Wednesday morning...
There wasn't much that could grind on Optimus's nerve circuits.
With his nearly limitless patience and tolerant nature it was practically impossible to do. His years as a Prime (and even before that) had shown this time and time again. It took something of vast or intense proportions to simply get him to raise his voice, and even then it was to normally drive a central point home. Ratchet was witness to this fact, having known the mech the longest of the group, and he could count on one servo the amount of times he had seen his larger friend become truly frustrated or irritated at anyone or anything. It was simply the Prime's character and life code: to always be kind and gentle, and have patience with any and all situations that may come.
But recently Optimus had discovered a curse unlike any he had ever encountered.
It had started the day before, after Bumblebee's itching problem had been solved and late evening was coming on...
...
It was nearing the children's curfew when they would have to return home and they were squeezing every second of play time in with the sparklings that they could. The Prime was continuing his work, trying to finish up a few scans, as once he was on full-time botsitting duty, it would be hit and miss the rest of the night.
Arcee had left her coloring to play with her rocks. Bumblebee and Ratchet still scribbled with their markers, Jack and Rafael watching while Bulkhead played inside one of the tires with his new stuffed teddy (it had basically become official that he was not going to put it down any time soon). Miko was sitting on the edge of the tire, heels bumping the rubbed tread as she swung her legs, having whole one-sided conversations with the green sparkling. A rattling, that had been continuing on and off for a while, finally caught her attention enough to make her over.
The blue femme was going through a type of cycle playing with her rocks. She would put them all into the container while it lay on its side and then give it a push. It would roll away with a clickity-clattering as the rocks tumbled around inside and Arcee would giggle in delight at the noise. But because the end was open it was short-lived joy as the rocks would fall out and, with a frustrated whirr, Arcee would put them all back in again.
This process circled several times before Miko's eyes lit up with an idea. She ran up to Optimus. "Hey, Optimus! Did that container thingy you gave Arcee have a lid? It must've had one, right?"
The mech turned from the computer to look down at the small human far below. "Affirmative. It used to hold different earth specimens of Ratchet's."
"Can I have it?"
With a simple nod, Optimus retrieved it from where it had been left on the workspace and brought it. He handed it down, though compared to the slim girl, the lid was rather large. Miko took with a grunt.
"Thanks!" She awkwardly carried it over to where Arcee played. "Here Arcee! This might help."
Arcee watched with curious optics as Miko up-righted the container and put all the smaller rocks inside, leaving out a few of the biggest ones for them to still play with. She hoisted the lid on top, but found she needed a stronger pair of arms to screw it on.
"Hey Jack, can you help me screw this on?"
"Sure." Jack pushed himself up from kneeling beside Ratchet and assisted the Japanese girl. This time it went into place. "Why did you want to put the lid on anyway?" he asked curiously.
Miko grinned. "Watch." With a few heaves, she pushed it over to Arcee and stood next to her creation proudly. "There you go, Arcee! You're very own baby rattle!"
The femme crawled up and looked at it curiously, patting the top in confusion as why the hole was not there anymore. Violet optics looked to the human and blinked in wonder.
"Just do what you were before, Arcee. But this time you won't have to worry about the rocks falling out." Miko tipped the canister over with a little effort (taking three tries to do it) and gave it a push. The rocks inside clattered as it went a few feet. "See?"
Arcee's optics went wide in delight. She speedily crawled after and swatted a servo at it, causing it to roll even faster. Little chirps and giggles of joy escaped as she chased her rattling toy all over across the floor. She was even more delighted when she figured out she could pick it up and shake it, making even more clattering. She basically just shook it from then on, bouncing and laughing with the amusing noise.
Miko watched it all proudly. "I knew you'd like it!"
...
The children had thought it was funny how much Arcee loved the rattle and Miko had even created an on-the-spot dance (if you could call it that) to go with the crazy rattling rhythms the femme shook up. Optimus had no problem that Arcee had found a new favorite toy, but the thing was: she played with it constantly.
And so the curse began.
Even after the children had gone home, the femme wouldn't put down her rattle. At first it wasn't that bad, but over the course of the next two hours it was beginning to become slightly bothersome. She continued to shake it until Optimus had rounded them up to put them down to recharge for the night. Bulkhead refused to let go of his stuffy and she had been the same, so he allowed both to take them along, hoping it would make them recharge longer and sounder. It seemed to work at first as both sparklings cuddled up under their blankets with their new toys tucked against them. But when the Prime was rudely awakened at 2:30 in the morning by a loud violent clattering from the femme who had woken and decided to play with her toy, he draw the line.
"You can play with it in the morning," he had told her, cydrenaline still pumping, and gently taken it from the puppy-eyed sparkling.
Since it had roused the other sparklings as well, who looked around with sleepy confused blinks, and it was less than an hour until their feeding, Optimus made their bottles up early. He was getting rather skilled at being able to whip four bottles of the balanced formula. Since they hadn't really been ready to awake yet, it didn't take long for them to fall back into recharge once they had finished, which Optimus was grateful for. Though as he laid back down and tried to relax, he could still hear that accursed rattling echoing in his memory circuits.
He was woken by whines later in the morning, announcing the little sparklings were ready for another day. The first thing Arcee did as Optimus lifted her from the bed was point excitedly to the rattle that had been set aside. With a strange sinking feeling, he obliged the femme and gave it to the eagerly grabbing servos. After all he had promised and Arcee would probably just play on and off with it anyway after the newness of it wore off.
But the first feeling was soon justified. Through early morning hours all into late morning, Arcee never put the rattle down. She constantly shook it, hugged it, or rolled it along the ground – or all at once.
If there was such a thing as a migraine for Cybertronians, Optimus had one now. It seemed five times harder to concentrate on the relic and his late lack of recharge energy was making it no easier. He desperately tried to mentally block out the continuous sound without just shutting off his audio sensors as he wanted to be able to hear the sparklings should they need something or did something they shouldn't. The ache in the front of his helm tightened as the morning slowly dragged by.
It didn't help matters any that Bumblebee was on one of his adventurous sprees today. Optimus was constantly running after him and fetching him back to the main room and couldn't keep him interested in any of the "toys" for long. The yellow sparkling seemed more interested in exploring and the longest he had been still so far was when Optimus had made him sit on the medical table to apply another coating of oil to his dry plating. None of the others seemed particularly interested in their play things either, and the Prime was kept quite busy containing them as well. They seemed everywhere, playing tag or just crawling about the room and around or over his treads, giggling and squealing. And Bulkhead had to come up to proudly show the Prime his new stuffed teddy from Miko at least every twenty minutes or so. They all seemed louder than usual too, or maybe that was just the helmache talking.
Optimus was reading some text on the computer screen (for the third time after having lost focus twice), when a long familiar wail sounded from below. He looked down, expecting to see Ratchet in a tiff with Arcee over something, but instead met the gaze of two grumpy blue optics peering from under the orange chevron. Ratchet reached out and thumped the side of the large blue tread, making double sure he had the big one's attention.
"What is it Ratchet? Is something the matter?"
The sparkling crawled some distance away then sat to look back with a clicking jabber. When the large mech just looked on in puzzlement, he came back, thumped a tiny fist on the blue tread again, and crawled back. He flapped his arms with an annoyed whine, then pointed off past the platform.
"I believe I understand. You wish for me to follow you. Very well." Optimus moved away from his station, being careful he knew where each of the sparklings were before taking a step.
Seeing his message finally got through, Ratchet scooted off with a whirr that clearly stated "it's about time" and led Optimus past the platform to where the TV sat on its box. He plopped down in front of it and just looked back at the approaching Prime with expectance.
A rare amused glint came to the glowing blue orbs. "And to think you used to call it a time-waster," Optimus recollected.
At that moment he noticed Bumblebee heading for the storage hallway. He quickly veered off to catch him and bring him back. Arcee's whining caught his attention and he saw that her rattle had rolled behind some crates against the wall. So Optimus fetched it out (though he debated the idea of leaving it) and returned it, which she then proceeded to continue shaking. Then Bulkhead began whimpering because while playing in his tire, he had accidently dropped Akiko on the outside. So Optimus paused to crouch down and return the stuffy to the green sparkling, who happily took it back with coos of gratitude. He then had to hold it up to show the Prime, to which the large mech gave his usual answer of "I see, Bulkhead". Arcee suddenly went rolling by while hugging her rattle, clattering on the way while giggling hilariously. Then Bumblebee suddenly decided to came up in one of his hug attacks to the Prime's legs, to which Optimus gave him a gentle rub on the helm, producing little contented purrs. He knew by now that's what the sparkling really wanted. Bulkhead then had to show him his stuffy again.
A screaming wail abruptly echoed through the room, making Optimus visibly wince as the high pitched cry stabbed at his aching helm. He looked to the source and saw Ratchet still sitting in front of the blank screened TV, optics glowering beneath the chevron, little arms folded huffily. Optimus realized he had gotten side-tracked and came over (with Bumblebee still glued to his leg atop his tread) and flicked it on, to which the white and orange sparkling went into his wide-optic open-mouthed trance as a sci-fi movie came on. Optimus started back for the main computer but was afraid Bumblebee would fall from his perch and began trying to coax the little servos that had no right to be that strong to let go. He finally managed to peel the sparkling off though the large sad puppy eyes that were given pulled enough sparkstrings that he allowed Bumblebee to cuddle up in one arm so he could watch the Prime work.
Bulkhead and Arcee were unusually vocal today. They were constantly chattering gibberish at each other, squealing or laughing, or just letting out random screeches of playful happiness. Once in a while they would play peek-a-boo with each other from behind the Prime's treads, then chase each other around them before scooting off in energetic giggles. Ratchet's sci-fi show was giving off weird high-pitches whirs and whistles from spaceships and lasers. And all the while, in the background, that rattling continued on ... and on ... and on ... and on...
For one brief moment, digits pinched at the bottom of the aching forehelm crest as Optimus closed his optics with a heavy vent. Primus give me strength...
Bumblebee seemed unbothered by the cacophony as he leaned forward on the large arm, staring with fascination at the large screens of texts and diagrams.
When late morning feeding and nap time came around, Optimus was more than grateful. Though he wasn't going make the same mistake twice and made Arcee leave the rattle with the rest of the "toys" before taking them into his quarters. He laid them in their respective beds and tucked the blankets around them, but Bulkhead didn't want to settle down. He sat up with sad optics looking up at the large mech overhead. He whimpered, almost sobbed; lubricant welding up in blue optics.
"Is something the matter?" Optimus asked gently, rubbing a digit against the little back struts (which seemed to be the sparkling's sweet spot).
Bulkhead looked around, back up, then hugged himself as though holding something. Optimus realized what was missing.
"Ah, I see now. You have misplaced Miko's gift. Very well, stay here and I shall go find it for you." As if understanding part of that, the teary eyes widened in hopeful expectance.
Optimus left to search the main entrance. He scanned through the scattered mess of machine parts and inside the tub that usually held them, but turned up nothing. He expanded to every place he could recall seeing the sparkling during the course of the morning: by the platform, around the computer, around the TV, by the tunnel entrance; and when that still brought no results he tried looking beneath things. On servos and knee plates he got down to check under every work station and gap that could possibly hide the toy, even if he hadn't seen Bulkhead in those places. He knew the sparkling would never settle down until he found it, so it was best to check every place possible. The sparkling may have briefly wondered somewhere when he wasn't looking.
By happenchance of being at the right angle while getting up from checking under the med bay workspace, he spied the elusive toy inside the shadowed hollow rim of Bulkhead's tire fort. The stuffy of colored pillowcases lay on its back with the head awkwardly placed on top of a funnel and the slightly singed towel (from yesterday's mishap) laying over its body, apparently "recharging". Optimus returned to his berth room to find Bulkhead holding himself up against the end of his little bed, waiting and sniffling, optics still flowing tears. But seconds later the sparkling let out a joyous cry when the lost stuffy was presented to him. Bulkhead hugged it tight with a purr.
Optimus used the end of a digit to gently wipe away the trails of tears from the sparkling's faceplate. "There now, little one. Akiko is safe and well and back with you." He couldn't help the small smile when Bulkhead took a moment to throw little arms around the digit in purring sparkfelt thanks. He tucked the blanket around the two. "And now, you must lie down and rest." Obediently – and happily – Bulkhead snuggled down with a little vent as his optics closed.
After waiting a bit until he was sure all were in recharge, Optimus quietly left the room. After a quick tank refill of energon, he returned to his station, setting his datapad with the feed from the "baby monitors", as Miko had called it, up against a side screen so he could watch them as he worked. But before he began, the Prime took a moment to just close his optics and relish in the peace that suddenly filled the silo. If he was being fully honestly, there was a part of him that didn't mind the sparklings being around even with all their noise and mischievousness (despite what his tired body and processers were telling him at the moment); but even so, it was wonderful to have a break. The quiet was like a soothing noise all its own and the tightness in his helm began to subside. Concentration on the task at hand came easier and his typing came faster and smoother over the keypad.
Unfortunately, peace never lasts with young ones. And when noon rolled around, the datapad showed the little bundles beginning to squirm under their blankets in the first signs of waking. Although Optimus was pleased with the amount of progress he had made in his research. He had nearly completed all scans of The Key that he could do and would soon be able to start running simulations, where he would find out just how much he really had learned and understood about their relic.
Optimus made up the bottles in advance before bringing the sparklings out from their naps. Bumblebee wanted to be held as he ate and the Prime obliged him, sitting on a crate near the other little ones, waiting for them to finish as they would be wanting seconds as soon as they were done. Optimus noticed Bumblebee scratching a bit as he suckled, and as soon as all tanks were satisfied he slathered some more of the oil on the yellow plating. It was still a bit dry to the touch yet, but it did help with the itching and allowed the little mech to be able to enjoy himself.
It didn't take long to apply. When finished, the Prime wiped the excess oil from his servos on a rag and looked kindly at the shiny sparkling (as it had not all soaked in yet). "Does that feel better, little one?"
Bumblebee wiggled and chirped happily as he clapped his servos.
Optimus wasn't sure why it happened, but in a brief moment of rare playfulness, he rubbed a digit against the small midsection. Bumblebee began to whirr with giggling. The tickling digit began rubbing along his sensitive sides and even round his neck cables. The sparkling flopped onto his back, little treads kicking as he buzzed with pure delight, laughing his little spark out. The slight upward curve on the Prime's lipplates continued to grow until it could almost go no further without showing dental plates. They may have even made an appearance, except that in the meantime Arcee had been pulling every toy from the tub and had just found her favorite.
With a victorious squeal, she snatched up the rattle and began to shake it with all her recharged vigor. Optimus nearly started at the abrupt assault on his audios. The smile instantly faded as the straight-mouthed expression took its place. He set the still giggling Bumblebee on the floor, allowing him to join his friends. Any shadow of that rare side, so briefly surfaced, had vanished by the time the Prime again took up his station. Had he allowed himself to think about it, there may have been some small part of that archive clerk inside that missed such freedom of emotions. But with more important matters to attend to, Optimus gave him no such luxury as he focused his processors on work. But it was work that did not come easy.
Arcee was giving her toy no rest and, after another hour of constant rattling, Optimus could feel the tightness returning in his helm. Not really wanting to endure this again (after all it did slow down his progress), he took the rattle from the femme as kind as possible.
"I believe we should play with something else for a while." He set it aside on a workstation where she couldn't reach it. Arcee just sat there, looking after her toy with such sad puppy optics. Feeling maybe just the tiniest bit guilty, Optimus looked around for something else to give her instead. He spied something.
"Here, Arcee. Why don't you occupy yourself with this for a while?" he said kindly as he picked up the drawing pad and markers Miko had left on the platform from the day before. There was still at least a quarter of the books pages left so that should keep her busy for a while, plus the others if they wanted to join.
When Arcee saw, sadness was replaced with excitement as she eagerly reached out for them. Optimus opened the pad for her to the empty page and – with a little difficulty – shook the markers from their box onto the floor so she would have a variety of colors to choose from. After a moment of careful contemplation and great debate, Arcee picked up a green and popped the cap off the way she had seen her human friend do the day before and began to happily draw lines and squiggles.
Satisfied with the much quieter activity, Optimus left her to it and checked on the others. Bulkhead was making a pile of gears with his stuffy cuddled in one arm (as usual), Bumblebee was batting the soccer ball around, and Ratchet was again watching the TV that had been turned on a while before. Everything seemed to actually be going smoothly for a change, so Optimus returned to the computer.
Even if one tried to keep a constant watch, little ones always have a way of being able to transport to some completely random location within seconds. Optimus tried to be aware of where the sparklings were at all times, but there were intervals where his concentration got the better of that. It had seemed as if he had only glanced over moments before, but a while later during a brief check-in, it was apparent something was amiss. Optimus took a double glance and realized. No yellow ... again.
"Bumblebee?" he called out with a touch of here-we-go-again as he scanned the room, still inwardly amazed at the speed with which they could disappear. Who knew such little arms and legs could move that quickly?
Still no yellow in sight, he picked up his datapad and began checking all video feeds. Before going into recharge the night before, he had expanded his cameras to cover nearly every room and hall of the entire base. He quickly skipped the first as it only showed himself in the main room. Next five, the berth rooms – nothing; the relics' hallway – nothing; power generator chamber – nil; energon stockpile – zilch; storage rooms' hallway – bingo!
"There you are," he muttered as he caught a glimpse of the yellow sparkling disappearing into the far room. But that did not comfort the mech in the least when one considered what that room was. Uh oh. He quickly tossed the datapad aside and hurried for the storage hallway. Astro-seconds later, Optimus stepped into the armory.
The little yellow sparkling was on unsteady tread tips, balancing himself against a case that had been set on the floor. He seemed curious about what was inside and was trying to pry a corner up with his remarkable baby strength – and even succeeding. Labeled on its side was the word: "GRENADES".
"Bumblebee!"
The sparkling startled at the abrupt voice. Little legs wobbled and he sat down hard, wide blue optics stunned and blinking.
Optimus rushed in and knelt all in the same motion, placing his servo like a wall between the little mech and the box. "You cannot have those. They are too dangerous!" There was a reprimanding bite to his words.
Bumblebee blinked. Then the arms curled in, the mouth vocalizer began to quiver, the lubricant began to tear up. Optics closed as the helm tucked down and little sobs began to shake his tiny frame. The sternness melted from the Prime's faceplate. With his concern for the sparkling's safety, he had snapped a bit harsher than intended. For a moment the scene remained unchanged as the large mech decided how to handle this.
Then Optimus gave a slight vent as he offered out his other servo. "It is alright. Come here, Bumblebee."
At the calm voice, teary optics cracked opened, glistening in the light. A little wheeze escaped with a sniffle as Bumblebee peered up. The large mech didn't seem mad and the expression there was only one of gentle care. Upon seeing this, the sparkling obediently crawled into the inviting palm where he sat with helm hanging slightly.
Optimus carried the sparkling into the safer surroundings of the hall before lifting him closer. "I understand you meant no harm. Curiosity can be a worthy quality, but can also lead one amiss if not controlled. You are still learning to control yours. Even though I wish you not to wonder off so, I am not upset with you. Because no consequences came from this, I will forgo any punishment. But do not let this happen again."
Sad optics peaked up. Optimus wiped away the lubricant stains from the tiny faceplate, letting a kindly smile through. Bumblebee leaned his helm against the digit and very gently put his stubby arms around it, big bright blue optics looking adorably up at the Prime. A tiny purr trilled softly. Optimus's brow quirked up a bit in a mildly amused suspicion. It was easy to see the sparkling was trying to look cute – and succeeding.
"All right now, little one. Let us return to the others." Bumblebee chirped in agreement and watched the scenery go by from his high perch.
But upon returning to the main room, Optimus found that he had avoided one crisis only to walk into another. Apparently Arcee had discovered that the markers were capable of coloring on other surfaces as well as paper. There were green scribbles all over the floor where she had been drawing and covered a large section of the bottom of the platform, and at the moment she was dedicatedly working on adding some purple and red flair to her artwork, holding a marker in each servo while using them simultaneously. Bulkhead, who seemed to be observing from the side with Akiko, was just beginning to eye the other markers on the floor. He slowly reached for one.
Optimus pulled himself out of his briefly stunned state. "Arcee! Stop this instant!"
With a little jump, Bulkhead quickly averted his reaching servo and crawled in the opposite direction, realizing this was not a good idea. The femme calmly turned her helm with the purple marker still touching the side of the platform. Optimus quickly set Bumblebee down and came up, noticing the faint streaks of green, purple, red, and even a few other colors on the blue plating as he knelt. He took the markers from the little servos.
"This is not what these are to be used for. This is wrong." Arcee's arms tucked in slightly, violet optics turning puppy-eyed. The pitiable look only produced a slight frown from the Prime. Cuteness wasn't going to do it this time. "You are not going to get off with it that easily. But first I must clean you off."
He gathered the markers and set them back on the platform, making a mental note that they were never to be used again without constant supervision. Optimus then picked up the femme and set her on the medical table and began scrubbing her down with a damp towel. Fortunately, the streaks of color were only stubborn but not permanent. After double checking that all plating was cleaned, he carried the sparkling to where the "time-out" crates still set against one wall.
He placed her inside one as he spoke stern yet kind. "You will stay in here and contemplate the results of your actions. I shall return in a while." As he left, he could hear the tiny sobs from behind. He vented slowly, wishing things like this weren't so difficult.
A few minutes later found Optimus knelt down on the floor with a tub of soapy water, a towel, and one of the largest brushes he could find (though it was still quite tiny). He scrubbed at the floor and platform side, trying to give enough pressure to actually do something without destroying the brush. Working with human tools, it was important to keep size and strength difference in mind at all times. Though all the bots had gotten rather used to this process by now, becoming like a second nature to them.
Again the marker proved not to be permanent and began to fade. Bulkhead and Bumblebee were finding this much more fascinating then playing and sat nearby, giggling once in a while at the sound the brush made as it went back and forth, back and forth with a wet rhythmic swishing. Ratchet ended up crawling by a bit later. A slower drama had begun playing and the sparkling had lost interest and come out to see what his friends were doing. He stopped in his tracks when he saw the tub and suspiciously eyed it. Even though it didn't seem to be any threat at the moment, he decided not to risk it and crawled back the way he'd come. Seeing him leave, Bulkhead and Bumblebee followed, all heading for the TV. Or so it seemed.
Thinking the little ones would be kept busy watching television, Optimus put most of his focus on scrubbing away the last traces of Arcee's masterpiece. It took some elbow joint grease, but finally the last line of Christmas colors and purple faded away, and with the towel, wiped up the soapy water to reveal a clean floor and platform. With a bit of satisfaction at his work, Optimus checked his chronometer. He was pleased to find he had finished in plenty of time before the children would be calling in. He knew how much they loved playing with the sparklings after school and he didn't want them to have to help out cleaning another mess instead of having a good time. He looked up to where the TV sat, just in sight around the platform; but no audience was gathered to watch the speaking man who was giving a happily crying woman a tiny box for some reason.
"Bumblebee?" Optimus called. He stood and looked around. "Bulkhead? Ratchet?"
At that moment three little sparklings came crawling into sight from around the platform. They came in single file like a little train. A little ... gray train?
Optimus's mouth dropped open when he saw each sparkling literally covered from helm to tread like mummies in strips of duct tape. He could barely see their shells' colors, except for little gaps here and there. They all seemed very proud of themselves as they scooted along before stopping to sit among their toys. Upon investigation, Optimus found that the sparklings had found a box of different odds and ends that were kept in back, one of them being rolls of duct tape. Several empty cardboard rings on the floor told they had been at this for a while. Any noise they had made covered up by the vigorous scrubbing. With a heavy vent, Optimus just let himself stare at the sight for a moment.
With a giggle, Ratchet waved a nearly empty roll of duct tape he still held and then pulled a long piece off with a harsh ripping noise. He bit the one end and broke it off and slapped it onto his forehelm, a bit of one end dangling off the end of the chevron's point. Bumblebee and Bulkhead also had their own rolls and were happily sticking what was left on them to themselves and each other. Deciding he better do something before their gray coatings got any thicker, Optimus came forward and knelt.
"I believe we have had enough fun with this. Let me have them now."
They did, but not in the way expected. As the large servos reached down to take the rolls from them, the sparklings pounced.
"Wha-?"
All three began slapping bits of duct tape on as fast as they could on the venerable digits. Even ripping strips off themselves to add to it.
"No wait! This is not what I meant!"
Optimus quickly pulled his servos back. He had succeeded in getting ahold of the rolls, but not before they had managed to stick nearly a dozen stripes or more of the gray tape to each of his servos. Giggling laughter below told the sparklings found this to be absolutely hilarious. Honestly, the Prime wasn't whether scold them or not. It's not like they had really done anything terribly bad. The tape was harmless, and there was no true crime committed unless you counted wasting three perfectly good rolls of duct tape.
Bulkhead proudly held up Akiko. Even the stuffy had not been spared with gray around its body and arms. Optimus vented. Why couldn't he have just one day where everyone behaved and nothing happen that required washing, drying, baths, or some type of cleaning up? Arcee had been the only one spared from the taping spree. Deciding the femme had learned her lesson enough, Optimus got her from "time-out" before doing anything else and set her on the floor.
Arcee at first gave a joyful cry to be free again but instantly stopped. Violet optics widened as she gazed in curious wonder at the new drab gray the others had somehow turned in her absence. She poked a little digit at the stuff that covered Ratchet's arm. Ratchet ripped a wrinkled strip from his midsection and the femme jumped when it was slapped onto her own arm. She blinked and looked at it uncertainly, poked a servo at it, then peeled it off. She began to whine when she succeeded, but couldn't get the sticky flapping strip to let go of her servo. Optimus came to the rescue and removed it for her. With a slight frowning expression at the little orange and gray mech and her chin up, Arcee crawled a bit indignantly over to the "toys", apparently not impressed.
Setting himself on a near crate, Optimus took Bumblebee in his lap and began trying to peel off the gray skin he'd encased himself in. It was difficult for the large digits to try and catch the tiny edges of sticky tape, and it seemed every time he got a piece off the sparkling, it would simply transfer over to him. Or vise-versa. The other sparklings had begun a game of chase-the-ball squealing and jabbering and rolling around in their new shells of gray tape. Bumblebee could see them having all the fun and made the Prime's task no easier as he squirmed worse than a little worm, trying to get down.
"Bumblebee, please. You must stay still for the moment. This process will go much easier if you do," he tried to persuade, but both tape and sparkling was being particularly stubborn.
After a few minutes Bumblebee did have less on him; but Optimus had twice as much on himself. The end of his digits were coated with the stuff and it was near impossible to grab the tiny tape ends anymore. He tried to pick some off, but the strips just kept switching from one servo to the other or sticking together. In this moment, Bumblebee saw his chance and wiggled free.
"Bumblebee, come back here." Optimus tried to make a grab for him, but a frustrated groan escaped when a few pieces of the cursed tape that had fastened to a digit from each servo kept them from coming apart.
In the wink of an optic, the sparkling had slid down the mech's leg, onto the blue tread, and to the floor. With a happy beep-bleep, he scooted off to play with the others who were still chasing after the soccer ball. Optimus vented in a sigh, realizing he might as well let him go until he rid himself of his own problem. With a tug he snapped the strips apart and they flapped about with sticky sound.
Optimus gave one of his servo a shake, but nothing came off. He frowned at it. Shook it again; more vigorously, but the stubborn tape remained stuck fast. He tried several more times, almost resembling a cat shaking water off its paws.
"This adhesive is worse than Junkion glue," he muttered aloud. Metal rattled as he shook both servos as hard and fast as he could. Still no change though.
As fate would have it, the computer counsel began to beep, announcing the incoming call.
The Prime nearly groaned with a long blink. "Why?"
...
Twenty minutes later...
"There you go, Bulkhead! All tape free." Miko stepped back from the green sparkling as she wadded up the last of the duct tape into a ball and added it to the large pile that had accumulated.
The children had had quite the sight when they came through the ground bridge; the three sparklings racing around covered in duct tape and the Prime trying to get his servo to let go of the console lever as the hanging pieces of tape had fastened it there. It had finally given way with a sticky rip, but the mech had then shook his servo in the same cat-like way which set off one of Miko's laughing fits. It had taken nearly five minutes for her to get enough breath to talk again; by that time the others had gone to work – with unusually large grins – on the sparklings.
"This is the last here," Jack announced as he carefully peeled the last long strip from Ratchet's now fully white and orange helm. "How's it going, Raff?"
"Nearly done," the young boy answered back. He had Bumblebee's body and helm done and was clearing off the last from the sparkling's arm. Bumblebee watched in blinking fascination.
Jack came over and rubbed the yellow plating. "We should probably put some oil on him. The tape probably didn't help his shell's condition any good."
"Good idea," Rafael nodded as he too had noticed Bumblebee already itching a bit.
"That is, we'll do it after..." Jack smirked as he turned to the large mech who stood towering nearby watching with tape still wrapped and dangling from servos, "we get you freed up."
"It would be most appreciated," came with just the faintest hint of dryness.
"Come down here and we'll help you out."
Optimus knelt and lowered both servos a few inches above the floor, palms up. Jack and Miko attacked the digits with zeal and Rafael joined in a minute later. For a while there was only the sound of ripping and tearing as gray began to give way to black metal. The sparklings found this boring to watch and had wandered off to rummage among their play things.
Finally with one last satisfying rip, Jack crumpled the strip as he stepped back, surveying their work. "There. I think that's the last of it."
Miko held up a finger. "Wait a minute! Let's be sure we didn't miss any." Optimus submissively let the girl inspect each servo and flipped them to the other side when she asked (more than once). Miko gave a heave as she pushed two digits slightly apart to check in the chinks between them. A moment more of crawling around and she jumped down from a palm and landed with a satisfied thud. "All good, Boss Bot! You're officially duct tape free!"
Optimus looked his servos over front and back. Blue optics turned gratefully to the three humans. "Thank you for your assistance."
"No problem," Rafael smiled. He and Jack began picking up the trashed tape-wad pile to throw away as the Prime went to his station.
Miko skipped to where the sparkling were playing. When Bulkhead saw his human friend he immediately grabbed his stuffy and held it up proudly.
The girl snickered. "Aww, poor Akiko got all mummy wrapped too. Don't worry, Bulk. I'll get her out in a jiffy." She began carefully pulling the strips of duct tape from the teddy, not wanting to strain the seams any more then needed while Bulkhead plopped down next to her to watch.
After they had given Bumblebee his oiling, which Optimus let the kids do this time, Jack fetched a paper bag from his backpack along with a small travel tool kit. "Hey Optimus, I figured I'd replace that faucet Arcee broke. I bought a new one at the hardware store and brought it with me."
Optimus gave a silent nod of approval as the teen left the platform. As he passed by the sparklings at the bottom, one pair of optics followed the boy in curiosity. Jack knelt down next to the broken faucet in back and unzipped the kit and laid out the tools. It consisted of a few different sized screwdrivers, a few types of wrenches, and a hammer. Being the man around the house at home, Jack was used to doing small household repairs and was rather good at it. As he began unfastening the screws, a slight scuffling made him look up to see Ratchet crawling towards him.
"Hey Ratchet. Come to watch? I can tell you right now work like this isn't very exciting."
Ratchet curiously watched the teen take out some screws before turning his attention to the kit. He picked up a screwdriver and looked it over curiously, then poked the tip at the faucet, mimicking the boy's actions.
Jack laughed. "You gunna help me out?"
Ratchet made a little jabber as he waved it in the air and looked it over again. Smiling at the cute scene, Jack turned his attention to the faucet. He removed the broken one and took out the new one from the paper bag and adjusted it in place. Ratchet must have found it not very exciting like Jack said and wondered back to the others during this time. After finishing with a satisfied wipe of his hands, Jack gathered up the tools back in the kit. One screwdriver was missing. Figuring Ratchet must have made off with it he hurried back around the platform where everyone else was and spied the sparkling sitting near the outlet where Miko normally plugged in her speakers. The little smile instantly vanished to panic when he realized what was happening.
"Ratchet! No!" Jack sprinted forward, making every head and helm turn at the outburst.
The little white and orange mech was shoving the metal tip of the screwdriver into the socket. Miko gasped when she saw and Rafael also jumped up, intending to also try and stop this before it was too late. But human strides were no match for the enormous ones that had already cleared the room though being the furthest away.
"Stay back!" Optimus ordered and, without a second thought, grasped the little mech and pulled him away. He set him a safe distance from the outlet as the kids came rushing up.
"Is he okay?!" Miko squeaked.
"Optimus stopped him just in time," Rafael said, concern still in his eyes.
Jack looked apologetically at the Prime. "Sorry about that. Ratchet was watching me replace the faucet and he made off with one of my screwdrivers when I wasn't looking."
"I can understand," Optimus said. "I too have gone through similar situations myself these past days."
"They sure can find trouble quick." Jack patted Ratchet on the helm as he spoke to him. "I know that for some reason it looks like fun, but believe me it's dangerous."
Miko suddenly attacked the sparkling in one of her hugs. "I'm just so glad you're alright, Ratch! You could've been fried!" Ratchet just blinked in his un-humored way.
Rafael adjusted his glasses. "I don't know if that would've happened but he would've gotten a really bad shock for sure."
"That's still just as bad!"
"I'd better get my screwdriver before it causes any more problems," Jack said but noticed Ratchet didn't have it.
Rafael pointed to the outlet. "It's still in the socket."
"I shall get it. You stay back out of any harm's way," Optimus said as he stayed Jack's approach with a gesture of a servo. He knelt down next to the outlet.
"Careful," Rafael warned. "Don't let it hit the wiring."
The second the index and thumb closed, the screwdriver wiggled just the tiniest bit. There was an enormous electric buzz.
Overly brightened optics flew open wide. Optimus let out a weird type of gasping yelp as a surge of near overcharge jolted through every circuit, wire, and sensor.
"Optimus!" Jack yelled, horrified. Even the sparklings looked on in wide-optic bewilderment.
Electrified metal rattled as volts of electrical energy coursed through the rigid frame. All the lights in the bunker dimmed and flickered; then suddenly went out and the room was thrown into pitch blackness. From it there was a high-pitched girlish screech followed by a loud crashing of metal, then silence. Seconds later the power generator switched to auxiliary systems and the lights came back on. They all looked, and all winced.
Miko's nose wrinkled. "Ouch."
The Prime lay on the floor, stretched flat on his back. There was a quiet disoriented groan and the optics opened. Blue orbs, now back to their usual soft electronic glow, flickered twice as systems rebooted from the shock and Optimus found himself staring up at the ceiling.
A concerned voice was speaking beside him. "Optimus! Are you okay? Can you hear me?"
With a bit of grunting effort, Optimus got his wide frame rolled to one side so he could push his torso off the floor.
"Are you okay?" Jack repeated. Rafael and Miko were beside him with the same alarmed expressions.
Optimus gave his helm a shake. His processors felt fuzzy and a just a touch disconcerted. "I ... am functional. I ... seem to have only received a large electric shock."
"Yeah, metal and electricity. Not a great combination," Rafael stated.
Optimus pushed himself to his treads and the kids quickly backed off a safe distance as he did a little unsteady side-stepping. He put a servo on the wall to catch his balance.
Jack watched the Prime sway slightly. "Are you good?"
"The voltage was not high enough to damage any of my systems. I can simply feel a few slight aftereffects." Optimus looked at his tingling servo and flexed it gingerly. "Very well," he added as he lightly shook it a few times. Unfortunately, one of those effects was also the aching tension that had returned to his forehelm as well. Just when it was nearly gone too. But he didn't want them worrying about that. "Other than that, I am fine."
"Maybe you should sit down for a while," Rafael suggested.
"I assure you there is no need." Optimus took in a deep vent as his processors cleared and stood straight. "But I thank you for your concern." With that apparently being the end of the conversation, he strode back to the computer and continued working as though nothing had happened. Although he was grateful he had constantly been backing up research files as the brief power failure had rebooted a few of the mainframe's systems.
Jack picked up the screwdriver from where it had fallen to the floor by the outlet. "Talk about iron constitution," he said in a low tone. "I'd still be flat on the floor."
"They sure can take a lot," Rafael agreed as he looked after the mech. "I hope he's really okay."
...
The three busied themselves looking after the sparklings for the next while. Miko had been playing with Bulkhead when she noticed Arcee off to one side staring forlornly at something on the workstation above. Curious, the Japanese girl came over and spotted the object, the rattle.
Miko tapped a finger on her chin. "Hm. How'd that get up there?" Then she called back, "Hey Optimus, why's Arcee's rattle up there? Can you get it down? I think Arcee wants to play with her new favorite toy. Don't you Arcee?" she scratched behind the blue audials and the femme giggled happily.
What a sinking feeling those words brought; but Optimus wouldn't hurt Miko's feelings for anything in the universe and silently handed the toy down. He was just glad she didn't stress her first question.
As soon as little servos clamped onto it, the rattling started. Arcee laughed and laughed in glee as Miko bounced in delight at seeing her gift being so loved. Optimus went back to work, inwardly fighting off the idea to switch off his audios. He could have moaned aloud when he spotted Miko only minutes later carrying her boom box down from the platform.
"Here, Bulk! How about some music to liven up this party?" Bulkhead threw up his arms with happy chatter.
No one heard the long vent from the red and blue mech. Seconds later he nearly cringed when the sound of heavy metal filled the silo. Miko began wildly strumming an imaginary guitar while Bulkhead mimicked in his own way, flapping his arms while doing a miniature type of headbanging, happiness all over his faceplate. Bumblebee and Arcee looked as though they weren't sure what to think. Arcee just went back to shaking her rattle, but Ratchet covered his audials with a dark glare towards the noisy box. He jabbered something loudly that had a rather familiar tone to it.
Rafael laughed. "Some things never change."
"Go, Bulk, GO!" Miko encouraged and laughed when the green sparkling doubled his efforts. Wanting to liven things even further, she cranked the volume up.
Optimus felt his helm was about to split. He controlled his body, but couldn't stop the cringe from twisting at his faceplate. But even in discomfort, he wasn't as apt to tell Miko to turn it down as Ratchet definitely would have; the medic would have been bawling his head off about now, although his sparkling self didn't look far from doing that right now. Optimus just tried to continue working, though forced to rewrite every few words or so when he kept hitting the wrong keys.
But Jack happened to see. He frowned a bit as he discretely observed. Every time the music screeched in a higher note, the large mech's optics would tighten and the tight expression tense up. Putting two and two together, he quickly hurried over to where Miko was conducting an entire rock star concert in her head.
"Miko!" He said loudly over the music. She didn't hear so he tapped her arm. "Miko!"
The girl blinked as her imaginary audience disappeared. "Huh? Oh hi, Jack!"
"Turn it down!"
"What? Why? Bulk's having a great time!"
"Miko, please! Just turn it down a minute!"
Miko frowned but went to the boom box and twisted the dial until the music was only faint in the background. The frown was still present when she returned. "Geesh, what's the big deal?"
Jack glanced in the Prime's direction before speaking in hushed tones. "I'm sorry, but it's just that Optimus looked uncomfortable when you turned it up. After that electric shock maybe his audials are just really sensitive right now."
"His what?"
"Audials. You know. Where he hears."
"Ohhhhh," Miko hummed in sudden understanding. "Huh. Who knew a bot could get a headache?"
"And also he's trying to work too, so we should let him concentrate. After all, this is an important project. He's trying to get his team back."
"Yeah." The girl's countenance fell a bit. "Sorry. I didn't think about that."
Jack tried to console. "It's okay. Let's just try to keep the noise down from now on."
The always perky spirits rose again and she gave a thumbs up. "You got it. No more loud music today."
As if to purposely defy her words, heavy metal music unexpectedly blasted through the silo. Jack could have sworn the Prime's treads actually came off the floor, if only a fraction of an inch. The kids winced and slapped hands to their ears as Optimus did something similar in the background. The screaming decibels were only amplified through the concrete walls and vibrated their very chests.
"Bulkhead!" Rafael shout came faintly as he spied the sparkling sitting by the boom box, servo on the volume dial. He was apparently enjoying this somehow.
The other sparklings pressed servos to their audials and whimpered in discomfort. Ratchet looked about ready to explode.
"Okay! That even a bit much for me!" Miko was literally screaming and was still nearly drowned out.
Jack rushed over and quickly pushed away the little servo and spun the dial all the way to mute. A glorious silence fell over the room and the kids sighed in relief, even the sparklings gave little vents.
"I don't think I'll hear properly for a week," Rafael moaned as he rattled a finger in his ringing ear.
"I'd say 'what?' but that joke's a little old," Jack grinned as he came up, carrying the boom box so Bulkhead couldn't mess with it anymore.
A short vent came from behind as if trying to cover a groan. Miko gasped and rushed over where Optimus was slightly supporting himself against the computer with a servo on his helm.
"I am so ... SO ... SORRY! Bulkhead turned it up. I didn't see him!" she pleaded with saucer wide eyes.
"It is alright, Miko," Optimus replied calmly, outwardly returning to his usual demeanor while trying to ignore the stabbing ache through his forehelm and behind his optics. He managed to give the near-to-tears girl a gentle expression. "It was only an accident, but I accept your apology."
It did the trick and the spirits lifted once again. Miko smiled. "Thanks. And I hope your ah-dals feel better too."
Optimus blinked. "My what?" But the girl had already skipped off.
...
The next few hours went fairly smooth. Arcee continued to shake her rattle but anytime she went at it full blast the kids always stopped her when the noise got too loud. Something Optimus was eternally grateful for, though he didn't know that had brought this action about – and he had no intention of questioning it.
Although the three kids were finding out just how busy one can be trying to contain little ones on an exploring spree. The sparklings were constantly trying to wonder off and were having little interest in any of their toys; except for Bulkhead's stuffy and Arcee's rattle that is.
"What is with them today?" Miko puffed, leading Ratchet back from nearly escaping down one of the halls.
"I guess they just don't want to play right now," Rafael said as Bumblebee ignored the gears he had made a small structure out of.
"They're just all over the place!" Miko said as she then rushed to herd Bulkhead back in. "I wish I had brought more drawing paper." They had let the sparklings color for a while before, but the drawing pad had run dry so the markers had been put away before any accidents could happen. Optimus had briefly told them about Arcee's wall and floor abstract.
"I think they're just bored," Jack speculated. "And if we don't come up with something to occupy them this problem's only going to get worse."
Miko flipped a hand. "C'mon guys. They're just in an exploring mood right now. I'm sure they'll get back to playing soon."
Just then Arcee suddenly went into full blast rattling mode. She gave a high-pitched squeal as her toy clattered noisily. All three kids pounced to hold it down.
"Arcee! Shhhhh!" Jack shushed. "We can't be too noisy right now, okay?" Violet optics blinked at him, but the noise ceased. Jack sighed in relief as they stepped back. "Good girl."
The femme looked from one to the other. At the rattle. Back at them. Quicker then could be said, she suddenly chucked the toy with a playful squeal. The rattle flung several feet before hitting the floor with a terrible racket. It happened to catch the edge of a ball bearing as it struck and the ring flipped up into the air and bounced twice, miraculously landing on edge as it began rolling away. It leisurely made its way past Bumblebee who watched it go by with blinking optics. Behind him, the kids raced after the escaped rattle that was rolling away while rattling something terrible. Finally they caught up and got it halted, Arcee giggling and clapping her servos at the show. All eyes went to the mech at the computer, but they let out relieved breaths when the Prime simply continued working as though nothing had happened (even though he had been fully aware of it all).
Miko squinted in thought. "I think I'm beginning to see why it was on the workbench."
Meanwhile, Bumblebee in his naturally curious way had followed after the lazily rolling bearing. The ring finally bumped into some crates and fell over with a metallic ringing as it wobbled a few times before coming to rest. Bumblebee crawled up and plopped down, picking up the bearing and, a bit boredly, sticking his servo through it. Just then a glint of reflecting light caught the bright blue optics attention. The uninteresting ring immediately clinked to the floor as the yellow sparkling investigated. Tucked between the small crack of the two crates was a lug nut that had escaped the cleanup from Monday's spill. He pulled it out and looked it over as though he had found treasure.
"What'cha got, Bee?" Rafael's voice said coming towards him.
The sparkling was too interested in his find to look up. He turned the lug nut over in his servos in calculating processing. Without hesitation, Bumblebee pulled out his vocalizer guard.
Rafael gasped when he realized what was about to happen. "Bee! Don't!"
Too late. The lug nut had already disappeared.
"He ate it!" Miko yelped, having seen the whole thing.
Jack came rushing over. "What happened?"
Rafael pointed a bit frantically. "Bee found a lug nut we missed and just put it in his mouth it before I could stop him!"
Jack rushed to the sparkling and tried to pry the tiny mouth open. Bumblebee buzzed in annoyance and tried to push him away, but the boy managed to get a glimpse inside. "I don't see it!"
Suddenly the little mech gave a retch and began to hack and cough. The other sparklings sat nearby, watching the odd show with confused gazes.
Miko was nearly in a panic with hands on her head. "He's choking!"
There was a heavy pounding of approaching treads. Optimus suddenly appeared, having heard the distressed voices. "Is something wrong?"
Rafael nearly tripped over his words. "Bee found a lug nut and before I could stop him he put it in his mouth and he must've swallowed it and now he's choking!"
A harsh buzzing wheeze came from the yellow sparkling's throat pipes as he gaged again.
"He'll suffocate!" Miko gasped in the horror.
"But bots don't have to breathe air. He can't suffocate, can he?" Rafael asked tensely.
Optimus bent over the coughing sparkling with a concerned air. "No, but it could do damage to his internal structure. Especially if it enters the fuel tanks and valves. His reflux system is trying to rid him of the foreign object before it can."
The poor little sparkling tried to give a pitiful bleep but was cut off by another rattling hack.
"Do something!" Miko shrieked.
"I – I'm not sure..." A slight alarm was rising in the Prime's chest, and expression. It was evident he had absolutely no idea what to do.
"Optimus, you've gotta get him to cough it up!" Jack instructed. "You're the only one of us who can do it!"
The large servos were in a hesitant debate as they hovered over the retching sparkling. "How do I do that?"
Jack made the motions with his hands as he tried to calmly explain. "Pick him up and hold him face down. Then give him a pat on the back, but not too hard. It should dislodge the nut."
Optimus carefully placed the sparkling in one servo so Bumblebee's helm and arms hung over the edge. He could feel the tiny frame quiver and tense with each gasping cough. Using two digits he gave the small back struts a gentle but firm tap. Bumblebee heaved so hard his tiny glossa poked out. But no lug nut.
"Again! Just a little harder!" Jack instructed.
Another light tap but still nothing. Optimus didn't want to hurt the little one but the choking was getting worse as his own concern mounted. On the third attempt, he planted a firm smack on the small back. Bumblebee gave a buzzing hack and the lug nut flew out and clattered to the floor – along with a bit of his last feeding.
"Ewwww!" Miko gaged, pinching her nose at the smell.
Rafael and Jack sighed in relief as the sparkling began to whimper with little sharp vents. Optimus brought the little one close to his chest in comfort, being relieved himself; and exceedingly grateful he hadn't been forced to perform some kind of surgery had the nut gotten lodged inside. He didn't know how he would survive something like that without Ratchet's assistance. But such thoughts were a thing of the past.
Unsure of what had just happened, Bumblebee buried his faceplate against the red and chrome chest, crying out his story to the large mech. Little vents came fast as he rubbed at the lubricant in his optics.
"It is alright, little one," the baritone came soothingly. "You are going to be fine now. There is no need to be afraid."
Little clicks and bleeps replied, but much calmer now. A moment more and the gasping vents stopped as did the tears, so Optimus set the sparkling down. Rafael rushed up and hugged the yellow helm.
"I'm so glad you're okay, Bee! I don't know what I'd do without you."
The sparkling leaning into the warm hug and closed his optics with a soft purr. Rafael smiled as he felt the gentle vibrations through metal plating. He picked up the vocalizer guard where Bumblebee had dropped it and put it back in the little mouth. It attached back in place with a clicking snap.
Jack looked up at the mech above with an impressed expression. "Good job." He meant that for more than just the emergency maneuver.
A soft smile came over the Prime's faceplate. Such a simple encouragement; but it meant worlds to him.
"Um, is someone going to clean that up?" Miko nasally asked, still pinching her nose as she flipped a hand at the splatters of dark blue energon on the floor. "Because I am definitely not! No Arcee, don't you dare get near that ick!" She quickly shooed the femme the opposite direction.
Optimus got up and fetched his rag blanket that he kept nearby for just such reasons and calmly wiped up the mess. Miko was quick to tell him not to forget the lug nut that was also speckled with blue muck. He swiped that up as well, shaking it out onto the nearby workstation and setting the rag beside it.
"I take it this has happened before?" Jack smirked.
"At times," was his only reply.
Miko straightened in a no-nonsense way with hands on hips. "Okay, these little guys definitely need more than a ball and some old machine parts to keep them occupied."
Jack nodded as he watched Bumblebee join the other sparklings who were uninterestedly poking at their "toys". "I told you they're probably bored. I mean there's not exactly much for them to play with here and what they do have isn't all that exciting. No offence, Optimus."
"None taken," answered from above. In all honesty, Optimus almost couldn't blame the sparklings as he looked over the scattered pieces of miscellaneous apparatuses.
"Some new things might keep them from getting into things they shouldn't."
"But what else is there?" Miko shrugged. "I mean, it's not like you can just pick up a regular baby toy at the store for them. They're too big for that kind of stuff."
"Maybe..." Rafael hummed in thought. He ran off towards the platform and came back a moment later with his laptop. He held it so the others could see; Optimus keeling far down to get closer to human eyelevel. On the screen was a page from an online store showing different toddler and baby toys. "Maybe we can take some of these ideas and adapt them to fit the sparklings. It's getting late now, but we can work on the designs tonight and make them tomorrow."
"Great idea, Raff!" Jack praised as he scrolled through the toys. "I'm already seeing some things that we could do."
"I can watch the sparklings for a while so that you all may to work on your project," Optimus offered, secretly hoping none of said designs would be noisy. His helmache was just finally subsiding.
"But what about your research?" Jack asked, knowing how important that was.
Optimus reached out and gently picked up Bumblebee, who was heading for the hallway, and turned him to face the other way. Bumblebee crawled on in the new direction. "A short delay will do no harm. It will also be more beneficial in the long run if the sparklings can be kept out of trouble which will allow more undisturbed time for my work. You may use the computer's systems if you would like in the meantime."
Rafael's eyes lit up. "Thanks, Optimus." He and Jack started off for the platform, already discussing ideas.
Miko stepped closer to the Prime, jabbing a thumb against her chest. "I'll help you here in the meantime. I'm not the make-up-designs kind of person. Of course unless it means drawing up a band logo or something like that."
"I would welcome your assistance."
"No problem!"
Just then Bulkhead went rolling by in a weird type of half summersault while making little cooing twitters. They watched the roly-poly pass by, wondering exactly what that was all about.
Miko quirked a brow with a smirk. "I'm telling you, this job would be a whole lot easier if sparklings just came with an instruction manual."
"Agreed."