The Specialist and I: Book 2

Chapter 19

Read a chapter related to this in Dalinkahzel's book, 'Optimus Prime's unusual Charge' and HAD to use it. OH PRIMUS I couldn't stop laughing while writing this.

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I had decided to go exploring. It has been a week since I was turned Cybertronian and the height difference never ceases to amaze me. I paused when I saw an unfamiliar hallway next to Optimus' room. Curiously, I headed down said hallway. I discovered a few rooms I didn't even know we had. There was a shower for the bots that had six shower stalls with doors for privacy. A seventh one sat in it's own corner. The door was labeled "Decontamination". The only difference between the seventh shower and the others was that it's walls were see-through, like glass but thicker.

I also discovered empty bedrooms and what used to be a human MedBay. The MedBay was covered in dust, sheets, and loads of equipment that looked like it hadn't been used in decades. There was a desk in a far corner of the room with a really old computer. Next to the desk was another door. The other room held a bunch of empty shelves which looked like they used to hold medication and a few hospital beds for babies. The room also held a large table that went from one side of the room to the other and extended onto a second wall. 

I exited the room and continued walking down the hallway. The rest of the rooms were mostly empty bedrooms. As I passed by a partially closed door, I paused. The smell of Energon hit my nose and, knowing the bots don't usually store Energon back here, I walked inside. The entire room consisted of a bunch of what looked like storage containers and boxes. One of the containers was glowing. I walked over to it and as I passed other boxes and containers, I took note that they all were very dusty meaning no one has been back here in ages. 

I walked over to one of the crates after noticing the lid was partially off and peered inside. The crate held just one object which had a little bit of Energon inside. I grabbed it and jumped when it started flying.

"Ironhide, you have to come see what I found. I'm in the storage room, down the hall by my brother's room.", Lori said.

She didn't wait for a respond but instead jumped to try and catch the object which managed to fly just out of Lori's reach. Each time she attempted to catch the object, it would evade her. She tried running after it but tripped over a few boxes and landed face first. Behind her, she could hear laughter and felt amusement through the bond. In the doorway, Ironhide was laughing at her failed attempts to catch the flying object.

"A little help?", she groaned.

Ironhide, after composing himself, closed the door and helped Lori try to capture the object.

"What is this thing anyway?", she asked.

"It's a cube.", Ironhide stated.

"I know it's a cube.", Lori scoffed and growled when she missed the flying object, "But what is it?"

"No, it's called a cube.", Ironhide explained, "It's apart of a game called Cube. Basically, the cube is filled with Energon and has an AI. The goal is to catch the cube before the other team. Each team consists of four players. It was a popular game back in the golden age."

Lori laughed as Ironhide face planted against the wall in an attempt to catch the cube. She stopped when it flew over her head and she jumped just in time to catch the object.

"Think we can play?", Lori asked as Ironhide managed to stop the room from spinning.

"I think the others would be more than thrilled.", Ironhide grinned, "Come on."

Lori followed Ironhide back to the main hanger where everyone was likely chatting amongst themselves. No one noticed Ironhide and Lori enter.

"WHO WANTS TO PLAY CUBE?!", Lori yelled and held up the cube.

The entire room erupted in cheers from the bots and a lot of confused humans watched as bots started chanting. Lori grinned and was surprised to find Ratchet amongst the ones cheering and chanting. Everyone followed Lori and Ironhide to the training room which doubled as a gym. She couldn't wait to play and couldn't help the smile as the bots chatted amongst one another excitedly as they walked to their destination. The bots act like they haven't seen anything Cybertronian in eons - including technology and Energon.

She couldn't help but feel a little bad about the bots not being able to enjoy themselves so she was glad she came across the cube.

"Alright, we'll play for championship.", Ironhide announced, "Everyone, get in teams of 4."

"I'm going on an opposite team.", Lori grinned, "Just so I can say I beat you."

Once teams were decided, the humans and bots sat out he sidelines as the first two teams took their positions. Ironhide, Bumblebee, Mirage, and Ranger were on team one and Ratchet, JetBlast, Esther, and I were team two. SunBlast filled the cube with Energon and activated it.

"Show them how it's done, old friend!", Optimus grinned.

"My pleasure.", Ratchet smirked and got the others very nervous.

"Viewer Discretion is advised.", Optimus said to the crowd.

The game began once the cube took flight. JetBlast, Esther, Ranger, and Ironhide transformed and began driving around the game area. Ratchet and I began chasing the cube with Mirage and Bumblebee as well. Ratchet plowed into Mirage in time and grabbed the cube. Ranger managed to plow into Ratchet causing the old mech to lose his grip. As Bumblebee tried to grab the cube, I managed to get in front of him but missed by a hair. Ratchet managed to catch the cube once more and the team scored a point. The teams swapped and Ratchet started driving around with me. I managed to trip Ironhide just before he grabbed the cube, allowing Esther to get to it first.

By this point, the humans understood what was happening as it was really simple and started placing bets on who was going to win. Epps seemed pretty adamant that Ironhide was going to win and Dad was betting on Ratchet and I. Ratchet began mopping the floor with the other team and we were winning by a long shot. Epps looked pretty pissed to be loosing his $80 he bet on Ironhide. I admit, I was having a lot of fun watching Ironhide get frustrated.

 The game ended when the cube emptied and all teams played. Let's just say, thanks to Ratchet's incredible Cube moves, we won.