Transformers Prime: Agent Adelaide Parks

Chapter 3

Adelaide typed on her laptop, writing her report for Fowler to send to the higher ups.

She was alone in the cave that was the Autobot base of operations, sitting on the ugly mustard colored couch that Bumblebee had picked up off the side of the road. He had been so excited to bring it for her so the color meant absolutely nothing to her.

The rumble of an engine brought her attention from her screen and up towards the incoming semi truck.

Optimus assumed bipedal form, looking down at the human who sat under a blanket with her laptop on her lap. "Have any of the others reported in?"

"Bulkhead was here about two hours ago. There was nothing so he moved on to the next quadrant," Addie replied as she continued typing.

Optimus nodded with a slightly disappointed look on his face, but he kept his dispair to himself.

"It's a good thing that you're here though. Fowler is on his way," the girl spoke up again.

"Fowler? Is there a problem I am unaware of?" Optimus questioned.

Adelaide shrugged. "Honestly, not sure. He didn't tell me anything other than that he was en route."

"I will stay for his arrival then," Pptimus responded slowly, internally cringing at the thought of the agent coming in with a new complaint for him about his Autobots.

Adelaide glanced up, noticing Optimus staring into empty space. "Take a chill pill, Optimus. He's just a human. You could just flick him if he annoys you too much."

"I would never wish to hurt Fowler, even if I do find him... well, difficult."

"I was making a joke," Addie laughed as she shook her head. "Lighten up a bit."

Optimus frowned at the human girl. How did she expect him to 'lighten up', as she put it. "I do not typically have the time to engage in humorous interaction."

"Well, make time." Adelaide closed her laptop. "Humor is good for you! Obviously there is time for being serious and staying on task, but you don't have to live like that every second."

Optimus listened to her as he sat himself against the wall of the cave.

"Life is supposed to be fun, y'know? If you lose sight of that, is a war really worth fighting? Are you gonna just drop over the minute things get better? I'm not saying that I know the pressure you're under, but that pressure might feel less crushing if you allow yourself to smile every once in a while."

The Prime considered what she said. Perhaps she was right, but he didn't really know what would make him smile. He had lost the knowledge of joy a long time ago, so he voiced his concern to the human. "I have to be honest, I do not know what would make me smile."

"Well, what do you enjoy doing? I already know you don't give yourself free time, but if you had an hour, just an hour, by yourself, how would you spend that hour?"

He thought for a moment before the rumble of a new engine came into the cave.

Ratchet assumed bipedal form and looked to his leader. "Optimus?"

Prime stood up from his position against the wall. "No sign?"

"I'm afraid not," Ratchet declined with a frown.

"Agent Fowler is on his way here. I am not sure of what this meeting is for, but he sent word to Adelaide," Optimus informed Ratchet.

"I'm here, Prime," Fowler called from the ground as he marched towards the two bots.

Adelaide stood up, setting her laptop on the couch. "Fowler."

"Adelaide," her boss acknowledged with a nod.