Lennox and I were sitting in a rec room, an hour after Optimus asked if he could speak to Renegade alone. I was laying on one of the couches, my feet and head propped on the arms. Lennox was slowly pacing near the door, and I could tell something was bugging him. I cracked an eye and looked at him.
"You're going to wear a rut in the floor." He stopped and rubbed the back of his head.
"What did Renegade mean by an "extinct species"?" I thought about it for a second.
"I'm not really sure. I've known him for less than a week. We haven't really talked about our pasts."
"So you don't know that much about him?"
"Just the basics. He doesn't want to be a part of the Decepticons anymore and went into hiding from either side. When he rescued me he saw it as an opening to move."
"...So, what was it like to be kidnapped by a dragon?" A weak smile pulled at my lips.
"Terrifying, I thought he was going to eat me."
"Does your family know you're alive?"
"Yeah, I called them a couple of hours ago. My mom was flipping out."
"Understandably." I rubbed the back of my head.
"I might have forgotten to mention the giant robots..."
"If everything goes as planned, she'll never know."
"So... What's it like fighting giant robots?" A small smile showed, but I could see a hint of dark memories hidden behind his eyes.
"Terrifying." He said in a similar tone to mine. "We weren't expecting to fight giant robots. But it was war, which we've been trained for."
"I think anything with those guys is going to be dangerous."
"You are not wrong. You said you were 20, right?"
"Yeah."
"You going to college?"
"I was. But it was winter break and I wanted to go snowboarding before we got back into it."
"What were you studying?"
"Business management with a minor in Graphic Design."
"Ah, the creative kind?" I scratched my cheek, feeling the multiple days' worth of stubble.
'Gross, I cannot pull off a beard.'
"Yeah, I'm not doing too hot in the art department. I've really been practicing. I have the image in my head, but I can't get it to come out on the computer exactly how I want it to." The door slid open at that moment and a soldier walked in. Lennox straightened up, and I sat up.
"Major Lennox, sir."
"Yes?"
"Optimus Prime requests to see both of you. Discreetly, he added."
"Thank you Private." The soldier nodded and retreated from the doorway. "Well. Shall we?" I stood up and nodded.
"Let's go see what's happening." I stepped out of the door and shrugged my shoulders, sarcasm in my voice. "Who knows, I might be trapped here!"
««{{¤}}»»
"What do you mean I'm stuck here?!" I cried out as my eyes widened.
"Neal, there is no reason to shout. We can all hear you." Optimus said calmly.
"No reason? I think this is plenty of reason, you are basically holding me against my will!" Lennox placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Alright, calm down," He looked at Optimus, "Is there no way to get him home? I understand we would hear about it from Galloway, but he does have a family." Optimus was thinking for a minute, holding his chin with his fingers.
"There may be, but it is a risk I am not willing to take."
"Why not?"
"Because if we get caught transporting Neal out of the base, which will mean it will only become harder to allow him to leave in the end." I sighed, accepting fate.
"Optimus is right. I don't need you guys getting in trouble just because of me." I looked up at Renegade, who had taken position to stand near the high table. "What about you?"
"I will be staying here as well." I looked over at Lennox.
"Is there any way I can call my family? This could get…complicated."
««{{¤}}»»
"Mom?" Lennox and I were standing on a raised platform, almost chest level with Optimus. I was holding an old, corded phone up to my ear.
"Neal honey? Is that you?" I cringed at 'honey' as Renegade snickered. I threw a pen at him, which bounced harmlessly off his heavy chest plate and fell to the floor.
"Quiet!" I snapped at him before turning back to the phone, ignoring the raised eye ridge that could only have said 'really?.' "Yeah mom, it's me."
"Where are you?"
"Sorry, but I can't say."
"You sound like your father. What, are you on military base?" I froze like a deer in headlights. She blindsided me with that joke and the gears in my head grinded to a halt.
"Um...I uh..."
"How did she guess that?!" Lennox's eyes were wide.
"I don't know, Mom-tuition?!" I stage whispered back, covering the phone's receiver.
"Neal? Please tell me I didn't guess right?" I didn't know what to say and she caught on immediately. "Why are you on a military base?! Did you get in trouble? Let me talk to whoever is in charge!" My eyes bugged out and I had to suppress my panic.
"No, mom, I didn't get in trouble, alright? There is no reason to panic and call the President!"
"Well if that's what I need to do then I will!" I flinched, knowing she was serious. I took a deep breath and forced myself to not panic.
"Mom! Calm down. I'm fine. I'm not in trouble, I'm just not allowed to leave yet. Something came up, and I may not be home for a while. I'm not sure what is happening, but all you need to know is that I'm safe."
"Safe?! That's it?! Who is the commanding officer there? I want to speak with them right now!" I shook my head at Lennox as he stepped up to bat.
"Don't! Save yourself!" I harshly whispered at him. He pulled the phone from my hands and shot me a look to keep me quiet.
"Ma'am, this is Major Lennox speaking. I want you to know that while your son was expressly told to keep his location a secret, he is in good hands."
"Tell me where and when I can see him. I will fly to North Korea if I have to!" I hung my head back and looked at Renegade over my shoulder, muttering.
"No need for drastic measures…"
"Ma'am, your son will be returned to you. We need to work things out with my commanding officer and then he will be sent on his way." There was a solid break in the conversation, and I got worried.
"Fine. But if he is not returned to me within the month, you will be hearing from my lawyer." I took a physical step back, my eyes wide. "And believe me major, I could have you court-martialed for this!" Lennox looked at me and covered the phone.
"Did you mother just threaten to throw the book at me?" A bead of sweat ran down my face.
"It'll be a heavy one too." He turned back to the phone.
"I can assure you ma'am, that will not be necessary."
"...Let me speak to my son." Lennox stepped back, and I thought I saw sweat forming on his forehead too.
"Me again." I said as I took the phone back.
"Neal. You be safe, alright?" I almost said, 'no promises', but decided sarcasm would only make it worse.
"I will mom. And please, for everything on this planet don't tell dad. I don't need him coming here and getting in an argument with the head honcho. That would only cause more problems." I peeked a glance at Optimus, who raised an eyebrow. "If he finds out, nothing could stop him. You know how protective he is when it comes to us."
"...I won't tell him. Be home soon, alright? You've got school and you don't need to fall behind." I nearly had a heart attack for the third time that day.
"Crap! School! Could you ask my teachers to mail my work to you? Tell them it was a family emergency, and I didn't have time to tell anyone."
"Yeah, I'll do that."
"Alright. Bye mom."
"Bye Neal. Be safe." I hung up and dropped the phone onto the receiver, then proceeded to collapse into a puddle on the floor.
"That was almost REALLY bad."
"Could she really get me court-martialed?" I nodded at Lennox.
"She has…connections in the military. My dad's been in it for years and she knows people. Names." I stood up with his help. "She's got the attitude of a military wife and she knows how to use it."
"Your mother sounds like a formidable fighter." I turned to Renegade, who spoke with a hint of admiration.
"Renegade, not even you could withstand her glare. And she's not even close to half your height." His eyes widened.
"She is..."
"Military wife, mother, and willing to plow through ISIS to keep me and my dad safe." I folded my arms. "I don't mess with her, and I do my best to warn others off." I crooked an eyebrow at Lennox who shrugged helplessly.
"How was I supposed to know?"
"Me throwing my hands up and saying, 'don't, save yourself!' should have been clue enough."
"Fair enough, you win." At that time, an intercom went off, alerting us to dinner. "Well, if you want food Neal, it's right this way."
"That sounds like a good idea."
"Renegade." We both turned to Optimus. "Is there a chance you would be willing to change your Alt mode? A large bus driving around will possibly draw a lot of attention." I glanced at Renegade, who nodded.
"I suppose I could use a change. My current alternate was meant to be temporary in any case."
««{{1 Hour Later}}»»
"What is that?!" I shouted as soon as Lennox and I stepped out of the hanger. Optimus looked over at me and raised an eye ridge.
"Is something wrong?"
"Yeah! There is!" I retorted as I walked forward. "How is that less inconspicuous than the bus?!" I threw my arms forward, gesturing at the two M1296 Dragoon tanks sitting next to each other. One of the two shattered into a million shifting pieces as Renegade stood up. His armor looked blockier, and his shoulder plates had more spikes than before.
"How so Neal?" He asked.
"H-How so? How so?! You're a flippin' TANK! That's the most obvious disguise on the entire planet!" Renegade kneeled to bring himself closer to my level.
"Would it be better if I kept the other alternate?"
"Well it's better than driving around like the military is invading the local country side! Good night, you guys really are ignorant to our ways." I muttered the last part just low enough for Lennox to hear. He snorted as Renegade sighed.
"Alright, I shall keep the other alt form in my databanks." I dropped my arms and relaxed a little.
"Thank you." I turned and shot a glare at Lennox, who was at that moment doubled over in laughter. "I will still kick your tail."
He only laughed harder.