Sanctuary TFP/RB

Chapter 7

Optimus worked in silence.

Nearly all the panels in the floor had been removed, revealing the endless repairs gathered and awaiting Ratchet's attention. Two days of work had made little difference, as power surges continued to damage the base's systems faster than they could be repaired.

Somewhere around him, in the dark, he heard the occasional grunt or huff, the only sign that anyone else was there. Both flashlights had run out of power, leaving Optimus and Bulkhead to sort through the various piles of disassembled technology mostly by touch.

A loud clang broke through the silence, making Optimus pause.

"What was that? What did you do?" Ratchet, barely visible by the main console's glowing screens, glared in Bulkhead's direction.

"Uh...whoops."

"Bulkhead! Don't I have enough to fix already?"

"It's too dark!" Bulkhead protested, a definite edge of irritation evident in the large warrior's voice. "How am I supposed to do anything if I can barely see an inch in front of my face?"

"Carefully!" Ratchet shot back. "I don't have time to fix your mistakes on top of everything else!"

"Well, maybe if you fixed all the lights first..."

"The lights aren't the only things damaged, Bulkhead! If we don't get the main power grid back to full working order, the lights will be the least of our concerns! Have you forgotten that Arcee and Bumblebee are currently locked outside the base?"

Bulkhead grumbled but didn't respond.

"Status, Ratchet? People are starting to slow down and stare." Static nearly drowned out Arcee's voice. Optimus had to listen closely to hear Bumblebee's affirming whirr through the commlink.

Ratchet paused in his work, spluttering. "You're...are you still outside the door? Drive around behind the base, out of sight of the road! Some human might try to steal you!"

"Relax, Ratchet. I have my hologram on. No one's stealing anything, or anyone."

Ratchet continued as if she hadn't spoken. "For Primus's sake, use some sense, both of you! Don't we have enough problems without more humans getting involved?"

At their mention, Optimus's optics went to the lounge. Somewhere in the dark, Miko and Rafael sat, undoubtedly listening to every word. Both of them, despite poor attempts to pretend otherwise, had lost much of their usual energy, making the base feel that much more oppressive.

The Autobot leader hadn't realized just how much he'd grown accustomed to the sounds of talking and laughter in the background. And fond, he might admit. This silence was not right.

A hum from his panel gave him no time to dwell on his melancholy thoughts. In all of two seconds, it grew louder, only to be cut off by a flash and a SNAP that echoed through the base.

A chorus of alerts immediately began to blare from the main console, all from various systems. Ratchet bellowed a curse and slammed a fist on the keyboard.

Optimus couldn't hold back a grimace as the scent of burning computer parts hit his olfactory sensors, threatening to overwhelm him. Not much remained to recieve damage save several of their most important systems, so the loss of whatever was giving it off would undoubtedly be felt.

"What happened?" Arcee's voice was barely audible, but it was there. The protections Ratchet had pulled together had kept at least the commlinks functioning for now. "Let me guess. Another surge?"