Still in the fight
Disclaimer: I do not in any way shape or form own Halo or Transformers Prime. They belong to their respective owners.
Author's note: Nothing really much to say here other than I hope you like the chapter.
Chapter 4: Deus Ex Machina
It's been a little over a week ever since the Dynamic Fusion Generation System, otherwise known as the D.F.G.S, was stolen from the United States Military and right now those that were responsible for its theft were currently still working on various projects in their newly established base of operations.
During the time between the stealing of the device and now, Six and Jewel managed to grab more deposits of various materials they needed such as titanium, steel, and modern day circuit boards. While the supply was large, it was not enough for them to build their own ship yet.
Luckily they managed to complete their modifications to the D.F.G.S that they stole about a week ago. It did not take too long to make the needed adjustments to it. Jewel had determined that the generator was now on par with the standards of UNSC power cores back in their own home dimension. Using some spare demolition charges, Maddox created an entrance into the underground cave system in order to store the device without having to compromise the bunker's and cave system's integrity. Then, he created an inner chamber at the bottom of the cave system in order to further hide it in the event anyone managed to bet into his new base.
Jewel continued to monitor United States government, military, and law enforcement channels, seeing if they were making any headway in discovering who stole their new prototype fusion power generator. Fortunately, the authorities still had no idea who stole their prototype as no chatter indicated they suspected Jewel and Six. Which was not surprising considering that Maddox and Jewel left no trace and indication that they were ever there.
She also managed to secure more funds for their use as they purchased more ammunition for their weapons such as H.E 40mm grenade rounds, white phosphorous grenades, flashbangs, frags, 50 caliber rounds, additional magazines, and 7.62 x 51mm NATO rounds, off the books of course. Jewel also managed to gather up modern day firearms such as the MP5s, M249 SAWs, AT4s, LAWs, M4A1s, M4s, M16, M203 underbarrel grenade launchers, as well as cases of 5.56mm rounds. Just in case if her Spartan needed it. While it was unlikely that they would need them, they would rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.
Furthermore, she used her remaining processing power to monitor various groups of interest such as the Decepticons and MECH. Keeping a close eye on them to keep tabs on what they were doing and potentially what they were up to. So far, everything was quiet. The Decepticons had not made any strikes yet and MECH was remaining silent, likely due to their attempts to steal the D.F.G.S, even if they weren't the ones that stole it.
Jewel had to admit, MECH intrigued her. While she still do not know much about their goals or what their endgame was yet, they still appeared to be very resourceful and capable considering they were being hunted by the government. Not to mention their goal of creating highly advanced tech was also something that she was very curious about.
Additionally, Maddox used spare plating made from titanium and steel to create improved combat barriers at various choke points inside of the bunker itself to improve its defenses. As well as retrofitted the doors so that they were controlled electronically and spray painted the outside doors so that it matched with the rock surface in the mountain and have it act as a way to keep those that were nosey out of his way as well as making sure that no one got the drop on him. Lastly, he installed modern, at least in this reality's, security cameras that were hidden as well as customed made advanced motion trackers, the same type used GEN-3 MJONIR armor, data was also coming in from a few hovering satellites in their area as well as Jewel hacking into all known local scanning systems. In addition, Six used spare wiring from various spare circuit boards to help spread power over the inside of the bunker, which would assist in any future projects they have planned.
This would help to give the bunker improved defenses and security as the Lieutenant could reinforce key points when he was needed as he had also installed in his new base of operations quick to access ladders that he personally built. Thanks to his augmentations which allowed him to only need to sleep four hours per day, he was able to get a lot more done than a normal person would.
"Six, I just received a message from the Autobot base, they are requesting that we meet up with them."
"What's it about?" The Spartan Lieutenant asked as he was welding together a casing for the ships outer hull.
"Apparently they found some kind of devastating weapon built by Ancient Autobots and they need to get it before the Decepticons do. They've asked for our help to do so."
After a few moments of silent pondering, Six answered. "Alright, let's see what we can do."
"It is indeed an Energon Harvester," Optimus said gravely as he pointed towards the orb in the picture to the assembled group." A powerful tool created by the ancients to remove raw Energon from any source. Whether it be previous unmineable or not"
"Greek Gods knew Autobots?" Raf asked out loud.
"No Rafael." Optimus explained. "The ancients would often use the art of any given era to conceal messages. This fresco was probably a signpost to indicate a Harvester's location."
Jack paled, as well as Miko and Raf.
"Uh, Optimus, if that Harvester can remove Energon from anything and you have all that Energon pumping inside you…" he trailed off.
"In Decepticon hands, the Harvester would be a devastating weapon." Optimus finished as he agreed.
Miko turned to Bulkhead. "See Bulk? You were a genius to total that painting." She reassured him.
"Miko's not wrong," Arcee agreed." How can the Cons locate it without th-"
"Perhaps through the high-speed internet." Jewel interrupted." I've already located it in a museum here." She brought up a picture of the Harvester in the hand of a Greek statue onto the main screen for everyone to see.
"Is that the real deal?" Arcee asked Optimus.
Optimus only turned to Ratchet in response. "Contact Agent Fowler." He instructed.
Unfortunately, they were only able to get in touch with his answering machine. "You've reached Special Agent Willian Fowler. I'm currently on an intensive training retreat and unavailable until Tuesday."
"I hate talking to machines." Ratchet groaned out loud, missing the barely hidden glare that Jewel sent in his direction.
"Without Agent Fowler's direct aid, we will have no choice but to secure and confiscate the Harvester on our own." Optimus declared.
"H-Hold on, confiscate. As in steal museum property." Jack asked in disbelief.
"That sounds….illegal," Raf stated hesitantly.
"I do not wish to break human law. But once the Decepticons uncover the Harvesters location. They will not hesitate to acquire it by any means necessary. We will need to act covertly." Optimus said.
The kids glanced at each other warily.
"Optimus, with all due respect, robots and stealth don't really go well together. Museums are out in public, in the open." Jack pointed out.
"And they have guards." Raf added. "And security cameras."
"Perhaps we can be of assistance." Jewel said aloud." Six and I have experience in retrieval of personnel and equipment from out of sight before. For us, this should be a cakewalk." She offered.
"Yeah, plus we can help too!" Miko jumped in excitedly.
Jewel and Six gave her a hard look. "I'm afraid that would be unwise. You have no military training and no experience in extraction missions. You would just be a liability in the field." Jewel stated firmly.
Just before Miko started to protest, Bulkhead chipped in. "Miko, I think that would be the best option. Six is a soldier, which means he has experience on the battlefield." Bulkhead stated, most likely out of concern for her safety considering he was her guardian.
"Indeed Bulkhead," Optimus said. "The longer we debate. The more time we give the Decepticons to steal the Harvester."
Miko still looked unhappy, however, she said nothing else as she leaned against the railing.
"Jewel, make sure she doesn't do anything stupid." Six instructed his partner.
"You got it Lieutenant." She said in confirmation.
About ten minutes later, the Autobots were in position at the Museum's entrances and exits. " / Six, Jewel, I will have a clear visual of you. Once you secure the Harvester, I will contact Ratchet to bridge you back to base. / "
"Since you will bypass all points of normal entry, you won't have to worry about setting off any alarms. But be mindful of any security guards." Ratchet warned.
Six nodded towards him as he checked his suppressed M40 assault rifle as well as his M6C/SOCOM before stepping on a scissor lift. Just before the groundbridge opened up, Jewel spoke to him.
"I will hack into the museums security cameras and make it play a continuous loop every seven minutes. You'll be able to move right in front of them without the cameras picking you up. Still, I recommend you move fast."
Six flashed in light in acknowledgement before he activated the lift and drove it through the groundbridge. Not long later, he arrived in the museum and was outside of camera sight.
" / Got visual on the objective. / " Six radioed in to Jewel.
" / Copy, cameras are down. Mission is a go. / "
Looking out of the window, he saw Optimus flashing his headlights towards him, giving him the all clear signal.
The Lieutenant moved the lift towards the statue before flipping a switch and pressing a button that resulted in it lifting him up to the golden orb. As soon as it was up, he jumped onto the statue and began to push the Harvester into the lift. while it would have been normally difficult if he was a normal human, his augmented strength allowed him to push the orb in within seconds. As soon as he lowered the lift back down to the ground, a voice came in on his helmet radio.
" / Be advised, / " Jewel's voice came through to everyone on the open channel." / I am detecting three Decepticon signatures inbound to your position, two coming in on the ground and one in the air. Estimated time of arrival is about two mikes, over. / "
" / Huh, what does that mean? I don't understand military terms! / " Miko's voice the channel came through as well.
" / That means two minutes. / " Jewel answered. Momentarily forgetting that she wasn't speaking to UNSC personnel.
" / Understood. / " Optimus replied. " / Ratchet open up a groundbridge for Six, he has acquired the Harvester. Autobots, make your way to the designated evac point. / "
By the time the Decepticons Knockout, Soundwave, and Breakdown arrived at the museum, the Autobots were already long gone. Along with the Harvester.
"With the Harvester in our possession, our ability to mine new sources of Energon has become much more efficient." Optimus announced to the group.
"Which means no more having to carry around cubes of refined Energon and having to physically mine it from deposits!" Bumblebee said excitedly.
"Still think we could have helped..." Miko muttered to herself. Looking disappointed at having to miss out on the prospect of going on a mission with the Autobots.
Seeing as how she was unhappy, Bulkhead chimed in. "Hey, don't be sad Miko. Tell you what, I'll take you to the monster truck rally you wanted to go to." He offered, prompting the foreign exchange student to forget what she was pouting about and immediately become excited again.
"It could also make a very effective weapon against the Decepticons as well. Having the ability to take away their life source should make skirmishes with them much more easier." Jewel said from her usual position from Six's hand.
Suddenly, everyone turned to face the duo in shock. As if they were stunned by what the artificial intelligence just suggested.
"What?" Jewel questioned as she and her Spartan partner glanced at each other. Wondering what exactly they said that was wrong.
"While I do not disagree that the Harvester could be a devastating weapon, I am reluctant to use its capabilities for warfare, rather than its original intended use, which was to mine previously unmineable Energon deposits." Optimus stated firmly.
"Optimus, with all due respect, in our experience if you have a weapon that could potentially give you an edge over the enemy, it is in your best interest to utilize it to the best of your ability. Seize the tactical advantage while you have the chance and wipe them all out if you have the opportunity to do so." Jewel replied.
"Jewel...you're talking about draining the Energon out of ever single Decepticon. The very thing that keeps Cybertronians alive." Jack said hesitantly.
"You make it sound like it's a bad thing." Six retorted coldly.
"Doing so would make us no better than the Decepticons. Just because we can do something doesn't mean we should do it." Arcee said
While Six and Jewel still did not agree with the Autobot's decision to not use the Harvester as a weapon, they understood that it was not their decision to make and that this was not their war. They couldn't tell the Autobots how to fight it and what to do with their artifacts. Therefore, they chose to let it go.
"Very well. It's your choice." Was all Jewel said before she requested Ratchet to open up a groundbridge to their new base and walking through it, not saying another word as they disappeared.
While Optimus went to place the Harvester in an available storage area with Ratchet, the Autobots began conversing with the humans who were standing in their assigned area.
"Seriously, Six and Jewel just give me the creeps. It's like every time I'm around them it suddenly becomes cold in the room." Jack said.
"What exactly do you think he was fighting back in his home dimension?" Miko questioned to the group.
"Do you think maybe we should ask him about it?" Raf suggested.
"They would probably just say something along the lines of 'classified', or 'secret', or something along those lines." Arcee stated
"Yeah, besides, Optimus told us not to pressure him into revealing his secrets to us." Bulkhead chimed in. "If he decides to let us know about how his humanity and reality are like, he'll do it when he's ready."
"Well, I just hope he makes his decision soon. I would love to know what his reality is like and how exactly he got such a cool suit of armor!" Miko said.
Author's note: So yeah, I hope I am doing better. I'm trying to make more changes and not just follow through on the events from the show. I hope these changes so far are good ones and that you guys enjoyed them.
Sorry, if this chapter does not have as much action as you were hoping for. I'll try to add more later.
Also, if you guys are interested in another story like this go check out "Different Realities" by Blue-Jay1009. He is creating his own Transformers prime and Halo crossover story so check him out if you want to read more.
As always, I hoped you guys liked this chapter and thanks again for reading. If you guys have any suggestions or ideas feel free to put it in a review.
Stay frosty gents.