Michael slapped in a clip into his weapon of choice, the generation four Glock 17 pistol. He pulled back on the slide to load a round into the firing chamber and then clicked the safety on and stowed the gun in the inside pocket of his leather jacket.
"So I take it she likes to do it a lot then?" Michael asked Ratchet.
"Far too many times, the children once ended up being thrown out of phase with reality because of her actions"
"Wait, are you saying they once were thrown out of the regular flow of time?" Ratchet stared at Michael, surprised that Michael had an understanding about what he was on about.
"I did A-Level physics, fluid dynamics and quantum theory were my favourite topics" Michael explained. "Anyway, surely you must have some sort of plan to stop her running through the ground bridge?"
"No, we haven't looked into it. We all hoped that at some point she would learn that it is dangerous"
"Well why not use duct tape, I mean the whole British army is pretty much held together with it. Stick her to the chair or ceiling maybe?" Michael went over to a computer and searched the internet for 'duct tape' and 'stuck to ceiling' and showed Ratchet numerous photo of people who had been stuck fast to a ceiling or a wall and other places for a joke. Ratchet couldn't help but laugh, he liked the idea and decided he would ask Fowler for a large amount of the stuff.
Back all the way in the lake district, the Autobots were searching the area around the southern end of lake Windermere looking for the Decepticon human agent before Megatron met up to receive information to which the Autobots weren't too sure was about. And they were keeping an eye out for the children as they were no longer located on base.
Bulkhead had soon found a small road which he could drive down and still fit. He drove through the misty haze in the dead of night searching for any sign of either the agent or the children when the light of another vehicles headlight lit up the road. There was a widening in the lane so two cars could pass. Bulkhead pulled onto one side to allow the approaching vehicle to pass through. The car in question was the battered out white Ford Escort.
Jack saw Bulkhead coming from the other side of the road and prayed that Bulkhead would have seen him, because he couldn't do anything to attract his attention with the gun pointed at him by the man who called himself James, although Jack now suspected that might not have been his name. James slowed down and even acknowledges Bulkhead for letting him through as most people would do. James knew what the army green SUV was and he hoped that the Autobot couldn't see them through the glare of the headlights of his car.
Bulkhead watched as the car came passed and was about to ignore it until he saw hair with pink highlights like Miko's in the style of Miko hair. He did a thorough scan of the car that had just passed and he detected the signals all the children's phones coming from the car.
"Bulkhead to Optimus, I think I've found the children. They were in a car going in the opposite direction to me"
"Follow the car and remain in vehicular cover until you can confirm it is the children in that car. We will rendezvous with you as soon as we can"
Bulkhead struggled to turn around with the hedges flanking the road, he had to perform a fifteen point turn to do it. By now the car was out of sight, but seeing that there were no junctions the way he came for some time, it wouldn't be hard to catch up with. Soon he had the white car in his sights.
James saw in the rear view mirror that the Autobot had turned around and was following them. He knew he had been spotted and that the other Autobots were almost certainly on their way to come and rescue the children. He floored it and quickly got away from the big, lumbering SUV in the tight country lanes.
"Optimus, the car has is making a break for it. It's got to be the kids inside"
"Stay with them, Bulkhead. We will be there"
Bulkhead charged through the lane as fast as he could without crashing through the hedgerows. The Ford Escort had a much better time going down the lane as its history lied in rallying so it was no match for Bulkhead.
Arcee was not far away and was walking through the trees when she was informed by Optimus that the children were most likely abducted by an unknown assailant. When she realized how close she was to Bulkhead's position she ran in the direction of the lane. She could hear the sound of a car's engine revving high. She could see the light it was projecting. She made a mad dash for the hedgerow the lane was hidden behind and dived over it, only to land just behind the car. She transformed and gunned her engine after the car.
She quickly caught up with the car and attempted to overtake it. As she did the car swerved into her, forcing her straight into the hedgerow and she became stuck in the hedges, unable to move.
The car carrying on down the twisting lane until it came to a junction with a smaller dirt track. James drove the car at a much slower speed as the car jostled about over the bumpy track. The track soon ended as it came to the lakeside. James stopped the car and turned the engine off. He unlocked the doors while keeping the gun very clear in the children's minds. He got out and the three did as well. There was a small jetty with a RIB moored up at the end of the small wooden pier, extending into the lake. James flicked his gun in its direction, telling the three to go to it. As they slowly made their way to it, he followed behind so he always had a clear shot at them.
Arcee finally gave up driving to drive out of the hedge so she transformed which tore away the part of hedge she was currently stuck in, she stepped back onto the road, transformed again and sped off with Bulkhead coming close from behind. As soon as they came to the junction with the dirt track they stopped to be sure which direction the car went. They noticed fresh tire treads in the muddy track. Both Arcee and Bulkhead quickly made their way down the track and quickly saw the car abandoned with all the doors left open as if it was departed in a hurry. They did a quick scan of the area for any escape routes but with the trees all around the place save for the lake, there were none.
Arcee then realized, the lake. One place they wouldn't be able to travel across. She ran for the lakeside and saw the three children being herded along the jetty toward an awaiting boat, ready to ferry them somewhere else along the lake. She deployed her cannons and aimed squarely at the unknown man.
James heard the sound of an Autobots weapon power up. He grabbed the nearest of the trio which was Jack. He pulled him in front of him and turned around to face the Autobot, using Jack as a human shield, just as Bulkhead caught up with Arcee.
He raised his gun to the side of Jacks head. Arcee immediately stood down with her cannons disengaging. James walked backwards, taking Jack with him with the gun still to his head.
"You follow. They die" He threatened.
All four them got in the boat, James turned the engines over which roared into life. He shoved Jack harshly onto the floor as he quickly untied the ropes. He got to the wheel in the centre of the boat and gunned the engines, taking the three children out of the Autobots grasp.
Arcee and Bulkhead could only watch as they could nothing to stop the boat without endangering the children. But there was one thing that could stop the boat. The answer was Michael. Arcee was straight onto calling base.
The sound of her voice filled throughout the main control room "Arcee to base. The children have been kidnapped by an unknown human, possibly the Decepticon agent we're after. They got away on a speed boat and we can't chase them"
Ratchet and Michael didn't need to think about it. Ratchet offered Michael a hand which Michael stepped onto and the two quickly made their way over to the powerboat that was in storage in the base. Just out of the way in the nearby corridor, on a prepared launcher was the Chris Craft 390X with the name Cliff Jumper. Ratchet deposited Michael in the cockpit then he hauled the launcher back into the main control room, having to use some effort as it would normally be Optimus or Bulkhead who moved it. As he did this Michael was hurrying to prepare the boat for launch. Ratchet lined up the launcher with the ground bridge then help Michael undo all of the line that kept the boat in place. Once only being held on by the release hook Michael sat in the helm and fired both the massive engines up with the noise filling the room. Ratchet fired up the ground bridge to somewhere roughly in the southern end of the lake. Michael gave Ratchet the thumbs up to release the boat. Ratchet pressed the button on the launcher and the boat started to slide down the ramp toward the swirling wall of light.
James was pushing the RIB hard in a northerly direction when not far ahead a ground bridge portal opened up slightly over the lake and then a fairly large powerboat came through with the bow facing down and smashed the water surface, displacing a sizable amount of water. The bow of the powerboat dove into the water until the buoyancy slowed its decent and rose back up again and came straight for James' RIB.
Michael went for full ahead as soon as his boat hit the water and immediately saw the small RIB hurtling toward him and knew that was the boat the children were on. He hit full reverse and steered to port so that his port side became exposed to the RIB, forming a barrier for James to manoeuvre around. James swerved around and went behind the stern of the bigger powerboat and carried on its original course. Michael gave a hard over to starboard and with a kick of the engine was facing the direction the RIB went. He set to full power and the big powerboat rose up onto the plane and quickly gave chase to the smaller RIB.
Arcee and Bulkhead could only watch as Michael zoomed off down the lake in an attempt to rescue the children. The sound of the mighty twin engines reverberated around the entire area, well beyond the confines of the lake.
The RIB headed north trying to outrun the larger powerboat but with four people on board it just couldn't escape the more powerful Chris Craft, it was only a matter of time before Michael would overtake. From high above the water it was like watching a predator hunt down its prey.
James realised this fact but there was one thing that a RIB can do better than any powerboat, outmanoeuvre. James did a complete one eighty in almost the length of the boat and headed straight for the chasing powerboat.
Michael saw this and knew he had to get out of the way to avoid any chance of a collision, potentially killing the children. He turned hard to starboard and the boat leaned far over into the turn, creating a large spray which the RIB when through while jumping on the crest of the wake by the powerboat, this did little for the children's stomachs. Michael quickly caught up with the RIB and was close behind it, its wake did nothing to hinder Michael's progress. The RIB quickly turned around without warning, almost throwing the children into the water. Michael slowed down and frantically turned the wheel over to catch up with it again.
By now all the Autobots had gather by the lake side to observe the chase steadily move away from them as the RIB was constantly running back and fore, almost running circles around the larger powerboat. All were desperately hoping that it would all end well.
By now James decided to make a break for it and pointed north and went ahead full power. Michael saw this and did the exact same thing.
The little RIB had a lead of roughly twenty or so yards, but it was getting shorter and shorter as it could not escape the Chris Craft's power. Michael approached from the port side to get a better look as the helm was on the starboard side. He pulled out the handgun from his jacket and clicked the safety off.
The children could only watch as the James tried his best to outrun the powerboat. They all knew that Michael was far superior when it came to boat handling. As the large powerboat came beside them, they could see Michael behind the wheel readying his gun, they knew to keep down. Jack pulled Raff and Miko under his arms to protect them for what might happen.
Michael saw the kids duck, he guessed that they thought he was going to make a kill shot, but he wasn't. If he killed the man driving the RIB what would stop the boat crashing before the kids could stop it? He aimed in front of the RIB and fired a warning shot, telling the man he was serious and he was armed. But the man who Michael couldn't identify ignored it and kept going.
Michael increased his speed and manoeuvred his boat so the wash would serve to slow the RIB down. As he was in front he took a well-aimed shot at the inflatable tube and blew out three air compartments which meant the RIB was more likely to sink. This infuriated James who took out his gun and fired indiscriminately at the powerboat causing Michael to duck for cover.
James had enough of this, knowing that he wasn't going to outrun the one chasing him so he turned for nearest jetty he could find.
Michael saw the RIB once again make a sudden turn, he got to his feet and turned around again to play catch up.
James got to the nearest jetty and pulled the boat up to it without bothering to tie it up. He pointed the gun at the children, telling them silently to move. They all quickly got off and as they made their way up the wooden jetty James aimed and fire at the fuel tanks, erupting the boat into a big fireball. He turned back to the children, herding them into the woods.
Michael saw the boat go up in a blaze of fire, thereby preventing him from going near the burning boat or the jetty. He saw the nearest bit of lakeside he could ground the boat on which there was plenty of as the majority of the lakeside was beach made of soft muddy clay. He slowed as he reached the water edge and when the timing was right, he gave a little kick on the engines which caused the boat to dig into the mud, holding it there. He quickly shut the engines down so to reduce the chance of mud getting into the water coolant inlets. He also let the anchor go for good measure as he didn't want to come back to it only to find it in the middle of the lake. He shut everything down and made his way along the foredeck and climbed over the safety rail and jumped of the bow into the mud. He only had to take a stride and he was on firmer ground. He got his gun out and checked the firing chamber and moved off into the woods.
James had herded the three until they were in a clearing in the trees "On your knees, now" He commanded.
The children could only comply as the gun was pointed in their general direction. They went onto their knees in a line, facing toward James. Jack stared at the man trying to intimidate him, the other two were scared as hell. Miko's eyes were full of fear and Raff was mentally breaking down, murmuring prayers.
"Now this was unexpected" James started "Not only will I finally get the full whereabouts of Rickers to my master but also I will also deliver the three children the Autobots care so deeply for. But it's ok, you won't be killed but you will become their pets" He looked to Jack "As you can probably guess, Arachnid has laid claim to you as her pet" Jack sneered in returned. He knew that was not going to happen. The Autobots were nearby and Michael was fast approaching, neither would let them be taken prisoner by the Decepticons.
"As for you Miko, you'll be getting to know Breakdown much better. As for you Raff… I heard Megatron has plans for you. I person with insider knowledge to the Autobots computer system will come in handy to him" James chuckled. Raff shivered in unbridled fear. James was heavily amused at the fear he had instilled into the two of the three and he wanted more. He stepped in front of Raff and pressed the barrel of his gun squarely at his forehead. Raff began to whimper, he didn't want to die. He was only out here to stop Miko getting herself killed, but once again a gun was pointed to his head.
The sound of a gun clicking was heard, but it wasn't James'.
"Put the gun down" Michael ordered as he slowly approached with his gun aimed squarely at the man's head.
"By the time you fire, I would have as well and the boy would be dead"
Michael recognized the voice "Cosmire?"
"Indeed Rickers, now you put you gun down or the boy gets it" He threatened.
Michael slowly extended his arms out in front of him and ever so slowly put his gun to the floor and slid it away from reach.
"Now this is a new low for you. Control give you a telling off again and you decided to go rogue?"
"Shut up"
"Why are you doing this Cosmire? Why are working for them?"
"We're no longer the dominant specie on this planet anymore. It's how nature works, the stronger kill off the weak and now we're the weak ones. The Decepticons would be kind on us to let us live at all so we should all be glad"
"Are you listening to yourself?"
"No more talking Rickers, get on your knees and you too will face my master"
Michael took slow careful steps toward Raff. He stood next to the shivering boy and slowly went down on one knee, then the other and put his hands behind his head.
"How about you point that gun at me" Michael said slowly.
"And why would I do that?" Cosmire asked.
"Because if you keep pointing it at Raff, I will kill you"
Cosmire huffed "Fine, doesn't matter either way" He removed the gun from Raff's forehead which did little to calm the boy. Cosmire placed the gun an inch from Michael's forehead. Michael looked at the gun closely inspecting it. It was a 9mm Browning L9A1 standard issue British Army side arm.
"I take it that was yours from the army?"
"Yeah, why do you want to know?"
"Because I like it. Did you know they've been around since the Second World War?"
"Yes, now shut and we will all wait quietly as my master will be here very soon"
Michael nodded slightly, not too much to startle Cosmire but enough for him to see. Cosmire had the gun held with both hands but took his left hand off to check the time on his watch. But it was the greatest mistake of his life, just small little thing that people don't even think about was a costly error. Michael saw this and his left hand quickly grabbed the gun by the barrel, pushing it away from his head then his right hand came round the back of the gun and held tight. Cosmire retreated back but with Michael holding onto the gun, it only served to lift him to his feet. As soon as Michael was on his feet he twisted around and shoved his right elbow into Cosmire's stomach and yanked the gun from his hand. Michael carried on twisting round, pirouetting on the ball of his left foot till he was facing Cosmire again, only this time Michael had the gun and aimed it at Cosmire's head.
"On your knees" Michael ordered. Cosmire knew he had been defeated by a stupid mistake on his part which he was scolding himself for. He got onto his knees and put his hands behind his head.
"Now don't move. Guy's get up and get behind me" The three children did as they were told as they got behind Michael's hulking frame, using him as a shield from their would be abductor. Michael side stepped back toward his fallen Glock 17 while keeping the Browning well aimed at Cosmire. He slowly picked up his Glock 17 it in his left hand while still holding the Browning in the right hand.
"Now, what information do you have for your master" Michael asked.
"Everything about you and your cadet friends. I thought that maybe they would like to know where they are to put the pressure on you"
"Where's is you information?"
"You can't take it from me, it's all in my head. So what are you going to do about it?"
"Simple" Michael shot Cosmire in the head, killing him instantly. The children weren't surprised by his actions as they understood fully well why he did it.
But they could stay for long as a ground bridge portal opened up in front of them. Out from the ground bridge came forth the giant of Megatron.
Michael aimed for his head "Head for the lake. NOW!" He shouted at them. The kids did just that as Michael stood his ground to buy the three time to get to the boat.
Megatron was quickly flanked by a number of Decepticon troopers. They saw Cosmire's dead body and Michael standing there, aiming at them.
"Ah, Mr Rickers as you like to be called, you never fail to disappoint, just like Optimus. Have you come to finally accept your place in life?"
"As I warned you Megatron, I would find all of your human agents and get rid of them" Michael made quick steps backward, retreating.
Megatron snarled at Michael "Get him" He ordered his troops.
Michael opened fire, shooting for the trooper's eyes and managed to fell one. They deployed their cannons and opened fire on Michael who was now running at full sprint for the lake.
Back at the boat the three had quickly got to the lakeside at saw the Cliff Jumper beached near the jetty. They ran over to it and Jack gave Miko and Raff a boost onto the bow as the two help him onto the bow as well. As Jack was the only one of the three who could drive it, he quickly went to work getting the boat started. He fired up the engines and hauled in the anchor.
Michael was being blasted at by the chasing Decepticons as trees were set alight by the laser fire. He was getting through the trees quicker than the much bigger Decepticons was he was able to make ground quickly.
Jack saw Michael sprinting through the trees and knew that the Cons were close behind. He put the engines to full astern to free the boat from the mud. Michael ran through the shallow water as the boat started to move back. He made a jump for the bow at the last moment as the boat got clear of the sticky mud. Jack turned to the south and set the engines full ahead. Michael clung on the bow while trying to get back on the boat. The Decepticons broke through the trees and opened fire on the boat which had now got onto the plane. Michael got himself on the boat proper and immediately took the wheel from Jack. The three got down below for cover from the impending fire.
The Decepticon troopers and Megatron transformed and took to the sky to hunt down the four humans. They quickly caught up with them and rained down fire upon them causing the water to erupt as it was turn instantly to steam. Michael swerved the boat so much avoid the fire he didn't know the boat could lean over as much as it did. He got back to straight line and made it for the southern area of the lake.
The Autobots could see the Decepticons had arrived and were bearing down on the boat which had left their view for a while. They couldn't believe how much that thing moved along the water as it almost capsized by its own turns.
Michael could see the Autobots in the distance and headed straight for them so they could provide covering fire. He picked up the radio and desperately called base
"RATCHET, SEND A GROUND BRIDGE TO THE OTHERS LOCATION RIGHT NOW!" He screamed down the radio.
As soon the boat had brought the Decepticons closer the Autobots fired continuously at them. Michael did a quick U-turn to throw off the Decepticons and it worked as they flew straight over and came round for another pass.
Michael saw the ground bridge open up right next to the Autobots. He lined the boat up and gunned the engines straight and true.
The Autobots looked behind to see their ground bridge open up behind them and then saw the Cliff Jumper make a flying run for it with the Decepticons coming down like an eagle would as it was about to kill a baby rabbit. They knew exactly what Michael had planned to do. They continued their fire while making a gap in front of the portal.
Michael got the boat on the plane and it was Megatron himself who was going for the kill. Michael didn't falter and kept heading for the ground bridge. He saw a way of getting to the ground bridge, the jetty from where Cosmire had tied his RIB to earlier. The engines roared as the boat made full speed directly at the Autobots.
Optimus had fired a number of shots that hit Megatron hard enough to make him abort his run. Megatron broke off hoping his troops would take over and finish the human he hated so much.
But they didn't as at full speed the big powerboat hit the jetty, it launch the boat just enough to put it in the air at the cost of completely destroying the jetty. The boat flew right past the Autobots and through the ground bridge.
In the base the powerboat came flying through the portal at break neck speed and slid across the floor and colliding into Ratchet, pinning him to the concrete wall. The only damage to the boat was a slightly crumpled bow.
The Autobots disengaged their attack and retreated through the ground bridge with Optimus being last. They all came through to see Ratchet trying to push the boat away from him and Michael sprawled out over the forward deck. Bumblebee quickly shut off the ground bridge before the Decepticons could get through. Optimus and Bulkhead slid the boat back so Ratchet was freed.
Michael groaned as he got up shaking his head. The children crawled out from below. They were in a much better state than Michael, as they had strapped themselves in. Michael slowly got to his feet and saw the damage to the bow "Damn, that's my first collision. I hope the MCA don't mark me down for that" He joked.
The children's guardians helped them off the boat and carried them over to the medical bay. But they only had a few scratch's on them, apart from that they were unharmed, but shaken up by their ordeal. Michael however had a few cuts from the crash, so just as a precaution Elita carried him flat over to the medical bay. He was laid down on a bed as Ratchet came over to scan Michael for any broken bones.
"Well you haven't damaged anything, but I want you to stay there until June gets here to stich you up" Ratchet told Michael.
"Thanks Doc"
The three came to his bedside "You three ok?"
"Yeah we're ok" Jack said for all of them. Raff climbed onto the bed and hugged Michael's side.
"Thank you for saving us"
Michael wrapped his arm around Raff small body and hugged him hard. The small boy had been terrified and needed some comfort. When it came to the Decepticons, Raff knew Bumblebee would keep him safe. However it was Michael that kept him safe from the threat of evil humans. Michael kept the boy under his arm to help calm him until June would soon arrive.
Optimus called Miko over to have a quiet chat about following them through the ground bridge while the other Autobot had started to clean up as bits of fibreglass and metal was strewn across the floor.