A/N: More reviews last chapter:) Thanks for the praise. For those reading my M-rated story, "Pheromone" (know that I am not a deviant, but I feel the need to get the ball rolling on certain issues), I am currently undergoing writer's block on that one. Any suggestion from those reading it would be greatly welcome. Obviously this version of Nemesis Prime will be different due to Arcee still being in a human body.
Chapter 39
Along the highway, Agent Fowler was currently trying to avoid being knocked off the road by a semi. Normally, Fowler would just pull over, take out his ID and give whoever tried to scratch his ride a verbal tongue lashing. But this wasn't a normal situation though (not that anything in his life was normal anymore). Right now, he was being run off the road… by Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots. As Fowler swerved, he saw the semi speeding toward him.
"Prime!" Fowler shouted, though he knew the Autobot leader could not hear him. "Have you flipped your metal wig!" He knew Optimus and he never saw eye-to-optic, but he never thought in a million years that the Autobot leader would try and off him. Did this have anything to do with Sunny? He knew that while Optimus respected human law, he didn't necessarily agree with it. He also knew how much stress the 'Bot was put under daily.
Could the combination of dealing the Decepticons, MECH and Fowler's own superiors have finally taken its toll on the Autobot leader? Fowler didn't have time worry about that right now, he needed to contact base to make sure it was real deal.
ShadowStrike Rising
At the Autobot base, everyone was keeping themselves busy with their own work. Ratchet was using the peace and quiet to finish repairs on Arcee's body, Mizuki keeping him company. Miko and Bulkhead were currently watching another monster truck rally, laughing and cheering loudly. Arcee was moping outside of med bay, having been kicked out by Ratchet due to her constant hovering. Jack was watching Raf and Bumblebee interact with Sunny.
He narrowed his eyes at the sight of the young girl laughing at whatever the twelve year old genius said. He felt rather uneasy watching how close she was to Raf (both figuratively and literally). It was for her to befriend someone closer to her age, but Jack still didn't like that it was boy. She could easily be friends with Miko. The girl may have been fifteen, but she thought like a child.
He shook his head, banishing such thoughts. What was he thinking! He didn't care who Sunny decided to talk to; it wasn't like she was his daughter or something. Like that, his thought drifted back to his mother and their talk last night. She pointed out that he acted rather "fatherly" towards her without even trying.
It was absurd! He would only protect her for rest of her life, as per his promise to her father. He had no interest in forming anything beyond a friendship with the little girl, despite what everyone else said. His thoughts were interrupted when he saw Sunny press her lips against Raf's cheeks, eliciting a blush from the boy. Jack felt his eye twitch at the sight.
It was a shame; now he had to "talk" with Raf about the nature of his relationship with Sunny. He would have to remind the young boy about Sunny's vulnerable state and his resolve to protect the girl no matter what. He banished such thoughts again; what was going on with him! It wasn't his concern who Sunny showed affection for. Besides, this was Raf, not some hormonal teenager.
Jack at least had the guarantee that he was only interested in computers and science. Jack needed something to get his mind off this "display", so he turned med bay where Arcee was still moping. He averted his gaze towards Ratchet and Mizuki, the former working on the repairs to Arcee's body. He noticed that Mizuki had a smile on her face while she talked with Ratchet and the medic didn't seem to mind her presence. Jack was struggling with feelings for Arcee, his mother was infatuated with Optimus Prime, Miko and Bulkhead had their own romantic tension, and now Mizuki was actually managing to put the closest thing to a smile on Ratchet's face.
'Must be something in the water,' Jack thought to himself. That had to be the only explanation for himself and others, save for Raf, suffering from Robot Fever. Jack sighed as he watched the monitor, as it was the only thing that would make him angry. Suddenly, Fowler's image popped on screen. So much for not getting angry.
"Prime!" he yelled, earning everyone's attention.
"Optimus is not presently here at this time, Agent Fowler," Ratchet replied from med bay.
"Then I'll take that as confirmation that he's 'presently' trying to run me down!" This earned everyone's attention again.
"Agent Fowler, I highly doubt Optimus would ever do such a thing," the medic replied calmly.
"Yeah," Miko chirped. "Are sure it's not Jack trying to kill for what happened yesterday?" Jack glared at the perky young girl, suddenly thinking about hitting her again. He decided against it as to not create another situation like the one five months ago.
"I'm sure it's a red and blue semi with an Autobot symbol on its grill!" he shouted. "I'm need of a little assistance."
"I'm on my way," Jack said, changing.
"I must object, Jack," Ratchet said. ShadowStrike simply closed his eyes and focused on locating Fowler, knowing the Agent gave off life energy like everyone else. It was part of his Spirit training with the Tribunal. Finding Fowler's aura, he quickly space-bridged to the location.
"Overruled," Miko chimed, earning a glare from Ratchet.
ShadowStrike Rising
Fowler continued down the highway as he reached a bridge, the semi still after him. The back of his car looked like it had a run in with both Mike Tyson and Chuck Norris and the semi was just getting started. Fowler was glad no one was out on the road, so he could go a little faster than the speed limit demanded. The semi was also going over the limit as move to the car's side and rammed into it, sending it through the bridge. The car teetered on the ledge, Fowler trying to make sure his weight didn't send him over the edge.
He'd definitely head back to the gym if survived this, not that it was likely as the semi back up until it was behind him. His eyes widened as he realized what was about to happen, "Prime, no!" His pleas fell on deaf audio receptors as the semi began pushing the car forward, just as a black blur flew on top of it. Fowler watched as ShadowStrike drew out his sword and drove it into the truck.
"I don't know who you are, but this ends now," he growled. The truck back up violently, trying to shake the ninja off to no avail. ShadowStrike drove his sword across the roof of the truck before being thrown off. He was about to pursue the retreating vehicle until he caught the sight of Fowler about to fall into the canyon below.
"I know you and aren't on the same page right now, but a little help would be greatly appreciated!" Fowler called. ShadowStrike leaned on his sword and pretended to contemplate the subject. Fowler groaned, "I get it! You're mad, but help a fella out!" The ninja smirked behind his mask as he pulled the car back to the road.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Fine," he panted. "Cutting it pretty close there."
"Hmph," was the ninja's response as the ground-bridge opened.
"Did you see anything?" Arcee asked as she stepped through.
"Nothing of note, but I did get a good look at the truck as it drove away. It definitely looked like Optimus, but-"
"Primes don't run," Arcee narrowed her eyes.
ShadowStrike Rising
In Japan, the Shredder was working on his latest project involving the deceased Autobot Cliffjumper, converting his technology to create an army of techno-fiends. The ancient demons of old would be more deadly with these upgrades, but that was not all he had planned for Cliffjumper. Still, to accomplish that, he still had to get his hands on a vital component. One that until recently, he thought lost. Now, he knew where it was, but getting it would be a difficult task indeed.
Perhaps, Megatron could be some help in retrieving it, but the Shredder didn't want to increase his "debt" to the Decepticons. Silas and MECH would be no help since they were initiating their plans for Project: Chimera after a five month absence. For now, the Shredder would have to be patient until he got his hands on the component. Stockman continued scanning the deceased Autobot, coming up with numerous ideas for how to incorporate it.
"How on Earth do you manage to get your hands on these resources?" he asked excitedly. "I mean, we shouldn't be able to access this thing so easily, let alone reformat it to fit our needs!"
"There's an advantage to ambition, Stockman," the Shredder rasped. "It gives you the drive to make anything possible, despite the prattle of others. Through ambition, I have influenced Japan for centuries, personally ushering into the empire it is now."
"With my expertise in cybernetics," Stockman said proudly.
"Details," Shredder rolled his eyes. "When will the Cyber-Fiends be online?"
"As soon as I can finish fine-tuning their cybernetics exo-skeletons."
"Master," a ninja called from the shadows. "We have confirmation. MECH has initiated Project: Chimera."
"As I knew they would."
ShadowStrike Rising
Back at base, Fowler was recovering from his encounter with the semi that looked like Optimus Prime. The others were gathered around as he recounted the events of the day (leaving out his discussion with General Bryce about Sunny). The others looked at the Agent skeptically, unable to wrap their minds around it. While Agent Fowler got on the 'Bots nerves (more so Bulkhead than the others), they knew that Optimus would be the last person to attack him.
"This doesn't add up," Bulkhead said. "Why would Optimus attack Fowler?"
"Maybe Optimus believes he's a Decpticon all over again," Raf said hesistantly.
"Or maybe he's faking being a good guy all this time," Miko suggested.
"This is absurd!" Ratchet said. "Optimus never engages in battle unless provoked, especially when it comes to humans."
"But that doesn't explain why truck had the Autobot insignia on the grill and the odds of Fowler running into a red and blue semi that wasn't Optimus are pretty high."
"How do we know it wasn't the vehicle he scanned when he first arrived on Earth," Mizuki asked.
"The vehicle mode we choose does not necessarily have to have the exact same color as us to be compatible," Ratchet explained. "It just has to have the matching components to its Cybertronian equivalent."
"That still doesn't explain why Prime tried to run me off the road!" Fowler stated, brining things back to subject at hand.
"A quick scan of Optimus' signal will prove he was nowhere near tonight's incident," Ratchet said, walking over the monitors and turning on the scanners. "In fact, he's returning right now." Everyone turned toward the tunnel where a light shone through as Optimus entered the base. He transformed and walked over the others, noticing their concerned expressions.
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
ShadowStrike Rising
A/N: I hope you enjoyed! Can't think of a proper preview right now.