Aftermath
Disclaimer: I don't own the Transformers. They officially belong to Hasbro and Takara. I'm taking them for a short spin.
Prologue
Ironhide was dead. Cybertron destroyed. Grief and pain brought Optimus Prime to his knees as the humans from NEST caught up with the rest of the Autobots as Ratchet tried to get him to his feet. He wouldn't budge, and the medic knelt down beside him as he purged. Ratchet gave him a few moments, but finally dragged his Prime to his feet, picking up his arm as they passed it.
Chapter 1
Mourning
The ceremony was brief but solemn. A few words from the American President about the bravery of the fallen, and thanking both the Autobots and their human allies for their vigilance, and the fallen would be mourned. Charlotte Mearing also spoke, a few moments, before offering Optimus the chance. He said nothing, letting Ratchet speak for him. There were no words, not anymore, not for what he'd lost. Megatron's death was a loss, but even greater were those of Sentinel Prime and Ironhide. He'd lost his mentor in Sentinel Prime, and he was sure he'd never get over the sense of betrayal he felt. And Ironhide's death was something he would never get over. Ironhide had been his bodyguard, and something much more, something he could never replace.
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The government officials gave them space, a few days to mourn, and decide what they were going to do next, only Optimus Prime didn't need much time to decide. Leaving Washington, D.C. was a good idea, but Col. Will Lennox had wasn't sold on it.
"Are you sure about this?" Lennox asked.
"Yes," Optimus said. "Moving our base of operations back to Nevada makes more sense than returning to Diego Garcia."
He'd discussed the matter with the human more than once. Tranquility would give them back some privacy and more room. Everyone on Earth knew about them, and only the United States welcomed them with open arms after the defeat of the Decepticons.
More Autobots would be arriving soon, and Optimus had agreed to lend some assistance in rebuilding Chicago. A new alliance had been forged with the Americans, and a new treaty signed with them. It was better than the alternative, leaving the planet with nowhere else to go.