Chapter 4
NEST Headquarters - Thirty Minutes Earlier
Not being able to see has never dampened Echo's spirits, in fact even though he had been through many cruel experiments his attitude on life always remained upbeat. And while the team was away he decided to take the downtime to clean his rifle. Though he couldn't see it's components he knew each part by texture.
"So, what was life like on Cybertron for you?" Asked Ratchet.
Echo gave the Autobot medic a shrug. "Well, before I was taken by Shockwave I was a mining drone for several cycles. Really didn't know anything else other than what I was programmed to do." He smiled. "When I was taken captive by Shockwave they infused my spark with a dying Autobot's which in turn gave me life." He took a thin, metallic brush and used it to clean out the rifle's barrell. "In a way, I'm thankful for the Decepticons."
"But the experiments..."
"Were brutal, I know." Echo flexed his fingers wishing he could see them. "When they took out my optics I thought my life was done for, but ever since then I have learned to cope with my disability."
Optimus' spark appeared before, a beacon of light in an otherwise dark world. "You said your team has abilities that made them prime canditates for these experiments. Was it Sentinel that pushed for them or Shockwave?"
Echo put down the rifle barrell with a heavy sigh. "We all trusted Sentinel..." He picked up another part and began to clean it. "When Autobots began disappearing, none of us knew, not until Sonicblaze came back."
"And what happened then?"
"We began searching for those who went missing." Echo applied lubricant to several pieces of machinery before piecing it together. "Once we did, we deactivated their control harnesses and fled Cybertron. That was when Sentinel decided to flee with the pillars. He knew with us gone there was no hope for him or the Decepticons."
Optimus' spark showed sadness. "Many, including myself put trust in Sentinel. If I only knew what he did to you and your unit I would have never revived him."
Echo shook his head. "Do not blame yourself, Optimus. One should never look to the past, for it will only make you yearn for what you can never change. Instead set your mind to what lays in front of you, for that path has yet to be made."
Chicago
A loud shrill of an alarm woke Thomas from a restless sleep causing him to sit upright in bed. He quickly threw on some pants, his jacket and slipped on his boots all while men around him did the same. According to his brief NEST training anytime an alarm went off it only meant one thing, Decepticons.
"Four energon readings was spotted in Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska." Shouted Tyron 'Baby Face'Henderson as he came running to Thomas' bunk. "We're heading out in 1000 hours!"
"Did you say Missouri?"
Tyron's shoulders slumped as he shook his head. "I'm sure your brothers are okay."
Thomas took a deep breath as he tied up his boots. "I really hope so." He got up to button his jacket and to get his uniform in check before heading to the gym. "Where is Colonel Lennox?"
"Not sure, they don't tell me these things."
"Are the Autobots still here or are they with them?"
Tyron laughed. "Dude, you'll get all your answers in the gym." He gave Thomas' shoulder a slap as he waved towards the hallway. "Lets go!"
Thomas grabbed his helmet and all his gear including an M16 rifle and a portable energon detector before running to the gym. Once inside he noticed Dino standing at one end along with Prowl, both looking rather serious. The latter was a new Autobot arrival just two days on planet.
"It appears we have some Decepticons coming out of hiding!" Announced Prowl as he moved forward to get a look at all the human soldiers. "Energon detectors have been going off in Kansas City, Kansas and Missouri, along with Lincoln, Nebraska! I was told by Lennox that a team needs to go check these out!"
Dino pointed directly at Thomas. "Thomas, you'll be riding with me. The rest of ya know who you are so lets move out!"
Kansas
Lennox didn't care so much for the location, it was rather open with no cover to be found except for the occasional stalk of corn. He took one last look around before sending his team foward. Hopefully he could trust Echo and not suspect a trap waiting for them.
Sideswipe knelt down to study fresh tire tracks. "They've gotten Earth modes."
A loud rifle shot brought everybody to the ground, but Lennox didn't hear any of his men get shot. He took a long look around before raising his hands into the air.
"Don't shoot! Echo told us the coordinates!"
"Remain where you are!" Came a deep voice from in front of Lennox. "Sonicblaze is on his way out!"
Sideswipe let out a loud curse as he slowly got up. "Tell that traitor to get out here at once!"
A gray mid-sixties Impala came speeding out from an opening from within the ground. When it was only a hundred yards out it transformed to reveal a stocky robot. But something was different about him he almost appeared to be glowing.
"Sideswipe it has been awhile." The robot's voice held an air of authority to it. "And I did not desert the Autobots, I was taken as a slave by the Decepticons."
Another robot appeared before Lennox as though he had been hiding behind a wall. How was that possible? There was nothing there but corn stalks and sky.
"Where is Echo? What did you all do to him?" This new robot had a large rifle aimed towards the team. "Is Sentinel with you?"
Lennox slowly got to his feet, his eyes scanning between the two new robots. "Sentinel is dead along with Starscream, Megatron and Shockwave."
The bot's optics got real wide as he lowered his rifle. "By the Allspark...Who is running the Decepticons?"
"No one, they have scattered and formed small pockets throughout Earth." Explain Sideswipe. "We have teamed with the humans to help find them."
"Don't let your guard down, Naito!" Shouted the glowing bot. "If Mirror Blade is to find out that all the Decepticon leaders are dead then he will began to gather forces."
Jolt shook his head. "He is but one Decepticon out of many. How could he possilby make any difference?"
"You don't know Mirror Blade as we do." The bot pointed his rifle down at Lennox. "How can you trust something that is so weak?"
Epps shook his head. "I ain't liking these robots."
"Yeah, something about them doesn't sit right with me." He turned to Jolt who stood with his arms crossed. "Jolt, get the video camera. Hopefully Optimus can talk some sense into these bots!"
Inside Unknown Autobot Shuttle
The small room had a dim light that flickered on occasion to reveal a room full of various mechanical parts. Jeremy sat with his back against a wall with Phoenix next to him playing with what appeared to be a large gear. Trace had brought them back to his shuttle, led them into this room then locked the door behind him. And according to Jeremy's watch it has been over two hours since Trace had left them. How much longer will they have to wait?
Phoenix shook his head as he threw the gear down. "When can we get food?"
"Not real sure but hopefully soon." Jeremy's stomach let out a loud growl causing him to grimace. "I hate these machines...If it wasn't for them mom and dad would still be alive." He paused in his hand movements to let out a loud sigh of frustration. "Why here? Why our planet?"
"Not real sure, but at least they saved our planet from the Decepticons."
"And how many times do you think they'll have to do that?" He quickly got up and began to pound his fists against the door. "Let us out!"
When he got no response Jeremy began to slam his whole body against the door in the hopes it'll annoy the robots. It seemed to have worked since heavy footsteps made their way towards them.
The door hissed open revealing Trace, his one good optic staring down at them. "Come, Optimus wishes to see you."
Jeremy's heart jumped into his throat. "The Optimus Prime..."
The brother's followed the Autobot through the massive hallway, up a ramp and back into daylight. Jeremy slowly made his way towards a man wearing black military fatigues and a gentle smile.
"Name is Colonel Lennox, we are the NEST team." He shook both the brother's hands before waving towards a camera. "Optimus would like to see that you two are indeed unharmed and doing well."
When Jeremy moved in front of the camera he turned to see Phoenix being assisted by a medic. Knowing his brother was now in good hands he took a deep breath before talking.
"Optimus Prime, my brother and I are doing pretty good. Very hungry and thirsty but in good health."
"That is great to hear." Came a loud booming voice from speakers beside the camera. "After the team debriefs you, you two are free to go."
Jeremy shook his head. "No, for some reason our family has been drawn to you machines and I want to know why!" He could feel heat creeping up his neck as a month of emotions welled to the surface. "I lost my parents in Chicago! My brother is now part of your elite team." He began to pace back and forth. "They found one of you guys on our property which led to us being kidnapped!"
"Easy, I understand how you're feeling..."
"No you don't, you never will!" Phoenix came to Jeremy's side in the hopes of calming down his older brother but the latter pushed him away. "The only way to identify my parents was by some personal belongings." Tears began to stream down his face as his shoulders slumped forward. "They didn't have to die..."
Lennox went up to Jeremy, his face showing true concern. "I'm real sorry to hear about your loss." He put an arm around Jeremy's shoulder to direct him to a small, black vehicle. "We've lost a lot of close friends both human and Autobot a like."
Jeremy slowly nodded. "Yeah..." He wiped a hand across his eyes and took a deep, shaky breath. "Thanks for helping us."
The glowing Autobot knelt down, his optics clicking as he blinked. "You humans are too emotional. Now, Colonel Lennox where is Echo?"
"With us." Came Prime's voice through the speakers. "Sonicblaze, we have the resources to help your team. If you come to Washington D.C. we can work something out."
Sonicblaze let out a deep, mechanical sigh. "Fine, we'll go but we're not joining your forces."
Nebraska
The sun was setting on the horizon as Mirror Blade sped down the highway towards Kansas City. Behind him five bots drove as vehicles and above were three others who had the forms of stealth jets. They had been in hiding for over sixty years in the hopes that Echo would resurface. And now that he has, it was a race to see who could control him first.
"Mirror Blade, I have tapped into the military lines." Said Tilt, his communication officer. "Unfortunately this NEST team has encrypted their work and it'll take me days to figure out the codes."
"Do not worry, Tilt. We know they will be traveling through Kansas City with a convoy of Sonicblaze's team." Mirror Blade revved the engine of his nineteen-seventy's Challenger alt-mode and sped past a slow driver. "Send a call to all remaining Decepticons and have them meet us there."
