Chapter Text
Sari was on a mission.
Blue energon lights illuminated the metal room. Machinery hummed and beeped behind thick orange walls. The girl crouched behind a large pile of metal crates, the air sterile and warm in her throat. Sari was small and lean for her age, but dressed in a yellow tunic with her bright red pigtails didn't exactly make her stealthy. She poked her head around a crate.
A large black X was painted on the far wall. Reaching it meant safety.
“Do you see him?” Raf, her friend, whispered behind her. His breath hitching as he gripped her arm. Raf was even smaller than she was, his glasses caught the blue light.
“No. We might make if we run—”
CLANK!
Both children jumped. Sari jerked around. A bolt had fallen from one of the crates and was rolling across the metal floor. It clinked to a stop against a set of black metallic claws.
Said claws were attached to a twenty foot long yellow dragon. The metal beast stood on four legs, a row of black spikes lined his back from the base of his neck all the way down to the tail-tip. Two blue optics shone from his long face. Staring right at them.
Bumblebee smirked and lifted one foot like a cat ready to pounce, “boo.”
Raf pushed her to the ground and bolted for the X. “HEY!” Sari yelled from the floor.
“Oh betrayal!” Bumblebee said, delighted. Sari sprung to her feet just in time to avoid Bumblebee’s reaching claws. If they touched her it was all over. She sprinted towards the X, quickly gaining on Raf thanks to her longer legs. After all, she was a human and he a dwarf.
Sari could hear Bumblebee’s claws scraping against the metal floor louder and louder as he closed the distance between them. A thrill went down her spine. Bumblebee was faster than both of them, but she didn’t need to beat Bee, just Raf.
So Sari did the only logical thing.
She tripped him.
Raf tumbled over her outstretched leg and collapsed in a heap on the floor. “Sari!”
“Ha! Take that you backstabbing—”
Bumblebee leaped over Raf and chased after her instead. Sari was gobsmacked, “Bumblebee!?”
“Sorry kiddo, neither of you are escaping today!”
Sari put every ounce of her determination into running forwards. The muscles in her legs burned, her lungs screamed for air. But even so she could hear Bumblebee gaining. Closer, closer, and—
The door to the storage room slid open.
And Optimus Prime walked in, “hello there—”
“EVADE!” Bumblebee scraped his claws on the floor, sending up sparks as he skidded. Optimus calmly stepped to the side and Bumblebee blazed past him before crashing into a pile of crates stacked by the door. Sari was too busy laughing to notice how Optimus hovered his tail-axe over her to shield her from the falling crates. When Sari did notice, she jumped and tried to tag Optimus, but his tail was just too high. Her fingers could reach only air.
“Bumblebee, are you alright?” he asked.
Bumblebee blew a large tarp from his face and righted himself, “sure am. What do you need?”
Sari spoke, “did you find something cool?”
“Did you go to the arctic?” asked Raf, joining them. Recently he’d become very interested in learning more about the frozen north. A place so cold and dangerous precious few had ever sailed there and returned. The interest was spurred on by a new shipment of books into Trimot’s library last week, one of which had detailed sketches and stories on what little they did know about the Arctic.
Personally, Sari didn’t get it. Why would you ever want to go somewhere so cold? But Raf was obsessed.
“No and no young ones,” said Optimus, “I’ve just been informed by Jazz that Perceptor and Brainstorm are on their way to Trimot.” Bumblebee looked at Sari.
This has something to do with me.
“Who are they?” she asked.
“Our best Autobot scientists. Their knowledge of magic far exceeds my own,” said Optimus, “they should be able to shed some light on how your abilities came to be, and what we can expect in the future.”
Her heart quivered, “oh… good.”
“When will they get here?” asked Bumblebee.
“Within the next lunar cycle. Jazz is keeping their movements secret and indirect to avoid tipping potential decepticon spies. Officially they are here to research other projects, the less people who know about Sari’s situation, the better.”
Sari wrung her hands together, “what… what are they like?”
“I know of Brainstorm only by reputation, but Perceptor was a member of the Wreckers unit, and has saved many autobot lives with his knowledge and intelligence. Both are experts in their field. If anyone can discover the truth, they can.”
Sari swallowed. That wasn’t the answer she was looking for. She had no doubt both would be good at their jobs, but… “are they grumpy like Ratchet?”
Optimus smiled, “no. Brainstorm’s superiors have warned me that he may become… eccentric about interesting projects, but Perceptor is more than capable of keeping him in check. They work well together.”
Sari didn’t know what the word ‘eccentric’ meant, and she didn’t get a chance to ask Optimus. He had to leave quickly to attend a surprise meeting with Ultra Magnus. After he left Sari turned to Bumblebee, “have you ever met them?”
“I’ve spoken to Perceptor a few times, most of what he says goes right over my head,” Bumblebee smiled, “you’re in good claws Sari. They know their stuff. And no one is as grumpy as Ratchet! If you can manage him you can manage anyone!” He laughed.
But the nerves must have shown on her face, because Bumblebee quickly quietened and said in a gentler tone, “hey, it’ll be okay Sari. I’ll be there the whole time.”
“And it’s not like Ratchet is going to let them use his med-bay without him,” said Raf.
“Exactly. You’ll be fine.”
Sari hummed… then shoved Raf towards Bumblebee, “sacrifice!”
“Hey!”
“Tag!”
Bumblebee leapt away from Raf and the young dwarf sprinted towards her with such determination he actually caught her. Sari screamed as he tapped her back.
It was rare they managed to sneak Raf into the Autobot base. What with his mother watching him like a hawk. Sari had to enjoy the few times it happened. So she pushed all thoughts of Perceptor, Brainstorm, and magic from her mind. Right here, right now, all she had to do was play.
The office was cramped.
The ceiling hung low. The furniture, perfectly square and angular, encroached on what little space there was. Magic coated everything in hidden threads, so thick you could almost feel it in your vents. The strength of magic here made sense considering this office was buried deep within the Autobot’s western stronghold of Deepwood, located on the southern border of an elven kingdom.
Bulkhead was used to feeling cramped. The green drake was three times the size of the average Autobot and, ever since the fall of Cybertron, had never felt like he fit anywhere. Especially on Earth.
The office room was also meticulously neat. Not a datapad out of place, and no trinkets to speak of.
Ultra Magnus, Third in Command of the Autobots, was not a drake for trinkets.
His superior was tricoloured, covered in blue and black scales but for his white underbelly, and wore his ever-present frown. Bulkhead bowed his head in respect, “sir.”
He had been summoned by Ultra Magnus the moment the base's medic had deemed him 'one hundred percent functional'. Bulkhead suspected he was going to be assigned somewhere new on the front lines. He was an excellent warrior, and was often sent to where the fighting was thickest.
Though for the past eight years something of a stalemate had settled over the frontlines. The Decepticons still carried out raids and scattered attacks sure, but they were infrequent and rarely caused significant damage. Bulkhead hadn’t seen any real fighting in nearly a decade now.
That would have lulled some into a false sense of security. But for Bulkhead the stalemate only put him on edge. No doubt the Decepticons were planning something big. This was probably just the calm before the storm.
“Soldier,” Ultra Magnus’ tone was cool and professional as always, he used to be a member of the Old Guard, the closest thing Cybertron had to an army before the war. The formality was a remnant of their protocols. “I have a new mission for you, and it is of upmost importance to the Autobot cause. This comes right from the top.”
“From Prime?” As a wrecker Bulkhead had carried out some pretty extreme missions on Optimus Prime’s orders. Whatever Ultra Magnus had in store, it was going to be challenging.
“Indeed. Our leader requires Wheeljack’s presence at our stronghold in Trimot, the capital of what the natives call Acutlus.”
Bulkhead winced. After the fall of Cybertron and subsequent disbanding of the Wreckers squad, his old friend had gone rouge. Nearly a millennium had passed since, and sightings or even communication with Wheeljack was exceptionally rare. Privately, Bulkhead doubted Wheeljack would feel ‘honoured’ to be summoned by Optimus Prime.
“We have located him—”
“You have!?”
“Do not speak out of turn soldier.”
“Yes sir. Sorry sir.”
“We have located Wheeljack. However, as all previous attempts to contact him on our terms have ended in failure, we need to send someone Wheeljack won’t ignore. Bulkhead, I need you to travel to the Ruby mountains. I need you to convince Wheeljack to return to the Autobots, before he vanishes again.”
“I will do my best sir. But the Ruby mountains? That’s ‘con territory.”
“According to our intel decepticon presence in the area is minimal. There is one small energon mine present, but we expect its forces to consist of over ninety-five percent vehicon-class. However, the opening of a groundbridge portal in the area is bound to attract their attention. Therefore you will be going in on foot and you will be going in alone. Sending a larger party risks discovery and obliteration by larger decepticon forces on the journey south. I will not risk the front for Wheeljack.”
“A stealth mission? Sir, with all due respect…” From snout to tail Bulkhead was three hundred feet long, had heavy feet made for stomping and crushing, a wide frame to take a pounding and give one too, and a massive mace on his tail that could cave in a vehicon chest plate with one swing, “stealth is not… not really my function.”
“That is not the only factor. Wheeljack considered you a friend. Even if another operative could find him, I doubt they would convince him to return. You were a wrecker. Only you can do this.”
There were not many wreckers left from the old crowd, but Bulkhead was not entirely alone.
“What about Perceptor? He was a wrecker too.”
Ultra Magnus paused. “Perceptor is… occupied. Classified soldier.”
This mission comes from Optimus Prime himself… what could Perceptor possibly be doing that’s more important? Bulkhead and Perceptor were still on speaking terms, but he knew better than to ask his old friend for classified information. Not all mysteries needed to be solved. He dismissed the thought.
Bulkhead saluted with his tail, narrowing avoiding knocking over an entire shelf of stone datapads, “then I will handle this mission to the best of my ability. You can count on that. When I find Wheeljack, I’ll convince him.”
“See to it soldier. Dismissed.”
Bulkhead was to leave immediately. He spent the next couple hours stocking up on supplies, which included basic medical gear and enough energon cubes for the journey. He was briefed on how to reach the Ruby mountains, and which routes were the safest to take considering known decepticon forces.
Bulkhead left under the cover of darkness. The green dragon made his way down the wide mountain path into the swampy valley below. The Deepwood base was built within what the elves called the Dionali mountain range. Surrounded by thick forest and swamp, it was very defensible. And though the Decepticons had twice tried to take the fortress, Deepwood’s mighty defenders had yet to break in the ten years since its construction.
Autobot soldiers perched upon lookout towers watched him go. His battle subroutines automatically calculated how slagged he would be if they opened fire. Bulkhead was glad the Cybertronians behind these fortifications were Autobots.
There were no elven defenders. The Elf King of Deepwood had grudgingly allowed the Autobots to establish a base within his kingdom, but did not come to their aid. Honestly Bulkhead thought that was for the best. In all his years on Earth he had never seen organics successfully throw back a Decepticon attack. They would just get in the way.
Upon reaching the end of the valley, Bulkhead spotted the green twinkling lights of a nearby wood elf city. Autobots were not permitted within its walls without express permission from the King. Bulkhead had no intention of wandering any closer, he’d probably step on something important if he ever entered an organic city. At least out here the only thing he crushed beneath his claws were plants.
The longer he walked, the more Bulkhead’s spark soared at the thought of seeing Wheeljack again. He didn’t know how he was going to convince him to return, but even if he failed, it would be nice to see his old friend.
But not good enough for the Autobots.
Determination filled Bulkhead’s spark. He would not fail. This order was important enough to come from the Prime. He couldn’t afford to fail.
“Hey Bulk!”
Bulkhead twitched at the shout, even though he had already picked up her scent and followed it back to its source. She must have heard him approaching.
Miko burst from the underbrush, there were leaves in her hair and dirt under her fingernails. The orc smiled at him, her two small ivory tusks gleaming in the moonlight, “how’d your meeting go!?”
“I’ve been given a new mission.”
“Ooo tell me! Tell me!”
He hesitated.
“Bulk!” the organic hatchling slapped his foot in a rhythm, “tellmetellmetellme!”
Bulkhead had never intended to watch over her for this long.
When he had first reached the borders of Deepwood with Miko, he had planned to leave the young orc at one of the Elf settlements, where she could be raised by her own kind. But Miko had staunchly refused and thrown a tantrum when he had first tried to leave her.
‘NO! I’M STAYING WITH YOU!’ had been her exact words. Miko promised that if he tried to leave her somewhere. She would escape and hunt him down.
Bulkhead didn’t know about the hunting him down part, but she would definitely escape. Into the wilds, where who knows what could happen to her. Organics were so fragile, they could be harmed even in autobot territory.
So Bulkhead had kept her with him. It had worked for the past month, as he slowly recovered from the internal injuries Breakdown had so kindly given him. Bulkhead had left Miko here, amongst the rolling foothills that sloped down from the Dionali mountains. Far enough away that Autobot patrols would not find her, but close enough he could make sure she was getting the food she needed. If his fellow Autobots were to learn of Miko, they would undoubtably force her to join one of the settlements. He winced just thinking about that meltdown. Even so, he knew this arrangement was finite. With his wounds repaired, it was time for him to plunge back into the fire.
“I have been sent south again.”
“You’re going to beat up some ‘cons!?” Miko sounded so excited, like young Autobot recruits from two millennia ago. Back when there had still been fresh recruits. Before the All Spark dimmed.
“Probably. It’s going to be dangerous—”
“Awesome!”
“No! Not awesome! Miko you could get hurt, you can’t come with—”
“Zip it Bulky!” the young orc snapped, “I’m coming with you whether you like it or not!”
Technically Bulkhead could take her with him. This was a solo mission and even if they did find Wheeljack, his friend was no snitch. But no, he would be putting Miko in unnecessary danger. It wouldn’t be right.
“Why do you even want to join me? You could get hurt, don’t you understand that?”
“I’m not stupid. You’re going to cave in some evil dragons’ skulls and I wanna see it!” she punched the air.
“Or you could be somewhere safe.”
Miko spat on the ground, “boring. I’ve never even seen you fight another dragon! I’m coming with you, and you can’t stop me!”
Bulkhead briefly considered digging another hole and leaving her in it. But no, he couldn’t do that to Miko again. Besides, he’d be gone too long. He couldn’t leave her with the Autobots, he couldn’t leave her with other organics, and leaving her alone was a recipe for disaster. Bulkhead was stuck.
“Okay.”
“WAHOO!”
“On one condition.”
“Yeah?”
“You have to do exactly what I say. This is a real mission, danger could lurk around every corner. Miko if a decepticon catches you… they will kill you.”
“Have to catch me first! I getcha Bulk. You just tell me where to swing and I’ll knock their teeth in.”
“That’s not—” Bulkhead took a deep breath through his vents, “we’ll work on it.”
Miko hopped onto his open palm. He rested his forefoot against his chest as high as he could reach, Miko gripped his scales and climbed up to perch on his shoulder. “This is going to be wicked!”
Bulkhead prayed to Primus.
And set off.