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Mistaken Identity
"Yes, I understand, Captain Lennox," Optimus Prime tiredly replied to the angry voice on the other end of his communication line.
"You've got to stop him, Prime. Secretary Keller is breathing down my neck on this one! If he does it again, the government is going to intervene, and you guys don't need that kind of attention. Trust me on this," Lennox grit out.
Optimus let an intake of air escape from his systems in a sigh. "Don't worry. I'll be having a talk with him. Even if it means having Ratchet disassemble him piece by piece."
"Thanks, Prime. I don't care how you have to do it. It just has to stop. I'll be in touch again soon," Will said.
Nodding to himself, Optimus answered, "Of course. Yes, goodbye, Captain."
Closing the link, the massive Autobot leader stood from his chair and left his office. Walking down the hallways of their temporary base, he wondered if Ratchet had any different ideas of how to solve this current problem. Arriving at his destination, Prime pushed open the doors to the makeshift medbay.
Tinkering with some scrap parts, Ratchet lifted his optics from the task before him and nodded to his leader. "Hello, Optimus. What can I do for you this afternoon?"
"We need to have a chat with Ironhide. I just finished a communication with Lennox. There's been more complaints about his behavior," he stated dryly.
"That slagger is going to get himself scrapped if he keeps it up," Ratchet muttered, not at all surprised with the news.
Optimus nodded in agreement. "Yes, he has made a nuisance of himself, as of late."
"It's not entirely his fault. That silly friend of Sam's is the cause of all of this."
"That may be, but Ironhide should be able to exhibit a bit more restraint."
Ratchet let out an amused chuckle from his vocal processor. "Are we talking about same mech? Ironhide? Restraining himself? Unlikely."
"Then I guess we'll just have to threaten him with a punishment," Optimus said.
The CMO gave his full attention to Prime. "Like what?"
Before the Autobot commander could respond, Ironhide strode in to the medbay to join them. He had a peculiar look on face. Something as close to a smirk as his faceplates could manage.
"Prime. Ratchet," the weapon specialist said by way of greeting.
"Ironhide, I just spoke with Captain Lennox. This outrageous behavior of yours must stop. The U.S. government is threatening to get involved," Optimus sternly stated, placing his servos on his hips.
Shaking his head, Ironhide hopped up onto an empty berth. "I ain't doing nothing outside of my duties."
Ratchet would have rolled his optics if he could have. "'Hide, blasting human vehicles with Decepticon insignias, when you clearly know they aren't real Decepticons, does not fall within your duties."
"What? It's not like there's any humans inside of them when I blast 'em apart."
Optimus grew frustrated with his stubborn old friend. "That's not the point. You need to at least scan them before assuming they're the enemy."
"Not my style, Prime. You know my motto — shoot first, ask questions later," Ironhide drawled.
"You've destroyed five human vehicles with Decepticon symbols on them this week! Humans will begin to grow suspicious if these freak 'accidents' keep occurring to their vehicles," Optimus shouted in irritation.
"Hey, you never know…"
"That's enough, Ironhide. This behavior will cease and desist immediately. You are not to engage any supposed Decepticons in any manner without my authorization, unless it's Barricade. If you don't comply, I'll — I'll...," the blue and red Autobot struggled to come up with a suitable punishment.
Ratchet helpfully jumped in. "If you don't comply, I'll remove your cannons."
That certainly caught Ironhide's attention as his optics blinked in fear. Grunting, he jumped down from the berth. "Fine, fine. Let's not make any rash decisions now. Have it your way."
And with that, the black weapon specialist continued to grumble and mutter as he left the two behind in the medbay.
The medic let out another chuckle. "He's certainly one to talk about making rash decisions."
Optimus felt inclined to agree.
