Sitting in front of a console, Optimus stared at the screen with deep concentration. It had been two days since they were able to wake Azura from her dream, and she was very happy to be out of it, but Optimus's concern about the context of the dream weighed heavily on his mind. He was still concerned that it wasn't a test, given that the knights and the tree were visual metaphors of something now woven into Azura's genetic structure. It worried him deeply that more pain would find its way to the sparkling, and he did not wish for that.
He was currently studying the recording of the dream itself, going through with utmost importance and caution to ensure that he did not miss anything that might have been present and they just couldn't see. Nothing has caught his optics just yet, but he wanted to figure out what the dream meant. Preferably before she emerges from within him, though he couldn't force an answer. This took time. Using the skills he possessed from being a clerk long ago, this was just another form of material to unravel.
Azura was currently recharging, as Optimus encouraged due to the sparkling being fearful of recharging. It has made her restless, and with her constant shifting within him, Optimus has found another form of discomfort. While he wasn't angry at Azura, he also didn't want her to fear recharge. She needed it as much as any Cybertronian. Optimus knew if she remained fearful of recharge, she was going to be difficult to put to berth when she emerges. Azura didn't want to be difficult, but it was something she might do unintentionally, due to her fear.
He hummed softly as he remained focused, and he heard the familiar footsteps of his medic approaching him. He said nothing as Optimus did not look away from the screen while he sensed Ratchet's gaze. "I see you are still looking through the recording of Azura's dream like it is a coded file that needs translating."
"It is something I feel that I must do at this time, Ratchet. This dream Azura had has disturbed me deeply, and I fear greatly for her. To me, this recording of the dream seems like a cryptic file for me to translate." He turned his head as he heard Ratchet sigh a little. "I know you think it is not likely to yield answers, Ratchet. But I used to do a lot of this kind of study back in the Hall of Records. This will take time."
"So I should expect you to be here every day until your body signals you it is time to birth?" Ratchet questioned with a slightly amused expression, while Optimus rolled his optics a little and looked back at the screen. "I understand your concern, Optimus. I do. And we are practically now ready and waiting for Azura to be reborn, but I do think that you shouldn't stress over this. For all we know..."
"I am not about to overlook anything, Ratchet. Azura has never been ordinary, and it is my duty as her carrier to do what I can to try and protect her from things that might happen." Optimus leaned back and placed his hand on his abdomen as his expression softened. "When we were forced to send Azura away all those years ago, I never once thought she would have such abilities...I never knew that the past would come back in this way. And yet, I still loved her..."
"I know." Ratchet stepped closer and placed his hand on Optimus's shoulder. "And your intuition was correct when it came to her weeklong recharge. I do not want to discourage you from this, Optimus. But I do think that you shouldn't allow your mind to be consumed by that concern." Optimus did not disagree, but he also wanted to spend a lot of his time focused on studying this dream. "I know it might be difficult, given what has happened recently, but you should focus on relaxing as much as you can, Optimus. We only have at least four to six more weeks now, and I know you have enjoyed carrying Azura. And I think you should focus on enjoying it rather than focusing on this. It will make it less enjoyable."
"I suppose you are right..."
"RATCHET!" Both Optimus and Ratchet flinch in surprise as they hear Bulkhead's panicked voice shout through the com link. Arcee, who just walked into the lobby with an energon cube, jumped as well. "Open the bridge! Hurry!"
Ratchet frowned and turned to run over to the bridge controls to activate them. "What is going on, Bulkhead? Why are you panicking?" There was no response and he turned to the bridge to see Bulkhead and Bumblebee running out of the vortex holding several lumps of energon crystals and they were covered in snow. Ratchet widened his optics as he was suddenly concerned. "What in the All Spark happened? You were gathering some more energon crystals. Did Megatron find you?"
Bulkhead shook his head as the vortex closed behind him and he placed the crystals down before he began to brush the snow off his arms. "No, actually...it was an accident." Optimus stood up from where he was sitting and walked over as he was concerned they were hurt. "Bee and I were almost buried. I am not sure what exactly happened, but it caved it."
Optimus widened his optics slightly. "What? Caved in? How?"
"I think it was my fault." Optimus looked at Bee in confusion as the bot brushed more snow from his arms. Bee sighed and looked at Optimus with a guilty expression. "While we were mining, I spotted some energon sticking out of the ground. I managed to put the energon out, but...it must have been supporting the wall as it began to collapse, causing the ceiling and the rest of the cavern to start collapsing. I didn't mean to."
Bumblebee seemed to be worried Optimus would be angry, but Optimus was nod. He was saddened to hear the cavern had caved in, but he was glad that both autobots were unharmed. "Bumblebee, it seems to me that it was just an accident that caused the cavern to cave in. It is unfortunate, and we no longer have access to a steady supply of energon. Which means, we will have to source it the way we used to again." Bumblebee nodded and looked away, brushing off some more snow. Optimus stepped forward and placed his hand on the scout's shoulder. "Do not think that I am mad, Bumblebee. I am just glad you and Bulkhead are okay. We can work around it."
"And it will be a long time before Azura will have the strength to reopen the cavern too." Ratchet was scanning Bulkhead's system just to be sure. "We should have enough supply of energon to last us several months. But we should still be careful. Only Optimus is allowed to ingest as much as he needs, while we must ration what we have now."
Arcee groaned a little. "Great...we are back to chasing after Megatron's scraps now. I was beginning to enjoy not having to worry about rationing the energon, and I have felt in better shape for a long time."
"We cannot put the blame on Bulkhead and Bumblebee, Arcee. It might be an unfortunate set back, but there is no reason to panic right now." Arcee was still very unhappy about it, as was Ratchet, but nothing can be done now. "We also must not forget that Azura's abilities will never be absolute. No matter the experience she will gain, nor the strength that will come from the growth and experience, I do not expect any of her powers to be extremely strong to the point of being invincible. It is something one might believe Primes are like too with the Matrix of Leadership. But that has never been the case." Optimus caressed the swell of his abdomen and sighed deeply. "I am sure Azura will be upset that the cave collapsed, but rest assured, we will access it again when it is viable. Just not for a while."
Bumblebee was still feeling guilty about it. "That might be true...I just feel like I ruined something that was Azura's...even if it can be repaired...it is like I had ruined a toy or something important..."
"I understand, Bumblebee. But she will be okay." Optimus smiled at the scout before he shifted a little on his feet due to the discomfort. "You should focus on processing the energon you were able to collect so you, Arcee and Bulkhead can head into Jasper. I believe it is nearing the time to pick them up from school."
Bumblebee was surprised as he realized what the time was. "I didn't even realize the time." He quickly gathered the energon he had been holding and looked at Bulkhead. "Let's get it processed quickly. Raf and I have to finish off our game that we didn't get to finish yesterday."
Bulklhead chuckled as he gathered the crystals back into his arms. "I am not in much of a hurry as you, Bee. Just in case Miko finds herself in detention again."
"I'll never understand why that girl decides to do things and get herself in a heap of trouble," Arcee commented with a huff. She looked at Optimus as he walked back to where he had been sitting to sit back down to resume his research. She knew Optimus was studying Azura's dream, and she thought it was good, but she made no comment. "At least Jack keeps out of trouble."
"That boy definitely has more maturity, I noticed that from when we first met him," Ratchet commented in agreement. "I believe he has a shift at his job, does he not?" Arcee nodded. "I guess you'll be sitting outside the fast-food building. No matter, there isn't much going on here. Now that we no longer have a steady supply of energon, I'll start doing a sweep of the planet to locate another mine for us to potentially use."
"Sounds like a good idea. I'll go help Bulkhead and Bumblebee before we head into town." The two-wheeler looked at Bulkhead and Bumblebee as they walk towards the hallway, and she followed them. She smirked at Bulkhead in amusement. "At least if Miko is in detention, you get to listen to that awful music you seem to like so much. I will never understand why you enjoy it."
Bulkhead just smiled at Arcee. "You are right, you will never understand. But that is okay, Arcee. I've never once annoyed you, have I?" Arcee raised an eyebrow at him and Bulkhead could see she was silently making fun of him. "Oh...I know I've annoyed you before, Arcee, but I have not played heavy metal music around anyone here. I've made sure that Miko keeps the music away from the base too, since the noise could disrupt Optimus should he be recharging during the day."
"I know. I am just teasing you. Let's get these crystals process or they will never get done."
With the other autobots now busy for the moment, Ratchet could not help but rub the bridge between his optics and look at Optimus. He had resumed the study of Azura's dream and Ratchet was not yet sure if it will be a concern. But he would make sure that Optimus would not remain seated all the time. He did understand the discomfort Optimus was feeling, but he would feel better moving around more than he would sitting down all the time.
"You should stretch your legs often, Optimus." Optimus glanced at him briefly before looking back at the screen in irritation. Ratchet smiled a little. "I know, you are not able to find comfort right now. I cannot help you, but I can guide you. Walking around will do you good. Just as driving around occasionally is good."
"I am aware, Ratchet. But I have not been sitting here for hours. It has only been two, so I do not think that you need to remind me. Just as I don't need reminding that I must make sure I rest enough and get enough energon. You remind me every week, Ratchet." Optimus smiled slightly as he did appreciate the medic's work that he puts in to ensure Optimus would be okay. "I do listen to your advice, but I am not sure I need reminding as though I am a youngling."
"I know, Optimus. I only say these things out of concern. Plus, carrying does rattle the processor, so it does not hurt to be more mindful." Ratchet looked at a screen in front of him and his expression changed to concern. "I just hope things will not get too stressful over the coming weeks."
"I am the one who should be saying that."
Ratchet smirked and nodded in agreement. "You are certainly right about that. But I am not talking about general stress. After all, we had to help Breakdown two days ago and there is no reason not to assume Mech might know about your current state."
"That might be true, Ratchet. But it is unlikely we will encounter them again before Azura's rebirth. I am not sure what will take me out of the base to end up encountering them at this time, but I do know that I will never let my guard down. Just as I am not overlooking anything with this..." Optimus paused as he stared at the screen in front of him. He had paused the moment when Azura had petrified the first knight and he frowned. "Dream..."
Ratchet caught on immediately and walked over. "You saw something?"
"Yes...I think...the moment when Azura petrified the knight and caused them to turn into a skeletal creature before dissolving in the water, there appears to be something on them. It looks like dark energon, but I am unsure...plus...I noticed a strange symbol brushing off too..." Ratchet stood by Optimus as Prime reversed the recording for a moment and played it on a very slow speed. Ratchet stared at the image of War leaping over the water and Azura unleashing her petrify breath. He watched the mist engulf the horse and rider, and he frowned as it looked like clumps of ash or dirt peeled off before disappearing before it left the husk behind. At, as Optimus mentioned, there was a strange symbol on the right shoulder of the knight. "I knew it. Something stranger was happening with this dream. I don't recognize the symbol, but this was never Megatron's doing."
Ratchet studied the recording as Optimus replayed the moment again before he played it until the moment Azura petrified the other knights, and the same thing happened again. It was strange. "As interesting as that might be, Optimus, it could also be nothing to be concerned. It will certainly be something to note for the future, and I know you will be looking closer at the recording, but try not to strain yourself over it."
"I know, Ratchet. But finding something small can lead to something much bigger. It is also how I try to keep ahead of the decepticons." Optimus knew that this would take many hours of his time in taking a closer look at this one moment of the dream. He certainly did not understand it right now, but the answer may come to him very soon. "So I do not want to overlook anything that might seem small and unimportant, Ratchet. I overlooked things when we first met Azura, and I will not do that again."
"Oh..." Ratchet now wondered if that meant Optimus was vigilant like this because of how things went three years ago. If that was the case, he couldn't really fault Optimus for wanting to do what was right. After all, when Optimus did not tell Azura he was her carrier three years ago and she managed to hide from the autobots during that time, it was another moment Optimus has regretted ever since. Ratchet sighed as he now knew why it would be difficult to pull Optimus away from this. "I see. Well...if you need a cube, I can go and get it for you."
Optimus pondered on the offer and he looked at Ratchet. "I could use a couple cubes. I do feel bad that I cannot ration, even after I rebirth Azura. Otherwise, I cannot produce the low-grade she will need for many years."
"I know that you do, Optimus. But all of us here will ensure that we do our part to ensure you and Azura will remain okay for the coming years." Ratchet walked towards the hallway to make his way to the cube storage. "I know we had gotten comfortable with the constant supply of energon, but we will return to rationing like we did before."
Optimus still felt bad that he couldn't ration energon like he would have done if not for Azura. He watched Ratchet leave the lobby, leaving Optimus alone with his own thoughts. His mind was focused on what had noticed in the recording of Azura's dream. Optimus replayed the moment Azura petrified the knights multiple times, and nothing jumped out at him just yet. It was hard to think of anything at this time, and he did not yet know if it was important. And maybe the tree might go through the same thing, though he had not reached that point yet.
As he stared at the screen, Optimus felt a shift within him and he smiled, placing a hand on his abdomen as he felt the stretching of his sparkling within him. He could tell she was waking up, even though she had only been in recharge for about two hours, which did not surprise him. Azura has not been recharging more than two hours at this time, and she tended to stay awake for six, and that wasn't necessarily good when Optimus himself was recharging and she decides to wake up him for company.
"I see you are awake again, Azura. It has been two hours. That is not a lot of time." Azura did not respond as she was still waking up, but he could sense her irritation at him, and Optimus was amused. "You should try and recharge more, Azura."
"I am too afraid, daddy. I...I get good dreams, but...I am afraid I will dream and not wake up like before..." Azura shifted within his gestational chamber before she relaxed. "I don't want to go through that again. I'm sorry for being afraid...but..."
"I am not angry at you, Azura. Just concerned you are not resting like you should. I know you are tired, even when you wake from your recharge. I can sense it. Which is why I continue to encourage you to recharge, Azura. I do not think it will happen again." Azura did not know if it will happen again or not, but that was why she was fearful of the unknown. "But I cannot force you to recharge. I am sorry that it has frightened you this much."
"And I feel bad that I wake up when you recharge...and then I get lonely...I try not to, but...you really helped me, daddy. But I cannot help but think that, that dream was more than just a lesson...I know you think that too. But it has been something I think about a lot...especially since there were whispers early in the dream. You missed that, so...that is why I believe it was more." Azura had told Optimus about the whispers she had heard in the earlier part of the dream, and it did concern him. But as Azura could not really understand the words, he did not know how much of a concern it would be. "Were you trying to recharge before? What time is it?"
"It is the afternoon at this time. The other autobots will be heading into town soon to pick the kids up. Arcee said Jack has a shift today at his job, so he is unlikely to be here. Raf will be, and so should Miko, though it does depend on if she gets detention again or not." Azura was unsurprised by that fact about Miko, and it made her amused. "I believe that Bumblebee and Raf have an unsettled score with their video game, so that is what they will be doing when they get here."
"I can believe that. He and Bee have such a great relationship. I still wonder how and why Rafael is even able to understand Bumblebee. He is a human, and he somehow understands what he is saying. I am sure it was a surprise that he could understand Bee when Raf first arrived." It has been a mystery as to why Rafael can understand Bee. Optimus just assumed that it was just fate, and nothing more. "I'll have to wait until tomorrow to have Jack read a story to me since he is working today."
Optimus smiled as he knew Azura might fall into recharge when Jack reads a story. It was still something he wanted to continue to do while Optimus carried Azura. "It would seem that way. I know you enjoy the stories he tells, and I admit, I enjoy them myself."
"Jack's my best friend, daddy. He has been my best friend for a long time, and I hope we will continue to have a good friendship. So of course I enjoy it. And I think he has been even a more amazing friend since you started to carry me, daddy. It's made it easier for me as well."
"I know. It would be strange for you to get used to being within my body. But at least you do not feel any discomfort, aside from that dream." Optimus knew that Azura would not feel the developing systems within her body, whereas he himself could feel the discomfort of parts being delivered to the sparkling for the system development. It was part of carrying any sparkling. "And I do believe you and Jack will be friends for a long time. I admire his maturity for his age, even for a human."
Optimus heard Azura's giggle through the bond, making his spark warm upon hearing her laughter. "That is very nice to say."
"He reminds me of myself when I was much younger. It is something Ratchet and I both have noticed about him. It might be a surprise, but it is the truth." Azura seemed surprised at first, but she wasn't for very long. And Optimus knew she agreed with that observation. "It is no surprise you would befriend someone similar to myself."
"I hadn't thought of that...but I do agree. It will be nice to talk to him again, depending how long it takes my voice box to kick in after the birth. Though I imagine it wouldn't take long." It certainly would not, and Optimus was expecting her to let everyone know about it too. "What are you doing right now anyway, daddy? You're not moving...and I don't think you are standing. I'm sorry if your back is hurting because of me."
Optimus looked at the screen for a moment, knowing he would likely upset Azura if he told her what he was doing, so he kept that quiet for now. "You have no need to apologize, Azura. Do not worry about me. And I am sitting in the lobby waiting for Ratchet to bring me a cube. I am simply sitting to relax my legs and feet at this time. There is nothing else to be concerned about. Aside from ensuring your fish are cared for, you have no need to be concerned."
Azura was amused by the response. "Never though Ratchet would happily do that...he's not really the subservient type. Unless it comes to decepticons." She wasn't wrong. Ratchet doesn't always obey command unquestionably, unless the situation required it. "Does that mean he will..."
"No, he won't continue to do it. He simply understands my discomfort. I expect he will help after your rebirth, but he won't wait hand and foot. He would certainly feel like throwing a scraplet at me if I were to suddenly become demanding." Azura could see that happening if that were the case, though it will never happen. Optimus wouldn't allow it either. "It is not something I encourage either, Azura. Ratchet has other things to do that is important."
"I know. I was just thinking it was funny."
Optimus nodded and turned his head as heard Ratchet walking back into the lobby with an energon cube in hand. Behind him was Arcee, Bulkhead and Bumblebee. "Thank you, Ratchet." The medic smiled as he walked over and hands the cube to Optimus. He looked at Arcee, Bulkhead and Bumblebee. "I see you three are ready to roll out."
"We sure are." Arcee said affirmatively. "I shall see you all in the morning after I drop Jack at school. Hopefully, Azura will decide to recharge more than a couple hours."
"That will remain to be seen, Arcee." Optimus caressed his abdomen as he sipped some of the energon from the cube. "But you won't be the one dealing with that issue. Do not worry about me, just go and ensure Jack gets to his work safely."
"I do that all the time." Arcee transformed and drove away.
"I am in no hurry to go. Miko let me know she's in detention again." Bumblebee laughed lightly at Bulkhead and the wrecker shrugged. "It isn't something I worry about, Bumblebee. The girl's still young. Anyway, I'll head into Jasper in about thirty minutes, that way I'll be there about the time detention finishes for her."
"Good idea. That gives Raf and I the time to finish our game." Bumblebee was very excited about that as he transformed and drove away.
Optimus hummed in amusement before turning to look back at the screen in front of him. With Azura awake, he knew he would need to keep her company instead of concentrating on rewinding and studying the dream over and over. That was okay, as that was a good reason to not be focused on the dream for a long period of time. But he would likely return to taking a closer look at it later. Especially as Azura was still talking to him.
Optimus did eventually tell Azura that the cavern in the Arctic had collapsed, which did upset her a bit, but Optimus reassured her that it was just accident, and no one was hurt. It just meant they had to return to searching for energon the way that the have done for a while. Azura still felt bad that it happened. Optimus did not tell her that the other bots had to ration the energon for themselves, as that was a burden she did not need to bear. But they just had to adapt to the situation like they always have done in the past.