Father Figure

[Deleted]

Characters: Ultra Magnus
Location: Control Room
Content Warnings: Mentions of Violence
Plot Summary: Jeff finally turns his back on the bad influence in his life - but ends up a little worse for the ware. Fortunately, life’s ready to throw him a curveball.

[Deleted]

Well that had went great...

Jeff seated himself on a crate in the control room, huffing and puffing. Those guys hadn’t done any serious damage thank god but he almost regretted turning the other way. But then again, what could he have done otherwise? They had wanted him to go and rob someone - with a gun. Well Jeff had told them to screw off and thrown that gun they’d given him back.

They’d responded by trying to attack him.

Luckily he’d lost them eventually, but they’d gotten quite a few punches in. He had bruises, and he wasn’t entirely sure if they had done anything to his prosthetic. But mostly he was in one piece. Quietly he glanced around to be sure no one was looking, he hated doing this in sight of people, but once he was at least semi confident he was alone he carefully began to remove his prosthetic. It still bent properly and seemed unharmed, thank god.

He leaned forward a bit as he thought about his situation again. He could never go back to those guys - not that he wanted to. But that now meant he was alone again, for all he knew that had been the only shot he’d ever had. And now what? He was stuck as just that kid with the limp that everyone thought was creepy.

Well screw them, who said he needed anyone anyway?

He set his leg down to the side and tried to convince himself in his head that he actually meant that. Figuring he could explain why he was there at nearly ten o’clock at night on his own later.

[Ultra Magnus]

Adamant about the necessity of late night checks of every square inch of the base and the surrounding land, Ultra Magnus had just returned from one of his hourly perimeter checks. Transforming from his alt to his root mode, he took the opportunity of seeing no one in sight to shake his joints loose and give himself a moment to recollect himself. Privacy was not something that was often gifted to anyone living on base, and he was going to revel in any downtime he received.

Taking just a moment to vent, he did a peripheral scan and found that his HUD was pinging an organic lifeform just beyond his field of vision. Putting himself on alert - though not too much, this was just an organic - he proceeded forward. He knew fully well the organic would be alerted to his approach far before he arrived to his destination, but he remained quiet until the human was in his sights.

"State your designation and purpose here," this was one he hadn't seen around base before. May have been someone new, but there was always the chance he had simply avoided Magnus' radar.

[Deleted]

Jeff jumped.

Oh of course - he had run into one of the Bots that looked like they were tough. Grunting a bit, he moved to attach his prosthetic back to the sump where he’d put it before. Once it was attached he stood to his feet - god what did he tell them? These guys barely knew him right now, it had only been what? A week? Maybe two?

But in truth he’d come there since it was the one place he felt safe. Not because of anyone but because it was the one place he knew those other boys couldn’t find him. No one knew about this place to his knowledge - and there were other kids on base, like Dylan and Chris - which meant the Bots looked out for the young so he felt like at least here he could lay low.

“I’m uh, Jeff,” he explained as he swallowed a bit. “I know I’m sorry I came in late. I just... Ran into some trouble and needed somewhere to go.” He explained as he moved forward a bit. “I mean I could have went back to my place but I don’t know if these kids would try and find me there. It’s uh... A long story, I’m sure they’ll quit looking eventually but yeah.”

He really hoped he wasn’t about to be kicked out. “I didn’t know if humans besides the one that lived here had a cut off time. But I also figured most everyone might be asleep so I’d just play it off as I came here early tomorrow morning.” He explained - noting that the base was quiet as heck besides the two of them. “What are you doing up this late? Don’t you guys sleep?”

[Ultra Magnus]

Ultra Magnus is puzzled by this attachment the human reconnects to his body, though he bites his tongue about it. Some things are better left unpressed, and he can imagine it's similar to his own hand replacement. Optics followed Jeff to his standing position, a degree of sternness in his gaze.

"Jeff," Magnus repeated, giving a curt nod. "I am Ultra Magnus. The second-in-command of the Autobot forces and former leader of the Wreckers." His introduction was short and to the point, no need for anything extra. "Humans in need are welcome to come and go as they please. No time limits; although, a warning or a notice to your presence would be appreciated in the future, sol - Jeff." He was a little young to be calling a soldier.

"Cybertronians do rest and recharge, however I structure my recharge around my rounds of the perimeter. Someone must keep watch, and the others seem to need more recharge than I tend to need."

[Deleted]

Jeff relaxed.

Ah so this guy was second in command huh? That was interesting - he definitely carried the air of a commander so he wasn’t surprised. It reminded him of his own dad who had been a high ranking cop. Even though he did not trust cops anymore he definitely did respect most other forms of authority (despite being a troublemaker himself) and as such made a mental note to show the commander his respect.

So standing a little straighter he added. “Yeah I’m uh... Sorry for the lack of notice. It was sort of unexpected,” he explained - feeling like now may have been the time to talk to someone. The guy didn’t know him so he probably wouldn’t judge. “I... I fell in with these guys, some older guys. It was cool at first, they took care of me. And I don’t really have a... Well a family much so they helped me being lonely. But tonight they wanted me to help rob a gas station...”

He then added rubbing his bruise. “I guess gangs don’t like hearing “no”.” He licked the side of his lip. “I’m probably gonna have to find a new place to crash after today. I don’t know if they’ll come for me again. Probably won’t, but I’ve been living with this older couple - nice folks. Hate to see them start terrorizing them. So I promise I won’t be here for more than the night.”

He nodded at the notion of not sleeping. He guessed that made sense. “Taking one for the team, that’s good. I don’t know if I could, I like my sleep.” He chuckled.

[Ultra Magnus]

Ultra Magnus frowned hearing the story. He believed it to be noble that Jeff made the decision to turn away from his rebellious ways. He could relate, to a degree. He could recall a time where he had no sense of authority or respect for much of anything. It was a time long since passed, especially for a human being. Their lives were so short and fragile, and it often served to remind Magnus of his own mortality.

Sympathizing with this teen, the SIC found himself in a tough spot. "I think it would be in your best interest to remain here. We have human detail that can ensure the safety of your former roommates. I think the base would be safest for you, however. Not only do these other humans yearn for you to be harmed, the Decepticons do as well."

Yes. A perfect excuse to keep this person here. No emotionality involved. Just forthright logic. "From my experience, gangs have a hive mentality. If one person begins to question the validity of their cause, it usually spreads and causes a fallout that not one of them can handle. It can get ugly. Were you injured?"

He almost cracked a smile at the comment about his sleep. Almost. His face remained neutral, however. "Someone has to commit to the duty. It may as well be me."

[Deleted]

Jeff froze.

Had Magnus just offered to let him stay there? That... that was a thought wasn’t it? He wouldn’t have to worry about walking home late at night in a bad part of town. He’d be surrounded by seemingly good people. It was definitely safer, and the SIC himself was saying it would be OK so no doubt there wouldn’t be questions about it. But at the same time did they have time to have him there? They already had two humans living there didn’t they?

But if they couldn’t handle it - this mech would tell him to get lost, right? He seemed pretty serious, but the offer seemed genuine about getting him away from these guys. At least until they could get arrested he figured. “I can give names if they want them. I know their names,” he explained. “But I mean if you guys would let me stay I wouldn’t say no. I’ve spent the last year living in what’s basically the slums... Its all I can afford, but it’s dangeorus in general. I’m sure this place would be safer. I’d just need to get my things in the morning.” Only the important stuff of course. The irreplaceable things.

Well he did hurt a bit - but besides a bruise or two he’d managed to get away. “Just got a little beat up. I’ll live though, thanks.”

Jeff gave a nod, understanding that feeling. “I mean it has to be a lot of work helping to keep this place running. I don’t think I’d sleep much either,” he nodded at the “hand”. “Looks like you’ve been through a lot too. If that’s anything to go by.” He explained - guessing that unlike him Magnus hadn’t simply been made without a hand.

[Ultra Magnus]

Ultra Magnus did not even entertain the thought that they may not have the resources to keep another human on base. Fowler usually handled the needs of the organics, and it wasn't something that often came to mind for Magnus because it wasn't often something that needed a great deal of thought. The human was hungry, they received sustenance. It was as simple as that. He placed no price on it, because he had never been given a reason to do so.

The commander nodded, "Our doors are open to you, soldier," Ultra Magnus stated. "Of course. Your belongings are important to you. I can run you by your home first thing in the morning to collect them. Names should be given to Agent Fowler, he can see to it that these humans are handled."

"If there's anything you'd like to have checked out, simply speak up and we'll get you the help you need," the mech assured Jeff, his gaze following the gesture just moments later. His prosthetic was something that he didn't give much thought to. This was mostly because it hurt just to think about what had happened, but also because it had simply become an extension of his body at this point.

"War is a crazy thing. But it's really not too much. I've seen others receive much worse," Ultra Magnus stated simply.

[Deleted]

Well... That was still shocking.

But at the same time, how could Jeff say no? He would have somewhere safe to stay, away from his guardian. Where he'd never have to worry about much at least - given he would be surrounded by giant robots. He put his hands in his pockets and nodded, noting that he probably should see that Fowler guy soon. He'd met him once and he'd seemed... Interesting, so he could only imagine what his reaction would be.

Jeff had a feeling he may not be too happy.

"Alright, that's fair - but yeah. If I don't show up and at least tell them where I'm going if nothing else they'll freak," Jeff shook his head. "They weren't my guardians but they really cared about me. I don't know why, really. Trouble follows me around... Sometimes I think they'd be better off ignoring me, but..." He shrugged his shoulders a little as he stated. "I guess that could come from the fact I haven't really had a "guardian" in a long time... Maybe it's just an adult thing."

Jeff nodded again as he offered the help - he definitely would. Though he was more focused on his prosthetic. Jeff frowned, he understood what he meant, there were others a lot worse off than him. "Yeah, I know what you mean... I got lucky enough too... Though I don't know if being born without a leg is considered "lucky"," He explained as he rolled up his pant leg to show his prosthetic, and his understanding.

"Can't say there's any cool "story" behind mine like war though. My mom got into a car accident before I was born, kinda messed me up a bit I guess, because my body didn't create my left leg or something. I don't know - I wasn't a "normal" baby either. Born a few weeks premature, without a leg, almost didn't make it to the hospital and had to be born in a cab..." And then added. "I don't know, sometimes makes me think my whole birth was a mistake - but here I am."

With a tilt of his head. "But my dad always used to say people like us are tougher. Because we have to get around without something like a limb," he added. "But I probably haven't done half with my life what you have."