Co-Authered by Kitra and Omicron
Atlantis
A Living World
"Oooo, look at this, and this- and all this information!" Blaster cheered as she used the Jackjammer to explore the human planet-network, waiting for Wheeljack to give the all clear or come back to bring his ship to the hidden base of the Autobots. "Wing! Stop staring out at the darkness and come see the natives! Their so cute, and not just the primal ones!"
White audial flares twitched and the knight pulled his mind back to the here and now. He walked over, casting a glance at the screens, "Looks like sparklings. They're small like you. And probably just as snuggly." He grinned and rubbed her head in a pet.
"I'm bigger than them by twice as much," Blaster leaned into the touch, chirping softly at the contact, "Not to mention mass, Wheeljack mentioned that there was some humans working with the Autobots, and having a few sparklings- youngling... in their care.
The jet hummed softly, scratching along the back of her neck. "It's going to be interesting meeting them." He purred softly and eyed the pictures again. "I see a lot of fun ahead."
"Yes, and sooo many things to chose from," Blaster chuckled, "Even fliers, though you may want to keep your form, but then its distinctive"
"I will keep my form, I'm barely visible against a sunny sky and from the information I dare suspect that human eyes will barely be able to make my shape out with the altitude I'm usually flying in. And anything that forces me to fly low enough for them to distinguish it, means there's other mechs around." He concluded.
"We'll try for that," Blaster nodded, pausing as the ship picked up some Cybertronian communications, metaphorically tackling it. "Oooh this is Deception chatter- and this line here is Autobot. Interesting, this must be from the same place."
"Are they fighting?" He asked curiously, if concerned. He suspected a clash between the two factions would be the only reason they'd be in the same place. He hoped though that nothing would happen to any of them.
"Most likely," The little femme nodded, her optics on the screen, "Or someone is playing raptor and glitch mouse."
"Let me guess, that happens more often than not?" He meant the clashes in general, he was not keen on all the fighting and fuelshed that came with the war and wished he'd known a way back to the city without alerting either Blaster or Wheeljack of its exact location. He dropped slightly when he realized that it wouldn't be long until the giant woke again and Achat would come after him, tactics, logic and his creators be damned. Wing was his consort, Wing was not allowed to just disappear and be alone in a frightening war.
"Not as much as you would think Wing," Blaster assured as she worked through the communications, recording as she plugged into the ship itself, "This is... not really small scale but its not like when Megatron was assaulting Cybertron, not by a long shot as the natives say."
The jet twitched his wings in a slight shrug. "It's all unnecessary, but if one isn't willing to stop, the other can't do so either." He sighed and flopped in his seat, humming softly. "I understand why my creators and Achat left with as many as they could. This is unnecessary, stupid fuelshed that brings nothing but pain."
"I'm sorry Wing, but its not that simple, not anymore." Blaster paused for a moment, "If we stop, Megatron will do nothing but snuff our sparks. Optimus has tried, war for survival is different than the conquering that the Deceptions started."
"It's idiotic. It was already a bad idea to start the war in the first place." He shrugged uncomfortably. "But I am no judge to these things, I wasn't there, I don't know all the details. And I really just want to go home again. As much as I crave to help others, this is something I'll not take part in unless I really, really have to." He sighed and curled up again, staring at the screens where Blaster was sitting.
"I said I would help you Wing," Blaster reminded gently, then paused as she twitched her sensors up, watching a point outside of the ship. A swirl, then tunnel of light and color was forming. "Stay in the ship Wing," Blaster started as she waited to see who would come out, only to relax at seeing the yellow mech that was about Wing's size, followed by Wheeljack.
The jet watched quietly. "I know. I still don't like this at all. Would've been better to stay out of the mess." He sighed softly, looking out in another direction searching the stars quietly in hopes of finding a way home.
Leaving the ship to recording, Blaster jumped down and walked over to grab the white mech's hand and pulled him to stand up, "Come on!"
Wing chirred softly and uncurled to follow her. He wasn't happy right now. Yes, it was nice to meet new people, to have some form of adventure, but the danger was too high in his opinion.
Coming down from the ship, the new yellow mech gave a trill of excitement, glanced at a grinning Wheeljack before running forward to meet Blaster and Wing. Chittering in exited ramblings, the mech was speaking a buzz-clicking dialect the young knight didn't know as he bounced in place, spinning Blaster around after picking up the femme and hugging her.
"Bumblebee! You're alive!" Blaster laughed and clung, and once Bumblebee slowed down she started tugging on his kibble, "Look at you, no hover coils, but you're handsome now!"
The white jet stayed back, unsure what to do other than to wait for their reunion to end. He hummed softly, his wings still tugged firmly against his plating. There was another slight stir on the other end of the consort bond, Achat wasn't far from waking.
Caring Blaster around, the yellow mech when back to Wheeljack as he walked up, then bounced over to Wing with wide, friendly optics. He chirped playfully, but there was an impression of a question.
"This is Wing," Blaster introduced, "We found him stranded on a planet," she didn't mention her suspicion of a Metrotitan.
Bumblebee tilted his head before chirping a greeting.
He got a trilling greeting in reply, "Hello to you too, Bumblebee. It's nice to meet you." The new mech wriggled his wings in open friendliness.
With a happy warble, Bumblebee set down Blaster and came over the clasp arms with Wing. Trying to stand as tall as he could, though the flier was just slightly taller by a head now that they were up close to each other. He was speaking rapidly, in that other dialect before holding Wing's hand and tugging him to the light of the almost space bridge like swirl.
"He says we're going through the... ground bridge, Wheeljack's going to fly the 'Hammer to the base." Blaster translated as she started into the ground bridge ahead of them.
The knight easily clasped arms with the smaller grounder. Golden optics blinked surprised when he was tugged towards the ground bridge. "You sure he's not going to make it crash and explode?" He teased, amused, having well learned the Wrecker had a love for exploding things. "Or does he love the ship just that bit more than us and wants some alone time?" He grinned broadly.
Wheeljack snorted, "Considering it's the only way off the planet and my ship." he walked up the ramp away from them.
Bumblebee gave a chitter, wiggling his door wings as he looked back, seeming to smile despite having a face guard. Then pulled Wing into the light of the ground bridge, it was surprisingly pretty as the way behind was closed in light. After a klick of walking the way ahead opened up. Blaster gave a trill and ran forward.
"Cliffjumper!" She tackled a much bigger red, and horned grounder as he scooped her up.
Wing snorted amused, but willingly followed. "Not the only way. Remember the first threat you made when we were in space." He called after the Wrecker as he stepped through the bridge. On the other side he again patiently waited to be introduced to the other mechs, though getting their names was less of a problem then the other way around.
The bridge closed behind them, and Bumblebee was moving to the side, away to churr at something his form was blocking on a raised platform.
"Who's that, and where's Wheeljack!" a femme sound voice, but lacking any metallic reverb. By the controls of the bridge on an oddly raised edge, to the new mech that is, was a little soft, sparkling looking organic eyeing him. A massive green mech used his hand to gently push her back up from leaning over the rails.
"Easy Miko," the green mech said, glancing to the side as taller mech walked in.
The jet hummed softly, watching them. He poked at the language files he had gotten for the organics, huffing softly, simple didn't even cut it with English. "My name is Wing." He greeted the small human gently, a purring undertone in his voice. Glancing around the jet took everyone in, nodding a greeting to those he didn't know yet.
The white and red mech huffed, giving a growling rumble as he eyed Wing. As the taller red and blue mech walked over he made a motion to the old mech, "Greetings Wing, and welcome."
Looking at the assortment of mechs, and one blue femme that was a little taller than Blaster, there was again a difference of how... worn, and scared these mechs were.
Wing was still on pristine condition except for a faint few scruffs here and there. He gave the medic a soft almost shy smile in return, it didn't change as the jet turned and gave the Prime a slight bow in greeting. "Hello. It's nice to meet you, though I really wish for different circumstances."
The smile turned sad, Wing not so much meaning the war but more the fact he wasn't supposed to be here.
The Prime inclined his head, "Even so," the mech rested a hand on Wing's shoulder. His energy field was old, but also soft, a bit surprisingly so considering he was a war-sparked Prime. Nothing like what Nova or Sentinel where described as. "It's far greater to me to see another mech that survived the evacuation then you can imagine."
He considered Wing and added, "Or rather, the next generation from the survivors."
Nodding the jet lightly leaned into the touch, it was comforting. "Next generation, yes. Though there are a few grand creators among those who initially left Cybertron." He smiled and just bathed in the calm field, it was so similar to Achats.
"That is good to hear," The Prime smiled softly, his bright blue optics looking over his mechs, and the new blaster, hmming in a glade tone at seeing her again. Then looked down at Wing again, "I hope your Titan is the forgiving type, for I cannot spare our only ship at this time."
That had the attentions of the others, and that older medic-mech looked up, narrowing his optics as he eyed Wing anew now.
"Titan, you mean like Metroplex?" The big green mech stood upright, the comparatively tiny human in his massive hands. He looked at Wing hopeful of the answer.
The jet looked over, ducking his head. He replied shyly, "Achat. Crystal City's mate. They lost each other during the Exodus."
"Achat..." The medic muttered softly, frowning.
"Allow me to introduce you, young mech, to my Autobots." The Prime said at the same time, motioning to each as he spoke, "This is Arcee, my second in command, Bumblebee is our scout but a fine warrior. You have met Blaster and Wheeljack, this is one of his fellow Wreckers, Bulkhead. And my other warriors Cliffjumper, a shock trooper and another Wrecker. Smokescreen, from the Elite Guard, and Ratchet is our medic."
The jet inclined his head to each of them, purring softly, "Nice to meet all of you." Wing's namesakes twitched surprised when he felt a brush against his spark from Achat, he was awake enough to check on his consorts conditions and locations, his higher functions not yet active. But upon finding Wing not in his frame they booted rapidly.
"Uhm... Oh-oh... Achat just found out I'm off planet..." The young mech murmured quietly.
"That's not exactly a bad thing young mech," Ratchet pointed out as he came over, ready for the new mech now. "Would be about time one of the big afts answered the call."
Wing twitched. "He is everything but happy with my absence. You should not forget that the Prime will have to prove himself. Achat is old and moody when it comes to trusting a Prime, many have failed him, his mate and the other Metrotitans."
He gave Optimus a careful glance. "Judging by what little I know, you shouldn't have a hard time to get his support." He assured the current Prime. He liked the older mech just from the way he bears himself and the way his field teeked. He glanced back over to Ratchet. "I'm far more worried about my creators meeting you than Achat. Carrier is a grumpy mech with a grudge towards Primes that's as large as Cybertron. He served many Primes. But Nova was the last, he was labeled a traitor for trying to buy out of military." The jet explained softly. "And Achat will prolly have my aft for quite a few local days."
"Nova, though in the beginning may have proven worthy of a Matrix, has fallen like The Fallen did, and is now only a disgrace to the name Prime... Let alone the treasured burden that comes with the rank." Optimus said, and there was a subtle ~shift~ of power that came from deep within him. Enough that his mechs seemed to come to attention without realizing it. Even the three little organics did, though more notably the older boy seemed out right effected into freezing.
Wing felt it, but he wasn't affected as much, his sword muttered with some pictures but went quiet again, it liked this Prime. "I cannot judge his actions, I wasn't there. But everybody knows that he wasn't worth his rank in the end. Sire and carrier both agree that Primes are like a pendulum, you get one peaceful Prime, focused on rebuilding society, then a warrior who leads aggressively and then another peaceful one. They also said that many a Prime where erased from the records."
Wing was uncomfortable, not so much due to the Matrix but the sheer power he knew that mech had. He unconsciously shifted his weight and fell into a more submissive stance.
"No Prime is ever forgotten," Optimus said in a low, sad tone. Then he turned his attention away from that, but maybe it was a topic to explore later as he led Wing into the Autobots, his field back to being only welcoming.
In front was Bumblebee, standing beside another raised area, and now with a closer look could see it was much like a mini rec-area, where the mechs and humans could interact easier, as it brought the humans up to chest height for most. The scout, Optimus and Arcee all sent a data pack to Wing, of the strength, or lack there off to use when interacting with the humans. "These are some of our human allies, and charges." The Prime started to introduce.
Wing quietly put a hand on Optimus arm, he knew what the Prime meant. He chirred softly and eyed the organics and the files. He flashed the mechs a grin then concentrated on the humans. Humming in acceptance of what he was being told and greeting each in turn.
It was the older boy, teen that came over first, "Hi," he greeted as in the background Miko was talking to Bulkhead. "I'm Jack," he introduced himself, waved in the female's direction as the other teen was put down to meet Blaster, "That's Miko over there, and this is Raph." He turned to point at the younger male organic near him.
The brown haired human waved shyly from against the rails, close to Bumblebee, his guardian according to the files.
The jet chirred gently, eyeing both human males curiously. The female got a raised eyebrow, the way Miko behaved like someone who could pretty much be a wrecker. Wing was reasonably sure the others knew this as well.
"Nice to meet all of you," The white Knight was at a loss as to what else to say, he fell silent and rested one of his delicate but strong hands on the rail. It was obvious the jet had never known war, he was well maintained and there was no sign of wear and tear.
Jack came over and put his hand on one of the larger fingers, "Welcome to earth." He said with feeling, glancing over as Bumblebee started chattering and nudged the shier boy over.
Wing purred and smiled. "Thanks. I really hope we get along, though I doubt there will be trouble. I have yet to meet someone I can't manage to get along with." He gave Raphael an easy going smile, the sword on his back flared its field to meet the smaller human, the gem flaring with it in a bright friendly blue.
There was something about these humans, and Raphael more so that the sword could sense. Something hidden that was important.
"Hi," the boy said, still a bit shy but there was a wonder, innocent awe to him as he looked up at wing.
A white finger reached out and gently brushed his hair, a gentle pet. "You're adorable."
Raphael ducked his head reflexively, "Hey" he said then again as bumblebee trilled a laugh.
Wing snickered and rubbed just a tad bit more firmly. "Yes, every sorts of adorable, much like your guardian." He grinned and eyed the yellow mech.
The yellow mech arched up his door wings, buzzing against being called adorable. He knew his little friend was, but Bumblebee hadn't been called adorable by anyone but Cliffjumper. Then he chittered, looking around and tucked his winglets down as Ratchet came over. The medic put a hand on Wing's shoulder, and with the contact of energy fields the new comer could feel how old he really was.
"Come on lad, time to nib a problem in the bud," Ratchet said as he led the flier to another room, "You need vaccinations."
"But, but...!" Wing started to protest, hating vaccinations like the next best mech, but he willingly followed. He simply didn't dare causing trouble, not when it was the medic who would have his aft. He briefly wondered if Redline and Ratchet knew each other, they had a similar bedside manner.
"No 'but's," Ratchet growled, turning the white mech around and into a not so large room, it looked like a cross of a compacted medical bay, and a personal room as well, with a berth in the back and only one that was large enough for Optimus. "You will have no defenses against even the minor things the Deceptions have devised in the war. And now that we have a cure for the cybonic plague everyone gets the antivirus."
"Hey I'm not complaining about the use here. Just the procedure. I'm definitely not going to be trouble. I was tossed out of the window more than once by Redline for being a nuisance." The jet chirred amused, systems purring softly.
"Redline?" Ratchet paused in getting down the tool he needed for the nanite transfer. "He's still alive?"
"Yes, Master Knight and Chief Medical Officer in rank at home." The jet smiled, having no problem with offering up information, not this kind at least. If he was correct, Achat would be one his way soon enough, if only to retrieve his shiny little jetling. "Has a similar bedside manner too."
"Considering he learns from me and old SunFlare, I would suspect so." Ratchet rumbled in a slightly softer growl, thoughtful for a moment before motioning Wing up on the berth.
"Primus help me if you two team up on us. We'll be hopelessly understaffed to fight both of you off!" Wing theatrically flopped on the berth but didn't flinch away at all. It was obvious that he was comfortable around a medic, even if he was teasing the medic in question.
"You think that, you should have see the femme that trained us." Ratchet said as he scanned the flier, and then poked a spot where a hidden connection was. He was giving Wing the cure first as it had the larger dose of nanites to adjust to.
The jet was probably the most compliant patient Ratchet had had in quite some time. There simply was no reason to mistrust the old gruff mech or give him a hard time. It would only get him into trouble and the make the medic grouchier. "Ah, I think I'm better off without that. Carrier is bad enough most orns, add in Redline and you've got the grouchiest mechs covered."
"And how is your creators?" Ratchet asked as he worked, seemed calmer now that Wing wasn't being wiggly or trouble for him.
"Judging by Achat's muttering they're throwing a fit. Fairly sure Redline is already threatening Carrier with stun bolts and sedatives. Axe is grumbling but calm, he's laid back most of the time and as long as he knows I'm well he won't panic." Wing reported amused. He quietly reached out and snuggled into the consort bond, reveling in the deep affection that the Metrotitan held for every single of his consorts even in his recharge.
"Dai Atlas was always one to get himself in knots and strung out at the same time." Ratchet said, saying the name that was never mentioned.
Wing giggled and sent a databurst the medic a file of Dai Atlas trying to lead a meeting as the stern order master with a white sparkling clambering up one leg, chirruping and babbling happily. "He's all sorts of mush inside, just don't try to make him admit to it. I take it you know Carrier?"
"I've met him enough times to get to know him, and to put the fear of Primus in him of what happens when you do not respect a real medic. Let alone a surgeon." The white and red mech snorted an amused tone at the file, sharing it with Optimus. He did it in a way of old friends just daring things, there had been a few little transfers already to the mech from the Prime.
"Yeah, he's wary of medics, but well used to your ways by now. But even you would avoid him when he's heavy with a sparkling. From what I've heard he was a nightmare to deal with when he carried me. Axe suggested he'd probably have the shortest fuse for his temper in history had he been grounded. Military protocols just don't agree with carrying a sparkling." He hummed softly, remembering the orn Axe had told him all about how Dai Atlas had nearly swatted several mechs for being annoying glitches.
"Sounds like a Prime or even Elita One." Ratchet said and then paused as he realized what he said.
Wing raised an optic ridge, golden optics bright with curiosity. "Hm?"
"Elita One was Optimus' bonded." Ratchet explained to Wing, "They were very close as mates and friends. She was a marvel on her own before becoming a Prime's first."
"Ah. They had a sparkling?" Wing asked curiously, wondering if the child would even still be alive after the war.
Ratchet paused, then said slowly, "They did...But he was lost you could say."
The jet blinked. "What do you mean? Lost as in kidnapped or adopted away? Or in killed?" His optics narrowed, he certainly didn't need to be coddled by anyone.
"The young one was with Elita when she died," Ratchet explained, and there was something in his voice and field that said he knew the youngling they were talking about, "When we found Elita, we didn't find him, and I know Optimus tore that place apart with his bare hands." He was there, and had repaired the prime himself in those long orns where their prime had been crippled in the spark- as had been the intention.
"What's the young ones designation?" Wing asked, sounding sad. He too believed in the same practice that his creators did. The dead only survived as long as somebody would remember them. A very old believe, that the spark would die if the designation was forgotten.
"SoftLove," Ratchet chuckled, "Optimus is always the optimist, and hopeful." He paused and added with a warning look, the medic knew the once sparkling was still alive, somewhere out in the universe, if only in stasis. He also knew Wing was bright, and he hadn't mentioned a severed creator bond, only the mate bond.
The jet snorted, amused. "SoftLove?" He grinned amused, the glyphs were the same except for a few choice differences when Wing spoke it, he left the medic to decipher it himself, figuring the old mech would be able to do so.
"Roll over," Ratchet ordered, as he shifted things in his right arm to give Wing the coded 'team chat' communication lines.
The jet obediently moved and trilled. "He's known as Freesong now. Achat figured his old name out over the time, and questioning him just the right way. Though beyond me and Achat nobody knows who he actually is." The ancient giant had just subtly supplied his consort with the intel, for the jets benefit among the Autobots.
Ratchet froze, hearing a very strange, strangled sound from behind- surprized he heard it over the sound he made. Staring down at Wing, then looking over at the open doorway that was filled with the frame of the Prime, holding a data pad for the new flier.