Transformers Prime: Before the Chaos, There's a human

Chapter 6: Sick Day

It's another hot day in the Nevada Desert. An army green helicopter flew high in the sky above, unbothered as they traveled. Agent Fowler and Heidi sat inside with Agent Fowler flying the helicopter. Instead of her normal comfy clothes, Heidi was wearing business-like attire. Her hair was loose and messy as she stared out the window. Her body ached from exhaustion more than ever. Her eyes were droopy along with the bags under them. Her head pounded and her stomach swirled. Agent Fowler, glanced at her, a bit worried for her well-being.

"You doing alright, kid?" Agent Fowler asked. Heidi glanced at him, nodding before a cough escaped her. Agent Fowler narrowed his eyes and looked ahead, thinking as Heidi continued to stay silent, leaning back in the seat.

"I'm sorry about earlier today." Agent Fowler said. Heidi glanced back at him, annoyed as she remembered.

"You mean when one of the generals kept insulting me during the meeting? The same one who's been picky with the bots since the first couple of meetings this month? "

"Yeah. He was out of line and annoying to me too. It probably doesn't help that you're not feeling great either though." Heidi growled, rolling her eyes.

"...Are you sure you can go in? I'm sure the bots could-"

"Fowler, I'm fine. I just...need a minute, that's it." Heidi excused, sniffing and hoping to drop the conversation. Agent Fowler sighed as the muffled chopper blades became the only sound. Soon enough, they started closing in on the base.

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Ratchet detected their signal with Cliffjumper nearby and excited. Everyone was doing their own thing in the main room whether talking or playing lob ball. Optimus stood nearby Ratchet٫ looking over some reports on a large tablet.

"Oh yeah! Heidi's back." Cliffjumper cheered. All the bots looked at them, seemingly a bit peppier. Bumblebee walked up to Cliffjumper, buzzing in delight as they high-fived. Arcee was nearby, a small smirk coming across her face then.

"Oh really? I hadn't noticed." Arcee teased, glancing at the beeping screen. Cliffjumper chuckled, glancing back at her before returning to the console. On the screen, a video feed played Heidi and Agent Fowler exiting the helicopter. Heidi seemed a bit more sluggish than usual and something felt... wrong with her. The normally vibrant girl wasn't as vibrant. Cliffjumpers smirk vanished then, turning into a more suspicious look.

The elevator beeped multiple times, beginning to come down into the base. All the bots circled Optimus who stood near the elevator, waiting. When the doors opened, Cliffjumper's suspicion grew. Agent Fowler and her walked out, going near the railings. Heidi put on a tired smile, trying to hide her exhaustion from the bots.

"Prime." Agent Fowler greeted. Optimus leaned down, making eye contact with Agent Fowler and Heidi. However, Heidi broke eye contact, looking down at herself as she tried to hold in a cough. Her smile disappeared into a resting smirk as Optimus spoke.

"Special Agent Fowler. Heidi. How did the meeting go?" Optimus said.

"Went fine. Hopefully, it'll be the last one for a while." Agent Fowler said, glancing at Heidi. Heidi nodded before walking away to the human area. She sat down between the couch and the table with her backpack. She then scattered her school books and supplies out onto the table before beginning to work with a sigh.

The bots watched, now joining Cliffjumper in his suspicion. Arcee and Cliffjumper glanced at each other, nodding. They both knew it and could see it. Something was wrong with Heidi. After a moment, Heidi took out her hearing aids, focusing completely on her work. After witnessing that, Agent Fowler warily turned back to the bots.