Ch. 6

"What's your home like?"

"Huh?" Bud blinked and looked down at Miara. The little otter-girl was leaning against his bed, her head resting in her webbed hands. Her large brown eyes were fixed on Bud as she asked with a smile,

"Your home; what's it like?"

"Uh, well, it's..." Bud found himself returning Miara's ever-present smile. "It's certainly not as metallic as your planet is."

"I imagine so, given that you're organic like me."

"Yeah, about that." Lenny raised an eyebrow at Miara. "I thought you said you were an Autobot."

"I am."

"You don't look like a robot."

"Oh!" Miara laughed. "No, I am a member of the Autobot faction." Miara tapped the sigil on her harness. "I'm just not a Cybertronian. I'm a Teron."

"What's a Teron?" Lenny asked.

"I am."

"She's got you there, Len," Chad said with a weak chuckle.

"So, then, you're not a native of Cybertron, are you, Miara?" Bud asked.

"No. I was born on Holtus, but I've lived on Cybertron since I was an infant."

"What about the rest of your people? The other Teron?"

"Optimus told me that when I was born, my home planet had been destroyed by a plague. That's why my grandfather Solero had him take me back to Cybertron."

"Optimus? Isn't he your leader?"

"Yes. Optimus is our Prime and I am the Prime's offspring!" Miara beamed with pride.

"...what?"

"You..." Lenny stared at Miara.

"You're the leader's daughter?" Chad managed to raise his head about an inch off his pillow in surprise.

"Optimus has called me his sparkling since he brought me to Cybtertron and I couldn't be prouder to be his sparkling." Miara's tail thumped against the metal floor as she spoke. "In fact Optimus had me wait here with you while you were still deactivated; he thought you'd feel better if you had a fellow organic to greet you."

"To be honest, Miara, that was a big help," Bud admitted. "Thanks."

"My pleasure. A lot of Autobots who have to come to Med Bay feel better if I'm with them."

"Can't blame them. You'd be a big hit in the hospitals back on Earth, especially with kids," Chad said.

"Right, your planet's called Earth." Miara tilted her head. "Do you have any cities or is it completely organic?"

"Oh no, plenty of countries have cities."

"Countries?"

"Yes." Bud paused as he considered the best way to explain his planet's geography. "Earth is mainly composed of water, but there are numerous large landmasses that are called continents. Many of those are divided into smaller territories called countries."

"Oh, I see. Are there many countries?"

"Lots. And all of them have their own languages and cultures and climates."

"But... you're all human, aren't you?"

"Depends on who you ask," Lenny muttered.

"Hmmm?"

"Never mind!" Bud shot Lenny a reproachful look before turning back to the little Teron. "Yes, Miara, humans are humans, no matter their country."

"What's your country called?"

"The United States of America. We usually just called it America or the USA."

"What is a 'state?'"

"Uh, well, see, sometimes countries are divided into smaller territories like a..."

"Like a colony?"

"Exactly!" Bud nearly sat up, but a shudder of pain ran through his head and he decided laying back on his pillow was the better idea. "In fact, the first thirteen states in America were once the colonies of a country called England."

"Are they not anymore?"

"No way." Lenny puffed up his chest somewhat. "We declared our independence and now we're a free country! Americans all the way."

"And what about England?" A small flicker of worry crossed Miara's furry face. "Are the people of England angry at you?"

"Oh no, that war was long ago," Bud explained. "England and America are allies now."

"That's good." Miara smiled again, but there was a sadness to her expression. "It's never good for a war to rage on. If your enemies can become allies, that's a wonderful thing."

"You sound like you know more about that subject than most," Chad said.

Miara nodded. "Optimus will explain more to you, but... Cybertron has been in the midst of a civil war for some time now."

"With who?"

"The Decepticons."

"The... what?"

"Decepticons. They're led by Megatron and they seek to rule all of Cybertron according to Megatron's ideals." Miara shuddered. "They'll do anything to achieve that goal and they don't care who they hurt."

"Are we in danger?" Lenny's eyes were wide in his face.

"Oh no, not here." The Teron walked over to Lenny's bedside, reaching out to place a hand on the stunned astronaut's arm. "Iacon- that's our central city and where we are now- is under Autobot control and we're going to do everything we can to keep it that way. The Decepticons attack us, true, but we will always fight them off to protect the city's civilians. And right now, that includes you."

"Uh... thanks." Lenny seemed to calm somewhat at the Teron's touch. "Wow, you are good at making people feel better."

"I'm glad I could help you." Miara suddenly straightened up, her long ears quivering a bit. An even bigger smile split her face as she turned to the door of the Med Bay. Bud, Lenny, and Chad turned their heads just in time to see the door slide open to admit a new Autobot.

Despite everything he had seen in the past few minutes, the sight of the approaching Autobot was enough to take Bud's breath away. Taller than Ratchet, the massive figure's metal body was painted in gleaming shades of red, blue, white, and silver. Between his broad shoulders and bulky legs, Bud could easily imagine this robot utterly tearing his way through a hoard of Vermicious Knids and squashing them into mushy paste. Yet at the same time, the aura of gentle calm that radiated from the Autobot was as reassuring as a parent's presence after a nightmare. The huge robot knelt down, lowering his head close to the astronauts' beds, but still keeping enough of a distance so as not to overwhelm the much smaller humans. His blue eyes shone in his face and though his mouth was covered by a silver mask, Bud could almost sense the kind smile on the robot's face. When he spoke, his voice was deep, but soft.

"Please do not be afraid. As our medic Ratchet has assured you, you are in no danger here."

"Y-yes. He told us." Bud couldn't take his eyes off the robot's face. "You wanted to see us?"

"Yes. My name is Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots."

"Autobots. That's a faction of Cybertronians, isn't it?"

"It is." Optimus's eyes shone with amusement. "I see Miara has explained a bit about our people to you." The Autobot turned to view the little Teron, who had darted over to lean against his leg, and ran a finger affectionately over her back. Miara leaned into his touch, gazing up at Optimus with adoration.

"Our friends have told me a good deal about their planet too," Miara said. "It sounds amazing."

"Indeed it does." Optimus turned back to the astronauts. "Did Ratchet also inform you that I have contacted the leader of your country, one President Lancelot Gilligrass?"

"We heard," Bud answered. "But how did you manage that? Miara told us we're very far away from Earth."

"And so we are. I had one of my scientists craft a satellite that we sent into orbit closer to your planet. That way, we could pick up any communications from Earth from here and I am pleased to report, the satellite works perfectly. President Gilligrass has been informed of your location and wishes to speak with you once you are up to it."

"Probably to make sure we're still alive."

"Lenny!"

"He was worried, especially considering recent events." Optimus stroked the top of Miara's head as the Teron looked up at him. "President Gilligrass informed us about your run-in with creatures he called Vermicious Knids. From the sound of it, you were lucky to escape alive."

"I'll say we were." Bud shuddered at the memory. "Horrible things, Vermicious Kinds. Big, slimy egg-shaped beasts that were looking to devour anything that came their way. And they'd invaded the Space Hotel we'd just launched. That was a nasty shock, I can tell you."

"I'm sure. I am sorry that lives were lost during what should have have been a routine mission."

"Yeah, they didn't deserve that," Chad said softly. "And if it hadn't been for Mr. Wonka and his Great Glass Elevator, we wouldn't be here today."

"Yes, the tale your President told was... interesting, to say the least." Optimus kept a hand curled around Miara as he spoke. "I am not familiar with the creatures who attacked you, but if they are a threat to your planet, we are more than willing to help."

"That's kind of you, but apparently, Vermicious Knids can't enter Earth's atmosphere without burning up. We saw it happen."

"And the ones in the hotel your President told me about? I doubt all of them left."

"The President thought of that too," Chad replied with a weak chuckle.

"I'll say he did," Lenny added. "He had NASA drop the temperature in the hotel down to a deep freeze. Huh, any Vermicious Knids who stayed behind are icicles now."

"Are these Vermicious Knids weak to cold?" Miara peered over Optimus's protective hand. "You mentioned they can't stand intense heat, but aren't there organic creatures who can resist extreme cold by shutting their systems down? Are the Vermicious Knids like that?"

"I... I don't know." Bud turned to glance at his fellow astronauts. "Fellas?"

"I didn't hear anything about that," Lenny said.

"Me neither. Never occurred to me to ask," Chad admitted.

"Miara brings up a good point." Optimus gazed affectionately at the little Teron nestled close to him before turning back to Bud. "I will bring that up to President Gilligrass when next we speak. If there are still Knids left in your Space Hotel, it might be best if my Autobots and I handled the situation for you. I'm sure we can come up with a plan to keep them away."

"That would be a big help. Thank you, Optimus Prime."

"Of course. Now, I know Ratchet is bringing you food and water from your ship; are you feeling well enough to eat?"

"We could all use water, that's for sure. We should probably eat, but I don't know about Chad." Bud glanced over at the astronaut, who was trying to lift his head off his pillow with little success.

"I see." To Bud's surprise, Optimus reached over and placed a finger gently under Chad's back. The astronaut tensed, but despite his massive size, Optimus was able to carefully support Chad as he placed another finger over Chad's chest. Slowly, the Prime lifted the wounded man into a sitting position and placed Chad's pillow back under his head for support. The sheet briefly fell away from Chad's bare chest, showing a patchwork of bruises and a diode taped to his chest where his heart was. This was, Bud saw, what the wire attached to the beeping machine was connected to and he was willing to bet that both he and Lenny were fitted with similar devices. Optimus pulled the sheet back up again, covering Chad's chest and hiding the wire from view. "Is that better?"

"Yeah, a lot better. Thank you."

"Good. I know Ratchet has you on bedrest for the time being. Hopefully, proper nourishment and rest will help you recover enough for him to give you clearance to leave the Med Bay."

"And after that?" Lenny asked, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"We are in the process of trying to send you home. Until we can do so safely, you are free to live amongst us. Wheeljack, the scientist who made the communication satellite, is in process of repairing your ship. When you need to recharge and refuel, you may use that as your accommodations."

"Does us returning safely have anything to do with the Decepticons?"

"Ahh, Miara explained the state of our world to you?"

"Just a little," Miara said. "I wanted them to know they're safe here."

"Which, from the sound of it, we won't be if Megatron gets his way," Lenny said.

"Yeah, but Miara also said that this city was safe," Chad reminded him.

"And that you Autobots would fight to defend it."

"And we will," Optimus assured them. "Iacon is the heart of Cybertron and Megatron will continue to fight to claim it. He and his Decepticons also continue to search out as much energon as they can and will attack any who do not pledge their loyalty to the Decepticon cause."

"Kinda makes it hard to trust people who call themselves Decepticons."

"It does seem that way, doesn't it?" Optimus agreed, nodding at Bud's words. "However, Megatron named his faction Decepticons not because they wish to deceive others, but as a reminder that they will no longer be deceived by anyone." Despite the Prime's facemask, Bud couldn't deny the heavy sorrow that filled Optimus's silver face. "And believe me, my friend, Megatron had a good reason for that belief. Had he stuck to it, I might have chosen to fight alongside him as a Decepticon."

"What stopped you?" Lenny asked.

"Eventually, Megatron decided that his own desires were more important than what was best for all of Cybertron. He became so convinced that he and he alone was right that he views any criticism of his beliefs as a desire to subjugate him once again. Now Megatron wishes to rule Cybertron with an iron fist and all who defy him will be destroyed." Optimus shook his head and pulled Miara a little closer to him. "I wish it did not have to be, but I have little doubt there will come a day where Megatron and I will meet in combat where only one of us will survive. And so long as I can fight, I will do whatever I can to ensure the safety of all of those under my protection."

"So, Megatron's one of those, huh?"

"You have encountered leaders like him before?" Optimus asked, glancing over at Chad.

"Not personally. But throughout Earth's history, plenty of people have risen to power because they hated being oppressed, they overthrew their government to put themselves in power, and then turned right around to do the same thing as the people they got rid of."

"Has this happened to you?"

"Nah. Our government's pretty balanced. President Gilligrass has more power than most, but it's the people who elect him and he can only serve for a specific amount of time. Plus, many policies have to be cleared by other governing boards and while the president can push some policies through, others can vetoed."

"Much like a Senate."

"You have a Senate too?"

"We did once. Unfortunately, they..." Optimus sighed. "Their views on daily life were very limiting for bots. As I said, Megatron had a good reason for rebelling, but if I could, I would help form a new Senate to serve under me. I still hope to do so one day, if this war of ours ever ceases."

"How long has the war gone on for?"

"By your count, several million years, give or take."

"Several million years?" Bud could have sworn his eyes nearly popped from their sockets.

"How long do you guys live?" Lenny asked, his jaw hanging open.

"With proper maintenance and energon, a good long while. Far more than an organic creature."

"And do Teron live that long?" Chad asked, looking over at Miara who was still cuddled up to Optimus.

"Miara is a very recent addition to our family unit," Optimus explained. "A routine mission in search of energon yielded me an offspring. And believe me, I couldn't be happier for it." Optimus chuckled, ruffling the dark fur on Miara's head as the Teron laughed and hugged the fingers encircling her.

"Energon?"

"Energon is the lifeblood of any Cybertronian. It used to be in abundant supply here, but war drains resources quickly. Thankfully, we discovered energon could be found on other planets and thus, we regularly schedule missions to search for it."

"That's what we were doing when we found you," Miara explained. "That planet- you called it Mars?"

"Yes."

"Mars has minerals that can be made into energon."

"And did Holtus?"

"Perhaps once, but Holtus was a dying world when we arrived and the energon was tainted," Optimus answered. "Miara was but an infant and had we left her on Holtus, she would not have survived."

"Good thing you got there in time, then."

"Very much so." Still, Bud noticed a peculiar sadness filling Optimus's face as the Prime gazed down at the Teron he clearly loved so much. There was obviously more to the story than Optimus was willing to share and whatever it was, it was unpleasant.

Miara mentioned a plague that killed her people. I wonder... oh, God, what did Optimus see?

"Ratchet's coming."

Bud looked up at Miara's words. Sure enough, the Chief Medical Officer had returned to the Med Bay with a small tray in his hands. Of course, small for an Autobot was still massive compared to a human, but as Ratchet knelt down, he laid the tray down on the floor beside the three berths.

"Oh good, you're sitting up."

"Actually I had help with that," Chad admitted, looking up at Optimus.

"Do you still have trouble moving your head?"

"Yes."

"Well then, let's see how you respond to some much-needed nutrients." Ratchet indicated his tray where, Bud was amused to see, a collection of ready-to-eat meals sat steaming alongside what looked like beakers full of water.

"At least we're a little used to serving organic foods." Ratchet nodded at Miara. "And thank Primus you're willing to try and eat normally. Some of your Earth medics were talking about feeding you via needles and tubes and I am not at all comfortable with trying to attempt such a procedure as of yet."

"Good. I hate needles." Lenny shuddered.

"Might want to get used to the idea; NASA will want to do a full blood lab on us once we get home."

"Ugh, don't remind me, Bud."

"Now now, making sure you're in good health should trump a bit of discomfort," Ratchet said as he held the tray out to Lenny.

"Hey, if you ever had to undergo an IV, you'd be singing a different tune." Lenny picked up one of the heated plastic trays, a beaker of clear water, and a brightly wrapped object. "Alright, you brought us some Wonka bars."

"They were in your food storage. According to your Earth physicians, what you call sugar should be eaten in limited quantities, but a bit of it can help your body recover after a shock or after blood loss."

"And nothing beats Wonka chocolate." Bud eagerly took his own meal, shuddering with delight as the familiar feel of the candy bar's wrapper under his fingers. "Ahh, reminds me of home."

"Even more of a reason for you to enjoy it then," Optimus replied.

"I'll say." Bud glanced over at Miara. "Can you eat chocolate?"

"What is chocolate? Is it like an energon cake?"

"A what?"

"A type of sweet we make here on Cybertron."

"Wow, you guys even have your own candy." Chad laughed a bit as Ratchet set a small table by his bed. "We should let Mr. Wonka know."

Optimus let go of Miara as the Teron stepped forward toward Bud, her velvety nose twitching as she sniffed the wrapped treat. She gave a high-pitched squeak, covering her nose and taking a few hasty steps back.

"Oooh, that smells like an energon cake with not enough energon."

"What?" Lenny looked up from a bite of steaming chicken and rice.

"Interesting. You find the smell of that Earth confection offensive, Little Sandstorm?" Optimus asked.

"Yes. It smells... heavy. That's the best way I can describe it."

"Huh." Bud glanced at the colorful candy bar. "I've never heard that before."

"Wonder if you'd prefer Earth fruits instead," Chad mused.

"Plenty of time for that. Right now, you need this." Ratchet held a beaker of water carefully between his fingers as he raised it to Chad's lips. "Drink; you body needs fluids. Now, do you think you can eat on your own?"

"Yeah, I think so." Chad's voice did sound stronger after the draught of water. "I still can't move my head much, but I'm sure I can hold a knife and fork."

"Then I will leave you to your meals. Once they've finished, Ratchet, will you look our friends over again and let me know if they are up to speaking to their president?"

"Of course, Optimus."

"Thank you. Come, Little Sandstorm." Optimus scooped Miara up in his hand and held her against his chest. "It's getting late; you need a bath and your own meal. Recharge time after."

"Yes, Optimus." From her perch, Miara waved at the three astronauts. "Feel better. I'll probably see you tomorrow morning."

"Have a good night, Miara." Bud waved at the Teron. "And thank you for everything, Optimus Prime."

"Rest well, my friends." Optimus inclined his head at the three astronauts. "And remember, you are safe with the Autobots."