Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The first chapter isnt ready quite yet, but trust me!

I started thinking, what would happen if Barricade was in Prime? Im also writing "Rendezvous" another Barricade x Bee centered fanfic but really wanted to explore this idea separately. This story is going to be more "fluffy" than Rendezvous but of course there's going to be "spiciness". And by spiciness I mean straight up smut because I live for that.

So I ask for your patience and I will see you in the first chapter of "Salvation"

Chapter Text

“Another signal?” Ratchet’s optics moved erratically as information flowed onto the large screen before him. An incoming escape pod breaking through Earth’s atmosphere, and if correct would make contact in approximately 45 minutes. This information was also shared with the rest of the Autobots and humans on base who gathered at the sound of the proximity alarm.

“Who do you think it could be this time? It's getting a little cramped in here” Bulkhead’s concern for space was a privately  shared settlement. After the arrival of Smokescreen, Wheeljack, and Ultra Magnus the humans were having a hard time adapting the base to the Autobots' comfort in a timely manner.

“Forget that, are we doing a rescue or a beatdown?” Wheeljack pounded his fists together itching to blow off some steam. “Come on Ratch you have to know?”

“Actually Wheeljack I don’t know, escape pods have one obligation regardless if a Decepticon or Autobot is in it. We’ll only know once the pod touches down.” Ratchet turned back to the computer typing away.

“To make a long story short Jackie we have to stay on our pedes for whatever.” Though Arcee wouldn’t mind another femme joining the team the chances of a Decepticon being inside the pod was too high for her liking. And if it is an Autobot they would have to get to them before the Decepticons slags whoever is inside. 

Smokescreen was antsy ready to get back in the field after a recent “suspension”. If you asked him, zooming through a few red lights wasn't that big of a deal. “Well what are we standing here for, let's go!”

“Easy Smokescreen though time is of the essence, we must remain patient. Once ready, Me, Arcee, Bulkhead, and Bumblebee will engage with the pod and declare whether they are friend or foe.” Optimus was clear, his voice calming down the multiple conversations going on at once.

“Bumblbee is currently occupied with the children especially since you’re requesting Arcee and Bulkhead’s assistance” Ratchet explained without turning away from the computer.

“Thank you old friend, in that case Smokescreen you will dispatch with us.”

“YES!” Smokscreen yelled, throwing a fist in the air. “Up top!” Smokescreen raised a hand waiting eagerly for Arcee to return the gesture.

Arcee stared at him deadpan, her arms crossed tightly. “I don’t think so.” Smokescreen’s arm fell back to his side but his smile did not falter.

Suddenly the ground bridge activated a swirling vortex of blue and green. On the other side was their destination, a forest resting in the midwest. The central monitor let out another array of sounds indicating that the pod was getting closer. 

Optimus turned towards the team, he engaged his battle mask prepared for anything. The base became a flurry of activity Autobot and humans alike.

“Autobots! Transform and rollout!”

Optimus’s plates shifted and soon a red and blue Peterbilt touched down. Arcee, Bulkhead, and Smokescreen followed their leader transforming into their altmodes. As soon as the last pair of wheels touched the ground the Autobots raced through the ground bridge. Regardless of who was inside that escape pod they were ready, they had to be.

There was a crack in the sky and then a blinding trail of light. It fell deeper into the forest over the bot's heads as they looked up.

“Autobots let's move,” Optimus commanded.

The team trekked through the forest leaves and branches crushing under their pedes. Before them a trail of scorched earth led to a damaged Cybertronian escape pod. The pod itself was empty, no one or no thing inside. But the Autobots knew better than to let their guard down. The occupant easily could have escaped from the pod before they reached it.

“Autobots tread carefully, look for any signs of life.” Optimus said calmly, taking lead in one direction of the forest as Arcee followed behind him. Smokescreen and Bulkhead went the opposite direction hoping they weren't too late.

From a distance hidden by foliage, stood Barricade. His field drawn close to his frame staying undetected. His quad optics watched carefully as the team of Autobots separated. Out of all the planets he had to end up on Earth, typical. Barricade’s options were greatly limited, on one hand maybe Optimus Prime would take mercy on him. On the other he could try to escape, the pod was scrap and this planet was foreign to him. But Barricade was technically a scout and a pretty damn good one. Option 2 was sounding better by the minute. Just as Barricade was ready to transform, the roar of a powerful jet engine rippled through the sky.

A sound so haunting, so familiar made Barricade’s energon lines freeze. Megatron was here.

The forest was filled with smoke and the sounds of blasters. Autobots and Decepticons engaged in battle, their leaders' powerful commands fueling the fight. A yell rang out as a Decepticon landed a precise to her shoulder strut.

“Arcee!” Optimus bellowed, “Ratchet we need a Ground Bridge now, Arcee is hit!”

Behind Bulkhead a Ground Bridge portal opened up and on the other side Bumblebee raced out transforming and landing on his pedes blasters drawn. 

“Smokescreen help Arcee and return to base we’ll be right behind you!” Optimus yelled.

Smokescreen nodded, Arcee leaned on him, her injured arm dangling by her side. The two of them made it back to base Ratchet, not wasting any time to start working. 

Back in the forest the Decepticons were advancing, closing in on the team of Autobots. Bumblebee’s entrance helped but they were simply outnumbered. Just as Optimus was ready to send his Autobots back to base Ultra Magnus, Smokescreen, and Wheeljack came through the Ground Bridge. They fought back taking out Vehicons one by one gaining the upper hand. Megatron was starting to falter but not ready to admit defeat, he could take them all on.

But from the side a single blaster stray hit Megatron in his faceplates. The battle paused, as all were unsure of where the shot came from.

Barricade jumped out of the foliage his blaster raised humming with energy. He let out another shot before any could respond, hitting Megatrin in his face once more. Barricade was covered in Decepticon insignia, his multiple optics glowing a bright amber. But Barricade was not engaging them. Optimus decided in that split moment to back the strange mech up, if he was willing to fight Megatron then there was more to his story. Every Autobot followed suit except for one, Bumblebee couldn’t believe his optics. It couldn't be him, there was just no way Bumblebee felt sick.

With the addition of Barricade and dwindling numbers Megatron ordered a retreat, his own Ground Bridge opening up behind him.

“Till we meet again Prime,” Megatron’s bruting voice rang through everyone’s audials. His optics focused onto Barricade who still had his weapon drawn pointed directly at Megatron.

“As for you Barricade, you’ll be dealt with in due time” There was no emotion in Megatron’s voice and somehow it was all the more sinister. 

As Megatron retreated the ground bridge closed, the aftermath of the battle surrounded Barricade. And so did the Autobots; their battle masks were engaged as they had their weapons pointed at his back. Barricade turned slowly, lowering his own weapon and removing his mask. 

Optimus approached slowly “Identify yourself” he commanded. 

Though Barricade heard him he couldn't focus as his gaze was drawn to Bumblebee. Instead of his normal yellow, Bumblebee's frame was covered in black strong and slim. His large blue optics spinning confused written in them. Barricade was in awe, even after all these decades Bumblebee was just as beautiful as he remembered.

“My designation is Barricade. I come before you asking for refuge.”

“Yeah right.” Bulkhead interrupted his cannon glowing bright.

Wheeljack was next to him still in a battle ready stance, “Dont know Bulk he did shoot Megatron in his ugly mug.”

Barricade raised both his arms in surrender “Believe me, I no longer follow Megatron or associate with the Decepticon cause. This planet is foreign to me, again I'm only asking for refuge.” Barricade never took his optics off of Bee as he spoke.

Optimus took notice of this, “Bumblebee, do you know this mech?”

Suddenly every optic was on Bumblebee as the Autobots turned to him awaiting his answer.

*I-I, well we* Bumblebee let out a sign trying to form his words, *We used to be friends, a very long time ago.* he was finally able to spit out.

Optimus turned back to Barricade, his field strong and steady. “Barricade, you’re a Decepticon who has directly gone against your leader. A feat many do not have the courage to do, my question is why?”

Barricade finally broke his gaze from Bumblebee to look up at Prime. He knelt down on his knee bowing before Optimus.

“I have many reasons for my departure from the Decepticons. I can understand your distrust, I will find my way if I have to but I am more than certain that my demise will be met at the hands of Megatron himself. I have done the unthinkable and will not be forgiven. With that I come before you Optimus Prime”

There was a pregnant pause, Optimus raised a hand to his helm connecting his comm to Ratchet. 

“Ratchet please prepare the Medbay, we have found the inhabitant of the pod.”

*Optimus!* Bumblebee chirruped in protest.

“No no no there's no way we're actually bringing him back to base?” Smokescreen asked in bewilderment. 

“WERE GETTING A CON ON THE TEAM?” Miko yelled at the top of her lungs, her eyes wide as she took in the sight of Barricade walking through the Ground Bridge, a pair of stasis cuffs in his wrists. Jack and Raf stood on the catwalk with similar looks on their faces. 

Ratchet could only pinch his nose ridge, if he had blood pressure it would surely be through the roof.