If Only

Chapter 21

"I..I am so sorry, Phoneix. I know you were getting close to Bumblebee, and you lost your family as well." Epps began, dolefully, looking to his feet.

"Yeah," my voice hoarse, as I dropped the gun I had been clenching in my hand and stepped to take a seat off in the corner.

Sulking in the corner of the room, I watched as Optimus kneeled beside the warrior with his head bowed, Sideswipe taking a seat beside of him. I never thought of it before but what do Cybertronians do for their dead? They have been on Earth for awhile, gaining quite a few of our customs but would that mean they would bury his body and give him a funeral?

It was all a lot, so much was happening at once. I was just glad that for once it seemed the Decepticons are inactive and we shouldn't worry about him as the Autobots grieve over the loss for awhile. This process is not easy, and fighting cannot be apart of it. Not if you want another life lost.

Optimus and Ratchet began speaking 20 minutes later, mumbling things I couldn't understand before both of them lifted the lifeless form and carried him off to wherever. We walked in a pack, and made our way out the large door and into the hallways, where each soldier follows side by side in an orderly manner. Exaclty what were taught in training, to show respect.

Reaching the Autobots hangar, they carried the body around everyone before lying it down, everyone gasping.

"What happened?!" Arcee practically screamed, kneeling beside Bee.

"It would seem we have a new enemy." Ratchet tiredly answers.

"What? Who?" Elita-1 inquires, crossing her arms, glancing down at Bee as well.

"Link Tyson, the hacker who has been trying to take our stuff the past few weeks." I answered, taking the stress off of anyone else that would have to.

"But, why would he want to kill Bumblebee?" She added, her voice cracking and shakey.

"That, is still unknown. But, I promise we will figure this out. We will not let Bumblebee die in vain." I reassured, hoping it may work.

They all nodded, and Optimus smiled dimly at me. Sadly, I knew what was going on in their minds. I had been through this. I have been through the trauma, grief and regret, all something you won't forget but has to be let go. It took me three years. For them, it might take forever.

"We should probably call in Sam." Lennox announced, seeming down about the topic.

"Who's Sam?" I question, not aware of the name.

"Bumblebee was his guardian, Sam is in college right now. I think we might need to call him in. To tell him what happened." Lennox explained, pulling out his phone and dialing a number.

Taking a seat at the steps of the railing, I waited for the arrival of Sam. He's going to be so Heartbroken. He was probably good friends with Bumblebee as well, who wouldn't be? He was such a great bot.

Upon Sam's arrival, I could sense the sadness just by the way he walked. He rushed to go see the Autobot lying on the ground, in the middle of the floor. One of the military men drove him here, because no one else could. His car was dead, and from what I understand, his college doesn't allow many cars on campus.

"Is anybody gonna tell me who killed him?!" He screamed, running his fingers through his hair.

I could tell by his anger be didn't know how to feel, flustered he was disoriented. His friend was gone and there was nothing he could do about it, he didn't know how to feel about it. Would you feel angry or sad? Someone did kill him, technically.

Glancing between the other soldiers, who were all shrugging their shoulders, I stood up and walked towards the boy. "I can answer that." For the third time today.

"Who are you?"

"My names Phoneix, and I happen to know who killed your friend."

He nodded and glanced back to Bee before asking, "You do?"

"Yeah, why don't we go sit down and talk about it?"

Agreeing, we walked up the steps and took a seat on the swiveling chairs next to the computers, knowing no one would bother us. They had all watched as we walked over hear, but didn't dare say anything. They knew better than to.

"This is weird. I don't think I've ever been up hear before.." He trailed off, taking in his surroundings.

Shrugging my shoulders, I look at all the desktops we were surrounded by. This is what I do as my job, its not strange to me. Although, most people aren't aloud up here without a special code.

"Well, I work up here. I'm one of the hackers for N.E.S.T. I guess that's what you'd call it."

"I've never seen you around before, when did you start working here?" He asked, twidling his thumbs.

"Right about when they realized I had been hacking into there account and making illegal bombs, and after I escaped prison." I joked, even though it was true. It was quite a funny story, really, something that would probably make anyone laugh.

He barely flashed a smile, and then looked up at me to say, "And I thought my life was crazy."

"Yeah, much has happened to me in three years." Looking down at the thought of my family. "But, coming here has made it better. At one point, I hated these guys, not anymore it would seem."

"You hated them?"

"I blamed them for my families death, they passed during the first battle between the Decepticons and Autobots on Earth." Smiling sadly, I added.

"I'm so sorry."

"Yeah, but besides that, I need to explain what's going on."

He nodded and sat back in the chair, while I sighed and crossed my arms.

"Autobots are living technology, they aren't just a computer or a piece of hardware, however."

"Well yeah, what does that have to do with anything?"

"You'll see. Like regular technology, it can be hacked. Somehow only by certain people though with exceptional skills. Bumblebee happened to be the one the criminal chose to hack, and when he did, killing him in the process." Slowing down at the end, I looked up to see his reaction.

Sam stared at the ground emotionless, running a finger through his hair. Sighing deeply, he looked up.

"Do you know who did it?"

"I have my suspicions. But, it can't be proven yet, he has shown to be better than anyone I have ever seen before."

"Who?"

"I think it would be better not to let Samuel know at this time, Phoneix." Optimus says, causing me to jump. I hadn't realized he was standing there, listening in.

I nodded and rested my elbows on my knees, running my fingers in my now tangled hair. "I'm gonna go." I said, standing up.

"Phoneix, remember what I explained the other day, tread carefully." Optimus ended, in a low tone. Sam looking carefully in-between the both of us, as I nodded and walked off.

It was no time for revenge. That was probably what the boy, Sam, wanted. It's understandable, he's upset and broken. Who wouldn't? But no matter how much anyone tried or thought, Bumblebee is gone. There's no bringing him back now. Link destroyed our friend. I know I shouldn't search for revenge either, but I can't let him die in vain. Bumblebee is gone because of Link Tyson, and no matter what we do or try, we can't revive him.