Cover me Chapter 52
Feb. 23rd, 2009 05:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
blkdragonqueenChapter Fifty-Two: Finally Fixed
It was a full week later before everything resumed to something somewhat normal. It had taken Keller a rather long while to convince his helicopter pilot to return, and after a bit of persuading that had finally turned into outright bribery, he said his goodbyes and headed back to Washington where he had Glen and Maggie pouring thought the old Sector Seven archives trying to discover some clue as to this new Sector Thirteen. After the secretary’s departure, everyone had begun to fall into a rather small routine. Judy and Carol had spent most of the week cleaning, after seeing how dilapidated and rundown the old barracks were. They enlisted the men to re-shingle the roof, much to Ron’s horror and enlisted the younger group to a fate of scrubbing the floors.
The Autobots also fell into a bit of a loop. Ironhide had tried numerous times to shoot the second crocodile, but as of yet hadn’t managed to destroy the creature. No one really minded the thing anymore as long as they kept the gate closed and stayed behind the fence. There had been a few moments there where Judy and Carol were worried about their respective pets, but Mojo had taken to digging behind the main hanger and Beeper could be found in various sunlit places snoozing away.
Wheeljack was now working on trying to get a central computer up and working for everyone and was more often than not found in the main hanger instead of his own workshop as he pieced together the different items he had acquired from the net with their own advance technology; and of course where ever ‘Jack was, Ratchet was usually not far behind which suited everyone else just fine. Perceptor was working diligently on trying to find the source of the strange waves while also trying to clean up the remains of the multitude of testing equipment that had been left scattered thought out his lab.
The twins had miraculously stayed out of everyone’s way as Sunny had gone through over ten different colors for the inside of their hanger and Sides had taken to entertaining everyone with a guessing game of what color he would be splattered with the next time they saw him. Red and Inferno were constantly patrolling the far boarder of the Autobot consulate and Hound every so often would join them and return with more of the planets natural inhabitants. After the still free crocodile had gobbled up his prairie dog however, Hound stopped that little habit. Bluestreak meanwhile, had taken to napping anywhere and everywhere now, becoming totally relaxed in the rather peaceful setting, though he still never ventured to close to the hanger where ‘Bee and ‘Cade spent most of their time.
Amazingly it had been Blaster who had actually managed to ignore Barricade’s presence and had gone to their hanger a few times to discuss the different music that the planet boasted; which just about drove ‘Cade to the point of insanity at the animated conversations the two got into. Sam himself found this vastly amusing however and took to having ‘Bee play some sort of music at night while he went to sleep since he was still staying in their rather spacious hanger more often than his own smaller room in the barracks. What Barricade had found interesting was that despite their earlier words, the three older First Arrivals poked their heads in every now and again to see how they were doing as Ironhide had somewhat forgiven him for the rather impromptu makeover.
The only Autobot that no one had seen this entire time had unsurprisingly been Prowl, who was still closed up in Optimus’ personal hanger. Optimus himself had seen Ratchet no less then three times due to dislocated gears and such from falling asleep at his desk. Ratchet had commented that nothing had really changed considering Optimus was always found more easily in his office than in his personal chambers anyway. However, everyone knew that the two were also discussing when exactly it was that they were going to hold the funeral now that Prowl had returned. Though any attempts to speak to the commander had ended with them planning the whole grim affair themselves. Barricade had nothing to do with it however and tried to distance himself from the rather dark conversations.
Instead, Barricade had managed to needle ‘Bee into escorting him to the main hanger everyday so he could demand to know when his parts were ready. Needless to say, Ratchet was becoming rather annoyed with him and Wheeljack was getting rather peeved at all the interruptions because for some reason or another, Barricade and the bug had rather uncanny timing. ‘Bee had asked Barricade if he had a spy camera in there or something one afternoon as they meandered back to their hanger. “Why would I waste good equipment just so I could spy on the resident love birds?” he had responded innocently. ‘It’s an audio sensor, Autobit,’ he corrected silently with an internal grin. ‘Bee had said nothing more on the subject and everyone went about their business.
Barricade himself was going completely stir crazy however, confined as he was not only to the sparse hanger, but also trapped in his own car mode. Not only did it put him at a complete disadvantage, but it was driving him completely insane to see all those goody good Autobots walking around nonchalantly in their mech forms, while he couldn’t so much as drive three feet without someone, specifically ‘Bee or Sam, yelling at him to be careful Barricade huffed silently. He could bet that if it had been one of the Autobots, Ratchet and Wheeljack would have worked quicker to see that mech healed. It sucked.
To add insult to injury, it seemed as if Sam had noticed his rather petulant sulk and now Bumblebee was more often than not in his own alt mode when they were in the hanger by themselves. While it admittedly was a nice gesture, it did not comfort the ‘Con at all considering the bumbling bug was suppose to not only to deter him from harming his friends, but also to guard Barricade from those very same friends. ‘Well, whatever,’ he thought to himself as he settled in for an episode of a rather interesting series he had found on the web. He had to admit that he was becoming rather partial to the few of the Earth’s TV shows he had seen so far ever since the humans had taken him to that “drive in”.
It was just as he was watching the main character’s mobile suit called Wing, begin a fierce fight with the one called Epyon that he suddenly realized that there were two figures standing in the doorway to the hanger. He glanced over in surprise to find both Ratchet and Wheeljack standing there in the frame. “Well,” he said as he paused the video and rolled forward slightly. “To what do we owe this little visit?”
Bumblebee quickly shifted out of his camaro form at the sight of them and wandered over to his two comrades, placing himself between them and the battered Decepticon. “What’s up guys?” he asked them, now drawing Sam’s attention as he too turned to the doorway. “What’s going on?”
Wheeljack said nothing but looked over at Ratchet expectantly. Ratchet himself gave a small smirk. “Well, we just thought that Barricade would like to know that we managed to get all the new parts together for him and we can finish repairing him at any time-”
The last part of Ratchet’s sentence had been drowned out as Barricade let out a rather joyous whoop. “Thank the stars, finally!” and with that, the ‘Con quickly maneuvered past the three Autobots took off towards the main hanger and Ratchet’s medical corner, startling a snoozing Blue in the lookout tower as he tore past. “What’s taking you guys so long? LET’S GO!”
Bumblebee gave a small chuckle. “Think he’s excited?” Sam snickered but Ratchet and Wheeljack just glanced at one another with a small frown.
“That’s what we’re afraid of,” the engineer muttered under his breath. ‘Bee turned to him a bit puzzled but said nothing as he reached down to allow Sam to climb aboard before they followed the older Autobots out.
Barricade was already in the corner next to Ratchet’s tools, rolling back and forth on his wheels as he waited, much to Optimus’ amusement from where he was sitting at his “desk”. “I take it you gave him the good news?” Optimus asked them with a chuckle as they entered.
“Hurry up!” Barricade said before they could reply. “I need to get out of this mode like two months ago!”
Ratchet just shook his head as he wandered over to the ’Con and after he set Sam down on Optimus’ desk, ‘Bee helped the medic lift the now grumbling mustang onto his medical “table”. “Furnishings,” Ratchet muttered. “After all the essential modifications are made to the base, we need to make better furnishings.” Wheeljack just sighed as he wandered over to the side to watch the proceedings somewhat out of the way. There was a lot of metal grinding and the occasional shout or snarl from the ‘Con as Ratchet got to work, but no one really paid any attention to them.
Hours went by and Judy popped in now and again to see how everything was going and to drop Sam off some dinner as it had gotten quite late rather quickly. Mikaela soon arrived, obviously informed by Sam’s mother, with a frown and demanded to know why Ratchet hadn’t alerted her that he was fixing ‘Cade. After profusely apologizing, Mikaela was placed on a rather cleared shelf so as she could watch the intricacies of the operation. Somewhat placated, the girl was able to help every once in a while with the finer repairs as the medic worked.
Even the rangers had dropped by before they headed out to their own rooms to give Barricade some words of encouragement or in Epps case an order not to kick the bucket too soon. It was later after a few of the Autobots themselves glanced in every once in a while to see what was going on that Barricade finally muttered to Ratchet that he was not a slagging side show. Ratchet had just laughed however and continued on throughout the night.
Sam had fallen asleep on Optimus’ desk a few times, but every time that ‘Bee tried to move him to take him back to the hanger, Sam would awaken and insist upon staying. “I promised that I would see this through,” he had explained and so he had stayed. Mikaela had just rolled her eyes and claimed that she couldn’t possibly stay up that late before she headed off back to the bunkhouse.
It was closer to dawn when Sam finally awoke to the sound of both Ratchet and ‘Bee lifting the ‘Con off the “table” and setting him on the ground. “Okay, now I want you to take this slowly- I said slowly!” Ratchet bellowed this last part as the sound of gears turning and parts shifting sounded within the hanger and soon Barricade himself was standing in place of where the mustang had been.
Barricade gave a large, wide grin as he stretched his arms out in front of him waggled his fingers. “Primus, that feels good!” he stated as he stretched his arms out to the side only to have one of them be snagged by the medic. “Hey!”
“I said ‘SLOWLY’ you impudent sparkling!” Ratchet snarled as he quickly began running scans all up and down Barricade’s person.
“Hey! Watch where you aim that thing!” Barricade snarled as he tried to get out of the medics grasp and away form his invasive examination.
Ratchet just ignored him and continued with his scanning. “Uh huh… that’s what I thought. ‘Bee, hold him.”
“What?” Bumblebee eyed the larger ‘Con who was staring at him darkly. “You care to repeat that?”
Ratchet just huffed and with a quick small nod, Barricade found himself being held down by Wheeljack. “You already yanked off a piece of your core structure,” Ratchet chastised as he went at it with his trusty wrench. “Now stop moving before I disconnect something important.” Barricade frowned but did indeed hold still and allowed Ratchet to finish with the reattachment.
Sam, meanwhile, took this time to examine the new form of the Decepticon that had lived in his garage for almost three months. Considering that he never really took notice of what Barricade had actually looked like that first time they had met when Barricade was scaring him half to death in search for the glasses, this was his first opportunity to do so. He was different from how Sam thought he would have been. He was more bulky than ‘Bee and the other Autobots, mostly in the shoulders and arms. Surprisingly he was taller than both Bumblebee and Ratchet, though Wheeljack was still just a smidge taller than him. Sam glanced at ‘Bee and saw that his friend had also noticed this small fact as well if the small frown was anything to go by. Sam suppressed a snicker.
“Well, you’re almost fully repaired,” Ratchet announced as he stood and began going through the files on his data pad. “Just a little bit more fine tunings and you should be one hundred percent recovered.”
“Thank Primus,” Barricade sighed as he resumed his stretches and walked around some to ensure that everything was working the way it should.
“I would hope not completely in working order,” Wheeljack growled as he gave his partner a long stare.
Ratchet frowned at him but did nod and turned back to Barricade. “We didn’t fix your weapons however,” he told the Decepticon. “I hope you understand.”
Barricade let out a small snort. “Whatever makes you feel better,” he said offhandedly as he lifted one leg then the other before he went back to checking his fingers one at a time.
“Congratulations Barricade,” Optimus said to him with all sincerity from his corner.
Barricade glanced up at the Autobot leader and waved a hand limply in his direction. “Whatever,” the ‘Con muttered. “I’m just glad I don’t have to continually look up now whenever anyone is speaking.”
There were a few chuckles around the room but Barricade ignored them as suddenly the door opened and Ironhide walked in. Barricade grinned evilly. There had been something going on with the gunner these past few days and as a result Ironhide wasn’t as observant as he usually was. Barricade just stood and waited to see how long it would take the gunner to notice him, if at all.
“Hey Optimus,” Ironhide said as he walked in, his gaze glued to the small data pad in his hands. “I don’t know if we can actually plug that well that the twins dug out. It seemed that they hit the pipeline too. I think we’re going to have to figure out a way to redirect it so we-”
Ironhide froze with his mouth still open as he finally looked up towards Optimus and instead found himself nose to nose with one smirking Decepticon. Barricade’s grin just got wider as Ironhide stared at the ‘Con in front of him for a moment before the large gunner sighed and turned to head back out the door. “I’m too old for this slag,” he muttered as he left.
Everyone just watched him go before turning to Barricade who was still grinning madly. “What?” he asked them innocently. “I didn’t say anything.”
Ratchet just shook his head as he began putting his tools away while Optimus finally stood and wandered over to the ‘Con. “You understand that this doesn’t really change anything, however,” he told him firmly.
Barricade just sighed as he moved over to one of the boxcars and jumped up onto it. “Clearly,” he muttered.
“Now more than ever, the other Autobots are going to be rather apprehensive in your presence…”
“Yes, we got that part already.”
“So that means that it’s now more important than ever that you stay well away from them…”
“Yes, I got that part, thank you…” Barricade sing-songed as Optimus still continued on obliviously.
“And please try not to antagonize them for Primus’ sake! I thought Ironhide was going to shoot you when he walked in…”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. No leaving the hanger, no provoking the ‘Bots, no this, no that… Primus! Why don’t you just lock me up and be done with it? Then at least I can entertain myself by coming up with plans to escape,” Barricade finally erupted with an annoyed huff. “I got it,” he said again as Optimus continued to frown at him.
“I hope you do,” Optimus drawled. “Because everyone’s nervous enough already and I can’t be everywhere.”
Barricade just shook his head as he crossed his arms and sulked while Optimus now turned to Ratchet. “I take it since you’ve finished with our guest that your other task has been completed as well?”
Barricade, Bumblebee and Sam all perked up at this question and all three of them turned to the older Autobots questioningly. Wheeljack was the one to notice the looks and he turned to Optimus. “Um, sir? Perhaps we should discuss this at a later time…”
“Huh?” Optimus turned to where Wheeljack was pointing. He gave a small, sad smile. “It’s okay ‘Jack. They should be able to hear this too.”
“But Optimus-” and now Wheeljack was gesturing towards an offended Barricade who was glaring at the pointing finger.
Optimus just shook his head. “Him too,” he said. Wheeljack frowned but said nothing more on the matter as the three youngest in the room all waited to figure out just what it was that they were all making such a fuss about. Optimus turned back to Ratchet questioningly. “Well?”
Ratchet sighed as he paused in putting his tools away. “Yeah, I did,” he announced. “Wheeljack was able to remake a few of those parts for me and I managed to get him back to his original state.”
Optimus nodded sadly as Bumblebee looked back and forth between his superiors at a bit of loss. “Get who to his original state?” he asked but it was Barricade surprisingly, who quickly understood what it was that the Autobots were discussing and he snagged ‘Bee’s elbow, startling the younger mech at the sudden contact. ‘Bee turned to him questioningly but Barricade shook his head.
“So how soon should we have it?” Wheeljack asked solemnly. “I mean, should we wait until we contact a few other teams or…?”
“I don’t think we can hold off any longer,” Optimus replied sadly. “Prowl is a wreck as it is and we still can’t get him to open the door for us or even talk to any of us.” The larger mech sighed as he leaned against the wall, as if he couldn’t stand on his own anymore and needed the support.
“Do you think that it’s wise to do this so soon though?” Wheeljack wondered aloud.
“It has to be done,” Ratchet told him softly. “Prowl needs to be able to see him and say goodbye before he can move on.”
Sam and Bumblebee both froze as they turned to look at one another with rising grief as they suddenly realized what it was that was being discussed. They were talking about Jazz’s funeral. ‘Cade released ‘Bee’s arm as he saw that the younger mech suddenly got it and he moved back to sit on the boxcar once again. ‘Bee just felt horrible as he thought about his lost friend but unknown to him, Sam felt even worse. He hadn’t really known Jazz at all those two days he had been on Earth and that just made him feel even worse that the mech had died protecting him. Sam instantly felt his heart squeeze in his chest as he realized that he hadn’t even really talked to the mech in that time as he was preoccupied with ‘Bee and getting the glasses, then later with the All Spark.
Sam instantly deflated where he was sitting as he remembered all this before he suddenly felt himself being picked up off the boxcar he was sitting on. He glanced up at Bumblebee questioning the sudden movement but was saddened to see that ‘Bee wasn’t even looking at him at all. ‘Bee probably didn’t even realize that he had picked the boy up he looked that upset by the conversation. Sam turned to look over at Barricade to try and gage the large ‘Con’s reaction to the news only to be surprised by the total blank stare that Barricade was presenting. He sighed and turned back to the other Autobots who were speaking once more.
“So when do you think we should have it?” Ratchet was asking.
“I would think pretty soon… a day or two,” Optimus replied.
“That doesn’t give us much time,” Wheeljack told him.
Optimus just sighed. “I would like this to be over and done with as soon as possible.”
The others nodded understandingly. “We’ll tell the others later today,” Ratchet told him.
“Much appreciated,” Optimus thanked him.
Sam watched them all sadly when suddenly he thought of something. He wondered if he should say anything or if he should remain silent for the time being before Optimus suddenly turned to him and took the option away. “Sam, would you please tell Will and the others for us?”
Sam startled somewhat at suddenly being addressed. “Oh yeah, sure,” he mumbled. Will had been rather quiet all this week and Sam wondered briefly if Ironhide had already told him beforehand and if that had been the reason. Optimus smiled at him gratefully and Sam nodded again when he was unexpectedly jerked off balance and fell slightly forward on ‘Bee’s palm as the ‘Bot’s free arm was suddenly yanked.
‘Bee turned to glace at the ‘Con but ‘Cade showed no remorse and continued yanking on ‘Bee’s arm. “Great, well now that we’ve gotten that taken care of… can we leave now?” he growled irritably.
Bumblebee frowned at him before he suddenly took a closer look at the other mechs face and realized with a start that now that Barricade was out of car mode, he could see the others expressions clearly. He could tell now that the other mech was rather uncomfortable with the current conversation and he gave a small nod. “Alright.”
They started to leave when Optimus noticed them and called them back. “There is one more thing I would like to say before you leave.”
“Can you make this quick?” Barricade actually whined. “I want to get back to my movie.”
Sam shook his head in disbelief. “I think we created a monster,” he muttered to ‘Bee who nodded in complete agreement.
“Those two showed up right during the battle scene and I’m missing some major carnage,” the ‘Con informed them and Sam sweat dropped while ‘Bee’s wings twitched at the announcement.
“Then again…” Sam muttered.
Optimus was looking rather bemused by the whole affair. “I’ll try to make this short,” he offered. “If we do make contact with Starscream…”
“What?” Barricade asked archly, interrupting the Autobot leader. “You want me to stay out of sight or something?”
“I would just like to know that we will no find ourselves being fired upon at both ends,” Optimus finished.
Barricade gave a quick nod. “Understandable,” he said, “but I can guarantee you that I will, in no way, shape or form, aid Starscream in whatever crosswired, cockamamie scheme he’s most definitely had the misfortune to come up with.”
Wheeljack seemed as if he didn’t believe the ‘Con, but both Optimus and Ratchet just nodded at the announcement. “Thank you, Barricade,” Optimus said.
Barricade just let out a small burst of dark laughter as he turned to leave. “The day is still young,” he called over his shoulder. “Don’t go thanking me just yet.”
‘Bee shook his head and Sam rolled his eyes as they followed the ‘Con out of the building, both knowing that ‘Cade was just yanking on the other chains, but they could still hear Wheeljack behind them as they left. “You see! He can’t be trusted!”
“Oh shut up and help me move this,” Ratchet replied as he shoved a large circular saw in his fiancé’s hands.
Optimus said nothing as he watched the younger group go, already heading for their hanger. Red, Inferno and Hound had apparently returned from their patrol and the later two just stared incomprehensively at the ‘Con’s sudden appearance in mech mode. Red just waved. “This is going to be a long day,” he muttered as he could already see Inferno making his way towards him and he braced himself for the conversation to come.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Judy and Ron had visited Sam and the two mechs a little while later that day, wanting to see how Barricade was doing now that he was all fixed. Barricade had entertained Judy a bit by carrying her around awhile, like how ‘Bee and the other Autobots carried Sam, much to ‘Bee’s apprehension and Ron’s amusement. After his parents had left, Sam was surprised that the Rangers had arrived to say their congratulations to ‘Cade and talk a while. Sam was able to tell them about Jazz’s upcoming funeral and both of the men sobered slightly and said they would pass the message around to the others when they saw them.
Mikaela arrived not five minute’s later dragging Miles behind her. “Is it true?” she asked him.
Sam looked up at Mikaela and nodded glumly. “Yeah,” he said softly. “Optimus said they’ll probably have it in a few days.
“Poor guy,” Mikaela said sadly as she turned to ‘Bee then. “Do you think we will be able to attend?” she asked him.
‘Bee looked down at the girl, surprised by the question. “I don’t see why not,” he told her as he thought about it.
Even Sam was looking at her surprised. “Why wouldn’t we go?”
Mikaela frowned at him. “Just what do you know about Cybertronion customs regarding funerals?” she responded pointedly. “It might be a very private affair.”
“Well I don’t know about that…” ‘Bee said slowly. “It’s just that we’ve never really had any other err, people who knew us well enough to come to one of our funerals…”
Sam was getting a bit worried now that Mikaela mentioned it. “Should I ask Optimus?” he asked ‘Bee who shrugged.
“You were there when he died, correct?”
Everyone turned surprised to where Barricade was in the corner fiddling with a small data pad he had filched when they had been in the main hanger. “Well, yeah…” Sam began only to have Barricade interrupt him once again.
“Then you should go.”
Everyone glanced at one another confused but amazingly ‘Bee backed the ‘Con up. “He’s right,” ‘Bee told the smaller humans sadly. “I think Jazz would have like it if you attended.”
Sam nodded as Mikaela gave ‘Bee a soft smile. “Then we’ll be there.”
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
It was a few days later that everyone had pretty much forgotten about, or at least tried to ignore, the now fully mobile ‘Con as they became fully occupied preparing for the funeral… which was to be held later that very day. Bumblebee sighed as he looked around the empty base. Sam was in the barracks with the other humans and ‘Bee didn’t really feel like staying in the hanger right now, though he still kept the building within his sight.
With a sigh, he moved across the base and wandered over to the fence line to look at the base in its entirety. Everyone was currently in their own hangers at the moment as they all were waiting for sunset, the time that they were going to hold the funeral. Leaning against the fence he looked out at the desert beyond unseeingly. There was a splash as the crocodile dunked back under the water but other than that, there wasn’t any sound within the base.
‘Bee was not looking forward to that evening. This was really going to be the first funeral he himself had ever been too since all the other deaths had occurred mainly on the battle field and he was feeling utterly depressed at the thought. What was worse was it was Jazz’s funeral. ‘Bee shook his head as he remembered all the things that he had happened over the past few decades. Jazz had almost been like a big brother to him instead of a just a superior. While Optimus and the others were almost trying to be more like role models to the youngest Autobot, Jazz was just there being his friend and it was sparkbreaking to him that his friend was gone.
‘Bee sighed as again as he turned to head back to his hanger when he suddenly spotted something moving around by one of the other hangers. ‘What was that?’ he wondered as he moved away from the fence and headed for the object. ‘What in the world is going on?’ he wondered as he recognized Prowl wandering about. ‘Where is he going?”
Slipping into stealth mode, ‘Bee ducked behind one of the other buildings and watched as Prowl made his way across the compound. It was with a jolt that he finally recognized the path that Prowl was taking. There was only one hanger in the direction that the commander was headed; the one hanger ‘Bee shared with the only resident Decepticon. ‘Oh this can not be good…’
-To Be Continued
Well Please Join us next week for chapter 53 of COVER ME: The unexpected!
