From Within The Sand (Sunstreaker and Sideswipe Bayverse)

Chapter 18

"Sunstreaker?" I carefully poke the golden bot.

My shift ended twenty minutes ago, and Sunstreaker is still asleep. I'm still trying to figure out how he could sleep standing against the wall. I mean if he's anything like us soldiers, we can sleep anywhere. Just more we have in common. He has yet to budge. I may have to turn to something more drastic. I don't want him freaking out on me. Even though I am already dead, I still don't feel like dying a second time. As I'm about to try poking him again, his silver twin comes racing around the corner.

"Sideswipe!" I cheer as he slides to a stop in front of us.

"What's wrong with him?" Sideswipe's smile turns to confusion as he points a digit at his brother.

"He's asleep and I can't get him to wake up." I tell him, shrugging my shoulders.

"Here, let me try." He shoos me out of the way and skates in front of Sunstreaker, "Sunny, there's a scratch in your paint!"

Sunstreaker jumps, his servos go to his chest and his optics jerk all over his body, "Where?!?!" He shouts, frantically looking for any kind of mark.

"Oh good, your alive." Sideswipe says nonchalantly, trying not to laugh.

"What the frag, Sideswipe?" Sunstreaker shoves his brother, causing Sides to almost fall over.

"Your fine. Calm your titties." Sideswipe dusts himself off and skates close, but not too close. I try not to bust out laughing.

"When was the last time you slept properly, Sunstreaker?" I ask, hoping to get him not to cause his twin more harm.

"I get enough recharge." He growls under his breath, barely glancing at me.

"If you did, you won't be recharging against the wall." I cross my arms and glare at him.

"I wasn't out that long. I'm fine." He waves me off.

"If you say so." I mumble looking away. "Did Ratchet just release you, Sideswipe?"

"Yep. I passed with flying colors." He says happily.

"How's Optimus?" I ask him. Not bothering to look at Sunstreaker.

"Why don't you ask him yourself?" I look up to Sunstreaker and see him looking down the hanger.

Optimus is taking long strides down the center. His head held high as he moves. His servos in fist at his sides, swinging back and forth as he comes to the center of the hanger. The last time I saw him I was sitting on his chest, his spark exposed. Looking at him you would never have known he was down for the count about 12 hours ago. I'm surprised Ratchet is letting him out of the medbay. There must be something going on. Everyone in the room is watching him walk past. I can't help but look underneath his chest plates. At the spot I pressed my hands against. There isn't any handprints, but there is a slight color difference. I hope everyone brushes it off. Like maybe it was from when they got zapped. Jazz and Ironhide walk over, meeting Prime in the middle.

"Any news on the Decepticons while I was out?" Optimus asks his leaders in his absence.

"Nothin', an' there ain't no sighs of Barracade or the cons that were with em. It's as if they vanished." Jazz reports.

"It's not like Megatron to pick up his minions. Especially the dead ones." Ironhide snorts.

"I don't know what his plan was with the orb. But we need to be weary. Two were created. Megatron will be on the lookout for the second. We must find it first." Optimus decides.