Chapter XIII: Reinforcements
Bumblebee wasn't sure what emotion whirred greater within him; The relief of coming across Mikaela and Sam, halfway out of the city as he and Arcee began to enter it, or the dread to learning that Hot Rod and his charge were being perused by Decepticons (or in Rodimus' case, perusing Decepticons that were after his human charge, Owen).
Mikaela and Sam were speaking so fast and at once, that he wasn't sure whose story was correct. "Alright, get inside," Bumblebee's door opened. Sam and Mikaela scrambled inside without question, the sound of their erratic breathing came in loud and clear over his receptors, dragging up memories of the time he attempted evade Barricade. Once they were situated in the front and buckled in, Bumblebee headed down the road, with no regard for the speed limit.
Arcee followed after him, doing her best to keep up with his pace. "Are you sure this is a good idea? Bringing them?" Arcee's voice rattled over his communicator. Sam regarded the twisting radio knobs with curiosity, his eyes shifted toward his window and stared at the pink vehicle coming up beside his partner.
"Yes, they'll be able to get to Owen far quicker than we can. I'll protect them," Bumblebee answered, confidence brimming in his voice. Arcee wasn't one to doubt her own commander, but found herself wondering just how well he would be able to protect these fragile beings from the Decepticons when locked in battle? To separate his attention on two tasks would be dangerous to his own well being, the Decepticons would definitely capitalize on it and use it to their advantage. "I'll look after them, you take care of the Decepticons," Arcee said.
"I'll need help, Arcee. I'm picking up Barricade and Dropkick's signatures," Bumblebee grunted, turning the corner.
"What about Rodimus?"
There was a stretch of silence from Bumblebee, Sam and Mikaela wondered if he was thinking the same thing that crossed their own minds upon his silence. They didn't know this Rodimus character, but if he was the same mech that helped them escape, while battling with the two Decepticons in the school yard, then there was a real chance he'd been taken out. Sam certainly hoped that wasn't the case. "Commander? Bumblebee?" Arcee's voice came over the scout's radio clearer than before, almost as if she were sitting in the car.
There was a low whine from Bumblebee, Sam had heard his friend do this enough times to know this wasn't a sad whine, but a frustrated one. "I think… he's present. The signature's faint, but I think it's his," Bumblebee affirmed, concern evident in his tone. "He's in trouble." Mikaela glanced to Arcee's vehicle mode, the hologram of the biker woman flickered violently until she vanished from sight. Bumblebee moved aside to allow Arcee the right of way, tires squealing, she pulled away from her commander. Sam watched the scene unfold before him, confused. "Um, shouldn't we be stopping her?" He asked hesitantly.
"Yeah, she looked ready to do something crazy," Mikaela mused, tucking her hair behind her ears. The Camaro seemed to pick up his speed, Sam clutched the arm of his chair and watched the world become a blur. "Arcee won't do anything rash, I don't think," Bumblebee relayed to his charge.
"And your sure of this?" Sam said, raising an eyebrow.
"No." Bumblebee finally said after a moment. Sam and Mikaela braced themselves as the car entered the battle torn streets of Tranquility.
Given their circumstances, Barricade was quite tempted to sever the head of Dropkick right then and there. The fool was actually taking the time to try and sever the fallen Autobot's arm from the rest of his form, when they really should've been leaving. What's more, he (Barricade) wasn't insisting on departing either, which complicated things even more.
Was he actually hoping that foolish Autobot scout would happen across them, assuming Thunderblast didn't kill him, so he could finish the fight they started so long ago? Tapping the edge of his chin, Barricade the studied the unconscious human with mild interest. Its body very nearly inside the parked vehicle via the sunken windshield. Technically, it shouldn't have survived its first counter with Bonecrusher, yet here it was; Alive, albeit barley, and in one piece.
Procrastinating, Barricade, your procrastinating, he thought to himself. Raising his arm, Barricade aimed his cannon on the boy, fully prepared to exterminate him when a crackle in communicator distracted him. "Barricade, Barricade do you read?" It was Thunderblast. Barricade lowered his gun, frustrated. Was the universe bent on denying him the simplest of pleasures with constant interruptions? "What do you want, irritant?" Barricade growled.
"The Autobots…they---"
"You failed to kill the scout," Barricade groused, cannon whirring in response to his anger.
"Yes. I was taken by surprise by the sharp-shooter, Arcee," Thunderblast groaned. "The scout put me in status lock but my systems managed to override it---"
"Nevermind you. Where are the Autobots?" Barricade interjected.
"Unknown." Thunderblast answered. Barricade rolled his optics, if the fembot had no idea where they were there was a good chance they were searching for them and or their comrade. Suddenly, Barricade didn't feel like dealing with them anymore. "What of Thundercracker?" He asked.
"I don't know, I haven't been able to---"
"Thundercracker is dead. This scum extinguished his Spark," Dropkick rumbled, disdain obvious his tone. Barricade regarded the unconscious Autobot with glowering optics. One of three of his reinforcements were down and with the way things were going, he doubted Starscream would be returning anytime soon to turn the tide in their favor. If ever. The coward. Retracting his cannon he turned to leave, Dropkick watched him go, his beady optics followed the semi-dejected posture in his temporary leader's posture. "Your leaving?" He blurted, incredulously. Barricade barely raised his head to regard Dropkick. Instead, he transformed back to vehicle mode and proceeded down the street. If there was anything his close call with Optimus Prime taught him, it was never to underestimate an Autobot. Given their relatively small numbers, the Decepticons had no chance of defeating them together until they were at full strength.
Dropkick blinked in disbelief, looking down at the red Autobot then to his former human prey, Dropkick relinquished his hold on Rodimus' arm. He'd only managed to detach a few of the wires from their system, he would come back later to get it another time. Rising from his crouched position, the cumbersome Decepticon made stomped away from the scene of disaster, suddenly wishing he'd picked a lighter vehicle to disguise himself with.
Optimus Prime had never felt so tired in his life, and all from thinking. After sending Bumblebee off on the recon mission, his processor kept him up for the better part of the night musing over the identity of their Autobot comrade. How were they able to fly under the radar for so long? He would've thought for sure that they would've tried to contact them. At least he knew Arcee would, so why didn't they? It troubled the leader for hours.
Sometime during the afternoon, Prime found himself waking to the sound of Ratchet announcing that Ironhide returned to the Lennox's residence two cycles ago, and would remain there until something happened. "Apparently, our company isn't good enough for anymore," Ratchet joked, amused by the weapons specialist eagerness to return and guard the Lennox residence. Optimus paid little mind to the restlessness of Ironhide, old friend had been known to get bored during long intervals of peace.
When Optimus inquired about the status of Bumblebee's mission, Ratchet replied, "He hasn't reported in at all, Prime," The concern in medical officer's tone did not go unnoticed by Optimus, which only fueled his own worry. Bumblebee not reporting in could only mean he ran into trouble. Pulling his legs from over the edge of the lookout, Optimus strolled down the hill and attempted to raise his friend. He got no response, Optimus tried six more times before giving up. "Something must've happened," He grumbled. "Its not like Bumblebee to not radio in and give a status report."
"Perhaps he just forgot to turn on his COM link, Prime," Ratchet offered, knowing it was highly unlikely. Optimus ignored the comment and prepared to try and raise Bumblebee again when the yellow Autobot's voice crackled over his communicator. "Bumblebee to Optimus, do you read? Bumblebee to--"
"This is Prime, Bumblebee. What is it?" Optimus responded, perhaps a tad too eagerly. Ratchet hid the mildly amused expression on his face as he proceeded over to the flatten patch of grass, more or less curious about its malleable structure. Half way into a crouch, Ratchet was stopped short by the abrupt "What?!" from his leader. Sighing inwardly, he rose and approached the Prime once more.
"…to Luke air Force base. I've already contacted Ironhide, he'll be here within four hours," Bumblebee's voice relayed.
"Very well, Bumblebee. We'll meet you there," Optimus ended the transmission.
"What is it?" He inquired. Optimus turned to face his friend, concern evident in his gaze. "Bumblebee's made contact with Arcee… and Rodimus," Optimus said. Ratchet's optics widened at this. Primus, the last he heard of Hot Rod he'd just released him from the med bay, after the death of Hardhead. Sufficed to say, Ratchet was surprised the reckless young bot had survived this long. "Are they alright?"
"Arcee and Bumblebee are unharmed, as are Sam and Mikaela," Optimus relayed, pinching the bridge of his 'nose'. Sam and Mikaela? What on earth were they doing there…? Ratchet pondered, scratching his chin. Noticing the hesitance in his friend's expression, the medic gave him a gentle nudge, nevermind his personal space. "But…?" He pressed, with a slight flourish of the hand. Optimus sighed. "Rodimus was damaged in battle, as was his human charge."
"Are they alive?"
"Rodimus is in status lock, Bumblebee tells me the human has sustained non-fatal injuries but has been taken to see a medic," Optimus said. Ratchet nodded his head understandingly, processing the information that had been relayed to him. Without another word spoken the two Autobots transformed and proceeded down the stretch of dirt road in silence. That was six hours ago. Now Prime found himself staring down at the young Autobot lieutenant he barely had the time to get to know on Cybertron with a heavy heart. He stood next to Ratchet as he examined Hot Rod's arm with a grim expression.
Across from them, Sam, Mikaela, Bumblebee, Arcee and Ironhide observed from a distance. There had been considerable tension between the Autobots and military when they arrived on the scene in the ruined city. Bumblebee had to keep Arcee from kicking the Sergeant-Major in charge when he chewed them out for "making a mess of the city again". Mikaela and Sam accompanied Owen on the ambulance back to the base, Bumblebee ordered Arcee to follow after them and contact Ironhide, while he went to search for the Decepticons, leaving the military to clean up the bodies and general chaos.
He had a feeling they didn't want his help anyway. He must've scanned for their signatures twice over as he traveled through the untarnished parts of the city, all the way back to the school grounds, but there was no sign of them. Frustrated, he headed for the air force base and contacted Prime. In the meantime, he watched and listened to the news theorize on what could've happened in the downtown district of Tranquility, its connection the attack on the high-school Sam went to and the reason behind the "massive" military presence, not allowing them entrance into the incident sites. When Optimus arrived, he divulged all that he knew on the situation and Arcee was more than happy to explain her (and Rodimus') side of the tale up until now. To say the least, the mixture of surprise and dismay on Prime's face was amusing.
"Well, how is he, Ratchet?" Said Optimus. Ratchet looked up from his examination of Hot Rod's arm with a sigh. "Near as I can tell, he's gonna need extensive repairs for this arm. Whoever did this wasn't exactly being careful with the circuitry," The medical officer mused, laying the dangling limb back on the table. "As for the rest of him? Most the damage he sustained is structural, it should heal with time. The spark is intact, his memory core and his Energon source is unharmed as well."
"Can you get him out stasis lock?" Ironhide asked, cannons twirling idly. Ratchet shrugged his shoulders. "I might be able to once I repair his arm. I think he just needs to recharge."
"Young punk probably wasn't paying attention again," Ironhide grumbled. Arcee started to protest when Bumblebee raised his hand, now was not the time for arguing. Optimus moved away from the make-shift medical table and approached Sam and Mikaela. "And what of the boy? How does he fare?" He said.
Sam and Mikaela exchanged wary glances, almost as if they were silently debating who would tell Optimus the news on Owen. However, a single nudge forward from Mikaela compelled Sam to speak. "The doctors said a bunch of his injuries were no worse than contusions to the head and a fractured leg, the rest of his injuries were superficial, I guess," Sam explained. Optimus nodded his head sagely, arms unconsciously moving behind him. His blue optics shifted upward again, focusing completely on Bumblebee.
"Were you able to find Dropkick or Barricade?" He asked. Bumblebee shook his head, frustration reading clear in his optics for the first time since he arrived on the air force base. "No, and that's puzzling part. Barricade I could see falling off the grid, it's what he does," Bumblebee groused. "But Dropkick is another issue entirely, he's not that crafty."
"Or that small," Arcee mumbled.
"True," Bumblebee agreed. Ratchet pulled himself away from the fried circuitry of Rodimus' arm to engage in the current conversation. "Perhaps he found alternative vehicle mode?" He offered, lowering his head again.
"What, something the size of a tank?" Sam proclaimed. Ironhide shrugged his shoulders. "Do you not have vehicles equal in size to a tank?" He asked, moving toward Sam. Sheepishly, Sam shrugged his shoulders, in his mind the biggest vehicle man could own was a tank. The only thing that could out match it in size was --- well, a airplane. "I dunno, maybe," He mumbled. A moment of silence befell the group before a the snap and hiss of wires being wielded together by Ratchet brought them out of their stupor.
"Either way," Optimus sighed, "We'll need to find him." The Autobots nodded in agreement, moving out of the semi-circle they had created around their two smaller comrades the very same moment Epps and Lennox came strolling into the hangar. Optimus regarded the two men briefly as they approached, unable to miss the underlying irritation that played on their otherwise stoic expressions. The two men had been on duty for more than 48 hours straight since the Mission City battle, working with their Government on the combative details of their budding alliance, feeling that, if anyone were to work with the Autobots, it should at least be someone who's fought alongside them. Optimus felt hopeful the alliance, once finalized, would work, If only because of their presence.
"Captain Lennox, Sergeant Epps," Optimus greeted.
"Optimus," Lennox said.
"What's up?" Epps' response was equally as short, but he was quick to focus his attention on Bumblebee. "Find the Decepticons?"
"Unfortunately no, they seemed to have disappeared," Arcee answered. Both Epps and Lennox turned to regard the Autobot of obvious feminine design, who stood just a few inches shorter than Bumblebee. Neither men had a chance to properly introduce themselves to the new comers, as they were swept up in damage control in the city. "Captain, Sergeant, this is Arcee. a our sharp shooter. She has been here on Earth for over a year, prior to our arrival," Prime explained. Arcee stepped forward, gracious enough to leave breathing room between herself and the two wary soldiers as she lowered herself into a crouched position.
"How do you do?" Arcee said, extending her hand. "very pleased to make your acquaintance." The two friends regarded each other for a moment, then without hesitation extended their own hands and allowed the Autobot to engulf them in her much larger one. The scene was enough to send Mikaela into a fit of giggles. Arcee rose from her crouched position and returned to Bumblebee's side. Will examined his hand for a second, then managed to crack a embarrassed smile. "Nice to meet you too, Arcee," He replied. Epps grunted in agreement.
Optimus continued, turning towards Ratchet and the large make-shift medical table. "The one on the medical table is Rodimus---"
"Hot Rod for shot," Ratchet piped up, wincing as another spark jumped up from the unconscious Autobot's mangled arm.
"---Officially, my second lieutenant on Cybertron. He too, has been living on earth with Arcee, protecting the young boy, Owen Armstrong. We had no idea of either allies presence until now."
"If you have anyone to thank for keeping the Decepticons from ruining your city any more than it was, it's him," Bumblebee chimed in.
"We'll, be sure to thank him," Epps mused, scratching the back of his head.
"How is Owen, by the way?" Mikaela inquired, moving away from the two scouts and her boyfriend. "That's what we came in to tell you guys about, actually," Lennox blurted. "He's awake, he's asking for you two."
Really?" Mikaela smiled, allowing her relief to shine through her worried exterior for the first time since they arrived. "That's great--"
"He's also this close to being pumped with sedatives," Robert added, creating the small space between his thumb and finger. "He's freaking out." The smile on Mikaela's face fell as she turned to share a look with Sam. Without warning, the two ran out of the hangar and toward the medical center.
_
Hot Rod blinked at the impressive show of his mentor's prowess as he watched Devastator struggle to free himself from underneath the massive column, failing to free his arms from the broken power cables that managed to wrap themselves around him. Rodimus had foolishly taken on the combined Decepticon in an effort to distract him long enough to allow Springer and a Injured Ultra Magnus time enough to escape without incident.
The end result was a damaged optic and non-functioning right arm, but Rodimus wasn't about to admit defeat. In a last ditch effort to stop Devastator, Hot Rod had planned on destroying the central energy core that kept the cities powered; It was a huge, and altogether stupid idea, but Rodimus wasn't dumb enough to think that he could defeat the combined Constructicons without major firepower.
As he prepared to fire his plasma cannon at the core, a explosion erupted above both Transformers. Rodimus looked up in time to recognize the object plummeting fast toward them was a column used to keep the building rooftop suspended above its fellow 'bots. Never once sparing Devastator a glance, Hot Rod jumped out of the way. Devastator didn't know what hit him until he was underneath the oppressive object. A second later, Kup landed next to him, grumbling all sorts of profanities under his breath.
Rodimus let out a long whistle, flashing the veteran Autobot a goofy grin. "I've gotta say, Kup, I'm impressed!" He proclaimed, admiring the pathetic state of the Decepticon as if he'd taken him out himself and not Kup. "Not bad for an old timer."
"Old timer?" Kup heaved, offended. Hot Rod knew right then and there he said the wrong thing. "That's something you'll never be if you don't get your aft in gear, lad." His tone was more reprimanding than angry, Hot Rod wasn't exactly sure if he was supposed to be relieved or afraid because of it. Kup started to move away from him, when the sound of the power cables snapping brought his attention back to Devastator.
The behemoth growled, soulless optics glowing an eerie red as he took aim on the younger Autobot. Rodimus stood dumbstruck in the face of Devastator's cannon. "Look out, lad!" Kup shoved the Autobot out of the way the moment the Constructicon fired its weapon. Hot Rod went tumbling across the uneven ground, he attempted to right himself but was unable to halt his momentum.
The strength of Devastators cannon, destroyed the surrounding area, Hot Rod was blown off the Cliffside and thrown into the abyss below. Kup was swallowed up by the explosion above. "No, Kup! Kup!" He shouted, plummeting into the darkness. "KUP!"
Out of all the things Ratchet expected, what he didn't expect to be confronted with were a pair of optics fit for a Decepticon. And in the body of an Autobot.
(TBC)
Author's Note: Viola! I've finally managed to around my procrastinating ways and finish this chapter. I hope I didn't keep you all waiting for too long (but who am I kidding? The last time I updated was in February. Seven months ago.), it was a bit tricky, working out how exactly I wanted this chapter to end, but I think I managed pretty well. And those even bothering to wonder, I saw "Revenge of the Fallen" two months ago in June (and later in July on IMAX, which was just awe-tactular!) and it did not disappoint in the least. Very, very fantastic summer movie and probably among my few favorites this year.