Time of our choosing
By: Darksider82
Beta: Wingedseerwolf
Disclaimer: Must we go through this tediousness every time? No I don't own anything from these franchises.
Transformers/HP x-over
HP/KB and Transformer ships are standard
"Chatting and Spells"
"Flashback conversations and nonverbal spells"
"Why didn't you let me at him!" Snarled Ironhide turning his cannons on Harry. Harry was slightly nervous but didn't let it show as he stared down the Weapons Master.
"Simple, I need you alive. You're no good to me or Optimus dead." Harry replied and the large bot knew it.
"Where did you send Broadside, Clank and Sunstreaker?"
"Broadside because he's big enough to restrain them. Clank and Sunstreaker are two they actually like. Besides I still haven't found anything big enough to allow me to transport them yet."
"By them, you mean?" Ironhide asked thinking about the not so subtly hidden Dinobots in the basement.
"Yes them."
Ironhide winced.
(Film)
Igor slobbered with what could only be triumph as he observed the Autobots and their human allies fall back from Sentinel's sudden betrayal.
"My master! Such a brilliant scheme! So when Sentinel left Cybertron, it was to defect?" Starscream asked curiously.
Megatron shifted his cowl, nodded and rumbled "He was meant to rendezvous with me here on Earth before fate waylaid us both. The only way to revive him... we needed Prime and his Matrix."
"Excellent strategy." Simpered Starscream "What is he now Master? Your partner?"
"He is my greatest triumph." Replied Megatron with a cruel smile.
Sentinel Prime strode over to the Decepticons "Commencing transport."
Optimus Prime shifted into his humanoid form and lunged at Sentinel "Stop! No, no Sentinel!"
Sentinel Prime sighed sadly "Forgive me." With that he drew his pistol and blade.
Megatron cackled "Here we are. Fight us now." With that Decepticons came rushing through the portal created; there were thousands of them. They were growling and howling at their victory, shifting into civilian cars, ambulances and military vehicles as NEST poured onto the scene.
"Contact! Watch out! Move it! Move it!" Shouted someone from the American Division.
"BRING 'EM DOWN! BRING 'EM DOWN! BRING 'EM DOWN!" Screamed another.
Optimus Prime saw his Autobots, and allies falling and taking down Decpitcons. All of the Autobots save a few were present "Autobots retreat!" Similar orders were given as well.
Optimus Prime charged after a fleeing Sentinel and rugby tackled him to the ground where they began to pummel each other.
Optimus Prime groaned as Sentinel pinned him almost effortlessly against a monument to a general from one war or another "Nggah! Why, Sentinel? Why?"
Sentinel Prime restrained his pupil "For Cybertron! For our home! What war destroyed, we can rebuild! But only if we join with the Decepticons." He explained, he was hoping Optimus would and could understand his reasoning.
Unfortunately as Optimus Prime gave him a good rhetoric that never made him question his choice of successor "No, it's not the only way! This is our home! We must defend the humans!"
Sentinel Prime sighed, they had been too pressed for time back on Cybertron "So lost you are, Optimus. On Cybertron, we were gods. And here... they call us machines. Let the humans serve us, or perish! You're lucky I didn't kill you. In time, you'll see." Sentinel could feel it that he or Prime would die in their upcoming encounters, maybe the cube turned human would be there.
Sentinel wasn't stupid when he saw the dark haired man, riding with Crosshairs; a sarcastic but undoubtedly loyal Bot. But loyal to whom? With that he walked off.
Optimus Prime got too his feet and growled "It's not over." Both Primes could feel it.
Dylan stood outside on the Balcony of his rather impressive house "Now, if I were him, I wouldn't let you out of my sight for one second." He commented, smirking internally that Sam hadn't come. Sam was a good young man, bit green, whiny and moany but then again Dylan considered the fact he had been pretty much the same.
Carly chuckled. It was at that point Sam arrived, he had been seen by Ben and had been given a lift.
Sam cleared his throat as he walked onto the Balcony "It's funny. I was just thinking on the way over here, I could really use some advice from Dylan, and there he is. Can I speak to you, Carly?"
Dylan spun around, smile in place and he hugged Sam "Welcome, please, sit down. Have a drink."
Sam had to prevent himself from punching the man "You know what, I don't need a drink. Or a car, or a job. I just need to speak to my girlfriend alone. Is that okay with you, Mr. Inappropriate?"
Carly stared aghast "Excuse me…Sam…What's going on?"
Sam grabbed her hand "I'll tell you on the way." By now the three of them were walking through the relatively large foyer and heading towards the door.
"I really think I can help you, Sam. I remember a talk I had with my dad once about tough choices." Dylan called from behind them almost as if he was about to reveal the punchline to the world's funniest joke.
They reached the front door "Yeah, now's not the time. We'll set something up, though." Called Sam as he and Carly stepped through.
Dylan's grin never left his face "Of course, it was way back, when my dad's firm was in charge of budget review and accounting for NASA. You see, the thing that he taught me was, when it's not your war, you join the side that's going to win."
Sam gulped "Move." Dylan had somehow got in front of them and was joined by a woman.
Dylan looked to his friend "Too direct? Or is it just me?"
She smirked "Certainly not you, sir." Just then Carly's car began to shift.
Carly screamed and Sam gulped as Soundwave hissed at them and with speed and surprising care that wasn't evident in his evident Decepticon look grabbed Sam and Carly and casually pinned them to the floor.
Carly was then removed from Soundwave's finger and placed in his other hand with his hand very tenderly grabbing her. Not enough to crush her but enough to let her know that to crush her would be like crushing an ant.
Dylan crouched next to Sam "You really think you're the first man ever asked to join the noble alien cause?"
"Who are you?" Growled Sam.
Dylan ignored him "Do you know why we've not been back to the moon since 1972? Because these two-" He indicated to Soundwave and Laserbeak who took the moment to land on his shoulder.
Dylan winced as the Cybertronian multichanger assassin dug its claws into his shoulder.
Laserbeak let out a screech that could only be translated into a mocking laugh.
Dylan carried on his tale of corruption "They came to my dad and they told him to do some creative accounting. Make it way too expensive to ever go back. So he and the others shut down the American and Russian space programs. And they've been our clients ever since."
Sam gasped out "You helped them kill people?" He tried to struggle but Soundwave unsheathed a blade and place very carefully on his throat.
Dylan scoffed "You think they'd give you a choice? Besides, it's not like I personally participated. I am a liaison. I liaise."
(NEST)
"That's enough to get him killed for treason. Unfortunately we can't make a move against him." One of the Brits said. They had tagged Sam and were listening to Dylan's confession.
"We better in contact with Her Majesty…Wonder if she'll ship us a couple of planes and maybe an old Battleship…Get His Grace Duke Gryffindor to Autobot the Belfast?"
"That's actually a good idea. I'll speak to my husband about it." Katie said with a grin "I'll speak to Her Majesty."
(Dylan's)
Sam grunted but didn't try to move.
"It's hostile takeover time, Sam." Said Dylan. Soundwave retracted his knife but kept it out. He knew the meatsack at his mercy could pull miracles out of his ass.
"Sam- Sam! Sam!" Whimpered Carly, but in his shock Sam couldn't say a thing.
"Let her go! Dylan! Let her go!" Pleaded Sam.
"I've had my eye on you for years, Sam. You're the one spy I've never been able to provide as someone close to the Autobots..." Explained Dylan conversationally. "I've tried to get people into NEST but they've never completed the training regime. Not even some of my best technicians so I'm now choosing you."
Sam chucked and spat at Dylan "Nice to know, I sound like a Pokémon. Besides, I'll get you…I won't help you."
Dylan snorted "Yes, you will. Everyone does. I'd wager your friend Harry, Katie will. It's funny what someone will do if their family is in danger…I don't have them. I don't know where they are. My colleagues do but they've probably not got them."
"We made four plays but failed each time…" Growled Soundwave. He had just signed his death warrant by Hound. Hound loved the Duke's wife and daughter. Not to say he didn't love the boys but the wife and daughter reminded him of home.
"They will slaughter her, you understand me? In the time it takes you to blink, they'll do it to her and they'll do it to me. So you show a little respect! When someone offers you! A job! Wrist." Growled Dylan, panic evident in his voice.
Sam grunted as Dylan grabbed and twisted his wrist and gave him his instructions
"You are to track down Optimus Prime, because you're the one human he trusts, and you will ask one question. How does he intend to fight back? Strategies, tactics, everything!"
"Has a nasty little bite, doesn't it? It's very high-tech. It lets us see what you see, hear what you hear and it taps your nervous system. So, if you so much as try and signal-" He whispered savagely.
Sam grunted and groaned as the Decepticon watch, attached itself to him and into his nervous system.
"Mm. I don't know what to tell you, Sam. Relationships have consequences. I am here because of my father. She is here because of you…Why couldn't you have left her out of this?" Asked Dylan.
Carly was moaning softly and was looking.
Sam couldn't answer but only beg "Stop, stop! Stop! Stop!" Dylan grinned, Sam was broken. It was time to get him on their side.
"Soundwave, would you please?" The 'Con shifted into his car form, Dylan got in.
"Sam, do your job. She'll be safe. I give you my word." Dylan said as they drove off.
"I'll kill you…You have my word…on…that." Sam panted as he got to his feet and staggered away.
(NEST)
Morshower sat at his desk "Combatant Commands are now at DEFCON 1." He announced calmly and to his right hand sides sat Harry and Lennox. Harry was only in attendance because the Minister of Defence and Her Majesty had requested it. Harry had already filled them in.
"Approximately 500 Decepticons are now in hiding. Energon detectors have been triggered as far away as South America and China." Explained Lennox.
Morshower's Aide chose that time to say in a low tone but due to the intensity of the situation it carried "The U. N. Just received an encrypted audio file. They say it's from the leader of the Autobots."
It was a recording from Sentinel Prime "Defenders of Earth. We have come for your natural resources to rebuild our damaged planet. When we have transported all we need, we will leave your world in peace. For such peace to exist, you must immediately exile the Autobot rebels you have harboured. Non-negotiable. Renounce the rebels. We await your reply.
"We'll debrief you in transit." Said Mearing as Sam joined her in her car.
"Yeah, I really don't see how I can be of any help. I mean, you guys seem pretty busy. We could just do this another time, I think. Kkh- ow" Sam said with a wince.
As they arrived at a hangar, they were met by Katie and Lennox. Katie hugged him and Lennox shook his hand "I'm sorry."
"Let me kill Dylan and we're fine." Lennox chuckled at that.
Mearing meanwhile the Heads of separate nationalities that made up NEST were in attendance addressed Sam "I have underestimated you at every turn."
Sam was taken aback.
"You warned us that they were using humans. And you knew that Sentinel was the key." Explained Mearing.
"And gave me a face to kill for threatening my babies." Said Katie, her wand in hand sparking.
"Director!" Called an Analysist.
"Who am I? Hey, you're the expert. I'm just a walking security risk- k- kh- gha!" Said Sam before doubling over as his watch tapped his nervous system warningly causing him to spazz out. One of these antics was to be flipped over the desk.
"Are you all right?" Concern appeared in Mearings face.
The distraction provided adequate cover for Harry to appear and his eyes flickered white and blue "Energon on Sam…Can't tell if friendly or not."
"Nnngh- Yes." Rasped Sam
"No, you're not. You're sweating." Said Harry nodding to Mearing.
"I'm, I'm fine. I'm fine. I'm sweating because I'm nervous. I'm nervous because you got me in here with this information. Okay, I'm a Twitter junkie. I blog everything. I can't keep a secret to save my life." Sam replied making eye contact with Harry.
Harry nodded as he saw Sam's memories. It was a bluff and an evidently bad one.
"Oh, you wouldn't dare." Said Mearing, she wasn't dumb. She knew Sam wouldn't and heard the lie.
"It's been a remarkable series of events today at the Capitol. Just moments ago, legislation was passed to exile the Autobots from American shores. The U. S. Military alliance with them is officially over. In the words of the House Majority Leader!" Said a female newscaster as Harry turned off the telly.
Mearing put her phone down "Okay. It's official. It's a go, people."
Sam began to protest "These are our allies. The Autobots fought for us. They fought with us."
"And where are we now Sam? Facing an enemy invasion with an enemy that has the means to deploy countless more." Said Harry, regret in his tone. He had informed Crosshairs and Hound about the Xantium and the other 'Bots. But what he hadn't said was that he and Prime had made a contingency plan.
"If there is any more you know, anything at all about the enemy's intentions, now is the time to tell." Said Mearing.
"Autobots have no way of leaving this planet." Protested Sam.
"And that is where you're wrong." Mearing said. For a split second Harry and Katie saw a faint outline of McGonagall around the woman.
"Its name is the Xantium. It brought a wave of Autobots, and it's been under NASA's care and study ever since. We linked it with a decommissioned shuttle to maintain military control until they're gone."
As Harry got out the Plane and saw the Wreckers, he heard Leadfoot "Gonna be ten thousand pounds of torque on that itsy-bitsy bolt, not nineteen!" He smiled.
'Good Old Leadfoot.' He thought. Then he heard it the first words of the Wreckers all that time ago "You're gonna risk the lives of all me mates! I'll bottle ya! You, there!" Harry lost it and his laughter carried to the Wreckers, who swiftly abandoned what they were doing and surrounded Harry like a swarm of children swarming a Teacher.
"These guys are the Wreckers. They take care of the Xantium. We don't let them off the base much, 'cause they're assholes." Said Mearing.
"But they're MY Wankers!" Harry called getting cheers from the Wreckers. Sam joined them and he was swiftly introduced to them.
Sam "These are my Wankers. Group called the Wreckers. Bunch of assholes. Assholes with hearts of gold. Unfortunately they burn the rosters fast. At present we have: Leadfoot, Topspin, Roadbuster, Rack, Ruin, Impactor, Pyro and Dustcloud…Eight bots and Seven forms. Should have been more." Sam quickly realised Rack and Ruin were conjoined.
"Get back to work." Called Impactor.
Roadbuster saw one of the technicians "You gotta pull that, ya nancy wanker!"
Leadfoot snarled "It's time to kill him!"
Technician looked like he was going to cry "I'm just trying to help, you know. Just doing my job." But to no avail as the other Wreckers had a go at him.
Then Sam saw Epps "Just calm down. Leave him alone. This is a human being." Epps said as Sam made his way over.
"Epps!" Sam didn't hear a reply as Roadbuster called somebody ridiculous either Dustcloud or the Technician.
Pleasantries were exchanged along with Epps helping Sam prize his hand go "No more combat and aliens shooting at my ass. I got a dream job." Epps explained as the Wreckers insulted each other and the technicians occurred in the background.
"Kicking the Autobots out. Can you believe this is happening?" Epps said in disbelief. Despite being shot at by alien tech and using alien tech, his time with the Autobots had been one of the best experiences of his life.
"Where do you think it's taking them?" Asked Sam
Epps shrugged "Any planet but here…Katie's well upset. Her and Hound, you should see the pictures."
Simmons eventually arrived in a mechanised wheelchair "I wanna talk to whoever's in charge here! Well, well, well. Charlotte Mearing."
"Agent Simmons. Former Agent Simmons. So. I see you survived Washington." Replied Mearing evidently not impressed.
"Washington, Egypt, heartbreak. I survive. I will survive. They're bringing everybody in, kid. Putting all the intel on the table. And if you think deporting 30 odd Autobots is gonna solve a damn thing."
Mearing held her hands up "It's out of my hands."
Simmons snorted "Moving up in the world, huh? Your booty looks excel-launt."
"You ever say a word to anyone about what happened that night in Quantico, I'll cut your heart out."
"You already did."
Sam didn't hear the minibots, Harry had arrived with some massive crates and for once they were quiet. Harry looked like he was crying as he levitated the crates into the Xantium.
"Optimus?" Sam asked hoping he was wrong.
"What your leaders say is true." This was backed by Que murmuring something.
"This was all my fault. I told them whom to trust. I... was so wrong."
"That doesn't make it your fault. It just makes you human for a change." Said Lennox, he was trying not to cry.
Optimus Prime smiled weakly "Remember this. You may lose your faith in us, but never in yourselves." The humans who had fought alongside the Autobots were choking back tears.
Sam grunted softly "I need to know how you're gonna fight back. I know this is strategy, I know you're... you're coming back with reinforcements, something, I know there's a plan. Hh. You can tell me. No other human will ever know."
Optimus Prime sighed "There is no plan." That was hardest lie he had to tell. But no-one knew. Harry heard it, smiled weakly and pressed something on his arm.
"If we just do what they want, how are we gonna live with ourselves?" Asked Sam.
Optimus Prime grinned at Sam "You are my friend, Sam. You always will be. But your leaders have spoken. From here, the fight will be your own…Make it short…" He said to Bumblebee "We're loading up."
Leadfoot nodded "All right, hustle up! We launchin' at dawn."
Bumblebee turned to his Ward "We're gonna do whatever we can. Make it like it was. You will always be my friend, Sam. I gotta be going on."
Sam, and various others broke down. Harry pulled Lennox and Katie close to him and cast a dome of silence, coupled with an illusion. "Buck up." He whispered.
"What's going on?" Lennox asked, he realised something was going on, Harry never cried this hard.
Harry explained everything before cancelling the spells and they resumed the façade.
"Years from now, they're gonna ask us. Where were you when they took over the planet? We're gonna say, we just stood by and watched." Said Simmons as he joined Sam and the Military personnel who had ruined and repaired his life at the same time.
6:30 AM
"You should really look at this as a partnership. You have to stand on the side of progress if you wanna be a part of history." Dylan said as he walked Carley to Helicopter as NEST tech was loaded into Decepticon vehicles.
Sam made a phone call to Dylan as promised as the launch began.
Starscream tracked the shuttled, shifted and said softly "It's begun." If he waited a little longer he would have seen the Xantium glow blue, green and red.
Sam rushed to Dutch and Simmons "I need your help to track a phone call. There's a man on this phone. He's the head of their human operations and he has Carly hostage."
(Chicago, Illinois)
Dylan escorted Carly into an extravagant penthouse "I want you to sit down. Don't move."
"Follow me. I'm watching him drive up right now." Said Dylan as he watched Megatron move up the city streets.
"The call was placed en route. I'm hacking into the phone's camera now. There, that's it. That's a live stream from the camera. Someplace, right, hold on, I can triangulate this. Okay, it's Chicago cell sites. There, I've got it. Trump Tower, Chicago. Lower penthouse." Said Dutch.
"I'm going..." Sam said looking at the target "…She's done nothing but try to help me, and I can be there in 15 hours."
Epps grinned at Sam "You're not going alone. I still got my NEST friends out there. I'll round them up, we'll find your girlfriend, we're gonna bring this guy in."
"Why are you helping me?" Asked Sam as he and Epps walked to Epps's car.
"'Cause that asshole killed my friends, too…Besides I saw the look on Hawk's face. He's got a plan. I want to see it pay off. Besides Lennox will be there as well."