Disclaimer: I really don't want to say this, but I have to: I don't own the Transformers! There, I've said it! Now, enjoy the longer chapter, as promised.
A/N: It seems the poll is not faring as well as I hoped. The poll is there for any want to vote and determine Mikaela's fate. She will have an appearance in the next chapter or two...or three. Feed the author with reviews! :D
Chapter 3: Perspectives
Rio Grande, US
Silence reigned in the immense canyon bordering the North American continent and Mexico. There were no signs of life, not even the denizens of that arid plain made an appearance. This was observed with some concern by a naturalist, who was visiting the canyon on a research trip. He took out his binoculars and his vision was engulfed by an enlarged view of the other side of the plateau. Smooth rock that was corroded consistently by another river over the past centuries finally gave way to larger boulders at the bottom. Several bushes dotted the ground and a small tree was covering something alien-like on the ground. It's probably just a mirage caused by my dehydration in this forsaken desert the naturalist thought as he swept his gaze on something else. Just another rock.
The college student sighed as there were no exceptional characteristics to notice, to record for his research project. He put down his binoculars and turned back the way he came from only to see an enormous mechanical structure in front of him. Seeing at how close he was to this strange anomaly, he could not use the mirage as an excuse for his illusion. The student slowly, very slowly craned his head up and his bored eyes suddenly dilated in fear as they made contact with a strange alien face. It would be the last thing he sees as clawed hands grasped him and then crushed his body.
"Nosy fleshling,"
The robotic structure released the excess remains of his victim and stepped down the canyon. He approached the tree and examined the exoskeleton pod that laid next to it.
"What is this?"
He touched the pod and it shimmered. Then it did nothing else. His hand transformed into a ballistic cannon and the cybertronian stood back, carefully aiming his weapon at the pod.
"Barricade to Starscream! I know you can hear me! Do not fire at the pod!"
The warning came too late as the designated cybertronian fired his weapon. The energon collided with the pod and nothing happened. Barricade grunted and fired again. However, the pod did not move nor gave any indication of its effect upon being fired by a Decepticon.
He fired a third time and still, the pod was there, unmoving.
"Slag it!"
"Barricade! You better not have damaged that slagging pod, you imbecile!"
"It is unharmed, Starscream. I fired at it three times and it didn't do anything."
"Just bring it over to the Moon base and we'll examine it from there! Whatever you do, do not let those Autobots have it!"
"Affirmative."
Barricade felt the comm link go silent and he stored his cannon back into a subspace pocket. Damn Starscream, thinking he's the leader after Megatron was destroyed by that kid.The Decepticon picked up a pod with a gentleness that belied his ruthlessness in combat. Ensuring it was safe in his storage unit, he transformed into an American police car, with a quote 'To Punish and To Enslave" on its right hand side.
* * * * * *
What did you wish for? You have sacrificed everything. So what did you wish for?
The voices whispered in the silent void.
"Wish? Am I dead? Optimus? Where is everybody?"
Yes, you have forsaken that mortal coil of yours and will be passing into the Matrix of Primus.
"Holy crap! I'm dead again!" Samuel exclaimed and his essence shimmered in his shock.
Yes...Samuel...you have offlined permanently again.
This time, however, we cannot bring you back
Not in this form
"What do you mean, not in this form?" Sam was close to panicking. This was not how he pictured Heaven. This emptiness made him feel even more lonely. No bright lights to guide him on his journey towards eternal happiness. No Optimus Prime whom he felt a strong connection with. Optimus, I'm sorry.
This form was too fragile for you to hold the Allspark.
The Allspark must survive the end of time, the end of everything. It is not destined to pass with you.
"Huh? The Allspark? It's...hold up. I know I touched the fragment or whatever and I've been seeing these weird hieroglyphics as well as a planet, which I guess is Cybertron. But I thought the Allspark was stolen by the Decepticon."
Yes. That is the Allspark's responsibility, to have you remember what you used to be. But, the process was not complete due to Megatron's untimely action.
Suddenly, memories of that battle thrust themselves into Sam's brain and he screamed, clutching his head in pain. He could still feel those sharp, hard claws grasping him so tightly. That crushing pain was all he felt and then nothingness, with his last thought of Optimus Prime. His optics would look so saddened . The Allspark vessel gasped as the memories drifted, leaving him breathless and shivering.
"Oh god, is everyone ok?"
So that is what you wish for? For everyone's well being?
"I...I...don't know. Of course I want everyone to be safe. As safe as they can be, without Megatron or Decepticons harassing them every second. And Optimus, I want him to..." The sentence drifted as he remembered those cherished moments shared with the Auto bot leader. His heart ached when he realized he left Optimus alone again. He was the Prime's first and only soul mate. He wished he hadn't left him. His pain was nothing compared to what the leader was going through.
So shall the Allspark have its wish.
Samuel Witwicky, you will join with Optimus Prime as fate deems it so. As Primus deems it so.
"Wait! I want to ask-"
The dark void that was Sam's constant companion brightened, enveloping the human soul and the Allspark. There was a silent explosion as the two halves combined and then there was nothing.
* * * * * *
Hangar 1, Auto bot HQ; location: classified
"Optimus Prime, we have Decepticons in the Houston area," Lennox reported to the approaching leader, who was closely followed by Ratchet in their alternate forms. Upon arrival, the two Autobots transformed to their more familiar forms and Lennox, despite having seeing it countless times, still marveled at the ingenuity of their capabilities of transformations.
"Houston?! There's at least 2.8 million people living there!" Epps said, knowing full well that in order for an evacuation to occur, there has to be a very valid excuse. Even if the Mayor of Houston somehow agrees to the evacuation without looking too closely at the Shanghai incident, how is the evacuation going to occur without people knowing about them?
"I do not want another Shanghai incident," Prime voiced his concern, "however, we have no choice but to investigate the presence of the Decepticons."
"I agree with Optimus Prime," Colonel Morshower said. "We cannot have another Shanghai incident and our lovely Presidential liaison Galloway is no longer in Egypt. He's definitely not happy about recent events. Of course, I can always say I had no idea about Lennox's plan." The military leader's lips grew into a smirk and Lennox knew that he would always have the support of his superior.
"Secretary of the State, John Keller, should help us out with this situation," Morshower continued. "I will advise him of this situation and see what he thinks before giving out orders. Lennox and the team, you can do a reconnaissance of the area in stealth mode. None would be the wiser."
The Colonel gave the Autobots permission to seek out information on the Decepticons; the permission was only for covering the Autobots' legal end if anyone were to say that the Autobots took action by their own choice.
"Yes, sir." Lennox saluted and waited for the screen to gray out before turning to the autobot standing to his right.
"Well, we have another mission, Ironhide,"
Ironhide grinned and his cannons gleamed more brightly at the thought of hunting down more Decepticons. He transformed into GMC Topkick C4500 and a door opened for his human partner.
Optimus Prime smiled behind his battle mask at the close interaction of his Weapon Specialist and his human partner, although his spark still ached from Sam's absence.
"Autobots, roll out!"
All the Autobots present transformed into their respective alt forms and the NEST members climbed aboard their modes of transportation; all were eager to fight those took something from them.
