Chapter 10

Later That Night

By the time Mirror Blade arrived inside the city limits of Washington D.C. the temperature had dropped by several degrees. The latest weather report predicted an unprecedented snow storm to hit the east coast. Thankfully for Mirror Blade, he was able to change his appearance at will which helped when dealing with the harsh winters back in Nebraska.

He made his way through the city streets until he came upon a nondescript building on the outskirts of town. The only way he knew something special lay inside was the tall fences and armed soldiers patrolling the perimeter. Wonder how many more humans were inside?

Thankfully his alt-mode, a late model Challenger was nowhere near as flashy as some of the Autobots so he was able to blend in easily with traffic. As he made his way down the main road he spotted a yellow Camaro coming towards him in the opposite direction. He quickly scanned the vehicle and stored it's information into his database.

"How are things in Washington D.C.?" Asked Delta by internal comm-link.

"Relatively calm, considering."

When Mirror Blade pulled to a stop at a red light he couldn't help noticing the looks humans gave him. Though his vehicular mode was not flashy it was menacing. He revved the engine causing the front to rock and even made sure his holographic driver waved at the humans on the sidewalk.

A small snowflake fell on his windshield, a sign the upcoming storm was officially upon them. When the light turned green Mirror Blade made his way through the intersection and saw Sonicblaze idling nearby. What was he doing away from the base?

"The weather is about to take a change for the worse. I will have to choose another alternative mode that will suit the conditions."

"You are right. A strong winter storm is approaching." Confirmed Delta.

"Delta, Sonicblaze is following me." Mirror Blade made a right turn and three cars back, the silver Impala did the same. "I wonder what tipped him off?"

"Shake him. You can't afford to be seen."

Mirror Blade made his way into a parking garage and as he went behind a large pillar his vehicle mode changed. Instead of a late model Challenger he was now a rundown, Buick LeSaballe. Thanks to this new change he was able to blend into the traffic much easier and within minutes was on the freeway. He will hang low for a bit, remain as the Buick. This way he'll be able to analyze all his possibilities before forming a plan of action.

NEST Headquarters

"So what you're telling me is that Mirror Blade is inside the city, right now and you didn't mention it to us!"

Sonicblaze gave Lennox an innocent shrug as he sat down next to Beltline.

"By the time I have alerted you of his presence, he would have blended in with traffic." He waved a hand at Mimic. "Mimic, I think it's about time you show NEST what you're capable of."

Mimic went up to Jolt and placed a hand on the Autobot's arm. Jolt's body began to twitch before he managed to pull away from the other Autobot.

Jolt violently shoved Mimic causing all in the room to be on alert. "What the slag was that for?"

"Sonicblaze, what have I told you about your team?"

"Just wait for it, Colonel Lennox."

Mimic let out a loud grunt as his arms tightly wrapped around his chest. The panels of armor throughout his whole body began to morph and change colors.

Jolt slowly took a step back, a look of horror visible on his face. "By the Allspark..." Standing before Jolt was an exact copy of himself as though he was in front of a mirror. "How did you do that?"

"That electric shock you felt earlier was my system copying what it needed." The voice coming from the new Jolt was still Mimic's. "I can stay this way for as long as I need to."

Lennox shook his head. "So, what you're saying is that Mirror Blade is here in Washington D.C. and there is no way of spotting him?"

Optimus went up to Mimic with a heavy sigh. "We need to start taking precautions since Mirror Blade can be any one of us." His attention went straight to Bumblebee. "Bumblebee, with your inability to talk I want someone with you at all times."

Bumblebee's shoulders slumped forward. "Really...but..."

"You are the first Autobot Mirror Blade might try to imitate." Optimus gave Mimic a gentle nod as he crossed his arms. "Sonicblaze, I know you don't want our help but your team does have unique abilities that we need to protect. Stay with us until we find Mirror Blade and end this feud between the two of you."

Sonicblaze slowly stood, his expression stoic but not hateful. "Deal, but I have full command of my team."

Optimus shook Sonicblaze's hand. "I will agree to that only if your unit remains under control."

"I think we can handle that." Sonicblaze knelt so he could get a better view of Lennox. "I do not want that Mearing human to get in our way."

"I really can't guarantee that."

Sonicblaze let out a heavy sigh sending a wave of hot air to blast against Lennox's face. "Then I'm not going to guarantee my team's behavior."

Later That Night

Unlike Cybertron, Earth had many strange weather phenomenons that Optimus Prime had to get use to. Tonight it was a winter storm that no human has seen on the east coast in several decades. Though it was rather cold outside Optimus stood at the back entrance of the hanger to allow the snow flakes to fall on his metallic armor.

He tilted his head skyward amazed at Earth's ability to always surprise him. When he held a hand out, his own body heat melted the snow into a water puddle.

"It is definitely a beautiful world." Perceptor stepped up to Optimus' side with a smile on his face. "I can spend hours, maybe even years digesting it all and still not figure it out."

Optimus gave his old friend a nod. "For an Autobot like yourself, this world can be very distracting."

Perceptor let out a light chuckle and shook his head. "When you left Cybertron I picked up a sniper rifle and haven't looked back since." He placed his hand onto his hips as his shoulders fell forward. "I miss just being a scientist..." He let out a deep sigh before giving Optimus a pat on the shoulder. "Beltline is at full capacity."

Optimus watched the smaller Autobot go back into the hanger then brought his attention once again to the sky. Why did this planet have to witness their war? He thought with the deaths of Sentinel Megatron and Shockwave it would be all over but he was so very wrong. He already made one mistake that nearly terminated the human race he wasn't about to make another.

Nebraska

Inside the old limestone mine, Delta gingerly made his way to his lab so he can began work on his biggest project to date. If he succeeded, then the Decepticons will have a weapon like no other. He opened a large, silver canister to see an object coiled at the bottom.

"Mirror Blade, I have found the perfect size drone for our experiment."

"Excellent." Delta could hear metal clinking on the comm-link which told him Mirror Blade was changing form. "Sadly, it might take a few more days for me to formulate a plan."

"That is not a problem since it will take me about that long to get the drone's body functional." Delta carefully pulled the object from the canister and brought it to the table. "The device, however is ready."

"Good, I'll let you know when to turn it on."

One Week Later

In a room hidden inside NEST headquarters Jeremy sat with four other recruits learning the history of Transformers. He found himself nearly nodding off but the information he was being taught was vital to his new career. Next to him sat his brother, Thomas who was taking the course for fun.

"And that will conclude our lesson plan for the day." Captain Nelson wrote something down on the dry erase board before turning his attention to the class. "Your assignment for the weekend is to write an essay on Autobot technology due at the beginning of class on Monday."

Jeremy slid paperwork in a black folder with the NEST skull on the front then got up from his desk. It was strange going to classes but he enjoyed the distraction. Three days ago Phoenix was sent back home, the action officially sealing his hatred for the Autobots and the unwanted war they brought to Earth.

Thomas gave Jeremy's shoulder a gentle pat as he approached, a smile on his face. "Still thinking about Phoenix?"

"Really wish they could have done something to keep him here."

"I know, but with his hearing disability..."

Jeremy abruptly spun around to face his older brother. "Trace said he'll be his partner, even learned sign language to help out."

"One Autobot who isn't even part of Optimus' unit. There was no way Director Mearing would allow him to stay here with just one vote."

"Then why me! I don't even want this!"

Thomas shook his head. "You know how many men would kill to be in your place right now? Not anyone can be a NEST soldier, just remember that."

Jeremy went to his bunk, threw the folder down then ran a hand against his shaved scalp. Part of him wanted to just walk away, but something deep inside wanted him to honor his parents. It was just frustrating that Phoenix couldn't do the same.

He took a deep breath, grabbed his rifle then made his way down into the large hanger. Here he could see Autobots in vehicle mode and others training at various stations. Closest to him was Beltline, one the youngest Transformers in the unit. And yet his demeanor was one of confidence and though also small, his whole unit seemed to respect him as a leader.

"Jeremy, glad to see you here." Colonel Lennox approached Jeremy, shook his hand then pointed at a black 2011 Challenger. "I have you training with Mimic today. He'll teach you the basics of how a Transformer fights in hand to hand combat. This is Mimic's speciality so listen to him and let it soak in."

"Yes sir, will do."

XXXX

It has been several months since Bumblebee spent some time with Sam and was excited to be granted a few days to catch up. He made his way down the familiar highway, glad to be away from the base. Unfortunately he still had a bodyguard since Mirror Blade has never shown himself. Though frustrated Bumblebee knew why it had to be done.

When he turned right, a large truck moved in behind him almost as though to block Trace who was following a few cars behind. He was about to pull over when the truck gently tapped his rear bumper.

"I know you are the Autobot by the name of Bumblebee. If you say anything to your friend we will have someone kill that Witwicky human. Now turn down the next street, head into the parking structure and wait on the top level."

Bumblebee did as he was told unsure of what the Decepticon wanted with him. Will he ever see Sam again?

"Bumblebee, where the slag did you go? Is everything all right?" Trace let out a loud huff then a few curses. "That truck! Hang on, I see you right now!"

"No...kill...Sam!" It took all Bumblebee had to speak with his real voice but he wanted to be clear the stakes at hand. "Let...Opt...mus...know..."

The truck slammed into Bumblebee again, this time hard enough to get the latter swerving on the road. He sped up hoping to gain some distance from the Decepticon. Unfortunately that just pissed him off even more and Bumblebee found himself in a chase.

"I told you not to tell your friend and now we must take him as well."

Before Bumblebee could react a semi-trailer had moved in front of him with it's back door down. He had no where else to go but inside and as he did Trace followed pursuit. Did anybody witness what had just happened? Will somebody warn Optimus before it was too late?

XXXX

When Mirror Blade arrived at NEST he quickly took note of all the Autobots' positions inside the hanger. Thankfully his target was rather easy to spot since he was the tallest in the room.

Optimus Prime stood by a catwalk with human soldiers working on it. Strange how the leader of the Autobots had a working relationship with the human military. But why trust something so weak?

"Bee, I thought you were going to Sam's?" A look of concern spread across Sideswipe's face as he approached Mirror Blade. "You okay?"

Mirror Blade gave the Autobot a shrug as he continued to study his surroundings. Because he had to take Trace his true identity will soon be found out. So he will have to act fast in order to get his mission completed. Now to only find a way to get closer to Prime.

Sonicblaze came up to Mirror Blade and shook his head. "Where is Trace?"

Again Mirror Blade gave a shrug as he began to make his way towards Prime. Inside his right arm he could feel the harness writhing around in eagerness.

Prime turned to Mirror Blade with a heavy sigh then placed hands upon his tires. "Bumblebee, why aren't you at Sam's?"

Mirror Blade could feel all eyes on him and knew it was now or never. In one swift move he jumped up, released the harness and took out his sword.

The mechanical snake instantly made his way towards Prime's spinal cord all while Mirror Blade went towards the back exit. Bullets sprinkled the floor and other items by Mirror Blade but he was just too quick of a target.

Soon he found himself on the tarmac where he shifted into jet form. Before the Autobots even had a chance to run outside he was already in the air. Now, lets just hope the harness can do it's job.

"Delta, turn the device on. The mission is a go."

XXXX

The pain that radiated out from his spine was worse than when Sentinel tore his arm off. Optimus desperately clawed at the device that began attaching itself to his sensitive brain stem. He could feel several hands lift his head and even try to help out but to no avail.

Without warning a fire shot through every nerve fiber his body causing it to violently tense up. He let out several grunts as his limbs contorted in his ways he thought were impossible.

"It's too late, the harness has fully attached itself." Came Mimic's deep, booming voice. "Optimus, don't fight it, it will only make things worse."

It took a lot of effort for Optimus to relax since the harness was still sending signals down through his spine. Is this what the Deceptibots have to endure on a daily basis?

Mimic knelt down, a look of concern on his gruff face. "How's your pain level?"

"An eight..." Optimus ran a hand across the nape of his neck and felt the tail end of the device sticking out from his helmet. "Will it go away?"

Mimic shook his head. "The harness taps into your neuro-processor so the pain will always be there."

Optimus let out a low groan as he got to his feet. "We need to find Bumblebee and Trace, they may be in serious trouble." He composed himself and took a look around the hanger. "Lennox, call Dutch and get him over here ASAP. We need him to look at traffic cameras and satellites."

Lennox gave Optimus a quick nod. "And what about you?"

"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. We need to find our friends before something happens to them."