meeting her other self and pseudo-sisters, but Bluestreak was very excited to meet his duplicate.
Thundercracker, Jazz, Wildrider, and Arcee decided to change their optics back to blue when they and Bluestreak officially re-joined the Autobot ranks. Vortex and Bluestreak kept theirs green, since Vortex was adamant he was and would remain Neutral. Ratchet was busy with repairs, so the Autobot medic First Aid volunteered to help them. Wildrider had insisted on being the first, so everyone crowded around the two nervous mechs to watch as First Aid fiddled with Wildrider's optic settings.
Wildrider was tense the whole time and when the procedure was done, he peered out at his friends. Jazz withheld a grin as he took in the newly-blue eyed mech. Wildrider's optics twitched as if he could feel the color difference.
"My optics are now blue?" he asked, sounding unsure.
"Yes," First Aid replied. He hesitated. "Are you happy with them?"
"How do I look?" Wildrider instead asked, turning to Barns and Danny, a very serious expression on his face.
Barns nodded vaguely, but Danny smiled cheerfully. "You don't look like Christmas anymore!" she said.
Wildrider scowled. "No, now I look stupid," he complained. "Red, blue, and black, this is stupid."
"Your face was always stupid," Vortex replied all-too-pleasantly for the typically serious mech. Wildrider snarled, but the others laughed it off.
They were all more upbeat since the death of the Fallen and the end of the war; even the most grim members of their group had been affected. Jazz had been thrilled to see Arcee and Vortex laughing and joking with the others far more often this past week than ever before. He himself was walking on clouds.
Prowl, Optimus and Keller had taken him and Thundercracker aside for a long talk earlier that week. They'd explained the colony situation and how it applied to their family. Jazz had been happy to learn that those who didn't want to stay on Earth would have a home to go to.
But then Optimus, smiling gently like he always did, dropped the bigger bombshell.
"When the Autobot forces stationed on Earth transfer to the colony permanently, NEST will move their personnel to other bases and leave this one to the state," Optimus explained. "The majority of the land will revert to the state park's control, but a large part of the base, including the airfield and the hangars, will remain in the possession of the federal government."
"The Feds have no interest in maintaining an old base like this, and will likely sell it or maybe donate it to a local interest," Keller added. "We'd like to give first right of refusal to you and your companions."
Jazz had gaped uncomprehendingly. That… that meant…
"You're… giving us the base?" Thundercracker finally asked for him, stunned.
"In time, you will have the opportunity to purchase the land," Prowl corrected, matter-of-fact as always. He did smile, however, with a particular fondness directed at them. "Considering the ample sum NEST will be paying you and your comrades as citizens of this country who will be working as agents for NEST, you will certainly be able to afford the state-sanctioned price."
They were going to have a home? NEST was going to give them the base, and essentially pay them to take it. Jazz was almost too stunned to pay attention to Prowl's next comment about how the Ark would also play a role in the base's future.
"To make room for the additional Autobot forces being rotated on and off planet as the colony is constructed and the search for Decepticons who continue the war, the Ark will be parked adjacent to the hangers that currently exist here," Prowl explained. "The shuttle will remain here for future Autobot visits when needed, which will be part of the agreement of you owning the property, but between those times, the shuttle will be yours to use as housing."
Keller snorted. "Congress is already having a fit over having the ship down here, but hey, your presentation sold most of them anyway," he said. He nodded to Jazz and Thundercracker. "It's not much, but it'll give y'all something solid to hold onto. You're gonna need a place to hide once your group makes it into the mainstream news."
Jazz barely remembered to thank them and almost couldn't explain the news to their crew later that night. It was so much to take in, but once it did sink in, their excitement was incredible.
"We're going to have a house!" Bluestreak exclaimed as Wildrider high-fived Vortex behind him. "One we can all fit into!"
"How much of the forest do we get?" Rachel asked, eyes bright.
"Do we have to pay electricity bills?" Barns asked, gazing around with a concentrated expression at all the lights.
Danny laughed and hugged him. "Who cares? ! We're gonna have a house!"
Jazz had laughed and felt giddy as he watched his family celebrate. Everything was happening so fast and seemed so permanent—but for once, that didn't scare him. It felt right.
Prowl was warming up to him and Thundercracker, his family was making long-term plans for a better life, and they were finally beginning to heal. Jazz had never been happier.
The world, on the other hand, was coming along a bit more slowly than they were in terms of closure. Governments from all over were trying to organize meet-and-greets with Prime and there was still the monumental task of wooing the mass media to like them. Then, of course, there was the aftermath of the actual fighting to deal with.
There was a memorial planned; actually two were. One would be in Wiesbaden and the other in Los Angeles. Jazz didn't know the details of what they'd look like, but he was sure they'd be nice. Earth was still healing from recent events, but humans certainly did a good job honoring their dead. It was an added bonus that the memorials would honor fallen Autobots as well.
It was unexpected, then, when Prowl slipped up beside him one afternoon. The closeness was new, but the gentle gesture that followed was not.
"You may want to take your team out to the archery range," Prowl said. He nodded to Thundercracker before walking away, leaving them wondering what it was. Optimus, waiting for Prowl at the door, nodded to both mechs knowingly, which added to their confusion.
Jazz realized that whatever this was, it was important, so he rounded up their ten. The kids were still excited over the idea of having their own rooms on a stranger-free base, so they took the lead. Apparently they and Wildrider knew where the archery range was and had no trouble leading the rest of them through the forest. Jazz was amused and strolled behind their rowdy family hand in hand with Thundercracker.
He was happy to see Arcee and Wildrider bickering, Wildrider playfully throwing snow at the femme, who only dodged his shot and laughed back at him.
Yes, things were getting so much better.
Jazz skipped down the last slope in the trail, laughing at Thundercracker's bemusement and almost twirling as he moved. Everything felt lighter, like the air had been shaken out and replaced with new—
"Guys?" Danny called from further ahead. She sounded alarmed, which made Jazz and Thundercracker stop short. "What is…?"
There were only a few trees between them and where the others had stopped. Jazz stepped forward and saw Wildrider and the humans standing in front of a large dark stone that seemed far too polished and centered to be natural. His optics found sunken, golden text in the stone's surface and his spark skipped.
With your choices and your risks
You gave us life, you gave us this
New world to treasure,
New lives to build
From your sacrifices
Now fulfilled.
Dear lost ones,
You will never be gone.
A brighter world has now begun,
and in our hearts, you live on.
Thank you.
"…That's my poem," Rachel said, shattering the stunned silence. She stepped forward, eyes huge. "H-how…?"
Bluestreak was gawking at the stone. "Maybe Miles gave it to them?" he suggested, voice wavering, his doorwings moving a mile a minute.
If that were true… Jazz couldn't find the strength to say it out loud. NEST had… done this? For them?
"Prowl did this?" Thundercracker asked, optics wide. Images and emotions attached to that suggestion surged over the bond.
"I think it was all th' Autobots and NEST," Jazz replied shakily. He moved to the side stiffly as Vortex inched closer in stunned silence. "Wow."
Danny looked unsure whether or not to be upset or moved. "…Wow," she repeated.
They had made them their own memorial plaque. Jazz found himself increasingly overwhelmed as he realized what NEST had given them. A new home, a place of peace… and now, a way to grieve on their own terms, without the pressure of a public space.
He needed to thank them in private. Never would Jazz ever doubt that Prime, or Prowl, were truly great mechs.
Below, the humans shuffled awkwardly on their feet. Kass looked back at the mechs and her eyes were dark with emotion.
"…I don't know what to say," she admitted quietly.
Barns exchanged a look with Arcee and collected himself first. "Thank you, perhaps, like the poem says," he said. He looked around their group and motioned toward the stone monument. "Goddard… our parents, families… Wheeljack… Their sacrifices got us here."
Vortex knelt down next to Rachel. "Hmm."
"And all those who perished here, in this world," Barns continued. He stared at the statue with shining eyes, despite the smile on his face now. "So many have suffered and died, and we are the ones to benefit. We owe them so much."
Arcee nodded and rolled closer in order to kneel on the other side of him. "Yes," she said softly. Wildrider whined and sank down lower as well.
They all had their turn to quietly stand in front of the tiny monument and say silent prayers or gratitude. Rachel left first, clearly fighting her feelings, and Vortex thankfully went with her. Slowly, the others got up to leave, eyes and optics lingering on the words longer than was necessary to memorize them.
He waited until he was the last one and only moved forward when he knew the others were walking back up the trail to the base. He knew he could come back and have a quiet moment alone to reflect later, but Jazz could not stop himself from taking the chance right then.
There weren't any names on the stone, but Jazz envisioned all of their lost companions, including the children's parents, siblings, and guardians. He remembered Goddard's loud laugh and Wheeljack's quiet chuckle; he remembered his Prowl's gentle consideration, his Ironhide's solid strength and his Mikaela's stubborn grit. He remembered them as they were in life—and he remembered why he was so utterly grateful to have known them all.
"…Thank you, guys," he said. He let his fingers trace over the top of the rock to the edge and he let them drop. The stone remained bold and strong; it would last for a long time there.
He wasn't sure if he was sad or relieved to leave the clearing and wander back up the trail toward the base. It was like a part of their past was now wrapped up in that one stone. They'd never forget, Jazz knew, but… it was almost a relief to be able to keep the darker feelings at bay, and instead focus on the good that had grown from that misery.
Jazz saw Thundercracker's back first as he climbed back up to the base. The others were recovering from their moment of remembrance, and Jazz smiled when he heard their laughter ring out again. Every little bit of healing helped, he knew. They would be okay.
Wildrider, fully healed, was picking on Vortex and the two pushed each other around in what they knew as play. Arcee complained and squawked when Wildrider grabbed hold of her and swung her around. That sent the humans and Bluestreak laughing. Jazz heard Thundercracker chuckle and saw him shake his head in amusement with the base as their backdrop.
Staring at the sight, Jazz was hit with the truth, and it almost made him stumble on the tarmac.
In a few years, this would be theirs; what was already their home in spirit would be their home in truth. The Ark would be added to the base; the soldiers would move away and all that would be left was their family. No one else could lay claim to it. It was theirs. That seemed so impossible.
Jazz found himself standing still, absorbing the entirety of that concept, watching his friends, hearing the sounds of their laughter and conversation, and recognizing that the absence of immediate and inescapable death cemented that formerly impossible dream into reality.
"Jazz?"
He turned and saw Thundercracker waiting for him, watching with mild concern. Jazz stared back and realized he must have seemed lost in thought.
"I'm good," he said. He paused and then smiled. "We're all good."
Their hands found each other and Jazz found himself looking up.
He gazed up at the blue sky, the tree line, the far off dancing birds, and slowly came back down to watch his family live and thrive together as they walked on toward a future they had sorely won and deserved at long, long last.
Jazz smiled against the surge of joy in his spark.
Earth was theirs—
And it was home.
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The End.
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Please look up the song "Dog Days Are Over" by Florence and the Machine for a song to wrap this story up. ;)
Onto the Afterword…
A/Ns:
-There is a reason why Bluestreak kept his optics green. You'll find out in Fallout: Adaptions.
-I also get to bombard you with a ridiculous amount of political chaos in Adaptions too, so you get to find out how the colony reaches reality, too. Warning: I love political chaos.
