Chapter 21:

Ratchet was not happy with us. Arcee was not happy with us. Optimus was, while impressed by our bravery, not happy with us.

The only ones who were chill was Bee and Bulkhead because it could have turned out much worse then it did.

But a lot of lecturing. And, at least initially, arguing.

"How could you have put them in danger like that Ratchet? What would have happened if they shot at the train? Blew it up? If they took the kids? I don't understand how you let them go?!" Arcee chastised Ratchet. The strangeness of Arcee being the one to chastise about safety to the Medic was noted by everyone I'm sure.

For his part, the Medic was focused on making sure Optimus was truly alright. Scanning him and performing a diagnostic check, mainly focusing on his processor. Occasionally he murmured an agreements, yes that was a reckless decision, and no, he didn't know why he agreed, but he had.

I decided that Arcee was probably not a good choice at the moment, and with Ratchet and Optimus occupied, as well as not wanting to force Bulkhead to do the same thing twice, I went over to Bee to give him the rod. My hands felt like with every movement my skin would peel off, the pulsating pain momentarily distracting me everytime my mind wondered to the injury. If I was being honest, it already felt better then it did in the immediate aftermath of what I shall from now dub the "Train Incident". Not that I'd actually looked at my injured hands yet, these bots are too attentive, and I didn't want anyone to worry. Not to mention I was tired due to using the artifact (though, really all it did was extend beyond it's usual amount. It's not like it had to morph into a completely new shape. That should require less energy I'd assume. Not that I was entirely sure that was how it worked), and I did not want to let the thing continue draining me in my exhausted state.

Bee and Bulkhead were staying separate from Arcee's tirade across the room. They were sitting on metal crates with Miko and Jack. The two humans were listening to Bulkhead recount what had happened.

"So I slammed his head with this other guy and they went crashing down, just as I was about to pummel another Con, one -"

"Sorry for interrupting. You recounting the battle with those Cons?" I asked as I approached.

"Yeah, should have seen the last one, he ran with his aft all the way up his tailpipe!" He gave a big hearty laugh.

I smiled, and turned to Bee.

"Can you show me how to put this thing up?" I asked the friendly bot. He buzzed in agreement (and thankfully nodded as well to confirm to me that was what the buzz meant) and hopped down from the large box he was sitting on. Bulkhead waved his servos in a dismissive tone.

"Can't it be done later?" the Wrecker dismissed. "You do not want to disturb Ratchet right now, he's the only one with the access to disarm the security of that place." Bulkhead warned, with an obligatory glance to the scary medic. "Who knows what traps he's laid out?"

Bee buzzed fearfully.

They were likely to get an audio full from Ratchet on "unnecessary and reckless fighting styles" once he was satisfied with Opimus' care and shifted focus to the other's condition. They had come out with nothing serious (thankfully) but scratches and dents. Still though, the medic required them to be looked over. That was fine by me, I think they should stay in the hangar for quick access. I got it out (with Ratchet's help), maybe I could get it back in by myself.

I thought about the challenge for a moment, before I nodded and held out my hand.

"I'll take it back then. The stuff was disabled should still be disabled." I explained. Bee buzzed uncertainly, looking down at the object. Bulkhead looked uncertain as well.

"Uh, I don't think that's a good idea…" Bulkhead hesitated. "Ratchet said -"

"I know what he said, but this is to put it up instead of leaving it in anyone's hands." I argued. I glanced at Jack and Miko from the corner of my eye. They looked at each other then back at me. I turned my focus on the two Bots in front of me, looking at them each in their optics.

Bee buzzed before reluctantly giving it back. I nodded my thanks, before turning to walk to the hallway. I could feel the beginnings of a headache form behind my eyes. As I entered the hallway, I heard Bulkhead pick up his story where he left off.

I turned the corner, and as soon as I felt I was a decent way in, I dropped my guard and slouched against the wall, slowly letting myself fall to the ground. A soft clang rang as I carefully dropped the rod next to me. I looked up at the dim ceiling light, before looking back down to inspect my hand. Now that I felt I could carefully inspect my hands, I saw it was an inflamed and puffy red, with skin peeling off in ragged chunks. No blood thankfully, and the swelling seemed like it was already going down, so it wasn't as bad as I initially thought. The pain throbbed though. If I was going to continue using this thing despite the health effects, I was going to need gloves or something next time.

I sat for a moment.

Deep breaths...

Okay.

I slowly got back up, scooping the rod into my hand and under my armpit so said hand didn't have to hold anything. I started my trek to the storage garages.

I wasn't as tired as when I used the thing as a bat, or a scythe (it did turn into a badass scythe right? or was I misremembering?), and definitely not as tired as when I first used the thing, but I could feel myself significantly drained. Like, how I feel after thoroughly cleaning the house the whole day, if that same day I also ran a couple of miles immediately beforehand. So tired, but not the usual "I'm-going-to-pass-out-now" tired. Which was good, but still not great.

I passed the training room, then halted, backtracking to look inside the wide open doors.

I considered for a moment that I should really be concerned about not aggravating my hands anymore today.

Ignoring the wise though, I turned and entered the space. As soon as I had, the lights automatically came on, temporarily causing me to shield my eyes while they adjusted.

The room felt oddly creepy without anyone but me in it. But really, this was the peace and quite that I needed.

I walked to the very thick floor padding that took up most of the room. I had to jump to actually get onto it. The sound of my rubber shoes on a rubber mat squeaked and echoed in the silence. I paused, half worried someone heard and was going to rush in here demanding to know what I was doing.

And what exactly are you doing?

I considered the rod in my hand, then the open door behind me. Not wanting to be in immediate view of anyone who passes by, I went to the corner of the mat to my right. Not really knowing how to go about this, I sat down cross-legged and stared at the cyan rod in my hands. It was glowing in a slightly pulsating manner that hypnotized me for a moment.

I took a deep breath through my nose.

Closed my eyes.

And let out the air through my mouth.

I repeated the actions until I felt absolutely calm. Then I considered the panic I felt when I felt this thing act. The danger surrounding me.

There had to be a better way to trigger this thing then panic. I just had to figure out what. Meditation? Yoga? Pilates?

I thought back to just today, what was the moment it listened? It… was when I thought we would die. I started thinking about home. About mom, dad, Charoline. About how, if I died here, I'd never see them again, they'd never know what happened to me.

I love them. I miss them. I want to go back ho-

I opened my eyes to see the artifact rapidly pulsating a bright cyan color as it slowly stopped expanding. The thing had grown a meter, and now that my awe was focused on it, the whole thing flickered like a light going out, before snapping back to it's original size. Surprised, I squeaked and dropped the thing.

I stared.

Okay then. That, uh, seemed to be the key I guess. Fear and longing I guess, or something along those lines.

That's likely to be great for my mental health.

I shook my head and slapped my hands together, letting the sting of my injury to bring my head back into focus. I got what I wanted, so time to put this thing back into the vault.

18

I entered back into the hangar to find that Optmus was finally off Ratchet's table and standing upright. The medic and Autobot leader were in some discussion, with Arcee listening next to the two. Bee, Bulkhead, Jack and Miko hadn't seemed to budge from when I had left them.

I went to sit on the floor by Miko and Jack as Bulkhead had somehow started recounting his Cybertron thrashing days again. Miko enthralled, Jack fascinated, and Bee listening slightly uninterested.

I tuned the story out, with my mind instead turning to MECH. How did they know about the (sigh) DINGUS being transported? They even knew the exact cart on the train the device was in. They could have used some radiation tracking device I suppose, but if I wasn't completely off, I'm pretty sure there was a leak that allows Silas to learn about the Autobots from inside the government. If Silas didn't already have an inside man, he soon would I'm sure. Should I try to suggest that somehow to Fowler? I didn't have any proof though, and trying to argue it came from my other worldly knowledge seemed to be a stretch. At least now I knew my first report to Fowler is going to be on what I know about MECH.

Thinking about the Agent, due to the shipment of the asset being derailed (literally), Fowler had to stay and deal with the mess of transporting it again, a logistical nightmare. I'd usually be gleeful for any misery inflicted on that jerk, but even I didn't envy his task. Also, I was too tired to do so.

"... when Rache and Optimus managed to stop the train." Jack's voice suddenly came to my awareness at my name.

Huh?

"I didn't stop the train, Optimus did." I interrupted. Optimus was the one who stopped the train by pushing against it. I just… what exactly did I do? Help stop it slightly earlier? Big whoop.

My interruption must have surprised Jack, because he faltered.

"Wha- but you did help stop it."

"Barely. It wasn't long or consistent enough to provide more than the most miniscule contribution to stopping the train." I shrugged. He frowned and his eyebrow rose.

"That was more than what we managed to do," he indicated towards Miko and himself. He also shrugged dismissively, but this time I was the one who didn't like the dismissal. They shouldn't undersell themselves.

Bulkhead shook his head. "That could have gone a lot worse if none of you guys were there to help," he amended.

True enough to a point. They didn't actually need me, though I recognized that I was the only one who actually knew that, so I let the comment slide.

Arcee took this moment to join us, nodding her head to Jack.

"That was enough adventure for one day, let's get you back home." Arcee demanded, apparently done with her tirade (for now). It was only 6 though, and a weekend!

Jack must have thought so too, because he opened his mouth to complain. "But-"

"After what you guys pulled, I want you safe at home." She interrupted any argument, this time in a slightly concerned tone.

Jack visibly slouched in aquiecenes as he trudged over to Arcee as she transformed, lazily grabbing his helmet and backpack that was laying next to the box he had been sitting on.

"See you guys later, I guess." He frowned.

"Bye Jack, bye Arcee," I nodded, not wanting to aggravate my hands.

"See ya!" Miko said.

And off they went. Being reminded about partnerships amongst the kids and the Bots, I turned to Bee.

"How bad's the damage on Raf's laptop" I asked, wincing at the image of the fried computer. Apparently, when Raf hacked into the train system, MECH had hacked into his computer to cause it to blow. That's why he lost the train positioning.

Bee buzzed and made a static noise, before stopping to wait for Bulkhead to translate.

"Bee says that it's completely fried. Raf is going to try to repair it. Bee said he wants to help fix it so it's improved." I couldn't help but grin at the suggestion.

"Bet that'll console him."

Bee buzzed in what I guessed was an affirmative. Raf slowly came down the stairs to join us, cradling in his hands were the remains of his laptop. May it rest in peace.

"Bee can we go? I want to see if I have some parts in my room. See if I can salvage anything." The boy timidly asked, adjusting his backpack and clutching the laptop tighter. Bee buzzed in the affirmative and transformed into his car mode, pulling up his doors to allow Raf in. When the he had settled in he looked out towards me.

"Are you coming Rachel?" He asked. I hesitated, then shook my head.

"There's one last thing I wanted to do. That is, if Bulkhead is willing to drop me off?" I asked.

Suddenly on the spot, the heavy Bot considered. "Uh… yeah, guess that's no problem." He looked from Miko to me and back to Miko.

Bee buzzed, and allowed the doors to close. Raf waved from the window as Bee shot out following Arcee to drop off his charge.

"And then there was three." Miko provided helpfully.

I looked over to her, took a deep breath and asked. "Can I talk to you for a sec Miko?"

She perked up, then lounged back. She waited, and I waited… then I realized she didn't understand.

"Privately?" I knew the Bot would still be able to hear, but they were kind enough not to mention it.

She deflated at my request, to my amusement. I pointed up the stairs to the couch and walked over there. Allowing her to take her time to come to me. That way, I could also grab the stuff I brought.

There was my opened can of soda I had pulled out earlier today on the coffee table. I grabbed it and began sipping as I crashed down into the sofa.

I thought about the mission again, now considering the effects of my interference. Not much changed disappointingly (thankfully), the effects of my contribution to stopping the train was minuscule, obviously. More surprising to me was the lack of any real change to me telling them information early. I thought that would give us a head start, but it didn't. Not really. Where had that extra time gone? I told them about MECH early, then about Silas and the asset early. The reveal of MECH didn't have much of an effect because it wasn't information that helped them in the mission or that wouldn't have been revealed mere seconds later anyway. Telling them about Silas discovering phase 2 early on the other hand should have had some effect, but it didn't. What was different?

It hit me then that I was the factor that was different. The inclusion of me, and me grabbing the rod had taken all the extra time I had given. My interference thus allowed for a small gap allowing me to participate and for the mission to still succeed.

I didn't know how to feel about that. A chill went down my spine when I thought about what could have happened if I hadn't warned them early, and gotten that extra time. I would have delayed them, and the train likely would have gone off the track.

The clanging sound of small feet on metal shook me out of my thoughts as Miko forlornly approached the couch. I smiled at her and patted the seat next to me. She reluctantly followed, sitting beside me

An awkward silence prevailed over us, made even more awkward because Miko was never this quiet.

I cleared my throat and looked at her.

"I want to say sorry about this morning. I didn't mean to push you like that Miko. It was only concern that drove me to say that stuff."

Miko twiddled her thumb and shrugged, looking like she really didn't want to be having this conversation.

"Water over the bridge" She shrugged again. I didn't bother correcting her.

I left a gap to see if she was going to say anything more before continuing. Maybe being honest would help.

"It's just, what I know weighs on me-"

"I thought you were super cool. Rachel from an alternate dimension. Rachel with her cool battle weapon. I wanted you to like me, but you treat me just like everyone else." Miko vomited out, pulling me back from what I was going to say. It took me a moment to process what she said and to shift gears. I looked at her incredulously

"Miko, you're awesome. You don't have to prove yourself to anybody, let alone a nobody like me." I chuckled. "I treat you like my little sister, though she is 4, so, I guess that can come off condescending." I brought up my legs and wrapped my arms around them. " I guess I just really miss home…"

Miko, you're talking to Miko, don't get derailed. I looked in her eyes, my vision shimmered a bit, but I held back. "Miko, I promise from here on I won't treat you like a kid, I'll treat you as a friend. How about that?" I stuck my hand out to her. She looked down at the offer, exaggeratedly considering, before she grinned, and punched me in the shoulders a little too roughly.

"Deal!"

Ouch.

19

I entered my room and immediately crashed into the soft soft bed. I was dusty, dirty, and tired, so moving seemed like too much effort at this point in time.

What would had thought if she had seen me come in? Or maybe, I don't know, she's used to her house guests coming in at strange times and crashing. Either way, I didn't have to know, she was already asleep when I got back (thankfully).

The stick would no doubt return to me, somewhere, somehow, into this room, but I, again, was too exhausted to think about it.

As I nodded off to sleep, I mentally tried to list events:

Scraplets, Makeshift, MECH, what came after that?


A/N: We know what comes next. Deus Ex Machina, when there will be a trip to Greece! Next chapter I'll get Sunday things tied up, then onto Monday for another episode! I'll try to keep it all to a single chapter.

As usual, I reserve the right to edit if I see a mistake or error.

Criticism's? Questions? Theories? Want to just say Hi? Comments are appreciated!

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Also Note: I do not own Transformers Prime, or Transformers, just Rachel and her metal health issues :)