The Power Within - Transformers Prime (2)

Chapter Two

[Amanda]

  "Alright, try again." Raf said, peering up from his laptop. I let out a sigh. The younger boy had me doing tests with the silver dust ever since Bumblebee dropped us off this afternoon at the base. It was nicer to have Ratchet to answer questions, but still exhausting. Even the medic had moved on, though his attention wasn't always present in the first place. There were more important things to worry about, as in how to get Optimus back. With every hour that went by with nothing, everyone's stress and anxiousness went up.

  "Can we take a break?" I asked, kicking the metal rod I've been trying to control all afternoon. "I need a snack."

  Raf nodded reluctantly, handing me my backpack. Currently is was just the two of us and Ratchet at the base, the others out on patrol. It was awfully quiet, which made it too easy to think, which I was trying not to do as all my thoughts went back to Optimus. I just hoped he was okay.

  I swear, if Megatron takes advantage of Optimus in his current state and hurts him, I will-

  A high pitched beep noise like the one made when doing anything on the base's computers filled the air, causing Raf and I to turn to its source. That's when we saw Ratchet surrounded by his tools, working on the ground bridge.

  "Ratchet," Raf spoke up, causing the medic to look up. "Are you.. turbocharging the ground bridge?"

  "Tinkering," He replied. "No need to get anyone's hopes up just yet."

  "Maybe Raf can help," I suggested. "He's the best there is with tech."

  Ratchet didn't shoot me down immediately, which made Raf jump to his feet and grab his laptop. Just before he dashed down the stairs, he gave me a serious look.

  "Keep practicing," He said. "Try to control that metal rod."

  I gave him a 'whyyyyy' face, which made him smile a bit as he went to join the medic with the ground bridge work. I took a deep breath, placing the metal rod in front of me as I moved to sit cross legged on the floor. Putting a hand out over top of it, I focused on the silver dust and imagined it coating the rod.

  There was a slight tugging feeling within me and I watched as silver dust poured from my hand, flowing towards the metal rod. Once it was covered, I turned all of my focus to lifting it off the ground. It twitched, the ends tipping up ever so slightly. I almost had it....

  Be-Beep-Be

  The ringing from the computer threw off my focus, cutting off the silver dust and dropping the rod.

  Dammit.

  "Ratchet! This is an emergency!" Agent Fowler appeared on the computer screen.

  "Agent Fowler," Ratchet moved to stand in front of the screen. "Is it Optimus?"

  He shook his head. "Its Cons! And they're busting into the same military research lab they hit two months ago."

  "Raf," I called out, getting his attention. "Call the rest of the team back."

  The younger boy nodded and got to work. Within two minutes, Arcee, Bumblebee, and Bulkhead were back at base, Miko and Jack along with them. As Ratchet filled them in, Jack picked up the rod that was still in front of me.

  "Still at it?" He asked.

  "Still trying." I sighed. "Emphasis on trying."

  Bumblebee buzzed something, bringing our attention back to the scene in front of us.