Anonymous (Bayverse)

Chapter 2

Zoe had never heard a single airplane since her Aunt had entered her life so when she heard a jet, she grabbed her father's old camera off the kitchen table and raced out of the house.

The cold weather instantly raced to her warm body. Her face flushed and her ears tensed at the breeze weaving through her hair.

Regret nipped at her as she eagerly forgot a jacket and boots but she was more interested in the jet that was approaching. Her feet grew insanely cold and she shivered as she raised her camera.

Her numbing fingers fumbled to find the shutter button but as soon as the jet was spotted through the trees, she pressed down. The camera made a small click and she lowered her camera with a smile of accomplishment.

Ignoring the cold around her that wanted to latch onto her, she watched the jet go by. She enjoyed the rumbling sound that echoed among the mountains she was surrounded by.

For a few moments of pure relief of the boredom she seemed just at ease until a loud bang rang through the quiet nature. Zoe flinched and she dropped her camera as fast as her heart did. She covered her ears as fear consumed her.

The jet had been shot.

Smoke engulfed the jet and it hurled toward Earth. She gasped as a distant crashing noise was heard.

Shock filled her. Who shot the jet down? More importantly, she wasn't alone?

Her heart began to race and she decided she needed to move her stiff body. Zoe bent down and grabbed her camera, wiping off the snow with her sleeve as she ran inside. She slammed the door shut behind her and felt tears demanding to form in her eyes.

Who could have a gun like that?

Zoe shook her head and she turned to the door, her fingers grasping the lock.
Her hand turned and the door was locked.

Zoe breathed heavily as she tried to process what just happened. Her body leaned against the door, the ringing of the gunshot echoing in her head. She cleared her throat and moved off the door in disbelief.

Zoe dragged herself to her father's computer and placed the camera down next to it. She took a seat and ejected the SD card from the camera.

Her shaking hands struggled to place the SD card in the computer, her eyebrows knitting together as she tried to collect herself.

This whole year and a half she had thought she was by herself. Now she was alone in the mountains with a guy who doesn't like jets...

...

"I'm not trying to be offensive, Prime but are you sure Dino is the right one for the job?" Lennox winced as he leaned against the counter of computers.

"I am positive. He is a quiet mech but he understands how to handle these situations." Optimus replied to the man. Lennox hummed.

"I guess your right, I mean he already left hours ago so there's no changing it now." He crossed his arms as he peered down to his boots.

Optimus watched his friend closely. "You have doubts," he observed. Lennox sighed deeply.

"I'm just not sure if this is the right thing to be doing here. What if this leads us no where?" Lennox voiced his concerns. Optimus hummed, a deep rumble escaping him.

"No matter where this may lead us, you must remember he was spotted alone. This information provides us with something very important." Optimus spoke to him, his optics narrowing. Lennox thought for a moment.

"He's...going sightseeing?" He offered weakly as he scowled, unsure of what the Prime was getting at.

"I do not understand." Optimus frowned. Lennox waved a hand.

"Sorry, continue," he smiled lightly. Optimus dipped his helm.

"Starscream pursues leadership due to the absence of Megatron. Since he is traveling alone, we can assume there lies a riff in the Decepticons. Most Decepticons do not wish to follow under Starscreams command so he is desperate." Optimus explained as he looked off to the side with a vent.

"So, let me guess, our problem is finding out what he is desperate enough to do." Lennox offered. Optimus nodded. Lennox sighed.

"I hope Dino asks the right questions because I don't feel like sending another of your guys back up to Montana."

"Niether do I. However, I have trust for my team. Dino will know what to do." Optimus replied. Lennox nodded slowly.

"Even if he encounters Starscream?" Lennox asked. Optimus thought for a moment before turning his attention back to him.

"I give my team freedom during missions, Major Lennox. But they also know their limitations. If Dino were to encounter Starscream he is allowed to do whatever necessary to get information as it is his speciality. The Special Ops team in the Autobots are able to go to many extents as long as it follows the Autobot protocol and they comm when able after they intercept a Decepticon." Optimus informed him. Lennox leaned forward, intrigued.

"So if he does see him for example, he could just shoot him down and interrogate him?" Lennox asked. Optimus nods.

"The Special Ops team in the Autobot forces are granted certain privileges other warriors are not. Jazz was the head of Special Ops before his offlinement by Megatronz hand. He specialized in Sabotage which affected the type of privileges the Special Ops department was able to do. As soon as Dino had to assume the role as head of Special Ops, he was granted the privileges Jazz was able to perform like sabotage." Optimus lowered his helm. Lennox frowned.

"Oh, I'd hate to be Starscream if I met Dino face to face." Lennox snorted. Optimus smiled slightly.

"As would I."

...

Zoe practically jumped out of her seat at the kitchen table when the door was knocked on. Fear coursed through her viens. She slowly stood leaving her recently made lunch and computer behind and approached the door curiously.

Was it whoever shot down the jet? But that was hours ago...

Zoe grabbed the nearest thing to her, being a wooden spoon, and went to grab the doorknob. Whoever there seemed to grow impatient and knocked again. Zoe yelped and stumbled away from the door. She clutched the wooden spoon tightly.

"Come on Zoe, get a hold of yourself!" She hissed under breath, trying to find whatever strength she could to unlock the door. She wanted to cry, fearing for her life. She had been alone for so long, why would someone show up now? She didn't do anything to attract attention. She hadn't even hollered when the gunshot sounded. So what did this person want?

Finally, after a long internal conflict, she closed her eyes and reached forward, unlocking the door.