Miko hung onto Jack as they where quickly driven to the edge of town. A revving noise drew her attention and she looked over as a yellow muscle car with black racing stripes pulled up next to them. The wheal was turning back and forth and no one was in the drivers seat as the car traveled along besides them.
A trill of excitement went though her and she grinned widely as she realized that it had to be another robot. Movement caught her eye from the back seat, she spotted a kid that was a couple years younger than them talking to himself or rather the car she knew. When he spotted them the young boy grinned and gave a small wave before the car took off and pulled in front of them. It pulled off the main road onto a dirt path that stretch on for a couple of miles into nowhere.
"So where are we going? A spaceship? A military base? Oh I know! A city that's behind some kind of high tech invisible force field! That's where you have all these weird advanced technology things that you fly around on and you also have things to use to wipe our memories right?!...You're not going to wipe our memories are you?!" Miko cried fearfully and tightened her grip on Jack's torso! Losing her memories was last thing that she needed to happen to her...Again! She had trouble enough trying to remember her old self before she had become 'Miko'.
Jack stiffened and glanced back at her like she was crazy, "And why exactly are we taking her?" He yelled over the nose of the wind whipping past. Miko huffed and glared back at him but he ignored her and turned back around to face ahead.
"Rules!" Was the only reply he got as they drove towards this large mountain.
They came to a crossroad and Miko expected them to turn, only they didn't! Her eyes got wide as they headed straight for the side of the mountain! "We're going to crash!" She cried. Jack screamed and tried to turn the handle bars uselessly.
"Relax!" The motorcycle said as the cliff face suddenly opened up at the last second. The yellow car and motorcycle drove into the tunnel at full speed. The doors closed behind them, hiding the place once again.
When the tunnel ended they slowed down and came into this humongous room! The ceiling was miles and miles away overhead and there was this huge support beam in the middle with cat walks connected to it that where human sized. Giant equipment and giant sofas/chairs/tables where scattered around and off to the side of the room. A larger giant pathway extended out into the wall face but seemed lead to nowhere. It had something that looked really similar to a stargate around it so it must have served some purpose.
"Wow!" Miko breathed out in amazement as she saw a giant red and white robot working at some type of control panel. He turned towards them at the sound of her voice and eyed them warily.
Her attention was drawn away as an even larger giant green robot walked in the room and approached them. They came to a stop in the middle of the room where some strange red metal face was fused to the floor.
Quickly they jumped off/out of the two robots that brought them here. They stood in the middle of the room looking around in amazement as the red and white robot walked over to the green one and said curiously, "I thought there were two?"
The female robot transformed answered him with a hand on her hip "Haven't you heard? Humans multiply." She deadpanned.
Miko shot the robot an unamused look but the sides of her moth where twitching. What did she think they where?! Rabbits?!
The younger boy introduced himself as Raff to the bots but she wasn't really paying attention. The huge green robot kept on staring at them, mostly her, before looking away nervously.
Grinning widely, she rushed over to the him excitedly. He was absolutely huge! She bet he could easily smash though a building without even trying. Ohh maybe he transformed into a wrecking crane! That would be wicked! Or maybe a bulldozer?!
He took a step back away from her at her approach, causing the ground to shake and make a thudding sound when his foot hit the ground. She steadied herself so as not to fall over from the unexpected small tremor and looked up at him in amazement.
He looked down at her with a worried/nervous expression but she ignored it. This bot just looked so cool! Much color than the others! Hurriedly, she pulled out her phone from her pocket. He looked at her curiously as she snapped a quick picture of him.
Feeling a thrill of excitement she put her phone away and exclaimed, "I'm Miko! Who are you?!"
"...Bulkhead." He answered seeming almost unsure of what to do with her presents.
"Are you a car? I bet you're a truck! A monster truck! Do you like heavy metal? How much do you weigh? Ever use a wrecking ball for a punching bag?" She asked him in a rush excitedly. She jabbed the air for emphasis at her last question while awaiting his answer but he just looked lost. He opened his mouth to speak but before he could answer her, Raff spoke up.
"So if you guys are robots, who made you?" Raff asked from behind her.
The red/white robot looked at them offensively before making a disgusted sound. "Pl~ease!" he growled in annoyance.
Miko scowled and was about make a smart comeback at the robots tone and also tell the kid that they were aliens when she got interrupted by a loud thudding metal sound that came from behind her. The ground trembled underneath her feet once again as she and the other teens quickly spun around.
Her eyes got wide as she looked up higher and higher until she saw the face of a new red/blue/silver robot that was even taller than Bulkhead! This had to be the Optimus Prime that Arcee had mentioned! He deftly fit the leader type look! Quickly she ran over to the two boys who were standing in front of the largest bot.
Optimus looked down at them and said a seriously deep voice that rattled Miko to her bones. "We are autonomous robotic organisms from the planet Cybertron. Also known as Autobots."
Jack took a step forward and approached the largest robot making her feel impressed by his bravery. Even she felt slightly nervous with being next to such large beings, this one being the tallest yet! Jack didn't show any fear though and seemed unafraid. He looked up at Optimus like their size difference didn't mean anything, "Why are you hear?" He asked in a slightly awestruck voice. Well that was one thing Miko had been wondering since her bike ride with Arcee...Speaking of Arcee, she was standing off to the side and was watching Jack's reaction closely with interest.
"To protect your planet. From the Decepticons", Optimus simply replied. Decepticons? Who where they Miko wondered. She scrunched up her nose in distaste. If there name indicated anything, they must be some kind of bullies/bad guys or something.
"The jokers who tried to bump us off last night", Arcee finally spoke up. Miko looked confused but Jack nodded his head in acknowledgement. Hmmm so Jack had already met these 'Decepticons'? Sounded like a bad encounter too! Yup definitely they must be some kind of bad guys!
"Ok, well then why are they here?", Jack asked as he looked back to Optimus.
Optimus knelt down in front of them as he said seriously, "A fair question Jack. In part they are here because our planet is uninhabitable, ravaged by centuries of civil war." Those words and the saddened look in Optimus' eyes made all of Miko's excitement all but deflate on the spot.
That was horrible...Yet their own world would soon be heading into the same direction of they didn't work things out between themselves with all the fighting.
"Why were you fighting a war?", Raff asked quietly. Good question, Miko thought.
Optimus' eyes drifted towards Raff, making the boy nervously shift on his feet under the bots intense gaze. Optimus's expression softened slightly before he shifted his focus back to Jack. "Foremost, over control of our world's supply of energon, the fuel and lifeblood of all Autobots and Decepticons alike." He explained "The combat was fierce and endured for centuries. In the beginning, I fought alongside one whom I considered a brother. But in war, Ideals can be corrupted and it was thus...that Megatron lost his way."
Jack looked confused and asked the question that was on all they're minds "So, what does Megatron or any of this have to do with us?"
"Megatron has not been seen nor herd from in some time. But if his return is imminent, as I fear, it could be catastrophic", Optimus said as he got to his feet. All three of them backed up slightly, still feeling a bit unsettled with something so large moving before them. Optimus continued, "Since you now know of our existence, I fear that as of last night, the Decepticons know of yours."
"Got it! If we spot any strange vehicles, call 911." Jack simplified. "Can we go now?"
You! Have! Got! To! Be! Kidding! Me! Miko's jaw felt like it hit the floor as her head whipped towards Jack. Even Raff was giving Jack a sideways disbelieving glance. "Are you insane?! I'm living a dream here in 'Bot'-Swanna!", She yelled.
This had to be the most amazing thing that had ever happened on Earth and Jack just wanted to walk out the door?! She pointed a finger in front of Jacks face, "And I will not allow you or anyone else to shatter it!" She added for good measure. Jack scowled at her and seemed like he was about to argue.
Optimus spoke up before a fight broke out among them, "It is best if you three remain under our watch. At least until we can determine our enemies' intentions." Miko smirked at Jack triumphantly. He glared back at her but she quickly looked away and pretended to be interested in something else just like he had done to her. Jack fumed quietly as he got even more aggravated at her.
The red/white robot turned to Optimus with a serious expression, "Optimus, with all due respect, the human children are in as much danger here as anywhere." He said as he glanced down between the three of them and Optimus.
"Children!" Jack exclaimed, Miko glared at the red/white bot, and Raff also looked unhappy but shrugged it off. They were all at least almost seventeen/eighteen!...Ok maybe Raff was lacking a few years but he was close!
Ratchet ignored their scowls and continued speaking, "They have no protective shell! If they where to get underfoot, they will go squish!" He raised his foot slightly and slammed it down, making the ground quake. They all jumped back in alarm at the loud and sudden movement. Raff bumped into Miko and she felt him shudder, making her look at him with concern. Ratchet grimaced and looked slightly guilty when he saw their scared and startled expressions after his emphasis.
Optimus looked between them and the red/white bot with a concerned but determined look, "Then for the time being Ratchet, we must watch where we step." Optimus tried to reason.
Miko put her hands on her hips and stuck out her tongue at Ratchet. He looked thoroughly disgusted and glared back at her. When he opened his mouth to snap at her, a loud alarm started blaring, cutting off any chance of her hearing his rant. The ear piercing noise made Miko and the other two grimaced. They to put their hands over there ears to block out the loud noise "Can't you turn that thing off?!" Miko yelled.
The room flashed green and the noise continued to blare loudly. "What is that?" Jack tried to yell above the noise.
Optimus walked over to a panel and pushed some buttons. All three of them gave a sigh of relief when the noise finally stopped. The yellow bot beeped in response while gesturing to a giant screen seeming to be trying to answer Jacks question. All he got where confused looks from both Jack and Miko though.
"He said it's a proximity sensor. Someone's up top!" Raff popped up.
Miko raised an eyebrow and looked at him in with a strange expression, "So now you suddenly speak robot?" She asked in slight disbelief.
"Ah w-well I-I guess so. I-I mean I never have before but since I first meet him, whenever h-he talks, I can just understand him." He looked away nervously as he shuffled his feet.
"...Well in any case, its useful." Jack said as he stepped slightly in front of Raff to protect him from her behavior. He glared at Miko as she rolled her eyes. She saw no harm in her question.
Their attention turned back to Ratchet, who was typing on a large control panel, when he stated unhappily "Its Agent Fowler." He said sounding even more dismayed than when talking about the three of them.
"I thought we were the only humans who knew about you guys?" Jack asked looking at all of them confused.
Optimus turned around and shook his head, "Special Agent Fowler is our designated liaison to the outside world. As he tends to visit only when there are...issues...It may be best if you do not meet him at this time. Bulkhead, maybe it would be best if you show our visitors a tour of the base while the rest of us discuss...things with Agent Fowler."
Bulkhead looked down at them warily before straightening in determination "Sure, no problem boss! Common you three, I'll show you where the wreck room is."
Hurriedly, Miko ran after the bot. She was curious at to what the base would look like. She jogged along besides Bulkhead down the corridor as the other two humans followed slowly behind. They where shown the medbay, the bots quarters (although they didn't enter them, they were only shown the hallway doors) some storage rooms, and finally the wreck room. They were beginning to get tired from exploring the humongous place, it was so large that they hadn't even covered all of it! Bulkhead suggested that they take a brake before seeing the rest of the base. Since Bulkhead didn't have to work ten times has they did just to walk down the hallways not to mention all their exploring with each room they went in.
Bulkhead sat down on a giant metal couch fitted more towards the bots size. The two boys went over and sat down under a giant table to rest against the tables leg. Miko was left standing there unsure what to do Jack and Raff began talking about what had happened today. They didn't seem to eager with Miko joining them so she instead ran over to the couch. Grabbing onto the side and she found that she was able scale it with all the dents and seams that it had in it. The texture was strange, she knew it was metal but at the same time it felt slightly soft and she was able to grip it a bit.
When she was halfway up Bulkhead suddenly exclaimed, "Miko! What are you doing?!"
"What dose it look like?" She pulled herself up higher "I'm climbing up there to-" She panted "-sit with you."
"...Well be carful will you." He replied nervously. She grunted in affirmation and kept climbing. Finally, after what felt like forever, she made it to the top and flopped herself down tiredly.
"Are you ok?" Bulkhead asked as he looked down at her with concern. She gave him a thumbs up as tried to catch her breath. A confused look came across his face before he shrugged it off, "I'll take it that's a yes." He said and relaxed slightly. She could tell that he was still tense though.
She sat up when she felt like she could finally breath properly again, "So how long have you guys been here?" She asked.
"Only about three Earth months, maybe more." Bulkhead replied "We didn't really bother to keep track of the days when we first got here, not with the cons chasing our tail pipes as soon as we touched down. We would still be running and dodging if we hadn't accidentally run into Agent Follower. It was about a month ago that we were able to get a stable base of operations set up so that we didn't have to watch our backs all the time." Bulkhead replied.
She couldn't image what that must have be like. It sounded harder than being forced to move from her parents home. "Wasn't it hard living like that, not having a place to call a temporary home and all?"
"Well yes and no." He said looking a bit sad. "We've been fighting this war for...a long time. We're use to it." Miko frowned in concern but then Bulkhead suddenly perked up, "But the upside is that we gave the cons a run for their credits as many times as they had us running ourselves." Bulkhead laughed causing Miko to smile. When he stopped laughing he smiled at her and asked "...What about you? -Er what I mean is that you don't seem like those two humans over there. I know I'm no expert on human languages but you seem to have a slight accent that sounds different from the way those two talk. Are you not from Jasper?"
"Your right, I'm not from around here." She smiled happily "Actually I'm not even from this country! I'm from Japan!..." She said excitedly but her smile quickly faded and she looked away as she remembered the reason she was here. "My foster parents sent me over here because they thought...it would be good for me." She finished quietly.
Bulkhead was silent for a moment as he stared at her. "Is that a bad thing?" He finally asked.
Miko shrugged "I...haven't decided yet." Smiling a bit, she looked up at him, "You guys defiantly make the place one hundred percent better though" Bulkhead smiled at that. "So~ You never did tell me what kind of vehicle you turn into?" she asked curiously.
Bulkheads eyes lite up brighter in excitement, "A hummer! Those things fits my frame perfectly! Its sturdy and can go off road easily. And its also perfect for running over Decepticon scum whenever I need to!"
Miko laughed, she would love to see that! "Awesome! Hummers can be beats when you drive them right! If we ever get the chance you'll have to take me dune bashing sometime! I bet you would have a blast at that!"
He looked confused and opened his mouth to reply but then paused. He looked away from her and held his hand up to where his ear would be. Miko watched him feeling slightly confused herself as he seemed to be listing to something. It only confused her further when Bulkhead nodded then stood up. "Ok you three, Optimus said that Fowler is gone so we can head back on in to the command center. He wants to discuss some more things with you lot."
Jack and Raff quickly stood up they began walking towards the door while Miko carefully scaled down the couch. When her feet touched the floor she heard Bulkhead let out a small sigh of relief. She smiled up at him and gestured to the door "So we going or what?"
He rolled eyes "Don't wait on my account." Miko laughed as ran to the door, Bulkhead treaded along behind her.
Blooper -
Feeling a thrill of excitement she put her phone away and exclaimed, "I'm Miko! Who are you?!"
"...Bulkhead." He answered seeming almost unsure of what to do with her presents.
"Are you a car? I bet you're a truck! A monster truck! Do you like heavy metal? How much do you weigh? Ever use a wrecking ball for a punching bag?" She asked him in a rush excitedly. She jabbed the air for emphasis at her last question while awaiting his answer but he just looked lost. He opened his mouth to speak but before he could answer her sparks began to come out of his head. He glitched a few times before falling over on his back.
"Bulkhead!" Ratchet screamed. Everyone rushed over to Bulkheads side.
She looked up at everyone with wide innocent eyes "Oops! Did I do that?"
Hay again! So not to different from the series yet. Miko and Bulkhead had to meet first. Hopefully things will move along quickly now.