Transformers: The Cross

Chapter 5 - Meet the Family

     Detail was something I couldn't absorb like I had with Bumblebee. They were all transforming at the same time, and much too fast for me to see everything at once. But here and there I managed to catch a swiveling torso and several limbs sprouting from nowhere.

     When all the machinery stopped and every bot was on two legs, I tried my hardest to keep myself from falling again. I couldn't even put into words how strange it was to actually be here, in front of these...people...after so many times watching them from a screen. I'd only had a panning camera's view then; now I had the whole atmosphere. 

      Involuntarily, I took a couple of steps back, trying to contain the massive view in front of me. My mouth was held slightly ajar as I observed the first bot in my sight. It was a task just trying to process how incredibly tall and broad he was. He gracefully (as gracefully as a robot could) rolled his neck and shoulders, a rush of air hissing out as he did so. His limbs were thick, built with layers, meant to take on heavy damage. His armor was decorated with wicked flames like my jacket, arcing along his arms and legs in alternating colors of red, orange, and blue. To my satisfaction, he looked even better than every time I'd seen him before.

     Optimus Prime returned my stare with his own calm and calculating one. His eyes narrowed, and his head tilted slightly to the side, almost giving me an 'I know you,' look.

     But that was impossible. I wasn't even supposed to be here. 

     "Who's the runt?" A deep, gruff voice sounded, interrupting my moment of awe.

     My eyes shot over to the former Topkick - Ironhide - who was glaring at me suspiciously. The nostrils on his bull-like nose flared and his arms were crossed over his bulky, black frame. He was sporting the classic 'tough guy' look. I crossed my arms, but couldn't muster an intimidating stare even close to the one he was giving me.

     "This had better be important, Bumblebee," he continued, still looking at me. "I was in the middle of a class."

     "Class?" Someone snorted from my left. It was Ratchet. "The poor fleshlings barely come out functional from your torture sessions."

     "Well, how else are they supposed to kick aft without gettin' their afts kicked first?"

     Ratchet grumbled something under his breath - something about Ironhide's ridiculous logic - an irritated look grafting onto his neon-colored face. His eyebrows furrowed deeply as he shifted his attention to something on his left arm, most likely a scanner or something of that nature. The medic grunted as a holographic beam shot out and glided over Bumblebee's legs; he shuddered uncomfortably.

     "Improvement," Ratchet muttered. "Tibulens are a bit strained, but remarkable improvement."

     Of course I had no idea what a tibulen was, but I assumed it had something to do with the way the yellow bot was constantly stretching and flexing his legs.

     Legs.

     I paused, the word triggering a memory of an explosion; I cast a glance at Bumblebee. He seemed fine, and according to Ratchet, already on a promising road to recovery. But still...I remembered that it was a pretty intense blast from...

     Oh, God.

     I swallowed, and shut that thought down, not even wanting to go there. My mission was to get through these guys, then go home. Somehow. 

     "And it feels so good," Bumblebee sang cheerfully, bouncing on his feet.

     "Yes, yes, now quit before you do anymore damage." Then he peered and tapped at something on his wrist, an expression of utter absurdity forming on his face.