Trickster 11

Trickster 11

Separation

A Transformers Prime Fanfiction

    "This is being broadcast on all frequencies," Silas growled as Greydawn's wheels rolled over the cracked asphalt. "How is your vaunted Prime going to know we're coming?"
     The grating voice of the self proclaimed Lord of the Decepticons came over the radio on every broadcast channel demanding the immediate surrender of the human governments. The CB bands were still clear; a fact the military had been quick to take advantage of and now the transmissions of troop positions, whispers of counterattacks, but mainly evacuation orders for all the large cities. Jack cursed his own blind spots. He had completely forgotten that the Decepticons were still out there even without Megatron. A smaller, more rational part of his mind stated that there was nothing he could have done even if he had known but still the youth felt a sense of failure for having lost sight of the larger picture.
    "He has been contacted and a meeting location arranged," Zech stated flatly.
    The trucker was not just making a pretense of driving this time. Sal was concentrating entirely on communicating with Optimus.
    "Oh yes, the vaunted skills of the Northclan," Silas drawled easily. "I'm sure your ancient voodoo comes in handy in the face of overwhelmingly superior technology."
    Zech shot him a narrow look; shock mingled with anger before returning his eyes to the road.
    "Yes I know of your little secret club," the terrorist snorted. "Most men in my line of work do. I always find it amazing how much credence people who are otherwise perfectly rational put into your fairy tales."
    Jack glanced warily between the two older men. Silas seemed to be pushing for some sort of response from the trucker and the Clansman appeared to be holding something in. Suddenly the CB crackled to life.
    *Greydawn, Red Warrior.*
    Flooded with relief Jack leaned forward and snatched up the mic.
    "Red Warrior, Greydawn."
    *As you are aware of the situation I will be brief,* Optimus's deep voice came over the airwaves. *Starscream has granted the UN three days to bring a united answer to him regarding the capitulation of your species. I will be relocating to a human military base to assist in organizing the resistance. Salcha has informed me that you have found the other human necessary to finish your task?*
    "Yeah, we got him," Jack replied glancing over at Silas.
    *That is good. It is the opinion of Agent Fowler and myself that you should continue in your quest. However we will be unable to aid you.*
    Jack clenched his hands and took a deep breath.
    "I understand," he stated grimly. "We will get right on that. Could you let my Mom know what we are doing? I had to leave without talking to her."
    *Will do kid,* Fowler's voice came over the radio. *You just focus on setting everything right.*
    "I thought you didn't put much faith in this," the youth responded in surprise.
    *When all you got is straws to cultch at kid, the biggest straw looks pretty good.*
    *Jackson,* Optimus's voice came one last time. *Go with Primus.*
    "You as well, Optimus," Jack whispered as he put the mic back, "with you as well."
    Silence fell in the semi as they drove alone; none wishing to intrude on the grief and strain obvious in the raven haired youth's face. Suddenly all the electronics in the cab flickered and there was a low grinding from the engine and smoke began to seep out around the hood. Zech let out an exclamation and pulled over to the side of the road.
    "It would appear that these Decepticons are attempting to limit out mobility," Silas stated drily as he got out to examine the damage with the other two.
Zech warned him away from the engine with a glare and began tinkering around the battery.
    "As skilled as I am certain you are we do not have time for this," the terrorist declared, pulling out a small device and hitting a button.
    "What's that?" Zech demanded.
    "Our ride," the terrorist stated smugly. "You just keep working on your rig trucker."
    Within minutes a sleek green driverless sedan pulled up beside them. Zech frowned down at it from his perch before swinging into Sal's cab.
    "Get in Mr. Darby," Silas stated curtly as he pulled open the driver's door.
    "I can't just abandon Optimus and Zech," the raven haired youth protested taking a step back from the car.
   Almost quicker than Jack could follow the former soldier had spun and held him pinned to the side of Sal's cab. The youth brought his hands up to defend himself but found them easily restrained.
    "Let's get one thing straight Mr. Darby," Silas growled ominously. "You do not have a choice."
    Jack's heart was racing and every detail stood out in sharp relief as he faced the fierce visage but to his surprise he felt no fear. Probably because of the comforting presence of Sal against his back, he mused. After a moment the grip on his shirt loosened and a grim smile pulled at the corners of Silas's mouth.
    "You've got a pair," the terrorist admitted grudgingly, "but it still stands. You are not abandoning our commander and unit. No matter how much you want to play the hero and protect your friends you need to follow orders and do your duty. Right now you are the only one who can do the job assigned."
    Jack fought down the urge to deny the truth in what the man said. As much as it galled him he knew they needed to get going and with the world militaries focused on defending the cities against the Decepticons M.E.C.H.'s substantial resources was his best chance of reaching his destination. Jack felt a wave of aggression coming from behind him and absently patted the semi's side to sooth him.
    "Here Jack," Zech's voice cut in as Silas released him. "Take this."
    The trucker handed him a well stuffed backpack.
    "Emergency food, a change of clothes, and basic survival gear; it should help you out wherever you are going. Consider it a traveling gift from the Franklin's."
    "Thanks Zech, wish you were going with me," Jack replied.
    Zech pulled the younger man into a warm embrace and for a moment simply offered him the comfort of a trusted presence, then he whispered so only Jack could hear.
    "He's a dangerous man Jack; he will get you there but trust no one. Go and give all of your attention to your mission knowing we will be fine."
    The two separated and Jack got into the sedan. The green car pulled out and accelerated down the road. The trucker stared out after them for a moment and then glanced sharply at his brother.
    "This is not good," the human muttered.
    "Could you be a tiny bit more specific?" Sal asked, deep voice dripping with sarcasm.
    "Silas knew of the Clan, but didn't know enough to fear us."
    "So? He's in contention for a Darwin Award, it happens," the big rig growled.
    "He's the head of a major terrorist organization," Zech pointed out eyes narrowing. "Exactly the kind of group the Clan makes sure knows to avoid us. Either the Teachers were never told of them or the Lesson was less than effective. Whichever way it is not a good sign."
    "Zech," Sal started hesitantly. "I, there's something else, but I think I'll wait till this is all fixed to tell you."
    "Okay," the trucker was so caught up in his own thoughts that he ignored the deep emotion rolling under his brother's voice.
    With a grunt of satisfaction the big rig fired up his engine and pulled forward.
    "What was that Sal?" he demanded.
    "What was what?"
    "There is nothing wrong with your engine," Zech stated flatly as he leapt up into the driver's seat.  
    "Nope," the big rig rumbled as he pulled out down the highway. "There was that pulse that knocked my electronics offline though."
    "Except you have redundancies to get around that," the trucker pointed out.
    "Optimus needs us," Sal stated flatly, cutting through the usual banter he needed to communicate, "and I don't want the traitor knowing where we're going."
    "What?" his brother asked in shock.
    "The most we could do for Jack is escort him to the coast," the semi explained grimly. "There is no way the Others in the trench would have allowed me to cross the Pacific. They were throwing a fit when we took the ferry down the coast. As it is they are already sensing the fear in the human population and responding to it. Sooner or later something is going to spot the voidwalkers and what do they always go after first?"
    "The injured and the weak," Zech growled slow realization dawning.
    "Optimus is going to have to cross half the continent to get to the central command," Sal continued. "I might not be able to protect Jack from the voidwalkers, but I can protect Optimus from the Others. He won't even make it through Colorado without protection. I've already told him we'll meet on ninety-five."
   Zech stared in silent fascination at the dashboard. What he was witnessing, what he had witnessed over the past few days in his brother was more than surprising; according to everything he had been taught it was impossible. A slow grin spread over his face and he smacked the dash with a laugh.
    "Let's roll Bro, we have a voidwalker to watch out for."