Mostly friendship building in this one, I guess you could say sort of a filler chapter. But I donno... Whatever though, it's a fun sort of chapter, so enjoy!
Chapter 8
The next morning the base was remarkable quiet, if a little boring for the purple femme. Arcee, Bulkhead and Bumblebee were picking up their partners so they could spend the Saturday with them. While Smokescreen was off somewhere, though, she did not really know where he had gone. This left her alone in the base with Optimus and Ratchet, both of whom seemed to be busy.
After wandering around the halls for a little while she considered asking to go outside but was unsure if she actually wished to venture from the safety of the base. There was nothing of interest in the room the bots had set up for her, leaving her with the only other option of using humans TV and watching something but she felt that she had already done enough of that recently.
Nevertheless she walked back into the main hub. Optimus and Ratchet had been talking in hushed tones but immediately became quiet upon noticing her. Such an action made her feel rather uncomfortable like she had stumbled upon something she should not have.
"Um, I-I hope I'm not interrupting anything..." she said nervously.
"No, Violetwind, it is alright," Optimus told her. "Is there anything you desired?"
"Um, no. I was just looking for something to do..."
The pair shared a glance before he replied, "Ratchet informs me that physically you are ready for active duty." He paused to see how she would take the news.
At first she smiled, thrilled to be cleared for a clean bill of health but as she realised what active duty meant her smile fell, fear replacing the joy in her optics. "A-active duty?" she repeated. "Optimus, sir, I-I think you should know that I can't fight. I don't know how. I can barely control my weapons. I-I couldn't hope to take anything on!"
"It is alright, Violetwind, I am aware of this," he spoke calmly, the hint of a smile on his face, "Do not worry yourself over it. You will not be joining any battles until you are ready. Until then, the other Autobots will be helping you regain your fighting skills."
The femme let loose a sigh of relief at the mech's word. Optimus really had a way of putting someone at ease. Feeling more comfortable she asked, "So, um, when do I start then?"
A small grin played on the leader's face. "You will begin when the others return." With a nod of dismissal he turned back to Ratchet.
Seeing that the conversation was over, Violetwind left them to talk in peace. Going over to wait near the base's entrance she hoped that learning to fight would mean she would not have to feel so useless. She would actually be able do something.
Before long the three Autobots and their human partners arrived. Each greeted Violetwind warmly, which she returned in kind. They began chatting a little before Miko asked if there was any missions going on that day, wishing to see some Decepticons made into scrapheaps.
Optimus Prime wandered over being his usual stoic self. After a nod in greeting to them he spoke, "I do have a mission for you."
"Alright!" cheered the teenage girl.
Not even phased by the interruption he continued, "It has to do with our latest Autobot. First of all, she still requires a vehicular mode from this planet. Miko, Bulkhead, I would like you to aid her with this. Take the day getting used to driving, Violetwind. Tomorrow Jack shall take you out to learn Earth's basic road rules with Arcee accompanying you. I expect that it will not go as it did the last time." He gave the boy a warning look, which Jack responded to with a sheepish look of his own.
"Each of you will also be training Violetwind in the use of her weapons and combat skills. These may be necessary not only if Megaton should decide to come after you again but also in our quest for the remaining Iacon relics. Now you have a day ahead of you, do not go wasting it, Autobots."
"And do not go straining yourself. I don't want to need to be patching you up again so soon," Ratchet warned the femme.
"I won't," she promised.
"So what are we waiting for? Let's get you a v-mode!" yelled Miko, throwing up her arms in enthusiasm.
"I'll be ground bridging you out so you don't have to go walking about as you are and be seen," informed the medic.
Bulkhead transformed down to his SUV form, opening the door for Miko to hop in, which the girl promptly did. Honking his horn the mech called out, "Let's get out there!"
Violetwind smiled at their enthusiasm. "Ok, no time like the present, I guess."
Stepping through the ground bridge the trio found themselves atop a plateau overlooking a highway. After letting Miko climb out, the large green mech transformed back into his robot mode.
"Come on, let's get you a sweet v-mode!"
Going over to the edge the two Autobots lay on their fronts where they would not get much notice but could clearly see the road and all the cars driving along it.
"So, um, you may have to run me through how this works..." the femme told her companions.
"That crash musta really done a number on your memory, Vi. You don't even remember how to transform?" Miko observed.
Shaking her head she admitted, "I've had to relearn everything since I awoke."
"You'll be back to your old fighting self in no time," encouraged Bulkhead.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," she replied with a grateful smile, though not fully convinced. "So about this scanning and transforming?"
Bulkhead looked out over the highway. "It's actually not that hard. I mean even me, bolts for brains can do it." He chuckled lightly, before continuing, "When you find the vehicle you want its just a matter of activating your optics for a scan."
"Mhmmm..." she nodded but still didn't really get it.
He grinned, "Just try it out when you find a car you like."
"You should be find something awesome. Think you could do a monster truck?" the human girl look up at the femme excited about her suggestion.
Keeping her optics on the passing vehicles, Violetwind shook her head. "I don't think I'm big enough for that."
"A small monster truck?"
She shot the girl an unamused look before going back to watching the cars.
"Fine. Just don't pick something super lame like that old van," grumbled Miko pointed at the vehicle as it drove by, slumping against her green companion's arm.
The femme giggled, "I don't think that's really my style either." Seeing a small car she pointed at it. "How about that one?" It was a Volkswagen New Beetle, a small car with a domed appearance.
Miko looked over at it and wrinkled her nose. "You're kidding right? Vi! You want something that looks better than a puny bug!"
"It doesn't look that bad," she muttered in disappointment.
With a sigh and shake of her head, the girl replied,"Vi, come on, you want something with some power if you're not going to go for size. And a bug ain't got that!"
"Miko, give her a break," Bulkhead lightly scolded his partner. "Don't worry, you'll get used to her, Violet."
Violetwind shot a smile back at the mech. "I hope so. Either that or go insane I think," she teased.
"Hey!" the girl went over and gave Violetwind's arm a kick.
"Ow, hey! What was that for?" the femme flinched despite it not truly hurting much at all.
"That's for saying that I'll make you go insane," the human replied, folding her arms and looking up at her.
"Well it's true," she grinned. This earned her a more annoyed look before kicks started coming her way again. "Hey, stop it!" the femme chuckled, holding her arms up to shield herself from the onslaught.
Beside them Bulkhead chuckled. "Miko..." he chided but did nothing to stop her.
"Bulkhead!" peaking out from behind her arms, Violetwind whined, "Aren't you going to help me out?"
"No, he's not! You're going to have to tough it out and take your punishment!" Miko replied for him.
With a cheeky grin, the purple bot decided that she would have to defend herself by going on the offensive. "Fine, I'll have to take care of myself then!"
Reaching out a finger she poked it into the girl's side, who let out a squeal and jumped away in response. Narrowing her eyes, her cheeks flushed red. Miko glared up at the femme, who was still holding a cheeky grin. They held each other's gaze for a few moments, daring for the other to make the first move.
So Violetwind did.
Reaching out a finger she started to tickle the human girl.
"No! Stop it!" Miko cried out between giggles. Breaking away from the femme, she ran behind Bulkhead.
"Look who's not taking it now," the purple femme giggled .
She received a glare in response. "You were using unfair tactics!"
"It's not like you to run from a fight, Miko," chuckled Bulkhead.
"Who's side are you on anyway!" she snapped earning another chorus of laughter from the bots.
While they were laughing, Violetwind caught sight of a car in the corner of her optic. Quickly she turned her full attention on it as it drove their way. "That one! It's perfect!" she pointed towards the car.
The others looked over, Miko nodding in approval. "Looks good to me."
For a moment the femme forgot about needing to scan it, too excited at having found something she liked, until Miko bluntly pointed it out. "Well ya gonna do something!?"
"Oh yeah, scanning, right..." she muttered sheepishly. Focusing her gaze on the car she wanted for her vehicle mode she tried to think about scanning it but it did not appear to be working. Violetwind started to panic. She could not let it get away without acquiring it as her alternate mode and if she did not scan it now, it might just do that.
Calm down. Just be calm and focus your optics on it, the voice in her head commanded her.
Slowly she took a deep breath of air into her intakes to calm herself. Taking a good look at the car this time it worked. The scanning beams shot from her optics over the car.
"Yes! I did it! Yes!" she cheered, so excited she jumped up onto her pedes.
"Oh yeah! Now let's see it on you!" shouted Miko.
The purple femme became quiet.
"C'mon, you're not scared are you?"
"Mmmm, well... maybe just a little..."
Bulkhead smiled warmly, "It's gonna be fine," he assured her, "This may be the first time remembering it but you've done this before so don't worry so much about it. First move away from the edge though. We don't need anyone to see you."
The trio moved out of sight of the humans, and down behind the plateau where Violetwind had plenty of room to transform. Standing there she shifted on her pedes nervously, not sure what to do, knowing that this should come as naturally as walking to her.
The voice came to her rescue again. Focus on the specifications of the vehicle you just scanned.
Closing her optics and taking another load of air into her intakes she readied herself. Bringing up the scan of the car in her mind she let it be her whole focus.
Now let thoughts of it extend out to your whole body, coached her voice.
Following its instructions, her optics still closed, she thought about the scan of the car reaching out to the rest of her body. As it went out she could feel some tingling but did her best to ignore it, instead focusing harder on her task.
Suddenly it was like she short circuited, a shock going through her entire body. Crying out in pain, she collapsed, grunting as she hit the ground.
"Vi!" called out an alarmed Miko as Bulkhead rushed over to help her up again.
"I'm- I'm fine guys," the femme tried to reassure them, leaning against the green mech for support.
"We should get you back to Ratchet so he can check you over. That's not normal," he said looking over her with worry.
"Wait!" she protested before he could call back to base. "I'm fine. Please just give me a minute to recover and let me try again."
The mech was not convinced.
"Please, Bulkhead..."
"It couldn't do any more harm, could it, Bulk?" Miko added her plea, not wishing to return to base without having some fun.
He groaned but nodded. "But only once and the doc really needs to know what happened. You'd better tell him when we get back. I'll carry you off there myself if you don't."
Violetwind nodded eagerly. "I will, I will," she promised. Standing upright she took a few steps away before trying again. Once more she closed her optics and focused on the car scan. This time there was less tingling in her body. Instead the familiar noise of metal clanging sounded in the air.
Before Bulkhead and Miko sat a dark purple Holden Commodore SS.
"How do you like me now?" she asked cheerily.
"Woo! C'mon give it a spin! Show us what you've got!"
Revving her engine, the femme pushed the accelerator down, slowly at first; turning so as not to hit her companions but gaining speed when there was nothing in her way.
"Woohoo!" she yelled racing along the dirt. "This is awesome!"
Making a sharp turn she skid around a few times, which scared her a little but she soon came to a stop without having hit anything so she allowed herself to relax. Turning, she headed back to the others, living up the speed as she did. This time she came to a far more controlled stop in front of her companions.
"Alright, Vi! Slick v-mode!" Miko hollered.
"Nice speed, give Bee and Smoke a bit of competition there," the green mech grinned.
Returning to her robot mode she smiled excitedly at them both. "That was pretty incredible!"
The femme glanced at her back as best she could, the simple wings on her back having become her car doors. Her front had changed a little as well, her chest taking on the new style of her headlights.
"Let's go tear up some ground and see just how good you are with your new wheels!" the girl shouted out a challenge, "Bet you couldn't beat me and Bulk, over to those rocks!"
The mech promptly transformed down into his SUV, Miko climbing inside.
"You're on," she accepted, transforming down herself.
Both vehicles revved their engines as Miko led the count down. "Three... Two... One... Go!"
They sprang forward with a burst of acceleration across the dusty plain.
Violetwind's lighter frame accompanied by V8 engine helped her to fly across the ground but she was not able to take the bumps as well as Bulkhead and his vehicle form much more suited to off road.
"C'mon Bulk! You can beat her!" Miko called out encouragement from his cab, cheering him on as they neared the rock that marked their finish line.
Both vehicles did their best to put on an extra burst of speed. Engines roared, but it was Violetwind who started to pull ahead. "Woohoo!" she yelled as she passed the rock first. Sliding to a stop she transformed back into robot mode, Bulkhead coming to a stop beside her.
"I could hardly keep up there," he admitted, with a tiny bit of awe.
Miko popped her head out the window, not taking the loss as easily as her partner. "I wanna rematch!"
With a light chuckled the femme responded, "I thought I was supposed to spend the day actually practising my driving and stuff. Not racing."
"Racing is driving!" the girl snapped.
Violetwind rolled her optics. "I'm pretty sure when Optimus sent us out here he didn't have racing on his mind."
"Vi's right. We need to be taking this more seriously," the mech agreed.
Slouching back on the seat, Miko poured. "Hmph, but that's not as fun..."
Nevertheless the trio spent the rest of the day practising her general driving so she would not have trouble when she went on the roads the next day. They did manage to sneak in a few more races though, much to the delight of Miko.
Both Autobots, dusty and tired after a long day, drove back into base. Bulkhead honked his horn as they entered, gathering everyone's attention. All eyes and optics turned their way and none missed the dust covered purple Commodore that drove in after him.
"Not too bad, for a car," muttered Arcee with a playful smirk.
Meanwhile Bumblebee beeped in his encouragement at her choice. 'Nice pick. I think it suits you.'
Violetwind transformed out of her vehicle mode, smiling in thanks.
"Hey, not too bad at all," commented Smokescreen, "Smooth lines..." Realising how his comment could be taken he stuttered out an apology. "Um, I mean for the car, that you, um, chose..." His optics stared at the ground sheepishly.
The femme's face grew heated as she looked away nervously. "Um, yeah..."
The teenaged girl made a show of clearing her throat. "When you guys are done..."
This only made the pair feel more awkward, Bumblebee whirling in amusement.
"Um, well I'm just going to go now..." murmured the purple femme, quickly excusing herself and heading down a hallway.
As she left she heard Arcee chuckle in amusement, "Wow that was smooth, Smokescreen."
Violetwind just groaned, her door wings slumping in embarrassment. With a deep intake of air she tried to forget the awkward moment that had just passed and focused on finding Ratchet. Bulkhead had told her that she really should have the medic take a look at her after her mishap trying to transform the first time. She did not wish to go and see the medic, feeling like she had been burden enough but he had threaten to haul her to the medical bay if she refused. Though she had doubts about him actually carrying it out she did not want to do anything to gain his disapproval. After their day together she considered Bulkhead and Miko to be her friends. It had been more like a hang out day than training.
Peaking around the corner of the medical bay, she spotted the mech in his usual place. "Oh, um, Ratchet..." she began.
The medic turned around at the sound of his name. "Violetwind, is there something wrong?"
"Erm, well, sort of... Maybe... I don't really know..." she shuffled nervously on her pedes.
He raised an eyebrow ridge waiting for her to explain and she did. Quickly she spilled out what had come over her during her first transformation attempt, with the strange tingling and the jolt of pain accompanied by her collapse.
When she was done the medic looked thoughtful. "I'll do a scan to make sure but I suspect it's nothing serious. You had no trouble transforming afterwards?"
She shook her head. "No, it was fairly simple after that. It became more natural after the first time."
Having the femme lay down on the berth he attached a cable to her helm to check her circuits. Completing the scan Ratchet looked over his data. "As I suspected, just your circuits adjusting. After all the physical trauma you've gone through I'm not surprised. Just get some rest for now."
Nodding she silently left, returning to her room.
Now alone again, the medic looked back at his screens. "Just what is going on that head of yours, Violetwind..." he muttered quietly to himself, staring at the unexplainable anomaly in her scan.
Oh Primus that ending! I wrote it out and was so excited and just wanted to giggle evilly cause I knew that I was again giving the tiniest nibble on more of the voice. (It was also late when I wrote it out so I could have been a little tired and giddy XD)
The Volkswagon beetle mentioned in his chapter is my little homage to Herbie, that little car with a big personality as well as dear little original Bumblebee! And Violet's vehicle mode, the Holden commodore, is (other than looking through google for pictures of purple cars) my little bit of respect to the family car we had growing up, a dark green Holden commodore that served us for many many years. And shhh I know it's probs a bit of a foreign car for America, don't ruin my dreams. :P
Speaking of her alt-mode, there's a link to it in my profile.