A/N: Italics is more for like to emphasise something serious when speaking
So I proof read the best of my ability and re post the chapter. If you find any or feel need me to change, I will fix it once the entire chapters of the whole series is completed. I pretty much change a little here and there. I'm ready to work on the next chapter. I always adore the idea between Bumblebee and Optimus being related to one another, father and son.
I also got a little twist for this mini series. Stay tune as my ideas are still skating away. Don't worry, I'm working on my other crossover Transformers. Check it out on my profile too!
I put in the reference on what Optimus would have looked like if he was in his human holoform. I did have a thought what other Autobots will look like.
~ TorianScriber2012
Disclaimer: OC Esther Tseo only belongs to me. All else belongs to Transformers bayverse. All rights reserve. Plot belongs to TorianScriber2012 ©
Security Breach
Chapter two
The thought to pack all the essential for home literally slipped her mind. She was so focused in what to do and race towards the laboratory to find her Autobot guardian, Jazz. On the way into the room, she was stopped by the leader of the Autobots, Optimus.
"Esther. Wait here. Whatever Wheeljack is making is something I had simply not yet approved for very good reasons. For your safety." Optimus instructed and pointed once at the desk.
"Fine. I was just on my way to see Jazz." Esther shrugged her shoulders.
'First my boss, Will. Then you. Who else? Jazz?' Esther thought sarcastically. She was going to enjoy her day when she's been pulled aside a lot by everyone in the NEST day not even a chance for herself to catch a breathe.
Nevertheless, she followed suit. The human female soldier nodded in response and waited for him to elaborate. Optimus crouched down to her height.
"I would also like to have a word with you too. Before you leave for home... If that is all right with you. I won't keep you for long as I know you have a very busy week ahead of you. Happy birthday, Miss Tseo." Optimus smiled at her warmly.
Esther beamed at him. She gave the big blue and red mech a hugged tightly around his neck. The human female even give a kissed on his cheek. That earned a soft chuckle from the Autobot leader in appreciation as a mark of respect. The Autobot leader closed his optics at her touch and gesture to him.
"Thanks Optimus. I appreciate it, sir." Esther replied conversationally. She respect him big time. "What do you think they're making, sir?" She questioned curiously.
"Stay here, little one." Optimus said in a simply not answering her question yet. "I'll find out." The big guy said simply.
Esther stared after him. She was shortly approached by Epps. He marched over to her. "Hey yo, birthday girl! Get over here! We're all waiting for you. What's the hold up here? I'm starving!" He called out after. There were two cans of drinks in his hand.
"Just a little something I need to do. You can start eating without me. I'll be there soon!" Esther assured him. She pointed at the labratory.
"It doesn't feel right to start without the birthday girl! What's going on?" Epps wondered and made his way over her.
His arms stretched out and gave a questioning looked to Will's former student. Esther pointed at where Optimus disappeared to: Wheeljack's lab is always trouble. Angry yells issued in the laboratory and the scolding belong to the blue and red mech leader.
They had seen Optimus angry before but not as angry as now. A red green laser shot out of nowhere merely missed the two humans by inches. Luckily, Bumblebee was at the NEST team. He seemed to only had arrived in a nick of time and finally arrived to the base. The yellow Autobot scout picked up the table with his servos and used it as a shield to protect the two humans next to him from the green laser that missed them by inches.
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! What the hell was that?" Epps stared at the laboratory.
"That, Robert Epps, is a weapon designed by Wheeljack requested by Jazz to Wheeljack." Bumblebee explained. He pointed at the labratory.
"Hey!" Esther greeted the yellow Autobot cheerfully. "Bumblebee. It's so nice to see you!"
She was not at all surprised to be picked up by Bumblebee in greeting style and swing her around in the air lightly with his servos. She was used to being picked up by each Autobots. "Happy birthday, Esther. Long time no see!"
"Long time no see indeed!" Esther chuckled and hugged him around his neck just like she done with Optimus. "Love you, Bee!" She poke him on his cheek with a soft nudge on the cheek with her finger lightly. "When did you get here? I thought you were on guardian duty to a family?"
Bumblebee grinned at her appreciatively. "Yeah, I was but Sam insisted that I should stay with Optimus and the others. He said my guardian duty was done to him." Bumblebee shrugged his shoulders. There was hurt in his voice how he was dismissed so unexpectedly.
He set her down gently on the floor. Then sat down next to her to match her height. He even cross his legs like how normal human people do when they sit on the floor.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Bee. I'm very sure you'll see Sam again." Esther gave him a sympathetic look. She patted him on his arm and sat down on his lap promptly.
"At least I got a free day to be able to spend the day with you!" Bumblebee pointed out. "I wouldn't want to missed your special day."
"Thanks, Bee. So, you wanted to tell me what's going on with Wheeljack and Jazz?" Esther gestured at the laboratory. "Optimus looked like he's ready to kill somebody. What kind of weapon did they designed? Because I been hearing explosion all week." She said casually.
"I'm not supposed to say because Jazz wants to tell you about it himself actually." Bumblebee frowned as he admitted honesty openly to his female companion nonchalantly.
"Okay. If you can't answer that, why did Wheeljack create that shit in the first place that almost turn us to puzzle pieces? Looks successful too. You think Optimus would ask them to destroy what they'd created?" Epps asked fairly
He handed her a can of diet coke then cling his own drink with hers. "Happy birthday, Esther." He knew that was her favourite drink.
Esther grinned broadly at him. "Thanks, Robert. You know me well." Esther pop the can opened and cling it with his own drinks. She dozed it down at once. It certainly was very relaxing. The female soldier let out a loud burped unexpectedly. Epps laughed and patted her on the back. So did Bumblebee in his usual wheezed broken damaged voice. Now, uses the radio to communicate with people better through tunes.
"Sorry." Esther let out a few more burps. The drink was very gassy and very refreshing.
"A fair question, Epps." Bumblebee said through his radio. He sat down next to the two of them. "Jazz and Wheeljack made me promised not to tell say anything because they'd wanted to surprised Esther. He's been at it for awhile too. You'll have to asked them but I suggest you two keep your distance just for good measures." He gestured at Esther.
"I did thought Jazz was up to something." Esther frowned curiously.
"You wouldn't have known." Bumblebee rested his servos on her head. "You were unconscious from your last mission. How are you feeling now?" He was nose to nose with his human female companion.
Esther chuckled in response and gently prised his servo off her head, smiled a little, then comfortably climbed onto his knee and sat on his lap instead as if he was a comfortable pillow.
"Take it easy, Bee-bro." She smiled, accidentally dropping his casual nickname for him. The female companion pushed his mouth with her hand lightly. The female soldier looked as though she was just pushing him away because of the closeness that made her very nervous right now. "Eh, like a wrecking ball. I'll live." Esther described the outcome.
"At least you're able to walk now. Good to see you back in action." Bumblebee chuckled at her and looked satisfied at her answer. Then his servos splayed on the floor, clearly relaxed.
Esther still remember how nauseas she felt from the strong medication that was given to her when she woke up and the anaesthetic medicine made her feel repulsive to the point she took the oxygen mask off when she woke up.
"Come on, Bee. Don't hold out on me. I want to know!" Esther begged him with a look.
"Ha! That look ain't going to work on me anymore, Esther. You'll have to find out yourself. I'm certainly not at liberty to say. I'm not going to break the surprised for you and I think you would really like the idea even though Optimus had his own strong opinion of human political defence." Bumblebee said flatly.
Epps looked amused now. Of course Optimus always have a political view in regards about human weaponry.
"Well, the surprised almost got both of us fried into pieces." Epps reminded him. "So spill the beans, Bee."
"It's supposed to be her birthday surprised!" Bee argued with him. "Jazz and Wheeljack was already going to find Esther after they'd completed a project for her. But then, you two showed up here. What are you two doing out here anyway?"
Esther and Epps laughed. "I was at a meeting with Will just now. Epps was just coming to get me for the birthday celebration at the kitchen."
"Why not go with Epps for awhile?" Bumblebee encouraged her and rested his servo on his knee.
"Because Optimus said he wanted to talk to me." Esther pointed at Wheeljack's laboratory.
"Yeah, but is your day." Bumblebee nudge her back lightly with his finger.
"It's fine. I actually wanted to see everyone to be honest. Hey, I heard you guys are working on human holoform. Can I see it?" She asked excitedly changing the subject abruptly.
"What human holoform? I only just got back." Bumblebee shrugged his shoulders about it, clearly clueless. "No one said anything and all I got word was something about the surprised for safety reason. Anyone wants to tell me what's going on?" Bumblebee looked quizzically at the female soldier.
"Well...you wouldn't tell us what's the surprised is, so we won't say otherwise" Epps huffed at the yellow bot, bargaining with him. He took a sip casually from the can of drink he had in his hand.
"Hey! Are you both pulling a leg on me or something or trying to get me into trouble?" Bumblebee glared at them defensively. He was always a sensitive bot. That's why Esther like him because he had a colourful personality that easily matched hers.
"Maybe..." Esther replied cheekily with a clear smirked on her face at the yellow bot. Bumblebee groaned. He rolled his optics at them.
"Nice try! That's not going to happened nor it is going to work, you two. If I tell you the surprised, you're not going to enjoy the show." Bumblebee grumbled at them in annoyance.
"Okay. Then, answer me this, Bee-bro." Esther casually gave a light slap Bumblebee on his left arm lightly in a bromance way. "Where's everyone else in the base? I was just going to finish packing for my trip back home after I see Jazz but then the big guy wanted to see me first."
"I told you, kid. I just got back. I don't know where everyone is at the base to be honest and I was going to see the boss myself too to report in. You know, regular protocol military stuff. So what's this about human holoform?" Bumblebee told her casually in a confident tone. He placed his fingers at his chin and looked interested on the topic.
"Well...Will suggested for Jazz to be in human holoform if you guys were to meet my family. I say there is a less likely chance for any of you guys to smash buildings or else freak out other humans out too. He thinks is a good idea to introduce him to my family because he's assigned on protection detail on me. " Esther informed him brightly.
Bumblebee couldn't helped but let out a laughed at what she just said, exactly like her reaction when Will told her. It was his turned to looked highly amused on the idea of Jazz meeting her family. "Wait. Is he serious about Jazz meeting your family?" He looked dumbfounded. "What way does Will want Jazz to meet your family? Is your family okay with that and whose idea was that?"
"Pretty much. Well...ask your dad about it." Esther shrugged her shoulders and pointed once more at Optimus's direction to where he had disappeared not so long ago.
Epps looked surprised at her last words. So did Bumblebee. "How did you know Optimus is my creator?"
"Creator?" Epps questioned Bumblebee
"Parents."
"Wait. Optimus is your dad?" Epps asked Bumblebee incredulously.
"Ssshh! Yes, Optimus is my dad. Wait a second, Esther. How did you find out that Optimus is my dad or did he tell you that?" Bumblebee frowned at the small human beneath him. He thought Optimus always shared with him and felt a little left out right now. The scout always felt he was close with the Prime personally.
"Complicated. I wanted to also discussed something else with your dad because I'm not so sure how I know. Optimus didn't tell me either." Esther shrugged her shoulders, clearly troubled.
"Esther, are you sure you're okay?" Bumblebee asked worriedly. He leaned forwards to her. He was serious!
"I'm... not...sure, Bee..." Esther pondered very slowly at his question seriously with a frowned on her face about the matter herself. "I'm still trying to make sense of it all."
"Try us, why don't you?" Epps raised an eyebrow at her with a questioning look.
"I gotta talk to Prime first about it because he knows better. It's not that I don't trust you both."
"Esther." Bumblebee said firmly. "What, is going on that we don't know?"
"Can we talk about something else?" Esther felt the lesser they knew the better on the matter. She couldn't helped but be secretive about it.
Bumblebee hate it when she does that: pushing everyone away. He felt hurt but kept his feelings on a lid. Why can't she trust them like she trust Optimus?
"Esther!" Bumblebee insisted.
"No!" Esther repeatedly determinedly.
"Esther!" Bumblebee glared at her and now wore a protective tone. "Epps is your friend too! Why are you holding out on us?"
"So are you!" Esther pointed out. "You won't even tell me what the secret is!" She crossed her arms against her chest and huff a puff.
"Yeah...! B-b-but...you won't tell me how you know! Come on, Esther!" Bumblebee stuttered and shook his helm. "We're a team. We don't hide nothing and you're about to find out the secret anyway!"
"Yeah right! Says the guy who's hiding for Wheeljack and Jazz!" Esther reminded him. One of these days, she's going to smack one of them in the helm to corner Bumblebee like that.
Epps turned away and laughed. "She's not going to fall for that, mate." He clap a hand on Bumblebee's arms.
"You got that right. Damn right, I won't!" Esther looked frustrated now. "You won't even tell me what's the surprised is so that's square!"
"Yeah, but all I asked is: how did you even know that Optimus is my dad and you got all worked up suddenly?" Bumblebee's optics widened in shocked at her sudden outburst at him.
"Don't!" Epps urged Bumblebee warningly. He knew Esther well enough.
But Bee didn't listen to him. He continued on her anyway. "I thought I'm your Bee-bro!" Bumblebee whined at her and pinched his own optics with his fingers. He sighed.
"You are! Please! I don't want no to beinvolved in this and I'm trying to protect you because you guys are like my family. There's parts even I don't understand!" Esther demanded in a strain broken voice.
Apparently, Bumblebee didn't mean to push her this far and what he wanted to say, came out all wrong. He felt like a total glitch and today was her day! He ruin her day. Definitely was not at all his intention. He bit back his retort and guilt rises fast to him because he hung his helm low.
"Why do you always do this, Esther?" Bumblebee said in an injured tone through his radio comm link. "Why do you always feel you have to do everything on your own? You don't trust us enough to let us in, is that it or do you feel you needed to protect me or Epps or the team?" He actually stood right up.
"I DON'T KNOW!" Esther yelled back. Her voice made Bumblebee jumped a foot. She panted heavily at him and felt as though she run a mile around the military base at the moment.
"Guys. Cool the fuck down." Epps stood between them. This was getting a lot uglier than he'd anticipated.
"No! I won't calm the fuck down!" Esther shot back at him hotly, throwing. Esther's brown eyes swim with tears right now. Esther's brown eyes swim with tears right now. She wasn't sure why she was feeling like this: emotional.
At that moment, she pelted out of the area, leaving Bumblebee to stare after her. He have his mouth hung open in the process.
"Shit!" Bumblebee sat back down. He realised how right Epps. "Man, I'm real glitch. Optimus is going to kill me for this."
"Your heart is at the right place, Bee with very valid reasons. Don't sweat it, buddy. Let her cool down. Next time, don't push her too far." Epps advised the yellow bot in a patient tone.
"Okay." Bumblebee nodded. "I hate it when she does that, pushing everyone away. She doesn't have to always do everything alone or feel like she's a burden to everyone else."
Epps smiled knowingly. "Like I said, your hearts in the right place. If you're Optimus's son, does that technically make you a Prime?"
"What's a heart?" Bumblebee wondered aloud to Epps. He rubbed the back of his helm with his hand.
Epps grinned at him. Then, he double tap on his chest. "You can think of hearts as souls, Bee. I'm not sure what your language says or your kind."
"We call it a spark." Bumblebee pointed his chassis with his finger.
"So, does being Optimus's son means you're some kind of Prime?" Epps asked again. It was definitely a good question.
Bumblebee looked startled at his question. His optics widened, completely taken back and was a fair point too. "We never talked about it because there was a war going on back on Cybertron." He shrugged his shoulders fairly
"You two are up to something. Explain yourselves!" Optimus demanded. The big boss walked into the laboratory. He caught his comrades just tested out an equipment without his consent. Apparently, Jazz pressed the equipment on the Transformers button and the green laser shot out of no where.
"Oh ho!" Wheeljack yelled out, alarmed. "I told you not to test it in here. You know the rules! You want our own circuits to get fried, you glitch? That shit may looked small but is dangerous!"
Wheeljack put his battle mask on and hide his face with his servo. Jazz accidentally dropped the equipment. The Wrecker went over to the lieutenant Autobot and whack him behind the head, clearly irritated with him.
Optimus saw the base shook slightly and was relief to see his young Autobot son return on time at the base with a table in his servo. Apparently just protected two tiny human soldiers next to him. Optimus gave him a nod in the far distance but was fairly certain they couldn't see him because of the smoke that blurred the room.
"Oh, hi... Optimus!" Jazz said nervously at being caught out by the leader suddenly. He looked on the verge on a spark attack at the sight of the big boy in front of him. He even fidgeted in front of Optimus who'd glared at him.
The smoke in the air cleared. "Out with it, Jazz." His voice echoed in the room.
"Okay. Okay." Jazz said quickly. "Uh, here's the thing. I approached to Wheeljack and because since you told me I am now officially a guardian to Miss Esther Tseo, lovely student of mine and a very beautiful woman. Great person."
He rambled like an idiot only because he was caught out by his own boss. Wheeljack rolled his optics and whack Jazz at the back of his helm. He stepped into the explanation. "Shut up and I'll do the explaining. I was going to clear it with you first, boss. But this goon here got impatient when I warned him not to touch anything inside."
The Wrecker waved Jazz aside who was annoyed at being interrupted with his explanation towards Optimus. "Where's the birthday girl?" He scratched his chin curiously and looked around for the new recruit.
"She's behind the table because I told her so. " Optimus replied firmly.
"Scrap." Wheeljack sighed. "Anyway. We were going to surprise her with a gift. We really wanted her to be able to defend herself because Jazz pointed out that he can't always be there 24/7. He said humans are always the weakest link to use against us by the Decepticons.
"We thought is always better to be prepared than be sorry. So we started working that's embedded to her human signature. We decided to give her a small kit, just for her. No one else: because I know how you feel about weapons for the humans. Anyway; this is the basic kit we got for her and we're sure the NEST team want us to manufacture it."
"Very thoughtful and a reasonable compelling case, Wheeljack. I see you're one or two minds on this and indeed I agree with you. We must not allow the humans to be able to manufacture what you'd created, Wheeljack. Because the weapon will bring them more harm than good to their people."
Optimus scratched his chin lightly with his fingers and looked thoughtful at how straightforward his Wrecker soldier is about the answer he'd received towards his question.
"I knew you were going to say that, boss." Wheeljack said cockily in a confident tone. "That's why you're Prime!" He added boastfully.
"Tell me of the functionality of your design." Optimus instructed.
Wheeljack hold up a necklace. "It's very functional. I thought this might suit the kid very much add in with that personality of hers and to her liking. Don't - touch the Autobot logo on it, commander. I highly advice not indoor use because that jewellery can bring the whole place down."
"Hmm. Show me all your designs Wheeljack. I'm sure this isn't the only design you made for Miss Tseo. She would definitely like this gift and definitely to her liking." Optimus said thoughtfully. "I will approved your weaponry designed. Please note: your weaponry designed will be forbidden to be manufactured for safety purpose."
"Understood, chief." Wheeljack agreed.
"Is that a spark beat on the jewellery?" Optimus said warily. None of his comrades answer him. There was a nasty silence in the air which no one answered him abruptly. The duo comrades froze on the spot at his question, which made the Prime repeated the significant question once more. "Do - not - tempt to hold anything from me, Jazz. I asked the questions."
Jazz massaged the back of his helm lightly and whistled awkwardly. There was a long silence between them. The room suddenly very hot.
"Uh...uh..."
"Jazz!" Optimus demanded seriously.
Wheeljack nudged him against his shoulders. This was certainly not the time to deny with their commanding officer. The Wrecker shielded his face with his battle mask on. Though, full respect to Optimus right on this instant because he wasn't taking no for an answer at the moment. Wheeljack pushed Jazz forward and encouraged the small bot that didn't want to leave his station at this moment.
"Yes. Uh... Sir...It's my choice, commander. Her life is more important. After all, she is my duty. I got my own reasons and made my own decision. Do me a favour, Optimus. Don't tell the old doc bot and Esther. This is my decision alone and her life is more important than my own." Jazz said quietly in a weak voice when Optimus's optics widened in shocked.
"Technically, he did a weird bond with Esther." Wheeljack said worriedly. Jazz elbowed the Wrecker hard on the hips.
"It's the truth! What do you want me to do, lie to the boss, lie to a fragging superior Prime?" Wheeljack raised his voice defensively. "I warned you not to do it, you rust bucket and I thought I was the reckless one!"
Optimus raised his servos at the two of them. He could understand why Wheeljack reacted this way. Because he was worried the same way as the commander was to Jazz and now; to their trusted human ally, Esther.
"What's done is done and I don't think either of you will understand why I did it only because she have too many encounters with the Decepticons. That's why I did it!" Jazz snapped crossly at the Wrecker. "Relax! She's too young to be my girlfriend or anything. I certainly don't see her that way either! She's my student. My family. Anything else you fragging say is completely taboo! No one can know this! No one! That's that!"
Jazz looked like he was on a verge of panic right this instant. He looked as if he was about to loose control.
"Really? You sound like you done a death sentence on yourself, boy! Not to mention you form a weird bond with a human. You know what the others will think, Jazz?" Wheeljack didn't care if he sounded harsh right now.
Jazz turned his back on him and crossed his arms. "Don't you fragging say it, Jackie! Shut up!" Wheeljack seemed to have touch a nerve to Jazz. Because, his temper went right off the roof. Jazz was more than pissed off right now and pushed Wheeljack away angrily. "I don't give a frag what anyone thinks! It most certainly is not conjura endura!"
Optimus stood in between now and stretched out his arms to stopped his comrades to lunged at each other. The boss shot a warning glare at Wheeljack not to provoke his lieutenant. Mainly he knows how Jazz can be other than being highly sensitive to his emotions. Wheeljack apparently poke more than a few nerves.
"Hey! Don't forget you approached me and asked for my helped!" Wheeljack sneered at him.
"Aargh! That does it!" Jazz wasn't sure why Wheeljack made him so angry. But Optimus pulled him back immediately.
"That is enough! Both of you!" Optimus bellowed in his baritone voice. He took out his shield and even took out his sword to point it at the both of them warningly. He slammed his shield to the ground, which caused the base to shook slightly. "Enough!"
His duo comrades seized their fight and stood very still. Wheeljack already had his own sword out but didn't plan to dance with Optimus. He had too much respect for the Prime that he doesn't fancy to challenge his own boss knowing his fighting skills is beyond him. In fact, Wheeljack wanted to dance with Jazz at the moment because he motion him.
"Jazz. I expected more from you in the future. Wheeljack is correct on this and I wished you had told me before you form a bond with our human ally. I do not know how much I can protect you and Esther or even have power over national security. What I do want to know is why you done it." Optimus placed a consoling servo on his shoulders gently.
It took Jazz awhile to calm his own temper. His own spark race in full speed. The tiny silver bot sat down on the big table where the kit was laid in front of them. He grasped his own servos onto the edge of the table and massage his helm.
"I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to cross the line. I panic, okay? I didn't mean to keep it from you or even Wheeljack. He got pissed off at me because I snuck in here to do the kit completion. Look; it's not what our team would think: you know, conjunx endura. You can say is a very, very different bond." The lieutenant Autobot struggled for words.
Wheeljack decided to finished his sentence for him only to irritate the small silver bot and scolded Jazz first. "You did the bond when you snuck in here without me finding out, you crazy old bot!" The Wrecker turn to Optimus. "Esther got a heart congenital disease, commander. That's why this hot shot panic." He casually picked up a heavy metal ball and juggled it with his hand.
"What?" Jazz tensed up completely. "How the frag did you find out?" He hissed in a demanding tone to his comrade soldier.
Wheeljack sighed. "General Morshower, you remember? You freak out when he demanded to know who was writing the petition letters to the court house and mess up the emails too. You didn't hear it from me and it was in passing. I only overheard it. Your welcome."
At this answer, Jazz gave him a third finger at the Wrecker. In return, the scientist grinned at him appreciatively and return his same gesture back at him. Optimus let his servo off Jazz's shoulder. Then, set the jewellery onto the kit carefully.
"After careful consideration upon your request, Jazz. I must take appropriate actions to do what is best for the team. Particularly under your circumstances and will not risk Esther's well being and I must bring Ratchet in on this matter along with a few trusted human allies for close measures. This is to ensure you and Esther are fully protected from national security." Optimus said sternly.
"I'm sorry, Optimus." Jazz looked guilty about the situation he found himself in.
Optimus waved his apologies aside and shook his helm. "In the future, my old friend. You will do well to remember to confide anything you feel trouble to me, immediately. No matter how deem or small you think it is. Is that understood?"
"Thank you, Optimus. Yes, sir. I honestly didn't want you involved." Jazz admitted to his commanding officer.
"No matter, Jazz. I will still be involved because our alliance is strong with the humans." Optimus reminded him firmly. "You will do well to remember that, old friend. If she ever asked, tell her the truth. Tell her what you'd told me."
"Did you have any encounters like that sir?" Jazz wondered curiously.
"That, Jazz, is not my place to tell you what she told me her reasons. Perhaps, one day she will tell you the reason she told me. I will not break her promise I intend to keep. The humans called it trust. Yes, I did encounter, once." Optimus moved away from his lieutenant and surveyed the weaponary designed for their human ally.
"Okay. That settles it, then." Jazz swing his legs around on the table.
"If it makes you feel any better to what we'd discussed: that will only bring her closer to you and believe me, you do not want her to be close off from anyone. At this time, from what I do know, she does harbour trust issues and is highly recommended to be honest with her as much as possible."
"Understood, sir." Jazz forced himself to looked at him in the eye. "Thanks, Optimus."
"I'll keep that in mind, Optimus." Jazz nodded in agreement. "Who told you that anyway?" He wondered curiously.
"Her mentor, Colonel William Lennox. He knows her best." Optimus informed him with much knowledge.
Jazz sighed in response. "Of course he does. He's family too. Though, I feel there's always something going on between those two." He teased.
"Don't be a glitch!" Wheeljack smack the back of his helm with his servo once more. Jazz winced.
"Would you stop doing that!" Jazz's optics welled up with water. "I was just kidding! I already said I was sorry!" Jazz shrugged his shoulders. He raised his servos in response and looked alarmed.
The leader left his second in command to stew in his own thoughts and his own company.
"Uhm, boss. I highly recommended not to touch anything, commander." Wheeljack advised his leader.
"Very well, Wheeljack. Then, explain the rest. Please, before I give full clearance." Optimus reminded him.
"Sure thing, boss." Wheeljack rubbed the back of his helm. "Now. Where was I? Oh yes. We know how bonds work. Right? The bonds allows the spark mates to feel one another. In this case, let's make it clear this is a family bond and not a conjunx endura. The assortment acts like what the humans called: GPS.
"For a peace of mind, so we know how and where Esther is, in case she ends up being on the Nemesis warship. Why did I say don't touch the Autobot logo? I installed a smoke grenade that takes out any Cybertronian optics so they can't see. Yeah, I know. I'm well aware she does like to fiddle when she's bored.
"That's why I got like a cloth material on it and a chain. All of this gives her a clear division. There's also a whip just like mine. Again, also in her human signature and that whip is like a stasis trip. It allows any of her enemies to be stunned and the opportunity for her to escaped.
"I was really going to design an airship for her to fly around. Though, I don't think can really hide from the rest of NEST team. But, Jazz here said I will be too overboard and spoil her completely." Wheeljack shrugged his shoulders about it. "He said I was too mad with ideas for a parting gift. One wise facts he said all week."
"Damn right. You'll overwhelmed my partner. Ha! You said I was in love? Sounds like you're going to take out a violin and cook up a looove story. Maybe you should have bond with her instead of me." Jazz teased the Wrecker with a clear smirk on his face.
Wheeljack sighed and placed a servo on his own helm. "You're a glitch, sometimes, Jazz! You got one hell of a mouth!" He shot back defensively. "Esther is a kid. She's well suited to her own kind. Plus, she's too young for me anyway and I'm way too old for her. Like you, you goon," The Wrecker soldier moved away from Optimus, who's observed them warily at his team mates and Wheeljack smack the back of Jazz's helm once more. "I totally don't see her that way either.
"We know there is something going on with her own boss. So I'm keeping my distance, and seriously! Talking about it in front of Ironhide will be a fragging death sentence. You know how he gets and this conversation never leaves this room. Like ever never!" Wheeljack stretched his servos out in gesture in clear desperate measure.
He wouldn't face Ironhide with a vice gripped around his throat that's for sure. They all seen the Weapon Specialist on temper mode before.
"Furthermore on this stupidity topic that should never, ever be brought up: I won't ever mix with our kind and humans. If I want a girl, would be a Cybertronian! I thought is illegal for humans to be with our kind, no?" He pointed out conversationally to Jazz lightly. "Don't make me take a leaflet out of Ratchet and beat it out of you, Jazz." He concluded in a threatening manner.
"Yes, it is illegal." Optimus agreed and nodded to Wheeljack. "Which is why I stress I am not sure how I can even protect Jazz and Esther from national security laws nor the government. I do not want either to be thrown into a human experiment in the future."
"Easy there, soldier." Jazz raised his servos in a surrender mode to Wheeljack. "All right. All right, Optimus. Point taken. I'll be sure to come to you for anything need of clearance in the future. Duly noted, sir."
Wheeljack let out a low whistle and turn back to the Prime. "Sorry boss. I don't mean it to make this whole shit to be any weirder than it meant to be. Oh and the last tool is a book for her driving lessons. I don't use words. I just use pictures for her understanding."
"All a compelling case the both of you made today. Thank you for being honest with me." Optimus nodded at his soldiers in a relax manner. "Very well, Wheeljack. Your project is to be cleared with clearance."
"Yes!" Wheeljack grinned about it. "Can we bring the kid in now to get the party started? Come on, Prime! Even you can join in the party! It's her birthday today!" He said rather impatiently and even swing an arm around Optimus, who'd looked startled at the Wrecker at his touch.
"Uh, Wheeljack. Prime's never party." Jazz sniggered.
Wheeljack moved away and slouched off the Prime. He looked rather disappointed. All Optimus did was give a small smile at Jazz's words. He even laughed about it lightly and bowed his head lightly.
"Very well. I will get the little one." Optimus agreed fondly. "You are sure everything in the kit is ready, you two?"
"Yeah. Everything's all set!" Wheeljack nodded confidently.
"Where is she?" Optimus asked promptly to Epps and Bumblebee abruptly in an urgent tone. He came back only to find she was no where to be seen. She was supposed to be behind the table as he last seen her.
"It's all my fault, Optimus. I shouldn't have pushed her buttons." Bumblebee stepped in to claim his own responsibility. He felt horrible to the pit! Now he looked like a Cybertronian youngling at this moment not an adult.
"No, it is not. Calm down, little one and explained what happened." Optimus said sharply.
"Well, the both of them was asking what the surprised would be...supposed to be just normal talk and somehow things just got out of hand...and I wouldn't tell because Wheeljack and Jazz asked me not to breathe a word about it. Some reason, Esther knew I'm related to you. We fought. I asked her how she knew and she freak out about it." Bumblebee let out a low whistle. "Sorry Opt."
At his son's words, Optimus shot a death glare stare at Wheeljack and Jazz at the labratory direction. He was going to have another word at them and haul them aside once he spoken with their human ally for this.
"Where does she normally hang out?"
Epps pointed outside the military base. Optimus frowned. "Thank you."
"I think I'm going to go now...got to go see Ratchet. You know, medical standard procedure." Bumblebee said abruptly. The yellow bot transformed to a sports Camero and pelted out of sight before Optimus can even stop his son.
"Optimus, don't forget to tell Esther to swing by at the cafeteria." Epps patted the big guy on his leg lightly.
"I will. Thank you, soldier." Optimus nodded to him. He transformed into the truck and went out of the military base.
Ironhide was on patrol duty right outside the hanger and returned from an Energon scout sighting. It was lucky that he was around and as sharp as the Weapon Specialist is around all humans, particularly when it came to the Lennox family he guarded, he had not expect Esther Tseo to be outside the military base.
What in the world was she doing, he had absolutely no idea, but had a fair guesses why she was up at the roof top. Ironhide almost had a spark attack at the sight of her climbing up to the roof top. He always does a clean swipe with his scan around the floor to check no one was left out in the base and everyone accounted for plus it was part of his military duty after all.
Ironhide sped towards her direction then transformed to a fully fledge robot. "What - in- the- AllSpark -! Esther! What are you doing up there? It's dangerous! Get down here right this instant!"
He was careful not to hit anything because she was around and if he wasn't, he most certainly would have because he have a temper. Secondly, he didn't care if today was her birthday. No one get past the gruff Weapon Specialist.
"Go away!" Esther snapped at her mentor's guardian. She was in no mood to see anyone right now. She felt really cheesed off. That's why she was out here in the first place.
"Not until I know you're safe back inside." Ironhide retorted in a warning tone. "Esther. Why are you out here? It's raining and is dangerous to be high up there. You could fall and earn an unnecessary injury."
"Heights don't scare me." Esther replied bluntly. Her face burn with heat now. She was actually really glad it was raining right now so to shield her tears away. Her hair was beginning to be damped from the rain. "I don't want to talk about it. Leave - me - alone." She repeated for the third time.
Ironhide sighed and moved closer to her. He knew her all too well. He stood practically nose to nose with her to match her height. "Esther. You will get sick if you don't get inside."
"Leave me alone! Leave me alone!" Esther said hysterically and was coming to a sobbed. Her voice risen to a scream and was quite sure it had carried throughout the base without meaning to
"No." Ironhide said simply. He was resolute about it.
"Stand down, Ironhide." Optimus spoke calmly. Ironhide threw a glare at the female human and felt completely cheesed off at being kind of told off.
This wasn't fair. Ironhide was smart enough to bit his retort unlike Bumblebee who'd pushed her over the edge earlier back inside the base.
"What has gotten into you?" Ironhide mumbled. He was worried and was very tempted to grabbed her mentor right at this instant. But, Optimus presence right now made him back out as requested.
Optimus place his servo on Ironhide's chest and both mech spoke in low Cybertronian languages that Esther couldn't understand. Ironhide looked at Esther then back at Optimus. If anyone could calm down one of her erratic mood swings, it was usually the Prime and Jazz. Ironhide gave Esther one last gaze. Then a looked at Optimus.
His leader gave him an understanding look. Ironhide sighed and mumbled something about humans before he walked away.
"Humans...why do they all have to be difficult...?" Ironhide mumbled to himself gruffly. He stomped away.
Esther slowly stared after him. She hated herself for reacting the way she did and felt horrible. Part of her wanted to chase after him but she stopped herself only because she was determined to clear her thoughts first. The apologetic look was plastered across her face. She felt like she just kicked a freaking puppy! God, she felt like an ass now.
First at Bumblebee and now Ironhide. She and Ironhide is normally at good terms and he does over see her training, always gruff, sharp, commando style just like Jazz and the rest of the team, always hurrying her, pushing to her limit until she cracked at him at one stage just like today.
She sure as hell owe them both an apology for screaming at them for sure. Scrap! Oh, she felt horrible all right. Her inside churned uncomfortably. Her whole body relax at the sight of Optimus Prime. The one person she really wanted to see today. She honestly did not mean to loose her temper at the people she loved in her heart. But, that's the way she is.
She blew both of them off without meaning to completely. Right this moment, she felt her own heart squeezed and her own breathing was wheezing. More like, her own breathe ragged with difficulty. She didn't turn away from Optimus. But maintain her eye contact with him.
Esther have a big respect for Optimus. He was the only one that she won't reject any order from but still can be a rebellious woman and stood her ground. Some say to describe her to be a very defiant person to described her and hot temper that easily match Ironhide.
"Ironhide is correct, little one." Optimus said gently. Esther tried to speak but no voice came out at his presence in front of her. He laid out a servo in front of her as an invitation to climb on. "May you please get off the roof before you do yourself some serious injury? You just recovered recently. I was just looking for you, my dear." His optics sadden.
"I'm sorry, Optimus." Esther managed to unclogged her voice.
"Easy." Optimus had his servo around her in a protective manner when she stumbled a little on the roof top. "Take your time. Careful, little one."
"I'm easy, sir." Esther assured him, clearly focused at her own surroundings with a watchful look on her face. "Okay. I got it."
Optimus sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose with the other finger. He was more watchful towards her than ever before. Esther made her way down and walked onto his fingers tips. Once finally onto his servo, Optimus easily place her gently on his shoulder and walked right back to base. She didn't want to go back inside and to be honest, she wanted to run and just keep running but to never looked back. But, it seemed that Optimus read her mind.
Optimus stretched out his servo to her and she climbed back on the second time there. The Prime gently set her down on the floor. He made sure there was zero interruption between them and that everuone was out of ear shot. Apparently the meet to him was very urgent. His look says it all.
"Can we go for a drive, Optimus?" Esther asked with her voice shook from earlier panic.
Optimus knelt down with one knee. His servo rested on his kneecap and crouched down to her height so he can survey her better.
"I would have gladly done so, little one, if your own base doesn't have a serious security breach." Optimus said fairly with a frown on his face. He pointed a finger in the air as a gesture to his human ally. "Someone hack into your personnel file last week and along with your classified military assignments which was why I requested Jazz to be your personal guardian in this case."
Esther sighed. She put her own hands on the hips and nodded at him. "Okay. So that's why you wanted to come to Hawaii. Will said you wanted to introduce yourself to my family and then he suggested Jazz would be suitable. You're worried whoever hack our server is after us, right?" She guessed reasonably.
"Yes. I am hoping that I would changed your mind to still accompany you home. It would be wise your family is also in protective custody and it is my belief that this hack is far from over. It is just the beginning." Optimus agreed in his deep voice.
Esther looked away. She scratched her hair with her fingers and understood his reasons instantly. Now, thinking very hard. Then, turned back to him. Her face was red as a tomatoes. Of course, Optimus noticed. The young woman before him let out a long exasperate sighed. Will didn't mentioned anything about serious security breach at the NEST base.
"Okay. Do you know who hack the NEST military team." Esther wondered. "Whoever did got really advanced skillset to bypass our servers."
"I agree, little one. I'm sure you have a fair few ideas yourself." Optimus quirked an eyebrow at her.
"If my idea pans out. I don't want to jump to any conclusions, sir." Esther looked taken aback and wondered if both of them are connected. "It's not just my own files that got hack right?"
"Everyone and that's why it could be a problem. Esther, is there something you wished to tell me?" Optimus asked in a cautionary suspicious tone. "Remember what I told you, little one."
"Now that you mentioned it, yes." Esther agreed wildly in the same panic mood like before. She glanced around her to make sure no one overhears them. "I didn't know how to tell you this and I thought I was going beyond crazy..."
"Are you able to hear the thoughts from the Shard?" Optimus supplied.
Esther jumped. She felt as though her own heart went out the door. Bloody hell, it was as if he could read her mind and was freaking her out right now!
Esther hung her mouth open and then close it once more. She felt a chill just went up her spine. "I'm sorry Optimus."
"No. I am very sorry for your circumstances, my dear Esther. Your kind is not supposed to be compatible to our artefacts that fell upon your planet and we'd consider this very dangerous because we don't know what other side effects there could be." Optimus said in a regretful tone.
He felt his own spark hit the floor and felt as if was tugged.
"Hang on a second, Optimus. Did the hacker got all my files?" Esther asked ambivalently on the matter.
"Yes. That is why I insisted to accompany you home back to Hawaii." Optimus agreed promptly.
"All right, Optimus. Leave it to me big guy. I'm going to find the hacker." Esther patted on his arm lightly and there was a determination.
"I was afraid you would say that. I cannot allow you to do so not when you are compromised." Optimus relayed the order firmly to her. "And that, little one, is an order, directly."
"Optimus, with all due respect. Think about it. You know as well as I do, if I don't find who it is and if the classified files continued to be stolen, then everyone else will continue to be in danger. We won't ever be free." Esther said considerately.
"Then fill me in on this matter." Optimus was clearly disappointed but understood her reason.
"Complicated. I promised I'm not shutting you out. I just want to see if the idea pans out." Esther assured him.
"You know the hacker." Optimus glared at her. His voice shook with wary. Then, his words suddenly came tumbling out with a spat that sounded like a slapped.
Esther slowly back away from him with a few steps. She knew he would never harm her. Fact was, Optimus went beyond lengths when comes to the military NEST team. Oh shit. This was going to be ugly. Well, technically, it was the conversation turn sour. Optimus was rather adamant and stood his ground as a leader than a father right at this moment. He was a stand up guy.
Esther knew that. That's why she liked him and very honest from the beginning. The way Optimus uttered each words out of his mouth, was a promising blow to her past that promised more than just a fist and his words send another chill through her spine. She didn't flinched or winced when Optimus spat out.
She stood frozen on the spot. Her mind was blank as if somebody had stunned her completely. She wanted to comfort the big guy. Admittedly, she doesn't know what to say that can change his mind. Regardless, she was going to take Jazz with her on this reckless solitary mission despite the fact Optimus forbidden this to her entirely.
There was no doubt he was going to stretched the warnings to her superiors and his Autobots to prevent any protocols broken and was very sure she was going to disobey his first order that she couldn't withstand, not when everyone's file was at the risk so was there life for that matter. Apparently, Optimus seemed to know everything right at this moment.
"A past boyfriend. I still cannot allow you to do this rogue mission of yours."
God, Esther hoped he doesn't see her memories or any of the bot for that matter. Because those memories was private to her too and one that she was willing to forget at the same time. She could only picture his reaction. But, his sight to her tells her all. Optimus clenched his fist and looked like he was ready to hit something, not at her, but clearly the past she never spoke about and why she acted the way she did to Ironhide and Bumblebee. Optimus was determined to keep his cool in his voice not to frightened her. Though, his anger in his voice got the best to him.
"Are you ever going to stop reading my mind...?" Esther asked, defeated. A little voice told her not to give up.
"I am afraid not, little one. Please, be sensible. I truly understand your reason but I cannot allow you to carry this mission without any clearance. Do you understand me? I want your words, Esther." Optimus validated with her very firmly.
Esther sighed. "Okay. I won't do it. I promised." She was reluctant to promised because she wasn't good at keeping her promised and there was potential she can break her promised at the same time.
She was a bad liar. Optimus knew that and he knew she will go ahead anyway despite his order.
"Take Jazz with you." Optimus said very sharply in a biting tone. Esther cursed and swore under her breathe at how accute he was and pinched the bridge of her nose. "I did not approved your solitary mission, Esther." He added defiantly. It was as if he just did a mouse trap.
Esther moved slowly towards him. She placed a consoling hand on his metal arms. Optimus followed her gazed and didn't even moved at all at her touch on his arms. He stood very still for her and spoke cordially.
"If you're still coming to Hawaii and I know you will anyway...please: just keep in mind how my family will react if they ever meet you in person. You don't know my mum. She can be a pushover person sometimes.
"I love her a lot and that's why I intended to keep my promise to her because I promised her I will go home for the holidays. I also understand why you wanted to come over to Hawaii. Believe me, you really think is a good idea for you to meet my family?
"It's just I got two nosy neighbours that won't noticed a large robot at my backyard and I'm pretty sure my mum will freak out. Do you have the human holoform working? I suggest you do that because I also feel will be too much for my mum to handle.
"And even if the hacker is my old ex-boyfriend, which I'm sure he is, wouldn't he know exactly where I lived anyway?" Esther concluded justly. She actually wondered how much Optimus had seen that made him reacted like this and his looks tell her all.
She gently hold onto his clenched fist and understood that Optimus was actually shaking at her words with pure fury. "The human holoform project is indeed done little one and I was just getting around to it."
"Can I see it?" Esther asked excitedly.
"Yes. My team have just finished their own designed. I am sorry if I have made you uncomfortable about the trip back home to Hawaii. That was not my intention." Optimus told her humbly.
"It's okay, Optimus. It's just that Will didn't mentioned the reason why you insisted on coming or didn't say anything about security breach at NEST. I wasn't even aware on it. Why didn't Will tell me? He knows I hate being kept in the dark."
"Because I insisted to tell you in person and see you in person." Optimus answered in a plagant tone. "He cares a lot about you and this request was also my doing." He suddenly appeared in his human holoform.
Esther dropped her jaw right opened. There was no words to absolutely speak about his human holoform. He was how Optimus imagine: a fatherly figure with a light beard and a very clean brown hair cut. His eyes was blue. He was very broad, very muscular, long legs, six feet tall and was in his mid forties. There was a military necklace that was just like her own tag.
Optimus in his human holoform was very hot in her opinion. She definitely couldn't steer away his very handsome looks and definitely there would be a lot of women will hit on him. Right at this moment, Optimus would have passed to be her father. The thought on her own mother to hit on him made Esther burst off laughing because she couldn't see any reasons for her mother to dote him in his human form.
Plus, Optimus looked as though he walked off an acting award ceremony. Once she started laughing, she couldn't exactly stopped until she had tears in her eyes. He even got the whole spanish theme going on and can be mistaken to be an Iranian man not to mention the stern look Esther remembered in his Cybertronian form.
"I'm sorry, Optimus..." Esther continued laughing and she had to turned away. Even her own laugh made Optimus smiled kindly at her.
Optimus could see what was funny this time and his smile lasted. Her laughter was quite contagious to the point he even laughed along with her. There was a huge silly grinned plastered all across her face right now, not to mention her entire face turn to shade of red. She couldn't helped but to tease him to cover her shyness towards him.
Oh definitely a father figure one thousand percent and Esther felt like an idiot with this stupidity crush. No women will deny his good looks for sure and if he ever asked any women out, the women will receive a heart attack like a high school girl, that's for sure. This was the best day ever. Esther always wondered how her Autobot friends will be like in human forms. She was fairly certain that Jazz always wondered what she will be like in Cybertronian kind.
"Very handsome, Optimus. Very handsome. Wow." Esther rubbed her own chest to stopped her own self from laughing still. She was definitely awestruck about it. She couldn't help it. Optimus remained silent and continued to survey her steadily, watchfully. Her voice hoarsed suddenly when Optimus was in military uniform.
Optimus remained silent and waited for the female to calmed down from her laughter. At least she was laughing not throwing her mood swings at anyone or yelling for that matter which was nice to see for the leader of the Autobots. Though, in his human holoform, he still remain with that same deep voice which suited this new body of his even more.
"It's fine, little one." Optimus assured her knowingly. His eyes twinkled lightly at her. "Because you were used to seeing me in Cybertronian form, fully fledge ten foot tall robot and this must have been very strange for you..."
"A little bit. Yeah. Yeah. This – this would definitely work. I got to warn you though, Optimus, just so you know, if you ever meet my mum in person whether in human form or Cybertronian, she probably would think I'm bringing a man home to marry..." Esther was not joking at all about it.
Optimus chuckled. He could see what was funny this time and pictured the same scenario in his mind. "That is indeed very understandable, little one."
The leader stroke his own beard and looked thoughtful about the matter at hand and even can imagine the entire scenario when all of them paid a visit to her home, to her family which may looked ten times more awkward than it meant to and then, he was back to his own business tone when he spoke solely. Esther seized her laughter the moment he spoke.
"Esther." Optimus said genially. "Please do not carry out your rogue mission. I do not know how much I can protect you from your national security or from your government. I also want to remind you you're not alone. I don't want you to feel responsible for everything and to pushed the people you cared about most." He told her adamantly.
Esther nodded. "I know..." She said weakly about it and guilt flared up inside her. "I know...is just that I didn't want Ironhide and Bumblebee to be involved. It's not like I don't care about them. I do, more than people realised."
"You were trying to protect us. You know you cannot hide anything now that you'd touched the Matrix of the Leadership and the Shard." Optimus reminded her gently.
"I know and I'm really sorry for loosing my temper." Esther answered in a repentance tone. She looked at the floor, embarrassed at her own attitude.
Optimus rested his own human hand onto her shoulder gently. He lifted her chin up with his finger gently. Esther slowly looked into those familiar blue eyes she had seen in his Cybertronian form.
"Do not waste your time on being angry." Optimus advised her patiently. "And do not grieve on your past mistake. Live forward. Live in the present. Learn from it. The apology belong to Ironhide and Bumblebee, not myself."
Esther nodded. "Yes sir." She gave him a small smile.
"Now go and enjoy your day, little one. Don't waste your time and energy being angry. It won't fix anything." Optimus said wisely.
"Thanks Optimus." Esther gave him a tight hugged around his waist. Optimus stumbled a little bit to the right side.
"Jazz and Wheeljack are looking for you at the labratory. Don't forget to also see Epps as well. You have a party to go to, go and celebrate your day." Optimus smiled and rubbed her back gently with his hand. He let her go.
"I will."
"And Esther," Optimus called out to her. Esther looked back at him. "Please do see Ratchet. We do want to know the side effects on the Matrix of the leadership as well as the shard."
Esther nodded. "I will. Love you, Optimus."
"And I to you, little one. I love you too."
There was a lot of people she needed to see and that's going to take the whole day. At that moment, Esther really felt as though Optimus was her real father. He may not be in human nor by blood, but a different race that he represented just like her mentor, William Lennox. A dream of a father she ever wanted for a very long time.
