Nothing is a better feeling than being surrounded by expensive cars. And I mean, really expensive cars. I sent Will a list of upgraded forms for all of the Autobots and he made sure it was done. We had to return the vehicles after they copied them, of course, given that some weren't even released to the public yet.
For Optimus, it was a Western Star 4900 semi-trailer truck, painted with Optimus' usual red flames. For Bumblebee, a yellow 2014 Chevrolet Camaro concept car with a black stripe down the middle. For Knockout, a red Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, and for Ratchet a green Hummer HX. Ironhide got a black 2014 Silverado and Arcee got a blue Kawasaki Ninja 1000. Skids and Mudflap got a green and orange 2014 Smart Fortwo, respectively. I got Mirage a 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari and Sunny and Sides got yellow and red 2015 Z06 Corvettes respectively. Will also was able to get a 2014 Global XRS 6000 for Soundwave.
"So where is everyone?" Will asked as he looked around at the empty house.
"I sent Optimus, Knockout, and Soundwave to go investigate this supposed Energon source I found. It was all completely a lie but whatever. Everyone else should be arriving soon," I explained.
"Just be careful with em," Will said. "The government pulled some strings but we still need to return them in great condition."
The cars were all just so beautiful. And it wasn't long that I heard the sound of a car engine. Bumblebee rolled in with Sam, Michaela, and Ben. They got out of Bee and he transformed. "Whoa! So shiny!" Ben exclaimed, pointing at the cars from Michaela's arms.
"What is this?" Bumblebee asked.
Will smiled. "Brooke here pulled some strings, with my help of course, and got you all new alt forms," he explained.
Bumblebee ran up to his new Camaro form and copied it. When he went back to his true form, he looked more sleek and shiny. One by one, all of the Autobots came and tried on their new alt forms. They were all very grateful and all looked completely different. Even their true forms looked more sleek and new.
Finally, Knockout drove up the driveway and Soundwave landed on the landing bay in the back of the house. They both transformed and walked to the group.
"Where in the world did you say you sensed those energon sources?" Knockout asked, putting his hands on his hips. "We searched for hours. And we wouldn't have kept going if your boyfriend wasn't so damn persistent."
It was then that finally Optimus rolled into the driveway. He transformed and seemed to stretch out when he did, probably from not being able to transform in so long. "What is all this?" he asked.
"Will and I got all of you guys new alt forms! You know, for when you go up to the new planet and all," I explained.
Optimus walked over to where his custom truck was and tapped the hood. He then copied the truck and transformed back to his robot form. Now he had 3 exhaust pipes instead of one on his back and his red seemed more prominent than the blue. "Thank you for this," Optimus said to Will and me. "This comes at a convenient time, seeing as that I have an announcement. The Xantium is ready to launch. I have spoken to the nation's army and the take-off is scheduled for tomorrow at 2 pm local time. We must leave tonight to travel to Houston."
Whoa. Way to crush the mood there, Optimus. "Who is coming on this mission?" Ironhide asked.
"We need everyone we can," he explained. "Ironhide, you and Mirage will stay on Earth to protect Akila, Brooke, Sam, Michaela, and Ben. Everyone else will join us to go explore the planet. Some will return later to confirm our findings and regroup. Others will stay and begin to build. This is going to be a long mission. It may be months, even years before the planet can be ready for mankind to join us. However the plan remains. Everyone meet back here by 8 pm tonight and we shall embark."
Ooooh way to crush it even more. Everyone agreed, transformed, and left to say goodbye to their humans. Soundwave transformed into his jet form and went for a flight. He probably was going to Houston early. He never really went with the group. Optimus turned to me.
"Well, great party huh," I muttered.
"What do you mean?"
"Well I mean we were all so happy and then 'Oh hey guys guess what we're leaving tonight kay-thanks'," I joked.
"I do not understand, I did not-" he began, but I cut him off.
"It's fine Optimus. So, you're really leaving? And you may be gone… for years?"
"It is a worst-case scenario, Brooke. I will send updates of our progress constantly. Ratchet has developed a fine communications system that should work. If the planet is human habitable, I will come back as soon as I can," he said.
"Yeah yeah, I understand. I'm going to go pack my stuff so we can go," I said, walking towards the front door.
"Brooke, wait."
"What?"
"You're… You're not coming to the launch," he said. I stopped in my tracks and turned to him.
"I'm not what," I said with anger laced in my voice.
"Aaaand I'll take that as my cue to leave!" Knockout said as he transformed and drove off. Optimus transformed and made his holoform appear in front of me.
"What the hell do you mean I'm not going?" I demanded.
He sighed. "I have spoken with your mother to let her know the date in which we were leaving. She is enrolling you back to school. And the school year starts tomorrow," he said.
"So you're not letting me go to the launch," I asked, "because it's a school night?" You've got to be kidding me.
"We are leaving Brooke, and you have one year left of high school. Your home studies have made up for last year, but this year you will need to attend school. Since we are leaving, I wish for you to attain as normal of a human life as possible," he explained.
"Normal?! What do I know about normal? I have freaking electricity at the power of my hands!" With that I allowed a few sparks to flare from my hands. They were larger than I expected since I was so angry. "I'm a commander of a top secret sect of the military! I'm a leader of an alien race! How am I normal by any means?!"
"Brooke, please," Optimus said. "You know what I mean. The past year has been one of war and anguish for you. You have seen things you should have never seen. I want you safe. You're my sparkmate; I would never want you in any danger."
"So basically you're saying you wished you'd never met me, is that it? Because you put me in danger? I'm not that seven-year-old girl in Egypt anymore. I'm not girl who was helplessly being kidnapped by Megatron. I'm a Prime Optimus and I need to act like one. I should spend my days monitoring space frequencies to find other Autobots or refining my electric powers. Not doing calculus!"
"You twist my words," Optimus said. "I am so glad I have met you Brooke. But I don't know what this planet is going to be like. And if it is not habitable for humans or something happens… I want you to be able to lead a normal life."
I moved and sat down on the steps. "Whatever," I mumbled in a very teenager-like way. "If something happens I hope you remember that you left your sparkmate alone when I could have been with you."
Optimus came and sat next to me. "I'm going to make sure you are taken care of, Brooke. No matter what," he said and kissed my temples. "Your mother is currently at your new home about twenty minutes from here. I will take you."
"Great, good to know," I said, and went upstairs to pack my things. I threw everything in my army print duffel bags and checked around to make sure I had it all. It was funny how all of my stuff fit into 3 bags- 2 for clothes and 1 for personal items. Personal items including framed pictures of me and the Autobots. I left my room after checking it 3 times and went around the house for things. The house was completely void of any personal items; it looked like some house that was for sale. Which, it probably was after today. Optimus was waiting in the kitchen for me. I walked there and dumped my bags, not even making eye contact with him.
"Ready to go?" he asked.
"Yeah," I muttered. He grabbed two of my bags and we went outside to his new alt form. My bags were thrown in the back to the cot and I got in the passenger side. Optimus lightly played country music which I really didn't like, but the tension covered the sound of that. Goodbye, big house. Last time I'll be seeing that.
"Brooke, please don't do this to me," he said to me, trying to reach over and hold my hand. I let him hold it but I just wasn't feeling into it. I was still mad at him. And the knot in my stomach didn't help my mood.
"I don't even know, Optimus," I said. "I can't believe you're making me stay home. I'm so feeling the love here."
"I do love you, Brooke," he said. "Will you please just trust my judgment on this?"
"Fine," I muttered. "I'm just gonna miss you."
"And I, you. But I swear I will be back soon. I swear."
The rest of the drive to my new home was silent. Optimus would occasionally rub my hand with his thumb but that was about it. Finally we got to the house and it was a beige colored two-story with plenty of arches. It was in the middle of a well-populated neighborhood, with plenty of active families outside taking evening walks. Optimus pulled into the driveway (generating a few looks from these suburban civilians) and turned off his engine.
"It's almost time for the meet up," Optimus said, glancing at the clock. It was 7:22.
"Please be safe," I said, taking his one hand in both of mine and looking up into his bright blue eyes.
"You'll know if anything happens to me," he said, taking a strand of hair into his hand. "We are bonded. If any of us feel pain, the other will know it. And I will stay completely safe."
"Don't sacrifice yourself, promise me," I said.
"Brooke, the needs of the many-"
"Don't you dare say 'outweigh the needs of the few'," I growled.
"I'll be safe, I promise," he said. That didn't exactly promise the same thing I asked him to promise, but whatever.
"Goodbye, Optimus," I said. Optimus leaned in and kissed me, almost never letting me go. I took everything in and captured the moment in my head. But finally we pulled apart, I grabbed my bags, and exited the truck.
"Goodbye, my beloved."
And with that, Optimus pulled out of the driveway. I watched him turn the corner and leave for what could even be forever.
I quite like this chapter really. Everything is about to start up. Be ready, because here it comes! I will so be doing duel point of views, one in first person via Brooke's narration and the other in the third person of the Autobots and their trip to the new planet. Review, review, review!
