Trials, Tribulations and Transformations
XVIII - Trouble
Autobot Outpost Omega One - Jasper, Nevada - May 7th 2011 - Saturday, 3:30 pm
Bumblebee drove through the groundbridge in a rush and he stopped a good way right before Ratchet.
"Bumblebee! Are you alright?!" the good doctor asked frantically.
"No."
Bumblebee's passenger door opened and Sari Sumdac popped out, along with Miko Nakadai.
Both were in a haze of panic and anguish.
"Sari?!" Ratchet cried. "What are you-Miko! Did you-?!"
"Ratchet!" Sari screamed, tears streaming down her cheeks, grabbing onto the good doctor's leg for dear life as though she was trying to gain some warmth from it. "You have to save him!"
"Sari, what-what's the matter?!" Ratchet asked, suddenly alarmed by the girl's state of despair.
"It's Bee! MECH shot him with some kind of harpoon gun, he's leaking bad!"
Ratchet looked up with a start. Bumblebee had already transformed back into his bipedal form and he was indeed leaking Energon. At a glance, Ratchet could see that there were two gaping wounds in his chassis, leaking profusely as Bumblebee tried to put pressure on them with his hands. He didn't seem to have the strength to stand as he was down on one knee. Energon seemed to pool beneath him.
Ratchet gently picked up Sari and placed her on the upper deck of the command center. "I'll take care of him Sari, don't worry."
Ratchet helped Bumblebee to his feet and walked him towards his medical lab.
No sooner did he have his back turned, Bulkhead emerged from the groundbridge with a large Cybertronian data cylinder in his arms.
"Ratchet, I got the-" Bulkhead began but stopped when he saw the good doctor carrying Bumblebee, and to his horror, a stream of Energon following behind them.
"Bee!" Bulkhead cried, almost dropping the data cylinder. He managed to steady himself and very gently put the data cylinder down before helping Ratchet guide Bumblebee to the medical berth.
"I gotcha buddy," Bulkhead said.
Sari watched them go. She wrung her hands, she attempted to swallow the stone that was in her throat so to speak. She attempted to follow only to be held back by Miko, who placed her hands on Sari's shoulders.
"Let them do their job Sari," Miko whispered. "Bee's in good hands"
Sari covered her face, not wanting to show her tears. "This...this is all my fault," Sari rasped.
"Don't talk like that," Miko said soothingly. "You were just trying to help."
"Help?! Some help I was! Bumblebee could be d-!"
"Don't! Don't say that! Ratchet's a maestro. Bumblebee will live, I'm sure of it."
The sound of the groundbridge closing followed by heavy footfalls could be heard from behind Miko and Sari.
Sari froze, knowing full well of what was to come next.
Optimus. He'll blame me for what happened to Bumblebee! What if...what if he bans me from the base for life?!
The thought of it was so terrible and foreboding that Sari covered her face as fresh tears seeped through her fingers, and she was visibly shaking as she began to fear for her own life.
"Sari," spoke a deep, booming but gentle voice.
The gentleness of that voice seemed to have calmed Sari down a bit. She uncovered her eyes and turned around to see Optimus Prime, on one knee, looking at her with sad, compassionate eyes.
"Sari, are you hurt?" Optimus asked.
Sari sniffed and wiped her eyes with her arm. "N-no, I'm ok," she stammered.
Optimus' mouth turned upwards ever so slightly. "I'm glad." He then turned towards Miko. "Are you unharmed as well Miko?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
Optimus nodded, giving her the same smile. "Good."
"Sari! What did you think you were doing?!"
Sari looked about and when she saw a large man adorned in black battle armor, she almost screamed, at least until after a fraction of a second, she recognized the voice.
"Uncle Carm?"
The said man removed his helmet and mask to reveal the Detroit police captain, Captain Carmine Fanzone. He had a most disgruntled look on his face.
There was another soldier dressed in much the same, except this one had a bit of a gut. He removed his mask to reveal himself as none other than Special Agent William Fowler.
"Fowler?" Miko exclaimed.
"The one and only," Fowler said.
"What's with the armored suits and masks?" Sari asked.
"Never mind that!" Captain Fanzone bristled. "Sari, what did you think you were-?!"
"Enough!"
Captain Fanzone turned towards Optimus, who was looking down at him. "Captain Fanzone, please inform Dr. Sumdac what has happened. And let him know I'll speak to Sari myself."
Captain Fanzone bristled slightly. "Machines giving me orders. What is the world coming to?"
And the police captain swept out of the room.
"Agent Fowler," Optimus said. "It's time."
Agent Fowler nodded and immediately made for the service lift of the base.
And he too was gone.
Optimus stood back up, walked around the girls, - not wanting to step over them - and approached the medical lab. Arcee followed, having picked up the data cylinder that Bulkhead set down.
"Just place the data cylinder on my lab table, I'll have a look at its contents later," Ratchet called out, as he attached some tubes to Bumblebee's still body. Bulkhead was standing by, looking apprehensive.
"Ratchet, how is Bumblebee's condition?" Optimus asked.
"He's leaking Energon. Two puncture wounds in his lower and upper thorax. I need to seal the wounds closed, fast. And he will need Energon," Ratchet said, albeit gravely. "He will need Energon but...we may not have enough to spare."
"No," Arcee whispered, covering her mouth.
Bulkhead growled in rage and raised a great fist to crush a certain piece of equipment on Ratchet's lab table.
"Bulkhead!" Ratchet cried.
"What?! You need that?!" Bulkhead said angrily, halting his assault.
"Yes! You want Bumblebee to live, don't you?!"
Bulkhead's anger drained, he lowered his fist and he slumped down on a crate that was near, so roughly that the crate cracked from the sudden impact of weight.
Ratchet groaned in exasperation and frustration, not only from Bulkhead's lack of care but also Bumblebee's present condition.
Optimus, upon seeing the critical condition of his youngest and one of his chiefest soldier, as well as one of his closest friends, clenched his optics, as well as his fists.
"Arcee, aid Ratchet."
Arcee immediately came to Ratchet's side.
"Arcee," Ratchet said as he handed her a power cable. "Plug this into Bumblebee's power supply."
Arcee, with immense effort, applied the cable to his power core, which resulted in a great flash of sparkling light, as though lightning emitted from the power cable.
"Bulkhead, tend to Miko," Optimus said.
Bulkhead kneeled and offered Miko his hand. Miko took one last look at Sari before embracing her and stepping onto Bulkhead's hand. And they walked out of the room.
Sari did not move from where she stood. She stood silent and motionless. Her trembling ceased but fear and anguish still ate at her heart like a maggot.
Optimus looked upon the girl with great sadness. As much as he was displeased with her for following Bulkhead through the groundbridge, in his spark, he knew the girl paid for it for the peril she endured, for the mortal wounds that Bumblebee had been inflicted with, and the brutality of his own assault against Breakdown and Sari having witnessed it.
"Sari," Optimus said.
Sari's lotus pigtails seemed to sprang up, startled when the Prime addressed her so suddenly.
"Y-Yes Optimus?" she stammered.
"May I speak with you for a moment?"
Sari flinched. "O-ok."
Optimus kneeled and held out a hand for Sari. "Come," he said gently.
With some hesitation, with eyes looking downward, Sari gingerly stepped into Optimus' hand. He stood to his feet and made for the nearest hallway.
As Optimus stepped into the hallway, the sound of multiple sets of footsteps at a quick pace reached his audio receptors. He focused on the end of the hallway and saw several figures coming towards them.
It was the remainder of the human children: Jackson Darby, followed by Vince Raider and Jonathan Fowler, Agent Fowler's son. Sierra Krosney and Kaitlyn Seinfeld were close behind, along with Rafael Esquivel.
Raf.
Optimus halted in his walk as the children approached.
"Optimus," Jack said, looking quite worried. "We just saw Miko and Bulkhead. They...they told us what happened."
"Is Bumblebee ok?" Raf cried.
Optimus' optics dimmed sadly. "Rafael, Bumblebee is currently recuperating under Ratchet's care."
"Will he be ok?" Raf asked. There were tears in his eyes.
"It is too soon to tell Rafael."
"What do you mean?" Raf said, his voice beginning to break.
Optimus closed his optics. "We need to find more Energon and quickly. If we do not, Bumblebee may not make it."
"No," Katie stammered.
Sierra covered her mouth.
Vince exhaled through his nose. "Damned MECH," he said through clenched teeth.
Jon looked forlorn, as though he was about to cry.
Jack clenched his eyes, but then looked towards Raf. He stood still like a ghost.
In the fraction of a second, Raf dropped to his knees, the strength to stand going out of him. He then fell forward but managed to catch himself with his hands and his glasses fell off his face, making a soft crack as they hit the floor.
"Raf!" Jack exclaimed as he ran to check on his friend.
Jon rushed to his side as well, attempting to help Raf to his feet. "Can you stand little buddy?"
"I...I don't know," Raf said weakly.
"Here," Jack said soothingly, helping Raf to his feet.
Katie picked up Raf's glasses, breathed on them, and wiped them clean with her school sweater. She noticed a slight crack in the right lense and grimaced slightly.
"Here Raffy," Katie said as she placed the boy genius' eyeglasses back on.
But even with his corrective lenses, Raf's vision was still impeded with tears. Tears of anguish for his fallen friend, possibly the best friend he ever had, the friend who might not live for much longer.
No! Rafael thought. Bumblebee is strong! Bumblebee will beat this! He will live!
His heart soared with new hope but the pain for his friend's predicament was still fresh, lingering like a shadow on his mind and heart.
And he wept.
Sari, still nestled in the palm of Optimus' hand, felt like her heart was breaking. She wanted so much to hold the boy, comfort him, tell him it would be alright.
But the knowledge that she had some role in all this sapped her of the strength what she desired to do. Even her voice did not seem to be working.
Oh Raffy. He's going to hate me if he finds out.
The thought of losing Bumblebee was terrible enough. But the idea of this boy hating her for indirectly causing his mortal wounds was unbearable. So much so she couldn't hold back her tears.
Raf seemed to hear the weeping of another over his own. He wiped his eyes and looked up to see Sari, with her face in her knees, openly crying.
"S-Sari? Are you ok?" Raf said.
"Not really," she said glumly
"You...you're not hurt are you?"
Sari looked at Rafael with a start. "You...know…?"
"It wasn't your fault," Raf said firmly.
"B-but-"
"No buts!"
"Rafael," Optimus said.
Raf flinched and looked up at the Autobot leader. "Y-Yeah?" He stammered.
"I'm sorry but I have something important to discuss with Sari."
"O-ok."
Optimus stepped to one side to allow the children to pass through the hallway unabated. They did so, until Optimus spoke up once more.
"Rafael."
The boy genius stopped and turned his head.
"Bumblebee needs you now more than ever. Be strong."
Fresh tears formed in Raf's eyes but he wiped them away vigorously. "Ok," he said and he walked away, towards the command center and Ratchet's medical lab.
With that, Optimus turned back to his present course, with Sari in hand, and with labored steps, continued down the hall.
3:45 pm
Optimus entered his private quarters and the automatic door closed behind him. He set Sari down on a steel platform which served as his desk. He did not sit down right away. The Prime simply stood and he rubbed his chin, as though pondering on what to do or say next.
Sari kept her eyes downward, not bearing to look at the Prime, for if she did, she feared those piercing, steely optics might look back at her and penetrate her soul, thus all of her darkest dreams would be laid bare. She already knew that whatever Optimus had to say to her would most likely not be favorable.
"Sari," Optimus said quietly but firmly. "Do you know why you are here?"
Sari still did not meet the Prime's gaze. "Because I did something I'm not supposed to."
"I mean do you know why you are here at this base?"
Sari blinked. "Oh...well...protection?"
"Yes, but also as a favor to your father, the man who has been essential in providing me with a technological edge in our operations."
Sari continued to look downward.
"Sari, please look at me."
With some effort as though it pained her, Sari forced herself to lift her head and she opened her eyes to see Optimus Prime looking at her.
She did not see the same ferocious glint she saw in the Prime's eyes when he defeated Breakdown.
What she saw was completely different and not at all what she expected. Despite the Prime's enormity and fortitude, as well as his splendor and brilliance, what she saw in his optics was not anger, but compassion and love.
She had only seen such love from her own father and her dearly departed mother, and even rare moments from the ever-valiant and ever-dutiful Captain Fanzone.
And yet, Sari detected that something else from the Prime's eyes, as well as his body language. There seemed to be pity in his eyes, sadness even.
"Your father entrusted me with your safety Sari. Because he is actively aiding us, he is making himself an enemy to MECH, and thus a notable target. Because you are his daughter, MECH will undoubtedly target you, if they are not already looking for you."
Sari swallowed. "But MECH doesn't know where I am, right?"
"For now I'm sure. But they saw you today. If they managed to identify you, than they will know that you are currently under Autobot protection and therefore being safeguarded at our base, along with our other human allies. It was meant that you and your father were to go into hiding and your transport here was supposed to remain a secret. But now that MECH knows of you, they will know how to find you because MECH is a few steps closer to discovering the location of our base. Furthermore, if they did not already know that your father is involved with us, than they surely do now."
Sari covered her mouth and new tears formed in her eyes.
Before they could fall however, Optimus extended his hand towards Sari, an action which frightened her.
"Sari, please don't be afraid. I only want to help you."
Sari looked up at Optimus, then at his open hand, not sure what to make of it. Sari then looked back at the Prime and he then made a beckoning motion with his hand.
Sari understood immediately and with a few hesitant steps, she outstretched her arm until her fingers reached and touched the open palm of the Prime's servo.
She expected it to be cold to the touch but in fact, it was quite warm. Warm and welcoming, like a steady furnace.
Looking back at Optimus, without saying a word, she looked at him as though she were asking for permission. The Prime nodded with a soft smile.
Sari pressed her face, eyes closed, against Optimus Prime's hand, pressing both hands on it, taking in the comforting warmth that the Prime offered her in her time of great distress.
Sari's heart felt light as though her present troubles were quite insignificant, as though they ceased to exist in the presence of this seemingly immovable, indomitable Prime.
Only my dad could make me feel this safe.
"Sari," Optimus said gently.
The girl opened her eyes, but her vision was blurred. So engrossed she was in the Prime's embrace so to speak, she had been shedding tears without consciously knowing it. She wiped her eyes dry and looked back up at Optimus.
"I am deeply sorry that you had to bear witness to the onslaught I inflicted upon Breakdown. You are far too young to know the ugliness of war. And I never wanted you to see me as I was."
Sari sniffled. "I'm not going to pretend seeing all that didn't mess me up, but I know what war is. War is terrible and we often must become terrible to wage, at least that's what my dad says."
Optimus said nothing.
"I don't blame you for how you did it. I mean it definitely was brutal but at least you didn't kill him and it made the other 'Cons so afraid that they stopped fighting. You even let them go and take Breakdown with them."
"Sari…"
"I won't lie and say I wasn't shaken but I don't blame you. I'm just glad you didn't kill him in cold blood."
Optimus blinked, slight shock quite plain in his optics.
"What?"
Optimus smiled. "Humans are indeed extraordinary creatures. Their lifespan is so small compared to Cybertronians. You can learn all of their ways and history, and yet they can still amaze you."
Sari smiled as well but it was a weak one.
"You are wise beyond your years Sari," Optimus said but then his voice dropped a decibel to indicate light severity. "Therefore you must heed my instruction in the future, not just for your own safety but for all of ours."
"O-ok," Sari stammered.
"Sari, you must never follow us through the groundbridge again, not unless you have been given permission to accompany us," Optimus said firmly.
"Yes sir."
"However, your father must be the first to grant you that permission because since he's your father, I cannot override his authority if he thinks you should not accompany us."
Sari flinched but nodded. "Ok."
"And Sari…"
"Y-Yes?" she stammered.
"What happened to Bumblebee was not your fault. It was MECH and MECH alone."
"B-but…"
"No buts," Optimus said with finality. "You may have had a role in what happened today but it does not equal responsibility. Everyone who was present at the battle today had a role to play which lead up to the outcome. It was a complicated situation and hard decisions had to be made. So please Sari, don't feel responsible."
Sari did not say anything but she nodded, albeit weakly.
"Besides, I think your presence helped reveal a certain clue about MECH's progress as of late, a clue that might be vital to our survival," Optimus said.
A glint shown in Sari's eyes. "How's that?"
"By making yourself an open target, you roused MECH into action, therefore revealing themselves and making it clear of how quickly they are closing in on us and our operations."
"But...I didn't know MECH was anywhere near us," Sari protested. "And they would've attacked you guys whether I was there or not, wouldn't they?"
"Perhaps," Optimus agreed. "But whenever MECH attacked, it was usually when it was just one of us rather than all of us. When Bulkhead crosses paths with Breakdown, it wasn't until Bulkhead was down that they made their move and dispatched Breakdown and took him for experimentation."
Sari gasped. "MECH took Breakdown?"
Optimus nodded. "Yes. Several months ago, but that is not important. If MECH had attempted to engage both Bulkhead and Breakdown, the effort would have decimated their forces as they did when they both escaped from MECH's clutches."
"So you're saying that because I put myself out in the field, MECH had a good reason to risk their own just to get to me?"
"And Miko as well as the cylinder," Optimus said.
"Why Miko? And the cylinder wouldn't have done them any good anyway, right?"
"Because Miko has a hand in preventing a nuclear device from falling into their hands."
"Really?" Sari asked.
"Yes. As for the cylinder, it is possible that they might have the technology capable of extracting and downloading the cylinder's contents. Whether or not its contents would be any use to them or not remains to be seen. All the same, the fact that Autobots and Decepticons were fighting for it shows just how important it is all the same, thus making the cylinder an invaluable object for MECH to acquire."
Sari stood in silence, wringing her hands, and biting her lip. "So...if MECH was able to track you guys so quickly, that must mean we have less time before they find our base."
"I'm afraid so," Optimus said gravely. "We must evacuate as soon as possible."
"Where would we go?"
"Your father, Agent Fowler and myself have already found a few locations. He's already making preparations for departure, even as we speak."
Sari sighed in relief. "Oh, good. Now, about when MECH abducted Breakdown?"
"MECH meant to deconstruct him and use his biology for their own twisted purposes."
"They dissected him?" Sari said horrified.
Grimly, Optimus nodded.
"Those monsters! But the 'Cons rescued him since he was alive to be on the battlefield today, right?"
"He was rescued, but not by Decepticons," Optimus said.
"The 'Cons didn't rescue him?" Sari asked confused.
"It is unlikely that Megatron would ever venture on an errand of mercy. However Starscream was there when Breakdown was liberated, but it stands to reason that he came of his own accord."
"So it was you guys who rescued him?"
"We attempted to," Optimus said. "But it was Bulkhead who found him first. Had he not risen above his bitterness towards Breakdown, it might've been too late by the time we tracked down his location."
Sari marveled. "Whoa. Bulkhead rescued his arch nemesis?" But then he doubles back, recoiling as something occurred to her. "But if Bulkhead rescued Breakdown, then why is he still on the 'Cons' side? Was he grateful at least?"
Optimus sighed sorrowfully. "Unfortunately, gratitude is not a welcome quality among Decepticons anymore than the virtue of pity and mercy. Although, Bulkhead had told me that Breakdown protested when Starscream ordered him to destroy his rescuer, but did not protest a second time before attacking him."
Sari bristled. "Sheesh. I can see why you were so eager to clean his clock."
Sari gasped and covered her mouth. "I'm sorry."
"It's alright Sari. I admit, Breakdown's actions were fresh on mine. I was angry. Angry for his part in Iacon's destruction, as well as what happened to Cybertron's core, thus leading to the ruination of our planet. And yet, after all that he's done, after he was rescued when he was owed nothing, he still chose the path of evil."
Sari looked downward. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. Breakdown is responsible for his own choices and now he must reap the fruits of them."
"I guess so. But it's just so sad."
"Yes, it is," Optimus agreed.
Tired, quite sad, and worn out from today's events, Sari reached for something that was hidden under the collar of her shirt. It was a necklace of sorts, a steel chain with an unusual object hanging on it. It was metallic, without a scratch, and it seemed to shine and glow in the lighting of Optimus' quarters. It was very beautiful to look upon and when we Sari observed, her heart was glad, for it was the one thing that was left to her by her mother after she died.
My mother's last present to me, and on my birthday no less.
The necklace appeared to be shaped like a key but not like any key that Sari had ever seen. It was much too large to fit in any coventional door.
"Sari?"
Sari looked away from her necklace and looked up at the Prime.
"Yes Optimus?"
"What is that hanging around your neck?" he asked.
"Oh, this was my mother's necklace. She gave it to me as a birthday present," Sari said, but she then looked crestfallen. "But she didn't live to give to me herself. She died in a car crash five years ago."
Optimus looked at the girl sympathetically and then reached out his hand once more, which Sari graciously embraced. "I'm sorry," he said softly.
Sari smiles sadly. "Don't be, she's in the arms of Jesus now. Nothing can hurt her anymore."
Optimus smiled. "That object hanging on the chain, what is it Sari?"
Sari looked at her necklace closely, examining it. "I'm not really sure. It's one of a kind for sure. Mom never told me where she got it exactly, said it was a trade secret or something. But I don't recognize the markings on it from any tool I know of. And the metal, I'd say that it was some kind of metal that hasn't been discovered yet. Maybe a metal from a meteor that has crashed on Earth maybe. Do you recognize what sort of metal this is?"
"Will you hold it up so that I may have a look at it?" Optimus asked.
"Sure," Sari said as she removed her necklace and held it up.
Optimus' optics adjusted and zoomed in on the object. As he scanned the markings, his optics seemed to widen a fraction.
"Well? What is it?" Sari said.
"It is a rare allow indeed, not found on Earth and yet very difficult to come by anywhere in the galaxy."
Sari's eyes shined like stars. "Whoa! What kind of metal?
"It is...a very rare form of cyber metal, which can only be found near the core of Cybertron."
Sari stumbled backwards and fell on her bottom. "W-What? No way."
"Therefore you must keep it hidden Sari, tell no one of it or what it is. You'll be a more tempting target if MECH or the Decepticons find out about it."
Sari nodded vigorously. "N-no problem. Dad told me to keep hidden too. Even mom told me not to tell anyone about it."
"What did they tell you?" Optimus asked.
"That it is an invaluable and rare metal, that it was crafted by a one of a kind metalsmith. When I got it for my birthday, dad told me that I must never show it openly."
"Very wise. And that is what I'm telling you Sari. Keep it hidden," Optimus said firmly.
Sari seemed unsure. "Optimus, if this is so important, then why don't I leave it with you? My father trusts you and so do I. Can't you keep it safe?"
Optimus held up a hand. "Perhaps but no Sari. You must keep it. I believe you have earned the right to be that object's keeper." Optimus smiled. "After all, it is your birthday present."
Sari smiled and light tears appeared in the corner of her eyes and she sniffled. "Ok Optimus , I'll keep it safe. I promise."
Optimus nodded. "Good. Now there is one more thing I need you to do."
"What's that?"
"When Bumblebee wakes up, you must be by his side. Do you understand?" Optimus said in a gentle but commanding voice.
Sari looked stricken. "O-ok. I will."
"Good." Optimus offered his hand to Sari and she stepped on. Optimus then walked over to his door, opened it, and then bent down so Sari could get off.
"Are you coming?" Sari asked.
"No. I have some important work I must do. Alone."
"Oh ok. Bye," Sari said, waving her hand goodbye and then she skipped down the hall back towards the command center.
Optimus, watching her go, waved back. He then closed his door and locked it.
Now alone, Optimus stood, unmoving, his mind working. Finding himself a steel chair, which has been manufactured specifically for him, (courtesy of Ratchet) he sat down on it, arched forward and massaged his chin. This was a habit of his in his days as a data clerk when he pondered a matter of utmost importance.
And what he was meditating on at this very moment just might make all those other topics seem almost poultry in comparison.
Can it be? If it is what I think it is, how by the Primes did the Key of the AllSpark end up on Earth and in the possession of a human child?
All the same, if this is the fabled Key to Open All Doors, then it must be kept hidden. If its existence becomes known, the enemy will greatly desire it. But above all, he must not get it.
To be continued...