Betrayal Of The Noblest

Chapter Twelve

I snapped out of my thoughts when June snapped at us kids. "You're coming with me, all four of you!" Then she turned to Optimus. "And they will not be coming back!"

Optimus was not going to fight her, I could tell. And it pained my heart to know that after all we had been through, he was going to let us be taken away.

"I understand", he says. Tears build up in my eyes. I was not the only one who was upset.

"That's it? After all we've been through?" Miko exclaims. "'See ya?' What about our freedom to choose?"

"That may fly on their planet but not here", June says. "Get in."

Miko refused and even snapped at Bulkhead when he tried to convince her not to argue. Arcee tried to encourage Jack to go, but it was obvious that she didn't want him to go. And so he didn't go. He chose to stay, but obviously felt guilty about it. Raf had no say in the matter because he was already in the car and he was technically June's patient. When June turned to look at me up on the platform, I crossed my arms and shook my head.

"No. I'm staying. With them. With him", I say as I look over at Optimus. A look of shock crossed over his face but it quickly disappeared.

"Astraea, you may be safer with her than here", Optimus spoke gently. I glare at him.

"Do you really think I believe that? You've protected me from Megatron. I don't even know her! How can I be certain that I am safe with her when I know all of you really well, and barely know her?!"

Optimus was shocked at my words and was silent. June was glaring at me.

"Well, he may have protected you from Megatron, but can he protect you from himself? Besides, you're just a child!" June counters.

I glare at her. "That is no concern of yours. I am a legal adult which means I do NOT have to listen to you!"

June looks shocked before slamming the door to the car closed and driving away. I growl and just tune out everything around me, including Father's voice. However, there was one voice I couldn't tune out and that was the voice I could hear in my mind.

'Astraea, are you alright?' Orion asks.

I sigh before responding. 'I'm fine, just... stressed and annoyed at so many different people...'

I got distracted by Bumblebee suddenly darting out of the base after June and Raf. It was then that we discovered there was a tornado not far from here.

When they come back, we were all very glad to see them unharmed. After listening to the news about how the strange weather patterns have been turned global, we were greeted by Agent Fowler and Father walking into the base from the elevator.

"What have you learned, Prime?" Fowler demands. "And you better not blow smoke up my oven." He paused in his walking however when he saw June. "Ah, Nurse Darby. What a... pleasant surprise."

"Special Agent Fowler", June greeted. I smirk at Father who smirks back at me. He counts down to three on his fingers and at the same time we shout, "I SHIP!" 

Father and I are besties. That's the only explanation I can give you.

Everyone but Flameduster looks at us weirdly, and we only laugh before sharing a hug. Flameduster laughs as well. Father ruffles my hair, and I swat at his hand, causing him to chuckle. This happened multiple times, until something caught our attention.

A Cybertronian heartbeat came from audio files on Ratchet's computer.

"A Cybertronian heartbeat?" Jack asks.