With Optimus going AWOL and the Autobots spreading apart, Jetstream was left with one more problem to tackle; keeping the humans safe. Ideally, they couldn't stay with the Autobots on the run; it would be far too stressful for them to be moving constantly. They needed to find a remote island, country or place where they could stay and disappear.
The Autobots drove to California, finding an abandoned barn house in the middle of nowhere. The three cars cruised into the place, engines rumbling before finally coming to a stop. The kids were hesitant, was it finally over? Were they finally safe?
"It's okay boys, you can step out. You are safe" Dino said, assuring them.
He could feel their fear, and see their doubt clearly expressed on their faces. The men opened their doors quickly; they couldn't wait another second to embrace their family members. Bee's doors swung open as Brian and Sam rushed to embrace their wives. As soon as each Human got out, the Autobots transformed and they could finally breathe.
"That was a rush" Jetstream said.
"Rush doesn't begin to quantify it" Dino responded.
"Well… it's over… for now" Bee said, scanning through different radio channels to convey his message.
The bots kept their lights on, giving the humans visibility but no warmth.
"I'll get… a fire… started" Bee said, walking off to find planks he could set ablaze.
"I will scout the area. Ensure we were not followed" Mirage said.
Jetstream nodded as the Ferrari transformed and rolled out.
"Where's he headed?" Brian asked as he left the embrace of his wife and kids.
"He's going to sweep the area. Ensure that we weren't followed. Bee is going to start a fire to keep you guys warm"
"Alright" answered Brian.
Jetstream stepped out, placing two fingers on the right side of his helm as he made contact with the rest of the Bots. Sideswipe, Ironhide and Ratchet broke off together, he just wanted to be sure that they were safe.
"This is Jetstream to Ironhide, come in Ironhide"
"This is Ironhide, I read you loud and clear" he responded.
"What's your status? I hope you all made it one piece?"
"Yes we did. What do you take us for?"
"I wasn't attacking your pride, it's okay" Jetstream said with a slight chuckle.
"Apart from the injuries those hounds gave Sideswipe, we are practically at a hundred percent functionality" he reported.
"That's good. I still don't understand where they got Steeljaws from"
"There are a lot of questions that are to be answered. Hopefully, we get down to the bottom of things"
"I hope so. Any word from Prime?" Jet asked.
"Nothing. After he dropped that distress message, he has gone dark. Ratchet fears the worst might have happened to him"
"He should put his faith in Primus. It takes a whole lot to kill Optiums. He has proven that time and time again"
"Agreed. What are you going to do about the humans? Are you abandoning them?"
"I'd never. Brian and Sam mean too much to Bee and I. Plus they helped us out, it's the least we can do"
"You still haven't answered my question" Ironhide said, grumpily.
"We will figure something out. Help them disappear. I'll think of something"
"Well, you better act fast. The more time you spend out there, the more heat you will attract"
"I understand"
"God speed Jetstream. I pray the next time we speak like this, it will be on better terms"
"Aye. Let's put this backstabbing mess behind us"
"Keep your head up Jetstream, don't let it get lost in the waves. We'll speak soon, Ironhide out"
The transmission between the two ended, leaving Jet to lift his head to the stars shining above. He let out a sigh, this whole thing was a mess, so many twists and turns but the one question they all wanted answers to was why?
Jetstream walked in, the humans were gathered around a fire Bumblebee had started. The young ones had already fallen asleep, clinging to their parents for warmth in the absence of blankets. It couldn't keep on going on like this. Jet's eyes were full of compassion for the young kids, they had to get them to safety quickly.
"Sam, Brian, what's the plan? You guys can't keep on running from the government forever. You need to disappear and live your lives peacefully" Jet said, going down to one knee to be more on their level.
"We were actually just talking about that. Staying in the states is off the cards. Sam suggested Cuba but that's still complicated" said Brian.
"We need to go far away from here. I don't want to be on the same continent as them. Blend in and forget this ever happened" added Sam.
"The option of countries we can go to reduces dramatically when you consider that we are running from the CIA. The place has to be remote and not easily accessible by them" said Brian.
"We can look at those islands in the middle of nowhere or some African country" suggested Sam.
"Blending in on those small islands and starting again. People will end up knowing us because of the size of the population" said Brian.
"Can't we just move to a place where we live a quiet life on the outskirts of town? No neighbors for miles and the kids can grow up normally?" Carly chipped in.
"I want the kids to still have a 'normal' childhood despite this all" Brian's wife added.
"All this talk about moving and we haven't mentioned the fact that as soon as cameras pick us at an airport, we are done for. Even if we avoid them, our passports and papers would tell them the country we are going to" Sam said.
"Don't worry about our passports, I know a guy that can take care of that. Fake passports, papers, IDs, he's got us covered" said Brian.
"And I'm guessing he's in the populace?" asked Sam.
Brian slowly nodded his head as that meant they had to expose themselves again.
"Great. How far are we from him?"
"Not far. He stays in Sacramento. You and I can go there tomorrow. Get the fake passports, get some food and clothing for the kids" answered Brian.
"Bumblebee and Dino can take them to a safe location while we go get stuff" said Jet.
"Great. We leave early tomorrow. Let's all try and get some sleep" Brian said.
"You know, it's times like these that I wish you guys turned into four door sedans rather than sport coupes" Sam commented.
Bumblebee and Jetstream transformed into their respective vehicles so that the humans had a place to rest and escape the cold. Dino drove in a few minutes later giving Brian a place to sleep. His family slept in Bumblebee and he had a backseat which the other two lacked. Sam and Carly slept in Jetstream with Carly holding their daughter while they slept.
The next day couldn't come any quicker. The bots hit the road as early as 5 am, the wives and kids were still fats asleep when Jetstream and the men started moving. Carly and Mary were moved into Dino, freeing up space for Sam and Brian to hit the road. The lovely V10 offered to them by the Dodge Viper platform allowed them to carve their way through roads to the city of Sacramento.
Brian gave Jet the address and he was en route. He took extra care to try and avoid busy areas where cameras swarmed. Jet changed his plate number as well to throw the cameras off as he headed towards the building. He parked outside, allowing the two humans to step out and walk into what looked like a thrift store from outside. As the two walked in, a camera from down the road picked up their faces as they exited the car. It ran their face through their database and Cemetery Wind was notified immediately.
"Mr. Savoy, cameras picked up two facial recognitions for Sam Witwicky and Brian Banks" his secretary reported.
Savoy was reclined on the sofa in his office when she walked in, but after she spoke, he sat up.
"Where was this?" he asked.
"Sacramento, California. A few minutes ago"
Savoy nodded his head slowly, the bots were on the move but what could they be doing in California?
"Get me a line to Attinger and any assets we have in the area. Give me eyes in the area, we have to track their every move, we can't lose them again"
"Yes sir" she answered.
Phones began to ring as Cemetery Wind tried to get boots on the ground as soon as possible and stop them from escaping.
"Good afternoon, I'm looking for Ron" Brian said, walking up to the cashier and asking for his old friend.
The young Asian man went still for a second, evaluating both men before answering.
"Ron isn't here. Come back another day" he responded.
"I know Ron is down there in the basement working. Call him and tell him that it's Brian. It's an emergency"
The cashier picked up the landline and spoke mandarin to the person on the other end, occasionally glancing at the two men. The guy nodded and then stood up from his seat.
"Right this way sirs"
He led them to the back of the shop, passed rows of clothes and items until they got to their store room. They moved passed some crates and to a well hidden door, placed in between two shelves. He opened the door to reveal a flight of stairs that led down and ushered them in.
"He's down there"
"Thank you" said Sam.
The two men walked down the steps, hearing the sound of machinery, most likely printers, hard at work. A bald fully bearded black man stood behind one printer, waiting for its contents to come out. He turned slightly and glanced at the stairs when he heard footsteps approaching. Brian and Sam walked in cautiously, finding another man sitting behind a screen, deeply engrossed in his work.
"Is that Brian? I'd recognize that ugly bastard anywhere" a voice said.
"The man with a voice only his mother could love" Brian said in response.
A tall Asian man with toned muscles and tattoos all over his forearms came into view. He wore a black singlet and dark brown chinos. A belt with a bull shaped belt buckle held his pants up and black cowboy boots completed the look.
He and Brian walked up to one another, starring into their eyes before bursting out into a hug. It had been years since they last saw one another.
"I see you haven't changed a bit. Still no sense of style" Brian teased.
"Still as quick witted as ever" he replied as both of them finally let their embrace.
"How have you been man? It's been what? A decade since I last saw you?"
"Yeah, about that time" Ron answered.
"Where are my manners, this is my friend, Sam"
"Hey Sam, good to meet you" Ron said, extending his hand for a handshake.
"Nice to meet you too" answered Sam, shaking his hand.
"So what brings you to my place Brian?"
"I need a favor. A passport favor"
This caused Ron to raise an eyebrow. Brian wasn't the sort of person to ask for this kind of thing.
"I never thought you'd be using my services"
"Me too, but times change. I need passports for myself, my family and his family as well. New identities, new papers, new lives" said Brian.
"Two families? You guys are really moving" he said as he walked over to his workstation.
"I got all their pictures and information. Sam?"
"Yes, I have mine and my family's too"
"Great, we got most of it sorted. You'll have to wait a while"
"No problem Ron. Thanks again"
"It's the least I could do. You've saved my ass countless times"
Sam and Brian sat on a sofa placed in the room as the forgery began.
"Just a question, but where are you going?"
"Africa. We haven't decided on the country yet but it needs to be remote" Brian answered.
"Well, depending on who you are running from, I suggest you go to Burundi. You can literally just disappear" he suggested.
"Hmmm, that's a solid option" Brian said. "What do you think Sam?"
"Anywhere si good. As long as my family is safe. I don't care where we are" he said.
"Well, if you need transport, I know a guy. He can fly you anywhere" said Ron.
"Thanks a lot Ron"
"I'll give you his address and I'll call him before you leave to ensure that he's in town. I don't want any funny business happening when you get there"
Brian nodded.
They finally had a destination, a place they could go to, to disappear from this mess. But behind the scenes their enemies were mobilizing. Cemetery Wind was minutes away from getting boots on the ground and on their way to their location. Security cameras watched the entire block for movement, every minute was being recorded. This was their last chance at catching them.