Chapter 12: Unfair justice
They looked up at their tall and gracious saviors. While the town had been destroyed, all their lives had been saved thanks to them the first major battle for planet Earth had been won, these new friends were the Autobots.
"Where do you come from?" asked Lightning.
"We are from a planet very far from here, the planet Cybertron in the Cyber System, roughly several billions of light years from this planet."
"Another planet? That's awesome, you're actually aliens?" asked Mater.
"Affirmative." Replied Optimus.
"But how, you're robots, we always thought that visitors from space would be little green men, not robots that could talk and feel for themselves!" asked McQueen again.
"Well I'll try to explain it in a simple term, but life can actually evolve from Silicon, not just Carbon." Answered Optimus "Believe it or not we actually find it quite hard to believe that life could be found in vehicles, not just bipedal creatures or mechanical ones."
"So when did you arrive on Earth?" asked Sherrif, Optimus replied with:
"Four million years ago."
The cars almost flipped over in shock.
"FOUR MILLION YEARS?!" they shouted in unison.
"Correct, and my friend Ironhide is over eleven million years old, the oldest Autobot in my ranks."
"It's not good on the back hydraulics but all these years are worth it the amount of times I get to see a Decepticon flee for his life like a li'l wimp!" replied Ironhide.
"Four Million years? But how could you live that long?" asked Sarge.
"Our bodies do not face the same limitations as that of organic creatures. As long as we have enough Energon to sustain our structures we are practically 'immortal'. Believe us we feel very sad to know that organic creatures live such short and fragile lives compared to us."
"But if you're immortal, how come you feel pain and fear of death when you were in that battle?" asked McQueen.
"Immortal and invincible are two separate words with utterly different meaning. We have already lost many men to the Decepticons." Replied Optimus.
"The Decepticons?" said the cars discussing the word with each other.
"They are our eternal nemesis. They bare a symbol whose meaning and purpose is the complete opposite to this symbol" Optimus pointed to the Autobot insignia on his shoulder "Their goal and only goal in life is power, destruction and pure evil, that is why they attacked you and your town without mercy. We however fight for Peace and freedom, in any form and size, we vow that any planet oppressed by Decepticon evil, we will be there to save them."
"Was that red plane their leader? He was a nasty one." Asked King.
"As bad as Starscream is, I'm afraid the main leader of the Decepticons is much, much worse. His name is Megatron and if you were ever to encounter him, run for your lives because he'll intend to take that life away from you."
The story was a little too much for the cars to understand as the name 'Megatron' froze them with fear and as they tried to take it all in a stranger who went missing for the entire battle finally re-emerged from the rubble.
"Hey it's Doc!" observed Sheriff.
"Doc where you been? We were worried…" said McQueen, but Doc completely ignored him.
The old hornet car just drove past his friends completely oblivious to their presence, he was making a beeline for Optimus and Ultra Magnus and his face said he was fuming mad, his paint almost turned red.
"Uh-oh, my indicators sense this car means trouble." Observed Ultra Magnus.
"Yes I know, I wonder what he wants?" said Optimus.
Doc still looking furious, bravely went right up to the feet of Optimus staring him down, even the mighty Prime felt nervous.
"You, how dare you!" said Doc.
"I'm afraid I fail to understand what you're talking about" asked Prime.
"How dare you steal the identity of Big Al and then waltz into our town and smash it to oblivion." Everybody could barely make out what Doc was saying he was that fuming mad and he spat again as he continued.
"Why did you come here? Why did you destroy our town? Are you going to wreck the rest of the planet?!"
"Please sir, we were trying to defend your town from the Decepticons, it was them that ruined this town not us." Replied Optimus.
"But it was you who lured them here, to me you're just as responsible and to me your all mechanical monsters!" shouted Doc.
Brawn came charging in:
"Hey who are you calling mechanical monsters I oughta knock your hood off!"
"Brawn stand down, these people are not our enemies." Ordered Prime.
"But Optimus…"
"STAND DOWN Brawn, that's an order!"
"(Grumble)…Yes sir!" and Brawn went to help the fire engines put the fire out, it would take his mind off of things.
"As I was saying it is not our fault that your town is ruined…."
"Of course it is your fault, I saw you throw other robots into these buildings, you were stepping on them, shooting them and you put all the residents of this town in danger." Doc was going to continue until:
"That's not true Doc!" said Lightning.
"Oh is it not?" replied Doc.
"No, you don't understand these robots are different they're not like Decepticons, these are…"
"Autobots? Yes I know kid I heard everything; they're aliens, freaks from Outer Space from a planet they should've stayed on. To me they are no better than those Decepticons!" said Doc, but he was in for a nasty shock as the foot of Ultra Magnus crashed down in front of Doc with an almighty thud, he had the Hornet's attention.
"HOW DARE YOU compare us to Decpeticons!" roared Magnus "do you know all the hardships we've suffered for millions of years, all the planet's that have suffered under their rule, all the faces of those poor people I watched getting put into chains that we were unable to save. Yes your town is destroyed, but look at the bigger picture, in a few months these could be the images of your entire planet!" and he pointed towards all the derelict buildings.
Ultra Magnus breathed heavily and then he couldn't believe what he had just said, nobody not even Optimus Prime had ever seen his angry side before, it just gave everyone a taster as to how much Ultra Magnus despised the Decepticons.
"Please forgive me, centuries of war have made me bitter and arrogant…" said the sorrowful Ultra Magnus, but he got no remorse from Doc as the car continued with his verbal assault.
"I don't care what you say, you're every bit as responsible no matter what. You get provoked and fight back and you share the blame, couldn't you stay where you came from and left our poor town alone!?" roared Doc "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't call the army!"
"Go ahead they won't believe you" said Ultra Magnus who thought Doc was bluffing.
"No Ultra Magnus, he is very serious, the Earthling army know that we, or rather the Decepticons are here, they revealed themselves to Earth long before you arrived." Said Optimus, Ultra Magnus sighed, the Earthling car had the Autobots in his hands and Ultra Magnus knew Optimus wouldn't resist arrest from the people he sought to protect.
"Please there is no need to involve your army in this, they don't know what they're up against, if you give us a fair trial and allow us to explain our story we will accept those terms." Said Optimus, but Doc in response gave an evil grin.
"Very well, as this town's judge & jury I accept your willingness to put yourselves on trial down there in the only building you didn't wreck!" replied Doc
"Bad move Prime" said Ultra Magnus, Prime got agitated at Doc's remark.
"Those terms are hardly fair; I demand to have a non biased Jury & Judge in presence of the court room." Shouted Prime.
"Yeah Doc that's not fair, why don't you let some of us be the jury." Said Lightning pointing towards his friends, some agreed while others weren't.
"No, it is in the law of Radiator Springs that I and I act alone as the town's judge and sole jury." Replied Doc.
"Well at least let me be their lawyer." Asked Sally, Doc got a shock as he remembered that Sally was a professional lawyer and she could jeopardize his plot for justice against the Autobots and what was more shocking he couldn't do anything about it, Doc then grunted:
"Fine very well, you may act as their lawyer Sally but you only have one day to gather up your evidence and that goes for you too you metal tow rags!" said Doc looking up at the Autobots who in return gave Doc angry faces back.
"I expect everyone of you robots to be at that building at this exact time tomorrow, one minute late and I'll have you locked up in Area 51!" said Doc.
"All of us?" asked Optimus in shock.
"Yes all of you!"
"I'm afraid all of us cannot attend, we need to return to HQ to prepare for a possible Decepticon counterattack or an attack some place else, any time lost needlessly in a stupid trial could cost lives."
"Well if you're going to act like that then I'm afraid I'll have to call the Army, Sarge! Contact the national guard!" shouted Sheriff to Sarge.
"NO wait, alright I'll attend your trial but I ask that you let at least some of my men return to our base please, it could be vulnerable to attack."
Doc looked at the Autobot leader, he whispered to himself, he strained his eyes then relaxed them, then started thinking until he finally came to an answer.
"Very well I'll allow some of your men to leave, but you are to remain here and twelve others I suggest you choose those others now." Said Doc and he drove away to prepare his case.
"Ok big guy, I'm going to be your lawyer." Said Sally.
"What is a 'lawyer'?" asked Optimus.
"It's an Earth thing, lawyers which is me, act as law advisors to their clients, so in this case you are my client and it is my job tomorrow to act as your defense against the accusations of Doc who I'm afraid will not only be the accuser but also the Judge and Jury, his decision is law around here."
"Have you ever won a case against that Doc person?"
"Yes actually, the first and only time was with Lightning here." Sally gestured towards Lightning.
"Yeah you guys she's great, you'll have nothing to worry about tomorrow." He said "I'll even act as a witness for you."
"Hey don't forget me I'll be a weet-niss!" said Mater.
"Count me and Ramone in as well kid!" said King.
"Then it's settled, you'll have four witnesses acting in your defense and I'll prepare the evidence." Said Sally with a wink.
"Thank you for you help, we'll need it" said Optimus "but how will you explain all this devastation that was caused today?"
"That I'm afraid will be the hard part. But I have contacts, I think I might be able to find something that will help." Said Sally.
"That is pleasing to know, just tell us what we have to do for tomorrow." Asked Prime.
"Just select the people you wish to stay with you, prepare your statements and tell me your story as to why you are here and why you helped us etc, etc." replied Sally.
"Very well then I will select the twelve men I think will benefit us the most to stay." And Optimus selected his list.
"Prowl, as the chief Autobot tactician, perhaps you and Sally here could learn from one another in both Cybertronian and Earthling law regulations, plus I need to have an officer with me."
"Yes sir" replied Prowl with a salute.
"Jazz your keen interest in other cultures could also prove useful so you'll act as our Earth guide in the meantime."
"You can count on me Prime, you want the know how and I'll give you the low down!" replied the cheery Jazz.
"Ratchet you stay here as well, Wheeljack is needed back at base and you already know some of the residents here so we could use the friendships you've made to our advantage."
"Of course Prime and if there is anything broken you can count on me to make it as good as new" smiled the medic.
"Protectobots you stay here as well, you can assist in any more emergencies and Defensor will be our last line of defense against any further Decepticon attacks."
All five Protectobots saluted:
"You can count on us Prime" said Hot Spot.
"Bumblebee, your courage is an inspiration to the Autobots and I would be honored if you would stay with us to keep moral up."
"Me? I'm flattered Prime really thank you sir I won't let you down!" said Bumblebee as his spark warmed up after Prime himself said his name and 'honored' in the same sentence.
"Excellent, and finally I'll choose Sideswipe, Sunstreaker and Hot Rod."
"Why us three?" asked Sideswipe.
"The experience of other planetary culture could proove useful to youngsters like you."
"Let me stay too Prime, I just know the Decepticons will attack again, I can feel it in my GPS and I wanna be there when they do!" said Ironhide.
"Ok old friend I could use your moral support but no more volunteers, the party I have selected will suffice."
"What about me?" asked Ultra Magnus.
"I know you want to be by my side Ultra Magnus but I need you to go back and take over command of the Ark, here I'll give you the co-ordinates."
"No need Prime I already know." Said Magnus.
"You do but how?" asked Optimus.
"When Teletran-one was rebooted, he instantly activated a distress signal from Earth. We instantly picked it up on Cybertron and we were all shocked and relieved to hear that after millions of years you and your crew were still alive and upon hearing this news I personally organized a relief unit to come rescue you."
"But how did you reach Earth so quickly?" asked Optimus.
"Technology has advanced considerably since you left Cybertron Prime, we were able to get here inside Omega using a new teleportation technology called a 'space bridge' it was at first Decepticon technology which was going to be used to ship supplies and troops to other fronts instantly but we managed to steal the documentation and made some ourselves." Replied Ultra Magnus.
"Well it's good to hear some good news on the home front. But you had better get back to base, we're all exposed out here." Said Optimus.
"Very Well" replied Ultra Magnus and he transformed into the same type of flat nose semi truck Prime was, except Magnus' trailer was a car carrier rather than a normal trailer.
Prime was surprised to see his brother had already assumed the identity of an Earth vehicle; Ultra Magnus' vehicle part was complete with Eyes and Mouth.
"You've already assumed and Earth vehicle identity as well?" asked Prime.
"Like I said Prime, Technology has advanced rapidly on Cybertron, I'll set up some observation points on that mountain up there to keep an eye on you, in case of trouble." Said Magnus referring to tailfin pass.
"Alright thank you brother and have a safe trip."
"You too Optimus." And Ultra Magnus commanded his Autobot warriors to transform and return to base.
The young warrior Hot Rod who was only (?) five hundred thousand years old looked around at the devastation with a whistle, but he noticed something that did survive the battle and that was a sign post, Hot Rod translated it into Cybertronian so he could read it.
'Radiator Springs, home of the famous race car Lightning McQueen!' it said. Hot Rod took great interest in the term 'Race car' as he hooked up to a local network and then started surfing the internet. He searched for Lightning McQueen on various search sites and he was presented with thousands of sports and information sites with McQueen's bio and accomplishments displayed on them.
Some sites declared McQueen as 'Wonder rookie' and 'Best in the world'. They displayed that McQueen placed third then first in the biggest racing competition in the world with an article reading "McQueen who should've won first time around instead displayed brilliant sportscarship after halting right at the finish line, much to the disappointment of fans letting the villainous Chick Hicks win the Piston Cup, instead the charming McQueen aided the great racing car The King Strip Weathers (who was injured by a blatant ramming assault by Chick) finish second place by pushing him over the finish line and this made McQueen come in third place."
The article continued: "The talented McQueen however came back with a vengeance next season, and despite some unfair tactics used by Chick to retain his trophy, he failed miserably after McQueen finally got his tires on that coveted trophy and placed first at the Los Angeles motorway Piston Cup final. McQueen is now considered the best racing car on Earth"
After finishing the Article Hot Rod seemed rather enthusiastic about this McQueen fellow, he tracked him down and approached McQueen.
"Excuse me, are you the famous race car Lightning McQueen?" asked Hot Rod.
"Yeah how did you find that out?"
"A thing you Earthlings call 'the internet'." Replied Hot Rod "Do you consider yourself the best racer on Earth?"
"Well I have heard rumors about that, I mean after all I am the current Piston Cup champion!" said McQueen confidently smiling.
"Well check this out." Said Hot Rod as he transformed to car mode, his car mode was actually still his Cybertronian mode but it was complete with eyes and mouth, just like an Earth Car, his slick design impressed McQueen.
"Woah sweet design, that flat body and massive tail fins on your boot, if I didn't know any better I'd say you were a racing car."
"Indeed I am in fact like you I'm a champion, five time Autobot racing champion, the best on Cybertron, not even the Stunticons can touch me."
"Wow really?" exclaimed McQueen "The best racer from another planet! You thinking what I'm thinking?"
Hot Rod all too well knew what Lightning was talking about, it was what he wanted.
"Three laps? First ever inter-planetary race? It's on baby!" as the two cars smiled and revved their engines in a sort of ritual like manner either that or one trying to impress the other.
"So tell me 'Hot Rod' what's your slowest speed I mean top speed" said McQueen Jokingly.
"Six hundred miles per hour!" replied Hot Rod.
If Lightning McQueen was a manga character he would have had a sweat drop going down the side of his face, he nearly had an engine attack when he heard that.
"You're kidding" he asked.
"No, why?" said Hot Rod.
"Oh err nothing…" said Lightning nervously.
"Well anyway I look forward to meeting you on the track, best of luck and all that and it would indeed be an honor to race Earth's best." Said Hot Rod and he transformed back to bot mode to rejoin Optimus.
Lightning grew to like the term 'honor to race Earth's best' too much.
"Hehe I'm so famous I even have fans from other planets, it really is good to be me!" then he remembered what Hot Rod told him:
"Oh god wait I forgot he can go at 600mph! How will I ever beat that?" and McQueen as he wondered what he had gotten himself into.
Evening came finally after an eternity of waiting, the Autobots were back in vehicle mode as to not arouse any suspicion in case any strangers came by. Bumblebee was waiting by Optimus looking at the Sun burying into the ground to make way for the birth of the moon.
"Optimus, did you really mean it what you said earlier, about me being an inspiration?" asked 'Bee.
"Of course Bumblebee, you inspire even me to become more brave when the situation is bad and you have shown many times that in the jaws of defeat, victory can be found if you just fight that little longer, heck if you keep it up you'll get a place among Jazz's special forces unit shortly." Replied Optimus.
"ME in Jazz's Able Company! Wow I'm thrilled I'm going to fight like Omega Supreme the next time the Decepticons mess with us!" said the little Beetle mimicking some fighting moves.
"Calm down Bumblebee, remember there's a thin line between being a hero and being a memory, and I don't want the latter to happen to you so always exercise caution in battle, follow mine and Prowl's orders and you'll be just fine."
Sally suddenly sped up to the two Autobots.
"Hey Bumblebee I need you for a minute, you'd better listen too Prime." She said.
"What's wrong Sally?" asked 'Bee.
"The skirmish back on the motorway, is it true you rescued a helicopter from the giant Decepticon robot right?"
"Correct but how did you know that?" asked 'Bee.
"Well I have a friend here who wishes to see you." And from above sally a red chopper bounded in bandages hovered down until it landed next to Sally, it was Amy Copter, she was recovering still but was well enough to fly out to RS.
"You? The chopper from the Motorway!" said Bumblebee.
"This is Amy Copter Bumblebee, the lady's life who you saved back on the highway; she was my client a few years ago when she sued her old company for an accident at work." Said Sally.
"Yes, Sally won me seventy five thousand dollars and ever since then me and her have been good friends." Continued Amy.
"So what has the two of you being friends got to do with this conversation?" asked Bumblebee.
"I played back videos of the highway incident and as soon as I heard it was Amy who had been hurt I phoned her at the hospital to see how she was, but then I remembered tomorrow's court case and I decided to ask her what she remembered after being grabbed by the giant robot." Explained Sally.
"Yes I told her about you Bumblebee about how you braved that giant monster and rescued me from being crushed to death." Explained Amy further.
"Yes and as a way of saying thanks Amy has agreed to act to act as another witness in your favor tomorrow, hopefully we can show Doc that you don't mean any harm to us." Finished Sally.
"Well that's great, the more witnesses we have the better." Said 'Bee in excitement.
"Yes thank you Miss Copter and thank you Sally. Perhaps now we have a good chance at winning tomorrow." Continued Optimus.
"Tell you what Bumblebee, why don't you transform, show Amy who her real savior is, you too Optimus." The two Autobots said 'but' in unison but Sally said it was alright.
"Don't be shy, I told Sally everything about who you actually are."
With that Bumblebee and Optimus transformed into robot mode, they loomed over Sally and Amy, but the news chopper didn't even seem nervous by them.
"You're not scared?" asked Optimus.
"No, I had seen it before anyways. Also during the fight I managed to regain consciousness again only for a while but I saw Bumblebee and some other fight the giant robot, and then suddenly five other vehicles roared onto the scene, a blue fire truck turned into a robot itself and the four other vehicles combined with it, much like the evil one before it and this new giant robot helped Bumblebee and the others fight the monster. Once the battle was over I saw all five robots that formed the good giant robot helping other cars and then me, the one that turned into an Ambulance told me to rest as he started patching me up before I fell unconscious again, next thing I know I'm in the hospital but I can't help but think that those robots that came to the rescue saved my life as well, so I have much to be grateful for thanks to you Autobots." Said Amy.
"Ah you must mean Hot Spot and the Protectobots, they are here with us at the moment but I think they're busy with fires." Said Optimus.
"That's ok, there's only one person I really wanted to thank anyway." Said Amy and she looked up at Bumblebee.
"Could you turn back into a car for a moment?" she asked.
"Sure thing." Said Bumblebee but during his transformation he asked why.
"Well I want to show you my thanks." Said the helicopter nervously but then she began to slowly creep forward smiling, Bumblebee grew nervous as he shook a little.
Optimus observed the chopper and then realized her intentions when his sensors indicated Amy's heartbeat rose.
"Oh boy." He said rolling his optics.
"What are you doing?" asked 'Bee.
"Just stay still you'll like this" said Amy as she grew close enough SMACK! She planted her lips on Bumblebee's bonnet with a huge kiss, Optimus laughed almost like a nutter.
"Thank you" said Amy after she had finished kissing 'Bee, the little yellow car blushed till his paint job grew red.
"Bumblebee you amaze even me sometimes, you even have the Earth women after you now" chuckled Prime.
"Aw shaddap, you may think it's funny, but I quite enjoyed it for some strange reason." Replied 'Bee.
"Yes I know Bumblebee, but come on, we should power down for the night, we have an important day ahead of us and its best we leave Miss Sally alone so she can plan for tomorrow as well."
Ooh a court battle? This should get interesting, plus it seems Bumblebee has a possible love interest now. Will the Autobots win their court battle or will they put in chains and given to the army by the vengeful Doc Hudson? Find out next chapter ;)