Autobot Angel

Chapter 20: A Ghost and His Men

Speedle looked up at Prowl. "I'll miss you."

The tactician gave his friend a smile. "We'll come back."

"Yeah," Ironhide agreed. "We made too many friends t' not come back an' visit ya'll."

Caine smiled at the big red Autobot. "Don't be strangers."

Calleigh grinned. "And Prowl? Don't worry about Speedy. I'll make him take care of his gun."

Prowl chuckled. "Have fun with that."

Windcharger knelt and gave Calleigh a careful hug. "When we come back, I'll take you for a drive," he promised.

Wheeljack looked down at Eric. "Maybe you could teach me how to scuba dive?"

Eric laughed. "It's a deal 'Jack."

Alexx eyed both CSIs and Autobots fondly, then looked up at Ratchet. "Take good care of them, sweetheart."

The medic studied her. "That's what I do," came the gruff reply. He turned toward Brawn and Tripp. "Come on, Brawn. We gotta get moving."

Brawn nodded and stood up. "See you later, Tripp."

Tripp grinned. "See ya 'round, Brawn."

The six Autobots turned, lining up. Prowl looked at his troops, glowing with pride. They'd be back. They'd come this far, no turning back now. "Autobots! Transform and Roll Out!"

The six humans watched as their friends drove out of sight, headed home at last. Horatio Caine pulled on his sunglasses. "Alright people, I'll see you tomorrow."

One by one they left, until only Speed remained. The scruffy CSI glanced around, checking for any onlookers. He turned back to where his friend had been. "Thanks Prowl. Thanks for being my Autobot Angel." Tim Speedle strode to his Ducati. It would never be the black and white Datsun, but it was enough. Tim started it up and pulled out of the parking lot, headed home.

Prowl pulled up on a ridge and waited for the others to catch up. Autobot City lay ahead of them, glittering in the midday sun. His fellow Autobots halted and the six of them transformed, looking down on their old home. Prowl gazed at it for a long moment, optics unreadable. "We're home."

Ironhide was about to reply when an explosion hit the City below them. "Decepticons!"

Ratchet sighed. "It never ends."

Prowl scanned the sky and frowned. "I don't see Megatron, the Seekers, or the Insecticons."

Wheeljack shrugged. "Before 'Charger and I went down, the Insecticons were in bad shape. Hot Rod and Kup used 'em as stepping stones to get into the City."

Prowl crossed his arms. "So, how many Decepticon losses were there?"

"Let's find out," Brawn growled.

Galvatron cackled in glee. The City would fall before the might of the Decepticons. That fool Rodimus Prime was on Cybertron. He would never arrive in time to stop Galvatron's forces. Galvatron spied Ultra Magnus and laughed again. "Ultra Magnus, let's see how tough you are!"

The Decepticon leader lunged at the Autobot and battle raged.

The six Autobots hurtled toward the city. These new Decepticons were tough, dangerous, and, Prowl suspected, completely deranged. The attack was too vicious, if the Autobots could hold out for any significant length of time, the enemy would be forced to retreat.

"Ratchet, you and Wheeljack help the injured. The rest of us will take the fight to them."

Affirmatives rolled in. Ratchet and Wheeljack split off from the other four and headed for the medbay. The rest rocketed toward the main battle. Prowl's engine gunned and he lurched ahead of the others. He could see a purple Decepticon with an orange cannon fighting Ultra Magnus. The Autobot was struggling to hold out. As Prowl drew close, the Decepticon hurled Ultra Magnus down with a cry of triumph.

"Say goodbye, Autofool."

Prowl's engine roared, drawing the 'Con's attention. The cannon fired as Prowl transformed, pushing off the ground. The blast flew beneath him as he flipped, bringing his feet forward to kick. He struck the enemy and shoved, flying back and up. Cat-like, Prowl twisted, activating his thrusters to land in an easy crouch. The 'Con hit the ground and skidded. With a shriek of fury, he rose.

"No one does that to me, and continues to function," the Decepticon screamed.

Prowl recognized the words. Megatron. What happened to him? Questions would have to wait; Megatron was bringing his fusion cannon up. The tactician's optics narrowed and he leapt to the side, bringing his thrusters back out in a calculated move. The thrusters acted like air shoes, allowing Prowl to skate out of the line of fire. Megatron hissed and fired anyway. Prowl cut to his left, dodging the shot and closing the gap before Megatron could fire again. One shoulder buried itself in Megatron's torso, throwing the 'Con back into a wall. The tactician was betting Megatron would retreat if things went too badly. He could hear Ironhide's bellows, Brawn's taunts, and 'Charger's quick comments. The enemy wasn't faring too well but if Megatron didn't quit, neither would they.

Megatron's blow caught the tactician off-guard. Prowl tumbled and found himself staring into the muzzle of Megatron's fusion cannon. "Die, Autobot," Megatron snarled.

Prowl stared up at his death, then remembered something Speedle had once said to him. "Remember what you said to me about surprising your opponent? Well, wait 'til he's cocky and overconfident, it works every time. H taught me that." Prowl shifted, moving his right hand across to his beam saber. He made sure to give a whimper of pain as he did it.

Megatron laughed. "Just like a weakling Autobot." He paused. "You look like that infernal tactician." A shrug. "But I blew his brains out months ago."

Prowl lunged, left arm shoving Megatron's fusion cannon out of his way, as his beam saber cut across the evil Decepticon's chest. Megatron howled in pain, dropping to his knees. Prowl deactivated his beam saber and grabbed Megatron by the throat. He lifted the Decepticon and brought his faceplate close to Megatron's. "Actually, you missed." He hurled Megatron back and drew his acid pellet rifle. "But I won't."

Recognition finally dawned on Megatron's features. He staggered to his feet and fled. "Decepticons, retreat. Retreat!"

Ultra Magnus stood at attention as Rodimus Prime arrived. The young leader turned to the big Autobot. "Magnus, where are the Decepticons?"

"They have fled, sir."

Rodimus's optics widened. "How many casualities?"

"A few injuries, almost repaired."

"How did you manage that? Galvatron's not one to give up so easily."

Ultra Magnus smiled. "Rodimus Prime, sir. Seems he didn't like facing a ghost and his men." The big Autobot nodded to something behind Rodimus and strode away.

Rodimus turned and found himself staring at six Autobots he'd never even dreamed of seeing again. Prowl, Ironhide, Wheeljack, Ratchet, Brawn, and Windcharger. All were lined up, snapping textbook salutes.

"At ease," Rodimus told them, smiling and hiding optical fluid.

Prowl stepped forward. "Thank you, sir." The Autobot hesitated, then, "With your permission, requesting active duty in Miami, Florida."

Rodimus gazed at them a moment. "Friends down there?"

All six nodded. Rodimus eyed them a moment longer. "I'll have at least sixteen more Miami requests by the end of the day."

Shrugs.

Rodimus smiled. "Welcome back." He turned to walk away then paused.

"Prowl?"

"Yes, sir."

"Permission granted."

A/N: The end. I figure you guys can picture the rest without my help. I hope you've enjoyed the story. One note though. I started out with a CSI Miami/G1 Transformers crossover. There was actually a third crossover that made it in here. Dee Henderson's Danger in the Shadows. A few names were changed and it's AU for Danger. In Henderson's book, Sarah survives. That's all I'm telling you, 'cause the book is a good read. Most of the stalker's actions and character were heavily inspired by that book. Just giving credit where it's due. Coming Soon: An Arena/G1 Transformers/CSI Miami crossover. Arena is another book I've enjoyed. Will have Speedle and the six Autobots from this story. Different AU though. Catch ya later.