Forever Alone: Transformers Prime

Chapter XXXV

Julie woke up sore, her body ached from the training that Micronus put her through, along with the work that Ratchet had her do the night before. "Gosh," Julie cried as she didn't even bother to fly down, she simply walked down the steps before leaning against the rail of the human's platform.

"You okay, Julie?" Ratchet asked, his medical side appearing right beside her.

"Yeah, I feel just great. Like I didn't even sleep." Julie cried out. "Just oodles of fun, man."

"Well, based on the scan I just did, you're completely functional." Ratchet said as he looked at something on his arm.

"So, why did you ask if I was okay, if you simply were just gonna scan me anyways." Julie grumbled as she walked away from him and down the steps of the platform to the floor of the main room, before walking over to where Optimus was working. Optimus turned to them. "The next coordinates are ready."

"There remains one set left to decode." Ratchet replied.

"On it boss." Bulkhead said as he headed toward the groundbridge.

"I'm gonna bring back that key." Smokescreen cried out in excitement.

"Uh, Bulk. Forgetting something?" Arcee asked as Bulkhead turned around toward her. Bulkhead walked over to her to grab the sensor, but Julie watched as she pulled him down to whisper something she didn't quite exactly catch. The both of them ran through the bridge before it closed after them. Julie sat there and watched as they headed out and sighed.

You need to keep an eye on Smokescreen. A voice cut into her head, making her grimace as her head hurt.

"Julie, what's wrong?" Ratchet cried as she saw her hunched over by Optimus. Julie merely groaned. "What do you mean, why do I need to watch Smokescreen?" Julie asked, ignoring Ratchet.

"I didn't say you need to watch Smokescreen, I asked you what was wrong." Ratchet exclaimed as he was studying her. Optimus turned around, away from the database and looked down at her.

He holds the last key. Just as you are a key to the regeneration of Cybertron. Alpha Trion's voice spoke, as there was much order in his tone. You hold the power within to control the keys and link them together.

Julie fell to her knees as she listened to the Prime. "Why does it hurt when you speak to me, Alpha Trion? Is something wrong?"

"Julie!" Arcee cried as she came toward her while Optimus and Ratchet both studied her. Arcee went to grab the girl, but Julie held out her hand to order her to stop. "Alpha Trion, what is going on?" Julie asked.

You are needed, little one. You are needed with the others. There's trouble. Alpha Trion replied.

Julie stood up, before she felt her strength return. "Ratchet, open the last groundbridge coordinates, now!" She hissed as she flew toward the bridge. Ratchet immediately went to the groundbridge controls, but he was hesitant. "What is going on, Julie? Why do you need to go?" Ratchet cried. Julie looked up at him and a growl escaped from her throat. "Open the groundbridge, now. It is not a question, Smokescreen is in trouble." Ratchet opened the groundbridge and she quickly flew toward it, only to find several explosions going off around her, sending her back through. "Julie!" Ratchet cried, but Julie landed against a wall, groaning in pain.

"Ratchet, we need a groundbridge." Bulkhead's voice cried out. Julie sat there as she watched Ratchet power on the groundbridge again and Smokescreen and Bulkhead walked through. Smokescreen looked grim at the moment, but Julie knew she had to get up. She couldn't reveal the information though just yet. She wasn't going to reveal what Alpha told her unless it was dire. Optimus would figure it out soon enough. When she got up, she heard the others talking.