POISONIVYKITTEN: Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying the story. :)

A/N: As promised, this chapter is semi-Autobot focused. :D Hope you enjoy the insight here! As it will veer from the talk they had in the actual movie. In fact this will stray a lot form how things go in the movie after the last two chapters followed it a little more. Just a heads up.

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CHAPTER 8
Bravery

Optimus Prime felt quite a bit of anger fueling within his spark. How could this happen? How could the government take Bumblebee? How could they take the children? They were questions that riddled him, especially as he thought over what they would do to them all. Sam, most likely might be fine, but Bumblebee and Trevor were in a great deal of danger moreso. Bumblebee might be being experimented on at this very second, a thought which disgusted him. And Trevor, as an orphan, was now to be a ward of the state, if his web search results were accurate. They could do a lot of things with Trevor: including holding him until he talked. And while they could do the same with Sam, at the very least the boy had the power to sue them if they held him very long.

And yet, he felt himself worrying for all three of them. Even if there was nothing they could do for them at the moment, it was clear they had to work fast. "Well this is a fine mess we've gotten ourselves into," Ironhide grunted, crossing his arms as he seated himself beside Optimus. "Who knows what they're doing to Bumblebee, or those kids right now."

Optimus stood to his feet, and looked out upon the landscape before him. They were in Nevada, somewhere called Red Rock, and far from the trails the humans seemed to enjoy. If they had heard the agents they had hacked the phones of correctly, they should have been heading in the right direction. "That's what I am worried about, Ironhide," He finally admitted, his optics meeting his weapons specialist's. "They are all in danger, and yet, we cannot help him as the humans outnumber us." He explained. "What's more, the Ridley's boys custody now falls onto a group they call "social services". A part of the government." He went on to explain. "If we take him back, it may only further anger them."

"And if they are government," Ironhide shuddered. "Primus, I hope they aren't as corrupt as the Cybertronian senate was." He then added, rather plainly. "The boy is a brave youngling though. Something tells me he can handle the situation." He offered, though Optimus didn't look so sure. "Besides, Trevor and Samuel are both human. It's Bumblebee we really need to worry about saving."

Optimus nodded, but looked over at Ironhide calmly. "This is true, but the boys helped us," Optimus explained. "And the thought they may suffer, in the case of one, further for their helping us infuriates me." He said, his voice dangerously low and filled with anger. "These humans may be a young species. But in them, I see their capacity for change. I feel hope that someday they will come to grow as a species." He then turned to him. "You see the barbaric actions of the agents. But were we so much different?" He then added. "Have we not shown cruelty in some ways?"

"Only the Decepticons," Ratchet, who stood nearby, interjected. "But I concur with Optimus. The humans are young, but I too see hope in their young." He added, his optics gazing between Ironhide and his leader. "If we rescue Bumblebee, I believe we should rescue the others as well. But our first priority, before we launch any rescue mission, should be retrieving the cube." He then added. "Maybe then the adult humans will see it was all we wanted, and that we mean them no harm."

Jazz, who had remained mostly silent, messed with his visor a bit. Usually, it was a sign he was deep in thought, and today was no different. After a long moment, the saboteur lept from his perch on top of a rock and crossed his arms. "Well, ah for one am not leaving Bee out there," Jazz commented. "The little guy is ah friend, and the adoptive creation of ah Prime," Optimus stared at Jazz in surprise. "This shouldn't be up for discussion."

Optimus knew it shouldn't be, he wanted to go and storm the base right now. He wanted to rescue Bumblebee and the boys, and then he wanted to get the Allspark and end this. And yet, he continued to fight within himself. Could he take the risk that they would be attacked? Did these humans know how to kill them as well as how to capture them? "For once, I find myself torn, as well as angered," Optimus voiced, turning his head to his fellow Autobots. "We have lost much to this war, and to lose Bumblebee would be sparkbreaking... And yet, I also know Bumblebee would want us to move forward with the mission." He then added. "And then there is the promise I made to him through our bond, to help protect the Ridley boy."

"It's a mess," Ironhide repeated. "This whole slagging mission has been a disaster."

Optimus couldn't deny that, it had been a disaster. One which he needed to do whatever it took to correct. He carefully removed the glasses from his subspace, staring them over quietly. All this fighting, all these lives lost, and most of it was ultimately over the Allspark, the very thing they now had the co-ordinates to. "Autobots," Optimus began, his voice low. "We must end this war before any more lives are sacrificed for our cause. Before the children and Bumblebee suffer for our actions," He then began. "If we are unable to stop the Decepticons today, then I will take matters into my own hands. I will merge the Allspark with my own spark to destroy it for good."

"Prime!" Jazz looked at him with a look that spelled out shock. "That's suicide!"

"Your spark will never survive the merge," Ratchet pointed out, his optics softening. "I wish to end this war as much as you do. But if we lose you and the Allspark, there is no guarantee that the Decepticons will leave Earth alone," There was silence from Optimus at that comment. "See reason, Optimus. We need both you, and the Allspark in tact if we have any hope of ending this war."

Ironhide took a step forward, and put a hand upon his shoulder. Optimus turned to his closest friend of many eons, who gave him a look that spoke volumes of his opinion. "As your bodyguard, I cannot allow you to do this," Ironhide told him firmly. "As your friend, if you were not my Prime, I would be tempted to chain you down if I had to," He explained. "But if there's one thing I have learned in my eons of working beside you, it is that none of this will stop you." He then added. "Nor should it."

"Ironhide-." Ratchet began to interject.

"Prime is right," Ironhide shook his head. "We have fought this war too long, and lost too much. In his place, I would do the same." He then added. "We have lost far too much. And as young and stupid as the human species is. Do you want to see another race destroyed over the cube?" Ratchet hung his head, making his answer clear. "That is why we fight as hard as we can. We stop the Decepticons we know are coming so that no one needs to make a sacrifice today."

Optimus nodded his head slowly, thankful again for his friend having his back. Although he hoped beyond words that he would be right. And that, in the end, no sacrifice would have to be made. "Ah hate this! Ah slaggin' hate it!" Jazz grumbled, turning head away. "But ah'd follow you through anythin', Prime. You know that."

Optimus nodded slowly, carefully holding the glasses out. "Then let us hope this works," Optimus stated quietly, shooting out a projection light from his optics. "So that we may end this soon." Not to his surprise, a large map appeared before them all. "The Allspark is located fifty-eight miles from our present location," He paused a moment. "Let us find it, and make sure that the sacrifices others have made for us are not in vein." He then added. "It has been my honor to stand alongside you all," He then added a loud. "Autobots, roll out!"

He only hoped, as they transformed, and began their drive that everything would be okay.

...

It wasn't the first time that Trevor had been to Hoover Dam in his life. When he was six, and they had had a bit more money to their name, his parents had taken him on a trip there over the summer. But while the sight on top of the dam was beautiful, he had little reason to marvel in it now. He was too angry, and far too worried about what would happen next for that. Not that he had much time to marvel at it all anyway, as only ten minutes after arrival, they were being led away by more Sector Seven agents.

They took both him and Sam towards a part of the dam not open to the public. And Trevor soon noticed, much to his surprise, that they were not alone. Along with the woman and man that had been on the helicopter coming in, they were greeted by a line of men in full military fatigues. The boy couldn't help but wonder just how many people had been dragged into this war over the past forty-eight hours. He barely had any time to take in the sight of the military men before a pair of suits approached.

One, he recognized as Simmons from before. The other, whom he didn't recognize, he took to be the Bannacheck man that Prior had previously mentioned. Going off of his glare, Simmons grimaced, and tried his best to look friendly. It was an odd tactic, especially since he knew he hated his guts. "Hey kid, I think we may have gotten off to a bad start," Trevor scoffed, rolling his eyes. "That flight must have been killer. Can I get you anything? Coffee? Something to eat?"

"If you're trying to get me to talk," Trevor replied rather bluntly. "Then you're using the wrong tactic. I know my demands if you're going that route." Simmons frowned, and looked over at Bannacheck. "If I'm going to start talking about what I know? Then you're going to have to release Bumblebee, right now, no questions asked."

"Bumblebee?" Bannacheck looked over at Simmons questioningly.

"The Camaro," Simmons sighed. "The kid hasn't shut up about it."

Trevor looked at Bannacheck, his eyes locking with the man. "Listen, I know that you guys think these guys are bad. Like the one that killed my parents. But that's not how this works," Trevor explained, trying to keep calm as he did so. "I can tell you that much. Bumblebee's one of the good guys, he protected me. The only reason he even let you guys take him is probably because he thought it would keep Sam and I safe."

Trevor was relieved when he noticed Prior step out from among the Sector Seven agents. "Sir," Bannacheck turned to look at Prior calmly. "Permission to speak?" The man nodded. "For what it's worth, the NBE - Bumblebee, begged us not to hurt him. He seemed far more concerned with him then he did with himself," He paused a moment. "I think the kid is telling the truth."

Bannacheck stood there for a long moment, wondering how to respond. The boy looked honest, and without a doubt, desperate. Was he really going to go by his word alone? Was that a very good idea? After all, the boy was still a teenager. "You're not thinking of giving into this insanity, are you?" Simmons asked, his voice filled with surprise. "We cannot just rely on the words of a kid."

Bannacheck was silent, but then stared over at Prior. "You're of the opinion that this alien might be friendly, too?" Bannacheck asked, to which Prior nodded. "Simmons?" He looked over at the man. "Hold down things out here while I escort Mr. Ridley to this "Bumblebee"." Simmons looked ready to argue at that. "I'll decide for myself whether he's right and we're letting the NBE free or not."

"This is insane!" Simmons shouted. "They destroyed a military base!"

But Bannacheck chose to ignore him, motioning for Trevor to follow him. Trevor turned to see Sam mouthing a "good luck" as he followed. He quietly shot Prior a nod in thanks before they were behind them. Bannacheck led him towards a large hangar, which seemed to be hidden in the side. The man turned to him slowly, and nodded. "I hope you realize, if you're lying to me right now, you'll do time for treason," He told him rather bluntly.

"I won't," Trevor shook his head. "Just trust me, I know what I'm talking about."

Bannacheck took a moment, but then entered the hangar, with the boy right behind him. At once, Trevor was horrified by the sounds of shrieking that filled the room. "Bee!" Trevor shouted, as he rushed forward towards the large examination table he seemed to be on. "LET HIM GO! Stop! You're hurting him!"

"Stop! Stop everything!" Bannacheck shouted, grabbing the attention of the agents that were all around. "It's alright, release the cuffs. Keep your guns trained on him."

Trevor took a step back as whatever was taking place came to a grinding hault. Bumblebee's shrieks died down; and the faint click of metal sounded. Almost immediately however, Trevor wished he had thought this through more. Bumblebee shot up at the table, his battle mask going down, and his cannon aiming around at everyone. "Bee! Stop! Calm down!" Trevor quickly stepped around until he was within sight of the mech. "It's okay, Bee. They aren't going to hurt you anymore."

Bumblebee's battle mask shot back off at the sight of Trevor, relief filling his optics. Bumblebee did a scan over him quietly, making quite sure that his charge was unharmed. "Did they hurt you?" Bumblebee asked as he climbed off the table, still keeping his cannon aimed at the humans. "Primus help me, if any of you hit him like I saw back in Tranquility!"

"Bee, it's okay, I'm fine," Trevor replied, watching as Bumblebee began to calm. "Bee, whoa!" Trevor was surprised as Bumblebee picked him up and held him close.

Bumblebee looked down at him, then at the humans for a long moment. But after a moment, transformed his cannon back into a hand, and set Trevor on his shoulder. Something Trevor took as his way of telling the humans that they were not getting their hands on him again. "Are you okay?" Trevor asked, his eyes looking up at his guardian. "You're the one they were torturing."

"I'll live," Bumblebee grunted, rubbing his wrists slightly. "I've been tortured before, I've been through worse. I was more worried that you were being tortured as well," He looked along the rows of humans, his fists clenching. "You can tell me if they did."

Trevor shook his head, patting him on the shoulder. He could see Bannacheck watching this whole exchange in awe, looking to be in complete disbelief at the moment. "No, no, they didn't hurt me, Bee," Trevor told him calmly. "You can relax, buddy. I think I managed to convince their leader that you're a friendly," He looked down at Bannacheck expectedly. "Am I right, sir?"

Bannacheck stared at them for a moment, then to his men. "Lower your weapons," The agents gave him looks of disbelief and shock. "I think the boy's right, we haven't been looking at the NBE's in right light." He then motioned forward. "Do his actions look like those of a threat to you?"

It took several moments, but slowly, and surely the men began to lower their weapons. In return, Bumblebee unclenched his fists, and looked along the procession. Trevor was thankful as the mech's body relaxed, and his anger left. It was clear that they had won over Bannacheck's trust, and this was more than good, it was great. "I told you, you guys may think you know everything," Trevor shook his head. "But there's a lot more to them than meets the eye."

"That was cheesy," Bumblebee teased him gently.

"Well either way, you have your end of the bargain, Mr. Ridley," Trevor sighed in relief at that confirmation. "Now, I'm asking you to keep up your end of it. Both of you, if you're willing to trust us with your intel," Bannacheck swallowed a little as he stared up at the Scout. "Bumblebee." He then continued rather calmly. "You have my utmost apologies. But you have to understand, we didn't know what any of your intentions were, we had to take precautions." He then added. "But now that we know you're on our side, we might need your intel."

Trevor waited for his reply, worried it wouldn't be a good one. But rather than argue, Bumblebee took a step forward, and crouched, careful not to let Trevor fall off. "Apology accepted. And I will tell you what I can, so long as you answer a demand of my own," Bumblebee pointed to Trevor. "Nobody touches my friend here like they did in Tranquility again. If I see him threatened, or hurt, you get nothing out of me." He then added. "The same goes for Samuel."

For a moment, Bannacheck looked bewildered at the fact that Bumblebee even had a demand of his own. And yet, he finally nodded in response. "Alright, nobody can touch the kids, you have my word," He replied, to which Bumblebee gave a smirk. "Now, if you both will follow me. I'm sure that Simmons is getting restless by now. And believe me, you wouldn't like him in a bad mood."

As he started off, Bumblebee stood to his feet and followed the man. After a few moments, he looked over at Trevor with a half-smile. "You came back for me," He commented. "That took a lot of guts, you know that right?" Trevor nodded in confirmation. "Why didn't you just save yourself?"

"Because you would have come back for me," Trevor replied with honesty. "And I wasn't about to leave a friend like you behind."

Bumblebee brought himself to smile at that, a sigh escaping him. He definitely had taken a brave charge into his life, there was no doubt about that. And all he had done for him wouldn't be forgotten when this was all over, he would make sure of that. He would see to it that he returned the favor, in whatever way he could.