Chapter 114
-0-At the moment of truth the next orn in front of The Fortress, Mars for a Praxian Bonding Ceremony
Prime glancing toward Prowl got the word so he walked outside. Stopping on the top step he smiled as he noted that their entire company was facing him enjoying the moment together. They stilled.
Then that's when it happened.
"What are you doing here?"
The voice cut through the hushed assembly and everyone present turned to look as shocked murmurs passing through the crowd. Standing behind them sparkling clean and silent, six adult Seekers waited warily.
Sunstreaker and Sideswipe stepped forward joined by Bluestreak. Prowl gripping Blue, tugging him back. The three halted as Ironhide intervened, glaring at them. "Step back inside. You haven't been called."
"What about that?" Sunstreaker asked scowling deeply.
"I asked them to come."
Prime turned to Bluestreak as surprised as all the others. "What?"
"I asked them to come," Bluestreak replied.
Prime considered that, then stepped down. The crowd parted as he walked toward the Seekers.
Ironhide and Prowl pulled the three back into the doorway where they gathered to watch.
Prime walked to the Seekers who watched him with cold optics.
"We were asked to come," Skywarp said, his voice wary and edgy.
"I know," Prime said. "And you are welcome."
"What?" a voice behind him asked in surprise.
A murmur greeted Prime's remarks so he looked at the crowd before him. "Bluestreak invited them and I am sorry myself that I did not do it first."
The crowd became quiet.
"Thank you, Bluestreak for reminding us of what we all are, refugees trying to form a community. The Seekers are part of our community. As long as we all come here in peace and live together the same way all are welcome." It was quiet a moment, then he turned toward Starscream. "You are welcome for the ceremony and celebrations afterward."
Starscream looking at him with a shuttered expression. The others did as well.
"Until all are one, Prime?" Starscream asked, his voice slightly defensive and sarcastic.
Prime grinned. "Until all are one." He stepped to one side and offered the path free to a good position in the crowd. They hesitated then moved, walking into the crowd with their helms held high. Prime followed them and continued, walking to the steps once more. He looked at the crowd again.
Glancing backwards at Prowl's slight smile he began. "Welcome to the moment when Bluestreak of Praxus, youngling of Prowl of Praxus bonds with Sunstreaker of Kaon and Sideswipe of Kaon, proxy younglings of Ironhide of Praxus. It is my honor to ask the questions that have to be asked in front of the community that will be their home. When they have been asked and answered, then they will be considered bonded with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities as any similar adult.
"As Prime, it has been a long time since I was asked to preside over such a gathering and such an event. I am honored to do so and hope fervently that it will not be the last time." He looked back. "I need Bluestreak of Praxus and his genitor, Prowl of Praxus."
They stepped forward with Prowl stopping beside Prime as Bluestreak stepped down, glancing toward Prime to smile broadly.
Prime smiled back then turned back again. "I need Sideswipe and Sunstreaker of Kaon and their proxy genitor, Ironhide of Praxus."
A snicker greeted their choice of 'best mech' as the three stepped forward, Ironhide stopping beside Prime as the twins stepped down to stand on either side of Bluestreak. They joined servos to wait, Sideswipe with a serious expression and Sunstreaker with an anxious one.
Prime smiled slightly. "And now the questions. Bluestreak, are you prepared to bond with Sunstreaker and Sideswipe and have no other before you?"
"Yes," Bluestreak said as he smiled at Prowl who smiled back.
"Sunstreaker and Sideswipe, are you prepared to bond with Bluestreak and have no other before you?"
Sideswipe answered quietly.
Sunstreaker swallowed and whispered, "yes."
"Ironhide, as proxy genitor for Sunstreaker and Sideswipe do you promise to be responsible for them, to assist them if they need you and to stand by their sparklings as guardian if such need comes?"
"Yes," Ironhide said for the fifth time in his life. The younglings before him were the only ones left living to whom he made this promise, a fact not lost upon him when they asked. Accepting was easy at that point and he did so happily.
"Prowl," Prime said looking toward his bond. "As genitor, do you promise to be responsible for Bluestreak, to assist him if they need you and to stand by their sparklings as guardian if such need comes?"
"Yes," Prowl said.
"Let it be known that as bond to Prowl, I agree, too. Ratchet, as bond to Ironhide what do you say?"
Ratchet stepped closer. "Yes, I agree."
"Ironhide and Prowl as principle genitors have agreed to protect this bond and to step in when the need arises. That is their responsibility to you and your family. Now you have to decide. Do you give freely genitor rights to both Prowl and Ironhide?" he asked the twins and Blue.
For Bluestreak, the answer was easy. For the twins, not so much. Having been through genitor law once with Prowl it would mean publicly acknowledging the right of either Prowl or Ironhide to step in, separate and control them if something should arise that endangered any of them or their sparklings.
Bluestreak nodded. "Yes."
Sideswipe glancing at Ironhide swallowed. "Yes. I guess."
Snickers from the crowd brought smiles to Prime, Prowl and Ironhide. They waited for Sunstreaker.
He stood stock still staring at them, at Bluestreak, at Sideswipe and Prowl. Then he shook his head. "Sure. Yes."
More laughter greeted that remark and as the amusement subsided Prime closed the ceremony. "This is a Primus blessed event, witnessed by all and freely agreed upon. This is now a public record that Sunstreaker, Sideswipe and Bluestreak are a bond, that they are adult in the eyes of the community and that a new family is born today. Congratulations," he concluded stepping forward to hug Bluestreak tightly.
Everyone surged forward and hugged, slapped and snarked. The crowd continued onward to enter the facility and as they did they congratulated the genitors, Ironhide and Prowl, as they passed. Prime and the others, family all, accepted congratulations and the goodwill of the community as they filed in leaving six Seekers behind. Prime stepped down toward them as Prowl waited for him.
"Nice ceremony. Simple and to the point. Praxian, I believe," Starscream said, his expression lost in memory for a moment. "I have only seen this once."
"I have a couple of times but never officiating," Prime replied. "My bond's youngling came to see you apparently."
"He wished to know about trines," Skywarp said.
Prime grinned. "And you told him."
Skywarp smirked back. "He's in a superior bond. Not quite the level of a Seeker bond, but better than a duo."
Prime smiled. "I cannot complain about mine. You will come inside."
"I don't think it would be wise. The Autobots are not too happy to see us," Thundercracker replied.
"This isn't about the Autobots or Decepticons. This is about Bluestreak and what he wants. This is about all of us becoming one again. If one is not allowed, then none of us are going to be free in the long run. Blue wants you to come and so do I. I think you should."
For a moment they stared at him, unreadable and unknowable. Then Starscream nodded. "I will come for a while. I never had a grudge against Praxus."
Prime smiled. "Good. You can sit at our table."
"You wish to do some do-goodism do you," Starscream said smirking slightly as he began to walk to the rec room through the courtyard and up the steps.
"Or maybe I just want to cover your back," Prime said smirking back.
The Seekers took a moment to discuss among themselves what they would do and then they agreed. Starscream walked beside Prime to the open doors beyond. They entered the party and sat through several joors talking to the Aerialbots and a few others, watching the Autobots and the civilians enjoy themselves. Then they excused themselves and walked away, the first crack in the wall evident in a long, long process of mutual trust.
-0-Nearby
Ratchet sat at a table with the sparkling in his arms. Orion was recharging and although the music and conversation was loud he wasn't fussing. Ratchet sat with Ironhide who had his arm around the back of Ratchet's chair and a wary optic on all the mechs and femmes who just 'wanted a peek'. No one was going to get a peek until the naming ceremony that would occur in one orn just before the garrison returned to Earth.
"Ironhide," Ratchet said glancing at the big mech who was hovering at his side. "Relax. Enjoy."
"I am."
Ratchet smirked. "You're going to throw a rod if you don't relax."
"You can fix it."
Ratchet snorted. "Do you want to go?"
"Not if you don't."
"It's up to me, huh."
"You or the little mech," Ironhide said peering into the tiny gap in the blanket that allowed the infant to be seen. "If he's too tired, we go."
"He's recharging."
"He's a good little sparkling. I'd be screaming in his place with all this noise." Ironhide pulled the blanket back a bit and smiled.
"If you want we can go to the cabin and you can hold him," Ratchet said.
"You don't mind?" Ironhide asked, his pleasure at the possibility immense.
"Of course not," Ratchet said rising. "Say goodnight to the boys. Give them 'facing advice or something like a good proxy genitor."
Ironhide snorted as he rose to walk to the twins who were standing nearby with Smokescreen and Bumblebee while Prime danced with Bluestreak. "We're heading out. Anything you need to know?"
Sunstreaker snorted. "I think we have it under control."
Ironhide snorted back. "Remember who the sparker is here, boys."
They hooted and laughed, slapping hands in delight. Then Ironhide walked to Ratchet who was talking to Prowl. Rising Ratchet with Ironhide following walked out of the room, ran the gauntlet to Med Bay, then entered. It was quiet as they walked to the back to lay the infant on the berth. Pulling the blanket back, they sat on the other berth to stare at the little mech as he slept.
"That was a nice ceremony," Ratchet said as he shifted to lean on Ironhide's shoulder.
"It was. Prime did a good job. Kept it light even though it was serious."
"I agree. It was amazing to see the Seekers but that they came to the bash was even more so. I'm glad that Bluestreak asked them. They must feel really cut off," Ratchet said.
Ironhide nodded.
It was quiet a moment.
"Ratchet?"
"What, Ironhide?"
"You know that television in the quarters back on base?"
"Um-hm."
"Doesn't hold a candle to this."
[grin] "I think I like this channel, too, Ironhide."