Chapter 8
Lennox and his team had arrived at the Johnson Space centre in good time. Greeted warmly by a casually dressed NASA official, they had been shown inside the centre to meet the Director of Operations. The Autobots waited patiently in the carpark, passively scanning the area.
Lennox was accompanied by two of his men. A young Sergeant named Saul Lewis, handpicked by Lennox himself after he had worked with him in Qatar and an ex SAS soldier, Captain Ben Marshall. Both of them had proven themselves in the past year and Lennox trusted them both implicitly. Waiting in the Director's office, their civilian clothes almost seemed out of place in the room which was filled with army photos from Director Sullivan's long and lustrous career.
"They've kept us waiting for like an hour. You wouldn't think that they called us here for help." Lewis muttered, he hated waiting around. Lennox reflected on how similar he was to Epps in that regard, it was probably why he felt comfortable working with him. In contrast Marshall was sat quietly in a soft chair, skimming his way through a NASA brochure.
"Thinking of becoming an Astronaut?" He quipped at his British colleague.
"Ah, no Sir. Space aint for me, I like my feet on terra firma at all times. Not even that keen on planes."
"You're kidding? I thought you SAS guys weren't afraid of anything."
Marshall smiled wryly, "I never said I was afraid, Sir. Just not keen. You won't have to get tranquilizers to get me on one Sir, if that's what you mean." He winked in good humour, Lennox grinned he knew Marshall loved his 80's TV shows, especially the A-Team. He was no B-A Barrackas but Lennox was certain he did not want to be on the business end of one of Marshall's highly trained and lethal fists on a good day. Director Sullivan blustered through the door, he was out of breath and his face was red. He dabbed a hankerchief onto his brow.
"Sorry to keep you waiting Gentlemen. As you can imagine it's chaos here at the moment." His tone was insincere; he did not want military help that much was clear to Lennox. He was taking his orders off someone higher and he didn't like it. 'Why can't these things ever be simple?' Lennox thought to himself wearily.
"Still no word from the ISS?" Lennox was straight to the point, they had a job to do and they had to do it quickly, before anyone got hurt. Sullivan shook his head, his mouth pulled into a thin, grim line.
"Not only that, we can't get in touch with the other space centers; Russia, Japan and Germany. Even our French and British bases are incommunicado. I can't explain it. We think we've by-passed the problem then something else goes wrong. Then there are those damn radiation spikes all over the place. They appear and disappear. It just feels like someone is playing a game with us Major."
"Someone probably is Director." He met the Director's questioning eyes with a stern glare, eager to get to work. The Director nodded absently.
"I know how military works Major, need-to-know. You will excuse me if I am more than a little skeptical. I don't like noses poking around my base. I was military for years and I can tell you one thing I've learned, the military creates tension and right now tension is something we have plenty enough of." His thick Texas accent now betrayed any amicability he had initially presented them with. Lennox sighed, agitated. "We need to know where the last radiation spike was detected; we'll start our investigation there."
"The hanger bay, it's where we keep some of the fleet shuttles. They'll be retired soon; I don't understand what use any terrorist would get from sabotaging this base or the shuttles." He was being deliberately awkward and Lennox knew it. A man who hated to be kept out of the loop this was just what they needed.
"It's not your job to understand Director, that's our problem. Your priority is to get communications back online."
"Yes, yes. I have men working on it…" He waved dismissively at Lennox. Marshall stepped forward, his voice even, his stoney glare unwavering. "Director, despite your obvious ignorance in this area, I believe the Major would appreciate it if you were over-seeing the work yourself. Communications is our top priority." His clipped British accent was firm and to Lennox strangely intimidating, he would have to remember to use Marshall for all his future negotiating tactics.
The Director glared at Marshall and stood to face him. He pointed a finger at Marshall. "I'll have you know I was ordering men around before you could walk, mister. I will not be spoken to like that on my base." His voice raised, this was a man who was used to giving the orders and was now digging in his heels. Lennox smiled calmly. "Guys I think we were mistaken, looks like our help isn't needed. Sorry to waste your time Director." The Director's glare melted from his face. "Wait! You can't just leave… the Pentagon said they would provide full assistance!"
"Then I suggest Director, that while we're here, you take our suggestions seriously. We need communications. That is our first priority. I would appreciate it if you used your... expertise and saw to it."
Lennox's expression was impassive and stern. "Please." He almost spat the word in the Director's face.
"Before people start dying."
The Director's eyes widened at the possibilities of fatalaties, the seriousness of the situation dawning on him like a slow sunrise. "I'll get on it. Major." He was visibly annoyed but for lack of any further ammunition, he stormed out of the room almost as fast as he had entered it. Lennox softly back handed Marshall's shoulder. "You were a little tough on him don't you think?" He chided. Marshall simply shrugged, "I wanted to express urgency." Lewis snorted, "Yeah you did that all right. You walked forward, he practically shit his pants." Lewis sniggered, finding the whole situation much to his liking. Lennox frowned, despite his vague amusement at the Brit's lack of awareness in his own intimidating presence.
"Let's get to work, let's kill these damned Decepticons."
Lennox joined Trailblazer in the car park; Sunstreaker and Mudflap were close by. He'd already sent Lewis and Marshall on ahead of him to scout out the area for suspected activity.
"Right looks like we have possible incursions in the hanger bay at the rear of the base. We're going to have to go in quietly, discreet. I very much doubt we're going to be able to call for cover if all hell breaks loose. Hopefully we're just dealing with a couple of smaller ones. Sunstreaker can you contact Jolt back at base, update them on our progress? Also find out how Epps is doing. I wanna know if they've made contact over there. Trailblazer, Mudflap, we may need a hand in the hanger bay so you two are with me, don't transform just yet. We don't wanna' start scaring the locals, they're touchy enough as it is."
"Shall I just sit here then?" Sunstreaker revved his engine a little in indignation, always hating to be left out of the action. Lennox grinned and patted the bonnet of the silver corvette lightly.
"Sit tight, you hear trouble or we don't return in 15 minutes, come in and save our asses. Right now I need you to cover our six out here, you're the biggest ally we got out here. I don't wanna play my aces before they've shown their hand." Sunstreaker grunted in approval of Lennox's plan, it wasn't perfect but it had its charm.
The hanger bay was quiet, too quiet thought Marshall. To him quiet usually meant bad news. He and Lewis separated, each taking separate entrances to the hanger. Hand guns drawn, they were poised, ready for any eventuality. A screech echoed across the hanger. Suddenly Marshall noticed a small metal creature launch itself from the top of one of the space shuttles, it was heading toward Lewis.
"Lewis, you got bogies 3 O'clock, I'm coming your way." He hissed his voice low and urgent. Stealthily he made his way to Lewis. To his immediate left, he caught the glimpse of a flash and then weapons fire. Another screech could be heard.
"Lewis! Do you copy?!" He started to run. Another shot rang out, this time it ricocheted off the shuttle and skimmed past Marshall's head. He whistled silently as he watched the bullet embed itself into the wall opposite. Glancing round the side of a smaller aircraft, he caught sight of Lewis. He was surrounded by metallic, insect like creatures, some tiny and some over a foot tall. One had positioned itself on a girder above Lewis's head. It leapt, Marshall took aim and fired. The shot hit dead on target. The Insecticon went flying into the wall. It screamed in rage, shot to its feet and charged Marshall. The other's realising he was there, split into two groups. Lewis let off a few shots while attempting to dive for cover. He yelled into his radio to Lennox. "We got bogies! Repeat we have bogies! About twenty of the little bastards, we're surrounded. Get in here!"
Marshall heard him scream; one of the larger Insecticons had landed on Lewis's back and was raining shots onto him at point blank range. He manged to twist, grab hold of the frantic creature and launch it bodily into the side of one of the aircraft. A dark stain spread across Lewis's back. Marshall cursed softly. Letting down cover fire he cried out to his friend, "Get out of there Lewis and take cover!" Barely acknowledging, Lewis managed to stumble into an abandoned office. He crouched low, taking shots at any Insecticons that came near the door. Marshall breathed a small sigh of relief; at least there was only one entrance to that room no one could sneak up behind him. The screeching grew louder, they were everywhere. Marshall reloaded his weapon, while his position took heavy fire from the Insecticons' small, but powerful weapons. "Shit" He cursed as he loaded his last magazine into the gun. Their bullets were having limited effect, merely slowing them down. They wouldn't last much longer.
Lennox hearing weapons fire, raced to the hanger. Trailblazer and Mudflap arrived ahead of him. Transforming, they took flanking positions. Trailblazer directed Mudflap silently, who shot up and over the building.
"Wait for me!" Lennox ordered, but it was too late, Trailblazer had already disappeared into the hanger.
"Damnit!" Lennox cursed aloud.
Trailblazer didn't hesitate, with lightening speed he took out a dozen or so of the smaller Insecticons with a small EMP blast from his right arm. With speed and agility he launched himself onto the top of the space shuttle sitting in the hanger and with sniper precision, started shooting the larger Insecticons encroaching on the injured Lewis. Marshall watched with awe, he'd never seen the young Autobot in action and had to admit he was impressed. Lennox skidded in beside him.
"Status!"
"Lewis is injured, he's still moving though. He's trapped in that back office, completely surrounded, I can't get to him."
Suddenly Mudflap crashed through one of the sky lights, glass sprinkled onto the floor. The Insecticons screamed in rage and frustration, sensing the tide turning against them. Mudflap was an erratic fighter but a competent one. Preferring to manhandle the smaller bots he kicked and punched his way through the swarm that had seemingly come from no where. Lennox managed to get Trailblazer's attention.
"We need to get to Lewis! Can you provide cover?!" Trailblazer quickly scanned the area and leapt down from his perch. Giving Lennox a curt nod, he motioned forward directing the men to fall in behind him. They did so, Lennox using his slightly bigger weapon loaded with mini sabot rounds, laid down cover fire. One struck a bot squarely in its torso, sending it sprawling backwards with a gaping whole in its chest. It twitched briefly and went still.
"Gotcha." Lennox seethed with satisfaction.
Trailblazer was an efficient marks-man. He never missed a shot and never wasted a round. Crouching low as he neared the office, he slammed his EMP weapon to the ground. The surrounding Insecticons yelped as the blast hit them and then fell to the ground like discarded toys. Lennox and Marshall joined Lewis; he was bleeding badly from the wounds on his back.
"Can you move?"
"Yes Sir… I think so."
"Grab on to me, we're getting out of here."
"Sir!!" Marshall yelled. "We got more incoming!"
Lennox glanced up. Through the hole in the ceiling, larger Decepticons were joining the fight, though none were any that Lennox recognised.
"They just don't quit."
Lewis hauled himself up, and clutched onto Lennox's shoulder.
"Marshall! Plant the C4!" Lewis stared at him, Lennox shook his head. "I'll explain it to the Director and the Admiral later."
Trailblazer watched closely, Lennox gave him the nod. He moved swiftly forward, always keeping the humans in his shadow, blocking all attempts from the Decepticons, who were now blowing sizeable chunks out of the Hanger and its contents. Mudflap joined the group, taking up position behind Lennox and his men, laying down fire as he did so. Nearing the door, Trailblazer found the exit blocked by a larger Decepticon, who catching the Autobot's glare, grinned evily. He charged. Without thinking Trailblazer turned and scooped up Lennox and his men, ducking underneath the charging Decepticon, he rolled out of the way as it launched itself onto Mudflap. Reaching the exit, he dropped the soldiers lightly on the ground before heading back in to help Mudflap.
"Trailblazer no! It's gonna blow!" Marshall shouted to no avail.
"He's going to get himself killed." Lennox mutterd. Clear of the hanger, the soldiers waited with baited breath.
"Twenty seconds." Marshall counted. The battle could be heard raging inside. The first explosion sounded, followed by plumes of fire and smoke that consumed the hanger. They stared, their mouths agape as the detonations ravaged the hanger, sending smoke and debris into the air.
"There they are!" Lewis choked painfully, as he pointed. The others followed his gaze. Looking a little singed around the edges, Trailblazer and Mudflap could be seen racing from the hanger exit, followed closely by the last explosion of heat and fire that even sent the soldiers staggering a couple of feet backwards from the blast. Thrown off their feet, the Autobots landed heavily on the concrete. Mudflap jumped up excitedly brandishing his weapons.
"I wanna go again. Let them try it on now. Punks."
Trailblazer groaned as the soldiers approached and stiffly got to his feet. Sunstreaker, hearing the commotion, had now joined them. He was now transformed and towered over his fellow Autobot. Nodding in approval, he patted him roughly on the back.
"Not bad for your first day on the job huh?"
Trailblazer ached in servos and joints he wasn't even aware he had.
"Did we get them?" He asked lightly of Lennox.
Lennox smirked. "Yeah I think we got them." Looking back at the smouldering hanger bay he shot a wry look up to the red Autobot. "Next time you're playing hero, could you try not getting yourself all blown to hell? I really don't want to have to explain that to Optimus."
Sunstreaker laughed playfully, "Ah, he wouldn't believe you anyway." He landed another heavy pat on the smaller Autobot's shoulder, clearly impressed by his actions.
"Thanks for saving our asses back there." Lennox continued, "Now if you guys don't mind transforming again, I'd like to maintain what's left of our cover."
Marshall elbowed him lightly, "Just in time too, we have company."
"Great." Lennox sighed, as the Director came into view from the side of the main building. His bulky frame was moving swiftly. Lennox couldn't tell if his red face was due to exertion or rage.
"Looks like you got some explainin' to do Sir." Lewis wheezed from his sitting position on the concrete.