*Chapter 12: Leaving Home...*


The next afternoon, Camron and Hope are in the car of Bumblebee, talking about tonight of leaving the state. It could be a long way to get to Rome. Hope figured everything out to sneak out the house without Judy and Ron knowing. She will have to leave a goodbye note.
Bumblebee dropped off the kids at the house, and told them that he will see them tonight once Optimus picks them up. Camron and Hope came up to the house. As they went inside, they found Sam with his parents in the living room for a visit.

"Sam? What're you doing here?" Camron asked. Sam stood up his the couch and came towards him and Hope.

"I came to check on my parents and you guys. After I heard what happen, I will have keep coming over from now on since the Autobots will be gone tonight." Sam told them. "I have to stay home so the Cons or Black Widow won't be able to attack you all while I am here." Camron and Hope nodded, not saying a word. "Are you two going to wish them all luck at NEST before they leave?" Sam asked.

"We...did." Camron lied. "After Bumblebee dropped us off, we said goodbye and wish him luck. He's going to inform the rest when he gets to the base." Sam gave him a nod, falling for a lie. So, the kids went upstairs to relax from school. Camron went to his room and Hope followed him and closed the door behind her. Camron sat on his bed and sighed. He looked at his sister with a sad look in his eyes. "Hope, I...I don't think I can go with you." He said. "I thought about it, and...I think I should stay here and help Sam protect Aunt Judy and Uncle Ron."

"What?! You're bailing out of the mission?! We're leaving tonight! I put so much for us to leave!" Hope asked with a look. "We're doing this for everyone, and for our parents! Why would you change your mind all of a sudden?"

"I'm sorry, Hope. But, I don't think you should be going either." Camron said. "I know you have powers, but...I don't want you to get hurt out there." Hope sat next to her brother.

"Camron, I have to go. They need me, and...they need you." She said. "Remember what you said yesterday? You want action and adventure. Now, look at yourself...you're bailing." Camron turned his head away from her. Hope got up and left the room. Camron is out, and now...Hope will be the only one in the house who will be out. She can't stay home, she has to go and help her friends. Optimus won't be happy to hear the bad news about Camron. Hope, Mayu, and Malam are the fighters in the mission along with the soldiers.

It's close to 10:00 at night, and Hope was dressed up to leave. She puts on her brown boots and her sweater. She packs her clothes to put in the bag. She took out her backpack and put her sketchbook in it to bring, and a novel. She found her cell phone on the nightstand, she picked it up... She had to leave it behind. She can't contact anyone. There will be no service once she is out of the state. Hope placed her phone on the made bed and took out a piece of paper and begin to write a note. She sat in her desk and started to write.
Dear Aunt Judy, Uncle Ron, and Camron,
I'm sorry to leave this way. But, there's something I have to do what was right for our world. I will be fine. I will be back soon once the job is done. I can't tell you where I am going, but I'm sure you should figure it out. Stay home and stay safe from the Decepticons and Black Widow. Tell Sam that I am sorry about this, but not to worry about it. I will be okay.
I love you all. - Hope.
She placed a goodbye note on the bed next to her phone. She took her backpack and left her room. She silently went downstairs and went out the backdoor. Taking a last look, she knew she will be gone for a while. She knew she will miss her family once she will be out of the state.

"Goodbye..." She whispered and went out the door and shut it behind her. Hope went out of the house to get to the driveway and wait for Optimus to arrive. She turned back to the house, and hears a truck coming by. Hope saw Optimus pulling over and opened the passenger door.

"Where's Camron?" His voice asked. Hope got in and closed the door, placing her bag and backpack next to her. "Isn't he coming?" Optimus asked.

"No. He changed his mind. He decides to stay home and protect Aunt Judy and Uncle Ron with Sam. So, I'm the only one coming. Sorry about that." Hope said. Optimus didn't say a word, but he drives off. Seems like he took it well. Hope looked out the window to see the house is behind them now. "Goodbye, Camron... I'm sorry." She whispered.

"He could've been a great fighter." Optimus spoke.

"Yeah, he could have been, Optimus." Hope said. "But, I'm still in. That's good enough, right? Besides, Malam and Mayu are in as well. We have all the help we could have."

"You are correct, Hope. But, stay with me at all times. We'll never know what's coming at us." Optimus told her. "Use force fields if needed."

"Okay."


Outside of NEST, all of the Autobots but Wheeljack and Ultra Magnus are inside, waiting for Optimus to come back. When they seen him arrive, they see Hope coming out of the truck with her backpack and bag. Ironhide came to her with a look.

"Hope? What're you doing here? You can't come with us!" He said.

"I am, Ironhide. Optimus invited me to come. Camron was coming too, but he bailed. So, here I am now." Hope said with a look. "Do you all have a problem with me coming along?"

"Optimus, what is the meaning of this? Why did you bring her along? This is suicide for her!" Ratchet growled at the leader. Optimus transformed and glared at Ratchet.

"Not a word, Ratchet. Whether you like it or not, Hope is coming. Malam and Mayu were involved in this mission, so Hope is coming along to help us all." He said. Ratchet growled a bit at him.

"You didn't tell her, did you?" He hissed. Hope turned to the bots in confusion.

"What?" She asked. "Tell me about what?"

"Hope, get inside the base." Optimus told her. "This is private."

"But-"

"Now." Optimus ordered, trying not to sound too harsh to the girl. Hope walked away to get inside NEST to look for Malam, Mayu and the rest of the soldiers who are getting ready to leave. Optimus turned to Ratchet with a hard look. "Ratchet, I could not bring myself to tell her. But, I will tell her not to use her force fields too much. She's fine now."

"If you don't tell her, I will myself." Ratchet said harshly. "She will die out there in the battle."

"She won't be!" Optimus growled. "She will stay by my side at all times."

"...The child is all you're worried about. It's like she's your own sparkling." Ratchet said. "You are responsible to watch her! If she was injured, that's your problem." With that, he turned away from the leader and went inside the base. Mirage came to Optimus.

"What's wrong with Ratchet now?" He asked.

"About Hope." Optimus is all he could say to the red Autobot. The three girls walked out of the base and put their bags in William's car. Seymour wheeled himself out and got in the passenger seat.

"Seymour? You're coming with us?" Malam asked.

"Well, I have to be honest with you. I've always wanted to go to Rome. Still, I'm happy to help out." Seymour said with a smile. "Of course, I can't fight with you. Wheeljack and Ultra Magnus wanted me to hold on the inventions that Wheeljack created here. They are always come in handy." Malam smiled at him as Seymour puts the bag of weapons in the car. Then, one of the soldiers ran out in panic.

"Lennox! The All Spark is gone! It's been stolen!" He said as William turned.

"What?!" Ratchet growled. "How can it be stolen?!"

"It couldn't be the Cons." Ironhide said. "They are too noticeable."

"Unless it's Black Widow..." Malam said. "We have to leave now." William got in the car with Seymour as Malam came to Evac who transformed. Mayu followed Malam to get inside with her. As the rest of the Autobots transformed, Hope came to Optimus. He transformed into a truck, and Hope got in.

"Ready, Hope?" He asked. "Once we drive, there is no turning back."

"I'm not going anywhere without a fight. Camron bailed back home, but I'm still game on this." Hope said. "I'm ready." Optimus honked the horn.

"Autobots, roll out!" He ordered and begin to drive to lead the way, and the rest of the cars and trucks followed him. Wheeljack and Ultra Magnus watched them leave along with Charlotte. They all wish the Autobots and humans lots of luck to win this battle. The journey of Rome begins now...