Chapter 9: Our Present
May 1, 2017
22:00
Backstreets of New York City
Footsteps thundered down an ally, a man wearing a long heavy trench coat ducks in to the ally and slides behind a larg trash box. Three anger well dressed men stop in the ally. "Where did that fink go!?" Grumbled one of the men.
"I'll hang by the car so he can't double back on us. While you's two track him down." Said the second as he turns back the way they came
"Right these allies dead end."the thirds said bemused.
"I don't care what it does. When I find that rat I'll put enough metal in him, that not even his own ma' will recognize 'im." Both men started walking down the other paths.
The man behind the dumpster sighed heavily. He used his one hand to hold his coat closed, there was a large suspicious bulge on his chest. Using his free hand he pulled out his cell phone, dialled 1 and hit call. As soon as he heard the call connect he started to talk as quietly as he can, "Hey partner! I need a favour."
"Luke why are u whispering?" Came a females voice from the other side of the phone.
Luke was glancing over the dumpster seeing the two men on the far side of the ally, "that's not important," he ducked back down .
"Luke..." spoke in a disappointed tone.
"I just need a pick up and fast."
"You said you didn't need me today!"
"I know but-"
"Damn fink!" A bullet zoomed past Luke's head.
"Ah crap they heard me," pining the phone be tween he's shoulder and ear he pulled out a small hand gun.
"What's going on Luke?!" Came the panicked voice.
"Can u hold on a second," Luke used the dumpster as a shield before calling out , "look I got old you I'm not a cop. I don't care about you little scam I just came for the-" the two men opened fire on the dumpster. "Well that didn't work. So about that pick up."
"Where are u?" Almost sounding more irritated than concerned.
"An ally in New York."
"New York! How did you. Which ally?
"Well if I could see a sign I would have told you."
"LUKE!"
"Okay, okay. Meet name at Central Park, by that awesome food stand well were it is when they are open."
"Can you get there?"
"Sure totally," the men had stopped shooting and were walking slowly towards Luke's position, "got to go!" Hang up he slowly moved between the dumper and the wall. He listened closely until he was sure both men were in front of the bin. Using the wall for support he shoved the dumpster into them surprising them and knocking them over.
Seizing his chance he ran but as he rounded the corner he saw the third who was smoking while leaning on a car. Luke raised his gun while he ran and the man dove out of the way, as Luke pulled the trigger. Luke hit his mark, the cars back tire. The man was in shock at first as he watched Luke run down the street.
May 1, 2017
19:00
Suberban home in Vergina
A family meeting is being held. The mother and father sit at the dinner table as their 16-year-old son gave his speech. "That is I deserve, no it is my right to own my own vehicle."
The father looked to his wife who was deep in thought, "Well Christine he does deserve a little independence."
"All right, I have conditions." Christine said flipping her long blonde hair back.
"Yes any thing!"
"Ok then Charlee. The first condition is that I get to choose the vehicle."
"Not a problem. "
"The second condition is that you can make no modifications to said vehicle. "
"OK. Is that everything?"
"No. Lastly you cannot sell trade or in any point be rid of this vehicle without my explicit approval."
"Yeah, sure."
"Then tomorrow morning you'll get your own vehicle," Charlee nearly leaped across the table hugging is mom.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm going to bed I can't wait!" He said before running off.
Christine was smiling as she turned looking at her husbands face her smile faded. He had his arms crossed, as he peered down at her through his thick. Sighing he ran a hand over his dark brush cut hair, "What!?
"What are you planning?"
"Aw Bobby Bear," Christine said pouting. "Don't you trust me?"
"Oh I trusts you. I trust that your so stubborn nothing can change your mind." He said smirking.
Christine giggled lightly, "ok so I may have a sceem but I promise." Leaning over she rapped her arms around Bobs neck and slid from her chair onto his lap, "I promise."
Sighing Bob smiled, "do I have a choice?"
"Mm not really," she whispered kissing him. "Since Charli is going to bed," Christine said flashing a mischievous smile.
"Don't you have to be up at 5am?" He said raising an eyebrow.
"I'll pop an energy drink."
"Oh boy." He's shook his head still smiling.
May 1, 2017
18:00
Autobot Secret Base located in the Forests of Alabama
Derek was just finishing polishing his new corvette. Once he was done he marched up the stair to the upper catwalks feeling quit accomplished. Then he heard it and a feeling of dread swept over him, "I got it, I got it!" Wiping around he saw Bulkhead jump into the air,catching the Lob ball and slam on the ground sideways. Bulkhead got back up and dusted himself off, "good one Bee!"
Derek twitched as he looked at Bulkhead and then were he landed. There lay a flattened car, suddenly a volcano erupted within him. "BULKHEAD!!!!!"
Freezing Bulkhead looked at the now fuming Derek, " What?! What I do now?!" Derek pointed to the car, "oh I- Sorry I didn't see it there."
"THAT IS my FIFTH car in THREE days. No more I am confiscating you Lob ball for a month."
" wait you can't-"
"But I can." Prowl said as he easily took the ball away, "you were warned after you destroyed the second one."
" yes sir..."
"Prowl." Looking away from Bulkhead who was being lectured by Derek, Prowl saw Optimus waving him over.
"Prime sir. What can I do for you?"
Optimus glanced past Prowl, "I see Derek has lost another car."
"Yes. Bulkhead was yet again not watching where he was going and landed on top of it." Prowl said letting out an exasperated vent.
"Try not to be to hard on him besides at some point we each have ... misstepped."
"True however we have all learned since... is there something you needed?"
"Yes have you seen Lexus?"
"She left using the ground bridge saying that Luke may be home soon. And scrabbled out like a scrapper who ate melted metal."
" I see... then perhaps Bumblebee..."
"Sir?"
"I am to meet the new president tonight, I thought they may show a softer side."
"I take it he makes you nervous..."
"Our alliance with the humans has always been shaky at best, but his views on immigrants are not exactly in our favour."
"True... Is that why you've pushed back bring him into the fold."
"Sam and Brock both thought letting him get settled in first before dropping to bomb as it were, would be more favourable."
"And instead of bring myself or Ratchet you want to appeal to his... childish nature."
"Though that is not exactly it. Yes."
"You know this could go south fast."
" I am aware. That is why I just spoke to Sam and Derek. If it does we set the charges and burry everything, Derek will be sent out to ground bridge first to Sam's estate. Then I want everyone out, that includes Lexus and Gaia they will not remain with the humans."
"I understand sir. Where will be our meeting point?"
"CaN0003."
"Understood."
Back in New York
22:10
Luke ran down the street and slid around the corner. He had been dodging the three gunman for the past 10 minutes, but now central park at finally coming to view. "She better be there," he said as he sprinted. Upon reaching the meeting point he realized that he was in trouble, no one was there and the three gunman just came around the corner. The gunman slowly approached him, "I know what you thinking that would be a very bad idea." Three men took aim, "hey! hey! I'm not the fuzz I'm a dictective. What you guys do isn't my concern!"
"Well the say g'night Dick," they then began to open fire. Where is the squeeze down on the trigger a 1979 Lanicia Beta Monte Carlo launched itself from the road and landed between Luke and the gunmen, bullets bounced of the cars side.
"Good timing partner." Luke scrabbled jumping into the passenger seat. Speeding away he left the gunmen far behind.
Crawling into the empty driver seat Luke side and sighed in relief. A voice boomed from the dashboard, "what the heck did you do?"
"It was just a misunderstanding," the bulge in Luke's coat started squirming. "Oh I almost forgot about you," opening his coat a small golden pup popped out.
"Aww so cute! Urr I mean. What's going on?"
"Well a little girl hired me to find her lost puppy, which reminds me." Luke pulled out a lollipop.
"Wait so this was all because of that little thing!?"
"Sorta see this mob guy found the pup and I tried explaining but they wouldn't listen so I had to sneak in I may have over hear ... and recorded some stuff of course they didn't know that part. Oh remind me to sent that to NYPD later. They saw me sneaking out and assumed I was a cop, you know the rest." Luke took his hat off, " oh dear." He put two fingers through two holes, "that was my favourite hat."
"LUKE!!"
Optimus and Bumblebee drove down the highway. It had been quite sometime since the two had been a lone together and Bumblebee was having difficulty containing his excitement. He would suddenly shoot forward then hit his breaks when he realized he was speeding past Optimus who couldn't help but laugh to himself. Bumblebee's carefree attitude always brought out the warmth in Optimus's spark. Since Bumblebee has never really know true peace it has put much of Optimus concerns at ease seeing him enjoying these brief moments with such enthusiasm. "Bumblebee your going to miss the turn off."
Bumblebee pulled a hard right turn as Optimus followed behind chuckling. ="Sorry Optimus. I mean Primesir!"=
"Bumblebee when we are alone Optimus is enough."
"Yes sir. I mean- sure thing O-Optumis..."=
"It has been far to long."
"Definitely."=
"It's a shame we're almost there."Bumblebee knew Optimus was right, it made him a little sad, "well then." Suddenly Optimus picked up speed and zoomed past Bumblebee, "last one there is a scraplets lunch."
Bumblebee was in shock for a few moments when is the fire was lit in a his spark he sped after Optimus, ="not on your spark Optimus."=
Meanwhile two mean are getting out of a dark in marked SUV, in an empty Texas field. "General Stanus what kind of meeting is this suppose to be?" Said the blonde man, he wore a dark blue suit and had a bit of a belly. It was all the Isley very irritated with the other man."President Pmurt, the people we are meeting are unique. As I said earlier their group is very specialized so much so that it is imperative that the public not learned of them, you could say they are under intense witness protection.""All right but they better get here fast as this all seems suspicious to me."
"looks like we won't be waiting long. " Stanus said pointing towards a semi and a yellow car rappedly aprouching.
"What are they doing?" Both vehicles were approaching a great speed and did not take them long till they hit their brakes and skidded to a stop not far from the two men.
"Mr. President meet Optimus Prime and Bumblebee!" As the general spoke both transformed.When we had his back to the humans and was leaving something quite excitedly at Optimus. "I should've known better than to try and race you Bumblebee." Looking to the two humans, it is an honour to meet you Mr. President." As if suddenly remembering, Bumblebee snapped around with an apologetic look on his face.
The President turned to look at the general, " WHAT THE HELL is going on?!"
After many hours of re-explaining and explaining the President finally seem to understand the situation. "So why don't you help with the war if your hear to protect us then?"
Optimus shook his helm lightly, "you and your species are still developing and if we were to be involved it may do more harm. Also we are can not interfere with earths politics. Unless you are willing to allow sharing all we show with all countries."
"The United States can't afford giving any technological advances to our enemy!"
"Our technology can be dangerous on its own... we do wish to share our knowledge but only things we deme safe for humans and that what ever knowledge we share with you you share with all humans."
"If you ask my your a bunch of free loaders... that being said I think I need to think all this through more perhaps revise our treaty with you."
"I understand take all the time you need, this is a lot to take in."
"General it's time we go." The President said getting into the car.
"I'll work on him."
"Thank you."
With a nod they left.
Optimus Vented heavily, ="What is his problem? You treat him with respect and he --"= Bumblebee grumbled wile bleeping.
"Don't worry. All that is important is that for now our alliance with the humans still stands. "Transforming Optimus began to slowly roll away, "let's head back to base."
May 2, 2017
20:00
Bob and Charlee were sitting in the living room, Bob was sitting in his easy chair staring at the wall clock. While Charlee was glued to the window, his long front bangs covered his right eye. His hair was as dark as his fathers. Soon he seemed to get cheated and storms off to the bathroom when he comes out his bangs or pin back with two hair pins. When Bob saw this he chuckled to herself. "Son I know your excited but have u ever known your mother to surrender so easily?"
"Not even mom could make a new car embarrassing there is no way this can back fire." Charlee said determined.
"l don't believe it." Bob said eyes wide as he saw a normal, white Toyota Corolla pull into the front yard.
"What is it ," Charlie quickly looked out the window and saw his mother step out of the car. "YES!" He scrambled out side to have a better look at the new car. "It's awesome mom thanks." Bob had followed behind looking very confused.
"Thanks? For what?" Christine looked as if she was thing but she couldn't hide her smirk, "oh I get it Charlee sweetheart I think you're a little confused. This is MY car," she said pointing at the Corolla.
"Yippee!" Both Charlee and Christine looked at Bob who was know clearing his throat.
"Your car is," Christine hit a button and the garage door opened slowly.
"No anything but that!" Charlee plead as he saw the pink,flower infested van shining in front of him. "Dad please say something.
Bob cleared his throat and was about to speak when Christine cut him off, "I'll take the car back."
He looked at Christine then put a hand on Charlee's shoulder, "son there comes a time in every mans life when he must stand for what's right... your taking the van."
Charlee felt the world crumbling away at his feet as he fell through the empty void of space.
Meanwhile back st the autobots base Ratched was monitoring the coms waiting for any news from Optimus or Bulkhead. Ratchet assumed that Optimus conversation most likely went into the early hour of the morning and would most likely take his time and enjoy the drive back to base. Bulkhead on the other hand have volunteered/ begged to go on patrol to evade further lecturing from Derek. He was out search for any potential Decepticon activity or energon deposits. Soon Prowl walked up behind Ratchet who was busily whatching the screen, "any word yet?"
"AHH!" Ratchet hollered not noticing Prowl was there. "By the Primes! Prowl! You nearly stopped my spark."
"Ratchet..."
After letting out an exasperated vent Ratchet turned back to the screen, "Nothing yet. All spark signals are still strong."
"Alright if Bulkhead doesn't report in within the next 10 minutes I'll go out."
"Alright," Ratchet said nodding.
After a time Prowl was reading to leave when Ratchet heard Bulkhead over the com."Ratchet you there?"he was whispering.
"Bulkhead-" Ratchet yelled causing Prowl to walk over to the screen. "Where have you been?"
"Sorry but Soundwave was here. I couldn't risk him noticing me."
"Soundwave!"
Prowl immediately open his com, "report."
"Yes sir. While on patrol I notice a few vehicons so I followed them. They have been digging and from what I can tell the found what ever it was they were looking for. It looks like some sort of capsule, it's quite large. I heard them mention cybermater readings and spark signature. It's been here for along time, it's wedged in but they nearly have it freed. I don't recognize the make. Oh and Starscream is over seeing the dig personally."
Prowl thought out loud, "So it's either a relic or -"
"A stasispod!?" Ratchet exclaimed.
"Scrap! They got it loses."
"Ratchet get the others back here now. Bulkhead-"
"I won't let Screamy leave," with that Bulkhead disconnected.
"Ratchet..."
"On it."
~ to be continued ~
Authors notes: Hey everyone! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. The next one is most likely going to be a long one, but the stories about pick up. Can't wait to see you all again in the next chapter.