A/N: I am pretty rpud of this chapter! I did it all in one five-hour-long go, and I think it turned out pretty well! I do not own Transformers, only Katie. Please R+R!
XXX
The steady clicking of an Allen wrench and the occasional whir of a tire was all that broke the tense silence, broken otherwise only by their breathing. The small, distraught blonde sat tense in the corner, legs drawn to her chest with her arms wrapped around them, watching the darkening street with hopeful azure eyes, chin on top of her knees with a small frown pulling at the corners of her mouth. Streaks were still visible on her cheeks from her tears, and her eyes still glimmered with her sorrow. Jack turned from his work to glance to her.
"Katie…" he trailed off, fighting his guilt as he looked to the ground. His sister glared at him, though it wasn't a very effective glower, before turning her sights back onto the road. He sighed in dismay. Katie had always been well-behaved. She had never thrown a tantrum… Until today. He had barely been able to control her, and nothing had been able to distract her. The only reason she was calm now, was the fact that she had ran out of energy.
His attention was diverted as the gravel crunched underneath tires, a motor idling slightly as brakes were applied. The familiar olive-green truck swung into the drive, barely stopping before the hyper-active teenage exchange-student leapt out. Jack groaned in irritation, not bothering to stop his sister as she released an excited, hopeful squeal, springing from her place in the corner and sprinting forward. Before Miko could move, the small child tackled her knees, nearly knocking her off balance and sending her to the concrete. Just regaining her balance in time, she laughed slightly.
"You didn't think I was gonna leave you alone, did ya?" she affectionately teased. She pried the toddler off of her legs and gave her a gentle push toward the wrecker. "Go talk to Bulk!" without a second thought, the child obeyed.
Colliding against the large tire, she wrapped her small, sticklike arms around it as best she could, a bright smile lighting up her previously dark face. "Bulk!" she shrieked in joy, blue eyes glimmering. The wrecker started, the tiny blonde to small to have appeared in his line of vision, before calming and popping his door. Kate giggled as she skipped to the side of the Autobot, clamoring in on her hands and knees before rising to pull herself onto the seat.
"You's back!" she affectionately cheered, falling forward to wrap her arms around the steering wheel. He chuckled slightly, the interior shaking with his mirth.
"I guess so," he agreed, shifting slightly on his axels. She quickly straightened as her eyes widened, lifting a hand to sweep her hair behind her shoulder. She glanced around.
"Where's Oppie?" she quietly questioned, eyes once again clouding over. "An' 'Cee?" The wrecker froze slightly, sensing the growing storm.
"Their… Not here," he slowly, almost fearfully informed. He winced as he reverted his sensors back to the girl, having been looking at the concrete, finding tears streaking down her cheek.
"Want Oppie," she sobbed out, a deep, troubled frown pulling at her mouth. The wrecker stumbled over himself slightly, unsure of how to comfort the child. Luckily, he did not have to say anything, her brother approaching with Miko by his side. He quickly popped the door, watching with a heavy spark as the teen pulled her out, gently running his hand through her loose hair, his own charge climbing in.
XXX
"C'mon, Kate," Jack urged the small girl, sitting her on the ground and placing a hand on her back. The toddler was still furious, blue eyes glazed with hurt, blond pigtails a nappy mess as she avoided eye contact, small fists clutching the hem of her frilled tank. He resignedly sighed, firmly locking his ten-speed in the bike rack. "You're hanging with me today."
He stared up to the flashing neon sign, one that would have been animated had a row not been blown out, to expensive to repair. He sighed, looking back to his sister as she absently kicked a rock off of the path with the tip of her sandal.
"Nice bike," a voice complemented, and he stiffened. He knew that voice, and so did Katie. A bright, wide grin lit up her face, her cerulean eyes fogging with hope as she turned on her heel.
"'Cee!" she screamed out, the bike shifting slightly, straightening as the mirrors adjusted. She broke into a quick sprint, reaching the Autobot in a matter of seconds and tackling her wheel in a tight hug, practically vibrating with glee. Sighing in defeat, the femme gently rolled forward a millimeter, nudging the child in return.
"Arcee, really, Miko already tried." He revealed, turning toward the pair and advancing, eyes glinting. "Tell Optimus I respect him big time, but, if you're at war with the Decepticons, there's nothing I can do to help. And I definitely don't want my baby sister mixed up in it." The motorcycle seemed to sigh, the warm air blowing over Kate's body and tickling her neck from her spot standing next to her.
"Optimus didn't send me, and no one's asking for your help." She evenly responded, subtly warming the plating underneath the girl's hands in a reassuring comfort, sensing her growing panic.
"Okay, so, if we both I agree that I'm not 'warrior material'," he stated, shrugging as if to heighten his point.
"Jack," she sorrowfully returned, suddenly very still. "I just lost someone I cared about. Maybe it's the grief talking… Maybe you're growing on me, but… Whatever it is, I'm just not ready to say goodbye." She turned her sensors to Kate. "And neither is Optimus," she added. Katie glanced up to her at her guardians name, eyes sparkling.
XXX
The familiar engine revved as it approached the room, the sound reverberating through the large tunnel. The cerulean Autobot skidded to a stop, her two passengers relaxing as the ride ended. "Guess who's back," Jack called out as he gently removed his sister from the seat, unfastening his helmet after she was safely on the ground. Kate shrieked in excitement as Raf and Miko shared a knowing look, dashing forward.
"Oppie!" she laughed out, grasping a crack in his armor and clutching it as if her life depended on it. He looked down in mild shock, optics brightening as his intakes hitched. "Not gonna leave!" she giggled, looking up to him. He allowed a rare smile to slip past as relief and joy welled in his spark, kneeling to place a finger lightly on her back, before detaching her from his foot.
"Wait with Jack," he soothingly replied, gently nudging her toward her brother. She smiled back to him, before giving a small 'kay' and running in his general direction. "Autobots, prepare for departure." He then commanded, straightening and stepping forward. Jack released a long suffering sigh, taking his sister's hand as she skipped over.
"Where to?" Arcee spoke out, confusion wracking her voice.
"The final frontier," Miko dramatically returned, stepping forward with a hand in the air.
"Wh- Space?" Jack softly questioned. "I thought they didn't have any way to get there."
"They don't." Raf confirmed as his guardian gently lowered him to the floor, doorwings flicking wildly. "…Really."
"I'll be seein' ya?" Jack worriedly questioned as Arcee glanced down to him, a small grin gracing her face. Wordlessly, she moved away, joining her comrades in front of the bridge as Ratchet slowly pulled the lever downward, the bridge spinning to life with a blue glow.
"Optimus, if you leave me stranded on a planet teaming with humans, I will never forgive you!" he threatened, though his heart was not into the farewell.
"Until we meet again, old friend," the leader returned before his battle mask slid into place with a slight 'shing', the metal gleaming. All four transforming in a flurry of metal and grinding, they quickly flash on their headlight, the semi taking the lead with the others following. With a last forceful engine rev, the Prime gunned his engine, throttling forward with his team following a millisecond later.
XXX
"Got it!" Ratchet yelped out, tone revealing his excitement as he stepped back. Kate, as well as her companions, perked from their slouched position. Static had been flowing from the speakers for the past ten minutes, altered only by the occasional sharp squeal as they attempted communication. Now however, the Prime's voice could be heard, reverberating through the silent, still room.
"Well," Arcee's baffled tone flowed through the speakers along with the vague sound of chinking metal, sounding mildly irate, and very suspicious. "What're they waiting for?" A moment of occupied silence, though the tension was nearly tangible, even without being there.
"It appears the Decepticons have sustained severe damage to their interstellar navigation system." Optimus's voice follows, unyielding of any emotions.
"Hey, that's my handy work!" Bulkhead suddenly exclaimed, surprised.
"Great job, Bulkhead. Without the disk, the Decepticons will be unable to aim the space bridge at Cybertron." The Prime praised.
Katie gave a faint squeak, confusion clouding her cerulean eyes. "Why not?" she stuttered out, tilting her head and allowing her pigtails to flop to one side.
"Don't the Decepticons know where their own planet is?" Raf continued, mystified. Ratchet scoffed, optics glinting, as cold as stones.
"Naturally," he jeered. "But Cybertron is many light years away. To reach their target, their aim must be astronomically precise," he explained, lifting a hand.
"If Megatron went through the trouble of rendezvousing with his space bridge," Optimus spoke up, voice ringing with certainty. "He must have an alternate targeting system. A remote one." Ratchet huffed in irritation.
"From what I know of Earth's technology, I doubt there exists a single radio telescope disk on this planet powerful enough to pinpoint Cybertron." He protested, crossing his arms, a dark scowl masking his features. Kate glared slightly in confusion, tilting her head as she attempted to make heads and tails of the sentence. Before she could speak, Raf stepped forward.
"What about a whole bunch of linked radio telescope dishes?" he questions, turning just long enough to speak before returning to his computer, fingers dancing over the keyboard with ease as the others looked on in surprised awe. "Like the giant size array in Texas!"
Ratchet lunged forward, towering over them while protesting with random sounds. "This is not child's play!" he firmly countered. The smallest of the four glared in annoyance, arms crossed over her chest with her blue eyes nearly crossed in aggravation. Suddenly, the Prime's voice played over the speakers.
"Good thinking, Raf," he praised over the comm. link. The medic wheeled around in shock, jaw hanging open slightly, arms falling limp by his side as his optics brightened. "Ratchet, have agent Fowler alert the Array staff of the security hazard." He instructed. Kate giggle quietly, standing beside the twelve-year-old with a smug look on her young face. Without warning, their attention was diverted as said agent rose from his small cot placed on the balcony, a furious look crossing his face, eyes dull with his hand out.
"You! Soldier! You're out of uniform!" he yelled out, voice airy and disoriented. "Put on some pants!" and with that, he fell backward onto the mattress, leaving the five stock still, Kate and Miko grimacing. Ratchet turned back to the balcony.
"That," he drawled, "May be a challenge."
Raf turned to the computer, a determined, cold scowl playing on his features as he rapidly typed, the other three humans grouped around him with the Autobot looking on from a distance. "I can't get past the array's fire walls," he explained, not ceasing his frantic typing. "They're too thick!" he finished, slamming both fists on the table and shaking his head.
"You," Ratchet laughed, though it lacked any humor. "Think you can actually keep the Decepticons out?"
"Maybe," he replied. "If I can get in."
"Uh, Wait, wait, wait, uh, Raf," Jack intervened. "What if we could get you… All the way in? Like, inside the building?" he proposed, a hand raising to linger in the air.
"I could log into the internal network on the other side of the firewall." Raf explained, looking to the teen before glancing back to the computer. Optimus spoke once more.
"The risk is to great. The Decepticons will be there." He prohibited, looking out into the fiery orbs known as stars. "Perhaps even on site," Jack paused, giving the monitor a determined glare.
"Optimus, with all due respect," he protested, "You said it yourself. This is bigger than the safety of three humans." Katie's head snapped up, and she shot him a dark glare that could have, if she was older, sent him running for the hills.
"Hey!" she snapped, arms crossed with her chest puffed out, chin tilted upward. Jack looked down at her, torn, but finally submitted.
"Five," he corrected, raising a hand in a placating gesture. "Five humans." The Autobot thought his spark skipped a beat, dread welling within him at the thought of his charge running into the Decepticon's hands, but, knowing he could do nothing to stop her, simply prayed for the best.
"Yeah!" Miko interjected. "If we let the 'Cons win, we're fragged, along with everyone else on this planet!" she reasoned, resorting to the use of a cybertronian swear. A moment of silence.
"Raf," the Autobot leader quietly spoke, tone holding no pressure, silently hoping the human would change his mind. The boy glanced to both teens, then to the monitor screen, before looking to the floor.
"I want to give it a shot!" he finally informed, eyes glazing over in fierce determination.
XXX
The familiar vortex broke the slate blue sky, spinning outward just in time for the four to leap through, all but one dragging and moaning. Kate laughed out as her friends and brother sagged, Jack lifting a hand to place on his head. "That'll take some getting use to." He concluded, eyes squeezed shut in pain. Miko glowered.
"How come she isn't affected?" she demanded, pointing an accusing finger to the three-year-old. Kate laughed in glee, thoroughly enjoying their misery, before bounding forward with the others on her heel, the humongous satellite dishes spread out before them.
XXX
Miko quietly creaked the door open, smirking deviously with a mischievous glint in her eye. She then slammed the door shut behind her, not worrying about the sound after seeing the hallway empty. "Security sure is lax around here!" she commented, swaying slightly as she tromped back to the two boys and toddler, Jack leaned against the wall with his sister placed on a high crate, legs folded beneath her.
"I'm in!" he suddenly exclaimed, face lighting up with the green glow reflecting in his eyes. His expression of joy quickly turned to one of hate. "And so are the Decepticons!"
"Wh-What?" Jack stuttered, eyes flashing as Miko jolted in shock.
"How can you tell?" Kate looked on in confusion. What was so bad about the Decepticons? All three crowded around the screen, glaring intently at the diagram displayed.
"Schematics!" he returned. "With the same alien math we saw on their ship. But this time, I can download 'em!" he quickly reached over, plugging a flash drive into monitor.
"It's gotta be the space bridge!" Miko decreed, eyes glinting with an emotion unreadable.
"The Decepticons are sinking it to the dishes." Raf explained while typing diligently. "But I can sink to them!"
"Will they know?" Jack fearfully queried, recoiling and glancing to his sibling, who was curled comfortably on top of the wooden crate and peering at them with great interest.
"Even if the Decepticons see that I'm in the system, they'll have no idea I'm in the house!" he proudly responded. Typing rapidly at the keyboard with renewed confidence, the boy quickly grew engrossed in his work, the others absorbed in watching him.
"They're locked on to Cybertron," Raf grimly informed, the pictures on the screen flashing red. "But not for long." Fingers flying, he released a tired sigh as the diagrams shifted, returning to the bland white.
The dishes are heading back towards Cybertron," he worriedly stated a few seconds later, looking to Miko with frightened eyes. "I'll just undo that again."
"What happens when the 'Cons realize they're being punked?" Jack speaks up, an arm on his sister's shoulder, barely processing that she had shifted from the crate.
"It's only virtual combat," Raf reassures. "Like online gaming!"
"Yeah, Jack, what're the 'Cons gonna do?" Miko challenged. "They're probably like a thousand miles away!" The older boy seemed to relax, arms falling to his side, until an odd noise caught his attention, long with a beam of light falling over them. Turning his head to get a better view, his emerald eyes were only calm for a second before they brightened in alarm, and he released a startled cry, stumbling backwards and knocking Kate to the ground. She glowered, until her gaze landed on the flailing tentacle. She screamed in horror as the claw-like tip slammed against her, closing around her torso and lifting her into the air. Her small fists banged against the pulsing metal, doing little damage as it also scooped up her brother. It pursued Miko, but the teenage girl broke into a sprint, arms flailing as she evaded its attempts at capture. Raf's eyes narrowed.
"I won't let them lock on again!" he vowed, blocking out the commotion to return to the screen.
Miko leapt into the air, wrapping her arms around the tentacle as it shook, Jack slamming into a wall, Kate remaining in it's grasp, being shook like a ragdoll. She shrieked in alarm as Miko was catapulted forward, landing with a sickening thud next to her brother, who fell back onto the ground in shock.
Raf's eyes widened as the 'thing' dropped the toddler, the child releasing a thin wail as she connected with the ground, and hovered above him, claw stretched out. He leapt upward, standing on the chair, before reaching out and snatching the hard drive out of the box. He jumped out of the way just in time as the tentacle charged through the monitor set, destroying the technology with a single blow.
Meanwhile, Miko's eyes grew cold, her mouth pressed into a thin line. She jumped up, the monster preoccupied, and charged for the wall, a fire axe rested on two iron hooks. With a small grunt, she hefted the large tool off of the wall, clutching it in her hands and dashing back to Jack before jumping toward the battle. Leaping into the air, she quickly slammed the tool against the beast. It shoved her back, however, writhing like a snake, throwing her back into the wall as the axe embedded itself into the tile with a sickening crunch.
Jack looked on in horror as his sister pressed against the opposite wall, white as a sheet, the claw wrapping around the wooden handle and yanking it out of the ground.
"You handed it an axe?" Jack shouted out in disbelief, staggering backward. They cringed, bracing themselves as it pulled backward, fully prepared for the impact. But, it never came. Jack cracked an eye as it slithered out of the room, axe in hand.
XXX
All four humans burst through the thick double doors, a horrified frown on each of their faces, eyes glinting. A deep cut stretched over Kate's forehead, a thick trail of blood seeping out of the wound and trickling down the side of her face, though she seemed to be unaffected, eyes bright and alert, stiff in her brother's arms. They froze as they were greeted with the sight of the unfamiliar Decepticon, dark paint glinting in the sunlight.
"Without a second thought, Miko yanked out the familiar cell phone, screen flashing as she captured his image. At the same time, the Decepticon zoomed in, a loud click resounding as the image on his visor froze. And with that, he leapt off of the ledge, transforming in a flurry of metal and sped forward, out of view.
"Why's he leaving?" Miko panted, voice strained and eyes wide. Raf charged forward, kneeling next to a severed, sparking wire.
"He cut the hard line. The dishes are locked on to Cybertron." Raf sorrowfully informed, eyes glazed over, a deep frown on his face. "For good."
XXX
"Optimus, I'm registering a highly expanding mass in their space bridge vortex. One with a very peculiar energy signature!" Ratchet hastily informed, the children back on the balcony, an injured Fowler limping beside them, a thick bandage wrapped around Kate's head.
"Dark energon. Ratchet, we must destroy the space bridge. There is enough live energon to detonate it, but we lack the firepower to ignite it!" Optimus countered, tone firm.
"If I knew how the space bridge was engineered, I might actually find a technical way of accomplishing that feat." Ratchet tersely returned, optics dim. Raf's grim eyes brightened, and he quickly yanked the small hard drive out of his pocket.
"Uh, would schematics help?" he offered.
"Optimus, I must say: The spacebridge is our only hope of ever returning to Cybertron. Are you certain that its destruction is the only option?"
"I am afraid so."
"Then by all means…" the medic ground out, turning from the screen slightly. "Let us light our darkest hour."
"Autobots," Optimus's voice flowed from the monitor. "Take your positions, and follow Ratchet's lead… While I take my stand." He instructed. Katie gasped slightly, blue eyes lighting up in worry.
"Oppie?" she shakily questioned, curious face falling to one of fear. Jack looked to her, eyes dull, a frown marring his face, before kneeling and gently lifting the distressed toddler into his arms. He knew for a fact that things were going to go sown hill for the over-whelmed three-year-old, and he was prepared.
"He'll be fine, Katie-bug," he murmured, a hand ghosting over the top of her head as he rose.
XXX
"These things are getting closer!" agent Fowler barked, the pain no longer as great, though his skin still bore charred patches and bruised spots. He turned from the monitor, eyes wide. "That's bad, right?" Before anyone could respond, a familiar voice played once more.
"Ratchet, we're in position." Arcee tiredly spoke. Kate perked slightly at hearing the femme's voice.
"'Cee?" she called out, hopefully waiting for a response.
"Hey, kid," she dully replied, deciding to take a second to humor the child. Kate shrieked in delight, hands clasped into tight fists as her eyes lit up once more.
"Arcee," Ratchet called out. "Pay close attention!"
XXX
"Now follow the line from the flow regulator to the energon pump," Ratchet demanded, leaning in closer to the screen, examining the data from the flash drive. "There should be a valve."
"I see it," Arcee responded, her head shot flashing as static rang through, blurring the response slightly.
"Good!" he praised. "To turn all that power against itself, all you need do is reverse the current." He grimly finished, frowning as his optics shone with hope, seemingly glowing blue embers. A loud groan of effort shot through the speakers, before a long moment of silence.
"Current reversed." All five humans leant in, anticipation thick in the air as the tension met an all-time high.
"Yes!" Fowler roared, a hand flying into the air as he leapt slightly. He paused, turning to Raf and leaning down slightly. "…Right?"
"I'll ready the groundbridge." Ratchet responded, turning from the monitor to the vortex chamber.
XXX
"Optimus, the ground bridge is ready and waiting!" Ratchet yelled through the communications link, causing Kate, Jack and Raf to flinch in surprise.
"Autobots!" the leader's ever-calm voice was heard, "Jump!"
A moment later, all were positioned around the bridge, eyes wide and muscles tense. Ratchet stood by the spinning vortex with a stony façade, optics bright in hidden worry.
"Do you," Raf spoke. "Think they're…" he refused to finish the sentence, voice cracking and eyes fogged over.
"Think they're wha'?" Katie curiously questioned, head tilting. Raf looked away, turning his focus to Ratchet, who was peering at a monitor on his arm.
"Four life signals," he responded. "One very faint." His voice shook as he watched the bar rapidly deplete. The room lapsed into silence. They all perked, all humans holding their breath as Optimus burst through, paint charred and dented. Katie yelped in delight, eyes sparkling and an ear-to-ear grin plastered onto her small face, before writhing out of her brother's hold and flying down the stairs. He looked on in relief as his charge sprinted forward, banging into his pede, though his attention was quickly diverted.
Bulkhead came next, a look of pure exauhstion on ebbing at his features. "Bulkhead!" Miko cried out in relief, and he happily knelt, a soft smile on his faceplates as he extended his hand, the teenage girl eagerly wrapping it in a tight hug. Raf and Jack stepped forward in worry as loud bangs resounded from the bridge, their guardians no where to be found. They both recoiled as Bumblebee burst through.
The familiar blue femme was cradled in his arms, limp and, by all appearance, lifeless. Jack gaped in horror, and Kate froze, stumbling backwards in shock, tears immediately welling in her expressive eyes. Bumblebee warbled in worry, looking to the medic, who seemed to be frozen. The scout stopped, and her hand fell over, dangling stiffly. Jack sprinted over, quickly followed by his younger sister. Her face was relaxed, optics closed, and Miko and Raf dashed over, the oldest placing a hand on Jack's shoulder, Raf wrapping his arms around Kate as a tear slipped down her face. Ratchet lurched forward.
"We've already lost one this week, by the all spark, don't let it be two." He silently prayed. Jack suddenly grabbed his sister's hand, knowing of the odd bond the two already shared, even with such minimal contact, and also needing the support, he ran forward, gently laying his hand on top of hers.
Hope filled them all as her optics painfully onlined, the pain nearly enveloping her once more as she fought for consciousness. "Arcee," he softly murmured, his sister wracking with tight sobs.
"Jack, really?" she tiredly spoke up, voice strong, though her body was not. "There are other motorcycles in the world."
"But," he spoke, voice shaking as Kate froze, hearing her voice. "You're my first." She grinned slightly as the younger of the two latched onto her finger.
"Gonna be 'kay?" she stuttered. Arcee managed to roll her optics.
"Do you really think I'd be taken down that easy?"
"And Megatron?" Ratchet queried, sweet relief flooding him to the point of dizziness.
"Not even he could have survived a ground zero." Optimus spoke, watching as the femme gently lifted his charge, allowing her to curl into a small ball on top of her stomach plates before playfully nudging her own charge.
"Prime!" Fowler suddenly called out. Optimus turned, frustration ebbing into his consciousness as he looked to the man. He was taken aback, however, as he spoke. "I didn't get to thank you 'Bots for the save," he gratefully spoke as the elevator doors slid open. "I owe you one. We all do." And with that, he was gone.
Gently allowing Arcee back onto her feet, Kate, now sound asleep, the days events taking their toll, in her hand, Bumblebee backed away after stabilizing her. Arcee smirked triumphantly, optics brightening. Suddenly, Miko turned, shoulders rolled back, a fearful glow in her eyes. She approached Kate's guardian.
"So, is this the part where you say 'Goodbye' and tell us we need to forget we ever saw you?" she hesitantly questioned, seemingly close to tears. All three conscious humans stared at him, tension thick. The ancient Autobot looked to them, optics calm, and then to his own charge curled above his teammate's spark.