ATS: Do I look like a Ma'am?
All night I kept waking up, worried about this so called meeting. The idea of meeting government agents is intimidating. I don't even know what I'm supposed to say...urg, why can't things be simple. Hopefully this new liaison will be a lot better than Galloway was. It didn't take me long to dislike him.
A knock on the door interrupts my thoughts. I open the door and see Prowl. "Morning Prowl. What brings you my way?"
"Good morning Evangeline. I have come to escort you to today's meeting." He replies.
"Oh, already?"
"Yes. You have nothing to worry about, so you can relax." He says seriously but reassuringly.
"Easier said than done I'm afraid. Alright, lead the way kind sir." I say.
He leads me to the meeting, which will be held in one of the main hangers. Once we get there I see Optimus, Lennox, Epps, and some other NEST personnel. I also spot people in suits, who look like they fit the government image. One person stands out the most among the group...actually two. One is a blonde haired woman in a suit and tennis shoes, and behind her is a younger Asian looking woman carrying what looks like five or six bags. She must be this woman's aid...poor thing.
Once we walk up to the walkways Optimus turns to us. "Greetings Evangeline. Prowl, thank you for escorting her."
"Your welcome sir." Prowl replies respectfully.
Optimus turns his attention fully to me and gives me a reassuring smile. "Thank you for coming. Allow me to introduce you." He urges me a little closer and turns his attention to the people on the walkway. "Director Mearing, allow me to introduce you to a dear comrade to the Autobots, Evangeline...Evangeline, this is Director Mearing. She will be our newest liaison."
I give her a welcoming and friendly smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you ma'am."
Apparently I've already messed up because she scowls the word ma'am. "Since we're just meeting I'll let the ma'am comment slide. In the future please refrain from using the term. I'm not a ma'am."
I slightly flinch at that. After all, it already feels like I'm on her bad side. "Um, yes ma'am-I mean yes. I understand." I quickly correct myself.
"By the way its nice to meet you too. Optimus was telling me that you are a very important asset to the Autobots." She states.
I smile bashfully at that. "I myself don't think so, but everyone else seems to think otherwise."
"So what exactly makes you so special if I may ask? Optimus didn't exactly elaborate." She asks.
Knowing I'm not supposed to give too much information away regarding the Allspark I go with the best answer I know. "I'm really not anymore important than anyone else. All I can say is that I am basically the link to an ancient artifact of Cybertronian culture." I look to Optimus to see his reaction and he gives me an approving nod at my answer.
"What sort of artifact?" She asks.
"I'm afraid that information is irrelevant at his time. The artifact in question is not in our possession." Optimus answers.
"So if you are a link to this so called artifact then why are you marked with such high importance?" Mearing asks.
"It has to do with Cybertronian culture. No disrespect but it would take too long to explain the history and details regarding it." I reply.
Mearing seems to accept this answer. "Alright. Now, on to other matters. Now that NEST is progressing further in operation we felt it pertinent to relocate your base of operations." She says to Optimus.
"Where exactly did you have in mind for a new location?" Optimus asks.
"Washington D.C." She replies. This way your team is closer to the capital, and it would be easier for me to perform my duties."
Optimus ponders this for a moment. "I understand your reasoning, and I accept your condition."
Mearing nods at this. "Excellent. We already have a location set up. We have had personnel renovating the establishment and turning it into a proficient base of operations. This way everything was already taken care of and ready to use at any time."
Optimus nods in understanding. "How goes the process of incorporating energon detectors?"
"They have been established in every major city, and continuously scanning for any energon spikes." She states.
"Excellent. How soon will the new base of operations be ready for use?" Optimus asks.
"Now."
"How soon would you be willing to switch locations Optimus?" Lennox asks Optimus.
Optimus ponders on this for a moment before saying, "We shall be ready to depart at the end of the week. This will allow my team to move the necessary equipment and supplies."
Mearing nods at this. "Acceptable. I'll let the president know and get back with you at the end of the week to check in."
"Of course. My regards Director Mearing." Optimus says.
"You as well." She turns to me and nods in goodbye before her people leave the hanger. Once she's gone I immediately relax. "You did very well Evangeline." Optimus praises.
"Think so? I was sure I was already on her bad side just by calling her ma'am." I reply.
"I wouldn't worry about that. It must just be an older woman thing. You did great kid." Lennox assures.
"Yeah don't sweat it. She's gotta be better than Galloway. Not that I'll be around long enough to find out." Epps adds.
"Wait, what? What do you mean?" I ask him.
"Yeah I haven't told ya the news yet. I'll be switching jobs." Epps replies.
What! What! "Switching jobs? What? Why? Where you are going?" I ask in a flurry of emotions.
"I'll still technically be apart of NEST. I just won't be a soldier anymore. I'll be working at a NASA launch site where they'll keep the Xantium with the Wreckers." He replies.
"The Wreckers are going too? Why do you have to go?" I ask.
"Well, the Wreckers have to go cause they've been buttholes to the government workers. I'm going cause they had a spot open. They needed someone whose had a lot of exposure working with Autobots, so there I go." He replies.
"Epps...you just made me sad." I say.
He gives a reassuring smile. "Don't you start that. It's not like I'll be that far from where the new base will be. It's actually on the outskirts of D.C."
"Well its still sad. I'll miss you Epps." I say.
"I'll miss you too kid." He replies. "I'm sure we'll still see each other plenty. I'm still with N.E.S.T...it's just a different venue."
"Ok. I'm still not happy about it though." I reply.
Epps laughs. "I didn't expect you to."
I hate that Epps won't be here anymore, but as long as he's happy that's all that matters. I turn my attention to Lennox and give him a pointed stare. "Are you abandoning us too?"
Both men laugh at that, and I even get a chuckle out of Optimus. "No I'm here to stay, and probably will be until they kick me out."
"Good. At least SOME are staying." I say pointedly at Epps.
"Cut me some slack will ya. I'm still with NEST. It's just a different part of it. Do you plan on guilt tripping me until I leave?" Epps asks.
"Most likely."
"Do go easy on him Evangeline." Optimus says in amusement.
"No promises boss bot." I say playfully.
After all the teasing is said and done for the time being I decide to head to the training area so I can work on the routines Jazz had taught me. They weren't anything complicated because he and everyone else wants me to start off easy. Jazz is going to be busy with Prowl and Optimus for a while so I'll just practice in the meantime. The training room is empty when I get there, which suits me just fine. I don't want to look like an idiot in front of anyone.
I focus on my forms and the routines for a while and I don't notice the company walking through the door. I nearly jump out of my skin-I mean metal- when someone puts their hand on my shoulder. However, I will forever deny the shriek that leaves my lips. I see Mirage holding his hands up and backing up to give me space, but I can see the amusement in his eyes by my reaction.
"Mirage! You scared me!"
"My deepest apologies Lady Evangeline. I didn't intend to frighten you. I didn't anticipate you being so unaware of my presence." Mirage apologizes sincerely.
"No, it's okay. I guess I was just focused on what I was doing. Sorry for the girly squeal that I totally didn't do." I reply.
"Worry not Lady Evangeline. It was a rather adorable squeal if I may say so." He says.
I laugh. "If you say so. Now that you have my attention was there anything you needed?"
"Not particularly. I was walking by and heard noises coming from inside, so I was simply curious as to who it was." He explains.
"Oh, well it's just me. Figured I'd practice the routines Jazz taught me." I say.
"You have excellent form Lady Evangeline." He comments.
"I highly doubt that. I'm still in the easy level. I haven't officially been released from the med bay yet so Ratchet doesn't want me moving too quickly." I say.
"Well it would not be wise to go against the good doctors orders. He can be rather intimidating no?" Mirage comments.
"You got that right. I haven't had the so called wrath directed at me yet, so I'd like to keep it that way." I joke.
"Believe me it isn't a pleasant place to be." Mirage laughs.
"Now don't tell me you've done something bad enough to warrant that?" I ask playfully.
Mirage shows a cheeky smile. "Then I shall not tell you."
I laugh. "Well if it worries a prince then I should definitely be on alert."
He laughs at my calling him a prince. "Is it safe to assume that you shall be addressing me as such for the unforeseeable future?'
"Do you mind? I guess I should have asked how you felt about nicknames before I just gave you one." I ask.
"No worries Lady Evangeline. I find it endearing." He replies sincerely.
"Good, but you don't have to add Lady to my name. I'd like to think we're friends already." I say.
If possible he smiles even wider. "To be considered a friend of our Lady Guardian is truly an honor, and I shall respect your request."
"You've got to stop being so fabulous." I joke. "It's a bit overwhelming."
"No where near as overwhelming as yourself." He replies.
We decide to take some time just talking and getting to know one another, although I make sure to leave out the I used to be human thing. Mirage turns out to be a cool guy. He even offers to some me some beginner routines to try out, so we spend the next two hours working on them.
He doesn't even seem surprised that I don't know how to fight, and just tells me that someone like me shouldn't have to get their hands dirty. I'm not real sure what he means by "someone like me" but I don't bother asking.
Mirage turns out to be a patient teacher. He doesn't push me past the pace I'm comfortable going and if I make a mistake he's good about constructive criticism. After working on routines for a while we take a seat on the floor and talk about anything and everything-well...almost. Mirage asks me to keep the whole used to be human thing from new arrivals. Optimus said the less who knows about it the better, so I just tell him the cover story we came up with.
"I had actually gotten damaged when I crash landed a few months ago, and I've been living in the med bay since. It's been a slow recovery. I even had to learn to walk on my own again." I explain.
"I am sorry you had to go through such pain." Mirage says with concern.
"It's okay. I'm doing better, but for a while it was pretty bad." I add.
"I am glad that you are better." He says.
"Thanks. So, where were you before you got here?" I ask.
"Wandering the stars mostly; looking for other Autobots until we heard Primes message." He replies before looking slightly sad.
"What's wrong?" I ask.
He seems to come out of wherever he was in his head. "Oh, nothing."
"It wouldn't be nothing if you didn't look so sad. I'm a good listener if you feel like getting something off your chest." I reassure.
He ponders for a moment before answering. "I find myself thinking of home quite a lot lately, and how I wish for nothing more than to return."
"Yeah, I know how that feels. You feel homesick, and it makes it painful when you know you can't go back." I mutter.
"That is exactly how I feel when I think of home." He agrees. "But with you as our Guardian we now have hope that we can return."
"Ya'll put way too much faith in me. " I mutter.
"Of course not. You are providing a hope we have not felt in a long time." He reassures. "I am very honored that you are here."
"Hopefully I won't disappoint." I comment.
Mirage gives me a reassuring smile while placing a hand on my shoulder. "You won't. I wish I could offer more help."
"Optimus told me this is something I have to learn for myself...go figure." I say.
"Then I shall be here for moral support when you need it." He reassures.
"That'll work." I say thankfully.
"So what part of Cybertron were you from Evangeline?" Mirage asks.
Crap...I don't exactly have a cover story for that. "Oh, um-
"Glow worm?" Two voices ask simultaneously.
I turn to the doorway and sigh a breath of relief for the interruption, so that way I don't have to try and scramble for an answer. "Hey Sides. Hey Sunny."
"Hey glowworm. How are ya?" Sides asks.
"Good. Just taking a break from training. Mirage was helping me with some routines." I say.
"Yeah, I bet he was." Sunny says in an odd tone.
"Well, Jazz sent us to get ya, so lets get going." Sides adds.
"Oh, ok." I turn back to Mirage. "Thanks for helping me. I enjoyed our chat."
"And I as well Evangeline. I shall enjoy getting to know you further." He replies.
"Me too. See ya." I say before running up to the twins. They lead me out and towards wherever Jazz is waiting for me, and I don't notice the look that passes between the twins and Mirage as we walk out the door.