Author's note: I finally got around to updating! I'm very sorry for making so many of you wait. Ever since March, I have been dealing with a lot of physical and some mental health issues that have kept me from writing. I also had to put my rabbit, Copper down in September and it's my senior year so I have had less time. With the love, support, and help from my family, my friends, and the doctors and therapists, I have been feeling much better and have gotten the motivation to write this!
Thank you all for reading and now, enjoy the long awaited chapter of "The Patrol was Uneventful..."!
Raf woke to the sound of shouting. Rubbing sleep from his eyes, he got up and recognized the sounds of his parents arguing about something, possibly about who was to have the remote.
Raf sighed sadly, his parents have been fighting often, even about the littlest things. It started about a month ago, but long before that, he could feel the tension between his parents which only got worse as the days passed. The fighting was now starting to have an effect on his siblings. They would fight, get each other angry, or ignore everyone altogether. This was the third day in a row that he had to lock his door at night because of the threat of one of his siblings coming in and either stealing or destroying something of his while he slept. He should know, it's happened before: Once to his favorite RC car and the other to his dvd player.
Raf threw the covers off of him before getting off the bed. He walked over to his dresser and got a clean pair of clothes from one of the drawers. He clutched his jeans, white undershirt, and orange sweater to his chest as he opened two more drawers and grabbed a new pair of boxers and socks before adding them to the huge pile in his arms.
Raf unlocked the door and opened it enough for him to peek through, the shouting getting louder instantly. He looked up and down the hallway, seeing no one and no sign of any of his siblings awake or preparing to leave their rooms. Quietly, he stepped out of his room and closed the door before making his way towards the bathroom. Entering it, he quickly and quietly locked himself in before turning on the light.
Raf turned on the shower before stripping himself of clothing and hopping into the shower. The pouring water dripped down his form as he quickly wet his hair and lathered it with shampoo, the substance stinging his eyes as it was forced down by the liquid. Raf quickly washed the shampoo from his hair before grabbing a rag from the towel rack to rid his eyes of it. Once he was able to open his eyes, he placed the rag back on the rack and went to wash his body. After about five minutes, he turned off the shower and stepped out, grabbing a bath towel and drying himself off as he did so.
Drying his hair proved the most difficult. Unlike skin, it had a tendency of keeping in moisture. Once his hair was dry enough, he began to comb it upwards before spraying it with extra hold hair spray to keep it up. After fixing his hair, he put on his batch of fresh clothes and his glasses. Grabbing his dirty clothes, he turned off the bathroom light before exiting the room and walking to the kitchen, tossing the used clothing into the laundry hamper his mother kept outside the door.
Getting to the kitchen, he saw his mother standing at the counter with her head in her hands. She rubbed her forehead with her fingers, excluding both thumbs and sighed. Her face showed obvious signs of distress and frustration, but also a hint of sadness.
"Hi, mama," Raf said, coming up and hugging her. She smiled at the sight of her son and rubbed a hand over his head. "Where's papa?"
"He left for work early again." She spoke with a latin spanish accent. Raf got this answer from her several times. "Left for work early" was her pseudonym for "He stormed out and won't be back till 2:00 a.m.". He figured this out on his own, but didn't want his mother to know this. She had too many things to worry about already.
"Of course, mama." He said, giving her a small smile before taking a seat at the dining room table. She settled a plate of her famous bollos in the middle of the table before sitting at the counter and powering up her work laptop. As Raf bit into one of the jam-filled pastries, his older brother walked in. He looked around, specifically at his mother as he stalked to the table and grabbed a bollo for himself, before turning around and stepping towards the front door.
"Mateo Jorge Gonzales Esquivel." His mother said, the boy halting in his tracks as soon as she began to speak. She turned around, glaring at her first born.
"I got several emails from your teachers yesterday. You are failing three of your classes!"
Mateo looked down sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck with one hand. "Well-"
"It's your senior year! How will you get into any good colleges with grades like this?!" She asked, moving her hands in reference.
Mateo looked up. "Mama, there are many other jobs that don't require college education." He said, determination in his voice.
"I know that, but jobs do require some type of schooling, even if it's just high school. If they know about grades like this, they won't hire you." Mateo opened his mouth to respond, but was cut off by his mother's shouting. "I thought I taught you better! And don't give me that excuse about the teachers' teaching isn't good or understandable. I have been told that you haven't turned in homework, talked to them after class or school, or gotten yourself a tutor - I also heard that you're hanging out with that kid, Vince?"
"No. Where did you hear-"
"Small town, people talk." When Mateo didn't respond, she continued to speak. "I thought I told you that I didn't want you to be around him. He's a bad influence and I will not have my kid behave like a hooligan." Mateo didn't look up and she sighed. "Mateo, I'm only telling you this because I care about you and I want you to have a successful and happy future. The people you hang around with plays a big role in how your future will turn out."
"You mean like how you are with papa ?" Mateo asked. Raf's breath caught in his throat. His mother just looked at him with disbelieving eyes.
" Mama , I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that."
She looked down for a few moments before sniffing and rubbing her eyes. "You… you both should get ready for the weekend. Have a good day, I love you." She said before she broke off sobbing and running to her room and slamming the door shut.
Raf closed the front door behind him, gripping his backpack as he descended down the single front step. The sound of familier beeping made him look down the street, his spirits lifting when he saw the black and yellow muscle car parked a few houses down. Smiling, he began to run towards the Autobot.
"Hey, Bee!" Raf greeted with a wave. Bumblebee beeped a greeting back cheerfully as he opened his passenger door. Raf hopped inside and crawled into the backseat.
:Beep! Beep!:
Raf buckled his seatbelt just before Bumblebee pulled away from the side of the road and began to drive down the street. "I've been better…"
:Beep? Beep-Boop?:
Raf sighed. "It's just some family issues, as usual. My mom got into two fights this morning and I think my sister stole my toothbrush again."
:Beep-Beep?:
"Yes." Raf said with a chuckle. "She did."
:Beep-beep? Bzz?:
"I tried. In the past, my parents wouldn't step in to help and now, they won't listen to me at all. Well, my mom would; but my dad's never home. Besides, my mom has had many problems lately and I don't want to make it harder for her with something so pointless."
Bumblebee beeped back in agreement before it was silent. After a few blocks, Bumblebee drove out of the small neighborhood Raf lived in and turned onto the main road.
"Hey, Bee, do you have any parents or siblings?"
:Beep:
"You don't?"
:Beep-beep-boop. Whirl-bzzzz:
"So none of you have parents? But then how are you guys created?
:Whirl-whirl. Boop-beep-beep:
Raf thought over before continuing to speak. "So, if most Cybertronians are forged from the Allspark and Vector Sigma, then what is the other way you guys are made?"
Bumblebee paused for a few moments. :Beep-beep? Bzz?: Raf could tell that he was more flustered when he spoke.
"...Okay, I'll wait for Ratchet to explain…. Just don't have me explain how humans are created."
Bumblebee beeped back a joke in return. The rest of the journey from the town of Jasper to the Autobot base was filled with stories and laughter. Raf finished a story about getting revenge on an entitled neighbor when the secret entrance of the base opened up. But as soon as the door closed, they were greeted with the sounds of-
"PRIME!"
-that.
Once they got out of the tunnel and into the open space of the Command Center, Bumblebee opened the passenger side door, an obvious message to the boy in the back. Raf climbed out and Bumblebee transformed into his bi-pedal mode once his passenger door was closed. They were both greeted with the sight of Optimus getting yelled at by Agent Fowler.
"We have gotten reports of a blue motorcycle nearly pancaking kids in Canada. Care to explain?"
"Miko met some boys at a concert who threatened to harm her. Arcee scared them off to protect her."
"I understand that, but your team can't be going around making flapjacks out of people. And if someone of earth does threaten to harm the kids, let me know so the appropriate authorities can handle it. Let's be honest, we can't have anymore people knowing about giant robots."
"Understood, Agent Fowler."
The government agent gave a huff and then walked back to the elevator. He entered the lift and turned around to look at the Autobot as the doors closed with a chime, notifying his ascend back to the helipad.
Raf cautiously approached Optimus. "Optimus? Are you okay?"
"I am," Optimus sighed, "I just wish it would be easier for us to protect you."
Arcee, who was leaning against a nearby wall, said, "Well, it would help if our good friend Agent Fowler would understand that we sometimes need to use other methods to protect the people of his planet."
Raf looked at the Autobot leader sadly, but before he could offer any words of comfort, Ratchet spoke from his station.
"Optimus! I'm picking up readings of an energon mine. At the moment, I don't see any Decepticon signals," he said, the computer showing the coordinates.
"Megatron most likely hasn't found the mine yet. Ratchet, prepare the groundbridge for those coordinates," Optimus ordered, "I'll go with Bumblebee and Arcee to investigate. If there is no one at the mine, be prepared to send backup. We'll need all the assistance we have to offer."
Ratchet nodded as he entered the coordinates into the groundbridge computer. He placed his servo on the lever before saying, "Activating groundbridge." He pulled the lever. The groundbridge opened up and Optimus, Arcee, and Bumblebee transformed into vehicle mode before they drove into the portal.
The other side of the groundbridge opened up to reveal a cave. The three Autobots went back to bipedal mode after the groundbridge closed behind them. The mine wasn't very big, as Optimus's helm fins were about a story below the ceiling. Exposed energon crystals gave the cave a blue glow and energon cubes were stacked in piles. Cybertronian-sized drills and other equipment were scattered throughout the cave.
"The Decepticons have already begun mining the energon," Optimus observed, looking around the cave, "But it seems that Ratchet was correct in his statement of no Decepticon life signals."
:Beep? Beep?:
"Bumblebee is right, there should be some miner bots here," Arcee added.
"I do not know about the servant class bots, Arcee. Megatron must have ordered them to temporarily abandon the mine for other matters," Optimus answered, "Which makes it more important to get the energon to base as quickly as possible. Autobots, gather as much of the carts as you can and prepare to push them through the groundbridge." They gave nods of acknowledgement and went to do as he was ordered. "I will call for backup."
Back at the base, Ratchet was doing some research when Optimus's voice came over the comm unit.
"Ratchet, activate the groundbridge to my coordinates. If possible, send another Autobot through to help transport the energon. There is evidence of Decepticon activity here and we must get as much energon as possible before they return."
"Right away, Optimus," Ratchet said. Before he could contact either Arcee or Bulkhead to accept the mission, Bulkhead entered the area through the hall. He had been cleared by Ratchet earlier that morning.
"Bulkhead, Optimus needs you to help transport energon back to base," Ratchet said, briefly looking at him as he opened a bridge. Bulkhead was a loyal and determined soldier who would clearly give up his spark defending the Autobot cause and the ones he cares about, so Ratchet was surprised to not hear the heavy pedsteps head towards the portal. Ratchet turned to see the wrecker stand there, staring at the portal with wide optics, and… was he trembling?
"Bulkhead?" Ratchet asked impatiently. Bulkhead jumped and looked at Ratchet. "Didn't you hear me? Optimus needs assistance."
"Y-yeah, I heard you, Doc," Bulkhead said, hesitation in his voice.
"Well, enter the groundbridge. The Decepticons seemed to have left the mine temporarily. We need to get as much energon through as we can and time is running out!"
Bulkhead took a step backwards before saying, "Mine? W-well, I do believe I'm not fully healed for a mission like that, a-and I have to check on Miko after what happened last night."
"I cleared you this morning, and Miko needs some time to recover after her ordeal and she has been ordered to stay home unless necessary," Ratchet said, "You can visit her later, but right now, you are the only option. Now go help Optimus!" He pointed a digit at the bridge.
Bulkhead stared at the bridge before gulping and making his way to the portal. He stopped in front of it and entered the portal with hesitation.
Ratchet made a decision to talk about Bulkhead's actions with Optimus. They were nothing like Bulkhead's usual ones.
Optimus was relieved when Bulkhead came out from the groundbridge. Having one of his most loyal mechs and the one he was captivated with around made worry lift from his spark, even if it was only a little.
"Bulkhead, I need your help to gather the energon. Arcee and Bumblebee will take as much of it back to base as they can."
Bulkhead nodded, albeit timidly, before running towards some mined energon crystals and helping Optimus stack them into levitating carts. Arcee and Bumblebee were now carefully transporting the unstable form of energon into the groundbridge.
Optimus paused his work to look up at Bulkhead, who appeared to not notice his staring. Bulkhead was an attractive mech. In the gentle blue light and his cables flexing as he worked, it wasn't hard for Optimus to remember another reason why he grew attracted to Bulkhead after some time on earth. Optimus's optics traveled to Bulkhead's, but when he gained sight of those optics, he didn't get the same feeling as he usually would. Bulkhead's optics were wide, and darted side-to-side, as if trying to see every angle he could. There was also the lack of focus in them as well. Seeing the change confused Optimus, and he looked over his body if there were any more changes.
There were.
Bulkhead's stabilizers and servos were shaking. He almost lost balance and almost dropped the crystals several times. During missions and energon raids, he never trembled or lost focus on the tasks at hand. The changes worried Optimus, and he decided to speak up.
"Bulkhead?" Said mech nearly jumped out of his plating. Okay… that was definitely not normal. "Is something wrong? You're shaking and you seem out of focus."
Bulkhead looked at his servos before giving himself a good shake. "I'm fine. Just nervous about Miko."
Optimus raised a metal brow. "Are you sure? You usually don't act like this."
"Of course I'm sure. I would never lie to you, would I?"
No. You never would unless it was to protect me. That's another reason why I fell in love with you… Optimus thought.
Bulkhead began to push a loaded cart to the groundbridge where Arcee walked out of it. Bulkhead jumped at the sound of the exit before he realized it was the femme. As Optimus looked on, worry was beginning to make its way back to his spark. Bulkhead seemed so scared and tense, even Arcee was surprised. She threw up her servos in surprise. "Woah, you okay, Bulk?"
Bulkhead gave himself another forceful shake before smiling and giving a thumbs up. "Yeah, you just surprised me, that's all," he pushed the cart towards her, "Here's another batch for you to escort." Arcee looked at him in confusion before taking the cart back through with her.
The team spent about fifteen more minutes there, gathering enough energon to last them at least a few months. The entire time, Bulkhead was anxious. Optimus could feel the anxiety radiating off the wrecker. In fact, the longer they stayed there, the more jumpy Bulkhead became. Optimus had enough of seeing Bulkhead like this and decided to stop the mission. Bulkhead practically ran through the groundbridge as soon as Optimus told them they had collected enough and praised their work.
The Prime walked through the groundbridge tunnel, thinking about how to get more clues to lead to the cause of Bulkhead's changes. It would be something he would have to talk with Ratchet about.
Author's note:
Well, I hope you all enjoyed the third chapter and the story so far! Make sure to rate and review!
Stay safe!