TFP: Downfall... [Part I: Chapter III]

Lauren laid flat on the cybertronian-sized examination table, waiting for the beam to pass over her until it shut off. As she had been waiting, her mind was drifting from one end of the universe to the other… that was when she closed her optics. He was laughing… in her head.

"Getting sleepy, little human?"

Lauren then reopened her eyes, sullenly… "Nope."

Rachet sighed, seeing the results, "When was the last time you had a full night’s sleep?"

"I try not to think about it," Lauren admitted, sitting up.

Rachet crossed his arms, "Do you know what happens when you don’t get enough sleep?"

Lauren crossed her arms as well, "I have the feeling you’re gonna tell me anyway, so shoot."

"Your body won’t function properly and systems will begin to shut down without your consent. What is the problem? Nightmares still?" Rachet asked, "Speak to me, Lauren."

"I just can’t sleep… I’ll leave it at that," Lauren muttered, standing up.

"Why can’t you sleep, Lauren? Is it the guilt, the stress, the… anger?" Rachet continued, "Optimus and I may not be trained psychologists, but if you need one… we can find you one."

Lauren scowled, "I don’t want to talk to a shrink who is just gonna ask me ‘And how does that make you feel?’ to everything I say! I’ve had a shrink before-after my parent’s divorce! Never again!"

She was then walking to hop off the table, when Blaster ran past the door, taking a split second to peek in, "Oh! Princess, there you--!" He had tried to stop so suddenly that he slipped, hitting the ground very hard.

"Blaster!" she gasped, jumping off the table, landing firmly on the ground, and then running over to him. She climbed onto his front, and leaned over to see his face, "Are you okay?"

His optics spun around a bit before he shook his head, "I---m… okay."

"You sure?"

He gasped, sitting up, and catching Lauren as she fell back, "Oh! You have a call from some guy in a suit. I think his name was President… it sounds important."

Lauren paused, "We just spoke for like twenty-four hours, now he wants to talk more?"

Blaster shrugged, "I'm just the messenger bot."

Rachet walked out, "Are you going to speak to him?"

Lauren exhaled, crossing her arms, “I don’t think I really have a choice… where’s Optimus?”

“I’ll go find him,” assured Rachet.

“In the mean time, I suppose we can go make small talk with him,” Blaster stated, cheerfully, standing up as Rachet walked away.

“Oh joy,” Lauren stated, sarcastically as Blaster carried her on.

“Come on, the guy isn’t that bad,” Blaster went on, “When I was on baby-sitting duty, we talked a lot. Well-I did anyway. Some humans aren’t as fun as others, if you know what I mean. All he wanted to talk about was the autobots; all I wanted to talk about was human culture. Oh well.”

They arrived in the control room. Blaster proceeded over to the communications terminal and took the president off of hold.

Lauren crossed her arms, facing the screen with an solid expression, “Mr. President.”

“Miss Courage.”

There was a pause… it would seem that they both were stubborn.

Blaster was uncomfortable with the silence… so he spoke, “What’s been up, Mr. President?”

The man smiled at Blaster, “A great deal, Blaster. I’m sorry I was so stern a moment ago, it is good to see you again.”

“Princess is fun to see too,” he stated with a cocky grin, pointing over her.

His smile vanished, “Yes… Miss Courage, I wanted to-request your presence at a dinner to discuss details on your actions in America.”

“I regret nothing. The only thing I did that could be remotely questionable was break onto a secure military base to rescue Optimus. During which, and I trust you were informed, I was kidnapped by Megatron.” Lauren sighed, “Woods lied to you a whole lot.”

“Of this I am aware, that is why I want you to come and set the record straight,” he went on.

Lauren sighed, “Why can’t I do that from here? How do I know you aren’t going to have me arrested?”

“You have my word, Lauren.”

Lauren blinked… he called her by her first name. “You know my real name?”

“I regret the fact that you were practically exiled without a chance to defend yourself, but you are still an American citizen, and from what I’ve heard you’ve helped save the world on more than one occasion,” he went on.

Lauren frowned, “Mr. President, I just want to be able to go in and out of America of my own accord… to see my family without the risk of arrest.”

“You have it, Miss Courage,” agreed the President.

Lauren nodded, “Alright… so what’s the catch to this dinner?”

“I am inviting several of the trusted members of the media so that they can hear your story,” the President explained. “I thought it might be a start to mending bridges. In addition, you came straight to America’s aid during the decepticon attack on Washington D.C.”

Lauren tapped her arm, “You understand that if I come, it could be seen as favoritism to other countries, seeing that they have yet to have had contact with the bots.”

“Miss Courage,” he began, “I am impressed that you saw that possibility, but I believe this is worth the risk.”

“May I carry a concealed weapon or defense mechanism in the case of attack?” Lauren asked. “If I agree to attend its going to be necessary. In addition I would like to extend the invitation to Agent Fowler and bring Blaster, in alt-mode of course.”

He hesitated, thinking a moment longer, “V-Very well, I will inform my people that you will have equipment on your person and of your extra guests..”

“I’ll have to get the green light from Optimus,” Lauren stated.

The President nodded, “I understand that you need your father’s blessing.”

“Father?” Lauren whispered under her breath, Isaac wouldn’t like that.

“Just call me back if you receive and answer before eighteen-hundred hours this time. I apologize for the short notice,” the president apologized.

Lauren shrugged, “It’s fine. I’ll let you know. Lauren out.” She then cut the channel, then turned, unsurprised to find Rachet behind her with a disapproving stare.

“You should have declined,” Rachet stated.

“It doesn’t matter. Where’s Optimus?” Lauren asked.

“In a meeting of his own… he said to do whatever you deemed necessary in regards to the president,” Rachet stated.

Lauren thought a moment more, “Blaster, up for a trip to DC?”

“Always!” laughed Blaster.

“Then I’ll find Agent Fowler and we can go. What kind of meeting is he in, Rachet?” Lauren asked in regards to Optimus.

“One that may take a great deal of time.”

***

“And if you could also sign the documents, Mr. Prime,” asked the lawyer.

Optimus touched the large screen and quickly wrote his name in human letters, “Melissa, I question the wisdom of this action…”

“It needs to be done.”

“Your ex-husband will never agree to these terms.”

“That’s why you are coming with me,” Melissa stated. “Optimus, this needs to be done. It may be something small to you, but it will mean a great deal to Lauren.”

Optimus sighed.

The lawyer looked over the signature which transferred to the tablet he had, “Miss Courage, I am sending you the document, all you need do is transfer it to your own tablet and obtain the signature. Once that is done, the document will come back to me and the processes will be complete.”

Melissa nodded, “Thank you, Rodger.”

“Happy to be of service, Miss Courage. Say hello to your daughter for me.” The link to the lawyer’s office was then severed.

Optimus looked at Melissa, “Are you certain you wish to relinquish custody of her?”

“I haven’t had custody of her in a very long time, Optimus… this will bring me some measure of closure,” Melissa admitted, “Do you think we should tell her before we leave?”

Optimus nodded, holding his hand out to her, “I believe we should. There are few secrets I keep from Lauren.” And the ones I keep from her… I have no choice but to keep.

Melissa stepped into the Prime’s hand and smiled, “Then lets do it.”

Optimus walked over to his door and opened his quarters before stepping into the hall. As he made his way towards the ground bridge room, he noticed the fact that the base was suspiciously quiet.

Rachet turned from the ground bridge controls, “Oh, Optimus… you just missed Lauren. She, Agent Fowler and Blaster are attending a dinner party with the president at the white house.”

“What?” Melissa asked.

Rachet nodded, “She felt that she had to, but she is well armed, I assure you.”

Melissa sighed, “Well, we can’t wait to get Isaac’s signature. We need to go.”

Optimus nodded, “I agree.”

“Lauren’s father?” Rachet asked, “Why would you need him? Last he was on base he threatened every one of us.”

“We need his signature for the adoption papers,” Melissa explained.

Rachet gaped, “Oh, you can’t be serious.”

“I am officially adopting Lauren,” continued Optimus.

Miko jumped out, popping a confetti maker, “Ha-HAAA! I told you, Jack!” She pulled out a chocolate cigar reading ‘It’s a girl!’ on it and continued jumping. “Optimus is going to be a dad!”

Melissa chuckled as the three children came out, revealing that they had been eaves dropping, “She’s right.”

Optimus smiled, slightly, “We should go.”

Rachet nodded, “I’ll spin up the coordinates. Oh, and remind me to discuss a scientific breakthrough that Perceptor made. It may lead to Kyler’s eventual restoration.”

“Kyler’s restoration?” gasped Melissa.

Optimus nodded, “Good work, Rachet. We will return.” He then walked back to the ground bridge room.

“I still wish we could have caught Lauren before she left for the city… I’m certain she’ll be happy.”

Optimus nodded, “As am I… thank you, Melissa. I don’t know how my relationship with Lauren may change, if at all, but I hope that it will be for the better.”

Melissa smiled at him, “I’m sure that it will.”

Optimus nodded back to her with a genuine smile, although it was at that moment he sensed Lauren’s heart rate increase dramatically-she was scared… he considered checking on her, but at the moment he really needed to travel with Melissa to obtain Isaac’s consent to the adoption.

***

Lauren had traveled through the ground bridge to the sky above Washington D.C. in her airborne exoskeleton. She hovered in the air, looking over the city with her arms crossed. She had a distatste for D.C. after her first visit. Her sophomore year she had gone for a student leadership forum… people had been very rude and the roads were so narrow every turn nearly gave her a heart attack. She still had time before the dinner party… Fowler had said he would meet her there.

Blaster was hooked onto her back component placements, “So, do we get to go have some fun first?”

Lauren smiled under her helmet, “We could go terrify the locals.”

“W-wait-you’re being sarcastic, right?” he chuckled.

Lauren nodded, “I am… if anything you would be attracting the media. Since we’re here we might as well do some good. Show people what we’re about.”

“Where to then, Princess?” Blaster asked.

Lauren thought a moment more, deeply… “A place in D.C. to hang out where you can actually stretch? I say we go to… you know what? I’ve been wanting to visit the Lincoln memorial again. Let’s go there first.” She quickly looked up the coordinates and flew in the designated direction.

Upon arrival, Lauren casually landed, seeing many tourists and locals scattering before touchdown. Thereafter, she set Blaster down and walked forward.

Blaster transformed shortly after, stretching before he followed Lauren to the steps of the memorial, where she was stopped by security, “Ma’am, I’m afraid you and your… friend are going to have to leave.”

Lauren crossed her arms, “Are you racist against cybertronians or something?”

The man paused, “Er-no… but you’re creating a public distubance.”

“Really?” Blaster asked, waving to a child gazing at him in awe, “Maybe if we just let them get to know us—”

“Leave,” ordered the security officer, “Now.”

“Look here, pal, I was already chased out of this country for now reason and I’ll be—” Lauren gasped as a different child hugged her. She looked down at the girl with brown hair and glossy green eyes.

“Iron Angel!” she laughed, “You’re my hero!”

“Uh…” Lauren swallowed, “Thanks.” She then lowered herself to one knee and asked, “So what is your name?”

“My name is Alice!” she stated, “Alice Vanderbilt! Nice to meet you!”

“Nice to meet you too, Alice. Are you having fun here at the memorial?” Lauren asked, a smile started to spread across her face.

“Not until you got here, Miss Angel,” admitted Alice.

Alice’s mom ran over, “I am so sorry, I told her not to interrupt you, Miss Autobot.”

“It’s completely fine, Miss Vanderbilt,” Lauren assured, she then looked at Alice again, “Hey Alice, meet Blaster, want to see him dance?”

“Hey there little lady,” Blaster waved, bending down with a grin.

“Yeah!” Alice clapped.

“Blaster,” Lauren said, standing up, “Go ahead.”

“Not so fast, ‘Iron Angel’,” stated the officer ordered.

Lauren narrowed her optics.

“Once more… you are creating a public distubance,” he stated, “Please ask your heavy-set companion to… er-transform and both of you may leave.”

Blaster gaped, looking at his torso, then checking himself, “I-I’m not fat, am I, Princess?”

“No,” sighed Lauren, “You’re fine, Blaster… it’s this guy who has a problem.”

Alice gasped, grabbing her arm, “Wait! Iron Angel, don’t go!”

Lauren looked down at Alice, then exhaled, “It will be okay, kiddo. Look, Alice, you need to obey police officers. They are usually around to keep you safe, and this man-he means well-he does. He is just concerned that Blaster and I are going to scare people. We need to allow the world time to adapt to the… new changes. Blaster, if you’d please.”

“Aw sparkplugs,” muttered Blaster, transforming and landing in Lauren’s hands.

Alice frowned, staring up at her, “Okay… just promise to come back.”

Lauren nodded, “I promise you, Alice.”

The officer uncrossed his arms, “Thank you for understanding, Miss—”

“Just go with Iron Angel,” whispered Lauren, “And-I get it, but soon enough, seeing autobots will be a lot more common… I hope.”

Blaster’s police radio came on, “Princess, there’s a fire a mile north!”

“… efforts to control the flame are ineffective. There is a child on level eleven! Repeat, six-year-old male on level eleven!”

“Level eleven inaccessible by interior means! Exterior flames on ninth floor preventing all achievable access!”

“Blaster, upload location to me HUD!” Lauren ordered.

“As always, Princess; one dance step ahead of you!” Blaster laughed.

Lauren, without a second thought, tossed Blaster onto her back, then leaned down for a strong lift off, “Everybody stand back, now!”

The public did as she said, and as soon as she was given a decent radius, Lauren launched into the sky, then directed herself to the coordinates. “Blaster, patch me into the emergency channel!”

“You’re live, Princess!”

“This is the autobot Iron Angel!” stated Lauren, “Arrival time: sixty seconds, I’ll save the kid.  Is there any other need of assistance?!”

“Iron Angel, this is Fire Chief Williams, the child is our focus, but the fire is spreading! We need a solution!”

“Like a giant robot utilizing sound waves to redirect the flames away from buildings?”

“Is that even possible?”

“We’ll soon find out. I’m deploying autobot Blaster upon arrival, he will know how to best assist you.” Within seconds she had arrived and Blaster transformed, landing bellow her.

He thumbs-up’d her, then began attempting to manipulate sound waves in the air to alter the fire’s direction.

Lauren broke through a window on the eleventh floor and landed on the ground in an attempt to redirect her power to her thermal shields. As she walked through the burning building she looked around, “Chief, where is the child?!”

“Room 1112, judging by the location you entered he should be in the apartment down the hall on the right.”

Lauren found room 1112… but the door was virtually nonexistent and the fire only grew worse inside. Even though her armor completely protected her, Lauren’s heightened heart rate had raised her temperature above her natural level, making her sweat. The sounds of the fire blared through her audio receptors, feeding straight into her ears. “Chief, are you certain he’s in here?!”

“The parents made it very clear. Can you get to him?”

“Th-that’s not the problem! This apartment looks like its taken a lot of damage… I’m proceeding in, maintain radio contact.” Stepping into the fire, Lauren slowly made her way in, when a beam fell right in front of her. She grimaced, seeing the memory of the collapsing building and Kyler jumping into save her. Lauren shook it away, proceeding more hastily. “What is his name?!”

“Nathaniel, have you found him?”

“NATHANIEL!” Lauren called, “Nathaniel, if you can hear me, shout!” Lauren called, “I’m here to rescue you! Nathaniel!”

“Iron Angel, Nathaniel is mute!” shouted Chief Williams.

Lauren froze, cursing in her mind, “Nathaniel! Bang on something so I can find you!”

Sure enough she heard what sounded like metal on metal. *TANG*TANG*TANG* Lauren stopped to listen, far more carefully, lightly stepping onward. *TANG*TANG*TANG* It sounded like it was coming from the left bed room, but when she attempted to open the door, she found that it must have had an obstruction on the opposite side. “Nathaniel, step far away from the door, I’m going to break it open!” she warned, “On three! One-two-THREE!” She rammed through the door, the obstruction and straight into the room.

The boy stared at her, coated in smoke residue, grime and tears were streaming down his cheeks, but he was alive.

“Nathaniel, I am here to save you, but do not touch me! I’m metal and could burn you!” she told him.

He waved at her, making signs, then pointed to a gas line.

Lauren gaped, “Scrap!” She grabbed a blanket from the bed, then threw it over him, before scooping him up and dashing out of the room, “Blaster, be ready for a catch, there’s a chance this could end with an incendiary flare!”

“Got it, Princess, I’m ready for ya!”

She saw the window, she nearly made it too… but just before she could jump out, a beam slammed onto her back, sending the boy flying out through the window, and forcing her not only into the floor, but down into the tenth level.

“Princess, I caught the kid, where are you?!”

Lauren screamed, rolling back as the rest of the floor collapse over the tenth floor’s window. “Having to take a detour, stand by!” She then realized that if the fire made it all the way to the source of the gas the resulting explosion could be of even greater consequence. She thought fast, “Blaster, did the officers turn off the gas?!”

“Hold on… yes-but the building has its own reserves!”

“That’s bad, stay where you are, I need to find the reserves and find a way to—”

Lauren was accustomed to being late, but this was becoming uncanny. As she had begun to solve the problem, it exploded in her face, leaving her in the dark.

Blaster saw the explosion, turning to shield the emergency personnel. It looked like it could have been much worse, but the building practically crumbled right after, at least that had mostly put the fire out. “Princess!”

Chief Williams gaped, “No one could have survived that.”

“Her suit is indestructible, genius!” Blaster shouted. Soon after, she jumped in and began digging for her, using her suit’s beacon as a direct guide. She was under so much rubble, but she was there. Blaster pulled her out, and carried her to the paramedics.

“I can’t read anything through this armor!”

“She’s obviously not breathing!”

“What can we do?!”

That was when, with a deep breath, she sat up in a jolt, and gasped.

Inhaling and exhaling deeply, she gradually calmed, seeing the paramedics around her, and Blaster above.

He grinned, “Fires out. On to the Dinner Party?”

Lauren gasped, “Oh frag! I forgot about the Dinner Party!”