Chapter 11
Michael was a large man muscle wise, his broad body lined with scars from his military history. He paused at the door of his office and it took a few minutes to disengage the several locks that protected the steel lined room. The man entered, tossing his keys to an empty spot on the desk as he ran a hand over his shaved head, sighing a breath of relief as the door shut, automatically locking and securing itself.
He meant to sit down but stopped when his eyes caught the subtle blinking of the computer he had turned off before he had left. Michael's body tensed as he pulled out a glock, holding it up to the computer. With a slow steady motion, he approached, his finger just over the trigger as he licked his lips.
The computer continued to blink as if unaffected by the threat and Michael reached out, moving the mouse with a pen on the desk. He nearly jumped out of his skin when the monitor flashed to life, the desktop already loaded all blank except a single tiny box.
"Paranoid aren't we?" A female voice purred, full of confidence and self assured ego. Michael frowned, the scars on his face making him look all the more intimidating. He looked at the webcam briefly, hatred filling his eyes as the woman laughed, a mocking sound to his ears.
"Not going to show yourself?" He basically spat and the woman, chuckled again, a deep rolling sound that otherwise would have been pleasant. A little black box on the screen widened on its own accord and he was met with what resembled a video chat.
The woman was attractive, her red hair curling in waves over her left eye, the exposed glowing an almost unnatural icy blue. She smiled, her lips curling gently as she studied him under half closed eyelids.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Michael Conroy." The woman continued to purr confidently as she brought both hands up, interlocking them comfortably before her chest. His eyes flicked to her right one that wasn't human at all. The intricate metal limb glistening in the low light. "I assume you know who I am?" She asked and Michael sat down, in the chair before his desk.
"Evelyn Grey." He hissed and she smiled at the recognition.
"You know, you were a bitch to find at first." Evelyn began, waving her metallic hand to punctuate her statement. "Considering that you move around so bloody much." She growled before allowing another eased smile coat her features. "Do you want to know how I found you?" She asked sounding rather excited, like she wanted to brag to somebody. He didn't answer her, instead Michael just continued to glare.
"Indulge me." Evelyn grumbled with a half wave of her hand as she narrowed her eyes in threat. The man leaned back, crossing his arms over his muscular chest.
"Tell me then. How did you find me?" Michael hissed, moodily and Evelyn sat up, looking more than enthusiastic.
"Well, you know how the simplest method is always the answer, or however that quote goes?" She said dismissively before continuing. "I was going about this all wrong. You see, I just found the location of your newest, 'rally' and with a little good old detective work, hacking and bribery and guess what I found?" She probed and his expression fell further.
"What did you find?" He snarled in a poor attempt at holding his composer. Evelyn smirked, licking her lips as she sat back, crossing her leg over her knee.
"That you Michael H. Conroy made a very rookie mistake. Using an ATM machine? Not only does that have a camera but with just the right touches, I can get enough personal information to find out whatever I want about you." She clasped her hands together. "I know everything about you. You're first job, the fact that you got a dishonorable discharge from the marines, and that you have a fiancée, whom, by the way knows how to keep her identity secret, better than you."
"And what now?" Michael snarled, standing as he slammed his hand on the desk, momentarily distracting Evelyn. "You plan to use that against me? Blackmail me to your will?" He continued and Evelyn looked amused as she laughed.
"Blackmail you? No." She snorted, waving her metallic hand idly in the air. "Going after family is so underhanded. My dispute is with you and you alone. Considering that you tried to shoot me and annihilate my entire army." Evelyn added, hissing the last part as she narrowed her eyes.
"And so you plan to get your revenge? Mock me than destroy me?" Michael guessed and Evelyn leaned back again, a humored smirk, gracing her features again.
"If I had wanted to destroy you, you're organization would be nothing but ashes and you would be staring into my eyes as I pulled the trigger, hours ago."
"Then why haven't you?" He asked as he sat back down. Evelyn tilted her head to the side.
"Because, I'm not that kind of woman and unlike my, would be predecessor, I believe in second chances." She explained calmly. "Not only that but it would seem the two of us have a common enemy."
"Those other robots?" He asked and Evelyn nodded once. "Decepticons?"
"Worse." Evelyn answered, solemnly. He nodded as well, his eyes flickering off screen as he seemed to contemplate something. He returned his gaze back to her.
"Let me get this straight." He growled, gaining a commanding tone to his voice. You want me to ally myself and my resources with you?" Never." He spat and Evelyn curled her lip in disgust.
"So I expected." She rumbled. "That was option A, now for B." She added, eyes narrowing. Michael mimicked her gesture.
"And what would that be?"
"Simple. You leave the Neutrals out of your pathetic plans. You leave us alone. We leave you alone. Everyone continues to exist happily." Evelyn stated and he snorted.
"And if I don't?" He challenged and Evelyn grinned, her lips curling in not only a sinister fashion but a rather predatory manor as well.
"Then I will personally rip your limbs off for every aggravation you cause us." She threatened as she leaned closer to the screen, clenching her metallic claws together for added effect. She sat back. "Do I make myself clear, Michael Conroy?" She growled and he snarled in response, moving to turn off the monitor.
"and one more thing." Evelyn added and he stopped, meeting her cold eyes. "Take a good look at your office, at all of the machines. Now tell me Michael. Which one doesn't look familiar?" Evelyn purred and he couldn't hide the horrified expression that crossed his face as he unconsciously looked around the room.
"It was a pleasure. I'll keep in touch." Evelyn added before cutting the connection completely and leaving Michael alone in a room that felt full with possible enemies.
XXXX
The proximity alert was never a welcome sound to any of the Neutrals and the second the siren went off; everyone either groaned or growled audibly from their positions, piled up in the rec. room around a large theater sized projector screen. Evelyn cursed loudly as she stood from the shoulder of Nightstorm who looked equally as frustrated with the interruption.
"Jack." Evelyn snarled, while pressing the device under her ear. She waited a few moments as she scaled down the seeker's enormous frame, using his metal armor as handholds before dropping down, onto the small form of Dwindle, who squeaked in protest.
"Yeah?" The young man answered, quickly picking up the phone and almost dropping it.
"Can you see anyone?" Evelyn asked as she finally reached the ground, walking past Barricade's calf as she shifted the Cybertronian pistol on her back.
"Yeah… looks like a really big black truck." He muttered and Evelyn paused, her face turning into a frown.
"Like bigger than a semi big?" She then asked.
"Yep." Jack mumbled. "Should I hide behind the desk?" He began but stopped a moment. "Now there looks like military officials exiting the vehicle. They look important." Jack stated and Evelyn snorted.
"Alright, I'll be there in a few seconds." She informed before cutting the connection and turning to her men. "Continue the movie. I'll take care of it." Evelyn muttered to the group as she walked out of the building and into the warm sun. It took her only a moment to walk through the small office and past the intimidating wall. Evelyn stopped, a firm smirk on her features as she placed a hand on her hip.
"Can I help you gents?" She asked to the two men before her. The first one's lip twitched, the only indication of the mirth he was barely containing, while the second one placed a hand to his mouth to stop himself from giggling.
"Ma'am. We have a complaint of alien activity in this vicinity." He paused, pulling the pair of sunglasses down his nose to look at her over the rim. "Are you aware of any alien activity?" He drawled and Evelyn just raised an eyebrow.
"I dunno." She began turning and looking over her shoulder as she heard familiar footsteps approach. She smirked as Scavenge walked behind her. "Hey Scavenge," She called gaining his attention. "We got a complaint of alien activity. Seen any aliens lately?" She blatantly asked and the large mech tilted his head to the side, making a show to bring a finger under his chin as if contemplating.
"Fraid not gentlemen. But if I do see anything, I will inform you immediately." The scout promised and by now the second man had lost it, chuckling heavily as the other one punched him playful.
"Lennox you crazy bastard, it has been far too long!" Evelyn exclaimed, grasping the man in a bear hug before releasing him and grabbing the other man. "Epps!" She pulled back giving the two a grin. "How the hell did you escape N.E.S.T duties?" She asked and Will managed to look sheepish for a moment.
"Actual alien complaint." Epps mumbled under his breath while looking away. The humor from Evelyn's face fell almost instantly as she tilted her head to the side.
"Seriously?" She dead panned and both Will and Epps nodded, slowly. "So they sent you three?" Evelyn asked and will shrugged.
"Four actually." Will answered by gesturing to Ironhide. The door opened and out slid the small but still muscular form of Abigail, her once neat bun completely cropped off into a short spiky, half Mohawk. In her hand she held a small bag.
"My little femme!" Scavenge called out, ducking past the group and reaching Abigail, who didn't even flinch. Ironhide growled lowly before transforming to his full height, much larger than the scout but Scavenge paid him no mind as he scooped her up. She grinned as he held her with both of his hands and pulled her up to his face.
"Guess who made it on the N.E.S.T bomb squad?" She exclaimed pointing both thumbs into her chest. "That's right, this chick!" She continued and Evelyn gave Will a single eyebrow raise and a smirk.
"Remember that quiet, reserved, dedicated woman you met before." He began idly. "I miss her already." Will grumbled and Evelyn snorted.
"Well considering where she applied for, you'd had to know there was something wrong." Evelyn pointed out and Will frowned.
"Yeah man, you gotta be shithouse crazy to work for you." Epps added helpfully added and Evelyn rolled her eyes.
"Says a lot about you." Evelyn retorted and he raised a finger.
"Hey, before that, alien enslave the world shit, I got out if you remember."
"To work with the Wreckers!" Will pointed out and Evelyn snorted, sharing a knowing glance with Ironhide who had managed not to say anything this entire time.
"Alright ladies. Let's take this chit chat inside before I get another alien complaint. I mean who the hell even lives in this town anyway? It's bloody deserted!" Evelyn growled and Ironhide grumbled something before cutting past them and past Scavenge. Abigail quickly shifted, scaling up Scavenge's chest to reach his shoulder.
XXXX
Evelyn sat with her elbows resting on a rather large fold up table, with her hands interlocked, and her head resting on the back of her hands. Behind her, the entire Neutral fraction beside's Scavenge were relaxing casually. Several were sitting comfortably, optics glued on a screen as some slasher flick played. Both Barricade and Greyside were perched in the back, leaning on the farthest wall, with stoic expressions locked on the three new comers.
"Hey old 'Hide!" Fireflight chimed with a wave the second his blue optics caught side of the large war mech, and he smirked as the seeker approached him.
"Fireflight." The mech greeted calmly, if not a bit coldly. "I didn't know you were still functioning." He said, standing as he clasped a hand on the red seeker's shoulders. Fireflight grinned and shrugged good naturedly.
"Wasn't." He said with a dismissive gesture before pointing a finger to the side of his head and spinning it slightly. "You know how us fliers get when we lose our trine." He paused, his eyes flickering from a particularly painful memory.
"Ah." Was all Ironhide could say. "How?" The large mech grumbled and it was all that he needed to ask. Everyone, even Evelyn knew how seekers could get; how insane they could go. Fireflight perked up, his wings rising noticeably as he pointed his finger to the large seeker that was crouched down besides both Epps and Will, much to their dislike. Nightstorm perked his head up, four eyes locking on the red seeker.
"He found me… at my worst." The seeker sighed. "Nightstorm caught me; I thought I was a Decepticon prisoner." Both Nightstorm and Fireflight laughed at this, as if remembering the event together. "But he kept me hidden, talked to me, repaired me until I was right in the head. He didn't have a trine. Never made the bond with any seeker. He found Nightflight soon after; just before he met Evelyn. Since then we've been a trine. Ever since then alls been good!" He added hopefully with a large grin plastered on his face. Evelyn met his optics before turning to Nightstorm and giving him a grin.
"You certainly are good at fixing things aren't you?" She stated still grinning at the enormous seeker, who couldn't stand fully in the hanger. He inclined his head.
"I am ever tactical, my lord." He answered with an elegant wave of his spindly talons. "The mind is like one intricate machine. Easy to tinker with if you know how." He added and Evelyn's fond grin fell and Epps looked slightly horrified.
"and ever creepy Nightstorm." She blatantly stated and he smirked, meeting her eyes with a truly mischievous glint to them.
"I do not bring terror to my enemies for no reason my lord." He finished and Evelyn found herself smirking. Epps briefly rummaged through his bag as if trying to find a distraction from the ever intimidating presence that was Nightstorm. He stopped almost instantly before a large grin found itself to his face. He met Evelyn eyes before pulling out a large bottle.
It was unmarked and the liquid looked like a mixture of sludge, oil, and swamp water as he slammed it onto the white table. He was still smirking before pulling out several glass cups.
"What in the pit is that, Fleshling?" Barricade grumbled from his position in the back, his crimson optics glowing brighter.
"Sludge." He stated still grinning madly. Evelyn raised an eyebrow as Will placed his head in his palm. "My own brand of Moonshine." He added tapping the glass bottle lovingly.
"You make your own alcohol?" Evelyn dead panned and he gave a single nod.
"Hey, when you're trapped in some of the god awful places we get trapped in; you learn to make something that brings the men's moral up."
"So booze then?" She added and again he nodded if it was the most obvious answer in the world.
"and considering that all of us have been through hell, I thought we'd need a little cheering up celebration." He added, pouring a cup.
"A celebration?" Nightstorm asked, titling his head as he contemplated something. Almost suddenly he seemed to perk up, wings lifting and optics glowing brighter. "I will be back momentarily." He grinned before ducking out of the room far faster than any seeker his size should have been able to. The others watched him, concern evident on their features. Even Barricade couldn't hide the look of horror that flicked across his face.
It took less than a minute before the massive seeker returned, struggling with a massive, almost pressurized barrel. He placed it in the middle of the room, slender claws scraping the black metal as his four eyes glinted mischievously. Evelyn frowned, raising an eyebrow as she tried to figure out what was in the barrel.
"Is that?" Barricade mumbled, opting to stand slightly.
"That can't be." Knock Out purred, wiggling his fingers excitedly as he sat up. Fireflight tilted his head in equal confusion as Will leaned in. Ironhide pulled his body off of the ground, letting his arms fall to his sides as she approached Nightstorm. The seeker grinned, running his hands over the barrel.
"What is that?" Evelyn finally asked. Nightstorm caught her eyes with his optics.
"My brew of high grade." He rumbled, showing his fangs.
"I haven't had your High-grade since," Ironhide paused at this as if remembering something. He grinned. "Since those blasted twins nicked it from you stellarcycles ago." The large war mech reminisced and the seeker chuckled short burst of static.
"Ah, but that wasn't even the good stuff." The large seeker added, patting the top of the barrel. Evelyn grinned.
"Can I try some?" She asked and almost collectively from both Barricade, Greyside, and surprisingly Knock Out, they practically bellowed a no. Evelyn raised an eyebrow as Knock Out coughed politely before turning to his leader.
"As much fun as it would be to see your temperamental systems on this," He began gesturing to the container. "If Ratchet finds out about this, I don't want to wake up with a wrench firmly shoved up my tailpipe." He seductively purred, with a cocky half grin. Evelyn gave a dramatic huff.
"Fine." She joked. "I'll just stick to sludge then." She continued playfully, snatching the cup from Epps hands and giving him a wink. He snorted and rolled his eyes.
"Skinny bitch." He muttered under his breath and Evelyn chuckled before turning back to the group before her.
"Now, as long as nobody does anything stupid, I believe we can start the festivities." Evelyn grinned and surprisingly everyone gave a whoop of joy as they got up. Greyside tilted his head to the side and both Barricade and Evelyn caught this.
"Not drinking?" Evelyn asked and he chuckled shaking his head.
"The likely hood of something going wrong if I were to drink is too high to ignore." The grey mech stated simply. "I like to be in control of my body at all times." He clarified and Evelyn nodded, understanding. Barricade pulled his body off of the wall.
"Then if you're not indulging yourself I will…what is that blasted human term?" He paused his lips curling into a rather gruesome leer as he thought. "ah, yes. I'm getting hammered." He growled before storming to where the barrel was and to a grinning Nightstorm.
Evelyn laughed as the usually sadistic and rather reserved second in command grabbed a 'cube' of High-grade, only downing the liquid after he saw several other mech indulge themselves first, including Nightstorm. She snorted, pressing her own glass to her lips and letting Epps's home recipe grace her tongue.
Evelyn sputtered, coughing as the thick liquid practically burned holes into her esophagus, not even extinguishing after it had hit her stomach. She choked, banging on her sternum with her fist as she gave the man a watery glare.
"What the hell is in this!" She gave into rasping as she coughed again. "Nuclear waste?" She asked and both Will and Epps were laughing.
"What's wrong?" Will spoke first, drinking the liquid as if it were water. Evelyn snorted as she glared at the man incredulously.
"Ah, she doesn't have enough hairs on her chest to enjoy my fine wine." Epps added and Evelyn looked at him, a more than mischievous glint in her eyes before downing the whole glass.
XXXX
Sun that seemed far brighter than it should have been glinted into Evelyn's just opening eyes and she didn't bother to stifle the groan that peeled out of her dry lips. Carefully she pulled her torso up; the only thought flittering through her head was 'who's foot am I lying on?' With a quick glance she paused at the sight of Fireflight, pinned against the wall in a rather distorted position, head against the wall with back and wings bent in a way that looked agonizing. Knowing him though, he'd probably just passed out like that but the one thing Evelyn was wondering how she had fallen asleep on his foot.
On the table where Epps, Will, and Evelyn had been playing several different card games, the two men remained, face down and cups tipped over. Evelyn stood, raising one eyebrow, as she dusted off her clothing, surprised at the lack of a hangover she had, considering how much acid like alcohol she had consumed. She approached the two men, poking one half-heartedly only to see if he was still breathing. Epps snorted, and Will groaned, not even twitching in the slightest.
With a rather confident, if not devious smirk, she bent down, rummaging through their pockets, not even bothering to be particularly sneaky or discrete about it. Within seconds she had both of their wallets and keys in her hand, and she quickly removed each driver license before returning the wallets and switching the two men's keys, figuring that they'd find out soon enough.
"Good morning leader, nice to you up. Looks like your system filtered out the alcohol far faster and better than a 'normal' human's system can." Knock Out observed with a casual yet cocky smile, gracing his face plate. Evelyn paused, raising a hand a pointing a finger at him rather suspiciously as she pocketed the two, newly acquired driver's licenses.
"How are you still standing? I saw you drink double what some of the other bots did." Evelyn stated blankly, standing to her full height and cocking her head to the side, aware of how tangled her red mane felt. Knock Out grinned, cocking his hip to the side an placing an elegantly polished hand on it as he smirked, his crimson optics glinting mischievously.
"It's not my fault some can't hold their high-grade better." He purred silkily and Evelyn just raised an eyebrow at the statement. The red medic met her expression and chuckled. "not to mention I have tricks of the trade to be thankful for." The mech added and Evelyn just snorted before turning her head to examine her surroundings, watching absentmindedly as the medic walked before a downed Ironhide, who was lying flat on his back, completely passed out.
"I wouldn't." Evelyn observed simply as she stepped to his side, eying him from the corner of her eye. The red medic smirked before gently waving one single talon in the air, while casually placing a hand on his hip.
"If I die, I want it made clear that I regret nothing." Knock Out seductively rumbled as he kneeled down, cuddling up into Ironhide's side. He rested his head on the crook of the massive war mech's arm with a smug look as he met Evelyn slightly horrified expression.
"You are going to die." She hissed tensing as the massive mech shifted and released a low grown, swatting at his ear plate before realizing what it was.
"I'm here Prime." His hissed out, not at all sounding completely conscious. He shifted again, listening to whatever Optimus was telling him as he casually wrapped an arm around Knock Out's waist and pulling him closer to him.
Evelyn nearly lost it, having to slap both of her hands over her mouth as she buckled her knees to keep the still semi offlined mech from realizing exactly who he was cuddling with.
"No complications Prime. I will fully debrief you of why we are late when we return." Ironhide begrudgingly muttered. "No. Improving relationships. Yes. No cannons." The war mech continued and oddly enough, though Knock Out was tense, he kept a calm façade on his features even though Evelyn still fought trying to muffle her laughter.
Almost suddenly, as if finally noticing the extra weight that was resting on his side, Ironhide tensed visibly and slowly, if not reluctantly allowing his blue optics to come online as he moved his head to examine who was nestled into his side. The look on his faceplates was priceless and Evelyn was amazed at how wide his optics managed to grow.
"I never knew you had a thing for the flashy mechs." Knock Out purred in a tone that put the word sultry to shame as he ran a delicate finger down the center of Ironhide's chest plates, stopping to give the mech a rather seductive glance and a half smirk.
Ironhide stood, screeching as he leapt to his feet, giving the medic a rather volatile glare but stopped when he saw Evelyn, on the ground, laughing so hard that her sides shook and tears were streaming from her eyes, a very diluted energon, dripping from her right.
"I'm offended. I thought you would be pleased to wake up with a mech as good as me in your arms." Knock Out added with a pleased snort as he placed a cocky hand on his hips.
"I should…." The war mech, stumbled as he struggled forming a proper sentence because of the fury he was feeling. He gave up, cursing under his breath as he stopped off, waking up the drowsy mechs and humans that groaned as they stood.
Evelyn approached Barricade who was now sitting up, rubbing his head slowly as he growled lowly in his throat. She smirked, cockily tapping his foot with her own clawed foot.
"Hangover much?" She teased earning a hostile glare from the mech as he contemplated smacking her across the hanger. Instead he growled, flickering his optics as he stood.
"I'm going to go purge my tanks." He casually muttered before walking away and Evelyn followed him with her eyes.
"I could have honestly gone about my day perfectly fine, not knowing that piece of information." Evelyn called out after him and he grunted something while waving her off rather rudely.
XXXX
The sky was filled with a fiery tinge of oranges, pinks, and yellows due to the earliness of the morning and the several seekers ran, leaping into the air with a single graceful bound before transforming and taking off into the sky, desperate to fly off the grogginess that plagued them. Even Makeshift, joined them, not even bother to match their aerobatics nor dramatics as he lazily hovered above the base.
Will and Epps lumbered out of the hanger, closely followed by a still fuming Ironhide who made certain to cast the ever smirking medic harsh glares that promised a cannon blast. Evelyn sauntered over, slow enough as she watched both Barricade and Knock Out casually talking before the medic jumped out the way, doing an impressive partial back flip before transforming and driving off with the faux police cruiser chasing after him with the intent to maim.
"Aren't we missing one?" Epps grumbled while casually rubbing his head and Will looked around rather suddenly as it came to his attention.
"Yeah. Where is Ms. Rook?" He asked to nobody in particular and Evelyn paused, joining him in looking around.
"I'm missing one too." Evelyn added placing a finger under her lip. "Scavenge is still MIA." Both Will and Epps turned to her and Evelyn placed a hand on her hip, waving over the police cruiser who had long since given up chasing the sport red car. Barricade transformed and approached, a permanent scowl on his features as he flexed his talons.
"Yes, putrid female?" He all but hissed and Evelyn just raised an eyebrow.
"I didn't know it was possible for a rusted pile of insufferable scrap metal to become prissier." She retorted earning a growl from the mech which she plainly ignored. "You've seen Scavenge around?" She changed and Barricade simply shook his head once and Evelyn bit her lip before turning and making her way to the other side of the base. Will, Epps, Ironhide, and Barricade followed her before she stopped almost suddenly, a smirk finding its way on her features.
"Ain't that cute?" Ironhide drawled with a humored smirk coating his usually stern features. Sitting high above, on one of the tallest hangers was Scavenge, watching the sunrise with the form of Abigail nestled into his side.
"Aw." Evelyn practically purred, trying her hardest not to laugh. "I think my little scout's got a crush on your explosive technician." Will raised an eyebrow, a grin plastered on his face as he shared a look with Epps.
"Disgusting." Barricade remarked and everyone, including Evelyn turned to him, raising an eyebrow.
"Like your one to talk." Ironhide snorted, saying what everyone was thinking and Barricade snarled, flexing his sharp talons for emphasis and threat. Evelyn was the one to snort, breaking the tense silence that was accumulating and stopping the war mech from pulling out his cannons.
"Ignore him. He's just pissy."
Author's note: Why yes ladies and gents, it would appear that we might actually have a couple in this story and it isn't even Barricade and Evelyn (What everyone was expecting) Even I don't know what exactly Eve and 'Cades relationship is and I'm the writer.
Anyway, this chapter took a good while to write but on better news I got two lovely fanarts from two lovely people and I must admit I LOVE them! I'll post a link on my page when I get a chance. (Thanks again!)
So how did this chapter come out?
