Where the Heart Is 8
Greetings
A Transformers Prime Fanfiction
Set During the Events of "Darkest Hour" "Darkmount NV" "Scattered" "Prey"
"And Cousin Martin in the Defense department says that the Bureaucrats all gave the Autobots a collective pat on the back and offered them the use of this base."
Zech was filling in his brother on what information the clan had been able to gather through their military members as they rolled down the highway a few weeks later. A solid week in a healing retreat had left the human smelling saturated with hot spring minerals and well enough to risk taking a job for their friends. In the meantime and much to Salcha's annoyance other Franklins had been hauling the needed supplies for the new base. There had been piles of confidentiality forms and not being in the loop the other truckers had not brought any word on how the patchwork family was doing after everything. They had at least mentioned in passing a blue and red semi hanging around the Unit E base, something that had made Sal relax a bit at least.
Now as they drew closer to the complex of nondescript hangers the Clansmember couldn't help growing tense with nerves. He let his older brother take over the driving and divided his attention between monitoring Zech's vital signs like a hawk, searching the sky above for any unusual aircraft, and frantically wishing he'd done better with the Healer. There was no doubt that by this time the medic had figured out that this was not the first time he had been in an Autobot base. Who knew how the cranky old one would react? Still driving him forward was the urge to see for himself that Optimus was alive and well.
Now that he thought about it the matter truly confused him. According to all he had learned from the elders he should not have been able to form such a friendship with the voidwalker. Granted it was not as if he was one of, or even remotely like to, the more well understood Others but still; before he had met the Autobot he had shown all the signs of permanent xenophobia that the rest of the non-human Clan did. No, something was odd there. Something had changed other than him, and the Others didn't change so that left the…
"Zech?" Sal suddenly spoke up.
"Hmm."
"Are humans doing the Wilderness Protocol with the Autobots?"
His brother gave no outward reaction other than tightening his hands slightly on the steering wheel. The semi cheered inwardly, glad he had thought to infuse the wheel with nerves this time.
"You are!"
"You seem pleased with the concept," Zech stated noncommittally.
"You bet your last pair of snowshoes I am! Wow! This will make everything so much easier!"
"How do you know? Even if we were it is still far too soon to see results and even then you are too rooted in the first three dimensions to-"
"Because it's working!" Sal exclaimed excitedly. "Nurse Darby and Agent Fowler count as the first generation right? Right? And Jack and Miko and Raf are the second. And that's one direct blood line with the Darbys. Then Jack had Skyfire, Stormbreaker, and Cometflare. That makes a third generation in one linage! One linage I was directly exposed to! And-and-and, Denali! Optimus has the guardian bond with Jack so that adds him to the first generation, and he gave me some of his life's blood! I can already feel it working!" the deep voice was somehow managing to squeal with delight.
"Uh huh," Zech stared speculatively down at his brother. "That's not how it works Bro."
"Oh, I know it won't affect the Others yet," Sal snorted dismissively, "but I am close to the matter and we know I only have three senses that overlap with yours. So even if I am rooted I can be affected by the Barrier."
"You know you could just chalk it up to you being more flexible than the healers figured."
"Nope! The Wilderness Protocol is working. I'm sure of it."
Rather than argue the point further Zech simply shook his head as the truck pulled up to the base gate and he flashed his pass. The guard waved them through and the human could tell that the semi was straining to stay under the speed limit as they approached the hanger marked with an "E".
"Oh good," Sal said with relief. "They already have the main base shielded."
"Sal, you had better not be trying to hack military computers."
"Zech! Really, would I do that?"
Silence filled the cab.
"I mean again," the big rig amended.
The silence stretched out.
"Where I could get caught," his partner finally added.
"Oh Denali Brother," Zech groaned as the hanger doors opened for them. "What am I going to do with you?"
Sal was no longer paying attention as he scanned the interior of the base eagerly. There, three sports cars sat side by side against the wall. It looked like two had changed their coloring. The semi felt a happy glow when he spotted the little ducati leaning saucily to one side by the elevated platform. The red and white ambulance was sitting by a scattered pile of spare parts that looked and smelled as if they had just been pulled out of a mine. Most importantly sitting to the side of the medic…
The big rig felt a funny lurch in his stomachs as Zech hit the brakes and climbed out of the cab headed for Fowler. There was another semi sitting beside Ratchet. But it was most defiantly not Optimus; for hare's sake it was a Kenworth! The big rig forced his attention away from the suspicious interloper to clear his mind. He would not make a scene in front of Arcee. Maybe make a scene with the pretty little bike, but that was a different matter. Back in the shadows a green SUV sat quietly. The semi's awareness fell on a combat vehicle, one cousin Bob had been drooling over for a year or so now, and he felt a confusing wash of disappointment and joy. There was no doubt it was Optimus, but he was changed; very changed. His new body was a war machine, every line screaming that it was meant to destroy. Sal fought back a whimper and stood still while a master sergeant signed off on his load and Fowler ushered Zech towards the mess hall for lunch and to finish the paperwork. As soon as the humans had cleared out the new semi transformed and nodded in the direction of the Franklin.
"Smokescreen, Bumblebee, unload that truck and place the contents in storage locker seven-"
"Ah, ah, ah!" Ratchet interjected as he transformed and shook his helm. "Ultra Magnus, I am still organizing lockers three through nine and zero through two are full."
While he spoke the rest of the Autobots transformed. Sal was marginally glad to see Optimus at this point but his altered form coupled with suddenly being surrounded by mechs and not vehicles started the panic rising.
"Very well," the one named Ultra Magnus continued, "I will request of the natives that we be allowed to keep the tractor trailer for the time being to store the shipment. In the meantime I will unhitch it and the two of you can examine the-"
Unable to hold still any longer Sal backed up with a threatening snarl.
"Touch my trailer and I will eat your fingers mech!"
The thought that that was not perhaps the best way to begin the conversation occurred to the big rig as the hum of several energy weapons powering up filled the hanger. The Autobots had leapt back with varying cries of shock and warning and he found himself at the center of a circle of glowing dots.
"Autobots," Optimus said in a commanding tone drawing their attention to him for a split-second.
That was all Sal needed. Before the warriors could react he had unhitched from the trailer and darted around to sit behind Optimus's thick legs. The other warriors tracked him with their weapons but were clearly reluctant to fire in the direction of their leader.
"Optimus!" Ultra Magnus started striding forward.
"Hold!" the Prime ordered in a tone that caused every mech in the room to freeze. "Lower your weapons. They are not needed."
They watched in astonishment as their leader turned to the literally trembling death colored semi and gently laid a hand on the canopy.
"Rest easy Salcha. You are among friends."
"Salcha?" Ratchet asked blinking in surprise.
"I, I know that Optimus," Sal said in a small voice. "I'm sorry I just panicked." His tone dropped to an awed whisper. "There are just so many of you."
The semi nuzzled a little closer to the Autobot feeling of his life-force. It felt odd, but it was still Optimus. The Prime gently caressed the carbon fiber skin and hummed reassuringly.
"Going to introduce us?" a voice piped up lightly interrupting the moment.
"Oh hey Arcee," Sal said nosing out a bit from the protection of the thick silver legs.
"How do you know my name," the femme asked narrowing her optics dangerously.
Several answers suggested themselves to the semi but given that there were most likely children around he decided to keep it clean.
"Jack talks about you a lot."
Bumblebee's optics lit up in recognition and he gave a string of whistles and chirps.
"Wait, what sparklings?" Smokescreen asked in shock.
"Hey yeah! You're Salcha, one of the brother's Franklin!" Bulkhead exclaimed suddenly striding forward with his hand out in welcome. "It's great to finally get to meet you."
Sal snarled audibly and pulled back behind Optimus leaving a shocked and hurt looking Bulkhead holding out his hand.
"I think it would be best if we gave our guest some room," the Prime stated gently stroking the shaking frame.
"I'm fine really," the grey semi got out. "It's just all a little much all the sudden."
"Why have you not yet reported for duty with the main unit soldier?" the new truck demanded from a respectful distance.
Optimus was about to answer but the trucker forced himself, most of the way, out from under the red and blue mech's protection and spoke up.
"I am a civilian, sir. I'm not Cybertronian either. I just haul for Team Prime a lot so I have pretty high clearance. And it's okay if you guys come closer now. I just, it's the first time I've seen you all up this close together."
"I see," the tall mech nodded.
"So if you aren't Cybertronian what are you?" Arcee asked walking forward curiously.
"Glad to see you up and about Toots!"Sal quipped reaching out with a tie strap and pinching her aft lightly.
Her face contorted in shock and silver arm blades came down in a blur but the semi was ready, yanking the appendage back before she could connect with a laugh, then a yelp as the black strap was pinned to his side by a sword point.
"I think you better keep your bits to yourself," the white, red, and green mech growled. "If you want to keep them that is."
"Sure thing," the grey big rig answered laughing again. "Sorry Arcee ma'am. I didn't mean to insult you but I am just so glad to see you all alive after I saw what happened to Omega One," his voice caught and he pressed against Optimus again. "I was so worried."
"Your inappropriate behavior and joking aside," Ultra Magnus began with a frown. "You did not answer her question. What are you?"
"That is perhaps not the most pertinent question," Optimus interjected smoothly.
"Oh!" Sal lifted a tie strap and coiled it lightly around the great mech's hand. "Thanks Optimus Prime Sir! But that isn't necessary. When we talked last I kind of got thinking that it would be good to have an answer to that question even if I didn't care." Several tie straps reached into his cab as he talked. "Now where was it? Ah, here!"
The gunmetal grey semi pulled out a crisp sheaf of papers and held it out to the commander proudly.
"And this is?"
"I had some scientists in my family figure out what I was! It's all in there." Sal turned towards Arcee. "I had to spend a whole week in their crazy lab for them to get all the readings! But look at it!" He turned back to Ultra Magnus. "It says what I am! A complete description full of big old words and Latin! Isn't it all sciency?"
The Autobot gingerly took the proffered report and delicately examined the front page.
"It is indeed a scientific description," he said a bit dubiously.
"So you don't know what you are?" Smokescreen asked curiously. "How does that work?"
"Well as far as I know there is only one of me so why does it really matter?"
Bumblebee chirped out something in disbelief and Wheeljack snorted.
"True that."
"What did he say?" Sal demanded.
Optimus observed the interactions closely even as he carefully backed away from the gunmetal grey semi. Salcha was now freely and easily talking with the rest of Team Prime as if he had known them all his life. The Prime smiled at the antics of the young creature and turned to where his medic and second in command were waiting.
"So you have known that this Mr. Franklin was not human for some time?" Ratchet asked softly.
"I have," Optimus freely admitted. "If you remember those few days I was missing? I was accompanied by him."
"And he is the one who brought the sparklings to us? And delivered Jack when he was missing during the time distortion incident?"
The Prime nodded and smiled.
"It is in fact in no small part due to Salcha's intervention that Jack was returned to us safely. He is apparently temporally grounded and was able to maintain functional memories throughout the ordeal."
"So it touches on in this document," the medic agreed as he examined the paper. "Though how that is possible is beyond me."
"Optimus," Ultra Magnus interjected with a frown, "at several pointed you have mentioned sparklings?"
At the stricken looks on both the Prime's and Ratchet's faces the Commander fell silent. Optimus heaved a long vent.
"It is a long story Ultra Magnus. For now suffice it to say for a short time it was our privilege to assist in the care of three sparklings."
The commander looked as if he wanted to peruse the matter further but only nodded and turned his attention back to where the gunmetal grey rig was now rolling towards them with Smokescreen and Bumblebee following eagerly after.
"Ah, Optimus," Sal started a bit nervously. "I need… I need-" the semi cut off and edged a bit away from where Smokescreen's thigh was brushing his bumper.
"You need what Mr. Franklin?" Ultra Magnus asked curtly.
At the sound of his voice the big rig froze, emitted a gurgling roar that caused every being within a quarter mile to flinch away or outright run, and bolted for the door. The Autobots stared after him in shock and then glanced at their Prime. To the added confusion of the base a small smile was pulling at the corners of the red and blue mech's faceplates.
"What the scrap was that?" Wheeljack demanded.
"Mr. Franklin is not as comfortable with new species as our human allies are," the leader of the Autobots explained. "I was quite surprised he maintained his calm for as long as he did."
Bumblebee whistled sounding a bit hurt.
"No, his friendliness was genuine, and I do not doubt that he enjoyed the brief interactions. Salcha is a being of extreme emotions and he does not have the same level of control over them as we do. The slightest discomfort could send him into a panic if properly reinforced," Optimus patiently explained as he transformed. "I will go and speak to him now. It would be best if you remained here. He will most likely want to continue the conversation when he gets back."
The Autobots murmured in assent as the red and blue war machine rolled out after the rapidly disappearing semi. The Prime followed his friend at a respectful distance until the frantic pace slowed and Sal fell back to cruise beside him along the base road. They were silent for a moment before Sal gave an embarrassed groan.
"Sorry about that Optimus. I don't know what came over me. I like your soldiers," he hastened to assure the Cybertronian. "I really do but, I-I just. There were so many of them and they were so different and, and-"
Optimus rolled to a stop beside the faltering big rig and rumbled gently before nuzzling into the carbon fiber and steel of his side. Accepting the gesture as both forgiveness and understanding Salcha growled happily and returned the pressure.
"But this is good," the trucker spoke up finally. "I do need to talk to you privately."
"Regarding?"
"Not here," the semi stated a bit grimly. "We need to get away from the humans. Drive with me?"
The two set off and soon left the military base proper. Sal led Optimus off road and into a secluded canyon before turning on the battle rig with a sigh.
"I really miss your old body," the trucker stated forlornly.
"Why is this one less pleasing?" Optimus asked knowing it was best not to push whatever issue the semi wanted to discuss.
Sal was quiet for a moment then rolled forward and almost tenderly ran his tie strap over the cab speaking as if quoting.
"Thy king cometh unto thee, meek and sitting on an ass."
The Prime remained silent.
"In the old days if a king came into the city on a donkey, an ass, it meant he came in peace. The donkey was what the haulers used before trucks were invented. They were slow and strong and could go for miles like a semi. If he came on a horse it meant he meant war. This new alt mode of yours. It's a war horse, no good for hauling and very dangerous. Your old one; to me at least that you had chosen the modern day donkey for your alt mode, it meant you came in peace, more than your words ever did."
"I see," Optimus rumbled softly.
"That and it's harder to snuggle you like this," Salcha grumbled demonstrating by trying to rub up against the vehicle again.
The Prime chuckled fondly and transformed to run his hands over the grey form. The trucker responded by leaning into the touch with a happy growl.
"Oh!" Sal started and rolled back a bit. "But you are very busy and I need to tell you this before Zech realizes I'm missing!"
Optimus frowned.
"Your brother does not know you are giving me this information?"
"No! And he can't! It's about the Others."
"Salcha-"
"Look Optimus," the truck growled, "the reason you didn't want me to tell you before was that it might put my family in danger right? Well thanks to you, to what you've done, they are already in danger. I can't possibly make this situation worse by talking to you. But by telling you I can make it a bit safer for you and through you your humans. That was our first connection, remember? You do want to be able to keep Jack safe don't you?"
"Of course."
"Bottom line, the Others know you are here and they are furious."