Five Alarm
The alarms clanged, echoing throughout the Fire Station. The human Fire Fighters all slid into their protective gear and jumped in the engines. "This is a big one! We're the fifth Station called on it!" the captain yelled as he slid into Inferno's passenger side.
The Mech was excited, for there was nothing he liked more than fighting a really big blaze. Waiting until the other Fire Trucks pulled out of the Station, the big Ladder Truck whipped out into traffic.
Traffic was heavy, even with the other drivers trying to pull to the right lanes in order to get out of the emergency vehicles' way – the Fire Trucks had to swerve through the tight traffic. Being the largest and least maneuverable, Inferno was soon left behind; impatiently, having to wait for traffic to move enough to let him through.
The Captain patted his dashboard, "ah, don't worry, it's always like this in mid-day traffic, we'll get there."
"Why don't we try the new bypass?" one of the Fire Fighters in the backseat asked.
His friend nodded; "It's still under construction, but I went through there on the way in this morning, they've got enough paved to let us through – and there's very little traffic."
"Ok, sounds good. Inferno, take a right at the next light – then a left toward the interstate. That'll get us to the new bypass section;" Ordered the Captain.
Swinging wide around the next intersection, Inferno laid on the gas as the traffic cleared in front of him. As they approached the construction zone, the sounds of heavy road-paving equipment and mechanized jackhammers – drowned out the sound of his approaching sirens. But the Mech was so excited over his first five alarm, he never noticed, never slowed down.
End of the Route
Optimus Prime was cruising down the interstate pulling the double trailer toward the Fed Ex depot. He'd been working all night straight and was totally exhausted. First, he'd driven from Vegas to Burbank, and now he was on the return trip. The load back primarily consisted of flowers going to the local florists, since Valentine's was in just five more days, so it wasn't a heavy load by any means – just bulky.
Grinning inside, he thought about his old buddy, Ironhide – having to deliver these flowers to their final recipients. A chuckle ran through him, for he'd never imagined the gruff old warrior carrying a load of arrangements and roses. A humorous vision of happy human women, giving the old Mech hugs in gratitude filled his CPU; as he turned off the interstate and headed toward the new bypass – which was the most direct route to the Fed Ex depot.
The loud noise of the construction zone filled his audios. The turns so tight, that the second trailer was encroaching slightly into the oncoming traffic lane; since there was little traffic in this zone, Prime didn't worry much. Keeping a steady speed, he negotiated the blind curves with ease.
Meeting
Flying around the blind curves, Inferno was busy thinking about the blaze he was soon to fight. Almost to the interstate, he cut into the other lane as he swung tightly through the curve. Suddenly, a red semi was in that lane! Neither one being able to stop, or swerve! They crashed head-on.
Groaning, Inferno checked to make sure the Fire Fighters were Ok. Fortunately, they had already put on their helmets, since they had been less than three minutes from the fire. So with their full gear on, no one had sustained any injuries.
"Wow, we'd better check the other vehicle!" the Captain ordered, seeing the overturned semi and boxes thrown about the road.
As the Fire Fighters climbed out of Inferno, the sounds of groaning came from the overturned rig. The Mech thought he recognized the voice. "Prime?" he asked.
"Inferno?" the big Mech groaned, "what happened?"
Not able to transform yet, until the cops got there and made their report, Inferno stayed in vehicle mode while his fellow Fire Fighters looked bemusedly at the two Mechs. "I'd say we were involved in a head-on collision," he explained to Prime. "Do you have a driver with you?" he asked.
"No, just me on this trip." The red Mech said, "Damn, feels like I went one-on-one with Motormaster!"
Inferno chuckled, "I feel you on that one. Wonder which of us is at fault on this one?"
"Both of you sloggers are at fault." Prowl's voice answered their question, he pulled up and transformed, putting his hands on his hips and glowering at both overturned vehicles. Since he was part of the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement division, and was the closest to the scene – he'd been the one to answer the call. Walking around them, he snapped the required pictures, as he stepped over the boxes and strewn flowers.
"Boy, I can feel the sympathy." Inferno mumbled, sensing Prime's agreement.
Hearing him, Prowl slapped the side of his cab. "Considering that both of you were using excessive speed in a construction zone, encroaching upon the lane of oncoming traffic, and not bothering to pay attention – I should do much more than just give you two tickets.."
"You're going to ticket us?" Prime asked; his tone incredulous.
Inferno chuckled, "Doesn't even ask if we're functional – and starts writing those freagin' tickets. Is Prowl on a power-trip or what?"
Finished with his photo taking and his incident report, Prowl was finishing up the traffic citations to give the two. Hearing Inferno's comment he glared at the Ladder Truck. "I'm just doing my job – unlike you two." He put the tickets under their windshield wipers and stalked off. "Now, you two get to reload all of this stuff back into those trailers. I better not find one flower left on this road – or it's littering."
Slowly, the two Mechs transformed. Sitting up, the two red Mechs stared after the Cop in total disbelief. Then looked at each other and began to laugh. Inferno stood up and helped Prime to his feet. Slapping his Commander on the shoulder he whispered; "Please don't leave him in full Command – ever!"
Shaking his head in disbelief over the ticket stuck under his windshield wiper blades, Prime agreed. "I wonder if we'll just get drivers school for our first offense?"
As Inferno helped Prime right the trailers, he chuckled; "Let's hope so."
Picking up a torn box of flowers, Optimus grinned and handed it to the Fire Truck. "Need a Valentine's day gift for Red Alert?"
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