A/N y-eah i know there were those of you who thought she would be on the nemesis, buttttttt no, i thought about it but it just complicated things...for me anyway ^^l
Inside Job
Well this is a nice surprise, everyone's smiling, and I'm guessing Ratchet blew his top in a comical way again? But hold on, where are we? This isn't base unless we've had a power cut. I looked around as i had been hovering in...Space? the whole time? Like a...ghost erm...okay? When did we get here anyway? The others however were in a group standing in front of me with awed smiles on their faces, behind me was a space bridge, was this what there smiling at? And whose is this space bridge anyway? Megatrons? Man i must be suffering amnesia this time.
I looked at the others as i realized there happiness, man already?! "Guys?" i said asking for reassurance. Arcee started walking forward as i approached her but she walked past me, i was dumbfounded and i put out my hands in her direction as i did for bumblebee as well as he moved past me too, one by one they disappeared through the space bridge and it was so brief, then Smokescreen went past as i took a grab for his shoulder but my hand went right through, "w-what?" i breathed out looking at my hands, then in frustration i threw them down, "smokescreen! Wait!" i yelled in panic as he merely ignored me too and walked towards the bridge, during which Ratchet joined him with Wheeljack, "Ratchet? Wheeljack?" i said in a small voice. "Oh God why is everyone ignoring me?! Did i die?! But i'm still in this form." Then it dawned upon me, "t-that blast that hit me,did it kill me? W-what? n-no it can't have there was pain b-but it wasn't excruciating." As i held my helm in confusing there was still a presence behind me.
So finally i turned around as Dad stood behind me, he had his battle mask on but his optics were full of peace, and they glowed brightly, "Dad?" i said somewhat hopeful, but he started to walk and i tried to take a hold of him but he just went right through me too, i froze. "No, please..." i desperately cried spinning myself around as i started swiping my hands at him though every attempt ended with the same result, again, again and again! "don't leave me-eee!" i cried but he didn't stop merely carried on as he went through the bridge...it closed and i still hovered there in the blackness of space as i beheld the restored planet that appeared as the space bridge disappeared.
"You can't leave! Please don't go!" i screamed though my voice was faded.
"i c-an't!" i screamed again as i suddenly flew myself up from a med table, i panicked like a wild animal as i tried to comprehend the faces in front of me at first they were dark figures almost demon like but in mere seconds turned to familiar faces, i held a hand over my chest plates.
"Your okay." Came Arcee's voice at my side.
I became wary as two arms came over my shoulder especially because of that weird dream, i was angry and frightened, i slightly flinched as i looked at the familiar hands and took hold of them, then i looked up, "your here...you didn't leave." I breathed out as if i were breathless, "your still here." I repeated shutting my optics slightly as i lent up against dad.
He knelt down slightly as he held me, he didn't say anything but I'd prefer he didn't anyway there's been too much talking lately, so actions are a nice change of pace...and this is nice, a hug.
I felt a feeling of being tired and nearly for the first time fell into recharge but the situation flooded back as i did not return the gesture, the omega keys, cybertron, that dream, instant panic is what i felt, "but you will." I announced trying to push his embrace from me, i then panicked more in his grasp as he wasn't letting go i then whacked my fists on his shoulder, "you will! You will!" i yelled.
"Ratchet what is wrong with her?" dad asked trying to keep a firm hold on me.
Ratchet shook his head, "there is nothing wrong with her...at least not physically." He said.
"Speak to me." Dad then said to me shaking me lightly.
I don't know what's wrong with me, even in this form i still felt as though i couldn't breathe, like my chest was tightening, and i just felt angry, i c-couldn't control myself, stop it, stop it! I don't want to feel this! "You said you wouldn't leave, was that metaphorical? Or were you just trying to keep me happy?" i sarcastically spat, stop it, don't say anymore you'll make it worse, restrain it, restrain it.
"I am not going anywhere." He said.
"Yes you will don't lie to me! Like how your keeping something else hid..." then i whipped my head around looking for specific bot, "smokescreen...where's smokescreen?!" i panicked. Everyone bowed their heads solemnly, "he's not...?" i started.
"Dead?" Ratchet finished. "No, at least not at the moment."
I then remembered the dark figure, that was soundwave, "was he...was he taken?" i asked bitterly.
"Yes, i had decoded the last set of co-ordinates an image unveiled itself as smokescreen." Dad confirmed.
"Smokescreen? Is he the key?" i asked though at this point i just sounded like Megatron.
"We can neither confirm nor deny that theory, but we believe him to be the carrier of the last omega key." He added.
"And Alpha Trion didn't think to say this to you when you were having a little message with him?" i asked scowling at him.
"He had his reasons." He argued sternly.
"So did qui-gon quin." I hissed under my breath folding my arms, "knocked out, by a single blast, sounds like soundwave." Bitterly thought,"let go of me." I then hissed at him as he still attempted a motion of comfort.
"No, you are distressed, but i have never seen you like this before, i do not want to let go of you in fear of your current state." He said.
"oh please I'm not Anakin Skywalker!" i scoffed, then i put my hands out in front of me as i scolded myself, "stop this now Ellen", now speak normally, "but...I have been thinking." I started averting my optics to the floor.
"About what?" he asked.
"I think i want to return to tranquility." I said flatly.
"When...did you decide this?" he asked somewhat stunned.
"Now." I said.
"Why?" he asked.
"Because, i just want to...have a little me time for a while, and i feel i can do that in my house...i don't know maybe because it's not here, i need to be somewhere that isn't jasper at the moment okay?" I said, that anger was rising again.
"But you will be exposed to possible attack, too far from here, too far from, me. You cannot leave, not during this time." He argued frowning.
"Yeah just like how you will be too far from earth, too far from me, how is this any different." I retaliated back in his face.
He sighed, "I have been ignoring you, but this is necessary, you know this is what i have to do, i still have responsibilities for my people's well being, there home. Many are still out there...scattered searching for a home, they are not as fortunate as we were." He argued.
"That's not the problem I'm having, it'll be great that they can have a home, it really will be, but this is different, decoding iacon relics that's fine, destroying a space bridge, losing yourself, that's all fine because i knew you'd come back, that you'd return home, he-re. I know my explanation makes me sound like the biggest douche bag in the world, like i'm trying to keep you here but..." i then sighed as i held my head in my hand, "the others... they have a choice, i mean word gets out about cybertron being living again i'm sure flocks of cybertronians will come and rebuild the planet fine...but i need to ask with your given title and all, what will you do? I mean does it matter if your there or not? Do you even have a choice?" i asked, yeah sure a world without a leader that'll work out fine.
Dad was hesitant and the way his optics flickered from left to right, you could tell he was trying to find an appropriate answer, but he seemed to be struggling and that wasn't a great sign, "I am unsure of the outcome of these omega keys, we do not possess them all, i cannot give you an answer until i am certain of the future." He said.
I just sighed, "i need to know..." i started bowing my head, "that no matter the outcome, whether cybertron is revitalized or not, i need to know that Earth will still be your home." I said sounding desperate.
He gave me a look of uncertainty; "Earth is my home, but the future still lies uncertain..." he then trailed off.
"Yes well until this 'uncertain future' is revealed to us." I started sarcastically. "I will be in tranquility. Hey! Maybe Alpha Trion will turn up and tell you to die for our sins who knows!" a slight laugh escaped me as i jumped off the med table in Ratchets laboratory. I made my way in the direction of the hallway as Dad took a firm hold on my arm.
"Please, do not leave." He said sounding weary, "during this time, though i have not shown it, i need you, i know what you are feeling, i am too, but i have to shun those feelings away for Cybertron's sake, as you know we cannot think of only ourselves but of the many that will be affected, such as Ratchet..." he then glanced at him as he weakly smiled, "i have never seen him so hopeful before that much so he is oblivious to what planet he is on at this time..." slight humor lingered in his tone, he then placed both his hands on my shoulder, "stay...at least give me piece of mind that you are safer here."
I gave him a look of sympathy as i rubbed my arms, but then took a grab for his hand as i gripped it desperately, "then say 'i will never leave' say 'no matter the outcome i will remain here with you'." I said.
Dad in turn bowed his head, "I need to resolve this first, i am still unsure of the outcome, the full capability of the omega keys, whether it will revive the planet only, leaving our cities to be rebuilt by ourselves, how long the process takes, there are so many factors i need to consider, that is why i cannot answer you...not yet." He said.
I let go of his hands as i let my arms drop too my side, and took a step back from him. "Let me know if you find smokescreen." i said as i then moved past him.
"Smokescreens signal it's back online!" Ratchet announced as i spun around to his voice.
"The kid escaped the warship!" bulkhead said cheerfully.
"Smokescreen to base! I could really need a groundbridge." Smokescreens voice rang through base.
"Setting coordinates." Ratchet said as he starting tapping at the controls. "Strange." He then said.
"What's the problem?" Arcee asked.
"Smokescreens telemetry data doesn't make sense; i can't lock onto his position." He said.
"What is he driving or something?" i asked screwing my face up.
Ratchet silently diagnosed the problem as we waited, though i tapped my foot impatiently "I've isolated the problem, smokescreen is in free fall. Smokescreen I'm opening the groundbridge directly below you" He said checking smokescreens position then setting the co-ordinates.
"Brace yourselves, I'm gonna make an entrance." Was Smokescreens answer to that. I watched the screen as a green flashing ripple assigned as smokescreen and the ground below him, and by the look of it he was falling pretty fast, and he was being pursued by two smaller flashing green lights as suddenly and swiftly another green indicator twice the size of smokescreens indicator knocked into him and sending him flying across the screen.
"He's...off course!" Ratchet said horrified.
"You missed?!" Arcee said.
"Open another one! Fast!" bulkhead added.
Ratchet frantically tapped at the controls again as he kept his optics on smokescreen's constant movements, he kept tapping and smokescreen came close to hitting the ground, "Ratchet!" i called as smokescreen was mere meters away...twenty meters...ten meters...two meters...come on Ratchet! But then smokescreens indicator turned to that of red as a beeping sound confirmed his contact with the ground...
"No!" Ratchet regrettably announced shaking his bowed head.
"You...!" i started but i stopped myself from saying anything further, for fear of regret of what i could say. Though it was only one word i got a shot of optics in my direction, making me look to the floor, "Stop it." I scolded myself quietly. "Ratchet did everything he could so stop trying to throw a fit of anger at everyone at every chance."
"Hey Ratchet? I could really use that groundbridge." Smokescreen then whispered, i looked up at the screen and sighed relieved, but then shook my head at how much of an idiot i could've looked like if i had not been able to hold my...tongue, vocal processor, either way. Now, i'm going to greet smokescreen in a normal state of mind...i-i'm so tired.
"Did i tell ya? Destiny!" Smokescreen announced. "Alpha Trion knew I'd keep it safe." He said pointing to his chest.
Arcee finally overcome her stubbornness as she sighed with her hands on her hips, "nice work kid." She praised though almost forced.
Bumblebee then started counting his fingers, "so now we have one, two, three...where's the forth?"
"It was the only ones in megatron vault." Smokescreen said.
Dad then picked them up, "then three keys are accounted for."
"Then the fourth is still somewhere on the cons warship." Bulkhead said.
"Unless...megatron never had it to begin with?" Arcee said.
"Perhaps a squirrel took it." I said and this wasn't really said in my normal tone of humour it was pretty forced i have to admit.
Then a picture of Starscream came up on screen, "a high frequency signal." Ratchet said, then wearily said "with an embedded message."
"Starscream." Bulkhead confirmed.
"What was your first guess?" i thought leaning up against the wall folding my arms.
"I have obtained something of interest to you which seem to be of no practical use to me." Ratchet read out.
"Its gotta be the Omega key." Bulk said.
"Or he could be referring to himself." I snickered to myself.
"He's the one who blind sighted me." Smokescreen said.
"What else would scream be referring to?" Arcee said.
"Y-ep Y-ep." Ratchet stopped us, "there's more, bring medical kit, i only ask the surgical replacement of my t-cog in return."
Bulkhead laughed, "Like we're gonna give scream back his wings." He said.
"Without the missing key, cybertron will remain the void of life." Ratchet said sounding desperate.
"Broken record i know but...it could be a trick." Arcee said putting her hands on her hips.
"It is possible that starscream does not realize the significance of what he holds." Dad said.
"And we do know he has been incapable of flight for some time." Ratchet said.
"The stakes are too great for us not to consider starscreams proposal, however we'll take precautions." Dad said.
I started shaking, a-all four omega keys in mere moments, oh no, not now, too quick, just like the dream, i c-can't, i...then slapped myself, k-keep it together, I'm going mad, what am i saying j-just go help them retrieve it...pfft! We're just getting a key t-there not gone yet heh!
So with the co-ordinates set Arcee had activated the groundbridge as everyone was on there guard, Bulkhead, Ratchet and Dad headed through as i stood at the entrance of it, i looked at Arcee, "There are two warriors and one medic out there and four fighters in here, I'm evening the odds." I said as i went through the groundbridge without giving the chance for protest, i stood at the entrance, watching their backs from behind.
I looked in front as Ratchet was examining starscream who lay against a tree...he's a bit too quiet then usual. And maybe it was the effect of the groundbridge but i swear there was a slight gust against my helm. Maybe it was paranoia but i got my blasters out nonetheless.
The three of them were still gathered around Starscream, but he wasn't much of a talker this time, you could at least hear starscream when he speaks no matter the distance. Then Ratchet stood up abruptly as all three of them headed back swiftly, again i felt a gust but this time i felt a slight scratch on my Armour, man it was like a paper cut...that stung.
"Move away from the groundbridge." Ratchet said shooing his hands.
"Urgh okay?" i said as it suddenly closed behind me, i almost jumped because of how close i was to its closure.
"Autobots maintain positions." Dad said.
I looked around, "What's happening? Is Starscream dead?" i asked.
I looked past the others as a sort of interference or some kind of present was behind them, "slow!" and all of a sudden starscream appeared there behind them.
"Huh?!" i exclaimed as dad whipped around and aimed his weapon at him. He clutched all four omega keys close, how did he...?
"ah-he-he, the red energon wore off didn't it?" Starscream nervously laughed.
"He has the omega keys!" Ratchet said.
Starscream let out a panicked scream as he fired a missile at us, we dodged obviously as he fled, and did he flee, we pursued as we all attempted to fire him down, and i did generally try to shoot him down. A groundbridge then opened in front of him for him as he ran through it; however dad still attempted to pursue him as he staggered and came to a stop as the groundbridge closed.
We all came to a stop as dad retracted his weapon and with an unexpected gesture, he threw his arms and head back, "ye-arghhhh!" he yelled as it echoed throughout. I physically felt ill, he didn't hide anything this time, there was a feel of angst, detest and a feeling of failure that lingered in there. I was a little scared to be honest.
Me, Ratchet and Bulkhead looked to one another in surprise, "we'll get em back." Bulkhead said to dad.
"The keys can be of no use to starscream while he scrounges in the wild like some scraplet, there must be something we can offer him in exchange!" he said as Ratchet was saying this, Dads fists were clenched, only until Ratchet had finished his sentence had he opened them flat again. Everyone had been affected by this, i...just focused on myself, i didn't acknowledge anyone else's feelings.
"The fate of cybertron now rests in starscreams hands." Dad said as he then turned to us, "whatever his intention." He turned his comm link on, "Arcee reactivate the groundbridge." He said wearily.
She did so as it appeared behind us, they all followed towards it as i lagged behind them, "i...uh..." i stuttered in my head as i couldn't speak out loud. "I think...I'll return to my human body now." I thought, "So i can start packing."
In base dad returned to the computer screen as he merely ignored the water that fell from the roof. "What the...?!" i hollered. Taking cover under my hands.
"It should stop soon!" Smokescreen called through the loudness of the storm was taking place inside, i hope so i don't really want to experience rust!
I merely trailed off down the hall as i headed for Ratchets quarters, there was a huge hole in the wall where the omega keys once were held, smoke emanated from it but i guess an explosion like that set the sprinklers off, i started jogging to Ratchets quarters in realization to something as i hoped it would only be the hallway that has sprinklers i don't want my human body to drown. And thankfully there were none in any quarters.
I looked at my human body, then to my metallic hands, i then held my helm, no matter which body I'm in everything else follows.
I sighed as i checked the time on my cellphone...low battery too teaches me to not leave my cellphone in my pocket all day with the sound setting on normal, jack's been ringing me but miko's been ringing me sixty-four times, and by the time it was coming up about half three, i missed school then? I'll be missing it tomorrow as well, better tell jack to forward a message for me, hopefully they'll be at base soon. I actually smiled at that thought...
A/N i winced when writing this, when writing Ellen like this, but hopefully the next chapter is a little less...'Grrr'?
but to be fair the episode did hold much tension, well not as much as Ellen ^^l but yeah the next chapter should be less tense...hopefully.
when this story eventually ends anyone think i should make an 'everything in between' story? between episodes?
Also any suggestions for a new summary? i suck at them ^^;