Chapter 22:

I awoke to the smell of sausage and the sound of my stomach being very angry at me for not having it stuffed half way down my throat already. I groan, rubbing my face and getting a stinging pain in my palm for the effort. I groan again, in frustration this time. I was still absolutely filthy from yesterday, not having had the energy to do anything but fall onto the bed and sleep. I could physically feel the dust and grime clinging to me. Disgusting, I know.

I slowly managed to get my dreary body up and out of bed, trudging to my wardrobe for another day of t-shirt, jeans, and socks (which today had a surprise! A glowing sock warmer). I got ready, taking my sweet time in the shower. After what seemed to me like the millionth reminder from my stomach, I bee-lined it towards the kitchen.

"Morning!" I call out as brightly as I could manage in my state. As I entered, slightly turned from the stove to glance at me before refocusing on the source of that delicious smell. Ms. Nunez was wearing a bright green dress with her hair in a neat braid.

On the table there are two cups, so I grab one and fill it from the pitcher of water that was already there.

"You look like shit." She says, causing me to immediately choke on my first sip. After my coughing fit calmed down I tried my best to mumble an excuse along the lines of work stress.

"You need help setting the table?" I try to change the subject.

"Why would I need help setting the table for one?" My heart shatters into a million pieces at the news. I feel dejected. I mean, she has all the right to reject my desire for delicious food, but I still felt utterly betrayed. She didn't intend to offer any of her awesome smelling, fresh, mouth watering food. Turning around completely, her mischievous eyes gleamed all too satisfied by my crushed reaction.

"I am going to eat this delicious migas, then I may share it…"

My spirits internally lifted, the smell of the sausage, eggs, onions, and other flavor galore practically consumed my senses.

"With the neighbor of course. has the cutest dog, always says if i want to get rid of any extra food, she'd be glad to take it off my hands."

My shoulders slumped and my mouth started to pucker. I wanted to cry.

Ms. Nunez let out a bellowing laugh, then came to pat me on the shoulder. "I only joke with you. The plates are in the cabinet, and the utensils in the drawer right next to the kettle." She brought over the pan, then carefully sat down. "Would you be a dear mija and put the kettle on? I quit coffee a while ago, too many jitters, now it's only tea for me." I did so, following her instructions on where the tea bags were located, then brought the plates and utensils to the table as fast as I could.

I sat down, somehow minding my table manners and serving Ms. Nunez first before serving myself. My mind melted at the first bite, as though all was right in the world. Nothing beats homemade food. I don't care what anyone else says. I was beginning to believe magic did exist in this world, solely as 's cooking.

We had a pleasant conversation on homemade cooking, me sharing my mom's cooking advice, her sharing the cooking wisdom she's learned over the years. When the tea was done I poured her a cup as well as one for myself.

"So how's your boyfriend? Hm?" She wiggled her eyebrows at me, taking a slow sip from her tea. I laughed, and shook my head.

"My friend is well. Right now I'm more concerned with a younger friend."

"Hm?"

"She's a teenager…. A bit of a rebellious teenager."

"As one would expect."

"But I'm worried she's not taking her education seriously, and how that'll affect her opportunities down the road." I knew that it was easy to get caught up in the excitement of the Autobots, but the cold reality of the matter was that the Autobots weren't going to be here forever. If Miko didn't take her future prospects seriously, there might not be much for her at the end. At least Jack and Miko had their talents that would easily translate into their adult lives (taking their education seriously included). Miko on the other hand… I was worried about her. Ms. Nunez hummed in thought, taking her time to sip her tea.

"Some people respond to advice, others to experience, still others to only their own will. People ultimately have to find their own motivations. Their own passions. Their own way." She solemnly nodded to her own wisdom.

A rigging from my phone took my attention away from the conversation, and a quick check of the caller ID confirmed it was from Raf. I nodded to Ms. Nunez as I answered. I somehow managed to hold the phone between my shoulder and ear, freeing my hands to take the dirty dishes to the sink to start cleaning up.

"Hey kiddo, what's popping?"

"Hey Rache. Umm, Bee wanted me to tell you that we're waiting outside for you. If you're still up for going to the base that is."

"Roger that! I'll be out in a sec. Let me just grab my stuff. What's the plan for today?"

I let Raf tell me all his plans he was hoping to get done today with Bee as I left the kitchen to my room to grab my things. I gave a quick confirmation I was coming out to Raf before hanging up. As I made my way to the door I hoppingly put on my shoes (still very dusty shoes) and turned back towards the kitchen entrance to wave a goodbye to on my way out (which she waved an uninterested dismissal back, instead already focusing on the newspaper crossword puzzle). Jostling with my bag, I locked the door behind me, making a bee-line towards Bee.

The trunk opened and I threw in my bag and my friendly glowing friend, then opened the front passenger door to get in. Raf was in the back waiting patiently.

"Morning!" I said to them both, pushing my glasses that had dropped down my face.

Bee happily buzzed back, while Raf adjusted his glasses and put up a finger.

"It's actually noon."

Well shoot, there went the whole day. How was it already noon?

"Miko tried to call you..um.. but you didn't answer."

Shoot again. I checked my missed calls, and what did you know? There were 4 missed calls from Miko, and 1 from Jack.

"Well, I guess I completely crashed after yesterday." I reasoned. I flexed my hands absentmindedly. "Did you guys go computer shopping?"

"Oh, sort of. I was looking for good deals online, but they're all pretty expensive," Raf deflated, "My parents said they won't get a new one for me for at least 6 months for wrecking the other one." Oh, poor boy. He did nothing wrong, but he'll have to pay for the consequences nonetheless. Life as a secret alien robot's sidekick I guess.

He peaked up a little. "At least I still have my PC. It's not as convenient, and it means I probably won't be at the base as often for a while, but at least I can still help everyone" he shrugged. Aw, the cutie.

"Hey you'll be our off base Intel guy!" I tried to cheer him up. "Are you planning to build one or buy it new?"

Rafael really peaked up at that. Bee started buzzing too.

"Exactly!" Raf agreed with whatever Bee had said. "With Bee I can get it used and we can make something way better than what I had before!"

"Sounds like a fun project!" I said, and both Bee and Raf hummed in agreement.

Hobbies are good, it keeps the mind off things. What projects did I have other than the government job? My mind blanked. Wasn't there a ton of ideas I wanted to do whenever I was in the midst of panicking? Where did all those ideas go?

After a little while of driving, one idea came to the forefront. My slightly aching hands reminded me of yesterday's fiasco. Gloves, really really versatile gloves would be great. That's not a project though, that's a single purchase. My mind wandered to yesterday's perusal through the training room, how it felt to control the artifact, even if for just a moment, with my own will. Hobbies… training.

Maybe I could bring the idea up to Arcee, she'd be the most willing to hear me out. Putting a pin in that possible project for now.

20

We entered the base just as Raf was finishing his fascinating point on the storage capacity development of some gigabytes of RAM compared to previous availability. The whole ride I had to bite my tongue that by 2018 there would be 100+ GB available, not to mention Terabyte touch screen smart phones. Absolutely bizarre to think I was about his age at this time period.

Best not to think about it too much.

As I got out, thanking Bee for the ride, a loud bang took my attention towards Ratchet. He was glaring at me already and I had just gotten there! What could I have possibly done wrong?

"Took you long enough to get here! What were you doing? Actually, don't answer that, you took too long!"

He… he was mad that I came late? Because I slept in a little? Awww, is this what love and care from Ratchet looked like? Was this a change of heart-or spark? I felt honored -

He stomped towards Bee who quickly handed him the rod, at which Ratchet turned back around to his station, mumbling about useless human this and that under his breath.

"And here I almost thought you cared," I put my hand to my heart in relief. How weird would it have been if Ratchet cared about me. I shuddered.

"HA!" he laughed, and I for one couldn't agree more.

Raf and Bee walked away together deeper into the base, probably to do something about his laptop situation. I walked up the metal stairs, greeting Jack, Miko, Bulkhead and Arcee with a lazy wave of my hand, which was acknowledged just as lazily back. It looked like Arcee and Bulkhead were trying to help Jack with something, while Miko watched. I walked over to the closest position to Ratchet's work area, leaning against the railing.

"Any ideas for today?" I asked, not expecting much. He was flitting around with strange tools analyzing the artifact carefully, referring back to something on the video recording from the storage area.

Ratchet grumbled "I am NOT one of your human entertainment boxes. Go bother someone else" I simply hummed in the affirmative. His hands were quickly picking up instruments while his eyes carefully studied the results on the screen.

"Where did you find UA198628 this time?" he asked without looking up.

I blinked blankly, being caught off guard by the name. "Uhhhh, what?"

He groaned and rolled his eyes, as if explaining anything was an excruciating chore.

"UA198628, it's the designation I am cataloging this as," he picked up the glow stick to emphasize the object in question. "Unknown Artifact 198628."

"Alright then? UA here-"

"UA198628" Ratchet corrected me, trying to use some soldering tool on it now.

"I'm not calling it that. UA is fine." I crossed my arms and raised my eyebrow at him in challenge. But Ratchet continued to ignore me, heading back to his consol with the UA in his left servos.

"And why that specific number?" I asked. At that, Ratchet's optics flicked to me for a second, before focusing back onto his screen.

"Because that was the standard cataloging model at Iacon. We continue to use it to keep item cataloging standard." He answered as if that explained everything.

"Sure," I shrugged, "but why that number? Have you really had 198,000 something unknown artifacts?"

Ratchet huffed. "No, if we cataloged every unknown item we've come across in our travels with that specific designation, it would be a faaaar longer number." He shook his head. "No, this designation is specific to Earth artifacts that I have deemed necessary to research for our understanding of your planet, and to better understand how to fight against the Decepticons."

"Oh? Now I'm curious." I apparently wasn't the only one. Miko, Jack, Arcee and Bulkhead had joined us, overhearing our discussion of his database.

Their sudden crowding (okay mainly Bulkhead) made Ratchet irritated.

"Give me room! Go entertain yourself elsewhere! I'm busy!" He snapped, again, mainly at Bulkhead who withered under the Medics ire.

"Maybe we could help clear up confusion on some of them? At least, the human ones at least." Jack offered. I nodded in agreement, mostly because I had a feeling this was going to be hilarious.

"Hm, a reasonable offer." Ratchet rubbed his chin, considering for a moment, before nodding. "Allright, it will decrease some of my workload." He pulled up a data bank to one of the screens close to us. Miko walked over to the control panel curiously. Sure enough, the screen confirmed 198630 items, 2 having been recently added. Miko scrolled all the way to the bottom of the list to start.

On the first item, we were immediately confused..

"Is that a dog?" asked Miko, bewildered as the rest of us.

"'Is that what that was? The thing had the audacity to excrete some organic acid directly onto my tires while I was taking a nap in vehicular form! It was disgusting!" I stifled my smile as I imagined the dog in the picture peeing on Ratchet while he was parked. We moved onto the next one.

"A wheel clamp…" Jack named it aloud for everyone's benefit.

"Clearly an attempt by your species to limit vehicular movement, but I have yet to deduce its release mechanism. Thus it's addition to the list" An alien robot having trouble getting off a wheel clamp. That sounded like a fun story.

We moved on to the next item, and immediately Miko frowned.

"Hey! This is one of my favorite metal bands!" Miko said, offended.

Ratchet shuddered. "A most foul sound. It nearly broke my audio receptors! I don't know how Bulkhead can stand it. Surely it is a weapon that could easily be turned to use by the Decepticons" Ratchet said with a completely straight face.

I couldn't help spurting out laughing at that, clapping Miko on the shoulders.

"A dangerous weapon Miko! You hear that?" I mocked. Everyone began to struggle holding in their amusement and laughter. Ratchet, feeling my mockery, turned to me and glared.

"You clearly do not have an appreciation of the danger these objects possess." He glared, which somehow made everything funnier. I had to hold my hand to my mouth to prevent myself from laughing or saying anything else. Ratchet's glare became even harsher at my attempt at stifling my amusement.

"This is all besides the point, and completely off track!" He grumbled, turning off his database access and focusing back on our current actual UA. "Where did you find it today?" he asked again.

"Warming my socks," I rocked on my feet for demonstration. Ratchet hummed in acknowledgement.

"Ooooh, I'd like sock warmers" Miko pipped in.

"That usually only helps if your socks are clean and dry Miko," Jack folded his arms and looked at Miko knowingly.

"Hey! I clean my socks…. Once a year."

Ew. I did not need to know that.

Ratchet typed a few commands into the console, nodding, before pulling up Arcee's health summary, the kind he usually has open for all the Autobots during missions. Ratchet turned to Arcee.

"I want to run a few experiments to gather some data on this." Arcee held out her servos, and Ratchet gently gave the UA to her. Immediately, her health summary began shifting, a blue bar at the top right of the screen particularly slowly decreased.

"Is that bar on the right her…" I asked hesitantly to anyone willing to answer.

"Yes, that is an estimation of Arcee's Energon tank."

I blanched. It was only an 1/8th full to begin with. Just how much Energon did they have available on base that it started out so low? I knew from the show that they struggled with finding Energon deposits that the Decepticons hadn't already pillaged. They were alway low on Energon, and it wouldn't be until Ratchet discovered and perfected the artificial energon that a decent substitute was created.

The thing would drain her. And quickly, why were we wasting energon for a silly experiment?

"I'll carry it" I blurted out. Everyone stared at me, Ratchet especially horrified at the idea.

"I get tired. It drains me, but this is Earth. There's plenty of food available for me to recover and get back my energy with. There's no point in draining your guy's Energon supply for experiments."

Ratchet looked at me incredulously, scoffing in exasperation. "I will not allow that! I may personally dislike you fleshlings, but Optimus' orders are quite clear that no intentional harm is to be done to you all."

"Is it intentional harm if I'm volunteering?" Ratchet's optics narrowed, but I held out a hand to stop him from saying that it did still count. "Wait. Hear me out. It's already stuck to me, and it seems that won't change anytime soon. Any real experimentation, then, should really involve me. Maybe we should stop trying to prevent it from coming to me, because at this point, we all know it will."

Arcee crossed her arms, UA still in her servos, considering me. Ratchet sighed, rubbing his servos on his chin in thought.

"You are probably correct that we must involve you, that is, unfortunately, unavoidable. I only intended to see how far it can be taken from you before it will come back. If it is ever stolen, fully exploring the range may become useful." Ratchet slowly explained to me as though I was dumb.

"I get that," I grumbled. I was hoping there would be no need for Arcee to carry the thing at all, but I guess this experiment wouldn't work if I was already with the UA. "Fine, but there's no need for Arcee to have to carry it. Let's put it in a covering or a container of some kind. See if that helps conserve energy. If it works, maybe it'll help me as well. We should probably also test the limitations of groundbridge transportation."

Ratchet scoffed again. "That's a-..." he froze. "Actually a somewhat decent idea," he grumbled before turning back to his console, typing in a few things, then moving to his work bench. Ratchet quickly worked to take an empty metal tube and form it into a canister. He squinted as he welded small holes on the side of a welded top for the can. He added sensors and a bunch of other Cybertronian tech. It looked absolutely small in his large hands, but he gave it to Arcee, who took the UA and compressed it until it shrunk small enough to fit into the container.

I watched on the screen as that one act of shrinking the object drastically shrunk Arcee's already low Energon supply. It felt strange to see the real extent of energy depletion I had been feeling when wielding the UA myself. Jack saw where I was looking at the screen, a slow realization dawning on him, before turning to stare at me in deep concern. I saw his look and shrugged in a, what are you gonna do? manner.

Ratchet expanded Arcee's Eneron reading on the screen, allowing us to see the effects of the canister. I waited, my chest tight as I hoped and prayed it would halt the Energon depletion. After a few minutes, Ratchet let out a sigh of relief.

"It's not perfect, but the container is successfully preventing most of the energon depletion." Jack and Miko cheered, and Arcee looked a bit relieved and less tense. I hadn't even realized she was concerned with how nonchalant she had been acting.

"Ready for a test run when you are." Arcee confirmed, going ahead and transforming (have I ever mentioned how that'll never get old?). Ratchet instructed me to go into the giant tank in the corner of the room, no explanation for me given, of course. Arcee started up, turning on her holographic rider (when was the last time I saw that?). He then gave the go signal, and the timer started as Arcee revved up her engine and took off. I tried to watch the screen like everyone else, but with the distortion of the glass I couldn't make much out. Suddenly shivers rolled down my spine as red lasers began scanning me. I didn't like the feeling, even more so when said laser were coming from a giant laser gun-looking thing above you. The laser continued to pass through me, and I grit my teeth at how weird it felt.

"You okay down there Rache?" the distorted voice of Jack yelled.

"Yeah, just feels weird!" I responded, and in case they couldn't hear me, I gave a thumbs up. Suddenly, the laser started scanning me in a different direction, and another laser started up, startling me.

"Uh," okay then?

I felt a burning sensation in my palm, and looked down to find the UA in my hands, painfully bright.

"Hey! Guys! Stop! It came back!" I yelled. The equipment started powering down, and the kids ran down the stairs, reaching me just as the glass slid open.

"Well that didn't take long." I said, relieved.

Bulkhead bent down, and I dropped the UA in his open servos. He carefully (as carefully as big guy like him could) brought it back to Ratchet.

"Arcee has been informed to come back to base."

"Great, what have we found out?"

Ratchet rolled his eyes as though I had asked the stupidest question in the world.

"We need to run this test multiple times to get an accurate area of the true range. We mapped the general area previously, but I would like a more accurate understanding of how it is transferring."

Oh no, this was going to take all day wasn't it?

"To this end, I will need Arcee's, Bulkheads, and Bee's aid to divide up the work." Oh, poor Bots.

Miko protested, "But me and Bulk were going to go dune racing today!"

"Well plan it later, my research is far more important!" Miko huffed at this and crossed her arms.

"So not fair." She pouted. Jack, though he didn't complain, also seemed dejected at the news.

"There has to be a better way of doing this Ratchet," I tried to reason. "Does it have to be a Bot?"

"Yes. I have a theory that having a living source to draw energy from, its range expands significantly. I want to get a good range of directions from a centered location, the artifact should come back to the same base everytime." Did he just call me a base?

When Raf and Bee came back, they also protested to no avail. Everyone groaned at the task.

21

I was tired and all I did was stand… and allow a bunch of lasers to scan me. There has to be some long term damage from doing that so many times.

I asked Ratchet where the Boss bot was, and he grumbled, focusing on the screen. Jack answered me instead.

"He's off following a lead for a new Energon deposit. Intel is, it should be big!" Oh? That's new and surprising! I tried wracking my brain for big Energon discoveries in the show. I couldn't remember specifics, but generally speaking most of the deposits were already taken by the Decepticons if I was remembering correctly.

Speaking of the devil, just as Bee arrived back from his 3rd run of the test (Arcee did it 4 times, Bulkhead 5 times because Ratchet thought he noticed some differences in some readings) a call came in from the Prime.

"Prime, I hope you have good news." Ratchet greeted.

"Indeed I do Ratchet, I have a confirmed location of what looks to be a major Engeron deposit. There does not seem to be any Decepticon presence nearby."

Everyone perked up at the news. Bulkhead pumped his fists in the air.

"Alright! An energon deposit!" Miko celebrated with a jump and a "Yahoo!"

Bee buzzed excitedly, and Raf smiled.

Arcee immediately found it suspicious.

"Are we sure there's no Decepticon presence nearby? And how big of a deposit are we talking here?"

Jack frowned, "Hey, it's a big planet, is it so surprising they haven't gotten everything?"

"Unfortunately, Arcee's caution is correct. This seems a large site, the lack of a Decepticon presence should be treated with suspicion." The mood was dampened considerably by the warning. "I have sent my coordinates. Ratchet, open a bridge."

Ratchet pulled open a map, and began the process to open a bridge. I took it as my cue that our experiment was temporarily halted, and exited the medical tank, making my way to join the kids at the top of the platform.

Raf was considering the screen carefully, then a realization dawned on him.

"Uh, hey, isn't that Kentucky?" How strangely specific, all these maps looks too similar to me to make out a real location. Miko and Jack must have agreed because they looked at Raf confused.

Ratchet pulled out a bit, and a clearer picture formed. Sure enough it was Kentucky.

"My family went there a couple of years ago, there's really cool cave systems there, the world's largest!"

"Well that would explain it, the system might be so large that the Decepticons have looked at only a section of it." I theorized.

"There's also a lot of tourists," Raf added helpfully. Even the Decepticons were trying to keep a low profile after all.

An idea came to me.

"Hey, largest cave system in the world, energon deposits, right? Perfect environment for, say, an energy hungry UA to be tested for transportation and energy collection!"

"Our experiment here is safer and more controlled. There's no need to move the UA to a dangerous location" Ratchet rejected.

Arcee gave me a look that told me she knew I just wanted to get out of the base. I gave her my best puppy eyes. She rolled her optics.

"It would also require you to join this mission, and after what happened last time I do not believe that would be a good idea.

"I think it's a wonderful idea." I countered. "And we just established the risks are low." Please oh please. I wanted a change in scenery from the tank.

"Can I come too then?" Miko asked. She was immediately shot down by Ratchet. "The only one who might be able to come on this mission is this one" He pointed at me. Gee so warm Ratchet.

Arcee chimed in. "You all have school tomorrow anyway and it's already late," she pointed out.

"Not that she should come anyway, she'll be a hazard for the mission." Ratchet clarified.

"I won't be, I promise. I'll just sit in a corner and wait for you guys near the bridge. Clear results, and a new high energy environment! I'll even scan myself just like here!" I hated that I volunteered to do that, but hey, still better than the tank.

"The decision is up to you Ratchet. If you believe the risks are low and the information gained to be well worth it, Rachel may join us."

Ratchet considered, glaring at me.

I smiled and batted my eyes.

Finally he huffed, and nodded. "It would be valuable information." He mumbled.

"Great! Let's go then!"

First of course, the team had to be assembled. Bulkhead agreed to drop off the kids, much to their complaining. That left the team to be Arcee, Bee, and of course Prime who was already on site. Ratchet quickly remade the UA canister to be a bit more conveniently portable for Bee, making it into a short necklace. For assessment, Ratchet handed me a (oversized) watch.

"This is a prototype I have been working on. It contains health sensors to monitor spikes of the UA's energy signal. Do not lose it, or Primus so help me you will regret ever being born fleshling." He threatened.

"Yes yes, upon my soul I will not lose this sacred item." I rolled my eyes. I frowned at the watch, it looked like those regular smart watches, except twice the size. It was also heavy, probably due to all the equipment inside of it. Why wasn't this an option earlier? Ratchet had been holding out on me.

He finished programming the bridge and switched it on. The swirl of the portal opened and a shiver went down my spine.

Arcee got my attention waving me over. She transformed into her slick motorcycle form and deja vu came over me. When was the last time I got to ride with Arcee? I think it was when she brought me back from hospital from what felt like a lifetime ago. There weren't many chances considering she only ever had room for one, who was usually Jack.

She must have noticed my hesitation, because slightly turned towards me.

"Been awhile huh?"

I shook my head to clear it, and smiled as I reached to climb onto her.

"Yeah, remember when we first met?"

She grumbled, "How could I forget. You drenched me in mud."

"Yeah, good times." I laughed.

Bulkhead transformed and revved up his engine.

"Ready?" She asked.

"Always," I grinned.


A/N: Sorry everyone, I thought I would do a quick filler story before the next episode. I originally wanted to fit it all into one chapter, the filler and the episode, but I hadn't even gotten into the meat of the filler before I realized it was way too long. So this will hopefully be a fun non-episode adventure. Rachel's first solo adventure with the Bots! What will they find in the cave? Why haven't the Decepticons taken the energon already? Are they falling into a trap? Will any of this even be addressed considering our heroine will be stuck in one spot waiting for the rest of the team? Next time on Everything Goes Wrong, Every Single Day!

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!

Best way to know when a new chapter is out is by following the story. I'll be updating chapter progress on my Profile.

Also Note: I do not own Transformers Prime, or Transformers, just the lasers.