Home Ch.4

It's been a long time since I really had the chance and was able to drive the laziness away.

Anyways, we pick up with Ratchet's POV the night before the meeting with the General the very next morning and then the emotional reunion later that night.

Sorry again for taking so long to update and with that and the fact that the disclaimer is still the same as before, I began.

Oh, the spacecraft is the freedom, the one that the others will be arriving there at Diego.

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Ratchet's POV late Thursday night

It's late Thursday night and I know I should be recharging like everyone else I chase off to their quarters to do, but I can't. All day between hearing Ironhide and Lennox's loud booms coming from the firing range to, for the first time in centuries, seeing Optimus playfully chasing the seagulls along the beach I thought of my sparkbond and my mechlings. The war has just ended finally, although I don't think it ended quiet like Optimus had wanted it to. It devastated him to have to kill his brother whom days before had no quarrels with stabbing him from behind sending Optimus into stasis. We have indeed built trust within the humans we have become to call our friends but now with our secret out about us, we have a lot of work in the coming months ahead. We would not have won the war if it had not been for the boy, Sam. He's courage and leap of faith for such a youngling is without bounds.

I sit here on the beach about two miles out from the base writing some thoughts as I listen to the waves crash ashore in front of me. Such a peaceful and world full of wonderment for such a young planet. Earth, when we landed here three years ago we were in search for the allspark and had no intention of staying here much less have as much interaction with the humans as we have had. Fun how things change and one is down right silly to think they have seen everything. I hope to be able to involve myself in the medical field and help the humans cure some of the most common but deadly diseases.

Optimus for the past several days has been in my med bay recovering, it was the first time in a long time that he would confined in me and shared his deepest feelings. I knew he needed to let it go, but he just couldn't in front of the others. He has always felt that it was he who had to be strong for the others to survive, yes and no. He too needed to feel that someone could be strong for him too and I'm glad for the last few days that I was able finally to be that sole. He has recovered well, although I'm noticing some minor adjustments that his systems are still trying to adapt too from the parts Jetfire gave him in order for him to survive and destroy the Fallen. I noticed this morning he was better, Lennox had came by here yesterday and told him the news we had known for three days. That is of our sparkbonds, younglings and friends arriving on the ship, Freedom sometime Friday evening. Lennox insisted that he be the one to tell Optimus, he too is a family man and his little daughter, Annabelle had been the one to convince Ironhide to stay, but old tuff and gruff hide would never admit to anyone, well not anyone but Chromia. She'll get it out of him at some point once they settle down and get acquainted here.

We lost a lot of good soldiers during this final battle both human and Cybertronian. The Twins have been remarkably quiet and helpful but not without a few mumbles between them. Arcee and Bee have left a couple days ago but emailed me earlier to say they were on the plane first thing in the morning. Sideswipe as of the last two days has returned to his prankish self somewhat, he was out there earlier with the twins. He's brother, Sunstreaker is coming tooI don't really know what happen but they were giving chase to him clear across the base screaming and cursing the whole way. Now we will have both sets of twins here, I think I need a glass of high grade now just thinking about that fact alone. But then, maybe both sets will teach the other a thing or two. No, that could be bad; oh well if that means chaos, I'll take that over war any day.

Optimus came back in covered in sand and soaking wet about ten thirty tonight, but happier than I have seen him in years. It did him good to get away from everyone and spend some time alone and I know he is relieved to know that Elita and Rammer have survived. Ironhide and Lennox came in about the same time and I couldn't help myself when I decided to popped of to him and say, "what happen, you ran out of gun power!"

"Nah, still some left. My audios have had enough for one day though." He said but Lennox just shook his head and point to his ears, "what did you say Ratchet?"

That made me laugh for the first time in a while, them three, Optimus, Lennox and Ironhide have become the best of friends over the years. Tomorrow we find out what comes next, we all have had the last several weeks to think about a lot and now having our families and friends finally make it here is going to make the transition into our new lives even better.

end of Ratchet's POV

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The next morning everyone but Optimus was still in recharge. He was up and drove down the beach to see that Ratchet had camped out there overnight.

"He's worried more about me and the others than he's been able to for himself too." Prime said as he drove up near Ratchet who was in his Vehicle mode.

"Ratchet," Optimus said as he transformed and leaned down to slightly placed his hand on Ratchet's hood.

"What?" Ratchet mumbled. Optimus stood up and then backed away as Ratchet too transformed.

"It's six-thirty and the General's plane is within five miles," Optimus said then he turned around, transformed and headed back to base. Ratchet then followed without saying anything. It was the meeting that for the past few days everyone had been looking forward to.

"This is Optimus, everyone to the tarmac now, the general's plane will be landing in three minutes, Prime out."

Optimus said over the communication link to the other Autobots.

As Optimus and Ratchet made it to the front gate the plane was touching down. The other Autobots were lining up along the side of the tarmac along with Col. Lennox and his team. As the plane rolled to a stop Optimus and Ratchet rolled up in line then they all began to transform to greet the General.

The stairs were driven up to the plane and the door was opened, then the General stepped out as the humans stood at attention alone side with the Autobots.

As the General made his way down the stairs Col. Lennox was there first to salute him, "Good Morning General."

The General then had returned the salute and had said, "Good Morning it is Col. Lennox.

Out of respect Optimus followed then by the other Autobots saluted the General as he made his way toward them standing behind the rest of the NEST team that was present.

"Commander," the General greet Optimus and returned the salute.

"General, good morning," Optimus said as he then lowered down on to one knee as the General approached him.

"It is a pleasure to finally see you face to face." Gen. Moreshower said as he

walked around the other humans to stand near Optimus for the first time.

"Like wise General," Optimus said.

"Soldiers, as ease," Moreshower said.

"Yes sir," came a reply in unison from Lennox and his team as the Autobots remained silent.

"Autobots, as well," Optimus said and began to introduce his officers.

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Optimus had introduce the twins, spoke of Arcee and Bee, then introduce Ironhide and Sideswipe and then Ratchet as the General met each one as he walked by them.

"I would have to say that I have been looking forward to this day for three years, now shall we go inside I have a lot to share with you all."

The General said, Optimus nodded and rose again raising his hand in a circular motion, " Autobots, let's return to the command center."

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The whole NEST team headed in and proceeded to their posts in the command center. The Autobots had remained in their vehicular mode as they drove in single file behind Optimus. The General had came in and took the stairs up to the catwalk where he and Lennox would be able to talk with Optimus and the others with greater ease. It, the catwalk, was Optimus's idea years ago actually. He felt that given that they were so much taller than the humans were and not to mention how it would make it safer and easier for both parties; but also for when visiting guest did come that they would feel comfortable as they conducted debriefings or inspections.

Optimus transformed and stood by the catwalk as the General began the meeting.

"It gives me great pleasure to be able to meet you all in person finally and be able to pass along to you best wishes from our President and many of the representives from the United Nations. I understand that at least two of your Autobots are in route as I speak, correct?" The general said.

"Yes General, I again apologize for their absents," Optimus replied as he stepped forward.

"None needed Optimus, my informants told me moments ago that their plane will be here soon, I will then pass on my congratulations to them both." The General said to which Optimus was briefly surprised by the acceptance from the general.

But Optimus did slightly smiled back in reply as the general went on to the main discussion of the meeting.

"I had decided to have this meeting here with you all and meet you as well; as I said before I want to pass on the pleasantries from the top brass and officials in Washington, DC.

Optimus we own you and your people a debt of gratitude for what you all have done to save our planet from the sun harvester. With the war now over and the secret out about your presents here however, I believe now would be the best time for you to hold a meeting with the press and some information given out saying a little about yourselves, your home planet and mostly what are the intentions of your kind here as residents."

The general paused as he picks up a cup of coffee, sipped it and then sat it down continuing on with his discussion. Optimus listened quietly as the general spoke about them getting adjusted and that would happen better if they were stationed on the main land. He too discussed that "the country of Great Britain would be willing to allow the Autobots to remain here on the island of Diego Garcia until you all have adapted and begun the transition from military to civilian life."

Optimus had raised the question as to what they, the humans excepted of them to do and the General had quickly decided put Optimus as ease as he said, "most of you knew some kind of skill before the war torn your world from you. Most of those skills such as Medical, science and weaponry are areas that we both humans and Autobots would benefit from."

Optimus was hesitated to explore the weaponry area with the humans and their advanced systems; he knew all to well that some of the humans had the same bad traits as the decepitcons, therefore had choose not to address that at this time.

The meeting went of for at least two more hours and many questions during that time were asked from both sides. General Moreshower got to meet Bumblebee and Arcee as they had arrived forty minutes into the meeting. Optimus had discussed the spacecraft Freedom with the general and those reportedly aboard. Gen. Moreshower seem relieved that some more of their families and friends were indeed still alive and would be joining them. He of course however was notified immediately upon the transmission of their arrival into the solar system

"Optimus, I look forward to our meeting in six months, I think that would give you and your families time to get reacquainted and start the process into civilian life." Gen. Moreshower said as he closed his briefcase and stood up.

"Yes General, I believe it will and I'm sure the others coming tonight will look forward to it as well." Optimus said.

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With that the meeting was over, the General said goodbye and briefly spoke with Col. Lennox as he left out of the hanger in the jeep and headed back to the plane. Optimus and the other Autobots had left out of the hanger minutes later and apparently headed to their main hanger when another message came into the center command from the spacecraft Freedom. It was encoded but had been marked in English for Commander Prime.

"Commander Prime, this is First class Sgt. Charles Stout, we have just received a message from the craft Freedom Sir," came the comm link message from the command center.

Optimus had stopped dead in his tracks and responded, "Sgt. Stout, I am on my way back, Prime out."

"Something-wrong Prime," Ironhide asked as he was walking beside Optimus at the time and saw Optimus stop suddenly.

"No, not that I am aware of, but another message is being received from the Freedom. I'll tell you later, I do hope Sides you have the rest of that brew ready for tonight?"

Optimus asked as he stood there around the others that were there too. Yes, in about ten minutes it should be ready, all I have to do is put it in cool storage for tonight," Sideswipe answered.

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Optimus had returned to the command center five minutes later and entered the codes to open the full message upon the screen.

"Commander Prime, this is Ultra Magnus, we have made it here to the coordinates orbiting the planet earth and await orders where to land Sir."

Optimus just stood there with his month slightly ajar before regaining his thoughts, then he look at Charles and said with a smile, "Charles, you can send them the coordinates. That voiceprint matches that of my, best buddy and open a communication channel."

"Yes sir," Charles replied with a smile on his face. It was the first time that Optimus had been so informal and yet to him it didn't seem strange as most of them knew Optimus and his team had been for years waiting for more of their comrades to make it here to earth.

Charles nodded when the link from the command center was received,

"Ultra Magnus, this is Commander Prime, welcome home my friend. I'm sending packets of data as we speak, have everyone on board read them."

Optimus said as he was beginning to be struck with relief and joy at the same time.

"Understood Prime and it's good to hear your voice again and someone else here is too."

Magnus said.

"Optimus, It is so good to hear your voice again," Elita paused as her resolve weaken as she struggled to remain together mentally. "We are receiving the packets now and will be landing on the island in thirty minutes, Elita-one out."

Optimus stood there silently with his optics closed. He heard her voice breaking at hearing his and it hit him. No one had dared to say anything as the communication was closed as the Freedom was to begin the descent through the earth atmosphere. It was almost too much for him emotionally to take, so many years of personal pain and regret for leaving them all behind in search for the allspark had just rushed in at that moment. Optimus had slowly turned around and quietly sat down on the floor in front of the catwalk. To which slightly startled the humans standing post.

"Sir, you okay?" One of the officers who had only been there for the last six months and had not known the Autobots as long as the others.

Optimus opened his optics and nodded his head as he noticed his face wet from tears of joy streaming down his face.

"Yes soldier I am," he said quickly composing himself as he wipe his face off and stood back up.

"I think it would be consider an over whelming experience of joy and relief. That femme's voice you heard soldier was my bond, or to use your word, wife and that I thought I would never hear much less see again. Something as soldiers we all in this room have in common."

Optimus said and then nodded at them as the young soldier wave back and Charles then spoke up and said.

"I guess I'll go all the way and speak out of turn sir and say that we all are happy for you and the others."

"Thank you Charles, gentlemen," Optimus said and then transformed and as they all suddenly began cheered and clapped as he left out in a hurry.

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Optimus made a beeline for their hanger while the others were moving some stuff around and Optimus came in screaming so happy but so very uncharacteristly, "their coming now! They're coming now through the atmosphere!"

Which at first scared everyone into to battle mode, but quickly locking their guns after realizing what Optimus had said. More or less having the everlasting shit scared straight out of them at the speed of mock four!

"Wait! now, I thought according to the last message that they would be here tonight."

Ironhide bellowed, clearly still caught off guard and pissed. The entire first batch of high grade they would have drank in eons is all over him, Sideswipe and the floor.

"Sorry," Optimus said rather softly as he transformed and saw the mess on the floor he indirectly cause by his screaming.

"That tears it, now the next batch has three and a half hours still to brew," Sideswipe mumbled.

Nothing else was said for a few minutes as they quickly teamed up and began to clean up the mess. They just stood there staring at each other, Bee who was over come with seeing Elita and the others began to cry. Arcee too wept as Bee embraced her lovingly. Ironhide and the others too at first shook hands and then broke the formality and began hugging each other. It was an experience that they had forgotten to have. There for the first time was not a dry optic in the room as they literally stood there counting the minutes.

"They should be landing in about twenty five minutes," Optimus said and then he paused. Emotions were taking over and for the first time in his carrier as leader broke down some as he pushed on to say, " thank you all for standing by me and each other through the roughest I think thousand years of this war. The search for the allspark although gone was not in vein; we now have a new life to start with our families and friends. Do we have the stereo system hooked up?"

Optimus asked then changing the subject.

"Yeah, it is." Ironhide said then left out no doubt heading to the wash racks. The twins walked up to Ratchet as he was hanging the banners up on the front entrance.

"Ratchet, can we help?" Skids said just like that. To which surprised him and he turned and said, "yeah, Sides you go on and hit the racks, we'll get this."

Skids was careful and took the banner from Sides as he left and finished helping Ratchet as Optimus was on the other side of the hanger trying to turn on the Stereo. He had not bothered before now to mess with it although had liked a few songs he had heard in the past when the humans and them would spend what little down time there was together.

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Okay, no not a cliffhanger, this stops here for chapter four, it's at ten pages now on my computer! I am loading chapter five together with this one. It took for every for me to get back into writing and I wanted to make up for it some. Chapter five finishes the reunion and into the party! YEAH MAN!