The Power Within - Transformers Prime (2)

Chapter Twelve

Episode 5 - Operation: Bumblebee (2)

[Amanda]

  "Of all the scrap-brained ideas, taking Bumblebee into a potential chase scenario when he no longer has the ability to access his wheels?!" Ratchet demanded, voice almost shaking in anger. Bulkhead, Finn and I didn't say anything.

  "Hey, Bee's waking up!" Raf exclaimed from his spot next to the cot Bumblebee lay on. As the scout was falling off the cliff earlier, I quickly opened a ground bridge to a grassy field that softened his blow, saving him from most of the damage. But it was still a pretty hard hit.

  Bumblebee sat up, rubbing his head while buzzing something.

  "You've already lost your voice box and your T-Cog," Ratchet said, still angry but now at Bee. "Were you really trying to add your spark to the list?"

  That was harsh.

  Bee buzzing mournfully and apologetically.

  "Don't say that." Raf told his guardian. "You're not useless."

  "Look," Arcee stepped forward. "I hate to break up the pity party, but the Cons just added unknown Iacon payday number two to their armory."

  Optimus walked forward, saying the first things since he asked about Bee's condition when he arrived. "Neither blame nor praise will modify past events, but we cannot afford to take further unnecessary risks." He looked at the scout. "Bumblebee, you are not to leave our base until we can retrieve your missing biomechanism."

  With that, the Prime walked back to the computers and Ratchet followed. I chewed my lip, wanting to follow as well, but figured it was sort of my fault this happened too and wasn't looking forward to a lecture, so I headed to the living area and slumped down on the couch.

  "So we found the wrong coordinates," Finn said, sitting next to me. "Doesn't mean that we're too far off."

  I shook my head. "But look what happened. We sent two Autobots, one who can't transform, right to the Cons."

  "Mistakes happen."

  "I know, but-" I glanced to the med bay, where the others were comforting Bumblebee. "This team can't afford too many mistakes. From now on, we keep what we find between us. We can't take any more risks."

  Then Ratchet came over. "We aren't getting Bumblebee's T-Cog back."

  "What?" Raf demanded.

  "Because I will be donating mine." The medic finished. "Obviously since I am the other patient involved, I will be unable to perform the surgery. Therefore, one of your must serve as my proxy." Bulkhead and Arcee exchanged a weary look as Ratchet walked in front of the wrecker, shaking his head. "Better at breaking things."

  "Phew!" Bulkhead instantly deflated in relief.

  "Arcee." Ratchet decided.

  "Optimus has steadier hands." Arcee said immediately.

  The medic gave her a look. "Steady and much too large to be rooting around beneath my hood." He moved to his work lab, setting a few things up as Arcee steeled herself for the job.

  "Does this mean Bumblebee will transform into an ambulance or be cranky?" Finn asked. "Because that'd be weird."

  I shook my head at him, watching as Ratchet and Bumblebee lay down. Arcee plugged a cord into Ratchet, then headed back to the lab computer.