29: The Adventures of Little Riley!
Chapter 29 - Speed Metal
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
—
Raina sat in Knockout's alt as they drove under the night sky. They were just leaving a city and heading to a nearby race. Knockout turned on the radio, only to hear what him and Raina didn't like.
"...As Metropolitan PD continues to crack down on illegal street racing, citing the danger to both drivers and pedestrians..."
Knockout turned it off after that. Sighing and saying something about humans and safety being stupid.
"Raina, hop into the drivers seat. Don't want humans freaking out while I'm winning." Knockout said full of himself but also joking since that wasn't the real reason.
Raina laughed to herself as she exchanged herself from the passenger to the drivers. She buckled herself in and placed her hands on the steering wheel. She didn't turn it, just rested her hands on it basically.
As Knockout slowed down to line up with the others, a guy in the other car took notice.
"Not from around here. European Design?" He asked, looking at the his alt.
Thank god for the tinted windows, Raina did not like speaking to strangers on the track. Instead she sighed in annoyance.
Tonight, Knockout agreed Raina could drive and he would help her out with it. Meaning she had control fo the wheel. She was going to show Knockout she could drive just as well as he could. She was almost 15 anyway, that's one year closer to the actual legal age.
"Sure is pretty...too pretty." The guy spoke up again. Raina was telling him off inside her head with not so nice words.
Yeah she was a bit grumpy, only because of the lack of sleep. But she didn't lash it out on to others. But her thoughts got interrupted by a horrible screech. The guy just used his ring to scratch Knockout's paint job. Raina could feel the inside of his alt heating up in anger.
"Big mistake." Knockout growled, setting the gear.
"Want me to let you get your revenge there Knocky?" Raina asked, leaning back into her seat and relaxing. It only took a rev of his engine to confirm that.
As the race began, everyone was neck and neck. Knockout was soon behind but he only focused on the guy. Knockout drifted from around the corner, almost viciously, and heading straight for him.
He sped up and bashed the guys rear end of the car. It was dirty play to the others since bashing and all that was allowed.
Then another bend came, except the outside of the road led to a cliff. Knockout used this as an opportunity and bashed the guy off the road. The guy went soaring in the air before dropping down below. Raina could hear the crash and breaking of the car as it made contact with the ground.
Knockout pulled forward enough so he could see. Raina opened and looked out the window at the guy below. His whole car got flipped and the guy himself was barley awake.
"You scratch my paint, I scratch yours." Knockout said coldly to the guy before backing up and speeding off.
"Don't you think we should have helped him?" Raina asked, ducking back inside the alt and rolling the window up.
"Would you help someone that hurt you?" Knockout asked. Raina shook her head. "Then you see that he had it coming." Knockout finished.
Knockout called for a groundbridge after that, not wanting to finish the race. He was wanting to buff the scratch more. Once on the Nemesis, Raina listened as Knockout vented about every little thing he hated at the current moment. Once he was all buffed, he went back to his joyful mood. She suspected he was a little bipolar but didn't think too much about it.
She went home an hour after that, getting actual sleep at a decent time that night. She got dropped off early from the Autobot base so she was able to hang with Knockout earlier that evening. They went to the city then the race. She came home at midnight so to top this day off, she got sleep right away.
The next morning, the dark circles under her eyes faded a bit. It felt like at this point, it was permanently stained on, right below her eyes. She applied the makeup to hide it, got her breakfast, watched the news, then got picked up by Bulkhead to go to school.
School passed by as usual. Raina watched how Vince, her old friend, bullied her other friend, Jack. Those two never got along but it seemed much worse than before. Her old friends did change a lot.
Sierra and Nicky were cheerleaders and pretty popular. Vince has a little crew now, being the top school bully. Jack, Miko, and Raf were just those weird kids nobody wanted to talk to. As for herself, she didn't have any friends but she was relatively popular. She didn't hang with the group but everyone in the school was friendly and nice to her. Mostly cause of her personality and how she did the same back. And if she's being honest, one guy has tried taking her out. It was nice but she didn't want that stuff quite yet.
Bulkhead came as usual, music blaring through the speakers. Miko dragged Raina because she was being 'too slow'. They drove off and waited at base for Jack.
Then Miko, Raf, and Raina saw that Jack Darby had beaten Vince to a race today. It was trending among all the students now.
So when Jack finally came, the kids planned to greet the winner.
"Dude! Vroom vroom vroom! And the winner is..." Miko suddenly piped in excitedly.
"Miko who-who told you?" Jack asked nervously.
"You kidding? It's all over school!" She shouted as it were obvious.
"You beat the pants off the blowhard bully Vince." Raf chirped in behind Jack.
"Must say, didn't expect you to be one with races Jack." Raina added in, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Jack then pulled all three in, forming some kind of secret circle.
"You guys have to keep this on the DL, especially from Optimus." Jack said a bit hushed.
Then he made everyone take some swear oath that they wouldn't tell anyone, but their guardians had to know! Obviously no one was wanting to tell Optimus or Ratchet so all was agreed upon.
The rest of the day at base was spent like usual. Miko played her guitar, Raf and Bee played video games, Jack and Arcee rode around outside, and Raina decided to spend her time up top to text with friends.
The next day, after school and at base, Jack told Miko and Raina that Vince challenged him to another race. But this time, it was an illegal street race. Then he mentioned how Arcee wasn't going to let him so they decided to get Bumblebee to help him out. First, they needed to convince Raf.
"Raf?" Jack asked the boy, who was playing against the AI in the video game. Raf shifted his attention which led to him crashing the virtual car. (Good life lesson. Pay attention while driving!)
"Uh, is there anyway I could borrow Bumblebee for an hour?" Jack asked, pointing to the yellow mech behind him.
::Woah, I'm not an object! You cannot 'borrow' me! I'm willing to go though.:: Bee beeped after Jacks sentence.
Raf ignored what Bee said and responded to Jack.
"Jack, you know racing's against the rules. What if Optimus found out?" Raf asked, thinking of the consequence the leader could muster up.
"How did you even know it was racing?" Raina asked. "Is it that obvious?"
"Yeah. But seriously Jack." Raf said again to Jack.
::Raf, I really want to:: Bee buzzed in disappointment. Jack sighed also in disappointment.
"But Raf, he's got to get the girl." Miko quickly mentioned, trying to save the day.
Raf looked confused at that part. Not knowing how a girl tied into this.
"And beat the bully." Miko added in.
"Well..." Raf started slowly, now rethinking.
"Come on Raf. Just this once?" Jack pleaded, giving off puppy eyes.
Raf gave in as the other three kids cheered in victory.
"Last time he said that, he got into another race." Miko laughed.
"Jack, you gotta let me come with." Raina suddenly piped in, cupping her hands pleadingly.
"I think it would be too dangerous, besides. Vince challenged me and I'm not sure you want to get involved with that." Jack told Raina, almost like a parent.
"Jack, you think this is gonna be my first time?" She asked, raising her eyebrow. Jack looked confused momentarily.
"I always go to these things. Hitching in with a friend. Pretty please Jack?" She asked again, giving him the puppy eyes now.
"Ok fine. But you, me, and Bee don't mention a thing to Optimus. Got it?" He said, waving a finger between the mech and girl. Both nodded and got ready for the race.
After Optimus left the main area and Ratchet was distracted enough, Bumblebee motioned for Jack and Raina to come.
Bee transformed and let the two kids in before driving silently out of the base. Jack sat in the drivers seat while Raina relaxed in the passenger. As they drove to the race meetup spot, Raina mentally started to play with her necklace. Twirling the charm around, rubbing the edges of it.
Then she jolted a bit in her seat. Bee and Jack didn't notice, thank goodness. Raina just realized she was playing with her necklace. Not just any necklace, the Decepticon one. She didn't have any other jewelry. Internally panicking, she put the charm underneath her shirt and held her hand there protectively.
Then Bee drove down and into the spot the racers were meeting up. They pulled up right next to Vince's car. Jack rolled down the window to greet the guy. Vince looked shocked as Jack's face appeared in another vehicle.
"Bike's in the shop." Jack explained briefly to him.
Vince looked happy that Jack was driving a car for once. Then Raina waved nicely at Vince. For some reason, Vince was mean to everyone but her and his own friends. Basically, Raina was the equivalent to Rose.
Vince greeted her back as the Sierra stepped out in front of all the cars. She was going to count them all down tonight.
"Circuit Drivers, are you ready?" A man asked out loud.
Jack's attention stayed on Sierra who waved cutely at him. Raina looked annoyed and snapped her fingers in front of Jack.
"Worry about the girl after Jack. For now, focus on the prize." Raina told Jack in a serious tone.
"Make it mean but keep it clean!" The man announced again.
"Fire 'em up in five...four...three...two...one!"
Sierra waved her whole body down and watched as all the drivers sped off into the night.
Raina cheered Jack and Bee on as they got somewhat ahead. Then she looked in the rear view mirror and saw Knockout. All excitement left. What was he doing here? But hopefully he won, as much as she wanted Jack and Bee to win. But what if he tried attacking while she was inside?
She quickly flipped her phone out and texted Knockout. She didn't warn the boys that a con was present. They could notice on their own.
Knockout seemed to have ignored Raina's text, making her panic a bit more. Of all the races to attend, why did it have to be this one?
All three watched as Knockout bashed into Vince's car.
::We got company:: Bee beeped.
"What was that Bee?" Jack asked.
::That car isn't human. It's Knockout!:: Bee beeped more, driving to keep ahead of the con.
"Wait. I know that car." Jack said realizing it. Remembering from the museum when Knockout rolled up next to Optimus.
"Pretty sure we all know that car." Raina added a bit panicked still.
Bumblebee suddenly took control of the driving, finding a way out of there. Jack and Raina both jolted around in their seats from the sudden takeover. Then Bee started to drive slanted, making Jack and Raina lean to the right. Raina was on the glass window while Jack tried to straighten himself out in his own seat.
Bee was seeing if the con followed him and it did. It was directly behind him, following every move he made. Then Knockout took out blasters, which Raina didn't even know he had, and started to shoot at them.
"Since when did he have blasters?! He never has them in bot mode!" Raina yelled out, as Bee swerved around to miss the shots.
"How do you know?" Jack asked, internally panicking right now.
"Uh...at the museum he didn't use them so I just assume he didn't have any." Raina quickly said to cover it up.
Then Bee swerved off the road, being in the air for a moment before landing on the ground. Knockout followed suit, still chasing after them.
"Can you lose him Bee?" Jack asked, realizing he won't understand his answer.
::I can try but he's right on my tailpipe!:: Bee said, still avoiding Knockouts blasts.
"What'd you say?" Jack asked.
::We are gonna have to call Base, sorry Jack:: Bee replied to Jack.
"I hope that means 'Yes'. Cause I'd rather not have to call base for backup." Jack said nervously sitting in the seat.
"He just said we have to contact base. He also apologized because doing so means we get caught." Raina suddenly piped in after being silent for so long.
"Wait...you understand Bumblebee? SINCE WHEN!" Jack screeched at her. Then she realized her mistake.
"Uh...guess I can now?" She said nervously smiling.
"Unbelievable." Jack huffed crossing his arms.
"Can we not worry about that now?! Bee, call them or however you do or say it!" Raina hurried the mech.
::Bumblebee to base, we're getting chased by Knockout!:: he beeped frantically over the comm.
"You're getting chased by Knockout?" Raf asked.
::Yes Yes! Jack and Raina are with me!::
"That sounds like a Decepticon." Miko spoke up.
"Bee, do not engage. Your first priority is to keep them safe...until I get my hands on Jack." Arcee commanded Bee then threatened lowly.
Jack gulped at that. He knew Arcee was going to get him big time. The comm ended and Bee was trying to think of a plan. Then he started to spill oil on to the road in an attempt to slow Knockout down or make him lose control.
Luckily it worked as Knockout spun around before skidding to a stop. Raina internally said sorry to him as Bee kept driving.
"Slick." Jack complimented.
Bee then went into a gutter, type of underpass and backed up underneath the road. He turned off his engine and headlights, sitting there silently. Knockout passed overhead, waiting on the bridge for a few secs until deciding to move on.
"I think we lost him guys." Jack announced a bit relieved.
Then Vince rolled up in front of them, getting out to confront Jack.
"Oh, you got to be kidding me!" Jack yelled annoyed.
Raina stuck her head out the window, "Vince, nows not a good time." She started but Vince ignored her.
"Darby." Vince said his name with anger, punching his hand to show what he was gonna do.
"Vince you have to get out of here." Jack told the bully.
"You win, okay? Congratulations." Jack admitted flatly. "Now go!"
"No no. Start her back up loser. We're finishing this race." Vince said stubbornly, slamming his fist on Bumblebee.
"Don't want to take it to the finish line, fine. Then we got something to settle right here, right now."
Vince then suddenly let out a surprised yell as he got lifted into the air. Jack and Raina watched helplessly as the guy disappeared from view, followed by the sound of Knockout's transformation.
Jack and Raina both got out and ran up the slope, only to watch Knockout speed off.
"Bee, he's getting away." Jack said frustrated, turning around to the vehicle driving up.
::Arcee said not to engage. Let's just wait for them to arrive::
"I can't understand you?! Raina what did he say?" Jack yelled even more frustrated.
"Bee said to wait for the others. Remember? Arcee said not to engage." Raina translated.
Just then, Arcee and Bulkhead rolled up. Bee transformed, the other two following suit. Now three pairs of glowing optics stared down the two kids.
"Jack, Raina, we all need to have a little chat." Arcee said, placing her hands on her hips.
"How are you not mad about this Bulkhead?" Arcee asked looking at the mech. He froze up, looking at his charge.
"Uh, Raina. Your in big trouble." Bulkhead said weakly, not satisfying Arcee.
"Later Arcee. Vince got snatched by that slick sports car con." Jack told them, pointing in the direction of Knockout.
"What would Knockout want with a random human?" Arcee questioned.
"He probably mistook Vince for Bumblebee's human friend. I'm not even Bumblebee's human friend. I don't know. It doesn't matter why he took him. Vince is in trouble." Jack tried explaining.
"Oh well. Tough break for Vince." Bulkhead said.
"Bulkhead!" Raina and Jack shouted at the same time. Arcee and Bee just gave him an 'are you serious' glare.
Bulkhead looked dumbfounded by their reactions. "What? I hear the guy's a jerk."
"No argument there, but the guy is also innocent." Jack admitted.
"Even though he literally intended to beat the living daylights out of you?" Raina asked him.
"Look, Vince doesn't deserve to get crushed by cons." Replied Jack.
"Hop on you two." Arcee said transforming.
Jack sat up front with Raina in the back as Arcee sped off. Bulkhead and Bumblebee followed close behind as they all drove in the direction Knockout went.
Eventually they were driving back into town. So far there was no sign of Knockout. Raina didn't think Knockout would kidnap one of the kids, well try to. She was definitely having a talk with him later.
As all three vehicles skidded to a stop at an intersection, Knockout whizzed by them. Arcee suddenly went ahead and turned the corner, the other two speeding to catch up.
Raina held on to Jack for dear life when they turned that corner. She didn't have a helmet like Jack so if she fell, game over.
They were right on his tail now, no way of losing him. Then he turned another corner.
"On your guard boys. Could be a trap." Arcee said slowing down and getting in between the Urbana and SUV.
"Remember, no shooting." Jack reminded them.
Bumblebee and Bulkhead sped ahead as Arcee pulled over to the side and stopped.
"Speaking of safety, here's where you two get off." Arcee told them.
Jack and Raina hopped off and watched as Arcee went to join the other mechs. Then they heard shooting and bashing. Then the unmistakable shout of Knockout as he sped off away from the scene. Arcee chasing after him.
"That's my girl." Jack cheered on.
"Jack Darby, can you ever decide which girl you like?" Raina teased, nudging his arm. His face slight reddened and turned away. Raina giggled at his reaction as she ran towards where the fight was.
"What are you doing?" Jack suddenly panicked.
"Miko would kill me if I didn't give her a good action story." Raina said watching from behind a nearby building.
"You could also get killed if you get too close." Jack hissed, catching up to her.
Raina ignored his comment and watched as Bumblebee easily dodged Breakdown's attacks. But then he messed up on one and got sent flying back. Breakdown approached Bee but turned around when he heard Bulkhead ripping a light pole from the ground. Then Bulkhead used it like a golf club and swung it at Breakdown, who got sent back into the building across from Raina and Jack.
Bulkhead and Bee then turned to the green building where Raina and Jack spectated. They decided to catch up to Arcee so Raina went with Bulk while Jack went with Bee.
When they caught up, Optimus was there holding a limp Vince in his servo. Knockout saw the other three bots and ran off, transforming to drive away.
Bulkhead transformed carefully and placed Raina in his shoulder. Arcee also transformed while Bee stayed in his alt mode. They walked/drove up to the leader, who was clearly mad. They were all nervous that Optimus was here and had to deal with the situation.
"Optimus, this was my fault." Jack said, rolling the window down so he could speak to him.
"We must get this boy to safety immediately. Explanations can come later...from all of you." Optimus said angrily, even jerking forward at the end.
Everyone looked very guilty after that. Raina slightly shifted closer to Bulkhead's helm when Optimus let some of his anger show.
::Oh boy...:: Bee beeped.
Jack got Vince into Bumblebee's passenger seat, then hopping in and driving off to Vince's car.
Optimus, Arcee, Bulkhead, and Raina returned to base. It was a rather silent drive as everyone braved themselves for Optimus' lecture and shouting. Handing out punishments and chores like candy to each of them.
Once arriving, everyone was silent. It was a very eerie and awkward silence. Not even Miko talked. The kids sat on the couch while the bots stood behind them. Optimus was waiting for Bee and Jack to return, his arms crossed.
Raina played with her necklace again, while also hiding the symbol away from any eyes and optics. She looked up at Optimus. He did look pretty pissed that his team did racing. Illegal racing. And that a boy got into the hands of cons, nearly blowing their cover.
Then Optimus turned his head to the silent, but guilty ridden group. Eventually his optics met with Raina's eyes. She quickly looked away, tucking her necklace underneath her shirt. Optimus was definitely like a father at the moment. You couldn't stare at him with cracking up a bit.
Then the familiar noise of an engine came into earshot. The yellow and black Urbana pulling up and letting Jack out before transforming. Jack joined the other kids while Bee stood beside Bulkhead and Arcee.
Optimus moved so he was in front of them all, almost staring into their souls. Everyone tried their best to maintain eye/optic contact but the kids especially turned away.
"Tonight, you not only sneaked out of base to do something against human law, but you also endangered human lives. What are your excuses?" Optimus began, low and monotone.
"Optimus. It's my fault. If you have to point the blame at anyone, point it at me and me only. Vince challenged me to a race and I didn't back down from it when I should have. I'm sorry." Jack explained low and slow.
"I'm sorry too Optimus. I encouraged this behaviour before it became a problem." Arcee spoke up.
"Us too." Miko said, pointing to herself then Raina and Raf who nodded in agreement.
"Same here sir." Bulkhead added. "I should have prevented it from happening."
::And I shouldn't have agreed. None of us have any excuse. We'll take and we deserve any punishment you decide on.:: Bumblebee finished, hanging his helm low.
Optimus was glad his team was being completely honest at the moment, so he would lessen but not take away the plans he had.
"Well for starters, thank you for being completely honest. Second off, some things have to change around here." Optimus began staring at the bots first.
"The curfew will be shortened by an hour from now on. From 11pm to 10pm. The kids will also stay here till 9:30 as well." He began.
The bots all nodded their helms as the kids were the next targets.
"From now on, your guardians won't assist you when your given work to do around base. Only if it is necessary. That and videogames are off limits for the next month." He told the kids. They all nodded their heads as well.
"As for individual punishments. Miko and Bulkhead, dune bashing and guitar playing are banned. Bumblebee and Raf, no secret video game sessions or toy car races. Jack and Arcee, no more rides while you two are at base, you will remain here. Raina, you are to also stay in base, that means no going up top. All of this will remain in effect for the next month."
Everyone looked like they were stabbed with grief in some way. They knew they deserved it but it still hurt. They badly wanted to fight back but there was no way around the Prime.
Optimus then thought of one final thing to do. Something that would embarrass his 3 soldiers. Sorry, 3 kids. Basically they were at this point.
"Bulkhead, Arcee, Bumblebee, I want you to go to your rooms. I will drop the kids off this evening. If I return and your not in them, I will extend the date." He told them, unable to hold back a smile.
The three bots looked up at him, absolutely dumbfounded. The kids stifled a laugh but bursted out seconds later. The heavy feeling of guilt washed away with humour as Arcee stammered.
"S-sir, you a-aren't serious?"
"Optimus we aren't sparklings!" Bulkhead said throwing his hands out in front of him.
::Bulkhead, your sounding like one right now:: Bumblebee beeped to the bigger mech.
"Autobots. Did I stutter? Rooms. Now." Optimus sternly told them. Then he showed a bit of a smile, winking at the kids.
They couldn't stop laughing, it's like they forgot everything they were just told. Their guardians were getting sent to their rooms like absolute children.
"You can't be serious." Bulkhead said resisting.
Optimus gave them the look, you know which look, and they all shut up after that. The bots turned around, mumbling to themselves. Eventually all three disappeared and the satisfying sounds of 3 doors closing echoed the halls.
Then Ratchet walked out, absolutely confused by the situation. He stared at the kids, who were still dying, then at his leader.
"I'll explain it later old friend." Optimus told him, holding back a laugh himself.
"Right now, you four should go home. And don't forget about what I told you." He reminded the them who groaned in disappointment.
He transformed and let the 4 kids get in. He dropped Raf off first, then Jack, then Miko, leaving Raina left. The ride was silent as Raina started to play with the necklace again.
When they stopped in front of her house, she smiled and thanked Optimus before hopping out of his alt. He made sure she got inside safely before leaving, like he did with the rest. But when she opened the door, Collette rushed outside, ran around, then greeted Raina. If Optimus wasn't in his alt, he would have been smiling at the cute interaction.
Then he drove back to base and explained everything to Ratchet. But when he transformed, he heard a small clink. He opened the sub space near his chassis and found a small chain inside. A chain with a small charm.
He held it in his servo, examining it. He flipped the charm over and nearly dropped the thing when he saw what was on it. The Decepticon symbol. It was almost like a demon holding the holy cross.
But why was it there? Where did it come from? Why was it small enough for a human? Unless, no he couldn't think that one of the kids were one of them. The cons didn't even like humans, except for the one Bee encountered.
Then pieces connected in Optimus' processor. He walked to Bee's room and opened the door. The youngling was lying down, playing with a piece of rolled up metal, tossing it up and down like a ball. When Optimus entered the room, Bee nearly jumped out of his armour. But why was his leader there, who knew.
::Did I do something wrong Optimus? I didn't leave my room. Swear.:: the poor scout beeped frantically, now sitting on his berth.
"No Bumblebee, it's not that. Can you describe the girl you saw 3 years ago?" He asked, kneeling down and placing a servo on his scout's shoulder.
::Cyan eyes, black hair with coloured strands, and young:: he repeated. Optimus feared the worst and stood back up. He thanked the scout and walked away.
He kept this information to himself, not even telling Ratchet. Raina fit the description plus there was a necklace as proof right in from of him. She didn't seem like a con nor acted like one. But it would explain why the cons were always so close on their tails almost every mission. And why she needed to leave the base for those few mins.
He didn't want to believe it and chose not to for now. It wasn't harmful to the team and she wasn't doing any major damage. But if she did or if the time came, he would do what he had to to protect his team. He would have to keep her confined if it got to that point, who knows what he could do after. But that option was the last thing he wanted.
Raina to him was just a whole story that wasn't in order. Missing pages and some forced into the book. Maybe he could sway her to leave them while keeping the down low about it. He just hoped he never had to see his team heartbroken by any betrayal. He would confront her the next time he had the chance.
—
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