This fic is courtesy of me and Sentinel Prime/StarscreamSkydancer and I only own my OCs.
Disclaimer: Transformers belongs to Hasbro/Michael Bay.
Aboard the Nemesis, Knockout, Barricade and Breakdown reluctantly reported their failure to eliminate Lennox and his family to Shockwave.
"You idiots," scolded Shockwave, "if you're going to target the Autobots' allies, then don't let the Autobots get in the way! Fight through them if you must!"
"Are you serious?" protested Knockout, "there were four of them and three of us! How could we even fight through them if they outnumber us?!"
"Take out the weak ones," suggested Shockwave, "or catch them off guard!"
"Yeah," replied Barricade, "but none of them let their guard down."
"Do something they wouldn't expect," advised Shockwave, "shoot right past them."
"Ok," sighed Breakdown, "we got it."
"Well, it would help if Dr. Drama here didn't start squealing whenever he gets a teeny tiny scratch on him," mentioned Barricade.
"Oh, shut up!" snapped Knockout, "I had my paint job waxed yesterday!"
"Better your paint than your life," teased Breakdown.
Knockout stormed out of the room in disgust, causing Breakdown to snicker.
"What a drama queen," commented Barricade.
"If you two have nothing else to say," replied Shockwave, "then you are dismissed."
"Thank you," smiled Barricade and Breakdown in unison.
Breakdown and Barricade left Shockwave's quarters and wandered down the corridor, passing by some Vehicons along the way.
"Hey," suggested Breakdown, "how about you and me go after the other guy?"
"As long as Drama Queen Barbie doesn't come," mentioned Barricade.
"Yeah," agreed Breakdown, "that way he won't annoy us with his whining."
"I don't know how Megatron can stand him," replied Barricade, "oh well, let's go."
As Breakdown and Barricade were passing by, Thundercracker and Skywarp stood around a corner, and it seemed apparent that they overheard the banter between Breakdown and Barricade.
"Say," suggested Thundercracker, "I think I got an idea. How about we go after that bitchy director's niece?"
"Ooh," agreed Skywarp, "I like that. Let's go get Blitzwing."
Meanwhile, Optimus, Ironhide, Wheeljack and Elita returned with Lennox, Sarah, Annabelle and Akane, along with some luggage. While Wheeljack returned to his quarters, Epps and Simmons walked back into the hangar and noticed Lennox and his family.
"What happened to you, man?" asked Epps, "Sarah, good to see you."
"The Decepticons thought they could try ambushing us," answered Lennox, "but the Autobots were quick to intercept them. Also, it was rather funny to see Knockout complain about his paint job."
"Awww, man," groaned Epps, "Barbie was there and I missed it. I can't believe that guy's still a Con."
"That still does not explain why your family is here," reminded Simmons.
"The Decepticons were targeting them," explained Optimus.
"Bet that explains it, Simmons," added Epps.
"Could someone remind me of a time when Decepticons targeted civilians directly?" requested Simmons, "I'm starting to get confused here."
"They're trying to attack those close to us," clarified Lennox, "because they can't get to us directly. You saw what happened to Sentinel when Optimus died. That's what they're trying to do to the rest of us. They want to weaken us so we let our guard down and hand them the victory."
"If that's the case," replied Optimus, "we cannot let our guard down."
"So who are they going after next?" asked Epps.
"We will have to ensure the safety of your family," answered Optimus, "as well as Simmons and Mearing's."
"My mother is going to kill me," muttered Simmons.
"If we're going to be here for a while," insisted Sarah, "where do we sleep?"
"Let's go see about that," offered Lennox, "we can put your stuff in my room for now."
Lennox led Sarah and Annabelle further into the hangar.
"Bailey's family might also be in danger," reminded Akane, "remember what Megatron did to her sister more than a year ago?"
"Who could forget," assured Epps, "I'll go contact them."
Epps pulled out his smart phone and began calling the Hansons.
"This is Nigel speaking," said Nigel over the phone, "how can I help you?"
"This is Epps," replied Epps, "we have to warn you, the Decepticons may target you all again. We've already intercepted an attack on Lennox's family, and for all we know, you all could be next."
"Thanks for telling me," acknowledged Nigel over the phone, "I will inform Denzel and my wife about it."
"Good," smiled Epps.
Satisfied, Epps hung up.
"Okay," called Epps, "that's done."
Just then, Mearing entered the hangar.
"I hear there was a Decepticon attack," said Mearing.
"Or rather those bastards tried to snuff the Lennox family," replied Simmons.
"Yes," nodded Mearing, "I heard about that. But they were stopped, and no one got hurt."
"No one but Knockout's paint," replied Epps.
"We suspect that the Decepticons could target your relatives next," added Elita, "including your niece."
"I'll get on the phone," muttered Mearing.
Mearing pulled out her smart phone and began calling her relatives. The Autobots waited a few minutes, but suddenly…
"Oh my God," gasped Mearing.
"What happened?" demanded Ironhide.
"They're under attack," explained Mearing, "now!"
Mearing didn't pay attention to the fact that Sentinel entered the hangar, until…
"Now what?" grumbled Sentinel.
"The Decepticons are attacking our human allies' loved ones," explained Ironhide.
"What?!" exclaimed Sentinel, "why?"
"They're probably trying to weaken us so they could earn an easy victory," clarified Akane.
"Give me the coordinates and I'll send you there," requested Sentinel.
Mearing gave Sentinel the address.
"Not address," corrected Sentinel, "coordinates. It won't work otherwise."
Sighing, Mearing used the GPS on her phone to translate the address into coordinates.
"Men," Mearing muttered to herself, "can't please them in any species."
Sentinel stepped outside, and upon noticing the Pillars haven't been putting away yet, he transferred the coordinates to the Control Pillar.
"Commencing transport!" announced Sentinel.
Sentinel pressed on the top of the Control Pillar, activating the space bridge.
"Call me when you're ready to come back," advised Sentinel.
Upon cue, Optimus, Ironhide, Elita and Akane sprinted through the portal, taking them straight to the suburbs, where they could see Blitzwing, Thundercracker and Skywarp wrecking a nearby house.
"Come on out, little girl," beckoned Thundercracker, "we won't bite you!"
"But we'll bite your afts," snapped Elita, "Dorito Brains!"
"This looks like fun," added Ironhide, "who wants some Kentucky Fried Deceptichickens?"
Blitzwing, Thundercracker and Skywarp instantly snapped their heads at the Autobots.
"Step away from the house," warned Optimus, "Decepticons!"
"Or what?" remarked Blitzwing.
Ironhide aimed his cannon at the Decepticon jets.
"Guess," beckoned Ironhide.
Blitzwing, Thundercracker and Skywarp charged at the Autobots. Blitzwing was about to stab Optimus, but the Autobot leader quickly dodged and grabbed the Decepticon by the arm.
"Oh, scrap," muttered Blitzwing.
"I got ya!" shouted Thundercracker.
Thundercracker shot at Optimus's arm, causing him to shout in pain and forcing him to let go.
"Eat lead," shouted Ironhide, "you fraggers!"
Ironhide fired at Thundercracker and Blitzwing, forcing them to shout in pain. While Elita tackled Skywarp to the ground, Akane rushed towards the damaged house. The Japanese woman sprinted inside to find Kirsten crying while cradling her father's arm. Akane could see that he had a deep cut on his forehead while Kirsten's mother crept out from underneath the table.
"Who are you," demanded Kirsten's mom, "what's going on?"
"We're here to respond to the attack," answered Akane.
"Can you help my dad, please?" begged Kirsten, "you gotta!"
"We'll help your father," assured Akane, "just follow me."
Akane threw Kirsten's fathers arm around her shoulder and helped him to his feet.
"I'm coming, too!" clamored Kirsten.
"Where are you taking us?" asked Kirsten's mom.
"Once the threat is out of the way," explained Akane, "we're taking you to a safe place."
"And what about while the threat is still here?" insisted Kirsten's mom, "do you have some safe place we can go now, or are you banking on the chance that we'll get lucky and survive?"
"Do you have a basement?" replied Akane.
Kirsten followed her mom and Akane through the wrecked house and entered the basement. Akane gently laid Kisten's dad on his back.
"We'll be safe here until the threat passes," said Akane.
"You'd better be right, lady," muttered Kirsten's mom.
Back outside, Ironhide and Optimus were fighting off Blitzwing and Thundercracker, although Skywarp broke free of Elita's grip.
"Scrap," barked Elita, "stupid chip bot!"
"You fight so much for a femme," teased Skywarp.
"Look who's talking with those skinny little legs of yours?" countered Elita.
That gave Elita an idea. While Skywarp was trying to come up with a retort, she transformed and rammed him right in the knee, the force breaking the joint.
"Owww," howled Skywarp, "you bitch!"
"Just as I thought," smirked Elita, "snapped like a toothpick."
Elita transformed into her robot mode.
"Says the one who screams like a girl," mocked Elita.
"Warpy!" panicked Thundercracker.
Thundercracker saw Skywarp fall onto his back and raced towards his fallen trinemate. However, he shouldn't have let his guard down.
"You're grounded," snarled Ironhide, "Decepticon punk!"
Ironhide shot through Thundercracker's wings, causing him to shout in pain.
"Two down," announced Ironhide, "folks!"
Optimus extended his arm blade and charged at Blitzwing, but the Decepticon quickly fled, leaving Thundercracker and Skywarp behind.
"There," sighed Optimus, peering at Thundercracker and Skywarp, "that's done. Now what should we do with these two?"
"Any last words, Decepticon punks?" barked Ironhide.
"Owww," whined Skywarp, "I want Screamy!"
"Me too," replied Thundercracker, "Skywarp."
Before Optimus could fire at Thundercracker, he heard a missile launching and upon locating it, he quickly dodged it before it could hit him. Elita and Ironhide glanced around the area until they noticed…
"It's Starscream!" exclaimed Ironhide.
"Screamy!" called Skywarp.
"Gah," groaned Thundercracker, "my fraggin' wings!"
Starscream transformed into his robot mode and landed right in front of Optimus.
"There's at least three of us and one of you," commented Optimus, "Decepticon."
"I'm not here to fight you, Autobot scum!" snapped Starscream.
"Why don't I save you the trouble, then?" remarked Ironhide, aiming his cannon at Starscream.
"What I meant was I'm here to help my trinemates!" protested Starscream.
Starscream threw Skywarp's arm around his shoulder and helped him to his feet.
"Uh, Star?" mentioned Thundercracker, "I can't fly."
"We'll have to travel on foot," suggested Starscream.
"But," reminded Skywarp, "the Autobots. They'll shoot when our backs are turned, and I'm too slow to get away."
"Should we really let them go?" sighed Elita.
"So long as you do not harm the humans," concluded Optimus, "we will let you leave. We are warriors, not executioners."
"Fine," groaned Thundercracker.
Starscream and Thundercracker carried Skywarp out of the scene as Optimus activated his human holoform. The holoform searched the house until he reached the basement.
"All clear," announced Optimus.
"Thank you, Optimus," smiled Akane, "Kirsten's father is in need of stitches."
"I'll call Ratchet," declared Optimus.
"What kind of a name is Optimus or Ratchet?" paused Kirsten's mom, "what are you, street thugs?"
"Do you know my aunt Charlotte," clamored Kirsten, "or her friend, Mr. Prior?"
"I am an acquaintance of Charlotte Mearing and Mr. Prior," answered Akane, "and no, these men are not thugs. They're soldiers."
"What about you?" asked Kirsten, peering at Optimus.
"We need to get you to safety," replied Optimus, "Akane, see if you can help them pack up some necessary items while I get the father to the medical bay."
"You got it, Optimus," nodded Akane.
Optimus activated his com-link.
"Optimus to base," called Optimus, "we need—"
"Done," interrupted Sentinel over the com-link, "come on through."
Optimus carried Kirsten's dad outside and lowered him to the ground before deactivating the holoform. The Autobot leader then plucked the man off the ground with his hand.
"Ironhide," advised Optimus, "let me know when the other humans are ready to head to base with you. Elita, you're with me."
Optimus and Elita walked through the portal, taking them straight to base, where Sentinel and Ratchet were waiting to greet them.
"Is everyone all—" started Sentinel.
Sentinel glanced at the wounded man in Optimus's hands.
"Dear Primus!" exclaimed Sentinel.
"I'll take care of him," offered Ratchet.
"I was going to ask you to," replied Optimus.
Just then, Kirsten's dad came to.
"Huh?" he warbled, "giant…..robots? I'm going nuts."
"Optimus," asked Sentinel, "the little girl, is she—?"
"She's all right," assured Optimus, "Ironhide and Akane will arrive with her soon."
"Thank the AllSpark," Sentinel sighed in relief.
Optimus carefully handed Kirsten's dad to Ratchet, allowing him to walk into the hangar on his way to the medical bay.
"And now we wait for the others," said Optimus.