Yet another chapter. I thank those who are reading and reviewing. I'll try to update frequently… Hope everyone enjoys.
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My systems revved as I woke from an involuntary recharge cycle. I optics my optics, only to shut them tight with a groan. I laid my left arm over my optics, attempting to block out the blinding bright lights of the med bay. "Good to see you awake" a voice flooded my audios.
"Ratchet" I said, barely more than a whisper. I carefully opened my optics. Turning my helm I found the medic standing near the berth I was currently occupying. "What happened?" I asked quietly.
Ratchet sighed and stepped closer to the berth. He looked down at me with… Sympathy? An emotion I had never truly seen much of from the old medic. Then again… He very rarely showed much emotion to anyone. Only his closest friends ever saw what the medic was truly like. Suddenly I was ripped from thought. "You came in yesterday saying that you were sorry. That you didn't mean it. When Ironhide got to you… (Sigh)… You were already close to recharge. But he was able to get some information from you" he said, picking his words carefully.
But finally I remembered exactly what he meant. "Optimus" I sobbed, bringing my servos to cover my face. I wailed into my servos remembering what I'd done. I'd lost Prime. I couldn't look at the medic. I couldn't bring myself to look at him. He must have been so disappointed with me. I wondered if he was as disgusted with me as I was with myself.
I continued to cry until I felt firm, yet very gentle, hands grab my shoulders. "Easy" I heard Ratchet purr near my audios. "Stop it. There no need for all that… Prime's strong. He'll be ok" he continued, gently stroking my shoulders. The medic continued to soothe me, until my sobs stopped and my systems returned to normal levels.
Once I calmed, I brought my arms up and pushed the medic back. I looked into his optics, looking for any kind of resentment… By I found nothing of the sought. Instead, I found understanding, sympathy and compassion. "I'm so sorry Ratch" I moaned helplessly.
He shook his helm, then smiled down at me warmly. "Don't. You have nothing to be sorry about" he said softly, as he stroked my helm affectionately. Ratchet had always been like a father to me, he was always there for me… Ironhide was the exact same. Ever since I arrived on 'Earth' eight months ago, Ironhide and Ratchet both took me in so to speak. They had somewhat raised me… Trained me.
Speak of the devil… As if on cue. Ironhide strode into the med bay. "Ratchet. How is he?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.
Ratchet stood to full height and turned to meet Ironhide's optics. "He's awake and in perfect condition" Ratchet announced. I could see the worry etched in Ironhide's features… Until his optics met mine. He knew I was safe. "It's lucky you brought him in when you did. He had lost energon and energy from all the crying he did…" he began, then he stepped closer to Ironhide and whispered something in his audios… I couldn't make it out, but I instinctively knew they were talking about me.
Suddenly Ratchet nodded and walked out the door. Ironhide watched him leave then walked over to me. "How are you feeling youngling?" he asked in a kind, caring voice. One that only I ever got the honour to hear.
"I'm ok. Just… I'm sorry Hide" I sobbed, as fresh tears started falling down my face plates. I tried to stop, but I couldn't hold them back. I felt extremely embarrassed to be crying in front of Ironhide… Again. He probably thought I was a weak sparkling. But that didn't matter right now. Right now, Optimus was all I cared about.
I kept sobbing and shaking, until I felt Ironhide's strong arms encircle me in a calming, fatherly embrace. "Don't blame yourself. Don't you dare blame yourself. It was not your fault" he started. I opened my mouth to respond, but he beat me to it. "None of this is your fault. Even if you had have stayed with him, the cons would have killed you to get to him… Understand?" he asked firmly, yet calmly. I nodded in response, not yet trusting my vocal processor. "Good. Now get some rest" he purred into my audios. Which I did so without hesitation… I slipped into recharge, Optimus still in the forefront of my processor.
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I sat at the main computer; I didn't give up trying to find our lost leader. I had nearly worked myself into stasis many times… But I refused to give up. This was my fault. I intended to fix it. I continued to hack into each satellite surrounding the globe, in a hope to find our missing comrade.
Although something kept grabbing my attention. That building Optimus and I investigated. Something just didn't add up about it. Why was the inside so much smaller than out? "Whirl? You here again?" Ironhide's agitated voice filled my audios.
"You know me Hide" I answered back. I inwardly smiled, this was the… Forth time Ironhide had kicked me out of here… But I was determined to find Prime.
Ironhide suddenly grabbed the back of my chair and pulled me back. "I will not say it again. You are band from coming anywhere near this computer" he ordered softly. I smiled as my optics dimmed. Fine, I have an inbuilt computer. I thought smugly. "What are you doing?" he asked.
"Using my internet. Why?" I asked, only because I knew it would piss him off.
"You know what youngling. Sometimes I believe your processor is built with a hidden compartment where all unwanted information is stored. Am I right?" he growled.
Suddenly it hit me. Hidden compartment. The building… It suddenly added up. I knew exactly where Prime was… He never left. "Ironhide. You're a genius" I said, running out the door. I made it to the gate and ignored everyone's questions as I transformed a sped down the road as fast as my engine would allow.
I knew where Prime was. I had to save him. I know the others would want to help… But I put him in this situation. I would get him out. I would prove myself as an autobot. I would save Optimus Prime. That was my mission now… And I would complete it to the fullest.