Ruby - Origins - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Ironhide entered the airfield at speed, hurrying to join the rest of NEST.

He pulled up alongside Major Lennox and Tyrese, who stood with their hands behind their backs. The entire team of soldiers and autobots stood around the main runway, waiting for something. 

The absence of movement woke Ruby. She left the car. There was not a trace of humor in Tyrese's face, and Major Lennox's warm smile was non-existent. Ruby was sure her expression was just as dark. She must have looked a terrible state; Tyrese put a steady hand on her shoulder. Ironhide rolled over to where Ratchet and the other autobots were and transformed to join them.

For a moment, everyone stood in silence, until the sound of an incoming plane caught their attention. Ruby's heart faltered when she saw what hung beneath it: the bulk of Optimus Prime's body. 

As it came closer, there was the sound of metal cinches being released and the body dropped to the ground with a clunk that released a wave of heat and fumes. The sight of him made the tears begin to well up again, but Ruby forced them back. She had to act now.

With a surge of determination she ran towards him before she could think, taking her bangle off as she went. She bounded onto his chest, holding her silver bangle above her head. She was going to fling it into the spot where Optimus' spark should be, along with every ounce of energy she had. 

Ratchet's strong hand seized her around the middle before she could carry out her plan, and enclosed her within clasped hands like he trapped a butterfly. 

Ruby hammered on his metal palms, shrieking in rage, in grief. Her emotional outburst only lasted a moment.

She came back to her senses, letting Ratchet restrain her. She could hear the soldiers panicking, worrying about her. She wished they wouldn't, she didn't deserve it; she should be left to suffer. How could she be in this much pain over Optimus? They'd known each other for a couple of weeks. She'd let herself get really close to the autobots in a small space of time, like they were her family. Cool air moved in and out of her lungs and her breathing returned to normal. A small part of her was glad that she was succeeding in holding back the traitor tears.

Ratchet let Ruby back down a few minutes later when he was sure she wasn't going to do anything stupid, but he and the rest of NEST watched her like hawks.

A train of Air Force security vehicles came trundling towards them out of nowhere, machine guns cocked and loaded, aimed straight at the autobots. Outraged, the autobots activated their own weapons. Ironhide aimed both of his huge horse-sized pulse canons at them. The vehicles came to a stop, forming a circle around them.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Ironhide roared, "Do you wanna piece of me?! I'll take you all down!"

Major Lennox and Tyrese shared his rage. Major Lennox starting screaming orders, insisting that the security soldiers lower their weapons. Tyrese banged his fists on the nearest vehicle, swearing. Ruby kept back, bewildered.

A scrawny man with glasses and a receding hairline strode over to Major Lennox and slapped a piece of paper to his chest.

"What's this Galloway?" asked Major Lennox, anger flashing in his eyes.

"Your team is being deactivated Major," said Galloway.

Hatred blared across the Major's face, "We take our orders from the Chairman," he said flatly.

"Well I have a document here signed by the President himself," Galloway snapped back, "I have operational command now." 

He ripped a badge from Major Lennox's uniform. Ruby gasped.