A/N: 11 reviews! Your dedication to my story is heartwarming :) For those who might not know, Sunny being kidnapped by the Shredder is part of the plot in Ninja Gaiden 3. For those who want more information, either buy the game or look it up on YouTube.
Chapter 44
Jack sat in his room in the human wing of the base pondering on recent events, such as his abrupt separation from Sunny. Fowler had the girl taken from him when he couldn't even defend her. He completely ignored the fact that Sunny was happy right where she was. And all because he didn't want to risk the Decepticons or MECH (what was left of them) discovering her like they did him, Raf, and Miko. Sunny wasn't Miko; it wasn't like she'd run through the ground-bridge every time the 'Bots rolled out.
She was smarter than given credit for. Perhaps just as smart as Raf (part of the reason why they clicked so much). Her energetic innocence helped to brighten the mood of the room. He could certainly use it now due to the tension between him and Arcee. It wasn't like Jack didn't understand Fowler's reasoning, he just didn't accept it.
Yes, the Decepticons wouldn't hesitate to use them against the Autobots if the opportunity presented itself. Megatron would have no problem killing them all like he almost did Raf. There were numerous examples of why the children shouldn't be allowed to be with the 'Bots. But they were there because it was their choice. They had each made the choice to endure, to perceiver, to stay.
They chose to stay because they needed the 'Bots and because the 'Bots needed them. Because they could help them learn just how different humans could be. Because in the short time they had all known each other, they had formed bonds as strong as steel. Sunny had made the same choice. She'd chosen to form those same bonds.
She exercised her right to choose, as promised to her by both the constitution and Optimus Prime. But Fowler, more specifically the government, ignored her rights and took her against her will. He could imagine her kicking and screaming, calling out for Jack only to receive silence as a reply. The thought of her thinking her abandoned her killed him. Even worse, he couldn't deny why he was so angry about her being taken.
He'd denied it as much as possible, but the fact was he'd started to see Sunny as a daughter. His mother and Arcee were right about his attachment to the girl. Fowler was right when he said he needed, possibly more than she needed him. Everything everyone told him was right and only now had he realized it. Sure, he subconsciously figured it out, but now he was admitting it.
But like that, Sunny words about not wanting anyone to pretend to be her father echoed in his mind. If he tried to get back and raise her like his own, would she accept him? Would she welcome him as a surrogate father? Or would she shun him and treat like he were some stranger trying to pretend? These thoughts swirled in Jack's mind until he banished them, just as his mother walked in.
"How are you doing?" she asked softly.
"Fine," he lied.
"I can't imagine this is easy for you," she said. "To have someone you considered a daughter taken from so abruptly, without your side of things being heard."
"If you're trying to give me a pep talk, you might want to check out a book from the library," he replied dryly.
"I know this isn't easy, honey, but we'll get through this," she placed a hand on his shoulder. "We've gotten through worse."
"Not like this," he sighed. "Nothing like this."
ShadowStrike Rising
Mizuki drove along the road of Denton, Colorado (Not sure if that's a real place or not), her destination a few miles away. Thanks to her (rather painful) skills of persuasion, she'd managed to coax the information on Sunny's whereabouts from an agent in Fowler's department. Apparently, the couple who adopted Sunny were Mr. & Mrs. Scottie Ray (Five points if you know who Scottie Ray is). The couple had been trying to conceive their own child for years without success. Mizuki felt bad for them, so she wouldn't try and take Sunny away.
She'd only come to make sure the girl was being treated well and living under satisfactory conditions. If that was the case, then she would leave them alone and relay this information to Jack, knowing it would calm him down. It wouldn't fix things between him and Fowler, but it would at least put the boy's mind (and Fowler's conscience) at ease. Mizuki didn't agree with how Fowler handled the situation, but what could she do? She had no authority in the situation and she didn't want to end up causing an incident between their two countries.
So she kept her mouth, deciding it would be best to see the conditions for herself. From what she read on the couple, they were as good as they came. Why on Earth Mother Nature would deprive them of a child was beyond her. She pulled into the driveway of their house and exited her vehicle. She walked up to the house and rang the doorbell.
After a few minutes, she heard the sounds of locks being undone and the door opened to reveal a middle aged man, "How may I help you?"
"Yes, are you Mr. Scottie Ray?" she asked.
"I am," he nodded.
"I'm from the agency," she lied, flashing her badge. "I'm here to check on the young girl you recently adopted." Mr. Ray gave her a curious look.
"I'm sorry, but I don't know what you're talking about," he said. This time it was Mizuki who looked confused.
"Didn't you and your wife recently adopt a young girl named Sunny?"
"No, what would give you that idea?"
"You and you're wife resorted to adoption because you were unable to conceive properly," she said, as if he didn't already know this.
"We had that trouble a few years ago," he explained. "Once we started looking for a child, my wife became pregnant. She had a healthy baby girl. I'm sorry if we forgot to take our names off the list of potential parents."
"I see," Mizuki replied, panic rising in her as she realized what might have just happened. Someone used the Rays' identity to get past the background check and get Sunny. For they knew, the young girl was in more trouble than before she met the Autobots. Pretending to look at the file she brought, Mizuki tapped herself on the head, "My mistake. It seems that we were looking for the Rays. I am so sorry for bothering you."
"It's fine," he smiled as he closed the door. Mizuki got in her car and dialed the number for Fowler's agency. She wanted to who really adopted Sunny and if the girl was safe. Heaven help them all when Jack found out.
ShadowStrike Rising
As the base sat in another uncomfortable silence, Arcee hid herself away in the kitchen, reflecting on recent events. She knew Jack was hurting and wanted nothing more than to go to him. But the awkwardness between them persisted and wouldn't allow her to work up the courage. Her mind wouldn't allow her to forget that Jack had been with another woman all these months while she had been worrying for him. She understood loneliness better than most, so she should have known how easy it was to fall in love with someone out of that loneliness.
It had happened with Cliffjumper once she lost Tailgate to Airachnid. She tried to deny the attraction as much as possible, not wanting to risk ruining a good partnership or feel like she was betraying Tailgate. She had finally accepted her feelings for Cliff just in time for him to meet his end at Starscream's servos. His death, coupled with the fact he never knew of her feelings or she never knew if he returned them, ate at her even now. Perhaps that was why she hadn't let herself become so open with Jack when she finally accepted his role in her life.
She had already thought she was betraying Cliffjumper by already moving on to another partner, but she couldn't help but treat Jack like one. He'd certainly proved it with all he'd done these past few months. Slowly, but surely, she came to trust the young human, letting him see her more vulnerable side. She came to trust him, to rely on him to lo-no, not that-care for him. And now, it seemed like that trust was gone thanks to this knowledge of another woman.
It killed her inside to know that he was going through so much pain right now and her damn pride was keeping her from helping like all the times he helped her. She stared at the coffee she had poured for herself several hours ago. She stirred it while waiting for news from Ratchet on the status of her body's repairs. It wouldn't be long before she could go on missions again. She'd definitely be taking her anger out on any 'Cons unlucky enough to cross her path.
As she exited the kitchen, the alarm blared, alerting them to Agent Fowler's arrival. Arcee scowled at the thought of seeing him so soon after what he'd done to Jack. She had half a mind to break every bone in that man's body (if Jack didn't beat her to punch once he emerged from his room). She and the others gathered around the monitors as the cameras revealed both Fowler and General Bryce. The Autobots were surprised by this.
They had only met Bryce a few times during their stay on Earth and he didn't seem like to type to just stop by for a visit. Whatever he was here for, it must have been important. He and Fowler entered base as Optimus greeted them, "Agent Fowler, General Bryce, to what do we owe this visit?"
The five-star General wasted no time in getting to the details, "Our intel reports that a MECH base has been spotted in the Arctic Circle. We think this is where they are keeping their most prized experiments."
"And you want us to go in and take 'em out?" Bulkhead figured.
"Not exactly," Bryce said. "Our geographical department has informed us that the current temperature is much too cold for your biology to handle. That is why we've been asked to recruit Mr. Darby for the task of finding and neutralizing the base."
"WHAT!" Arcee shouted. "After what you did, you have the nerve to come here and ask Jack do your dirty work for you!"
"Arcee," Optimus said, his voice carrying a warning tone, but the femme chose to ignore it.
"You take Sunny from right under Jack's nose and expect him to just get over it and take care of your problems!"
"I understand that this is not an easy time right now, but-"
"But nothing! What kind of people take a girl a man practically raises as his own sparkling and expects him to just jump when you say so !"
"Enough," Optimus rumbled calmly, eliciting another scowl from the femme while turning to the two men before him. "As Arcee informed you, Jack is not in the best state of mind right now. I do not believe best to send him on a mission."
"Why don't we ask him, since he's been hanging out in the rafters since we got here?" Bryce said, directing everyone's gaze to the young man sitting above them. His face was as stoic as a Prime's, but still held a rage that threatened to explode if pushed hard enough. He hopped down from where he was sitting and looked at both men intently, Fowler avoiding his gaze. Bryce stepped up, meeting the boy's gaze, "Do you accept the task we have placed before you, Mr. Darby?"
"Why not," he replied calmly. "I could use something to take out my anger on. But I'll require a few conditions. One, the Autobots will follow in whatever vessel you can put them on. Two, no one but Ratchet and Raf will serve as my communications guides. And Three, I take no prisoners."
ShadowStrike Rising
As the aircraft carrier made its way through the ice, the Autobots and their human allies sat in silence, waiting for the mission to begin. ShadowStrike sat calmly, his hands on his knees as he waited for word of their arrival. The ninja was giving off an aura that put off the others, even Optimus. General Bryce had "insisted" that Fowler stay in the in the ships bridge while he debriefed the boy. Needless to say, the agent was grateful.
"The MECH base is located in the center of the Circle," Bryce began. "We'll drop you off as close as we can without alerting them to our presence. The map we acquired shows us an underground cavern that will lead you to the base. It is likely protected as well, but that shouldn't make much of a difference to you, right?"
"Can't say it does," the ninja replied.
"Attention crew, we have reached the destination," the captain announced over the intercom. "I repeat, we have reached the destination. Prepare to drop off package." Without another word, ShadowStrike stood and walked over to the door. Pulling it open, the room was filled with snow and a cold wind.
"We'll let you know if there are any enemies headed your way!" Raf shouted over the harsh wind. "And don't forget to bring back a souvenir." ShadowStrike gave a thumbs-up before jumping out of the ship and disappearing into the snow.
ShadowStrike Rising
A/N: I was going to make this chapter longer, but I decided to make you wait for now. I hope you enjoyed! Next time: As ShadowStrike enters the snowy waste, what unusual enemies await him?