These Paths We Tread (Autobot x OC)

LXIX. Secrets

Catherine didn't know much about her except for some recent, unlikeable exploits of the Autobots, but she could already guess she was someone the government knew wouldn't sympathize with NEST or the Autobots or seek to help unless it landed things in the National Security Bureau's favor. She imagined they had been waiting until just now to send the woman in the wake of their recent "missions" to other countries, which she knew hadn't exactly been "sanctioned" by the United States. However, both she and the rest of NEST's leaders knew what they were getting into, and Catherine was prepared for the much older woman, whom was already strolling over with an arrogant gait—not unlike their previous representative.

The redhead sighed as she stepped away from Sideswipe to meet the woman halfway. Her bond mate wisely stayed put, though kept an optic out for her as she was joined by her father. They were only slightly surprised when the Mearing woman passed them by without so much as a bat of her eyelashes in their direction. Both Catherine and Lennox exchanged looks as they followed, the woman keeping her attention on her phone.

"CIA's up my ass about this mystery raid in the Middle East. So it's time to come clean. Was a unit involved?" she asked plainly, thought it was obvious there was only one answer she would take and it wasn't the usual "no". Of course, with almost every news program talking about the attack and the lack of who did the deed, it didn't take much for a woman of Mearing's status and intelligence to figure out the most likely suspect. Still, as it was required, they would have to deny any involvement.

"NEST and the Autobots are no longer involved with the Middle East countries, as I'm sure you're aware, ma'am," Catherine replied smoothly as they passed by Bumblebee and a decent-sized group of soldier demonstrating a basic Decepticon fight scenario.

Mearing hummed, not at all pleased, "Oh, I am well aware, Ms. Wolf. I am also aware that NEST and the Autobots are known for going around jurisdictions without my approval."

"We, uh, take orders directly from the President, ma'am," Lennox added as he followed closely on her heels. They were stopped short, though, as the older woman suddenly turned on them, her face set into a firm scowl as she gave them both a hard stare.

"Stop with the 'ma'am'. Enough with the 'ma'am'. Do I look like a 'ma'am'?" she grounded out, turning slightly to her Asian assistant, whom shook her head at Mearing. "You may take orders from the President, but he cannot give those orders without going through me. And I have had just about enough of your Autobots monkeying around without my say-so."

Catherine held back a glare, "NEST is a multi-national organization, ma'am. We do not answer solely to the United States."

"So long as the Autobots are stationed within this country, they are under my jurisdiction as are you, Ms. Wolf. Now, as much as I enjoy putting insubordinate upstarts such as yourself back in your place, I am the director of National Security and I am a big fan of getting intelligent, non-evasive answers to my questions!" the woman hissed back, and, while the redhead's pride had been stung enough to send it into a raging fury, she clamped her mouth shut. Her father helped by touching her arm roughly just as the ass-of-a-woman spun on her shoes to face forwards once more.

Technically, she could have said something—Mearing was wrong about having to answer to her. Yes, Catherine was NEST's official liaison— which included the human portion and thus having to answer to General Morshower and the President— but she was technically still the Autobot's liaison first, which meant she answered to Optimus, whom answered to no one unless he wished to. It had become the common misconception that the Autobots were commanded by the humans, but the redhead supposed she could allow Mearing to believe it for a little while longer. In the meantime, the woman was apparently dead set on speaking with Optimus, whom still sat in his alternate form.