6 Leadership Switches Hands
Deep in the Sahara Desert, far from any naked eye view and hidden well enough underground to not cause alarm, quite just yet, a secret elite force was preparing for their attack. The one who was leading this team made instructions they were going to flush out the Autobots and get their revenge. The Transformers in general had many enemies besides the Autobots and Decepticons at each other's throats for so long. The team leader knew this and he was planning an attack that would surprise the Autobots to no end. He was going to make it look like it was another enemy to the Transformers and they would be completely surprised when they would learn who the real threat was.
The leader of the elite force was standing just out of the old structure starring at the tunnel that would lead them out. He had noticed every few hours the sands would shift. He presumed it was that whirlpool of sand moving that would cause the sands to shift. He did well in ordering his men to place reinforcements around the tunnel that lead to the surface. "So what is the plan T-boss?" someone came up.
The one known as 'T-boss' turned to his man. "You remember the Transformers has other enemies. Well we are going to attack this planet, making Optimus Prime think it's them who is attacking, when in reality it's not."
"Are you wanting to start that feud back up against the Transformers? No one has battled the Transformers besides the Autobots and Decepticons for over a million years."
"Exactly," the boss said. "And I think it's high time to resettle the score by bringing that battle back, or at least try. The Autobots and Decepticons are now working side by side, meaning Cybertron is no longer in a battle for domination, which means if there is any enemies out there who have been conquering planets, they no longer can't. And what better way than to make Planet Earth full of disgusting humans as the target."
"You are clever boss," the man smiled. "I would have never thought of doing that."
The boss glared at his man and with a strong but deadly calm voice, he said. "Why do you think you are not even on the senior command list, you fool?" The leader of the elite force turned and walked away from his idiot of a warrior. Sometimes he wished he never recruited him in the first place, he was too soft.
He walked into the structure and straight to the command center where his number two man was waiting for him. "Deploy a scouting crew to cause some minor damages. Not to much and no harming the humans unless they are in the wrong place at the wrong time. I just want to send some warning shots. The fun stuff will come later."
"Yes sir," the man said. He quickly assembled the scouting crew. "Our leader," the man said. "Wants you to create some small damages but none too severe and no humans are to be harmed, at least too bad anyway."
"Yes sir!" the saluted and blurted at once.
The leader turned away with a smirk. 'Your time is up Optimus Prime. You'll regret the day you ever became Prime.'
-
For several days Optimus watched from the Moon but nothing came. Thanks to Cybertron, they were able to track that the possible invaders were using a warp gate, which would mean they would be passing by Earth at any time. He began to worry that perhaps Cybertron misjudged their E.T.A to Earth's solar system but so far nothing was coming up.
Optimus even had Jetfire scout all through the Solar System to see if he could pick up any ion trail but the main Vice Commander couldn't even pick up a scratch. This was starting to bother him. Of course that wasn't the only thing that irritated him, he couldn't do anything for his human friend and her troubles. She was so upset that she had started staying at the base more than at home. Her parents would call the teen's cell, but she wouldn't answer it. He knew Alexis was also feeling the pain of it as well.
When Jetfire was done his daily search of the sytem, he decided to speak with Optimus about his slight trouble on Earth, before venturing back to Earth. He found his Commander in the old throne room. The Autobot he was searching for was over near the destroyed throne, clenching his fists.
"Optimus," Jetfire called out, not wanting to startle the leader.
Optimus slightly lifted his, taking note on the voice who just called him. "Yes Jetfire."
"I'm done my scout and about to leave for Earth. But before I go I would like to speak with you. It's not about this potential crisis, but it can cause problems to Alexis' judgement."
Optimus turned full alert to his second in command. "What is wrong with Alexis?"
"Well Alexis is really not the full problem. It's her friend Sandy. The girl is really upset and Alexis would love to help her but she can't. And frankly I wish I could help to."
"What is wrong with Sandy that would cause Alexis to be upset?"
"The teen just lost her grandmother and she was forced to watch over the old woman everyday. She couldn't even get a job. Now she won't even leave the base or answer her cell phone when her parents call."
"I see," answered Optimus. "I suppose I see why Alexis could be disturbed by this. She is after all the girl's best friend and Alexis is now struggling with her life as a Transformer and the life she was forced to leave behind."
Jetfire nodded. "I wish there is something we can do for Sandy. But we have to be ever watchful for this invasion. I haven't even allowed anyone to go to the island since learning of this problem. I haven't even allowed Alexis or the others to be human either since finishing up with the human sized furniture. Oh I also should let you know Alexis did something without anyone's knowledge.
Optimus gave a look of surprise. What would his daughter do against everyone? "What did she do?"
"She activated the warp gate to Cybertron the night Sandy talked about her troubles at home."
"Did she go through or did someone come here?"
"Someone came here. I checked very carefully when I figured someone had opened the gate and with the ion trails I was even able to learn who came to the base. But they were only there for a few minutes and then they went back."
"Who?" the Autobot leader inquired.
"Elita." That simple answer was all that was needed.
"Elita?" Optimus jolted. "Why would Alexis contact her?"
"That I am uncertain. I could check the security logs and see I the spy cam was on at that time."
"No. When you get down to Earth, I would like to see Alexis?"
Jetfire nodded. "I will send her up here. But someone will have to go with her as she has never set foot in this base before."
Optimus nodded. He turned away from his second in command. "I will be here waiting for her."
Jetfire turned and left the room and headed to the gate room where Cyclonus was busy monitoring any activities. The big space shuttle walked towards the gate pad. "Send me back to Earth and in a few minutes, once I find Alexis, she will be coming here."
"Alexis," the copter grinned. "Haven't see her in forever. I wonder how she is."
Jetfire rolled his optics at the copter. He was always too cheerful to his liking. Within moments, Jetfire was in the gate room at the base. He rushed headed off to search for Alexis and found her admiring the new human furniture. He could see the sadness in her posture about her friend.
"Alexis," Jetfire said softly.
Alexis turned. "Hey Jetfire. How was your scouting?"
"Empty as usual. Listen Optimus would like to have a few words with you. But he's still on the Moon and he would like you to go up there."
"Me? Go to the old Decepticon base? Optimus does know I have never been there."
"Yes and don't worry. Cyclonus is in the gate room. I'm sure he can show you where Optimus is. He's in the old throne room."
Alexis nodded and made her way to the gate room. Once there and the gate was activated, she was greeted by her friend who always loved to laugh.
"Well how you been?" he chuckled.
Alexis rolled her optics. "Could be better. Sometimes it's still hard having a split life."
"Yeah, I can see how that could be difficult. I guess you want to see Optimus."
Alexis smiled. One thing she liked about the Decepticon was he always loved to laugh and sometimes when she was down, she would listen to him and chuckle at his laughing, which always made her feel better. Cyclonus escorted through the holey hallways. Just looking around she could see why this was used as the Decepticon base. When she finally arrived at the old main area of the base, she saw Optimus looking out a hole, staring at the Earth.
Cyclonus quickly excused himself and went back to his station.
"Thank you for coming," Optimus said.
"I'm surprised you wanted to see me," she answered as she walked closer to him.
When she was close enough, he turned her and took her hands. "Alexis you know you can speak to me about anything."
"Yes, I know that," she replied slowly. What was this all about?
He saw the questionable look in her optics. He pulled her close. "I just wanted to know if you had anything to talk to me about. I do miss you. I don't want you to think you have to go behind me for anything."
Alexis accepted the embrace, letting her guard down to enjoy this parental moment. She sighed as she realized she must have been caught sneaking Elita-1 to the base. She did not count on someone being able to monitor the gate logs. "I spoke with Elita-1," she admitted.
Optimus was hoping she would bring up the subject of why his mate was on Earth, even if it was for only a few minutes. He pulled her back so he could look at her. "Why?" he asked softly. He didn't want to scare her.
"Forgive me, but I went to her because she might have been able to help in an area where you can not. She's a femme and a leader. I wanted some advice from a woman's standpoint of leadership. I didn't want anyone to know in case I was making a mistake."
Optimus pulled her close again. "In the future can you please inform me or Jetfire when you do something like that? We could all be attacked at any time and I worry for your safety."
Alexis stayed close, leaning her head on Optimus' shoulder. "I will," she whispered. "I don't want to go."
"I don't either," he whispered. "I love you, my daughter."
"I love you … father."
The two hugged each other for a few more minutes before she reluctantly pulled away. Optimus escorted her back to the gate room and transported her home. When she was gone, he felt lonely again. Cyclonus caught on and he guessed why. In the three years he had been stationed on the Moon base, he had noticed how much of a bond the Autobot leader and the former human had gotten. He knew she was mated to Starscream, but the bond to Optimus was different, more family oriented. Besides Optimus had his own mate. He had realized the two had shared a parental bondage.
-
Sideswipe was monitoring in the command room. He had decided to scope out each major area that they were able to get a sky cam set up. As he scanned there was a small town that seemed to be a little out of place. Using the cam, he zoomed in closer. To his surprising optics he could see some smoke coming from one of the bigger buildings. It was a school!
With a slam of his fist on the computer console, a red alert noise sounded throughout the base. The Autobots all knew what that meant and it meant trouble. They all had rushed to the command area.
"What's going on?" rushed out Jetfire.
"Sir, look!" Sideswipe answered.
Jetfire did as requested and he shocked. "A school on fire, but how?"
"I'm not sure sir," Sideswipe answered. "But I can tell you it's deliberate. You can see small dark figures throwing fuel to the fire."
"There might be children in that school!" Sandy blurted. "We got to get them out."
"I agree," Jetfire answered. "Blurr, Hotshot, Sideswipe and Red Alert go to their aid. But be careful."
"Where's Alexis?" Sandy asked.
"She's busy," Jetfire answered. "She should be back shortly. Sandy, why don't you go with them? If there is any humans in the school you will be the only able to assert a rescue. And take as many as the Mini-Cons as you can. They can help for evacuation as well."
"I'm on my way."
The said gang quickly ran off towards the gate room. Before leaving, Hotshot quickly grabbed Sandy and ran to catch up with the others.
Once they were ready and Sandy was geared up in the clothes the kids always wore when they would go on a mission, the gate was activated and soon they were in the town, not too far away from the fire. The guys had to act quickly. Blurr and Sideswipe soon made a barricade so no other cars could get through. Luckily for them, the fire trucks had arrived but they were not doing so well. Hotshot and Red Alert quickly squeezed themselves into the area where Sandy got out and started rushing to evacuate the surrounding area. She couldn't try to get in the burning building quite just yet.
When everyone was away except for the Autobots and fire trucks, one little kid appeared from a broke window and began screaming for help and screaming there was others.
Sandy looked horrified but she didn't stopped. "Jolt! I need your help!"
The little Mini-Con ran from his master to assist Sandy.
"I need to get up there and there's others too!"
The Mini-Con beeped a few lines before suddenly a bunch of Mini-Cons came jumping out of the Autobots. Knowing what type of situation, they could be dealing with, Sandy made sure to only grab the Mini-Cons that could fly.
Climbing onto Jolt, she quickly instructed the Mini-Cons to fly to the window the kid was calling from. Soon enough she was in the classroom. Young students, no older than seven were huddled into one corner while the teacher tried to snuff out the flames that were beginning to creep into the room.
"Madam!" Sandy yelled as she ran to the woman. "That is not going to stop!"
"How did you…" she tried to question
"No time. I'm here to get you out. I have friends with me too. These are called Mini-Cons and please don't ask questions. I need your help to help me get two kids on each flying contraption."
"But …"
Sandy grabbed the woman. "Our lives are endanger and so are these children. You would be a hero to them if they were able to make it safely to their Moms and Dads. So please help me."
The teacher numbly nodded and ran over to the kids. Both Sandy and the teacher began to put two children on each Mini-Con. Sandy did her best to instruct each child to hold on tight until they were on the ground. Finally there was only Sandy and the teacher left and now half the room was engulfed in flames. They began to violently cough from the smoke.
"We got … cough … to get out … cough … here!" Sandy tried.
The young adult and teacher ran as fast as they could to the window to try and breath a little better, but it was just as hard there too. Through teary eyes, as the smoke was hindering her vision, she barely was able to make out two Mini-Cons flying towards her.
Going on the assumption that it was, She grabbed the coughing woman's hand. "We're going to jump!"
"Are you crazy … cough! We'll be killed."
"My friends won't allow that," Sandy tried to reassure. But if we don't jump now …" Sandy took a major coughing fit. When she finally got the coughing controlled she continued. "We will lose consciousness. I can already feel my body protesting against moving."
"I can't," the woman panic. "I'm afraid of heights."
Sandy nearly choked again as she saw Jolt and another Mini-Con in front of her. "Ma'am. Get on the Mini-Con and keep your eyes closed." This time Sandy wasn't going to take no for an answer. She pulled the woman out the window. The Mini-Con closest to the woman allowed her body to settle on him. When she was secured, she flew down, with her screaming. Sandy grabbed onto Jolt, allowing him to take her out of the building.
When the women were on the ground, paramedics came to their aid and started giving them medical treatment. They knew the women had inhaled smoke, but luckily for the women, that was all they had. By this time the parents of the scared children were running on the scene to hug their children.
The teacher was rushed into an ambulance as she went into shock. The paramedics were going to take Sandy as well but she declined and quickly ran off to the parents, she didn't care about her health at the moment. She knew Red Alert would help her. And she was sure he was going to force her to ride with him on the way back.
Sandy tried her best to keep her coughing down as she approached the parents. All the children then began saying how Sandy saved them. Grateful parents soon surrounded the older teen to give their thanks, but within moments they were back hugging their children. Once the parents were gone from her and went back to fussing over their children, Sandy continued to make her way towards Red Alert. Not wanting to hear his arguments, she climbed into him and just sat there.
An oxygen mask came up from the dashboard and she gently grabbed it and placed it over her face. No words were shared between the two as the other firemen started to get the fire out. None of the Autobots left and they remained there until after the fire was out. By this time a humanized Alexis, Jetfire, Blaster and Hoist arrived on the scene to help with whatever they could.
Sandy could see, with a smile, as Alexis began arguing with the police who were on the scene saying she needed to check the place out for terrorism. Of course the police did not believe her, at that was until Jetfire stepped in. Sandy couldn't make out what they were saying but she could tell the policemen were a little startled and they eventually allowed Alexis to do what she needed to do.
As Alexis began look around the burnt school, she saw shadows moving. She called to them and they ran off in a hurry. She tried her best to chase them, but they were too fast. Overhead there was a red and white jet, he was travelling around in Stealth mode so no one could hear him.
"What did you see?" she called into her comlink.
"They disappeared right where you are," a raspy voice answered. "I don't like this."
"Neither do I," she said. "At least everyone is safe. Hey did they look familiar to you?"
"It was harder for me to see at this altitude. But I'm only currently picking up one signal and that's you. There were three others, but they disappeared. Is something the matter?"
"Perhaps. From what I can gather, they were not normal human height and they were too bulky looking to be humans. Starscream head back to the base and analyze your data, try and see if there was something your sensors picked up that is hard for the naked optic to see."
"Will do," he answered. "I'll see you there, my love."
Alexis looked up to see the red and white jet soar off towards the base. She turned away to report her findings. Of course it took her several minutes to find Jetfire and when she did, he was leaning against Blurr's hood.
"Good, you're back. What do you have to report?"
"Not much I'm afraid. As I was looking around I saw three figures, it was, somehow too dark to see. I was able to tell they were not normal human height nor were they human body built. I chased them into a field behind the school where from Starscream's point of view, they disappeared."
"Disappeared?" Jetfire blinked. "How?"
"I'm not sure," she answered. "I did ask him to go back to the base and check his sensors to see if something was picked up that he couldn't physically see."
"That's a good idea," Jetfire agreed. "Well all better head back to the base. I'm sure Red Alert was to check on Sandy."
"Jetfire, if you don't mind. I'll go back with Red Alert and assist with helping Sandy."
Jetfire nodded before he climbed into Blurr. When Alexis was looking around. Jetfire gathered the Mini-Cons and when they were all ready in the vehicles of the Autobots, they headed back to the base.
Alexis climbed into the driver's seat of Red Alert. She looked at Sandy and saw her unconscious. "Is she going to be ok?"
"Yes," the car answered. "I gave her some oxygen, but also a sleeping gas. She inhaled too much smoke, saving those kids. But she did it. She did a good job."
Alexis slightly smiled at her friend. "She loves kids."
Once everyone was back at the base, Jetfire contacted Optimus and informed him in what happened. Optimus had a dreadful feeling he was too late. Whatever was coming to Earth was already on Earth. He quickly transported down to Earth.
"What happened?" the Autobot leader asked.
Jetfire brought up the sensors Starscream detected. "This is what Starscream found while flying around in stealth mode. As you can see you," the white warrior said. "There are three blips on the radar. Starscream didn't pay much attention to them as his biggest concern was for the safety of everyone. He told me he was ready to blow our cover to save all the children. That was until Sandy risked her life. She used the Mini-Cons to rescue a group of children and their teacher from the school as they were trapped in the building."
"Starscream has learnt how to have a big heart when it comes to human life," Optimus mused dryly. "It was nice of Sandy to rescue those children. She handled herself quite well."
Jetfire nodded. "Once I finally got the permission to scope out the building, Alexis went looking and she found three shadow figured but they disappeared, even off Starscream's radar. She also reported they did not look human to her. Sir from what we gathered and what we know, I beginning to think the invaders are here."
Optimus turned away and sighed. "I think you're right." He was quiet for a few moments. "Jetfire open the comlink and activate the one on the Moon as well."
With not a word, Jetfire did as asked. He had a feeling what his commander was going to say.
"Autobots and the few Decepticons that can here as well," Optimus began. "As you all know there was a group that left Cybertron. They may have sneaked past our defences and could be here on Earth now. I don't know how they would have done it, but they must have.
"Therefore I am ordering a switching of leadership. I, Optimus Prime, am taking back the command of this base until further notice. Jetfire will again be the Vice Commander. The rest of you will take your commands from either Jetfire or myself." Optimus nodded his head for Jetfire to close the comlink.
-
Alexis was in the medical bay when she heard that. She looked at Red Alert as she held her friend's hand, as she was still unconscious. "Red Alert. What does that mean?"
"It means," the medic said. "You are no longer in command. You are now just a warrior like the rest of us."
"You mean I no longer have to give orders. I no longer have the responsibilities to the safety of the Autobots?"
"Unless Jetfire or Optimus give you an assignment and lead that mission," he stated simply. He turned and continued looking at the readouts of Sandy's condition and vital signs. "Good. She didn't inhale as much smoke as I thought she did. I'm going to take her to her quarters."
Red Alert turned off the equipment and walked over to the table.
"Red Alert, I want to go with her. I want to be sure I'm the first one she sees when she wakes up," Alexis explained. "She will be confused and probably disoriented too."
"Agreed." Red Alert carefully picked of the two teens and headed towards the quarters that Sandy made as her room.
When the girl was resting on her bed, Red Alert left the room to speak with Optimus of Sandy's condition. Red Alert wasn't gone too long when Sandy finally woke up. The first thing she felt was a soft mattress underneath her and someone holding her hand.
She turned to see Alexis looking at her with concern. "What happened?" Sandy asked.
"We are back at the base and Red Alert gave you a sleeping gas with the oxygen. He feared you over exerted yourself. But you're fine and all the kids were saved thanks to you."
Sandy slightly smiled. "Did you find out what happened to the school?"
"Optimus and Jetfire thinks it's because those figures who left Cybertron on here. And if that's the case, they were able to slip past Earth's defenses and land without anyone's knowledge. Optimus has returned to take back command."
"That means you're no longer Vice Commander of the Earth team."
Alexis nodded her agreement. "Jetfire is back being Vice Commander, which leaves me to be a normal warrior and now can give my friend the support she needs."
Tears threatened to fall as Sandy quickly sat up and hugged her friend. Sandy felt quite relieved that her friend was no longer leading. She was also thankful now her friend could try get her bearings straight be a good warrior. The former teen was still battling her emotions from when she hurt her friends and now her father was back in town and the former teen had to also deal with the idea of her having a new little brother, which she never knew about.