"I have a bad feeling," I murmured, staring out the car window. My eyes swept the horizon as if something were about to emerge from the mist of time.
"There's nothing behind us," Airachnid replied confidently, keeping her attention on the sky. Her fine-tuned sensors detected no threat. "You're just nervous because of the police. At this speed, they have no chance of catching us. I bet they're still waiting for us to stop at a gas station."
"Maybe you're right..." I muttered. "It's just… I'm used to avoiding problems, not drawing attention."
Airachnid let out a mocking laugh."You should be more confident. I mean... you're the Allspark. It's strange how reclusive you are."
I rolled my eyes."Having these powers is more of a curse than anything else."
She fell silent for a moment, visibly surprised."A curse? Seriously?"
I nodded with regret."When I was younger... it was fun. Doing whatever I wanted, flying, goofing around. I even built a giant slingshot just to launch rocks at mountains for sport. And since I messed around a lot, of course I didn't mind showing off my powers to people back then. And then... envy grew, distrust followed, and betrayal became routine. Everyone wanted a piece of what I am. I've lost count of how many times people tried to kill me."
Airachnid's protoform glanced at me briefly but didn't interrupt.
"Over time, I realized that anonymity was the best gift I could give myself. Living in the shadows, ignored… it's better than watching people get hurt because of me. And since my lifespan is… undefined… watching friends die has always sucked. So I chose to keep my social life to a minimum, say only what's necessary to avoid unwanted attention."
Airachnid took a deep breath, processing it all. Her voice came softer, almost empathetic:"You're pretty lonely, aren't you?"
I gave a crooked smile, letting some of the tension out in a small sigh."Well... now I've got a spider who won't leave me alone," I joked. "Sometimes this planet drives me nuts, but I can't deny it… this is my home."
I stayed silent for a few seconds, then decided to ask a question I'd never asked anyone before.
"Airachnid, if you had my powers... what would you do in my place?" I broke the silence with something deeper than the engine's roar.
She didn't answer immediately. Seemed genuinely caught off guard.
"What does it feel like, having that much power?" she answered the question with another question, almost without her usual sarcasm.
"It's not just power the way you're probably imagining..." I replied calmly. "It's knowledge too, like a bonus. It's like being able to grab any piece of information from an infinite library, you just know exactly where to find it in your mind."
She went thoughtful. For the first time since we met, I saw a flicker of empathy in her robotic gaze. Maybe she was trying to imagine what it would be like to live in my skin.
"If you had these powers," I continued, "over time, you'd start to understand how the universe actually works. The gears that move existence. And where exactly you fit in that grand design."
I paused, recalling some truths I'd rather forget.
"And trust me... knowing too much is unnerving. Not in a good way."
Before the conversation could go deeper, I noticed something on the horizon.
"We're approaching Boulder City," I warned. "Let's slow down. A Koenigsegg revving at full throttle already draws enough attention."
Airachnid reduced our speed, and soon we entered the urban perimeter. I saw people walking briskly, cars stopping abruptly, helicopters flying overhead, some of them military and others models I didn't even recognize.
"Why are these humans so agitated?" she asked, with a hint of disdain but genuine curiosity.
"Some kind of supermarket sale?" I tried to joke, flashing a small smile.
"Super… what?" she frowned.
"Okay, seriously..." I muttered, rubbing my temples."As soon as we find the cocoon, I'm putting together a crash course on how to live on Earth for you."
I stepped out of the car, feeling the tension in the air like in war movies—that heavy quiet, where every sound seems louder than it should. I looked around, absorbing the details, sensing the curious and wary stares. Some were still taking photos of the Koenigsegg, ignoring the evacuation orders. Others ran with suitcases, children in their arms.
"Airachnid, find a place to shift into your human form," I asked, keeping my tone low. "We don't want to draw more attention than we already have. I'll gather some intel."
She nodded and walked off down a random street, probably looking for somewhere to transform without attracting curious eyes.
Meanwhile, I approached a man loading his kids' luggage into the back of an SUV. He looked rushed but alert.
"Excuse me, sir, what's going on?" I asked, keeping a safe distance and a neutral posture.
He turned with some urgency but replied politely. "The government issued a city evacuation. Gas leak, they said. Something serious... risk of explosion." He slammed the trunk shut. "The military's helping get everyone out as fast as possible."
"I see... thank you." I nodded, but suspicion was already crawling up my spine.
A gas leak? It was a plausible cover story, well-structured even. But it didn't stick. The cocoon's energy… it was close. A few kilometers, maybe less. And the military doesn't move this fast for a "leak." This was a cover-up. Someone knew.
Airachnid returned, now in her usual sexy, gothic human form, a visual signature of hers.
"What's going on?" she asked casually.
"I'm almost certain we're in trouble," I said, scanning the surroundings. "This evacuation... it's not about gas. I think it's because the cocoon is nearby. And... that organization probably knows we're here."
She smiled. An excited smile."Will there be chaos and violence?" she asked, eyes gleaming like a kid who just got a present.
"We're not killing anyone, got it?" I said firmly. "But... someone's definitely not getting out of this unscathed."
I discreetly eyed two soldiers walking in formation, separated from the others. Isolated, maybe on patrol. A perfect opportunity.
"I have an idea..." I muttered, knowing it was stupid, but it would work.
Airachnid and I emerged from a discreet alleyway, now wearing generic military uniforms after knocking out and robbing those two soldiers. The tactical vest was a bit uncomfortable, but I still looked convincing. Airachnid… well, let's just say she looked like she'd stepped out of a cosplay catalog.
"Airachnid, your makeup and hair... try to tone it down a bit," I whispered, avoiding eye contact with the soldiers ahead.
She approached a window, analyzing her own reflection with an almost irritating vanity. Her facial features subtly shifted, her haircut shortened, more practical, more military. A solid attempt.
"This should do, right?" she asked with a faint smile.
"That is... if I ignore the two melons strapped to your chest!" I huffed, frowning. "Sorry, but you're terrible at blending in."
She turned toward me, eyes narrowed. Her tone was dry and threatening. "What exactly are you implying?"
"Forget it." I sighed. "We just need to get past the army and reach the cocoon's location. Focus."
I glanced discreetly at the street. A military jeep was parked, unoccupied. Soldiers hurried past, but the vehicle seemed momentarily forgotten. Perfect.
"Since stealth isn't your strong suit..." I muttered with a wry smile. "Let's use human ignorance."
Airachnid followed my gaze and understood immediately."Theft and infiltration in the same day? I'm really starting to like your style."
Adjusting the cap of my uniform, I began walking toward the jeep like it was mine. She followed close behind, matching my posture with surprising precision, even casually waving at two soldiers as we passed.
"I hope no one notices this theft," I muttered, opening the jeep door.
Airachnid grinned with savage excitement. "Hope you've got a plan B ready in case we're caught."
"The plan relies heavily on faith and improvisation."
I drove through the streets of Boulder City, keeping the vehicle discreetly within back alleys and avoiding main roads crowded with troops. The tension in the air was thick, but we still had a chance of slipping by unnoticed.
"Is there a map of the area in the glovebox?" I asked, eyes fixed on the road.
Airachnid raised a brow in disdain, as if my question had offended her intelligence.
I sighed, leaned over, and opened the glovebox with one hand—without taking the other off the wheel. I pulled out a folded paper and handed it to her.
"Try to find a viable route. Preferably one without the risk of gunfire."
She took the map and unfolded it carefully, her violet eyes scanning the lines and curves like she was studying a hunting ground.
"You're reading it upside down," I pointed out.
She flipped the map with an annoyed look. "Technical details."
"A tiny detail that could land us in front of a wall of tanks if you take the wrong turn."
She ignored the comment and pointed at the map. "Turn left at the next intersection, then right. There's a secondary trail here. If we follow it, we'll reach the dam in fifteen minutes... and without drawing attention."
"Are you sure? Because you were literally reading the map upside down five seconds ago."
"You are insufferable!" she huffed, arms crossed.
I kept driving, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth. But before we could leave the city limits, a group of soldiers appeared as we turned a corner. One of them raised a hand, signaling us to stop.
"Where are your military IDs?!" the soldier asked, hand firm on his weapon's grip.
I quickly glanced around. At least five of them. All armed. I looked at Airachnid, already bracing for what was coming.
"No killing. Got it?" I muttered.
Her eyes lit up in violet, and a sadistic smile spread across her face.
She jumped from the car with the grace of an Olympic gymnast, landing right in front of the lead soldier. Before he could react, she grabbed his collar, spun him around three times like a ragdoll, and hurled him straight into two of his buddies. The impact was rough—I swear I heard something crack.
The remaining two soldiers raised their guns out of instinct, but Airachnid was faster. She yanked two ammo clips from her vest and hurled them straight into their faces with brutal precision. The sound of the hit was nasty, the kind that screams, "You're spending months in a hospital."
"Airachnid!! What did I just say about not killing?!"
She turned to me with that same innocent little smile.
"I didn't kill anyone. I just made sure they won't be working anytime soon. You didn't specify how to deal with them... technically, I'm still playing by the rules."
I pressed my palm to my face in frustration. "Next time, I'll draw you a diagram."
"Please do. In blood. It'll match the dramatic flair of this whole thing," she said, hopping back into the car like nothing happened.
I restarted the engine and hit the gas toward the dam. Given my luck lately, I was sure things were about to escalate even further.
The road to the dam had been surprisingly smooth. Aside from the constant military presence, nothing unusual.
"Looks like the city evacuation is almost done," Airachnid commented, watching the helicopters cutting through the horizon.
"Any signs of threats?" I asked, already spotting the massive structure of the dam in the distance. "I can feel the cocoon's energy... it's resonating with mine. We're very close."
"Nothing so far… wait." She leaned out the window, eyes narrowing. "Lux... you better hit the gas."
"Why?"
"Let's just say... the Decepticons decided to say hi."
"Wonderful," I groaned. "Let me guess... that Megatronus cosplay guy's here too?"
I slammed the accelerator. Seconds later, the shrill sound of energon cannons echoed all around us. Crimson blasts exploded near the car, forcing me to swerve in sharp zigzags.
"Shit! How the hell didn't we see that damn ship coming?!" I glanced at the rearview mirror, no massive ship, but two aerial Decepticons were tailing us, raining fire.
I yanked the handbrake, sending the car into a violent skid to dodge another explosion. The scent of burnt rubber filled the air.
Airachnid, smiling in a very unsettling way, grabbed my arm. "Hope you're not afraid of heights."
Her spider legs burst from her back, tearing through the roof. Before I could curse her, she launched me and my backpack through the air—straight toward the dam's cliffside.
"WHAT THE HELL, ARE YOU SERIOUS?!"
The wind tore at my face as the ground rushed up at a terrifying speed.
Airachnid leapt right behind me, morphing into her Cybertronian form mid-air. Her weight increased her fall speed, but she reached me just in time, grabbing me before I smashed into concrete. Her legs dug into the dam's wall, tearing grooves as they slowed us down. The landing was anything but gentle.
She set me down.
"DON'T DO THAT AGAIN! I might not die from the fall, but I still feel pain, damn it!"
Airachnid just smirked with disdain, her eyes shifting toward the sky.
Two Decepticons were diving toward us, fast as missiles.
But before she could react, two projectiles sliced through the air and nailed the enemies. The impact was massive, their bodies exploded in mid-air like a twisted fireworks display.
I felt their sparks being absorbed into mine. They were gone—well, at least in the physical sense.
"Who the hell shot them?" I asked, spotting two aircraft flying overhead. Advanced models—I'd never seen anything like them.
"No idea," Airachnid replied, still staring up at the sky.
"Let's not waste this lucky streak. We need to find the cocoon. The longer we wait, the worse this gets."
I sprinted alongside the dam as fast as I could, but of course, Airachnid didn't have the patience. She grabbed me like a ragdoll and tossed me over her shoulder.
"You're too slow," she said, sprinting across the concrete as distant explosions echoed and aircraft roared overhead repeatedly.
Energon blasts and supersonic roars echoed across the sky.
"So… we're just going to ignore the fact that this dam clearly hides a secret base?" she asked in her usual mocking tone.
"I didn't want to point out the obvious. Makes me feel like a dumbass," I retorted, gripping tight to stay balanced.
"And where exactly is the cocoon?" she asked, casting me a sidelong glance.
"Beneath us. Can we go down?"
Airachnid gave that smile, the one that never meant anything good.
"Underground? That's my specialty. But... it won't be subtle."
"Screw subtle. Go for it, girl," I said, fully abandoning the idea of stealth.
She gently dropped me to the ground, surprisingly delicate for once. Then, her metallic spider legs aligned around her body. With a swift, precise motion, she began to spin like a living drill, boring through the dam's concrete with terrifying ease.
I stared into the freshly made hole. The darkness inside seemed to swallow the light.
"This is going to be a long day…" I muttered before jumping in.
The fall was swift. But before my feet touched the ground, a metal hand grabbed me out of the air. Airachnid laughed, catching me as if I were an apple dropped from a tree.
"You're getting used to falling from insane heights," she teased, her violet eyes glowing with amusement.
"Once this is over, we're having a serious talk about you throwing me off cliffs," I grumbled.
Airachnid shifted back into her human form, once again wearing her signature gothic outfit—dark, sleek, and just a little too provocative for a mission like this.
"Gotta say, the goth look suits you. Makes you even more... striking," I commented, watching how her dark style came alive in the tunnel's shadows.
"You've already said you like my appearance. Why would I change something that works?" she replied with a sly smile, brushing some dust off her shoulder with theatrical indifference.
I scanned our surroundings. We were in a wide tunnel, big enough for a pickup truck, but still too tight for her to shift into her full form without complications.
"Now what? Which way?" she asked, arms crossed, clearly impatient.
"Just follow me. The cocoon's energy is stronger now. We're close."
I ran ahead, the cocoon's pulse vibrating through my body like a silent echo. Airachnid followed effortlessly, like she was strolling through a park, clearly bored by my pace.
Up ahead, a group of guards appeared in the corridor.
"Airachnid…"
"I know, no killing," she rolled her eyes before launching into a spinning kick that slammed into the first guard. The poor guy went flying straight into the others like a bowling ball, knocking them down in one brutal chain reaction.
"Sorry, guys," I muttered, stepping over the sprawled bodies. "She does this because she's a goth idiot who likes dark and masochistic things."
We pressed on through a new corridor until we reached a massive reinforced door.
"It looks like a pretty sturdy door," Airachnid noted, analyzing the side panel. "Do you know how to hack this?"
"You serious? Why complicate things? Just break the damn thing."
"Right… forgot I'm way more badass than you," she said, as if she'd left common sense back at the entrance. With a swift motion, she kicked the door with devastating force—blasting it off like a massive bottle cap and sending it crashing into the far wall.
"Ladies first," I said, gesturing for her to go ahead. Not cowardice—just logic. She's bulletproof. I'm not.