"Enjoy the present hour, be thankful for the past, and neither fear nor wish th' approaches." –Abraham Cowley

Ch 8

000

A shutter ran down his frame involuntarily and he couldn't quite place what it actually felt like. It wasn't like a chill from being out in the night air or like someone was watching him, it wasn't either of those nor anything else. Perhaps it was just that after effect of having Ratchet's hands inside of him. He didn't know.

They were under a schedule now though he didn't feel like much of one to be honest. Tomorrow night they were going to go through the procedure to implant the temporary secondary spark chamber.

Ratchet had made if firmly clear only a few moments before sending Optimus Prime on his way that he shouldn't ingest any type of energon, oil, anything. Though Prime was sure he could go without any energon within the next 24 hours it was a simple task. Ratchet had made sure that his energy levels were at their proper levels before sending him on his way.

Running his hand down his faceplate he briefly wondered if Ratchet would give him something for his processor, it was throbbing again.

Grasping his hands behind his back and staring down the hall he was walking down he realized something he hadn't earlier. For the first time in what felt like ages he didn't feel like there was a dark cloud over his head or something weighing him down. He'd been wrapped in the cold grip of depression and all that came with it and more he'd almost forgot what it felt like to be. . .free.

Not the right word he was looking for, he thought, but it fit fine.

It felt good like taking a cold long gulp of energon after a long agonizing trek across a barren waist land.

Finally deciding to focus on something rather than nothing Optimus looked around in front of him and saw how bright it was. He looked behind him just to make sure he wasn't walking in a tunnel.

He wasn't, thank Primus.

Checking his chronometer for the time he was somewhat surprised that the sun was already able to shine into the Ark. The entrance the Ark wasn't to far off and since Prowl had said he'd take care of the morning assignments for him that he usually did to begin a day, Prime figured he'd watch the sun rise. Though he missed it rising. Cybertronians could absorb solar energy though it wasn't a common deliberate action. Nor was it a common thing to do regularly since it just took so long. From his time here on Earth he found that fresh solar rays were the best.

Why he didn't know, or if it was just him but he didn't concern himself with it. What ever worked.

Passing another hallway that branched off the one he was walking down now Prime caught something off the corner of his aqua colored optics. Seeing who it was Optimus for some reason let a small smile, a confident one perhaps appeared behind his mask. Leaning against the wall facing the incoming leader was Teletran arms crossed over his chest one leg crossed over the other.

The golden mech was giving him that look, the one he always gave when he was in one of his, what was a good way to put it, irritated maybe, moods. Prime wondered to himself if he happened to be a femme in a past life. That thought just made him smile more and slightly more thankful for his mask.

"Teletran." Prime greeted despite knowing Teletran wouldn't be here right now, in one of his more negative moods, without meaning business.

Letting his optics brighten with slight menace, "When were you going to tell me 'bout all this?"

And like that Prime's smile was gone but he gave the hacker credit. Like the golden mech always said: 'He knew all that happened within the Ark.' It really was futile. Luckily for the Autobot's a board the golden mech's ship Teletran had morals. Which sometimes irritated the slag out of Prowl. And that's why the Twins never prank the hacker too.

"I'm sorry Teletran. I haven't been. . ." glanced at the floor for a moment before looking back up. "thinking straight lately. I would have included you on. . .this but—."

The resident hacker sighed pushing off the wall stopped Prime in his explanation and giving him his attention. Optimus highly respected the golden mech and got the respect back. Though the two hadn't known the other as long, as say for example the Prime had known Ironhide but the hacker and Prime were friends. But not in the same sense as Optimus was friend with the old war vet and Teletran to Wheeljack.

It was like two people who rarely saw each other, rarely spook yet they trusted each other like friends who spent all there time together and had nearly a whole life's worth of thrust. It was hard to explain unless you actually had a friendship like that.

"Eh don't worry 'bout it Prime." He let a the edge of his lips curve into a smile as he stepped a little closer to his superior and friend "If it was anyone else, well minus Wheeljack, I'd be insulted." Patting Prime's shoulder "You go off easy this time."

Prime chuckled, "Well that's some good news."

Letting a few moments pass Teletran glanced down at the floor before looking back up at the blue and red mech, looking at those aqua colored optics that where glowing from the sun that was invading his ship, "But in all seriousness Optimus." He began already having the commander's attentions "If you wanted to make sure this project of yours is safe, along with yourself, you should have come to me."

Pausing, Teletran watched Optimus bow his head slightly looking away breaking optic contact. He knew Optimus felt bad about it but he'd get to that in a minute. Prime also knew that his friend was serenely right.

"As should Prowl" 'Tran began, his voice low and calm "I'm the most logical choice to keep this secret and I'm not just being vain." Frowning. Optimus looked up at the golden mech as he put his red hand on the leaders red shoulder, "I'm an understanding mech" smirking and shrugging giving off the impression that he was rolling his optics. "Most of the time anyway I'll let this pass, too." smiling coyly

Prime let his own chuckle escape his vocals and 'Tran joined him in the humor. They both knew how temperamental the hacker could be and that he didn't deny it. Why? It was very good weapon on his account sometimes.

As Teletran let his hand drop to his side Optimus nodded his blue helm his good demeanor coming back now. "Come by my quarters at 1900 hours and I'll debrief you. It's the least I can do."

Crossing his arms over his chest, "Fare enough."

And with that Optimus watched the golden hacker disappear down the hall he'd just come down from. Having Teletran as an ally was a good thing to have. The mech was loyal—almost to a fault, to ones who he deemed worthy or deemed themselves worthy under his book to him. And he was trust worthy there was no doubt about that. Though he may not seem like that kind of mech if you meant him for the first time without 'knowing' about him but Optimus knew other wise.

Taking one last glimpse down the hall to his left, the one Teletran had appeared down he was transfixed by the array of colors that were shinning in. One more hall down was the exit and Prime knew he must have rained last night because little rainbows dancing on the walls why'll waves of light gold were bouncing near the bass of the walls.

The sector he was in was known as the open sector, which had several halls that led into the innards workings of the Ark. For long that was going to change once they began construction on the outer sectors to make the Ark more secure.

That had been one of the first fritzes when Teletran had woken up was how open the Ark had been. Because of recent. . .problems they hadn't had much time or resources to begin the project. That wouldn't be much longer though.

Sighing Optimus bowed his head for a moment before going on his way back to his office. The day was still young but he was already behind on his days work.

000

A/N:

Sorry, filler, not necessarily for suspense just because I had to get this out of way. I was going to add Teletran's reaction—like I did Wheeljack and Ratchet but I was like eh, no.

Reviews and constructive crit. is always welcomed.

This story is kindly detected to my dear friend MyBlueOblivion, thanks for all the support bro.

Transformers and all related char(s) belong to Has/Tak and co.

Except for Teletran, and the plot, which are mine

Names and/of char(s) are entirely coincidental