Ch. 7
Arcee explained to Optimus how she and Jack had found Airachnid's ship crashed out in Oregon and how she had tried to kill Jack; she told him how Jack had risked his life to draw Airachnid off and in doing so gave Arcee time to free herself and find him. "He stood his ground against Airachnid?" The disbelief in the prime's voice was evident but Arcee quickly defended her partner. "He attacked her and cut off two of her extra legs, he even destroyed her ship by igniting the energon that was leaking from it."
Optimus was amazed at the bravery Jack had shown in the face of such a deadly foe. 'He truly is like his father.' Optimus thought to himself as he looked over at Jack who was lying on the medical berth. At that moment, Ratchet pulled in and his doors opened to reveal June Darby and Agent Fowler. "Where is my son?" June was frantic, but was still keeping her calm as she was led to Jack's berth and she automatically began giving orders to the medics that had entered the base just moments before her. "I need to ask you all to step out and let me do my job."
June was referring to Fowler and the Autobots; Arcee was about to protest but was cut off by Optimus. "We will do as you ask June Darby, should you need any extra assistance, do not hesitate to ask." Optimus gave a stern look to Arcee and she knew he wouldn't allow for an argument. Arcee gave up and followed Optimus out of the Med Bay before Optimus walked over to her as she spoke up. "Optimus, I can't lose another partner… not to her…"
Arcee was visibly shaking now and Optimus quickly placed a large hand on her shoulder and tried to comfort her. "You won't lose him, Jack will survive this." At that moment Bulkhead and Bumblebee pulled in and let out their respective human charges, Optimus released Arcee just as his troops walked up with their humans. "Optimus, what's going on, what's wrong with Jack?" Bulkhead wasn't Jack's guardian, but after spending time with Miko and having spoken a few times with Jack, he had begun to develop a soft spot for humans, especially the three young ones team prime now watched over.
"Jack and Arcee were on a mission when they were attacked… by Airachnid." At the mention of that name, both Bulkhead and Bumblebee went wide eyed. "Airachnid is on Earth!?" Bumblebee spoke in Cybertronian. "I am afraid so, she nearly killed Arcee and Jack both, it was only that Jack was able to draw her attention and fought her himself, destroying her ship in the process, that gave Arcee time to get keep them both safe."
Optimus gave great praise to Jack for his quick thinking that likely saved both his and Arcee's lives. "Looks like Jack is more like 'Wolf' then we realized." Bulkhead spoke with a small smile on his face. Arcee looked over at the Med Bay door and spoke up. "We think some shrapnel from when Airachnid's ship blew up shot into Jack, it's…"
At this point Arcee's optics were clenched tightly shut and she, to the shock of everyone, was beginning to let loose a few energon tears. At this sight, Bulkhead and Bumblebee went silent with their heads lowered. Suddenly, Rafael spoke up for the first time since his and Miko's arrivals. "How bad is Jack's condition Optimus?" Both Raf and Miko looked up to Optimus with fear in their eyes; even though they were still very young, and they all were very different children, Rafael and Miko looked up to Jack as they would to an older brother.
Optimus felt his spark ache at the sight of such young beings in pain as he answered the given question. "According to Ratchet's scans, one of the shards is dangerously close to puncturing one of Jack's vital organs. Mrs. Darby is in the Med Bay with a human medical team working on removing the shards as we speak." At this, Miko ran over to Bulkhead with her arms wrapped around herself and her head down; Raf was in a similar state in that he walked over to Bumblebee, who in turn kneeled down to put a gentle hand down on the floor beside the young boy.
Arcee waited with the team for what felt like hours until June came out of the Med Bay with a tired look on her face, Arcee was the first to bolt over to the elder Darby and before she even had a chance to ask about Jack's condition, Junes hand shot up in a motion to remain silent. "Jack's fine, he'll have some new scars from the ordeal but he'll make a full recovery." Everyone in the room let out a sigh of great relief, but it was short lived as June continued. "Now I think it's time for an explanation on what all of this is about."
Enter huge fragging sigh of relief here. Jack lives to tell the tale of his encounter with Airachnid; but it will not be the last time the two face off. Will get the next chapter up soon. Until then, TRANSFORM AND ROLL OUT!