Drum Roll, Please

Chapter 23: Authority Figures

Two more days passed before Ms. Hops arrived. The time finally came and Fowler went out to escort her inside. Like they had when Summer first arrived, the Autobots transformed back into their alternative modes to seem less threatening. Summer waited anxiously near the ladder to the loft with Jack and Miko. Raf waited up top, watching from the couch.

Eventually, the two of them came in and Summer beamed. Ms. Hops spotted her and gasped, quickly walking forward. "It has been so long, dear!"

"I know!" Summer exclaimed. "I thou— Ahhhh! Oowww, oww, no!" Ms. Hops tried to give her a bear hug, but Summer quickly yelped and pulled away after her bruised back protested painfully. "Sorry," Summer winced.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry," Ms. Hops grabbed her shoulders gently. "Still, it's nice to see you again. I'm glad they chose me to come."

"You didn't give them much of a choice," Fowler chuckled. "I heard you started quite a ruckus trying to get picked over the other guardians."

"Yes, well, we split up at such a bad time," Ms. Hops explained. "I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"Thanks," Summer smiled. Her eyes lit up and she grabbed Ms. Hops's hand, pulling her over to the lineup of vehicles. "You should meet the bots!"

Ms. Hops stumbled over and looked at the cars. Summer pointed at each one, saying their name as they transformed. Ms. Hops took everything very maturely, unlike Summer had. Finally, Summer reached the last two.

"This is Ratchet," Summer explained. "He's the medic, engineer, programmer, ground bridge operator, scientist—basically everyone's dream guy in the chair. He designed my helmet to stop the bad guys from using my powers. He's the best."

Ratchet could not possibly have looked any more proud or smug as he transformed. "Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Hops."

"You as well," the woman relied.

"And this is Ultra Magnus!" Summer grinned. "He's Optimus's second in command. He's a kickass dude who likes rules, but he's really just a softie. If you use manners around him, he'll like you, but if you don't, he'll like you and pretend he doesn't. I think the two of you will get along well."

Ultra Magnus transformed and nodded politely, but when Ms. Hops looked away, he glared at Summer with the promise of death.

Ms. Hops looked at Summer and smiled teasingly. "You seem pretty excited. No stammering, either. That's a good sign!"

Summer's face burned. "We be friends. Is good."

The Autobots laughed.

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After introducing Ms. Hops to everyone, including Jack, Miko, and Raf, the two of them left for the medbay. Summer never really minded spending her nights on the bed in there, but now that Ms. Hops was around, it was a good idea to move locations.

After since the incident at the last base where Mr. Kayne was assassinated and Jack was badly injured, the idea of having barracks was abandoned. Each child shared a room with their guardian. Like before, Fowler didn't sleep in their building, he was in another unit somewhere within the base perimeter. Additionally, Jack's mom stayed with the other relocated Jasper residents most of the time because she was working at the hospital nearby.

Ms. Hops didn't really like the idea of staying in a room with one of the Autobots, but Summer did. Like the other kids, she was fond of their robot compatriots. It sounded like having a sleepover every night. That's why she requested permission to sleep in Ultra Magnus's room, even though Ms. Hops insisted on having Summer sleep in Agent Fowler's office with her.