Rewrite the Stars

by Wortho22

An unusual woman with a secret somehow finds herself caught up with a race of sentient alien robots in a battle to save Earth. Thinking herself destined to be alone, never to find love or the family she craves - fate has other ideas. Sometimes, the opportunity to rewrite your stars and change your destiny DOES come along - you just have to be brave enough to take it.

147. Chapter 146 - Exonerated

Author's Note: First, and most importantly, thanks to Aussie Guest for another kind review, so glad you are still along for the ride! 😊 I also want to thank anyone else who has taken the time to write a review, or favourite and follow. It really DOES help keep me motivated knowing people are enjoying what I am writing. Thanks!

Finally, you may or may not have noticed that the last few chapters differ greatly from the AOE and subsequently TLK. I am going off script a little. From here on in my story diverges and will be drawing upon a variety of timelines and continuums, (as well as my own take on things), throwing them in a blender and flicking the switch!

Just thought I would warn you. Also, some swearing in this chapter.

Enjoy! 😊

Chapter 146 – Exonerated

Lennox P.O.V

It was cold and gross, but it was liquid.

I quickly downed the cup of coffee I had become too distracted to drink while it was hot. Placing the cup back on the desk before me, I gave my full attention back to the various monitors. Reams of information and data scrolled across the screens and various satellite images flashed before.

I gave a loud sigh and pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to keep the threatening headache at bay. Intel from Beijing was pouring in, had been since Joshua Joyce's KSI's headquarters were attacked in the early hours of the morning. It had been clear from the outset that Transformers, notably Decepticons, were involved and the fight had spread to the major, densely populated city.

While the Chinese government and its Military were primarily involved in containing and responding to the threat, the satellite images that were being fed through indicated they were not alone. Familiar figures engaged in battle flashed up on the screen. Two such figures brought a fond smile to my face. A massive flaming bird like creature – The Phoenix – and an impressive red and blue Transformer riding atop what appeared to be a massive metallic Tyrannosaurus – Optimus Prime!

It had been over five years since I had seen or had any contact with the Autobots when they were exiled from Diego Garcia. /Five long years since I had seen my friends/. I watched the impressive figure of Optimus Prime cut down all who stood before him. Our intel suggested at one point that Prime may have even left this planet, as there had been no sign of him for several years.

I felt a deep scowl form on my face as I thought of Cemetery Wind, the C.I.A formed black Ops unit tasked with hunting down Decepticons following the battle of Chicago. Something about these guys did not sit well with me, hadn't done for a while now. It wasn't just because N.E.S.T had been disbanded in lieu of these guys. /Though that would be reason enough!/, I thought to myself. There was more to it than that. I had come to rely on my gut instincts in the field and it had saved me many times. My gut instinct was telling me these guys were bad news and not to be trusted. The problem was I just could not prove it!

I sighed out loud, perhaps a little too loudly as one of the Communication Systems Operators seated near me spoke up, ''Everything okay Lieutenant Colonel Lennox?''

I briefly looked in his direction, nodding. ''I'm fine Wilks, just tired.'' While not entirely a lie, I did not need to unload my problems onto someone else.

He gave me a curt nod and a small smile. ''Yes Sir, understandable Sir,'' and resumed what he was doing.

I continued to process the images as they appeared, ''Glad to see you're back big guy,'' I whispered to myself. My eyes darted over to a separate bank of screens and fixed on the prominent metallic horns that seemed to be soaring out of the ground. ''Especially now.'' While they have apparently been around for a few years now, according to top-secret reports and files I was given access to, I had only become aware of them in the last few weeks. I had been tasked by General Morshower with monitoring the continued growth of these horns and to try and ascertain their existence and their possible impact. There were now five of them spread over different continents around the world.

I flicked my eyes between the screen with the horns and back to the screens showing me images of Optimus and the others engaged in battle with various Decepticons. ''What is the connection? Is there a connection or is this a new threat?'' I muttered to myself as I poured over the images.

''Sir!'' Wilks interrupted my thoughts.

''Yes, Wilks what is it?'' I walked over to stand next to him.

''General Morshower requesting to speak with you. I have a secure line,'' Wilks stared at me awaiting my reply.

I nodded and picked up the receiver, ''Go ahead Wilks, patch him through.''

A second later the General's voice erupted over the line. ''Lieutenant Colonel Lennox, have you established the Autobot's involvement in the Beijing attack?''

''Yes Sir, I can confirm that Optimus Prime, his Autobots and Phoenix are all currently engaged in battle with Decepticon enemies in Beijing,'' I replied.

''Have you been able to deduce or establish a motive for their involvement?''

I closed my eyes and counted to 3. ''Not as yet Sir. I am still watching the live stream images as they are fed to us. Sir, it will be difficult to work out why they are involved without actually asking Optimus Prime himself. Though everything indicates they appear to still be fighting for us General.''

There was a moment's pause. ''Colonel Lennox, given the circumstances we are facing with the appearance of these things and the increased Decepticon activity at present, I am authorising you to re-establish contact with Optimus Prime.''

I felt a wave of relief wash over me. /Finally! Some common sense!/. ''Sir, yes Sir! Does this directive come from POTUS himself?'' I needed to know the parameters in which I would be working.

There was a small sigh. ''Let's just say I am displaying one of the virtues of a good General – initiative.'' There was a slight tone of mirth in his voice.

I replied with a low chuckle. ''Just so happens to be one of my personal favourite virtues General. I'll get onto it as soon as an opportunity presents itself. I dare say Prime is a little indisposed at present.''

''Agreed. When you have established contact with Prime and managed to determine why he has suddenly come out of hiding and is currently tearing up downtown Beijing, I'd love to know.''

''Sir, yes Sir. Will do.'' There was a new determination in my voice as I replied. If nothing else, it would be good to hear the big guy's voice again – I had missed him.

''That is all Lieutenant Colonel Lennox, dismissed.''

The line went dead, and a smile spread across my face. I returned to watching the monitors of the horns and re-reading the most up to date intel on them when my own personal cell phone began to vibrate in my pocket. My eyebrows knitted together in confusion. /Sarah knows I am at work and can't be disturbed. Who on Earth?/. I reached into my pocket of my uniform and retrieved the phone, glancing at the screen: CALLER UNKNOWN. My finger hovered over the end button but again, my gut instincts told me to answer.

The phone continued to ring for several moments as I deliberated. /Whoever is calling, wants to speak with me/. I exhaled sharply and pressed accept. ''Lennox here.''

''Lennox, thank you for answering. It is good to hear your voice my friend.''

My heart stopped beating for a moment at the unmistakable sound coming through the other end of my phone. That deep, commanding voice could only belong to one being – Optimus Prime! My voice stuttered at first with the shock of having him contact me out of the blue. ''Op… optim.. Optimus! It's good to hear your voice too. It's been too long.''

''Indeed, it has Lennox. Though I wish I could be contacting you under better circumstances I am afraid. My apologies for hacking into your personal telecommunications device but it is regarding a matter of great personal importance.'' I could hear the concern within his voice.

''Yeah, well if it is about the little skirmish in Beijing, I'm aware of that already.'' I smiled down the phone line.

''That was, unavoidable Lennox. My Autobots and I had to engage with the Decepticons and their human allies in order to prevent a catastrophic event from taking place.'' Prime's voice rumbled in reply.

''Hang on! Decepticons had human allies? What do you mean? And what catastrophic event are we talking about here? I kinda need to know some intel here Prime before I can even listen to your request or Morshower will have my arse!'' My voice had risen dramatically.

''Lennox, time is of the essence in regard to my request. However, I shall provide you with a brief account of what has transpired if it will assist you. I am happy to give a full account to the powers that be following my request being carried out.'' I knew better than to argue with Prime when he spoke like that.

''Agreed Prime. You have my word I shall do everything I can to see that your request is carried out.''

Prime gave a small chuckle, ''I will hold you to that Lennox.'' The great Prime gave a weary sigh. ''Following the battle of Chicago and the formation of Cemetery Wind, my Autobots and I have been in danger, hunted down and systematically destroyed…''

''WHAT? Cemetery Wind was formed with the express goal of eradicating Decepticons,'' my voice was incredulous and yet – I knew it to be true.

''Well, somewhere along the way Lennox, their goals changed. We Autobots were targeted along with Decepticons. I was personally attacked in an effort to be capture as bounty. I was almost killed and, as a result, went into forced hiding for three years,'' Prime continued.

''That would be why there was no sign of you anywhere. We thought you had left the planet,''

''No Lennox. Though believe me, the thought did cross my processor once or twice.'' Prime's voice held a bitter tone to it I thought I would never hear.

''Hang on Prime, you said you were attacked to be captured as a bounty? Who on Earth wanted you?'' This comment had piqued my interest.

''I eventually came to learn that a Transformer bounty hunter Lockdown was looking for me and he had enlisted some humans to help him..''

''Let me guess,'' I interrupted, ''Cemetery Wind?''

''Precisely. More to the point one of its founders Harold Attinger was the driving force behind it all. His right-hand man, James Savoy helping him. They made a deal with Lockdown to help find and incapacitate me and in exchange he would give them something called a Seed.''

''A what? What kind of seed Prime?'' My mind hurt.

''The kind that transforms all organic life into the same substance we Transformers are made out of.'' He paused a moment to let that sink in. ''In essence Lennox, the kind that brings about the end of your race.''

''Holy Shit Prime! That is fucked up!'' I knew Cemetery Wind wasn't on the level but that…. That was messed up. ''Why though Prime? Why would Attinger and Savoy want such a thing?''

''It wasn't them who wanted it but their human business partner, Joshua Joyce..''

''Hold up! As in Joyce of KSI renown.. as in KSI where this skermish in Beijing erupted?'' The dots were connecting slowly.

''Precisely Lennox. Through some determined and patient intel work on behalf of my 2IC Jazz and some of my other Autobots, we learned Attinger and Savoy were in league with Joshua Joyce. The deal was they provided him with Transformers, hence the attack on Autobots as well as Decepticons, and the Seed so he could harvest transformium so he could create his own versions of us. Turns out he and Attinger had some vision they could automate the US military using robots, thus negating the need for human soldiers.''

''So Attinger, Joyce and Savoy – where are they now? There will be some major charges thrown against them Prime. This is unbelievable.'' I was shaking my head in disbelief.

''Well Lennox, two of the three are dead. Attinger and Savoy were killed during the battle. Joyce actually had a change of conscience and aided us in keeping the Seed out of Galvatron's – who is really the reincarnation of Megatron - servos.''

''WHAT THE FUCK? Megatron is back? How?'' I was absolutely reeling.

Prime sighed. ''Lennox, I am happy to discuss this further but I really must insist on making my request now, time is of the essence. Suffice it to say Megatron spoke to Phoenix and told her a war was coming that would make this one look like sparkling's play and that an enemy more powerful than we could imagine was on their way – the signs are upon us.''

I shook my head to clear it. ''Holy Shit! Well, that sounds like something Morshower and my superiors need to hear Prime so rest assured I will need to discuss this further with you.''

''Of course. There are also some human allies you may need to talk to who can corroborate what I have told you as they became innocent pawns, caught up with Cemetery Wind when one of them – Cade Yeager - saved me and brought me back online. I am indebted to them Lennox, Yeager in particular, as he saved my life. I would consider it a personal favour if you could ensure they are treated fairly and all charges against them dropped.''

I sighed out loud myself. ''Prime, you know I can't make any guarantees there, but I shall do my best and ensure when I am making my report to Morshower that I stipulate their innocence.''

''Thank You Lennox, I am grateful,'' Prime's voice rumbled again.

''Now, what is it YOU actually want to ask me?'' I shifted my weight on my feet as I prepared to listen to the real reason why Prime contacted me.

There was a moment's pause as Prime seemed to gather his thoughts. ''Lennox, Phoenix has been injured – badly…''

''What? How badly?'' I could not keep the concern out of my voice.

''She has sustained a massive laceration to her hem that was almost fatal.'' Prime ceased talking for a moment as the pain of saying that out loud washed over him. Another sigh. ''My request is that My Autobots and I – or at the very least Rachet and I – be allowed to travel back to Diego Garcia to access his Medical Bay facilities there and make the necessary repairs to help save her, as we currently do not possess the capacity to do so. I fear without medical attention Phoenix's condition may deteriorate to the point she ceases to function.''

I closed my eyes. Phoenix, or the human female OC as she had been when I first met her, had come to be something like a sister to me. Albeit an annoying one, but a very dear and close friend and the news Prime just gave me shocked me to my core. I opened my eyes again, a look of fierce determination settling on my face. ''Stand by Prime, I'll see what I can do.'' As soon as the line to Prime went dead, I barked out the order to Wilks, ''Get me a secure line to General Morshower - NOW!''

Seconds later the sound of the General's gruff voice drifted down the line. ''Morshower here.''

I gripped the railing before as I launched into my discussion. ''Sir, do you recall how you requested I contact Optimus Prime to try and ascertain the nature of their involvement in Beijing and to re-establish connection with him and his Autobots?''

There was an irritated sigh, ''Yes Lieutenant Colonel Lennox, I am aware of my orders I gave you. What? Do you have something already?'' he replied with an air of surprise.

''Well Sir, Prime himself reached out to me just now and filled me in on some interesting and terrible events that have taken place in the lead up to Beijing. I believe you may want to hear what he has to say about what Cemetery Wind have truly been up to these past five years.'' An angry tone crept into my voice. ''I know I found it – very enlightening Sir. Prime also mentioned that the leader of the Decepticons came into contact with one of his team and divulged a rather serious concern.'' There was no need to tell him it was Phoenix.

''Continue Lennox, I'm listening,'' Morshower encouraged.

''Well Sir, it seems that Galvatron aka Megatron, is preparing for something big. As he said to Prime's soldier, ''a war was coming, one that will make this one look like sparkling's play and that an enemy more powerful than we could imagine was on their way – the signs are upon us.'' I paused a moment. ''Sir you don't think those ''things'' we have been monitoring have any connection to this?''

''I don't know Lennox, but this would indeed seem serious, especially if Megatron or this Galvatron is back too.'' Morshower hesitated a moment. ''And you take what Prime says as truth?'' Though I know Morshower to be one of the best Generals I have served, he still had to make sure.

I breathed deeply to fight back the flash of anger that tore through me. ''With all due respect Sir. When has Optimus Prime ever given us reason to doubt his integrity?'' I leaned forward, placing my hands on the desk bracing myself for his reply to what skated dangerously close to insubordination.

There was a moment's silence before the General spoke again. ''Agreed. Is he willing to provide evidence on the matter?''

I nodded, ''He is, as are several humans who became caught up in Cemetery Wind's dealings. I believe there is sufficient evidence to warrant an exoneration of the Autobots, and these humans, and an immediate pardoning from POTUS himself Sir. Not that it should have ever been needed.''

There was a heavy silence for a moment before Morshower's voice spoke once more, a warning clearly evident in his tone as he used my full title to address me. ''Lieutenant Colonel Lennox, while I can sympathise with your loyalty and personal feelings towards the Autobots, I will remind you that you are speaking to a General and to maintain a tone of – civility and respect.''

''Sorry Sir. I meant no disrespect to you personally.'' It was true.

There was a sigh down the line as General Morshower deliberated on all I had said. ''I want you to arrange for the human allies Prime mentioned to be brought back to the States, processed and interviewed immediately to corroborate Prime's claims. I shall report back to POTUS directly and – see what I can do.''

''Sir, yes Sir.'' I paused a moment preparing to push my luck. ''Sir, there is something else.''

A moment's pause again. ''Proceed.''

''One of the Autobot's, do you remember Phoenix? The civilian formerly known as Orianna Connors who…''

''Yes Lennox, I recall. How could I forget! I do not require a history lesson,'' the General interrupted.

''Sorry Sir. Well, she was injured quite badly in the fight to save Beijing and…'' I swallowed. ''Sir. Optimus Prime has requested, with all due respect, that the Autobots, or at the very least his medic and himself, be granted permission to return to Diego Garcia and have access to their medical facilities so they might be able to help her.'' I paused again to allow what I had just said to sink in. I did not want to add that should the answer be no, Prime would do whatever he felt necessary to help Phoenix because he loved her. The General had only just come to terms with what happened to OC. Adding the fact that she and Prime loved each other might not go down so well. ''Sir, he is awaiting your response.''

For what seemed forever the line was silent. I was just about to prompt the General again when his gruff voice erupted over the line. ''Lennox, you and I know that Prime and his team just helped save millions of lives - yet again.'' He sighed down the line, clearly weary of the red tape and bureaucracy that bounds a man in his position. ''But it takes a while for the powers that be to understand that. While I need to report back to my superiors and gain official approval, as far as I am concerned, you inform Prime he is good to go. Have a plane meet him and his team in Beijing airport immediately. I'll take care of things my end,'' another sigh, ''and Beijing too. If all goes to plan Lennox, off the record at present of course, there may even be a need to reinstate N.E.S.T given that Cemetery Wind will likely be - buried.''

I punched my fist in the air, ''SIR, YES SIR! Thank you, Sir.''

''Thank You Lieutenant Colonel Lennox, dismissed.''

I ended the communique and immediately patched through the call to Prime. For the first time in a long time, I felt excited. I felt good. I felt like I actually had just made a difference and what I did mattered. The familiar, deep voice greeted me almost immediately.

::Prime here::

Though he could not see it, I smiled. ''How quickly do you think you and your team can make it to Beijing airport?''

I could feel the big guy smile down the line and his sense of relief was palpable. ::We are on our way now Major::

''Morshower has unofficially granted you and your team permission to return to Diego Garcia and avail yourself of the facilities. However,'' I paused a moment to make sure Prime understood. ''your stay there is temporary until your human allies, and you, provide further evidence of Cemetery Wind's dealings and your role in the Beijing incident. So, tell your crew to lay low and not draw too much attention to yourselves.''

::Understood Lennox. I am happy to do whatever it takes to clear the names of my Autobots and our human friends:: Prime replied.

''Morshower himself is reporting to POTUS and, once the evidence is presented, there is a strong chance you will be exonerated, and your stay will be – extended.'' I dropped my voice and turned about to look over the railing. ''There may even be need to start feathering your NEST'' off the record of course Prime.''

::That would be greatly welcomed Lennox – on both counts. My Autobots and I have only ever wanted to help::

I gave a small chuckle, ''I know big guy. Well, I guess I shall see you soon. Safe travels.''

::Indeed you shall and thank you Lennox. You honour me with your friendship and loyalty and I am indebted to you:: Prime's voice rumbled through the line. It was good to hear it again – it had been too long. ::I am sure Phoenix will be glad to see you again – and her beach::

I laughed out loud, ''Despite the fact she drives me up the wall, I admit I have missed her too. It will be good to have her around again. Well, all of you actually.''

::I should warn you Lennox, Sunstreaker has since arrived on Earth:: there was a hint of mirth to Prime's tone, though it also carried a warning.

I felt my heart sink. The arrival of the fabled yellow twin of Sideswipe did not bode well. ''Oh shit! Is it too late to revoke the offer Prime?''

There was a deep chuckle as the Prime replied ::Absolutely Lennox. As I believe the saying goes; 'Welcome to my world!' Prime out::

The line went dead as Prime ended the conversation, clearly eager to get Phoenix the help she needed. I smiled to myself as I prepared to contact the necessary channels to arrange a couple of C17 Globemasters to collect the Autobots and bring them – home.