. Chapter Three
Kerri woke to the sound of her phone alarm. She rolled over and turned off the alarm. It was early, six-thirty to be exact. The base was quiet. The others appeared to still be asleep, but she knew the that they would awaken soon. Bulkhead, Arcee, and Bumblebee, to take the children to school, Optimus to begin patrol, and Ratchet, to check on his patient. Smokescreen and Wheeljack, they would probably tinker around with Wheeljack's ship. Smokescreen liked hanging out with Wheeljack, who seemed to tolerant him pretty well. Pretty well for Wheeljack anyhow, she thought with a chuckle. Her thoughts turned to Wheeljack. He was getting anxious. He never stayed anywhere for long, and she knew hanging around the base was getting old. He would be leaving soon, and it made her sad. He had saved her life, and Kerri loved him because of it. They formed an unlikely pair, and she felt that their closeness scared him. He had lost a lot of his friends, and was reluctant to take on more. So he stayed away for the most part. The arrival of Ultra Magnus had driven him away even more. He never explained the reason for the rift and she didn't ask. She was, however, surprised at his behavior after Magnus was hurt. Although he didn't care for the commander, he appeared to have gained a lot more respect for him after their battle with the Predacon. For that reason, he had stuck around. He had wanted to make sure Magnus was out of danger before he headed for the stars again. That time had come, and he was eager to go.
Kerri got up and walked over to the medbay. She climbed onto the table, and was met by the brilliant blue eyes of Ultra Magnus.
"Good morning sir. How was your night?"
"I was able to sufficiently recharge," he stated. "I feel fully capable of leaving medbay."
"Ratchet will have to make that decision. I'm not trying to get wretches thrown at me. He will be in soon, I'm sure. In the meantime, is there anything I can do for you?" Kerri asked as she checked his vitals. "No thank you," Magnus stated. "I shall await the doctor."
"Alright," Kerri stated as she climbed down from the table. "Can you tell Ratchet that I went home to shower and change clothes? I'll be back in a few hours." With that, she climbed into her car and headed out of the base.
A few minutes later Ratchet walked into medbay. "Was that Kerri leaving?", he asked Ultra Magnus. "Yes. She said she shall return in a few hours."
Ratchet nodded and turned his attention to Magnus's chart. "Ok, Magnus, let us see about you. You've recovered quite well. I think that I can release you today. Modified duty only, of course," he emphasized. "I don't want you leaving the base just yet. We still have therapy to do on your attachment. You have to get used to using it until I can construct a new servo."
"Affirmative," stated Magnus, as he sat up on the table, just as Optimus walked into the room.
"Alrighty then. Let's start by getting you to stand up. Pedes on the floor. Prime, get ready to steady him." Magnus stood, hesitantly at first. He was wobbly for a second before righting himself. "I assure you doctor I am fine."
"So it would appear", Ratchet said, as he checked his vitals again. "I want you to walk around, get your bearings, but stay in the base. Don't need you collapsing without anyone's knowledge."
"I think that someone would hear me collapsing doctor, but very well. I shall be in my quarters." With that, Magnus turned and walked out of medbay. "It's good to see the commander on his feet again", said Optimus. "Indeed. Now I just need to get his new servo built. We need him out there at full strength."
"Agreed, old friend. Having the Predacon amongst the Decepticon ranks does not bode well for us. How long before you can supply a new servo?"
"Well I've already started construction. A few earth days and I should have it completed. He will need therapy once it is attached, but it won't take very long to have a fully functioning Ultra Magnus again."