When All Lights Go Out II (TFP)

Chapter 29

"If I could, I would." Optimus looked down at Azura again as she let him know she was almost full and stopped the flow of fuel while the sparkling drank what was left in the line. "At least she will have Miko to keep her company."

"That I will!" Optimus smiled as he looked at the platform where Miko was waiting patiently. "I also got a bottle of chocolate milk for her. I overheard you tell Azura through the monitor, in case you were wondering." The girl held up a bottle, and Azura couldn't help but squeal in excitement. Miko chuckled softly at her response. "There's always room for dessert."

Optimus raised an eyebrow at Miko. "What exactly does that mean?"

Miko giggled at Optimus's question. "Pretty simple, Optimus. Even after eating a large dinner and feeling full, there will always be a little extra room for something sweet. In this case, for Azura, chocolate milk after a full breakfast. At least she will not get fat."

"That might be true, Miko. We do not possess the same organic matter as humans do that cause weight gain. But too much of a good thing will still be bad for her." Miko wasn't about to argue with Ratchet and Optimus gently pulled the fuel line from Azura's grasp now that she was finished. "It will at least ease her discomfort from her nightmare." Ratchet looked back at the screen and he sighed deeply. "And our day would get better if we could find something on our scanners."

"As long as it does not lead to a fight." Miko looked at Optimus as he placed the sparkling onto the platform and Azura shuffled closer to the girl. Miko smiled at her and held out the bottle to her. "Here you are." Azura took it gently and clasped the bottle with both hands to drink from the bottle quietly. "When you are finished with that, I bought a pack of Uno cards with me. While your tank settles, I figured it might be something simple to play."

Azura smiled before glancing at her hands and paused drinking for a moment. "I hope my hands aren't too big."

Miko waved her hand at the sparkling with a shake of her head. "Nah, I'm sure they are fine. Though if you need to pick up ten plus cards, at least they will all fit."

Azura giggled softly. "Yeah, I guess they will." She turned her head when Arcee walked into the lobby with a sad expression. "Arcee..." The femme looked up and smiled when she saw the sparkling. "You should take me with you when you got up and sit with Cliff. I would like that too."

Arcee softened her expression as she was unsurprised that Azura was told where she was. "Thanks, Azura. But I do like being there alone, so I will want that at times." Azura whimpered a little and resumed drinking the milk. "But I will certainly take your feelings into consideration and invite you when you are awake. I know you miss him too." She smiled at him and Arcee intakes deeply as she walked over to Ratchet. "I suppose there are no energon deposits to scout out?"

"I am afraid not, Arcee. I am not picking up anything right now." That did not last very long. Azura looked towards Ratchet when there was a new alert suddenly sounding from the console, and she hoped it was energon. "I think I have spoken too soon. Optimus..." Ratchet turned to his leader as Optimus approached. "Our scanners have detected a decepticon energy profile. But its ancient."

Ancient? That is kind of interesting.

Optimus did not seem to be as intrigued like Azura was. He did seem a little concerned though. "The past has a way of catching up with the present, Ratchet. Though while we do not know what this might entail, I have no doubt that what Megatron might be trying to do now is not for anything good."

Azura whimpered as she stopped drinking for a moment and looked at the screen. "So...you are going to head out, right?"

Optimus nodded. "Yes, I am. Do not worry, Azura..." He smiled at her as he could sense her concern. "Ratchet has cleared me for duty long ago."

"Sure, but you had better stay in one piece, Optimus. We need you in fit condition to continue this fight with the decepticons, and to be the carrier you need to be for Azura. Even if her spark is strong enough now that I don't need to monitor it." Optimus nodded as he understood. Ratchet walked over to the bridge controls. "I'll keep an eye on her while you four head out."

"And you me to help you out, Ratchet!" Miko said enthusiastically.

"Here I thought you would want to sneak in and follow us," Bulkhead teased the girl and she grinned at him. "Unless spending time with Azura is a lot more interesting."

"Hey, the last time we went somewhere ancient, I had a stone column thrown at me. I don't plan on doing that again. Plus..." Miko walked over to Azura and placed a hand on the sparkling's shoulder. "As tempting as it is to follow you, I am not about to cause Ratchet to deal with a tantrum from this sparkling because I chose to go with you and not play with her."

"I am fully capable of dealing with that, Miko. It would not be the first time I've dealt with sparkling tantrums."

Miko giggled at Ratchet. "I know that, but it would be unfair if I would be the reason to cause it, Ratchet."

"I think that is pretty mature of you, Miko," Arcee complimented with a smile. "Though...I am pretty sure when we go through the bridge, we will only have to look back and you will be walking along behind us."

Miko shook her head, even though the autobots would be expecting that. Optimus had confidence she would remain. He leaned down as Azura looked at him with worried optics. "I hope you remain calm while I am gone, Azura. If you need anything, make sure to let him know. He will take care of you, my daughter." He kissed the top of her head and she dropped the bottle suddenly, lifting her hands towards him. He shook his head gently, and she whimpered. "I am sorry, Azura. You will have to wait until I return."

She groaned a little. "Okay...you better return..."

Optimus nodded with a confident smile before he turned to Bumblebee, Arcee and Bulkhead as Ratchet activated the ground bridge. "Autobots, roll out!" Azura watch as the four autobots transform and drive into the vortex, and she could not help but stare.

Miko leaned down and picked up the bottle as the vortex closed before holding it to Azura. The sparkling glanced at it before looking at Miko. "Do you want to finish it? Might as well, chocolate always makes sad moments better."

Azura smiled at Miko and nodded, taking the bottle. "Thank you...and good job on your self control. I know you want to follow."

"Yeah, you are right. But am not cruel either." Miko looked at Ratchet as he walked back over to the console. "What kind of ancient Cybertronian thing would be on Earth anyway, Ratchet? An old decepticon ship or something?"

"Most likely. There are a few I can think of at the top of my head. But I do not know which ship this would be without further information at this time." Ratchet typed on the panel to bring up information of past decepticon ships. "Normally, our base on Cybertron would detect what ship this signal belonged to, but that is not the case. So I just have to wait."

"I wonder what the decepticons are even doing on an old ship."

"I can only assume there is an old weapon on it. One that would be useful to them, and that would be the only reason. But...turning on the ship's computers would be strange if they didn't know what was on the ship already, so I think they needed to make sure at the time." Ratchet looked at Miko as the girl listened curiously. "I am afraid I don't know much else that would be of interest. I am curious about this Uno game you want to play with Azura. What is it?"

"Oh boy, I think it would be best if you watch. Once Azura is finished drinking her milk, of course...and maybe a diaper change, since all this food might make her go." Ratchet did not react, though Azura just rolled her optics, even though she didn't have control over it yet. "Uno is fun though, and it's actually pretty easy to learn. You'll pick it up easily."

"I have no doubt, since human games are quite simple anyway."

Azura giggled as the light jab at humans from Ratchet can be amusing. Though her mind was still on Optimus and where he was right now. She did not know if Optimus would encounter Megatron, and she did not know what kind of weapon or information that the decepticons were seeking from this ancient ship. She could only hope for Optimus to come back, as this was the first time Optimus has left the base on an official mission since her rebirth. So Azura felt a sense of discomfort from her carrier's absense. But she knew Optimus generally returned unharmed, so she knew she should not need to worry. But that just didn't stop her worrying anyway.