I do not own anything relating to the Transformers. Alysta Hunt is my intellectual property. I make no profit from this work.
Ironhide did not do bored. After sitting for nearly seven hours, he thought he was going to blow a processor. Turning his sensors toward the scout parked next to him, Ironhide wondered how Bumbleebee managed to do this every day of the week. This was only day one, and it was enough to make the Topkick twitchy. Rolling ever so slightly forward and back, the grumpy gunner was trying his best…and failing.
"You don't have to stay…" came the amused voice of the scout.
Scowling at the cheerfully yellow Camaro, Ironhide huffed.
"Blackout was spotted on the scanners, so I get to babysit you and the boy."
Bumblebee chuckled internally as Ironhide seemed to sink on his tires a bit in resignation. Closing down the online game he used to keep himself occupied, Bumblebee prepared for the rush of students about to exit the school.
Just as Ironhide resolved that death by boredom was actually going to be his fate, he heard the most joyous sound…the final bell! Perking up, he scanned for Sam. The sooner they had the teen, the sooner they could get the hell out of here.
About three minutes later, an eternity by one Autobots' standards, Ironhide and Bumblebee spotted the sandy haired teen. He was carrying his backpack and a stack of books that seemed to belong to the girl walking next to him. She was just a tad shorter than Sam, around 5'8", and had silky black hair and bright sky blue eyes. Whatever Sam was saying had her giggling and slapping him on his upper arm. Just as they cleared the main walkway, and began to make their way toward Sam's 'car', another student stepped into their path.
"Hey Witwonky. Being a hero?" Sneered Trent, the jock who just seemed to have it in for Sam. Smirking Trent knocked the stack of books off of Sam's arm.
"God Trent why are you such a dick?" The girl asked, clearly annoyed.
"It's okay, Lys, I got 'em" Sam replied for the jock, as he bent to retrieve the textbooks.
As Sam knelt down, Trent decided it would be a good idea to kick the boy. Just as he got his leg cocked back, a very large hand landed on his shoulder.
"Bad idea." Came the baritone voice.
All three teens stopped and took in the stranger. At 6'4", the man was a walking wall of muscle. He had a Caucasian, but suntanned skin tone. Short black hair, which was just outside of a military style. And he had the most piercing blue eyes, which nearly glowed. And if that was not enough on the intimidation scale, he had a scar over his left eye that went from his forehead, across the bridge of his nose, to end just below his right eye. He was dressed in dark, military style cargo pants, black boots and a single pocket black t-shirt.
Trent, being the genius that he was, put his foot back down and turned toward the newcomer.
"And who the fuck are you?" Asked the jock.
Quirking an eyebrow, the stranger took a second to answer. Sam and Lys, simply stood waiting for Trent's inevitable death.
"I am Ian Steel. Mr. Witwicky's parents asked me to collect him from school." Came the even reply.
Finally seeing the peril he was in, Trent scowled at Ian. Scoffing he turned and walked away, but Ian heard him muttering.
"Yeah well fuck you freaks anyway."
Chuckling to himself, Ian looked to Sam.
"Ready to go?"
Sam had finally managed to gather the fallen books and was looking toward the parking lot, seeking out Bumblebee.
"Um, yeah, uh I have no idea who you are, but thanks for that, and we will be going now…"
Grabbing the Lys' hand, Sam began to pull her toward the Camaro. Hearing Ian clear his throat, Sam hesitated for a second.
"It wouldn't look very good on my record if Optimus found out I let that jock terrorize you…"
Spinning around, Sam stared at the man.
"How do you know that name?"
"Sam, who is this? And what's an 'Optimus'?" The dark haired girl inquired.
Chuckling, Ian stared back at Sam.
"Well it does tend to be a good idea to know your commanders name…" Ian let the sentence trail off, waiting for the boy to put two and two together.
Sam's face morphed from confusion, to annoyance to enlightenment in record time.
"IRONHIDE!?" The teen practically screamed.
The girl next to him was deeply confused, and wanted answers. Turning back to Sam she put her hands on her hips and got his attention.
"Samuel James Witwicky! What the fuck is going on here?"
Sending and internal comm to Bumblebee, Ironhide decided this femme was amusing.
"This ones got spunk!" He chuckled over the line.
"Yeah, she and Sam are old friends. Sam and I've been giving her rides home most of this school year. And thanks for the save. Ratchet hasn't had time to get my holo up and running yet."
"Eh, it's odd but useful. Wonder how he's gonna explain this one…"
Unaware of the conversation about them the teens continued to hash out the situation. Turning toward his companion, Sam searched for the right way to explain. Lys knew a bit, but the amount she couldn't know was staggering.
"Ah, yeah…remember last year, the whole military thing?"
Screwing up her face, Lys gave Sam a look. How did he expect her to forget? One has a hard time forgetting when your best friend comes back with some crazy story and horrendous scrapes, cuts and bruises.
"Yeah, the secret one?"
"Yeah that one. Well …Ironhide here was part of that."
Looking back at Ironhide, or Ian, the girl scowled.
"If he was part of that, how come you didn't recognize him? And what's with the multiple names?"
Looking to Ironhide for help, Sam realized the gunner was very amused, and just waiting to see how much rope Sam would use to hang himself this time.
"Well, he was behind the scenes, I never actually met him in person. And the names, it's a military thing. Codenames. That's why he called his commander 'Optimus'."
Satisfied that Sam was safe from hanging, Ironhide turned to the girl and extended a hand.
"Ian Steel, codename Ironhide. Weapons specialist and soldier. Nice to meet you."
Boldly looking into his eyes, and taking his hand, Lys replied.
"Alysta Hunt. Lys for short. Full time student. Nice to meet you as well, and thank you."
Smiling Ironhide turned toward the lot, and started walking. Sam and Lys followed. When they got to the Camaro, Ironhide made his way to the driver door of the Topkick.
"Holy cow! That truck is a monster!" Lys proclaimed, with appreciation.
Sam smirked, shaking his head as he put their stuff in the back seat.
"Okay, down girl. It's a nice truck, don't drool on it!"
Lys swung around and smacked Sam's shoulder. Crossing her arms over her chest she pretended to pout. She knew she had what many called an obsession with trucks, especially big trucks, but even if that were not the case, this was a fine piece of vehicular machinery.
Seeing the interplay, Ironhide chuckled. This squishy had good taste.
"You two wanna ride with me?" Asked the Autobot.
Not that he would ever admit it, but Ironhides' ego swelled quite a bit when Lys practically squeaked and turned to Sam, seeking permission.
"Nah, I gotta get my car home. Who knows what Trent would do if it was here unattended." Sam replied, knowing full well Bee would be fine, but quickly adding. "But if Ironhide wants to follow me, he can drop you off so we can study for those tests…"
Ironhide was not at all prepared for the set of 'puppy dog' eyes that Lys unleashed on him. Hearing Sam chuckle, and Bumblebee do the same on comms, Ironhide shifted uncomfortably. How could he say no to such a hopeful face?
"Yeah, sure. Lead the way."
Again unprepared, Ironhide was completely at a loss when the girl did actually squeal and wrapped him in a quick hug, before making a bee line for the passenger door. Grumbling at the situation, Ironhide got in the driver's side and prepared to follow Bee to Sam's house. He would soon discover he was out of his depth, in more ways than he thought possible.