Of This Life and the Next

Chapter 32 : Putting Out Fires

Location: Diego Garcia- A.R.K Ship

Briefing Room 1

Time: 1:00 P.M

“I’m warning you Lancer…if I ever see your mechling near my femmeling again, I’m gonna-”

“Do nothing.” Elita interrupted firmly. In her hands was her own mechling and the bottle he was currently feeding from.

Said infant was side eying the assembled group as he ate and enjoyed the show as always.

‘It’s times like this I really miss popcorn.’ Sam thought as he downed his Energon. At the moment, his attention was locked on Kup, who was fuming in anger. Literally.  Strands of steam rose off the old mech as he glared at Wedge who stood safe besides his mother, arms crossed and looking completely unfazed at the older mech’s aggression.

It was at that moment, that Wedge decided to voice his annoyance, “Uh, just a reminder…he tried to attack me a couple of joors ago, so…why isn’t he in the brig?”

“Wedge, please…” Lancer hushed. One could tell from her tone that she was exhausted from her son’s antics and abrupt change in attitude. That and she was still reeling from the news of what Wedge had attempted to do with Lightbright…

Wedge however, seemed adamant to keep stroking the fire, “He’s a grown mech trying to pick a fight with a youngling.” He taunted.

Kup’s hands clenched as he struggled to keep himself in check, “You have a lot of nerve to act innocent when I and multiple others saw with our own optics what you were about to do to my little femme!” Kup pointed a finger at Lancer, “You better teach your mech to keep his hands to himself!” He growled before pulling Lightbright in closer and shielding her from Wedge’s view.

Lancer placed a hand on Wedge’s shoulder, “I assure you, Kup…Wedge and I will have a serious talk about this.” She sent her son a pointed look before turning to the silent Primes, “I really don’t think there’s any need to press this any further…” The orange and purple femme nodded in Lightbright’s direction, “By the looks of it, Lightbright can’t take much more of this.”

Sam’s optics went to the femme standing beside her father, rubbing her arm in embarrassment. He knew that feeling. As much as he missed his human parents, Sam couldn’t say he missed their habit of humiliating him, either on purpose or by accident. Judy’s inebriated claims to the college girls on Sam’s moving day was by far, his worst experience to date.

Sam shifted his gaze to his femme creator and paused in his drinking to whirl up at her. Thank Primus neither she nor Optimus had done anything to ruin his young reputation, and it was unlikely they ever would, thanks to their calm and professional demeanor.

Speaking of the top mech, Sam watched as Optimus took a step in the feuding parents’ direction, “I agree with Lancer. I believe this has gone on long enough.” Optimus turned to the aging Wrecker, “Kup, I understand why you are upset, and I know you’re hoping that I will forbid Wedge and Lightbright from seeing each other, but I’m afraid I cannot and will not do that. It’s an irrational and near impossible order to enforce.” Kup made to interrupt, but Optimus put up a hand to silence him, “As I’ve had to tell Ironhide recently; We cannot dictate every action our younglings make. The only thing we can do is advise them and believe they will make the right choices. In this case,” Optimus looked at the two younglings, “I can only ask that you two don’t rush to grow up. Enjoy your youth now, rather than chase it when you are older.”