Again it's been awhile since I updated. But really, between my old laptop breaking, then the backup tablet breaking and the time needed to get another one, it's not all that unexpected.
And it certainly doesn't help that my family is still in the process of moving and good internet is hard to come by. So writing is a bit difficult right now. I'm sorry! DX
"Ow Doc! I need that arm!" Wheeljack grunted, ripping his arm out of Ratchets grip. The medic grumbled.
"Hold still and maybe you'll keep it!" Was the retort before Ratchet grabbed his arm again, repairing his blasted arm. A few more complaints, angry mutterings of an annoyed doctor and 'mistakes', the Wrecker was good as new. Mostly. He apologized to Optimus for his actions, offering an excuse for himself.
"Look, Commander, apologies for the fireworks, won't happen again, but I've tracked Dreadwing across a hundred lightyears of space." He explained, looking down as Bulkhead asked what he was doing, why he had chased Dreadwing at all, wondering if 'Jackie hadn't found any Autobot refugees.
"I found one. A Wrecker. Seaspray."
Bulkhead laughed out loud. "Hah! How is old barnacle butt?" His smile faded as Wheeljack looked away briefly.
"Not good Bulk. Blown to bits actually." He said. Wheeljack went told his story as Bulkhead denied it, stumbling back in disbelief.
"Dreadwing." Optimus muttered through clenched teeth, scowling. Wheeljack nodded, continuing. Having tracked Dreadwing down after picking up his ion trail, he was lead back to earth, reasons unknown, and the rest was, as humans say, history.
"I know of Dreadwing. He was captain of a seeker armada, along with his...twin Skyquake and fiercely loyal to Megatron." Said Optimus, hesitating in using Skyquakes name. "But there is something you should know before our friend arrives. He's-"
Optimus was interrupted as the groundbridge opened again, this time letting Jack through, who looked thoroughly content judging by the smile on his face. It disappeared as he caught sight of the new Autobot. "Hey, when did Wheeljack get-"
Jack was cut off as Wheeljack dove forward, drawing his swords to attack Jack as he raced forward. He jumped to the side as the trigger happy Autobot leaped into the air and slashed down. Jack was a little too slow, the blade nicking his cheek before he fully moved out of the way. He winced, but otherwise didn't let onto the sting he now felt, instead raising his thickly armored limbs up to protect himself.
Mentally groaning as Wheeljack came at him again, ignoring the shouts and yells of the others for him to cease his attacks, Wheeljack moved in for a blow that would have pierced his spark chamber if he had not caught the sword in his hand. Energon trickling from his palms, Jack tore it out of the Wreckers grip, tossing it across the room, then hit 'Jackies wrist as he made to swing the other, effectively making him drop the other. Undeterred, Wheeljack threw a punch to Jacks face, catching him on the underside of his jaw and stunning him briefly before Jack returned it in kind, his large fist making contact with the side of Wheeljacks facial plates.
The Wrecker grunted in pain, a dribble of energon leaking from the corner of his mouth. He lifted a hand to inspect his now dented cheek, grinning, his optics glinting with delight at having some action at last. But then he was grabbed from behind by Bulkhead, as was Jack, by Optimus to stop them from continuing their brawling.
"That is enough!" Optimus shouted angrily as the two glared defiantly at each other. Only when Optimus was sure Jack wouldn't blast Wheeljacks head off did he let him go. Still, he looked quite angry and irritated, rubbing at his newly acquired dents and scratches. Wheeljack was beside himself, and questioned the sanity of the big bot and didn't fail to voice his thoughts.
"Are you outta your mind?! You're just going to let that scrap heap walk around in your base?!" He shouted, still struggling in Bulkheads grip. Bulkhead faltered for a moment, before tightening it again when Wheeljack furiously fought to free himself. Wheeljack glowered at his friend. "What're you doing Bulk?! Don't you know who that is?! He's a Decepticon!"
Bulkhead didn't loosen his hold in the slightest and in fact, strengthened it before answering. "Yeah, but you don't. That's not exactly Skyquake you're lookin' at." At Wheeljacks disbelieving look and expression that said he clearly thought Bulk had cracked his processor he said, "Something...happened. Whatever it was, we're pretty sure he won't hurt us or run to Megatron."
"You've lost your damn mind!"
"Despite what it seems Wheeljack, it is indeed the truth." Optimus stepped up, fixing him with a stern look. "This is our young human friend, Jack."
Wheeljack at Optimus, face blank and wiped of emotions.
Then he busted out laughing.
"You've got to be joking! You think that scrap heap is Jack? Now I know you're insane!" He chortled, covering a face with one hand as Bulkhead finally released him, in a fit of laughter.
It was when he looked back up to their non joking faces that it began to sink in that he realized they were being serious. "Wha-? You don't really expect me to believe that- There's no way in the pit that's true!" He stumbled over the words, looking absolutely flabbergasted.
"It is." Answered Arcee without looking at either of them. Jack was a little hurt that she had barely spared him glance over the past week. It wasn't his fault he was stuck like this.
Wheeljack was stunned that they accepted this at face value, but didn't push the issue any further. Past experiences had taught him that you couldn't argue with a femme or an idiot. Shrugging, he moved aside, never taking his optics off Jack. They radiated mistrust and disbelief.
"Fine, whatever. Believe what you want. Doesn't matter. I'm still gonna take down Dreadwing."
"I believe it would be best to deal with Dreadwing at another time. If he has indeed come to Earth, he may have sensed his twins death- and his 'revival'." Said Optimus. "If the bond between them still exists, it would be dangerous to confront Dreadwing. He is a fierce opponent."
Wheeljack rolled his shoulders.
"Sorry, but laying low isn't my style." Wheeljack scowled. "Me and Dreadwing, we have a score to settle."
"Be that as it may, I will not allow you to endanger those under my command." Optimus ordered, voice unwavering even as Wheeljack shrugged. The Wrecker left to stand outside the door.
The others went back to their routines, Bulkhead jamming with Miko on the guitars, Bumblebee playing games with Raf and Arcee brooding over her thoughts in the corner.
Ratchet called Jack over to fix his injuries, muttering about morons, glitch headed Wreckers and lack of processors and groaning because he had to waste time fixing them up when he should be locating Iacon relics and energon deposits. Jack rolled his optics.
"I didn't start the fight." He defended, wincing as the sparks flew from the torch. Damn that stung! Ratchet didn't even look up.
"You did nothing to stop it either." He huffed, now patching up a dent in Jacks arm.
"Well I wasn't about to let him beat me to death." Jack retorted, stretching his limbs up to Ratchets chagrin. He flashed a grin at he medics irritated expression before lowering them again.
"Point taken." He agreed. It was another slow thirty minutes before Jack was good to go, much to Jacks and Ratchets relief. "Send Wheeljack in will you? I have to fix him too."
Jack nodded, keeping his expression passive as he stood up, moving to the door. Wheeljack wasn't there when he opened it and was about to head back inside to tell Ratchet when he was pressed into the wall and a blade at his throat. He glared down at his attacker, Wheeljack.
"I don't what kind of scrap headed lies you told them, but I don't buy it for a second." He growled, allowing the blade to cut into the metal. "You make one false move, give me one reason to think you might turn on us and I'll make sure there isn't enough of you left to feed a scraplet. Got it?"
"Got it." Jack spat out. Wheeljack backed off slowly, tightening his guard as Jack stumbled to his feet. "Are we done now? Ratchet wanted to see you."
Wheeljack gave no indication he had heard him as he pushed by him, knocking Jack with his shoulder as he went inside. Jack scowled, then sighed. Was this ever going to get easier, or was he going to have to watch his back all the time, even from his friends? He looked at the Wreckers backside and thought over his warning.
It would seem so. With friends like these, who needed enemies?