Chapter 32

Nevada State military base infirmary…

What could have been mistaken for angels flapping their wings in the glow of heavens' door turned out to be Alex's vision slowly returning to him while opening them to reveal a roof fan slowly turning. Squinting he sat slowly up in the bed that he found himself lying on, still in full clothing. As his eyes readjusted to the light he was greeted by the sight of whitewash walls and medical equipment on either side of him. But Alex was unable to fully question where he was as he was then hit by the torture of an astronomical headache.

"I'm not surprised, considering that bang." Came a woman's voice.

Rubbing his forehead Alex looked up at Nurse Darby. "What happened?" He groaned.

"Apparently when the missiles hit, you were thrown back and you hit your head on the side of the table." June explained. She cocked her head. "At least that's what Arcee told us."

Alex blinked. "You don't believe her?"

"I do," she replied. "But what she was doing in the hangar before they hit she didn't say."

Alex lowered his head. "We were just talking. She was annoyed that I didn't tell you guys about what Soundwave and I-"

Alex's eyes then went wide as the flood of recollection hit him. His head snapped back up at June. "Where is everyone?" he asked quickly.

"Back at the hangar, why?"

"How long was I out?"

"Nearly four hours. Last time I heard from Jack, they were getting to launch some sort of remote-controlled gizmo-"

"When was this?"

"About half an hour ago. Why, is something wrong?"

"I need to get back now." Alex sat up intending to jump off the bed when he suddenly felt something cold and metal restraining his wrist. Looking down he discovered that he was handcuffed to the bed.

He turned back to June. "What the hell is this?!"

"For some reason, Arcee said that when you woke up, you might be a bit disorientated. Why she suggested handcuffs-"

But June never got to finish her sentence, besides Alex wasn't listening. Reaching down and grabbing the chain between the cuffs he immediately allowed the energy to flow. Instantly the chain began to glow red hot and with a resounding snap, came apart in his hand. Leaping off the bed he bolted straight for the door, pushing aside an entering doctor. "Alex, come back!" shouted June.

But she received no response as Alex kept running. A moment later he was out of the hospital and disappearing into the darkness towards the lights of the giant hangars.

Hangar E…

"Do you really think they'll do it?" asked Raf nervously.

"You just heard Optimus. He sounds pretty confident." Jack replied, though his voice also carried a layer of doubt.

The three kids were alone in the hangar after Agent Fowler had to briefly step out. Watching the status of the their Autobot friends on the many monitors their anxiety levels were at an all-time high, for if tonight yielded a failure, the consequences were more than evident. The more confident of the trio was in fact Jack who, after witnessing the destruction of the original Omega lock on Cybertron and the actions of Optimus Prime, knew that the leader of the Autobots would first destroy this one before letting Megatron point it in Earth's direction.

Suddenly Miko had an idea. "Why don't we just ask Alex?" she asked excitedly. "I'm sure he won't mind if-"

"No." interrupted Jack with firmness in his voice. "He'll only get our hopes up. Besides he's out cold right now."

"Yeah right he is." Miko scoffed. "It's been a few hours now, Jack. And will it hurt to just ask?"

Miko's timing could not have been more appropriate, for at that moment the sound of scuffling near the balcony door caught the threes' attention. A second later it burst open and Alex stumbled in, catching the guard rail to stop himself tumbling over.

Jack jumped forwards blocking Alex's advance. "What are you –"

"A bridge," Alex panted, out of breath from running. "On the ship. Now."

"Stay away from us." Jack said threateningly.

"Alex, what's going on?" asked Miko standing next to Raf.

Regaining his breath Alex headed towards them. "I am going home." He stated. "And to do so, I need to get on the Nemesis right now. So you'll forgive me if I skip the formalities and ask you to open me a bridge!"

"Why should I trust you?" Jack snarled. "After everything you've done, after you lied to us, again and again. How do we know that you're not just leaving to help the cons?"

"Time can't be rewritten, you idiot." Alex snapped.

"How can you be sure?" He shot back.

"So, what does happen tonight?" she asked Alex.

Alex damned it as it was coming out of his mouth. "The Autobots win. Cybertron gets restored."

"Are we supposed to believe that?" Jack eyebrows went up.

"MAKE UP YOUR BLOODY MIND!" Alex roared. Voice returning to a low sneer, he went on. "You can believe what you want, Jack. But one thing is certain, I am going home. And I will ask you to not get in my way."

"Or what? You gonna punch me, kick me?" Jack voice was also dangerously low. "Go ahead, prove to us that you are no better than the cons."

"Don't tempt me…."

"At the same time you get to prove that time really can't be rewritten. But remember if you're wrong, then the loss tonight is on you." Jack ended with a look of absolute anger.

Alex tensed up as if getting ready to attack, but Jack was right. He couldn't, not without hurting him. He was actually being hypocritical, going on about how the future couldn't be changed and yet here he was concerned that he could do some real damage.

Breathing deeply and realizing that he would have to find another way around the teenager, he cursed himself for resorting to a desperate and pathetic move.

He turned to the youngest of the trio, who hadn't moved from his place next to the monitors.

"Raf-" he began.

"Don't you dare!" Jack warned.

"I know what they say about me. All the things I said and did, they're true." He pressed on. "They're true, Raf. And I swear to God if I could take it all back I would. But this is the one chance." Alex stared at Raf with a look of utter pleading. "Please."

Raf stared back at Alex. To say he was uncomfortable at that point would have been an understatement. Jack meanwhile also turned to look at Raf with an incredulous look on his face. Miko stood still and quiet, not sure in which mind set she was.

Not liking the pressure being applied on him, Raf quickly made up his mind.

"You say won't be coming back?"

"Never."

"Promise me." Raf insisted. "Promise me that we'll never see you again, and that the Autobots will win."

"Raf, what are you doing?!" Jack looked shocked and fearful at the same time.

Alex stared at the pre-teen in the eye.

"You have my word."

Against the judgment of his friends, Raf nodded.

"Where on the ship?"

Jack darted towards Raf. He was quick but Alex was quicker as he intercepted the teenager and stuck out his foot, sending him flying to the floor.

"The engine room!" Alex shouted as he turned around and sped like lightning down the gantry steps. Raf also made haste as he turned to the controls and typed in a few commands. Before Miko could help Jack back on his feet there was the sound of machinery powering up and the whole hangar was filled with bright green light.

Alex had never run faster in his life as the portal appeared ahead of him. Meanwhile Jack rushed towards Raf and the controls, sticking his hand out to press whichever button his hand would reach first. Just as Alex was a few feet away from the portal, Jack's hand slammed down on the keyboard. Not even stopping Alex took a flying leap forwards.

As the groundbridge portal disappeared, so did he.

To be continued…for the last time…