Thank you for the encouraging responses to the first two chapters to this one. For this chapter I chose to focus on Fowler and June Darby. I think that having them next will allow a better segue into the chapter on Bumblebee and Raf. I hope you enjoy this one. Gregg.
Disclaimer: I don't own, or profit from, these characters or franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Both Fowler and June looked in horror at the devastated remains of the Autobot base, then Fowler beat a hasty retreat. He flew down low, trying to evade enemy air patrols that he knew would not be long in coming. He needed to get to the base and report on what was now a war involving Earth directly. Right now survival and regrouping were the priorities. He looked over at June, a woman he had come to respect, and like, a great deal. She looked ashen. Not surprising since they had no idea what had happened to her son Jack and the other kids.
"It's going to be pretty hectic at the base, June," Fowler told her, finally breaking the silence. "There's also going to be a lot of questions about your presence, and also about the kids."
"What do you mean?" June asked, turning her attention to Fowler.
Fowler looked a bit embarrassed. "My superiors don't know about the kids, or you, except in the vaguest terms," he explained. "They think the kids are adults who offer special skills, and you are the medical go to person. I had to put it that way when I got grilled by the General a few months ago."
"I just want to know what happened to Jack and the other kids," June told him. "I don't give a damn about what the government thinks right now."
"Prime knew that base wouldn't stand up to a full on attack, June," Fowler told her. "I have to believe that he got everyone out, especially the kids."
"But where?" June asked the one daunting question.
"I wish I knew," Fowler replied.
Fowler hated himself for asking in his own mind the question of whether Prime would have risked Bridging everyone out since the signal could have conceivably been tracked. At least he would think so given that the 'Cons had Cybertronian tech on that warship of theirs. Could Prime have allowed them all to go down with the base? He didn't think so given his read of Prime as a leader and as a person, bot or no bot. But in war strange things happen in the heat of battle, and there wouldn't have been much time, even with the little extra that he and Wheeljack had bought them.
One hour later he brought the chopper in for a landing at the airfield that was currently the main staging area for Air Defense Command. The whole area was a swarm of activity. Fighter jets of various classifications were taking off and landing in large numbers. Attack helicopters were also being readied. The sad part was that he knew that most of these men and women would not be returning. The 'Cons were too powerful and had major air superiority. But they had to fight. Too much was at stake not to.
"Special Agent Fowler?" a sergeant who approached the chopper said when Fowler got out. "General Bryce orders you to report to him ASAP in the main command and control center."
"Tell Bryce I'm on my way, Sergeant," Fowler said, now all military. "This is Nurse June Darby. Take her to a waiting area and make her comfortable. She'll be needed by me and General Bryce soon."
"Yes, Sir," the Sergeant replied. He turned to Nurse Darby. "Ma'am? If you'll follow me?"
Five hours later Fowler entered the room where June Darby was. To say the General hadn't been pleased about the whole thing, especially the kids, would be a major understatement, but had relented when Fowler had explained just what those kids had accomplished since meeting the Autobots. As for June Darby, Fowler had convinced the General that making her his partner in this fight, and also with him to try and find out what the Autobots had done, was a good idea. At least that way she would be able to do what he knew she would try do on her own anyway.
"Bill?" June asked when he entered the room. She'd been questioned briefly for some details, but nothing else had happened.
"No one knows what happened to Prime and the others," Fowler told her. "No communications have been established, which means we don't know if anyone bridged out, or if they were in there when the place was blown apart. But General Bryce did allow me to bring you in to work with me on all this, and to try and find out what happened to Prime and the others."
"We need to let Miko and Raf's parents know what is going on," June said somberly. There was too much going through her mind for her to be anything but morose and scared at the moment, no matter how much she trusted Optimus to have gotten the children to safety.
"Already on it," Fowler told her. "Raf's mother is being located and will be brought here. As for Miko, her host parents will be brought here, and her parents in Tokyo are being placed under protection in case the 'Cons decide to up the stakes any further."
"I think we should focus on finding Bumblebee and Raf first as Raf is the youngest," June said firmly. It pained her to say that, seeing as her own son was out there, too, but she had to think rationally, and the idea that such a young boy as Raf was out there without his Mother tore at her. Jack was incredibly mature, and she trusted Arcee implicitly, assuming he got out of there with her, so her need to find her own son would have to take second place for now.
Fowler could see what that statement cost her, and he placed an arm over her shoulder. "Then let's get to work," he told her. He genuinely admired her, and would do whatever necessary to make sure the kids were found, and that the 'Cons would pay for all of this once and for all.
A/N: This chapter was much harder to write than I had first imagined. It still isn't quite what I wanted, but here it is. I hope you enjoyed it. Happy coming New Year! Gregg.