Chapter 22

Hangar E…

The only response Alex got was the deepening of Ultra Magnus's frown. A moment later the portal behind Alex flashed and Ratchet and the kids stepped through. Another moment later it closed behind them and silence filled the hangar. Magnus, Arcee, Bulkhead and Bumblebee didn't move a muscle as they pointed their weapons down at Alex. From behind the kids Ratchet walked over to Wheeljack and Smokescreen, who stood watching the showdown with blank looks on their faces, while Optimus gazed on from the groundbridge console, making no attempt to get involved.

Alex noticed this and knew what was implied. He had promised Optimus that he would explain himself in exchange for helping him escape. Optimus had done his part, now he was waiting on Alex to make do on his.

But before he could open his mouth he turned to see June Darby appear from the shadows, walk quickly over to the small group and grab her son in a tight embrace. After a moment she let go of him and turned back and stepped forwards up to Alex. A look of pure murder on her face.

"Did you know that these children would be kidnapped from school?" she asked really slowly.

Alex looked her in the eye. He didn't need to know the future to see what was about to happen.

"Yes." He replied.

June then took another step forward and slapped Alex in the face. His head whipped to the left side as a shot of pain spread through his cheek. Slowly he turned his head back round.

"And did you know that they would be safe?" she asked.

"Yes." Alex replied again.

She slapped him again. Alex closed his eyes and stood still until the pain went away before turning back to face the woman.

"Finished?" he asked.

"I think so." Said June. "But it's not me you've got to worry about now."

"True," Said Alex taking a deep breath. "But you might want to put the kettle on. This may take a while."

"Then make it short." Sneered Arcee. "You don't have long before my patience dries up."

Alex turned round to look up at the two-wheeler. "Then tell me Arcee, what's the first thing you want to know?"

"You might want to watch your tone, boy." Warned Ultra Magnus.

"What, like you told Jack to watch his?" asked Alex.

That knocked the commander off-guard. "How did you-" began Magnus.

"Like I once told everyone here, Commander. I know things." Interrupted Alex. His voice had now reverted to a more serious tone but maintained a slight hint of sarcasm.

Alex then dug his hand into his jacket pocket and took out his cellphone. Turning round he handed to Rafael. "Raf," he said. "See if you can find a cable to connect this to the monitors. There's something I need to show all of you."

Raf took the phone and looked to Optimus for approval. The prime nodded reassuringly. The boy then made his way up the stairs towards the computer banks.

"As I was saying," said Alex turning back to face the Autobots. "What would you like to know, Arcee?"

"Everything should suffice." She replied without battering an eyelid.

"For that we're going to have to wait for Raf to plug my phone in." Said Alex. "In the meantime however I'm open to questions."

"Okay then. Why didn't tell us from the beginning about who you were?"

"Because your first reaction would've been to interrogate me for information. I'm not an idiot, you know."

"And yet you think it's smart to bait Megatron like how you did just now?" Joined Jack.

"He did what?!" exclaimed Ultra Magnus. Upon hearing this all the eyes of the autobot's eyes widened, including Optimus.

"I wasn't baiting him, Jack. I was making a few things clear to him." Alex explained. "If he comes near me, I will rip his head off. If he comes near you, Optimus Prime will rip his head off. And if he tries to change the future by involving me, he'll end up ripping his own head off."

"And what's that supposed to mean?" asked Bulkhead.

"It means I'm not planning to leave this base for a while, 'cause most of the important stuff happens elsewhere."

"Agreed." Stated Ultra Magnus as he lowered his weapons. "You're going to tell us everything that you know of future events, including how you came to know all of it."

"How I know of what I know, sure thing." Replied Alex simply. "But what I do know? I'm afraid that's not going to happen."

"It is not up for discussion, boy. Any information that is beneficial to the Autobot cause-"

"-Will be rendered invalid if I told you." Interjected Alex.

The narrowing of Magnus's optics as he glared down at Alex told him that the commander didn't like being interrupted.

Alex shrugged. "I guarantee that if I told you now, it won't eventually happen." A small grin appeared on his face. "That, and I don't know what would happen to the universe if I did."

Even though he had lowered his weapons, Magnus looked as though he was getting ready to raise them again.

"Also I can tell you right now that it is in everyone's best interest that my version of events get played out." Alex said. "I am in support of the Autobots, after all."

Bumblebee emitted a few chirps and whirs. Bulkhead looked to the scout.

"Agreed, Bee." He turned back to Alex. "Weird way of showing your support for us by not telling us anything."

Alex sighed. They were on the verge of going round in circles.

"My dear Bulkhead," he said. "Think about it. Why would I make such an effort to preserve a particular future when I am in favour of the autobots winning?"

It clicked. Arcee began to go wide-eyed, as was Wheeljack and Ultra Magnus. She began to slowly lower her weapons.

"Are you saying," she said slowly. "That we win?"

Alex stuck his hands into his jacket pockets and took a relaxed stance.

"I don't exactly know how it will all end, 'cause my info only stretches so far, and for the record that point in time is coming up fast. But what I do know, with absolute certainty, is that the decepticons will never conquer Earth."

This revelation was followed by dead silence. After a moment, all three guardians lowered their weapons but continued to stare down at Alex.

Surprisingly, Smokescreen was the first to break the silence. "Woah," he breathed. "You serious?"

All Alex could do was shrug at the mech.

Ultra Magnus snapped out of his stupor and turned towards Optimus. "Sir," he asked. "Were you aware of this?"

"I was" replied the Prime.

"And you did not think to disclose this with your team?"

"It was deemed unwise by Alex and myself alike." Optimus explained. "To divulge such speakings would be tantamount to inviting arrogance and recklessness into the minds of our comrades. As a soldier Commander, you understand that such flaws can lead to severe mistakes being made." Knowing that this was true, Ultra Magnus accepted this reasoning. However Arcee was still not completely convinced.

"Optimus, with all due respect." She said. "Surely you know us better than to think that it would go straight to our heads?"

"I do, Arcee." He replied. "However to Alex's understanding, he has never been mentioned in his version of events. That would stand to reason that you could never have been informed of this information, as he was the one who made me aware of it in the first place."

"And that's why you did that test with Megatron." Ratchet said stepping forward. "You wanted to see if your involvement had affected future events. But why did you specifically talk about-"

"Shhhh!" Alex moved his finger to his lips with lightning speed before holding his hand up to prevent the medic from finishing his sentence. The frowns appeared back on all the autobot's faces.

"Whatever was said during that meeting must never be repeated." He said quickly. "I know you and the kids might have ideas forming over what I told Megatron, but please keep them to them yourselves. I promise that it will come to light soon." He glanced back to the two kids standing behind him. "Same goes for you three. Please."

The drops of sweat beginning to appear on Alex's brow told Ratchet that the boy was being deadly serious. For a moment he was unwilling to comply with the appeal and inform the team of what he had been witnessed to. But upon reminding himself of what Alex had revealed to all of them just moments ago, he reconsidered.

"Very well." He said. "However I must ask that you explain the 'warning' that you gave Megatron."

Alex relaxed. That had been too close. But the look on Ultra Magnus's told him that he could expect trouble from him later.

"What 'warning?'" asked Arcee still frowning.

"He told Megatron that if he tried to hurt us, he would be destroyed by Optimus Prime for sure." Cut in Miko, desperately wanting to be a part of this cool argument.

This explanation was not taken especially well by June, who in response stormed back up to Alex. "Any why exactly did you bring these children back to the attention of that monster?!" She asked in anger.

"My dear Nurse Darby, they were always at his attention. He knows full well that they are playing quite the roll in the autobot's…what shall we call it…success rate, and I don't need to know to the future to know that he's going to try and use them again."

"So why on earth-"

"Because they are probably the most important characters in all of this. Not because of what they have done but because of what they have become. The Autobots have clearly shown that they will go to impressive lengths to protect them, so it's safe to assume that whatever happens to them will have an effect on Team Prime. If Megatron is as smart as he makes out to be, then he's going to avoid these kids from now on."

"And why is exactly is that?" asked Bulkhead.

"Simple. Tell me, Bulkhead. How would you react if Miko got killed by the Megatron?"

Bulkhead went silent and looked protectively at Miko, who had taken a step back upon hearing this example. Arcee and Bumblebee looked to their comrade and then to their respective human partners. The rest of the autobots also kept quiet.

"There wouldn't be a place in the universe Megatron would be able to hide." Alex said. He paused. "Especially from Optimus."

He turned to the Autobot leader. The mech remained mute as he gazed at him.

In Optimus's mind however, it was nothing but muteness. The prime could understand why Alex had done what he did, as it was an effort to protect the children from harm. But Megatron was not one to be perceived as completely submissive to every fact or action that was presented to him, and there was no denying the fact that Alex had indeed brought the warlord's attention back onto the children so soon after the events on Cybertron. He made a mental to speak with Alex concerning his strategies later.

In Ultra Magnus's mind, he wasn't at all convinced by this charade. This human clearly had no idea what he was doing and already the commander could perceive that he would have problems with authority. There was also the worry of if it was even safe for the boy to be in the new base, not just because of the ability which his comrades claims he has, but also of the perceived mental state of the human. He treated this serious situation as somewhat of a game, and Magnus would not stand for it. But before he could open his mouth to express his concerns, opinion and recommendations to the boy and his leader, Bulkhead beat him to it.

"Hold on," said Bulkhead. "You referred to Jack, Miko and Raf as 'characters.' What do you mean by that?"

Suddenly a voice rang out. "Alex," called Raf from over at the computers. "I found a cable for your phone."

"Thanks Raf." Replied Alex. He looked up at the Autobots. There was a smile on his face and he began rubbing his hands together.

"I refer to them as characters, Bulkhead because that's what they actually are. Well, in my eyes." Said Alex somewhat gleefully despite the blanks looks he was receiving.

"Autobots, HOW do I know what I know?"

He raised his hands for effect.

"You're…a TV show."

To be continued…

Author's Note: PART 1 OF THE EXPLANATION COMPLETE! BRING ON THE COMEDY! My apologies for taking so long but this was extremely difficult to write, And I really hope you enjoy it!