Thank you for the review: maria-ioanna984.
Unfortunately we hear very loudly from men / boys like the one on these pages. Unfortunately, not all ladies / gentlemen in their circles are as easily freed.
Enjoy.
Annie rubbed her neck as she reached home after her long night shift.
Opening up the closet, she put away her duster.
She touched her costume hanging on the inside of the closet door, the only spot she could keep it and not try updating it.
It was good enough.
Grateful Celia came to the meeting two days before in her matching Soundwave costume, she planned on placing the picture of all of them in their costumes on the wall.
Closing the door, she walked to her office, pausing only long enough to pull out the salad in the fridge and dry spices.
It was noon when she sat down and logged in.
Sighing as everything booted and refreshed, she forked up a bite, then purred as the taste.
Crushed red pepper and garlic blended with the lettuce, cucumber and radishes.
Checking her home email, she frowned at one with the title "Operation: Free Celia."
She clicked it open, then blinked.
The author, Jazzman, expressed concern about Celia and the escalating violence between Tyler and Celia.
She replied, "I don't know who you are. Why should I believe this information? You could be an overweight balding man in Russia trying to sell me encyclopedias."
Taking a few more bites, she swept though junk emails, adverts and bills, thinking whoever it was would take time to respond.
The new email popped up sooner than she expected, but she opened it.
"Would a video call help?"
"Only if you are Optimus Prime, himself."
A video call request opened up on her computer, making her blink. She hadn't shared her phone number to Jazzman.
Clicking the button, she frowned.
Autobot toys? Geez a fragging crackpot.
"Miss Annie Bergden," the voice sounded kinda like Optimus Prime, but not quite, though it appeared to be from the matching toy.
She rubbed her eyes, "Who am I speaking to?"
"Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots," he replied smoothly.
She leaned closer, looking at the video critically, "You do know that's a kid's show. There is no real Optimus Prime."
He smiled, "An accident with the Decepticons' latest weapon resulted in many of us being transferred into this universe. Celia has kindly granted us room and board along with assistance to make it back home. While the lack of Autobots and Decepticons in this universe is a shock to us, the franchise of toys and video entertainment would naturally lead you to think this is a crank call, as Spike would put it."
"So? I'm supposed to believe you with so little evidence? The more likely scenario is someone pulling an elaborate prank using the fandom I'm tied to, all to embarrass me or shame me," Annie scowled, "And using Celia's situation makes me want to pull out my chains and come pound some afts."
Optimus Prime nodded his head regally, "I understand this predicament is unorthodox and unusual, however violence would not be necessary to provide you the proof. Allow me to show you some of our visual recordings as a sign of our desire to safeguard Celia from Tyler."
She opened her mouth to argue, but the visuals that followed stunned her.
Tyler berating Celia, Celia turning the other cheek after a slap, the manhandling all looked real, not staged. Besides Tyler couldn't act his way out of a wet paper bag..
Yet it was the background details that caught her attention.
Sunstreaker holding back Sideswipe as they glared down from a shelf on Tyler, well within range to Jet Judo the human with their smaller sizes. In one video, Ironhide shot between Celia and Tyler, grousing about younglings disturbing recharging mechs. Jazz dangling off a grappling hook, his smile like someone considering how to take on a challenge as Tyler shoved Celia backwards into a wall.
Optimus Prime's optics firm and serious as he demanded the altercations stop as it wasted time and energy which could be to keep the Decepticons calm and get the device home ready.
"If you wish more evidence, come by Celia's home tonight at 5pm. I suggest you bring moving equipment so you can get Celia out quickly. I doubt Tyler will return to his behaviors prior to our arrival so her vacating the premises is the safest option."
"What makes you think I believe you?" Annie asked seriously.
"Your optics say you believe," he turned as the Jazz toy gestured, and Optimus Prime looked slightly uncertain, "Though Jazz mentions he would request you not wear the Blaster costume you made. You will need agility to shake the foundation of the house, which your costume would interfere with."
The only people who could have overhead the conversation was Celia, Annie and the cashier, assuming the cashier had one of the spy gadgets.
There was a way to eliminate the cashier, since Annie knew she blocked the view of the folder.
"What was in the envelope BigRig left for her?"
Optimus Prime stepped sideways so Jazz could come closer.
"A pretty picture of three femmes. Got ta say, those femmes had style. Here," the picture on the screen was that from the envelope, only it showed Celia's fingers holding the picture, and Annie in the background looking sad. There was an odd translucent film over it like as seen through a veil.
The angle of the shot meant…
Annie gasped, "You were in her dock?"
Jazz nodded, "Only Ah missed the sparkling pictures as Ah was in Celia's leg armor earlier."
She sat, thinking through everything.
Minutes clicked by.
"5pm tonight at her home," she stated finally, "I'm bringing the rest and if this isn't true, you'll find I'm not an enemy you shake easily."
Optimus nodded, "I look forward to meeting you in person tonight."
The call ended.
If this was true, something reality shattering unfolded around Celia.
Annie looked over at the picture of the original group.
"Martha, if this is real, I'm sorry you'll miss it," Annie blinked back her tears, then began making calls and organizing an emergency move out.
Celia wouldn't stay in the house a moment longer if this all turned out to be true.
Annie unearthed her old weapons, just in case she needed to pull out the skills one more time.
You can take the girl out of the gang, but not the gang from the girl.