Autobots and Decepticons © Hasbro
All other Transformers movieverse characters © Paramount
OC © Me
WARNING! This chapter contains Dark of the Moon spoilers.
The afternoon sun shone down on Chicago, or at least what was left of it. The Decepticon attack had left the Windy City only a shadow of its former glory and thousands of people injured or dead. Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots, surveyed the damage silently, ignoring the ache in the severed wiring of what was left of his right arm. The blow of betrayal went even deeper at the knowledge that Sentinel Prime, his former leader and teacher, had been the one to instigate this violence towards humanity.
A tap on his foot brought Optimus' attention back to down to earth and he looked down to see Colonel Will Lennox standing near his foot, looking beat up and haggard.
"Do you think all the Decepticons went with the space bridge?" The commander of N.E.S.T asked.
Optimus shook his head. "No. It is likely that those who were scattered around the earth to launch the pillars are still present. There are undoubtedly others who still are hidden within the city as well."
Lennox nodded wearily and touched his earpiece. "All units, be on the watch for rogue Decepticons, they could still be here."
As the Colonel relayed his orders, Optimus looked over at the mangled bodies of Megatron and Sentinel Prime. So much had been lost…so much could have been prevented.
"Optimus,"
The piercing blue optics shifted again, this time to Sam Witwicky and his girlfriend Carly.
"This wasn't your fault." Sam said, knowing what the Autobot leader was thinking. "You couldn't have known that Sentinel had defected."
"I wish it were that simple, Sam." Optimus replied. The loss of human lives, and those of Ironhide and Wheeljack would always weigh heavily on him.
Sam nodded sadly, and Carly squeezed his hand as reassuringly as she could.
"Is there anything we can do? We want to help." She said.
If anyone had earned that right, Sam certainly had. He had risked his life more than once to help the Autobots defeat their enemies, and Optimus hoped that other humans would learn from Sam's selfless, heroic actions. However, there was still the threat of remaining Decepticons hiding in the city.
"I would prefer that the two of you wait until we are sure that the Decepticon threat has been eliminated from the city. After that, I'm sure the Colonel Lennox can help you find something."
For once, Sam seemed okay with standing down for a bit, and Optimus turned to the yellow scout that stood to his left.
"Bumblebee, if you would."
The smaller Autobot chirped and promptly transformed into his alt mode; a bright yellow Camaro. As Sam and Carly were driven away, Optimus turned his attention back to the ravaged city. How many innocent humans had been killed? And how many were still in desperate need of help? It would take months just to remove the damaged structures and debris, and most likely years before the city was fully rebuilt.
"Optimus, I just got word from Director Mearing. She wants us back at N.E.S.T headquarters."
The big Autobot gave a rumble of disapproval. The woman had strength and determination, but she was also bullheaded and arrogant; more concerned about governmental authority than anything else.
"We will stay in the city until we are certain that there are no more Decepticons in the area. Only then will we return."
Lennox didn't seem a bit surprised. "She's going to be pissed."
"As I recall, we Autobots no longer answer to her because your leaders tried to exile us."
The Colonel shrugged. "Well, maybe you don't, but we do. There's reinforcements arriving to finish evacuate the city."
"We will do all we can to help." At this, Optimus nodded to his comrades, who then split up to try and rescue as many humans as they could. Lennox ordered his team to withdraw, but he stayed behind with Optimus and Epps to survey the extent of the damage. As they walked, Epps couldn't help but glance up at the space where Optimus' right arm used to be.
"You gonna get that looked at big guy?"
"It will take time for Ratchet to construct a new arm, and I would prefer he focus his efforts on helping the injured humans first."
The once-retired N.E.S.T operative shook his head. "Man, you guys are lucky. When we lose and arm, it stays lost."
"Hey!"
Both humans and Autobot paused at the sound of a feminine voice calling out.
"Could I get some help here?"
Lennox looked around, but could find the source of the voice. "Where are you?"
"Under the red car."
He looked to his right and cursed when he spotted the mangled vehicle lying against the sidewalk. "Epps! Over here."
Both soldiers ran over to what was left of the car and got down on their hands and knees to see underneath. They could just make out two hands and a dirt-smeared face.
"Hang in there, sweetheart, we'll have you out in a sec." Epps said.
The trapped young woman nodded, trying to take a deep breath. She had been caught under this car for what felt like forever, and it was getting harder to breathe. The soldiers got to their feet and backed away. Suddenly the ground vibrated under her as what looked like a giant metal foot stepped into view. The car above shifted, applying more pressure to her already squashed ribcage. She opened her mouth to screech a warning on her behalf, and then the pressure was gone as the car was lifted as if it weighed nothing; her cry turning into a gasp for air.
Sunlight poured down on her, making her wince from the sudden brightness, but that horrible, crushing weight was gone. The soldiers returned, gently lifting her body from the squashed position it had been in for the past couple hours, and rolling her onto her back.
"What's your name Miss?" Lennox asked as he checked her head for any serious injuries.
"Katie." The young woman breathed. "Katie Marshal."
"Well, Katie," Epps replied. "we're gonna get you out of here, 'kay?"
Katie nodded and closed her eyes in discomfort. She had been pinned for so long that her legs had gone completely numb, even though she suspected her right ankle was jacked up, and her lungs hurt with every inhale after being compressed.
"Colonel, is there anything else I can do?" A deep, resonating voice boomed far above them.
Katie's eyes snapped open and she jumped as much as her battered body would allow from fright at the huge, robotic figure that was currently looming over them.
"Whoa! Jeez!"
Both men held her still so she wouldn't hurt herself further.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, easy girl." The Colonel cautioned quickly. "He's with us, he won't hurt you."
"That's one of the good ones?" Katie gasped, her heart still pounding.
"Indeed I am." The huge 'Bot rumbled again as he stepped back. "I apologize for startling you."
Now that he was no longer silhouetted against the bright sun, Katie got her first good look at the being. He wasn't silver like the rest of them had been, and he looked like the outer layers of his armor were made out of vehicle parts. Also the facial features were more humanoid, giving him a less menacing look overall. It was then that she noticed that the gigantic bot was missing his right arm and looked as if he had been chewed up and spit out by that enormous worm thing that had been eating at the city. Despite his rough condition, however, Katie couldn't help but notice how he stood tall with a commanding, yet calm air about him. The mechanical eyes that peered down at her were ice blue, and not the menacing red of the monsters that had ravaged Chicago.
A twinge brought Katie back to the present as Epps checked her legs for any broken bones.
"Nothing broke, but it does look like your right ankle is sprained. You're one lucky chick, you know that right?"
Katie gave a pained, humorless laugh. "Being stuck under a car for hours isn't exactly my idea of luck, but I guess I'll take it."
"Colonel Lennox, Ratchet has just informed me that the rest of bridges have been lowered and medical assistance is now on this side of the river. I could take her there." The big robot spoke up.
The Colonel gave a rather relieved huff. "That would be great, actually, Optimus. Is that okay with you, Miss Marshal?"
Katie looked back up at the robot waiting patiently for her reply.
"Why the hell not?" She muttered. "I'm already in shock."
The Colonel gave a short laugh. "I like her already. Alright, let's get her up."
Both he and Epps hooked their arms under her legs and around her back, and lifted her on the count of three. The robot named Optimus had kneeled down and held his hand out next to the ground. Katie was placed carefully into the metal palm and she watched in fascination as the giant fingers curled up to keep her in place.
"Colonel, I will return shortly."
"No rush, Optimus. And get that arm looked at will you?"
Optimus stood slowly, but even then Katie couldn't help but grip at the metal seams of his hand until she stopped moving. The big Autobot turned and started walking towards the now lowered bridges. Katie leaned over as far as she could and waved her thanks to the soldiers, who waved back before moving on. She settled back into the surprisingly warm hand and tried not to think back on all horror she had witnessed.
"Are you feeling better, Miss Marshal?"
The deep, rumbling voice broke Katie from her thoughts, and found it pleasantly strange that even though the owner of that voice was a robot, it didn't sound mechanical.
"Better, I guess. The feeling's coming back into my legs."
As if to emphasize her point, Katie wiggled her toes and cringed at the prickly sensation it caused. How she hated that feeling.
"Good." Optimus intoned again. "It is...encouraging to see that some humans have escaped this conflict with minor injuries."
"Yeah...I suppose."
Nothing more was said, and Katie found the silence uncomfortable.
"Is...does your arm hurt?"
Katie wanted to smack herself as soon as the question left her mouth, but Optimus didn't seem to mind.
"It can be repaired."
"That doesn't answer my question." Katie replied, gradually relaxing at the slow, hammock-like sway of her position.
"I feel pain if I allow myself to." Optimus said, and she could have sworn that there was just a touch of humor in his voice.
"You can shut it out?"
"For the most part."
Katie gave a small snort. "Lucky."
Optimus gave a low rumbling sound that Katie assumed to be the giant-robot equivalent of a chuckle.
"Why do you wish to know?"
"I don't know." Katie confessed, now feeling embarrassed. "I guess I'm just trying not to think about what happened. Sorry for being so nosy."
"There is no need to apologize, it is understandable."
Again they lapsed into silence, and Katie found herself starting to wear down. All the adrenaline was gone from her system, leaving her completely drained even though she had so many questions she wanted to ask. She even dozed off for a while, only to be woken up by the sounds of sirens. As Optimus approached a group of military vehicles, no one seemed overly excited to see a three-story robot headed their way.
"Optimus Prime." A voice greeted from the ground. "You look like hell."
"I have a civilian who needs medical assistance."
"Right. Get a stretcher over here!"
Optimus got down on one knee, a bit clumsily since he was missing an arm, and lowered Katie for the medic to see.
"Well, she's still in one piece. That's good news." The man said as he tipped Katie's face towards him so he could shine a penlight into her eyes.
"She has become quite lethargic," Optimus noted.
"Yeah, probably shock. Here we go."
A stretcher was brought over and Katie was carefully transferred from Optimus' hand. Even though she was nearly asleep again, Katie forced herself to look up at the big blue optics that were staring right back.
"Thank you,"
Servos and gears whirred as the steel mouthpieces pulled up in what resembled a slight smile.
"You are welcome, Katie."
The now familiar bass voice had a calming effect on the young woman, and she allowed her eyes to droop for the first time in a while.
"I'm glad you're on our side." She murmured as she was wheeled away.
The last sight Katie had before sleep took her completely was of Optimus disappearing back through the maze of buildings as the sun sank lower in the sky.
AN – I know, I know, Transformers is about as far away from Assassin's Creed as you can get, but after seeing Dark of the Moon (twice), my creative brain went on overdrive. This doesn't mean that Destiny is put on hold; it just means that I'll have two fics going at once.
This fanfic is dedicated to my younger sister who is a huge Transformers fan, and will essentially be my beta for this one because she knows so much. :3
Again, reviews are extremely appreciated. Thanks for reading!
~TKD Dragon