Cover Me | By : Huronoryu Category: S through Z > Transformers (Movie Only) > Transformers (Movie Only) Views: 71978 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 9 |
Disclaimer: I do not own the Transformers movie, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story. |
Cover Me
By Black Dragon Queen
Author’s note: Another week, another chapter. I’m still sicker than a DOG! Can you believe it? So I apologize for the lateness of the post. Please enjoy!
PAIRINGS REVEALED THUS FAR:
Wheeljack x Ratchet, Inferno x Red Alert, Sunstreaker X Sideswipe, Past Prowl x Jazz
Font Index: “Speaking”, ‘Thinking’, “-Radio Transmissions-”, “Cybertronion” “:Link:”
Chapter Thirty-Three: Keeping Secrets
At the base it had been a rather interesting scene once Keller had cut the transmission and everyone had been allowed to speak again. Almost immediately everyone had begun to chat at the implications of not only Prowl and the others arriving, but Keller’s cryptic statement regarding Bumblebee. Since none of the others really knew anything about humans, save for the few encounters they had with Sam and the rangers, the reality of them being caught by humans had not really registered with them yet. They knew that they had to hide themselves on strange planets that could possibly prove to be hostile, but after Sunny and Sides returned with a report of what they had seen in the city and the human’s limited technology, everyone else had mostly relaxed.
Therefore it was really only the original three who were completely panicking. “What did that Sparkling do this time?” Ironhide was the first to break the silence almost a second after Ratchet had fixed his voice box.
“I don’t know,” Optimus muttered becoming rather exhausted. “Trying to make my life even more difficult?”
“Well, at least it’s only Miles,” Ratchet mused as he began cleaning his small drill. “Perhaps Sam made a slip or something? I mean this is his best friend we’re talking about.”
“True,” Optimus agreed solemnly, “but I’m more worried that it was more a result of Starscream attacking. We still have no idea what he could be planning or when he’ll finally come out of hiding.”
“Well I doubt it was anything major such as that,” Ratchet countered.
“True,” Ironhide agreed, though his voice did fluctuate between a rather deep, hoarse growl and a rather high pitched squeal. “If it had been, Will would have told us at the first sign of trouble.”
Optimus actually said nothing as he looked up and pierced Ironhide with a rather sharp glare. Ironhide took a step back in surprise at the intensity of the stare and even Ratchet had stopped tinkering with his tools to look back and forth between the current oldest mech and their rather young leader. Unsurprisingly, Optimus was winning. “Ironhide,” Optimus said gravely and even some of the others had stopped their own conversations to listen in when they heard the tone Optimus was using. “We will be having a long talk-” Ironhide cringed as he waited for the proverbial ax to fall. “-after everything settles down.” Optimus finished. “Right now, we have to deal with this supposed discovery by young Sam’s friend, then try to get in touch with Prowl… speaking of,” he turned towards Wheeljack who was having a quiet discussion with Perceptor and Inferno. “Is the transmitter completely functioning now or was that just another strange stroke of luck?”
Wheeljack tilted his head in thought as he made his way closer to where his leader was still slouched at his “desk”. “Well, I don’t know about luck,” Wheeljack admitted. “However, the transmitter should be able to function now. I just need to get more of the fuel compound from Perceptor.” The scientist nodded in agreement. “That was only a test run on the formula. That we were able to contact Prowl in those few moments, I tell you Optimus that was just pure-”
“Luck?” Ratchet finished with a smile.
Wheeljack looked at his fiancée in surprise for a moment before he turned back to Optimus with a shrug. “Well, I suppose so.”
Optimus nodded in understanding. “Well this is good news,” he said standing and everyone instantly fell into formation before they realized that they really didn’t have to anymore. Optimus couldn’t contain his smile before he tried to force his face plating to remain in a more neutral position. “Right then. Wheeljack, I would like you and Perceptor to work on making more of the fuel concentration for at least an hour’s worth of communication. I would like it to be ready by the time we get back. Who knows how long it’s going to take for us to find them again.”
“Where are you going?” Inferno asked surprised.
“To find out what happened with Bumblebee,” Optimus explained with a sigh and he glanced at Ironhide and Ratchet who both nodded in conformation that they too were going with him into the city. The other Autobots just seemed perplexed at this notion as the twins shrugged while Wheeljack and Perceptor shared another of those meaningful looks that Ratchet instantly frowned upon seeing and Optimus instantly filed away to be scrutinized later. Right now he had more important things to worry about.
“But,” Inferno began confused, “why don’t you just summon Bumblebee back him here, instead of going all the way into the city and run the risk of meeting up with any Decepticons? You said two were unaccounted for correct?” He looked towards Ironhide for conformation and frowned when Ironhide shrugged.
“Actually, if we were to get technical, it would be three with Scorponok buried somewhere out in Qatar.”
Inferno frowned at the correction, but Optimus just sighed again even more deeply than before. “I’ve told you all this already during the explanation of the last battle. Bumblebee is on permanent assignment as Sam’s personal guard.” The five just looked completely baffled by this, though Red Alert had already come to terms with the strange arrangement regarding the human boy named “Sam”. Perceptor sent Wheeljack an inquiring look, but Wheeljack just shook his head.
“Wheeljack,” Optimus gave another long-suffering sigh. “I understand that you are all confused, but everything will make sense in due time.” The others gave him a doubtful stare. Optimus knew that it was very hard for them all to just accept that a strange alien on another planet was basically their savior, but he knew that once Sam was living at the base full time after he graduated from school, then they would all see just how truly remarkable the boy really was. “Trust me,” he tried once more.
They still all looked very uneasy but it was the most un-expecting mech that stepped forwards and spoke. “I can’t tell you what the others are all thinking,” Sideswipe said with determination. “By the pits, half the time I can’t tell what my own twin brother is thinking-” Sunny did not look impressed but did seem to understand where his brother and husband was going and he moved to stand next to the red Lamborghini. “But he saved Sunny’s life when even the best medic of all of Cybertron was in fear of losing him.”
“Suck up,” Ratchet muttered. Sideswipe just grinned cheekily as Sunny mirrored the expression.
“If Bumblebee were not already assigned the position I would gladly take it up upon myself,” Sideswipe finished.
Sunstreaker gave his brother a shove. “It’s me who owes the human the life debt, so it will be I who will watch him.”
“No, I nearly lost you and you’re the most important person to me in the whole of the uncharted universe,” Sides insisted. A devilish smirked soon appeared on his face. “Despite the salmon.”
Sunny stared at his twin in such awe that Sides’ barely had a chance to brace himself before the yellow Lamborghini engulfed the other mech in a steel bar-bending hug. “Sideswipe! You just say the sweetest things!” Sunny cried. Sides just barely managed to get out a surprised squawk.
Optimus tilted his head in puzzlement as he glanced over at Ratchet. “Okay, I’m not quite sure how a fish worked itself into that conversation but that was rather touching.” Optimus decided to ignore the gagging sounds that Ironhide was making behind him. Both twins and even Red and Inferno were sending halfhearted glares at the top kick but Optimus waved them off. “Trust me, you’ll get your dues later,” he told them.
The others looked perplexed while Ratchet tried to hide a smirk as Optimus finally stood. “Are we leaving?” Ratchet asked and Optimus nodded the affirmative before he glanced back at Wheeljack and Inferno.
“Can I trust that you can keep these two under control?” he asked jerking a thumb to the right.
Wheeljack, though you couldn’t tell, was smirking behind his faceplate while Inferno was grinning openly. “Oh sure, I think we can handle the air,” Wheeljack said confidently.
“Huh?” Optimus turned surprised to find only empty air beside him, the twins already gone. The big rig groaned. “Do I even want to know what they’re doing?” he muttered.
Inferno smirked at him. “Considering that they’re Aligned? Probably not.”
“Oh Primus, my audio sensors!” Ironhide moaned as he began heading out of the building. “Optimus, can we go now?”
“Primus yes!” Optimus said as he turned and started heading towards the door. “Good luck with the fuel!” he called over his shoulder. “Red! You’re in charge!”
Dual cries of “WHAT?” followed the three snickering mechs out the door.
“-Primus this feels good!-” Ironhide said over the radio as the three trucks flew down the road. “-For once, we’re not rushing to get anywhere.-”
“-Well don’t get too relaxed,-” Optimus’ voice spoke up. “-I want us all to be on alert in case something happens.-”
Ratchet’s sigh was clearly audible as the ambulance pulled even with the big rig. “-Oh honestly Optimus,-” Ratchet chide. “-I’m sure that there’s a perfectly good explanation on how Bumblebee got caught.-”
“-That’s not what’s worrying me,-” Optimus muttered as they turned towards the city limits.
“-Really?-” Ironhide sounded surprised. “-Then what is?-”
“-I want to know just why it was that he didn’t contact us as soon as it happened!-” Optimus growled. “-Why was it that we had to hear it from Keller?-”
Ironhide and Ratchet were both surprised by the hurt tone they could hear in Optimus’ voice. With a quick glance at the top kick brining up the rear, Ratchet pulled up next to Optimus once again. “-Now Optimus, I’m sure that Bumblebee had a very good reason not to contact us about him being discovered.-”
“-I know,-” Optimus sighed. “-I just tend to worry about him a lot.-”
Ironhide chuckled. “-Considering that he’s the only ‘baby’ of the group, that’s not surprising.-”
Ratchet laughed as well before he addressed Optimus. “-I think we all worry about him the most, though you have to admit being on this planet has done wonders for his self esteem.-”
“-Thank Primus,-” Optimus sighed. “-Ratchet, I’m serious. As soon as everything calms down, I am going on that vacation!-”
Ratchet chuckled. “-I’ll help you pack myself.-”
“-What vacation?-” Ironhide’s voice was confused. “-Are we getting a vacation?-” Optimus and Ratchet just chuckled as they fell into line as they reached the first major city street. “-Hey! You didn’t answer me, do we get a vacation?-”
“They’re not here,” Ironhide later said aloud as he turned and pulled up into the driveway being the only one who could actually fit in the small strip of black top.
There was a chuckle behind him as Ratchet parked next to the curb across the street. “Yes ‘Hide, we can see that.” If Ironhide could have, he would have turned to glare at the still snickering medic. As it was, he simply growled.
“Will both of you please, quiet down.” Optimus’ voice was almost borderline pleading. “I think I’m beginning to develop what those humans call a headache.”
“That’s a physical impossibility,” Ratchet told him gently.
“I just know how I feel,” Optimus sighed and the three trucks just sat there for a while in the sun to wait for Bumblebee’s return.
“What is going on out here?”
Everyone turned surprised to see Judy standing on the porch steeps, her bat in hand as she came down the steps and stopped by Ironhide. “Did something happen?” Judy asked, worry evident in her voice. “Is anyone injured? Or maybe you found out something? About Starscream?”
There was a huff from Ironhide. “Oh we found out something alright,” he muttered.
Judy looked at the top kick before glancing down at the large big rig parked at the end of her drive. “Ah, well I was speaking to Secretary Keller,” Optimus explained, “and he mentioned something that was rather… unsettling regarding Bumblebee.”
Judy looked back and forth at the three assorted vehicles. “Really?” she asked surprised. “And what did Secretary Keller say exactly?”
Optimus waited, unsure just how much that Judy knew. Finally he decided that Judy had just as much right to know as he himself did. “He said that Sam’s young friend Mr. Lancaster had discovered ‘Bee’s true identity.”
Judy blinked, her bat lowering in surprise. “Oh…” she murmured taking a small step away from where she had been leaning against the garage. “You heard about that…”
“Yes, we did, though Keller left out the details.”
“Well we can just ask him ourselves,” Ratchet called out from behind them. “Because he’s here.” Judy turned to see the familiar yellow camaro slowly creeping down the street towards the house. Clearly, they were worried about what exactly the three Autobots were doing there.
“Great, because I would love to hear this explanation.” Ironhide chuckled.
“Not as much as I do,” Optimus muttered as the smaller Autobot finally came upon the house.
They all watched as ‘Bee came to a stop at the end of the driveway and Sam and his friends all climbed out. Sam instantly looked at the three trucks before turning towards his mother. “Um, hey Mom. What’s with the trucks?”
“Can it kid, we know!” Ironhide suddenly said causing Miles to jump and take a step closer to Mikaela.
Sam instantly turned to his mother, panic etched all over his face. Judy gave a quick shake of her head however and took another step away from the garage. Sam was puzzled now as he turned back to the three trucks. “Um, what?”
“Optimus,” ‘Bee whispered as he rolled forward towards the flame covered truck. “I don’t understand. Why are you here?”
“Well, I got some rather disturbing news this morning…” Optimus stated aloud, ensuring that everyone could hear him. ‘Bee shifted on his tiers slightly as he heard the dark ominous tone in his leader’s voice.
“Um… news?” Sam asked, wondering what in the world could have happened. Ironhide parked in front of the garage had Sam nervous but since the garage was still standing could only mean one of two things; either Ironhide had no knowledge of Barricade’s presence, or Barricade had run off again. Sam shot Mikaela a glance and but the girl was frowning at the garage. Judy managed to catch the girl’s eye and waved her back slightly, herself taking another step away from the building and closer to the top kick. Sam could see his mother’s back was ramrod straight, a sign that she wanted to move but was forcing herself from doing so.
Mikaela seemed to understand the hidden message and instantly turned away from looking at the garage and pointedly keeping her gaze on Sam and the two Autobots at the end of the drive. Her eyes caught Sam’s and she gave him a small nod. Sam’s eyes darted automatically towards the garage before he forced himself from looking away. ‘Barricade must be in there,’ he realized as he gave ‘Bee’s hood a small pat.
‘Bee understood the message as well and turned his focus back to his leader. ‘If Barricade is still here, then he must have turned off all of his non-vital systems and have all his systems on standby…’ Bumblebee mentally frowned at this thought. He wasn’t the most knowledgeable of the Autobots, but there was a lot that you had to learn out of necessity on the battlefield. He knew that though Barricade liked to put up a front, it was just that- a front. ‘Bee hoped that Barricade didn’t put himself into too much danger by turning off his systems.
All this thinking and subtle gestures went on in a matter of seconds, so thankfully the three older Autobots never noticed anything. It probably had to do with the fact that they were all focused on Miles who was standing slightly behind Mikaela staring at them in complete wonder. “Greetings Mr. Lancaster,” Optimus’ voice shook the conspirators out of their thoughts. Miles jumped at being addressed and glanced fearfully at Sam who looked back at him just as surprised. “I understand you formally met Bumblebee.”
“Uh, Optimus?” ‘Bee said tentatively.
There was a long-suffering sigh from the big rig. “Dare I ask how this happened?”
“Um…” Sam shifted on his feet nervously as Mikaela took a step back from Miles. Miles however, tried to follow the girl and stay behind her as protection.
“Perhaps we shouldn’t speak of it here,” Ratchet muttered as he noticed some fluttering of the window curtains of this house he was parked in front of. Amazingly enough, the Autobots never noticed the look of pure relief between the humans and Bumblebee. “Perhaps somewhere more private?”
“Indeed,” Optimus agreed. “Perhaps we could go to the Look Out?”
“Er, they might not be the best of ideas right now,” Mikaela stated. “School just ended so there should be some kids heading up there right now.”
“Hmm, well then where should we go?” Ironhide asked.
“Maybe we could go to the coast?” Bumblebee suggested.
“That would probably be the best,” Ratchet agreed.
“Yes…” Optimus drawled and ‘Bee could practically feel the subtle threat in the tone. He was in trouble. On the other hand, they knew nothing of Barricade’s presence… yet.
Judy came down the driveway and glanced at the little house across the street. “I think it would be best if each of us took a vehicle,” she stated in a rather loud voice to ensure it carried.
Sam nodded and moved over towards his friends while Judy set her bat down against the garage and moved around to the driver’s side of the Top Kick. “Hello ‘Hide,” she said as she climbed in.
“Oh, uh. Hello Judy,” he mumbled in response. Ironhide was usually a people person but Judy just had the “parent vibe” that always made the old veteran warrior feel like a newly made sparkling. “How are you?” he asked.
“Good, thank you,” she smiled. “Have you spoken to Captain Lennox lately?” she asked, surprising the black truck.
“Oh, uh... Saw him last week,” ‘Hide replied, a little confused.
Judy smiled softly and gave the steering wheel a soft pat as she watched Sam walking over to the big rig. “That’s nice,” she smiled. They were silent for a while before as they waited for Ratchet and Mikaela. “Ironhide I would like to ask you a favor,” Judy suddenly spoke up.
“A favor?” Ironhide asked confused. ‘Oh Primus, what now?’ he wondered.
Judy smiled again as she looked at Optimus where her son was situated. “Just look out for Sam,” she finally said.
“Huh?” Ironhide was shocked at the request. “But he already has Bumblebee as his guardian,” he stated confused. “And you know that all of us would protect Sam from any and all danger. You can believe in that. We won’t let any Decepticon scum get to him.”
Judy snickered slightly as she couldn’t help but glance in the rearview mirror back at the garage. ‘If only you knew,’ she thought. Aloud she said, “I simply mean that if Sam ever has something to talk about, that you’ll listen.”
Ironhide was still completely confused but decided to just go along with what she was saying. “Well, I’m usually not the best at listening but I will try,” he told her.
Judy smiled. “That’s all I ask.”
“Plus, if I don’t understand anything, I’ll just ask Will,” Ironhide continued cheerfully. Judy began laughing hysterically at the perky statement and wondered if the truck knew just how obvious he was. As it was, Ironhide was completely clueless to why Judy had busted out laughing. “What’d I say?”
Sam, while his mother had been speaking to Ironhide had turned to his friends. “Um, Miles if you would like you can go with ‘Bee. I’ll try and talk to Optimus before we get to the coast.”
Miles nearly fell over with relief at the announcement. “Thanks.”
Sam nodded and turned to speak to Mikaela only to find the girl already gone and crossing the street to where Ratchet was parked. With a small smile, Sam made sure his friend was situated within his guardian before he finally turned and after a moment of collecting himself, made his way towards Optimus. “Hi,” he said as he climbed up into the cab.
“Hello yourself,” Optimus replied as they all waited for Ratchet to pull out first and turn around, since he was currently facing the opposite direction as he had been parked at the opposing curb. “So how have you been doing?”
“Been pretty good,” Sam replied a bit surprised at the small talk.
“That’s good. We haven’t really seen you in a while.”
“Oh well, you know how it is with school and everything. Busy, busy,” Sam gave a nervous chuckle, a little unsure at where Optimus was going with this as the truck finally started up.
“We’ve been missing you at the base,” Optimus continued.
Sam shifted in confusion. “Um, I’m sorry about that,” he muttered before falling silent.
Optimus was also quiet for a while. He was actually quite grateful that Sam was riding with him. It almost seems that after Red Alert arrived, he no longer got to really speak to the boy. “Sam,” Optimus began a little unsure how to ask this question. “Are you perhaps nervous around the others?”
Sam jerked up in surprise. “Nervous?” he asked confused. “What do you mean?”
“Well, ever since the others started arriving, we just haven’t seen you that often.”
Sam frowned again as he turned to watch the city scenery fly by. He couldn’t really tell Optimus the truth. That it was because they were constantly worried about Barricade that they hadn’t really left him alone. ‘Bee for some reason didn’t like the idea of leaving the ‘Con alone even after he had admitted to Sam that he had slightly begun to trust the mustang. “Well, you haven’t seen your comrades in a long time right?” Sam finally said. “I just thought that it would be awkward with me constantly around. Especially with the others trying to adjust from going from a full scale war to basically peace.”
Optimus sighed in understanding. “We can only hope it lasts,” he muttered.
Sam glanced at the steering wheel puzzled. “What do you mean?” he asked him.
“Starscream,” Optimus said glumly. “While he did retreat, I know he hasn’t given up the idea of destroying all the Autobots and ruling the Decepticons himself.”
“But you’re unsure if the other Decepticons would follow him right? I mean Barricade said-” Sam instantly bit his tongue, cursing silently that he had even mentioned the Decepticons name. To be honest, it had become rather commonplace at his house to say Barricade’s name, especially since said ‘Con lived in the garage.
“Yes, I remember,” Optimus muttered and Sam instantly sank down into the seat. “Though Starscream isn’t apparently well liked amongst the other Decepticons, unfortunately Megatron did appoint him as one of his commanders.”
“But why is he so set on fighting with you?” Sam asked puzzled. “Megatron is dead and you said with the All Spark gone-” Sam swallowed heavily but continued on. “With the All Spark gone, you couldn’t rebuild Cybertron.”
Optimus sighed. “No one really knows,” he muttered. “He’s always been the harshest Decepticon on the battlefield; even more than Megatron.”
“But why?” Sam asked again.
“We honestly don’t know,” Optimus told him. “It’s almost as if he had made it his own personal mission to see all of the Autobots destroyed. The question now becomes, will the others follow him?”
“The million dollar question,” Barricade muttered as he listened in to the conversation over the watch. Barricade had never before been so thankful as when he finally heard the four Autobots leaving the premises. That he was not discovered just had to be a miracle. Especially since Ironhide had been present.
He knew that he would have to reveal himself once again to the Autobots at some point; there was absolutely no question about that… just not this soon. He had to speak to Optimus about what he knew of the inner working of the Decepticons and more importantly what he knew about Starscream, limited though it was. He didn’t expect to be welcomed into the Autobot faction and truthfully, that was all right with him. He would give Optimus the information and leaving very willingly.
While he hoped that he would be able to stay with the Autobots at least until they had finally defeated Starscream once and for all, he knew that he had to be more realistic. No. Once he spoke to Optimus he was off on the road; that was most certain. He would stay close to the city for the battle he knew would eventually come once Starscream got the other Decepticons organized but after that, well, who knew where he might end up?
Barricade turned his attention back to the radio turned watch as the others started speaking again, so when the garage door suddenly flew open he nearly backed through the rear wall in complete shock. There was a dark silhouette standing in the late afternoon sunlight and Barricade stared in surprise at Ron Witwicky. “Judy around?” the man asked.
Barricade just stared back momentarily stunned at the man. “Are you talking to me?” he finally asked.
“Well of course you,” Ron muttered as he turned to move to where Barricade now saw he had his car. Flipping up the trunk, Ron pulled out three bags of what was labeled dirt.
Barricade was perplexed. “Why buy dirt?” he asked. “You already have dirt in your yard.”
“No, no,” Ron grinned. “This is special dirt.”
Barricade watched as Ron stacked them under his tool table. “Okay, if you say so…” There was a long pause before the mustang spoke up once more. “Aren’t you a little early getting home today? Especially since you left rather late this morning.”
Ron just started muttering under his breath and Barricade couldn’t help but chuckle as he sat back and activated the radio once again as he finally heard the Autobots reach the coast.
-To Be Continued
Author's End Notes: I know, I know, I explained nothing here. I’m sorry! But I felt I had to go back to the base and write the Autobots reactions. I promise! The story will pick up in a couple of chapters, say around chapter 37/38, I swear! Please join us next week for chapter Thirty-Four: Introductions and Integrations
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