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Ironhide made his way through Iacon, nodding to the 'bots he knew. Nothing felt better than walking through the glistening city with Tempress Primal, Trippal, Darkalith, Coprin, and Qristalo shining above. Who had time to count the moons, though? Ironhide was a veteran of the Rebel Wars about four million years ago and had more important things to do. Sentinel Prime often sent him on special missions, and Ironhide always felt proud to do them.
"Is that who I think it is?" Ironhide heard someone say. He turned and saw a large mech with rotors pointing out its back staring at him. "Why if it isn't old Ironhide," the 'bot smiled.
Ironhide smiled back, "It's good to see you Skyhammer. It's been too long." Ironhide offered a hand to the 'bot.
"You bet your iron hide it has," Skyhammer advanced and took Ironhide's hand in a firm grip.
"What has it been…since the war that I've seen you? Partners on and off the battlefield."
"You said it," Skyhammer slapped Ironhide's shoulders. Suddenly, they both spotted a much older mech coming towards them.
The two went silent and faced the stranger, inclining their heads slightly. "Good afternoon, Alpha Trion," they said in unison.
Trion nodded to the younger 'bots, "And to you. I need to speak to the one called Ironhide. Alone."
Ironhide looked up, "I am he, Alpha Trion."
Trion nodded again and Skyhammer glanced sideways at Ironhide. "Call me on your con-link later and we'll catch up," he whispered. Alpha Trion waved his hand for Skyhammer to go, and he obliged.
Ironhide was now alone with one of the oldest council members on Cybertron. He decided it was safe to completely raise his head and look at the Cybertronian. "Do you know why I am here?" Alpha Trion asked his expression unreadable. Ironhide shook his head. "We need you for a special mission. Ultra Magnus and I. We ordered some of the debris from Tempress Primal with our space patrols, and it has been dropped off at one the warehouses. We would like you to go and get it for us and bring it back here for study. Can you do that?"
"Of course," Ironhide replied. That was what he liked to do. Many 'bots said he needed more excitement in his life, but he was content where he was.
"Good," Alpha Trion relayed the coordinates to him. "We're counting on you." Ironhide nodded as Trion turned and walked off. Ironhide turned the opposite way, towards the gate of Iacon. He took one step and knew he was in for something a little different. He didn't know what, but he knew when he got there he would be a long way from Iacon.
Ironhide made his way across the dusty landscape. The dust was basically rust from many Cybertronians past. The landscape had changed from the high, glittering buildings of Iacon to the more barren plains of Cybertron itself. Ironhide had little experience with this kind of terrain unless it was in battle. Where was that dock warehouse that he had been sent to?
Suddenly, Ironhide heard a noise behind him. He turned slowly and saw someone else coming towards him. The mech was about as tall as Ironhide, but not as broad, with sleek lines. His armor was silver, with fancy green and black tracings.
A smile was on his face as he walked up to Ironhide, "Hello." The strange 'bot offered his hand, and Ironhide took it a little cautiously. "I didn't think I'd find anybody else out here," his voice was very chipper. "Who are you, and what are you doing all the way out here?"
Ironhide's face kept its neutral calm, "The name's Ironhide. I'm on a mission for Alpha Trion, if I can only find the scrapping dock house."
"You're coming to see Orion too?" surprise pierced the bright 'bot's voice.
"Orion?" Ironhide was caught off guard. "Who are you?" he asked sternly. He was on a mission and didn't like to be interrupted.
"Oops, sorry for my abrupt manner," the 'bot looked ashamed. "I'm Chaser. A racer. Nice rhyme, don't you think? Chaser the Racer."
"Ya, great rhyme," Ironhide rolled his optics. "Wait, you're a racer? What are you doing all the way out here? Shouldn't you be on the track?"
Chaser tapped his chin with his index finger, "Yes and yes. I'm out here to see my buddy, Orion Pax. I should be practicing on the track, but I haven't seen him in centuries."
"I haven't heard of you on the tracks," Ironhide said as they started walking again.
"How often do you go?"
"Once in a century."
"You don't go often enough. I don't win every race, but I sure try. I don't have many 'bots standing in my way now."
Ironhide changed the subject, "Who is Orion Pax?"
"A dock worker. You were looking for a dock, right?"
"Right."
"It's in this direction, right?"
"Right."
"Then you're going to Orion's place. You'll like him, buddy. I try to visit him, but he just gets so lonely out here."
"Buddy?" Ironhide started. "I hardly know you."
"Excuses, excuses." Chaser shook his head and smiled, "Here we are."
Ironhide did a double take. In front of them now stood a large dock warehouse, complete with an opening roof and a large front door. Chaser casually sauntered up to the door and knocked. He stepped back a couple paces, and the door opened. A large, squat red and yellow mech came out of the warehouse and embraced Chaser. Both of them had big grins on their faces, and Ironhide stood awkwardly to the side.
Finally, the two broke apart. Chaser turned to Ironhide, "Old buddy, this is my new friend, Ironhide. Ironhide, this is my oldest friend, Orion Pax."
Ironhide stepped up to shake hands with the new mech, "Nice to meet you."
"Likewise," the 'bot's tone was formal, but warm.
"How did you two meet?" Ironhide ventured. "You have such different lives."
"Cybertron Academy," Chaser explained. "We met each other on the physical evaluation course, and have been friends ever since."
"Even though we live about a million miles apart," Orion interjected.
"Wonderful," Ironhide said, anxious to get out of this best friend reunion. He was afraid he would be sucked into the festivities and be hunted down for the rest of his life by these two hooligans. "Can I just get what I came here for?"
"Of course," Orion's business-like manner was back. He turned to Chaser, "We'll catch up in a moment. I'll grab something and send Ironhide here on his way." Chaser nodded in agreement, and Orion gestured to Ironhide. "Follow me," he said, and stepped inside the warehouse. "I don't remember your name in the pick-up list, so who sent you?"
"Alpha Trion," Ironhide said, glad that he was away from Chaser for a little bit. "Something the space patrol brought in from Tempress Primal."
"Ah!" Orion veered to the right. "I remember that! Nice guys, though Sky Lynx can get on your nerves."
"Never met them," Ironhide said bluntly. Then he felt he was a little too blunt to the kind dock worker.
Orion seemed to shake it off and reached for a higher up object, "Can't blame you. They do live in space, after all." He came down holding an odd cylinder with a handle on the top. It was about the height and circumference of Ironhide's forearm. "Is this what you're looking for?"
Ironhide took the cylinder and examined it. On the side, the words Alpha Trion and Iacon were engraved into the metal. "I was never told what it looked like, but this seems like it's it. It has the label and everything."
"Great!" Orion said cheerily. "Another satisfied customer. Please come again and see me," his words were light, but the look in Pax's optics told Ironhide he meant it.
Ironhide gave him a small smile, "I'll try." Orion's eyes lit up and he and Chaser waved him off.
"Come again!" Orion called as Ironhide walked away.
"Come to the racetrack more than once a century!" Chaser called. "I'll get you track side seats! Tell me when and maybe even Orion can come!" Ironhide gave the racer a forced smile. The kid meant well, but he was not the kind of 'bot that Ironhide would be found walking around Iacon with.
Ironhide went at a fast pace until he was out of sight, and then he slowed down. He got his errand done, and he had an…interesting experience. Maybe if he stayed in Iacon he would be able to keep away from those two.
Who else loves Chaser's attitude? Well, please give some comments on this story. I'd appreciate it!
