Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own any part of the Transformers franchise.

Chapter 25

"Let's roll out," Epps hollered, exiting the motel with the key in hand, catching up with Will and the others, who were leaning against several Autobots.

"What happened to Mikaela?" Sarah asked.

"She's going to fall behind and wait for the backup," Epps responded smoothly, making his way for Ironhide.

"What?" Sarah snapped.

"Sarah let's just get in," Will suggested.

"Epps what did you do?" Sarah growled accusingly.

"She's going to wait for the Pentagon to come and pick her up," Epps explained evenly.

"Robert!"

"They want her," Epps snapped. "She's a criminal! Wanted by the United States Pentagon at that!"

"She is not a criminal," Sam sighed softly. The internal fight of emotions was evident on his face as he tried to let all of this go. "But we don't have time for this. Sarah if you want to make sure that Mikaela is treated justly, stay behind with her. And as for you, Epps," Sam stepped up into the face of a man, whom he had called a friend through ten long and rough years. But Epps was trailing a thin line—friendships be damned. "I want Joan back as much as the next person, and I know it's that crazy love for her that's got you thinking out of your mind, but let me remind you of something: first my wonderful assistant isn't going to be too happy when she hears about this and second, if Mikaela makes it to the Pentagon, with so much as a scratch on her head, I'll be the one shoving you up Megatron's rusty ass."

The two men glared long and hard at each other, one waiting for the other's agreement, and the other judging the promise of the threat.

"Epps, Witwicky, if we're going to make a strike against these bastards we need to move now. We don't have time for this," Lennox snapped. Neither man relaxed.

"I mean it you two," Lennox continued walking away from them. "Epps get me the Pentagon on the phone. Witwicky, work that alien magic to get us a location. Autobots, let's roll out!"

En route to the Pentagon

It was quite the sight for Keiara, watching the small Nissan 370Z lead the large and ancient Freightliner Truck that was Ultra Magnus—or perhaps it was the fact that Keiara knew that the two vehicles were two very big alien robots, with even bigger attitudes.

"You know our lost solider isn't as friendly as I imagined," Keiara said softly, looking back in the rearview mirror at the monstrous truck.

"Magnus has endured a long, trying life. He has been fighting just as long as Optimus has."

"Yes, and he has such a high opinion of Optimus," Keiara frowned. "What exactly was that all about, Blue?"

Keiara could hear the engine of the car rumble a sigh as Bluestreak began to slow down.

"It is not the best example of Optimus' leadership," Blue began slowly. "Those times were very demanding and until very recently us Autobots have been on the defensive end of this fight. It has been a long war, Keiara."

"Prime and Magnus were fighting on the same side," Blue continued. "His impeccable fighting skills, unmatched courage, and talent of improvisation on the battlefield truly made him the perfect solider. And that was all Magnus wanted to be. He had no interest in commanding. He was simply made to follow. However things were becoming very stressful on our side. We were losing too many forces, too quickly. And in those moments, we all can sometimes lose our senses."

"So what happened? Did Magnus do something wrong?" Keiara asked.

"No, I believe Prime did. There was an attack on one of the older ports, in the West Territory of the planet. Against his will, Magnus led one hundred forces to battle against Megatron."

"Who happens to be--?"

"Leader of the Decepticons," Bluestreak finished. "In my opinion, Megatron in his early years was more lethal than he was now, in what many consider to be his prime. The Decepticon forces were able to destroy nearly all of our comrades, except two: one of course, Magnus and the other, Cosmos, a recon specialist. Something that you must know about Cosmos is that he is one of the few Autobots with the capability to fly."

"What does he transform to?"

"I think many of your people would think of him best as a UFO," Bluestreak explained.

"Are serious?" Keiara exclaimed, but then retracted her expression. I suppose if robots can change into cars, they can change into alien flying saucers.

"And while Cosmos enjoys his freedom, he can easily become bored of it—which is what Mr. Adamski witnessed in October of 1946. During this particular ambush, Cosmos had been off duty, returning to our planet and landed on the West Territory, during the battle. He witnessed what he claimed to be, Magnus aiding Megatron in destroying Autobot allies. Naturally his claim did not sit well with Prime or any of the elders. Magnus defended himself, declaring on his soul that he did not, and would never destroy his own comrades, but with such intense pressure beating on him, Optimus fell into the favor of the elders and dismissed Magnus from our ranks."

"Dismissed him?"

"Originally the elders wanted Prime to destroy him, but Optimus could not destroy a brother, so he decided to banish him. This did not sit well with Magnus, who had fought many long years beside Prime and had expected him to stand up for him. He left willingly, but with a cold spirit, vowing never to aid the Autobots. And it seems that he, like many of us, found refugee on this planet."

"So what does Prime want with Magnus now?" Keiara asked. "He must know that he won't be too willing to help."

"Those were my beliefs as well," Bluestreak answered. "But nonetheless, he is following us to the Pentagon. He has agreed to listen, and possibly aid us. And while he may never officially be an Autobot ever again, Magnus would never fight with the Decepticons. That much I am certain."

"So when we arrive in D.C. Prime should be waiting for us?"

"That is my hope, Keiara, that is my hope."

"Seriously Mikaela, what is going on?"

Her hands were laced together covering Sam's vision, as she walked him across the gravel. He tried sniffing the air to get a better sense of where he was, but when all he could smell was oil, Sam became quite confused. This area was rather open to be a garage, and why was there no concrete?

"Just be patient, Sam," Mikaela sang. "And stop trying to figure out where we are."

"Bee a little help here," Sam called out to his car, only a few feet away.

Mikaela went to swing at Sam playfully, but in the instant that she dropped her right hand, Sam ducked out of her grasp and opened his eyes.

"Sam!" Mikaela complained. "It's supposed to be a surprise."

"This is a surprise."

He stood outside several empty warehouses, surrounded by barbed wire and electric poles.

"I can't believe this is still standing," Sam laughed. "I would have thought that Bee and Barricade shred this place into pieces."

"I dug my key into the side of his pretty little souped-up 4 wheel drive," Bumblebee's radio sang, "Carved my name into his leather seat…"

Sam's hearty laugh drowned out the rest of the lyrics. "You were good Bee," Sam agreed. "That fight was pretty badass."

"Too bad you spent most of it running form an alien robot smaller than my baby cousin. And who had to save you again?" Mikaela teased.

Sam draped an arm around Mikaela's shoulders and brought her close. "Well you know I don't mind role play. You can be Superman, while I could be Lois Lane."

Mikaela threw her head back and laughed. "I didn't know you had such a feminine side to you, Witwicky!"

Sam only grinned and silenced his girlfriend in a slow, sweet kiss that left Mikaela wanting just a tad bit more.

"Tease," she accused lightly.

"Guilty as charged."

"C'mon, I'll show you the main attraction," Mikaela smiled tugging Sam.

"Oh, I think I've already found it," Sam purred brining Mikaela closer…

"Witwicky!"

Sam jolted upwards, knocking his head against the tree behind him. Several soldiers sat crouched down near him, all gazing at him with suspicious looks.

"Your radio, sir," one said, pointing to the handheld next to Sam.

Sam nodded in thanks and responded into the radio. "This is Witwicky."

"Sam, we're a go," Lennox said. "Are you ready?"

He ought to be ready. It was an excruciating two hours to gain military back up and reach, what the coordinates had suggested to be the Amnabots' base. Not to mention the internal warfare Sam was having over leaving Mikaela in Pennsylvania. Bee had not been very happy with the decision, and Sam knew that he probably should have stopped it, but in a few hours she would be in the trusted hands of the Pentagon. In a few hours Joan and Anna will be safe and cleared. In a few minutes, they were going to barge into the simple evicted warehouse and end this once and for all. In a few hours he could tend to his heart, but right now, his mind had first priority.

"We're ready."

Sam and his team were resting low in bushes near the unsuspecting warehouse. There were a few guards standing outside of the house. They were dressed in civilian clothes with black backpacks but Epps confirmed that with the heat vision binoculars, there were two AK-47s in the bags.

Sam's team consisted of fifteen soldiers, armed and ready, and Barricade, since Bumblebee decided to guard Sarah, who was about ten miles from their location.

"On my signal," Sam ordered.

"You have to admit," one soldier hissed to another, "these guys may fight nasty, but they have no sense of security."

"Silence soldier," Sam barked.

Barricade stood up behind them, rolling out his cannons in preparation for battle before replying darkly, "Oh yes they do."

As always thank you for reading and please don't forget to review!

Much Love,

Santiva Potter