As the movie ended, the bots slowly trickled their way out of the room, Optimus and Bulkhead staying beside Nova, ready in case something happened.
She slowly stepped out, looking around for Ratchet then hummed upon not seeing him :I hope I didn't hurt his feelings...: Bumblebee suddenly turned around and buzzed happily at her :Have you gotten your Earth vehicular mode yet?: Nova blinked then shook her head "I actually haven't yet, it's hasn't even crossed my mind" Bulkhead laughed and gave her back a pat "we can help you pick one out, there's a nearby military base we can go to once the night falls. That's where most of us got our forms...except Bumblebee, you know the kid had to show off" she laughed, looking at the bright yellow bot "oh I know...well you know as a Prime I can pick two vehicle forms.. My body is just designed around one. The second is more of a hologram our Matrix produces" she looked up at Optimus "have you only taken one?" He nodded "so far. I haven't had a need for a second yet" she gave a nod and looked over as they entered the main room, looking up at the time "oh! It's dark out. Looks like we could go out now!" Bulkhead smiled and almost jumped in joy "we're gonna get you such a badass ride!!"
She smiled then quickly frowned "what about Ratchet? Will he be upset if I leave so soon?" Optimus placed a hand on her shoulder "we will all go with you and protect you in case, we will also check with Ratchet first before going. Arcee can you go check his hangar?" The small femme nodded and walked off, only to return a few minute later with a shrug "it's closed and locked" Bumblebee buzzed happily :That means we can sneak you out!!: Nova glanced up at Optimus, who looked very unsure and laughed "I'll take the fall if he finds out" Bulkhead stepped over to the computer, typed something in, and opened the groundbridge "alright! Off we go!" Arcee sat down and waved them away "I'll stay behind to reopen it, just comm me when you're ready" the group nodded then stepped their way through.
As they made their way through, Nova found herself looking at rows and rows of military vehicles "oh my.." she gawked at the sheer number "what is this place?" Bulkhead smirked "it's a vehicle producer for the Earths Military. Just about every ground vehicle they have is made or stored here until it gets picked up and shipped off" she turned and started walking along the rows, her eyes widening in awe. Her eyes fell upon the many different forms of Wranglers, Silverados, Rams, you name it. She hummed, making her way back towards the larger trucks "I like the Semis but I feel they're more of a big mech style...like Optimus" she turned and chuckled, playfully knocking his chest. Stepping down to some of the other trucks, she came upon a Chevy Colorado ZH2. Doing a quick internet search, she discovered it was more of a prototype vehicle and not yet readied for war. She circled it a bit, humming "I like that it's larger than the regular Colorados... not quite a full size but also not a mid size. It's a prototype but nothing my Cybertronian gears can't perfect to a T" she looked up at Bulkhead "what do you think? This badass enough?" He gave a happy nod, giving a thumbs up "absolutely" she nodded, stepping to the front of the vehicle. A few seconds later a bright purple light shone from her optics, scanning over the vehicle "there we go" she stepped back and transformed to her new vehicle, taking a few moments to take her new mode in before driving forward "so, where to now? Any fun places I can test this bad boy out at?" Optimus frowned and took a step in front of her "I don't think you're quite ready for that yet. You need to let that leg heal then you can" she gave a groan, transforming back "fine fine. You are as bad as Ratchet" she teased "I guess let's go back"
Optimus spoke through his comm "Arcee, bridge us back." Within a few seconds, a bridge opened in front of them and they stepped through, back into the base. Novas eyes scanned around then looked back at the group "I suppose it's time for bed" she rubbed her head, closing her eyes "yeah, we can go out and drive around tomorrow" Bulkhead smiled as he made his way towards his hangar "night guys!" Everyone else was soon to follow, muttering their good nights until it was just Nova alone.
She made her way back to the MedBay, sighing "this isn't like Ratchet to not want to do checkups..." she slowly walked into the hallway, passing the break room and coming up to Ratchets door. She gave a soft knock, leaning her head against the door "Ratchet...are you ok?" The sound of silence greeted her and she sighed, turning and walking back to the MedBay, sitting on the ground and leaning against the bed, closing her eyes.
The blue femme sat quietly for a few minutes, deep in thought. She sighed and turned her comm on, the sound of static echoing through her head making her groan, waiting as it cleared up. She connected her channel to Ratchets, hearing the click and knowing he was awake.. "Ratchet...are you ok? You haven't come and scanned me over in a while" once more she was met with silence. She sighed softly "ok..well goodnight I guess" she waiting a few seconds then turned her comm off, leaning her head back against the bed and falling into a recharge.
A few minutes into her recharge, memories started flowing into her processor. The happiest of days when Cybertron was still alive and life was good. She had just become a Prime and her relationship with the young medic was at its peak. She replayed the memories of them walking alongside the city limits, watching the sunset, and even just sitting and chatting in her home. Oh how happy she was... a second later, the large boom of the first bomb rang through her head and the first skyscraper collapsing was burned into her head. She groaned softly, giving her head a shake. The powerful pulse of her spark thudded in her audio receivers. Her dream quickly turned into a nightmare as images and memories of her capture flooded in. The membrane of pain seeped into her and the aching pain in her chassis as the Decepticon medics ripped her child from her body made herself shake and tears form in her eyes. Her nightmare continued for a few minutes until a hand shook her awake "Nova...Nova wake up" her optics opened and she gasped, her body visibly shaking as she looked up at the red and blue Prime kneeled in front of her "what's wrong...I could feel your disturbance in your matrix" his eyes were full of concern as he looked down at her. She gave a whimper then wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in his neck as she sobbed her heart out. He sighed and frowned, wrapping his arms around her and sending waves of comfort through their matrix connection "it's ok.. let it out.." he privately commmed Ratchet, telling him to come over immediately.
A few moments later, Ratchet emerged and quickly made his way over "what happened? Is she hurt?" Optimus shook his head "I don't think so. I believe she had a nightmare, she's very shaky." The medic stepped forward and scanned her over "her spark is beating too fast" Optimus gave her a squeeze then slowly stood up, sending more comforting waves to her, waiting until she was calmer then slowly pulling away "you're ok. Just catch your breath and let Ratchet take care of you" She whimpered softly, looking over at the medic then hugging him, resting her head on his chest. His eyes widened a bit, unsure what to do then wrapped his arms around her, sighing as Optimus left the room "what was it...a nightmare?" She nodded slowly, her breathing steadying. He rubbed her back for a second then slowly sat her on the bed "here, drink some energon and let yourself calm down. You don't have to go back to sleep. I can go put on another movie for you if you'd like" his spark ached deeply for her, he had never seen her so upset. She nodded, avoiding eye contact "ok... I'll go do that" he handed her a small cube of energon then walked into the break room, quietly turning on a documentary movie then returning to her, gently leading her into the room "there's a soft chair in the corner. Take it easy. I'll leave you alone, you can comm me if you need me" he turned and left, going back to his hangar.
She took a sip of her energon, humming to herself at his words.. :So he was awake when I commed him...:
For the next hour she sat watching the documentary. It was about the worlds oceans and she watched the many special of fish swim around the screen. As the movie ended, she set her empty cube beside her and stood up, sighing. She was calm but didn't feel any better. She just wanted to be alone...she hated drawing attention to herself and knew they all knew why she was upset...especially Ratchet.
She stepped out to the main room, and seeing no one was awake yet she transformed and drove down the tunnel, out into the dark vastness. She switched her location off, turning her radio on and drove along the roads, clearing her mind.
After an hour or so, the sun began to peak over the horizon, breaking the darkness. She drove into a canyon, transforming and jumping up to the top of the ledge, finding a spot that was hidden from the towns view and sitting on the edge, looking at the rising son. She leaned down against the dirt, resting her head on a rock and taking the view in silently. Her mind had finally began to calm and her body relaxed "Primus...a Prime shouldn't act like this...we all have our burdens and problems...why are mine any different??" She angrily mumbled to herself, ashamed she even got upset over a nightmare. It was all in the past, yet it still haunted her like it was still happening.
With a heavy sigh, her eyes closed and she fell into recharge. The sun had broken over the rocks, shining a yellow glow on her, warming her plates and melting some of the snow around her as a new day begun.