Transformers Fan Fiction ❯ Cover Me ❯ The Dreaded Explination at Last ( Chapter 7 )

Cover Me

By Black Dragon Queen

Author's note: Here it is! He's finally going to speak with Optimus! I hope it makes sense. It did in my head, I swear!

PAIRINGS REVEALED THUS FAR:

Wheeljack x Ratchet, Past Prowl x Jazz

Font Index:

“Speaking”

`Thinking'

“-Radio Transmissions-”

“Cybertronion”

~*~

Chapter Seven: The Dreaded Explanation At Last

Sam just stared up at the two `Bots in complete unexplainable, terror. He had finally realized something very important. `Oh Primus, I actually have to tell them don't I?' he thought as he began wringing his hands together nervously and started shifting his body from foot to foot; an old habit he had acquired in his early youth that just never seemed to go away. Sam bit his lip. `How does one begin to tell giant alien robots that one of their worst enemies wants a truce?' Sam shifted again as he looked up at his friends who were both looking down at him waiting for him to begin. `Who knew this would be so difficult?'

The two Autobots were both watching him with such compassion in their optics as they waited to learn what it was that had Sam so nervous that it just made the boy's guilt grow to outlandish proportions. Never had he ever had such trust placed in him from people other than his parents so it was actually quite overwhelming to know that these beings had such faith in him. The Autobots believed in him whole-heartedly and Sam was forced to swallow the forming lump in his throat before he could even begin to speak. Trying to find a way to begin his story seemed like the best approach and Sam fought for the words.

Bumblebee was looking down with concern at his human who was fidgeting like a frightened bird caught in a net and gave the boy a light poke with his large finger. “It's alright Sam,” the yellow mech soothed. “Whatever it is Sam, I'm sure we can help you.”

Sam sighed, both comforted and remorseful at the sound of `Bee's worried tone. “It's actually not really my problem, you see,” he took a deep breath as he turned towards Optimus, “it's more like yours…”

The two mechs exchanged bewildered glances after the odd statement as they tried to puzzle out what the boy was speaking of. “What do you mean Sam?” Optimus asked. “Is there something that we should be concerned about?”

“Well…” Sam falter, not quite sure how to answer the question, “yes and no.”

Now the two were really confused. They had leaned when they first arrived on Earth that humans had a tendency to speak in circles but never had they ever witnessed the oddity. How an answer could be both “yes” and “no” at the same time just boggled them, and they couldn't make heads or tails of the statement. Either the answer was one or the other; it was simple logic. Humans were so odd at times but Sam had always been straight with them, so they decided to place their trust in him and wait for him to explain further. That he was so nervous about whatever it was that he had to tell them had both Cybertronians more than slightly worried.

Bumblebee glimpsed at Optimus and shrugged at the questioning ping his leader had sent over their comm.'s. He had no idea what the boy was speaking of either and that was beginning to alarm the yellow `Bot. It was not like his human to act this way. Sam was always so boisterous and easy going; he had never seen the boy this tense and edgy about anything. Whatever it was that had the boy spooked had to be something big, there was just no two ways about it, and it frightened `Bee more than he would care to admit.

Bumblebee instantaneously determined that this thing had to be a threat. A threat to both Sam and his comrades and it was one that `Bee was determined to eliminate no matter what the cost. If whatever it was had Sam this scared, then Bumblebee would ensure that the thing was nothing more than scattered dust particles by the end of the day. `Bee was very protective of his friends and he would do anything and everything in his power to ensure that they remained safe. `Bee smirked at the thought of a large dust cloud encompassing the planet before his feeling of adrenalin of a possible impending fight suddenly disappeared as he watched Sam pacing the length of the table from Optimus' knees to the corner and then back again.

Sam was upset beyond anything `Bee had ever seen and that was no small feat considering the two were almost constantly in each other's company. The `Bot suddenly found himself fighting a sudden urge to just grab the boy off the med-table and shove him in a bunker somewhere; away from whatever danger was out there and just keep Sam there so nothing would ever get the boy. These unexpected feelings of fear of were completely unlike his normally self and `Bee frowned as he tried to understand these impulsive defensive feelings that were radiating throughout his central core processor. He had faced danger before and had seen some of his best friends caught up in the worse scenarios possible in the fights against the Decepticons, but this sudden dread of anything even remotely harmful befalling Sam was just completely foreign to him. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that Sam was human and his body was more easily damaged compared to their own hard shells.

“Sam, you do not have to worry,” Optimus' voice was eerily calm as he spoke and `Bee set aside his thoughts as he watched the other two apprehensively. “Whatever it is, I'm sure it's something we can handle. You need not worry for our sakes, I'm sure that everything will be alright.”

Sam sighed at Optimus' gentle tone as he stopped pacing but still shifted from foot to foot anxiously. “I know, but it's just that…” Sam sighed as he looked up at the two, “I'm just a little worried about how you'll react to it.”

“You needn't worry about that, Sam, we're tougher than we look,” Bumblebee instantly chimed in reassuringly and was surprised by Sam's bitter smile.

“Trust me,” the boy said lost in thought, “I know all too well how tough you are.”

The two `Bots shared a worried glance once more at this and turned back to the human. “Sam,” Optimus began evenly, “we cannot know what exactly to prepare for if you do not tell us what has you so distraught. Is it something to do with when you spoke to Keller? Did he tell you something about our cover being blown?”

“Is it possible that we missed some of the others arriving and they're trying to get in touch with us?” `Bee asked hopefully yet hesitantly.

“Er, no. It has nothing to do with when I spoke to Keller,” Sam told them comfortingly before he once again paused in his thoughts. “Rather, something happened today,” he explained slowly, “after school, I mean, and I really need to speak to you about it.”

Optimus nodded at that revelation. “I had suspected something when we found you had come here to the base on your own instead of waiting for `Bee but I had assumed that it was excitement at the incoming Autobot's arrival,” he looked down at the boy in all seriousness, “ but that wasn't the case, was it?”

“Oh no,” Sam hastily assured him. “I really did want to meet your friend and can't wait to meet all of them. It's just…” Sam trailed off and Optimus smiled at him encouragingly as Bumblebee gave him a reassuring thumbs up while they waited for him to elaborate. Sam managed a watery smile at the show of consideration. Neither of the `Bots were going to drag this out of him like his parents would with their constant interrogations. The `Bots were both content to wait and allow Sam to explain himself on his own terms. It probably had something to do with the time difference thing. They had all the time in the world.

Sam groaned in frustration and raked his hands though his already wild hair as he struggled for a way to explain Barricade's presence without making a mess of it. This was a delicate subject as far as Sam knew. The bitterness between the two factions was something that spanned eons and Sam could only hope that the Autobots would keep an open mind when he explained the `Con's request. After a few tense moments, he finally decided to just let it out there for all to hear and hoped that it didn't blow up in his face. “Barricade was at my school today,” he blurted out quickly and mentally began the countdown. He didn't have to count far.

“WHAT?” the two screeched and Sam had to clamp his hands over his ears in order to preserve what little hearing Red Alert's air horn had left intact.

“What do you mean that slagger was at your school?” `Bee shouted as he jumped up and nearly made a grab for Sam, intent of shoving him in that bunker, only to have Optimus beat him to the boy and move him out of the youngsters reach. Optimus set Sam down on his other side furthest from `Bee, indirectly saving Sam from having to look his guardian in face. It was cowardly, but Sam was grateful that he could hide behind Optimus as `Bee began fretfully pacing around the room instead. He couldn't bear seeing the look of betrayal that he was sure Bumblebee was supporting. He never wanted to disappoint his friend and here he was doing just that! Sam bit his lip, ashamed and turned his head once more.

Bumblebee, meanwhile, was having a near meltdown. `Barricade found Sam! Had spoken to Sam, and I wasn't there to protect him! That `Con could have done anything, anything and I wouldn't have known it until too late! Sam was completely vulnerable and I was all they way on the other side of the desert playing games! Just what kind of guardian am I?' he lamented utterly horrified. “Did he attack anyone?” he demanded out loud in near hysterics. “How did you get away? Do you remember which way he was heading when you last saw him? Is it possible that he went after your parents? Did he-”

“Bumblebee!” Optimus interrupted the other mech mid-rant and glared at the smaller `Bot, “let the boy finish.” `Bee huffed but managed to quell his frantic movements as he reluctantly moved to sit on another boxcar, crossing his arms in frustration. Clearly, the yellow `Bot was upset.

Sam's shoulders fell as he stilled his own involuntary movements and climbed up to sit himself down on Optimus' offered leg. “He did nothing, I swear,” Sam insisted in an effort to quell the worry he knew his large partner was suffering from. “He just wanted to speak with me.”

Optimus puzzled over Sam's words as he tried to determine just what the Saleen patrol car was up too. As far as he knew, it was not in a Decepticons programming to actively see out an enemy, let alone a known ally to their enemies, unless it involved confrontation. That Barricade had allowed the boy to leave unharmed both relieved and worried him. Optimus quickly did an internal review on what he knew of the other mech but as he was almost always off fighting Megatron, he had never really had any direct battle with the interceptor. It was always Bumblebee whom was his adversary. He cast a worried glance at the agitated `Bot in question and made an internal memo to speak with `Bee about the `Con as soon as possible. “What exactly was the reason the Decepticon unit Barricade was at your school?” he finally asked Sam.

Sam gave Optimus a grateful look, glad that they were finally coming to the heart of the matter. “He was there to offer a truce between himself and all of you.”

There was silence for the span of a heartbeat before it was broken with a disbelieving snort from `Bee. “Yeah right! That `Con was probably playing with you Sam. You can't believe anything they tell you. He was probably there on orders from Starscream- and what do you mean no?”

Sam, who had been shaking his head sadly during Bumblebee's rant, gave the large Autobot a stern stare. “I highly doubt he could fake the condition that he was in,” he responded tightly.

Optimus pounced on the statement, effectively halting `Bee's ranting before the youngster could start again. “What condition was that?” he inquired with a slight note of concern in his voice. “Was there something wrong with him?”

“Besides his persona?” `Bee muttered under his breath. The other two glared.

“He was injured,” Sam explained, ignoring `Bee's continued sounds of disbelief. “It was pretty severe from what I could tell, though I'm not as qualified as Mikaela.” Sam paused for a moment as the mental image of Barricade sitting in the corner of the small parking garage crossed his mind. “I don't think he could even shift out of his car mode from all the damage the frame had sustained,” he said sadly.

Optimus frowned at the announcement, knowing full well just how easily they could be damaged in alt mode. “What were his explanations for his injuries?” Optimus stared at the boy, feeling a bit of anxiety flow through him at what the boy's answer would be.

“Starscream,” Sam said simply. “He said that Starscream was… unhappy that he wouldn't obey the jets orders.”

“I just bet,” Optimus drawled under his breath. He had overheard some of Starscream's more… vocal orders on the battlefield that even made him pause with the absurdity of the command.

“Pardon?” Sam turned to the Autobot leader, confused.

Optimus shook his head. “No, it's nothing,” he assured them. “Please continue.”

Sam shrugged and went on. “Barricade had said something along the lines of Starscream believing himself to be a better leader than Megatron was but that he was going to be in for a nasty shock when the other Decepticons do arrive. He then explained that there would more than likely be a power struggle now that Megatron's gone as the other `Cons are just as fond of the idea of Starscream leading as much as we are.”

Optimus nodded as he thought over what he knew about the Decepticons inner workings. If it really was true and the Decepticons were already fighting amongst themselves, then it just created a whole new slew of problems for him as each `Con tried to make a name for themselves; just what he didn't need with the others possibly inbound. “That still doesn't explain Barricade's odd request, though.”

Sam hesitated slightly before he sighed. “He said that since the All Spark was gone, it's no longer about the war but survival. He said that since he was damaged his continuing existence took precedent-”

“-and as the only other Cybertronians on Earth, we would be the only ones with the capacity to fix him as it's obvious that Starscream won't allow it.” Optimus finished offhandedly as he thought over the situation. “What would be his compromise if we agreed to help him?”

Bumblebee jumped up and stared at Optimus in complete disbelief, as it seemed his commander was beginning to fall for the ruse. “Optimus, you can't really be considering it?” he screeched, completely taken aback at his leader's indifferent attitude. “A `Con wanting peace? It's incomprehensible! It has to be trick!”

“I wasn't saying that I accepted the deal, just that we should hear it out,” Optimus countered sternly, a little miffed at `Bee's doubt in him. “I know just as well as you that this could be a trick but as leader I should have a clear understanding of what is going on; and that's not just in Autobot ranks. The notion of Barricade wishing to defect from the Decepticons could be valuable information and-” Optimus' voice rose as it looked like `Bee was going to interject. “And I also know that this could be a ruse, but its best to know what the `Cons are possibly planning before going back out onto the battle field.”

Sam watched the two `Bots as they argued and waited until Bumblebee finally sat back down with a growl before even attempting at answering Optimus' question. “He said he would remove himself from any and all fighting, period; that he wouldn't help either side.”

`Bee let out a hysterical laugh as he stood back up, too agitated to remain seated. “A `Con refusing to fight? That's like a fish deciding not to go swimming `cause the waters cold. It does. Not. Happen!”

“Bumblebee!” Optimus bellowed loudly as he was becoming increasingly displeased with the younger `Bots attitude. “Control yourself or so help me I will boot you out of here so fast you'll leave skid marks!” `Bee gapped at his leader, completely stunned at the amount of anger the other was showing. “SIT!”

Bumblebee promptly shut up and sat.

Sam shifted nervously at the overwhelming tension that permeated the room and couldn't help but feel that it was somehow his fault that `Bee was so riled up. Optimus had turned back to him however and asked what his take on the `Con's offer was. “He sounded sincere to me,” Sam offered timidly.

“How could you even begin to believe that he has no ulterior motive?” `Bee argued, instantly forgetting his silence. “'Con's are never truthful. You can't trust them, ever!”

“That is not our way Bumblebee,” Optimus chide, frowning at the other's resumed pacing. “I fully believe that all mechs can change if they truly wish to change.”

`Bee stared at him, completely aghast at what he was hearing. “So… so you are going to accept Barricades offer?” `Bee stammered, completely horrified at the very idea of a `Con moving in. “You're going to let a Decepticon HERE?”

Sam glanced at Optimus, both hopeful yet afraid of the largest `Bots answer. While he felt a little compelled to help the injured Decepticon, he also feared that `Bee would start off on a quest for revenge from all the damage the `Con had caused him over the centuries.

“No, Bumblebee. I'm not.”

There was a collective sigh of relief from both of the youngsters at his statement, though Sam was beginning to feel miserable that Barricade would be forced to suffer alone. “Why are you not going to help him?” he asked, genuinely concerned. “I thought that, as the `good guys', you would be all for helping reform one of the `bad guys'.”

Optimus sighed at the continued misconception of the terms “good” and “bad”. “Sam, there are no black and white definitions of `bad guys' or `good guys' in war,” Optimus explained kindly. “While I commend Barricade for no longer wishing to follow Starscream, I must think of my own troops. I cannot, in good conscious, allow a possible enemy to enter the base when things are in such a chaotic state. If it truly is a ruse, then we cannot allow the Decepticons to get any inside information on our operations. Also, with the impending arrival of Prowl and the others I do not believe that they would take kindly to the notion of a Decepticon in residence.”

“Not to mention Ironhide would scrap him before he even made it in the door,” `Bee declared before sinking under Optimus' glare.

Optimus gently moved Sam from his leg back to the table and with a groan; he stood and made his way over to the still standing youngster. `Bee glanced around fearfully, surprised that Optimus was making his way over to him and he was becoming increasingly worried at what his leader was up too. Forcefully grabbing `Bee by the shoulder plates, the older `Bot shoved him back to his designated boxcar and shouted: “Sit! I've been dizzy enough these past few days, thank you.” `Bee and Sam just stared as Optimus slowly made his way back to the med-table and Sam moved towards a single corner so the older `Bot could lie down. “Primus, I can't take anymore,” he groaned as he shut off his optics against the overhead lights.

Bumblebee and Sam waited to see if Optimus was going to state anything else and were just about to leave the other `Bot when he suddenly spoke. “I am sorry, Sam. But we cannot help Barricade. If he tries to contact you again, report to us immediately. And under no circumstances let Ironhide know of Barricade's existence in Tranquility. We have enough problems at the moment.” Sam nodded sadly, knowing full well just what the truck would do if he learned of Barricades presence. `Bee carefully stood once more and held out a hand for the boy to clamber onto. “And Bumblebee,” Optimus' voice halted the youngster mid step as the yellow `Bot cringed at the call.

`Bee turned to glance hesitantly over his shoulder. “Yes Optimus?”

“No heroics.” `Bee frowned but nodded as he turned to leave just as Ratchet entered the building, seeing that the importune meeting was over.

“Well, they managed to get the jeep out of the trench,” they heard Ratchet say as they were leaving. “Though Epps is still really angry and - OPTIMUS PRIME! I TOLD YOU NOT TO MOVE!”

~*~

The rest of Saturday and Sunday had continued on without another mention of Sam's encounter with Barricade and Sam almost completely forgot about the incident during the chaos of his daily life at the Autobot base. As he went though his lessons with the other Autobots, there were very few moments where he and Bumblebee were alone and Sam was actually a little bit grateful for all the distractions over the weekend. He even didn't do his usual whine about target practice and how difficult it was when Ironhide had dragged him out to the gun range. A lesson that seemed to increase by four hours with Will and Epps in residence, though Epps spent most of his time in one of the storage hangers desperately trying to fix his “baby”. Ratchet and Ironhide had both offered to drive the Rangers home but Epps refused to leave his car behind, claiming that he had a “hot date” that he could not afford to miss. The others had just shaken their heads at the man's stubbornness. Sam had even tried to help with the repairs, though he was more hinder than help to the man.

As it was, the weekend had just flown by. There was more discussions on the arrival of the other Autobots and ideas had been bounced off one another on how to get another signal out to their missing comrades since the transmitter was… indisposed. Even Red Alert was beginning to become more comfortable with the all the new, strange situations and he was slowly warming up to the humans as well. The red `Bot had even “volunteered” both Sam and `Bee for “ditch duty” when they had come out from speaking to Optimus without any regrets. Sam was very grateful that Ratchet had emerged from the hanger and declared that Sam would benefit from helping him fix Optimus up and managed to get him out of the hot sun, though Sam suspected that Optimus had asked on his behalf. `Bee wasn't so lucky though and Red Alert had him shoveling away.

Once he was in the main hanger again, Ratchet had gone about explaining different aspects of Autobot wiring as they pulled and prodded and banged out the dents from Optimus' armor, sensing that the boy needed a distraction though from what, Ratchet was unsure of. Even Optimus had managed to prolong his history lesson later that evening from its usual three hours to five as he knew that Sam was reluctant to leave the safety of the classroom. Sam was very grateful that Optimus understood his need to be away from his companion though he had given him a stern warning about speaking it over with `Bee a soon as possible. Sam had listened to Optimus' advice but the fear of `Bee's disappointment or even possible anger at him caused Sam to continually evade his friend throughout the day. He had done a pretty decent job of avoiding his large guardian considering.

Until now.

Sam sighed and squirmed in his seat as they drove down the dusty highway towards home that Sunday evening. He grabbed his backpack out from the back seat, hoping that he remembered to pack his books but it was really just an excuse to avoid conversation. He and `Bee had not said more than four words to each other since the meeting and Sam was becoming very, very nervous. When Bumblebee had transformed into car mode so they could leave, Sam almost didn't want to get in; which was something that Sam never would have thought possible. He and `Bee could always speak to each other about everything before.

“Before” meaning the time pre-Barricade. Sam really didn't want to blame Barricade but things had been so much simpler before Sam had exited his school to find the cop car sitting there waiting for him. He understood Barricades position, but Sam really wished that the `Con had found a different way of speaking to the Autobots than through him. If he had known that simply speaking to the `Con would result in him essentially hiding from what was his best friend, he would have turned tail and ran back into the school and forget the consequences. If only it had been that simple.

“Are you sure you are ok?”

`Bee's worried voice startled Sam out of his thoughts and he sighed as he set his bag a side. “Yeah,” he murmured. “I'm fine.”

`Bee was silent for a moment before asking, “are you sure that he did nothing?”

“I'm positive,” Sam stressed, becoming slightly irritated. “Believe me, he did absolutely nothing. He just wanted to talk.” `Bee didn't say anything in response and Sam gave the dash a small smile. “Trust me, `Bee. I do know what I'm doing. I'm not a complete dunce you know.”

Sam was once more bathed in warm air as Bumblebee let out a sorrowful sigh. “I do trust you Sam, it's just-”

“You were worried about me,” Sam took a guess.

“Slag it!” `Bee suddenly shouted angrily. “I had absolutely no idea that you were in danger! None at all! That `Con could have done anything to you, anything and I wouldn't have even known that something had happened until Monday!”

Sam quickly started to rub his hands along the steering wheel in an attempt to calm the agitated `Bot. “But nothing did happen, `Bee,” he soothed. “You have to realize that as the person, who ultimately destroyed Megatron, the Decepticons will more than likely be gunning for me and you can't always be there.”

“That's not very reassuring, Sam,” `Bee grumbled despondently.

Sam gave a small laugh at the `Bots surly tone. “It doesn't matter,” he assured him. “I'm completely functional and Optimus has stated his decision on the matter so I hardly think it really matters now.”

The Autobot gave a small noise of agreement before falling silent. Bumblebee was still drastically upset at the whole situation. He considered it a personal failure that he had not been there for Sam when the boy needed him most. Just like in Mission city when Starscream's blast had managed to sever both his legs. `Bee had not been able to protect Sam, a duty that had been his from the beginning, and was force to rely on the others to help Sam protect the cube. He had never let on just how hurt he was that he had not been there for Sam during the confrontation with Megatron. It was just another thing that he had failed at.

Bumblebee sighed as they continued down the road. He was now determined to not leave Sam's side unless absolutely, unquestionably necessary. `And even then, I may have to disobey a direct order if I feel that Sam's in danger,' he thought decisively. `I was given the order to protect Sam Witwicky and I'm taking that order to spark. Nothing and no one will ever harm him as long as there's life still within me.' Pleased with his decision, `Bee continued to travel on in silence and he was just beginning to see the city lights winking in the distance as dusk settled over the desert when his passenger roused him from his thinking.

“Hey `Bee?” Sam suddenly spoke up, a tranquil resonance in the hushed silence of `Bee's cab.

“Yes Sam?”

“What's `stasis lock'?”