TFP: Youngling

Ch.8~ Cybonic Plague

"I found another Autobot distress beacon along with, the location of the Decepticon warship," Ratchet called, I looked up from my datapad as Optimus went to his side.

"How did you penetrate their cloaking technology?" Optimus asked I couldn't help but wonder if maybe we would get a new friend.

"I didn't. I was experimenting with variable frequency wavelengths when I stumble across the two signals. We could finally attack the Decepticons on their base." Ratchet chimed, Optimus nodded but seem troubled.

"The Decepticons can wait, there may be Autobots in danger. Ratchet prepare a medical kit." Optimus stated, Ratchet nodded and began to pack away some tools.

"Stargazer since you'll be the only one in the base I leave you in charge of the groundbridge, you remember how to operate and answer the consoles coms." Ratchet said I nodded quickly.

"Don't worry Rache I can handle this, go make sure the Autobots are safe," I affirmed, he smiled and kissed my forehead as he let me input the coordinates and start the ground bridge.

"Hold down the fort," Optimus ordered, I nodded and saluted them as Optimus went through Ratchet hesitating a moment before following him in once they were safely there I closed the bridge.

"I wonder if anyone else from my ship escaped?" I mused hugging my datapad close. "I hope someone did…"

(Ratchet's POV)

"These ship has been here for centuries, there may be survivors in stasis pods," I stated I turned my light to one dead crew member no this is? "These Autobots didn't perish in the crash, this is a plague ship. Don't touch anything! The virus could still be active."

"Is this Cybonic Plague?" Optimus muttered I nodded looking around in horror.

"It's only contagious if contact is made with infected energon," I added just then I felt Optimus' hand touch my shoulder him leaning weight into me.

Turning I saw him showing early signs of the disease, I scanned and found the source, a body hanging from the ceiling. I quickly rushed us both out as Optimus tried his best to keep up but I practically dragged him. No! No! I need to get him back to base, but the fact I knew lingered in the back of my mind, no cure…

-Stargazer open up a bridge now and clear the med berth. - I called over the comm.

She opened a bridge and I again half-carried Optimus through she looked at us and audibly gasped. Quickly she cleaned off the berth as I dragged Optimus over to it. With my help, I was able to get him to lay down on the berth. I quickly opened a comm with the others.

-Ratchet to everyone, return to base immediately. – I ordered I turned to see Star looking at us tears filling her optics.

I tore my gaze from hers as I set up Optimus with all the monitors I could without risking spreading the disease. Once I had finished that I brought up all his vitals on the monitor. He was not doing good, from what I could tell he wouldn't last until tomorrow. I felt my soul drop and I held my hand over my spark. In less than twenty-four mere human hours I would lose my sparkmate, and leader.

Soon I heard the others race in, they were without their human charges thankfully. Stargazer backed up until Bumblebee knelt next to her holding her to his chest. Bulkhead and Arcee went to my side and looked at Optimus gasping in horror. No, Megatron wouldn't have engineered this disease without a cure, he must have one, but how to get it?

"Doc what's wrong with Optimus?" Bulkhead questioned, I sighed regaining my composure.

"Me and Optimus went to investigate an Autobot distress signal we found, it was a Plague Ship. Optimus was infected with Cybonic Plague, he has less than a day left before it kills him. And the only one who might have any idea of a clue is dead!? Damn Decepticons!" I yelled everyone looked at me in shock as I tried and failed to remain calm.

"You said you saw the Decepticon ship too! Find it and question someone!" Star yelled I looked to see her looking far too serious her voice changing slightly so she sounded almost like Prowl "If it was a Decepticon made disease surely someone else had to know the cure too, there is a seventy-five percent chance someone aboard that ship might have the cure."

"She's got a point if you can still find their ship let's get on their and beat the cure out of them." Bulk added.

"No, this must be a stealth mission, we do not have the forces or resources to take on their entire ship. This will increase our success rate by eighty percent." Star interjected, she sounded exactly like Prowl even though she was trembling and crying.

"Star you're starting to sound like Prowl." Bulkhead stated.

'Bulk Prowl was…' Bee began.

"Prowl was my Sire, and I have a battle computer just like him, I can be our tactician for this mission." She explained, she broke free from Bee's arms. "Ratchet do we still have the location of their ship?"

"Yes," I stated, turning back to my earlier scan getting their coordinates.

"Good, Bee and Arcee you two would be the best for this mission, you enter sneak and try to find a hub to hack into and look for the cure or someone to interrogate." She ordered they both nodded hesitatingly as I opened the groundbridge.

The two race into the bridge and I shut it once they arrived, I felt a tap on my leg. Looking down I saw Stargazer holding up her datapad, I took it and she pointed to Optimus. Nodding I quickly set up his vitals onto the datapad as I used the screens to monitor the signal and have an open comm link with Bee and Arcee. I felt her reach up to grab my elbow-tugging it, I picked her up and she leaned into my chest silently crying.

"Shhh… I've got you sweetspark, everything will be okay." I hushed in a whisper she nodded into me.

"A Prime never breaks their promises, right?" she stated as I patted her head.

"Yes, a Prime never breaks their promises, he will be okay, we find the cure and he will hold out until then." I soothed.

"I will be fine." Optimus croaked out, we turned to him and he smiled weakly.

(Bumblebee's POV)

We returned I felt off, maybe it was just having to go into the mind of the man who stole my voice. The whole time I was in there I felt off, his presence was even more imposing. I had awoken him from his coma, made him aware of his delusions. Arriving back, I saw that Optimus was looking better and would make a full recovery from the disease.

"Good job Bee!" Star cheered, I looked down at her smiling behind my mask.

'Yeah, you did good too.' I complimented kneeling down I rubbed her helm fondly. 'You're just as smart as your Sire.'

"Thanks, Ja always told me that because of how I could kinda talk when I was with him. It was broken, but I could speak as well as when I first got here." She replied, she had a certain sadness I rubbed her helm again.

'Don't be upset, be proud of where you came from and how courageous your creators were.' I soothed she nodded and raced Optimus side as I felt that off feeling again and I shook my helm.