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Chapter Text

Rules to Survive N.E.S.T

1. Rin and Ella are not married, dating, or in any other type of romantic relationship. 
   1. They are what humans refer to as ‘Platonic Soulmates’.
2. Lennox and Epps are not dating or in any other type of romantic relationship- despite what Sara Lennox claims. ( She is joking) 
3. Mikela and Sam are dating and they don’t appreciate people who ask them to get married.
4. My Big Fat Greek Wedding is banned from base.
5. Don’t assume human relationships at any time. 
   1. The human couples are Will and Sara Lennox, and Sam and Mikela. (At least the human couples in which both people know of the autobots.) (Unofficially Ella and Epps, but those two haven’t gotten their acts together yet)
6. Don’t assume Autobot relationships at any time.
7. The Conjux of the Autobots are:
   1. Ratchet and Drift
   2. Ironhide and Chromia
   3. Optimus and Elita One
   4. Jazz and Prowl
   5. Wheeljack and Bulkhead
   6. Knockout and Breakdown
8. The list of guardians and their humans goes as such:
   1. Sam with Bumblebee
   2. Miles with Barricade
   3. Lennox Family with Ironhide and Chromia
   4. Figs with Sideswipe and Sunstreaker
   5. Epps with Jazz and Prowl
   6. Mikela with Mirage
   7. Cade with Optimus 
   8. Rin with Drift and Wheeljack
   9. Ella with Elita One and Ratchet
9. The bots do not choose their humans, none have been able to explain the choosing process other than ‘a feeling’.
10. Well not all humans have guardians and visa versa with not all bots having humans- certain humans and bots still have close friendship. Examples being Soundwave and Rin or Will Lennox and Jazz.
11. Similarly to rule 8- some bots and humans don’t get along either. An example being Barricade and Mikela. One could use the example of Galloway- but everyone hates him regardless of their species.
    1. Hats off to Ella for her fantastic left hook meeting Galloways jaw.
12. It was agreed that Ella needed no other guardians than Rin, Elita One, and Ratchet. However due to her incredibly kind  nature she is protected by everyone on base- human or bot. The medical personnel and the Seekers in particular are extremely protective of her because of her condition.
    1. The Seekers have also all claimed a bond with the unborn child- his or her future guardian is of course still a mystery. 
13. The Wreckers are all fond of Rin and aren’t afraid to scare the shit out of anyone messing with her.
    1. She gave them all weapon upgrades and they’ve sworn loyalty to her ever since.
14. Breakdown was reinstated as a Wrecker during his time under supervision.
    1. He and Bulkhead also fixed their relationship and became great friends once more.
15. The officers are all protective of Annabel Lennox- they would do anything for her and Primus and God have mercy on the fool stupid enough to hurt her.
    1. Rin, Ella, and Mikela all have a special bond with her as well- Annabel knows them as Auntie Rin, Tia Ella, and Aunt Mikela. They are the only three humans outside of Will Lennox that are allowed to babysit without supervision.
    2. Ironhide is also allowed to babysit-but only if he’s with another trusted Autobot such as Optimus or Prowl.
16. The Seekers are all fond of young humans. Do not mess with them in front of Seekers.
    1. Will Lennox had very conflicted feelings over the Seekers (mainly the ex-Decepticons) being around his daughter until they saved her from being nabbed by Shockwave.
17. Knockout and Breakdown are also fond of the young humans who they call squishies. Annabel is actually quite fond of them in return.
    1. She told Knockout he was the prettiest Bot and he literally swore on the spot to kill anyone who ever hurt her. 
18. Don’t question Rin about her caffeine addiction. Ratchet tried once. He did not try again.
    1. Ratchet was warned several times by Ella-he got what he deserved.
19. Don’t question any human about their caffeine addictions- they aren’t fans of the “it’s bad for you” speech.
20. Ella is not naive because she is friendly- Ratchet refuses to patch up bots or humans foolish enough to treat her like she’s dumb. 
21. Ella is also not a teenager- she just seems younger because of her bubbly personality. (She’s actually 24). 
22. Cade and Epps took on a sort of human parental role for Rin once she settled into base life, she will jokingly call them Pops and Dad. 
    1. (It became an unspoken rule to never bring up the time she had a nightmare and called Epps ‘Pops’ when she woke up terrified. None of the three are quite ready to discuss it and Rin has her own stuff to sort out before ever considering calling another person father)
23. Rin will always be open to talk about her work- however very few will actually be able to comprehend what she is talking about until one reminds her to ‘speak English’.
    1. If you need her to quote “dumb it down”, ask nicely and politely. Galloway nearly fainted after the glare he got from Optimus when he rudely shouted at her in a meeting for ‘speaking gibberish’.
    2. Newbies on base especially, it takes them a minute to understand that Rin is quite actually a genius- not a mad woman. (Seriously, 205 IQ) 
24. Don’t ever insult Ella. Rin will deal with you personally. 
    1. Seriously- Sunstreaker made the mistake of insulting Ella when he first met her and Rin welded him to the ceiling.
25. Rin is friendly- but not social. She will talk to you though if you start the conversation.
26. NO ONE SHOULD EVER ALLOW BUMBLEBEE ENERGON SWEETS.
27. Optimus will at times just zone out people talking to him when they start being stupid.
28. Crosshairs is not allowed to ‘demonstrate’ acrobatics for humans. 
29. Prowl is not allowed to do random inspection on the lower ranking officers without permission and justified cause.  
30. Red Alert does not understand phone alerts and notifications. He thinks they are all different alarms and will spring into action should he hear a phone go off.
31. Crosshairs and Drift are close frenemies. Some days they are like brothers, other days they go cut-throat at each other. 
32. No one-regardless of species- can swear around Annabel. She’s learning both Earth and Cybertroian swears rather fast and Mrs. Lennox is pissed. 
33. Don’t ever insult Rin. Ella will deal with you personally.
    1. Crosshairs snapped at her to keep her ‘science nonsense’ to herself once. No one heard from him for three days until he stumbled back into base-confused and dazed. Ella had a deadly grin on her face.
34. Ella is social and usually drags her friend everywhere with her- much to Rin’s dismay and the rest of the bases’ enjoyment. 
35. Lennox doesn’t enjoy socializing- but Epps also drags him everywhere- much to everyone’s amusement. 
36. Epps, Sam, and Ella have a good friendship where they are constantly talking and being social. Lennox, Miles, and Rin have a friendship that they call ‘A Support Group for the Friends of Extroverts”. 
37. Ella is equally as protective of Rin as Rin is of Ella- arguably even more so.
    1. It was later discovered by Ratchet that when the pair had found out Ella was expecting- Rin put her foot down and told Ella that until the baby was born she was the one that’d be protected in any emergency.
38. Ella does not appreciate people touching her stomach when asking about her baby. Rin is the only exception. 
    1. She will however let any bot curious enough to GENTLY feel her bump- she knows that they’d never hurt a baby/sparkling. Also any human that asks politely and is already friends with her.
    2. Blurr was so excited when he felt the baby kick when he touched Ella’s stomach and he radiated what Rin called “happy puppy energy”. Ella now considers Blurr her adopted alien child. 
39. Don’t ask Ella about her baby’s father. 
    1. One it makes her sad which makes her guardians panic slightly. Two it’s none of your business. 
40. Don’t ask Rin either-she will not talk about Ella’s personal life unless it is vital or she is given permission by Ella.
    1. Only Ratchet knows the full story outside of the two-and all the rest of the base knows is that he was very angry after hearing it.
41. The only reason Ella has not committed acts of violence is because she’s five months pregnant. I can confirm she keeps a list of targets for afterwards. 
42. The only reason Rin is not the ruler of Earth is because she has social anxiety.
43. Cade is not allowed to ‘kidnap’ any of the resident base members so they can get out of base for a bit.
44. Prowl is not allowed to kidnap a guardian’s ward to test the guardian’s reflexies and tracking abilities. 
45. Sideswipe and Sunstreaker are not allowed to play Hide and Go Find Your Ward. Meaning the ‘game’ where they take all wards and hide them before telling the respective guardians they have one hour or the ward will be lost forever. 
    1. Ratchet nearly murdered the twins. 
    2. Optimus was going to let him get away with it too.
46. Soundwave and Rin run a gambling pool between themselves- no one knows what they gamble about. They just randomly groan and hand each other money at odd times. 
    1. It drives us crazy because we have no idea what they are gambling on or if it’s one big prank to mess with us all.
47. Rin’s choice of fashion is none of your business. She works in a lab for Primus’s sake. 
48. Ella's choice in fashion is also none of your business.
    1. Who the hell cares if she’s fond of pink and wears it everyday? The Autobots never change color and you don’t complain about them!?
49. Anyone who attempts to question or complain about Mikalea’s clothes will not be aided once she gets her hands on them.
    1. Legend has it that Mudflap’s screams can still be heard echoing around the hallways.
50. Stop judging the females and femmes on what they wear/their armor state. 
    1. Elita One was furious and Rin got really self conscious. Then we had the job of stopping both Elita One and Wheeljack- who make a rather scary and unusual team.
51. Nobody talk to Fig when he’s watching Coco- he’ll either start crying or he’ll punch you.
52. Disney films are banned from base after the infamous Frozen fiasco. 
53. As soon as Wheeljack took on a female ward- he did his research. He is now a proud feminist (After Rin explained to him what that actually entails, the internet is vast and often confusing)
54. Ratchet and Wheeljack made all bots attend a mandatory lecture regarding human anatomy.
    1. All Bots were absolutely horrified as Ratchet badly described a period as “a timespan of a week when a female’s internal organ rips itself apart to prepare for a human sparkling’. 
55. Rin and Will made all humans attend a lecture on bot anatomy.
    1. Many humans were scarred as many humans didn’t know Bot’s interfacing was the same as human sex. 
56. Don’t interpret the femmes and females during Girl’s Night.
    1. Rin, Ella, Mikela, Sara Lennox, Acree, Chromia, and Elita One need some time away from the mechs and the males.
    2. The mechs and the males are perfectly capable of keeping everything and everyone together for a few hours
57. Optimus Prime is not a God to Cybertronians, so stop telling rookies you’re taking them to meet God. It freaks them out a bit, they never know what to believe after being introduced to alien robots who transform into cars. 
58. Wheelie is not Mikela’s pet, he is her friend/guardian. 
59. Mirage and Mikela have a slightly more professional relationship than most guardians have with their humans- but Mirage is newer to Earth and he’s still getting used to it all. Mikela helps him out and their relationship works just fine with them.
60. Knockout and Ella are best friends and can both be found talking about fashion constantly. They are both also shameless gossips.

Chapter Text

Rule 56

The femmes and females of the base were tired of mech and men alike. Mikela and Elita One were tired of their over-concerned partners. Sara Lennox was tired of keeping up with her job and raising a toddler alone for the most part. Arcee, Ella, Chromia, and Rin were just tired of dealing with the males.

They all cared for their partners and their friends dearly- but Primus and God forbid- both mech and men could just be exhausting to work with constantly. The femmes were ridiculously tired of the men of Earth treating them differently because of ‘gender’, and the females of Earth were tired of dealing with the Cybertronian mechs and their stupidity. They all needed a break before they committed murder. 

“Elita, if one more man asks about my armor plating- I’m killing them,” Chromia hissed as the group of femmes walked down the hall to the med bay. Elita One nodded wearily as the soldiers stopped to stare at them, some of their eyes drifting in areas they should not. Arcee let out a small growl as well, clearly itching to give the humans a piece of her processor. Elita One put a firm hand on her sister’s shoulder. “Easy Cee’, we’re almost at the med bay,” she said quietly and the youngest sister calmed slightly.  The three soldiers were feet away from the med bay when they heard enraged shouting. “- AND YOU THOUGHT YOU COULD OUTRUN HIM?!? I SWEAR TO ALL THAT IS HOLY YOU ABSOLUTE SLAGGING PIECE OF SHIT-” The sisters exchanged curiously looks before quickly walking into the med bay. They were met with a furious Mikela, Rin, and Ella the first of whom was breathing heavily after screaming at Mudflap- who had half his arm on the table. Separate from his body. “It’s not my fault the crazy blaster went off the rails!,” Mudflap protested weakly and Rin held up her welder threateningly. “ So help me God- I’ll call Crosshairs in here to finish the job,” Rin snarled, “ After I’ve welded you to the ceiling!!”

Elita One took this as a good time to announce their arrival. “Perhaps you should see Ratchet about the arm,” she said loudly, drawing attention to herself. The girls’ faces lit up immediately as Mudflap’s paled. “ Uh, of course sir- madame- uh General,” he stammered before scoping up his arm and dashing out the door. Elita One heard Chromia scoff but was too busy kneeling down to say hello to three of her four favorite humans. “ Elita! It’s been too long,” Ella said warmly, taking Elita’s hand and giving it a hug. Elita smiled at her ward. “ That is has, I hope things have been going well around here.” The mood of the women darkened and Arcee raised an optic. “ Men, mechs, I want to beat them all over the head with a hammer,” Mikela hissed. “Count me in, I’ll weld their asses together so they can’t get away,” Rin hissed and scowled, “ If I get one more stupid bot in for a stupid prank-” “Or some soldier trying to hit on me or coming for medical attention because of something ridiculous-,” Ella continued furiously. “ Or one more overprotective boyfriend trying to convince me to go to college like a normal person and leave behind N.E.S.T.-,” Mikela finished. Chromia chuckled darkly. “So we’re all in agreement then,” she mumbled. Rin sighed heavily, her face dropping from anger to tiredness. “ I need some girl time- some girl and femme time if you three can make it,” she said, smiling weakly at the Cybertroian women. “Couldn’t agree more,” Arcee said brightly and the rest of the group grinned. “ I’ll call Sara too- she sounded like she could use a bit of a break from Annabel,” Ella said, taking out her phone. “Great, I’ll let Optimus know we are leaving for the weekend- pack a bag femmes,” Elita called happily as the females all moved to prepare for a break away. Elita smiled widely before disappearing out the door and walking to the main hangar- where she knew a certain Prim would be working. “As always,” she muttered to herself, a bang of loneliness in her spark. 

She reached the hangar in record time and she immediately saw her conjux speaking with the human leader, William Lennox. Sara’a conjux if Elita remembered correctly. Making her way over, she sent a ping to alert Optimus of her presence. He turned with a rare smile as she got to him and Elita couldn’t help but return the grin. “ Elita,” he said gently, grasping her hand softly. “Optimus,” she greeted, embracing the warmth from her sparkmate that chased out the previous feelings of loneliness. “General Elita,” Major Lennox greeted and Elita gave him a polite hello. She usually was fond of the human soldier, but her limits with men today had been met. “ Optimus, I am taking my sisters along with Rin, Mikela, Ella, and Sara Lennox off base for the weekend,” she stated, giving her conjux a look that clearly said this was not up for debate. “Yeah, Sara just got off the phone with me,” Will said joyfully, “Told me I finally got Annabel for the weekend alone.” Elita One grinned softly at the young father’s excitement for time alone with his daughter. “ I am glad as well that you’ve finally decided to heed my advice and take a small break,” Optimus said warmly, but Elita felt a pang of annoyance fling through her. “Believe me, sweetspark , this break is not just off your ever wise advice,” she said cooly, crossing her arms. Optimus shifted nervously, a usually amusing act that was uncommon for the warleader. “ Of course not, I-” “ I’ll see you in a few days,” Elita One said, deciding to end their conversation there, “ We’ll catch up when I return.” She turned and walked out, comming her sisters to meet her at the secondary hangar.

Optimus watched confusedly as she left, feeling like he’d missed something. Will watched in amusement. “ No worries big guy,” he said chuckling, “ I think Elita and the other women just need a solid break from the guys.” “But why?,” Optimus asked helplessly and Will couldn’t help but burst out laughing. “ Cause we exhaust them,” Will snickered, leaving the mech to his confusion as he went to grab his daughter. 

A few hours of driving later, the group pulled into a small resort- located deep in the mountains. “ And you guys are sure you’ll be fine in your holoforms?,” Sara Lennox asked worriedly as the four humans were joined by three more humans. Elita smiled at Sara. “Yes, the drive here satisfied our need for movement after a week of space travel,” she assured, adjusting her holoform’s jacket. “Plus we can still feel everything in these forms so that hottub will be just as effective,” Chromia grinned, popping her knuckles. 

The three femmes all had almond colored skin with dark hair, the truly physical divide being the clothes, hair, and eye colors. Arcee had on a light pink jacket with dark skinny jeans and sneakers with a buns on either side of her head and amber eyes; well Chromia had a blue sports bra on with a silver cardigan and silver leggings with a high ponytail finished with a silver scrunchie and dark blue eyes. Finally Elita had on a simple dark pink tank top with a denim jacket and dark gray jeans with twin French braids and deep, brown eyes. 

“Let’s get Girl’s Weekend off to a start then!,” Ella cheered and the group walked in, laughing and enjoying the time they had together.  Later on, all seven females were resting in the large hot tub, chatting aimlessly about recent events, funny pranks, or in Ella’s case- terrible dates.

“ Just no hygiene, smelled like a barren,” she shuddered as she finished her recent account of dating to Elita, “ Plus he was a piece of shit from the moment he saw I was knocked up.” Elita scowled. “ You told him you were while you were just talking though,” she argued and Ella groaned, tilting her head back. “ I know,” she muttered, “ I sure can pick em.” “ You know if you asked Epps out he’d say yes,” Rin said slyly, nudging her friend gently in the arm. Ella flushed red and sunk lower into the water as the women around her chuckled and giggled. “ Please, I don’t think Epps thinks of me like that,” she protested weakly and Rin scoffed dramatically. “Oh please- that man paced the entire time you were gone on that train wreck of a date. Surprised the floor doesn’t have a mark.” Ella spluttered, splashing some water at Rin. “ Never hurts to ask,” Chromias said teasingly, “ Worse comes to worse Ratchet can just induce some amnesia.” The group laughed and settled into a comfortable silence. “ So why don’t you ask, in all seriousness,” Sara questioned gently and Ella looked down sadly. “ I really would- but he’s been so supportive and understanding with me as a friend during this entire pregnancy and I just- I don’t want to ruin that.” “ I can understand that,” Mikela said comfortingly, “ But truly- I really think he likes you Ella.” Ella smiled softly, a small blush on her cheeks. “Maybe, but for now, I don’t want our bond to change,” she said quietly before brightening up with a mischievous grin, “But off my sad love life and maybe onto yours?”

Mikela groaned and the group laughed once again. “Sam keeps trying to get me to leave,” she muttered, “ Doesn’t think that this life is good for me permanently.” “Tell him to frag off and that it’s your life,” Arcee said simply and Mikela rolled her eyes fondly. “ Like, I understand to some level- I mean he’s almost seen me die twice now,” she said before glancing over at the two bonded femmes, “ Don’t know how you or Elita have survived millions of years of war with Ironhide and Optimus.” “Believe me- there is a reason Elita leads a separate squad from Optimus,” Chromia snorted, “ And there is a reason I’m on that squad instead of with the Autobots on Earth full time.” “Yeah, in the early days of the war, I nearly murdered Optimus because of his overprotectiveness,” Elita grumbled, “ And I’m pretty sure Chromia actually put a dent in Ironhide’s skull before he got the message.” “Indeed I did,” Chromia said proudly,” Never let him get it fixed either so that the reminder stays with him- I can protect myself just fine.” Rin gave her a round of applause and Chromia did a dramatic bow.

“ How about you Sara? Any trouble in paradise?,” Ella asked. “ Well, toddlers are never easy, but thankfully Annbel is a near angel most of the time,” Sara sighed, “ Just… hard with Will gone all the time, you know- having to tell Anna that Daddy can’t come say goodnight right now but not being able to tell her it’s because he’s in medical with shrapnel in his lungs or he’s in a meeting to discuss how our planet might be destroyed…..” A tense silence filled the room before Rin broke it. “Well you’ve done an amazing job, and should you ever want a night alone with Will, just give me a call and I’ll gladly babysit,” she offered and Sara smiled. “ Might take you up on that soon.” “Believe me- it’s a wonder what a good night alone can do,” Chromia said, winking suggestively. Sara gasped in mock shock as Ella snickered. “ Speaking from experience ‘Mia?,” she asked innocently. Chromia smirked and gave a small shrug. “ Maybe, maybe not.” “ Answer is yes,” Arcee whispered loudly, “ She came back to the shuttle last time with such a spring in her steps-” “Oh like you don’t sneak off to “hang out” with Bumblebee,” Chromia teased. “ You and Bee, Arcee? I can see it,” Mikela said laughing as Arcee’s face flushed. “ Just a couple times… you know, stress and war stuff and all that…..we both just needed a solid one night stand….” Elita smirked at her youngest sister. “ That and your raging- what do humans call it? Crush? You’re raging crush on Bumblebee for yearrrs now.” “ Okay fine, I like him a lot,” Arcee admitted, a small smile on her face.

“ So Arcee is crushing/sleeping with Bumblebee, I’m dating Sam, Sara is married to Will, Elita with Optimus, Chromia with Ironhide, and Ella is in a situationship with Epps…… so Rin- looks like you’re up,” Mikela teased as the youngest female avoided the eyes on her. “Anyone caught your eye?,” Chromia asked teasingly, “ I mean the newer humans do seem around your age…” “ Or since you also like girls we can work that route too,” Ella said playfully and Rin chuckled. “ For now- I’m more focused on my work and my friends, but I know who to call should my mind change.” The women smiled and Rin gave a small huff as her eyes closed in contemplation. “ Besides- anyone I did date would have to go through Drift, Wheeljack AND Ella.” “ So definitely no weak minded beings,” Elita snickered as Rin snorted. 

The girl’s all enjoyed their time together, but as all good things, their escape came to an end. Pulling back into the hangar, Elita could feel her spark clenched in guilt for snapping at Optimus before leaving. “Elita?,” Ella asked from the driver’s seat, concerned for her guardian’s sudden quietness. “ I feel bad for snapping at Optimus,” Elita admitted and Ella chuckled. “Then go apologize and then take a break with just him and reconnect a little. God knows you too could use some one on one time.” “You sound like Chromia,” Elita sighed and Ella grinned. “Yeah Sara said Chromia is already getting her alone time with Ironhide.” Elita groaned softly. “Did not need to know that,” she muttered, “And also not what Optimus and I do with our alone time, well not all of it at least.” "Details Elita! Over it never happened," Ella protested as she got out of Elita's automobile form. Elita smirked at her ward. " Another time my friend, for now, I've got a handsome conjux to get to."

Chapter Text

1. Ratchet and Drift are conjux- they may not be super open about their relationship and their PDA is all but nonexistent, but that’s a little something called NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.
1. Rin and Ella swear by God and Primus that behind closed doors they are sickeningly sweet to each other. No one believes it.
2. Sunstreaker is not sane. 
3. Sideswipe is not sane.
4. Sideswipe is not sane in the sense that he’ll go to random fields and start talking to the cows about dairy. Sunstreaker is not sane in the sense that he’ll shoot anyone who breathes too loudly for his taste.
5. Both sets of twins will gaslight you into thinking they are the same bot. 
6. Wheeljack, Rin, and Ratchet are more brain than brawn- but that doesn’t mean they have no brawn.
7. Ironhide, Hound, Bulkhead, Epps, and Figs are more brawn than brain- but that doesn’t mean they have no brain.
8. Ratchet is a doctor, but he enjoys science and chemistry enough to be considered an inventor or engineer of some sorts.
9. Knockout and Ratchet are both medics, however Knockout is solely for the Bots. He tolerates humans just fine but has no desire to learn anything past the most basic human medical procedures. 
10. Rin has no set job on base currently- she goes wherever she is needed most on a more or less day to day basis. 
1. She’s mostly in the labs, but Ratchet usually asks for her assistance in Bot repairs if he needs it and Knockout is also busy. If she’s not at either of those locations, she’s doing recon/spying with Soundwave or helping out Lennox in the office with more legal and financial matters. 
11. Sideswipe will give you a lift ONLY if you give him something shiny in return. It doesn’t have to be valuable-just shiny. 
12. Bumblebee will give anyone a lift if they need it- but that bot will not drive in the rain under any circumstance other than a direct order from Optimus.
13. Do not ask Optimus Prime for a lift. He will always say yes BUT HE SHOULDN’T BECAUSE HE’S BUSY.
14. Ella is permitted by many to call them nicknames. Not many others are allowed the same privileges. 
1. She is the ONLY being to EVER be allowed to call Ratchet ‘Ratch’. 
2. She is also the only person to ever semi get away with calling Sunstreaker ‘Sunny’. He simply didn’t hear her and Sideswipe managed to shush her before she repeated herself. 
15. Soundwave allows Rin and Ella to call him Waves. No one else may ever do so.
16. Speaking of Soundwave- he is fiercely protective of his cassettes and will not hesitate to show off the skill that earned him his reputation.
17. Drift and Rin will randomly go out for drives or flights-without telling anyone.
1. They freak Ella and Ratchet out all the time too because they most often go late at night.
18. Optimus Prime has a special friendship with the younger members of the base (Sam, Mikela, Ella, Rin, Annabel). He enjoys their youthful optimism. 
1. He is also protective of them because of their youth and he will not hesitate to reconsider his ‘no killing humans’ rule for their sake. 
19. Ironhide will never appreciate animals. Of any kind.
20. Chromia and Ironhide are no longer allowed on the shooting range unattended. They have no consideration for military budgeting. 
21. Humans enjoy dark humor- some more so than others.
1. Epps, Cade, and Rin walk the tightrope of what’s debatably acceptable.
22. Most humans enjoy sarcasm, however not all of them understand it. Same for bots.
1. Ultra Magnus and Prowl can not understand sarcasm and find it pointless and rude. Wheeljack, Crosshairs, Hound, and Ironhide speak sarcasm like it’s their native language. 
2. Every soldier on base speaks sarcasm fluently.
3. Cade and Rin are beyond sarcastic, the only difference is that Rin can turn it off when speaking to Bots and humans of importance.
23. The betting pool on when Epps and Ella are going to get it together and go out is technically forbidden and illegal. However since the creator of this list stands to gain some hefty profit from it, the pool will remain in my blind side. 
1. (If any are interested- Rin and Soundwave are available to take bets.) 
24. Prowl is not allowed to lock people in the bridge unless Ultra Magnus or Optimus Prime has given him permission.
1. Ultra Magnus may be strict, but he knows what battles to pick and choose when it comes to rule breaking.
25. Prowl and Shockwave have a major personal rivalry that could put Optimus and Megatron's rivalry to shame. 
26. Anarchaid is to be terminated immediately if engaged in combat. 
1. If you don't, Knockout will and he will make sure it’s long and painful. 
27. The Seekers (minus Starscream), Soundwave, Barricade, Breakdown, Drift, and Knockout are all EX Decepticons. They have proven their loyalty to the Autobots and the humans many times over and they are readily welcomed into base.
1. God and Primus both help the poor soul who tries to argue against their place on base. 
2. Rin, Cade, Mikela, and Ella will hunt you down.
28. Miko, Raf, and Jack are all friends of the Autobots-however each of them have decided to maintain minimal contact for their own safety and because they have been uninvolved long enough to avoid being targets. 
29. Chromia, Arcee, and Elita One may not stay on base full time- however rest assured, they know everything going on and every bit of gossip. And they will not hesitate to gun it back to Earth just to kick someone’s ass. 
1. We all suspect Rin or Soundwave of being their informant. 
30. Rin and Cade should not be allowed to invent together. 
31. RIN, CADE, and WHEELJACK ARE NEVER ALLOWED TO INVENT TOGETHER.
32. Cade is technically a high ranking government employee given the fact that he’s the official Cybertrian Ambassador. 
1. That does not mean we take him seriously.
33. Will Lennox is technically a high ranking military official given that he’s a Major and is in charge of N.E.S.T.
1. That does not mean we listen to him.
34. Sam is technically the Autobot Liaison. We all know it’s really Mikela. 
1. Sam was only given the title to help him feel included.
35. Optimus Prime is the only one people listen to outside of active combat.
36. Elita One and her sisters spend very little time on Earth as they’re busy searching for Autobots and recruiting any Cybertroians remaining in the galaxy.
37. Arcee, Elita, and Chromia are sisters, Sunstreakers and Sideswipe are brothers, the Disaster Twins are brothers, and Ultra Mangus and Optimus Prime are brothers.
38. Ella and Figs are not brother and sister. Neither are Rin and Will Lennox.
39. Rin is no longer allowed to be in active combat (unless there is an emergency) as she tends to insult her enemies brutally when she’s nervous. Not that this is a bad thing-she’s quite good at it; it’s merely the fact that it causes everyone to start laughing uncontrollably and then the Con she insults tries to viciously kill her.
40. Ella is no longer allowed in active combat. For obvious medical reasons (why she was ever in active combat in the first place is beyond anyone’s imagination) and because she rivals Ironhide’s trigger happiness. 
41. Sam is no longer allowed in active combat because he isn’t trained and has no fighting skills.
42. The only fragging humans allowed in active combat ARE THE SOLDIERS TRAINED FOR ACTIVE COMBAT-

Chapter Text

1. Galloway is never to be around Rin unsupervised. We don’t know what he threatened her with in their solo meeting- but she didn’t speak to anyone for three days and was chalk white when she first returned to the hanger. 
1. Thankfully Ratchet and Drift got her to at least let them check her over for physical and internal injuries and she was cleared. 
2. Humans: never ask bots about interfacing. They had the lecture- they don’t need the specifics.
3. Bots: never ask humans about sex. We had the lecture, we really don’t need specifics. 
4. Do not ever-under any circumstance- let a bot go onto any sort of fanfiction cite. 
1. Poor Bumblebee and Bluestreak never fully recovered. 
5.  Rin is 18- the youngest on base with the exception of when Annabel visits. One should never attempt to treat her like a child- be they human or bot- because she can get ridiculously clever with revenge. 
6. Humans age differently than Cybertronians. 
   1. Optimus, Ultra Magnus, Ratchet, Soundwave, Elita One: mid-fifties 
   2. Drift, Prowl, Jazz, Ironhide, and the Seekers: late forties to early fifties
   3. Crosshairs, Barricade, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Arcee, Chromia, Hound: forties/late thirties
   4. Dino, Wheeljack, Knockout, Breakdown, Bulkhead: early thirties
   5. The Disaster Twins, Bumblee, Blurr, Bluestreak, Smokescreen, Mirage: twenties
   1. Elders (over 50): Galloway, Secretary of Defense, the Astronauts of the Advisory Branch
   2. Adults (between 27-50): most of the soldiers and most government personnel, Cade, Epps, Figs, Will and Sara Lennox
   3. Young Adults (21-26): Ella, Sam, Mikela, some soldiers
   4. Adoselants aka Sparklings( between 0-20) (It is important to note that these ages are the most diverse to how you should treat them. Ages 0-12 should be treated mainly as Sparklings, but over 13 have enough skills to keep themselves safe and clean and once a human hits 15/16 they are considered to be ‘of age’ in many cultures. Age 18 is when a human becomes an adult legally): Rin, Annabel
1. In Human years (as called by Ironhide), the Bots would be around the following ages.
2. And the Humans:
7. Cade, Will, and Optimus Prime have ultimate tired dad energy. 
8. Anyone who bullies the Bots for their histories will be dealt with by the Bots closet human companion. 
   1. Some soldiers decided to be fraggers and harass Bumblebee for not having a voice box. Sam punched one hard enough in the throat to ensure he wouldn’t be able to speak for a while either. 
   2. Director Galooway was getting on Drift’s aft about him being an Ex-Decepticon. Rin superglued his car wheels in the ground.
   3. A couple personnel in the medical field decided to ignore Ratchet’s advice and warning which ended in a soldier losing his leg when it could have been saved. Ella had them all fired and blacklisted from hospitals. 
1. Some examples:
9. It has never, nor will never, be permitted to judge or harass anyone, regardless of species, for their gender or sexuality. 
10. The Bots have very different concepts of gender and sexuality. It really did hurt them to see how so many humans were hated for simply loving another of the same sex. 
11. PTSD is a common thing around base, with all the soldiers and Bots having gone through so much battle. The Bots technically have PTSD, but it doesn’t affect them in the same way. Humans are welcome to go to Rin to talk as she’s taken some courses on psychology and has a rather deep knowledge on how the human mind works from personal research. 
1. Rin is not however everyone’s personal therapist and should they find themselves needing a therapist, they have resources available to make the arrangements. 
12. Never judge the Bots’ fear of scarplets. 
13. Chromia and Arcee have been teaching Mikela and Rin to fight- just as a general warning to any mechs or males who want to avoid an early grave. 
14. One should NEVER forget that no matter how calm and gentle Rin is- she was first introduced to N.E.S.T. after she blasted her way through a MECH facility after they accidentally took Ella as a prisoner with the soldiers and freed all personnel and bots from their charge. Then proceeded to blow up the entire facility after managing to download the files that eventually lead to their downfall. 
15. One should NEVER forget that no matter how kind and bubbly Ella is- she was introduced to N.E.S.T after she backhanded a MECH soldier who tried to kill Epps (who was at the time a stranger) in the middle of a firefight well pregnant. She fought alongside N.E.S.T so instantaneously that MECH assumed she was an ally and took her captive. 
16. Ratchet and Knockout’s favorite way to pass the time is to compare stories from centuries in the hospitals and ERs of the war. 
1. Ratchet currently has the prize for ‘Stupidest Injury Treated’ well Knockout holds the title for ‘Most Ridiculous Cause of Injury’. A shout out to Sideswipe and Starscream for their contribution to these awards. 
17. Jazz is not allowed on the intercom. Under any circumstance. 
18. Mirage can not be penalized for accidentally scaring humans well in camouflage. 
19. Chromia is banned from training rookies. 
20. Ironhide is banned from training.
21. Ella is banned from training medical interns.
22. It is not acceptable to put squeaky toys in a bot well they are in auto form. It scares the scrap out of us when we wake up and our spark casings are suddenly squeaking. 
23. Mikela and Cade are the only humans aside from Rin allowed in Wheeljack’s lab. 
24. Rin, Epps, and Will are the only humans with clearance to any room in the N.E.S.T. facility. 
1. Why Rin? Easy-she wasn’t nosy like some others who were up for consideration. (Ahem Figs. Ahem Ella. Ahem Cade.)
2. (Should Galloway ever ask though- Cade is the other human with all access.)
25. Optimus, Knockout, and Ratchet are the only bots with clearance to any room in the N.E.S.T.
1. Why Knockout? Medic privileges. 
2. Really -it’s not like the Bots couldn’t break into any room they didn’t have clearance to. 
26. Blurr is the sweetest Bot to ever roam the galaxy and Ella adores him. 
1. The creator of this list may be slightly biased.
27. Rin and Mikela have developed the habit of carrying around wrenches and throwing them at Bots. 
28. Ella carries a taser that she’ll use to grab a bot’s attention if they ignore her. 
29. Jazz does not count as an officer if you are seeking approval to do something ridiculous. 
30. All veteran staff have agreed that any human bold enough to insult a Bot to their face may face their own consequences. 
31. Mikela loves Rin like a sister and will constantly praise her work to help with Rin’s low self-esteem. 
32. Bots. Be understanding that human minds work very differently from our own processors. Well there are similarities, our minds have protocols and hardwire to prevent illnesses like depression or OCD from going to extreme levels.
33. For the love of anything holy, whoever is giving Jazz and Sideswipe glitter needs to STOP.
34. Coffee does not count as a meal.
35. Humans are supposed to drink around four cups of water per day. However very few humans actually meet this requirement. 
36. HUMANS CAN NOT CONSUME ENERGON- IT IS POISONOUS TO THEM. 
37. Bots can eat human foods well in their holoforms, but it unfortunately can not fuel us.
38. Gasoline for human cars is sort of like seasoning to the Bots- it gives some favor to energon but can’t be consumed for energy. 
39. Unlike Bots, humans have to meet a variety of different categories to obtain energy from their food. So they need to eat a variety of foods. 
40. Sergeant Grant is now an officer and is already banned from working with Jazz alone. 
41. Ella is at a stage in her pregnancy where every mech and male (which is around 93% of the base) is an enemy to her and she will rip into any she sees. 
42. Sam is not allowed to help Bumblebee do his patrol runs, Sam distracts Bumblebee far too much. 
43. Soundwave does recon ONLY on Decepticons, stop asking him to track down your ex on social media. 
44. Breakdown, Ironhide, and Bulkhead. Use the damn doors.
45. Mirage will be penalized for purposely scaring humans.
46. Mirage is in the brig until further notice for scaring Red Alert. 
47. Wheeljack is not allowed to test his inventions on inmates in the brig.
48. Blurr is a messenger and a scout, not an errand boy. He may be too timid to correct rude humans, but Ella is not.
49. Figs will kill anyone who touches his Oreos. Brutally.
50. There is never a perfect time to casually mention you are unexpectedly sparked- however in the middle of a firefight on the battlefield with your overprotective, Ex-Decepticon assassin conjux is most certainly not the moment.

Chapter Text

The battle field was going hard as Drift dove for cover behind a crushed tank. The Decepticons had launched a brutal attack against a human base in Northern Italy, so the Autobots had to send nearly half it’s forces for support and back-up after Jazz called in a Code Red. Much to his displeasure, Code Red also meant a medic had to be a part of the crew, and Drift knew exactly which stubborn medic would be volunteering. His stubborn conjux. Who joined Drift in the midst of his annoyance behind the tank as another round of fire tore through the frontlines.  “ Fire at Point 34 A! Starscream has gone down and they are pushing forwards to cover him!!,” Jazz yelled through the comms. Drift swore softly and reached into his subspace for more amo. Though he had technically given up the gun for the swords- battles like this couldn’t be fought hand to hand. Behind him a shell exploded and the tank rocked, knocking Drift to the side. Swearing once more he got up and nearly fumbled with his amo after seeing his conjux venting heavily. “Ratchet?,” he asked worriedly, “ Ratchet are you hit? Do you need a medical evac? Are you-” “Fine,” Ratchet waved off, his venting starting to slow slightly, “ Just out of breath, this sparkling is taking more out of me than I anticipated at this stage- Oh…….” He froze up next to Drift and avoided his dumbfounded face. “ I’m sorry, my audios must be damaged cause I could have sworn you said sparkling,” he managed to splutter. Ratchet winced slightly, an extremely uncharacteristic move for the mech, and nodded sheepishly. “ I was going to wait for a little bit, but umm ....Congratulations, you’re going to be a Sire?” Drift felt his spark light up in absolute joy before being buried in absolute dread and terror. His face must have shown it because Ratchet’s face fell completely. “ So, I take it you aren’t hap-” “ No, sweetspark, no,” Drift quickly recovered, taking Ratchet’s servo in his own, “ I’m so happy, beyond any words, I’m happy and I’m going to love and protect you and our newest addition til my dying breath.” Ratchet smiled softly and the two shared a gentle look before another shell going off brought them back to reality. Drift’s face sharpened deeply as he grabbed all weapons he had on him, starting to stand. “Drift?,” Ratchet questioned, starting to stand as well before being gently seated back down. “You, stay here and do not engage unless absolutely necessary,” he said firmly, “ No going into the field, is that clear?” Ratchet rolled his eyes. “I’m not incapable-” “You. Are.Sparked,” Drift hissed softly, “ And I’m not letting anything up to chance. And believe me, I will tell Optimus so that he can order you off field missions temporarily.” Ratchet looked ready to argue until Drift gently cupped his face. “I can’t risk losing either of you,” he said softly and Ratchet sighed quietly. “Alright, I’ll stay put,” he murmured and Drift gave him a wide, fanged grin. “ Great, now I have quite a few Cons to go and obliterate.”

Twenty Minutes Later

" So are we going to help him or....?," Smokescreen asked as the crew watched Drift tear through yet another group of Decepticon seekers. Ratchet watched his conjux in amazement and amusement as Drift's 'Deadlock' side came out to the battle field. " Best let the mech work," Jazz mused, his arms crossed as he stood next to Ratchet, " What in the hell set him off like this anyways? Haven't seen Deadlock in the field for years now." Ratchet shrugged in mock innocence. " No clue," he told his old friend and Jazz snorted. " What? D'you get yourself sparked or some scrap like that?" Ratchet didn't answer and Jazz'z laughter broke off slightly. " Tell me you're joking," he said, slightly horrified. Ratchet sighed, " I'm fine, I don't understnad why-" " WHY ARE YOU HERE IF YOU'RE- mfphhh." " You want everyone in a ten mile radius to know?!," Ratchet hissed slowly removing his hand from Jazz's mouth. " Point taken," Jazz muttered before an absolutely feral grin spread over his face. " Oh Ella is going to lose her processor," he squealed joyfully and Ratchet shuddered. He loved his ward, really he did. But she had a bottomless pit of happy energy that would never let him rest once she got ahold of the news." " And Optimus- oh he gonna bannn your aft from the field in a sparkbeat!," Jazz exclaimed gleefully and Ratchet groaned miserably as Jazz started to cackle to glee. " I already commed Prowl and he hit the floor in shock- Primus I can't wait to see the look on Magnus's face-" Ratchet shuddered once more before sighing heavily. " It's going to be a long year," he muttered to himself before his gaze drifted back into the field. His eyes immediately caught a familiar pair of blue orbs and Drift winked at him with a small grin before throwing himself back into the fray. Ratchet smiled to himself gently. Maybe not that long of a year, and besides for his conjux? He'd carry their sparkling for centuries. 

Chapter Text

1. Do not let Wheeljack go on missions involving potentially new Autobots. He has a…..history with a great many Autobots. 
1. Also a welcome to our new members: Hot Rod, Perceptor, and Grimlock
2. It was highly entertaining to see Perceptor all calm and civil only to see Wheeljack and scream “YOU” before tackling him.
2. Someone should have given the humans a warning that Grimlock can transform into a dinosaur. 
3. Ratchet is banned from the field by direct order of Optimus Prime. 
4. Rin has officially taken over as CMO until Ratchet is once again in condition. Rin, like Ratchet was, is now CMO of BOTH humans and bots. Knockout remains strictly with the bots, well Ella is strictly for humans.
5. Sergeant Grant has joined Optimus, Will, and Cade in their tired father energy. 
6. Ultra Magnus is not allowed to make humans read the 450 page manual on military regulation. 
7. Whoever switched Rin’s coffee to decaf needs to find Optimus Prime, Prowl, or Jazz so that appropriate protective measures can be placed on you. 
8. Perceptor, Wheeljack, and Rin have an ongoing argument over the Space Bridge mechanics. Just listening to them argue over the quantum mechanics of the space time continuum or air force containment measures is enough to give any bot or human a headache like none other. 
9. Hot Rod and Bumblebee were in WW2 together. Do not encourage them to recreate battle scenes from the war. 
10. Grimlock and Red Alert have a unique friendship that revolves around their shared paranoias. It’s best if we just let them work through that together. 
11. Drift has officially gone overprotective conjux and he will not hesitate to go full on Deadlock on anyone who he thinks is a threat to Ratchet. 
1. Ultra Magnus asking Ratchet to read over files is not a threat to him.
2. Neither is Sideswipe asking him to recalibrate his shoulder. 
3. Rin- come and control your guardian before Ratchet kills him. 
12. It is not technically acceptable to hit a bot in the head hard enough to knock them into stasis, however I don’t think anyone is arguing with Ratchet right now. 
13. Ella and Rin have taken action and are both taking some time with their respective guardians to calm them slightly and hopefully keep the rest of the base out of wrench throwing territory. 
14. Until further notice, Rin is the only medics allowed to attend to both sets of twins. 
15. Grimlock should not be asked about Jurassic Park, he was tricked into watching the movies. He was traumatized and heartbroken by them. 
16. Elita One, Arcee, and Chromia are not called “Death’s Trio” for nothing. We ask all N.E.S.T. personal to stop testing them. 
17. The Seekers are not allowed to take humans on jet rides- they do not yet understand that at a certain altitude, they can not breathe.
18. Because a concerning amount of Bots have asked- YES, humans NEED to breathe to survive. 
19. TO REVISIT RULE 152- BETTER TIMING PLEASE. Well prepping for emergency surgery on our Prime is NOT the time to mention you are sparked KNOCKOUT.
20. Rin has not moved from the floor where she laid down after finding out she’d be the only field medic and the only medic in the foreseeable future. None should attempt to move her. Just let her accept it all slowly. 
21. Well Rin is happy for everyone she KINDLY asks that people START TO PLAN BETTER. 
1. (This is a direct rule from Rin)
22. It is not advisable to approach a clearly stressed Rin and prank her by announcing you are sparked/pregnant. 
1. Sideswipe was the first to tell her such and Rin rolled her eyes at the mech before telling him to frag off. (She know he’s unbonded)
2. Jazz ( who is a fragging officer that should know better) did approach her about three hours later and Rin nearly went into fricking cardiac arrest.
3. Then to put the cherry on top, Mikela thought it’d be funny to jokingly say she was pregnant too. Rin sedated herself. 
23. Direct order from Optimus Prime: Stop stressing out the future sole medic, we need her in a semi-stable mental place. 
24. Sergeant Grant, regardless of how badly she may need it, you still can’t give Rin whiskey as she’s underage. 
25. Sunstreaker is not allowed to patrol with Crosshairs- our medics don’t treat idiots who try to outdo each other. 
26. Soundwave had the concept of ‘ships’ explained to him, but he’s a little confused with a lot of spirit and now plays the saxophone music whenever he sees two people interacting with one another. 
27. Soundwave is banned from playing music.
28. Drift is banned from the med bay until further notice. 
29. Ratchet can not ban people from the med bay without Rin’s permission until further notice. 
30. Drift and Breakdown have formed an unexpected alliance in their efforts to be supportive (cough, overbearing and overprotective) to their sparked conjux. 
31. Knockout and Ratchet have formed an expected alliance to prevent the previously mentioned alliance. 
32. We are all a little worried about Rin’s stress levels.
33. All ex-Decepticons were thrilled to hear that one of their own was going to have a sparkling. They have joined Breakdown and Drift’s alliance. 
34. Someone should probably check on Rin.
35. Jazz has joined the alliance for fun.
36. Sergeant Grant is officially allowed to give Rin whiskey. 

Chapter Text

1. When approached by a bot that is asking you politely and nicely to hide them- DO NOT. Odds are they are running from someone in charge and trying to avoid the brig. 
2. When approached by a frantic bot pleading for you to hide them- do so as they are most likely trying to escape Ratchet or Knockout. 
3. Everyone on base is required to attend their mandatory physical exam. Ella is doing the exams for the humans well Knockout and Ratchet are handling the bots. 
4. To revisit Rule 191- these check-ups are MANDATORY FOR ALL. 
1. That includes you Optimus Prime.
2. Will Lennox.
3. EPPS
4. JAZZ
5. ULTRA MAGNUS TOO- COME ON GUYS
6. TWINS. BOTH SETS
7. Figs. 
5. Anyone not showing up for their appointments has been put on a list. Any bot already done with their appointment has permission from all attending medics to do whatever is necessary to get them in. 
1. Ratchet has never seen Crosshairs come in so willingly for an appointment. He left positively cackling. 
6. At eight months pregnant- Ella is past the point of trying to argue with humans. She will and has resorted to less civil methods detaining patients until their check-ups are done. 
7. All check-ups are postponed temporarily as a medical emergency has taken place.
8. Sideswipe- it is not ethical or acceptable to hack into medical data banks to find out who is in the private sick bay. The only reason you are not in the brig is that there is no physical proof you are the hacker. 
9. To all concerned personnel- Rin will be fine. However she is on a mandatory bed rest for the rest of the week. 
10. There is a meeting tomorrow to discuss the new gossip blog and whether or not it stays. Prowl is completely against it. 
11. For all bots- Sunstreaker is a fantastic artist but he’s also a prankster so be careful if you ask him for a paint job because he will exploit any loopholes in your requests. 
12. All base personnel are to remain on high alert, we have been hailed by the Decepticons.
13. All officers along are to report to the main hanger immediately and all other personnel are to remain in their quarters until further notice. 
14. The Decepticons are offering peace talks- however we do not trust this. All personnel are to remain alert and cautious. 
15. The following personnel are to head to the main hangar immediately: Colonel Figs, Doctor Rin, Doctor Ella, Liaison Mikela, Liaison Sam. 
16. Drift, Mirage, Ratchet, Elita, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, and Bumblebee. You are to keep an optic on your wards at all times during these meetings, they have been asked to attend by Megatron and his plans are still unclear. 
17. An extra close eye is to be kept on Ella, who appears to be ill.
18. For unknown reasons, Ella and Rin have left suddenly, no bot is to engage or leave this meeting. Their absence is so far unnoticed, so we wish to keep it that way until Epps is able to reach them via comms.
19. Starscream has noticed there are two of our humans missing- he has not said anything which means we have time to buy until he figures out who is gone. 
20. Epps has left- Jazz and Prowl do not follow. Do NOT follow. 
21. Frag- everyone be prepared for offense as Megatron has noticed the absence of three humans he demanded the presence of.
22. Doctor Rin, Doctor Ella, Captain Epps, come in, report to the hangar, I repeat, report to the hangar. Your presence has been noticed. Please come back before these two leaders start a brawl.
23. …….Doctor Rin please repeat that comm. 
24. Rin.
25. Rin. No-
26. Holy fragging scraping shit. 
27. Do not piss off Rin. Ever. 
28. Megatron is now down an optic.
29. Rin is about to be blown to shreds SOMEONE MOVE-
30. What.
31. HOLY SCRAPPING PRIMUS!!!!
32. !#**@$)%#)(&
33. OH MY GOD AND PRIMUS AND ALL OTHER FRAGGING SCRAP!!!!
34. Megatron has ordered a return and the Decepticons have left, I repeat, we are in the clear.
35. Do not stop Rin, Ratchet, or Elita One when they are on a warpath.
36. Med bay is closed off to all personnel.
37. All those who want to see the base’s newest member must wait in the side hangar.
38. Welcome to the world Iacona, we are beyond thrilled to have you here. You’ve got a crazy family who’s been waiting to meet you. 

Chapter Text

“-and Figs fricking tried to run mid-exam! I swear to God, if I hadn’t locked the door beforehand and he’d escaped-” Rin hummed to acknowledge her friend, rubbing circles on the sides of her head as a blaring headache rocked her brain. “- but Epps was actually well-behaved for once when Crosshairs caught him and dumped him in the med bay, I’d have thought he’d run for-” Rin stumbled slightly with her tablet as the room went fuzzy and bright for a moment. “- Rin? Rin, are you liste- Are you okay?,” Ella said and Rin blinked a few times before realizing her friend was staring at her worriedly. “ Fine,” Rin said, a tight smile on her face, “ Didn’t sleep well last night.” Ella looked unconvinced and opened her mouth to say something when a loud bang followed by numerous swears and Crosshairs’s laughter echoed outside the office door. Ella sighed. “ He must have caught the next batch of runaways,” she muttered before briskly walking out and shouting at the new group of soldiers. 

Rin winced as the door slammed before dropping her tablet to violently massage her lobes. The headache had turned from an ache to a pounding to a ‘world rocking, knife stabbing sensation’ in a matter of hours and Rin was smart enough to know that it wasn't a good sign. Unfortunately she was stubborn enough to push it aside for later as she walked out the door to the med bay. The past few days had been hellish and hectic between scheduling exams for both bots and humans, rounding up a majority of both parties who avoided their exams, doing the exams and updating medical files, prescribing new meds and placing orders, doing inventory, dealing with not one, not two, but now three sparked/pregnant co-workers who Rin personal forbid from working over 8 hours shifts, doing general repairs to bot armor, filling out paperwork for each patient and sending them to Will or Optimus, and a number of other small tasks that kept Rin going without rest. She sighed deeply once more as her headache was joined by a persistent pinch in her stomach and dryness in her throat. Her eyes ached terribly, her feet were screaming, and her back felt like it’s shatter if Rin moved too quickly. Rin was exhausted beyond words, now running on her third day with no sleep, beforehand only managing about three hours a night. She knew it’d been at least 48 hours since she’d managed the time for a bite to eat and 12 hours since she got the chance to grab some water or more importantly coffee. 

Yes, Rin was all but running on fumes and sheer will power and even that was starting to fail. “ Ah Rin, I just sent Prowl to room 3 for his exam,” Knockout greeted as Rin entered the med bay built specifically for bots. “Thanks KO,” she mumbled, heading to the small room and dragging herself up to the lift by the medical berth. The lift had been a gift from Will and a blessing to Rin. It was wide enough to fit all scanners she’d regularly need with no railing so she could easily step on or off a bed or bot, making her job so much simpler now that she didn’t have to lug her equipment up ladders built into the sides of the medical beds repeatedly. “Afternoon Commander,” she mumbled once the lift reached her desired height, prepping her scanners to examine the strict bot. “Afternoon Doctor,” Prowl greeted, turning his helm to face Rin. “Not technically a doctor sir,” Rin mumbled and Prowl rolled his optics. She’d had the same argument with most bots as they didn’t understand how since she hadn’t gotten her doctorate- she couldn’t be a doctor in human professions. Thankfully, Prowl wasn’t one to pick small arguments or need a constant stream of chatter so Rin stuck to explaining what she was doing and filling him in on the details as she went. “ Everything looks good sir,” Rin said, returning to the computer on her lift, “ No rust, no cuts, no permanent damage outside of some heavy scarring that’ll clear in time, and no sign of illness, infection, or processor damage.” Prowl nodded as Rin input the data, waiting for her dismissal. “All you nee- all you need to- to……,” Rin’s words turned slurred as her vision started going yellow and white, her legs going weaker as she staggered heavily. “Doctor?,” Prowl asked hesitantly as he’d seen her start to sway. Rin staggered heavily one more time before Prowl saw her eyes roll to the back of her head- and her body fall off the lift towards the floor. “Rin!” 

Luckily Prowl was quick to react, grabbing Rin as gently as possible before she hit the ground. He quickly sat up, cupping the young woman in his hands as he got out of the med berth. “Knockout!,” he shouted, swiftly heading out the door and nearly toppling into the red medic. “What’s wro- Rin?!,” he exclaimed, quickly taking the girl from Prowl’s hand. Her body was completely limp during the exchange, not showing any movement or consciousness. “ Ratchet, get to the med bay, NOW!,” Knockout yelled into his comm before rushing to place the small girl on a severely oversized berth. Prowl stood off to the side, for once unsure of what he should do. “Get any bots out,” Knockout ordered him, hooking a machine up to Rin’s chest, “And make sure that this stays quiet for now.” “ Shall I notify Doctor Ella?,” he asked and Knockout hesitated. “ No, not yet at least, but make sure she stays out of here until Ratchet can get a look of RIn.” Prowl nodded before leaving the bot to his work. 

“ Come on girlie,” Knockout muttered worriedly, only understanding half of what was benign shown on the monitor, “ Come on Ratchet…” Speaking of the mech, he rushed in not even a minute later. “What’s happening, who- Rin,” he said sharply, his medic mod taking over as he shoved past Knockout to get to the unconscious girl. Ratchet took out his scanner, and quickly ran it over as Prowl reappeared at the door with Drift behind him. “Ratchet- what got you moving so fa- Rin!,” Drift exclaimed, going to rush towards his ward. Prowl quickly grabbed his arms. “Let Ratchet work,” he muttered to the swordsmech who stared helplessly at the berth. Ratchet moved as soon as the scan was done, going to a cupboard and pulling out a human IV line delicately before attaching some bags of fluid to it. Carefully, Ratchet transformered one of his fingers into a small, human-sized hand so that he could insert the IV into Rin’s arm. The modification was one Rin had actually installed for him after learning Ratchet had human medical knowledge, something she insisted would make treating humans easier. And she was correct. 

After putting the IV lines in, Ratchet simply grabbed a small blanket and draped it over the girl before stepping back. “ Is something wrong? Why did you stop treating her?,” Knockout asked. “ I’ve done all I can for now, thankfully it was nothing medically too serious,” Ratchet explained, “ But we need to have a talk with her when she wakes up.” “ Why, what’s wrong with her?,” Drift questioned nervously. “ She’s beyond exhausted is what is wrong with her. Overworked, dehydrated, lack of sleep, not enough protein or iron in her system, not enough rest in general,” Ratchet listed quietly, “ From my scans, she’s several days behind in sleep and hasn’t gotten nourishment in over two days.” Drift looked guiltily at the floor. “I can’t believe I haven’t noticed,” he murmured sadly. “Not your fault,” Knockout sighed, “ Unfortunately I doubt Rin, Ratchet, or myself are innocent of putting work far above personal care. This isn’t the first medic I’ve known to work themselves into the floor, thankfully not literally due to Prowl it’d seem.” “All she needs is a good sleep cycle, some food and water, and a gentle reminder of self care,” Ratchet said comfortingly to his conjux. “Gentle?,” Drift inquired, raising an optic. Ratchet huffed. “Depends on my mood when she wakes up.” 

Although Prowl had done a good job in keeping the news of beloved medic underwraps- they’d all known it was a matter of time before news got out and rumors started to hit the fan. Luckily Ratchet managed to inform Ella and Mikela of Rin’s condition before the truly ridiculous rumors hit, and they were able to tell any humans and bots that came to the med bay in a panic that Rin would be fine. “Primus have mercy on whoever started the rumor that Rin was possessed by the spirit of Unicorn,” Drift muttered from his seat next to his ward’s side,” Ratchet is on a warpath.” Wheeljack chuckled lightly from the other side of the berth, his eyes not leaving his charge.

It had been unexpected to both Wheeljack and Drift when they discovered they both formed a guardianship over Rin. The two mechs had never interacted much and had nearly no connection to one another beforehand, not to mention their personalities were strikingly different. But they had formed a friendship as the weeks had gone on with Rin as their shared ward- now at a point where they trusted one another with her safety completely. Really, all bots had questioned the dynamic of the odd trio- but they worked rather well together when it came down to it. Wheeljack shared Rin’s intelligence and creativity along with her friendly and arson prone nature, making him a wise mentor and a good friend to the young woman. Meanwhile Drift shared Rin’s bravery and protectiveness as well as her calmness (with both having a hidden, violent side towards those who threatened their loved ones) which made him an equally important friend to Rin- one who understood the weight of carrying your past. Both bots filled in for the otherwise missing pieces had only one or the other been a guardian for Rin. Except now, Drift and Wheeljack realized they’d each missed a piece- the caretaker bit. 

Rin was old enough to take care of herself- that they both knew and trusted her with- but seeing their friend lying in a oversized berth, wires pumping fluids with nutrition she’d been ignoring for herself into her veins in an attempt to recover the young girl from her own carelessness- they realized that she’d not been taking care of herself to the standards she should have. And that was something she could not afford to continue.

“I talked with Ratchet- decided that we should be the ones to speak to her about this,” Drift told Wheeljack, “I think she’d feel too guilty talking to him or Ella or even Knockout about her own health.” “Agreed,” Wheeljack said solemnly , “ Just aside from the fact that she should never have neglected herself like this- we can’t risk this happening again- not with everything happening in the future….” Drift looked down in guilt and Wheeljack reached over to pat his shoulder. “It’s not your fault- not anyone’s fault really. We just have to make sure someone is caring for her as much as she’s caring for everyone else.” “ It is our fault though technically, I mean-” 

“ You’re all freaking catholic rabbits is what it is,” a voice mumbled and Drift and Wheeljack turned to beam at their now conscious ward. Rin had her eyes cracked, a hand going to rub them gently. “How long was I….?,” she asked hesitantly. “ Not long at all, just around five hours,” Drift said gently before his tone sharpened slightly, “ Which is actually nowhere near how much sleep you needed- meaning close your eyes and get some rest.” “ I got work,” Rin mumbled, sitting up slightly. “ You got dehydration and malnourishment with a side of sleep deprivation is what you got!,” Ratchet exclaimed as he walked in with a scanner in hand, “ Which also means you don’t leave my med bay until I say.” Rin gave him a glare. “ Hey you handed the CMO title to me,” she muttered but laid back to let Ratchet scan her. Ratchet grumbled something to her and gave the scanner a glare as the results popped back up. “ As I thought- nowhere near what they should be,” Ratchet declared, narrowing his eyes at Rin. “ 48 hour mandatory bed rest, 12 hour IV line, and no arguments.” “ 48 HOURS?,” Rin exclaimed, bolting up, “Ratchet there are patients out the whazoo and reports that need filing and repairs that need to be done and-” “ And nothing that can’t wait 48 hours,” Ratchet said sternly before his face softened, “ Rin, your health and well being is more important- and more critical- than such things. As for the appointments, Knockout and myself can handle them just fine.” “ But you both need rest,” she argued, “ Ella too- I’m the only one-” “ Believe me my friend- the days of you being alone in this are coming faster than you may want them too,” Ratchet sighed, “ But I also realized how ridiculous we were to expect you to handle all human and bot care by yourself.” Rin looked hurt. “ You don’t think I can do it,” she whispered, her eyes shining. Ratchet gently tapped Rin’s head. “ No, what scares me is that I know you can, because you’ll do it all no matter the cost,” he said softly, “But I don’t want you to give your health up like this- which is why I made a call and asked an old friend to come to Earth.” Rin looked up. “Who?,” she asked curiously. “ First Aid, an old classmate from Iacon and a fellow medic from the early days of the war,” Ratchet said, “ After explaining everything, he’s more than happy to come and assist us here in the med bay and work under you as a medic. Although he won’t arrive for a few weeks meaning that for at least two weeks you’ll be the solo medic for all personnel” “ Well that’s good- wait, under me? You’re keeping me as the CMO?,” Rin gaped and Ratchet chuckled. “ I know you are more than capable Rin, now please get some rest.” He left after that and Rin settled back down hesitantly.

Wheeljack cleared his voicebox and gave Drift a look, nodding his head towards Rin. Drift sighed slightly and Wheeljack chuckled. "Rin, we do need to talk about this," he said gently. "About what?," she asked, genuine confusion in her voice. " About working yourself too hard and passing out because of it," Drift stated, " Wheeljack and I both decided that we're gonna start doing check ins on you, making sure you're getting rest and food and whatever else you may need." "Guys, really, this won't happen again," Rin insisted, "And you heard Ratchet, I'll be okay with a little sleep." "Rin, you lost consciousness and fell off a lift that was almost 20 feet off the ground," Wheeljack said sternly, " What if Prowl hadn't caught you?" She didn't look at either of them in the eyes as she spoke quietly. 

"I don't want to be a burden."

Drift exchanged a glance with Wheeljack and Wheeljack nodded, quietly getting up to leave the room. He knew smaller details of Rin's past, but he also knew that it was something she'd prefer to talk to Drift alone about. As soon as the door closed, Drift leaned in close to his ward.

"Rin," he started softly, "You know your parents were wrong right? You know that the way they treated you was wrong." She nodded miserably, her head now resting on her knees. "Do you though?," he asked gently and she hesitated before slowly shaking her head, a tear running down her face. "They could have been happy," she whispered, "But they had me, and it was my fault." "They were idiots of the highest caliber to not see you as anything less than their most precious gift," Drift said firmly, "And how they treated you, what they did to you, and what they said to you, was wrong and untrue." Rin didn't respond but a small hiccup escaped her. "But I also know that when people treat you like garbage most your life," Drift said, lowering his voice to a soft undertone, "It's hard to think of yourself otherwise. I know somedays I still do." "But you're awesome," Rin sniffed, wiping her face and Drift chuckled. "See? It's easy for you to say it, and I know it's true," he said cheekily and Rin rolled her eyes at him, "But it doesn't mean that I feel it in my spark quite yet." 

"Will we ever?," she asked sadly and Drift sighed deeply. "Maybe not," he confessed, "The past leaves its scars." "Some more literally than others," Rin mumbled, her hands unconsciously running over her shoulders and Drift fought the urge in himself to break his promises to Rin and hunt her parents down. "You have more scars than anyone should at your age, both mental and physical," he said, taking a calming vent, "They are a part of you Rin, but scars never have to define us-." "They only have to remind us of what we've overcome," she finished, familiar with the motto often used by her guardian. "Exactly," Drift smiled, "Now get some sleep, or I'll call Ratchet back in on you." 

Rin chuckled before sliding back to lay on her side, one arm out to prevent the IVs from pressing into her skin painfully. "Maybe we can go for a drive when I wake up?," she asked hopefully and Drift grinned. "A nice hour long drive could do wonders," he said happily. "DRIFT- DON'T BE KEEPING MY PATIENT UP, SHE NEEDS REST PRIMUS DAMIT," Ratchet shouted from the other room and Drift winced. "Maybe a nice five hour long drive, going the long way back," he muttered and Rin snorted loudly as her friend went to face his conjux with slumped shoulders.

Chapter Text

1. Iacona is now the most beloved creature on this Earth and there is not a person on this base who would not murder an entire nation for her. 
2. Ratchet has become the most overprotective godfather, or botfather, to ever roam the Earth. 
3. “BY THE WAY- EVERYONE ON THIS SHIP OWES ME AND ‘WAVES $120”- Rin
1. …..How did you access this list Rin? 
2. Rin, seriously this thing had like twenty layers of Cybertroian software protecting it. 
3. ………son of a scrapper.
4. SOUNDWAVE-
4. Rin and Soundwave won the bet of when Ella and Epps would get together. Why would they bet on them getting together after a terrifying event around Iacona’s birth-
1. AND WHY DOES SOUNDWAVE ALSO WIN MONEY- HE DOESN’T EVEN USE MONEY-
5. If you thought Ratchet was bad, Rin and Elita are worse. Elita, Iacona’s botmother, has officially declared that anyone who lays so much as a scratch on Iacona’s head will have their own head severed. 
6. Ella is on bed rest by order of Rin until further notice- any who see her trying to break this are to notify Rin immediately. 
7. ……To everyone’s total and complete shock Sunstreaker and Sideswipe have been approved to hold Iacona.
8. TELL ME SOMEONE GOT A HOLOGRAM OF OPTIMUS WHEN HE WAS TOLD ELLA NAMED IACONA AFTER HIS HOMETOWN IACON-
9. Honestly can we just get holograms of every bot and human holding Iacona because it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.  
1. Some snippets:
1. Ratchet and Elita were the first bots to hold Iacona and they were terrified of hurting her. Ella was still in bed so Rin took Iacona over to Ratchet first. He was hesitant at best- after all, this tiny, fragile, precious creature was barely the size of his finger tip. Rin gestured for Ratchet to lower his palm and when he hesitated she gave him a look. “Ratchet- she’s not going to bite, she doesn't even have her teeth yet.” So he let Rin place the tiniest creature he’d ever encountered in his palm, protected only by a thick, little blanket and a small hat. Ratchet had never moved so carefully, lifting his palm without moving its surface so that the child might never shift around. Once it was higher he carefully looked down on her, his ‘goddaughter’ as Ella had explained. He had been touched and honored by her request, promising to watch over his newest and tiniest ward until the day he died. But now, Ratchet had no words to describe the purity in his servo. This tiny bundle of purity, without a single trace of anger or sadness or loss in her veins. She was perfect and he knew without any doubt that she’d grow to be just as much of an amazing woman as her mother. He gave the small human a small and relaxed smile, his optics dimmed to not harm the newborn’s eyes. Yes, Ratchet decided, she was perfect. 
2. Elita had been next in line to hold Iacona, waiting patiently as Ratchet lowered his servo down to Rin so that she might switch Iacona from bot to bot. As soon as the small, human sparkling touched her hand, Elita smiled more brightly than she had since the war started. “She’s amazing Ella, a truly beautiful offspring,” she whispered to her ward who was watching happily. “ I know,” the new mother sighed happily, “ My Iacona…..my little light.” Elita smiled gently before going back to gazing at Iacona. Her optics zoomed into to more carefully watch her goddaughter’s face as she slept- blissful and peaceful, so unaware of war and pain. “Oh Little Iacona,” Elita whispered, “You are so loved.”
10. The med base has been declared an official red zone.
11. Seriously, two sparked doc-bots does not make a safe environment.
12. Wheeljack, Ironhide, Jazz, and Crosshairs are banned from playing Card Against Humanity.
13. Red Alert and Prowl and banned from playing BattleShip. 
14. Uno is banned from the base. For all parties. 
15. KITCHEN UTENSILS SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN COOKING. 
16. It is not allowed for a bot to go to a park at night, wait for a random jogger, then scare the scrap out of them by transforming and screaming in their face. 
17. Unless Optimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, or Prowl has approved it, you should not be leaving the base (Bots).
18. Unless Will Lennox, Epps, or Rin have approved it, you should not be leaving this base (Humans). 
19. Is Rin technically third in command-
20. Standing in as CMO actually does give me temporary powers of third in command- Rin
21. Soundwave thinks she should stay in command- Soundwave
22. Both of you- off my list
23. No- Rin
24. No- Soundwave
25. Oh really? Guess I’ll make you get off then!
26. Really? You wanna face off against Soundwave, the ex-Decepticon, second in Command of the Decepticon army, who was also the second best gladiator on all of Cybertron?- Rin
27. …..Frag it- Yes. I will not let my list be defeated!!
28. I know your search history- Soundwave
29. List is all yours guys.
30. Awesome- lets get some ideas out well he’s trying to create a better firewall- Rin
31. Don’t fuck around with Bluetooth near us. - Soundwave
32. Jesus, he’s been holding on to that one for a while…. Okay, also guys? STOP MAKING WEIRD SEX JOKES ABOUT THE BOTS OKAY?! It’s just- like seriously, come on, it’s uncalled for and I HAVE TO EXPLAIN THE JOKES TO THEM SO IT'S REALLY AWKWARD- Rin
33. And Soundwave was the one who was ‘holding it in’- Soundwave
34. Yeah- anyways- No complaining to me about faulty weapons. I invent shit, I don’t fix it up. Just bother Wheeljack. -RIn
35. Next person to ask Laserbreak for her Twitter is going to get impaled- Soundwave
36. My bot- calm yourself. Next person to ask me for Ella’s number is going to be incinerated in a slow cooker- Rin
37. “Calm yourself”, the hypocrite says- Soundwave
38. No making bets about personnel without their permission
39. You get your list privileges back when we give them back- Rin
40. Soundwave, superior in tEcnhSIfo#^$@
41. HA
42. Glad to be back
43. Never try to hack a tech genius’s comPu%*@))
44. HA HA- Rin
45. Never try to out hack a hacker that hacked the hacking program in the first place. I’ve got an IQ of 205 for a reason. -Rin
46. Attention to all base personnel- we have discovered a small leak in the security system. Red Alert is (surprisingly) on red alert and has temporarily shut down all technology exports including phones. 
47. The bug was found in the science labs, specifically on the files on the Space Bridge. 
48. All science bots are to report to the labs at once, Rin and Mikela included as engineers. 
49. All remaining bots to report to the new energon field that’s appeared on our sensors. Doctor Rin is to be removed from the science wing to the field for the mission.
50. Ultra Magnus asks all on the team to meet in the main hangar. 
51. All has been really quiet on base for a few hours as communication exports were shut down by Red Alert- no sign of the recovery team has been made. We are hopeful that this means that the field was energon rich.
52. The team is back!
53. The team is……oh no.
54. Ratchet and Knockout are to report immediately to the med bay- we have critical injuries.
55. Ultra Magnus has returned and-
56. Scrap, I’ve never seen Ultra Magnus so mad, what the hell happened??
57. ......
58. No-
59. NO!
60. Primus please- please no-
61. I-
62. This can’t-
63. ……….
64. …..
65. Rin is MIA. Presumed KIA.

Chapter Text

“What happened Magnus?,” Opitmus questioned, placing a firm servo on his brother’s shoulder. The stoic commander’s face fell for a moment, his optics shut in a pained expression. All eyes were resting on him now, his previous outburst having drawn attention to himself. “Rin,” he managed to choke out, “Rin is……..Rin is gone.” The base went silent as Ultra Magnus vented heavily. " We were ambushed," he said shakily, " Bombed right on arrival. Rin ran into the cross fire to get to the injured and we lost track of her. Last time anyone saw her, Skywarp had her in his grip and....and he threw her across the field. Where she landed was the next location bombed." He looked at Optimus heavily. " I'm sorry," he mumbled regretfully, "I couldn't keep her safe."

The aftermath of the announcement had been utter agony. Humans and bots alike were unable to process what had been said, some asking him to repeat himself well others were already breaking down. Ella had all but collapsed on the floor, her eyes open and glassy, but her body unresponsive to anything going on around her. Drift quickly left the room, a cry of pure pain leaving his voice and Wheeljack followed almost robotically after him, his entire frame stiff and slow. Optimus himself couldn’t even find words, he just stood with his optics wide as Ultra Magnus sat down heavily on a berth nearby. Ratchet had completely disappeared and Knock Out was swearing violently.

Red Alert had left with Preceptor to try and find some sort of news over the Decepticon channels of Rin well Will had left with Epps and Ella to process the grief in private. Mikela was crying silently in the middle of the bay and Sam stood with her, gently cradling his girlfriend as his own tears fell. Optimus finally moved, walking calmly to the hangar wall before punching a hole straight through the layers of reenforced steel. 

That night, no one spoke, no one ate, and no one was alone.

Everyone gathered together to mourn together as one, crying and sobbing and screaming out their pain. 

Except for one bot.

One bot who knew something wasn’t adding up, and that Megatron was not so foolish as to not know Rin's value.

One who refused to accept Rin’s disappearance meant her death.

Soundwave.

1. I don’t know where I am exactly.
2. I still have my phone but this List app is the only thing that’s working so far for whatever reason.
3. If anyone can read this, I’m in some sort of lab? Well, I’m in a bird cage sort of trap to be more specific.
4. I’m running a decent head wound and I’ve been punctured in the lower abdomen on the right hand side- nothing to critical from what I can see at a glance……
5. Again, I don’t know if anyone can see this but…..
6. I’m alive, please know, I’m alive
7. And please come get me out

Chapter Text

1. Well, I’m in pain and need a distraction, so guess I’m starting a list for the Decepticons
2. Starscream screams like a BITCH, and apparently his natural voice is screaming
3. Skywarp is actually pretty chill- a little insane, but more Sideswipe insane than Sunstreaker insane
4. Thundercracker is actually really chill too, like, tired dad vibes
5. Shockwave is like Wheeljack if he was possessed by a demon, crazy smart and absolutely horrifying. 
6. …..I’m going to have some nightmares from the shit I’ve seen him working on…..
7.  Other than Shockwave, Starscream, Megatron, and a few others….. I have to kind of admit that the Decepticons are a lot different than I thought
8. Skywarp and Thundercracker are conjux??? Maybe, I suspect but it’s not confirmed.
9. Don’t tell Skywarp anything about the human body. He is curious, but he is also easy to scare.
10. Thundercracker is actually like the tired father of most Decpeticons
11. Shockwave is most definitely not over the last time we meet and I called him out
12. Cyclonus is very creepy, he keeps watching me and taking small notes on a data pad and it’s just creepy.
13. Ambulon is apparently the medic now that Knockout is an Autobot, he seems pretty decent at his job. Stressed though
14. I won’t lie…it’s kind of getting a little hard to stay awake, but number one I do not trust anyone here and number two I’m 110% sure I have a concussion. 
15. Good news though, I still have a few of my tools on me, including a wrench and a small laser. Bad news is Shockwave and Thundercracker were just arguing and I heard my name.
16. Shit Thundercracker is coming over-

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  - - - - - - - - - 

1. I’m alive?
2. Thundercracker took me to a different room, outside of the lab of horrors.
3. It kinda seems like….like a bedroom? There’s a berth in here, maybe a cell?
4. Shockwave and Thundercracker were arguing the whole way over here and Thundercracker still is arguing with him over by the door, but honestly, my hearing is just ... .fuzzy.
5. Maybe not a good sign…
6. Shockwave is also a bitch, just to throw that out there
7. Thundercracker won the fight though? Shockwave left at least

“ I know you have a data pad with you,” he said suddenly and I froze. It was the first time he’d actually spoken to me directly. “I don’t have a data pad,” I said quietly, slipping my phone into my pocket. “That rectangle thing you just put in your pocket,” he said, raising an optic. I winced slightly, but there was no further use in denying it. “My phone,” I said, “But it doesn’t let me send messages, at least, not here.” Thundercracker nodded. “Soundwave’s technology, he may have joined the Autobots, but he left a majority of his software here.” I mentally gave Soundwave the one finger salute. 

“I assume you want me to hand it over,” I said, fumbling with my words as my head started to get light again. He looked at me thoughtfully, or what I assumed was thoughtfulness. “No, like you said, it’s fairly useless to you in here anyways,” he eventually told me before going over to a desk I’d somehow missed. I tried to get to my feet to go closer to the bars, but gravity was working well against me and my side was screaming at me to stop moving immediately. So, I settled for scooting over on my butt, resting heavily against the bar when I got there. 

I watched Thundercracker curiously as he moved about, grabbing things I couldn’t quite see from drawers and mumbling to himself. It was almost peaceful, the sound of the engines in the background, the quiet mumbling, the shuffle of metal, and even the way the cage swung ever so slightly, rocking me almost gently. My eyes burned with exhaustion and being out of the danger lab was just the thing I needed to get some nice, semi-peaceful sleep-

“Don’t close your optics.” My eyes suddenly snapped open at the close proximity of the voice and my head jerked violently away from the bars. Thundercracker stood close to the cage now with some items in hand, but I was sluggish, trying to remember the last few minutes, or was it hours? “Ambulon is coming to take a look at those injuries, but he told me to make sure you didn’t sleep,” Thundercracker said, and I could have sworn his voice was slightly softer than before. Too tired to care and too in pain to question this, I just nodded slowly, readjusting myself so my back was against the bars. Their cool metal seeped into my back and I sighed softly, I hadn’t even noticed how hot I was. 

The door opened behind me and two new sets of footsteps came in, something I probably should have looked at. But the cold metal was too distracting and I could feel myself getting less and less in touch with reality. In the back of my mind, I was yelling at myself to snap out of it and get alert. But when blinking felt like running a marathon, I was in no mood to listen to myself. In the background, I heard some voices talking, maybe arguing? They seemed kind of worried over something…..  “-not good, maybe infection?” “-running a temperature..” “-out of that fragging cage-” I smiled slightly to myself, my last thought before I finally slumped over into unconsciousness focused on a memory of sitting in a lab as the bots worried over Ella frantically……..

A clang of metal is what I came to from, my eyes slowly opening as voices hissed at something. “- she’s resting you idiot!” “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, it was an accident!” “Poor kid nearly died, she needs rest Skywarp-” Skywarp? The name sent a jolt of memory through me and I nearly groaned as I remembered I wasn’t at base. “-think she’s awake” I turned my head towards the direction of the voices and was both surprised and relieved to see I wasn’t behind a set of bars. Instead, from what I could tell I was on some sort of giant piece of cloth, folded neatly to resemble a rather large bed. The makeshift bed was on a table of some kind and on the side of the table were three familiar bots.

A flash of pain went through my skull and I winced, grasping my head, only to meet the familiar material of bandages. “You had a pretty large laceration on the side of your head,” Ambulon said, moving to peer over me, a scanner in hand, “Luckily, Thundercracker noticed and got you out of Doc Doom’s lab before you bleed out from it, and the puncture on your side. It didn’t pierce anything vital from what I can tell, which is good because I don’t think I’d have been able to fix it.” I was staring at him as he rambled on a bit more about some more minor injuries I had. “You helped me,” I whispered hoarsely, causing Ambulonn to pause, “Why?” “Not all Decepticons are heartless bastards,” Ambulon said softly, “And you’re just a youngling, shouldn’t be out in a battle that harsh to begin with.” “Why stay here,” I asked, my eyes feeling heavy again. Thundercracker chimed in. “We can’t risk escaping while Skywarp is sparked,” he said firmly, yet worriedly. 

“Oh for God’s sake,” I deadpanned, cursing every known entity I could think of before I was asleep once more leaving three very confused Decepticons in the land of the living. 

Chapter Text

Back at the base, well many were mourning, Soundwave was working. He was no fool, and he was all too familiar with the minds of the Decepticon command officers. The trick was finding out who gave the order, and if there were those who weren’t aware of Rin’s presence. Shockwave? He’d have killed Rin for damaging his pride on the spot in most circumstances, but he was far too intelligent to not see the value in taking her prisoner. Starscream? He couldn’t think of any reason why Starscream would even have Rin in his processor unless he’d sustained some sort of major injury he needed her to fix. Though, there was the possibility he wanted her for some of her upgrades she’d made for various bots……….Megatron was another story all together. Had he heard of Rin and her abilities? Most likely yes, but Soundwave didn’t see Megatron giving the order. Granted, it was more a gut feeling than anything else, but Soundwave knew his gut feelings were typically correct.

Finally, there was the option that none of the above had given an order and that Rin’s capture was purely coincidence and luck. Soundwave wanted to slam his head into a wall at this point. He’d created some possibilities, but had no logic or proof to back anything up. Primus, he didn’t even have proof Rin was alive! While Soundwave refused to admit it to himself, he knew deep inside half his belief in Rin’s survival was built off denial of her death. No, he thought to himself, not denial. Soundwave knew Rin. She was smart, crafty, and a survivor. She wasn’t gone.

But the odds of her survival were ticking every second she wasn’t back at the base with her family, so Soundwave got to work. First, he had to hack back into the Decepticon main frame, a near impossible feat for anyone other than himself. After all, he did design most of the software guarding the mainframe. As soon as he was in, he immediately went into the battle reports, prepared to skim them until he found something useful. Only he found no battle reports outside of Shockwave’s. And he said nothing about any prisoners. Soundwave grit his teeth and forced himself to look further into recent activity. No changes in the food rations, no changes in the prison guard rotation, no change in the activity of the officers, no change at all. 

Hours of searching through every mundane detail of battle later, Soundwave was ready to break into the Decepticon base himself for answers. He refused to accept Rin’s death, refused to even believe it was a possibility. But if she had been taken prisoner, someone was covering their tracks well. Too well. Almost as if- Soundwave stopped at a thought hit him, his fuel lines running cold.

He did a quick scan of their bases' security systems and noticed another smaller, barely noticeable hole in a piece of software. Different from the one previously found and destroyed in the labs. Quickly going into it, his optics went wide as he recognized the small bug, barely visible even to the Cybertroian eye, resting in a mainframe. A bug that Shockwave invented, but never activated. One that could role through security feeds and replay tape. He quickly plugged into the system and got the bug out before plugging it into his own screen to watch it’s most recent activity.

-won’t work unless there’s some kind of anti-gravitational support on the frame,” Rin snorted, crossing her arms at Wheeljack and Perceptor. “Okay Miss Know-it-All,” Wheeljack said, rolling his optics. “She’d got a point,” Perceptor said, “The Space Bridge can’t function if it folds into itself whenever we turn it on.” “Yeah, and-

Soundwave was near panicking now. “They’ve been watching the Space Bridge,” he breathed. And if they were watching the lab, then that meant they’d heard Soundwave discuss hacking into the system to get information, meaning they knew Soundwave was watching them. “Meaning they knew I’d check their reports for Rin,” he mumbled, “Fragging hell.” But that also meant they needed her alive. Rin was the only one working on the space bridge who actually left the lab and got on the field, making her the easiest target. 

So she was alive. Soundwave felt himself smile briefly before a frown overtook his features. Most of the others wouldn’t believe him unless he had proof that showed her alive-

Last time anyone saw her, Skywarp had her in his grip and throw her across the field-

Soundwave’s processor went wild as he remembered that detail. If she was thrown, she was in doubt injured, and any injury would need medical supplies which he could find………He quickly scrolled back into the Decepticon database, moving past all attack and battle areas to the medical logs. And he found gold.

Two rolls of bandages and one use of a knockout drug in an amount far too low to be for another Cybertroian. He felt himself shaking with joy. Rin was alive. Rin was at least given some medical attention. She was alive .

He took a breath though, forcing his joy down to recognize reality. Rin was still captured though, and if it was the Space Bridge they wanted, she’d be with Shockwave. He clenched his servo tightly. I don’t care what we had in the past Shockwave, he thought to himself, standing to inform Prime of his discoveries, If you hurt her, I’ll tear your spark out myself. 

“ I need to speak with you Prime,” Soundwave said firmly, wasting no time. Optimus looked up from the desk he was hunched over and nodded. Soundwave shut the door quickly and jumped right to the point. 

“Rin is alive.” Optimus sighed deeply, like he’d already had this conversation with many others. “We will do our best to research the field, but I do not wish-” “I don’t base this on hope,” Soundwave snapped, “ Optimus, they took her because of the Space Bridge.” That certainly got Prime’s head up. “Are you certain?,” he questioned sharply. Soundwave through the small dish holding the bug he’d found on Prime’s desk. “It’s been in our systems for awhile, they’ve been watching the lab,” he said, “I also found some unusual supplies in their medical logs, supplies not meant for Cybertroian wounds.” “So she is alive and treated,” Optimus said, a faint smile on his lips. Soundwave scowled slightly. 

“You all gave up on her too fast,” he spat at Optimus, “You all started mourning before we even had a body, didn’t even try to reason otherwise!” “We did,” Optimus admitted shamefully, “You are correct Soundwave, we gave up hope much too fast.” Soundwave maintained his glower at the Prime. “I can’t fix what has been done now Soundwave,” Optimus said, “I may regret it, but now is the time I shall take to learn from it.” Soundwave looked down at the floor, vented heavily, and looked back up at him. “Then let’s get going.” 

The next time I came around, I was feeling better. Still on the makeshift berth, still achy and tired, but more energized and less ‘I’m about to pass out in a second’. This time around, I managed to raise myself up partially, settling on my elbow to glance around the room. How I missed most of the room’s interior was beyond me, but looking around I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at some of the decor. There was the berth I had noticed along with the desk Thundercracker had been at, however, there was also a large chest in the corner of the room I hadn’t noticed as well as a few chairs surrounding a table on the opposite side of the berth. What was the most unique thing however, were the walls. 

I felt myself grin slightly at the mess of movie posters scattered on one wall, ranging from Star War: Revenge of the Sith to The Bridge to Terabithia. Among those were some data boards that seemed to be filled with complex equations and formulas, many which I recognized. Many that Wheeljack and Perceptor had been using for the space bridge. My stomach rolled as some pieces of the puzzle started to work in my head.

The Space Bridge was obviously a huge deal because it’d allow us to go back to Cybertron among other planets, as well as travel anywhere on Earth in seconds. It was a tactical advantage at the least and the key to winning the war at most. Whoever got to Cybertron first would have the chance to rebuild and regain materials, along with being able to promise any neutrals the chance at their homeworld in exchange for loyalty. In other words- a huge fucking deal. And now I might be the only being on this ship who could potentially build one. 

“So how close do you think we are Jackie?,” I asked eagerly as we lined one of the many plates being prepared for the bridge. He grinned wildly. “Closer than we’ve ever been kid, damn near ready for some trail runs with actual material.” I smiled widely. “Perceptor agrees?,” I asked teasingly and Wheeljack huffed. “ Roughly,” he muttered and I cackled. “But seriously kid, if it weren’t for you figuring out that last kink in the navigational system- I don’t think we’d have ever gotten here,” Wheeljack said proudly, reaching down to gently rustle my hair. I smacked his finger away, a playful glare on my face before we both started laughing again, enjoying a moment of peace and near victory. 

“So then they somehow have been watching us,” I groaned to myself, rubbing my face with my hand. “Indeed,” a voice said, amused and I nearly jumped up, spinning around to see SkyWarp leaning against the wall. He popped himself off and walked over to me, a friendly (friendly sort of psycho) grin on his face. “Afternoon!,” he said cheerfully, picking me unexpectedly for the solid surface. “Woah,” I whispered, quickly grasping his finger as he shifted me into his palm. Skywarp brought me up to his face and I sat back, observing him. He tilted his head at me, seeming to be observing me too. “ You know, you’re the first squishy I’ve actually held before. Or gotten a close look at,” he said, giving me another grin. “And you’re the first Decepticon to hold me,” I said nervously, hoping he had some humor. He let out a burst of laughter and I relaxed slightly. 

“Soooo, you got a name squishy?,” he asked, walking over to the table I saw early and putting me down. It was a little rougher than I was used to- but I gave him the benefit of the doubt seeing as he had little human knowledge. “Rin,” I answered. “Rin,” he repeated, “That's an odd name.” “It’s short for Orinna,” I said honestly, “But no one calls me that.” “Orinna,” Skywarp repeated, “That’s actually a pretty name. For a human.” “Thanks, Skywarp is a pretty cool name too,” I said, feeling myself slowly calm down. “ Isn’t it? I want to name the sparkling Thunderwarp but Thundercracker keeps saying it’s a terrible name-”,Skywarp complained before pausing, looking at me with a slightly terrified expression. “You won’t tell anyone about our sparkling, will you?,” he whispered. “No,” I said quickly, “I promise your secret is safe with me.” He smiled slightly, relief flooding his face. “Knew I liked you squishy.”

We managed a decent conversation for a while, mostly about trivial things like movies and music, different Earth customs and some Cybertroian foods. “Sulfur buttons? Kinda sounds like our version of Sour Patch kids,” I snickered after Skywarp’s story involving a Cybertroian sweetshop from before the war. “They burned my tongue,” he whined, “But Thunndercracker can munch on handfuls at a time and barely feel a sting!” “Yeah, I’ve seen Drift down energon with enough sulfur to kill a bot, and Ratchet can barely handle a pinch of it!,” I giggled. At the mention of Drift though, Skywarp went quiet.

“....Are they all doing okay over there? Deadlo- I mean Drift, and Knockout and the others?,” he asked hesitantly. “Yeah,” I said softly, giving him a gentle smile, “They’ve found a home at the base, and in each other. Well, not that many of them would admit that.” Skywarp chuckled lightly. “I’m glad,” he murmured, “Gives me a little hope, that maybe…..” “Maybe it can happen for you?,” I asked and he nodded. “Thundercracker is just nervous is all- I don’t think he could handle losing our sparkling.” “Yeah,” I chuckled, “I’ve seen the effects of the overprotective conjux.” Skywarp winced slightly. “We…..we aren’t actually conjux. Never had the ceremony at least. We met well into the war when we were both promoted onto the War Council,” he explained, “But we’ve done the rituals, so we are but we aren’t?” “You guys are having a sparkling together, I think that tops any sort of ceremony,” I said, giving him a comforting grin. He smiled back, but then pulled back slightly, another hesitant look on his face.

“Do you think we’d be accepted?,” he asked. I snorted. “If they didn’t accept you, it’d be ridiculous and hypocritical.” “But we are Decepticons that stayed despite the chances to switch sides,” Skywarp argued, “They would never trust us, let alone like us.” “Yeah, that's true,” I retorted, “But you know what? Knockout, Barricade, and all the others went through the same thing and now? Now they’ve got another chance at life and family, hell, Knockout and Breakdown are expanding theirs.” “Really?! Knockout’s-""And our other doc,” I sighed deeply, “So Ambulon would be very welcome in our ranks. And maybe when that’s done, I could join the science labs permanently.” “You don’t like being a medic?,” Skywarp asked. “I don't mind it, and I love getting to help my friends, but I have no real passion for it, I just go through the motions. However with science and design? Creating new inventions and programming upgrades…..it’s just something that gives me meaning,” I said, smiling fondly as memories of the lab floated in my head. “I get that, I mean, I don’t like fighting, but I like….moving? Training and stuff like that?,” he tried to explain and I nodded. “Who knows, maybe someday you could teach others how to fight,” I said and he grinned eagerly. “Yeah, I’d really like that someday...... and I probably should have said this earlier..but sorry for throwing you." "Try not to make it a habit," was all I said teasingly. We both shared another smile and I slowly realized that I was not leaving this ship without my three new friends. Four if we are including the sparkling. 

“As much as I want to believe this, you have to admit there are some areas of this evidence that are based on hope at best,” Prowl vented heavily. Soundwave grit his derma tightly to keep from snapping at the SIC. “Prowl, even if there is a chance-,”Jazz said quietly, “We owe her that much.” Prowl looked carefully at his conjux with pleading eyes. Jazz leaned forwards and whispered something to him, clutching his hand tightly and Prowl slumped in defeat. “Alright then, what's the plan,” Jazz grinned.

 “First, we need to locate the ship as well as check all our systems for more bugs,” Optimus ordered, “Have Red Alert start searching.” “That’ll make his vorn,” Prowl muttered before leaving to relay the message. “Now we’ve got to find the ship,” Drift muttered, speaking up for the first time in what Soundwave could assume was days based on the scratch in his vocalizer. “Correct, which Soundwave has a plan for,” Optimus said, gesturing for Soundwave to take the conversation. “Draw them out, plant a tracker,” he deadpanned and Jazz vented dramatically. “Please mech, simpler.” Soundwave gave him a look and crossed his arms, making Jazz raise his arms in defense. “Alright, alright, humor later.” 

The meeting concluded with the plan set and Soundwave was getting ready to leave the room to prepare when a hand clamped on his shoulder. He turned to see Drift looking down at the ground, his gaze fixed and far off in the distance. “You really think she’s alive?,” he asked quietly. Soundwave took a moment to respond. 

“We both know she’s not a human you kill easily.”

“ Skywarp? Skywarp answer the fragging comm now, ” Thundercrackers voice cackled to life, panic evident. Skywarp immediately stopped his story and grabbed his forgotten comm. “What’s wrong?,” he asked intently. “ Shockwave is on his way there now, stall him til I get there. Be careful.” The com clicked off and Skywarp vented shakily. “He’s here for me,” I guessed nervously. “Yeah, but don’t panic, okay? Thundercracker will be here soon and-and Shockwave will listen to him,” Skywarp said soothingly, but his own nerves were taking over, one of his hands on his sparkcasing. “Drop your hand,” I told him, “You need to be the wildcard Decepticon right now.” He nodded, taking a deep breath before quickly grabbing me and walking back to the cage. We both began to hear a set of heavy footsteps. “Sorry,” Skywarp whispered, placing me in the cage before locking it and sitting his one the chair, leaning in it to appear bored. 

I curled into a ball just as the door opened and the familiar mass of purple and black metal walked in. “Shockwave! Whatta surprise,” Skywarp said, smirking wildly with his fangs on display. “I’m here to collect the human,” he demanded and Skywarp huffed. “No can do, on orders to not let the squishy out of sight until Thundercracker returns.” “Forget those orders, these are your new ones. Give me the human or I’ll tear your spark casing into pieces and rip out that sparkling you have growing in you.”

I unfurled instantly as Skywarp stepped back in horror, his optics wide. “How-,” he whispered in horror. “Did you think the Autobots were the only ones I spied on with my little bugs? How naive,” he snarled, backhanding Skywarp across the room. Skywarp hit the back wall with a crunch, falling down hard and not getting back up.“Skywarp,” I yelled, running to the bars. “ So the human lives,” Shockwave deadpanned, ripping the cage walls apart and reaching in. I cried out in pain as his claws wrapped around me tightly, slowly crushing my chest. “Silence,” he ordered and he started to walk out of the room. “Skywarp!,” I yelled once more, looking at the still form of Skywarp on the floor, “SKYWARP!” 

“Patience Soundwave,” Prime whispered to me as the small battle shuffled around us. It was truly simple, go to an active energon spot and ‘launch and attack’ on the small band of Decepticons. It would be quick and just enough to make them return to the Nemesis, one lucky bot wearing a tracking device. “On your left Soundwave! One coming right at you,” Ironhide yelled into the comms as a random soldier crashed into the wall behind the rocks I was behind. Quick as I could, I placed the device on the under plating of his armor before he could snap out of the daze he was in from the throw. Not even a moment later he was back in the fight and I grinned. Now the games could begin. 

My stomach rolled as Soundwave dropped me into a tube, my heartbeat pounding. He went to a screen and the jar’s top shut on me, trapping me. I banged on the glass. “What are you doing to me!,” I yelled at him. His optic turned on me and I swear my veins went ice cold on the spot. “Testing.” He kept his optic on me as he pressed a button. Suddenly, the tube’s floor started flooding with a thick liquid substance, coating and soaking my shoes in seconds. Now, I started to panic. “Does this ‘testing’ involve me mPh-' ' Several wires sprung from the tube's bottom and top, wrapping around my hands, feet, mouth, ribs, and anywhere else they could grab. One wire stood out, larger and thicker than the others, with a large needle on its end. It came close to my face, the needle tip scraping my check as it slowly wrapped around to my neck. With no warning, it plunged in and I gave a muffled scream as something I could only describe as liquid fire was injected into me. 

“Subject appears alarmed and in pain,” the deadpan voice of the monster rang out, “Batch One of Serum injected, awaiting results.” The slime was now up to my waist, still steadily rising as my head,throat, and oddly my teeth started to scream in agony. Had it not been for the gag, I was sure the entire ship would have heard me. “Lead Scientist: designation Shockwave, preparing for first procedure. Elected to put the subject under for minimal distractions.” Between the screaming in my head and the screaming from myself, I almost missed that detail and I started to become less panicked and more terrified for my life. The slime reached my chin now and I closed my eyes tightly, willing to wake up from this living nightmare. 

“Set up complete, ready for subject.” The slime was under my nose as I peaked one last glance to see a table set with tools and metal pieces. Then another needle went into my neck, and the slime went over my head, and I fell into the abyss of unconsciousness screaming. 

Chapter Text

“-warp, Skywarp!” Skywarp’s optics went inline wearily, an ache going through his processor. Gradually, he made out the lines of Thundercracker and Ambulon, his conjux holding him tightly and his amica standing over worriedly. “Rin,” he slurred, his sight getting more clear as he observed the room. “Shockwave took her,” Ambulon said somberly, “His lab is sealed off now- I-I can’t get in.” Skywarp’s spark twisted. “We need to help her,” he mumbled as Thundercracker got him to his feet. “You and Ambulon need to leave soon, if Shockwave knows about the sparkling, odds are they both know about…everything,” Thundercracker said, watching the door as if he was expecting an armed battalion to burst through. “We need to help her,” Skywarp argued against his conjux weakly. “I will,” Thundercracker said softly, “ I swear, I will. But you two need to escape as soon as I get through those doors. Get somewhere isolated.” “And you?,” Ambulon asked quietly. “I’ll get Rin, and I’ll meet you wherever you go. I’ll follow Skywarp’s spark signature.” Ambulon nodded, taking Skywarp’s arm and throwing it around his shoulder. “Careful,” Skywarp murmured, “Please.”

It had taken nearly three days for the tracker to finally settle in a specific area. “Are we sure it’s on the ship?,” Perceptor muttered, his optics narrowed at the screen. “100%, AirForce sent back the readings and said it’s signals are being jammed in those coordinates,” Lennox mumbled, dragging a hand along his face. “How’s Ella,” Wheeljack asked, his eyes not moving from the red dot on the screen. “Anxious,” Epps said, taking a long sip of coffee, “But equally as ready to tear that ship apart herself if she had the chance.” The room chuckled slightly before the silence fell again. “It’s been three hours,” Soundwave said, moving from his spot against the wall, “I think it’s time we move before it does.”

Thundercracker moved swiftly along the passageways, watching for officers or soldiers preparing to shoot at him. He had known the risks of trying to keep a secret. When Soundwave was present, it’d have been impossible to hide something like this and Thundercracker had been stupid enough to believe that his absence meant they could indulge in their relationship more. Now, that was coming back to bite him, Skywarp, Ambulon, and worse, Rin, in the aft. 

Rin , he thought miserably, the poor girl. She hadn’t deserved to be taken, and she certainly didn’t deserve whatever she was enduring under Shockwave. It’d been three days and Thundercracker was nowhere near close to being able to get Shockwave’s lab. Brute force, hacking, attempts to contact Shockwave, all failed. He was by no means close to the mad mech, but he had hoped that nearly two million years fighting on the same faction might at least give him some input on how to reach the scientist. Unfortunately, the SIC was as isolated as he was cruel. So Thundercracker reached his final option, breaking into Megatron’s personal weaponry vault.

Standing in front of the side doors to the lab, he heaved a heavy duty flame thrower strong enough to melt metal from a bot’s body in seconds. More than enough to handle the blast doors protecting Shockwave from him. Thundercracker quickly sent a wave of urgency through his bond with Skywarp to signal him to move out with Ambulon and then set the gun to his target. With no further delays, he lit it up and watched the metal turn orange and red as the heat hit them. It took a minute, but the door finally gave way, letting Thundercracker march through. 

Shockwave stood before a large tube, servos folded behind his back, watching something before him in utter fascination. “Shockwave,” Thundercracker bellowed and the purple mech barely glanced his way. “Extraordinary,” he simply muttered, his gaze back on whatever was before him. “Where is the human,” Thundercracker demanded, raising the gun. Shockwave let out something Thundercracker could only assume to be a laugh. “Right here,” he said excitedly, stepping aside with an arm branshied to showcase what the tube held. 

Thundercracker dropped the gun as a small, battered body floated before him. “Rin,” he whispered as a small bubble escaped her mouth, “What the frag did you do?!” Shockwave started laughing uncontrollably now, deep, cruel laughter that rang inside the room and would continue to echo in Thundercracker’s head for years to come. “Why, I think I improved her!”

Skywarp and Amublon were halfway to an escape pod when the alarms started to sound. “What the scrap,” Ambulon muttered, “Are we under attack?” “Autobots are here for Rin,” Skywarp murmured. “Wait if they’re here for Rin then…..,” Ambulon said, his voice drifting off in terror. The two looked at each other. “Thundercracker.”

“Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, take the left wing,” Optimus ordered, “Drift, Crosshairs, take the right wing. Myself and Ultra  Magnus will take the middle sections and Soundwave and Wheeljack will head to the labs themselves.” The party nodded and ran off in their assigned directions, each of them keeping mind their limited timetables. Optimus had been hesitant to send Soundwave to the labs, not because of his previous relationship to the Decepticon faction, but by his previous relationship to the Decepticon scientist. However, he quickly realized that Soundwave was far more interested in sending his old amica into the surface of the sun than in trying some half-hearted plea deal. And watching silent mech run off, Optimus couldn’t scold himself for worrying as he recalled who the second most powerful fighter on Cybertron was. 

Soundwave had very little concern for anything right now other than getting to the labs, hopefully finding Rin or hearing another group find her, and then sending Shockwave half way to Cybertron with a hole in his spark. He was barely keeping track of Wheeljack, who had been paired with him half because of his own scientific knowledge and half because he refused to stay behind as his ward was in danger. The two didn’t speak, but Wheeljack was clearly following Soundwave’s lead, letting the mech make a path through any soldiers they encountered on their way to the labs. Wheeljack never faltered in his steps, because at the end of the day, they had the same goal: tear Shockwave apart from the sparkcase to servo. 

Skywarp and Ambulon rounded a corner leading into the main lab only to find its side door with a still smoldering hole in it. They exchanged a glance that was broken as a loud crash thundered from the lab, rattling the ship’s floor. “Thundercracker!,” Skywarp cried, racing in. Ambulon swore and chased after only to run straight into Skywarp’s back as soon as he cleared the door. “Skywarp, what the-” He immediately shut up as Skywarp pointed a shaky finger towards the lab’s center, where Shockwave laid out on the ground, a hole through his optic. Next to him, Thundercracker stood before a broken test tube, holding…“Primus,” Ambulon whispered, racing forwards as Skywarp hung back, shaking violently. 

Thundercracker had no emotion on his face, his optics glazed over as he cradled Rin in his arms. Or what was left of her. 

She was paler than a cloud, as if all the blood in her had been drained out, a possibility Ambulon didn’t even want to consider could be reality. Her limbs trembled even as she lay unconscious, blue tingeing her lips. But that all paled in comparison.

“Her-her,” Thundercracker started to stutter, panic setting in. Amublon quickly took Rin, gently as he could, before glancing back at Skywarp. “Thundercracker, you need to find the Autobots,” Ambulon ordered, “They need to know-” He caught a gleam of her face and shuddered, taking a deep vent and then continuing. “They need to know what happened, and they need to get their medic ready. And their engineer. Do you understand? Take Skywarp and find them, tell them, and then get out of here.” Thundercracker nodded, venting heavily, but regaining his control. He grabbed his shell-shocked conjux before running out, chasing the nearest enemy signal. Ambulon exhaled heavily then returned focus to Rin. Primus…where to even start…..

Soundwave heard footsteps approaching fast and he spun around to face whoever was coming. Wheeljack followed suit, pulling at a gun of some kind and pointing it towards the end of the corridor. Both mechs stood still a moment before two very familiar Decepticons rounded the corner, neither armed nor in any sort of fighting stance. “Thundercracker, Skywarp,” Soundwave said venomously, “Where is-” “Your doctor, where is he,” Thundercrackr demanded. “Don’t know, but you’ll have to get past-”,” Wheeljack started before being cut off my Skywarp. “Look, this is a long story, but let me make it short. We don’t want to fight you, myself, Thundercracker, and Ambulon all left the Decpeticons. But we are trying to help you right now, and we are trying to save her okay? It’s my fragging fault she was back with him a-and, a-and I-” Skywarp trembled slightly, Thundercracker steadying his partner. 

“Everything aside from what you said about Rin can wait for a bit- but where is she now?,” Wheeljack said, “She’s my ward Thundercracker, I need to see he-” “NO,” he suddenly exclaimed, “If she’s your ward…..” His voice went quiet before he vented heavily. “Listen to me,” he said carefully, “Seeing her right now- it’ll cause you more harm than good, especially since it’s only a matter of time before old Megs makes his appearance. You need to go back to your base and prep both yourself and Ratchet, she’ll need you both.” “And what? You think I’m just going to listen to you both?,” Wheeljack snarled, “Whether you left or not-” 

“Wheeljack,” Soundwave said, speaking up for the first time, “Go and do what they say.” All three mechs looked at him, with varying degrees of relief and outrage. “Go back?!,” Wheeljack growled, “Soundwave-” “Rin will need you,” Soundwave ordered, “And she’ll need you to be ready. I will get her and I will bring her to you.” Wheeljack hesitated, his servos clenched. The silence was thick enough to cut with a blade. 

“Fine,” Wheeljack said quietly, “But mark my words…..” “You’ll kill us in some extremely fragged up way should anything happen to her, got it,” Skywarp said, before placing a servo on Wheeljack’s shoulders gently. “May be hard to believe, but she’s got our protection. She’s pretty hard to dislike.” Wheeljack snorted softly. “...Yeah, that I know.” He took one last look at the group before going off towards the shuttles they'd landed on the Nemesis. “I’ll update the team via coms, now go get my fragging ward!” Soundwave nodded and before gesturing for Skywarp and Thundercracker to lead the way. 

“Ambulon, Skywarp, and Thundercracker are on our side, Rin has been located and she’s injured to an unknown extent. I’m returning to base to prep the med bay and Soundwave is retrieving Rin,” Wheeljack said nonchalantly through the coms, even though he was panicking on the insides. What could have happened for Thundercracker to protest him seeing Rin so much? Could it have something to do with the guardianship bond? If so……. “Drift, you’ll need to return to base with me,” Wheeljack spoke into the coms. If seeing her would have set him off, then the risk of setting off Deadlock was too great. And if Deadlock got out, there were very few things on Earth or any planet that could truly reel him back in. Wheeljack could only hope Drift’s rationality was still intact. A moment later coms came alive, buzzing with questions and exclamations. Thankfully Prime cut in and silenced them. “Drift, report back to base. The rest of you, get back to the shuttles and leave. Myself and Ultra Mangus will await Soundwave, Rin, and our new allies. 

“How bad,” Soundwave said as the trio continued their trek to the labs. “Let’s just say even I didn’t think Shockwave could go that low,” Thundercracker mumbled, “It’s not pretty ‘Waves, but rest assured he’s not going to hurt her again.” “You took care of him?,” Soundwave asked Thundercracker, who nodded. “He laid his servos on my sparked mate and hurt Rin,” Thundercracker growled, “I couldn’t kill him fast enough.” 

The trio skidded to a halt before the door, Skywarp flinching at the very sight of it. “Stay here ‘Warp,” Thundercracker mumbled, placing his arm on his conjux’s shoulder before taking a  deep vent and gesturing Soundwave in. The labs hadn’t changed much, aside from the obvious destruction caused by Thundercracker, since Soundwave had last been in them. The same grotesque tubes and wiring, examination tables and scattered tools, random vials of liquids and various cages that moved at times on their own- filled with a vast…collection of creatures Shockwave had also been so fascinated by. Soundwave turned his head away from the sights, instead going to focus on the mech before him, leaning over a table and moving with frantic speed. Thundercracker has already joined Ambulon, his expression pinched as though he was about to be sick at any moment.  An unusual expression for any battleharden bot, especially one of Thundercracker’s caliber. So it was one of many hints Soundwave picked up that Rin’s condition was bad. He quickly made his way over and peered over the moving servos. 

Soundwave’s spark went dull and his body froze with a mixture of horror, guilt, and fury he had never known. His entire frame shook with rage, metal grinding against metal as his processor screamed a million different messages at him. He wanted to bring back Shockwave himself, just so that he could murder him a thousand times over, again and again until at last, in the next four million years give or take he finally let him plummet into the abyss. 

Rin laid on the table, her chest barely moving and her skin pale and blue all at once. Her lips were bloody and scarlet drenched her clothing and hair. Random twitches ran through her, shaking different limbs as Amublon worked on her injuries. 

Her arm was gone. Replaced with metals jammed together to resemble some sort of sickening claw.

The left side of her head had been shaved and metal was fused to, or even into, her skull, some wires still poking out and snapping with electric charge. 

Her left eye was gone. Nothing but a thin piece of metal stretched over to hide the empty socket. 

Her neck was bruised and bloodied with injection points, some puncture wounds still oozing out a mix of whatever Shockwave had put in her and whatever liquid he’d trapped her in. 

She had been ripped apart, tested, and haphazardly put back together, just barely enough treatment to keep her alive. 

She was ripped apart. 

Soundwave backed up from the table slowly, turning as he shook in a cold bloodied fury not even the gladiator pits had put on him. He wanted to murder them all, he wanted death to fall on this ship with himself as the Grim Reaper. Most of all, he wanted to get his servos on Megatron. 

No , he said to himself, no . He knew what he needed most of all- to see Rin looking less like a corpse. So he needed most of all to get her back to base alive. 

Then he’d come and get his revenge. 

Chapter Text

The next few minutes went by in a blur, Thundercracker was ushering Skywarp towards the shuttles, Ambulon was carrying Rin next to Soundwave, cradling Rin carefully, and Soundwave was…… Well Soundwave was fighting every single urge in his system to not turn around and find Megatron so he could kill him slowly. Or resurrect Shockwave to murder him violently. Or truly any of the cold-lined Decepticons he knew were on this nightmare of a ship. He wanted their energon on the floor, on his hands, and out of their systems. He wanted to forget every ideal and moral he held and burn it all to ashes. 

But he looked at Rin and knew it’d all have to wait. She was more important than revenge, and Soundwave knew he’d need to be there to ensure Drift and Wheeljack didn’t attempt anything stupid. Hell, he knew he’d need to ensure that the base didn’t riot. Even Optimus couldn’t be fully trusted to not lose himself when he saw her condition. And even though Soundwave wanted to encourage it, and wanted to participate in the massacre, he knew that it wasn’t what Rin needed and it certainly wasn’t what she’d want. 

He heard the blaster fire before he saw the shuttle. As they rounded a corner, it was clear Optimus and Ultra Magnus were just barely holding their position. They stood behind crates, both using their arm cannons as well as their secondary blasters. Ultra Magnus caught sight of them first and he yelled something to Optimus that Soundwave couldn’t hear over the gun fire. Magnus waved at them, gesturing to run on board the shuttle. “Ambulon, stay behind me and Thundercracker,” Soundwave ordered, drawing his own weapons, “We’ll cover you and Skywarp. Get on that ship and start treating her.” The mechs nodded and Soundwave signaled them to run like Primus was on their pedes. 

They broke into the fight full force, with Soundwave and Thundercracker blasting through the front line of Decepticons with enough force to stun the group, giving the Autobots the chance to get in the shuttle together. Ultra Mangus followed in first after Thundercracker and Soundwave and Optimus brought up the rear, guns still focused on the Decepticons as the shuttle door shut. Slowly, Soundwave let his guns down, venting heavily as the sounds of engines bursting to life filled the cockpit. He turned to see Ambulon hunched over a bench, with Ultra Magnus just about to peer over the top to see Rin. 

Soundwave made a lunge to stop the Wrecker commander, but he was seconds too late. The air went tense as Ultra Magnus saw Rin for the first time, the only sounds now being the quiet clink of metal as Ambulon worked. For a moment, Soundwave was sure that Magnus was going to rip a hole in the shuttle, but he stayed rigid. “Report,” he ordered, his voice shaking in barely concealed rage. Ambulon hesitated a moment, looking back to make optic contact with Soundwave. Soundwave nodded slightly, it would be better for the commanders to get the shock and anger out now before the entire base heard. 

“Left arm, left side of her head, her left optic, various puncture wounds, previous laceration that lead to complications in her…….in what Shockwave did to her,” Ambulon said quickly, avoiding their optics skillfully, “Three unknown substances found in her bloodstream, and a mutation in some of her teeth.” “So he used her,” Optimus said, his voice low and dark, “As an experiment?” Ambulon winced slightly and nodded. “Yes,” he whispered, looking down at Rin, “And-and I can’t tell to what extent yet.” There were no sounds other than the crunch as Ultra Magnus put his fist through the wall panels. 

They were approaching the base quickly and Ambulon could already see the forms of Ratchet and Wheeljack at the gates, ready with a medical berth. Optimus had the sense, after Soundwave had pulled him aside and whispered furiously to him, to call ahead and have the medical base cleared and all personnel cleared from the landing zone. The news of her time in the hands of Shockwave would spread, but for now, it was necessary to keep the situation as calm as it would allow. Ratchet and Wheeljack had been briefed on the worst of what to expect, and fortunately, both took it better than Ambulon had expected. Or at least, they recognized they needed to treat her before they let anger overtake them. 

None of the medics wasted any time as the ship landed, and Ratchet was half way through the door before the landing protocols had been completed. Ambulon had to admire the mech’s calamity to the situation, he didn’t show a single emotion on his faceplate as his optics quickly darted over Rin. 

“We need to stabilize that head wound before anything else,” he said, turning to Ambulon, “You’ve taken care of the puncture wounds?” “Yes, and I did what I could for the arm- but I didn’t want to risk anything serious with her head, I know too little about humans for that,” he answered quickly and Ratchet nodded. “We’ll get her to the bay and start on the head right away, I’ll have Wheeljack take a look with me and I’ll have you work on whatever my scans show.” Ambulon nodded and gently scooped Rin up from the bench he’d laid her on. “What about the size difference? Will you both be able to work on her head when your servos are three times the size of her body?,” Ambulon asked. “I have modifications for that,” was all Ratchet said before they moved from the ship and into the base.

Rin had been in surgery now for five hours, approaching her sixth. Ratchet, Ambulon, and Wheeljack hadn’t reemerged from the med bay where they disappeared with her so the entire base was left on edge, waiting for news.  

As Soundwave expected, the initial reactions from a majority of the base were explosive. It took Soundwave, Optimus, and Breakdown to keep Drift from leaving to rip a hole in the Nemesis well Ultra Magnus, Bulkhead, and Ironhide to restrain Chromia, Perceptor, and Elita. The humans hadn’t been easy either, and it took a very reluctant Will Lennox to keep the majority from sneaking out to track down Shockwave. Epps actually did disappear for a while, but was brought back by Jazz before he got too far with his plans. Only after Thundercracker told everyone that he’d killed Shockwave did things finally calm down to a point where the anger was gone and the anxiety took over. Which led to the tense silence the base was in now. 

The only break in the silence came from the small creak as the human door to the hangar opened, revealing a somber Ella holding Iacona. Soundwave immediately perked up and took it upon himself to go over to the female Rin considered to be her sister. She was shaking slightly, rocking her daughter carefully to keep the small sparkling asleep, as Soundwave knelt down to meet her. 

“Will she be alright?,” Ella whispered, fear dancing across her features and the base seemed to close in around Soundwave as bots and humans alike tuned in to hear the answer. Soundwave hadn’t discussed her state much, letting Optimus announce her injuries, but he realized in that moment no one had a clear answer to the main question: Would Rin die tonight? 

And it wasn’t a question Soundwave was confident he had the answer to. After all, well he may have spent the most time of any Autobot in the room with her- he hadn’t been with her more than a few minutes during the entire rescue mission. There were however, two mechs in the room that had been, and there was no time like the present to start building trust between the two new neutrals. Soundwave glanced up to Thundercracker and Skywarp, both who were standing anxiously in the corner as though waiting for someone to turn their anger onto them. 

“Will she be?,” he asked them and the group turned to face the ex- Decepticons. “I think she will be,” Skywarp said kindly, giving Ella a small smile, “She’s the toughest human I’ve ever seen.” Ella gave him a watery grin as tears slipped down her face. “Yeah,” she sniffled, wiping her face with her free arm, “She is.” “She told me about you,” he said, walking over to Soundwave and Ella, “Told me about her niece too. Iowa was her name?” Ella giggled and looked down at her daughter. “Iacona,” she answered. “After Iacon?,” Thundercracker asked, surprised, coming to stand by his conjux, gently wrapping an arm around him. He peered down at Iacona curiously, his optics glowing for a brief moment and then returning to normal. Thundercracker and Skywarp exchanged a fond look and Soundwave couldn’t help but feel like he was missing something.“We were both from Iacon,” Thundercracker said, “We meet there to, just after the war started.” “Optimus told me it was the center of education and knowledge of Cybertron,” Ella said softly, “I wanted to honor your world by bringing a piece of it here.” “I’m sure any proper Cybertronian would be honored to hear that one of our cities inspired her name,” Skywarp said.

Just as a sense of peace came across the room, the med doors slammed open and Ratchet emerged, a tired and stressed look on his face. Immediately, everyone was alert and waiting for news. “She’ll live,” Ratchet huffed, a small smile on his face plates, “But she’s in Wheeljack’s servos for now as he starts on the more mechanical side of things.” He looked around until he meet Perceptor’s optics. “He’ll need some help.” Perceptor nodded and brushed past Ratchet into the backroom. “Ratchet,” Ella called out, walking forwards to her guardian. Pieces of Ratchet’s tension slipped away at the sight of his ward and his goddaughter, and he reached down to let Ella climb into his servo. The two started a whispered conversation, and the bots and humans around them had enough respect to wander away a bit. 

Amublon appeared a moment later with Knockout, both talking quietly with creased faceplates. Breakdown went to his conjux and old colleague, patting Ambulon fondly on the back before turning to hug his sparkmate carefully. Soundwave went over to join them, taking the chance to dig further into Rin’s condition. 

“We had to remove the metal Shockwave attached to her, including the entire arm,” Ambulon whispered to the small group, “Ratchet handled her head wounds and her eye while I patched up the arm and the rest of the injuries she had. It wasn’t easy work, there-” Ambulon hesitated, taking a deep vent before continuing. “There were a few times her heart stopped.” Breakdown cursed quietly, wrapping an arm around Knockout. “But she’s stable now?,” he asked. “Physically,” Ambulon murmured, rubbing his optics, “I can’t imagine what type of mind healing she’s going to need after this.”

“When do you think we’ll be able to see her?” “Three days? Maybe four, it all depends on her.”

Chapter Text

It had been four days, three hours, twenty-six minutes, and sixteen seconds since Ambulon had predicted Rin’s regain of consciousness. Well Ratchet and Wheeljack assured the base that Rin was recovering, they also stressed that it was better for her to recover slowly in her own time than to wake up as soon as possible. Not that those words registered with the impatient beings aboard the base. 

It took four minutes after Wheeljack and Perceptor finished their work on her for Ratchet to declare she would only be allowed select visitors. The initial argument of who could visit had been immediately struck down by Ratchet as he announced he’d already chosen. Ella, Drift, Wheeljack, Soundwave, Epps, Will, and Optimus were the only ones allowed in currently, with the exception of Perceptor and the other medics who would do routine check ups on her. They group had decided to be with her in shifts, making sure at least one was with the slumbering young woman at all times. Which led to Soundwave’s position as he sat calculating the days since he’d seen his friend open her eyes during one of his time slots, his eyes resting sadly on the form of Rin. 

In comparison, she looked better. More color was in her face, she wasn’t drenched in her own blood, and the holes in her neck had been bandaged up. The scans done by both Ratchet and Wheeljack didn’t reveal any imbalances in her hormones or blood cells, every organ was functioning normally, and her autonomic systems were operating perfectly fine. However, it did reveal a rather interesting surprise.

“Cybertronian? What do you mean there are traces of Cybertronian DNA in her?,” Ratchet exclaimed as the group of medics and scientists came together to compare some unexpected news. “I mean that whatever he injected in her implanted some traces of Cybertronian DNA,” Perceptor grumbled, “Believe me, we can’t really explain it either. We checked the tests four times.”

“So she’s part Cybertronian now?,” Amublon asked curiously. “No, but yes,” Wheeljack sighed, “When she wakes up we’ll know more, but for now we are working off of her recent….accessories.” “The modification Shockwave made to her mind increased her already high intelligence,” Perceptor explained, “And some other things we aren’t 100% sure on, but we believe the ability to speak and understand Cybertronian is something she’ll be able to do soon.” “That and then her eye- it was replaced by a prototype designed to mimic a medic’s optics. Built in with a scanner and everything,” Wheeljeck added, “But once more, we aren’t going to know the full extent until she wakes up.” 

Soundwave sighed gently, placing down the report he’d been reading for the last hour. He hadn’t actually managed to read any of it of course, he’d been too busy trying to get his processor to shut off about the entire ordeal. The ‘what ifs’ and ‘could haves’ were echoing his head, and he wasn’t sure if they’d ever truly disappear. And hearing the news about her apparent brain alt-

A small shift caught the corner of his optics and he froze, slowly lowering his gaze to the berth. His ventilation system caught in his throat. “Rin,” he croaked. A pair of glazed over eyes drifted to him from the ceiling and for a moment Soundwave thought he was going to see her smile. 

Instead, her eyes went wide and she let out a blood curdling scream.

“Rin!,” Soundwave cried out as Rin shot up, falling off the bed and scrambling to the wall, not once letting up her screams of terror. “Please no!,” she screamed, “GET AWAY FROM ME!!”

The doors crashed open as Ratchet and a few others bolted in, which only seemed to create more panic for Rin as she started to hyperventilate, her screams interrupted by sharp gasps for air.  

“Rin-,” Drift uttered, his optics wide in fear. He tried to take a step forward but was stopped by Ratchet’s arm. “She thinks she’s in the lab,” he whispered, his optics frozen on the trembling girl, “She’s….she’s scared of us.” A hush fell over the room as the information dropped, the sounds of Rin’s heavy breathing being the only noise. Soundwave swallowed thickly. “How can we help her then?,” he asked hoarsely. Ratchet’s frozen gaze didn’t move. “I-I don’t know,” he whispered, “I don’t-”

“Rin!” Ella rushed in the door, Epps close behind her holding Iacona. He stopped at the pedes of Jazz, staring anxiously at Rin as Ella ran to her friend’s side. Rin stopped screaming, though her trembling didn’t cease and her eyes were still wide open in terror. 

“Rin,” Ella whispered, slowly kneeling down to, “Look at me Rin.” She gently grasped Rin's limp hand, lightly rubbing it in a comforting motion. “I’m here love, Ella’s here,” she whispered soothingly and slowly Rin’s tremors started to dull. “Ella?,” she whispered hopefully, yet fearfully, “What are you doing here? Ella, you need to leave-he’s going to-!” “Shockwave is gone,” Ella said softly, but firmly, “You’re at the base honey, can you feel the med bay floor under you? It’s got that nice, smooth metal” Ella slowly lowered Rin’s hand to the floor and her fingers scraped the surface hesitantly. “Can you smell the air? It’s that cleaning spray we like, remember?,” Ella continued sweetly, still rubbing small circles into Rin’s palm as she traced patterns into the floor. “Lemons,” Rin mumbled. “That’s right honey, lemons. Just like that lemonade I made last summer, the ones that the bees took over,” Ella chuckled lightly and Rin nodded dazedly. 

“At home,” she murmured before tilting her eyes up to look at Ella, “I’m home?” “You’re home,” Ella confirmed, “Your family is here, I’m here, Iacona is here. She’s so excited to see her favorite tia again.” “Iacona,” Rin murmured, her eyes becoming more focused and her breathing starting to even out, “My niece….” “Your niece,” Ella whispered, “Do you want to see her?” Rin nodded slightly. “Gotta make sure she's okay,” Rin murmured as Ella quickly took Iacona from Epps, who backed up after delivery. “Here she is,” Ella whispered, tucking some wisps of hair behind Iacona’s ears before gently placing her in Rin’s lap. 

Rin moved her arm, pausing briefly as a flicker of confusion came across her face. Ella’s eyes widened before gesturing for Epps to grab Iacona. “Rin, honey, it’s okay,” she said, handing Iacona over to Epps. “Take Iacona out, please,” she whispered to him frantically as Rin started to breathe heavily again. “M-My a-r-arm,” Rin stuttered, staring to her side where the limb no longer was, “M-My a-arm!!” Her healthy hand shot to grip her face where she met cold metal. “M-y fa-ace?!” Fingers traced over the side of her head and over her vacant eye socket. “M-yy ey-eye,” she whimpered, “W-what did h-he do?! Rin curled into herself against the wall, sobbing and whispering shakily to herself over and over again, “It’s gone, it’s gone, it’s gone.” Ella watched helplessly, tears running down her face silently. “Rin,” she whispered desperately, “My sweet sweet girl.”

The bots watched as Ella took the sobbing mess of RIn into her arms, rocking her back and forth as tears leaked from her face. And they could only watch as Shockwave’s work pulled Rin apart. Soundwave could swear he heard that cruel laughter somewhere, distant yet filling his ears in a deafening tone. 

Chapter Text

Ella hadn’t let Rin go for the last hour, only moving to swift her gently to sit side by side with her. Rin had gone silent some time ago, her trembling resumed and her face hidden in Ella’s arms. The bots around them still had very little idea on what to do. Finally Drift couldn’t take it anymore. 

“Rin?,” he asked softly, approaching the pair on the floor and kneeling down. A moment passed, but then a familiar pair of green eyes peered over Ella’s forearm. “Hey Drifty,” she mumbled weakly. Drift vented softly, a relieved smile on his face. Rin whispered to Ella and Ella smiled encouragingly, lifting her arm to let the girl go. With Ella’s help, Rin stood up slowly and made her way to Drift who offered out his servo. Hesitantly, Rin took it and Ella let go of her arm. There was a pause then as Drift waited for Rin to make the first move. “I’m sorry.”

Drift looked at his ward with wide eyes as she stood, her head down in shame. “Sorry?,” he questioned softly, “What in the name of Primus are you sorry for?” “I don’t know,” she admitted quietly and Drift gave a light chuckle. “I’m the one who should be sorry,” he whispered remorsefully, “I couldn’t save you in time.” “It wasn’t your fault,” Rin said in a hushed voice, “It was-It wasn’t anyone’s fault here.” The bot and human looked at each other then, mutual pain spread into a familiar and easy smile. 

Rin wrapped her arms around one of his fingers in a tight hug, her face resting on the cool metal. Drift automatically lifted her up and brought her to his face plates where Rin shifted to hug his face. Drift chuckled at the familiar move and he softly blew air through his nose onto the girl’s head. Rin giggled and sighed contently as Drift’s finger gently stroked her back. “I’m happy to be home,” Rin whispered, closing her eyes and everyone in earring range felt their sparks melt slightly. Drift grinned, his optics shining as his own tears finally started to come up.

“Glad you’re back kid,” he murmured, closing his optics as he shifted Rin to carefully rest his forehead on hers. 

Clunk . Rin winced as the metal dropped to the floor, her body jerking against her will. “Sorry kiddo,” Wheeljack said with a tight smile, bending down to pick up a wrench he’d dropped. “It’s fine,” Rin muttered, pulling her knees up to her chest and wrapping her remaining arm around them, though it didn’t last long as she started to topple over. Unable to stop herself on her left side, she fell into the mattress, grumbling unhappily as she squirmed onto her back. “You want some hel-” “No,” she said sharply, before softening her voice, “Sorry Wheeljack- I didn’t mean to snap at you, I just- I don’t know.”

“You’re okay kid,” Wheeljack said, abandoning his work to come over to the berth. Rin kept her eyes down as her guardian sat on the chair near her elevated bed. “Rin,” he said softly, “It’ll take some time.” She nodded glumly, resisting the urge to cry for what felt like the millionth time since she’d woken up from her surgeries. 

Rin knew she took it all badly, despite the constant reassurance from her friends and guardians that her reaction was completely understandable. She was tougher than that, she was better than that display. Yet, she knew she wasn’t. She was hurt, down a limb and an eye, and in the medbay for the foreseeable future. She was useless. A tear ran down her check and she whipped at it harshly.

“Hey, you alright?,” Wheeljack asked gently and Rin felt the urge to scream. Everyone was so…worried, anxious, paranoid. All Rin wanted was some sense of normalcy to return to her life, but everyone around her was acting like she’d burst into flames if she sneezed too hard. “Tired is all,” she mumbled, flopping onto her back and staring up into the ceiling. Wheeljack gave his charge a concerned look, but let the topic go for now. 

A few moments passed in silence before he again spoke. “Sarah was wondering when she could come visit,” he mentioned and Rin froze. Since the day she’d woken up, she’d only seen Drift, Wheeljack, Ella, and Ratchet, and that was not a cycle she was in any hurry to disrupt. She was not ready to see others, more so, she was not ready for others to see her. 

“Tell her….I’m not ready yet, please,” she whispered, gripping the sheets tightly. “You sure?,” he asked, “It might do you some good to see some friends again.” “I said no Wheeljack,” Rin snapped, this time not in a clear enough mood to offer an apology. Wheeljack vented lightly and gave a nod, moving back to his workstation. It tore him up inside to see his ward so depressed and frustrated, but he tried his best to recall what Ratchet had told him and Drift. 

“She’ll be different for awhile,” he said, “Moody, angry, distant.” Wheeljack and Drift exchanged glances. “You sure? I mean, it doesn’t sound like her,” Drift asked his conjux carefully, before wincing as he got a smack to the head. “She’s tired, hurt, and about to start the process of learning to live without an arm and an optic, not too mention that she’ll start to process everything that’s happened to her. She will be frustrated, but you need to be patient with her. She’s just in a lot of pain right now,” Ratchet explained before venting heavily, “She’ll be in pain for quite some time I’m afraid.” “But she’ll come back right?,” Drift asked hopefully. “I don’t know if she’ll ever be the same again Drifter,” Ratchet whispered, sounding thousands of years older.
Wheeljack offline his optics, gripping the table hard. He turned to gaze sadly at Rin’s form, her eyes still locked on the ceiling, one hand clenching the sheets under her. Not gone, but not there either. I’m right here, he thought to himself, his spark heavy, For whenever you need me kid. 

Chapter Text

Skywarp was nervous and bored and sparked. A terrible combination for the hyperactive Seeker. It’d been fantastic to be reunited with some old friends and getting settled into life at base. Rin hadn’t lied when she said the Autobots were friendly, and given the fact that he helped Rin out, most accepted him immediately. Sideswipe and Sunstreaker had formed an unexpected friendship with himself and Thundercracker that kept the base on their toes, well Knockout and Ratchet had both been fantastic regarding his sparkling. All and all, it was better than anything Skywarp had expected. 

Except for the fact that he was unable to see a certain bright haired, brilliant scientist. 

Now, Skywarp wasn’t an idiot, contrary to popular belief, and he knew that she’d need time to heal physically as well as mentally. However, even more so than the Autobots might expect, he knew that isolating herself and keeping everything in until she possibly felt the urge to share, or more likely just breakdown, was not in good favor to her health. So, Skywarp decided that he was going to pay a visit to the med bay and to his favorite human, well, possibly his second favorite human now. He smiled to himself as he remembered the news he and Thundercracker had yet to share with anyone. About their new bond with a human, and how they now were guardians. 

More on that later though, he thought to himself, humming happily as he walked to the med bay, he had another human to attend to first. 

Rin stared into the ceiling, her minding racing over and over again. A lab, dark walls, thick slime, suffocating, a smell of blood, the sound of tools. She couldn’t even close her eye to shut out the memories. She couldn’t cover her ear. She couldn’t move. SHe was helpless. At their mercy. At his mercy. She was trapped. She was stuck. She was-

“Rinny!,” a bright and energetic voice boomed causing a pause in Rin’s panic attack. She turned her head to the side to see a familiar Seeker bounce happily through the door. “Skywarp,” Wheeljack hissed, quickly moving up from his table, “She’s not in the mood for-” “Yeah yeah, I saw the sign,” Skywarp interrupted cheerfully, “However, sitting here and having panic attacks ain’t gonna help no one!” Rin sighed deeply. Not as discreet as she thought. Wheeljack turned to her with a concerned look on his faceplates and opened his mouth. “Please,” Rin snarled, “Do not let the words ‘Are you okay’ exit your mouth.” Wheeljack wisely didn’t speak but looked conflicted about it. Rin turned her head back towards the ceiling, pain and annoyance filtering through her muscles. 

“Let me talk to her,” Skywarp whispered and Rin nearly snapped at him as well, “Wheeljack, she needs someone who’s not going to treat her like broken glass.” Finally, her thought, sighing slightly in relief, Someone gets it. The two argued a bit more, but Wheeljack eventually left, leaving Skywarp alone with Rin. She heard him prance over and drag a chair to her bedside. 

“Hey Rinny,” he said, no change from his usual tones. “Hey SkyWarp,” she mumbled, not yet turning to face him. “Do you know Shockwave actually used me as a lab rat once too?”

That got Rin’s attention and she snapped her head to the side, staring in bewilderment at the seeker. Skywarp still had a smile on his face, but it was smaller now, his optics slightly clouded as memories clearly tugged at his processor. “I’m so sorry ‘Warp,” she whispered, feeling terrible about the rude greeting she’d given him. “Nothing to apologize for kiddo, I’m not telling you that to be like ‘Get over it already’ or ‘Yeah, well I’ve gone through it too’,” he said, “I’m telling you because…well, so you know that I know what it’s like. Not to your extent maybe, but I get the feeling.” Skywarp gave her a gentle smile. “Thundercracker rescued my aft from him, tore into his lab and nearly killed the mech. Not long after that, he asked me to be his conjux after the war ended,” he mused, a sappy look on his face, “Romantic as scrap.” Rin snorted, a genuine smile appearing on her face for the first time in days. “Yeah, nothing is as romantic as being saved from experimentation and death by your manic boyfriend.” “I know right?,” Skywarp cackled and Rin chuckled softly, the two falling into a peaceful silence.

“He took my wings off,” Skywarp said after a few minutes, “Put me under one minute, next minute I’m awake and my back is on fire and…they’re just gone and-.” “And you have no idea what else he did,” Rin finished somberly and Skywarp nodded. “Could have taken anything from me- my T-cog, my engines, my processor….and I wouldn’t have even known I was so fragging scared,” he said softly, giving Rin a sad grin, “It’s why I froze up when he came for you, I remembered when he came for me. I’m sorry I let him get away with it.” “It’s not your fault,” Rin quickly assured him, “It’s not anyone’s fault other than the mad mech himself.” “May he rest in pieces,” Skywarp grumbled and Rin snickered. 

“But you’re right,” Skywarp said, “It’s nobody’s fault.” Rin looked down shamefully. “I sure treat people like it’s their fault sometimes,” she admitted quietly. “Oh kid, you’ve been a blessing in this, trust me,” Skywarp laughed, “Most bots usually have tried to rip another to pieces with their words by now. The blame game, guilt tripping, explosive anger…..I dabbled a bit in them all when I was recovering.” “I’ve still been a bitch though,” Rin said. “Maybe, but that’s the only good thing about this scrap, people give you a bitch pass. They understand you aren’t you right now,” Skywarp replied. 

“I don't think I’ll ever be me again,” Rin mumbled, jerking her head at her missing arm. “Well last I checked, personality wasn’t stored in human's arms, but correct me if I’m wrong,” Skywarp said sarcastically and Rin gave him a glare. “I mean it ‘Warp, look at what he made me,” Rin said bitterly. “I see you Rin, yeah, missing some parts, but not missing the whole,” Skywarp said, “If you let the rest of your life be about what he took from you, then you are never going to move on and you will never be happy again.” “Jesus Skywarp, ever heard of sugarcoating?,” Rin said emotionlessly. “I think you needed it straight,” he said nonchalantly. Rin took a moment to process things before responding. 

“Yeah,” she admitted, “I did, thanks.” “Tis what I’m here for,” Skywarp proclaimed, holding out a servo to Rin. She grabbed it with her arm and shakily got off the berth, her legs trembling for a moment from inactivity. After a minute Skywarp slowly moved his hand out to let her stand on her own, but was forced to put it back when she started to crumple. Rin cursed softly, retaking his servo and finding her balance again. 

“Do you ever fully heal?,” she asked him casually but Skywarp could sense the underlying emotion and concern in her voice. “Not fully,” he said, keeping his words casual as well, “But you get better.” He slowly moved his servo, helping her to walk a bit before slowly retracting his servo again. She couldn’t move, but she stood on her own this time and he gave her a proud smile. “You just gotta heal a bit everyday.”

Chapter Text

Skywarp hadn’t magically cured Rin’s fears and anxieties about people seeing her, or about the entire ordeal itself, but it sure as scrap helped. The two had continued to talk for a couple of hours, about more serious things like the PTSD Rin would very likely be facing, to movies and music, back to the time in the labs, and ending with more funny stories from their families. Skywarp helped Rin realize she was still herself, different on the outside but not as much on the inside, and she had to admit that he was incredibly good at reading when she needed normality versus when she needed to talk. 

Eventually, Skywarp had to call it for the night after explaining he’d be receiving comms from nearly every mech on base for the last hour to confirm his position with Rin. “Ratchet’s ready to rip me into shreds,” he joked before setting the girl down on her berth, “And I don’t want that quite yet.” Rin snickered. “We can talk more tomorrow, okay? And maybe if the medics are feeling generous, I can take you out around the base for a bit and get you some fresh air.” “Yeah,” Rin smiled softly, “Some outside time would be awesome.” “Perfect, I’ll let Ratchy know I’m kidnapping you tomorrow then!”

“Hey ‘Warp!,” Rin said right before he left the med bay. “Thank you,” Rin whispered softly, a small light in her eye. Skywarp sent her a gentle look. “Of course kiddo,” he said, “Now get some rest.” He left quietly and Rin gently settled herself on the berth, taking in a deep breath.

 For the first time in days, she let herself process everything that had happened to her in the last year. She’d gone from working two jobs and taking community college classes online, next she was working at a secret government base with robotic organisms from space, to being friends with said aliens and gaining a family, then becoming an aunt, to building a literal space bridge to travel to a planet in space, to finally being kidnapped, mutated, and put back together. 

Then, she thought about what her life would have been like had none of it happened. She couldn’t help but snort softly to herself at the thought of being stuck in a falling apart farmhouse with a half-ass laptop doing algebra. No , Rin thought to herself, despite everything good and bad. This is where I want to be. 

“-SLAGGING GLITCH, YOU’VE GOT SOME NERVE TO NOT INFORM ME ON MY OWN PATIENT’S CONDITION! LET ALONE KICK MY OUT OF MY OWN MEDBAY!!” “Ratty, calm down, the most important thing is-” “THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT I’M TOO FAR FROM MY WORKSTATION TO BE THROWING WRENCHES AT YOU!” 

Rin snickered and closed her eyes contently, listening to the fading yells past by the med bay door. This is where I’m meant to be , she thought before letting sleep take her peacefully.

The following day, Rin woke up relatively peaceful for once. No nightmares. No sense of paranoia. No raging headache that's cause her to pass out again. A good start to a day. 

She quietly rolled over to see who was on duty currently and was pleasantly surprised to see SkyWarp again, moving silently at the desk, back turned to her. Rin smiled slightly, then frowned as the faint smell of burning meat entered her nose. 

“Uh, ‘Warp? What’s burning?,” Rin called out, wiggling to sit up. Skywarp whirled around with a large smile. “Rin!,” he cheered happily, bouncing over and scooping her up carefully, “Thought I’d make some breakfast since you’ve haven’t gotten any solids for awhile!” Rin snorted. “No offense...but do you know how to cook?,” she teased, giving him a raised eyebrow. “Eh,” he shrugged before setting her down on a beanbag. Where and when did he get a beanbag-Nevermind , Rin thought tiredly, observing the scene before her.

Surprisingly, it looked edible. If not just a little mixed up. There was some burnt bacon, questionable pasta, a cooked but plain piece of chicken, a bowl of cereal, pancakes, a side of barbecue sauce (hopefully it was barbecue sauce-), and some dishes Rin couldn’t put a name to. “Looks….. tasty,” she decided and Skywarp beamed. “I knew you’d like it! Now go on and dig in!” Rin took a small breath and picked up a pancake from the stack. Skywarp’s eyes were practically glowing in happiness when she bit into it, chewing on a small piece.

It wasn’t actually bad, a little overcooked and chewy, but taste wise it was very nice. Rin finished the first easily and was reaching for a second when her stomach lurched violently. She just barely had time to peel away from the table before crumpling and throwing up heavily. Her ears started ringing as her stomach screamed at her, reducing her to a trembling mess of dry heaves as nausea and pain racked her body. Rin closed her eyes tightly, willing herself to take a breath, gritting her teeth and sucking her oxygen. 

A voice was asking her questions in the background and Rin heard the med bay doors open as someone rushed in, but she was a little busy trying hard not to fall into the mess she’d made as her only good arm was giving out. A gentle servo picked her up, carrying her over back to the berth where she quickly met very soft and cool sheets. A sigh of relief came as her body rested against the bed and she opened her eyes to see Ratchet standing over her worriedly, Skywarp looking over his shoulder. She waved slightly, closing her eyes once more as a wave of dizziness hit her and the nausea resumed.

“Doc, I thought you said she’d be able to handle solid foods no problem right now,” she heard Skywarp whisper nervously. “And I did, however I may have miscalculated, or I missed something on her scans….” The worried murmur lulled her to sleep again and Rin couldn’t help but give a quick thought as to how she could hear them so clearly.

Chapter Text

Two days. It had taken Rin another two days to regain what meager strength she’d lost from before the throwing up incident. Truly, she’d slept through those days uncomfortably, oftentimes bolting awake with a sense of fear that quickly either created a panic attack or faded. Rin prefered the latter of the two endings. 

Around the fifth time Rin awoke in terror with a scream on her lips was the line for Ella. Despite the amazing work Ratchet and the others had done for RIn physically, Ella knew it was time for Rin to start getting the medicine she needed mentally. Ratchet had argued against Ella for a while, saying that in time and with research he’d be able to calculate the medicine Rin required, but Ella shut him down firmly saying that Rin needed help now, not later because of a (input long string of insults here)’s pride. Naturally, Ella won that argument which led to where Rin was right now, sitting on call with a plump woman with a warm smile on her face. “Hello dear,” she’d said kindly, “What’s your favorite color?”

Rin spoke with the woman, Mrs. Grant, for nearly two hours. Like Skywarp, she appreciated how Mrs. Grant was willing to talk about mundane things as well as her mental scarring. Rin hadn’t even needed to worry about sugarcoating anything because apparently Mrs. Grant was Sergeant Grant’s wife and those two had no secrets. But Rin felt better after the two hours, and she felt relieved at the fact that Mrs. Grant had put in an order for medication almost immediately so that by next week she could start taking meds.

Her physical body was healing too, deep pains turning into aches and soreness, cuts scabbing over, and bruises turning from deep purple to faint green and brown. Wheeljack and Perceptor had even given her the good news that they’d begun to build up some plans for her new arm and eye. She’d asked to help of course, but they said they’d get the base down and then she could add the details in time. Wheeljack joked about adding a rock launcher into her arm and Ratchet nearly had a spark attack well Rin smiled widely. Overall, she was recovering, slowly and silently, but surely.

Now, she was running out of excuses to not meet with the rest of her family and friends. Wheeljack, Drift, Ratchet, Ella, and Skywarp all assured her that the base was understanding and repeatedly asked them to tell Rin that she was under no pressure to see them until she was ready. And Rin was ready in some ways. She was ready to debate formulas with Perceptor, joke around with Sideswipe, and watch cheesy comedies with Will and Epps. She just wasn’t ready for people to see her yet, not with the way she looked. 

Truly, Rin felt ridiculous for being this nervous because of how she looked. Never before had she cared much about her physical appearance. Fashion, make-up, the latest styles, or even keeping her complexion clear had never been priorities to Rin and she was perfectly fine with her split ends and occasional breakouts. But now, it was much much more than just some days of looking a little rough and tired. 

She’d finally gotten the chance to see herself in the mirror recently and she nearly smashed the glass at first glance out of pure fear on who was staring back at her. Half a head of fuzz from where Shockwave had cut her hair away, stitches poking out all over, deep bruising that still remained over her cheekbone and neck, dry skin that seemed to be peeling slightly, heavy eye bags, pale complexion, bloodshot eye, and the new disfiguration of her eye socket. And that was just her face. Her arm stump was bright pink in the healing processes, thick lines of stitches under multiple layers of bandages, cuts shallow enough to avoid stitches were visible around her chest, arms, and back, more bruises, and a visible difference in her weight. Honestly, the list of what she could see wrong was longer, but she left before she went crazy trying to figure out who the hell was in that mirror. 

Nevertheless, she couldn’t ignore the tight pain of longing that gripped her whenever Ella would visit and give a run down of everyone at the base. Rin wanted to be there, to go back into the world, but she still had those lingering fears and doubts. And Ella had a feeling she knew what would help.

The next day, Ella entered the med bay quietly, swaying gently as she rocked a slumbering Iacona. Her baby was getting so big so fast, and although Ella showed Rin pictures daily, getting to see her niece was the push Ella hoped would get Rin out of the med bay and back into the base. 

She approached the steps to the berth where Rin would be, walking up them with a little weight in her steps to let Rin know she was coming up. Ella got to the top and Rin turned to see her with a smile, her eyes flashing wide as she saw the bundle in Ella’s arms. 

“Are you crazy?,” Rin whispered, panicked, “I’ll scare the shit out of her with this face!” Ella rolled her eyes. “She needs her Aunt Rin,” she whispered back softly, “She’s going to love you no matter how you look.” Rin pursed her lips, still staring anxiously at Iacona. “How will I hold her?,” Rin said softly, eyes drifting to her stump. Ella sat at the edge of the bed and grabbed a pillow. “Sit cross legged,” she instructed. Rin did so and Ella placed the pillow in her lap before setting Iacona on it, gently waking her daughter as she did. “Ella!,” she hissed nervously as Ella got up, smirking slightly. “I’ve gotta pee, so hold her for a few minutes,” she said before going back down the steps.

Rin stared at her niece intently as she opened her big eyes, waiting for the inevitable look of fear and the burst of tears. Rin grimaced and shut her eyes tightly so she wouldn’t have to see the look of terror on her niece’s face. A few moments past and Rin heard a small gurgle, and then, a tiny, precious, little giggle.  

She opened her eyes slowly and saw Iacona staring at her with big brown eyes and a toothless smile, hand stretched out to her face. Rin’s jaw went slack as Iacona let out another little giggle, making grabby hands at Rin. No terror, no fear, just pure and unconditional love. 

“What are you laughing at silly?,” Rin said softly, gently running her hand through Iacona’s growing curls as joyful tears came to her eyes, “Do you think I look funny?” Iacona giggled again, tucking her legs up to her belly, and gnawing on her tiny fingers. “Am I funny looking?,” Rin whispered teasingly, gently tickling Iacona’s belly and getting rewarded with happy laughter from the baby. “Just like your mom, always giving me a hard time,” she whispered happily, leaning down and kiss Iacona’s head softly, “You’re so happy too, such a giggly little girl.” Iacona made a series of gabs and goos, reaching once more for Rin’s face. 

Rin leaned down well, shifting carefully to move Iacona up slightly. Small hands touched Rin’s damaged cheek, running lightly over the lines and bruises. Rin watched Iacona’s eyes follow her hands, curiosity and playfulness in her face. She poked at Rin’s mouth next, giggling when Rin chuckled. “Little weirdo,” Rin murmured lovingly, “My little weirdo…..” Iacona cackled and Rin laughed with her. “Is that you agreeing?,” Rin teased, “Is that gonna be your new nickname?” Iacona cackled again and Rin ducked her head to press kisses to Iacona’s chubby cheeks and forehead. 

“We are gonna be weirdos together then,” Rin promised, pressing a long kiss to her niece’s forehead. Iacona cooed and nestled in Rin’s arm, which remained on one side. Rin gave a watery laugh as she breathed deeply to avoid sobbing on her niece. “Thank you,” she whispered to the ceiling, not sure who she was thanking, but being thankful she was alive and able to hold her niece tightly once more.

“I’m going to take her and go get some food at the mess hall,” Ella said a few hours later after Iacona got a little fussy. Rin nodded, pursing her lips as she prepared herself for the next phase. Ella gathered Iacona and all the items she’d brought and was at the stair’s edge before Rin spoke. “Hang on,” she called to Ella, “Let me grab my shoes.”

Chapter Text

“This was a terrible decision,” Rin whispered, shuffling awkwardly behind Ella, eyes darting to the mess hall door, “Everyone is in there now.” “Everyone?,” Ella questioned sarcastically and Rin gave her a pleading look. “I changed my mind- I can’t do this,” Rin rambled, turning on her heel to march back to the med bay. “Nope,” Ella declared, gently grabbing Rin’s arm and pulling her back slightly, “Rip off the bandaid Rin.” Rin anxiously at the door once more. “Five minutes?,” she asked smally, looking at Ella who gave a small sigh, but smiled kindly. “Five minutes, then you can go back if you still want to,” she said gently, releasing Rin’s arm and walking into the mess, doors swinging shut behind her as a trickle of chatter and laughter momentarily filtered out. 

Rin took a few steps to the door and closed her eyes, placing her hand on the door and taking a deep breath. “One, two,” she murmured to herself, eyes opening slowly, “Three.” She pushed open the doors and was greeted by bright lights, the smell of grease, and ever present hum as energon processors worked in the corner. She kept her eyes on the ground as she heard the cafeteria go quiet, the only sound remaining being the processors and the whirling fans. Rin picked at her bandages anxiously, eyes darting between her shoes. Finally a screech of a chair was heard and footsteps came towards her, a pair of military boots stopping before her gaze. 

She looked up slowly and saw Epps smiling at her softly. “Hey Rinny,” he said warmly, opening his arms slightly. Any doubt and worry she had in her faded instantly and as she smiled slowly and walked into his arms, letting herself be wrapped tight in his safe embrace. 

Distantly, she heard the cheers and hollars of humans and bots alike, but she focused more on the small drops of water hitting her head and the slight tremble in Epp’s frame. She pulled away slightly to look up at him worriedly. “Epps?,” Rin whispered and he gave her a watery smile, “You good?” He laughed loudly, pulling her back into him. “I’m great kid,” he said hoarsely, “I’m doing great now.”

The next few hours were spent in the mess hall, talking, hugging, and just being with her family. Figs had gotten to her after Epps finally let her go, lifting her up and twirling her around as he laughed and smiled; then Will and Cade both wrapped her in tight, fatherly hugs; after them Mikela nearly tackled her in a bear hug, swearing at a numerous amount of things as she repeatedly told Rin she was never leaving her sight again; Sam and Miles gave briefer hugs, but the relief was evident in their faces. Next Sarah came and gave her the softest hug Rin had ever received, whispering soft words and reassurances as she stroked what was left of Rin’s hair lovingly. 

After the humans got a chance, Rin got swept off her feet and Sideswipe held her gently to his chest, venting shakily with emotion as Rin gave him a hug with her arm. He passed her to Perceptor who’d kept it more formal, but spoke with undeniable happiness to her. After that Breakdown, Bulkhead, and Ironhide all held her up to lightly smack foreheads before she was passed through a number of other bots all wanting to assure themselves she was okay before passing her onto the next. Knockout had scowled slightly after she called him a mother-hen after he’d fussed over her for nearly ten minutes straight, but rolled his optics affectionately none the less before handing her over to the next bot. Finally, she got to the last four bots, all who’d been standing at the sides observing her carefully. Skywarp, Thundercracker, Ambulon, and Soundwave. 

Bumblebee brought her over to them at Rin’s request and he’d been placed into Skywarp’s servo. “Hey Rinny,” he’d said brightly, bringing her over well chatting about the sparkling’s progress happily. Thundercracker rolled his eyes at his conjux lovingly, but smiled gently at Rin and gave her a small nod. She smiled back and gave a nod of appreciation. He didn’t seem like a mech of many words, but rather action, and he’d proven that on the Nemesis. Besides, he had his conjux to fill in any lapse of chatter for him. Ambulon too gave her a shorter, but warm, welcome back before turning to let Soundwave in. 

Soundwave wordlessly held out her servo and Rin shuffled from Ambulon’s servo to his. He didn’t say anything but he held her close to his spark chamber, cupping her with both servos so that she was hidden from the rest of the room. Rin welcomed the darkness, snuggling into the warmth of the smooth metal and sighing deeply as the heat soothed any lingering pains she had going. 

I’m sorry, Rin heard, the voice filled with pain and regret. She smiled sadly, gently putting her hand on Soundwave’s plating. “It wasn’t your fault,” she whispered, “You saved me.” Not in time, not enough , the voice whimpered painfully. “I’m here ‘Wave,” she murmured, pressing her forehead to the metal lovingly, “I’m right here.” His servos tightened around her and Rin leaned back into his fingers, closing her eyes. The two stayed like that for a few minutes before Soundwave slowly opened his servos and lifted RIn up to place her on the space between his helm and his shoulder. It was a familiar position to Rin and she settled easily into the space, comfortably resting against Soundwave’s neck.

The two watched quietly as the rest of the room chatted, laughed, and interacted with one another. Sideswipe and Blurr were engaging in a friendly arm wrestle well Ironhide and Ratchet laughed with Wheeljack and Drift and the sides. Mikela and Mirage were laughing together as Miles and Barricade appeared to be arguing with one another lightly. Sunstreaker was talking to Thundercracker and Skywarp was over cheering on Sideswipe. The room was overall joyful and relaxed. Rin smiled lightly and nestled further into Soundwave, letting the atmosphere lull her into a light sleep.

Chapter Text

“I have some doubts,” Rin deadpanned, laying down patiently as Wheeljack finished securing the first finished prototype of her new arm to her shoulder, “Are you sure that this can connect with my nervous system?” “Absolutely,” Wheeljack answered, “The eye is trickier, but Perceptor is looking in on that. But we both agreed on this design so you know it has to be good.” Rin snorted. “Fair enough.” “Anddddd done,” Wheeljack said proudly, stepping back to let Rin sit up and test it out. 

She looked down at the smooth metal in place of her appendage, but took a deep breath and tried to move her fingers. Her eye widened as the metal fingers moved in response. She wiggled them again, and again, and again, still not believing her eyes. “Catch,” Wheeljack grinned, tossing a small wrench to her. Rin reached out with her new arm and caught the tool easily, gasping excitedly as she did. “Did you see that Jackie?! I caught it! I- I caught a wrench with my left arm again!!,” she exclaimed, jumping up from the bed to move her arm around more, eyes never leaving the prosthetic. Wheeljack chuckled and she paced around, muttering under her breath with wide eyes as she snapped her fingers, made a peace sign, and rotated her wrist. “Kid, you haven’t even gotten to the best parts yet,” he said. 

“I got my arm back, that is the best part,” Rin said dreamily, the smile not leaving her face. “Oh yeah? Well do me a favor and move that wrench over there,” he smirked gesturing to one of his own wrenches. “Your wrench? Dude, that’s like 450 lbs,” Rin snorted. “I think you’ll find it a bit easier than before,” was all he said. “Alright…,” Rin agreed, walking over and placing her left palm on the wrench. She gave it a determined look and shoved it with her arm. The wrench easily slid back and Rin’s jaw dropped as Wheeljack laughed in pure joy which slowly faded as he saw the evil glint in Rin's eye.

“Oh Ironhide!,” Rin cackled, walking into the rec room with a positively feral grin on her face, “I’ve got a challenge for ya.”

(MEN AND MECHS, GALS AND GLITCHES, FRIENDS AND ENEMIES, WELCOME BACK TO THE LIST!!)

1. 1. It has been awhile, but we are back and ready for ya!
   2. So let’s get back to it!
   3. No one should challenge Rin to arm wrestling competitions. Not bots, not humans, not anyone. She will win.
   4. Wheeljack now requires supervision when creating prosthetics for humans. 
   5. Rin is having a little too much fun moving things ten times heavier than her.
   6. She was going to attempt to lift one of the twins until Prowl overheard and gently (or gently as Prowl is capable off) that it would be unwise. She was disappointed but listened and left. Then Prowl turned on the twins.
   7. Figs and Epps are not allowed to use the bots as targets. For anything.
   8. Brace yourselves, Elita One, Arcee, and Chromia are returning with three survivors!
   9. Welcome First Aid, Brainstorm, and Kup!
   10. Holy Primus I can’t believe Kup is actually still functioning
   11. ….no one tell him I said that
   12. Perceptor has requested time off to catch up with his old lab partner?
   13. Soundwave and Rin have started a bet on how long it takes them to get together.
       1. This is still technically illegal
       2. What the frag- Ratchet is actually putting bets down
       3. PRIME TOO?
       4. PROWL?!
   14. So Elita has just gone to see RIn in the labs and she heard her murderous screech from here, um, I honestly feel bad for the Deceoticons.
   15. The base cowered in fear- yes everyone, including you Crosshairs and Ironhide- as Elita-One stormed about for an hour, cursing every deity she knew and crushing many things.
   16. Prime managed to calm her dow-WHERE ARE ARCEE AND CHROMIA?!
   17. Update: Both were caught mid-way to the last known Decepticon location. Good work Bumblebee and Ironhide.
   18. On that note, yet another betting pool is being thrown together for our resident yellow speed demon and the pink regular demon. 
   19. Oh scrap, Knockout just asked me to pause writing so I could call Rin because he apparently just started going into delivery of the sparkling-
   20. Yes, yes, I’m texting her right now Knockout-
   21. Update: Rin is freaking out because for the love of all gods in the universe- this wasn’t supposed to happen for another three weeks, and it was supposed to be Ratchet.
   22. Another update, Breakout and Knockout are an absolute comedy duo.
   23. I mean, poor mechs.
   24. But it’s too funny.
   25. Breakdown and Knockout politely ask anyone they haven’t asked to stay to get out of the medbay. 
   26. And by politely they mean get the frag out immediately if not sooner. 
   27. Ratchet came by and asked me why the frag I hadn’t left the room, I politely told him I am writing new rules.
   28. I got a wrench to the helm-this is abuse-
   29. RIN JUST FULL ON SHOVED ME OUT OF HER WAY?! NUMBER ONE ABUSE, NUMBER TWO WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY MY AFT RIN!
   30. We’ve all now been waiting for two hours for news about the sparkling.
   31. YES! IT’S A MECH!!!!!
   32. Rin came out and told us with a smile, though she looked like she’d seen something. 
   33. They’ve named him Wildbreak and he’s adorable. 
   34. Breakdown was so excited to show off his sparkling, he just walked into the room and held up Wildbreak via Lion King style. 
   35. Ratchet just walked out with Knockout and they both nearly had a sparkattack-
   36. Wildbreak is not to be touched without explicit permission from Knockout.
   37. If one does move or touch Wildbreak without Knockout’s permission, Breakdown will absolutely crush you into a million different pieces.
   38. Wildbreak has an obsession with Prowl and Jazz believes it’s the most hilarious thing in the universe
       1. The first time Wildbreak saw Prowl, his optics just lite up and he started screeching happily and reaching for Prowl
       2. That mech was so unnerved, he had no idea what to do-
       3. Jazz was no help, laughing his aft off and eventually Knockout was so tired of the screeching that he just gave Prowl the sparkling.
       4. Wildbreak proceeded to hug Prowl’s faceplates for like an hour straight and we all got pictures. 
       5. Jazz has an album now, and he still giggles randomly when he thinks about it.
       6. Prowl has taken to avoiding Knockout and Breakdown to avoid Wildbreak.
   39. The humans are slightly unnerved that this Cybertronian ‘baby’ is literally bigger than them. Not by much, but still-
   40. Speaking of humans, the smallest one, (no not Ella, no matter how short she is), Iacona started to make words! Which I have been told is very significant to humans.
   41. ALSO speaking of humans-apparently we got a new batch of troops coming in, all fresh from basic training for once. 
   42. Everyone is alerted to know what today is the arrival of First Aid and apparently two more bots?
   43. Ratchet has been forced into berthrest, but Rin, Knockout, and Prime went to meet the shuttle a few miles from base. 
   44. Welcome First Aid and…I can’t see who else from here……
   45. GASP-
   46. SWERVE AND RUNG??????
   47. The base happily and most joyfully welcomes Cybertron’s best bartender and best therapist.
   48. Swerve has already been given permission to put together a bar area, Swerve’s Nights are back!
   49. Rung also entered base with Rin in his servo, gave a glance around, looked down at her, nodded, and said, “Yes, they do all need therapy.”
   50. We are all required to go see Rung at least once. By order of Optimus Prime. Who was the first one Rung and Rin dragged in.
   51. Rin is not afraid to abuse her new arm to quite literally drag bots places.
   52. Rung is not afraid to guilt trip people, and he can do so easily. 
   53. Both sets of twins and Crosshairs have already been booked for double sessions by Rin.
   54. There was a lot of protesting until Ella, Cade and Mikela also intervened.
   55. Cade helped until he was informed he too needed therapy, then he became a runner. He forgot that Rin can now lift a full grown man into the air easily. 

Chapter Text

1. WELL HERE’S SOME RULES FOR YA-
2. NUMBER ONE- PROWL’S FAMILY (apparently Smokescreen and Bluestreak are his brothers?????!!!!!!) ARE OFF LIMITS-
3. THIS WAS DISCOVERED AFTER BLUESTREAK ADMITTED TO HIM THAT THE CHEEVY TWINS HAD ASKED HIM OUT???? YEAH THEY DIDN’T KNOW PROWL WAS HIS BROTHER EITHER-
4. NEVER HAVE I EVER SEEN PROWL ON SUCH A WARPATH OR THE TWINS SO QUIET AND SCARED-
5. OPTIMUS AND ULTRA MAGNUS ARE LAUGHING A LITTLE TOO MUCH??
6. No seriously though, no one saw this coming, except Soundwave of course.
7. Why? Because he knows everything
8. WELP
9. PROWL DIDN’T FIND THE TINY TWINS BEFORE THE CHAOS TWINS GOT TO THEM
10. APPARENTLY THEY WERE GOING TO ASK OUT BLUESTREAK AND THE CHEEVY TWINS DECIDED TO SCRAP WITH THEM???
11. OH PROWL’S GONNA GLITCH-
12. Prowl did in fact glitch and Ratchet nearly through a fit
13. Bluestreak is now off limits
14. Or face the twins
    1. After the Chaos twins gots caught chasing the Tiny Twins they marched right up to Bluestreak and confessed in front of the entire force
    2. That's when Prowl glitched
    3. Honestly it was kinda sweet-Bluestreak turned bright blue and was unable to speak, so the twins just each grabbed a servo of his and took off somewhere else
    4. To talk
    5. ...Hopefully
15. Soundwave and Rin are betting on something again and the word 'sparklings' was heard
16. That was a fun spectacle for the newbie humans to witness
17. Bumblee may not call dibs on humans who he thinks are cool
18. Ironhide is banned from meeting new troops until given permission
19. Crosshairs is banned from meeting new troops until given permission
20. Prowl is banned from meeting new troops until given permission
21. Ultra Magnus…… should be banned from meeting new troops until given permission
22. Both sets of twins are banned from meeting new troops until given permission
23. Arcee is banned from meeting new troops until given permission
24. Chromia is banned from meeting new troops until given permission
25. Ella is banned from meeting new troops until given permission
    1. She actually banned herself to avoid having to deal with new humans
26. Guys come on-
27. Swerve is banned from meeting new troops until given permission
    1. To remind bots, energon is poisonous to humans
28. Ratchet is banned from meeting new troops until given permission
    1. That mech is still carrying and he’s getting more and more….impatient everyday
29. This list really just keeps growing
30. Barricade is banned from meeting new troops until given permission
    1. I feel like this one should have been expected
31. Skywarp is banned from meeting new troops until given permission
32. There are many other bots who were considered for this rule until Optimus realized that he still needed some bots to be around humans
33. Thundercracker, Ambulon, and Skywarp have officially been inducted as allies
34. (The Welcome Party is at 8, NO ONE tell Prowl)
35. Jazz, if anyone asks, did not organize this party
36. If Prowl asks who organized the party, it was Smokescreen
37. All humans have been invited, but warned
38. Swerve’s has been chosen as the destination
39. Cybertronians as a species have WOEFULLY underestimated how much alcohol humans can and will consume. 
    1. Seriously. It's concerning guys
40. Seriously, we had Perceptor run the calculations to compare how much humans drink to how much we drink and WOW-
41. Cade and Sergeant Grant particularly were quite impressive
    1. They both drank something called the Devil's Brew which apprently who made by Sergeant Grant himself
    2. Epps tried a sip and nearly died he was coughing so hard
42. By the end of the night however, Ella beat out all of the soldiers with a smile on her face and Prowl drank every single bot in the room under the table when taunted into a drinking game
    1. I've never seen Jazz look so in love and as soon as Prowl finished of the last glass of high grade he dragged him out of Swerve's to who knows where
    2. Grimlock is the exception the drinking games as apparently DinoBots can drink up to three times more High Grade than the average Cybertronian
43. Acree and Bumblebee have also disappeared-uh
44. Sara, Mikela, and Ella are cackling and scheming about something in the corner and we are all scared
    1. (If I was a gossip I'd say it was over a certain mechanic with a metal arm talking to one of the new recruits for a very very long time)
    2. (So thank Primus I'm no gossip)
45. Wheeljack and Bulkhead have challenged Ironhide and Crosshairs to lob ball and we are also all very afraid
46. Bless these innocent recruits who asked what the frag lob ball was
47. Thundercracker was taught poker by Chromia and Drift
48. Drift got his subspace cleaned out by Thundercracker who proceeded to get his cleaned out by Chromia
49. Skywarp and Ratchet are both equally disappointed in their partners
50. Ironhide is very proud

Chapter Text

Ratchet was a displeased, tired, and annoyed medic, because well he already loved his sparkling with all his spark- It. Needed. To. Get. Out. Of. Him. He knew perfectly well that the duration for carrying a sparkling varied per mech and that he wasn’t in any sort of danger zone, but that didn’t mean it was comfortable or convenient. Plus it didn’t help that every mech and their carrier was asking him how he was feeling every other second. 

He groaned loudly after finally managing to shoo Perceptor and Wheeljack out of the medbay, both still arguing on who’s fault the explosion was (It was absolutely Wheeljack-). He took a long vent and sat down in one of the chairs hanging around the medbay, gently placing a hand on his spark which had been throbbing all day. The sparkling was certainly his as Drift often joked, given the fact that the thing was so fragging stubborn. He spent a small glare at his cassis only to feel a warm pulse of love from the sparkling inside him, making him smile gently. “Oh don’t give me that,” he chastised softly, “You stubborn little thing, making me carry you until you feel ready to come out.” Another pulse of happiness was sent and Ratchet sighed, titling his head back. “You aren’t moving for a while, are you?,” he mumbled.

“Like carrier and creator-stubborn as hell,” an amused voice remarked and Ratchet looked down to see his two favorite humans below, both grinning widely. “If either of you ask me ‘How are you feeling?’ I will send you both flying to Cybertron- without a spacesuit,” he snapped. Ella chuckled, “Someone’s having a good day. Who was it?” “Wheeljack,” he said, giving Rin a glare, “And Perceptor, caught in an explosion. Both argued the entire time about whose fault it was.” Rin laughed nervously, rubbing her head and Ratchet stared at her. “It was you, wasn’t it.” “In my defense, I specifically told them that the mixture couldn’t get beyond 104 degrees,” Rin protested.

“And aren’t you supposed to be on medical leave anyways? Ambulon, First Aid, and Knockout are all perfectly capable of running the medbay,” Ella asked, “Rin too, technically.” “Kinda, I gave the CMO position to First Aid,” Rin admitted, gripping her flesh arm tightly, “Plus, you know, I might not be the best medic right now.” Ratchet huffed and lowered his servo to the floor so that the two could climb on. Both did and he brought them to the table nearby.

“Ever thought about a vacation, Ratch? You know, few days on a beach or in the mountains,” Rin suggested after hopping off his servo. “It’d be good for you, and I’m sure you could go with Drift too and get some time alone before Sparky there joins us,” Ella added. “Sparky?,” Ratchet questioned, raising an eyeline, or whatever the hell humans called them. “It’s cute-anyways, vacation,” Ella said. “I haven’t taken a vacation since looonnnggg before the war started and I highly doubt I’m going to start now,” Ratchet huffed. “Exactly why you need one,” Rin insisted. “Look, I appreciate the thought, but it’s not happening,” Ratchet said in a tone that said this conversation was done. Rin and Ella exchanged a glance and Ratchet got the feeling that this was very much not over. 

Turns out he was right as two days later he was standing before Optimus Prime and Prowl, both who looked slightly nervous under the intense glare from the medic. “Why don’t you repeat that,” Ratchet growled, “I think my processor misinterpreted it.” “We are putting you on forced leave,” Prowl said, his usually monotone voice slightly higher than normal as Ratchet's infamous glare turned on him. “Forced. Leave?,” Ratchet repeated. “Yes, we believe you are far overdo for a proper break,” Optimus said kindly and Ratchet shot his amica a glare that Megatron would be envious of. “What brought you to that conclusion?,” he asked venomously. “Dr. Ella and-” “I’m going to kill those two,” Ratchet growled, making Optimus smile gently. “Your leave starts tomorrow,” he said, “Pick a place my old friend, and some company if you wish.” Ratchet glowered a bit more before a sinister grin took his face plates and he chuckled darkly.

“Wonder why Ratchet asked us to meet him in the hangar?,” Rin said as she and Ella walked. “Don’t know,” Ella shrugged, “But at least Epps was able to watch Iacona for the time being.” “I heard a rumor that her first words were ‘Dada’,” Rin smirked as Ella grumbled inaudible curses. “I’m going to have a little chat with Epps after this, because we both know she said ‘mama’ first.” “Of course Ella, of course,” Rin said teasingly, patting her friend on the back as they entered the hanger.

Both knew they were screwed as they saw Prowl, the Chaos Twins, Figs, Bluestreak, Ratchet, and Drift in a circle. 

Ratchet saw them first and gave them a sickeningly sweet smile. “Ah, Rin, Ella, glad you could make it,” he said, “Let’s get going then.” “What?,” they asked in unison before they realized Ratchet’s plan. “Hell no!,” they cried before turning on their heels and sprinting to the door. Unfortunately, Ratchet had apparently planned for this and an invisible force picked them both up and raised them into the air. “Mirage!!,” Ella protested as the bot’s camouflage disappeared. He gave them apologetic smiles. “Nothing personal guys, just making sure I stay on Ratchet’s good side,” he whispered before handing them over to Drift. Rin glared at her guardian.

“Don’t give me that,” he said cheerfully, “This was your idea after all.” “For Ratchet ,” Ella grumbled, twisting in an attempt to get free. “Well, he just wanted to make sure you got a break as well,” Drift smiled and Rin gave him a look. “He wants revenge more like,” she deadpanned, resigning herself to fate as the groundbridge activated and Ratchet led the group into it. Rin winced as a sharp pain shoot through her head and chest, and Ella leaned over worriedly. “I’m fine,” Rin said, waving it off and giving her friend a wide smile. Ella decided to let the matter go as Rin still got the occasional pains, and picked up a conversation with Drift well Rin laid down on the shoulder, the lingering feeling of pain still in her systems.

They appeared a few minutes later in a forest, the smell of salt in the air. "We must be near the ocean," Rin mumbled. "Upper Washington," Drift replied. “This way,” Ratchet called, continuing to lead the group in a random direction. “So I get he wanted revenge on us,” Rin said, now fully settled on Drift’s shoulder. “And you of course are his conjux, but how did those guys get pulled into this?,” Ella inquired, gesturing to Prowl and the others. Drift chuckled.

“Ratchet picked his area, which apparently had some Decepticon movement a couple weeks ago, so naturally Prowl nearly glitched and insisted Ratchet took some protection along, which is why Bluestreak is here,” he explained, “Then the Twins didn’t want him going alone so they asked to tag along, which naturally Prowl couldn’t accept so he decided to come to. Figs is here because the twins dragged him along.” “And he’s unhappy about it!,” Figs called back from Sunstreaker’s shoulder, smacking the yellow bot in the side of the helm. 

“ I recalled you saying that you’d never visited the west coast,” Sideswipe said innocently, “Merely trying to be a good friend.” “Good friend my ass,” Figs grumbled, crossing his arms, “You just wanted me nearby so you could get advice on how to flirt-” “AND that’s enough from you,” Sunstreaker interrupted as Prowl cast a glare over his shoulder. “So Figs is the only one with game and they need his help to woe said brother of the infamous tactician,” Ella snickered. “Yep,” Drift smirked. “And how’s that going for them?,” Rin asked, watching Figs whisper something to Sunstreaker and Sideswipe. Sideswipe nodded nervously and took a large step to get side by side with Bluestreak, gently grabbing his servo. They were hand in hand for maybe a second before a blaster shot went right in front of Sideswipe’s pede. He let out a yelp and jumped back into Sunstreaker. “Oops, misfire,” Prowl deadpanned before continuing on, discreetly putting his gun back into his subspace. 

“Extremely well as you can tell.”

 A few hours later, the group stopped at a cave sight where Ratchet declared they’d spend the night. “Finally,” Sunstreaker mumbled, sitting on a large boulder, joined by his twin. He let Figs down and Rin and Ella joined him on a series of much smaller rocks, watching their Cybertroian friends set up a small camp. “Here,” Figs announced, dumping a bag on the ground, “I remembered human food.” “Primus and God be praised,” Rin thanked, picking out a bag of chips and a sandwich from the bag. Figs got out a pack of oreos and Ella chose a sandwich and carrots. 

Ella saw from the corner of her eyes as Rin rubbed her head hard, closing her eyes tightly. “You okay?,” she whispered softly and Rin nodded. “Doesn’t really hurt now, just feels…weird.” “Weird?,” Ella questioned, “As someone who’s been a medic, you should know that ‘weird’ isn’t a great answer to a medical question.” “I know, but that’s all I got right now,” Rin mumbled, “It just feels weird.” She glanced around the rock formation, licking her lips nervously. “This place feels weird.”

The group was in the middle of sleeping when Rin woke up to the Cybertronians talking in low voices. “Sunstreaker, Sideswipe, Bluestreak, do a sweep and establish a perimeter,” Prowl rumbled quietly, “Drift, stay and guard the rest well I go to try and get past the barrier.” Drift nodded and Rin realized he’d drawn both swords, something she’d only ever seen in a few different battles. Behind him, Ratchet looked sick, glancing up at the sky nervously, one hand on his sparkcasing. 

Rin silently moved over to where Ella and Figs were resting and shook them both. “Figs, Ella, get up,” she whispered intensely. Ella murmured something and swatted at Rin’s arm, but Figs awoke instantly, military training kicking in before seeing Rin and giving her a mock glare. “Rin, what time is-” “Something’s happening,” she whispered nervously, gesturing to the remaining bots who were too busy talking to notice their companies were awake. Ella got up at that and Figs swore silently, reaching into his bag and drawing a gun. He clicked the safety off and Prowl finally noticed them, walking over quickly. 

“What’s happening?,” Figs asked, all light-hearted, playfulness gone from his voice. “I’m not completely sure,” the tactician muttered, “Communications are down and the whole forest has gone silent. Can’t even hear the fragging wind.” “What do you want us to do,” Ella asked calmly, stepping in front of Rin and gripping her flesh arm tightly. “Stay here,” he ordered, “Rin, try to see what you can do about communications, Ella watch over Ratchet, and Figs keep watch with Drift.” He looked back for a moment and knelt down, gesturing to the three to come closer. “We aren’t sure but we think Ratchet’s about to deliver,” he said in a low voice, “He keeps denying it, but I think the stress pushed up the time tables.” “Just like Drift then,” Rin muttered, “Terrible timing.”

Drift and Figs were tense at the entrance to one of the small caves, keeping a watch on the edge of the forest. Rin was fiddling with the wires and cables to Fig’s radio as well as one of Drift’s communicators, trying to get a long range frequency going. And Ella, she was watching her guardian go through all twenty stages of denial. “Ratchet, at least let me run a fucking scan,” Ella growled, her patience growing thin at her stubborn aft friend. “I’m fine,” he said, his voice far weaker than Ella felt comfortable with, “Just some small pains, nothing abnormal.” “Ratchet, I swear to Primus-”

A large boom broke the conversation and the group jumped up to see a small mushroom cloud go up in the forest. “Ours or theirs?,” Figs asked, drawing another handgun from his bag. Drift clenched his jaw. “Neither.” “What do you mean neither?,” Rin asked nervously, walking to the entrance. “Neither as in we are scrapped unless we get back up soon,” Drift said, shooting Ratchet a nervous glance. “Who is it Drift?,” his conjux asked intently and the two shared a long, painful look. Drift sheathed one of his swords in favor of pulling out his gun. “It’s the DJD.”

Chapter Text

Rin had heard rumors from bots around base and been told in probably one of the most serious discussions she’d ever had with Wheeljack about the DJD. The Decepticon Justice Division. A group of the most merciless, cruel Decepticons that were killing machines who answered to Megatron alone. Bumblebee had once joked about fighting Tarn. Optimus had made it clear that he was to never joke about it again. Fuck, all the base humans knew about the group, and they were under the impression the DJD was in an entire other galaxy currently, lightyears away from Earth. 

Ratchet’s eyes widened to a point that Ella thought they’d burst. “You’re sure?,” Ratchet demanded, “Absolutely sure?” Drift nodded gravely. “They disabled long range comms, but not short range. Prowl encountered Nickel a few minutes ago.” “Did he win?,” Rin asked. Drift hesitated. “He won,” he said, “Just not without some damage.” “What about the Twins and Bluestreak?,” Figs questioned. “They’ve been ordered to make a perimeter and fall back here, we can’t win against them, but we can hold out ground,” Drift said, before looking at Rin, “We need to get in contact with the base.” Rin looked slightly pale but nodded fiercely and dashed back to the wires, moving at a blinding speed. 

Ella put her hand on Ratchet’s helm as he groaned deeply. “The sparkling is coming, isn’t it?,” she whispered. Ratchet didn’t respond for a moment, but nodded slightly, helm barely moving. “Yes,” he answered quietly, “The sparkling is coming.”

Another few minutes passed just as tensely before Rin let out a satisfied huff. “This is Rin to NEST base, can anyone hear me,” she said loudly, and the group held its breath as static filled the air for a moment. “Rin?,” Red Alert questioned and everyone sighed in relief, “What are you cal-” “Red Alert,” Drift barked from the entrance, “The DJD is here, we need backup NOW.” Red Alert swore. “On it, give us ten minu-Ut_ess” “Red Alert?,” Rin asked, “Red Alert!?” A low chuckle interrupted the wavelength and Rin felt her spine go cold. 

“Tarn,” Drift snarled, walking over to the radio. “Deadlock, it’s been awhile,” the voice mused, “Though, you go by a different name now don’t you?” “If you want me Tarn, if I’m the one on your list, then you have me,” Drift growled, ignoring Ratchet’s protesting looks and gestures. “Now now Deadlock ,” Tarn chuckled, “You and the other traitors will have your time come soon enough….but we are here for a different reason.” Drift froze slightly, confusion mixing with anger. “What do you want?,” he asked, voice low. “One of your human pets,” Tarn said simply, “The one who was recently….improved by Shockwave.” Rin’s face lost all color and Drift gripped his gun and sword in a death hold. 

“She died from her stay,” he snarled, “I don’t think Shockwave planned for any other alternative.” “Come now Deadlock, we weren’t sparked yesterday and neither were you,” Tarn, his previously smug voice now turning impatient, “Shockwave left something rather valuable in that human, something I believe you know about.” Rin shot Drift a look of confusion, which turned swiftly into a look of betrayal as he refused to meet her eye. “Like I said,” Drift repeated, “Whatever that fragger did to her, it killed her.”

“You know I’m not a patient mech Deadlock,” Tarn growled, “But it’s been a good hunt recently and I’m feeling generous. So here’s your options: give us the girl, or watch as we tear your sparkling from your conjux.” Now Ratchet lost all color in his plating and Ella growled fiercely as both her friends were being threatened. Drift’s face was emotionless, with his optics burned with an anger and hatred that was unmistakably remnants of Deadlock lingering in his spark. 

“You have some nerve, that I’ll give you,” Drift said slowly, “But if you so much as look at my conjux, I’ll tear your optics out with my fangs.” “Then the choice is simple, hand over the girl,” Tarn said before the radio flickered off. The cave went quiet and Drift was shaking in pure anger. A small ruffle from the treeline made everyone jump, but relax slightly as the Twins, Bluestreak, and Prowl came through, Prowl holding his arm tightly. “Sunny, Sides,” Figs breathed, relieved his guardians were safe. Ella hopped off the rock quickly and made her way to Rin, who hadn’t done anything but tremble for the last minute. 

“Did you make contact with the base?” Prowl asked tensely. Drift nodded. “Ten minutes out.” “The DJD is right behind us,” Sunstreaker swore, “Nearly got my spark pierced by that crazy fragger Kaon.” “We made contact with Tarn,” Drift asked robotically, now standing beside Ratchet, but keeping Rin in his sight. He was clearly very conflicted, his bonds overlapping and fighting. 

“What did he say?,” Prowl demanded, being ushered by Bluestreaker to sit down. Drift didn’t answer, so Ella stepped up. “Rin,” she said quietly, “They want Rin.” Sideswipe and Sunstreaker exchanged bewildered looks. “Um, no offense to you Rin, but why the frag do they want with a human??,” Sideswipe asked. Rin glanced briefly at Drift and Ratchet. “I’ve been wondering that myself.” Ratchet sighed deeply and nudged Drift forwards. He nodded and knelt to be closer to Rin. “I shouldn’t have kept this from you,” he said softly, “And I’m sorry I did, but right now, I need you to trust me and I swear on my spark, as soon as we get back to base I’ll explain everything.” Rin hesitated but nodded firmly. “Thank you,” Drift said graciously before standing up again, “Now then, we don’t have a lot of-”

“AUUTTTTOOOOBBBBOOOTTTSSS,” a skrill voice came out from the trees and Sideswipe and Sunstreaker took defensive stances at the entrance. From the tree-line emerged three figures, all covered in thick, darkly colored armor, Decepticon symbols proudly displayed. “Koan, Vos, and Helex,” Sideswipe growled, readying his guns. “Not yet,” Drift said lowly, “We need to stall for time right now. And we need to get the boss in the field.” The Twins snarled but kept their positions as two more figures emerged from the forest. “Tesarus and Agent 113,” Prowl narrated, “One left.” “Get out of sight Rin,” Drift ordered. “No.”

Drift spun around, eyes narrowed, ready to argue. “Drift, if backup doesn’t come in time, I’m going out there,” Rin said firmly. “You can’t be serious,” Figs said, bewildered, “Rin, those fuckers will take you apart and rip out whatever the hell they are looking for in you.” “Nothing that apparently hasn’t been done before,” Rin said softly and Ella swore, gripping Rin’s arm tightly. “You get taken from me again, and I’ll deactivate them all myself,” she said bitterly. A laugh bounced off the cave walls for the group.

“Ohh, I like that one! Got some fire in it,” one of the DJD members said happily, showing rows of fangs in a twisted smile. “He’s gonna like me a lot less when I shove his gun-” Figs had the sense to cover Ella’s mouth before she could enrage the bot. He dragged her back squirming to Ratchet’s side where he took her in his servo. “Watch Rin,” Ratchet ordered tiredly, his vents becoming more labored. Figs nodded and returned to Rin’s side as Drift got in front of the twins, looking around for the last member. “I know you’re out there Tarn,” he shouted angrily, eyes narrowing at the trees once more, looking for any wrong twig in place or shuffling of leaves. 

The cold chuckle came again and Drift tensed as the last member of the DJD seemed to walk out of the shadows and into the moonlight. One of the biggest, more battle hardened frames Rin and Figs had ever seen, Tarn was a hulking mass of purple and black armor with deadly weapons everywhere they looked. “No wonder Drift was nervous,” Figs whispered nervously as the mech rolled his enormous shoulders back, “I don’t even think Optimus could take that guy.” “Optimus can,” Rin mumbled, “I just don’t think anyone else could.”

“Enough play acting Deadlock,” Tarn called out, “Give us the human, and you leave alive.” “If that ain’t the biggest load of scrap I’ve ever heard,” Drift snarled, “Even if I gave her over to you, you’d kill us all in seconds.” “Ordinary that’d be too true,” Tarn smiled maliciously, “But like I said, I’m in a good mood. That and I know as good as my team is, we don’t stand a chance against an army of Autobots.” Tarn walked forwards slightly and Drift just barely flinched back, enough though to make the leader smirk. “Deadlock,” he said, mockingly sweet, “You’re a smart mech, you know that time is on my side right now. And so are my odds.” “ I wouldn’t be that cocky,” Bluestreak muttered, attaching a modification to his rifle. Drift silenced him.

“I leave the decision to you Deadlock,” Tarn said calmly, walking closer and closer, “Your conjux and your sparkling, or her.” “It’s not just his choice,” Rin suddenly said loudly, pushing past Fig’s arm, “It’s mine too.” Tarn watched her carefully as Rin walked to the front of the cave. Sideswipe attempted to block her without taking his eyes off the DJD but she stepped around his pede easily and made herself face to face with Tarn. Drift gave her a quick, desperate glance, but she ignored his gaze. 

“So this is the human,” Tarn hummed. “Thought they had two arms and optics,” Helex snickered and Prowl growled. Rin didn’t waver from staring into Tarn’s optics. “You said you wanted me,” she announced, opening her arms wide, “Well here I am.” “Don’t you dare,” Drift snarled at Rin. “It’ll be okay Drift,” Rin said calmly, “Like Wheeljack's  taught me, sometimes it’s all about sacrifice to make the right formula. And sometimes it takes like, seven tries to make it work . ” With that, she took a deep breath and walked out of the cave. Seven, Drift though to himself, Seven seconds. "Get ready to move in seven seconds," Drift ordererd over comms.

Rin slowly approached the large Con and looked up at him. Drift counted in his head, One, two, three… “Good to see someone still as their head,” Tarn smirked, reaching down to grab her. Four, five, six…. “Shame to see you won’t,” Rin said calmly before activating a control on her arm and revealing it to be a miniature version of Megatron’s own fusion cannon. Tarn barely had time to register the shock when Rin fired, sending a blazing ball of scorching heat into Tarn’s optics before sprinting back to the cave. 

Tarn howled in pain, clutching his optics as they smoldered under his servos and stumbling back. “OPEN FIRE!!,” Drift ordered, dashing forwards to meet the remaining DJD who were still processing what the hell just happened. Rin turned once she hit the cave and narrowed her eyes at the members, taking a deep breath before aiming her arm canon and firing another shot, this time nailing Vos in the shoulder. “Son of a scrapper,” Vos tried, falling back as the rest of his team surged forward. The twins, Bluestreaker, Drift, and Prowl all leapt forwards as well, and the two sides met in a blaze. 

“Rin, Ratchet!,” Ella called back and RIn turned to see Ella frantically working at the chest plates on Ratchet’s frame. He was panting heavily, swearing every few seconds when his plating would contract together. “Fuck,” RIn mumbled, “Figs!” Figs ran over to her and Rin unlatched some cable at her shoulder, effectively dropping herr arm onto the ground. “What the fuck-” “The cannon still works, trigger is under the elbow,” Rin snapped before racing over to Ratchet. Figs took a look at the arm cannon before shrugging. “Not the strangest thing I’ve fought with,” he muttered before running to the entrance and positioning himself to fire at the DJD. 

Rin arrived at Ella’s side as Ratchet groaned in pain. “What do we do,” Ella asked frantically. “I don’t know,” Rin admitted and Ella stared at her in shock. “What do you mean you don’t know?!,” Ella hissed. “I mean I don’t know! I was going to learn but then you know Shockwave and shit and then First Aid turned up and I’ve been a little busy-” “So you’re telling me now that you have no idea how to deliver a sparkling?!,” Ella yelped. “Yes that’s exactly what I’m telling you!” “Christ on a stick Rin-” 

“Cassis,” Ratchet mumbled, “Open the cassis.” Rin nodded and reached into her belt to find a small laser, easily getting through the latches to reach Ratchet’s spark. “Fuck, I forget this sparkling is literally our size,” Ella groaned as Ratchet’s spark was reveled, reveling Ratchet's spark with a very prominent, little Sparkling attached to it. “We need a bot,” Rin muttered, “We can't do this without one.” “Okay who though?!,” Ella rambled, “Prowl’s got the bad arm, Drift is most needed, Twins are second most needed-” “So Bluestreak,” they said in unison. “Figs, get Bluestreak!,” Ella called back and ordered. 

“Kinda busy ladies!!,” he yelled back, firing another shoot at Tesarus who was trying to swipe at Sideswipe from behind. “NOW!,” they both yelled and Figs groaned. “I do not get paid enough for this,” he grumbled, walking as swiftly as possible into the edge of the fray, looking for Bluestreak. He saw him facing off with Agent 113 with Prowl. “Blue! Go help the girls with whatever they need you for, I’ll cover Prowl!,” Figs yelled, firing at Agent 113 and skimming his shoulder and hitting his upper leg. “Now?!,” Bluestreak yelped as he dodged a claw. “YES, NOW, NOW GO-,” Figs yelled once more, firing more aggressively at the bot. Bluestreak mumbled some sort of sarcastic apology before rolling to avoid Agent 113’s punch and running to the caves. “Hey, Figs said you needed me-”

He was interrupted as Ratchet let out a muffled scream, his spark pulsing widely. “Get the sparkling out!,” Rin yelled. “HOW?,” Bluestreak cried. “You don’t know how to deliver a sparkling?!,” Ella yelped. “Of course not?! I’m a snipper! That’d be like asking Optimus if he knows how to deliver a tiny human!,” Bluestreak protested. “Well Optimus is actually of how too,” Ratchet groaned, gritting his teeth, “Elita One made him learn in case of an emergency.” “SEE??,” Rin yelled. “Okay but that’s Prime, he’s all knowledgeable and all that scrap!,” Bluestreak argued. “It doesn’t matter if you have or not, what matters is you start to learn now!!,” Ella interrupted, pointing at Ratchet, “Do whatever he says and get the sparkling out!!”

“Primus and the 13, what the frag did I do to deserve this?,” Bluestreak mumbled, leaning over Ratchet, “So, uh, what do I do??” “Separate the sparkling from the spark,” Ratchet ordered, wincing heavily in pain, “Slowly, and carefully.” “Like just with my servos? Just like that?,” Bluestreak asked. “No with your sniper rifle, OF COURSE WITH YOUR SERVOS!!,” Ratchet growled. “Okay, okay, no need for violence,” Bluestreak muttered before very slowly reaching down and gripping the newspark. He began to pull it off painstakingly slowly and Ratchet was shaking in pain. “Ratchet?,” Ella asked nervously, patting his shoulder comfortingly. “Something-something’s wrong,” he panted. “What is it?,” Ella asked hurriedly. Ratchet couldn’t respond, only moaning in pain and watching his sparkling with fearful optics. 

“Reinforcements are here!,” Sideswipe cheered from outside as the sound of dozens of pedes was heard outside, accompanied by the sound of battle cries and blaster fire. “Get Drift, now,” Ella ordered Figs as Ratchet and the sparkling were finally separated. Figs ran out, shouting for Drift as Ratchet went limp and the sparkling was fully in Bluestreak’s servos. Bluestreak stared down for a moment, his expression frozen. “What is it?,” Bluestreak, what’s wrong!?,” Rin demanded, seeing Bluestreak’s terrified face. “The sparkling…,” he said softly, “It’s-it’s spark isn’t spinning.”

Chapter Text

The cave froze as the words left Bluestreak’s mouth. Ratchet’s optics went wide and he jolted weakly. Bluestreak gently lowered the empty sparkling onto the ground. Ella’s hand fell over her mouth as tears came to her eyes, and Rin was shaking her head slowly. The sound of crunching gravel came as Drift ran into the cave, followed by Optimus and Ironhide. He was smiling widely, but stopped as he saw the sparkbroken form of his conjux and the tears running down Ella’s face. “What-who-our sparkling,” he stammered as Bluestreak turned slowly, painful regret in his optics. “Drift-I,” he started, then stopped, lowering his head, “I’m sorry.”

The realization came as Drift cried out in pain, dropping to his knees. Ratchet made no sound, the only movement being the small trail of energon that ran down his face in mourning. Optimus vented heavily, placing a hand on Drift’s shoulder as Ironhide went to stand by Ratchet’s side.

“No,” Rin said shakily, “No, I’m not letting him go that easy.” She walked over furiously to the limp sparkling and started to access it, muttering to herself. Her head pounded and her chest burned worse than it had all night, but she kept on, examining the chest quickly to find the component to unlock the chest panels manually. When she did, she felt her own chest seize in pain as she looked on a dull, unmoving orb that should have been bright and spinning. “Rin,” Ella choked, “It’s no use.”

“No!,” Rin shouted, “There has to be a way.” “Rin,” Drift whispered, pain etched in every note of his voice, “There’s nothing you can do.” She shook her head again, the pain now spreading through her veins, burning her sick like fire. Something in her, something in her knew she could save this spark. That she could bring it to life if all she did was reach out……“Rin,” Ella whispered. I just need to reach out, Rin thought to herself, closing her eyes. 

Slowly she fell to her knees and rested her hands on the sparkling, breathing in deeply and exhaling as memories flooded through her. Memories of friends, and family. Joy and most importantly, life. 

The first time Rin meet Drift and Wheeljack…..When Ratchet dented Optimus’s helm on accident……..Holding Iacona for the first time…….Epps and Ella holding Iacona together on the couch……..Sarah baking cookies…….Ratchet and Drift telling stories…….Rin with them….Rin with Ratchet when he told her about the sparkling…….The happiness……..the love…….the family they so badly wanted…..

Rin felt energy flow through her, something running in her that pulsed gently and guided her, feeding the empty vessel before her. It was like a whisper in the wind through her mind, just barely there, but the only thing she heard. A soft, warm light that moved in her eyes, the feeling of weightlessness. She was herself still, that she knew, but she felt something else…..someone else in her. And for some reason, she let them in willingly, basking in their warmth and safety. 

Rin didn’t know how long she was there with her eyes closed, only that when she opened them, she was on her back, staring into the cave as the world came back into focus. Distantly, voices were around her, but she could only focus on the small whimper that came from right next to her. Slowly, she managed to turn her head and saw a pair of baby blue optics coming into focus. The optics looked at her curiously and she smiled gently. 

A pair of hands stroked her head and another set picked up the sparkling, who was now cooing and stretching. Rin watched as Drift brought it, wide eyed to an equally wide eyed Ratchet, who wordlessly accepted the bundle. “Our sparkling’s a femme,” he whispered and Drift nodded slowly, eyes still wide in disbelief. The two sat closely together, holding their new creation firmly, not letting an optic off her. Rin smiled tiredly, as her eyes began to drop, dimly aware of someone saying her name and the feeling of hands shaking her shoulders…….

Ella was not a believer of magic or miracles. She believed in what she saw in science and in biology. But whatever has just happened…..she couldn’t explain it in any sort of scientific way. 

Ella watched Rin kneel before the sparkling in what she assumed was defeat and swallowed hard, walking over to her. “Rin-,” she started before gasping and jumping back. Rin’s chest was glowing bright blue, and her veins started to turn the same hue. “Rin!,” she cried, unsure of what to do as Rin’s head suddenly tilted back and she started to mutter in a strange language. “How is that possible,” Ironhide muttered, his optics wide, “She’s speak’n Cybertroian.” “I’m a bit more concerned that she’s glowing,” Bumblebee said nervously as the light seemed to shine brighter. Optimus’s optics narrowed slightly and he stroked his chin calmly. 

Just as soon as it began it stopped and Rin’s eyes rolled to the back of her head before she fell backwards with a thud. “Rin!,” Ella called out, running to her and lifting her head carefully into her lap. Rin muttered something and her head swayed slightly. Ella stroked her hair back and was about to call Rin’s name out again when a small whimper filled the cave. Ella looked up and inhaled sharply as the sparkling shifted slightly, the dull cavity in it’s chest now starting to glow as brightly as Rin had moments before. “That’s impossible,” she whispered as the sparkling opened it’s eyes and the cave filled with sounds of relief and joy. 

Ella felt movement on her lap and looked down to see Rin’s head turned to face the sparkling, a small smile gracing her lips. “Did you do this Rin?,” Ella asked softly, still in disbelief. Rin didn’t respond, a distant look in her eyes as Drift came over to cradle his child and bring it over to Ratchet. “Our sparkling is a femme,” Ratchet breathed happily, new tears coming to his eyes. Ella gave a watery chuckle as the new family settled down together, the new parents underable to keep their eyes off the now cooing and stretching little femme. 

Once more, Ella looked down to see Rin;s eyes fluttering shut. “Rin?,” she said urgently, shaking her shoulders slightly, “Rin!” Rin didn’t respond and fell into unconsciousness, her complexion going extremely pale at any alarming speed. Ella swore quietly, moving Rin so she was laying on her ground before checking her pulse. Fainter than normal, but solid with no irregularities. Ella licked her lips before checking Rin’s upper chest for any signs of damage. That’s when she saw it.

“Optimus!?,” she called out, anxiety filling her voice, “You need to see this!” She heard heavy footsteps come up behind her and she turned to see the leader kneeling over her and Rin. Ella leaned back to let him see what she was pointing at: a set of markings around a symbol over Rin’s heart and chest that danced up her collar bone. “This can not be,” Optimus murmured, reaching down gently. He looked at Ella, silently asking for her permission which she granted with a small nod. Optimus picked Rin up carefully, holding her in his palm. “The markings of the All-Spark.”

That had been a little over 13 hours ago and Rin still hadn’t woken up. After Optimus recognized the markings, he ordered them all back to base, still holding Rin delicately. Drift along with Ironhide and Jazz helped Ratchet to his feet and through the GroundBridge, followed by Prowl, Bluestreak, the Twins, and Figs, then by the rest of the group save for Ella, Optimus, and Rin. 

“Is she going to be alright, Optimus?,” Ella asked nervously, straining to see her sister. Optimus gently picked Ella up as well and set her on his shoulder so she could see RIn clearly. “I do not know Isabella,” he said calmly, “But Rin carries a blessing now, one that I have long since thought to have been destroyed.” “A blessing?,” Ella questioned as Optimus slowly walked towards the groundbridge. “Powers of the All-Spark,” he explained, “Somehow, they flow through her veins and through her heart.” “What is the All-Spark?,” Ella asked. “It is what gave us all life, the very creation of our civilization and the core of our homeworld,” Optimus replied, before his voice softened, “We believed we had been destroyed on this planet not long before the creation of NEST.”

“Then why does Rin have it?,” Ella questioned miserably, “How did she give life to their sparkling??” Optimus sighed heavily as they entered the bridge. “I’m afraid I don’t know yet.”

That had led to where Ella was now, by Rin’s bedside after being looked over by one of the base doctors and First Aid as well as retrieving Iacona from Epps. She gently stroked her thumb across Rin’s knuckles, gently bouncing Iacona on her lap as her mind worked on over time. 

They group made it through the bridge and Rin was immediately taken by Ambulon who brushed past everyone else to start running some tests on her. When Ella was set on her feet she attempted to follow but was stopped by Will. “Go get checked out,” he told her softly, “And do me a favor and check in with Epps? I thought he was going to weld through the floor with how hard he was pacing.” Ella managed a strained smile and nodded, leaving the chaotic medbay to walk to her quarters. An hour later after calming down Epps, holding her daughter tightly, and taking a quick shower, she was back with Iacona about to walk into the medbay when she heard arguing behind the door. 

“-our chance to restore Cybertron!,” someone hissed angrily. “And at what cost?!,” another voice shot back, one she recognized as Jazz. “One human in exchange for our homeworld?! Do the math Jazz, it’s not that hard of a choice!,” the other bot snapped and Ella felt her stomach drop. A few bots snarled from behind the door and another round of arguing appeared to start before Optimus spoke up. “Enough,” he said tiredly, “We will speak of this later.”

When she finally managed to unfreeze and walk in the doors she was greeted by First Aid alone, the medbay was empty otherwise. Ella had shared her greeting and went to Rin, the argument she’d heard on repetition in her head. Gently, she tucked a piece of the hair Rin had managed to start regrowing behind her ear. The slumbering girl leaned into the touch slightly, her warm breath tingling on Ella’s palm. She closed her eyes tightly, remembering life before…….well before everything.

“Ella!,” a tiny voice cried excitedly. A teenage Ella looked up from her textbook, smiling at the young girl before her who was proudly showing off a rather messy drawing of a robot. “Nicely done Rin,” she praised the ten-year-old and Rin’s giggles filled the air. “Someday, I’m gonna fix up robots and make lots and lots of new ones!,” she proclaimed eagerly and Ella laughed. “No doubts Rin,” she said, grinning widely as she put down her textbook to listen to Rin’s detailed explanation of what color the robot’s would be. 

Ella woke to the sounds of sniffling outside her window. She sighed lightly, rolling out of bed to open the window and scoop a teary Rin inside. “You know you can always just knock on the window right?,” she asked, cradling the girl sweetly. Rin nodded and buried her face miserably in Ella’s shoulders. “Your dad being mean again?,” Ella asked and Rin nodded. “He hit you?” Rin shook her head no. Ella exhaled lightly before crawling back into bed, Rin snuggling into her side a moment later. 

“-congratulations to Miss Isabella Aguliar!,” the principal said cheerfully, shaking Ella’s hand as the camera flashed. Ella posed with a large smile before taking her award and her degree down the steps and to the floor, where a smiling Rin was waiting. “Congrats Ella,” she gushed, throwing her arms around Ella tightly, nearly crushing the small bouquet she’d made and presented to Ella earlier. Ella laughed joyfully, wrapping her free arm around Rin before they walked to the back of the audience. “Wanna escape and grab pizza?,” Ella asked and Rin hummed in agreement, her eyes lighting up. 

“How’s college going Ella?,” Rin asked over the phone as Ella was scribbling down some notes. “Well, senior year is busy as hell, but I’m glad that the ER back home already offered me a job post-graduation,” she replied, making note of some definitions. “You sure you want to come back to this scrap-heap? I assure you, it hasn’t changed,” Rin joked and Ella snickered. “When you hit 18 Rin, we’re both getting out,” she said and Rin went quiet for a moment. “Rin?,” Ella asked worriedly, setting her pen down. “Ella, don’t tie your life to mine,” Rin said softly, “You got out, now stay out, and I promise, I’ll meet you wherever you end up.” Ella scoffed. “I make my own choices, and my choice to come back home,” she said firmly, “I want to wait Rin, if I’m leaving, it’s with you by my side and your dad’s house in flames.” Rin’s laugh echoed in the small living room and Ella relaxed against the couch as they continued talking. 

“Helloooo,” Rin said to Ella’s belly, “I’m your aunt Rin and your mom is making me talk to you via her stomach.” Ella smacked Rin’s head. “Oww, and now she’s abusing me,” Rin whined, “You gotta come out soon and help me get her back!” “I’m two months along,” Ella chuckled, rolling her eyes, “You got another seven to go.” Rin groaned and fell back against the couch cushions. “I want to meet my niece….,” Rin grumbled and Ella rolled her eyes again. “And you know it’s a girl….. How?,” Ella inquired, raising an eyebrow. “Aunt instinct,” Rin said cheekily and they both broke into giggles. 

“So, this is NEST,” Rin commented nervously as the two stared at the huge chain fence which surrounded a large facility, small suitcases in hand. “Still got time to back out,” Ella offered, “Will did say we were free to leave at any time.” Rin thought about it for a second before smiling lightly. “I think this is right,” she said softly, “For all of us.” Ella nodded and wrapped her arm around Rin’s shoulders. “Together?,” she asked and Rin grinned. “Together.”

Ella felt a small tear run down her check and she hastily wiped it away, taking a deep breath. “Together,” she whispered, leaning down to press a small kiss to Rin’s forehead.

Chapter Text

An hour or so later, Ella was playing quietly with Iacona when from the corner of her eyes, she saw Rin’s eyes flicker open. “Rin,” she breathed, moving to sit by her side on the bed. Rrin rose groggily, rubbing her head. “Pain?,” Ella asked. “Like two outta ten, just sore,” Rin grumbled before catching sight of Iacona. Her face lit up and Ella wordless helped Rin sit up before passing her daughter over to her favorite aunt. Rin took her happily, pressing kisses to her cheeks before looking around the medbay. “Where is everyone?,” she asked confusedly.  

“I don’t know,” Ella replied, realizing that even First Aid was gone now. Rin stretched when Ella took Iacona back, swinging her feet off the bed. “Before you argue,” Rin said, seeing Ella’s mouth open, “I feel fine, a little sore, but overall like I just got up from a long nap.” Ella sighed and nodded and Rin stood up before starting to walk to the doors. “Where are you going?,” Ella called out. “To get some fucking answers,” Rin called back, pausing for a moment. Ella was starled to see a small flame coming to life in Rin's eyes, a shaper anger that Ella had very very rarely seen in her friend. When she sopke again, her words were bitter and tight.

“I just meet someone called Alpha Trion.”

To call what RIn was on a ‘warpath’ was probably an understatement. She was power walking through the halls like a madwoman, angrily muttering in a mix of English and what Ella believed to be Cybertronian. Ella meanwhile was scrambling to keep up, not used to this level of frustration in her typically calm friend. “Rin,” she said breathlessly, “Hold on two seconds- What the fuck do you mean you meet someone? Like in a dream? Why are you speaking Cybertronian? What the actual hell is going on?!” “No clue,” Rin said bitterly, “Hence why I’m going to find Optimus and tear him a new one-” “Optimus?,” Ella asked in confusion. “Yeah, Prime himself,” Rin said, “Because this Alpha dude kept saying his name and saying shit like, ‘He knows what you got in you’ or ‘Don’t worry, he’s got this’ AND NOW-” “Rin paused to take a calming breath, causing Ella to bump into her back. 

“Look Ella, long story short, Alpha T explained that I have a piece of the All-Spark in me. I don’t know what it means or why, but I know Optimus and the others know, AND I know they have known for a long time,” Rin seethed, “And they NEVER told me!” Ella placed a hand on Rin’s shoulder. “Hey,” she said softly, “Let’s give them the benefit of the doubt first and foremost okay?” Rin sighed but nodded. “And if they give us some bullshit excuses?,” Rin grumbled. Ella shrugged innocently. “If they know what’s good for their health they won’t.” Rin smiled briefly, but quickly resumed her power walking and Ella was back to jogging after her with a giggling Iacona on her hip.

When they reached the hangar, they were pleased to see a majority of the bots and humans they wanted present there. Epps gave him a cheerful wave quickly lowering his hand as Rin stormed by, eyes locked on Optimus who was talking with Ratchet. “What’s up with her,” Epps whispered to Ella as she stopped by him. “Stick around and listen,” she mumbled back, “It’s gonna be good.” Rin stopped her walk, backtracking a moment to go by Figs. “I need my arm back please,” she asked him, eyes not leaving Optimus. Figs saw her glance and debated a moment before handing her the arm back. She reattached it with a click and snap before continuing to path to Prime. 

“If she kills him, I want you to tell everyone I was in the Rec Room,” Figs announced as he walked back to Ella and Epps. “I’m telling everyone it was you,” Epps teased as they watched RIn finally reach her target. They expected her to be relatively calm about it. They were wrong. 

“OPTIMUS FREAKING PRIME-WHAT THE FUCK?!,” Rin yelled, getting the attention of everyone in the hangar, several who’s jaws dropped. Optimus himself looked down in surprise to see 5’5 ft of pure fury glaring up at him. “Rin, what is-?,” he asked but was interrupted by her. 

“I GOT A PIECE OF THE ALL-SPARK IN ME AND YOU FUCKERS DIDN’T TELL ME?!?!? AND I HAD TO LEARN ABOUT IT AFTER I STARTED HEARING VOICES IN MY HEAD-WHICH APPRENTLY ARE THE PAST PRIMES-WHICH I HAD TO LEARN ABOUT FROM SOME FUCKER NAMED ALPHA TRION, AND YOU KNEW!!?! THIS WHOLE TIME AND NO ONE THOUGHT TO MENTION IT TO ME, YOU KNOW, BUT A NOTE ON MY DOOR OR SOME SHIT?!?! BUT NO-WE WAIT FOR THE DJD TO ATTACK AND FOR A STILL-BORN SPARKLING BEFORE WE TELL RIN ANYTHING ABOUT THE MOTHERFUCKING PIECE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FUCKING RELIC OF CYBERTRON IN HER OWN. FUCKING. CHEST.”

“You spoke to Alpha Trion!?,” Drift gasped and Rin swiveled to glare at him and he wisely shut up. “I SWEAR TO PRIMUS, THERE HAD BETTER BE AN AWARD WINNING EXPLANATION FOR THIS OR I SWEAR TO ALL THAT’S HOLY IN ANY WORLD THAT I WILL-” Ella wisely muffled Rin’s threat, holding her until she calmed down slightly. “Continue,” Ella encouraged after a moment when Rin was returned to a relatively calm state. 

Optimus slowly knelt down, offering Rin an apologetic smile. “You are justifiably angry Rin,” he said gently, “And I promise you, all will be explained. We were wrong to keep you, to keep any of you in the dark.” Rin gave him a much weaker, yet still annoyed, glare. “Keep what from us?,” she asked cooly. “Our secret mission,” Optimus said, “The mission for the restoration of Cybertron.” 

Chapter Text

(Set in between Rin’s rescue and the DJD run in)

Ella was staring at Epps like he’d grown an extra head. “Run that by me again,” she said slowly as Epps shifted on his feet, giving his girlfriend a nervous smile. “There have been rumors of a human operation aiding the Decepticons for the last nine months now, maybe longer-” “I heard that part,” Ella snapped, pinching her nose, “I meant the Vegas part!” “Well you see-,” Epps stuttered, “Our sources informed us that the group is meeting with some pretty high end business guys in a week at the Rosa Dorata Casino, guys with a lot of influence in weaponry, and we want to infiltrate. Problem is-” “Problem is that this group potentially has accessed NEST trooper files, meaning that any registered military personnel are too risky,” Will finished, coming to join the conversation, “That includes Cade, Mikela, and Sam because they are all either liaisons or ambassadors.” 

“And me and Rin aren’t included…how?,” Ella questioned, “We both work at NEST??” “You are both registered under the Autobots,” Will explained, “Technically speaking, you both work directly for them.” “That’d have been nice to know,” Ella muttered, crossing her arms pointedly. “Prowl handles your records and payments if you have any questions on that,” Will offered. “Thanks, but that’s for a later time,” she said, “Now back to Epps’s original request.”

“We are hoping,” Epps started, “That you would be willing to go undercover briefly in Vegas. Red Alert created a program that can copy data over from any device within six feet of a target, so all you’d need to do is get in close enough for that to happen.” “Uh huh,” Ella drawled, “And I can only expect that some bots will be there for back-up?” “Jazz and Bumblebee will be there,” Will added, “With Drift and Sideswipe on standby in case things get really ugly.” “Right, so you two want to send me in alone, to a huge casino, hope I find these guys, and then pray I can get close enough? What about maybe, their security? Or the casino security?,” Ella pointed out. 

“We’ll have Red Alert and Perceptor monitoring the cameras,” Epps said. “And if these guys are working with the Decepticons?,” Ella questioned. “Then you get the hell out, head for Bumblebee or Jazz, and book it,” Epps said sternly. Ella gave him a small glare and he immediately offered an apologetic smile as his tone. “If you don’t feel comfortable Ella, then we’ll find someone else,” Will said kindly, “You have no obligation to say yes.” Ella nodded softly and gave a small huff as she started to think. Will and Epps looked at her as Ella thought it over carefully, biting her lip softly as she mulled over the options. 

“I’ll do it,” she said carefully after a moment of silence. She looked up with a small gleam of mischief in her eyes and Epps sighed internally, knowing that look meant trouble. “On one condition.” 

A small puff of smoke blew up in Rin’s face and she turned away from the solution she'd prepared, coughing slightly and cursing as she made some notes in her data pad. “Rin! Epps is at the door for ya’,” Wheeljack called from his desk as he was going over some long equations Perceptor asked him to reference. “Thanks Jackie!,” she called, wiping her hands on her overalls before walking to the human entrance to the lab of doom. Quickly exiting, she saw Epps resting nervously on the wall. “Hey Epps,” Rin said cautiously as he gave her an apologetic smile. “Hey Rin, I gotta favor to ask……” 

“I can’t believe you talked me into this,” Rin deadpanned as she stared at the glistening doors of the mall before her. “Which part?,” Mikela smirked, “The Vegas mission or the shopping?” “Yes,” Rin groaned as Ella bounced forwards, a large smile on her and Iacona’s face. “Alright guys! I’ve got the car parked and the NEST credit card! We are set!.” Sara chuckled, shifting so that Annebelle could grab her hand as the group walked into the mall. “I’m sure you’ll survive Rin,” she said kindly to the young woman. 

Rin glanced ahead at Ella who was chatting with Mikela and grimaced. “Believe me, I have no problems dressing up,” she whispered, “I just have a fear of Ella when she’s shopping.” “Why is that??,” a smooth voice questioned and Rin turned to see an elegantly dressed man giving her a curious stare. Sara and Rin both looked at him in confusion before Mikela spoke up. “Oh hey Mirage!,” she said calmly, backtracking slightly with Ella. “Mirage? Damn,” Ella whistled as Mirage blushed slightly, glancing down. “You are dating Epps,” Rin reminded Ella with an eye roll and Ella stuck her tongue out. “Doesn’t mean I lost my vision.”

“Will instated we take some security with us, and I thought some human culture experience would be good for Mirage,” Mikela explained. “No problems here,” Ella smiled, grabbing Mirage’s arm tightly, “Let’s show you the adventures of fashion!” “I wouldn’t call half this tacky scrap fashion,” another voice piped up and the group turned once more to see another man with flashy red hair. “Knockout,” Rin greeted. He chuckled slightly. “It’s the red hair, isn’t it?” 

The group slowly moved through the mall, showing their bot friends some of the more popular attractions like the Merry-Go-Round, Build-A-Bear, and the huge food court before heading to the shops they came for. “Madame Laurent’s Boutique?,” Rin asked as they approached a shop tucked in the corner of the mall. “Now this is fashion,” Knockout mused, glancing over some of the pieces out on display. “May I help you?,” a rather snotty saleswomen asked, glancing over Sara’s yoga pants and Rin’s faded flannel. “I actually have an appointment with Madame Laurent,” Ella said, flashing a large smile, “Under the name Ella.” “Madame Laurent?,” the saleswoman questioned, giving Ella a mockingly sweet grin, “I’m so sorry Miss, but Madame Laurent is extremely popular and-”

“ISABELLA MY DARLING!!,” a thundering voice called and a woman draped in an emerald shawl came sashaying forwards, wrapping Ella in a tightly hug, “And this must be little Iacona!” The woman gently pinched Iacona’s cheek, producing a small giggle from the 5 month old. “Madame Laurent, it’s good to see you again,” Ella said joyfully. “Katherine, you can go ahead and close up then make yourself scarce in the back for the rest of the day,” the woman said calmly, waving the rude woman away. The saleswoman gave a small protest before being given a hard glare from Madame Laurent. “Don’t know why I keep that woman around,” Madame Laurent muttered. Katherine went to close the doors and Madame Laurent turned to everyone else. 

“It’s lovely to meet you my dears,” she greeted warmly, shaking everyone’s hands fondly, “And you must be Rin! Ella has shown me some pictures of you both.” Rin nodded and smiled. “And you must be the previous Miss Boucher? Ella’s favorite boss?” “Indeed,” Madame Laurent laughed, “Married a few years back and became a madame.” She clapped her hands together and beckoned everyone further into the shop. “Now then, I understand you and Rin need something suitable for Vegas?,” Madame Laurent asked as the group settled into a group of sofas outside the dressing rooms. Ella nodded and Madame Laurent smiled wickedly. “Then I shall begin my art.”

While Ella, Madame Laurent, Mikela, and Sara went to search the clothing racks, Rin, Knockout, and Mirage were on babysitting duty. Rin held Iacona in her lap, softly rattling a toy in front of her niece as Iacona was giggling. “How…how do I deal with this one?,” Mirage asked uncertainty as Annebelle had crawled up next to him and decided to stare into his abnormally blue eyes. Rin chuckled as Annebelle continued her stare, not moving an inch. “Careful Mirage,” Knockout smirked, “They smell fear.” “What?,” Mirage whispered, terrified, as Rin and Knockout broke into laughter. 

“Relax Mirage,” Knockout snickered, “Just play with her, entertain her, or let her continue to read your soul.” Mirage still looked uncertain but relaxed slightly as Annebells giggled and rolled away from him, flopping onto the overstuffed sofa cushions. She began to poke at the small buttons decorating one of the pillows, giggling to herself every so often and Mirage gave Rin a confused look. “How does she find such entertainment in that?,” he whispered. “She’s a little kid,” Rin answered as she bounced Iacona on her leg, making the little girl giggle as well, “They find the most random things funny.”

It was about twenty minutes later when the women finally emerged from the racks, each holding large piles of various dresses, pants, and various clothing pieces. Rin started to pale as Ella locked eyes with her, grinning wildly. “I’m going to save us both, Iacona,” Rin whispered, quickly standing up to bolt for the door as Iacona cackled. “I’ll get you coffee and orange chicken after this,” Ella called and Rin skidded to a stop, spinning around with a large smile on her face. “Deal!”

Ella and Rin both choose a changing room and put on their first outfits, emerging a few moments later. Ella was wearing a cute light pink dress with a puffy skirt and Rin had on a pair of dress pants with a suit jacket. Sara and Mikela exchanged glances then shook their heads. “Next!”

“Next!”

“I like those sleeves on Ella”

“Different color?”

“Next!”

“If the hem was longer…”

“WAY too neon”

“Next!”

“Maybe we add a belt to the jacket?”

“Absolutely not.”

“The color does not match the hair”

“White in Vegas is a terrible idea”

“Next!”

“Next!”

“Next!

It was around an hour and a half later  when Rin and Ella both found dresses that the council agreed upon happily. Ella was dressed in a dark pink, spaghetti strap dress that went to her ankles, hugging her frame tightly. It was ridiculously sparkly and bright, so it fit her perfectly. Rin’s outfit consisted of a sleek black long sleeved dress that stopped mid-thigh. Her sleeves puffed out slightly and the neckline was a square cut.

Sara clapped happily. “Perfect! A few simple touches and you guys will be ready for the casinos!” “Amazing,” Rin said wearily, having already changed into her sweatpants and flannel, “Can we please get some chicken now?”

“You sure this will hold out for the night Jackie?,” Rin asked nervously, examining the news upgrade Wheeljack had made to her artificial eye. Previously, Rin had just used an eyepatch in public spaces instead of the large metal piece that made it possible for her to see since her hair had grown enough on the side to hide the scarring from the surgeries Ratch had performed. Now, Wheeljack installed software that could turn the metal of the eye machinery into the same tone as Rin’s skin, even accounting for the freckles that danced over her cheekbones. “100%,” he said cheerfully, “Now Ella’s been coming me for the last ten minutes to head to her rooms so you might wanna hurry.”

Rin stared at herself in the mirror, shifting slightly to observe the way she looked. The makeup she had was minimal, only some eyeliner, mascara, and concealer. Ella had insisted on some lipstick, but Rin wiped it off after smudging it for the third time. She had to admit, she rather liked the way she felt pretty in the outfit with her hair done. It felt different, but nice. 

“Aren’t you looking beautiful,” Ella cooed, coming up beside her with Iacona. Ella’s make-up was a little more well done, with eyeshadow, lip gloss, foundation, and a number of other products Rin couldn’t name that turned her friend into a goddess. “Epps might actually keel over,” Rin smirked, taking Iacona from Ella, “You look fine as hell.” Ella smirked and tossed her long and shiny hair over her shoulder. “You know it,” she winked before walking to answer the door to see Will and Epps. 

Epps’s jaw dropped and Will had to shove past to fit inside the room while his best friend continued to gawk at Ella. “Wow,” he finally managed to splutter out as Ella threw Epps a flirtatious grin. He straightened up, eyes moving over Ella’s frame and Rin put her hands over Iacona’s eyes. “Don’t look,” she whispered, “Your dad is being a-” “Do not swear in front of my daughter Orina,” Ella called back threateningly and Rin wisely shut up. “If you two are done undressing each other with your eyes, can we kindly move over here so we can get going on the debrief?,” Will asked, crossing his arms with a light-hearted eye roll. 

The four walked to the hanger, talking casually about the mission. Epps held Iacona as he continued to gawk at Ella, throwing dirty looks at any soldier they passed who was looking a little too long as Ella or Rin. Jazz and Bumblebee were waiting with Prowl, Optimus, and Drift, talking quietly before noticing the group’s arrival. “Sup guys!,” Jazz called out happily, “You wanna catch a ride to Vegas?!” Rin grinned as Jazz and Bumblebee transformed, choosing to hop into the driver’s seat of Jazz’s vehicle mode. Ella gave Iacona a kiss on the cheek, nuzzling her head against her daughter’s before leaning up to press her lips with Epps’s. “Come back safe,” he whispered to her, squeezing her hand tightly. Ella smiled softly at him. “Always.” “Let’s go LoverGirl!,” Rin called out as Jazz honked his horn, “Wheeljack taught me to stack decks and I’m in the mood to make some money!”

Ella snickered as she got into the passenger seat of Jazz as Prowl’s face tensed and he started to mutter threats under his breath at a certain explosion prone scientist. Optimus just shook his head good naturedly and waved the group off. “And to Vegas we go,” Ella smiled, pulling Rin in for a quick selfie. 

“Wow,” Jazz whistled as the group drove through the Vegas strip, “This is…..a lot.” “Tell me about,” Rin breathed as she stared through the window, the many bright lights bouncing across her eyes, “It’s beautiful.” “Beautiful and crowded,” Ella muttered nervously at the packed streets. “We’re approaching the casino,” Bumblebee announced over comms, “I’ll go to the nearest lot to set up shop.” “Sounds good Bee, stay close and keep your sensors on high,” Jazz said, “You see anything, you report it to myself and Optimus immediately, got it?” “On it, good luck Ella, Rin,” Bumblebee said, his comm cutting off. 

Jazz pulled up the arguably one of the largest, flashiest casinos on the strip and Rin snorted as she witnessed a man walk into the door before yelling garbled nonsense, clearly past the point of sobriety. “Classy,” Ella snickered as he was escorted away by security, “Well thanks for the ride Jazz, we’ll see you soon.” “Be careful ladies, Rin, you got your arm cannon set?” “I’m sorry, arm cannon?,” Ella asked, whipping around to see a sheepish Rin. “In my defense, Jazz wasn’t supposed to know about it,” she said quickly, “Wheeljack and I installed it a few weeks ago.” “Special Ops and Third in Command Rin,” Jazz huffed, “I know everything.”

Ella and Rin bid Jazz farwell before walking into the casino, greeted immediately by the sounds of loud music, laughter, and coins hitting metal. Lights danced around the room and people filled every inch of the space, all dressed in bright and sparkly colors. “Like a fever dream in here,” Rin said, plastering a smile on her face. Ella nodded. “I’ll head to the bar on the second floor, see if I can see anything better from up there.” “I’ll head to the gambling,” Rin said deviously, rubbing her hands together. “If you get caught cheating, I’m not helping you,” Ella scoffed as Rin disappeared into the crowd. 

Ella made her way upstairs, pausing at times to exchange a word or two with some of the other passing patrons. The bar was surprisingly quieter than downstairs, many of the occupants talking at more normal tones and the lights being calmer and more dimmed to set the mood. She approached the bar and ordered a drink, tipping decently and saying she’d be one of the tables facing the casino floor. Taking a seat, she glanced over the floor, looking for Rin and anyone looking particularly rich or weird. 

Rin she found after a few moments of searching, sitting around a table with an already sizable amount of chips before her. “I regret teaching her to play poker so much,” Ella muttered, accepting the drinker a server brought over. She sipped at it, looking over the floor more, not yet seeing anything she’d called suspicious. After around ten minutes, she pretended to fix some pins in her hair while whispering into the bracelet adorning her wrist. “Rin, see anyone yet?,” she whispered, moving to the other side of her head, taking her time. “Nada,” Rin responded a second later, “Just a few guys pretty pissed I took all their money.” Ella rolled her eyes. “Be careful, please.” “No promises.” Ella huffed and resumed looking over the strip, impatiently tapping her foot. 

“See anything to your appeal?,” an amused voice asked and Ella turned to see a shapely dressed man before her table, posture relaxed. Ella’s eyes quickly ran over him and she nearly froze upon seeing the familiar symbol of the Decepticons on the face of the man’s watch. She put on a small, playful smile and turned to face the man. “Nothing quite yet,” she shrugged, “Shame really, I was hoping this casino might provide some decent entertainment.” “May I?,” the man asked, gesturing to the chair and Ella nodded. “What brings such a lovely and lonely woman to the Golden Rose?,” he questioned, waving the server over. “The Golden Rose?,” Ella asked, raising an eyebrow, “I thought this was the Rosa Dorata?” “Same meaning, just Italian verus English,” the man waved off, “But you did so nicely avoid my actual question.”

“So I did,” Ella mused, leaning back in her seat and sipping at her drink, “So forgive me I sound rude.” “Not at all,” he smiled, extending his hand, the one with the watch. Ella hesitantly took it and my man took advantage to bring her knuckles to his lips, keeping eye contact with her as he kissed her hand gently. She forced the unease from her face and gave him a polite smile. “Such a gentlemen Mr…..?” “Carlos, Carlos Cruz,” he introduced himself as, “And you, Ms….” “Rosietta,” she said sweetly. “Rosietta,” the man repeated, a smudge smile on his face, “You’re lying.” Ella raised an eyebrow, lifting her glass to take another sip to avoid Carlos see her start to panic slightly. 

“Rather bold to approach a random woman at a bar, then accuse her of lying,” she said cooly. “And who said you were random?,” he questioned and it was then that Ella noticed the bar’s population noticeably had gone down. A small weight dropped in her stomach as the man’s smile widened. “I saw you look at my watch earlier,” he said casually, “Did you like it?” Ella gave him a hard glare, deciding to drop any act of innocent friendliness. “Can’t say I do,” she responded coldly, “That symbol is rather disgusting.” “I see it as a symbol of the future,” Carlos replied, “The future of our world Ms. Isabella Aguilar.” 

She hummed, fear being replaced by a strange sense of calmness which she readily accepted. “So you’re one of the Decepitcon’s little minions.” “Partners,” he corrected, “The leader of E.N.D.” “E.N.D.?,” Ella asked, crossing her arms. “External Network of the Decepticons,” Carlos replied, “A group of humans who see the benefits to a world ruled by Lord Megatron.” “So a group of mad-men,” Ella hissed, “Megatron wouldn’t hesitate to step on you in an instant with no second thoughts.” “Oh, but he can’t,” Carlos replied smugly, “See, he found us because after NEST, we are his biggest threat. We make technology to fight Cybertronians, actually ‘fight’ is the wrong word….we make weapons to kill them.”

Ella’s eyes widened briefly before she narrowed them again. “You’ll find that to be a larger challenge than you expect,” she said fiercely. Carlos regarded her for a second before laughing to himself, leaning back, just as relaxed as when he first came to her. “Oh, Ms. Aguilar,” he chuckled, “You should know better than anyone, that killing is easy. Healing, maybe a bit tough, but killing? Simple.” “Clearly you’ve never tried to kill a Cybertroian,” Ella replied, biting her tongue harshly. “No, not yet at least, but I’m sure you’ve brought some friends with that I can try my new toys out on,” Carlos smirked, titling his head forwards. “In hell, over my twisted, decaying corpse,” Ella threatened, “Will you touch any of them.” “Don’t tempt me sweetheart,” Carlos smiled, “But that will come in good time, for now, I say we see what Rin will do.” Ella’s sees went wide as she swerved to look over the balcony, desperately trying to find Rin in the crowd. 

Was what Rin was doing legal? Probably not. Was it moral? Also probably not. Was she walking out of this casino 20x richer than when she entered? Yes. She hummed happily as she collected the winnings from the counter, staring gleefully at the cash as she tucked it into her bra. Best place, maybe not, but she did not bring a purse so-

“Quite the card player,” a smooth voice whispered in Rin’s ear and she spun around, eyes narrowed at a lanky young man standing behind her, arms raised in peace. “I mean no harm,” he said sarcastically before extending his hand, “Markus Cruz.” “Regina Geroge, bye now,” Rin deadpanned before turning to head back into the heart of the casino. She felt a hand grip her flesh limb and she turned slowly to see Mack or whatever see name was standing before her, frown on face. “Can we maybe chat for a second?,” he asked, annoyed and impatient. “Nope,” Rin smiled, snapping her arm from his grip, “And the next time you grab my arm, I’ll snap it in half.”

“Rin, could-” He snapped his mouth shut quickly but Rin heard him clearly and glared at him strongly enough to make Optimus’s toes curl. “So you must be one of the Decepticon’s newest bitches,” she observed, “I see they’ve had to downgrade.” The boy’s face turned red and he fumed at her silently. “How dare-” “Let’s skip this little chat and get to point, what do you want and where is Ella?,” Rin demanded, stepping closer to Markus. He flinched slightly, reaching up to loosen his tie. “My father is with Ms. Aguliar, and you are to come with me, or else I will give the order for our men to open-fire on the casino floor.”

“I take it you at least a little bit about me and my….incident,” Rin stated calmly. “Yes, how the Decepticon Shockwave performed several tests upon you, resulting in the removal of your arm and left eye,” Markus said stiffly. “Correct, now have you meet Megatron?,” Rin asked sweetly. Markus shuddered and nodded. “He threatened us quite….extensively with his amr cannon.” “Excellent! So you know about his arm cannon,” Rin cheered, rolling up her left sleeve to revel shiny metal, “Now this is my new arm, complete with my very own miniature fusion canon, strong enough to melt down Tungsten.” Markus gulped and took another step back from Rin. “So here’s my counter proposition pretty boy,” Rin whispered, going chest to chest with Markus, “You take me to Ella and you tell your men to leave the casino. Or I’m going to turn you into a donut with one hole straight through the middle of ya.”

Carlos could only pinch the bridge of his nose and sigh when he was told his men had been ordered to vacate the casino. Ella smirked slightly. “Something wrong?” “Only disappointment in myself for sending my son to deal with your friend,” he muttered. Ella chuckled to herself. “Atta girl Rin,” she whispered. A few moments later footsteps sounded up the stairs and a lanky younger man approached, followed by a rather annoyed looking Rin. Ella and RIn locked eyes and relief flooded Rin’s face before it hardened again after seeing Carlos. 

“You must Carlos Cruz,” Rin stated as Carlos glared at his son. “You give away your social security number and credit card info well you were at it?,” he glowered as Marcus flinched away. “Sorry pops, but she-” “I don’t want to hear it,” he growled, “Sit down and shut up.” Rin and Marcus looked at each other. “Which one of us?,” Rin asked in confusion, pointing between herself and Marucs. “Which one- BOTH,” Carlos snapped. Rin raised her hands in mock defense, heading over to drag a seat next to Ella. 

Carlos paced, muttering furiously under his breath as his son took a seat near the exit, anxiously avoiding his father’s burning glare. “So what’s the plan?,” Rin asked Ella quietly. “We need to contact Jazz,” Ella whispered, “We need to warn them about these guys, they have a weapon able to kill Cybertroians.” “Shit,” Rin swore suddenly, “When were we supposed to check in?” Ella glanced at her watch. “In about one minute,” she answered. 

“Hey Cruz,” Ella called out, “If I don’t respond to our friends in about forty-five seconds,  they’re going to march in here guns blazing.” The man halted, pondering Ella’s words carefully. “You’d have to use Rin’s communication device, I deactivated yours when you shook hands.” “Course he did,” Ella muttered angrily, snapping off the bracelet and dropping it to the ground. 

Rin simply smiled as Carlos and Markus watched her closely as she opened up the channel. “Commander Jazz, Rin reporting,” she said clearly, “All is going well sir. It’s pretty quiet from where we’ve staked out.” Ella smirked slightly to herself, she’d never heard anyone call Jazz ‘commander’ and Rin had certainly never called him ‘sir’. There was a brief silence before a response came through. “Understood Rin,” Jazz answered in an incredibly professional tone, “Keep us updated and watch out for the Decepticon accomplices.” “Yes sir,” Rin said cheerfully and the call ended. 

“You seem far to happy with that call,” Carlos pointed out angrily. “You heard everything I said?,” Rin questioned, “Did you hear anything that could have been code?” Carlos galred at her but said nothing, choosing to instead make a call and start speaking in rapid Italian. “He’s telling his men to grab a truck and meet them out front,” Rin mumbled. “How in the hell did you know that?,” Ella asked. Rin tapped the side of her head. “The eye has a program for language translation,” Rin said, wincing slightly, “It feels weird as hell, but it’s working.” “Both of you! Follow me,” Carlos ordered angrily, making both women freeze as he pulled out a small gun, “Or I start shooting.”

Ella and Rin exchanged glances before getting to their feet and following Carlos down the stairs. “Start the data inscription,” Ella muttered to Rin, who nodded and closed her artificial eye tightly for a second before opening it, the soft green colorr now more vibrate as data started to flow from Carlos’s phone to a chip Red Alert had placed in Rin’s machairy. “Five minutes,” Rin whispered. 

“Attention ladies and gentlemen!,” a voice boomed over the loudspeakers, “There has been a threat reported in the casino, all guests are to evacuate immediately!” Carlos whirled around furiously to face the women as guests started to run out of the casino, panicked and confused. “What did you do?!,” he hissed, grabbing Ella roughly by the arm. Rin immediately yanked him off, puting herself between the man and Ella. “She did nothing,” Rin said evenly, “I made the silent alarm.” Carrlos’s face flushed bright red and he cursed violently before gesturing for both women to follow him, gun riased at Ella threateningly. 

Ella and Rin stood, unmoving as the casino finished emptying, leaving the small group at the stairs, completely alone in the building. “My father has ordered you to move!,” Markus shouted only to be shushed by his father. “Move,” Carlos ordered, “Or I will shoot you.” He pointed the weapon directly at Rin, who gave him an impressed look. “You think I can survive Shockwave, but not a bullet?,” she asked confidently, but Ella saw a small shake in her hands. 

“And what about your friend?,”Carlos asked, shifting his aim to Ella’s head, “Can she bit a bullet as well as she bites her tongue?” The three stood in a stand-off, Rin covering Ella, Ella glaring and slowly taking off her rings, and Carlos standing with a smug smirk on his face. “Now move bitches,” he ordered, gesturing to the floor of the casino, “I ain’t got-”

The sound of shattering glass broke the group as soldiers started pouring through the ceiling, dropping from lines onto the floor. “Get in here now!,” Carlos roared into his phone. “On behalf of the United Nation’s NEST program, you and your accmoplices are under arrest!,” a familar voice boomed and Ella smiled as she saw Epps standing on a card table, gun pointed right at Carlos. The man in question simpled smiled as the doors behind Rina and Ella burst open, revealing armed men, training their guns at the NEST soliders. 

From the NEST side, a loud crash sounded as one of the walls went down, Jazz and Bumblebee tumbling through gracefully, aiming thier much larger weapons at the humans. “Stand down ya’ll,” Jazz ordered, “And you might live.” “Oh, I’ll live,” Carlos smirked and floor light up in purple lights as a groundbridge opened behind Carlos’s men. A familiar Seeker commander stepped out, famous smirk on display, along with a few other Seeker fighters who immediately took aim at Jazz and Bee. 

The room was quiet apart from the shifting and powering on off weapons as both sides prepared to fight. 

“SHOOT THEM!!,” Carlos roared and the battle begun. The humans immediately dove for cover as the Bots and Cons clashed in the middle, the sounds fo grinding metal making Rin wince. From behind her, she felt the presence of Ella disappear and she whirled around to see that two men had grabbed her arms and were hauling her off to one of the exits. “Oh I think the fuck not!,” Rin muttered, chasing after them before remembering Ella was more than capable of beating their asses alone. 

As soon as the thoughts entered her mind, Ella stomped on one man’s shoe, taking advantage of her now free arm to left hook the other man in the jaw, dropping him like a bag of flour before turning to the other man and delivering a swift kick to his stomach then kneeing his face hard. Rin smiled as Ella gave a satisfied huff, flashing Rin a grin before rushing back over. “We need to get to the other side of this mess,” Ella shouted over the loud gunfire. 

“I still need to be within six feet of that guy!,” Rin yelled back, “The data didn’t all transfer yet!!” Ella cursed, weighing their options as they dove behind a fallen chunk of marble. Rin took Ella’s arm tightly. “Get over to Epps!,” she yelled, “I’ll grab the last of the data and meet you over there!” “What?! No way in hell!,” Ella protested. “Ella,” Rin said confidently, “I’ll be okay.” Ella sighed but realizing that without a weapon she’d be of little help, nodded her head. “I see an opening on the side, by the ground floor bars,” Ella shouted, “Soon as you get that data, use that path to cross the no-man land shit that’s going on right here!” Rin gave her a thumbs up and the two parted, Rin crossing behind Carlos’s men to follow their leader as he was escorted out the doors. 

She burst out of the casino and spotted Carlos about to hop in one of the cars. “Shit,” Rin muttered, running over. Carlos spotted her and scowled, giving an order to the men on either side of himself. One came at Rin, bringing his arm back to swing at her face, but she ducked smoothly and took advantage of his exposed rib cage to land a crippling punch to his kidney. The other followed suit and went to grab Rin’s arms, but she hopped back, then darted forwards, tripping the man has he tried to follow. 

Both men on the ground, she returned her focus to Carlos who was one-step in the car. She furiously marched over, just close enough to the point where the program started up again. “Stop!,” she ordered, “Don’t move!” Carlos gave her an exasperated look before his dark eyes lite up and he chuckled. 

Behind her, Rin heard the small click of a gun’s safety being turned off and she turned to see Markus holding his father’s pistol at her shakily. “Markus,” Rin said softly, “You don’t have to shoot me.” “Markus, do it,” Carlos ordered. “If you’re scared of your dad, then he’s not your dad,” Rin said gently, “He doesn’t have to control you Markus, he’s doesn’t have to scare you.” “Damit Markus, shoot her already!,” Carlos demanded angrily. Markus looked at Rin guiltily. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry,” he whispered before the sound of a gun went off. 

Only it wasn’t Markus’s. 

Markus dropped to the ground as a bullet pierced his arm, whimpering in pain. Behind him, a masked NEST solider stood, gun smoking slightly, now fixed on Carlos. Rin glanced over the data quickly, it was complete. “Let’s go,” she said the the NEST solider, who nodded and reach out his hand to Rin. She gave him a raised eyebrow but took it and was then pulled along back into the casino. Rin spared a glance behind her and was slightly relieved to see that Carlos was helping Markus into the car, a small bit a concern on the father’s face. She smiled slightly and turned back to the fight now before her again. 

“Jazz!,” Rin yelled over her comm, “Mission complete!” He didn’t respond as he was currently fighting Starscream, but as soon as he flipped back he shouted to Epps and Epps nodded. The solider with Rin put one hand by his ear and nodded. “We’re retreating,” he told Rin as rops started to drop from the ceiling once more soldiers began to grab them and clip on before being pulled up. “Don’t suppose you’ve got another clip on you?,” Rin asked, staring at the ceiling uncertainty. 

“Nope,” the solider replied, “So you might want to hold on.” One of the solider’s arm went around her waist as a rope dropped before them. He quickly clipped himself in and Rin grabbed around his neck as the pair were lifted up, the ground quickly becoming scarce under their feet. Rin’s eyes widened as the Vegas strip and all it’s bright lights were displayed under her and she felt the solider chuckle. “Pretty isn’t it?,” he asked in a slightly muffled voice. “Stunning,” Rin breathed. The two were pulled into the waiting aircraft and and solider genty pulled Rin to the side so that the remaining soldiers could get in. 

Rin let out a long annd shaky breath, leaning against the plane’s wall. Beside her the solider removed his mask to revel a almond skinned young men, looking around Rin’s age, with a bright smile and very soft brown eyes. “Enzo,” he smiled, holding out his hand to Rin. “Rin,” she greeted, returning the smile, “Haven’t seen you around the base before.” “I’m a newbie,” Enzo said bashfully, ears turning slightly red and Rin laughed. “We were all newbies once,” she assured him.

His smile softened and he thanked her. “I can’t believe I got to meet you my first official mission,” he confessed, “You’re kinda famous around base.” “Really?,” Rin asked, “That’s news to me.” “Yeah, the infamous scientist,” Enzo chuckled, “They say you work right with the bots themselves.” “Indeed,” Rin said, “I’m usually hauled up in Wheeljack’s lab.” “Sounds like a blast,” Enzo joked and in spite of herself Rin snickered. “That was terrible,” she wheezed, still trying to hold back her laughter. “But you’re laughing,” Enzo claimed.

“Rin, you hear me?,” Rin heard Jazz ask over comms. “Yes I can,” Rin replied. “Awesome, I take it you’re in Plane 47, Ella’s in Plane 72.” Rin let out a small sigh of relief. “Yeah, I didn’t see her yet so I was kinda worried.” “No need, she’s all good. Sorry you’re stuck with all the rookies,” Jazz cackled. Rin glanced up to Enzo, who chatting with another younger solider. “I think I’ll live,” Rin smiled, hanging up and leaving a confused Jazz while she went over to join Enzo once more. 

And if the two talked the entire flight back to base then three hours after then that’s no one else’s business. 

Except for Red Alert and Soundwave. 

Soundwave has made a betting pool.

Chapter Text

The hanger was silent, bots shuffling and fidgeting quietly as the humans took in the news. “The….restoration of Cybertron,” Ella repeated. “Yes, “Optimus said, “It is our goal to restore Cybertron back to its previous state before the war to see a new era for our people. An era of peace.” “That sounds great and all OP, but,” RIn hesitated, “I mean, you guys are still at war? Megatron ain’t just gonna stop because you guys rebuilt Cybertron.” 

“Well, that’s the thing,” Jazz said, “Old Buckethead had agreed for a temporary truce, just until we get Cybertronian back to life.” “And how exactly are you planning on doing that?,” Rin asked. Optimus’s eyes dimmed and he sighed deeply. Behind him, Jazz frowned and Prowl grit his teeth, shooting nasty looks over at Cliffjumper.

“The restoration of our planet is possible through the All-Spark,” Optimus said softly. “You said the All-Spark was destroyed,” Ella pointed out. “Most of it was,” Jazz said quietly, looking at Rin, “Except for a tiny little piece of it.”

“The piece in me,” Rin said solemnly, “The key to the restoration of Cybertron is in me.” “Not just in you I’m afraid,” Ratchet said, “It’s a part of your life force now. Without the shard of the All-Spark, I fear that you would perish instantly.” “It’s how you were able to save Sparky,” Drift added, “You shared the gift of the All-Spark with her.”

“Hold on,” Epps said, putting his hand up, “How exactly are you going to restore Cybertron with the All-Spark, if the All-Spark is in Rin?” “We…aren’t quite sure yet,” Ratchet muttered, “Wheeljack, Perceptor, and I have been looking into ways to extract the All-Spark from Rin without putting her life in danger, but we’ve had little success.”

“There is one way that would work for sure,” Cliffjumper interjected, giving his officers a hard glare. “A way that we’ve already put down,” Drift growled. “Rin,” Cliffjumper said, turning sharply to look down at her, “If you were to join the Well of the AllSpark, you’d restore Cybertron.” “And die!,” Drift said angrily. “One life in exchange for our entire race and our planet?! That’s a hell of a bargain,” Cliffjumper protested, “No offense to you Rin, sincerely, I wish it was someone else.”

“But it’s not, and we will not sacrifice an innocent life,” Optimus declared, “We will find another way.” Cliffjumper wisely said nothing, simply nodding and storming off with a few other bots. 

Rin too turned and left, a harsh mixture of anger, guilt, and sorrow building in her. “Rin,” Ella called back, watching her friend all but run for the door, “Rin!!” “Let her go Ella,” Ratchet said tiredly, “I think she needs some time to herself right now.”

A soft ray of sun hit Rin as she sat on the roof of the NEST hangar, knees curled tightly to her chest. She stared out into the desert, eyes burning as she struggled to stop herself from crying. 

Rin wasn’t an idiot, she knew what was keeping the bots from going home and getting their lives back. And it was inside her, a part of her now as Ratchet described it. Gingerly, she reached out and put her hand over her chest, swearing that she felt a small pulse come from under her palm. The All-Spark was the only way, and she was attached to the damn thing now. It was her life for their home. And she hated how much she hesitated. 

The bots had given so much to help them here on Earth, and to keep them safe. They took her and Ella in as family, became their friends and protected them from Decepticons and humans alike. She loved them dearly, and she knew they loved her in return. So the choice should have been easy, she shouldn’t even need to think about it. 

But she was, because she was selfish and scared. Rin didn’t want to die, to leave behind Ella and Iacona and Epps and Will. She wanted to enjoy life finally, go snowboarding or paint a masterpiece. There was so much she could do, that she wanted to do, but now she was faced with a timetable. 

Cybertron would die completely sooner than later, that she knew from listening to Wheeljack and Perceptor whispering furiously to each other with Prime in deep thought behind them. And after that, they’d be doomed to spend the rest of their lives on Earth or other planets, never having somewhere they could go to call home again. She thought of the bots who’d died with the hope that they’d bring the Autobots closer to Cybertron and victory. She thought of the sacrifices the bots had made, the trails they’d faced, and the hate they were given here on Earth. They deserved their home back, RIn thought miserably, they deserved a happy ending. And she was the only one who could give it to them. 

She sat with that thought lingering in her head for a long time, until it had turned into night and moonlight hit her face instead of sunshine. 

Footsteps came up behind her and she turned, expecting Ella or Epps to be coming to collect her. Instead, she was pleasantly surprised to see Enzo, smiling and holding a pizza box. “Hungry?,” he asked and Rin suddenly realized she was famished. “Yeah,” she admitted as Enzo came over and sat next to her, offering some pizza out. 

“Heard what happened in the hanger today,” he said softly as Rin munched on some pepperoni. She swallowed hard and looked down. “I thought you might want a friend after that,” he offered and Rin gave him a small smile before turning into look back into the desert. 

“What would you do?,” she asked gently, “If you were me.” His face twisted as he thought, humming softly to himself for a few minutes. “I don’t know,” he said quietly, “I mean, I don’t know if I could leave my mom and siblings, I got three younger brothers and a younger sister.” Rin nodded in understanding. “But at the same time, for everything they’ve done for us, I’d want to do it,” he added and Rin looked at him only to find his eyes on her, “But the choice is yours Rin, for better or worse.”

“I want to,” Rin blurted out, voice strained, “But-But there’s so much-” Her voice cracked as a few tears slipped down her face. She quickly wiped them away with her sleeve. Enzo wrapped his arm around her shoulders and Rin leaned into him, taking a shaky breath. “I know,” he said softly, “I know.” They stayed there like that for a long time, only moving when the sun started to rise again. 

Enzo stood first, offering his hand to Rin. “Whatever you decide on Rin,” he said, “I promise that I’ll make sure Ella and Iacona stay safe.” “Thank you,” Rin said, her voice hoarse from crying, taking his outstretched hand. “No problem,” Enzo smiled and they walked back into base, hand in hand. 

Red Alert groaned miserably as he handed over a cube of high-grade to Soundwave who looked smugly at the monitor.

Chapter Text

1. LADIES, MEN, AND MECHS, THUNDERCRACKER ASKED SKYWARP TO BOND WITH HIM!!!!
2. Hush child, I know that no one else was supposed to know because they didn’t want to make it a big deal.
3. BUT THIS IS HUGE!!!!
4. If you never see my again, it’s because Thundercracker killed me
5. Mech is not happy I yelled that 'Thunderwarp' was going to happen officially over the loudspeakers
6. The humans are strangely very excited about this, particularly Epps, Mikela, Rin, and Figs
7. They called the ceremony a wedding??
8. Interesting, let me search up what that it…. WOW
9. LETS HOST A WEDDING!!!
10. Optimus gave us permission
11. Will Lennox has cleared it
12. Thundercracker and Skywarp are protesting
13. SO LET US BEGIN THE PREPARATIONS!!
14. Epps…Epps is banned from helping plan a wedding
1. Primus bless Ella when Epps decided to propose
15. Will Lennox can help so long as he is supervised by Sara or Annebelle Lennox
16. Mikela is in charge of this whole operation and she’s honestly terrifying, even Magnus himself won’t cross her
17. Thundercracker and Skywarp are still protesting, however, they’ve been talked slightly into by Rin and Ella
18. The ex-cons are very excited for their friends
19. Apparently this is the first Decepticon bonding ceremony since the war began
20. The Seekers in particular are almost concerningly excited, we’ll see how that goes-
21. Rin jokingly asked who the bride was out of the two and now there is a base wide fight about it.
1. Thundercracker is done with this scrap-
2. Skywarp is having the time of his life
3. Soundwave has naturally made some bets
22. (Personally, I’m Team Skywarp Bride, but I remain neutral for the sake of the list-)
23. Mikela has banned the Tiny Twins from the wedding after they were discovered making some plans to prank the pair getting bonded.
24. “The Terror Twins are on thinning fucking ice” - from Mikela 
25. Things are getting intense as the wedding gets closer
26. Mikela gave Thundercracker and Skywarp a very…clear speech about how much work she’s put into this and if they decided to try and be sneaky and get bonded sooner she’d weld their wings together
27. Swerve has decided to host a party to celebrate the upcoming bonding ceremony, so once more, NO ONE TELL PROWL
28. Prowl will eventually find out, but it’ll be at a point when Jazz tells him so that way to just joins the party instead of shutting it down
29. NO ONE CAN REQUEST DISNEY MUSIC
30. OR PXAR MUSIC
31. PEOPLE WE NEED MUSIC INTERVENTIONS
32. Blaster and Jazz are in charge of music from here on out, they don’t take requests
33. Bluestreak and the Terror Twins are banned from being DJs
34. Ironhide and Chromia are banned from being DJs
35. Everyone is banned from being DJs except Blaster and Jazz
36. Does anyone know why Soundwave and Red Alert are passing each other cubes of high grade?
37. Because many mechs and humans alike are asking, yes, Optimus Prime is the only one who can officiate bonding ceremonies as he is the highest religious authority on Cybertron and given that there are no longer any priests. 
38. Optimus Prime can’t just give people religious authority. 
39. Optimus Prime will not bond two unexpecting bots simply for morale. 
40. Nor will he do it for bribery. 
1. Good try though Hod Rod
41. Or blackmail
1. How do you have blackmail on Optimus Prime Ratchet?
42. Or threatening
1. Did you really think that would work Ironhide?
43. Or flirtation
1. Once again, good attempt Elita-One
44. Optimus Prime will not falter despite the many, many attempts. This is why he is the Prime.
45. Everyone is expected to be at the scraping ceremony on time
46. For anyone who made a bet that Skywarp and Thundercracker would try and bond before the ceremony, see Soundwave to either pay up and collect your winnings
47. Everyone shut up and turn off all electronic devices for the ceremony, which actually includes this list so we’ll be right back everyone
48. ..
49. ..
50. …
51. So when I said right back, I totally meant the morning after
52. But let’s recap!
53. We are replacing bonding ceremonies with weddings, they are so much more entertaining!
54. Thundercracker has never looked so relaxed as he did when he saw Skywarp
55. Skywarp never looked so excited
56. The ceremony was beautiful and I’ll admit, many tears were shed
57. Iacona was the flower girl, which was so ridiculously sweet as she’s just learning to walk
58. No one could understand Thundercracker and Skywarp’s vows as they said them in some sort of Seeker dialect of Cybertronian
1. Well except for the Seekers of course
2. And Rin surprisingly
3. All of them were absolute wrecks after they finished the vows
4. They all swore it was the most heart-warming and emotional set of vows they’d ever heard
59. No one is allowed to ask what those vows contained
60. The Seekers and Rin have decided to be bastards and not tell anyone
61. Except for Ella because of course Ella gets to know
62. And Mikela, cause she planned everything
63. Anyways, TO THE AFTERPARTY!!
64. Ironhide can’t dance, and neither can Will.
65. Prowl, surprisingly, can dance and he can dance well
66. Kup....Kup's dancing would have been great about two billion years ago
67. The party was held outside, along the beach, so the Seekers were going crazy with excitement. 
68. Sorry Skyfire, what was that??
69. What.
70. WHAT?!
71. Thundercracker and Skywarp are a part of the head Seeker trine, which essentially makes them royalty
72. This was a royal wedding
73. Its why the Seekers are going crazy, they are literally watching their royalty get bonded
74. Hold on- why is Red Alert radioing us now-
75. Well scrap
76. The party is put on hold currently as Starscream is headed towards us
77. The humans have all been directed to hide and I couldn’t help but notice that Thundercracker and Skywarp were quite insistent on ensuring Sara Lennox and Annebelle got to safety…..
1. Someone get Soundwave, I have a bet I want to start
78. Starscream landed on the beach, demanding to talk to his trine mates
79. I thought Mikela was about to blow a hole threw his head for disrupting her well-planned wedding celebration
80. Mirage is the only one allowed to stop Mikela when she’d on a warpath
81. Mikela is no longer aloud to carry her welder around freely
82. Ratchet or Knockout, the Terror Twins may need a bit of assistance in separating their pedes
83. Back to the Trine
84. It’s going well??
85. They’re talking civilly from what we can see, and Starscream handed something over to them
86. Annnnndddd Screamy is gone
87. By order of the Prim (and Mikela, mainly Mikela) let the party resume!!
88. (Yes, we are going to ignore what just happened)
89. Skywarp seemed down for a bit and Thundercracker was quiet, but Sara let Annebelle go over and she started to babble to them and now they are fine
1. Seriously, Soundwave, the betting pool
90. Speaking of Sara Lennox, sweet Primus, I would love that chance to dance with her and-
91. I mean-
92. AHEM
93. Sara Lennox is a very great dancer!!
94. (I had to erase that last one before Will or Ironhide saw it)
95. NOTIFY US BEFORE YOU START FIREWORKS
96. Guys, we are a species that’s been at war for millions of years, LOUD NOISES DON’T WORK WELL WITH US
97. After everyone calmed down though, we enjoyed the fireworks quite a lot
98. Fear should be in everyone’s hearts, Wheeljack says he’s “inspired” by the fireworks

Chapter Text

1. Things have been boring around here lately
2. Too boring
3. So today is the start of the HBH Competition!!
1. Aka the Hottest Bot in Holoform Competition
4. Here are the rules:
1. All bots must compete
2. This is nonnegotiable.
3. Swerve and Rung are the only exceptions because they haven’t gotten the updates for holoforms yet
4. Anyone who doesn’t compete will be exposed on this list- and we ALL know that I have the largest blackmail folder on this damn base
5. Humans must vote ANONYMOUSLY
6. There can be no bribing, blackmailing, tricking, threatening, or otherwise interfering with the human’s judgment
7. Every bot must submit at least ONE image of themself in holoform
8. You can NOT alter your holoform (and I do know what all your original holoforms look like)
9. The winner gets their tab at Swerves cleared
10. The loser must pay the winner’s tab
11. LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!
5. Everyone can ignore the screams, I’m just catching bots who are trying to escape the competition
6. Sigh, with much reluctance, I must let Ultra Magnus off for this one because I do owe him a favor
7. For those not on base, I will include descriptions here:
1. Optimus Prime: early 50s, aged well, dark hair with silver streaks, tanned skin, some wrinkles in the right places, the type of older man you’d actually date, wears a navy blue jacket with flame designs and jeans, refuses to show it but has a Autobot symbol tattooed on his chest (we all do- well except the Neutrals), has turned at least 65% of the men on this base either gay or bisexual
2. Bumblebee: mid-20s, bright yellow, wavy hair, wears athletic black and yellow gear, scar across his nose, freckles, golden retriever energy, one of the taller holoforms (to make up for his actual short height), always a dazzling smile
3. Jazz: dark blue and silver dreadlocks, ebony skin, a pearl-white smile, light blue visor, has a cool leather jacket and cargo pants, very proudly displays his Autobot tattoo, muscled, average height, silver earrings and silver wedding ring
4. Prowl: strict businessman vibes, wears a dark gray suit, silver streaker dark brown hair, cool gray eyes, mid-40s, sleeves rolled back, has a watch and wedding ring on, surprisingly has a sleeve of tattoos on his left arm
5. Drift: later fifties, looks like a samurai, wears a casual pair of pants and shirt, very….flirty smile, easygoing look, definitely could kill a man, tallest holoform, also as a wedding ring, only bot who choose to have yellow eyes, longer black and silver hair in a bun
6. Ratchet: grumpy doctor, wears a doctor’s uniform, completely silver, but in a silver fox sort of way, has a pair of glasses, ever present frown that can only be shifted if Sparky or Drift are nearby
7. NOT IN THE COMPETITION, but Sparky has the cutest little holoform of a sweet little girl, also with silvery hair to mimic her creators. It’s not quite as stable or detailed as the adult bots, and her image flickers out a lot but we’re all very proud of the progress she’s made!!
8. Sunstreaker/Sideswipe: both have almond colored skin, black hair, late 20s, Sunstreaker (to everyone’s surprise) is dressed in golden accessories and black clothing, well Sideswipe is wearing silver and black, they kind of give off ‘rich playboys who’d buy you a mansion with a shrug’
9. Ironhide: a literal human tank, need I say more?
10. PRIMUS THERE ARE A LOT OF BOTS-
11. Look- we’re going to do three more and anyone off base will just have to suffer
12. Soundwave: Tall, black hair that goes down to his shoulders, wearing black slacks and a black button up, looks younger, like around early 30s, has a visor and a mask on, wearing a hat that covered his ears, has a few pieces of silver jewelry, mainly a few necklaces and a few earrings on his right ear
13. Wheeljack: short and stocky, muscled, scar across his lip, salt and pepper hair that kind of wildly floats around, looks like a cross between Dr. Frankenstein and a lumberjack, but in an attractive way?
14. Bluestreak: baby blue hair, always smiling, wearing a hoodie and sweats with gym shoes, early 20s look, actually shares a lot of facial features with Prowl and Smokescreen, has a few scars on his neck and his arms that passed over from his alt form, “looks like Sideswipe and Sunstreaker’s sugar baby”- Ella
8. It has just occurred to me that most humans on base have NEVER seen us in our holoforms
9. Some didn’t even know we had them
10. And those who did know we had them apparently collectively decided to tell no one
11. Many are complaining loudly at how much simpler so many things could have been done
12. (Just wait until they figure out we have animal holoforms as well)
13. I can’t stress how much the bots are protesting this, but I don’t care
14. It was even funnier when humans saw us in them for the first time!
1. Ella, Epps, and Mikela were the worst, because they just made it their goal to embarrass the hell out of us by flirting hardcore
2. Yes, we can blush in our holoforms
3. Bumblebee and Bluestreak were BRIGHT red after Mikela and Ella got to them
4. Epps and Jazz were flirting so hard that Ella and Prowl actually came over and separated them
5. Epps then moved to flirt with Drift of all people, who of course threw it right back
6. Ratchet does have human sized wrenched everyone
7. Optimus (to no one surprise but his own) was being hit on hard core by everyone on base
8. I mean everyone
9. Swerve, Ratchet, Epps, Ella, Mikela, myself, Ironhide, the list goes on
10. And Elita was all for it
11. Boss bot looked ready to die from embarrassment
15. So here's a story I was not prepared to write or hear about today
16. Apparently
17. Megatron
18. And Optimus
19. AND ELITA
20. Were a thing for a while back on Cybertron
21. LIKE A THING
22. AND ELITA JUST CASUALLY DROPS THAT ON US
23. LIKE
24. MEGATRON AND OPTIMUS FINE
25. WE COULD SEE THAT
26. COULD CUT THE SEXUAL TENSION BETWEEN THEM WITH A KNIFE SOMETIMES
27. BUT ELTIA?
28. ELITA AND MEGATRON??
29. NO ONE COULD HAVE CALLED THAT
30. BUT APPARENTLY
31. THEY WERE ACTUALLY PRETTY CLOSE, IF NOT JUST AS CLOSE AS OPTIMUS AND MEGATRON
32. ELITA JUST HOLDS GRUDGES BETTER
33. WHAT DO YOU MEAN ‘YEAH I KNEW’ RATCHET?!?!
34. AND YOU TOLD NO ONE
35. OH OF COURSE YOU KNOW SOUNDWAVE
36. IS NO ELSE BESIDES ME, BUMBLEBEE, SMOKESCREEN, AND THE HUMANS SURPRISED AT THIS
37. WHAT DO YOU MEAN ‘IT WAS OBVIOUS’
38. HOW-
39. AND YOU KNOW HOW THE REST OF US LEARNED ABOUT THIS?!
40. WHEN ELITA SAW OPTIMUS IN HIS HOLOFORM AND JUST CASUALLY SAID, “ Primus Optimus, Megatron might end the war if he saw you like this”
41. AND YEAH-
42. THE STORY WAS TOLD
43. BETS ARE NOW BEING PLACES AS TO WHETHER OPTIMUS CAN SEDUCE MEGATRON BACK TO THE LIGHT
44. SOUNDWAVE IS GLEEFULLY ACCEPTING BETS-
45. ELLA MADE OPTIMUS A FAKE TINDER ACCOUNT TO, AND I QUOTE, “MAKE THE METALHEAD JEALOUS AS FUCK-”
46. PROWL IS CALCULATING THE ODDS OF THIS ACTUALLY WORKING
47. IT’S ABOVE A 65% OF SUCCESS
48. WHY DID NO ONE COME UP WITH THIS PLAN SOONER!?!
49. AND THEN ELITA SHOWED US A PICTURE OF MEGATRON IN HIS HUMAN HOLOFORM AND I SWEAR I ALMOST SWOONED-
50. HOT PRIMUS AND THE HOLY ORDER, HE GIVES BOSS BOT A RUN FOR HIS SHANIX-
51. Primus, I’m tired from screaming
52. Anyways, the results are in!!

Chapter Text

1. Hey, HEY
2. TWINS WATCH OUT I’M RIGHT HEcGfnknsuicGsOifsrUG-
3. ….
4. ….
5. “Hi guys, it’s Rin, I hijacked the list well Jester is in the medbay after the twins knocked into him and bent his arm out of shape”- Rin
6. “Oh wait!! I forgot that not all the humans on base know about the base’s own personal list-maker!!”
7. “Let’s fix that.”
8. Video.23jgdz4 attachment

“This thing working?,” Rin asked, tapping the Ipad screen before settling in a chair she’d set up. Smiling, the metal armed young woman got comfortable, cracking the knuckles in her right hand.

“I figured that since Jester is always telling you all about our lives, it’s only fair that we get a small peek into his,” Rin explained, “So let’s let me tell you about Jester, and how he accidentally fragged a Decepticon, stole an ancient relic of Cybertron, crashed on Earth, and joined the Autobots! Once upon a time, deep in space……..”

“FRAG FRAG FRAG-,” a younger purple and black mech screamed as his shuttle started a rapid descent towards the ruins of Cybertron, “NOT GOOD!!” Ignoring the screaming alarms and warnings popping up on his screens, Jester gripped the armrest of his seat and braced himself for landing, and quite possibly death. 

Needless to say, when neither happened, he was confused. Opening one optic slowly, he saw the ground just few away from the nose of his ship. “Ha HA!,” Jester jeered, “Take that gravity you son of a gli-” His ship swayed once and then plummeted, knocking Jester offline, just as a small group of scouts came upon the vessel.

The world was not supposed to look us bright, that was for fragging sure. Jester groaned as he was pulled online unwillingly by his stupid processor. When he attempted to reach up to cradle his throbbing head, he found his arms restrained, then his legs. Not a good sign.

He pulled at his limbs harshly, cursing Primus under his breath the entire time, so much that he didn’t even notice when the doors across from him opened and a bot walked in, some sort of purple symbol printed proudly on his chest. Jester stopped once he caught the glint of light shining on a very broad cheastplate. Staring quietly at his cheastplate, his gaze went up and he smiled weakly at the very attractive bot before him. “No chance you’re here to let me free?,” Jester asked sweetly, tugging twice on his restraints. 

“Nope,” the mech grinned, crossing his arms, a playful grin on his face, “Though I’d love to know your designation.” “Didn’t your creators teach you that a gentlemech always introduces himself first?,” Jester asked sarcastically. “Didn’t yours?,” the mech replied in an amused voice. “Orphan,” Jester said in a sing-song voice, “So I get pity points and you get to introduce yourself handsome.” 

“Handsome?,” the mech chuckled, shaking his head, “You are quite amusing.” “And you are…?” “Dreadwing,” the mech finally said. “Jester,” Jester introduced. “An intriguing name for an intriguing mech,” Dreadwing mused, stepping around to circle Jester.

“Take a holovideo, it’ll last longer,” Jester huffed as the mech circled back around to his front. “Why bother when the real thing is so much better?,” Dreadwing asked. Jester felt his faceplates grow slightly warm at the….flirtatious tone Dreadwing was using. “What’s wrong, Autobot? Predacon got your tongue,” Dreadwing teased. 

“N-no, and hold on- what the frag is an Autobot,” Jester questioned, “I’m a nomad, been traveling since before the war even began, and crashed here by mistake. So I haven’t exactly caught up on the latest news here.” Dreadwing gave him a bewildered stare before huffing slightly. “Hm, I’d typically suspect foul play, but you did crash rather magnificently and you have no mark suggesting otherwise…,” Dreadwing observed, looking him over carefully, “But Lord Megatron has insisted you be questioned thoroughly regardless.” “Joy,” Jester deadpanned as Dreadwing resumed his circling, “You trying to imitate a vulture over there or something?” 

“You have quite the mouth on you,” Dreadwing hummed. “I’m infamous for it,” Jester said, sending a wink at Dreadwing, densely not realizing the double meaning he’d just implied. “I see,” Dreadwing smirked, edging closer to Jester’s face. He stared at him intently for some time before drawing back.

“The way I see it Jester, I can interrogate you here, for a long and hard time until I decide that you are telling the truth, or…..” he trailed off, running one servo up JEster’s arm, sending tingles down his spine, “I could accept you are telling the truth, and instead bring you to my berthroom for a more……thorough interrogation.” Jester didn’t miss the invitation and seeing no other way out of his situation as well as observing the mech’s strong build, he did what any in his situation would do.

“Should I keep these cuffs on?”

“Yeah it wasn’t until around a year ago, when he told us all this story that we put two and two together for him,” Rin said, pausing the story to laugh, “I wish I could have gotten everyone’s reaction on camera. But anyways, back to the story……”

Waking up to a small beam of sunlight, Jester very quickly and quietly moved himself out from under the arm of Dreadwing. “It was fun mech,” he whispered before slipping out of the room, clutching one of the many pistols Dreadwing had around as well as code for the doors. 

See, Jester wasn’t that stupid. He may not have known what the frag Decepticons and Autobots were, but he knew ‘crazy bots’ when he saw them as this Decepticon thing sounded more and more like a cult each minute. So it was time to end this unexpected vacation and leave Cybertron, which he needed supplies and a ship for.

Jester hadn’t really planned on getting captured, or fragged, that well, for that long, arguably the best he’d ever had-

Where was he going with this- oh yeah, supplies and himself not being a dumbaft. 

Quietly, he activated his special mode, a camouflage cover that let him blend in with the walls as he crept along the base. Occasionally, he’d pass by a few guards or what looked to be civilians, but what really creeped him out was when he saw in passing a really creepy looking mech with one optic: Shockwave.

Jester suppressed a shiver. Despite being a traveler, he knew just as well as any Cybertroian what kind of horrors the infamous scientist was known to cook up. As soon as the metal monster walked out of sight, Jester started his pass just a little quicker, not eager to get caught up in anything that that demon was involved with. 

“Fragging finally!,” Jester sighed as he ran into a hanger, pedes aching as he’d been walking around the base for hours now, trying to find a ship. Taking a quick look across the hangar, he sprinted for the ship and slipped inside, ignoring the slightly glowing case in the back. 

Humming to himself, he closed up all the doors before starting up the engines, nearly jumping out of his armor as panicked shouts started to rise up outside. “SOMEONE STOP THAT SHUTTLE!!”

“Okay, that is my cue to leave,” Jester muttered to himself, racing through the last steps for take off. He felt the ship shake as something rammed into the side and Jester yelped, pecking out the window to see a large gray mech storming towards the ship, one arm raised with a very scary cannon aimed at the ship. “YEAH NO-,” Jester yelled, steering clear of the mech’s aim and zooming up into the sky.

Back on the ground, Megatron snarled deeply, watching as this mystery mech flew away in his shuttle, carrying one of the Decepticons most valuable relics. The one of the two remaining shreds of the All-Spark on Cybertron. 

“HOW DO I SWITCH THESE COORDINATES?!,” Jester screamed as the ship he stole started gearing up to drag him through to some unknown planet via the space bridge technology. Apparently, this ship was destined for some place called Earth and now Jester was being taken there, with a weird glowing thing in the back and half a will to live. Bracing himself as the jump came into view, he gripped the dashboard and closed his eyes as he was blasted into the unknown, uncertain of what would await him. 

“In, RIN!,” came a loud voice from beyond the camera and Rin peeked around, waving someone in. “In here Ella! Giving the base the story of Jester,” she called out. Ella appeared on camera a few moments later, holding a babbling Iacona. “Hey ya’ll,” she waved, gently grabbing Iacona’s hand to wave at the camera too. “I’m just getting to the part where he crashed into Earth, wanna join in?,” Rin asked. “Always,” Ella grinned, dragging over a chair, “You get to where he crashed yet?” “Nope.” “Perfect,” Ella beamed, “My favorite part!”

Jester groaned as he came online, a faint throb in his processor. “Son of a glitch,” he murmured, rubbing his head as he picked himself up from the floor of his shuttle. Only this was not his shuttle. Panic set in before Jester remembered what had happened. 

“Crashed into Cybertron,” he recounted, “Slept with a mech, stole a shuttle, now here.” Sighing tiredly, he went to the back, where he could see some trickles of light coming through. Shoving aside some debris, he paused momentarily to pick up the glowing box, which he decided to store in his sub-space for now. 

Kicking down a large metal piece blocking his exit, Jester was momentarily blinded by the light pouring into his optics from outside. He quickly dimmed his sensitivity in his optics and pulled a device out to get a reading on his surroundings. 

Once his sight cleared, he was pleased to see that he landed in some sort of area of dense vegetation, a forest if he remembered correctly from the last organic planet he’d visited. It was bright and colorful, sunlight gently hitting the plants around him and lighting up the small flowers that decorated the area.

“Location: Southern Hemisphere of planet, designation: Earth,” he read from his device, “Air quality good…no signs of Cybertroian life…..planet population referred to as humans, known predators….frag.” He sighed. Of course he’d land on a planet full of predators with no signs of Cybertroians-

A furious beeping suddenly erupted from his tablet and he swore has signs of an incoming ground bridge where detected. Thinking quickly, he ran for cover in some of the greenery, activating his camouflage and his blockers. A moment later, the familiar swirl of green and purple opened up in the small clearing he’d created from the crash and four bots jumped out, all sporting a symbol somewhat similar to the one he’d seen on Dreadwing, only red and cooler. 

The biggest one made Jester’s optics widen as he easily was double his size and carrying a very deadly ax on his back. “Anything Bumblebee?,” the mech asked the smallest one present, who was bright yellow. The little bot shook his head. “Prime, I’m getting All-Spark signatures from this area,” another one spoke, voice filled with shock. That mech had a bright blue visor and was carrying an equally deadly looking gun as Prime’s ax- WAIT

“PRIME?!?,” Jester exclaimed, leaping up from his hiding space and making all four mechs jump, “PRIME AS IN OPTIMUS PRIME AS IN THE PRIME OF CYBERTRON PRIME?!” 

“WHO THE FRAG?!,” one yelped, a medic symbol painted on his arm. Jester ducked quickly as the visored mech raised his weapon at him before the Prime signaled for him to lower his gun. 

“You can come out friend,” the Prime called out and Jester slowly moved out from the bushes, deactivating his camouflage. He quickly raised his hands in peace. “No harm meant,” he said, smiling wildly, “Just passing through.”

“Who are you?,” the medic asked, looking skeptical. “Jester,” he introduced with a dramatic bow, “At your service.” “Jester….your name is one I have heard,” the Prime mentioned thoughtfully, “And your ship…..”

“It’s a long story, but this mech named Meggie or something like that wasn’t using it…well wasn't on it, so I kinda borrowed it and it had pre-set coordinates and now I’m here,” Jester explained. “What in the frag where you doing on a Decepticon base?,” the medic demanded. “Sorry doc, but I think that it’s only fair you introduce yourselves,” Jester smiled. The Prime chuckled.

“As you seemed to have recognized, I am Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots. This is my second in command Jazz, my CMO Ratchet, and the scout Bumblebee. Now I’m afraid I must also ask that you identify yourself in this war.”

“Not a part of it,” Jester shrugged, “I’m a nomad, only ever been to Cybertron twice, and that includes yesterday when I accidentally crashed on the planet.” “And you just happen to sneak into a Decepticon base and steal Megatron’s shuttle?,” Ratchet was more questioned. “Yes and no, I was brought to the base and then kinda ran for it after this one mech, Dreadwing invited me back to his place for the night, well to clarify, I spent the night and then ran for it, and yeah, first shuttle I saw.”

“There’s no way that story is possibly true,” Ratchet deadpanned. “I mean, I’ve got this glowing box thing that was on the shuttle if you want proof. Old metal head Meggie was a bit mad I took it,” Jester offered, reaching into his subspace to grab the box. As soon as he pulled it out, all four of the mechs let out some sort of gasp, or Optimus’s case, a raised optic. 

“By the All-Spark, it’s a piece of the All-Spark!,” Ratchet exclaimed. “NO FRAG THIS IS A PIECE OF THE ALL-SPARK?!,” Jester yelled, “AND I’VE JUST HAD IT WITH ME?!?!” Bumblebee was beeping in excitement and Jazz was grinning wildly. 

“Say mech, wanna join the Autobots? Cause I’m pretty sure Megatron will kill you if he finds you again,” Jazz offered. “Oh frag,” Jester groaned, “Yeah, yeah I’ll join.”

Later on at base, after Jester was introduced and settled in……..

“Optimus?,” Bumblebee asked his sire-like figure. “Yes?,” he replied. “Are we going to just ignore the fact that Jester slept with Dreadwing before all of this?” Optimus sighed, looking over to where Jester was joking around with the Chaos Twins. “At times, Bumblebee, I find it best to simply let things go to rest.”

“So yeah, that’s how Jester got to us and how he stole from Megatron himself,” Rin snickered. “A truly beautiful tale,” Ella said, whipping a fake tear from her eye before both women fell into laughter, the camera cutting off and the video.

Chapter Text

1. Apologies for the break everyone, SOME BOTS got me in the arm and I was out for a bit
2. ….
3. And I see Rin spilled my lore while I was gone
4. Oh well, bound to happen eventually
5. And yes, I did frag Dreadwing, it was fantastic and I regret nothing
6. But besides the point, the results are in 
7. And holy scrap are they….unexpected
8. Humans have…..interesting tastes because there was a sub-section added to the roaster
9. So now we have the Hottest Bot in Holoform……and the Hottest Bot in Bot Form….the HBB
10. Some of you
11. Have issues
12. Major, major 
13. Issues
14. But I fragged a con so who am I to talk?
15. ANYWAYS
16. THIS YEAR’S RESULTS FOR THE HOTTEST BOT IN HOLOFORM ARE AS FOLLOWED!!!!
1. Coming in at Number Five, the ever cute and ever reliable base sweetheart- BUMBLEBEE!!!!
1. Watch out for Arcee! She’s possessive and she’s got knives!
2. At numero cuatro, the music master himself, the saboteur of the Autobots, your SIC, the ever charming……JAZZ!!!
1. Prowl, get that smug smirk off your face-
3. MAKING THE FIRST SPOT IN THE TOP THREE, YOU KNOW HIM, YOU LOVE HIM, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN…….OPTIMUS PRIME?!?!?!
1. THIS IS A CRIME
2. A CRIME I SAY
3. THE MOST HANDSOME
4. ATTRACTIVE
5. PERFECT
6. PRETTY
7. STUNNING BOT
8. TO EVER EXIST-
9. I JUST-
4. A most confusing life crisis later…WE HAVE NUMBER TWO- OH FOR THE SAKE OF PRIMUS-
5. Seriously
6. I mean
7. Seriously
8. Ugh
9. REALLY, DO I HAVE TO GIVE THIS TO HIM?!
10. Fine.
11. He technically won
12. TO THE METAL HEAD HIMSELF, SUPREME BUCKETHEAD, SECOND PLACE GOES TO………. MEGATRON!!!!
13. If I could throw up- I would have
14. I can’t believe I’ve done this
15. BUT WAIT- WHO IS THE FRAG IS IN FIRST?!? LET ME PULL UP THE NUMBERS……
16. WHAT
17. HOW-
18. HE WASN’T EVEN-
19. DID YA’LL CONSPIRE AGAINST US OR SOMETHING, I MEAN-
20. WHAT THE FRAG IS THIS?!?!?!?!?
21. STARSCREAM!?!?!?!
22. YOU GUYS GAVE NUMBER ONE
23. TO STARSCREAM
24. WE DIDN’T EVEN SEE HIS HOLOGRAM!?!?!?!
25. THUNDERCRACKER SHOWED IT TO YOU ALL?!?!?!
26. LET ME SEE THIS FRAGGING SCRAP
27. Oh hot Primus
28.  Shit, yeah first place Starscream
29. Primus damn-
17. Now what that whole ordeal over-let us move on to the most concerning Hottest Bots in Bot Form Contest…….
18. I’m….genuinely scared
19. But here goes nothing
20. This year’s results……
1. Attttt number five, we have…….Perceptor?????
2. Not going to ask why, nor how this was decided
3. Quite frankly, I don’t want to know
4. Anddddddd number four we have…….ULTRA MAGNUS!?!?!
5. WHAT IN THE NAME OF UNICRON’S LEFT PEDE IS THIS?!?!?!
6. WHY-
7. No one answer that actually, I really don’t want to know
8. Okay, moving on…….in third…….we have………PROWl-
9. WHAT THE ACTUAL FRAG HAS BECOME OF-
10. No
11. I must vent
12. I must breath
13. Congrats Prowl
14. Watch out for Jazz
15. Moving on
16. IN SECOND PLACE WE HAVEEEEEEEE………YES YES YES YES YES!!!!!!!!!
17. OPTIMUS PRIME, GETTING THE RECOGNITION HE DESERVES!!
18. MY ICON, MY BOI
19. Ahh, sorry Prowl, I mean my general and leader and Prime, who has most respectably made me a complete thot-
20. And NUMBER ONE….. IS…….SOUNDWAVE!!!!!!
21. Soundwave?
22. I mean he’s certainly easy on the optics, but-
23. What were you saying Rin?
24. THEY SAY WHAT
25. WHO?!
26. WHY?!?!
27. THE FUCK ARE FANDOMS?!?
1. (Many apologies the author seems to have broken the fourth wall a bit for their favorite bot- let us just patch that up real quick-)
28.  WELL CONGRATS TO SOUNDWAVE FOR WINNING
29. AND CONGRATS TO HUMANS FOR MENTALLY SCARRING ME BEYOND ANY TRAUMA THE WAR OR A LIFE OF ISOLATION HAS HANDED TO ME
30. Anyways, I got to finish up this draft before this fragging meeting that got called
31. Something about a Space Bridge?
32. WAIT SWERVE- ARE YOU SERIOUS??
33. THE SPACE BRIDGE IS WORKING!!!!
34. We can go home
35. We're finally going home........
36. WE ARE GOING HOME!!!!

Chapter Text

Rin had been sleeping when her phone and comm started to practically self-destruct with the amount of notification she was receiving. Wheeljack mainly, but then Drift and Ella and half of the base seemed to be trying to get her attention within a span of twenty minutes. 

Expecting nothing less than an invasion, Rin threw on some pants, her eye, and her arm and sprinted for the lab, weaving around bot pedes as they all seemed to be rushing there as well. “What is the name of Unicron’s left toe,” Rin muttered, nearly getting stepped on by a Seeker. 

When she did get to the lab, she was surprised to see Optimus and Ironhide holding back a chattering and protesting crowd of bots, all trying to peer in through the door. “Rin!,” Ironhide grunted, “Jackie and Perceptor are expecting you in the back.” She nodded and ran between his legs, getting into the lab through the human gate. 

Upon entering, the first thing she saw was a swirl of bright green and purple lights coming from the-

Rin’s eye went wide, and she took a half step forwards in shock, not daring to believe her eyes. The Space Bridge was running. It was working. She felt Wheeljack lift her up before she heard him, but soon she was cheering excitedly with the science bots. 

“How?!,” RIn yelped happily. “Accidentally mainly,” Perceptor laughed, “Wheeljack blew up another prototype, and one of the pieces accidentally lodged in the bridge’s frame. We pulled it out and boom! Space Bridge.” “Only you Wheeljack,” RIn chuckled, her smile unwavering, “So now what?”

Perceptor and Wheeljack exchanged a smile. “Now, we go through and we see if we’re going home,” Wheeljack said softly, “Some get your suit on kid, cause you and I will be the first to set foot on Cybertron in 4 million years.”

“Ready Wheeljack?,” Perceptor called from behind the blast zone in the lab. He nodded, Rin held firmly in his palm, dressed in a spacesuit she’d designed months prior. “Ready Rin?,” Wheeljack asked and she nodded. “Let’s do it,” she whispered and they both grinned. 

Wheeljack started to slowly walk into the mess of color and Rin closed her eyes, tightly squeezing Wheeljack’s servo. It felt like cold air was blasting against her, but also like she was weightless. Rin felt like her organs were still on Earth as she traveled through space and time. And as soon as it started, it stopped. Opening her eyes carefully, she looked up and her jaw dropped. It was….breathtaking. 

Debris and old buildings were sprinkled along as far as she could see, but still, the remains seemed to brighten as they arrived, basking in the company after nearly 4 million years alone. The glow of the stars and the galaxies overheard lite their path ahead, and Rin stared up in wonder at just how close the sky seemed to her. Like if she reached up, she could grab one of the stars and hold it to her. 

She saw other worlds too, planets of green and gray in the sky, filling any space that the starlight didn’t quite fill up. Some stood out with golden hues or silvery rings around their forms. Each a place that she was the first human to gaze upon. 

“It’s beautiful,” Rin sniffled, “So, so beautiful.” “I can’t believe how much is gone,” Wheeljack murmured sadly. Rin patted his hand soothingly. “We can rebuild Jackie,” she whispered, “ We will rebuild everything.” He gave her a soft grin and looked like he was about to say something before both their heads snapped to the open plains.

Something was watching them. 

Slowly, Wheeljack placed Rin on his shoulder, reaching into his subspace for a gun. “Wheeljack,” Rin muttered, clutching the edge of his shoulder armor tightly, “What is it?” His eyes narrowed as he surveyed the open field of destruction. “I’m not sure,” he mumbled, flicking on his comm, “Wheeljack to base- could we get the bridge back-” His voice was cut off as a bolt struck near his pedes. Rin gasped as Wheeljack swore, both activating their weapons. “Who’s out there?!,” Wheeljack yelled, “Show yourself!”

“My, my,” a smooth voice said, sending chills down both the human and mech’s spine, “An organic and a Cybertroian? Back on Cybertron at long last….” “Show yourself!,” Rin shouted, keeping an eye on Wheeljack’s blindspot. A deep chuckle drifted in the breeze and Wheeljack jerked around to try and spot the carrier of the voice. But no one was there. 

“The hell…,” Rin whispered before the cruel laughter came again, this time right behind them. Wheeljack jumped back around, this time facing a large, hovering, machine with a multitude of heads surrounding it. The heads rotated rapidly, one smiling, the next frowning, and next glaring. 

“It can’t be,” Wheeljack said faintly as Rin aimed her arm at the forehead of the face currently on them. “Who are you?,” Rin snarled. “We are,” one head gurgled before spinning, “You little Cybertronian friends knows who we are, organic -”

“Move bridge coordinates two klicks northeast,” Wheeljack shouted into his comm before taking off sprinting, jumping over the edge of the small platform they’d been standing on.  Rin yelped at the sudden movement, gripping his armor hard as the scientists took off. “Wheeljack!,” Rin yelled, “Why are we running? It was one weird floating head thing?!” “Not time to explain kid,” he hollered back, looking back anxiously as the purple lights of the bridge approached up-ahead. 

“CYBERTRON SCUM!,” the head screeched from the distance and Rin had just enough time to shout in warning as a bolt hit the rock where Wheeljack had been in front of. Eyes wide, Rin saw a volley of laser fire behind them as Wheeljack dove into the bridge and it shut off behind them. 

Wheeljack hit the ground hard and Rin flew off, landing painfully on her side and skidding across the floor of the lab. Groaning, she felt a hand yank up as Wheeljack’s form slid over where she’d just been laying. 

“What the scrap happened??,” Perceptor demanded, handing Rin over to Optimus before helping Wheeljack stand. The usually chipper scientists didn’t respond, choosing to look Optimus dead in the optics. 

“Quintessians,” he said firmly and Optimus’s topics widened slightly. 

“Quintessa-what nows?,” Rin deadpanned. 

Chapter Text

Hello everyone, it's me, the author who has been slacking on this story,

I do want to apologize, it's been a very, VERY fucking busy semester and I have had little time for writing (at least, fun writing)

I hope that when summer hits, I can hope back on this story and finish it out like I've planned

Until then, stay in school, good luck on exams, and feliz navidad

-PhysicallyFine_ButOnTheMentalDecline