Unknown Territory (TFP)

32.

ENTRY: 12/5/2021

Location: Autobots' base at night.

Ioa groaned as she onlined her optics, her whole body was aching as if she got slammed into a mountain high speed. Her joints were clicking in place weakly as she tries to sit up, only to realise it's unbearable to even lift her digits.

Ioa's groan got the attention of everyone as they quickly rushed to her side, only for Ratchet to chase them away so he could check her up in peace.

"Ep Ep Ep! Move it! This is a medical bay, not the main lounge! Everyone out!" Ratchet chided and shooed them away. Ioa looked at the medic, words coming out static as she tries to call out to him.

"R...Ra..tchet..." she said hoarsely.

"Easy Ioa! Save your strength. You've overstrained again, too much this time." He said grimly, optics showing his worry as he gazes at the fragile femme.

"I...w...would... do... i...it... again..." she said weakly before giving him a pained smile. "F...for eve...ry...one" she wheezed in pain and got into a coughing fit, making Ratchet quickly come to her aid.

"Please Ioa for the love of Primus rest yourself! I..." Ratchet said sadly, pained filled his optics watching the femme in this state. It was his fault that she had to go save him. If it wasn't for her, he'd probably be joining the Wells of Allspark already. "I'm...sorry Ioa. It's my fault, I should've listened..." he said remorsefully.

Ioa weakily took his servos and gave it a soft squeeze before speaking.

"It's ...ok...ay...I'm...s...sor...ry...too..." she whispered before closing her optics, falling back into recharge. Ratchet could only sigh in regret as he scanned her before letting Ioa recharge in peace, the sound of her life signal once more filled the base.

Heavy pedsteps vibrated across the quiet base, the owner in a gloomy mood as he looked over to Ioa's weak state. "What happened to her, old friend?"

Ratchet turned to look at him and shook his helm as he explained the situation.

"Over exhaustion, severely exhausted." He started; faceplate hung low as he spoke. "When she ...fought with Megatron, it may seem like she was doing fine but I believe it was just temporary buff. Her body was overheating and...we made it worse by getting ourselves... scolded by her." Ratchet finished.

"I can only pray she get's better soon. We... need her. I've doubted her once and twice, but I now realised she is capable as much as we do." Optimus said, Ratchet nodding along.

"The Synth-En was indeed quite remarkable for you to pursue Ratchet, but we must never let greed get to us. But, because of you, we manage to stock up on the energons. For that, we are all thankful." Optimus said and gave Ratchet a rare smile. They both fell into silence and chose to watch over the sleeping femme, no other words were spoken ever since then.

---

The next day, the kids came back to base with their charges, only to see Ioa sitting up and getting out of berth, Ratchet not in sight, probably in the back refuelling.

"IOA!"

Everyone simultaneously shouted as they rushed to her, making her sit back down. The commotion caused the Prime and Ratchet to rush over, concern filled their faceplate.

"You're awake!"

"We missed you!"

"You should not be up yet!"

"Ioa, did you really kick Megatron's aft?"

The barrage of question was too much for Ioa as she backs away from them, feeling claustrophobic.