Chapter Text
To say that Hightide’s ship was beginning to feel crowded was an understatement but it was the truth even though the ship was accommodated for Hightide’s size. Blades was talking with Blurr while Bumblebee stood next to Optimus and often diverted his attention to Blades with a dreamy look on his face. Smokescreen nudged him and stared at him quizzically before looking at Bee’s object of attention, he snorted as he gave Bee a cheeky grin.
Bee growled as he excused himself as Optimus nodded and continued speaking with Hightide. He dragged Smokescreen to a far off corner and growled. ::Smokescreen you say a word I will wield your intake shut:: the other bot laughed but kept his intake shut
“Who knew you would fall for somebot in the middle of a-” Smokescreen began before hearing Blurr laugh along with Blades “war”
::Welcome to my world:: Bumblebee smirked while Smokescreen scowled
Smokescreen then had a cheeky grin and went over to talk with Blades and Blurr while Bee starred flabbergasted at him. Bumblebee grumbled and went back to stand next to Optimus, the elder bot said nothing of his foul mood but then called everyone to discuss what to do next for their current situation.
“Now things have become dire since Megatron’s invasion of Jasper, Nevada. For now, we must remain secret until we can strike against the Decepticons” Optimus said as team prime muttered in agreement
“Megatron will no doubt try to conquer other countries across Earth” Arcee stated as the rescue bots tensed at the possibility
“Not if we can foil Megatron’s plans before that could happen,” Ultra Magnus said as the rescue bots felt more distressed in their involvement in the war plans
Hightide managed to see the rescue bots unease and motioned for them to head below the ship until they were done talking. Bumblebee saw them leave but the others didn’t seem to notice them leaving at all as they kept talking about battle plans and strategy. It was Optimus who noticed them gone that he paused to search for them around the deck.
“And the rescue bots?” Optimus asked as the others took notice of their absence
“They're fine O.P. they felt uneasy sent them below deck” Hightide informed as Optimus frowned
“It was not my intention to make them feel uneasy about the situation at hand” Optimus admitted as Ratchet sighed
“It’s alright Optimus, they were in stasis for so many stellar cycles. They would feel unease at some point” Ratchet explained as Optimus frowned before turning sighing
“I know old friend, but hopefully they will not be brought into any dangerous conflict between us and the Decepticons” Optimus said as the others felt his concern
Down below the ship’s bunker the bots were currently lounging around or talking as they waited for Hightide to inform them when they were done talking. Blades was still talking with Blurr until the purple bot smirked when he noticed Blades kept mentioning a certain yellow bot.
“So you and Bee a thing or what?” Blurr asked causing Blades to spit out static before flushing a bright blue
“What!? No me and Bumblebee are just friends” Blades quickly said as he blushed darker
“Sure and I’m pink” Blurr teased as Blades groaned in embarrassment
The room erupted in laughter as Blades felt he could offline from embarrassment after a while, everyone was now back on the island and the bunker at the firehouse never felt so crowded.
“We need a new base” Heatwave stated with arms crossed as the others immediately agreed.
“I’ll call Doc” Charlie said as he phoned Doc Greene the humans looked at them before Miko gave a cheeky grin
“So who’s up to play Monster Slayer six?” Miko asked while Jack shrugged
“I call the first game” Jack declared as they went to the common room
While the kids left, Danny, Kade, and Graham declined. The three left to do their own things until the next emergency alarm. Quickshadow came out of her quarters and noticed how cramped it was in the bunker.
“We need a new base” Quickshadow stated making the others groan
“We shall speak about this next cycle, for now, we must arrange patrol routes and where to recharge until we find a new base of operations” Optimus said
Heatwave was about to say something but the alarms began to blare and Chase seemed to deflate as Cody informed him of the emergency through his commlink. “Mr.Petty Paws is stuck up a tree once again” he informed as he transformed and waited for Chief Burns
“Air freshener isn’t going to help with what Mr.Petty Paws leaves inside you,” Heatwave remarked while Chase honked angrily at him
When Chief Burns arrived he and Chase left to deal with Mrs.Neederlander’s cat. Ultra Magnus was very confused and turned to Optimus. “What’s a Mr.Petty Paws?” he asked while optimus turned to face him
“From Heatwave’s reports. Mr.Petty Paws is an organic feline that the humans keep as companions” Optimus informed
“That doesn’t explain Heatwave’s response to the organic’s predicament” Ultra Magnus said while Heatwave snickered
“Mr.Petty Paws leaves his thank you gift inside Chase altmode” Heatwave informed as Bulkhead and Wheeljack gave a look of disgust
“That is disgusting” Wheeljack said as Miko’s laugh was heard at his response
The day was long and when nightfall came everyone made sleeping arrangements for the meantime: Quickshadow and Arcee, Ultra Magnus and Chase, Bulkhead and Boulder, Optimus and Ratchet, Bumblebee and Blades, and finally Heatwave and Smokescreen. Wheeljack took to sleeping inside his ship since sharing a room was never particularly his style. It was the next day that began to get stressing as they were all currently at Doc’s lab while discussing the plans to their new base and where a proper location would be appropriate.
“We should stay close but not too close to the humans” Ultra Magnus declared
“I can’t believe I’m saying this but Magnus is right, I don’t mind humans but remember Silas?” Wheeljack commented as Bulkhead winced at the memory
“Alright, so that leaves Griffin Rock out the equation” Doc said as he crossed the island off the list of possible locations
“The humans could stay here on the island, but they need their own living arrangements” Chase said as June agreed
“Not that I don’t mind spending time with you autobots but being back in a house with things we need is much appreciated” June said as Fowler had no argument
“Leave that to me, I’ve already come up with new aliases for us while we are here and managed to get the kids back in school” Fowler informed as June smiled while the kids groaned
“Thank you William” June said as her phone began to ring, quickly answering it she ignored the shocked stares “Clare Daniels, yes, Oh! That’s great. I’ll be on my way” June said happily as she hung up the phone
“Mom?” Jack began but June waved him off
“William will explain everything, now I have to get going, don't want to be late for my job interview at the hospital” June said as she turned to Heatwave “I don’t suppose you can give me a lift?”
Heatwave nodded and transformed into his altmode and opened the door for Ms.Darby, Kade also went and the three left while Jack was confused before narrowing his eyes at Fowler.
“Just how close are you and my mom?” Jack asked with narrowed eyes as Fowler coughed awkwardly and changed the subject when seeing the map on Doc’s desk
“Here. The autobots can have their base here. I can pull a few strings to get the property and you guys can do any renovations so long as there is cloaking involved” Fowler said as Jack glared at him
Doc Greene enhanced the map and circled the location Fowler suggested, It was away from Griffin Rock yet it was in close distance. Humans rarely go near the abandoned base which made it perfect, and the buildings were perfectly suited to their size.
“This could work” Ratchet began as he and Doc began to create blueprints for their new base while Boulder added his input here and there
The bots began to contribute to their new base while everyone else left for patrol, the kids explored more of Griffin Rock with Cody as their guide.
“So what’s your school like?” Miko asked Cody shrugged
“Well it’s not so bad, I’m still in middle school not sure about the High School here, best to ask when you guys attend the tour tomorrow” Cody said making Miko frown
“Looks like I’m attending your class Cody” Rafael said as he looked over his new alias “I have to do eighth grade. Never did that before, skipped a few grades when I was back in Jasper”
“Well it’s not so bad so long as you’re not late for home period” Cody informed as Rafael took note of that
The four went to the arcade to enjoy what Miko dubbed “their last day of freedom” before heading back to school.