A/N: Hey everyone! Happy Easter! I do not own Transformers.
XXX
The normal pale blue of the cloudless sky was altered slightly as the air seemed to shimmer, similar to what you would see above the road on a hot summer day, before an odd hum broke the still air, a small dot of sea-green quickly growing into the familiar portal. A microsecond later, the olive-green wrecker stormed through, feet banging against the odd vortex as he leapt off of the edge, landing on the sun-cracked ground with a loud bang, dust rising up to envelope his feet. Without glancing back, he straightened, head turning as he glanced around the canyon.
"Fowler?" he called out, optics brightening as he surveyed the location for the agent. He suddenly glanced up, going rigid for a second as he let out a low, dreading, "Uh, oh!" He hastily stepped behind a large boulder, hiding himself from view as he leaned around the stone, glaring at the ominous purple warship hovering above the cracking earth, drones swarming around it like bees. "The whole Decepticon shah-bang." He quietly muttered, surveying the vehicons' erratic patterns as they buzzed around the warship. Nervously watching as one obliviously strolls past his hiding spot, his optics narrow.
"Alright!" A familiar voice called over in a hushed stage-whisper. His head snapped over to view his companion, and he groaned in dismay as he catches sight of the two girls, Kate bouncing in place as she leans against the smaller boulder beside him. "What's the plan?" Miko finishes, eyes sparkling in excitement.
"Miko!" he exclaimed in shock, a hand raising as he points upward, optics wide and bright as he freezes in dread. She confusedly spins around and glances up, Kate following her movements as they both turn, Bulkhead seemingly frozen in place as he stared on in horror. Their excited faces quickly turn into horror as they flick their eyes upward, a blaster charging the first thing they spot.
"Oh," Miko dreadfully deadpans, eyes glinting with fear as she slowly reaches out and grabs Katie's arm, yanking her to her side. "Unwise."
"Miko, Kate, get down!" Bulkhead shouts out, snapping out of his shell-shocked stupor as he seemed to come back into reality. Without a moment of hesitation, Miko quickly snatched Kate into her arms, leaping over the low boulder right as the cannon fired, stone spraying them all as she struggled to regain her balance. Sitting the younger girl onto her feet and grasping her hand, the teen burst into a sprint as the drone turned, blaster charging rapidly as he aimed.
Before he could assault them further, Bulkhead lunged, surprisingly agile as both of them slammed to the ground, dust swirling into thin clouds around their grappling forms. Pulling back his fist, he quickly swung a tight upper-cut, easily knocking the drone to the cracked ground once more. Kate shrieked as Miko swung her around behind another stone, both of them peering around in fascination.
"What they doin'?" The smaller yelled out to her companion, cerulean eyes glimmering in unease as the two fought for the upper hand. Miko paused, shooting a quick glance in her direction. Uncertain how to respond, she merely ignored her questioning, cautiously peering over her shoulder at the warship. She turned her head back to the fight, watching as the two cybertronians struggled to find a foothold on the loose, crumbling rock, blocking each other's hands from moving as they snarled.
"Miko, Katie, look away!" Bulkhead suddenly shouted out, voice heavy and tight from strain as metal ground against metal, sending a sickening, shrill cry through the air.
"But-" she began to feebly protest, stepping forward slightly as she looked on.
"Turn your heads away!" he demanded once more, dentas gritting together as he kept the drone locked in the struggle. His hand snapping from the Decepticon's, he suddenly reared back, a determined, hard mask clouding his previously compassionate features. Without a second thought, he abruptly plunged forward, hand breaking the armor covering the drone's chest, reaching in for a second before yanking backwards, pedes sliding from the force as the drone arched backward. Wires falling out of his chest as the wrecker gave a couple more fruitful yanks, they snapped off, sagging in his hand as he dropped the lifeless frame.
"Whoa!" Miko breathed out, hands clasped together as her eyes sparkled. Katie let out a strangled, muffled whimper, eyes brimming with unshed tears as she visibly shook, knees seeming to have been turned to Jell-O. Bulkhead cringed as his optics fell on the latter, dropping the bundle of cords as he winced. He was going to have a lot of explaining to do.
XXX
-Arcee, Bumblebee, do you read?- Bulkhead frantically called out over the Comm. Link, his voice resounding from the two vehicals' speakers. The Motorcycle seemed to huff in annoyance, accelerating slightly and forcing the Urbana to follow her lead, twittering in annoyance.
"Loud and clear, Bulkhead." Arcee drawled out, sighing as she forced her annoyance to subside. Sadie gripped the handles tighter in exasperation.
-I have a situation…- he nearly sing-songed, voice tense and tight. Arcee bit back an agitated growl, headlights flashing in the sunlight as Bumblebee listened in interest.
"Bulkhead," she chastised in disbelief, Sadie's head shaking slightly. "Their children… Humans! One of them's only a sparkling. Do… Whatever," she finished, releasing a long suffering sigh. Curving around the bend with ease, the two listened with growing interest as he explained their predicament.
Suddenly, the both swerved inwards, tires squealing against the pavement as a cloud of dust bellowed around them. "Your where?" Arcee nearly shouted, worry lacing her tone. "Their where?"
XXX
"What should we do?" Raf nervously questioned, gripping the bars tightly as he stared at the deactivated groundbridge. His face was pressed into a nervous frown, eyebrows furrowed and eyes glinting. Jack glowered, pacing the balcony as he waged an internal war, his emerald eyes clouded behind a mask of fear, guilt and worry. He stopped, clenching and unclenching his fists as he, too, stared at the quiet tunnel.
"Bulkhead may not even realize that they followed him!" Raf continued, turning to face the distraught teen.
"Miko hasn't seen the 'Cons in action like we have," he realized to himself, slamming his hand down onto the railing. "She has no idea. And Katie… Oh, no, Katie!" he half-way yelled, wheeling around and resuming his frantic pacing, tiredly rubbing his eyes. Raf turned to the monitors, and his eyes brightened in excitement as he typed something in.
"Those are the coordinates!" he suddenly exclaimed, turning on his heel to face Jack. "Their destination's still locked in!" Jack seemed to perk in relief, eyes seeming to glow as he nervously puffed.
"Um… you're in charge!" he revealed, looking briefly to the younger boy and walking away.
"In charge of who?" he exasperatedly exclaimed, arms stiff by his side as he shook his head slightly. He swiftly turned to the monitor, pressing a single button and turning as the giant levers that Ratchet had previously pulled slowly shifted, one side rising as the other fell. He hastily looked out from between the bars as the familiar whine broke the tense, silent air, eyes wide and jaw half-way dropped before he swiveled around and dashed down the metal stairs.
Grim resolve flared in Jack's eyes as he determinedly stepped into the inactive groundbridge. Smiling slightly as Raf skidded to a stop by his side, he watched in worry as the lights flared, the familiar wisps of blue-green filling the air. The next second, they vanished.
'Arcee to base, come in!' the familiar voice rang out, the femme's headshot appearing on the monitor screen along with her stats. 'Jack? Listen up, we need you to bridge us back!' A tense, impatient pause. 'Hello?'
XXX
The leaning motorcycle released a worried, agitated sigh, her spark thrumming in its casing as she rapidly went over the possible scenarios, each one worse than the last. "Bumblebee," she finally called out, voice grim and firm. "Metal to the pedal!"
XXX
The green wrecker pressed against the boulder, his plates occasionally chinking together as he risked a glance over, Miko sitting in his hand with Kate in her lap. He sighed in annoyance, optics bright and wide with fear. "What's taking Arcee and Bumblebee?" he ground out, Miko glancing to him as Katie hastily brought up a loose fist, swiping away a small tear that had managed to escape.
"Dude! The 'Cons could be putting the clamps on Fowler right now!" Miko exclaimed, sitting Kate to her side and standing up, hands waving animatedly in the air. "Let's just storm the joint!" Her frustrated rant was brought to an end as a loud 'whoosh' reached their ears, Bulkhead's optics dimming in relief as the portal spun open.
"Ah, their here!" the wrecker sighed out, a soft smile sliding onto his face as he vented in relief, his fingers curling around the two girls slightly. His grin quickly dropped, however, as Jack burst through, hair blowing in the desert wind as Raf landed beside him with a dull thump, fingering the straps of his backpack with a concerned, skittish grimace masking his features.
"Who-oa!" Raf choked out, stumbling forward as he struggled to remain balanced. "Are your bones vibrating?" he breathed, shaking slightly as he fought the tremors. Jack shrugged nonchalantly, shaking his head in confusion. As they moved around the stone which they had bridged in behind, they froze, their attention brought to the warship hovering in front of them, the drones oblivious to their presence. They stared in awe, seemingly frozen as they gaped.
"You there!" a deep, scratchy voice shouted out from the observation deck, three vehicons sprinting to the edge with their cannons charged and ready to fire.
"Scrap!" Bulkhead and Miko exclaimed in unison, their optics and eyes wide with worry as the wrecker gently lifted Katie into his other hand, blocking the scene from her view. Jack stumbled back, panic shimmering in his eyes as he grasped Raf's arm and hastily yanked him backward, the younger boy stumbling before regaining his balance and following. Shots rained down, leaving singed craters where they impacted, narrowly missing the pair.
Knocking the twelve-year-old to the sun-cracked ground, Jack quickly fell over him, shielding him from the blaster fire as an engine approached. They looked on in awe as the familiar green hummer tore into view, skidding to a halt beside them and popping the passenger door.
"Get in, now!" Bulkhead's voice shouted over the speakers, the Autobot insignia engraved on the steering wheel, flashing with every word. Jumping up and yanking Raf to his feet, Jack hurriedly shoved the boy towards the Autobot, boosting him into the seat before diving in himself. The door slammed shut with a loud bang, the gas pedal slamming to the floor as they shot forward.
"Thanks, Bulkhead!" Jack breathed out, sagging in the seat as the seatbelt wrapped around them.
"Yeah, thanks!" Raf echoed, panting heavily as he gripped the edge of the leather seats.
"Wh-What are you doing here?" Bulkhead's frantic voice played over the speakers, exasperation coursing through him as well as confusion.
"We were worried about Miko and Katie. Have you seen them?" he hopefully, tightly questioned, glancing to the charred landscape.
"What do they look like?" Miko's voice rang out, almost too happy as she slid to the center of the bench-like row of seats, Katie following her lead from the other side. Jack and Raf jolted in surprise, their heads snapping back as their eyes widened.
Skidding to a rough stop behind another large rock, the doors suddenly popped open, Bulkhead's overwhelmed voice playing through the speakers once more. "Everyone out!" he demanded, "And this time, please wait here?" he begged as Jack slid out, helping the smaller boy down before turning to the back and lifting his sibling off of the seat. The wrecker speeding off, Jack collapsed to his knees, arms wrapped securely around the small three-year-old as his eyes closed in relief.
"Katie, what were you thinking?" he quietly muttered, suddenly weak from relief as Kate's thin, tiny arms wrapped around his neck, his chin resting on top of her head.
"You hurt?" she suddenly questioned, pulling back from his embrace and seemingly looking him over. He let out a dry laugh.
"No, kiddo, but I'm the one who should be asking you that!" he gently scolded, rising to his feet and pulling her up with him.
"Where's Miko?" a loud shout pulled them from their small reunion, and all three peered up to the observation deck of the large warship. Bulkhead stood staring down at them in something akin to horror, jaw dropped as he seemed to sag in defeat. They glanced around, then turned to him, shrugging.
He glanced down as a low, loud knocking resounded from his chassis, shifting the plating away to reveal his interior. An exhausted, suffering gasp of relief echoed from the area as the teen pulled herself up, resting her arms on the edge as she panted.
"Miko?" he questioned in shock, looking down to the girl.
"I heaved on your floor mats," she sheepishly explained. "Sorry!" she retched slightly, and Bulkhead quickly lifted a hand, allowing her to climb onto his palm before lowering her to the ground. She fell off of his hand, collapsing to the cool metal. "Remind me never to do that again," she requested, her bangs falling into her face.
Turning his attention back to his sister and Raf, he looked to them both. "Are you both alright?" he demanded, lowering Kate to the ground and taking her hand. She looked up to him, nodding slightly as she attached herself to his legs, gripping his jeans in tight fists. He looked over the boulder just in time to find Bulkhead disappearing down a hatch, Miko in his hand.
"Think they forgot about us?" Raf hopefully questioned. Jack looked to him, mouth slightly agape as he began to reply, only for two tall shadows to fall over them.
XXX
The dull gray walls lined with purple seemed to close in on them, the metal claws wrapped around their waists tightening with every move they made. "We'll take them to the brig." The one holding Raf called out, looking to his companion, who held Kate and Jack in tight fists. "Commander Starscream is keeping the other human there." He motioned with his blaster, waving down one of the many halls.
They reached the intersection, and their fists tightened around the three humans as they quickly swiveled to look down the corridor, a loud, revving engine vibrating the still air. Before they could process the intruders, the familiar yellow Urbana swerved to the side, knocking their feet out from underneath them and sending the three humans soaring through the air. Transforming in a flurry of metal plates, Arcee quickly braced herself, Jack landing in one hand while Kate fell neatly into the other, Bumblebee leaping forward and snatching Raf out of the air, bleeping in worry.
Smiling smugly, the blue femme gently sat Jack onto the ground, keeping the youngest in her grip as she looked between them. "'Cee!" Kate gleefully shrieked out, wide blue eyes glinting as a bright smile lit up her face. The Autobot smirked slightly, unsure of how to respond as she looked to the young girl's brother, annoyance flaring on her features.
"Appreciate you clearing the front door for us, but storming the Decepticon warship was not on the activities list." She blandly announced, moving Katie to her other hand as she frowned.
"What 'tivities list?" Kate exclaimed, exasperatedly throwing her hands into the air and glowering.
XXX
Katie securely in the femme's hand, cupped against her chassis with the two boys following close behind, the pair of Autobots slid to a stop at the intersection, Arcee readying her blaster before wheeling around, scowling in detest.
"Friendly!" she suddenly yelled out, faced with the wrecker's blaster.
"He-llo!" he called out, weapon lowering as Arcee shifted her own back into her fist. She vented in relief, before her frown turned to a chastising glower.
"Brought the humans, huh?" she questioned, Kate nervously clutching her armor. Bulkhead grimaced, glaring at her slightly.
"You try getting them to stay behind!" he demanded, tone laced with frustration.
"We need to find Fowler and get these kids out of here," she mapped out, free hand resting on her hip as she shifted her weight to one foot.
"Uh," Jack called out, bringing her attention to himself. "He's in the brig." He and Raf simultaneously revealed.
XXX
The four humans froze in fear as the three drones approached, movements in perfect unison as their blasters raised. Taking a step forward and blocking the four from view with his pede, Bulkhead's cannon raised, a single shot knocking the line out of formation like bowling pins. Jack sheltered Kate, covering her with his body as a loud explosion rocked the halls, Miko and Raf placing hands over their eyes to protect them from debris. Looking back, three more stormed forward, Arcee sprinting toward them with ease and tackling one to the ground.
Bumblebee moved into view, standing in front of the humans as he fired. Jack grasped Raf's shirt collar, Katie on his hip as Miko chased them, bursting toward the side of the hall. Another stray shot ricocheted off of the wall, exploding onto the floor as they quickly changed direction, a drone's severed head landing where they had been standing, visor dull and lifeless as the wires sparked. The remainder of the body landed in front of them, blocking their other exit as the wrecker took a hard step backward, ground shaking.
He fell backward, hand landing in the middle of the group and knocking Miko off her feet. Seeing the four, he quickly grabbed the drone's chassis, throwing him over with ease. Landing with a hard thump, Arcee fired a well-aimed shot, decapitating the vehicons with simplicity. Blaster pointing upwards and shifting back to her hand, she surveyed the wreckage.
Releasing the three smaller humans, Jack stood, the four of them dashing over to the femme.
XXX
"Clear," Arcee forcefully informed, looking over the empty room with her cerulean optics glinting in hatred. Off-lined drones littered the floor, energon leaking from severed veins and pooling in the concave areas where blasters had struck. She looked to the door as the four humans darted around the edge of the doorframe, eyes wide and horrified. "Wait in here," she firmly instructed, looking to each in turn. Bumblebee warbled in distress. Arcee vented.
"They're slowing us down, and they're easy targets. They'll be alright in here as long as they stay put." She implied, glowering down at them. Katie squeaked slightly, eyes roaming to one of the lifeless chassises lying discarded on the floor. She looked to the femme, raising her hand and motioning to the carcass. Arcee's optics widened momentarily as she followed her line of vision, realizing what was going through her mind.
Kneeling momentarily, she refused to make eye contact with the small toddler. "Their… sleeping, so you have to be very quiet." She easily fibbed, guilt reflecting in her glowing optics. Kate giggled slightly, a hand covering her mouth as she clutched her brother's hand.
Standing, Arcee wordlessly moved out of the room, the two mechs sharing an uncertain, slightly disturbed gaze before following.
XXX
A/N: This chapter was getting pretty long, so I decided to break it into two parts. I know it wasn't my best work, but, in my defense, I cannot for the life of me write fight scenes. All I can make out when I watch them is that they're beating the living slag outta each other. So, ya. Please R+R!