Twist of Fate
Chapter 4 – Finding Answers
Waking with a start, Katherine sat straight up in bed, heart pounding, vividly remembering her dreams, which were of the destruction of Mission City. Working to calm her heart, she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep anymore. She pulled the blankets carefully, not wanting to disturb Persia, sleeping at the bottom of the bed. Quietly walking over to her window, she glanced into the night sky, seeing millions of stars. Resting her head against the window frame, staring at the stars, she tried to relax her mind and tire herself to go back to sleep.
A movement below her distracted her stargazing. She looked down noticing Ironhide, still in vehicle mode, heading towards the barn. As she watched him open the door, she thought back to what her brother said about not being able to tell her what she wanted to know, but what about Ironhide? Couldn't he tell her? As far as she knew, the Autobots had no orders to keep Mission City silent. She grabbed a warm bathrobe, stepping out of her room, making her way downstairs.
Once on the main floor, she quietly headed straight for the backdoor and rushed to the barn. Being as quiet as possible, she entered, finding Ironhide taking strikes at the air. It was obvious he was keeping up with this fighting skills. Not wanting to disturb him yet, she silently climbed the ladder to the loft. Reaching the top, she could see the mech better. Clearing of her throat, gave indication she was ready to be seen.
Ironhide didn't turn as he gave the air another punch. "I was wondering when you were going to make a noise."
Katherine stood, mouth-gapping open. "How did you know I was in here?"
He stopped in mid swing and turned to the woman. "It doesn't take a genius to know. I was able to sense your body heat as soon as you came close to the door."
"Whatever." She swung her hands. Looking around, she found a bail of hay. Getting an idea, she grabbed the bail and pulled it closer to the edge of the loft.
Seeing she wasn't going to leave, Ironhide completely turned to her. "So, what brings you in here at this late hour?"
"Can't sleep," she stated.
"There's more to it than that. I can tell by looking at your face, something disturbed your sleep." In the last couple of months, he had finally grasped the idea of what Autobots called stasis, humans called it sleep.
Katherine turned her head away. "If you must know, I had a nightmare and can't get back to sleep. Since my window faces the barn, I saw that you were coming in here and decided to seek some company. Is that wrong? You are my 'guardian'."
"You seemed to want to ask me a question." He ignored her evasive words.
"Very persistent, aren't you?" She sighed, taking a deep breath. "I thought perhaps you could give me the information that I'm looking for. Will can't tell me what happened, and you are not with the government nor the army..."
"So, you think I can tell you what you want to know," he finished. "Will it shut you up?"
Katherine snorted. "At least it will finally settle my nerves."
"What do you want to know?" he asked, crossing his arms. As he waited, he realized someone could walk in if they were to learn Katherine wasn't in the house. Lifting his hand suddenly just as she was about to speak, an idea came to mind.
She glared at him but soon her glare changed as he transformed. Peering over the loft, she saw the Topkick, waiting.
"I'm not going to stand around here all night with you looming over that ledge." He opened his driver door and the hologram stepped out. The man looked up and stared at her. "If you want to ask me questions, it's best to do it in private. I do not need Captain Lennox or his wife coming out here."
Finally understanding, Katherine stood and looked at a huge pile of hay below her. She slightly grinned. "I haven't done this in a long time. Ironhide, is there anything in that pile of hay?"
The hologram looked at the hay before turning back to her. "Just about five feet of straw."
He was about to ask her why but never was given the chance as she swung her hands into the air and jumped. A slight squeal of instant rush came out of her as she landed in the middle of the hay pile before pulling herself out. He never even had a chance to stop her before she was in the straw.
"What the hell was that for?" he snapped, the hologram walking over to the edge of the hay pile.
"Lighten up," she giggled. "All kids who play in barns jump into hay piles. Some even sneak onto private property to do it." She walked over to the truck, passing the hologram and opened the passenger door. She hurriedly pulled the straw out of her hair before climbing in.
The hologram walked over to the barn door and opened it. When Ironhide was out, the hologram then closed the door and disappeared. Before long Ironhide was cruising down the road, heading in no place in particular.
"Now, what do you want to ask me?"
"I have many questions and I don't know where to begin."
"Just tell me what you want to know?" he asked impatiently. "I don't have all night."
"My, aren't we snappy," she snapped.
"Look who's talking?"
Katherine crossed her arms in frustration, allowing silence to rein through the vehicle. She leaned her head against the window, deciding on what question to start off with. She knew Ironhide was waiting. Her eyes suddenly saddened. "Charles," she whispered.
Ironhide caught the name and remembered he was her mate but died during the Decepticon attack. Swallowing his anger, he decided to speak to her like he used to with Chromia, when she was alive. "How long did you know him?" he asked quietly.
The gentleness in his voice startled her. She was about to retort an answer back but stopped herself as she realized he was talking to her in a civilized manner. She didn't think he had a gentle side.
"I met him when I first started journalism school. He had just broken up with his girlfriend that he had from high school. Somehow, we ended up becoming friends while he was picking up the pieces. Eventually, have no idea when, we realized we loved each other, of course this was at least a year later.
"At the start, we took it slow getting to know each other well. Going out on dates but eventually even that changed. We were dating for about five years before we moved in together. That was five years ago, right after I graduated out of journalism school."
Ironhide slowed down, pulling into an empty parking lot. The engine and headlights turned off, sending them both into complete darkness and silence. The only light shining through were the parking lot lights. Before pulling into the parking lot, he sensed the woman was crying and now gave her some time to herself as she silently cried. After about a few minutes of silence he activated his hologram and broke the silence.
Katherine slightly jumped out of her memories with Charles as Ironhide's voice came directly beside her. "This is going to turn into an emotional rollercoaster so if you don't mind, I would like to get your questions done and over with."
She looked at the hologram as her tears slowed, before giving him a nod and turned away. "When was his funeral?"
Knowing who she was talking about, the hologram faced the windshield, looking out over the parking lot. He realized he entered a small convenience store, just outside of town. "There hasn't been any memorials as of yet for anyone in Mission City. The city is still getting cleaned of the debris and bodies. And to answer a question I know you already have, there has been no media broadcasts about the battle, other than what you've seen on what you call a Television."
Katherine snapped her head back at the hologram, whipping her hair around her face. "Not even the newspapers?"
The hologram shook his head. "No. Optimus has kept track of any broadcasts and to keep up with what the military are doing."
"How can you do that? Not even the media are able to."
The hologram turned to the woman and smirked. "We're robots, sentient mechanical beings. We're able to hack into any computers undetected, unlike your human hackers. Some of them get caught. And the military have a very complicated system. Mind you they have been trying to hack in but with no success. Of course, Ratchet is helping in on that to keep the hackers at bay."
"But you can get in." More silence came between the two for a few more minutes. "What happened to my paper?"
Katherine felt the truck jerk as if he were sighing. "That is really what you want to know isn't it. You wanted to know about your mate and what happened to your job."
Katherine remained silent for him to continue. The hologram disappeared as Ironhide continued. "Before Demolisher was smashed, the one I saved you from, he struck out against a building. It was the first building to go. But he wasn't the only one; Blackout was also part of the terror. The two attacked, making everyone inside panic and tried to get out but it was too late. Another Decepticon decided to barrel right through the building, causing it to crumble."
Katherine held her breath, afraid to know the answer.
"That building was Mission City Times."
Katherine's eyes widened in shock before tears came to her eyes. "NO!" she screamed as heavy sobs broke through the interior of the truck. She lost everyone she cared for; her boss, day security, friends that teased her about Superman. They were all gone.
Ironhide wasn't sure what to do. She wasn't being as hysterical as the day she saw her boyfriend, but that still didn't make Ironhide cringe less with her sobs. He knew she would have started crying and that was the reason he deactivated his hologram. He was going to need all this strength to hold back his nasty comments towards the grieving girl. Plus he was going to need to drive home.
When her tears started to subside, Ironhide began to get worried. He did a scan to make sure she was ok. With a sigh of relief, she was beginning to exhaust herself. Revving up the engine once more, he made his way back to the farm. He activated his hologram again and touched her shoulder.
She slowly turned her head towards the hologram. Barely above a whisper, she asked. "What about the survivors? I have...was told...by the woman I saved that her husband...who was there for a business trip...survived but the army won't release him."
"Since that day, they now have been released to their families. The army paid them off to not speak about Mission City to anyone. Why don't you lay down and rest?"
Too tired to argue, she removed her seat belt and leaned over to lay her head on his holographic lap. She was too exhausted to get out and head back upstairs to her bed. In no time, she fell asleep as Ironhide turned on his radio to soft soothing music.
As the sun rose, both William and Sara were woken to Annabelle playing in her crib. Sara sighed as she grabbed her robe and went to get her daughter. William was going to lay in bed but decided to see how Katherine was doing. He quickly half dressed with a pair of pants, going to her room. Finding the room empty except for the cat, but the bed was messy he wondered where she was. Needing to know, he went outside to see if Ironhide knew where she was.
He soon got his answer just as he stepped out onto the front porch to see Ironhide sitting directly in front of it. He opened his mouth to speak, but Ironhide never gave him a chance to ask his question.
"She's asleep."
The passenger door slowly opened as William approached, revealing the sleeping woman.
"I suppose you told her," he said.
"You have your orders and I have mine. I have been ordered to take care of her and if she asks me questions, I must answer to the best of my ability."
"She's going to be a mess for the next few days. Thanks, Ironhide for being there for her."
"Listen I need to speak to Optimus. I'll be away for the next couple days."
William nodded. He slightly nudged his sister until she woke. She looked like hell from her puffy eyes. Her eyes blinked, realizing it was morning.
"Will," she moaned. She slowly sat up and started to pull herself out of the truck. Careful in not allowing her bathrobe to open, she accidentally tripped, falling into her brother, landing completely outside the truck, giving Ironhide time to close the door.
"Katherine. I must speak to Optimus. I will be gone a few days but will return." Ironhide quickly revved his engine, never giving Katherine a chance to say anything as he pulled away, leaving the farmhouse. His hologram, activated, looked as if he was the one who was pulling out.
Ratchet and Bumblebee were in vehicle mode resting, looking out over a cliff, showing a valley. On the top of Bumblebee's hood laid Sam and Mikaela, engaged in a making out session while enjoying the warm sunlight. Optimus was the only one in normal form, looking out over the vast valley. This was the only place Optimus could really stretch out his gears. He was in the process of creating a coded subspace message to send out to any Autobot who could get the message when a noise came from behind him. Turning, ready to transform when the familiar GMC Topkick, approached him. The truck stopped just before Optimus and waited. The Autobot leader finished making his message and then had it sent out.
"Ironhide," Optimus said when he was done. "Why are you here? I told you to watch out for Katherine."
Ironhide was silent for a moment, enjoying the quietness from being away from the pesky human before transforming. "This was too important to speak over the radio. With everything we were dealing with, never had a chance to tell you. On the day we came upon Katherine's mate, I found something on his body that's quite intriguing."
Optimus nodded for Ironhide to continue. He understood when they fled Mission City; they were too busy in trying to hide and be inconspicuous. Yes, the entire US Air Force knew of them but not the rest of the world.
"When he perished, I came across a weird marking on his arm, called a tattoo." By this time, Mikaela and Sam were standing beside Optimus with Bumblebee transformed and standing with them. Ratchet stood on Optimus' other side.
"Sir that tattoo was an Autobot signet."
"Autobot signet?" Optimus repeated. "How would a human have knowledge of faction symbols?"
"I did some research on the man and learnt he was found by the US Army as a sparkling with the tattoo then. They never questioned the marking. All they did was found him a good home to be raised."
"Interesting," Optimus finally answered. He looked down towards the teens. "You two have any thoughts?"
Sam shook his head. "None. That's quite baffling in why someone would have an Autobot signet and be suspicious," Sam answered. "We can do some digging around where the man grew up."
"You do that," Optimus said. "Didn't you say you're now on vacation from school?"
"Yeah," Mikaela answered. "It's called Summer Break." She turned to Bumblebee. "This could give a chance not to cross paths with Trent. What do you think?"
"Trent?" Ironhide asked.
Ratchet looked back to the weapons specialist. "He was Mikaela's mate when Bumblebee first found Sam. She left him, opening the door for Sam."
Ironhide looked at the Camaro. "Does this Trent need a swift kick in the aft?"
"Ironhide!" Optimus warned.
The weapons specialist looked back at his leader. "Sorry sir."
"This new information could have just been radioed." Optimus commented, regarding to his Weapons Specialist.
"I needed to get away from the woman. Her grieving is beginning to get to me. It's reminding me too much of Chromia. I told her I'd be back in a couple days."
"You need to find someway to make this work," Optimus sighed.
"What is so special about her? She's just some sort of news woman."
"You know just as well as the rest of us, the Decepticons don't need a reason. What you tell me about her mate, she could be in even more danger, which could be the reason why Starscream attacked the construction crew in the first place. They may have information, we don't. Ironhide did you get a name of this man?"
"His name was Charles Griffin."
Optimus sighed and turned away from his men for a few moments. When he turned back, his face had a set look. "Autobots, we must know everything about this Charles. Where was he raised, his work history."
"I can tell you he was found in Maine but after adoption, moved to California," Ironhide stated.
Optimus turned to his spy. "Bumblebee. Take the kids and head to Maine and see what you can find. Ratchet. Go with Ironhide back to Lennox's home. Speak to the Captain about seeing if you can get the right tools that are needed to help revive Jazz. The junk yard seems to have the parts needed."
"Yes sir. Jazz's spark wasn't badly damaged. I have been keeping it in stasis," replied the medic.
"Good. I'll remain here and watch over Jazz's body."
"Well before we go, I need to tell my parents," Sam said. "Plus we'll need to pack some bags."
"Sam," Mikaela said. "What are you going to tell your overactive parents?"
"Overactive?" Ironhide snorted. "That's an understatement."
"The truth," Sam replied. "From being held by Sector Seven, they have been given full clearance of the Autobots."
"They know about Bumblebee?" Mikaela blinked.
"Sam not to insult your parents," Ratchet said. "But I find your family is a little…"
"Out to lunch." Sam answered.
"Out to lunch?" Ironhide asked.
Mikaela chuckled. "It's just an expression. It roughly means they sometimes can be crazy. Do weird things."
Ironhide nodded, still not quite sure he understood but he had his own problems. Mainly the woman he was ordered to protect and now informing his leader, his leader wanted him to protect her even more.
"Well I better get back on the road. At least I can take this time to be alone." He transformed and sped off before his leader could say anything.
Optimus quietly groaned as Ratchet transformed and left to catch up with his friend. He then turned to find the kids climbing into Bumblebee before the spy sped off as well. Once the dirt cleared, Optimus looked over the vast valley again. He sighed deeply. There was now a new puzzle for the Autobots to unscramble. How could a human have an Autobot signet? They needed to get answers.
His thoughts soon drifted to the one he loved back on Cybertron, wondering if she was still alive. Hearing Ironhide go on about how annoying his charge was, reminded him of when he lost his mate, it brought his hidden sadness for Elita-One. Turning from the valley, he transformed, making his way back down the dirt road towards civilization. He had to get back to the junkyard to protect Jazz's body.
As the sun rose for a new day, Katherine quietly got up. With only dressed in a bathrobe and nightgown, she crept down the stairs and out the front door to watch the sunrise. To her surprise, Ironhide was sitting in the driveway along with a yellow rescue vehicle. With one look at the vehicle, she remembered it was an Autobot, but couldn't remember his name. Only could remember there were two Autobots colored yellow.
Before Katherine could walk down from the porch, a man climbed out of the yellow vehicle. He made his way over to the porch. He looked to be late forty's with salt and pepper throughout his dark brown hair. He wore a white lab coat over light brown casual pants and a cream color button up top. He looked like a doctor.
"Hello Katherine," the man said.
Katherine looked at him for a few more moments before answering. "R...Ra...Ratchet?" Now she understood why he looked like a doctor. Ratchet was the medic.
He nodded. "I'm here to speak with Captain Lennox."
"That would be me."
Katherine turned quickly to see William standing behind her.
"Captain," Ratchet said. "Sorry to have disturbed you but is there any way I could have a word with you in private."
William looked past the man and saw Ironhide and another vehicle. It then donned on him the man in front of him was an Autobot hologram, Ratchet. Will nodded before climbing down the steps and walked with the holographic Autobot. When they were beside the two vehicles, Ratchet turned to the Captain.
Katherine remained on the doorstep watching the hologram converse with her brother at the two vehicles. She really hated being left in the dark, but there was nothing she could do about it. She was only a civilian. Her thoughts were interrupted upon hearing baby giggles.
"Captain, I know this is really strange seeing me like this."
"It's not really. I've already seen Ironhide produce a hologram."
"Talking about holograms isn't the reason in coming here," Ironhide slightly snapped.
"Sometimes," Ratchet started. "Ironhide, you can be a pain in the afterburner. Captain Lennox is there any way to get some tools to work on reviving our friend, Jazz. Our temporary location has enough parts to put Jazz back together, but I don't have the tools to do it."
"Ummm...I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you. With this holographic body, I should be able to repair Jazz. It'll take longer but I'll manage. I have full use of my hologram. To any citizen, I look and feel like I'm one of them."
"Hey," Ironhide grumbled. "How did you manage to achieve full access?"
The Ratchet hologram turned to the Topkick. "How often are you able to concentrate on your holographic projection?"
"Only when Katherine takes a drive."
"Perhaps you should try more often. You know Optimus gave orders to perfect your projection in case of human contact."
"I already had one."
"You did? When? Why didn't you inform Optimus about this run in?"
"I didn't think I needed to. Besides, I had full use except for sensations. They didn't suspect a thing. Katherine went and visited a woman in the hospital. There, had an altercation with three aftholes."
"My sister never mentioned that to me," William stated.
"That's because she doesn't know," Ironhide sighed. "What would I tell a human I was almost stolen?"
"Ummm...ok," William interrupted. "If you two don't mind, I'll go into the house and see what I have for tools that can be used to fix cars."
Ratchet turned back to the captain and nodded. "Sure."
He walked away, allowing the two Autobots to continue their discussion.
Ratchet turned back to Ironhide. "You still should have said something to Optimus. Or at least to me."
"I wouldn't worry about it. I was able to handle the situation and they never laid a hand on my armour."
The two Autobots went silent. Ratchet turned away and watched the woman on the porch. She was staring at them, holding something in her hands. There was another woman who was sitting beside Katherine. He watched the two women for several minutes before Captain Lennox emerged from the house with a red metal box.
"Here. These are tools I never use," William said as he handed the tools to Ratchet.
"What did you tell Sara about me?" Ironhide asked.
"Just you needed a tune up and were brought back just minutes ago before she came out. She believes a man was already here and left."
"There's one more matter, I wish to speak with you. It's about Katherine's mate," Ratchet pressed.
"Katherine's mate?" Will questioned. "You mean, her long-time boyfriend, Charles?"
"Close enough. We refer to the ones we dearly love as mates. Like you and your mate."
"Why do you need to know about him? Katherine is still grieving over his loss."
"I know but she could be in more danger."
"Ratchet," Ironhide butted in. "Let me."
Ratchet turned to the Topkick. "Go ahead."
"Lennox, when Charles perished, he looked straight at me and his optics didn't even flinch. I couldn't make what he was saying but his last words, which were directed at me, 'Take care of,' and that is all I got before his vital systems went off. I also noticed an Autobot signet on his upper shoulder."
"Autobot signet?"
"It's a symbol," Ratchet answered. "That dignifies between Autobot and Decepticon."
"I was able to look deep into the secret army files," Ironhide continued. "And found he was an orphan. He had the signet as a sparkling. The army adopted him into a family. We need your help in trying to find out what you know Charles and his family."
"Why is that so important?"
Ironhide snorted. "What if that man is some how connected to the Autobots? Katherine could be in a hell of a lot more danger from the Decepticons. In fact, so could you and your family."
"I would have to contact my superiors before giving you any answers. Do you know where Charles was adopted?"
"All we know," Ratchet answered. "Charles was found and adopted in Maine. Bumblebee and the kids are heading out to check it out."
"I can see what I can do. I have to talk to my superiors about releasing classified information that isn't in a data base."
Ratchet turned away and climbed in his vehicle. "Let me know. I'll be around. You can contact me through Ironhide."
Lennox watched as Ratchet pulled away. He knew his sister had gotten up from the porch and approached him. "What was that all about?"
William turned to his sister. "You know the rules. Classified," he stated. With one look at her, saw the hurt in her eyes. He turned away as Sara went inside to feed their daughter. He knew his comment was a little harsh but what could he say? He couldn't just blurt out the Autobots wanted to know everything about Charles. The man hadn't even been buried yet.
Katherine watched as they disappeared into the house. She was upset at her brother's comment but knew not to take it personally. It just meant that what ever was spoken between Ratchet, Ironhide and William was a military matter and she was only a citizen. Giving her head a shake, she looked at Ironhide as he sat in the driveway like he wasn't a mech disguised as a human vehicle.
Thinking back to the medic Autobot. She was baffled what her brother and the two huge mechs were talking about. There was no doubt in her mind they were at least talking about her, as Ratchet once in awhile would advert his eyes to her. She also had the feeling Ironhide was watching her as well.
A slight breeze blew her hair as the bathrobe started to pull with the wind. She realized it probably wasn't a good plan to stand out in the middle of the driveway in her nightclothes. It was time to go back inside to get dress and start the day. She had already missed the rising sun due to Ratchet's sudden appearance.