Bella really wanted to fire another psionic blast plus Apple combo, but she discovered Shatter's mind was chaotic beyond measure—like a fuel tank about to explode. One tiny spark tossed in now and she'd detonate on the spot.
Better wait.
It didn't take long. She saw the Decepticon insignia on Shatter's shoulder alternating between clear and blurry.
After rapidly flickering over ten times, when the Decepticon symbol completely disappeared and an extremely faint Autobot insignia appeared, Bella felt she'd succeeded!
"You're awake? The surgery was very successful!" She beamed, displaying an extremely friendly smile.
"My leader is Optimus Prime! Human! I won't submit to you!" Shatter's next words stunned her. What? Is Optimus Prime around here? What does this have to do with him?!
"Once I receive word from Optimus Prime, I'll go join him. Don't even think about making me serve you!" Shatter said huffily.
Bella...
After brief negotiations, Shatter decided that before Optimus Prime came to Earth—or before she received word from him—she'd stay at the Charlie's Angels secret base for a few days. She needed to recuperate.
Honestly, Bella was a bit disappointed with this "submitting to Optimus, not to Bella" situation. What even was this?! Had she seriously brainwashed herself into early grandma status?
Who knew when Optimus Prime would come to Earth? And waiting for him to contact you? He doesn't even know who you are!
"Does this Optimus Prime have such a hold on you?" she asked from her flying carpet.
Shatter used a sickeningly sweet tone: "He's the Leader! Cybertron's hero! A carbon-based life form like you wouldn't understand."
So great, huh? Then why were you running with the Decepticons?
For a moment, Bella even considered changing her name—might as well call herself Bella Prime, or have Shaw change hers to Shaw Prime!
She'd done all the work—and Optimus Prime got the credit. This whole situation...
Future problems could wait. Time to head back to base!
Bumblebee had already dealt with Dropkick and was waiting for her.
"Let's go. That one had a change of heart—counts as our friend now." She made a point of introducing Shatter.
She'd originally worried Bumblebee might hold a grudge, but surprisingly, switching sides between Autobots and Decepticons was quite normal. As long as you agreed with their ideals, you were part of the family.
Bumblebee and Shatter weren't close, but they weren't enemies either. Each transformed into vehicle mode and, under cover of darkness, returned to the San Francisco secret base.
Meanwhile...
The human military's casualties were significant, and the entire base was basically scrapped.
But from the military high command's perspective, getting Dropkick's corpse made it a bloody but profitable deal. McGannon Air Force Base was sealed off, and every combat remnant—even a single screw—was categorized and boxed for transport to the Pentagon.
All survivors, including the burly colonel, were called to the Pentagon for questioning and lie detector tests.
The colonel had a soldier's spirit—if you fought alongside me, you're my comrade. Facing repeated questioning from Department of Defense officials, he refused to mention Bumblebee, insisting he'd killed Dropkick himself.
The officials quickly shifted their attention to Dropkick's corpse. An alien body! Think of all the technology it contained! Just thinking about it was exciting!
The small spacecraft Shatter and Dropkick had arrived in was also found, secretly transported away for reverse engineering.
The military was rushing through various experiments, trying to convert the technology in Dropkick's body into Earth technology, then use it to manufacture weapons!
At the San Francisco secret base, Bella and her team were holding a celebration.
Shatter was a bit sulky but still sat with them. In her own words, she wouldn't submit to Bella, but freeloading food and drink was fine.
"Cheers!" Four glasses clinked together, splashing golden liquid everywhere. Shatter also raised a barrel of supposedly mellow, smooth aviation fuel and took a huge gulp.
This was specifically airlifted from New York by Bella through Professor Charles. Most people didn't have access to this stuff!
A full hundred large barrels had been shipped over—theoretically enough to keep Shatter drinking for a while.
Bumblebee was still a kid and couldn't transform into an airplane, so he only got two barrels of supposedly delicious gasoline...
By Bella's estimation, aviation fuel was probably like alcohol, while regular gasoline was more like water.
Kids drinking some water should be fine.
Shaw could drink, but it had no effect on her. She just took a small sip.
Root, Bella, and Charlie Watson drank quite happily.
"Our team is officially established today! With our financial backer's generous support, this will be our base of operations from now on. Our team name is Charlie's Angels! An all-female team!"
"Yeah!" Bella was first to raise her fist.
"Woohoo!" Charlie Watson, as a non-member and team mechanic, also cheered enthusiastically.
Shatter turned her head away, seemingly disdainful of the name.
Shaw and Root had no excited emotions, but under Bella's peripheral gaze, both played along and raised their hands in agreement.
Not understanding what they were doing, Bumblebee—holding his gasoline—also stood up, raising his right arm and howling.
"Down, down, we're all female, you're different from us..." Charlie Watson quickly patted her good friend's leg. Bumblebee scratched his head with a finger, his big head full of confusion.
Bella was team leader. Shaw was main gunner plus vehicle. Root handled logistics.
Shatter counted as external support on loan from Optimus Prime's side—though Optimus Prime himself didn't know he had such a subordinate.
Charlie Watson was young and still had to attend high school, so she counted as auxiliary personnel. She could come do odd jobs and still draw a salary from old Professor Charles—way better than working at an amusement park.
Most importantly, she could stay with Bumblebee. To the girl, this beat all other benefits combined.
Charlie Watson truly couldn't bear to part with Bumblebee. In the movie, the two 'people' had to separate because he'd been exposed to the military, and her family members had entered everyone's sights. They couldn't hide anymore and had to split up. Now there was no need for that.
In their female squad, Bumblebee served as auxiliary personnel plus gunner plus vehicle plus mascot. Maybe someday he'd recover his memories, or Optimus Prime would come to Earth, and he'd leave the team with Shatter.
The Angels took the old professor's various benefits and naturally helped with a couple of jobs.