Ch. 18

"You idiot!"

"But Lord Megatron-"

"This energon is fake!" Megatron kicked one of the energon cubes, spilling thin pink liquid all over the floor. Had it been proper energon, no Decepticon would have let a drop go to waste. However, given that there was next to no value in the fluid currently soiling the Decepticons' base, everyone's attention was fixed on their raging Warlord barring down on Starscream.

"I was in the heat of battle!" Starscream protested. "And you couldn't tell the energon was false either, Megatron!"

"I was too busy doing battle with Optimus Prime, something you wouldn't dare to attempt! Remind me, Starscream, how many Autobots did you defeat today?"

"You ordered me to find out what the Autobots were hiding! I found the energon!"

"And had you stopped to think for an astrosecond, you would have been able to tell that you had been tricked!" Megatron seized his sputtering second-in-command by the throat and pulled him close. "Did it not occur to you, Starscream, that the Autobot you had been chasing led you right to their supposed stockpile rather than doing his best to lead you away from it? And were you not at all suspicious when the Autobots defending said stockpile simply ran for their lives rather than fighting you off? Did that not give you even the slightest idea that this was their plan?"

"You didn't realize it either!" Starscream managed to stammer out as Megatron shook him furiously.

"Had I been the one to discover the Autobots' stash of energon and witnessed their actions, I would have caught on right away. You absolute idiot, Starscream; we launched an attack on Iacon for nothing!" Megatron tossed Starscream to the floor, but his underling was undeterred.

"You were the one who called us to retreat, Megatron! For all your planning, you certainly weren't willing to fight Optimus Prime to the death! Had I been in charge, I would have led us to victory!"

"Bold words coming a Decepticon who could not see through a simple trick!" Megatron glared down at Starscream before straightening up and addressing the rest of his army.

"We attack Iacon again tomorrow."

"What?"

"Attack again?"

"Lord Megatron, you are wounded!"

"We're all wounded, Soundwave!" Starscream struggled to his feet, holding his chasis where the black scorch marks were still visible. "We need time to repair ourselves!"

"And the Autobots need time to repair the front gates to Iacon, which they will not get!" Megatron's optics were resolute and his tone brooked no argument. "Wounded or not, every Decepticon at this base will follow me to Iacon tomorrow where we will make the Autobots pay for their ruse and discover what they're really hiding. Those who resist will remain at the base, permanently! Any objections?"

A few of the Decepticons traded looks, some of them clutching at the wounds they had received, but none of them spoke.

"Good." Megatron favored them all with a grim smile. "Then I expect all of you to be ready at first light tomorrow."

"Aren't you overlooking something, Lord Megatron?"

"And what might that be, Starscream?"

"The Autobots were ready for us today, but if we try and attack tomorrow, Optimus Prime's little dust devil will alert them before we get in firing range."

"How right you are, Starscream. And how fortunate that I did not overlook that fact!"

"What? But how do you-"

"Rumble!"

"Yes, Lord Megatron?"

"I have a job for you. Listen well and do not fail me!"
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"... and so, that was how Mr. Willy Wonka and his new apprentice saved us from the Vermicious Knids."

"A fascinating story," Optimus replied. The Autobot leader strolled down the mostly-deserted halls of the base with the three astronauts on his right shoulder and Miara curled comfortably on his left. "And he is going to provide us the same kind of energon he used to power his vessel?"

"From the sound of it, yes."

"How kind of him. I hope we'll be able to thank Mr. Wonka properly one day." Optimus paused, leaning against the wall with a sigh as he gazed out one of the windows at the still Cybertorn night.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Miara asked. The Teron nuzzled her head against her guardian's helm and lightly licked his metal cheek. "You sound like you're still in pain."

"Just a bit sore, Sandstorm." Optimus ran the tips of his fingers lightly over Miara's back. "Ratchet did an excellent job, but I and a good many others will still be feeling the aftereffects of today's battle for a bit longer."

"You should probably get some rest," Chad said softly.

"We all need to get some rest." Optimus's blue optics narrowed slightly as he peered out at the softly glowing city spread out before them. "Not only are we going to send you home tomorrow, my friends, but we must remain on guard. Megatron and his Decepticons suffered heavy wounds today, but damaged front gates are too tempting an opportunity to pass up. I'll have to make sure we are safe from a surprise attack before we can risk opening a spacebridge."

"You know, if there's too much danger for you to risk sending us home, I'm sure President Gilligrass won't mind waiting a day or two for us," Bud said softly.

"I'm sure he wouldn't and believe me, if I thought you were in danger, I wouldn't risk sending you back to Earth," Optimus answered. "But the longer you remain here, the greater the chances of the Decepticons learning about your home." Optimus sighed again and resumed his slow stride down the hall. "And once we establish regular communication with your Space Hotel, Megatron will most certainly find a way to try and take it for himself."

"And Earth, too, probably."

"So, either way, we're up the creek."

"I beg your pardon?" Optimus raised an optic ridge at Lenny.

"He means we're in trouble no matter what we do," Chad clarified.

"Not necessarily. I'm organizing a full-time Autobot defense for the hotel. They'll likely have to link a ship or station up with the Space Hotel, but you'll have protection from Decepticons or any other hostile lifeform."

"Which means Space Hotel USA can now boast about being the safest place on... well, not on Earth, but close enough to it," Bud chuckled.

"We will certainly try to make it so. And I would very much like a chance to meet your president in person."

"He'll certainly want to meet you."

"And from the looks of it, Vice President Tibbs wants to meet you, Miara." Chad leaned forward to send a grin in the Teron's direction.

"Oh yes. She seems nice."

"That's because you're adorable. Most humans can't resist cute furry creatures."

"The same holds true for Autobots, if I'm being honest." Optimus smiled and ruffled the top of Miara's head as the Teron giggled and leaned into his touch.

"Do you have a lot of furry creatures on Earth?"

"Yes. Actually, Miara, you look kind of like an Earth animal called an otter."

"Really? What are they like?"

"They're great swimmers and pretty intelligent animals from what I've heard. They don't have long ears like you do, though, nor can they talk."

"Is that right?" Optimus looked interested. "In that case, I'd say Earth bears more looking into than I thought. Sadly I can't speak much for Holtus, but Cybertron has its own collection of flora and fauna I wouldn't mind comparing to what Earth has to offer."

"Ratchet mentioned that. Pity about the war affecting so many of them."

"Yet another reason why I hope to end this conflict sooner rather than later. But so long as Megatron wishes to take Cybertron for the Decepticons, we Autobots will fight to stop him."

"We'll help you too, if you'll let us."

"I appreciate the offer, Bud, and perhaps there will come a time when humans and Autobots will unite against the Decepticons. But I would just as soon not let you get involved in our conflict. As I mentioned, you have neither the weapons nor the experience to repel a Decepticon attack."

"I don't know. It wouldn't shock me if Mr. Wonka could come up with an idea or two that would trip Megatron right off his big metal feet."

"Is that right?" Optimus couldn't suppress a chuckle at the image. "Now that would be a sight to behold. And from what I have managed to gather, you humans are capable of amazing things. There's clearly far more to you than meets the optic."

"You don't know the half of it."

"I'm sure I will, one day. But today is at an end, my friends, and we all need to recharge."

Because the Med Bay was full, Optimus had sequestered off a small alcove of the Autobots' living quarters for Bud, Lenny, and Chad. Wheeljack had provided a thick rubber mat large enough for all three men to sleep on and Ratchet had kindly donated a few hospital blankets. A few bottles of water from the men's ship were placed by the mat along with their toothbrushes. Optimus allowed the men to step from his shoulder onto his hand before setting them down on the floor.

"Ahhh, that's better," Bud sighed after taking a big gulp of water. "Anything else you need us for, Optimus?"

"No thank you. You three get some rest; if you need anything during the lunar cycle, press the red button on the right wall to speak to the medics in Med Bay and they should be able to assist you."

"Will do. Goodnight."

"Rest well, my friends."

"Thanks, you too."

"See you in the morning, Miara!" Chad waved at the little Teron.

"Goodnight!" Miara waved back before stepping into Optimus's offered palm. The Teron sighed with contentment, snuggling against Optimus's chassis as the Prime made his way back to their private room.

"Perhaps I should save your energon cake for after your morning meal tomorrow, Little Sandstorm."

"Okay, Optimus." Miara's voice was little more than a sleepy whisper.

"I thought so." Optimus carried his sparkling over to his recharge berth and stretched out on the warmed slab. "I'll have to end my recharge a bit earlier than I'd like, but I have quite a bit to do once the solar cycle begins."

"Do you think the Deceptions will attack us tomorrow?"

"I do. Which is why I want you and the three humans to stay close by the base tomorrow until I am certain we can open the spacebridge safely."

"Yes, Optimus." Miara yawned, feeling the gentle pulse of the Prime's spark doing its best to lull her fully into sleep. "I'll do whatever I can to help."

"I know you will." Optimus sounded as tired as Miara was. "We have much to do tomorrow." His finger stroked Miara's cheek once more as he whispered a few last words to the Teron. "The day has ended and now I take my rest."

"I know tomorrow I must face another of life's tests." Miara smiled, both from the Prime's caress and the familiarity of the words.

"I have won the battle, but the war it yet goes on."

"And this way it shall remain..." Miara's voice trailed off as slumber claimed her, leaving Optimus to finish.

"Until the day when all are one. Goodnight, my sparkling."