25: The Adventures of Little Riley!
Chapter 25 - Meet the Autobots
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Transformers Prime or the franchise. All characters (except Riley/Raina) belong to Hasbro.
::Hello:: - Bumblebee Talking
"Hello" - Normal Talking
'Hello' - Thoughts
*Hello* - Cybertronian Talking
3 Years Later...March 2005 (I won't be mentioning the dates anymore since the chapters will now take place during the events of TFP. Yep the kids are coming :D
This also takes place after Darkness Rising: Part 5
—
Raina walked out of school, taking in the fresh air. Life certainly was different.
Megatron has recently been declared dead, Raina's BFF has been disappearing after school now, she was in grade 9 more specifically high school, and she was more invested with the Decepticons then ever. Plus, she was going to be 15 soon! How time has passed.
Today, she wasn't going on the Nemesis. She was upset by Megatron's death. He returned with something called dark energon. Something that could revive the dead. He planned on using it to bring a dead army from Cybertron. It was pretty twisted but who's to judge. Whatever it took to win a war, even if it was a bit disrespectful.
But now he's dead. And on top of that, Miko, her BFF since she came from Japan, has been hopping in a green car and driving away. Rock music blasting, of course.
Raina also abandoned jean shorts. Now she had her regular jeans. The headband also went into the trash. Her hair freely flowing at her waist line.
She walked down the road, clutching the books in her hand as she held back tears. She didn't know Megatron as well as the others but he was still close. He helped and introduced her to the Decepticons 3 years ago.
Eventually Raina walked into her home, setting her books and bag down. She plopped herself on the couch and turned on the T.V. Recently, her parents had been working a lot. She only saw them in the evening now. She didn't mind though, it meant more free time! But she still missed them.
The news channel (yep, still her fav channel) filled the void of silence. Raina got up and went to the kitchen. She prepared a grilled cheese, half watching the T.V at the same time. Collette barked happily at her presence, getting up from her bed. Raina smiled, knowing what she wanted.
As the sandwich was placed on the frying pan, Raina went to the treat jar. She pulled out one shaped like a dog bone, waving it up in the air.
Collette sat down immediately. Staying silent and patient for the treat. Raina smiled and threw the treat up in the air. Collette got it with ease, munching away at it. Raina scratched behind her ears before washing her hands.
She finished the grill cheese and ate away at it. Collette happily laid down next to her on the couch, not even trying to snatch the human food. That's when the news popped up with something. It was about a picture the ISP (International Space Station) caught.
It proceeded to show a picture, a wavy blue line across the blanket of stars. Raina looked in amazement before slouching back down in sorrow.
"Why is life so unfair?" Raina asked Collette who laid still, snuggling. Raina sighed before placing her empty plate down and leaning back.
After an accidental, one hour nap, Raina woke up groggily. Collette had returned to her own bed and outside looked a bit cloudy. Raina got up and stared out the window. She got her flip phone out and texted Miko.
R: What's up my girl of rock?
M: Nothing much! You?
R: How is it that I can sense your enthusiasm through a phone
M: Idk man
R: I was wondering if this Friday you wanted to hang after school?
M: Maybe, gotta see with the host parents DX
R: Aight, sounds cool!
M: Gotta go! Jack is challenging me to a game!
R: Beat him for me
M: Of course ;)
Raina smiled at the small conversation. She felt a bit of jealousy when Miko mentioned Jack. Why? She wasn't sure but Miko has been hanging with him and the younger kid, Raf, more often now. How those 3 end up standing each other for the whole day is yet to be answered.
Raina looked at the time, 5pm. Perfect! Raina went into a groupchat and began to text some more.
R: How are my peeps?
M: Doing fine, better if you were here. Jordan is getting on my nerves
J: Only cause you said you could beat me at soccer!
JJ: Mei, Jordan. We have dealt with this all day. It's 8 and I wish for my night to be peaceful.
R: Sup Jay and Jordan
JJ: Hey sister! Kissh get on right now!
K: I'm trying to study for finals!
E: Finals aren't till June, just chill
R: Wassup KK and Emma
E: Riley? How are ya!
R: Good now that I'm talking to y'all. Also I told you it's Raina now :)
JJ: Awww
E: Hard day?
M: Nobody cares that it's Raina. Here in Buffalo, your Riley and always will be :3
J: So sweet. And yeah did you have a hard day?
R: Any day involving school is horrible.
J: Yep
E: Agreed
JJ: Totally
M: Oh hell yeah
K: No it's not! And I'm muting you all! So distracting!
(Kissh went Offline)
M: Hehe
J: I'll never understand her
JJ: I'll never understand what comes out of her mouth! Riley! We need you to come back and translate her gibberish!
E: Please
R: Lol sorry guys. But summers coming soon!
JJ: Holy crap it is!
E: I have a surprise for all of you when it is! It's so we can all have Rose with us...
JJ: Awwww :,)
R: You don't have to do that Emma
J: Ah jeez, I'll take my leave now
(Jordan went Offline)
M: Finally! Jeez
R: Mei, can you try to be nice?
M: Is that a question or a wish?
E: Mei
M: Fine...only for tonight and tomorrow tho
JJ: My baby sister calls! Gtg. Talk to y'all tomorrow!
(Jayden went Offline)
R: Yeah I gotta get my homework done anyways
E: Well see ya Ry'!
M: Stay cool my dude
R: Of course, Love y'all 3
(Everyone is offline)
Raina put her phone back in her pocket and grabbed her backpack. She pulled out some papers and began her work. It was at 7 that she was finally done. Sighing in victory, she laid herself down on the couch with the remote.
The news kept repeating the same things so Raina flipped through channels. Eventually she decided on Spongebob. She watched it for a while before drifting to sleep.
Next time she woke up was to her annoying alarm clock. She practically slammed down on the thing to shut it up. Groaning, she got up and changed. Then she went into the washroom and then down to the kitchen for breakfast.
Raina saw a note on the counter, reading "Had to go to work early today. We love you and stay safe! xoxo".
Raina smiled before placing the note down and grabbing her cereal. Today was a Wednesday, halfway through the week already. She munched down and turned the T.V on to find out what happened while she slept.
Turns out, nothing new. Boring start to the morning so far. Raina fed Collette her food as she gathered her things. Putting her backpack on, she said goodbye to her furry friend before locking the door behind her. She put the key back in her bag before making her way down the street.
Once she arrived at school, she saw Jack, Miko, and Raf hopping off/out their vehicles. Jack got off his motorcycle, Raf hopped out of a familiar Urbana, and Miko out of the green SUV.
Recently, she heard about the Autobots having human companions now. "Copy catters" she muttered to herself. She knew full well it had to be them. Just by the description and the fact two of the vehicles were too familiar. She was upset with the fact Miko and Jack were on the enemy side but maybe one day they could be with her. See the truth like she did.
As Raina neared the school, Miko came running up to her. Raina was suddenly bear hugged on the side by the hyper girl.
"Hello to you to Miko." Raina greeted, prying her off. "What did your host parents say?" Miko shook her head sadly. Miko was lying, just cause she wanted to be with the bots. Was it selfish? Probably.
"That's a shame. It's alright." Raina said, trying to not sound disappointed but it didn't work. "Sorry Rain', maybe this weekend?" Miko offered. Raina gave a small smile back as they neared Jack and Raf.
"Hold up!" Miko said, suddenly stopping. She grabbed Raina's wrist and pulled her over to the boys.
"Guys, meet Raina! My BFF!" Miko introduced. "Yeah we know who Raina is. The girl who's kind on the outside but deadly on the inside." Jack recited in a tired tone.
"People have been saying that since the fight." Raina noticed. The three kids nodded their heads in agreement. "Raina, Jack and Raf." Miko gestured to the two.
Raina so badly wanted to tell Jack that it was her. But now that he was with the Autobots and she had a new identity, she couldn't risk it.
"It's nice to meet you two. I'm shocked you three hangout now. I mean your quite different." Raina admired. "Yeah, don't know how." Jack said glaring at Miko who chuckled nervously in return.
"Well, keep her out of trouble will ya? She's a handful." Raina added, laughing at Miko's stare.
The bell rang, making all the students enter the building.
School was boring as usual. Though Kissh and Raf could disagree. The day went by pretty slow this time around but it went even slower after Raina got a text. From none other than Knockout. He told her he would pick her up today. Her excitement making the day go by slower.
Once it was time, she ran to their new meeting spot. It was a couple of blocks away from the school, just to avoid the Autobots that basically guarded the it now. Raina spotted the red car from a mile away, the paint job shining nicely under the Nevada sun.
"Hey Knockout." Raina greeted, buckling herself in. Knockout started to drive to the groundbridge meeting spot, greeting her back.
Once on board, Raina joined Knockout in his lab.
"So how's the Nemesis now that high heels is in charge." Raina joked. Knockout laughed hysterically before answering.
"He isn't doing bad but then again, it's only been a day and a half since he has become the 'lord'." Knockout replied. Raina laughed at the last statement.
"Here, lets practice your Cybertronian." He offered, putting his servos on his hips. Raina groaned out loud.
"I already know how Knockout! Why won't you get that through your processor! I've been good at it since last year!" Raina complained out loud.
"It's just my excuse to hear it for myself. Please?" He pleaded. Raina smiled, giving in.
*Better?* she asked, switching languages. Her Cybertronian being super fluent.
*Very. Now you've almost completed everything on the list to becoming an official Decepticon!* he said excitedly. Raina agreed immediately.
*I can already write and speak fluent Cybertronian, I can do basic hacking, first aid, my fighting skills are exceptional, I know your guy's history and ways. I could become one of you guys at this point!* Raina listed off with her fingers.
*Well just a bit more training and practicing and soon you will be* Knockout added. Raina smiled, already imagining it. She already had the Decepticon symbol on a chain, keeping it hidden under her shirt. But to officially become one was a whole new level of awesomeness!
"Starscream to Knockout! Is Raina with you?" Starscream suddenly asked through the comms. "She is here screamer." Knockout replied annoyed.
"It's Lord Starscream! And good, bring her to the communications room!" Starscream said more annoyed. Knockout rolled his optics before offering his servo to Raina. She hopped on and was carried all the way to Starscream.
Once arriving, Knockout silently wished Raina luck as he left. Raina held back her laughter as she went up to stiletto heeled mech.
"Yes?" She asked, placing one hand on her hip that leaned out. He turned around with a smile on his face. Deja Vu.
"You have another plan don't you?" Raina said for Starscream. He nodded his head, lowering down and picking Raina up. "So what is it now?" She asked raising an eyebrow.
"I need to find out where the Autobot base is. And after that failed attempt with the human, I have come up with another way." Starscream started happily but angrily at the Agent Fowler's mention.
"And what is the way?" Raina asked, gesturing for him to go on.
"You are human, so I need you to go to this military sight and hack into their systems. Once you do, find the location of their base and report back to us!"
Raina immediately shook her head. Out of denial and the fact it wasn't that easy. "Why not Soundwave?" She asked still slightly panicked.
"He's too big plus he will be accompanying me on something else." Starscream explained. "What would that be?" Raina asked, hoping there was still a chance to escape this.
"Waking up a loyal soldier from stasis. His designation is Skyquake." Starscream elaborated more, pulling up a picture for her to see. Realizing there was no other choice, agreed to his plan.
"Take this, it'll download any extra information, and really fast." Starscream said handing a small device. It was a miracle it didn't crush under his grip. Raina took it and nodded her head.
"Starscream, I think it's better if I do this at night. That way there is less activity." Raina pointed out. He nodded his head in agreement before saying she was free to go.
She only said that cause it was smart and night was far away. So she could have plenty of time internally freaking out.
After explains the whole thing to Knockout, he was worried about her safety. Now she was reassuring him alongside Breakdown. Once he felt better, Raina offered they go racing before she went. He felt better after agreeing to that.
(~Many Hours Later~)
Knockout emerged victorious from the race. Both him and Raina cheering.
"That was the best by far!" Raina exclaimed hyper. Knockout agreed as he headed down the roads and to the meet up spot. The two went through the groundbridge and appeared before Soundwave.
Knockout let Raina out before transforming and seeing her off. She had went home after calming Knockout down, and grabbed black pants and a hoodie. She had the clothes at hand, walking through the new groundbridge.
She hid in the tree line, watching from afar. She got the new attire on and headed towards the base. She managed to slip by the guards outside but inside was a bit harder. In was more cramped and there were not a lot of places to hide.
After nearly getting caught twice, she finally reached a room that had a bunch of backup drives. A bunch of monitors at the end of the room. Raina locked the door behind her and disabled the security camera.
She sat herself down, plugging Soundwave's device in before tapping away. Eventually she reached what she wanted and opened it up. Inside was all about the Autobots. How they arrived, where they were, and individual profiles for each of them.
She activated the device that instantly began to download data. She browsed each file, peaking with interest. That was until she heard someone banging on the door.
"Open up intruder! We know your in there!"
Raina panicked. How? She deactivated all the cameras and didn't get caught. The voice began again, reading her mind.
"We monitor all activity on every connected device here! Now open up before I use force!"
Raina looked at the download. 76% done. There was no way to stall so she called for Starscream. She covered her mouth, quietly speaking to him on the line.
"I can't stall! And the download is incomplete!" She quietly hissed panicking.
"Do you know the location?" He asked. "Yes" she replied. "That's all I care about. I'm getting a groundbridge to your coordinates now!"
Raina sighed in relief but the banging at the door made her panic again.
"I'll give you to the count of three!" The voice shouted.
"Raina, slight issue. I can't seem to acquire your location. Your currently in a heavily guarded place." Starscream announced nervously. Raina's panic levels soared through the roof as the counting went down.
"Can't you deactivate them?!" She asked.
"3!"
"I'm trying! Soundwave-" Starscream shouted, the rest inaudible.
"2!"
"Anytime would be great now!" Raina hurried.
"1!"
Raina braced herself as the voice announced it was entering. Great, just great. Now she had a criminal record for sneaking and hacking into a MILITARY BASE!
Two men with heavy armour and guns entered and held aim at her. Then a black man followed suit with a pistol. Raina said sorry to Starscream and hung up. She placed her phone back in her pocket and raised her hands up in the air.
The two looked at the black man, who nodded at them.
"Kid, you have the right to remain silent. You have a lot to answer for." The man spoke up as the two guards went either side of her.
They grabbed her arms in a tight hold, guiding her to a room. It was one of those rooms you would see for questioning. Double sided mirror and all.
Raina was forced into a chair as the two men stepped back, standing broad shouldered behind.
The other guy sat down in front of her, staring directly at her. She refused to look at him. She already broke the law, might as well become more of a bad kid.
"How much did you see?" Was his first question. She expected him to say his own name or ask for hers but nope, how much did you see.
"Plenty." Is all she said. The man sat back and sighed. "So you know they exist?" He asked. Raina couldn't rat out her friends so she pretended this was all new info to her.
"Yes, what are they?" She asked. "Robotic organisms from a different planet." He explained but she already knew that. She knew much more than him in fact.
"Who are you?" She asked. "Agent William Fowler. I work to keep these beings secret from the general public. But seeing as you know now...ugh I'm not sure" he said defeated and annoyed. Who could blame him?
"Well what happens now? I go to jail and swear on some oath I won't tell a single soul?" Riley asked a bit threatening and scared herself. "Look, I can tell your not dangerous, just curious. But now you know something only very few know about." He said trying to sound a bit nice. "What is your name kid?"
"Raina. Raina Hayes. Sir, I don't mean any harm. I promise. It was curiosity, like you said. But that did kill the cat so...yeah" she replied. She could feel her phone buzzing frantically, like someone was desperate to reach her.
She knew it was probably Starscream or her parents. But right now, she was currently facing a man that could place her in jail.
Agent Fowler looked like he was weighing all his options before making a final decision.
"Seeing as you know they exist and you've shown some great skill. How would you like to help the government instead of going to juvy?" He offered.
Now Raina was weighing her options. The obvious answer would be helping out but the thing was, the Autobots were her enemy! No way was she helping them out! But no way was she going to jail either! Even if the Decepticons freed her, she would still have it on their record. Even wiping that out would make her a runaway and that wasn't an option. Sighing, she agreed.
She still got further questioned by Agent Fowler, answering all the questions as innocently as possible. He also found out she lived in Jasper, right where their base laid. When she found that out herself in the files, it shocked her. The base had been right next door the entire time. It was obvious since the Autobots often appeared in Jasper but the fact it was confirmed made it shocking.
Agent Fowler made up some excuse to her parents the following day. At least she was off the hook but she still felt guilt ridden and scared. She didn't go to school that day and didn't get any sleep that night.
The next day was Friday and Agent Fowler planned to bring Raina to their base. So after school, Agent Fowler stopped the three kids and explained the situation to them.
When they asked who it was, Raina had walked up to the Agent.
"No way!" Miko screeched. She immediately hugged her best friend, now happy she could join them on their adventures. Agent Fowler already explained the situation to the Autobots so they weren't going to be surprised by her sudden appearance.
Raina felt awkward the entire ride there. Like she bursted in on something she shouldn't have. Bulkhead drove Miko, Agent Fowler, and Raina back to base. The rock music blaring through his alt as him and Miko jammed out. Normally, Raina would too but it felt too awkward. Agent Fowler was just silently wishing the ride to be over.
"Hey kid it's ok. You don't have to feel awkward at all. I welcome to you to Team Prime! Miko has told me a lot about you and you seem pretty awesome!" Bulkhead said to Raina, lowering the volume.
Raina looked up from the backseat and smiled. Deep down, she hated everything about this but she needed to keep up the act.
She also told Starscream of her current situation on Thursday, and he seemed pleased. He told her to play along and get information that way. Without much of a choice, she agreed with him and carried out the plan.
As soon as they entered the base, the kids ran off to the human area. Leaving Raina to awkwardly stand next to Agent Fowler.
"You must be Raina. It is nice to meet you." Came a sudden voice. It held power but kindness at the same time. It was also gentle and calming in a way. Even familiar.
Raina looked up and saw Optimus. The mech Megatron despised so much.
Raina nodded her head, giving a small smile.
"I am Optimus Prime, leader of Team Prime. I welcome you with open arms. If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask." He said, lowering to her level. She nodded again, still maintaining her smile.
The other Autobots, introduced themselves to her. Bumblebee had a feeling he had seen her before but ignored it. Everyone on Team Prime however, felt as though Raina was a reminder of someone they had lost. Someone who the kids knew about now.
Ratchet noticed she was quiet and took an immediate liking to her. Arcee, Bumblebee, and Bulkhead heard about her from their charges and liked her as well. Optimus just likes everyone he first meets, come on now.
Raina also got to know Jack and Raf a bit more. Well mostly Raf but she wanted to know what happened to Jack for all the time she was gone.
Oh and her Decepticon necklace? Yeah that stayed at home. No way on the first day of meeting the Autobots, was she going to risk it with that. She also made sure they couldn't tap into her phone, that would be a dead giveaway too. But she learned they didn't really did that so all was good.
Well, now she was with the Autobots. Bulkhead got appointed her guardian since her and Miko were already close. Bulkhead and Miko just saw it as an extra buddy to jam out with them.
Raina had to change her schedule around now. After school was going to be with the Autobots while she snuck out at night to meet with the cons. Or any point she could really.
Jack, Miko, and Raf she could already feel, we're going to be her genuine friends. But anything with the Autobots was going to be one sided. She didn't like them and didn't plan on going soft to them anytime soon. Not even Bulkhead.
When Saturday approached, an infestation also occurred...forcing Raina to protect the Autobots.
—
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