Shadowzone

Chapter 4

Sorry, there's a lot of dialogue in this chapter.

~~~

"Where's Raf?", I asked.

Jack looked back where we had come from and ran. Seconds later, he returned with Raf.

"Jack, Jack, my glasses!", Raf exclaimed.

Jack and I peered over the rock.

"Way too dangerous.", Jack said.

"Agreed. Your optical enhancers are in the path of the "Zombie" as you put it.", I stated.

"I can't see without them!", Raf said.

"What are you? 90?", Miko questioned.

"Not helping.", Jack stated.

"I'm confused as to how age takes part in our current situation.", I questioned.

"Fine.", Miko stated, annoyed.

I watched with horror as Miko ran out into the path of the Decepticon. She knelt down and picked something up. My optics widened as SkyQuake went to step on Miko. I jumped out from our hiding spot, grabbed Miko, and lunged forward, away from SkyQuake. I stood up and ran to Jack and Raf. Once we were back in our hiding spot, I set Miko down.

"Here you go, Gramps. Let's book.", Miko said and gestured in front of us.

She started running. Once the Decepticon got a little too close for comfort, Jack, Raf, and I ran after Miko.

"Maybe we could set a trap. Try to crush it.", Miko said with a little more enthusiasm than I am used to.

"With what?", Raf asked, "Nothing around here is solid except us and the ground."

"We can't run forever.", Miko stated.

"I second that. With all this running, my systems are using up what remains of my Energon. I shouldn't even be alive right now.", I agreed.

"Maybe we can hide.", Miko suggested.

We eventually hid behind a large rock formation. I closed my optics for a split second and when I opened them, I wasn't surprised by what I saw.

Warning: Weapons system failing.

Warning: Mobility failing, death imminent

I didn't want to tell Jack, Miko, or Raf. I had to have hope for myself. Enough hope to get me out of here alive. I've made it this far, I can go another hour or so. I just have to push myself to keep going. Keep moving. If my mobility fails, I'll just have to tell my friends to move on without me. To tell Optimus and Ratchet that I love them and that I'll see them in the Well.

I heard some sort of device going off. An alarm, perhaps?

"Is that your -?", Raf started.

"Phone!", all three of them yelled.

"Hello? Arcee?", Jack responded when he opened the device, "Hello? A-A-Arcee!"

"Anything?", I asked when Jack sighed.

"Nothing.", he answered.

"Gee, imagine that. The fourth dimension has lousy cell phone reception.", Miko stated in a matter-of-fact.

"Guys, guys, guys, the phone rang.", Jack said, "We're getting a signal."

"Maybe the Autobots can't see or hear us because we're moving at hyper speed or something.", Raf suggested.

"Smart kid. You remind me of Ratchet.", I smiled, he smiled back.

"You think they. . . Could. . . Read us?", Jack questioned.

"Texting!", Raf grinned.

"Text me! If my phone's back at the base, maybe they'll see it.", Miko suggested.

Jack started typing on his phone. 

Warning: Left arm mobility failed.

"Scrap.", I muttered.