Chapter Eight

The ride back seemed a blur, Optimus and I often sat in silence with short interruptions of conversation, and a lot of the time I dozed off. At present, we were taking a short break, giving us both a chance to stretch our legs. We were already over half way back to base, and Optimus was keen on only taking this single break despite the two day trip.

As I was laying in the grass, I heard Optimus begin speaking through his com link to the other Autobots. It was only seconds after that my cell phone went off. It was Lennox.

"Optimus and I are almost back at base, Major." I said when I answered the call.

"Decepticon signals have been spotted near your area. Stay with Optimus, the other Autobots are on their way, and so are we. I have your gear with me, you can suit up when we reach you if there's time, but stay with Optimus until we get there, do you hear me?" There was shouting and helicopters in the background, and I could easily tell that Will was worked up.

"Understood. Where are we supposed to meet you?"

"The Autobots are talking to Optimus right now, he'll know where to go. Stay safe, Captain." And with that he hung up.

I placed my phone back in my pocket as I stood and faced Optimus, who was waiting for me. "The Autobots are on their way, I am to rendezvous with them and engage the Decepticons."

"Optimus, I need to meet up with Will and the team, he has my gear. I'm totally useless without my weapons at least!"

"I'm sure Ironhide may be of some use there. There isn't any time to waste, we must move before the Decepticons cause any harm." I could not argue with the Prime, and I did not hesitate to jump in the passenger side of the semi when he finished transforming. He shifted gears and sped back onto the main road, traveling at a speed beyond illegal.

Bumblebee had met with Optimus and I right away, and it wasn't long until four other Autobots joined us directly. When they first reached Optimus, we stopped so that Ironhide could supply me with some sort of weapon before we were off again.

As we neared the outskirts of the city, we split off into two different groups, Bumblebee followed Optimus while the others took a different route. I shifted my backpack with my belongings onto my shoulders, placing my beret and phone inside. I loaded the weapon that Ironhide had given to me, and went over the mechanics of how it worked that he had explained in my head.

Optimus slowed as we neared an abandoned factory. He came to a full stop, Bumblebee pulling up beside him. "They're inside." Optimus said to us quietly. "I detect only two, and I believe one of them to be Megatron. The children are amongst them, so we must be careful. Bumblebee, you and I will ambush them, but I want you to focus on the children. Captain, you as well. I will distract Megatron until you have left the building." He opened the passenger door, allowing me to exit before he transformed to his bipedal mode, Bumblebee following suit.

I stuck with the camaro as we neared the building, and watched as Optimus climbed onto the roof. As we neared, I could hear screaming on the inside and a deep growling voice. I wanted nothing more than to help whoever was inside. Suddenly, we saw Optimus jump into the air, and slam into the roof of the building, smashing through completely. Bumblebee did not hesitate to join his leader in the action and shot through a large window and jumping inside.

Immediately I saw two people running from the fighting, and Bumblebee was quick to cover them. As I ran along side them, I looked for any others and saw Sam on the ground floor of the building. I looked for a way down and eventually climbed down on pieces of the building. I screamed the kid's name, getting his attention, and lead him away from where Optimus was fighting the two Decepticons. I saw that Bumblebee and the other two people had left the building, and I heard something crash through a wall as Sam and I made our way out. I ran behind Sam as we made our way along the outside of the building, looking for one of the Autobots.

"Captain!" Optimus shouted, his vehicle mode rolling up ahead of us. Sam and I climbed inside and Optimus sped off, away from the building, and up onto to a road that bordered a dense forest. I looked behind us through the side mirror to see the Decepticons following us.

I slapped the steering wheel. "Come on, Optimus, they're on our tail!"

Sam gave me a look. "You're that lady from the cemetery." I rolled my eyes but didn't answer the kid. Optimus pulled off the paved road and into the forest itself, following a dirt road. Sam was now looking back as well. "Oh here he comes, here he comes!"

The Decepticon came crashing through the trees, heading right towards us. Optimus transformed as he drove, sending Sam and I flying. I hit the ground on my back, thankfully my bag had taken some of the impact, however, I still remained winded. I reached for my gun that had landed a distance from myself, finding Sam as well. I pulled him to his feet just as Optimus told us to run.

I grabbed Sam by the arm. "Stay close to me, alright? Optimus will keep us safe." I pulled him forward before he could answer, and while Optimus and the other Decepticon tackled each other, we ran further into the forest. When we were a fair distance from the fight, we stopped behind some trees. I watched as Optimus up-rooted a tree and smashed into this opponent. It was then that the Decepticon called for his team, and two others came crashing to the ground, one of which landed close to us, and proceeded to chase us. I pushed Sam forward, signalling for him to run as I turned to shoot at the Decepticon. The kick was much stronger than any human gun, and took me a few shots to gain control and hit my target.

Sam ran past Optimus and his fight, allowing for two Decepticons to now chase him. Optimus jumped in front of them, however, tackling the biggest one to the ground and initiating another round of fighting. I ran to catch up with Sam, keeping my distance from the fighting while trying my best to get a good target.

"There is another source of Energon hidden on this planet! The boy can lead us to it." A Decepticon said to Optimus before forcing him to the ground and kicking him directly in the face. I couldn't help but gasp, and Sam screamed the Prime's name. My heart leapt to my chest, but I pulled Sam away when I reached him, causing him to follow me as we continued to run. Suddenly, something had crashed directly behind us, sending us into the air and landing next to a fallen tree. I looked to see that it was Optimus that had crashed, and he spat out pieces of metal.

"Is the future of our race not worth a single human life?" The same Decepticon continued. I only assumed that this was Megatron. He was walking toward Optimus, who still was on the ground. I pushed Sam up against the tree, hoping that he was at least somewhat hidden from the enemy. I stepped closer to Optimus, crouching next to his face.

"Optimus, we have to get out of here! Come on, we have to get to the other Autobots."

His blue optics focused on me, and I watched as they softened slightly. "Keep Sam safe." He got into a crouch, releasing a blade from one of his hands. Speaking to Megatron now, he answered. "You'll never stop at one. I'll take you all on!" He spun to face the three Decepticons, and I watched in awe as he stood his ground, successfully evading shots fired in his direction. He climbed onto one of the Decepticons, and using hooked blades, ripped it's face clean off, killing the damned thing. I shuffled closer to Sam behind the tree as I heard Optimus call out for us.

"Maria! Where are you?" He seemed frantic, so I stood to my full height, peering over the tree. I spotted Optimus to my left, and stuck my arm up to wave in order to get his attention. As I did, I saw Megatron leap from the ground behind him, sending a blade piercing through the Prime's back.

Optimus cried out in pain, and grasped at his chest. I couldn't help but scream, causing Sam to shoot up beside me to see what was going on. I aimed my weapon at the Decepticon and began firing shots, which only gave our position away, signalling another Decepticon to come in our direction. Sam followed as I ran from the tree towards Optimus, and Megatron then fired his cannon through Optimus, sending metal flying. I stopped in my tracks as I watched Optimus go limp, and he crumbled to the ground. Sam ran towards him, disbelief in his eyes.

The Prime's optics flickered. "Sam, run." Optimus' gaze traveled until we made eye contact. Nothing was said, but I watched as the light left him as he released a heavy sigh. I choked on a sob, my hand reaching up to cover my mouth. I fell to my knees as Sam turned to me, tear tracks on his own dirty face.

"Lady, we have to go, come on!" He yanked on my arm, causing me to focus. At the sound of crushing trees as the Decepticons headed towards us, I stood up and ran, making sure that Sam stayed beside me. We neared the road, and it was then that the other Autobots came racing towards us. Bumblebee was in his vehicle mode, no doubt carrying the other two kids. Sam ran towards the Camaro, wasting no time climbing inside. I stopped and turned, firing my gun at the Decepticons that followed us, taking special aim at Megatron. Bumblebee began driving off, and as the Decepticons realized they were far outnumbered, transformed into their jet modes and took off.

Ratchet turned and faced me. "Where is Optimus?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I looked up at the Autobot. "He's dead."

"What? Where is he? I'm a medical officer, take me to him! Quickly, girl!" He demanded. The other Autobots with us followed too as I led them into the forest where Optimus lay. I watched hopelessly as Ratchet ran towards his leader, checking for vital signs and doing what he thought might help. I couldn't blame him, I would have done the same. I heard Ironhide contact Will behind me to inform him of the news and giving him the coordinates of our location.

"Doctor?" Ironhide stepped closer. "We're meeting NEST at the New Jersey base, they have a helicarrier on its way to pick up the Prime." Ratchet said nothing and stood to his full height, looking down upon his lifeless leader.

"I never imagined it would end like this." Ratchet said quietly.

To see how broken the Autobots here were over this loss only fueled more emotion within me. "I'll stay with Optimus and help the soldiers on the helicarrier. I'll meet you all at base, alright?"

"I don't think Optimus would want us to leave you here alone, little lady." Ironhide said.

"It's fine, they won't take long. The Decepticons aren't coming back here, they're after Sam."

"Bee's got the kid safe." Ironhide sighed. "All right. Keep hidden though, just in case." With that, he transformed and lead the others out of the forest.

I was alone now. I waited until they were out of sight before I made my way closer to Optimus. It was so strange, it was only this morning we were driving together, heading back to base from our trip together. I had learned a lot from him, he was eager to share with me information about his home planet and culture. I sat on the dirt next to his face, looking at his now empty optics.

I couldn't believe it. Tears welled in my eyes as I hugged my knees to my chest. I couldn't remember the last time I cried. But everything had gotten so quiet the moment Optimus' eyes went dark. I couldn't explain it, and I was sure that the rest of the Autobots were in just as much grief, if not more. To lose a beloved leader such as the Prime, it was nothing short of devastating.

In the distance I heard the helicarrier nearing my location, but I paid it no mind. I stayed sitting on the ground, tears streaming from my eyes without any signs of stopping. A hand suddenly rested on my back, and I looked up to see a soldier addressing me. I stood up and followed him into the helicarrier, my head down. I strapped in tightly and waited until they had attached the cords to the Prime. When everyone was aboard we took off and headed towards the New Jersey base where everyone else was waiting.