"Hey Ratchet…"
"What is it Mikaela?"
"Don't take this the wrong way or anything…I mean, I think it's great that Ironhide hasn't given up hope yet or anything…but it's been five years Ratchet. The odds that-"
"Mikaela I didn't believe I would ever need to remind you of the fact that I am an antonomus robot organism capable of conducting calculations at speeds your most brilliant human scientists have only theorized. I know the odds exactly."
"Yeah, okay, alright, so then why does-"
"Mikaela, I believe you humans have a saying, 'follow your heart'. Just because we Autobots know the numbers, it does not mean we have to believe in them."
The girl fell silent briefly, "You know Hatchet, I don't care what the twins say about you. You're a good mech." She commented, patting his dash.
For a minute the medic was silent before, "Did you just treat me like a domesticated canine?"
"A dog Ratchet. A dog."
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"Target confirmed?"
"Affirmative, Over."
"Assessment of the target?"
"Target it approaching at a heading of zero zero one niner, Ove-"
"Would you two slag for brains stop that before I come out there!" Ironhide growled over the communications line, met with chuckles from the aptly named terrible twins.
"We're adapting to the local culture!" Sideswipe argued, they'd grown found of the 'radio lingo' police and military used, most of which they'd learned from Epps.
"What's the status of that pit spawn?" Ironhide questioned.
Sunny revved his engine, "Looks like we've got a Barricade on the prowl."
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"Prime it's a bad idea."
"I agree, this doesn't sit well with my spark…"
"Hey now, Everyone jus' needs ta chill. Big guy came wantin' peace we'd be Deceptislags if we turned him down."
"I must agree with Jazz. Barricade has agreed to our terms, we have no reason not to give him a chance."
"He tried to kill me! If it wasn't for 'Bee he would have!"
"That's not entirely true same." The young man glanced up to the yellow mech. "I don't doubt my own ability but I am not designed for head on combat like Barricade and Ironhide. I should have lost that battle. He…."
"He went easy on our lil' bug." Jazz completed for him, giving said scout a mock punch in the shoulder plating.
"He wasn't present in Mission city." Mikaela pointed out from memory.
Ratchet nodded in agreement, "Nor has he been associated with any Decepticon attack since."
"Give him a chance." Sideswipe commented.
Sunstreaker nodded, "Never sat well that he was a Decepit-crud anyway. They're mostly fliers."
Sides' optics blinked, "Could you imagine teaching 'Cade Jet Judo?" The twins seemed to share a brief silent thought before they both raised a single hand.
"We vote to give him a chance."
"The slag? Since when do you get a vote?" Ironhide grumbled.
"Since this is a democracy." Sunny informed him.
"Since when?"
"Since we voted on it." Sides' commented with a smirk, only to back away when he heard the taletell signs of a cannon charging.
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"Are you sure about this Optimus?" Ratchet questioned after learning of the other's order.
"Barricade has done nothing to warrant my concern yet. I believe charging him with the task of watching a human family would aid in his transition."
"I understand your point…" Barricade had remained mostly on the base or off on his own since his surrender to the Autobot's two years ago, which meant the would be Decepticon still had very little experience with humans.
"And I understand your concern old friend; which is why Jazz will accompany him for a time."
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"Where's 'Hide?" Sam questioned, it had been nearly a week without the weapons specialist around and there hadn't been any news reports of explosions. Sam was reasonably worried.
"He is searching." Bumblebee replied, optics focused on the little bundle currently crawling around the table in the Recreation room. Sure the sparkling was no where close to the edge, and Sam was right there by him but still, it was a guardian's duty to always protect his charges.
Sam frowned glancing towards his son. Bee was fifteen months now, aptly named after the being that had forever changed the lives of his mother and father. A sad smile came crossed his features, "I know Ironhide feels responsible and all…But it's been almost fifteen years 'Bee. I don't want to sound cold but chances are, if…If Anne's alive she probably doesn't remember any of us, maybe that's for the best ya know?"
Bumblebee nodded in response, they'd had the conversation before and he was sure they'd have it again, "For an Autobot ten years is a moment of time Sam. Besides, it is unheard of for an Autobot sparkling to go missing in this respect. Even if they were the equivalent of Anne's age they would remember their creators. Besides that, any medic would be able to likewise determine a mech or femme's creators and take the appropriate actions to return the sparkling…"
Sam nodded, "The idea that Anne is out there with another family, living another life bugs him." He figured he understood and the yellow mech nodded in response. No one ever mentioned the thought that Anne could be dead, least of all to Ironhide.