My Life as a Teenage Autobot

Chapter 7: Payback

The Autobots gathered around the computer hub to receive their next mission. "Our most recent intel from the pentagon suggests that the Decepticons are staging a major mining operation in Alberta Canada." Ratchet informed. "We must get to this mine and capture or destroy it." The medic continued.

Suddenly Jenny's eyes flashed and her display read "INCOMING MESSAGE." She tried to activate her call waiting routines but something overrode them. A screen appeared on her display and began transmitting the message. Nora Wakeman's face appeared. "XJ9, if you are watching this, start the tracing the signal. I'll have to be brief as there is …." Static filled the screen for a moment. "…ference. So far no Cluster or major criminal … has taken place. I'm still working on the Bridge and once I get that done I'll need y…..dinates. XJ9, even if you can't give a direct reply, pl…. ive me a sign that you are still functional." END MESSAGE. ERROR. TRACE INCOMPLETE. UNABLE TO LOCATE SOURCE.

Jenny snapped out of her 'trance' to see the Autobots eying her with concern. "Sooo, what'd I miss?" Jenny asked gingerly. "We could ask you the same question." Arcee replied in a serious tone. "Yeah, you kinda zoned out there." Bulkhead agreed.

Jenny vented a sigh from her air filtration system. "For the past week my mom sent me messages in my sleep. I guess it was the only time when enough of my systems were off for there not to be much interference. Even then all I received were bits and pieces." She explained.

"I thought there was something besides homesickness buggin ya." said Bulkhead. "I know. I'm sorry. Anyway, Mom must have figured out a way minimize the interference, not only to get most of the message through, but to deliver it while I'm awake." Jenny finished. Ratchet turned to Optimus. "Optimus I do not think it wise to bring Jenny with you on this one." He recommended. The Autobot leader lowered his head in thought. Finally he said "I am sorry Jenny. For your safety and ours, it would be best if you remained at base under Ratchet's supervision."

"But," Jenny began to object. "I am only doing this for your well being. I promise it is only temporary." Optimus interjected. "Fine." She huffed. "Ratchet, activate the Ground Bridge." Optimus ordered. The Autobots shifted into vehicle mode and sped into the vortex. Jenny watched them with envy. I should be with them. She thought.

The computer's tri tone sounded and General Bryce's face appeared on the screen. "This is General Bryce of the United States Army. I have information regarding the Decepticon known as Starscream." He informed. Jenny bolted over to the computer screen. The memory of her first encounter with the silver tongued creep was still fresh in her mind.

"What have you found?" She asked in a serious tone. "Our satellites have tracked him to some abandoned mines outside Las Vegas." The General continued. "Does he pose any threat to the civilian population?" Ratchet inquired. "Negative. If anything, Starscream seems to be avoiding attention." Bryce answered. "What are his coordinates exactly?" Jenny demanded.

Ratchet knew where this was going. "Thank you General." He quickly cut in. "I'll pass this information to Optimus immediately."

"Good, I'll keep you posted. Bryce out." He concluded.

"I'm gonna go get some air," she said suddenly. She walked over to the elevator. "Come now." Ratchet scoffed. "What?" Jenny wondered innocently. "You're going to try to find Starscream. A direct violation of Optimus's order." Ratchet reminded. "Ratchet, please, I have to do this." She pleaded. "Didn't you hear General Bryce? Starscream does not pose any threat to anyone at the moment!" Ratchet exclaimed.

Jenny walked into the elevator. "And I'll make sure it stays that way." She replied in a determined tone while activating the elevator. "Oh no you won't." Ratchet countered. A few simple keyboard commands later and the elevator stopped.

"Sorry Ratchet." Jenny whispered. She activated her boosters and accelerated toward the top of the silo. She punched through the elevator shaft in a shower of twisted rock and metal and turned South East toward Las Vegas.

An Abandoned Mine in the Outskirts of Las Vegas…

"Grrr… That's it?" Starscream complained. "Two hours of searching and all I have to show for it is two measly energon crystals!" he lamented. He picked up the energon and sauntered toward the mine's entrance. "Perhaps I should find a different mine; one that has not been picked dry by Megatron." The Decepticon realized.

Suddenly, he heard the whines of engines followed by a soft thud just outside the mine. Oh no. Megatron found me. But how? I've been very careful to cover my tracks. He thought. Instead of ground shaking stomps, however, he heard sneakers against rock. That's odd. But if Megatron didn't just land then that must mean… "Miss me?" Jenny taunted.

"AGGGHHH!" The Decepticon screamed while flailing his arms wildly. He quickly regained his composure however. "Jenny? Is it really you?" Starscream wondered. Jenny raised her arms and charged her palm lasers. "Here's a hint." She quipped. Jenny fired and both beams slammed into Starscream's chest, hurling him out of the mine. He landed in a heap fifty yards away.

Starscream stood up and brushed himself off. "I don't know where you found your knew strength, but it won't be enough to defeat me." Starscream boasted. He activated his laser cannon and fired several shots at Jenny.

She raised her arms, creating a force field that blocked all of the Decepticon's laser fire. "What?" Starscream exclaimed. Jenny thrust her arms forward. Her force field smacked into Starscream's chest at the speed of light. Once again he flew backward.

Jenny flew over to him while drawing a large ax and Gatling gun. "Had enough?" She taunted. Starscream let out a battle cry and launched his arm missiles. Jenny avoided them with the skill and grace of a gymnast. She caught up to Starscream and swiped him with her ax, following up with a burst of laser fire.

Starscream reeled under Jenny's relentless attacks. "Alright! I'm sorry. I was wrong to hurt you like that. I thought you were an Autobot. Please don't snuff out my spark!" he pleaded. Jenny raised the ax over her head in a dramatic fashion, like an executor of the Middle Ages. Starscream clenched his eyes shut, bracing for the blow.

Just before she struck she looked into Starscream's eyes and saw all the emotions she felt during her first battle with the rouge Decepticon. Jenny retracted her weapons. I made him feels as helpless as I did. That's enough. She thought. "Well, what are you waiting for?" Starscream questioned.

"Just go, fly away like the coward you are." Jenny snapped back. Starscream then promptly shifted into his F-16 mode and flew back toward the Harbinger. Jenny activated her comm. "Ratchet? I need a bridge."

Back at the Silo…

Jenny walked back through the Ground Bridge and into the Silo. The Autobots gave her a collective disapproving stare. Agent Fowler was there as well. "Do you have any idea how many calls I've gotten regarding explosions and UFOs?" Fowler scolded. "The president almost shut down Team Prime because of what you did today." Optimus stepped in. "I'll take it from here Agent Fowler." Optimus said. Fowler scowled at Jenny once more and walked away.

Optimus knelt down toward Jenny. "Agent Fowler is correct Jenny. You placed yourself, humans, and us in jeopardy today." Optimus scolded. "I know." Jenny replied looking at the floor. "Was killing Starscream worth it?" Optimus questioned. Jenny met Optimus's gaze. "I didn't kill him. I couldn't. Not in cold energon anyway." Jenny answered.

Optimus softened a bit. "Then you are stronger for the choice you made." He praised. "However, you will not go without discipline. You are to begin repairing the elevator immediately." He instructed.

Jenny gave a mock salute. "Will do." She said. Ratchet and the others were flabbergasted. "That's it?" the medic exclaimed. "Jenny has learned her lesson. I doubt she will attempt such rash action in the future." Optimus explained.

That night, Ratchet plugged Jenny into the computer so that it could assist her in tracing Nora's signal. This time, the message came through loud and clear.

Cybertron. Trypticon Worksite…

Shockwave received a call on his comm link. "Soundwave, report." Megatron ordered. "Construction is nearly finished my liege. All we need is a suitable replacement for Trypticon's spark." Shockwave reported. "Do not worry. Sound wave has located such a device." Megatron assured…

A/N:So there's chapter 7. Please give me your reviews and tell me what you think of the story. I'll be taking a break from this for a bit due to upcoming exams and probably won't update until the 22nd. I will however start a new story which explains Jenny's mark two form. I have a few ideas on what the title should be but, if you have any ideas please send them to me in the comments or through private message. Thanks for reading.