Author's note. Second exam done so I thought I'd finally get this updated. Hope you all like this, I spent the last few days on it.
Suggestions are welcome.
Enjoy and please review.
Optimus sighed as he continued through the ship, barely noticing where he was going. His nerves were on fire, his subconscious was convinced that Megatron would find them if they lingered on this asteroid any longer. He knew it was stupid, even if he was tracked it would still take the Decepticons time to find them here.
But he didn't care how long it might take them, he wanted to put as much time and distance between his team and Megatron. But so far, none of them had come up with a decent planet they could emigrate to. He was getting frustrated by this, he wanted to settle down and hide as soon as possible.
"Primus, what are we going to do?" he muttered to himself as he approached the ship's main hold.
He typed in the code to the door and entered it the hold, suddenly stopped as he came face to face with an unfamiliar container. His expression grew grim as he realised that this was the AllSpark, yet another reason why they needn't to get away from this place as soon as possible. The young Prime walked over to the container and bent down to examine it.
It appeared to be well contained, his scanners weren't picking up anything. However, his curiosity got the better of him and he reached to touch it. Still nothing, so now he carefully unlocked it, blinking as the AllSpark's bright light hit his optics.
"Uh," he grimaced, shielding his optics with one hand as the light dazzled before dying down to a more manageable glow.
He was able to gaze at his kind's most precious artefact, hardly able to believe this was real. Sometimes, he wondered what it would be like to have a normal life where things like this didn't happen. Ah well, there was no point burying his head in the sand, he would just have to deal with things as they happened.
He would never be sure why but in that moment, something compiled him to reach even closer and gently touch the AllSpark crystal with a single finger. It seemed to fill him with new energy and as his finger stayed there, warmth spread throughout his body, healing all the aches and pain he had from Valour's birth.
Unable to help himself, he grinned in delight, he felt so much better. If only this almost mythical object could take them to a place where they'd be safe, then he'd truly be happy. But as he wistfully thought this, the AllSpark suddenly began to glow, its light becoming brighter and brighter until the whole room seemed to turn white.
"Ah!" Optimus yelled as this happened and he blindly reached for the AllSpark, hoping to close it but it was too bright.
He couldn't stand being here, it felt like his optics were going to be burned out. He fell backwards before stumbling away, he had to get out of this room before everything exploded. Colours flashed before his optics as he stumbled out into the corridor which was mercifully dimmer.
But now the whole ship seemed to be shaking and he started to run away from the AllSpark, he had to get help, he couldn't handle this by himself. Primus, if this ship was destroyed, then they would be stranded and utterly helpless to whoever might stumble across them.
"Optimus," came a voice up ahead and he recognised it was Prowl's, he was still having trouble seeing properly.
"What's happening, our sensors are going crazy..."
"It's the AllSpark," Optimus gasped out as he felt the Cyber Ninja catch and support him.
"I don't know what's wrong but it's doing this."
"What?" Prowl exclaimed in confusion but saw that a distant white light was growing and promptly back tracked.
"Come on, let's get you to the Med Bay, I'll handle the bridge with Bumblebee and Bulkhead."
"Valour," Optimus cried out, what was happening to his little Sparkling. "Oh Primus, I have to get to him."
Prowl didn't say anything, just guided his leader so that he didn't run into a wall. They somehow managed to get to the Med Bay in record time despite how much the ship was shaking now. Optimus's optics were much clearer now and he was able to see Ratchet clutching a stirring Valour.
"Prime, what's going on?" Ratchet half roared as Valour began whimpering.
"The AllSpark, it's been activated," Optimus gasped as he lunged for his Sparkling and took him quickly in his arms.
"Frag," Ratchet cursed as Prowl rushed to the bridge. "If it's activating, we're about to split this place fast."
Optimus stared at him as he tried to calm his distressed Sparkling. Did Ratchet mean what he thought he meant, were they about to be transported to another place? But what about the Space Bridge and where in the Pit were they going to end up?
"Ratchet, boss, what are we going to do?" Bumblebee all but howled down the comm.
"We can't stop it," Ratchet roared back as he started getting a strange looking capsule together.
"Head for the Space Bridge and have Bulkhead set off the detonators!"
"But we don't know where we're going," Bumblebee replied frantically but Ratchet just snapped.
"Just do it!"
"Ratchet," Optimus now cried, clutching Valour even tighter to his chest as the Medic stumbled over with the strange capsule.
"Here, put him in this," Ratchet ordered, opening it out and Optimus could see that his Sparkling would fit snugly in it. "It's a special medical capsule for Sparklings, it'll protect him for the journey."
"Right," Optimus said, carefully placing Valour inside although it broke his Spark not being able to hold and comfort him. Ratchet grabbed a jar of some strange looking jelly, dipped his finger in it and then smeared Valour's lips.
"That'll help calm him down," Ratchet said softly as Valour licked it up and did indeed start to calm slightly. "But I ain't got much of it I'm afraid. Now, close it up and hold onto him tight, Optimus."
Optimus did as instructed before clutching the capsule as tightly as he could. The ship was bucking and shaking as it lifted from the asteroid it had previously resided on and aimed straight for the Space Bridge which had been also activated.
Everyone was trying to hang on to something as the engines powered up and then suddenly surged forward at an incredible speed through the Space Bridge which shook and then exploded after they'd gone through. They all yelled as the ship glow bright blue, the only one who was calm was Valour as he was protected within his capsule.
They could feel the ship shooting through space although they had no idea where they were going and nor could they see what was ahead. They were only aware they were approaching a planet when the ship began to shake and warning alarms sounded as it began to heat up in a new atmosphere.
"Primus protect us," was the last thing Optimus heard from Ratchet before the ship smashed into something and he was thrown forward into darkness.
Earth
Sometime later
"Uh, what happened?" groaned Optimus as he awoke very slowly.
"Oh my!" came a strange voice from below him. "Y-you're awake."
"Yeah," Optimus grunted, wishing his processor would stop pounding. "W-what...?"
"I believe you crash landed," the voice now said helpfully. "But I think your friends are alright, just unconscious."
"I...uh...," Optimus stammered, trying to get his bearings but it was as though the very room was spinning. "Give me an astro second."
"No problem," the voice replied cheerfully. "Please take your time, there is no rush."
"Thanks," the Autobot leader said gratefully, clutching his head in his hands as he tried to remember what happened.
He remembered the blind speed through that Space Bridge, things exploding and then a metal shattering crash. He groaned, they'd be lucky if the ship wasn't scrap after its crash landing, hell, they'd be lucky if they weren't scrap. But then one thought abruptly burst through his confused processor and with he gasped out.
"Valour!"
"Valour?" the voice repeated as Optimus struggled even more to regain his composure and awareness. "Is that this cute little fellow? He seems alright, he's currently giving me a wave."
Relief washed over Optimus, Valour must be okay. But he would only be truly satisfied when he laid optics on his son and saw him smile. Finally, he was able to regain his senses and winced at the sight of the messed up Med Bay. In one corner he could see Ratchet's unconscious form but for the moment, he was only concerned with his son.
"Over here?" the voice called helpfully and Optimus turned only to jump back in shock.
A tiny, brow coloured organic with a mess of black fur on his head and wearing different fabrics on his body was staring at him in both polite and excited interest. He stared at shock, the creature was so tiny and yet didn't seem to be afraid of him. As he gawked, the creature spoke again, indicating something just out of Optimus's sight.
"Is this what you're looking for?"
"Valour," Optimus gasped and he rushed over as the creature dodged aside to find the capsule lying there.
He cursed himself for letting go of Valour during the crash and quickly scooped the capsule up. True to the organic creature's word, Valour beamed up at him, eagerly waving. He didn't seem to be damaged so he quickly opened and capsule and scooped Valour into his arms, snuggling him close.
"Oh Valour," he moaned as his son cuddled into his shoulder.
"Is that fine young man your son?" the organic creature asked interestedly and Optimus nodded.
"Yes, he is my son, Valour."
The creature grinned up at him before saying.
"I'm sorry, I don't believe I've introduced myself. My name is Isaac Sumdac, and I am a human being. What might your name be, good sir?"
Optimus stared at him for a moment before saying.
"Optimus Prime...aren't you...afraid of me?"
He couldn't help but ask that question, the human being just seemed so calm about everything. But then it occurred to him that just because Isaac Sumdac was small and unassuming didn't mean he wasn't deadly. He knew all too well that organics could be dangerously and the thought made him tense up a bit.
"Well, I am labouring under the hopeful impression you're not going to hurt me," Isaac said slowly. "You're not, are you?"
"No, I would never harm an innocent creature," Optimus assured him and Isaac beamed.
"Well then, I have nothing to worry about then."
"No," Optimus said slowly before moving over to where Ratchet was, still cradling Valour.
As he bent over the Medic, he asked.
"How did you find us?"
"You crash landed on this island that I happened to be staying on," Isaac explained. "I came him to watch the stars and do a bit of tinkering...I want to be an inventor someday."
Optimus nodded distractedly, to his relief Ratchet didn't seem to be badly injured. He was just unconscious and a bit dented here and there but nothing that couldn't be dealt with. Valour chirped curiously, obviously wondering what was going on and Optimus rubbed his back comfortingly.
"Did you say the rest of my team was okay?" he questioned as he carefully lifted Ratchet into a more dignified position although he was only able to use one hand.
"Yes, they appear fine," Isaac said earnestly. "Your window screen was broken and there was enough of a gap for me to enter. I couldn't see anything leaking or wires sparking or anything from your friends."
"Good," Optimus said firmly with a sigh. "They probably got hit worse being in the cockpit so I'll wait until Ratchet's awake and he can treat them."
He assumed Ratchet wouldn't be long in waking since he had barely a few minutes before. He turned back to Isaac who was watching him with a wide smile, his eyes alight with interest.
"Is this an organic planet?" he asked softly, not sure how he'd feel about the answer.
"It is," Isaac confirmed. "But you needn't worry, by your standards we're quite primitive."
"I doubt you can be that primitive," Optimus said kindly. "You'd be more afraid if you were."
Isaac inclined his head as Optimus asked hesitantly.
"Do you...have any dangerous organics on this planet?"
"We do but none that would be a danger to you," Isaac assured him. "Some of them are bigger than me but still a lot smaller than you. We do have some venomous creatures but they wouldn't be able to penetrate your armour even if their venom could harm you. We do have some poisonous plants but those are generally only dangerous if consumed."
"And that isn't very likely," Optimus said, smiling in relief as he realised this planet was nothing like Arachnid Seven. "Thank you Isaac Sumdac."
Isaac chuckled before saying shyly.
"You can call me by nickname if you like, all my friends do and I hope we can be good friends."
"What is your nickname?" Optimus asked curiously sitting down on an overturned crate as the small organic came closer.
"The Professor," Isaac said with a slight flush. "Because I love tinkering around with machines and things...non sentient ones," he added quickly as Optimus almost frowned.
"There are no real robots on Earth, just movie props and toys really."
Optimus nodded, accepting the answer, he would learn about this planet soon enough.
"So...we are the first real robots you've ever seen?" he now asked.
"Most assuredly," Isaac said with a nod. "It is possible that other may have been to Earth but they have certainly never revealed themselves to the general public. Somehow I think that you and your crew are the first ones here."
Again, Optimus nodded slowly as a small Spark of hope began to buddle deep inside him. Was it possible that they had accidently found a safe haven to settle and raise Valour safely? Primus he hoped so, especially as it sounded like the ship would need quite a few repairs to make it space worthy again.
"This planet is called Earth?" he questioned and Isaac noded.
"Hmm, what a strange name," he mused, he'd never heard anything like it.
Isaac shrugged.
"That's what we call it...what is the name of your planet if you don't mind me asking?"
"Cybertron," Optimus said softly as he wondered whether he'd ever be able to go back there.
"What's it like?" Isaac asked eagerly but at that moment, Ratchet gave a long groan.
"I'll tell you another time," Optimus promised as he gently laid a hand on Ratchet's shoulder.
"Ratchet...are you alright?"
"Urgh, what happened?" Ratchet grumbled as he opened his optics to squint at Optimus who smiled back.
"We crashed," he said simply and that woke the Medic up.
"But everyone's alright, just knocked out," Optimus continued as Ratchet rubbed his helm.
"Mmm," Ratchet mumbled with a scowl as he shook himself before critically examining both Optimus and Valour. "Well, I'll admit you appear to be functioning but..."
His optics suddenly landed on Isaac and he openly gaped.
"What the slag is that?"
"Ratchet," Optimus said sternly. "This is my friend Isaac Sumdac, also known as the Professor. He's an organic called a human being."
"Huh," Ratchet said, still giving Isaac Sumdac a rather suspicious look. "Well, we'd better see to the others."
They awkwardly climbed out of the Med Bay, Isaac following and headed for the cock pit. Both Autobots winced a little at the amount of damage their ship seemed to have sustained but there was nothing to be done about that for the moment. Even if they weren't going to stay here permanently, it would still take a lot of time to repair this place.
They managed to enter the cock pit without too much difficulty and found the others beginning to wake up. Ratchet started treating them at once while Optimus sat down with Valour, Isaac standing close. Once the other three were fairly recovered, they were introduced to the small organic.
Bumblebee just gaped at him before declaring he looked weird while Bulkhead didn't seem to bothered, just happy to meet a friendly face. Prowl on the other had was delightedly fascinated by him, something Optimus was a little surprised at. The Cyber Ninja always maintained a rather lofty air and yet was practically friendly towards the human.
But after all the introductions were made, the biggest question was finally asked.
"So...," Bumblebee said, drawing out that single word. "What are we going to do now?"
"We will likely be forced to remain here for quite some time," Prowl said softly. "If this is a primitive planet, it may be difficult to get supplies."
"But do we want to leave?" Bulkhead asked quietly.
There was a pause at this. And then Isaac spoke.
"If you decide to stay, I will help you as much as possible. You are my friends now."
"Thanks," Ratchet grunted although not unkindly.
"Is your species advanced?" Prowl now asked and Isaac shrugged.
"By your standards, probably not but we have come a very long way in a short amount of time. In a few decades, we ourselves will think of this particular time as almost primitive if you know what I mean."
"Does that mean the Decepticons don't know about this planet?" Bulkhead asked hopefully.
"It is likely," Ratchet said musingly. "Otherwise they'd just take this place over seeing as how I doubt you humans could do much to stop them. DO you have a lot of resources?"
"We do," Isaac said, making Ratchet nod.
"There you are, I really don't think this is on any of their charts," he said gruffly as he turned to Optimus. "But the question is, can we really live here?"
"It's a safe place at least," Optimus mused as Valour quietly gurgled on his shoulder. "It's certainly worth considering."
"Forgive me," Isaac suddenly said. "But it seems to me that you are all desperately trying to find a safe place to live."
They all looked at him and Optimus said.
"We are," he admitted softly. "The situation is...complicated."
Isaac nodded sympathetically before saying a little nervously.
"I have...a proposal for you."
Fifty Stellar cycles later
Optimus sighed as he carefully mixed several strains of Energon together. After the cycle he'd had, he felt he deserved a little cocktail of Medium and High grade Energon. It was hard enough running after two kids but add a hyper Bumblebee to the mix? Yeah, he really needed that drink.
"Daddy...daddy...look at me!"
Optimus looked up to see his son waving madly from his climbing frame and duly waved back with a chuckle. Things were certainly a lot different from when they first landed on Earth. Back then, they'd been on the run with a newborn Sparkling and not a lot of options only to crash land on this primitive organic planet.
It wasn't easy adapting to it, they'd faced so many challenges as they learned to live there. But with the help of the Professor, they'd managed and now lived a relatively peaceful and comfortable life. When he'd first proposed they work as partners to build something of a robot empire, to help the human civilisation along.
At first they'd been a bit sceptical but after some persuasion during which the Professor assured them that they would be equal partners and they could sign off on everything he did. After a lot of discussion, weighing the pros and cons of such a decision, they eventually agreed to give it a try.
In the meantime, they focused on fixing the ship and looking after Valour. Very soon after the crash, the little Sparkling started having bad nights meaning none of the Autobots got much recharge. Ratchet had assured them that this did happen and wasn't anything to worry about. All they needed to do was wait it out until Valour settled down.
It took almost a full Stellar cycle or human year for that to happen but it was such a relief when Valour started sleeping properly. And thankfully, apart from the odd incident which never lasted long, Valour never had trouble with recharging again. All in all, he was a normal, happy little Sparkling who just wanted to have fun with his daddy, all his uncles and his best friend Sari.
The little Femme was the Professor's daughter but she wasn't an ordinary girl. She was only half human, she'd been found by the Professor as a Protoform and when he'd touched her, his DNA had fused with hers. She became his daughter that cycle and although the Autobots had been deeply shocked at her appearance, they accepted her.
For the moment, she was just a normal eight Stellar cycle human girl, they weren't going to try and tap into her Cybertronian abilities until she was a bit older. In the meantime, she made the perfect playmate for Valour who'd started to get a bit lonely until she appeared. He'd loved her at first sight, even when she was just a little Sparkling herself.
She spent nearly all her time with Valour now that she was old enough to do so and Optimus had had the pleasure of escorting the excited youngsters around the city all cycle. He honestly wondered where they got the energy for continuously running, jumping and screaming that they did all cycle.
He smiled as Valour encouraged Sari to climb up after him, those kids really loved the climbing area that had been specially built for them both. Over the Stellar cycles, they'd turned this abandoned island into their base of operations although most of it was under ground. Prowl had wanted to preserve the nature, plus it meant their base was hidden from prying optics.
The island gave them privacy but they weren't cut off, they'd managed to construct a secret tunnel from it to the mainland, deep underground to ensure there wasn't much chance of it being flooded. It made things a lot easier getting to the city, especially as they'd long since adopted Earth modes.
Optimus grinned as he took a sip of his drink, content to watch his son and Sari play. Yes, everything was going just perfect.
Megatron's POV
Megatron gripped a metal railing hard as he stared out of the view screen at some drifting asteroid. Fifty Stellar cycles it had been, fifty long Stellar cycles since he'd last clapped optics on both that whore Prime and his son. It was as though they'd completely vanished, no one had seen hide nor hair of them in all that time, not even the Autobots.
Shockwave had kept a close optic out for news but the Autobots were as puzzled as they were. Prime had never contacted Cybertron and had apparently never contacted any Autobots, baring perhaps his team. For they too appeared to have vanished, not long after Prime's escape and it was more than likely they were with him now.
They had been tracked to an asteroid belt but all that had been discovered was a destroyed Space Bridge. One that gave no indication who had used it or if anyone had gone through but Megatron knew that they had. The problem was that a destroyed Space Bridge couldn't tell you where it had sent its travellers, not when it had been utterly blow to slag.
Megatron growled under his breath, how could his pathetic mate have managed to hide so well? It was unbelievable that a bunch of bumbling Autobot rejects could do such a thing and yet they had. One Decepticon had unwisely suggested that they'd all be killed and that was why they couldn't be found.
You could say he learned his lesson but dead soldiers can't really learn a lessons can they?
Megatron gripped the rail even harder, although he had no idea where his beloved little Sparkling was, he knew he wasn't dead. But what would he look like now, he'd be talking and walking by this time. And no doubt being fed a steady diet of Autobot sappiness. Primus, the damage he was going to have to repair once he rescued his son, he hated to think about it.
Optimus Prime had a lot to answer for and by Primus he would.
"My lord?" a nervous voice said from behind him and he half turned to see one of his Decepticons bowing low. His temper and patience had grown considerably shorter since losing Valour and all his Decepticons knew it. They lived in constant fear that they would be punished next.
"What is it?" Megatron growled and the solider quickly said.
"Sir, we have more scouts that can be sent out to search for the little prince and his Carrier."
"Hmm," Megatron said softly, turning so he was facing the Decepticon leaving a very dented and bent railing behind him.
"Anyone of note or just the usual useless cretins?"
"There's Tracker and Counterpunch, sir," the solider named Deadbeat replied.
Megatron knew of them, they were a decent enough team but not the best. He put as many of his soldiers as he could spare into tracking down his son but so far, none of them had succeeded.
"Who else is there?" he growled out, there had better be some good names in there.
"Uh," Deadbeat stuttered, searching his processor for a more impressive name.
"Blackarchnia my lord, the Techno-organic, she's returned."
"Ah yes," Megatron murmured, he remembered her very well, frankly who could forget.
She'd gone off on her own shortly before the little Prime had been captured but now it seemed she had returned. Well, despite her rather freakish appearance, she was useful especially because of her hatred towards Autobots. Plus, she was more likely to search organic worlds than the rest of his Mechs, yes, she would be perfect.
"Very well," Megatron now snapped and Deadbeat jumped to attention.
"Send them all out, give them the usual orders and information...and tell them that my patience grows thin."
"Yes sir," Deadbeat said before beating a hasty retreat.
Megatron sighed heavily, what was it going to take to find his son? Well, every Stellar cycle that went by made him want to punish that little Prime even more. And punish him he would once he was within his grasp, he'd make his rue the cycle he ever decided to run with their Sparkling.
Author's note. The Autobots enjoy life on Earth but how easy is it? Also, with Blackarchnia on the search, can they continue to evade detection? Find out next time, until then.
