Chapter 17

Autobot base…

The room was silent. Nobody moved. Arcee kept her weapon trained on Alex. A look of determination and anger in her eyes.

"Arcee, lower your weapon now." Optimus tried to order.

"Arcee, be reasonable." Ratchet tried.

"He shows up, gets shot at by Megatron, goes back to have a chat with him, and comes back unscathed with a newfound ability." Arcee said slowly. "And he thinks it's okay to not tell us who or what he is. I've every reason."

"I know who he is." Optimus said.

Arcee glanced at her leader. "I'm sorry, Optimus." she said turning back to Alex. "I'll ask again." She said. "Who are you."

While this had been going on Alex's mind had been in overdrive figuring out how to handle this. He gulped. "I can't tell you."

"And why not?"

Alex was silent.

"Let me tell you what I think." Arcee said. "I think you're some sort of decepticon spy."

"Arcee, that's ridiculous." Ratchet exclaimed.

"He's human. Why would he work with the cons?" Bulkhead argued.

"You have a better explanation Bulk?" Arcee said charging her weapon.

Alex inhaled. "Arcee," he said. "I am not your enemy."

Arcee didn't move. "Then prove it." She snarled.

Optimus watched this unfold. He was getting ready to stand in front of Alex if needs be, but he was uncertain if he could truly protect him from Arcee's anger.

Alex looked to the two-wheeler. He felt sorry for her. But at the same time feared her. He was either going to have to tell them something or Arcee would end up shooting him. Maybe this was it. Maybe the reason for there being no record of him in the show was because his killing took place off the record.

But it didn't have to be. He now had a chance to escape to the oncoming destruction of episode 26. He had a plan. And God save his soul if it didn't work. "I'm sorry, everyone." He thought.

He turned to look up at Optimus. The prime was still uncertain of what to do. But despite his lack of understanding, the look in the teenager's eyes told him that he was about to do something he would prefer not to, but it would help save his life. The prime tensed up and without much hesitation, lightly nodded to the human below. The other autobots were still waiting for Alex's response. Alex looked to the floor.

"Well?" Arcee muttered.

Alex then looked up and stared at Arcee right in the eyes. "Arcee, what's the time?"

Arcee frowned. "What?"

A frown now started to appear on Alex's face. "What, is, the time?"

Arcee cocked her head towards Ratchet. "Ratchet?"

The medic glanced at his computer. "11:30pm."

"Why?" asked Arcee.

A frown still on his face Alex inhaled deeply. "You might want to go check up on Jack."

Arcee kept her weapon up. She was confused by this statement. She opened her mouth to speak but Alex beat her to it. He turned to Bulkhead and Bumblebee.

"Actually, That goes to all three of you." He said quietly. "You might want to check on the kids."

"Wha-" started Bulkhead.

"You might want to go now." Alex interrupted. A slight touch of menace in his voice.

Looks of confusion and fear appeared on the three guardians faces. "What do you mean?"

"Just to make sure that they're all okay." Alex said with a bit more menace. The room fell silent once again.

Arcee lowered her weapon. A look of fear now evident. "What have you done?" she said slowly.

Alex bowed his head a bit but still maintained eye contact with the soldier.

"Like I said, Arcee." He said slowly. "I know things. Quite a lot of things. But while I may know quite a lot of things, I do not know what's going to happen to Jack, Miko and Raf within the next. Ten. Minutes."

This cold statement was met by a horrific silence as the thought of their human friends being in imminent danger rushed through the autobots minds.

Bumblebee was the first to react. Transforming he shot out of the base and out into the desert, determined to find Raf before someone else did. Bulkhead immediately followed, but not before giving Alex a look of anger and shock. He would make sure no harm would befall Miko. Arcee stared at Alex before turning to Smokescreen. "Guard him!" she shouted before transforming and following her comrades out through the exit corridor. Smokescreen looked at Alex, a frown on his face as Alex took a deep breath.

However he watched as Alex ran towards the couch area. "Hey! Where do think you're going?" he shouted as he drew his weapons.

Alex wasn't listening. He reached the couch and grabbed a black backpack from behind it, slinging it onto his back and clipping it secure. He then moved to his work station and grabbed his phone. Ignoring Smokescreens guns pointed at him he looked up at Optimus, a look of exasperation on his face. The prime had watched this unfold in silence and had kept his eyes locked onto the teenager.

"Optimus," Alex said quickly. "I need your help."

The prime didn't move. After a short silence that agitated Alex he spoke.

"Are the children safe?" he asked slowly.

"Of course they are!" Alex shouted in anger and desperation.

"But what you just said-" Ratchet started.

Alex looked at the medic and Smokescreen before turning back to Optimus.

"Please." He pleaded.

Optimus didn't like where this was going, but he knew Alex to not act without reason.

He turned to his fellow autobots. "Leave us." He said.

Ratchet was shocked. Smokescreen included. "Optimus!"

"I need to be alone with Alex." Optimus said firmly. "Now."

Ratchet and Smokescreen looked at each other. They were amazed at their leader's behavior. But they knew to trust Optimus's judgment. Reluctantly they headed down the corridor out of hearing range.

Optimus turned back to the boy. "Alex, what is going on?"

"Optimus, my trick won't last long. And when Arcee comes back there's gonna be hell to pay."

"Perhaps." Optimus agreed. "But why do you have luggage with you?"

"I need you to send me somewhere." Alex replied.

Optimus frowned. "Why? Surely I can protect you?"

"It's not that." Alex gritted his teeth. He was going to have to be careful.

"Optimus, there is… an event coming." He said. "An event which will have a major effect on Team Prime."

"What is this event?" Optimus asked with concern.

"I can only tell you that it's a big one. You see we are close to the season finale. This event will be part of how we move onto the next season. It is essential that it happens as it should, otherwise it could…"

Alex took a deep breath.

"It could damage the outcome so badly that the decepticons could end up destroying Earth."

Optimus reveled. This was now evidently serious. "You see your presence here being a threat to the desired outcome."

"It is." Alex persisted. "That's why I need you to bridge me out right now before the others come back. And when I'm gone, you need to erase the groundbridge history so that no-one but you can know where I've travelled to."

"Where do you want me to bridge you to?"

Alex told him.

Optimus was surprised. "Why there?"

"Because I know that you guys will eventually go back there. When the time is right and when I know what my next move is."

Optimus looked at Alex. He knew that this boy was important to their survival and success, but he had to make sure for the others sake.

"What effect is this event going to have on Team Prime?" he asked.

Alex twitched. He was running out of time fast but he knew he had to give Optimus something. "If it goes according to plan," he said. "It will allow the war to enter into its final stage."

This prospect of coming peace appealed to Optimus. He would have a difficult time explaining his actions to the others, but he had faith in Alex.

"Do you have sufficient supplies?" he asked.

"Yes." Alex replied.

Optimus then inhaled and turned towards the monitors. Tapping a few keys he turned and threw the groundbridge lever. It had an immediate effect as the groundbridge surged into life. He turned back to Alex.

Alex stood up straight. "Thank you." He said. He then darted towards the stairs and within a moment he was running across the main silo towards the green portal.

"Alex." Optimus called out. Alex skidded to a stop and looked up at him.

Optimus walked over to him and kneeled down to get closer. He looked Alex straight in the eye.

"While I may be willing to assist you in any way I can, I do not condone keeping secrets from my team."

"Hypocrite." Thought Alex, but said nothing.

"I am helping you now," continued Optimus. "But upon you returning to this base you will attempt to provide an adequate explanation to the others about your departure. Please promise me this."

"If only he knew." Thought Alex again, but he replied "I promise."

Optimus nodded. He then stood up straight and looked down at Alex.

"Until we meet again, Alex Matthews." He said.

Alex nodded. He turned and faced the swirling green vortex. He started to run. A moment later he was gone.

Optimus gazed at the groundbridge before turning around to the controls. A minute later the groundbridge powered down. He then tapped in a few more commands and upon those commands the coordinates history of the groundbridge were deleted.

Optimus then turned on his comm link. "Autobots," he stated. "Return to base."

"What about the kids?!" came Bulkhead's voice.

"The children are in no danger." Optimus replied. "There is no need for alarm."

"How do you know?" asked Arcee.

"Alex told me so."

There was a moment of silence. Then Arcee snapped. "Then why would he tell us that?"

Optimus kept quiet.

"Optimus, please tell me Smokescreen is still guarding Alex." Said Arcee slowly.

Optimus, as always, remained calm.

"Alex has…departed."

To be continued…

Authors note (PLEASE READ!): Okay people, I have bad news. This may be the last chapter for a while (And I know I am very evil and monstrous to leave you on this cliffhanger :D ). If the next chapter is not posted before the 6th of August, then I'm afraid you can only expect one by the end of August, as I doubt I will be able to write while I am travelling to the US of A to the city of 'Jasper.' Sorry.

Just to note, I will be posting the next chapter of my other story shortly to wrap that one off as well for the time being.

Again, I apologize for my evilness.

Enjoy!