Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers: just my OC's & the plot.
SMALL MERCIES
Chapter 1: It's Complicated
14 hours ago:
: And they dismissed him, just like that? : Silas asked over the webcam: though the mask kept his face hidden, the surprise in his voice wasn't hard to miss.
: Hey, that meeting was the first time I learnt they were kicking him out him; if I'd have known before hand I'd have called you...: the gentleman tried to explain in a slight fluster, equally taken aback by the situation: :...You don't think he's going to do anything stupid, do you?:
Thinking about it for a quick moment, Silas coolly replied, : Considering his ego, and his relationship with his father; this could prove to be a hazardous decision on Prometheus's part:
The gentleman blinked in surprise: : Hazardous? How? I mean-, I know he always felt like he was entitled to a place at the table on account of his father's role with us: but surely he couldn't be so angry as to do something completely reckless? :
: Every once in a while, in a quite neighborhood somewhere in suburbia: a man snaps and kills his whole family in a psychotic fit of rage. Or a kid takes a gun to school and kills his fellow students. And when the dust settles, everyone says: 'he didn't seem the type'... I assume it was the senator that made the final ruling on Beller's position? :
The gentleman nervously swallowed hard, : She convinced Hallo and the others to vote against him; a couple of the others voiced their disapproval but, she told them to remember their place:
:... Did she now? ...: Silas sighed in annoyance, : Where is Beller now?:
: Last I checked: he went for drinks with Galloway at his usual watering hole: went home, packed his brief case and called his pilot. Said he needed to get to California by tomorrow:
: Tomorrow? : Silas didn't move, but something about that had piqued his concern, : ...I'll take over from here, you keep your ear to the ground and inform me of any further developments; did you find Beller's flight plan?:
: That's what's worrying me: he had the pilot scrap the flight plan, using the deep cover encryption on the jet's transponder. He took off from Dulles a couple of hours ago. Why's he heading out there? :
: You let me worry about that, you just do as I ordered:
: Affirmative: the gentleman nodded, and then disconnected the webcam link.
As Silas folded the laptop shut, a frustrated sigh escaped under his breath.
"Problems?" his SIC asked as he entered the room with Arkeville close behind: "Forgive me sir, but I couldn't help but overhear"
"We may have a potential situation: double the security on the facility and don't let anyone into the complex without my authorization, understand?" he ordered.
"Trouble at the top?" Arkeville asked as he folded his arms.
"The senator is beginning to overstep her mark: I'm curious as to why Hallo isn't doing something about it. Her status as mother of the president of the USA be damned" Silas frowned.
"You just answered your question right there" the scientist smirked, "The fact she and the whole Waineright family are political royalty is the very reason we can't get rid of her so easily. Even if we do dress up her eventual death to look like an accident, it'll be too much of a hassle to distance ourselves from"
"She believes now that her son is the president, she's earned her place at the head of the table: but what she fails to realize is that she is but an agent in our greater scheme. The fact she's been given control of her son's device bears no weight how the rest Prometheus views her" the SIC stated.
"That may be, but she is not the kind of woman to conform to a man's sense of priority. She has, and always will cut her own path, no matter how many people she has to tread on to get what she wants. And that's the thing about the Waineright's; they always get what they want: even at the expense of their own children..." Silas warned, before changing the subject. "...But, that aside: why are you out of the lab?" he asked Arkeville.
"Oh, right yes..." the scientist suddenly remembered, "We've hit a slight snag with Project circuit-breaker"
"Define 'slight snag'..." Silas ordered, gesturing for the gentlemen to follow him as he made his way down to the lab.
"Well? The initial systems are working and everything is in the green; but when we fired up the control software, she began giving off some unusual brainwaves..." Arkeville explained as they entered the large lab facility: all around them scientists and engineers worked diligently on a number of weapons and devices. But when they entered the most secure part of the facility: they came to a stop, as they laid eyes upon the unconscious female figure floating in the huge cylindrical tank of pale yellow liquid: wires and IV's keeping her suspended in her deep comatose torpor, while life support machines kept her vitals stable. "...We called in the psychiatrists and neurosurgeons to try and figure out what's going on, and we think she might be having one of her 'episodes' again"
"I thought we finally had those under control?" Silas pressed him.
"So did I: the drugs are working fine, there's been no signs of conscious resistance, and the device we implanted is set to automated control. But we're hesitant to wake her up and begin the test runs. If this is another episode then there's no telling if we'll maintain control, or if she'll break away from her leash all together?" Arkeville stated, trying to emphasis the seriousness of the situation. "Please sir, I'm asking if we can delay the test run until she stabilizes and I can work out a new drug regime, one that won't conflict with the nanites in her system"
Thinking about it carefully for a moment, Silas finally replied: "...Better safe than sorry. Alright, see what you can do: lobotomize her frontal lobes if you have to, but we need to have a hundred percent control before she goes anywhere out in the field"
"Thank you sir" Arkeville respectfully nodded: and returned to his work.
"What happens if the inner circle call for her to engage the Autobots?" the SIC asked.
"I'll deal with them: in the meantime we'll just have to improvise..." Silas replied as he stepped back out into the main lab, and watched several of the scientists work on an unconscious Barricade, who was strapped to an enormous operating table with various wires and cables protruding from his exposed CPU.
"Sir! ..." one of the other troops ran up to him with a piece of paper in one hand, and gave it to him: ", Hallo just emailed: said you needed to see this right away"
Looking over the contents of said email: Silas's concern was evident in his voice: "When is he leaving?"
"As soon as Air Force One is prepped and ready sir"
"What's wrong?" the SIC frowned.
"Change of plans, I need to get back to NEST imminently: the president will be paying NEST an impromptu visit" Silas stated as he paced back to his office. The SIC was taken aback as he rushed after him: "What? Why?"
"He just found out about his nieces"
The SIC suddenly realized, "...Oh...I take it you'll need to be there to sort out the impending family drama?"
"Among other things," Silas replied dryly as he reached the office, and turned to face his SIC: "You're in charge until I get back: don't contact me unless there's an emergency, and tell the techs to start looking for Beller: when he shows up keep tabs on his movements and whereabouts, I want to know what he's up to" and without another word, he closed the door.
The present, NEST Base, 8:15 am:
The air was unusually cool for this hour of the day, and the morning light was a little dimmer than usual, as the sun took its time climbing up over the distant mountain range, trying to push through the thick cloud cover that kept the desert heat to a minimum. The tarmac on the open-air hanger was still wet from the heavy rainfall the night before, as water continued to run off the three giant cybertronian ships in rivets and streaming trickles. A perfect opportunity then, for Lazerbeak and Buzzsaw to wash and preen their wings atop Omega Supreme's main thrusters, while down on the ground near his struts, Annabelle, Jay-jay, Violet and Sparklestar delighted in playing about the puddles and standing under the larger trickles with their little pink umbrellas.
Keeping a watchful eye over them, Hailey stood near the front of Omega Supreme's forward-most canons, as she sipped her coffee and zipped up her uniform jacket, trying to keep the coolness of the air at bay. The sound of distant jet engines caught her attention, as she watched Novastar and Skywarp disappear into a thick low-lying cloud. Seeing those two together never failed to bring a smile to her face, and secretly, she was happy for the both of them; given the fact that their romantic involvement with each other was still a secret.
"Is it just me or is it colder today?" Becky thought aloud as she and her twin sister joined their elder sibling at her side, staying huddled together for warmth.
"Winter's not far off now; soon be Christmas before you know it" Hailey sighed as she downed another swig off her coffee.
"Do we get snow out here in the desert?" Becca asked offhand,
"We're right next to the mountains, so I guess so?" Hailey shrugged; "Where've you two been anyway?"
"Checking the news updates? It's all everyone's watching inside: they've had the TV in the rec room on all night" Becky replied.
"Ah..." Hailey smiled in realization, "That would explain why they've been up there all morning" she watched as Skywarp and Novastar descended out of the clouds, in preparation to land in the gorge. Within seconds the two flyers transformed as they dropped out of the air, and landed on the tarmac; much to the delight of the little ones.
"Good time?" Hailey smirked as they approached.
"Ah-..." the seeker nervously hesitated, as he noticed the two drone-eagles sitting atop the ship, eying them curiously.
"Oh don't worry about those two," Becca thumbed over the drones, who promptly took off, "See? They're not interested"
"And besides, they don't gossip; so chill okay?" Hailey assured him.
"She's right sweetie," Novastar smiled as she hooked her arm around his, "Everyone's still inside watching TV, there's no one else but us out here"
"Yeah well-, let's not get careless okay?" he nervously unhooked his arm from her's and patted her on the shoulder, "You never know who might be watching" he gestured to the four youngsters, who were gazing up at them with eager smiles and giggles.
"Sooooo?" Annabelle chimed teasingly.
"So what?" Skywarp eyed her sceptically: he was well aware of the Lennox offspring's cunningness, and knew that whenever she used that delightful-yet-scheming tone, it usually meant trouble.
"Mommy said you're gonna be babysitting us for the whole morning, and you know what that means!" she placed both hands on her hips and stared him down with her usual air of authority (or rather, stared up: given that he was over twenty five feet taller than her). Without missing a beat, Skywarp reached down, picked all four youngsters up, and placed two a piece on each shoulder-plate. "Happy?" he droned reluctantly.
"Quiet peasant! The princesses are in the house, and we're ready for the royal breakfast!" Annabelle ordered as she pointed to the door, "To the mess area!" she ordered, with Jay-jay, Sparklestar and Violet chiming in. 'Still a better option than the alternative' the seeker reminded himself as he paced away towards to entrance of the base, with Novastar and the Waineright sisters trying to stifle their giggles as they followed after him.
The mood inside the base however, was anything but a happy one.
As they made their way towards the human mess area and rec-room, the electric tenseness of the atmosphere could be felt all around: and in the rec-room, everyone who wasn't on duty, or was already working in the mess area, had been glued to the huge plasma TV on the far end wall throughout most of their shift. Even the Autobots had been swept up in the fervor of shock and bewilderment at the death of the American president. Inside the base, the news had come as a great shock for the humans: but further afield, out across the rest of the country, it hadn't been twenty four hours since his death the day before, and already it was the top-most trending topic online, and the only news on all the TV news channels. You just couldn't get away from it, even if you buried yourself in a deep hole in the middle of the desert. And for those that tried to get on with their work, the gossip and water cooler talk was everywhere within earshot.
"Hey girls," Miles greeted the sisters as they strolled into the rec-room, "You catch the latest update? The coroner recons it was a heart-attack. Dude hasn't gone cold yet and they already swore in the new guy last night"
"They swore in the vice-president already?" Hailey glanced over at the TV, and saw the new president addressing the press with assurances of commitment and living up to his predecessor's standard. The cold knot that had subsided, suddenly returned to her stomach with vengeance, and as her guardian strode over to greet her, the look of unease on her face didn't escape his notice. "Hailey? Are you okay?" Bluestreak asked concernedly. "I uh," Hailey took a deep breath, and tried to keep her mind (and eyes) off the TV, "-I'll be fine: Warp's got Jay-jay and the other kids up 'till lunch, so what's first on our duty roster for today?" she smiled up at him, as he offered her his hand.
"Sniping practice, so we gotta drop by the gun cages to load up first" he explained as he sat her down on his shoulder, "I was thinking maybe Jay-jay and the kids might like to join us? You know how they like to see me hit the long-range targets" he smiled as he left the rec-room; but once they were some distance down the corridor, the gunner dropped the act, and dived into one of the large alcoves in the wall, beneath one of the large walk-way's.
"Are you okay?" he asked her worryingly.
"No I'm not!" she frowned as she pressed her hand to her forehead, "Now that he's the president he's going to be included on the NEST classified access list, and you know what that means!"
"I know but-, maybe he won't make such a big deal out of it?" Bluestreak suggested, but Hailey shot him a rather sideways look. "...Okay, maybe not" he sighed as he tried to find something positive to go on, "Look, I know this isn't an easy subject for you or your creators, but maybe? He may not make such a big deal out of it?"
Trying to think straight for a moment, Hailey considered her list of options, while at the same time, trying to keep her anxiety in check. "...Maybe I'm reading too much into this?" she thought aloud, "Let's just get through the day okay?"
"Okay" Bluestreak nodded, "But you know, if you ever want to talk, I'm always-
He paused as Hailey planted a kiss on his cheek-plate: if Bluestreak could blush, he'd be as a pink as a raspberry, "I know..." she smiled, "Thanks Blue,"
"...By the way, the sniping practice? Its tandem drive and shoot, so you'll need weapons too" he added.
"Drifting?"
"Of course"
"Sweet" she smiled in satisfaction.
"You okay? You took off without us" Becca huffed as she and her twin jogged to catch up with them,
"Sorry about that" Hailey apologized, "Still worried about-, you know"
"We know" Becky smiled dryly up at her, "You're not the only one remember?"
"Yeah..." Hailey sighed, "Come on, you can watch me and Blue tandem snipe n' drive some targets.
A short walk soon brought them to the gun cages: the big ones that housed the bots weaponry, as well as some modified miniature weapons for the humans usage. Security here was understandably tight, and only one person could enter at a time. After Bluestreak had been cleared, Hailey got out her ID card for the digital key-lock, and looked straight at the retinal scanner. But as she swiped her card, the door's digital lock flashed red, with an 'access denied' suddenly appearing on the tiny monitor. Frowning in concern, she swiped the card again, but again the lock flashed red and she couldn't go in. "What's up?" Bluestreak asked as he came back out.
"My card's not working," Hailey frowned as she looked the card over for any sign of damage, but none was present, "I know I checked in with security last week for the new passwords. Red alert didn't send out another last-minute change-to-the-system memo did he?"
"Hang on a sec," Bluestreak turned away as he activated his comm, : Darren? :
: Speak and be heard, what can I do for you? : The teen hacker smiled as he lazily lounged about in his office chair.
: Hailey's security clearance on the gun cage has been frozen; did Red reset the system without forwarding a reminder again? : The young gunner asked.
In the command center, Darren wasted no time in pulling up the necessary information needed, : Just one moment and I shall be-. But when the information concerning Hailey's security clearance popped up on his desktop, what he read stopped his chipper mood dead in its tracks, : ...Denied?:
: Huh? :
: According to this, Hailey, Becca and Becky's security clearance has been suspended:
: What? For how long? :
: Indefinitely:
Glancing at one another in alarm, Bluestreak frowned. : Is Bishop in his office? :
: He's out right now but I'm already sending him a text, telling him you'll be waiting for him the command center: Darren replied,
: We'll be there shortly. Bluestreak out: Bluestreak replied as he transformed into his altmode and opened his doors for the girls to get in. Once they were seated, he sped off in the direction of the command center.
Near the corridor intersection, Lizzy and Firefly poked their heads around the corner, and glanced at one another in bemusement. "Access denied?" Firefly whispered. "Think it's a glitch?" Lizzy whispered back; "Hard to say...come on, let's go find out" Firefly transformed, and after Lizzy climbed into her driver's seat, they took off after Bluestreak: being mindful to trail him at a distance.
Meanwhile, in Que's lab:
"Okay, so what's the big emergency?" Ashley shrugged as he sat on the counter-top. His father and Optimus looked on as the scientist rushed about his lab, with Ratchet standing to one side with a daunted look on his face plates.
"The results of the micro-dissection on your hemogon are complete," Que replied as he brought over a sample of said hemogon in a Petri dish, and placed it on the counter-top for all to see. "And suffice to say, the results were absolutely astounding!"
"As soon as the micro-dissection was complete he called me to confirm the results. I couldn't believe them myself, and had to run several addition tests to be sure: and every time, we got the same results" Ratchet nervously added.
"A result pertaining to what, exactly?" Optimus asked curiously.
"This..." Que pointed to the Petri dish, whilst he held a bot-sized eyedropper in the other hand. "This, is a sample of your hemogon, untreated, taken the day you submitted a sample to be tested for the micro-dissection" he pointed to said hemogon.
"Yeah?" Ashley shrugged, wondering where he was going with this.
"And this," the scientist held the eyedropper over the Petri dish, "is a sample of ordinary energon. Now watch..." he eagerly explained, as he squeezed the eyedropper; dropping two drops of energon into the dish. Within the blink of an eye, the hemogon exploded in a brilliant flash of vermillion red, making everyone jump back in surprise.
As fast as it had happened, the reaction halted just as quick, and where the Petri dish had been, in its place was a strange beach ball-sized silver metallic substance that seemed to resemble something between a sponge, a lump of coral, and a honeycomb: peppered with little tiny flecks of red crystal-like specks embedded in its structure. Cautiously approaching the mysterious structure, Optimus, John and Ashley were at a loss what to make of it. "Bloody hell, what is that thing?" John frowned in alarm, half wondering if something else might happen. But while he was just perplexed, Optimus starred at the thing in a mix of amazement and disbelief. "Is that...Cyber-matter?" he gasped.
"One hundred percent Cyber-matter; with the acceptation of Ashley's DNA tied into its CNA of course, but other than that, it's pure cyber-matter" Que breathed in awe.
"I don't get it, what's 'cyber-matter?'" Ashley frowned up at him,
"It is the most primitive and basic of cybertronian lifeforms: the building blocks upon which all life on Cybertron evolved from, and could be built upon" Ratchet replied.
"Sort of like the first bacteria that were around on earth billions of years ago: from which all life on our planet evolved from?" John assumed out loud.
"The same," Optimus nodded, "Before the war devastated our planet, Cybertron's more 'natural' regions boasted a whole variety of cybernetic lifeforms, with cyber-matter forming the basis of the eco-system. During the war, cyber-matter was cultivated and reproduced artificially, to create terra-forming devices that could turn whole planets into suitable, habitable worlds for our people"
"-Whoa, wait a minute: you're saying this stuff could turn a whole planet into a new Cybertron?!" John gazed up at him in astonishment.
"That was the idea. During the second age of the war: after Cybertron was finally rendered into a barren lifeless husk. Shockwave invested a lot of time and resources into creating a new weapon called 'the seed'. A device that carried a holistic payload of specially cultivated 'super cyber-matter': when detonated on an alien planet, the cyber-matter would propagate at an exponential speed, consuming every organic lifeform it came into contact with, and transforming them into cybernetic lifeforms by replacing their carbon-based DNA with silicon-based CNA at the molecular level. Essentially, turning the planet and all its inhabitants into a new Cybertron..." Ratchet explained ruefully, "Though, the process killed the indigenous lifeforms in the process: and cyber-matter needs matter (organic or otherwise) in order to grow and expand. Hence why, the use of the device was always such a controversial subject for the Autobots. In the end, we decided to destroy them, rather than let them fall back into the Decepticon's clutches"
"Them?" Ashley raised an eyebrow,
"There were ten created in total: seven were disarmed and destroyed by us, two were accidentally destroyed during a seeker attack, and one went unaccounted for during a botched counter-attack against the Decepticon forces on Gorrim 3. As far as we know, there are no seeds left" Optimus stated.
"And...Can that one do the same?" Ashley pointed to the clump of cyber-matter: "You know, turn earth into Cybertron?"
"On its own no, it takes way more than just two drops of energon to create enough cyber-matter to engulf an entire planet. And besides, it seems this particular cyber-matter is half and half; carbon-based, and with your DNA infused into its CNA sequencing (then again that shouldn't be surprising), yet it still retains its silicon-based structuring, without the typical cellular decay that carbon-based life-forms are prone to incurring. Hence it's organic structure and appearance. More of a 'cyborg' than a cybernetic" Que replied, as his expression turned more concerned, almost rueful, "... Though, with the correct cultivation and artificial propagation, it's not impossible to create another seed out of it"
"Which is why we called you," Ratchet turned to Optimus, "I know Ashley's 'unique' transforming capabilities already present a unique situation, one both the cons and Prometheus could easily exploit. But this changes the dynamics vastly. If anyone were to find out cyber-matter can be created from his blood, there's no telling what could happen if someone got their hands on him"
"That, and there's one other thing we discovered from the micro-dissection, " Que added, "We can't be a hundred percent certain, but it's very possible Ashley's new biology can afford him to assume multiple forms, and not just any one at any one time"
"What're saying? That I can turn into more than just-, he morphed into his hybrid form, -This?!" he gestured to himself,
"Quite possibly" Ratchet replied.
"But how can such a feat be possible? We've scanned Ashley top to bottom and he does not possess the correct scanning hardware needed to process and assimilate alternative forms" Optimus pointed out.
"Is it possible you could be wrong?" John asked offhand,
"We could? But I'm afraid the data is overwhelming," Que sighed, "And there's too much of that to suggest otherwise"
"This...doesn't make any sense," Ashley admitted as he transformed back into his original human form.
"I know, but we've done all that we can to try and explain this," Que shrugged helplessly.
"Are you sure?" John asked concernedly.
"Well, there is the option of a vivisection, but that completely goes against the grain of our ethical practices" Ratchet stated as he folded his arms, "And besides, the day I agree to participate in such barbarity is the day the pit freezes over"
"Okay..." John glanced over at his son, as he and Ashley exchanged uncertain looks, "So? What do we do with-, this?" he pointed to the cyber-matter.
"Well? There're a few tests I want to run on this specimen: but other than that, I think it would be prudent to step back and take some time to think this over. This revelation is big on a number of levels, not least the obvious. There are serious ethical implications to consider, and not just for Ashley's sake" Que stated. "If we don't handle this particular information with the proper care and discretion it warrants; there's no telling what kind of madness could erupt from this".
Elsewhere:
While the rest of the base buzzed with excitement and concern over the death of the president, and the inauguration of his replacement. Away from the action, in one of the empty storage hangers: Morri slowly paced around, deep in thought, staring down at the hundred and seventy six parchment's that were spread out over the concrete floor: all lined up side by side, their intricate coding all lined up together like a complex puzzle. And sitting on the metal crate beside her, the newly dubbed 'Witwicky Chronicle' sat motionlessly next to the Styrofoam cup of tea. As she reached down to pick up her drink, she continued pacing around the outside of the lined-up parchments. Hoping; willing for something, anything to jump out at her. Something amid the tight tangle of cybertronian glyphs that could be part of a pattern, or something familiar that could tie into one of the illustrations in the chronicle. But alas, nothing had thus far caught her eye.
But the more she tried to concentrate on the vast encryption: the more her mind preyed on other pressing concerns. Velocity's secret conversation with the mystery femme in the rec-room, and now Shadowstar's cryptic message:
She's not the only one with secrets on this base
Though she was initially concerned about it last night, the more she thought about it now, the more it made the cold knot in her stomach tighten with dread; what else is going on? Besides Velocity's lustful insanity, who else on this base harbors a secret? Sure, everyone has secrets; that was nothing new: but were they the kind to cause great shame and/or embarrassment for the concerned party, or were they the kind that could get others killed? After the incident in the garbage disposal facility with Velocity, Morri dreaded the prospect of history repeating itself: even if the fault wasn't her's, the idea wouldn't stop preying on her conscience. Something was going on: she and everyone else on this base were stuck in the middle, and it made her gut instinct restless to no end.
As her mind circled around the concerns at hand: she wasn't so lost to the world that she didn't hear Soundwave's soft foot-falls quietly approach her from behind. As his vast shadow loomed over her; blotting out the light of the huge halogen lamps hanging from the ceiling, she passed a small sigh: wondering which of her thoughts in particular had grabbed his attention.
"I know humans are keen thinkers: but your mind is buzzing so loudly that it stirred me from my recharge..." Soundwave thought aloud, "What's vexing you so much?"
"Can't you tell?" Morri asked offhand, trying not to sound sarcastic,
"Sometimes, when we worry about more than one thing, it can be hard to pick apart the individual conundrums," the communications officer replied, "Though in your case, I sense there is a singular vexation, from which a number of concerns are branching out from"
"...Have you ever encountered a problem, that: on the surface it could be something or it could be nothing; but deep down, your instincts tell you that it's more than something, and it has the potential to turn into something dangerous..." Morri thought aloud, as she continued to study the parchments.
As he tried to make sense of her troubled thoughts: sifting through her recent memories, Soundwave began to sense of the origin of Morri's vexation. "...I have a distinct feeling you're not talking about the encryption on these parchments..." he knelt down beside her; managing to tear her eyes away from the parchments and gaze up at him, she met his concerned gaze with an unreadable look. As if unsure what to feel: "... What's wrong?"
"...I learnt something last night" she admitted with unease,
"From Shadowstar?"
"Yes: but this time I don't think it was one of her typical outbursts... Though I can't be sure, I got the distinct impression she was scared of something, or, someone, maybe? ..." Morri thought aloud as she sipped her tea.
Sensing the memory of her encounter with Shadowstar last night; Soundwave too got the distinct impression that she was scared: "...May I ask, what was the purpose of your meeting with her last night?" he asked,
Thinking about it for a moment, Morri replied, "...I found out she did something-, wrong: I confronted her about it, and gave her the chance to do the right thing and come clean about it"
"You didn't tell anyone else about it?" Soundwave asked concernedly: sensing the seriousness of the situation she encountered,
Morri looked up at him: she wanted to tell him the truth, but then it would sort of defeat the whole purpose of Shadowstar owning up to her wrong-doing. "...I did. But I pointed out that it's her mistake to correct; and to give her the chance to make amends"
Sensing through her memories for the incident in question, and what followed subsequently: Soundwave discreetly nodded, "...Well? That was very honorable of you: considering, it must not have been an easy position to be in"
As she began to get the impression he was reading her thoughts: Morri sighed, "...Okay. So what's worrying you?"
"Excuse me?"
"Soundwave, I know you're reading my mind and being too polite to say so: so tell me, what's really worrying you about me? Isn't that why you came down here? This hanger isn't exactly on the way to the rec-room or command center"
Sighing in exasperation, Soundwave replied: "I can sense Velocity is still preying on your mind: though what happened has been resolved and you've made amends with all concerned. You're worried about history potentially repeating itself, in one form or another"
Passing a heavy sigh, Morri admitted: "...Velocity had me trapped, Deathshot wasn't able to be decisive about her: and we both nearly suffered for it. Now that everyone knows what she is, she doesn't worry me so much now that she's in the brig; but what Shadowstar told me last night? That's what got me worried..." she laid a hand on his knee, thinking back to Velocity's secret meeting with the mystery femme in the rec-room: "...I can't help but wonder if something else is going on around here, and she was somehow mixed up in it..."
The question of whether there was something else going on wasn't as farfetched as it sounded: though he hadn't known Morri very long, Soundwave could tell she was a logical thinker, who relied on reason and instinct to overcome any obstacles in her way. Although the incident with Velocity had her struggling to find a way out, for the most part, she wasn't one to not act on a hunch if she sensed that it warranted close scrutiny. And right now, going on her memories of past events as she perceived them, and how she reacted to them: Soundwave surmised that there was something to her suspicions. That; and the fact that he could sense something of the other minds of the Autobots concerned, had him wondering if indeed, there was something that could present a problem.
"... Perhaps?..." he thought aloud, "Maybe, something else will present itself in time. Though for now, I recommend watching, and listening; you'd be surprised by just how much you can learn from observation. Do not go rushing in to look for answers where there may, or not be any"
Considering his suggestion, Morri nodded in agreement: "...Sounds like the sensible thing to do" she smiled up at him, "But then, it's kind of second nature to you, I'd expect"
"You wouldn't be wrong there," he smiled back, "But there is a limit; you can only pry so much, before you find something you were not meant to find. Sometimes, some secrets are not meant to be brought into the light of truth"
"Why? Because their too dirty?"
Soundwave's look seemed to turn wistful: "...Because: sometimes, they're too painful..."
Sensing there was something to that, Morri decided to leave it alone for another time. She was about to say something else, when Deathshot appeared at the door. "There you are, Tom said you were down here having another 'crack' at the parchments: any luck?" the sniper asked as he stepped into the hanger.
"Alas, it continues to elude me" Morri sighed, "I take it there's been no change upstairs in the rec-room?"
"Everyone's still watching the TV," Deathshot shrugged, "Though I don't see what the point is? The previous President has been dead since yesterday morning, and the vice-president was sworn in last night. I'd have thought it'd be back to business as usual?"
"I know, but a heart-attack is such an unforeseen way to go, even if you're in good health. I think for a lot of Americans, it just bares such a resemblance to Kennedy's death" Morri reasoned.
"But Kennedy was assassinated with a bullet to the head: the shock and horror of his death is understandable, but a heart-attack? It just seems so, over-dramatized" Deathshot grimaced slightly.
"Let me guess, they're watching the news via the Fox news channel?" Morri raised a skeptical eyebrow,
"Why yes" the sniper nodded
"Figures..." Morri huffed dryly, before changing the subject, "Anyway, I got to get this back to my room and lock it away," Morri gulped down the last of her tea, moved towards the crate, and picked up the Witwicky Chronicle, "And then we can get on with the rest of the day" she smiled up at her guardian.
"Oh-, I nearly forgot, could I borrow the parchments for a while? I came up with a new puzzle-solving algorithm last night that I want to try out on the encryption" he gestured to the parchments, "Figured it couldn't hurt to try tackling this from another angle?"
"Yeah sure," Morri nodded, "Just be sure to give them back to Sam when you're finished". As Deathshot knelt down and extended his hand for her climb into: she placed the book in his palm, climbed onto his hand, up his arm, and onto her usual perch on his shoulder. "Later 'Wave" Deathshot waved Soundwave good-bye.
"Later' " Soundwave returned the farewell, and got to work scanning the parchments in greater detail.
Meanwhile, up in the Command center:
As he scanned the data on his laptop, Bishop looked up at the security tech standing before his desk: while Hailey, Becca, Becky and Darren stood to one side, watching and waiting with concern. "Why has the girl's security clearance been suspended, when I personally cleared them myself?" he demanded sternly.
"I know, and I'm sorry sir, but the order came straight from the Pentagon: with the emphasis that your order to reinstate their clearance be deigned until further notice" the tech replied anxiously.
Incredulous, Bishop got up from his chair; "Under whose authority?!" he exclaimed.
"Uh? The president sir? He gave the order personally through Director Galloway: you can check the authorization code if you don't believe me..." the tech pointed to the laptop: turning his attention back to his computer, Bishop brought up the necessary data, and stared at the laptop in disbelief. "...Did he at least specify the reason for denying their clearance?" he added.
"Not really sir, only to tell you that the girls are to be struck from the classified access list; and that his reasons for doing so are personal" the tech replied.
"What?!" the twins exclaimed incredulously.
"I don't understand," Darren blinked in surprise, "I know he's the president an' all, but what the hell's going on?!"
"I don't know: but I intend to find out," Bishop stated as he folded his laptop shut. "Put a priority one alert through to Galloway; tell him I must speak with the president immediately" he ordered as he turned to leave.
"That-, isn't going to be necessary sir," the tech quickly interjected, his anxiety rising as he swallowed hard, "The president, along with Director Galloway are coming here as we speak: Air Force One took off from Washington three hours ago"
Bishop stared at the man in disbelief: "And I'm only hearing about this now?!"
"We just found out as you arrived back here sir, that's what I was going to tell you until you inquired about Miss Waineright's security clearance"
"Wait a minute," Hailey quickly interjected, "The president, Lawrence Waineright is coming here? To NEST?!"
"The plane should be touching down at quarter to eleven," the tech told her, before turning his attention back to Bishop: "It's short notice to say the least; we haven't got anything ready,"
"Okay..." Bishop sighed in exasperation as he pressed his hand to his forehead: "Get everyone up here, whatever their doing tell them to drop it, this takes top priority above everything else: tell Red Alert to get security on the ball and get all the necessary protocols in place; I want this base locked down tight once the president is inside and safe, and place external base security on high alert"
"Yes sir" the tech nodded, and quickly left the office.
"The president's coming here?!" Darren gawked offhand,
"For the brightest mind on the base I'm surprised you only just realized that," Bishop dryly sighed, as he regarded Darren with a rather sideways look. "You're free to go by the way; thank you for bringing this to my attention"
"Uh, no problem, but sir: what's going on?" Darren pressed him.
Glancing over at Hailey: Bishop saw the look of anxiety and alarm in her eyes: as if her mind seemed to be processing all that she had just heard. Clearly, she didn't know about the president's imminent arrival: nor the fact that he authorized her removal from the classified access list. Her sisters too looked to be in equal disbelief as they stood closer to their elder sibling, as if out of instinct to remain safe. His frustration eased off a little, as he realized that, perhaps it would be best to let the girls handle this in their own way.
"...I'll let Miss Waineright fill you in on the details" he simply replied: the girls stared at him in disbelief, "You're dismissed, Mr Ainsley"
Darren glanced at Hailey in confusion, then back at Bishop: "I'll-, wait outside" he stated quietly, and stepped out of the office. As soon as the door closed behind him: Hailey approached the desk, "You knew?!"
"The fact the now-president of the USA is your uncle? It's hardly a secret Miss Waineright," Bishop stated as he came around the desk and stood face to face with her, "...When your uncle won the vice-presidential election, I knew that if he became president that could-, would present a certain level of, shall we say, 'unusual complexity'. Now personally, I have no qualms with you or your sisters being part of NEST, despite your family's political status. But evidently your uncle doesn't feel the same way"
"But why would he want us gone from NEST? How did he even know in the first place?!" Becca exclaimed,
"NEST is one of the few above-classified operations that the president is privy to know about; after his inauguration he would've been briefed on all classified and above-classified military operations currently in action. Evidently, when he was briefed about NEST, he learnt of your association with us" Bishop replied,
"I get that, but why's he kicked us out?" Hailey demanded, her temper rising slightly.
"..I don't know..." Bishop sighed, at a loss what to say: "But whatever his 'personal reason' is, it had better be a damn good one is all I can say"
Calming down a little, Hailey mentally strained to steady her nerves, and tried to think of what to do next. "...I don't know who else on the base knows about him; being our uncle, I mean"
"Well, Now that he's coming here, that fact's going to become widely known one way or another. You've got over two hours before he arrives: however you decide to handle this, I'll leave it at your own discretion" Bishop stated,
"Thank you sir"
"Don't thank me just yet," he replied as he turned to leave the office, "I've got to try and persuade him to change his mind. You're a valuable asset to this team, all three of you: and I don't intend on letting any of you get kicked out without a fight". As Bishop left, the Waineright sisters followed him out, but paused at the door when they saw Darren waiting for them: as Bishop paced off along the walk-way, heading towards the command center's central platform, Hailey beckoned Darren to follow them, as the sisters headed off in the opposite direction.
"What're we gonna do?" Becca asked her older sister: Hailey pulled her cell phone from her pocket, and handed it to her: "Call dad, tell him what's happened and tell him to get here ASAP, we're going to need help"
"Care to tell me what that was all about?" Darren pressed her,
"There's something I need to tell you; and everyone else..." Hailey sighed in exasperation as she paced off back to where she left Bluestreak waiting by the walk-way's central mezzanine.
Sometime later, in a secret location somewhere in California:
The base buzzed with activity, as the troops, scientists, engineers and other personnel went about their work: undisturbed, unfazed, committed one hundred percent to carrying out and completing their assigned tasks. Perhaps too committed: too concerned about their tasks at hand; for it was strangely ironic, that an ordinary civilian business man like Ian Beller, could just slip into the base unnoticed...
Beller was many things, but stupid wasn't one of them.
He'd been with Prometheus long enough to learn their tricks, and how to apply them to his own needs; one such trick, was knowing how to use their own tech against them. Deceiving the base's security, and allowing him access to the base's most well-guarded interior was no real challenge...
The challenge: would be waiting for the right opportunity.
As he snuck into the observation room that overlooked the main laboratory, he spotted the reason for his being here. The huge cylindrical containment unit was hard to miss, the motionless figure floating in the fluid inside, less so. But there were too many people around her: fooling the brainwashed Decepticon's optics was easy enough, and the AI-controlled weapons that backed them up hardly required any skill, given the tech he carried with him. But the humans were a different matter: there were armed guards standing around the lab, scientists and technicians bustling around. If he was going to get down there and be right up close to his target, he was going to need a plan to get them all out, and keep them out.
As he stepped back from the window, and stood against the wall near the door. He carefully considered his options: and what was the most he could make of them...
Meanwhile, 10.000 feet up in the air:
Galloway bit his thumb nail nervously as he watched the clouds far below; he was beginning to regret the events of last night...
: Flashback:
"You need an excuse, and I need to get pay-back..." Beller replied in a low hushed voice, leaning in closer to Galloway, as he explained: "Now, don't ask me how I know you work for NEST, that's not important; what's important, is that you're in a unique position to help me out, and I'm in a unique position to help you out. You need the president to see the Autobots for the phoneys they are: I can help you with that, and in return, the chaos that'll ensue, will guarantee to put my 'particular problem' into perspective; and give them the kick in the ass they so rightfully deserve... Now I don't expect any favors or payment in return: just think of me as, 'one guy helping another guy out with his troubles', simple as that: except for one, ever-so-small condition..." Beller grinned,
"What's that?" Galloway dared to ask.
: Present:
"Are you okay Mr Galloway?" the president asked offhand
"Hm?" Galloway suddenly snapped back to the here and now, "Oh uh-, I'm fine, just-; concerned about the security detail for this visit is all" he quickly lied, trying to regain his nerve as he thought about what lay ahead.
"Well, I think our boy's have everything in hand," the president smiled as he watched the F-15's flanking the plane's wings; and then returned his attention to the file he had resting on his lap.
Curious as to what he had in mind, Galloway cleared his throat and asked: "Forgive my prying sir: but why did you suspend the Waineright-, I mean, your niece's security clearance to NEST? It's not like anyone, other than their parents knows the truth, and they've both been deemed reliable to keep their daughter's involvement with the unit a secret. There's no risk of an intelligence leak, if that's what you're concerned about?"
Lawrence glanced at Galloway with an unreadable look; he wasn't the kind of man to show his feelings or emotional state easily: his stoic appearance always seemed to maintain a barrier between him and everyone around him. Either, he was a very privet man who knew how to maintain his poker face, or he was just one of those people who didn't express themselves very often (if at all?). In any case, he kept his intentions well-guarded: and given the fact that he'd singled out his niece's for expulsion from NEST, he had a good idea of what this looked like. And though his staff were discreet in not being nosy and asking why: still, this whole thing had everyone wondering what he was up to. "...It's something a little more than that" Lawrence replied in his usual cool quiet tone, "Potential intelligence leaks are one thing; maintaining one's house and family is another..."
Perplexed as to what he meant by that statement, Galloway decided not to ask: he figured he'd probably find out when they finally get to NEST.
Sometime later, back at NEST:
"He's coming here?! And we're only hearing about this now?! " Lennox ranted as he and Epps stood to one side with the other, equally frustrated human troops. In the main area of the command center, the Autobots and humans were gathered: all were in a state of bewilderment and surprise at the news of the President's imminent arrival; not least because this was the first time anyone had heard of this. Amid the hubbub of noise and confusion, Darren and Hailey stood behind one of the large computer consoles, in the hopes of having what little privacy could be afforded.
"... And, basically that's it" Hailey sighed in exasperation, as she finished relaying the details of her uncle, and other relations from her father's side of the family. For a moment Darren stood there, a little dazed at this revelation, and mentally face-palming himself for not realizing the connection sooner: "...But, why didn't you say anything sooner?" he asked offhand.
Realizing he had a point, Hailey couldn't think of anything reasonable, other than to simply state: "It just-, wasn't relevant, Okay? It's not like there were any reasons to bring it up anyway...And besides, it's not a subject we talk about much, unless we need to" she sighed, "...Not every family's okay with airing their dirty laundry; some things are kept privet for a reason,"
"...I know..." Darren sighed offhand, as he recalled the difficulties he'd had with his own family, not that long ago: "Okay, so, the dude's your uncle, big whoop: but why's he kicking you and your sisters out of NEST?"
"I don't know" Hailey stated firmly, "But whatever it is, I don't give a crap: I'm not leaving NEST"
"I don't think the rest of us will want you to go either," Bluestreak discreetly chimed in as he bent down to meet their level, with Trailbreaker close to his side. "I don't care if he's the president of the whole universe, he can't kick you out: and he has no right to either" Trailbreaker added.
"Damn straight!" Lizzy grinned as she and Firefly poked their heads around the corner of the console.
"Wha-, how long have you two been eavesdropping?!" Trailbreaker hissed, trying not to draw any attention.
"Long enough" Firefly waved off: "Dude, the President of the USA is your uncle? That's a pretty sick" Lizzy grinned,
"Yeah, well not for me," Hailey huffed as she folded her arms and regarded the two youngsters with a reprimanding look.
"Yeah we caught that bit, so what's his deal with you?" the teen hellion asked seriously as she climbed down from her guardian's shoulder. Hailey was about to reply, when Glen interrupted. "DUDE! Anyone seen Hailey or the twins?!" he called out across the room from one of the command platforms. Hailey stepped out of her hiding place, and made herself known; "What's up?" she called up to him.
"Your folks are at the front gate: said you invited them to come?" the hacker shrugged, not having the faintest clue as to what was going on.
"Yeah I did, tell the guards to let them in" she replied,
"Uh, sorry Hails' but with your security clearance being denied an' all I can't let 'im in" Glen replied sheepishly.
The whole room stopped as everyone overheard that last part, and in a moment, the confusion seemed to pique sharply. Down on the floor, Hailey shot Glen a rather angry and poisonous stare, as if to say: you idiot! While Bluestreak winced with embarrassment. Deciding to defuse the awkwardness before it had a chance to turn into something more embarrassing, Bishop stepped in, and called over to Glen: "Let them in, I'll vouch for them in Hailey's stead"
"Uh, okay" Glen nodded, and returned to his work-station to tell security to let the visitors in. Stepping over to Hailey's side: Bishop leaned in closer and whispered, "What's going on? Why did you ask them to come?"
"I'm handling it, okay? Like I said I would" she bit back.
"I just hope you know what you're doing" he whispered
"Hailey? What's going on?" Optimus asked,
"In a minute Prime, I need to see to my parents!" Hailey called over as she ran out the command center with her guardian following close behind.
"What's up with her?" Roxy glanced at her sisters in bemusement,
"Is she up to something we don't know about?" Rosy interjected
"What's going on?" Chelsea concurred
"Something's up, I just know it" Allie thought aloud
"Actually? ..." Darren rubbed the back of his neck as he approached the girls, "It's- kinda complicated"
"What kind of 'complicated?'"Max frowned
"The 'Dr Phil' kinda complicated?" Lizzy interjected as she and Firefly stepped over to them: "Basically, some pretty complicated family shit: don't ask" she waved off.
"What's that supposed to mean? 'Some pretty complicated family shit?'" Deathshot frowned sceptically as he leaned down closer to them. Firefly and Lizzy both froze; the mere presence of the sniper was enough to send home the message that they'd been found out, "Don't think I didn't see you two sneak off behind the console back there; what kind of trouble have you been up to now?"
"Surprisingly? None today!" Lizzy grinned up at him (and for once she was telling the truth)
"Okay..." Darren smacked his forehead hard, before running his fingers through his hair, "The rec-room, now! I'll explain when we get there". 'I really don't need to be dealing with this' he sighed mentally as he beckoned his cousins to follow him. Deathshot, ever discreet, followed after them: with a perplexed Morri sitting on his shoulder, wondering where this was going...
As they left the command center, everyone was left standing and staring: wondering what just happened. Across the room, Optimus motioned for Bumblebee and Jazz to go after them; the two mechs discreetly nodded and left, with their charge's following them at the heels.
"Would someone please tell me what just happened?!" Annabelle exclaimed angrily from where she and the other youngsters had been listening in the far corner of the room, perched atop Skywarp's helm.
Elsewhere:
"Still no change?" Arkeville asked his underlings as he watched the data scroll across the computer screen,
"Doesn't look like it," the scientist replied as he checked all the monitors hooked up to the containment unit: "Whatever she experienced within that previous episode, it seems to have thrown the device's control matrix for a loop; the software can't get a clear grip on her brainwaves; we may have to reboot the whole system before administering the drugs"
"Augh, I was hoping that wasn't the case," Arkeville sighed in disappointment: "Very well: put the device's control automation into C-mode, and make sure she's well and truly doped up. If she wakes up in the middle of this episode there's no telling what could happen..." and with that, Arkeville and the scientists left the lab; with the guards bringing up the rear. "Call Mallory's team and have them meet me in the debriefing room, I need to have her head scanned before we can begin"
"Yes sir" the underling replied with a discreet nodded
"Oh, and do be sure Rook is-
BROOOOM!
The explosion knocked everyone to the ground, and shook the building to its foundations; dazed and confused, they were still scrambling to get back on their feet when the fire erupted in the lab, and quickly began to spread out. As he saw the flames consume half the lab, Arkeville struggled to try and run back in: but his way quickly blocked by the armored doors that slammed down shut, sealing off the complex. "NO!" he slammed his fist against the door.
"Sir! Look!" one of the underlings pointed.
Through the windows looking into the whole lab, Arkeville was shocked to see Beller emerge from the thick black smoke; covering his mouth and nose with a handkerchief with one hand, he made a bee-line for the containment unit.
"What the-, how the hell did he get in?!" Arkeville exclaimed as he watched in dismay,
As the troops tried to override the locking mechanism on the doors, the scientists could do nothing but watch as Beller seemed to be typing something on the containment unit's main computer.
The smoke grew thicker as the flames gradually consumed the lab from all sides: but the central lab, protected by thick walls of bullet-proof glass, was the only area still largely free of the worst of the fire; though it was still hard to breathe as the levels of toxic gases continued to rise. As he brought up the necessary data on the computer console: Beller disabled all the containment unit's security protocols, and initiated the 'the wake-up sequence'; suddenly, red lights flashed and alarms sounded as 'warning: subject unstable' repeated over and over on the console.
From where they stood outside, Arkeville and the other scientists watched in horror as the liquid in the containment unit steadily drained out, and the life-support systems disconnected themselves from the subject, who was now lying limp at the bottom of the unit. "GET THAT DOOR OPEN NOW! HE'S WAKING HER UP!" Arkeville barked in a rising panic.
As he finished disarming the last of the security protocols on the containment unit: Beller felt a rush of intense excitement goes straight through him; for a brief moment it seemed his goal was in sight, as if he'd finally be getting the payback he felt he was so richly entitled to. A satisfied smile curled the corners of his mouth, as he began to imagine the looks of horror and panic on the faces of those who wronged him.
Spotting the microphone on the console, and realizing that it fed right into the containment unit, he switched it on. And leaning in closer, he desperately tried to slow his breathing, and compose his thought's enough to speak: "...I suppose it doesn't really matter now? Eh? All that 'unpleasantness' between us? ...You always were your mother's child: weak, and soft; what she saw in you I'll never know. But if you want to prove yourself my daughter: then I suggest you buck up and listen to me for once in your pathetic life..." he spoke with venom, as he gave into his ego-driven rage: "I want you to destroy my enemies: burn them, then crush them into the ground. Do it for me, do it for daddy..." he smiled maniacally.
Suddenly, the containment unit exploded in a ball of blue and white fire, sending Beller flying through the air, and through the glass wall, crashing to the burning floor. But strangely, the blue flames didn't emit any heat or burn anything they touched. Dazed, and covered in cuts and lacerations from the shards of glass, Beller tried to pick himself, but as he sat upright, he was horrified at the sight before him...
Outside the lab, everyone watched in alarm, as the figure that had previously been confided to the containment unit, now stood over Beller: blue and while flames of raw energy licking off its form, as it gazed down at him with soulless eyes.
"...Daddy..." the figure whispered, before it consumed Beller in a ball of energy.
The explosion tore the lab apart, blew out the windows and threw everyone across the adjoining complex as the fire turned into an all-out inferno: another explosion ripped straight through the complex: up towards daylight, and out into the open air; where the figure, bathed in its energy, floated up and flew away, making a bee-line for the desert...
As he crawled out from under a large piece of rubble: Arkeville coughed up the smoke from his lungs, and wasted no time in barking out orders to the troops who were still able to stand. As he returned to the now-destroyed containment unit, and looked over at what remained of Beller: for the first time since he could remember, a cold chill ran down his spine...
"Beller you fool: what the hell have you done?" he breathed,
So, let us review the opening salvo: possible Autobot conspiracy? check. Possible tension in the Waineright family leading to a possible family fall-out? check. And a super-powered super weapon has escaped the bad-guys lab? check. Yep, I'd say the tone for this story has been set quiet nicely :) Don't forget to R&R before clicking off.
See you next time dearies!