Chapter Twenty-One
...
They'd stationed themselves in the abandoned parking lot, waiting until Cade and Bryce returned with provisions for them to eat. Merrick had gotten to the point where he just couldn't sit any longer, so Drift and Crosshairs had volunteered to take the boy on a casual patrol with them.
Actually, Drift had volunteered, Crosshairs had complained.
Optimus had decided this was an idea with some merit, as it would serve the boy good to stretch his legs and break away from all the adulthood he'd been suffocating in. Optimus could see it in the boys' eyes he was desperate for release, and he was not about to without it from him.
"But he'll make noise," he'd whined to Prime, "and that's something we can't afford on a scouting mission!"
Prime had challenged him, "Take the boy with you, Crosshairs. He will be quiet if you ask him to, I assure you. Have some faith in the child."
"Why? I don't even have faith in the adults!"
They'd left, and with that pointed phrase, had left with tension in the air. This left Optimus and Hound alone with both Mira and Tessa, which was fine. Optimus found the two of them had seemed to resolve their differences nicely, which encouraged him.
But watching them brought forth an entire new emotion within his spark that he instantly hated, but could not seem to will himself to let go. He felt a burning hatred towards these humans, on this planet. Only a few days ago he'd been mystified with this place, this planet so far into the stars and into the mystique of the unknown that it was baffling.
Now, though, he hated this place. This corner of the universe that was so perversely violent. Optimus Prime had hoped this race could become what his could not, that they would not suffer the same fate as Cybertron. But they had already done so, turning against their own to fulfill the call of war. Perhaps they'd been doing this all along and had blindsided him within his fascination. Maybe he was just too pure-sighted and trusting. Optimus Prime did not know what he was, besides that he was twisted in his emotions, to the point where he had a burning feeling in his spark towards these humans that was not particularly good.
Crosshairs was essentially right-they did not trust this place anymore, this species they had invested so much in. Optimus instantly wished he could return to the time where peace and trust had been the foundation of this friendship, but he knew all too well it could not happen-wouldn't happen. These humans were too hard-hearted, too deceived-too frightened. Fear was often the instigator of bad judgment, he'd realized in his time as Autobot Commander, and those bad judgement calls ended up with wrong decisions and quick reactions; reactions which could slaughter millions. Millions here, he noted, if Lockdown had anything to do with this KSI and governement negotiations-if that were the case, this was a bigger issue than Optimus Prime had hoped for.
He hoped to Primus it wasn't.
...
Tessa sat crosslegged on the pavement, fiddling with the end of her hair, staring off into the distance of the towering buildings. Mira stood beside her, leaning against Prime's chassi, running her hands across the Baretta she'd taken from Bryce's house just hours before. It glistened in the sunlight, and she put it away, suddenly aware of its dangers-it wasn't beautiful, it was horrific. She suddenly became aware of how much killing this endeavor may result in, and a lump formed in her throat.
Cade and Bryce returned 45 minutes later, with food. They'd purchased fruit and cereal bars, with a bottle of water and orange juice. Bryce passed around the food and they ate, Mira watching the corner for any sign of Drift, Crosshairs and her son. Her heart ached at the thought of him being away from her, but was solidified in peace at the realization he was with allies-friends.
Soon, the two cars re-joined them. Merrick came hustling out of the car, all smiles, and took the bar and fruit which was offered to him by Bryce. He seated himself on Prime's running-board, an action Mira hoped that Prime did not mind, and swung his legs back and forth as they did not touch the ground. Mira seated herself beside him and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
"So," she began, rubbing his shoulders, "the big plan is to get in undetected. Bryce can cover our tracks, make sure we get in past security. How would the scanners go, since the building is probably secure. Could you get us in off the charts?"
Bryce shrugged, "Probably not. It's probably constructed that no one can get in or out without a security badge, as there are probably guards. Any way into the building will require a badge, especially if you want in the back ways," he puffed out a breath, "so that's a problem."
Hound spoke up from his place, "Not really. If you and 'Bee could figure out way to whip up some fake ID's, that'd be easy enough. Or get some pre-existing ones."
Cade gave him a look, "And how're we supposed to do that? Just walk up and ask someone?"
"I never said you had to ask,"
Tessa's head popped up now, frowning. "No way are we stealing anything else!" she exclaimed, "we're already fugitives!"
"Desperate times call for desperate measures, sweetheart," Crosshairs said sarcastically, "that won't be what gets you thrown in the bighouse anyway. It'll be espionage, treason-"
Cade shot him a pointed look, "Would you just stop, please? Thank you."
Mira put up a hand, "Guys, concentrate. Hound's right, we're going to have to jack some ID's from somewhere. Bryce, can you scan any and make duplicates? I'm sure we have enough tech between all these guys to get that done-at least." She looked around to them and then tapped Prime's cab door with a knuckle lightly, "What do you say, Prime?"
Prime contemplated a moment before his engine rumbled with a reply, "I believe Hound is correct as well. We will have to obtain identification that is acceptable to the system illegally." He then continued, "I am looking over the floorplans for the building now. There's a dock in the east side of the building, what they have called a 'scanning bay'-I'm assuming they are scanning some type of vehicles, considering it is in a garage layout." He was quiet a moment before continuing, "That is low-profile enough. Once Cade and Mira are in there, they are not far from the experimental laboratory, where we could find information on technology and weapons."
Bryce asked the next question, "And what about Mira's hunch on the Autobots?"
"Mira will investigate that personally," Optimus said sharply, Mira bristling at her name. Flummoxed, her face distorted into a wrinkled mess, and she looked up at the window. "as I trust her to do the job well."
"Why don't you guys go in and use the holoforms?" Tessa asked quickly. This made everyone look at her, "Can't you do that?"
Optimus answered this question, "As stated before, we do not know the capacity of the technology KSI possesses, meaning we are unable to know if they have the ability to recognize holographic energy signatures, which are unique to our holoforms. It could potentially jeopardize the mission."
Cade nodded in understanding, "Makes sense."
Bryce looked to Bumblebee and crossed his arms over his chest, "Well, looks like we have our mission cards, eh, Bee? Let's go see what we can rustle up for badges." Bumblebee made a series of quirks and clicks, and finally popped open the door. Merrick found this inviting and shot up from his place on the running board.
"I wanna come! Please, please!" He looked with begging eyes to Mira, who shook her head no. He frowned and got a depressed look on his face, pouting slightly. "Aww, Ma! Please!?"
"No way, Scout," Bryce shook his head as well, "you gotta stay here, bud. I'll be back and you can help then, ok?" Merrick crossed his arms and stomped his feet in protest, and Mira frowned at him roughly. He scuffed his foot on the ground, and Bumblebee's radio came to life.
"Maybe next time, squirt." Then, Bryce and Bumblebee left them, making their way towards the KSI building. Merrick shrugged his shoulders and watched them turn the corner, and Mira watched as Crosshairs came up behind the kid and gently touched his grille to the back of the boy's legs, as if to cheer him up.
"Bumblebee's right, kid," he said with forced affection, "your time will come. We'll need you eventually." Mira didn't appreciate his sarcasm, but realized it was as affectionate and sincere as Crosshairs was going to get. She learned to appreciate it.
Merrick did not look relieved, "Hmph." Was all he managed. Then, he seated himself next to Tessa. Mira smiled at him sheepishly, somewhat sorry for her boy's disappointment. She looked to Tessa and stood, walking over to the backpack Cade and abandoned, instead leaning against Drift's fender with his arms crossed. She bent and picked out some of the cash which was left and slipped it into her pocket. She looked at Cade and sighed.
"Well, we'd better get ourselves a decent form of cover. We can't go in like this, we'll be spotted if Savoy is anywhere near, which I don't doubt he is." He looked down to Tessa and grabbed one of the ballcap's Bryce had stashed in the backpack, "Would you mind watching Merrick while I'm gone?"
Tessa smiled and shielded her eyes against the sun. "Yep, sure. I don't mind." She rustled the boys hair, "We'll do something fun, I think."
Mira looked over to Optimus, "We'll be back. Keep in touch, let me know if something happens." She walked towards Crosshairs and gestured him forward, "We'll take Crosshairs with us, if you don't care. I say we'll be back in about an hour."
Optimus replied, "Go. We will watch for you. Don't worry about the boy and girl, we'll take care of them."
Cade nodded and looked at Tessa, "Alright then. We'll be back." He walked over to her, cupped the back of her head in his hand, and pulled her forward for a quick kiss on the forehead. Mira knelt and kissed Merrick's forehead as well and ruffled his hair, winking at him. He shrugged and said nothing.
"Listen to Optimus and Tessa," Mira warned him, "I mean it. Optimus is in charge."
He rolled his eyes. "Fine," he sighed. She gave him a pointed look, "Fine!" he said louder this time. Tessa gave him a slight frown, and then looked up at Mira and shared a he'll-be-fine look. Mira left him and approached Crosshairs. Grabbing the door handle, she popped it open, and the door opened smoothly.
Cade slipped in first, and then she did as well. Seatbelts instantly clicked into place and Crosshairs shifted into first gears, then slowly pulled away from the group. The radio came alive as he stopped before making a decision to turn. "Where we off to, boss?"
"Not sure yet," Mira stated simply. This elicited a stare from Cade and silence from Crosshairs. She looked at Cade strangely, "what?"
He just chuckled sarcastically, "Well, that's a first."
Crosshairs chortled. She slammed her palm against the dashboard and scowled at him, "OW!"
"Shut up and drive," she muttered to him. "Go left."
