Children of the Primes

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Hello again, it hasn't been too long and hopefully I can get to a point where I can just write out chapters on a monthly basis. It's not that I don't have time, it's just that I am no writer. Sure I can type away and plan but the details in how to get there are.. A little out of my reach.

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Ch. 12

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"Optimus I'm getting a fix on Hijacker's lifesignal."

It had been a long wait. Too long, the medic had been patiently occupying his time at the monitor busying himself in order to dispel the anxiety that he felt. Not even their latest find could distract him.

Their ever stalwart leader smiled genuinely, a tension that they failed to notice seemed to be lifted. "We are glad to hear it Ratchet." Optimus was not the only one who seemed to relax.

"Looks like Cliff has managed to tail them without spooking June," Arcee couldn't help but quip. Bitter as she felt that she couldn't help Jack and his family she was elated with the good news.

The whole group felt their spirits rise. The events of the morning and revelations had shook the group. Most were eager to welcome the mechling, while Cliff was more than a little emotional. There was still this feeling of skepticism that Arcee couldn't shake.

How did Hijack survive? What led to Jazz and his separation? Who was Jazz's spark-mate and was she even alive?

There were far too many questions to ask, but the strangest part was how everyone seemed to gloss over it. The strangest part was their meeting with the mech. How Optimus handled the questioning their latest arrival. How it all felt staged. Reflecting on the matter was getting her nowhere so she opted to follow Optimus and Ratchet's conversation.

"What can you tell me of our latest discovery?"

"Whatever you have brought in I won't be able to find out more until the object has had time to thaw out."

'It seemed like all they were doing was waiting for answers lately' Arcee lamented.

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The long road ahead to find answers was not that far out of reach as was previously thought. Mom had met dad somewhere near Charleston Peak. The irony that he was so close to his place of birth was not lost.

Yet again it would seem that they would have to wait. Whether mom was afraid of seeing Arcee or not was unclear. However certain he was he still obeyed her wishes and traveled down busier streets to avoid being isolated. Traveling down the I-15 rather than 160.

The day quickly turned to night with school and work cutting into their travel time. In order to have a safe journey his mother had insisted that they properly rest. They took up lodging at a motel outside of the town of Goodsprings.

Here in the dead of night Jack listened to his mother's light snoring. He was acutely aware that Cliffjumper had been following them the whole time. As paranoid as his mother seemed she didn't seem to notice their tail.

He watched the fall and rise of her chest, just to make sure she was asleep in her bed. Carefully easing out of his own and tiptoeing as not to wake her. Working his way to the door he mentally prepared himself for what would come next. He needed to tell Cliff the truth.

The cool night air greeted him as he made sure that there was no one to witness his transformation. The familiar flash that blinded the world as the change overtook him was quick, and just as quickly he took to the road before anyone could notice the iron giant in the parking lot. Predictably Cliffjumper followed.

Jack was vaguely aware of where he was before he left. Planning in advance on where they should meet. There was an old road leading from Goodspring into the desert. It was old and hardly had any travelers making use of it.

It reminded him of the road where they had met.

Rising from his car form he waited patiently for the horned Autobot to catch up. Cliffjumper transformed large grin plastered over his face. Jack took in a deep breath reminding himself that this man- er mech was his uncle. Surely he would accept him.

"You look just like him." Cliff spoke in a soft tone. It was so quiet that Jack was certain if he gave anything less than his undivided attention he would have missed it. He didn't miss what was said next. "Your brother probably has told you about me no doubt."

That stug. Jack wasn't certain why but it hurt. Probably because Cliff had confided in who he believed was someone else. When he should've just told him the truth.

"I knew your father and according to your brother I'm your-"

"I've got to stop you right there." His insides twisted at how Cliff lost his smile. He tried to continue before he lost his nerve or was interrupted. "I don't have a brother."

"Well that's a bit cold." Cliff quipped. His smile was a little strained. "Those humans raised you, they sound like family to me."

"Mom did raise me but she only had one child."

"I don't understand."

"I know you don't but," a huff of annoyance slipped out of him. He was not angry with Cliffjumper but he couldn't help but cross his arms defensively. It was increasingly difficult to hold his gaze as he stared at the ground. "Can you promise you won't freak out."

Cliff's demeanor changed as he took on this air of seriousness, even still he kept his smile. That was all the confirmation that was needed. Hijacker disappeared enveloped in a familiar light.

Cliffjumper felt as relaxed as a loaded spring. Turning his helm left and right, turning around to see where the mechling had disappeared to. Panic was working its way through his processor.

"Down here." Looking down he found Jack standing in the exact position and pose as Hijacker. "Optimus said he would let me explain to you guys in my own time, but it doesn't feel right. Not after learning who you are. There is no Hijacker."

"Kid I still don't understand."

Once again bright light invaded the desert. Bright light centered on Jack. Enveloping him and all that remained was Hijacker. Standing in Jack's place as if he never left. Hijacker was present but Jack had vanished without a trace.

"My name is Jackson Darby." Hijacker's tone was quiet and harsh. It was painfully obvious that he was frightened. He was straining to get his words out as if they were something bitter on his glossa. Cliff continued to wait for the next words processor on fire as certain events came together in his mind.

"For the longest time I thought I was the only one of my kind. Until I met you on the road."

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Cliffjumper sat down on a particularly large ridge of rocks. Watching Hijacker with a keen eye. He had not spoken a word since Jack revealed himself. He waited patiently to hear the full story. From what Jack had learned of his birth from June to the moment he had stepped foot into their base as a Cybertronian. All things considered he believed he was taking the news remarkably well.

The explanation of Jack's origins. His life before team Prime. The past few weeks. Everything was given away in the time of an hour. With Cliffjumper taking an additional fifteen minutes to ask questions.

"So this whole time I was looking for you. You were just what? Hiding amongst us?"

Jack couldn't help but flinch as he thought on what was said. He knew something like this was a possibility. Knew it and dreaded it. He rubbed his helm in an achingly similar fashion to Cliffjumper.

"The same social tic, the mannerisms, your speech and body language. It's all the same. It's so familiar I'm surprised I didn't make the connection."

Hijack-er Jack mumbled something so softly it couldn't be heard. He was still facing the ground as if he was a small sparkling too ashamed to speak up for his actions. Or felt too unworthy. It was a strange look to see on someone who looked far too similar to his old partner.

"What did you say?" Jack continued to stare at the ground taking far more interest in it. Rather than answer the mechling just shuffled on his peddes looking uncomfortable. "Look I'm not mad. Surprised yes but I'm not angry with you."

"I can understand your situation and if it was me I'd probably do the same thing," he let out in a huff. "Now what did you say?"

"To be fair we really never had a proper meeting."

Finally Jack was looking him in the optic and what he saw reflected in them pained his spark. Fear. It was so powerful Cliffjumper was off his aft before he knew it. Reaching out with uncertainty he held up a single servo.

"So let's finally have a real introduction. I'm Cliffjumper."

Jack grasped his servo with such a weak and shaky grip. "I'm Jack." A yelp of surprise escaped him as he was pulled forward. Cliff through his arm around him holding in a tight embrace. Metal creaked and plating rattled in a sound of protest under the strain of a powerful hug.

"This wasn't the meeting I was looking forward to, but no matter what I am glad that I met you. There is so much I want to tell you. So much I want to talk about."

Cliffjumper released him slowly, carefully like he was one of Ratchet's tools that would fall apart in his servos. He watched Jack rub at his optics as if he could change the emotion behind them with a touch. He smiled again expressing emotions he couldn't hope to describe.

"You should get some rest. We have a busy day tomorrow."

Jack was slow to leave. It was hard to feel anything negative toward him when he kept that guilty and sad expression. He continued to stare back as if he expected to lose something if he left. Cliffjumper just waved him off with a familiar smile. It was until he was out of sight that he began thinking of what would come next.

"Cliffjumper to base."

Cliffjumper was not sure what he was to expect next but he didn't expect Optimus to be monitoring comms.

"Cliffjumper what is your status?"

Confusion, agitation, even joy all swirled within Cliffjumper. He was not sure how he felt or how he was truly supposed to feel. His old partner Jazz was dead and he had left behind a sparkling with an unusual secret. He was not sure how he should respond with such a report. Luckily he didn't have to.

"I know the truth Optimus. Jack told me."

"I am glad that Jackson shared his secret with you, and I hope that you do not hold it against me that I withheld such information."

"I don't. It was a large and complicated problem, I'm just glad he trusted me enough to share." The relief of knowing Jazz's sparkling was safe and happy was more over powering than the secret Optimus and Jack had kept from him. After all Jack never got to know his sire. That was the only detail that brought out any negativity from the night.

Sorrow

Pity

Grief

Cliffjumper felt it all when he remembered that one detail from Jack's story. Jazz was never mentioned. Not in any familiar way. Jack was Jazz's sparkling, but had the two ever known each other. A sadness so powerful and intense teared its way through his spark.

Pulling himself together Cliff thought of another problem he and Jack would have to face.

"Optimus we have to tell the others." The Prime was silent for a long moment before his voice boomed over the comms.

"Presently only Bulkhead and Arcee are the only ones unaware of our charges' origin."

Cliff knew Optimus was being cryptic on purpose. This wasn't an ideal conversation to have over comms, not when the Decepticons could be listening in. With a huff he moved his thoughts on to their next problem. Bulkhead was an easy sale and would accept Jack no problems. It was Arcee who had him worried.

It was so rare that the femme let anyone into her life. After her first partner's termination she hardly let anyone into the wall that she had built around her spark. She would not appreciate being deceived no matter the reason.

Cliffjumper couldn't help but sigh at the situation he had landed into. He smiled anyway. Reinforcing his resolve he prepared himself for what would come next. Regardless of what trouble his nephew would get him into

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OK I can admit that the ending felt sappy to me. Originally I had planned out them getting to the ship and getting back to base, Cliff learning his secret. However dialogue and narrative can always change your plans. As I said I have a plan on what I want to write, a script for what to happen next, but everything can change with just a little dialogue between two characters. I feel like I should do more planning on that part rather than the next meeting Jack might have or a fight scene with Airachnid. In other news it's rare that I get an honest critique from a reader, all I will say is thank you. I am working on my grammar but I am no master. I hope you all enjoyed.