Road Trip

Chapter 3

The Ark

Blaster sat at his station doing his job of communications for the Autobots as he does any other day. But, today he was worried and everyone in the control room could see it. Hours have passed since Rewind and Eject were supposed to report in. At first, he thought that they had to go to radio silence because of Decepticons in the area. Though, when he later found out that Telatran-1 was unable to locate them, he knew something was wrong. He had asked Optimus Prime to go out and look for them himself, they were his partners. Prime couldn't let him go though, as much as he wanted to. Decpticon activity had picked up and Blaster was the only one that could communicate to the patrols on where to go. So, he sat quietly waiting and hoping for any signs of his friends.

"Any word Blaster?" came the all too familiar voice of the Autobot leader.

Blaster looked up at Optimus and shook his head. "Nothing yet Optimus, been trying to contact them with no luck." He told Prime without his usual cheer he almost never loses.

Prime placed his hand on the shoulder of one of his most trusted comrades and friend. "Keep trying, in the mean time I am going to send out the Aerialbots to the last known location and search the surrounding areas." He stated having already given the order but keeping Blaster up to date.

"Prime…" Blaster started looking up and his leader then down. "You don't think…"

"No, Blaster. If I know your partners they are doing just fine. They may have run into trouble and can't contact us now, but they will be back." He said with confidence behind his voice.

Somewhere on the open road

Rewind had gone into a recharge mode about a half-hour after the attack by Ramjet and Thrust. He was feeling a bit run down and thought it was a good idea. He began to wake up and realized that he was no longer moving. Sitting up in the back end of Kent's car he saw that he was also alone. Confused he looked out the now glass-less windows and saw they had stopped at a truck stop with a dinner and gas station. He moved to get out of the car and at the same time run a diagnostic on his system.

"Look who's up." Kent said from the side of the car. Some of the glass had cut his rear tire and was leaking for a while. He figured best to change it here and get something to eat as well.

"How long was I out?" Rewind asks walking over to his friend.

"About two hours, you feel any better." Kent told him taking off the bad tire and looking at the cuts on them.

Rewind did feel better. His computer told him he was leaking energon for a while. Luckily the leak was small and was easily fixed. He figured that is how the two seekers were able to find them. "Yeah, thanks. Where's Melina and Eject?"

"Melina is getting us something to eat. Eject was joining her, but as soon as I saw him enter the dinner he suddenly made a b-line for a radio in there." He told Rewind, "Mind handing me the tire iron there?"

Rewind picked up the iron and handed it over. He wondered if that was a good idea for his friend to walk around like that. Last thing they want is to be caught off guard again. He then looked to Kent, his mind went back to how he was shaking a bit after getting attacked. "Must be a game on, that's the only explanation." He said and watched Kent replace the tire. "Um Kent, how are you feeling?"

Kent put on the bolt, "Better." He said tighten it. "I was a bit freaked out after the attack, to be honest with you. But, after talking with Melina for a bit I got my nerves under control." He placed on another bolt and tightened it. "She is good at talking and helping make sense of things you know. I am lucky to have her." He noted looking back up.

"That's good and what about Melina? How is she doing?" He continued his questions.

Kent laughed a bit, "Are you kidding? She is having the time of her life. You should have heard the things she said about those jets when you were asleep." He told Rewind and tried to finish the last bolt.

Rewind nodded, "You know you two have done a lot for us. Eject and I could go on and you two could be…" Rewind didn't get a chance to finish.

"No way, I said we are taking you on a road trip, which means no body leaves until we reach our destination." Kent said firmly pointing the tire iron at the Autobot. "Now do me a favor and tighten this last bolt for me."

Rewind was stunned speechless. 'Humans sure are brave.' He thought and reached for the tire iron and with a simple push tightened the last bolt into place. He gave the iron back to Kent. "There you go."

"Thanks." He said patting Rewind on the shoulder. He turned and looked at his car. No more glass, shot up, burnt, but still running. "I don't think my insurance will cover me for this." He said.

"Don't worry about it, when we get to the Ark I will ask Wheeljack to see if he could fix it up a bit." Rewind offered. "Though it may….blow up."

Kent quickly looked over. "Wait what?"

Rewind never got a chance to explain himself as the sounds of arguing brought their attention towards the diner.

"You promise?" Eject asked, and by the expression on the woman's face not for the first time he asked.

Melina placed a hand on her head, "For the last time yes." She answered a little flustered following up with a few Spanish words the Autobot clearly missed. "Hey sweetie, fix the tire?" She asked.

"Good as new, should be able to get us there. Don't forget it's your turn to drive." Kent answered and cleaned himself with a rag he brought along.

"I just hoped you didn't forget." She said moving over and kissed his cheek. "Got you a burger if that's all right?" She asked but knew the answer any way.

"See that Rewind, we take out two Cons' and get a dirty look. He fixes a tier and gets a kiss and something to eat." Eject told his partner he then turned back and jumped a bit when he saw Melina giving him an evil eye.

Rewind tried to hide his laugh, "So what's the score?" He then asked.

Without hesitation Eject perked back up and said, "San Diego 7, Arizona 5, Top of the 6th, Arizona up to bat, one out, one runner on base." He paused then remembered. "Oh yeah, I call shotgun."

Kent nearly choked on his burger. He looked up at the cassette shocked.

"Melina said if I beat you to calling shot gun I can listen to the game on your radio." He explained, "Though why is the passenger seat called a shotgun?" he then asked Rewind, thinking he would know.

"It's a term that alludes to the armed defender of a stagecoach who sat beside the driver to protect against marauders and bandits back in western times." Rewind answered proudly.

"You know Rewind; you need to get out more." Eject responded which made Rewind a bit annoyed as his proud moment was just ruined by his partner.

Kent looked over to Melina who just laughed a little bit. He turned back to the Autobots and shook his head. "Looks like you and me in the back Rewind." Eject didn't waste any time and quickly rushed over to the passenger side and got in. It was a good thing the SUV was big or the poor Autobot might not have been able to fit. Rewind and Kent climbed into the back. With the engine starting the group was off again.

Meanwhile…

Sliverbolt had landed on the stretch of highway that had turned into a battle ground just merely two and a half hours ago. After he searched the area for any signs of the cassettes he checked in with Blaster, "Sliverbolt to Blaster do you copy?"

"Clear as the sky Sliver, you find anything?" He asked hopeful.

"There was some fighting here that is for sure; I didn't find Eject or Rewind though. I have sent Skydive and Slingshot south-east to continue looking. Air Raid and Fireflight are following the highway north-west. If they are anywhere along here we will find them." He told over his com-link.

"All right, keep us updated if you find anything, also be careful the Decepticons could still be in the area." Blaster suggested.

"I understand Sliverbolt ou…" He was about to sign off when his com-link beeped to inform him of another transmission. This time from Skydive, "Hold that thought Blaster. Sliverbolt here go ahead Skydive did you find them?"

The voice of Skydive came through clearly. "Not Rewind and Eject, but Slingshot and I are following Ramjet and Thrust. They are in some bad shape and get this. They are glued together." Skydive was circling a bit, "They been dragging themselves away from your location. If I had to guess that means our friends are trying to head back home."

This brought a smile to Sliverbolt, "Skydive, you and Slingshot return to my location." He quickly switched to the other two Aerialbot. "Air Raid, Fireflight hold your position and wait for us." He then quickly switched back to Blaster, "You get that Blaster."

"Sure did Sliver my man. That sounds like the work of Eject. I'd bet my music collection on it." Blaster said with renewed energy behind his voice. It was like a sign from Primus, his friends were ok.

"Agreed." Laughed Sliverbolt, "They might be wounded which is way there com-links don't work. Not sure what kind of head start they have but we should be able to catch up to them. Sliverbolt out."

This was great news for Blaster and the rest of the Autobots as two of their friends were about to rejoin them. And with them information that can hamper Megatron plans. Unknown to them though Soundwave had been listing to the entire conversation between the commutations officer and the Aerialbot leader. He transformed out of his Tape Deck and moved to the cave entrance and flew off.

"Rumble, Frenzy, This is Soundwave. Change of plans, move up attack. They are not to make it to the Autobot base alive." He sent to his cassettes. Who received the orders and gleefully accepted.

Later…

"What a game tied and could go to extra innings. I love it." Exclaimed a happy Eject as he listened to the game.

The others just smiled at Eject love for the sport and well sports in general. Suddenly the car began to shake a little bit. Nothing bad at first, then suddenly it shook more and more. Outside two huge cracks appeared in the road and headed for the car. Melina tried her best to avoid them, but one tire slipped in and sent the car into a violent roll over. It rolled for several feet before coming to a stop on its side.

Rumble and Frenzy walked up arms transformed into their pile drivers. They transformed them back to normal and pulled off their pistols from their backs. "Hope you enjoyed your trip Autobots." Frenzy yelled.

"Because it just ended!"

To be continued…