Chapter Text
Outside the Autobot Base:
Nick wasn't pleased that Fowler was dragging him along to the Base, especially after just saying he wanted to talk with the kid's guardians first, but there wasn't much he could do. By the sounds of it, this mission seemed to be a big deal, and Nick wouldn't dare do anything to jeopardize it. So, if that meant going outside of his current job requirements to help, then he would.
"Is it normal to feel like your bones are vibrating when you walk through a Groundbridge?" the Southern man groaned as he and Fowler stepped out of the green-blue swirling vortex onto the mostly vacant tarmac.
"Miko says you get use to it, but I think she's lying." Fowler sighed, shaking his head.
"I'm pretty sure that kid has an cast iron stomach. I just dealt with a week of seeing what she eats for lunch," Nick grimaced. "Atomic Green Blasters..."
"Atomic Green Blasters? Aren't those the super sour candies that made the news a year ago after all those kids ended up in the hospital?"
"I have no idea," Nick sighed. "But what I do know is that Miko downs a package of those things everyday at lunch."
"The whole bag...all at once?"
"Yep."
"That girl scares me," Fowler shuddered.
"NIIIIIIICK!!!"
"Speaking of," Nick chuckled, seeing Miko barreling out of the hanger door towards them. He managed to sidestep the charging teen causing her to stumble forwards.
"Aww, I wanted to get a hug," she pouted.
"Not much of a hugger kiddo," Nick replied with his lazy smile, his hands slipping into his pants pockets. "I especially don't care for the kind that involves getting tackled to the ground."
"Nick's not a touchy feely guy at all," Fowler snorted, rolling his eyes as Optimus stepped out onto the tarmac. Seeing the Autobot leader, Nick adjusted automatically to stand a little straighter.
"Miko," Optimus spoke in a firm tone. "I believe Bulkhead asked you to remain with Jack and Rafael in the lounge area while we prepare for the mission. So, please return without attempting to injury Agent Miller or yourself."
"Aww, but Optimus," the energetic teen started to protest. "I wanted to show Nick around the Base."
"If you can remain out of trouble while we are moving equipment around, then you may guide Agent Miller through the Base after we leave."
"Yea!" Miko cheered, fist-pumping the air before running back to the hanger door. "I'll see you inside Nick! Get ready for the backstage exclusive Wrecker tour!"
"I apologize Agent Miller," Optimus paused, his optics shuttering mimicking a blink. "Both for disturbing your time off as well as for Miko's behavior."
"Nah, don't worry about it sir," Nick smiled. "I wasn't planning anything exciting. And Miko's a good kid. She's just excited about everything that grabs her attention and is still learning not everyone enjoys with that level of excitement."
"A sound assessment Agent Miller."
"Just Nick is fine sir."
"Heh, don't bother with getting Prime to not call you 'agent'," Fowler chuckled, as he started walking towards a nearby helicopter. "I've known him for years, and he's only called me Agent Fowler or Special Agent Fowler."
"I do not understand," Optimus frowned. "Is it not a sign of respect to address an individual by the title they have earned?"
"It is Optimus," Nick nodded. "But I tend to be a little more relaxed. Call it a quirk of mine. However, if you'd like me to only address to you as Prime or sir, just let me know. Respect is a two way street after all."
The metallic titan seemed to take a moment to consider this new information before the barest hint of a smile appeared on his face.
"Optimus is acceptable."
"Understood," Nick grinned, before taking a hand out of his pocket to gesture to hanger door. "Probably should get inside, right?"
"Yes, after you...Nick."
"Thanks Optimus," Nick said as he walked into the Base.
"Of course he managed to get Prime to drop his guard during their first real meeting," Fowler rolled his eyes, powering on the helicopter. "Man could probably befriend a Decepticon."
If Nick could describe what was happening inside the Base, he'd say it was Organized Chaos. Bulkhead, Bumblebee, and Smokescreen were were running through with different types of equipment and weapons getting ready for their mission and loading it all into Optimus's trailer. Ratchet was over in the medbay readying a field kit. Arcee was inspecting the equipment the others brought up. Ultra Magnus was reprimanding Wheeljack about his dangerously excessive amount of explosives all the while the kids watched from their lounge.The whole scene reminded Nick of days when he and Fowler were in the Army Rangers prepping for missions.
"NICK! OVER HERE!" Miko shouted, waving him over, and directing everyone's attention to him. The man internally cringed. He'd wanted to slip by without disrupting everything. It would have been a better opportunity to study the Bots and their normal interactions.
"Hey y'all, don't mind me," Nick nodded, as he started trekking over to the kids. Despite his seemingly relaxed demeanor, his eyes were darting around to take in the environment around him.
For the most part, it looked as if the Bots were simply curious about the him, watching in varying levels of interest. But as Nick was about step into the stairs going up to the lounge, Smokescreen came running over.
"Whoa! So you're the infamous Nick that's watching after the kids!" the young Bot grinned, his body armor almost rattling in excitement. "They've told us all about you!"
"Eh, couldn't have been much. I've only known them for a week," Nick chuckled, as he carefully side stepped the younger Bot to climb the stairs.
"Jack and Miko have been regaling us of your ability to protect them from the young human called Vince, as well as providing a sanctuary for when they need it," Ultra Magnus stated in flat tone. "Seeing as that human's behavior has been a consistent problem that the educational institution has outright ignored, your efforts are appreciated."
"Yeah! And you've been helping Raf with his extra homework," Smokescreen translated Bumblebee's rapid beeping. Nick subtly glanced to Raf who was smiling warmly at him.
"Just doing what I can," the Southern man grinned, ruffling Raf's hair.
"Autobots, get ready to mobilize," Optimus commanded. "Agent Fowler has successfully bridged through in his helicopter and is in the process of evacuating the mine. Once he gives the all clear we must work swifty to secure the energon before the Decepticons arrive."
"Yes sir," the Team answered, going back to finishing their tasks, and leaving Nick let out a sigh of relief.
"So," The Southern man clapped his hands together as he addressed the kids. "What's on the activities list?"
"After the Bots leave, you're getting the Wrecker Backstage Tour by me!" Miko grinned, pointing to herself. "After that..." she shrugged.
"Well," Raf piqued up, adjusting his glasses. "One of us should probably stay close to the monitors in case the Bots need an emergency bridge. But, after Nick's tour, we can play some video games, I guess?"
"Sounds like a plan," Nick nodded, noting different routes out of the lounge area that could be used emergencies. After a moment, he seems satisfied with his assessment and decided to watch the Bots finish getting ready.
"Autobots," Optimus commanded once more. "Time to roll out!"
"Yes sir!" The Bots chorused as they transformed into their alt. modes while Nick watched in awe. He tried to track where each piece was moving to, but that proved to be impossible.
"Pretty epic, right?" Miko asked with proud grin.
"Incredible," Nick whispered as the Autobots drove through the Groundbridge Raf had activated.
"Alright!" Miko fisted pumped as the portal closed after the last Bot went through. "Let's get this show on the road!"