Chapter 166 – No News is Good News - Right?

Ironhide P.O.V

It had been over two lunar cycles since that fateful day Phoenix left us to put into action our plan. A plan that would hopefully help us gain the upper hand in our battle against Unicron and the Decepticons by obtaining important intel.

I stood by the edge of the training mat watching Sunstreaker, Sideswipe, Arcee and Dino engage in battle drills with our N.E.S.T comrades. Since Lennox helped clear the way with the brass for Phoenix to defect to the 'Cons, Morshower had insisted upon stepping up the training programme between Autobots and N.E.S.T for both seasoned soldiers and new recruits. Something Prime had whole heartedly supported. /Not only to help everyone be prepared and possibly save lives, but to serve as a distraction I bet/.

As I watched the humans practice effective kill shots on what would be Decepticon targets, I couldn't help but think of Phoenix and how she was faring. None of us had seen or spoken to her in over two months. That, unfortunately, had also been part of the plan. Comms contact was forbidden and all connection to Autobot channels was removed. For all intents and purposes, it was to be as though Phoenix had indeed left us.

''Hey 'Hide, what's on ya processor?'' Lennox walked up and tapped my pede in greeting before folding his arms across his chest and casting a critical eye over the proceedings.

I gave a cursory glance towards my friend, nodding my helm in acknowledgement, ''Lennox,'' before I returned my attention to the scene before me. ''Your newest recruit, Private Barter, is hesitant in going for the kill shot. Could be a liability in the field.''

''Yeah, I noticed that too 'Hide,'' Lennox replied with a sigh. ''I'll make sure I have a word with him, go over the procedures. Perhaps Sergeant Wilks and Sideswipe can drill him further?''

I nodded my helm as I continued watching the humans work with the Autobots. ''Good idea. We'll need everyone to bring their A game should the worst come to pass – which it likely will.''

There was a moment's silence as both Lennox and I retreated to our own thoughts, which centered on our mutual friend Phoenix. After a moment Lennox voiced what was on my mind. ''So… how you think she is doing 'Hide? Has 'Bee reported anything?''

I could sense the concern in Lennox's voice, even though he was trying to sound calm and composed, I knew he was missing Phoenix as much as the rest of us. I ex-vented deeply. ''No.'' I shifted on my pedes. ''We have not heard anything back from Bumblebee for several days now. Last report he sent in, Phoenix had led raids on several oil refineries outside Houston, Texas.'' I felt a smile spread on my dermas. ''She was clearly in charge of the group, which included Starscream.'' I gave a deep chuckle.

Lennox laughed out loud too. ''That's our girl!''

''She also refused to harm any humans at the facilities and ordered the others to do the same, much to Starscream's disgust I bet.'' I felt a sense of pride and affection swell within me. /To think when I first met her when she was OC, I considered her beneath me in every way/. Now, she was very much my equal and more importantly – my dear friend.

Lennox sighed out loud, his voice filled with concern, ''I'll bet that didn't win her any friends amongst the 'Cons, especially with Starscream.''

''No, probably didn't, but she'll handle it. I know she will.'' I did not want to think of the alternative.

Silence once again settled upon us, and I watched as Sideswipe sent Arcee a wink while the teams regrouped for feedback. Sunstreaker took the cue to walk over and stand between them both, directing her attention to him, much to Sideswipe's annoyance. I shook my helm in amusement.

I had known for some time that Sideswipe had come to develop feelings for Arcee but things had intensified when his brother Sunstreaker had arrived on Earth. Given that everything between the Twins ended up being a competition, it would stand to reason that flirting and love would be no different. While it provided for some entertainment, it was also a cause for concern as, like Private Barter, they needed to make sure they were focused during battle.

''Well, I guess no news is good news, hey 'Hide?'' Lennox's voice snapped me back to attention.

''Perhaps Lennox, perhaps,'' I turned my helm to look down at my friend and sent him a quick smile. ''Let's hope so anyway.''

Lennox returned my smile briefly before growing serious. ''I'm almost afraid to ask 'Hide, but how - how is Optimus holding up?'' Lennox had unfolded his arms from across his chest and placed his hands in his pockets.

My face lost all expression for a moment, and I turned away, refocusing my attention on the recruits as they prepared to engage the Autobots in combat again. ''Optimus is Optimus.'' I looked back down at Lennox. ''He could be dying on the inside, and he'd never let on.''

Lennox snorted beside me. ''Yeah, the Big Guy does tend to do that doesn't he.'' There was a pause. ''But we know different, don't we?''

I nodded my helm. ''We do.''

Lennox reached out and patted my pede again. ''Well, if ya see him later, tell the Big Guy I said 'hi' and let him know that… that I'm.. that I want him to know…''

A smile found its way to my dermas again. ''I will pass on your greetings and your support to Optimus when I next see him Lennox. I am sure he will appreciate it.''

Lennox gave a nod and an appreciative smile. ''Thanks ''Hide.'' He turned to head off towards the recruits on the mat, no doubt making good on his promise to have a word to Private Barter. He called back to me, ''See ya round like a rissole!''

I froze for a moment as I recalled Phoenix, or OC as she had been then, saying those same words when she first arrived on the island with us. It felt like a lifetime ago. I had thought her strange ways and expressions annoying then. Now, what I wouldn't give to hear her say one of her stupid Australian sayings!

All at once my spark ached and I felt a sense of helplessness consume me. All I wanted was to be able to help her. To make sure she was safe. To make sure she came back to us. And yet – I could do nothing! In fact, to keep her safe I HAD to do nothing!

I suppressed a growl of utter frustration and unfolded my arms, clenching my servos by my sides. All at once, as quickly as the anger built, it diffused. /If Prime can keep it together, then so can you!/. I cared deeply for Phoenix; she was one of my dearest friends. I could only imagine what Prime must be going through. He loved her; she was his conjunx endura – the other part of his soul, his bonded. I sighed in exasperation. Though he had never openly referred to her as such nor completed the ceremony to make it official, it was widely known and accepted that he and Phoenix were bound to each other. /How much worse not knowing must be for him!/.

::Ironhide come in!:: Prime's voice burst to life over the comms, a tone of concern clearly evident.

::Ironhide here, what's up Prime?:: I immediately responded.

::I have just received word from Bumblebee that he has sighted Phoenix and had some contact with her:: There was some relief in his voice then and I confess I felt relieved too.

::Is she okay? What was she doing?:: I could not contain the worry in my own voice.

::Report to the Med Bay immediately please Ironhide. I have commed Jazz to attend too and Rachet is already here:: There was a pause for a moment. ::I would appreciate having you all there while I relay what Bumblebee told me… I… I… think we might need to initiate the fail-safe soon:: Though he spoke calmly I could tell Prime felt anything but. The fact he had even requested the presence of his three most trusted friends here told me all I needed to know about how he was feeling.

::Consider it done! I'm on my way Prime. Ironhide out::

::Thank you old friend:: The line fell silent and I turned on my pedes. ''HOUND!'' I yelled out across the training room towards where the rotund field medic and weapon's specialist sat chewing on his cigar as he cleaned his weapons.

''Yeah? What's up?'' He flicked some ash off his cigar onto the cement below him, though he made no move to get up.

''Prime has requested my presence. Tag you're it!'' I sent him a quick smile. ''See that the young ones toe the line in my absence.''

Hound nodded his helm as he eyed Sunstreaker and Sideswipe and placed his cigar back in his mouth. ''Oh, I'll see to it, don't worry about that.''

I nodded and chuckled to myself as I exited the building. I knew I had left everything in capable servos. As the Med Bay loomed ahead, I felt the smile disappear. /Please, let Phoenix be alright. For all our sakes/.