Chapter 7: Ratchet+Science Projects= Disaster
Jasper High School:
I watched as the clock was ticking by in my last period of the day while my teacher was going on about how the science fair is tomorrow. Ugh the science fair! The one subject that I'm not doing so great in and I have a project to finish today, but at least I'm not the only one who has to do it. Jack, Raf, and Miko have to do a project too so at least I'm not alone. Jack is working on rebuilding a motorcycle engine, Miko is making a model of our solar system, Raf is making a volcano, and for me I'm making a dry ice tornado. Yeah it's weird, but it was the easiest thing I could find to do and hopefully boost my grade. We all have been working on it for the past few days at the base and trust me when I say that the Autobots are naturally curious and asked many questions. All of us explained it too them and surprisingly they understood and wanted to help us out.
"Hello? Earth to Jordyn! Are you there?" Miko asked me as she was waving her hand in front of me.
"Oh yeah I am sorry! So what do you want?" I asked her after coming out of my daze.
Miko laughed and then said, "Oh just wanted to know if you would help me paint my solar system today?"
"I will as soon as I finish my project ok?" I said to her while laughing and she gave me a thumbs up.
Jack then turned to look at us and said, "Miko why can't you ever work on project by yourself and besides don't you have Bulkhead helping you?"
"I can work on it on my own! There's just a lot to paint! Yeah Bulkhead is helping, but he's helping me hold it up so I can paint it." Miko then explained to Jack.
"Well I got Bee helping me with my volcano too! So is Arcee helping you guys on your projects?" Raf said as he walked over to the rest of us.
Jack turned to Raf and said, "Yeah she is helping us the best that she can."
I nodded my head in agreement, "Yeah she really has been since my project requires handling dry ice…"
"And since she doesn't have to worry about burning herself…" Miko then said to me.
Jack then looked at both of us, "Meaning Arcee then can hold the ice for you so you don't burn yourself."He then concluded.
"Exactly!" I said to the rest of them with a smile. Then the bell rang and Miko was the first one out of there.
Jack, Raf, and I laughed at the sight of Miko running out the door and shoving kids out of the way no doubt waiting to go see Bulkhead. I then headed to my locker to get my bag that has our project stuff in it and started to go out the front door to meet Jack and Arcee. When I got outside I already see that Bulkhead and Miko already left with Bumblebee and Raf following behind. I then approached Jack and Arcee who were waiting for me patiently.
Arcee then greeted me, "Hey Jordyn! How was school today?"
"School was good! Sorry I took so long to get here, but I had to get my project out of my locker." I explained to the both of them as we took off towards the base.
"It's alright Jordyn. So if don't mind me asking what exactly do you have in their?" Arcee asked me curiously.
"Yeah Jordyn it looks like you're carrying a bunch of bricks in that bag!" Jack then said to me, amused.
I looked at both of them annoyed, "Its just stuff I need for my project and yours so if you don't want me to accidentally drop your tool box while riding…" I said warning him.
"Alright alright Jordyn! I was only kidding! Oh and by the way thank you for getting that I completely forgot about it this morning." Jack said while looking back at me.
"I've always got you back Jack! Oh and I was kidding about dropping your tool box! I just wanted to see how you would react!" I said while laughing.
"Haha very funny Jordyn!" Jack said annoyed, but then started to laugh along with me.
Arcee then joins the conversation, "Alright you two settle down before you laugh yourselves right off of me." She said as turned onto the last stretch of road to the base.
"Sorry Arcee!" Jack and I both said after calming down, but we were still smiling.
"I wonder how Ratchet's going to react to Miko painting her project today? She can be really messy sometimes." I said to Arcee and Jack curiously.
Arcee then turned her mirrors to look at me, "He'll probably grind a gear or something close to it." She answered while laughing slightly.
Jack and I laugh at Arcee's remark as we finally arrived at the front of the base and went into the tunnel. This was going to be an interesting day for sure whenever Ratchet finds out that all of us will be working on our projects and no doubt in our mind that he'll complain about us being in his way.
Autobot Base:
As soon as we got into base, we immediately jumped into working on our projects. I set down my bag and got all the stuff we needed out of it and began working while Arcee knelt beside both of us. I looked across the base to see that Miko and Raf have already started on their projects with Bulkhead and Bumblebee by their side. Smiling at the sight of this, I then turned around to begin finishing up a few things on my project. My project was looking pretty good and I was very proud too because I'm really not that good in science so I had every right to be proud of it.
I then turned around to Raf who was currently trying to test out his volcano when I gave him a warning, "Hey Raf be careful don't stand to close when you test it because you don't want to get blasted in the face! Trust me I learned the hard way about that!"
"Thanks for the tip Jordyn! You built a volcano before? What happened?" Raf asked me curiously
"Yes I did Raf back in 5th grade and the only thing good about it is that I got third place with it! What happened? Well let's just say someone hit the button, Jack, and I was standing to close and I got a face full of baking soda, food coloring and vinegar!" I said irritated while looking at Jack who in turn bowed his head at the memory.
"I can tell you weren't too happy about that!" Raf said as took a step back away from his volcano.
I turned away from Jack to look at Raf, "Yeah I wasn't because I smelled like vinegar for a week and not to mention my face was stained orange and red as well." I said frustrated while giving a look to Jack.
Jack then put his hands up in defense and said, "I said I was sorry Jordyn! It was a total accident I swear!"
"Yeah I know it still gets to me sometimes sorry!" I said apologetically to Jack.
Jack then turned to look at me, "It's alright Jordyn." He said to me with a smile.
Arcee then touches my shoulder and said, "It seems like science isn't really your thing Jordyn."
I turned to look at Arcee, "It never has been Arcee!" I said with a smile. "So Raf how about you test out that volcano of yours!"
Raf then smiled at me and then turned to his volcano and Bumblebee gave him a thumbs up! We all watched as Raf got the remote and stood back a few feet and pressed the button. The volcano started smoking and then we could see the "lava" come out and things were going well until it actually exploded like a real volcano. As soon as the volcano exploded smoke started to fill the room and we heard loud footsteps run into the room belonging to Ratchet and Optimus.
"Decepticons! Were under attack!" Ratchet shouted as he ran towards us with Optimus in tow.
As soon as the smoke cleared Raf then spoke up to Ratchet, "It's no attack Ratchet. Just my volcano!" Raf then coughed and continued, "Well it used to be a volcano!"
"Hold still Bulkhead! Jupiter needs its red spot!" Miko said while dripping some paint on the floor. "Whoopsie!"
"What in the Allspark is going on here?" Ratchet asked us frustration apparent in his voice.
Jack then looked up at Ratchet, "All our projects are due tomorrow for school." He said as Arcee handed him an exhaust pipe for his motorcycle.
"Maybe it needs one of these doohickeys." Arcee suggested to Jack while he just shook his head.
"You're a motorcycle Arcee shouldn't you know how to build a motorcycle engine?" Jack asked amused.
Arcee then gave him a 'oh really look' and then said, "You're a human Jack! Can you build me a small intestine?"
I couldn't help but laugh at that, "She's got you there Jack! Good one Arcee!" I said while laughing.
Arcee then smiled at me, "Thanks Jordyn!" I then smiled as Ratchet continued to talk to us.
"You can't do your projects in here…your making a mess!" Ratchet said pointing to us.
"But the science fair is a big part of grade!" Raf explained to Ratchet.
Miko then approached the railing close to Ratchet, "Yeah if Bulkhead doesn't help me finish this model of our solar system-." She was then interrupted by Ratchet's lecture.
"Oh…and what does Bulkhead know of you solar system? Or Bumblebee of your volcanoes? Or…" Ratchet's voice then trailed off.
"Arcee of our motorcycles or tornadoes?" Jack and I quipped in. Ratchet then turned his gaze from Jack, Arcee, and I back to the rest of them.
"Precisely were not Earthlings! And they're not scientists!" Ratchet stated as a 'matter of fact.'
Optimus then decided to intervene into the conversation, "But the Autobots are their guardians Ratchet. Would it hurt to learn more of our human friends by helping them with their schoolwork?" He questioned.
"Well maybe our friends could learn more of Cybertron! And none of them would be interested anyways" Ratchet said to Optimus as he looked back down at us.
Miko then got a bored expression on her face, "Yeah it sounds like it would be another boring history lesson!" She said while going back to paint her planets.
"Well I don't think so Miko! It might be interesting to learn more about Cybertron! You never know."I said turning back to work on my project while looking up to see Ratchet's reaction to my comment.
Ratchet then looked surprised and then Optimus said, "You see Ratchet. Never assume that all the children wouldn't be interested." Optimus then smiled at me and turned to monitor for activity.
For the next hour or so, we all worked on finishing our projects well except for Raf who had to rebuild hid volcano after it melted after it exploded everywhere. Jack's motorcycle engine was coming along really well and Miko's solar system was almost complete. My project was running pretty smooth and Arcee even helped me test it with the dry ice that I stored in the base's freezer a couple of days ago. Everything was quiet for awhile until the monitor beeped indicating some activity.
Ratchet then announced, "Exposed Energon and it's on the move!" I then went up closer to the monitors and leaned against the railing next to Miko.
"And if we ain't moving it, guess who must be?" Bulkhead asked even though it was obvious who.
Arcee then walked up beside Bulkhead at the monitors, "Decepticons." She said with venom in her voice.
Miko looked at me confused and turned to ask the bots, "Without Megatron?"
Optimus then turned to look at Miko, "Unfortunately Megatron's legacy will live on as others rise to take his place." Optimus said with a grave tone of voice. "Autobots you have projects to complete. Ratchet I may require aid." He addressed Ratchet who in turn looked over at Raf working on his project.
"Science fair is a big part of their grade…I think I better stay here and advise." Ratchet said now interested in our projects! Shocker!
"Very well then. Bumblebee lets go see about this Energon in transit." Optimus said as he turned to face Bumblebee.
Ratchet then went to Groundbridge and began to type in the coordinates and opened the bridge. We all watched them go through as Raf waved goodbye to Bumblebee and started to work again on his project. Since I was done with my project and that I tested it, I went over to help Raf with his volcano despite what I said earlier. He looked grateful for my help, but then Ratchet decided to intervene.
"Rafael why don't you let me help you build a better volcano than the one you have there." Ratchet said as he knelt down beside us.
"Oh its okay Ratchet my volcano is fine. I don't want you to stress out over it." Raf said to Ratchet humbly.
"Oh I don't have a problem with it! Here let me help!" Ratchet then got work putting pieces of metal together.
After about thirty minutes, Ratchet had a large metal volcano constructed that was as tall as I am and to me it looked really heavy for someone of Raf's size to move around. Raf then saw what Ratchet was constructing and gave him a confused look with worry evident on his face.
"What is it Ratchet?" Raf asked as he walked over to what is supposed to be his volcano.
Ratchet then stopped welding and looked down at Raf, "You'll find out!" He said in a crazed scientist voice.
"But Ratchet shouldn't I be the one doing all the work?" Raf said as he went to go touch the volcano.
"Eep Eep don't touch just watch and learn." He scolded Raf and went back to welding.
Bulkhead then decided to speak to Ratchet, "So we're going to go Jack, Miko, and Jordyn finish their-." But he was interrupted by Ratchet who looked back at them like they were crazy.
"Without my supervision? You want them to be right don't you?" Ratchet question Arcee and Bulkhead who merely looked at each other. He then turned his welder back on, "Then watch a master at work!" Ratchet said crazily.
Miko then looked at Jack and I, "Control freak!" She said while we nodded our heads in agreement.
"Yeah no kidding! Ratchet's not just a nut; he's a whole jar of peanuts!" I said while Jack, Miko, Arcee, and Bulkhead stood there and laughed. We all stopped our laughing when Ratchet stopped his welder.
"What's so funny?" Ratchet asked the rest of us who were still smiling.
Jack and I looked at each other and said, "Oh nothing Ratchet." He didn't look to convinced, but just waved it off and got back to work.
For the next couple of hours, Ratchet managed to finish Raf's volcano and then started to work on the rest of our projects. My project was the first one he looked at and then took it to his lab and began to make modifications on it and to tell you the truth I was a little bit afraid at what he was going to do to it. About twenty minutes later he came and set my project back to where it was and surprisingly it looked the same as it did before he took it. Curiosity getting the best of me I went over to look and then I turned to Ratchet who was working on Jack's project.
"Ratchet what exactly did you do to my project?" I said curiously yet still scared at what he might say.
Without even looking up from Jack's project he answered, "I made some modifications to the fan that you were using so could have much more wind power. "
I then turned and walked away towards Arcee, "Well at least he didn't do anything to drastic to it like he did with Raf's volcano." I said to Arcee with little relief.
"You got a point there Jordyn, but you should still be extra careful! You never know how much more power he put into the fan motor." Arcee warned while looking down at me.
I just nodded my head in agreement and watched as Ratchet worked on Jack's project and then Miko's. Let's just hope that we all get a passing grade for our projects and not any injuries that go with it. As it got later and later the bots then decided it was time for us to go home to get some rest. Usually we would complain about going home, but with the thought of Ratchet making more modifications to our projects, gave us the incentive to go home. Miko and I were able to take our projects home since they weren't humongous like Raf or Jack's project, so Ratchet said that he meet us in the morning to drop the boys' projects off. With that said we all took off for the evening, but since Bumblebee wasn't back yet, Raf had to get a ride from Bulkhead. As we drove home I kept thinking on how we would do on our projects and hopefully they won't destroy the school.
Time Cut to next morning at Jasper High School:
Jack and I got up extra early this morning to go to school since he had to go pick up his project from Ratchet. To say the least Jack was a little bit afraid at what Ratchet did to his project and I really can't blame him. The ride to school was quiet because frankly we were all tired and were up a little earlier than usual from worry of what will happen with our projects. So all three of us just enjoyed the calm before the storm and I have a feeling that one was brewing as we speak. We finally reached the school when we saw Ratchet in ambulance mode, waiting for us to get Jack's project.
Jack walked over to Ratchet and said, "Morning Ratchet so where's my project?"
"In the front seat Jack. Jordyn you might want to help him get it out." Ratchet ordered the both of us as we went to the front seat and grabbed Jack's project.
"Ugh wow this thing is really heavy, but nothing we can't handle right Jack?" I said confidently.
Jack then looked at me and said, "Yeah it isn't too bad Jordyn and thank you Ratchet for the help."
"Yeah thank you Ratchet we really appreciate it." I said to him with a smile.
"You're welcome and tell me later all about how the both of you did!" Ratchet said clearly proud of his work.
"Good luck today kiddos!" Arcee said trying to boost our confidence levels.
"Thanks Arcee! See you later!" Jack and I said with a smile to her and she revved her engines and took off with Ratchet in tow.
We both then got inside the school and went straight to the science classroom where we were met by Raf and Miko who already had their projects set up.
"Hey guys! Well let's hope that Ratchets 'modifications' pay off!" I said to all of them who reluctantly nodded their heads.
We went through the school day as nervous as ever at what might happen with our science projects that Ratchet got a hold of. The day seemed to go by fast because before we knew it, it was time for science class. We had science class at the end of the day so at least if things go wrong we can immediately leave school and not have to worry about missing any other classes. All of us entered the room and went to stand by our projects, to wait and see who would be called first.
"Miss. Nakadai may you please bring your project up to the front." Our science teacher Mr. Lackey said pointing to Miko.
"Good Luck!" I said while watching her go up to the front with the model of Cybertron.
Miko then turned to the rest of the class and our teacher looks up at Miko, "Now Miss. Nakadai what planet would that be?" Mr. Lackey asked with a confused look on his face.
Miko paused for a moment and said very honestly, "Umm Cybertron." Then the string that was holding the model of Cybertron broke off and fell onto the desk.
"Now I am impressed by your craftsmanship on this so called planet, but as you know there is no such thing as a metal planet. Thank you though for your effort, but you earned a C-. "Mr. Lackey said as he switched papers.
Miko then walked up to the rest of us, "That's what he thinks! Oh well at least I passed." She said relieved.
"Mr. Darby would you please bring your project forward." Mr. Lackey said as he pointed towards Jack.
I helped lift the project to the front and gave him a thumbs up before leaving him to go back to my project.
"Well its large Mr. Darby and well built so good job, but is it operational?" Mr. Lackey asked curiously.
Jack then sighed as he went to lift a lever to turn it on and as if on cue the machine lit up and started to jump up and down bouncing all around the room until it slammed down the door. The whole class screamed as well as the innocent bystanders in the hallway and Jack ran out the door to stop it before it could hurt anyone. He managed to stop the flying piece of machinery but not without getting bruises in the process and he brought it back to the classroom. Mr. Lackey let's just say was less than pleased at Jack.
"Mr. Darby I just have to say that since you managed to create a device that destroyed my door has earned you an F so if you please just go set that contraption back where you had it." Mr. Lackey said with frustration evident in his voice.
Jack then said, "I'm sorry Mr. Lackey I understand. " Jack then turned to drop off his project in the back.
I then went up to Mr. Lackey and said, "Mr. Lackey I understand that your upset, but if Jack promises to repair your door for free will you at least give him a passing grade?"
Mr. Lackey didn't answer for a few moments and then answered, "Alright then I'll give him a C- only if he comes and fixes my door. "
"Of course sir I will!" Jack said happily then he looked at me and muttered, "Thank you!"
I smiled and nodded at him when Mr. Lackey said, "Alright Miss. Darby you're up next."
I nodded my head and went to go get my project as well as my dry ice from the back of the room and brought it to the front for everyone to see. Mr. Lackey looked at it with a confused look on his face.
"What exactly is it Miss, Darby?" Mr. Lackey asked while looking at my project questionably.
"My project is a dry ice tornado maker! As you can see all you have to do is to carefully grab the dry ice." I said while grabbing the ice with my tongs. "And place it in the device and turn on the fan." I finished while hesitantly turning on the fan. I closed my eyes for a second and waited for something to happen, but nothing ever did.
"Well done Miss. Darby! I'm glad to see that one project worked out well." Mr. Lackey said as he turned around to write something.
Just when I was about to mentally commend Ratchet all of a sudden the machine went haywire and the tornado grew in size. It was tall as me and the wind speed reached almost 50 mph, blowing everything in the classroom everywhere. I ran right past the tornado the best I could and tried to turn the machine off, but it would turn off and the tornado was getting crazier by the second! So I did the only thing that could stop it, I went to open up the device and grabbed the dry ice out of the container, with my bare hands mind you, and threw it across the room. The tornado then dissipated and the dry ice fog then disappeared revealing a windblown classroom. I turned to look at Jack and he gave me a 'Are you okay?' look and I just nodded my head. Mr. Lackey on the other hand was livid yet worried at the sight of his classroom and the turned to face me.
"Miss. Darby are you alright? How did you stop the tornado?" Mr. Lackey asked in concern.
"I'm alright Mr. Lackey. All I did was remove the dry ice from the machine with my hands." I said only now did I realize now that my hands started to sting and burn like crazy.
"I want you to go to the nurse right now! Jack do you mind cleaning this up for your sister?" Mr. Lackey asked him and he nodded while I headed to the nurse.
As I was walking down the hall, I wanted to hit kick myself for touching that dry ice and allowing Ratchet to work on my project. Ugh I probably just failed since I nearly blew the class all the way to Cybertron and back! After a few minutes I reached the nurse and she took look at my hands and rubbed some ointment on them and wrapped them up so they wouldn't get infected. She said that they weren't too serious of burns, but I will have to keep them bandaged for a week or two. Oh that's just great Arcee gonna blow circuit when she sees my hands so I had to do something to cover them up from her. So I grabbed my hoodie from my locker and covered up my rats nest of hair and pulled the sleeves down over my hands to where no could see them. I then started to walk back to the classroom when all of sudden I hear a large boom come echoing through the halls. I ran to the classroom only to find out that Raf's volcano blew a hole through the ceiling. Oh that's definitely gonna cost some money to fix and Mr. Lackey then decided to give Raf detention to clean up the mess he made with the volcano, but surprisingly he gave Raf a C only because it was a well built volcano.
After School/Autobot Base:
We all came out of the school with relieved yet livid looks on our faces and the Autobots knew that something went wrong today.
"Jack, Jordyn are you guys okay? How did the projects go?" Arcee asked concerned.
"Yeah were fine Arcee just a little miffed at how are projects went. And to say the least we barely passed." Jack said frustrated.
"What's wrong with your sister she isn't talking?" Arcee said to Jack about my strange behavior.
"Oh she just doesn't want to talk at this point and time. " Jack then said as Arcee then took off for the base.
When we arrived at the base we finally see that Optimus and Bumblebee arrived back safely from their mission which brightened my mood a little bit. Ratchet then came up to us with a smile on his face probably wondering how we did.
"Well how did my uh our projects received?" Ratchet asked curiously to the rest of us.
We all looked at him a little nervously well except for me since I was hiding inside of my hoodie fuming. All of us then explained what happened with each project and how it went wrong in so many ways and that we all barely passed. Ratchet then looked at us in disbelief and in frustration.
"Well on our planet you would've received the highest honors!" Ratchet yelled at us as he walked away.
Arcee then asked, "Alright Jordyn spill! What's wrong with you?"
"Well let's just say I hate dry ice and tornadoes!" I said angrily, but gently taking my hood off to reveal my rat's nest of hair and removed the sleeves of my jacket to reveal my bandaged hands.
"Jordyn what happened to your hands?" Arcee asked worry very evident in her voice.
"I just grabbed the dry ice by mistake with my hands to stop the tornado from terrorizing my class." I explained to her calmly.
"Well I'm glad that you stopped the tornado but don't ever do something like that again do you hear me? Oh and you might want to brush your hair it looks like you had a fight with a blow dryer. "Arcee said as she laughed at the last statement.
"Yeah I might need to do that Arcee. Hey Miko can you brush my hair since I can't really." I asked her while holding up my bandage hands.
Miko then nodded as she got the brush out of my bag and began to brush the knots out of my hair. Let's just say my hair was a total wreck and that it took two hours to get it back to normal. Then Jack came and told that Mr. Lackey gave me a C+ since I basically saved the class. I was so happy with my results that I completely got over my anger at Ratchet and thanked him later for helping me out despite the troubles he caused by modifying my project.
Well there you go another chapter down. As you can see the kid's projects did go haywire, but in the end they passed, barely. In the next chapter we will see how the bots and kids deal with an infestation. And I want to thank you again for the reviews. So like always keep reading and reviewing. See ya later.