Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers.

Desperate Measures

Chapter Six: The Little Details

Ironhide frowned.

"Ah'm not too sure about this."

"Would you please stop saying that? You said you wanted some extra help, we're getting you extra help."

"When you said you'd get us some help, I didn't think you meant this," Ironhide said, looking up at the sign above the doorway.

A small smile tugged at the side of Sideswipe's mouth. "Why? You got something against Minibots?"

"No."

"No?"

"No," he replied, looking at Sideswipe pointedly. "Ah jus' think we should be lookin' for somethin'…"

"Bigger?"

"No! Ah jus'… ah, never mind."

"No, no. Go on. Sounds like you're being prejudice to me."

"A'hm not bein' prejudice. You're bein' stupid."

He gasped in horror. "I'm being stupid? Ironhide, I am insulted!" He turned to his brother. "Sunny, I do believe he just called us stupid!"

"Shut up, Sides."

"You shut up."

"I'll give you shut up."

"That doesn't even make any sense."

"I'll make your sense, if you don't get on with it."

"You'll make my- what?"

"Just shut up and get on with it, Sides!"

"Oh, fer- let's just go, all right?" Ironhide groaned, gesturing for Sideswipe to open the door.

Sideswipe put his forefinger underneath his chin. "Duh… which way? I dunno which way because I'm stupid, as you know."

Ironhide stormed past the red mech, roughly shoving open the doors as he went. Jazz followed with a thinly veiled smile, while Sideswipe and Sunstreaker still remained outside.

"Where you goin'? I dunno, because I'm stupid."

Sunstreaker shook his head and walked into the complex, not looking at his brother. "Just come on, would you?"

"Duh… okay, but I might walk into a wall or something."

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Optimus looked out over Iacon, his arms folded in front of him. This had originally been planned as a quick rest stop before he continued on his way, but something had made him stay. Something that told him he wouldn't be seeing this place for much longer.

He didn't know whether it was the Matrix or just paranoia that made him feel such a way.

Optimus had never been a decisive mech. As Orion Pax, he had struggled to pick a colour when the time for a repaint came around. As much as his mech pride wouldn't allow him to admit it, Ariel made most of the decisions.

And now, here he was, cutting ties with the Autobot Council which had guided them since before Optimus was even born. Who the hell did he think he was?

He was leader, that's who.

But does even a leader have the right to make such a decision for those that follow him?

Of course he does. He is the holder of the Matrix, the one chosen to light their darkest hour. He knows what is best for his people.

A heavy sigh escaped Optimus' exhaust vent.

But did he?

"Now that sounded rather glib, Optimus."

The Autobot leader whirled on his heel in shock when he heard the delicate voice. His face caught somewhere between joy and complete surprise, Optimus ran forward and grabbed his lifemate in a sturdy bear hug, somehow keeping his touch gentle at the same time. He put her down.

"Elita! What are you- how are you- I-"

She put up a hand to stop his questioning. "I'm here to talk to you, and I came by Sky Lynx. Any other questions?"

"…why?"

A light laugh escaped her lip components. It was like heaven to Optimus' audios. He had become so used to talking and listening to hardened mechs of war… he had almost forgotten what she sounded like.

"You break off all ties with the Autobot Council, and you ask why?"

And then, just as suddenly as it lifted, the weight of the world was once again upon his shoulders. He gently released his grasp on her waist and turned to face the view of the city, his arms once again folded in front of him.

"You've heard."

She walked up beside him, her frame nearly matching his in height. "Magnus told me."

Optimus let out a low chuckle, although it was bereft of humour. "I should have known. He loves to gossip."

"It's not gossip, Optimus. It's-"

"-the biggest mistake I've made since I was given the Matrix?"

She sighed. "I was going to say 'a major decision'."

The Autobot leader shrugged his broad shoulders, not breaking his gaze over the city. "A decision I shouldn't have made."

Elita put a hand on the Autobot symbol covering his shoulder. "Is it?"

"Yes. I should have discussed it with you and Ultra Magnus first. I should have-"

A silencing finger lay on his faceplate. "But you didn't, Optimus. Why?"

"I… I had had enough of them. They have been continually pushing and pulling us like puppets. And I… had had enough. Too many Autobots have died because of them." He turned to face her. "But that still doesn't excuse what I did."

"Doesn't it? You went with your spark."

"I let my emotions control me."

"No. You let them fuel you. Whenever you've made a decision with your laser core, it has always been for the better. You know that."

He held her gaze for a few moments for turning away. "I think you overestimate my abilities."

"And I think you underestimate them. How many battles have we won simply because you were there? Have you ever taken into account how many lives you've saved? How many wounded Autobots you've saved from the battlefield? Perceptor wouldn't be alive now if not for you."

"The Protectobots would have saved him."

With a growl of frustration, she grabbed his arm and whirled him around. "Would you stop being stubborn and listen to what I'm saying?"

He stared at her, although she wasn't sure if he was listening or not. Even after all the time they had known each other, she still couldn't see past that faceplate sometimes. She didn't know anyone who did.

"You are the leader of the Autobots. You were chosen to bear the Matrix because you were the right mech for the job. Do you even understand that?"

No reply.

She sighed. "And besides… there are Autobots out there who need you. And you standing around looking out over Iacon isn't helping them."

Something seemed to light up in Optimus' optics, and he looked up. "You're right."

She smiled. "Of course I'm right," she said, draping her arms around his neck. His large hands delicately wrapped around her waist.

"I see working in the battlefield hasn't made you any less-"

"Confident?"

This time she could definitely see a smile beneath his faceplate. "… I was going to say 'cocky'."

"Good thing I stopped you. That would have been an awful thing to get wrong."

His smiled widened. "Wouldn't it?"

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Ironhide cocked an optic ridge at the training ground on display before him.

"Ah can't believe we're doin' this," he muttered, putting a hand over his face.

He heard a snicker come from Jazz, and looked up in curiosity. Beside him, Sideswipe was stood in the exact same stance as him, with an exaggerated angry face included.

"Why you little-"

Ironhide stopped in mid-sentence as Sideswipe copied his words.

"Don't-"

"Stop-"

"Damn it, stop-"

The large red Autobot brought back his hand in anger, and Jazz swiftly leapt between them.

"Whoa now. Let's just get our recruits and leave, okay?"

He looked pointedly at Ironhide from beneath his visor. "Okay?"

"Fine."

Jazz turned to Sideswipe. "Okay?"

"This is my suggestion. Why would I object?"

"Then you won't mind leading on."

"I certainly will not," he said with a smile, walking ahead of them and gesturing for them to follow.

After a sympathetic shrug to Ironhide, Jazz followed, Ironhide and Sunstreaker following.

Their first stop was a small red Autobot on the target range, an impossibly huge cannon mounted on his miniature shoulder. Beside him sat a yellow Autobot of the same build, although he was sitting back to enjoy the show. With a flurry of shots, the red 'Bot nailed every target, even one that Ironhide was struggling to see, let alone having any chance hitting.

Sideswipe waved a cheery hand. "Cliffjumper!"

The small Autobot ducked his head at the particularly loud proclamation of his name, and turned to face the source. As soon as he saw Sideswipe, his face contorted into a look of disgust and anger. In an impossibly fast motion, he leapt to his feet and charged headfirst into the larger red Autobot.

The impact knocked Sideswipe on his back with a loud 'whoof!' noise.

Ironhide couldn't help but be slightly amused by the spectacle.

"Where's my money?"

Sideswipe grinned. "Everybody. This is Cliffjumper. Cliffjumper, this is Ironhide and Jazz. You've met Sunny."

Cliffjumper didn't acknowledge their presence. "Yeah, I met him when you swindled me out of my money."

"Swindle? Me?"

"Just stop it. Where's my money?"

"I… already spent it."

"On what?!"

Sunstreaker stepped forward. "On a new coat of paint… for me." He cocked an optic ridge. "You going to get off my brother now?"

The Minibot looked from Sunstreaker to Sideswipe, then back again. After a pause, he hefted himself off him.

"Fine." He pointed at Sideswipe. "But you still owe me money."

"No problem. But first, these nice Autobots have a favour to ask you."

As Bumblebee made his way over, Cliffjumper turned to face them. "Yeah?"

Jazz looked over at Ironhide, who just crossed his arms.

"Ah'm not doin' it. Ah don't even want t' be here."

With a sigh, the black and white mech looked over to Cliffjumper. "We're puttin' together a mission-"

"'Cause of the Energon shortage?"

Ironhide threw his arms up in the air, exasperated. "Damn it, who doesn't know?"

Jazz smiled. "Yeah, 'cause of that. You interested?"

"Will I get to kick any Decepticon aft out there?"

"Maybe."

He shrugged. "Sure, why not."

Bumblebee nodded enthusiastically. "I'll go!"

Cliffjumper turned to him, irritably poking a finger into his chest. "You can't go! You're not even authorised to carry a firearm yet!"

Ironhide's optics widened in recognition. "And you're a waiter!" All optics fell on Ironhide. He shrugged. "Well, he is!"

Bumblebee laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah, well… an Autobot's gotta do something."

Jazz smiled leaned to his side to speak to Ironhide. "I like this guy. Let's keep him."

"What?! Are you crazy? He can't even carry a firearm yet!"

"He'll learn! And besides," he said, lowering his voice, do you really think that Prime would be happy with us if we did refuse him? I mean, look at that face. Say no to that face."

The older Autobot looked at the Minibot, who was watching them with baited breath.

Ironhide sighed. "All right…"

The black and white mech nodded, pleased. "All right, then." He looked over at Sideswipe. "You have any other recommendations while we're here?"

"For the mission?" Bumblebee interrupted.

"Yeah…"

Bumblebee smiled. "Follow me."

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Optimus and Elita looked out over the city, sat next to each other.

"So where are you heading off to now?"

Optimus nodded down the road he had before been heading down. "To the trauma hospital. I'm hoping to find an Autobot there who…" He sighed. "He has suffered through a lot in recent cycles. His entire city was destroyed before his optics by the Decepticons… his closest friends tortured in front of him."

"And he survived?"

"He was left deliberately. The Decepticons… bound him and made him watch."

Elita shook her head. Then she tilted it to the side slightly. "You're going to recruit him."

Optimus continued looking out over the city. "I think that taking him away from… all this will help him."

"Are you sure?"

He looked over at her. "I'm just going with my laser core on this, Elita." He cocked a wry optic ridge in her direction. "Doesn't that make me right?"

"You'll never forget I said that, will you?"

"Stored in my memory banks for later use."

A look of slight trepidation crossed her features. Optimus frowned.

She was wondering whether she would ever see him again.

Optimus searched for the right words, but found nothing that he was willing to say out loud. That required a frankness and a security in himself that he just didn't have, Matrix or no Matrix.

He got to his feet. His hand hovered above her shoulder.

"I…"

A sigh escaped his vocal processor.

"I'll talk to you later."

Optimus turned and headed towards the road. He half turned back to look at Elita.

He transformed and rolled out for his next destination.

Elita stared out at the city.

"You stupid femme…"

She sat there for barely a few astroseconds before getting up herself and heading on her way, her expression as stony as her life mate's.

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Starscream's fingers could be heard tapping against the armrest from across the command center. He irritably pushed the comm button.

"Starscream to Astrotrain! What's taking so long?"

"We're still waiting on repairs, Starscream."

"Well, hurry up! We don't have much time. The Autobots have begun evacuating Uraya. Somehow they must have gotten wind of our plan."

Reflector 1 turned to his brother, who was sat at a console beside him.

"Perhaps it was Starscream's broadcasting."

"Do you have something to say, Reflector?"

He ducked his head, but refused to turn around and face the ranting Decepticon.

"Simply discussing system calibrations, sir."

Starscream was silent for a moment. "Be sure that is all."

The doors to the command center slid open, and Soundwave stepped through, flanked by Rumble and Frenzy. The communications officer was idly going through a pad, although with Soundwave, 'idly' could mean any number of things.

"And another thing!"

Soundwave's head came up instantly upon hearing the shrill yells of his temporary commander.

"I want a status report every cycle, on the cycle, understand?"

"Yes, Starscream."

The frustration in Astrotrain's voice permeated through the air.

It did not go unnoticed.

"Good. Starscream out."

He slammed the button again, closing the channel. Soundwave made his presence known by stepping forward, and Starscream rose from his throne to meet him.

"Ah, Soundwave. Any luck finding the source of the leak?"

Soundwave paused for the briefest of moments before shaking his head. "Nothing to report."

"Nothing to report, what?"

If such a thing were possible, Reflector could have sworn he saw Soundwave bristle.

"Nothing to report, sir."

The Seeker Commander nodded. "Very well. Continue your work," he said, dismissing him with a grand waft of the hand.

Soundwave quickly nodded and turned on his heel, almost stomping out of the command center, Rumble and Frenzy with him.

The doors slid shut behind him, and he stood in silence in the corridor.

Frenzy looked up at him. "Uh… what're we doin'?"

"Shut up, aft for brains! He's thinkin'!" Rumble countered, pointing at Soundwave.

"I'll give you aft brain, you-"

Suddenly, Soundwave set off down the corridor, his two companions struggling to keep up pace with the far taller Decepticon.

"Where're we goin'?"

Soundwave didn't answer. He stepped into the elevator at the end of the corridor and pushed the button for level 5.

Frenzy pointed to the button Soundwave had pressed. "Hey, isn't that the floor where-"

The communications officer gave him a 'look', and Frenzy promptly shut up. The doors opened with a comforting hiss sound, and the trio headed out, going straight into the medical bay.

There, lying on a cold slab in the middle of the room was the impressive form of Megatron, his inner works open for all to see.

Rumble put a hand over his mouth. "Ugh… I think I'm gonna discharge…"

The Constructions barely looked up from their work when the Decepticons entered. Scrapper spared Soundwave a glance, but didn't acknowledge his companions.

"Yes, Soundwave? Any more wounded you want to throw at me?"

Soundwave's gaze settled on Megatron. "Will he survive?"

"…it's looking like he will, yes."

"How long?"

"I don't kn-"

"How long?"

Frenzy and Rumble looked up at their 'parent', surprised. They had never seen Soundwave interrupt someone before, let alone with attitude in his voice.

Scrapper seemed equally taken aback, as did the other Constructicons.

"Um… a few hundred astrocycles, at least."

Soundwave just nodded.

"Why?"

The communications officer fixed the Construction with a steady gaze. "Because things are about to get much worse."

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Bumblebee grandly indicated to the two Autobots in front of them.

"May I present… Gears and Huffer."

Sunstreaker looked Gears up and down with a cocked optic ridge and sneer ready on his lip components.

"What?" the little Autobot demanded irritably.

The yellow Autobot seemed shocked to be talked to in such a way. He uncrossed his arms and moved closer.

"I was just thinking what a puny little thing you look like."

Ironhide and Sideswipe groaned simultaneously, both putting their hands over their faces as they shook their heads in an unintentionally similar manner.

Jazz stepped between them before things could escalate further. "Let's save the sparring sessions for once the crew's together, okay?"

Huffer tilted his head to the side curiously. "Crew?"

Cliffjumper poked a thumb in Ironhide's direction. "They're puttin' together a crew to go look for Energon."

Gears crossed his arms. "I don't see what the point is. There's no guarantee that you'll find any, and even if you did, what makes you think you'll be able to use it without the Decepticons stealing it?"

Huffer nodded his agreement. "It can't be done. The Decepticons steal everything we have. They always do."

"Y' ever here of a little thing called optimism?" Ironhide said, his hands on his hips.

"Optimism gets you killed," Gears replied glumly. "I had a friend who was optimistic. He got a laser blast to the head." To emphasise, he pointed at his forehead.

Huffer shrugged. "He's right. There's nothing you can do."

Sideswipe rolled his optics. "Primus…"

Jazz looked over at Bumblebee. "And you think these guys would be a good addition to the crew, why?"

"Gears here is one of the strongest and most Energon efficient Autobots on Cybertron, and Huffer can make anything out of nothing."

The saboteur looked back to the two Minibots, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "Anythin' out of nothin', huh?"

"You're not seriously considerin' this," Ironhide said quietly.

"Why not? They might complain a lot, but they make a lot of tactical sense."

"Yeah… but…" he groaned in irritation at yet another defeat. "Fine. But Ah will decide whether the next one comes or goes, okay?"

"No problem." With a grin, he looked over to the two grim-faced Autobots. "You're hired."

"Whoop dee doo. Now I can die in outer space instead of Cybertron."

"…yeah." He turned to Bumblebee. "Anyone else?"

"Uh…" the Minibot thought for a moment. Inspiration struck, and he raised his finger to accentuate the point. "Ah ha! Two more. And I guarantee even he will love them," he said, indicating Ironhide.

Jazz grinned. "That is one hell of a sales pitch."

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The nurse poked her head through the doorway and politely smiled at him. "I'm sorry for the wait, but… he's been reluctant to see visitors."

Optimus nodded. "I understand." He nervously tapped his thumbs together, his fingers interlocked together. It was a habit he had picked up from watching Ultra Magnus trying to look nonchalant, and he hadn't been able to shake it since.

Smiling, the nurse looked outside the doorway and into the corridor. "You can come in now. If you need anything…"

"It's all right," a gentle voice replied. The nurse allowed him some room, and Bluestreak stepped into the doorway. Optimus got to his feet, his fingertips keeping in contact with the table in front of him.

"Bluestreak. It's good to see you."

The grey Autobot yielded a small and unenthusiastic smile. He nodded at the nurse, and she left. The door slid shut behind him without a sound. It was eerie.

"How are you doing?" Optimus asked, tentatively offering Bluestreak the chair opposite him.

He silently declined with a small shake of the head. "I'm… okay. They're treating me pretty well in here."

"That's good to hear," Optimus replied, slowly sitting down. "I read some of the articles you wrote. They were very good."

Bluestreak shrugged, unable to meet Optimus' unintentionally intimidating gaze. No-one told the Autobot leader about it, because it would most likely horrify him to think he was doing that to his fellow Autobots.

"They're okay."

"They're more than just 'okay', Bluestreak. They're an inspiration to others. It helps them to see that there's more than just war on Cybertron. Sometimes… it's easy to forget that."

"Yeah. I know." He looked at Optimus. "Look… it's not that I don't appreciate the visit, but… why?"

Optimus sighed. "Because I think you need to get out of here, Bluestreak."

"What?"

It was almost a gasp.

"I think you need to get out of here. To… start living again."

"As long as… they're out there, I'm not going to be 'living' any time soon."

"Bluestreak, please. I'm leading an exploration mission into space. I want you to come with me. I know you don't want to become involved in the war again, but this way, you would-"

"Look, just-!" Bluestreak caught himself in mid-yell. "Just go, would you?"

Optimus was ready to gently argue his case when the door slid open and the nurse came through.

"Is everything all right in here?"

"It's fine," Bluestreak said quietly. "Optimus was just going."

The Autobot leader considered fighting it, but decided against it. It would be a pointless gesture here.

He complied and walked to the doorway, but stopped and turned to Bluestreak before he left.

"Think about it, Bluestreak. No evil was ever defeated by the good doing nothing."

And with that, he followed the nurse out.

Bluestreak stared at the closed door silently, wishing that Optimus were still there.

It'd be someone to talk to, at the very least.

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Ironhide had never been fond of Minibots, and he, along with his comrades (particularly Optimus) had never been sure why. Perhaps it was the fact that Minicons always managed to sneak around him and beat him in battle. Maybe it was the fact that the few Minibots he did know where either obnoxious or annoying.

Or maybe he was just getting old and prejudice.

As he walked behind the small yellow Autobot Bumblebee, he frowned. He could swear that he was getting lighter as he went on. A quick glance down rapidly turned to confusion as he realised his feet were gradually coming up from the ground, almost floating.

"What in the-?"

He looked around and saw that the others similarly confused, with the exception of the Minibots accompanying them.

Gears scowled. "Dammit, Windcharger, cut that out!"

A chuckle came from behind him, and Ironhide turned to see a small grey and red Autobot coming towards them, chuckling.

"Okay, okay… there you go."

They all descended back to the ground.

"Fellas… this is Windcharger," Bumblebee said, gesturing to the snickering Autobot.

Sideswipe cocked an optic ridge. "How'd you do that?"

Windcharger shrugged. "I can manipulate magnetic waves."

The red Autobot's optics lit up. "How far can you throw Transformers?"

"Not very far," he replied with a smile, and Sideswipe's face fell.

Ironhide nodded. "All right, now y' see, ah can understand how somethin' like that would be useful. You're on the team."

"What team?"

Jazz smiled and shook his head at Ironhide. "We'll explain later," he said to an increasingly confused looking Windcharger.

"All right," Ironhide said loudly, clapping his hands together. "That's all, right?"

"Wrong."

Everyone turned to see yet another Minibot, although as Minibots went, he was pretty damn big.

Ironhide cocked an optic ridge. "And ah suppose you're the tough guy around here?"

"That's right."

Bumblebee nodded. "Everybody… meet Brawn."

"Brawn, huh?" He made his way over to the miniscule Autobot. "You don't look too brawny to me," he said, leaning forward and putting his face in Brawn's. "In fact, you-"

A fast and hard head butt interrupted him in mid speech. Ironhide stumbled back, holding his nose.

"Why you-"

He charged forward to grab the little Autobot, but Brawn ducked beneath and put his hands on Ironhide's chest and midsection, lifting him above his head with ease. With a smile of pure pleasure on his face, Brawn turned and tossed Ironhide on to the ground in front of him.

"Any more questions?" he said, hands on hips.

Sunstreaker pointed to Brawn over his crossed arms and leaned over to Sideswipe. "First one of these Minibots I like."

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(A/N: Ironically, the chapter called 'The Little Details' ended up being my longest for this story.

Bluestreak isn't a writer (as far as I know), but I liked the idea of him doing something creative. I think I read a story where he liked to draw, but I can't remember where.

Anyway, reviews welcome!)