Hidden Spark on Earth (TFP)

Chapter 36

The next day came and Saphira went to work, along with Jack without any hitch. Saphira still had her concerns, and Jack made sure she was looked after. Their boss didn't seem to notice anything strange with her, which was a bonus. And when their shifts came to end, Saphira made sure to stick near Jack in case there was any sign of Ronan. Fowler had contacted them that morning to inform them that the wrecked car was located, but not passengers or driver to be found. It really made the day sour. At least until they were able to return to the base and wait for Wheeljack to arrive.

Before that, she managed to convince Optimus to drop in at the local hardware store as she wanted to grab a few things. Mostly nails, she also grabbed a level tool, measuring tape and a compost barrel, all of which intrigued Optimus to know of their functions. Saphira told him about them, and he was a little grossed out by the compost. However, as Saphira explained the reason for compost, and why it was just a natural part of a normal ecosystem, he understood. Especially as she used the Amazon rainforest as an example of it, and why the bottom floor was primarily for compost. Optimus still wasn't entirely sure about it, but knowing it would be something she needed for the produce she intended to grow, he didn't argue much. They delivered these items to the shed of the lot and returned to base.

Saphira felt the excitement in the air upon arrival. She went back to her room to grab one of the ramen noodle packets to eat, deciding to dig into them and returned to the lobby to join the others. She walked up to the first-floor platform to sit, watch and wait while the kids wait eagerly, along with Bulkhead who was pacing impatiently in the lobby.

"Wheeljack's ship is approaching the landing zone," Arcee anounced as she watched the monitors with a smile.

Everyone was pretty much watching the monitors except Saphira and Bulkhead, mostly because he was pacing and Saphira was patient. Miko was bounce on her heels excitedly with a big grin on her face, it was like she was waiting for someone she already knew. Though of course it was through Bulkhead they learned about Wheeljack. That bot didn't stop talking about his buddy the previous night, and Saphira was certain he didn't stop talking about him when he took Miko home.

"You think he's here to visit?" Raf asked in an excited tone, glancing at Miko and Jack.

"Maybe he'll stay!" Miko was very hopeful about that and then got very thoughtful about something. "Hmm, have to find his own human though."

Saphira raised an eyebrow at Miko. "You know we're not things they own, Miko. They are as free to be your friend as you are to them. You made it sound so weird."

"I did?" The girl was surprised and shrugged a little. "You're the one who made it sound weird, Saphira. Besides, one partner for each bot. Except for doc bot of course, he's a little too uptight to have a human partner."

Ratchet scoffed loudly and rolled his optics. "I can hear you, Miko." He typed on the console of the ground bridge and looked up at the team. "Ground bridge cycling up." He gasped loudly when the console suddenly sparked, and the ground bridge stalled. He hits his fist on the console and kicked it into gear. "Blasted scraplets! It's been a week and the equipment still hasn't been the same since the infestation!"

Saphira looked at him with worry. "Is that going to impact the use of everything for much longer?"

"Maybe...but we can't be sure. Though you won't need to worry, Saphira." Ratchet turned back to continue working on the ground bridge. "It is our equipment that is still having issues, not yours in your room."

"That doesn't mean I'm not worried, Ratchet. It's a nuisance when things don't work the same. Though if worse comes to worse, building another...uhh...as annoying as it is, might be the other option." He gave her a look that said he would not do that and she understood as Saphira knew that the ground bridge took a lot of time to build. "It's a suggestion anyway."