Chapter Text
“Cometstorm do you sense anything,” Ravage asked slightly annoyed.
“Like I’ve been telling you, the only spark I’ve sensed since we got into this forest is yours,” Cometstorm said, trying not to sound annoyed.
“Well it seems like the autobot signal Soundwave picked up lead nowhere. Probably was just a lone bot who left this place as soon as he got here. If I was him I would have the same. This rain is fragging annoying,” Ravage said as the rain came down even harder.
“Let’s get going then I know how much you hate the rain,” Cometstorm said as she heard a rustling sound from the bushes behind her.
That’s when a small kid walked out of the bushes holding a sharpened stick obviously scared but trying not to show it.
“I thought you said we would run into any humans out here,” Ravage growled.
“Well there shouldn't be any around here; the nearest trails and campgrounds are miles away.
“Are you so you didn’t read those human maps incorrectly again,” Ravage said angrily.
“After that disaster of a mission I have done way more research on human maps so I assure you I didn’t read the maps wrong,” Cometstorm said defensively.
“Okay I say we get rid of this annoyance,” Ravage said, standing to step towards the kid.
“Not so fast Ravage that humans just a kid. Even if she told anyone about seeing us other humans would probably just chalk it up to an active imagination. Also the poor kids probably lost why else would they be out here all alone,” Cometstorm said calmly to Ravage then asked the kid “What’s your name little one?”
“It’s Rose, Rose Cantwell. I went camping with my dad a while back but he left without me. I got lost trying to find him,” Rose said, trying to sound confident but failing miserably as she started crying.
“That’s a beautiful name. Don’t worry Rose, you're going to be okay. My name is Cometstorm and the grumpy cat over there is Ravage. How long have you been out here,” Cometstorm asked, sitting down as Ravage rolled his optics.
“I don’t know but I ran out of snacks and got hungry so I tried catching fish. I’ve managed to catch a few. Do want to see how I did it there’s a creek nearby,” Rose said happily.
“That’s okay you don’t have to show me. Would you like to come with us? We can help you find your father if you would like,” Cometstorm asked as Ravage stood under a large tree trying not to get even more wet.
“I’ll come with you but I’m not sure my father wants me back. He was really angry at me while we were camping. It’s my fault though I know he doesn’t like me talking to him,” Rose said, drying her tears as Cometstorm and Ravage noticed the faint scar on her shoulder that looked like it could have been caused by a knife.
“Don’t worry if he doesn't you can stay with me. A brave kid like yous father shouldn’t be angry at his kid for something like that,” Cometstorm said quietly.
"You think I'm brave," Rose said surprised.
“Yeah kid you are. But I want to did your father ever hurt you,” Ravage said, trying to hide his concern.
“Not on purpose,” Rose said, moving her shirt to try and cover the scar.
“Don't worry Rose. Let’s just not just stand in her in the rain I'll get you someplace dry,” Cometstorm said as she heard the unmistakable sound of a ground bridge portal opening.
“Cometstorm Ravage have you discovered the source of the signal,” Soundwave asked as he stepped out to the portal and Rose hid behind a bolder.
“No we have not. It appears the source of the signal is long gone by now,” Ravage said.
“We did find something else though,” Cometstorm said as Rose stepped out from behind the boulder.
“Okay I don’t see why you are showing me this human. I get they’re a kid and shouldn't be out here alone but that’s for other humans to worry about not you,” Soundwave said, concern slipping into his voice the more he looked at Rose.
“I was wondering if I could take her back with us,” Cometstorm said calmly.
“You can for now but Cometstorm you should take her to the human authorities as soon as possible. Others might not be so understanding,” Soundwave said, then sighed as he walked back though the groundbridge with Ravage following him close behind.
“Don’t let Soundwave scare you he may seem grumpy but he is one of the most caring bots I know. Come on the groundbridge isn’t going to stay open forever,” Cometstorm said, noticing Rose had hidden behind one of her legs.
As they stepped through the portal Cometstorm marveled once ago at the bravery of this young human. It was clear to her that Rose had been through hell yet she had only known Cometstorm for a extremely short time and trusted her enough to go with her. Especially considering not even most deceptions who had been around her for way longer the Rose didn’t even trust her. She hoped she could prove herself worthy of that trust.
“Soundwave has informed me that you have brought a human on board. I hope you didn’t intend on keeping it. Humans make terrible pets,” Shockwave said coldly when they arrived on the ship.
“I know Shockwave let me just lead her to my habsuite for now,” Commetstorm said, slightly annoyed as she started walking towards there with Rose staying close.
“I am not a pet,” Rose angrily said as soon as they were out of Shockwave sight.
“No you're not. I’m sorry about him. Shockwave isn’t the kindest bot. Something bad happened to him a long time ago and he's been that cold to pretty much everyone ever since,” Cometstorm said as they entered her habsuite.
“What happened,” Rose asked.
“Something to awful for a kid like you to hear about,” Cometstorm said softly.
“Oh okay,” Rose said, looking around the mostly empty room.
“I’m sorry there's not much in here. I usually stay on my own small ship but it’s currently having some repairs done,” Cometstorm said apologetically.
“That’s okay. Wait, you have your own spaceship,” Rose said excitedly.
“I do, it's called the Burning Melody and it’s not the best ship but it is mine,” Cometstorm said proudly.
“I can’t wait to see it,” Rose said, yawning.
“You will see it soon but we’ve both had a long day, so we should be going to sleep,” Cometstorm said calmly.
“Sure,” Rose said sleepily as Cometstorm got a data pad off the shelf.
“Goodnight Rose,” Cometstorm said, lying down on her bed and starting to read the datapad.
“Night,” said curling up in a ball on the floor and quickly falling to sleep.