Bleeeeeeeeh…Did I ever mention I don't own Transformers and that all of that belongs to their respective people? Maybe? Well I just did so there.
That is all…
Anthropological Curiosity
Ch 4 I'll do it.
NEUTRAL POV
Whoa was right. Gaby watched as Jazz and the car he called Jolt walked into the larger than normal hanger. They wanted her to go in there?! With a bunch of other giant robots? Granted they haven't hurt her yet…though she had a sneaking suspicion Jolt drugged her; but other than that Jazz even saved her.
"Get a move on Fleshie." A huge finger, easily a foot longer than she was, gave her a gentle push forward. Gaby turned her head to see a huge black robot, the Topkick she assumed.
"A-alright. I'm going." She took a deep breath and strode forward with as much confidence as she could. The only real tell that she was scared witless was the tenseness in her jaw as she clenched it. Whether she was doing this to keep from screaming or puking she didn't know. The sun was blocked out at she entered the shade of the building and soon in the building itself.
It was huge, obviously made so that the robots could stand without any issues. Human soldiers were walking every which way, interacting with the bots there or doing their own business. The entire scene was a bit overwhelming.
And in the center of the room, in front of a fairly small desk was a Peterbuilt truck. Though it was just a truck now, with flames on the side, Gaby had a feeling this is who she was suppose to speak to, who was running this show. She swallowed hard, unable to take a step farther.
By now the hanger was full, all eyes on the truck, though she could feel them locking on her once in a while. She was distracted however when a familiar sight came to her.
"Wild! You ok girl?" Epps jogged to her, gripping her shoulders, as he looked her over. Gaby started to shake now, seeing him. She wasn't sure if she'd seen anyone else from that site after the destruction she saw.
She launched herself at Epps, wrapping the big man in a hug, her fingers barely touching each other on the other side but still managing to squeeze him tight.
"Oh good Lord Epps! I thought you were dead! What about everyone else? Lennox? Jayson?" She was prattling off so quickly that Epps couldn't keep up. He pulled her away slowly and gently and covered her mouth.
"Calm down. There are some things you need to know before anything else a'ight? Let's hear what the big man says." He put an arm around her should and led her up a catwalk that was placed in front of the truck. Just as she thought, it started to change.
The sounds of gears clicking together and air moving through the bits and pieces was deafening in the quieting room all eyes on the truck. In a matter of moments there stood a robot, easily taller than all in the room, and still taller than the catwalk, meaning he'd have to bend down to speak to them.
Gaby could only assume this was Optimas Prime, the bossbot, the big guy, and for whatever reason, he was solely focused on her. "Greetings Gabrielle Wildfeir. I have heard of you from Professor Jayson. Only good things I assure you."
Gaby could only swallow hard, the lump in her throat not moving a single painful inch. "Ni-nice to meet you?" She wasn't sure what it was exactly he wanted but he appeared friendly, much like Jazz…he was just a tad bit more intimidating…
"I am Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots, sentient, living robot beings of Cybertron. We have much to discuss." The large leader sighed; as he leaned down to get closer. Having his face, easily the length of her body, if not a bit taller, was flippin' flappin' scary!
"A-about what?"
"Professor Jayson's involvement with us and what it means for you. I am sorry to say this, but he did not make it from the attack on your site. I am truly sorry for your loss. He was a great man." Optimus went silent for a moment, in respect to the downed man. "However, his work continues and makes its way back to us safely. Along with you."
Gaby fisted the material of the messenger bag that was still slung over her shoulder, kept close. "What does his work, or me for that matter, mean in this?" She had to force herself to continue taking deep breaths and focus at the matter at hand rather than panic again.
"That work is of great importance to both the Autobot cause and to the safety of your home world. Professor Jayson was a great man who took it upon himself to help us find a great relic from our past, something that had been here before even your ancient dinosaurs came to be." A hologram of a ship, small compared to the bot before her, but the implied hugeness it would have to be to hold these beings boggling to her.
"It is this ship that he was helping us look for. Taking on the role of archaeologist, investigator and regrettably, a soldier at times. This ship contains information to weapons, that are vital to destroy before they can be placed in the wrong hands."
"Who is the wrong hands?" Gaby wasn't certain if she wanted to know who the ultimate bad guy was in this scheme, but she wasn't one to take only half the knowledge. The image changed to a dark, sharp, and overall menacing being.
"Megatron, leader of the Decepticons." Gaby nodded in acknowledgment. Prime looked down at her, noting that her bio signs showed slight fear, tension, but her face showed curiosity.
"This ship has been lost to us for many millennia, only recently have we been able to realize it is still around, though well hidden. Jayson had been the only one, of humans or Cybertronians, to figure out that there had been clues left for our translation and use.
In that bag, is all the information that has been acquired, if not translated and understood, of the whereabouts of the wayward ship and the information it carries. See as you are the only one with the schooling required and had been under Jayson's tutelage, you, Gabrielle Wildefeir, are the only one to help us."
Gaby's heart skipped a beat as this Optimus Prime stood to his full height once again, though keeping eye contact firmly. Her mouth would open and close soundlessly, her mind not quite able to come up with anything for her to say.
"I do not wish to endanger you, and if you choose not to assist us, you are free to walk out a friend."
Gaby stared at him for a moment before holding a finger up, "Jus-Just gimme one minute…please." Optimus nodded but she was gone already, walking to the end of the catwalk, avoiding the other bot's gazes. All eyes were on her but she violently shoved that thought from her mind as she squatted down at the edge facing a wall. With her face hidden in her knees she focused soley on her breathing, fighting to think straight.
GABY'S POV
Breath in…hold…
Do they really expect her to be much help? Barely out of childhood, and just a student?
Release…hold…
Even if I don't think I can help, they obviously think I can. But that's not fair! I can't help them! I don't know enough; I'm barely an adult….I'm scared.
Breath in…hold…
But can I really abandon them? They're someone who is asking for help. And can I really just walk away from this? Is that really who I am?
Release…hold….
Can I really do this? What if I'm not strong enough? Or I don't know enough? Why on earth do I want to help so much and fear failing so badly?
Breath in…hold…
The best question of all…will I regret walking away? If I walk away, will I regret it the rest of my life?
Release…
Standing, I made my way back over to the center of the catwalk, barely two minutes having past. I walked with purpose, back straight, head held high. I stopped beside Lennox and Epps, looking up at Optimus. It was in complete silence that I gave my answer, something I will never regret for doing.
"I'll do it."
Yay! Another done! Sorry for the wait, it took me a bit to finally find the inspiration to do this chapter. It wasn't that it was really hard, but kind of difficult to get across the ideas and feelings behind it all. Either way, hope you enjoyed! I've seen this in other fics but do you guys want me to start putting in the word count or something? I don't get the importance of it really...meh...all well.
-IvoryCrawler