My Life as a Teenage Autobot

Chapter 5: The Return of Shockwave

"By the Allspark!" Ratchet gasped.

Confusion filled Arcee's thoughts. "I thought he died in the Space Bridge after I shot him." Arcee said finally, her voice shaky. Shockwave eyed the Autobots with contempt. "Ah, yes." The Decpeticon remembered. His voice bared an uncanny resemblance to Corey Burton's. "You ruined my Space Bridge, shot me in the optic, and left me for scrap when it collapsed."

"You did what?" Bulkhead asked with a mixture of surprise and approval. "Never mind that now, Bulkhead." Optimus cut in. More Vehicons entered the cave and opened fire. The Autobot leader calculated furiously while dodging shots and returning the Decepticons' fire. "Bzzzz whhr bleep?" Bumblebee warbled.

"Ratchet, we need a Bridge now!" Optimus yelled. "What?" Jenny asked in bewilderment after smashing two Vehicons together. "We are too outnumbered." Optimus replied. A swirling green vortex opened up behind Optimus. One by one Arcee Bulkhead and Bumblebee retreated back to the silo.

Optimus looked over at Jenny, who just destroyed two Vehicons with a mace weapon and took down a third with a sticky green slime. "Jenny, there isn't much time." Optimus reminded. He deflected two laser shots with his sword and fired his Ion Cannon at Megatron. "You first Prime." She answered. "It is my responsibility to keep you safe Jenny. I cannot do that if you no longer function." Optimus responded. Megatron laughed at their exchange.

"You should listen to your new pet Optimus. After all, without you this world would be all mine." Megatron taunted while firing his fusion cannon. "I grow tired of this. May I destroy them my liege?" Shockwave asked. "Together my loyal compatriot." Megatron declared.

Shockwave charged his weapon. Raw energon built up in its capacitors until Shockwave released it in a flash of green light. The laser hurtled toward Optimus. Jenny instinctively hurled herself in front of him and activated her energy shield. The energon strengthened shield successfully blocked Shockwave's attack.

Jenny kept the shield up to block laser fire from Megatron and the remaining Vehicons. "Go Optimus, I'll be fine!" Jenny assured. The Autobot leader noticed that the shield started to weaken from the barrage. "Go!" Jenny repeated. Reluctantly, Optimus fired one last shot and retreated back through the Ground Bridge. When he appeared in the silo, Ratchet immediately gave him a worried look. "Where's Jenny?" he wondered. "Still fighting Megatron and Shockwave." Optimus answered.

All of the Autobots eyed their leader with shock. "You left her alone with Shockwave and Megatron?!" Ratchet asked, completely baffled that Optimus abandoned a fellow Autobot. "She won't last two cycles by herself!" Bulkhead concurred. "I do not think Jenny would allow me go first if she did not possess a way out herself." Optimus countered.

Meanwhile, back in the cave, Jenny's shield still held but barely. Okay, I think I've waited long enough. She thought. Jenny put more power into the shield and thrust her arms out. The shield exploded outward at incredible speed. "Incoming!" Knockout yelled. The blast knocked the Decepticons off their feet and slammed them into the cave walls before dissipating.

Finally Jenny flew back through the Ground Bridge and into the silo. Ratchet let out a sigh of relief as he pulled the lever that closed the Bridge. "Beep buzz bleep?" Bumblebee asked in astonishment. "But, how?" Bulkhead wondered. Jenny blushed. "Aw, just your standard plasma shield with a boost from some energon." She explained.

"Well done Jenny." Optimus congratulated. "Yes we're all glad Jenny is safe. But we have a new problem. With Shockwave reanimated Megatron may be able to build his own weapons of mass destruction." Ratchet reminded. "Is that true Optimus?" Jenny questioned. "Yes." Optimus began in a somber voice. "During the War for Cybertron, Shockwave built several terrible weapons for Megatron. Few of them failed to accomplish their intended task."

Jenny flew to eye level with the Autobot leader. "Don't worry Optimus. You have one thing here that you didn't have on Cybertron: Me. And I won't let anyone harm you or this Earth." she promised. "I like your attitude Jen." Bulkhead praised.

Later that night…

Normally, Jenny could enter sleep mode on any surface in any orientation. Tonight, however, something made the adolescent automaton restless. Her blacked out HUD read.

INCOMING TRANSMISSION

PICK UP? Y/N

Y

A faint voice broadcast inside Jenny's mind. "XJ9… all fine… bridge down…" Jenny stirred in her sleep mode. New words appeared on her HUD.

INITIATE SIGNAL TRACE

"… give… worried…"

LOSING SIGNAL ADJUSTING RECEIVER

TRACE FAILED

SIGNAL LOST

Jenny woke with a start. "Mom?" she wondered.

Meanwhile on the Nemesis…

Megatron stood on the bridge of his warship in deep thought. Such great power for such a small bot. Definitely not Cybertronian in make, but I could still detect an energon signal from her. I must find her."

The Decepticon leader turned toward his Intelligence Officer, Soundwave. "Soundwave, I want you to research everyone on Earth with the name of Jenny." Soundwave stood motionless and silent awaiting further orders. "I'm looking for an adolescent female, six feet in height. That is all." Megatron finished. Soundwave gave a small nod and began searching Earth's data bases.

Megatron then turned and walked toward the medical bay where Shockwave underwent diagnostics. "Knockout, Breakdown, how is he?" Breakdown stopped polishing Shockwave's foot and turned toward his master. "The damage from the blast was superficial my lord." Breakdown reported. "He should be ready for full time duty by tomorrow." Knockout added.

Megatron smiled. "Indeed, the return of Shockwave will be hailed as a great milestone on the road to crushing the Autobots." Megatron mused. Shockwave woke. "My liege?" Megatron turned to face him. "I never properly thanked you for rescuing me." Shockwave said. "Get some rest Shockwave." Megatron answered. Yes, our victory is that much closer. Megatron thought.

A/N: I apologize for the short chapters. I'll try to make them longer. Anyway, please tell me what you think of my interpretation of Shockwave and the story so far. Chapter 6 will be up next Saturday.