Stealth 2 - Flight to home
Through my soul
47. Break away
It was so peaceful... there was no harm, no danger, it was just warm, pleasant and safe. No nightmares and dark shadows what could chase him. When he opened eyes, and saw all these bright blue colors, he reminded himself, he is still connected with EDI's sphere. He actually had in few seconds of his life fears, he will never see this place again. He made a low grumble sound, and then he realised the small gentle being in his arms. His hand slowly rubbed EDI's shiny white essence, and AI answered him with a little movement. Ben felt that umnpleasant feeling of fear, if he will endure this all. He knew EDI needs help, a lot. But he never thought, he is so tough. He pulled him close again, and Ben too wondered when he will wake up from sphere. There was something new and foreign, since he fell asleep. He was sure he didn't feel it when he was closing his eyes. He didn't want to wake up EDI. But if there was any danger near them, he wanted to be sure, and wake up. Slowly he began to sense there are different lines of sphere. And he recognized there ones what connects him with EDI. So he tried to cut them, so he could wake up without disturbing sleeping AI.
His eyes flashed open into world, and he saw morning light in the cave. No storm, rain, and cold air. He smirked and and leaned on the wall of cave again. But then he turned slowly on side. He realized weight depending on his shoulder and right side of body. He almost gasped, when he recognized Kara, and after while, he finally smiled. He got fingers throught her hair and withdraw it from her face. He noticed she was keeping EDI close too, and he didn't have that heart to wake them up. Not yet. He slowly wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. He knew very well, it was one of best moments what he could have in his life. Even when he didn't want to admit it. Maybe, he could fall asleep again, pulling her cose with EDI...
His hopes once again faded away, when he saw she is beggining to wake up. First thing what he noticed was, her grip tightened around him and she pulled him closer. She was for a few minutes just pulling up close to him, and then she opened eyes. She looked directly at Ben and other pilot smiled. He didn't have time to look away. They didn't speak. It wasn't needed, they knew very well feelings of other and Kara this time didn't ask for anything, and Ben too didn't to her surprise, when they were looking at each other. Their heads getting closer and closer. Slowly they began to feel breath of other and after a few slow, but for them long seconds, their lips touched. They shared a silent, but beautifull and sweet kiss. For one time, no one of them cared about army, carrer, surroundings, or if someone is after them. It was only gentle moment between them, and maybe no one else will know about it. Ben in that moment even didn't hear his damn voice in mind, what is telling him, he is screwing up their lifes. It may be selfish, but this time he didn't care. He just loved her too much, to let it go. And this one kiss meant so much for him, and he knew, for her too. He wanted just one little moment like this, because he knew he won't let himself, to have another one.
When they opened eyes and their lips got seperated, they were looking at each other for a few seconds. Ben then wanted to say something, but Kara put her finger on his mouth, and made a small "shhhh" sound. That kept Ben quiet and she cormfotably leaned on his chest. Ben didn't know how much time have passed, but if he could say, it was maybe half of an hour. Then he felt EDI is beggining to wake up.
AI grumbled and then he drowsy began to lift up his head. He had an urge to try stand up, but Ben stopped him. "Stay here, I'll go look." Pilot told him and then he rose to check the entrance of cave. Kara was surprised, when AI began talk to her, without even turning to her. She was sure he couldn't see her, and she hadn't hand on him when he woke up.
"I guess, you are't angry on me anymore. Are you?" He asked and then his blue eyes glanced on woman. Kara had an uge to answer immidiately, but she stopped. EDI saw she is beggining to think. This question could have an easy answer, but she had to think about it. Yes, EDI did a lot of horrible things. But he had courage to come back, face her, and fight. She just couldn't say she hates after all of this. When she was looking at him, there wasn't any hate anymore. Without talking, she just put her hand on his cockpit and began to rub it.
"I don't." She finally admitted and EDI's eyes glowed with strong light and smile. He hoped for this very much. At least he finaly managed to make her forgive him for his mistakes. He didn't want to get on the bad way ever again. Kara's soft touch suddenly stopped. "You are hurt."
"I'll get over it." He said and he got very soon an answer.
"Yeah, it isn't easy to kill you Tin Man." EDI was looking at her with wonder, but then he smirked.
Ben while that returned back into the cave and looked at them with curious look. Surroundings were clear. When he saw EDI with Kara, he had to raise an eyebrow. It seemed like they are getting very well along now. Nothing what he could protest against. He was very thankful for it. He was the leader, not the cop to solve fights in his team. When he understood, what they are talking about now, he came closer. He kneeled to EDI and his friend looked at him.
"We need to get you on some place where we can fix you. Do you think you can stand and walk?" Ben asked him, and EDI after while tried to get on his wheels. He wasn't very sure about it. Before he could continue in further trying, Ben dragged him up. "I won't risk it." He said and EDI found himself in tight grip of his strong hands. Kara then stood up too, and covered EDI with a blanket.
"Are you sure you won't need this?" She showed Ben his jacket and he smirked. Kara knew what it means, and so she just took it and they headed to the entrance of cave.
"What about Andrea?" Pilot asked and tried to exactly remember on the last moments before falling.
"We've got her. It seems Eddie somehow damaged that AI. She couldn't use anything on us." Kara began to explain and EDI made a small "hmmm" sound. This could be interesting twist of events. But still he wasn't very found of that injury what she made to him. He had very strong will to live, but he was asking himself if this wasn't too big challenge, even for him. But he never thought Ben will be so stubborn.
"Where are others?"
"Keith is waiting with them near waterfall. I don't think she could do anything. Henry is keeping an eye on her." She had an urge to sing that last sentence. When Henry began something, he was doing it very properly. And this was very pleasant thought. She will finally get what she really deserves. "How are you managing anyways?" She looked at AI in Ben's hands and EDI smiled.
"I'll get better."
"I hope you will. Ben do you remember way?"
The asked man stopped on place, and then he hardly swallowed. "... maybe."
Kara just sighed and rubbed her hair. "Like always, so come after me."
/ - /
"What do you think you are going to do with me you suckers!"
"For instance I could kick you down from the cliff." Henry barked back at Andrea. "You will go with us. I hope you can lie very well, you will need it." Henry was the only one who stayed there to watch over Andrea and her AI. Keith with Tim were near the cliff to look for Kara, because she promised she will return in the morning. Hopefully with Ben and EDI. And he didn't protest, when he was the one to look over their little prisoner. "I think prison is still too good for you." Hemry didn't want to hide any dislikes for this woman, and he calmly talked about it.
They were keping her like this all night. Henry was staring at her with a teasing smirk and he was actualy trying to get some informations from her. She was vissibly trying to not fall asleep, but she did and when she woke up in the morning, she had shock coming. Henry was grinning close to her face and she had a strong urge to get away from his deep eyes. She couldn't figure out, what he was trying on her. That her hands and legs were chained with ropes was already an insult. But he was trying to make her go carzy, or something like that. If he thouth, he will make her feel guilty, then he was very wrong. But this was so annoying. And she twitched, with realization what will Jacen do to her for this.
"I hope they are okay." Tim was watching surroundings and waited for Kara to appear in any second. "I'm getting sick of this."
Keith looked at younger man with wonder. "Of what?"
"We are still hiding, running, or lost. We managed to make one attack, and we are lost again. I didn't come for this, when I joined army. It lasts too long now."
Keith actually chuckled, when he heard that. Tim was right in a lot of things, but Keith recognized too his young attitude. "I know what you mean." He said and took a deep breath. He knew it very well. He once again had an urge to get lost in his mind, when Tim stopped him
"Look! They are alive!" Tim called and Keith looked in the same direction, what was Tim pointing out. He smiled with a huge relief and watched Kara how she is waving on them. Ben was right after her with EDI in arms. AI wanted to go on alone for some time, but Ben just ignored it. They slowly reached Keith with Tim, and Ben immidiately got a break. He sat down and looked up to Keith.
"This is getting too hard." He said and scientist then kneeled down to him. Ben then removed blanket from EDI and AI looked at his creator. "He will need some help." Ben said and Keith nodded. He was checking EDI's body, when he discovered a hole in shell.
"That's not good." Keith whispered and bit his lower lip. He even didn't want to think, how could be all damage big, but EDI looked still strong and steady. "If we could get you back home, I would fix you." Keith said and EDI's eyes glowed strong.
"That shouldn't be problem doctor, I have an idea." They all turned to Kara, and she was smiling at them with a bright smile. "I'll show you, but we should return to Henry now. I think he will be interested too."
They reached Henry, just when Andrea was again trying to get rid of her chains. Henry just snapped again her hands moved with a finger, taunting her. "I wouldn't do that." He turned to see others coming, and a big smile came upon his face. "That was about time, when you will show up Ben." Old friend gave him just a simple smirk.
"How is our guest?"
Henry snorted. "She would like better service. And that AI too."
"She will get it. Did she say something useful?" Kara asked and Henry shook his head.
"No, she is a bitch, she won't say anything."
"Kara says she knows how to get somewhere." Ben told and he put EDI down on the ground carefully, sitting next to him. He gave Andrea just one quick look, and then he returned his attention on friends. He felt EDI is too carefully listening, and he had to respond when he received a questioning look from Henry.
"You okay?"
"Sorta." EDI replied and he thought about times in his life, when he would rather say it in more mechanical way.
"Ok, so big lady, tell us what to do." Henry began the conversation again, and Kara before talking checked Andrea. She would be really glad, if she won't hear, or understand anything. And she doubted that AI was online now. But when she thought about it, it will be better when she will inform them with surprise.
"You'll see guys, now we just need to get near a way. One is near this place." She didn't answer, how she knows it. She was leading them in curious looks and Ben already knew she knows what to do. It wasn't now his time to plan and lead. He was the last in the line, right after Andrea and Rea, and he was keeping both eyes on them. EDI was with Henry. He told Ben to give AI to him, because he was too concerned about Ben's injured shoulder. And he wanted to do something for EDI too.
When he was carrying AI, he was too watching Andrea behind them, and Keith with Tim and Kara ahead. Plane in his hands was thinking and humming. His eyes shined strongly and he was looking at his thoughts inside his mind. When he looked at Rea, it was vissible she still had problems with moving. If she didn't they would have a really big problems. And EDI was even in this state ready to get in fight with her. It still didn't make sense to him. What did he do to her? He inhaled some air in and chuckled in mind, she deserved it. There was a lot of strange things going around him. All these times, when he actually controlled water, that his father didn't die because of poison, and now this. And when Henry was holding him, that feeling was even double time bigger. He wasn't supposed to be here anymore. But for some reason EDI felt they will get the aswer.
"Don't worry Tin Man, we'll get time to kick some ass." Henry tried to make him sure and patient and EDI kindly listened to these words. But still he felt shivers, and couldn't keep in a low growling inside his soul. His tired body and mind was making him dizzy, and he even wanted to sleep, shut down. But he was still keeping himself aware of his surroudnings.
When they got to the way, Kara told them to sit and rest. Tim couldn't help it, and he was still nervously walkign around, before he sat down. Only Kara was standing there near the way, and she wondered they begin to think.
It was maybe half of hour, and Ben was still talking and teasing Andrea he will never marry her, have children with her, and he would be really glad is she will fuck off from his life. She had closed mouth with a rope, so it was really nice to talk, and she was just humming.
EDI raised himself up, and he slowly came close to Kara. She looked down at him and with a smile patted him. They were team after all, so she finally admited she could be nice on him. And EDI was vissibly thankful for it. In the mind, he promised to protect her as best as he can.
After few minutes, it finally happened. Kara began to wave her hand, and they all look on the right side. In the distance appeared something small, but with every second it was bigger and bigger. Ben stood up, and Henry imidiately got an idea what it was. And he was damn right.
"Truck.. THE TRUCK! Oh girl I love you!" Henry called, but Keith turned to him with a quaestion in eyes.
"What's so amazing about it?"
Henry grinned with a very contenct feeling. "It's about who is behind steering wheel doc." Black man was watching a turck approaching together with others. Ben and Tim knew too for sure. "You are a genius girl."
EDI was watching truck how it comes close to them. Machine was painted in red shiny color. It was huge, impressive and everyone could see, the owner gives it very good care. EDI never saw one of these automobiles close, and when he did now, he began to feel respect and admiration. He was born like a jet, airplane, but now he felt and awe for one of cars race. It even didn't have to be an AI to have respect to have such a beautiful and strong machine. But then he began to watch Kara.
Woman with a wide smile waved a hand again, when someone began to go out from the driver's seat. EDI could swear he knew this face, but... no he didn't.
"Kara, is that really so long, when I last saw youm or are you still smaller and smaller?"
"No way, you just get bigger and rounder every time, Jack." Kara replied and strong built man hugged her in tight embrace. EDI was curiously watching, when everyone came close and laughed. Everyone except his father, he had the same experession like EDI. For some reason he felt like, he knows this man, but when he looked again, he didn't.
Driver had a red baseball cap on his curly brown hair, it seemed like his face didn't a razor shell for a long time. He had deep eyes and he was wearing long red shirt, with cool blue pants. EDI understood very well, why Kara said he gets rounder, because he was actualy very round. His content belly was pushing for sure his pant and maybe in some parts his shirt too. But he wasn't dirty, and he looked very well and even smelled good. Just like his truck.
"It's some time guys, when I saw you last time." Driver said and Ben then turned to Keith with EDI. He made gesture to invite them near, there wasn't reason to keep them back. He knew they were doing it, because they didn't know this man, so he had to help get some contact. He was sending soothing emotions to EDI, and AI slowly approached him. His father followed him, and then he jsut watched Ben doing all the work.
"Jack I want you to meet up our friends." Ben pulled Keith closer by arm. "This is keith Orbit, and this little one..." He pulled now EDI up. "This is Eddie, but I think you know them."
Jack was looking at both of them, and the deeply laughed. "Of course I do! Bro was right."
"Bro?" Keith sounded and Jack grinned with his shiny white teeth.
"Yeah. I am brother of joe anderson, main mechanic on your ship. You, Mr. Keith Orbit, let my brother to take care aof this AI two years ago." EDI and Keith immidiately got all answers, but Keith still said something more.
"But you look so much the same, you would be-"
"Twins? Yeah, we are. But don't worry, we are just twins not tripleets. Because in that case, markets wouldn't manage our shopping of food. HAHAHA!" A loud laugh sounded and Jack then pulled Kara close with one army, like a big brother. "And you are lucky, I am very good friend of this nice girl, just like my bro. So if anyone wants to touch her, he must go through us."
"And how did you find us?" Tim whistled and Jack immidiately gave him his full attention.
"Good point Timmy. Once me, and my bro gave Kara a little GPS thingie. It looks like a normal cellphone. And actually you can too call with it, go on internet and everything else. Once I borrowed to order pizza."
"But that doesn't make sense, we couldn't get any signal from here, even Eddie couldn't." Keith joined conversation, even if he was tired, and now he could be happy with this, he was still scientist.
"Yeah, but it seems this little one isn't trained to find a signal."
"Trained?" Keith almost whispered and Jack nodded.
"Some AIs are specially trained just for this purposse, real hackers And this thing is made by them. And looks like, Eddie, isn't experienced enough to even feel it." He kneeled down to the plane. "But still, I never could meet with any of AIs. I always just heard about them. Hiding from the world, so this is the first time, I actually see one." He gently and carefully put a hand on EDI's shining cockpit and rubbed it. "You need a small bath, but you are very neat." Jack grinned and EDI smiled, he liked this man.
"Kara..." She turned to Ben, when she called her. "You knew about this all the time, that there are more AIs, and you have even a phone from them?"
"... Yes. I did." Ben noticed seconds before she answered, and he wasn't only one.
"So why didn't you say anything?"
She turned to him with seious look. "Because I know you Ben. Do you remember how you acted, when Eddie came to us? You would freak out then. And I called for help now, because it wouldn't be safe earlier. Jacen could still find us, even now it's a risk. But really, I didn't say it, because you wouldn't accept it then." She explained, and he was just standing there. Ben couldn't say anything, because... she was right. He wouldn't accept it.
"You're right, I'm sorry." He said and he looked at EDI. He didn't like to recall these memories, in this way. Then something struck him. "Wait Andrea-"
"No sweat Benny, I made her fall sleep." Henry interupted him, and he will be glad if he won't to have tell details of it. He wasn't violent human, but one or two hits could make miracles, to make someone unciouness to surroundings.
"So, now when we know each other, and know details, get in kids!" Jack ordered, and they loaded Andrea with her AI. For sure they wrapped her with more ropes. Jack opened door of truck and Henry just whistled.
"No way! He has even more of these little junks!"
"Junks? Henry how many times I have to say you, these are very valuable and beautiful pieces of action figures and toys?"
Benj umped on the seat and looked over a whole collection. "Now there is really lot of them." Ben whistled.
"I still don't know why you keep them on the dash." Kara said and Jack sat in his driver seat.
"Because, Optimus Prime is protector of all trucks and their drivers. At least I think it. He keeps me safe and sure I will always finish my way. That's why I must have here all my figures and toys of him."
Tim raised an eyebrow. "And does it really work?"
Jack grinned. "I'm still here and on the way. So what do you think?"
They decided, they will switch places after two hours on the seats near Jack and then in trailer. Kara was first with Jack, because she wanted to talk with him about a lot of things, and she said Ben to got too. She too said to take EDI with him. When they begin to ride, Ben felt very content feeling. But he still asked.
"Plan?"
"I said Jack to call army and get us here, he will get us to the nearest place, where they can reach us now. We will give them Andrea and get some help for Eddie mainly. Then, let's see." That actually sounded like a plan. Ben knew EDI feels the same way, and he felt his tired friend. But Ben was really glad he is managing.
"You really get a lot of these toys Jack."
"Yeah. I still can't understand why bro prefers Megatron."
Ben chuckled. "Maybe because he is more strict than you."
"No matter what, I follow Optimus. Every trucker should have respect for him. He is protector of these beautiful machines."
Ben chuckled even more then and Kara looked at him surprised. "What?"
"I just realized, when Optimus protects trucks, then Starscream protects planes. And in that case we are pretty screwed Eddie." He said and Jack grinned.
"Yeah. Kara tell him."
Ben turned look on Kara, wondering what will come. "Open window Ben. I think you know."
Ben blinked, she was right. He opened window and raised EDI's head. "You must try this." AI blinked, because he didn't understand. But Ben did all the work. He pulled EDI up and then he leaned out of the window with EDI. "You never rode with a car, so just stay like this, feel the wind and look around." He ordered to AI and EDI obeyed.
Ben was right. The sky was blue, sun was right on the top and everything around was green and fresh. He really felt the wind coming to them and he looked down on the passing way and stripe. Ben was holding him with one hand close and EDI felt familiar feeling, like when he was flying. World was so amazing. He never could experience to see everything so near, if he was still just a war plane. Few of clouds were travelling throught the sky and he whiped a little for his ability to fly. But this was jsut amazing, and Ben just smiled content.
/ - /
Jazz didn't sleep, no entirely. He was listening, noticing and guarding. He could swear he could still hear water, how it's dropping down somewhere. He felt sparks, and cold air, but his concern was mainly aimed on the fragile human being. No, he had to take this back, Shane wasn't fragile, or even weak. He had to endure a lot for sure. Jazz felt he deserves a better life, he wasn't evil, he was just used. AI finally opened eyes, and when he looked at Shane cormfortably sleeping in his near pressence, it almost hurt him when he knew he will have to disturb him. But it was the best thing now, for both of them. He had just enought of this place now.
He checked all chains and barriers around him and snorted. Now was the real time to use his full power. He was keeping it and storing it for this moment. He then began to make Shane wake up with a small movements of his body. It didn't take him long time to drag boy from a pleasant sleep, and Shane then looked at him, tired and confused.
"We're leaving." That was all, what Jazz said and Shane blinked in deep wonder. Jazz let him go, and then he began to raise. He stretched fully his whole body and gathered energy. For a while he was standing there and continuing in process, and Shane's eyes then flashed in shock, when chains suddenly exploded into small pieces. He was watching it in total shock, and he then looked down on leftovers of what has been chain.
"You could do this all the time?" Shane breathed out and he looked at AI.
"Yeah. But I didn't want to. Now when I have what I came for here, I can leave boy." Helicopter's eyes shined impishly and Shane's eyes widened. He understood all of this now.
"You let me capture you. I never beat you, you planned it." Boy said and he swallowed hard. It was all lie, he never managed to get this AI here. But why was he here then?
"Yeah I did. Sorry to fool you boy. I planned it from the first second, when you told to fight you."Shane blinked and looked at helicopter.
"From..." That couldn't be...
"Yes. I came here because of you. You are the first human ever to have so much courage, and will to fight me. yYu are just perfect, just what I was seaching for. And only way to get you, was to come here."
"Are you crazy?" Shane spit out. "They could kill you here! Jacen isn't playing some game, he could just kill you! Torture you to death! And you are still here, even when you can escape? And all of that just because of ME?"
Jazz was silent for a while. "Yes. Problem?"
"You are fucking out of your mind." Shane had to stop and took few deep breaths, he was getting just too furious to handle all of it. Why would he do that? "You don't even know me. I am hunter, you know what we do. And you still let me capture you. Why?"
Shane was desperate for answer, and Jazz stretched his head close to his face. "Because, I want you to become my partner, Shane." Shane's eyes widened, and he couldn't say anything. He never thought a situation like this will come. "I was searching for a human, to become my partner. And I would like you to be the one."
Shane was shaking his head and he looked away. "No... you can't... I can't..." He almost whimpered.
"Why? Because of this place? Because of that man? You don't belong to him, and I will take you out of here."
Shane was still looking on different side, and then he heard a new sound. He turned back to Jazz, and he saw his cockpit was black pilot seat, ready for a human to sit on it. Shane saw even from this place smooth and elegant design of cockpit, but he still hesistated. Then Jazz decided to give him a little help with deciding.
"If you want a better life, hop in. Don't worry, human don't taste good, so I won't eat you. But we need to get off here as fast as we can."
Shane was still standing there, thinking. He looked over the place, and then with a sigh decided. Carefully he got it and sat on the seat. Cockpit then closed and he was surrounded by a green light, what was later raplaced. He got clear vision on surroundings and Jazz without warning pulled him close to seat with a seat belt.
"Relax, I'll do everyhitng. Time to rock out." His engines roared with intense strenght, and rotors began to spin. Shane was sure now, there wasn't any way back.
Jazz started and he began to rush throught the whole fortress. He was very curious, what will Jacen tell on this.
"I don't believe, you will get out of here so easily." Shane was skeptic, he had to admit it to himself.
"Normally, I would maybe agree with you Shane. But thanks to what happened here, a lot of systems doesn't work, and a lot places are damaged. You know this place very well, after all. You know I am right. So we are going to use this adventage now." Jazz approached another corrior, and when alarm sounded, he knew the real ride will begin right now.
Jacen was clapping with fingetr on his table, when he was disturbed by alarm. He immidiately spit out a curse and got to the keyboard. When he finally got to know about the whole situation, he hit the table with his hard fist. So even that helicopter was now trying to make a fool out of him. Well, he didn't think so!
Shane was just leaning into a seat. Whatever wil happen, he didn't care. He knew Jacen will find him, even on the other side of the world. He was just quite amazed, when he saw how easy it is for Jazz to get throught. He was really talented and skilled AI. What Shane saw the first day, was really just a playing compared to this. EDI was a fighter, he could fight very well. But Shane now saw Jazz is the real fighter, he is experienced, and that's what EDI misses. He is a child, but Jazz is the man with warrior instinct. Even when he was a little crazy and liked to joke.
Jazz was playfully avoiding and destroying missiles. He took down every small AI, what came to his way and tried to stop him. And when humans came, Shane noticed something. Before they could begin to fire, they were falling to their knees and pulling their hands tight on ears. Sound was attacking htem. And he too saw a wind is against them. So that was the reason, why was Jazz so good in avoiding and flying even in small places. Shane watched as they were still approaching nearer to freedom. Maybe he could really trust him after all. But he still couldn't believe AI like this would choose him.
And there was Jacen... Shane looked down and he realized all of this is useless, he couldn't run away from that man. He will find them, but...
"We're almost out!" Jazz said happy and Shane was still just wondering about everything of this. Jazz blasted more of area and in the finale made a way throught the wall. Blue sky shined on his sensors and his bright eyes glanced. He was still damn good at this. He wasn't looking back and headed as fast he could away. He had to get them to safe place!
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