Chapter Text
“TOBY!!!!!” Happy’s voice echoed across the garage, and Toby winced. What did I do now? He stood up.
“ Yes Sugar Plum ?” the name got him a punch.
“ One, don’t call me that, and two, where is my truck?” the look he gave her was utter confusion “ Oh come on Doc, it couldn’t have just gotten up and walked away.”
“ I didn’t touch it this time” she huffed.
“Then where did it go?” she gave him a pointed look, he started squirming uneasily “ Toby what did you do?” he muttered something incoherently “What was that”
“ I could check the GPS device I installed in it” the words rushed out as if he was ripping off a bandaid. It took a minute for the information to sink in, when it did he wished he had said nothing.
“ The GPS device YOU …. Installed in…. MY TRUCK” he nodded hoping the damage would be minimal, Happy stopped for a moment. “ Normally you’d be dead by now, BUT since this is helpful you live for now” Toby let out a breath, and ran over to his phone and tracked the large rusted truck. Happy looked over his shoulder, quite a feat for her as she was a head shorter than him, “ The hell how did it get to Nevada? It’s so far.” Toby suggested that someone stole it. “ Why would someone steal a rusty old pickup? It looks like crap.” Toby shrugged.
“I don't know it’s your truck”
“Get your car we are following it,” he gave her a quizzical look “ to see who stole it dumbass” Toby looked defeated and went to get his keys. About 7 hours later and about 17 pit stops, they ended up 26 miles from a almost nonexistent town called Jasper. The GPS said that the truck was inside a large siloh. “ Toby is your GPS faulty or what?”
“It can’t be. Sly made it” he grimaced wishing that he had kept his mouth shut.
“ Did he then? We will have a chat when we get back, I can’t believe you WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!” she screamed as the entire side of the rock structure lifted and a yellow and black muscle car drove out. Toby muttered something about the GPS as she grabbed him and half drug him in before the door closed. They followed the tunnel until it opened into a large room. Happy couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw who the room was for. In front of her were 2 massive robots. She froze, Toby pulled her behind a console before she could scream.
“ Hap calm down, breath you're nearly blue” his voice was barely a whisper, he seemed far away but she complied by bringing in a shuddering breath followed by a second. Happy had regained her breath before peeking another look at the large bots who seemed to be conversing something intense.
“Toby that’s my truck” sure enough the one closest to them was the rusted Apache pickup. Only he wasn’t a truck, but rather an enormous robot that seemed far larger than could fit into the car.
“What do we do Hap? I mean we can’t just walk up and demand to know what’s going on, and, why did I waste my breath? Happy, Happy come back” she wove off and continued her slow approach.
“ HEY” both bots swung around at the sudden sound the larger of the 2 pulling a gun out of apparently nowhere, it took her a moment to regain her nerve “ What are you people? You, you are my truck I’d recognize that frame anywhere. Who are you?” Her truck retracted the gun and looked helplessly at the red and white bot.
“What do ah tell e’r Ratch?” the other one huffed
“ Don’t ask me Ironhide you brought her here it’s your job to explain everything. Just don’t squish her” At the mention of squishing, Happy took an involuntary step back, the one that he referred to as Ratch turned to leave. Happy didn’t want him to leave.
“Hey don’t you dare leave I was asking you the questions not….” what was his name again oh “ Ironhide” he stopped mid stride and sighed turning around.
“Fine we are cybernetic organisms from the planet Cybertron, I am Ratchet our medic, this as you have gathered is Ironhide. He was supposed to remain in disguise, and it seems he did a poor job hiding our existence from you and your friend. Yes, I see you, come on out, no one is going to step on you.” He then turned and left with no other explanation. Ironhide took another step towards the two of them. Before Toby could stop her Happy had pulled a wrench out of her tool belt and latched herself to the big bot’s foot. He jumped back a second too late. Happy was hurriedly dismantling his foot. After two minutes of his calling for help and Toby desperately trying to grasp her, Ratchet came running back in and attempted to grab the small human attacking his colleague. He was too late though. Ironhides foot fell to the ground with a dull clank, Happy continued her upward climb only to be stopped by the medic. Ratchet grasped her gently and pulled the wrench out of her hand “ I told you no one was going to step on you, now I have to fix his pede” He set her back down as gently as he could unaware that their leader had seen the whole transaction, but opted to stay out of the way.
“Happy he was just taking a step not to hurt us why did you do that?” Toby sounded exasperated and still slightly frightened. Happy shifted uncomfortably she then turned to the truck.
“ I’m sorry it was just a reflex did…. Did I hurt you?” Ironhide simply smiled at her.
“ Ah understand yuh were scared an yuh reacted is fine Ratch can fis it” this earned him a glare from the medic supporting him. A sly smile was caught by no one as Ratchet simply let go and let Ironhide tumble to the ground.
“Can I fix that as well?” though not in their language the curses were mutually understood. The humans couldn’t help but laugh. Ironhide glared at Ratchet.
“Fragger” Happy chuckled unsure what that meant, Ratchet however was having trouble containing his laughter, to the point that he was hiccupping uncontrollably.
“What does that mean?” Toby was less suttle than Happy would have liked. Luckily his comment was not heard as Ironhide had attempted to stand, and had fallen back with the grating sound of metal on cement.
“Stop, I’ll put your foot back on” Happy started pulling more tools out as Ratchet attempted to control his hiccups.
“How, hup, could you, hup, possibly, hup, reattach, hup, his pede, hup.” he finished with a wince.
“While I was dismantling it I saw how it was attached I can reverse it” she was not as confident as she sounded.
“Let er try Ratch” The medic attempted to protest but was caught by another wave of hiccups, he grumbled permission. Happy tried to push the pede over to Ironhide, but it was heavier than she had expected. Seeing her struggle Ratchet rolled his optics and moved it for her.
“Thanks” he waved her off. She set to work, she managed to get the gist of how they were put together. After 30 minutes she got it back on, Ironhide rolled his ankle rather impressed.
“She could give yuh a run fer yer money Ratch” he glared at the truck.
“Have fun explaining to Optimus why we have even more humans to protect now”
“Who’s Optimus?” They all jumped at his voice. “What? Wait did you guys forget about me?” they all simply stared at him “ you did!! Oh that hurts” Happy cocked an eyebrow.
“And why were you quiet enough for us to forget you…….. Were you staring at me again?” Now it was Toby’s turn to stare.
“Nooooo I was looking at….. His foot it’s a very nice foot. I mean Happy you have nice feet but this one it’s just wow.” he had been gesturing to Ironhide’s fixed foot.
“ What is with yuh people and mah pedes?” Happy simply smacked Toby and continued on.
“ So who is Optimus, oh and Ironhide just ignore him he’s …… Toby.”
“ Optimus Prime he’s our leader, with us there is also Bumblebee, he is our scout and shifts into a black and yellow muscle car. Bulkhead, he is one of our 3 Wreckers a group of warriors similar to your black ops, he turns into a green Humvee. Wheeljack is the second Wrecker, his car mode is a green white and red race car. Arcee is a motorcycle and a valuable fighter, Smokescreen is our latest find he trained with the elite guard and but still has a lot to learn, his car form is a blue and white racecar.”
“What do you turn into?”
“An ambulance”
“That makes sense you’re a medic, ambulance. Ha kinda funny when you think about it.” Ratchet stared at Toby, unsure how to respond to his comment. “ Wait you said you had 3 Wreckers and only mentioned 2 of them who is the 3rd?”
“That’d be Miko” surprisingly it was Ironhide who responded all Ratchet could do was pinch his nose plate.
“What does she turn into?”
“ Nothing she is human”
“You have more humans?” Happy punched him.
“Doc did you miss the More humans” though no one noticed, when she had said doc Ratchet responded as well. Toby shrugged.
“I guess I was too busy being ignored” he made as if to flip his hair.
“Do yuh mean you were too busy starin at mah pede?” Toby crossed his arms.
“ No I was admiring the finish” They all stared at him “ alright I was staring at Happy happy now? Ha I said Happy happy.” They ignored him.
“Is this by invitation only or can anyone join?” Ratchet winced as Bulkhead walked in with Wheeljack and Smokescreen in tow. “ Woah where did they come from? Ironhide did you blow cover?”
“Why do yuh assume it was me?”
“Cause you were the only one undercover”
“Hello humans down here being oof” Happy had elbowed him hard “That hurt” she ignored him.
“Let me guess you're Bulkhead?” he nodded “Smokescreen” another nod “ and Wheeljack” he grinned.
“I’m touched Sunshine you actually mentioned me.” Ratchet winced at the name.
“Smokescreen I suggest you go get everyone else so they know” he obliged and left. Returning later with Arcee, Bumblebee, Optimus, and the humans in tow.
“Ironhide I question the wisdom of bringing more humans to our base” to Happy’s surprise the truck nodded.
“You’re Optimus right? Alright then, and he didn’t bring us here.The doc planted a GPS device in his cb and we followed” she quickly rethought her words when Optimus gave a strange look to Ratchet “Not that doc this doc” she shoved Toby forward. “He’d been tracking me since Ironhide was my truck.” Optimus nodded.
“Oh my God, Newbies!!!!!” Happy looked up as a young girl ran across the balcony. “Ironhide you brought us new friends. Bring them up! Come on Bulk, hurry.”
“Miko calm down they can come up on their own time.” A woman grabbed her, pulling her away from the edge.
“ How exactly can we get up there?” she couldn’t find a ladder or stairs.
“There is a set of stairs on the backside but usually one of the bots lift us up.” Happy couldn’t quite tell but from what she could see the speaker was a young boy about 11, he was sitting on the couch in front of the TV. Ironhide walked forward.
“I could lift yuh up?”
“Sure it could be fun” he set his hand in front of her and Toby low enough for them to clamber up. Once they had found their balance he slowly lifted it until it was level with the balcony. They slid off. “That was fun, fun and terrifying” she took a minute to regain her balance. Toby looked terrible his skin was pale and eyes were wide, he was swaying slightly “Toby are you alright?” he nodded and sat down.
“What are your names?” Happy turned to the Prime.
“I’m Happy and he’s Toby”
“You refered to him as Doc may I ask why?”
“He is a psychiatrist” she almost laughed at the blank looks she received “ A doctor that helps with mental issues.” As the Prime turned Happy was bombarded by questions.
“Who are you? Where are you from? How’d you find us?”
“Miko stop it” an older man clamped a hand over her mouth let her answer before you ask another question” MIko slumped “ I’m Agent William Fowler, this is Miko, Jack is the teen over there, that’s Raf.” He pointed to the younger boy Happy had noticed earlier “ and this is June Darby Jack’s mother.” Happy shook hands and nodded, then set to answering Miko
“Optimus, they have a team. They are their family, do yuh really think they could hide us from em fer long?”
“That may be true Ironhide, but we can’t have anymore humans. 7 is enough, and it will put them in danger.”
“Ratch it could destroy their relationship”
“I agree with Ironhide we can’t make them risk their family like that.” Bulkhead rarely took sides.
“Alright. We will let them tell only their family.”
“But Optimus”
“I am sorry old friend, but human lives are far too short to have destroyed relationships” He turned to the balcony “ Happy, Doctor. Ironhide has informed us that you have family that could find us out.” she nodded.
“We couldn’t hide it from them for long.”
“We have decided that you may tell them if you believe that they are trustworthy. Do you need an Autobot to accompany you?”
“Sure we’ll take Ironhide, and how about Bulkhead? Toby are you good now?” he nodded “ then let’s get going it’s a long drive.”
“Ep ep ep ep. No driving you can take the ground bridge. A sort of transporter. Tell me the coordinates of your base.” she did so and after a few minutes he found an ally about a block from the garage. They clambered into Ironhide and drove through the portal.
“ That….was…….intense” Toby was all but gasping and all Happy could was nod.
“Yuh get used to et.” Ironhide ch uckled. They drove the little way to the garage. When they walked in Walter, Paige, Sly, and Ralph were there. Walter and Ralph were working on the rocket, and Paige was attempting to teach Sly how to cook.
“Someone call Cabe We have something to tell you guys.” Ralph went and got Paige’s phone. A little while later Cabe walked in.
“This’d better be good I had lunch ready, and was forced to leave it behind.” Happy smiled beside herself, this would be better than food.
“Okay I don’t know how to explain this but you need to follow us, and try not to freak out too much.”
“Where are we going?” Ralph chimed in.
“Nevada”
“But I have school tomorrow”
“Is your homework done?”
“Yes”
“Then it’ll be fine come on” they followed her out to the curb.
“Nice Humvee Hap”
“Thanks” Bulkhead had responded before he thought.
“Happy what did you do to that car”
“Nice going Bulkhead yuh weren't supposed to blow et yet” Ironhide chastised him in car mode “Now they may not come” Cabe looked as if he was going to bolt. Walter was simply confused, Sylvester was almost green, and Paige was clutching Ralph who was grinning broadly.
“Calm down guys please we will explain everything on the way” they were all scared but trusted Happy and Toby so they agreed. “Thank you. Now Cabe go with Toby in Ironhide, ehr my truck. Everyone else climb in the Humvee.” slowly they squeezed into the car. “Ralph can sit in between Sly and Paige, Walter you’re in the passenger seat.” when they were arranged comfortably she told Bulkhead to start driving. Paige let out a little shriek when the car started driving with Happy turned around to face them.
“It’s driving by itself, Happy what is going on.” Happy sighed.
“It’ll make sense later just brace yourselves and try not to scream…..or barf Sly” He held his breath.
“Ratchet open the ground bridge” terror returned as the ground bridge opened, and they drove through. Sly managed not to lose his lunch though he turned a new shade of green she had never seen. They got out, and Sylvester passed out cold. There stood all the Autobots. She heard Cabe curse. Walter was muttering something incoherently, Paige was clutching Ralph harder, who was halfway between blue and gray.
“Is he malfunctioning?” Ratchet was staring at Walter who was stuttering and pacing.
“No no he’s just trying to figure you out.” Paige screamed again when Ironhide and Bulkhead transformed.
“Happy you’ve been busy I mean i knew you were good but wow they even have personalities. But this one seems……. Broken?” He was gesturing to Ratchet.
“BROKEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well….. I” The medic furiously rushed out before he stepped on Cabe. Paige squeaked at his uproar Ralph struggling in her grip.
“Cabe I didn’t make them and Ratchet is not broken….. Is he?” Wheeljack smiled.
“Not sure. HEY SUNSHINE ARE YOU BROK” he was stopped midsentence due to the wrench that nailed him in the face.
“If I were you I wouldn’t finish that sentence”
“Ignoring that Cabe they’re aliens from what is the name of your planet again”
“Cybertron” Ratchet had come back in but was messing with the computer.
“ Right Cybertron, and they are not here to hurt us, this one Ironhide has been disguised as my truck. See they each turn into different kinds of vehicles Arcee is a motorcycle, Bulkhead is the Humvee, Ratchet is an ambulance, Optimus is an 18 wheeler, Wheeljack’s a racecar, so is Smokescreen, Bumblebee is a muscle car. Wow I didn’t think I’d remember all that” she had gestured to each Autobot as she mentioned them, and to emphasize her point they had transformed. Except for Ratchet who was still fuming. Sylvester had began to regain consciousness as she had done introductions. He let out a little squeak, but managed to stay upright. Though he was hyperventilating he had calmed down sufficiently.
“ Yuh all know us who are yuh”
“This is Cabe” she pointed to him and he gave sort of a curt wave and hello “ Paige, and the one being strangled by her is her son Ralph” Paige managed to say hello and release Ralph who coughed and waved. “Walter” He had stopped mumbling but was still shut off to the world “ and Sylvester” He waved. “ Then you already know Toby and I. Together we form a team of geniuses called Scorpion”
“Are you all geniuses” Happy was surprised to hear Prime ask the question.
“Mostly but not all of us Paige and Cabe aren’t. Paige explains the world for us, and Cabe mostly makes sure we don’t break to many laws.”
¨Sort of like the way Agent Fowler makes sure we don’t pancake too many mini malls.”
“Yeah…. Sure.” Happy continued to act as a translator between the two not so different groups, until Paige declared that Ralph had school tomorrow, and needed to get at least some sleep. The team said their goodbyes, and settled in for the bridge back to LA. Optimus stopped Happy before she could climb into Bulkhead.
“I trust that no one else will find of our existence?”
“I’ll make it clear that no one else knows, but Optimus you can trust my team they are my family.” She turned to climb in, but stopped and held up her hand “Oh and we will come back. Would tomorrow be good? It is a weekend so Ralph can stay later.” The Prime nodded, and Happy grinned while closing the door. This was gonna be fun.