Chapter 12

"So you almost short circuited Arcee's blasters? How did you even manage to do that?! It was a routine diagnostics check!" Jack asked incredulously. I shrugged and let out a nervous chuckle.

"Well it turned out fine at least."

I was currently being interrogated in the main hangar by Jack and Miko on the loud explosion that had sounded just as they'd entered the base. It had apparently freaked Bee, Bulky, and Ratch out. No one was pleased to learn it was just my incompetence that had led to the incident (except Miko. Miko was sympathetic, bless her heart).

"Fine!?" Ratchet spluttered. "You could have seriously injured Arcee, not to mention kill yourself!" Ratchet glared over at me as he checked Arcee's arms. His anger would have been comical if it wasn't directed at me.

"I'm sorry! Okay?" I said for the thousandth time. What more did they want? A bouquet of flowers with dinner reservations?

Ratchet sighed, mumbling Cybertronian under his breath as he worked on Arcee's weapons. I suddenly felt an arm loop around mine as Miko began pulling me towards the couch.

"Forget all of that junk! I wanna see if I can beat you in racing." We plopped down, Jack shook his head and handed over a controller to me. Behind us, Bulkhead and Bee leaned over the railing to watch. I glanced around, noticing the distinct lack of a boy genius.

"Where's Raf?" I asked.

"He had homework to do, so he won't be coming until he's finished," Jack explained.

"I don't get why he doesn't just skip it. That's what I do," Miko said as she picked her car for the race. I looked back to the screen to pick my own vehicle.

"That's why you always get detention, and why your grades are so low," Jack laughed. I smiled as we watched the timer for the race to start flashing on the screen.

A blaring siren sounded, and the screens began flashing red instead. My headshot to Jack, who looked just as surprised by the alarm, so I turned to Ratchet. He was quickly typing something on the monitor, Arcee behind him looking over his shoulder.

"What is it?" I asked, apprehension already building in my gut. Ratchet ignored me, and turned off the alarms. A call came in almost immediately after.

"Agent Fowler, please tell me you're here to take the human away," Ratchet begged. A video appeared on the screen. Agent Fowler? Finally!

"Tell Ms. Evensbrough to get ready to leave. Is Optimus there?" the man's deep voice came from the video. The middle-aged man looked to be driving at the moment, the video angled at what would be the center of the car's dashboard.

"Not at the moment, no. I'll let him know that you are here," Ratchet responded. Fowler nodded and ended the call just as Ratchet contacted Optimus.

"Optimus, it's Agent Fowler come to visit." Ratchet sounded unenthused. I handed my controller to Jack, and Miko pouted. Carefully, I got up with the crutch.

"I will be back to the base momentarily," the Boss Bot informed and ended the comm. I walked over to the railing next to Ratchet.

"So, you got the video feed up and running for our bizzare artifact?" I asked. Arcee glanced over at me, Ratchet didn't bother to.

"Yes yes. It is secured and being monitored closely. Any change and I'll immediately know." He waved me off, focusing back onto Arcee's arm.

"And, just for your information, we didn't inform Fowler about our little infestation Saturday. So keep it on the down-low, okay?" Arcee asked. It surprised me. Wouldn't they want to inform the government they had a metal-eating alien infestation… on second thought, I can see why they didn't want to let that one out.

The sound of the base entrance opening echoed down the tunnel, followed by the sound of a car and truck. I watched as a tan sedan pulled up to the front of the stairs and parked, followed by a long blue and red rig truck that split to turn and shift until it became the large and imposing leader of the Autobots, Optimus Prime. The vehicle opened up and out stepped the man I'd been waiting for this whole time. I practically skipped down the stairs.

"Agent Fowler! Boy am I glad to see you! I don't even care if this was some part of your plan to get me to open up, I just really want to be able to do things again. I'm desperate," I whined, clasping my hands together and begging him as much as I could with my eyes. He raised an eyebrow at me.

"It's been 2 days." That couldn't be right. It felt like a lifetime ago. "But if it makes you feel any better, you and me are going on a road trip." He pointed at both of us to ensure I had no disillusions as to who he was referring to.

"What joy," came out of my mouth with absolutely no joy to be found. At least it'd get me out of the base. But who was I kidding? If it was with the Agent this wasn't going to be pleasant. I couldn't help the small bit of anxiousness that grew in me. Where would we be going? Did I do something wrong? (minus the most recent weapons fiasco, that doesn't count)

"I need to have a word with Prime before we go. You ready?" He asked, tossing his car keys in the air and catching it. I shook my head.

"Almost. Let me quickly make a pit stop," I informed as I thumbed towards hallway behind me and began making my way to the restroom.

Agent Fowler shook his head at the kid and made his way to Optimus who was talking to Ratchet with Arcee leaning against a wall, listening in.

"Prime, a word if I may?" he interrupted. The mech looked down to the Agent and nodded. He indicated for him to sit down on an office chair across from them by the berths and they walked over to the more private area. Optimus keeled to get closer to the Agent, but not so close as to crowd.

"What new information have you to share Agent Fowler?" The Prime's voice questioned with his best attempt at tempering his volume.

"You know how we were searching the field little miss sunshine seems to have appeared in? There was a high amount of that unknown energy radiating the entire clearing. The energy signature's the same one that was detected from that night"

"I have read the report you sent us," Optimus affirmed he knew. Fowler nodded.

"Here's the kicker though, the scientists found an exact match to the energy signature readings you sent us for that artifact as well, they said that the artifact's signature most definitely matches a small section of the readings just exactly before the massive burst came tumblin' through."

The AutoBot leader hummed in thought. This meant the artifact appeared just before the massive burst. It wasn't assured that the artifact was the cause of the anomaly, but the correlation was there. It made it all the more imperative for the team to understand the strange item. The large burst of energy had peaked all measurements and reading equipment they had. By all means, nothing should have survived such a massive burst, not even a Cybertronian, yet the youngling Rachel had. Not only that, but the surroundings seemed undisturbed besides the traces. It was puzzling to say the least, and the discovery led to more questions rather than answers.

The agent watched the Prime as he considered the implications of what was found. If that stick was packing that amount of energy, who knew what else it could do. That wasn't even considering the implications of an object that can take people from alternate universes, if it really was the cause of Evensbrough's magical appearance. He wasn't a theoretical physicist, but he was fairly sure that something like that isn't supposed to happen. Then again, with these Autobots Fowler never knew for sure. This mess was getting above his pay grade (though if the Agent was being honest, most of what he dealt with was).

"And what of Rachel's legal status in your governments territory?" Optimus inquired.

"That's what I've been working on. There's not exactly protocol for humans from an alternate reality, and the higher ups have asked to meet her personally for assessment." Fowler explained. He hadn't liked it one bit. One moment he was working on legalizing Evensbrough's status and identity, the next he was halted by General Bryce to inquire as to who she was, how she knows what she does, what I made of her, ect. That wasn't what was grinding him though, no it was comment mentioned in passing that Agent Cauley had informed them of the exact same and how he agreed with the idea bringing the kid on site would be the best way to assess if she could be of use.

That slimy, no-good, mother-

"I'm back! Just where are we going?" I came in, now relieved. I looked over to see Optimus and Agent Fowler in the corner. They clearly were having a private conversation, but now both stared at me. It certainly didn't help my nerves when Agent Fowler avoided my question.

"Get in, we have a long drive ahead of us." He opened the drivers door to get in. I stood there for a moment contemplating whether I should refuse to go, then realizing I didn't really have a choice in this, which only made my nerves worst.

"Uh, I guess, see everyone?" I was coming back… right? Fowler wouldn't dump me somewhere and say good-luck to ya, right?

"Bye Rachel!" Miko yelled.

"Safe trip," Jack smiled.

Bulkhead nodded and Bee buzzed and waved. Arcee smiled and nodded, while I could have sworn I heard Ratchet mumble "good riddance".

Optimus Prime looked down upon me.

"I wish you a safe journey Rachel. We shall await your return."

My nerves dissipated just like that and was replaced with steel resolve.

7

My stomach did a backflip and my mind screamed at me in panic as we approached the military base. My breathing became short and shallow as everything bad that could happen flooded my mind.

"Hey, calm down. They're just going to ask you some questions. Get to know you," Fowler glanced over in concern.

Ask questions?! Just ask questions?! My whole problem with this place is I have too many answers and not enough coping strategies to avoid questions! This is it! Game over! They're gonna learn everything about what's going to happen and then dissect me for research! Torture me for what i know! And worst of all, toss me aside once they got what they want and I'll be stuck here forever!

"Take deep breaths, calm down, no need to panic. I'll be in the room with you, so don't worry, just tell them the truth." Fowler awkwardly attempted to placate me.

Panic? What panic? Me panic? Nah, no I'm perfectly dandy! Dandy as a dandelion! I take deep breaths, curling up in the seat.

Calm. Down. Sl-owly. Deep breaths. In. And out. In. And. out.

Okay. Okay, so, I just tell them what I told Fowler and the Autobots. I'm from an alternate Earth where the Cybertronians are fiction. This fiction is similar to here, but it's not the same. Umm, I could tell them in the Bey movies there's Sector 7 which had NBE-1 (I.e Megatron) frozen. That's new info and will go to show just how different things are. Sector 7 wasn't a thing in Prime, right?

No need for the "your reality is fiction and I know what's going to happen. Your military sure is dumb thinking you have any chance against the Deceptions, oh and MECH is a real threat and are really the only humans that can go against the Cybertronians" conversation. Yeah, definitely leave that out. No need to crush their spirits like that.

I look out the window as we pass the security checkpoint to see the expansive concrete tarmac. Large silos line one side while on the other is a large building. Soldiers follow in line, jogging past us while jeeps roll by. The setting sun casted shadows over the base, the red bleeding to night.

I wonder how many humans have died due to the Deceptions.

My thoughts went to the scene where Darkmount towered over Jasper as the cannons fired onto the human military. Tanks, helicopters, soldiers… they never did address if those humans made it out okay.

And now that I think about it, why was the US military on the side of the Autobots? They had no reasons to get involved in the aliens war. No reasons not to be hostile to both sides. Yet, they understood they needed the Autobots.

I was afraid to ask what happened.

After all Prime started in Jasper, and it was made clear the Autobots had been on Earth for awhile before that. I'd have to ask when I got back. If I get to go back. If I don't mess this up terribly and get locked up for the rest of my life. God, this line of thinking wasn't helping me. Everything would be fine.

Fowler parked his car in the fairly empty lot, turning off the engine. In front of us was a large grey building, three stories high with windows lining it facing towards the lot. Multiple doors were in the center, uniformed personnel coming in and out. Fowler didn't make a move to open the door, instead turning to look at me.

"Look kid-"

"Not a kid," came out of my mouth automatically.

"Whatever! Listen. You're about to meet some very important superiors of mine. The tip-top, so I want you to mind your manners, and show some respect young lady," Fowler warned with a finger in my face.

"I always have impeccable manners," I tried smiling, but my heart just wasn't into it. I was struggling as it was to keep my nerves to a minumum. My emotions did not go unnoticed by the Autobot liaison. He took out his phone to check it, then put it back into his suit pocket.

"We have some time, why don't you tell me what's bothering you kid? This isn't just about meeting the government is it?"

His words surprised me. Of course it was about that, right? That I would get in trouble for what I know of their world, messing things up for myself. Because to fail would mean I wouldn't be able to go home. Never to see my family again, stuck in a place where I don't know much outside of the aliens. Where nothing is real, yet it is, and it shouldn't be and I'm scared, and tired, and I've been avoiding thinking about all of these things, because the truth is…

The truth is…

"I just want to go home," I whisper. To say it aloud made it feel more tangible, like home was just a hand reach away. "And… and I'm scared that I'll become distracted, lose focus on getting back, become resigned." Once what my status here is decided by the government, my mind is yelling at me that it'll become too real. It's easy to get caught up in things at the Base, what with the Autobots and their human companions, but it's in the quite moments that the reality of my situation really hits me.

Fowler nods understandingly.

"There are moments in life where we don't get to choose what happens to us. Times when life sucker-punches you so hard, you can hardly get back up," the Agent looks out his window. "But there's life in you, so you have to fight, to push forward. You can sit around moping and feeling sorry for yourself, or you can pick yourself back up and ask what you can do to improve or change or move on from your situation. It's only been about a week since you got here. No need to be so harsh on yourself, I can't speak for the Autobots, but i'm sure they're not expecting you to join their war. We all see it as an unfortunate accident, and are trying our best to get you back," Fowler pats me on the back, a bit too roughly. "In the meantime though, we need to go or we'll be late."

Was that... the Agent consoling me? Fowler opened the door and got out, and I followed suit a moment later. The sun was setting and the stars were beginning to show above the concrete building. Distantly I could hear the yelling of drills. We walk towards the entrance.

"Where is this anyway, Agent Fowler?" I ask, trying a lighter topic.

"We call it the Nevada National Security Site," he answers as he opens the door letting the cool air from inside come out, before the door closes behind us. I take in the large lobby, turning slowly to gather it all in.

"Also commonly known as Area 51," he grinned.


A/N: 51

I was originally going to split this into two chapters, but this way flowed better.

Comment's are appreciated!

Comment's responses:

Jarhead: Girl time that didn't last very long unfortunately. XD

tvreviewer: Don't know what you mean by reviewing it, commenting you mean? Comments are seriously welcome, they give me feedback and encourage me to keep going at it! Everything's welcome (to a reasonable degree), even if you don't have an account, you can still leave a review as a guest. So thank you!

Announcements are on my profile.

Also Note: I don't own Transformers, nor Prime. Rachel and me are too bad with tech to come up with something like Transformers.