Kinda got stuck in the middle of writing this part, but its done. Ironhide proves he is not a mech you want pissed with you. If u see any mistakes let me know.

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They made the move from the dig site almost immediately after receiving the transports projected landing coordinates. The renewed tremors in the area speeding the packing and storage process along significantly. The scientists vowed to return after the area was reassessed and declared stable again, if only to find exactly where Optimus had come from and any significant discoveries there in.

The joor long wait for the arrival of the transport has Ironhide running a near constant comm. line conversation with Alpha Trion, thoroughly picking the mech's CPU for what questions he may soon be facing and what general advice the older mech could provide. During this time he dealt with the sniggers from Alloy, childish jokes via comm. messages from Livewire and the strange looks from Raze and Hardtop.

None of his team had physically approached him yet, seeming wary of the hatchling he carried. The science mechs on the other hand had no such qualms. Once they realized they wouldn't get their heads blown off if they asked to see the hatchling, they had each come over in tern to better observe the little one. Currently two of the science team, Diode and Acolyte, were watching as Optimus emerged from recharge.

Bright gold optics light and un-shutter quickly snapping to focus sharply on Ironhide as the large mech pets the small hatchlings abdomen and chest. He's noticed himself doing that unconsciously a lot in the past 2 joors.

"Ah, his optics are such a beautiful colour. Hmm, so young yet already marked. I wonder what these little glyphs mean."

Acolyte muses, the slender deep purple scientist stretching out his double jointed legs so he can better see over the jutting armor of Ironhide's arm.

"It is a curiosity. Oh look at that I think he's watching Acolyte. So alert and focused already."

Diode coo's the tips of long multi-jointed fingers barely brushing the dark blue grey skin of the hatchlings thin arm. Ironhide silently cringes at the overly sweet display as the two grown mechs continue to fuss and coo over Optimus, completely ignoring his presence. For his part Optimus watches the two mechs intently. Wide curious optics flicking over the strange mechs faces and visibly body parts. He doesn't even flinching when touched. Alpha Trion had warned him that Optimus may be skittish around others and may not tolerate being touched by strangers, but for now the little one seems content observe the two mechs as they coo over him.

Noticing the little hatchling's optics beginning to dull again, shutters drooping, he shifts the small form back against his frame. A quick look and flick of a hand sends the two scientists scurrying back to their team mates, leaving the large mech alone with his charge. This was the forth time Optimus had briefly awoken from recharge. Alpha Trion had told him the hatchling should rest soundly at least until the transport arrived, but the little one appeared to be fighting recharge. Each time he awoke his optics would snap to focus on Ironhide with brief flash of desperation and fear before relaxing and turning to scan around the area or any mech present. Alpha Trion is at a loss to explain the strange behavior. Nervous tension gripped Ironhide's spark as he begins pacing, his left hand clenching and unclenching. If there is one thing that grates on the warriors nerves the most, its being in a situation where all his brawn, tactical logic and firepower are useless.

:: Calm yourself Ironhide you're not helping the little one being so openly stressed. The transport will be here in a few short breems and the little one will be properly seen to… I honestly never would have picked you for the anxious worrying type. ::

All Alpha Trion receives for his assurance is a derisive snort, but the warrior does stop pacing.

As promised the transport quickly comes into sight and all the mechs move to prepare for its arrival. Hardtop moves to stand on Ironhide's left while Alpha Trion moves near to his right. The entire group watches as the long white craft pulls a slow over head pass. The deep roar of the high speed thrusters dulls to a heady whine as anti-grav plates slide out from under the transports blunt nose and short, backswept wings. Wide bay doors open in the low slung belly of the craft as it levels out scant meters above the ground. Almost immediately 2 mechs leap from the open doors, quickly sprinting over to Ironhide's little group.

The larger of the two, a dull white mech with burn orange accents, is the first to reach them slowing to a halt. The glyphs adorning the mech's helm and shoulders showing him to be a mid ranking, level 2 medical officer. The mech stands only a head shorter than Ironhide with wide sturdy shoulders good for carrying and moving patients, with slender waist and legs ideal for maneuvering around berths and tables with minimum of space. All 3 mechs stiffen slightly as multiple broad spectrum scans sweep over them. Large blue optics zero in on Ironhide with an icy glare before flicking down to his curled arm. Stalking forward, anger and determination radiating from his field the medic's hands move with the clear intention of taking the hatchling. Ironhide instinctively rears back, twisting to put the bulk of his body between the medic and his hatchling. Free arm out flying out his hidden canon explodes from its hold to come level with the medics head.

Instantly the second smaller pale blue medic whips a large hand gun from behind his back, targeting system zeroing in on the Ironhide's helm. A quick tertiary scan reveals the gun contains chemical pellets capable of paralyzing a mech with a nasty neurotoxin. Not necessarily dangerous on their own, but aimed at the head or neck they have the potential to cause neural damage.

"Release the hatching right now warrior! You've clearly done enough harm. Don't make us use force."

The large white medic snaps, taking a short step forward causing the warrior to prime his canon. The smaller medic tenses, finger tightening around the trigger.

"No wait! Please wait! You don't understand!"

Alpha Trion cries rushing at the blue medic, slapping the gun away as it fires. At that moment all hell breaks loose. The science team bots quail and run for cover while the warriors howl in rage. Only the quick stand down comm. line order from Hardtop keeps them from moving in. Being mindful of the fragile little body clutched in Ironhide's opposite arm, Hardtop throws himself at the black mech.

"Stand down soldier! Everyone stop!"

Hardtop barks, grabbing Ironhide's canon arm forcing it down to the ground. In the midst of all this the white medic darts forward, roughly seizing the hatchling from Ironhide's grasp. Optimus immediately wakes, releasing a startled squeal as he is unceremoniously yanked away from the warmth of his guardian. The medic only gets two steps before a large hand clamps down on the back of his neck, digging deep under plating and into the muscle cables.

"RELEASE OPTIMUS NOW!"

The loud booming voice cuts across the surrounds causing everyone to freeze, the cacophony of yells and orders silenced. Optimus continues to squeal and thrash in the medics grasp, as Ironhide tightens his grip on the stunned medics neck.

"Give him back to me now or I will blast your fragging head clear off your shoulders."

Optics wide, the medic shakily tries to look back at the black warrior to find his second canon powered up inches from his head.

"Ironhide… Don't."

Hardtop hisses lowly as he slowly rises from were Ironhide has thrown him to the ground. Shifting to the side he settles into battle stance, ready to take Ironhide down at a moments notice.

"How dare you threaten me! Get your hand off me now. The hatchling needs medical attention. You have already caused him harm –"

Squeezing tighter, causing the medic to yelp in pain Ironhide growls deep in his chest each word pointedly pronounced, harmonics flat and hard.

"I did not hurt him. I would never hurt Optimus. Let him go… now."

"I can't do that. Your kind can't be trusted with one this young!"

Untangling himself from the shocked blue medic Alpha Trion scrambles towards the mechs locked in a stand-off.

"Stop everyone please! Stop! Please, Ironhide never hurt the hatchling. He was already damaged when found. Ironhide no more. Please, don't do this. If you harm the medic they will take Optimus from you. Don't give them more reason to do so. Please… let the medic go."

Alpha begs, violet optics besieging the large warrior to see logic. A shrill shriek from the hatchling finally drives Ironhide to abruptly release his grip on the medic. Haltingly the dull white mech turns, body still tense ready to bolt. Coming to face the slightly taller mech the medic loosens his hold on the screaming bundle of squirming plates and flailing limbs. Slowly reaching out Ironhide extracts the little body carefully from the medics hands. No sooner is Optimus back in Ironhide's arms, than the shrieking dies down to pitiful whimpers and the struggling stops.

Cradling the quaking body back against his chassis, Ironhide is hit with a torrent of panic, stress and confusion as Optimus' energy field desperately seeks out his. Pushing as much warmth, calm and assurance he can muster into his field he hoists the almost weightless body up to rest over his spark. Small hands scrape and grab at his armor plates seeking purchase, as small arms and legs clamp tight to Ironhide's wide chest. Large fingers gently rub and stroke over the small helm and back as Optimus very slowly calms. Over dilated optics shifting back to their normal range, stressed vents stuttering down to slower cycles as his over heated body rapidly cools. So focused on his charge Ironhide initially doesn't notice the little Trion turning on the larger medic.

"What in the name of the Allspark did you think you were doing?!? Charging in here and snatching a hatchling away from its guardian! Did you not read the data packet concerning the hatchling attached to Hardtops emergency message?"

Gaping the larger white mech moves to state his defense, but Alpha Trion marches ahead, harmonics loud and razor sharp.

"Clearly not! If you had, you would have easily noted the mingling of the warrior and hatchlings fields on your first sensory sweep. If you had read that data NONE of this would have happened! Answer me is this class 2 medic. Do you go charging into every emergency situation concerning hatchlings with guns waving, snatching the little one way from its guardian without explanation or proper warning?!?"

All the mechs present watch on with rising amusement as the scholar thoroughly tears down the large medic. Despite his lack of size and weight compared to the object of his ire, Alpha Trion paints the perfect image of a mech not to be trifled with. Ornate emerald and gold shoulder and back plates noticeably flared, violet optics glowing bright and energy field forcefully invading the larger mech's driving home his rage and indigence.

"Never have I seen such blatant disregard for the safety of a new born. The way you yanked Optimus away from his guardian was horrifying. You could have seriously damaged him!"

Sputtering the medic tries again and again to state his defense, but the small scholar makes it exceedingly clear he will not hear his excuses.

"And you!"

Rounding on the smaller pale blue medic, Alpha stabs an accusing finger at the startled mech.

"You aimed a weapon containing chemical pellets capable of causing sever neural damage at a mechs helm while he was carrying a hatchling! Of all the open places you could have targeted to incapacitate him safely, you targeted his helm! Were you trying to be completely incompetent with a weapon or is this how you operate! You both disgust me."

Shunting a huge gush of atmosphere through his vents Alpha goes from mech on the war path, back to his usual serene self in a blink of an optic.

"I have noted your incompetence and I will be informing your superiors of your actions. Now, we have an injured new born hatchling in need of medical attention. I will be accompanying Ironhide and his charge back to Tyger Pax. I have all the data that will be needed on the hatchling from when he was first presented to now. Ironhide, shall we go?"

Gesturing for Ironhide to follow him, Alpha Trion calmly strides to the transport as if the tense fight and his spitting tirade hadn't happened. Ironhide follows the request in silence, barely managing to contain the smug smile that wants to break across his features. Internally he is grinning like a Cheshire cat and humming with glee. I think I like him, he muses following after the diminutive scholar. Throwing a quick glance back at the still sputtering white medic as he stands mortified and practically glowing with embarrassment, Ironhide finally allows himself a small smirk.

Climbing into the transport and setting himself down on a bench next to the Trion, Ironhide looks over at the elder mech with new respect.

:: Thank you. For all ya did back there… I don't think I could have kept it together any longer if you hadn't stepped in.::

:: You are welcome warrior, but please do not mention it… In all seriousness please don't. If such knowledge got out of me behaving in such an uncontrolled manner … well… ::

Barking a small laugh, Ironhide adjusts his grip on the little hatchling still clinging tightly to his chassis. He's relieved to see him deeply in recharge, but is still fuming over the medics actions. Giving the other a light pat on the shoulder Ironhide leans in a little closer as the two medics finally climb onboard.

"I won't, but can't speak for the rest of them."

The look on the Trion's angular face as realization slowly dawns on him is another little memento Ironhide stores away for the vorns to come.

TBC

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Started back to Uni (university) again after 3 weeks break, so may be a bit longer between updates as my study and projects dictate.

Still more to come and am starting to put together a continuation on from Upheaval.