More aliens in Jasper, Nevada [TFP OC story]

Chapter 7: Doubt

Warning: cursing

Optimus POV

My alertness sky-rocketed as I heard Knockout's statement. I turned to see Lusteria just standing there in shock, her optics shaking. Min's face was as terrified as her's.

"W-what?" I heard Smokescreen stutter in confusion.

Knockout looked down at him, "Oh? You never introduced to us to them? Is that how you treat your friends?"

"Don't you dare lump me in with you!" Lusteria yelled at him. "You think I would consider you a friend after what you did to me?!"

Before Knockout could do anything else, I punched him off of Smokescreen. I saw Smokescreen's confused face as I helped him up; I knew he was having so many questions.

Knockout grinned, only making the situation worse, "The one next to the scout, your Min right? Remember me? The scar on your back fits you so well~"

I could see Lumin stepping back and her optics starting to fill up with tears. She could barely stand up straight if it weren't for Bumblebee holding her. Before anything else, Lusteria made her way to Knockout, punching him straight on the face. As he fell back, Lusteria stayed on top of him to continue attacking him. I could see the anger in her eyes as her knuckles were being covered with blood.

"LUSTERIA!" Arcee yelled at her, Lus glared at her which lead her to be kicked off of Knockout.

As Lusteria fell onto the ground. I ran over to her and helped her up. "Lusteria, we must retreat for now."

"BUT-" the anger in her voice was immeasurable.

My grip tightened around her shoulders, "You can see everyone is in shock from Knockout's speech. And Lumin can barely keep her mind set straight; we must retreat."

She glared at me. But obliged and grit her teeth. I ordered Ratchet to open a ground bridge; where everyone went through to get into the base. As we arrived, Ratchet noticed everyone's expressions were weighted with confusion.

"What happened?" He went up to me in concern.

I turned to look at Lus who's hands were clenched in fists, covered in energon.

Which caught Ratchet'a attention. "WHAT THE- LUSTERIA WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!"

"WHAT DO YOU THINK HAPPENED? I WAS PROTECTING MYSELF, DUMBASS!!!" She screamed at him.

The base went dead silent; everyone staring at the angered femme, including the kids who were standing next to the monitor. The silence was only broken with Lumin's crying. We turned to see Min crying into Bumblebee's chest as he held her close, trying his best to comfort her. I then noticed the large scar on Lumin's back, that must be what Knockout was talking about.

'Hey, it's okay, it's alright. I'm here.' Bumblebee comforted her as he wiped her tears off of her face.

Lumin gripped Bumblebee's hand, "I- I know...I'm ...f-fine...." Her words were fumbling from all the crying.

That only made Lusteria's temper worse. "That
b!tch- how dare he bring that up in front of Min..."

"I think you owe us an explanation-" Smokescreen started, but then Lusteria interrupted him.

"I DON'T OWE YOU ANYTHING!!!" She snapped at him. Smokescreen stepped back as she yelled at him. Lusteria then noticed her tone of voice, "I- I'm sorry... let me just...be alone." She left to go into her room.

My eyes followed her until she was out of sight; I then turned to the rest of the team, who bombarded me with questions.

"Optimus....what's going on?" Bulkhead asked.

Arcee followed, "What did Knockout mean when he said that?"

"All questioned will be answered at some point." I interrupted them.

"But-" Miko also tried to ask.

"All Lusteria needs is some space." I added, "Bumblebee, take Lumin to her room."

Bumblebee nodded and led Lumin down the hall. Everyone seemed uneased with the atmosphere; I sighed, would we be able to keep Lusteria and Lumin's origin a secret from everyone else? If we could, for how long?