Chapter 13: Let it begin
Perceptor was surprised that he hadn't woken the others when he screamed. It was an odd dream, too real to be more than something important. He was cold. He moved out quickly. He gently stepped over Prowl and Ironhide, careful not to make a sound to agitate Bumblebee. He left without waking the others, or so he thought.
Perceptor stood in the glow of the moon, staring up at the stars. It was a rather cold night but Perceptor felt warmer outside rather than inside. He missed having Freddie and Sam argue around him with Carly trying to silence them. It was odd to miss them when they had only just met and the fact he knew he could never truly stay. Was this how Bumblebee felt toward Spike when he wasn't around? Quietly awaiting for his friend to return.
"Hey, Percy?"
Perceptor turned around. It was Bumblebee, rubbing his arms. He smiled warmly though. Perceptor smiled back but it was fake. Bumblebee moved closer, standing beside the scientist. They both looked up at the stars. The sky was faded, a dull grey rather than black, with dots of small, dim sparks. The city lights made the stars seem faint.
"Think we can see Cybertron from here?" gasped Bumblebee.
"Hard to say," Perceptor replied, looking down.
"Bad dream?" Bumblebee asked, still staring up.
"Not really. It was more of…" Perceptor stopped, glancing at Bumblebee.
Bumblebee's hat was pulled down slightly, probably from Ironhide messing with him. His hands were in his pockets. His pants were sagging slightly with his belt tilted to one side rather than straight like he enjoyed having it. There was some dust and mud spots on his shirt from walking around and lying on the steps. He didn't seem to mind.
"I saw the others," Perceptor finished. "I saw Ratchet with the twins and Optimus someplace else."
"Maybe those are the other places we'll need to visit?"
"Maybe," whispered Perceptor. "But without my laptop…"
"Where did you land? When you first got here I mean," Bumblebee asked, finally turning away from the stars.
"I…don't know. Freddie found me unconscious," Perceptor explained.
"Then we need to go back to talk to Freddie a moment," Bumblebee nodded.
"But Spencer…?" Perceptor gasped.
"We'll go when he's not home!"
Perceptor paused. It was rather risky but it was worth it. If Perceptor had landed with the laptop, Freddie was the key to fixing this problem. Perceptor nodded. Bumblebee took this as an answer and went back to bed. Perceptor stood outside a moment longer. He was still thinking of the humans.
The way Carly and the others had described Spencer was nothing like the way he acted toward them. Something wasn't right. Perceptor tried different answers in his head. Only one thing really checked out. Decepticon manipulation. The Decepticons had found Spencer and used him to get the kids….the kids!
"The humans!" Perceptor gasped. "I have to….I need to save them!"
Without looking back, Perceptor took off down the street. He didn't have time to tell the others, he needed to act fast. Taking off quickly, Perceptor weaved in between the crowds, getting cursed and yelled at as he went. He couldn't wait. He couldn't stop. He couldn't help it.
Lucky for Perceptor, Bumblebee was still up. He sat, watching Perceptor leave through the window. Bumblebee sighed, turning around. He moved over to Prowl, kicking Ironhide in the process. Ironhide spun awake, springing up with a mighty scream. This in turn awoke Prowl before Bumblebee even got there.
"What is it, little guy?" Ironhide yawned, rubbing his eyes.
"Perceptor left," Bumblebee explained.
"Why?" gasped Prowl.
"He went to go see the humans," nodded Bumblebee.
"Why?" gasped Ironhide.
"Decepticons?" Bumblebee offered.
"Of course! The Decepticons have the humans! They used Spencer!" Prowl gasped, standing up.
"Alright," Bumblebee smiled. "Are we going to follow him, then?"
"Yep," Ironhide sighed.
"Let's go," groaned Prowl.