So there's good news and bad news. Good news? I'm back! Bad news? I still don't own Transformers. :(
A shout out to my beta reader Khalthar! Thank you for all the help and feedback! It's greatly appreciated.
So I'd like to add a little dedication here to some very important people...you, the readers. Thank you for following this story and leaving feedback. What's a story without a reader? This never would have gotten as far as it did without you guys, and I am incredibly grateful. What started as a few pages of inspiration has turned into its own miniseries. I know it's been a year since this got updated, but people would still drop reviews and pms to me. I lost inspiration for awhile and I'd written myself into a corner. But you fantastic supportive readers never gave up. You kept reaching out. So here's me, reaching back. We're gonna finish this sucker. Buckle up, keep your hands inside at all times, and enjoy the ride.
Optimus POV
The Autobot Leader activated his wake cycle, notifications on what needed to be done today popping up on his HUD screen. The role of Autobot Commander had many duties, and thus, many notifications filled the display. It was for this reason that it took his processor more than a few nanoseconds to realize that something was off. His most helpful clue as to what that something was? Audio.
Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!
What in Primus' name? he thought. Optimus glanced down towards his armor. Bubble wrap. His armor was entirely covered in bubble wrap. Not a single plate had been spared. Jaime, his processor concluded. With an optic twitch, he sent out a comm. message for all Autobots to report to the main hangar, Jaime's current location. He glanced down once more. How had they wrapped it so that it didn't tear during his transformation? he wondered, before heading off to interro—ahem—ask some questions.
Will's POV
It was just a regular Monday on the Autobot base. Ironhide and Ratchet arrived together, followed shortly by Prowl who was focused on the data pad in his servo. Sideswipe wheeled in a few minutes later, his twin Sunstreaker a few steps behind with his signature scowl. Lennox, who had been explaining to Jaime the importance of improvisation—"No game plan survives first contact with the enemy"—took notice of the congregating Autobots. Sergeant Epps watched on in growing amusement.
"What's going on?" he asked, when even Mirage showed up at the impromptu gathering. The Autobot officers shared a glance.
"Boss bot wants to have a chat," Sideswipe helpfully supplied. Will blinked before glancing at Jaime.
"You wouldn't happen to be involved in this, would you?"
"Who, me?" Jaime tilted her head to the side. "I've been too busy being an invalid."
"Right, of course," Lennox rolled his eyes, "because you're completely innocent."
"So glad someone gets it," the young girl flipped her hair. "I'm a victim of circumstance." Sunstreaker's engine sputtered. Jaime's gaze cut over to the golden warrior, a curious look on her face. Before Will could formulate a response, the hangar doors glided open, allowing the Autobot Leader entry.
The entire hangar was silent for a beat before mayhem broke loose.
CRASH!
Prowl had glitched on the spot. Ratchet's optics twitched like mad, his digits grasping around an invisible wrench. He held out for a few nanoseconds, it was a valiant effort, but it was in vain. He too soon joined Prowl on the hangar floor. A fuming Ironhide was attempting to incinerate Sideswipe with his glare, while Mirage looked on in appalled silence. Sunstreaker seemed split between consternation and appreciation. Lennox didn't know what to think of the image he was seeing. Epps was laughing his damn head off…helpful as alwasy. With some effort, Will glanced away from the sight before him and looked at his daughter. Surely she would have a better idea of just what was going on than he did. Jaime's eyes were bright with silent laughter, the beginnings of a sly grin forming. He wasn't the only one to notice. The Autobot leader's optics alighted upon the young girl.
"Jaime," he began, but was interrupted.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
"Why—"
Pop! Pop! Pop!
"In Primus' name—"
Pop! Pop! Pop!
"Am I—"
Pop! Pop! Pop!
"Covered in—"
Pop! Pop! Pop!
"Bubble wrap?"
A snort of laughter escaped Lennox. He clamped his jaw shut to prevent any more from escaping when Optimus glanced his way. He couldn't help it. The mech was entirely covered in multiple layers of bubble wrap! Any time he spoke, shifted, or even twitched, another round of popping began. Engine rumbling, Ironhide crouched down and booted up the out of commission CMO. Ratchet groaned as his processors stabilized.
"Primus," he muttered, "I seemed to have exhausted myself to the point that I imagined Optimus—" he stopped upon seeing the Autobot Leader's situation. His mouth dropped in shock. "By the Allspark, Optimus how the slag did you get covered in that ridiculous material?"
Optimus didn't answer, his gaze remained on Jaime making it clear to the girl that he was still waiting for an explanation.
"What makes you think I could have done such a thing?" Jaime asked, the picture of innocence. "I'm an invalid."
"Like Pit, you are," Ratchet grumbled, shuffling over to Prowl. It took the SIC a few nanoseconds to orient himself. When he saw Optimus again, he almost fritzed, but Ratchet quickly slapped him upside the head and his processors seemed to stabilize.
"Jaime," Optimus' tone held a warning. Jaime glanced down and fiddled with her shirt. Sideswipe seemed to shift from pede to pede. Lennox glanced back and forth between the two, an explanation forming in his mind. Jaime glanced back up at Optimus and squared her shoulders.
"I did it to keep you safe," she declared. Optimus blinked.
"Jaime," he began.
"You have an unhealthy habit of getting yourself hurt," she continued. Optimus gave her an unimpressed look. Lennox studied his daughter. While he could sense some truth in her words, he didn't think she was being completely serious.
"It does make some sense if one considers the party involved," Prowl mused, throwing a short glance Sideswipe's way, before refocusing on Jaime's form.
"What?" blurted Will.
"With her short stature and pitifully low reserves for strength and—"Prowl explained his conclusions only to be interrupted by an incensed Jaime.
"Excuse you?" she growled. The former Praxian enforcer paused.
"Compared to Cybertronian standards," he added with some hesitance. Jaime didn't respond and continued to give him the stink eye. The standoff lasted for a few more seconds. "…My…apologies?" Jaime's stance relaxed. "An Earthen material such as bubble wrap would be one of the limited ways in which she could attempt to offer additional protection," he continued. "Not to mention certain individuals," optics shot to Ironhide before resettling on Jaime, "may have led her to believe it has some protective qualities."
"Wait," Jaime blinked, "What?"
"Bubble wrap, though it does offer some protection in certain situations, is not a legitimate source of protection for battle. There is also the additional problem that it is rather encumbering to one's movements." Jaime's eyes were becoming glazed. Will, sensing the oncoming lecture, decided to intervene.
"I think she's realized her mistake, Prowl," he stepped closer to Jaime, clasping a hand onto her shoulder. "Right, Jaime?" The girl's eyes cleared.
"Er…yes!" she nodded her head vigorously.
"Major Lennox," Prowl frowned, "with all due respect, she must be taught the limited proper uses of the shipping material."
"I'll make sure her…understanding on the matter is cleared," Will assured the concerned SIC. Jaime grimaced when his words were emphasized with the tightening of his grip. With that said, Lennox steered his daughter out of the hangar. The Autobots watched the father daughter pair leave with varying degrees of satisfaction.
Sunstreaker's POV
Unbelievable. She'd been outed and had completely escaped punishment from Optimus. Although it was a possibility that Lennox would decide on one, it was unlikely to be difficult or long since she was his offspring.
~ You lucky fragger ~ Sunstreaker sent to his twin over their bond. ~ I can't believe you got away with that ~
~ Please ~ Sideswipe boasted. ~ Jaime is brilliant when it comes to talking her way out of sticky situations…I've taught her so well! ~
~ Doubtful ~ The golden warrior was quick to squash his brother's inflating ego. ~ From what I've heard, she was already talented long before you came along… ~ Sideswipe stared at Sunstreaker.
~ What? ~
~ You called her talented ~
~ …No I didn't ~
~ Yes you did ~
~ No, I didn't ~
~ Yes, you did! ~
Their bickering was interrupted by a rather loud engine.
"Would you slag heads pay attention when your commanding officer addresses you!" Ironhide growled. Sunstreaker's engine rumbled at the weapons expert's tone.
"Enough," Optimus cut off the argument before it could begin. "Sideswipe." The red twin snapped to attention. "I know you were involved in some way." The troublemaker opened his mouth, to deny the accusation no doubt. "You'll be assisting Prowl with any duties he deems necessary for the next two weeks."
"But!—"
"Would you like it to be four?" Optimus asked, his tone mild but with a note of steel. Sideswipe promptly shut up. Sunstreaker's nostrils flared as his twin began to complain to him about the unfairness of it all.
~ Shut up, it's your own fragging fault ~ Sunstreaker snapped. Judgment passed, Optimus turned to leave the hangar.
Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!
Sunstreaker winced. That was getting annoying fast. Optimus let out a deep sigh. Ratchet joined the Autobot leader.
"C'mon then," he grouched. "Let's get that nonsense off of you." The two headed towards the CMO's domain.
Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!
Ironhide sent Sideswipe one last withering glare before leaving the twins alone in the hangar. Sunstreaker realized with a start that Mirage had already disappeared. The mech was the Autobots' number one spy for a reason.
Ironhide's POV
"You've got to be joking!" Ironhide snarled. "He nearly killed her and you want him to be left alone with her?!"
"Ironhide," the Prime's baritone rang out, "stand down." The weapons expert was snorting like a bull, his cannons humming angrily.
"While I understand you reasoning, sir," Prowl intervened, allowing the black mech some time to cool off, "I, too, am uneasy about this…situation."
"I understand your concerns," the Autobot leader sighed. "I admit, I share them—"
"—Then why—"Ironhide began, but he was cut off by Ratchet.
"—Because he hasn't been cleared by medical," the CMO groused. "Believe it or not, he's still recovering from that pounding you gave him."
"An incredible breach in officer etiquette," Prowl muttered. The weapons expert spared the SIC a dry look. Always the professional, he thought to himself.
"Don't pretend you hadn't considered it yourself." Prowl's armor flared.
"Do not presume that I would allow my emotions to cloud my judgment, allowing for such a lapse in control," the tactician stated coldly. Ironhide's face turned a tad apologetic. It had not been his intention to bring up such a sensitive topic to the Praxian.
"I didn't mean…that's not…" the mech struggled for words, before his shoulders slumped. "I thought you liked Jaime."
"You misunderstand," Prowl tilted his helm. "You mistake my unwillingness to lose control as a measure of how much I care for Jaime." There was a pause. "There are other, more legitimate, channels in which one can dispense punishment." The placated Ironhide finally quieted.
"That being said," Optimus spoke, "I have not forgotten Sunstreaker's past transgressions. I am extremely disappointed in his actions. However, while harmful, I do not believe that the accident was purposeful. Granted, should anything occur during our absence, there will be serious consequences for the mech. He will be…thoroughly…informed regarding the matter." Ironhide repressed a shiver. Most mechs, when pissed, would get loud. Optimus was the opposite, he became quiet, focused. The weapons specialist remembered the last time he'd seen his leader so irate…well…Sunstreaker had better perform admirably or Sideswipe would be looking for a new twin. "Does anyone else have anything to add?"
"What about Annabelle?" Ironhide crossed his arms. "She's just a sparkling."
"Will and Sarah have been informed," Optimus nodded. "She shall be staying with her grandparents the entire week." Ironhide opened his mouth, but the Autobot leader continued. "Jaime insists on returning to the farm because she wishes to check on Orion." The black mech frowned and muttered a string of curses.
"She had better not attempt to ride him," Ratchet warned. "So help me…"
"I very much doubt it since both Will and Sarah are strongly against the idea. Prowl," Optimus turned to his second. "Please inform Sunstreaker I wish to speak to him. The rest of you, be ready to depart in six hours."
Sunstreaker's POV
The golden warrior let out another sigh. He was stuck again at the farm, although this time he didn't have Ironhide breathing down his neck. When he pulled up to the farmhouse, a tall blonde woman strode out. She stopped a mere two feet from his hood.
"You must be Sunstreaker," she smiled. "My name is Sarah. Thank you for agreeing to fill in as a temporary guardian."
"Right." the yellow Lamborghini grumbled. A second later, her body language had changed from welcoming and friendly to I'm-this-close-to-kicking-your-aft.
"I know why you're here," her tone mild but threatening. "And I know you're responsible for my daughter's broken arm. If she gets so much as a papercut because of you, I promise Optimus will be the least of your worries." If the mech had been in is bipedal form, he would have been gaping at her. This human was swearing retribution greater than what Prime had promised. And he didn't doubt it. She was a mother. He'd witnessed a mother's wrath before and he had no wish to be on the receiving end of that.
"Am I understood?" the woman crossed her arms, clearly expecting an answer.
"…yes." A pounding of feet could be heard and Jaime appeared in the doorway. She paused a moment, noticing she had walked into something.
"Uh…what's up?" Sarah turned her back on the yellow sports car and joined the young girl on the porch.
"Just catching up with the newest Autobot," she demurred. "What are you up to?" Jaime glanced back at Sunstreaker, who remained silent.
"I'm gonna go see Orion," she shrugged her shoulders. "He's probably wondering where I've gone." Sarah's grip tightened on the girl's shoulder. "I just want him to see me."
"Just…" The woman sighed. "Be careful."
"Yes, mom," Jaime rolled her eyes before jumping off the porch and heading to the pasture. The woman's mouth curled into a soft smile before she was broken from her musings by the phone ringing. She glanced between the phone and the barn before looking at Sunstreaker.
"No transforming," she emphasized with her finger before marching into the house. The golden frontliner frowned in irritation. What was he supposed to do then?
"Hey, Orion! Over here, buddy!" Jaime called. She was leaning against the fence, calling for the buckskin's attention. The horse lifted its head and looked in her direction before trotting over to her. After a moment of hesitation, Sunstreaker activated his holoform, directing it to lean against his alt-form. Now he had a clear view. The horse came to a stop a couple meters from the girl.
"Hey buddy!" she gushed. "Did you miss me?" The horse tossed his head. Jaime laughed. "Ah, you probably just missed your apples." She pulled a green apple from her pocket and offered it to him with her left hand. The buckskin pawed the ground. "What's wrong boy?" The horse took one step closer, his neck stretched out as he seemed to inspect her left side. Sunstreaker watched with growing curiosity. It seemed to be ignoring the food she was offering it. "Oh," Jaime came to a realization. "That's right, you haven't seen it yet. I've got two arms now, don't I?" The horse tossed its head once more. "I know it probably smells weird," she continued speaking to the animal, "but it's okay. It won't hurt you." The buckskin shied away from her. Jaime's hand wavered.
"It's still me Orion," she took a shaky breath. "Still me, I wouldn't hurt you. We're buddies, remember?" The horse snorted and pranced in place. "Orion…" When it became clear that the animal wasn't going to come any closer, she tried tossing the apple to him. The buckskin turned tail and bolted down the field. Sunstreaker looked away not wanting to see the crushed look on her face. But even muted, he could feel her disappointment over the bond they shared. She stayed there for a few minutes before turning and trudging back to the house. She stopped upon noticing his holoform. A tall golden blonde young adult was leaning against the Lamborghini. Sun kissed skin contrasted with the artic blue eyes. The holoform was dressed in a black and gold racing jacket, black jeans, and gold and white Adidas.
"…Sunstreaker?" He raised an inquiring eyebrow. Jaime flushed. "I didn't realize you had a holoform."
"No transforming," he rolled his eyes.
"Oh." Jaime glanced over her shoulder in time to see Orion snatch the forgotten apple on the ground and return to the far side of the pasture. Her whole body seemed to slump. Sunstreaker frowned, her dejected attitude was wearing his limited patience thin. Sarah chose that minute to come out.
"How'd it go?" she asked.
"Fine."
"…Did he eat the apple?"
"Yeah." Sarah studied the girl before glancing at Sunstreaker's holoform. He gave her an unhelpful shrug. If Jaime didn't feel like sharing, well, he wasn't going to get mixed up in it.
"I haven't finished the chores in the barn yet," she continued. "Wanna lend me a hand?"
"Not really." The woman embraced the girl and whispered something that Sunstreaker didn't catch. Jaime nodded and they broke apart. Sarah gave her one last smile before heading to the barn. The girl let out a sigh before lowering herself to the lowest porch step.
Sunstreaker grumbled under his breath when she didn't move from her position after a few minutes. She wasn't just going to sit there, was she? It was downright depressing.
"Lennox mentioned something about…homework?" he finally broke the silence. She glanced at him.
"Oh, yeah," she mumbled, her gaze dropping down to her hands, one metallic, the other in a green cast. Quite the eyesore in his opinion. "It's in my backpack." She didn't move though. The golden warrior frowned. Wallowing in self-pity didn't do any good. He'd seen many soldiers succumb to it only to be led to darker paths. Wordlessly, he turned and entered the house. Using trial and error, he located her bedroom. Not thinking about the why, he gave a cursory inspection for the backpack. Not seeing it, he checked the closet. Nope. He bent down to check underneath the berth. There it was. Sunstreaker reached for it before stilling. There was another object in the corner.
Curiously, not giving his processor a chance to question his actions, he reached forward and dragged it out from underneath the berth. He straightened as he inspected the dusty object, it looked like it had been shoved underneath and left forgotten in the corner for years. The mech grimaced at the disgusting spores. Well, it was only a hologram, he told himself, not like he was actually touching it. It, his search on the web informed him, happened to be a chest. He tried to lift the lid but discovered that it was locked. Upon further inspection, he noticed the small padlock that kept the chest from being opened. He tilted his head. What was the girl keeping in here? Did she even remember it? Perhaps not, judging by the signs indicating it had been abandoned in the corner, left to accumulate the earth's disgusting 'dust' particles.
"Did you find it?" he heard Jaime's voice from outside.
"Course I found it!" he called back—sounding more aggressive than he intended—broken from his musings. He picked up the small backpack, the original purpose for being in the room, and stood. After a moment's hesitation, he picked up the chest too and headed back to Jaime's location. She was where he had left her, sitting on the lowest porch step.
"Um, thanks," she said, evidently hearing his approach. She glanced backwards to give him a small smile. However, the smile immediately disappeared and her expression became more focused on him, or rather, what he was holding. She was staring at the chest with some kind of unreadable emotion on her face.
"What is this?" he asked, holding up the chest for emphasis. She stared at it for a while longer.
"I forgot I had that," she murmured eventually.
"I could tell," was Sunstreaker's dry remark. She didn't even react to his sarcastic reply. That was unusual. "Well?" he prodded. "What's in it? Must be important." Her eyes snapped to attention and focused back on him.
"Why do you care?" she frowned at him. Irritation made itself known on his face.
"I don't," he growled and, to prove his point, released the chest, allowing gravity to take hold and bring it crashing to the ground. She surprised him when she snatched the chest before it hit the porch's wooden boards and cradled it to her chest. Okay, why did she essentially abandon something underneath her berth when it obviously held great meaning to her? She flushed slightly at the look he gave her. He didn't say anything though. He'd already asked her, twice. He wouldn't lower himself by asking a third time. Jaime seemed to pick up on this as she watched him lean against the post out of her peripheral.
"I…it's…" he watched her struggle with herself, with what to say. She let out a sigh. "You're right. It is important to me." She traced a finger along the contours of the chest. "Not the chest itself…but…what's inside it." Jaime bit her lip and glanced at him carefully, reading his posture. After a moment of deliberation, he moved from his position and settled for an aloof yet somewhat interested position on the top step. The girl's lip twitched but she didn't say anything. Moments later she had rummaged through the old backpack and pulled out a key. She inserted the key into the lock and fingered the chest lid. She took a deep steadying breath, and lifted it to reveal the contents inside.
What? You thought I'd take it easy on you guys? HA! This ride's gonna be a doozy. And see! The mysterious chest came back! I know a reader awhile back asked if you were ever gonna learn what was inside. Answer: yes, yes you are. Next chapter. Be sure to leave a comment at the bottom! :D
~Hubero