Rescue Our Bots 3: conclusion

The Rescue Bots and Team Prime enjoy their short vacation on the island, but emergencies and Decepticons can't be held a bay forever. All too soon Smokescreen is calling for help and Chief Burns is asking if Heatwave could spare a few moments to help with another nutty emergency.

Heatwave and Optimus sigh heavily. "Rats, I was hoping for just a little longer, Sir."

Optimus pats the other leader's shoulder with compassionate understanding, "I know, all too well."

Commander Elita strides up to her mate and other fellow Commander. "Darling, the humans do have a thing called weekends or Sabbaths. Maybe it's time we implement them ourselves."

Heatwave is allowed to see one of Optimus' rare smirks, "Are you going to tell Megatron about this change?"

Elita plays a finger tip over her mate's taught belly, "If we were able to meet up with you, maybe some of the Decepticon mates and families can make their way here too. Might just give him incentive to take a break."

"Might make him nicer, too." Bulkhead teases with Boulder at his side.

Optimus and Elita chuckle shaking their heads. "Don't count on it."

"Eh, it was worth a try," Bulkhead shrugs.

Elita pokes Heatwave in the belly this time. "Look, I'm going to stay here with Perceptor and the rest of the expecting ones and we will work up some ideas about days off. You two leaders take your teams, go back and do what you do best. Just, check in with us, alright?"

Optimus wraps his arm around her trim waist pulling them closer and lowering his head to whisper something in her ear that makes her blush deeply and then pecks a kiss there. As he steps back, there is a rather brazen wicked look across his face before the battle mask closes over.

Heatwave may not know everything, but he does remember those looks between his parents before they would send him to berth early.

Optimus steps back further, "Jasper team, time to roll out."

Bulkhead and Wheeljack embrace Boulder once more before joining Prime's side. Springer joins them, as does Inferno, and Ultra Magnus.

Heatwave raises his hand, "Griffin Rock team, we should go, too."

Towline joins Boulder with Heatwave. Chase and Prowl give Ultra Magnus a last hug before the Jasper Team disappears through the space bridge.

Prowl looks up to Heatwave, as they begin down the path to the dock. "Heatwave, I may be an Autobot Commander, but this is your team. I just want to see where my mechs will be working before I head back to the other team."
Heatwave smiles and shakes his hand, "I wouldn't mind your opinion of our operation, Commander."

Prowl nods back respectfully, "It will be my honor."

The rest walk them to the dock. Firestar and Red Alert give Heatwave a tight hug. Heatwave rubs his big thumb over his little sister's cheek. "Hey, don't cry. I'll be back to play soon and I'll bring you some fun toys, too. I promise."

"Promise?" It's one of the first words anyone other than her family has heard from her.

Now Heatwave's optics are welling up, "I promise. Carrier and Sire would have my aft if I broke a promise. Besides, I'm so excited to meet you. It's breaking my spark to leave."

"Heatwave!" Little Red reaches for her big brother and he hugs her tightly to himself. Red buries her face into his strong neck. "Brother…"

"I know sweet spark, I know my little sister," Heatwave nuzzles into her. He turns his face just enough to give his Carrier a look of helplessness. He's torn between duty as team leader and yet his love for family.

Firestar is not holding her tears back. For vorns she thought she had lost her son. Not only is he alive, but leader of a team! Not just any team, but a rescue team just like herself and her mate first were before the war.

She reaches up and strokes his cheek. "I'm very proud of you, Heatwave. You are a gentle mech just like we hoped you would be. When Red is a little bigger, I'd like to see your base, too."

That lifts Heatwave's head and he swipes a tear away. "Red Alert, did you hear that? Carrier said when you get bigger, maybe you could join us as a Rescue Bot. What do you think?!"

Red looks between her Carrier and her Brother. "Me, like you?"

They both nod back to the little femme. Heatwave reluctantly gives her back to Firestar, "And one of the things I need to do right now, is help Chief Burns. So if you stay here and help the others with the new sparklings that will arrive soon, it will be excellent training to later help us on Griffin Rock. What do you say?"

"You come back?" She smiles.

Heatwave sniffles and presses a kiss to her cheek, "Hurricanes and Decepticons couldn't stop me from visiting my family."

Red giggles and Firestar's spark can actually find the humor in that one to giggle lightly as well.

"Well, I should be off. Mr. Pettypaws can't be kept waiting forever." Boulder snorts in reply.

Prowl looks to Chase, "Mr. Pettypaws?"

Chase gives a light groan, "Oh you'll find out soon enough. You might be wishing to get back to the Decepticons after you meet Mr. Pettypaws."

Prowl cocks a door wing in confusion, but says nothing more as they step onto the barge with Towline.

Behind them, Chase is fretting over his own Carrier Arcee. "Are you sure you'll be alright?! Shouldn't I stay just in case-"

Ratchet wraps an arm around Blade's shoulder in a very grandfatherly way. "Chase, it will be alright. Arcee and I have been looking after each other for vorns. You can fly back any time your Commander says it's alright. I'm going to stay here and get a base established. Firestar here is a field medic and long time friend to Arcee. Besides, Arcee is quite tenacious."

Elita wraps an arm around blushing Arcee's shoulder. "Oh now Ratchet, let's not worry the mech about his brazen Carrier, shall we? Blades, she's now under my command and not Optimus', thus things are going to be a little different."

Arcee scowls at Elita. Although Elita is a high ranking officer, Acree has her own individual pride. Elita gives Arcee a warning look. Part of her job as a Commander is a bit of counseling and the art of mind games.
"There will be a different Command structure here. Besides, I'm going to need all of Arcee's intel on this planet to help me make this a better base for our newly arriving sparklings. After all Blades, hopefully you are going to be a big brother soon. Now, off you go so Arcee and the rest of us can get this place viable."

Chase gives his Carrier one last hug and salutes the others before flipping to his flight mode. Heatwave flips to his speed boat mode and tugs the barge back out with his team aboard and Blades flying above.

Once they are out of sight, Elita looks at her remaining team: Perceptor, Moonracer, Chromia, Firestar, and Ironhide. Ratchet is only staying until he can get things situated and equipment installed for Sparkling Island. After that, he will return to Prime's side with frequent visits to the other two sights as well.

"Thanks, Elita," Arcee finally admits.

"Anything, Darling. He's a good mech. Little flightily though." Elita giggles.

Ratchet groans shaking his head and gripping his chevron, "Oh Elita, ..no." And he wanders off to start his list of needed supplies.

~0~

Back on Griffin Rock, Heatwave takes the lead, with Chase and Prowl side by side behind him with Boulder and Towline bringing up the rear. Blades comes along shortly with a scoop full of salt.

With the help of the others, a ring of salt is placed and then the bots tackle the chore of gathering and tossing turbo charged snails inside the salt ring corral.
Meanwhile Kade helps get the frightened cat out of the tree. Once again. This time he was charged up there by high speed snails.

While Boulder and Heatwave help the Professor get his snails back into a travel pod, Chase and Prowl pretend to be robots keeping the crowd at bay. Quietly though, they do talk to each other.

"This is quite different than dealing with Decepticon Vehicons," Prowl's door wing twitches.

Chase flicks a hitchhiking snail off Prowl's wing and plinks it right into the pod. "Vehicons?"

"Decepticon mass produced, low ranking bots. Almost drone like. Not very good soldiers, but hard workers." Prowl's lip curls at the sight of where the snail has left a bit of slime on him.

Chase shrugs, chucking a few more wayward snails towards the pod, "Ah but this is more like typical for us."

Prowl just shakes his head. As much as he is glad his sons will be safe from battle, he hopes they will not perish in boredom.

A few more days on the island and Prowl's initial reaction changes. Nope, these mechs will never be bored and they could be in danger a few times as well. Most of the time though, creative problem solving saves the day. He also knows that under Heatwave's leadership, Towline and Chase are in very capable hands. Inferno and Firestar have much to be proud of in Heatwave as should Bulkhead and Wheeljack in Boulder's tender ingenuity. Blades has sure come a long way as well. They are a perfect team.

~0~

Soon it's time for Prowl to take his leave. He's been away from Ultra Magnus for far too long and they really need to catch up. With him back with Optimus, maybe between the three of them, they can have a high command rotation, like Elita suggested. This war has gone on far too long for them to sacrifice family time any longer

Chief Burns asks for a moment alone with Prowl as he prepares to leave. As two older parents with grown offspring in rescue operations, Charlie feels like he's found a peer. And as such, he wants to know how to be a comfort to Prowl and Ultra Magnus in leaving their two precious sons on his home turf.
"Are you alright, Commander Prowl?" Charlie asks.

Prowl has met and dealt with humans before, it's just been a very long time since Sparkplug, Spike, and Daniel. Still that compassion on their faces is the same. He gives the Chief of this small community a smile. "Yes, Chief. Thank you for giving Heatwave's team a home and friendship."

Charlie pats Prowl's leg, "My pleasure. They are very good mechs with good hearts -er sparks. I think Towline is going to enjoy himself here. I'll try not to let him get out of control with the regulations. I think Chase will be able to help him buffer the line between protocol and extenuating circumstances."

Prowl scratches behind a chevron fin, "Yeah, that's always a hard one. Good luck with that."

Charlie chuckles and presses on, "Is there anything I should be aware of?"

Prowl looks out towards the unseen island that holds their future and then crouches down to the Chief's level. "Cody is a youngling and still quite vulnerable, correct?"

The human father nods heavily, "Yes, but out growing that rapidly, I'm afraid."

"But there was a time when all your children were much smaller and very delicate?"

Once more Charlie nods. "In some ways it seems like a lifetime ago, and in other ways, just yesterday."

Prowl nods in agreement to that. At the moment, all the bots are racing around the track. Chase seems to be having the most fun pushing the speed limits, but Prowl points out to the unseen island.

"I'm going to entrust you with very precious information. Out on that island we are making a third base."

"I think Boulder said it was to be a vacation spot for you guys."

The older mech shakes his head lightly, "Its way more than that. Out there, Heatwave's Carrier-er mother, is raising his very little sister. She is defenseless against Decepticons or human military alike. If the wrong people should find out we have sparklings here…." He shakes his head heavily this time.

Charlie lays a hand to the mech's gauntlet. Already once he thought he lost his young adult son, the thought of losing an innocent little sparkling is just too much to think about. "I understand." Prowl looks into his small eyes and that's when Charlie sees something more. "Heatwave's sister isn't the only one, is she?"

Prowl shakes his head. "Some have not even been born yet."

Charlie beams, "Oh that's wonderful! You too?"

Prowl's cheeks flare, "Um well, er, not…yet?"

That makes the human father laugh heartily. "Well then I guess we should get you back to your mate to make it a possibility?"
The Cybertronian rises back up to his full height stiffly. "Well, I should check in with Prime's team," he tries to push the conversation along.

Charlie can see that the creation of a new life is a loving private a moment for Cybertronians just as it is for humans. Prowl is a gentlemech too, so no need to say any more on the subject. "Yes, of course, Commander. Please let me know if there is anything either the Island or Jasper needs that Griffin can provide."

Prowl looks right then left and then dips his helm down low again, "Do you have any of those dough-nuts you can spare?"
Charlie pulls his best straight face and winks, "Give me ten minutes and they will be all yours."
For this and his sons, Prowl easily finds thirty more minutes he can spare. And it is well worth the wait. Haley arrives with a small Pod on the back of a truck. "Here you go, Chief."
Charlie points to the Pod, "That special equipment you requested, Commander." Prowl's optics go wide. He was expecting a small box, not a huge Pod! Charlie explains, "Just read the directions carefully when you arrive back at base."
"Wow, I just am at a loss for words. Thank you ever so much," Prowl carefully lifts the Pod and can feel that the doughnut making machine is actually in side. The Chief has made sure his vice is feed continually.
Chief Burns gives Prowl a salute and whispers, "All us leaders need a little something to help us stay sane."

Prowl just hums to that and then gives his last blessing to both of his sons and their comrades before he steps through the ground bridge.

~0~

Back through the gate, Ultra Magnus is manning the gate controls. Prowl smiles broadly. To feel his spark mate's signature so close again is like heaven. Ultra Magnus returns the smile and closes the gate. They step closer and closer. Prowl is careful, but doesn't look as he sets the pod down so he can slips his arms around Magnus' waist. The taller mech cups his mate's helm and holds it to his chest. There needn't much more to say.

At the sound of the gate, Wheeljack makes his way to the main room. As much as both Ultra Magnus and Prowl can be hard-afts, they can also be very lovingly devoted mates. They don't take commitments lightly. This is something Wheeljack can most certainly understand.

"Shift rotation, sirs," Wheeljack softly says from the doorway with a tender smile.

For once, Ultra Magnus isn't going to argue with Wheeljack. He's only been on shift for an hour, so it's not even close to time for him to rotate out, but having Prowl back in his arms, "The monitor is yours. Watch grid D6."

Wheeljack nods pushing off the door frame, "Will do. You two have a nice evening."

"Thank you, Wheeljack," Prowl mumbles.

Silently Wheeljack chuckles to that and watches the older couple disappear down the hall to Magnus' quarters.

Once inside, the couple takes their time getting to know each other's frames and sparks all over again. While on the island, they did not take a private intimate moment. They were far too interested in having their little family all together again. Now, for the first time in Towline's life time, they are able to renew their sparks.

And Chief Burns blessing comes true.

~~00~~

It takes a while for Cybertronian sparklings to gestate, but by the time Cody is graduating from the police academy and Chief Burns is ready to retire so he can bounce Kade and Haley's daughter on his knee, the Island has the next generation of sparklings walking about.

Red Alert is a wonderful helper to all the Carriers. On top of that, she is delighted to no longer be the youngest.

First to arrive is Moonracer and Perceptor's daughter. A precious and mellow yet very inquisitive little one. She is Red's favorite, for sure.

The next two are Elita and Optimus' daughter and Ironhide and Chromia's son. Those two are perfect playmates. Always seen together and having the same interests. So much like their parents' friendship.
Blades is gifted to be a big brother to a very healthy little sister. Heatwave is almost wondering if he should transfer Blades out to the island permanently because he's asking to be there so much. Unfortunately, he needs a flyer on his team, so as a compromise, gives him as much time off as he can and doesn't bark when he's late returning.
Chase and Towline don't mind too much. As long as they get their time with their new little brother Bluestreak, they are good.

The last sparkling to arrive, is a little sister for Boulder. He's so excited! He was afraid he would be an only child, but Bulkhead and Wheeljack were waiting until the others had a chance to recover and get established before needing their own maternity leave. She's a sweet spitfire. Creative and wanting to better things for all kinds of life forms.

Elita's prediction also comes true. Decepticon mates make their way to Earth and Nemesis soon has the pitter patter of little pedes on her deck plates. Attacks dwindle down with Decepticons wanting to get back home to their families as well.
Within a decade, the Decepticons and Autobots find a truce and even begin to make trading agreements. There will always be two factions, but they find a way to live together on this same planet they are forced to call home. One thing they both agree: for the sake of the sparklings, compromises must be made.