Chapter 27

The Nemesis…

"What do you mean he's 'volatile'?

"I mean that he could explode at any moment."

Upon locking the door to Knock Out's med bay behind him, Starscream had proceeded to recount his encounter with Alex in fine detail to the medic, leading up to voicing his suspicions and fears concerning the boy.

"But you just told me that he seemed quite calm-"

"It was acting." Interrupted the seeker. "He is doing an apparently magnificent job of concealing his true feelings towards his situation. We ripped him away from his world, for scrap's sake! How can any life form cope after such an event?!"

Knock Out frowned. "We did, didn't we?"

"That's because there was nothing left and we knew that." Sneered Starscream. "But his world still exists AND HE KNOWS it does. What's to stop him from taking his fury out on the ones responsible?!"

"Okay then, if you're so worried 'bout this kid why don't you give him what he wants? Try and send him back."

"Megatron would never stoop to that." Starscream started pacing across the room. "And groundbridge security has never been higher because of Darkmount."

Silence filled the room. Knock Out looked to the floor.

"You really think that this human is capable of killing someone?" he asked.

Starscream turned round to face him. "The twitch in one optic, the slight shaking in the hands, complete disregard for self-preservation? Yes, I think he is." He stated.

Knock Out thought for a few moments. Accounts from Megatron and now Starscream told him that this human were indeed dangerous, but what exactly could be done? Cybertronian culture and religion had never really delved into the understanding of time and it's 'infinite complexities,' but it had been generally assumed that it was a straight line of cause and effect, and that it could not be re-written by any being or force. And while the medic did not give any thought whatsoever into the subject, he did not believe that this one piffling though gifted, life form was the exception.

"You're forgetting something." He eventually said. "The human is no doubt under the personal watch of Optimus Prime, and I highly doubt that he would let him take a life. You know how the Autobots don't want to get the humans involved."

Starscream merely sneered to this.

Knock Out paused. "But you're right. He is dangerous. Contingency plans may be in order, but what exactly do you propose?"

"Let me think about that." Replied the seeker. "In the meantime, we continue with our objectives, even if we might not agree with them."

"Aww," cooed the medic. "Is the task of predacon babysitting getting a bit too much for you?"

"Ohhh, will my torment never end?!"

Unbeknownst to the two decepticons, every word they had said had been heard and recorded through an open comm link to the bridge. Severing the link and detaching himself from his workstation, Soundwave saved the newly acquired data and stored it deep within his vast memory banks, next to an age-old info pack. The file had been there for many years, bearing no difference to any others in Soundwave's system, but was distinct due to the reason behind it being there.

During the final phase of the war, he had received it on an encrypted wavelength suspected to form part of the Autobot's command network. And according to its transmission details, it had been sent from one of the terminals at the heart of vector sigma as well as its destination coordinates corresponding with that of the communications officer's location, meaning that it was intended for him.

The contents had made no sense to him back then along with the title, it being just a series of numbers. But now both did, and with what he had just learnt from his colleagues, he now knew that the file was not intended for him. How it possibly existed however, remained a mystery.

The title had been the first clue, and it had revealed itself a while back.

It was the geographical coordinates of where Soundwave had deposited the specimen after activating the dimension bridge.

Hangar D…

"Optimus, I was just, trying, to get them off my back a bit." Said Alex, exasperated.

"It was unwise to engage the enemy on your own." Replied Optimus.

The two had returned to base and had retreated to the hangar next door to speak in private. Optimus, not too happy that Alex had engaged the decepticons without permission or notice, and Alex growing tired of the non-stop lecture.

"Even Miko gets less schtick than this." He thought.

"You need to understand Alex, there are protocols that need to be followed. By both Autobot and human." Continued the prime. "In future, I ask that you adhere to that, if not for me then for those who have your safety in their best interests."

"You're referring to Ultra Magnus, aren't you?"

"He heavily disapproves of your attitude. Argues that your mental state-"

"My what?!" exclaimed Alex.

The prime went silent. "He believes that the events that have befallen you have clouded your judgment and ability to think clearly." He eventually said.

"Really now? And how does the good commander know how I think exactly?" Alex raised his hands. "I mean he did just show up and start asserting his authority over everyone without a shred of respect."

"He is merely not accustomed to our way on Earth. He is a proud soldier of the Elite Guard, and we are very fortunate to have him alongside us." Optimus argued calmly.

Alex said nothing. He refused to give Optimus the satisfaction. However by not saying anything, he inadvertently gave it.

The Autobot stood up straight. "Now," he stated. "From what you have told me, you are no longer in possession of sensitive information. Therefore, I recommend that you confine yourself to alongside your fellow humans. Please leave the fighting to us from now on."

Alex sighed. There was no arguing.

Optimus turned and headed out through the giant doors, leaving the human alone in the hangar. Alex went and sat by the table, unbuckling the sword from his belt and placing it down. Lying back in the chair he closed his eyes.

With the exception of the occasional drill sergeant shouting, the rest of the military base was quiet. The majority of the Autobots had gone out on patrol, leaving Optimus, Ratchet and Magnus to keep a watchful eye on the monitors as well as their human friends.

Alex kept his eyes shut and breathed deeply. A relaxation exercise his mother had taught him when he was young. Alex smiled at the thought, but it had opened the floodgates as more and more memories rushed up to the surface and not before long, he felt a tear sliding down his cheek.

He had been suppressing the thought of him not returning home for some time now. He had no idea how much time had elapsed since his arrival but if anything, it didn't matter. Another tear slid down.

He then the patter of footsteps behind him. Turning round in his chair he saw Rafael walking hesitantly towards him, laptop tucked under his arm.

"M-Miko ran through the groundbridge when the others went out on patrol and Jack followed her." He stated rather sheepishly.

Alex gave a small grin. "And you being the clever one decided to stay behind? Does Ratchet or Optimus know they're gone?"

"Yeah, they do. Do you think they're okay?"

"Oh, I think they'll be fine. It's just patrol." Alex turned his head back and closed his eyes again.

Raf stood there for a moment before moving to a chair opposite Alex, placing the laptop on the table.

Stillness hung in the chair as he laid his hands on his knees. Finally he spoke. "Why did you ask me if you trusted me?"

Alex opened his eyes and looked at the pre-teen. "I'm sorry?"

"Back at the Harbinger." Raf continued, not making much eye contact out of shyness. "You asked if you trusted me before telling Megatron those things. Why?"

Alex cocked his head forward as he thought of an answer. "Everybody trusts your judgment." He replied. "They trust you to make the right decision. In that case, it was to believe in me."

"And was I right to believe in you?" Raf pressed.

"You tell me."

Raf paused. "You don't like Ultra Magnus, do you?"

Alex leaned his head back again. "No, I don't." he said simply.

"Why?"

"I just don't like his character."

"Why?"

Alex looked at Raf again. "Aren't I allowed to have preferences?"

Raf stared downwards. "Sorry."

"It's fine."

He looked up again. "Do you like my character?"

Alex could only smirk. "Kid, you are awesome." He then added. "I seriously look forward to the day when you take Soundwave to town."

Raf gave a small grin. "Yeah, I don't think that'll ever happen." He replied.

Alex frowned. "Didn't it sort of happen in Texas?"

He didn't say anything. Alex smiled. "What if I told you that you three were the reason I started watching Transformers Prime?"

Raf looked up, surprised. "What do you mean?"

"Giant robots hiding in plain sight among humans fighting an age-old war? Can be seriously boring." Alex explained. "You guys bring…interactions. Put yourselves in danger, get stuck in crazy places, teach them how to play video games. Would'nt be any fun without you."

Raf gave small smile. "Yeah, well…Bee is quite good at racing"

Alex laughed. There was a brief silence during which he studied the pre-teen. His mind remembering the countless fanfics and artworks of the young genius he had seen on the web, realizing that all of it amounted to nothing against the real thing. But then he also realized that with it came the hardships that the child had gone through, including the possible ones not seen on the show.

"How's your family?" he asked.

Raf looked down again. "They're fine." He replied hesitantly. "Don't see much of them 'cause they're always busy."

Alex gazed at him. "Always be thankful for your family Raf, whatever may happen." He then added with a grin. "And when I say family, I mean human and otherwise."

Raf managed a smile but said nothing. For Alex, a lump had formed in his throat. He watched as Rafael turned on his laptop and started typing.

"So…what's it like in the year 2013?" he asked.

"Not much difference." Alex replied. "The only thing I can see really is cellphones. You guys still use flip-ups."

"Does everyone use touchscreens?"

"Pretty much. Also Earth's population is higher. We reached 7 billion last year." Replied Alex.

"What about where you live? What's South Africa like?"

Alex smiled. "It's beautiful. Sometimes we get a bit too much wind but apart from that, we're good." He swallowed. "You should see it sometime. We uh…" he trailed off as another tear formed.

Raf stopped typing and looked across the table. Seeing the look on Alex's face induced some sadness in the pre-teen. "I hope you get home someday, Alex." He said trying to comfort him.

Alex simply looked down and let the tear fall to the ground. "Thanks." He said quietly.

Not knowing what else to say, Raf closed his laptop and stood up. "I'm gonna see if the others have come back." He said as he headed towards the door. Alex didn't reply.

Left alone in the hangar Alex held his head in his hands as more tears came pouring down.

To be continued…

AU: Sorry this took so long guys. I don't do well with emotional scenes and the story in general is getting harder to write (The funny thing is that I already have ideas for the sequel, LOL), but I give you my word that I will complete my work no matter what.

Also, I listened to Brian Eno's 'An ending' while writing this. I strongly recommend you listen to it too. It is just so beautiful.

Happy Christmas by the way

CTmagic

P.S. we now have a few days before the next big event which means there is time for some character development or whatever. Therefore, the suggestion is wide open. Would love to hear from you