Disclaimer: I only own my OCs.

Pandimala: *glances down* Oh, this looks interesting.

Authoress: *smirks* I'm glad you agree.

Pandimala: I didn't realize you cook cabbage like a steak.

Authoress: I saw it only and I decided to try it.

Knockout: I didn't realize that you knew how to cook.

Chapter 6: Lessons

Soundwave's 1st P.O.V.

"So, how do my tentacles carry data to my processor?" The young mech asked me as we worked.

I was surprised that the young mech had been open to working with us past Decepticons in the first place. The two adults had the experience in their existences to realize that if they were to learn everything they could, they would have to be more open to receiving help. And that help, given our numbers on Earth, meant they would need neutral and Decepticon teachers.

I understood the femme youngling. She was a fighter and seemed open to new experiences. From the preliminary progress reports already coming in from her trainers for the solar, she was moving forward at an accelerated pace. It reminded me of observing Pandimala's training with Knockout. She had moved much faster than we had expected her to, and that was even before we knew of her past human status.

The older youngling, however, made his distaste for learning from Decepticons clear. It was causing us issues in finding acceptable trainers for him. And, as the medics had suspected, he was just as disgusted with the neutrals. They hadn't chosen a side in the previous war, and he seemed to think that made them just as 'bad' as we were. Even Pandimala, who he had spent time with when she was a human and a Cybertronian, was not spared from this disdain. While he would let her help him when there were no other options, he had already tried snapping at her when he disagreed with her.

We had expected the youngest to take time to start working with Decepticons. Neutrals, yes, he would work with them. His guardian before hadn't been so ignorant as to be angry at everybeing who didn't support the Autobots. But, given the young mech's history with the Decepticons, and with me specifically, we had been sure it would take him many solars to even try working with us, let alone me.

Yet, the young mech had surprised us all by asking to work with me this solar.

"Data connections that are interwoven in our tentacles allow information to be transferred from whatever source we can electronically access to our processors," I answered the young mech. I then took out one of my own before latching onto the console in front of us. As I started to pull information from the systems linked to the console, I continued to teach the mech. "This can range from simple centers, as we will find here, to the complex systems which are interwoven into our processors."

That seemed to cause the mech to startle from whatever his thoughts were before. "Like the cortical psychic patch?"

I gave him a nod and explained, "Tentacles like ours were the basis for the very first model created by scientists on Vestium Major. Shockwave, using my tentacles for a deeper study, developed that patch further to the one that you are familiar with."

"So…um, how do they hook up?" I glanced at the young mech as he asked that, taking out one of his own as he did.

Taking my own in servo, I motioned to the end of it. "When we attach them to whatever system we are trying to read, these hooks open enough to communicate with the data stream and allow us to sift through the information. Since processors naturally sift through the information our chassis sends to them, our processor simply accepts the system as a temporary part of our own, allowing that information to go through." I then motioned to the system in front of us. Pandimala had made sure that it only had access to simple information on the human internet and should be safe for the young mech to dive into. "If you wish, try and connect to the console there. Only stay attacked for a few nanos and then detach."

When the young mech looked hesitant, I realized I might have asked for too much. The mech was obviously starting to get nervous, and Pandimala would have my plating if I allowed the young mech to crash because I didn't let him take his own time.

Before I could say anything, however, the young mech moved his tentacle forward and attached it to the console.

Immediately, I saw information move across his visor. Videos of places away from this country, sandy beaches, deep jungles, structures from ancient humanity, and information from different chat forums moved across his screen as he seemed to dive deeper.

When more than a few nanos had passed, and the mech hadn't detached, I moved. Almost on instinct, my servo made contact with the mech's shoulder. A bot could get lost in the information streams if they were too distracted by what they were observing. However, outside contact would trigger defense responses to pull the processor out.

A gasp from the young mech told me that he was able to pull out, but he immediately moved away and fell to the floor, visor looking up toward me. His systems were cycling, and I realized the mech might be unable to work with me anymore this solar. As I had thought before, the young mech and I did not have a good history with each other, and it was a surprise that he was working with me at all at this point.

"That…" The young mech whispered.

When nothing else followed, I realized I might need to contact Pandimala. However, I would ask the mech first to see if that was what he wanted. He needed to be in control, and if I asked for Pandimala without his permission, unless he was unable to give it, then that could hurt his progress even more. "Should I contact Pandimala?"

The young mech continued to stare up at me for a few nanos before, to my surprise, his visor retracted. Yellow optics stared up at me that, while they held nervousness, seemed to also hold determination. "No. No…I'm alright." He then put a servo against his helm. "It was just…a lot to take in."

Since the mech did not seem to be standing anytime soon, I moved to sit in front of him. I noticed that, as I did, the mech's optics seemed to track me. He was nervous around me. We had expected it, but the mech had been hiding most of her nervousness behind his visor. His optics focused on me as I removed my own visor and set it down, allowing me to have optic contact with the mech. "You are nervous."

As soon as I said that, the mech looked guilty for a few nanos before he let out a vent. "I…I don't want to be." He pulled his legs closer to his chestplate, a torn look in his optics. "Everyone has been working so hard to help us. They want to make sure that we are alright and that we get used to…this," At that, he pulled his legs even closer to himself. "As nicely as they can. I know we haven't been friends in the past, but Pandimala trusts you. And the others here trust you. I want to trust you, too…and I can't do that without working with you."

Silence fell between us as his words hung in the air. Despite the trauma the young mech had gone through, he was moving forward. Well, he was trying to move forward. It would take some time for him to truly move on from what MECH did to him, but there was hope. And from how he was acting, it would come sooner than he believed. We just had to guide him and work with him. I'd have to tell the symbiots to take it easy with him for some time, but they were going to be allowed near him.

Thinking back to Pandimala and when she had been on the Nemesis with us, I remembered that she had opened up to the drones and symbiots better than the rest of us…outside of Knockout, that was. Given this young mech's disposition, they could very well help him, too. I'd have to run my idea by Pandimala first since she was acting as the young mech's primary medic, but I was sure she would agree.

"Boss, I can ask Pandimala for you if you want?" I must be projecting over the link. Rumble was currently with Pandimala right now, keeping me informed of any situations that may appear. Laserbeak was here, staying in the rafters.

"Do, but tell her not to come here unless either Raf or I call her," I responded over the link.

"You got it, boss." He responded before he let our link go.

After a few more clicks of silence, I realized that I was going to have to be the one to break it. "If that is your goal, then I want you to make me a promise," The young mech focused on me as I said that.

"What is it?" He asked me back hesitantly.

"I won't involve Pandimala as long as you know your limits. While we all appreciate your willingness to learn from us, we also know that it will take time. Our history isn't the best, and you need time to adjust to that. If you feel overwhelmed working with me or any of the others, then you let us know and we will back down. If you are too nervous to inform whoever you are working with that you have had too much, then you contact Pandimala. If you promise to do this, we can continue."

He stared back at me for a few more clicks before he slowly nodded. "That's fair. I promise to do as you said…on one condition."

Interesting. He was already learning to make sure he got something out of a deal. Should he ever leave those of us he knew, then that would be the right move out in the expanse of existence. "What is your condition?"

The mech was silent for a few nanos before he spoke. "You all promise not to hold back more than you have to. If I need to learn when to call Pandimala, then I can't have you all scared to train me. We…we have to work together to get through this."

I allowed a small smile on my faceplate before I nodded. "Then that is a deal." I then held out a servo to him.

It took the mech a few more nanos to reach across and take my servo in his. "Deal." He then let go and looked nervous. "Um…what are we going to work on now?"

Since the mech already tried to connect to another system, we should probably put that to rest for the solar. "Since you have already experienced accessing external systems, we should work on your internal systems more. There is plenty our chassis can do if we know how to do so." I then replaced my visor, and he followed suit by having his slide back into place. "And the best way to start is to train in using your subspace."

Wheeljack's 1st P.O.V.

"Frag, yeah, this is what I'm talking about!"

I smirked as Miko moved across the training floor. While the others were nervous about who I wanted to be her training partner for combat, I was glad that I had stuck to my guns. Kid looked like she was thriving out there. I knew she would be alright. She really was a Wrecker at spark, even before this. I saw it first servo when we had that mission to get the predacon bone. Miko got ahold of the Apex Armor and absolutely owned Starscream. And that wasn't even as responsive as her actual chassis was.

Though to be honest, I really wanted to train her alone. At least at first, since I knew the kid better than most of the bots here. However, there was one glaring difference between me and her that necessitated the assistance of another bot.

Miko was a seeker.

It shocked the slag out of me when I walked in for that first guard duty. I always imagined that the kid, if she ever did end up like us, would be a bulkier grounder, like Bulk, or at least more like my size. Instead, she was going to be a terror in the skies. Since I didn't have wings, that meant that there were only a servo-full of bots here at the base who could work with her. Pandimala, Thundercracker Blitzwing, Skywarp, Steve, Joe, and Frost. Soundwave, too, but his wings weren't quite the same, so he was going to be used as a last resort.

Plus, they had him working with Raf. Kid actually requested the mech, surprising all of us. Even Soundwave was surprised that the kid asked for him, given their history. Never thought the kid would be that gutsy, but at least he was trying. That was certainly better than a certain other newspark who refused to work with anybot who wasn't an Autobot.

Slagging mech was making everything that much harder.

Back to Miko, though, she was quite insistent on who she wanted to train her, and I put the mech's designation forward to the others when we talked about her trainer at first. It took a lot of convincing and the promise that I would be here during their training sessions for the others to let Blitzwing be the one to work with her.

And so far, I couldn't be prouder.

Miko needed a bot to push her, given everything that she had learned with Bulk and the slag that happened on Cybertron once we left. Honestly, the mech was too dependent on other bots to think for him at times. And since Prime approved of them locking up Paul, then he didn't fight it either. With that stress, plus the stress of whatever those fraggers in MECH did to her, then she needed the kind of outlet training with somebot like Blitzwing would give her.

"Watch his right, Miko!" I yelled at her as she seemed to get distracted by the strikes he was throwing with his left. Honestly, out of all the previous humans, she was doing the best when it came to her combat training. She listened to her instructor, and she was doing good. That was even compared to Fowler, who was working with Barricade and Domino on more complex attacks. Honestly, at the rate Miko was going, she was going to need more opponents in fifteen to twenty solars to make sure that she kept improving.

Of course, when it came to the more technical side of her new chassis, she struggled just a little. "Okay, you two, time for a quiz!" I yelled at the two to get them to back off. Blitzwing and I had decided that he would work with her in combat for fifteen clicks, and then she would take a five-click rest and work on her systems with me, followed by a ten-click break from both kinds of exercises before she started to work with Blitzwing again. So far, it was working. But, if she didn't start to pick up on her systems better, then we were going to have her work on her servo-to-servo combat less. It was just as important for her to be able to check her energon levels and reroute her systems as it was for her to be able to knock her opponents on their afts.

Once Miko was up to me, I smirked. "Okay, kid, what are your energon levels at?"

She stood and stared at me for a click, her vents cycling to cool her down before her optics lit up. "Sixty-five percent."

I did a quick scan of her systems to make sure she was right, which she was before I continued. "Good job, kid. Now, I want you to reroute some power from your weapons to your optical sensors and see if you can see the guard standing at the main entrance. Tell me who it is?" From where we were training, the main entrance was in our line of sight if we enhanced our vision by rerouting power. I could see that it was Private Elise Presser, who had been on Team Epsilon with me, Scavenger, Cohrada, and the rest of Team Epsilon.

After a few clicks, Miko shook her head. "I don't know who it is, but she's pretty angry at whoever she's on the phone with right now."

I let out a vent and shook my helm. "That was close, Miko, but you lost the right pathway about halfway through and enhanced your audios instead of your optics. Try to focus more on your optics as you reroute power and try again."

Miko let out a huff in return before she was still for a couple more clicks. This time, her wings noticeably twitched, and I realized that she must have accidentally rerouted at least a part of her power to her wings. "I think it's Private Presser," So, at least she hadn't rerouted all of that power to her wings. That could have been bad. "I think my wings are picking up some movement heading towards us from my right."

Turning to the right, I raised an optic ridge when I saw Pandimala walking up to us. When Miko waved to the femme, Pandimala waved back and came to a stop next to me. "So, how is it going, Miko?"

In return, Miko smiled widely. "It's going great! Blitzwing isn't getting nearly as many hits in as he was earlier."

Panidmala let out a laugh at that. "Good job, Miko. Keep him on his pedes. I know you just finished your quiz with Wheeljack, but I think you will be fine going another round with Blitzwing. I'd say do another fifteen clicks with him and then take a thirty-click rest, no questions and no fighting. Deal?"

"Deal!" Miko cheered before she ran back to Blitzwing. "Okay, Blitz, round two!" She then lunged at the mech. I shook my helm at the femme's antics. I was honestly relieved that her experience with MECH didn't take her spirit away from her.

After a few clicks, Pandimala spoke up. "How is she really doing, Wheeljack?"

I let out a vent at her question. "Honestly, she is doing a lot better than I thought she would be. I think letting her train with Blitzwing is letting her keep her processor off of the whole situation with Bulk. Give her a few more solars, and it will be a memory in the back of her processor. For now, though, she gets distracted during her systems training. I'm not sure how much of that quiz you just saw, but she keeps sending her rerouted power to the wrong systems. If she doesn't get that under control by the time we start alt-mode training, that could be dangerous for her."

Pandimala nodded. "It can be. But as you said, she is still struggling with the fact that Bulkhead agreed with Paul's treatment. Thankfully, even past humans know how to recover quickly. Once she works out how she wants to deal with Bulkhead's situation, then I'm sure she will come around. I'll have Barricade and Ironhide work with her after the mid-energon break."

"How are the others doing?" I figured she would know how they were doing, and once we had another break, I could answer Miko if she asked about them.

For their safety, we were trying to keep them separate from each other for now, outside of June and Jack. Even then, we were moving June somewhere private for her systems lessons, given that she was open to working with the neutrals and Decepticons while Jack was not. However, we did try to keep information about them all open for when they were asked about.

There was silence for a few nanos before Pandimala let out a vent. "For the most part, it is going better than we hoped. But I won't say more now. I actually came over to remind you, and to have you remind Blitzwing, that we medics want a meeting with the trainers during the mid-energon break this solar. We'll have the other bots watching them. This way, we can make sure that the information going to each of them is the same."

"I'll make sure we are there," I agreed with the femme.

Once she walked off, I looked back at the kid. I had a feeling that once we let them all together, there were choices that were going to have to be made. And those choices were not going to be easy. But we couldn't stop how that meeting went. We could only try and help mitigate any sort of damage the aftermath had.

Pandimala's 1st P.O.V.

I had to remember that he just went through trauma, and that meant that I couldn't offline the fragging mech for being a slagging pain in my aft!

We had just finished the meeting between the trainers and medics, and for the most part, they all had positive progress to report. As it was when I checked in on them earlier, Miko was excelling in her physical training with Blitzwing and Wheeljack. If she kept up that same energy during the training she was now starting with Ironhide and Barricade, then she would be moving through this training faster than we thought. Of course, her systems training was struggling a little, but that was fine for now. It was something we would keep an optic on, but at this stage, she could advance in that easily.

June was in the exact opposite situation as Miko was. Red Alert and Chromia had said she was moving forward amazingly with her systems training, though her physical training could use some work. She seemed hesitant to throw punches, even when it could mean saving herself. We were going to have to work with her slowly on that, but I was sure she would pull through with it. Back when I was human, she had shown incredible self-reliance, yet she was always ready to learn something new. We planned on having her work away from Jack for the second half of training this solar so Joe and Scavenger could now begin to work with her more on her physical training.

Fowler was moving about how we predicted, though he struggled a little with his systems. Thankfully, not as bad as Miko was, but he struggled when bots would get too technical with him. Thankfully, his military training seemed to be coming in handy with his physical training, and that was making things easier. Warpath and Scattershot had a lot of good things to say about the mech moving forward with combat training. So, for the second half of the solar, I was having Cohrada and Landmine working with the mech now on more complicated movements. Hopefully, those two could help Fowler understand the more technical part of his programming. One thing that Scattershot did say was that Fowler accidentally shocked him when he got too worked up. Cohrada should be able to take the shocks better and Landmine had a simpler way of talking that might help ease Fowler into knowing his systems.

The one who I expected to have the least progress but who surprised me was Raf. When I had done my morning check up on him, he had asked if he could train with Soundwave this solar. Given the young mech's history with the intelligence officer, I had been hesitant to agree. But I couldn't say no to Raf when he insisted like he did. So, I cautiously allowed it. Now that we just got out of the meeting, I was glad I did. The young mech was making drastic improvements in where he had started and understood his systems extremely well. While they hadn't worked much on combat for this first half of training, Soundwave did show the young mech a few moves, and he reported that Raf seemed to pick up on the defensive moves with ease. With that good report, I agreed with Soundwave in letting Skywarp work with him and Raf during the second half of the solar in doing some combat training. With how carefree and almost sparkling-like Skywarp acted, he should be helping Raf relax in training.

And the one who was causing me the most frustration from this report was Jack. He was behind in his training, and it was honestly easy to see why. While Jack was working with the Autobot trainers, he mostly vented about the fact that there were non-Autobots at the base. Each time, Prowl, who was there to help Jack learn about his systems, and Inferno had to stop their training and explain that they were our allies and while he might not like it, if he wanted to stay here with us and receive the training he desperately needed, then he was going to have to tolerate it. While Jack had the capacity to learn what he needed to be taught, his own arrogance and pride were getting in the way. I had Wheeljack and Springer working with the mech now, and I hoped that their straightforward way of stating the facts would help break through the mech's processor.

"Your frustration is leaking through," I glanced down at Knockout as he started to walk next to me.

Letting out a vent, I felt some tension leave my shoulders as I tried to relax. "I'm sorry, K.O., but I'm trying to figure out what we can do about Jack. We can't force him to accept the others; otherwise, we would be no better than MECH. However, he has to realize that he has to at least tolerate them while he is here. Frag, he was even giving me attitude when I went to check on his training earlier."

I felt a small pulse of frustration come from my mech at that. "I can arrange for him to learn a lesson if you want?"

"Stand down," I tried to calm him. "Given the trauma they all went through, I don't want to push them. Despite the pressure it is going to put on us, we have to let them learn in their own time. If Jack continues to be as stubborn as he is, then he will fall behind. Perhaps once we are ready to have them start training together, he will see how stubborn he is being."

"Or it could backfire spectacularly," Thanks Knockout, that was so helping right now. He must have sensed my frustration again because he placed a servo on my wing and started to lightly massage it. "It will be fine, eventually. We may have to have them train in small groups at first…and only Autobots with whoever trains with Jack at that point." I leaned back into his touch as he moved across my wings. "For now, let's just get through one solar at a time."

A smile naturally came onto my faceplate at his words. How did he always know what to say? "What would I do without you?"

"Be a complete wreck and never have the flawless finish my buffs can give." A small laugh escaped me at his response.

Of course, just because it was funny didn't mean that he was wrong. "Fair enough. Plus, I have other worries to think about." I had talked to Paul, the other solar, and he mentioned that one of the worries he had was that the Galactic Alliance, whatever that was, could become a problem somewhere down the line if we weren't careful. "Hey Knockout, what can you,"

"Pandimala, I need you in my training area."

I froze in place as Soundwave's private message came through. "What's going on Soundwave?" I figured I would use the comm on my end so Knockout would realize I wasn't ignoring him.

"Jackson has barged into our training and is causing issues. For now, we are keeping back, but he is becoming more agitated."

"Who's all there with you?" Sometimes, others would watch the training, mostly the cleared soldiers, and that could mean other bodies that I had to be aware of.

Thankfully, Soundwave was prompt in responding. "Outside of those you know about, Paul came in to observe."

Paul would be able to help distract Jack until we could get there. "I'll contact Springer and Wheeljack and let them know what is happening. I'm guessing they let the mech go and cool off for a bit. Probably didn't think he would interrupt the other training groups. We'll be there in a few clicks." I then dropped the line before opening one with Wheeljack. "Wheeljack, this is Pandimala. I need you and Springer to make your way to Raf's training warehouse."

"What's going on?" The mech asked me back on the comm.

"Jack ended up there and is causing problems with Raf's training. If any of us try and physically stop the mech, it could cause problems. I'll need you two just in case we can't convince the mech to get the frag out of there under his own power."

There was a lot of cursing from Wheeljack's side of the comm at my response before he formed coherent words. "Slag it all; I told the kid not to go into any of the other warehouses. He wasn't even supposed to leave the sector of the base that we have for his training. Kid better be lucky I don't get offended easily. He already has a short list of bots who he is willing to train with. If he tries this with the others, that list will go down from bots who won't train with him." I then felt as he disconnected the line.

After a few nanos of silence, Knockout spoke up. "So, Jack is causing problems for your patient's training. We knew that it might happen, just not this quickly. Should we call Red Alert?"

While that might be wise, I was hoping that we could de-escalate the situation without getting her involved. "Not yet. If he attacks and Springer can't get him to stand down, then we'll call her in to give the sedative. If either of us tries to give it, I'm afraid he will grow more combative against us."

However, as we approached the warehouse Raf had been training in, a heaviness settled on my spark. I wasn't sure what it was, but I had a feeling that this was not going to turn out as well as we were hoping.

Paul's 1st P.O.V.

Jack needed to stand down.

Before he arrived, Raf's progress was improving by leaps and bounds…at least in comparison to where all of the medics and trainers thought he would be at this point. Not only was Raf open to working with Decepticons and even being alone with them, but from what I had been watching, his combat training would eventually accelerate as well. For a bot as young as he was, his mental resilience and his openness to others had been refreshing to watch. It was honestly why I was watching their practice in the first place. Here were two bots who were Decepticons. One was one that Raf had actually faced off against a few times through hacking, and the other looked highly similar to Starscream, who didn't need explaining, and yet the kid was trusting them while they trained.

And just when the mech was starting to swing back at Skywarp, Jack decided to barge into the warehouse.

The tension had been almost visible as he had stared between the three of them. That was, however, until Jack realized what he was looking at and got angry. Now, I was pretty sure I was amazed that there hadn't been any physical blows yet. Of course, Jack might think he was protecting Raf by not attacking in such small quarters. But, I was pretty sure the bigger reason was that he was outnumbered two-to-one, and he had to realize that, despite his refusal to train with anybot who wasn't an Autobot, those two had him thoroughly trounced in the skills department.

"Raf, you need to get out of here," I could hear the strain in Jack's vocals. From his tone, he sounded like he was actually thinking about fighting two seasoned Decepticons on his own.

So, before that happened, I probably should step in. "Get out of here, Jack. Raf is getting training right now, and I am here supervising." Well, not really. Soundwave and Skywarp really didn't need supervising. But, if it got the mech to leave without a hassle, then I would pretend I was doing just that. As stressful as Jack was making this, I had to remember that he was also recovering from the trauma of whatever MECH did to them. We had to approach this carefully.

To my surprise, Jack sent a glare up toward me. "You stay out of this. You're their god! You should have stepped in and stopped this right away. You know what they are like."

I couldn't suppress the glare I sent toward the mech. "I do know them. Much more than you do, young mech. You would do well to remember that." I knew all of my creations. I knew their feelings, their wants, their dreams, and I knew their characters. Raf was safe with Soundwave and Skywarp.

"Obviously not if you are allowing this!" The mech retorted as he took a step closer.

"What the frag is going on in here?" We all turned to the doors as Pandimala walked in, Knockout moving in from behind her. As he went to stand by Soundwave, Pandimala moved her gaze to Jack. "And what the frag are you doing in here? Springer and Wheeljack said that you weren't supposed to leave your training sector of the base. They trusted you to listen."

"I'm glad I didn't!" Jack yelled at her. "How could you let those Decepticons train him? After everything that we all went through fighting against them? How many Autobots have they offlined?"

"Enough!" Everybot jumped back when Pandimala interrupted Jack's tirade. "Enough of your blind bigotry, Jack; it doesn't suit you. To answer your questions, though, let's start with the most blatantly stupid one you asked. How many Autobots have they offlined? It honestly doesn't matter. That is in the past."

"How could you,"

"Don't you fragging dare interrupt me right now!" I flinched at the anger almost radiating off of the femme. "If you are asking that question, then you better be ready to answer the inverse of that as well. How many Decepticons did the Autobots offline? How many did your previous guardian cut down in the name of war? That was what they were fighting, Jack; a war! And after everything we all went through? We were there for a sliver of their war, Jack, and the tail-end at that. It will be a long time before we understand what they have gone through over the millions of years they have fought!" The young mech looked stunned as silence momentarily fell between them before Pandimala let out a vent and continued, this time calmer. "As to your first question, the reason we have allowed Soundwave and Skywarp to train with Raf, despite everything, is because Raf asked for them to, and so we allowed it."

There was silence between all of us as Pandimala's words seemed to echo around the room. In the doorway, I could see Springer and Wheeljack standing, seemingly waiting for whatever happened next. Everyone was waiting for Jack's reaction to her words. I could tell that Pandimala had been wanting to say something to the mech since his attitude had been discovered. Now that those words were all out there, it seemed like this was a moment of truth.

Finally, after a servo-full of clicks, Jack spoke. "It isn't right. He shouldn't be training with them."

I could hear the stress in Pandimala's vent. "No, Jack. He should be training with them. Raf is making his own choices and I am respecting his choices, as should you."

The flare of anger that suddenly shone in Jack's optics was surprising. "Raf is just a kid. He doesn't realize what he is doing. And you shouldn't be encouraging that."

A pang of regret flashed behind Pandimala's optics, though I had a feeling it wasn't about what Jack said. "As much as I wish it wasn't so, he isn't a kid anymore. None of you are, Jack."

"And whose fault is that?"

A sparkbeat of silence allowed me to watch the guilt-stricken look fill Pandimala's faceplate.

In the next, chaos reigned.

Pandimala turned and left, obviously not wanting to react one way or another to Jack's off-servo comment. Knockout let out a snarl and tried to lunge at the young mech. It was only Soundwave's instant reaction to grab the medic with his tentacles that stopped Knockout from reaching the mech. Wheeljack and Springer came through the doors and grabbed ahold of the mech, making sure he couldn't charge at any of the Decepticons or make sure he couldn't follow Pandimala in her retreat. Soundwave and Skywarp were both tense and from what I could see, they were suppressing their instincts to launch at the mech in defense of Pandimala, who I knew both considered a friend.

We all froze as the sound of metal impacting metal echoed through the air.

"You had no right to say that!" Every being in the room stared in shock as Raf yelled that, his fist still clenched. "The only ones to blame for what happened to us are MECH! Pandimala has been working so hard with everyone here to make sure that we are safe and that we are properly trained!" The young mech then retracted his visor so his optics were right in line with Jack's as he glared. "Just because you are too stubborn to accept help from the bots here who want to help us doesn't mean you get to dictate how the rest of us decide to move forward." The mech's visor then went back over his faceplate. "I went through the same things you did, Jack. It's not a crutch you can use forever. Eventually, you'll leave the bots here and then you are on your own." Raf then raised a servo, pointing to the exit. "Now get out."

Jack looked stunned at the mech in front of him. "Raf, you don't,"

"I said out, Jack."

The taller mech stared at Raf for a few more nanos before he let out a vent and left, followed by Wheeljack and Springer. "I need to get to 'Mala." With those words from Knockout, Soundwave released Knockout and said medic wasted no time in running out the door in the direction Pandimala went off in.

There was silence in the warehouse for a few nanos before Skywarp cleared his vocals. "I feel like somebot has to say this; nice hit, kid."

Thwack!

Thankfully, Soundwave's helmslap to Skywarp caused Raf to let out a light laugh, helping to ease the tension in the air. After a few clicks of soft talking between the three of them, they went back into their training. While I was tempted to follow Knockout's example and go find Pandimala, I knew that he and Plena Teo had her covered. What I could do was keep watching the young mech down there grow. Just from that display alone, I could tell that he was going to go far. Pandimala was right; they were no longer kids. Raf had accepted that, as had Miko from what I heard of her training session. Jack still seemed to be clinging to his past.

Glancing back at the doors, I allowed a little worry to creep up for Pandimala. I knew she had been struggling personally since they had recovered the five, blaming herself. She tended to take on the hardships of the world when she thought she could get away with it. If anybot could help her see that she was not at fault, it was her bondmate and Plena Teo.

Pandimala: So...have you tried the cabbage 'steak' yet?

Authoress: *huffs* No, I haven't. I'm waiting until the family is ready to eat. Until then, I'll survive.

Pandimala: *pouts* But I was curious if it would taste good or not. If it does, I want my soliform to try it.

Knockout: *stubborn* I just want to know if you can cook or not.

AN: And here is the next chapter! I hope you all are enjoying this so far. We get some insight into the kids and how their training is progressing. Jack can't seem to let go of the bias that he picked up from Arcee. But he will eventually learn, whether that be the easy way or the hard way. By the way, for anyone who is curious, all five newsparks will eventually choose new names. But, for now, they are slowly recovering from everything that they have been through over the past days. Of course, with the training, we see an issue when Jack discovers that Raf is training with the Decepticons, and all Pit breaks loose. Jack seems to have really stepped in it this time. At least Raf gets a shining moment and shows Jack that he doesn't agree with him.

But poor Pandimala. The femme has been struggling with the guilt of what happened to them all and then Jack says that? Hopefully, Knockout can catch up to her and make sure she knows that it wasn't her fault. But we won't see anything like that until the next chapter.

For now, I think I will end this blurb here. Oh, and of course, the names of the next chapters!

Chapter 7: Reflections

Chapter 8: Specialities

Chapter 9: (of course, you will find out next time!)

Now that is all. As always, thank you so much to everyone who interacts with this and my other stories. I really do appreciate all of you. Until next time, TTYL! *listening to Chasing Rainbows (Remix) by The High Kings & Badscandal*