Chapter 3

They trio had decided to take Ferguson jeep to where she and Jack had taken up residence since their home was demolished. June watched from the backseat, obviously sensing the tension between Agent Fowler and Captain Ferguson. She noticed he seemed more self-conscious about his appearance when he first looked at the captain. They were around the same age so it was natural for him to feel a little envious that his old Army buddy had kept up his appearance. Ferguson seemed to pay it no mind and kept his eyes on the road.

June bit her lower lip and tried to think of something to say; nothing came to mind so she kept quiet and watched the world speed by. This was obviously an issue she knew nothing about and had no reason to comment on. Her only stake in this was the fact that Ferguson and the division he worked for were interested in Jack. They wanted to take Jack on a training mission to teach him the basics about Special Forces. Obviously this didn't sit well with her; no mother wanted her son to pursue a career that never fully guaranteed their survival.

She'd treated her fair share of men from Jasper who'd sought to become more and joined the Army—they all came back different with something missing. She had known a few of them well enough for it to leave a lasting impression on her. The thought of it happening to her son was a frightening scenario. But as much as she hated to think about it, her son would soon reach the age where he no longer required her permission legally. With K/O Burger gone, Jack was in need of a different career path.

"Captain Ferguson," she said. "What exactly does the GST do?"

"Our mission is no different from any other Special Tactics group."

June arched an eyebrow. She knew a rehearsed answer when she heard. Whatever Ferguson and his group did, it fell below public knowledge. She caught the intrigue in Fowler's eye as well. GST was likely above his pay grade.

Now she was a little less inclined to let her son take part in this "training session."

"Then why are you wasting your time training a sixteen-year-old who might not even want to be in the Army later in life, Cedric?"

Ferguson glanced at Fowler. "I haven't been told the exact detail—whatever it is has something to do with your division, which I know nothing about—but General Mitchell asked me to take Mr. Darby on a training mission to determine his competency. If he passes, his name will be up for consideration in the near future. If not, then he'll at least have some useful skills for emergencies. Can't be too careful nowadays."

Ferguson rounded the corner of the hanger where the Autobots were currently taking up residence and passed it. The hanger was closed off under the guise that renovations were being made to update the structure. Therefore the barracks surrounding the hanger was cut-off and used as housing for June, Jack, Miko, Raf and his family. The small buildings had been refurbished to accommodate their new guests for the time being. She still couldn't believe Rafeal's family had bought the explanation given.

But the fewer people who knew about the Autobots' presence on Earth, the better it was for everyone involved. She knew that her involvement had both relieved and worried Jack. There was no reason for Raf to go through the same thing. Miko's host parents had been informed she'd gone to Japan and they—along with all of Jasper—were relocated. Thus she and the three children are the only civilians outside the government that knew about them.

Ferguson parked the jeep outside and cut off the engine, the vehicle rumbling to a stop, getting out immediately. June and Fowler followed suit and the nurse directed them to the barracks she and Jack were using as residence. She opened the door and found her son reading a book on the top bunk of one of the beds. He looked up and immediately noticed Ferguson. The captain stood back while June made the introductions.

"Jack, this is Captain Cedric Ferguson, he works under General Mitchell—you remember him, right?"

Jack nodded but remained wary.

She let Ferguson come forward and explain. "It's a pleasure, Mr. Darby. I'm with the Global Specialized Tactics Division. I've been tasked with providing you with training essential to Special Forces combat. Weapons, CQC, strategies, the works."

"Why me?"

"From what I've heard, and I'm not privy to all the details, you were captured by enemy forces and survived. My team and I will provide you with the means necessary to prevent such a thing from occurring again. You have the option to refuse but I suggest you humor the higher-ups and get it over with. At most, you'll get some nice skills out of it."

"What exactly would I be doing, sir?"

"You'll be drilled on some maneuvers, instructed on some tactics, and learn how to use standard military weaponry. I'm told it's nothing more than a training exercise You'll be fine."

Jack looked to his mother, "What do you think about all this?"

"I'm not happy about it, but it sounds like all it would take is a few hours of your time. If you don't want to go through with this, I'm sure they'll understand. If you do then I'll support you all the way through."

Jack took a moment to process the information through his mind and weighed his options. Part of June hoped he would refuse the offer and Ferguson would leave. She held no personal animosity toward the soldier who'd once been friends with Agent Fowler. He was just following his orders and seemed just as hopeful Jack would decline the offer. Being a father of two and a soldier, he understood her desire for her son to choose a more peaceful career path.

"I need to talk to . . ., he eyed the captain. "Sadie."

"Sadie?" Ferguson angled a brow.

"A friend of mine who wouldn't like it if I up and disappeared on her without telling her. She's got trust issues."

"Girlfriend?" he asked Fowler.

"Not exactly."

"I'd prefer you no divulge the nature of your departure to her."

"Sadie can keep a secret, sir, I assure you."

"Fine."

Ghosts

Jack entered the hanger to look for Arcee while he thought about the offer given to him by the GST. He'd never imagined a military Special Forces unit coming to him for something as simple as training; wasn't that what boot camps were for? He couldn't help but question the motives for having an SF group train him. It seemed his partner's suspicious tendencies had rubbed off on him. He needed her commentary on the matter before making his final decision.

Sparing a greeting to Ratchet, he found his Autobot partner in her quarters coming out recharge. She sat up on her berth and noticed Jack's presence. She smiled at him, "Hey partner."

"Sleep well?"

"Pretty good. It's not often we can get a good rest with the 'Cons running around."

"I'm glad to hear that. You push yourself too hard sometimes. All of you do."

"I'm guessing you're not here to lecture me on how to fight 'Cons."

Jack smiled sheepishly; it was scary how well she could read him some times and vice versa. He thought of the fact they were bonded through unknown means. A bond that had gone unnoticed until they had both been discovered with cosmic rust. Thanks to Ratchet, they were no longer in any danger but the bond remained strong. There were times where Jack could almost feel her emotions; she was amazingly complex at times.

He could feel her concern for him at his silence and hesitation.

"Jack is everything all right?"

"Yeah," he replied. "It's just there's something I need to talk to you about."

Her spark transmitted another wave of worry to him which only made this harder. He took a moment to let the emotion pass over him, doing his best to respond with his own calmness. Bonds were still something new to him and he consulted Ratchet and Optimus about what happened. They had given him advice and he followed it as best he could. He watched Arcee; when he was certain she was calm, he spoke.

"General Mitchell has arranged for me to train with his Special Forces team." When she didn't respond immediately, he continued, "They say they'll teach me the basics, that it's not a dangerous mission and it'll go smoothly. I don't know what I should do so I came to hear your thoughts."

"What does June have to say?"

"She'll support whatever decision I make, but we both know she's hoping I'll refuse. I don't blame her; family in the military is always hard for everyone. I've never really thought about being in the Army but it beats working at K/O Burger."

He thought the small amount of humor would lessen the suspicion surrounding the offer but with Arcee it did little. She considered what he'd told her and came to her conclusions. He knew that, like his mother, Arcee would prefer he choose the path less dangerous. She knew he valued her opinion on the same level as June's and would respect whatever decision he made. He could feel her worry for him increase but when she looked at him, he knew what her answer would.

Ghosts

Cedric Ferguson had been questioning the decision to approach a teenager with the prospect of Special Forces training. Ever since General Mitchell had given him the assignment, he'd had his own reservations about it. Being the father of two made you consider the possibility you were sending someone's child to an early grave. Saying it was their choice only softened the blow of guilt that came with each death. So when Mr. Darby departed to seek the council of this "Sadie"—he'd curiously not mentioned a last name—Ferguson took a moment to reflect on what happened.

He hadn't expected to be reunited with his former C/O, Bill Fowler, but he couldn't find the time to dwell on issue right now. The bridge between them had been burned long ago. He'd seemed to have a found a nice job working as a spook for the government. But Ferguson had let the matter drop years ago. At least he'd have a nice story to tell his team when this was over.

He watched him interact with Nurse June Darby, picking up the subtle hint of attraction between the two. He'd heard Fowler's marriage hadn't worked out; marriages with Army men rarely worked out. That was why he was thankful for his wife's strength to raise the kids when he was deployed. In exchange, he took whatever time he could to spend with his family. So he found it a little unsettling about getting involved with a nurse who already had a son.

But it wasn't his place to judge Fowler on whom he chose to get involved with; he could tell by the kid's body language that he liked Fowler. He just didn't like his interest in his mother; understandable.

When Mr. Darby returned and the two returned their focus to him, they were all caught off-guard by his next words.

"I'll do it."