chapter 4: Preparation complete

It had been a few months since Sam Witwicky actually started preparing for the storm that was to arrive. He could tell everything would shortly come tumbling down: the Autobots, the Decepticons, the AllSpark, and, finally, the great fight over Earth. For the time being, however, he kept up an appearance of normality. He went to school, did his homework, continued to improve his inventions and create new ones with Alfred, and acted like an ordinary teenager. Well, as ordinary as a genius teenager with knowledge of an alien invasion could be.

Despite the effort to fit in, Sam had noticed that he was being watched. There were two distinct entities keeping tabs on him. One was the Decepticon, Barricade, always in the dark, observing but never directly engaging. Another one was Bumblebee, which Sam knew was an Autobot and his future protector, Sam wasn't sure how much they knew about him and how they discovered him because he never posted his grandfathers glasses on ebay, but for now, he played dumb, acting oblivious to their surveillance while also monitoring them. 

The amount that Sam and Alfred had done over the past few months was more than he had ever dreamed of. They had successfully accomplished the project nano tech inspired by tony stark from "Iron Man"; there was a new and better Alfred since his systems had been upgraded to make him more efficient, powerful, and self-aware. He had finished the suit style suit, that was nano tech suit, but he still needed to make A few more tweaks before he would be ready, once and for all. 

He sat on the rooftop of his high school and watched as clouds went lazily across the sky, listening to a voice familiar inside his ear-the AI companion through an attached small earpiece he'd designed himself. The warm Californian sun cast a blanket of gold over the school and lengthened the shadows into long fingers, as the day drew toward its end. Then, Sam was on his feet and leant against the wall of the rooftop entrance, drawing a small earbud from his pocket and tucking it into his ear and tapping it twice.

"Alfred, you there?" Sam asked in a hushed tone, his eyes scanning the sprawling school grounds below.

"Of course, sir," Alfred's voice chimed in his ear clear and crisp, "monitoring your vitals, local traffic, and current weather patterns. I must say, it's a rather splendid afternoon."

Sam smirked. "Glad you're keeping busy.'"

"You've been awfully quiet today, sir. Dare I say, reflective?" Alfred's voice came through the earpiece, his British accent carrying in it a note of curiosity.

Sam smiled wryly. "Yeah, I suppose so, Alfred. Just thinking about everything we've done these last few months."

"You know," Sam said, his voice reflective, "we have come a long way since that first day. Who would have thought we'd be building an create nano tech?"

"I would say the potential was always there, sir," Alfred returned smoothly. "Though I do admit, your progress has surpassed even my most optimistic calculations."

Sam grinned. "Thanks, Alfred. Couldn't have done it without you."

"That is quite flattering, sir, but unnecessary. You have the mind of a genius. I'm merely your assistant."

Sam leaned back onto the rooftop entrance, looking at the sky. "You know, I've been thinking and i also wanted to talk to you about something."

"Oh? Does this involve that rather hazardous contraption you've been working on in the lab?"

"The suit?" Sam said, smiling. "Yeah, sort of. It's almost done. But that wasn't what I wanted to talk about, anyway."

Alfred's voice was a purr of interest. "Do tell, sir."

Sam took a deep breath. "I've been thinking. I want to build you a body. A physical one. Something you can actually interact with the world through, not just be stuck in my systems or a screen."

There was a slight pause on the other end. When Alfred spoke again, his normally even tone had a note of surprise. "Sir, I am deeply touched by the sentiment, but really, you shouldn't go to such trouble for me. I function as I am quite well."

Sam shook his head, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips."I know," Sam said " but It's not about need, Alfred. You've been more than just an AI to me. You've been my companion, my partner. Hell, you're practically family. And family deserves to be more than just a voice in someone's ear."

Alfred was silent for a long moment, his eyes fixed intently as if digesting the heft of Sam's words, and for the very first time since the beginning of their partnership, Sam felt that he heard the ring of emotion in Alfred's tone as he replied. "Sir, I—" he stammered. "I really don't know what to say. I'm… grateful, more than I can convey. But you have already given me more than enough by letting me serve you."

Sam smiled, a warmth spreading through him. He meant what he said, of course-Alfred had been with him through thick and thin, helping him achieve things most people his age couldn't even dream of. But he couldn't shake off this feeling that giving Alfred a body of his own was simply the least he could do. We weren't just building things together, he thought; we were building a future.

"Come on, Alfred," Sam said, chuckling. "You don't serve me. We're in this together. Besides, I think it's about time you get to experience things a bit more firsthand."

"I must confess," Alfred said, the hint of humor dancing in his voice, "the prospect of having a body does sound somewhat appealing. I shall, of course, leave any questions of design to you, sir. Only, I do hope that it would be something dignified, not too. flashy."

Sam laughed. "Dignified it is. Don't worry, you aren't going to look like some kind of reject from science fiction."

"Then I leave it in your capable hands," Alfred said, with the warmth of a true artificial bond. "Though I would rather advise you to pay more heed for now to more urgent matters. The time for you to get your first car with dad ."

Sam's face turned thoughtful. "I know. dad will be here soon."

The school bell went off, and this time it was more deafeningly than it had at any other moment of the day. Sam tapped his earbud and opened the rooftop door, headed for the stairs.

"Right indeed, sir. Do forget your notebook .you wouldn't like leaving your brilliant ideas behind."

Sam chuckled and dropped the notebook into his bag. "Thanks, Alfred. Catch you later."

"Always here for you, sir," he returned with his smooth voice.

As Sam went down the stairwell, he joined the stream of kids that flowed toward the parking lot. In no hurry, he took his time, already moving forward in his mind to the next phase of his plans. Finally reaching the front of the school, he collided with someone.

"Oh, sorry!" Sam said, twisting to see whom he had bumped into.

The girl before him suddenly stooped down to pick up the books she had dropped. "No, it's my fault," she said quickly. "I wasn't looking where I was going."

Sam knelt to help her gather the scattered papers. "No harm done."

He looked up and immediately knew who she was. Mikaela Banes. She looked exactly like Megan fox She smiled brightly at him as they both rose to their feet, the light catching her dark hair.

"Thanks," she said, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Yeah, no problem," Sam said, a little awkwardly. "I'm Sam, by the way."

"I know," Mikaela said with a small smile. "We're in the same history class."

Sam blinked, catching her off guard. "Right, yeah. I knew that."

She laughed softly. "Well, thanks again, Sam. See you around."

"Yeah, see you," Sam said, watching her walk away. He just stood for a moment, his thoughts racing. Mikaela Banes. Sam watched her go for a moment before shaking his head and continuing on his way. He hadn't expected to bump into Mikaela Baines of all people, but life had a funny way of throwing surprises his way.

"Sir, are you quite alright?" Alfred's voice cut into his thoughts.

Sam snapped back into reality. "Yeah, yeah. I'm good. Just… bumped into someone."

"Ah, yes. a the pretty girl i presume."

Sam just sighed. "you are spending to much time with mom again Alfred."

All Sam could hear was Alfred laughing in his ear. 

As he came out of the building, he saw his dad, Ron, waiting for him. He walked towards his father's car, where Ron Witwicky was standing lazily by the hood, wearing sunglasses and folding his arms as if enjoying the afternoon sun.

"There's my boy," Ron said with a wide grin as Sam approached.

"Hey, Dad," Sam greeted.

Ron grinned at him. "Hey, sport! You ready to go pick out your first car?"

Sam smiled back. "Yeah, I'm ready, Dad."

As they got into the car, Sam leaned back in his seat. "You know, I could've just gone to the dealership by myself."

Ron shook his head, chuckling. "No way, it's a Witwicky tradition, Sam. A father always helps his son pick out his first car, so we're doing this together."

Sam couldn't help but smile at his dad's enthusiasm. "Alright, alright. I'm not complaining."

As they pulled out of the school parking lot and headed toward Bobby Bolivia's dealership, Ron glanced over at his son. "Listen, Sam i know you told your mom and i that you wanted to get a cheap car to work on but me and your mom want you to have a decent car because when i was young i know my dad worked hard but couldnt get me a fancy car but now that our family is doing well i would like to get you a nicer car. We want your first car to be special."

Sam nodded, taking in the meaning of his dad's words. "Yeah, I understand that, Dad, but I don't want anything too extravagant. I'd rather get something I can fix up myself."

Ron smiled- evidently proud of his son. "Guess there is no changing your mind ."

"Nope" replied sam with a smile.

As they drove into town, Ron turned to his son and felt the swell of pride in his chest. Sam had always been a smart kid-brilliant, even-but what made Ron most proud was how humble his son remained despite his intelligence. All the things that Sam had accomplished-most people wouldn't have done those things in a lifetime-and he never acted like he knew it. He was down-to-earth, and that was what Ron loved most about him.

"You know, Sam," Ron said after a moment of comfortable silence, "I don't always say it, but I'm really proud of you. You're smart, responsible, and you got a good heart. I'm lucky to have you as my son."

Sam felt a warmth in his chest as he looked over at his dad. "Thanks, Dad. Means a lot."

They shared a quiet moment, the road stretching out ahead of them, as they neared the dealership.

The rest of the drive was filled with comfortable silence as they made their way to Bobby Bolivia's dealership. Sam couldn't help but feel a little excited. Sure, he knew what was coming; he had all the knowledge of the events from this universe, but there was still something thrilling about it. Everything starts today and he was now on the verge of being swept up into something much bigger than himself.

But more to the point, he was prepared. Months of preparation had gone into forging the tools he would need to not only survive but thrive in the coming chaos. He had advanced, with Alfred's help, so far beyond his imagination that it was time to step into the world that awaited him.

As they pulled into the dealership, Sam took a deep breath, ready to take the next step.

His destiny was calling, and he was more than prepared to answer.

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