Sorry for the delay! I'd like to have a great excuse, but in all honesty, I'm just lazy. This has been a blast to write so far, though, so I don't really know why. Welp. My gratitude for all the great comments, and I'm glad so many of you seem to be enjoying this story so far. Please continue to enjoy it at your leisure.
Switchshade drove for what seemed like orns, though in reality it was less than a joor. His processor swirled with disbelief and skeptical gratitude, and after thinking over what he had been told, the dark mech decided that little of his situation had changed. Lord Prime-Optimus, he wishes to be addressed as 'Optimus', but how by the Allspark could I dare to address him so familiarly, as if I were one of his own?-hadn't seemed displeased in regards to his bold actions, and nor had he put any punishment into effect for Switchshade's weapons and comms being returned. If Switchshade continued to watch his step, and to stay out of Lord- Optimus' way as much as possible, then perhaps there would be no punishment for some time yet. If the Prime was telling the truth, then he had little to fear either way, for the only two mecha in the known universe he cared about were safe aboard the Nemesis, out of Lord Prime's reach. Ratchet… Ratchet will be safe, Lord Prime values him too greatly to harm him to coerce proper obedience if my conduct is… dissatisfactory.
Lost in thought, it took the black mech a moment to recognize the sound of two powerful engines roaring as they approached rapidly. Immediately he rolled to a stop, shifting into his root mode and crouching defensively, his blaster charging on his right arm as he lifted a blade on his left, red eyes sparking as he faced the threat. Nanoclicks later, he recognized the red Chevy and yellow muscle car, and instantly lowered his weapons, standing down as he watched Cliffjumper and Bumblebee approach. They transformed to their root modes as well, several yards from Switchshade, and Cliffjumper grinned widely at the black mech. " 'Shade, my mech, what're ya doing way out here?"
Optics widening, Switchshade felt his spark leap and accelerate rapidly as he suddenly realized his journey could be taken as an attempt to escape, despite Lord Prime leaving him free and unbound outside of the base. "I-I was just… I didn't mean to…" Cliffjumper's smile fell, and he stepped forwards, servos coming up in an 'I'm unarmed' gesture. "Hey now, it's alright. You ain't in trouble or anything. Boss-bot just wanted us all to round up back at base-we got intel that the 'Cons are moving energon and he wanted to brief us on the plan. 'Bee and I volunteered to come find you."
Dark red optics met and held cheerful blue for a long moment, longer than Switchshade had dared to make optic contact with any of the Autobots since his capture, as he searched for any trace of deceit in the bright red mech. He found none. Sensing his discomfiture, Bumblebee moved forward slightly as well, drawing Switchshade's gaze as he reassuringly whirred, :: Optimus isn't mad, I promise. We just need to head back to base, all three of us. Arcee was out on patrol as well, and Bulkhead went to find her. You will not be harmed, for you did nothing wrong. :: Switchshade cycled his optics in surprised gratitude at the young scout, younger even than himself, though not by much more than a vorn or two, and already possessed of great insight and compassion, even for a former enemy. In reply, the dark mech nodded, offering a tiny smile which was brightly returned, and then all three mechs transformed again and began the drive back to the base.
Not two kliks into the drive, Cliffjumper and Bumblebee made a race of it, alt-modes built for sleek speed zipping ahead, and Switchshade was more than content to follow in their trail, amused at the good-natured taunting between the two on an open comm. signal. They arrived back at the base in a fraction of the time it had taken Switchshade to leave, Cliffjumper having held the lead nearly all the way back, but Bumblebee managing to pull ahead in the last few precious nanoclicks, winning the scout the victory by millimeters. As they pulled into the common area, all three mechs transformed back into their root modes, and Bumblebee immediately began a cocky victory dance, causing a quiet chuckle from Switchshade and grumbling and a demand for a rematch from Cliffjumper.
Switchshade's good humor drained from him faster than he could invent when he noticed Lord Prime watching the three of them with an unreadable expression in his optics, and the black mech instantly offlined his vocalizer, abruptly cutting off his laughter. He immediately dropped his optics to the floor, moving carefully away from Bumblebee and Cliffjumper, and then darted a curious glance to Ratchet, who had clearly already catalogued and dismissed their presence, continuing to speak with Lord Prime regarding the humans' projects. It appeared that they were progressing less than admirably, and despite the 'Bots best efforts at helping, Ratchet was dissatisfied with their work thus far, and wanted to remain at the base and 'help supervise'. Arcee had gone out on a short patrol when Cliffjumper agreed to accompany Bumblebee to track down Switchshade, and Jack had been far too focused to openly object at their brief departure.
Now, as Optimus agreed to Ratchet's request to remain behind, his optics flicked to Switchshade once again, and the mech in question tensed, wondering what could possibly have drawn the Prime's attention. He was simply standing, servos held open and unthreatening at his sides, helm meekly bowed. There was a flash of… concern? in Lord Prime's optics, and then his gaze moved on, falling on Bumblebee as he summoned the scout to accompany him to investigate the moving energon.
"Why did you want the rest of us to be here, Optimus? If you were only going to take one of us?" Arcee asked curiously, tilting her helm, sharp optics darting between Optimus and Switchshade for a moment. "Because I do not know where or when Starscream plans to strike next, and given his… unpredictability, I felt it best that we all remain closer to base, at least for now. Do what you can to help the children with their projects. Bumblebee and I will call for backup if necessary."
As Lord Prime and Bumblebee vanished from sight, Switchshade felt his sparkchamber go cold, his wide red optics watching closely until they were gone. Lord Prime is powerful, Bumblebee swift and extremely resourceful… They can handle anything Starscream has in store… Primus, watch over your Chosen and bring him and his scout safely home…
A calm, almost lazy quiet fell over the base then, the only sound the occasional muttering of a 'Bot or human as they discussed the projects they worked on. Even Miko was somewhat at peace, humming softly to herself as she had Bulkhead once again holding up her solar system replica so she could 'touch up' the paint. However, even as Ratchet began to interfere- *ahem*, supervise the humans' projects, Switchshade found himself unable to relax. A great majority of his fear for his own safety had fled him at Lord Prime's departure, and yet an uneasy feeling of dread washed over him as he wondered what, exactly, Lord Prime and Bumblebee would encounter. Astroclicks later, Switchshade made a decision that had him shaking his helm at his own foolishness, as he shielded away any trace of his location before opening a very ancient, very familiar private comm..
[[Sire?]]