CHAPTER THREE
--Earth--
"So... how long have you known your car was an alien robot?"
Charlie sighed as she sipped from her coffee mug. "Since I bought him in the summer of '87. I was about your guys' age; just turned eighteen."
"And...." Jack drummed his fingers on the table, glancing between her and a skeptic Miko. "You're the only one who knew about him?"
"Oh no," Charlie said. "Those government folks -- Sector Seven -- know about him. It took some convincing to let me keep him, but they eventually came around. 'Bee doesn't like going out much anyway."
"What about Tommy?" Miko asked, eyebrows raised. "Does he know?"
"Of course he does. I told him ever since we started dating."
"Is Tommy the 'dad' who gave you the Onyx Blackphone?" Raf asked Miko.
"Yeah, he started working at Onyx back in March," she said. "He's a pretty cool guy once you get to know him."
Charlie frowned. "I still think he spoils you."
"So," Verity interjected, her voice muffled through the piece of toast in her mouth. "Speaking of Onyx...."
"Oh, yeah," Miko said. "There were these evil robots chasing after us 'cos they wanted my Blackphone. That's why we're here."
Charlie's eyes went wide, her body tensing. "Evil robots? You mean Decepticons?"
Verity shot her a look. "How do you know about them?"
"'Bee told me about them. He said--"
"Hey." Sari raised a hand for silence, a concerned look on her face. "Does anyone else hear screaming?"
"We're pretty close to the beach," Miko said. "Probably a wild party going on or something."
Sari shook her head as she rose up from her seat, stepping towards the back patio door. "It doesn't sound like a party...."
She slid open the door and everyone was greeted with the sound of screams and cries for help. In the distance, she could see the Santa Cruz beach, with countless people running across the sands. Emerging from the ocean were over a dozen mechanical figures, marching onto the shores, while a giant alien-looking battleship floated in the sea behind them.
"Yeah," Jack murmured. "Now that you mention it, it sounds more like an invasion."
* * *
The details of "Bumblebee's" story were just not adding up.
According to the yellow bot, he and a number of other Autobots had awakened on Earth in the distant past. He didn't give a specific date, but it sounded too long ago to have been when the real Bumblebee had landed on Earth with the crew of the Ark.
This Bumblebee talked about fighting Decepticons during the Industrial Revolution, primordial sea creatures in the later 19th century, humans bent on world domination... there was no way the real Bumblebee could have done any of these things, let alone be here now when he was supposed to be on Cybertron.
Stakeout just couldn't piece it together... and he wouldn't have a chance to, it would seem, as his radar was beginning to ping like crazy.
"What's that sound?" Bumblebee asked, parked in the driveway next to him.
Stakeout said nothing as he peeled out onto the street and began speeding away, flashing his lights. He didn't stop to tell the humans where he was going; it was for the best that they stayed here where it was safe.
Driving around the curb, Stakeout made his way down to where the beach was located... and immediately put on his brakes.
Throughout his career as a deputy for the Tyrest Accord, Stakeout had dealt with his fair share of 'Cons and crooks... but never in such large numbers. There had to be at least a dozen or so of these "Chimeracons"; their appearance matched the description of the bots working for Tarantulas at Outpost One nearly a year ago. Sure enough, leading the charge, was him. His former partner-in-crime.
Carnivac.
Stakeout knew he couldn't take them all on his own, but what choice did he have? By the time Cybertron sent help, these guys would have already overrun the city, or done whatever it was they were planning. Still, he had to send out some call for help....
As Stakeout transmitted his signal, hoping the marching beast-bots wouldn't notice him, he caught sight of a yellow tow-truck turning the corner. It was headed straight for him, showing no signs of slowing. He tried to swerve out of the way only for the truck to crash into him, sending him flying onto the beach. He transformed as he landed, receiving a face full of sand in the process.
As he spat out sand from his mouth, Stakeout heard a familiar voice speak up from behind. "Well, well. Look what we have here."
Before the Autobot could turn around, a large foot pressed against his back and pushed him into the ground.
"Now, now, Polar Claw. No need to get rough," Carnivac said to the white-and-red Chimeracon. "Stakeout and I go way back."
"Carnivac," Stakeout grunted, moving his head out of the sand so he could speak clearly. "What are you doing here?"
"I should be asking you the same thing, old friend," Carnivac said, kneeling next to him. "I didn't think the Autobots would maintain a presence on Earth. What's even here for you? What's your purpose?"
"To stop bots like you from causing trouble."
"Is that all? How dull. All of you Autobots are the same. Do you never get tired of this life, Stakeout? Do you never wish you could be free?"
"It's my job," Stakeout said. "Just like it used to be yours."
Carnivac sighed. "Those days are long gone, my friend. I've moved on to bigger, better things. I'm not the same bot you once knew." He paused before adding in a soft whisper, "I heard about Ultra Magnus. I'm sorry what befell him."
"He missed you, you know," Stakeout said quietly. "When you left. You were one of the only 'Cons he held any kind of respect for. He trusted you."
Carnivac snorted. "I'm sure he did." Rising to his feet, the wolf-bot looked up at Polar Claw. "Have Claw Jaw take him back to the Tidal Wave. Put him with the human."
"What's the meaning of this, Carnivac?" Stakeout demanded as Polar Claw hoisted him up. "What are you guys planning?"
"It's simple, really. It's all in the name."
Ignoring his ex-partner's protests, Carnivac walked off while Polar Claw strode away with Stakeout. He made his way over to the yellow tow-truck that had rammed into the police car, which had since converted into a bulky robot.
"I blocked the transmission he was trying to send," said Hubcap. "Unless there are any more Autobots here, we should be in the clear."
"Then let us make haste," Carnivac said with a savage grin. "Onyx awaits."
No comments:
Post a Comment