Thanks for all of the reviews guys! They're still very much appreciated. (:
The clouds drifted slowly over the vast landmass, and tickled pick from the rising sun. Everything up above seemed relatively calm ever since the attack on the Autobot base. Save of course for the one spy that lurked overhead – Laserbeak.
Soundwave's pet was busy flying about the southwest territories in search of where their mysterious traveler might have gone. Creating a field of reference was their best chance of discovering them, and Soundwave hoped that they would corner them as they had done once before. He enjoyed watching them scramble in the firefight.
The MiniCon traveled for miles high above, looking down upon the blissfully unaware humans that dotted the ground below him. Most thought the MiniCon to just be a large bird soaring freely among the cloud and saw him as beautiful. Oh, if they only knew what chaos the mechanical bird could do.
Meanwhile below the ground, Predaking was still waiting for further orders from his Masters. Mighty wings were plastered to his sides, longing to be stretched so that he may take flight. His forked, reptilian-like glossa flicked with the desire to taste Autobot energon. But alas, he would have to wait a little longer. The hundreds of Vehicons and Insecticons alike quaked in fear as the beast let out another loud growl that shook the base of the tower.
"Patients, Predaking, your moment will come eventually. You need only wait a little longer. "Soundwave played on his display screen before returning to monitoring his MiniCon.
The shrill cry of tires against the hard pavement filled the air, and from what everyone could see, someone was approaching swiftly. An engine's deep growl accompanied the hard-working wheels as they treaded across the unkempt path that snaked to the base.
Ultra Magnus rose from his spot beside Optimus Prime, his peds then drove him over to the entrance of the hangar. Peering outside he saw two vehicles, both primarily while, racing towards the base. But, something about those cars didn't seem right, at least from Magnus' perspective. The large Autobot rushed back to where his ship had been stored to retrieve his hammer, and then he returned back to the entrance of the hangar to await their visitors.
The car out in front blazed through the gates as if they were nothing but air and the second one followed swiftly behind him - or at least that's what appeared to be happening from afar. But as the two came closer into view, Magnus realized that the white vehicle in front was actually towing the one behind it.
But were they Autobots or Decepticons? Or even Cybertronian in general? He couldn't make out their faction symbol, however he did get a clear view of a pair of "38"s that decorated the doors of the vehicle in front.
Finally after a few tense moments of waiting, the pair of white cars made the final stretch to the base. The one that had taken the lead then proceeded to transform into a smaller bot that stumbled as he slowed to a halt, whereas the one behind him wasn't that quick on doing so.
After a second of brushing away the red sand that dusted his paint, the smaller Autobot stood and gave a quick salute to Ultra Magnus.
"Elite Guardsman: Smokescreen, reporting for duty, sir!" He spoke with pride.
"At ease, soldier, "Magnus replied while returning the salute.
"Sir, I come here looking for Ratchet, or medic. Is he here? "the young Autobot asked with worry.
"That he is, "Magnus replied suddenly remembering the previous night when he had been in Smokescreen's position, "Might I ask who you've brought with you? "
Smokescreen would have answered, but he was interrupted by the loud, grinding noise of metal as the other vehicle finally transformed. Red and green stripes of colour adorned his frame, however half of said frame was blackened with soot and splattered energon. Two fin-like appendages stuck out of both sides of his helm, the one on the right side had been damaged. Multiple scars decorated his frame and face – but it was those icy optics that made Magnus quickly identify him.
"Wheeljack…" Ultra Magnus vented softly.
Smokescreen rushed over to Wheeljack's better side where there were no burn marks. The little Elite Guard steadied the Wrecker before making him sit down on the sands, not like it was that hard with Wheeljack in his current condition.
"Wheeljack, you shouldn't be moving around too much! You barely survived that crash, you gotta take it easy or else you'll damage yourself more! "Smokescreen attempted to reason with the stubborn Wrecker.
Even though Smokescreen was basically holding Wheeljack down, the white Wrecker still tried to rise up from the sands to show he was alright.
"Ge'off. " Wheeljack slurred as he made another pathetic attempt to shove Smokescreen away.
"Wheeljack, " Ultra Magnus then said sternly, causing the engineer to look up at him directly, "You best do as Smokescreen advises. You're wounds look serious, and if we are to face against the Decepticons, we're going to need all of our boys to be in peak physical condition. Is that understood? "
"Ultra Magnus… " Wheeljack said in surprise, "Understood, sir. "
When the Wrecker mentioned his former commander's designation, Smokescreen's optics widened, as if in total disbelief. The titan that stood before them was the fabled Ultra Magnus? Many times in the past on Cybertron had he listened to the countless stories of unbound bravery from the Wreckers, many which helped to inspire others to continue fighting, even when the situation seemed bleak. In the Hall of Records, Smokescreen had desired to learn and study every single documented battle which the Wreckers had partaken in, and countless times he saw that very name – Ultra Magnus. Smokescreen was completely struck with awe to finally see the famous commander in person, and opportunity he had once thought impossible.
However, now was not the ideal time to gawk at the large Autobot. Not when Wheeljack was in need of assistance. Smokescreen lifted Wheeljack to his feet and attempted to carry the other, but to no avail. When he tries for a second time to haul the other inside, he found it to be much easier. He didn't think that he was this strong before! Unfortunately, he soon found out that Ultra Magnus was lending a servo the entire time when they managed to get Wheeljack inside.
The two of them found Ratchet up and about the hangar again, he had most likely finished checking up on Prime's status.
"Smokescreen! Wheeljack! "He exclaimed in surprise, "You've found us! "
"Wasn't that hard; we were already around these parts of the country when we began looking for you. Then we saw this weird craft flying in the sky, which Wheeljack had told me to follow quickly, and we asked around a few other forts scattered around. "Smokescreen explained.
Magnus paid no attention to Smokescreen's explanation of how he had found this place. Instead he had been more focused on the injured Wheeljack and the slowly recovering Prime. The white Wrecker, of whom he had so much pride for, was writhing in pain from the numerous burns, dents, and other opened wounds that decorated his chassis. He took pity in watching his soldier attempting to restrain any sounds that would indicate such pain.
"- So now Bulkhead, Arcee, and Bumblebee are on their way here. " Smokescreen finished talking for now.
"And what of the children? Are they in good hands right now? "Ratchet asked with concern.
"From what they've told me so far, the kids and their families have been placed in protective custody for now. "Smokescreen answered.
Ratchet took notice of how distant Magnus seemed to be as he stared worriedly at his former soldier. The medic walked over to him and nodded to Smokescreen, who apparently could already tell what Ratchet was planning. Then the two of them took hold of Wheeljack's left and right sides and hauled him off to another makeshift berth for repairs.
"We'll have him fixed up in no time, Ultra Magnus. For now, stay here with Optimus while he recharges. He might awaken very soon, and perhaps you'll have much to talk about. "Ratchet said before marching off the other side of the medbay with Smokescreen and Wheeljack.
Yet again, Ultra Magnus took a seat beside his supposed family member's berth. There he waited while looking over the Prime's fame over, and over again compulsively. The events of the past two solar cycles were beginning to creep in on the titan, for he hadn't recharged in that amount of time, give or take a few joors. He struggled to remain alert at all times. After scanning about the perimeter of the hangar, Magnus made the decision that it was safe enough for him to get a few cycles of recharge. He would just rest his head against Prime's berth for a moment and then he'd wake up again, no problems.
However, what Ultra Magnus assumed was going to be a quick stasis nap soon evolved into a recharge that lasted into the following day.
It was that very morning that Optimus finally awoke from his own long recharge. What had happened in the days prior? All he could remember was being buried alive by the Decepticons and being rescued by another 'bot with a very familiar voice. Who was it again?
The Prime felt something grasping at his one remaining servo. Curios, he peered off to the side only to find an Ultra Magnus deep in his recharge cycle. Optimus couldn't help but grin at the very sight, one that no other bot has probably ever seen before. It was one of the nicer things that he had awoken to.
Within the matter of half a joor, Magnus finally stirred and gradually onlined his optics after his long recharge that he had needed for the longest time. The metal plating that adorned his frame creaked and groaned as the great Autobot extended and stretched out his limbs.
"Good morning, old friend. "Optimus said up to him with a smile.
It took a few seconds for Magnus to finally realize that Optimus was awake. However, the look of pure astonishment graced his usually stoic faceplate and, to the Prime, was also a priceless sight. Soon the look of surprise faded away and left only a small smile in its wake.
"Hello again, Orion Pax. "Magnus said down to him softly, "You took your time coming back from the near-dead. "
Memories flew back into the Prime's processor as he recalled Magnus' daring rescue near the heart of Decepticon territory, as well as the cramped flight upon Magnus' ship, and about how the former Wrecker felt the need to address him by his former designation. It didn't necessarily matter to him, it was a little odd yet nice to hear – nostalgic for lack of a better term.
Then he realized that Ultra Magnus was about to say something of far more seriousness. The once-warm and light air of his presence faded into a much heavier atmosphere as the more stoic look found its way back onto Magnus' faceplate.
"Optimus, I must ask you something of great importance. It's about you and I. Before I came to Earth, I felt the strangest feeling within my Spark. Long story short, when I followed this constant tugging at my Spark I found you. Found you buried under a solid ton of rubble. I felt your urgency and I've felt your pain, as if we shared some kind of bond between us. "Ultra Magnus paused for a moment before continuing on,
"All I desire to know is what this means. "
The smile that had been etched on Optimus' face too also faded into oblivion. He had known that this day would come, where he would finally tell Ultra Magnus the truth.
"Ultra Magnus, we are indeed related. "
"That much I figured out. How closely related are we? "Magnus asked intently.
"Closer than you may think. We are brothers. "
The rest of the gang will be appearing in the next chapter, without a doubt. Will the Decepticons too meet with them at their new place of sanctuary? I also sense a little exposition. Who knows what will happen.