"Hey guys!" called out Miko, walking into the main room. Aria and Jack, who were sitting on either side of Raf playing a video game, looked up to see her toting a massive box. "What is it?" asked Aria.
"Found this in one of the closets," said Miko, setting it on the floor as the Autobots came close to the railing, "I was exploring a little bit since I was bored and I found a closet with a lot of boxes. Opened one of them and found this. Pictures! Old black and white ones, which are kinda interesting. I thought they had colors back then."
"Must've been from the last people that were here," commented Arcee as Aria and the boys joined her.
"And colors are actually kind of recent," said Raf, pulling out one of the pictures, looking at it. "Hey Miko! I found your grandpa."
Miko peered over his shoulder to see a japanese man with a few other people. She tugged his hair, a little annoyed, and said, "That is not my grandpa!"
As everyone burst out laughing, Jack pulled out another picture showing the whole group. "Pretty big group that was here," he commented.
As Aria pulled out another picture, she said, "Well, it is a pretty big place. There had to be a lot of people to..." She suddenly trailed off when she saw the picture.
"Aria?" asked Optimus, looking at her, "Are you alright?"
"F-fine," she finally said, a little shakey, "I just... I didn't know that my parents worked here."
"Your parents?" asked Ratchet, looking over from the computers.
Aria held up the picture. A slightly young man and woman were standing together, arms around each other, smiling at the camera. The lady's facial features looked slightly like Aria's, although Ratchet looked a little confused when he saw the couple's black hair. Miko dug through the box a little bit more and said, "Hey Aria! I think I found their proposal picture!"
Aria took the picture from her, seeing her dad kneeling on the ground in front of her mom. Her mother looked rather shocked, which was rather explainable with the tiny box that her dad held in between them. "Yeah," she said, nodding with a small smile. "That's my dad's proposal to her."
Optimus looked over at the picture as Bulkhead asked, "Wait. Their hair is black. Why is yours white?"
"Probably one of those human genetic things," said Ratchet. A sudden beep from the consul made him sigh. "Optimus. It's Agent Fowler."
As Ratchet answered the message, Optimus headed over to Ratchet, but not before casting a concerned look at Aria. Was he the only one that saw her go white or her eyes turn angry?
*PRIME!* A very loud exclamation came from Fowler as Ratchet answered the call.
"Agent Fowler," said Optimus, "To what do we owe-?"
*What else?* asked Fowler, *Cons. I chased them off after some hard ordinance, but not before they blew meout of the sky!*
Miko, who was resting on the railing with the rest of the humans, snorted and said, "Again?"
"I hope that guy's got jet insurance," commented one of the Aerialbots in Aria's head. She was prety sure that it ws Jetfire. She had met him a few weeks previous to her encounter with the Autobots.
Agent Fowler either ignored Miko or didn't hear her, because he kept talking. *They tried to smash and grab for the DINGUS,* he explained.
"The watsit?" asked Arcee and several of the voices in Aria's head.
*Dynamic Nuclear Generation System,* said Agent Fowler slowly, *a.k.a. DINGUS.* The view of his face transfered to a small room, where a massive metal box was strapped to the floor. *Its a prototype energy source I'm transporting to the coast for testing.*
"That's absurd," scoffed Ratchet, "Why would Starscream bother with such primitive technology?"
"Ever heard of Chynobyll?" asked Aria, "Radiation testing turned the land desolate."
*He'd probably use it to make a big bad weapon of mass destruction,* said Fowler as the view switched back to him. *If this baby were to melt down,* he explained, *It would irradiate this state and the four next door!*
That made Rafael nervous. "Uh, did Agent Fowler say which state he was in?" he asked.
*I'm a sitting duck here, Prime,* said Fowler, *I need you to spin up your bridge and transport the DINGUS to it's destination before the Cons come back for it.*
"Can't happen," said Perceptor.
"I'm afraid that such a request is out of the notion," said Optimus. He quickly explained, "If an accident were to happen in the Groundbridge, the radiation of which you speak would provigate through the Groundbridge vortex and harm all fifty states and beyond."
Agent Fower was quiet for a while. *Ya got any better ideas?* he asked.
"Well," said Aria, pipping up, "If we can't fly it, we could just drive it there."
And that's what they were doing several hours later as Ratchet said to Optimus, "If all goes well, you should reach your destination by sundown."
While that was going on, Miko looked over at Arianna, who was sitting on the couch with her black sleevless hoodie in her hands. She appeared to be sewing a cloth facial mask to it. "What you doing that for?" asked the younger girl.
Aria looked up before continuing on with her work. "Call it... insurance," she said after a slight pause.
"Whatever for?" asked Ratchet, looking over at her.
"I... I don't know," she said, "I've just got this feeling. Sure, Starscream could use the DINGUS to make some kind of superweapon, but why? According to Skywarp and Thundercracker, he'd rather use cybertronian technology to get what he wants. He hates using 'primitive stuff' when they put it in his words."
"So, you think this is someone else's thing?" asked Jack.
"Could be," Aria replied, pulling back on the hoodie. She pulled her hair through the small hole in the hood as she finished, "And whatever, or whoever it is, they're giving me a bad feeling."
Suddenly, Bulkhead pipped up. *Check your rearviews! I feel a little restricted without the use of my fists, boss.*
*Remain in vehicular mode,* ordered the Prime.
"What is it?" asked Aria, joining everyone else in front of the computer.
*The guy who shot me down,* said Fowler, *And a whole team of Cons.*
"What?" said Ratchet, looking at the computer in confusion, "I'm not picking up anything! They must be utilizing some kind of cloaking technology."
"If that were true," said Nauticia, "Team Prime wouldn't have seen them. You can't cloak your signature without cloaking yourself. Not unless you're really careful so that you stay visible."
"But doesn't make sense," said Skywarp, "Starscream likes to put on a show. These guys aren't doing anything flashy. So that could mean..."
Aria realized it. "These guys aren't Decepticon," she said.
"They're not?" asked Ratchet.
"Then who are they?" asked Raf.
Optimus provided the answer a few seconds later after a startled, *Well I'll be dipped!* came from Agent Folwer.
*Our assailents are not Decepticon,* he reported, *They are human.*
"Human?" said everyone.
"Oh, please!" scoffed Miko, "Against our Bots? They're roadkill."
"I don't think these guys are ordinary humans," said Aria. "Agent Folwer? What do they look like?"
*All that I saw was grey and forest green clothes,* said Fowler, *And I couldn't see a face. Just a mask with green goggles.*
The description, however, triggered a memory...
[Flashback]
She opened her eyes and stood, rushing over to the side of the roof to see several masked men. She didn't really notice them. The only thing that she really noticed was the scar-faced, tall man with a blond buzz-cut.
"Silas." she snarled under her breath.
[End Flashback]
"Aria?" came a timid voice. Aria was startled out of her memory, and she looked down to see Raf staring worriedly up at her. "Are you okay?" he asked.
Aria looked at him for a few seconds before saying, "No, Raf. I'm not."
Ratchet looked at her and realized what she meant. "You know them, don't you?"
Before Aria could answer, a new voice came in on Agent Fowler's fequency. *I certainly do hope you treat the DINGUS better than you do your captives!*
That made Aria freeze. *Special Agent William Fowler here!* yelled Agent Folwer, *Identify yourself!*
*I am Silas,* said the voice, *But of a greater concern to you; we are MECH.*
Everything blocked out after Aria heard that. Only one thought raced through her head- the name of the man that killed her family.
Silas.
Miko happened to look over at Aria as Fowler and Silas finished with pleasentries and Ratchet told Optimus to move to Phase 2. Her eyes widdened when she saw her friend's face. "Uh... hey you guys?" Everyone turned to look at her as she pointed to Aria.
Everyone was rather surprised with the look on her face. Aria's bright blue eyes were chips of pure ice with white flames. Her usually pale skin was now an even paler shade, and her mouth was set in an angry snarl. White light surged around her hands with small ribbons of a dark blood red color. Her hair was floating a little eerily as well. "I think she's mad," said Miko.
"I have never seen her this mad before," commented Raf, backing up slightly.
"That isn't anger," said Ratchet, his optics widening, "That's rage."
*Optimus, this is Ratchet.*
"Go ahead, Ratchet," responded Optimus.
*It's Aria. I think she knows this MECH,* said Ratchet.
Agent Fowler smacked his forehead with his hand. "And now I remember where I've heard Silas's name before!"
*How does Aria know him?* asked Arcee, driving in front of Optimus.
Fowler gave a slightly depressed sigh and said, "The reason why Aria's in a foster home is because she has a step-uncle living on an island called Griffin Rock. You actually know him, Prime."
"Her step-uncle is Chief Burns?" said Optimus in slight shock.
"But if it weren't for that," said Agent Fowler, "she probably wouldn't be here. She'd actually be an orphan.
"Her parents were brutally murdered and her home was blown up when she was only three years old. All because of Silas."
Fowler could've sworn that the temperature in the cab dropped a few degrees, but it also felt slightly warm at the same time.
Aria came back to her senses when she heard, "Optimus is down!" from Miko. She shook her head and asked, "Okay, what did I miss?"
"Decepticons showed up," explained Jack, "Bots had to blow cover to fight them. MECH found out about Phase Two and Optimus got knocked out. And now MECH's going for the DINGUS. We need a new plan."
"Sort of like a... Phase Three?" asked Raf.
"Alright," murmured Jack to himself. Then he said, "If MECH's gonna get the DINGUS, then they need to get on that train."
"Ooh!" cheered Miko, "how about we get aboard there first! You know, run some human on human action?" She pumped her fists forward.
Both Aria and Ratchet shouted at the same time, "Absolutely not!"
Jack gave a small sigh and said, "Yeah, that'd be suicide."
"Uh, hello?" asked Miko, "The United States of Meltdown? Lives are at stake?"
"Yes- yours!" said Aria hotly, "You don't know what MECH is! I do! They are brutal and savage! If they have guns, which they usually do, they will kill you in an instant!"
"And not only that," said Ratchet, "but you not just want me to bridge you into a confined space, but one traveling at ninety miles per hour? I can't even count the number of ways that could go wrong! Mass displacement trauma! Twisted limbs! Metal burn!"
Everyone gave him a look.
"Well," he corrected himself, "maybe not the last one. Regardless," he continued, "It is near impossible to fix Groundbridge coordinates on something moving that fast!"
"Would it help if we had access to the train's coordinates?" asked Raf, pulling up the data on the computer.
"Well..." mused Ratchet, looking at the data.
"Did I mention that MECH would probably kill everyone on sight?" said Aria.
"You said if they had a gun," said Ratchet, walking over to the Groundbridge controls, "But I have a feeling that they would rather keep the DINGUS intact and not want to risk a stray bullet hitting it. So they probably will not have guns."
"Then I'll go by myself," said Aria, hopping off the catwalk.
"Not by yourself, you're not!" said Jack and Miko at the same time.
"No! Objections!" said Aria, "I'm not letting you guys get hurt in my fight! Ratchet, prep the bridge."
"Aria, they're right," said Ratchet, "Your fight against MECH has turned into our fight as well. At least let Jack and Miko go with you."
Aria was about to say something when Ironhide said, "Strength in numbers, kid. You might not think you need them, but you do."
Aria gave an angry sigh and snarled, "Fine! But I'm in charge, clear?"
"Yes ma'am," said Miko meekly.
A few minutes later, Aria, Jack and Miko landed in the train. Aria stood up and rubbed her back. "Well, I've had better landings," she said.
"Yup," said Jack. He pulled out his phone and said into it, "Raf, we're in."
*I read you, Jack!* came Raf's voice, *The cell phone patch works.*
"At least something is going right today," said Aria. She looked up as a helicopter sounded above them. "Sounds like they're landing on top of the train."
*In a few seconds, you'll reach a fork,* reported Raf, *Brace yourselves!*
"You've got the masks I gave you, right?" Aria asked as she pulled on her hood and pulled up her face cloth.
Jack and Miko nodded, pulling out the goggles that Aria had brought along. As soon as they were on, the train lurched to the side and Aria gave a pleased smile when she heard the helicopter sliding off. Suddenly, Raf gave a yelp. *They cut me out of the system!* he yelled.
*And what have I been saying all along about earth technology?* asked Ratchet.
Everyone looked up as something heavy landed on the roof and something began to cut it away. "So what did that buy us?" asked Jack, "Ten seconds?"
"Raf is losing his touch," commented Miko.
Aria looked at the unconcious guard that was in the car with them and grabbed his gun. "Are you insane?" asked Jack.
"I can't use my powers," she said, "Besides, if what Ratchet said is true, they'll hesitate to come in here when they see me with this."
"Well, if that's the case," said Miko. She rushed to the wall behind her and grabbed the fire axe while Jack picked up the fire extinguisher that hung beside it.
Aria rolled her eyes and jumped as the piece of roof fell to the floor. The three of them looked up as a few members of MECH peered into the hole. Aria held up her gun, aiming it at them.
"You want a slice of this?" asked Miko, hefting her axe, "Well do ya?"
Jack looked at her and held up his fire extinguisher. "What she said!" he yelled at them.
The troopers looked at each other, then walked away. "Huh?" said Aria, watching as the helicopter took off. She pulled open the side door and looked outside as the helicopter flew away.
"Whoa!" said Miko, hanging onto her arm, watching them leave, "We're pretty fierce!"
"I don't think it was that," said Jack nervously.
An explosion suddenly sounded. When the three of them looked ahead, they saw a plume of smoke appear. "They blew the tracks!" said Aria, her eyes widening in horror.
Jack pulled off his goggles and pulled out his phone. "Ratchet!" he said, "MECH blew the tracks! You need to bridge us out of here! The soldiers too!"
*We lost access to the train data!* said Ratchet, *I can't bridge you out without your coordinates!*
"Well, I'm not waiting for an approval!" said Aria, "One thing I know for certain I am not getting killed by MECH like my parents!" She quickly cloaked and grabbed the side of the door, climbing up until she was on the roof. It was too risky to fly. As soon as she was up, she rushed along the top of the train, trying to get to the engine.
*Optimus,* said Ratchet as a recovered Optimus raced along the edge of the track, *Aria, Jack and Miko are on that train and MECH has just blown the tracks!*
Optimus's spark nearly froze when he heard this, but he quickly said, "I'm on my way!" As he sped up, he yelled, "Maximum overdrive!"
Aria soon reached the engine, entering the caboose and looking at the switches and levers in front of her. "Now c'mon!" she yelled in frustration, "Which one is the brake? Why don't they ever label these things!"
"Long lever on the side!" Nauticia told her. She quickly grabbed it and breathed a sigh of relief when she felt the train start to slow down. But when she looked outside, she felt her heart plummet again. The gap in the tracks was coming closer. The train wasn't slowing down quickly enough!
"Well scrud," she said, then she heard a transformation sequence and something red and blue flashed by her. A small jerk nearly caused her to fall over, but she could hear someone grunting outside. It was Optimus!
Soon enough, the train came to a full stop. Aria breathed a sigh of relief and watched as the MECH helicopter carrying Silas flew off. Then she came out of the train, hearing Jack give a yelp as Miko punched his arm hard. Optimus had been talking to Ratchet, telling him that they were all right, but he paused when he saw her. "Are you hurt?" he asked, worry in his voice as his face mask slid back.
Aria pulled off her hood and looked down, not sure what to say. Finally, a black digit gently eased itself under her chin, lifting her head up until she could see Optimus's face. The worry and gentleness in his gaze made something shatter slightly in Aria, and she couldn't stop the tears as they started to come down her face.
Optimus knelt down and his hand lowered slightly as her arms wrapped around his digit, crying silently. The look of deep sadness on his face said that he knew that Aria had changed.
MECH had returned, and Aria had broken again.
So, I think I might be leaving Author comments on some of these chapters, like in chapter eleven. So, as it can be evident, Aria doesn't just have the sense of humor that you've seen in her a little bit.
She is, as I put in the first chapter, a child who grew up to early. She's broken slightly. But a certain Autobot will be helping her along the road.