Trials, Tribulations, and Transformations

XVI - Movie Night

Autobot Outpost Omega One - Jasper, Nevada - April 24th, 2011 - Sunday, 3:00 pm

"Come again?" Katie said with a raised eyebrow.

"I said I want a makeover!" Miko turned back to Sierra. "Can you help me with that?"

"Mikoto, what do you need a makeover for?" Sierra asked. "And why do you want me to do it?"

"It's Miko and I...well…" Miko Nakadai twiddled her forefingers, blushing slightly.

Katie smirked. "Do you want to impress someone?"

"Katie!" Sierra snapped giving her friend a light slap on the arm.

"What?" Katie said feigning innocence.

"She's asking for help. Making fun of her is not cool," Sierra said irately.

"Ok ok," Katie said placatingly putting her hands up. "Just a joke, I didn't mean any harm."

Sierra took a breath. "Now then, Mikot-I mean Miko, how much of a makeover do you need?"

Miko's persona brightened. "Not anything fancy or gaudy, I just want to look good."

"Is it for a date?" Sierra asked.

Miko blushed again, biting her lip. "Yes," she said quickly.

"Jack?"

Miko bowed her head and then she nodded curtly.

Sierra smiled and Katie, with a lopsided grin, gave Miko a thumbs up.

"Soooooo, who asked first? You or him?" Katie asked slyly.

Miko covered her face with both hands.

"It doesn't matter who asked who Katie,"

Sierra snapped. "What would you like exactly Miko?"

"I...I'm not sure."

"Alright, let's improvise then." Sierra turned to address Katie. "Kat, can you get my kit while I get Miko ready."

Katie shrugged her shoulders. "Sure." And she swept away.

"Okay," Sierra began, putting on a serious face, "Why do you want me to do this? Why not ask Nurse Darby? Why me of all people? I was the one Jack was crushing on before."

Miko continued prodding her forefingers. "I know. That's kind of why I'm asking you for help."

Sierra looked at Miko sadly.

She really doesn't have much confidence in herself.

"Let's start with your hair then. Would you like a cut?"

Miko shrugged. "Might as well. My do is too recognizable and I don't want any MECH agents happening upon us and recognizing me."

3:15 pm

"Seriously?!"

"Yes Vinny, seriously," Jack said with a deadpan look.

"I mean, how's it going to work? Won't that be dangerous?"

"Our respective guardians will go with us and they'll monitor us through our phones so that if anything goes wrong, they'll be alerted and we get the heck out of there."

Vince grimaced. "They're going to spy on you?"

"No Vince, not without our permission, and then it isn't spying. They're our guardians but they'll respect our privacy so long as we respect the boundaries that have been set."

"Boundaries?"

"Yeah, things that a boy and a girl have no business doing alone, things that serve no purpose beyond temptation, which can lead to less than proper things."

"Uh right," Vince said, shifting uncomfortably. "So why are you telling me this?"

"Well...I never actually been on a date before."

"And you think I have Darby?"

Jack was taken aback. "You? You never been…?"

"No, of course not. Girls don't really take to me."

"You?"

Vince scoffed. "Don't tell me you're surprised. The bully?! The illegal racer?! The sack of crap best friend?!"

Jack held his hands up as though he was about to ward off an attack.

Any sign of aggression burned out in Vince's eyes and slumped back into the couch he was sitting in. "Sorry man."

"Hey, it's ok," Jack said, placing a hand on Vince's shoulder. "I know that things have been hard...for both of us."

Jack sighed sorrowfully. "Ever since our dads died."

Vince bowed his head. "Yeah, and everything went to Hell."

"You were never the same after that."

Vince chuckled mirthlessly. "Neither were you."

Jack took a deep breath and exhaled, relaxing against the couch, right next to Vince who was hunched over, hands clasped together.

"So…" Vince began. "You wanted advice?"

"Well…"

"All I can say is just be nice to her. No questionable comments on their appearance, no matter how small. Always listen and don't get distracted when they're talking."

Jack stared at him.

"Hey, I may not have ever been on an actual date but I have had enough bad experience with girls to know what sets them off. And believe me, if they think you're listening to them, they'll either yell at you or give you the cold shoulder."

"Huh, I think I read about stuff like that in a book my mom has," Jack said.

"Was it a cheap dating manual?" Vince asked, half joking.

"I don't know. Probably."

"Hmm. Anyway, you might want to dress nicely, especially if this is your first date, right?"

Jack smiled sheepish. "It is."

"I thought so, let's go see what you got in your wardrobe shall we?"

Vince grabbed Jack by the arm, and practically dragged him towards the male barracks.

"Do you really need to drag me like that?"

Vince gave Jack a lopsided grin. "Nope."

3:40 pm

"And...done," Sierra said as she made a final clip with her styling scissors.

Katie took out a small brush and swept off all the excess hair from Miko's shoulders.

Miko uttered a high-pitched giggle when the brush touched her neck.

"Will you stop squirming?" Katie said slightly annoyed.

"Sorry, it tickles."

"Alrighty. Katie, pass me that mirror please," Sierra said.

Katie did so and Sierra held it up in front of Miko, who observed herself in the mirror's reflection.

She kept her eyes closed for a moment before looking. When Miko saw herself, she almost forgot to breathe. Sierra had cut a good deal of her hair off and styled it into a pixie style do. It was as if her ponytail, pigtails and most of the wisp were cut off. Her highlights were washed out, thus leaving no trace of color other than that of her dark brown hair. Although the hairstyle was new, it was still untame, much like her. Sierra was able to work with that of course, styling it in such a way that gave Miko a classy yet sassy appearance.

"Soooooo?" Katie said. "What do you think?"

"I LOVE IT!" Miko squealed, jumping out of her chair.

Katie took a step back, startled by Miko's excitement. Sierra simply smiled. "I'm glad," she said.

"Now you just need a set of clothes to go with your new do," Sierra said.

Katie nodded. "You could use a change of clothes either way," she said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Miko exclaimed angrily.

"Well...you don't seem to wear anything else aside from what you usually wear: the knee high boots, the skimpy short jeans, those striped socks and alien shirt and all those alien stuffed animals you got on your belt. I don't think I ever seen you wear anything else."

Sierra groaned in exasperation. "Katie, come on! Don't you have anything nice to say?!"

Katie looked stricken. "I was just stating an observation."

"A needless and unkind observation. Besides, we don't exactly wear much other than our school clothes, do we? The pink sweater, dress shirt and skirts?"

"I like my clothes!" Miko shouted. "So what if I don't wear anything else?"

"That's not important. This is your first date right?" Sierra asked.

"No-I mean yes!" Miko corrected herself.

Sierra didn't seem to notice her change in answer.

Katie raised an eyebrow however.

"Ok, then you'll need to dress nicely. That way, Jack will appreciate that you took time and effort to look good, and I mean especially good, for your first date."

"But it doesn't bother you that I'm...you know?" Miko asked.

"No of course not. Whatever interest I had for Jack was just a fleeting thing."

Katie threw her hands up. "Can we focus?"

"Right. My room, my wardrobe. Now. I have some clothes I don't wear but I think will more than suit you Nakadai."

3:45 pm

"How much time do you need Dr. Sumdac?" Optimus asked.

"Roughly a day or so if we work fast."

"And you had the necessary tech secretly stored in certain locations in this country, for safekeeping?" Ratchet asked.

Professor Sumdac nodded. "I did not want to take chances of MECH finding my equipment, so many months in advance, in anticipation of this ordeal, I had them safely hidden, separately to avoid capture."

"Very good," Optimus said. "We must begin preparations at once to acquire the tech and bring it here."

"I've already set in the coordinates, which will automatically set themselves after each bridge. That way, if we work fast, we can have the tech here in a few short hours. We can begin at any time Optimus," Ratchet said as he made some final commands to the groundbridge.

"Very good."

"However," Ratchet began sighing irritatingly, "Around 6 pm today, Bulkhead will not be available as he will be busy with...guard duty tonight."

Ratchet stared at the main console screen as though it offended him. "Optimus, is it wise to allow Jack and Miko to leave the base simply to engage in a...romantic endeavor?"

"The children are staying here at this base in our protective custody Ratchet, as our charges, not as prisoners," Optimus said. "And I don't think it wise to keep them here indefinitely as though they are confined. For their own well-being, they must be allowed to move freely in the base and without."

"But at this time Optimus? When MECH has only just begun to make their move?"

"MECH no longer has the element of surprise Ratchet. Agent Fowler has already set in motion certain covert maneuvers in order to uncover MECH agents within the United States government. Agent Fowler has just informed me and confirmed that seven agents have already been exposed and arrested."

Ratchet blinked. "In less than 24 hours?"

"Yes," Optimus said without missing a beat.

"But how?" Ratchet asked incredulously. "How would he know where to start?"

"We started with the two physicians who confirmed the deaths of the two criminals who attempted to abduct Agent Fowler yesterday. One of the doctors were found dead in their home but the other one was still alive when he was found."

"Dead? I see, so MECH is tying loose ends."

"Precisely. The first doctor was found dead in his bathroom, choked to death. Forensics discovered that he was wearing a necktie that concealed a strangulation device. The second doctor was poisoned but authorities were able to treat him in time. He was questioned and we were able to track down some of his associates, which lead to six more arrests."

The corners of Ratchet's mouth twitched, forming a ghost of a smile. "Very good then, but Jack and Miko will be guarded with extra precautions of course."

Optimus nodded. "Bulkhead will send check ins periodically, every thirty minutes, and if there is any sign of MECH activity, he will act accordingly. If his check ins do not come in, we will assume his commlink is being jammed and we will send reinforcements immediately," Optimus voice then dropped to a dark and regretful pitch, "They have been given leave to use lethal force as a last resort."

Ratchet stifled a gasp. "What?! Optimus, are you sure? This is rather extreme."

Optimus looked crestfallen. "We are Autobots Ratchet. We are sworn to serve and protect, especially those who cannot fight for themselves. But we cannot protect those under our charge and the ones trying to do them harm. MECH is no longer exercising restraint, and therefore neither can we. And as a Prime, I am expected and commanded to operate as an example of one who serves and protects no matter the cost," Optimus sorrowfully closed his optics, "-as I have earlier today, much to my displeasure."

Ratchet placed a hand on his leader's arm. "MECH gave you no choice Optimus. You gave them ample warning to disengage but they refused. Their blood is on their hands, not yours."

"Perhaps, but the fact that I have taken human life, justified or not, still weighs on my spark like an ocean."

"Such is war Optimus, such is war."

3:50 pm

"Huh. This ain't half bad."

Vince gave Jack a lopsided grin. "Told ya."

Jackson Darby was looking at himself in a full-length mirror. He was dressed in a dark-blue long-sleeve dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up past the elbows, with a black-neck tie, black-slacks and steel-toe boots.

"But are the boots necessary?" Jack asked.

"Just in case, those boots might save you and your girl's life."

"Yeah, su-" Jack began but stopped when he realized what Vince just said. "W-What did you say?"

"Vince blinked in confusion. "I said these boots might save your life?"

"No, after that!"

"Uh...oh!" Realization hit Vince and he smirked. "I referred to Nakadai as your girl."

Jack covered his face to keep Vince from seeing it turn red.

What is wrong with me?! I never acted this way when it came to Sierra.

Vince was thoroughly enjoying Jack's discomfort to stop there. "I don't blame you, she's not bad looking. Plus she's real fiesty isn't she?"

"Vince…"

Vince patted Jack on the back, causing him to gasp. "Don't sweat it Darbs, it's just a goof."

Jack looked annoyed. "That hurt."

"Sorry. So are the new clothes fitting you?"

"Ok, kinda weird that these all fit me so well."

Vince shrugged. "Some of them were bound to fit you."

Jack smiled. "Thanks Vinny."

Vince shrugged again. "Think nothing of it."

"No, really. I appreciate it."

Vince gave Jack a deadpan look. "No, really. Think nothing of it."

"Um...ok."

"Anyway, kinda nuts that you're doing this, isn't it?"

"That I'm going on a date with Miko?" Jack asked frowning.

"No, that you're going on a date at a time like this, when some freaks from outer space and the US government are hunting us."

"So what? Doesn't mean that I can stop living."

Vince paused and then chuckled dryly. "You got some serious guts then Darby."

Jack chuckled as well, albeit nervously. "Thanks I think."

"So when do you both head out?"

"6 pm. Movie starts at 6:40. We're gonna have dinner afterwards."

"Dinner and a movie huh?" Vince said sounding impressed. "The whole package."

"Yup, should be good. We need to keep a low profile of course."

"And use cash instead of credit or debit?" Vince asked.

Jack nodded. "So that MECH can't trace us if they have access to our personal info along with our card info, yes."

"Man, how will you guys enjoy your date then?"

"We're pretty much used to being under fire by now and MECH are no Decepticons."

Vince frowned. "But MECH has home-field advantage, the 'Cons don't."

"Good point."

5:50 pm

"Hey Bulk."

"Hey Jack."

"The new paint job looks good."

Bulkhead grumbled. "The finish is temporary, so is the new vehicle mode."

Jack and Bulkhead both stood in the command center of the base, both in noticeably new forms. Jack donned new clothing for a very special occasion and Bulkhead donned new colors and clearly a new vehicle mode, judging by the new designs of the headlights and the tires. Bulkhead, due to present events, was sporting a color scheme of all black, much to his displeasure.

"So you're Bulkhead huh?"

Bulkhead looked down to see a familiar face, the face of Vince Raider, the boy who had a reputation for being the school bully and the one human in particular whom Bulkhead had almost ran over the day before yesterday.

"Hey Vince," Bulkhead said nervously.

"We met before you know?" Vince said dryly.

Bulkhead rubbed the back of his helm. "Yeah, I remember. Sorry for trying to run you down."

Vince paused for a moment but then shrugged which seemed to take some effort. "It's fine, I guess. I know why you did it. It was cuz you thought I was hurting Miko."

"Well...Yeah."

"Hmm," Vince said. "I don't particularly blame you. I might've done something similar if I thought that someone had hurt…" Vince hesitated but continued, "You know, a dear friend of mine too."

Jack raised an eyebrow. He stopped short. I wonder who he was going to mention.

"Is Miko ready?" Jack asked.

"She should be coming any second now," Bulkhead said.

"Ok...um, good," Jack stammered.

Jack started pacing as he often did when he was increasingly anxious.

Just keep it together. It's Miko. I've known her for years. Well...actually I never had a close acquaintance with her until we met the bots. And everything else is pretty much history…

-Dude! What are you waiting for?! Go with!-

-Did I ask you to follow me?-

-You want a slice of this?! Well, do ya?!-

-Next time you should do a better job of talking us out of these situations-

-Dude! Vroom vroom vroom! And the winner is?!-

-a robot spider tried to kill you?! Are you ok?! Were you eaten?! You don't look eaten-

-I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU MADE ME LOSE MY PHONE!-

-What?! Seriously?! Your mom too?! That spider bot is SO on my scrap list!-

-Jack...is that...you?-

-For saving my life...and for always caring-

-Thank you...for saving my life back then for the first time-

Man, so many memories and she always somehow manages to make it easy for you to remember her. If only I had recognized her sooner after freshman homecoming. Maybe things would be different and she might've received healing sooner.

Jack's eyes narrowed in anger as his thoughts drifted to a related topic.

Crowson. Terrence Crowson. He was the one who took advantage of Miko, asked her out and then made a fool of her at homecoming, nearly driving her to suicide if I hadn't stopped her.

"Hey Jackrabbit."

Jack almost jumped yet again upon hearing that pet name from right behind him.

Almost instantly, he turned around, expecting to see Miko of course. It was her alright but not as he expected.

Jack froze, stiff as a board, smiling dreamily as he observed Miko's transformation. In his eyes, she looked more than just stunning, she looked enchanting.

Miko was wearing what appeared to be something of a Japanese biker outfit: she wore a black leather jacket that was fitting and unzipped to show a white undershirt. She wore along with that jacket a pair of light-blue fitting jeans and black high-heel platform sandals which complimented her dainty toes and burgundy nail-polish.

And to top it off, she also had a finely styled pixie cut. Her highlights were gone. All that was left was her dark brown hair and it seemed to shine.

Whoa.

"You look good," Jack said, rubbing the back of his head.

Miko's eyes seem to shine upon seeing Jack's new look. "You're not half-bad yourself."

Jack smiled and Miko returned his smile. They both stood in silence for a moment until Jack snapped out of his stupor and cleared his throat.

"Sooooo...I guess we should get going then?" Jack said awkwardly.

"Yeah, sure," Miko answered sounding equally as awkward.

Smiling down at the newly-formed couple, Bulkhead wasted no time transforming and starting his engines. He opened up his back doors and let a few short honks.

"Saddle up! We ain't got all night," Bulkhead said heartily.

Uttering a squee of delight, Miko grabbed Jack by the arm and practically dragged him into the car.

"Ok, I'm coming, I'm coming," Jack cried sounding distressed but his attempts to keep from grinning told another story.

Reno, Nevada - 6:20 pm

"When does the movie start again?"

"In ten minutes."

Jackson Darby and Miko Nakadai stood outside the Cinemark theater, both with their tickets in hand. They took great care to purchase the tickets with cash instead of credit so that their personal information, including their card information, cannot be put on record, traced and therefore become accessible for the spies and hackers of the nefarious organization MECH.

Bulkhead, the former Wrecker of the Autobots, who was assigned to oversee the couple tonight for their own protection was parked in the theater lot. Being in hiding from MECH, extra precautions needed to be taken. Bulkhead received a new vehicle mode and color scheme as MECH was already quite familiar with Bulkhead's previous design and color, especially after having an intimately destructive encounter with him when he rescued the Decepticon Breakdown from the ravages of MECH's cruel experiments.

Jack opened one of the doors to the theater, motioning for Miko to step through.

"Movie time," Jack said smiling.

Miko smiled back. "You're so sweet."

After she entered the building, Jack followed after, closing the door behind him.

8:20 pm

"I want to party! I want to samba! I want to party! And live my life! My life! I want to party! And flyyyyy!"

"Miko, settle down. We're still in public."

Miko beamed, midway through doing a flapping motion with her hands as though she were a bird trying to fly. "Sorry, that song is pretty much stuck in my head."

Jack chuckled. "I know what you mean."

"Soooooo," Miko said, prodding her forefingers. "What now?"

"Dinner."

"Where?"

"Do you care?" Jack asked simply.

Miko thought for a moment. "As long as it's not Mexican food."

"Ok...I think I saw a pizzeria down in Sparks, it's not far. Grimaldi's I think. Sound good?"

Miko's eyes shined. "Pizza? And in a town called Sparks? Awesome idea! Let's go!"

"All clear Ratchet. Zero disturbances."

"Excellent. And the children?"

"They just finished watching their movie. And now we're heading to some kind of venue that sells pizza. I think they call it a pizzeria."

"Very good. Remain on guard Bulkhead."

"You got it. How's the Sum Protocol?"

"More than half done. Will that be all?"

"Sure. Bulkhead out."

Grimaldi's Pizzeria - Sparks, Nevada - 8:30 pm

"Alright, here your drinks."

A waitress with a tray of soft drinks, placed them both on the table which were currently occupied by the establishment's latest customers.

"Thanks," Jack said.

"Yeah, thanks," Miko said, already drinking down her Dr. Pepper.

"Alrighty," the waitress said with a smile. "Your bacon-pepperoni pizza will be ready in a few minutes. You love birds enjoy."

Miko almost choked on her drink.

With that, the waitress took her leave to tend to other customers.

Jack and Miko sat in silence, both blushing slightly.

"Sooooo," Miko said. "What's your favorite color?"

Jack blinked bewilderedly. "Awfully random question. Dark blue, I guess. Yours?"

"Guess."

"Hmmmm," Jack said, scratching his chin in mock contemplation. "Burgundy?"

Miko gave a false gasp. "How'd you know?"

"The color of your nails said as much?" Jack said.

"Well, aren't you smart."

Miko smiled but then she smelled the air as something savory and zesty filled it. Jack caught this scent as well and both him and his date saw the waitress who served them arrived with an extra-large pie with bacon and pepperoni.

"There you are," the waitress said, laying down the pizza pie on the table. "Is everything to your liking?"

"Oh yes, thank you," Jack said.

"Do you need anything else?"

"No no, we're good."

"Alrighty," the waitress said and then she turned to Miko. "Love your hair."

"Oh, thank you," Miko said, smiling.

As the happy couple dined, they continued to talk of many things, such as their adventures with the Autobots. However, for discretion's sake, the two youths spoke of these adventures in uncertain terms, carefully coded phrases, not even breathing the word 'Autobot' or 'Decepticon,' in the event that, perhaps, someone might be listening in on their conversation. They have been specifically trained and prepared in doing so, especially Jackson Darby, ever since the abduction of his mother by MECH and the Decepticon Airachnid.

They talked of their first interaction with the Autobots, the small skirmish in the ditch of Jasper, infiltrating the Decepticon warship for the first time, the attempt to steal the Energon Harvester from the museum it was being held, the safeguarding of the D.N.G.S, rescuing Vince from the Decepticon Knockout, Jack narrowingly escaping death from Airachnid (much to Miko's despairing displeasure when she first heard it), overseeing Optimus Prime's bedridden state and recovery when he got infected with the Cybonic Plague, how they became trapped in the Shadow Zone, how Jack and his mother were ensnared by MECH and Airachnid before being rescued by Agent Fowler, and how both of them became trapped in a cave-in and how Miko almost suffocated.

"And then you gave me the kiss of life," Miko said slyly, while fluttering her eyelids at Jack.

Jack cleared his throat, looking quite uncomfortable. "It was either that or letting you die."

"Well, thank you," Miko said, placing a hand on Jack's.

"You're welcome."

They continued in their conversation, but then having running out of anything more of their 'science fiction club' to talk of, they moved on to speak freely about, well, everything: what sort of books they liked, music, their passions, their personal ambitions for their future, as well as their dreams.

For the first time in perhaps a very long time, Miko Nakadai could relax and relate to another person, and a boy no less, the boy she loved and thought the world of, all the while hoping and longing that he felt the same and that this was destiny.

However, while part of her mind stayed on what Jack was saying and on her own hopes and feelings, another part of her mind - the part that included what was directly connected to what she was hearing within earshot - drifted to the discussions of a certain group that was sitting not too far from behind her. There was something oddly familiar about one of the voices.

"I gotta admit, this place ain't half-bad. I'm more of a gourmet than anything else, so not just any restaurant will suit me, especially in a hick town like this."

"I hear ya. I mean did you see some of the bums around this town? I actually felt sick when one of them approached our car."

"If he's on the street, he's either put himself there to make a quick buck or he's just a loser who wants to stay down. And th-say now, look over there. The table for two in the back. Is that…? No way, it must be."

Though she was in the presence of perhaps her most trusted and closest (human) friend and with one of her best friends standing watch just outside in his vehicle mode, she felt most unsettled upon hearing that last voice.

"The girl with the short hair and the dude with the slick hair?"

"Yeah, that girl, I'm sure it's her. It's that Japanese foreign exchange student!"

"You mean that girl whom you told to meet at the freshman homecoming as a joke?"

"The very same, you should've seen the look on her stupid Jap face, it was priceless!"

"I thought she went back to Japan."

"Apparently not, guess she didn't get the message the first time."

Miko felt the color drain from her face, her chin trembled, and eyes darted around the room, as though she were desperate to find an exit.

When her eyes fell back on Jack, she saw him handing some cash to the waitress and taking a small box from her labeled 'To-Go.'

Then Jack turned his sights on Miko and said, "Let's go."

"W-What?"

"I know what's going on, we don't have to stay here any longer and listen to this," Jack said firmly.

Miko almost wept with relief.

They both stood up and headed for the exit but-

"Whoa now! Going somewhere?"

Their path was blocked by three persons, all males, roughly around their age. All of them were very well dressed, semi-formal, with sweater vests, dress pants, and neck ties. By the way they were standing, the one in the middle must be taking the lead. Jack didn't recognize this young man's two companions but this one, he knew that face all too well.

"Crowson," Jack said as though saying the name left a bad taste in his mouth.

"Darby!" Crowson said, as though he were glad to see him. "Don't you have some burgers to flip or something?"

Crowson's two associates laughed mockingly at the remark.

Jack chose to ignore that.

"Terrence, get out of our way."

Crowson made a false pouting face. "What's your hurry? We just got here."

Crowson then turned his sights on Miko, who trying desperately to keep from trembling. "I haven't seen you since homecoming. You left without saying goodbye."

Miko felt rage boil from inside her being. Her face turned purple and she ground her teeth so hard that it felt like her jaw would crack.

But then she clenched her eyes and inhaled through her nose, and then exhaled. "You're not worth it."

Crowson frowned. "I see you haven't lost that sharp tongue of yours."

Miko shrugged. "And I see you haven't lost that self-entitled, self-important attitude of yours."

Crowson's eyes glittered. "Why you-"

Crowson's attempt to threaten Miko was cut off by the sound of the pizzeria's door slam open.

The three boys turned to see a large burly African-American man at the door. He was tall, portly but muscular, bald and dressed in a camo jacket. And a look of terrible anger was etched in his features, so much so that the three boys took a few steps back.

The man stormed towards them. "Move it."

The boys wasted no time in stepping aside for the menacing behemoth of a man.

He stopped in front of the young couple. "Jack, Miko. Car. Now."

Both Jack and Miko rushed past the man as well as Crowson and out the door, towards the black Hummer that was parked just outside the venue.

Crowson watched them go and with a look of impertinent anger, he turned towards the man who had the gall to interrupt his fun.

"Who the hell do you think you are?!" he bristled through bared teeth.

The man ignored his question.

"Hey spook! I'm talking to you!"

There was still no reply, the man just continued to stare at Crowson with thinly-veiled contempt.

Crowson pulled out his smartphone and prepared to take a picture of the man.

"Whoever you are, you just made my list!" he said.

Before he could snap the picture however, the man snatched the phone from his hand, looked Crowson straight in the eye, and closed his fist, effectively crushing the phone.

"HEY! What the hell man?!"

The man then dropped the ruined phone in an open pitcher filled with drink that was on a counter next to the group.

"Stinkin' savage! I'm gonna-!"

Crowson didn't have enough time to finish his sentence as the man immediately grabbed him by the throat and pinned him to the wall. His two associates stood rooted to the spot, utterly terrified by this man's sudden act of violence.

"You listen up boy and you listen good!" The man said in a dangerous whisper. "That girl is off-limits. You stay away from her and tell your friends to stay away from her. And you stay away from her friends and you stay away from me. Got it?!" Crowson didn't speak. He just whimpered and shook in considerable pain and fear, but he managed to nod. "I'll take that as a yes because if I have to come looking for you, it's gonna get ugly."

With that the man dropped the boy and swept out of the restaurant.

The man got into the driver's seat of the black Hummer and started the engine. As soon as he got onto the open road, he turned back to look at the two passengers in the back seat.

"Miko, You ok?"

"Yeah Bulk, I'm fine. Just a bit shaken up."

"That was pretty awesome Bulkhead but was destroying his phone really necessary?" Jack asked.

Bulkhead scoffed. "And risk MECH or the Cons getting a hold of whatever post that little punk was planning to make? No thank you."

It wasn't long before they were heading on Interstate 80. Once he was sure that there was no one for miles that could spy on them, Bulkhead deactivated organic protoform avatar and downloaded his consciousness back into his Cybertronian body.

"Didn't know you had a human body Bulk," Jack said, making no attempt to hide his surprise.

"It's not a human body Jack, it's an experimental organic reconnaissance unit. It's more like an extension of myself that I can control at will so I can go where I normally can't go."

"So it's like some kind of avatar?" Miko asked.

"Pretty much."

"Did Ratchet make it?" Jack asked.

"No no, Ratchet made some modifications but it was Perceptor who crafted these babies."

Jack glanced at Miko, who just shrugged at him. "Who's Perceptor?" He asked.

"The Autobots' Chief Mechanic and Honorary Wrecker," Bulkhead said with pride. "He can crush Cons with the best of us but no one's a better crackshot than ol' Percy." But then sorrow filled Bulkhead's voice. "And he's a one of a kind friend."

"Where is now?" Miko asked.

"Don't know...heck, I don't know where the rest of the crew is, or if they're even alive. None of the bots do actually."

Miko wanted to say something that might be of some comfort to the former Wrecker, but could she say?

I can't openly talk about the message he sent into space. Soundwave might be listening in.

The children decided to remain silent for the time being. They had just reached Fernley when Bulkhead reactivated his avatar and broke the silence.

"You doing ok Miko?" He asked.

"Sure I am. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Your vitals were rather erratic when those punks were talking scrap to you."

Dang! I forgot! Our phones can monitor our vitals as well as shield our communications.

"Then you must've heard Jack call the guy by his name."

"No Miko, I have the option of not eavesdropping on your conversations."

"Oh," Miko said sounding a bit relieved. "The guy whose phone you crushed, that was Crowson."

Bulkhead nearly swerved off the road but he managed to remain steady.

"Bulkhead!" Miko cried in surprise.

"Sorry, sorry. If I had known that it was that guy who…who did...that to you, I might have been so gentle."

All that was gentle?

"Bulk…"

"Did he ever get punished for it? I mean standing you up like that and humiliating you in front of the whole school…"

"No," Miko said bitterly. "Of course not. People have tried to nail him for the rotten things he did. And whenever a teacher or school official gets involved, his father, a town councilman, either bribes or blackmails them into leaving him alone."

"It's true Bulkhead," Jack said. "Sad but true."

"Sheesh...did you have a good first date at least?"

Miko smiled. "Definitely."

She leaned on Jack's shoulder. He froze for a moment but then, slowly, he placed his arm around her.

"Thank you for defending me Jackrabbit."

"You're welcome," Jack said. "Definitely want to do this again?"

"Abso-freaking-lately!"

To be continued...