Silence (TFP)

chapter 10

Chapter 10

Things had been a lot happier at the Autobot base for the past few days. Everyone was in a better mood than usual, even ole Magnus. There hadn't been any sign of the Decepticons, but we all knew that they were taking their time in planning something. Optimus ordered that everyone was confined to the base, including the other kids. Agent Fowler had already explained it to their parents, and, unlike their children, they didn't take it too well.

"Optimus, I can't take it anymore! When are we gonna see some action?" Smokescreen complained for the third time today.

Everyone may have been happier, but they were steadily growing more tense. No Decepticon activity was bothering all of us and getting us more anxious by the minute. They could be planning anything while we're sitting here on our butts because of a stupid confinement. We could be patrolling or even scouting for energon. Primus knew we needed it.

"Patience, Smokescreen. Perhaps the Decepticons have parted from their evil ways."

We all knew what the Prime was really thinking. He was just as worried about this as the rest of us. As much as he tried, he couldn't hide his concern of what the Decepticons could be up to.

"Yeah, and I'm Primus," Smokescreen mumbled with annoyance as he stomped back to the training room. Optimus wasn't going to be able to keep up this confinement much longer. Even Ratchet was getting anxious about it. He was working longer hours than usual, almost to where he was working around the clock. It was a pain to even mention that he needed rest. He'd snap instantly on anyone, even me.

My sire was currently at the large monitor in the center of the room, just like any other day. He typed away furiously, hoping to come across the slightest reading. I watched him and stayed by his side most of the time. Sometimes, however, it bored me to near death and I had to go find another way of entertaining myself like reading a random book that was laying around or playing one of the many songs I have acquired over the years on my flute.

I was watching him work with my legs dangling off the side of the balcony when it happened. Everyone immediately dropped what they were doing and looked at the monitor as the alarm went off.

Optimus came over to Ratchet. "What is the situation?"

Ratchet quickly snapped out of his gaze and pulled up the cause for the alert while everyone gathered around. "It's an Autobot distress signal."

"What is the location?"

"An urban area in New York," Ratchet replied. "It's too out in the open for us to go. You could try to- wait, wait, wait...The signal's moving." The signal appeared on the main monitor. Ratchet zoomed in so we could see the signal's location better. "It looks like it's moving out of the city. Very quickly at that. Must be using its alternate form. We could intervene in ours. It doesn't look like there are Decepticons present. Just a frightened Autobot. Whoever it is came out of a stasis pod a couple miles away." He zoomed out just enough so that the pod's location was included on the screen.

"Autobots, I am hereby lifting the confinement. Ultra Magnus and Bulkhead will go take care of the pod. Arcee, Bumblebee, and Smokescreen will accompany me to retrieve the Autobot. Ratchet, prepare the medical bay and standby for communication."

Ratchet had already opened the ground bridge, and the Autobots all left except for Wheeljack and Ratchet. The bridge closed, leaving us humans and the two Autobots to our thoughts. Ratchet left to prepare the medical bay with a simple, "Call for me if something happens before I return."

I watched each Autobot's icon move around the screen.

Wheeljack watched too for a moment before he grunted. "Waste of my time," he sighed. He transformed down into his alt mode and zoomed out of the base. I guess I could see why. He may as well take advantage of the confinement being lifted. Some of us weren't lucky enough to have built in wheels, so we watched and waited, waited, waited.

I hoped that this burst of activity, even though it wasn't Decepticon related, would give everyone at least a small amount of peace. I especially hoped that it would help Ratchet. Maybe he would get more rest. It was beginning to take a toll on him. He was more grouchy than normal, and his optics were losing their bright blue glow. I hate to say it, but he wouldn't take the time to refuel with energon. He was getting slower every day. Even if this didn't give him the peace of mind he needed, I was going to insist he take better care of himself whether he liked it or not. I was brought away from my thoughts as Optimus's voice finally came through the comm system.

"Ratchet, we require a ground bridge. We're returning with an old friend," Optimus said. You could hear the happiness in his voice.

Ratchet had not returned yet, so Raf opened a bridge from his laptop. "It's in the alley just ahead and to the right, Optimus."

"Thank you, Rafael."

The Autobots drove through with the new addition to the team. Whoever they were, their alt mode was a red van. It wasn't the best looking alt mode. No doubt Miko would make sure to tell him that and with more brutality. I rolled my eyes at the thought as I, along with the other children, walked to the railing to get a closer look.

They all transformed and the new one's bulkiness gave him the appearance of a mech.

Ratchet returned from the medical bay, fumbling with the door since he was so eager to see what was happening with the others. Poor bot didn't know they were already back. "Has anything happened while-" He stopped in his tracks as he saw the new bot. A smile crept onto his face. "After all these centuries...You're finally here." Ratchet gasped, seeing that the ground bridge was still open. He quickly closed it before turning back to the new bot. I wished someone would tell us who he was.

Optimus removed his faceplate, revealing a large grin. "You have been missed greatly, Ironhide."

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Very sorry that it took so long.  I blame school.  Anyways, please give me ideas if you have any.  It really does make the writing process go about two weeks faster when I know what I'm writing about and not having to come up with it as I go.  I'm all out of ideas and inspiration, so please help me out guys.  Love ya! ;p