Given to Fly

I recommend looking up the plot for The Iron Giant before reading if you haven't seen it.

)()()()()(

Marty ran through the base as she followed Optimius. They had been checking the security system and were now making their way back to the main hangar. She had never been very athletic, but she could keep up with the other kids at school.

Optimius, however, was not the other kids at school. A simple step for him was a million paces for Marty.

"Optimius," She called through pants. "Wait up!"

Optimius stopped and looked back at her, brow furrowing slightly.

When Marty finally reached him, she rested her hand on his foot, using it as a support as she caught her breath.

"My apologies, Little One," Optimius said. "I had forgotten that it takes more effort for you to keep in stride with me."

Still panting, Marty waved him off. "It's no problem. You're fine."

Suddenly, Marty's feet were taken out from under her. "Whoa!" She adjusted her glasses, looking out a her new high vantage point.

Optimius had lifted her up and set her on his shoulder. The brunette became suddenly aware of how tall her guardian truly was as she looked down at the distant floor.

"Better?" Optimius asked as he began to walk through the base.

Marty nodded, although she couldn't quite tear her eyes away from the floor, or rather, how far away it was. She didn't want to prove Ratchet right and go splat!

As if sensing her thoughts, Optimius spoke up. "Do not worry," He said with a ghost of a smile. "I won't let you fall."

By now they had come to enter the main hangar where everyone else was gathered. Miko sat atop Bulkhead's shoulder, the two of them rambling on about a monster truck show.

"Optimius," Ratchet said. "I'm receiving a signal on a restricted band. It appears to he coming from a starship inside this solar system." He tapped away at the controls before speaking up again, his voice a mix of apprehension and awe. "It's an Autobot identification beacon."

"So there are other Bots out there?" Asked Jack as he stood on the platform with Raf.

"The masses scattered to the galaxies when Cybertron finally went dark," Arcee told him. "But Cons have been known to bait traps with false beacons."

Optimius stepped forward towards the computer. "Unknown vessel, this is Autobot outpost Omega One. Identify yourself."

"I've had warmer welcomes from Decepticon combat brigades." Crackled a gruff voice.

Bulkhead's face lit up. "Wheeljack?!" He surged forward, causing Miko to yelp. "You old Con crusher! What are you doing all the way out here?"

"Bulkhead?" The voice asked. "That you? What's with all the security?"

"The rock we're on is crawling with Cons," Bulkhead with a slight eye roll. "How soon can you get here and even the odds?"

"Tomorrow, if I put the metal to the pedal."

"Another Bot's coming here." Miko said. "How cool is that!?"

Optimius hummed in thought. "Wheeljack–I know of him by reputation only. Can you verify his voiceprint?" He asked Bulkhead.

He nodded excitedly. "He is 1,000% the real deal, Optimius."

The Prime turned back towards the screen. "We will send landing coordinates, Wheeljack. Safe journey."