*Chapter 11: Good News and Bad News*
After Jack was dropped off at his house, Sideswipe meets his team outside of the base to speak with Optimus. Paramorah was speaking to every Autobot about what had happened after the escape from Cybertron. And then the news to Elita-1. Optimus and Orionna were shocked by the news. Optimus didn't say a word, but he walked away from his team. Bumblebee chirped in worry.
"Mother..." Orionna whispered. Paramorah placed her metal hand on her shoulder.
"I am sorry, Orionna. She tried to get out, but...it was too late." She said. "Arcee and the others wanted to help, but Elita-1 ordered them to escape before Shockwave could shoot them down. Elita-1 fought hard." Orionna fought back her energon tears. She can't show it.
"Mudflap and Skids will arrive tomorrow. The female autoboots however...could take them time." Sideswipe spoke. "Elita-1 was their leader other than Prime." Orionna turned to see her father standing, looking up at the stars. He needs to be alone. She can't comfort him if he's in a devastating position. Optimus won't speak with her or anyone else. This may take some time.
"I'm going to recharge early." Orionna told everyone. "This is too much to take in." She transformed and slowly drives in the base. Bumblebee shakes his head a bit.
"Poor kid."
After another day of school, Jack ran up to Sam and Mikaela who are fine and dandy since they all saved the day. Sam and Mikaela are together, yet they are jealous of the fact that Jack gets to stay at the Autobot base for weekends.
"So, how was the first weekend?" Mikaela asked.
"It was great. We celebrated my birthday there and...we have some new Autobots who arrived. Sideswipe and Paramorah. They said something there will be more arriving." Jack said.
"Oh right! I almost forgot!" Sam took out a gift card of Gamestop and hand it over to Jack. "For you, buddy. Happy Late Birthday."
"Thanks." Jack said with a smile, taking the card. "You really don't have to get me anything-"
"We want to." Mikaela spoke. "You're our friend, and we are a team."
"And how is your new girlfriend, Orionna, doing lately?" Sam teased as they all walk away from the school grounds to get to Mikaela's new car. Jack frowned a bit at the joke.
"Cut it out." He said.
"What's the matter?" Sam asked, noticing Jack's expression. "Is Orionna alright?"
"She's fine." Jack said. He stopped walking. He leaned his back against the tree. Sam and Mikaela waited for him to speak. Jack let out a sigh. "I really like Orionna. I really do. But...Optimus gave me a warning." He said. "He said that...a human and a robot cannot be in a loving relationship."
"...Well, he's not wrong." Sam said. Mikaela nudged his arm. "What?"
"But, does she like you?" Mikaela asked. "Did you two kiss or anything?"
"...We...almost did..." Jack said, blushing. "But, Jazz had to make a chant." Sam wanted to laugh, but didn't. Jack brushed his hair away from his eyes. "I wish we did." He said. "I thought Sierra was the one, but...it turns out it's Orionna all along. I don't care if she is an alien robot from another world or anything like that. I see her as a good person."
"You love her." Mikaela said. "She was there for you since the beginning. I'm sure she feels the same."
"But, we can't be together." Jack said. "We can be great friends. Nothing more. I...I promised Optimus that I won't take a step further. I have to keep my promise to the leader of the Autobots. He's the father of Orionna."
"You're doing a right thing." Sam pointed out. "I don't want to piss off a giant robot." Mikaela scoffed at him. "Anyway, we'd love to visit the base this weekend. Maybe if you could ask Lennox or somebody." Sam wondered. Jack smiled a bit.
"Sure thing. Bumblebee would be happy to see you." He said. "I could use some help around the base." The three walked down to get to Mikaela's car. But a horn was heard from beside Jack. There is Orionna driving up. The door opened for him.
"Sorry I'm late." Orionna spoke from the radio. "I need to talk to you. Alone." Jack doesn't know why he didn't see her holoform in the car.
"Is everything okay?" Jack asked. "I was gonna go with-"
"Just go. It's okay." Mikaela spoke. "We'll hang out another time." Jack nodded and got in the car. Orionna drove away as Jack was settled in the passenger seat.
Orionna and Jack are in the empty fields looking at the view. Orionna stood tall as Jack sat on the boulder. The teen looked up at his Autobot guardian in concern. He knew something was wrong. But, there is no Decepticon activity. In Orionna's optics, there is something worse.
"What's the matter?" Jack asked.
"Yesterday." Orionna said. "After Sideswipe took you home, he and Paramorah told us the bad news. Arcee informed Paramorah that...my mother, Elita-1, is dead." Jack blinked at her. He recalled the day when Orionna told him about Elita-1. The female leader of the female Autobots. Optimus' mate.
"She...never made it from Cybertron?" Jack asked.
"Shockwave killed her." Orionna said in a bitter tone. "He shot her down before she had a chance. The others got away, but...Arcee and a few others need time. They will not arrive on this planet. Yet, we are expecting Skids and Mudflap." Jack got off the boulder and place his hand on Orionna's blue leg. The Autobot blinked and look down at him.
"I'm sorry." Jack said. "We all lost our loved ones." Orionna kneeled down and her finger runs up and down on Jack's back.
"Thank you, Jack." She said sincerely. "You are a true friend." Jack smiled at her and hug her hand.
"Orionna, this is Sideswipe. Come back to base. Skids and Mudflap have arrived. They are having the soldiers a hard time." A voice from a commlink spoke. Orionna transformed and Jack got inside.
"Understood. On my way. Bringing Jack." Orionna spoke.
"Alright. It wouldn't hurt to visit for a day after school." Jack said with a smile. They drove off to get to the base.
"Just to give you a little warning about the twins. They are trouble."
"Oh come on. How bad can they be?"
"Hey! I get the green! You get the red!" The twins are arguing over which car they want since they have arrived. Jack and Orionna stood in silent as Skids transformed into a green car as Mudflap had to transform into a red car. They were both an ice cream truck, now they are separate cars. Skids transforms and show off his looks to Jack. "Well, what do you think, Jack my man? Do I look good?" He asked.
"Man, I look way better than you!" Mudflap spoke, hitting his twin.
"Enough, both of you!" Orionna barked. The twins stopped arguing and fighting before things get out of hand. "You two look great. Now, this is my friend, Jack. As a both of you heard about. He's the one we should protect."
"So, the Witwicky boy ain't important anymore?" Mudflap asked.
"I thought he's the one with those old school glasses?" Skids wondered.
"He was important." Orionna told the twins. "Now the Decepticons are after Jack for reasons. Now, Jack only stays with us on weekends. Protect him at all costs. Understand?"
"Oh sure. Sure." Skids said, rolling his optics at her. "You talk like a Prime."
"You ain't a leader like your old man." Mudflap pointed out. Orionna glared at the two. Jack went up to the twins.
"Look, she may not be a leader, but she is the daughter of Optimus Prime. She is a second Prime!" He said. "One day she will be a Prime like her father! You will follow her orders! So from now on, on this planet of mine, you will do as she wishes!" Skids and Mudflap stared at him in silent. Orionna smiled at bit at Jack.
"...Sorry, Orionna." Mudflap spoke. "We didn't mean it."
"It's alright." Orionna said.
"We'll protect your little friend here. And...I like him." Skids said. "This guy has guts." Jack laughed a bit. These two were a trip. They do talk like gangsters, but they are harmless.
"It's great to meet you guys, but I have to go back home. But I'll come back this weekend." Jack told them. Orionna transformed into a Ferrari as Jack climbed inside. As they disappeared, Paramorah walked up to the twins.
"Have you seen Prime?" She asked.
"Nah." Skids replied.
"Haven't seen him since we arrived out there." Mudflap told her. "Heard about Elita-1. Rough shit." Paramorah sighed a bit. Optimus couldn't get over the death of his beloved mate. Paramorah and the twins went inside the base to talk things over with Ratchet about living on Earth.
Barricade was driving slowly around the neighborhood and spotted Jack's house. The lights flicker a bit. A holoform of Barricade appeared in the front seat and his red eyes set on June who is locking up the house. She is heading to her car to get to work. Jack should be home by now. It will be the time to take him away. The Autobots will never know that he is gone. Unless Orionna had to come in and rescue him.
The blue Ferrari arrived by the house. Jack got out and patted on it before walking up to the front door. Barricade smirked as the boy walked inside and Orionna drove away without knowing her enemy is watching quietly.
Jack sets his backpack on the kitchen table before heading to the kitchen. Before he could make himself something to eat, a doorbell rang. Jack approached the front door, opened it, and see Barricade.
"Hello, Darby." Barricade spoke. Jack gasped. Before he could shut the door, Barricade grabbed him by the throat. He pins the teen against the wall, knocking the pictures down. "Come with me, and you will be spared. Or else your precious girlfriend will be dead like her mother." Barricade warned. Jack choked a bit. What does he want with him? What do these Decepticons want? Jack had no other choice. He can't call for help. He doesn't want to put Orionna or anyone he cared about in danger.
"What do you want from me?" Jack spoke.
"Starscream and I will tell you." Barricade said, leading Jack out of the house. "There is so much we need to discuss."