Meanwhile, as the others were starting to clean up around the original citadel of Vos, Tuner, Spinner, Artic Cat and Snow Cat were all flying slowly and heading back to the citadel. "What do you think this all means?" Spinner asked.
"I think one thing it means is that we must make sure the temple of Primus that was constructed millennia ago is fully functional as not only a place of worship but also a place where, if our sparklings so choose, they may live full time once they are grown" Artic stated.
"I agree" Tuner stated.
"I just hope the others who flew ahead are starting the clean up safely" Snow cat stated, "as when our brethren left, they kind of left a mess of the place."
Artic chuckled a bit. "Shows a bit of perspective, the grounder exploratory team we met thought it was in pristine condition, but we who lived there long ago know it has fallen into a state of disrepair."
"Be careful, Artic" Snow said, "you have to realize they have seen much worse devastation than we have. They saw that Megatron guy blow up and destroy almost every Citadel on the surface of Cybertron, so to them our only recently discovered ancient home is Pristine."
Artic had forgotten about that. "You are right snow, I didn't think of it that way. In that sense, it does look pristine" Artic admitted.
"Like you said, Artic, it is all about perspective" Spinner added.
"Well, hopefully, we can return it to the real pristine version" Artic stated encouraging the others as they flew.
"Just like the other Autobots are restoring the other citadels" Tuner added.
"Exactly" Artic answered and they flew on towards home.
Meanwhile, back at the underground base, Optimus was getting report from jazz on how the citadels were coming along and what had been down so far. Optimus still wasn't allowed to do much more than get reports and make the biggest decisions, but he appreciated the fact that Jazz and Prowl both sought to inform the real Prime of all progress or lack of progress made. Optimus was pleased when he heard the progress reports, but the few negative, lack of progress reports made him a bit miffed.
"what seems to be the problem with that site?" Optimus asked, after hearing a particularly negative report about lack of progress.
"The workers are rebelling against their supervisors, who refuse to pitch in and help, according to those who do most of the work" Jazz replied.
"I expect my supervisors to be willing to help out when needed" Optimus explained, though Jazz already knew that.
"Yes, I know you expect that, Optimus, but these bots don't seem to be pulling their weight" Jazz replied.
"As much as I would like to go check out the site, I am medically unable to do so right now" Optimus stated.
"I have advice, Optimus" Jazz stated.
"What advice would that be?" Optimus asked, curious.
"Send Ironhide and Prowl. If those two can't straighten this up, then we would have to wait until you are cleared to do so" Jazz stated.
"Or I would have to get a medical exception" Optimus reminded Jazz.
"Yes, that it possible, but I only see that as a last option" Jazz stated.
"Then send the two bots you recommended to straighten out this mess" Optimus stated.
"Yes, Prime, will do" Jazz stated, happy that Optimus gave him the freedom to make this choice and suggestion. Jazz headed off to inform Prowl and Ironhide of what he needed them to do.
Once Jazz was gone, Optimus sighed heavily. Mirage heard it. "I know you wish you could do more, but right now you can't" Mirage stated.
Optimus looked to his mate. "It's not just that. I am disappointed that the bots that were chosen to be supervisors at that site are not the bots that they portrayed themselves to be. If I had known they would be like this, I never would have made them supervisors" Optimus replied.
"Optimus, you aren't perfect and nobody expects perfection from you. There is no way you could've known unless Primus decided to reveal things to you, and he didn't do that in this case. You were making what you believed was the best choice. This isn't a reflection on you, but on them" Mirage explained.
"But I fear those who are rebelling will see this as my fault" Optimus stated.
"Not when they see that you have sent bots to fix the issue" Mirage answered.
"I hope you are right, love" Optimus stated.
"Trust Jazz, he will handle this. Now you need to rest so you don't stress out those little ones you are carrying" Mirage mentioned. Optimus nodded, but it was difficult to get his processor to stop thinking about those at that site. He wanted to help so bad but he couldn't. He had to trust Jazz, Prowl, and Ironhide. And with reluctance and a lot of help from Mirage, Optimus finally fell into a restless recharge.
Once Optimus was out, Mirage commed jazz. "Mirage to Jazz"
"Jazz here, what did you need Mirage?" Jazz asked, knowing Mirage was sparked.
"Permission to go with Ironhide and Prowl" Mirage stated.
"What?! No, you are sparked" Jazz stated.
"Jazz, I need to go with so my mate will be at peace with this. I could use my illusions to keep myself safe and use my illusions to make Prowl and Ironhide appear to look like Optimus" Mirage explained, showing why he felt he needed to go. "Besides, this isn't a battle, just a construction site."
Jazz was reluctant to allow Mirage to go, but Mirage eventually convinced Jazz to let Mirage go as well. Mirage made sure Optimus was safe and had energon nearby as well as made sure Keeper and Flasher were home for a bit to watch Optimus and then Mirage took off with Prowl and Ironhide, who both were not happy to have Mirage there due to Mirage being sparked but they allowed it when he explained why he was coming. And so the trio headed out, hoping to fix this issue at this troubled construction site.