I'm not very proud of this chapter. But it's the best I could od, for now O :)


CHAPTER 29: NEW ARRIVALS

Near the Earth's atmosphere ...

"Ark 2 called Autobot base. Please, answer " the deep voice of Ultra Magnus rang through to the bridge "Optimus ... if you're here, if you're listening, please, answer " but the background was a series of static that lasted for several long minutes. The smiling faces just before they, now had become darker, hope seemed to have been abandoned. Until ...

"Here Autobot base Alfa 15 ... Optimus Prime is talking ... "static ... "Fellow Autobots ... is a pleasure to hear you all!".

The bridge of the ship burst into a roar of collective joy: who cried, who hugged, who began to cry.

Even Ultra Magnus, always so composed and serious, began to smile"It 'a pleasure to hear your voice again Prime".

"It is for me too, my friend! We're sending a set of coördinates where safe to land" continued Optimus.

"We could not ask for a better news, Optimus! Our landing is expected in about 2 Jorns. See you later, Commander!" the big mech red, white and blue concluded the conversation.

Moonracer was no longer in the skin. In a short time she could re-embrace his beloved Ratchet. The femme began to cry with joy and it took all her strength to not fall on the ground.


At the Autobot base ...

Wheeljack and Ariel were just in time to hear the last part of the conversation between the Autobot leader and Ultra Magnus. The former wrecker approached Bulkhead with a broad smile "I cannot believe that the old Magnus is coming here ... Bulk, but aren't you happy? " asked his friend.

In fact Bulkhead was not a happy or calm, he seemed worried.

"Well Jackie ... if you remember... me and Ultra Magnus we never clarified .. after that story "said the big green mech.

"What story?" Miko asked curiously.

Wheeljack was the one who responded "Well ... we could say the demise of Bulkhead from the Wreckers wasn't really happy "

"I don't understand ..." the girl said, confused.

"You know, Miko, Magnus and I have had discussions when I decided to join Optimus' team" tried to explain Bulkhead "He was and is a strong supporter of the Autobots, but he was not , in the beginning of the war, a big fan of our Prime! Then, over time, he has changed his mind ... but he and I have never had the opportunity to clarify our positions ... "concluded the former wrecker.

"Well I would not worry, my friend!" said Wheeljack, giving a pat on the back of his friend "A lot is happened and Magnus is one who forgets in a hurry".

"I agree with Wheeljack" the deep voice of Optimus crept into the conversation "I'm sure Magnus had other fish to fry! And then, it was a long time ago" Concluded Prime putting his hands on the shoulders of two former wrecker. The three shared a smile and then continued staring at the monitor.


On the outside deck of the Nemesis ...

Megatron towered proudly over his troops. He was standing before the throne, his hands at his sides and a wicked smile on his face.

"Today is the day of our last victory" began the great gray mech. The troops responded with a roar to the words of their leader.

"Today we will defeat once and for all our hated enemies, the Autobots" then closed his fist in front of him, "Today, I will tear Optimus' spark from his chest and his head will adorn the bow of our ship."

The roar of the troops became even more intense.

The leader of the Decepticons realized that Soundwave was approaching to show him something. On the face display of the silent commander appeared a map with a red dot moving toward the Earth's atmosphere. The dot then suddenly disappeared from the screen.

"A spaceship?" asked surprised Megatron.

No audible response arose from Soundwave.

"An Autobot spaceship? How is that possible? "In the voice of the great Decepticon warrior there was surprise and anger "This will not change our plans! It will make our victory even more complete! ".

Once again, the troops paid homage to their leader with a great collective roar.


At the chosen point of the landing ...

MIKO POV ...

I was no longer in the skin! New Autobots, here on Earth, came to give a hand to the Team Prime. I couldn't contain my joy and my excitement. All the way to the place chosen for the landing, I have done nothing but fill Bulkhead with questions about who he thought or hoped were on the ship, how many were ... But strangely my guardian and friend was very quiet ... and I couldn't understand why ... and it irritated me!

"Can you tell me what the hell's going on Bulk?" I asked huffing and crossing my arms on the chest.

I wanted answers .. and I wanted them now!


BULKHEAD POV ...

I know I should be more compliant with Miko and I would have to answer her many questions. But I did not. All the way, I only answer in monosyllables. In normal circumstances I would never have behaved like that. But in a few minutes I will met again Ultra Magnus, one of the bravest and noblest mech I've ever known ...

However Miko deserved an explanation, so, I started to talk...

Flashback ...

Thanks to Optimus Prime's doctor, I managed to get on my feet in no time. Ratchet (it was his name) advised me to go to the field hospital they were putting out Tyger Pax. Apparently the battle didn't go well. The losses on both sides were considerable. The victims between the Autobots were slightly more than the injureds. The city was lost, destroyed. All around me I could see just piles of rubble and destruction.

The good doctor put his hand on my shoulder and walked towards the small med bay that had installed. Despite my initial protests, yet I felt a sharp pain in my side where I had been hit. So I decided that the best thing was to regain strength before returning to the city. The battle was over. But we had to recover the bodies of the victims. No one would be left behind. Optimus' orders.

I lay down on a berth and closed my optics. I wasn't in a long recharge when I heard the voice of Prime in the room. He sounded worried, desperate.

"Ratchet ... Ratchet " it was almost a prayer. I opened my optics and I saw the supreme commander of the Autobots head to the doctor. In arms, he had a young ... too young soldier ... yellow and black. For Primus, the young mech was seriously injured.

"Please Ratchet ... save him ..." Optimus pleaded with tears in his eyes. I realized that the two should be very close.

"I have to go back to Tyger Pax" said the Prime, moving his eyes from the doctor to the young soldier.

"I will do everything in my power, Optimus" said Ratchet, putting a hand non the commander's shoulder. Optimus nodded and walked out of the room.

I jumped up and ran behind the big red and blue mech.

"Prime ... Sir ..." I yelled. He stopped and turned to me, smiling, with a sad smile.

"Bulkhead! I see you're feeling better! God!"he said putting a hand on my shoulder.

"I would like to join your troops, Sir! What I saw today has convinced me that you are the one who will lead us out of this war, Sir".

He stood where he was for some nanoclick. His gaze was on me, he looked at me seriously. And then..."Optimus" he answered. I looked at him confused.

"I told you that I am just Optimus" he concluded before turning" What are you doing? Are not you coming with me?". He had not to repeat it twice.

Present day ...

That day I knew Optimus Prime. And I never moved away more from his side. The voice of my "defection" spread quickly among the Wrecker. I knew it was only a matter of time, and Ultra Magnus was soon to find me ...

Flashback ...

"Bulkhead" the deep voice of Ultra Magnus startled me.

"Sir! It 'a pleasure to see you again, Sir!" I knew too well the commander was formal. Another big difference compared to Prime.

Ultra Magnus was stiff with his troops. No one called him in any other way than "Sir". Optimus, however, although he also maintained a certain distance from the soldiers, was more mech less commander for the most of the time.

The Wreckers' commander came towards me in big steps. He stopped right in front of me.

"Soldier! There are rumors that you left the Wreckers and you've joined our Prime's team ... don't you? " he went straight to the point.

"Yes sir! It 's all true!" I replied in an insecure voice.

"Don't you trust me anymore, do you? Or are you in search of commanders, you know ... softer?" asked sarcastically Magnus.

"Optimus and his team saved my life at Tyger Pax, Sir. I felt compelled to join his team!" I replied.

"And where's the duty toward your brothers Wreckers? Toward me?" continued the big mech.

"May I speak frankly, sir?" I asked, relaxing the shoulders.

"Suit yourself, please" he replied with a hint of irony in the voice.

"I listened to Optimus Prime's speeches and I saw him in action. I truly believe that he is our hope to win this war".

"So be it ..." he said venomously and went away.

Present day ...

"... And since that day I have not see him again!" I concluded my story "Now, Miko, do you understand why I'm so worried?".

My young friend didn't immediately reply "But you told me that this Ultra Magnus has changed his mind about Boss Bot ... so why bother? " she asked.

"Maybe you're right" I only answer.

We finished our short trip up to the established coördinates by listening to loud our track number 7. A way as any to not think too much ...


OPTIMUS PRIME'S POV ...

I couldn't express the joy I was feeling. Other Autobots were being to join our cause. But at the same time, I was really worried. I could see the same expression on Bulkhead's face, but for a very different reason of mine. I know about the last meeting between the former wreker and Ultra Magnus. And I undestood the green mech's worry. But I had no time for this.

I was too worried about one thing.

I couldn't be entirely sure, but probably Knockout had managed to send a message to Megatron. My hope was that our enemies had failed to find the coördinates of our new base ...

I wasn't when leaving the base to reach the meeting point with the Autobot ship ... but the hope is the last to die and I could not believe that ours was in vain.


I hope you like it and I hope I'll update sooner next time! Please tell me what you think! ;P