Precipitous

Part 26-Chat

Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers. They belong to Hasbro and Takara. I am merely taking them for a short spin.

Hot Rod considered turning around and walking back the way he'd come. The sound of grating metal and cursing made him keep going. Interest piqued, he walked inside the med bay anyway, instantly regretting it.

"...."

"It slipped," Ratchet muttered, complying, removing his hand from the edge of Optimus Prime's exposed spark. The medic placed his hands back on the parted halves of his leader's chest armor, yanking hard.

Nothing happened.

"Think really hard about closing your armor while I pull," Ratchet said. "If this doesn't work. . ."

Optimus frowned, but complied, concentrating on making his chest armor move while he tried to ignore Ratchet pulling and yanking on the parted halves of his chest. Again, nothing happened.

"That's it," Ratchet said, letting go and stepping away. "That right half is coming off. You're just going to have to be patient. Your body has to heal on its own. I can only do so much. You need rest and time to heal, especially after the trauma you've been through the past year. You're lucky to have a spark at all. And part of the reason you're having so much trouble with that shoulder and that side is because of what happened protecting Sam and in Egypt, if you need reminding. . ."

"I need no reminder of what happened," Optimus said. "I'd rather not remember."

"Then quit throwing yourself into the line of fire," Ratchet said. "Or was this last incident with Bruticus a tactical error?"

"No," Optimus said. "It was a diversion to allow the rest of my team to retreat."

"So you say," Ratchet said. "I'd think after all you've been through you'd want. . ."

:Silence, Ratchet: Optimus commed, noticing Hot Rod standing inside the med bay door.

Ratchet turned around, glanced at the young Prime, started working on Optimus' shoulder.

"My hand in your spark's probably the most action you've seen in a long time, isn't it?" Ratchet said, deciding to not let an opportunity to get his digs in slide by.

Optimus ignored the remark.

"Rodimus, what do you need?" he asked.

"Just dropped by to see how you are. . . " Hot Rod said.

"He's a pain in my aft, that's what," Ratchet said. "Come back later. I have work to do, and I bet you two would like to talk without me around."

Optimus glared at the medic, started to say something to Rodimus but he was already gone.

-----

Kup had many questions and Graham answered what he was allowed. He stuck to the standard new-to-Earth-Autobot briefing, which answered some of Kup's questions. Other inquiries he answered or avoided. Then there were the questions about Rodimus, Optimus, and the Matrix of Leadership.

"You humans were lucky with Megatron and the Allspark," Kup finally said. Graham gave him a panicked look.

"Don't look so surprised I know about that," Kup said. "I've hacked some of the classified files in the base computer. I wasn't head of security and intelligence for a whole planet for nothing. Who do you think trained most of the bots on this base? And the Matrix. . .at least it wasn't lost. . .it's more precious than the Allspark, but how would any of you know that?"

Graham finally regained enough of his wits to speak.

"The Matrix? It contains the knowledge from the Allspark, but. . ." he said.

"Lad, the Matrix is more important for many reasons," Kup said. "It wasn't just for powering sun harvesters. That came later, and it was foolish. Using something carrying the essence of Primus himself to destroy suns. . .that is, if you believe the old stories. Enough of that. I have one more question--how has Hot Rod handled all this?"

Graham considered the question before answering. He didn't want to betray his friend's trust, but he didn't want to avoid being honest with Kup.

"Becoming a Prime hasn't been easy for him or the others," Graham said. "But he's held up under the pressure. I think if you want to know anything more, you should talk to him."

"I will," Kup said.

-----

Hot Rod nodded at Perceptor as he walked into the med bay. The scientist set down his data pad, leaving the two Primes alone.

:If Prime gives you any difficulty, feel free to call me: Perceptor commed.

:I don't think he's in any condition to cause problems: Hot Rod said.

:You would be surprised: Perceptor replied.

"I assured Ratchet I didn't need a babysitter," Optimus said, watching Hot Rod sit down.

"I'm sure he doesn't see it that way," Hot Rod said.

"Not that I didn't enjoy Perceptor's company," Optimus said. "He was a welcome change from Ratchet. As are you."

Hot Rod raised an optic ridge.

"I'm sure you'd welcome the chaos-bringer himself if it meant a break from the monotony of this place," he said.

"Ratchet won't even let me go to my quarters to recuperate," Optimus said.

"Too many distractions," Hot Rod said. "Like worry and work."

"Are you insinuating that I do nothing but worry and work?" Optimus said.

"Being a Prime encompasses both," Hot Rod said. "It doesn't leave much time for yourself."

"No, it does not," Optimus said.

"How are you feeling?" Hot Rod asked, trying to change the subject.

"Better," Optimus said. "Still weak, but better. And if Ratchet isn't more careful rooting around where he doesn't belong. . . "

Hot Rod's optics strayed to the exposed half of the other Prime's spark.

"Ratchet was just doing his job," he said.

Optimus hmphed.

"He hasn't been through what I have, either," he said.

"I know you've seen a lot of combat over the past year, and having another Prime around. . ." Hot Rod said.

"That's not what I mean," Optimus said. "Ratchet fears I've come to depend in the Matrix too much, that it was sustaining my spark, but that is not the case. I do, however, share a connection with it. The Matrix saved my life."

"What do you mean?" Hot Rod said. "I know you found it in Egypt. . ."

Optimus hesitated before answering, reluctant to bring up the subject, but the issue was one that needed to be broached.

"I may have left out pertinent details regarding my part in the events leading up to and taking place in Egypt," Optimus said.

"Details? Like what?" Hot Rod asked.

"Certain details I have not shared with you, that I should have, but that can wait," Optimus said.

"If it's important, why have you been holding out?" Hot Rod said.

"I have my reasons," Optimus said.

"That isn't an answer," Hot Rod said. "I came down here to try and talk to you, see how you are and instead, I get the runaround. If you want me to leave, why don't you just say so?"

Optimus resisted the urge to frown, but instead, he kept his gaze calm and steady.

"If I wanted to be left alone, I'd call Perceptor," he said. "Actually, I don't mind having you here. How are things going? Anything interesting happen while I've been confined?"

Hot Rod crossed his arms, giving the other Prime an annoyed look.

"No asking about work," he said.

"I'm not," Optimus said.

"Not telling," Hot Rod said. "The base is still standing, the twins--both sets, haven't blown anything up, Kup's bored, and Springer and Ironhide haven't said a word to him yet about their relationship."

Optimus graced Hot Rod with a rare smile.

"How do you think he'll take it when they do?" he asked.

"I have no idea," Hot Rod said.

"Does he know about Arcee yet?" Optimus said.

"Yes, but not that it's twins and Sunstreaker is the sire," Hot Rod said. "Kup can find that out on his own."

"Kup and I have much to discuss once I'm out of here," Optimus said.

"You do," Hot Rod said. "And I should probably go. It's late, and you need to rest."

He stood, but Optimus reached out with his good arm, catching Hot Rod by the wrist.

"Stay a while," he said. "We don't have to talk. Just stay with me."