Trials, Tribulations, and Transformations
XV - Can We Keep Them?
SIX HOURS AGO...
Isla del Carmen, Baja California Sur, Mexico - April 24th, 2011 - Sunday, 7:30 am
Standing on a distant shore, shrouded by desert rock, in the Gulf of California, was a short, portly man of Indian descent, middle-aged, dressed in a traveling light-green lab coat, a man of science. And by this man's side was a tall man, a burly man in his late 50's, of a strong-build, with platinum blonde hair and mustache, and balding, dressed in the uniform of a police captain, minus the jacket and the credentials.
"Are you sure this is a good idea Professor?" the police captain asked his compatriot.
"Not entirely Captain Fanzone, but we have little option at the moment," the professor said in a clipped Indian accent.
Professor Isaac Sumdac, Founder and Head Scientist of Sumdac Systems, and Captain Carmine Fanzone, Former Marine and Captain of the Detroit Police Department, both stood on a cliff side overlooking the Gulf of California. The private Sumdac jet right behind them was shrouded underneath an rocky outcrop and palm tree leaves in order to conceal it from any unwanted passerby.
"And exactly how long will it take before your kid wakes up?"
"The sedative ought to last at least another six hours."
Captain Fanzone looked at the professor with a questioning gaze. "Was it really necessary to tranquilize her?"
"I do not wish to traumatize my daughter by revealing the truth of our journey just yet. At least this way, once she is out of harm's way, she can be told in an environment where she knows she's secure. Besides, the sedative will help her through the groundbridge and quell any possible nausea."
Captain Fanzone groaned. "Not very much looking forward to it. Bill warned me that teleportation is a doozy, especially if you're squeamish."
"I'm sure it will be fine."
"So how long are we waiting here?"
Dr. Sumdac pulled out a remote from his traveling lab coat. "Agent Fowler will send us a signal that indicates that they're ready to receive light on this remote will turn green, that will be the signal. Then we must be ready quickly and then send the signal back. We'll have fifteen seconds before the bridge closes and by that time, we need to be on the other side."
"The little time we have is a security measure of course."
"Precisely."
"And the plane?"
"It has a cloaking device that is already active. It should be fully operational after it reboots in about a minute or so.
Then a steady beep went off and the remote was blinking in green.
"There! Captain, go get my daughter but be gentle, I don't want any risk of her waking," Dr. Sumdac said.
Captain Fanzone gave the good doctor a hard look. "What with the kind of tranquilizer you slipped in her orange juice, I doubt I could even if I shook her."
Autobot Outpost Omega One - Jasper, Nevada - 7:44 am
"Ratchet, have you deactivated the cameras in the command center?"
"Yes Optimus."
"Arcee, are the children still in their rooms?"
"Affirmative Optimus. If any of them wake up, we'll let them know that the command center is off limits."
"Boooopeeeeeprrrrrzzzt?"
"Good question Bumblebee. We'll inform the children sometime today of the Sumdac's arrival here. But for now, we say nothing."
"Uhh, I kinda didn't get the memo here, why are we keeping this a secret Optimus?"
"Because Bulkhead, given our technological disadvantage, we, including Dr. Sumdac need to work fast and Dr. Sumdac requested that he and his daughter be escorted without any incident. That means the children don't need to meet them right away. And I agree in this matter. That way the good doctor and Ratchet can begin work on updating the base's systems immediately."
"Prime! They're ready!" Agent Fowler cried.
"Ratchet, the groundbridge!" Optimus Prime commanded.
Ratchet immediately pulled the switch to the groundbridge and it came to life. No sooner that it did, Agent Fowler rushed through it...
Isla del Carmen, Baja California Sur, Mexico
...and he came out the other side.
"Bill, it's been a long time."
"Too long Carm. Now, hustle your bustles!"
Dr. Sumdac and Captain Fanzone, with a sleeping Sari nestled under his left arm, made a dash through the groundbridge. Agent Fowler followed close behind.
Autobot Outpost Omega One - Jasper, Nevada - 7:45 am
The groundbridge closed and the portal effectively ceased to existed.
"We made it," Captain Fanzone said, panting as though he had ran a mile, right before gagging from a sudden wave of nausea.
"Evidently Captain," Dr. Sumdac said falling to his knees in exasperation.
As the two newcomers recovered, they began to realize their new surroundings, as well as the two enormous beings within their field of vision.
"Dr. Sumdac, welcome."
Very slowly, Dr. Sumdac looked up at the Autobot who spoke to him. He had never laid eyes on the leader of the Autobots before. Very few have. And now to see an alien organism, a sentient machine who can transform into an earth vehicle, that was truly something to behold for a scientist eager to seek out the truth.
Dr. Sumdac quickly stood up, dusted himself off, and composed himself.
"Optimus Prime," Dr. Sumdac said as professionally as he could. "It is an honor to finally meet you."
Optimus smiled. "The honor is mine Doctor."
Optimus turned to his medical officer. "Ratchet, transport Dr. Sumdac to his quarters. Bring his daughter and Captain Fanzone with you."
Ratchet nodded and he transformed into his ambulance mode. He opened both his driver's door and passenger door.
"Ratchet will take you to your personal quarters Dr. Sumdac," Optimus said. "Your laboratory is already prepared for you. You may begin your work anytime."
"Oh, thank you. Thank you very much. Captain Fanzone, could you please load Sari into the ambulance?"
Captain Fanzone grimaced. "Sure Doc."
With that, Dr. Sumdac got into the driver's seat and Captain Fanzone sat Sari down in the passenger seat and buckled her in. And then, Captain Fanzone closed to the door and walked back the way he came.
"Captain Fanzone!" Dr. Sumdac called out, poking his head out the door. "Are you not coming with us? There's room in the back."
"I'll walk, thank you very much," Captain Fanzone said haughtily. "I don't much care for vehicles I have no control of, especially ones I'm riding in."
The sound of a slighted scoff could be heard. "Well! Then by all means, walk! We haven't enough vehicles to compensate the number of humans anyway."
And with that, Ratchet drove off down the hall and out of sight.
Captain Fanzone turned with a scoff, crossing his arms. However, after a moment, after what he said began to sink in, he sighed deeply, already regretting his words.
He felt a hand on his shoulder. He did not have to turn to see who it was.
"That was a little uncalled for Carm," Agent Fowler.
"I know," Captain Fanzone, still not looking at his friend.
Optimus Prime approached the groundbridge terminal and said in an utmost serious voice, "Agent Fowler."
Without needing to respond, Agent Fowler pulled out a laminated sheet containing a diagram of the base and handed it to Captain Fanzone.
"Here's a map of the base, your quarters will be in Dr. Sumdac's lab. It's circled in red."
Captain Fanzone took it without hesitation but addressed Agent Fowler with a questioning look. "Bill?"
"Urgent business. Can't talk about it yet."
Captain Fanzone stared at Agent Fowler before he shrugged and walked away. "Sure Bill, sure," he said dryly.
"Prime, you haven't told Ratchet yet have you?"
"No, but I will momentarily. I can't operate the groundbridge and escort your son at the same time."
"And your new vehicle form?"
Optimus nodded. "A new vehicle form has already been programmed into my frame. I can transform into it at anytime."
Agent Fowler sighed in relief. "Good, good."
Optimus punched in a new set of coordinates into the groundbridge terminal. "Are you ready Agent Fowler?"
"I am. I have the remote set and will call for you when my son and I are ready to move out."
"Good," Optimus said as he placed his hand on the groundbridge switch.
"Prime, wait."
Optimus paused in his action and turned towards Agent Fowler. "Yes?"
Agent Fowler scratched the back of his head. "I...I don't know how to thank you Prime...for doing this."
Optimus smiled. "You don't have to thank me."
Optimus pulled the switch, the groundbridge opened, and Agent Fowler walked through it.
Once Optimus reactivated the groundbridge, he accessed his commlink. "Arcee?"
"I read you Optimus."
"Dr. Sumdac's daughter will remain under the care of her father and her bodyguard, Captain Fanzone. For now, until she has been made privy of the situation, only the six children are under our care and protection."
"Understood but-" Arcee seemed to pause mid sentence in her transmission as though she were missing something. "The girl doesn't know about us?"
"Per our agreement, between myself, Agent Fowler and Dr. Sumdac, until they made it to the base, they were not to speak of us Autobots or anything to do with us directly, lest they might be overheard. We had to use carefully-codes messages in order to communicate with the Sumdac's."
"I see."
Arcee sounded uncertain. Optimus couldn't quite place his finger on it, but in his spark, he discerned that it had to do with something deeply personal.
"Arcee, what is the matter?"
Arcee did not answer at first. Then she made a sound as though she were clearing her throat. And then she said, "It's about Jack...and Miko."
Optimus frowned. "Are they alright?"
"You see Optimus, that's just it. They're better than alright. They've not only worked things but they even want to...oh, what do the humans call it? They want to…"
"Go on a date," Optimus finished. It wasn't a question.
There was no answer at first. "Yes!" Arcee said astonished. "But how…?"
"Arcee, the fact that there has been a special fondness between Jack and Miko is not lost on me. The incident as of late, or incidents rather, have served to solidify their relationship. It's only natural that they would desire to spend more time together."
"Well...they wish to spend time together tonight Optimus but they're in hiding, so-"
"We'll help them plan it as carefully and safely as possible Arcee. But until then, you and the others will mind the children."
"I understand. Thank you Optimus."
"You're welcome."
PRESENT TIME…
Autobot Outpost Omega One - Jasper, Nevada - 1:30 pm
Sari Sumdac groggily opened her eyes. The world seemed a blur to her, but in a matter of moments, after rubbing her eyes, everything came into focus.
Sari let out a big yawn but froze upon realizing the unfamiliarity of her surroundings. She looked down to see that she was sleeping on a couch.
This definitely isn't my room.
Very slowly, Sari sat up and observed the room she was in. It looked like someone hollowed out a massive rock and turned into some kind of laboratory. And the equipment looked oddly familiar, as though it belonged to...her father?
This is dad's tech. What's it doing he-wait...is this where dad was taking us? For some strange experiment retreat?
Haughtily, Sari got off the couch and searched for an exit. On the other side of the lab, she saw a massive steel door. There was a keypad next to it.
That door has better not be locked!
Sari rushed to the door and closely examined the keypad. The digital readout read 'Locked,' but there was a key that had a diagram of locked padlock, which must to lock the door and another key that had a diagram of an unlocked padlock, clearly to unlock door.
So it can be opened from the inside. Thank you God.
But before Sari could open the door, she heard the sound of footsteps just outside the door. And then the sound of someone punching a keypad.
Someone's coming in! I gotta hide!
Afraid of being discovered by whomever that was coming in, Sari hid herself behind a large metal slab, a table of sorts that held what looks like a holoprojector.
Sari heard the soft hiss of the door opening and the voices of two persons, one very familiar to her and the other not at all familiar.
"-Captain Fanzone trusts you implicitly William, but these beings, these Autobots, it will take time for him to adjust and see the sorts of persons that they are."
Dad! Wait, Autobots? What are Autobots?
"I understand completely Isaac. I was much the same way when I first started working with them. It took time but eventually...well, let's just say they're growing on me."
I don't know who that is, but he sounds like he knows my dad. He sounds nice enough.
Sari peeked out from her hiding place and she saw that the door was still open.
I'd better hurry before it closes.
As quickly and quietly as possible, Sari tiptoed out the door, narrowly missing it when it closed automatically.
Once she was sure she was alone, Sari looked about her newer surroundings. She saw that was a massive hallway of sorts, carved out of desert rock.
Where are we? It looks like some kind of cave or mountain, or a cave in a mountain.
Sari's look of bewilderment soon turned into one of excitement. Grinning, she uttered a noise that sounded like a squeak.
Cool!
Sari rushed down the hall to her left, eager to explore her father's new workstation.
This must be some kind of super secret think-tank for tech-heads like my dad. I wonder what kind of tech they got stashed up in this place?
"Reeeeeprrrrrzzzzeeeooop."
"You said it Bee, we really needed this power-down."
Bumblebee and Bulkhead were recuperating in their vehicle forms in one of the storage units of the base.
"I almost can't believe the week we've been having. Miko almost dying in that cave-in. Then she goes missing. And now MECH has people in Fowler's playhouse of politicians and because of that we now have to go into hiding while protecting seven or eight kids and some mystery scientist. Did I miss anything?"
"ReeeeepOoooooprrrrt."
Bulkhead groaned in exasperation. "Yeah Bee, I haven't forgotten about almost running down Vince."
"RoooooopErrrrtzzeeep?"
Bulkhead scoffed. "Apologize? Why should-?" Bulkhead stopped and then after giving it some thought, he sighed. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
"Um hello?"
Bulkhead and Bumblebee did not move an inch as a young girl of Indian descent with dyed red hair appeared out of the corner of the open storage unit they were powering-down in.
"Isn't that Dr. Sumdac's kid?" Bulkhead said.
"Bzzzzzrrrrt."
"I don't know, make her feel welcome I guess."
Sari Sumdac looked about the storage unit as though she were looking for someone but to her, it seemed like there was no sign of anyone. "Who said that?" she said. "Who's there?"
"Right here kid."
Sari froze and followed the sound of the voice and saw that it was coming from the forest-green all-terrain van right in front of her.
She felt like her blood froze in her veins when it drove right up to her, its grill just inches away from her.
"My name's Bulkhead, did you lose your daddy?" Bulkhead said, trying to sound sweet.
Sari said nothing. She just stared at Bulkhead with wide eyes.
And then she screamed.
She screamed so loud and so high, both Bumblebee and Bulkhead backed up as though they were struck.
Sari took off running like the devil was on her heels and in her mind, that was probably the case.
"I think she's scared," Bulkhead said, before driving after the girl.
Bumblebee let out a whirring sound that almost sounded like an exasperated sigh.
"Little girl wait!" Bulkhead called out. "Don't be scared! I won't hurt ya!"
Bumblebee, now the only one left in the storage unit, let out an irritated electronic high-pitched buzz, right before accessing his commlink.
Meanwhile…
"So we're agreed then?" Arcee asked.
"Sure sure, we keep a low profile, even when using our new phones," Jack answered.
"And I'll be sure to get a quick makeover so I can't be easily recognized," Miko chimed in.
"Have you already decided on what you'll be doing on your date?"
"Sure, we agreed to go to the movies. We're going to see 'Rio,'" Miko said.
"Movies, thought so. For your own safety, me and Optimus determined that the best place would be this Cinemark theater in Reno, which happens to be quite close to the local airport."
"Which has security up the wazoo. Smart," Jack said impressed.
Before anymore could be said, a shrill noise that sounded like a high-pitched shriek.
Arcee, Jack and Miko all turned towards the hall where the sound emanated from.
"What was that?" Jack asked bewildered.
"Sounds like a high-frequency sonic weapon," Arcee said.
"Or a little girl?" Miko suggested.
Arcee gasped and then she pressed on her audio receptor, activating her commlink.
"Bee? I heard someone scream, it was coming from where you and Bulk...what?"
Arcee's bewilderment turned to angry disbelief. "He did what?!...Where is she now?!..I'll be right there!"
Arcee transformed into her vehicle mode and sped away down the hall.
Jack and Miko watched her go.
"I don't think I'm going to get used to that," Jack said glumly.
"Good," Miko said cheerfully.
"Get away from me!"
"Kid, stop! You can't go up there! It's dangerous!"
In her terrified state of coming face to face with a creature that she had never seen before, Sari made every attempt to escape her pursuer. Desperate to get away from the disembodied vehicle, Sari fled into this large room which looked like a massive gym. She saw that there was no way out aside from the way she came in. However, she noticed a ladder leading up to an elevated set of steel grated walkway. She wasted no time scaling the ladder and running along the walkway, attempting to get as much distance from that thing as possible.
What she failed to notice however, due to her frightened state, was the warning notice that read: Warning. Keep Out. Walkway Unstable.
This lack of care would cost Sari dearly.
"KID STOP! THE WALKWAY ISN'T SAFE! YOU'LL FALL!" Bulkhead bellowed, transforming and now running towards the underside of the walkway where it was the most dangerous.
Sari didn't listen, she just kept running.
I'm not going to make it in time! If anything happens that kid-
The terrible sound of the steel grating crumbling and collapsing echoed throughout the entire gym room, which was followed by Sari's high-pitched scream.
She was falling.
"NO!" Bulkhead cried, reaching out a hand in a vain attempt to catch the girl but she was too far out of reach.
Sari barely registered the screams, her screams, as she felt nothing but her stomach dropping as she fell. Was she going to die? Was this all there was for her when her dad took her on this trip?
As the concrete floor closed in as she fell, Sari shut her eyes, not wanting to see herself splatter. In what might be the final moments of her life, she couldn't help but think, Thanks dad.
And then Sari felt something swoop under her, something smooth and metallic. Before she opened her eyes to see what it was, the sound of metal crashing around her frightened her so much that she kept them shut.
There was no pain, none at all.
As soon as the noise stopped, Sari opened her eyes. There was a great shadow cast over her. She looked up and realized it was that giant green robot-car who was chasing her. Before she could scream again, she noticed ruined remains of metal grates surrounding her. The green robot stood up and was brushing some off of his back.
He shielded me from the falling debris. But then who caught me?
"Are you ok?"
Whuh?
Sari looked up and had to force herself to stay put as only a few feet away was yet another giant robot, of a black and yellow color scheme with adorable, sparkling blue eyes looked at her.
The black and yellow muscle car.
"You saved me," Sari whispered.
"Think nothing of it. Name's Bumblebee."
"I'm Sari."
"Aww, don't be sorry. You were scared and you were a place you didn't recognize."
"No, I mean that's my name, Sari. And...what are you guys?"
"Haha. I like your name. As for what we are, we're Autobots and…"
The being known as Bumblebee stopped short and stared at Sari, as though she had grown a second head.
The green robot who called himself Bulkhead stared at the girl as well, slack-jawed.
Sari rose an eyebrow. "What? Do I have something my face?"
"You can understand me?" Bumblebee asked bewildered.
"Of course I can. Can't anyone else?"
"Whoa, she's just like Raf," Bulkhead said almost speechless.
"Who?"
"SARI!"
Uh oh.
Sari looked to see her father standing at the doorway of the gym. He was looking most distraught. By his side was Captain Fanzone and another giant robot, but this one was not as large as the others.
This one was clearly a girl. Do these robots have genders?
She looked rather cross. "Bulkhead! What happened?!"
Bulkhead looked ashamed. "I didn't mean to scare her. I thought she knew."
"Knew what?" Sari said."Dad! What haven't you told me?"
Dr. Sumdac twiddled his fingers anxiously, eyes downward. "I promise to tell you everything Sari."
"Good. Uh Bumblebee? You can put me down now."
"Oh, of course."
Bumblebee gently put Sari down, who then rushed over to her father.
"Oh Sari," Dr. Sumdac relieves, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine dad, thanks to them," Sari said, pointing to the Autobots behind her.
"Sari, it was those machines who put you in that mess in the first place," Captain Fanzone said angrily.
Sari narrowed her eyes. "Uncle Carm, I snuck out dad's lab. I wandered off in a place I never been in. And then I happened upon on these bots while they looked like cars. I heard someone talking and approached then. Then Bulkhead here came up and talked to me. I freaked out and ran and the rest is history."
Before Captain Fanzone could retort, Dr. Sumdac placed a hand on his chest to stop him. "Carmine, my daughter is right. If anyone is at fault, it is I for not telling Sari the truth."
Captain Fanzone scoffed.
"Sari," Dr. Sumdac began gently, kneeling to look his daughter in the eye, "These beings are called Autobots, i.e. autonomous robotic organisms from the planet of Cybertron."
Sari, eyes wide with wonder, looked up at Arcee and back at Bumblebee and Bulkhead. Bumblebee did a comical shrug take and even though Sari could not see his mouth, she could tell that he was grinning.
Smiling she turned back to her father, "So can we keep them?"
To be continued...
Voice Cast
Dr. Isaac Sumdac - Tom Kenny (Transformers Animated, 2009)
Captain Carmine Fanzone - Kurtwood Smith (Beware the Batman, 2013)
Sari Sumdac - Grace Rolek (Steven Universe, 2013)