CHAPTER 30
The Return of Optimus Prime

"Hey Hound, I think I can see him!"

Hound eyed Mark slightly, and then back up a the stars. It was early the next morning, and as promised, he had brought Mark along to witness the return of the leader. Many government officials had joined them, as well as the Yeager family and Shane, had joined as well. But his attention wasn't on any of them at the present, his optics had caught sight of the large, burning object that seemed to be headed their way. "Incoming everybody." He stated as he scooped Mark up and put him on his shoulder, backing up himself "This is gonna be one big landing."

And a huge landing it was. For several minutes, as the mech landed on the ground with a loud THUD was dust. Dust everywhere, something that Sideswipe was no doubt going to complain about for several days. Eventually however, he could make out a shadowed figure became present in the distance. Mark tried to shield his eyes to get a better look. "Is it him...?"

"Yeah, that's him." Hound smiled.

When meeting Optimus Prime, most people might have felt admiration, excitement, maybe even humbled to be in his presence. But for Mark, all he could think as the dust cleared, and he got his first look at him was: Damn, he's HUGE. Not that he wasn't accurate, as even from his perch, Optimus was a titan, towering over the other Autobots with ease. The Prime gave a warm smile as Prowl stepped forward from the large congregation of Autobots and humans. "Prowl, it is wonderful to see you, old friend." As they gripped each others arms in greeting, and then he turned to address the rest "It is a pleasure to see so many familiar faces."

Mark shakily stood to his feet on Hound's shoulder as Optimus went down the line of Autobots. Though it only barely gave him a better look, his anticipation built with each greeting. Eventually, the Autobot leader found his way to them though, and Mark yet again felt weak at the knees. "I trust you did a fair job of holding down the fort until Prowl arrived, Hound." Optimus noted as he and the large mech bumped fists.

"Ye know it." Hound crossed his arms "And a lot more too." He then added "It's good to see you Prime."

"As it is good to see you my old friend."

At this point, Mark felt those large deep blue optics fall upon him, with a look of curiosity and amusement. Was Optimus chuckling as he tried to keep his footing atop Hound's shoulder? Mark blushed a little, and looked down before giving a shy wave. "H-Hi... Mr. Optimus Prime... Sir."

"Hello, young one." Optimus turned to Hound "Much more, indeed." Optimus raised an optic ridge in curiosity.

"This is Mark, he's my foster son." Hound explained, earning a small smile from the Autobot leader "We have a lot of catching up to do on that end, Prime. But considering it's not the most important matter at hand... I'll fill you in later." He winked.

For a moment, Mark wondered how Optimus would react. Was he going to demand to know the story now, was he going to wonder where he came from? Optimus only regarded him for a moment, smiled, and held a large finger out, much to his surprise. "Then I believe a welcome to the Autobots is in order, Mark." He then added "I look forward to getting to know you."

After much hesitation, Mark took the finger, and shook. His eyes filled with shock still. He had just shaken hands with Optimus Prime, a mech he had admired from afar for some time. "T-T-Thank you sir..." He then added "It's an honor to meet you."

"Optimus, or Prime." Optimus told him firmly "That's what my men call me, and that's what you will call me." He then leaned in with a warm smile "And believe me, the pleasure is all mine."

"A-Alright Optimus."

And then, with the greetings to his Autobots (and Mark) done, he turned to address the rest of the human congregation. Mark tried not to grimace as he seated himself onto Hound's shoulder, seeing that Coulton was already making his way forward. "Optimus Prime, let me be the first of our species to welcome you back." Coulton's words carried a certain edge to them "I'm David Coulton, I am one of your new liasons to the human government."

"What of Charolette Mearing?" Optimus asked, having become fond of the woman.

Coulton shook his head, and looked up at the Prime. "She was under Obama. I'm under a different president who assigned me to this task." He then nodded "As well as a friend of yours, as I understand, Robert Epps." Epps stepped out of the congregation next "We have much to talk about, Mr. Prime. If I may be so blunt..." Mark grimaced "Since you left things have changed a lot."

"What are you implying?"

Prowl was the one to step forward, and grab Optimus's shoulder, as if to tell him not to egg the man on. "Well, we did shut down Cemetery Wind and arrest its members." Coulton began cooly "But it seems that your Autobots, in a lapse of judgment have invited an associate of theirs into your very base." Optimus's optics widened as he turned to glance at Mark, who was shrinking back "Yes, the son of Agent James Savoy has made himself quite at home here."

There was dead silence, as Optimus regarded Mark for a long moment. "Prime, he is NOTHING like that man!" Hound immediately stood up for his young charge "We can explain this if you'll just give me a moment..."

Optimus was silent for a long moment, and then nodded. "Once we get to base, I wish to be debriefed on the situation." Optimus explained "For now, there is much to talk about in the way of the Decepticons, I presume." He stated tensely.

By Coulton's side, Epps shot daggers at the man. "If you weren't my superior..." He started with an angry breath.

It was going to be a long day.

...

The Autobots had called an official meeting as soon as they reached the base. A meeting which Mark currently paced outside the room of, trying desperately to hear what was being said. He knew what they were talking about, him, and he had a distinct clenching in his stomach that seemed to make him wonder even more if there was anything good coming out of this. Was Optimus going to kick him to the curb? Would he even allow Hound to explain? He didn't know, all he knew was that when the large doors to the meeting room finally opened, Hound was the one that approached him as the others scattered. "He wants to talk to you, alone." Hound told him slowly.

"He's kicking me out, isn't he?" Mark asked, his hands slightly trembling "I don't know if I'm ready to get chased off by a thirty-two foot robot yet, Hound."

"Just go in, Mark." Hound nodded "Keep your chin up, kid."

After a moment, Mark only nodded back, and started through the doors. The meeting room was huge, with a transformer-sized table and chairs, big enough to seat Optimus himself. And yet, still, Optimus stood tall over it, and again, Mark couldn't help but take in how intimidating he was. "Mr. Prime, I'm begging you. No matter what you do to me, just don't be mad at Hound." He then added "It was just supposed to be temporary, if Cyclonus hadn't-."

"Young one..." Optimus commented in a way that commanded the boy's attention "Your anxiety levels are skyrocketing, please, calm yourself. I am not going to hurt you, I would never harm a child." Mark seemed to relax a little, noting the honesty in the mechs voice "And I am not angry at Hound."

Mark took another tentative step forward, unsure of where this was going. Soon Optimus had plucked him off the ground and set him on the table, so that they were closer to eye level. "For what it's worth, I'm really sorry about what my father did to you and the others." Mark attempted, his voice wavering a little "I never even knew that my dad was like that. He was always so normal, and loving..." He shook his head "Please, you have to believe me."

"I do."

"I mean, he - Wait, you DO?"

Optimus nodded his head, a twinkle of understanding in his optics. "I too was betrayed by the mech I called my sire, Sentinel Prime. In my optics, he had always been a caring and compassionate mech, one whom raised me to be who I am today." Optimus explained, Mark's eyes widening "But as it turned out, he was not the mech I thought he was either. He was the one who ordered the attack on Chicago in which the Decepticons tried to enslave your race."

Mark's mouth gaped open at this new information a full minute before he swallowed and replied. "So... You know what I'm going through, then."

"Very much so, young one. Which is why I wanted to speak to you one-on-one." Optimus explained with a comforting smile "My mechs told me that you feared I would throw you out onto the street because of your fathers disgusting actions against our race." He then added "But that is not in-line with the beliefs I have held since I became Prime." Mark's grip on his legs relaxed at that "Rather I wish to explain something to you."

With that, the titan crouched, so that they were now completely eye-level. "You have the trust of my mechs, and the trust of many on this base as I understand." Optimus began, with a soft voice that reminded Mark of how a grandfather may speak to his grandchild "Who your father was, and what he did is of no consequence to me. If you are a good person, if you can earn the respect of those closest to me. You are welcome with the Autobots." He explained.

"So I can stay?" Mark asked.

Optimus nodded his head, and then added. "I know we have no exact standing with each other yet. Whether it be good, or bad." Mark nodded in agreement "But if what the others have told me is of any consequence. You are a human that I look forward to getting to know." He explained "And as for this Coulton, pay him no mind. No attempts at singling out someone for something such as this will ever be taken into account. As a leader, I chose to formulate my own opinions on an individual."

Mark sighed in relief, he had a feeling that he and Optimus would get along just fine if this little meeting was anything to go by. "Right, that's a good policy to have." Mark stated as Optimus picked him up off the table and set him on the ground "But if that's the case, why are you taking the others opinions into consideration?" He asked.

"I have known them far longer than I have that man." Optimus replied honestly "My mechs have earned my trust, but as for this Coulton... I truly do not know what I think of him yet. But my first impression was not a kind one." He added as he led Mark out the doors "You had better run along, I have much work to do with my arrival." He explained politely "No doubt Hound will want to hear how this conversation went."

"Alright, thank you si- I mean, Optimus."

Optimus gave an amused chuckle at the small bow that Mark gave him before rushing off to meet with Hound, who was waiting nearby. Optimus looked at the boy for a few moments, and began to walk back down the hall. Much had changed, but in his processor, that was what made things so interesting.