The Specialist and I: Book 2

Chapter 9

"Relax. You're not going to kill him.", Barricade attempted to reassure me.

"Maybe not but I could slip up and hit a major artery or something!", I exclaimed.

::Decepticons. It's time.:: Megatron said over the comms.

"He'll be fine.", Barricade assured me for the upteenth time.

We left my room and made our way outside. When we joined the others, Megatron transformed and we followed suit. We all drove/flew to the "base" the Autobots were stationed at. When we arrived, it was nothing like I thought.

"Are you sure this is the Autobot base?", Megatron asked me.

"Positive! My Lord, I'd never lead you to a trap.", I stated.

As if on cue, Optimus came barrelling toward us in his vehicle mode. I dived to the side and opened fire. We practiced this manuver before so I know my gun won't hurt him.

"DarkShadow! Focus on your task!", Megatron demanded.

I nodded and started looking for Ironhide.

"Looking for me, punk?", Ironhide questioned from behind me.

I smile internally and send him an "I love you" through the bond. We fought like we were sparring in the training room back home. Only this was real.

I heard metal clanging all around me. Barricade ran into me a few times, once on purpose, to let me know Megatron was watching my every move. I took out my blades and stabbed Ironhide in one of the spots he told me that would be the least fatal. He groaned and his body hunched over.

"Ironhide!", I heard someone yell.

I saw a bot I didn't recognize running toward me. He started shooting like there was no tomorrow. He got a few good blows in that hurt like hell. When he was in arms length, he punched me square in the face. I staggered back and started punching him. Hard. He wasn't holding back so neither was I. I assume Optimus told him who I was but I don't think he was listening.

I managed to get him off me for a while and stabbed Ironhide again in another spot. He looked like he was in real pain. He had blocked the bond between us to mask his pain.

I was sucker punched in the stomach and I got a knee to the face. The new bot kicked me, sending me flying into Megatron. I bounced off his form and into a small ravine. I couldn't move. My whole body hurts like hell. Why didn't Optimus call him off? Is he even an Autobot?

I got my answer when Optimus came into view. He looked at me with hatred and disgust.

"I regret ever allowing you into my life, Decepticon. Feel free to bond with your buddy Megatron. Ironhide won't be needing you any longer.", He growled darkly.

He pushed me with his foot over the edge, sending me further down.

"Optimus! We need your trailer, now!", Ratchet's voice filled the air.

"Filthy Decepticon.", Optimus muttered and roughly shut the bond, sending pain coursing through me.

"Shouldn't we help her?", Elita asked.

"Yeah. She's one of us!", Arcee agreed.

"Come on.", Chromia said.

"No. Don't bother. Megatron will come and clean up his own trash. Let her rust.", Optimus said.

My spark shattered into time fragments as I lay, helpless and broken. Tears came to my eyes as I tried to figure out what I did wrong. Megatron had fled right after I slammed into him. Are Decepticons still here? Is it still fake?

I heard the Autobots leave and from then on, there was no sound of an engine, nothing. The world was ...still. Finally, after what felt like hours, I heard an engine.

"Lori!", I heard someone yell, "Lori, where are you?!"

"Down here!", I call out weakly and cough.

I soon spot Barricade in my line of vision. He lifted me up and I held on as he carried me to base.

I could barely keep my eyes open. Everything hurt. From my feet to my head. All I felt was pain. Part of it was from having to hurt my husband, part of it from my brother abandoning me and calling me something I'm not, and the fact that Barricade was the one that saved me. Not my family, not the Autobots. Barricade.

"What happened? It looks like you were hit by a semi.", Barricade commented.

"I did.", I stated.

"Wait - what? I meant that as a joke!", Barricade said, surprised.

"My brother beat me half to death and I have no idea why. He even insulted me. The words stung more than the beating. Though I can't feel anything.", I said with a frown, "He hates me."

"I may not be an Autobot or a semi or your blood but, if you want, I could be your brother while you're here.", Barricade offered.

"I think I'll take you up on that offer. I could really use a brother right now.", I said and clung to Barricade like my life depended on it.

When we arrived at the base, I was brought to the infirmary to heal. The entire time I was there, I didn't look at anyone.

When I was released two days later, I tried talking to Optimus over the bond. When he didn't answer, I tried Ironhide. When Ironhide didn't answer, I got scared. I didn't know who else to call other than the one I knew was repairing him.

::Ratchet? It's Lori. Look, I really need to talk to someone. Please!:: I begged.

::Fine. I can't talk for long though.:: Ratchet responded after a few minutes.

::I don't need very long. I just have one question: How's Ironhide?:: I asked.

::He's dead.:: Ratchet answered :: You killed him.::