You're More Than Meets The Eye (William Lennox)

Chapter 6

“We’re 20 minutes out,” The overhead speaker crackled to life, and you watched the Autobots that had been loaded into the cargo ship transformed before you. Even though it happened so often, even though you’d seen this nearly everyday it still awed you.

Ironhide unfolded, snarling as he threw off the nets.

“You best let me out of this plane.”

“You just can’t sit still, can you?” You jested, and he growled at you but you knew he meant it with slight affection.

“This is it.” Lennox said as the cargo plane’s hatch opened again. You adjusted your chute once more and then dove out of the plane beside Ironhide. You felt the exhilaration as the air rushed around your body, buffeting you around as you fell at the same pace as the giant robot beside you. Once halfway there you snapped your chute open and landed gracefully to the ground, the parachute crumpling behind you as you shrugged off the backpack.

“Evac—let’s go!” You shouted, and you and Meyers grabbed your guns from the crate and began to evacuate the town.

“Remember, they’re friendlies!” Lennox called, his voice carrying throughout the small desert town. “Secure the village—get those cases down here! I need snipers and Stingers up high.” You maneuvered your way through the buildings until you found Optimus’ body, and helped drag a tarp over the body to conceal it, your eyes wary as you watched the soldiers scatter.

“So we just dropped off 10 tons of dead robot in the middle of nowhere. I hope this little kid know what he’s doin’.” Epps muttered as he walked up beside you, the both of you watched through your scopes.

“It’s a tad bit late for little trust.” You joked lightly, “I think we’re pretty much committed.” Your eyes watched the skies warily, prepared for the strike. It was coming—you knew it.

“Got a visual! Yellow team! Four clicks!” Sam. He was closer than you’d expected.

“Pop flare!” You shouted, and someone standing atop the building obeyed.

“They’re under attack!” Another soldier yelled, and you felt your heart start to pound as the adrenaline began to pump through your veins.

“Should we go help?” Meyers questioned, but you shook your head while looking to Lennox.

“We can’t. We’d be spread too thin.”

“She’s right. We just have to wait.” Lennox added, his eyes hard on the horizon.

A F-22 soared through the sky, the roar of its engines grabbing the attention of all soldiers around you.

“That thing’s got alien tattoo’s all over it. That ain’t Air Force.” Epps reported, looking through the binoculars.

“Oh good.” You muttered sarcastically.

“What was that?” Lennox asked at the vibration pulse that swept the field and rang in your earpiece, forcing you to pull it off in pain. “Anyone there? Who’s up?” He let out a grunt of frustration and ripped it off. “Radio’s dead. Comm’s down.”

“EMP burst.” Epps answered. “I see how this day is going in this godforsaken desert.”

“Okay, let’s set up.” Lennox ordered. “I need eyes up top, and below. I need soldiers along the entire perimeter of this village. Shout if you see anything.” Operatives went in every direction, and you climbed the ladder of the building nearest building to see if you could get a better visual.

“Nothing.” You stated dully from the second story of what was left of a house.

“Right, go burn an SOS. Let the eye in the sky know we need some help.” Lennox commanded.