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To Chase The Sun

"For those who gave up too soon."

To Chase The Sun- Iland Girl

Transformers- Hasbro

Chapter 14: Let It In

When I was little I always dream of having some great adventure.

I'd pretend the fields were some foreign landscape I'd never seen, that the rocks jutting from different areas were really mountains. I believed that one day my dreams would come true and I'd become an explorer of epic proportions. Now, 18 years later, and all I wanted was to go back to that field and enjoy lying in the grass.

We'd moved into the base quickly enough. The ride over had been rather quiet and uneventful (thankfully). I hadn't been to the Diego Garcia -at least not without major issues attempting to get in- and so I had to rely on a soldier and Lennox to guide me around the area. The Autobots and humans each had separate hangars for barracks, the humans being to the north and Autobots to the south, but the training facilities and med bays were what met them in the middle. For the most part the entire place appeared rather separate, but in truth once everyone got moving around it would be rather common for Autobot and humans to cross each other's paths. Eventually the goal was direct integration in training.

The humans had mostly outdoor training facilities, with a smaller gym on the insider for particularly bad weather. Autobots had most of the southern beach, along with a very large indoor facility that was partially underground. While the human training grounds were specifically designed for humans, Autobots could enter due to the large doors and high ceilings. I had put in a special word to be sure even Optimus could enter each area with ease. The training rooms were so big Ironhide could stand on his shoulders and still not hit the roof (I had a chuckle when I realized this). The only areas too small for Autobots were the mess hall and private human rooms, as the Autobots wouldn't really have any reason to be in those respective locations.

Lennox had been to the base before, and so he had a generic idea as to where everything was. Epps had left on the first plane a few days earlier and knew for sure where each place was. While parts were still under construction (Optimus requested an office, we were building several extra private rooms in case new Autobots arrived.) most of the base was immaculate and required very little from us other than to walk along and view it.

I also received my official list of duties; until they appointed a human Liaison I would be working on my own. I hadn't ever performed as a Liaison, but was informed it was approximately the same as pretending to peace keep with the added talent of being able to say 'no'. To the upside I had the help of Lennox and Epps for any legal questions or concerns, and would be getting an assistant for paperwork or other efforts required of me. At first I had thought it was a bit much, but when I walked into my office and found a rather large stack of papers to be read over I realized it was no laughing matter.

The first few days at base everyone was left to settle. I ran in the morning, often times on the Autobot side rather than the humans side since training was already underway, but I tended to run further and longer than they did with only a few body exercises to keep my muscles somewhat defined before I would shower, change into my business clothes (sadly including heels) and go about my day. Although I doubted anyone would care if I wore flats, there was something about the power walk of heels that I always loved, regardless of the pain.

Normally I would brew some coffee, go through about 20 papers, then carry on down to the Autobots and speak with them on how their days had been. For the most part everyone was civil. Sunstreaker never really spoke, but Sideswipe seemed willing to speak for him. Never matter to me so long as I got an answer.

Today, however, I walked into the main training room to see both twins fighting. At first I thought it to be something of concern, but when I noticed that neither seemed be actually trying to harm the other I realized it wasn't something to be concerned about. Still I stood and watched for a moment, marvelling at the tango the two were doing in perfect sync, but I had to keep moving, least I get behind my already packed schedule.

On the far side of the hangar was Ironhide who seemed to be watching the two of them dance. His naturally gruff appearance was sharper than usual, though that could've been due to the battle currently taking place. I walked the perimeter of the room, more than once having to stop as one bot was hit into the wall in front of me before they moved away. It was likely they didn't even know that I was here. By the time I made it over to Ironhide the duo looked to be wrapping things up.

"Morning 'Hide." I said while standing next to the much taller individual. Ironhide glanced down at me for a moment before watching to two finish. He grunted once, but didn't say a word until Sideswipe pulled away from Sunstreaker and lowered his weapons.

"Carena." Ironhide said formally.

"How has everything at base been? Up to standards I hope?" I asked while flipping through some paper that pertained to the Autobot hangars. Ironhide grumbled before shifting his weight in thought.

"Up to standards, nothing to report." Ironhide said while the twins seemed to have noticed me finally. Both sets of optics zeroed in on me. Sideswipe seemed amused by me while Sunstreaker gazed with utter disgust. I was used to it already though and didn't think much of it.

"Pretty daunting of you to step in to this room so casually Fleshling." Sunstreaker snapped. Sideswipe elbowed him but the golden mech was not deterred. I smirked, but casually looked back down to the files I had been reading.

"I was told it was a training room, but I wasn't aware it was amateur hour inside," I said smoothly before smiling up at Sideswipe. "Good on you for helping teach your brother. Somebody had to."

Sideswipe laughed, but Sunstreaker snarled at me. Probably the only reason he hadn't lunged was because of the very solid and very intimidating mech I was shadowed by currently. I clicked my pen a few times after writing some small notes on the hangar down before smiling at the three.

"Well if that is all then I would like to bid you farewell." I said formally before heading to the exit. However that required going by Sunstreaker and Sideswipe. The silver twin watched me with a grin, however I was stopped short as a large golden foot slammed down in front of me. Both Ironhide and Sideswipe yelled at the golden mech, but I simply looked up at him calmly with a raised brow. My heart had sputtered at the thought that he could've squished me and I would've died in some god damned heels, but when I looked up at him and saw the dare written across his metallic face I just felt annoyance.

"Excuse you. You're in my way." I said sharply. Sunstreaker bent at his waist to glare over me, the smallest of smirks coming to his lips.

"Make me."

Yet I had already been imagining the maneuvers to make the giant ass move. A bit of swinging and eye poking and the brat would be out of my hair, but that wasn't the point. The point was that he could squish me very easily if her wanted to. He could out strong arm me and weigh me and out run me any day of the week. So he needed to chose a different battle.

"A fish climbing a tree," I said smoothly. It caught him off guard as Sunstreaker raised a metallic brow at me. "If you're asking me to make you move you know I can't, just like a fish can't climb a tree. But if you want a challenge then find something we're equally good at and I'll accept it. But until then I have duties and you do too soldier, so perhaps we should keep to them."

With that I walked between his legs and out the door, hearing the faintest of noises that could've been a growl or a chuckle. Which one I had not a clue.

After wandering down to the med bay I found Ratchet in there sorting out his room to his preference, noting that he seemed extra sour today. If his constant clicking and whirring angrily in his own language.

"Everything alright, Ratchet?" I asked once I had deduced there was no chance of a wrench being thrown at my head. I'd heard from many of the bots already that he was more than likely to do so when in a fowl mood. Ratchet didn't even so much as look at me while he continued to sort through piles of metal.

"Nothing that can be fixed by human hands." Ratchet said briefly. A frowned curved onto my lips, but I was slowly learning it wasn't so much offence that he meant, but rather blunt tones. Slowly I wandered up to where he was tossing metals around, keeping a fair enough distance should he drop one by chance.

"Are you sure? I can help if need be. It is my job, after all. And, well, I always find it easier to sort my thoughts by explaining them to someone else." I said while waiting patiently. The medic paused in what he was doing before sighing.

"No no, it is quite alright." He looked down to me then, the first time he had properly acknowledged me in a while. "My matters are in our own limitations to technology. I cannot perform a repair due to my lack of information on the subject."

"Sunstreaker and Sideswipe's bond." I said, thinking of how those two couldn't communicate still. Ratchet raised a brow, but otherwise nodded slowly. "How can they even do that in the first place? That whole twin's connection I mean."

"The sibling bond is common in twins. It is due to the fact that they are two Cybertronians born from the same spark. It split during gestation and produced two. The connection is of the utmost power, to the level that should one offline then the other would surely follow." Ratchet explained. I nodded, slowly taking all of this information in.

"So what's preventing you from solving this one?" I asked, standing quietly while the CMO rolled his shoulders.

"What prevents myself is the same thing that frustrates me. It appears as though intense damage has been done to Sunstreaker's spark. It's not even on the same wavelength as Sideswipe's. Under normal circumstances it would be fine, but as twins it's affecting them both. As neither's spark can reach the other." Ratchet said, looking infinitely lost. I blinked a few times, considering the possibilities. I wasn't exactly brilliant with alien technology- seeing as I had only learn about it a short while ago- but I wasn't so naïve as to think I could possibly learn about it and become a genius overnight. I was brilliant, but not quite so in this department. With a casual smirk I shrugged.

"Sounds like a tough one. Have you tried turning it off and then on again?" I joked, but the confused look from the medic had me explaining. "It's a joke. Whenever something electronic isn't working we turn it off and restart it. Usually the problem fixes itself then."

Ratchet seemed to be pondering that before he gave a grunt and looked away. I waved myself out as he seemed distracted before continuing down to Optimus Prime's room. Unfortunately until we were done creating his office there wasn't much space for him other than in his private quarters. I had apologized and promised to get his office sorted out, but the materials would be nearly a month before they arrived.

I knocked on Optimus' door, but there was no answer. However the entrance was left ajar and I could see the mech laying on his large and not to mention sturdy bed. He was fast asleep, but I couldn't help but stare for a short while before silently excusing myself from the room. The guy was probably exhausted as I hadn't seen him properly 'recharge' in a very long time. The move had tired everyone out, but Optimus had been in meeting after meeting for days. Whether it be Autobot or humans, he had to deal with all of us. Sometimes I pitied him; he was a rather likeable individual.

Once out in the hall I made a note to debrief him of any papers I wished to discuss before deciding to wander down to the human side of the base. This side was much more lively with soldiers rushing around or training. Anytime I passed the new recruits one would salute me or acknowledge my entrance. It seemed my display had truly scared some of them into shape. While the five who had tangoed with me were still running and still doing pushups. I had no pity for them; they needed to clear their heads.

Lennox was leading an exercise when I walked in. He nodded to me as I saluted before finishing the exercise and turning to me fully.

"You're here early. Didn't expect you and Optimus to go through all that paperwork so quickly." Lennox commented with a smirk. I shook my head.

"I'll go through it alone and then skim it to him. He's asleep, and honestly he needs it more than I do." I said while glancing at the groups of soldiers all scurrying away. Lennox chuckled.

"You look out for them a lot, huh?" He said, taking me by surprise. "Even in Mission City you were talking to them like they were human. Acting like they were just some new acquaintance."

Thinking back on what he said, I realized that he was right. I had treated them relatively well, even when they first came to Earth and had started an alien feud on our land. I hadn't thought much of it; equating it to the mass shock and adrenaline coursing through my veins. Now though…. Now I couldn't quite describe to even myself what happening or why I was so accepting to it. Granted most of the things I had seen in my entire life weren't that far of on the crazy factor. If anything, this was a step down.

"I guess I just never got over the shock and rolled with it." I said after a beat of silence. Lennox chuckled before glancing down to the Autobot side of the hangar. While integration was the goal, the bots had explained their desires of the humans to slowly acclimate themselves to the massive beings. As such the Autobots kept to themselves for now.

"Guess I still need some time, but they are growing on me." Lennox admitted. I smiled as well.

"Yeah, I guess they are."

It was in the final few hours of the day that we (Lennox, myself, Optimus, and Morshower) all had a meeting to attend. While the General was never permitted to directly see Optimus, he could freely hear him and we all spoke evenly throughout most of our meetings.

I really had to commend Optimus during these meetings. He was fair, reasonable, and always polite. A lot more tenacity than I could ever muster flowed through just his pinky finger alone. I hated to say it, but a tiny inkling of respect for the mech came from me.

"And what have you concluded for the budget, Liaison?" The General asked. I hesitated only a second; after all those were the papers Optimus and I needed to discuss, however I just smiled while Optimus hesitated.

"We've reached an agreement and will be sending the papers shortly." I said, hoping nothing major would need to be altered in my draft. Morshower nodded before lifting his papers to glance at them too.

"I've also received a request form for all video clearance of the Sector 7 base along with information obtained from the experiments." Morshower, along with Lennox and Optimus all looked at me with ranging emotions.

"That is correct. I wish to better understand what it is we obtained and to pass them on to Ratchet, the Chief Medical Officer. Along with their leader, Optimus Prime." I said, glancing over to the tall Autobot. He said nothing though, and instead continued on with his discussion of another topic. The meeting was almost over when the General brought up another topic.

"There is one more subject I wished to speak with you all on." He began. We all waited patiently as he collected himself before speaking. "There was a massive attack on the Pentagon last night. All major members were personally attacked. There accounts emptied and transferred to unknown locations. We do not know who is behind it but it's been rumoured to be the same individuals as last time."

Lennox cursed under his breath before wiping at his face in frustration. I raised a brow as Lennox glanced at myself and Optimus before continuing.

"They call themselves Haven. We don't know who they are, where, or what they look like. All we know, is that they are fast, smart, and capable than more than just a simple hacker is." Lennox explained. I felt a small chill at the indirect reference to myself.

"As of right now they managed to reinstate the virus left by the Decepticons and steal enough money to buy an island. All in the matter of one hour. By the time we were made aware it was too late. It shut down the Pentagon and SOCCENT was incapable of communications for over three hours. Thankfully everything has been reinstated, but there's a chance they will strike again. It's likely they know about the attacks." The General explained.

"I'm afraid there is little we can do for you other than to help strengthen your online defence." Optimus offered, though I frowned at the thought.

"If this person knows of the attacks we'll have to keep a very close eye on everyone we know to have been in Mission City." I said in deep thought. Optimus glanced at me before nodding.

"Perhaps the capture of this 'Haven' will instil an understanding between us Autobots and Earth's leaders." Optimus said, and I smiled optimistically. Lennox shook his head though.

"Now I don't want you getting any outlandish optimism. This group has been at large well over a decade and not a single clue has ever been found on the target." The General explained.

"And it's not just U.S.A. Looking for them. They're wanted in dozens of countries for similar crimes." Lennox muttered. I raised a brow and feigned curiosity.

"So is there a main concern as to why we needed to know this?" I asked, though already knew the answer. Morshower rubbed his tired face once before nodding.

"It means that this communications and assimilation into human society is going to be a lot tougher. There are theories that the- Cybertronians was it?- are behind the entire operation and have been here longer than admitted." Morshower said. I bit my lip and shook my head.

"I can see how this might be a problem, but if we caught this 'Haven' it would shed some light on things." I said under my breath near the end. Lennox shook his head.

"If we even figured out what country they're in I'll be impressed." Lennox said. Optimus shifted beside us, making us both look to him in curiosity.

"Regardless, we will have to be on out toes from now on. General, thank you for informing us on this subject. If there is anything that can be obtained from us in the catching of this organization, please inform me of it." Optimus said. I smiled up to him as we adjourned our meeting. Lennox immediately turned to me.

"Why did you really want all those files from Sector 7?" He asked. I raised a brow, confused by his accusations.

"I genuinely wanted to know what they found on the cube. Ratchet has been pining away in his med bay over lost knowledge for weeks. Not to mention it would be a good start to understand what became of all that information." I looked to Optimus when I finished, but he didn't seem overly concerned with my curiosity.

"Thank you, Carena, for your concern." Optimus stated as I dismissed myself from Lennox and carried on to the stairs. However I did not get very far before my name was called out by the giant mech in the room. He knelt down next to me as I waited patiently.

"I must apologize for not being able to fill out the paperwork with you, it was an error I will not make again." He stated, but I smiled at him before shifting my weight.

"We all need our beauty sleep, but you can repay it to me by going over it right now….. And, well….." I felt my legs throb from walking in heels all day. "Would you mind giving me a lift to the mess hall? My legs are killing me."

Optimus regarded me for a second before a small smile appeared on his face at the same time he proffered a hand. I set my clipboard on his palm before gingerly curling my skirt underneath my bum and sitting on his awaiting appendage. I flinched slightly when he raised me up, but the digits on his hand curled around me slightly to hold on to me better. A smile came to my lips when I looked up and noted his warm eyes.

Maybe it was the fact that I couldn't recall a single time this mech had done anything to earn my distrust. Or maybe it really was my desire to not walk in those damn heels. I really didn't know, nor did I really care at this point as he raised me to just over where a stomach would be on a human. He said nothing, just smiled, and that was more than enough reassurance for me. He began to walk, the movement barely jarring me as I picked up my clipboard and continued to look through everything.

"Now, about that budget…."

Hey guys!

So I've once again ressurected and am now writing this. I don't know why, but I started watching Transformers again, mostly Transformers Prime (Which has made me think about writing yet another fanfiction...) and then got to movie 4 and went 'no fucking way'.

I'm going to be blunt; I have no respect for what Bay did to the franchise. DotM should've been the end, but nooooooo we want to keep going and make everyone OOC or dead! Fuck it. As far as I'm concerned there's only 3 movies, don't even get me started on the last knight. I'm so done it's not even funny.

Anywho, I was thinking of trying to answer everyone's reviews from now on, as I don't get many (well obviously considering I haven't updated in a year and a bit...) so it'll be easy to reply! Here goes nothing.

AlisonWest: I've been humming and hawing about how they reproduce still, though there will definitely be raunchy moments.

adelphhe14: Oh the rating is changing the moment I've published this chapter!

xVentressx: I'm pretty amped up too, though no sexual relationships for quite a while! Deni is 6'1. Normally I would say that's pretty tall, but two of my closest friends are 6'0 and 6'2 and female. Skinny models! But yeah, I'm only 5'7 so to me she's really tall.

MaybeRun: Yeahhhhh I'm not surprised people forgot this story, I only update once in a blue moon anyways. (Eh heh heh...)

ImpartingAbyss: Thank you! I have!

Skitlesdeb: Thank you!

maria-ioanna984: I still find it funny how many people imagine sex with a giant alien robot. It's really funny, but I am not judging! Whatever gets peoples rocks off is alright ahahaha. Any opinions on who it should be with?

Well that was everyone! So hopefully all of y'all haven't forgotten this story, though I read this first few chapters and cringed a little bit. You guys are awesome for pushing through!

For the love of Primus, review!

Question of the day: When was the last time you wore heels and how did they make you feel? I love them, in theory...

Cheers!