Authors Note- And here I am back yet again with yet another chapter of Changes. As you can gather by now I only own the plot, everything else belongs to Hasbro. Now that we got that out of the way here is Chapter Six.
Chapter Six: A Little Bit Of Normalcy
Weeks had past since Jack, Raf, and Miko had found themselves in new bodies. And since then they had slowly gotten used to them. And since then Raf begin to spend more time with Ratchet helping the old medic with various tasks. And in doing so had learned far more than he had ever thought possible. And Ratchet seemed to enjoy his company too. In fact, to Raf it almost seemed like things hadn't changed at all, even Jack seemed to be coming back to his old self. Raf looked away from his project to watch Jack from the corner of his optic.
Watching as the older boy conversed with Arcee. As Miko was off with Bulkhead and Wheeljack doing...something. And right now things were quiet. There had been no signs of the Decepticons even since the incident. Perhaps Megatron was too busy gloating to his men about how he had hurt the Autobots human allies that he forgot they were in the middle of a war. Not likely, Megatron didn't seem like the type to forget something like that. And Raf was certain the Decepticons were up to something.
But, as Raf tried to untangle a mess of multicolored wires, while Ratchet typed something into the console he was at, he wondered if he would have to fight the Decepticons? He shuddered, he hoped not in all honesty. He wasn't good at fighting, in fact he didn't like fighting even when he was a human. Something a few people knew about at school, and because of that he had been the target of bullying at the hands on Vince and his friends. Thankfully in those instances he had either Jack or Miko to interject on his behalf. Or a teacher if one was around to help him. Raf had preferred to spend his time at the base with Ratchet, helping the medic whenever he could, as well as spending time with Bumblebee.
Worrying at his bottom lip he looked to Ratchet. They wouldn't make him fight, would they? He knew Miko was more than capable, and would rush head first into any danger without so much as a second thought. Jack on the other hand, while Jack didn't look like the type that would enjoy fighting he looked like he would be able to hold his own any threats. Maybe he could do what he always did, assist the Autobots behind the scenes. Why are you so worried about this? A voice whispered in the back of his mind, as he completed the task before him.
Optimus and the others know this, so why are you worried? Raf shook his head, and wiped his hands on his thighs, before looking to Ratchet once more. "I'm done." He said.
Ratchet turned around, noting that Raf had managed to complete the task Ratchet had given him far quicker than he ever would. The corner of Ratchet's mouth turning upwards. It would seem that Raf was just as helpful now as he was before. And while he would never admit it out loud, he rather enjoyed having some help around the base.
"Got anything else for me to do?" Raf asked.
Ratchet thought for a minute, he was about to tell Raf that he could take a break, when the alarm sounded. Raf jumped slightly as he clamped his hands over his audios. One thing he noticed since becoming a Cybertronian was that his hearing, among other senses seemed sharper than before.
"Decepticon activity?" Raf asked, moving to Ratchet's side, optics scanning the screen as Ratchet typed something into the console. Ratchet nodded, continuing to type just as Miko and the others entered the command room.
Miko's optics lighting up as she looked to Bulkhead. The green wrecker looking a little sheepish as he looked down at the femme. Raf knew there was no way they would let Miko or any of the kids go. As Ratchet had explained before, until the kids had obtained Vehicle modes they were not to leave the base.
Upon hearing that the trio of kids had been thinking of what vehicle mode would best suit them. For Miko, Raf had no idea what would suit her but he had a slight feeling that the girl didn't want to be limited by anything. So, maybe Miko would be a jet of some sort. Jack, however...Raf worried at his bottom lip, as Ratchet ordered him to open the ground bridge. The swirling green portal opened before Optimus and the rest of the Autobots. Allowing them to drive through. Miko letting out a disappointed groan as Raf closed the ground bridge after wishing the Autobots luck.
Raf's thoughts going back to Jack. What mode would Jack have? Raf put his hand on his chin, would he follow Arcee's lead, and choose motorcycle? Only Jack would know. Not like Raf was having an easier time deciding either.
"You okay?" Ratchet asked, looking to Raf.
Nodding, Raf offered the old medic a slight smile. "Just lost in thought." He told him.
Ratchet continued to stare at him. "I know this transition is rough, but I know you, Jack, and Miko get used to this."
Raf nodded, a small smile on his faceplate. "In all honesty though," Raf said. "I think Miko had already got the hang of things." He jerked his head in Miko's direction. Seeing the girl storming off, grumbling.
The corner of Ratchet's faceplate turning up at that. "Well, she's always been rather accepting of things. You all have been." And with that, Ratchet turned back to his work. Raf hoped Ratchet was right.
"So," Raf spoke, looking to Ratchet once more. "Is there anything else you need me to do?"
Ratchet shook his head. "No, I think I can handle it from here. Why don't you and the others go and decide alt modes. Then, when the others get back we can begin training."
If Raf had been able to break out into a cold sweat. "Training?"
"Oh, don't worry." Ratchet reassured Raf, sensing his nervousness. "We'll just train you on how to transform and such. Personally, you three are a long way from joining us on the field. Despite what Miko may think... He turned his gaze to the girl in question, who was wandering around the floor. Occasionally glancing in their direction.
Nodding Raf left Ratchet to his devices. Moving to join Miko and Jack, Raf couldn't help but notice the scowl on Jack's faceplate as he listened to Miko complain.
"All you would do is get in the way." Raf heard Jack say.
This in turn caused Miko to huff, arms crossed over her chest. "I'm never in the way, even Wheeljack said I was useful."
Obviously Raf had managed to stumble into an argument between the two.
"You were tiny back then. You were able to hide when things got rough. You think you can go that now?" Jack asked.
Miko rolled her optics. "Look at me, I won't need to run and hide. Any 'Con stupid enough to mess with me-"
"What if it's Megatron?" Jack cut her off.
Miko scoffed again. "If King 'Con even tries anything with me, I'll make him regret everything he's ever done to the Autobots, and to us." She growled, slamming her fist into her open palm.
"More like the moment you run into him it's game over." Raf piped up. Both Jack and Miko looked to Raf, as the younger boy moved to join them. "Trust me, Miko." He continued, looking to her. "If Megatron could be so easily taken down Optimus or anyone else would have done it already."
Sighing Miko looked to the two boys. She had to admit they were right. Megatron was no lightweight, and though she would never admit it, Megatron terrified her. Just the thought of running into him sent shivers down her spinal strut.
"Fine," she relented. "But, against Starscream I'd kick the scrap out of him."
Both Jack and Raf shook their heads, and walked off. Leaving her all alone. The lone female looked around the empty base, noting that Ratchet was still fixated on something he had been working on for hours now.
Until he had let out a frustrated growl, as he rummaged through his various tools. The ones Bulkhead hadn't broke, at least.
"For Primus sake, Wheeljack." She heard him grumble.
"What'd he do now?"
Ratchet sighed, rolling his optics. "He's borrowed some of my tools without permission, and hasn't bothered to return them. So, now I have to pull myself away from my project, to go to his quarters to retrieve them." As he said that he passed by Miko, and stopped and looked at her. "And please don't touch anything while I'm gone."
Miko watched as he disappeared down the hall, a sly smile forming on her faceplate as she looked to the ground bridge controls. Biting down on her bottom lip, her optics lit up as she saw that the Autobots last coordinates were still typed in.
Excitement gripped her as she opened up the ground bridge, hoping that by the time Ratchet or the boys found out what she had done she would be long gone. With one final look over her shoulder she raced through the open ground bridge. Coming out in an area surrounded by mountains. And no sign of either Autobots or Decepticons. Casting one final glance behind her she decided to move on. She would show everyone that she could hold her own in this new body of hers.
Then, Decepticons beware! With Miko around winning this war would be a breeze. Boy, how wrong she was...
"I don't know...I don't think it's me." Raf said, walking beside Jack.
The two continued the subject of vehicle modes. Jack had offered up the suggestion of a jeep to Raf. Raf, however was unsure, but he wasn't totally against the idea. It was something, and to return the favor Raf had suggested a mustang for Jack. Both boys had come to the agreement that they were most comfortable on the ground on four wheels. Just like they had agreed that Miko would love to take to the sky. And goodness knows the Autobots could use some air support once Miko was trained.
And...both boys came to a complete stop as they entered the command room once more, optics wide when they saw the opened ground bridge. And no Miko or Ratchet in sight. Had something happened? Had Ratchet gone to help the Autobots? If so why had he not informed them? However, before either of them could dwell on that thought of Ratchet going through the ground bridge their audios picked up the sound of Ratchet's grumbling from down the hall. So if Ratchet was here that meant... Oh, no...
Raf looked to Jack. Jack looked to Raf. Both boys looking to the open ground bridge. Obviously that only meant Miko, despite what she had been told had gone through. The boys looked to each other once more, then looked over their shoulders before coming to the conclusion that they needed to drag Miko's stupid aft back to base, before she got into anymore trouble. Before something happened to her that Ratchet couldn't fix. Without a word Jack and Raf raced through the portal after their friend like they always have. Hoping and praying that she hadn't gotten too far. And, that she hadn't stumbled into any trouble...
"By the All Spark, Wheeljack, if you're going to steal my tools you can at least keep them where I can find them. Or at least keep your quarters clean so it makes it easy to do so." Ratchet grumbled, the tools Wheeljack had borrowed clutched in his hands.
However, before he could think of what he was going to say to the wrecker his optics widened when he saw the ground bridge opened. And the kids nowhere to be seen.
"Jack, Raf, Miko!" He called out, and got no response. Dread forming in his fuel tank at the implications.
Surely those three hadn't run off into danger yet again, have they? Spark pounding in his chest Ratchet noted the coordinates he saw that it was the same location the rest of the Autobots were. Placing his tool on the table Ratchet contacted Optimus.
"Optimus, we have a situation."
This was a bad idea. Jack thought, as he and Raf found themselves alone, no sign of Miko or the Autobots. And thankfully, no sign of Decepticons either. At least not right away, and Jack hoped that they would find Miko before the Decepticons did.
"Miko! Are you there-"
Optics wide Jack clamped a hand over Raf's mouth, the two of them ducking behind an outcropping of rock. Just as a group of Vehicons appeared, talking amongst themselves. But, that was not the worst thing, Jack noted, his optics settling on the limp figure behind them.
"Miko!" Jack gasped, as the femme groaned, optics flickering. Dents, scrapes, and scorch marks littered her armor as they continued to drag her along. What had Miko stumbled upon? An ambush? Sure, Jack knew that whether Miko was a mere human or a Cybertronian that she was far from a pushover, but this made no sense, at least until he drew closer to the Vehicons.
"Can't believe this little runt got the drop on us." One Vehicon said.
"No kidding, kids has skills for someone unarmed. Heh, did you see the look on her face when she tried to transform her hands into blasters? Priceless." At the the Vehicons chuckled.
So, they had caught Miko off guard when she had tried to shoot them? Jack looked down at his own hands. So, they were currently unarmed, huh? He guess that meant that he and Raf would have to be stealthy from here on out. Looking to Raf he jerked his head towards the Vehicons, as they disappeared around the corner, with Miko in tow. Hoping they would come across the Autobots in their journey, as the followed the group of Vehicons. However, as they did so Jack couldn't help but feel someone behind him. Stopping in his tracks he slowly turned around and...nothing.
Maybe just my mind playing tricks on me. He thought as he ducked behind a rock, when one of the Vehicons looked over their shoulder.
"Somethin' the matter?" Another Vehicon asked.
"Thought I saw something." The first one answered.
You and me both, buddy. Jack thought. Peering out from his hiding place, before continuing to follow them. When- BLAM! A blast struck him in the back, sending him flying.
"Well, look what we got here." A voice spoke, as Raf cried out for Jack. Before rushing to his side. Optics wide as he looked up. "A few more Autobots roaming around here, like rats." The Decepticon SIC said, blaster still trained on Jack.
Smoke rising from the gaping wound in his back. And beside him stood Soundwave. The ever silent TIC turned to look at Raf, causing the young boy to whimper, and scramble backwards.
"It seems to me that the Autobots have obtained some rather...green recruits." Starscream commented, hovering over Jack. A slimy grin on the seekers faceplate, as he kicked Jack in the side, making Jack hiss in pain. "What's your name, Autobot?" Starscream asked.
Both Jack and Raf remained silent, the smile on Starscream's face soon melting away. "I asked you your name. Don't you Autobots have any manners any more?" Another kick to Jack's side, as Jack struggled to get up.
"F-funny," Jack rasped, rolling onto his back, looking up at Starscream. "I didn't know you Decepticon knew what manners were."
Starscream's optics widened, pulling back his right hand he slashed Jack across his chestplate. Leaving deep grooves in the dark blue armor as he did so.
"J-Jack!" Raf gasped out, optics wide as he remained pressed against the rock, trembling. Starscream stopped in his tracks.
Jack? The seeker thought. Isn't that the name of... He looked down at the mech before him. "Oh," he crouched down before Jack. "So, Jack, you wouldn't happen o be one of the Autobots human companions, would you? The one partnered with Arcee?"
"And if I am?" Jack asked.
Starscream straightened. Well, this was certainly interesting. He had been certain that the three human that accompanied the Autobots had been exterminated in that cave. Something Lord Megatron had done simply to spite the Autobots, and to hurt them in ways he never knew possible. And now, it seemed that the Autobots had saved their precious vermin. Obviously the Autobots were more attached to them then they let on. And now Starscream was standing before two of them. Jack and...Starscream frowned as he looked to the other one, obviously this was the smaller male whose name was of no importance to Starscream.
Chuckling Starscream reached down, grabbing a hold of Jack's arm. Lord Megatron would be most interested in this. Pulling Jack to his feet, he looked to Soundwave, then to the smaller mech.
"Grab him, Lord Megatron will be wanting to meet the new improved humans." Starscream said, turning away from Soundwave, as the silent Decepticon advanced on Raf.
As Raf tried to look for a way out he was seriously regretting coming out here in the first place. His optics squeezing shut as Soundwave closed in on him.
Authors Note- And thus concludes Chapter Six. Safe to say that Miko never learns, does she? But hopefully the Autobots will be able to get out of this mess like they always do, or will they? This is The Exhausted Writer signing off, have a good day.