(We're on con-job now. Hopefully my pacing improves as the story goes along. Thank you for reading my tail)
Waiting between episodes was both enriching and boring at the same time it nearly drove him mad. Aside from learning more about everyone introspectively he was left with very little to do. Sleeping, doing runs and weights were his main go to. The weights courtesy of agent Fowler were greatly appreciated and even Jack got in on it. 30 reps or more every day for 2 or more hours a day.
23, 24, 25. Jacob counted internally as he pulled himself up the chin up bar more and more. Once he reached 30 he dropped back to the ground fatigued from the reps. Stretching his arms above his head he moved over to the door as large footsteps approached. Peeking out into the hallway Jacob saw Bulkhead carrying 3 energon cubes. He smiled at the wrecker and wished he could at least help but he wasn't that strong yet.
"I've got it" Bulkhead said putting him ease.
"I know, but I'll still wish to help" Jacob responded bluntly.
Bulkhead continued to walk as Jacob watched him pass. With a sigh of regret he began to the main area.
Miko adjusting the tone of her Electric guitar saw Jacob enter with a glass of water in hand. An aura fatigue clung to him as he treaded past her with tiredness behind his eyes. She didn't breath a word as he moved over to a work bench near Ratchets work area. He was surprisingly active drying down time. Either building or exercising now that she thought about it. And the more she thought about it she realized she and the others for that matter hadn't interacted with him like the Bots. Giving the stings a light stroke she continued on.
Sitting at the work bench on a bar stool Jacob opened a small drawer and pulled out a small 10.5 inch cylindrical device approved by Optimus to be used when necessary. At first prime seemed weary of it and the idea, understandable yes. With some convincing he was able to get it approved and he constructed at the hilt and it's internals. It was very close to completion, just a few touchups and it would be completely finished. Resemble the concept art used for the saber by Ralph McQuarrie. With some personal details and quality of life improvements it unintentionally looked like Luke's return of the Jedi lightsaber. Which in turn ironically looks like Obi wan's Because they how to build a fresh new one and just gave the actor the fighting lightsaber.
Ratchet watched him seeing him work at a cautious pace. Ratchet had made some adjustments to the internal components. Such as being able to shrink the blade down an inch and being able to extend it to a metre and a half. Using three focussing lenses and three energon crystals it Wood cut through even the densest cybertroian metal. Also using a twinTronic powerCell from the back room In the bottom of the hilt would keep the crystals energized till recharge.
As bulkhead entered the room a sudden beeping sound it from the computer console. Jacob grimaced as he completed his work. Just in time to boot. He thought as Ratchet saw the signal.
"Autobot signal coming in" He announced getting everyone's attention.
"Wait theirs more?" Raf said perplexed.
Ratchet looked to him with a flat look.
"When Cybertron went dark we had to scatter to the stars. Orphans in the void" He responded clearing it up.
Raf nodded as everyone crowded near the computer out of curiosity.
"Could be a trick, cons have been known to rig up false signals with explosives" Arcee commented skeptically.
Jacob found the opportunity to make a comment too rich to pass up.
"Unless they have something else in mind if your right. I doubt it's special" He said earning a quick look from everyone.
A typical cryptic warning instead of a sly comment. God he was getting predictable. Arcee sighed and held back the urge to call it out.
"We'll keep that in mind" Optimus said and keyed Ratchet to make immediate contact. "This is Autobot outpost omega one, state your name and Business?" Optimus said with a very controlled tone.
A chuckle sounded followed by a familiar voice.
"I've had better greetings from Deceptacon battle brigades" Wheeljack jokingly said.
Bulkhead perked up in an instant as he recognize the voice.
"Jackie you old clanger how ya been?!" Bulkhead said practically cutting Optimus off.
Wheeljack laughed over the comm.
"Well I did expect to find you here that's for certain" The wrecker responded.
Optimus took over kindly nodded to Bulkhead.
Wheeljack we'll give you landing coordinates, welcome to earth soldier" Optimus said with his usual calm.
Bulkhead was barely able to contain his excitement and Miko was there with him. Jacob looked pessimistic. Cliff could see it on his face. Jacob made no effort to hide his true feelings, he saw it as a futile gesture. Grabbing the completed weapon he clipped it to his belt.
Cliff gestured him over and Jacob moved over to him. As a Conversation happened in the background Jacob and Cliff locked eyes. Jacob faintly heard Arcee say: "Who's the boy friend" in a sassy tone. Jacob wished he could laugh or smile like he had when he saw on the television but that was harder now. It was all too real. Things were different yes, but somethings were dead on.
"You alright bud?" Cliff asked with a concerning tone.
Jacob shook his head in defeat.
"I'm tired, I scared and I'm slowly wishing I had died in that car crash with my father" He said earning a confused and deeply concerned look from the soldier.
Cliff didn't know his father died. This he hadn't expected.
"But don't you know the future?" He retorted. "Why so scared?"
Jacob leaning against the wall shuddered.
"Mainly for you, I don't think I'm alone either," He paused and gestured to his lightsaber. "I have multiple reasons for building this. Paranoia, fear, stupidity and fate" He went on in a small speech. "Let's keep this on the down low. No heroics" He finished before walking off.
Cliff remained silent, not a word escaped his lips as he processed it. Seeing the one who is usually in the most control of the situation whether he liked it or not was afraid. Rather surreal now that he thought about it.
Jack saw Wheeljack's ship on approach, headed for Egypt. Confused he wondered why prime would send a friendly bot To the other side of the planet.
"Why Egypt?, I thought he was welcome?" Jack asked Optimus who turned to face him.
"It's not so simple. It's best to remain cautious till we can be fully certain" Optimus explained.
Jacob who sat near the stairs to the ground floor grimaced as he hoped he'd be proven wrong and this little headache will subside.
"Besides we don't want cons to dirty the welcome mat" Ratchet added.
The irony of that statement was off the chart. Jacob feeling uncomfortable wished for the better.
Starscream stood close to the main View screen. Displaying the autobot ship he held a stern expression. This operation had to be surgical. One little slip from makeshift or the drones could end this in complete disaster and only drag on the war even more. Grumbling is mine tracked back to the human called Jacob. He would be reserved a worse fate than his contemporaries. Starscream found the idea of turning the boy into a weapon to reckless even for Megatron to think of. If the boy escaped back to the Autobot's it would only end someone getting shot. And of course it won't be soundwave but me instead. Starscream mused to himself.
9 green blips appeared closing on the wreckers transport. Starscream nervously waited as the first group went in on the attack. I'm so close please let me end this war before my master wakes. He beggedto the stars above the ship which led to deep space. Sometimes he wished he could go back to his original position before the war. A ping caught his audio receptors indicating success. Only a bit of relief came through as he responded with two pings over comm. alright makeshift let's hope pulling you out of stasis was worth it. He mused to himself with tension still high in the air.
The ground bridge shuttered than shook as Jacob watched in complete and utter nihilistic defeat. Wheeljack was now in the hands of the cons And he would now have to wait at all out and feel even worse. He couldn't just kill the con on site, if so Wheeljack would have no way off the nemesis. Keeping to the back he needed to wait. Only a few hours maybe.
Arcee listened to Cliff's concerns, Jacob was going into a dark place. He always looked as if the roof was about to cave in. She had seen it herself and even questioned his reasons for the weapon. "Things are different now, A more direct approach will most likely be needed" Jacob had said in an effort to put her at ease. She didn't feel right regardless, she volunteered to protect him and now he was willing to get dirty for mostly unknown reasons. It did not take much to see the depression clinging to him.
"I'm worried for the guy. He looks as if he's blow a gasket" Cliff admitted showing some vulnerability.
Arcee agreed.
"I know, he always looks like he's wearing the weight of the whole universe on his shoulders" she passed for a minute as Bulkhead and wheeljack lobbed a large as hell metal ball at one another. "I'm trying my best here but he's so tightlipped it makes it hard. Have you ever seen the kids interact with him in anyway?"
"Not really, just questions mostly" Cliff responded.
Arcee grimaced. Bulkhead often times found Jacob enjoyable when he wasn't in a funk. Ratchet was mostly too distracted and trying to get the boy home even though he clearly belonged here. Bumblebees inability to speak English made that one near impossible with nobody to translate. Optimus wasn't one for attachments and the two kept a professional relationship. Often they gave each other advice and what not. Loneliness coupled with the weight of the world with no one to talk to about it could prove to be a disastrous cocktail.
Makeshift found the 4th human who he had been told about to be The most suspicious of him. Something was wrong and he could feel it. This Jacob seemed to know his every movement down to the joint. Catching the large metal ball once more he smiled cockily.
"Not bad tub" He jokingly said. "Any harder I'd be through the wall" he added lightening the mood even more.
Bulkhead let out a hearty laugh as Wheeljack let the giant metallic ball down.
"Nahh I couldn't. There's enough rock to hold back your ship at full speed" Bulkhead responded.
Makeshift couldn't read them as well. Something was off about him that's for sure. Best keep one of the humans close in case of the worst. He told himself cautiously.
Jacob with a keen eye watched Miko walk down the main hall to give Makeshift the tour. Pushing himself off the couch he looked to Jack.
"Stay here, tell Raf when he gets back" Jacob quietly voiced.
Jack nodded trustingly. Moving over to Bee, Bulk and Arcee who were talking among themselves. Ratchet was working as per usual and was content where he was.
"Something's not right about him, he's different" Bulkhead said concerned.
Arcee found bulkhead to be over worried for nothing and quickly responded.
"People change bulk, God knows what he saw after cybertron went dark" It was a good assumption but Bulkhead didn't buy it.
"Nah Jackie's never changed and iota. It's not like him and I swear something's wrong" Bulkhead retorted putting extra emphasis on at this time.
Jacob stopping on his right and Bulkhead noticed him and Jacob nodded knowingly.
"You're not wrong Bulkhead, I'm gonna ask him a few things when he gets back" Jacob said taking a calm control of the situation.
Within a minute Miko and Makeshift returned as Jack looked to her.
"Hey Miko wanna go a round?" He asked trying to get her over.
Miko shook her head as she looked to Jacob and the bots to see the look in his eyes. Immediately she hightailed it over to Jack. Makeshift looked at her confused.
"Weren't we supposed to go out?" He asked disappointingly.
"She doesn't have any commitment's anymore. Besides it's dirty out there and it's near the middle of the night. You're crazy if ya want to go" Jacob said pitching his tone a certain way to make it comedic.
Nobody laughed especially Ratchet who looked annoyed. Jacob dropped it and began.
"How about one of those interesting stories you've been pushing onto Bulkhead" Jacob added taking a few steps closer.
"Really kid, bulkheads the better story time and I am. Besides I'm not exactly fun remembering the past" Makeshift said actually making a good point but Jacob knew how this was supposed to go.
The tension in the room skyrocketed as Jacob cocked his head to the right. Looking to the ground bridge he grimaced. Wheeljack was in position now, just waiting for his opportunity.
"How about I tell you a secret, I know What are you plan makeshift" Jacob responded coldly.
Makeshift laughed then suddenly everyone trained their guns on him. In a sudden urge of panic he jumped down rolled and grabbed Jacob tightly in his left hand and Quickly shifted his right hand into a blaster. Quickly bringing himself back to his feet he held the human in front of him and blaster just below.
Cliffjumper cursed aloud. Arcee looked pissed and Bulkhead was right there with her.
"If you try anything this little fleshbag is gonna get it!" Makeshift warned his voice shifting suddenly to his natural one. Looking to Ratchet he aimed his gun at him. "With the rest now!" He ordered and Ratchet stepped away.
Quickly typing in coordinates Jacob calming breaths. Wheeljack please be there. He internallybegged not daring to use his weapon yet. Makeshift pulling the ground bridge lever stepped over the open portal. Feeling makeshift squeeze even tighter to the Autobots back Jacob groaned in pain.
"Mother fucker" Jacob hissed out.
Makeshift laughed cockily. Another slight tighten of his grip made Jacob weakly cry out in pain. Arcee was ready to lunge at the con bastard but was held back by Bulkhead.
"Not now" he warned seeing a familiar figure stepping though the ground bridge.
Jacob looking back saw him, Wheeljack. He had never been so happy to see the wrecker in all of his life. Makeshift saw him also only to get body checked form behind. Makeshift's grip loosened And Jacob was suddenly flung into the air and he felt his stomach racing into his head.
"Oh shit oh shit oh shit!!" He yelled out only to be caught by Arcee at the last second.
Backing away Arcee held Jacob protectively close. Wheeljack and makeshift began to go about in circles. Ratchet raced over to the ground bridge controls and push the lever back upwards shutting the portal down.
"I can't tell which is which!" Raf exclaimed.
Even Jacob couldn't tell, if everything was supposed to go normal wheeljack would be on top of the situation. But if everything went wrong it was gonna be one hell of a shit show. Tightening his grip on her arm Jacob watched as the two went at it. Punches were thrown kicks you name it ending in a crescendo of punches from the victor. The one body laid on the ground it's optics flickering red before dying out. Jacob relaxed as Wheeljack stuck a grenade on the dead mech. Grabbing the dead makeshift by the shoulders wheeljack looked to Ratchet.
"Sorry I'm late, had a bit of trouble getting here" he said of a cocky smile.
Arcee felt Jacob lose all tension and breathing more steadily now. Looking down at him they met eyes and just from the look she gave she knew they were in the clear.