Its here, its here, its finally here! Lol! Oh boy I couldn't wait to write this. We get to see Stormracer in action and finally get to see her interacting with Knock Out. Keep in mind this won't be a love at first sight kind of relationship, but their interactions will eventually lead to them falling for each other. When? I won't say. XP
And now, without further ado, I give you chapter 14! Enjoy!
Transformers Prime: The Medic's Assistant
Chapter 14: Deus ex Machina
Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers Prime
(Autobot Base)
Up on the platform with Jack and Raf, Sierra tried making sense of a book in her hand. Getting frustrated, she put it down and groaned.
"This is so hard to read!" she complained, "why couldn't it have been written in plain English?"
"That's Shakespeare for ya," Jack said.
Stormracer made her way over to the platform. "Whatcha reading?" she asked her friend.
"Romeo and Juliet," the red head said, "I have to do a book report on it."
"What's it about?"
"Its a story about a guy and a girl who fall in love despite the fact their families have been feuding with each other for a long time."
"Why were they fighting?" the femme asked.
"No idea," Sierra said, "but because it was such a big deal, Romeo and Juliet had to keep their love a secret."
"Ooh, sounds exciting," Stormracer said with a smile, "how does the story end?"
"They both die."
Stormracer's smile dropped. "... Oh," she said, not liking the ending.
Hearing the sound of a vehicle approaching, Stormracer and the kids looked over to see Bulkhead driving into the hangar. Once he stopped, Miko hopped out with a frown on her face.
"Ugh. You sound like my parents," she said as Bulkhead transformed.
"Aren't they Japanese?" he asked.
"They may speak a different language, but you say the same thing."
"Because we want the best for you," her guardian said, "and that means making sure you go to school, not jail."
"Uh oh," Jack said, "what did you do?"
The green bot knelt down in front of the girl. "Look Miko, before I became a warrior, I was a laborer. Construction. I can build stuff, I can break stuff. And that's it."
"I love breaking stuff," Miko said with enthusiasm, "I want to be just like you, Bulk."
Bulkhead groaned. "Why would you want to be like me when you can be a- a medic, like Ratchet? Or how about Stormracer? She studied at the science academy to become a scientist."
"Yeah, but look at her now," Miko pointed out.
Stormracer frowned. "I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that," she said.
Just then the computer started beeping. "I'm detecting a fresh energon pulse from the nation called Greece," Ratchet said, looking at the screen, "An ancient city. Quite historic I believe."
"Ancient Greece, huh?" Bulkhead said, getting an idea, "Oh, field trip."
After Bulkhead and Miko left, Stormracer let out a big vent, trying not to let Miko's words get to her as she went back to work. After a while, Bulkhead called for a bridge back. Soon as both he and Miko returned, Stormracer immediately noticed the dust on the green mech, along with fresh scratches and dents.
"What happened to you?" she asked him, "are you okay?"
"Yeah," he grumbled, brushing the dust off of him, "just had a run in with Breakdown."
"Who?" the assistant asked questionably.
"His arch nemesis," Miko said, standing beside her guardian.
"Where's Optimus?" Bulkhead asked, "there's something we gotta show him."
Everyone gathered around as Ratchet showed Miko's picture up on the big computer screen. It was a picture of an old wall painting she and Bulkhead found at the ruins before the painting was destroyed. In it was a golden orb, one of cybertronian origin.
"It is indeed an energon harvester," Optimus confirmed, "a powerful tool created by the ancients to remove raw energon from any source."
"Greek gods knew autobots?" Raf asked.
"No," the prime answered, "the ancients often used the art of a given era to conceal messages. This fresco was likely a signpost indicating a harvester's location hidden somewhere on this planet."
"Uh, Optimus," Jack said, "if the harvester removes energon from anything, and you all have energon pumping inside of you..."
"In decepticon hands, the harvester would be a devastating weapon," Optimus told him.
"See?" Miko said to Bulkhead, "you were a genius to total that painting."
"Miko's not wrong," Arcee said, "how can the cons find the harvester without the fresco?"
"With high speed internet," Raf answered, now on his laptop, "if you do an image search for 'greek god' and 'golden orb,' this pops up." He held his laptop up for everyone to see the image of a statue holding the orb. "It's in a museum."
"Is that the real deal?" Arcee asked, looking at Optimus.
His answer was clear when he said, "Contact Agent Fowler."
Ratchet immediately tried contacting the human liaison, only for the call to go straight to voice mail. "You've reached Special Agent William Fowler," Fowler's voice recording said, "I'm currently on an intensive training retreat and unavailable until Tuesday."
"I hate talking to machines," Ratchet said, hanging up.
"If we can't reach Agent Fowler, then how are we suppose to get the harvester?" Stormracer asked.
"Without Agent Fowler's direct aid, we will have to confiscate the harvester on our own," Optimus said.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Jack said, "confiscate? As in steal museum property?"
"That sounds illegal," Raf said.
"That's because it is," Sierra said, "its a huge crime."
"I do not wish to break human law," Optimus said, "but once the decepticons learn of the harvester's location, they will not hesitate to obtain it by any means necessary. We must act covertly."
"Okay, n-no offense, Optimus, but covertly and giant robots don't go well together," Jack said.
"Museums have guards," Sierra said, "plus security cameras."
"No problem!" Miko said, "we're small enough to sneak in. And we are not a government secret."
"Oh sure," Sierra said, giving her a look, "and if we get caught, they'll lock us in a cell, brand us as criminals, our parents will find out, and we'll be grounded for eternity."
"You gotta better plan?" Miko asked her with a frown.
Sierra let out a groan as she pinched her brow. "I wish," she said.
Miko dropped her frown as she grinned. "Then its settled!" she said, looking at the bots, "we're in!"
"Miko, I don't think that's wise," Bulkhead told her.
"But it may be our best option, Bulkhead," Optimus told the green bot, "the longer we debate, the more time we give the decepticons."
"So, what's the plan?" Arcee asked.
Optimus looked at the kids. "Ratchet will bridge you four inside the museum while we keep a look out from outside." He looked at the bots. "Bumblebee, you will patrol around the area while we keep guard." The prime then looked at the medical assistant. "We will require your help as well, Stormracer."
The teal femme was surprised at first, but immediately nodded.
(Time skip)
It wasn't long until the autobots drove through the groundbridge and towards the museum, now closed for the night. Bumblebee drove off to circle around the area as Optimus parked in front of the building, seeing the harvester through the big window. Everyone else drove around the museum. Stormracer parked as soon as she made it to the east side.
"Autobots," Optimus said through the commlink, "confirm your positions."
"South side covered," Bulkhead confirmed.
"West is good," Arcee confirmed.
"Ditto for east," Stormracer confirmed.
"Maintain your guard," Optimus ordered, "Jack, Sierra, Miko, Rafael, I will have a clear view of you. Once you secure the harvester, I will contact Ratchet to bridge you back to base."
Stormracer glanced around at her surroundings, feeling the cool night air on her armor. For a while all seemed quiet until she heard a voice coming through the commlink.
"Sweet rims," the mech voice said, "twenty-four gauge? You're real heavy duty. Just like my friend here."
She then heard noises, noticing it was coming from the north side. Concerned, she left her post and drove over to the north end of the building. There she saw Bumblebee and Arcee fighting a large blue con, and not doing so well. Hearing an electrical sound, she looked to see Optimus on the ground with a red con standing on top of him, electrocuting him with an energon staff. Seeing her leader in trouble, she sped over towards them. By the time the con looked over to see her, she already transformed and fired her EMP generator at him. He grunted as the pulse hit him in the helm, making him drop his staff and dizzily fall off the Prime.
Taking the opportunity, Stormracer immediately went to her leader and knelt down to see if he was still functional. "Optimus," she said, only to realize he was unconscious. "Scrap!" She glanced at the fight happening in the parking lot, seeing Bulkhead joining in. The big con made Arcee and Bumblebee collide into each other and was now taking on Bulkhead head on. She looked over at the red con, seeing he was starting to get his senses back. Noticing the staff not too far away from her, she immediately grabbed it and got up as the con held his helm.
"What hit me?" he asked himself as he got back up. Soon as he turned around, he saw the teal femme standing there with his weapon in her possession.
Frowning, Stormracer protectively stood in front of Optimus as she pointed the staff at the con. "Stay away from him," she warned.
He kept his distance as he frowned back at her. Looking her up and down, his frown was replaced with a smirk. "Hmm, perhaps we're getting off on the wrong foot," he said, trying to coax her, "you seem like a reasonable femme. How about you be a dear and just hand that back to me and I promise I will leave the Prime alone."
"No on account of I don't believe you," she said, gripping the staff.
"Oh come now," he said as he took a step closer, making her raise the staff up so the end was inches away from his face. Immediately he froze as he looked at the staff nervously. "Now now," he said, "let's not do anything we will regret."
Her frown deepened. "Who are you?" she asked.
Smirking again, he gave his introduction. "The name's Knock Out," he said,"decepticon medic and automobile enthusiast."
She unconsciously lowered the staff as she looked at him questionably. "You're a medic? No offence, but you don't really strike me as a- Whoa!" She didn't finish her sentence as Knock Out caught her off-guard and lunged at her, grabbing hold of the staff. She refused to let go as the two gripped it with both of their servos, trying to pull it away from each other.
"Let go!" Knock Out said in annoyance.
"Not happening!" Stormracer argued.
The two scuffled as Bulkhead and the blue con continued fighting. With one big swing, the con punched the green autobot, sending him flying backwards towards Stormracer and Knock Out.
Seeing Bulkhead flying straight for them, Stormracer immediately let go of the staff and stepped away.
"Ah ha!" Knock Out said triumphantly as he held his weapon... only for Bulkhead to slam right into him.
Crash!
The two crashed into the museum, breaking the glass and setting off the alarm.
"Ouch!" Stormracer said as she cringed. Looking into the building, she saw the humans trying to work fast as they got the harvester onto the lift and exited out of the room. She then heard a groan, making her look to see Optimus recovering as he tried getting up.
"Optimus!" she said as she rushed over, "are you okay?"
"I'll...be fine," he assured her.
"Here, let me help you up," she said. But before she could help him, she noticed Knock Out was back up and was heading straight for Optimus with his staff ready.
"No!" she yelled as she quickly got up and got in the con's way. The energon staff went down on her, sending electricity through her entire body as she let out a scream. She fell to the ground, painfully groaning as she laid there.
Knock Out tsked at her. "You really should have stayed out of this. Now, if you'll excuse me," he said before turning his attention back to Optimus. But before Knock Out could strike him, the Prime swung his arm back, hitting the decepticon doctor and sending him flying. Soon as Optimus was back up, he went over to Stormracer's aid.
"Stormracer," he said worryingly.
Sitting up with a groan, she looked up at him. "Well, that was a shock," she said as the Prime helped her up, "now I know how you feel."
Bulkhead made his way over to them, holding his helm in pain.
"That hurt," he said before shaking it off.
Just then Soundwave flew overhead... with the harvester in his possession.
Now back up, Knock Out saw the flyer and grinned as he put his staff away. "That would be game," he said. Transforming, he took off as he got his partner's attention. "Breakdown, party's over. We got what we came for."
Grinning, Breakdown transformed and drove off after the red Aston Martin. The autobots were about to give chase until they heard the kids.
"The cons have the harvester!" Jack yelled as he, Sierra, and Raf ran over to the bots.
"And security has Miko!" Raf added.
"What?" Bulkhead said before frowning, "I'm going in after her."
Optimus stopped the green mech. "Bulkhead, Miko may be detained, but she is safe from harm."
"I don't think she'll see it that way," Sierra said.
Bulkhead let out a vent, not liking the idea of leaving Miko behind.
Optimus contacted the base. "Ratchet, bridge us back."
(Time skip - Autobot Base)
"In all likeliness, Starscream will use the harvester to gather as much energon as quickly as he can from the planet's otherwise unmineable energon deposits," Optimus told the bots, "approach with extreme caution. Starscream will not hesitate to turn the harvester on anyone of us."
Arcee and Bumblebee soon bridged to different areas. Before departing himself, Optimus looked at the green bot. "Bulkhead, it is best that you remain here."
"So I can bust Miko out of the museum?" Bulkhead asked hopefully.
"So you can help Ratchet and Stormracer," the Prime clarified, "you may be Miko's guardian, but she requires human assistance. Agent Fowler remains her best option." With that said, he transformed and drove off through the groundbridge.
Raf tried contacting Agent Fowler again, only to get the same voice message. "Still no answer," the boy said.
Bulkhead frowned. "Fowler's lounging around some poolside cabaña," he said, angrily slamming his fist down on one of Ratchet's tools.
"Bulkhead!" the medic exclaimed angrily, "I needed that!"
"We can free Miko if we can just return that harvester to the museum," Bulkhead said.
"So the decepticons can steal it all over again?" Ratchet pointed out.
Bulkhead let out a groan as he held his helm. "I'm so dumb!"
"No you're not, Bulk," Stormracer told him, "and we'll get Miko out. That's why Ratchets making this replica of the harvester," she said as she looked down at the mostly formed replica on the table.
"The construction of which would be going a whole lot faster if somebot hadn't just mangled my frame welder!" Ratchet said angrily.
"We're already trespassers and thieves, why not add forgery to the list?" Jack said.
Still seeing the troubled look on Bulkhead's face, Stormracer made her way over to him. "Bulk, she's okay," she assured him, "she's been in tougher situations."
He let out a vent. "I wish I'd never taken Miko-" the green bot stopped mid sentence, remembering something as he looked at both her and the medic. "The painting of the harvester isn't the only thing we found at those ruins," he said.
"I'm sorry?" Ratchet asked questionably.
"Starscream's not dumb," Bulkhead said, "no matter what kind of tool he has, he's going to take the easy route. There's energon back at the ruins, and I bet that's where he'll be. I need to go back there." He made his way over to the bridge.
"Whoa, whoa, wait a minute! You can't go alone," Stormracer told him, "Starscream has the harvester and will most likely use it on you. We should contact the others."
"There isn't time," he protested, "Starscream's probably already there."
Still not wanting him to go alone, the femme let out a vent. "Fine, but I'm coming with you."
"No you're not!" Ratchet told her, "you may have been needed before, but now is different."
Bulkhead thought for a moment. "Actually, I might need her help. Starscream won't expect her there, nor does he know she now has an EMP generator."
Ratchet gave him a look. "So?"
"So, if I can cause a distraction to gain his attention, Storm can sneak up from behind-"
"And use the EMP on Starscream and grab the harvester," the assistant finished with a smile, "that's brilliant, Bulk!"
Ratchet frowned, not wanting to admit it was a good plan as both bots looked at him.
"Ratchet, you did give me the EMP so I can help the bots when I'm needed," Stormracer reminded him.
"And right now, she's needed," Bulkhead said.
The medic finally vented. "Be careful. I mean it!"
Stormracer nodded at him. "We will."
(Greece)
Soon as the two autobots were bridged to Greece, they made their way over to the ruins. Sure enough, they saw Starscream with the harvester, along with Knock Out, Breakdown, and a vehicon. As they spied on them, both Bulkhead and Stormracer watched in horror as Starscream used the harvester on the vehicon.
"Scrap," Bulkhead said grimly as the vehicon fell to the ground, completely drained.
"That poor vehicon," Stormracer said.
They watched as Starscream then used the harvester on the energon. With all three cons facing the opposite way, Bulkhead looked at Stormracer.
"Alright, time to move," he told her, "be careful."
"You too," she told him before they stepped out of their hiding spot.
Stormracer quietly made her way around while Bulkhead quietly made his way forward. However his plan started sooner than he had hoped when he stepped on something, causing it to make a breaking noise. Immediately Breakdown and Knock Out turned around to see him.
"Oh scrap," the autobot said, holding his helm.
"Back for seconds?" the big blue con asked as he and his partner went for the attack.
While Bulkhead was dealing with those two, Stormracer quickly made her way around towards Starscream who was watching the fight. Her EMP out and ready, she crept up behind him as he was about to use the harvester on her friend.
Crunch!
She flinched as she stepped on something, causing the seeker to turn around and see her.
"Uh.. hi," she said nervously with a wave.
Evilly grinning, the seeker chuckled as he turned around to face her. "And what exactly did you plan to do?" he asked mockingly.
Frowning, she held her EMP up, surprising him as she fired a pulse right at his helm. He yelped as he staggered back and dropped the harvester. Letting out a groan, he dizzily fell on one knee while holding his helm.
Stormracer immediately grabbed the harvester and started to run, only for Knock Out to get in front of her.
"Hello again," he said with a grin as he charged at her. Quickly, she spun around before he could even grab her, now getting behind him.
"Goodbye now!" she said as she started running again. Seeing him running after her, she looked over at her partner. "Bulkhead, catch!" she yelled as she spun around and threw the harvester at the green bot.
Seeing the harvester coming at him, he rushed over and caught it, only to be tackled by Breakdown.
"Gimme that!" the blue con yelled as he tried to grab the harvester from the autobot. Activating his wrecking ball, Bulkhead swung and hit Breakdown, knocking him back. The two glared at each other as the blue con got back up.
Getting away from Knock Out, Stormracer waved her arms at her partner. Seeing her, Bulkhead faked going left, making Breakdown move so that he could pass the harvester to Stormracer. Jumping up, she was able to catch it.
"Got it!" she said before looking over to her side. "Ah!" she shrieked as she quickly dodged Knock Out's staff. She refused to turn her back on him as he continued swinging at her. Still holding onto the orb, Stormracer ducked and jumped as she continued dodging.
"You won't be able to fight back with your servos full," the con said with a smirk, "perhaps you should put the harvester down. Give yourself a fighting chance."
She frowned at him as they circled each other. "You saw Starscream use this on the vehicon," she said, "what makes you think he won't use it on you?"
"Simple," he said, "I'm the doctor. I have more use. And as long as I stay on his good side, I'll be just fine!" He said the last part loudly as he went to strike her, only for her to spin around him and fire her EMP at his helm from behind. He fell forward, letting out a groan as his head started spinning.
Stormracer let out a vent as she turned around, only to see Breakdown running towards her.
"Oh scrap!" she said fearfully as she tried firing at him, only to miss each time. Having no other choice, she started running.
Breakdown laughed as he chased after her. "I love it when they play hard to get!" he said.
Just then Bulkhead rushed over and tackled him from the side, making Stormracer stop in her tracks. Looking at the assistant, the green bot shouted, "Storm, get the harvester out of here, now!"
Nodding, she took off with it. But just when she thought she was in the clearing, Knock Out got in front of her in his vehicle form. He started doing donuts around her, not letting her run off again as dust started flying around her. She tried keeping her optics on him with her EMP ready, but found it difficult with the dust blocking her vision. She then heard the sound of him transforming. But before she could do anything, he leaped through the dust cloud and tackled her from behind. She let out a grunt as she hit the ground, losing her grip on the harvester as it rolled away from them... and towards Starscream.
Fear came over Stormracer when she saw Starscream picking up the harvester. Knock Out grabbed her arms from behind and pulled her up with him, restraining her.
"Let go!" she exclaimed, trying to break free.
The doctor only tightened his grip. "Hmm, what was it you said back at the museum? Oh yes... not happening."
Starscream looked at the femme and evilly chuckled. "Nice try," he said mockingly, "unfortunately, you do not possess fighting skills like your fellow autobots. You should have stayed in the med bay like a good medical assistant."
Knock Out looked at Stormracer as he let out a laugh. "Medical assistant?! Ha!"
Hearing the brawl happening not too far away, everyone looked to see Bulkhead giving Breakdown one good punch, sending him flying back unconscious. Maliciously grinning, Starscream aimed the harvester at him.
Stormracer's optics fearfully widened as she tried to warn her friend. "Bulkhead, look out!"
Bulkhead turned around just as Starscream turned on the harvester. A look of horror spread across Stormracer's face as she saw her friend being drained.
"No!" she exclaimed as she struggled in Knock Out's grasp.
"Make sure she watches," Starscream told the red con. He looked back to see the larger bot weakly collapsing to the ground. "This could take a while."
Frowning at the seeker, Bulkhead managed to get himself back up and made his way over to Starscream. Both Stormracer and Knock Out's optics widen at the autobot's sudden strength as the harvester continued draining him. Even Starscream had a look of shock on his face.
Seeing the doctor distracted, Stormracer looked down and stomped her pede onto his.
"Ow!" he painfully yelled, letting go of her as he started hopping on one pede.
Arms now free, Stormracer fired her EMP generator at Starscream. The pulse hit his helm, making him go out of focus once again and giving Bulkhead the advantage he needed. Grabbing hold of the harvester, Bulkhead brought his fist back and punched Starscream hard in the face, sending him flying back.
Hearing a growling sound behind her, Stormracer turned around to see an angry Knock Out glaring at her. He was about to attack her until she pulled her fist back and punched him in the face. Seeing stars, and not the ones in the sky, he slumped to the ground.
Stormracer rubbed her now sore servo. "Ow," she mumbled. She looked over just as Bulkhead crushed the harvester and chucked it high in the sky.
Boom!
The harvester exploded, sending waves of energy throughout the sky as Stormracer shielded her optics. Having lost so much energon, Bulkhead staggered and fell on his back.
"Bulkhead!" Stormracer shouted worryingly, rushing over towards him.
He groaned as he just laid still, too weak to move as the assistant knelt down beside him.
"Scrap!" Stormracer said. She was about to contact Ratchet until she heard the sound of electricity crackling, making her look to see Knock Out and Breakdown back on their pedes.
"You two are gluttons for punishment," Knock Out said, holding his staff up.
Charging up her EMP generator, Stormracer protectively got in front of Bulkhead.
"Aww, ain't that cute," Breakdown said mockingly, "she thinks she can take on both of us all by herself."
She frowned at them. "I may be way out of my league, but I am not going to let you two near Bulkhead."
Knock Out scoffed at her. "We'll see about that," he said as electricity sparked at the end of his staff. Breakdown pounded his fist into his servo as he chuckled.
But before the two cons could attack, a ground bridge portal opened behind them, making them turn around. Stormracer smiled in relief when she saw the other bots rushing out of it and towards them.
"Fight?" Breakdown asked his partner.
"Mm, drive," Knock Out said before transforming and driving off, Breakdown doing the same.
Starscream, now recovered, quickly transformed and retreated as the bots fired at him. Once the enemy was gone, everyone made their way over to the two bots.
"Hey," Bulkhead said to the others, still very weak.
"He lost a lot of energon," Stormracer told them, "we have to get him to Ratchet, now."
Helping their friend up, the bots called for a bridge and returned to base.
(Time skip - Autobot Base)
While Bulkhead was getting a transfusion, Ratchet checked Stormracer's servo. "Nothing seems damaged. You should be fine. Though I recommend you have one of the others teach you how to throw a proper punch."
"Thanks," she said to him. She made her way over to Bulkhead. "How you feeling?" she asked him.
"Still woozy, but getting better," he said, "thanks for the assist back there."
She smiled at him. "Anytime," she said.
"So, what happened to the harvester?" Sierra asked, she and the other kids on the platform beside the bots.
"Thanks to Bulkhead, its now officially history," Stormracer said, "speaking of the harvester, how's that replica?"
"It took Ratchet a while," Raf said, "but it's a spitting image. Plus, we were able to get a hold of Agent Fowler."
"Bulkhead, as soon as you are clear for duty, you may accompany Agent Fowler in retrieving Miko," Optimus told the green bot.
Bulkhead smiled as he let out a vent of relief. "Best news I've heard today," he said.
Sure enough, soon as he was clear, Bulkhead went off to get Miko. It wasn't long until they both returned, the exchanged student hopping out of the green vehicle as she smiled at everyone.
"I'm back and I'm free!" she said happily.
"Until the next time you get detention that is," Sierra said with a chuckle as she and the others made their way over to her, glad to see their friend okay.
Now in bot mode, Bulkhead stood next to Stormracer. She looked up and noticed the troubled look on his face. "What's wrong, Bulk?" she asked him.
"Well, good news is Miko is now motivated to work on her history report," he said.
"That's great," Stormracer said, "what's the bad news?"
"She wants to write it on autobots interacting with ancient civilizations."
"... Oh boy," the femme said, rubbing the back of her helm as they listened to Miko explaining what happened.
And that was chapter 14! What do you think of Stormracer and Knock Out's interaction so far? I can't wait to do more scenes of those two together. Next chapter is Speed Metal. That one will be focusing more on Sierra and Jack. Hopefully I will update it soon. Until next time! God bless and Merry Christmas!