You were standing there like an angry god,
Counting out my sins just to cross them off,
Saying that my tongue was too loud to trust,
And that my blood couldn't keep you.
...
So keep your judgment for someone else, I've had enough.
[Ratchet]
"There has to be some way to track those arses!" Agent Fowler snapped over the video call, and I refrained from snapping back at him.
"Agent Fowler, I can assure you that I am conducting every sort of scan I can to locate Tempest's group of Cybertronians," I replied. "But the task is easier said than done."
A small red light flicked on in the corner of my computer screen, indicating the entrance to the base had been opened, and the sound of a car echoed down the entrance hall. I frowned, recognizing the engine to be that of Jack's car, not Amanda's, whose car made a much louder noise. Only then did I notice I was hoping it would be Amanda, making my frown deepen. I may have been too harsh on her before, and despite my attempts to excuse my words, I realized how she'd taken them to heart. It wasn't entirely true, that I thought she wasn't doing enough, but I was frustrated. She wasn't the leader of the Autobots, she wasn't like Ultra Magnus, and she wasn't like Optimus Prime-
No. Perhaps I was just missing my old friend, and taking that out on the wrong person. Still, if she was going to lead, she had to act as a worthy leader, not performing reckless actions and controlling her emotions on the battlefield. She had interrogated the prisoner without informing the team, and she hadn't even been able to get the right information out of her.
"Ratchet!" Jack hurried forward, having parked his car in the corner of the base, with Miko and Raf hot on his heels. "What happened?"
I ignored his question. "Where is Amanda?" Annoyance crept into my tone unconsciously.
Miko put her hands on her hips. "It's the middle of the night, where do you think she is?"
"You three seem to have arrived promptly, I don't see why she can't as well."
As if on cue, the loud rumble of a sports car's engine echoed through, and a black car sped into the base, parking next to Jack's car. Amanda rushed out, looking completely dishevelled, but her eyes were sharp and alert.
"What happened?" She demanded, tone not allowing for any avoidance.
"Finn never made it to the airport," I started, and she glared at me.
"I got that part. Why? Where the hell is he? Who took him?"
"Security footage from the hotel we were staying at shows two individuals follow him out," Agent Fowler said, voice in full business mode. "Upon further investigation, those two individuals aren't in any international database whatsoever, and we believe them to be two Cybertronians in disguise."
I watched Amanda carefully, seeing her hands curl into silver coated fists and anger dance in her gaze.
"So they followed him, then what?" She demanded.
"Footage from across the street shows that they jumped him before his taxi got there. That's when another Cybertronian pulled up in a black SUV, shoved him in, and they all took off." Agent Fowler finished.
Miko snorted. "Classic. Obviously these guys watched all those old movies."
"Run the license plate of that SUV," Amanda said, ignoring Miko completely. "Track it through the state."
"Tried that" Fowler said. "They ditched the SUV and swapped into too many cars after that."
"Then track every car!"
"We don't have the technology to do that-"
"Tap into Cam, for crying out loud!" Amanda nearly yelled, the silver collecting at her fists growing brighter. "I have a damn satellite in space, and you're telling me we don't have the tech? Patch it through!"
Raf hurried up the platform stairs to get to the computers, typing away furiously to do as she said. Amanda quickly followed him, curtly directing Raf on what controls to tap in to. I saw Jack and Miko exchange a concerned look, stress evident on everyone's faces. But I watched Amanda closer than the others, with her silent fury written across her expression, and wondered what was racing through her mind, knowing it was nothing like what would be in Optimus Prime's at a moment like this.
[Amanda]
My patience was wearing dangerously thin. Thankfully, Raf must have sensed this, doing exactly everything I said in Cam's database and now conducting the license plate searches simultaneously. Still, as images flashed by with no matches, I felt my anger rise. My fingers tightened into a fist, and I swallowed hard to stop my powers from rising to the surface. If I kept them unchecked, I'd have already blast a hole through the monitor.
This isn't working.
"Ratchet, connect to the new satellite," I commanded, shaking the medic out of his thoughts. "Scan for any and all traces of Cybertronian metal and energon."
"That satellite is untested," he argued. "It may send us on twelve different paths and-"
"Twelve is better than the none we have right now!" I snapped.
They had better not have hurt Finn. I swear, I'll tear each and every one of those Cybertronians if they do anything to him. I'll- I'll-
"That is some beautiful anger, darling. Shall we channel it some more?"
My jaw clenched, cutting off the voices in my head. Out of curiosity, I reached towards Cleona, hoping to feel the familiar, almost calming presence of the goddess to pull me out of my wild emotions. Instead, I promptly hit a wall, causing my rage to flair, just as a series of beeps came from the computers.
"I have a hit!" Raf exclaimed.
"As do I," Ratchet confirmed. "Two Cybertronians, human-sized."
"Then open the ground bridge," I said, annoyed at the time being wasted.
Ratchet turned, giving me a stern look. "I don't think it's wise for you to go, Amanda."
That sent shock through me. "Excuse me?"
"You are too emotionally connected to this mission. With your abilities, it may prove to be dangerous for your allies."
"So what are you suggesting?" I glared daggers at him, giving it my all to stop myself from bursting.
"Jack and Miko take the mission. Miko has already shown that she can take down a Cybertronian in this form, and Jack possesses the same abilities thanks to your training. They will be able to investigate and report back without causing as much damage."
"I can get them backup in five minutes," Fowler said over the comms, reminding me that he was there.
"No!" I exclaimed. "We're wasting time, just let me deal with it! I can take those two targets out faster than anyone!"
"Exactly. We do not want them dead, Amanda. What if they prove to be useful like our prisoner?"
I threw my hands into the air in frustration. "You can't stop me from going! They took my boyfriend, a member of my team, and I'm not going to sit on my ass when I'm the one with the best chances of getting him back!"
"A-" Miko started, but I whirled on her.
"Don't even start with me," I growled. "I'm going. That's final."
"Agent Fowler, provide backup," Ratchet ignored me, causing Fowler to sign off before the medic turning to the pair behind me. "Miko, Jack, the ground bridge is ready for you."
Rage flared within me. The bridge opened up behind us and I immediately made a dash for it, but Ratchet knew that was coming. His arm dropped in my way, forcing me back as I watched Miko and Jack head through. The moment they were in, the bridge closed, cutting me off completely.
"Ratchet!" I shrieked, sending a blasted of silver dust at his chest, sending him stumbling back. "Why won't you let me deal with this?"
"Look at you!" His own anger came through this time. "You're too emotional, Amanda, and that will interfere with your ability to be a member of this team!"
"Obviously I'm emotional! I'm human, Ratchet, but you can't seem to be able to accept that! I'm sorry I'm not your definition of a perfect leader, I'm sorry I'm angry over the fact that those Cybertronians kidnapped my boyfriend, but what the hell do you want me to do?" My voice rose with every word. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Raf ducked low behind his computer, but I didn't care.
"I want you to act like a leader, not like a child!" He retorted. "This team is barely hanging on, with half of it being two completely new field agents, plus two experienced fighters! The discrepancy there is massive, but you act as though it isn't there!"
"I've been busting my butt off trying to train Miko and Jack, and you're telling me I can't see the difference? Believe me, I can see it more than anyone because I have been trying everything to get rid of that gap! But for some reason, you keep telling me I'm not good enough, while you spend your days staring at computer screens and I spend mine doing every damn thing I can to make this team work!"
"You haven't seen war, Amanda, you don't understand what may be at risk here if we meet Tempest head on-"
"And I'll never know if you keep holding me back! You can't keep telling me I don't understand but then stop me from trying to!" It took everything I had not to let my powers out, to blast this place to bits. I could feel every bit of metal in the base hum, inviting me to control it, but I fought it back. Of course, Ratchet didn't see that though, and continued to yell at me.
"You can understand a lot from listening, you just have not been! I told you before, you have to get your emotions under control and lead like-"
"Like an Autobot? Well news flash, you haven't been listening either, Ratchet, because I am not an Autobot! Besides, what makes you think Autobots are just naturally better leaders than humans? How are we so different? No Autobot was born the perfect leader, just like humans! I'm trying the best I can over here, but it's not easy when you're always against me!"
"I am trying to show you how to be better!"
"Really? That's what you've been trying to do? Let me know next time, because I seemed to have missed the lessons through all the belittling and scolding!"
He narrowed his eyes, then grumbled something under his breath before he began to turn his back towards me, making me even angrier.
"What?" I demanded, tone dangerous. "What can't you say to my face, Ratchet, because I swear I'm-"
"And this is why you will never be like Optimus!" He spat, whirling on me.
That's when I snapped.
"I am not Optimus Prime!" I yelled. "I'm not now, I never will be! I am not ever going to be my dad! Understand? I never will be who he was, so get the hell over it! Optimus is gone, Ratchet! He isn't coming back, and I can't be him!"
Both of our chests rose and fell heavily as we stared each other down. Just then, series of beeps echoed from the computers, sending our attention sideways.
"Uh, we have another hit," Raf said quietly, and I blinked, just remembering that he was there. "Should I-"
"Open that ground bridge," My tone was steady and emotionless. Just the way Ratchet must want it.
"Amanda," Ratchet stepped forward, but I lifted a hand immediately to stop him, silver dust collecting at my palm.
"Don't." I said, then kept walking. "Raf, ground bridge."