Chapter 16
This was bad. This was I'm- questioning-the-moral-implications-of-my-decision-not-to-tell -them-that-I-know-their-futures bad. Hey, maybe Makeshift won't get to the base. Maybe the Autobots will get to Wheeljack before they can switch him with his imposter this time! I mean, sure in the show Makeshift successfully infiltrates the base, and sure, no one really notices until it was almost too late, and sure, Wheeljack was captured and has a freaking sword battle in the hangar, but everything else will be just super.
No need to panic Rachel, you have until tomorrow to figure out what to do.
Just like you had all of today to 'figure out what to do'?
I groaned into the couch cushions. You know what? Hush brain, I'm really trying my best not to freak out right now, and you're not helping. I know I'm right though (shocker that). I had from the time we got the news of Wheeljack's arrival to now to figure something out, but instead all I could do was freak out about how I didn't know what to do. I couldn't out and tell them that the Wheeljack they're going to bring is going to be the Decepticon Makeshift without drawing suspicion on how I'd know that. They'd never believe I just happened to know that from my fiction knowledge, like it was a common plot point or something within the franchise.
Or would they?
My phone rang from the table and I tried to ignore it. I was actually onto something here, I could feel it.
"Your phone is ringing." Ratchet oh so helpfully pointed out. I lifted my head from where I was face-planted into the couch to glare at the Medic who was once again working on some project or other. The phone stopped it's ringing.
I sighed and reached over to the table, grabbing the phone and flipping it open. The notifications informed me I have one missed call from Fowler. I considered the phone in my hand for a moment before deciding to text Fowler that I'd call him back when I got outside for better reception. I got up, taking my crutch and a jacket to go outside. As I walked towards the elevator, Ratchet halted me.
"Up-pup-pup! Where do you think you're going at this hour young lady?" The medic demanded with his hands on his hip and a stern gaze in his optics.
"Fowler called. Wanted to speak privately and I wanted some fresh air."
"Not this late. The communication reception inside the base is fine. I have it on good authority that humans need their nightly hours of sleep or risk reduced processor functioning. Not to mention the large amount of work that needs to be done for tomorrow. I nee-"
"Is there an issue Ratchet?" A deep voice interrupted. I jumped a little and we both turned to find the presence of Optimus Prime. He must have just come back from patrol.
"She's insisting on going out," Ratchet informed with a stern stare at me. What was I, a wayward teen sneaking out on her parents at night? Yesh, who made Ratchet my mom. Okay, that's a horrible image, Ratchet in my mom's place, I think I'm scarred for life. Pushing that down, Optimus looked at me with a raised eyebrow plate and I rolled my eyes.
"Just wanted some fresh air and to call Fowler." My head swiveled towards Ratchet and I threw my left hand up in exasperation. "It's really not a big deal!"
"Perhaps it would ease Ratchet's mind if I were to accompany you Rachel?" Optimus asked, and I nodded immediately. I just wanted out, God. Ratchet thought for a moment before nodding as well.
"That is acceptable, just don't come back too late, and don't go out more than 5 miles. I would hate to have to recalibrate the sensors watching the artifact. There is already a lot to prepare for tomorrow, and everyone needs to be at 100%," Ratchet grumbled, turning back to whatever it was he was doing before.
I managed to repress my shutter at his words. If he only knew how prepared they'd have to be. Starscream came very close to successfully leading an invasion on the base. Extremely close if I wasn't mistaken.
"Would it be fine if we drove to another location? I have questions I'd like to ask you and this seems the most opportune time." Optimus asked. His optics on me felt heavy. They always felt heavy, maybe that's partially why I haven't seen him much. Maybe I've been kind of avoiding the Prime now I think about it. The deal I made with General Bryce probably didn't help either, considering I'd be giving away information on the Cybertronians, even if I mostly stuck to half-truths. It made me glad I'd talked to him so little, then again he was kind of a busy guy what with leading a Cybertronian faction in a war, so it wasn't completely me.
"Not at all," I shook my head. I watched with fascination as the large Bot broke apart, grey metal, red, and blue mixing and shifting with gears to compact into the iconic semi-truck.
Eeeeeeeeeeeeee! So freaking cool!
Ahem.
Right. I need to be cool. And I need to stop staring. Okay, legs move down the stairs and towards Optimus freaking-Prime and, oh he opened the passenger door for me. I'm… I'm going where no Transformers fan has gone before. One small step for nerds, one giant leap for nerd-kind.
"Are you alright Rachel?" The leader of the Autobots, the Prime, keeper of the Matrix of Leadership asked me. Me. Little ol' Rachel Evensbrough from nowhere.
I took a shaky breath and nodded. I think I even managed a mumbled "Yeah," in there as I entered and looked around the interior. The two seats were black leather, with no one at the driver's seat. On the black wheel was an blue autobot insignia, in fact, most of the meters had that blue light either surrounding it or inside of it. Behind me was enough space to put another two or three chairs if someone wanted, but it was nice to have the interior be spacy. For a truck, it was surprisingly luxurious, it even had a cup holder that suck out for an easy hand reach. I sat down numbly as the door closed next to me, Optimus started his engine, the deep rumble catching me by surprise.
"Do not forget to put on your seatbelt," a deep rumble sounded from the radio, though it was certainly surround sound.
"Hmm, yeah," I replied quietly as I reached over to fasten the belt. Everything was so nice and clean. I even caught the light scent of that new car smell.
Optimus was pulling out of the base and into the tunnel exit, the tunnel lights passed us by at an increasing speed until we reached the end, where the rocks opened to reveal the night sky over a seemingly endless dessert. Optimus turned right, onto the road. The moon was a small sliver in the sky, the wind picked up sand to follow us, only to let go before too long.
"Are you excited?" I asked looking towards the dashboard, not sure where else to look.
"For Wheeljack's arrival?" Optimus asked and I nodded. "I'm am overjoyed to learn of any Autobot that has survived. The war has taken many lives, that Bulkhead may reunite with another Wrecker is something to be celebrated." I need to tell him, somehow, someway…
"You think the base can handle two Wreckers?" I asked with a smirk just as a lightbulb turned on in my brain. The truck shook with Optimus' chuckle, and I couldn't help but be in awe at the reaction. I just got Optimus Prime to laugh, well it wasn't full blown, but it was a chuckle.
"I believe we will be fine." If he was in robot mode Optimus would be smiling, call it a gut feeling.
There was a nice silence that fell over us after that. Optimus carefully turned off of the road and shut off his headlights to hide ourselves, my eyes took a moment to adjust.
"I wish to apologize that we have not been able to focus on efforts to return you to your world," Optimus began. I didn't expect the apology at all.
I shook my head.
"I'm sure Ratchet is doing his best. Ground-bridge technology is difficult enough without having to figure out how to cross alternate realities. I understand this may take awhile." I was under no delusions about that. The only hope I have of getting home right now is figuring out that glow stick, and that was extremely slow going. These events back things up to the point where research isn't anywhere near the top of the to-do list.
"Nonetheless, getting you back is a priority we have not forgotten I assure you."
"Thank you," I sincerely said. If anyone could figure out how to send me back, it was this team here.
"I could not help but notice you have seemed reserved since the news of Wheeljack's arrival…" I couldn't help but tense up. Can't fool a Prime huh? That's fine, this was the perfect segue into -
"Yeah, I wanted to bring it up to you. It might be nothing," I opened my hands in a placating gesture, "but, in my world there's certain common… threads in the, um series." I paused to make sure he didn't want to add anything before I continued. "These threads, are things most if not all of the series that came from the franchise have in some form or fashion. Some of them are broad, some of them specific. The fight of the Autobots vs the Decepticons is one of them. That battle eventually leading to Cybertrons destruction is another thread." I paused again, hoping he was getting it, hoping he was listening carefully. "Other threads are small, like a small group of humans aiding you usually, that you and Megatron fight here on Earth," that they find something here on Earth. Whether that be a ridiculously large amount of important relics or the Allspark, there was always something to get the Autobots and the Decepticons attention. Another thread is usually Unicron, but i'd rather avoid thinking about that one. But this, this next part? I had to sell it. I bit my lip and looked towards the dashboard.
"One of these small threads is Makeshift," I practically whispered.
Optimus slowed down and I realized we had reached the edge of a small canyon. The sound of the engine dying and the lack of movement or noise made the silence that followed heavy.
"You are insinuating that Wheeljack may well be Makeshift in disguise?" Optimus asked, his tone grave.
"No, I trust Bulkhead. He knows Wheeljack and he said he was '1000% the real deal," I brought my right hand through my hair, and a short laugh came out of me. "You can see why I said it might be nothing," I took a deep breath and looked outside. "I guess i'm just afraid something will happen when he lands," I shook my head. "I should probably call Fowler back," I indicated towards outside. It took a moment, but Optimus opened the door and I unbuckled, carefully getting out. The desert night chilled me and I zipped my jacket closed, walking a few feet away from Optimus who was still in his truck mode. Realistically I knew the Bot could easily listen in, but I hoped that Optimus had the courtesy not to. I dialed Fowler and waited.
"What took you so long?!" Fowler yelled. I brought the phone away from my ear and winced. Yesh.
"Sorry, sorry. Just taking the opportunity to have a conversation with Optimus while I'm at it, ya know?"
"Well, I hope you told him your moving plans, cause I got you that place to stay." Well, shit, with everything that was going on I did forget. "So whether you want to live with that ol' lady or not, deals done kid." Wait, hey!
"But you'll change me to the motel if I can't stand her, right?"
"..."
"Right!?"
"You choose it, not me kid. Decisions a done deal."
"You're a real jerk, you know that?"
"Guess I'll be returning this state of the art laptop then if I'm so terrible." That got my interest.
"Really? When can I get it?" I asked, unable to mask the excitement I felt.
"I'll be sending all sorts of goodies when we get you moved," Fowler teased. This was like Christmas!
"When's moving date?" I asked, now pumped for the move. It was a nice distraction from my current issues.
"I can get mostly everything in by Friday, though I'd recommend stopping by to meet your landlady before then. Said good things about you, so I expect you to deliver."
"Thanks?" Now I was suspicious.
"What was that?" He asked. He had heard me, what did he-? My cheeks heated up in embarrassment.
"I said thank you," I grumbled.
"You're welcome. Now is that so hard? To show some appreciation?" Folwer gloated. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
"Very. Is that all?"
"For now. Anything you want to share about the new Bot that's gonna rain down tomorrow?" If he wanted details, I couldn't be thorough with Optimus just a few feet away.
"Good bot, genius engineer. Bit of a lone wolf type," I responded. "Bulkhead would probably be happy to share war stories if you're interested, but if that'sall Optimus and I will be getting back." Fowler thankfully seemed to get my hint that that's all I could say at the moment.
"Alright. I'll be visiting the base Thursday to brief the new Bot in person. Until then." Fowler closed.
"Until then," I nodded. The call ended, and a light gust of wind flew by from my left. I turned to see Optimus in his robot mode, towering the landscape. I then looked ahead at the canyon before us.
"Do you miss it?" I asked, the stars like a million lanterns guiding the galaxy. There was a pause as the Autobot leader came closer.
"Not a day passes that I do not," the Prime… no, the Cybertronian nodded, optics filled with a distant longing. My own heart ached in sympathy. At least I knew my home was okay, not ravaged into a husk by war. Home was distant, yes, but safe. I carefully sat down cross legged, leaning on my hands behind me. A moment later, Optimus sat down as well, much more regal than me, but still open somehow.
"Would you mind? If I asked you to tell me about your home? You were a librarian in the Iacon Hall of Records, right?"
The Cybertronian nodded, optics clouded in remembrance.
"Indeed. A long time ago, before the war that ravaged our planet and my people, before I was made a Prime. I was responsible for the upkeep of the data in the Iacon Hall of Records. A collection of all of Cybertron's history, from the creation of the Primes by Primus to just before the war began," a deep pain was in his optics, "...I learned much from my mentor Alpha Trion. The necessary characteristics to becoming a leader, the knowledge gained from loss, and yet I did not fully comprehend his lessons until I had such experiences myself... so many were lost." Optimus closed his eyes, and when he reopened them, he was a Prime again.
"And was it beautiful? Cybertron?"
"Beyond imagination."
I took a moment to let that settle in. I couldn't help but take into account the things he wasn't saying that I saw in his optics. The initial hope for a better Cybertron, the battle against a system of casts that created inequality and injustice. The descent, seeing a good friend become corrupted. To see that friend's destruction, the deaths of so many. The bombings, the tactics that had to be used, the cities decimated. I couldn't imagine.
"It is best we get back to base. Ratchet will begin to worry." Optimus' said as he got back up. His words snapped me back to reality.
Reality…
"You mean worry about you Optimus," I smiled and shook my head. Carefully, I got back up using my crutch and dusted the sand off of my pants.
"Ratchet may be harsh, but he does care for the wellbeing of you and the others," Optimus chastised. I knew that… logically at least.
I stretched and my back cracked, releasing a tension in the center of my spine. I rolled my head and shoulders.
"Yeah, yeah. I know he's actually a sweetspark." I said disbelievingly. He was like an angry old neighbor who always wanted you off their lawn. I yawned, the demand for sleep starting to get to me.
"Oh! That reminds me, Fowler got me a place to stay. It's in Jasper, in a neighborhood near the high school. He said I should be able to move in by Friday," I recalled. Optimus' gaze kept on me and I couldn't make out whether he already knew the information or not.
The Prime simply nodded and transformed into his vehicle mode. His Earth vehicle mode, and I couldn't help but wonder for the first time if he missed the Cybertronian design.
"May we discuss this on the way back?" I nodded and got in.
And, EEEEE! I still can't get over speaking to him and riding in him- no wait, that came out wrong. Damn it mind! This is not the time!
11
"You sure everything's fine Ratchet?" Arcee asked the grumbling medic as he worked with something that almost looked like a wrench on the groundbridge control. Bee looked over Arcee and buzzed worriedly as well.
"Yes, everything is fine," Ratchet dismissed with an annoyed wave of his servos, "just doing some minor adjustments, then everything will be perfect. Spent all night ensuring everything was in working order." I could put a word in about a need for him to recharge, but I knew he'd respond with something about how Cybertronians don't need as much sleep as humans.
We all were on the edge of our seats waiting for Wheeljack's arrival. Anticipation, and a healthy bit of caution, filled the hangar as we watched Wheeljack's ship pass into Earth's atmosphere. Bulkhead was pacing back and forth in front of the screen, optics glued to watching his descent.
"Wheeljack's ship is approaching the landing zone." Arcee said with a grin.
Miko looked ready to leave Earth's gravity with just how excited she was. I, on the other hand, watched with dred as the blue blip came closer and closer to the designated rendezvous.
"You think he's here to visit?" Raf asked to Jack.
"Maybe he'll stay!" Miko said hopefully, then she looked concerned. "Hmmm, have to have his own human though…" I rolled my eyes. "Rachel! He can be your guardian! Then we can both have Wreckers." She nodded to herself like it was decided and final.
Beeping from the Groundbridge controls brought our attention to Ratchet as he started the portal up. Miko leaned against the rails, as all four of us watched wide eyed as the green, purple, and blues swirled towards a bright white light at the end..
"Groundbridge cycling up," Ratchet grinned as the machine whirred to life, looking at Arcee and Bee with pride for ever doubting him. Then, the machine proceeded to fly sparks in his face for his arrogance and died on him, the groundbridge darkening off. Ratchet glared at the machine and hit it.
"Blasted Scraplets! Equipment hasn't been the same since the infestation."
I hummed, panic flooding me internally. Yep, the look-a-like Decepticon is coming to the base. No way they're gonna catch the real Wheeljack beforehand unless I choose to scream it to them now, not with these delays.
"So, Wheeljack's going to land halfway around the world, and then you'll bridge him here?" Jack asked, pointing to the floor to indicate the "here" he was referring to was the base. Optimus faced Jack.
"We can't risk revealing the location of our base. Just in case the Decepticons are tracking Wheeljack's ship." Halfway through Optimus speaking, Miko ran over to Bulkhead. Everyone except me looked at her in surprise. She stayed for half of what Optimus had said at least. Good for her! As she ran over speak to Bulkhead, my head turned towards the screen, then towards Optimus. He met my eyes and I found nothing but reassurance. Maybe everything would turn out fine, I'd warned Optimus at least so he'd be on the lookout for any suspicious behavior. Optimus went to watch the screen, and I relaxed.
Beep beep beep! Beep beep beep!
An alarm sounded from the monitor tracking Wheeljack's location, and six red blips appeared on the screen right behind Wheeljack's ship.
Apparently spoke too soon.
"Bogies closing fast on Wheeljack's position," Arcee said, eyes narrowed.
"Con scum!" Bulkhead yelled. Ratchet worked twice as fast on the controls. On the screen, the blue blip sped down then stopped moving, the red blips with it. Bulkhead, Bee, and Arcee went to stand ready at the mouth of the groundbridge.
"Open the bridge Ratchet were missing all the action!" Bulkhead called.
Ratchet finished his fix and quickly pulled down the lever for the bridge. I tensed looking towards the portals, hoping for not another system failure. Thankfully the swirling greens, purples and blues whirred to life.
Thing still gives me the creeps.
"I'll prepare the sick bay," Ratchet informed with a nod towards the leaving soldiers. Bulkhead laughed.
"Who for? The cons? This is Wheeljack we're talking about." Bulkhead faced forward and all three ran into the bridge. Wheeljack, ha, yeah right.
Oh well, there went your chance.
The guilt and fear in me was starting to crescendo. Maybe it'd be best if I made my escape to the bathroom for the rest of the day. Avoid all the drama.
"Hey, you okay? You look pale all of a sudden," Jack asked, and my heart went a mile a minute. Damn it Rachel! Don't bring attention to yourself right now! Go hide in a crate or something, there's going to be a Decepticon inside the base and you're going to be the only one that knows. If even Jack can see you're nervous you'll never fool a Con!
I attempted to shrug nonchalantly.
"Feel fine!" I insisted as cheerfully as I could manage.
"I get it," Miko said draping an arm over my shoulder, and my eyes widened.
"You're worried they'll lose against those Cons'! Don't worry Rachel, Bulkhead will smash them to pieces!" I almost let out a sigh of relief.
"Miko's right Rachel! Look," Raf pointed towards the tracker, and sure enough, all six red blips were gone with the blue blips present.
"What… a huge relief! Ha!" I went with it. Better they think thatwas the reason.
"Ratchet," Bulkhead's jubilant voice came from the comms. "Send us a groundbridge back."
"Right away," Ratchet looked over the groundbridge controls hovering over the activation switch. He decided to pull down the lever, and the bridge opened. I watched as four Bots came running into the base. Ratchet quickly pulled his servos back as the controls sparked again and the groundbridge shut off with a crackle. He shook his servos and groaned. My gaze immediately went to search for the new Bot and I quickly spotted him.
What are the chances that's the real Wheeljack?
Bulkhead led "Wheeljack" forward. As the new Bot was inspecting the base, I got a good look at him.
I've got to say, the Con mimicked exactly how I expected the Bot to look. A white armored Mech with two streaking dorsal fins on the side of his face, and grey brow plates that streaked behind him. He had two wings on his back and two red appendages sticking out behind him. He was blocky and fully armored, with wheels on his legs and shoulders. On his chest plating was red paint sort of in the shape of a pointed shield, with green and grey center. That was his color theme: white with red, gray and green accents. His face, despite being of an alien design, was old, with creases around his optics.
The optics themselves though, didn't show the age of his body. They were a sharp and cold blue.
"Jackie, come here. Meet my other best buddy, Miko," Bulkhead introduced.
Miko had started down the stairs without me noticing, and paused at her mention.
"She can wreck with the best of us!"
She waved with one hand behind her back. "Hiya."
"Wheeljack" took a step towards Miko and leaned forward. I flinched and felt the panic enclose me. Don't pay attention to the human, no please! I wanted to scream at Miko to get away, but my voice caught in my throat.
"You keeping Bulkhead out of trouble?" He asked, and a shiver went down my spine.
"I try, but trouble finds us anyway," she slightly shook her head and smirked.
"We're gonna get along just fine," the fake looked at Bulkhead and smiled. I couldn't help but find it sinister. Loud thudding echoed in the quite hangar, and the leader of the Autobots approached the imposter.
Shoot him. Someone shoot him please, he's a fake Optimus!
"Optimus Prime, it's a privilege," I wanted to barf. That's not what Wheeljack would have said at all. The Bot gives respect when he's seen that it's been earned. The Prime looked down at "Wheeljack" with a smile.
"Likewise soldier." He grew serious. "What have you to report from your long journey?" Everyone listened closely. Everyone except for me, who leaned away, and decided to listen nearer to Ratchet.
"Been bouncing from rock to rock, searching for signs of friend or foe," he looked back towards Bulkhead. "Now, I find both," he smiled.
"We are few, but strong." Optimus admitted honestly, optics searching the Decepticons carefully. "We have suffered losses… but we have grown," he looked towards Jack, and Raf, then back to the Mech. "And we would relish welcoming a new member into our fold."
"I would be honored." I couldn't see the fake's face from where I was, but I just knew I'd hate it.
"Then let's get this party started!" Bulkhead yelled, and hit his friend's back. "Wheeljack" turned around and they both did a body slam into each other, with a loud "Hurrah!"
"Oh joy," Ratchet mumbled.
"Wooohooo!" Miko called out as she slid down the stair railing and ran to set up her guitar into the large speaker. Jack laughed, and Raf smiled as they began their way down the stairs.
I hesitantly walked over to the railing directly above the group. I didn't want to get too close, but I also wanted to be able to watch over Miko, Raf, and Jack. Cons, after all, had no respect for human life.
"Let me introduce you to everybody. This is Bumblebee the quickest Scout there ever was one," Bee chirped and waved his servo's cheerily.
"And this here is Arcee, she can take any Bot down, so don't let your guard down around her," Bulkhead warned with a light tone.
"Wouldn't dream of it," the Con nodded respectfully and smirked. Arcee smiled back.
Blegh. I think I threw up in my mouth a little bit. Gross.
"And of course there's our resident Doctor, Ratchet. Saved my chassis so many times, i've lost count," the giant rumbled in laughter. Ratchet shook his head in dismay. Probably from remembering said "times".
At least he wasn't introducing the rest of-
"And then there's our human friend's. Miko, of course," Miko made a peace sign. "Jack," Jack smiled and waved. "Rafael," the young boy looked up, adjusted his glasses and smiled shyly. "and Rachel," my heart was pounding a mile a minute as the Cons gaze landed on me.
Do something!
I did a mock salute, and the fake nodded back.
"I made all sorts of plans Jackie, the places I have to show you, the awesome things to do, but first let's party!" Bulkhead walked over to behind the stairs and brought out a large metal ball made from a mish-mash of metal tubes and sheets.
"Come on Jackie. Show me what you got," Bulkhead taunted, as Miko took her guitar and began playing it. There was a grunt as the large metal lob was thrown above us.
"Uh oh," Bulkhead caught the lob, but the force of it pushed him backwards. A big feat considering how much the Wrecker weighed. He laughed. "Nice lob," Bulkhead said as he threw it back. And so they continued, back and forth. Bee sat down crossed legged as he watched Raf and Miko. Arcee was leaning against the wall next to the platform Jack was sitting on. How'd he even get there?
More importantly, where did the Prime go?!
"Sooo, what's that about?" Jack asked as he watched the two Wreckers throw the lob back and forth.
"It's called lobbing, the favorite past time on Cybertron, especially amongst the warrior class," Arcee explained.
"W-where's Optimus?" I asked.
"Went for a drive," Arcee responded, looking up at me. Jack looked at her confused, and Arcee looked over to him. "Primes don't party," she explained.
Shit.
"Come on Raf! Show us some moves!" Miko turned around and shook her hips.
Raf adjusted his glasses and relented. "Oh, all right." The boy genius began dancing. Jack laughed.
"Of course- the robot."
I didn't have time for this. I needed to make my escape. But my escapw would mean leaving the others with the dangerous Con. Well, I did know they turn out fine. Who knows, maybe my interfering will get someone killed this time around, ha.
Ha ha. Maybe me just being here will get them killed. Wouldn't that be hilarious?
I walked back to Ratchet to watch him work.
"Coming at ya!" Bulkhead called as he lobbed the… well, lob. "Wheeljack" jumped to catch it, but missed by the servostips and the ball of metal went sailing into the wall. It fell right back down, nicking the groundbridge controls. I tripped backwards, but managed to catch myself before falling.
It sparked, and Ratchet and I covered ourselves away from the sparking, until the machine calmed down.
"You know, I am attempting to perform sensitive calibrations here!" Ratchet yelled towards Bulkhead, gesturing to the control panel. "Wheeljack" went around the medic to grab the ball.
"Sorry, doc. Guess we're a little charged up." Ratchet grumbled under his breath in response as he went back to fixing the controls. The fake paused at to look towards the bridge, I pretended not to be paying attention, even taking out my phone.
"You built this bridge from scratch, huh?"
"I did," Ratchet responded.
"That's quite a feat of engineering." I had to look-up for that one.
"Yes, it is," Ratchet smiled. Wow, an actual compliment for Ratchet, how many millenniums has it been since he's heard one?
"Something wrong with it?" A chill passed through me.
"I didn't care for the way it sounded this last jump. I put it in shut down."
"What if you need to use it?"
"Oohhh, I can't disrupt the defrag process without causing irreparable damage."
"So, uh, how long will the defrag take?"
"A few hours, If we're lucky" Ratchet turned around towards the Con. He thought for a moment and added "Maybe longer."
"Huh."
I frowned. If I could sabotage the controls, the fake could be caught. But then what? There are three human liabilities, actually make that four, i'm a liability as well. Not to mention, that if this wasn't done exactly how it did in the show, the real Wheeljack may not make it. What could I do? Where's Optimus when you need him?
I felt the cold gaze of someone and looked up to meet Makeshifts curious optics. I froze, his optics focusing on me, analyzing.
"You want to do something else?" Bulkhead asked from across the room. Makeshift broke his gaze away from me to focus back onto Bulkhead.
"Oh oh! Story time!" Miko called out excitedly. I took the moment to make my escape.
"I'm going to the restroom," I said mainly to Ratchet, just in case someone asked where I was.
"And you needed to tell me that because…?" The Medic asked, rolling his optics.
"Thought I couldn't go anywhere without someone knowing where I am?" My eyes were locked on the retreating form of Makeshift. Lob in his servos, he handed it to Bulkhead, who in turn pulled him into a noogie.
Ratchet scoffed. "Please, since when have you asked for permission from me," the Medic looked up at me incredulously.
"You never know who you can trust," I whispered as I made my way down towards stairs. I could feel Ratchet's confused gaze on my back, before he apparently dismissed what I had said.
Dismissal to what I say seems to be a hallmark to my stay here. You'd think people would listen to the crazy future human who knows her stuff, but apparently not. This whole thing could have been avoided if they just listened to my hints!
This whole thing could have been avoided if you were completely honest.
Nope. Not going there.
"Rachel! You have to hear this," Miko insisted as I reached the bottom of the stairs. Okay, stay calm, just tell her you're going to the restroom.
"I was actually going to- AAAH!" Miko grabbed my arm and dragged me over to where they had set up two boxes for us to sit on, Raf and Jack were already settled down and waiting for the story to start.
"Miko, really, you can catch me up later. My foot was bothering me, and I wanted to check on it," I lied. Please buy it Miko, please.
"What happened?" The Decepticon inquired. Inquired to me, might I add, the very human Rachel who can be easily squashed by said Con. My heart pumped faster than it probably had in my entire life. I felt paralyzed.
Bulkhead laughed.
"Rachel here is newer than even you are to this planet Jackie. Last week, she appeared out of nowhere, knowing all sorts of stuff about us, claiming she's from an alternate Universe or something, she got injured running away from us," Bulkhead laughed, then jostled the fake who looked at him wide eyed, then looked down at me, optics suddenly intense in interest.
"That so?"
I gulped, then nodded as nonchalantly as I could manage, which is sort of hard when you're shaking.
"Something like that," I avoided eye contact with "Wheeljack". I looked towards Bulkhead, and, desperate to get out of this situation, I blurted out the the dumbest request I could make in this siduation.
"Hey, how about you tell us about the Battle of Darkmount Pass Bulkhead?" I regretted the words as soon as they came out of my nervous face hole. This was the worst time to get Bulkheads attention that the Con wasn't Jackie, as Makeshift didn't have a means of escape yet with the ground bridge still down and what with there being four human hostages easily within reach. Bulkhead for his part looked at me confused, and I blanched as I realized what I'd possibly just done.
"The Battle of Darkmount Pass?" He then grinned, turning to the Con. "See what I mean? Never told her a word about it, i'm sure, but here she is asking about a battle she shouldn't even know about!" He shook his head. "Uh, unless someone else mentioned it?" Arcee and Bee shook their heads in the negative along with the three other humans. I covered my face at that, in embarrassment they would think, but no. It was in horror.
Please shut up Bulkhead.
"It is strange that you knew Ratchet and Bulkhead's names without having ever met them, and you follow what we say no problem. When Miko fist came, all she could seem to do was ask questions," Arcee oh so, helpfully pointed out.
"Interesting. Did you know about me?" the fake asked intrigued.
Shit. Shit shit shit! DAMN IT. No, please, why?
Okay, plan: Keep it vague, and be confident. Pretend he isn't a Decepticon in disguise, so that you can maybe not die today. I garnered as much courage as I could gather, looked at the Con directly in the optics and shrugged.
"Not much I'm afraid. Just that you're a top notch engineer, a helluva Wrecker, and very explosives driven."
"That's Jackie all right!" Bulkhead laughed again. "Okay, we'll tell you guys about Darkmount pass, after the time…"
Bulkheads words flew into the background, as I felt that cold presence again, and a shiver went down my spine. When I looked back over to "Wheeljack", his cold optics were narrowed onto me, and on his face was a disquieting smirk. He was looking at me like I was some prey about to be devoured. I quickly looked back to Bulkhead ignoring the gaze.
He knew.
A/N: And so it Begins, long chapter.
Poor Rachel has a lot on her mind, what with wanting to get home, figuring out that artifact, moving soon, figuring out what she should do with her knowledge if anything at all, and meeting a Con, it's a lot of stress. Everything made worse by her stress signaling to other's there's something wrong, which is what she's trying to avoid. Poor Rachel, mwahahaha.
Criticism's? Questions? Theories? Want to just say Hi? Comments are appreciated!
Comments:
Theorist: I'll be frank when I say Cauley won't be coming in for awhile. If I'm going to go through with doing all the episodes, lot's of points won't come in until later. Hopefully it'll all make sense eventually. Who knows if MECH will be involved (well besides me, hehe). Speaking of MECH though, next episode in the queue...
Best way to know when a new chapter is out is by following the story, but I try for Sunday's or Monday's
Also Note: I don't own Transformers, nor Prime. Just boring talks with Optimus and Rachel over not being able to be home.
