"Ratchet, we're splitting into two teams; one for Asher and the other for Miko, do you read?" static came through so Locien gave a sigh as he glanced to his Ghost. "I don't know if you can hear me but...we're not leaving without Asher and we're sure as hell not letting them get away with kidnapping an innocent girl. We'll hold on until you can send back up, Locien out." Locien tried the coms with Imara and James but there was no luck, something was scrambling their coms the closer they got to the surface. They would have to see each other land in order to move. "Miluion are you getting anything from this range?"
"Barely, I am detecting an organic life signal but it seems to be mixed in with..." Locien glanced at his partner, he could feel the worry coming from him. "The readings...they are almost like that of the Vex."
"Ratchet said they were giant mechanized beings that took her." he moved The Last Battle towards the signal area and the others moved with him, good they were following his lead. "Decepticons is their faction name, a lot more creative than the House of Wolves at least." Locien felt a spike of wariness from Miluion, he knew his Ghost worried every time the Fallen House of Wolves was mentioned. "Get ready to drop Miluion." the Ghost disappeared back into his Guardian and locked for Transmat. Locien was the first to touch down, Imara was second and then James followed. Imara had her Touch of Malice pulse rifle out and ready; the strange gun's black ball emitting a strange aura. James held his No Land Beyond sniper rifle and Locien held his Zhalo Supercell with upgrades from the one and only Varriks.
"I see a good vantage point Loc, should I head up?" Locien glanced at his brother, Imara herself was staring at the ball on her rifle as if it was speaking to her and Locien would not be surprised if the compressed energy was.
"Use cover and get up there, make sure it's high enough that you can see everything." James nodded and moved forward with his gun up. Imara looked away from her weapon and nodded to Locien. "Keep your eyes open, they have a hostage so we're gonna hafta move quick." Imara aimed her gun and followed Locien's lead as he went around the rock formation. "Mil, anyway to establish contact with the others?"
"Alec and I are able to communicate with each other so the interference has to do with blocking a more precise signal frequency rather than our private channel usage. If you need anything I can contact Aaron and Grim." he answered.
"Such a smart Little Light." Miluion sent his partner an annoyed feeling. "Do automatic communications with the others." a metallic screech and Locien held up his hand to stop their advance. "Is James up yet?"
"Lain has informed us that there is a group of 3 Decepticons on the other side of these rocks." Miluion said. He glanced back at Imara who nodded again, Alec must have told her. "Imara suggests we move around separately and hit them from both sides." Miluion gave the Warlock a thumbs up and she quietly made her way back to the other side. With the ok from Miluion, Locien crept forward. He got into position and, at his Ghost's count, jumped out while shooting his rifle. His Decepticon target hissed and shot back at the Rogue. Imara herself was taking shots, the third Decepticon was moving to detain her but a shot to his optic had him screeching in pain.
"Keep it going James! Imara time to stun them to high hell!" Imara got behind cover and clipped her gun to her back. Locien dodge rolled to the left and barely missed getting taken out by a cannon shot. "Miluion did you find her?" He threw his Arcbolt grenade, the shock surprising his enemies enough that Imara called forth her Stormtrance and charged forward.
"I need time! My range is not that great when I'm not physically out there to scan." Locien reloaded his rifle as he watched Imara dance around them and she shock their systems. The best she could do with two attacking her, James was great cover.
"I'm moving forward, let's increase your range!" he moved around them, shooting as he went until he got behind cover and reloaded once more. Another few minutes and Miluion gave a triumphant ping.
"She is inside a cube like structure!" Miluion called into the com. "Imara and James will distract them! Get the girl!" Locien ran forward, his cloaking tech activating in time that the Decepticons didn't see him.
"Directions Mil!" The Ghost sent a marker straight ahead. Imara was gliding away from their shots and returning her own tenfold. James was still blinding them with his sniper so Locien made it to the cube without much trouble and thanks to his Ghost he didn't run right into the cloaked prison. Locien touched the cube and it shimmered back into existence, behind his visor the Rogue rose an eyebrow. "Not much cloaking if it comes back after a touch."
"I'll need to come out to scan this, don't let me get hit Locien." Locien rolled his eyes, knowing his Ghost could tell he did so.
"Très bien," he answered and let his Ghost appear behind him as he stood ready with his rifle. "Better make it quick because Imara's Stormtrance only lasts for so long."
"Then you're lucky I'm the Ghost that is very good at hacking!" was that sarcasm? Locien chuckled in return and didn't dare move. He wanted to draw as little attention in his direction as he could. "This is amazing! The coding is strange but it isn't difficult to bypass." with a final click the lock opened and the cube hissed. One of the underlings turned and fired a missile towards him. "Locien!" Miluion yelled as he disappeared. Locien clipped his gun onto his back and, as soon as the cube's walls opened enough, he quickly gathered up the unconscious girl then leapt away. He jumped and on his second boost he teleported behind a rock wall. The missile hit and debris flew everywhere. Locien used his body to shield Miko as it fell and Lain yelled into the com in worry.
"Imara take them out!" Alec called into her com.
"With pleasure!" she shouted as her Stormtrance disappeared and she took up her The Nightmare rocket launcher and fired up at the one who shot the missile. She shot twice and moved at the last minute as another made to grab her. James sent his commands to Lain who happily changed his gun perk to Firefly. He fired two rounds into one's head and it exploded three seconds later. That left the one going after Imara.
"Imara fall back, I'm hitting this thing down." he growled in which Lain transmitted to Alec. Imara shot at it's pede and it moved back. James summoned his sparrow and sped off his vantage point. He flew through the air and at the last moment jumped off, his Golden Gun activating as he fell downwards. "Yo!" he yelled and the Decepticon was stupid enough to look up. James shot his three solar bullets hitting the mech's face straight on. With his booster's help, James landed safely on the ground as the Mech fell down and offlined. The two Guardians nodded at one another and quickly ran over to where Locien was last seen.
"Loc!" Imara called as they turned the corner of the rock wall. Locien groaned as he held up a large boulder. "Of course...I should have known you're too stubborn to die." she sighed as James ran forward to help him out. Imara went to the unconscious girl and had Alec check her vitals. "She's alive but it seems there's a chemical of some kind in her system that's keeping her asleep." James and Locien moved the boulder aside and knelt by the two females.
"Any way you can get it out of her?" Imara shook her head at James' question as did Locien, who flinched in pain from the movement.
"It's dangerous to inject her with anything if we don't know what she was given, it could cause a reaction." Locien explained roughly.
"Or it could kill her." Imara added in. "We can't have that, it's already leaving her system but it may take a long while for her to wake up."
"But can you get it out?" Locien grinned at his brother's insistence to know.
"Of course, if I had access to a lab in which I can identify the chemical, that way I can use a safe method to remove it much quicker." James nodded. "Mark four hours from her kidnapping and one hour since Asher's light signal disappeared."
"We need to find whatever is blocking the signal, we get that and we'll have a way out plus communications with the others." They nodded to the Rogue who groaned as he stood up straight. "Mierde, I think my arm popped out of place."
"I got it," Imara stated as James carefully picked up Miko. "Take a breath." she ordered as she took hold of his arm.
"Do you know what you're doing Mar?" he asked.
"Would you be assured if I say yes?" Locien opened his mouth to answer when she pulled his arm forward and pushed back in. He let out a short yelp of pain before he gritted his teeth. "There we go!" she said cheerfully. "Almost good, at least until your Ghost channels light to heal you." Locien hunched over with a groan again as his Ghost did just that.
"You've got a mean streak hidden under all that Noblesse et la grâce façade." James snorted. Locien straightened up once Miluion finished and sighed as the pain started receding. "What do you think? Should one of us get on a ship with Miko or head out together and find this beacon?"
"It would be safer to get Miko away from here, if only so she won't be caught in the middle again." Imara answered. "Our ships will be undetected for a long while but looking at Cayde's last stealth drive..." Locien barked out a laugh and shook his head at the memory, Laura was still pissed to high hell at the Exo for sending Asher alone.
"Miluion will keep an eye out, he can maneuver my ship easily enough in case something does happen." James hummed but didn't disagree. Both Cayde and Varriks worked on Locien's stealth drive, his was more likely to hold out far longer. "Good, Mil take Miko up and keep a close eye on the ship and her vitals. Get in touch with Imara should anything pop up."
"Got it,"he answered before transmatting Miko from James' arms and into the Last Battle. James took up his No Land, Imara scowled behind her visor as she brought up her inventory and replaced her Touch of Malice with the Hardlight. The gun materialized from her pack. She checked over her ammo and nodded to her companions.
"I'd say spread out but seeing as these guys are huge compared to zealots..." Locien trailed off when he spotted something travelling towards them in the distance. "I think we have company."
"Think they're friendlies?" James asked as her reloaded his No Land.
"That's the problem, we don't know." Imara answered as she clipped her gun to her back and summoned her sparrow. She moved forward to create a space and Locien hopped on. "James think you can distract them?" Locien watched his brother nod, albeit hesitantly. Locien held out his Zhalo Supercell and James took it with a grateful huff.
"Don't die Jim." and they were off. James summoned his own sparrow and took off in the opposite direction. They needed time to find this thing and James would give it to them even if it killed him. Locien looked back to James until he could no longer see his brother. "You have a rough idea of its location don't you?" Imara didn't answer and only sped up to the full 160. It felt like hours until they reached a small canyon of sorts. She stopped and they both leaned over the edge to see a small light in the dark. "Huh...I thought there'd be some Decepticons down there."
"There might be something worse stalking the dark." she replied as she stepped off her sparrow. Locien followed and made sure his The Last Word hand cannon was strapped to his back. "What do you think?" Locien backed up a bit before rushing forward and jumping off.
"Keep up top, I got a plan!" he called as he disappeared into the darkness. Imara sighed, Ikora was right about this one thing. Locien was reckless in his plans, it was no wonder he got along well with Cayde. She looked down, her visor doing little to help her see where it is that Locien landed. The light flickered off for a moment before it returned in full force, it lit up the entire area and Imara's eyes widened at the amount of small mechanical beings swarming Locien who now held the beacon of light. Imara took up her Hard Light auto rifle and started shooting down into the pit that wasn't as deep as she had initially thought. Their attention was drawn to her as she managed to take out a few of them. Locien was using his hand cannon Ace of Spades instead of the last word that required both hands. He noticed how she drew their attention before turning back to the insect looking robots. He shot a few more times before the beacon disappeared from his hand and with it their light. The pit fell into darkness once more and Imara was forced to stop shooting, she didn't want to kill Locien unnecessarily. All she could hear was screeching until, with a burst of light, Locien reappeared. His arc energy crackling around him and for a moment, Imara thought he was using Stormtrance but he had a blade in his hand. He sent wave after wave of electric energy before they started rallying together to overtake him. Imara threw down her Arcbolt grenade and on impact it chained lightning bolts to surrounding enemies. Locien took the distraction and upped his light. He slammed down and sent a large waved of arc energy into the now depleted group. He jumped three times, electricity crackling around him and he charged down diagonally to slam down once more. Imara sent down another grenade and fired at the remaining creatures. Locien disappeared with the last pulse of Arc energy, shots and small light from the firearm could be seen before it went quiet. Imara waited with the rifle ready as she looked down the scope.
"Locien!" she called once and was half tempted to throw another grenade if only to light up the dark pit. "Locien answer me!" Alec appeared and floated beside his Guardian. With a small grunt from his vocalizer, Imara's com turned on. There was static at first and she flinched at it but soon a voice filtered through. "Locien!"
"Ma dieu femme! Can you not shout into the com link? You're gonna make me go deaf!" he answered and she couldn't help but snort in return. "Was that a snort from the great Warlock Imara? My, my...you do have a sense of humor." she lowered her gun as soon as she saw the Rogue blink into existence. "I'm fairly certain Miluion has the beacon shut off now, sneaky little light brought the ship to follow us." the Warlock nodded to Alec who opened the com link to the rest of their team.
"Dren do you copy?" a bit of static before the Titan's voice filtered through.
"Read ya loud and clear Mar, are you and the others alright?"
"Locien and I are fine, we found the beacon blocking radio transmissions but we separated from James. He's acting as a distraction." Locien grunted as he climbed up on the ledge and stood with Miluion now floating beside him. "We spotted two approaching vehicles, one grounded and the other airborne."
"Have you gotten in touch with him?" Hawke-76 asked urgently. Imara glanced at her Ghost. "From your lack of answer I'm assuming you haven't. We managed to find and extract Asher-8 however we had two Decepticons on our tail before they literally transformed into the vehicles described and headed southeast from our position. James may be facing them alone and one of them is dead set on killing us." Locien turned away from the Warlock and tuned into his private link with James.
"Jim are you alive?" Locien asked and he could feel the annoyance coming from Miluion. "James report in." silence followed Locien's voice and the Rogue cursed once more. "Lain do you copy?" Locien gave a low growl when no answer came; a marker appeared on his visor as did his sparrow. "Imara regroup with the others with my ship and give me an update on their progress. I'm going to get in touch with Ratchet and get them to send backup." he climbed on as Imara nodded. "I'm going for James, if possible I'll regroup with you."
"Don't do anything rash Locien, we still need you." Dren input.
"No comment, now go." Imara disappeared as Alec took her up into Locien's Last Battle jump ship. Locien raced off as soon as she did with him calling into the com link for his brother and his Ghost.
"Apologies Lupo but it appears we are going to need your assistance, James' leg is broken and he is currently hiding from the two Decepticons but I fear we will be found." Lain's voice never sounded like both a blessing and a curse before. "I will send you our loca-James!" the feed cut off and Miluion called for Lain.
"Open a channel to Ratchet, now!" Miluion found the frequency and cracked the code with difficulty. "Ratchet, this is Locien of the Reef do you read me?" Nothing so he tried again. "Ratchet this is Locien, can you hear me?"
-LINE-BREAK-LINE-BREAK-
"Are Miko and Asher going to be alright?" Raf asked as he looked up at Ratchet from the platform's railing. Ratchet and Jack glanced at one another for a moment before Raf's face drew up in fear and worry. "Those people you were talking to before...they'll be able to save them right?"
"I faintly detected something entering Earth's atmosphere, I'm sure they will reach them both in time." he answered and Jack was grateful that Ratchet was not his usual blunt self. "If they are anything like Asher-8 then they will hold out until the other's get there."
"Hey," Sam said as he crouched next to Raf. "I don't know Ash very well but I know for a fact that he's a tough cookie, a big metallic cookie alright?" That startled a laugh out of Raf and caused Sam to smile some. "He'll get Miko back and those guys? They're his team right?" Raf nodded. "That means they're from wherever he said he was from so they're just like him, Ratchet's right about that."
"Ratchet open a ground bridge, our human companions are in too much risk!" Ratchet cursed as he opened a ground bridge to Optimus' location. The Rangers came tumbling through, some on and inside Bumblebee as he came through. Ratchet commed the Medics and cursed in Cybertronian as they rushed to their companions. "Ironhide has informed me of Miko's location, Ratchet if we leave this fight then they will know we are going for Asher and Miko...and they will take them through their ground bridge." Ratchet new he had a point but they would need help even with Asher's team there. It had been silent from Asher's end for too long. The Decepticons were learning and adapting, Ratchet told Optimus he should have brought back the beacon Asher placed the first day they met. When they went back for it it was already gone, it seems they figured out how to use it for their own purposes.
"Ratchet I'm heading back, send Bumblebee through to Epps and the others." Ironhide said into the comm as he raced into the bridge. "Have you tried to get into contact with the others?" Ratchet shook the thoughts from his processor and went back to the com link. He changed the ground bridge coordinates and Bumblebee raced through before it closed again. Static before a voice came through; he listened intently, trying to hear through the weak signal's static.
"..is Locien, can you hear me?"
"Locien you're signal is weak but it is steadily growing stronger. Have you gotten to Asher-8 and Miko?" he asked urgently. The others around the room, excluding the injured and medics, were looking at Ratchet in hopes of hearing good news.
"Affirmative!" and they cheered. Raf and Jack smiled so hard their faces hurt. "Asher-8 is currently with Dren and Hawke. Miko has been extracted, Imara is currently en route with her and my ship to rendezvous with Asher and the others. Are you fighting els- zut!" he cursed and Ratchet started rapidly typing.
"I will open a ground bridge to bring them back quickly." Ironhide had let out a relieved sigh, Steelfrost and Miko were in safe hands...for now at least. He didn't know these people and he sure as hell didn't trust them but he didn't have a choice. "I will contact Asher-8 and have Hunter send us his location. Optimus can begin pulling back from the fight and-"
"With utmost respect Ratchet, I didn't contact you simply to inform you their status." Ratchet, Ironhide and the Rangers grew quiet. "Imara, James and I separated to find the device blocking the radio and apparent transport capabilities. We did, as you can see, but there were two Decepticons incoming. James went off on his own to distract them," Sam rose from his crouched position in alarm, one small guy against two Decepticons? "Zut enfer..." he muttered into the link. "I cannot get him on the com link, Lain established contact for a short while. It was not good news, James' leg is broken and I got broken coordinates before the link was cut. I'm approaching the immediate area but..." he sighed into the com. "I cannot evacuate James and kill those fils de pute on my own."
"I will send back up your way Locien." Ratchet answered. "Optimus, Asher-8 and Miko have been secured but one of his comrades is requesting back up. Sending you a ground bridge now." Ironhide was anxious, he should be going out there.
"Forgive me Ratchet but I've found them and I do not wish to allow the children to hear alors que je les déchire." The communications cut and Ratchet looked to Ironhide. There was another line opening and Ratchet tapped in.
"Please tell me you've heard from the, more than likely, self appointed Reef Prince." that got a short huff of amusement from Ironhide. "Wait is that 'hide? Hey man what's up?"
"Ratchet has sent Optimus to assist your comrade." he answered. "It is good to hear from you Steelfrost."
"Likewise 'hide but what do you mean assist?" but before he could answer another voice tapped in.
"Is James still planetside?" Imara asked before Dren cut in.
"Is our Gunslinger injured?" That made Ratchet pause, their Gunslinger? Well the only one that was injured was this James so he assumed they meant him.
"Locien stated that James' leg as broken," Ratchet answered. "He has cut off communications saying alors que je les déchire." Hawke almost snorted at the terrible pronunciation but she kept herself in check. "I have sent our leader, Optimus Prime, to assist in extracting James to our location." Imara sighed, Dren gave a "Traveler help them" and Asher groaned. "Is there something we're missing?" the medic asked as he received possible coordinates from Hunter for Locien.
"James is extremely important to Locien, we've seen what happens when someone so much as touches him without his permission. If what you're saying is true then Traveler help the Decepticons that broke his leg." Sam gave a hum in thought, he remembered someone being that defensive but it had be years since he had seen them...not after the incident. "The best you can tell your leader to do is keep out of his way and get James out of there." Sam leaned over the railing so he could be heard.
"Ash," he called into the com. "Should we send Ironhide?"
"Yes." was the immediate answer. "Just make sure you don't interfere unless Loc's pushing an enemy towards you." Ratchet opened up another bridge and Ironhide quickly went through. Asher gave a dramatic sigh into the com. "We have Miko so we're heading to ya on a stealth ship. Keep the back porch open for us will ya?" Raphael gave short laugh, they were on their way back.
"Optimus do not interfere, leave Locien to handle the Decepticons." Ratchet heard a quiet rumble from the com and he knew that he was almost too late in informing the Prime. "Ironhide is en-route, once you have this James inform me and I will open a ground bridge."
"Understood old friend." the Prime answered.
"Ratchet do you- wait am I on speaker?" Asher asked quickly.
"Yes." he answered as he awaited Optimus' call.
"Take me off, I need to speak with you privately." Ratchet did so and the trio beside him grew curious. "Do you have the equipment to test human blood for foreign chemicals?" Ratchet was confused for a moment but then he remembered that they had Miko and yet the girl had not requested to speak with Bulkhead. "Miko is fine, Imara has determined that whatever they gave her is not deteriorating her health but she wants to be sure."
"She wishes to isolate the chemical and find a safe means to flush it out." Ratchet concluded as he mentally checked through the equipment he had.
"You got it boss bot, doing anything without knowing is a risk neither of us are willing to take." it went silent and Asher gave a sigh. "Does your hangar have the capacity to fit a small ship?" Ratchet did a double take, he had forgotten Asher mentioned a ship.
"How large is it?" that got everyone's attention.
"The size of an X-Wing or flight jet." Ratchet gave a surprised noise. "Hey, you never asked how big my ship is and mine is bigger still compared to Locien's."
"The ship will fit, I'll have an area cleared for you." another set of coordinates came into the computer as he sent a com to the remaining Marines on base to clear the remaining vehicles. "Sending a ground bridge now." he punched in the coordinates and flipped the switch. "Has the hangar been cleared?"
"Cleared Ratchet, I see them coming through!" a Ranger answered. Ratchet looked down to Sam who tilted his head in question, what would they tell NEST about the newcomers he wondered.
"Stand by for Optimus' call," he said and Sam moved back to the computer in the corner of the platform. He put on a headset and tuned into the radio as he settled himself into the seat. "You two wait here with him, I will return shortly." Ratchet quickly went down the hall to meet with Asher and the others. When he made it he had to gaze in silent wonder at the makeup of the ship that was carefully landing down inside the hangar. The overall paint job was black but it held red accents in a symbol looking strangely familiar. The hatch opened and out stepped Asher with Miko in his arms. Soon after three others followed him; two women and one male, neither dressed like Asher.
"Chem lab schtick Ratchet," Asher called to Ratchet who turned on his pede and led them off. "Don't touch anything guys!" the Rangerss almost thought it was directed to them but judging from the snort that came from one of the new people, they knew it wasn't directed to them. One of the females followed their two comrades down the hall with the human girl in Asher's arms.
"Imara will have her up by the end of the day Dren, don't worry." the other female told the man who had stood by in silence as they walked down and out of site.
"It doesn't take away from the fact that a child should not be in the middle of battle." he growled and the Rangers glanced at each other in nervousness. "If I wasn't sure Locien wasn't giving those S.O.B's a good ass kicking I'd be out there right now giving them a taste of my Striker." Hawke crossed her arms and tapped her foot, Dren counted to that rhythm to calm himself down. "Thanks," he started. "Imara said this was our last run...that the Taken King would be the last of our fights." Hawke tilted her head at him, she knew the Vanguard would not let them leave. The Rangers were confused, Taken King? "She wants to get married...I mean she's hoping I propose and I am but it's kinda hard to when everyone is pushing us to fight. Said she always dreamt of a family of her own but the war got in the way." Hawke put a hand to his shoulder.
"The Sunbreakers will welcome you under their protection, they do not believe in not giving veteran fighters a choice." Dren let out a breath at the thought and nodded. He finally turned to the remaining Rangers who held both curious and suspicious looks. A flicker of dread passed by Dren, there was a chance Asher had not told these humans about his past. A bridge opened before anything could be said and out came Ironhide with his hand cupped around something. Both Titans realized who he was carrying and as soon as Ironhide saw them he knelt as the bridge closed behind him. "James?" Hawke asked as the bot opened his servo to reveal a slightly hysterical James laughing as he held his Ghost close.
"Oh man, I've never heard a big ass robot screech so much!" Ironhide gave mechanical grin to the Hunter resting on his palm. "Guys!" he said when finally noticed them standing there. "Locien started raining hell on them! It wasn't until these guys' boss bot appeared that he got them to retreat."
"So then where are they?" Dren asked as he and Hawke helped the Hunter out of the Autobot's servo. Dren glanced at the Rangers, some looked like they were piecing together something they missed.
"Locien wanted to ask one of them a few questions, the two I led away were gone but some of the smaller ones weren't completely offline." James leaned on Dren as Hawke took Lain into her hands. She too seemed to be laughing at the Decepticon's expense. "Hey uh..." James cleared his throat and did his best to stand up straight in the presence of others. "Are there any people here that can take a look at my leg?"
"I'm sure Ratchet can take a look for you." a Marine piped up which caused Dren to burst out laughing, maybe Asher had told them something. Hawke gave a huff before letting Lain float around them on her own. "Oh uh...you're not a machine are you?" James shook his head, his shoulders moving up and down with his laughter. The Ranger in question gave a sigh of embarrassment while the others realized the implications of the question. "Sorry, it's just Asher-8 is cybertronian...yeah so I just, you know what never mind." James reigned in his laughter and Dren stopped all together. Hawke's stance became rigid, they thought Asher was a version of a Cybertronian.
"Not all of us are." she started to explain, hoping they could salvage what they almost destroyed. "James here is Human, Dren is an Awoken and I am like Asher, Imara is Human as well." she looked Ironhide and the humans over before she manually removed her helmet. Laia did the same for James but, at Dren's word, Grim left his alone. "Now where's your medic for a human?" Dren snorted as he lugged James over to the group as they called over a medic from the 'bot's main room to set his leg. They had questions, that much they could tell but that conversation would have to come once James was healed and the others were back with them. James grit his teeth, it's times like these that he wished Locien was there so he could squeeze the daylights out of his hand.
"Guys," Asher said through the com. "I forgot to warn you so I guess we'll have to come clean about it all." Dren snorted, the action overlooked by Hawke and James who were listening to the Exo. "Locien says Optimus doesn't think it's a good idea but we don't have a choice. Also," the lightness of his robotic voice vacated at the next sentence. "We all have to talk about how and why you guys are here. Asher out." Dren looked to Hawke and groaned at the mess they made for their comrade. Also, he was not looking forward to talking about their methods of getting here with the Exo.
"Ironhide, Optimus and Locien are coming in. Make some room for them will you?" Ironhide moved at Sam's request and hovered over the duo keeping an eye on the humans treating James.
"Affirmative." the ground bridge opened soon after and Optimus walked through with Locien hanging off his shoulder. The Rogue hanging off the Prime's shoulder with a leg braced against the bot's arm. James gave a groan as the process was finished and his partner's light started healing him. Locien hopped down and jogged over to his brother's side.
"Where is Asher-8 and Imara?" he asked, his tone was void of any emotion. Dren tensed, it seemed even after getting James out and raining hell on the enemy the Rogue was still beyond pissed. He's seen him pissed, it was never good to cross him but it did often leave them with little more than a slap to the wrist for their misadventures...Dren supposed his temper had its uses.
"Imara needed to check what Miko was injected with to determine any lasting effects. Asher was carrying Miko and both followed after a Cybertronian named Ratchet." Hawke explained as she walked up to Locien. "Asher is not happy, he wishes to know how it is we made it here and why." Locien took a deep breath before letting it out slowly. Hawke drew closer to Locien, her voice dropped into a whisper. "Asher has agreed that the truth must be told to the human soldiers." Locien looked up to Optimus then turned to give Hawke a stiff nod.
"Good evening everyone," the humans stood at attention at the authority in Locien's voice. "I recognize that you have questions." they nodded. "From what Commandant Prime told me, you've begun to treat your wounded, take what is left of the day to rest. If your squadron leader wishes to speak with us then he may find us wherever Asher-8 will be." they answered with a 'Yes sir!' so Locien felt some of the tension ease. "Soyez en paix et restez tranquille. (Be at peace and rest easy)." Locien did not dismiss them, he had no further right to. He went over to James and helped the Gunslinger to stand. "Asher what is your status?" Dren held his breath, Asher would most likely answer with something he found amusing.
"Huh, never thought I'd be happy to try and understand you through your accent." Dren snorted but turned his head to look up when Locien turned his gaze on the Titan. "Miko is starting to wake up, she's groggy as hell and I gotta say the stuff she's saying is pretty funny." Locien looked to Optimus, Miluion took the silent request and allowed the Prime into their shared frequency. "No! Bad Miko! I'm not an oversized toy!" James chuckled and Locien began to settle down.
"Asher-8," he heard an 'ooo I'm in trouble' from the other end. "Where are you and Imara located?"
"In Ratchet's chem lab. Swordfish or 'hide should know where it is. Unless you want us to meet you-oh hey fleshies! Miko is back and almost back to normal!" Locien huffed a silent laugh, did this Exo seriously give these Cybertronians nicknames?
"I'm sure Commandant Prime will show us the way to you." Prime nodded at the Rogue. "Stay put, we'll make our way over."
"Aye Aye Keptin!" Locien had forgotten how...eccentric Asher was. Hawke said the Exo wasn't happy that they were there. Asher is many things but stupid is not one of them, in fact, Locien recalled the hunter saving his team on more than one occasion with his quick wit. He must have figured out the possible methods and consequences if he tried to get back home. He could feel the stare of the humans behind them as Ironhide started addressing them and they followed after the Prime.
"I have to agree with Dren," James said in a low voice to Locien. "And no this isn't about Asher. Although I am not looking forward to that particular conversation, I'm talking about how three kids got in the middle of this fight."
"I suppose we'll find out soon James." the Gunslinger scoffed. "They have no choice but to tell us, especially if Asher is expecting all of us to cooperate."
"You know something." Locien glanced at the Gunslinger and sighed.
"Not for sure, I have a hunch. An unnerving one at that." James said nothing but Locien knew he was expecting the Rogue to elaborate. "Not here, Asher should hear it. Better yet, I need to hear how and why they are after him. How he died even with these Cybertronians backing him, it will assist me in putting it all together."