Chapter Four
Optimus Prime sat in his chair by Teletraan I, carefully composing a message to his ally, Megatron.
Megatron,
Remember, I am supposed to have updates every cycle, and as early as possible. How is the prisoner? I am hoping he will conform soon; we need all the help we can get against Marauder.
Optimus Prime
He read and reread the message, and finally sent it. Megatron's new; I have to be more lenient on him. And that Starscream, I just do not know what to do with him. He came from Marauder with a wish to become an Autobot, but he now refuses to conform. We've even had to lock him up, as he was causing so much trouble. Perhaps I should talk to him myself…
"Hey, Ahptimus, I got a comm from Jazz sayin' Sunstreaker and Inferno were havin' a go at each other, ya might wanna check it out." Optimus turned to see Ironhide walk in.
"Yes, Ironhide. I believe you're right. Let's go." The two hurried down to the rec room, to find it torn up with all the fighting. Jazz was struggling to hold Sideswipe back, saying, "Sideswipe, ya can't go in there, it's too dangerous, come on now!" Optimus placed a hand on the white-and-black mech's shoulder.
"Jazz, let him go, and guard the door. Sideswipe, follow Ironhide and myself in." The three made their way in, Jazz staying at the door, peering in. Wheeljack rushed in, holding Amelia close. Optimus grabbed Sunstreaker's shoulder as he reeled from a blow, putting him behind himself, back towards Sideswipe.
"Sunny, knock it off! It was funny before but now…get outta battle mode!" Sunstreaker's optics faded back to their normal glowing blue. Sideswipe let out a long-winded sigh.
"That's it. Whew, Sunny, you had me worried there!" Sunstreaker shot his brother an angry look, and almost hissed, "He should be glad I wasn't in a bad mood." Sideswipe sighed dramatically, and went over to the bar. He grabbed some Energon, and sat down at a still-intact table.
Optimus Prime called over Sunstreaker and Inferno, "Sunstreaker, I want you to report to Grapple here next shift. Inferno, you will report here the shift after. Understood?" They both mumbled, "Yes, sir," Inferno taking his leave, Sunstreaker walking over to his brother, no thirst for Energon right now. Sideswipe carefully eyed his brother.
"Ya know, Sunny, I think ya might wanna report to Ratchet about some of those injuries, I don't think you're fully functional…" Sunstreaker gave himself a look-over, and sighed.
"Yeah, I suppose you're right, Sides. Better go see Ratchet." And with that, he got up, and headed to the door. Amelia was down on the floor, talking with a few mechs, Jazz, Wheeljack, and the recently arrived Bumblebee and Bluestreak. Sideswipe got up as well, and followed his brother.
"Hey! Sunny, look out!" Sunstreaker's large metal foot was nearly down on Amelia's head. She cowered beneath, screaming her head off. Sideswipe acted quickly, knocking his brother away, and scooping up Amelia in one move. She clutched him, looking fearfully at Sunstreaker. Sideswipe yelled, "You need to pay closer attention!" He promptly turned, and left. Amelia sighed, relieved.
"Thanks, Sideswipe. I owe you my life…" He made a funny noise, reverberating through him.
"No problem, Amy, Sunny's been acting up recently, but nobody'll put him in his place. I just felt it was time for some sense to be knocked into him." Amy laughed, and said, "Literally!" The two cracked up, and Amelia realized Sideswipe also laughed a 'ha-ha' laugh. He wasn't looking where he was going, and bumped into another mech.
"Woah! Sorry, Skyfire, didn't see ya there!" The large red-white-and-blue Autobot just smiled.
"It is…alright. You did not hurt me. …Were you hurt?" Sideswipe shook his head then looked down at a thoroughly shaken Amelia, "Alright there, Amy?" She smiled and-after some hesitation-nodded. She acknowledged, "Yeah, I'm cool. And you're Skyfire? Neat name!" The large Autobot paused, a little confused, then smiled.
"I believe you just complemented me…thank you. I have never met a human before." He seemed perfectly comfortable around Amelia, and-as a result-she was too. Skyfire moved out of the way waving them on.
"Go on, I'm just going to the rec room for some Energon." Sideswipe gave Amy an amused look, and said laughing, "I hope you have an easier time than we did!" And saying so, he walked on down the hall. Amelia giggled.
"Sideswipe, you kill me!" The red-and-silver mech gave her a frightened look. He whispered, "Kill you? Why on all Cybertron would I kill you?" the girl reached up, and touched his cheek very gently.
"It's just an expression…I'd never think you'd want to hurt me…" He looked down at the fourteen year old, and smiled weakly, saying, "Sorry…guess I don't know enough about humans yet!" They both laughed, releasing almost all of the tension.
Some still remained, though.
Sideswipe was thinking about how Amelia had reacted to his pain, and how he had reacted. She was so gentle, not at all like how I pictured human femmes…oh, what am I thinking?! Amelia noticed a funny expression on her companion's face, and became worried.
"Sideswipe, what's wrong? What happened?" Her voice was shrill. The Autobot lifted her up closer to his face, and smiled as comfortingly as possible.
"No, I'm fine. Have you met Optimus yet?" Amelia shook her head, and asked, "Who's Optimus?" Sideswipe grinned.
"You'll find out!"
Another chapter up! And some interaction between Sideswipe and Amelia, too! Still pretty short, but I haven't yet made known the central conflict, so after that chapters will get longer!!!
