Disclaimer: I do not own any version of Transformers nor any of it's characters...
AN: Sadly, I am disappointed with the size of this chapter. Told myself to never write anymore short chapters, but TA-DAH! This will be the shortest chapter for this entire fic. Promise.
The Time After
~ chapter 3 ~
The building was filled with a disturbing silence. The outer walls were marred by years of enduring acidic rain. Staff was at bare minimum as they tinkered with miniscule projects. Small digits flitting over the glow of their data pads, zooming in and out to better inspect the blueprints. What once had been a room of loud shocks, clangs, and orders was nothing more than a few bots with engineering hobbies. The only real action taking place came from the squeal of a rejoicing femm standing in the open doorway of the front office.
She had been one of Cybertron's best way back in the day. Time and the lacking care for good appearance had faded all her paint to a pale green. The sleek scientist couldn't believe this day had actually came. Her shrill gleeful cheers attracted multiple bots' attention. The last time she'd broke out in such a scene, a large stash of high grade was discovered under one of the floor panels. To their amazement, she darted up the nearest staircase and made a beeline towards... "the switch". What could possibly require such an extremity?
The more seasoned scientists and engineers knew the exact purpose of "the switch", while the younger bots could only guess. All together, they never expected to use it ever again. If these particular bots hadn't been so absorbed in their projects (and if the building wasn't half way underground and soundproofed), they might have heard the news...
"Nexus-13! What is the meaning of this?" an old mech barked, transforming his mini blowtorch back into a gray servo with white digits.
… The Autobots' greatest success...
Nexus-13 answered his confusion through action. Flipping open a large panel reveled a red handled switch. She gave a good tug, the whine of metal on metal echoed throughout the facility halls and chambers. Still not activating. Using both servos and one peed pressed against the wall, she let out a, "Hrrph!" *click*
… The one and only...
A shuddering rumble sounded. The entire western wall began to rise every so slowly, or so it appeared to the onlookers. Large peeds came into view, and the thunderous voice rang out in a warm welcome.
… Omega Supreme!
Abandoning their now seemingly pathetic toys, all made a start for different staircases. Pushing and shoving they squirmed their way up to Nexus. She was bouncing and giving high fives to all as they waited to see onlined average helm-sized optics. Each step was a round of applause, a quake, a shout!
"Did you guys miss me?" Omega let a smile struggle against his lip plate's natural frown. Strange? His speech wasn't similar to a drone, it was casual.
Bellow, Arcee studied the small crowd blurting answers and other niceties that were hard to comprehend from her current standpoint. It wasn't long until a few noticed the pink femm.
"Who's your friend?" said one of the younger mechs.
"Where? Where?!" another from the back squawked.
"You dolts! It's Arcee. She was the one who gave the activation codes to Ratchet." the only femm explained with a slight bounce in her voice.
"Really?" one squinted his optics to get a better look.
"Why don't you come up here? We never formally met." the oldest of them all beckoned with a single digit.
She began to wander when the Supreme offered her a lift. Gently, he raised her up to where the herd of bots clustered. Less than a nanoclick and she was flooded with greetings and the occasional hug. She had dealt with this situation many times as a teacher, though swarmed by students, not full fledged scientists.
Multiple decided this was the best time to express gratitude... Gratitude she didn't comprehend. To many voices chattering away and with little sign of diminishing.
"Your welcome?" Acree managed with a shrug.
AN: The OC's here are very miniscule and are in very few chapters. Someone asked who the main character was. It's Ratchet. Reviews are appreciated and will help tremendously. Posted this cause I am impatient with myself and writing will be limited as I prepare for some upcoming tests.
