Chapter 8

"Grimlock?"

The T-Rex looked up from the file he had been peering at. "What problem, Swoop?" he asked, noting the flier's worried expression.
"Me Swoop hear other Autobots saying Ratchet hurt, might die." The smaller Dinobot said, slightly hesitant. "It true?"
"Me, Slag hear that too." Slag chimed in.
"Us as well." Sludge added, speaking for himself and Snarl.

Grimlock looked at the other Dinobots scattered around their lair. He hadn't wanted to worry them, but now they knew they needed reassurance. "It true Ratchet hurt." He said after a moment. "But Wheeljack fixing him. Ratchet will be OK, him Wheeljack can fix anything."

There was a happy rumble from the other Dinobots. Grimlock settled back down to read his data pad, a small smile hidden under his face mask. The Dinobots were naturally close to Ratchet and Wheeljack, and truth be told Grimlock had been worried when Prowl gave him the news. But then he remembered that Wheeljack would be operating on Ratchet, and T-Rex had utmost confidence in Wheeljack's abilities.

0o0o0o0o0

It was times like this when Optimus despised his role as Autobot leader.

Not long after arriving back, the Prime had gone into his quarters, where behind the safety of his locked door he could pace in worry and fear for his friend's life. He couldn't join the other Autobots in the common room, not until he could get his own emotions under control first. As Prime he wasn't allowed the luxury of showing fear, anxiety, worry or anything like that. No, he couldn't be, for lack of a better word, that human.

He had to maintain the brave face, be the strength that his troops needed. He also had to be the one to arrange matters in case the worst came to pass.

"Slag it!" Optimus brought his fist down on the nearest wall, creating a new dent to join the other two dozen already present from earlier crisis. Back when he had started to organise a proper army to stave off Megatron, Ratchet's was the first voice raised in support. Over the years of warfare, the two had become close friends.

But now Ratchet was hurt, and Optimus couldn't even show that he was worried for him.

0o0o0o0o0

By the time the first cracks of light appeared over the mountains to the east, the understandably exhausted Wheeljack had poked his head out of the repair bay long enough to tell the twins that Ratchet was still offline but stable. The news spread very quickly and a great deal of the tension melted out of the air as the Ark's occupants breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Unfortunately, the calm was short lived as the sensor net, newly updated with Chip's enhancements, blared an alert. The Decepticons were back.

0o0o0o0o0

"Situation!" Optimus barked as he ran into the control room.

"Radar shows approximately 20 Decepticons inbound, 30 klicks and closing." Prowl reported, his fingers flying over the keyboards as he brought up video feeds from the cameras stationed around the perimeter. "Lockdown is in progress and troops are being directed to defensive positions."

"Belay lockdown and re-deploy troops to offensive." Prime ordered, earning himself a questioning look from Prowl. "The Decepticons wanted to make this fight personal." Optimus flicked the safety off his rifle and loaded it. "Let's show them personal."

0o0o0o0o0

As he lay on his stomach on a rocky overhang beside his brother, Sideswipe's face twisted into a distinctly feral grin as he heard the new orders over the radio and they were reassigned from sniping to front line engagement. He didn't have to look to know that his twin bore the same expression.

Sideswipe scanned the horizon until his optics alighted on a familiar silhouette. "That one?" he asked, indicating the rapidly approachingjet.
"Yes." Sunstreaker replied, optics narrowing into thin slits. In unison the twins rolled to their feet and leapt down the hillside. It was time for some well-earned revenge.


PuraJazzBot-Does that answer your question?
Tyra King- :evil chuckle: At least one 'Con will most certainly regret it.
Uftaki-Glad you liked that line : ) It was quite hard to think of something that would work.
Straya- Thanks so much for your help with this one, I really appreicate it