Sam returned to the Autobot base, "I am back. How is the maintainance of the Convoy going?"
Simmons gave a wry smile, "It is nice to see you too, Witwicky. Do not worry, that ship despite all the rust wear and tear has a good base. It should be ready for space travel in a few months."
Bumblebee, "That is good to hear. How have you been?"
Simmons, "Same old! Same old! I can't wait to see the Convoy launch into space and become one of the first humans to head to Cybertron."
Sam's lips twitched, this was completely different from the movies. In the movies, Simmons, Glenn, Maggie and so many others were side lined, despite the fact they were adored by many fans around the world. Here however, they were thriving and completely in their element as they learned, worked and grew. Glenn and Maggie even got married and had two kids, three years apart; the older daughter was called Elise and her younger son was called Orion. When Optimus heard they had named their son Orion, he felt touched and honoured. When Elita had first learned Elise was named after her, Sam swears the tough femme was about to burst into tears as she smiled and held the baby Elise for the first time. That was six years ago and now the two siblings could be seen hanging around the human - cybertronian base following their Guardians around. Sometimes, it was their parents and other times it was one of their unofficial guards who were part of Elita's chosen team.
Bumblebee, "And that is about all there is to it."
Prowl stared at him, "Bumblebee!"
Bumblebee, "Yes?"
Prowl, "The DJD are on planet Earth?"
Bumblebee, "I already said it."
Prowl vented, "Let me rephrase it. You and Sam met the DJD, or more specifically Tarn."
Simmons looked between them now, "Am I missing something?"
Prowl spoke to stay calm, "You have gone through the list I sent you when we first met about dangerous Cybertronian individuals, yes?"
Simmons nodded, "Yes, I did, is something wrong with the DJD?"
Prowl, "The DJD are a group that answers only to Megatron. They feel no pain or fear and will give up their own sparks without hesitation for a mission."
Simmons, "Sounds like the regular black Ops."
Sam snorted, "Actually, they are more similar to the Gurkha unit from India."
Simmons, "Oh.... Oh shit! The Decepticons have that?"
Sam nodded, "Yeah! Pretty cool right?"
Prowl did not growl, "This not not cool, Samuel. Optimus should have stayed back with you or brought you back. I have informed him."
Simmons his hands, "Calm down big guy, at least we know about them now. So, we can now prepare accordingly to deal with them, if they cause trouble."
Prowl retorted, "We have better ways to... ", when they heard a knock, "Come in!"
Jazz entered first, "Bee!!!! What is this about the DJD???"
Optimus followed, "Samuel, Bumblebee, are you alright?"
Sam, "I am fine, Optimus. Do not worry about me."
Optimus became stern, "Sam, I understand you adore Cybertronians because of what the Allspark informs you about them. However, I would like to request you be wary of the DJD at the very least."
Sam blinked, "Ah! Okay, I will try."
Optimus sighed, "That is all I can ask."
Simmons snorted, "Your survival instinct is shot to hell, huh?"
Sam huffed, "My instincts are fine, Simmons."
Simmons, "Young man, whenever humans see these guys for the first time. There is always a hint of fear in their eyes. You though, you look at them like a grown woman looks at babies and baby animals."
Sam, "I do not!"
Bumblebee looked at Sam, "Actually, you do, Sam you do. You are like one of those Snake parents or Shark parents or Tiger parents who refuse to defang and declaw them."
Simmon, "Right? Right! Everyone thinks that one tag about humans being space orcs is true whenever they see you. Only you by the way! Miles and Raph comes close but they do not attract trouble like you do."
Sam, "I do not attract trouble."
Prowl, "I contacted Ratchet. He will be here soon to check on you two."
Bumbllebee, "We were going to his station after this."
Ratchet, "No need! I am here."
Sam, "Hiya Ratchet ~"
Ratchet grunted, "Hello to you too, Sam."
Simmons, "See what I mean?"
Sam, "I just said hello?"
Simmons, "Soldiers are scared no absolutely terrified of Ratchet. Cybertronians and even he is terrified of Ratchet.", he said gesturing to Prime.
Optimus looked petulant, "It is a reasonable fear."
Simmons, "You though are the opposite, kid."
Sam was speechless, "You guys are overthinking things. Ratchet is awesome."
Ratchet snorted, "Ep! Ep! Ep! I like my terrifying reputation.", he looked at Sam, "Although your presence has made humans fear me less which is funnily enough a good thing. Unlike a certain pair of twins, they are more open about their problems and trust me more."
Sam, "See? You are watching too many conspiracy theories."
Simmons, "You did not live through my era."
Sam, "Stop exaggerating!"
Simmons muttered as they were checked over, "Wish I was kid. The things I saw happen in the name of science to humans."
If Prowl and Prime heard what he said they kept quiet about it. In a way, they were glad Sam was delayed at the Decepticon base. The human world was in a lot of turmoil and frustratingly enough the human Government had turned down their offer to help. Their reasoning was the matter was a human one and humans should be the ones to handle it. A lot of their fellow Cybertronians still could not believe there were human who were more vile and evil than the Decepticons out there. In fact, the Decepticons looked like innocent children playing pretend evil when they all looked at those files out of curiosity. A lot of them still had had their own personal reason to hate Decepticons but even they agreed none of the Decepticons would do that to any sparkling. The Primes did not say it but the soldiers kept an eye out for the younger generation of human kind whenever they went out to patrol or on missions. It was the least they could do without interfering in the human social and personal affairs.
Rachet, :Are you alright, Prime?:
Optimus, :I am fine. How are they?:
Ratchet, :No problems physically and I did not find any chips inserted in them either.:
Optimus, :Good!:
Ratchet, :I still recommend they stay in base before returning to Alnwick castle. Just for safety reasons, of course. Especially if the DJD have shown interest in them.:
Optimus, :I know! I was thinking of asking Bumblebee and Sam to join the Convoy project after a week but I think I will ask them today.:
Ratchet, :It will be safer, although I do not expect anything to happen yet. This world has proven me wrong multiple times and something always happens.:
Bumblebee, "How much longer, Ratchet?"
Ratchet gave him a look, "You are a Knight now. Be quiet and let me finish in peace."
Simmons ( ͠° ͟ʖ ͡°), "See, what I mean kid? Even the big bad Knight is pretty terrified of our dear medic, Ratchet."
Sam huffed, "That is just Bee being impatient."
Ratchet snorted, "I thank you for the kind words Sam. Unfortunately, my Cybertronian patients are not like human patients so let them be terrified."
Sam shrugged, "Whatever you need, Ratchet."
Ratchet, "Alright, you two are not showing any sort of problems or tampering but I would like to keep you under observation just in case."
Sam, "Thank you Ratchet."
Bumblebee sighed, "Sorry for troubling you again."
Ratchet, "Bah! Only you would apologise for trouble caused by others. I will send you a schedule, show up on time for your check - ins."
Sam, "We will, Ratchet!"
Optimus cleared his throat, "Bumblebee, Sam, there is something else I wish to talk to you about."
Simmons, "Hold up! Let me leave first. Whatever you want to discuss, it is between you. I am claiming ignoramce for whatever crazy happens next. I will send Lennox to deal with you."
Ratchet watched the man go amused, "On that note, I take my leave too."
Sam, "We are not that bad, are we?"
Bumblebee, "Who knows at this point? Optimus Sir, you were saying."
Optimus, "Yes, I wanted to ask you both to join the Convoy project."
Sam, "The ship maintenance project? Sure, why not! We are gonna be here for a couple of days till Ratchet clears us anyway."
Bumblebee, "Very well, Optimus. We accept! But just so you know... "
Optimus, "You are not joining the Knights yet."
Bumblebee, "Thank you, Prime. Now, I believe the rest of our friends wishes to see us as well."
Sam grinned, "To ensure we are still alive."
Prowl, "Can you blame them? Alright, you younglings, get out. I have a few things to discuss with Prime."
Sam, "Sure, see you later."
Bumblebee, "Good day!"
Optimus sighed as the two left, 'I really want to retire. I am too old for this.'
Ironhide entered, "I just saw Bumblebee and Sam, they look well."
Optimus, "Ratchet cleared them."
Ironhide, "I see, that is good."
Prowl spoke, "Optimus, as the World Government requested we will not be intefering with the incident on Earth. However many of our fellow Cybertronians have raised questions about the safety about their young human members. Even the twins have raised questions about whether we should leave them behind."
Ironhide, "I too have my thoughts on the matter. And I do have a contigency plan for the time we leave this planet. I must confess, I am a little reluctant to leave our human friends like this."
Prowl nodded, "While, I have no doubts that our fellow human partners have taken action against the evil who commited such atrocities, a lot of our fellow warriors would feel better if some of them stayed behind. As representatives, of course and to keep an eye on the situation."
Optimus, "I have been thinking the same way. Even though, I promised not to intefere, we can still keep an optic out. I worry for the younglngs of those humans who worked for us. I fear they will become a target once we leave."
Ironhide, "Chromia has been hovering over Annabelle even though she is a teenager now and really wants some privacy."
Prowl chuckled dryly, "I think all of us are hovering over them at this point. Red Alert has made screening humans, especially adult ones very strict now. He has not told anyone about it but you can tell."
Optimus, "Indeed! Either way, I have approved Jolt's request to stay and study organic medical practices, the same for Hound who has thrown himself into the multiple studies and researches found on this planet."
Ironhide, "I am more impressed by you, Prime."
Optimus, "What do you mean?"
Ironhide, "I was expecting you to coddle Sam the moment he walked in, Prime. Not let him walk away."
Optimus scowled at him, "Oh! I was tempted but I know for a fact Bumblebee would punch me and Sam would laugh at me when I get punched."
Prowl snorted, "Indeed! And he will say, it is wonderful to see you get along with others in the middle of being beaten."
Ironhide smirked, "He said that to Sideways when he tried to use Sam to prank Bumblebee and was caught be Bumblebee in the middle of it."
Optimus snorted, "I will not deny that was amusing."
Ironhide nodded at that and brought up another matter, which was some of the countries questioning if certain countries should be allowed or even given the privilige to send their members to outer space. Optimus understood that feeling; what happened with the files was making everyone react with rage and he decided to set out a statement. The people who were joined them were picked after a thorough screening and most importantly they were students who focused their energy and attention on their goals and dreams. They had nothing to do with the incident and there would be no discrimination against innocent people. Things were still tense, of course but it was not as bad as it could have gotten, they luckily prevented any new wars from breaking out. Optimus would take that as the win it was and direct the many country's attention although subtly to punish the actual offenders. As much as he wished to stay out, what he read and learned made he fear for the safety of the young ones after they left the planet to rebuild Cybertron.
Sam was quiet as he went through all the news clippings his phone had collected, 'What in the world happened when I was gone?'
Bumblebee was also uncharacteristically quiet, 'This is... What in Primus name ia going on!!'
Miles, "Sam, Bee, you guys are back. Raph, Mika, they are back."
Mikaela looked relieved to see them, "Welcome back, you two."
Raph hugged Sam, "I missed you."
Sam hugged him back, "I am back. How are you all holding up?"
Mikaela, "We were not the ones staying back with the Decepticons, Sam."
Raph looked him over, "Good, you are unhurt."
Miles, "You okay, big guy? You have been quiet."
Bumblebee growled, "Epstein files, Miles. I just went through it."
Miles grimaced, "Oh! Yeah, it is pretty disgusting. They made the Decepticons look like fucking angels from heaven."
Mikaela paled at the reminder, "Tell me about it... I think one of the accused had visited the base too. To think they were so close by."
Raph, "Good thing, it was a very official visit so none of the soldier's kids were around."
Sam's face darkened, "They would be dead on the spot, if they tried anything."
Mikaela nodded, "My dad would help you hide the body too."
Sam, "Your dad would? We do not even know each other."
Mikaela shrugged, "When my dad learned about it, he was well... I do not think I ever saw him more terrified. He would not stop checking on me, even though we both knew I am safe and alright in the base."
Bumblebee was angry but stayed calm, "I do not blame him. They were eating children, for Primus' sake. And for what? Some unscientific claim about it giving you beauty? Immortality? Power? Even the Decepticons do not do that to sparklings."
Sam, "Soooo... I gotta ask, did anyone we know get arrested?"
Raph shared a look with the other two, "Let's go talk over lunch."
Sam's face fell, "Ah! That is a yes, then."
Mikaela muttered, "Yeah it is, but I am glad we got to know."
Miles snarled, "Those monsters are lucky, they were taken away before the rest of us got our hands on them."
Sam followed them to the cafeteria and they ordered food; Sam got the spicy pulled pork with veg fried rice and three types of pickles. Mikaela ordered a beef sandwich with fruit and nut salad while Miles ordered veg fried rice and meatballs. Raph opted for a steak with a mixed salad and a side of mash potatoes with gravy on top. Bee grabbed an Energon cube from the Energon dispenser and went to a corner to transform into a car while his holoform sat with his charges for the day. It does not look like Prowl and Jazz will be coming to join them soon, but they are probably relaxing because Bee was there. Miles pushed a pendrive to Sam who tooke it and opened it using a usb cable on his touch pad. Sam's face fell first, then became scarily blank as he read through the files and what was gathered. Sam passed the pen drive to Bee and stared at the food instead of eating it, not like anyone could blame him for losing his appetite after reading all that.
Mikaela, "Hey, do you want to go elsewhere to eat?"
Raph, "Changing locations helps sometimes."
Miles, "Yeah, we can go to the community garden."
Sam, "Guys, it's okay. I can eat. I just got lost in thought for a bit."
Raph, "What were you thinking about?"
Sam, "I just do not understand humans."
Miles blanked and asked slowly, "What makes you say that?"
Sam, "Simple, I do not understand how anyone can think about doing this... How can anyone go to such a place and think this is alright? How do they sit there and smile? Pretend this is normal and good?"
Miles, "You know what? I am just as lost as you are in that case."
Mikaela, "I do not understand that either. They are kids for Christ's sake."
Raph drank his water, "It is honestly disgusting and I do not think we will ever understand the hows or whys of the matter. Because whatever reason they give us, it will never be enough to justify what they did."
Sam nodded, "Amen to that!"
Miles, "I only hope they get the whole book thrown at them and the full extent of punishment."
Mikaela, "The death penalty does not feel like, it is enough as a punishment for this."
Bumblebee grunted, "That's because it is not. People want them to pay and pay they must for what they did for the rest of their miserable lives."
Miles, "Wonder what will happen next though."
Bumblebee, "Whatever it is, it better not be as horrific as these files."
Raph, "I second that."
Sam, "Third it and I am done eating. Let's get out of here. Grab a drink or something."
Mikaela gave a smile while Miles and Raph talked about stealing some of Lennox's bottles that he thought he hid from Ratchet. Bumblebee's holo raised an eyebrow at that but did not say anything and instead opted to shake his head at the antics. Sam laughed as he followed his oldest friends and actually managed to steal a bottle of good ol Scotch. He really needed a drink after learning what he did, it brought back the more darker memories of his past life that he would have rather not remembered. The Allspark was kind enough to try and repress those memories but Sam asked them to let it be and go through the memories because the faster he accepted it the faster he could move on. He just did not think that would happen in his second life too, would he be seeing COVID as well around the corner? Granted the timeline is different but this was a different life so who knows at this point. The Staff and the Matrix pinged the Allspark when they felt the emotions through their bond and the Allspark sent a brief detail of what was happening.
Sam could feel the pity that was being sent his way and he told them not to worry too much and he would be alright with time. After an hour or so of drinking Sam noticed Jazz and Prowl appear, Bumblebee had pinged them so they could take the others back while he took San to rest in his room. Chatter and Quickshot would join them the next day but till then, Sam was going to rest, relax and get his emotions in order. Bumblebee needed to do the same thing, the Bot had realized that he had come pretty close to losing his charge too, if he had not been so paranoid about everything and everyone. He recalls a few humans looking in the direction of his charges and the kids they would hang around nearby and how he used his holo to act like an adult who approached the human to see if they needed help. He had originally done so because he suspected it was a Decepticon trap but now he got the dreadful feeling it could have been so much worse.
Knockout, "Now, do you still think you should underestimate humans?"
Tesarus, "No doc ~"
Kaon stayed quiet for a while before speaking, "Such terrifying cruelty! It certainly was not what I expected from these beings."
Knockout, "It is one of the reasons we have strict education and raising standards for the humans that are contracted under Soundwave. It is not that we cannot deal with them but rather we would prefer there were some standards and boundaries from the start."
Tesarus, "Congratulations on your sparkling, Doc. I gotta admit I have not seen a sparkling after the whole war started. I am kind of excited about them joining us."
Vos, "Sparklings; new chance."
Knockout, "Yes Vos, this is a new chance to have sparklings. I am having one and in the future Breakdown is having one."
Vos was listening attentively, "Sparkling protect?"
Knockout, "Yes, we protect sparklings."
Megatron, "Soundwave report!"
Soundwave, :Soundwave and team landed successfully on Cybertron. Cybertron still a wasteland, Lord Megatron.:
Megatron, "Build a temporary base, Soundwave. We will wait for the Autobots to revive the planet and then we can start rebuilding our lives."
Soundwave, :Inquiry: Megatron will not take over Cybertron?:
Megatron, "Cybertron will not survive another war. Do not start talking like the fool starscream now, Soundwave. You are smarter than that."
Soundwave, :Just confirming the parameters, Lord Megatron. Ravage has found a place for us to build a temporary base.:
Megatron, "Good! I trust you to return once the base is finished. I chall send a team to take over after you are done. There is another more delicate mission I want you to take over."
Soundwave, :Soundwave understood. Over and out:
Megatron, "Starscream, report!"
Starscream, "The Nemesis needs an entirely new overhaul if we want to move the sparklings safely to Cybertron. This is a battleship, not meant for little sparks."
Megatron, "Is it doable?"
Starscream muttered to himself before speaking, "Yes Lord Megatron, it can be doable but we need more parts and a melting zone to melt and create those parts. Somewhere off - planet to keep the organic matter from affecting the process."
Megatron, "Work with Shockwave on the smelting zone. I think you were attempting to build one on Mars."
Starscream grumbled, "It failed because of the storms."
Megatron, "Try again! We need the smelting zone to build the ship properly. The Autobots have ther human pets to help them, use the ones we have."
Shockwave mused, "They were very excited to go to Mars and work so why not. I shall put them to work, My Lord."
Megatron waved him off, "Very well, get to it. What are you thinking Starscream?"
Starscream, "Have you seen what has been happening in the human world?"
Megatron, "You will have to be moore specific."
Starscream, "I do not want those humans anywhere near the sparklings."
Megatron paused and observed his second in command then spoke, "Aside from Samuel James Witwicky, no human will be allowed near the sparklings. You do not need to worry about it, Starscream."
Starscream narrowed his optics, "You are not surprised by it?"
Megatron snorted, "I was frozen for years which allowed me the time and patience to go through human history. This has happened before, this cult existed before and went into hiding when they were found out. I am not surprised they are still around doing this non - sense."
Starscream, "Are we going to intefere?"
Megatron grunted, "Absolutely not! We have our own missions which are far more important than what a bunch of idiotic humans. Not to forget, I find them highly amusing and they can deal with those fools themselves."
Starscream, "I see, very well, Lord Megatron. But what if our men come across those humans during patrol?"
Megatron, "Do as you please during those times. Do not get caught!"
Starscream, "Understood My Lord Megatron. Your words are as wise as ever."
Megatron, "Enough! Get out!"
Starscream left the control room, "Thundercracker, Skywarp, we have new orders."
Skywarp, "We heard, Screamer."
Thundercracker, "To think these humans treat us as monsters when there are more monstrous humans out there. The irony!"
Skywarp, "Uhhh! I do not think even humans like those humans, Cracker. I just saw a file with the names exposed being dropped. A lot of humans are asking for the death penalty online and in protests."
Thundercracker, "That is to be expected."
Starscream, "Enough talk of humans, we have jobs to do."
Skywarp, "Fine! Fine! Back to Mars?"
Starscream, "No, we have to do somethings first and I am sure Shockwave has their own things to do."
Thundercracker, "I see! Very well, let's go."
Starscream and his trine transformed and left the Nemesis for their normal patrol routine in the optics of the Cons and the eyes of humans. However, those who knew them understood they were out on a hunt and the trio had a new target for it too. Megatron watched them go and had to snort, to think just a few days back Samuel was telling Soundwave what it would take to become his most hater enemy. Lo and behold, the Universe decided to provide it for him, as if to make him deal with it. He wonders if Samuel hates his fellow humans now or if he hates himself, he would get that answer in a few months when the Allspark carrier comes to help the sparklings exist. It will be an interesting meeting without a doubt and he looks forward to seeing Samuel's expression when he broaches the topic. Megatron has only seen curiosity and fascination in that young human's face and he could not help but wonder if his face would twist in disgust over this. Megatron had a dark grin on his face as he planned the meeting and how it would go. The reaction on the Scout now a Knight's faceplate will be an added bonus to it.