Hey guys! I know, it's been so long since I've updated this story. I've been focusing a lot on my other story, Transformers Animated: Different Angle. But, I'm back with this one. I've also been working on the next two chapters after this, so I should be able to update them really soon. There's not really a lot of action in this one, but I hope you still like it anyway.
Transformers Prime: The Medic's Assistant
Chapter 3: Darkness Rising Part 2
Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers Prime
(Autobot Base)
"And since you now know of our existence," Optimus continued, "I fear that, as of last night, the Decepticons know of yours."
"Got it," Jack said, "if we spot any strange vehicles, call 911. Can we go now?"
"Are you insane?" Miko asked, frowning at him, "I'm living the dream here in 'Bot-swana.' And I will not allow you or anyone else to shatter it!"
"It is best that you four remain under our watch," the prime said, "at least until we can determine our enemies' intentions."
Ratchet turned to look at his leader. "Optimus, with a due respect, the human children are in as much danger here as anywhere."
"Children?" Sierra said as she frowned at the medic with her hands on her hips.
"They have no protective shell," Ratchet continued, "if they get underfoot, they will go... squish." He even took a step forward, making the humans flinch.
"Then, for the time being, Ratchet, we must watch where we step," Optimus told him.
"This is great!" Stormracer said, bending down to look at the humans with a smile on her face. "I have so many questions to ask you. I mean, most stuff I get off your internet, but I actually get to ask actual humans about human life now!"
"Don't scare them, Storm," Bumblebee bleeped.
Just then an alarm went off with a flashing green light.
"What's that?" Jack asked.
Bumbleee let out whirring and buzzing sounds at them.
"Proximity sensor," Rafael translated, "someone's on top."
Ratchet brought up an image on the computer screen, revealing the visitor. "It's Agent Fowler."
"Uh oh," Stormracer said, a look of dread on her face.
"But I thought we were the only humans who knew about all of you," Sierra said.
"Special Agent Fowler is our designated liaison to the outside world," Optimus clarified, "as he tends to visit only when there are issues, it may be best if you do not meet him at this time."
Getting the message, the humans ran off to hide before the elevator made its way down. The doors slid open, revealing an African American man wearing a grey suit and striped tie which rested on his belly. He frowned as he walked out and onto the platform where he can talk to the bots at eye level. Immediately he started listing a bunch of complaints.
"Seven wrecks, 34 fender benders, a three hour long traffic jam, and a particular note, numerous reports of a speeding motorcycle of unknown make, a teal colored sports car, and a black and yellow custom muscle car. So, anything you care to get off your tin chest, Prime?"
Optimus approached the liaison, "we have the situation under control, Agent Fowler."
"They're back, aren't they?" Fowler asked.
"If you are referring to the Decepticons, I have doubts that they ever left. Your planet is much too valuable."
"Then its time to wake up the Pentagon."
"Hear me, Agent Fowler. We are your best, and possibly your only defense against the decepticon threat."
"Says you."
"Hey, Fleshy," Bulkhead called out, gaining the human's attention, "did anyone get splattered on that freeway?" He ripped out a mechanical arm with a claw attached to the end, "Team Prime knows when to use force, and how much to us." He squeezed the arm in his servo until the claw popped out, now hanging by a cable.
"Bulkhead, I needed that!" Ratchet exclaimed angrily at the big green bot.
"Enough!" Optimus said to his subordinates before looking back at Fowler. "Military involvement will only result in catastrophe. Perhaps you can condone widespread human casualties, Agent Fowler. I, however, cannot."
"Then do us both a favor and handle this Prime, under the radar," the human said as he made his way back inside the elevator. Pressing a button he looked again at Optimus. "Or I will."
The elevator door sealed shut as he ascended back to the roof.
"Pretty big bearings..." Bulkhead said as he walked up to Prime, "for a human."
"Agent Fowler is concerned for his world, Bulkhead," Optimus told him, "as he should be."
Stormracer looked over at the humans. "He's gone. You can come out now."
The human kids stepped out from hiding, letting out a sigh of relief.
"So... now what?" Rafael asked.
"I don't know about you guys, but I'm going up there so I don't get stepped on," Sierra said as she walked towards the stairs leading up to the platform. The others followed after her, thinking it would be best for them as well.
The computer then started beeping, revealing what appeared to be a signature.
"Blasted Earth tech!" Ratchet exclaimed as he looked up at the screen, "Cliffjumper's signal popped back online."
"Wh-what?!" Stormracer asked in disbelief.
"Who's Cliffjumper?" Miko asked.
Optimus looked at the medic. "How is that possible?"
"It isn't," Ratchet said, "Another bug. The system is chock-full of them."
"But... what if it isn't?" Stormracer asked hopefully.
"If there's any chance Cliff's alive..." Arcee says, looking up at Optimus.
"Ratchet, Stormracer, prepare sick bay," Optimus ordered, "we may need it."
"Hey!" Miko shouted, gaining the prime's attention, "what can we do?"
"Remain here with Ratchet and Stormracer," Optimus replied.
"Aw!" Miko said, drooping sadly.
Ratchet glanced over at the humans and did the same. "Aw."
The ground bridge was then activated to the signal's location.
"Autobots, roll out!" Optimus ordered as they transformed and drove through the green portal. The humans watched in amazement as they disappeared.
"What just happened?" Jack asked in disbelief.
"I transported them to the designated coordinates via the ground bridge," Ratchet explained.
"What's a ground bridge?" Rafael asked.
Ratchet vented as he explained to the humans what it exactly was. As he did, Stormracer was already prepping med bay, wanting to be ready for anything.
Please be okay Cliff, please be okay, she thought to herself as she set up the counter with tools.
Once she was done, she started pacing back and forth... waiting.
"Are you okay?" Sierra asked her.
She stopped and looked at the redhead. "Uh, yeah... Well, maybe." She sadly vented, "I don't know."
"You worried about your friend?" the girl asked.
She nodded. "He's always been one to get into trouble," she said with a small smile, "You will like him a lot. He's quite the conversationalist."
"He sounds cool."
"Yeah, he is." Her scientific side soon kicked in as she looked at the human. "So, what's it like having an organic based form?"
Sierra gave her a weird look. "Uuuuuh, it's... okay?" the human said, not really sure on how to respond.
"Your planet is really amazing," Stormracer said, "I've never seen anything like it. Different climates, new elements, technology that maaaaay be a bit outdated for us, but still very cool, and different kinds of organic species. There are so many things to learn here."
"You... really like learning, don't you?" Sierra asked awkwardly.
Stormracer nodded. "I'm a scientist. Well, I was going to be. The war broke out before I could graduate. But that doesn't stop me from wanting to learn new things."
"Is that what you do for the team? Science stuff?"
The femme scratched the back of her helm. "Uh, not really. I'm Ratchet's medical assistant. I just mostly clean up and help him during medical procedures."
"Boring," Miko said as she walked past them. She approached a piece of machinery and had her finger ready to touch a button. "Hey, what is this anyway?"
"Broken," Ratchet said, walking by her, "don't touch."
The exchange student went to push a different button.
"Don't touch that either," the medic said, not even looking behind him.
"Is there anything in here we can touch?" Jack asked.
An error message then popped up on the computer, alerting the medic of a system overload.
"How come you guys are using human computers?" Raf asked.
"It certainly isn't by choice," Ratchet said, "It was handed down from the previous tenants when we inherited this former missile silo. I make modifications as I see fit."
Just then, more warning error messages popped up on the screen, all saying the same thing.
"Though a lot of times, it doesn't agree with Ratchet," Stormracer said.
The medic just groaned.
"I think I can fix that," the youngest boy said as he made his way to one of the smaller computers.
"Really?" Ratchet said rudely, "you know this is complex technology, don't you? I mean, it isn't a child's toy."
Rafael had already hooked up his laptop and started typing. He then looked back up at Ratchet. "Now try."
Both Ratchet and Stormracer looked back at the screen, the error messages turning green as they accept the modifications. They soon disappeared, allowing Ratchet back into the system.
Both the medic and his assistant looked back at the human in disbelief.
"Whoa," Stormracer said in amazement.
Just then, Optimus' voice came in through the monitor.
"Ratchet, bridge us back. Use arrival coordinates now!"
Immediately, Ratchet opened the Ground Bridge, allowing Team Prime in as a big blue blast followed behind. The medic then closed the bridge before the blast could go any further as the bots transformed and slid to a stop.
"Cutting it a bit close," Ratchet commented.
Stormracer looked around, seeing four bots in total.
"Cliffjumper?" she asked.
They sadly looked away, making her spark sink as her hopes disappeared.
"Was that an explosion?" Miko asked, oblivious to the situation, "was there a fight? Can I come with next time?"
Arcee groaned as she looked at the human. "Look-"
"H-hey, Miko," Jack said, approaching her, "why don't we see what the bots hide in their sock drawers."
"Seriously?" Miko grumbled as Jack pulled her away from the bots.
"Arcee, what did you see?" Optimus asked the two wheeler.
A grim look was on Arcee's face as she told them what she saw. "Not Cliff. At least, not anymore. He was mutated, butchered like something from those Con experiments during the war." Just then she collapsed, using a block to hold her up on one knee.
"Arcee!" Stormracer said worryingly.
"I'm fine," the blue femme told her, "just dizzy."
Helping her sit up, Ratchet grabbed his scanner and moved it up and down in front of her as it scanned. It soon detected something.
"What is this?" Ratchet asked, looking at a purple substance on the back of her servo.
Stormracer looked over his shoulder to get a better look. She couldn't help but stare in curiousity at the substance.
"I don't know," the blue femme said, "Cliff was covered in it. Leaking it."
The medic scraped it off with a tool. "Go take a decontamination bath. Now."
Stormracer helped her friend up and walked her over to the decontamination station. Once Arcee was inside, the assistant went back over to the others, the humans discussing their curfew rules to Optimus. Stormracer wasn't even listening as she made her way towards Ratchet who was putting the purple substance in a small container.
"What do you think it is?" she asked Ratchet.
"Something not good if it was able to affect Arcee so quickly," the medic responded.
"But what was it doing all over Cliffjumper?"
"... I don't know."
She studied the substance closely inside the container, only for Ratchet to move it away from her.
"If it was able to affect Arcee, then I don't want you anywhere near it," he ordered.
She frowned slightly at this. "Ratchet, I studied science for years. I know protocol."
"Yes, yes," he said, "but you have yet to become an actual scientist. You are still a student, and my assistant. It's for your own safety."
The femme let out a vent, but said, "yes, Ratchet."
"Stormracer."
Hearing Optimus calling her name, she turned to look at the Prime.
"You will be in charge of looking after Sierra," the Prime said.
"W-what?" she asked, not sure of what was going on.
"You will take her to her home and keep watch over her," Optimus clarified, "as of now, you will be her guardian."
"... Me?" she asked in disbelief.
"Optimus," Ratchet spoke, "Stormracer is not a fighter like the others. Also, I need her help around here."
"If anything were to rise, she will be able to contact the base or the others for help. And she will still be able to help you during the day," Optimus told him.
Ratchet let out a vent, but nodded. "Of course," he said before turning to look at his assistant. "You heard Optimus. Any sign of trouble, you contact for help immediately. Do you understand?"
She nodded.
"Good. And I expect you here first thing in the morning." With that said, the medic turned away and resumed his work.
Scratching the back of her helm, she looked over at Sierra. "I... guess I'm your bodyguard now."
"Can we go now?" Sierra asked.
"Uh, yeah sure," the teal femme said as she transformed into her alt mode, letting the redhead in. She looked over at Ratchet. "I'll... see you tomorrow." With that said, she drove off towards the way they came in and soon found herself on the road.
As she drove, she couldn't stop thinking about the purple substance. She wanted to know what it was, and what it was doing all over Cliffjumper. The memory of her friend saddened her.
This is what I get for getting my hopes up, she thought sadly.
"You don't have to worry about speeding," Sierra said, leaning back in the passenger seat. "I'm in no hurry to get home."
"Won't you get in trouble?" Stormracer asked.
"Yeah. But whatever."
Stormracer went quiet as she continued to drive.
Sierra, sensing her guardian was upset, spoke up. "Hey... I'm, I'm sorry about your friend."
Stromracer vented. "It just feels like we lost him a second time."
Sierra went quiet as well, only giving her directions on how to get to her house. Once there, Stormracer stopped a little ways away before letting Sierra out.
"Don't forget, we have to be back at base first thing in the morning," Stormracer reminded the human.
"Sure thing," Sierra said. "Um, good night, Stormracer."
The femme watched as the redhead made her way inside, hearing the voice of an older human female scolding the young girl before the door shut.
Venting, the femme moped as she thought about Cliffjumper.
"Why did you have to die, Cliff?" she asked sadly, "what did they do to you?"
She remained like this for the rest of the night as she kept watch.
(Inside the house)
Inside Sierra's home, a tall, older looking brunette woman wearing a suit frowned at the redhead.
"Where have you been?" Sierra's mom asked sternly as her daughter walked past her.
"I was at the dance," the teenager lied.
"The dance ended at nine."
"I was hanging out with some people."
Sierra's mom quickly got in front of her, blocking her path. "You can't avoid me forever," she said. "We really need to talk about your grades."
"I've been busy with things," Sierra said, "I'll get it next time."
"Sierra, I'm serious. I really think you should consider spending time with a tutor."
"Ugh, you sound like my teacher."
"Because we want you to pass. And I expect you to study for your test next week. And if you don't pass, you're grounded."
Sierra just let out a sigh. "Fine, whatever. Can I go to bed now?"
Frowning, her mom stepped aside. "Good night."
"Night," Sierra mumbled as she walked past her. Though soon as she entered her room and shut the door, her attitude dropped. Sighing, she flopped onto her bed backwards, looking up at the ceiling as she recalled the last couple days. Not only was she failing her classes, but she was involved in an alien war that she had to keep secret.
Only one thought came to her mind.
Why me?
And that was chapter 3! I know, not very exciting. I'm hoping to speed things along, and since we've all already seen the show, I don't have to go too much into detail with things. I do plan on having Stormracer getting into more action as she protects Sierra. She may not be a fighter like the others, but that doesn't mean she won't stop trying.
But anyway, next chapter is Darkness Rising part 3, and hopefully I will get that one up soon. Until next time! God bless! :)