Disclaimer: I do not own anything that has to do with Transformers, though I cannot say I do not wish I did.
Chapter Three
Optimus looked suddenly at the trapdoor, hearing a small knock. He moved over until he was standing directly under it, and then opened it cautiously. When jazz dropped into the cavern, he quickly shut the hatch and locked it. He turned on Jazz with a none-too-happy expression.
"Where were you?" he growled, slightly odd, Jazz noted, for the large Autobot. Jazz merely shook his head, Optimus's towering stature and commanding voice not even phasing the smaller 'bot.
"It doesn't matter," he replied, waving his hand to dismiss Optimus's concern. "We saw Bumblebee's signal. I left Ironhide behind to try and keep as little Decepticons as possible from learning of Bumblebee's presence on Earth.
Ratchet stood up and walked over to Jazz and Optimus, light in his dull optics.
"Bumblebee's signal?" he asked, though the answer had already been produced.
Jazz merely nodded and turned back to Optimus.
"It is a day's journey to Earth," he reminded the larger 'bot, though he doubted Optimus had forgotten such details.
Optimus nodded, knowing the urgency of their quick arrival. He turned to Ratchet.
"Do you have everything you need?"
Ratchet nodded, shaking his arm slightly as medical scanners and tools took their place. He retracted the tools, and Optimus rime sighed.
If there was anything they were going to need most, it was Ratchet and his tools.
"Alright," he finally said, reaching up and opining the hatch. "Let's roll." Jazz jumped up through the hatch, a rather hopeful smile on his face. Ratchet followed close behind, slipping easily through the opened hatch. Optimus Prime had to maneuver himself around a bit, but he was finally able to get himself up and out of the small hole.
Optimus glanced around him, at the barren wasteland that had once been his home. He stretched his cramped limbs, taking a long, deep breath of the black air. Though acrid and clogged with smoke, the air outside was refreshing compared with the dirt-smelling air that he had been forced to breathe underneath. Blinking his optics, Optimus felt a slight tug at his spark as he turned his attention from his home planet.
Optimus did not bother to close the hatch; they certainly would not be returning there. He looked over at Jazz, who nodded in Ironhide's general direction. Taking up the lead, Optimus led the Autobots quickly and quietly to find Ironhide.
*0*
"Primus, Ironhide!"
Ironhide was already watching Jazz, Ratchet, and Optimus Prime walk his way. If he had not detected them, even he would have subjected himself, no matter how grudgingly, to a quick scan by Ratchet.
"You bite off a bit more than you could chew, 'Hide?"
Ironhide shrugged, though Jazz's comment did arouse some defensiveness in him.
"I was only doing what you told me to," he replied, rather gruffly.
"Hey, I'm just playin'," Jazz replied, laughing slightly at his fellow Autobot's retort. Ratchet walked up to Ironhide, running a scan on the weapons' specialist's damaged and charred metal. He was not laughing; nor did he hold even the slightest hint of a smile. He sighed, frustrated.
"You just had to go and get yourself shot at, didn't you?" he grumbled. Ironhide, wisely, did not answer. Jazz glanced around as Ratchet forced Ironhide to sit while he inspected him further. A slight frown passed Jazz's expression when he noticed the lack of any Decepticon remains at the site. He looked over at Ironhide, who was staring quite angrily at Ratchet as the medical 'bot began poking around at Ironhide's insides.
"Did he get away?" Jazz asked, but regretted it when Ironhide's angry look turned on him.
"'Course he got away," Ironhide spat out, receiving a warning glance from Optimus.
"Easy, Ironhide," he said, catching the embarrassment Ironhide had attempted to mask with anger in his voice. "Who was it?" he asked.
"Barricade," Ironhide grunted, then fell silent as if the name cleared up all other questions.
And then: "Optimus, we must leave immediately," Ironhide gladly changed the subject.
"You aren't going anywhere until I know you're ready. There's no way you're going to be of any use in this state," Ratchet stated, his words mater-of-fact. If they were going to continue their war on Earth, they were going to need Ironhide. Ironhide harrumphed, shaking Ratchet off of him and ignoring the glare he received from his doctor.
"I agree with Ironhide," Jazz spoke up, stepping forward. "If Barricade's already down there, that means more Decepticons will be on their way. Soon."
Ironhide stood up, earning himself a sharp reprimand from Ratchet.
"We can't leave Bumblebee down there alone…to defend himself against who knows how many Decepticons will be finding their way towards Earth."
Optimus looked down at Ratchet, who sighed in defeat.
"I guess they're right," he finally said, not liking the prospect himself of leaving Bumblebee alone for yet another day.
"But you better see me the moment we get there," he said, rounding on Ironhide.
"Will do, Doc," Ironhide grunted in acknowledgment.