Hidden Spark on Earth (TFP)

Chapter 59

Saphira watched Bee walk over to the cylinder. He looked so sad and guilty, she felt bad for him. "It must be horrible to be trapped in a nightmare like that. I mean...whenever Bee's optics changed...it was like he became possessed by something."

"Hmm...that would somewhat explain him destroying my equipment for no reason..." Ratchet rubbed his chin as he processed her words and walked towards Bee as he stood against the inner pillar, waiting for the medic to scan his full system. "But...possession like that would require a specialized virus that would take control of a bot."

"Is there such a virus?"

"Yes. At the beginning of the war, it was another biological weapon Megatron had invented." Optimus kept a close eye on Bee as he spoke as Ratchet began scanning the bot's system for errors. "Megatron used it to take control of some of our strongest warriors. However, the virus eventually turned those bots into beings more savage than predacons. They were no longer autobots as the virus turned their insides out. Megatron stopped using the virus after that."

"So is Bee displaying the symptoms of that virus?" Saphira asked curiously as she was worried Bee would end up with that virus. "Wouldn't that mean...there is no real cure for it?"

"It is true that there is no cure as Megatron was never able to make one," Ratchet said calmly as he began his scan after clamping Bee's body to the pillar so he could not move. "However...the symptoms Bee's displaying is not close to the symptoms of that virus. He would be a lot more dangerous now if he was infected with it."

Saphira shuddered, the virus sounded scary. She was glad it no longer existed. But...she wondered what could have caused whatever was making Bee this way. "Does this mean Raf is getting a ride to school?"

Optimus widened his optics and looked at her as he realized that Raf had no one to pick him up. "No...we did not organize a change in autobots who could pick him up. I will contact Bulkhead and alert him to Raf's need." He activated his com link, placing his fingers to the side of his head as he spoke. "Bulkhead, have you dropped Miko off at school already?"

"Yeah, boss, I have. Why do you ask? I am not going to help her get out of any kind of detention or schoolwork."

"I need you to go and pick Raf up. Bee is currently being thoroughly checked over by Ratchet, and he is unable to help Raf." Bee looked up at Optimus sadly, he overheard Optimus speaking to Bulkhead and he felt guilty that he couldn't go. "Make sure he gets there."

"Understood boss. But if the kid asks to come to the base when he inevitably asks about Bee, should I let him come."

"Of course," Saphira said before Optimus responded, getting a surprised expression from him. "Let Raf come. Bee is his close friend. You know I would if I was still in school."

Optimus smiled and nodded. "You may bring the boy to the base. I would hope that he does not get into trouble with his family. I apologize if you were already halfway to the base, Bulkhead. We did not realize the time and were preoccupied with trying to figure out what is wrong with Bee."

"I understand boss. Bulkhead out!"

Saphira smiled slightly, she was glad that the bots didn't seem to have any issue helping the children when they need it. She looked over to Bee as she knew he likely was feeling a huge amount of sadness and guilt for not being there for Raf. She knew the feeling of what it was like to be helpless. She wished she could help him, but it was out of her hands.

She looked at Optimus with a smile. "I wouldn't mind getting some breakfast now, Optimus. If you want, you can stay here with Ratchet and I'll go and make myself food and get into some new clothes."