Chapter Text
Why did life hate me? First, I lose the brother I actually like, then I’m left on a dead planet by my other brother who I don’t like at all (at least not anymore, but don’t tell him that). Now, I’m stuck on a backwater planet alone who knows how far away from anyone is like me. Guess it’s a good thing I have Pretender in me, else I wouldn’t have been able to blend in by disguising myself as an organic. Isn’t life great? I do my best to blend in, I even go to school like a “normal” teen, everyone thinks I’m just an exchange student from Japan in a small school in Jasper, Nevada. I even have a host family, well one person in said family and a kid, but still.
I sat there sketching a blue motorcycle drawing stars and hearts. Maybe back on Cybertron I could have been an artist, maybe. Of course, I doubt that. But, things change, people change, lives are changed. There’s nothing I can do about that, I never have been able to and I probably never will. How I hope that Lord Megatron destroys the Autobots, then maybe this war that cost me my brother will be over.
I looked up from my sketching to find the motorbike was driving away, following my classmate Jack. Could it be… another Cybertronian? If it were it would most likely be an Autobot, most Decepticons would never even dare to think about taking the form of a ground vehicle, other than Vehicons. I followed the motorcycle and found that it was in fact an Autobot, she was crouched down in the alley talking to Jack. She wanted him to come with her, he must have seen the Autobots out of there disquise, and Autobots would never dare leave a human to spill such a secret.
“Dude! You should totally go with her!” I exclaimed without thinking. As Miko I don’t bother thinking all that much. Nothing like my true self. As my true self I seem more like my brothers than anyone else. But I guess since no one here knew me, it gave me a certain freedom I wasn’t used to. Besides, revealing myself would give me an opening to find the Autobot base. And… I guess it would help to know where other Cybertronians were, just in case something happens. I hadn’t even thought there were other Cybertronians on Earth, but I guess I was wrong.
“Great…” The Autobot muttered, while I just smiled. I will admit that from this much lower angle, there was something cool about big robots. Never mind that I was a big robot myself. Not big in comparison to other Cybertronians, but big for humans. Humans are the smaller than a minibot.
The Autobot drove the road out of Jasper, into the desert. Given she was driving there instead of taking a Groundbridge, which I’m certain they’d have, given how hard it was to travel on this Primus forsaken planet, their base must be close. Who’d have thought that I’d been spending the past few months this close to the Autobot base? We drove off the rode and towards a mesa, which from the rockface two doors opened up leading in. A clever place to hide your base. When we entered there were three other Autobots and a boy I recognized from school, who was just getting out of a yellow with black striped Autobot. I think the boy’s name was Raf?
“I thought there were two?” The red and white Autobot asked looking at the three of us, irritation both on his face and in his voice.
“Haven’t you heard?” The motorcycle asked, “Humans multiply.”
I noticed a big green Autobot, I ran up to him and started to question him. Might as well get as much info as possible while I’m here. Not to mention he seemed like the kind of Bot who could cause some real damage.
“I’m Miko.” I said, “Who’re you?”
“Bulkhead.” He said with a large amount of uncertainty in his voice. He must have been a bit afraid. I would be afraid of me too.
“Are you a car?” I asked, “I bet you’re a truck, a monster truck! Do you like heavy metal? How much do you weigh? Ever use a wreckin’ ball for a punching bag?” I just bombarded poor Bulkhead with questions. Not that I felt too bad about that.
“So… If you guys are robots…” Raf started to ask, shyly, almost pausing to think a moment, probably wondering if he should really be asking his question.
“Then who made you?” He finished. The medic rolled his optics and snorted.
“Puh-lease.” He grumbled. Wow he’s rude.
We heard the sound of thundering footsteps. A large red and blue robot walked in. We all looked up to him wide eyed. I’m surprised I didn’t faint, because the Bot who walked in was none other than Optimus Prime. Every Cybertronian, Autobot and Decepticon alike, even the Neutrals, they all knew who Optimus Prime was. How couldn’t they?
“We are Autonomous Robotic Organisms from the planet Cybertron.” He said in what I think was his best attempt at not scaring us in any way, “Better known, as Autobots.” Jack walked up to the large Autobot.
“Why are you here?” He asked. That… was a good question. Although, I think I already know. Where there’s Autobots…
“To protect your planet from the Decepticons.” The Prime answered.
“The jokers who tried to bump us off last night.” Arcee stated, as if to clarify. So it sounds like Jack and Raf saw the Autobots because they got in some kind of scuffle with some Decepticons. Probably Vehicons, honestly. I didn’t hear any planes yesterday.
“Okaaay,” Jack said turning his gaze to the Prime, “why are they here?” That was something I already knew.
Optimus knelt closer to Jack.
“A fair question, Jack” He told Jack. All three of our eyes widened. Jack never told him his name. Maybe he’d heard it from the motorcycle, she could have learned his name yesterday.
“In part,” He continued, “Because our planet is uninhabitable, ravaged by centuries of civil war.”
“Why were you fighting a war?” Raf asked, with his usual innocence. I never knew someone could be so innocent. I didn’t have an amazing knowledge of this planets history, but I’m certain there were only so many reasons a civil war could start. Then again, maybe before my brothers and I joined the Decepticons, I might have thought that same way too.
“Foremost,” He began, “For our world’s supply of energon. The life blood of Autobots, and Decepticons alike.” And with that he began into the story of the war for Cybertron. I wasn’t really interested, because I already knew it. Pretty much everyone knew why the war started on Cybertron, I didn’t need to hear the Prime’s perspective for this. He finished, and I yawned.
“Is there going to be a quiz?” I asked.
“So… What does this Megatron…? Or any of this - Have to do with us?” Jack asked ignoring me.
“Megatron has not been seen or heard from in a sometime,” Optimus began, “But if his return is imminent, as I fear, it could be catastrophic.” Megatron, even the name made me think of my brother, who was probably about to get thrashed around soon. But that was good, if Lord Megatron was returning, that was good. Right? Right.
“And since you know of our existence,” The Prime said, “I fear that as of last night, the Decepticons know of yours.” Great. It’ll be easier to contact Lord Megatron that way. Not that I understand why the other Cons knowing about some humans could be a problem. I doubt Starscream wants anything to do with Humankind, other than to murder it if it so much as thinks about getting near him.
Jack nodded, “Got it. If we spot any strange vehicles, call 911. Can we go now?” Really Jack? 911? What would they do? Use their pathetic human made bullets on a Vehicon? Yeah, that might scratch their paint.
“Are you insane?” I demanded, “I’m living a dream here in Botswana! And I won’t allow you or anyone else to shatter it!” I couldn’t let this chance to gather intel on the Autobots go to waste, no matter how much Jack wanted to be responsible.
“It is best that you four remain under our watch,” Optimus said, “At least until we can determine our enemy’s intentions.” Yeah right. Like you’ll be able to do that. If anything, I’m going to take the first chance I get to find other Decepticons.
“Optimus,” The red and white Bot began, “With all due respect, the human children are in as much danger here as anywhere!”
Jack’s eyebrow’s shot up, “Children?” He asked annoyed. I mean, technically Jack and I were teens, but I’m pretty sure that still qualifies as children.
“They have no protective shell!” The Bot hissed, “If they get underfoot they will go… squish.” He stopped his foot for emphasis, making Jack, Raf, and I jumped.
“Then for the time being, Ratchet,” Optimus began, revealing this red and white Bot to be the Autobot medic. “We must watch where we step.”
Suddenly, we all heard an alarm going off. It was blaringly loud, something I couldn’t say I appreciated, not at this size.
“What’s that?!” Jack asked. Well Jack probably not something good.
“Proximity Sensor” The yellow and black Autobot gave for an answer. “Proximity Sensor,” Raf translated, “Someone’s up top!”
How? How did this squishy, organic, child know how to translate Cybertronian Morse code? I made a mental note to look up Earth Morse code to compare it.
“It’s Agent Fowler.” Ratchet said with hardly a happy look on his face… Then again I doubt he ever really is happy. He seems like the grumpy type.
“I-I thought we were the only humans who knew about you guys?” Jack asked. Well apparently not! Though I highly doubted that only three human children were the ones to find out about the Autobots. They clearly weren’t amazing at keeping their cover. The odds are there was at least one other person.
“Special Agent Fowler is our designated liaison to the outside world.” Ratchet grumbled.
“As he tends to visit only when there are… issues,” Optimus began to tell us, “It may be best if you do not meet him at this time.” The three of us look at each other. We ran over to a wall hiding, just as the elevator came to the balcony floor. A man I assumed was Agent Fowler walked out. He looked really, really… Angry.
“Seven wrecks, thirty-four fender benders,” Agent Fowler yelled, “A three-hour traffic jam, and a particular note, numerous reports of a speeding motorcycle of unknown make and a black and yellow muscle car…” Yikes… Well, now I know what caused that traffic jam I heard about yesterday. I should have known when I heard these Autobots had a run in with some Decepticons.
The yellow and black Autobot and the motorcycle give Agent Fowler an innocent look. As if to say “Who? Us?”.
“So, anything you care to get off your tin chest, Prime?” Fowler demanded adding some extra annoyance to the Autobot leader’s title.
Optimus looked at Agent Fowler, “We have the situation under control, Agent Fowler.”
“They’re back… Aren’t they?” Agent Fowler asked a slight trepidation in his voice.
“If you are referring to the Decepticons,” Optimus said, clearly knowing all too well who Agent Fowler was talking about. “I have doubts that they ever left. Your planet is much too valuable,”
“Then it’s time to wake up the Pentagon,” Agent Fowler decided, certainty in his voice.
I heard a sound that I think meant the Optimus was beginning to lose his patience. His patience was certainly far larger than Lord Megatron’s.
“Here me, Agent Fowler,” Prime began, “We are your best, possibly your only, chance against the Decepticon threat.”
“Says you,” Agent Fowler hissed.
“That does it,” Bulkhead snarled, speaking up for the first time since I bombarded him with questions. “Now I’m mad. I don’t care what anyone says about not hurting humans… The squishy’s going down!” Okay, so Bulkhead’s not super friendly when he’s mad!
Thankfully, the yellow and black Autobot grabbed his arms before he could get too far forward.
“Bulk! You’re only going to make it worse!” He whined.
“Hey, fleshy!” Bulkhead yelled, still mad, “Did anyone get splattered on that freeway?” Fowler glared him as Bulkhead got away from the Autobot holding him back and picked up one Ratchet’s tools.
“Team Prime knows when to use force,” He growled as he started to crush the tool, “And how much to use.”
“Bulkhead!” Ratchet yelled annoyed, “I needed that!”
“Enough,” Optimus ordered then turned to Agent Fowler.
“Military involvement will end in catastrophe,” He told him, “Perhaps you can condone widespread human casualties, Agent Fowler. I, however, cannot.”
Agent Fowler looked at him, “Then do us both a favor and handle this Prime,” he turned to the elevator, “Under the radar.” He must have gotten into the elevator and pressed the button, “Or I will.” We heard the elevator shut.
“Pretty big bearings…” Bulkhead said annoyed, “For a human,”
“Agent Fowler is concerned for his world, Bulkhead,” Optimus said, “As he should be.” We walked out from where we were hiding, only to hear a noise come from the computers.
“Blasted Earth tech!” Ratchet groaned annoyed, “Cliffjumper’s signal popped back online.”
“Who’s Cliffjumper?” I asked the other Bots very hopefully. I wasn’t very well versed in Autobots, there were a lot of them, like there were Decepticons.
“How’s that possible?” Optimus asked. Okay so by the sounds of it, Cliffjumper should be dead. And that signal says he’s not. That’s strange. There is no way that’s possible. Once something’s dead, it stays dead, Organic or Cybertronian.
“It isn’t.” Ratchet said.
Ratchet gestured to the screen disgusted, “Another bug,” He spat, “The system’s chock full of them!”
“If there’s any chance Cliff’s alive…” Arcee started, showing signs of unrest.
“Ratchet, prepare sickbay,” Optimus ordered them, as his battle mask shut, “We may need it.” He walked over to what I recognized as a Groundbridge.
“Hey!” I yelled, “What can we do?” I need an opening to find the other Decepticons. I’m not too excited to see Starscream, but I need to get word where the Autobot base is.
Optimus looked at me, “Remain with Ratchet,”
I gave a disappointed whine and pout. And so did Ratchet. Ha, I’m guessing Ratchet doesn’t really like humans. The Groundbridge fired up in a swirl of green and yellow and everyone left.
“What just happened?” Jack asked, clearly confused and possibly amazed by the Ground bridge.
“I transported them to the designated coordinates via the Groundbridge.” Ratchet explained.
“Wait, what’s a Groundbridge?” Raf asked.
Ratchet sighed and turned back to the computer, probably deciding if he wanted to try to explain it or not. Then he grumbled, “Scaled down version of Spacebridge technology,”
Raf opened his mouth to ask a question.
“Don’t worry about it.” I said dismissively. He didn’t really need to know what a Spacebridge was.
“Since we don’t currently possess the means… or the energon… required for intergalactic travel…” Ratchet said, his point clear without him even needing to say it.
“You’re stuck here.” Jack began to finish. “On Earth.”
“With the likes of you, yes,” Ratchet growled, once again facing us, “But I constructed the Groundbridge to enable us to travel from here to anywhere on this planet.”
“Whoa!” Exclaimed Raf, “Does it work on humans?”
“Naturally.” The medic sounded proud. I guess given the technology on this planet that he had to work with, creating a Groundbridge was pretty impressive.
“You mean I could just shoot on over and visit my folks in Tokyo?” I asked even though those parents didn’t exist.
“Within moments,” Ratchet said, with what I swear is an evil grin on his face.
“In fact,” Ratchet said his optics gleaming, “allow me to send you there immediately, all three of you!”
“Watch it, Ratchet.” I warned teasingly. I didn’t need to try and figure out a reason not to see said parents in front of others.
The three of us started to get used to our surroundings
“What is this anyway?” I asked, poking a piece of machinery.
“Broken,” Ratchet said, as he walked by, “Don’t touch.”
With his back to me I tried to touch something else…
“Don’t touch that either,”
“Is there anything we can touch?” Jack asked. Then a warning popped up on the old medic’s computer.
“How come you guys are using human computers?” Raf asked innocently from the balcony.
“It certainly isn’t by choice.” Ratchet grumbled, “It was handed down by the previous tenants when we inherited this former missile silo. I’ve made modifications as I see fit,”
Ratchet then growled in frustration as he began to try to fix the problem… Only he seemed made it worse and more warnings came up.
“I think I can fix that…” Raf spoke up, though still quiet, pulling his laptop out of his backpack.
“Really?” Ratchet said with more sarcasm in his voice then he normally has. Raf plugged his laptop into the computer mainframe, “You know this is complex technology don’t you? I mean, it isn’t a child’s toy…”
Raf looked back to him, having been typing away as the medic spewed on. “Now try.” He said. Suddenly all the error messages turned green. Raf fixed it.
I couldn’t help but let out a little laugh at that. “Never underestimate the power of Raf’s skills.” Skills that I admittedly didn’t even know he had, but that’s okay.
We waited around for a while ultimately keeping to between the three of us, not really wanting to deal with Ratchet, until we heard Optimus yell over the Comn. link, “Ratchet! Bridge us back. Use the arrival coordinates! NOW!”
We saw part of a blast come through the Groundbridge.
“Whoa.” All of us kids breathed, astonished.
“Cutting it a bit close,” Ratchet pretty much complained, “How about Cliffjumper?”
They were silent…
“What was that explosion?” I broke the silence, “Was there a fight? Can I come with netx time?” With that said Arcee gave a growl and glared at her.
“Look…” She started sounding very annoyed. Maybe I should have not done that.
“Hey, Miko,” Jack said, saving me from Arcee’s anger, “Let’s go see what the ‘bots hide in their sock drawers…”
“Seriously?” I asked as Jack started to drag me away. He didn’t drag me far, just off to the side. I could still hear the Autobots talking.
“Arcee,” Optimus asked, “What did you see?”
“Not Cliff,” She muttered, arms crossed, “At least, not anymore,”
“He was mutated, butchered…” Her voice cracked, “Like something from those Con experiments during the war…” I had a brief flash to when I was stuck working in Shockwaves lab before Cybertron went dark. Those experiments from that horrible, twisted excuse of a scientist were… Horrifying.
Arcee’s knees suddenly gave out beneath her, making the others catch her.
“Arcee… Are you okay?” Bumblebee quickly asked.
“I’m fine,” She said dismissing them, “Just… dizzy,”
“Robots who get dizzy?” I asked.
“Robots with emotion,” Raf said.
“Robots… who can die.” Jack said with eerie finality. It didn’t have the same effect to me. I’ve seen what this war had done. I’ve seen people die. I’ve been why people die. I’ve killed Autobots before, I’ve killed Decepticons who tried to defect or otherwise turn against us. There were so few Cybertronians left because we could die.
Ratchet ran his scanner over Arcee, it turned red when he went over her left servo. There was a dark purple liquid on it.
“What’s this?” Ratchet asked, his voice barely a whispered.
“Don’t know.” Arcee said, holding her helm, “Cliff was covered in it, leaking it.”
Ratchet carefully scarped it off onto a slide.
“Go take a decontamination bath,” he said, “Now.”
“I got her.” Bumblebee whirred, beginning to help her off.
“Uh, Optimus,” Jack said holding his phone, “I hate to bug, but, uh… no bars,”
“A security precaution,” He answer, “The silo walls isolate all radio waves.”
“Well, if I don’t call my mom, like, now I’m pretty sure the cops will be out looking for me,” He said. Optimus seemed confused.
“Have you broken the law?” He asked. I about laughed out loud right then and there. Broken the law? Seriously?
“No.” He said, “Just curfew, it’s after 10 pm.”
“I better get home too,” Raf said, “Or I’ll be grounded for a year!”
“Earth customs,” Optimus said, “I hadn’t considered,” No kidding.
“But, the issue of your safety remains,” he continued.
He turned to Bulkhead, who was just walking up. “Bulkhead, accompany Miko home,” Optimus said.
“AWESOME!” I yelled, “My host parent will freak!”
“And maintain covert surveillance,” he finished, “In vehicle form,”
“Curbside duty,” Bulkhead nodded, “Got it.”
“Aww,” I whined. Of course, I can use this as an opportunity to learn more about the Autobots. They wouldn’t think twice about telling a human about them. They’d never expect a human to really be a Decepticon!
Optimus looked at Bumblebee and said, “Bumblebee, you’ll watch over Raf,” His optics lit up happily.
“Ratchet?” He asked.
“Busy!” He yelled, right as Arcee came in to the room.
“Arcee,” Optimus said, keeping her from backing out, “You will accompany Jack.”
She tensed, “Ooo, still dizzy.” She said.
“You’re fine, so says your physician,” Ratchet said, waving his servo in dismissal.
Arcee, Bumblebee, and Bulkhead transformed into their vehicle modes.
We said goodbye and left. I found myself having a strange feeling. Like a feeling of belonging. It was something I hadn’t felt in years. Primus, could I really be thinking that I belong with the Autobots? My place was with the Decepticons, through and through. Right? That’s how it’s always been. I felt a few fond memories from forever ago return, though vague and hazy. I used to be so happy, kind of like how I felt today.