Chapter 3 - Officials.
As Optimus rolled out of the belly of the large cargo plane, he was unable to fight the wave of sadness that flooded his spark as he watched the flag-draped coffins being removed from another of the planes that had landed back on the island of Diego Garcia. Rolling to a stop, the Peterbilt sighed softly before he slowly transformed into his bi-pedal form, gratefully stretching out the aches from the long flight as he did so. "There was nothing you could do Optimus". Optimus looked down at Elita, who had rapidly transformed when she'd heard the troubled note in her sparkmates voice, before turning his troubled optics back to where the coffins were being slowly transported across the tarmac of the runway, "I know that but when we first arrived here, I swore to keep the humans safe". Elita looked up at her sparkmate, her blue optics softening as she both saw and felt Optimus's pain, and she rested a gentle palm against his chestplates, "I know my love, but they had also made a promise to keep their fellow humans safe and they knew the dangers just as much as any other soldiers. You are not responsible for their choices, and you managed to keep far more soldiers safe by destroying Demolisher when you did".
"Listen to Elita big guy, she's got a point". Optimus and Elita both turned to look at Will, who had a solemn look on his face as he gazed up at the equally solemn looking Autobot leader, "Thanks to you, and the rest of the Autobots we got out of Shanghai with far fewer casualties than we should have, and although I understand how you feel, Elita's right. These guys made their choices when they signed up and I know each and every one of them would do the same thing tomorrow, even knowing the dangers, so please do not blame yourself". Optimus looked down at the young human leader and smiled gratefully at him, his spark feeling a little lighter than it had, "Thank you Will, I appreciate your words, and I'm sure as you know I will have no choice in listening to my sparkmate". Will's solemn features broke into a smile as he heard the teasing note in the Autobot's voice and he found himself laughing as he saw the way Elita's optics narrowed, "Okay I'm leaving before things turn ugly". Elita smiled down at the human in front of her, "Oh don't worry I won't embarrass our Prime by kicking his aft in public, I'll save it til later".
Will continued to chuckle as he heard Optimus's muttered reply before the two Autobots transformed back to their alt-modes, before walking over to where Epps and another young soldier were standing, watching an approaching helicopter with confused looks. Epps turned to look at Will, who shrugged in reply, "I haven't a clue. Bumblebee and Mikaela aren't due to arrive til this afternoon at the earliest, and they'll be arriving on the supply plane anyway".
"Well whoever it is, they're heading over here in a mighty hurry". Will looked over and with a sinking heart realised that the approaching figure was none other than their new Security Advisor, Theodore Galloway. Will looked at Epps and Graham with a resigned expression, "Why do I get the feeling the shit that hit the fan in Shanghai is about to hit it again". Epps looked back at Will, and clapped a hand on his shoulder, "He's all yours buddy, I'll round-up the rest of the team and we'll meet you in the hangar". Will scowled at Epps, before plastering a very fake smile on his face as he walked across the tarmac to meet Galloway, "Director Galloway, it's a pleasure to see you. I'd love to show you around but some of the areas are classified entry only". Galloway looked at Will, his expression cold as he slapped a piece of paper against the majors chest, "I have clearance, presidential orders. I've got a message for you and your classified space buddies, you guys made a mess of Shanghai". Will looked at the piece of paper in his hand before he stared at the back of the rapidly departing Galloway, before following him reluctantly muttering to himself as he did so, "Oh pardon me if we made a mess. I would love to see how you tackle a rampaging Decepticon and still have time to clean up afterwards".
oOoOo
Bumblebee and Mikaela were indeed on their way to Diego Garcia: and in the large cargo area of the supply plane, Bumblebee's familiar Camaro alt-mode was resting quietly as he watched over a sleeping Mikaela. Although she had done her best to fight falling asleep, the combination of their early start and crossing several time zones had eventually caught up with her, and she'd dropped off with her head resting against his window, her hand curled protectively round the seatbelt. As Bee sank down onto his axles with a contented sigh, he tried to ignore the worried fluttering that had been lodged deep in his spark since Sam had found the shard of the All-Spark just a few days ago. Despite Mikaela's constant reassurance that the shard was safe, and more than one late-night comm-link conversation with Optimus and Ironhide, Bumblebee was unable to shake the feeling that the sudden reappearance of this new piece of the All-Spark meant far more than any of them realised; and back in Tranquility before they had left, the Autobot had been almost certain that he and Mikaela had been being watched; as he'd pointed out to Mikaela when she'd questioned him, he wasn't the youngest Autobot scout in vorns for nothing. However despite his best efforts, Bumblebee had been unable to pinpoint just what it was exactly that was making him so uneasy, and he'd only given up his searching when Mikaela had threatened him with a trip to see Ratchet when they arrived in Diego Garcia if he didn't stop jumping at shadows.
However Bee's processor was disturbed from its train of thought when Mikaela stirred, and as Bee heard her soft sleep filled voice murmur, "Hey big guy", he could only chirp quietly in response, as his spark trembled excitedly. Mikaela chuckled softly at Bee's chirp and teasingly ran a fingertip over the leather of the empty drivers seat, "Guess someones pleased to see me". Bee tried to fight the shudder that went through him as Mikaela's fingertip ran over the seat but he failed miserably and the sigh of pleasure that filtered through his speakers just made Mikaela laugh all the more, as did the unconvincing "Stop it". Mikaela looked into the rearview mirror, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief, as she continued to trace over Bee's upholstery with gentle fingers, before asking teasingly, "You're gonna stop me how exactly?". As Bumblebee activated his holoform, and saw the triumphant smile on Mikaela's face, he knew that this had been her plan all along.
Leaning in to kiss her grinning lips, before he pulled Mikaela into his lap, Bee looked down at where she had burrowed into his embrace, before smiling softly, "You are far too sneaky for your own good sometimes beautiful". Mikaela leant back, the smile still on her face, "Maybe just a little, but my plan worked. There was no way I was going to spend this whole journey asleep as that would have given you way too much brooding time, as I know you're still worrying about the shard.
"I know it's your job to keep Sam safe, but he seems to be getting on fine at college as we know from our webcam chats, though how he managed to find someone even crazier than Miles to room with I will never know, and I know you worry about me but I have you here to protect me, so we'll both be fine. No one apart from you guys know about this second shard so once its safe with the other piece, everything will be fine". Bee listened to the quiet conviction in Mikaela's voice, and rested his head on hers so she wouldn't see the doubt that was still in his eyes, "Okay so I worry too much, I get it but if anything happened to Sam, or to you, I don't think my spark could take it". Mikaela heard the pain in Bee's voice, and pulled away so she could rest her palms on his face, forcing him to look at her, "Bumblebee listen to me. You can't protect us from everything, as much as you want to. I know its part of what makes you the Autobot I love, and I know you'll be there to save us from the big stuff, but hopefully there won't be anymore big stuff for us to deal with, so from now on it's just boring everyday problems, like how are we going to keep ourselves occupied for the rest of this damn flight".
Bee smiled softly as he saw the teasing smile on Mikaela's lips, despite the seriousness in her blue eyes, and he too smiled as he replied, "You're getting nearly as good as Ratch with the lectures, and I promise I'll try to stop worrying, and before you say anything, that's the best you're going to get. I'm a natural-born worrier, just ask Ratchet or 'Hide when we reach the base.
"However, I'm pretty sure I can think of some way to keep both of us occupied". As he began to tickle Mikaela relentlessly, her squeals of outrage echoing through the quiet cargo area, Bee's spark felt considerably lighter than it had done earlier but he wasn't going to admit to Mikaela any time soon that the persistent nagging worry was just as strong as it had been and Bumblebee found himself hoping that Optimus would be able to ease some of his worries when they landed at the base.
oOoOo
Will followed Galloway into the hangar where the rest of the Autobot's were all resting after their long journey home, and he smiled as he saw Chromia's alt-mode resting against the side of the gleaming Topkick. As he chuckled to himself, Galloway turned and frowned at the younger man behind him, "Something funny Major?". Will pasted a serious look on his face, "No sir, just a tickle in my throat. All the sand in the air.
"Anyway this is the hangar where we communicate with the JCS and it also serves as one of the Autobot's main resting hangers as you can see". Will noticed the customary look of amazement in Galloway's eyes as he looked over at the array of gleaming vehicles, and he had to fight back another smile as he saw Sunstreaker and Sideswipe trying not to bounce on their axles as they also saw the admiring look in Galloway's eyes. As he heard one of his team call out that the secure link to the JCS was up, Will switched into work mode as he walked up the metal staircase to the area where the communication screens were located, and as the image of Admiral Morshower appeared, Will nodded a greeting, "Sir".
"Will. I hear you had a rough time over in Shanghai?". Will nodded as he heard the unheard questions in his Admirals voice, "We did indeed sir, but the casualties were limited. However there was an incident that we feel requires an immediate debrief, now with your permission I'd like you to hear from the leader of the Autobot's, although we can't let you see him". Upon hearing the Admirals command of "Proceed", Will nodded to the resting Peterbilt in front of him, "Okay Optimus you're up". As Optimus began his transformation, Will heard the gasp of amazement from Galloway as he watched the process that everyone else had come to regard as an everyday occurrence, and he smiled as he heard Epps comment of "If God made us in his image, then you've gotta wonder who it was that made him?".
Optimus nodded a greeting to Epps, and to Galloway, before he turned to face the screens and Will, "Thank you Will. Admiral, our alliance has countermanded six Decepticon incursions this year, each on a different continent. They are clearly searching around the world for something, but last nights encounter came with a warning". Optimus stopped speaking and replayed a recording of Demolisher's last words, "The Fallen... shall.. rise again". A collective shudder went through both the humans and the Autobots as the Decepticons cold voice echoed through the hangar, before the silence that followed was broken by the voice of Morshower, "The Fallen... meaning what?". Optimus heard the confusion in the human leaders voice and the tall Autobot leader felt a surge of disappointment within his spark as he realised he was unable to provide the humans with the answers they wanted, and seemed to need as he answered in a low voice, "It hints at something from our past, but we have no way of being certain of that. Much of our history, along with the origins of our race, were lost with the destruction of All-Spark". Will looked back at Optimus and he could see the sadness in the bright blue optics of the Autobot leader, but before he could reply, a voice echoed up from the hanger floor, "Excuse me". Optimus raised a metal eyebrow briefly at Will before he turned to look at the suited human standing next to Epps, inclining his head towards him as Galloway began to speak, "With this so-called All-Spark now destroyed, why hasn't the enemy left like you thought they would". As the human began climbing the metal staircase, Optimus heard Will introducing the man as Director Galloway, and as he heard the unenthusiastic tone the Major used, Optimus realised he was not alone in his instinctual dislike of this new addition to their world.
As he reached the top of the stairs, Galloway was either choosing to ignore the unease in the air, or hadn't picked up on it and Optimus found himself thinking that if it was the latter, then this human was definitely in the wrong job as Galloway continued to push his way to the top of the staircase, and Optimus felt a flicker of unease in his own spark as he noticed the way Galloway paused to glare at the Autobots and the soldiers surrounding him before he began to speak again, "Forgive the interruption General but since the mess that was caused in Shanghai, I for one am hard pressed to say that the job is getting done". Galloway flinched slightly as he saw the stern look on Optimus's metal features, and when he heard the rumbling of the engines from vehicles that were still static, his voice faltered slightly but he carried on regardless, "Now under the classified Alien Autobot Co-operation Act, you agreed to share your intel with us but not your advancements in weaponry". Optimus recognised the unrest among the others and held out a hand to show that he had heard their disapproval, Ironhide and Ratchet making their point quite clear over the comm-link as well, before he replied to Galloway's question in a firm but cold tone of voice, "We have witnessed your human capacity for war". Optimus paused here, almost prodding Galloway with an accusing finger as he continued to speak, "It would absolutely do more harm than good".
"But with all due respect, who are you to decide what is best for us?". Optimus faced Galloway, his optics darkening a deep shade of blue as he did so, "One who has seen the destruction of his home when this information has fallen into the wrong hands, and one who wishes for the same fate not to befall your planet". Will heard and saw the frustration in every word and line of Optimus's metal body, and privately he found himself wishing that Optimus would really lose his temper with Galloway, but he knew this really wouldn't help matters at all. Raising his hands in a peace gesture between man and robot, Will spoke to Galloway in what he hoped was a calming tone of voice, "Sir, we've been fighting side by side in the field for over two years now and we trust these guys with our lives".
"We've shared blood, sweat and precious metal together" Will smiled as he heard Epps' voice ring up from the floor, and his smile widened as he heard the pride that rang through it; like himself and the Witwicky's back in Tranquility, Epps regarded the Autobot's as family and didn't take kindly to any criticism of them. Galloway however was less than impressed with the interruption, and scowled down at Epps who was leaning comfortably against Jazz, "You're paid to shoot, not talk soldier". Epps bristled at the directors condescending tone, and as he felt the ripple of energy from beneath him, he knew Jazz was just as unhappy with it. Looking up at Galloway through narrowed eyes, a reassuring hand resting on Jazz's hood, Epps muttered under his breath, "Don't tempt me dude". Jazz heard the grumble and replied quietly through his radio, a trick he'd learnt from Bumblebee, so only Epps could hear him, "We could always let old trigger happy over there do it. The way "Hides been bouncing on those axles of his, he's more than happy to share some of our weaponry with the suited dude". Epps bit back the laugh he felt bubbling up in his chest as he looked over to where it did indeed seem that Ironhide was bouncing unhappily, "That's some shit I'd pay to see, though gotta say Doc Bot doesn't look much happier with the situation".
"Oh hell no, he's pissed, and Optimus knows it. The pair of them have already made their point quite clear over the comm-link, but there ain't no way I'm getting involved, I think my processors may melt". Unable to fight it this time, Epps let out a loud snort of laughter, causing several pairs of eyes and one pair of optics to focus on him from above. Rubbing the back of his neck embarrassedly, Epps mumbled a sorry before nudging a quietly chuckling Jazz with his hip, "And you can shut up as it's all your fault".
Optimus and Will shared a smile as they watched the interaction between Jazz and Epps, however it just seemed to deepen Galloway's scowl as he turned back to face everyone. As he looked at all of those around him, Galloway's eyes once again narrowed as he first looked at the resting Autobots and then back to Optimus, before speaking once again, "And these newest members of your team, they arrived here after you sent out an open invitation into space for them which was vetted by nobody".
"Just stop right there Mr Galloway, it was vetted by both myself and Defense Secretary Keller after Mission City". Galloway turned to the screen where the image of Morshower was looking less than impressed, "Well that as it may be but when it comes to our national security being threatened, any previous agreement is always able to be adjusted, shall we say?.
"Now what do we know so far?. We know the enemy leader, classified NBE One, aka Megatron, is rusting in peace at the bottom of the Laurentian Abyss surrounded by SOSUS detection nets and a full-time submarine surveillance. We also know that the only remaining piece of your alien All-Spark is locked in an electromagnetic vault here on one of the most secure naval bases in the world". Will looked at Optimus questioningly and Optimus responded with a slight shake of his head, so Will kept the news of the second All-Spark shard to himself as Galloway continued on, "And since no-one seems to be able to tell us what it is the enemy are still looking for, well there's only one clear conclusion. You. The Autobots. They're here to hunt you, what is there on Earth for them to hunt for except you".
The sounds of rapid transformations filled the air and suddenly Galloway was facing several sets of extremely upset optics, as well as a set of glowing cannons, causing Epps and Jazz to share a private chuckle between themselves despite the seriousness of the situation. As Optimus began to speak, he was cut off by Ironhide's gruff tones, who powered down his cannons but his optics remained an angry blue, "No Optimus, enough is enough. We have listened to this humans complaints, and this is the last straw. If the Decepticons wanted us as this human thinks they do, they would just come straight to us as they always have when they want to cause trouble. They are clearly looking for something else that is unrelated to us, or it is indeed the All-Spark that they are looking for, or it may be related to the warning we were given in Shanghai". Optimus shared a concerned look with Ironhide, but once again before he was able to speak he was cut out, this time by Galloway, "The Fallen... shall rise again?. That doesn't really give us a lot to go on, but it does sound like something is coming. So let me ask if we ultimately conclude that our national security is best served by denying you further asylum on our planet, will you leave peacefully?". Optimus stared back at the human in front of him, his spark sinking as he saw the determination in Galloway's bespectacled eyes, his spark sinking as he replied in a solemn voice, "Freedom is your right, if you make that request we will honour it". Optimus held up a hand to silence the protests from around him, before he turned to face a smiling Galloway with a deadly serious expression, "But before your President decides however, please ask him this. What if we leave, and you are wrong". Optimus looked closely at Galloway for a second longer before turning and stalking out of the hanger. Galloway watched, his thoughts unreadable but his face was clearly worried as he too said his goodbyes and made his way out of the hanger, heading back to the waiting aircraft just as quickly as he had arrived. Will said his goodbyes to Morshower who did his best to reassure his Major that Galloway would not be able to carry out his threat before the satellite link went down. Will then turned to look at Ironhide who was watching Optimus, who in turn was standing at the hanger doors watching the departing helicopter, with worried optics, "That's a good question 'Hide, any answers?". Ironhide looked back at the human he regarded as family and shook his head slowly, "I have none I can give you Will, all I can hope is that it does not come to us having to leave and leaving you here on Earth unprotected". Will smiled as he patted Ironhide on the arm, "I'm sure we'll be fine, hey whats the worst that could happen". A grinning Sunstreaker nudged Sideswipe in the side before calling out in a cheerful voice, "I've thought of something". Ironhide and Will both turned and scowled at the grinning Corvette twins, before Ironhide asked gruffly, "Enlighten us then".
"If the worst comes to the worst who's gonna get the job of telling Mikaela that Bumblebee has to leave?". As he shared a high-five with his twin, and nodded appreciatively at the chuckles from Skids and Mudflap; Sunny, along with the others missed the look of horror that crossed both Ironhide and Will's faces as they both imagined just how bad that conversation would indeed be. Will looked at Ironhide, "Well if that's not enough of a reason to keep the All-Spark shard safe, I don't know what is". Ironhide nodded in agreement, "I'm with you there Will. I don't think either my youngling or Mikaela will react well to that news so I am glad the shard is safe where it is". As Will and Ironhide shared a smile, little did they know that their confidence would soon be shaken.
oOoOo
A/N: First up so sorry for the wait, damn work hours and family issues have not made my muse easy to find but a week away has allowed me to catch up quite a bit. I am having so many issues with the start of this film that it is giving me real headaches especially as I've changed the timeline around so it makes a little more sense, and even then its still not easy. Sam is already at college in my version of events as I hate the whole arriving at college scene, it's just pointless as far as I'm concerned. I've also added more interactions with the rest of the 'bots when Galloway arrives as I seriously can't see them sitting there quietly while he disses them... Pfffffft! And sorry its just a short Bumblebee and Mikaela section in this chappie, it is quite fluffy though so that's good right?, but I really wanted to concentrate on the meeting with Galloway as its pretty important, also I couldn't make the scenes with Soundwave fit and I've kinda alluded to the scene with Wheelie in the movie, but I'm hoping to fit them both in properly in later chapters xx thanks once again for the patience and reviews as always are welcome xx
