'Other's Thoughts'

First Pov Thoughts

"Cybertronian"

"Bond"

/Comm-Link/

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(AN)

/Not dead./

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Chapter 6

Scrapheap

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General Pov

Ratchet scanned the screen, comparing the humans' information to what he already knew. He narrowed his optics every so often at the text.

Optimus glanced over at the medic when he grunted, noticing the look on his face plates, "You have found something?", he asked.

Ratchet straightened, grumbling, "Nothing useful. These humans know less than we do! They don't even have hard evidence that the ability is even real, let alone how to identify one with it."

Optimus stared at the screen in thought before commenting, "It is possible that human telepaths did not reveal themselves as those on Cybertron did. History shows the humans to be less trusting than we ever were. Even their champions are known to conceal their identity."

"Hm, I suppose that is true", Ratchet conceded. He turned to Optimus with a concerned look, "How are we to proceed then? The boy will surely be frightened when he finds out we know. Not that it was hard to find out. He clearly can't control his abilities."

"No, but he is bright. He will learn."

"Is that a good thing?"

"We are not the council. We cannot judge another by the abilities they did not ask to possess", the Prime vented, "Though I admit, this will not be easy. I will address Jackson myself."

Jack/Onyxblade's Pov

"Little spark..."

Blinking the sand from my eyes I hold back a yawn. Don't want to wake the others.

"Be not afraid..."

Humming the lullaby from last night's dream I grab a banana from the kitchen and head to the garage.

DING!

Taking a bite, I check my texts. Shouldering the garage door, I walk in and greet-

"HEY JACK, THIS IS RAF. BUMBLEBEE AND I WILL BE THERE TO PICK YOU UP TODAY."- Rafael Esquivel

-thin air.

Huh, guess Arcee's at base.

Huffing, I shove my phone back in my pocket and kick a bolt. It clinks against Mr. Rojo's tool shed. My brows scrunch in worry. Haven't seen him in a while. I wonder where he is?

BEEP!BEEP!

Ride's here. I toss my banana peel in the trash on my way out the side door.

The yellow muscle car opens his side door. I return Raf's wave with a smile.

"Heee-click!-whii Kaiii-whistle!-doo?",I greet Raf, hopping in Bumblebee's back seat with Raf.

Raf giggles, "Beep!-woii! Diee-ooo-boop!-whistle!"*

Bumblebee honks and jerks.

"Woah! Bee, are you alright?", Raf yelps.

"Where did you two learn Basic Cyber?!"

"Um", I blink, stunned, "From Mr. Rojo? He's the orphanage's gardener. He taught a lot of the kids in town languages from his home country."

"His home land? Where did he say he was from?"

Adjusting his glasses Raf answers, "He said he was from Saibotan, a small country in the mountains of Peru. I looked it up and couldn't really find anything about it. Mr. Rojo says it never had any official status and was annexed in the early 70s."

"Is there something wrong with what we said?", I rub my neck, "I mean, I'm not exactly fluent, so..."

"No, what you said was fine. I'm just surprised humans know Basic Cyber", Bumbleebee admitted.

Raf and I share confused frowns, "Why wouldn't humans know Basic Cyber? Its a human language. If anything, we should be wondering how a Cybertronian knows it. English, too. How, did the Autobots learn English, anyway?"

"The Internet"

"Oh." I sigh. Should have figured that one out.

"But here's the thing", Bumblebee drives through the base entrance, "Basic Cyber isn't an Earth language. Its from Cybertron."

"What?" my jaw drops.

"Then how does Mr. Rojo know it?" Raf leans forward.

"I don't know."

Bumblebee and Bulkhead pulled into the base and opened their doors to let us out and transform.

"Hey, guys", Bumblebee stops Raf and I, "We'll talk more about Mr. Rojo later, ok?"

"He's not in trouble, is he?", asks Raf.

"No, no, no! We just need to know how he knows a Cybertronian language. Nothing to worry about."

Raf nods, biting his lip.

"Come on, Raf", I wrap my arm around him and lead him toward the groundbridge, "Let's see what Optimus and Arcee are doing?"

So while Miko informed Ratchet about the horrors of Saturdays, we walked over to Arcee, "Hey, Arcee, I wasn't expecting to carpool. What gives?"

"Tag team, Jack. It's my turn for exploration duty", she answers.

"Oh, too bad. It's a beautiful day for a ride. Would hate for you to feel guilty for leaving us indoors."

"Arctic exploration duty."

"Indoors where it's warm."

I retreat to the platform, soon joined by a Raf, to the area the 'Bots have set up for us. There is an old couch, an old box-style television set, and a simple coffee table. It's not much, but it's nice they thought to get us these things.

Miko hops in front of Bulkhead and Bumblebee, who'd joined after speaking to Optimus, "So, what do you guys think we should do?"

"Found something you guys might like", Bumblebee points at the tv,"Video Games! How about it? Anyone up for a tournament?"

"Video game tournament!", Raf yells in excitement, "Last one standing wins!"

"Bulkhead! Bumblebee! Here, now!", Ratchet orders before we can start the tournament.

"Sorry guys. The medic calls", Bumblebee shrugs apologetically, "Maybe when we're done?"

I raise my arm to wave when Miko shoves a game remote in my face.

"Prepare to be destroyed", she smirks.

"Yeah", I groan, "Not really my thing, Miko."

"Oh? Scared of losing? To a girl?"

I sigh. How can I let her get away with that? "Bring it!"

"No mercy."

Miko picks a racing game and starts going through the track choices.

'I wanted to play.'

I lick my lips and glance at Raf. I frown, "Sorry, Raf... You want to take on Miko?"

"Nah, that's ok. I have stuff to do", he replies. He get off the couch and shuffling down the stairs.

Maybe I should-

"Hoo-yeah!", Miko's cry draws my attention and I work to catch up to her virtual car.

Redgun's Pov

CLICK-CLICK-CLICK-CLICK!

I tilt my helm, what's that?

CLICK-CLICK! CLICK-CLICK-CLICK!

That doesn't sound good, I muse, rising to my pedes. That's when the lights go out.

I turn my headlights on and step out of my now unbarred cell. A quick glance at my neighbor's cell confirms that the 'Con bolted soon as the power shut off.

CLICK-CLICK-CLICK! CLICK-CLICK-CLICK!

I can't quite place it, but I know that sound. Where have I heard it before?

CLICK-CLICK-CLICK-CLICK!

I narrow my optics in thought as I leave the brig and head down the hallway towards the command center. Whatever is happening can't good for the younglings.

CLICK-CLICK! CLICK-CLICK! BRAAA!

That sound... My optics widen, "No... How?"

I quicken my pace. I have to get to Onyxblade! I can't let those monsters get to him first!

Later... Jack/Onyxblade's Pov

"Ah, come on. Come on! You want some?"

The red race car bumped into Miko's yellow one. I kept shoving her race car to the side of the track until...

"In...Your...Face!", I crowed, enjoying my victory.

'Jiman? Hontōni? Totemo seijuku shite imasu.'**

My victory dance is cut short however, when the power goes out, "Whoa! What in the... Great. Power failure."

The lights flicker back on, likely a backup generator kicking in.

"Aw. It wiped out our game", Miko mocks, gesturing to the snowy TV screen.

"But- But I was winning!", I stutter, following her as she walks away.

"Bummer", she trots down the stairs and over to where Ratchet is pulling out a badly damaged curcuit board. It looks like something took a bite out of it.

"We most definitely have a problem", Ratchet examines the bite shaped marks, "But what could have caused this?"

The lights flicker again. "Or that?", Bulkhead wonders.

"Might be the main grid. Hopefully it isn't a substation malfunction."

"If only it were that simple."

I swivel around at the sound of Redgun's voice. Bulkhead activates his blaster and aims it at him, but Ratchet shoves his blaster arm down.

"You fool! He has Rafael!"

Sure enough, there's little Raf, sitting on the cherry bot's shoulder. He looks a little nervous, but doesn't look hurt.

"Redgun", growls Bulkhead, "let the human go. Are you really such a coward that you'd hide behind a sparkling?"

If looks could kill, Bulkhead would be a gonner. Redgun carefully reaches for Raf and gently lowers him to the ground. Raf gives him a small smile, but doesn't move away from Redgun.

"Raf, quick! Get away from him! He's dangerous!", buzzes Bumblebee.

Raf frowns, "I don't think he is 'Bee. At least, not to humans."

As Bulkhead and Redgun continue their glaring contest, I notice grooves in Redgun's hand, "You're hurt."

That seems to catch everyone's attention. Ratchet frowns and stomps over to Redgun and grabs his hand, startling the red mech, "Jack is right. It's only a mesh wound, but it wasn't there before. It almost looks like..."

"A scraplet's handy work?", Redgun snatches his hand back, shifting his glare to Ratchet, causing him to flinch, "That's what happens when you thaw out a trap."

"What trap?"

"The empty scraplet trap in your storage bay! Where did you even find that thing?"

"In the Arctic. Now how did you get out of your cell?", Ratchet questions.

"The little glitches are feasting on your base. They've gotten into the power supply I'd imagine. The lights keep flickering, in some areas the power is out completely. Take the brig for instance."

Ratchet stiffens, "You weren't the only prisoner."

I can't help but flinch when the red mech's engine roars, "And you brought the younglings here. What were you thinking? Bringing them anywhere near a Decepticon like Ravage?!"

"What do you care?", scoffs Bulkhead.

Noticing the beginnings of a fight, I step forward, "Hey! So, this Ravage guy...he's pretty dangerous right? Shouldn't we try to find him, or something?"

Redgun's face softens and he tilts his head to look down at me, but the tenseness doesn't leave his frame.

Ratchet answers my question before Redgun, "Yes. Ravage is one of Soundwave's spies, and he is responsible for the deaths of many Autobots."

"And he's not the only danger we have to worry about", says Redgun, "With scraplets on the loose we'll have to be extra careful."

Ratchet grunts in agreement.

"So, how many scraplets are we talking about?" Raf asks.

"Thousands", answers Ratchet, "And the power malfunctions and groundbridge damage are sure signs that their infestation is well under way."

"What do we do?"

"We need to contact Optimus. Alert him and Arcee to the situation."

"We don't have time for that", Redgun argues dismissively, "Assuming the scraplets haven't gotten to him first, then Ravage will have begun sabotage on your base."

"So what's the plan?" I direct my question at Redgun. He seems to have some idea how to deal with these things.

Instead of answering me, his attention stays on Ratchet. "You said you found those things in the Arctic? We need to repair that groundbridge, send the slaggers back to the Arctic, and bring your soldiers home. We'll deal with the 'Con once that's settled. In the meantime the younglings can't be left out in the open."

"You want us to hide?!"

Wincing, I agree with Miko, "You have to let us help."

'That's right!' Raf nods, "We're not made of metal."

"Yeah", Miko pipes in, "The scraplets can't hurt us."

"I will not let the Decepticons take you away again!"

'I will not let the Decepticons take you away again!"

"But the Decepticon can!"

Woah! I stumble back, a hand over my ear and the other out to balance myself. What was that?! I could- It was, it was like his voice was echoing through my whole body. That's never happened before.

"Normally, I'd agree with you, Redgun." I can hear Ratchet. Sorta. Everything sounds far off now. "But under these extreme circumstances, their fleshiness may provide an advantage."

Pushing past my queasiness, I pull myself up and nod, "Okay, good. So we split up." Wanting to avoid any hostilities between Bulkhead and the Redgun, I suggest he stay with Ratchet and myself. I get the feeling he can help with repairs.

"And we go on a bug hunt." Miko jerks her thumb at the Bulkhead and Bumblebee, who don't look too keen on the idea.

General POV

"I get to be your body guard for once, how cool is that? Miko asks Bulkhead.

"Raf, I'm the first one here, right?" He asks worriedly over the comm., optics darting around the hallway.

The lights choose that moment to fail.

"Yaahhh!"

Miko's face looks unimpressed when the lights return.

"Did you just scream like a little girl?"

"No", Bulkhead nervously mutters, "Maybe... Can we talk about this later?"

Miko shrugs, "Sure. Instead we can talk about why you hate Redgun so much."

"He's a bad mech, Miko. I want you to stay away from him."

"Why? He saved the boys and me. Actually, he's saved Jack and Raf twice."

"Twice?"

"Yeah, Jack said it was after he met Arcee and she tried to ditch him", Miko explains, waving a pipe animatedly, "The Decepticons came back to finish the job and Redgun comes swooping in and snatches jack up. Then he trashed those 'Cons in the drainage where Raf likes to hang."

"Hm, so that's how he got there."

Bulkhead mulls over this new information as they continue forward. 'Why would that slagger help a human?' He wonders.

His headlights catch a glint of metal and a shadow dashing across their path.

"What was that?"

Jack/Onyxblade's POV

"H-How's it going over there?"

When we first split up I was afraid Ratchet and Redgun would get into a fight. At best, I'd hoped for an argument. I was pleasantly surprised when they actually got along.

"We've repaired the damaged conductors", Ratchet huffs, "and rerouted the central conduits, but the ground bridge still won't receive power!"

He punches the equipment in the open panel they're working on, causing me to flinch.

'Great! Now I have to fix that too!'

Shaking my head to rid it of the voices, I grip the pipe in my hands a little tighter. Taking a calming breath, I turn to Redgun. He has a look of concentration on his face. He glances at the floor paneling first, then traces the ground with his eyes and settles his stare at the hallway opening.

"If the ground bridge isn't receiving power", he starts, "then perhaps the problem isn't on this end."

"What are you going on about?" Ratchet frowns.

CLINKCLINKCLINK!

While still keeping an ear open to their conversation, I whip around, trying to pinpoint where that sound is coming from.

"It's a known fact scraplets prefer living metal to other kinds. Why?"

The sound of tiny taps, little clinks.

"It's the energon. Living metal is enriched by the steady supply of energon being pumped through our systems."

Like pins falling to the ground, but surer.

"And what, besides us, has fresh energon running through it?"

Like tiny metal feet and claws on metal. The sound is far above my head.

"Scrap..." I back up, weapon raised, "Um, guys?"

And then they start flying.

"They fly?! You never said they could fly!"

They instantly swarm the two mechs, gauges of devoured armour appearing on their frames. The force of the swarm knocks Ratchet down. He screams.

"Ratchet!" I scream, swinging my pipe widely, attempting to dislodge the little monsters from the ambulance's body. Above me I hear the sound of transformation.

TCHWOOO! TA-TA-TA-TCHWOOO!

"Ahh!" A scraplet chews my pipe in half and another targets my wrists. I stumble and flail my arms, dropping the pipe. It loses interest in me and refocuses it's attention back towards Ratchet.

TCHWOOO! TA-TA-TA-TCHWOOO!

BRRREEEEEE!

Dropping to the ground I curl up. My chest feels tight. Everything sounds far away, echoy.

Something thick, like a slab of metal, slips under me and I scrunch my body tighter. Air passes over me and then I slide off the slab and into somewhere dark and warm.

My breathing settles and my heart stops beating so hard. My muscles relax and I uncurl my body.

Somewhere safe.

Pausing to stretch, I peek behind me through my bangs at Redgun. He smiles and nods at me from his seat next to Ratchet and Optimus.

"Report bio-circuitry status." Ratchet orders.

Returning to the laptop hooked up to the bots I respond, "Levels are rising."

"Excellent", he says, "Rafael, keep a close watch on Bumblebee's Electro-pulse monitor. Miko, check Bulkhead's interface patch."

"It's steady"

"Looking good."

I sigh, a small smile on my lips. Gazing around the room I take in everyone here. All my friends are safe, if a bit battered. Arcee and Bumblebee are sleeping on giant medical beds and Bulkhead is leaned up against what I think is called a decon tank. Ratchet and Optimus are sitting on some crates. Redgun is just behind Optimus, sitting slumped and semi-cross legged on the floor.

Even the quiet murmer of voices in the back of my mind can't ruin this for me.

'Kumo! Nō ni tamagowoumu to dō narimasu ka? ! Karera wa sore o okonau koto ga dekimasu ka? Iyaiya iyaiya! Iyana mushi ga watashi no kami ni su o tsukutte imasu!'

Not even Miko's voice.

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(AN)

* How are you?

Funny! I'm doing great!

** Bragging? Really? So mature.

Spider! What if it lays eggs in my brain?! Can they do that? Nononono! Now it's making a nest in my hair!

Thank you everyone who's stuck around.

Cash is out. Peace!