A/N With being in her robotic form, unable to simply 'sit' with her own kind, Ultra Magnus being next to socially deprived and Ellen being a very social creature. maybe its time she hung out with bots her own age?
Project Predacon
Wheeljack, Ellen and Ultra Magnus still resided inside the former base and were preparing to leave, "Clear my radius." Ultra Magnus said to the two as they took a step back, he allowed himself to transform finding himself an alt form that was Optimus' old form, which he himself was glad to share the scans with. "The Energon cube, quickly now."
She picked it up and placed it on the back of his alt form, though she tilted her head in confusion, "why not just...?"
And the Groundbridge opened, "Ultra Magnus we are ready to receive you." Ratchet said.
Ultra Magnus came drove through without any problem, Bumblebee removed the cube as Magnus transformed, "we didn't find much else in the rubble of the former base."
Wheeljack entered on cue holding the lobbing ball, "you call this not, much, else?" he said as he abruptly spun his form around and lobbed it at Bulkhead which rebounded off his chassis towards Miko and Jack who stood on a leveled platform.
"Jack! Miko!" Ellen cried bloody murder. Jack grabbed Miko as he pulled her to one side with him the lobbing ball hitting against Fowlers office door, "Good lord what a week." She swooned feeling dizzy again in the processor.
"Wheeljack!" Ratchet scolded taking in what just happened. "You could have caused serious damage!"
"To me." Miko argued.
Where the lobbing ball had hit was Agent Fowlers office door, who said human was now lodged inside. The door was still able to open as we heard an echoed voice from inside, "a little help here." He said.
"I'm coming William." Ellen called through a cupped hand getting away from the situation.
"What were you thinking soldier?" Ultra Magnus asked Wheeljack sternly.
"I was thinking that Bulk could catch that lob." Wheeljack retaliated.
"Allow me to make myself clear." Ultra Magnus started. "As Optimus Primes second in command, i have no intention of tolerating Wrecker behavior."
"Uh, Magnus Sir i don't think..." Ellen started.
"Just let it play out." Jack told her.
"N-uergh..." she added unsure.
"Some things never change." Wheeljack said casually.
"Jacki-eee." Bulkhead said trying to intervene himself.
"Hmm, need i remind you that is was Optimus Prime himself who assigned me to command your Wreckers back on Cybertron and get you loose cannons under control?" he said as the tension became thick that much so you could cut it, "an effective combat unit begins with discipline. If you won't accept that feel free to choose the path of least resistance. As you did before."
"If my ship weren't a twisted wreck at present I'd do that Sir." Wheeljack retaliated turning around and walking off.
"Aw-kward." Ellen noted with a cupped hand around the lobbing ball.
"If i wanted awkward i could've been with my host parents." Miko added.
Ultra Magnus sighed, "So, has there been any word from Optimus?"
"He's investigating recent Decepticon activity, hopefully an Energon mine." Ratchet explained.
Ellen lifted the lobbing ball as she held it to her chest, "let's keep those thoughts open." She said as Agent Fowler only lightly touched the door before it toppled forward, the hinges finally giving way.
"The real war is in here." Fowler complained brushing his suit down.
"Look on the bright side." Ellen said as she peaked inside his office, "it lights up the whole room." She grinned nervously. "I-I'll add that to the 'fix it' list Agent Fowler." She added seriously scratching her helm.
Fowler threw his arms up as he returned to his office, "Think you could make it 'bot' proof." He said picking up the broken door and forcing it into place.
"Is that even possible?" Miko said. Ellen expressed nothing as she turned to head back towards Ultra Magnus, "Hey." Miko called to her "what are we chopped Con? Anti-social or what."
"Oh, er, you guys carry on with what you were doing." She said. "i-i'll-i'll watch."
"Watch what? We're just talking." Miko said.
"Alright, well you carry on then." She said at first she attempted to lean up against the railing but after last time she thought to just stand. But that didn't help either; she was out of place here and that alone was just well alienating. "a-actually, i better not." She said turning back to her original plan as the two humans looked at each other.
"She feels out of place." Jack said.
"I think we just need bot sized chairs." Miko added.
"Yeah..." he said unconvinced as he gripped the railing bars.
Ellen practically stumbled as she approached a recently frustrated Magnus, "Hey, Magnus Sir? I know you commanded the Wreckers and all but i don't think that tone is going to work on Wheeljack." She started as he stared at her intensely that sort of uncomfortable stare that he was known for and she was now used to, "Now this is all opinion based but for example ,you yell at a dog but it's not going to change or make the situation better, which to be fair is a bad example. But-but this is only a suggestion and or opinion i'm-i'm not suggesting that i tell you what to do." She said rubbing her helm again.
"I certainly hope not." He snapped.
"I just want to keep this team from falling apart again. maybe you should change your methods a little." She jogged backwards in front of him keeping up.
he expressed his frustration as she was barely balancing on the 'line'. "I can wield him into the soldier he needs to be especially now. i have done so before on Cybertron and have broken even the proudest of Cybertronians." he said. "and cease that abnormal limb movement."
"Right Cybertron" she muttered. "Sudden change is a little hard for some and don't take this as a personal attack but your a big change. But when you realize it's the only thing to move forward you have to force yourself to change, but it kind of helps better when you have a little support."
He sighed, "Wheeljack can adapt, either method."
"Alright then what about a harmonized unit? instead of the focus being effectiveness. Instead of calling the shots, why not try understanding what Wheeljack is going through?"
He glanced her way, turning sterner in stance, "I have been relatively patient with you, because of the circumstances. But i do not appreciate being lectured by a inexperienced and young being who is barely a glimpse of existence. that much so i find myself having to direct you."
"hey i was onl..."
"And even now you continue to challenge my views and command." He snapped as the attention of the others were drawn again.
"doesn't matter where you are, there seems to always be conflict." she said looking to her feet. As soon as there is a different view on thing he still has something to say, even when trying to prevent something she still can't remain silent, she couldn't hold it any longer, she didn't want to cause conflict herself but this was borderline 'laying down and playing dead' territory, "every time someone tries to express themselves you cut them down. and I'll repeat what i said the first time you arrived, this isn't your world; this isn't what you are used to. so take note, you are the one who is going to have to change."
"Ellen..." Ratchet started calmly, "That's enough."
Ultra Magnus sealed his jaw as he spoke but stuck to his guns, "Clear, that section, over there." He ordered pointing to a pyramid of Energon cubes.
She slightly clenched her fists but looked around her, she felt no shame because there faces seemed somewhat concerned, so she relaxed again, turning to face the cubes, "and to think i was going to thank you for the advice." She thought dryly looking around, he made everything awkward and tense, but she only made it worse, almost encouraging it. "You know what Magnus Sir? Maybe your authority is being challenged because your refusing change. i mean look around, you'd think there was a Con in the room." She stated pushing herself towards the cubes whilst trying to calm down. "Urgh-hhh, he is so bipolar, alright and then a pain in my...liver. thinks this is the Golden Age or something." She muttered to herself, she then looked to the stairs where Miko and Jack were talking again most likely about recent conversation. "Maybe i should hang around bots my own, equivalent age."
as she knelt down she heard a rumbling sound of forced revs of an engine as her antennas tingled to the sound, every bot had their own alt engine sound and this was very recognizable. "Some surprise." She mused shaking her head lightly as a recognizable sports car came swerving in power sliding at a 360 degree angle. "You dolt." She grinned as the car came to a halt at the feet of Miko, Bulkhead, Arcee and Ratchet.
"Smokescreen?" Arcee said with her hands on hips.
Smokescreen transformed in a less then colorful manner as he looked disappointed, "Aw, what gave me away?" he asked genuinely confused, "come on, robots in disguise right?" he added as he stepped back to Ultra Magnus who approached him.
"Clashing robots in disguise you mean." Ellen called with a couple of empty Energon cases in her hands.
"Where have you been soldier?" Ultra Magnus questioned.
"Obviously with the fashion police." Ellen said to herself quietly.
"Scanning new war paint. Thought it would be proactive to follow Optimus' lead." He said glancing to one side. "And Bumblebee's."
"I'm an influence?" Bee mused standing up from his crouched position.
"Now you can look your best when stacking those empty cubes." Ultra Magnus told him.
"Yes Sir." Smokescreen said slightly disappointed as he turned towards his objective, "i was nearly a Prime but somehow I'm still a rookie."
"What was that about a Prime?" Ratchet questioned hearing his mumblings.
"e-er...neur-time...time to stop acting like a rookie." Smokescreen said as he continued towards his set objective.
"You know maybe you should try standing up straight when talking, stops those mumbling you know. how am i supposed to eavesdrop if i can't understand you?" Ellen said as he made no kind of response. "Not the cleaning type huh?" she said to him passing him a couple of cubes.
"Not exactly what i hoped to come back to no. its a bit too...i don't know." He said in all honestly.
She looked over his expression; maybe it was because she was in such a relatively good mood (despite Magnus and the fact that she was out of place as a human.) that she didn't understand his solemn expression but investigated anyway. "Hey." she said lowering her head so that they made optic contact, "I'm glad your back...As crazy as that sounds."
"Where are these going?" he asked.
"Oh, the hangar next door." She said continuing to force optic contact with him. "Still a little troubled? Your paint job is looking...nu-eh, wow, boy what a paint job." she said trying to hide her grimaced tone only to fail.
"Come on, might as well get this over with." He said as the two walked to outside carrying there empty cubes.
She tapped her fingers on the cube she held as she sighed, "you have been acting a little, abnormal then before. Well, even more so. come on, your not even saying something that i need to contradict." She noted suspiciously.
"It's like you said, one minute your fighting cons the next box duty you know?" he said lightly grinning.
She raised an eyebrow at him noticing how fake that grin was, "Er, Smoke the last few days you've been in the Earth, literally. you, kind of missed out." She said.
"I meant metaphorically." He said though slightly clenched his fists to the reality that he wasn't part of that Dark Mount operation.
She let her lip slide as she thought, "Hey, i bet you can't move these as fast as i can?" she challenged.
"You're daring me to move boxes faster?" he questioned wearily.
"What's wrong? Is the 'box' too much of a foe?" she teased pressing the box in his face, "Ooh look at its parallel lines, it's just too much to handle." She continued in a ghostly tone.
"Alright stop waving that thing around." He said wavering it out of his face.
"Come on, come on i am without fun, seriously I'm all for action but that was 'serious' action, i need some down time and so do you..." she continued to tease whilst picking up a few more cubes, "hey you know what, your right, why don't you sit down Smoke don't want to hurt yourself after all your frame is still expanding." She grinned pinching his metallic cheek. "You need all the rest you can get little mechling." She continued in a whimsy manner.
He narrowed his optics as his frown turned to a mischievous grin, "Give me those cubes." She announced letting his own drop.
"Hey stick to your own cubes." She said dodging his snatching fingers.
"Give."
"No."
"Give."
"You want these? Come at me bro, see what happens."
"Just give the- just give me- give me..." he continued as every time he pushed she pulled.
She then darted forward out in front of him, "ooh what am i gonna do now?" she started as she flinched the cube left and right, she found herself with a stupid big grin as she felt giddy. "over here? Or over there?"
He placed his hands on his hips turning casual in posture, "What gives? Usually you're such a buzz kill." Smokescreen said now trying to tease her.
"Oh? You're trying to provoke me now? Sure you walk the walk but can you talk the talk? Hmm unusual expression usually it's the other way around." She pondered.
"Just stating what's true." He shrugged teasingly winking at her.
"Since when have i ever been a buzz kill?" she argued playing along.
"Since i got here, sure you crack jokes but, n-ueh nothing special." He continued mockingly unimpressed.
"Look 'Padawan' you think your all that? flapping your orifices as fast as a mouse's heartbeat? You don't even know the word fear. Sure maybe that one time, but meh." She argued playfully folding her arms over her chest.
"Really? Let me guess, you have?" he said sounding unconvinced.
"Because i put myself in stupid peril more times than the words have out of your vocal processor? hmm, yes." She argued.
He looked at his fingers as he performed the human gesture for yawning, "u-huh sure." He then changed topic to not allow time for a come back, "hey guess what? I think i have time to show you a little trick of the trade now. you need all the help you can get if you say your that stupid."
"I meant as a little kid you Velocitronian." she said.
"Oh? are you saying I'm fast?"
"Only your posture and your vocals, your so fidgety."
"I may be a fast talker but at least i can stop." he said smugly crossing his arms.
she pulled a zip over her mouth as she gestured a 'see?'
"Finally now i might be able to get a word in, can you high kick?" he asked.
"Well i..." she stated confidently before falling small in voice, "No..." she exasperated.
"Then step aside, what was that word? pad-padawan? Because I'm only going to show and tell you once." He said walking towards the hangar that they were supposed to place the cubes in.
He wasn't the usual type she would hang around with, in fact it was hard to have a conversation with Miko or him but more interaction through action seemed to work better for with him. Conversation worked better with those like Jack and Raf amongst others. "Fine, high kicks aren't my style but you go ahead with your interpretive dance." She teased putting her cubes down.
"First, you gotta build momentum." He said as he stood in a parallel line opposite her as she folded her arms watching his actions. "Second comes speed..." he started as he ran towards her, she changed her footing. "Third, force, fourth thrust and leap!" he jumped up high as he extended his leg in front propelling towards her. She ducked down as he went over head before completely though she grabbed the top half of his leg and brought him down turning him over onto his front as she placed both his arms behind his back.
"Yeah, not my style but still pretty cool." She said standing up as he rose to his feet.
"I got a few pointers from Alpha Trion just to improve my stance." he said brushing his arms of bits of gravel.
"hm, as well as that thing in your head you call a processor." she said.
"You will never let me one up you on that will you?" she shrugged, "Well, now that I've showed you that, show me that." he asked eagerly.
"No seriously what you did was good, but I'm better at restraining really everything else is basic maneuvers. I think you excel in fast paced offense. The only reason i got you down was because your light framed."
He clasped his hands together, "Okay then, death training match right here right now." he said his tone lifting to that of excitement.
"Death 'training' match?" she said as he took a swing at her, "hey! Watch it Skywalker!"
"Come on defend yourself." He said taking another swing as she felt the force of his fist barely miss her face that time. "Do you usually just stand there doing nothing in a situation like this?" he teased.
She pulled up her hands into front of her face as she dodged his swings, though his hits were close but he wasn't set on actually hitting her, "your bluffing hits." She said.
"Saying stuff like only shows me your downfall." He said backing her up against the wall of the main hangar as she flinched to the cold surface, how could she miss that obvious mistake? "Oh. Bluffing? No, decoy ha!" he said placing a fist in front of her face, "submit?"
"You wish." She grinned mischievously as she cupped a hand over his hovering hand then throwing it back in his face. "Leaving opportunity for the enemy, tut tut Smokescreen." She teased before bringing her face close to his in a threatening manner. "Don't make me look like a fool again." she warned as by now they had gone from strategic fighting to play fighting attempting to put one another into a headlock, first it was a series of frustrated grunts then turned to snickering as they fell over each other but leaving a loud boom sound for the whole area to hear.
They both froze hoping that it would merely be ignored. "do...you...think...we're..." Smokescreen started.
"What. Are you two doing?" Ultra Magnus demanded throwing himself from the hangars entrance. Ellen jolted to her feet, brushing her form down as quickly as possible Smokescreen not far behind.
"e-er...well."
"You see we..."
"Training" they both finally said in unison.
"Training?" Ultra Magnus replied raising an eyebrow at them both.
Ellen straightened her posture, "exchanging tactics Sir." She said.
"Whatever it was, it was not your appointed task."
"No sir." Smokescreen said weakly. "We'll get back to it."
"See that you do solider."
When he was gone, Ellen couldn't help but grin, "heh, that was...pretty fun." she admitted. "Phew, safe. I don't know about you but I'd prefer it we kept on Magnus' good side while his Energon levels are at boiling point. But if i may be expressive, he is a 'project' in himself."
"Yeah..." Smokescreen said eyeing up the commander.
"Oh come on Smoke, it was just a little scolding you've turned low again. What's wrong?" she said trying to figure him out, "have you, never seen death before? I mean like that? is that it? You mentioned that you were never part of the action i mean..."
"It's not that." he interrupted.
"Then what?"
"Why do you have to know?" he said becoming agitated.
"Whoa, take it easy Bro." She jested, "I'm only asking because when you keep something that is bothering you to yourself, it's not healthy it'll come back on you, it always will..." she stopped herself from continuing, "...I'm too young to be saying this to people."
"What's wrong with trying to help?"
"Nothing, but i should really ask if they want it."
"Well I'm asking, what were you saying? scrap it to all those who think just because we're young we can't produce big results." he told her.
"Well i got that from an original source anyway but i understand at least. anyway what i was saying is your behavior is pretty distracting maybe the others haven't noticed because there busy with everything else and I'm like that useless Councillor heh. i can't help but stick my nose in other people's business especially when their faces look like that." she added poking him in the face. "So, you wanna talk about it?"
"It's just..." he started frustrated before sighing, no way could he openly speak of what happened down there. "Being there to witness that, it's just staying with me a little longer then i thought." He said looking to the floor part of what he said was true but what was really bothering him.
"Hmm." She started suspiciously, "Well sure something like that isn't going to go the next day, but what else Smokescreen? that can't be the whole story."
"Is it that obvious?" he asked.
She shrugged lightly before puffing a sigh. "well your expression and posture doesn't suggest guilt or blame. and I'm kind of like a misery chick as sad as that is i know when someone is keeping something to themselves." She then lent herself up against the hangar walls. "You know i still don't understand something though."
His audio receptors picked up as he lifted his head slightly. "What? I told you i was fine."
"No, i mean that he told you to preserve what was left in the forge instead of save him. But why would he?" she pondered looking up. "he did mention this, but maybe it was how pointless he made it sound it caught me off guard to not think into it."
"What, do you mean? To use it for Cybertron of course." he said sounding slightly annoyed by her flat tone in saying that.
"Well what's the point if no one could use the thing? I mean without the power of a Prime? If Dad's time passed then we'd be looking for..." she stopped mid sentence as she thought into that, just this look of information in Smokescreens expression caught her. "A new Prime." she finished. "Smokescreen?"
"What?"
"Did he say, if the Matrix had chosen someone?" she asked suspiciously, though she couldn't believe she was saying that.
"It had chosen someone." He said looking to the floor with a solemn and worried expression. "And i know who..."
"Well..." she started trying to remain calm, there was one thing for sure Smokescreen was no good at being dishonest. "You're pretty distracted by that, someone you know?" she pondered with a finger under her chin. He mumbled something signing neither yes or no. "Now stop me at any time while i theorize. Now by your expression this Prime is either off world, hasn't come around yet or...someone here." and her tone slightly darkened to her last comment. "The only one to go back."
In a sudden flash he took hold of her arm as he took her to one side, "will you keep it down. There only over there why do you always have to think too much into these things?" He said turning anxious. "h-how is it you can figure that out?"
"Primus...so it's true...you were nearly Prime?" she said almost breathlessly.
He frowned at her, "You see? This is why i didn't want no one to know just that, look alone is basically a sum up of what...who i am as a bot." He said.
She had to admit it was shocking, and being that the bot was the one not to follow protocol, but, at this point the unknown was just to accept it some things weren't meant to be understood and the Matrix was in that category of the unknown, she had to think from his perspective, how he felt what this means instead of taking all logical factors into account and do what felt right. "Smoke...I'll admit, i am surprised, even a little...frustrated. i mean..." she stopped as she looked him over, she thought he must've been anxious that sudden pressure and situation to never expect to be called upon to suddenly take over as leader. "But...i can't see into the future. What you would be like in the future, hell you might even, dare i say it. mature?" she jested. "But your still, like me, and Bee, young. Still learning. a-and, i gotta admit I'm still a little sore with some decisions you've made in the past, like Jack..." she stopped herself, she kept wandering back to her owns thoughts instead of his, "but, I guess the Matrix could see what you could be with just a little refining."
"I..." he started staring at her optics, "I'm not Prime material, sure I'd like to be but i mean i screwed up sometimes I'm always doing something drastic, and how is it the Matrix chose me." he said raising his voice. "is this my, destiny?"
Her optics darkened slightly as she became very forceful, she took hold of a grip able part of his chassis, "Hey, you listen to me, the Matrix, the Bots, me, whatever. They don't ultimately choose who you are alright?" she stated defensively. "You do, it's your choice who you want to be no matter the title, or-or the change in name. Prime or Rookie, You decide who you are."
His mind wandered, "That's right you're not a fan of destiny." he slightly teased.
She mumbled, "Not really." she stated bitterly, if that was the case was it destiny for her loss? "before on the roof when you were comforting me, i was so distracted by other thoughts, but whatever choice you make or what others make, i believe ultimately leads you towards a certain path, the path isn't already laid out for you. But that's just me. Whatever you believe I'm not going to stomp on that. i mean you said so yourself that you make your own destiny, isn't that all down to choice?"
"Hmm...Choice. i don't really think too much into what i say." he wondered a slight curl on the edge of his lips at the serious expression on her face, "I never knew you could say things like that." he said quietly smiling at her.
She rubbed her arm shyly, "i guess, but i had a pretty good teacher." She argued.
"but it was your choice to say it." he said lightly patting her shoulder but ended up leaving it there for a while.
"Er, Smokescreen?" Ellen said looking at his arm.
"H-Heh, sorry i think you left a twinge in my spark." he said pretending to shed Energon tears.
"Sure just mock me." she jested as they chuckled.
Smokescreen looked at his hands, "Still, all that, it was just thrown at me. I didn't...i didn't know how to react. I wanted to be a part of something bigger but i never expected this so quickly anyway. that is i wanted it to be fast but..."
"Of course you didn't expect it. Who would?" she placed a finger under her chin, "Well, maybe the arrogant ones who demand it but..." she could see that his thoughts were wandering again. "What were you feeling?" she asked softly placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I don't know to be honest, allot of mixed feelings. I know that our Primes lead our culture our way of life and society but to be a Prime now? I'm not ready...not yet." he laid a hand over his face.
She was stumped, but she had to speak slowly with what she thought was right to say, "You know they say that whatever decision a leader makes it's their decision alone..." she started quietly, "but...that's a very old saying and way of thinking."
He sighed as he lent up against the hangar wall, "And what about Optimus?"
"Well i tried to save him but, he just still doesn't understand 'the man with the wooden leg named smith' joke." she said as he weakly smiled. "But seriously, you're not him, and you shouldn't try to be, only be you, you glitchhead." She slapped a hand onto his face in a comical fashion, "Besides he had advisement and the Matrix's guidance when he was pretty stumped. Well, so i was told anyway." She said "I just wish that if you were made Prime it would be after the war. you know when rebuilding your society and stuff. No one should be burdened with that during this time." She started as she rubbed her arm, "even now, if it continued and went on for many eons still, you...change, you grow harder, more distant, your pain contained, the regret and consequence for your decisions. And-and i know that it's not all bad it's for a better and brighter future i know but..." She clenched her fists slightly, "it's not fair that you were put in a position like that."
"That's how it goes." He said.
"Yeah, i know i need to accept the unknown now but, I'd really like to kick the Matrix' to the moon right now i bet it wouldn't see that coming."
He slightly laughed at the thought of that, "If i had to be Prime, i would." He said abruptly bowing his head. "And, i would do anything to stop this War."
"I know you would, anyone would, and I'm just...i mean you're about my age and..."
He grinned widely at her twitching fingers, "A-ww, you're concerned for me." He teased.
She puffed a sigh as she looked his expression over as she screwed her lip up slightly, "Yeah well if i was its only because you're fragged in the head." She blurted at him teasingly. "You're a dumby, yeah that's right you've forced me to say something as simple a word as that. You're brash." She added before turning around looking up to the sky. "Listen, Smokescreen. If you were made Prime because of these circumstances again and i don't care if I'm like 80 or something or that Dad...was gone. I-I'd help you. I wouldn't let you do this alone, even if you refuse. When he first came to Earth, when i met him, he was so unapproachable, not as a being in himself but socially, it fascinated me almost. You understand what I'm saying?"
"Yeah..." He said lightly before nudging her, "but i doubt you could help me when you're fighting for breathe at that age." He laughed.
She whipped her form around as she poked him in the forehead, "Ha-ha, but for now just stick with what you have for now and do what you're doing now, learning." she shrugged.
"Yeah right, I just wish i could go up another level at least with everything that's happened." He said placing his chin in his hand.
"Cry me an Energon river." She said with light sarcasm before draping her arm over his shoulder, "but i understand that you feel like you're stuck in limbo. Patience is a virtue and all that scrap."
"You know you could've just left it at 'Yeah'." He said.
"And let you get the last word in? Femme please." She scoffed. "Hey. You want some red flames to go with that paint job? And then you can have all of the 'prime'-ary colours. Get it? Prime, primary? A little-a little play on words there." She said awkwardly, "never mind I'm not going down that path of extremely lame puns. So i apologize for that brief bit of torture." She said wavering it off. "So, the paint job, the way you've been acting? The questions?"
He nodded.
"You feel like you're what, an 'heir' now? With all this re-thinking you've been doing?"
"Well i always wanted to go up that ladder, like warrior class and become a lieutenant or something but now, i think maybe i should try to take that more seriously than merely dream of it, but just all this waiting."
"Just make sure to not fill your head with thoughts of being a Prime, it might turn out a little different then you thought. Your smart Smokescreen and creative, but you can be a little slow a learner when it comes to mistakes...but that's only because i don't think you've had the chance to make many." She said placing a cupped finger on her chin.
"Alright i got that. what are you my creator?" he said sarcastically.
"Ah just winding you up, it's kind of law amongst family members." She said.
"I think my frame just rusted up." He joked.
"Yeah well, we need to think like that...there are very few of you now." she said before realizing something. "you know i think this is the longest time I've had to talked to you, and the fact that I'm the one now trying to cheer you up as you did for me before, and i never thought to how serious a conversation it would be either u-rgh, jeez what a low subject."
Smokescreen looked behind him to the scattered cubes they had left behind "You know, we still haven't stacked those cubes." He said rubbing the back of his helm.
"Ah let Lieutenant Dan make an uproar." She said giving a thumbs up.
"Ha! you really hate him don't you?" he said.
"t-thats a pretty strong word, more like, i don't want him here...anymore." she huffed.
"Your an attentive supernova."
"well y-your a-...a Sparkling face."
"Lipole."
"Con bait."
"What are you doing out here? Your being pretty loud. the Commanders optics are twitching." Bee said poking his head around from the entrance, trying not to be nosey with what they were talking about for a while now. "Do i have to break up something?"
"Nothing to break up Bee. Smokescreen was just coming onto me again you know how it is." She snickered with a mock performance.
"E-E-Ellen!" he exclaimed his wing doors stood up on edge.
Smokescreen casually strolled by adding to the performance, "yeah and as usual, she just doesn't appreciate me for me."
"Just funny moods Bee. Sorry." She said.
"Can we just, go inside?" he begged as the trio did, Bee looking at Ellen and shuddering slightly. "Primus, you guys are tiring."
"You know Bee your..." They saw a bright green flash, "O-ooh Dads home." She announced clasping her hands together excitably as she dragged Smokescreen and Bumblebee into the hangars direction.
But Smokescreen took hold of her arm, "Hey, er, you're..." Smokescreen started hesitantly. "You're alright, eccentric and random but alright. Next mission that comes up, put yourself in my unit."
"Sure, but don't get in my way." She said mischievously.
"Is that a threat?" he asked lightly.
"Like i would dare." She said grinning.
"Optimus did you find Energon?" Ratchet asked from the control panel, as they looked on to what Optimus was holding close to him.
"No, but i did uncover this." He answered placing down what looked like a fossilized rock.
"It cannot be." Ratchet said, awed at its presence.
"Be what?" Jack asked from the high leveled platform.
"The ancient remains, of a Predacon." Optimus explained.
"I was secretly hoping it was a Kabutops." Ellen thought scratching her helm.
"Though it remains unclear why such a skull would be found on your planet, its presence reveals all too much about the Predacon that Megatron recently sent in pursuit of us." Ratchet said.
"You mean that dragon-bot we put on ice?" Miko said.
"Except that Predacon's have been extinct since, well..." Ratchet paused.
"Since most life begun on Cybertron." Smokescreen said.
"Oh dear, its learning." Ellen added.
"There like Earths Dinosaurs." Raf said.
"Which means for you guys running into one would be like us meeting a T-rex." Jack said.
"By the way there vision isn't based on movement just throwing it out." Ellen said to the group.
"So what were Dinobots?" Miko asked.
"Totally different." Bulkhead said.
"With Megatrons seeming new interest in the excavation of prehistoric skeletons and a certain scientist back amongst the Decepticon ranks." Ratchet said.
"It would stand to reason that Shockwave cloned the beast from one such find." He said as Ellen stepped back slightly at the Cons name as Smokescreen furrowed his brow at her.
"And now Megatrons finding to clone another." Ultra Magnus finished.
"What makes you think bucket head would just stop at one?" Wheeljack added.
"We could have Beast Wars on our hands." Bulkhead said.
"And if Shockwave only requires a single strand of CNA from which to clone a beast." Ratchet said.
"He already possesses what he needs to engender this one." Optimus said. "Autobots, we must become Beast Hunters."
"One thing still doesn't follow." Smokescreen started, "Predacon's went extinct on Cybertron so what would their bones be doing here?"
"They came here before our existence, but even before the life on our planet they should've still been extinct at that time." Ellen added.
"...Maybe that Predacon clone wasn't the first?" Smokescreen pondered.
"Of course i doubt that you had even emerged from the Well before any knowledge of an Autobot outpost on Earth at the time." Ratchet said as he turned to Optimus, "But...that was a long time ago."
"Fallen soldiers to Shockwaves experiments." Optimus said gravely.
Ellen shuddered again at the name, "What's wrong?" Smokescreen asked her.
"Nothing, just that name, Con tried to skin me years ago to get a better understanding of human biology." She said.
"w-whuh? Wait, he came from Cybertron how did...?" Smokescreen asked her.
"Look there was this Space Bridge in South America a Con distraction, and...can-can we talk about this later? Long story short this is what happens when you make yourself a stowaway, either that or i have the worst luck ever when trying to be a kid ninja." She said.
"Come on ..."
"Yeah there are allot of things i fail to mention." She said starting to walk towards a particular bot.
"What do these, Predacon's look like anyway?" Raf asked as Ratchet turned to the control panel.
"Well they...there are a few different models but...I'll show you."
"Hell-ooo." Ellen greeted Optimus holding out a hand as he looked at her curiously.
"Something wrong little one?" he said lightly.
She scrunched her face up but thought nothing of it, "What? It's another form of greetings you know? A handshake?" She said.
He presented his hand also though with everyone focused on the screen he quickly changed as he hovered his hand above her helm and lightly lay it on top, though she turned away, "Da-a-d." She slightly whined as he lightly smiled at her reaction. "Not in front of- you know." she said thumbing her head back, "Personal ties and or conflict can cause distractions within a unit." She added folding her arms.
"I do not understand your sudden argument." he said tilting his head.
She rubbed her head, "i, on occasion have been listening to Ultra Magnus it's no big deal, i am a quotation fanatic I'm just seeing if i can win an argument."
"Keep to your own judgement, it is best suited. and if i re-call you have." he said.
"yeah right, during the age range of five to twelve."
"you are, very persistent." he admitted before looking to Ultra Magnus. "The probability of conflict. has there been none?" sounding almost bewildered.
"...w-well there kind of is, but i don't want there to be; I'm trying but, he just doesn't seem to want to listen." She said.
"he has not been here long, but he will eventually come in contact of an obstacle. as many of us have done so before upon this Earth." he said eyeing her, "mine was similar in that perspective."
"But he is so tiri-iiii-ng." she stated melodramatically as he produced the usual expression. And she rubbed the back of her helm as she scuffed her feet.
He placed a hand on her helm, "Is there anything else i should be aware of?" he asked noting her agitated feet.
"No, nothing else to report." She said flatly.
"then why does your posture suggest otherwise?" he said amusingly.
She looked down, and her feet were twitching and shuffling, "my feet this time? If its not one things its another, so might as well say it, i've been thinking."
"Yes?"
"in the future say when we're on the same scene as each other, if either of us were 'down' let's not get distracted by that okay?" she said before turning awkward to the stares scratching the back of her helm as she continued. "I mean, so not to jeopardize future events. Y-You understand."
"Oh?" he said intrigued.
"And I'm not thinking badly or anything I'm just considering the possibility, if I'm down, just, don't get distracted and I'll do the same with you. I was, when you were down and it didn't help anyone..." He bowed his head slightly in confirmation though that integrity lay in his optics still.
"A reasonable decision." He praised. "But is something i will attempt." He added as she chuckled. "if i could save you..."
"Alright then i mean if you couldn't stop something like it." She said shyly noticing his stare. "S-So anyway, How is it?" She slightly huffed.
"How is-
"Flying, i mean."
"Incomprehensible words." He said.
"Of, course it is, it always is. Leaving me on the ground again huh?"
"The action is, overrated." He reassured placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Wow, your being pretty, well like the days back at N.E.S.T but, you know Megatron wasn't there then."
"Ratchet, informed me of a drastic change in behavior shortly after our base had fallen." He said.
"Oh...alright i was pretty ugly but..." she looked around, the personal boundaries were non-existent, "can-can we talk through comm?"
"More suitable?" he said this time though the comm link.
"Yeah, carry on." She said also through the comm link.
"Your stress levels are relatively high on a daily basis."
"I'm alright."
"Then why are you linking your arm around mine? Admittedly it is comforting but you would not do so in a situation such as this."
"Huh?" she looked down, and she was. she then patted his arm searching him for something. "I-I'm just checking your still there." She said letting go.
"If you are still unsure, you can remain present." He said now taking hold of her arm.
she looked around again, thankfully everyone was focused on the Predacon history Ratchet was working on getting up, there were many factors to consider now, if she were to hug or hold him in front of the others, that it was distracting, there were those that turned it into a joke "I think i will." She said shuffling closer to him. "I appreciate the openness." she said as she looked down catching Jacks eyes. "your eyes are big, you get them diluted or something?" she said coming out of comm.
"Come on, its me. besides all I'm seeing is you two being pretty quiet." he said. "but hey, are you not going to hang around anymore?"
"W-Wha-what do you mean?" she asked slight panic rising in her voice.
"Relax, just a little weird that you're not down at our level. and there being a lack of interaction here." He said.
"You...don't mind do you? I don't want to seem like I'm ignoring you guys. Its just this form, and not being able to be besides the couch with you guys..." She said.
"Just make sure to wave now and then." Miko said as she had just ran up the stairs as she sighed, it was pretty hard to just seat herself in the 'kid' section now, just talking with them, talking nonsense and asking hypothetical questions.
Smokescreen came up from behind as he lightly nudged her making her stumble almost, "Your stuck with me and Bee." He said.
"Whoa! Bee's here!?" she exclaimed dramatically slapping her palms onto her cheeks, open mouthed. "Boundaries dude, Jeez. if i can't see you, I'm going to get spooked." she added brushing her form.
"I want that match, right now." he stated. "Just so i can even the odds and shut you up."
She looked to the side of her, "D-ad, Smokescreen's rough housing and technically suggesting name calling." She said grinning.
"I-I wasn...!" he was about to argue.
"Here it is." Ratchet called getting distracted minds focused again. "From our historical text." He had brought up images of different scale and frame shape of these Predacon.
"Hmm, I want a file of that, for some light reading after. Whoa look at those beauties. what handsome creatures" Ellen said awed like a pen full of puppies.
"Handsome? U-h try hideous beyond reason." Miko said quietly.
"But those are metal versions of creatures from our Greek mythology and medieval literature." Jack said.
"Not Dinosaurs." Raf said.
"It would stand to reason that Predacon did indeed walk upon this Earth in ancient times as they seem to have been the basis for much of human kind's folk lore. Illustrating once again that the pasts of Earth and Cybertron are inextricably linked." Optimus said.
"Hmm so if Dragons were real, this broadens my thought on all those stories I've read, what else is real? By the deities, Please tell me that Treebeard was another being of Cybertron!"
"Ellen focus." Optimus told her quietly.
"St George's day is definitely on my calendar now." she started pondering.
"He told you to focus." Ultra Magnus repeated as she gently growled.
"I know what he said, thank you." she said struggling in speech, of course she could manage Ultra Magnus; he still had his moments of frustration. "You need to be a little more understanding." She added.
"Easy." He told her brushing his hand over her shoulder.
"Sorry, i got caught up, it just seems like i can't even talk to you without him adding to it...er, so are we going to be going straight into boosting our scanners now?"
It was near evening as Ellen lent up against the railings, most of her duties as well as Bumblebee and Smokescreen was just cleaning up as the more experienced beings were covering the bigger jobs searching for cons from there scanners, even anything emanating an Energon signature if they could spare the time to investigate.
Though Ellen didn't mean to present herself inactive, she wasn't physically feeling it but her mind was aware of the routine and wondered why it wasn't resting and because of this her head drooped, technically her robotic body didn't require recharge like the others but it was another habit.
"It can be hazardous that you choose to stay in this form longer than expected." Ratchet said at the control panel. "Why not return to your original form?"
"Hmm? No i want to be ready for any change." She mumbled lifting her head heavily to in front of her, towards the seating area, "and i thought i had a snoring problem." She grinned and turned her head to the side the hangar doors were notorious for letting the cold in as she noticed a slight shiver from her fellow human beings a few times, "hmm..." she said knowing that they were without any means of warmth. "Might make another list for Agent Fowler, also to include a couple of vending machines." She said shaking her form to make herself more alert as she stood behind Ratchet, "watcha doin'?" she asked sweetly.
"What i try to find the time for." He said as she peaked over his shoulder though her present proved distracting, which included her tip tapping feet.
"Er, is this like something you shouldn't be doing Ratch?" she asked suspiciously.
"No, and don't speak like that." he lightly scolded, "If you must know I'm attempting to refine the make up of the Synthetic Energon."
"You want to test it on me?" she asked.
"Certainly not!" he snapped.
"You still fall for anything i make out to be serious." she said poking him. A slight beeping sound was heard inside her head, "huh? Oh. Comm link." She looked around, "its no one from here, Hello?" she was silent for a while before her optics widened, "Oh! Hi! I-i mean...shh, i can't shout. But oh jeez i haven't heard from you in months, you know i haven't been able to get internet in a while." She started nodding as she grinned widely, "u-huh...what? This is what you call me for? Have you seen my boots? You mean the ones you never wear? We're not married Eve, you gotta look after yourself you know. What's that? What? Sorry signals pretty low where i am currently. Oh so now you ask how I'm doing. Well I'm fine, you? Yeah. Yeah. You haven't been sneaking drink again have you?"
Ratchet turned his head slightly to her.
"I'm not coming home to find you in jail Eve, don't take me for granted as soon as you start with the beverages." She said as she chuckled, "yeah that's right I'm doing the guilt thing, your my senior so you should be setting an example...stop swearing. Ev-Eve, stop-stop swearing, this is why you can't visit besides the resource problem all those under sixteen of age can't be exposed to your amount of potty mouth. Yes their present, don't get jealous." She winced slightly to indicate a rise in volume, "a-alright, you're not jealous, just-just take it easy." She tapped her helm as she looked up, "I can't talk about it right now...no the worlds still intact, yes there are a few new members, aw man you'd absolutely 'hate' this one bot, no guess...no...no, yes! See i told you he'd turn up one day at a really bad time; he is everything we feared...alright, say hi for me, y-yeah. No I'm not crying. Don't wind me up...yeah i do it but I'm not mean spirited like you, you-you...alright I'll try to get back to you, when i can, okay bye...bye?...hmm, gone." She said shutting off the comm.
"The signal is not stable then?" he said.
"No, i couldn't ask as much as i could though." She said.
"You can't call them all; you'll just have to wait a little longer." He said lightly. "but i really question who you choose to consult yourself with.
"Ah, you like her really, like you deny you like any of us." she said. "I think Miko would like her, but heh, i can't guarantee the mutual feelings..." she then looked to her feet, "i miss her, i miss them all."
he nodded, "then instead of bothering me and moping, why not disrupt our commander? He seems to force you into submission." he said addressing her in a patronizing way.
"First Wheeljack and now you, you saw what happened with him and Wheeljack and even me when i thought i could talk to him. Major tension, we start fighting amongst ourselves then we've already lost."
"You're a little on edge yourself with the subject. but i meant no harm, truly."
"Nah i should've just laughed that off, if i start to dish it but not take it then I'm pretty much a hypocrite. But I've been with him for half a day and that much exposure may kill me." She argued.
"Alright, heres another way of saying it stop bothering me." He joked.
"Fine." She said looking to the side of her, then sighed. she begun to steadily make her way to Ultra Magnus instead, watching his back for a while, becoming skittish with her steps, unsure whether to approach. "Magnus? Any-...any sign of uncovered fossils?"
"Was that meant to portray as a request or as assertive authority?" He said as she sighed.
"Request, just an innocent non-threatening, request." She sighed drone like.
"Then no." He said before turning back to the screen. but sighed after hearing her feet scuff against the ground, "Be patient."
"Trying." She said lazily walking back to Ratchet as Optimus walked over also from outside and almost skipped to him. "I know i said that I'd want to act as an equal but can i lean on you Mr Prime-minister?"
He focused on Ratchet but tapped his shoulder as she lent on him for comfort. "Synthetic Energon?" he said to Ratchet.
"Indeed. I am concerned that without access to any Energon reserves since our base was destroyed our ability to deal with impending crises will be severely hampered." Ratchet confirmed.
"A wise decision old friend." Optimus replied.
"With Ratchet, we have a slight advantage over the Cons. Besides you Dad."
"Just please, manage your expectations." He said looking to the side of him. "I am working with even more rudimentary hardware then before." he noted the scattered pile of salvaged human technology.
"Prime." Came Agent Fowler's voice. "Satellite surveillance has picked up two signs of Decepticon activity, one near an oil field outside of El-paso the other near the Hiberties Bluffs in Scotland. So don't forget to pack your kilts."
"And your family crests." Ellen said lifting herself from Optimus' form.
"We must divide our resources; Ultra Magnus lead the Wreckers to the bluffs." Optimus said.
"Yes Optimus." He replied looking to Bulkhead and Wheeljack, "erm..." he started as he approached Optimus, "what's a kilt?"
Optimus looked to Agent Fowler then lent into Ultra Magnus, "Agent Fowler can be at times oblique. I find it best to simply nod and mobilize."
Ellen rested her head between the two, "FYI gents, Kilts are knee length garments being the traditional dress of males in the Scottish Highlands of the 16th century although it broadens..." Ultra Magnus raised a hand to her.
"That...brief description will suffice." He said flatly.
"But it was...insightful." Optimus reassured making her produce a small 'yay' sound and a slight smug grin in Magnus' direction.
"you know a little sensitivity wouldn't kill you either." She then pushed a hand against Optimus's arm, "and you have better not been just 'nodding' at me my whole life with my rambles and such." the two exchanged optical glances as she couldn't help but grin to their dumbfounded expressions, "oh, i see bro's before hoes? That's fine, that's cool." She started melodramatically. "Just leave me here, all alone." She swooned.
She averted his optics upwards as he let her continue by herself talking of despair and neglect, "Bumblebee, Smokescreen, Ellen. Your with me." He said as Ellen stopped mid sentence.
She clasped her hands together, "Oh!...i-i mean right." She said ceasing the melodrama.
"Yes." Smokescreen applauded to himself.
"Heh, you-you know i was just playin' Big Guy." she spouted nervously pulling on his arm before performing action of clearing her throat though it served no purpose, "I mean, yes Dad." she said standing up as she moved over to her assembled team.
"Bulkhead, Wheeljack. Let's roll." Ultra Magnus said as Wheeljack groaned.
"I'd sure hate to be him right now." Smokescreen said quietly to his team mates.
"Do you think Primus will grant him mercy?" Bumblebee said as Smokescreen suppressed a laugh.
"You need to tell more jokes Bumblebee." He said approvingly as he looked to his other side, with Ellen looking lost in thought. Folding her arms. "What say you El?...Ellen?"
"Hmm? Yeah? What's wrong?" she said slightly dazed.
"You don't want to add to that?"
"Not really." She said blinking confused. but then smiled lightly to his own confused face as she shook her head, "mission conditions now Smoke, i gotta concentrate. my mind tends to wander after all." She said.
Bumblebee shrugged at him, "different frame of processor Smokescreen you know that." He said.
"Oh yeah sure." he said but she was so quick in doing so.
Ultra Magnus made his way toward the hangar entrance before something spotted his optics, the forge of Solas Prime that was lay there like a paper weight, "Optimus. I know there are many emotions tied to the forge."
"This is no time to stand on ceremony." Optimus told him as they exchanged glances before Ultra Magnus took hold of the forge and seizing it up from the floor.
"I would be honored to put this to some 'practical' use." He said before heading towards the hangar entrance.
"We rolling ourselves?" Ellen asked forcibly putting herself forward towards him.
"Be placid." He told her as he looked to Agent Fowler, who nodded in understanding as he provided Ratchet with the co-ordinates and had pulled the lever on the groundbridge. They shifted into their alt forms as Optimus lead the way, "let's roll."
On other side they had come onto a bridge, their surroundings were of a desert plain, and the oil field that they were informed of. as they all transformed. Optimus looked to in front of him then turned slightly to face the other way. "I will search this quadrant." he said lifting off the ground as he was fast in taking flight. The trio watched for a very brief moment as they transformed again and rolled off over to their side. The dusty trail picking up with there speed.
All was mostly plain until they came to the oil field itself, scattered with oil wells, to how concealed it was the trio transformed as they took cover behind the machinery taking out weaponry as they were on guard. Optics flicking back and forth to any sight, sound or movement that stood out as abnormal.
"Hey Bee." Smokescreen started as the other two were still on guard. "You ever thought about being a Prime?" he asked.
"A Prime? What, Now?" he said lowering his guard as Ellen shook her head still on guard.
"Guys seriously?" she noted to herself. Looking around for any possible attack.
"Not now, someday." Smokescreen said to him.
"Nah, I'm aiming more to become a Warrior than anything else." He said lightly.
Smokescreen lightly vented laugh, "heh, Warrior me and you both..." he said as he started pointing his weapons in general directions again, "but I've seen you in action, and Optimus knows you can scrap with the best of them. Why won't he just promote you from scout already?"
"He has given me the chance but it was my choice to stay as a scout." He explained.
"Your choice? Hmm...so why wait?" he asked.
"I kind of want to make it official. back at Cybertron." he said.
"Guess it would be more meaningful to graduate back home, on Cybertron, your one patient guy, i should take a cue." He said.
"Enough with the distractions guys we have a job to do. So stick to the task at hand." Ellen noted firmly behind Smokescreen as both bots blinked at her slightly unknowing of her.
A loud sound made Bee signal to the both of them as they took a peak, mining Decepticons at work. Ellen looked to the other side to more cover that lead to behind the mining sight and tapped Smokescreen on the shoulder, "Smokescreen?" she said through her comm link.
"What?"
"I have an idea but i wanted to be sure with you guys." She said pointing at the mine.
"...i think i know what it is. But you want to go?" Smokescreen replied.
"Can you deal with those guys?" she asked flicking her optics to behind her.
"Your right, we don't talk to each other enough." He jested.
"So then, we'll draw them out, you scout the mine." Bumblebee confirmed.
"I'll try to make haste." she said.
"Just remember all my scout missions i told you about, i was quick but i came out with results."
"Right." She said as he took a grasp on her wrist.
"Be careful." He said.
She smiled gently, "You know i am Bee." She said almost whispering, "Just keep those Cons off me." She said parting from them, the two stepped out from there hiding positions approaching the mine as Cons came from up top the oil mines. the two nodded to each other as firing range had opened fire.
"Okay, so hopefully there should just be miners in there, some guards, but still I'm only scouting if it's in there grab it and go." She said moving around obstructions she had reached a point of no return as she looked around the corner Bumblebee and Smokescreen were already in combat as she looked to the mine entrance.
As expected a unit had responded as she sprinted towards the mine, a miner was looking over his shoulder but still had the drill on, she pulled herself up the drill as she quickly knocked the miner out and threw him to one side she let the drill continue spinning but halted its progress as she jumped off, "there you are." She thought to herself as the fossil peaked just outside the Earth, but just a few digs in with her hand a Con approached her from behind, she spun around and shot him in the spark her upgraded weapons provided a clean shot through the chassis, then a couple more came from inside the mine as she ducked to his shot then sweeping a leg as the first Vehicon felt back, she shot the Con behind him as he fell onto his comrade, then finally as he begun to stir she brought her leg down on the first Con as it knocked him out. "Now..." she started as she turned to the uncovered fossil, "spared no expense." She said yanking it out and holding the fossil close, "Wonder what you used to be." She thought with integrity.
As she looked at it the mine itself produced a howling sound, as she looked grimly down the tunnel The tunnel itself glowed a harsh red, but no source but even still it made her metallic spine shiver. "Time to go." She thought as heavy footsteps approached on cue, echoing around her even causing the tunnel to expel parts of the Earth from its ceiling. she stood herself ready as she deployed a solo weapon, frowning intensely at the dark tunnel as she started walking backwards every other second watching her back.
"Approaching this mine, with the likely possibility that you would be outnumbered..." a voice started in a cold, emotionless tone. "Highly, illogical." He finished.
Her artificial spark skipped a beat as she slightly stepped back a little quicker, that one piercing red optic that she could clearly remember, "Shockwave...cold logic has always been scarier for me then brute strength." She confirmed for herself but she forced herself to focus. "Scrap this...Back off winkin' blinkin'." She said firing at his chest though he placed his cannon in front of the projectile as it singed into it.
"You are outmatched." He merely said as he fired back at her though she jumped back before she could take that hit but was blown back hitting this hill of gravel and sand. Though she looked at her hand as she still possessed the fossil.
She frowned again regaining confidence, as she barrel rolled to avoid his shot again, "his cannon..." she started as she looked the coil that was attached to his back. "It seems like it's always charging...like a main source from his back hmm and looks somewhat like a restraint...his weakness perhaps?" she continued looking at the cord, "but i can't take him alone."
Smokescreen and Bumblebee had finished off the Cons, Smokescreen holding his hands up to Bumblebee taking aim at him almost mistaking him for a Con, "like i said you have nice chops for a scout." Smokescreen told him.
A few moments later and they heard a slight yell of pain as Ellen came over the hill in mid air rolling on her side as she was thrown over. Now without the fossil.
"What was that?" Smokescreen said as the two ran towards her, she pulled herself up from the ground falling back to them.
"Are you alright?" Bee said offering a hand.
"I lost it." she hissed.
"We'll get it again, then." Smokescreen said as the trio deployed weapons again. Shockwave made no slow reaction as he fired upon them though went past them the force itself pushed them forward as they almost lost their balance.
Smokescreen shot at his weapon arm as it was forced to shoot to the side of him but the projectile hit an oil reserve as it blew up on impact. A raging fire of an oil fountain shot to the sky as it spread between each oil well. Seeing the obvious danger they fell back as the black smoke engulfed them, and it lingered until there able to find their feet. "How epic was that?" Smokescreen said.
"Rise in fuel costs is epic?" Ellen added.
"You are such a buzz kill." He scoffed shoving her.
"Your buzz kill." She corrected. "And another thing, way to blow our resources."
"Did you have any ideas?" he said.
Overhead was Shockwave in his alt form as his thrusters forced him forward as they pursued shifting into their alt forms, "We can't lose that fossil." Smokescreen said realizing how fast Shockwave was becoming.
Ellen tried her comm link, "Dad we require assistance, evil Spock has the CNA." She called.
Continuing their pursuit Shockwave had made it over the bridge as he started firing at them as they swerved to avoid the projectiles. Then suddenly Shockwaves cannon turned at a 180 degree angle as it started shooting into the air at Optimus who was flying in there direction. He himself after Shockwaves attempt of bringing him down had shot a projectile himself not hitting the Scientist himself but hitting the path of where he drove exploding on impact as the Cons alt form was sent forward onto his back as he was forced to transform losing the fossil as it stumbled forward.
"Whoo! And that's why he's a Prime." Smokescreen cheered.
"Be-cause he has a big aft gun with precise aim? Or that he has always appeared as a badass? Or that he has coincidental save you at the last minute due timing?"
"Really? Really?"
"I'm intrigued by your statement is all. That and i like to troll you at every turn."
As Shockwave lay on his knees trying to recover a Groundbridge portal opened in front of him as a slender jet emerged from it at high speed. Shooting at the trio of wheeled vehicles, "Soundwave." Smokescreen confirmed as Soundwave became the distraction allowing Shockwave to recover picking up the fossil again as he charged for the Groundbridge.
Bumblebee drove at full speed transforming as he high kicked Shockwave in the back as he fell back Smokescreen heel kicked him in the face leaving the fossil exposed to vision. Ellen took a hold of it as Bumblebee did so also. But Shockwave recovered fast as he punched Bee in the face with his free hand. Bumblebee was sent flying denting the bridge railings, though Ellen continued to pull as he stood up abruptly and forcibly swinging his arm back as she desperately tried to hang on.
"l-let go!" she yelled in her head.
Smokescreen fired upon him as did Shockwave return that fire but at the same time whacking Ellen against the hard floor causing huge pot holes in the floor, even if her body resided still after he had beaten her processor to a leaking puddle at least the fossil would still remain intact for him to claim.
"Hang on i got a plan." Smokescreen told her through the comm link.
"I hope you use it soon my processor is being tenderized." She said as she took hold of the patch link that connected his cannon and looped it over the fossil, Shockwave yanked his arm under wards as she slided between his legs. He placed a foot on her helm as she rolled to one side to avoid him trying to bash her brains in. "what is with his grip?" she said as he thrust-ed a fist forward into her stomach then brushed her to one side as he had done so to Bumblebee.
Bumblebee jumped onto his back but Shockwave threw him off forward though Smokescreen came to the side and grabbed his weapon cord as he tugged it only resulting in himself being thrown to one side, but Shockwave charged at the bot with intention of putting his cannon through his processor only for Smokescreen to activate his phase shifter as naturally he passed through and Smokescreen leapt forward to make a grab for the fossil he performed a forward flip as he took hold of the CNA.
With Bumblebee, Smokescreen were now pulling onto the CNA, the fossil made creaking sounds as with a cracking sound a small fragment of CNA flew into the air. Ellen rubbed her forehead as she saw the Cybertronians only focus, and the CNA tumbled over the edge, "go for it." she said pushing herself forward, "even if i hit the ground I'd only put myself in temporal stasis." She said leaping over the bridge diving towards it then pushing her arms in a swimming motion as it propelled her faster it tapped against her fingers as she took a grab for it, "Got it." she said relieved holding it close as she looked in the foreground.
"Ellen." Optimus stated with breathless tone, thoughts of her sudden reckless action as well as her safety.
"Dad?" she said as he came up fast, she lent out a hand to him the one carrying the CNA, she expected to just fall into him, she presented the CNA to him as she couldn't help but grin finally producing results.
"Give me your free hand." he called extending his own hand.
"free hand? No take the..."
"..." a flash of a momentary green light and the CNA was gone and Ellen couldn't finish her sentence, more so she couldn't, for one reason...she was also gone while still holding on to the CNA. "No..."
A/N and before any of the sarcastic comments, No she's not going to be stuck on the Nemesis forever, just for one chapter, but i thought it would be interesting since she has barely made contact with Knockout especially :P so i should get some interesting conversation there XD
Notice i have her destroying Cons now. 'symbolism' for the nature of the season lol
Also I'm actually going to have her be a 'guinea pig' for Knockouts own synthetic Energon but instead of a 'steroid' effect it will be more of a 'caffeine' effect but she will be slightly more aggressive :o also maybe i'll get her to briefly catch sight of the Predacon? hmmm ¬w¬
yeah i thought, i could write Bumblebee, Smokescreen and Ellen together. being the and excuse the pun, 'dream teen'? well, it was fun to write anyway.
another note i made a reference to another story of mine :P, with a lot of continuity errors yay i suck :P