Knight in Borrowed Armor 5
A Transformers Prime Fanfiction
*But how did she know his name?* Bumblebee asked over the comm.
*I'm still not certain.* Ratchet replied curtly as he worked. *When I asked him about it Nitor only said that the bond had formed. Whatever that means. Hand me that spanner. June seems as confused as anyone but she accepts him and for some reason doesn't seem to want to question this mysterious bond .*
Bumblebee frowned to himself. Like most humans he had met June Darby was extremely curious about nearly everything. If anything she was more inquisitive than most of her species. For her to show little interest in such a mystery was odd to say the least. On the other hand there was still much he didn't understand about their human friends. The young mech shrugged it off for the moment and focused on performing what simple repairs he could on the injured mystery mech.
A sleek jet cruised across the clear desert sky. It was built to balance both speed and comfort; a transport capable of getting someone anywhere in the globe in an hour. The pilot spotted the target site and smoothly shifted into a vertical landing. A dark skinned woman assisted an old man out of the aircraft. The pilot eased himself into a more comfortable position in the cockpit and settled down to wait for orders as the two disappeared into the old missile silo.
Despite Ratchet's protests Nitor was on his feet when the representatives arrived. The warrior stood silently, concern etched across his faceplates. Bumblebee chirped reassuringly at him and rested a hand on his shoulder. The battered mech gave him a warm smile as the elevator slid to a stop, but the worried look never left his optics. Fowler was standing stiffly by Mrs. Darby on the platform to greet the guests. He had wanted her to remain hidden, seeing no reason to reveal everything to the visitors, but Nitor had insisted on her presence. The agent shot a quick glance over at Arcee, who was standing stiffly as far from Cliffjumper's body as she could be while still obeying Optimus's order to be present. Her presence was another of Nitor's insistences. She had left Jack to supervise Miko and Raf at the Darby's house.
"Welcome to Autobot Base Omega," Optimus Prime said as two humans stepped through the doors.
The two nodded in reply but their attention was clearly fixed on Nitor. The first was a soldier, even if he hadn't been wearing a uniform that much would have been obvious. Grey hair and thin spotted skin told of old age. Eyes full of fire and determination belied it. The second was a young woman, perhaps thirty-five, Fowler guessed. Long black hair was looped in a loose bun. Her skin was so dark it reflected purple flashes under the powerful base lights. Her face wasn't exactly pretty. It might have been at one time, but a startling scar marred one cheek, twisting the nose slightly to the side. She wore a long sleeved green dress that brushed the floor as she walked, and no makeup, the only ornament she had on was a bulky wedding ring, with a large reddish stone mounted in the center.
"Pass code Hoover," the old soldier snapped at Fowler, who nodded in return.
"Lady Archeota," Nitor stepped forward and bowed at the waist. "I must beg you forgiveness for not recognizing you when I first awoke."
The woman gave a regal nod in return.
"There is no need to apologies," she replied softly. "I am Laura Herrera of the house of Monk."
The battered mech nodded curtly and lifted his optics to the soldier.
"This is Major General David Trask," the woman said.
The General gave a curt nod. Fowler was straining to hold his tongue by this time. He could sense Mrs. Darby gradually stiffening beside him. The agent, in all his years dealing with the Autobots had never before seen anyone who could ignore Prime. The towering mech automatically drew the attention of every sentient being in the area. But after their initial abrupt greeting these two were doing exactly that. The elderly general at least looked like he was deliberately ignoring the leader of the Autobots. The woman however, didn't seem to realize there was anyone in the room except Nitor.
"General," Nitor politely greeted the old man, then turned to the woman in green. "Lady Archeota," he continued. "The situation I find myself in remains for the most part obscure, but one thing I have been able to determine." He paused and fixed a stern look on the dark skinned woman. "This shell was used to harbor myself without the consent of its previous inhabitant or his family."
The Lady Monk drew a sharp breath and her eyes widened. Her head jerked slightly as if to cast a look at the general but caught herself and regained her composure. The woman was about to speak when Nitor continued.
"I must fulfill my duty. You well know the cost if I fail, but if this body was deliberately desecrated to house me I will be unable to do anything to avert the coming danger." There was pain in his voice, but also steel.
Optimus stepped forward at this point, deep concern etched across his faceplates.
"Nitor, I do not claim to understand this situation fully, but if there is any threat to human life that you might prevent by the use of Cliffjumper's body, however it was obtained we would do everything within out power to assist you."
Around the base the other bots murmured their agreement.
"It's what Cliff would have wanted," Arcee offered stiffly but sincerely.
The battered red mech stared up at the Autobot Leader with a confused expression.
"Warrior Optimus, your spirit is noble indeed but it is not a matter of permission. If this body was indeed stolen and desecrated I will be unable, not unwilling, to complete,"
"Fowler!" The old general suddenly called out in a powerful voice. "You need to have a talk with Nitor, NOW. You know about what."
The agent nodded and followed the red mech further into the base. Ratchet gave a low growl and glared silently at Optimus, frustrated at the leaders unflappable calm. More secrets, why did his old friend put up with these humans? They had obviously pulled yet another stunt worthy of the Decepticons, Arcee was suffering, and yet the Prime was still trying to give them the benefit of the doubt. Ones like Mrs. Darby were one thing. He glanced at the nurse. She was chatting easily with the woman in green; discussing the trials of raising children. She was a sensible human at least; loyal, honest, useful. The medibot frowned as he thought of this mysterious bond she now supposedly shared with Nitor. He could see no way that situation was good for any of them.
Agent Fowler walked behind the red mech his mind spinning. He most definitely did not know what he was supposed to speak to Nitor about. Why had the old man been so sure he would? The mech abruptly stopped and turned on the human.
"Why did the General silence me?" he demanded.
The special agent's mind frantically reached down into the swirling mix of sensation that is human memory and seized upon the only other time Fowler had felt this particular mixture of befuddlement and frustration. Optimus and Jack had driven to pick up some sensitive medical supplies needed for the base. Things had gotten crazy. It was in cleaning up the aftermath Fowler had met Johnson. There were still many things he did not understand about the event but…
"What do you know about Voidwalkers?" he asked Nitor.
The battered mech's optic ridges rose in surprise.
"Only that they are the responsibility of humanity alone," he replied. "Why?"
The human stared meaningfully back in the direction of the Cybertronians. Comprehension slowly dawned on Nitor's face plates. Instead of the rage Fowler still half expected despite Johnson's assurances, there was only compassion.
"I see," he said softly. "Yes I understand more now. Thank you. I will speak more cautiously."
"Well, I'm glad you understand," the human muttered following him back out. "That makes one of us."
"Forgive the interruption," Nitor said calmly upon reentering. "You were about to explain the situation."
The Lady of Monk looked as if she were about to speak but the general laid a restraining hand on her shoulder.
"All in good order girl," he said firmly, "the body came to my attention about two weeks ago. But I am still jumping ahead. For the beginning, how this (Cliffjumper did you say?) passed on, you should ask these." He indicated the Autobots.
The red mech turned to Optimus with optics full of questions. The Autobot turned to Arcee and nodded. She stepped forward and spoke directly to the humans, still refusing to look at Nitor.
"We'd been on Earth several years by that point," she began. "Cliff and I were scouting for Energon or Decepticon activity when he spotted both. He called for backup but it was too late."
Her head dropped as she remembered finding the broken horn, her optics rose automatically to the jagged wound its removal had left. Optimus smoothly took over the story. He described Megatron returning with the dark Energon, Cliffjumper's life signal reappearing, and discovering the energon mine. As soon as he finished the General spoke up again.
"About six months ago a geological survey team was exploring the remnants of that mine," he said. "It was a group of eager young things, all fresh out of or still in various universities. They had been tracking these strange anomalies, your energon mines, all over the world. In a near collapsed cave they found the main piece of this body," he jerked his head at Nitor, "and nearly had a collective spasm of glee. They knew exactly what they'd found and weren't about to share the discovery with anyone until they could capitalize on it. The searched for weeks until they found the rest of the body, in the process finding dozens of other bits and pieces."
"But Cliff's body was infused with Dark Energon," Bulkhead interrupted. "We can barely contain a zombie like that!"
"Yes," General Trask continued grimly, "exactly. Understand this is a dark section of the story; there is much we simply may never know. From the story the sole survivor gave us and what we could gather from their notes, enough of whatever that stuff was had leaked out of the head compartment that it had ceased to reanimate it but when they reconnected the two parts…"
The Autobots flinched, imagining the carnage a resurrected Cybertronian would do to a bunch of unsuspecting scientists.
"The one scientist who managed to escape sealed the thing in the cave they were working on and called in someone to purify the corpse."
"Wait just a second!" Ratchet snarled, "You have a way to purify Dark Energon infested Cybertronians? Why didn't you,"
"Ratchet!" Optimus spoke quietly but firmly and his friend fell silent.
The General continued.
"Once it was clear, all they had left was an empty husk, but to their surprise a very well preserved one. The remaining scientist had lost interest in the project so he passed it onto some engineering friends of his and moved somewhere far away. We still can't find him. The new group was like the first; young, eager, but out for money and fame as well. They planned to repair the robot as well as they could and then present their findings to the military for a fee. They had access to the resources of several universities and the result is what you see before you." He gestured to the scars running across Nitor.
"That does explain the primitive nature of the repairs," Ratchet muttered.
The old human reached into his pockets and pulled out a handful of jump drives and offered them to Optimus.
"Here is all the data they collected; both the geology team and the engineers. It's not much but it's all there," he said.
The Prime handed the storage devices to Ratchet who immediately began scanning them.
"They managed to keep it secret for several months before one of them got pangs of conscience at keeping a possible threat to his world hidden from the military," Trask said. "He contacted a friend in the ARMY who started rattling the chain of command very carefully. Given the very small number of people who know about you it took quite awhile for news to get to anyone who knew enough to recognize a Cybertronian, namely me. "
He glared around the silo challengingly.
"I didn't know much but I knew enough to have been able to contact you. Had the information gotten to me a few hours earlier I would have without hesitation, but another situation had developed. We got a frantic call from our allies across the pond. They needed a functional, well preserved shell to quarter a returning warrior. This body wasn't the perfect vessel for various reasons but it was all we had."
"There were no human shells left from the reserves in Chaldeia?" Nitor asked.
"No, there were none anywhere. They were scarce when you left and it's been two thousand years," Trask said. "The skills to produce more have been lost to us for centuries, and before you ask the barrier was too thick for you to come through any other way."
Nitor was silent a moment.
"That is for the best," he murmured. "We knew from the beginning my days of crossing the barrier freely were numbered."
"Anyway," Trask continued. "I alerted them I had suitable accommodations for you and arranged to ship the body to the base in England. They took over from there and you woke up."
The general looked straight at Optimus Prime.
"Sir, everyone else involved in this situation can claim complete ignorance. Only I knew of your presence on this planet. Any wrongdoing in this matter starts and ends with me."
Silence fell on the base. The Autobots exchanged glances. They had fought side by side for more years than most nations had existed, and they rarely needed many words to communicate. Optimus nodded to Arcee and the fembot stepped forward firmly.
Nitor was still thinking hard. He finally raised his optics to Optimus's.
"The desecration was not preformed or even condoned by the humans, and they were the ones who cleansed this body. The only sin committed was in not obtaining your permission beforehand. It would appear that the final decision rests in your hands after all," the red mech said.
The Autobot leader nodded and indicated his second. She had been closest to their comrade.
"Cliff was dead when I saw him last," Arcee said flatly. "Whoever or whatever you are, I can't say I like the thought of you using his body. But given the circumstances, if you had taken the time to ask I can't say for sure we would have given you permission, but Cliff definitely would have."
Optimus stepped forward and placed a hand on Nitor's shoulder.
"Go," he said quietly. "Complete whatever duty you must with our blessing."
Nitor slumped with relief.
"Thank you, warrior Optimus," he said gratefully. "General, do you know the name of the one I need to inform?"
"No, but the Lady here does," the old man grunted.
"Lady Monk?" Nitor asked.
"The nearest Guardian is the commander of the garrison which guards the North Clan Territories," she replied.
Nitor gave a happy smile.
"North Clan, we are close then?"
"Yes, but we need not journey at all. This," the woman indicated the communications center, "is capable of carrying your words clear across the ocean to Londinium, true and clear."
"Very well," he glanced at Ratchet who nodded and pulled up the comm. screen. "But it would still be better to contact the Guardian in North Clan. They will be best prepared to handle the danger."
"Hey," Bulkhead spoke up, "We want in on this too you know."
Nitor looked at him in confusion.
"We all have human friends here. If anything happened to Miko I'd never be able to live with myself. Just point me in the direction of who I need ta pound and they'll wish they never heard of Earth!" The green mech punched his fists together for emphasis.
A fierce grin lit up the red mech's faceplate and a hearty laugh erupted out of his vocals.
"Well said soldier! You do your fathers proud. But while I cannot reveal to any but the Guardians what the danger is exactly I must tell you this much; it is not the type which may be defeated by strength of arms. No, this is a task for scholars and priests. My own roll will end once the message is delivered."
Ratchet looked about to say something but a gesture from Optimus silenced him. The medibot shrugged and activated the consol. General Trask gave him the number for the commander of the military base in question and Optimus herded his soldiers out into the Nevada desert. They transformed and parked along the edge of the highway.
"Optimus!" Ratchet growled, about to begin on what was bound to be a loud and violent protest.
"Peace old friend," the Prime said softly. "There is far more going on here than meets the eye. I have had access to a bit more information than Trask knows, or is even aware of himself most likely. While the humans are not telling us everything; I believe they are doing their best to balance conflicting priorities. Do you remember Sualocin Tertie?"
Silence fell over the assembled bots.
"Arcee, Bumblebee, Bulkhead," Optimus finally called out. "Go to your charges. They will most likely be very worried. I would suggest taking them somewhere pleasant to take their minds off the situation. Ratchet and I will remain here to monitor the situation."
"You sure you won't need us?" Bulkhead asked.
"Enjoy your day off Bulkhead," Optimus said firmly.
The three Autobots acknowledged his order and rolled out towards Jasper.
"I don't like this Optimus," Ratchet growled.
The leader of the Autobots sat silently staring off into the distance. This planet was full of mysteries, and he was beginning to fear that their presence here was causing far more problems for the humans than even the Decepticons could bring to bear.