Chapter Thirteen
...
The road was long.
It was neverending. Merrick wondered how long it took construction workers to make roads everywhere across the world. since there was so many. He wondered if the same guys paved all the same roads, or how they got there before those guys paved them. Was the ground always the way it was? How did they make it flat? How did they make bridges across big, open water like in California? How did all those guys get anything done when all they did was lean on their shovels, like Daddy always said?
These were the questions Merrick asked himself as he watched the neverending road under Optimus Prime's tires.
Optimus Prime, an Autobot! Boy, no one at school would ever believe him. Mom had explained that he couldn't tell anyone, or talk to anyone who wasn't in the truck, or who she didn't say was okay. He couldn't tell anyone about any of this, it was a huge, ginormous secret! Optimus had agreed and asked Merrick to not say anything...he actually made him promise. Merrick, feeling safe and secure with this huge robot guy that knew his mom, agreed.
Now they were talking about the bad robot, the one that had tried to kill them with the weird bomb and that was fighting with Optimus Prime. They were talking about his past. Merrick thought it was awesome how the windshield could turn into a computer, and what was cooler was that his Mom knew how to use it! Optimus had explained to him when he'd asked that Mom was very smart, and had known him for a long time, since before Merrick was even born. He told him they were "very close friends".
Mom was looking stuff up on the computer, and Merrick was watching. He desperately wanted to touch that screen and make the stuff move. He wondered if Optimus could feel everything she was doing, since he was the truck and all. He also wondered where all Optimus' parts went when he transformed, and what happened to his legs and hands. How did all that stuff fit into this rickety old semi?
They had driven a long time, and Merrick was getting antsy. Mom had explained that they were going to Montana, to see uncle Bryce, and meet up with the other Autobot soldiers. It was all very much like a movie, or a sci-fi book to Merrick. Who were the bad guys again? What did they want? Why were they here, and wanting to hurt Optimus Prime? And who were those guys who had tried to kill him?
Merrick had always thought if something like that-something like that out of a videogame, anyway-were to ever happen, he'd jump right in and save the day, and his mom. He'd be the hero that was in the newspapers, and he would be rich! So rich! He wanted really badly to be like his favorite heros, Batman and Indiana Jones, and go around saving people and finding cool, ancient stuff. But, that hadn't happened! His Mom had done all that stuff...she'd saved them and fought back like a heroine from the videogames. They'd hurt her and tried to kill her, too.
The thought of that man with the gun made Merrick shiver overdramatically. This caught the blond girl's attention. She'd said her name was Tessa, and she was pretty. She also was very nice, and talked with Merrick about what was going on and made it easy for him to understand. She had pretty blue eyes and nice hair, and she talked very quiet. She reminded Merrick of his babysitter, whom he loved to play with. He wondered if she was good at playing games. She rubbed his back and asked, "You okay?" He nodded and looked down to the toy semi truck.
"Yeah," he sighed, "...are we almost there?"
The junkman, Merrick forgot his real name, chuckled. "Not quite yet, buddy. We have a long way to go."
"How long?" He asked.
Mom was busy on the computer again, when the radio lit up and replied with a soft crackle, "Twenty-four hours and fifty-six minutes, Merrick." Merrick looked at the radio, and decided he likes Optimus' voice. It was a soft one, but it was also very...he couldn't place it. His voice made him want to listen. It was very calm and deep, and he liked very much to listen to him talk. He especially liked when he said his name.
"How long?"
Tessa chuckled, "A little over a day's drive, buddy. We'll be there around lunch-time tomorrow." He sat back in the seat and made a face. "That is, if we drive all night."
"We're driving all night," Optimus jutted in quickly, almost offensively.
Mom stopped her touching and wrinkled her brow, "Optimus. All night? Hon, I know you can go all night-or you think you can-" she touched the screen again and enlarged a box. She gestured to the screen, "but you're running on fumes here. You're in desperate need of a service job, not to mention a good weapon's check. The chassi of this thing is falling apart. There is no way you can go all night, dearest," she said "dearest" really sarcastically, and Merrick didn't think that was nice.
"We do not have a choice, Mira," The radio protested assertively, "We're going all night. That's the end of it."
She rolled her eyes. "Fine. We'll take turns staying up with you and watching your systems. Even a hint of malfunction or overheating, and you're done."
There was quiet for a minute before he replied, "I would appreciate the company," he said quietly. "There is much we need to discuss, Miriam."
Merrick rolled his eyes, "Don't worry," he crossed his arms, "Mom's good at talking. You'll get an earful." He sat back in his seat and looked out the window.
All the grown ups laughed at him.
...
It was roughly six o'clock, and Mira had handed out protein bars to keep hunger at bay earlier in the evening. Now, Tessa and Merrick were both asleep, Merrick resting against Tessa' chest atop her lap, and Tessa's head leaning against the window of the passenger's side of the vehicle. The sun was beginning to slightly go down, and Cade, Mira, and Optimus were silent with one another.
Mira could feel the cogs turning in Cade's mind. He had to have so many questions for the two of them. She was impressed he kept them at bay, sitting in the driver's seat. He looked at home; one arm out the open window, the other lazily drooped over the steering wheel. Mira could only appreciate his cooperation throughout all of this.
She'd sent the See-All away, now just watching the rolling highway. Her nerves hurt, as did her joints, and she realized how sore she actually was. But, resting against the seat-back, she was able to find peace. Her son was alive, as was her closest friend, and she was with him again. It felt good to be surrounded by him, good to be in his presence and feel appreciated again. Good to feel loved, guarded. For so long it'd had been her and Merrick, her forever the guardian and the supporter. It felt good, as a woman, to have a man watching over her now and making the decisions. She had no problem relinquishing the helm.
And Cade. She studied him from the corner of her eye. Mira really hadn't had time to take him in, throughout everything. He was a man, she knew that much. But he was indeed a man. Dark hair masqueraded with matching eyes, and thick arms strong from working with machinery and metals. He had quick intelligence and quick eyes, probably from solving equations and working out problems, matched with incredible pride leveled with humility. He carried himself like a millionaire, but instead a pauper, living off of his meager, generous givings. Cade's broad shoulders belonged to that of a Texas man who knew work and did not shirk it, and his hands were calloused and knew hard labor. Overall, as she studied him she came to a solid conclusion that he was attractive...probably too attractive. He probably had women; younger Texas women that had no children lined up around the block waiting for him to wake up and smell the coffee and realize he needed a woman around, and his daughter Tessa needed someone too.
Mira quickly pocketed the feelings and turned to look out the window. The sun was beginning to deepen on the horizon, and the sky began to turn a peachy pink. Calmness fell over her when there was shifting to her right, drawing her attention. Cade scratched the back of his neck, and the radio crackled to life before her.
"Tell me something," Optimus began. Mira smiled and wrapped her arms around her middle, sinking into the worn upholstery, feeling quite safe and at home.
"Anything," she chuckled, "what?"
He continued, "What followed that night in Mexico?" He asked very gently, "I know...I know William was killed, Miriam."
Her stomach dropped a thousand feet. "How did you know that?"
Optimus answered, "You're comm link was open," he said quietly, "I heard everything. I...I was grieved." There was silence between them as tears pulled at Mira's eyes. She used the back of her wrist to wipe at them, and propped her glasses up on top of her head, "I witnessed everything, Mira. I was not far away."
She couldn't breathe, much less speak, but she managed, "I always thought..."
"I know," he sighed, "and I regret my absence. If I could have been there, Mira, you know I would've. As I've said, fate rarely calls upon us..."
"...at a moment of our choosing," she sniffled, "I know. I never held it against you," she touched the dash, "there was nothing to be done. God called him home."
Cade spoke from beside her, "Your husband, he knew about the Autobots?"
Mira nodded and Optimus filled the question, "Yes, Major Lennox was one of the human soldiers who fought beside us in our first battle on earth; in Mission City. He was a loyal ally." His voice trailed off before continuing, "he is greatly missed, especially in these times."
Mira nodded. "That he is," she looked over at Merrick, "I...I just wish Merrick would've known him better. He's..too young not to have a dad." She awkwardly sunk down in her seat, and propped her feet up on the dashboard, crossing them at the ankles. She rested her head back on the seat and Cade spoke up.
"You still have time," he said lightly, "there's someone out there."
She looked up at him, "Doesn't feel like it. Will was my first everything," she felt a rapid blush erupt on her cheeks and she nervously looked away, "I dunno if I ever could give those things to someone else." she shrugged.
Cade nodded, eyes never leaving the horizon. "You will, someday. When the right guy comes along. You're not old...how old are you?" He then looked at her, and she wondered if that in his eye was wonder, excitement, or pure innocent curiosity. She hoped it was the latter.
She chuckled, "A lady doesn't reveal her age," she looked to the radio. Cade gave her a look, and she laughed lightly, "Well," she began to count, "I'm thirty. I graduated when I was 20, and met the Autobots when I was 21. Will and I got married when I was 24, and had Merrick within the year," she rolled her eyes, "and Will died last year. So...yeah. Thirty." she didn't sound impressed. Then, shooting him a smirk, she asked, "...how old are you?"
"Guess."
She laughed. "Guess? Really?"
He nodded. "Guess. And if you're close, I'll tell you."
She rolled her eyes. "Well then," she was quiet as she pondered his age. He couldn't be more than 40, by the wrinkles around his eyes anyway. He was built like a younger guy, but that didn't mean much. She hummed and hoed until she finally gave her best guess. "...I'm thinking like 36?"
He chuckled, "I'm flattered," he sighed, "but I'm almost forty."
Her eyes widened. "Really. You don't look it."
"Thanks?" he sounded doubtful.
She smiled. "A compliment."
They were quiet a while longer, until she wondered if changing the subject was okay. Mira thought about talking to Optimus about Ratchet, if now was a good time or not. She decided now wouldn't be, since he was driving and obviously exhausted, so she'd keep that tidbit of information under her hat until a better time.
She brought out her phon to check for messages, and found no new ones, "Optimus," she asked, "Have the Autobots responded to your transmission?" It was a genuine question, followed by another, "if so, how soon can they meet us?"
His reply was swift, "No one has replied yet," he sounded hopeful, "but do not worry. They will." He was faithful in his Autobots, she knew that much. She wondered why they hadn't heeded his call yet, or what was stopping them? Could his signature really be that masked?
"Why do you think they haven't?" Cade asked out loud.
Mira shrugged, "A number of reasons. They could be detained, angry, disbelieving. They've been hurt by people, Cade. We know a lot about their technology...they're not about to jump the gun and dive head first into something as suspicious as a call from Optimus Prime, who's been out of the picture for three years," she touched the dash with a solid thump, "anyone would be suspicious. I would be."
"Mira has a point," Optimus affirmed, "I have made no contact with my Autobots since my disappearance into hiding three years ago. They have no reason to believe I would be transmitting now."
"So, they need something to prove it's actually you," Cade pieced together, "what would they need? A picture of you? Live feed?"
Mira shook her head, "Way too risky."
Optimus thought out loud for a minute, "Mira is right. That would be far too dangerous, especially with Lockdown hard at work," he brought up the See-All and began confirguring a few moments, Mira and Cade watching as he rapidly set up a live-feed, "...but maybe it's not me they need to see. Maybe it's someone else, someone they know I trust and someone they know has access to me." Then, suddenly Mira's face appeared on the screen, obviously a camera pointed at her. "...maybe they need to see my charge. Mira."
She blinked at the camera. "Me? What would I say?"
"You'll think of something," Cade said, "you're a writer, right? Aren't words your passion or something?"
She gave him a look, "Words, yes. Speeches? Those I leave to Optimus," she looked at the radio. "...fine. Let's do this."
Sitting up, she crossed her legs Indian style and tied her hair back into it's usual messy bun. Sliding her glasses into place, she used her other hand to slip the Shield from behind her shirt and rest it so it was visible to the camera. It had grown accustomed to Prime's presence, obviously due to its lack of life, and Mira fingered it out of habit. Optimus configured the line and secured it doubly, before sending it live. Mira watched the light flick on the screen, and she looked up at the screen with her face.
"Autobots," she said sternly, "this is Miriam Lennox. The time has come yet again for our forces to bind together for the sake of the galaxy...there is a imbalance between our races, I know. But, I am forever and always your ally, rest assured in that knowledge if necessary.
At the request of our leader, I beckon your response to pose a rendezvous in the coming days. War has found us even in the shadow of our pasts, and it is on the horizon. We must stand and fight. None of us can escape this on our own. There is much to deliberate," she tucked a stray curl behind her ear, "As I have trusted you in the past and as I do now, I need you to trust me. The line is open for transmissions, and I await your reply. Miriam out." The feed cut-out and the screen vanished. Optimus deactivated the See-All, and now there were stars on the horizon.
"Well done," Optimus breathed.
Cade chuckled from the driver's seat. "You are a writer, I'll give you that."
