Chapter 17

I do not own anything from Transformers.

I am so sorry for the delays. I am working on an actual book to be published, and that has taken up most of my time, besides work, life, you know the drill.

Anyway, I am playing catch up. You guys are great.

"Would you have let him get captured if we told you our plans?" Gabby asked an annoyed Ironhide as they regrouped in the bunker in Arizona.

Gabby stood on the holographic map and had her arms crossed as the other Autobots complained about not being told what Gabby and Optimus' plans were.

Ironhide thought for a moment and said, "No, we have been separated enough, but we don't need our leader destroyed either."

"He won't be. Lockwood will need him for his experiments," Gabby reasoned.

Ironhide suddenly pulled his cannon on Barricade and growled, "Did you know about this?"

Gabby sighed as Barricade pulled his and both mechs charged their cannons on each other.

"No, you stupid mech. She pointed a damn gun at my spark to fool me. Why would Optimus tell me? I will kick your aft soon brother," Barricade snarled back.

"Enough!" Ratchet yelled. "I know Optimus and Gabby here had a good reason not to tell us. She's right, they need him since they can't figure how to clone Orianna correctly."

"Have you heard from Orianna yet Gabby?" Deserae asked looking down at Gabby.

Gabby shook her head, and clutched the radio receiver Optimus gave her. "Not yet."

Gabby looked around at the rest of the Autobots and knew they were ready for a fight, but they had to have some patience. She was just as worried about Optimus, but knew they had to make a sacrifice to stop Lockwood since no one else would.

They didn't understand that if Lockwood was able to create his super weapon he could control everything and everyone not just on Earth, but into space as well. This technology that he was trying to create was not something that was to be tampered with.

Ratchet and the rest of the Autobots looked up, and cannons, guns and every imaginable weapon began to charge for battle.

"I am sensing human presence," Ratchet said.

Gabby stepped down from the map, and stood behind Deserae.

The Autobots were ready in defensive mode, but the knock at the door that Gabby created as a code word made them relax.

Ironhide opened it slightly, and Gabby could hear a few words here and there, and she finally started to relax as Will Lennox and a few of his men entered the bunker.

Gabby was so relieved to see him healthy and moving. She had never known what happened to him until Mearing finally told her after she was rescued.

Gabby came out from behind Deserae and ran into his waiting arms. The two friends hugged tightly, and Gabby could feel her eyes tearing up.

"I am so happy to see you," she whispered to him.

Will laughed lightly. "You too! It was touch and go for a little bit, but I'm fixed."

Will looked around, and nodded to all of the Autobots, and said, "It has been confirmed that Optimus Prime is being held by Lockwood."

Gabby nodded as they separated. "That was our plan. Do you have any other intel?"

Will nodded as the other soldiers scattered and greeted the other Autobots. Most of the soldiers were old NEST troops that had been taken off active duty or reassigned.

Will flinched a little in surprise as he spotted Barricade standing there, but turned back to Gabby.

"I never thought I would see the day," he whispered to her.

Gabby smiled as Barricade grunted. He had heard Will.

"Orianna saved him. I am not sure if I ever told you," she replied.

Will looked over in surprise, and then shook his head. "I guess everyone has their reasons."

Barricade grunted again, and mumbled about stupid humans, but Gabby ignored it.

"He is helping us," she said.

Will scratched the back of his head still having doubts, and said, "All right."

"What do you have for us Will?" Ironhide asked.

Will walked over to a table, and Gabby watched in continued amazement as all of the Autobots transformed into vehicle mode, and activated their holoforms.

Will laid out a more human size map of the United States, and Gabby could see an area in Kansas marked in red.

"Here is what we know so far; everything that Lockwood is doing is backed by powerful private and government entities. The intelligence on the enemy coming to Earth is overwhelming, and it has them running scared which Lockwood is taking advantage of," Will began as he pointed to the map.

"That is nothing new," Ratchet commented.

"There is another thing," Lennox said looking over at Ratchet.

"What?"

"They drained some of Optimus' energon, and were able to get the super weapon to come online with a human made spark. It is not organic like Lockwood wanted, but it is up and running," Lennox answered.

Gabby closed her eyes for a moment to take in the information that was just presented to them as the rest of the Autobots collectively gasped at the news.

"It is not the power that Orianna generates from what our insiders know," Lennox finished.

"So, basically it's just Optimus' energon fueling it, but the make up of the processors is all Lockwood," Ratchet mused.

"Yes, so far. Lockwood is not happy, but the thing is working, and they will start testing it immediately," Lennox said nodding to him.

"What about Optimus?" Gabby asked with the worry showing in her eyes.

"I don't know honestly," Lennox answered.

"It's almost time for an attack," Ironhide said seriously.

"I am committing treason by coming here, but I am with you on that one," Lennox said. "This nutjob needs to be stopped."

Gabby put a hand on his shoulder, his good shoulder. "Will, if you are in any kind of trouble coming here, please don't risk your career."

Will turned and smiled at his friend. "Gabby, myself and the others here are already done. After NEST was dismantled we were told that we were worthless, and put in mediocre positions. This is our fight too."

Gabby nodded as the group of Autobots and humans began to make plans not only to rescue Optimus Prime, but also to destroy Dr. Lockwood once and for all, the consequences be damned.

Later on, Gabby sat outside of the bunker with the receiver Optimus had given her trying to listen for anything from Orianna.

She sighed as no sound came through the receiver and took a breath to relax her already frazzled nerves and overactive mind. Gabby could hear the slight movement behind her, and put her hand on her Glock.

"You've changed," a voice said from behind her.

Gabby sighed again and said, "That's what two years on the run does to you."

Will walked up and sat beside her on the rock and both gazed at the setting sun for a moment. Gabby was happy for his company. No matter how much she loved the Autobots and Optimus, she knew she still needed humans.

"You kind of remind me of the mercenaries I knew in the Middle East. Did you have some training while you were on the run?" Will asked with a knowing look.

Gabby smiled slightly, and said, "I never went overseas, but you could say that. Mearing ordered it. You learn to give and take."

"You also learn to do things that you don't want to, but then realize sometimes it is for the greater good," Will said raising an eyebrow.

Gabby smiled and nodded in agreement.

"I never thought I would be here in my wildest dreams," she said gazing at the receiver again.

Will scoffed. "Me neither."

"How's the family?" Gabby asked looking up at him.

Will softened for a moment and said, "Wonderful. Ironhide told me you and Prime had good news before he was taken."

"I am still waiting to hear her voice, but yes, we did," Gabby answered.

"What are you planning on telling her?" Will asked.

Gabby's expression changed to seriousness. "At this point Will, her timing couldn't be worse, and I hate to say that because she is my daughter, but I don't want her in this fight, because it is about her."

Will suddenly grinned widely. "You're a mother, but I think we may need Orianna more than you know."

"I may have to face that," Gabby answered smiling back, but knowing she would do anything to protect her from this evil.

Will looked around to make sure none of the Autobots were around, but he knew they could hear him.

"Gabby we both know no good is going to come out of this," he said lowly.

Gabby stood and put the receiver on her belt. She turned and nodded to Will. "No, but some of us will get out and some of us won't. The only thing that I want is for Orianna and the rest of the Autobots to live in peace."

Gabby walked back into the bunker with Will not too far behind.

She knew she owed Barricade an apology for shooting him and almost taking out his spark, but he was barely speaking to her now.

He was upset about how she lied to him the other night, and she couldn't blame him, but her and Optimus had to keep it a secret.

She knew the other Autobots would forgive them, but since Barricade was different, well, the situation was a little more complicated in his eyes.

She could feel his optics on her when she passed. Right now she was too tired to argue, but she would at least try. She never understood her soft spot for the Decepticon, but it would always be there no matter what happened.

They were getting ready to attack in Kansas, and knew they would be leaving soon. She had to make her peace with Barricade before then, and was determined to make her see why they did what they did.

Gabby entered her makeshift room, and flopped down on the bed. She was so worried about Optimus and Orianna again that she could barely think.

She knew she needed to get some rest, but they were both weighing on her mind.

She tried to turn over when the receiver suddenly lit up.

"Father….."

Gabby practically jumped to the ceiling when she heard Orianna's voice.

She rolled over and grabbed it, her hands shaking and her palms beginning to sweat.

She suddenly felt at a loss for words. She had no idea what to say to her daughter.

Gripping the receiver with dear life, she pressed the button.

"Orianna?"

The receiver went quiet for a moment, and Gabby wasn't sure if she had lost her.

Finally, a happy light voice came through. "Mother?"

Gabby sobbed a little and she could feel the tears threatening.

She nodded and realized she hadn't pressed the button yet.

"Yes, it's me!" She knew her voice was shaking, but she still answered.

"Are you alright?" Orianna asked with concern.

Gabby almost cried out laughing. "Yes, honey. Where are you?"

There was some static, and Gabby worried that she had lost her daughter again.

"Jupiter. It will be soon mother. I am traveling at light speed now," Orianna answered.

Then Gabby did something that she never thought she would do in a million years.

She was still shaking when she pressed the button again, and knew Orianna could hear her sobs, but she knew she had to protect her.

Trying to steady her voice she said, "Orianna, I need you to do something for me."

She could tell Orianna was confused when she answered. "What?"

"Do not enter Earth's atmosphere. I repeat, do not enter Earth's atmosphere. I need you to stay in space a little longer," Gabby ordered. She then lowered the receiver and put her hand to her mouth as she tried to hold back the tears that were threatening.

"Mother? Why?"

Gabby could barely answer. She looked up to see Barricade standing in the doorway in holoform.

He walked to her and pried the receiver from her shaking hands, and answered Orianna.