Chapter 2 World up side down

Rewrote most part of the chapter. Others will have the same treatment.


"So what in blazes hell you want me to do now Prime?" Fowler was fuming with anger. "How should I explain that a none American civilian is going to stay at base to the Pentagon. Only recently the Pentagon agreed on kids and your terms of keeping American citizens safe. The Pentagon will have me eat my shorts now that YOU brought another human in here, and she is not even an American."

"I do not know Special Agent Fowler, only that the Decepticons will certainly use her against us. This is more then just your Government, it is about your whole world at stake as they will not shun on their efforts, especially with Starscream as the commander in wake Megatron's demise. Our duty still stands with terms of agreement we will protect Earth from the Decepticon's. We have no way to go home, that door is closed after recent events. Earth is our home now."

The Prime quickly glanced at Díssa who have followed the whole conversation between the human and a Cybertronian she have learned the term other then Autobot or robot. Not looking very pleased about the situation, but none the less she have adapted quickly and overcome the initial chock very well and understood what was at stake to what it is worth.

There was really not much to do and followed the everyday life with fascinations as the bots roamed about and learned more why they where on Earth.

The morphine took most of the pain of the way, but mad her very tired. In her mind she struggled to make sense of it all. Hmm must be Monday by now and had a schedule the coming week. Thank fully with a little tinkering from Rafael on her Blackberry tablet, she managed to communicate via email her clients, friends and other schedules, forcing to cancel all appointments due to an unforeseen accident with a rake cleaning out in the garden. Logical she could not say she was attacked by giant alien robots understanding the motives and wanting of anonymity.

With an improvised metal rod as a cane she could move about, she hated sitting still with nothing to do, but her moments where limited on the raised platform and catwalk construction in a variable even height with the robots and for humans to avoid getting underfoot, or squished as Ratchet so elegant have put it.

At one point she expressed was in need of fresh air. Her jaw dropped to see where a yellow robot once stood few seconds ago now was an American muscle car with doors open beckoning her to come for a ride.

Optimus ordered in a stern calm tone like a father reprimanded his children, not to scold the yellow bot but firm order that Díssa can be at risk outside for the Decepticons to be with Bumblebee.

The yellow bot made sad disappointing mechanical chirping and beeping noises, the car lowered itself in it shocks letting out a disappointed node of a buzz. A part in Díssa thought it was sweet and found a soft spot for the yellow robot as she observed the special bond he had with the youngest of the children. They had a special bond it was clear as daylight for Díssa which melted a part of her heart it almost hurt. In her eyes there where like brothers, Bumbleebee as the older brother playing with his little brother. The youngest kid Rafael is the only human that can understand the bots beeps and buzzes, no one can explain why.

She found her self speaking for the scout he only meant in good way to make her feel more welcome. Optimus nodded at her and said no more of the matter. A bot of few words, fair and firm, did not raise his tone to voice his opinion.

The second kid, Miko, a Japanese exchange students was befriended with the wide sized green bot Bulkhead. She looked fragile, but the big guy handled her with care and very patient of her ramblings and full of life. Not to mention had no idea when to shut up.

A low mumbled gratitude came from Ratchet. No one have tried to simply ask the girl. Díssa merely gave a short look at the girl and calmly asked Miko just to stay silent for 5 minutes while she where going through her mailing list on her tablet and reschedule everything for the next two weeks.

Then there is Jack, paired with a female blue robot the Arcee. She kept to her self or stood in the background observing with Jack the other two team mates antics, when not doing her daily chores around the base. When she shifted her form, Díssa gawking eyed saw the bot became much smaller to fit the size of a blue motorcycle. Amazing.

He is a lonely child and the mother a nurse who treated Díssa's wound. June worked on different shifts at the local hospital, yet always took time to be with her son when she could. He was more laid back and observant then the others. Grown up for his age, but still a teenager with all the hormones that followed in its wake after eavesdropping on a conversation between him and Arcee how Jack wanted to impress some girl he had a crush on at school, only to get shot down on the femme bots joking reprimands. There where something in her voice Díssa hung on to, she could not exact put her finger on it.

Ratchet, well, he was grumpy and at times ill tempered, but calmed down with gaze from Optimus or a short word spoken. That's what she got out of him and didn't bother the other residents or guests unless necessary. The two robots spoke in low voice with each other and as Optimus issued new planes of patrol routes and possible locations of their precious energon they lived on. Their stocks have been scarce if not been lucky winning the skirmish by the old coal mining facility. Not much was gathered, but enough to keep them going for a while.

Many times her eyes lingered more then often towards the Autobot leader when ever he was in the main area of the base. She guessed right, he must be the semi truck, same colours, and the Autobot symbol on either side of those big red arms. The dents on the armour have been straighten out since then, made him look more presentable.

Ratchet moved about his larger companion working out quirks, having to remove a large portion of Optimus armour panel on one lower arm exposing a second layer of metal meshed together and wires, she swear it looked same as human muscles, just in a darker grey colour. Embarrassed she looked away, but stole glances at Optimus, he sat patiently insisting to Ratchet he could do that part him self. The two had a dynamic deep friendship told by gestures and glances. At one point she think she saw Optimus roll his eyes at Ratchet mentioned something she did not really catch what was said.

Returning to the matter at hand, she turned her attention to the black man. She never really meet many blacks in her homeland and most 'blacks' where Muslims, not that she had any against them, yet kept her distance having encountered a bit to many that shouted male chauvinistic language at her just because she was both a woman and red head. Agent Fowler did not fit that description by far.

"Could I have at least a say in this matter? Instead of someone trying to decide over my head with out consulting me what you will do with me. I am a human being that have rights and as long we are still on Earth, ain't there some loopholes that overrides in this sort of situations Any laws ALWAYS have some sort of loophole? Red tape anything? Think outside the box. I am sorry I am not that keen on American politics other what I hear they are pretty bonkers.

And another thing Agent Fowler, I am proud citizen of The Kingdom of Denmark, the oldest Monarchy dating back to the Viking Era. Even as I do not agree what our parliament does, I still have the right to of freedom of speech." she stared Fowler right in the eyes pressing her finger hard on his chest to emphasize her speech. "And you can not keep me here against my self"

"You want to leave?" Optimus asked.

"Ehm well kinda" she was taken a back at his voice sounded sad. "Well for the record, I actually have a job, a business of my own that least keeps my head afloat and food on the table, and my friends might start to worry where I am, not to mention my family." She paused for a few moments. Next was not pleasant came to her mind. "I have my own duties to attend, according to my grandfathers testament, stating it is me that should to perform the final rites. It was his wishes"

"As you wish Díssa, I will take you home" Optimus said with a slight nod then turned to Fowler "Díssa will be under my protection Special Agent Fowler. No more no less"

"Ahem, fine. Prime you will held responsible for her safety"

"Understood" a short nod from the leader bot.

"Ma'am" Agent Fowler politely nodded at Díssa, she only gave a shrug and a confused look in return and followed the man with quick angry stomping steps towards the lift to the top side where his helicopter where parked on the helipad elevator.

She only been up there once wanting a bit fresh air and getting her bearings where she was. Jack helped her to the elevator and operated it for her. He was a good boy that knows first aid taught by his mother and saved her life. She smiled at him and thanked him. Embarrassed at the red haired woman with a beautiful smile, but felt less tense when they started to talk.

Jack felt at ease having some other to talk about the secret they where forced to keep and told Díssa about how the three kids came to be in the protection of the Autobots started with Jack thought Arcee was just a normal motorcycle that suddenly had to bail with Jack as Arcee had a couple of Con's on her tail.

Later they ended up near a storm drain outside just outside the town where Rafeal playing with a little radio remote car and the two fleed together to the other side away from the battling robots. Next day the two vehicles where out side their school. Miko was not supposed to know, but she saw and heard Jack and Rafael talk with the motorcycle and yellow car urging him to go. Much to the femme annoyance and had her orders.

The events where fairly recent. Díssa pondered what is the Norns where up too by entwining their life threads in a mess together like that.

There where something in air she could feel it, perhaps when her new rune set is finished could find some sort of answer or her tarot cards to satisfy her question. One of her friends told her she might or could have been a Seer in a past life, being rather good reading through her divination skills, but have shrugged it of never thought it that way. It was just a certain gift she had to read the signs with no prior knowledge of the one asking the questions background, amongst other things that where more disturbing.

Earth was now their battleground. Optimus was determined he will protect mankind from Decepticons and by any means necessary without the cost of human life. Optimus stood his ground for what he believed in, including courage and honour. Same ideals Díssa lived by, thanks to her grandfather Egon and the Ways of Old ran deep in her bloodline. The virtues where not only honour and courage, it also held the love of her family and friends through a deep spiritual connection.

"Do you know what that means Díssa?" Miko said almost jumped her.

"Huh what?"

"You got the Big guy as your guardian, he is best. Ohhh you have yet to see him smash Con's into scrap"

"Pardon me, what?" Díssa said in her best British accent she learned in school.

"You are lucky, at least its not Mr Grumpy Rust Pants over there" Miko gestured with a thump towards at Ratchet.

"I heard that" Ratchet frowned and was almost close throwing a wrench in their direction. Both females giggled.

The only clothes she had was her costume at the base. The pants where discarded due to the large hole and clotted with her own dried blood. June Darby have been friendly to giving her pair of dark blue jeans she didn't use. They fitted perfectly making Jack blush well knowing it was his mothers, as the jeans where low cut by the waist. She put the white puff sleeved shirt over and topped it with the suits vest. And then adorned the red long coat that fell past her knees almost touching the floor. June have also leaned a pair of sensible shoes, fortunate they had the same shoe size.

Miko was awestruck by her appearance and just had to take a picture emerging from one of the offices once used from the previous human tenants.

"All you need now is a top hat and then you could complete that look" Miko said taking multiple pictures on her phone. By instinct Díssa flinched away from the flash.

From Díssa's point of view was glad Miko was not like other teenage girls getting dumbed down by pointless reality programs being more of a gamer girl. In those few days she have been at the base she have taken Miko up on a challenge playing a video game and won multiple times.

"But you are like ooooooold" the girl wailed.

"I may by older then you Miko, but I am an old school gamer. I started to play computer games when the original Diablo came out in 1996 no more older then you at that year" The girl was a bit of a soar looser, not like Raf and Jack who also challenged her. Even Bumblebee, but she have an idea he have let her win as the yellow bot beeped and made a thumps up at her victory against the more experienced driver.

"What do you actually do for a living?" Jack was a bit curious."its not like you go to school or anything"

A soft smile shown on her lips while packing the rest of her limited supplies of things along with painkillers and antibiotics given from June.

"Hmm, you can say I am independent business woman with a talent for historical clothing and understanding of to how to make wool or other natural fibres into cloth. Spent last winter learning how to weave. One big cloth takes weeks to complete, but very fulfilling when done. But that is not half half of my talents."

"You're a tailor?"

"Mm'mm, pretty much, I made this costume for the party, everything down to the white puff sleeve, vest and trousers. Simple really, giving the right tools and know how. Also I do have a stand at the local farmers market selling home-made produce foods like jam, honey, mead and dried herbs from my garden. Some friends of mine are planning to to start up a microbrewery, but it needs to be funded and all other legal details to be sorted. With today's economy the bank is not that willingly to lending any money." she happy chatted their ear off with a smile. Being very content with what she does, she did not ask for more. Always keeping her hands busy with different projects occupied most of her day.

"Sounds like a lot of hard work"

"Yup it is, and who needs a man to bring home the bacon" snapping her fingers with a smile.

"Hey, thought you looked like Alucard" Miko smug said.

Jack twisted around peering at Miko "Alucard?"

"Vampire in an anime, Jack you got to watch it, its to awesome to explain. I don't want to spoil it for you with lots of blood and gore"

Chuckling at Jack's bemused expression Díssa learned on the cane after flinging her satchel over her shoulder and humped carefully over to the stairs. This is going to be a problem as the thigh hurt like a bitch every time she took a step. Before she even steeled her self, Optimus offered a hand with the palm up. She looked at it uncertain what to make of it. She then gazed down at the stairs looking like an endless strain of torture, but could do it.

"Do not strain your injury" the Prime said. His calm blue eyes invited her to let him take care of her. A part in her independent nature refused to and afraid of the big hand extended. She is grateful for their hospitality they have given Díssa, but had no idea how to pay them back.

Swallowing her pride, nodding as she leaned to get scooped up having to braze her self the ground looked different from above.

The children and other Autobots where watching the scene unfold before their very eyes and optics. The way and gracefulness in Optimus movements due to his large size he handled the woman with much care, keeping his optics on her the whole time till she was safely on the ground floor. Díssa held on to her pendant around her neck being safe on the ground for a moment she was afraid to fall, he was very gentle that surprised her above anything else. Among other things she felt embarrassed of thinking of and brushed it of like swiping away dirt of her clothes.

Optimus transformed, she tried to hid a smug smile seeing the same handsome semi truck she meet few nights ago. Her thigh stung a bit as she carefully climbed into the passenger side, the pain did not seem that bad like before as she settled in the comfy seat.

Given the fact the large truck was really a giant sentient metal alien she couldn't help to wonder; did he do out of duty or in fact was a gentleman or gentlebot corrected herself. There where more then meets the eye.

"Did we all just saw that?" Jack said out load.

"Yes we did" Arcee nodded. She have been standing on the sideline the whole time. No emotions on her faceplate.

*I would have gladly driven her home, she has a sweet smile* beebed Bumblebee, only Raf and the other Autobots understood his beeping and gave him baffled frowns.

"Well settles it, if Optimus says she is under his protection. He is true to his word" Ratchet said, as he activated the ground bridge and queue for Optimus. It would have been easier if she have lived somewhere near, but all that is worth it from Ratchets point of view it was better the woman was far away from their base. And wished the three kids he had to tolerate lived somewhere else.

The truck emerged on the other side on a dirt road right in the middle of a rain shower by automatic Optimus activated the wind-shield wipers.

It took a few moments for Díssa to realize where exactly they where, it was about ½ hour drive too her house from here. She knew the area very well as there where a 3000 year old stone monument not far from where they emerged from the portal. Only one of the few that was located around in the area, and protected by by the city council and government because it's great historical value.

"Optimus, why didn't we ground bridge just near my house?"

"Precaution if the Decepticons are still around and likely are"

It was a very neutral answer, she just nodded and watched the steering wheel move all by its own. Spooky no one sat in the drivers side, yet the large vehicle did not swerve from the road mindful of its passenger.

For a giant metal alien the seat in the cab was very comfortable as she leaned back feeling the fabric adapted itself to her body, she watched the rain drip down on the windows and listened to the deep humming sound of the engine. It had a soothing effect on her and felt tiredness overwhelm her. She looked forward to get home in her own bed. A bath would also do her good being able to drift away in her own thought emerging herself in the warm bathtubs water.

It was long past midday, the dark clouds hanged low giving the impression it was evening. Soon it stopped to rain and the clouds slowly gave way to the rays of the sun to shine through, waking Díssa from her daze to see a rainbow.

"Bifrost" she mumbled slumped comfy in the warm seat and the seatbelt was snuggled tight over her without causing it to be uncomfortable.

"Bifrost? Optimus asked.

"In the Norse myths, the rainbow Bifrost is said to be a bridge to Asgard the home of the Gods just one of the 9 worlds that connects the World Tree Ygrdassil. In the myths Bifrost has a gatekeeper, Heimdall said to can see far and wide and hear the grass grow" Díssa explained without giving much more thought.

Optimus slowed a bit down, he took his time and made sure not to drive of the road while looking at the rainbow phenomena. He have seen such rainbows before and never given it much thought as it was more of the a natural effect of lights from the Earth's sun.

He have heard the concept of religion and myths on Earth, but never fully understood it. Yet there where so many things he didn't knew about human customs and have spent a great deal of his Cybertronien life engaged in war and rarely had one moment of peace.

There where something about this human a sense of great virtue beyond her short human life span. He have seen in her eyes, but they contained a hidden secret, locked behind a compassionate genuine expression.

Feeling sorrow for have thrown her in the midst of his war, but why did his core tell him something else about this human femme. Why did he sense some connection to her. She is different then the other humans in their care.

Finally arriving to her house, it looked the same since she left it days earlier. Optimus was to large in his vehicle mode drive into the driveway so Díssa had to crawl out of the cap with a bit difficulty she landed on her none injured leg on the ground and rested one hand on the cab for balance. Optimus observed they where no other humans around and transformed careful scooping Díssa up in his hand and place her to the front door.

"You didn't have to do that, I could have managed myself" Díssa flustered by his act of chivalry.

"Your wound needs to be healed. I will be near if you require aid."

"Seriously, I could have managed myself up to my front door" she said stubborn.

"I insist, but I will only leave when I have too" he sounded very concerned about her then wandered in the few steps back to the main road and transform back into a truck.

"OK fine" Díssa shrugged and rummages through her bag to find her keys and behind her she heard two hungry and complaining miaaav.

"Hey Sapphire, hey Shadow you hungry? Aww yes you, are stupid furballs of terror" she cooed to a white cat brushing up her pant leg. Another black and grey cat followed the white ones lead. She giggled at her cats, they where pleading to get in and get some food, poor things must be starving.

Optimus watched her enter her house from his vehicle mode and zoomed in the two, four legged fur creatures hearing what made Díssa giggle. She had a lovely laugh that filled his audio receptors all the way to his core.


Rest of the day was pretty uneventful. Optimus sensors was alert when rest of him was powered down. Cars passed by while humans heading back to their own homes peacefully unaware of a war that rages on their world. The sun settled and the first lights of the stars shone bright through the thin clouds.

Díssa stood on the balcony connected the master bedroom of the house, clean after a long hot tub bath and clad in her black satin knee long night gown caressing her bare skin.

She have managed earlier to finish up a dress she was meaning to wear at up coming medieval and Viking markets this summer. She have been working on it all winter to get the details right. She just wondered if her wound would heal in time as she was part of a Viking Fight Troupe that both performed and trained as a sport with historical weapons.

Sitting in her chair with a warm sheepskin and a warm blanket over shoulders and a warm cub of herbal tea in her hands. Díssa enjoyed the silence, closing her eyes listening to the rustle of newly blossomed leaves gently being nudged by the wind. It was a soothing sound she welcomed after the few days she have been thrown head on into a whole new world that in her wildest dreams never could have imagined. She needed to reflect on that matter feeling the world around her for signs.

The silence got disrupted by the sound of an engine come to life, it was the sound from Optimus's engine. She looked about and spotted the red truck to right of her house he have parked him self on a dirt road her neighbour a farmer used to gain access to the fields behind the house. Maybe she should mentioned to the Autobot he could use the other side that leads all the way back to an old barnyard that is a part of the property as it says on the deed.

Optimus had to leave, he had assigned patrols and possible quadrants for either energon or Decepticon activity and it was his turn to go into the field having to stop quick back at base and refuel. A part of him didn't not wanted to leave Díssa alone. He had his duties to his team.

Adjusting his side mirror to gaze at the house and saw her standing on a platform extended from the upper level of the house's design. She was not clad in much clothes wondering if she would not feel cold knowing humans where sensitive to temperature changes. He then drove of still having the side mirror on her until she was out of sight.

"See you later handsome" the woman said, watching the large vehicle drove of into the night and out of sight, letting the sound of the rumbling engine echo in her mind.


A biker woman on a blue sleek motorcycle and a yellow and black striped American muscle car made their way down the streets in the boundaries of the speed limit through a drowsy small town. It was early in the evening, most of residents where already home or on their way home making their approach more smooth nearing the house of the coordinates they have been given.

*It almost feel like Jasper this place, only with more trees* Bumblebee beeped as they drove down the road, it was a peaceful quiet town. Arcee didn't offer any response to her partner of the day.

The houses they have passed by was mainly made out of red, yellow or white brick houses, others where smaller and had what looks to be hay on the rooftops. It was a quite town much like Jasper, but settings where different almost picturesque in vast contrast to a drowsy desert town of Nevada. Here there where trees on every corner they passed, small and big ones, they even drove through a road that cut though a forest area.

Exiting the forest area it opened up to farmland fields they soon arrived at the designated coordinates laying on the out skirts of a small village. The home it self was isolated and nearest neighbour sat almost across the street from the Díssa's house. It had a good view over a grass field occupied by shaggy bovine creatures with horns.

In the drive where parked three different cars. The furthest in where covered with a sheet under a carport sheltering it from the weather.

In the distance over the hills of the field there is a large stretch of water. Bumblebee recognized with his olfactory sensors on earlier reconnaissance missions on Earth that the smell was a mixture of salt and seaweed. They where near a sea area. Remembering what Rafeal said that Denmark was a nation with many islands and only one mainland connection to another country called Germany. The bot asked, why do Earth has so many so called countries, Raf couldn't answer that.

They heard laughter coming from behind the house and voices approaching.

"Take cover" ordered Arcee, almost silently the two backed into the other house driveway hidden partly by a fence to one side.

A man appeared with Díssa on his arm helping her support her leg. She have found a more suitable cane instead of the metal one used at the base. The man was a tall short cropped blond and large beard that was braided down to his chest. He looked like he could eat a Con for breakfast concluded Bumblebee to himself.

"Are you sure you do not need help with anything else?"

"Martin I will be fine." she heartily clapped the tall man on his back and supported her weight with the cane with the other. He bared his teeth into a large grin, bright grey and blue friendly eyes showing a lot of smiling wrinkles.

"Be safe little Valkyrie and don't fall on any more rakes" he gave her a hug lifting her of the ground and planted a kiss on her forehead and lowered her down. Díssa let out a startled yelped that transferred over to a giggle at the man's action.

"Say hello to Silla from me" She said waving at him as he got in his own blue Honda car and drove away. She turned to hump back towards the garden, then paused for a second, something reflected in her neighbours driveway across the street. She knew there where gone for a couple of weeks and have asked her to look out for any intruders.

For an instance her heart jumped and slowly backed up, but then relaxed into an exhale to see a yellow car with black strips exit the driveway and into her view, followed close behind by a blue motorcycle.

"Its fine its me and Bumblebee" came a familiar voice.

"You two scared the shit out me" slight strain in her voice. Her heart still felt it was locked in her throath.

"We need to keep a low profile. Optimus's orders."

Bumblebee beeped something.

"He says sorry to scare you" Arcee translated.

The woman waved it off and calmed her self a bit more down leaning on her cane.

"And your friend, also some of the few that knows about you?" Díssa wondered who the biker was as Arcee trailed agile into the driveway with Bumblebee right behind.

Arcee turned off her hologram. It made Díssa jump. That was new, but what else was new having meet alien robots doubting no one will really believe her.

"No, Sadie is not real. Do you think a motorcycle can just run without a driver?"

Díssa sighed and nodded and looked around, they where no car or people near by, she gestured to the back. There where two cars parked in the drive way, one was her grandfathers...or now hers and the other the banged up rally Impreza car parked under the small carport.

"There is more cover behind in the garden, very private" Díssa guided them.

They transformed and with ease to Díssa amazement they squeezed through the narrow way into the garden, but there where also the other way around, that is not that shielded from, yet wide enough for even Optimus get back if no one looked in that direction from a far.

To the Autobots they only saw some trees and grass and what the humans called flowers. For humans, they will be god smacked thinking they have entered a fairy tale land. Small trees surrounded the edge of the large garden a mixture of apple, cherry and elderflower. Scattered across the garden there where both flower and herbal beds some where already starting to bloom from the winters cold grasp. Scandinavian native wild flowers sprouted in a blanket of purple, yellow and white concentrated in a patch near the centre in the gardens grass.

Boxing in the garden where laid in thick branches and leaves have just recently sprung out. Later in the season it needed to be trimmed so it wouldn't overgrow.

In the far end to one side stood a greenhouse, beside it a tool-shed it where flanked to the opposite side, stood six beehives neatly in a row of three in the corner by bushes and a large tree its branches hanging over. The bees where starting to get a little active with the days getting warmer. Much to Díssa delight having checked the queen and hive have survived the harsh winter, the few that already where active gorged themselves in the gardens many flowers neatly been planted over the years to create the sweet thick golden substance. Over the years she have come here as a tradition on every spring season to help her grandfather plant flowers of all kinds for the bees to pollinate in the ever changing world. Her joking grandfather said; with no bees there would be no mead or else Ragnarok would come sooner then expected.

There where still the harvest from last seasons honey along with beewax needed to be turned into candles.

In the middle of the large garden was a round fire pit about 1½ meters in diameter, surrounding the fire pit where large round tree chunks serving as stools. One of them where carved out to look more like a chair.

"Boyfriend of yours? Arcee asked about the man from before.

"Oh Martin. He is a good friend of mine, real sweet heart and acts like he is my brother. I needed some help around the garden I couldn't do my self and talk about my involuntary injury I will be out this tournament season" Díssa said. "But I heal fast, sooner you know it, I am back whacking my team mates yellow and blue" she was making her way over the little terrace section with some wooden patio furniture.

"So what honour do I have your presence in my home?" the woman inclined sitting down on her chair with a horn of mead and flask with the clear yellow liquid on the table that she have shared with her friend from earlier.

"Optimus is out on a recon mission with Bulkhead and asked us to see if you are al right and take you back to base." explained the femme bit flat.

"As you can see I am fine, even as my movements are limited" Díssa said sitting in her chair with a black and white sheep skin placed on it, she had a good view from where she sat overlooking the garden. Her shield and spear and other equipment used for training leaned up against the entrance to the house from the garden.

Bumblebee where scouting the rest of the garden and beeped with amazement seeing so many different textures and picked up scents he was afraid it might overload his sensors, he liked the certain vibe here, it felt like a safe haven. His audios picked up a rustling noise coming from the bushes, edging carefully closer too inspect what it might be and was meet by two different sets of feline eyes starring back at him, one blue and other green.

They bolted in a blur of white and other black and grey stripped creature ran past under Bumblebee's legs darting straight for the house, they agile avoided Arcee in the process who had armed herself with her blades by reflex.

Díssa laughed seeing her two cats fleeing from the 'scary' robot. Bumblebee beeped sad.

"Its OK they can be very skittish towards new people, or ehm robots for that matter" she shrugged. Turning her head peaking inside the house, she could see from the corner of her eye where one of them hid under the table in the exterior of a terrace like dais, connected to the main part of the house. Its eyes peaked from behind a chair. Sapphire have fled further inside the house and no doubt upstairs to Díssa's bedroom and under the protective duvet.

One arme stretched and hunched over she called and cooed the feline with petting and snacks

The cat approaching very carefully, it sniffed her hand then brushed its head in with a meek meow, still wary at the two odd metal things the cat sought for comfort with its human and jumped up in her lap. Díssa smiled with giggled and ruffled her big black and white striped cats fur coat, earning purrs from the feline.

"Atta boy Shadow, they are not that scary you big furball. To think you where such a shy one ½ year ago at the shelter." smiling absent minded of a found, but also sad memory

"So you take in stray animals" Arcee had her arms crossed and impatiant.

"No, I just love animals. I am happy to give him a good loving home" She stroked the soft fur making the animal purr and stretch its legs and claws. The sounds made her smile as Shadow was happy and content bundling himself up into a furry ball, only tail was visible that swung back and forth enjoying the gentle strokes from his human food dispenser.

Bumblebee sat down cross legged peering at the little creature, the way Díssa lured it to her and jumped in her lap then to curl it self up in a bundle of fur. The sound it made made him curious to know more about Earth.

Bumblebee remembered there has been similar small beings like that back on Cybertron, but the war have wiped everything out. He was still a sparkling when it began.

He then spotted the shield and spear leaning on the chair. The shield was round and some what battered of all the hacks it had in the wood. It had a strange symbol looking like a head of snake, but he could not see where it ended or began. Pointing, followed by a little series of buzzes of questioning beeps, Arcee followed Bumblebees digit and translated his question."He asks if you are a warrior?"

Díssa shook her head. "Ehm, maybe in a sense for show, a group of friends both perform at markets and fairs with real, yet not sharp weapons. It's a bit hit with children of all ages as our shows are somewhat theatrical. It is also a growing sport, but not for everybody. It all depends from tournament to tournament where to hit and where not along with safety no one gets serious hurt other then pride and a lot of bruises. My favourite weapon is the spear, not brag but I'm the best in my troupe with that weapon." she winked and a short nod."It has some draw backs, but am working on perfecting my technique. Shame I am hindered now. I train least a couple of times per week either alone or have sparring partner using spear and sword or axe and of course shield." The woman rubbed her leg with a sad look. The yellow bot beeped something.

"He asks when you get better if you can show of your moves" Arcee translated for Bumblebee.

"We will see" Díssa nodded with a smile at Bumblebee. The answer seemed to satisfy the yellow bot seeing the optics lid up happy.


15 minutes later Díssa sat in the passenger seat of a yellow Camero with black stripes heading down the road. She have packed the most practical and essentials she could take along, like a cloak she was working on that is an order piece along along with other things she might need for later. All things neatly packed in her backpack that she have used many times in the past. It was made out a very sturdy material bought from an army outlet sale some years ago.

They where almost at the designated coordinates for ground bridge when three vehicons appeared from a street connecting the main road. They have been lurking, waiting for the bots in an ambush. Arcee and Bumblebee had no choice to speed up.

*Hold on* Bumblebee buzzed. Díssa have noticed the purple cars appear from behind then the seatbelt tighten itself around her. The two cars enclose themselves on the yellow car, boxing Bumblebee in. Panic welled over her, and froze not being able to do anything in her strapped position.

Bumblebee struggled to keep him self on the road as the screeching of metal on both sides as the vehicons slammed themselves against him. Díssa screamed in shock feeling the impact both cars making her head throb around.

Arcce came behind one the them with one on her tail and jumped on it making it loose traction on the road and spin out of control and onto a flock filled with sheep fleeing from the sudden metal contraption in fear. One did not like having its flock invaded, the ram lowered its head and charged head on into the already motionless purple car. Its horns struck home with a crash and just for good measure head-butted some more with the large curled horns the animals it was satisfied the threat was no more and let it be, but still a wary eye on the metal thing.

The remaining was trying hard to push Bumblebee into the ditch, but the yellow bots engines roared and speed up, doing an 180 slamming his front end in to his foes that spun and hit a lamp post on the side. The impact made the lamp post bend from the Con's metal body was more sturdy then a normal car, but the impact glitch up its sensors and systems it had to recuperate.

Driving backwards now he quickly recuperated in the same speed then turned around in one motion.

All the time he have made sure Díssas seatbelt was wrapped tight around her and she was holding on for dear life with both backpack and cane in her embrace.

Then she felt Bumblebee stopped and the door opened and seatbelt came of. That was her queue to get out. Bumblebee transformed just in time to get slammed head on by a vehicon, hurling them into the dirt the two bots wrestled for the upper hand.

Díssa scurried away far from the battle, her heart was pumping fast as she crawled on her knees and felt like the stitches on her thigh where about go up by the seams. Her instinct was to get away from the battle, gritting her teeth from the pain tears ran down her cheeks praying for it to be over.

Bumblebee kicked his opponent off, doing a quick flip and was back his pedes standing back to back with Arcee occupied with the same three vehicons from before on the road having caught up with the Autobots.

They did not see the fourth approaching Díssa. She spun around on her back hearing the thumping footsteps of a big robot.

Her terrified scream cut through the night and held her cane in a death grip up in front of her, mortified as the whirring of the armed gun came to life, aiming at almost point blank. There where no way to get out, all of her soul in horror screamed for the inevitable to happen.

It pulled the trigger.

"Díssa!" Arcee yelled running as fast her legs could to Díssa's aid, after she just finished one foe, blasting its neck cables open from her gun followed with scissor cut from her arm blades sliced, she kicked of on its chest doing a back flip in the air then landed on both feet to sprint fast towards Díssa spitting cusses then to her own shock to her very spark was to late as the vehicon shoot at the human.

Primus, no no.

Díssa's cane was glowing in a bright blue light that engulfed the human femme in a protective sphere. She was unharmed from the Cons blast who looked rather surprised its blaster didn't kill its target. He looked confused at its own blaster and then back at the human.

Díssa was surprised she was still alive, the cane glowed and shimmered slight. Instinct she pointed the now transformed arm at the vehicon that was about to take another shoot at her, but it didn't even got to pull the trigger as it got blasted from the spot. Metal clanged as it hit the ground and smoke emerged from its gaping wound, it was already dead on impact. The cane have moulded itself and embedded in her skin into a one barrel cannon, shimmering in a silver grey and two bayonets like blades mounted on each side in light blue with glinting sharp edges. It was twice as long as her lower arm a little a bit thicker then her upper arm.

She stared in shook her arm just have become.

The remaining vehicons fled with Arcee and Bumblebee chasing them off.

Bumblebee carefully walked up to to Díssa which arm still was transformed into a cannon holding it high. He beeped softly to her like he have seen her gently called to her cat. One digit stroked the back of the femmes back, but was in a state of shock staring to make wheezing noises and hiccups trying to get some air into her lungs, it only made the scouts buzzes more sad. Arcee came up having made sure the Con's where gone, she knelt beside the shaken woman. With a servo hold over the cannon guiding it down onto the ground. The femme soldier was as surprised as Bumblebee what they have just seen and evidence of the smouldering corpse of the vehicon. The blast have melted all the way into the spark chamber. No one could have survived such a blunt hit, unless being built a frame that could stand against such punishment.

Somewhere in the distance a crack of rolling thunder was heard making both bots turn their helms.

"Its OK, take it easy" Arcee crooned said softly. Still shaken and hiccups and hyperventilation showing them self in the full colours. Back in her mind reminded to take deep breath. Arcee laid a hand on the cannon carefully lowered the point downwards.

Díssa eventually calmed down using her breathing warring of the worst of the panic stricken state and the cannon disappeared, there in her hand held the cane that shimmered in a dim with light till it dissipated.

*We better head back before more arrive* Bumblebee beeped picking up Díssa carefully on his arm. She was shaking, yet unharmed. He held her close to his chassis while Arcee called Ratchet for the ground bridge. He wouldn't have forgiven him self if she have...Optimus would have been very sad him self letting harm come to any humans at all that are innocent.

The ground bridge appeared and they stepped through meeting Ratchet on the other side starring at two with wide spread arms and baffled expression.

"What happen? I detected an energy surge from your location"

"Cons followed us, it was close but we drove them off" Arcee stole a glance at Díssa on Bumblebees arm. "But you are not gonna believe this"

"Is she OK?" Ratchet rushed to see the human female on Bumblebees arm.

*She is shaken, but alive* Bumblebee beeped sad feeling the tremors rattling through his plates coming from Díssa.

Her vision have shifted from tunnel vision to be blacked out, but appeared awake, yet did not respond making the bots very uncomfortable never dealt with a situation like this before.