Ironhide, leader of the Autobots walked into the main command room. There, four of his top soldiers stood at attention waiting for him. He checked them over quickly, and was pleased to see that they were fine and were waiting orders.
First in the line, you had Jazz. Jazz was talented at gathering information. From inside enemy lines. He was small in size, which meant that with his stealth, he was able to sneak past guards and get in and out without being caught.
Next, you had Bumblebee. He was a scout for the Autobots. He was extremely loyal to Ironhide. He tried to always follow orders to the letter. He was the youngest in of the four.
Then, you had Ratchet. The medical officer. His advice was often very useful. He wasn't afraid to give Ironhide a piece of his processor when he thought the leader needed it. This kept Ironhide aware of things around him.
Last, certainly not the least, you had Optimus. Second in command, Ironhide's best friend and punching bag and more. Optimus played more parts than anyone that worked for Ironhide. The most loyal Autobot soldier that Ironhide had. Optimus wasn't afraid to speak, and was even known to break orders if it worked for the Autobot's cause. He played both bodyguard, even though his armour was thinner than Ironhide's, and weapons specialist because Ironhide asked him to. He and Ironhide had been friends long enough for them to trust each other greatly. He was Ironhide's most trusted officer.
Ironhide stood in front of them, deciding quickly what they each were to do. "Jazz, status report."
"There's 'Cons attacking an outer city. They're requestin' help," Jazz replied. Ironhide gave a nod.
"Permission to speak, sir," Optimus spoke up. Ironhide turned to him with a nod. "I suggest that we don't send more troops. This seems like a diversion. Send a few soldiers at most. The Decepticons are going to attack a different area that will matter more to our operations. That station means less. It makes no sense for the Decepticons to attack there."
"I'll go," Ironhide said.
"I'll go. Ironhide, Megatron hasn't shown up at the other battle. You need to be here for when Megatron shows himself," Optimus objected. When Ironhide seemed to disapprove, another mech spoke.
"That makes sense. It's the logical thing to do."
"Ironhide, sir. He's right. You need to fight Megatron, not worry about an unimportant attack like this," another mech added.
"Alright. Optimus, you go," Ironhide ordered. Optimus left with nothing more than a nod. Ironhide turned to Ratchet. "You need to stay here. Send First Aid after Optimus to help with injuries. Jazz, I want the soldiers on alert. Bumblebee, you're going to stay in the command center for the battle. Dismissed." Each Autobot set out to do as ordered, with Ratchet shadowing Ironhide.
"He's a strong fighter, I'm sure he'll be fine," Ratchet said. Ironhide nodded. "He's almost always right. There's an attack coming our way."
Like Ratchet said, Optimus was right. Outer Iacon was indeed attacked. Megatron did show up. Ironhide fought him, and when the Autobots turned out to be ready, the Decepticons retreated. Right after the two attacks finished, the one Optimus was at ended before Ironhide's, the Autobot leader contacted his second in command.
"Optimus, report," Ironhide ordered. Ratchet was standing beside him.
"1/4 of the Autobots stationed were terminated. 1/2 of the remaining were injured," Optimus replied. He was standing at a medical berth, working on an Autobot, though Ironhide and Ratchet couldn't see the Autobot at all.
"Very few injuries and no deaths here," Ratchet informed. Optimus nodded.
"The attack here was point-less. The only thing they wanted was our attention. There is fuel here, enough that it would hurt us if it was taken, but not enough to cripple us. A moment," Optimus said as an Autobot walked over and spoke to him. There was something off when he walked away from the screen. Ratchet noticed it right away. Optimus was limping.
Ratchet stepped away from the screen to check something. He called up a still picture of when Optimus had walked away so he could see Optimus' pede. He called Ironhide over and showed him what he'd found. A cut ran diagonally up the inside of Optimus' right pede. The edges were burnt. He made it known that Optimus should be brought back to base immediatly for repairs. Ironhide nodded before Optimus came back into view. "Optimus, report back to base."
"Ironhide, sir, if this base is attacked right now, we'd lose it. I don't think we can afford it. I need to be here for the time being," Optimus countered.
"Medic's orders. As well as mine. Get back here. We can survive without that station," Ironhide ordered with more force behind his voice.
"I can leave after night fall. Any sooner, and this station, and all of it's fuel, will be lost if Decepticons attack. Please, sir," Optimus asked. Ironhide sighed.
"Once night falls, you leave right away," Ironhide relented. Optimus nodded before giving a quick salut and shutting down the connection. He turned to face Ratchet who was shaking his helm.
"A lot of bots think he's the leader," Ratchet mumbled.
"Yeah, I know. He's just smart and determined," Ironhide said. Ratchet laughed.
At night fall, Optimus left the station. By then he had managed to get defenses ready to the point another bot could take over. Both Ironhide and Ratchet were waiting for him. As soon as he transformed, Ratchet had hold of his arm and was leading him to their Med center. Ironhide came along as they made their way there. Ratchet pushed Optimus onto a berth then gathered his tools. He inspected the wound before sitting back on the stool. "What happened? I've never seen a wound like this," Ratchet asked. Optimus was quiet until Ratchet nudged him.
"It's from an Autobot weapon, that's why," Optimus replied. Ratchet and Ironhide exchanged a glance.
"Did an Autobot change sides?" Ironhide inquired. Optimus shook his helm.
"A Decepticon pushed me into the Autobot. We both fell, and his weapon cut into my pede."
"How big was the weapon?" Ratchet questioned as he gently pushed a tool into Optimus' pede to get a better idea of how much was destroyed. Optimus showed with his servos, and Ratchet gave him a confused look. "This wound's bigger than that."
"The mech pulled it out. He pulled up some what in panic. He just wanted his weapon back to defend himself. He apologized to me later." Ratchet just sighed.
"I don't think I can repair this. Many of your wires have been welded together. Your creator just had to rebuild you. Your circuitry is unique. No one else has any thing like it. If you're creator was still around, they would have a better chance of repairing this damage. I might be able to fix some of it, but not all. You're always going ta limp," Ratchet informed. Optimus nodded as he swung his legs over the side of the berth.
"It's fine. I can continue to do my job. Thank you, Ratchet. Is this what you wanted me back here for?"
"Yes," Ratchet replied. He stood and moved away so Optimus could get up. "You're free to go." Optimus nodded and followed Ironhide out into the hallway.
Jazz ran through the maze of hallways, trying to locate his leader. He dodged a bot as he caught sight of the Autobot second in command. Where ever Optimus was, Ironhide usually wasn't far away. He ran over to Optimus, and like he thought, there was Ironhide. "Sir. The 'Cons attacked the same station. Our bots barely survived," Jazz reluctantly told them. Optimus looked to Ironhide.
"Thank you Jazz. Are there medics at the station?" Optimus asked.
"Yeah. Enough there for 5 bots for each medic," Jazz answered. Optimus nodded.
"Send a set of soldiers. I don't want to lose that station. Tell them to bring the injured here," Ironhide ordered. Jazz saluted before hurrying off. "Training?" Optimus gave a nod.
The sound of metal hitting metal was the only sound they could hear. Ironhide swung at Optimus, his servo skimming Optimus' arm. He kicked at Optimus' pede, but missed as the other dodged. He fired a shot set at stun, and managed to hit his mark. They went at it until Ironhide was panting, and Optimus was dented and damaged. He dropped the blade he had been using to the floor, and walked over to Optimus who was laying down, slightly dazed. Ironhide gave Optimus a servo to help him up. "Better, sir?"
"Yeah. Let's get you to Ratchet," Ironhide replied. He wrapped an arm around Optimus, and helped Optimus start to limp to the Med center. On their walk, Bumblebee saw them, and walked over with a question on his processor.
"Are you alright, Optimus, sir?" Bumblebee asked. Since Optimus was the second in command, many called him sir as well. He often waved off the name.
"I'll be fine Bumblebee," Optimus replied. Bumblebee joined them as they continued to either walk or limp.
Bumblebee then stated the obvious, "You're limping. You don't normally have a limp. Even after sparing with Ironhide."
"I was hurt in the battle at the outer station. Ratchet can't repair my pede, so I will always have a limp."
"Oh." Bumblebee then did the same as Ironhide, and pulled Optimus' arm over his shoulder to help him walk.
