Chapter 6: Protection Program

X and Alia, still in their underwear, are lying side by side on a large, metallic bed as some scanners are running over them across their bodies. As the two Reploids are being scanned, Ratchet looks at a computer, observing both X and Alia's schematics and energy patterns.

"Amazing," said Ratchet. "With the essence of Primus fused to your wills, the energy seems to be flowing through every circuit in your bodies. It has already melded with you two that much. It will be interesting to see what abilities you two will develop. Of course, the technology that has gone into your designs is also something else. Look closely, it's like your bodies are consisting of actual DNA that is almost similar to the kind found in human bodies. Not only that, but it's giving you both incredible energy, especially your DNA, X. Robot bodies designed on a similar level as human bodies. Simply amazing. I can't believe that in the few years us Autobots traveled through time, Earth technology has already advanced far beyond Cybertronian technology."

"That is incredible," added Wheeljack. "How was the technology of Earth able to advance so much more quickly than that of Cybertron in less than 300 years? Robots of this nature could only be possible in a thousand years."

"Who knows," asked Optimus. "But now is not the time to be wondering such things. What does matter is the fact these two have been augmented with the essence of Primus, and with how fast it's already managed to flow through them, they will without a doubt be targets for Megatron. Thus, they will need our protection in some way."

Alia nervously asked, "Um, are we almost done?"

"Huh," asked Ratchet. "Oh, yes. We're finished, so you may get and put your gear back on."

"Thanks goodness," said Alia. "I don't really like having strangers see me in my unmentionables."

Ratchet chuckled and said, "Yeah, sorry about that."

X and Alia got off the bed and went to put their stuff back on.

As they got their, Bass saw Alia bending over to pick up her black suit to put it on first, and he said, "You know, Alia, you've got the kind of butt you could bounce a quarter off of."

Hearing this got the Hunters pissed off with Bass, especially Alia, who said, "Someone, please hit him."

Suddenly, Bass felt a fist hit him in the back of the head, which was by Blues, who then said, "Done."

"Thank you, Blues," said Alia.

Blues just nodded.

"What was that for," asked Bass. "I was just paying her a compliment."

"Certainly an interesting group, they are," said Hoist.

"Just like a certain group of Earth kids from our time," added Blur.

As X and Alia were getting dressed, Alia said to X, "So, what kind of abilities do you think we'll develop? I don't know what I could possibly have that could be described as amazing. I mean, I can understand you developing special abilities, X. But what about me? I'm not special like you. You're the one with all the weapons and armors, as well as having special DNA that helped Reploids to evolve. I wasn't created with anything special. I'm just an ordinary Reploid."

"I'm sure Dr. Ramirez gave you something that makes you unique," said X. "With the way you talked about him, it sounded like he doted on you a lot."

Alia replied, "Only because I was the daughter his wife was unable to birth."

X then said, "I'm sure there's more it than that, Alia. I think your father would have given you more than just life he was so serious about creating you. Maybe having the essence of this Primus will unlock it."

"I guess we'll find out soon," replied Alia.

"But, Alia," said X.

Alia asked, "Yes."

"You'll always be far from ordinary to me," said X giving Alia a wink.

Alia just smiled and sort of blushed.

After X and Alia finished getting dressed, Zero came up to them to ask, "So, what's going to happen in seeing about your protection from the Decepticons?"

"I don't know," X said. "But the last thing we need is protection. We've fought guys more dangerous than these Decepticons, and even Alia's combat prowess has shown progress. We definitely don't need to be babysitted."

"We will admit that you helped us a great deal, and still can do so," said Inferno. "But you don't know the Decepticons like we do. They'll do anything to achieve their goals. They're monsters."

"Actually, we've fought people like that, as well," replied Axl.

"Still," Signas started to say. "It sounds like these guys have had a lot more experience with the Decepticons than we have, and we could definitely use their help. But they'll probably need yours as well since they've admitted their technology is inferior to ours."

"Well, not in power from what I read on the schematics," said Ratchet. "But their performance does make us seem obsolete. Perhaps in working together, we can balance each other out. While our technology isn't as great as yours, the secret behind our power is Energeon, which is like our life blood and fuel source."

"Speaking of which," said Wheeljack. "Last time I checked, our ship was low on Energeon, so we might also want to scour this planet for some, if there is any."

"Good idea, Wheeljack," said Optimus. "And I think I know what people to send out to go along with our new friends. Vector Prime."

"Yes, Commander Optimus," asked Vector Prime.

Optimus continued to say, "You've been my second-in-command for as long as I've known you ever since we were separated from Rodimus, so with that said, I give you the job to look after the chosen ones. Protect them as best as you can."

Vector Prime nodded and said, "You can count on me, Optimus."

"I know you will," said Optimus before he turned to Bumblebee. "Bumblebee, I want you to be a lookout for the chosen ones. If you see any Decepticons come into their vicinity, warn us immediately."

"Righto, Commander," said Bumblebee.

Optimus then turned to Wheeljack, and said, "Wheeljack, I want you to go and see if you can get some help in finding some Energeon for our ship. Also, learn what you can about the technology of this era so it might benefit us."

"That's what I'm best in," replied Wheejack.

Finally, Optimus turned to Ratchet and said, "And Ratchet, I want you to go with them to offer any assistance and repairs to the Autobots that are in this group, and even offer some to our new friends."

"I'll do what I can, Commander," said Ratchet.

"Hey, Optimus, can I go with them, too? I want to see what everything is like in this era. I bet it's so cool," said Skids, whose voice sounded as child-like as he himself was. "Oh, can I? Can I? Can I? Can I? Can I?"

Optimus chuckled and said, "You want to go, as well, Skids? I think that would be good for your growing experience. Sure, I'll allow it. You can serve as backup."

"Yeah," said Skids.

"But," Optimus continued. "I'm going to have Bumblebee look after you. Being our more inexperienced member, you will need a guiding hand."

"Don't worry, Skids," said Bumblebee who approached Skids to put his arm around him. "I'll show you the proper ropes on being a skilled warrior. You can be like my little brother."

"Hey, don't treat me like a little kid," said Skids in defense for himself.

This just made Bumblebee laugh.

"I don't know about send little Skids out there to fight, Commander," said Jetfire. "He's got talent, but I don't know if he will be able to truly make use of it if he gets into combat."

"He has to learn, sometime," replied Optimus. "Don't worry, if he hangs around those with enough experience, he's sure to pick up something along the way."

"Well, I guess that settles it," said Wheeljack to the Hunters. "I guess we'll be coming with all of you. I hope to learn as much about you as I can. Perhaps our knowledge of Energeon and your advanced technology could be used together to create something amazing."

"We'll be sure to share as much with you," said Douglas. "And I hope you can share some of your technology with us since Optimus says you're quite the mechanic."

Wheeljack chuckled and said, "I don't want to brag, but I can be something special alright."

"And I'm more than willing to learn more about the specs behind you Earth robots," said Ratchet to the Hunters. "What I read on X and Alia seemed incredible, and I want to know more about what went into your design, as well as how it all works."

"We'll be more than happy to share that with you," replied Signas. "And please, refer to us as Reploids. It's the proper name for us."

"Reploids," said Ratchet. "Makes you sound even more fascinating."

"What about the rest of us, Commander," asked Override.

"The rest of us will be on patrol," said Optimus. "We'll go to various areas and make sure they're kept safe from any Decepticon attack."

"Right," replied the other Autobots.

X just sighed and said to Alia, "Man, the other Hunters aren't going to let us hear the end of this one. I know Boomer Kuwanger is going to give me a hard time about it."

"Really," replied Alia. "We'll be the laughing stock of the whole HQ."

"Don't worry, you two," said Signas. "I'll try to explain everything the best I can, though I can't guarantee what reactions they will have."

X sighed again and said, "I guess we can just hope for the best."

"Well, I guess it's about time we got down to doing our missions," said Vector Prime.

"You're right," replied Optimus. "Autobots, let's move out!"

To Be Concluded in Chapter 7