Sidestreaker

Chapter 2-Galloway, His Death Wish, and minicons

Arriving at Diego Garcia, the home base of NEST, as she pulled out of the C-17 behind Optimus, Lennox and the team, one could see just how exhausted everyone was, with the few casualties from the Shanghai op. Something about that mission had messed with everyone's heads, and no one knew quite what to make of it. "Autobot twins Skids and Mudflap, report to Hangar Three," the loudspeaker announced. I saw the small ice cream truck drive past, while she and the other Autobots followed Optimus to Hangar One, and minutes later a red 2007 Chevrolet Trax and green 2007 Chevrolet Beat drove in. As Optimus came to a stop by a raised platform with tech guys and computers on it, a pink Ducati 848 went past, followed by a blue Suzuki B-King and a purple MV Agusta F4. In alt form, Sunstreaker and Sideswipe drove Simba, Derek, Shika and I to where a platform was and letting me out. "Looks like the twins got an upgrade," I said to Sunstreaker before I left their sides. "They remind me of Christmas. I don't like Christmas." I said with a frown. "Don't let them hear you say that," Sunstreaker retorted, but I could hear the amusement in his voice. 

The small radio at my belt sparked to life. This was how her and Lennox communicated privately around base, and it worked rather well. She pressed the small button on the side. "What." I asked Lennox. "We've got incoming, change into something and tell Simba, Derek, and Shika not to talk." Lennox warned. "Great. Simba, Derek, and Shika don't talk ok, sir douche is on the way." I told them, I turned into a fox as Lennox and Galloway came in. "He heard that he's got a message for our classified space buddies, and that includes you, RJ." Epps whispered to the four of us as Sideswipe and Sunstreaker were with the others. As Galloway pass us, we growled at him, scaring him behind Epps. "Why is there four animals here." He asked as he looked at us while we were laughing. "We won't tell you." Epps said moving to where Optimus is. "Alright, so this is where we communicate with the JCS and this area serves as the Autobots' hangar," he told Galloway. As he spoke, some of the tech guys were trying to contact General Morshower at NEST command at the Pentagon, and they got through at that very moment. 

"Secure link to the JCS is up, Major," one reported. Lennox nodded in acknowledgement and, leaving Galloway on the ground with Epps, he climbed up with me behind him. "Secure line to the Pentagon is now open," a tech guy confirmed, and on the screens around them the Chief of Staffs, General Morshower appeared, seeming just as worn out as those who had been in Shanghai. I wondered what trouble he'd had to deal with while they were all in the middle of the physical action... "General?" Lennox tested the link. "Will, I saw the Shanghai op," he stated. "We had a rough day out there." Lennox nodded, glancing at RJ briefly. "Yes, sir. We have intel that I believe warrants an immediate debrief. Now with your permission, I can't let you see him, but I would like you to hear from the leader of the Autobots." Will continued. "Proceed," Morshower agreed. From the railing, I watched with a small smile as Optimus transformed to stand at his full height of 28 feet. Galloway even seemed impressed, if not slightly intimidated, as the Prime glanced down at him. "You gotta wonder," Epps muttered, "If God made us in his image, who made him?" I smirked at Epps. Optimus nodded at me in greeting, then turned his attention to the screens. He was off to the side from the cameras, meaning Morshower and those at NEST command would only hear his voice, not see him. "General, our alliance has countermanded six Decepticon incursions this year," he said to Morshower. "Each on a different continent. They're clearly searching around the world for something, but last night's encounter came with a warning." He played the recording of the Decepticon's voice, causing a chill to run down my spine. "The Fallen shall rise again. And he will take your daughter and impregnate her." the message said about the Fallen.

"The Fallen. Meaning what?" Morshower asked. "Origin unknown, The only recorded history of our race was contained within the All Spark and lost with its destruction." Optimus replied about the All Spark. "Excuse me!" Galloway interrupted, and Optimus turned to look down at him. "With this so-called All Spark now destroyed, why hasn't the enemy left the planet like you thought they would?" he asked as he climbed the steps. I withheld a groan as Lennox explained to Morshower. "Director Galloway, our National Security Advisor. The President just appointed his liaison." Will said as he rolled his eyes, an action seen only by Morshower and RJ. "Well, I guess I didn't get that memo," Morshower murmured, something only heard by Lennox, Simba, Shika, Derek and I. While he was pushing his way to get to the camera, Galloway started talking. "Forgive the interruption, General, excuse me. Coming through. Excuse me. Excuse me, soldier." he said also pushed past us. "After all the damage in Shanghai, the President is, uh, hard-pressed to say the job's getting done," he told Morshower.