Chapter 28

"Can I please! Can I please!"

Prowl couldn't help but grow more and more aggravated with the begging Bumblebee. Hands clamped together, Bee was nearly on his knees begging for the insignia. Optimus had not been seen for a while, and could not keep the child back. Jazz and Ironhide seemed to ignore them both, still discussing the placement of their own insignia. Prowl couldn't care less about the position of his.

"Ask Optimus when you find him," sighed Prowl.

"I've looked. I couldn't find him!" whimpered Bumblebee. "But he'll do it if you tell him its okay! So, please!"

"Oh dear," sighed Prowl.

"Who's next?"

Ratchet leaned in the doorway, rubbing something off his hands. He looked first to Prowl, who rolled his optics, then Jazz who pointed to Ironhide who pointed back to Jazz. Ratchet groaned, grabbing Jazz by the wrist and pulling him into the lab. Ironhide snickered, crossing his arms. Prowl and Bee gave him an odd look.

"Really?" asked Prowl.

"I don't like medical labs," shrugged Ironhide.

"Then why are you getting an insignia?" Bee questioned.

"No reason," yawned Ironhide.

Jazz came out quick, rubbing his chest and the new insignia. Ratchet pulled Ironhide in, which caused some struggling between the two. Prowl sighed, worrying further about the return of Optimus who hadn't came out. Bee simply continued begging. Ironhide shortly came out, also rubbing at his chest as the faded red mark. Ratchet looked down at the begging Bee then up to Prowl.

"You getting the insignia too?" questioned Ratchet.

"Why?" Prowl growled.

"Just wondering," shrugged Ratchet. "I'm on a role I figured."

"Where's Optimus?" sighed Prowl.

"He'll be out in a minute," nodded Ratchet, eyeing the ground.

Ratchet disappeared back into the lab, shutting the door behind him. Prowl sighed again. Something wasn't right and Ratchet knew of it. Jazz and Ironhide waited with Prowl for Optimus come out. When an argument formed behind the door with obviously Ratchet involved, the three became worried. Bee sat quietly. Finally the door opened, with Optimus's back facing them and Ratchet shoved him out.

"C'mon, Ratchet!" gasped Optimus.

"Get it over with! He'll have a meltdown one way or another!" snarled Ratchet, finishing pushing Optimus out.

The leader sighed, turning to face the three. The three gasped simultaneously. Bee titled his head slightly. He knew the bot to be Optimus, the noble blue optics were a dead giveaway. The faceplate below the optics was new, though. Optimus mumbled quietly, rubbing the back of his head. Prowl stood up first, opening his mouth to say something but nothing came out.

"Sorry, I didn't mention it…" mumbled Optimus, his voice seeming deeper than before hand.

"No that's…" groaned Prowl, trying to keep up a smile, "that's…that's fine."

"No it isn't Prowl," hissed Optimus. "Just tell me off now, you know you want to!"

"Whatever do you mean…" growled Prowl, closing his optics.

"Prowl," sighed Optimus. "Just say it!"

"Why!" sobbed Prowl, slumping over. "Why wouldn't you tell me! Why wouldn't you tell me these things! You know I freak out easily!"

"I'm sorry," chuckled Optimus, patting his friend on the shoulder.

"I'm done know," mumbled Prowl, collapsing into his seat again.

"Alright, now what?" smiled Jazz, standing up and clapping his hands together.

"Don't know," shrugged Optimus.

"Can I get-"

"Tell you what," cut off Optimus, kneeling beside Bumblebee. "Why don't you do something for me and I'll let you get a mark?"

"Okay!" cheered Bee. "What should I do!"

"Why not go help Elita," hummed Optimus.

"Okay!" nodded Bee.

"Optimus!"

The group looked up to see a panting bot in the entrance to waiting room. Standing up straight, Optimus stepped forward slightly. The bot was young, green colored in armor, with a side launcher on the right shoulder, offered a clumsy salute which Optimus simply nodded off.

"What is it?" Optimus asked the nicest he could.

"Mirage…Mirage and I were walking outside and saw something…I think it's the Cons!" gasped the bot.

"You sure?" Prowl gasped, standing up.

"Mirage is checking on the top tower but we were pretty certain," nodded the bot.

All optics turned to Optimus. Prowl shuttered slightly. This was the first really thought of war, a battle approaching quickly. A moment of truth for most, to know exactly what Optimus would choose. The leader slowly stepped toward the door, hands placed behind his back and optics eyeing the floor. Reaching the door, he turned around.

"Jazz round up some other bots. Ironhide find so weapons," ordered Optimus. The two dashed off. "Prowl, you're with me! You?"

"Me?" stuttered the green bot.

"Hound was it?" Optimus asked lightly. "Go keep a look out with Mirage and be certain!"

"Yes, sir!" replied Hound with another clumsy salute. He ran off.

"What should I do?" smiled bumblebee, leaping from his seat.

"Stay here!" ordered Optimus, leaving with Prowl.

"But…" whispered Bumblebee, slumping slightly.

He didn't stay still long, racing out to follow Optimus. It took a lot to keep up. The base was at full speed, bot he'd never seen before were racing to and fro. Elita was even running around, with several other forgotten named femmes. Bumblebee struggled to keep up with Optimus, trying hard to keep the leader at least in site.

Finding himself at the door finally, he tried to leave with the others. He wanted to help just as they did but he was pushed back by two bots. One was quickly labeled at Hound, who had just left. The other, a blue and white bot who offered a small smile, stood beside him. Bumblebee tried again, slipping between them, but they pushed him back again.

"Not this time, little buddy. Maybe next time," offered Hound, dashing off.

"Stay here!" ordered the blue, chasing after.

"But I want to help…" whispered Bumblebee.

Traffic flowed past him, bot after bot. soon the twins arrived beside him, followed by the other younglings. They watched other the older bots rush out with weapons, mostly guns, in hand. A couple waved goodbye and offered smiles but words never came up again. Soon, the base was practically empty, with only a few bots standing in the entrance doorway. Bee sighed, eyeing the ground. Their family was gone.

"No," growled Bumblebee, running back inside.

"Bumblebee!" cried the twins, chasing after. "Where are you going?"

"Crow's nest. I'm going to see what's going on," nodded Bee, barely looking back.

A/N

Warning…the ending is coming! I'm afraid too!