Living with Autobots.
Chapter Three.
"Long story short, I became seen as an associate rather than Starscream's pet, and when somebody challenged that, I ended up in a duel, which I won." Sam explained. "That's how Decepticons often settle disputes, I'd wager. In doing so, I earned their respect, and they marked that by giving me a new name, Swiftstrike".
"It used to be a custom common to both factions, the giving of a new name if someone distinguishes themselves in combat." Optimus said.
"Well, in our country, and all over the world, humans give medals," Miles remarked. "But I guess we humans shouldn't assume non-terrestrial races will do so just because we do."
"I would have preferred that, because not using my given name could have been seen as disrespectful, so I had to get used to it," Sam said. "Anyway, a mistake led to the warehouse I was in collapsing, and Starscream shielded me with his own body, thus dispatching my debt to him, so once things were a bit less hectic, they sent me back home." Sam thought back briefly to the turbulent trip back, with his broken arm, on Ravage's back. "However, Optimus here worked out that in Mission City, I saved his life twice, while he saved mine only once. So one's cancelled out, but the other still stands," Sam explained.
"I also took the Code of Cybertron oath," Optimus said, picking up the tale. "Thus, I will guard Sam from danger until my duty is discharged, although that does not mean I will then abandon the boy, just that I will not need to be in such close attendance, and can delegate the duty to Bumblebee, something the Code does not allow. It was my life that was saved, it must be me that saves him in return."
"Thing is, what danger is likely now?" Sam asked. "Hell, I managed to ingratiate myself with half of those in the Decepticon Base. Even Skywarp respects me now, and having been given the titles of Assistant Tactical Officer and nurse, most of the others seemed to accept me as part of their frigging faction!"
"Do not underestimate the capacity of some Decepticons to quickly forget your role now your alliance with them is over," Optimus said. "You would have been seen as more of an associate than an honorary Decepticon, and it is likely that Starscream's need to keep you from harm afforded you some protection. Now that his debt is paid, that protection is no longer in effect, and Starscream himself is now free to destroy you himself, if he so desires. Also, new Decepticons are arriving all the time. Some of them may have no allegiance to Starscream, and even amongst those who do, they do not know you and may themselves decide you should die, for destroying either Megatron, the AllSpark, or both."
"Ah, yeah, there is that, I guess I am still in danger from the new arrivals," Sam said, deciding not to mention that associate or not, he felt that some friendships had been made while he was there. "And I guess although Skywarp respects me, it doesn't mean he likes me, or that he wouldn't attack me if he got the chance."
Optimus nodded solemnly. "Never underestimate them, Sam. Many Autobots made the same mistake, and did not survive to learn from it. I advise you to treat the Decepticons with extreme caution. They are at a disadvantage to us, with the human government opposing them and with no easy way to obtain fuel, and that could make them employ desperate measures."
"Couldn't we try to reason with them, call a truce or something? If they stop attacking us and offer to work with them instead, surely it would be the best situation for everyone?" Sam asked.
"Many Decepticons see humans as inferior and would rather crush humanity like the insects they see them as then work with them," Optimus said sadly. "For some it's a matter of pride, others prefer to take what they can by force rather than work for it. We can try, Sam, but whether such an approach would work is in doubt."
Sam nodded slowly, remembering the vicious little Swindle and his derogatory comments about humanity in general and him in particular. Sam could not see him accepting peace or putting his grudge against Sam aside on Starscream's say-so. That reminded Sam that the red mech was still out somewhere doing an ore survey, and he made a mental note to watch his back more carefully in future. Come to think of it, there were several new arrivals amongst the Decepticons. Once Optimus had discharged his duty, he'd be a little more cautious, although being with Bumblebee should afford him some sort of safety.
"Shit, Sam, you've not had much luck recently, have you?" Miles said sympathetically.
"Well, I guess I'm still alive, so I guess it could have been worse," Sam said.
"True'" Miles said, looking up at Optimus. "Do you mind having to do this, or is there a way you could get out of it?"
Optimus shook his head. "There is no way to remove the debt honourably except to pay it off," he said. "I do not mind, at the moment I have left Prowl and Ratchet in charge of the Base. If a situation arises, they a should be well able to cope, anything that requires my attention, I can either take Sam with me, or leave him for a short period with a proxy, although that last is only to be used when there is no other choice, and for as short a time as possible."
"If you've had everything explained to your satisfaction, Miles, can we head home now?" Sam asked. "Unless you've warned your parents and have something else you want to do, a dip in the lake maybe?"
"No, they're expecting me late but I don't have anything I particularly want to do, it's a bit cold and late for a dip in the lake. I guess we could watch for planes coming from Nellis, but we could come up tomorrow for that, so sure, let's head home."
As the two boys turned to head back to Bumblebee, Sam noticed Optimus suddenly straighten up and look upwards, his gaze carrying far beyond the cloud beginning to gather in the sky.
"Hey, Big Guy, what is it?" Sam asked, knowing that, unlike humans, Optimus would not be distracted any from his task by replying.
"Signals from other approaching Cybertronians, both Autobot and Decepticon," Optimus said. "They are too far distant for me to decipher their content, but I can count the signals, and I count three Decepticon and six Autobot frequencies. Six new warriors will be a welcome addition to our group."
"Yeah, and I may have three more Decepticons coming after me too," Sam said with a nervous little laugh. "Looks like you may be able to discharge your debt to me in a timely fashion after all.
"Perhaps," Optimus said. "However, I surmise that the message was sent out about two months ago. That means that they are probably now a month or so away, so you have that long to prepare yourself for that possibility."
"I wonder who the Autobot arrivals are?" Sam asked. "As I recall, you have named several dozen I've never met who are presumably on their way." 'Or dead,' Sam thought but did not say.
"Indeed, we are missing so many I will not even try to guess who these latest arrivals may be. I will send out a new message to let our soon-to-arrive Autobots know that they are heading in the right direction and that they are expected," Optimus said. He straightened up and stared into space for a few seconds before saying "Okay, that is done. I would like to come back in two weeks or so to check for a response."
"Two weeks?" asked Miles. "Don't you want to come back earlier?"
"I surmise that they are so far distant that they will not get my message for at least a week, and it will take about the same time for any reply to reach us here," Optimus said. "Returning earlier would serve no useful purpose. I will return in two weeks to find out if they have replied, and to find out who they are, you are both welcome to join me as is, of course, Bumblebee."
"Okay, I'm up for that. Are you, Miles?" When he received no reply from his friend, Sam turned to him with a concerned look on his face. Miles, however, was not paying any attention to Sam, but was watching an F-22 that seemed to be swooping and diving just a short distance away. Sam's hackles rose, because he was sure that the said aircraft was Starscream. He heard Optimus turn to look, and saw Optimus transform into battle mode as he motioned the two humans to stand behind him. "It's Starscream," he said, confirming Sam's suspicions. "Get back."
As Sam complied, dragging Miles with him, Bumblebee also entered battle mode and moved to stand just behind and to the side of Optimus, ready to back him up. He turned to speak to the two boys.
"Back up a good way, if Starscream charges Optimus, you do not want to be in the way."
Sam nodded, and even Miles had twigged by now, saying "You mean that...it's the same jet that picked you up at school?"
"Yep," Sam said, drawing Miles back.
"Then...that turns into a robot too?" Miles said, as Sam backed off, taking the other teen with him.
"It is, and believe me, he's not too keen on humanity, so let's just keep on backing up as far back as we can go."
Sam and Miles backed off a little more, and then stopped when they reached the end of the dirt road that terminated at The Lookout. Then they stood and watched as Starscream, as if on cue, moved closer to The Lookout and transformed into robot form. He landed carefully at the edge of the Lookout, and gave Optimus' swords a jaundiced look.
"I'm not going to hurt either of the humans, particularly not Assistant Tactical Officer Swiftstrike, so you can put your weapons away. I only have a favour to ask of him," Starscream said.
"Not so fast, Starscream, I knew him first, I claim the right," another voice said, a familiar voice from behind them. Sam turned in time to see Barricade begin his transformation into robot form. Sam began to back off the other way, but had to run back to try and get Miles, who had frozen, staring, at the fierce frontliner.
"How did he sneak up on us without us hearing?" he asked. Although the question was addressed to Sam, it was the Decepticon grounder who answered.
"I have a stealth mode which I use for stalking and tracking, I activated it once I became aware you were up here."
"Barricade, I am ready to fight you again and win if need be, and Optimus will also defend Sam – ah, that is Swiftstrike -, so unless you want to end up being turned into scrap, may I suggest that you stalk off elsewhere?" Bumblebee said, raising his cannon.
"Now that's not very polite, considering I only wanted to ask Swiftstrike a favour," Barricade said. "If you insist on forcing my hand, I will be forced to play it."
Without warning, Barricade lunged forwards and seized Sam in one hand, lifting him up as he cried out and kicked.
"If either of you make a single move against me," Barricade said "I will crush him."