Chapter Text
The medic bot looks up to the screen with a bizarre smile cracking across his face. Metallic fingers fly across the holographic keyboard in a crazy, mad dance.
“What is it Ratchet?” thunders an approaching voice, rolling off the walls in low waves and sending vibrations powerfully down exoskeletons and bones alike. Anyone who has came across the mighty Autobot can’t help the urge to respect him after one word he says.
“Finally! After days of countless searching within and beyond our area, I was able to pinpoint the exact coordinates of the Decepticon spaceship by finding an exact match of the odd frequency we acquired during our most recent clash with another frequency nearby. Though aware enough to change their ship’s frequency after our encounter, they weren’t smart enough to completely change into a different frequency. Clearly, they thought there was no need to check over their work for mistakes.” Ratchet exclaims with glee.
“Excellent work Ratchet. Ever since Megatron was involved in our last fight and had sworn to hound us down, I fear that we have become short of time to sufficiently prepare for any attacks he may have planned for us.”
Heavy, quaking footsteps shook the underground base, trailing behind a large, brawny Autobot of camo green who made his way to Optimus’s side.
“The Cons are always saying things like that! They’re probably just bluffing again Optimus!” scoffs Bulkhead loudly, raising a voice a little higher at the last part of his sentence.
The towering blue Autobot turns his head away in silence, becoming pensive as his optics flit from side to side.
“Optimus?” Asks Bulkhead more quietly this time, concern creeping up his throat to replace the roaring confidence fuelling his words before.
“As unfortunate as it sounds, I just sense something…different about him.” Prime replies, dragging out his words as if to reflect the uncertainty brewing in his mind.
“And what would that be? Another tantrum before doing some other crazy evil plan that our team is fully capable of ending time and time again?” scoffs the medic.
“I’m sure that over the countless centuries we have fought and worked together as Autobots-no-as a family, my history with Megatron is well known to all of you. I have shared many precious memories with the Cybertronian whom I once considered a very close friend but alas, war can change the hearts of others and turn us into completely different bots. I have spent enough time with Megatron to capture small details about him that occur during specific moments.”
“I trust that this small detail you’ve discovered during our last encounter is something not spark-threatening?” Ratchet gloomily inquires, somehow knowing that whatever their leader says next is inevitably doomed.
“He…he has this look that make his optics seem to shine brighter particularly during moments where he has been…honest with himself. Sincere. His voice also becomes more raw when he’s saying things genuinely, as if they’re coming straight from the spark.”
“What are you talking about?! This is Megatron we’re talking about! There’s no way a tyrannical Decepticon who’s killed thousands and thousands more to come ever had one moment to be sincere about something!” shouts Bulkhead in confusion, torn between feeling anxious about the whole 180 Optimus’s mind must have taken or the impossible thought of Megatron ever being a good guy once upon a time.
“Those were the good times, times where Megatron stood up to oppressors, times where he promised to…” Optimus stops mid-sentence, something bitter and cold biting the end of his tongue as if he was about to say something poisonous. Hurtful. “Where he promised to always be there with me during the ups and downs.”
“I must admit he was always a hard one to read, difficult to understand what he was thinking or feeling behind all that metal. But during those moments… I’ve never seen such clarity on his face when he’s being sincere. It illuminates him, all that emotion pouring out in a short frame of time.” He murmurs softly, his optics pulse a brighter blue briefly as he slowly wanders back in time. Back where everything was peaceful. Back when he knew his closest friend always had his back.
As much as he yearned to go back before the war started, to pray that all the death, chaos and tragedy he has seen was all a horrible, terrifying nightmare, he had to make sure to wake up. Even if it meant going through all of that again to finally reach that dream of peace he always wanted.
Taking a deep breath, his voice returns back to its steady, authoritative state to reassure his fellow Autobots that their leader will always be strong and alert for them.
“Which is exactly why we must take extra precaution. This time Megatron means it and by any means necessary will he see through his goals being accomplished. He could infiltrate the base at any time now even if it meant slaughtering his entire crew to get his energon-stained hands on ours. And that is what I fear the most. The safety of our family.”
A heavy silence hangs in the air as Ratchet and Bulkhead try to process the alarming news in their minds, terrified of this new side of Megatron they have never heard of but horrified at how lightly they had taken the despicable Decepticon’s words. If whatever Optimus has said was true which was painfully correct most of the time, then all hell will be set loose in a matter of days, hours. Or even this very moment.
“Fortunately I have contacted Agent Fowler and requested him to provide human backup ahead of time if Megatron truly plans to attack us. Several human land and air defences are just a mere klicks from this area, surrounding it and in position whenever the time comes.”
“Humans? Why have you brought those fragile, fleshy beings into a conflict zone involving giant alient robots? The moment a Decepticon lifts a finger at them, they will all turn to dust!” Ratchet cries out, his mind scrambling even more at the mental image of tiny, two-legged creatures running around a battlefield full of enormous, powerful Cybertronian weaponry their eyes have never seen, let alone the beings using them.
“We barely made it out in one piece from our last encounter with the Decepticons had it not been for Megatron coming late. Our numbers are few compared to the thousands of Cons Megatron is perhaps already preparing them for battle, just waiting to give the command. There is nothing wrong in being hopeful when all seems lost but it is also a painful regret if we seek to pursue a fantasy. You must know that Ratchet, Bulkhead. You’ve both experienced war and witnessed the countless sparks being shut off from errors that could have been avoided.”
“Please. We need extra help this time around and I see our human allies through Fowler as individuals who fit this category. We’ve already seen the times where Jack, Miko and Raphael have risked their lives for a war that we have shamefully brought to this planet. Although small, they are a lot more capable than they look Ratchet.”
The medic raises his head towards Optimus’s way for a few seconds, studying his expression carefully before dragging out a sigh. Ratchet gives him a small nod of approval before his attention along with the other two Autobots in the room was drawn to the loud screeching of fast-pacing tires and the roar of an engine streaming into base.
A striking yellow Camaro and a blue and pink motorcycle both pull up into their vision. From the Camaro, the deafening whooping and cheering of Miko and Raphael could be heard even through the muffling of Bee’s anti-sound windows. Jack on the other hand got off Arcee to pull off his helmet. He runs a hand through his sweaty dark strands, chuckling tiredly to himself as his navy-blue eyes still gleam with adrenaline and joy.
“Hah! No fair! Arcee could have easily beaten Bumblebee in a race if it weren’t for you two being ‘added weight’ for Bee. You guys were lucky that we even considered giving you a head start.” Exclaims Jack playfully as he watches the other two get out of Bee with smiles running from ear to ear.
“You’re just denying the fact that you lost loser! It’s not rocket science to know that cars are just faster than motorbikes. No offense Arcee.” Chirps Miko, face red from the blood still rushing through her veins from the race.
The Camaro and motorcycle both swiftly transform into their original forms, the sounds of gears shifting and the metallic clashing of sliding metal echoing through the base.
Bumblebee hunches his shoulders and tilts his head innocently at Arcee, an apologetic whirr escaping his voicebox. Arcee scoffs at the yellow Auto-child and rolls her eyes at the act, playfully ruffling his antennas before joining Optimus and the others.
“None taken Miko and Jack’s right about one thing. Had it not been for the head start, it would have been me and Jack crossing the finish line first.” Taunts Arcee, amusing herself at the look of shock on the two children who still can’t believe that Jack and her are refusing to believe that they had won.
Turning her face away from the rowdy youngsters, her gaze fell upon the looks of dread and seriousness of the other three Autobots, causing her own smile from the excitement of the race to quickly fade away. She lifts her optics towards Optimus who was looking even more gravely than the others.
“Optimus? What’s wrong?” Arcee asks with worry, taking another step forward to the blue giant.
Sighing deeply, he replies wearily as hesitation gnaws at his voice box. Wincing slightly at the information he was about to share with her, it pains him to inflict misery to even more members of the team with his own voice.
“We fear that Megatron’s attack will come soon, very soon. I’m not sure how much time we have left to defend this base thoroughly given that it took us three days to locate their ship.”
“And Optimus’s hunch was right, their coordinates are not pretty.” Ratchet adds in grimly. “They’re pretty much hovering around the outskirts of this area, less than a day’s worth of travel if they can find our base and if they have not enforced their cloaking tech.”
Bumblebee’s antennas perk up at the solemn conversation taking place between his teammates, noticing the gloomy atmosphere hanging over their heads with their unanimous frowns intensifying the gloominess further.
Raising one hand towards the humans as a sign of a temporary leave, Bee swivels his head towards the hunching forms of his team. With a curious trill, Bee’s playful cyan optics spin and dilate as he approaches the others slowly, not wanting to disturb whatever they were currently discussing.
But once he came in, no one was talking at all. All of them had tired and worried frowns that seem to deepen with each passing second. Arcee who was laughing and smiling with him and the humans just a few minutes ago has that battle mode face as if she was fighting against a Decepticon right now. Why wasn’t anyone talking? Why do they all look so concerned? Bee shakes his head slightly at the sight of his family, antennas drooping down as he tries to look at each Autobot for answers. Crouching slightly, he lets out a sad and fearful warble. The energetic blue glow of his optics beginning to dim at the eery unresponsiveness of his family.
Out of the corner of Optimus’s optic, a confused and anxious Bee hovers around his team in unsure and small movements, chittering in short and panicky notes. Bee acting like this was unusual and didn’t suit his bubbly and mischievous personality at all. The sight pulls at Optimus’s spark strings, guilt flashing through his eyes at the situation they have-no-he has put him in. Bumblebee was so young, the youngest of all the Autobots here. And yet he has seen the gruesome horrors of war capable of shaking a veteran to their core.
Oh how he loves Bumblebee. He loves him so, so much. He loves his iron apprentice, his own son as the humans call it. Although he cares deeply for all of his Autobots, his affection for Bee was something deeper, more fierce. Could it be the agonising empathy he has for such a youngster involving himself in a violent and cruel time or was it the promise he had made to him far back during the war?
That didn’t matter to him right now, Optimus didn’t care. All he knew was his unwavering love for the young Autobot and it was killing him for not telling the truth to Bee. Even if it meant hurting him, Bee deserves to know and he deserves so much more.
“Bumblebee, as painful as it is for me to say this to you, I’m afraid we can no longer enjoy ourselves a times of peace for the moment. Megatron is closing in upon us and we have to be on guard constantly anywhere at any time.”
Bee releases a dismissive buzz, looking to the other Autobots for reassurance who either look down or turn their heads away from him in guilt, unable to meet his gaze. His antennas droop even lower this time as he lifts his optics to Optimus in a heartbreaking look.
“I’m sorry but this is the reality we are in. We are all victims of a war who are trying their best to survive through it. Can you be strong for me Bee like the courageous soldier I know you are?”
Bee stares at Optimus with a look of longing for peace and disappointment of his happiness rip away all thanks to the Decepticon again. But his sulking swiftly dies out as that burst of spirit and hope shines through his optics once more. To Bee, Optimus was the closest thing he had as a guardian, a father. He will not take the chance to disappoint him. Bee gives an enthusiastic chime of confirmation and hands out a thumbs up to Autobot leader.
In the background, Arcee and the others scoff at the scene or roll their optics in secret. Although Optimus truly does try his best to be fair amongst all the Autobots, they all knew about his not-so-subtle soft spot for Bumblebee. How lucky he was to bask on Optimus’s good side most of the time but that didn’t matter. He was the youngest of the lot and they can’t help but love him as well.
“Is everything alright guys? All of you look super serious and depressed. We’re just worried that something bad happened.” Anxiously asks Jack, his brow creasing with worry as Miko and Raphael follow closely behind.
“Yeah we heard some things from you guys and… it doesn’t look so nice from where we’re standing.” Mutters Raphael, pushing his ruby glasses up his nose nervously.
“Currently we are in a time where Megatron could come at any-”
Optimus’s words was cut off by a deafening explosion from above, causing the base to quake violently as dirt and debris begins to fall onto them.
Raphael and Miko yelp in alarm, stumbling to the ground as Bumblebee and Bulkhead rush towards their side, shielding them with their metal bodies from anymore loose rocks dropping above.
Arcee urges Jack to stand behind her, stretching out one protective arm in front of him.
“Ratchet, activate the ground bridge for the children right now! This is not their fight, this is ours. I cannot put their lives at risk again for conflict their kind are not involved in!” roars out Optimus with urgency, his blue optics flashing an intense blue as energon floods through his metal.