Shadowfire

Chapter 30

"Hey Leah" Sam called, catching my attention as I strode through the main hangar, on my way to meet Jazz and Bee on the runway, which, when not being used to launch or land jets, was a favourite hangout for 'bots in their alt forms "c'mere" dutifully I headed over to the small human, who was gathered amongst a group of Lennox's men, sharing a few beers and relaxing together "I'd like you to meet the guys. This's Jason, Ryan, Lachy, Phil and Denny" My optics drew closer together at his inclusive term, but I nodded my helm in greeting to the soldiers, who either nodded back or gave me a lazy salute in recognition. It would be good for Sam to have more friends of his own kind, I reasoned, and he was already too embroiled in NEST business to have much of a chance of a normal life, he might as well make the best of it.

"This's weird man" one of the men- designation Denny- remarked "I'm hangin, out with an Autobot"
"Not just any Autobot" another of the soldiers (Lachlan?) added, taking a long swig from his bottle "the New Prime herself" I stalled in shock.
"What?" I asked, vocal processors raw, Sam turned to give me a confused look.
"You didn't know the soldiers called you that?"
"You killed that bastard Sentinel in single combat" Ryan explained, as if it should be obvious "damn near tore his heart out of his chest. If that doesn't make you a Prime I don't know what does"
"It doesn't work that way"
"Actually that's as good an explanation as any" I turned, seeing Jazz and Bee coming over to us.
"Came a lookin'- all for you" Bee explained, using audio clips he found online in place of his irreparable vocal processor, I nodded "Got room for a few more?"
"Why not?" Jason shrugged as Sam greeted his guardian.
"Nu-uh. Shad, promised us a race Bee, we're not gonna let her slip out on us"

Once we left Jazz told me to ask Optimus about inheriting the mantle of Prime, surprised that the Autobot leader hadn't already done so.

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"And that was when a United States soldier killed your kidnapper?" The tv host asked Mikaela.
"Yes" she lied "that's when Private Lennox shot him"
"Right well how about you? How are you involved in this travesty?" The man turned his attention to Sam, who began giving an abridged and edited explanation of the situation.
"Well it really seems that this soldier is the key to everything, you and your girlfriend were her childhood friends and now her robot friends have wrecked the city" Sam gave the man a hard look, equal to any soldier's, the eyes of someone who had killed.
"The Autobots were unable to prevent the Chicago Incident as they-" he grit his teeth "were occupied with another threat, a false alarm had them sent to the other side of the country" of all the lies he told this was the one that grated on him, but he was in the employ of the government- was trying to turn the negative tide of public opinion, laying blame, however justifiably, on the US government wouldn't change anything.

The talk show host made a noncommittal noise and Sam knew then that this was hopeless, this man would spout a nasty story, condemning the Autobots, and there was nothing he could do to convince him otherwise. Maybe he'd have better luck elsewhere, surely him and Mikaela would be able to get some of the media onside?

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"I never thought I'd have to explain this so soon" Optimus said when I asked him bout the process of becoming a Prime "Contrary to the belief of many cybertronians the title of Prime is not an inherited one, there's no coming of age ritual or battle for the right. Any mech or femme can become a Prime. The title is given by Primus to any cybertronian who shows great leadership or dedication to a cause and are even willing to offline themselves to ensure success. This type of dedication is simply not in some cybertronians' wiring, which is where being the offspring of Primes becomes involved- as such qualities may be inherited from parental units"
"So when I convinced the Decepticons to change their loyalties to Starscream and then-"
"When you nearly caused an explosion large enough to level a human city in your quest to offline my mentor?" Optimus asked, and I flushed in shame at his tone.
"Yeah"
"I do not know"

There was silence for a moment, before Optimus continued.
"I know you are young, and that you are grieving, but that senseless waste of life cannot be condoned Shadowfire. We have a responsibility to protects the humans-"
"I know Optimus, I know. But one day they will turn on us, just as a Sentinel did, we cannot trust them"
"They have learnt their lesson" Optimus insisted "they will not make the same mistake again"

But I knew he was wrong, even if no one else saw it. Just like with Sentinel.

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Months passed and everything seemed calm, for all that the UN didn't grant NEST international autonomy and, believing the lie propagated by the United States government, other nations began to decline NEST requests to work in their country's borders, things were stable, settling into a routine as we all worked around the post-Chicago holes in our lives. I

"Bee, you know you're my best mate, and you'll always be my first car" Bee made a noise in his throat, and a a sort of 'hurry up and get on with it' motion with a servo. Sam turned to me.
"And you've always been my best friend, that didn't change when I found out you were an alien robot" Sam took a deep breath "can you both do me a favour? I need help proposing to Mikaela"

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Sam made Kayla dinner, her favourite- steak cooked to perfection and brownies and ice cream for dessert, we were all there, surrounding her with what mattered most- her family. Personalising the evening. Of course Sam couldn't stop fidgeting the entire night, and of course Kayla picked up on it.

"What's this about Sam?"
"Well" Sam began, taking a deep breath, sterling himself "we've been through a lot together; fought aliens, humans, and everything in between. We've lost a lot but gained even more, we've split up and fate dragged us back again"  
"We discovered an alien race together" she grinned, but it didn't quite fit her face right, the mention of her and Sam's breakup sending anxiety coursing through her, what if Sam was about to dump her? But she knew that would never happen, they loved each other "never let me leave again" she ordered
"I won't, Kayla I won't" he promised, grabbing her hands. 

And, in a prearranged move, Bee tipped a handful of rings and cogs over the couple, humming the wedding march through his damaged voice box.

Kayla laughed, her worries disappearing as she caught on, and picked up the ring Sam had gotten made specifically for her. A simple silver band, cut like a stylised cog, a single diamond embedded in the centre. It suited her.
"I love this car" Kayla grinned, and motioned for Bee to lean down so she could kiss the side of his faceplate.
Sam bent at the knee.

"Mikaela Banes, will you marry me?"

She pulled him to his feet, laughing and throwing her arms around him.
"Yes, yes Sam of course"