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Ch 28
Confession
His team was resting, getting the much deserved recharge they needed. He had dipped in to his own short recharge. Short, just enough to stave off exhaustion. Other tasks were too important right now.
"Tell us what's going on!" Optimus sifted back to the short conversation that was nestled inside Bumblebee's packaged message.
The acts of Sam and Bumblebee had had an amazing result on changing public opinion. One that he never felt while dealing with Washington. He exercised great attempts to appease all sides yet very few budged. But perhaps there was another way to gain an audience.
Above him the sky was crystalline black with speckles of starlight. They twinkled on account of the atmosphere distorting the light which gave an intriguing beauty. The grass on the large hill he was parked on still held their lush green despite the approaching winter. He could sense the cells within the stems thrive. The cool wind was blowing placidly and although he couldn't sense that with great detail, he recalled how many of his human friends from NEST would have called this the perfect night.
There was a soft crack as a stick snapped underneath an approaching foot. She was trying to be ever so quiet, to be invisible, but she had been in his scanners for minutes now. Her shadow brushed over the grass and Victoria stood there looking the large truck over. She couldn't see it, but she knew he was watching her.
"Thank you for coming on such short notice." Optimus began which caused her to visibly startle. She cast a weary eye before replying.
"You know, last time I came out to the middle of nowhere to meet like this, it didn't go so well."
"I know, and I am sorry."
Victoria stepped up and looked the large truck over with more scrutiny. The flames were washed away leaving a solid red base. The color scheme was definitely more neutral and less flashy than before. It made sense regarding their latest issues.
"I guess I was expecting Bumblebee."
There wasn't a verbal reply this time, only the sound of a door unlocking and a slight creak as the door softly swung open. Victoria's heart skipped a beat.
"I called you here on account that you have proven yourself trustworthy."
His words took her by surprise, even though they probably shouldn't. She numbly nodded her head. "So, are you willing to answer some of my questions then?"
There was a short pause of contemplation. "That's not why I called you here, but I will answer your questions to the best of my ability. As long as they don't compromise my team."
"Optimus? Right? The Autobot leader."
"Correct."
"Alright." Victoria's heart raced. The open door was there, inviting her in. Like tantalizing snare so obvious it set up red flags. "Optimus, leader of the Autobots." She repeated. "Biggest, baddest, mechanical, I, I don't understand. Why did you call me here?"
The truck vented out a long stream of hot air from within it's engine. "I need- your help."
The breath was tore out of her lungs. "My help?" She scrambled to repeat the question but at first, words couldn't formulate across her tongue. "How can I help you?"
"Please, step in. I'd like to talk."
It took a split second, but with prior knowledge of the mechanical beasts, the concept was crystal clear; The color drained out of her face. There was a possibility that they were being watched. This was probably his way of making sure the conversation was secure.
"Okay," she nodded, "but I'll ask my questions first, right? To get good faith you have to give it."
Silence responded. She wasn't entirely sure if she overstepped her bounds, but the door never closed.
"Please, step in." The voice repeated.
She could do that, it wasn't the first time she's been inside an alien before. She grabbed onto the metal handles and hoisted herself up and into the seat. The door closed behind her throwing another wash of chills over her. She stared at the inside of the cab briefly. When nothing spectacular happened, she found her voice again. "So what's this about?"
The cab was silent while Optimus formulated his thoughts. There wasn't ticking, though there was a strange regal air inside the compartment.
"You were going to ask your questions first." Optimus politely reminded her.
"Right," she straightened out in the leather-like seat. She then pulled out her recorder and debatedly set it down on to the dash board. "You agree that this will be on the record, correct?"
"Continue with your questions please."
A tense nervousness crossed over her. Though he was cooperating she could pick up a strong hint that he wasn't happy with the situation.
"Okay," she made sure her recorder was recording, "why are you on Earth?" She would just wing it. It shouldn't be too hard, after all anywhere she went that's all the people talked about. Giant robots.
It was as if the truck heaved in a loft of air in preparation to answer.
"We are here to insure that the threat on this planet is fully eliminated."
"The Decepticon threat?"
"Yes and any others that are of Cybertronian origin."
"Okay?" Those were some massively pointed answers. "Why?" She countered with an equally pointed question. She wasn't a reporter and she didn't pretend to be one. This was just because she herself wanted to know! The truck, seemed to be taken aback by the short question. Or he was just choosing his words carefully.
"I feel that it's an obligation. So much death and destruction has resulted from our war. It is my responsibility to make sure that innocent planets aren't left unprotected."
"Right but, why do you care? I mean who's gonna buy that you came light years away to play guardian over some planet that has nothing to do with yours? You're going to be hard pressed to find anyone who actually believes that."
"People will believe what they want. It's not my place to try and force them to understand. However, it is that mentality that is making our task very difficult to accomplish. It is the very reason why I've called you here tonight."
"Right. You do realize that this is just a lot of the talk that's been going around. How you're not welcome here. This isn't necessarily my position!" Last thing she wanted was to get a big rig mad at her.
"No, I fully understand."
"You also understand that a lot of what's being said is because we're scared and we don't know what's going on." She sat forward, trying to deduce anything from looking at a dashboard.
"And I fear that was my fault. I had assumed that by remaining hidden it would be safer for your people, as well as mine. Now that our enemy has exposed us, I realize that I was mistaken."
"Which has just absolutely left the media in a circus frenzy." She muttered sourly. She would know.
"As well as your government."
Her eyes light up in surprise. "What are they up to anyway?"
"I don't know any more than you do. They, won't hail any of our attempts to communicate with them."
Victoria's brows furrowed. "You tried to contact them directly? I mean, I know Bee and a couple others tried to ask for help at the college."
"Yes, the twins. They however, can be a little, abrasive."
Victoria smiled at that and huffed out a small laugh. "Yeah, Sam warned me about that. Seriously though, do you think the government is planning something against you?"
"I can't comment."
Then with more animation that she held prior, she reached forward and slammed the device off with one hand. "Off the record." She stared dead set at the dashboard. The truck made a quiet waning noise. "Optimus, look you asked for my help. You said I was trustable right? I am. I just want to know what's going on." The silence beckoned on. "What are they planning? Jeezus, you've got black helicopters flying around like crazy, Washington's in chaos! You got half the people who want you back, others want you dead. And they've been watching you guys like a hawk! There's a reason for it, because I think they know that you won't hurt anybody. So why?"
"Recently. I discovered that the last forms they required us to sign had loopholes. With those loopholes, upon our return, all previous contracts are null and void."
"Meaning?"
Now the truck began to tick. He really didn't want to say. He didn't want to put the humans in a bad light. However, what was, was. "We are once again at risk for being captured and subjugated to experimentation. It took great lengths to pass a resolution to prevent it. I know that if it wasn't for Bumblebee's mistreatment it would have been impossible."
Bumblebee's mistreatment? Experiments! Victoria sat their stunned. Maybe she wouldn't have if she hadn't met Bumblebee before. To know that some form of horrors were hidden under that sunny disposition. Experimentation on the aliens was mentioned in such a brief moment, but being forced under the scalpel- it must have been terrifying. And to imagine there would be nothing to stop it. She nodded dumbly. Then she reached for her device.
"Wait." His placid voice stopped her cold. Optimus continued, off the record. "The creature that attacked you and Bumblebee has not been eliminated. I don't want this getting out for it will cause panic, but the truth is, we don't know if we're strong enough to destroy him. Not alone anyway. He's managed to take two of my members prisoners and direly wounded my weapons specialist. In addition to that we cannot be affective if we have to keep our guard up against two fronts. We should be working together with your people but there is so much distrust that it's been difficult to convince them of this urgency."
"So that's why you need my help. To try and convince the people that it's urgent, without causing mass panic. That's a hard line to walk."
"I know, and I am sorry. I feel terrible for putting the brunt of this task onto your shoulders."
Victoria slowly took his words in. She then flipped the button on her device and pulled it towards her. She licked her lips and continued. Shaky at first, a pause, then trying to regain her composure. "I still have to ask. If only because we're chasing you down, you have a soldier that- was upset because he felt that they were being hunted down like dogs. Staving off attacks by those you're trying to protect is creating dissidence among your people." She paused to see if her statement went challenged. It wasn't. Victoria continued, this time she had a sharp slice in her voice. "Why are you still risking your lives to protect us?" Her eyes fixed at the dashboard. They were in all earnest, angry.
A long pause, which forced Victoria to nestled back into the leather-like seat.
"You have never seen a planet die." Optimus told her with such gravity in his voice. "We have. Before, we were helpless to stop the life draining out from our planet. Countless friends and comrades faded out with it. We know first hand the horrors of helplessness that result from-" he paused, realizing his poorly worded statement, however it was too late. He continued. "-the destruction. All of my soldiers, regardless of how they feel about your kind, will fight with their every fiber of strength to eliminate the Decepticon threat. Which is," he paused, "regrettably, destructive. We realize this, it is however out of our control. The Decepticons have a new supply of civilians to get caught up into the chaos. They use this against us. It is a long standing strategy employed by them to force us into positions we would rather not be in. We defend life. That is why it simply will not work to leave this planet and hope that they will take the battle to us." Optimus's voice turned grave. "They know our weaknesses all too well and they will use every opportunity to exploit them."
Victoria listened with horror but found herself nodding in understanding. "Is there any way to stop it?"
The truck vented, causing Victoria to startle. Why a truck needed to breath was beyond her.
"Not until we have eliminated them as a threat." Far more daunting than first imagined. A small sprout of optimism had sprung up among his small band after their victory in Mission City. Megatron was dead and the AllSpark, all but destroyed. With their leader gone and the artifact that was detriment to fueling the war destroyed, there should have been no more need for them to continue. That thought however, was short lived. Barely a week passed and Barricade had already on a new reconnaissance mission, Arcee's team had been destroyed and an attempt to regain power by recreating the powerful artifact was put forward by Starscream. However, Optimus sent out a call for more Autobot's to join his team. They did. During that time, NEST was formed. That small sprout of optimism continued to thrive. "On earth, with the assistance of your people we have been able to make an effective comeback against the Decepticons."
"Then when you eliminate the threat, will you leave?"
"Yes, if that is the wish. We won't impose farther if your people do not want us here."
"Even those on your team who call this place home?"
"Things must be what they must be."
Victoria winced at that. Harsh. She studied the inside of the cab over carefully. The silence was staggering. "You're troops know that?"
"Of course."
She was at a loss for words. "And they're okay with this!" She was actually a bit irate over this. Nothing made sense. They gained absolutely nothing by risking their lives protecting the humans, and yet here they were.
"They are all fully dedicated soldiers."
"But!"
"Victoria." Optimus interrupted her sharply but calmly. "I understand your frustration. Believe me, no one is more disheartened about the situation than I am. I thank you, for your understanding. It's always encouraging when one sees past our physical appearances."
She was speechless. She sighed and collapsed into her hands.
"This is unbelievable." She breathed. "Okay, I don't want to be wasting any more of your time so-"
"It's no waste. I find every moment like this to be precious."
She scoffed sadly. "I'm sure. Stop being so-" She twitched to keep her mouth shut. She was about to reprimand the alien for being too considerate! An odd concept. Especially considering some of the thoughts she had when she first saw him. "Okay, I know you have things you need to do, so please, say what you need to. Tell the people what they need to know. Here's your voice." The recorder was picked up and aimed at the radio, more symbolic than anything.
Again he was exhausted. He wasn't entirely sure why, nor did he care. Jolt once again paced frantically back and forth at his wall. The giant had been hovering over Hound's body for hours now. He had been fiddling around with his toys connected to his chest.
"No! No! No! No! NO! It's not working!" The giant jumped out of his crouch into his full stand which caused his head to crash into the ceiling. He roared in frustration throwing a swing at it, puncturing through and knocking rubble down. Another hiss and he stormed away from Hound's body, pacing the room and yelling. "Damn him! That slagging scrapheap; Barricade you bastard! Two Deca-cycles spent for nothing! And you!" An accusatory claw pointed at Jolt's direction. He then shrieked. "Why don't you know where it is!"
"What?" Jolt gasped in confusion.
"The device! The device! I can't do anything with out it!"
Jolt couldn't help but smile. "Good."
In hindsight, probably not the best thing to say. The giant was now completely enraged, yelling at the top of his vocal capacity. Jolt stepped back. He arched his claws but with the sudden furry, he didn't think of engaging his energy. It didn't matter, The giant leapt upwards, he transformed and crashed through the ceiling. Energy blasted into the room. The jet rocketed off.
Deca-cycle = 3 weeks.
