Chapter 3

It was cloudy day, making Maria even more nervous. It was nine thirty. Toni was driving Maria to the airport, where Ian was, supposedly. Due to Toni's request, they were driving in her black GMC Topkick. Toni looked so serious that Maria couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. It felt as if she was child being taken home after a fight. It only meant bad things lay ahead when you got home.

"Don't seem so scared," sighed Toni, leaning back, "You're the one who wanted to come."

"I know but the way you're looking ahead, I feel like I'm in trouble," Maria stifled a chuckle.

"There," whispered Toni, stopping the car.

Ian stood beside one the five hangers. A slick F-22 raptor sat behind him. He wore his black jacket again, this time buttoned up. His eyes were hidden by sunglasses. Toni sighed, looking to Maria. The latter looked fragile and frightened, holding an old purple box tightly. Toni shook her head, trying to keep the mission first.

"Come on," nodded Toni, exiting the truck.

Ian, at the sound of a car door closing, looked up. He frowned at the sight of Toni. Her long hair blew in the gust of wind as she marched around the front of the car. Maria staggered out the opposite side of the car, closing the door lightly behind her. Ian smiled again at the sight of the small box. The jet behind him creaked, a small engine rev barely audible. Ian motioned for silence. It soon followed. Toni and Maria stood beside the car, leaving a good couple feet in between them and Ian.

"Well, Whitney, long time no see," Ian chuckled.

"Yeah, right," snapped Toni. "You think I'd just let you go after you killed half my squad!"

"Well, I figured if you were smart, you would've," shrugged Ian, chuckling lightly.

"I won't let you help those Cons," growled Toni.

"C'mon, Maria, get a load of her," chuckled Ian, motioning lightly to Toni. "She's so full of herself. Thinking she's some sort of hero."

"I'm helping people!" howled Toni, stepping forward slightly.

"People?" laughed Ian. "People!"

Maria stood, awestruck by the conversation and the sudden change in persona from Ian. Yesterday he seemed a little friendlier, at least from what she saw. Ian lowered his sunglasses, showing off his dark eyes. a red tint glimmered in them. He pushed them back up, crossing his arms afterward.

"Now," he nodded. "Maria, my dear, the stone?"

"Don't," ordered Toni, holding her arm out to stop Maria.

"Now, now, now," hummed Ian, raising a hand, "Whitney, we don't want to draw attention to ourselves."

"You wouldn't dare," growled Toni.

"One snap is all it takes," smiled Ian, twisted his hand until he was a flinch away from snapping.

"Not now, Fox," whispered Toni. "Not here."

"The gem, Miss Maria," purred Ian, holding out his other hand.

"Don't," repeated Toni, looking back.

Maria felt her knees knocking together. Her old best friends were arguing and yelling for her to make a choice. She simply couldn't, not so quickly. The box in her hand shook along with her hands. She looked over slowly at Toni. The latter shook her head lightly. Maria looked back to Ian. He smiled, nodding, and raising his hand.

"I…I don't…" stuttered Maria.

"Don't trust him," begged Toni.

"I grow impatient," grumbled Ian, losing his smile.

"I can't do it," sobbed Maria, "I can't decide!"

"Enough of this charade!" ordered Ian, snapping his fingers.

The jet behind him shifted, the parts pulling forward and back. Maria gasped. The raptor transformed into a large figure. Its red eyes looked around, a smile forming on his face. The blood red eyes looked at Maria, targeting the little box. Maria screamed, stumbling back against the car.

"Ian, you idiot," hissed Toni.

"I'm done playing fair," Ian huffed, waving his hand, "Have fun, Starscream."

"Ironhide!" ordered Toni.

Maria felt the hood shift backward. She fell back, landing on the concrete. She looked up in awe. The truck shifted just as the jet had, transforming into a figure. Large guns formed around the hands. Maria stuttered another cry. There was a crack, and everything that followed happened fast. The next thing Maria heard was gun fire. She couldn't tell if it was from the two large machines or Toni with a gun she hadn't seen before.

"Run!" Toni ordered. "Run, Maria!"

Maria scrambled to her feet, stumbling a little as she took off. Ian groaned, pulling out his own weapon. Maria felt the whoosh of a bullet speed past her. She screamed again. Toni tried her best to cover Maria's leave but it was hard with the two bots fighting around her. She hastily placed the headset on her ear. She clicked it after another brief shot of the gun.

"Maria's exiting to the south. I need a pick up. I repeat, I need a pick up. We have confrontation between Autobot and Decepticon on west wing. Shut everything down!"

Maria stumbled toward the airport. The planes around, the ones supposed to be taking off, were stopping. Maria felt heat coming from behind. Looking back, she noticed the burning of the hanger. Something knocked her in the stomach, causing her to collapse backwards again. She looked up wearily.

Before her stood a young woman, possibly barely twenty-three. She was dressed in a black assault uniform, stretching from the neck down to the ankles. A black helmet completed the outfit. Maria watched her slip a gun from the holster on the right side. It was pointed straight at Maria, frightening her more.

"Give me the box," she ordered.

"B-b-but…" stuttered Maria. "Toni told me…"

"I don't care what Whitney told you!" howled the lady. "Give me the box!"

Maria raised a shaky hand, the box rattling in it. The lady reached for the box. There was a shattering explosion, knocking the woman on guard and balance. Maria jumped up, running around her. The woman growled, chasing after. Maria found herself trapped at a dead end. The back entrance to the airport was locked shut.

"Hand over the box," the woman ordered again.

"Help!" cried Maria. "Help!"

"Shut up," growled the woman.

"Maria! Liz!"

The two turned around. Toni stood in the faded light. Her truck sat behind her with the engine running. Toni pushed past the woman, grabbing Maria and pulling her toward the truck. There was a moment's pause as Toni and the woman exchanged glances.

"She's a liability," whispered the woman.

"I know, but she's more so if we leave her behind," nodded Toni, pulling Maria finally to the truck.

The passenger seat door opened automatically, allowing Toni to push Maria in. Maria watched the windshield Toni walk around the front, yelling at the woman. She eventually entered the driver's seat, pushing the car into reverse. The truck began to pull out by itself as Toni buckled in.

Maria looked back. There was a raging fire, illuminating the large metal figure and Ian. Neither looked happy. The figure shifted, returning to the form of an F-22 raptor. Ian loaded in. Between them and Ian, the mystery woman ran along a broken ramp. Jumping up, she landed on a motorbike, disappearing behind the airport building. Maria gulped, the airport disappearing as they drove away.