Transformers Prime: The Swift and Proud (Sequel to Echoes of the Past)

Chapter 1: First Contact

I was reminded of those orders as Optimus walked in from the hallway, his blue optics narrowed in disappointment as he spotted me standing near the doors.  My spark fluttered with shame as he walked past me to talk with Ratchet, but his silence was more than enough to fuel my shame.

Apparently, my mother was not happy to let me off the hook just yet, “How many times do we have to tell you not to go running off on your own?”  I resisted the urge to roll my optics, given I had heard this lecture a dozen times over.  However, Echowind was unable to finish her tirade as the base’s alarms began to blare.

The rest of Team Prime gathered near the monitors, though as Thunderclap walked up next to me I noted with disdain that I couldn’t see anything over Bulkhead’s large frame.  I tried pushing up onto the tips of my peds to get a look as Agent Fowler talked with Optimus and Ratchet in low tones, but I couldn’t hear a thing as Optimus and Ratchet nodded.

Optimus turned to face the rest of the team, his faceplate a cold mask of worry as he locked optics with every ‘Bot present, “It would appear that Megatron has acquired a new asset within his ranks.  Agent Fowler has just informed me that Silas has joined the ranks of the Decepticons.”

“But I thought Silas was paste?”  Bulkhead asked as the rest of the team nodded agreement.

“Evidently not.”  Optimus replied.  “A military base containing a powerful laser satellite was broken into only moments ago, and the stolen property belonged to Silas before he was expunged from the armed forces.”

“And now the ‘Cons have a laser powerful enough to cut up the capital like a birthday cake.”  Fowler said as he paced about on the balcony.  “The only thing they need now is the access codes secured at Trinity Base.  If they get there grubby hands on that code, it’s going to rain fire anywhere the ‘Cons deem fit.”

Optimus nodded to Fowler before turning to the rest of the team, “We must prevent the Decepticons from obtaining the access codes at all costs.  Ratchet, set coordinates for Trinity Base and open the Ground Bridge.”

“Coordinates locked.”  The orange and white medic replied as he pulled the activation lever.  A swirling green and blue portal opened against the far wall of the base, and Optimus nodded to the team before facing the portal, “Soundwave and Ultra Magnus will remain behind in the event the Decepticons deploy simultaneous operations while we defend the codes.”  He glanced over his shoulder plate at me and Thunderclap, “You two are to remain within the base until further notice.  Is that understood?”

I ground my dentas in frustration but nodded with Thunderclap as Optimus faced the portal once again, “Autobots, transform and roll out.”

With that said, the selected members changed into their alt-modes and drove into the portal, or in the case of our mother, flew.  Ratchet closed the portal and the base was plunged into silence.  The children were at school and Fowler had departed after briefing Optimus.  That left us with no one to do anything with.  Even though our uncle Soundwave had joined the Autobots, he still had trouble interacting with the other ‘Bots.  And forget goofing off with Ratchet or Ultra Magnus.  Both of them had a stick shoved up their tailpipes so they never allowed my sibling and I to mess around when they had to get something done.  So, that left me with only one option, sneaking out.