Before you all shoot me for being soooo late, please listen to my pleas for mercy.
Well, they're not really pleas for mercy, more like really bad excuses. My fave one being work. Although I do hope you forgive me, I have come offering a longer chapter this time.
Am I forgiven??
Big Thank yous for my reviewers. I hope you know I only write this to make you happy. Am i suceeding? If you can't tell I need constant positive re-affirmations. lol kidding.
Right well, please enjoy and don't forget to review at the end. Bye.
TammyCat
#Radio transmission#
Flash back/ Memory-vision thing
Chapter 28
#How long until we get there? I'm getting bored of this endless traveling.#
The complaint buzzed through to the calmer mech. He could understand his comrades attitude, they'd been hurtling through space for several vorn and were more than ready to reach their intended goal.
#I agree, there is nothing interesting in this galaxy.#
#But how much longer? We'd have been there already if you hadn't stopped to attack Shockwave.#
#Stop complaining! You enjoyed fighting them, you even got to play ball with Shockwave's head.#
#That's not the point.# The other mech grumbled. Silence reigned before he started again. #I wonder if they've found Megatron and the Allspark.#
#If they have, what are the chances that either Megatron or Starscream has been deactivated?#
#Megatron would have destroyed Starscream for not following sooner.# The irritable mech said with conviction.
#My energon's still on Screamer. He likes power too much to give it back to Megatron without a fight. Actually I wouldn't be surprised if Starscream deactivated Megatron right after locating the Allspark.#
#You have a point…How many Autobots do you think made it?#
#Too many, even if there's only one. They have the tendency to interrupt all of our plans. Primus, I hate those mechs.#
#Don't worry. If there are any left you can shoot it through the head, just like you did to Thrust.#
The mech smiled at the memory of the fallen seeker. Deactivating traitors was always a pleasure.
They continued to travel with only minor chatter as they monitored their surroundings.
#Will they know we're coming?#
#There's a good chance. I've extended our signal range to reach out to all Decepticons.#
#What about Companions? Will Scorponok or Frenzy detect us?#
#No. I can't stand those nosy fraggers.#
#Be careful. Soundwave likes the Companions. He helped create them.#
#I know, but that doesn't mean I have to like them too.#
His partner chuckled and fell silent. Their destination was getting closer and they needed to conserve their energy in case they did have to fight the Autobots.
Cameron paced her quarters, her mind heavy and troubled. Ratchet's self-imposed isolation hadn't been broken except for him to see to minor repairs and attend the compulsory meetings. He wouldn't talk to her or look at her. His detachment during her check-ups made it feel more like she was with a mindless drone than her friend. All in all, his extended absence from her daily life was making getting out of bed in the morning terribly hard.
At the moment she was debating whether leaving her room was worth the effort. She had another appointment with Ratchet but the thought of being around him when he was behaving this way made her want to cry.
Pacing from one end of her room to the other Cameron felt the need to run. Generally she wasn't a victim of sudden activity kicks, but her body itched to move. Actually it just itched but she put that down to the stress she was feeling.
Rubbing at the back of her neck she gave into her urge and left her rooms. As soon as she was outside the confines of the hangar she started to run. Not a steady pace that could be kept up for an extended period, but a full out pelt designed to tire her out and hopefully bring dome peace to her mind.
Half an hour later and Cameron was cursing her untiring body. She couldn't clear her head and her body refused to strain. Finally stopping infront of the main entry, she searched for something to do, something that would occupy her. Ratchet popped into mind, she could spend a few hours trying to get the medic to show himself.
Scratching at her neck, she plowed through the main hangar aiming for the medbay. Halfway there she ran into Ironhide. The Weapons Specialist was blocking the corridor and didn't look as though he had any intention of moving.
"'Hide, what are you doing?"
"Waiting for Ratchet."
"Why?"
"I need his help."
"What is it? Maybe I can help." Cameron asked eagerly.
"Are you all right?"
"Why?"
"You're…jiggling."
Confused, Cameron looked down to see her right leg shaking. Well not shaking, more like speed bouncing. It was making little clicking sounds as the metal heel rapped against the concrete.
"I'm just a little restless. What do you need Ratchet for?"
"I want my cannons recalibrated to handle my new ammunition."
"What kind of ammunition?" She asked warily as she climbed onto his lap. If Ironhide was creating new types of weaponry something was bound to get shot.
"Heat guided missiles that can follow a target underground." Ironhide grinned predatorily.
Cameron scowled at him. Why was he always picking fights with Scorponok? Cameron continued to frown as she fiddled with her fingers.
"You're fidgeting. Are you worried about the others, the ones coming?"
"Sort of. I'm mostly worried that they'll be Decepticons and will ruin our chances for leaving."
"You think your government would restrict us?"
"That is a distinct possibility." She replied.
"I hope it's a pair of Autobots." He said softly.
Cameron smiled. "If you had a choice, which Autobots would it be?"
"Chromia." He answered on a sigh.
"Who's Chromia?"
"My bonded." He smiled.
"Bonded? Is that like a wife?"
"That's an appropriate human analogy."
Cameron's grin widened. "I never would have pegged you for the husbandy type 'Hide." A previous curiosity nagged at her thoughts. "Who else is bonded? I know about Jazz and Bee and now you, but did Optimus or Ratchet leave anyone behind?"
Ironhide shifted his shoulders against the wall. "Prime left Elita-1 in charge on Cybertron. She's probably got them eating out of her hand."
"What's she like?" Cameron leaned forward.
"She's tough. Strong and ruthless when she needs to be. She's Optimus' perfect spark-mate."
"She sounds like fun. Do you think I'll get to meet her?" Cameron's voice faded slightly as her vision started to blur. Shaking her head did nothing to dispel the fog. Her body swayed and she slumped against Ironhide's hands.
A long room covered with symbols and soft lights surrounded her. She was sitting in the centre of the cavernous hall. It was the same position she had been in since the beginning of time. She was home.
She could feel the life of the planet swirling around her, the brightly pulsing sparks of her creations, even the darker, pain-filled souls of the Decepticons further away.
Her attention was caught by a pair in the room. The bond between their sparks glowed intensely, indicating their strong partnership.
"Optimus, is this really a good idea?" A dusky pink femme paced infront of a familiar red form.
"We have no other choice Elita. Megatron's forces are closing in. We can't let him have the Allspark."
Elita-1 scowled at Prime and stopped pacing to stand infront of him. "You would rather lose your life defending an empty city?"
"Megatron must believe that we've hidden the Allspark in Simfur. Only then can we keep it safe from his evil."
The pink femme rested her hands on Optimus' chest. "If this plan fails, and you fall, who will lead us? The Autobots need you. I need you."
She laid her head against her hands. Prime tipped it back. "We've come too far to give up now. I won't let Megatron claim the Allspark and I won't let my Autobots go without a leader."
A smiled appeared on her silver face. "Let me come with you. Let me help at Simfur."
"No. If the diversion at Simfur fails and I fall, a contingency plan is in place to keep the Allspark out of Megatron's hands.
A frown covered Elita-1's face. "I thought you said you wouldn't leave the Autobots without a leader?"
"If I am deactivated you will be their leader. That is why I want you to remain out of this battle. I don't want to risk your life as well as my own."
"And if I want to risk it by staying with you?" She challenged.
"You won't. You and the other femmes will take who is left of the sparklings and retreat to Iacon."
"What about Arcee? You know she won't leave and let Springer fight alone, just like I won't leave you."
"We don't have a choice. You must be the one to keep hope alive in our troops. If they don't have you to look to, they will fall."
She shook her head. "You place too much importance on my shoulders Optimus. The Autobots fight for you not me."
Prime framed her face with his hands. "We are the same person, my love. The bond between us will not be broken even after Oblivion."
Elita-1 sighed. "I will continue to fight you on this, mark my words."
Optimus chuckled. "At least life will never be boring."
She glared at him and grumbled under her breath, Prime ducked his head and silenced her with a kiss.
"Cameron! Cameron! Are you all right?"
The world around her stopped spinning and Ironhide's dark face came into focus.
"Whoa. It's been a while since that's happened."
"What happened?" His voice was colored with concern.
"A vision, a memory really. The Allspark."
"What did you see?"
"Prime and Elita-1. Their bond is amazingly strong. I'm surprised I couldn't sense it before." I have to get back my Broadcasting.
"You saw Elita?"
Yep. She looks pretty tough, I hope she likes me. How bad would it be if none of them liked me?"
"There's nothing to fear. Everyone respects Prime's opinion, and since he's accepted you, they will too."
Cameron smiled and leaned into Ironhide's hands. She appreciated his support but her curiosity brought her back to their original conversation.
"What about Ratchet? Does he have a bonded?"
Cameron felt her chest tightened as she waited for his answer. The feeling confused her but she pushed it aside.
Ironhide looked thoughtful. "None that I can remember. He was always more of a solitary mech than anything else. Always in his medbay."
Cameron's tense frame relaxed and she smiled. Jumping off the large mech she sent him outside with a warning not to shoot Scorponok. She waited until he was gone before she started to formulate a plan. A plan that would put her restlessness to use and hopefully release some of the stress from her thoughts. With a determined look on her face, Cameron threw back her shoulders and started hunting. She would find out what was wrong with the medic even without her broadcasting ability.
Cameron stalked through the base all day without sight of her prey. It was almost like he knew she was looking for him and was avoiding her. Squishing that thought, she continued to search.
Control room. No.
Main hanger. No.
Practice range. No.
He wasn't even in his haven, the medbay, each of the seven times she'd looked there.
Cameron was running out of options and was beginning to feel that maybe she had been right earlier and he was avoiding her. It was a depressing thought that caused pain to pick at her heart.
Following no particular path, Cameron wandered around the base half hoping to see Ratchet. But it wasn't the elusive medic that she ran into.
Darting around the corner ahead of her came Barricade. The dark mech was looking over his shoulder and didn't notice her until he almost stepped on her.
Effectively dodging the massive foot, Cameron reached out and grabbed his ankle as it landed beside her, stopping Barricade completely.
Shiny red optics gleamed down at her in a mix of confusion and frustration.
"Just because you house the Allspark, it doesn't mean you can do whatever you like with us." He groused.
"I think that's exactly what it means, especially when you're escaping from the brig." Cameron replied. The hand on his ankle was drawing energy out of his body.
"I wasn't escaping, I was taking a walk."
"Oh really?" Cameron reached out and connected with Barricade's neural network, intending to find out what his plans actually were. A surge of information ran through Cameron's brain. Suddenly she knew who the incoming mechs were, because Barricade knew those signals. She suddenly had a lot more information flood into her brain as well. Plans, dates and radio signals being only a small portion.
"My, my 'Cade. You have been keeping secrets. Why didn't you tell Optimus who was coming?" She said a bit breathlessly.
"He'll find out soon."
"But not soon enough. They won't get here in two months will they?"
Barricade looked as though he would have liked to squish her but at Cameron's energy prodding he answered.
"No, they'll be here in five earth weeks."
Cameron removed her hand and all the energy she had been restraining flooded through the large mechs systems.
"Go. But I want you to tell Optimus about this. He needs to know and I'll make sure you are punished if you don't." Barricade stared at her for a moment and ran off.
Heaving a sigh, Cameron slumped her shoulders and wandered back to the main hanger. She hoped that he would do the right thing.
But still, it would no doubt be her that told Prime about the impending arrival of the Decepticons and it would be her that would have to punish Barricade and somehow find out what was wrong with Ratchet. She hadn't really seen her friend since the scientists had been there and she missed his grouchy teasing.
Cameron looked up as Jazz sauntered passed. Maybe she should tell him about Barricade's escape. She was just opening her mouth to speak when there was a loud crash and Scorponok scuttled swiftly through the doors and hid behind Cameron, hugging her tightly to his face. Black fingers gripped the door from the other side.
"Scorponok what have you done now?"
The door slid open, Ironhide glared at the Companion from the doorway.
"When I get my hands on you I'll make you regret ever being sparked." Ironhide's cannons charged, he didn't even seem to see Cameron standing infront of the scorpion. He raised his pulse cannon. Cameron felt fear jump in her heart.
What does he think he's doing? Doesn't he see me?
Cameron got her answer as Ironhide prepared to fire. She started to wriggle and strain to get away but Scorponok held her firmly as though he believed that she would save him from the lethal Autobot. Realizing that she wouldn't be able to escape, Cameron squeezed her eyes shut and braced for the pain.
Waiting for the blast from the cannon Cameron was surprised when she wasn't reduced to a pile of smoking ash and confused when she heard the sound of metal striking metal.
Tentatively opening her eyes Cameron gaped at the sight before her.
Ratchet was holding Ironhide by the throat against the floor with the larger mech doing his best to throw the medic off. Ironhide's gun emitted puffs of smoke each time his flailing arm hit the ground.
Ratchet held Ironhide down using only one hand and his legs. The free hand dug into the side of Ironhide's neck. The weapons specialist yelled curses in Cybertronian and English, some causing Cameron to gasp and blush at their content. Behind her Scorponok snuggled lightly into her back, paying no attention at all to the wrestling mechs.
Ratchet slammed his friend's wriggling head hard into the cement again as he struggled.
The hand not occupied with keeping Ironhide still was shifting and searching amongst the cables and wires in his neck. Finding the appropriate one, Ratchet severed it. The lightly humming pulse cannon died with a little sigh. Satisfied with the work he had done, the medic climbed off his friend and stepped back.
Ironhide surged angrily to his feet. "Why the frag did you do that?"
"You threatened her life you glitching half-sparked scrap heap." Ratchet snarled back.
"Since when have you defended the Decepticons? And since when is Scorponok a femme."
Furious at Ironhide's complete ignorance of what he had almost done, Ratchet grabbed his head and forcibly turned it to face Cameron.
Ironhide's optics widened and Ratchet registered the shock, he really hadn't noticed that Scorponok had been hiding behind Cameron. Satisfied but not pleased, Ratchet pulled away from his friend. Batting away the still clinging Companion, he scooped Cameron into his hands and marched out of the hangar.
Cameron tried to hide her shock at Ratchet's harsh behavior with Ironhide. The dark hands cradling her now were gentle and she felt none of the fear she had felt when Ironhide had pointed his gun at her. Her heart rate slowed as they got further away from 'Hide and Scorponok.
Darting a glance up at the angry medic she felt her heart beat increase again. Putting her reaction down to lingering shock, she snuggled into Ratchet's hand. Holding onto the fingers tightly she thanked Primus that he had saved her when he had.
"Thank you." She whispered against the smooth metal. The hand beneath her tensed.
Once inside the medbay Ratchet placed her on a berth and moved to the other side of the room.
Looks like he's still going to be distant. Cameron thought as Ratchet started to tinker with something. She had been sure for a brief moment that he had broken out of his funk and would be treating her the way he had been before. But apparently just because he'd saved her from being charcoaled it didn't mean that he'd be back to being her friend. Cameron was brought out of her thoughts by Ratchet's irritated voice.
"What were you thinking, getting between Ironhide and Scorponok?"
"It wasn't intentional. Scorpy just grabbed me. It's not like I could force him off me."
Ratchet looked at her wryly. "You are the Allspark. You do have the ability to manipulate those of us with mechanical forms."
Cameron smiled at him. "But you're always telling me not to use my powers."
"I made that rule mostly to avoid your body changing in front of your parents."
"So I can play as much as I want now?"
"I suppose so. Just be careful not to strain yourself."
She laughed derisively. "I couldn't tire myself out even if I was dodging pulse shots all day."
"What do you mean?" Ratchet asked curiously.
Pleased that she had her friend back Cameron smiled widely before answering.
"I felt a bit stressed this morning so I went for a run and, even after half an hour, I didn't feel a thing."
"What have you got to be stressed about?"
You. She thought. He wouldn't like to hear that.
"The pair of transformers on their way."
"Ah, our visitors. They seem to be causing a stir throughout the base."
"What do you mean?"
Ratchet was quiet for a moment. "Optimus spends most of the day in the control room monitoring their signals, Jazz tries to beat answers out of Barricade in the brig and Bumblebee roams the city streets with Frenzy and Slider. I'm not sure what Ironhide is up to but he still has duties with Captain Lennox's family when he's not trying to deactivate Scorponok."
"That reminds me. I saw Barricade roaming the corridors. He may have escaped from the brig."
Ratchet stared. "Did you stop him?"
"Only for a moment. He was in a rush." She shrugged.
The medic continued to stare as though he didn't understand.
Then again, he probably wouldn't get why I let him go. Cameron thought.
Ratchet broke from his freeze. "We have to tell Optimus." He dashed to a wall console. Prime's image appeared in the view-screen. "Optimus, Barricade has escaped from the brig. Shall I organize a search?"
"That won't be necessary Ratchet. Barricade is with me. He has decided to share what he knows."
Ratchet looked over his shoulder suspiciously. He suspected that Cameron knew all about the Decepticon's change of attitude.
"And just who is it?"
"This isn't a conversation that I want to have over an open line."
"Understood. I'll contact the others. We'll meet you in the control room."
Prime nodded and the screen went blank. Ratchet turned back to Cameron.
"I assume you did more than merely stop Barricade."
Cameron shrugged nonchalantly. "I do what I can."
"Hmmm. Why don't you do something productive while I summon Ironhide and Jazz."
"What about Bumblebee?"
"I'll get Jazz to contact him."
"Okay…What do you want me to do?"
Ratchet didn't answer; instead he walked into his office and shut the door.
"Great. Now he's ignoring me again." She muttered to herself.
Several minutes later Ratchet returned to the medbay to find Cameron poking through his tools. He stood back and admired the way she moved. Her actions were sure and smooth. Her tiny hands were strong and they moved with amazing speed. Her entire form was like solidified light, brilliant and passionate yet she seemed very fragile.
"What are you doing?"
She spun around and flashed him an innocent smile. "Being productive." She held up a welding torch and a sheet of metal plating. "I was going to fix the hole in this wall."
Ratchet's gaze moved over her and to the hole she was talking about. It had been there for a while but he had never bothered to cover it, it was only just large enough for Cameron to stick her head through.
"Leave it. I'll do it later."
She smiled at him again and Ratchet's spark flared. Her words killed the warmth her smile had caused.
"If you haven't been fixing things in the medbay, how have you been spending your time since you stopped hanging around us?"
Ratchet shifted uncomfortably. "I have been preparing for the trip home."
It wasn't a complete lie. He was insulating his systems to protect them from the coldness of space. At the same time he was designing and building a series of intricate firewalls to stop any intruder from discovering his feelings for Cameron, even if that intruder was Cameron.
"A penny for your thoughts?"
Ratchet looked down at her sardonically. "What good would pennies be to me?"
Cameron grinned. "Fine, an energon treat then."
Ratchet smirked at her happy expression. She really was too hard to stay away from. Meaning all the more torment for him. Ever since locking himself in the medbay Ratchet had been overly aware of Cameron and what she was doing. At meetings, which he only went to so he could be near her, he studiously ignored her only because acknowledging her would be kin to declaring his love before all the others. Which is probably what he would have done in his weakness.
Now looking down at her beautiful face he felt his spark surge with longing. Keeping the emotion out of his optics he focused on something other than her. His gaze slipped to the tools in his workbench, all of them had to be cleaned and a few needed upgrades. His optics swept over the pair of energy restraints Jazz had brought in to be repaired. His excuse had been that Barricade had been overly violent. Ratchet suspected something more along the lines of Jazz, Bumblebee and a berth.
A small hand touched his side and Ratchet was overcome with images both related to and yet different to his previous thoughts.
Cameron's eyes widened as images of Ratchet hand-cuffed to a bed with optics bright with desire flooded her head. Quickly pulling away from his leg, she looked up at him. "Oh, wow."
Ratchet looked away, obviously embarrassed.
"Doc-bot's got a kinky side. Don't worry, I won't tell." She winked.
Smiling, she left the medbay to join Optimus Prime and the others.
Whatcha think? Review, let me know :)
TammyCat
