A/N: I can hardly believe that it's been a week since I started this fic. I am so positively thrilled at the wonderful reception this story has gotten and I'd like to thank everyone who has taken the time to post reviews, favorite or follow. For those of you I cannot respond to, I hope the story itself answers your questions. That being said I want to apologize for the shortness of this chapter. I've had a migraine most of the day and I'd rather write short than sloppy. Please enjoy.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners (Hasbro et. al.). The original characters and plot are the property of the author of this story. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any previously copyrighted material. No copyright infringement is intended.
The first thing that met his optics when he opened them was gray metal. The wail of sirens assaulted his audials. With a groan he pushed himself up. What had happened? There were scattered bits of glass and metal littering the ground around him. A fight with the Autobots?
"Breakdown? Where are we . . .?"
"Umm sir, are you alright?"
He looked up at the Eradicon, blinking several times trying to clear his processor. "Do I look alright?"
"Umm . . . No."
"Slag it." He levered himself into a sitting position noting that he no longer had door panels on either arm and his grill was dented and scratched. His legs trembled slightly with the pain coursing through his circuits. At least he still had all four tires. "How far ahead are they?"
"You've been out for about fifteen minutes."
"Megatron is going to have my head." He went to touch his helm, his fingers coming away coated with energon. Hopefully it was just a mesh wound.
"Sir . . . About the humans?"
"Just shoot them. I've got to get after that Autobot."
He yelped as he transformed, metal pinching in odd places. "That slagging wrecker is going to pay for this."
Cannon fire behind him was followed with concussive explosions. Stupid humans, thinking they were a match for even one Decepticon.
He'd made it a few miles when there was a ping on his comm. Reluctantly he opened the channel.
"Yes?"
"Lord Megatron wants a report on your progress."
"I have been slightly detained but I can confirm that I'm in pursuit of Wheeljack who is injured."
"Wheeljack? I shot down that Wrecker."
"Well he survived."
"And if he did . . . Then who else might have? You haven't seen Optimus have you?"
"No, though there was a truck carrying a large load that Wheeljack seemed very intent on protecting."
"Hmm, I bet Prime didn't walk out of that base under his own power."
"Really?" Knockout scoffed. "How ever did you figure that out?"
"Just find him!" The seeker's tone made Knockout glad he was far away from those talons.
"Why don't you send more Eradicons? I could use some repairs-"
"Who gives a slag about your finish! Just follow your orders."
"Fine." Knockout cut the connection. Would it really be so difficult for them to just ground bridge in some more troops? Though they had lost quite a few in that battle on Cybertron, and he wasn't available to patch up the others. Pushing himself to his top speed he wondered just what Megatron was planning now. Cybertron was a loss and they hadn't succeeded in cyber-forming Earth either. So just what was Megatron's grand plan now.
Things were so far removed from those first days before the civil war had broke out. Any thought about the castes was a dim memory only shared by those who cared to remember it. He preferred not to. It was depressing to think about everything they'd lost. The image of Breakdown's broken visage swam before him and he forced it away. This was war. People died. He'd lost his share of friends in those first few joor when things had been so chaotic on Cybertron. A bot he'd known since he had been assigned a caste had been one of the first ones to die at the explosion at Six Lazers over Cybertron. That had been the start of the violence even if the war itself had begun from the moment a Kaon gladiator had taken the name Megatronus.
So what were they fighting for now? Energon? Somehow he didn't think that was Megatron's only impetus for fighting. The bot was a born fighter. If he wasn't fighting he was scheming. So what scheme was he dreaming up now? After a moment's reflexion, Knockout realized he didn't really care. As long as he was allowed to do the things he found most fulfilling he would continue to fight for the Decepticon cause. Whatever that cause might be. Right now it was hunting down the Autobots.
###
June sat huddled in a formed plastic chair in a cold waiting room. Cell phone gripped tightly in chilled fingers. A cooling cup of rank coffee sat on a table next to her. They were at an auto repair shop just outside Topeka, Kansas. After the attack by the Decepticon she'd decided that obeying traffic laws wasn't going to work. Wheeljack had not questioned her decision to push the wrecker to its limits. Thankfully Kansas roads were in excellent condition and the late autumn weather was cooperating. They had made record time up until the truck had started making strange hissing and sputtering noises. Apparently running down that 'Con had done some damage.
She looked down at her phone again. Willing it to give her a text notification. She'd been texting Jack off an on since the day before in the hopes that he'd get one of them and text her back. She had to force herself not to think about what he could possibly be going through. He was with Arcee. That thought alone gave her some solace. If she trusted any 'bot it was Arcee.
Twisting around in her seat she looked out the window at Wheeljack. The clerk behind the counter had nearly fainted seeing the sleek car pull up. Even now several mechanics were hovering around pointing and talking. Flipping open her phone she dialed Wheeljack's comm.
"Hey, you okay out there?"
"Nothin' I can't handle. They just know a good car when they see one."
June smiled at the confident tone. "Hows the leg?"
"It smarts but I'm not leaking."
"You haven't heard from anyone else have you?"
"No, sorry. Hey are you sure Optimus is gonna be okay while they fix the radiator leak?"
"Yes, at least I hope so. I told them I was transporting a movie prop."
"A what?"
"Nevermind." There was soft beep and she glanced at her phone. "I'll explain later. I've got another call."
Hanging up with Wheeljack she switched over. "Jack!"
"Mom, are you alright? Arcee said Ratchet is really worried about you guys."
"I'm fine. We're fine. Mostly. Optimus is really badly hurt. Where are you?"
"Ohio or Illinois I'm actually not sure right now. We've been keeping a really low profile. Optimus is hurt? How badly? Arcee is going to be so worried."
"We are taking him to Ratchet. Are you getting enough to eat? Where have you been sleeping? Do you need money? I brought clothes for you."
"Mom-Mom, I'm fine, I promise. I've managed to find a place to stay and I even have a phone charger."
June let her head drop forward, tears stinging her eyes. "I thought I'd lost you Jack."
"Mom . . ."
"When I saw the base go up . . . "
"Mom, it's okay. We're okay. Everyone got out."
"Well almost everyone."
"Optimus?"
"Yes, apparently he stayed to destroy the ground bridge controls and got caught in the explosion. I-I patched him up as best I could but, Jack . . . Don't get your hopes up."
Jack was silent for a long moment. "Is it that bad?"
"Honestly if he was human he wouldn't have survived at all, but it's not his injuries I'm worried about."
"It wasn't his fault, Megatron forced him. He wouldn't sacrifice us Mom, he gave up his home. The one thing they've been fighting this whole war over and he gave it up for us."
June wiped at the tears as her son's voice broke. "He's Optimus, of course he did."
"Yeah."
June tried to smile through the tears. "It will be okay Jack. Things might seem dark now, but they can only get better, right."
"Right."
"I better go, it looks like we need to get back on the road. I'll see you soon, hunny. I love you."
"I love you too, Mom."
Sitting up she took a deep breath and gave herself a moment to get composed. At least Jack sounded fine. But what about Miko and Raf? Their families must be worried sick about them.
"Ms. Darby, your truck is ready."
Getting up she went to pay. The cost was going to take most of the rest of the money in her account. Maybe she should see if she could contact William next. Being on the run was expensive. She went to Wheeljack first, a little shocked to see a dark haired man sitting in the drivers seat.
"Umm, excuse me?"
"Oh it's just me." The hologram flickered and solidified again. "Kept those mechanics busy."
The image winked at her.
"So that girl I sometimes see riding Arcee . . ."
"Hologram."
"Okay then . . . Well the good news is the truck is fixed. The bad news is that I've only got enough money for one more fill up, maybe two."
"I see. Are you sure you're going to use everything you've got packed in the truck? It would help with the fuel situation to lighten the load a bit."
"Wheeljack you are a genius. I know exactly what I'm going to do."
It didn't take her long to find a pawn shop willing to buy several of the larger items. She reluctantly handed over the shotgun. She was afraid of getting rid of the welder but Wheeljack reassured her he still had the emergency kit. She didn't ask where he was keeping it. All told she walked out with $750. It would have to do.
She leaned down pretending to talk the the hologram. "Well, I got us enough to refuel at least three times and maybe even get myself a hotel for a night so I can sleep in a bed."
"Good. We've only got about three hours before we reach Kansas City. Ratchet is in a place called Saint Joseph and he might actually beat us there. I'm just not sure where we can meet and I don't think Optimus can wait much longer."
"We need to get a hold of Agent Fowler. He's the one who can help us. If that con is still on our trail we've got to get Optimus to safety."
Getting into the truck she breathed a sigh of relief as it started right up. The engine back to its muffled rumble. Once they were back on the interstate she tried calling William.
"June? Thank goodness! Where are you?"
Relief flooded her and for the first time in nearly three days she allowed her self to relax just the slightest bit.
"I'm in Kansas, nearing Kansas City. I've got Wheeljack with me but we need a place to hide. We had a run in with a Decepticon a few hours back and I'm afraid they are still following us."
"Damn. I've got my hands full here. We are at war now. There is no hiding the aliens now. Not with that giant fortress out in the desert."
"Can you just find us a place to hide until the others can meet up with us? William . . ." She paused. "I'm not sure if this call can be intercepted but Optimus is alive. Wheeljack and I found him at the base. We are transporting him now."
"He's alive?"
"Barely, but stable. He's horribly injured though. We have to get him to Ratchet before his condition deteriorates."
"I see, let me make a few phone calls and I'll have something for you. Just stay safe. Please."
"I am. Wheeljack is an excellent escort."
"Good. I'll get back with you within the hour."
"Thank you."
"Of course. I've been worried about you." He cleared his throat suddenly sounding nervous. "Okay, well umm, I'll get back with you here soon. Be safe."
"You too."