Along Highway-93, Nevada
October 28th, 2007
1320 hours
Nobody was in the mood to talk.
But, the situation was still a haze to her and naturally she wished to know more.
She was shy of dying little over an hour ago, and now she was shy of breaking down because she was the one survivor who's chance of living was so undeniably low, yet luck seemed to have dealt her a winning hand...Again. Though anyone would consider this a fortune, it was unfortunate for her. But, she kept her dignity in the face of these strangers. She's suffered through situations like this before and she's handled it. What difference would it make to go through it all one more time?
She'd be fine.
A quarter of a mile north of them, an ambulance's siren wailed, its red strobe lights glared at the convoy from a distance. She wondered what a city vehicle would be doing out in the middle of nowhere. Two vehicles- a slick silver sports car and a city ambulance- swerved in an arc, creating a cloud of dust that obscured the dry sweep of the desert.
The convoy came to an entire halt in the middle of the road. Startling static erupted from a radio in Captain Lennox's lap.
"It's fine. It's fine. Th-they're friends," the response crackled.
The man positioned the microphone to his mouth. "Is that their leader?"
"No, it's just, Jazz... and Ratchet," was the shaky reply. "I-I don't know why they've stopped us."
Unsatisfied with the answer, Captain Lennox spoke into the radio. "Be prepared for anything. We don't know what we're dealing with. Keep the cars running; we might have to make a quick exit if anything turns haywire."
Sergeant Epps nodded his agreement and unclipped his seatbelt, leaving the engine running and exited.
Captain Lennox's expression dulled when his gaze shifted to her. "Stay."
"Why?" she asked. "Didn't you say this is my problem too?"
"You're staying in the car."
Lyn bristled.
Lieutenant Figueroa avoided her eyes as he opened the door and slammed it closed.
She gnashed her back teeth and for several seconds she tried to rationalize Captain Lennox's behavior towards her and failed. She didn't resist the urge to pull back the door handle and clamber out in her loose fitting boots.
The arid wind coming in off the desert smelled of sunlight and age. She'd forgotten what unrecycled air felt like on her skin. She stepped out, undeterred by neither Captain Lennox's cold glare or the scornful shake of his head as he turned away from her.
At first, she didn't notice two teenagers staring at the cars in front of them, until she did and questioned why anyone so young would be involved in something so dangerous.
The two vehicles remained immobile as Lyn narrowed her eyes on them. Then, seamlessly, the cars transformed and the robotic assemblies that emerged were still the same colors of the vehicles they took shape after.
Though she stood perfectly still, she was eating the awe before it tried to rise and swallow her whole.
She forgot all about Captain Lennox, Sector Seven, her dead team. And she almost forgot that the world was in chaos.
The aliens were breathtaking and for a moment she thought her eyes must be deceiving her. She'd seen NBE-1. But, these robots were alive. Not statues with the mist of liquid nitrogen curling around their ice cold limbs. She remembered all those times walking past NBE-1's chamber and the dread she felt.
The sun alit their metallic frames with a minor luster and the smaller of the two mechanisms stepped forward as the soldiers poised their guns.
When it spoke, a distinctly deep male voice flooded her ears.
"You didn't tell us about your little package, Bee."
Everyone momentarily glanced at the Camaro that chirped in response with a flash from its headlights.
The silver robot then studied the humans. Lyn's jaw tightened when his gaze locked on hers for a moment which expired after several of her heartbeats.
"I'm getting y'all know who Megatron is?"
No one answered the mech's question.
"If you don't, you haven't been paying attention," it said, bright blue eyes unfaltering as it shook its head in disappointment. "Now if I was Megatron, I'm certain none of you would be alive right now. So, put your damn guns away."
From the corner of her eye, she noticed the army captain wave his men down.
"To those of you who don't know, the name's 'Jazz.'" It introduced itself proudly then jabbed a thumb at the bright yellow robot accompanying it.
"This here is my wingman and doctor, 'Ratchet'. Why not be a champ and say 'hello'?"
Ratchet huffed indignantly at them.
The teenage boy stepped forward. "Where's Optimus?"
Jazz shook his head. "We lost contact. Last we heard from them they were stallin' a few Cons; we're just gonna stick with the plan for now and rendezvous with them in the city," he said. "An Allspark signature activated and they're headin' in our direction." Jazz looked to the humans who stared back blankly.
"Okay, let me clarify in human terms : 'if y'all don't leave, you're fucked'."
"Figured that much," Sergeant Epps muttered behind her.
Before the silver alien could say much else, Ratchet interrupted sternly, "Jazz, stop socializing with the Earthlings. We must leave now."
"That's what I was tryin to tell 'em! Let's get goin' people." Jazz clapped his hands. "Chop, chop!"
The alien effortlessly folded into itself, metal thrusting out into silver blades before fixing into position. She swung her gaze around and observed the teenagers jump into the Camaro and the captain's men return to their vehicles while the ambulance, Ratchet, rolled forward.
She heard Jazz's voice emit from the vehicle he'd previously emerged from as a nervous lump formed in her throat. "Hey there sweet thang, mind keepin' me company?"
"Why?"
The captain appeared at her side.
"I said she should," the silver car griped. "Do you really want to argue this? Is this how you do it in war? Ask questions first?"
"What do you want with her?"
"Can't I give the little lady a ride?"
"Jazz…" Ratchet warned from behind, clearly in no mood to dawdle. "Now," the ambulance intoned, not nearly as invested in the bickering to feel any obligation to mediate.
"I heard you the first time, Ratch," said the car irately, throwing himself into reverse and positioning his bumper in front of her, honking his horn insistently. Lyn startled at his insistence. "Don't think sweet thang, jus' get in."
"Captain Lennox..?" She faced the man, as he turned her with a stern eye. She didn't know why, but it felt right asking for his permission.
"Just go," he ordered gruffly, turning away. It was relent.
She was disappointed he was letting her off without a fight. Did he think her expendable?
"Just like that?" she asked his back.
"It's obvious you care more about the aliens, that'd you go right ahead and endanger mankind for them. Go fulfill your dream," Captain Lennox said.
In an instant a lump had formed in her throat.
If there was more on his mind, the Captain knew he didn't have enough time to voice it. She watched him climb into the S7 vehicle without another word.
The solid surface of Jazz's bumper nudged the back of her knees. She eyed the silver vehicle warily.
"After you," Jazz chirped as the driver's side of the door swung wide.