She was only a year younger than Jack. 15 years old with raven black hair with pink/purple tips tied into identical ponytails. Miko was one should call 'energetic' on good days and a 'pain in the ass' on bad days. Miko sat on the concrete railing as she tired to draw Jacob's blue motorcycle. Emphasis on try as it looked like something a 5 year old could do. Drawing was nowhere near her strong-suit.
She glanced up at the bike. "So cool" she whispered.
From the corner of her she saw Raf jump into a yellow sports car. Jack watched as the door closed the the car pulled away. Jack looked dumbfounded as Jacob approached from behind. He then began guiding Jack across the street. Where are those two going?. She wondered as she saw Jacob's motorcycle begin after them with a woman in for biker gear driving it.
"What the hell?" She looks back to the spot where it had been only a minute ago.
Packing her stuff she jumped off the railing. Suddenly her phone rang, checking and she thought it was her host parents. Ignore. She thought as she began after the bike. Sierra just exited the school's front doors to see Miko moving after Jacob and Jack. Then she saw the motorcycle being driven by another person, a woman in full biker gear. What the hell is going on?. She wondered. Confusion swept over her as she looked. Stepping down the stairs she was headed that way so seeing What the hell was going on was going to be a given. She too went after the group.
"I know it's a bit hard to take in but I really don't have an option at this point. I can't take you're place" Jacob finished his explanation.
Jack looked sceptical as his eyes slowly drifted towards the female robot next to Jacob. He had seen The rider vanish into thin air confirming the worst for him.
Jack then turned his gaze back to Jacob. "What kind of drugs are those things giving you?" he said with concern.
"None, though I wish I had some morphine after the crash" Jacob deeply sighed.
"You really expect me to believe that you're from another dimension?" Jack retorted.
"Jack, I promise I'm telling you the truth. This isn't exactly my dream vacation" Jacob said losing his patience.
Jack thought it over for a minute and deeply sighed. "I don't know. Christ my mother is gonna kill me if she finds out" he lamented.
Any time now Miko. Jacob thought dryly. Suddenly the young girl poked her head out from around the corner and her face lit up like a christmas tree. Arcee didn't even notice.
"Dude go with them!" Miko encouraged.
Jacob smirked. Arcee looked and saw the girl. Jacob hadn't even warned her. What a quick glance to him she knew that this was intentional.
Suddenly without warning another stepped out. Miko, Jacob, Jack and Arcee looked to see Sierra. Jacob went completely pale. Sierra looked at Arcee in shock.
"Oh Fuck" Jacob muttered in dismay.
Jack sudden pulled Sierra into the alley. The redhead with that are seeing absolute surprise and horror. Jacob moved to the opposite wall using it for support.
"Cee call Cliffjumper..."
"Already on it" she said before transforming back in the motorcycle mode.
Miko looked thrilled. "Awesome!" she exclaimed.
Jacob held back the urge to groan. This was unexpected, it hit like a semi truck. Sierra looked at Arcee, completely out of it. He couldn't blame her, he probably would be the same way.
Turning he faced them. "Jack sit her down. This is gonna take a while" he told her.
Jack reluctantly did as told, lowering Sierra down. Miko stepped into the alley looking over Arcee. Jacob could tell Arcee knew that Sierra wasn't planned. To be fair he let it out audibly right beside her so that was probably it. Ratchet wasn't gonna like this, then again he barely tolerated Jacob as is. Another toppings for the cake.
Jacob and Arcee trailed 30 feet behind Cliffjumper who drove all 3 humans. Arcee slowed a little letting Cliff get ahead. She looked to Jacob via her mirrors. His expression was grim.
"So Sierra wasn't planned. How bad could it possibly be" she said in an attempt to cheer him up.
Jacob's expression didn't change. "I really don't wanna hear it Arcee," he replied softly. "I tried everything to get it right and here we are..."
"There's nothing you could've done. I am as much to blame as you are" she retorted.
Jacob quickly fell silent. Arcee knew he was kicking himself. Jacob had saved Cliffjumper for very clear and concise reasons, however Sierra being brought in was a complete accident. Despite Cliffjumper being alive Jacob wanted to keep things on track, to ensure they're victory. The weight was beginning to show. For the past week she's seen he'd been on edge waiting and trying to make sense of everything.
"Yeah, you're right" Jacob agreed, quickly falling silent again they continued to drive along.
When Ratchet saw the four new humans he nearly fell over. Jacob had told them 3 minus himself, but now there was four minus Jacob. The medics gazed immediately turned to Jacob who was hopping off Arcee. The femme transformers giving Ratchet a 'Don't even try it' look. Ratchet shoved his grievances aside and kept his tone under control.
"I thought they were 3 children"
Jacob rolled his eyes. "Haven't you heard?. Humans multiply" he quoted Arcee.
Jacob apologetically looked to Arcee who just nodded. She didn't mind him taking the sarcastic remark outta her lips. Besides she enjoyed seeing Ratchet looking knocked off balance verbally.
Miko saw Bulkhead and nearly jumped. "What do you transformer into?. I bet it's a monster truck!" She said energetically.
Bulkhead mildly chuckled. "I take it you're Miko" he put two into together.
"That's my name don't wear it out" Miko grinned.
At time she couldn't handle Ratchet either. He was a good doctor but not exactly what you would call a people person. There was only two people he got along with unconditionally, bumblebee and Optimus. Speaking of Optimus he was entering the room after doing some maintenance on the ground bridge. He didn't like to admit it but he was a good mechanic despite being a library clerk and a prime.
Seirra looked in awe like the other 3 as the large robot got down on one knee. Optimus hid his surprise at seeing the 4th human. Something must've skewed. The prime thought. A quick glance to Jacob told him everything. Incredibly bad luck and timing.
Returning his attention back to the new new he began. "My name is Optimus prime..." he began.
Jacob leaned close to Arcee as he stood at the human area. "He's really loves his long winded speeches doesn't he?" he whispered.
Arcee nodded. "Yup, then again it's better than Magnus" she commented.
"Ego?"
"No, hardass. Bulkhead can fill ya in" Arcee told him.
"Gotcha" Jacob noted for latter.
Optimus explained what the kids needed to know. Before he could finish the base is alarms began to go off. Sierra jumped in fright.
"W-what's t-that?" She stuttered.
Ratchet was quick to reply. "Agent Fowler's just landed. Do we tell him of our new guest's?" he inquired.
Optimus glanced to Jacob who lightly shook his head. "Not at the moment," he then stood gazing down at the humans. "You three get out of sight. Leave him too us"
The four humans quickly moved outta the area down the hall. Jacob began after them.
"Someone's gotta make sure they don't get lost" he said before rounding the corner.
Optimus composed himself as bumblebee let out a stream of bleeps. "Yes I know. Fowler will not be pleased when he finds out" Optimus agreed.
"No scrap. I'm surprised he hasn't had a spark attack yet" Bulkhead commented just as the elevator doors opened.
In walked the agent. "6 fender benders, 3 crashes. A sports car and motorcycle of unknown make braking several speed limits. Anything you wanna tell me Prime?" the agent demanded.
Optimus stepped closer with a neutral expression. "A group of Deceptacon's ambushed Arcee and Jacob. They led them away from the population to deal with the drones. Bumblebee and Bulkhead assisted" he explained.
Fowler nodded to the face info. It brought things into perspective. "So the cons are back. Son of a bitch was right," Fowler muttered softly. "Where is the kid anyway?"
"Asleep. He's trying to shake it off" Arcee told him.
Fowler placed both hands on his hips. It was a bit too early to be doing that sort of thing. Something didn't feel right to him but he quickly pushed it down.
"Alright. Tell him I say hi," Fowler then turned his attention back to Optimus. "I'm gonna leave this after you Prime. Don't prove me wrong" he added.
"I don't make promises I can't keep agent Fowler"
"Good idea, sorry for the intrusion. PaperWorks to be a pain tonight" Fowler said moving towards the elevator door.
Once the elevator doors were closed the tension in the air lowered drastically. Optimus let out a sigh. For all the patience he had sometimes Fowler could drive it into a wall.
"Somebody please grab the children. We shouldn't be getting any more interruptions hopefully" Optimus said dryly.
Soundwave stepped onto the bridge with a data pad in hand. Starscream, who wasn't in a good mood stared at out the front view screen. Two attempts to take out another part had failed. He felt as if the universe was laughing at him. Starscreams and noticed soundwave moving up in the corner of his optic.
"What is it now?" He asked.
Soundwave handed his Superior the datapad. The seeker examined the readings, what he saw troubled him. A signal from deep space, requesting a space bridge. A data signature he was very familiar with. Megatron, Starscream thought, anger beginning to fill his spark. The murderer of Cybertron himself. He handed the datapad back to Soundwave.
"If you are certain bring him in. We could use some reinforcements" he kept clam despite what he felt.
As much as he wanted to kill Megatron he knew he was no match for him. The past three years had allowed him to gain trust among the crew of the nemesis, but it was not enough... if only we had more time to win them over. He tried everything, lenient mining quotas and shifts. More time off and even allowing the drones to form their own attack plans and give input. Start screen was known by many things including neing a traitor to the autobot cause. When Megatron rammed his warship into his station and merged himself with dark energon. Starscream shivered at the thought of it. It was an intoxicating substance, getting off it was even worse. Suddenly a text Communication came through. Starscream checked the computer. It was Megatron Requesting his presence in energon mine number 8. It was a low risk mine with a low level of energon.
"Best I see what the bastard has" he muttered a human curse.
35 feet tall, nothing but sliver armor. The fusion cannon mounted to his left arm along With his frame gave him a unmistakable silhouette. Megatron, the leader of the Deceptacon's. As Starscream approached from the ground bridge Megatron held something in his right hand. Starscream saw it and felt his spark skip a beat. Oh Primus no!. He dismaying thought. The dark purple glow was unmistakable... Megatron hadn't brought reinforcements, he was going to create them!.
Megatron turned revealing the dead body of a drone. "Starscream just in time to test my theory" Megatron grinned with a psychotic flare.
"M-megatron. Haven't you learned nothing since poisoning our planet?' Starscream nearly shouted.
Megatron stared at his second in command. "Yes, we will never attempt to poison a planet. I doubt we can even reach this pathetic planet's core anyway" he was so nonchalant about it.
Starscream felt his energon go cold. It took everything in his power not to fire upon him.
"I say we test it on old Screamer" a shrill voice sounded.
Starscream looked to the voice as another voice rang out. "Yeah give it too him megs!" Rumble, a red mini-con around 7 feet stood with his blue brother Frenzy who was of similar size and build.
Soundwaves two other pets. So they did survive Megatron's trip. Starscream remarked squinting at the twins. He let out a low sigh.
"Oh great," Starscream grunted. "Why won't you two take a hike off the bow of a starship!"
Rumble rolled his eyes. "Ahh bite my shiny metal aft!" he cursed.
"You tell him" frenzy echoed his settlement.
Megatron quickly got tired of the verbal battle between his second in command and the mini-cons. He had a theory test.
"Shut you're traps and prepare yourselves!" Megatron said with an elevated voice.
Starscream fell silent as did the twins. Megatron then moved over too the dead husk. He readied the dark purple shard no larger then 15 inches. He hadn't the time to do the test during the war given how valuable the substance was, now he needed these forces. With a great heave he plunged the shard into the dead husks chest.
The bases alarms blasted out with intensity. Sierra fidgeted on the couch at the sound. Was Fowler coming back?. She looked to Jacob too see a nervous expression on his face.
"What's wrong?"
Jacob looked at her. "I thought I prevented this. Looks like I'm wrong. Poor bastard" he said vaguely.
Sierra decided not to go beyond that. Jacob was weird in her eyes. Given how there was a younger alternate version of him running around completely unaware of what was going on only disturbed her even more. Another dimension, Sierra thought. Jeez it sounds like a bad science fiction show.
Ratchet then gasped in horror. "I don't believe it!. Not here of all places!" his tone elevated.
Optimus looked and saw the readings. "Megatron, Autobot's prepare to move out!" he ordered.
"Say hi for me" Jacob said giving his support.
Bulkhead chuckled. "We'll be doing more than that. Come on let's rock and roll!"
"Let's send Megatron packing all the way back to Cybertron!" Cliffjumper joined in.
Ratchet quickly typed in the coordinates and opened to the groundbridge. The green vortex ripped open and form the gateway between here and its destination. Optimus look at it for a moment. It was still as mesmerising as the day it came online.
"Autobot's roll out!" he then transformed and drove though the gateway.
The other Autobots followed him aside from ratchet. The kids watched in awe as the bridge had closed. Even Jacob was taken aback by it. Now that he thought about it, he had never gone through one while conscience. Good luck prime. He thought as Miko and the others began asking about the groundbridge. Ratchet let out an exacerbated sigh. Jacob leaned back, In the back of his mind he felt a slight sense of paranoia itching slightly. He brushed it off.
They moved up the tunnel slowly. Blasters at the ready. Optics sharp. The sounds of drills and hammers emanating from the far end of the tunnel. Cliffjumper reached a indent big enough for 3 worker bots. Prime and Bulkhead wouldn't be able to fit but Cliffjumper bumblebee and Arcee would have no problem. A cover point incase things went south. He and the others continued on.
"Dark energon," Bulkhead muttered softly. "Haven't seen that stuff in god knows how long. You don't think Megatron is crazy enough to do it again?"
Bumblebee beeped in response. He had seen it during the iacon sieges. Giant purple crystals erupting from the ground as wells began spewing the purple liquid. Many died at the hands of overcharged cons. Many messengers died as well, being considered high priority targets. When bumblebee had volunteered everyone told him it'd be suicide, then he met Optimus and the rest was history.
"Yeah, it wouldn't surprise me" Arcee added in response to bee.
"I want silence till we engage" Optimus interjected ending all conversation within a heartbeat.
The tunnels opening came into focus. Light shone in as they're optics adjusted. Optimus reached a indent and used it for cover. Looking though the gap he saw no more than a dozen miners. If they did not attack then they wouldn't be harmed. Scanning around he saw only a few guards. Two on the constructed platforms 70 feet above. Two more were on the ground and one was helping load a group of miners load the energon onto a gravlift platform. Rather bare for a mining operation. Optimus mused to himself. Optimus gave a move up and go for cover gesture and the bots nodded. Each one of them using the sound as cover moved into cover. Silently taking out those who they met. Cliffjumper crouched behind a powered down driller with Arcee.
"This is a bit low key for the cons. I've got a bad feeling about this" Cliff said.
Arcee peeked out getting a look at her targets. Pulling herself back in she nodded silently. It was odd. Optimus reached his cover his blaster at the ready.
Suddenly a all to familiar voice rang out. "You brought back the dead just to attack us?!. Have you lost you're mind!?" It was Starscream.
"You better watch it Starscream. I've still too master dark energon. Once that happens Optimus and it's pathetic band of Autobots will be helpless!"
Optimus's optics widened upon hearing the second voice. Megatron. His spark began pounding as he gazed towards the tyrant. He could faintly see his head over the edge. No way he could get a good shot. Doing a quick check he saw everyone was ready. Standing the full height he aimed his blaster with one of the energon containers on the gravlift. A bright blue flash illuminated the area around prime as the laser round tore though the air and stuck the energon container. Suddenly the multiple containers exploded violently destroying multiple deceptacon's in the process. The whole cave shook as smoke began to billow. The air quickly turned dark as smoke began to dominate the cave. The smoke began to exit though the hole in the ceiling. Shouts and screams filled the room over the fire. The others begin picking their targets in firing. Blue blaster fire quickly began to illuminate the cave of smoke as it slowly dissipated.
Arcee leapt from cover and ran to a large bolder. Firing a few blasts she ducked to avoid a burnt or red laser fire. Bits of the large boulder were torn off as the leaves around tore into them. Arcee for the moment was safe. Poking out she returned fire at the drone. One of her shots nailed him square in the chest sending him falling over as the shot burrowed its way into him. She got back behind cover as the others began their advance.
"Secure the energon!" Optimus ordered.
The bots kept up the suppressive fire as Bulkhead began to grab as much energon as he could. At times like this he thanked primus for the creation of sub space pockets. After he was done he quickly got behind cover.
Above Megatron watched with curiosity. He was surprised by Optimus's boldness in the moment. Starscream stood behind doing a quick check of his own weapons. Starscream moved to the edge with missiles ready. Megatron held up a hand.
"Use a proton charge, we don't have time to deal with them" Megatron told him.
Starscrem looked at him in surprise. Had he lost his mind?. He reluctantly nodded. He keyed his comm. 5 miles of tunnels was about to be utterly destroyed!.
"Soundwave we need a groundbridge now!" Starscream ordered, not before taking out a proton charge. Very reluctantly he handed it to Megatron.
Megatron primed it, Setting the timer for 30 seconds. His finger poised over the arming switch. The groundbridge took shape 5 feet behind them. The thick smoke had cleared to the point where everybody could see. Megatron could see the autobots and they could see him. Optimus saw the proton charge, his spark going cold. Megatron smiled sadistically, his finger flipping the switches snapping it off.
"Autobots retreat!" Optimus bellowed out.
The others began running transforming into their vehicle mode and racing towards the ground bridge point. Megatron tossed the charge just as Optimus raced away. Watching his old nemesis go he then turned and walked though the ground bridge right behind Starscream. Fortunately frenzy rumble had been summoned by Soundwaves before the attack even began. Before Megatron brought back the dead.
Ratchet opened the ground bridge. The bot's came racing through at blazing speed. Optimus was last followed by a wall of flames. Jacob instinctively grabbed Raf.
"Run for it!" He shouted carrying him out of the way.
The kids ran for it moving quickly out of the way. Jacob ducked into the hallway with Raf in his arms. Ratchet quickly powered down the ground bridge cutting off the flames. The rest rest up to the ceiling before dying out. Smoke clung to the air as Optimus slowed to a stop. Transforming he surveyed his team. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary.
"Is everyone alright?" Optimus inquired.
"I'm good" Cliffjumper said.
"Ditto" Bulkhead added.
Bumblebee bleeped.
"Could be better" Arcee sassily commented.
Jack stood from behind a metal box. "One casualty... My wits!" he responded taking a breath.
"So nothing of value was lost" Miko laughed.
Jack glared at her. "Miko, just can it" he told her.
Miko rolled her eyes. "You're not my father dickhead" she replied.
Jack threw up his hands and walked away from her. Jacob walked back with Raf, Jacob had a look of confusion. Something wasn't right. The interactions were all wrong. How they got to the mine was doubly wrong and the fact that they knew about dark energon began to confirm a fear of his. Is this more in line with War for cybertron?. He mused as Ratchet scanned each and every bot. Jacob suddenly felt very uncomfortable. If he was right then it was about to get a whole lot more tense.
"No contamination from what I can tell. Then again the scanner could be busted" Ratchet said doing a system's check of it.
Cliff stepped over to Jacob who sent Raf to join the others. He gazed down at the human before taking a knee. "Something bothering you?" He asked.
Jacob nodded grimly. "I'd rather speak to Optimus about it," he told him. "Tell him to meet me on the roof once the kids are gone"
"Ok," he said hesitantly. "I'll see what I can do"
Jacob mouthed a 'thank you' before moving to the elevator. Cliff then stood. He could hear his name being called.
In a isolated room of the nemesis stood Megatron. In the center of the room hovered a gigantic crystal of dark energon. His red optics admired the glowing purple crystal. The door to the room opened an stepped Starscream. Megatron acknowledged his presence with a nod.
"Three months of energon in that came completely wasted. All in favor for dark energon, we can't even control the dead that you'll resurrect"
Starscream had gotten a lot bolder in how he spoke. Megatron made a note to beat it out of him.
"Can it Starscream, I just need more time. More time..." his voice trailed off.
Old memories from thousands of years ago slowly drifted to the surface. His first merging with dark energon when he attacked Starscreams station. Suddenly a sinister idea formed. It had been thousands of years since he had gotten off dark energon, getting back on would be difficult. He reached out ripping a long shard free. Starscreams optics widened. A hiss sounded as Megatron's chest opened. Without warning Megatron plunged the shard into his spark. A bright purple light enveloped the room as Megatron let out a scream. A scream and that could be heard throughout the ship. For Starscream he was watching history repeat itself. Immediately regret swept over the seeker.
Optimus reached the roof. Near the end he saw Jacob waiting. The boy was gazing out at the sunset as he waited. Optimus moved over to the boys right side. Slowly seating himself he saw the boy point down.
"So how's Sierra?" The boy asked curiously.
Optimus had expected this. "Shaken but she's adjusting. Bee will watch over her... she only lives a few doors down from Raf so it's two scraplet's with one stone"
"That's good" Jacob nodded, it was very clear he was troubled by something.
"What's troubling you?" Optimus leaned in a bit more.
Jacob decided to drop it. Never tell him what he had thought. "No, just wondering" he told him.
Optimus accepted it. Things were about to get nasty in the days to came and Jacob's info was greatly appreciated. It could mean the difference between earths doom and survival.
"Any hints for tomorrow?" Optimus inquired.
Jacob bit his lower lip. "I'm not sure, 3 years of repressed memories aren't easy to get back," he told prime. "I'm trying but don't rely on me. Trust in yourself"
"I've fought for the past 5 million years. But some advice never hurt" Optimus reassuringly told him.
Jacob smiled. He needed to hear that. "Thanks" was all he said.
Megatron leaned against the wall, his body felt like it was on fire!. He felt as if he was back above cybertron when he first encountered the dark substance. It was intoxicating with its godly power!. He chuckled darkly as Starscream watched in horror. He couldn't believe it was happening again!. Megatron regained himself.
"I'm going to rest," Megatron then turned to the door. "If anything arises I want to know as soon as it happens"
Starscream nodded watching Megatron leave. His spark chamber felt ready to explode!. That madman will be the death of us all!. He knew it. He knew it looked to the dark energon. It pulsated with its deep purple glow. Starscream began to move to the door. He couldn't stand the sight of it anymore. It was driving him mad!.
End chapter.