I, along with Mikaela and Sam, stared at the door in horror.
"Ohhhhhhhhhh god, oh god, oh god. Oh…." Sam babbled under his breath. Ron walked to the front door and yanked it open.
"Ronald Wickity?"
"It's Witwicky. Who are you?" Ron corrected the man on his porch/
"We're the government. Sector 7." The man flashed his badge in Ron's face dramatically.
"Never heard of it."
"Never will." He shot back. "Your son's the great-grandson of Captain Archibald Wickity, is he not?" The man suddenly switched topics.
"It's Witwicky." Ron ignored the question.
"May I enter the premises, sir?" The man brushed past Ron, followed by several others.
"Ron? There's guys all over the front yard!" Judy peeked out the kitchen window in surprise.
"What the heck is going on here?!" Ron glowered at the man invading his home.
"Your son filed a stolen car report last night," the man answered, roaming the living room. "We think it's involved in a national security matter."
"They're- They're ripping up the rose bushes!" Judy continued oblivious to the conversation.
"National security?" Ron gaped at the man.
"That's right. National security." The agent assured smugly.
"My god, Ron, they're everywhere! There's guys in suits all around the house!" Judy shrieked. She spun and gestured dramatically. "Look at this!"
"Could you stay off the grass?" Sam's father called sternly out the door.
"Get me a sample and some isotope readings!"
"They're pulling bushes out of the ground!" Sam's mom cried out, snatching a conveniently placed bat. "Good lord! They've got to get their hands off my bush!" Judy tried to rush past the man in her living room, but he stopped her and grabbed her bat.
"Drop the bat, ma'am, I am carrying a loaded weapon," the man tried to calm her.
"Hey, hey, hey, that's my..." Mr. Witwicky approached and backed off when Judy gave him a Look.
"But you'd better get those guys out of my garden or I am going to beat the crap out of them." Judy snarled in his face, anger in every line of her body.
"Are you experiencing any flu-like symptoms? Aching joints? Fever?" The man shined a light in her eyes. She blinked furiously.
"No!" I continued to silently linger in the background, praying that he wouldn't notice me. Sam burst in with Mikaela at his mom's shout.
"What is this?" Sam stood near his mom defensively.
"How you doing, son? Is your name Sam?" The man shifted his attention from the angry woman to her concerned son.
"...Yeah?"
"Well, I need you to come with us," the man continued obnoxiously.
"Whoa, way out of line," Ron immediately interrupted and moved to stand in front of his son, quickly followed by Judy. Even Mojo stood in front of the small group, barking incessantly.
"Sir I am asking politely, Back off."
"You're not taking my son." Sam's father spoke with strong conviction.
"Really? You gonna try to get rough with us?"
"No, but I'm gonna call the cops, because there's something fishy going on around here." Ron's eyes flickered around the room at all the men in suits and fished for an answer.
"Yeah. There's something a little fishy about you, your son, your little Taco Bell dog and this whole operation you got going on here."
"What operation?" Ron looked at the agent incredulously.
"That is what we are gonna find out." Another agent quietly sidled up to the man.
"I think, direct contact." The second agent murmured in the man's ear. The man stared blankly at him for a moment before turning to the group, holding an odd looking gadget.
"Son?"
"Yeah?" Sam answered cautiously.
"Step forward please."
"Just stand?" My heart stopped, and I felt my face pale. Before the agent could start waving his gadget around, I quickly stepped in front of my new friend. The man just used a single arm to shove me out of the way and waved a metal stick over Sam quickly. The gadget began to beep furiously,
"Fourteen rads. Bingo! Tag them and bag them!" he ordered cheerfully. An agent approached me and my arms were yanked behind my back. I involuntarily snarled at him, and I spotted my cousin suffering the same treatment. I also saw her slip a hand into the agent's pocket for a split second. She gave me a brief look, like the cat who caught the canary. I rolled my eyes and smirked. I heard the agent barking orders again, but I ignored it in favor of shifting uncomfortably as an agent gently guided me into a nondescript SUV. Sam and my cousin were sat on both sides of me. I could hear Sam's parents yelling as they were forcefully escorted away as well. The driver started the car and we were off, heading towards an unknown destination. There was an awkward silence for a few minutes before the man broke it.
"So. Uh Ladiesman217, that is your eBay username, right?"
"Yeah…. But- you know, it was a typo and I ran with it…." Sam blushed awkwardly.
"What do you make of this?" The agent questioned as he held up an old cellphone.
"My name is Sam Witwicky, okay? And my... uhh, car..." Sam's voice range out it in the silent car, static from the phone's speakers.
"Is that you?" The agent interrogated glaring at Sam.
"Yeah. That sounds like LadiesMan," Mikaela interjected flatly.
"Last night at the station, you told the officer your car transformed," he continued slowly. "Enlighten me."
"Well-Well, here's what I said, okay?" Sam stuttered out. "'Cause this is - this is a total misunderstanding, that my car had been stolen..."
"Really?"
"...From me, from my home... but it's fine now because it's back! It came back!" Everyone in the car paused to stare at Sam.
"Well….Not by itself..." Mikaela elbowed him in the ribs.
"Well no," Sam agreed instantly, wincing from the sharp blow.
"Because cars don't do that because that would be crazy," Mikaela finished the lie, letting out a fake sounding laugh. I winced. 'I really need to teach that girl how to act…' The car was soon filled with awkward, fake laughter.
"That's funny, that's so funny," the man sarcastically grinned at us with false cheer. He abruptly straightened his face and glowered. "So what do you kids know about aliens, huh?" Sam and Mikaela immediately began sputtering excuses.
"Oh! You-you mean, like a Martian? Like what? E.T.? No. No." Sam blurted out.
"It's an urban legend." Mikaela drawled beside me.
"Yeah," he agreed, nodding furiously. I decided to have some fun.
"ALIENS?! I KNOW ABOUT THE ALIENS! YOU CAN'T HIDE THEM FROM US! THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE!" I bellowed at the top of my lungs. Sam, Mikaela, and the agent all stared at me. The agent shook his head and pulled out his badge again.
"You see this? This is an I-can-do-whatever-I-want-and-get-away-with-it badge." he started, waving it in our faces rudely.
"Riiiight," Sam drew out the word sarcastically.
"I'm gonna lock you up forever."
"Oh God," Mikaela interrupted. "You know what? Don't listen to him. He's just pissy 'cause he's got to get back to guarding the mall." Mikaela challenged him flatly.
"You, in the training bra, do not test me," He bit back. "Especially with your daddy's parole coming up." I saw the hurt flash through my cousin's eyes, and I bit back a growl.
"WHAT? Parole!?"
"It's nothing..." Mikaela muttered, looking down.
"Oh? Grand theft auto. That ain't nothing?" the agent continued, sneering.
"You know those cars my dad used to teach me to fix? Well, they... they weren't always his." Mikaela looked at Sam, begging him to understand with her eyes.
"You stole cars." Sam repeated flatly.
"Well...We-we couldn't always afford a babysitter," my cousin continued quietly, "So sometimes he had to take me along…."
"She's got her own juvie record to prove it! She's a criminal. Criminals. Are. Hot." he crowed triumphantly, leering at Mikaela. I snarled shifting angrily. Before anyone could stop me, I kicked out, catching the agent in the face. Hard.
"Hey, Pedo! STAY AWAY FROM MY COUSIN!" I yelled at him, as he turned away holding his nose.
"That'd be a real shame if he had to rot in jail the rest of his natural life!" He snarled at me, as blood dripped from his nose. "It is time to talk!"
The gadget that had gotten us into this mess started beeping, getting faster and louder as we continued driving. Suddenly, a large foot stepped in front of the car. Tires squealed as the driver tried to swerve out of the way, but it was too late. The car slammed into the blue metal at 60 miles an hour. My ears rang with the screech of crushed metal and yelling. The windshield shattered as we were thrown around like ragdolls. I rubbed my neck as it twinged sharply from the whiplash. I heard thudding footsteps. Just as I caught my breath, metal fingers broke through the side windows, and began lifting us up.
"I can't see it! I can't see it!" The driver strained to see beyond the spiderweb of cracks on the windshield.
"Shift your weight towards the front!" the agent from before tried to order.
"All right, ALL RIGHT!" Next to me, Mikaela repeated 'no' like a prayer.
"WHAT IS GOING ON?! I DON'T LIKE THIS! WHAT IS HAPPENING?!" The yelling started up again, but this time, I joined in. I felt the SUV's tires leave the ground, and we continued our upward journey for a few seconds before the metal egan squealing. I was blinded by the bright light that shone on us as the metal finally gave out. I sucked in a deep breath just as the roof tore off. We dropped and I let out an ear piercing shriek. The car crashed to the ground, and I looked up to see Optimus toss what used to be the car roof like a piece of paper. The massive autobot shut off his lights and I felt relief wash through me as I sagged in my seat. Beside me, Mikaela hunched over trying to catch her breath.
"You A-Holes are in trouble now..." Sam murmured jubilantly. "Gentlemen. I want to introduce you to my friend, Optimus Prime."
"Taking the children was a bad move." Optimus growled as he towered over us. Agents rapidly exited totaled vehicles and surrounded our SUV, pointing their guns at him. He glared at them momentarily, before dismissing them. "Autobots. Relieve them of their weapons."
The Autobots immediately dropped in from their nearby perch. 'An ambush? Glad they're on our side.' The men surrounding the car began to panic as I watched Jazz swing smoothly off the bridge followed by Ironhide, and Ratchet who twisted a little awkwardly before landing with a grunt. I could also see Bumblebee jump off a little to the side, landing gently. My attention was drawn to Ironhide as he marched forward, cannons out and ready to shoot.
"FREEZE!" Ironhide ordered in his gravelly voice. Chaos erupted as the agents visibly panicked, some scattering and others shouting out.
"Give me those!" Jazz snarled and transformed his hand. I watched in awe as weapons flew out of the agents' hands, only to be crushed in his. I could hear Mikaela murmur in amazement, and I swear I could see a smug look the silver bot shot her.
"Whoa!" the agent repeated, his hands raised as the Autobots surrounded us. His head swung forward again as our attention was drawn by Optimus kneeling down. He and his soldiers loomed over us in the night, and I could feel my heart begin to race.
"Hi there..." the agent squeaked as he waved one of his hands.
"You don't seem afraid," Optimus regarded the man. "Are you not surprised to see us?"
"Look. Th-there are S Seven protocols. Okay?" The agent tried to appease him nervously. "I am not authorized to communicate with you. Except to tell you I can't communicate with you." There was a short silence as everyone stared at him. Optimus narrowed his eyes angrily.
"Get out of the car."
"All right… Me? You want me to get..." The man's head bobbed rapidly, but otherwise he didn't move.
"NOW!" Optimus barked irritably.
Everyone jumped at his sharp order. The agent was babbling again, but I ignored him in favor of trying to shuffle out of the car while my hands were still cuffed behind my back. I felt a hand on my shoulder and I turned my head to look at Mikaela. She smirked, holding her unlocked handcuffs between two fingers.
"Need a hand?" She joked. I rolled my eyes, but smiled as I felt her begin to unlock my own. She freed my hands in seconds and I brought my hands in front of me while I rubbed at my sore wrists. An agent helpfully held open the side door for us, and I muttered a generic 'thanks' as I moved past him. Mikaela was quicker to exit, and she walked purposefully over to Sam, spinning him around and roughly unlocking his cuffs.
"You're good with handcuffs, too, now, huh?" He taunted as he rubbed at his wrists.
"You weren't supposed to hear all that..." My cousin muttered. She looked up at him through her lashes, hurt.
"Yeah." Sam turned away, evidently disgusted. My cousin glared at his back, before lifting her chin.
"Sam. I have a record because I wouldn't turn my dad in. When have you ever had to sacrifice anything in your perfect little life?" Sam just gaped at her, his mouth hanging open in a small 'o'. The agent was yapping again, twisting about nervously. I brushed past Sam, bumping shoulders purposefully, and stormed up to him.
"What is 'Sector Seven'?" The agent gave me a dirty look. "Answer me!" I snapped.
"I'm the one who asks questions around here. Not you, young woman!"
"How'd you know about the aliens?" Mikaela stepped up beside me.
"Where did you take my parents?" Sam chipped in.
"I am not at liberty to discuss it."
"No?" Sam looked at him for a moment, pursing his lips. Shrugging, he reached out and plucked the agent's rosette from his pocket.
"Hey, you touch me that's a federal offence," he warned him.
"Do-whatever-you-want-and-get-away-with-it badge. Right?" He mocked, waving it in his face. Sam turned it over in his hands, as we turned away. "Agent Seymour Simmons."
"Yeah. Brave now all of a sudden, with his big alien friend standing over there." Simmons grumbled.
"Where is Sector Seven?" Sam demanded still turned away, he glanced back at the agent.
"Wouldn't you like to know," Simmons taunted him, sneering.
I growled softly in the back of my throat, and stepped forward. Mikaela glanced up, and pulled me back. I followed her gaze upwards, as Bumblebee took a step forward. The black and yellow bot fiddled with his crotch area for a moment, before a plug flew off, smacking Simmons upside the head. A second later, a steady stream of clear liquid followed. I gawped for a moment as I realized what exactly was happening. Simmons began shouting protest and I began laughing again. I could see Jazz turn his head slightly behind the group of agents as his shoulders shook.
"Bumblebee, stop lubricating the man," Optimus rumbled benignly but firmly. I slowly stopped cackling, wheezing as I caught my breath.
"Get that thing to stop, huh!?" The agent was shouting again. I glared at him, but didn't move.
"I'd come over and smack you for that, but I'd rather not interact with questionable fluids." I spoke loudly, and clearly. 'HOW DARE HE?! I've barely gotten to know Bumblebee and I know that he's not just a 'thing'!' I felt my face flush as I noticed the attention focused on me, and I looked down at the pavement.
"Alright. I want all of you lined up along the curb, and you. Tough guy. Take it off."
"What are you talking about?" Simmons asked Mikaela, confused.
"Your clothes, all of it, off." She ordered coldly.
"For what?" Simmons barked incredulously.
"For threatening my Dad…." she grouched. "And you're covered in questionable fluids. I'm not 100% sure how it will affect you."
"Little lady," Simmons snarled in her face. "This is the beginning of the end of your life." he tore off his suit jacket and clip on tie. "You're a criminal." He continued to strip, glaring at her. "Let's face the facts, it's in the gene pool." Mikaela arched a single brow.
"Those are nice," she nodded to the agent's ridiculous undershirt and boxers. "Now get behind the pole." I looked up as Sam and my cousin roughly cuffed Simmons to the pole. My eyes flickered to Optimus, only to see him already peering at me, blue eyes contemplative. I blushed and looked back at the agents sat in a line on the curb. My attention was drawn back to Simmons and another agent, the one who drove our SUV, as they began to threaten Sam and Mikaela again.
"This is such a felony, what you're doing," the driver spoke matter of factly.
"I will HUNT YOU DOWN." Simmons snarled at the pair as they walked back to me.
"He'll hunt you down!" the driver echoed.
"Without any remorse."
"No remorse!"
"OKAY!?" Simmons leaned close to his lackey, whispering. "We have got to alert EVERYONE."
"They already know," They driver snuck a phone out of his pocket, tilting it to show Simmons the bright screen. "Speaker." I perked up when I overheard their conversation, jogging over to them. Before he could react I snatched the phone out of the driver's loose grip.
"Not today!" I grunted, throwing the phone to the ground and smashing the screen with my heel. I looked up at Optimus again, but this time with determination. "We need to leave." On cue, I heard the sound of multiple vehicles approaching. The Autobot's scattered, transforming and speeding away, and Optimus offered Sam, Mikaela, and I a hand.
"Up you get," he ordered gently. We quickly scrambled on, holding tight as the tall bot began to run, smoothly dodging cars on the road, and buildings. A pair of choppers tailed behind us, but Optimus took a sharp turn and ducked under a bridge. He shifted us onto his shoulder, muttering a quick hold on as he heaved himself up in between the girders of the bridge. I quaked where Optimus had placed me in the crook of his neck, gripping hard enough for my knuckles to turn white. I shifted minutely, trying to get a better foothold.
"Easy, you three," Optimus breathed, and I froze. Sam and Mikaela clutched at his shoulder plates. Sam began to slide on the sheer surface, and he tried to scramble backwards, but slipped. Instinctively, Mikaela lunged for him, and pulled him up. Suddenly, she lost her footing and their roles switched, Sam awkwardly hanging on to Optimus' shoulder as Mikaela clutched to his hand. The choppers flew beneath us, and the air buffeted us. I saw Sam's fingers slip. I reached out, gripping his arm. A low whine escaped me as I strained, using a single arm to hold the three of us aloft. I could hear Mikaela and Sam yelling, but I focused on my hand as it slowly slipped from it's handle. I lost my grip and we screamed, falling. Time slowed down as I saw Optimus' foot swing out in an attempt to catch us, but he missed. I heard squealing tires and suddenly Bumblebee was there, snatching us out of the air and clutching us to his chest as he crashed to the ground. He set us down, pushing himself to his feet, only to be snagged by a cable, shot from the chopper above us. It was tangled around his hand and be yanked back, tugging and pulling at it trying to free himself. Another chopper appeared, shooting a cable at his free hand, trapping that as well. He was yanked off balance when they ensnared his feet as well.
"NO! STOP IT!" I yelled, running to him. I pulled at the wire surrounding the limb closest to me. I found a hook stuck into Bumblebee's armour and yanked it out. The wire around his arm slid free, and I moved on to his other hand. I heard cars approaching and I tried to hurry. The SUV's came to a screeching halt around us, agents jumping out. Armed soldiers surrounded us, aiming odd looking guns at the struggling bot. One knocked me away, and I hit the asphalt hard. White mist clouded my vision as they shot liquid nitrogen at Bumblebee. He began screaming, crying out as he jerked and twisted, trying to get away.
"NO! Stop!" Sam bellowed, tackling one of the soldiers. "Stop!" The soldier rolled over and pinned Sam with his hands behind his back. "NO! STOP IT! LOOK! He's not fighting back!"
I shrieked unintelligibly lunging at another of the soldiers. Mikaela tried to do the same, but she was quickly subdued. I wrestled the nitrogen gun away from the man I was entangled with. My victory was short lived as I was knocked off. I fell back as somebody tackled me. The soldier above me tried to hit me with the butt of his gun. He was yanked off me by the scruff of his Kevlar vest as Bumblebee tried to protect me. I rolled away and jumped to my feet, continuing my assault on the men attacking my friend. I bit and scratched at everything I could reach, trying to help the bot in any way I could. I was tackled to the ground again, but I fell out of reach of Bumblebee this time. The glasses flew out of my bra and skidded on the road. I flailed, knocking them away so the agents wouldn't see them. I tried to buck the soldier off me, but I lost consciousness as something collided with my temple.