Prime Blood Rosa: Part 3 Chapter 11
Once Rosa returns to the Ark after an intense history lesson with her father and barer of the Matrix of Leadership, her head was swimming. NOW she really understood what was going on. It was like her maturity had just jumped ten years in a few hours. She was no longer the cute spunky teenager everyone knew. No the weight of the universe just crashed down on her processor. It was time for her to live up to her heritage. She could see Ironhide was going to encourage her. Ratchet was going to worry about her health. Optimus was going to love her, but had to drive a wedge between them or he would wrap his arms around her and shield her from everything. Rosa wasn't hurt by his distance. His smiles a the right time let her know he was proud and would always love her, but he had to remain commander. Besides, she lifted her chin, she never was and never will be a Princess!
Rosa wasn't blind to the amorous looks Sherm, Bee, Hot Rod were giving her. Neither was she blind to the glares Arcee and some of the other femmes were giving her. Thankfully some things were the same in both human and Bot worlds, Sarah and Grace's advice came in handy. She did not encourage nor tease the mechs. She managed to remain aloof and naive. Besides, it hurt to know she could never have the relationships she grew up thinking she would have.
One day she came around the corner of the building and plowed into Arcee and Hot Rod. Arcee landed with her fingers tangled up inside Hot Rod's armor. The expression on Hot Rod's face Rosa quickly translated, and grimaced herself. It was the same one her brother had when a football pass went wrong to the crotch. Rosa grabbed Skates, "Run!" And they took off. Arcee got herself untangled quickly, but Hot Rod was still curled up on the ground in agony while Rosa and Skates ran for their lives.
Zipping right past the commanders, Ratchet pipes up, "Where's the fire?"
But he nearly didn't complete that sentence while sleek Arcee took the daring move to slide right between Prime's peds, hooked a hand to Ironhide's ankle to give her the sling shot she needed to overtake Rosa. Using the momentum, she kicks her own peds up and slams Rosa in the aft, sending her sprawling face down.
"Come on Princess Prime. Get that prissy aft off the ground!"
Optimus raises his optic bow to the harsh words. It takes a bit to see where Rosa is going to go with that. Carefully Rosa stands up. He knows it's not from pain, but for self control. Used it many times himself from firing off something he shouldn't.
"Oh baby, did I scratch you paint job? You know that stupid gold mark just doesn't fit in with the rest of us."
Now that did raise Optimus' hackles. Rosa didn't turn into the fight. She knew exactly what Arcee was up to. She'd taken care of enough of these bullies already. But on the other hand, Ironhide had warned her that part of a fight with the Decepticons was the verbal taunt. Maybe this is was just another part of Ironhide's training, sicing Arcee on her. Pulling her back up straight, Rosa turns and tips her head in apology, "I'm sorry I ran into you and Hot Rod, Arcee. It was an accident."
Arcee narrows her gaze not sure what game Rosa is playing. "You didn't stop."
Rosa tries to put this delicately, "I figured you would rather get back to your, ah, private conversation." Rosa hears a snicker and glances over to the commanders watching the show down. Sideswipe is covering his mouth figuring out quickly Arcee was in a physical conversation not verbal. Optimus is stoic, no help there. Ironhide tips is helm at her ambassador like tone. Ratchet just covers his face knowing Rosa will be lucky to walk out of this one with out a few more scratches.
Arcee turns her head to see where Rosa is glancing, then back to Rosa with a broad smile. Whispering because she know Optimus will kill her for this, "Oh looking for Papa Mas, to save you?"
Rosa narrows her own gaze fighting the urge to look back at her father. She takes a deep breath and her own smile beams, "Arcee, I used to wipe the court with mouths like yours on my own." With that she turns and walks back towards Skates, "I need help with my cornering. Show me again?" Skates nods and they walk away.
Arcee juts her chin ready to fire off another one. Optimus cuts her off before she even starts, "Arcee, go see to Hot Rod's injuries." With that, he turns and walks away. More or less he just told Arcee, "Drop it," and doesn't leave room for her to argue.
After Arcee cooled down and Hot Rod talked to her, she finally understood, Rosa wasn't after Hot Rod. It was just like their own training days trying to hold your own against the trained ones. Rosa was no threat to Arcee. Later on, Arcee and Rosa went at it verbally again, but with all the laughter in the room, Optimus knew it was all in fun now, not pain.
Hot Rod, Streaker & Swipe, Arcee, Skates, Sherm, Bee and Hot Shot become a new tight group. Optimus was pleased to see Rosa with friends.
Chapter 12
Rosa was having a good time, until the day her father came back really beaten up bad. He was un conscience for nearly four days. Ratchet and Wheeljack were working overtime. Ironhide used is as a warning to all that even Prime can get hurt really bad. They must all improve, because the 'Cons were. While most of the others were in recharge, Ratchet brought Rosa over and had her sit with Optimus. Laying her head beside his audio and began to sing to him softly. Ratchet laid a hand on her helm and whispered to her, "Keep it up, sweetspark. His vitals are improving. Doctors orders."
She reaches out for his hand, "Thanks Uncle Ratchet." Ratchet just couldn't help himself and kissed her fore helm. Hot Rod saw it and gave her an encouraging smile. Rosa laid her head back down beside her fathers and kissed his cheek, "I love you Papa. Please don't leave me."
The voice is raspy and she almost missed it, "Not yet, Rosa. Not yet." And he slipped under again. Over the next couple days, he slowly came around more and more. Sitting up on the fourth day, nearly back to himself, he gently ordered her back to her training. Prime could hear SIC Ironhide bellowing to the troops.
Ironhide was calling a training session. Rosa gets in line and begins to focus. She heeds his direction and training. She spars but she lands on her back a lot. Optimus stands back and keeps his arms crossed over his chest watching her. Ratchet even notices Optimus observing his daughter's training.
Rosa doesn't cry. She takes her blows. She shakes it off and goes for the next one. She doesn't give up. Even when Ironhide calls it a day, they find her in the corner watching her shadow trying to practice. Skates notices that she isn't as much fun as she used to be. She isn't into the games anymore. She is constantly trying to improve. She has become more serious.
Ironhide notices she is trying harder too. She isn't giving up. He comes to her while she is shadow boxing. Coming beside her, shows her the mistakes and how to correct. Then he takes the spar in slow motion with her. She listens. She learns.
As the weeks go by she starts to get it. She is actually beginning to win some of her spars. Then she is called for a one on one with Ironhide in front of everyone. She can't help but see Optimus is watching.
Ironhide smirks, "Ignore him. He is supposed to be the imposing figure to knock your concentration off."
She can't help but laugh, "Well it's working." And with that Ironhide starts the spar. She blocks the first blow. She takes the second blow and staggers but doesn't fall. She gets one into Ironhide, but he takes the advantage, grabs her wrist and she lands on her rear. He grasps her hand and lifts her back up.
"Well, you lasted longer than I thought." He slaps her shoulder. "Grapple, you're next!" Rosa takes her place to the side. She can't help but glance over at Optimus. He keeps his face as blank as a stone. She knows there is another battle coming up. She's not sure if they will consider her ready. She doesn't even know if she is ready herself.
~~So the training today is two on one. Ironhide brings Rosie as the defender against Skates and Sherm as the attackers. As they charge her, her first move is to drop to her knees and let Skates and Sherm collide. Then with an upper cut she manages to throw Skates off enough to turn her focus to Sherm. He smirks at her. It enrages her and she puts one hand on top of the other and slams him hard into the center of the chest. He is surprised and she does it again, and again and again. She hears Skates coming up behind her and with a drop to a crouch she flips out her sword, twists her waist to give her the momentum to pivot on the balls of her feet around to face Skates' ankles. Then using the flat of the sword (not wanting to actually cut her friend down) she smacks Skates in the ankle. Skates yelps. Quickly Rosa returns to Sherm and springs up and retracts the sword.
Rosa has her hands ready to slam Sherm in the chest again. But his next move completely threw her concentration off. She makes contact but he doesn't go for impact to push her away. Instead he grasps her by her hips and hold her against his. Even with the face shield down, she knows there is a smile in there. It infuriates her more! She raises her arms over her head and plans to bring them down with a full blow onto the soft spot between the shoulder and neck. Just as fast his hands spring up from her hips to trap her hands between his in a grasp above her head. She feels like she is caught in a bear trap. He can see her face is beginning to contort. He snaps his head down and the face shield drops. He likes seeing her completely infuriated. He knows she needs to use this energy in a controlled battle mode. He cares about her so much. He can't resist and leans in. He turns her in such a way towards the wall so that almost no one else can see the planted kiss. She freezes. She is knocked completely off guard. He backs up with a smirk that thinks he won the spar. She quickly recovers and with a head butt to his dropped face shield, that stuns him and with a slam of the left foot to his chest breaking his grasp on her hands and he lands on his back. She puts her right foot on his chest. She flicks out the sword pauses for a moment and them lets it glow poised to his neck. She returns the smirk he had just given her. Then she walks away.
Optimus comes to her side and quietly says, "That's not a normally a problem I have with Megatron, but always a good lesson in keeping the face shield up." And he turns away. She freezes. She slowly looks back at her father. He gives her a quick glance over his shoulder. An amused smile. She can only shake her head in embarrassment. Sherm is still rubbing his head from the blow to his ego.
Chapter 13
Just as Rosa predicted, a few days later the battle does come. Lennox calls, "Wheels up 10 minutes! They are headed for Colorado and the Cheean Mountain."
She knows from the TV movies the importance of the sight. It's the national bomb shelter. She turns to her father as he calls his team together. Rosa is his last pick. He just holds her gaze. No words need to be said. This is her chance to prove herself on a real battlefield and he thinks she is ready. The team quickly folds up and loads the C130. Sherman hunkers down beside her. He gives her some of his last minute advice. When it comes time to exit the plane, the humans launch first.
Lennox can't help but glance back at his adopted daughter turned soldier with pride, "Rosie, you can do this. Keep your head down and that sword out." And he takes the leap.
Then it's Rosie and Sherm's turn. Optimus sends Sherm first. When Sherm is away Optimus gives her one last instruction, "Stay alive." With that he pushes her out and follows right behind her.
They all land in a crouch and quickly engage the enemy. Autobots are truly outnumbered. But they have so much more they are fighting for. Her breath is caught in her throat as she sees the violence. But this time she is more focused. She stays with her human team protecting them and keeping the Decepticon at bay as the team just hammers on the Decepticons trying to tear the mountain apart. Rosa is horrified to watch Skates die. Skates took a running leap flinging herself through the air feet first aimed at the 'Con, Fusebox's head. With one sonic blast, Skates body instantly sizzles and falls to the ground. There was no question, the body was instantly dull grey. Fusebox is ready to turn on Sherm coming up to flank. Her heart can't bare the beating he is taking. She charges in with two blazing swords. She takes a leap and hops onto Fusebox's back and starts whacking at his arm that is trying to blast Sherm to pieces. She manages to remove the cannon. Sherm turns and together they fire into the enemy's chest. Fusebox begins to fall. Sherm drops his face mask to smile at her. She can't help but drop hers too to return the smile.
Then she hears the groans of Ironhide and Hot Rod. They are trapped under the now flattened ten foot chain link fence with a Decepticon on each end advancing and firing. There is no way for them to get up. Rosa flicks her face shield up and stands side by side with Sherm they concentrate their fire power at the larger Decepticon's eyes. Hot Rod and Ironhide turn their cannons on the other one's eyes. She can see that the Decepticons aren't going to stop even blinded. They start moving forward ready to stomp Ironhide and Hot Rod if need be. Rosie takes a running charge towards them with her arms crossed over her chest. Then she calls to Ironhide, "Shoulder!" Luckily he knows what she means and twist himself so his shoulder is raised as high as he can get it from his position. With the grace of a gymnast she barely touches his shoulder with the balls of her right foot. She uses his shoulder as a spring board curling her body into a ball. Then using all the momentum she has she flicks her arms out to her side as wicked switch blades and stabs each Decepticon straight through the forehead.
Now for the part she didn't anticipate. They both began to fall like trees. Her blades were still jammed fist deep into their heads. She closed her eyes as tight as she could as the ground came rushing up to meet her. The impact was as harsh as a basketball to the face. Rosa is amazed that her arms haven't been torn from their sockets. She couldn't get her blades free no matter how she twisted. But she did manage to get the weight off the fence. With the assistance of Sherm, Hot Rod and Ironhide were able to tug free of the entangling fence. Their timing couldn't have been better because just as they got free, the Decepticons were getting ready to fire off a last volley to dislodge her. Ironhide comes over to them and smirks, "Good day to die?"
But the cannon that fired off didn't come from behind her. It came from in front of her. She turns her head to the left in time to see the second Decepticon head explode. Her blade is laying in a rubble of Decepticon brains. She pulls her hand free and then turns to the right and sees a foot kick her other blade free of the other head. She rolls on to her back and looks up to her father's shielded face. He retracts the Ion barrel and sticks a hand out, pulling her to her feet. "Next time, retract before impact." She's not sure if it was a critique or a compliment. Then quickly he drops to one knee and begins to provide cover fire for Lennox's team as they seal the doors to the mountain, leaving the Autobots to secure the outside.
The battle wages on. She stays by her father's side. She is able to keep up with him and match his moves. She is able to anticipate his moves and actually support his attack. She is almost his same size. They provide better back to back cover for each other. She ducks as he swings. He dodges the flying debris that she makes.
At one point, she links her arms through his behind their backs. As he arches back it raises her off the ground. She pulls her legs back ready for the Decepticon coming in for a pounce from the air. Just as the Decepticon comes into range, she thrusts her legs out slamming it in the chest and sending it hurling back into the air and slams into the mountain. Then Optimus rolls her over his head to her feet. They quickly turn around and in unison fire their guns into the repelled enemy. The force of both of Prime and Rosa's cannons disintegrates the foe. She turns to her father. He puts an arm around her shoulder in an embrace. His heart swells.
Ironhide taps Ratchet to notice how the father/daughter worked as a team. Ratchet smiles, "We just may have another Prime with us."
Rosa breaks away from Prime's side when she sees a Decepticon ready to fire at Sherm's back. She knows there is no way he will survive that blast. Optimus turns to help Bumble Bee. She flicks out her cannon and just blasts away repeatedly at the enemy's cannon. She keeps hitting the sides, but it's not taking the damage that Sherm needs. But it does draw his fire away from Sherm. She is grateful for that. Finally she gets the honey spot and fires directly inside the barrel of the cannon. The cannon peals back spreading shrapnel all over his chest and throws him back. He topples over. She continues to fire. She has him pinned down with a cannon directly pointed at his chest. The Decepticon cackles to her, "Femme Autobot, ha! You don't have it in you! I dare you." Her cannon is now shaking. She has done fatal damage before. She is just not ready for an execution.
She remembers how many times her mother had run to protect them. She knew her father's history. She saw her brother battle and die. She just saw her father kill in order to protect her. She just saw her comrades and friends die. This enemy was going to take her love's life. But before she can take the shot, someone else is beside her. He takes the shot. The Decepticon's cackle quickly silences. She looks at the cannon and follows it up to Sherm's grim face. She turns away embarrassed.
Quickly the battle finishes after that. Rosa boards the aircraft silently. She prays that neither Sherm or Optimus are parked beside her on the ride home. But from her position she can't tell who is where. Her emotions are all over the map. She has pride in working side by side with her father's approval. She has joined in being able to hold the enemy off. She is upset with the loss of two comrades. She is upset she couldn't make the kill shot. She is scared at how close she came to loosing Sherm. She just tries to close herself down. She is stationed beside Ratchet. Ratchet asks her quietly, "Are you alright?" She doesn't know this but directly behind her is her father.
She sighs, "I could really use a large box of fudge about now."
"You know, that is very fascinating. Your father had the same reaction after being infected by the Cortez virus. Do all humans use fudge as an aid to tense situations?"
"I don't know about all humans, but my mother found it very comforting." She sighs heavily. "I miss her."
Very slowly Optimus presses forward. He gently presses his weight to her rear bumper. If he could, he would unfold and wrap his arms around her. But she can feel the gentle pressure from behind. She knows it's him silently telling her, "I miss her too." She can't help but smile inside.
Chapter 14
Optimus sees she is pretty quiet. Remembering her strength is electronics, he has her work more with Jolt, Wheeljack and Ratchet complete skill training. It brings the smile back to her face, which in turn lifts Optimus' spark.
After sparring one day, Ironhide sends the group off to relax. Rosie goes over with Sherman and Hot Rod. As Hot Rod is taking to his about the day and how he couldn't believe this move or that move, Rosie's focus drifts to the key commanders. They are in a conference. Then she notices that they check to see if anyone is listening and then they turn to their internal coms. Ironhide is adamant with the thrust of his finger. Ratchet is disagreeing with them both. Bee is silent, as usual. But it's Optimus that is forceful with his plan. As Ironhide shakes his head and starts to walk away, Optimus puts his hand on his shoulder and says something that stops him in his tracks. Ironhide nods his head and then the team breaks up.
"Did you hear me at all?" Hot Rod asks Rosie.
Rosie is distracted, "Rod, you got your butt kicked. Got it, now move." Hot Rod scowls that she doesn't care and is ignoring his awesome recount.
And Rosie starts to go over to her Father. As she approaches, he shakes his head at her. He does not have time for her right now. He is meeting with the human team for another battle. She leaves. It bothers her. She knows the lead command team is up to something. She is not only curious, but she is also worried for her father. What would she do if she lost him too? She looks around the room. What would any of them do if they lost the last remaining Prime?
That night while the others were resting, she sees the command team leave. She stealthily starts to follow. Sherman comes beside her, "What are you doing?" She shushes him. The others fold up and head down the road incognito. Sherman once more tries to cut her off when he sees she is following the command team. She manages to dodge around him and keep up.
They arrive at a ridge. The command team lifts together to remove a heavy plate with boulders on it. Underneath is a pit. The command team goes down. Rosie starts to sneak forward. This time Sherman grabs her arms. "What are we doing here?"
"Shush. I just want to see."
He releases her quickly and steps back. "I don't want any part of spying on the command team. And neither should you!"
"Then don't watch. But I am going to find out what they are up to." She sneaks forward. Sherman feels that he has to protect her and goes beside her. As they look down into the pit, they can see Ratchet giving instructions to the others.
"Ironhide, I have added the cannons you asked for. I think it should be ready to go in time."
Ironhide is concerned, "I still have a bad feeling about all this." Bumble Bee nods his head.
Optimus tries to comfort them all, "It needs to be done."
Ironhide leans in, "But why you?"
Optimus raises his hand to show his bare wrist under the gauntlet, "The Matrix. The ship will only power with the Matrix. It will keep it out of Decepticon and human hands." Bee tries to say he will go with him. Optimus pats his shoulder, "I hoped you would say that. Ratchet has made room for you, my little friend."
"When do you leave?" Ironhide succumbs to Optimus' decision.
Optimus turns to Ratchet, "The humans are launching one of their space shuttles soon. We need to launch at the same time in order to conceal the space flight and keep suspicion away from the Ark."
"Do you have your cover story ready?" Ratchet asks Optimus. "Are you going to talk to Rosie?" Optimus rubs his forehead. He still hasn't dealt with that.
Ironhide puts a hand on his shoulder, "You know I have no problem taking command of the team in your absence. I can command Rosie, but I doubt I can console her. I'll hunt you down my self if you leave that on my head too."
Optimus lifts his head to Ironhide, his dear friend. Ratchet lifts his hands in defense, "Don't look at me! I'll send him after you too if you leave that on me!" Bee makes it clear he's glad he will be with Optimus and not have to see Rosie's broken spark. Optimus gazes on his friends and then smiles.
"Message received." It's all he can say. Then the team goes back to work assembling the ship.
Rosie sets back and ponders what she just heard. Even Sherman is silent as he sees she is upset. "He… He…he… is going to leave….me….alone." Sherman holds her hand. A few moments go by as they watch the team work on the ship. Then as the team climbs out and starts to replace the plate. Rosie and Sherman scurry out of there and back to the base.
Chapter 15
Rosie manages to keep her secret. Even Sherman doesn't talk to her about it. Arcee sees that Rosie is getting even more distant. She tries to talk to Rosie. She has certainly changed from the little human girl who loves to roller skate.
Optimus calls the team together for a roll out training session. Out on the tarmac he sets up the obstacle course. He calls Rosie to his side. He smiles at her, "The first one back, alright?" She just nods. She tries very hard not to let her tears show up as she looks into the kind and gentle face of her father. He wrinkles his brow at her troubled face. She quickly drops her face shield and drops to her wheels. He follows her and she takes off. He is right on her tail. She dodges around the tanks. He comes around the other side. As they turn the corner of the building, there is a C130 right in their path, she quickly unfolds and flattens herself to slide under the plane. On the other hand he unfolds to leap over the plane. He laughs to her. They return to their wheels and scurry between the fighter planes. She sees her opportunity as a fuel tank is up ahead next to the flight line leaving only room for one of them through the path. She takes her chance and pulls away from him and gets positioned to sideswipe him with ramming speed. He never saw it coming as she slams into him skidding towards the fuel tanks. While she on the other hand, swishes straight down the path. With a cry of frustration, he unfolds to flipping over the planes and tanker. Rosie arrives back at the hanger first.
She is standing tall but in a respectful stance. The group isn't sure weather to applauded Rosie or to wait for her to get her head to removed. Optimus returns and with a smirk of defeat he shakes her hand, "Well done, Rosa. A little risky for the humans, but all's fair."
"Thank you…" she doesn't know weather to say Commander or Father. She shakes his hand and moves back in to the ranks. Optimus can see something is bothering her. So the training keeps going. Rosa is succeeded with everyone else's challenge. It's when she is up against Ironhide that it gets very interesting.
Once again they start off by dropping to their wheels. The first turns around the tanks are easily dodged. Then around the building to the C130. Only this time he cuts in front of her and stops. She hits him and is just about to slam into the plane. She has to unfold to get a hand out pushing off the building so she doesn't touch the plane. She lands with a crash on the other side on her back. Ironhide doesn't stop to watch. He whisks around and down the course. She recovers and tears off after him. Around the next set of tanks. Now the planes are fueled and starting to taxi away. So like cones on a course they weave in between them. This time Ironhide slams into her rear wheels leaving her spinning in a circle. She quickly stops and gets herself redirected. She can see he is almost to the hanger. She pours on the steam as much as she can. He's going to beat her. She unfolds and pulls her cannon, "Foul!" Optimus calls. She quickly switches and pulls Primo's sword from her boot. She flings it at Ironhide. It lands directly between the two lead commanders. They both turn to her surprised a her brazenness. She walks back to the hangar. But not too upset that she lost. Ironhide unfolds and gawfs at her, "YOU were going to shoot me?" She looks at her father and then to him and shrugs her shoulders. Ironhide can't help but laugh at her and slap her shoulder, "I like this one!" Then he puts the other hand on her shoulder, "You still would have lost."
She retrieves the sword and tucks it back into her boot, "Wanna rematch?" she returns the challenge. Optimus puts a hand on each and separates them. Optimus calls it a day. The Autobots all are dismissed. Ironhide can't help but smile at this feisty one. She sees respect on his face for her. She feels proud she has gained SIC's respect.
That night as the Autobots are resting, Optimus is pasing the hangar. Lennox comes over to Optimus. "Optimus, you called?" Optimus motions for him to be quiet. He puts his hand out and lifts Lennox to his shoulder. He pauses to look down at Rosie. She is laying on her front with her elbow tucked under her head. She appears to be asleep.
Optimus sighs quietly, "She looks so much like Poco." Then he walks out of the hanger.
Will can tell something is weighing heavily on Optimus. "What is it?" he asks again.
"Will, I need you to look after my daughter again. I will be leaving." Optimus says quietly.
"Why?" Will asks carefully.
"Our Energon supplies are running low. We need another safe source. I am going in search of more. I have already told Sam that Bumble Bee is going with me. The command team knows."
"You haven't told Rosa, have you?" Will asks even more carefully. Optimus remains silent. "I will stand beside you as you tell her. You know I will protect her. But you…"
"Yes, I know. I must tell her." The silence falls heavily again.
"When do you leave?" Will finally ask the toughest question.
"Two weeks when your shuttle leaves. It will hide our departure." The silence falls again.
Then Will puts the final conclusion together, "You don't know if you will be coming back, do you?"
Optimus shakes his head. "Ratchet has orders that if the fuel levels drop too low, he is to put them all in stasis until a fuel source returns. It could be soon, or never."
Will weighs these words heavily. "I hope for Rosie's sake it is soon." Optimus smiles at how Will covers his own feeling of missing his Autobot friends.
A few nights later the command team takes off again. Rosie again sneaks off after them. Sherman follows her silently. This time they hear why the ship was built.
Ironhide asks, "Okay, are you sure you have enough information programmed in here help you?"
Optimus taps the screen, "I have down loaded as much as I could from the Matrix. I hope there is still something left of the Quintessons. We need their information and help to rebuild Cybertron and take it back. I need you to move forward with Autobot city. Wheeljack should have enough material to get it started. Please start as soon as I leave."
Ratchet then tells him, "There hasn't been much Energon left. So we only have one chance at this. In order to return on the space bridge, you will have to use this to set it up. Are you ready?" Optimus nods. "Good. The launch is scheduled for tomorrow. It looks like the weather is going to hold."
"I'm ready. Let's just run through these systems one last time."
Rosie and Sherman listen very closely to how the computer system works. Rosie begins to hatch her plan as she begins to memorize the instructions.
Chapter 16
The next night while the Autobot command team is meeting with the NEST team and breaking the news about plans for the Autobot City, Rosie sneaks off to the submerged ship. She knows her first challenge will be to get the cover off. She tries to lift it herself. There is just no way. She begins to look around for leverage. She hears, "Would you like some help?" Sherm come towards her with his arms crossed over his chest, scolding her. She bites her lip and just nods her head. He watches her for a moment then leans in, "Why?"
She's trying to decide what to say. Tell him the truth? Get pride full? Should she be angry? Should she just storm off? What should she tell him? But before she can decide he walks towards her. He is now face to face with her. She knows he is so much smarter than herself. She knows he has so much more history with her father. In many ways she is still just a child. But on the other hand, here she is with a chance to make a difference. He unfolds an arm and reaches for her cheek. He strokes her face carefully. Something she always dreamed as a teen but thought would go away as an Autobot. His touch sends tingles through her frame. "What is it, Rosie?" She reaches out and puts a tender hand to his chest.
"I'm not a warrior. You could see that at the last battle. I can't make the kill shot. I'm not any good to this team. I can do something else." She tells him.
Softly he can read her heart, "That's part of the truth. What is the rest?"
She has a hard time putting it into words. Her chin starts to quiver, "I can't watch him walk out of my life. He's all I have left. I don't want to be alone in this world."
Sherm leans in and whispers, "You won't be alone, Rosie. You will never be alone. I'll go with you." With that he tenderly kisses her. Something she never anticipated but hoped for. She steps into his arms.
The young love-bots stay in each other's arms as the moon begins to rise. The command team sees them, but can't shoo them away with out reveling their own secret. Optimus is not angry, but actually happy to see that Rosie has found someone. He hopes that will make his departure easier for her. The command team leaves quietly.
Sherm and Rosie see them leave. When they are sure the others are out of sight, they try again and manage to move the cover. Rosie and Sherm climb in. Sherm has a hard time getting into Bee's seat but Rosie makes up for it, "Just perfect for two young lovers to escape in." Sherm joins the laugh. But now was the time for the true test. Could she fire up the systems? She pulls off her gauntlet. She slides her hand into the hand pad that was meant for her father. Even Sherm can see the enormity of the plan they are trying to steal. "Is this a good idea?" she finally asks him.
He slides his hand on top of hers, "I understand. I agree. The team needs Optimus here. You can't go alone. I will protect you." He squeezes her hand and the system lights up. Quickly they remove their hands, afraid of going any further. They turn to each other and laugh nervously. Then they look around the ship and make sure they know where everything is. By the time they are done with that, they can see dawn is coming. Quickly, they conceal the ship again and whisk away any traces of their escapade. Then hand in hand they return to the Ark.
Optimus is waiting for them guarding the hanger door. He gives them both a scrutinizing look, "Long past curfew, aren't you?"
Sherm straightens his back. Optimus is still his commander. "Yes sir. It won't happen again. I promise."
"Better not, Sherman. Especially with Rosa."
Rosie can't help but lean into her father as a daughter only could get away with, "Afraid I might get pregnant from a one night fling?" And she kisses his cheek.
"Rosa" he growls at her, "Not even funny." She quickly steps back quickly afraid that she may have crossed a line with him. Sherm is embarrassed. Optimus turns his back to them shaking his head. He points a finger at Ratchet to silence him before he has a chance to speak. But the look on Prime's face is actually one of amusement.
It's about two weeks later when Sherm and Rosie follow the command team out to the ship again. This time they hear the fateful words, "We launch tomorrow."
Ratchet speaks up, "You still haven't told her, have you?"
"There hasn't been time," Optimus retorts.
"Fire balls!" Ironhide calls his friend a liar.
Optimus raises an eye brow at him, "Excuse me?"
"Don't play that game with me, Orion Pax. You haven't told her because you are afraid to." Ironhide challenges him.
"I am going to address her when I address everyone else." Optimus covers.
"She deserves better than that," Ratchet counters.
Optimus looks at Bee. Bee nods. Ratchet nods. Ironhide nods. Optimus slaps his hands on his thighs. "Fine. I'll tell her in the morning. If I can pry her away from Sherman. Satisfied?" The team again nods. There is silence for a moment. Optimus starts to laugh. They all look at him curiously. Then he points to Poco's Hill, "Now I truly understand Poco trying to leave with out saying a word." His laugher soon subsides.
The team sits quietly watching the sun rise.
Sherm and Rosie make their escape back to the hanger. Rosie has Sherm help him with her plan to tell Optimus.
Optimus turns to Will, "Could you tell Rosie I would like to see her alone?" Will walks the hanger. He can't find her. Then he starts asking around.
Arcee hands Will large box, "Rosie said I should give this to Optimus if you guys started looking for her."
A cringe of fear grips his chest, "Optimus!" he bellows. Optimus comes to him swiftly and sees the box. The symbol on the top of the box stops him with a skid. It's in Poco's writing: "Poco's Energon." Slowly he opens the box. Inside is a flash drive and a box of fudge. He quickly takes the drive and crams it into his palm. Only he can see the message.
"Papa Mas… I love you very much. " Then she plays him their song. As the refrain repeats she finishes her message " I am leaving. But not in anger like Primo did. I'm leaving in love like Mama did. I love you. Please don't be mad at me. They need you here. They need you to lead them to build the new city. I will go for help. I'm not going alone. I know now the difference between Poco and Ironhide. I hope to return soon. So get that bridge built and enjoy the rest of Mama's Energon."
He yanks the flash from his hand softly crying out, "Oh please no!" He hurls the flash at Wheeljack, "Track her!" He barrels out the door with Ironhide and Ratchet on his tail as he tears down the road to the ship.
But it's too late. The rockets can be heard firing. The smoke is seen billowing in a straight line into the sky. He quickly unfolds and tries to fly up to the ship as it tears through the sky. It's just too late. He can't reach her. She's gone in a flash of light speed.
Slowly he has to return to the ground. The whole team is awaiting outside the hanger. The command team is stunned at watching their plans be stolen right under their noses. The others are confused. They have no idea what just happened. They turn to their silent leader for guidance. Ironhide and Ratchet say nothing.
It's Will who finally finds the words, "Like father, like daughter."
He sighs heavily, "That was just like her mother." Optimus smirks sideways and watches the smoke dissipate. He is so proud of her honor. He tries not to imagine what she will face out there. Soon the smoke is gone and Optimus silently turns back to the hanger.
As the command team slowly walks back to the hanger, Wheeljack asks Ratchet, "Could we use the secret power source to fuel the space bridge?"
Ratchet is very confused, "What secret power source?"
"I found mentioned in your notes a reference to Poco's Energon. Could we use that? What is it?" Wheeljack is hopeful.
"I don't know. I never did find out what it was," Ratchet responds. Then he turns to Optimus. He checks to see where his focus is. Then he asks carefully, "Sir, do you know what Poco's Energon is?"
"Yes." is all he states.
Ratchet tries once again carefully, "Could we use it as a fuel source for the space bridge?"
Optimus keeps his eyes forward as he responds, "If so, we're going to need a bigger box. And a lot of them." Then he looks over at Ironhide and laughs, "That's going to be a lot of fudge."
It takes Will only a moment to get it and he laughs. He knows his own wife's addiction to chocolate bars. It takes Ironhide a little longer and then he too starts to laugh. Ratchet it the last one to get it, "Ohhhh, now I get it! That's why she sent it to you when she left. Are you going to share the one Rosie left?"
Optimus turns to his command team and smirks, "Only if you can reach it before me." With that he drops to his wheels and tears off with Ratchet and Ironhide right on his tail and Bumble Bee trying to cut off his commander to the hanger.
After the fudge is consumed and Optimus has a chance to step aside, Bee silent comes beside him looking up at the stars. Neither one says anything for a long time.
And then Optimus does something he never thought he would do, he calls on Poco's God. The one both his children have put all their faith in, "Please, if you can, look after her. I just know she is going to need you."
And he hears one response…"She will be fine. A Jolt in Time will bring her to Rod's of Fire. A Lilly and a Lock await your return home. Hold fast to your name… Optimus."
(end of this story, but not of Rosa.)
Look for Rosa's continuing story there.