Chapter 20- Running.
"Girl you need to get that tow truck out of here if you're going to get you and Bee out of here in one piece". Mikaela glared over her shoulder at Lennox, and although she could appreciate his concern especially as she could now see the fallen Brawl regaining his feet from the corner of her eye, she knew she wouldn't move an inch until Bumblebee was safely secured, even if there would soon be an exceedingly pissed Decepticon firing on them by the looks of things. Bee sensed Mikaela's frustration as she continued to work quickly with fixing the chains in place, and chirped at her softly in reassurance, as he for one definitely appreciated his girls determination to stay by his side, though Bee also shared Lennox's concerns as he didn't want Mikaela to get hurt either, despite the fact Bee knew he would protect her with the last flicker of his spark if he had to, injured or not.
Mikaela heard Bee's comforting chirp, and she felt herself calming slightly as she looked up at his reassuring optics with a smile, "I'm almost done big guy, just got these last chains to secure then we can get out of here". Bee chirped with relief, and as Mikaela continued to finish up with the chains; Bee looked over at Lennox and noticed the way he was looking over at the rest of his team with a sense of desperation, and Bee instantly recognised that the young soldier needed to be with them, "Go be with your team, Mikaela is almost finished and I will keep her safe, I promised Sam that I would". Lennox looked up at Bumblebee and he could see from the look in the Autobot's optics that although he'd promised Sam, the most important promise Bee had made was the one he'd probably made to himself to keep Mikaela safe, and Lennox knew that when a male of any species made that promise to himself, they would die trying to keep it. 'Hell I would for Sarah or Annie', thought Lennox as he looked back into Bee's sure and steady blue optics, and somehow he just knew that while Bee and Mikaela were together, they'd both stay safe.
"Hey big guy, all secure so we're good to go". Bumblebee chirped, "Lets get out of here then beautiful". Mikaela smiled up at Bee, feeling a sense of relief that she was able to keep at least one of her boys safe. However as she climbed into the truck, she looked into the mirrors and as she watched Lennox run off towards the already smoking city with a distracted wave, she couldn't help watching the explosions with a sinking heart as the fears she had for Sam swarmed over her now she no longer had Bee's safety to keep her brain occupied; and as she pulled away from the main street just before another explosion lit up the mirrors, Mikaela heard the worried chirp from behind her and she knew without a doubt Bumblebee was thinking the same thoughts.
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Sam meanwhile was still running as best he could with the cube, Ratchet and Ironhide at his side. As Sam dragged another breath through lungs that burned, he couldn't help the smile that formed on his lips as he thought back to the disastrous football tryout, 'Turns out all I needed was two kick ass teammates and someone shooting at me', thought Sam to himself as he risked a glance over his shoulder, and quickly wished he hadn't as he saw Brawl standing again and firing in the direction of where he'd left Bee and Mikaela. Ratchet noticed the slight falter in Sam's stride and called out to him, "Mikaela will keep him safe Sam, and Bee will do the same for her. You need to concentrate on your task". Sam was about to retort angrily 'Easy for you to say', when he caught sight of the worried look on Ironhide's face, and Sam realised they were just as worried about those they had left behind as he was, and the two Autobot had far stronger ties to Bumblebee than he did, although his tie to Mikaela was almost as strong. Sam took a deep breath to steady his nerves and continued running, not seeing the approving glance Ratchet and Ironhide shared with each other at his actions.
"Sam, watch out". Sam instinctively hit the floor and rolled as an enraged Blackout flew over their heads, before hitting the ground. Ironhide tackled him as he transformed, and dodging the Decepticons blades, managed to knock the Decepticon back to the floor gaining Sam a few more minutes of safety; however as Ironhide reached Sam and Ratchet, Blackout had already regained his feet and as Ratchet looked up, he saw Starscream heading back towards them. Ironhide noticed the Raptors descent too, and shared a concerned look with Ratchet, before calling out to Sam, "Keep moving Sam, don't stop".
Sam turned to look back at Ironhide and was about to reply to him, when he saw Blackout slide past him, and he ignored the burning in his lungs as he squeezed another burst of speed out of his tired legs, dodging the car that Blackout destroyed with his blades as Sam passed it. Rolling as he lost his footing briefly, Sam got to his feet and looked up to see the Raptor from earlier transforming just in front of him. Sam felt his heart sink as Starscream looked at him through narrowed red optics that glowed with malice, "Hello fleshling, got something for me?". Sam breathed hard, "It's not for you, its staying with me". Starscream's optics narrowed even further, "Wrong answer fleshling". Sam dove for cover behind a parked car as Starscream began flipping cars out of his way, "The Cube is ours, and we want it now".
"Not getting it Screamer". Sam had never been so glad to see Ratchet and Ironhide, although as he watched them battle the Decepticon, he felt his heart sink as he heard Ironhide grunt in pain as a stream of bullets caught him in the side. Starscream laughed in a high-pitched voice before cocking his head to the side as though listening for something, and quickly transformed back to his Raptor alt-mode, taking off at speed. Sam crawled out of his hiding place, and quickly headed towards Ratchet and an injured Ironhide, "Oh god, Ironhide are you okay?". Ironhide looked at Sam, "I've had worse sparkling, though I'm not going to be much help for a while. You need to get to that building, it is the only way to keep the cube safe". Sam looked up at the two Autobots, "Okay. Though why did Starscream rush off like that, especially when he'd already injured you". Ratchet looked down at Sam through serious optics, "The only things that would cause the Screamer to act like that would be if he was in danger of losing or more likely, he heard the call of his masters voice"
"By master, I'm guessing you mean Megatron". Sam was unable to keep the fear out of his voice as he asked the question and Ratchet rested a hand on Sam's shoulder, "Yes, Megatron is somewhere here in the city. We could sense him as soon he arrived, but Optimus is also here somewhere too, so hopefully he will be able to keep Megatron from finding you, though be warned Sam the Cubes energy will be like a beacon to him, so do not stop running til you reach the building where the soldiers are meeting you". Sam nodded as he processed the information that Ratchet had given him, "I'll do my best, please make sure you guys stay safe. I don't want anymore of you getting hurt because of me". Ironhide looked over at Sam, "We chose to protect you, we know the risks so stop worrying. Now get going or you will be found". Sam took a deep breath, and shared one last glance with Ratchet and Ironhide, before he sprinted off once again with the cube. As they watched him run off, Ironhide finally sank to the ground, clutching his side, "Frag it Ratch. First Bee gets injured, now I can't help Sam stay safe either". Ratchet heard the frustration in Ironhides gruff voice, "Sam will be okay, he has come this far, and as you said Optimus is out there somewhere, so hopefully he will reach Sam before Megatron does". Ironhide looked up at Ratchet, "I hope he does too Ratch, I don't want another youngling in my care getting injured by that bag of bolts".
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Bumblebee had also sensed the Decepticon leader and as he knew better than anyone the damage that Megatron could wreak, his fears for Sam had increased. 'I hope Ironhide and Ratchet can keep Sam safe', thought Bee to himself as he listened to yet another explosion. However worried as he was for Sam, Bee was suddenly aware of Mikaela slowing the truck, and as he heard her curse under her breath, he turned his head and chirped at her questioningly. Mikaela heard Bee's chirp and although she wanted to reassure Bee that she was okay, Mikaela was unable to fight back the tears as she gazed at the dead-end in front of her. Bee felt his spark flicker sadly as he listened to Mikaela sobbing, as he was unable to get to her to comfort her, all he could do was continue to chirp at her in gentle tones. Mikaela raised her head from where she had rested it on the trucks steering wheel as she heard the stream of chirps from behind her, and she quickly climbed out of the truck and ran round to where bee was already holding out his hand. Quickly climbing onto his outstretched palm, Mikaela curled up against the warmth of Bee's chest plates as he held her close to him, allowing the warmth and the gentle rumbles of his soft chirps to slow her tears.
Realising Mikaela had stopped shaking, Bee looked down at her with optics that shone softly, "Feel better now beautiful?". Mikaela sniffed and looked back up at Bee, "A little, though I'm sure I don't look all that beautiful right now. I'm pretty sure I look all blotchy and horrible after my crying fit, this is why I try not to do it very often". Bee tenderly stroked Mikaela's back, "You are always beautiful to me, blotches or not". Mikaela looked up at Bee and raised her eyebrows, causing Bee to chuckle, "I mean it Mikaela, though what caused the tears in the first place?".Mikaela looked up at Bees concerned optics and snuggled back against his chest, "I don't know. I was, I am fine. Its just when I saw the dead-end, everything suddenly caught up with me. I'm so worried about Sam, and I know you are too, and I hate feeling so damn helpless, which I'm pretty sure is how you're feeling as well big guy". Bumblebee nodded slowly, and Mikaela felt her heart sink as she saw the sadness that tinged Bee's blue optics. However as she traced a finger over his chest, smiling to herself as she heard his contented humming, an idea suddenly began to form in her head.
"Bee, random question. Is all still okay with your firepower?". Bumblebee looked back at Mikaela, "Yes all firing as it should be", and as he saw the glint in her eyes, he knew his girl had a plan forming in her head, which was confirmed when she gazed back up at him with a smile on her face, "Fancy rejoining the battle Bee?. I drive and you shoot?". Bee looked at the grin on Mikaelas face and found himself grinning broadly in reply, "Sounds like a plan". Mikaela grinned up at Bee, and wiped the last of her tears as she placed a quick kiss on his cheek, before jumping down onto the street. Bumblebee chirped excitedly, and quickly transformed his arm into his cannon, "Ready when you are beautiful". Mikaela jumped into the driver's seat, and twisted round to share one last look with Bee, her blue eyes reflecting the glow of Bee's blue optics, "Lets go kick some Decepticon ass".
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Somehow Sam had found the strength to keep his tired legs powering through the streets of Mission City, but he couldn't help feeling much more vulnerable without the protection of Ironhide and Ratchet. That feeling intensified as he sped round a corner and came face to face with Megatron, whose red optics seemed to glow triumphantly when he saw the cube in Sams hands, an evil smile crossing his metal features as he called out, "Give me the Cube boy". Sam froze as he gazed up at the Decepticon leader, who was even more intimidating now than when Sam had first seen him back at the dam, and he felt his grip tightening on the cube as he answered in a tone of voice that sounded far braver than he felt, "Not a chance Megatron, it is staying with me". Megatron laughed as he looked at the defiant expression on the yound insects face, "You think you can stop me, the mighty Megatron, I think not fleshing. I have already stopped Prime, who foolishly thought he could prevent me from finding you". Sam felt his heart sink as he saw the gleeful look in the Decepticons red optics, "You're lying. Optimus could beat you". Megatron laughed and Sam felt the hairs on his arms stand up as the cold sound washed over him, "Such misguided faith in the mighty Optimus Prime. I've told you I have already stopped him and I'm sure my Decepticons will be able to take the rest of his puny Autobots out".
"Thats what you think Megatron, but I'm telling you I am not giving you this cube". Sam turned and ran into the crowded streets, doing his best to dodge the traffic but as he looked over his shoulder to see where Megatron had gone, not for the first time he found himself coming into contact with the bumper of a vehicle and hitting the ground with a solid thump. Wincing as he got up and ignoring the glare the driver gave him, Sam continued his run to the building he needed which was now within sight. However he was unaware of the chaos his fall had caused, as unbeknown to Sam the cube had released a small wave of Energon when he'd fallen and it had activated several nearby items, which were now releasing their sudden liveliness on the citizens of Mission City. However the burst of Energon had not been enough to sustain them for long and their sudden transformations ended soon after they started much to the relief of the citizens, but their relief was short-lived as they saw the giant mechanical being charging towards them, seemingly in pursuit of the boy who had run past them a short while ago.
Sam looked up at the building he had fought to reach and let out a sigh of relief as he ran into it. As the silence of the building surrounded him, Sam allowed himself a second to gather his senses, and almost instantly he found himself hoping that Mikaela and Bumblebee were still okay. However as he heard the sound of giant footsteps crushing the pavement outside, Sam knew he didn't have time to worry about his friends; he just had to hope and pray they were okay as he ran towards the stairs that would lead him to the top of the building, muttering under his breath, "You're not going to get me, I will get this to safety". A sudden crash behind him shook that certainty as he saw Megatrons massive form enter the building through a window and glared around him through narrowed red optics, "Where are you boy, I can smell you". Sam fought back his fear and continued to run, allowing himself a small squeal of fear as Megatrons head suddenly burst through the floor behind him. Sam met his glare for a second before he began his run up the stairs, which would lead him to the roof and hopefully to the place where he could get the cube to safety.
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A/N: Here you go, finally managed to update... bloody new work shifts are a pain in the aft lol ;) Hope you all enjoy xx