Artificial Mind

08

"Ah," Megatron walked forwards. "That is interesting." His optics slid to look at the two with a sidelong glance. "Very interesting. We are presuming that like most other humans, Optimus is willing to lay his life on the line, pathetic it truly is, but it was the path he decided to take." Megatron looked at Knock Out and Starscream squarely, "Find the human." With that last order said darkly he turned and stalked away. "Do not return empty handed, either of you, or it'll be the last mistake you ever make." He looked over his shoulder and disappeared through the door.

"Did he just say 'either'?" Starscream blinked several times and looked confused.

Knock Out slapped a hand to his forehead. "Great, how can this possibly get better?"

——

Minnie blinked slowly, she was caught in an awkward moment. "Why hello, Agent Fowler! How are you?" Minnie tried to ignore the fact that she was standing in checked pyjama trousers, a thin burgundy jumper, and carrying a toothbrush.

"You planning on a sleepover?" The Agent retorted, cross armed and an eyebrow raised.

"Erm, if I answer yes...what will you reply?"

"I will reply with: no, get the thought out of your head."

Minnie pouted up at the dark skinned man. "Agent-"

"No, I do not want to hear it." He crossed his arms apparently even firmer across his chest than before. He had no qualms with shooting her down whatsoever.

"But-"

"No."

"Optimus said it was fine," she grinned at her lie. The way she saw it, Agent Fowler wasn't likely to contradict the words of a thirty foot robot, who happened to be the leader of the Autobots.

Agent Fowler narrowed his eyes and looked her up and down. "Really?"

"Okay, it's only temporary, give me a chance to actually try and find a job and an apartment." Minnie said in a pleading tone. It wasn't like apartments were going cheap and easy down here, nor were jobs easy to come by either.

"Don't lie again." Fowler scorned.

"I won't."

"Lies can have bad consequences."

"I know." Minnie said seriously. The one bad lie her mind drifted to was the one of being sent to the park. Look at the consequences that lie had.

"I'm looking for the big guy, you seen him?" Fowler decided to ask instead, getting back on track to why he was currently visiting the base.

"No. I've not seen him at all today, why?"

"No reason."

"You think something's happened?" Minnie asked getting a little worried.

"Now, now hold your horses I'm sure nothing's happened." Fowler said while trying to calm Minnie down. The last thing he wanted to deal with was a hysterical woman. No thank you.

She darted past him and ran down the hallway, turning the corner she ran down the cold, metallic corridors. Skidding to a sudden stop she tried to catch her breath, leaning against her knees she slowly stood. Empty. She stared at the empty room. Frowning lightly she heard Fowler calling after her. There were oddly little nooks and crannies in the room to hide in. Pushing some leads out of the way, Minnie clambered into a small space. Tugging the leads back over herself she hid. Crouching in silence she listened as Fowler ran in, briefly looked around and left again. Getting comfortable, or as comfortable as possible, Minnie settled down. It was odd that she was comfortable laying nestled in a bunch of leads. Slowly she felt herself drift off to sleep.

——

It seemed that the process of shifting all of the energon was a longer process than what Optimus and Smokescreen first thought. "Maybe we can come back for the rest?" Smokescreen mused while speeding forwards towards the mouth of the cave. It seemed that only some of the energon had been fully excavated. That which was still in the rocks of the cave walls naturally had to stay. Neither of them knew when or if the Decepticons would be back.

The roughly cut glowing cubes of the energon which was freed and had been successfully mined was carried to the mouth of the cave, at first. Then on second thoughts it seemed that travelling in vehicle mode with the cubes was much easier. Whereas Smokescreens seats were packed with the stuff, Optimus's trailer space was stacked. Now that they had figured out this minor dilemma, they could now return back to base. Both Autobots were surprised to be greeted by Agent Fowler. It seemed that night had fallen in Jasper, and it was a rarity of sorts that the man would still be around, unless something bad has happened.

"Agent Fowler, what is the matter?" Optimus calmly asked while shifting forms, the energon lightly tumbled to the floor, although Bumblebee did catch most of them, Ironhide – much to Smokescreen's annoyance – was unpacking the energon from his seats like a human would with groceries. The two swiftly got bickering and this ended with a look being cast at them by both their leader and Fowler. The two promptly shuffled off then, Bumblebee followed after them clutching all the energon he could carry. Upon hearing their return, Bulkhead and Arcee had appeared to help carry what was left.

Ratchet slowly lifted the lever to swift off the ground bridge. "Your new companion," the Agent started saying, Ratchet and Optimus exchanged a look. Ratchet along with everyone else knew of Minnie staying, and of the small bond which had appeared between leader and human. In honesty, Ratchet didn't see a huge problem with it, Arcee, Bulkhead and Bumblebee had formed bonds with humans, why couldn't their leader do the same? He may question the reasons, the why's and the needs, but none of his friends seemed harmed by being friends with humans. Only because he had no interest, didn't meant others felt the same.

"Is there something wrong?" Optimus asked concerned.

"You knew she was staying in the base?"

"I did. I did not see any problem with it, if she has no other place to go, we cannot expect her to leave." Optimus said casually.

"Uh-huh," Fowler nodded unamused. "Well, your companion has gone and done a disappearing act."

"What?" Optimus said not knowing how this could happen really, how Agent Fowler was casual over this was beyond him.

"Hold on now, she's still in the base. Or else the Doc would have seen her leave, right?"

"That is true," Ratchet said while rubbing his chin. The exit to the base was literally to his left, to get to it someone would have to walk straight past him. Considering Ratchet hadn't moved, he hadn't seen anyone leave.

Optimus turned slowly and walked out of the room. "Ratchet, check the other rooms." Optimus said quietly, Ratchet nodded slowly and moved to walk in the opposite direction.

Turning into his room, he looked around. Enhancing his optics, he was able to shine a thin splinter of light over everything. There weren't exactly lights in their rooms. What use were lights to them really? Sure lights were needed in the main room, but in private quarters, not so much.

Shifting back into vehicle form, Optimus sat and waited. There was a tactic. Wherever Minnie was hiding, she'd surely have heard his and Smokescreen's return. Which then meant that she'd come out of hiding, and come to see him. Only after five minutes had passed and she still hadn't appeared, Optimus grew slightly concerned. Was Fowler really sure she hadn't left? As much as Optimus wasn't one for overreacting, but what if she had got out and Knock Out was lying in wait nearby?

——

(Edited: 5/August/2020)