Convoy

(S1; EP9)

Two Weeks Later

"Zelda."

I groaned and twisted away from the voice.

"Zelda," this time the voice was accompanied by a nudge over a bond and I stirred, lifting my head to see Ratchet standing there, arms crossed and not looking at all amused, "Finally."

"Huh?"

Ratchet sighed like he'd lost part of his will to live, and I blinked, "I've been trying to wake you for two minutes."

"Oh. Sorry," I rolled into my back and pushed myself up, my hammock swung gently as I did. I rubbed my eyes, "What time is it?"

"Half nine."

I blinked owlishly, "Really?"

"Yes," Ratchet sighed again, "I hadn't seen you at your normal time, so I came to get you up."

I slipped my legs over the side of the hammock. The sight of the prosthetic leg was still something that hit me, even after having it for just over a week already. It didn't take me nearly as long to get used to my arm, but maybe the shock in how I lost it in comparison to how I lost my arm. This time around I'd lost it from frostbite, suffered for a few days as my body tried to cure it but failed, and then had it amputated. I'd been sitting around and going easy since—my arm had been cut off while I was out; one moment I had it, the next not.

I sighed and shook my head, pushing the thoughts aside as I stood. I had no real feeling from the prosthetic, but Ratchet had installed fake nerve ends—or the equivalent for Cybertronians as they didn't feel the same way as humans. It sent signals to my thigh which stimulated my nerves. It was more sensitive than my human foot and it took a bit for me to adjust to having the prosthetic.

I turned to Ratchet only to see his holoform gone. Never mind. I got on with my morning routine and started towards the hub once I was dressed. I still bore a bit of a limp but over time I'd be walking normally again, just some practice was required.

I wasn't feeling particularly hungry, so I didn't both going to get breakfast.

=Prime!= Fowlers voice through the comm startled me and I stopped abruptly. What had I missed? I hurried over as Optimus and Arcee did too, =Prime!=

I grimaced and climbed the stairs, waving off the look Ratchet gave me for moving so quickly. I was fine, just a bit sore.

"Special Agent Fowler, to what do we owe?" Optimus questioned.

=What else? 'Cons!= Fowler snapped back.

I glowered at the screen in annoyance because… well, I was just annoyed—maybe it was because Fowler was, you know, shouting?

=I chased them off with some hard ordnance, but not before they blew me out the sky.=

"Again?" Miko snickered.

I turned, not having noticed they were there. Right, it was a Saturday.

=They tried a smash-and-grab for the D.N.G.S,= Fowler ignored Miko—or he just hadn't heard, who knows.

But yeah, I'd heard talk about that, I scratched the back of my neck trying to recall just what exactly the D.N.G.S was. I could remember seeing some blueprints of the design back when D.A.A was still a thing. It had been in the works for years. Honestly, I don't get why people still want to test with nuclear stuff.

"The… what's it?" Arcee asked.

"Dynamic nuclear generation system, also known as D.N.G.S. don't ask me why they decided on that name of all things," I chimed in, watching as Fowler nodded.

=It's a prototype energy source. I'm porting it to the coast for testing.=

"That's absurd," Ratchet scoffed, "Why would Starscream bother with such primitive technology?"

=I'm guessing to make a big fat primitive weapon of mass destruction. If this baby were to melt down, it would irradiate this state and the four next door.=

"Uhh, did Agent Fowler say what state he was currently in?" Raf questioned, tone nervous. I moved over and pat his head.

"This place works as a fallout shelter too." I winked playfully and Raf sighed.

=I'm a sitting duck here, Prime,= Fowler obviously ignored us this time, =I need you to spin up your bridge and send the D.N.G.S to its destination before the 'Cons come back for it.=

"I'm afraid that sending such a volatile device through a Ground Bridge is out of the question. If there were to be an accident during its transmission, the radiation of which you speak could propagate through the Ground-Bridge vortex and harm all fifty states and beyond," Optimus argued.

Fowler sighed, =You got any better ideas?=

"We shall transport it manually, Agent Fowler," Optimus dipped his chin.

I slowly turned towards Ratchet, and he turned to me. I stared and he stared back.

"What's with the staring contest?" Miko questioned.

I shifted my expression into the quote-unquote unignorable puppy stare as dubbed by Bee.

"Zelda wants to go," Arcee smirked, arms crossed as everyone turned to watch the ultimate showdown. "She's testing his—"

"Fine." Ratchet waved, gaze jerking way, "Just stop staring at me like that."

I grinned, "Thanks, Ratch'. I'll go get ready.

I jumped from the second floor, ignoring Ratchet's "Be careful!" and rushed back to my room. My leg was surprisingly okay with the fall. Which is great, because that means I could start up my work out again after this.

Optimus's trailer rocked and I grasped onto the strap so I wasn't thrown about. I sighed, listening as Fowl pressed Optimus's horn at an obvious slow driver in front.

Eventually, it seemed the car moved out of the way for Optimus as he speeds up a few, seemingly to overtake without actually steering around.

But the sound of a helicopter overhead was loud, even over the rattling of Optimus's trailer.

=Remain in vehicular mode unless absolutely necessary,= Optimus ordered and I grimaced.

=A whole team of 'Cons,= Fowler commented, and I frowned, I didn't feel any—at least any that weren't drones, but even then I could get a feel, however faint that might be.

=What? I'm not picking up anything,= Ratchet rebuffed, =They must be utilizing a cloaking technology.=

"I don't know, if they were bots, I'd feel them, remember?" I piped up, "But I'm not getting anything. Zilch! So unless they managed to keep the All-Spark at bay, then I don't think their Decepticons."

It was silent over the comm for a moment before: =Well, I'll be dipped! You were right, Larsson.=

I just groaned, "Great. I could deal with 'Cons, but now I have to socialize with humans? Uh, I don't care if we have to fight them, it means socializing in some way."

=Zelda, you're anti-social behaviour can get over itself,= Ratchet commented dryly and over the quiet sniggers of the kids.

=But why would a human want the D.N.G.S?= Raf inquired. Good question.

=Oh, please. Taking on our bots? They're roadkill,= Miko scoffed.

I peered over at Arcee before pressing my back against the trailer, a bad feeling settling in my stomach. I yelped when Optimus swerved suddenly and there was a small explosion. I hissed, a hand subconsciously reaching up to cover the closet ear to the explosion.

Optimus sped up as Fowler questioned: =Who are these guys?=

=Autobots, maintain your cover and apply minimal force. Disarmament only,= Optimus ordered.

I heard the helicopter overhead again as a car came up the other side of Optimus. There was a loud thud, and from what I could garner, one of the bots had been that side also.

There was another swerve, baring right this time and it sounded like—

=I hope you take better care of the D.N.G.S than you do your captives,= a voice came over the comm and I froze, breathless.

Primus—it wasn't possible. He… I…

I know Silas's voice anywhere.

I choked on my breath.

=This is Special Agent William Fowler. Identity yourself.=

=I am Silas. But of greater consequence to you, we are MECH. Fair warning—we will be helping ourselves to your device, even if it means inflicting casualties.=

=Is that so? Tell me, Si, what's the market price for a D.N.G.S these days?=

=What makes you think we intend to sell it, Agent Fowler? Surely, Agent Larsson has told you all about us? There's a war brewing between the new world order and the newest. The victor will be the side armed with the most innovative technology.=

I snarled, pure anger erupting. When I get my hands on him, I'm going to kill him like I did Aven. I stood, very much intending on going out and firing at the helicopter but Arcee transformed and grabbed me before I could.

"Let me go, Arcee," I hissed.

"No. Not until you calm down." She snapped back, pulling me against her chassis and closer to her spark. She sent a pulse of calm-relax-ease. I slumped in her grip.

"Not fair," I tremored in anger.

"Shh, it's okay," She hummed and continued to send the calm-relax-ease over. It didn't help when the others did so too. Traitors.

I was brought from my stewing as something connected with the back of Optimus' trailer. Arcee set me down again and transformed back, "Best stand back just in case, Zelda."

I grumpily did so but the minor explosion nearly knocked me from my feet. I slid behind the D.N.G.S as the back of the trailer began sliding up and open.

Arcee activated her holoform and as the MECH soldier began to possibly get ready to jump into the back of the trailer, drove out. I heard the sounds of a car overturning.

=So, Si, you think MECH has all the most radical tech?=

I smirked.

=Later, Si.=

I moved to the back of the trailer, where the controls were and shut the door again.

=Optimus, prepare to initiate phase two,= Ratchet's voice came over the comm, =Five miles ahead, to the South, you will reach the rendezvous point.=

The road turned swervey and there was minimal communications over the commlink as we approached the transfer point.

=Autobots, keep a tight formation.=

With that, I grabbed tightly onto a loose wall strap and braced myself as Optimus drove off the road and down the minor hill to drive beside the train.

I opened the back door immediately, where Arcee swung herself back into the trailer. I unclasped the D.N.G.S and Bumblebee transformed, climbing onto the train, knocking on the freight door where it was opened.

Arcee transferred the D.N.G.S first then me, where we closed the door again.

I heard them drift away from the train to regain formation.

=Larsson!= Fowler's voice startled me to focus, =We've got a problem!=

"Problem? What problem?" I snapped backed.

=Silas wised up to phase two and is coming for the train.=

"Shit," I focused my hearing, blocking out the rattling train to listen for the familiar sound of a helicopter. I could hear it faintly, so they were getting closer.

=Zelda,= Ratchet's voice brought me back, =Can you hear or see them?=

"Affirmative. They'll reach the train in a matter of moments if my hearings correct. We have two soldiers and myself on here. At most, there should only be four available people on the helicopter to even attempt the steal."

=You think you can take them?= Miko questioned curiously and I could hear the excitement in her tone.

I eyed the two soldiers, "Yes. My only worry is the weapons MECH have."

I heard the helicopter above the train, and in a sudden realisation, I jumped into the air, grabbing the fabric straps that were strung across the ceiling. I held my legs up just as the other two soldiers went down. I could feel the electricity funnel through the metal absently.

"Okay, a bit of a change in plan. MECH just used a type of taser to knock everyone else out. Should've known they'd use that," I dropped back down and cursed out loud, not caring I'd just done so over the commlink.

=Zelda, are you alright?=

"M'fine Ratch', I clocked a bit too late and didn't manage to warn the soldiers. I should be enough to guard the D.N.G.S however. MECH wouldn't risk trying to go through me, they fear me too much after what I did to their previous leader," I smirked cruelly, a deep-seated satisfaction burned in my chest at the memory.

I pulled the side door open to peer up, "MECH are planning to land on top of the train."

=In about 20 seconds, you're gonna come to a fork,= Raf reported, =Brace yourself.=

I did, feeling and watching, as the train changed course.

A snide: =And what have I been saying all along about earth technology?= from Ratchet when Raf was out hacked.

I rolled my eyes.

"So, what'd that buy me?" I asked, eyeing the helicopter from the door again, then absently mumbled: "Minute at most."

=Raf is losing his touch,= Miko chimed. I ignored her and listened as they landed on the roof. They began cutting through said roof.

I transformed my arm and aimed it.

The cut-out fell and I warmed my cannon, the first underling appeared and I fired. He screamed and there were several thuds as he fell from the train. If not dead, severely injured.

=Zelda?!= Ratchet's worried voice came over the comm.

"Trying to fight here!" I snapped back quickly.

The next two appeared with their guns ready, the second was an easy discard but I had to dodge the third as he fired at me.

Before I could fire at the fourth, he retreated back in the helicopter. What?

I looked out, watching as they flew ahead. What were they doing?

My eyes widened in realisation as Silas lent out the window, large gun in hand, "Fuck!"

=Zelda? What in Primus' name is wrong?=

"Their gonna blow the track up!"

=Hold on Zelda,= Optimus' voice broke through the worried chatter of the children.

It was a seconds before Optimus rushed past me and towards the front of the train. Then a matter of feet away from the front he transformed, running and grabbing it. He dug his heels in, but he was dragged through the earth. But despite the dragging, it was obvious he was slowing the train down and I grabbed onto a strap again as I stumbled.

The squealing of the wheels grated at my eardrums.

We stopped short of just going over the broken track. I slumped against the side of the train, "I just remember why I was against joining another sector for the government besides NEST after D.A.A," I groaned, "I hate all the near-death experiences."

Miko sniggered—which, rude.

I jumped out of the train as Optimus stood upright, "You are unharmed?"

"Perfectly fine," I smiled, opening the bond briefly just enough so that he could feel what I was. Other than being sore, I was fine, but it had nothing to do with today, just my leg.

Optimus and I both turned to the sound of the helicopter. They lingered and I bared my teeth as they flew away.

"If I ever see him again, I'm killing him," I stated, voice bland.

Optimus vented but said nothing. I felt his acceptance over the bond. That was enough for me—even Optimus was not all-forgiving.

=Any harm to either of you?= Ratchet asked.

I pursed my lips with the realisation the kids had heard me just admit to predetermined murder. I was in anguish at the idea of explaining just why I was out for Silas's blood, but I wasn't going to deny them the truth if they asked.

=Negative, Ratchet. Just… some old haunts,= Optimus rumbled softly.