Somewhere near Mt. St. Hilary,
Justin walked to the tent swiftly and quietly. He had to get Jamie back to his camp, and then find the four teens. It was vital that he did, and he couldn't take Jamie to where he was going even though he knew the younger boy would want to come. He opened the tent and bent his head to walk in. Jamie was still cuddled in his sleeping bag fast asleep. Justin hated to wake him, but he knew he would have to.
"Jamie," he shook the child's shoulder. "Wake up."
Jamie moaned and turned over, pulling his sleeping bag over his head. "Five more minutes, Optimus," he murmured.
Justin smiled. "It's not Optimus," he corrected. "It's Silverbolt and we have to get you back to camp. I have something very important to do."
At this time, Jamie sat up almost fully awake. "You're leaving again?" he asked sadly.
"Yes, but not for the same reason," Jamie sighed and scrambled out of his sleeping bag and out of the tent.
* * * * * * * * * *
Back at Ariana's house, she and Eric were finishing writing the program to upgrade the Ark. Martin sat on the couch with his arms crossed over his chest, and Devon sat directly across from him, staring him straight in the eyes. The two shot lightning from their eyes at each other. Finally Martin couldn't stand it anymore.
"What?!" he exploded.
"You know what!" Devon shot back. "Rampage."
"Hey!" Eric turned from his work abruptly. "What's going on?" He got up and walked over to them. "Well?" Neither would speak or look at the other. "Okay," Eric took a deep breath, "Devon, I want a word with you."
The Maximal leader and a very unhappy Devon walked out of the room, and Martin let out a deep breath, grateful that he had not yet earned the wrath of Optimus Primal.
"How is the work coming?" he sat down next to Ariana in Eric's place.
"Slowly but surly," she replied, not taking her eyes off the screen. "Don't mind the fish, by the way. He's a jerk."
"I know," martin nodded. "But I'm more worried about you. Are you sure you're okay?"
"Fine," she replied.
"I don't believe you. You haven't been yourself since Justin left."
At this, Ariana stopped typing and turned in her chair to look him straight in the eyes. "How would you have me act" she asked sharply, "knowing that I can't help him anymore? Knowing that he's going through all of this alone?"
"I understand you feel helpless," he nodded, "but you can't give up hope. Justin needs time alone. As close as the two of you are, there are some things you just can't help him with. But you're helping us. Without you, we could never get the Ark back to it's full strength or win the war."
"That's not very helpful, but thank you," Arian smiled up at him. "Now, come on. See if you could help me with this program."
