Hope's Return

Stormy Weather

It was dark when Hope woke with a sense of foreboding pressing against her. Shaking her helm, she tried to recall her dream but was unable to remember much other then scattered darkness. As she moved to step down off the berth, she felt a tug on her servo. Glancing back she saw a groggy Ratchet looking up at her. 

"Sweetspark? Are you feeling alright?"

"I'm...not sure..."

Ratchet sat up and pulled her into his lap, cradling her like he would a young sparkling. Hope leaned into his embrace, content in his  warmth.

"Do you wish to talk about it?"

Seeing no reason to delay the inevitable, she closed her optics to concentrate on all that had happened recently.

"Solus warned me of an impending danger coming. She said that I and my bonded would be tested but I don't know when or how."

Ratchet was silent as he thought over her words.

"The fates never tire of needing you, do they?"

A watery chuckle and tired vent was his response.

"I suppose not, but I wouldn't be the Champion if I couldn't handle it."

A million responses ran through Ratchet's processor before he settled on a safe answer. 

"Whatever happens, we'll get through it together."

**********************************************

The base was quieter now that Galloway had been reassigned. Will and Epps had been quite ecstatic to report Sergent Morshower's less then thrilled attitude towards the former director when he heard of his actions. Safe to say Galloway was no longer in the position to take command of anyone as buried in paperwork as he currently was. Apparently a warehouse in Arizona was in dire need of organization and he was the best stooge to fix it. 

Life had returned to normal Hope mused as she checked on the grounds but she still had a nagging sense of foreboding. A ripple of unease went up her spine as she recalled her last nightmare. She had pushed Ratchet off the berth by accident when she awoke so suddenly. Poor mech was probably still buffing out the dent, she thought wryly. 

Venting a sigh, she walked towards the training grounds where Ironhide and Sunstreaker were putting new recruits through their paces. Idly she watched them, lost in her own thoughts when a pair of shadows appeared overhead.

The sounds of shouts broke her out of her reverie and she looked up just in time to be tackled by Ironhide who alongside Sunstreaker stood in protective stances in front of her. Puzzled, she watched  weapons warm up and point to the newcomers arriving through a cloud of kicked up dust. 

"Stay where you are Decepticon!" snarled Ironhide not moving  from his spot.

"Its not like we're going to hurt the one bot who trusts us." a voice scoffed out.

Hope climbed to her peds and brushed past Ironhide and Sunstreaker to embrace the speaker. Laughing a bit, she motioned for them to lay off the weapons.

"I see your sense of humor has improved . Used to be you would shoot first when threatened."

The base was silent as Hope talked to the former warlord and his mate. Sunstreaker finally shrugged and walked over to join her. Grumbling under his vents, Ironhide moved back, but kept a watchful glare on the two visitors. 

"Are you planning to stay? I can arrange a berth room but it may take a few hours."

"What she means is that a little warning that you were coming would have been nice."

"Now listen here you yellow painted...!"

Megatron sighed and covered Starscream's mouth stifling the rest as Hope sent a mental smack to Sunstreaker for rudeness. Rolling their optics, they returned to the conversation.

"Actually we came because Knockout has gone missing."

"Missing? When?"

"Last night was his last communication with Breakdown. He's missed two check-ins since then."

"Where was his last location?"

"About 50 miles out of Crown City, Ohio. He was going to rest for the night and continue on to Bumblebee's base in the morning."

The feeling of unease returned as Hope thought over the possibilities. Beside her Sunstreaker reacted to her emotions, shifting into alt mode and revving his engines As she moved to speak, a shot of fire swept through the bond freezing her briefly in place. As quick as it came it left, leaving a burning sensation and a sense of rage. 

Turning to Epps, she motioned to Megatron and Starscream.

"Find them a berthroom and Ironhide? No fighting! I'll be back as soon as I can."

"But where are you going?"

"Sideswipes in trouble and I get the feeling a certain flashy mech is mixed up in it too."

Without further ado, she transformed to dragon form and opened a portal. Sunstreaker transformed and ran in front of her. 

"If Sideswipes in trouble, then I'm coming with you."

Hope simply grabbed him and threw him onto her back before bolting through the portal and blazing toward Crown City. Behind them, the portal closed, leaving  a stunned base. Epp was the first to recover. Glancing up at the silver mech who was watching the weapon specialist cautiously, he cleared his throat. 

"Would you rather have a drink before you two battle to the death? Just remember, whoever's left has to explain this mess to Hope and she won't take kindly to it."

Both mechs growled but deactivated their weapons before following Epps to the refueling station. Star Scream looked up to see Ratchet staring at the spot Hope had stood, lost in his own thoughts. Shrugging, he followed his mate leaving Ratchet to his own ponderings.