Transformers Fan Fiction ❯ Cover Me ❯ Operation Cookies ( Chapter 23 )

Cover Me

By Black Dragon Queen

Author's note: Well, bad news- I still don't have the internet… worse news- the college may or may not be open next week… the terrible news- I may have to go to my sisters to post… NO!!1

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 Twenty-Three: Operation Cookies

Miles Lancaster was not the brightest crayon in the box. He knew this; his teachers knew this and even his parents were no longer optimistic as to the level of his intelligence. It really wasn't a surprise. To tell the truth, it really didn't bother Miles as much as one would think. The daily teasing had become as commonplace as his frequent C's and D's on his report cards. That others looked down on him really didn't mater. He had a good home, food and his best friend to hang out with. What could possibly be wrong in his life?

Then came that last day of school right before summer vacation… and things had begun to change. Sam Witwicky had gotten a car. Now one would think that that wouldn't make such a large difference… but it did. Sam had driven off from the lake with Mikaela and that was the start of everything. Sam suddenly didn't have time for him at all anymore, not even an occasional hello on the phone. There were actually a few weeks where they didn't even speak to one another.

Miles understood that Sam now had a girlfriend and his friend now had to make time for her, but there were times when Sam said that he didn't have time to hang out with Miles and it had nothing to do with Mikaela. Sam was suddenly always in a rush somewhere, always busy during the weekends. Miles just couldn't figure it out. Sam's parents had never given the slightest hint as to what was going on with their son whenever he showed up unannounced. It seemed almost as if Sam had just suddenly vanished off the face of the Earth.

Then the school year rolled around once again, just as it did every year and Miles began seeing Sam again… but yet at the same time he wasn't. He was always rushing off somewhere after classes with Mikaela, always driving away in that shiny new yellow camaro of his. Even when he announced that he and Mikaela had split up and were now just friends it still didn't change.

In fact it might have gotten worse after they split. Even though they insisted that they were no longer an “item”, they were still always together, whispering. It probably was the whispering that got Miles upset. There was something going on with those two that they didn't want anyone else knowing about. If they were still together, it would have made sense, but seeing as they weren't, it was just completely aggravating.

Just as Miles thought that there was nothing else that could surprise him after Sam arrived with a newer version of his Camaro, the dented patrol car had appeared in the parking lot. Sam had gotten in the car and that was the last he heard of Sam for almost two days. Miles had instantly become suspicious. What if this was why he and Mikaela were always whispering? What if they had gotten into trouble and now they were rotting away in some juvenile lock up? What could have possibly happened to his friend?

Then Monday had come and Sam had arrived at the school courtesy of his father looking as if he had been run over by his much beloved car of his. Miles had tried to ask him about the patrol car but Sam had instantly clamed up and had gotten that deer in the headlights stare and Miles had allowed the subject to drop. Then there had been even more whispering going on at the lunch table between Sam and Mikaela and then two weeks of them constantly disappearing almost immediately after school. Miles had been left behind.

That hand never happened before. Miles found himself more alone than ever before and it was completely horrifying for the boy. There had always been someone with him that he could talk to, to hang out with and it had always been Sam. Now he didn't even have that. There was no one else beside Sam who had ever even tried to befriend Miles before and that had been completely okay with him as he had thought that he and Sam would always be friends forever.

Then came the Lamborghinis… and even Miles could no longer ignore the fact that something was seriously up. There was something suspicious going on at the Witwicky residence and Miles always loved a good mystery. So Miles became determined to discover just what it was that was going on with his best friend and he set out for Sam's house.

He then arrived to find the last three things he had been expecting. One was Trent already there and leaving as Miles dodged out of the way of the jocks precious truck as the boy bolted out of there as if the very dogs of hell were on his heels. Two was the very same patrol car sitting in Sam's driveway looking a little lost and forlorn sitting alone in the driveway, but what really had him shocked was the third thing he found upon arriving at the Witwicky home.

It was the rather large robot that was currently standing in the middle of the roadway staring down at him. “Oh crap…”

~*~

Bumblebee stared down at one of the few people he had driven that did not know his real self. Well, at least till now that was. He shuffled his feet rather sheepishly and waved down at the other teenager. “Um… hi…”

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

Sam winced as his best friend screamed at what had to be the top of his lungs. His parents were already searching around to see if anyone had come to the window to see what the fuss was about. Mikaela glanced at Sam helplessly before they both turned back to the distraught boy.

“Um, Miles?” Sam tried hesitantly as they slowly moved forward towards the distraught boy. “What are you doing here?”

“What am I doing here?” Miles asked in disbelief. “Never mind what I'm doing here, just what is that thing?”

“Er… Miles, you know it's kind of funny when you think about it. It's a long story so why don't we go inside and I'll tell you all about it…”

“All about what?” the other boy shouted hysterically. “What's going on? Just what is that thing? What's it doing here? Are we in danger? Is it here to kill us?”

“No one's going to be killing anyone,” Mikaela said soothingly. “Miles, we have a lot to tell you and it would be done better in the house.”

“That's right,” Judy crooned. “Why don't we all head inside and I'll make us some hot chocolate? How does that sound?”

Miles stared at the group before him. “You're all possessed!”

Sam sighed in exasperation. “No Miles, we're not possessed. There's just been a lot going on that I see now I should have told you about but things were kind of complicated at the time and… well, things actually still are complicated but you're here now and I suppose we have no choice anymore and you really should know what's going on, even though it's suppose to be a national secret and I'm not sure how Optimus is going to react to this but-”

“Sam,” Mikaela interrupted. “You're babbling.”

Sam blushed as he realized that he had indeed been rambling on. “Er… sorry.”

“Miles, why don't we all just go into the house? It would be much more comfortable that out here in the road.” Judy tried again to usher the confused boy into the building.

Miles was instantly backing away from the oncoming woman and he looked back and forth at the four people in front of him. “Now, now you don't have to worry,” Miles was saying as he back up keeping a wary eye on Bumblebee who still hadn't gone back to alt mode. “I'm going to go get help. They'll know what to do. We'll get you out of this…” and Miles turned and tried to bolt for his bike the same way Trent had bolted for his truck moments before.

“Slag!” The giant robot behind him snarled and Miles skidded to a halt as the mustang suddenly pulled in front of him and bounced off the hood. He gasped as he stared through the windshield to the empty driver's seat beyond. The car was currently moving on itsown accord without a driver! That right there nearly sent Miles screaming into the night. Miles let out a gasp of horror. The cars! That was it! That was what was behind all this madness! It was the cars!

Miles gasped as he spun around and tried desperately to find an escape when suddenly a rather large hand clamped around him. Miles was suddenly lifted off the ground and with a gulp of fear, he turned his head to find himself staring into the “eyes” of the giant robot. He let loose another scream.

“Oh for the love of Primus can't you shut him up?” Barricade snarled as the humans all looked about frantically for any other humans to appear at the blood curdling shriek.

“What do you want us to do?” Sam snapped at the `Con.

“We could always step on him,” Barricade said slyly. Unfortunately Miles had paused to take a breath when he said that and now the poor boy was screaming bloody murder. “Oh for- Stick him in here!” Barricade called up to the frantic `Bot and with no hesitation what so ever, Bumblebee shoved poor Miles through the open passenger door presented to him and Barricade slammed the door behind him. Complete silence. “Will you shift your aft into alt mode before you're seen and we really get in trouble!” Barricade snapped and with a sigh, Bumblebee backed up a few paces and shifted into his Camaro mode.

Sam could see the look of utter shock on Miles's face as he stared at the Camaro in complete surprise before he turned to look at Sam with a look of total panic on his face. “'Cade, could you roll down the window a little?” he asked softly. Barricade said nothing for a moment before the window moved down about two inches. Miles was surprisingly no longer screaming. “Miles?” Sam tried to speak to the other boy.

“Sam, what's going on? They're like those things that attacked Mission City back in June…”

“Yes Miles, they are but these are the ones that stopped them.” Miles stared back at him through the window and Sam could actually see the tears beginning to form in his friends green eyes. “Really, believe me when I say that there is nothing to worry about. They're the good guys.” Barricade snorted at this and Sam kicked his tier.

“What if they're not?” Miles hissed frantically. “Sam, we have to tell someone!”

“But they do know,” Sam insisted. “We've already told the government and they've allowed for the Autobots, that's what they're called, to stay here on Earth.”

“But Sam!” Miles insisted. “What if… they're… possessed too…?” Sam blinked in shock as Miles' words began slurring and his eyes became heavy. Sam backed up in shock as Miles suddenly slumped over, forehead pressed against the glass panel of Barricade's passenger window. At first, Sam thought he really was dead. Then he heard the snoring.

“Thank Primus that's over!” Barricade said with sigh. “That was driving even me crazy.”

Sam blinked down at the mustang in surprise as Bumblebee pulled up next to him. “What did you do to him `Con?” `Bee demanded.

“I think the shock got to him,” Barricade said offhandedly. “I believe that it would be best to put him to bed.”

“Oh dear, yes,” Judy agreed instantly, “and I wonder if Carol knows where he is. I should probably give her a call…” she turned to her husband. “Do you think you could carry him upstairs?” she asked him.

Ron stared at her incredulously. “With my back?” he asked.

Judy rolled her eyes. “Oh never mind, you're useless. `Bee? Could you just slip him through the window? We can maneuver him from there to the bed once he's on the second floor.”

All the others stared at her in shock. “Mom, how can you be so calm about this?” Sam asked in disbelief. “He saw `Bee. He knows now! And I have no idea how to explain it to him either!”

Judy was very calm as she looked at her son. “Well, why don't you call that nice William over? I'm sure being an army ranger and all, that he'll be able help you explain to your friend. It might also prove to Miles that the Autobots are not a threat.”

Sam stared at his mother in surprise. “That's… that's actually not a bad idea…” he murmured and nodded his head once sharply in agreement. “He's still at Epps so he should be able to get here within the hour.”

“Good, now let's get your friend situated and call your ranger buddies over,” Judy said with a smile. “Ron, could you run over to the store and buy us refreshments and a few other items for our guests for when they arrive.”

Ron frowned at his wife. “Why is it we don't have that in the house already?” he asked puzzled.

“Because I know all about your three a.m. trips to the ice-cream parlor that's why. Now go!” Sam gapped at his father in astonishment as Mikaela tried to suppress a small giggle.

“How did she know about that?” Ron muttered as he moved towards his own car.

Judy just smiled and Barricade let out a soft chuckle. “I wonder.”

~*~

After they had managed to get Miles situated, Sam ducked back out into the drive to speak to Barricade to ensure that the patrol car was going to stay low and out of sight. “Just where am I going to go?” Barricade groused as he backed up and into the garage.

“Well considering that you've already disappeared twice already, it's lucky that we don't decide to nail the door shut,” Judy called from the porch.

Barricade actually managed to pull off a full body cringe in his alt mode at the threat and Sam couldn't help but smirk. “Congratulations, she's adopted you as one of her own,” he snickered.

“As long as she doesn't try dressing me up as she does the dog, I see no problem with that,” Barricade said dryly and Bumblebee had to choke back a snicker.

“Now I'm serious here,” Sam said as he moved to shut the door. “Stay in the garage!”

“Like I have a choice?” Barricade huffed.

Sam smirked. “No you don't,” and he shut the door on Barricade's outraged cry.

It was not a moment too soon as Epps' battered jeep soon puttered into the driveway and Will bounced out of the vehicle before it even came to a complete halt. “Sam!” Will greeted with his usual enthusiasm. “What's wrong? You sounded agitated on the phone.”

Sam smiled at the two rangers as he held the door open for the men to enter the house. “Well, we have a `Sighting Situation',” he explained hesitantly. He paused. “Well, two if you want to get technical.”

“Someone saw `Bee?” Will cried out in surprise as Sam ushered them to the living room where Mikaela was already seated.

“`Two'?” Epps asked amazed. “As in two separate times he was spotted?”

“Well, the second was really a result of the first,” Sam muttered as his mother entered the room.

“Hello again!” Judy chirped happily as she moved towards the two newcomers.

“Er, hello Mrs. Witwicky,” Epps muttered as she beamed at the two rangers and he nonchalantly moved himself behind his superior.

Not a smart move as Will proceeded to elbowed him sharply. “Hello again Judy, it's nice to see you,” he said calmly, ignoring his gasping communications officer.

“It's good to see you as well Captain,” Judy smiled before she raised the platter she had been carrying. “Cookie?”

“Don't mind if I do,” Epps reached around his commander to snag one of the larger oatmeal ones, which resulted in him receiving another gut to the elbow.

“Thank you Judy, but if someone could explain what exactly is going on here?” Will turned back to Sam expectantly before glancing back at Mikaela who ducked her head.

Judy nodded and began moving back towards the kitchen. “Well let me know if there's anything else you need. I have a pot of coffee already brewing so I'll just pop back out when it's done.”

“Thank you Judy,” Will smiled at her before turning back towards the two teenagers with a small frown. Maneuvering Epps away from the cookie platter that Judy had left on the coffee table they both sat down on the opposite recliners and turned towards the couch. “Well?” Will demanded.

Sam sighed, wondering how he was going to explain this without having to mention Barricade. “Well, it's like this. You remember Trent?” Sam turned to ask Will. “Drives that blue pickup truck?”

“The jock we met in the park?” Will asked surprised. “The one who was ranting on and on about how his own truck is still so superior to `Bee and kicked `Hide's tailgate?”

Epps nearly choked on a second cookie. “And `Hide didn't wallop him one?” he asked in surprise. Will shrugged.

Sam just made a sound of disgust. “Yeah, that's the one. He showed up here this evening because he thought that we had been the ones to pull this prank on him and from what we can figure out he was here to smash up `Bee in retaliation.”

Will let out a low whistle of amazement; “I bet that didn't go over too well.”

“Yeah,” Sam agreed with a small frown.

“But that still doesn't explain why `Bee transformed in front of an unauthorized person,” Will said seriously. “Even if he had been damaged, Ratchet could have just fixed him up without any problem.”

“And `Bee knows this,” Sam insisted, trying to quell the man's irritation. “It was… something else that caused him to transform in front of Trent.”

Mikaela rolled her eyes at Sam's hesitation. “Trent went after Sam,” she explained point blank.

The two rangers turned to the girl in surprise. “Ooohhhh,” they nodded in understanding.

Sam looked at the group bewildered but obviously that was all the explanation that the two rangers needed so who was Sam to complain? “Um, anyway,” he decided to continue on. “While `Bee was… convincing Trent that it would be in his best interest to leave me alone, Miles arrived.”

“Miles!” Will repeated in surprise. “What did you tell him?”

Sam shifted nervously as he ran his hand through his hair. “Well, that's the thing. We really didn't get much of a chance to tell him anything…”

“Miles had your typical reaction to a giant robot standing in your best friends front yard. He completely panicked and apparently fainted from the shock,” Mikaela explained calmly. “He's upstairs right now still passed out on Sam's bed.”

The rangers stared at the two across from them in surprise. “So why are we here again?” Epps asked.

“Well, Miles apparently believes that he needs to warn the world about `Bee and we were thinking that maybe since you two are technically part of the army you could speak to him,” Sam finally clarified. “Just to reassure him that they- that `Bee is not a threat.”

Will raised an eyebrow. “Um, Sam… If Miles thinks that the Autobots are here to take over the world, then I highly doubt that our presence will reassure him any.”

“Yeah,” Epps agreed as he devoured yet another cookie. “Those believer types always think that the government had a hand in whatever diabolical plan they think is taking place. I doubt that two army rangers will reassure him any.”

“But we could still try, can't we?” Sam insisted, wringing his hands together nervously. “I mean, he's been my best friend since kindergarten and I feel horrible that I've had to keep this a secret from him these past few months. I know he's been feeling kind of left out what with Mikaela and I always hanging out together and then all the time I spend at the base… I just feel really, really guilty right now.” The three looked as Sam sadly as he dropped his head in defeat. “I just feel like a really lousy best friend…” he muttered. Mikaela placed a hand on his shoulder and gave him a comforting squeeze, trying to reassure her friend that it was going to be all right.

It was then that they heard thumps coming from upstairs followed by the steady sound of footsteps on the stairs and soon a befuddled Miles shuffled into the living room. He glanced from Sam and Mikaela to the two rangers before turning back to his school mates yet again. “It was real, wasn't it?” he asked shakily.

Sam nodded miserably as Mikaela dropped her hand. “Yeah, it was,” Sam admitted softly as he looked back up at his lifelong friend.

The two boys stared at each other for a long time, neither one saying anything before Miles licked his dry lips and turned to Epps. “Are they dangerous?” All four of the other occupants shook their heads at the question. “And Sam's car is one of these… Auto robo's?”

“Autobots,” Sam corrected gently. “And yes.”

Miles turned to look back down at Sam, his entire face completely unreadable while Sam looked back at him with the worry completely readable on his own features. “And they won't hurt us?” Miles demanded.

“No!” Sam insisted quickly. “They would never hurt us.”

“Their job is to protect us,” Will added calmly and Miles turned to glare at the man.

“What about all that fighting in Mission City I saw on the net? Sure looked like they were trying to kill us…”

“Well, there's always good things and bad things in life,” Epps, who had been quiet as a mouse so far, suddenly stated. “Just like there are good cookies and bad cookies.” He gestured down towards the plate. “Take the oatmeal cookie. I love oatmeal cookies, but give me peanut butter cookie and up comes lunch.” Epps smiled as he bit into a fifth cookie.

The others all groaned and shook their heads at this but Miles was looking down at the platter of cookies curiously. “And Sam's car is an oatmeal cookie?” he asked slowly.

Epps nodded. “That's right. They're the ones hunting down those evil peanut butter cookies and keeping them from getting the milk.”

Will practically fell off his chair from the force of his groan but Miles said nothing as he continued to stare down at the baked goods. Reaching down, Miles took one of the last remaining cookies and stared at it thoughtfully before he took a rather large bite. “I do love cookies,” he muttered.

“That's the spirit,” Epps stood and thumped Miles on the back. “It's really not as bad as you would think.”

Miles nodded as he turned to look down at Sam who was standing up from the couch. The two boys looked at one another for a few moments before Sam broke. “Miles, if I could have told you I would have.”

Miles gave Sam a long, hard stare before he broke out into a wide grin. “Come on, man. You know I couldn't keep a secret to save my life.”

Sam smiled back at him and threw his arms around the other boy's shoulders in a tight hug. “Thanks for being my friend,” Sam murmured.

Miles hugged him back, just as tight. “Thanks for keeping the peanut butter cookies away.”

The two boys smiled at each other and Mikaela sighed as she sat back on the couch cushion. She was actually rather relieved that Miles now knew. It would be so much easier to speak of things during lunch, which was the only time they could speak during school.

The kitchen door soon swung open a moment later and Judy emerged carrying a steaming pot of coffee while Ron trailed in behind her already eating a rather large bowl of ice cream. “Who wants French roast?”

~*~

Miles had been pretty okay with things once everything had been fully explained to him. It had been a rather shocking realization however when he figured out that a giant alien robot had essentially driven him around for almost five months now without him knowing. They had emerged from the house and Miles hesitated on the stoop, staring down at the Camaro in apprehension. “Are you sure he's okay with me?” Miles asked quietly. “I mean, I spilled soda in him last week…”

“And I told you, `Bee's fine with it,” Sam reassured him. “'Bee knows that that's to be expected as part of his cover.”

Miles nodded as he cautiously made his way down the few porch steps and made his way to the Camaro. “H-hello…”

“Hello Miles, good to finally meet you,” Bumblebee replied cheerfully and Miles tentatively smiled down at him.

Will and Epps grinned at the sight before Will turned back towards the younger group. “Be sure you contact Keller and let him know that Miles has learned about the Autobots,” he told him as Epps made his way towards his own car. “While he really has nothing to do with the fight against the Decepticons, he still needs to be given clearance status.”

Sam and Mikaela nodded as Miles just looked at the two in complete awe as he realized that the Secretary of Defense and the actual President of the United States really had signed that false “award” Sam had won. Sam blushed at the look of complete reverence Miles was now sending him and Mikaela rolled her eyes again. Sam directed Miles attention back towards `Bee and soon the three were telling stories about the fight in Mission city in rather vivid detail.

Will just chuckled as he wandered back over towards Epps who was currently under the hood of his jeep. “Damn cap is still lose,” Epps was muttering as he stood back up. “I tell ya, man. I am never going back to that mechanic.”

Will gave him a superior smirk. “I told you that guy was shifty…”

Epps rolled his eyes as he turned back around. “Just give me a moment to tighten that thing up again and we'll be on our way,” Epps said as he made his way toward the garage. “Hey Sam! Mind if I borrow a wrench?” he called over his shoulder.

Sam and Mikaela instantly froze before they whirled around just in time to see Epps opening the garage door. “NO!” They both cried out and Miles jumped at the force of the cry but it was too late. Both rangers gapped at the dented, dirty, familiar police car that was sitting oh so innocently in the Witwicky garage.

“Sam…” Will growled as he came up behind the boy. “Is that a Decepticon I see sitting in your garage?”

Miles gasped as he turned to look back at the patrol car in shock as Sam turned to look up at the fuming Captain. “… No?” he tried. It didn't work.

Will's growling only got more threatening as `Bee groaned and Mikaela smacked her hand against her forehead. Epps looked back at the assorted group behind him before he turned to look back down at the patrol car who was still too stunned to say anything. “Does this mean we're going to get more cookies?”

-To Be Continued