Thirty-Nine
…
The passenger car was actually a dining car; there really was no ordained place to sleep aboard the car. Mira and Tessa had managed to find something for them to eat—the dining car had an abundance of chips, soups, and milk to choose from. After a relatively hot meal, Cade and Bryce searched some of the adjoining passenger cars for any type of restroom to clean up in. They had, and they'd each spent the evening taking turns freshening up in the sink and regaining their composure.
Everyone had been quiet—no one had said much of anything, given the fact that Mira had seemed to close up in herself. Bryce watched his sister as she stroked his nephew's hair, sending the boy right back to sleep, now content with a full stomach and a somewhat clean state. They'd occupied a couch; Mira beginning to doze, with a blank look in her eyes. Bryce knew this look—it was the same look she had when she'd learned that NEST was being disbanded, and it was the same look she had at Will's burial: a look of lostness, grief, and confusion. It was only briefly ten minutes of having to witness her blank look before she fell asleep, breathing deeply; Merrick snoring softly, his head in his mother's lap.
It felt good, to be back together with the Autobots; Bryce wasn't going to lie. He'd missed these days of action, of unity and togetherness. The Autobots had become a part of the Savage-Lennox family; Mira and Bryce had adopted them, and Bryce got the idea that the Autobots had adopted them as well, though most of them (save Bumblebee and Optimus, or perhaps Drift even) would deny it. He got the sense they too were relieved to be with their friends and allies yet again, given the circumstances. How Bryce wished they could be together—and stay together—in times of peace, like they had been before. But, the Government had ruined that beautiful idea of serenity and peace.
How Bryce despised Cemetery Wind and KSI, though he was under the impression that Joshua Joyce was truly trying to pursue science and discover the undiscovered—Bryce could see it in the man's eyes that he wasn't just all about the money—though, money was a motivator he assumed—but that he truly marveled at these Cybertronians and had the drive and desire to see how they worked. He figured Joyce was deceived by KSI into believing the Autobots were bad for the country—a deception which Bryce perceived would be broken in the coming days.
There was war coming, he could sense it. Lockdown was not about to leave his bounty behind—though they'd heard on the radio that the ship had left back into space, Bryce had the growing suspicion that he'd be back—and hotter than a pistol. In his experience, villians didn't seem to take to the idea of being whipped too easily, and once Lockdown returned, he'd bring hell on wheels with him. And If Optimus was right about the Galvatron prototype—when was Optimus ever wrong was the begging question—then they were in more trouble then Bryce understood.
Which made him all the more concerned—how much destruction and death this time? That was the downfall of the Autobots: as hard as they fought for Earth and for people, their efforts always seemed to end in destruction and/or human death. Bryce understood that people got caught in the crossfire, yes, but the government and the world did not understand that. They saw human death and collateral damage as a direct attack against them.
Bryce's thought process was interrupted as Cade sank into the chair beside him. He cracked open a Coke and downed a large gulp of it. Bryce had discarded his own Coke in the side-table next to his seat, along with Tessa's half drank water bottle. Cade nestled into the chair, looking somewhat content and put back together—at least he wasn't caked with dirt. He had some cuts and bruises, now looking halfway manageable now that the dirt and grime were washed away. Bryce realized the man was actually not bad looking; he could see that Cade attracted the ladies—he was good looking, funny, and seemed like a reliable guy. He was different from Will, but possessed the same manliness that Bryce expected from all country- boys: Cade knew how to navigate life. He wasn't a city-slicker boy who took his truck into the shop for an oil change; he changed the oil himself and fixed the car with his own two hands. He knew how to fix things, how to make them work, and how to be strong. He wasn't afraid to work with his hands—evident by callouses and scars on his knuckles.
Yes, Bryce liked this Cade Yeager. He appreciated his honesty and his gutspa, and he especially appreciated the man's strong, quiet faith. What was disturbing to him though was Cade's explicit interest in Mira—Bryce knew how men looked at women, he'd been down that road himself with his late wife. Cade had that look, that stare in his eyes that alerted Bryce to the possibility that this man was interested in his sister, and not just for a friendship-based relation. Usually an inquiry into a man's intention with Mira was their father's department—but, seeing as their father wasn't here, Bryce decided the question wouldn't hurt. After all, he looked after his sister, even when she resided in Texas and he in the mountainous hills of Montana. Yes, this man liked his sister.
They were quiet until Tessa came out of the restroom, hair wet and tied into a low braid. She was a beautiful girl with hair the color of honey-laden wheat fields, with full lips and piercing eyes. Tessa also seemed very sweet, Bryce could see that in the way she interacted with Merrick. He wondered if the girl took after her mother. She put two chairs together, stretched out and said a quiet good-night, and rolled over onto her side. Within moments she was breathing rhythmically, the sun dropping under the horizon and casting a beginning darkness. The car began to grow dark before Bryce shifted in his seat to address Cade.
"You doing okay?" He asked, concerned. Once, long ago, he'd been a civilian thrust into this war; he knew the hardships and the shock, the realization that your life was never going to be the same. Cade looked at him, rested his hand on his knee, and puffed out a breath.
"Okay as can be, I guess," he scratched the back of his knee, "I mean, I've lost everything, but I'm okay. Asking God what in the heck is going on, but okay." Bryce chuckled at this and nodded slowly. He settled farther into his chair.
"It all doesn't seem real, does it?" Bryce asked him, only slightly probing for answers. Cade nodded slowly and sighed again, casting a look over to Tessa and then to Mira and Merrick. A look settled on his face—and Bryce knew for sure in that instance that something had happened between them.
"No, it sure doesn't. I guess I didn't think meeting a woman would result in the apocalypse." He looked over to Bryce, and noted his expression, "Hey, man, you're sister attractive; you can't deny that as a guy. She's strong and has spunk, guts. I like that."
Bryce frowned, "What are you getting at?"
Cade shrugged a shoulder, "Nothing. Only that she could be an option for me," he shot a sideways look at him and then quickly interjected, "but I know her situation and her sensitivity. I understand she isn't ready. But..."
"...but you would still be interested?" He didn't think Mira was quite ready for another lover yet; she still missed Will, he could read it in her eyes n; but he wasn't Gouod and he knew that God worked swiftly when He wanted to. Though, Bryce suspected that Cade was in their life for a reason, and it wasn't just for kicks. He suspected that Cade was the next addition to their family unit, though he didn't know how long along the lines that would be—but he did know something was going on between him and Mira, because not only did Cade look at her the way a man looks at a woman, but Mira looked at him with that same growing, cautious look. She had with Will, and she was looking with Cade.
To reply, Cade nodded. "Yes. Mira's different..I think thing's happen for a reason."
Bryce could roll with that, but he decided to let him in on a secret. "Let me give you a piece of advice when it comes to my sister. I know her pretty well," he shifted in his seat and pointed at her, whispering, "Mira has struggled her entire life with acceptance. She's had handfuls of people betray her and leave her behind because of her passion." He continued, "Will was the only person who had ever really appreciated Mira's passion outside our family. He saw her for what she was, and he saw a beautiful person with a beautiful spirit, and we appreciated that. He shared her vision." He looked to Mira and Merrick, who were snoozing comfortably now. He swallowed, Cade looking at him expectantly, "Now, I like you, Cade. You seem like an honest guy. But I swear to God if you hurt her I'll kill you. And I'm not the only one...Optimus would probably, too."
"Are you giving me your blessing in a really vague way, or am I spitballing here?" His flippant tone alarmed Bryce, but then he realized the man was serious by the look on his face. This actually made Bryce chuckled and he settled back into his chair and rested his head against the back of it, sighing deeply.
"I'm telling you I'll pray about it, but it ain't my place to give you a blessing or not. That's our Dad's department." He kicked the chair back and closed his eyes, "I'm just saying I'll kick your butt if you even think about leading my sister on and then hurting her. Done it before, I'll do it again."
Cade chuckled and set his can on the floor between their two chairs. He leaned his chair back as well and turned on his side. "Well then, I don't think you'll have to worry—because I'm pretty sure I'm not going anywhere. I'm glad we had this talk." Then there was quiet.
Within moments, both of them had fallen asleep.
…
Merrick was the first one up the next morning—well, it wasn't quite morning, but it was nearly six when he heard the revving of an engine outside the window. He sat there, quietly, watching the adults—not one of them moved. They were like dead people, and Merrick watched his mother's chest, just to be sure she was actually breathing. Satisfied that she was, he slipped off her lap and scurried to the empty chair in the corner by the window.
Peering over the ledge, he was half expecting to have to look down to see the car revving its engine. But, he was surprised when he could see the very top of Optimus Prime's semi mode sitting just outside the window. The truck was very awesome—he loved semi's—and the red neon beneath it was even cooler! Merrick, curious, managed to pop the window out of place and lower it, opening it and being blasted with a dry breeze. He stuck his head out the window and the semi's window rolled down.
"Good morning, Merrick." Optimus said. His "body form"-Mom called them holoforms—appeared, one elbow leaning out the window. He gave a small smile at him. "Is your mother awake?"
"Good morning to you too, Optimus." He didn't call him Uncle Optimus in front of him, since Merrick wasn't sure if he'd like that or not. He answered the next question, "No, Mom isn't awake. I'm the only one up."
Optimus chuckled. "Of course you are." The semi quieted, but the neon was still blaring on as bright as it could, like a star trek ship. Merrick couldn't get over how cool it was! Then, Optimus smiled at him and wiggled his index finger toward himself to gesture Merrick to come, "Come out here, boy. Let's talk."
Unhesitating, Merrick nodded and replaced the window and scurried off the chair. Tiptoeing—overdramatically—passed the adults, he came to the door and managed to slip out it and click it closed softly. He felt very much like a spy—or perhaps even a samurai, like Drift. He launched himself off the boarding steps and hit the gravel along the tracks, sliding slightly as he did. He hustled towards the semi, rounding to the driver's side, and stared up at the open window. The man looked down at him and popped open the door. "Come on up, young one." He offered a hand to Merrick, and Merrick reached for it. Optimus grabbed his wrist and practically hoisted him up. He set Merrick on his lap, Merrick facing the huge steering wheel.
"I'm not in trouble, am I?" Was his first reaction. Usually when he was in trouble grown ups wanted to "talk". Optimus' deep chuckle reminded him a thunderstorm—Merrick liked thunderstorms; they were cool. Optimus replied.
"No, no. I simply wanted to ask you a few questions about...us."
Merrick wrinkled his brow, and Optimus shifted him on his lap so he could face him. Merrick tipped his head to the side, "What do you mean?"
"Merrick," he got serious, looking the boy in the eye, "Do you understand who I am? And my men? Do you understand where we come from?"
Merrick had to think. Yeah—they were robots that were a lot like people, and they came from a planet called Cybertron. Optimus was like the leader, and they were at war with really bad guys—like Lockdown, the guy who had taken his Mom on that huge ship. He wasn't sure why they were here on Earth, only that their home was a very far away place.
"I guess," he began to intertwine his fingers in between themselves, "You guys are robots, but like humans. You live very far away."
"We used to live far away," Optimus corrected, "On a planet called-"
"-Cybertron, yeah. I know that part. And you're in charge, like the king."
This made him crack a smile and chuckle. Merrick very much liked Optimus Prime. He was very nice and calm. He liked the way his eyes sparkled, and the way he talked. Merrick also liked that Optimus was very powerful and strong, and that he liked his mom and him. Merrick felt safe with Optimus, that he could trust him and know that he would fight to keep them safe all the time. Optimus replied, "I suppose you could say that." He thought a minute and ruffled Merrick's hair—why did grown ups do that?-before he said something else, "Merrick, do you know what happened to my home?"
Merrick shook his head. "No."
"My home was destroyed by a man called Megatron—he is very evil," he added, in a warning tone, "He is very much like that Galvatron I fought on the highway," he got a sad look on his face and looked away from Merrick, "he waged war against me to rule my people."
"He wants to be you?" Merrick asked, wrinkling his brow, "Or have your job?"
Optimus nodded, "That's right, yes. And he followed me here to your home, many years before you were born. That's how I came to know your Mother."
Merrick nodded in understanding, looking to the dash of the semi. I was lit up with red neon and yellow light, all the gauges visible and beautiful looking. Merrick reached up and swatted at the necklace hanging around the rear-view once, then turned back to Optimus, "Yeah, I know. Mom loves you very much. I think she missed you."
Optimus replied, "And I love your mother very much too. I missed her too—and you."
"You knew me?"
Optimus laughed now, "Oh, yes. I was there the day you were born, you just didn't know it. I actually drove your Mother and Father home from the hospital." He smiled softly, "You think you are small now? Well, you were even smaller then." He winked, "And you were very precious, to all of us. I held you a few times, even."
Merrick's eyes widened, "You did?" He thought he was joking, "And you mean you didn't drop me, or lose me? You're so big!"
Optimus laughed again, "No, I didn't. I was very nervous, but your Mother assured me otherwise. All of us grew to love you very much. It was difficult when you and your mother and father had to leave. We thought about you often."
Merrick nodded, "Well, I don't remember."
Optimus nodded, "I know."
They were quiet a long time, and they both watched the sun begin to rise. It was a big ball of orange, and beautiful colors of pink, purple, yellow, and orange were painted across the sky. Merrick thought of his dad, and how he was in heaven with Jesus. He didn't remember much about his dad, but for some reason he did miss him and wanted to know him more and see him.
"Merrick," Optimus began, "I feel you should know something, something that will be very hard." Merrick looked at him and shrugged a shoulder. Optimus grabbed both his arms and sat him on his lap, so he was directly facing him now. Merrick was sitting on his knees and locked eyes with Optimus as he continued, "Me and my men will be leaving very soon, for it is dangerous for us to be here on Earth now."
"Because of the bad guys, right? Those guys who tried to kill us at the farm?"
Optimus nodded again, and Merrick realized that Optimus looked like he might cry. They could cry? He continued, "That is right. So, we will be leaving you very shortly-"
"-but you can't," Merrick shook his head. He did not have emotion in his voice, only reason, and a complete seriousness had stolen his childlike expression. Optimus shook his head,
"You are not understanding-"
"-but if you leave, Optimus, who will stop the bad guys? Mom says you always stop the bad guys. If you go away, they'll come after Mom and me and Cade and Tessa and Uncle Bryce! You can't leave!"Optimus just stared at him, and Merrick pouted, "II know humans have tried to hurt you guys and kill you," Merrick said softly, "But humans make mistakes. We do bad stuff—which is why we have jails and policemen and hospitals. But, just because some of us do bad stuff doesn't mean all of will." He looked to the train, "My Mom doesn't do bad stuff to you guys. Neither does Cade or Uncle Bryce or Tessa. I don't do bad stuff to you, do I?"
He didn't respond, only looked at the boy,his eyes watering. Merrick hadn't meant for him to cry. But, Merrick continued, thinking he was doing a pretty good job, "So...just because those bad men do stuff that's wrong doesn't mean we all do stuff wrong. Please don't leave because of them." He reached for the necklace around Optimus' neck, which had the same symbol as his Mom's necklace— Merrick understood it to be the Autobot symbol. "You guys are strong...I know they can't hurt you. Give the rest of us a chance, please, Optimus."
Merrick still had the symbol resting in his palm, and Optimus reached up and fisted his hand around the symbol and Merrick's own hand. Merrick looked up at him to see that his cheeks were wet, and Merrick apologized, "I'm sorry to make you cry."
"You do not have to be," Optimus chuckled, "You are a very smart young boy, Merrick. I am proud of you." He patted the fisted hand with his other and smiled crookedly at Merrick, "And I am honored that you are a part of my family."
"Does that mean I can call you Uncle Optimus now?"
The man stopped for a moment and laughed. He laughed for a long time, the entire cab of the semi shaking slight as he did so. Merrick felt his laugh through the floorboards and the seat, and through the steering wheel as it was pressing into his back as he leaned against it. He didn't understand what was so funny until Optimus replied, "Yes, Merrick. You may call me Uncle Optimus if you so desire."
Merrick beamed, "Cool." He looked to the clock on the dashboard, which had neon blue numbers, and saw that it was six thirty. Pretty soon, he saw the lights in the train click on, and heard his name as the adults were calling for him inside the car. "Oops. Better get back inside."
"That you should," Optimus opened the door for him and helped him down, nodding to the train car, "Tell you're mother to be ready in an hour, Merrick."
Merrick nodded fast, "Okay!" He jetted away from the semi and back toward the train, hopping up the steps and walking through the door. He peaked around the corner again and watched Optimus reverse back towards the ship, the rising sun glinting off the roof of the cab.
Merrick smiled—such a cool semi.
