Ch. 3

Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots and stalwart defender of Cybertron, had seen much in his time, but he firmly believed there were still plenty of wonders to be found in the universe. Take Holtus for example. What had happened to the Teron was a tragedy, to be certain, but the discovery of their existence had yielded a wealth of information about a previously unknown race. At the very least, the precious knowledge and culture of the Teron would be preserved on Cybertron for all to see. But more precious as far as Optimus was concerned was the discovery of the infant Teron Miara and her grandfather's request that she be taken in by the Autobots. The idea of raising an organic child had been a daunting one, but now Optimus couldn't imagine life without his sparkling. Said sparkling was currently nestled on Optimus's shoulder as he tapped away at his monitor, but the Autobot leader knew Miara's gaze was focused on the door to the Med Bay.

"I'm sure Ratchet will let us know what's happening soon," Optimus assured Miara now. "Thank Primus their vessel had some medical information, but he is still working with an unknown species."

"I know." Miara nestled closer to the side of Optimus's helm. "I just hope they'll be okay."

"As do I." Optimus tapped a few more keys on his monitor, his optics narrowing as he stared at the screen in front of him. "Wheeljack, how are you coming along?"

"Nearly done, Prime." A burst of sparks punctuated Wheeljack's words, but the inventive Autobot looked pleased as he stepped back from his work bench. "Okay, this should do it."

Optimus turned to view Wheeljack's work. On his shoulder, Miara sat up and curled her tail around Optimus's armor as she peered down at the scientist. In his hands, Wheeljack held a simple triangular satellite that was already softly humming and blinking a red light in a steady rhythm. Another burst of sparks jumped from the shiny metal, but a few gentle taps from Wheeljack's finger quickly put the device to right.

"This should last last several vorns and I can always send another one to replace it if I have to. Think it'll take that long to contact whatever planet those creatures came from?"

"I don't know, but whatever these creatures are, they managed some form of intergalactic travel. Surely they will have established a means of communication with their home planet during missions." Optimus nodded at the satellite. "If we can send your satellite into orbit near where the vessel was found, I'm certain we could at least attempt to radio wherever it was they came from."

"We'll figure it out one way or another. Just let me know when to send this little beauty through the space bridge and I'll have it online in an astrosecond."

"Thank you, Wheeljack. One moment." Optimus tapped into his radio. "Jazz, report in."

"Loud and clear, Prime," the lieutenant's voice replied. "Perimeter check of Iacon shows no Decepticon activity nearby."

"Good. I was worried Megatron would notice we've used a space bridge several times today, but perhaps he has other matters to attend to."

"I think that was because of the mishap with the energon conductors Starscream and Thundercracker tried to steal," Miara piped up.

"Yes, I think so too, Miara. But if Megatron is willing to steal unstable conductors, it means he's either desperate or planning something particularly awful for Iacon. Either way, we must stay alert. Sense anything, Little Sandstorm?"

Miara sat up, sniffing the air and tilting her head to feel the vibrations of the Autobot's main base. "Nothing out of the ordinary," the Teron confirmed with a smile.

"I thought so, but I always value your input, Miara." Optimus smiled and reached up to stroke the top of Miara's head with the tip of his finger. The Teron nestled closer to the side of Optimus's helm at his touch, her worry for the strange new creatures temporarily alleviated. Hopefully, there would be more good news soon, but the sooner the Autobots could find out just what kind of species they were dealing with, the sooner they could get said species the help they needed.

"Ironhide? We're ready on our end."

"Loud and clear, Prime!" Ironhide's voice answered through the radio. "We're watching over here."

"Go ahead, Wheeljack." Optimus nodded toward the space bridge. Wheeljack made a few adjustments to the satellite he held and the device began to hum a little louder, its metallic form quivering slightly in Wheeljack's hands. The scientist narrowed his optics and gently tossed the satellite through the portal. In an instant, the device vanished and a few seconds later, Ironhide's voice came through the radio once more.

"We see the satellite and are able to access it through our communicators. Can you here us back on Cybertron, Prime?"

"We certainly can. Anything else to report, Ironhide?"

"Not much. Other than that strange ship, we haven't found any other signs of life. A good amount of minerals, though, and a possible source of water."

"That could be useful in the future. For now, take only what you can carry and we'll see how well the minerals you found can convert to usable energon. We can always return to the planet if we need to."

"Understood. Over and out, Prime."

No sooner had Optimus ended his communication with Ironhide than the door to the Med Bay opened. Ratchet, Chief Medical Officer of the Autobots, stepped out into the room with a weary sigh.

"Are you alright, Ratchet?" Optimus asked as the medic approached him.

"Yes, I'm fine. Just happy that the worst seems to be over."

"And our new arrivals?"

"Stable, Optimus," the medic answered. "Right now, that's the best way I can describe them. They're pretty banged up, but I did the best I could."

"You always do, old friend."

"At the very least, I have some experience working with organic life forms." Ratchet smiled and patted Miara's head. "And while there are similarities I noticed between Miara and my newest patients, they seem to be a little more delicate than the Teron were."

"What are they?" Miara asked.

"According to their medical files, the species is known as homo sapiens or 'humans.' Like you, Miara, they are carbon-based lifeforms with a calcium frame. However, their lack of fur means their framework can be more easily damaged."

"I noticed that," Miara said with a nod. "They only had a little fur on their heads and it looked pretty thin."

"That's because it's not fur at all; it's a protein-based substance called hair and while humans do grow it over a majority of their bodies, it can actually be more of a hindrance than a help in terms of healing. Unlike a Teron's fur, human hair can actually infect open wounds and thus, their healers are advised to remove it before treating the damaged area."

"Did you have to do that?"

"No. Most of their surface wounds weren't in danger of infection, as far as I could tell. But all three of the humans suffered damage to their skeletal frames. I was able to repair the damage using minimal invasive care and their frames seem to be healing, but it will be a while before they're back to full strength. Right now what I'm most worried about is the possible damage done to their processing units, what humans call their brains."

"Was Inferno correct in that they depend on oxygen?" Optimus asked.

"More than correct. Apparently, even going a short time without oxygen can cause permanent damage to a human brain. Thankfully, their vessel had sufficient oxygen and the humans continued to breathe even while deactivated. Unfortunately, they haven't come back online and from what information their medical files had, damage done to their helms can also badly affect a human's ability to function. These humans have surface level damage to their helms, but considering that they have yet to reactivate, there could be much worse damage done to their brains. I won't know for sure until they reactivate." Ratchet paused, then added,

"If they reactivate. From what I was able to learn, sometimes damage done to a brain can cause humans to go offline even if their bodies are healing."

"Is there any way you can reactivate them, Ratchet? Any way you can determine if their brains are that badly damaged?"

"I'm monitoring the situation as best I can, Optimus. I will say that while the chance of the humans going offline is unlikely given that the damage to their helms was easy to treat, the chance is still there. Plus, I don't know how a healthy human brain functions in comparison to that of a Teron. I'm hesitant to try some of our usual methods for fear of causing them any more harm."

"Would energon help them?"

"That's something else, Little Sandstorm. Apparently, energon is toxic to humans."

"What?"

"Yes. Like Miara, humans have blood and before I sealed their flesh, I took a sample of blood from each of them. Human blood cells also depend on oxygen and I admit it was fascinating to see how they reacted when given more or less oxygen. However, when I exposed the cells to liquid energon, the blood cells became distressed and died off. So no, an infusion of energon will not help them. But what they will need is water; apparently, humans are even more dependent on water than Teron are."

"Is that right? Well, Ironhide reported that the planet we found the humans on has quite a large reserve of water."

"Maybe that's why they were there," Miara said. "Or at least, why they were headed to that planet when they ran into the asteroids."

"It's certainly a possibility," Optimus agreed. "Hopefully, we'll be able to get some answers from wherever it was they came from. Wheeljack was able to create a satellite that should help us communicate with their home planet. Perhaps we can get more medical information for you, Ratchet."

"That would be a big help and the sooner, the better."

"I don't know." Wheeljack was back to examining the spaceship the humans had occupied. "Quite frankly, I'm surprised this ship managed to launch, never mind survive an asteroid storm. The technology is so primitive; I hope their communication systems fare better."

"I'm sure the humans did their best with what they had and that likely applies to their methods of communication as well. The fact that they managed to get as far as they did is commendable. But let's focus on helping the ones here on Cybertron. Ratchet, is there anything else we can do?"

"Not at the moment. Right now, we have to let them rest and hope they wake on their own."

"Might I see them?"

"Certainly."

Ratchet led Optimus into the Med Bay with Miara still perched on the Prime's shoulder. The Teron's nose twitched at the familiar scent of the Med Bay, which was thankfully mostly unoccupied. Ratchet had sectioned off a small alcove of the room with a fabric curtain and he pulled it back to reveal three small recharging berths he had fitted with extra fabric for cushioning. The three humans were each laid out on a berth, their bodies covered with thin sheets and their heads slightly elevated. Wires stretched out from under the sheets and connected to three smaller machines, each of them steadily beeping softly in the quiet room. The humans' optics were closed, but their chests rose and fell as they recharged. Their pale faces were marred with black and purple patches and one of the humans had a thick square of white material taped to his forehead.

"That's called gauze, by the way," Ratchet clarified. "I found it alongside their medical supplies, along with a good amount of disinfecting fluid. I've treated their wounds with that alongside my usual method of cauterization and it seemed to have worked well."

"What happened to their helms?" Miara asked, peering down from Optimus's shoulder.

"Bruising; it occurs when an organic creature is affected by blunt force trauma that extends past their body's first layer of defense. You've had some instances of it in the past, Miara, but your fur mitigated the worst of that kind of damage."

"I wonder why humans don't have fur then. That could have really helped them."

"And they clearly need all the help they can get right now." Optimus knelt down to take a closer look at the deactivated humans. Aside from a few light twitches, none of them stirred much. Optimus reached out and laid a finger lightly against the shoulder of the human closest to him. The human groaned slightly and his optics appeared to flicker, but he still didn't wake. Still, Ratchet leaned forward with a relieved look on his face.

"That's more activity than I've seen previously. Perhaps that one will reactivate soon."

"I hope so." Optimus glanced down at the frail-looking creature. "Do not worry, friends. You are safe here and I promise we will do what we can do get you home."

"It's what we do," Miara added, her tail wagging slightly.

"Yes. Although, perhaps this is more of a job for you, Sandstorm."

"What can I do?"

Optimus held out a hand and Miara slid expertly from his shoulder into his waiting palm. Stroking the Teron's back, Optimus set her gently down on the floor beside the human's berth. "I think," he said as Miara looked up at him, "that if our new friends are close to reactivating, they will feel more at ease with a fellow organic here to greet them. Would you mind waiting with them here for a bit while I try and contact their home world?"

"No, Optimus, I'd be happy to if you think it'll help them feel better." Miara favored the Prime with a huge smile.

"I do think it will help. If anyone can put someone at ease, it's you, Miara."

"Your presence has been especially welcome to those in the Med Bay in the past," Ratchet added. "Given that these humans are not only injured, but far from home, I won't be surprised if they'll be more than a little distressed upon reactivating. Anything we can do to alleviate those fears would be helpful; the last thing a healing body needs is more stress." The medic consulted the the machines the humans were attached to once more and nodded. "For now, though, let them rest."

"Very well." Optimus rose back to his feet. "Wheeljack's satellite should be able to pick up any broadcasts from the humans' home. Ratchet, I want you to stand by while I attempt to reach their planet. You can give those in charge a full report of their companions' current conditions and they can provide you with any more medical information you need."

"Right, Prime."

"I'll let you know if anything happens, Ratchet."

"Thank you, Miara. I'll come by a little later to check on the humans and to give you your post-mission checkup."

"Okay."

"And let us know if you're uncertain about anything they humans may say or do if they reactivate, Miara."

"I will, Optimus. I hope you manage to find the humans' home."

"We will. One way or another, we will."

Miara watched as Optimus and Ratchet left the Med Bay before turning her attention back to the humans. They were still asleep, but the one closest to her, the one Optimus had spoken to, was moving about a little more on his bed now. A few more groans issued from his mouth, but the machine he was linked to continued to beep steadily. The Teron crept forward and placed her hands on the padded berth as she watched the human's bruised face contort and relax as though he was having a nightmare. Miara stretched out her arms and laid her upper body atop them, pressing herself gently against the human. Though he was still covered by the sheet, the human seemed to relax at the feeling of Miara's furry form. Smiling, Miara gently nudged the man's arm with her head, as she often did to a recovering Autobot. The human sighed contentedly, but his optics remained closed. Despite his not reactivating, Miara had a feeling that it wouldn't be long before the human woke and when he did, she would be here to help him. Optimus had promised the humans the Autobots' help and Miara was going to make sure the humans knew that promise would be kept.

After all, she was the Prime's offspring.