Chapter Four

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Kita scrambled into the warehouse office, frantically searching for a place to hide. She ducked her head into the bathroom. Standing on the toilet and closing the door occurred to her, but she was afraid she'd slip on the disgusting seat and fall in. Across the hall in the office was a desk and a chair. I bet I can climb under there.

Pushing the chair out of the way, Kita climbed under the desk. Oh, gross. The previous owner had a habit of sticking their gum on the underside of the desk. Oh, please don't get stuck in my hair. Kita kept her head down and pulled the chair in front of her.

Through the office window, Kita heard voices.

"Like I said, I saw a girl on a motorcycle come in, and they haven't left," said a man with a thick eastern European accent. "This is the bike."

"What junk," said a man with the same accent, but a deeper voice.

"Where did these other two hunks of junk come from?" said a third authoritative voice.

"I dunno. They didn't come in the front," said the first man.

"Really, genius?" snarled the third man. "I bet they came in the cargo bay doors on the side of the building, but who unlocked them?"

"Probably the girl," said the second man.

"And what about the drivers of these two scrap heaps? They didn't drive themselves in here," said the third man. Kita giggled to herself. "Spread out and find them. I want to know who's squatting in my building."

Kita sucked in a breath and held it. Think silent. Be silent. The door to the offices banged open. Footsteps stopped outside her office door. I should have locked the stupid door. The door slammed open.

"Anyone in here? Come out, now," said an Eastern European accented voice Kita hadn't heard.

Great, there's more than three.

"Check behind the desk," said another voice.

No. Crap. Kita pushed herself as far under the desk as she could get.

The chair was flung aside, and a head appeared. Instinctually Kita kicked it. The head recoiled.

"Over here."

A set of arms reached for Kita. She flailed her legs trying to kick the hands away. A third hand grabbed her leg and pulled. Kita grabbed a leg of the desk. The man pulled her and the desk toward him.

"Let go, bitch."

A swift kick in the kidney caused Kita to spasm and let go. Another kick hit her gut. Kita curled up in a ball as they drug her into the center of the room. A man grabbed her by the back of her shirt and pulled Kita to her feet.

"Hey, watch the shirt," said Kita. This is my favorite My Little Pony shirt.

"Shut up," a man snarled and slapped Kita.

The two men wearing almost identical ill-fitting suits grabbed her by the arms and pulled her out of the office area to a man standing next to the shipping container.

"That's her," said a man wearing a skullcap and black turtleneck.

"Where are your friends?" said the man with the authoritative voice. He was dressed in kakis and a white polo shirt.

"Listen, I don't want any trouble," said Kita. "I was just looking for a place to crash for the night. I haven't touched anything. You want me gone, no problem. You'll never see me again."

"You picked the wrong warehouse, bitch. Where are your friends?"

"I'm by myself."

The man punched Kita in the stomach. "Where are they?"

Kita coughed as she doubled over. The two men on either side of her forced her to stand up.

"There's no one here but me."

"Then what are these two pieces of junk doing in my warehouse?"

Oh, girl. Think fast. "I—I was going to strip them down and sell them for parts."

"Who would buy this junk?" demanded the man.

"Collectors, dealers, restorers. It's hard to find parts for seventies vehicles."

"You picked the wrong warehouse to set up shop, sweetheart." The man pulled a gun from behind him. He whistled loudly, and five more men trotted over from around the warehouse.

"Oh, come on," said Kita. "I'll give you a cut. Ten percent. I just need a few days. I already have the contacts."

"Do I look like I need to run a cheap chop shop? What I deal in is much more valuable."

"Come on. Everyone can use some extra cash. You don't have to do anything. I'll do all the labor and legwork."

"And leave a mess in my warehouse. No thanks." He raised his gun.

"Give me a broom. I'll clean up. It'll look better than when I got here. It's a win-win for you."

"You want to help me? My boys have been working overtime on this latest shipment. And now, they have to get this junk out of here. I owe them. And I'm going to give them you."

"ME! Trust me, I'm no good. Inexperienced." Understatement.

"By the time they're done with you, you'll have all the experience you need. Feel free to knock her teeth down her throat. I don't want to see her again. When you're finished, get this junk out of here."

By the Crushing Depths, no! Kita threw herself into the man next to her, knocking him over. She spun and kicked the other man in the crotch. Someone grabbed her from behind. Kita kicked her legs up into the air and drove her heel into his groin. She dropped to the floor and landed on her stomach.

"Arcee!" Kita screamed as another man grabbed her leg. She rolled on her side and kicked at his hand.

Arcee transformed and leaped into the air. She fired at two men, her cannon shells blasting through their chests. She landed next to the man who had Kita. Arcee grabbed him by the head and slammed it into the concrete floor.

The leader and rest of his men ran out of the warehouse. Arcee ran to the warehouse divider door. She returned to Kita shaking her head. "Sorry, Kita. They got away. Are you ok?"

Kita threw her arms around Arcee and hugged her tight. I will not cry. I will not cry. Nothing happened. It's just adrenaline. I just need to let it clear my system.

Arcee put her arms around Kita. After a few deep breaths, Kita didn't feel so overwhelmed or on edge. She snuggled against Arcee's black metal midsection. It was layered like armor and was warm.

Kita let out a long sigh of relief and contentment. She looked up at Arcee, who comically craned her neck down so she could look at Kita as her blue eyes glowed brightly.

"I'll be ok. I just have to let the moment pass and let me regain my equilibrium. I'm sorry. I don't mean to hug you to death."

Arcee chuckled and stroked the back of Kita's head. "I don't think you could crush me. I'm glad you feel comfortable enough with me to find solace."

"I'm not too much, am I?" Kita said worriedly.

"Of course not. I'm impressed with how you handled the situation. I don't think I would handle being offered as unwilling gratification so well, especially in the presence of so many."

"In my head, I wasn't so calm, but I also knew I had you. I wasn't alone. I just wish I could have talked my way out of it."

"You offered what you could. I'm surprised you didn't offer us."

Kita gasped. "Why would I do that? I wouldn't sacrifice you. I'd sacrifice myself first."

Arcee's eyes dimmed.

"Arcee? Are you ok? Did I say something wrong?"

Arcee's eyes brightened.

"No," she whispered. "I...It's been a long time since anyone has ever shown me that level of commitment."

"I think you're great." Kita hugged Arcee.

"I think you're wonderful, too," said Arcee.

Ratchet and Bumblebee rolled over.

"Shouldn't we be leaving?" said Ratchet.

Kita lifted her head. "In a minute. I want to know what's in this shipping container."

"Ratchet and Bumblebee, watch the entrances," said Arcee. "If the humans come back we'll retreat out the other exit."

As Ratchet and Bumblebee went to the warehouse entrance doors, Kita let go of Arcee and led her to the shipping container.

"Can you smash that?" said Kita pointing to the bright shiny lock on the door.

"No problem." Arcee grabbed the lock and pulled it apart.

Kita flipped the lock latch, twisted the handle, and pulled open the door. Inside, where stacks of wooden boxes. There was a two-foot gap along the near wall that led to the back.

"What's in the boxes?" said Arcee.

"I dunno, but it must be important. Grab one and let's find out."

Arcee took down a box from the stack and set it on the concrete floor. Kita tried to open it and pulled at the wooden lid.

"I, ah, don't want to break a nail. Can you?"

Arcee chirped laughter as she dug her metallic fingers in between the lid and box. She pulled the lid and nails out with ease.

Kita pushed aside the paper strip packing material. "Whoa," said Kita as she pulled an AK-74 out. "No wonder he wasn't interested in parts."

"It's a weapon of some kind?" said Arcee.

"Russian AK-74 assault rifle. A very prolific firearm sold around the world. If there's fighting going on somewhere in the world, you can bet these are involved." According to the movies. Kita checked the receiver and found a spot that looked like someone had ground something away. "Serial numbers are missing. Definitely a gun runner."

"A what?"

"Unlike you, humans don't come equipped with cannons. We make them, and they get sold around the world. A gun runner is someone who does it illegally."

"Why?"

"Money is the main reason for small guys like this. You'd have to ask the EUS government why they do it. They're the biggest gun runners in the world, and they don't like competition. Let me have a look at what's in the back."

Kita shuffled down the narrow gap. "Found some smaller boxes. Says NATO 5.56 mm rounds. So, buy the guns, get the ammo. I bet that's the real money maker, selling them ammunition." Kita moved all the way to the back. A briefcase sat on a folding desk. Kita grabbed the briefcase and returned to Arcee. "I wonder what's in here? It's heavy."

Arcee smashed the lock and Kita hit the latches causing the briefcase lid to open.

"Damn, that's a lot of money," said Kita. "And passports."

She flipped through the passports from countries around the world. They all had the same picture, but different names and information. The currency was from around the world, too. Kita picked up a stack of EUS dollars.

"There must be ten thousand dollars in this one stack, and there are five of them."

"Could it be useful?" said Arcee.

"Ah, yeah, but it's not mine."

"Why not take it? He is obviously a criminal, and he did threaten you."

Kita shrugged. I could do a lot with this and having some cash could help us. Plus, I can get something to eat. "I just don't have a place to put it."

A compartment on the side of Arcee's chest opened. "Put it in here."

"Ah," Kita turned red.

"Something wrong?"

"I, ah, just feel like you invited me to play with your boob."

Arcee laughed. "Hmmm, well, mine are form, not function. They create extra space for functionality. They are not expected to feed a tiny transformer."

Kita giggled. "I'll never be using them for that, but they're good for other things, or so I've been told."

"Like what?"

"An erogenous zone."

"Oh...OH...sorry, I looked it up on the internet. That makes much more sense for design. I wondered why you would make something so permanent when you're only going to use it for a few years out of your life."

"Yeah, otherwise, what's the point of carrying them around?" Like someday I hope to get some fun out of them.

"I can put the money in...if you want," said Arcee.

"No, I'll do it. I'm a big girl." Kita pulled off a few bills and stuck the rest in Arcee's compartment.

Arcee moaned softly.

"What?" said Kita as she jerked her hand back and fell on her butt.

"Sorry," said Arcee as she closed the compartment. "It was too good to pass up."

"How did you know how to do that?"

Arcee smiled. "I scanned all two hundred and five thousand results for erogenous zones. Some are quite visual, and that is the sound many female humans make during stimulation and sex."

"I wouldn't know," said Kita dowerly.

Arcee put her hand on Kita's shoulder and said in a serious tone, "Like I know. All I know is what I saw. There is no judgment, only humor. I'm just as lost about how humans have sex as you would be about transformer interactions."

Dammit. I've gone and made something that was supposed to be funny and light into something awkward and serious and shows how selfish I am. It's not all about me. Arcee's done a good job of caring for me, and she hasn't had to. I screwed it up again.

"I'm sorry," whispered Kita as she looked at the ground and frowned. She sat down hard against the shipping container.

"Kita! Don't act like I hit you. I was telling you the truth. I want you to understand what we don't know about each other goes both ways. We both have a lot to learn. I have a bit of a head start because of the time I spent with Mike, but he was male and spent most of his time with Ratchet. I know you're insecure about certain parts of your life, and that is natural. I just hope that you trust me enough not to get defensive about them with me. I want to support you, not tear you down. Understand?"

Kita grabbed her head and leaned forward touching her forehead to the floor. Why does she stick with me? Why doesn't she hate me?

"I didn't know you were that flexible, Kita," said Arcee.

Kita sat up. "Why don't you hate me? I'm absolutely miserable."

Arcee chuckled. "Ratchet is miserable to be around. You just need time to find your way. You're young. I was young once. I understand what it's like. Really, I don't find you miserable, just charming and amusing."

"Glad I can amuse you," Kita grumped.

"Your antics are quite over the top and fun to watch. It's interesting to see where your mind goes. Nowhere I would have predicted. Just know I'll never hate you, no matter what you do."

"I think you're a glutton for punishment."

"Who are you punishing? Certainly not me. If anyone is a glutton, it is you. You do it repeatedly to yourself. And, for what? You know I'm not going anywhere. I won't get mad. I know you have confidence, I've seen it. We have money. I can get you laid if you want."

Kita sputtered, then laughed. "No. I don't want that to be my first time."

"Than what do you want to be your first time?"

"When I was in high school I had an entire fantasy that involved hot tubes, candles, and a big soft bed. Now, I'd settle for my bed with someone who cares about me. Even the last part I'm beginning to think is optional."

"I care for you," said Arcee. "And I know others will, too."

Kita sighed. "Yeah. Someday."

Arcee stood up and helped Kita to her feet.

"So what do we do with all these weapons?" said Arcee.

"I'm definitely not letting that asshat have them," said Kita. "Can you blow them up?"

"None of us have that capability, at least not internally. We would have to find explosives."

"Guess I could phone it into the police, but we don't want to be anywhere near this place when they arrive."

"Why not?"

"Word about the highway patrolman has to have gotten out. They might have left the part about you out, but not me and not the motorcycle. We need to be careful driving around town. That Indian is noticeable. Maybe we can fit you in the back of Ratchet."

Arcee frowned. "Or, we can just change our disguise."

"You can do that? Right. Yes, of course you can."

Arcee chuckled. "What do you want?"

"I get to choose?"

"You're the one who will be riding around on me. Why not?"

"Anything?"

"Anything my frame will fit. So, smaller things. Motorcycles work best. Do you have anything in mind?"

Yes, but...

"Ah, yes, but it's your body. You should get to pick."

Arcee put her hands on her hips. "Kita..."

"I know, but what I want is like the complete opposite of you."

"How do you know?"

"You chose that classic Indian look. Deep curves with classic cruiser styling...it looks great, I love it, but it's not what I'm into, and I don't want you to not be you. You can choose another Indian style, or there's Harley-Davidson or BMW. All of them make great cruiser motorcycles."

Arcee bent down at the waist to be eye level with Kita. "For your information, I didn't pick that model, Mike did. It's what he wanted. Anything you pick will be much more my style."

"But, I don't want it to be my style. I want it to be your style."

"I'm flattered, but nothing on this planet is my style. I want you to be happy and comfortable. So spit out what you want."

Kita bit her lip. "A Kawasaki Ninja H2R."

Arcee's eyes dimmed.

Kita frowned. I knew she wouldn't like it. I should have gone with a Harley.

Arcee smiled as her eyes lit. "There's one at a dealership down in Big Surf. Nice choice. I'll look good as it."

"Are you sure? We can get a Harley."

"Are you saying you'd rather me be a pig than a rocket?"

"No! I just want to make you happy. Not just me."

"Aren't you sweet?" Arcee chuckled. "I'll be sleek and sexy as this Ninja. That's what I want. Isn't that what you want me to be?"

"Yeah. It looks awesome, and it goes fast too."

Arcee laughed. "Wait until you see what I can do as it. I'll take supercharged to the next level. But, one question for you."

Kita looked sideways. "Ok."

"Will I still be beautiful?"

"Of course. I mean, you were beautiful when I first saw you, but now that I know you, you're gorgeous."

"Flattery will get you somewhere." Arcee winked.

Kita's face flushed.

"Let me get Bumblebee and Ratchet back in here, and we can travel down the coast."

Kita nodded.

Bumblebee and Ratchet rolled up and transformed.

"After two run-ins with the natives, we need new disguises," Arcee told them. "Kita and I have found a new one for me. You two need to find your own. Bee, once you find one, your mission will be to find us a new safe house. Ratchet, continue updating your energon converter schematics. Once you have a parts list, pass it to me, and Kita and I will work on acquiring what we can. If the parts are big, we might have to meet you so you can transport them."

"Rules of engagement?" said Bumblebee.

"Evade as best you can. You're not known to the police so you shouldn't have any trouble with them and we'll be gone if our gun runner friends return."

"And Barricade?"

"If he finds any of us, try to outrun him. I know traffic out there is bad, so if you can't, contact the rest of us and we'll ambush him."

"We're supposed to blend in, not make a scene," said Ratchet.

"We will do what is necessary to find the Matrix of Leadership," said Arcee. "We will do it as stealthily as possible, but if it means making a scene to find it, then we will do it."

"What happened with the police?" demanded Ratchet.

"I will brief you later. They're looking for Kita and me, not you. Now, let's go. Kita, can you call in this weapons cache?"

"Sure."

"Good. Then we'll leave."

Kita pulled out her phone, looked up the address on the map, and then dialed 911. "Hello, operator?"

"What's your emergency?"

"I'm at 1533 Barrot street, and I found a shipping container full of weapons."

"Do you know who they belong to? Any markings?"

"No.

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