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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2022 6:40:28 GMT
Characters Appearing: Wheeljack, Bumblebee Location (s): Witwicky Park Timeline: December 3rd Plot Summary: While out with Dane, Wheeljack runs into Bumblebee to give him some advice when it comes to Nick.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2022 6:47:52 GMT
Wheeljack enjoyed the days he and his son both had off.
When he was little they’d do everything from playing catch to watching movies. Nowadays, they still saw movies but they also enjoyed taking time to just stroll around Witwicky and talk. Wheeljack would often have to go incognito into Witwicky, but other days he was a welcome face. After all, when Dane had needed human time this is where they’d go. So it wasn’t unusual for his robot form to be seen around either. That said, when they made it to the park that afternoon, Wheeljack decidedly transformed into car mode and used his holoform, for respect for the trees and nature.
”Hey dad, I wanna grab a cone,” the young man in fatigues nodded toward a vendor selling ice cream. As well as some Energon sweets. ”Want anything?”
Wheeljack shook his head, still full from his own morning energon. But also keeping a close eye out. He always did these days, what with all the new Decepticon activity. Dane may be grown and in the military. But he was still his son, and Wheeljack would lay down his life if he had too. “I’m ok, kiddo. Go grab an ice cream. Then we can talk about your assignments and what movie we’re watching,” he explained with a wide smile. He patted the young man on the back. “Treat yourself. It’s not every day you get some time off, huh?”
As Dane jogged off, Wheeljack watched with pride. Sometimes still in disbelief that he had raised that kid. After all those years of struggle. Let alone how well he had turned out for being in his care,
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Post by Bumblebee on Dec 14, 2022 3:19:27 GMT
Just a stroll in the park. It was nice to get out every now and again, and while Bee loved to race there were times where he just liked the peace and quiet too. Just a short drive through the park, maybe pull aside to do some thinking.
He really didn't know what to do about this whole Nick situation. The kid was out there alone trying to manage without the aid of adults, but it was all going to come crashing down on him if the wrong people found out. Kinda like if G.H.O.S.T. found out Bumblebee was in fact still alive. It made everything difficult, and he hated that he didn't know what to do in order to make the situation any better. How could he, a Cybertronian, do something that could benefit Nick's situation in any way outside of being there for support. He couldn't just let the kid end up in foster care or whatever it was called, especially when Nick was certain that it wouldn't be good.
Bee sighed to himself, sitting in vehicle mode with his holoform sitting in the driver's seat just looking around nonchalantly. For winter, it wasn't all that bad of a day outside. Nice to get out and enjoy some time alone before he needed to get a move on with his daily training exercises between Tech, Twitch and Thrash.
But something caught his attention as he sat idly. A familiar looking vehicle up ahead! Curious, Bumblebee drove closer to the car and parked right up behind it. Deciding to play it safe, he activated his comm to reach out to who he believed was sitting before him.
<<"Wheeljack? Is that you sitting in front of me? I'm currently in the park and I see a car that looks just like you.">>
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2022 3:34:03 GMT
Wheeljack shifted a bit when his comm activated.
Huh, that was a voice he hadn’t heard in a while! Turning his tires a little, he adjusted his rearview mirror. Hey it was Bumblebee after all. Honestly, he was a little surprised to see him in Witwicky. Had Optimus asked him to go out there for something? Either way he was happy to see him.
<Hey Bee, yeah it’s me! Good to see ya. Has to have been a couple of orns now huh?> he asked, using his com link as well. <Heh sorry I missed you there! I’m out with my kiddo right now. Not sure you remember ‘im. May have met when he was a sparkling… Or maybe not. I don’t know, the years blend together.>
As his holoform approached he nodded toward the young man who was heading back by now. There was a bit of pride in his voice and on his holoform’s face as he mentioned. “That’s my boy. An adult now if you can fragging believe it! Looks more and more like Rick every day,” though he wasn’t sure if Bee would remember the young ally that was Dane’s bio father. He still felt the need to say that. “How ya doin’? I didn’t take you for the Witwicky kind of guy!”
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Post by Bumblebee on Dec 17, 2022 23:51:04 GMT
It really was Wheeljack! It'd been forever since he'd seen the guy, and it was nice to see another familiar face as he heard the other's voice via comms.
<<"Sure has been awhile. Been on the move for some time, but still kicking.">> He was a bit surprised to hear that Wheeljack was taking care of a kid now, especially one he'd met so young. It just went to show how much Bumblebee remembered about the bots he used to spend so much time with during the war. All that time separated made him forget a few finer details here or there, but he shrugged it off either way. Bee glanced over as he saw the familiar sight of Wheeljack's holoavatar pointing out a single young man who was heading their way. That must've been the one, and Wheeljack himself confirmed that thought immediately afterwards.
<<"Yeah! He sure does look like Rick.">> The scout didn't remember what Rick looked like. But as for how he was doing? <<"I'm doing good. Been working with the Terrans and teaching them about Cybertron and a bit more about who they are. I've also been meeting with this other kid who's.. in a bit of an interesting situation. Not quite sure what to do about it.">>
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2022 6:20:17 GMT
Wheeljack nodded his head.
He could only imagine what Bumblebee had to have gone through for that kind of isolation. As a social mech, Wheeljack was hardly the type to ever want to do that. But at the same time, he wouldn’t fault anyone who had to, they all had their reasons. “Well it’s nice to see you around all the same.”
Oh? Now Wheeljack was curious to say the least. A kid in an interesting situation usually didn’t mean anything good. As a mech who had been a major part in the early years of the reunification problem, he’d send and heard of a lot of kids in interesting situations… None of them good.
Making a motion for Dane to hold off a minute - Wheeljack decided to lean his holoform against Bee’s alt mode. “I heard that word Terran’s through the grapevine. If you’re helping whoever they are… That sounds fun.”
However, he got to the matter that seemed to bug his friend more. “Tell me about the kid. Is he in some kind of danger? Or is it the kind we can fix?” He asked honestly. “If he’s in danger y’know you can bring him to Prime… Or I can if you can’t.”
Honestly, as a parent, anytime kids were involved Wheeljack was known to at least jump in to help.
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Post by Bumblebee on Dec 19, 2022 1:10:16 GMT
It was definitely nice to see Wheeljack again as well, though Bumblebee wished he could meet with his fell Autobots a bit more freely. Holoforms helped in that regard, but that left the risk of someone recognizing one's alt-mode even when not in bot mode. Some Autobots just had such a recognizable alt-mode, which sort of went against the whole robots in disguise motif, but that was one's choice. If someone wanted an oddly specific paint job, then they were gonna get it. Who was going to tell them no and hold them to that?
That and humans kinda knew what they were at this point. Aside from bots in hiding, there wasn't much point in the whole being in disguise thing outside of not raising alarms when traversing through cities with many anti-Cybertronian activists.
It didn't surprise Bee that the scientist had heard about the Terrans. Optimus had let many of the Autobots know about them privately, making sure the info didn't make it's way over to G.H.O.S.T. The question that more caught his attention was the question regarding the human that he'd been hanging out with as Wheeljack wanted to know more about them and their situation. It wasn't exactly the scout's story to tell, but at the same time he really could use some advice regarding the matter. <<"Not really sure where to even start. When I met Nick he said he was living with his uncle, but apparently he's been living on his own for awhile? Trying to hold down a job to pay all the bills, but if the wrong people find out he's going to be put in a foster home or something. He said that he knows what the system's like from his parents, and that it isn't good at all. I'm not sure what to do to help. I'm not sure if there's really anything I can do.">>
Bumblebee sighed. Hopefully Wheeljack could give him some advice.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2022 2:10:34 GMT
Wheeljack listened closely as Bumblebee spoke.
Well that was one hell of a pickle, that was for sure. But all the same, Wheeljack was the right mech to come to about this. That was for sure. Clearing his “throat”, Wheeljack looked at Bumblebee. “Did you ever consider that Primus put him into your path for a reason?” Wheeljack asked. Honestly. “When I first took Dane, I knew that there were other kids out there. Kids without homes, without families…”
He looked off into the distance. “We lost so many of our young. So a couple of guys and I started the Reunificaiton program. For kids like Dane… And kids like the one you met,” he explained honestly. “So they never have to feel alone or unwanted. If the humans don’t want them, we’ll take them.”
Getting back on topic though, Wheeljack noted. “You wouldn’t be the first mech I… Quietly secured documents for. It’s just a matter of your spark,” he explained. “But if you’re sitting here and it’s bothering you this bad. Maybe it’s because you know he’s supposed to be yours. I know I knew the second Dane was put in my arms he was mine.”
It sounded like Wheeljack spoke more from experience than anything. “If you don’t want to take him though. You can always give him to me. I’ll put him in the Reunificaiton program. Get him out of human “foster care”.”
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Post by Bumblebee on Dec 20, 2022 0:41:07 GMT
Bumblebee felt even more lost as he listened to Wheeljack speak. A reunification plan? He'd never heard of such of thing before, but that was easily excused given the fact that he had been out of the loop for some time being on the move to stay off G.H.O.S.T.'s radar. He definitely approved of the idea of taking in kids and helping ones in need, but he did have his concerns as well. How easy was it to care for a human kid? Would it be easy to find the time to tend to their needs while helping the Autobots? But there was one question Bumblebee had that burned even more than the others.
<<"Wheeljack.. I honestly didn't know that was a thing we could even do, but before I even get serious about this I see a major problem for me. G.H.O.S.T. can't find out I'm alive, and if I have to fill out paperwork that could pose a serious risk to my mission. It's not that I don't want to consider taking Nick in, but I don't know how I can when I'm supposed to be undercover.">> Thankfully it seemed Wheeljack had already come up with a solution for that problem having already done something like this before by sneaking out the paperwork for another bot. <<"Sneaking the paperwork out is one thing, but my name's still gonna be on those documents. It's not like I can just make up another name and forge it. It's gotta be my own name.">>
And even if he did put a false alias, he'd have to come up with another name. Goldbug? Nah.
<<"I guess giving him to you for now might be an option, but if there's some other way we can work around this I'd love to hear it if you have ideas.">>
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2022 1:04:08 GMT
Wheeljack listened to Bumblebee’s concern.
He guessed he had merit in his questions. Though Wheeljack had always seen those kind of things as formalities. Wheeljack did know that Bumblebee was active duty so there were some differences. “So you do it the human way. Can I tell you how easy it is to create a foster license? Super easy. Or I could just, y’know get you into the classes. But they are long,” Wheeljack replied honestly. “But if you’re human then G.H.O.S.T never knows, so you wouldn’t have to worry about that. Just thinking of a human name for yourself… And doing proper research or downloading classes online. At least I’d recommend it - I downloaded my itinerary and learned all the basics in a few weeks.”
”Its the best part of being a supercomputer as they say. We learn that stuff more quickly than humans,” He then leaned against his own car form. “I can make it happen with a snap of a finger, Bee. But you have other stuff to consider too.”
“If his parents ain’t in the picture… He’s probably going to have some issues. Parenting hurt kids ain’t for the faint of heart,” he explained. “I can give you books to download. But you need to read it. And only do it, if you’re serious… A custody battle is brutal. You have to be ready and willing to fight for this kid.”
He shook his head. “When you think about it, all the Decepticon and G.H.O.S.T issues are secondary. Especially in your situation where they probably won’t even find out about him,” he explained. “It’s more about where your spark is at. If it’s something you’re willing to fight for and won’t take back if things get tough.”
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Post by Bumblebee on Dec 22, 2022 2:16:07 GMT
Easy or not to forge a license, it didn't make it right to Bumblebee. He wanted it to be official and entirely legal.. but to do that also meant revealing himself to the world. It seemed like a no win situation to the Autobot scout, and Bumblebee wasn't happy about it in the least. Just what was he to do?
<<"Look, I appreciate the help Wheeljack, but I don't feel right about doing it that way. Yes I could use my holoform, but what if it comes out that I'm not exactly in the system? They'd take Nick and it would only be worse for him. I don't want to be responsible for that.">> Bumblebee did have a fair point. Humans were very by the books at times, and everything had to be documented and logged within their governments. One false document could lead to not just fraud, but massive repercussions that he didn't have the time or energy to deal with. <<"Either way I'll take the books and give them a read when I have the time. Thanks, Wheeljack.">>
But that also wasn't the only thing weighing on his processor. Nick wasn't the only one in need as he currently had three Terrans under his door wings. He needed to make them his priority for now, which was only going to make things more difficult if he actually did take Nick in. Not every Autobot was aware of the mission he was on, and he understood that.. but he didn't feel like he had much of a choice. If he really wanted the other mech to truly understand what he had on his plate, then he needed to fess up now. It was just a matter of making sure he wasn't going around telling everybody.
<<"That's the thing, though, Wheeljack. The Decepticons and G.H.O.S.T. already are secondary issues to me because I was assigned a special mission by Optimus Prime himself. He tasked me with looking after the Terrans and keeping them safe while teaching them everything I can about who they are. I want to take Nick in, but my priority right now is to the Terrans. I don't think it'd be fair to Nick, and I know I'd want to make him a priority which wouldn't be fair to Twitch, Thrash and Tech either.">>
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2022 3:23:41 GMT
Wheeljack thought about it for a long moment.
It was risky… But they could do it the way that he did it. Something which might have been a crazy risk. But if Bee was willing to risk it. “Well there is another legal way technically the humans can’t get around. Technically the human side of GHOST doesn’t own or manage the program. Our side does, we oversee everything,” he explained. “If you’re willing to fill out the paperwork. We can put you as emergency guardianship. Keep your file under lock and key where humans can’t get to it.”
He shrugged. “It won’t make any guardianship or adoption “seen” by the human government. But since we recognize it - and with said loophole. They can’t contest it. Because it makes it legal and binding by our culture.” He explained. “The worst you’d need is to find his uncle eventually if you wanted to adopt him. Get official permission. And also put your trust to keep your secret safe.”
As for the rest… Wheeljack gave Bumblebee a real stern look. It wasn’t meant as a mean thing. But he wanted Bumblebee to take his next words seriously. As he looked over to Dane for a moment. “Bee, I’m going to talk to you with the most honesty I can give anyone considering this…”
He looked him dead in the eye. “You can make all the reasons you want not to take that kid. But I can tell by the way you’re talking… You’ll never live with yourself if you don’t try,” He explained honestly. “I had so many reasons I wanted to not take Dane. But I couldn’t fragging sleep at night. Once someone works their way into your spark… It’s hard to ignore.”
He finished with. “It’s been the fragging hardest job I’ve ever had. They’ll test you, test you in ways you never knew you could be tested. And yeah, you’ll have to rearrange priorities. Figure out how to make it work,” he then explained. “But I wouldn’t change what I did for the world. Every time he calls me “dad”, every time he runs to tell me one his accomplishments, every time I look and think “That’s my boy.”… Frag it, that makes it all worth it. Out of all the inventions I’ve made and discoveries I have under my belt. Being his dad has been my greatest achievement.”
He then chuckled. “Don’t tell him I got so sappy. He’ll go beat red.”
Finally, he did have one suggestion though. “But your balance issue is the easiest to solve, actually. It sounds like this kid’s older, right? Turn your thing with the Terrans into “our thing”,” he pointed out to Bumblebee. “As long as he isn’t in danger. He can do lots of things to help a new spark, teach them Earth culture. Maybe just be a buddy. When Dane got older he helped me in my workshop - he loved it. Kids like stability. They don’t care what you’re doing usually, just that they’re doing it with you.”
He then added. “Like of course, make time for just “you” time too. Take him to the movies, out for a drive, whatever you feel like,” he smiled. “You’ll find your off time is much more fun with a partner.”
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Post by Bumblebee on Dec 24, 2022 22:07:47 GMT
So there was a loophole of sorts that would allow for Bumblebee to take Nick in and still stay under the radar. It left him with mixed feelings, but were there really any other options at this point? Either he waited for Optimus to give him the go ahead to publicly reveal himself and end this secret mission of his, or he went with this alternative idea that Wheeljack had in mind. If he waited for Optimus to give the okay, who knew how long that was going to be. Optimus needed to be sure it was safe for Bumblebee and the others in hiding to finally come back out and reveal themselves. Not only that, but the Terrans needed a mentor and protection. They were just as much in hiding as he was, and it wasn’t fair to them at the same time. They didn’t choose to exist, and yet they were forced into a life of secrecy only getting small glimpses of the world around them. Alt-modes made it a little bit easier for them to get around and see things for themselves, but it was risky too if they were spotted and recognized by someone.
Not.. that many would right off the bat.
As Wheeljack lectured him, Bumblebee sighed to himself. He knew that taking care of a kid wouldn’t be easy, and he never expected it to be. There was a lot of responsibility there, but given that Bee himself had always been somewhat responsible to a degree the only reasonable comparison he could think to make was how Ratchet was with Sideswipe and Sunstreaker. The twins were absolutely crazy and drove the poor medic insane with the number of times they wound up in the medical bay. He was lucky if it was just once. If taking care of Nick would be like Bee was then it wouldn’t be so bad. If it was like raising Sideswipe and Sunstreaker?
Primus help them all.
He let Wheeljack continue as he went on about how to balance taking care of the Terrans versus taking care of Nick. Bee wanted to facepalm so badly, but it was a bit hard to do in vehicle mode. How had he not even stopped to consider that Nick could help him with his teaching?! Plus the Maltos would surely pitch in, but he’d want to talk to them before making any decisions too. He didn’t want to assume this would be fine with them. Though he did laugh as the scientist embarrassed himself a bit.
<<”Yeah I know. It won’t be easy, but I’ll have to talk to the Maltos and the Terrans first. Make sure that this is okay with them, but more importantly I’ll have to talk to Nick. If I can find out what happened with his uncle then that might make things easier, but personally I’d love to find him and figure out why Nick was left on his own to begin with. Once I’ve talked to them.. I’ll talk to Nick and see what he thinks. I just don’t wanna leave him on his own for too long, you know? It’s not safe for a kid to be on their own no matter how much they think they have things handled. I think we Cybertronians know that better than anyone at this point that life isn’t always fair.”>>
Especially Bumblebee, having been sparked right in the heat of the war.. never knowing what it was like to actually grow up naturally.
<<”Thanks for your advice, Wheeljack. I’ll consider it and let you know what the others think. I don’t wanna keep you away from your kid for too long unless you don’t mind the company. How’ve things been for you?”>>
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2022 6:09:34 GMT
Wheeljack nodded along.
He had a feeling he knew where Bumblebee's mind was at. His own childhood, and how he'd pretty much been deprived of one completely. Almost all of the Bots sparked during the war probably were. Wheeljack nodded his head slowly, putting a hand on Bee's alt mode if he did. "Atta boy. And if you decide you can't take him. We'll find a good home among those in the program together," Wheeljack assured him. "Even if you aren't his father, I'm sure a family in the program would let you keep in touch. Just gotta be careful about it, y'know?"
He then added. "For what it's worth. I do think you'd be a good one though. You've already shown me how much you care about him just from this talk. Like I said. I personally think it sounds like Primus put him in your path for a reason," He explained honestly. "But you're right. He shouldn't be left alone. No kid should have to grow up without someone in their corner. Even if life is a slagging pain sometimes."
Wait, leaving? Wheeljack chuckled. "Frag no! C'mon, we can always use the company! Plus I'd love to introduce you to Dane," Wheeljack replied with his hands on his hips. "Dane! C'mon over, I want you to meet an old friend of mine!" He announced as the young man started over to the two of them. "Dane, this is..."
He met Bumblebee's gaze, unsure if he should use his actual name. Given he was in hiding. Leaving the ball in his court.
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Post by Bumblebee on Dec 26, 2022 2:49:40 GMT
That was fair, Bumblebee supposed. Even if he couldn’t take Nick in he knew he could trust Wheeljack to find someone who could and would be willing to give the kid the level of care he needed. Of course, that also meant Nick having to be passed around to someone he didn’t know even if they were a Cybertronian. Would he be fine with that? He’d have to ask to be sure, but he still had that hesitation. It felt like no matter what Bee did, there was just no winning. Sure there were many benefits to having Nick with him, but that also meant having just that much less time with the Terrans. His job. His mission.
But maybe Nick could help teach the Terrans. The Maltos had the Earth aspect of their home covered, but the boy could also help cover gaps that even they couldn’t fill.
Still.. the prospect of being called a dad weirded him out just a little bit. Maybe it was just an age thing. <<”Do I have to be called his dad though? It kinda makes me feel old when you put it that way. I don’t suppose you guys have some big brother program, do you?”>> He teased in his words, but he was genuinely curious.
Though it was nice that Wheeljack wanted him to stick around. As the older mech called Dane over, Bumblebee’s holoform stepped out of his vehicle mode so he could at least put a name to a face.. even if it wasn’t his own. Leaning in close, Bee whispered. “Now don’t tell anyone, but I’m Bumblebee. If anyone asks, you met Ben.”
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