When All Lights Go Out I (TFP)

Chapter 53

Azura snuggled against Ratchet's chassis, feeling herself calm down a bit now that she was close to a familiar autobot. She could hear the pulse of Ratchet's spark within him, and it was soothing. But so was the warmth from his body. She looked at the screen again before she began to sniffle as tears fill her optics. Even though Ratchet was helping to comfort her, she was still upset. Ratchet was a little surprised that she was crying, but she was not crying loudly. He rubbed her back gently in an attempt to settle her down.

"I can't help but think Fowler met the bots by his statement to Silas...hopefully they did not reveal themselves," Jack said in concern with a slight frown on his face. "He sounded awfully too confident."

"I agree. I highly doubt that the bots have blown their cover, Jack. But he certainly would likely have meant the bots." Ratchet shook his head a little as he was a little annoyed about it. "I don't particularly like it when we are referred to as technology. We are not technology."

"For some people, it is hard to understand that. That is why...you know...I asked who made you when we first met." Raf rubbed the back of his head as he became flustered as Ratchet glanced at him. "But after we have learned about sparklings, and your anatomy, it becomes clear that you are alive. I still find it fascinating that a world like yours existed, but you are not too different to us."

"In some ways, we are the same, I agree. But we are still very different." He glanced at the screen again as he saw Arcee's signal pop up. "Arcee must have had to exit the trailer. She is speeding alongside Optimus right now."

Azura smiled a little as that was good, and bad at the same time. She was still curious about this Mech, even if they are showing that they are dangerous. "Later Si!" Fowler said enthusiastically over the radio, clearly satisfied with what has happened.

"Agent Fowler," Optimus began in a stern tone. "Do not take your Silas lightly." Azura could not help but nod her head in agreement as it did seem like Fowler was not taking the man seriously. "Megatron preached the very same ideology before plunging Cybertron into the great war that destroyed our world." She shuddered as she did not likely hearing that someone on this world had a similar mindset to Megatron.

"Optimus, prepare to initiate phase two." She glanced up at Ratchet when he gave the instruction to Optimus. But she was happy because it meant that this was almost all over already, and she was looking forward to spending time with Optimus. "Five miles ahead to the south, you will reach the rendezvous point."

"It is almost finished!" Azura smiled as she laid back into Ratchet's hand, resting her back against his wrist as she looked up at him. "I guess you were right, Ratchet. I think I am just...letting myself get all worked up...but I definitely don't like being too far from Optimus."

"I know. But you do need to know that it is healthy to not always be near him." She knew that, but she still frowned at him in response. "Optimus is a strong warrior, and he does not get knocked down very easily, Azura. It would take someone like Megatron, or something to catch him off guard to get knocked down. Being worried and wanting to be with your carrier is normal, but you are long past the age of extreme dependency."

Azura sighed a little as she knew that as well, but given her circumstances, she did feel as though she could be offered a bit of grace because of the first fourteen years of her life, and then choosing to leave the base and remain hidden for an additional three years. She doubted Ratchet knew what it was like to not grow up without any parent by her side, so the need to have Optimus close to her was strong. Especially as her fear that he would leave her alone. And she didn't mean by choice, but by death.

"Looks like they have caught up with the train. Just a little more to go, and the Dingus can be transferred onto it, and hopefully, Mech won't suspect it. But...I get the feeling he's a smart man." Jack looked at Ratchet curiously. "I don't suppose there is a plan if Mech was to figure out where the Dingus is."