Silence (TFP)

chapter 19

Chapter 19

Third Person POV--Autobot base--December 2114

The past 99 and a half years had been tough on the Autobots stationed on Earth. First, Beta left. Ironhide thought she would come back. When she didn't after a couple of days, he nearly went insane trying to look for her. He'd been a depressed wreck ever since, and he often had random outbursts of tears and fled to his quarters. Everyone was helping look for her. Instead of scouting for energon, they took turns looking for her. And then, their human companions died. They knew it was inevitable, and they knew exactly what happened to them, so it didn't affect the Autobots as badly as Beta's disappearance did.

The only good thing that happened was that the Autobots and Decepticons made peace. The Decepticons even agreed to help in the search for Beta. So far, neither side had seen a trace of her. They feared that some outside force such as a rogue Cybertronian had gotten her.

One day, Ratchet and Soundwave were searching the internet. Ratchet was looking through numerous alien conspiracy websites, trying to find even the smallest sign of Beta being alive. He was shocked to say the least when he found a picture of Ironhide and himself.

"What in the name of Primus?" he asked himself. He was thoroughly confused. The background of the pictures was the Autobot base they stood in now. The only ones with access to the Autobot base had been the Autobots themselves and now the Decepticons occasionally. In fact, he found countless pictures of himself and Ironhide. As soon as he started seeing pictures of Soundwave, he immediately put the pieces together."

"Beta!" he exclaimed. He was about to find his daughter. He just knew it. All he had to do was track down the human who had posted these pictures. Soundwave immediately came over to see what he found.

"Yes, Ratchet, we know. Beta," Arcee said from where she was resting in her alt form near the wall after a long day of searching.

"No! I think I'm about to find her location!"

That got her attention. She transformed and walked over to see what the medic was talking about.

"The person who posted the pictures is Allison Brooks. She lives four hours away."

"How recent are those pictures?" Arcee asked. "If they're too old, you're just following a cold trail."

"They were just posted yesterday," Ratchet answered. Looking back through the pictures, he looked at some more he had not seen yet. One of which was a Ferrari sitting in a driveway. It had the caption, "Jason's 'borrowing' it." "That must be her alt mode. It has to be."

"Wait, who's Jason?" Arcee thought about what how she could find out who he was. "Check Allison's social media sights and try to find out who he is. Judging by how she said that sentence so casually, it suggests that they're close. Could be a boyfriend. Wherever he lives, that's where she'll be.

Ratchet turned his head towards her slowly and showed a look of confusion. "How do you know that? How do you even know a typed sentence is said 'casually'?"

"I'm a femme. And, I had to put up with Jack's ramblings about girls for years. I know how human relationships work."

The medic shrugged it off and did as the femme had suggested. Soon, he found Jason Harvey and his address. He found Beta.

"Optimus!" he called excitedly.

"Have you found anything my old friend?" The Autobot leader walked into the room tiredly.

"I found her, Optimus! I found her!" Ratchet's optics shone with happiness.

Optimus Prime perked up and glanced at the hallway he had just come from. "You are certain?"

"Positive!"

Ironhide and was called to the main room. His optics were darker than usual, and he held his chest tightly. His spark was hurting badly. He thought he was called out to be told that they had yet again found nothing that day. However, the newfound sparkle in Ratchet's optics got him curious. "What is it?"

"Beta has been found," Optimus informed him.

The weapon specialist froze. He didn't want to get his hopes up. "If this is a joke, it's a cruel one.

"Statement: No joke," Soundwave replied.

If it came from the former, scarcely speaking Decepticon, Ironhide knew he could trust it. An immediate grin came onto his face. "Well where is she?!"

Ratchet pulled up a map that showed Jason's address. He pointed to the location. "She's here. However, we have no way of knowing if she's dead, asleep, alive, or awake."

Ironhide took Ratchet by his shoulders seriously. "Don't spoil my moment, you old fart. We need to go to her. Now."

Ratchet laughed, despite the insult. He found Ironhide using human terminology to be very amusing, and a sign that he was coming out of his depression. He looked to their leader for orders. "Optimus?"

"Soundwave, prepare the medical bay. Ratchet and Ironhide, bring Beta home."

Ratchet and Ironhide had to drive a short distance so that the ground bridge portal would be kept out of view of humans. Upon, turning onto the street of the Harvey residence, they were overjoyed at the sight of the Ferrari. However, they wouldn't know her condition until Ratchet scanned her. Thankfully, there were no humans in sight. They'd have to hurry though, an ambulance made people curious. As soon as they pulled onto the curb, Ratchet used his headlights to scan her. He sighed in relief at what he found.

"Thank the Allspark, she's just in stasis."

"We'll have to tow her, to get her back to base, then" Ironhide told him.

"I'll call for a bridge, you pull her in. We'll need to be quick about it."

Afterthey repositioned themselves, Ratchet called for a bridge and Ironhide hooked acable under Beta's bumper. Soon, theywere back at base. Everyone was excitedabout the return of Beta.