Sorry it took me so long. I'm trying desperately to show Kacey's personality in more detail and she is being rather diffuclt with me. But at last, here's chapter 3.
Alpha Trion
I've been witness to many miracles during my long life. Two I'm particular fond of was being there for the birth of two future Primes, Optimus and his daughter. Such an honor was extremely rare as such a task was usually reserved for special Medical personnel only.
I am a scientist by nature and profession. Which was why I was so surprised when Optimus' parents came to me so long ago to construct their unborn spark's protoform. I knew his parents by reputation and by the fact that they were good friends of Sentinel Prime. To be considered Sentinel's friend told me all I need to know and I was honored by their request. Besides, Sentinel was my friend too and I would do anything for any good friend of his.
Only, at the time I had no idea the little spark whose protoform I was constructing was to grow into one of our histories most renowned leaders. The father, like all fathers, had high hopes for his son even before he was born. The mother simply wanted to ensure her sparkling's continued survival when the inevitable war broke out. I did my best, creating a more durable protoform and improved upon the basic soldier program that was given to most protoforms destined to become Autobots warriors.
But programs can only do so much as their functions still rely entirely on the personality and genetic coding of a spark.
Like her father, Kaceystar's personality was one of the strongest I had ever come across during my lifetime. She would have been a soldier despite her programming based on the circumstances that she was born into. The drive to do what is right and just is bred into her genetic coding. It does not surprise me in the least knowing the personalities of both her parents so very well.
The scientist within me, however, is absolutely astonished by some of the things the little femme can do. For instance, with as young as she still is, she has more power than I had ever imagined for not only can she transform her forearm into a weapon but she can perform the most difficult weapon transformation of all by forming a weapon that functions separate from her body. Only a rare few can do such a task, Optimus being one of them. Not even his brother, Megatron, has that kind of power.
There is much about Kacey that is amazing and fascinating. She has become more than I could have ever hoped when I first constructed the prototype of my new line of soldiers long before she was even a little spark in her mother's womb. I have meticulously read all of Ratchet's medical reports with regards to Kacey's injuries. I'm pleased to find out the programs performed as I had hoped.
Her healing abilities are faster than any other younglings. And as a scientist, I cannot pass up the opportunity to witness her healing abilities first hand. Not that I had wished for her to lose control on the icy road and crash as she did.
Young Kaceystar is simply…unique.
"Trion, is everything alright?" Optimus asked as he rose to his feet from the chair in the corner of the private Med Bay room.
"Yes, everything is fine," I smiled quietly, continuing to scan Kacey while she recharged. "You were in deep recharge I didn't wish to disturb you."
"What are you doing?"
"Back on Cybertron as Kacey grew, I took readings of her systems every day to see how they developed. What I did to change her program could have had disastrous results and I needed to monitor her regularly. I must continue to do so as she still has a long way to being a mature femme. I would like yours and Elita's permission to run some performance tests. I am curious to find out just how fast Kacey can actually drive and fly and how much she has developed her transformation skills."
"I don't see a problem with that. I'm sure Kacey would love to show off for you," he smiled as he moved closer to Kacey's side. His optics stared so lovingly at his daughter. "I never properly thanked you, Trion. For everything you did to help Elita and my daughter. I owe you so much for protecting what is most precious to me."
He paused then looked at me. I stopped my scan to give my Prime my undivided attention.
"You have my eternal gratitude."
"It was my honor to help one of our people's most revered leaders as best as I could," I smiled, bowing my head in return. "I'm so glad everything worked out for the best."
Optimus stared thoughtfully at me for a moment before his optics returned to his daughter. It warmed my spark deeply to see the love and devotion he had for his daughter as he caressed her head.
"Trion, Elita and I have decided that Orion and Ariel will be allowed to have a choice," he spoke softly. "We don't want them to have the basic soldier program you gave Kacey. We want them to have a normal younglinghood. If they chose to become soldiers when mature then they will be trained accordingly."
"I understand," I smiled at him. "Wheeljack and I were lucky to have acquired enough of the adamantite alloy from the wreckage of the Nemisis. You're little ones will have the same strong frames much like Kacey's. I do have one question before we add the finishing touches."
"Of course, what is it?"
"Would you like them to be able to fly as well?"
Ratchet
Kacey's injuries healed nicely within two days time. It was a quiet two days as she sat on the recharge bed playing with Galen when Optimus' duties took him away from her. Elita even sat there holding Galen a few times when she was visiting Kacey.
My little mech only seemed to cry when a mech held him. He never cried for the femmes. And much to my amusement and humiliation, he just had a habit of lubricating on Optimus every time he held him. After the fourth time, Galen was immediately plopped back into my arms and Optimus swore he was never going to hold the little sparkling again.
Maybe Elita was right, maybe Galen was trying to put out Optimus' flames.
"Are you excited, Kacey?" Ironhide said, pulling me from my inner thoughts. "You get to drive and fly fast."
"While that is true, I take Trion's tests very seriously," she answered.
Her tone was very much like a mature femme's. She sat perfectly still in her seat between her father and Alpha Trion on the shuttlecraft. Yes, I could see she was very serious about these tests. From what I understand she's used to such tests. Ever since Galen was born I realized that Kacey hasn't had the normal younglinghood most of us have been privileged too. Even for a Prime's offspring hers has been…different.
"I'm looking forward to seeing just how fast you can actually go," Wheeljack shouted back from the pilot's seat.
"Too bad mother couldn't be here," Kacey frowned, suddenly sounding like a youngling.
It never ceased to amaze me how she could transition from one to the next. I suppose it's because she still is so young. And the young are so unpredictable at times.
"She needs to rest," I smiled reassuringly. "You little brother and sister are to be born sometime next week."
I noticed a content smile flash on Optimus' faceplates as he looked down at Kacey. Next to Elita falling in love with him, becoming a father was the next best thing to ever happen to the lugnut.
"Five minutes to Nellis Air Force Base," Wheeljack announced.
Still, Kacey was as serious as ever. She only cracked a smile up at Optimus as he caressed the top of her head.
"So why are you here?" I leaned over and asked Ironhide quietly.
"I wasn't going to miss Kacey's tests," he snorted.
Valid point. Prowl had to ordered the rest of the Autobots back to work as we boarded the shuttlecraft. They all wanted to witness how fast Kacey could fly and drive too. I can only imagining him now post guards at the command center door to keep people out, denying them access to Teletran 2's satellites and monitors.
I was here in case she hurt herself. Wheeljack in case I need assistance with repairs. Optimus was her for his daughter. And Alpha Trion was here to witness first hand the results of his latest project, as he called it.
It actually bothered me that he seemed to view Kacey's achievements from a scientific point of view. But then I'm grateful to Trion for if he hadn't done what he did, Optimus' little star wouldn't be here with us today.
"Touching down now, Optimus," Wheeljack said.
A moment later, the back door opened. There were a group of humans standing to greet us. I recognized some of them as we emerged from the shuttlecraft.
"Captain Lennox," Kacey smiled heading straight to them and bending down to the human's level. "It's nice to see you again."
"Hey Kacey!" Lennox greeted. "Nice to see you too, kid. We heard about the tests. Is it alright if we watch?"
"I don't mind if it's alright with my father and Trion."
Kacey turned and expectantly looked at her father. Who in turn looked to Alpha Trion as this was his operation.
"I see no hindrance in allowing the humans to watch," he said.
"Right on!" she cheered making the humans laugh. "Give me five!"
I watched as she held her hand out for Captain Lennox who then hit her hand. Of course he clutched his hand after hitting hers. I honestly didn't see what the point of that was. But then again, Kacey has been studying Earth's cultures in depth.
While she was my patient, I found out that history is one of her favorite subjects. She was quite knowledgeable in Cybertron's history. Needless to say, I was very impressed that she even knew the significance of the name Moonracer had chosen for our son, Galen, who happened to be the name of a doctor and a renowned surgeon in ancient Greece.
"First off, just show me a few things that you can do," Trion ordered.
A little smirk flashed on Kacey's face before she transformed into her vehicle mode. She revved the engine and the suddenly music start blasting from her.
"Give me fuel, give me fire, give me that which I desire!" (Metallica, Fuel)
"Kacey! Turn it down!" Optimus shouted but it was too late.
Kacey's tires smoke and squealed as she zoomed off. The humans loved it as they cheered at her. All Optimus could do was shake his head and smile. We watched as she sped off a short distance away then turned around and started coming straight for us…fast!
Ironhide and I glanced nervously at each other as she kept coming. Even Trion and the humans looked a little nervous now. Only Optimus didn't. He had a smile on his face.
About fifteen yards away from us as all of us, except for Optimus, were practically diving of the way, Kacey's hands drop and she pushed off the ground lifting her form into the air. I saw the wide mouthed look on Trion's face as she quickly transformed into her spacejet form directly above us and then blasted upwards with the music playing louder than ever.
"Holy shit! Did you see that?" Lennox exclaimed, picking one of his men up from the ground.
"Little pit spawn!" Ironhide harrumphed as he picked himself up off the ground.
I looked up to watch some of Kacey's aerial acrobatics. Each roll, turn, or loop elicited a cheer from the humans. Optimus simply smiled proudly as he watched. Once done, Kacey spiraled downwards towards her. Primus, the music was still fraggin loud as she drew closer. It only cut out once she changed into her robot form. Kacey had grace and style as she flipped over and landed with delicate precision on her feet near her father.
She was grinning from audio receptor to audio receptor and loving every moment! She rarely got the opportunity to show off. Plus, she was restricted to a limited radius around the base and couldn't fly very far or very fast. Today was her only fun for a while as her driving privileges have been revoked as punishment for being in the recreation room.
"That was good, Kacey!" Trion smiled. "Your transitions from one form to the other have improved. Now, we're going to test how fast you can fly and for how long. You're to fly in the upper atmosphere as we discussed. I think we'll get a proper reading there as the air is much thinner and won't hinder you as much."
"Ok Trion!" she grinned then turned to the humans. "Hey Lennox, know this line… 'I feel the need…the need for speed'?"
"Top Gun!"
Kacey lifted up then transformed and rocketed upwards.
"I seriously regret ever telling her about the internet," Optimus sighed, shaking his head.
"Speaking of internet," Ironhide started. "Nitro said an interest phrase during target practice, said he got it from a movie he and Kacey watched on the internet. However, I'm still not sure what he meant by it."
"What did he say?" I asked.
"Yippy kiya motherfucker."
Optimus groaned and rolled his optics. I noticed Captain Lennox and the other humans laughing.
"Yeah, I don't suppose you want your kids saying those kinds of things," Lennox said.
"No, we don't," Optimus sighed. "You didn't tell Elita did you?"
"No, I didn't even tell Chromia!"
"Good. Elita already has a long list of rules she wants Kacey to start following. My sparkmate doesn't need to know about that kind of language coming from our daughter's vocal processor just yet!"
"Femmes are better at parenting than us mech's anyway," Ironhide said.
"I don't know. I thought I was doing a good job with Kacey. I don't see why I should have to change with what I'm doing in raising her. But then I don't want to upset Elita in her condition."
"Elita raised Kacey for ten orns without you, she may know a little more than you about parenting," I said.
"My processor tells me that. But my spark tells me different," Optimus frowned.
"She's near the east coast already!" Wheeljack shouted, looking down at the data-pad he had linked to Teletran 2's satellites to monitor Kacey as she flew.
"Shouldn't she turn around?" Optimus asked worriedly.
"No," Trion said flatly looking at the read outs with Wheeljack. "How are her energy readings?"
"Holding steady," Wheeljack answered. "Primus, in a few more minutes and she'll be halfway around the world!"
"Keep an optic on her energy readings," I suggested. "She's still a youngling and if she pushes herself too hard she could drain her energy too fast."
"And we all know Kacey doesn't know how not to ease up," Ironhide commented.
"On the contrary, I want her to push beyond her limits," Alpha Trion said.
I looked at Optimus. He gave me a nod to suggest it was what he agreed to when Alpha Trion requested the tests be done.
I kept my mouth shut. My only concern was for Kacey's well being. I stood by Wheeljack to monitor Kacey as best as I could. She had slowed down considerably but was maintaining a constant speed. It was about an hour that she was finally within my sensor range. I thoroughly scanned her to ensure she was alright.
"You're energy levels have dropped quite a bit, are you alright?" I asked her as soon as she landed.
"I'm fine," she smiled. "I couldn't maintain my maximum speed halfway around the world!"
"Don't be too disappointed, Kacey," Lennox said. "You're faster than anything on Earth!"
"You'll get there soon enough," Optimus told her. "Be patient."
"Yes, father."
"You did well, Kacey," Trion said, never looking up from his data-pad. "We'll give you some time to rest before we proceed with the driving tests."
"I'm not letting her proceed until her energy readouts have returned to suitable levels," I stated firmly.
"Ratchet, I'm fine," Kacey said to me. "I'm used to these kinds of tests."
"Still, I don't want to see you get harmed," Optimus interjected. "We'll proceed when Ratchet gives the ok."
"They're right, youngling," Trion added with a smile. "I have no desire to see you injure yourself. Besides, I need you at full energy for the next two tests."
"Patience…"
"I know, father," she sighed looking disappointed.
At my request, I had Kacey remained seated in the shuttlecraft as we waited for her energy levels to go back up. She moaned and complained as she walked over just like her father whenever I forced him into my Med Bay against his will.
"Primus, she's more stubborn than you, Optimus!" I exclaimed.
"And she has more sass than her mother," Ironhide added.
"Kacey has always been very independent, even as a sparkling," Trion explained with a bemused smile. "I have never, in my long orns, heard a sparkling protest so loudly when she didn't want any help! She had to do everything herself. Only after many failed attempts at her task would she then cry out of frustration. But there weren't too many tasks that she couldn't complete."
"Sounds a lot like Elita," Optimus snorted. "Always independent, never taking any slag from anyone, including myself!"
"Kacey is definitely Elita's little femme," I commented. "She gave me the whole femme speech the other day when I suggest that she might have a sparkling of her own one day as she was holding Galen. Primus, she laid into me! Said just because she was a femme didn't mean she was going to be producing sparklings for some slaggin mech! She's a natural with sparklings though. She's the only femme other than Moonracer who can get Galen to smile and giggle."
"Please, don't talk about Kacey having sparklings," Optimus groaned, covering his optics. "I still need to survive her younglinghood! I don't even want to think about her interfacing and having sparklings yet!"
"I don't know, Optimus, I could easily see you as the youngest grand…"
"Shut the frag up, Ironhide!" Optimus growled, making me chuckle. "It's bad enough you keep hinting at a bonding between my daughter and your son!"
"What's wrong with my son?"
"Nothing, I just want Kacey to make her own choice when choosing a sparkmate."
"Will you both shut up! She's still a youngling for Primus sake!" I interrupted them. "She won't even be mature enough to bond or have sparklings for another twenty to thirty orns. Let her enjoy her younglinghood."
"You started it!" Optimus and Ironhide said at the same time.
I just laughed at them and walked away with the intention of checking on Kacey. I was surprised to see she was sad as she sat inside the shuttlecraft.
"What's wrong?"
"Is everyone done planning my future?" she asked, looking away from me.
"We didn't mean anything by it. You're free to choose for yourself."
"My path was chosen the moment my spark formed, Ratch," she seriously said. "I am the daughter of Optimus Prime. I am the future of the Autobots if anything were to ever happen to my father. I proudly accept that duty."
"But I'm starting to find it difficult to believe that I am allowed to make my own choices along the way. Mother and father have already made decisions that are, as they say, for the best. I know Ironhide would like nothing more than for me to bond with Nitro."
"I'm a youngling but I'm not totally naïve to all that goes on around me. Trion taught me to be observant, to not disregard even the slightest detail. I learn my lessons very well, Ratchet."
I smiled, sitting down across from her. Wheeljack was right; Kacey did have a good head on her shoulders. It was so easy to not see that as she was a youngling.
"Life is a journey of choices, Kaceystar. It's entirely up to the spark within your chest on how you live your own life. You're young still. Rules are put before you by those who love you. They are there to protect you and to help you to make the best decisions possible for yourself."
"I must be patient," she sighed.
"Exactly," I grinned. "You're father's a much wiser mech than he realizes. But don't tell him that. He'll never let me hear the end of it!"
"No problem," she smiled back.
"You're something very special, Kacey. Don't forget that."
Kacey
My studies with Alpha Trion were over for the day and I was about to start my new routine. Mother was there to greet me as I left Trion's lab and I obediently followed her through the halls. Her and father had a long talk with me before my trip to Nellis Air Force base yesterday about changes I had to make.
When I had asked why mother said it was for the best. I had looked to father for more of an explanation but he simply repeat what mother had said. I don't fully understand why these changes are necessary. I don't get into trouble that often to warrant them. At least I don't think I do.
However, I suspect it has something to do with the twins. It's still several days until they're to be born and already they're affecting my life. Nitro warned me it was going to happen. I didn't want to believe him. But it does explain why father's spark has been distracted of late and why he is spending a lot of time with mother when I'm away tending to my studies, training or duties.
And this, making me spend time with the other younglings just seems like a way to get me out of the way.
"Mother, do I have to do this?" I asked as we stopped outside the classroom and playroom. "Can I just go study or train?"
"No, this will be good for you," she smiled. "You need to interact with other younglings."
"I play with Nitro. He's my best friend."
"Nitro is only one friend. I want you to develop friendships with the other younglings too," she said then quickly added as I opened my mouth. "And Sunny and Sides or the other mechs don't count as friends!"
"If you want to punish me for going in the recreation room just confine me to my room or make me study more."
"Believe it or not you are the only youngling who enjoys studying!"
"This is such bullshit!" I scowled, folding my arms across my chest not even noticing the shocked look on my mother's face.
"Primus, Kacey, I don't know what you said but you need to fix that glitch in your vocal processor! For that I'm revoking your internet privileges. I have no doubt that's where you got that word from."
I dropped my mouth open in disbelief. Great! No internet! How am I to learn about this planet's culture if I can't study it?
"Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, mother," I sighed, relenting as her tone was a bit angry towards me.
I never liked it when she got made at me. It happened only on two occasions. She was scarier than father!
Mother smiled, her anger was gone as she knelt before me.
"Please, try your best to fit in with the younglings," she smiled, caressing my face. "I understand it may be difficult at first. But you are my daughter; I know you will do well."
"I promise I'll try my best."
In retrospect as mother held my hand and walked me into the room, I'd rather face the Decepticons than deal with all the younglings you where staring at me. I was seriously having doubts that I'd be able to keep my promise.
I may be a youngling, but I wasn't like any of them. I was different. I was more educated than any of them, which was why Trion was teaching me. I was special, I was unique. I could transform and they couldn't. I was at least grateful mother and father didn't ask me to retract my battle armor as I had gotten quite fond of it.
"You're just in time, Elita. I was just about to take them outside to play."
"Kacey this is Taylara."
"I know who she is mother," I sighed. "She was on the ship with Wheeljack and the others; the one that saved me in the Badlands."
Sadness fell over mother's faceplates. I know father told her my story of my experiences on the day the Decepticons raided Trion's base. A part of me has never forgotten the loneliness I felt when I regained consciousness. It continues to haunt my dreams. But I did not intend for mother to feel bad at the moment.
"It's nice to see you again, Taylara," I smiled politely at the femme.
"We're glad you're going to be joining us."
"Try you best," mother told me quietly as she let go of my hand.
I nodded at her then watched her leave. I wanted to leave too. I could feel every optic in the room watching me. I met them confidently with my own.
"Well, I believe we should introduce you properly," Taylara suggested, leading me to the other younglings. All of whom had grown since the last time I had actually seen them. Of course, I had grown too. "The young mechs here are Roxsolid, at eighteen orns, Hawk, Saberon, and Sockets all fifteen orns, Derail, fourteen orns, Dozer, almost fourteen orns, and Nitro you know at eleven orns. The young femmes are Firestar, sixteen orns, Starbreeze, fourteen orns, her sisters Zym and Jayde, thirteen and twelve orns."
"Everyone, this is Kaceystar, daughter of Optimus Prime."
Great! Why doesn't she just tell them I'm going to be ordering their afts around in the distant future and be done with it? It's not like no one on the base knows who I am!
"Actually, I prefer to be called Kacey," I corrected her.
"Right, I'm sorry," she smiled.
At least the embarrassing moment was finally over with as Taylara lead us outside. Nitro was the only youngling who seemed thrilled to have me there. The others kept looking back at me as Nitro talked excitedly to me. I met their looks with a bold look making them quickly turn their optics away.
Once outside, the mechs headed off in one direction and the femmes the other with Taylara. I of course started heading toward the mechs.
"Where are you going?"
"To go play with Nitro and the other mechs," I replied, recognizing Firestar.
"You're supposed to play with the other femmes."
"That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard," I scoffed. "Who made up that lame rule?"
"I don't know," she shrugged, looking down at me.
"My mother taught me that mechs are no better than femmes. And that it's up to us femmes to make sure they don't forget it. I mean, just because mechs are bigger and stronger, doesn't make them better…or smarter for that matter."
"Can…can you show me how?" she timidly asked.
"Sure," I smiled at her. "Come on."
It was a good thing I headed towards the mechs. The oldest was picking on Nitro. Rox was what he liked to be called if I recall. He was a bully as he used his size to try and intimidate the others.
"Leave him alone," I ordered, marching right up and helping Nitro to his feet.
"Look Nitro, your sparkmate's here to save you," Rox teased.
"Blow it out your, aft," I countered. "I'm no one's sparkmate."
"You got that right! Not with your father being Optimus Prime, all the mechs would be afraid he'd blast them back to Cybertron for touching his little femme!"
I laughed, "Was that the best you could come up with? Any mech would be honored to be my friend much less my sparkmate once I'm older. My father is a great leader."
Rox stood toe to toe with me, glaring down. Of course, I did not retreat one millimeter.
"I've faced and killed Decepticons, I'm not afraid of one terrified little mech who uses his size over the others to make them feel weak," I growled at him, flaring my optics.
The young mech's optics filled with uncertainty. No doubt he was trying to figure out a way to not look foolish in front of the others.
"Who needs femmes anyway?" he laughed nervously then turned to leave. "Come on…let's go."
Well, insulting my father was one thing but insulting femmes in general really burned my processor!
"It's no use, Kacey," Nitro spoke softly.
"Rox is the oldest and the biggest," Firestar added. "They won't even let Nitro play with them because he's small."
"Which means absolutely nothing," I told them both. "And Nitro still has a lot of growing to do. I wouldn't be surprise if he grew to be bigger than that shithead."
"Shit…head?" Firestar asked.
"Never mind," I told her.
"It's Earth slang, we would use slaghead," Nitro smiled up at Firestar.
"Shithead sounds better though," she admitted.
"You should hear some of the other Earth slang in the movies Kacey and I watch. You could watch an Earth movie with us too," Nitro started boldly then his confidence waned. "Maybe…if you want to that is."
I rolled my optics. Eleven orns and he's already planning his first interface! Primus, is that all mechs think about?
"I got an idea!" I suddenly grinned. There was another thing mechs loved! "Come on. I know who to deal with them."
I wasn't sure if this was what my mother imagined I'd be doing with the younglings. But she did ask me to try and fit in. And I promised I'd try. I just told Nitro and Firestar to just let me do all the talking as we walked by the young mechs, who looked cold outside in the snow.
"I don't think it's a good idea, Nitro," I said, slowing my pace and talking loud. "I'm not allowed in the recreation room anymore. I still can't believe Sides gave me that 'it's not for femme' line. That's such bullshit! Besides, I'm sure your father will let you have some high grade if you asked him. He gave it to you once; he'll let you have some again."
"Nitro had high grade?" Saberon asked excitedly.
"Yeah, I did," Nitro answered.
"What did it taste like?" Rox questioned as he and the others came closer to us.
"It's hard to describe…I just really liked it!" he smiled then to my dismay, and not at all part of my plan, said, "I was trying to get Kacey to get me some."
"But I'm not allowed in the recreation room!" I told him, giving him an evil optic look, hoping he wouldn't open his mouth again.
He got the hint and dropped his head, mouthing he was sorry to me.
"Yeah, but I heard you have a cloaking shield," Sockets said, looking hopeful.
"That's right! You could sneak in and get us some!" Derail smiled enthusiastically.
Of course, Rox glowered at them all. Obviously he didn't want to lose his dominancy over them, especially to a femme. They moved behind him, cowering like fools. I actually felt bad for them.
"Here's the deal," Rox started. "You get us some high grade and we'll let Nitro in our little gang."
"I fail to see how that benefits Firestar and myself," I countered, folding my arms across my chest.
Primus, I was probably going to regret this later, but mother was very adamant that I try to fit in.
"I have a better idea," I continued. "I'll get enough high grade for all of us and maybe I'll let all of you hang with the future Autobot leader."
I held out my hand.
"Deal?"
Rox hesitated but then shook my hand.
"Deal."
"Nitro, you know where to take them."
"Right, Kacey…let's go."
"Hang on…"
"We can't let Taylara see us drinking the stuff," I interrupted Rox. "Nitro and I have a good spot where the matures wont see us unless they come looking."
I cloaked before he could protest. It was easy to sneak through the base and into the recreation room. At this time of day hardly anyone was in the room. It only took me a few astroseconds to hack the code to the storage room where the high grade was stored. I just grabbed the first container I could find, extending my cloak around it.
I actually had to keep myself from giggling as it was all too easy!
"Here we go!" I grinned triumphantly as I uncloaked before the others.
"Fuck Kacey, I think you brought way too much!" Nitro exclaimed but didn't hesitate to grab a canister as I set the container down.
"Whatever we don't drink, I'll take back or we can save for another time," I suggested, grabbing my own canister.
The others all grabbed their own as well. I was actually looking forward to tasting the high grade as I was rudely denied a sip before.
It smelled sweet! And tasted even sweeter! Primus, it tasted good!
"Kacey! I don't think you're supposed to drink it that fast!" Nitro shouted.
But it was too late. I finished the canister.
"I don't feel anything," I said feeling rather disappointed.
"Really?" Rox asked.
He took a big gulp and choked on it.
"It tastes nasty!" he protested, wiping the high grade from his faceplates.
I grabbed another canister and started drinking that one as well.
"Tastes fine to me," I grinned, challenging him. "Are you afraid, Rox?"
"No!" he growled then forced himself to drink it.
Prowl
Optimus had left an hour ago to be with Elita like he did every afternoon this past week. I didn't mind and was actually glad he made the time to be with his family more. Although, I knew Kacey was outside with the younglings and Optimus had a fiendish smirk on his faceplates as he walked out of the command center.
Well, whatever he and Elita did within the confines of their quarters was none of my business. I didn't have time to ponder such things anyway when I was in charge of the command center and monitor our patrols.
The Decepticons have been relatively quiet since Antarctica. We have yet to locate their new base of operations. Teletran 2 monitors all news casts no matter how bizarre hoping we'd find a lead to Megatron and his army.
Still, I'm uneasy about their disappearing act. I don't like it at all.
Not that I want to go rushing back into battle. I kind of enjoy my days as the biggest emergencies have been auto accidents, caused by the humans crashing into an Autobot. However, the last one I suspect was Sunstreaker's fault. He and his brother are always 'hot dogging it' as the humans say.
I'm pleased to see Kacey learning more about Earth's cultures. It will make her job easier in the future as she will be able to relate to them much easier than the rest of us. In hindsight, I'm wondering if it was a good idea to encourage her to research on the internet as she is discovering many new things and developing some…interesting vocabulary as a result.
As it is, I haven't the spark to tell Optimus that she's hacked his password and uses his computer whenever she's doing her research. I've learned during my many orns that there are some things my Prime doesn't need to know about.
"Prowl, this is Ratchet!"
Ratchet's panicked voice sounded over my internal communicator.
"Go ahead," I quickly answered.
"I need Red Alert back in the Med Bay immediately!"
"He should be arriving back at the base in a few minutes. What's the emergency?"
"I have eight younglings in my Med Bay…all violently ill!"
I took a quickly glance at Ironhide who was busy manning his station with Chromia beside him. Both looking more interested in each other than what they were supposed to be doing. I turned and walked away, even though they couldn't hear me.
"Is Nitro, one of them?"
"Yes!"
"Understood," I told him then hurried to the main computer console and pressed the communication button. "Wheeljack, hurry it up! We have an emergency in the Med Bay! Ratchet needs help!"
"Copy that!"
"Hound, you're in charge of the command center," I said then turned to Ironhide and Chromia.
"Nitro!" they said, jumping out of their seats.
I hurried after them and followed them into the Med Bay. Eight younglings were groaning, crying and curled up on the sides on the beds along one wall of the Med Bay. Ratchet was doing his best moving from one to the next.
"Don't be mad!"
I turned to see Nitro crying as he spoke to his parents.
"It was my fault," he choked. "Kacey was just trying to help me. We talked her into getting the high grade because she had a cloaking shield."
"Ratchet?" I questioned.
"They've all had about one full canister," he told me. "Their systems can't handle that much."
"Do what you can," I ordered him then noticed Taylara doing what she could to help.
After a quick glance around the room I only counted eleven younglings. Eight were on the beds and three, who appeared fine, sitting on one empty bed together on the other side of the room.
"Taylara, where's Kacey?" I asked.
"I…I don't know. I was too busy trying to get the others to the Med Bay. I…I just assumed she was with them."
"She is the daughter of Optimus Prime…you cannot assume anything!" I yelled at her.
Red Alert and Wheeljack came rushing in past me and started assisting Ratchet. But my main concern now was Kacey. Primus did I frag up! I knew I should have gone over things with Taylara about how to handle Kacey. The little femme is too special to us all. I should have known better!
"Keep me posted!" I ordered Ratchet than sprinted back to the command center. "Hound, try to locate Kacey."
"I've been trying…it's all over the base that the younglings are sick from high grade. But I can't locate her signal."
"Frag! We need Alpha Trion to take her dampening field offline! I can't do my job if I can't find her!"
"She can't have gone far if she's as sick as the others," he told me.
"But we need to find her if she is as sick as the others. Younglings' systems can't handle that much high grade. It's too dangerous."
"I'll organize search teams then."
"And I'll go tell Optimus and Elita," I sighed.
Only this one I couldn't do over the communicator. I hurried to my commander's quarters and sounded the door buzzer. I was a little surprise at how quickly Optimus answered the door.
"I'm sorry to disturb you both," I started as he stepped back to let me in.
The door closed behind me. Elita was sitting in a comfortable reclined position in a chair, her hands massaging her abdomen. I swallowed hard, thinking I should have simply contacted Optimus. It might not be a good idea in Elita's condition to learn her daughter was missing and sick on high grade.
"Prowl, what's wrong?" Optimus asked.
Before I could answer the door opened. I turned but saw nothing. I did hear a loud thud against the wall. Then a few astroseconds later Kacey uncloaked. Primus, she was a mess, covered in dirty and small tree branches. Worse, she could barely stand up straight then toppled over after she stumbled a few steps.
"Kacey!" Elita gasped, hurrying to her feet.
Only Optimus was quicker and already had Kacey in his arms.
"Hound, call the search teams off…Kacey's here," I quickly ordered.
"I'm ok," she smiled, barely able to keep her head from swiveling about. "I had an accident and crashed through some trees. But I'm…" (hiccup) "…fine."
"We need to get her to the Med Bay now," I said urgently. "Eight other younglings are sick too."
"Sick from what?" Optimus demanded as he didn't waste time to exit their quarters.
"Apparently, some of the younglings talked Kacey into sneaking them some high grade," I explained as I ran to keep up with Optimus and Elita.
"I was only trying…" (hiccup) "…to fit in," Kacey answered. "That's what…" (hiccup) "…mother said for me to do."
"Forget about that right now, how much did you drink, Kacey?" Optimus asked.
"Two canisters…maybe…" (hiccup) "…three…I don't…" (hiccup) "…remember," she answered her optics starting to flicker.
"Frag, stay awake, Kacey!" Optimus shouted, shaking her a little.
"My head feels weird," she hiccupped.
"It will be ok…just stay awake as your father says," Elita insisted.
When we arrived I noticed most of the younglings appeared to be recharging comfortably now. Ratchet was looking much relieved…until he saw Kacey's condition.
"They all expelled most of the high grade," Ratchet quickly said. "Red Alert and Wheeljack are going to flush out their systems to make sure it's all out."
"Kacey may have drunken twice as much, maybe more," I told him.
"Father…" she wept weakly, clinging onto his chest armor. "I don't feel good!"
Before Optimus could even answer, Kacey's mouth expelled high grade all over her father's armor.
"I'm sorry!" she immediately wept.
"Shh, it's ok, my child," he cooed trying to set her down on the exam table.
Only Kacey clung onto him, crying. She heaved again. Her body was visibly trembling now.
"Just let it all out, Kacey," Optimus said trying to hold Kacey in a comfortable position for her while keeping her face in different direction other than his armor. "You'll feel much better if you get it all out of your systems."
Kacey wretched two more times before she was finally done. I didn't have to stay there but I did and watched with Optimus and Elita as Ratchet flushed out her systems himself.
Not a fun experience from what I remember have been through it once before. At least she wasn't conscious through any of it and wouldn't remember the uncomfortable experience. Bad enough she was going to wake up with her first hangover. Those are always the worst!
Watching Kacey recharging peacefully on the bed with Optimus and Elita beside her, I wondered if I should assign a security detail to her. Her defense systems continue to be a pain in my aft. On the other hand, I knew how difficult it was for her to fit in being the daughter of our leader. Adding security to her would only make things worse.
I sighed wearily as I left the Med Bay. I honestly didn't know what to do to keep Kacey safe short of locking her in the brig.
I rubbed my tired optics and growled quietly.
Primus, this youngling was going to be the death of me!
Up next the birth of the twins.