Author note. Just so you know, the Autobots are guardians to Rad, Carlos and Alexis. Will explain in the next chapter.
Enjoy and please review.
Alexis knew she and the boys were in trouble the moment they arrived at the base. Optimus wasn't normally stern with them, but they had been in severe danger. Megatron was right, they were in for it. And when she thought of poor Rad, she knew they deserved it.
Optimus was cradling her in one hand as he held the Skyboom Shield in the other. They were in the Warp Gate Room and to her relief all the Autobots had made it back. Hoist stepped forward and took the Shield off of Optimus. Optimus bent down to hep Jetfire back to his feet.
"Ah, it's nothing Optimus," said Jetfire as Scavenger stepped forward to support him. Red Alert came rushing in and took Jetfire's other side.
"Is anyone else injured?" Red Alert asked the room at large.
"Megatron got Rad," said Carlos who had just climbed out of Sideswipe with Rad who looked dazed but was able to stand now.
At Carlos's words, Hotshot cried out in alarm and scooped Rad up into his arms. With light fingers, he ran them over Rad's body checking for injuries. Rad tried to protest that he was fine, but flinched when his back was touched.
Hotshot very carefully unzipped the back of Rad's jumpsuit and gently opened it out to reveal several large purple bruises on Rad's back. Alexis gasped in horror and Carlos winched.
"You need bed rest," Red Alert said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Once I'm done with Jetfire, I'll examine you more closely and then heal you."
Red Alert and Scavenger took Jetfire away in the direction of the Med Bay. Alexis heart went out to the big shuttle as his wounds sluggishly bled energon. Optimus now turned towards Sideswipe and said.
"Sideswipe, take Rad to the kids room and settle him. Make sure he lies on his front. I'm going to have a word with Hotshot, Carlos and Alexis in the Rec Room," He said the last part in a stern voice.
"Yes sir," said Sideswipe and he carefully took Rad into his arms and set off. Optimus started walking towards the Rec Room with Blurr in tow. Hotshot quickly scooped up Carlos and followed. The Minicons also hurried after them.
Once they reached the Rec Room, Optimus set Alexis down on a table. Hotshot did the same with Carlos and then went to stand behind the table facing Optimus. Optimus wasn't looking at any of them.
"Hotshot," he said slowly. "Please explain to me why the kids were on their own?"
Hotshot took a deep breath and then he spoke.
"We had an idea about retrieving the Minicon. They would find it while I drew the Decepticons away."
"It wasn't Hotshot's idea," Alexis piped up. "It was ours and we convinced him to go along with it."
"Yeah, don't punish him," said Carlos.
"I thought they would be safe with their Minicons," Hotshot said as though Alexis and Carlos hadn't spoken.
"It was my fault that they were in danger, sir."
Ignoring the kid's protests, Optimus, who still wasn't looking at them, spoke.
"I'm disappointed in you Hotshot, you should have known better."
"Yes, sir," Hotshot replied, his voice steady, though his face was twisted in shame.
"I'm putting you on restriction for the time being."
"No," Alexis and Carlos cried as Hotshot hung his head.
"It was our fault," Carlos yelled.
"Be that as it may, kid," said Blurr quietly. "It was Hotshot's responsibility to watch you."
"Optimus," pleaded Alexis. "Please look at us."
He did, turning slowly, cold disappointment in his optics. Alexis and Carlos flinched back slightly from his graze.
"How could you be so foolish?" he asked not raising his voice but the tone was still clear.
"We have done our best to protect you, why did you risk your selves in such a fashion."
"We just wanted to help," Alexis said, knowing how hollow her words sounded.
"Help? Kids you almost got yourself killed, how would that have helped us? How could we have lived with our selves if anything had happened to you?"
Optimus's voice had risen.
"What would we have told your parents if Megatron had taken you? How could I explain to them that I had failed to protect you?
Optimus brought his hands to his optics.
"Rad got hurt, kids do you understand?"
"Yes," Alexis choked out as tears welled in her eyes.
Optimus turned away from them and when he spoke, his voice was low again.
"You're grounded. And you are banned from further missions. Hotshot, take them to their room."
With that, Optimus left the room, Blurr following, though he sent them a sympathetic glance. Alexis burst into tears as Carlos put his arm around her, his face twisted in misery. Without a word, Hotshot picked them up and carried them away.
Later on.
Alexis sobbed into her pillow, clutching the blankets around her. Optimus was right, Rad had got hurt, Hotshot was on probation and now Megatron would want revenge.
"Hey, Alexis," Carlos said softly below her. "Don't cry, it'll be alright."
"It was my idea in the first place," said Rad from below Carlos. "It's my fault this happened."
"He was so disappointed," Alexis said tearfully. "And I'm the one who made Megatron angry, if it wasn't for me you wouldn't have been hurt."
"If it wasn't for you, that Minicon would be in Megatron's hands," Rad said fiercely. "And it was mine and Carlos's idea about the flares so don't blame yourself for that and especially don't blame yourself for what happened to me, it's only a few bruises."
"It may only be a few bruises this time, but what about next time?" Alexis asked, trying to dash away the tears from her eyes.
"Alexis," Carlos said softly. "I hate to say it, but it's not really us Megatron's mad at. We've put you in danger."
"No you haven't," Alexis said forcefully, her voice rising. "I don't care if Megtron comes after me just as long as he doesn't hurt you, that's what frightens me."
Alexis buried her face again, as more tears flowed from her eyes. But there was a soft hiss, as their door slid gently opened and someone came in. That someone came over to their bunks and bent down to put a large metal hand carefully on Alexis.
"There is no need for you to be afraid, I will ensure Megatron does not touch any of you."
"Optimus?" Alexis choked, raising her head to stare into the Autobot leaders face. His face had its normal kind expression again. Alexis flung her arms around his hand, hugging him tightly. With his other hand, he gently stroked her back as she sobbed.
"Kids, I'm sorry I lost my temper," Optimus said gently. "I care so much for all of you, I don't know what I would do if you got hurt."
"We know Optimus," said Rad. "And we're truly sorry."
"Yeah, man, we know how lucky we are," said Carlos.
"I know you do kids," Said Optimus as he raised Alexis up and carefully hugged her. "Ever since you were placed in my care, the other Autobots and I have come to see you as our own."
"Oh Optimus," said Alexis as she smiled up at him, no longer crying. "I love you and all the others."
"Alexis's has summoned it up," said Rad laughing.
"Optimus," said Carlos. "Do you have to punish Hotshot? It really wasn't his fault."
Optimus sighed gently.
"Perhaps I was too hasty. I'll take him off probation, though he will receive some punishment duty. And your punishment stills stands I'm afraid."
"We understand we know we deserve it," said Alexis.
"Go to sleep now, we'll talk more in the morning" said Optimus as he tucked Alexis in. He did the same with Rad and Carlos, being extra gentle with Rad.
As he dimmed the lights and made to leave, Carlos spoke up.
"Hey Optimus, you don't have to mention this to Megatron do you? Cause he's just going to gloat the next time he sees us."
Optimus laughed, the sound uplifted the kid's spirits. They did like making their guardians happy.
"We'll see, kids. We'll see. Goodnight Alexis, Rad, Carlos."
And with that, he left and the kids settled down for sleep.
The next day.
Alexis's POV.
Alexis woke to the sound of someone calling and shaking her. She groaned, burying herself into her duvet, but said duvet was suddenly yanked off her. She glared at the culprit, Hotshot who was grinning madly at her.
"Wakey, wakey, Alexis, it's time to get up and get ready for school," he cried enthusiastically.
"Hotshot, it's too early" Alexis grumbled as she reluctantly stretched, and climbed out of her bed and down the ladder. The kid's bunks were set into the wall of their room, each bunk was high enough that the Autobot could insert their hands into, in case they needed to extract the kids from their beds.
Since all the rooms in the base were Transformer sized, it meant that the kid's room was humongous, to them at least. It contained a bathroom and a small kitchen as well as a study area. The kids, especially Alexis, had loved decorating their room, choosing furniture and posters. In fact, even after three months they were still doing it up.
Alexis sighed as she made her way over to the kitchen area to grab a bowl of cereal, while Hotshot woke the boys. After Megatron and the Decepticons had tried to kidnap them as they slept in their beds at their homes, thankfully their Minicons had held them off till the Autobots had appeared, Optimus had decided that it would be safer for them to live with the Autobots.
It hadn't been difficult for Rad as his parents had gone on a six month exploration expedition, leaving him with a relative, they were scientists. Rad had managed to convince his relative to let him go live with his 'friends'. Carlos on the other hand, coming from such a large easygoing family had just asked if he could bunk with Rad for a while, to which they had agreed, after Carlos promised not to get into trouble.
For Alexis it had been a bit more difficult. Before coming to the base she had just lived with her mum, but around a few months ago, her mum had become very ill. Alexis had been reluctant to move into the base, not wanting to leave her mum's side. The problem was only solved after RedAlert suggested that her mum move to a special clinic in order to get better. Alexis still didn't know how the Autobots had arranged that while keeping their identities a secret, the clinic was very far away.
Although Alexis was very grateful for what the Autobots had done, she feared she would have to leave, because though she loved her mum dearly and wanted to be with her, she couldn't bare the thought of leaving the boys and the Autobots fighting Megatron. But her brilliant mum had seen how torn she was and had told her to stay, where she could be with her friends. Besides which her mum hadn't wanted her school work to suffer which it probably would have as the clinic was very isolated.
So now she, Rad and Carlos were living happily with the Autobots, sharing their adventures in the quest to retrieve all the Minicon's. Alexis chuckled as she heard the boys groaning as they were awakened. It had taken them all a while to get to sleep because of the events if the day before.
"Hey, man do we really have to go to school today?" Carlos grumbled as he climbed down. Hotshot just grinned as he lifted Rad out and gently set him on his feet.
"Are you alright, Rad?" Alexis asked, concerned. Megatron had given him some horrible bruises.
"Yeah just a little stiff, RedAlert did a great job," Rad smiled tiredly, the Autobot Medic had treated Rad after dealing with Jetfire's injuries. The kids had been assured that Jetfire was fine and would be up in no time.
The kids had their breakfast, got dressed and retrieved their school bags. And then set off glumly towards the base entrance with Hotshot, who was still ridiculously cheerful. Their Minicons were also following in order to keep an eye on them while they were outside the base.
"Cheer up," he said as they dragged their feet. "You've only got a few more days of school left, then its holiday time."
"Why are you so cheerful," Carlos groused.
"Yeah, we all got into serious trouble yesterday," Alexis said, curiously.
Hotshot grinned.
"Well for starters we got the Minicon, whose name is Loosewire by the way, and you kids totally kicked Megatron's aft."
"We almost got ours kicked," Rad pointed out.
"Almost," Said Hotshot, he shook his head slightly. "Sorry, I just can't get over it, the way Highwire and the others told it, it was very funny."
The kids laughed a bit at this. They reached the base entrance, Hotshot transformed and they piled in. Some they were speeding away from the base, hidden deep within the mountain.
"Hey dude, just out of curiosity, what would Megatron have done to us if he had caught us?" Carlos asked. "I mean he wouldn't really have killed us would he."
"No I don't think he would have," came Hotshot's voice. "But he would have punished you."
"How would he have punished us?" asked Alexis.
"Well," came Hotshot's voice again. "Let's just say Megatron is a very firm believer in corporal punishment."
"What," yelled Carlos as Rad and Alexis looked surprised. "You're saying he would have spanked us? Dude that is so not cool."
"A huh, he's been known to do that to Younglings which is what you guys are in Transformer terms. You should be grateful Optimus doesn't believe in that."
"Trust us, we are," said Rad as Alexis and Carlos nodded fervently.
All too soon they had reached their school, where they could see Billy and Fred waiting near the school entrance. They all started to get out as Hotshot said.
"Take it easy Rad, RedAlert's orders"
"We'll make sure he does," said Alexis.
"Have a good day kids" Hotshot called as they moved away.
"Thanks, Hotshot," they all called as they waved and made their way over to where Billy and Fred were waiting.
Unbeknownst to the kids, their Minicons or Hotshot, someone was watching with the aid of a tapped into satellite.
"Yes that's right, enjoy your day children"
Megatron sat on his throne, silently fuming. He still couldn't get over what had happened the day before, when those children had somehow managed to get one over on him. And what's more thanks to that meddler Optimus Prime, they had got away with it.
"Insolent little brats" he growled as he watched them say goodbye to the Autobot Hotshot and head off into their learning centre. And of course their disguised Minicons were with them, and would remain close by until the brats were finished for the day and one of the Autobots collected them.
Megatron did give a slight sneer at this, the children weren't permitted to go anywhere alone for fear of being captured and held hostage. He hoped that really riled the children, so that they would disobey and run off, where he could easily take them. He doubted Prime really had it in him to discipline them properly, Prime was ridiculously understanding and forgiving.
If they were his charges, they'd never dare disobey and if they did, would quickly find themselves over his knee. It was the only way to deal with Younglings, he admitted he didn't really know about Sparklings, they were a Femmes area. Not that he was about to start adopting Younglings, especially human ones. He had enough trouble with the likes of Cyclonus and on occasion Starscream.
Speaking of those two, both had come up with plans to kidnap the children and both had failed. Cyclonus's one had involved taking two idiot young boys who had been following the first three kids and holding them, till the Autobots arrived. The brilliance of this plan had been Megatron would hide then capture the other kids and their Minicons and then demand the Autobots hand over their Minicons. It had almost worked but one of the little brats had jabbed Megatron with an electrical shot causing him to drop most of his hostages and the plan had went downhill from there. He still blamed Cyclonus for his stupidity especially as he had been no help what so ever, having been shot down.
Starscream's plan had had more merit, kidnap the children when they were vulnerable in their homes and take them straight to the moon base. One reason the plan failed was because the kids lived in a populated area and neither the Decepticons nor the Autobots wished the other humans to learn of their existence. Prime because he didn't want to risk more lives and Megatron because, well he'd discovered life was somehow much simpler if you didn't involve the natives of an alien planet.
This meant that stealth was vital and only Wheeljack, Starscream and Cyclonus could really take part, Demolisher stood out far too much as did Megatron and Thrust talked too much. Unfortunately the kids Minicons had been guarding them and when they tried to take the kids the Minicons had spirited them away and then held the Decepticons off until Prime and the others arrived. It was just too difficult trying to stop the Minicons escaping and then trying to fight them while keeping the noise to a minimum so as not to alert any humans.
After that Prime had decided to adopt the kids, making them his charges to ensure their safety. Which meant the kids seemed to come on just about every mission, but until yesterday, hadn't been allowed anywhere near the Decepticons. Megatron gave another low growl, thinking about the mission again had reminded him of what those kids had done and especially that of that girl.
Oh, he was going to make sure she in particular paid for that. And he was going to get hold of them and punish them till they begged for mercy and swore obedience. He'd probably be doing Prime a favour, they certainly wouldn't disobey after he had dealt with them. Because of course he'd return them, after he received a few Minicons in exchange, he didn't want his base over run with whiny brats.
But of course how to get hold of them? He gave a small mental shrug, the opportunity would present itself in due course. Till then he was just going to have to bide his time.
To be continued.
Author's note. Next chapter, the kids try to make up for their mistake. Megatron plots and Sideways takes a journey. Until then.