Chapter 26 – Meetings and Greetings
It really is amazing how time flies when you are having fun and surrounded by people you love and care about. My work life had been hectic too with more and more Decepticon sightings and skirmishes and N.E.S.T being deployed on a regular basis around the world.
Sometimes I accompanied the Autobots and Lennox and the rest of the team to earn some field experience, but I was always carefully supervised by either Lennox or Prime himself and those missions always turned out to be more surveillance or reconnaissance than out and out combat. /Something I feel both Prime and Lennox carefully planned/.
More often than not I remained behind on base at Diego Garcia to continue developing my powers and my fighting ability, both of which were coming along incredibly well if I do say so myself. Before long another five or six months had slipped by.
Chase and I had gone from strength to strength. We were now officially living together and were a ''couple.'' It was quite serious as we had purchased a few house plants together. Nothing says commitment like the shared responsibility of keeping something alive. Who knew, in time we might even get a dog.
Chase had also become a semi-permanent fixture amongst our little family, spending more and more time with me meant spending more and more time with the Autobots, Lennox and Epps. At first Chase had been somewhat overwhelmed and in awe, especially of Optimus. I certainly didn't hold that against him – Optimus can be very awe inspiring.
When Chase first met Optimus a day or two after I moved out, he had kept referring to him as ''Sir'' and had been rather formal with him. I suspect the reason had been two fold; it had something to do with knowing how important Prime was to me and wanting to make a good first impression to show him he was indeed worthy of me, and the fact Prime was so imposing.
When I had introduced Chase to Prime the Saturday morning after I moved out, Prime had stared at him for a moment, regarding him closely, his large metallic red and blue forearms folded across his massive barrel chest. He blinked his optics and then lowered himself down until his face was mere metres away before speaking in a low rumble, ''So, Chase Ryder, you are the man responsible for taking OC away from us?''
Both Chase and I had gasped in shock at this blunt question from the normally very reserved and politically correct leader. The other Autobots gathered around also showed similar shock, except Rachet who seemed to smirk slightly. Chase began to stammer, and I simply yelled out, ''Optimus!'' and placed my hands on my hips.
Prime continued a beat later, a small smile forming on his dermas, ''I believe you are also the man responsible for making Orianna the happiest I have seen her in the relatively short time I have had the pleasure of knowing her.'' He blinked again and looked sideways at me for a moment before looking back towards Chase and continuing, ''for this I thank you and am happy to make your acquaintance.''
I removed my hands from my hips and gave Prime a huge smile before I walked up and wrapped my arm around Chase's waist. At this gesture of comfort, he seemed to find his voice, ''Thank you Sir! It is indeed a privilege to know Orianna and to be introduced to yourself. OC always speaks so highly of you Sir.'' Chase risked a quick glance towards me to confirm that he had not misspoken. I simply grinned at him and then back at Optimus.
''Does she now?'' Prime arched an optic ridge at me in silent enquiry. ''Well, I shall do my best to live up to the image OC has - embellished of me,'' while there was a serious edge to his voice, there was also a playful undertone as Prime once rose again to his full imposing height.
''Yeah,'' I called out to him, ''you're off to a cracking start so far,'' the cheeky tone in my voice elicited a grin from Prime.
''I aim to please OC,'' Prime responded with equal wit. Turning his attention back to Chase he asked, ''I assume you have met the other Autobots under my command?''
''Sir, yes Sir! I have had that pleasure,'' Chase responded only just refraining from saluting.
''Bloody hell Chase, relax! You're not normally this ''formal.'' I chastised him. I heard Ironhide and Sideswipe snigger in the background and I sent a withering glare in their direction – which did nothing.
Chase turned to me and nervously laughed, ''Yeah, but I also don't normally converse with giant alien robots who have a vested interest in my girlfriend either.''
''The man has a point OC,'' was Prime's mirthful response. Prime ignored the ''death stare'' I levelled at him and continued, now turning his attention to Chase, ''While I appreciate the respect you have shown OC, myself and my team Chase, you do not need to be so formal around us - around me. Please, call me ''Prime'' or ''Optimus'' there is no need for any other designation.'' He allowed a small smile to grace his dermas.
''Si… Okay - Prime. Thank you.'' Chase corrected himself.
Prime nodded. ''Now, I don't know if OC has had the chance to show you around our facilities, but you are welcome to have a look around. I am sure OC, Ironhide, Sideswipe and the others, if they so choose, would be all too happy to give you a tour and answer any questions you might have about us,'' Prime turned to leave.
''Where are you going?'' I asked raising a hand as if to stop his retreat, slightly hurt that he wasn't going to be hanging around a bit longer.
Prime's optics shone brightly for a moment, ''I have business to attend to.'' Without meaning to I allowed my disappointment to show on my face. Prime continued, ''but I will try and catch up with you all later.''
It was not a promise but at least he indicated he would try and spend some time with Chase and me. I brightened, ''That would be great.''
At this Prime inclined his helm towards both Chase and I, ''It was a pleasure meeting you Chase. Perhaps we will see more of you around, you would be welcome. OC, always a pleasure to see you.'' Prime stared a moment longer at us both before taking his leave of us all and walking off towards Hanger 1 and no doubt Lennox and an awaiting satellite link to General Morshower.
''Well,'' Rachet's voice piped up. ''You shall have to continue the tour without me as I have duties in the Med Bay. Feel free to stop by later if you like OC and show Chase around. Chase,'' Rachet inclined his helm and also took his leave.
''And then there were six,'' Jazz called out.
''Make that five,'' Arcee interrupted. ''Patrol beckons me,'' she sounded slightly disappointed. ''Nice to see you again Chase and OC, maybe we'll catch up later?''
''No worries Arcee, good to see you again too. That'd be great!'' As she transformed, Chase stared mesmerised by the process, she then sped off to begin her patrol. I turned to the others, ''So… who is in for a tour?''
''I'll take some of that action,'' Jazz announced.
''I can show Chase more of my weapons. Maybe we can even go to the firing range, there are new targets?'' Ironhide sounded hopeful.
''OOhh….Count me in, I'm always down for a bit of fun,'' Sideswipe announced.
''What happened to the old ones,'' I asked inquisitively.
''Ahh… routine maintenance. They needed replacing. Upgraded now,'' Jazz had quickly explained.
I simply frowned at this explanation. /I don't recall the targets being that badly damaged a few days ago as to warrant complete replacement/. Before I had the chance to verbalise this thought, Chase interrupted in excitement.
''That'd be awesome! I'd love to see you guys in action. I'd love to have a crack at it myself too.'' Chase puffed out his chest. ''I'm actually a fair shot if I do say so myself,' Chase admitted proudly. I beamed at him.
''Only too happy to oblige Chase,'' Ironhide replied. I had a feeling if I wasn't careful, I would have to vie with Ironhide for Chase's attention. ''Be interesting to see if you can shoot as well as you boast to.''
''Okay, well I guess it's settled then. We'll all head to the firing range for a demonstration of sheer Autobot awesomeness and maybe a little friendly competition and then perhaps by the time we have finished there, Optimus and the others might join us for the rest of the tour,'' I had sounded hopeful but knew deep down I didn't think it would happen.
Everyone nodded in agreeance and we headed off towards the range. Chase and I opted to travel with Ironhide and leave my beloved Relda behind at Autobot quarters.
It had been a great afternoon. As the hours ticked by, Chase began to relax in the company of the others, showing them his true self. He was funny, a good marksman and a bit of a prankster, keeping Sideswipe in line, no mean feat. By the time we had finished at the range it was late afternoon, Arcee had joined us and it was Jazz's turn to tag in and do patrol.
''Later man,'' Jazz called out to Chase, ''Cool to hang with ya,'' and he gave Chase a gentle fist bump. He turned to me and whispered, ''Lil' lady, he's a keeper,'' Jazz gave me a wink before he transformed and rolled out.
'So,'' Arcee had asked as she strode towards us, ''Who's aft needs handing to them?''
Sideswipe gave a disbelieving snort, ''Like you think you could best me?''
Arcee laughed, shoving Sideswipe playfully on the shoulder strut as she walked past. ''Oh Sides, I don't think - I KNOW I can best you!''
Amongst the outburst of laughing Sideswipe scowled before a dangerous smirk spread across his faceplates and he followed Arcee. ''Bring it!''
And with that the competition started anew.
As I watched Arcee and Sideswipe and the others prepare to engage in a new ''friendly'' showdown, I blurted out, ''So, is Prime going to be joining us?''
Arcee turned her dainty helm to face me as she scored a direct hit on the target to Sideswipe's annoyance, ''No, sorry OC. He said to give his apologies he is held up with meetings and is afraid he will not be able to join us today.''
I could not help the disappointment that crossed my features. ''Oh well, his loss I guess.'' I primed my own weapon and aimed at one of the targets, ''Another time maybe.''