Given to Fly

Okeeee, so I'm skipping "Predatory" because it is only Jack and Arcee. The side plot is Arcee's flashbacks and nothing else. I don't have the time or energy to write a new plot for Marty, so you get Skippy! Now, onto the angst!

)()()()()(

"Optimus, you're not going to believe this," Ratchet announced suddenly. "I've just pinpointed the location of the Decepticon warship."

Marty looked up from her laptop to the computer system.

"How did you penetrate their cloaking technology?" Optimus asked.

"I didn't. I was experimenting the variable frequency wavelengths when I stumbled upon it. Even still, their ship must be experiencing some kind of electromagnetic breach."

"With Megatron deceased and the element of surprise..." Arcee pounded her fist in her hand.

"We could cause some serious damage," Bulkhead added.

An image of another ship appeared on the screen. "Also on the same frequency, an Autobot emergency beacon," the medic said.

Optimus didn't hesitate for a moment. "The Decepticons can wait. There may be autobots in distress. Ratchet, bring your medical kit."

)()()()()(

The ship dwarfed the two Bots. Even Optimus, who was among the tallest of their kind. The ship itself was half buried in the barren ground and looked ancient.

"A crash landing," Optimus spoke. "Buried here for centuries."

After Ratchet cut a hole in the side, Optimus activated his light and scanned the hall. It was dark and cords hung randomly in the ceiling.

"If they traveled in stasis mode, there may be survivors," Ratchet remarked.

The ship shifted slightly, causing the two to stumble. Once Optimus regained his footing, he kept his hand on the wall to keep it.

They came to a sealed off door that the Prime pried open, but the sight inside was not one either would want to see.

The bodies of Autobots were strewn about the area. Their eyes were cold and dead. Pools of iridescent Energon were pooled around them.

"Optimus," Ratchet shuddered as he scanned a corpse. "These Autobots didn't perish in the crash. They're displaying the effects of a virus."

Optimus narrowed his eyes. "This is a plague ship," he moved to get a closer look, but Rarchet stopped him.

"Don't touch anything!" He warned. "The virus could still be active."

Suddenly, the ship lurched again. Optimus stumbled to regain his footing. He caught himself on the wall, but a creak turned his attention to the ceiling.

A body was tangled in the wires. It jerked down and poured tainted Energon onto the Prime. He made an attempt to move out of the way, but it was too late. He could feel the virus infecting his system already.

)()()()()(

The air was thick with anticipation as Ratchet scanned Optimus' form. The Prime, once tall and proud, lay in the medical bay weakly. Rust corroded him sporadically, and blue vein-like lines webbed across his face.

Marty stood on the catwalk with the other kids, worry etched on her expression.

Ratchet took the scanner and looked at it. "Cybonic plague," he said. "It's only contagious if contact is made with the infected Energon."