The wait is over! You can now read the sixth chapter of Tiny. I do not own Transformers, but I do own this story.
Starts off in Ratchet's POV and goes from there.
Alright, let's get down to business!
"I-I didn't mean to..."
I furiously pounded on the keyboard as I strained my optics staring at the green tinted monitor, Miko's feeble mutter before leaving the base repeating in my processor over and over. Optimus has been missing for a while now, and with every passing nanoklik, I grow more worried and stressed. I can't even imagine what may be happening to the little one now. With all the vorns of conflict between Megatron and Optimus, I doubt Megatron will-
No, I thought to myself, feeling my spark rate hitch. I won't even think those thoughts. I must have hope. I shook my helm and shut my optics. It was becoming harder to refocus them. Occasionally, my normally firm grip on the controls of my optics would wane, and they would shift slightly in and out of focus. This only happened when I was very tired, which did not happen often. I have never gotten so tired so quickly in my entire life. Warnings were flashing before my optics, telling me that I urgently needed recharge. The only thing that bound me here was the driving urge to search and search until I located the Nemesis. I glared at the screen, trying to ignore the pain in my sore optics. Perhaps I am looking at the wrong frequency...
After twenty more minutes of meticulously searching a multitude of radio frequencies, my mind began to wander. Miko and the other humans had left a while ago with their guardians. Remembering what the little human did made my emotions flare up in rage. All the anger towards her has not moved, nor has it dissipated. Not in the slightest.
I am an easy mech to irritate; I am well aware of that. But few people have actually accomplished angering me. The human's foolish actions cost us our leader and possibly our only chance to win this Primus forsaken war. But now that I realize it, she committed an act even worse than that.
She put a sparkling in danger.
I slammed a fist down on the keyboard, gritting my denta. The girl couldn't even bring herself to look at me when she came through the Ground Bridge with Jack and Rafael. I could barely restrain myself from stomping the human into a bloody pulp when she said what happened to Optimus. I ground my denta harder, wearing down on the already worn plates. I could no longer focus on pinpointing the Nemesis, as hard as I tried. My lack of focus was beginning to arouse my ire once more. Suddenly, I felt a small servo touch my side. Looking down to my left, my gaze was met by soft blue and lavender ringed optics.
"Ratchet, you need to get some sleep," Arcee said, uncharacteristically gentle with her words. The blue femme had been badly impacted by this recent event, just as I had, but I see more mourning and sadness than anger.
"No, I don't." I said, harsher than intended.
"Look, I know how you feel. But searching for the Nemesis until you go into stasis lock is not the way to go-"
I turned fully to her, staring her hard in the optics. "How else are we going to find the warship? It won't just magically appear for us." I instantly regretted the bitter sarcasm as soon as I saw Arcee give a miniscule flinch at my sharp tone. I looked down at her, optics softening considerably.
"I'm sorry, Arcee," I apologized. "I'm just... I'm just worried."
The look in her multicolored optics silently told me that she had accepted my apology. "Ratchet... I know you're worried about him. But... I know he's unharmed."
"How do you know? How do you know he's still online, Arcee?" I muttered, averting my gaze from her optics. I needed to get a handle on my emotions before she had to witness the full force of them. The blue femme looked at me, the normal hardness long gone. What remained was the look of someone wishing to help those in need.
"I just know. I can feel it. In here." She pressed a servo over her spark, giving a small reassuring smile.
"Now you need to feel it and believe it. In here." Arcee gently pressed her warm servo on the plating over my spark. She kept her hand there, staring into my optics. The contact took me by surprise. She was never one for physical contact. In that instant, I could feel it as well. I honestly can't explain how... But at least I know and understand that the little one is unharmed. After that short, yet significant moment, Arcee pulled her small servo back and gazed at me.
"You should get some recharge. You're going to need it later." With that, she turned and walked down the hall, mostly likely towards her berthroom. I stared after her until she turned a corner. Glancing briefly back at the monitors, I decided that I did indeed need recharge.
...
Lying on my berth, I stared up at the ceiling. My darkened berthroom no longer seemed to be the place of comfort. The only thing that would truly help me is... out of reach.
I never realized that I could become so attached to the sparkling in such a short period of time. I know full well that my war scarred leader still resides within the body of the sparkling, but I can't help but think of him as a normal sparkling that needed to be cared for. I shuttered my optics and prepared my systems to power down for recharge. Just before I fell into the oblivion of sleep, I admitted something to myself that I known all along.
Optimus is far more than just a sparkling that needed to be cared for to me.
...Optimus's POV...
I looked at Breakdown curiously as he spoke with his red friend. I was not paying enough attention to what he was saying to understand him fully, but I believe he was speaking about a frame buffer. After I had thrown the paint at Starscream, Breakdown proceeded to clean my servo off and placed me down back on the medical berth. Realizing that my energon treat was already gone, I chirped at the blue mech, gaining his attention. Knockout arched an optic ridge at me as his assistant turned away from him.
"What is it, kid?"
I held the short metal stick out at arm's length towards, hoping that Breakdown would understand what I meant. He just gave me a confused look. I revved my engines, which sounded more like a high pitched hum, and thrust the short stick in my mouth. Realization flooded his single optic as he understood what I was trying to tell him and laughed.
"Oh, you wanted another piece of candy! Here ya go, kid." I gratefully took the energon candy from him and started absently sucking on the treat. The moment after I had begun to truly enjoy the sweet, a stampede of Vehicons rushed through the medbay doors. Breakdown, Knockout and I looked up in surprise. Most of them appeared to be common laborers. However, there were a few warrior-class Vehicons amongst them. The workers all appeared to be damaged, the majority of them sporting rather serious burns. I could smell their burnt energon from the undoubtedly painful wounds. Some were being carried in, due to their injuries. One Vehicon in particular was being guided in by one of his fellow workers since his thin optic band was completely shattered, rendering the mech blind. The mech's optical remains were leaking a thin trail of energon down his faceplates, which he was holding tightly with his servo. My optics widened. What could have happened to lead to such terrible casualties?
"What happened, Steve?" Breakdown asked while Knockout sighed and walked over to the tool shelves, preparing his tools for the impending triage.
One of the warrior-class Vehicons stepped forward. "There was an accident in the engine room. One of the engine coolers malfunctioned and a fire broke out. These mechs were burned trying to put out the fire." I mentally nodded in understanding. The engine room is one of the most dangerous rooms in space vessels, and a ship this size only adds to the danger in that crucial room. Normally, a mech would attempt to leave such a room if a fire occurred. Being the engineers of the Nemesis, that was not an option for these Vehicons. The ship constantly depends on these mechs to keep the massive vessel in the air.
"Well don't just stand there. I need all mechs with severe burns to..." Knockout relayed sharp instructions for the injured victims and much movement ensued. Most of the mechs were shifting around the room while other, more severely injured bots lay down on the available medical berths to be treated first. The room suddenly seemed to grow dark and I stared up to see Breakdown standing over me.
"Sorry, kid, but I'm gonna have to put you down on the floor. A bot needs the berth you're sitting on." I bit down slightly harder on the energon treat as the big mech picked me up under my arms and placed me gently down on my pedes. I wobbled slightly, but, to my surprise, I did not fall. Breakdown's attention was drawn elsewhere as he proceeded to help his red friend in treating the burn victims. I stood there for a moment longer, watching the warrior-class Vehicons leave the medbay and decided that I would only be in the way of their treating the injured. I do not wish to disrupt their work.
Slightly unstable on my pedes, I walked over to the door. I went through the automatic door unnoticed by the numerous mechs in the medbay. Still sucking on my energon treat, I moved along the wall. In case I fall or grow tired, I will keep close to it.
I have much to explore.
...Megatron's POV: Ten Minutes Later- Elswhere in the Nemesis...
My decision to keep the sparkling took all of my subordinates by surprise, as I expected. I may have been battling that mech for many vorns, but I would not pass up such a golden opportunity. Raising the Prime as our own would not only prove to be a useful immediate asset, but he will also be useful in the vorns to come. Once we Decepticons seize control of this wretched planet, I can use the mech to attract incoming Cybertronians. I already know that certain mechs and femmes will only follow Prime. But now that the Decepticons have control over him, his loyal followers would be significantly less likely to join with the Autobots. He can also be used as a political center piece, showing that Decepticons will stop at nothing to do what we please, not even the mighty Optimus Prime.
I sat on my throne, pondering the future plans for our newest addition. It has become a habit of the entire crew, and I, to speak the alien language English on and off the warship. This sparkling is essentially the start of the next generation of Decepticons. I won't have him learning in an alien tongue, especially not one of the pathetic humans' languages. I tapped a thick claw twice on the armrest of my throne. I will assign one of my mechs to teach the sparkling later.
Right now, I will go observe the temperament of the sparkling; see how he responds to me. If he is going to be on this ship, he's going to get used to my presence around him. I stood and headed out the door towards Soundwave's work station. He should be watching over to our newest addition.
I moved at my own pace, in no hurry to reach my destination. The few Vehicons stood at attention along the walls when I passed. I glared at one of the mechs as I walked by him, taking pleasure in watching him grow visibly tense. I normally do not harm my subordinates unless given a reason (Starscream being the exception), but this fear they have of me keeps them all in line.
Upon stepping into Soundwave's workstation, I spotted the silent mech working on his monitor. He turned halfway to stare at me through his black visor. I proceeded to ask him where the sparkling was, since I did not see him with Soundwave. The mech tapped into his security system, turned to fully face me and displayed a video recording on his visor. The sparkling was sitting on a medical berth in Knockout's medbay playing with an open can of red paint while the vain medic and his one eyed assistant discussed a topic I didn't care to pay any attention to. Starscream walked into the medbay and appeared to be struck in the face by something. I leaned in closer, curious to see what angered my second-in-command. Upon seeing what exactly happened, I shifted back, allowing a small chuckle.
It will certainly be interesting living with this sparkling.
...Optimus's POV...
I had yet to encounter anyone in the halls, though I doubt I have been outside the medbay for very long. Every door I passed looked identical at a glance, but I was drawn to one in particular. This door was slightly wider and sported a different, more decorative design. Ancient Cybertronian glyphs were etched into the door, glyphs I had only seen on the great towers of Iacon, originating from the long past Golden Age.
The child within urged me to attempt to enter the room because it was starkly different from the other doors I had seen. Unable to think of a reason as to why I should not enter the room, I stared up at its door, absently gnawing on the sweet Breakdown gave me earlier. Cautious in my movements, I shakily stepped towards the massive door. It automatically opened, welcoming my tiny form into a very large room.
The room inside was quite large and lit with a soft, bright white light. Numerous datapads were fixed to the dark grey walls. In the center of the room, there were several simple, yet beautifully hand crafted black chairs next to several wall mounted shelves filled with datapads and various other items. There was a large desk in the corner of the room, though I am too small to see what is on it.
The strength in my legs weakened, and I sunk down to my servos and knees. Inquisitively gazing around the room, I crawled towards the chair closest to the datapad shelf. Realizing that I will not be able to get up into the seat of the chair without the assistance of another bot, I sat down and looked around once more. The soft white light was a sharp contrast from the dark wall and furniture. The room was set at a very comfortable temperature and there was the faint, pleasant scent of sweet oil cake and fine energon wine lingering in the air.
A room of such luxury I already know is not owned by a common Vehicon. It most likely belongs to a higher ranking officer- Suddenly I heard the door open. My helm whipped around, large optics wide. Piercing red optics stared back at me. Incapable of averting my own gaze, I instantly recognized the tall form standing in the doorway.
It was Megatron.
He slowly walked towards me, heavy footfalls steady. Had I been a grown mech, I would have onlined my weapons system and aimed my rifles at the Decepticon. But to my horror, I was paralyzed with fear. The child within me seized full control of my motor functions, keeping me from moving.
"What are you doing in here, child?" The Decepticon warlord growled, narrowing his fiery red optics. He drew closer and I could only blink as I felt my spark skip a beat. I was losing the fight for control over my own body to the scared child within me. The warrior within screamed at me to put more distance between my defenseless frame and the towering warlord, something I was unable to do. I heard myself whine and felt tears streaked down my faceplates as Megatron loomed darkly over me. I can only wonder what Megatron planned on doing with me. I had invaded his private quarters.
His next statement, however, caught me off guard.
...Megatron's POV...
I have to say that I am more surprised than angry to see the sparkling sitting in the middle of the floor of my room. I'll have to have a little chat with Knockout and his half-blind assistant for letting the sparkling out of their sight, regardless of whether or not they are treating the injured. My room is a considerable distance away from the medbay. He is determined for one so young.
I admire that.
Deciding that I would be angry at Knockout and not the sparkling, I spoke again to the little one. "You have nothing to fear, sparkling."
He looked up at me with large bright optics, blue tinted tears flowing down his shiny faceplates. I was ever so slightly disturbed to see the sparkling so frightened. I quickly stomped out the foreign sensation and stooped down to pick the sparkling up. The little one squeaked helplessly as I held him in my servo and placed him gently down in the chair he was originally sitting near. His tears had stopped and he stared at me, a timid, innocent expression on his faceplates.
"I saw that you threw paint at Starscream. A bold move, for one now so skittish and quiet." The sparkling blinked back at me, grabbing at the end of a short metal stick that was partially in his mouth. Someone must have given the child candy. A strange feeling that I couldn't identify washed over me as I gazed at the little sparkling sitting in one of my handcrafted chairs. I couldn't eradicate it, so I suppressed and buried the emotion.
For a moment longer I watched the sparkling eat his candy. Optimus Prime no longer exists and, now that he will be raised by us Decepticons, he never will exist. Calling him 'Optimus' is unfitting and obsolete, and will only evoke the urge for me to attempt to terminate him. I blinked as I heard the sparkling attempt to crunch on the energon treat on the short stick. I chuckled when he whined in a frustrated manner after his failed attempt to bite down on the candy.
"You will be called Parvolus." Yes, that will be his name. Parvolus looked up from his little war (that he was losing) with the energon treat and chirped, a cheerful expression on his face, as if to approve of the name I chose for him. All fear has dissipated from him and was replaced with the happy innocence of a child.
Parvolus held out a tiny black servo, reaching towards me. I stood there, unsure of what he wanted. He reached out his other servo, holding his arms above his head. I scoffed, understanding what he wanted me to do.
"Do not expect me to pick you up, child." Parvolus lowered his arms and gained a 'kicked puppy look', as I once heard a Vehicon say. I looked away.
I am Lord Megatron. I survived the gladiatorial pits in Kaon and Slaughter City and succeeded in every match. I have gone up against the fiercest of warriors in the pits and armies of Autobots in the field, emerging victorious. I am one of the few Decepticons who can hold his own against Optimus Prime in a one-on-one close combat match. I have done so more times than I bother to remember.
How is it that I can't resist the optics of one sparkling?!
...
"You are enjoying this, aren't you?" I arched an optic ridge as I looked down at the top of tiny sparkling's blue helm, while he sat close to me in my lap. I was seated in one of my chairs as the sparkling pressed close to my abdomen. Parvolus offered no immediate response, only releasing a small purring sound. I should feel frustrated with myself for being not being strong enough to resist the sparkling... but for whatever reason, the feeling never came.
Parvolus's purring gradually stopped and I glanced down at him, only to groan in frustration. The child fell to sleep on me! He had curled up, servos drawn close to his faceplates. His mouth was slightly open, helm resting against my midsection, oblivious of my gazing at him. I leaned back in my chair, assuming a more comfortable position. If I know anything about sparklings, it's that they recharge for a long time. I couldn't help but smirk when I saw the sparkling's foot twitch in his sleep.
I may enjoy raising Parvolus.
And... done! Chapter six is done! Told you it would come faster than chapter five did. Megatron seems to be having a bit trouble admitting to himself that he likes Sparkling Prime. We all know you love him, Megzy. You can't deny it.
Optimus may seem to say and do things that are out of character at certain points in this story, but that is because the 'child within', as Optimus keeps referring to, is taking more control of him more frequently.
Oil cake and energon wine is indeed a Cybertronian food and drink. I guess Megatron likes cake. Slaughter City is a real Cybertronian city-state. Oh, and Parvolus is Latin for tiny, little or young. Fitting, if you ask me.
I plan on Sparkling Prime having some quality time with Starscream (he he ;)), as well as Soundwave in the next chapter, but I'm a bit stuck on what would happen. Do you have any ideas?
See you all later and let me know what you think! ;D
P.S. I drew the engine room accident idea from the Titanic. It was because of those engineers in the bowels of the ship that the damaged vessel stayed afloat as long as it did. Had it not been for them, the Titanic would have sunk a lot faster. Every last one of those brave engineers died, still working to keep the ship up for as long as possible.