As this story progresses, I am constantly amazed, and extremely grateful for all the wonderful reviews and responses I have received. I was pleasantly surprised when the season premiere aired to find the basic idea of the key being so integral, and Jack having a slight leadership adjustment (given his aggressive stance when the Autobots were arguing among themselves and almost coming to blows) were elements I had in my story. While some of what I am writing won't track the episodes, naturally, I hope that the AU aspects are enjoyable for everyone. I hope you enjoy this update. Gregg.
Disclaimer: I don't own, or profit from, these characters or franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Jack and Arcee sped down the highway, both reflecting on their own thoughts. Sometimes they did that, just riding and not talking much. It was the togetherness that mattered, and even though they had not really talked about the changing dynamics of their feelings for one another, it had always been that togetherness.
Jack was thinking about what lay ahead once they found out what could be done for Optimus. He wasn't going to hide the fact that he was genuinely scared about what could happen. Some part of him wondered what Optimus was thinking when he handed him that Key. Ratchet's opinion made a great deal of sense, but he was only a kid. Yeah, he bristled whenever anyone used that term, but he was still only in his teens and not even graduated from high school.
Arcee, on the other hand, was wondering what would happen if they failed and Optimus couldn't be brought back. He was the linchpin of possibly winning the war. They'd been holding, dammit! Cybertron may be lost and dark, but this planet had become their home and they had been defending it well. Without Optimus, though, she couldn't see how they could possibly defeat the 'Cons. Another world doomed to the malevolence of Megatron and his ilk. Then she thought of what would happen to those they cared about. She had not brought it up before, but she had noticed the small exchange between Megatron and Jack when they were all getting ready to take on Unicron. Arcee had no illusions about what would happen to the kids and any they were close to.
"How long until mid-line?" Jack asked over the comm.
"Twenty-three minutes," Arcee replied when she checked her internal chronometer. "Tired of riding, partner?"
"How about taking a break and chilling?" Jack suggested, wondering if she would ask him about the slang.
Arcee smiled to herself. She knew that one. "There's an overlook over there," she told him and went off the road and sped to where she was thinking. Once she got there she transformed to her primary mode when he got off and then she sat and looked out over the ravine. She felt warmed somehow in a way that didn't make sense when she felt Jack sitting beside her, his shoulder against her side near her hip.
"What if we can't find whatever it is that Optimus was hinting at?" Jack asked finally. He let his own fears and insecurities show in his tone of voice for the first time since this nightmare began.
"I really don't know, Jack," she told him honestly. She heard the fear he was expressing, but she didn't know how to alleviate it. "To be honest, this war is all I've ever known. Optimus was already a Prime when I came online. I'm not even sure I believe in all the talk about Vector Sigma and Primus giving the title of Prime."
"I'd say that the existence of Unicron is pretty good proof that Primus exists," Jack replied, knowing that Arcee was hoping he would discuss it with her. "And how would you explain the removal of his memories as a Prime?"
"I guess," Arcee sounded unconvinced. "Jack, I don't want you worrying too much, yet. One of the things I learned from you, and am still learning, is to let go of my pessimism. I wish with all my Spark that this war hadn't gotten you caught up in it, but it happened. For now, I want to be able to believe that you're safe, and that we will get Optimus back."
"And if we do?" Jack asked, curious to know what she was thinking about if they succeeded.
Arcee looked down at him, her faceplate offering a tender expression. "Then we will be having a long talk about the two of us," she told him. She saw him try and say something but she halted him. "Now is not the time, Smooth Operator. For now, let's just enjoy the view until we have to head back. We need the rest."
They didn't talk much at all the rest of the time they sat there watching the vista. Each had their own, yet shared, views of what they wanted to happen if they got Optimus back.
Back at the base Rafael was working with Ratchet on the sensor scans. Raf was on his ever present laptop, the souped up one that Ratchet had given him with a lot of advanced programming and capabilities. Ratchet was rattling off readings and Raf was inputting them, allowing a specially written algorithm to work it's magic. At least they hoped it would produce some magical results.
"How are your parents adjusting to what is happening?" Ratchet asked curiously. He liked the young human, and was working on becoming more and more accessible to their young allies, despite his sarcastic demeanor.
"Okay, I guess," Raf shrugged. "I think they're more surprised that anyone would think that a few kids could be such a help in something like this."
"I was not so different when it came to humans in general," Ratchet admitted, tweaking a couple of settings. "Would you like me to explain what kind of a difference you and the others make?" he offered.
Raf was shocked. Ratchet and his sarcasm were usually what could be counted on the most. Now he was admitting that they made a real contribution? It was amusing in a way, but also a bit humbling given what he knew of Cybertronian technology and abilities in the computer sciences.
"No, they'll come around," Raf told him. "They don't cause me problems about helping out, and I want the to see what it is we do."
Ratchet paused, and then turned from what he was doing to take a close look at the young human. "Rafael," he said seriously. "You don't simply help out. You are an integral part of our team. Your contributions have been significant, even if I haven't given much acknowledgment of them. Please do not downplay your worth. I have come to realize that size does not readily translate into ability or disability. You may not be able to head into battle with Bumblebee and the others, just like Jack and Miko are not able to, despite their eagerness to help their partners at times, but that doesn't mean that you do not make winning those battles any less possible. Your work with me on the systems here have made the difference any number of times, such as when we needed to utilize the ground bridge to transport Jack and Miko onto that moving train."
Raf was thrilled that Ratchet was speaking so highly of him. All his life he had been out of place because he was so far ahead of everyone. He was a few years young for being in High School, and it was hard making any friends. He was grateful for Jack and Miko, as they worked hard at including him in their activities at school and out of school when they weren't spending time at the base. His parents had always been great, and gave him a lot of space to become his own person, but sometimes a few words of encouragement and acknowledgment about his worth were important, too, and Ratchet had just given him something very special to hold onto.
"Ratchet?" Raf asked. "When all this is over and we have Optimus back, could you continue teaching me about Cybertron?"
Ratchet was pleased at the change in demeanor, and was also pleased at the request. He decided to make one of his own. "Only if you would begin teaching me about Earth," he replied. It was about as close as he could come to actually saying that this planet was now important enough to him to learn much more about it. He had a suspicion that Rafael would be a very good teacher.
"Deal," Raf smiled, and then turned back to his laptop and telling his friend another adjustment to make.
Right after Ratchet input the adjustment the sensor began beeping. They'd done it. Nemesis was now visible to their sensors. He looked over at Raf and smiled. He hoped that it conveyed how important the young boys contribution to this really was. He opened a comm channel.
"Arcee, Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Jack, Miko, and Agent Fowler," he said calmly. "Please come to the main control room. We've found Nemesis."
A/N: There's more to come. I'm working on setting up what happens assuming they get Optimus back, but also making sure that each of the people gets some time. I have also been giving Ratchet some time to show a more compassionate side. I hope that you've enjoyed this chapter. Gregg.
