Co-Authered by Ultra Rodimus Prime and Omicron Of Ice
Guardians' Quest
The two guardians had returned from their searching with as much supplies as they could find, including a supply of the ingredients needed to create the scraplet repellant. Their subspace and trailers were laden with repair kits and energon and spare parts, and Ultimus had managed to wedge in a few large pillows for the sparklings to rest on when they were out of their protectors' plating. Six tame scrapmetals skittered about, keeping the sparklings distracted while the adults coated each other and their charges with the repellant, making their preparations to leave.
"I think we've got everything." Ultimus did one last quick check, poking into all the nooks and crannies.
"Almost, Ultimus," Nightspin called, tossing a large, dark blue data crystal at the mech, "Old habits, I think you forgot about it hidden." The oldest of the four mechs inclined his head, he hadn't looked at it, though guessing it was either a sparkling record, or old files from the early wars.
Ultimus caught it, looking at it. Then he had to laugh at himself, shaking his head. "I completely forgot about these... History records, and records of all the sparklings I've cared for." He dug out several more, carefully stashing them in subspace.
A chuckle came from Outrack as he looked up from working on Pinio's back again. "You have those as well?"
"We all do," Nightspin guessed, "Just as we all remember the name of the very first sparkling Vector Sigma placed in our, at the time, confused hands."
"Extremely confused... I'd never even seen a sparkling before that first one came to me." Ultimus smiled ruefully. "Looking back on it now, I can wince at the amount of fumbling and clumsiness."
"What did old Prima say?" Pinion mused, "We're just like any other new sire or carrier...though now I think we are as close to experts as possible for the first stages of life."
"If there's anyone who knows more about those first stages than us, I'll be surprised." Ultimus flared his armor, his charges skittering up his legs and vanishing into his plating.
Jack poked at the blue and copper armor, pouted before chirping for a hug because she couldn't fit any more. She ignored Outrack's soft laugh as he transformed into beast mode, though Jack did blink as the rusty colored cyber croc gently scoop up his trio into his carrying pouch in his jaws.
Humming his amusement, Ultimus scooped Jack up, tucking her into the curve of his arm. "I pity the fool who tries to get at his charges... Those jaws could take my hand off."
"Really?" Jack's optics widened, looked back at the grinning cyber-croc as Pinion carefully stepped over him to the door. "...nah-uh." she finally said faithfully believing in her sire.
"I'd still rather not chance it." Ultimus gave the old shuttle one last look-over, then vented a sigh and followed the others out. Casting one last glance around the chamber that had been his home for more vorns than he could count, he headed for the exit.
Jack scrabbled to perch on her favorite spot on his left shoulder, looking around as well, the femling frowned delicately.
"What's wrong softspark?" Pinion asked spotting her look as Outrack took the lead at his steady beast mode pace.
"When are we coming back?" Jack asked.
"We might never be able to come back, brightspark," Ultimus murmured. "Vector Sigma itself is gone, the pools are gone. The mecha who kept the levels from collapsing are gone. If we are ever able to return, the ceiling might have fallen in and buried this entire place."
"...can we taka a holo?" Jack ask just before they left sight of the shuttle that had been her home all her life as well.
"Of course." Ultimus paused, turning to take one last look himself, as well as getting an image capture. He lingered for one long moment, then heaved another long sigh, turned, and followed the others.
Nightspin clasped Ultimus' free shoulder, cradling his own son. His optics a darker shade, knowing full well the feeling of leaving a home that they all made for themselves. The older mech fell back to the rear position, sword in hand, but from there he could watch as Jack edged over and placed a kiss on her sire's helm to try and cheer him up a bit.
Ultimus hummed softly, ruffling and resettling his armor. Pulling his own massive blade from subspace, he settled it into its clamps across his back, where it was in easy reach if needed. Reaching up, he rubbed Jack's back lightly, looking ahead down the dim tunnel that led upward toward the Wrecker tunnels and the next level entrance.