Chapter 8
Slowly, light flickered in through tightly clenched optics as gradually, a room filtered into focus.
"Come on Bulkhead, nice and steady…"
Circling the prone Autobot, the whole team save Optimus were waiting with baited breath during and now after the delicate operation.
There was an audible groan from the direction of Bulkhead, and instantly, every member of team Prime leant forth, but were pushed back by the calm hands of Ratchet.
"Bulkhead? Can you hear me?" Ratchet spoke crisply towards his patient.
Raising one hefty arm into the air, there issued another groan, before Bulkhead managed to get out a few words,
"All, good, Rach…" then he lowered his arm and pushed himself upright, his weary face looking at his small crowd. His eyes flew over each member, froze, then moved back, "Say…" he muttered, "where's Optimus?"
It took close to an hour to fully explain the Autobot's current situation, but during that short time, Bulkhead had passed all of Ratchet's tests and questions, deeming him ready for action, much to his 'itchy fist's' delight.
"So now we need to find the location of the Decepticon warship?" The green wrecker pulled the wires of Ratchet's final scan off his wide chest, "How are we even going to do that?" he looked towards Arcee who shrugged and in turn, tilted her head to the medic.
"We know that the Pulser cannon Megatron used fired two shots, one at you," he nodded at Bulkhead's still scorched chest plates, "and one at Optimus." Ratchet turned to tap at the screen, bringing up a scan of Earth radiation levels, and pointed to a large trail leading across America on route to Greenland. "We also know that dark energon holds a clear signature which we can track, and it seems that the warship is leaking a trail, thankfully, giving us a general idea about where it is headed." He paused, his optics traveling upwards as if sudden realisation.
"How are we going to get aboard the warship?" Ratchet muttered to himself, his wide optics growing sad, "How could I of overlooked such an important detail?"
Bumblebee stepped forward, his hands gesturing as he beeped, *what about an energon mine?*
Ratchet's face grew cold, his eyes narrowing, "What about it?"
Before the scout could reply, Bulkhead muttered, "If we take an energon mine, then…" his face brightened, "we could stow away as they load the blue stuff up!" Laughing, Bulkhead slapped Bee on the back, forcing him to stagger forward.
Every face turned to the older Bot, looking for a scientific perspective on the mater.
There was a nod and each one of the Autobots cheered in their own way, Ratchet turning back to his screen and calculating coordinates for the nearest energon mine to the warship, finding one in the barren Greenland.
"Everybody!" Ratchet hollered to be heard above the celebrations, "I'm about to hack into the frequencies of the warship- it will be a two way communications line, but it will not be able to be tracked. Keep silent."
Complying, the entire cavern feel deathly still as Ratchet pushed on a key.
For a moment, there was only static, but suddenly, the booming voice of Megatron echoed into the room:
"Soundwave, take the warship to energon mine 4573 and do so quickly."
"Lord Megatron," Knockout's voice came through the Decepticon com links, "I have the medical results for our guestyou requested and you'll be pleased to hear- they aren't looking too good. Shall I bring them to the bridge?"
"No, Knockout," Megatron growled, "I wish to hear them as Optimus' spark is ripped from his lifeless husk!"
Ratchet let out an intake of breath; breaking the silence.
"What was that?" Megatron hissed, "That sharp sound. Was it one of your experiments Knockout?"
"No lord Megatron- I'm sure it was just an equipment error of some sort."
"Soundwave! Monitor our frequencies make sue this wasn't an Auto-"
Ratchet shut off the link, letting out a rattling breath as he did so.
"We have to get Optimus back," his voice rusty, "Get him back- before Megatron can carry out what he plans to do. Without Optimus- the war is lost."
SORRY AGAIN THAT I'VE TAKEN SO LONG TO UPDATE, ONCE AGAIN- EXAMS ARE KEEPING ME BUSY!
SO ONCE MORE- THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS REVIEWED AND KEEP IT UP!
I NEED COMMENTS LIKE... LIKE... AUTOBOTS NEED ENERGON!
LL99 OUT! (;
