[ti]Ep 3.5[/ti]Fossils Hunt

[Bumblebee]

Bumblebee fell into momentary quiet once more, listening to Raf and the question that was asked. A gentle, beepy hum was the only immediate response, not wanting to make the tiny human feel like he couldn't continue in an attempt to elaborate his thoughts, the noise was simply more of a way to show he was listening and trying to think of how to reply.

He had his own ideas as to why the monster had ignored him, though having insight from Raf helped - as while the tiny human was nothing like those that were within MECH's ranks, he had the perspective of a human to go off. He knew more about how they worked and so he remained quiet as he listened to what Raf said.

He didn't let the silence linger long after the next question - not wanting Raf to feel awkward.

--No, it makes sense! Though, uh…--

Another beepy hum, another moment of quiet, before he finally spoke again.

--I'm not sure, but I think there was a person inside the monster- driving it? So I think, maybe they gave up on me because MECH sort of already knows who I am. Neon was new to Earth, they hadn't seen him before… meaning if they caught him there would be more chance for them to learn more about us.--

A vented sigh escaped him, trying to think back exactly on that moment.

--Or maybe it was because they wanted me to feel helpless, knowing that it could easily win. It didn't take any effort at all for it to down me, even if I don't like admitting that out loud.--

If they had wanted to kill him at that moment, he probably couldn't have done much to stop it, and it was scary to think about. In a way, it was good that Neon was there if only to distract it - though he never would've been able to live with himself should they have actually caught the other mech. The fact Neon got hurt at all was bad enough, even if he was trying to cling to the idea that it wasn't his fault.

Speeding up a little further now that it was safe to do so, Bumblebee continued on.

--Hey uh, did you want me to drive with the window down?--

He didn't want to change the subject, knowing the tiny human probably still had further thoughts and more than a million questions, though he knew Raf liked feeling the breeze sometimes when they drove – especially when they got the chance to drive a little faster than normal, and wanted to ask.

[Raf Esquivel]

Raf took in what Bee was saying, running it over and over in his head swiftly. What Bee made sense, of course. He didn’t know what was scarier – that it was a completely different thing, a literal monster, or M.E.C.H., a monster in their own right.

No, he knew. M.E.C.H was scarier, because they weren’t an animal just going on instincts. They were bad people, who thought his friends were just machines, and wanted to use them, dead or alive, for their own means.

Raf knew, deep down, if M.E.C.H. ever hurt any of his friends, especially Bee….he’d never let them get away with it. He’d find some way to hunt them down and turn them over to Fowler.

When Bee asked him if he wanted the window down, he quickly nodded. He loved the feel of how fast Bee was, and the wind on his face and in his hair, “Yeah, please!”

After a second, he spoke again.

“I knew it was M.E.C.H., but...I guess I was sort of hoping they hadn’t actually been controlling it. That it was something they made, but that it was sort of doing this on it’s own. Maybe I thought that was better, because it meant if it was acting like an animal, it would be easier to catch, or avoid. But it was M.E.C.H. controlling it outright. And that’s worse.”

Silence for a few minutes.

“Hey...I just had a thought. If the...the thing...went after Neon because he was new, maybe Optimus and the Autobots could use that.”

Outside, the scenery continued to flash by.

[Bumblebee]

With a gentle whir, the window next to Raf would slide downward - and while the outside air was relatively warm, it still felt refreshing as it flooded into the interior of the Camaro. Then, another noise as the Holoform Bumblebee used would appear in the driver's seat. He wasn't too worried about being spotted, though all it took was one stray camera somewhere, or someone driving past at the same time and happening to look over, and everything could unravel in an instant.

Listening quietly as Raf continued, the holoform nodded. While he knew Raf knew he was listening, it was sometimes nice to have something physical to help show as such while driving in a way that didn't interrupt.

--As scary as it is, it is probably only a matter of time until they do have unmanned things, though. Their technology is… it's kind of terrifying how quickly they are learning.--

He knew it was because they had gotten hold of Cybertronian technology, or at least a few Cybertronians themselves. Dismantling them, reverse engineering them- using them in weird constructs like the one he and Neon had encountered. It was awful to think about, knowing that there were probably new arrivals to the planet who had no idea, no clue about these monsters, getting caught and taken - then killed before they'd gotten a chance to reach out for help. He was sure it went for both factions, too, and while some may argue the Decepticons deserved such a thing, every loss was a huge win for MECH.

Then, the silence hung once more. He enjoyed driving with the window down, even if it felt a little weird in a way he couldn't quite place - taking this moment to mull over his thoughts, before Raf spoke again, offering an idea.

--Maybe?-- he started, hesitantly. --Though I don't know if Optimus would be okay with that. Using newcomers as bait, I mean. We had no idea they'd even made that construct, we don't know what else they have just waiting to use against us. It's probably too risky.--

It was a good idea, though- luring MECH out in a sort of controlled environment in order to take them down? It could work, though it was a case of making sure that everyone involved managed to walk away unharmed- and that was the hard part, when their enemy was not only dangerous, but unpredictable.

[Raf Esquivel]

Raf closed his eyes, letting the air flow in around him. It always lifted his spirits.

He opened his eyes just in time to see Bee’s holoform appear in the driver’s seat.

It always felt a little weird to Raf to see the holoform. He was so used to Bee not being a human, that seeing him as a human felt odd. And he’d never say anything to his best friend, but it always felt kinda….not quite right when he saw someone sitting in the driver’s seat. For a split second, Raf always felt the urge to say, “Hey, don’t sit there, you’re sitting on BEE!” As if someone had been so rude as to take over where his best friend was. He knew it was silly, but that was always the first reaction he had. Raf knew it was probably just because he didn’t actually see Bee’s holoform all that often. He just needed to get more used to it.

“It would have to be done really carefully, yeah,” Raf agreed, “And only if someone agrees to do it. And maybe you wouldn’t have to wait for a newcomer or anything like that – someone who wouldn’t really understand how dangerous they could be. You all have holoforms to make you look like humans….could you maybe make your holoforms look like another Cybertronian? If you guys could make one look like someone new to Earth, it might lure them out. And as a holoform, the real Autobot could be hidden away somewhere with others to guard them and keep them safe, right? I don’t know if they can tell the difference between a holoform and a real Cybertronian or not, but it might be worth trying it?”

Raf was speaking as the idea was forming in his head. If it worked, it would be the best way to try and lure M.E.C.H. out without actually endangering someone.

Although they would still have to be so very careful. If they did know about holoforms, they might be able to hack into one and do something awful to the owner.

One night, when he had been trying to go to sleep, Raf had laid in his bed, looking up at the blurry ceiling, his glasses on his bedside table. He could hear the tv downstairs, his parents laughing at one of the shows they liked to watch before they themselves went to bed. His sisters were all in bed – even the oldest.

Slipping his hands behind his head, he wondered if he’d be able to undo any sort of hacking M.E.C.H. did. He knew he was very good at it – had been as far back as he could remember. If anything happened to one of the Autobots, maybe, just maybe, he’d be able to undo it somehow. He didn’t like the thought of ever having to actually hack into one of the Autobots – it felt so wrong. But if it could save them he would.

As he had stared up at the blurry ceiling, he had decided maybe it was time for him to start increasing his skills. Learning about some of the more….iffy ways to go about hacking. Actively breaking through high security firewalls and the like.

[Bumblebee]

Listening quietly as Raf spoke, Bumblebee took the moment to bask some in the warmth of the afternoon sun as he continued to drive. It was kind of pleasant, not too hot or uncomfortable, though that could probably be chalked up to the fact that he was with good company, getting to drive and talk with his best friend was something he'd honestly missed more than he'd let on, even if the discussion wasn't exactly the nicest topic.

Raf did bring up some good ideas, though… he wasn't sure if it'd work like that. Maybe there was someone out there whose holoform was powerful enough to do something akin to displaying a fake Cybertronian, though he couldn't think of anyone off the top of his head.

--Using a holoform like that could be cool…-- he started. --Though I don't think they can be used to do something huge like that, unfortunately.--

He didn't want to immediately smack the idea aside, though, as getting a one-up on MECH? It could be the difference between life or death, or at the very least could give them the upper hand, even for a moment– which was sometimes all that was needed to swing things in their favor.

--I might have to talk with Optimus about it, to see if he'd know a way it could be done. Maybe Wheeljack if he comes back, he might know!--

It was unfortunately beyond Bumblebee's own skillset, though he would totally be up for trying it out should they need him to.

--There's a few of us that MECH haven't encountered yet, who know all about how dangerous they are, so even if we don't send a newcomer, there are options.--

It'd be risky regardless, especially as MECH were a wildcard in terms of what they could actually do. Even someone who knew the ins and outs of combat could be caught completely unawares, even with others around to act as backup should they need it.

He let the silence after his comment hang for a second, before venting out a gentle beep of a sigh.

--Hey uh, Raf. Since… what happened to Ratchet was kinda close to Omega One, make sure you're extra careful when I'm not around, okay? I don't know what I'd do if they ever did anything to you.--

He hated that he couldn't protect Raf all the time, and even though he would do his absolute best to look out for him during those moments they were together, he could only hope the little guy knew to be safe when they weren't. MECH seemed more focused on Cybertronians than humans, thankfully, though given the children's involvement in helping to stop them a while back? They were no doubt targets as well.

[Raf Esquivel]

Raf kept his eyes closed as Bee talked, listening to what his best friend said.

He knew about Holoforms and things, but of course, didn’t really understand them all that much. He knew they were basically made out of light….but some could make them so good they could actually lift things and touch things! He had no idea how to make light do that, and no matter how much he had tried to research it, there was nothing he could find on that subject.

He had even tried asking Ratchet once, when he had been perched on the mech’s shoulder. Raf hadn’t really thought the subject was taboo, so he asked innocently enough.

Ratchet had started answering, but had only gotten about three words out when he caught himself, and with a very firm tone, had told Raf never to ask him that question again. That he wasn’t allowed to tell him.

Raf still thought that was unfair. If he was curious, why couldn’t they tell him? But he trusted Ratchet enough to know there must have been a good reason.

Thinking about Ratchet made a tight, unhappy feeling in his stomach, and as if Bee had been reading his mind, he brought up the medic, and M.E.C.H.

Opening his eyes, Raf turned and looked at the holoform driving in the driver’s seat. He frowned slightly.

“What would they do to me? They wouldn’t be interested in me, I’m just a human kid.”

Well, he remembered that he had hacked into that weird missile thing that had hit Bluestreak that time, and had managed to get some weird info out of it….but they wouldn’t have known he did it...would they? And even if they had, why would they want him? He wasn’t a Cybertronian.

[Bumblebee]

The Holoform couldn't help but gently frown at Raf's question. It wasn't that Bee was annoyed by it, nothing like that… it was that it was such an unexpected response. Surely Raf knew that MECH were dangerous, as while he hadn't done anything directly to the point of being seen, Jack and Miko had– and all it took was MECH connecting the dots to work out he was involved as well.

--Same reason you need to be careful around the Decepticons.-- he started, tone slightly more serious than normal.

--They'd use you, Jack, and Miko to get to us. You know about us, you know where Omega One is… they'd probably hurt you trying to get that information.--

While he hoped their enemies would have some sort of moral compass that stopped them from doing anything to children, he knew they were desperate for knowledge to the point they were dangerous indeed, probably more so than the Decepticons themselves.

--Uh, you said exit 52A, right?--

While they weren't exactly too close to that just yet, he wanted to double-check check he had things right just so he didn't go the wrong way.

[Raf Esquivel]

Raf fell quiet at Bee’s reply.

He was a bright kid, and his parents had certainly drilled Stranger Danger into him at a young age – had done it to all their children. But Raf knew this was a different case than what his parents were warning him against. And while he knew that M.E.C.H. might one day realize he knew the Autobots….might even know already know it….he felt he was still safe.

They wouldn’t actually do anything a kid, would they?

It wasn’t that they weren’t bad people – they clearly were. But….they were doing what they were doing without the approval of the police or government. In fact, Raf knew that Fowler would be very happy to get his hands on them. Right now, they couldn’t really go after them in a big way, it would be too obvious.

But if they kidnapped a kid? That would be so dangerous for M.E.C.H.

There would be Amber Alerts, and his picture on TV. People would remember seeing him somewhere and would call it in, and the police would be after them, pulling out all the stops, because there was a kid involved. It was like when bank robbers accidentally shot someone….it changed the whole game. Raf didn’t think M.E.C.H. would risk that.


He was a bright kid, but he was still a kid, and wasn’t fully aware just how people like M.E.C.H. thought. How they most likely didn’t care if kidnapping a kid would get them into so much more trouble. He couldn’t fully understand how people like that thought, how they wouldn’t care, because it was such an abnormal thought process. Raf couldn’t yet understand how anyone could not care about consequences.

So he let that dialogue go. He thought that Bee was probably just being overprotective – that was his role, after all. But Raf had no intention whatsoever of doing anything that would upset Bee or cause him to worry. So even though he felt Bee was probably mistaken, he’d do everything he could to stay safe. So he willingly changed the subject.

“52A, yeah,” he agreed, “And not a whole lot farther after that, I think.

I saw pictures of this place in a magazine – there are actually a lot of them, right on the surface. The weather brings them to the surface over time. It’s lucky we don’t get winter here, not really. The freezing and thawing would damage them.

Although I still wish I could hold a snowball.”

[Bumblebee]

Bumblebee had found himself tensing in those last few seconds. The thought of MECH doing anything to Raf had him scared - angry, even. While he wouldn't trade Raf's friendship for the world, and was so, so thankful they'd met, the fact he knew about the Autobots, about Cybertronians as a whole, and could not only understand Basic, but also glyphs and written word? He was in far, far more danger than any of the others.

Especially if MECH ever worked that out.

But he didn't want to scare him, and found himself so quietly thankful and relieved when the subject was changed. It was bad enough he found himself worrying about Raf a lot of the time when he wasn't there, he didn't want to ruin this rare moment together with thoughts of nothing but doom and gloom.

Even though he would probably always be worrying about him.

--Okay, awesome! Just let me know once we're in the right area or if I need to turn anywhere, okay?--

Once they were off the exit, Raf would have to direct further - though in a way he was kind of hoping it'd be a ways off yet. Getting to spend time together, especially outside of Omega One or the daily school run like this? It was something he hadn't realized how much he actually missed.

He was quiet as he listened to the tiny human, letting him finish before he spoke once more.

--At least they should be pretty easy to spot if they're on the surface like that!-- He chirped, beeps full of excitement- trying to push past his earlier anxiety by focusing on what'd been said and where they were going.

--I assume we aren't allowed to take any back with us? That's a bad thing, right– to move them, I mean? They should be left where they are so others can see them?--

He wasn't sure how it all worked. He vaguely understood what fossils were, knew that once they were gone there wouldn't be any more for a very, very long time - and if everyone who visited took them home with them? There wouldn't be any left.

--As for a snowball…-- His beeps trailed off, thinking back to the reason why Optimus hadn't been able to bring one back that day when he said he would do so. --Maybe our next trip could be somewhere with actual snow! You'd need to dress up super warm though, since it'd be cold! Though uh, I'm not quite sure where that'd be.--

Maybe Nathan or one of the other humans at Omega One could let Raf borrow a jacket or something, since they probably weren't exactly needed in Jasper to the point he wondered if the tiny human had any kind of winter clothing, though… they'd probably be about a hundred sizes too big.

Still, though, at least he'd be warm then!