Chapter 4: Chapter 3

More dialogue, but this should conclude most of the setup, so we can get into some conflict next time.

I own only the oc's

And I keep forgetting to mention that this is AU

Optimus Prime watched the hustle and bustle of Eden from the window of the archives building. To the casual observer, he seemed like a pillar of strength and wisdom, but one who had known him long enough might have recognized signs of weariness. His shoulders sagged imperceptibly, as if under the weight of some heavy burden.

"You look tired," a feminine voice floated up from near his pedes.

Optimus glanced down and nodded politely. "Good evening, Nurse Darby. I am well."

The middle aged woman shook her head. "You aren't. When was the last time you rested? And don't give me some excuse about not having time, stubborn mech."

She patted his foot affectionately. "I worry for you," she complained, "because you are evidently incapable of worrying for yourself."

Her smirk faded. "...Optimus, are you really going to send Jack and Arcee all the way out to Sector 12C?"

Optimus knelt to look the woman in the eye. "It is best that Jackson learns as much as he can about the territories; just as Mikoto and Rafael are learning by travel, so must he."

"But it's so far!" Nurse Darby's voice cracked, "and you know it's dangerous!"

"June."

Optimus's gentle baritone reverberated in the air. "Have I ever knowingly endangered a human?" June mutely shook her head.

"Would I ever consciously put Jackson in danger?" He asked her again. The woman closed her eyes and turned away.

"Does Jack really need to go?" she whispered, "You could just send Arcee."

She was being selfish, and she knew it. Deep down she would alway trust Jack's godfather, but her mother's heart was warning her of something and she wasn't sure what it was.

"June," Optimus said gently, "I feel as strongly as you the need to shelter and protect our child. We share that responsibility. But you also know that if Jackson is ever to stand alongside me as a Prime, it would be advantageous for him to have a knowledge of life beyond Eden. Even if that knowledge brings him into contact with danger."

"I know." Mrs. Darby wrapped her arms around her middle. "I know," she repeated. She turned watery eyes to meet the Prime's optics. "Jack wouldn't care about the danger. He'd face an Insecticon with a sling and a stone if you told him to." Her voice held no accusation, only a wistful acceptance.

"I assure you," Optimus rumbled, "that I had no intentions of asking him to do any such thing."

June made a face that might have been the beginning of a smile. She smoothed down her emerald dress and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Just...promise me that you'll look after him?" she begged.

"Always," said the Prime.

This time the human did smile as she turned to go. "Goodnight, Orion," she called affectionately.

"Good night, June," the red and blue mech returned with a nod.

But even as the door swished shut behind June, worry crept into Optimus's optics once more. He too had an unmistakable feeling that something was wrong, tugging at his processor. The hum of a motor signaled the arrival of both his SIC and his protege, temporarily pushing his fears away.

"Sir!"

Both the boy and the femme skidded to a rather impressive halt as Arcee transformed mid-brake and Jack rolled out of the way. The smothered grins and glances at each other from the corners of optics warned the Prime that there had likely been some mostly harmless shenanigans on the way over, for which there would probably be an uproar later.

He raised his eyebrow at them, but spoke as if he had noticed nothing unusual.

"I assume Blurr informed you as to the nature of this summons." Without waiting for a reply, he continued, turning to once again stare out the window as he spoke.

"Some of the outposts in Sector 12C are critically low on energon. There is not enough at present for any viable defense system, or even to sustain a single Cybertronian. You and one other soldier will deliver six reserve cases of synthetic energon to Outpost Gallimimus on the edge of the wastelands, and then return to Eden with to report on the status and functionality of the base."

"You leave in thirteen hours, I suggest getting some rest before you meet with Springer in the hangar. There is one matter, however, that I wish to make perfectly clear before you leave."

"What is it, Optimus?" Arcee asked. She glanced down at Jack, who shrugged.

Optimus faced them and answered in a serious, almost stern voice. "Sector 12C is neutral space, shared by the Kaon provinces and the Allied Exploration colonies. You may meet some you once fought against. You must resist the temptation to remember old grudges, for we cannot afford to begin another war."

The pair promised not to start anything-Optimus noted that they didn't promise not to fight if another instigated an incident, and he said so.

Jack flushed slightly. "I promise that if there is any faction-related fighting, I will stay out of it," he assured his mentor, "other than trying to talk the aggressors down."

"Take extra caution," Optimus warned them both, "There have been reports of savage attacks by unknown entities in Sectors 12D and E, and the responsible parties could very well have moved to other Sectors. If you witness anything out of the ordinary, or feel uncomfortable at all, you are to bridge yourselves and anyone with you to the nearest fortified location immediately."

He knelt to put one hand on Arcee's shoulder, and scooped Jack up in the other hand. "Be careful, remain alert. You should be ready to leave 12C within a week." He touched the boy's forehead with one massive finger in blessing for a moment, then lowered the human to the ground once more and repeated the gesture with Arcee. "May Primus speed you on your journey and bring you home safely." he said gravely.

Hm. Prime sends them to a neutral zone. Tells them not to get into any fights with ex-Decepticons. Oh I see no way this could ever go wrong!