Disclaimer: I do not own any version of Transformers nor any of it's characters...

AN: Lets get down to business, shall we? Imma back and ready to roll! Right into the story we go!

The Time After

~ chapter 2 ~

It was a fitting goodbye for the ninja bot. His holographic image projected for all to see. Sari had placed a handful of rose petals at the base of it in remembrance of his fascination with Earth's nature.

A few other mechs and femms would come and go. Most of them had known Prowl from training under Master Yoketron. Jazz was there too, but had to leave when a not-so-happy Setinal commed. The spunky bot had chosen to disobey an order when told to retrieve Ultra Magnus' hammer. It was of little surprise the "acting Magnus" was still in touch with his nack for holding grudges.

The group didn't linger for too long, just until all had a chance to bid a proper farewell. Then, respectably and without another word, they turned to leave. The spacebridge repair crew had persevered against all odds. For them, the majority of the credit for the second defeat of the Decepticons belonged to none other then Prowl.

Bulkhead raised the techno-organic up to roost on his shoulder, off to his left strolled the yellow mini, Bumblebee. Behind them Optimus and Ratchet followed at their own slower pace. The Prime and the medic listened to the other three ramble on and on about what the wanted to do next. Of course, they simply wouldn't agree to anything. Despite the two bots friendship, their personalities were constantly clashing. The large green mech wanted Sari to go sight seeing while Bee wanted to take her to a local street race. Optimus chuckled to himself as they were too busy bickering to realize Sari's suggesting they do both.

It wasn't long until she raised her voice, "GUYS!"

She had obtained the attention of every bot's optics over a fifty yard radius. Friends silenced their vocalizers while passerbys didn't know what to think of the white and yellow plated migit. My, she had a loud voice!

Sari arose, ignoring the few odd looks and stressed every other word. "Why... Don't we..." she paused taking time to point to the three of them before proposing, "Go sight seeing... on our way to the race?"

"I'm okay with that. What about you clumsy? Or is a race still too action packed for you?!" Bee nudged the taller mech.

Bulkhead shuffled his peeds before answering, "Oh, alright. Just don't blame me if you crash, cause we all know you'll be entering if we go."

That earned genuine laughs from the whole group. Bumblebee spread out his arms, gesturing to all.

"Ain't nothing able to get close enough to scratch my paint!" he said in his own defense, "And that's that."

The green mech rolled his optics adding, "Whatever you say."

Would the mini ever learn? His constant experiences on Earth didn't seem to amount to much. Always trying to prove his worth in a stupid/selfish kind of way. Only a few times did that attitude of his turn out for the better.

Optimus glanced down at the medic on his left. He'd been mute for a majority of the time since they met up a jour ago. Venting a sigh, the Prime tried to think of something to say to get the mech talking. Hello? No, that wouldn't lead anywhere. So he settled for the best thing that crossed his processor.

"How was Arcee's meet with Perceptor? She okay?" he asked, his tone full of concern. Meeting the red and blue Prime's optics, Ratchet frowned.

"She's missing a set of Processor filters and I can't do much until Percy gives me the 'all clear'."

"You? I thought..." Optimus trailed off bewildered.

"Yeah, about that. SARI! Get over here!" he called after her.

Three sighs echoed before she turned around, her metallic ponytails bouncing. Annoyance played across her features as she lept off her perch and activated her jet pack. Carefully, she slowed her decent until her feet were in contact with the ground.

"Yes?" Sari questioned.

"Would you mind helping a friend of mine? He is in need of your assistance."

Unexpectedly, she shrugged, "Maybe... Right now? Or can it wait?"

Ratchet leaned forward to pat the teen on the shoulder. With only one of his digits, of course. "Not now, but I would like to talk to you after your done with the race and you contact your father. He's probably worried sick."

She nodded, "I can deal with that. Who is this so called friend?"

The old mech inwardly mused over the idea, Sari meeting Perceptor. Though his scientific coding would urge him to examine the girl, he held too much restraint and respect for others. Wheeljack on the other servo would be a whole different experience. The inventor wouldn't hesitate to let his vast curiosity bombard the teen with question, after question, after question and a few pokes.

"Just ask Bulkhead to comm me when your ready. Now get along before Bee's patience is replaced with yammering. Don't need my auditory sensors ringing because I took a whole three seconds out of your time."

She let out a thrilling giggle before the hum of the jet pack carried her small form in the opposite direction of which she faced. Every other click, Ratchet would be adding rules to a list for Wheeljack. Oh how wonderful!

Optimus was stiff and clearly still waiting for an explanation. His words came out in a polite manner, but were slightly tainted by a waver.

"And you were saying?"

"Ah, yes. I've been offered a position... an assistant to fill in for Perceptor. His agenda for the time being is Ultra Magnus and him alone. That leaves Arcee, Omega supreme, filling data pads, ect. under me and Jack."

The medic's choice had was surprised himself. He was always traveling, always busy. No doubt he'd be occupied, but travel would be limited. Ratch simply loved traveling the many vast universes with his dear friend. Omega Supreme.

Omega was now online and any thought of placing him back into stasis would end with a wench up the afterburner. Cyberton's hero deserved better! He would no longer be a neglected ship the counsel could send willy-nilly. Full repairs, welcoming servos, and a vacation were in order. That would be a topic for later, it would seem. Prime spoke up again.

"You were... Promoted?"

The poor kid couldn't understand the other mech. He grew up as a military bot. You were fresh off the assembly line and rushed off to boot camp. The only way to achieve anything, you had to be promoted. Promotion and demotion. Ratchet decided to not further complicate things, by giving a general answer.

"I guess you could say that. Anyways, I accepted."

"And I'm guessing that 'friend in need of help' is Perceptor." Optimus perked up. He began to radiate that joy the military held little appreciation for. The universe was nearly starved of such a warm feeling.

"Yes. And besides... Lets face it, I'm old. A break from ending up at the wrong place at the wrong time sounds good to me." It was still processor boggling to think of how many things the elder mech could have avoided in the past if he had made the most logical choices at the time. A break from bad karma (Oh look. An Earthling term) wouldn't hurt any bot.

Ratchet realized that in less than a jour, the inner glow of Cybertron would fade and the stars become visible. His home planet didn't need the aid of a nearby star for light. From a seeker's eye view, one could see the brilliant rays radiating from the center of Cybertron itself. On ground level it was hardly noticeable. The light pulsing against the star etched sky morphed into a violet hue.

Where would be a good place to recharge for the night? He'd been living inside Omega Supreme for stellar-cycles, then in some old rinky dink warehouse for Earth's Autobot base. Never had the mech truly settled down. Oh Primus... This was going to be more challenging then he'd thought.

The Prime vented deeply trying to loosen his joints. Along with his comrade, he too had a great multitude of things on the processor. Mainly, what next? Return to repairing spacebridges? A faltering possibility, but without Ratchet... without a ship? Highly unlikely. Yes, Optimus had no doubt that the ship, now conscious, belonged to himself. And what of Bulkhead and Bumblebee? Probably not in the mood to leave their home any time soon based on what he's observed. Bulk had even mentioned showing their "key player" an energon farm.

Best just to hang low until Ultra Magnus was able to resume his duties. Confidence in the leader's recovery was no longer based on a slim chance or an if.

"Well," the medic huffed, "I'm off. See ya later Prime."

Pivoting to the left the old mech waved his good servo and started towards the only building tall enough for Omega to stand up to his full stature.

Optimus returned the gesture, "Later."

AN: T'waz a very calm chapter. I was going to make it longer, but this seemed like a better place to stop than what was previously planned. :D Review if you wish! I take criticism without getting all butt hurt. Trying to become a better writer. Just a little advice: Writers are encouraged to write more when people REVIEW more!