Split

Chapter 3: Questions

Optimus's POV

"Optimus!? We need you back as soon as possible! Bulkhead has been hurt!" Raf exclaimed.

I looked away from Dreadwing's retreating form, "Send a groundbridge."

Seconds later, I was walking back into the base, where Miko was watching in horror from on top of Wheeljack's shoulder as Ratchet tried to fix Bulkhead.

"Hardshell sucker punched the big lug while he was down." Fowler said, holding Miko's arm.

I glared. An insecticon did this to Bulkhead.

"Who?" Miko asked Fowler as I walked past to follow after the others.

I stopped, looking at Bulkhead sadly.

"He'll live."

I looked down at one of them human girls, Rose. She ignored my gaze, watching as Ratchet fussed over Bulkhead's injuries.

"Did you know this would happen?" I asked.

She frowned, "Sometimes bad things happen. But the most beautiful things can come from them."

Then she muttered something about Cade Yeager.

"Is the outcome really worth Bulkhead's near death experience?" I asked.

"More than you know."

I nodded, before looking around. Sulking wasn't going to help Bulkhead, or anyone else for that matter except the Decepticons.

"What did Agent Fowler say about returning you home?" I asked.

"Not much can be done at this point, but Anne and I are better off here than back home. I'm just worried about Kate." Rose replied.

"And the other girl?" I questioned.

"Ellah? I have no doubt she'll face whatever problem comes their way head on and win. Ellah never loses. But Kate is kind of... the opposite of Ellah." Rose explained.

"Are you not worried that your parental units are worried for you?" I asked.

She laughed bitterly, "I haven't been worried about my parents since I was five. The four of us met in an orphanage."

"My apologies." I said, not wanting to have brought up a sore subject.

"Oh you're fine. If it hadn't of happened, I would never have met my friends. Like I said earlier, good things do come from the most unexpected tragedies." Rose told me.

"I will take your word for it then." I said, looking down at the human.

For someone who wanted to bash her best friend's head in, she was definitely a very wise and caring person.

Ratchet's POV

"He'll be okay."

I looked to the side, where Anne was watching me calmly.

"You can't know that. Your very presence could alter the future. The smallest movement of matter could shift-" Anne cut me off.

"Yes, the chaos theory, otherwise known as butterfly effect. I'm not stupid Ratchet. Let me get this straight for you, since apparently you can't do it yourself. Bulkhead will be okay." She said, crossing her arms.

I crossed my own, "How could you know? His condition is precarious balanced between life and death, which could tip either way at any moment."

Anne gave me a look, "Because I said so."

I scoffed, rolling my eyes and turning around.

Bulkhead's vitals were still in the same place that they were before, but for some reason, they didn't seem nearly as worrisome. He would be okay.