Chapter 9
The morning was busy. Maria awoke, near ten, to the sound of crashing and metal on metal. Quite the irritating noise. She rubbed her eyes, checked the clock, and pushed her hair back. Opening the door, she saw new people rushing back and forth. None noticed her. They cared boxes and carries holding three boxes. It was like moving day. Maria rubbed her eyes again just to be sure of what she was seeing.
"What the…" she mumbled.
She pushed through the flow of the people. One grumbled at her but it was inaudible. She followed their course, reaching the main room. Toni was hastily typing at the large computer, not paying attention to the rush of people behind her. Liz ordered the people about. Two bots, one she knew as Ironhide, stood in the entrance. Maria moved toward the computer.
"Toni, what is this?" she whispered.
"Morning, Maria!" waved Toni, but returned to the computer.
"What is this?" repeated Maria.
"We're getting some supplies and people. Nothing important," replied Toni, not looking up.
"Who's that?" mumbled Maria, pointing toward the mystery bot at the entrance.
"Oh, that's Bumblebee," nodded Toni.
The mystery bot looked back at them, his blue eyes glittering. He beeped lightly, returning his gaze toward the outside. Maria smiled lightly. Ironhide looked back as well, grumbling quietly. He shrugged, looking back outside.
"So, Prime is back too?" Maria asked before she quite realized what she said.
"Yep, he came back around two," nodded Toni, looking over at her. "How'd you guess?"
"Oh, um," Maria mumbled, recalling last night.
"Hey, Toni!" Liz called, touching a headset on her ear. "Prime wants a word with you about our guest."
"Tell him I'm coming," hummed Toni, standing up.
"He wants to see her too," added Liz, nodding toward Maria.
"Me?" gasped Maria, touching her necklace out of reaction.
"Yes, you miss clueless," growled Liz, looking back outside.
Maria eyed the floor. Toni rolled her eyes, pulling Maria along yet again. Maria looked around as she was pulled around, trying to memorize the layout of the base. She led to another rather large room. The room was dimly lit. Most of the light came from the blue glowing computer screens and a large glowing table in the center. A large machine stood, silhouetted in the blue light. His colors were faded but the bright red was glowing bright. He wasn't facing them but rather at the table.
"Whitney," he whispered, not even looking up.
"Come on, Prime," chuckled Toni, entering first. "You've got to understand."
"You made a scene at the airport," he mumbled, motioning to the table.
"Ian started it," growled Toni.
"I don't care who started it!" sighed he, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "You caused a scene and nearly blew out cover."
"Optimus," whimpered Toni.
"And this is?" he glanced up at Maria.
Maria felt his eyes coldly watching her. She slowly walked forward, standing beside Toni. Optimus shook his head, looking back down at the table. Whatever was on it must have been interesting. Maria eyed the ground. Toni didn't give in though.
"This is Maria, the keeper of, oh you know, the last gem!" shouted Toni.
"I understand that," sighed Prime, "But she's also an old friend."
"What's that supposed to mean!" snapped Toni.
"It means you will take this mission more personal. If you get too familiar with these things, we cannot be sure you will be fit for duty," argued Prime.
"I won't!" countered Toni.
"You don't know," whispered Prime.
"Do I get to say anything?" Maria asked.
"No!" shouted both Prime and Toni.
Maria took a jump backward. They had said it at the same time and with the same tone. They looked back at each other. She saw the fire in Toni's eyes. That was one girl who refused to lose, even if it was a giant, two story robot. Optimus must've noticed it as well for he sighed, looking back down at the table.
"I don't mean to argue, Whitney," sighed Optimus. "I am simply stating what needs to be known."
"I know, I know," waved Toni. "You mean well."
Optimus chuckled lightly, resting his head on his right hand. He smiled lightly at them. Toni gave a childish salute, spinning on her heels and leaving. Somehow it was as if she'd won. Maria looked at Optimus and back to Toni. She eventually followed after her friend.