This was originally a Tumblr RP repost convo between myself and the amazingly talented oneshallstand (pupu). Check out their stuff, absolutely fantastic blog, even better friend and RP'er. This was my first time RP'ing and I am quite happy with how it turned out. I rearranged, reformatted, and added some stuff so it is easier to read - but apparently, this story proves that the most creative of ideas come from a) too much coffee and b) all-nighting it with a tumblr account senpai. There will be multiple chapters to follow, as this was a LONG RP, all night. I hope to update soon, just gotta do a bit more reformatting work (blech). Please follow, fave and don't forget to review, review, review! Let me know what you think, but as always, no rude or nasty comments please, we're all friends here! - AP
It was a calm afternoon in Jasper, Nevada. The war between the Decepticons and the Autobots had slowed, and the Autobots lived peacefully amongst the humans, protecting them in secret. Optimus Prime continued to serve as the leader, with his team spread across the planet, serving on different missions. He remained at the Autobots main base, over seeing his various team members alongside Ratchet. He didn't consider the war over, but took solace in staying at the base, for much needed and long anticipated rest.
Ratchet was busy working on another scientific project, for an obscure purpose Optimus couldn't remember. All he knew was that Ratchet was happy tinkering in his lab, and that was a good enough of a reason for him. Optimus stood at the computer monitor, noticing a small blip on the screen, on the outside perimeter of the desert. The Energon detector began to chime, tracking a Cybertronian vehicle travelling across the desert floor. Ratchet looked up from his workstation, furrowing his optic ridges.
"Is that another Autobot?" He voice was curt, yet laced with curiosity. Optimus shook his helm, hailing for a transmission from the unknown subject.
"I'm not sure old friend… the Energon detectors aren't functioning normally. The Cybertronian appears to have irregular energy patterns… I would be very surprised if it was a Decepticon though. I don't think there's any need to worry." He smirked, turning back to the Medic. Ratchet rolled his optics, huffing.
"Puh-lease, the war's not over, I'll always worry until it is. What I want to know now I is if I need to prepare a medical kit, or the recharge station… any idea if they know of our location?" Ratchet stepped beside the Prime, peering around his large shoulders at the computer monitors. Optimus continued typing quickly, sending various messages across every known frequency in his databanks.
"The travel pattern appears to be unguided… I don't think they know we're here, but they will shortly – as soon as I find a means of contacting them that is…" The blip on the screen continued the journey across the desert, when suddenly an incoming transmission was received.
*Calling any surviving Autobots, requesting immediate transmission confirmation. Searching for Optimus Prime. Please respond.*
The digital message blinked on the screen repeatedly. Optimus and Ratchet looked at each other, then back to the computer screen. Optimus quickly recorded the information, tracing the frequency the message was transmitted through. Ratchet squinted, darting his optics between the map and message screen.
"What frequency is that exactly? In all my years I have never seen anything like it." Optimus nodded his helm, puzzled.
"My thoughts exactly old friend." He began typing a message in reply, reading it out as he typed.
"I am Optimus Prime, your message has been received. I welcome you to this new planet, a new home fellow space voyager. Before I can clear you for admittance, I require a suitable visual confirmation before I can bridge you to our base. Remain in your current position. I will bridge myself to your coordinates. Confirm transmission." His low voice echoed in the base, as the two mechs awaited the unknown Cybertronian's reply. Ratchet rubbed his helm begrudgingly.
"I have a bad feeling about this Optimus… something doesn't add up. It could be a 'Con, I mean I've never seen a Autobot use a frequency like that before…" The Prime's optics remained transfixed on the screen, unwavering.
"It'll be fine… they are probably a lost civilian, with no association with either faction, searching amongst the stars to reunite with their families. You forget Ratchet, we are not the only one's who suffer from the war. I had come to expect lost civilians finding this planet over time…" His voice was plain, as the Medic nodded his helm.
"I haven't forgotten… but civilians wouldn't have access to unknown frequencies, especially frequencies that are highly irregular, such as these… it's merely a scientific observation. Besides, the 'Cons have been quiet for quite sometime… they may be making a return." The screen blinked, the Cybertronian had received the information, and was awaiting the Prime.
"Unless otherwise specified I will not refuse help to anyone seeking aid. Civilians, just like us, had to adapt old friend. They may have found new frequencies in hopes of connecting with loved ones. Please activate the ground bridge." Optimus turned, facing the large archway, preparing for his immediate departure. Ratchet sighed inwardly, locking the coordinates, and pulled the lever.
"If you come back a scrap heap, let it be known I told you so." He murmured under his breath. Optimus looked over to the Medic momentarily, then back to the archway opening. The bridge burst forth with light, with brilliant hues of blue and green swirling around in front of the Autobot leader. The Prime turned back to the Medic, who stood next to the computer monitor.
"I will wait right here for the both of you to return. No more, no less." His faceplates softened into a small smile. The Prime nodded his helm, as he smiled kindly in return.
"Duly noted old friend. Until I return, keep monitoring the Energon detectors, in case others are nearby." Ratchet nodded his helm, shooing the Prime through the bridge.
Optimus walked through the swirling vortex of colours and light. His optics focused in the blinding sunlight reflecting off the miles of sand spread before him. The bridge closed quickly behind him, vanishing into thin air. He cautiously looked around for the Cybertronian. The warm desert wind blew the sand around him, sinking into his cables. He grimaced; washing sand out of the intricate cables and wires was never an easy task, especially for a mech of his size. I thought they were close by… I don't appreciate waiting in a sand storm; especially with no sign of a Cybertronian near by… maybe Ratchet was right… something doesn't feel right.
An eerie sensation crept in the back of his processors. He took a guarded stance, activating his arm canons just in case. It had been many orns since he had last used them; but still, he had kept up with his combat skills, not wanting to ever be caught off guard. His audio receptors perked, as a rumbling of a small engine grew louder in the distance. The infamous facemask clicked into place, as he kept his arm canon idling at his side. A small cloud of dust approached him at a great speed. He magnified his optical view, but could not pick out the approaching civilian; a thick cloud of sand obscured his vision.
The vehicle braked hard, screeching sideways in a semi circle around the Prime. He covered his optics, raising his arm canon in case of a sudden attack. He ventilated the thick clouds, as the civilian's alt mode clicked and locked into their proper form hastily. He swatted away the dissipating clouds, revealing a petite pink femme. He looked her over, analyzing the new bot in front of him as she brushed sand and dust off of her body.
Her optics shone bright hues of blue, iridescent in colour; it was the first feature that captivated him. Her helm was a dusted pink, cresting at the back and flipping at the ends, resembling a human ponytail, Miko had once explained the significance if he recalled correctly. Her lean body housed pink armour, contrasting her chrome covered leg and arm joints, she still remained in her Cybertronian form, and had not taken an Earth vehicle alt mode. As his optics continued to wander her form, a strange familiarity arose in the pit of his spark. It can't be… that's not possible… He recognized her, from the years of old, back when they lived on Cybertron… back when he was just Orion.
She turned to him, her optics looked over his form. Her faceplates hardened, as she continued to subtly study him. He felt his spark sink, it was clear to him that she did not recognize him; to her, he was a stranger. His breathing intensified as she took a cautious step towards him, with her arms out in front of her, as part of standard protocol.
"Hello…" Optimus started, unsure how to approach her. She noticed his slightly nervous demeanour, and her expression changed from slight intrigue to worry.
"I hope I do not cause you distress… I do not wish to stir unwelcomed notions. Perhaps I can provide further explanation?" She turned her shoulder to the side, revealing a fading Autobot insignia. "I have noticed you are unsure whether or not you can trust me…" She motioned to his arm canon, which remained drawn at his side. He looked around incredulously, overwhelmed with the resurfacing feelings that lay dormant in his spark.
"…No, I - I am fine." His mask and arm canon retracted synchronously, as he remained still in his place. He raised a servo to his com-link, tapping it gently. "Ratchet, ground bridge, immediately, please." His simple order came out as a slightly desperate plea. His optics remained fixed on the femme, who continued to watch him carefully.
She reached her small servo out tentatively, showing that she posed no threat. Her faceplates formed into a shy smile. "Non-threatening handshakes are the perfect cure for unsettled greetings… at least that's what I've been told… I've – I've yet to test the theory…"
"…Ah…um…" He glanced about. "…I – I do not doubt that theory, and I am…flattered that you would offer. I just do not think…um…" His processors scrambled to give a jumbled reply. The words and wonder slowly began to fluster him, though he desperately tried to hide it. Before she could say a word, a ground bridge appeared before them. He motioned for her to enter respectfully.
She cautiously stepped through the threshold, following slowly behind the mighty Prime. Her optics remained transfixed on his form, she had never seen a Prime before… and he did not disappoint. She looked over his sculpted figure, as his long legs carried him smoothly through the spinning colours.
Her optics widened as the new space came into view before her. They were inside a large mountain face, hollowed out, and now serving as the Autobot's main head quarters. She titled her helm looking up at the high ceiling that seemed to stretch for miles. The sound of humming machinery from the large computer monitors filled her audio receptors, as her optics continued to scan the new surroundings. She had hardly noticed the Prime had left her side. She could hear voices calling to her, but they sounded distant. She shook her helm, focusing her optics on the Prime in front of her with a smaller orange and white mech by his side. The two mech's looked over to her in confusion, both furrowing their optics ridges questioningly.
"I – I'm sorry, I didn't hear that. Forgive me, I was admiring your base…" Her voice trailed off nervously as she motioned around her. She averted her optics, not wanting to meet their gaze. Muffled whispers from the two mech's peeked her curiousity, and she stole a few glances. The orange and white bot pushed past Optimus, holding a scanner in front of her.
"How long have you been here? Are you a civilian? When was your last refuel? Are there any injuries you have? Have you travelled far? Are you alone? Are there others you know of that are coming here? Have you seen any Decepticons recently?" The gruff mech overwhelmed her with his barrage of questions, as he continued to scan her body hastily. She stammered, not knowing which question to answer first. His scanner began to hover over her chest plates and she quickly brought up her servos, turning away in exasperation.
"Excuse me! Are you authorized to scan me there? Who are you?" She took a few steps back as the older mech rolled his optics, huffing. He turned to the Prime who was watching from a distance, seemingly distraught though he barely showed it.
"I'm a Chief Medical Officer, now please let me finish my scan. I have to make sure my data is correct." He stepped towards her holding out his arms, pointing the scanner at her helm. She craned her neck cables back, as his servo took hold of her shoulder. She stopped resisting and stared into the strange device, furrowing her brow.
"What data? What's going on?" She questioned, looking over to the Prime. Startled he hit a button on the large keypad, revealing various graphs, and other information.
"It's all protocol I assure you, Ratchet here is just… excited. We haven't had new company in quite sometime." The low baritone smoothly answered, as he turned back to the smaller femme. She felt a wave of relief, but still, something didn't add up.
"I would hardly call my demeanor excited." The Medic blurted out suddenly, pulling the scanner away from the femme. "Concerned would be a more suiting term." He walked towards a small workstation, transferring the data onto another computer monitor.
"Concerned? There's no need for concern, Doctor I assure you I'm fine…" Her vocalizer cracked briefly as she smiled, hoping to cause no alarm. Why are you lying to him… they're going to know soon enough that you're missing half your memory banks. That's not really an injury though, is it? More of an internal processor malfunction if anything…
"Mhmm, sure." The grumpy Medic replied sarcastically, not taking his optics off the computer screen. The Prime remained noticeably distant and silent, and she turned to him respectfully.
"I… I sense you are uncomfortable with my presence." Her voice was quiet, tinged with subtle pain. "Have I done something wrong? I didn't mean to offend you if I have, I'm sorry, truly I am…" Her optics peeked up at the Prime, as she lowered her helm dutifully. His faceplates filled with sudden confusion and worry, yet he remained far from her.
"No… no you haven't done anything wrong. Why would you think that? Please don't think that." His once regal voice now pleaded, veined for her to understand. The Medic looked up from the screen at the two, each staring intently at the other.
"Am I missing something here? Optimus what's going on? What's the matter with you?" The Prime looked over to the orange and white bot then back to the femme, who had now averted her optics once again.
"Nothing, nothing is wrong. I'm fine Ratchet… I don't know what's going on…" He trailed off, cautiously looking back at the femme as he fidgeted with his large fingers.
"It's me… I understand, really, I do. I know my place, at least, the place that femme's like me held back home." She rubbed her arm idly, peering up at the Prime above her. "I thought that maybe… I had hoped that things…" She shook her helm and ran to the silo's large elevator landing pad, hitting the button hurriedly. I need to get out of here, I need some air… you're such a stupid femme, he's a Prime, a PRIME. You can't speak to him in that manner. You really shouldn't speak to him at all, unless spoken too! What is the matter with you? You know this. Everybot knows this; it's the law. Femmes are not allowed to talk to mech's outside their caste… even if they are on a different world… the law is the law. She could hear the two mechs calling after her, but soon their voices dissipated as the elevator rose.
The overhead door opened revealing the limitless sky. She stepped off the platform, walking towards a large ledge on the plateau. Now what are you going to do? Jump off the mountain and pray to Primus you survive? She peered over the ledge, kicking a small stone. It fell for what seemed to be an eternity, until finally hitting the ground several hundred feet below. Definitely not… but still, one of them will come up here eventually, and you can't hide forever. Who was that other bot anyways, looked older than the Prime… or maybe the Prime just looked younger… what does it matter! She huffed grasping at her helm as she closed her optics tightly. He's a Prime! He doesn't care about you, he never will… She paused, opening her optics as they settled on the desert horizon. He looks so familiar though… but why?