Cover Me
By Black Dragon Queen
Author's Note: Once again, I do apologize because it is yet another slow chapter. I'm sorry. As I stated on my profile, I'm going through the outline trying to figure out how many more chapters there are left in this monster. (It's actually harder than you think!) Plus I updated my Profile so please let me know if the changes are better! (Does anyone even look at my profile?)
NOTICE 9/22: I'm just learning that for some reason or another, the majority of my readers did not receive the "update notice". I do apologize for this. When I uploaded this chapter my own "alert" appeared in my e-mail and I thought everything was working properly. When I looked at my story stats however, even though this chapter does appear, the last update is still reading the 13th. This has been the second week this has happened so I will see what I can do for next Monday (though I doubt there is much I can do considering). I apologize for this again! The only suggestion I can give you is to check the chapter status as opposed to the date on Monday or Tuesday depending on your location. -bows- Thank you for your understanding. ~The Black Dragon Queen
Chapter One Hundred Fifty Three: Ups and Downs
The ARC was completely silent, just as it had been for the past few centuries since first arriving on the planet known as "Earth". The only difference now however was that it was no longer unoccupied as the group of Cybertronions and Humans alike crowded within the bridge all just stared at the lone mech still seated on the floor in various ranges of stunned shock. No one said a word as they all tried to comprehend the latest surprise to befall them.
"-Please issue new command Captain Barricade,-" a voice suddenly pierced through the stillness. Sam thought that Teletraan's voice sound rather a bit put out even though no one else really seemed to notice.
"How in the pit did I become captain?" Barricade yelped instead. "What the slag?"
"Wheeljack?" Optimus asked turning towards his engineer. "Any ideas?"
Wheeljack's optics flickered off and on momentarily before Wheeljack shrugged. "Perhaps when Barricade slammed his fist on the panel, the shock to the circuits after being frozen for so long caused them to refer back to their original start up program and recognized the closest Decepticon."
"You really think so?" Jazz asked curiously as he held out a hand to help the 'Con up off the floor.
"I don't know," Wheeljack huffed as he walked towards the nearest terminal and started hitting random keys. "I won't unless I run a full diagnostic on the thing." He paused for a moment. "And I don't have access!"
"Well what do you want me to do about it?" Barricade huffed as the 'Bots all turned to look at him expectantly.
"If you're new captain, you can give him access," Ratchet drawled as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Wonderful," Barricade sighed.
"Barricade's captain now?" Will asked surprised as he tried his best to follow the conversation around him as it was held in both English and Cybertronion.
"Apparently," Ironhide shrugged looking rather amused by the whole thing. "Seems' he got a promotion in life. Congratulations 'Cade."
"But I don't want to be captain!" Barricade yelped in frustration ignoring Ironhide's blatant use of his nickname. "What would I want with a giant ship stuck in the wasteland of the Arctic?"
"Hey, this is a good thing. This way we don't have to wait for Shockwave," Buzzsaw chuckled.
"Yeah, you should be happy about this!" Laserbeak laughed. "Your ship means you can allow whomever you want in it!"
Barricade stopped himself before launching into whatever argument he was about to begin. "You know…"
"Barricade," Optimus said warningly.
"Well you heard the computer Prime. I am captain," Barricade grinned evilly.
"You wouldn't!" Perceptor gasped horrified.
"He would," Soundwave sighed.
Barricade grinned darkly before he spoke. "Teletraan Two, my first order as captain is…" Everyone held their breaths. "…for all living beings on this ship to have full access to any and all area of this ship."
"-Acknowledged. Beginning scanning…-"
All the Autobots stared at the 'Con in stunned surprise. "Oh you guys are too easy to mess with," Barricade snickered. "Besides, I don't want the responsibly of a whole slagging ship; too much paperwork for my taste."
"I hear you there," Optimus chuckled in agreement.
"Could someone please tell us what the slag is going on?" Epps huffed annoyed at being left out of the loop. "Is Barricade captain or not?"
"He is," Jazz snickered. "And he's given us all access to the ARC."
"But what did the computer mean by 'scanning'?"
Sideswipes answer came in the form of a sudden whirling sound and all the mechs jumped as a tiny door slid open and a small spherical orb with large panels coming out either side appeared and began going to each mech one by one. "Here's your answer," Barricade drawled as a light suddenly emanated from the floating orb and methodically scanned Soundwave beside him. Soundwave looked less than impressed but the floating device had already moved onto Ravage and then Jazz before catching Laserbeak before the bird could take off.
"What is that thing?" Ron asked curiously as he watched the object move from mech to mech.
"It's a data collector," Wheeljack said in awe as he stared at the floating orb as it moved about the room scanning everyone. "I haven't seen one of those since Tyger Pax! And this one is a model I've never seen!"
"It looks like a one of those old eighties satellites," Steve chuckled before he broke off into a surprise yelp as the yellow light suddenly washed over him as well as Eddie beside him. "Why is it scanning me?"
Sam wondered that himself as he squinted when the light soon made its way over himself and Sunny respectively before it moved on to scan Will and Epps still on the control panel. He glanced over at the black and white 'Con curiously for an answer. "Sorry," Barricade said though he sounded anything but. "I wasn't exactly specific in my instructions."
"-Scanning complete,-" Teletraan's voice came over the speakers again. "-Scanner reports data errors in scan. Multiple non-Cybertronion based life forms. Please approve access ability before continuing.-"
"Yeah, yeah. Grant 'em access," Barricade waved off before anyone else could say anything.
"-Command recorded. Accessing granted to nine non-Cybertronion entities and twenty one Cybertronions.-"
"There's not that many of us here!" Optimus said with a frown as he began to do a head count of those around him. There was a non-subtle "ahem" and Optimus glanced at where Ironhide had his hands over Sunny and Jazz's heads pointing downward ignoring the glares the two sent his way. "Oh, right," Optimus nodded as he threw a quick glance at Ratchet.
The medic frowned as he was now the main focus of all his teammates. "What?" he snapped irritably as he tried to figure out why the four were staring at him. Even Barricade was giving him a smug look. Jazz and Ironhide simply laughed as Optimus brought up a hand to smother his own chuckles. Bumblebee just shrugged at the other yellow mech helplessly. "You're all idiots and see if I don't deactivate you before we go," Ratchet grumbled, his arms crossing over his chest in annoyance.
"Ratchet!" Wheeljack gasped horrified as he stared at his partner in shock. "You don't mean that!"
"Oh yes I do," Ratchet growled.
Wheeljack looked as if he was going to say more and even Prowl looked as if he was about to make a comment when there was a boisterous laugh. "Oh he's just kidding," Ironhide snickered as he clamped a hand on Wheeljack's shoulder. "He would never do such a thing to his good friends."
"See if I wouldn't," Ratchet growled but the corner of his mouth twitched up in the hint of a smile.
"Not likely," Optimus smirked before he turned to Barricade. "Can you ensure that Teletraan won't allow any other access?"
Barricade shrugged. "I'll give it a go. Teletraan Two, only allow those with full clearance to access the ARC itself. Do not allow any and all non-authorized Cybertronions entry whatsoever."
There was a pause before the machine spoke again. "-Order confirmed. Only allowing those present full and complete access.-"
Barricade nodded in satisfaction as he turned to ask Optimus, rather scathingly, if he approved. What he didn't expect was Optimus looking at him rather thoughtfully. "Are you sure you don't want to be captain?" Optimus asked him quickly. "Because you would be very good at it."
Barricade sent him a vicious glare. "Hell no!"
"But you're moving up in the world," Ironhide chuckled. "Who doesn't want that?"
"I didn't even want to be commander! I hate paperwork!" and this statement was accompanied by a full body shudder as the mech trembled as if at the mere thought.
"Baby," Jazz snickered. "A little paperwork never killed anyone."
"Oh really?" Prowl drawled, a triumphant grin on his face as he stared down at his now frozen husband.
"Err… I think I should go check on the Energon Cubes," Jazz said quickly as he practically leapt off the arm rest of the chair he'd been sitting on. "Make sure that you guys stacked them correctly."
Perceptor frowned at him slightly puzzled. "Of course they're properly secured. We are quite capable of-"
"He's already gone Perceptor," Ironhide snickered as the main doors slid closed behind in the other mech's wake.
Perceptor frowned but Optimus was already getting up out of his own chair. "It's been a long day," he announced with a sigh. "And we still need to get everything back to the hangers."
"But what about the ARC?" Prowl asked with a frown. "Is the lock down going to be sufficient? What if Starscream and the other return without our knowledge?"
"He's got a point."
"Would you stop that?" Optimus growled angrily at the mech to his left. Ironhide just shrugged un-repented. Optimus just sighed as he turned to Soundwave. "Do you think we could make a link up with ARC from here to California?"
Soundwave tilted his head slightly to the left as he thought about it. "Possible," he began slowly. "However one would think that it would be best to ensure that we had a link up from Teletraan to the computer Wheeljack provided." Wheeljack jerked upright as the 'Con turned to address him personally. "Would it be possible to uplink Teletraan with the computer you designed?"
Wheeljack just stared at the 'Con for a long moment before he glanced over at Optimus. The Autobot leader tilted his own head and simply waited for his answer. "Well…" Wheeljack began hesitantly. "That depends. If I could get a router we should be able to access Teletraan remotely."
"Oh, like wireless internet," Miles said with a large grin.
"Um… in a sense," Wheeljack nodded.
"Hmm," Optimus hummed aloud. "Will you need to construct one yourself?"
"That should not be necessary. Teletraan should have one available," Wheeljack informed him.
"Good," Optimus grinned. He waited a moment. "Are you going to ask for it or…?"
Wheeljack startled. "Oh, right."
"All right then," Optimus began as he turned towards the other occupants of the bridge. "I believe we should follow Jazz's lead and begin getting ready to head back to base. Sunny, do you know if you needed any help with whatever furniture you found?"
"Not really," Sunny shook his head. "Aside from the stools Jazz found, I only found some Data Pad cabinets."
"Really?" Optimus was suddenly right in front of the yellow Lamborghini, an excited glint in his optics. "Where'd you find them? How many were there? Three drawers or two? Ironhide! Help us with the cabinets!"
Barricade looked over at the group of mechs conversing by the captain's chair. Miles looked a bit claustrophobic from where he was seated in Sideswipes hand but Sam looked completely at ease as he listened to the group surrounding him. With a small frown he glanced over at the Autobot scout who was all the way on the other side of the room, furthest away from the yellow twin as he could. He wasn't surprised to see that 'Bee's gaze was also riveted on Sam.
"You will have to give us the full story at a later date," a flat voice came up behind him.
"Yeah, I really put my foot in it," Barricade sighed.
"Your feet look fine to me," Ravage said with a frown as he looked at the limbs in question.
Barricade resisted the urge to snap at the smaller 'Con and after a moment wondered why he would bother. "It's a human expression moron," Barricade snarled. "Primus, you guys have to go to those sites I sent you."
"Cultural differences aside," Soundwave continued with a pointed gaze. "How did you let your guard down long enough to 'put your foot in it' as you say?"
Barricade surprised the other 'Cons when he lit up in a wide grin. Turning, he smirked up at Soundwave. "Do you think you'll be able to carry a few things for me back to California?" he asked the surprised communications officer. "Barrels for instance?"
"Of what?" Rumble asked suspiciously.
Barricade just smirked triumphantly as Optimus made the announcement that everyone should begin heading outside to help transport the Energon cubes. "You'll see."
"So how in the world are we going to get them back to the hangers?" Perceptor asked an hour later when everyone was gathered around the remaining stacks of Energon cubes. "We can only fit so much in the trailer."
Optimus sighed as he looked over the stacks and started making calculations. He glanced at the trailer that was amazingly already filled to capacity with only a third of the cubes they had collected. "Slag," he muttered.
"We can't leave the cubes here all nicely stacked for Starscream if he wants to do another fly by," Ironhide said with a snarl. "If he wants Energon, he should mine it himself."
"As the Energon could be used as a potential bargaining chip, I would think it best that Starscream refrained from acquiring a supply of his own."
"He probably won't," Barricade told the other patrol car. "Since he's seen us here he probably thinks the whole area is secure."
"And it is secure correct?" Prowl asked with a small frown.
"Of course it's secure," Barricade drawled. "I gave Teletraan specific instructions! You should know as you were there!"
"Indeed," Optimus nodded thoughtfully. "The ARC is a secure a place as any."
"But wouldn't it be better to take the whole kit and kaboodle back to California?" Jazz asked with a small frown.
"Whole what?" Perceptor asked curiously.
"We'll tell you later," Ratchet told him quickly before he too addressed Optimus. "It would make more sense to just lug it all back now since we're already here."
"Plus it would save us from having to drive all the way back up here if any more mechs arrive," Ironhide added.
Optimus still looked doubtful when a soft voice spoke up from his left. "We really only need to get it back to the Gauntlet," Bumblebee told the older mech. "I'm sure Keller would be able to handle transport from there as the Energon doesn't seem to be affecting the humans in any way."
"The kid has a-"
"Don't say it," Optimus, Ratchet and Jazz all yelped.
Ironhide just grinned as Will and Epps bust out into laughter. "But he does," Ironhide protested with a laugh.
"Indeed," Prowl drawled as he glanced at the younger Autobot who had already taken a large step back. He frowned and glanced at Jazz questioningly but his smaller husband shook his head. Prowl decided it best to file the information away for later scrutiny as he continued on. "It would be best to have a ready supply at headquarters for the arrival of any others."
"Especially considering some mech's condition," Ratchet agreed with a jerk of his thumb in the direction of the Lambo's.
Sunstreaker could only shrug when Optimus glanced at him. "I can't help it."
"Quite," Ratchet agreed.
"So anyone with any ideas on how we get them back?" Optimus asked the group at large.
"It's too risky to transport them in our alt modes on the ice," Wheeljack declared with a frown.
There was a long moment of silence as everyone tried their best to think up a way to get the cubes from point A to point B. Sideswipe glanced around apprehensively before he started to tentatively raise his hand. "I think I have an idea."
"I HATE ALL AUTOBOTS!" Ravage cried out in pure loathing as he trudged through the snow an hour later.
"Trust me, you're not the only one who does at this moment," Rumble growled from where he was walking next to the black cat.
"You have to admit it was the best solution," Soundwave spoke calmly.
"I am not a- What did you call it again?"
"'P-p-pack h-h-horse," Frenzy chuckled as he picked his way around the ice and snow.
"Right, I am not a pack horse!" Ravage snarled as he had to pause once again in order to dislodge the slab of sheet metal from the uneven ice once again.
Frenzy just chuckled and lowered his own cable as he helped his teammate. "But it wor-wor-works," the other 'Con laughed.
Ravage just started snarling as he continued on, the makeshift sled behind him. After a quick raid of the ARC once again, now that everyone had access to the storage units, the mechs were able to create some rather decent size sleds. Using some of the extra cabling they were able to secure the cubes to the bases and everyone was ready to go. Ironhide and Optimus took responsibility for the trailer the later one pulling while the former pushed grumbling all the while.
Eddie and Knight were set on top of the trailer so the mechs could have their hands free with the load, trying their best not to slide off the flat top. Ravage was hoping at least one would for entertainment purposes. He particularly hoped it was Knight. Will, Epps, the teens and their fathers meanwhile were recruited in steadying the larger stacks of Energon on the sleds. Sunstreaker still refused point blank about allowing Sam anywhere near Barricade or Bumblebee and Ratchet didn't want the expecting mechs to pull heavy loads so Sam found himself taking the trip with Sideswipe, explaining to the Lambo nearly the whole two hour movie of Jurassic Park. Every so often Miles, who was steadying the load Wheeljack was pulling, would add a detail or two.
Will meanwhile was conversing with Prowl about what only Primus knew and Epps seemed to be having a time of it trying to steady the large stack that Perceptor was hauling as the mech continually stopped suddenly only to go again as he watched the various stacks of Energon for any possible leakage. Ron it seemed was trying to get 'Bee to join him in a conversation with little luck while Barricade looked more than just a bit annoyed as Steve it seem wouldn't stop talking about the day's events.
Ravage huffed as he turned back around and began heading once again towards the Sector Seven base they were currently using. "First chance I get I'm going into recharge," the feline snarled as he pulled the sled up a small incline only to yelp as the momentum caused the sled to slid almost right by him, yanking the cat off his feet as the harness tugged at him wildly.
"Aw come on Ravage," Buzzsaw chuckled as he landed on the top cube of the cat's haul. "It's not that far! Only a few more miles to go!"
"Slag off you!" Ravage bit back as he clambered back to his feet. "Slag it! I'm caught!"
"N-n-now, n-n-now," Frenzy giggled manically as he once again went to the cats aid. "P-p-play n-n-nice ch-ch-children."
"What is a 'children'?" Ravage shouted in frustration as the straps were finally untangled and he was once again standing on all fours.
"'Child'," Rumble corrected absently having already had this conversation with Frenzy once before when he had been called "childish" on more than one occasion.
"Whatever," Ravage growled. "Are we there yet?"
"NO!" Rumble and Frenzy shouted back.
"Having fun are we?" Jazz asked with a small laugh, his own sled of eight cubes following obediently behind him.
"Speak for yourself," Rumble huffed as he moved his main hauling cable from one shoulder to the other.
"Barrels of laughs," Laserbeak drawled amused.
"Speaking of… What's in those anyway?" Jazz asked curiously as he looked at the four barrels at the end of Soundwave's sled next to the two stools and one of three filing cabinets.
"S-s-stuff," Frenzy replied cheekily.
"Do I want to know?" Jazz asked Soundwave in a stage whisper.
"I have found it best in my experience that it is better for one's health not to ask," Soundwave replied indifferently.
"Truer words were never spoken," Ratchet chuckled as he came over with his own sled of Energon and one of the remaining cabinets.
Jazz looked at the larger load pointedly before he gave Ratchet an unimpressed look. "Shouldn't you be following your own advice?" he drawled with a firm if teasing look.
Ratchet's back immediately went straight and his optic's darkened as he frowned at Jazz. "I assure you I have absolutely no idea what you're speaking of." Ratchet tried his best to sound convincing but none of the mechs around him were fooled.
"Suit yourself," Jazz said with a small lift of one shoulder. "You're the medic, not me."
"Yeah, but who medicates the medic?" Rumble muttered under his breath.
"That would be Optimus' decision as Autobot leader," Soundwave answered without thought.
"What would be his decision?" Jazz asked surprised as he looked from Soundwave to the smaller 'Cons and back again. "What are we all talking about?"
"On whether or not I can eat some rather annoying flight mechs!" Ravage snarled as he looked back over his shoulder at the two forms perched on the top of the stack. "Get off the cubes this thing is heavy enough as it is!"
Jazz snickered as he waved a free hand at the birds, forcing them the take to the air or be smacked off of their perch. "Spoil sport," Buzzsaw huffed as he glared down at the surly cat.
Laserbeak just laughed. "Race you to the base?"
"You're on!"
"At least take a cube you good for nothing-!" Ravage's snarl broke off as the two birds were quickly out of sight. "Slag it!"
Conversation behind them stilled as the mechs watched the abrupt departure of Soundwave's two flight subordinates. "What'd we miss?" Sideswipe called out curiously as he looked from where the birds had gone before back at the small group.
"Nothing!" Jazz called back in a sing-song voice.
"Slag," Rumble huffed as he swapped shoulders again. "Aren't we there yet?"
Frenzy just snickered but soon enough the optics darkened and after ensuring that the medic's attention was elsewhere, glanced in the direction of the two Lamborghini twins and the human with them. 'S-s-so what do y-y-you think happened?' Frenzy's broken voice asked curiously within his own head.
'I do not know,' Megatron responded slowly. 'But I intend to find out.'
Frenzy could only make a small noise of agreement. They would get to the bottom of it one way or another.
-To Be Continued
Author's Note: No note. Please join us next time for One Hundred Fifty Four!