Darkness rising

What's Wrong With Jack Darby

Optimus stood up, a gentle smile could be seen on his face. "Good." The Prime replied. 

They then made their way over to the command centre. Ratchet had already prepared up everything and he was standing in front of the computer. The other Autobots were already present there too. 

"So, Docbot, what's this great discovery of yours you want to show us so desperately?" Smokescreen asked in a teasing tone. 

Ratchet glared at the rookie before turning towards others as he prepared himself to deliver the news. "As you all know, some time ago Jack Darby, our friend, was captured by MECH." The glare stopped for a moment but continued soon after. "Recently, through Arcee, we found out that Jack has been converted into our new enemy, Darkstriker." Ratchet glanced at Arcee, unsure if he should continue with this in her presence. 

"It's okay Ratchet. Go on." Arcee said as she noticed the medic's gaze on her. 

Ratchet let out a sigh and continued,"After our last encounter with him, Bumblebee had retrieved this." He pressed some buttons on the computer and the screen displayed a picture of Darkstriker's broken helmet. Some of the Autobots glanced at Bumblebee. The scout sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. He was thinking of making a present out of it for Raf, but Ratchet had confiscated it the moment the medic saw it. 

"I still don't understand what's the importance behind it. It's just a broken helmet." Tailgate said. 

"I was getting to that part." Ratchet grumbled "I did some examinations, and this is what I found." Ratchet pressed another button on the computer and another image popped on the screen. 

Optimus's eyes widened when he saw the image. The other Autobots were also curious as they saw the image of a bunch of small almost dust-like particles. 

"What are those?" Ironhide couldn't help but ask. 

"Those are extremely advanced nanotechnology of cybertronian making." Ratchet said "The entire helmet was made of these things. This is extremely advanced technology. Something that I don't believe was made anymore during the recent years of Cybertron."

"But what does it mean, Ratchet?" Arcee asked out. 

"Arcee, remember that you said Jack had an optic in the place of his left eye?" Ratchet asked. 

The blue femme nodded. The medic then continued,"Based on Arcee's observation and Jack's unnatural efficiency in combat against us, I've come to conclusions that MECH must have come into possession of this cybertronian nanotechnology and used it to do something to Jack."

Many of the Autobots, including Arcee, gasped at the statement. The blue femme had her hand over her lips and terror in her wide blue optics. Optimus just stood there, his face not showing any emotion but deep inside he was terrified for Jack. 

"Wait, can these nanotechs be the reason behind Jack's change in behaviour towards us?" Sideswipe asked. 

"It's possible, Sideswipe. These nanotechs are extremely advanced. I won't be surprised if that's the case." Ratchet said. 

"Ratchet,..... Please tell me you can reverse whatever they did to Jack…" Arcee begged. 

"I, I don't know Arcee. I don't know what those savages might have done to Jack. I don't know the extent of their doing. I don't know what I can do." Ratchet said, his expression twisting into a more angry one as his voice got louder. 

But then, Optimus stepped forward."But you can do something to save our friend, right Ratchet? Maybe study those nanotechs and try to figure out some way to reverse their effects?" the Prime suggested. 

"I don't know Optimus. I can try. The problem with these nanotech is that they have turned completely useless. I can't study them. It's like once separating from Jack's body, they went into some sort of self-destruct initiative."

"What if we can bring you Jack himself?" Ultra Magnus suggested. 

"Well in that near impossible scenario, believing that I can keep him sedated for long enough, I can probably study the active nanotech in his body and probably find a way to get out of MECH's hold." Ratchet said. 

"It's settled then. We will try to apprehend and bring Jackson here. And Ratchet will do whatever is necessary to fix him." Optimus said with authority. "We will save our friend. We owe this much to him."

Arcee's optics shone in hope as she heard her leader. First time in a long while Arcee felt a spark of happiness. She may have been separated from her partner, but she wasn't going to give up on him. Jack was there when she needed him. Now it's her turn to help him. And she will save her partner, no matter what.