Sunstreaker's Charge ✔️

Ch. 2 The Reason She's Here

Lily's P.O.V.
Armani takes me to a room where three other females wait for her. She knocks on another door, and a female answers; three others stand behind her.
"I told you I'm one of eight female Cybertronians."
They introduce themselves and suggest watching a movie. I want to find Dustin, but I doubt I can leave the room. They've watched a movie in one room before since they know how all nine of us can sit comfortably and watch it.

Sunstreaker's P.O.V.
I can't believe another human is around here and a youngling. As long as they leave me alone, I'll leave it alone. I go to my art room, hoping it will go home soon. I don't see why I am assigned to stay on Earth when we can go home.

Luke's P.O.V.
It's been three hours since I saw my sister. The girls are having fun, but it's lunchtime; Lily must be hungry.

Lily and all the femmes walk down the hall towards the cafeteria. I didn't think Lily would be happy to be around so many people - though the fact they're not human must oddly help her relax. This is why I want her to meet Jamie.
"Hey, I heard you're looking for Jamie?" Crosshairs' holoform stands beside me, "hey kid, remember me?"
"I was told there are eight female Autobots, and I met eight..." Lily trails off.
"She's a human with powers," Crosshairs explains.
"Are you her boyfriend?"
"LILY!" I scold.
"No, kid, I'm a close friend. That guy is kinda her boyfriend," Crosshairs explains, pointing to Drift's holoform.
Thankfully, Arcee takes Lily into the cafeteria.
"She's only twelve, but oh wow, that was embarrassing," I admit.
"You know if Lily befriends Jamie, she will find out about Jamie's condition?"
"I know it's a risk, foolish to think she'll never see that, but it's not something she deals with every day. I'm trying to figure out to explain to Lily if I have to."
"And Jamie's mental and emotional struggle? That's more frequent."
I explain why Lily and Jamie would be good friends, though I haven't met Jamie yet. I'm still determining how often Lily will come here once my goal is achieved or even to achieve my goal. Crosshairs is still determining when he and Drift will have Jamie come here. Of course, I have bad timing, and my focus is on hold for now. At least Lily will make other friends. I'm not going to ask why Crosshairs and Drift aren't with Jamie, but this sounds concerning to me that Jamie isn't here or that her guardians aren't with her.

Lily's P.O.V.
Some other Autobots introduce themselves - both holoform and Cybertronian names - to me. I don't know if most of them - except Sunstreaker - are here or if there are others I haven't met. The food is good. Those movies showing military bases serving disgusting food lied. However, it seems like this is a military base and home for the Autobots.

Luke has a meeting with several of the others after lunch. I'm left to explore the base alone. I walk past a hallway but stop when I hear Sunstreaker yelling. Looking down the hallway, I see he's yelling at a soldier who looks beaten up. I watch him angrily walk down the hall. He's furious and luckily doesn't see me. He heads down the hall towards the cafeteria but turns left down the hall.
"Did he hurt you?" Casey asks.
I tell him I'm fine. He asks how much I know about Sunstreaker, not liking I was only told to stay away from Sunstreaker. He takes me to the lounge room.

Sideswipe's P.O.V.
"I don't agree with the others for not telling you more about Sunstreaker," I pause, thinking about how much I should tell her in a child-appropriate way. As I'm thinking, Prime walks in. I will probably be in trouble, but I tell him Lily needs to know more about Sunstreaker. That means telling her we're in the middle of a war, but it's also better for her to learn about the Decepticons. I should have known Prime would call Luke. We discover he's broken a rule; at least his parents are supposed to know about his work. If he wants Lily to come here often, she must know about the cons and Sunstreaker's attitude. Good luck telling a kid to stay away from him. Prime decides we must wait until Luke and Lily's parents arrive.

Mason and Lexie are not thrilled to hear their son has kept his work secret - though it's clear they know about us and have no problem talking to Prime and me. Hard to know if they're pissed their son is working with us.
"I was hoping you'd join N.E.S.T., but the government terminated the unit before you were old enough. I was happy you joined the military," Mason explains.
"No civilian knows N.E.S.T. relaunched, but seeing as the transformers' homeworld is attached to ours, we figured it would happen," Lexie adds.
Just like when N.E.S.T. was created, there was no press conference or anything. A few people request to work in N.E.S.T. when joining the military.
"You are right, but Luke still broke our rules; he was to inform at least you and Mason. I thought he had when he told me he's bringing Lily today," Prime explains.
"Why is your twelve-year-old sister here, anyway?" Mason asks.
Oh boy, family drama. I'm out of here.

Lily's P.O.V.
Mom and dad don't sound happy I'm here, but I don't want to go home yet.
"We'll keep her safe," Optimus explains, "she can go home later or stay here."
"It's spring break; let her stay," Luke argues.
Our parents are uncertain, but I'm allowed to stay during spring break. However, I will go home tonight to pack some things, and mom won't know to bring my art supplies.

Third-person P.O.V.
A female soldier stands by the door, listening to the conversation between the Jones family and Prime. Hating Lily may befriend the Autobots, but believes this can work to their advantage.
"You know there's a meeting going on, so why are you here?" Sideswipe asks.
The female angrily walks away towards the elevator.

Once in her room, she calls a man.
"... yes, she's the key to making these shitheads illegal."
"Perfect, watch her interactions with them for now," the man instructs.