NOTE TO READERS: Your reviews are as always appreciated but please read my other works, like my 101 Dalmatians works, like 101 Dalmatians 2: Black and White. No one has reviewed it so far.
Trials, Tribulations, and Transformations
XXII - Zero Hour Part Three
Zelienople, PA - May 8th, 2011 - Sunday, 9:30 am
"Are you alright Nurse Darby?"
June Darby sat a folded chair, brushing her long raven-black hair. She looked sullen.
"No Ratchet, I'm not," she almost whispered. "I have faith that Jack is quite safe and will stay safe, but thinking of him being in the middle of a dangerous situation, that weighs heavy on my heart and mind."
Ratchet stepped away from his work station and knelt down so that he was at eye-level with the distraught mother.
"I know it's hard June, really I do," Ratchet said gently. "But we need to keep our heads. Arcee is more than capable to watch over Jack and where they are now is as safe as it's going to get."
June looked about her surroundings. They were in what appears to be a bunker of Cybertronian origin. It was quite small but large enough to compensate for a few Autobots, perhaps two or three. It had what appeared to be slabs of metal which formed the Autobot equivalent for bunk beds. It had a large mainframe and chair and a work table along with a large cylindrical tank of Energon, enough to compensate for just one Autobot for months.
"And you said this bunker was here for how long?" June asked.
Ratchet stood up and rubbed his chin. "Hard to say exactly but roughly around the time before Cybertron went dark. I'd say around three earth centuries ago."
June put a hand to her mouth as she gasped sharply. "That long?"
Ratchet nodded grimly. "Indeed. Optimus did not expect to use these bases so soon. We had only landed on earth a few decades ago."
"And they are undetectable?"
Ratchet smiled confidently. "Completely. We are nearly a hundred feet below the ground and these walls are heavily insulated. Not even Soundwave could detect them and the Decepticons have been on earth longer than we have. If they could find them, they would have commandeered them and their supplies already."
June sighed in relief. "So Jack and the others are quite safe?"
"Yes, quite safe. So long as they remain in their bunkers until Optimus calls us."
June frowned.
She looked up at Ratchet's workstation and upon the table was the data cylinder which was the same one that was acquired yesterday but at no small cost.
"How's the project coming along?" June asked.
"Slow and steady June," Ratchet answered regretfully. "It will take time to dispel the corruption but it will take even more time to reformat the data into its original form."
"But it can be done?"
"Yes June," Ratchet said. "It can but it will require time."
June grimaced. "Time we may not have."
"But more time than we would have if we stayed at the old base."
"Do you think the 'Cons or MECH have already found it?" June asked.
"I can't say for certain but we could not wait to find out."
"And Optimus?" June said with a quiver of concern in her voice.
Ratchet said nothing. He slumped his shoulders and let out a wounded sigh.
"He is too brave for his own good."
June felt her stomach drop. "What has he done?"
"It's not just what he has done June, it's what he is doing right now." Ratchet sounded both angry and disbelieving at the same time. "He stayed behind at the base, dismantled the groundbridge, set the base to self-destruct, and escaped with the dismantled groundbridge in his trailer."
Paled, June's eyes became wide as dinner plates. "H-He," she stammered. "He does not intend to transport the groundbridge by driving it to the new base himself."
Ratchet scowled. "That is exactly his intention and he's willing to push through a sea of his own Energon to do it." The doctor sighed. "Hopefully, it won't come to that. Given that we have split up the team, the Decepticons will be hard pressed in tracking our energy signatures all at once, but…" Ratchet shook his head as though trying to dislodge an unwelcome thought. "But once they pinpointed the location of our old base, they may broaden their search parameters and track Optimus down."
June covered her mouth. "Is there anything we can do?"
"No," Ratchet said quietly. "As much as it pains me to say it, Optimus, for now, is on his own."
Bryce Canyon City, UT - 11:00 am
The town was quiet. That was good. Even if it wasn't, humans would hardly register the passing of a big rig. Just another semi transporting goods.
As far as they knew.
For the sake of subtlety, Optimus Prime saw fit to alter his vehicle mode once more, in the event that perhaps the Decepticons were privy to his change when he picked up Agent Fowler's son.
He was sporting a jet-black Western Star 5700 with a silver flame design. Not his first choice but the priority of being inconspicuous was vital in this operation.
I should be more than halfway at this point.
Optimus Prime had driven nonstop since abandoning the base.
Or what was left it anyway.
I had kept those tritium charges as a contingency if the base was ever compromised so that any trace, any evidence of our being there would not remain.
Optimus felt his spark clench inside of him as a certain thought crossed his mind.
I hope Sari is alright.
The Prime mentally kicked himself. He is the Last Prime, Leader of the Autobots. He did not have the luxury of becoming attached to anyone, not even…
Optimus sighed gravely to himself. For the short time that he has been on earth, he had found himself deeply astounded by the wonders of humanity. Their capacity for courage, the attachments and friendships they forged, especially with his fellow Autobots.
They have not only helped them learn the ways of earth, but they have also helped them find healing.
It was true. Arcee for example, was far less sullen, much happier because of her young charge, or partner as she preferred to refer to him as. The loss of both Tailgate and Cliffjumper, even to this day, is an open wound. However, since meeting Jack, since he helped her confront her demons on the day Airachnid landed on earth, Arcee was now beginning to heal from the trauma of her loss, her desire to keep others at a distance and, more importantly, from her relentless cry for vengeance.
I fear though that the next time Arcee and Airachnid meet, only one will walk away.
Furthermore, Miko's presence has become a continual, benevolent influence in Bulkhead's time on earth. While she proved to be rather a troublesome human, despite her eccentrics, her vibrant and fearless nature has been refreshing, not only to Bulkhead, but to all of Team Prime, even to Ratchet, though he would not admit it.
Actually, it's more than refreshing, it's inspiring. Her own bravery when she faced death in the collapsed Energon mine, Miko's only thought and concern was freeing Bulkhead. That alone was a testament to Optimus' earlier words when he said that though these particular humans are small, they are strong.
Stronger perhaps than most of my soldiers. Many of us could learn from them.
And of course there was the impact left on his youngest soldier by perhaps the smallest human among them. Because of the loss of his voice box, Bumblebee was no longer the same bot he was. He still found happiness and did everything in his power to help his fellow Autobots see the bright side of things. Sadly, it was a knife in his spark that he could no longer communicate like he used to, that he and those around him could no longer hear the sound of his voice.
I can't remember what his voice sounded like. I don't even have access to any audio logs he had taken during the war on Cybertron.
And now, by some miracle, Bumblebee had found a companion, a human no less, who could understand him. Even without his speech synthesizer, Bumblebee could communicate with Raf with no trouble at all.
And amazingly, no one could figure it Why. Not even Raf could explain it.
He just could, he said.
Thinking of his young scout, Optimus felt a deep twinge of pain upon remembering the predicament his young scout was in.
He'll make it. I'm sure of it. But will he ever be fully functional again?
And dear little Sari. In the short time she has been with Team Prime, she has become quite loved among the team, especially by Bumblebee.
By some strange twist of fate, Team Prime has come across, not one but two humans who can understand Bumblebee perfectly.
Bumblebee was overjoyed beyond reason. The happiness and the new spring in his step was difficult to overlook. Optimus had not seen that in over a century, not even from Bumblebee.
Optimus frowned internally.
He sighed.
Bumblebee.
Boulder, Colorado - 11:00 am
"MECH 34 to base. We neutralized and secured the Autobot known as Bulkhead, but human targets have fled into the woods. Permission to pursue."
"Granted. Seize Agent Fowler and his son. They are to be captured alive."
The MECH soldier went rigid. "And the others?"
"No witnesses."
"Sir…" MECH 34 sounded aghast. "They're children."
"You have your orders."
MECH 34 bowed his head. "Yes sir."
He deactivated his radio, put it away, and brandished his advanced assault rifle.
"Move in!"
How did it come to this? How did MECH find us so quickly? It's just not possible…
Unless…
Agent Fowler removed a small device, which looked a great deal like a pager.
It wasn't a pager.
He took the device and waved it near his backside. Once he heard a soft beeping sound, he brought it up to read it.
It confirmed his fears.
"Dad?"
"Jon," Agent Fowler said a grave voice. "The chip in my body has been reactivated!"
"What?! How?! I thought you turned it off!"
"I did!"
Jon's mind was blank. But then it hit him. "But that would mean someone from your department reactivated it remotely!"
If it weren't for the terrible situation, Agent Fowler would've smiled with pride at the intelligence of his son.
"What do we do now?" Vince cried, with both Sierra and Katie behind him, both out of breath. "What the heck do we do now?!"
Fowler regarded the children with utmost seriousness. "We run."
Fowler grabbed Vince by the shoulder very firmly and he looked him dead in the eye. "Vinny, you take the girls and head for that abandoned mining facility, you know where that is?"
"Vince nodded.
"Good, now get moving."
Vince grabbed both Katie And Sierra by the wrist and they bolted.
Katie gave Jon a quick sad glance before she turned back and fled.
Jon gave her a weak wave of goodbye.
"Now then," Fowler said as he pulled out a military Swiss Army knife and popped out a small knife appliance.
Agent Fowler looked at the knife with grim discomfort. "I'll need to make sure we can't be followed."
He then started to undo the buckle on his belt.
Little did the father and son know, that as they were being pursued, high above the forest, barely visible, a ball of fire flew overhead and headed downward.
And a second followed.
"Vince, I'm scared."
Vince's grip on Sierra's tightened but not enough to hurt her, just enough to send a silent message that he had her.
"Just keep running Siri!" Katie shouted, whose arms were swinging with desperate abandon as she ran alongside her friends.
"Just don't stop!" Vince cried. "No matter what happens, don't stop running!"
Gunfire.
Sierra screamed but she did not stop running. Vince forced her in front of him and followed her closely so that his body could shield her from whoever it was that firing upon them.
"Vince! No!" Sierra screamed in horror.
"Don't stop running Sierra!" Katie shouted as she ran in another direction.
Sierra almost ran after but Vince's firm grip prevented her. "KATIE!"
"One of the targets have split from the others. A girl. Blonde."
"Split up if you must but see to it that none leave the forest alive."
The MECH commander sighed grievously. "Yes sir."
I must be out of my mind.
Katie ran like the devil as the MECH troopers pursued her.
She took great care to run through and past as many trees as possible in order to stay out of their line of fire.
It had worked. So far, none of their shots hit their mark.
Two came awfully close.
It seemed like a good idea to split up and force MECH to divide their numbers, but now…
Katie turned her head quickly to see how far along MECH was in their pursuit of her. There didn't seem to be any sign of them.
But as soon as she turned her back, she just had enough time to see a thick tree branch before she felt a sharp impact and the world went dark suddenly.
It seemed to only be a few moments before she came to. She was lying on her back. Her nose felt like it was dripping.
She touched the wetness and felt a sticky substance under her nose. She looked at her fingers and saw that there was blood on them.
Damn, a nosebleed.
Then Katie heard the sound of multiple assault weapons cocking.
Katie's blurred vision instantly came into focus, she sat up and right in front of her were about four MECH soldiers, advanced weaponry trained on her.
Katie thought she might be terrified at this point, but instead she felt strangely calm, like she would have nothing left to fear.
The kingdom of heaven is at hand indeed.
"Don't struggle kid and we'll make this quick."
Katie regraded the MECH trooper who spoke, but then something caught her eye.
She looked up and her eyes slowly opened wide with growing astonishment.
She was so stunned that she didn't seem to register the MECH trooper addressing her.
"You hear me girl?!"
Another MECH trooper followed Katie's gaze and he recoiled slightly upon seeing what it was she was staring at.
"Uh sir? You might want to look at this."
"Little busy sergeant."
The sergeant pointed his finger to the sky. "Sir, it's urgent!"
With an exasperated groan, the leading trooper looked in the direction of which the sergeant was pointing.
What he saw made him nearly drop his weapon.
"FALL BACK! TAKE COVER!"
But it was already too late.
Katie's pupils shrunk into pinpricks and rolled into a fetal position, covering her head.
And the flaming rock came down.
The explosion made Katie's ears ring like a church bell.
The blast sent dirt and rubble flying everywhere.
None of them reached her fortunately.
What was that?! Napalm?! Who drops napalm on their own guys?!
Katie opened her eyes and sat up. Her hearing was just returning to normal when-
"STAY DOWN!"
A booted foot slammed down on Katie's stomach, pinning her down and knocking the wind out of her.
She looked up and saw the barrel of a semiautomatic pistol pointed at her.
The man weilding it was wearing the uniform of a MECH soldier, but his suit was scorched and his mask was off, most likely damaged by the blast of the unidentified flying object.
The man was Caucasian, clean shaven, black of hair which was cut into a high and tight, and perhaps his most distinctive characteristic, three deep scars running down the left side of his face which looked a great deal like the claws of some savage beast.
"I've had it with you!"
Katie's eyes were wide open and her mouth was gaping in shock.
The trooper liked that.
He grinned sadistically. "Scared?"
He knelt down and pressed the gun into her temple, causing her to whimper.
But now that he was closer, he realized that her eyes weren't focused on him.
She was not looking at him.
She was looking behind him.
Very quickly, the MECH trooper turned and saw, among the smoke, a looming shadow rising out of the crater where the flaming rock hit. It was huge.
And as the smoke cleared, the being seemed to shine brightly in the morning sun.
The MECH trooper shielded his eyes with his free arm.
"W-wha...What is…?"
A looming cloud crossed the sky, partially blocking the sunlight.
And the being came into full focus for Katie and her assailant to see.
It had gleaming yellow armor that shone like the sun. It had a grey metallic face, bright blue optics which shone intensely like that of war veteran, a black helm, yellow Chevron brows, and its most striking characteristic, yellow metal fins on both sides of its helm which seemed to point slightly upward.
But even more distinctive was the bright red emblem in the center of its chest: the Autobot shield.
In the fraction of a second, this Autobot regarded the two humans before him: the way this adult human, clearly military, stood over this girl, pinning her down and holding a weapon which was pointed straight at her.
Anger boiled hot in his spark.
And his face twisted into a controlled but enraged visage.
His gunmetal grey fists clenched, so hard that it made a sound of crushing metal.
The sound snapped the MECH trooper out of his stupor and on pure instinct, he turned his gun on the new threat.
The sun bright Autobot acted quickly and backhanded the MECH trooper, sending him flying into an overhanging tree branch. His head struck the branch and he fell spinning to the ground. He was effectively knocked out cold.
"Cowardly thug," the sun bright Autobot snarled.
Katie watched in awe.
The sun bright being, seeing that the thug was down, relaxed and casually brushed some dirt off his chassis.
"So this is earth huh? It'll take some time getting used to but-"
The sun bright Autobot paused, his optics open as though he remembered something, and he looked to the human girl still lying on the ground, staring wide eyed at him.
"Are you ok?"
Katie, still staring, nodded dumbly.
The sun bright Autobot smiled. "What's your name kiddo?"
"K-K-Katie."
The Autobot chuckled. "Well K-K-Katie, I'm Sunstreaker, pleased to meet ya."
Katie frowned. "You making fun of me?"
Sunstreaker held up a placating hand. "Oh ho no no no, just all in good fun kiddo."
What followed was a soft explosion which made its impact in the distance of the forest.
Sunstreaker and Katie both looked in the direction of the sound of the explosion.
"Sounds like my brother has finally landed," Sunstreaker said.
"Your brother?"
"OPEN FIRE!"
In a split second, Sunstreaker scooped Katie up in one arm and with his free hand covered her head.
Several MECH troopers opened fire on the two but their shots only met Sunstreaker's back as he made a run for it.
"Hang on kid!" Sunstreaker cried.
The leading MECH trooper pointed a commanding finger towards the escaping Autobot. "I WANT YOU ALL TO FAN OUT AND TRACK THAT THING DOWN NOW!"
To be continued…
Voice Cast
Ratchet - Jeffrey Combs
June Darby - Markie Post
Agent William Fowler - Ernie Hudson
Jon Fowler - Shameik Moore
Vince Raider - Brad Raider
Sierra Krosney - Alexandra Krosney
Katie Seinfeld - Hailee Seinfeld
Sunstreaker - Vic Mignogna
NOTE: Please read and review my 101 Dalmatians fanfics.