The Human Prime
Chapter 3: Divided We Fall
Artemis watched as the women in scrubs wrapped her foot up in bandages while lecturing her about how to take care of it. Now and then, she'd look up at Optimus who had long ago gone to talk to his friend, Ratchet. Sam stuck to her side like glue, absorbing the information in hopes to take care of her in her time of need.
"Bumblebee." She muttered under her breath looking at the yellow bot. The most vivid memory she had of the poor bot was when he woke up unable to speak, but the memory was incomplete. Artemis didn't know how his voice box stopped working or if it could have ever been fixed, only that it wasn't working when he woke up. "Bulkhead." Artemis moved onto the large green bot. Most of the memories she had of him came from some of Sam's favorite bed time stories.
The memories of the Wreckers, though Artemis would never admit it, were some of her favorites too. They contained so many grand adventures, not always those that followed the rules. She wondered sometimes when and why Bulkhead separated his ties and joined Team Prime. While the obvious honor of working under Optimus was unmistakable, it also brought up the question of abandoning his friends.
"Arcee." Looking at the small blue bot, it was hard to draw her name from Artemis' memories. Rarely did she hear the name and very few times did she see her within them. There was at least two she could see perfectly, but it brought up many questions. The two memories bore different partners in which no explanation was revealed about what happened to the first. "Ratchet." Looking back at the white and red bot, she found him to be the most interesting. The memories she possessed did not contain him, but merely his name was mentioned. Mostly of him being an excellent medic.
"Artemis, are you listening?" Sam screamed into her ear making her heart jump.
"Apologizes, I wasn't." Artemis flicked Sam's forehead and moved so her feet were dangling on the side of the bed.
"No pushing yourself! And you stay off that foot." Sam tried to act older than she was, but to no effect.
"Alright, Sam. I got it." Artemis almost immediately disobeyed, getting off the metal table testing the support of her foot.
"Artemis! I just said-" Before Sam could finish Miko and Raf approached her in wonder.
"Thanks for saving me!" Miko jumped in excitement then pointed at her. "See Raf, isn't she cool?"
"Uh huh." Raf looked up at Artemis with amazement, hearing so much from Miko who had also talked to Sam.
"Uh, thanks." Artemis felt a slight bit uncomfortable, but put on a warm smile.
"Don't you think it's getting late?" Arcee crossed her arms and looked down at the two hyperactive children.
"Awww." Raf and Miko groaned simultaneously. They waved goodbye then retreated to their waiting vehicles.
"We should go home too." Artemis looked over at Sam who looked disappointed.
"Well maybe we should stay here…Till you, you know. Recover." She knew exactly what Sam meant. What they were going home to wasn't exactly the best place to recover from an injury.
"You can come home with Jack and me." Nurse Darby brought her son closer to her who smiled in agreement. "It's comfortable and you wouldn't have to rest in a hospital for medical attention, but you'd have to call your parents first of course."
"I don't think that's an issue Miss Darby."
"Why is that?" June folded her arms and began tapping her foot. Sam shrugged her shoulders and held up her hands.
"Cause our parents are dead." As soon as the words left her mouth, even the remaining Autobots turned to look at them. "Artemis' parents got killed in a fire and my dad was shot in robbery. I never knew who my mom was, but we've lived on the streets for as long as I can remember." Artemis felt her fingers twitch. Things usually didn't go well when they told grownups that they were orphans living on the streets.
"I'm….So sorry."
"It's fine, and-" She looked at Sam who was silently pleading. "I guess we'll take that free housing, for a while." Sam practically jumped to the moon and went to hug June, who she had gained a trust for. "I guess we'll talk later, Optimus."
"Take care of your injuries." He nodded at her. "I will still be here when you have recovered."
"I'll hold you to that." She smiled at him as June and Sam helped her to her car.
On the Road
Artemis sat in the back seat quietly. It hadn't even been five minutes before Sam was fast asleep. Why wouldn't she be? It's been a long, tiring day. Her foot prompted up, taking up the whole back seat, a long awkward silence broke as June attempted to make conversation.
"So how old are you?"
"18."
"That old?" June looked in her rear view mirror to look at her expression.
"It's been a long time since I was a child." She looked back at her in the mirror.
"You've had any education?"
"Cyber Schooling and Online College courses." She answered immediately getting frustrated by the subject.
"That's great. So you take care of Sam?"
"Since I was six."
"Are you struggling?"
"We've had plenty to eat since I was old enough to get decent work." Artemis began to fiddling with the latch on her backpack, knowing too well what was inside. "We're fine living by ourselves."
"You sure?"
"Sam distrusts grownups more than I do. I just think of it easier to live on my own." She noticed that June was hoping for a different answer. Something she could have used to convince them to live in a foster home. "We really are fine Miss Darby. No need to worry."
"Sorry, I'm just a natural worry wart."
"You have your reasons."
"How would you know about that?"
"If you have room and are so eager to have guests, most likely you don't have a husband to convince." The awkwardness was back again. "You raised him all alone?"
"Yes, I did."
"He seems nice. You did well."
"Thank you?" Artemis realized she had gotten and abnormally amount of questionable 'thank you's today.
"No problem." She began to feel some drowsiness catch up to her, unfortunately the car stopped and they finally arrived at the Darby's home. She got out of the car on her own and opened Sam's door. Usually Artemis would just pick her up and carry her in so she wouldn't have to wake her up, but she doubted that she would be able to carry Sam all the way inside with her leg. "Sam, Sam wake up. We're here."
"I wasn't sleeping; I was just resting my eyes." Sam shot forward and got out of the car still a little out of it. Artemis looped her arm around her and helped her to the door. "I'm the one who's supposed to help you remember?"
"You already did, you're off duty now." They both let out a breathless laugh, both too tired to let out worthy laughter. Before Artemis followed Sam into the house, she watched Jack talk to Arcee. Just then Jack turned and looked at her. "Can I talk to her alone?"
"Sure." He waved Arcee goodbye, knowing she would go back to base. Artemis walked toward the bike and sat in front of it.
"Arcee, right?" She asked while curling her uninjured leg towards her torso.
"Yes."
"Can I ask you some questions, before you go?"
"I'm no Optimus, but I'll do the best I can."
"How long have you been here?"
"Too long to remember, as long as the Decepticons have."
"You're in trouble, aren't you? You're outnumbered."
"We're outnumbered, but we have Optimus. So, in a way, it's a fair fight."
"You sound so confident."
"When you're against these odds, sometimes all you have is confidents."
"One more, if I ever need to find you, where was the base located?"
"Why would you need to know that? You'll be here."
"You're right, never mind." Artemis sighed tiredly. As much as she wanted to drill her on the bases location, she was exhausted. Arcee's engine revved as her front wheel turned back towards the road.
"Tell Jack I have to go on patrol, but I'll be back by morning." Arcee drove off before Artemis could answer.
She leaned against the garage door feeling the pain of her leg catching up to her. Slowly, she walked into the house. The home was so stereotypical for a single mother of Nevada. It also was pain achingly dull. Sam though was enjoying the taste of a home.
"Can we take a shower?" Sam giggled as she played with the revolving spice rack.
"Of course dear." June frowned at the excitement realizing that she must not get showers often.
"You first Artemis!" Sam smiled and hopped awkwardly. "I want to help you in the shower."
"You go ahead, I want to sit down and compose myself." Artemis did just that, taking a seat on the bland couch.
"Alright, if you say so." Sam left to take her shower. Artemis was relieved that June did not attempt to make any conversation with her and instead went to change for bed. Jack, too, did not try to impress her.
"What was your name again?" She said softly, a little strain in her voice.
"Jack." He frowned and she could tell he was slightly offended.
"Right, sorry. I'm not at my best today." She mumbled then looked at him in the eye. "You must know where the Autobot base is located exactly."
"I know a bit." She could see his body tense and all of a sudden he became suspicious of her. "Why?"
"I want to be able to find it, if I need to." Artemis stroked the thigh of her damaged leg, feeling the soreness crawl up from her ankle.
"You're not going back?" This time he sounded concerned and his suspicion faded.
"I said if, besides, I need retrieve my things sooner or later." She attempted to assure him.
"It's right outside Jasper, in a hidden military bunker inside a large rock formation, the one behind the stop sign." He rubbed his eyes and looked at her tiredly. "I'm going to go to bed; we'll talk more in the morning?"
"Yeah, go ahead and get some sleep. You must be fatigued." She watched him walk to his room, and then let out a soft sigh. In truth, she didn't have any intentions of rejoining with the Autobots. It was by far a grand experience to have had finally met the Cybertronians that for years she had been hoping to meet. Though, she decided that it would be best if she sever ties to the Autobots until she became more reliant.
"Artemis, your turn." Sam came out with a towel wrapping her hair. Artemis jumped surprisingly, realizing she had dozed off into a day dream. She looked over Sam and found her clean and happy, which pleased her. "Let me help you into the shower."
"I can do it myself, Why don't you get comfortable? You had a rough day." Artemis got onto her feet and headed toward the bathroom.
"Says you! You were the one who got captured by the Decepticons." Sam growled under her breath, but went to lie on the couch. When Artemis went into the bathroom, she saw the hot steam coat the air. Slowly she took off her clothes, making sure not to make any sudden jerks.
The water was warm and refreshing when she finally got under the light rain of water from the shower head. As the water ran down her leg and soaked into her legs bandages she hissed violently. The burns stung and became almost unbearable, but then suddenly she felt nothing. Only the small rush of water that went from her head down to her shoulders and then down her back.
A voice whispered in her head, echoing. Then there were several more. She remembered this feeling though it had been years since she experienced it. It was a memory. Her eyes blurred and then no longer saw the interior of the shower. Only a battlefield filled with metal and fire. The sight of two Autobots exchanging blaster fire with a Decepticon platoon; they were ducking down in trenches waiting to rejoin the rest of their unit. They were cornered and outnumbered.
?: Five Nano-cycles and we're already separated from the rest of them. Why didn't we just stay in training?
?: Don't be like that Ozone, we contribute to the unit just like everyone else.
Ozone: Mirror Shot, really? We are nothing like the others. We're protoforms compared to these guys.
Mirror Shot: But they don't have your speed, or my accuracy. Ozone, we are an important part of this unit.
Ozone:…If you say so.
Artemis grunted as the salt and dirt from her filthy body got into her eyes and made them burn. She wiped her eyes and began washing her face. Though the memory was not finished, she didn't need to see the end of the battle. She knew from a memory she had later on that Ozone and Mirror Shot were the only survivors in that battle. Artemis also knew that they were also killed trying to regroup with a nearby unit.
Artemis POV
I finished cleaning my body before turning off the water and sitting myself on the side of the tub. I could see the mud clinging to the sides of the tub and felt bad for Miss. Darby who would most likely have to clean it up. Though, it felt good to cleanse myself of all the heavy dust and sad that had accumulated onto me.
The memory bothered me. Primus was most likely sending it to me in attempt to tell me to remain with the Autobots and not to kick myself in the butt. However, my eyes began to water. The deaths of Autobots on the field were always a very emotional time period for me. At the position I was it, they were like dear friends. I felt their emotions, saw their triumphs, knew their dreams and love interests only to watch it all get snatch away in battle. Though it was a long time ago, it seemed fresh and new and painful.
When I finally could gather myself, I stood up and took my clothes and began washing them in the sink. Despite what I would do about my connection with the Autobots, I was not going to stay here. Due morning, my wounds would be healed and questions would be unavoidable.
My clothes finished, though wet, and my body clean and dry, I joined Sam out into the living room. She was asleep and unresponsive. I sat in the couch and watched her for a while, seeing her so safe and secure made everything feel calming yet unpleasant. Last time I felt secure my home was burning down.
I felt my eyes drift close and my muscles relax and for once I indulged it. A familiar feel of a breeze caused my eyes to flutter open. It didn't take me long to realize that I was in a dream, a dream from Primus. I stood up from lying on the metal ground that reflected a gold hue from the sun.
"It's been too long Primus." I walked up to the large robotic figure that gave off a godlike glow.
"You hadn't needed me till now." He responded while I was busy staring at his formal pose. It didn't occur to me till now that his posture had rubbed off on me. I never slouched.
"I suppose that's true, but I feel unprepared." I stood next to him and looked out to the scene before me. Cybertron was beautiful. At least, what she saw in her memories and dreams, the golden age, was beautiful. Everything was like a shiny new penny.
"Is that why you wish to severe ties with my disciple?" His eyebrow rose as I crossed my arms in thought.
"I don't want Optimus to worry about me too. I want to be able to hold my own so that I can relieve some stress off his shoulders." I remembered the way Optimus looked when I met him. His optics were filled with worry and something about the way he watched Miss. Darby wrap my leg made me feel horrible. I hoped to help him, but all I did was caused him more trouble.
"First impressions are usually wrong." Those words were vague, but oddly helpful. "With your first encounter, I think you did well."
"So you were watching." I smiled in realizing that he hadn't abandoned me completely.
"Now that you understand the threat you will react better. And you will have me of course." He dropped to one knee so that it was less of a stain to look up at him. "I will reteach you everything I taught you before."
"I am ready." I was pleased that I could brush up on what I was so rusty on before. Perhaps rejoining up with the Autobots wasn't a horrible idea after all.
The Next Morning
Artemis woke up early in the morning, her body twitched her awake at the rising sun coming in front the window. Samantha was still fast asleep. Without hesitation, she got up and checked the other rooms. Jack and June were still fast asleep. Rushing back to Sam's side, she shook her awake.
"Uggg, I'm up, I'm up." Sam leaned forward and ruffled her bed head in place.
"Get up, we're leaving." Artemis stood up and went to fetch her bag.
"Your leg?" Sam shot up and followed Artemis into the kitchen.
"It's healed and well." Artemis sat on the kitchen counter and removed her bandages to show Sam. It was indeed fully healed which also convinced Sam it was time to leave. Explaining why she healed so fast would be a bother and, from experience, was a very bad idea. If they could avoid the situation, then they would. Sam went through the cupboards looking for what food they could take with them. Artemis began writing an apology letter.
"I hated her a lot less than the other ones. Do you think we can visit them? And the Autobots? Or, are we disappearing?" Sam knew well how the situation worked. Whenever they would stay over a kind stranger's home, they would have to 'disappear.' Make no contact with the residents; completely avoid the town until one would just forget they ever existed. Sometimes they would even move from where they were living in order to become more transparent.
"No, we aren't disappearing." Artemis finished signing the letter than folded it neatly. "In fact, I'm sure we'll see the Autobots and Jack again soon. Though, I would like to avoid June for a reasonable amount of time considering she is a nurse." She suddenly noticed Sam was staring at a report card on the fridge.
"Artemis."
"Yes?"
"I want to go to school." Sam continued to stare and for a long time they stood silent in the kitchen.
"Maybe you will." Artemis placed the note where June would surely find it then stuffed the food that Sam had gathered in her bag. "For now, let's go home." They both gathered left through the front door. Artemis checked the garage to find Arcee's robotic form, sprawled out, resting her joints and optics. It was obvious that she had a long night.
"Hurry up, Artemis before June wakes up." Sam waited for Artemis at the end of the driveway. She watched Arcee a bit longer before turning to Sam and nodding. Prepared to leave, they began walking towards the far edge of town.
Autobot Base
Optimus stared at the bases computer as it monitored different frequencies, desperately looking for Decepticon activity or Autobot signals. When the kids drove in, he half expected to hear the usual child madness begin, but the first thing he heard was…
"Optimus, that girl snuck out last night. She just got up and left before we woke up." Jack exclaimed after removing his helmet. Optimus turned and gave off a worried expression. If she was out wondering the streets somewhere, she was easy pickings for the Decepticons.
"We must split up and search for her. Her safety remains an absolute priority." He saw Rafael typing on his computer doing what he did best, help.
"Considering the time frame, she could be anywhere from next door to Jack to the canyon's in the dessert." Raf frowned up at them knowing that that was a lot of ground to cover and that the possibilities only got longer as more time passed by.
"Arcee and Bumblebee, you search within the town. Bulkhead, you and I will search the perimeter of the canyons and the dessert. Ratchet, monitor different frequencies and see if you can pick up a signal from her. It is possible that she has an Energon signature. Report anything that may hint to the ware bouts of the human girl." He watched his Autobots nod then transform before him. "Autobots, roll out!" Optimus transformed himself then left through the normal front entrance with the rest.
Airplane Hanger
Artemis lied in her chair and watched the clock tick away. A knew pair of gauntlets made with brand new metal laid before her only as empty shells, canvases to be painted on. Ever since the malfunction in the Decepticon Ship, she decided it was time to forge her final perfection of her armor. Iron boots sat in front of her on the side of the table, the wiring almost complete and weight design almost refined.
She taped her screwdriver against the light metal before placing the tool down and standing up. A sudden realization that her actions were charged with adrenaline, she could not focus on her work. Pacing around the confines of the abandoned hanger, Artemis decided on fresh air.
Opening the doors she peered on silver legs. They belonged to a simple Decepticon servant. She dared not end his life, but if he attacked she would have to. Ever since being caught off guard, she dare not go anywhere without an operational gauntlet on her left arm with a solid blaster mounted easily accessible.
Artemis pointed it at the bot as he reached down for her. When it got significantly close, instead of shooting it, she jumped up onto its arm then ran up and smashed her covered fist into its plated face. It responded to the blow with a grunt and fell over while she jumped back to original position.
To her disappointment and horror, it did not attempt to catch her again, but instead retreated. If he wasn't going to catch her, then he was gathering information. He was relaying how much firepower it's going to take to get me back. Even worse, now they knew where she lived.
It was at this point that she really wished she knew EXACTLY where the Autobots' base was. Because she felt when day broke the next morning, she would be against a platoon of Decepticon scouts. But despite that, at all costs, she had to keep this a secret from Sam.