Transformers Prime: Maximal Revolution

Chapter 9

It was early the next morning that found Optimus walking through the base. He had always been an early riser and took the time to check on the others.

He looked into the Predacons room to find them still in recharge, after everything that had happened yesterday he couldn't blame them.

There hadn't been a lot of room for seven more bots but the Predacons had solved the problem by reverting to beast mode and curling up on the floor together. Skydart, Light Flare and Chibi were on one side of Destiny with Swift Claw, Kitsune and Trickster on the other. The Alicorn had her wings spread over them in a protective embrace.

Optimus moved on letting them recharge, he entered the main hanger and gave a small smile seeing the children laying on the couch in a pose not to different from the Predacons with Jack in the middle who had an arm around Miko and Raf who were on either side of him, all still sleeping deeply.

He wasn't surprised to find Arcee already there, since moving to the base he often found her or Bumblebee or Bulkhead watching over the kids while they slept. Ever since the kids abduction by the Decepticons they had become even more protective, always trying to stay close. Sometimes he even caught Ratchet doing it, though the medic would always deny it.

"Arcee," he greeted with a nod of his helm.

"Optimus," the two-wheeler greeted in return.

"I hope you got some recharge last night."

She shrugged, "After what happened yesterday I couldn't." Optimus nodded in understanding and they stood in silence for a few minutes before Arcee spoke again, "Optimus I still have doubts about the Predacons being here. How can you be sure they'll be safe?"

He was quiet for a moment, "We need to give them a chance. I hope you can trust me on this. Remember they haven't been with the Decepticons like Predaking, right now their young Cybertroians that need help."

"That's 'if' they stay." Ratchet had entered the hanger. "Yesterday they really didn't have much of a choice." Which was true, yesterday they had been hurt, tired and confused.

"What if they don't want to stay?" Arcee asked what they were all thinking.

"As they say on Earth, 'will cross that bridge when we come to it," Optimus answered. Before anyone could ask they heard footsteps approaching and turned as someone entered the hanger. June had returned. "Mrs. Darby," Optimus greeted her.

"Hey June," Arcee said.

Ratchet simply nodded.

"Optimus, Arcee, doctor," June greeted them as she climbed the walkway to the humans area."I hear there's some new arrivals," she said as she checked on the children who continued to sleep.

"News travels fast," Ratchet grumbled.

"I ran into Ultra Magnus before I came in." She went serious, "So. . . what are we dealing with?"

"You remember they survived the explosion as the hidden lab?" Optimus asked, when she nodded he continued, "We're now certain there being hunted by the Decepticons, but Predaking is after them as well. Yesterday he fought them when they didn't except his dominance."

"And Optimus saw fit to bring them here," Ratchet grumbled. When everyone looked at him he continued, "We didn't exactly meet them on good terms."

"The only real fight was between Wheeljack and Kitsune," Arcee pointed out.

"Well. . . Wheeljack is Wheeljack," Ratchet reluctantly agreed.

"They are not our enemy and they don't seem to pose a threat to humanity," Optimus added. "We know the Decepticons are hunting them and we are unsure how another encounter with Predaking will go. They need help and as Prime it is my duty to assist them."