Transformers Fan Fiction ❯ Cover Me ❯ The Dangers of Traps and Transmitters ( Chapter 6 )

Cover Me

By Black Dragon Queen

PAIRINGS REVEALED THUS FAR:

Wheeljack X Ratchet, Past Prowl x Jazz

Font Index:

“Speaking”

`Thinking'

“-Radio Transmissions-”

“Cybertronion”

Chapter Six: The Dangers of Traps and Transmitters

“How much further?” Captain William Lennox groaned as the jeep he currently was sitting in bounced along the dusty road that bright Saturday morning. “I'm getting car sick.”

“Man, you are lying,” his friend and teammate Epps' responded with a knowing grin. “I've seen you in a chopper stuck in turbulence during a thunderstorm. There is no way you're sick.”

“It's your driving that's making me sick.” Will slouched into his seat and brought his knees up to the dash, hoping to alleviate some of the queasiness in his stomach. “Can't you at least attempt to avoid the stupid ruts?”

“Hey man, it's the desert,” Epps disputed. “They don't exactly have a lot of money to spare for upkeep.”

“You should still be able to miss them,” Will groaned as his head fell back against the headrest.

Epps glanced over at his commander, allowing his sunglasses to slip partially down his nose to give his passenger a searching glance. “Speak to Sarah lately?” Epps asked him as casually as he possibly could.

Will didn't respond for a while before giving a sharp nod. Epps just waited. Finally his captain sighed, defeated and brought his knees down. “She's still stonewalling.”

“Well can you blame her?” Epps countered archly. “You come home after, what a year, in Qatar and then you tell her; `hey, by the way honey, this is Ironhide and he's actually a gigantic alien robot disguised as a truck and oh yeah, he's going to be living with us from now on!'” Epps gave a chuckle. “Hell, I'd run away screaming too.”

“But I thought she would have at least mellowed somewhat by now about the whole `alien's from outer space' idea,” Will moaned. “She still freaks out if I even mention his name for crying out loud.”

“She did try, you have to admit.” Epps retorted. “Lasted a whole two months before she finally flipped her lid and booted poor Ironhide off your farm.”

Will sighed as he remembered those few nights when he had glanced out the bedroom window to see the lone black truck parked at the edge of his property. He couldn't quite find a way to explain just why Ironhide's quiet presence had actually been so very reassuring those nights, or how he always arose the next day feeling more refreshed than before. But he would be damned before trying to explain those bizarre feelings to his angry wife, or even to Epps for that matter. His entire life had just been one long rollercoaster ever since that blasted helicopter from hell had landed that night in Qatar.

He shook his head to clear his head and took a swig from his water bottle before he dropped the small, plastic container back in the cup holder. “I just feel so bad about kicking Ironhide out like that,” he clarified sullenly. “Especially since Optimus had asked him to keep an eye on me because Starscream is still unaccounted for.”

“Well, he's at the base with his friends now, so it can't be all bad,” Epps reasoned. “Besides, what are the odds that that fucking jet would come after us? I'd think it would go after Witwicky before anyone else. He's the one who actually managed to beat Megatron at his own game.”

“That is true,” Will agreed, “I heard Keller had asked them to move, but his family refused. Something about grass…”

Epps rolled his eyes as he remembered the encounter with Ron and Judy Witwicky. They were the oddest couple he had ever met and that was saying something. Epps had his share of odd friends. `Speaking of couples,' he once more glanced at Will. “So you two ever going to come to an understanding so I can finally have my couch back, or what?” he questioned playfully yet firmly. “And you never did tell my why you've repetitively continued to show up at my place for this last month. I thought everything was hunky-dory since `Hide's no longer an issue.”

Will was quiet. Too quiet and Epps quieted down as he patiently waited for the other shoe to drop. He'd been with his captain for years and had long since learned his unusual quirks of just clamming up. Will sighed as he stared out the windshield at the vast, empty wasteland. “She said it's either the Rangers or her.”

“WHAT?”

The jeep veered sharply and Will grabbed the roll bar and held on with all his strength as the vehicle began to slide across the dirt. “Watch the road!” he snapped as Epps cursed and shifted gears to return to the rut-ridden pavement.

“She's making you chose?” Epps asked, in disbelief once they were finally on the road.

“Yeah,” Will sighed, miserably. “It's one thing that Ironhide's gone, but when she learned that I'd been assigned to the Autobots on what's basically a permanent basis, she simply freaked.”

Epps let out a low whistle as he contemplated Will's situation. “Couldn't you just ask for reassignment?”

“Her ultimatum stated retirement or divorce,” Will clarified. “No middle ground. She said she couldn't take any more stress if it was reported that I died again. She said we have a child now and that I should remain at home, with the family.”

“Wants you to be another nine-to-fiver, huh? Well, it's understandable, I suppose.” Epps mused thoughtfully. “But Sarah knew what she was getting into when you two hooked up. You're a military man- always will be. She knew the risks if you got deployed. At least on Autobot detail, you can actually stay in California and are not getting constantly shipped to who knows where. I would think she would be grateful that you wouldn't be traipsing all over the world.”

Will shrugged, “I thought she would be too, but she just won't compromise on the situation. I think it's the `alien' factor more than the `giant robot' factor that has her scared the most; but I just can't concede to her demands. Besides, I wouldn't ask for a transfer even if I wanted to. The Autobots' are just too… too fascinating to willingly forget about. I mean… could you imagine?” Will had perked up in his seat as he turned to look at Epps with excitement sparkling in his eyes. “What we could learn from them! About their way of life! About their solar system! They were searching other planets for the All Spark before it was discovered here, right? What sort of other creatures did the meet? Would they ever consider coming here to Earth? What did-”

“All right Mr. Trebeck, that's enough rambling now,” Epps interrupted once his ears started ringing from Will's increasing volume.

Will sat back with a huff. “I'm just saying…” Epps chuckled as the twenty minutes of nonstop music came to an end and the local news started broadcasting.

“Today's top story; there was another meteor spotted in the county of Mono sometime late yesterday afternoon. No word yet from the Aviation Weather Committee on what exactly is causing the increase of meteor landings that seem to be on a one-way track for California. In other news, there was an explosion near Tranquility City late last night on the popular Look Out Point, just outside the cities limits. No injuries were reported and local hooligans are suspected for the blast. Now we turn to Suzy in our weather room with today's forecast. Suzy?”

Sam groaned as a cheerful tune started floating through his window, bringing him out of what was a rather nice dream about sleeping in. With an annoyed huff, Sam tossed back his covers and wobbled his way towards the glass yanking it open. “'Bee?” Sam muttered as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes so he could focus on the hyper `Bot.

“'Morning!” `Bee chirped and instantly he held out a hand for Sam to climb upon.

Rolling his eyes, Sam hefted himself out the window and onto the sun-warmed metal of his friend's hand. “What's the rush?” he asked as Bumblebee started heading for the back of the base.

“You'll see,” was all `Bee said.

Sam yawned and tried to straiten out his t-shirt, wishing he had grabbed his shoes before allowing Bumblebee to drag him from his room before he was fully awake. He was desperately trying to tame his hair as the two finally arrived at their destination and Sam was rather surprised to find them once more at the fence. Bewildered, he glanced out at the desert and then he just stared in utter amazement at what had to be at least eight foot wide, eight foot deep trench that ran innocently around the base's perimeter. “He did all this in one night?” Sam gapped in amazement.

“Yup,” `Hide replied as he made his way next to them. “Well, at least it's outside the base. I wouldn't want to face Optimus if he did something to the inside.”

“True,” Sam muttered as he stared at the “moat”.

“So where is Red anyhow?” `Bee asked.

“Back at the front,” Ironhide responded, “covering it up so no one can see it.”

“That's dangerous!” Sam cried out in surprised. “What if someone gets hurt?”

“I think that's the idea,” `Hide drawled. “Red said if you know it's there, you could easily jump it.”

“IF YOU'RE A GIANT AUTOBOT!” Sam screeched angrily. “WHAT ABOUT ME?”

“Don't worry short stuff,” `Hide smirked down at him, glancing from the boy to the `Bot and back again. “There'll probably always be someone here to tote your lazy ass around.”

“HEY!” two voices exclaimed in outrage.

Ironhide was smirking deviously as he dodged Bumblebee's attempts to punch him. They danced around a bit, Bumblebee trying to whap Ironhide while Ironhide easily evaded the others halfhearted swings and Sam was complaining loudly about the erratic ride when all of a sudden a large “bang” and what was clearly the sound of a car horn blared through the compound. All three froze as they listened to the noises in shock. “That doesn't sound like any of the guys,” `Bee muttered nervously. “Their horns are a deeper tone.”

“Slag,” Ironhide muttered as he started marching towards the front of the base, a multitude of curses floating behind him to his two shadows who were following close behind. `Bee and Sam shared a concerned look as they followed the aggravated top kick.

“Do you think he takes prisoners?” Epps asked nervously, hands held straight up in the air as both he and Will found themselves staring down the barrel of a rather large blaster cannon.

“Unidentified humans, you are trespassing on private property. State your identification number and purpose for your transgression.”

“Well, he's definitely a security chief,” Will muttered as he apprehensively eyed the smoking hood of the jeep. `Oh please don't let it blow up.'

“WILL!” Will's head snapped up at the familiar voice and a wave of relief washed over him as familiar, thudding footsteps progressively got closer. That was, until he was physically yanked from the totaled jeep by the scruff of his shirt and set down in a large metal hand. “Are you damaged? Is any thing broken? Leakage anywhere?”

Will sputtered as a large finger began to push him this way and that as Ironhide looked him over for any injury. “Ironhide!” Will tried to get away from the probing digit, utterly mortified. “Cut it out!”

“Hey!” Epps' voice seemed very small as it floated out of the hole. “What about me?” Bumblebee shifted Sam to his other hand as he leaned down for the other man to climb aboard. “My jeep!” Epps shrieked as he stared down at the wreckage of his beloved car. “I just got new breaks! Nearly a thousand bucks! A thousand!” He whirled to glare at Red Alert before turning to Bumblebee. “Do you know how much a thousand bucks actually is?”

“Er… We'll pay you back?” `Bee offered timidly, hoping to quell the man's anger.

Epps huffed as he glared at the `Bot, “you better.”

Red Alert, meanwhile, was watching the proceedings with mounting frustration as he holstered his weapons. “Ironhide, do you know these creatures?”

Ironhide sighed as he finally allowed Will a moment of rest from his examination, though `Hide did bring “his human” closer to his chest plate; just incase Red got it into his frazzled circuits to make a grab for him. “I really wish you had read Optimus' reports. These are also some humans who helped out in Mission City.”

Red Alert stared down at the small creatures incredulity. “Still very hard to believe that these humans were able to defeat seasoned Decepticon warriors,” he replied.

“Hey!” Epps shouted, “I resent that!”

“Hmm,” Red Alert stared down at the fuming human.

“Alright, that's enough. Let's go into the hanger,” Ironhide instructed as he turned away, completely ignoring Will's demands to put him down.

Sam rolled his eyes at the antics of the supposed “seasoned warriors” and waved to Epps from `Bee's opposite hand. “How was the drive?” he asked as he braced himself from the motion of `Bee walking.

“Great until the end,” Epps muttered as he tried to find his balance on `Bee's hand as the Autobot started walking. Sam had less difficulty, as it was becoming a normal occurrence for him.

“Will seems better,” Sam tried, hoping to keep the conversation going and get Epps' mind off his totaled jeep.

“Kid, you still have a lot to learn,” Epps informed him as he grabbed `Bee's offered upright thumb for balance.

Sam wasn't sure how to respond.

“Not a word!” Optimus cautioned as the two trucks rumbled down the deserted road towards home.

Ratchet snickered behind him as he followed the dented, smoking rig. “I didn't say anything,” he maintained.

“You were thinking it,” Optimus snarled as he swerved slightly and avoided a lone tumbleweed.

Ratchet inwardly laughed at Optimus' battered condition before letting out a loud snort. Then another, and then after a beat of silence another snicker escaped him after that. “Okay, I can't hold it in anymore. I told you it would blow!” Ratchet's peals of laughter only manage to mortify the rig further.

“Oh leave me alone!” Optimus finally managed to growl. “I'm a slagging strategist, not a engineer. How would I know whether or not the thing would overheat and detonate into a giant ball of fire and shrapnel?”

Ratchet managed to tone down his chuckle's as he pulled alongside the embarrassed truck. “Oh don't feel too badly about it.” Ratchet soothed as the base appeared on the horizon. “Just stay in your office and leave all the difficult stuff to us more, capable `Bots.”

“Really?” Optimus drawled. “`More capable'? Alright then, after everyone arrives and we all get settled… I'm leaving you in charge and I'm going on vacation! I hear the roads in Italy are quite beautiful.”

“You wouldn't dare!” Ratchet declared heatedly. “I'd swap out your shocks for pillows if you did that!”

“I'm just joking, you humorless ambulance.” Optimus' loud laugh interrupted the medics grumbles of just what he would do to his leader if he did pull a so-called Houdini. “Slag, with all the outrageous `Bots in the team, I wouldn't wish this job on anyone!” He paused. “Including me! When exactly is it that I get to retire?”

Ratchet chuckled yet again. “They certainly are… eccentric,” he agreed as they soon came upon the base. “What in the name of Primus?”

The two slammed down on their breaks hard as they suddenly found themselves teetering at the edge of a rather large ditch. Just barely managing to keep them from sliding into the bizarre thing at the suddenness of it the two shifted gears and reversed slightly in order to get a better look at the odd thing. Both of them marveled at the large crevice before them that, as far as they could tell, seemed to encircle the entire base! Shifting to their other forms they gazed down into the hole completely mystified and blinked in amazement at the sight of the rather crumpled jeep.

“Isn't that Epps' car?” Ratchet asked bemused as he stared down at the somewhat recognizable vehicle.

“One day… I leave for one slagging day and I come back to a virtual disaster zone!”

Shaking his head at Optimus' woeful muttering, Ratchet made a rather elegant leap over the small chasm and pushed open the gate. “Well, look on the bright side,” he called back over his shoulder.

“There's a bright side?” Optimus grumbled as he followed the team medic's lead and made his way to the other side.

“Well, it is outside the base.”

“Ha, ha. Funny.” Optimus replied in monotone as the two made their way to the main hanger.

“Optimus! Welcome back! -Why are you dented?”

Optimus groaned at Ironhide's rather surprised question that followed his enthusiastic greeting. “Never mind that,” he snapped angrily. “I thought you understood that I wanted you to watch him!”

“Hey!” Ironhide jumped off the boxcar indignantly. “I was watching him! I watched him dig a hole!” Optimus just glared. “Well what did you want me to do? Hog tie him and throw him in a closet?”

“Ironhide, out of all of us here, surprisingly it's you who knows Red Alert the best, considering how you and Inferno are always gossiping.”

“We do not!” Ironhide denied the remark vehemently. “We just compare our gun range scores!”

Ratchet proved just how much he disbelieved that announcement with a sarcastic “ha!” as he past the top-kick by and made his way towards the main table.

“And I do know him,” Ironhide continued, blatantly ignoring Ratchet. “That's why I didn't bother to try and stop him! It's best to just let him go though with whatever new cockamamie plan he comes up with, trust me. It's not worth the hassle of trying to talk him out of it.”

“Alright, alright. Lets just, stop arguing.” Optimus shook his head tiredly and frowned at the small sound of bolts rattling around. “Where is he, anyhow?”

Ironhide shrugged as he got back on the boxcar and leaned back. “He's probably off sulking somewhere since I yelled at him for almost shooting Will.”

Optimus and Ratchet gawked at the lounging truck. “He what?” Ratchet shrieked.

“Didn't he read those reports?” Optimus groaned as he dropped his head into his hands.

“`Non-priority',” Ironhide explained, completely exhausted from his time having to play babysitter. “He said getting this place up to code was more imperative.”

Optimus sighed as he collapsed onto his own boxcar. “Primus, help me.”

Ratchet smirked as he took a hold of Optimus' arm and pulled his friend back onto his feet. “Upsy daisy,” he grinned. “Come on, I'll fix you up.” Groaning, Optimus allowed himself to be hustled towards the Medical corner with out much fuss.

“Optimus! Ratchet! You're back!” Bumblebee smiled as he entered the hanger with Sam in his hand and the two rangers trotting behind.

“Gotta admit, Optimus,” Will proclaimed cheerfully. “You have the most fascinating recruits I've ever met.” Red Alert entered tentatively behind the group, shoulders hunched dejectedly at the ranger's statement.

“Good to hear,” Optimus drawled as he shot Red a look, “glad you find this amusing.” Will just grinned and Red Alert slouched even more. Ratchet just tisked at all the banter as he moved Optimus' limbs around in a multiple of intricate positions to get to the different paneling. “Ouch!”

“Oh, suck it up you big baby.”

Optimus scowled at his supposed “friend”. “You know, I could fire you.”

“And I could declare you mentally unfit to lead,” Ratchet countered cheerfully. “What's you point?”

“…Traitor.”

“So did you manage to get in touch with Keller?” Ratchet ignored his whining patient and continued to merrily yank out the multiple bolts on Optimus' back plate as he waited for a reply.

“Yeah we did,” Sam affirmed with a grin. “He's started on the paper work and said he would ship Red's plates to my house sometime this week.”

“That's good to hear.” Optimus winced as Ratchet pulled on a rather sensitive wire. “What was his response to the news about the rest of our returning comrades?”

“He's a little surprised, actually, that you were able to hear about your friends this quickly.” Will was the one to answer this time. “He thought that since they were scattered throughout space it would take at least a few years.”

“Unlike your current technology, ours is quite capable of sending out a signal to the edge of your candy bar galaxy.” Ironhide said with pride.

“Hey, don't knock the chocolate! It's basically a food group!” Will teased.

Ratchet looked up bewildered. “I thought that candy bars had very little nutritional value to sustaining your body's wellbeing,” he replied, confused.

Will sighed, now thoroughly discouraged by Ratchet's literal rendition of the joke. “Never mind.”

Optimus chuckled at Ratchet's still baffled expression, enjoying the moment. “It probably will take a few years to get in tough with everyone,” he replied to Will's earlier statement. “This is only a handful of Autobots that we're trying to contact. There are still a few more scouting parties out there somewhere.”

“Speaking of our comrades,” Ironhide entered the conversation. “Did you manage to get the signal out?”

“Of course we did,” Optimus responded, offended that anyone would suggest otherwise. “The signal was broadcasted with a minimum of fuss.”

Ratchet pulled back from his examination to give his leader an incredulous look. “Yeah, for about five minutes before the thing up and exploded.”

“Shut up,” Optimus hissed under his breath.

“It exploded?” `Bee yelped surprised. “What do you mean it exploded?”

“You mean that was you up at Look Out last night?” Epps exclaimed astounded as he suddenly recalled the rather chipper news girl's report on the radio. “Man, they thought that it was some kids or something but it was you guys?”

“Affirmative,” Optimus relented as Ratchet made a grand show of waving Optimus' dented back panel about, pointedly declaring it “exhibit one”. “There was a bit of a scorch mark left next to the cliff, but it should be gone after the rainy season.”

There was laughter all around, further embarrassing the big rig as Ratchet went into a detailed account of the event. “Yes sir, the fun never stops here at the Auto-Base,” Will declared in an imitation of a sports announcer after the medic's retelling of the events. The others just shook their heads at Will's antics, amused.

“Speaking of-what are we going to do about my Jeep?” Epps demanded. “It's in a fucking ditch!”

“Calm down Rob, I'll transform and tow it out,” Ironhide informed him evenly.

“You bet your tailpipe you will! And don't call me `Rob'!”

Ironhide chuckled as he hefted himself up. “Come on Red, let's get that ugly lawn ornament out of here.”

“HEY!”

Ironhide's laughter rang throughout the building as he sauntered out, Will and Epps running to catch up with the `Bot's longer strides. Sometimes Sam wondered why they didn't swallow their military pride and allow the `Bots to carry them around like they did him. It was worth it just for the lack of leg cramps and pulled muscles.

`Bee smiled and started to follow when Sam suddenly cleared his throat rather loudly. “Um, as amusing at that sounds, I actually think I would prefer to stay here.” `Bee halted mid-step and glanced down at him in astonishment. Sam was usually all for a good show and watching Red and `Hide fish out the ranger's precious jeep seemed like it was going to be highly entertaining. Sam shuffled nervously and ducked his head as he wrung his hands together. “Um, I need to speak to Optimus.” Sam whispered quietly, knowing full well that Bumblebee's audio sensors would be able to hear it. The large `Bot stared down at his charge perplexed, but nodded all the same and brought the boy over to the two still softly conversing in the corner.

They looked up at their approach surprised that they were still there. “Yes, Bumblebee?”

“Um, it's actually me who needs to speak to you,” Sam admitted as `Bee set him down next to Optimus. The boy glanced at the other two uncertainly. “Um, alone if possible.”

Ratchet and Bumblebee glanced at each other in surprise at the request. “Er, I'll just go see if the others need my help with Sergeant Epps' jeep.” Ratchet tried to pull Bumblebee along with him but the shorter yellow `Bot dug his heels in.

“Sam is my responsibility and I should be able to help him with whatever problems that he may have,” he declared firmly. Both Ratchet and Optimus shared a smile as they looked at the youngest of their group with mounting pride. It seemed that Earth had truly been the best thing for the child.

“Sam, it's up to you.” Optimus told the boy.

Sam chewed on his bottom lip fretfully as he looked at the three gathered `Bots. It was awkward enough to just speak to Optimus but to have `Bee there too? `But then again, if Optimus agrees `Bee will find out and then he'll be upset that I didn't trust him more… what a dilemma.” The Autobots waited patiently as Sam thought before the boy finally nodded.

“Well then, I'll just excuse myself, shall I?” Ratchet put his few tools in a large box that was serving as a storage bin. “Optimus I don't want you to move from that spot. I still have some dents to hammer out.”

Optimus winced as the medic exited before turning back to their very first human friend. “Now then- Sam, what is it you wished to speak to me about?”

-To Be Continued