This was goodbye. They made promises that none would keep. They shared a farewell. They were going home. Cybertron waited, ready to be reborn. Somehow the children never thought this would happen. Sure the idea was always there. They knew of the Omega lock when they were captured. Now that they had it again... This was goodbye.
Rachet was staying. The base was staying and so were their memories. Everything will be empty now without the constant clang of metal. The metallic laughter or danger of being squished if not careful. All of that would end. They had to accept it. Plus, they will still talk. It was just different. Life was moving at its constant pace.
They soon forgot that loneliness as their new lives took over.
Jack was getting ready for life after high school. Miko complained about returning to Japan. Raf was granted many different opportunities, too many in his opinion.
The years passed and Rachet became lonelier and longer. Less of the children visit and Fowlers was not the greatest company. The bots on Cybertron boasted about the progress. Those words encouraged the elder bot to rethink living in a military hanger. Rachets was at a crossroads when sending the message.
It went to all the children. A group chat that hadn't been touched in days. All the senders were busy enjoying their lives, so why not Rachet. If the Earth ever need them then they were one call away. The medic wasn't needed anymore.
The response was instant. All agreed to meet at the hanger.
The wait didn't take long thanks to the space bridge. Three different locations lead to three humans in the base. They were so different yet the same. They had all grown up.
Raf was the most shocking. He had grown taller, finally fitting into his clothes. Voice deepened but his hair still defied gravity. He gave Ratchet the same kind smile. The bag he shoulders no doubt held his precious laptop.
Miko had grown as well, though Raf surprisingly was taller than her. The girl's style hadn't changed much. The rebellious punk look was nailed. Her hair changed the most. Shorter and shaved on one side. The pink stood out against the darker natural color. She was practically jumping in her combat boots, giving Rachet a questioning smile.
Jack changed the least overall. He was taller, taller than Raf by a good bit. No longer was he a lanky teen, well-toned muscles were hidden by his plain shirt. Jeans were tucked into boots. The biggest defense was his face. He lost the excess fact and now looked more mature. Hair blocked his eyes from the medic's view. The boy knew why they were called.
That was the last goodbye that the three humans made to a bot. Rachet left. They still talked. They still hadn't visited. Life moved on.
It was the day.
After 7 years, their friends were visiting Earth.
Miko was vibrating in her seat. The car was moving far too slow for her tastes. Who cares if they get pulled over, all she had to do was pull out the government id. She has never had a ticket to this day thanks to the plastic cards, it was foolproof.
The desert outsides were achingly familiar. She hadn't been back in a desert for a year. Missions took over her world now and being stationed on a different team was unnerving. They were all annoying. They even called her insane. The statement could be true from time to time, but no one had the right to call her that besides her normal team.
Looking at the driver she smiled. Raf had grown to be a fine teenager. Still wore a nerd outfit though. Miko was also miffed from being the shortest of the trio, it sucked. Now she took pride in being the loudest and most destructive, Fowler didn't enjoy that though.
"Are we there yet?" Miko drawled in her most annoying pitch. Rafs hands tightened more on the wheel. His stern face showed the strain.
"No, we about the same amount of time away as the last time you asked. Now be quiet before I decide to tape your mouth." Rafs deeper voice penetrated the car interior. He sounds like Rachet when anyone stressed him out.
"Finnnneee." Miko giggled while returning to the scenery they passed, which was sadly a blank desert, lucky her.
Loosening his grip on the poor wheel, Raf's previous annoyance dissipated. Miko was always like this, especially when she was in a rush. Plus, he is certain Miko takes enjoyment in annoying him. She was the troublesome older sister in his chosen family. When she destroys something he needs sometimes he fantasizes about them never meeting. That thought is always quickly dashed when realized the base would be too quiet without her.
The silence was very noticeable when the government place Miko on a temporary mission. They sent her to back up another team for this past year while gathering valuable information for Jack and him. Over this year they messaged, but it was like with the bots, no matter the messages received, in person always feel better.
His thoughts turned to what will happen when arriving at the base. Hanger E has stayed as their main base since Rachet left four years ago. They were the official holders and protectors of Cybertrons technology. The government wasn't allowed any under threat of war. It was a harsh threat but needed. Some officials can be real scrap heads with the greed they held. The false threat keeps the technology with safe human hands.
This doesn't mean the trio doesn't use them. They them when needed, much to Mikos whining. The power of Cybertronian technology was often viewed as godlike so using it was both unsafe and overkill.
The bases border fence pulls into sight. Raf feels the jittery worried feeling rise. He was going to see the bots again. They were going to be able to see his changes. He was an adult and an important part of their team. He just hopes they get there before the space bridge fires up.
Jack was stretching. Joints popping and muscles feeling the good kind of burn. This past year without Miko allowed him to properly nap. With her back in the base, he will lose this unique pleasure. As a result, Jack took a nap before she arrive. He was very thankful for his luck. Fowler, Raf, and he had a rock paper scissor contest to decide who picked her up. Raf lost.
Jack laughed remembering his pleading look when leaving. Looking around the base he realized Fowler was resting on the recliner next to the couch Jack previously occupied. He was shoring without care.
Jack decided to leave him. Fowler deserved the break, they both did. They have been working nonstop on the latest problems. They put in for time off a month ago only to be granted a break now. Though the time off was for a whole month. Jack is not sure if that is a healthy balance of work and play, but he could care less.
Moving to the monitors he takes in the latest messages. Raf would be back soon based on the travel time. Then the bots should be coming in for a bridge soon after. Pulling out the beaten-up wheely chair, Jack plops down and waits.
So much has changed since Ratchet left. In those four years, the group of friends formed a task force. They all brought important skills and balance each other out. They were a small team, not used unless Cybertronian technology was involved. Their members were often sent to others to keep an eye out for any alien bases things. Mikos stay with another team reviled valuable information. Out of the three, Raf stayed stationed on base since he was the tech and medic of the team. He and Miko take turns with assignments while Fowler supervises and is their official contact. They may not be as powerful as team Prime was, but they have a reputation among the government.
Miko was talked about as a wrecking crazy person. Raf is viewed as a super genius that works miracles when happy but is a devil wretch wielding manic if angered. Jack was thought to be intimidating but kind till he was angered, then his words can cut hard.
Jack couldn't say any of these rumors weren't true, which made them worse. He always feels sheepish that he was viewed that way. He just didn't like talking to strangers, he gets nervous so saying a few words while being stonefaced worked.
Running his scared hands through this long black hair, Jack sighed. Somedays he felt older than 24. He was going to enjoy this break. Seeing the bots was an amazing addition. They haven't video chatted in three years so neither side knew if they physically changed. This meeting was going to be fun. A small smile formed on Jacks's lips when a simple sedan pulled through the large hanger doors.
Bee shifted in anxiousness. They were just waiting for the bridge to open now. Over these past seven years so much has changed. Cybertron was recovering faster with refugees helping, he finally became a warrior. His life feels so different, more complex and a break was defiantly needed. All of team Prime held important roles in New Cybertron even if they wish not to. Arcee often complained about never making progress in how the new government should be organized. Quite a few wishes to return everything to the old ways but that was the problem that lead to war. They had a duty to be fair to all life on Cybertron.
The bright colors of their waiting space bridge snapped him back to reality. He was on vacation. One long overdue. He couldn't wait to see Raf in person, see all the changes. Sadness then took him. Raf was human, compared to Cybertronians he lives for far less. These seven years to Bumblebee had flown past, similar to a human month. One of these days Raf and the children will be gone leaving only memories to treasure. Memories and maybe children. One's Bumblebee with swearing to the Allspark to protect.
Stepping thru the portal after Bulkhead he sadly smiled. He needed to treasure anytime with their human friends.
Arcee wasn't sure what she expected when seeing Jack once more. They hadn't had time to video chat in a few human years. Even with the camera attempting to see changes was hard from only the neck up. So when they walked into the old Hanger E base, she wasn't expecting this.
Cybertronians hardly changed through their lifecycles. They had phases from when they were sparklings and younglings, but stay the same once they reach maturity unless changing their frame. Humans were not like this. They continually changed with their time. One day they may look one way then the next it could change. The current Miko and Raf were examples of the seven years of change. She watched them animatingly talk to their guardians.
Turning back to Jack she noticed he was simply smiling at the others interacting. He was content with everyone relaxing. She smiled too. Not everything had changed. He still had the same smile. Out of all the children, he changed the least. Sure he was taller and more muscular but he had his eyes and hair. Said hair was pulled back in a ponytail resting at the top of his shoulders. He looked good like he finally grew into himself. His aura was similar to the deceased Prime more than before.
"Glad to see you, partner." Arcee smiled when he turned to her. His eyes were still sparkling. Just like Tailgates would.
"Oh, so I'm your partner now, what happened to junior partner?" Jack quirked a brow similar to the one Rachets gives frequently.
"You got an upgrade." She chuckled at his fond but confused smile. She will enjoy this time. This was her Jack, but also a warrior and leader that she doesn't know. Arcee is determined to reacquaint herself with all parts of this new Jack.
Life moved on after their visit. Two worlds connected through these few beings were strong. Every seven years they would meet. They all made new friends and introduced themselves to new members of the human family. The next generation pushed its way thru.
Now they started to lose their friends, just like Optimus. Miko went first, followed by Jack and Raf at the same time. They all died saving their world. The bots mourned with the new children but life moved on.
Cybertron still flourish and Earth was advancing. New humans guarded this precious secret and many more would do so after they passed. A cycle no one can escape, only accept.
Rachet looks at a small piece of human paper. It was a photo, the only one he had. It showed three smiling humans of varying ages surrounded by titians. A memory he forever treasured.
