Did you get to see the Northern Lights? Enjoy this next chapt.
The next day after Soundwave's reveal in the medical bay, a jet was getting close to its destination. Terry watched the world under the plane as it changed from trees to water and to plains. Even though he flew a lot, he still preferred to watch out the window and see what else he could. Planning to show up at the Autobots territory unannounced, he had called the airport ahead of time and wanted the jet ready before he got there. As he continued to watch, he knew they were getting close when the ground below became more and more barren and shortly after the jet started it's decent. He felt a little unnerved at the thought of coming here, let alone unannounced.
When he saw a shadow coming over the jet's wing, it caught his attention quickly and he bent his head and looked around out the window as far as he could. He saw the underbelly of a black jet. It stayed at their speed, staying just rear of the wingtip.
Suddenly he heard the pilot over the intercom, "Sir, there appears to be three fighter jets flying with us."
He hadn't seen the other two that the pilot had obviously picked up. "It's fine, pilot, bring us in," he said as he saw the black jet move up slightly and settle about 10 feet from the Learjet.
"Unknown aircraft, you are flying in restricted Autobot air space, turn around and leave!" came a sudden voice over every speaker in the cabin. They knew exactly who it was but decided to give him trouble instead.
He leaned forward when he saw what appeared to be a nose out of one of the windows on the other side. He leaned a little more to see a blue jet that was now wingtip to wingtip with them. He idly wondered where the third one was.
"Sir?" the pilot called out. "What should we do? We are surrounded."
"Keep going," He insisted, "They won't hurt us,"
Just then a white fighter jet came from above the plane, getting in front of it. It stayed far enough away they wouldn't be caught in the turbulence. "You don't listen very well, do you, Secretary…" Another voice said over the intercom of the aircraft.
Terry looked up at the intercom, "Ignore them."
"But sir! There's another white jet in front of me, they already said to leave."
"They also called us unidentified, and clearly they know who we are. Ignore it and land," Terry stood up and walked to the cockpit. "What you are about to see is top secret. You have the clearance, and it is why I chose you to fly here. Don't make any sudden moves."
The jet continued down, and the Seekers never left it as it got closer to the ground and finally touched down, the three touching down with it in such a display, that it looked like an air show had just been performed. The pilot brought the plane to a stop and powered it down, eyeing the three jets that bobbed to a stop next to them. The three jets had not left the side of it until the secretary had gone to open the hatch.
All three jets moved away slightly and then transformed, looking down at him confused and curious. The pilot stepped to the stairs of the aircraft, in which Terry turned to him. "Stay in there," he told him.
"Oh, shit." The pilot's eyes went wide at the size of the creatures scrutinizing the secretary. He froze when their optics went to him and then scuttled back into the jet, hoping these giant robots wouldn't kill him.
Starscream gave a questioning look to Terry, "What are you doing here Mr. Secretary of Defense?" he asked. "And without warning…"
Terry's eyes became wide. He knew the voice was Starscream's but the mech looked different. His color scheme was way different.
"You're white," he observed.
"You didn't answer my question," the Seeker's voice demanded.
"I came to speak to Optimus," The secretary stood at the end of the steps, looking up. He tried not to show how apprehensive he felt about the situation he was now in. "I have some questions for him,"
Thundercracker and Skywarp both gave him a skeptical glare while Starscream righted himself and turned to walk away without a word. The Secretary watched Starscream disappear into the building. He felt only slightly relieved, as the other two who had been jets were still standing there, watching him.
Starscream walked to Optimus' office, the door opening on its own accord as he approached. "Optimus," he said gently, "You have a visitor,"
"Who?"
"It's the Secretary of Defense," the seeker replied.
"The Secretary? Usually he calls," Optimus stood up and walked around the desk, stepping toward the door.
Starscream followed Optimus out and they headed for the main room. "When me and my wing mates went out for a flight, we didn't expect to bring him back with us, but he did not turn away at our request."
Sideswipe and Sunstreaker who had heard Starscream talking came into the main room. They saw the curious look upon his face. Sunstreaker asked, "Optimus, is everything alright?"
"Of course," The leader replied as he walked past the two.
Vector Prime turned when he heard the twins and saw the leader heading for the main doors. He stood up from his seat to follow. The twins also followed, curious.
When Optimus got outside, his optics sought out the Secretary, finding him standing beside the small jet and he walked forward.
It bothered Optimus that the man was here, especially since he was uninvited, "Secretary," He nodded. "To what do I owe this visit?"
Terry watched as a mech he'd never seen before walked out behind him, and the Secretary's eyes went to him. He raised a brow, nodding toward the unknown mech. "Who is that?"
Vector Prime had heard the man, he'd gotten an idea as to what this was, but he hadn't seen one yet, as Sam and Mikaela were not on the base when he'd gotten there. He was told about them. He was also told about the species. The Guardian didn't like how the man completely ignored Optimus' question. He leaned forward then down, then knelt down in front of the man, "What is this creature?" he asked.
The Secretary bristled at being called a creature. "I am the Secretary of Defense," He announced. His eyes narrowed at the new mech, "Who and what are you?"
"It speaks," Vector Prime said, returning the attitude he heard in the man's voice. "My name is Vector Prime, Warden of Space and Time, I assume this is where you all obtained your strange tongue? While we are on the subject, what are you?"
"I am not an it, I am a he. I am a human," he said with a distinct air of annoyance, "the dominant species of the planet," he paused as his brain caught up with what Vector Prime had said, "Warden of space and time, you say?" He said in mock delight, not completely believing the 'guardian of space and time' thing. "Wonderful," his voice took on a deadpan tone at the last note.
Just as he had said that, a foot stomped down beside him, making him jump and shy away. He heard an angry voice say, "Don't you dare mock him!"
Even though he had been frightened by the foot, he didn't let on that he was. "Hey, hey, hey!" the Secretary called out. "Who do you think you are!" He eyed the foot. "Don't you threaten me. I'll bring the military down on you so fast it'll make your head spin."
Optimus rumbled with annoyance. "Starscream, stop," He knelt down to the small man known as the Secretary of Defense himself, letting him calm to his presence. "Secretary, might I ask why you are here?"
"I came to speak to you about the files you sent, Optimus,"
"Were they not what you requested?"
"Not quite. They were fine until I saw Soundwave and Starscream's profiles. They both claimed classified information. I would like to know that information and…" Terry pointed to Vector, "on him."
"They are classified," Optimus said.
"But don't you think I have a right to know at least?" The man asked.
A sarcastic 'Hah!' followed from Starscream as the mech walked away a little.
By now, The Secretary's arrival had brought the attention of several other mechs. He noticed that some of them he hadn't seen yet. They were probably still in the files back in his office, "And I also wanted to voice my concern about Soundwave and his… abilities,"
"There is no concern to be had," Soundwave himself had walked out of the building, taking stance next to Thundercracker, and looked down at the human.
The Secretary was even more intimidated by that guy in person, he noted how what appeared to be thick cables that seemed to move over his chassis like snakes.
The snake-like appendages unnerved him, and he felt a small bit of revulsion at their sight. Clearing his throat, he looked back at Optimus, trying his best to compose himself. "Well, it is only fair to say that he is a Decepticon-"
"Was," he was interrupted by a mech he didn't know.
"-was a Decepticon," the man corrected, "And that the abilities you have would be for a major concern for National Security, especially since some of it was considered classified,"
Soundwave stepped forward and knelt down, "There is nothing to worry about. I have complete control over my abilities,"
"That isn't what I meant. It's just that I think that the government will be concerned. They like to know any threat that they don't know. We do not know your abilities, you see."
"I have been here for a very long time, and I have had no need to use my weapons or abilities against the humans, what makes you believe I will now?" The tone in his voice alone made the Secretary flinch. The Communications Specialist had a point.
Optimus shifted slightly, "I understand your concern, but we cannot tell you."
"I can't leave with nothing, you understand…" Terry tried.
Off to the side, Starscream elbowed Vector Prime, "They think Soundwave is bad, just imagine what problems they would have with you…" He said the words just loud enough for the human to hear.
"I think they've made I pretty clear they aren't telling, Secretary," It was Sunstreaker who spoke this time, "I suggest you accept that your government is not allowed to know everything about us,"
Terry's eyes darted back to Vector Prime, "I will also need a full profile on him," he said, nearly ignoring the words.
"That will not be possible," Optimus suddenly said.
"You mean you refuse?"
"Yes. His whole being is classified as top secret," The Autobot leader said.
The Secretary hiked a brow, "Then would you care to tell me off the record then?" his interest was piqued.
Optimus looked to Vector, and then looked to Starscream who shrugged, "He'd never believe you anyways, sure, tell him," The look that traced Starscream's features were a clear indication that it was a hell of a story. Terry would be interested to hear.
"Very well," Vector Prime started, "I was born from living material of the very multi-verse itself by Primus; I was appointed the guardian of space and time, and I am uniquely attuned to the flow of its energy. I understand the subtle mathematics that governs all that is, from the spin of galaxies to the movement of sub-atomic particles."
The man's eyebrows raised at hearing this. He was no physicist, but he knew some scientists that would love to talk to him. "Who is Primus?"
"Our god," Optimus said.
"God?" the man asked, his eyebrows raising at Optimus. He then looked back at Vector, "So you're a demigod?"
"Of sorts," Vector answered. "I possess the power to control, with some exertion, the flow of time, which also gives me that unique ability to wind it back and alter events. Thanks to my Temporal Mechanics Analyzer, I am sometimes able to observe all possible pasts, presents and futures within my sensor range, giving me the opportunity to select optimum courses of action."
"You observe past, present, and future? Like a crystal ball or something?" he asked, his eyes wandering to the giant orb in the mech's chest.
Vector took a moment too look up this phrase, "Not exactly," he said to the man, standing erect and reaching for the hilt of his sword, drawing it and showing the human, "Rhisling, is the name of my sword."
Terry watched it shine in a strange way on the edges. "You carry swords? I thought all of you shot each other,"
The mech shook his head, "We all have different weapons. This is both a weapon and a tool. It is constructed from ethereal super-matter and shaped to an edge so sharp that it can slice open the fabric of reality, opening portals to anywhere in time, space, or other dimensions."
The man who was staring dumbfounded at the Ancient Cybertronian had been staring at the sword as Vector moved it. He realized he'd forgotten to breathe, and exhaled slowly, blowing at his bangs. This was a whopper. "I… I uh… um-" the man babbled incoherently, trying to wrap his mind around what he'd been told. He regained his composure with a cough, "I want you to keep a leash on him," he pointed to the Ancient.
Some of the other bots around were now staring in disbelief at the guardian. They hadn't heard him outright explain himself previously, so now they were just as stunned as the secretary. What had they just heard? How was that even possible?
One of them was going to say something until the man spoke again. "I… I'll conceal the files until you have all departed," the Secretary said. "I'm sure afterwards, they'll want to probe my head to see what I know about Vector here."
"So, you flew all the way out here to ask me about their information?" Optimus asked.
"I did," Terry deflated, realizing his defeat in getting any answers, "I was hoping you'd tell me personally. Sorry to have disturbed you all," He turned towards the plane, miffed that he had flown out here for almost nothing.
"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you more. It's more complicated than you think."
Terry turned and pointed at Vector, "Not more complicated than him," he groused. The crowd watched him get into his plane and heard the engines start. He waved politely as the door rose, discontented that he hadn't gotten more information on Starscream and Soundwave.
"Hey Ironhide?" Sideswipe suddenly turned to the black Weapons Specialist.
"Before you ask, I have a question for you instead." Ironhide said gruffly, "what's been going on for the last few days?" His optics were deliberately on the twin. He'd noticed the change in their optic color.
"What do you mean, Ironhide?"
"Don't play stupid with me," he growled. "You must think I'm blind. You're optics."
Cliffjumper stepped up beside Ironhide saying, "We've all noticed how popular the medical bay has become, too. Sunstreaker, Sideswipe…" This time his optics went to said CCS. "And since when did Soundwave lose his annoying drone?"
"Yeah, tell us!" This time it was the entire crowd. Optimus looked to Vector Prime who shrugged and the rest, who did the same.
Starscream, on the other hand, was pretending to keep his attention on the jet as it taxied for take-off. He was listening to the conversation, however. He knew they would ask.
Wheeljack stepped out so he was in front of them all, getting the others' attention. "Well, I don't think you'd believe us even if we did tell you,"
Cliffjumper furrowed his optics skeptically at the Engineer, "Yes we will, whatever you have to say, we can handle it Wheeljack. Besides, we aren't going anywhere until you do,"
"Very well," Starscream turned and stepped up beside Wheeljack, taking the attention off of the engineer, "The twins and Soundwave are three of the thirteen Ancients as well,"
There was a very pregnant silence.
Ironhide's optic twitched.
How could they possibly tell them this? It was bad enough to be shell-shocked by hearing Vector Prime say exactly who and what he was to the human. And for some strange reason, they partially believed it, but the twins? Soundwave? Things were going just a little too far with that one.
"You're serious?"
"Yes,"
"You're right!" Cliffjumper suddenly yelled as he came out of his stupor from the story, "We don't believe you!"
Soundwave distinctly heard one of them say, "You know, they don't have to make slag up like that."
"Hah, now that was the joke of the century," Ironhide voiced. "The twins and Soundwave?"
" Ancient fairy tales? Like you?" Another one said, pointing at Vector.
"Yes," the guardian replied.
"What is the world coming to?" Cliffjumper asked, looking up to the sky.
Wheeljack looked to Starscream and shrugged, "Told you they'd never believe it,"
"Why would they? They're fools,"
"We're not fools, 'Screamer. We're realists."
"Just you wait…" Starscream said in a warning tone, "It's going to get super real, super fast."
"Would you believe it if I came to you and told you the same thing, 'Jack?" Starscream asked smugly to the Engineer.
"Nope," Wheeljack replied, watching the others disappear.
"This one is rarely at the base." The man put his finger on the image of an Autobot. "I found out that he is usually helping humans at different hospitals."
"Hospitals?"
"Yes, its alternate mode is Blue Ford F-350 pickup converted Emergency Vehicle."
"Bring it here."
looking down to the mech in the papers, Don said. "It's harmless compared to some of the others, from the information we have gathered."
"Exactly, that's why he's our best target."
"I'll get on it," Don replied as he reached for his cell phone and dialed a number.
"Oh, and Don?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Get me the Autobot liaison, Samuel Witwicky as well. He can give us answers the Autobot may not."
"Consider it done."
Been super busy and redoing Surprise, Surprise.