Trials, Tribulations, and Transformations
XIII - Far Far Away
Autobot Outpost Omega One - Jasper, Nevada - April 24th, 2011 - Sunday, 10:30 am
Vince had to sit down in a kitchen chair in order to keep his legs from buckling. What he had just heard was not entirely unexpected, he suspected that the events of that night did not happen as he was told but this?
"I...was kidnapped by a Decepticon?" Vince stammered in disbelief.
Jackson Darby looked sheepish. "Yeah," he said begrudgingly.
"And it was that flashy red sports car who tried to run me off the road?" Vince said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Yup."
Vince rubbed his arms as though a bitter chill came over him. The revelation that he'd been at the mercy of a Decepticon was unsettling. Terrifying.
"Why did that 'Con take me?" he asked.
Jack's face seemed to blanch of color almost instantly. He scratched the back of his head before answering. "Well...you see...thing is…"
"He was after you? And he got me to get to you or something?"
"Not exactly," Jack answered. "Knockout was after Bumblebee, not me necessarily. And when he saw-"
"Knockout?!" Vince cried. "His name is Knockout?!"
"Uh...yeah."
Vince groaned. "Sheesh. And I thought Megatron was a cheesy name."
The sound of someone snorting in an attempt to keep from laughing could be heard.
Both Jack and Vince turned to see Katie with the rest of the group and she was covering her mouth, her eyes avoiding to look at the two boys.
Vince just stared at her. "You thought it was funny too huh?"
Katie didn't answer. She just nodded curtly and kept her mouth covered, probably because she didn't want to risk laughing out loud in such a delicate situation, especially one that was concerning Vince's life and the mortal danger he was in.
The mortal danger that all of them are now in.
"Anyway," Vince said, moving on to the substance of the conversation. "You were saying about what Knockout saw Darby?"
"Oh yeah, he saw you with Bumblebee and probably mistook you for his friend or something."
"I assume he's the black and yellow bot?" Vince asked.
"Yeah, that's the one."
"I see," Vince said flatly.
Jack had his head down but when he looked back at Vince, he had to force himself to stay put as Vince was glaring at him with such anger that it was as if he was meaning to burn him with his stare.
"Sorry Vince," Jack stammered. "But I did try to warn you."
"Lot of good that did, how was I supposed to know that an alien robot wa trying to kill you?"
"Vince…" Sierra said nervously.
Vince looked at the redhead, managing to stave off his glare while doing so. "What?"
"How was Jack to know that a Decepticon would be there?"
Vince opened his mouth to retort but no words came out as he did not have an answer.
"It's ok Sierra," Jack said. "I wasn't supposed to be racing anyway."
His anger placated, Vince looked back at Jack. "What happened next?"
"After Knockout grabbed you, he must've, well...knocked you out 'cause you were unconscious when we caught up to you," Jack chuckled at his own unintended pun but Vince was not amused.
"Very funny," Vince said humorlessly. Then his look appeared slightly confused. "Caught up? So it was you and that bot who saved me from that 'Con?"
"Uh no, it was-"
"Optimus Prime?" Vince said abruptly.
Jack was stunned at first, but he quickly recovered. "Did he tell you?"
"Nope."
Jack was bewildered. "How did you-?"
"I wasn't entire sure," Vince said. "But when I first heard Prime speak, his voice sounded familiar to me. I couldn't put my finger on it as to why? I just heard it before is all. Then I started remembering things you know? Flashes that seemed like really hazy feelings of deja by, like something out of a dream."
Then Vince looked at Jack with grave seriousness. "Did Prime say anything like 'explanations can come later'?"
Jack's eyes widened. "Yes," he said, sounding utterly bewildered. "But how could you know this? You weren't conscious."
"Can't really explain it. My head has been messing with me lately, increasingly since yesterday."
Raf adjusted his glasses. "There have been some cases of coma patients who could hear everything around them. That's why doctors urge the families of patients to talk to them as though they can hear you."
"Nerd alert."
"Miko!" Katie said annoyed.
"What? I was only teasing," Miko said.
"It's fine Katie," Raf said. "It's a term of endearment if nothing else."
Jack laughed. Vince smiled but managed to keep from laughing himself.
"Is that everything?" Vince asked.
"Aside from driving you back to your car and then calling Bumblebee a pedal car, pretty much," Jack said with a lopsided grin.
Now it was Vince's turn to turn pale. "Guess I should apologize to him too?"
"You can," Jack said. "Bumblebee probably forgot about it but I think he'll like you for it."
"Right."
"Hey Vince?"
Vince felt his heart sink as he looked up at Sierra. "Yeah?"
"Did you have breakfast?"
Before Vince could answer, the sound of his stomach rumbling could be heard in the kitchen.
Vince's face turned red as Sierra smiled. "That's what I thought," she said.
Sierra produced a plate and silverware and set in front of Vince. He looked down to see that it was a cheese omelette with onions, bell peppers and bacon.
Vince stared at the dish, as though it were something he'd never seen before. "Sierra, you made this?"
"Yes," Sierra said, sounding a bit bashful.
"When did you have time to make this?" Vince asked.
"It's a simple recipe and Jack managed to keep you busy while I prepared."
Vince felt his heart melt. "Aw Siri, thanks."
"You're welcome."
The sound of smooching could be heard. Vince and Sierra turned to see that it was Miko making kissing sounds, while holding her hands together in a lovey-doves fashion.
"Miko!" Jack said in annoyance.
Vince started eating vigorously as though it were his last meal, trying to hide the faint color producing in his cheeks. Sierra simply turned around as her face threatened to rival the color of her vibrant red hair.
12:20 pm
"RATCHET! BRIDGE US BACK NOW!"
Ratchet activated the groundbridge. No sooner had he opened it, the familiar form of Optimus Prime's big rig vehicle mode charged through, pulling a small freight trailer.
Or perhaps not so familiar, as Prime's vehicle mode had been changed for the purpose of staying under the radar.
It had been converted into a 2010 Freightliner Argosy with a black and silver color scheme.
"Close it!" Optimus commanded.
Ratchet pulled the switch and the groundbridge closed, effectively ceasing to exist. Then the good doctor operated a command on the Autobot main console and from the ceiling of the base, a rod-like device with a reflective dish on its tip sprang and it emitted a bright blue sheet of light which performed a centrifugal motion, covering the entire room. It was a scanning device designed to detect any foreign object or device not registered in the Autobot security mainframe, such as a explosive device or spyware. After a manner of seconds, the scanner completed its procedure and it descended back into its containment unit in the ceiling.
"Optimus, scan complete. There are no readings of any spyware of any kind or any objects that MECH could've snuck onto your person, inward or outward."
"Very good Ratchet."
The driver's door opened and Agent Fowler stepped out. The man held onto the door and painted as though he had ran a mile.
"Agent Fowler, are you alright?" Optimus asked.
"I'm fine Prime, I'd be a little more concerned for our invaluable cargo."
"Of course Agent Fowler," Optimus said knowingly. Through his internal sensors, the Prime found it puzzling of how oddly quiet his newest passenger has been. "Jonathan...are you-?"
"WHOOO!"
The youthful cry of excitement was so loud and sudden that it startled everyone and every-bot in the room. Even Optimus recoiled at the sound, but his was so minor a movement, no one had noticed.
Optimus' passenger door opened and out a came a young man, about 15, around the same height as Jackson Darby, of African-American descent and the young spitting image of his father.
"That...was...intense!" the boy said ecstatically but then his mood became suddenly somber. "And terrifying. I mean the car chase, the guns, the shooting, the explosions."
Without missing a beat, Agent Fowler approached his young son. He looked over his boy, checking for possible injuries, sprains, marks on his body that might indicate some kind of harm.
Jonathan Fowler tried to hide his annoyance. "I'm fine dad, really. I'm not hurt."
Fowler placed his hands on Jon's shoulders. "Are you sure?"
"Well, I feel a little sore and that portal we just went through?" Jon said, letting out a shuddering breath. "My bones feel like they're vibrating."
Agent Fowler smiled. "You'll get used to it."
Jonathan shared a smile with his father, until Agent Fowler placed a hand on his stomach, groaning nauseously.
Jon reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a folded paper bag, handing it to his father.
Agent Fowler took it gratefully and emptied the contents of his stomach into it.
Ratchet watched the two, especially the boy with interest. "You came prepared I see," he said.
Jon looked up at the medic. He did not show any fear in his eyes, only fascination. Fascination of the alien titan that stood before him.
Ratchet was a bit unnerved by how this boy was observing him. It was starting to annoy him.
"Wow," Jonathan said in awe. "You're amazing."
Ratchet was not expecting that. "Excuse me?"
"Oh, I'm so sorry, it's just...so awesome to finally make contact with...visitors per say...and these visitors happen to be giant alien sentient robots from a distant planet? Oh man!"
Ratchet was starting to get uncomfortable.
"So...any who," Jon said, settling down and composing himself. "I'm Jonathan Fowler, pleased to meet you Doctor Ratchet."
Ratchet wasn't expecting that either. No human ever referred to him as 'doctor' on their first meeting with him, except Nurse Darby.
He was almost amused that this human youth referred to him as doctor along with his name. His name?
"You know me by name? Without me being introduced by your father?" Ratchet asked.
Jon shrugged. "Dad told me about you before coming here. Plus, judging by the ambulance design on you, it seemed rather obvious."
"Jonathan."
The boy turned to look at Optimus who was still in his vehicle mode. "Y-Yes Mr Prime?" Jon stammered.
"I will take liberty of transporting your belongings to the male barracks in the base. You'll have help moving them into your room." The Prime's voice then sounded slightly amused. "And please, just call me Optimus."
"Yes sir," Jon said. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"I'll go with him so I can let the kids know that you're here, so you don't surprise them," Agent Fowler. "And so that they don't freak out when they see Prime's new look and mistake him for a Decepticon. No offense Prime."
"None taken."
"So no one knows I'm here?" Jon asked.
"Well, technically, nobody knows you're here. At least they're not supposed to. You're really going to like them Jon, I'm sure of that."
"I could always use more friends," Jon said a bit glumly.
"Agent Fowler," Ratchet said as he produced a small bundle in a green sheet. "These are the children's cellphones, I finished modifying them this morning. Give this to them if you please."
"Sure thing," Agent Fowler said.
And with that, Ratchet handed the bundle to Agent Fowler, who then entered Optimus' driver's seat and they gradually made their way down the hall towards the human barracks with the trailer in tow.
"So...what do I do now?" Jon asked.
"What you'll do now is listen carefully because there some ground rules I must lay down for you before you can have run of the place," Ratchet answered sternly.
"Oh...ok," Jon said, albeit nervously. "I'll try not to be trouble for you bots."
Ratchet's mouth twitched but he managed to keep from smiling.
This is quite possibly the most polite human I ever encountered...well...if I discount Nurse Darby. Of course, who'd ever discount her.
"Good to hear. And of course, you'll need a diagram of the layout of this base. It's easy to get lost in here if you don't know your way."
"Cool."
"And you'll have to see Nurse Darby," Ratchet said.
"What for?" Jon asked.
"Just a routine examination. After all you had a rather...strenuous afternoon."
Jon sighed tiredly. "You can say that again." Then the boy's eyes sparkled as he remembered something.
"Dad said that there are other kids here, kids around my age. Are they-?"
"Easy Jon," Ratchet said, holding a placating hand up. "You'll get acquainted with them in due time. For now, let's get you settled in."
"Sure sure. Thanks doctor."
"And I'll need your cellphone too."
12:45 pm
"Does anyone else hear that?" Raf said nervously.
"Sounds like a big truck." Katie said.
"Maybe it's Optimus," Sierra said.
"I don't know," Jack said skeptically. "Optimus never drives down the hall. Besides, that doesn't sound like his big rig."
For a good amount of the morning, the children have remained in the kitchen and communed with one another. Their breakfast already finished, their dishes already washed and put away (per base regulations), the children were in the kitchen's rest area, exchanging stories of their past recollections with the Autobots and the dangers they've all faced together. The newer editions to the base have been so engrossed in their conversation, at least until they had heard the unusual sound of a large truck driving gradually down the hallway outside the kitchen.
"You guys," Vince said. "Me and Katie heard that doctor Autobot practically scream the word 'what' when she came to bring me back here."
"Do you know what happened?" Raf asked timidly.
"No idea. Whoever docbot was talking to, it was in low voices and I wouldn't dare get on Prime's bad side if I'm caught for eavesdropping and since we got surveillance cameras all over the base, there's no way I won't caught."
"Security cameras. That's it!" Jack said as he made a silent dash to the security monitor on the other side of the room. "Oh no," he said as he looked at the screen.
The rest of the group followed and when they saw what he was looking at, their expressions became a mixture of alarm and shock.
"That...that's not Optimus," Raf rasped.
"How did it get in here?!" Sierra cried. "Is it MECH?! The Cons?!"
"We need to call one of the bots?" Miko said, until she flinched as she remembered something. "Right, no cellphone. Ratchet has them."
"We have to get out of here!" Vince said, preparing to make a move to the kitchen's exit.
"No!" Jack shouted. "Whoever that is is already on top of us. We have to hide and keep as far away from the door as possible."
Vince narrowed his eyes. "Who put you in charge Darby?"
Jack looked apprehensive. "Vince, where we are is safe as we're going to get. We need to hide until we know it's safe."
"Jack. Listen," Miko said placing her on the boy's shoulder.
With some effort, the children quieted down to hear what was going on in the hallway. The sound of the big rig was starting to silence itself and then it let out a slow metallic screech as though it were coming to a stop.
And then the sound of one of the doors opening and closing was heard.
Vince paused and then managed at last, "Works for me. Hide."
The children quietly and quietly moved to the other side of the kitchen and his themselves behind one of the counters. Deciding to arm themselves in case it was an enemy, Jack, Miko, Katie and Vince looked about the kitchen for anything close by that they could use as a makeshift weapon. Vince found a skillet. Katie found s heavy ladle. Miko, naturally found a fire ax that was on the wall. And Jack found a fire extinguisher in the pantry. Upon seeing Jack's weapon of choice, Miko gave him a knowing smile while Jack simply rolled his eyes at her, but smiling as well.
Once the children were ducked down behind the counter, waiting for whomever got out of the truck to enter the kitchen. No one dared to speak or even breathe aloud for fear for whoever was out there might discover where they were hiding.
And then they heard the kitchen door open and whoever came in spoke out.
"Kids? You in here?"
Jack's widened and he let out a silent breath of relief. The other children did much the same thing.
"Agent Fowler?" Jack called out.
"Yes, it's me. It's ok. The truck outside is Prime, he just had an impromptu makeover."
Sighing yet again in relief, the children came out of their hiding place.
Agent Fowler chuckled but then stopped when he saw that some of the objects that some of the children were carrying.
"What are you doing with those?" Agent Fowler asked.
Jack, Miko, Katie and Vince did not answer. Sheepishly, they slowly attempted to conceal their makeshift weapons behind their backs. Sierra and Raf simply stared at them, attempting to avoid looking at Agent Fowler.
Fowler smiled nervously but with some mirth. "You weren't going to use them on me, were you?"
"Not unless you're a double agent for MECH?" Miko said brandishing her ax.
"Miko!" Jack exclaimed.
"What? I was just kidding."
Vince smirked. "You were looking pretty bloodthirsty when you picked up that ax."
"Well duh, I've been itching to bring the hurt in those MECH screwballs, increasingly lately."
"Well take a number, I had to run away from my own home because of those bums. I may not be able to see my mom for who knows how long because they're hunting us!"
"You guys…" Jack said, attempting to placate them.
"Excuse me, but we've been on the receiving end of those jokers for months now, plus the Decepticons. We've been dealing with this war longer than you have."
Vince's face turned red with anger but he managed to steady himself. "Have you ever killed anyone since you met the Bots?"
Miko didn't answer. She looked at Vince uncertainly. "N-no," she stammered.
"Well, this is war. And I hope to God that you guys will be ready when that time comes. Take it from what Prime told me: it's us or them."
No one spoke.
"Optimus said that?" Raf asked.
Vince sighed as though it tired him out to say it. "When he took me for a drive. He...helped me come to terms with what I did."
"Vince," Sierra said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You're not to blame. Those guys were trying to kidnap us, or worse, kill us. It was self defense. They died by their own hand more than yours, you must know that."
"Of course I do," Vince said bitterly. "It's just tough, knowing that I took, not one, but two lives, justified or not."
Agent Fowler approached Vince, almost considering to make a connection with him by placing his hands on his shoulders. However, he knew full well that Vince was not at all used to physical affection of any form and giving any would only make him more uncomfortable.
So Agent Fowler wisely kept some distance.
"I know it's tough Vince, I really do. As a retired Army Ranger, I'm no stranger to violence and what it does to you. What you did, it was an exemplary service to your country."
Vince didn't say anything. He didn't even look the agent in the eye.
Agent Fowler decided that it was best to move on for now. He'd have to talk to the boy sometime later. One thing for certain, the man thought, the boy has made some steps towards overcoming this burden.
Whatever Prime must've told him, it must've been something else.
"Kids, I've got something for you all," Agent Fowler said, attempting to defuse the heavy situation. Fowler turned to pick up the bundle he'd left on a kitchen when he entered the kitchen. He unwrapped it and displayed its contents for the children to see.
"Courtesy of the good doctor," Agent Fowler said.
The children approached what Fowler had unwrapped and saw that it was an assortment of cellphones, but not just any cell phones.
"Are those...smartphones?" Raf said, adjusting his glasses.
"Ratchet made more than a few modifications. They are as good as smartphones and twice as Internet-fast. More importantly, they cannot traced or tabbed."
"Rock on!" Miko shouted. Then she raised an eyebrow. "Is the pink one mine?"
"Sure is," Agent Fowler said. "Names are etched on them so you all know which is yours."
The children each picked up their respective phones. Some examined with moderate interest, some with ecstatic joy, mostly Miko.
"Not too shabby," Vince said as he observed his phone's design, which was of a green camouflage color scheme.
"Very cool," Katie said as she used her phone to take a selfie. Her's was a golden color with black stripes.
"I wonder why my mom never got me one of these?" Sierra said. Her phone was of a solid red.
"Wow, my mom couldn't afford these phones," Raf said, marveling at the phone's tech and programming. His was orange.
"I have to say, this will definitely make calls simpler, in more ways than one," Jack said, quite pleased with his phone's latest upgrade. His was dark blue.
"Another thing I'd like to bring up, we just got a new addition to the base," Agent Fowler said.
That got everyone's attention. The children immediately stopped paying attention to their new phones and looked at Agent Fowler with looks of utter bewilderment.
"What now?" Katie said.
Agent Fowler sighed deeply. "You see, given the circumstances-"
"Dad? You in there?"
Agent Fowler immediately froze as though an electric current went through him.
He heard the kitchen door open and the sound of footsteps behind him.
"There you-Oh!"
Fowler turned to see his son Jonathan had stepped through. He too was frozen stiff as he saw his father was not alone. Fowler turned back to look at the kids. He saw looks of utter bewilderment and surprise in their faces upon seeing yet another newcomer, but not just any newcomer.
"You're busy, I'll come back later."
"No no no, it's alright Jon. Come on in, meet the team."
"Dad huh?" Miko said. "I didn't know you had a family Fowler."
Jonathan laughed. "My dad wouldn't mention family while at work. Confidentiality and all. Keeps me safe, which is partly why I'm still breathing."
Vince shook his head bemusedly. "We may need a bigger base at this rate."
"Optimus, given our low numbers, once MECH has been dealt with, what will be done with the children? The Decepticons are surely privy of our predicament given their technological superiority, just as well as MECH is. We cannot protect the children from them, not unless you plan to keep them at the base indefinitely. We simply do not have the numbers to protect them all.
And it won't be long before MECH pinpoints our base's location, which means the Decepticons will not be far behind."
"I am aware Ratchet."
Optimus had just dropped the trailer containing Jon's belongings, which include his bed, bedding, clothing, everything; thus, he left it to Arcee and Bumblebee to set up the boy's room as Optimus was too large to fit into either of the barracks. Given both Arcee and Bumblebee's small size, they could squeeze into either barrack with relative ease.
With his part done, Optimus underwent the continuation of the conversation he was having with Ratchet in his personal quarters.
"The answer to our dilemma Ratchet is simply this: calling in reinforcements."
"There is no guarantee that the message that has been sent will reach anyone Optimus. We haven't heard from any Autobot straggler for some time now, not since Wheeljack. And there is no guarantee that there is any Autobot out there who will be able to receive it."
Optimus Prime's optics seemed pained but hedid not waver in his stance. "I am sure that there those who will answer the call Ratchet. In my very spark, I am certain that there is."
"I hope you're right Optimus, I truly do."
Meanwhile...
Light years away, more than halfway across the galaxy, there was a distant planet, a planet not so brimming with life like the Earth, but with life all the same and it is growing.
Or at least, it would be if it had not been caught up in a great war. A war of massive proportions that after centuries has managed to find its way there.
This particular planet is known as Regulon 4. It is one of the few planets colonized by Cybertronian life that is thriving with life. It is not Cybertron for when it was alive and glistening with life-sustaining Energon, but it is capable of sustaining life all the same.
But now, it has lately become a warzone. A nexus of sorts for those who desire to begin life anew or pick up from where left off ever since the Exodus of Cybertron took place.
Unfortunately for the small band of Autobots that have set up shop on this planet, it has not gone well and their progress is steadily dropping and reaching critical.
"THE 'CONS! THEY'RE HERE! THEY BROKEN THROUGH THE FRONT LINES!"
"We can't hold them! We must retreat!"
"NO! Not until we gotten everyone out!"
"By the Allspark, where is that tight aft?!"
Upon the steps of the ruined palace where the capital of New Iacon stood, the Autobots made their last stand, they continued to fight tooth and nail in order to hold the enemy back. There just seemed to be no end to them.
Suddenly, a vehicle with blaring red and blue lights came, speeding through the Decepticon ranks, crashing and crushing whatever 'Con that had the misfortune of obstructing his path.
Using the tank mode of a certain 'Con, the Autobot used him as a ramp, transformed midair, pulled out a pistol and blasted several 'Cons in a back-flip motion, transforming back before hitting the ground. He drove up the palace steps dodging blaster fire all the while.
Making it into cover, the Autobot transformed and adjusted his yellow visor to make sure it was still functioning.
"Yo Prowl!"
"Yes Jazz, what is it?" the Autobot said as a shorter Autobot of white and black color scheme approached him.
"What is it?! Where've you been man?"
"Escorting the last of the royal family and the rest of our brothers. Silverbolt and his Aerialbots will see to it that they leave orbit without incident. Don't worry, I made sure they weren't followed."
Jazz grinned widely, his optics gleaming behind his blue visor. "Thorough as ever Prowler."
Prowl maintained his steely and serious persona. "It's why I'm in charge."
"Charming as ever too, ya tightaft," said a thick-Southern accented voice from behind Prowl.
"Ironhide," Prowl greeted without turning. "Are the escape pods ready?"
"Any minute now, Blaster is making some final calibrations so that they cannot be tracked."
"Excellent, we better get up there then."
"Aw Yeah! LISTEN UP AUTOBOTS!" Jazz commanded as loud and commanding as he could muster. "FALL BACK AND MAKE FOR THE TOWER NOW! IT'S SHOWTIME!"
The Autobots did not miss a beat. They turned and ran for the back of the palace hall. It wasn't long before the Decepticon legions came in, pursuing their prey like the most malicious of predators.
However, they were not quick enough. By the time the Decepticons caught up to them, the Autobots had alreafy shut themselves in an emergency lift, which was reinforced with high-grade cybersteel. There was no going after them now, at least not by conventional means. They knew this and so did the Autobots. So they'd better move fast.
The Decepticon commander who led the assault was livid, his single optic glowing red with thinly-veiled rage, but managed to keep himself calm. He activated his commlink and said, "This is Commander Lugnut of the Regulon Decepticon Armada, I request air support! The Autobot Resistance is escaping! DESTROY THE LAUNCHPAD! IN THE NAME OF MEGATRON, LET NONE ESCAPE!"
"Yo Blaster, are the pods ready?"
"Just about...just need to splice these wires annnnd...got it! Alright pals and gals, Operation Exodus Mark II is a go! Ow!"
"Can it Blaster and prepare for our arrival. This service lift ain't that fast but every second counts, so quit running yer big yap!"
A chuckle could be heard over the commlink."Charming as ever Ironhi-"
Before the Autobot communications officer could finish his sentence, the piercing sound of static filled the receptors of the Autobots' comm units.
"Blaster?" Jazz called out.
There was no reply.
"Blaster!" Prowl called out finally with greater volume. "What's going on? Are the Decepticons attempting to jam our transmissions?"
"Negative. That wasn't interference. It's a high-frequency message from halfway across the galaxy. It's encrypted and it's Autobot."
Silence reigned in the lift.
"Don't play it until we arrive at the top. And make sure all to scramble Decepticon transmissions," Prowl commanded.
"You got it."
As soon as the small band of Autobots reached the top of the tower, they immediately went to their respective pods to prep them for transport.
"Blaster?" Jazz called out.
"Right here ro-bro."
"Blaster, the message?" Prowl asked.
"Alright, just to need to check for-" Blaster began but then he stopped. He seemed to be stock still as though he were frozen.
The surrounding Autobots were rather confused by this action.
"Blaster? You ok buddy?" Jazz asked.
"It...it can't be," Blaster stammered in disbelief.
"Do you know who sent the message then?" Ironhide asked.
Then Blaster's persona completely changed. He seemed...happy. More happy than any of the Autobots have ever seen it.
"Y-yes," he stammered, voice breaking. And then, Blaster at last initiated a silent command, activating his audio systems and played the incoming message.
Calling all Autobots. Come to earth. Reinforcements gravely needed.
"Was...was that-?" Ironhide said, not sure if he heard right.
"Optimus?" Jazz finished. He was patting his audio receptors as though there might be something wrong with them.
Without even flinching, Prowl spoke up. "Blaster, can you confirm the sender?"
Blaster didn't miss a beat. "It's his unique data signature and the voice print is undoubtedly his," he said confidently.
Ironhide wasn't so hopeful. "It could be a Decepticon trick. We haven't heard from Prime in ages."
"Even so, we cannot pass up this chance. If Prime requires reinforcements, we must answer the call."
"Here here," Jazz agreed heartily. "Blaster, can you trace that message's point of origin?"
"Already have."
"Very good," Prowl said. "Jazz, Blaster, I'm sending you both there, bring some soldiers with you."
"Me?" Blaster asked. "But you guys need me here."
"Yes, if Prime had sent so short a message then it must be due to terrible risks in communication. That could only mean one thing."
"Soundwave?" Jazz said.
"Soundwave. And if he's there giving Prime trouble, then he cannot be far behind," Prowl said in a foreboding tone.
Ironhide pounded his fists together to create emphasis. "Megatron."
"Precisely," Prowl said. "Therefore, Prime will need your expertise more than us. Your brother Bluster can take over."
"Point taken."
"So we're agreed. Sideswipe! Sunstreaker!"
A red Autobot with a black helm reported in. "You called Prowl?"
A yellow Autobot with a black helm with yellow fins on both sides also reported in. "Sunstreaker, reporting for duty."
"Accompany Jazz and Blaster," Prowl commanded.
The twin nodded and saluted.
"Prowl, bogies incoming!"
"Autobots! Get to your escape pods now!"
The Autobots moved quickly to their respective pods. Several have blasted off already.
No sooner has the warning came, several Decepticon jets flew overhead.
"Jazz! Take your team and go!"
"What about you Prowl?"
"I'll buy you some time, now go!" Prowl commanded, pointing with emphasis.
With some hesitation, Jazz did as he was told. He made for his pod while his team made for theirs. And they departed without another word.
And then a great tremor erupted, causing the tower to shake. Prowl managed to steady himself and prevent from falling. His spark clenched in his chassis when he realized what had happened.
They're bringing the launchpad down!
And then it felt as though the tower was beginning to tilt. Prowl was beginning lose his balance. The tower was falling over.
Prowl looked up to see the escape pods leaving but then he saw several Decepticon jets attempting to follow them.
Activating his aerial targeting system, Prowl took aim.
Good thing I saved these.
His shoulder-mounted rockets took flight and homed in on their targets. The rockets combusted halfway and released multitudes of smaller rockets. The Decepticon jets attempted to avoid them but it was no use. The rockets found their mark and the targets were utterly destroyed.
But there were still more to come. Luckily for Prowl, he wasn't alone.
"Nice shooting tight aft."
"Ironhide? Why didn't you escape with the others?!"
Both Autobots had to hang on to the platform as it was making its descent.
"Like I was about to let you go down alone. Besides, I don't want you hogging all the action!"
Both Autobots climbed as the tower fell, making way to the other side so that they could make their stand.
"Hell of a way to go," Ironhide muttered.
"We're not done yet, we've got incoming!"
Several Decepticon fliers made their towards them. They seemed to have forgotten about the escapees. Two high-ranking Autobot leaders as well as founding members of the Autobots who had no way to go made for much sweeter targets.
Ironhide armed his mounted cannons while Prowl pulled out his dual blasters and they both opened fire.
"We'll have to find another mode of transport off this planet," Prowl said.
"Sounds easy," Ironside responded flatly.
And then they made a mad dash across the falling tower and they jumped off into the city down below.
"We made it, we're out of Regulon 4's atmosphere. And it looks like no one's following us."
"Good to hear Blaster. Now, Swiper, Sunny, sound off?"
"Sideswipe here."
"Sunstreaker reading you loud and clear Jazz."
"Where are we going?"
"You didn't hear the message Sideswipe?"
"I...I heard Prime's voice and he mentioned a planet, Eeee-aaaarth or something."
"It's pronounced earth and Prime needs help."
"Blaster, you're sure it's him?"
"Sure I'm sure. It's his unique data signature and voice print, no 'Con trick could mimic that. Not even Soundwave."
"Outstanding Blaster, so...how're the kids doing?"
Blaster frowned as he heard Jazz chuckle over the commlink. "For the last time, they're not my kids Jazz, they're just my soldiers whom we've shared a spark-bond as brothers in arms."
"That's not what mom said," a certain voice from Blaster's chassis exclaimed, followed by a snicker.
Thus what followed was a multitude of snickers from the communication officer's chassis.
"Can it Rewind!" Blaster said annoyed. "That goes for the rest of you, quiet down in there."
"So…," Sideswipe said, trying to stifle his own laughter. "How long till we get to our destination?"
"Approximately...one and a half deca-cycles."
Blaster hears a collective groan in his commlink.
"Alright alright, settle down twins. Let's just power down, it's gonna be a long trip."
"We gathered that much."
Jazz laid back in his pod, trying to get comfortable. As he relaxed, Jazz realized just how exhausted he was. The latest battle really wore him out.
I hope Prowl's ok.
He shut off his optics and he let his engines idle, initiating power-down. Just before sweet sleep took him, one thought crossed his mind.
He's alive, he thought, his spark swelling, my boy Prime is alive.
To be continued…
Note: Cybertronian Units of time -
Solar cycle - 1 day
Deca-cycle - 10 days
Orbital cycle - 1 month
Stellar cycle - 1 year
Voice Cast
Optimus Prime - Peter Cullen
Ratchet - Jeffrey Combs
Jackson Darby - Josh Keaton
Miko Nakadai - Tania Gunadi
Rafael Esquivel - Andy Pessoa
Vince Raider - Brad Raider
Sierra Krosney - Alexandra Krosney
Jonathan Fowler - Shameik Moore (Into the Spider Verse [2018])
Kaitlyn Seinfeld - Hailee Seinfeld (Into the Spider Verse [2018])
Agent William Fowler - Ernie Hudson
Prowl - Kevin Conroy
Jazz - Khary Payton (Teen Titans [2003])
Ironhide - Keith Szarabajka
Blaster - Bumper Robinson (Avengers Assemble [2013])
Sideswipe - Travis Willingham
Sunstreaker - Vic Mignogna
Lugnut - Christopher Judge (God of War [2018])