The Twisting of Fates
By: Krittle-v
Plot: When Samantha's life is at breaking point her destiny will intertwine with the aliens inhabiting her planet and she will be thrown into war that she can't escape. Theme: Adventure/Drama
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Chapter 1 now re-edited.
Chapter 1: Unfortunate Encounter
"Well screw you too!" the scornful feminine shout could be heard across the whole floor of the police station, the fact that the Constable's office doors were closed made little difference to the noise levels from behind them.
Inside the standard grade office with the conventional filing cabinets and a run down wooden desk a furious woman was utilizing every aspect of her self control to restrain her fist from driving into the closest fragile object in her vicinity. Every facet of her body radiated the anger burning inside her.
"Samantha please sit back down." Samantha's commanding officer pleaded trying to keep the fuming woman calm, with little success. From the outside she looked enticing with her grey skirt and blazer, white button up top and ankle high boots. But Samantha was wired with a short fuse and prone to temper outbursts, and all the signs of imminent hostility was there. Her eyes were blazing and her breathing had become hard and intense. She looked like she was ready to punch something. Slinking back into his chair the man just prayed that it wouldn't be him.
"No John! I have devoted my life to this job and you go and do this!" Samantha screamed leaning forward against the old wooden desk pointing an accusing finger at him.
"I have no control over this. It comes down from the top," John sighed resting his hands against his over grown belly, "my hands are tied." John's widened his eyes in sincerity attempting to engage Samantha's empathetic understanding.
"Right. Whatever helps you sleep at night." Crossing her arms in defeat still seething as she reached inside her jacket for the gun slung at her side. The heavy firearm clunked a loud metallic noise against the Constable's desk, shortly accompanied by the lighter noise of a badge.
John lowered his eyes to his desk, "I am sorry Sam." Genuine emotional sadness spreading across his face. But the Constable held back the yearning for emotional tendencies, he was in charge and this was a aspect of the job. If he wasn't professional, he'd be the next on the chopping board and a younger unfit rookie would be sitting in this seat – there were never a shortage of eager candidates. No. The job came first.
"Save it." Samantha scorned curling the side of her lip. As peeved as she was she instantly regretted treating the man so curtly. She had known him for many years, even seen him as a friend. She knew he didn't deserve such treatment. She knew, but right now, she didn't care. John however was skilled in retaining composure.
"I'll talk to some of my contacts; get you set up in a nice stable security position."
"Oh hurrah. The kiddie table of law enforcement." Samantha mocked sarcastically, rolling her eyes and grimacing.
"I know you're hurting right now so I'll let that one slide."
Samantha sighed looking down at her gun and badge she proudly carried for most of her adult life. Her whole world revolved around her job as a police officer. Joining the force at eighteen left her little options for career paths and made this situation all the more devastating.
"I'll see HR sends across your termination package before the end of the week." John uttered.
"Thanks." Offhanded reply as Samantha walked to the glazed door, her hand hovering over the golden knob hesitantly as if opening the door and leaving meant it was all over. But she was stronger and better than this. She clenched the metal piece digging her fingers into the gold plating before opening the door and leaving without even a backward glance.
Motionless onlookers were scattered across the office of chairs and desks, all eyes turning and catching Samantha's face as she walked from the Constable's quarters. Incessant chatter ceasing to dead silence as she walked, head bowed, to her desk grabbing an empty storage box on her way.
A multitude of items were shoved violently into the box. Pens, a half eaten bar of chocolate, wireless mouse, phone and charger, notepads, diary and miscellaneous junk items Samantha had collected over the years- not really useful but they had some sentimental value. Like that small plush bear a young boy had given her after she apprehended a man that was holding his mother hostage in a supermarket. It was a combined effort with her team, but Samantha was the one able to move on his flank and catch him from behind.
"Sam…" A soft voice spoke at the side of her table. Samantha looked up to catch the eyes of Tim and Ross, two cops she had known for almost eight years and shared some intense moments with. They always had her back when she was on duty, a couple of the small few she could genuinely rely on.
"Don't fret guys. I am going to fight this." Samantha said faking a smile.
"We are there for you. Whatever you need." Ross said sympathetically. Samantha smiled warmly at the offer, grateful for the pledge of loyalty, but she would never take it up. Since both of them had families to feed, they relied too much on their jobs to rock any boat the 'powers that be' in head office controlled. Nope, she was on her own on this one.
"Thanks guys." Lifting a moderately heavy box and nestling it under her left arm. Samantha smirked giving her friends a comical two finger salute before heading out of the building, a few passers by giving her a shocked glance as she left. It didn't take a genius to calculate what a box of sentiments under the arm meant. Samantha was well known at the station so it didn't surprise her when she could hear people whispering their shocks and awes.
The bright sunlight of the morning streamed outside the police station making Samantha squint away from the glare frowning all the way to her car. She picked up her pace avoiding all eye contact with anyone she passed. At this moment, she wanted nothing more to be shut into a small space of comfort. No questions, no sentimental goodbyes, nothing.
Her car was a relieving sight to behold, as ugly as it was. The grey 5-door 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche was a bulky beast of a pickup truck, not a lady's vehicle but it suited Samantha's personality. Dumping the box into the back seat and slamming the door with ease, Samantha jumped into the drivers seat as a discomforting feeling absorbed into her head. It was too early to be leaving work. This was not the routine she was accustomed. She couldn't even recall the last time she left work this early. She always finished her shift, and usually, was required to stay back extra time. It was finally sinking it that everything she was accustomed to was suddenly going to change. But, instead of allowing the weakness to overcome her, Samantha did what she usually did in depressing situations like this. She shoved her keys into the ignition turning them to power on the radio, reached for the glove box and pulled out a CD case. Removing the shiny CD inside, with the label 'Rock,' she slid it into the stereo turning the volume to high.
The music erupted inside her truck booming a deafening sound. Guitars and drums blaring as the singers vocals screamed out the stereo. Samantha sat listening, her eyes closed and her forehead against the wheel letting the music seep into her head, remove her thoughts, and take her mind far away from itself.
The music continued pounding as she turned the keys in the ignition powering up the engine. Driving was her escape. She could go anywhere and do anything whilst singing her favorite songs as loud as she could. And she did. She sung loudly and out of tune to the songs thundering out the speakers of her truck as she drove aimlessly through the city. Taking advantage of each red light she closed her eyes and let the beats and rhythms control her. More than she had on any other day, she lost herself in the music. Becoming so consumed waiting at the traffic lights she didn't hear the screams raining just outside her truck, the pedestrians running down the streets or her neighboring motorists abandoning their cars.
Continuing to rest her head against the wheel Samantha waited to see the cars in front of her begin to move from the corner of her eye. Her casual calm being rapidly stripped away as her truck randomly tremored, a loud thud erupting outside, loud enough to diminish that of her blaring music. Gasping in shock Samantha jolted back into her truck seat as she focused her eyes on what could only be described as two enormous robots wrestling in the intersection of the road. A black one and a silver one.
Samantha gawked as she watched the intense battle. The black robot blasting its weapons at the silver robot, each discharge, each movement, made the ground rumble and her truck shake. The silver robot had the upper hand, slamming the black robot to the ground, but with each take down the black robot kept returning to its feet and the battle raged on. Another forceful punch and the black robot was sent into the air backwards landing forcefully onto his back almost on top of Samantha's truck. She was too close to the fight, she had to move. She shifted the truck into reverse and slammed her foot down on the accelerator. The sudden movement drew the attention of the silver robot as it turned its sights to her moving vehicle.
Samantha looked up to see the silver robot raising a weapon attached to its arm towards her. She gasped as her eyes met his and in that moment she knew what that thing was about to do.
Before Samantha could do anything to react, a blast of energy erupted from the silver robot's arm hurtling towards her like a ball of fire. Samantha ducked her head against the wheel and closed her eyes waiting for the impact. But it never came. She looked up to see a black silhouette in front of her truck crouching in trembling pain, smoke streaming from its chest. She reacted, pressing her foot against the accelerator reversing quickly away from the scene. Turning the wheel forcefully she spun the truck around shifting the gears into drive tearing down the road like a maniac.
Samantha looked at her rear view mirror; the two robots were still in sight. She watched as the silver robot landed a violent kick into the stomach of the black robot crouching against the ground. The acidic taste of bile crawled into her throat as she watched the torment, her conscience gnawing inside as she watched the silver robot land another kick into the black one.
"What are you doing Samantha?" She whispered to herself as slammed on the breaks to her truck, tires screeching against the road as smoke rose into the air, the smell of burning rubber and smoke filling the air
"You are absolutely insane!" She yelled pushing back down on the accelerator turning the truck back towards the raging battle. She sat for a moment in indecisiveness, her truck facing the two robots. She hoped that the beaten black one would miraculously get back onto it feet, but it didn't. It remained dominated and beaten on the ground. The silver robot was on the verge of ending the fight unless someone intervened. "Lets do this!" Samantha exclaimed planting her foot down on the accelerator until it touched the floor. The truck took off again speeding towards the robots.
The silver robot stood over the black robot eyes glaring as it moved in for the kill. So engrossed in its murderous rage that at it was completely oblivious to the truck closing in behind it. Rapidly approaching the silver robot Samantha yelped closing her eyes spinning the steering wheel all the way towards the left. The tires screeched against the road as the truck drifted sideways towards the back feet of the silver robot hitting it with such a force that it tumbled backwards over the vehicle. The impact force sent Samantha's body painfully against her seatbelt then back against her seat followed by the innate cringing to the loud noise of a large metal object falling on top of her truck.
Samantha ducked down low as the robot's legs leaned on top of the truck, the roof bending under its weight. Kenneling within her crumbling vehicle, hands held above her head whilst the roof was descending above her, she knew she had to get out before the truck became her tomb. Quickly scrambling into the back seat where the roof was not collapsing she squirmed towards the back door flinging it open and rolling out of the truck into the open. Landing against the concrete on her hands and knees she looked across to see the eyes of the silver robot glaring at her with a blazing rage. She gasped paralyzed in fear beside its vicious gaze
Before the silver robot could move his arm to grab the blonde human and squeeze the life out of her, the black robot was above him, his weapons drawn. One powerful discharge into the robot's face, and two more into its chest, and the silver robot's limbs flailed lifeless into the road. The close quarter blasts melting the armor to his chest, then disintegrating the delicate compartment housing his spark. The heat of the ammo made Samantha roll into a ball to protect her face, trembling as the earsplitting blasts echoed around her.
She stayed perfectly still recovering from the aftershock of robotic weaponry blasting so close to her. A hefty shadow glided over her body disrupting the warm stream of sunlight against her skin. She held her breath as she slowly looked up to see the black robot standing over her. Hands trembling she held them up into the air as submission.
The black robot eased, air rushing out of its vents. The damage of the intense battle visible around its shiny armor scattered with scratches, scorches and dents. Samantha continued staring upward hands spread wide as she prayed she would live through this day. Her heart raced and pounded in her chest and the robot must've sensed her anxiety.
"You don't need to be afraid." It spoke, Samantha's eyes shot wide open but words were escaping her. "I must thank you for saving my life." The black robot gestured as he held out his palm towards her. Samantha lowered her hands towards to ground lifting herself to her feet.
She stammered, "I was, um, simply returning the favour." She smiled. The black robot straightened his stance, leaning his right hand against his hip and bringing his left to his chest, weaponry still clasped.
"My name is Ironhide." He spoke confidently and with pride.
"Samantha," She responded, "but friends call me Sam." Ironhide scoffed.
"Sam?" He repeated in a cynical tone.
"Yes? Is there a problem with that?" Samantha inquired. She stared at Ironhide curling her lip. It bewildered her why this robot sounded so cynical to her name, and she could have sworn she saw it cock an eyebrow at her.
"No…" Ironhide murmured rubbing his chin with his hand, "But-Is there some sort of correlation between designations and suicidal tenancies on your planet?
Samantha just stared back blankly, "What?" She had no answer to that statement or question or whatever it was.
"Never mind." Ironhide responded.
"Alright-" Samantha said a little awkward, "—I um, better get going now" turning to look at her… truck? Well, scrap heap. She turned back to Ironhide, a little sheepish.
"Yeah, I better go look for a bus." Spinning around to examine her surroundings. She had no idea where she was, beginning to regret randomly driving around to forget the events of the morning. Although now getting fired would not be the most memorable event of the day.
"Do you need a ride?" Ironhide asked. Samantha turned back towards him with interest, "Why, do you know someone?"
Ironhide smiled, "Not exactly." Samantha stood back cautiously as the robot began to move, well not move- but transform. His metal limbs bending and twisting, gears shaping, armor spinning and in seconds the once towering robot was a - Topkick pickup truck. The driver door facing a stunned Samantha swung open invitingly. Samantha just stared, she didn't know how to react.
"Get in." An impatient voice sounded from inside the car. Samantha hesitated, something inched at her that getting in this car was not a safe idea. A bus was a much safer option. What was this thing anyway? She didn't have the answer to that. So clearly common sense dictates if you don't know what something is- don't sit in it. But then again, where is the fun in taking the safe option.
She walked slowly over, jumping up into the driver's seat as the car door gently closed behind her once both her feet were securely inside. The leather upholstery was extremely comfortable as she adjusted the seat to her height to drive. She put both hands against the wheel and reached for the gear stick. Just as her hand was hovering over the gear stick, the lever rapidly motioned into drive making Samantha flinch in shock. The car's vents breezed with air and the engine rumbled like it was recreating a chuckle.
"No need for that." The radio of the car voiced. "I drive myself" as the car abruptly released a seatbelt that moved across Samantha and clicked into place. She was a little alarmed with the thought of being forcefully strapped down crossing her mind, but she eased when she realised the seatbelt was only lightly resting across her chest- definitely not a restraint.
With everything that was happening Samantha couldn't hold back her curiosity any longer. "What are you?" She asked softly.
"Do you really want to know?" Ironhide replied slowly. Samantha took a while to respond contemplating the true depth of her question. Does she want to know? Does she need to know? What was the consequences of this knowledge? She had gotten into the cross fire of something deep and there were always consequences for going deeper.
Taking a deep breath. "Yes."
"Alright," Ironhide said abruptly reversing spinning the car around back onto the road, "Let me show you." Samantha's hand held tight against door armrest as the truck took off down the road leaving behind it the mangled corpse of a Decepticon and her Chevrolet truck.