Title: Transformers A Shattered Paradox
Rating: T for strong language, strong violence, dark themes, some torture and sexual themes and crude humor.
Genre: Family/Drama
Short Summary:
Twenty years of peace between new worlds, it seems a new threat has risen through Space and Time. The Cybertronians and humans are about to learn how to face their selves.
:::Chapter Six:::
Slipstream Meet Slipstream
Songs Best Used:
Lost In Las Vegas-Audiomachine
Wounded Heart-Audiomachine
Crisis of Faith-Audiomachine
It was by right that Slipstream was confused when she woke from recharge. She had not exactly remembered what happened right away on why her entire frame ached. She even wondered why her back ached the most. As she powered up her optics, she hissed a little of how bright the lights were and knew instantly she was in Ratchet's medic bay.
Once she let her optics adjust, the Seeker femme tried opening them again and she saw her mother leaning over her, smiling. She also saw her father standing behind her, smiling, relieved that she was awake. "Mom?" She asked her vocoder crackling a little.
"Hey, welcome back, sweetie." Nightbird said now rubbing her helm gently.
Slipstream groaned as she raised a servo and pressed it to her forehelm. "Ugh...what hit me? What happened?" She asked weakly.
Nightbird and Starscream shared a glance, both grimacing. "You don't remember what happened?" He asked cautiously.
Slipstream shook her head, squinting her optics. "No...not really. I think...someone attacked me." Her optics snapped wide open and she almost bolted upward of not for Nightbird quickly pressing her down against the berth. "Jazz! It was Jazz who attacked me! Why the frag did Jazz, Bulkhead and Cliffjumper attack me?! Was it some twisted new obstacle for the games?!" She demanded furiously.
Starscream immediately shook his head as he looked grimly at her as he placed his servo over Nightbird's servo. "No, Slipstream. It wasn't a part of the games and it wasn't the Jazz you think it was." He said firmly, earning a surprised look.
"Did...then was it someone with a hologram program then? To make their selves look like Jazz?" Slipstream asked frowning.
Again, Starscream shook his head. "The mech you believe was Jazz was indeed called Jazz. But he was not the Jazz you knew. This is going to be very difficult to explain, Slipstream but you have to listen carefully because what we are about to tell you is going to sound impossible. But it is true." He told her.
And then proceeded to tell her exactly what happened. He told her who the Jazz, Bulkhead and Cliffjumper counterparts were, why they attacked her, and he even told her about the other Slipstream.
Slipstream listened with her awestruck showing. She honestly couldn't believe what she was hearing. It...it was unbelievable but...she highly doubted her creator would make it up just for amusement. He was up for jokes now and then and did tell her amusing stories. She did recall seeing a brief glance at the other Slipstream but...she had believed it had been a dream or a hallucination.
But the look he wore now, Slipstream knew that her creator was not telling some kind of joke or it hadn't been a dream.
"Can I see her? Can I meet the other me?" Slipstream asked sounding anxious.
Starscream and Nightbird glanced at one another before shaking their heads. They knew it would be a bad idea right now. Not with how frightened the other Slipstream was right now. She had been through a great deal and was under a lot of stress. Who knew how she would react to seeing another her, even if she knew there was one just in the other room.
"Tomorrow, honeybot. Right now, the other Slipstream is scared and really stressed out. She needs rest before she can meet someone who looks like herself." Nightbird said softly as she lightly brushed her servo against her daughter's helm.
"Ratchet also wants you to stay for one more night to rest." Starscream told her. "So we will be coming back for you tomorrow morning."
Slipstream smiled and nodded as she touched both of her parents' arms in a loving manner. She understood and would give the other her some time to rest. She understood what it was like being stressed out and frightened. And if the other Slipstream was anything like her, she wouldn't be able to handle too much. "Is everyone else okay? Was anyone else hurt?" She asked concerned.
"They're fine. We did lose a few younglings in the attack. The other worlds leaders are not happy about it but the Primes are doing all they can to find the Jazz who killed all of those younglings and Grimwing." Nightbird said sadly.
Slipstream lowered her head sadly. She couldn't believe Grimwing was dead. It was terrible to believe that he was gone. He had been such a close friend of theirs now, of all of the Cybertronians and even the humans.
"Poor Dragcon and his team. How are they doing?" The young femme asked sadly.
Starscream shook his head, looking grave. "They are devastated and Predaking is pissed. He has offered some of his Predacons to help us find this other Jazz. This murdering another dimensional freak will not stay hidden for long. Not with all of our Seekers, the Predacons and several of Lockdown and Prowl's mechs searching for him." He said before sighing and ducking low so he could nuzzle his daughter with his head. "Get some rest, Slipstream. We will see you in the next orn."
Slipstream nuzzled him right back before hugging her mother. "Good night." She told them before laying back and watching them leave.
It was a few hours after dark, when Ratchet and Knockout turned down the lights in the medic bay and departed. The red and silver medic had left for home to be with Moonracer and their daughter, Ruby Racer while Ratchet had practically made his own office his home. He was doing some late work when he saw on his HUD that someone had entered the medical facility.
Frowning, the Head Medic tuned into his security system to see who it was and if it were an emergency or not. It didn't seem to be.
And he huffed in amusement when he saw a certain young femme trying to sneak in his medical facility. He should have known that Beta would have tried something like this. It was a known fact that she and Slipstream were best friends. They had been close for years now, since they were sparklings. They were raised together.
"Well, I will give her ten minutes before busting her." Ratchet said to himself before shutting his security HUD down.
Of course, he suddenly remembered that the Other Slipstream was on the way to the one Beta was probably coming to see.
"Slag!" He hissed and bolted up to his peds and hurrying out.
"Slipstream. Hey, Slip. Wake up." Came a hissing whisper.
Slipstream moaned, turning her head to the side before starting to boot up her systems out of recharge. She felt someone shaking her lightly, so she reached up to push the offending hand away. "Five...more...megaclicks..." she groaned turning her head away.
There was a giggle and someone lightly poked her. "Come on, Slip. I don't have much time. Ratchet might come any second. You know he lives here at the medical facility. I want to talk to you before he busts me." Came the voice again.
Slipstream snapped online her optics and she looked up at who was poking her. And then she bolted up to jump off the berth, her wings hitched up high with fright and aggression as she hissed at the sight of her long time enemy staring so innocently at her. "You?! How did you get here?!" She hissed threateningly.
Beta looked wide optic'd at her, her hands raising as she stepped back in shock. "Easy, Slip. It's just me!" She whispered frantically. "Keep it down, will you?! Or Ratch..."
Slipstream hissed again, her servos raised and her frame curling in a hostile way.
"Beta, you have the wrong one."
Both femmes stiffened and turned with a jerk to see another Slipstream standing in the door way, leaning against the door frame. She was looking directly at her counterpart, complementing what to even say about her. She had heard Beta sneaking into the medic room and had been trying to wake up her counter part. She knew she had better get their attention before something bad had happened, say like, her counter part panicking and attacking her best friend?
Beta looked wide optic'd between both Slipstreams, not believing it, even though she had been aware of it. She had seen both of them but had almost forgotten. She should have remembered that there was two. "Wow! You guys look exactly like each other! That's amazing!" She said now smiling.
Both Slipstreams stared at one another, strangely calm about meeting one another, though one was more tense than the other.
However, the tensed Slipstream slowly relaxed as she looked back at the other Slipstream then to Beta. She studied her for a moment before relaxing completely when she saw the Prime Daughter's blue optics. "I apologize. I may have over reacted. I am just...not used to seeing a friendly Beta." She said grimacing.
Beta blinked in surprise while Slipstream tilted her head before stepping forward, grimacing a little at a slight limp she had in her leg. "So, what my creator said was true. You are me from another universe." She stated.
The other verse Slipstream looked at her, quite curiously before nodding. "I suppose I am." She said before tensing when they heard pounding peds coming their way.
It was right at that moment, the medic doors opened and Ratchet came in, looking hurried. He stopped immediately when he saw all three femmes just standing there, looking curious. He didn't miss the other Slipstream cringing at the sight of him. "Wha...?! Beta! What were you thinking about breaking into my medbay?" He scowled hands on his waist.
Beta cringed with a groan. "I was worried about Slipstream, Ratchet. All of us were. I just wanted to see how she was doing." She said with her head dipped low.
Ratchet shook his head, in disapproval. "Surely Optimus told you that she was fine, Beta. You should have let me know that you were coming. I would have flat out told you no on the comm so we could avoid problems!" He scolded her.
Beta slumped, looking pleadingly at Ratchet. "Ratchet, can't I just stay a little longer? Please? I want to meet the new Slipstream, please?" She begged.
"Beta, no. It isn't a good idea. Right now both Slipstreams need rest and one of them is not used to friendly Autobots...!" Ratchet scowled, his ped started to tap.
The other verse Slipstream watched the Beta she didn't know and then looked at her counterpart, who looked passive but it was obvious she wanted the Prime Princess to stay. She vented softly before carefully moving towards the berth to sit back on it. "Um...Ratchet?" She spoke up, getting his attention and cringing a little when she had it. She still wasn't too comfortable with him, even if he was the friendly one out of him and the Ratchet she knew. "It's okay with me. I won't mind. If Princ..." she paused glancing nervously at Beta, who had brightened. "If Beta just wants to spend time with her friend, I won't mind." She said almost uneasily.
Ratchet knew that it was a lie though. He shook his head, giving her quite a look for lying. "Slipstream, you are a guest in our universe and you are obviously frightened. We don't want to frighten you any more than you already are. And don't even think about denying it. Your wings are trembling. I have dealt with enough Seekers to know that when their wings are trembling, they are frightened." He could have laughed at the betrayed look the new Slipstream shot her wings for being true. It was kind of cute, honestly said.
"Hey, Ratchet." His universe's Slipstream spoke up, quite thoughtful. "Perhaps...we can let her get to know Beta. If she got to know us more, she wouldn't be so scared. You know Beta. She would never do anything to hurt our new friend or scare her."
Ratchet raised a critical optic ridge at her before looking at the slightly uneasy look on the other Slipstream's face. "Are you up for that suggestion? I would originally say no because of how delicate the situation is. But it is up to you." He said firmly.
The other verse Slipstream hesitated and looked at the other two femmes for a minute then slowly nodded. "Ye-yes. Since I am going to be here for a little while, I might as well get to know all of you, the good counter parts of my...enemies." She said sounding a little uneasy but willing.
As if that made it a little awkward, there came a loud gurgling clank and the new verse Slipstream cringed, looking embarrassed and ashamed as she clutched her middle.
Ratchet stared at her for a moment before he narrowed one optic and lift his scanner to scan a cringing copy of the Seeker femme. He nearly stalled right there to see the results. "What?! Your energon levels are nearly depleted! How did I miss that?! When was the last time you fueled yourself?!" He demanded.
The other verse Slipstream grimaced, a little pained as he tanks gurgled again. "Uh...well...a little over two weeks ago." She said quietly.
All three of the Cybertronians in the room gaped at her in shock and alarm before the lime green medic was moving rather too quickly across his medical bay to an energon converter. "WHAT?! Why didn't you say anything?!" He yelped now quickly getting an energon cube, or two from the converter and hurrying back towards the nearly starving femme. The new verse femme cringed back, somewhat frightened of him but he ignored her this time and shoved the cubes into her servos. "Drink that energon slowly! Why didn't you say that your fuel levels were so low?!"
"I...I...I didn't think...I didn't want to be a bother." The Slipstream said with a trembling voice.
Ratchet sighed, stepping back, folding his arms. "You are starving, Slipstream! If you would have gone any longer without fuel, you could have gone into stasis shutdown. It is not a bother to ask for fuel." He sighed again. "Tell me something. Why have you not fueled any sooner than that?" He asked critically.
Slowly, the new verse Slipstream drank the energon, her tanks churning gratefully to finally have something in it. "I...well...we can't. Back home, we don't have any energon or fuel. It's completely controlled by the Autobots there. We only steal what we can from them. And even then, it's never too much." She said softly.
Beta and Slipstream looked just as horrified as Ratchet did as they slowly moved closer.
"You mean, you are literately starving to death?" Beta asked in shock.
Uneasily, the new verse Slipstream looked at her and nodded. "Optimus Prime...our Optimus Prime figured that was one way to kill us off. By controlling all energon mines and keeping them locked away from us, we would die without fueling. Believe when I say this, I am not the worst off. Some of our Decepticons are already in stasis shutdown. The only thing keeping them alive is our one and only medic, Knockout figured out that we can keep them alive by transfusing energon from still alive and functional Decepticons. A lot of us donate what little energon we have to keep our comrades alive. But one by one, they are dying from lack of fuel." She said miserably.
All three of the Cybertronians looked at her in sympathy and disgust to think that her world's Autobots would be so low as that.
"I am so sorry you and your people are living like that, Slipstream." Ratchet said before grimacing as he glanced in between both Slipstreams. "You know, we are definitely going to need to come up with a way of separating you two from one another. Having two Slipstreams and trying to talk to one or the other is going to be very confusing. We need to come up with nick names for when you are around each other."
Both Slipstreams looked at one another and could not help but laugh at the same time, with the same laugh. They could see why it would be so difficult.
"How about Jetstream?" Beta piped up happily. "We can call you that, can't we? Because you are a jet and we don't want to change your name too much. And it might be easier
The other Slipstream considered it before smiling and nodding. "Jetstream? Hm. I like it. Okay, you can call me Jetstream. Thank you." She said smiling.
"Jetstream it is then." Ratchet said smiling before making his way back over to the energon converter. "Now, Jetstream, you are acquired to fill your tanks until you are full. I will hear no complaints or protests until you are at full capacity. I have some data pads to go over. In the mean time, I will allow Beta to visit both of you for only one hour and after that, you go home." He said pointing at the said femme.
Beta smiled brightly and nodded as she found a chair for herself and her friend to sit next to Jetstream's berth. "Okay, Ratchet. Only an hour, I swear." She told him, crossing her chassis with a finger.
Ratchet nodded with a smile before turning and leaving the medbay.
The three femmes watched him go before looking at one another, though Beta ad Slipstream were looking at the counterpart with curiosity.
"Soooooo, why were you afraid of me? Was it because of the other me from your universe?" Beta asked, tilting her head to the side. She really wanted to know all she could about this strange world of Jetstream's.
Jetstream, slowly drinking her energon, nodded before setting the cube back down, her optics looking over Beta. "Yes, I am afraid so. When I saw you, I thought it was her. She isn't...very nice. We have been enemies for a long time and were always trying to kill one another." She stated.
"What is she like?" Slipstream asked now sitting on the neighboring berth.
Jetstream's optics hardened and she looked away. "Cruel, spoiled rotten. She was always so cheerful when ripping a Cybertronian's spark chamber out with her hands. She always made it into some kind of game when torturing some poor innocent. She has done really bad things, just like her creator. So has her twin, Omega." She explained to them.
Slipstream and Beta frowned listening to what the counterpart said and not liking it. Especially Beta. She didn't like the sound of evil Autobots or an evil her.
"What's the worst she has ever done to you?" Beta asked bluntly before grimacing when Slipstream scoffed at her.
Jetstream smiled sadly but waved her look alike off to show she wasn't offended. "She had...she found out about me and...someone else. She told on him and so his creator killed him right in front of me on the battle field." She said sadly.
Slipstream and Beta frowned in sympathy and sorrow to hear that. They could tell whoever the mech had been meant a lot to her. "I am taking it was an Autobot, wasn't it? Can I ask which one?" The Seeker femme asked softly.
Jetstream lowered her optics and wings in misery at the memory that assaulted her processor. She really didn't want to be reminded but it was already too late when she had seen his counterpart. "Sizzle. It was Sizzle." She said softly.
Beta and Slipstream both looked surprised to hear that. They knew it had to be someone they knew from their end but to imagine it being Sizzle who had died, to imagine that he had been killed by Ironhide for falling in love with Jetstream.
"So...you and Sizzle, huh?" Beta asked now smiling slyly towards her friend next to her. "Wow."
Slipstream gave her a look, knowing where she was going with that. And while she did like Sizzle, she wasn't sure she liked him that way. "It isn't like that with me and Sizzle, Beta. We are just friends and that's it." She said firmly.
Beta pouted as she stared at her. "Are you sure? Because he really likes you!" She said nudging her.
Slipstream shrugged as she looked back. "I know he does. But I see him as only a friend. I don't have feelings for him other than friendship. I love him, Beta bit not like that. Just because Jetstream fell for her Sizzle, doesn't mean I did for ours." She said firmly.
Jetstream just smiled, watching the squabbling between friends and did see a great difference in this Beta. She was only too glad.
"So, Jetstream," Beta said now deciding to change the subject as she turned her attention towards the other worldly femme. "So...what do you do for fun in your world?"
Jetstream grimaced shaking her head as she slumped back against the berth head rest. "Um...not die? Survive? The Autobots didn't really give us any other options to have fun." Her optics brightened as she did think of something. "Although, sometimes when we got the chance, we would play some inside games with our human allies. Mostly video games when Rumble and Frenzy could steal some when the Autobots weren't looking. We also play Lobbing. Only...the humans cannot play. They usually watch us." She said smiling.
Slipstream and Beta looked interested. They had never heard of Lobbing before. "Lobbing? What's that?" Both asked, perking up.
Jetstream smiled, her optics bright. "What, don't you know?" She laughed softly when both of the femmes gave her an obvious look. "Okay, Lobbing is an old Cybertronian game that was played back in the early ages of Cybertron. What you do is take a big scrap ball and throw it at other players as hard as you can so they can catch it. If they fail to catch the ball, they lose points. Each player has fifty points and whoever keeps the most points win when one loses all of their points." She told them.
Beta brightened to hear that and bounced a little in her chair. "Ooooh! Why haven't we heard of this game?! That sounds like fun! We should try it some time!" She said happily.
Slipstream smirked lightly as she glanced at Jetstream. "I am taking it that the humans can't play because it can be dangerous." She stated.
Jetstream nodded, smiling. "It is because the Lob Ball is made out of scrap metal and it gets thrown too hard. We always had to make sure that none of the humans were around so they didn't get crushed. Truth be told, I only know about the game because of the Constructicons and Stunticons. They loved the game and showed it to us before..." she drifted off, looking saddened.
"They were killed?" Slipstream asked gently.
Jetstream nodded slowly. "Some of them. Not all. When Hook was taken out by the Wreckers and then Motormaster was destroyed, they didn't like playing anymore." She slumped deeper into herself. "We lost quite a few of friends and comrades in this Primus blasted war. Some of them my closest friends. It was why I was never too open with others. I hated the idea that I would just lose more friends." She said miserably.
Both Slipstream and Beta looked sympathetically at Jetstream, not even able to imagine what it was like for her.
But, being quite an optimistic femme, Beta smiled and took a hold of Jetstream's servo, surprising her. "Well, you have some new friends now! Tomorrow, if Ratchet will let you, Slipstream and I can introduce you to everyone!" She said brightly.
Jetstream smiled faintly, her wings perking up only a little. "I would like that, Beta. I just...I am just a little scared. What if...what if they don't like me? Or think I am too...well...weird?" She asked uneasily.
Slipstream snorted and folded her arms. "Wait til you meet everyone, Jets. If you think you're weird, wait til you meet our crew and maybe some of the others. We are all odd in our own way. But we enjoy each other's company and friendship. Trust me, by the time we are done tomorrow, you're going to have so many friends, you will never want to go back." She said.
Smiling sadly, Jetstream doubted it. She already wanted to go back and see if everyone was all right. She desperately hoped that her...
A choking sob escaped from her and she felt her optics began to spill over.
"Hey! What's wrong?" Beta asked in concern.
Jetstream fought back another sob and forced a smile. "I jus-just miss home, that's all. I hope everyone is okay." She said with a trembling voice.
"Awwww." Beta said before standing up and moving to Jetstream's side. She sat down right next to her and wrapped her arms around the slim Seeker femme, nuzzling her head. "I am sure they're fine. If they are anything like our former Decepticons, they are safe. I have never met such stubborn adults like our Decepticons. And don't worry. If I know my dad, my Optimus Prime, he will do everything he can to help you and your family and friends out."
Jetstream wiped at her optics and looked hopefully at her. "You...you really think so?" She asked trembling.
Slipstream scoffed full sparkedly. "Oh yeah. I have heard all of the stories about Optimus and his lot of former Autobots. They can't stand unfairness and evil in the world. Even in another dimension. If you are suffering that bad in your universe, Optimus Prime, our Primes and our High Lords will definitely have something to say about it." She said firmly.
Jetstream smiled faintly as she looked between the two. She really hoped that was the case. But..."The Autobots are dangerous though. Dangerous, ruthless, sparkless, evil. Would your Prime really try and help us with that? It would mean putting himself and whoever, maybe all of you in danger." She said worriedly.
Both Beta and Slipstream smiled at one another, as if thinking the very same thing. They knew exactly how to respond to that.
"More than twenty years ago, before we were even sparked, the Decepticons came to Earth to destroy it. A lot of humans did end up dead in the war. Optimus and the Autobots came to Earth, swearing to protect it and Jazz even once died protecting humans." Slipstream said smiling when Jetstream looked surprised. "They fought against Megatron and the Decepticons, putting their very lives on the line to protect humans. And eventually, it worked out. The Decepticons grew tired of fighting all the time and alliances were made. Our creators and all of our friends even went deep into space, to the ends of this universe when Beta and I and several of our friends were sparked napped by these beings called the Quintessons. They have fought hard to free us and so many other beings that were enslaved by the Quintessons. We now have an outstanding peace with them. Trust me. If I know Optimus and the Autobots, even the old Decepticions, they won't let your Autobots get away with hurting people. It isn't their nature to allow evil to continue." She explained.
Feeling somewhat relieved, Jetstream just smiled and nodded, hope within her spark. She just hoped that if these Cybertronians were going to help, none of them were going to get hurt. It wasn't their war and if they got hurt helping her and her people, she would never forgive herself.
The hour went by with the three femmes talking about their lives and what they did for fun. Slipstream and Beta told Jetstream about their band of Autocons and to see the highly interested look in the look a like's optics had been funny.
Eventually, Ratchet showed up again a little after over an hour, scowling when he realized that Beta was still there. He had every intention to scold her and send her home with a nice lecture.
But when he entered the medbay, ready to begin his lecture, he halted at the sight.
Beta was half in recharge on the same berth as Jetstream, her legs dangling a little off and on a chair she pulled up. Her arms were entangled with one of Jetstream's, both of their helms pressed together in deep recharge. Slipstream recharging on the next berth, one servo stretched out across the way, holding her copy's servo.
But the fact was, all three looked so at peace as they slept. It was an adorable and peaceful sight and Ratchet didn't think he could have the spark to wake them up. He knew it would be too cruel to kick Beta out now that he saw that she seemed to be getting along with Jetstream well enough to be allowed to recharge on the same berth.
Smiling gentling, the lime green medic carefully and quietly went over and very slowly brought Beta's peds up onto the berth next to Jetstream's. He had to move very slow and careful so not to wake her up. Then he pulled out an electro nanite blanket from under the berth and spread it over both of the femmes then did the same to Slipstream.
'Ratchet to Optimus, I apologize greatly if I wake you.' Ratchet pinged his Prime as quietly as he could.
There was a long pause before his coms crackled and he heard a sleepy groan from on the other side. 'Optimus to Ratchet. Go ahead, old friend. Is there so-something...yawn! Is something wrong? Is it the new Slipstream? Is she all right?' Optimus asked in between being half in recharge and concerned.
Ratchet smiled as he looked at the pair of recharging femmes curled up together, his spark whirling gently in his spark chamber. 'No, all is well. I apologize, Optimus. I just thought I would inform you that Beta is here and I don't think she will be leaving until the morning comes.' He said and could almost feel Optimus jolt completely awake.
'Is she all right?! Has she been...?!' The Prime began asked now more awake than before.
Ratchet chuckled and waved a hand as if Optimus could see him. 'She is fine, Optimus. If it were an emergency, you know very well I wouldn't be sounding so calm. She fell into recharge with Slipstream and the other Slipstream. They have met each other and nothing bad came out of it. In the light of it, I believe our new young Seeker friend now has two new friends of her own. I would have warned you earlier that Beta snuck in here but I was going to let her get away with it. She came to see Slipstream and make sure she was all right. She mistook the new Slipstream as for ours. But it went well. Here. Let me send you an image of exactly what is happening right now.' He said before taking a snap shot and sending the image to Optimus.
There was a pause before Optimus's warm voice came back over, sounding proud and light sparked. 'Oh, Beta. Only she can do something like that. How did the new Slipstream take it when she first saw her?' He asked softly.
'It scared her at first. But she calmed down and I allowed Beta to visit both Slipstreams for an hour. I was going to kick her out and send her home but...I don't think I can now. Oh, by the way, the new Slipstream has agreed to go by Jetstream while here so we don't mistaken her and Slipstream. So her name for now is Jetstream.'
'Understood. Thank you for informing me, old friend. I am only glad that Jetstream seems to be getting comfortable with our younglings now.' Optimus said warmly.
'Well she better not get too comfortable.' Ratchet said now with a sigh. 'You know eventually she will want to go back. What are you and the others going to say about that mess? Are we going to intervene?'
There was a sigh from Optimus' side. 'I...I am not sure, Ratchet. The Primes and I are going to discuss the matter once we locate the other Jazz and capture him. Tomorrow, I will want to try and speak to the Bulkhead counterpart and see if he will cooperate with us. But other than that, I do want to help Jetstream's world but it may not be our place to do anything. We shall discuss this at a later time. It's getting late and I am sure you want your recharge soon enough.'
'Yes, it has been a long day. Good night, Optimus.' Ratchet said just as weary as his Prime sounded.
'Good night, old friend.' Optimus replied back.
And with that conversation over, Ratchet went to his quarters in the far back of the medical facility. He knew by the morrow, he would need it.
When morning finally came, all three young femmes had woken to Starscream and Nightbird nudging them. They had looked surprised at where their daughter was recharging and had questioned her about it.
Slipstream did explain what happened in the late night but stated that it was unavoidable because of Beta being a little loud in waking up Jetstream. But nonetheless, her parents did look relieved that Jetstream was taking it well to know Beta and was calming down.
"Soooo, Ratchet, can Slipstream and I take Jetstream out?" Beta asked enthusiastically as she watched Ratchet going over all of Jetstream's frame, making sure her injuries were repairing nicely.
Ratchet scowled at her from examining Jetstream's newly reformed wings. He was glad that they were healing nicely. There were still creases where her wings had been bent from assault but they were slowly coming out from her auto repair. "Certainly not, Beta. There are still many out there that are confused and quite a few of the other worlders are still angry about what conspired yesterorn. They still want someone to blame. They see a copy of you, they will think she had something to do with their younglings' destruction." He said firmly.
Slipstream was the one to scowl, even when Jetstream and Beta deflated a little in disappointment. "That was hardly Jetstream's fault, Ratchet! She didn't know some psychopaths were going to follow her through the Space and Time Bridge! She was coming to us for help!" She said full of anger that some were going to try and blame her new friend.
Ratchet fought the curve of his metallic lips, threatening to smile. He felt proud of Slipstream for saying that. "I know, Slipstream. But it is for the protection of Jetstream." He said firmly.
"That isn't fair! Jetstream is new in this dimension and she wants to see what her future could be like and she can't! We will be there with her, Ratchet! Please!" Beta begged, her hand finding Jetstream's and linking them together.
"Permission granted." Suddenly someone spoke up and everyone turned to see Optimus stepping into the room with Smokescreen and Tap-Out right behind him. "I want Jetstream to feel comfortable as much as you do, Beta. Let her see a world full of peace. Smokescreen and Tap-Out will be there with you as guards. If any of our visitors try and bother you and our guest, they will deal with them. Ratchet, is Jetstream cleared for repairs?"
Ratchet frowned, slight worry in his optics but he nodded. "Most of her injuries are already being repaired by auto repair, Optimus. They were not that severe, only good beatings from whoever did that to her." He paused as he narrowed his optics at his Prime. "Are you sure it is a wise idea though? You know how some like the Jharanians will try and look for a fight."
Smokescreen snorted before punching his fist into his other hand. "They want a fight, they can dish it out with me and Tappers. We won't let anyone bother the femmes. Besides, they'd have to be crazy to mess with a Prime's daughter." He said grinning.
Optimus nodded as he looked back at his old friend, smiling. "I think it is a good idea, Ratchet." He glanced to Jetstream next, still smiling. "As it is, Jetstream has not been able to relax because of her war in her dimension. I think she is in due for a least a little reprieve from stress and despair. Jetstream, if any one at all gives you a hard time, here is my com line. Contact me immediately and I will come to your aid. No one will bother you here. Go enjoy yourself for once." He told her, sending her a data burst from his link.
Jetstream smiled as she took the com line numbers through her own systems and stored it into her memory banks. "Thank you, Optimus Prime. I really appreciate that." She said gratefully.
"You can call me Optimus. There is no need for formality with new friends." Optimus said lightly.
The look on Jetstream's faceplates was sincerely amusing to everyone. She looked so surprised and even delighted to hear that. It was obvious to everyone that she was happy to hear someone was calling her a friend. There was a hint of uneasiness still from her but they all could feel it melting away from her frame. She was slowly starting to relax.
"Th-Thank you, Optimus. I haven't...I haven't really had many friends before. During our war...we...I never really had had time to make any." Jetstream said with a slight tremble.
Beta grinned before swinging an arm around the Seeker femme's shoulders and giving her a light hug. "You do now! You have us, Jets!" She said cheerfully. It couldn't be helped that everyone smiled or chuckled as Jetstream smiled back at Beta, the tension in her wings leaving completely. "Come on! Let's go! We have lots to show you! Ooooh! Dad, can we go to Earth?! So we can show Jetstream what our Earth looks like!"
Optimus grimaced, already shaking his head as he held up a hand. "Not yet, Beta. We still need to find that Jazz first. And I'd rather not put Jetstream in danger of him finding her first before we find him." He said firmly.
Everyone had to agree with that. They knew that the other Jazz was after her and that was something they couldn't allow to happen.
Beta nodded in understanding before she grabbed Jetstream's servo and started dragging her out of the medic bay with Slipstream laughing as she followed. She was so excited about showing their new friend around and couldn't wait to introduce her to the others. Smokescreen and Tap-Out were right behind them, laughing and joking with one another as they went.
Optimus, Ratchet, Starscream and Nightbird watched them with smiles but when the young femmes were gone with their guards, the smiles were too.
"Speaking of which, any news of the other Jazz?" Ratchet asked seriously looking at Optimus.
The Prime vented deeply before shaking his head, looking weary. "No. The spy changers have been looking every where near the Game zone for him but they have not found anything. But there has been word of destruction to a public car wash in Colorado. Twenty humans were brutally killed. We believe the other Jazz may be that state." He said gravely.
Starscream nodded as he looked at everyone. "Thundercracker and Blindside have been leading that state search. They were the ones who found the car wash with the help of the State Enforcers. TC sent images to me of the aftermath. It...wasn't pleasant. No doubt the other Jazz had something to do with the massacre there." He said just as grave.
"So it's already beginning then." Nightbird said seriously as she looked at her mate. "Humans are going to panic, you know? If they see Jazz killing people, it will cause serious problems."
Optimus sighed deeply, nodding. He had a bad feeling that would be the case. "We need double the search then. We need every tracker on this. I think I will ask Blot and the Terrorcons to join the hunt for this Jazz. With their new found ability to sense certain energon signatures in beings, they may be our best chance to find the cruel Autobot." He said firmly.
Starscream nodded in agreement. He knew they needed to get this problem contained immediately. If this other Jazz started killing humans, humans would start blaming them and demanding things to happen.
And if they started believing that their Cybertronian protectors were finally taking hostile action, there would a war. A war that could cost millions of lives because it sure wouldn't be the Cybertronians who would lose.
"I will get one it, Optimus. I think it best to also put Lockdown on the hunt. If the Terrorcons cannot find the Jazz, he can." The Seeker Leader said firmly.
Optimus nodded in agreement. He knew very well that Lockdown was a very good hunter. He would be a wise choice to send after the other Jazz. "Very good. I know Lockdown has his servos full with his and Airachnid's sparklings but it is imperative that we find Jazz before he harms any more humans. Until then, we cannot waste any more time. We cannot rest until this other Jazz is found." He stated firmly.
"What of Primacron?" Ratchet asked frowning. "Any change yet?"
"No. Alpha, Solus and Nexus are constantly watching his frame and have reported nothing. Primacron has not returned yet to his frame. I had wished he would. We need his guidance now. We need to know what his whole purpose was to allowing Jetstream come to us." Optimus asked weary again. "If we are to enter a war that does not belong to us. I would rather not get mixed up in their fight. We have fought too long and too hard to even get to this point. We deserve our peaceful life. But...I will not also allow this to continue. If another world needs assistance, then we may have to be ready to heed their call."
Everyone nodded as they took that in to spark. They all agreed with Optimus. They wanted to live out their long lives without fighting any more. But if people were suffering, dying, being tortured like Jetstream claimed that they were, they would never forgive their selves if they didn't do anything about it.
Ratchet sighed, his optics flickering to a part of the medical bay. "Well, my other patient is ready for questioning, Optimus. I have repaired him enough for him to be ready. Whenever you want to begin interrogating him is up to you." He told him.
Optimus grew serious and nodded as he looked over to the private medical room where he knew they were keeping the other Bulkhead in. "I will need to contact Megatron and the other Primes before we begin interrogation of Bulkhead. It probably won't take long for them to arrive. Until they do, start preparing him for awakening." He said to the medic.
Ratchet merely nodded as he started heading towards the medical room to do as he was asked. He knew they would need to take precautions with this Bulkhead. He had shown quite violent behavior when he attacked the younglings. It was no doubt he would be just as violent and vicious with them if they were not careful.