Shockline was having the best time of her life. She was currently following Ironhide and Mirage around base chattering on about anything that crossed her mind. At this current moment, she was chattering on about some cartoon, called Dragon Tales, she had convinced Midnight Express to watch with her. Ironhide was continuing the conversation by asking different questions, much to Mirage's annoyance.
"So, Zac was afraid of going to the doctor for a splinter and-"
"Shockline."
"Yeah?" Mirage paused. She was staring up at him with wide optics. The first time in what felt like forever for the mech, he thought through what he wanted to say.
"Why don't you find out what W.A.R.S. is doing?"
"Okay!" She shouted. Shockline left the two spychanger mechs staring after her as she took off down the hall. Singing some human child song at the top of her lungs with no care about being on key.
Mirage turned and started walking. Ironhide right behind him, grinning audio receptor to audio receptor. "What," Mirage finally snapped, hearing Ironhide chuckle. "What's so funny?"
"Nothin'. Just wouldn't have believed that side of you existed." The white and blue spychanger rolled his optics behind his visor before ignoring his friend entirely. "You think W.A.R.S. is going to know it was you?"
"..."
"MIRAGE!"
"There's something telling me that the answer is yes."
Later that evening as Optimus was waiting for the final two Autobots to return from patrol to call another team meeting. Tonight was his turn to get the younglings to bed and he's come to realize that he may be getting up there in age if his exhaustion was anything to go by. Shockline and Axewing were the ones who gave him the most trouble.
Shockline had constantly told him that she wasn't tired and had questions, then had more questions about the answers to those questions. Axewing had another meltdown and proceeded to destroy the rec room. It'd take possible hours to fix the furniture and possibly more to get rid of the holes in their walls. Terrorwave just doesn't talk much, but she hid for hours on end. Cruncvh was the easiest to deal with, but it was alarming to see how much responsibility he tried to take for each of the other younglings.
"Optimus," T-AI announced. "RapidRun and Tow-Line have returned from patrol. Do you want me to call the meeting?"
"Yes, T-AI. Make sure they know to not wake the kids." T-AI nodded before taking on a look of concentration. Optimus stood, mulling over his decision as the Autobots filed into the command center.
"What's up, Optimus?" Sideburn and Prowl stood near the front as X-Brawn made his way through the door at last. "More Predacon nonsense?"
"Not quite, but I've made my decision for younglings," That caught the attention of everyone. The ones who were dozing in the back snapped to attention and Skid-z had finally stopped fidgeting. "I know we haven't found any information about the younglings and I fear if we wait any longer to provide them a guardian, the consequences would be harmful."
"The Spychangers are willing to help in anyway possible." Hotshot announced, the rest of the Spychangers nodded. Optimus was surprised to see W.A.R.S. and Mirage's nods, but he supposed the younglings had a way to worm their way into anyone's sparks.
"I think we all agree that we'll do anything possible for the kids," Railspike added.
"Good." Optimus turned his head to look at everyone. "Heavyload, you mentioned something about Axewing."
"The poor mechling," He started. Hightower and the yellow dump truck shared a look. "He has so much bottled up and nowhere to release it. He's an incredibly good kid, but he needs a someone to teach better way to handle things. The pent-up energy isn't helping him. I'm thinking if he has things to keep him busy, it'll help a lot."
"I see. Wedge, do you think the build team can handle him?"
"Absolutely! You can count on us," The young leader shouted. "No one can handle this better than the build team."
"Then, it's settled. Heavyload, Hightower, I'm assigning you to Axewing. He'll need your guidance." The two mechs released the breath that they didn't realize they were holding. Grimlock reached and shook their shoulders in celebration. "Make sure you discuss everything with him tomorrow. We want as open communication with them as possible."
"Hey, Optimus," Sideburn started. Drawing everyone's attention. "I was wondering..."
"Yes?"
"Do you think we could take Terrorwave? I mean, she already really likes us and she talks to us the most."
Prowl smacked his younger brother upside the helm, "Don't be rude. Optimus will decide who's the best for each youngling and it's not our place to question orders."
"Come on, Prowl. We all saw you reading to her in the rec room. You can't say you don't like her too." Optimus looked to X-Brawn silently asking his opinion.
"Ya know, I ain't gonna complain. The little femme's quiet, but I think she'll fit right in. Besides, if I can wrangle in Sideburn, we can take care of Terrorwave. Plus, Sideburn's chomping at the bit for some responsibility."
"Then, X-brawn, I'm releasing her into your care."
"We'll discuss it first thing with her," Prowl said. Although he tried to hide it. Everyone could tell he was relieved. "She'll be trained by the very best."
To everyone's surprise, Mirage tapped Hotshot on the shoulder. The leader turned to stare down his soldier before turning back to his superior, "We'd discussed this for a long time."
"To the point, we were ready to disable someone's vocalizer." Hotshot turned towards W.A.R.S. in irritation. "WE all agree that Crunch would do best with us."
It wasn't long before Optimus had agreed to give them the young mechling. Assigning Mirage and Ironhide as the guardians. Which took Mirage by surprise, but he's not displeased. Tow-line and Skid-z had pointed out that they were willing to help with the younglings but weren't able to fulfill their duties and take care of Shockline. Leaving her in the care of the trains, much to Midnight Express' delight.
"Midnight Express, would you like to be her caretaker?"
"I can't imagine a higher honor," The bullet train crowed. "She'll have the absolute best that I can provide."
"Then, it's decided. The younglings now have guardians and will receive their bonds tomorrow. Autobots, dismissed." Optimus couldn't show it outwardly, but he felt pride in his Autobots. None of them had thought of the situation, but they had all stepped up in ways even Optimus didn't expect.