Nevada Winds - TFP

6.

FLYNN

"But what would Megatron want with dark energon? I mean it's so scarce as to nearly be nonexistent." Ratchet pointed out with exasperation, shaking his head at Optimus. His words came with a sort of insistence, as if he himself wanted to believe that this wasn't true and yet, couldn't help but trust Optimus' words either way. What the Hell is energon? And on top of that, what's this dark stuff they're talking about? Doesn't sound good, whatever it is...

"To do just what he did with Cliffjumper," Optimus replied grimly. "To weaponize his own army of the undead." Oh, it makes zombies. That's what it does. Wonderful. Flynn shivered standing there, continuing to think about everything that was going on. First they were attacked by God knew what, of course they were defended by their giant guardians. But besides that, whatever this dark energon stuff was, it was powerful. And in the wrong hands. Or...whatever the bots called their hands.

Kayde growled under his breath next to Flynn, "So not only do we have giant alien robots. We have giant undead alien robots...great."

Just as they continued to speak, the rumbling of engines echoed through the entrance tunnel. On the console, the red dots representing the other bots were swiftly approaching their current location. Both Ratchet and Optimus straightened up to meet their fellow Cybertronians. Bulkead, Bumblebee and Arcee came racing through the tunnel and skidded to a halt just inside of the base. Rafael and Miko exited Bulkhead and Bumblee's car forms, while Jack unmounted Arcee. The three bots transformed, leaving their human companions letting out woops and hollers of various phrases of excitement.

Kayde narrowed his eyes at them. He's probably thinking something like, 'they don't even know what they're getting into, do they?' Or whatever. Flynn thought to himself, grimacing at his brother's grumpy expression. Why is he so determined to hate all of them? They seem pretty okay. I mean, look at how they treat Raf, Miko and Jack! They all look happy enough. Flynn kept himself quiet though, sometimes it was better to do that than start an argument with his brother.

Bulkhead uncomfortably reached into himself and retrieved an electric guitar, which appeared less than miniature in his hand. He reached down to gently hand it to Miko. "Sorry," She sheepishly apologized, "Must've left it in the back seats." See? He didn't even squish that guitar by accident! I doubt they could ever hurt us unless it was on purpose. And their boss is our guardian, so it isn't like they wouldn't be facing any consequences for it. He glanced at Kayde. It just doesn't make any sense...

Flynn's thoughts cut off as Optimus began, "Autobots, prepare to..." He paused, then glanced down at Miko, Rafael and Jack standing in front of their guardians. Flynn couldn't help but snicker whenever Optimus awkwardly broke off, "Remain here." He continued on, back to his serious business as usual. "Ratchet, you'll come with me. Arcee, we'll be outside communications range for some time, so I'm putting you in charge."

"Dude, you're biggest," Miko pointed to Bulkhead. "You should be the boss." I don't think that's how that works Miko.

"Oh, he uh...never picks me." Bulkhead replied. Aw, poor guy. I'd pick him. He seems like the nicest guy here! Besides Bumblebee maybe. But it looks like compared to the others...Bumblebee is a lot younger. If not physically then at heart. Nothing wrong with that though, so am I!

"Optimus with all due respect," Arcee began in a tone that definitely did not hold any due respect, "Playing bodyguard is one thing but babysitting is another! Besides, Ratchet hasn't been in the field since the war."

Ratchet grumbled from where he stood at his medical station fidgeting with several devices he was going to bring along with him on their trip, "My pistons may be rusty but my hearing is as sharp as ever!"