Transformers Fan Fiction ❯ Fragments of Memory ❯ Getting to Know You ( Chapter 5 )

Chapter 5: Getting to Know You

 

The forest seemed to close around them as they traveled further west, but the cover was necessary as Bumblebee had picked up clicks on his communication equipment that he knew to be Decepticon code. She gripped his horn and sat on his shoulder, casually brushing aside limbs that otherwise would have gotten in his face. Her questions hadn't stopped either. He had told her all about their home planet, why they came to Earth. Mostly she was curious about how he was made, his workings. Bumblebee knew from his own questions that she was a bio-chemistry student, with a master's degree at 20 years of age. A doctorate was her next goal but after that she didn't know. Bumblebee explained all he could about his species but told her she would have to talk to Wheeljack and Ratchet once they got to base. He was more adept at hiding his ability for spying, rather than figuring out physiology. Perhaps they could even teach her to fix transformers, he reasoned. She seemed to glow with pleasure at the thought. After a small period of silence she spoke up again.

“I know I ask a lot of questions.” Arianna intoned. “I've just always been too curious for my own good. I always used to get in trouble in school because I would run these incredible experiments and talk the other kids into doing it.” She finished with a chuckle.

“Your father was like that. Always scheming and plotting.” Bumblebee offered. “But stuff usually backfired for him. You look a lot like your mother, perhaps that's why you succeed.”

“I look like my mother?” Arianna asked in a small voice. Bumblebee nodded, dodging around another large pine.

“But your eyes, you have Sam's eyes.” He said softly. “…and his smile.” Bumblebee was rewarded with that lopsided grin.

 

They continued on in this fashion, Bumblebee talking about Sam and Mikaela in detail to her. She drank it in hungrily, her questions coming in twos and threes. Bumblebee didn't mind. This conversation, the gentle presence, filled up his soul. He felt that part of him was missing these past 20 years, and he had finally found it. All the searching and desperation, and crushing loss, had paid off for Arianna. She was engaging, and genuine. He didn't know what she would have turned out to be had they tried to take care of her themselves. He was just a soldier; he didn't know how those things worked. The communicator in his arm made a distinct bleeping noise and Bumblebee suddenly crouched low, his arm shot up to steady the girl on his shoulder. His optics dimmed in caution and he scanned the area. The signature of another transformer flashed from behind a strand of bushes and he let out brief burst of gunfire. It squealed bumped into several things before falling. Bumblebee approached it cautiously, Arianna biting her lip to stay silent. The heap of metal became distinguishable, and she almost swore as she realized it was the motorcycle bot.

 

Bumblebee prodded the Decepticon and realized it was no longer active. Its life's spark was still there but his body was too damaged to bring it forth. He heaved the smaller transformer on his other shoulder and continued on. A look from Arianna bade him to explain.

“He is alive still, and Ratchet may be able to change his loyalties by fixing him.” Was the explanation. “We have too few Autobots left, and any hope of more is a good reason to try.”

“Why doesn't your medic and inventor make more?” Arianna inquired.

“Well, there aren't any surviving fembots, and with us only having one- well, two now, shards of the Allspark, making new life might not be possible.” Arianna got the impression that if he could, Bumblebee would be blushing.

“How old would you be if you were human, `Bee?” she had taken to shortening his name, which the Autobot decided he enjoyed.

“Well, I suppose I would be about 18. Though I feel much older, I've seen too much for a transformer of my age.” He said somewhat bitterly. She laughed suddenly.

“I'm older than you, then.” She found that highly amusing for a while, much to Bumblebee's dismay.

 

After a small argument about his age (of his lack of years, he was defensive, which Arianna found endearing) he very nearly pouted until she declared his Earth age irrelevant. She stared cautiously from time to time at the heap of metal that was her kidnapper. Bumblebee reassured her again.

“If he does start up, Arianna, I won't let him hurt you again.” He said simply.

Her fears eased, the questions started up again.

“The Decepticons have three shards of this Allspark, and I have one. Where is the fifth?”

Bumblebee shifted uncomfortably.

“I don't know. I think Optimus Prime has it.” He said evasively.

“You think? Why doesn't he tell you?” Arianna asked, not so innocently. She was gently probing to find out what was bothering her guardian.

“Well, I kind of…threw it away.” He said lamely.

“You threw away a shard of something that gives life?” she asked incredulously.

“No! I mean- yes- Argh! I threw it at Prime after I had to give you to the humans. I wanted no part of something that caused you any pain.” Bumblebee blurted out. Arianna was please despite herself, though she thought the transformer revealed more than he wished too.

“Sorry.” She said simply, leaning against his head as they continued to walk.

“I should hide nothing from you, Arianna.” He replied.

 

 

A bunker in New Mexico came alight with the bright flames of a fusion torch. The man lifted his goggles after a fashion; his white eyes a stark contrast to his blackened face. He started giggling. It was done! All his hard work for so many years and it was finally complete. Perhaps he could go home to his family now, if they were still alive like his captor had promised. He stepped back, wiping his forehead. The giant rectangular box looked a lot simpler that it really was. 50 feet tall and 20 feet wide, a blasting door was in place to slam down at a buttons touch to enclose whatever it was that was supposed to be trapped in there. Several sensors were built into the side, and what looked like a giant scan bar was fastened to the back. Five small empty triangles were on the control pad next to a giant switch. The computer had been programmed to utilize whatever power source the triangles brought to switch from one specific form to the next. Whatever stepped into the chamber would emerge the other. And if it stepped back inside, it would be reverted to its original state. The man planted his hands on his hips. This was a good job; surely they couldn't keep him here any longer.

“Good job, professor.” the metallic voice from behind said softly. They had come! He wondered if his wife thought he was alive still, or if she had moved on after…how ever many years he had been here. He had lost track after a while.

“Yes, yes sir, all you need is the fuel.” The man said, gesturing to the empty triangular slots. The thing facing him appeared to be a giant scorpion, a metal robot he knew better than to try and trick or cross.

“You have done well. Now your reward.” Scorpinok plunged his stinger through the man's middle and flung him aside. He turned on his communications device and hissed through it in his own language.

“Everything is ready, commander.”

“Excellent, Scorpinok. You shall be rewarded for your service to the high-ruler.” Came the crackled response. Starscream transformed suddenly into his jet form and left his slow orbit around earth, a fire and tremendous sonic boom announced his returned presence to the world.