Chapter 85 - Seeing Ghosts
Jazz P.O.V
As I stood in Hanger 1 observin' tha various monitors and radio communications, I couldn't help tha smile from formin' on my dermas. Normally I wouldn't be so thrilled ta be acting Autobot Commander as it was indeed a big responsibility, but tha fact I was doin' so now meant that my two dear friends, Prime and Phoenix, were finally together and takin' some well-earned time ta themselves. /Well overdue if you ask me!/. Besides, with both Megatron and Sentinel dispatched of, the pillars destroyed and the remainin' Decepticon forces scattered and once again leaderless, it seemed as though we might jus' have a moment ta unwind and recover from tha battle of Chicago.
The battle had been fierce, and we had nearly been overwhelmed and outnumbered. If Phoenix hadn't of shown when she did and tipped the battle back in our favour and Prime hadn't been able to kill Megatron and Sentinel. I felt a shudder run through my frame at tha thought of how differently it may have turned out.
A coldness settled around my spark for a moment as I recalled tha losses we suffered from tha battle. Jolt, Que and the twins – Mudflap and Skids. As annoying as tha twins could be it would not be tha same without 'em. We would also certainly miss Que and his inventions (though not tha explosions), and his gentle nature. Jolt and his mischievous nature would also be a loss ta tha morale of tha team. Sideswipe was takin' his death tha hardest as he and Jolt would often get up ta no good together and lead each other astray. /Sometimes roping me in too!/. I felt a sad smile pull at tha corners of my dermas as I thought about them all. /Rest easy in tha Well of Allsparks my friends. I will see ya again one day/.
I felt myself physically shake ma helm ta try and rid myself of ma deepenin', morose mood. My fallen friends would not want me ta wallow in sadness. I cycled air through ma intake valves deeply and felt myself relax slightly, despite scanning tha screens and listenin' ta tha various communiques coming in. /A routine day by tha looks and sounds of it – nothing too major/.
Tha moment tha thought finished flashing through my processor, I regretted thinking it.
One of tha NEST personnel monitoring tha energon detectors approached me. ''Jazz, we have just detected activity in the vicinity of the South Pacific Ocean, Republic of Kiribati. We are currently using our satellites to pinpoint its exact location and coordinates. We should have the coordinates any moment.''
I nodded, ''Very well.''
Another soldier called out from his station, ''Jazz, we have just received a distress beacon on the Autobot frequency. Same location as the energon detector triggered in the South Pacific. Could be a match.''
I stepped towards tha monitors. My spark started ta speed up. /Who could it be? Who might have answered Prime's call? Sunstreaker? Sideswipe WOULD be happy about that!/. ''Any further information on its exact location?'' I queried tha operators.
''Affirmative Sir,'' tha previous soldier replied, ''We have just obtained coordinates for the pod's location - 4°30′S 172°0′W. Rawaki Island, formally known as Phoenix Island, a small, uninhabited atoll in the South Pacific.''
I laughed out loud at tha coincidence of tha pod landing on an island named after our latest addition to tha team, though ma sense of humour seemed ta have been lost on tha men awaiting ma orders.
''Sir? Your orders?'' the first man asked briskly.
/Right, time to play boss bot/. ''Notify Colonel Lennox ta make his way here now and arrange for a secure line ta General Morshower and Director Mearing so we can relay ta them news of tha pod's arrival and a possible new ally.'' Tha man nodded. ''I'll send a team of Autobots ta attend ta tha crash site ta determine if tha pod's occupant is indeed friendly or a Decepticon trick. They'll also be able ta determine if tha occupant is injured and in need of assistance.'' I paused for a moment. ''I want a plane prepped and ready for wheels up in 30 minutes pending contact with Colonel Lennox and tha JCS.''
''Yes Sir!'' both men nodded and walked off briskly back ta their respective stations ta put inta motion ma orders.
I activated ma comms, ''Ironhide, Dino and Rachet – Jazz here. I need your immediate presence at Hanger 1. Jazz out.'' I ''sighed'' out loud again. /And you thought tha day was goin' ta be boring! Had ta go and jinx yourself didn't ya?/.
Lennox strode into the room with a slightly annoyed look on his face. I had clearly jus' caught him. ''Yo Jazz! What's up? Better be good. I was about to sign off for the day and head home to see Sarah and Annabelle.''
''I'm sorry man, 'specially ta keep ya from ya family, but I feel ya need ta know what jus' happened,'' I gave him an apologetic look.
Lennox came ta stand near ma pedes and folded his arms across his chest. ''Oh yeah? And what's that?''
I smiled at him, ''Jus' received word of a crashed pod, we believe ta be Autobot in nature, landed on Phoenix Island, South Pacific.''
Lennox gave a low chuckle, ''No Shit – Phoenix Islands!''
I laughed too, ''I know right! What are tha chances? I have asked for a secure line ta General Morshower and Director Mearing be established ta inform them of tha development. I have also asked for a plane ta be on standby, wheels up in 30 minutes ta take a team of Autobots and some NEST soldiers ta investigate and hopefully, safely retrieve tha occupant.''
Lennox nodded, ''Good call Jazz. Whadda need me for? Sounds like it's all under control?''
I felt myself heat slightly in embarrassment, ''Ah, I would appreciate ya hangin' around while I chat with tha brass if ya don't mind. I'm not Prime and ma words might have more bearin' if you are here ta back me up.''
Lennox gave a laugh, ''Jazz no one can replace Prime and do what he does. I get it. No worries. I'll stay for the ''chat'' but then I am outta here, fair deal?''
I nodded and raised my servos in supplication, ''That's cool.'' I smiled again. ''No worries? You startin' ta sound like Phoenix''. It was one of her typical Australian sayin's and it was kinda catchy, I even found maself usin' it.
Lennox raised an eyebrow at me, ''Do you want me to stay or not?'' and he laughed.
At that tha sound of familiar engines and transformation sequences filled tha hanger as my friends arrived. ''What is it Jazz? Why the urgency?'' Ironhide asked as he strode over.
''And why do you need me?'' asked Rachet as he came ta stand beside me, servos on hips. Dino simply stood dutifully beside them.
''I received a distress beacon from an Autobot pod jus' now,'' there were some gasps of shock. ''They could be injured which is why I need you Doc Bot,'' Rachet shot me a withering look, ''and Ironhide and Dino it could be a trap so I figured you two could help eliminate tha occupant if it was a Decepticon trap.''
Ironhide nodded, punching one of his servos into the palm of the other, ''When do we leave?''
I smiled, ''Knew I could count on ya 'Hide. Lennox and I just have ta notify Morshower and Mearing and then we should be good ta go. So anytime in tha nex' 30 minutes.'' They all nodded. ''Oh, and get this. Tha pod crashed on – Phoenix Islands in tha South Pacific!''
Rachet, Ironhide and Dino all showed surprise on their faceplates as they took my words in. ''Oh mio Dio!'' Dino exclaimed.
Ironhide shook his helm, ''Oh Phoenix would love that! I could tell her.'' Ironhide made to activate his comm unit.
''Don't you DARE contact them!'' Rachet shot out. ''They have deserved a well-earned break and Prime gave strict orders NOT to be disturbed unless it was basically the end of the world or a life altering event of some sort.''
Ironhide held his servos up, ''I was just saying, it's an option.''
''I'm with Hatchet on this one,'' at Rachet's death stare I quickly corrected myself, ''ahh Rachet. No one is ta contact Prime or Phoenix. Not even ta welcome tha new recruit. We can see ta their safety and induction for tha first few days while Prime and Phoenix enjoy some time together.''
They all nodded agreement.
With that there was a call from tha catwalk above, ''Jazz, Colonel Lennox, we have a secure line with the JCS established. Ready when you are.'' I nodded.
''Well, here we go guys, wish me luck!'' I walked towards tha camera stationed lower ta tha ground (I was nowhere near Prime's imposing height!). Lennox followed me. ''With a bit of luck, we'll have a new teammate within tha next 24 hours and things will look even better for Team Prime and tha Autobots.''
