When All Lights Go Out I (TFP)

Chapter 21

After Bulkhead transformed, there was a sound of a clunk and Bulkhead opened his chassis, reaching inside and pulling out an electric guitar suitcase and speakers. "Sorry." Miko gave him an innocent expression as she took the guitar from him and Bulkhead placed the speakers down. "Must have left those in the backseat."

"I see you were dually informed about the issue with school," Arcee commented with a smile at Azura. "I hope you aren't too upset. We are personally concerned about the decepticons taking the files, but at least you are safe."

"It's a little convenient that it happened, but I'll be fine." Azura sighed with a deep sigh. "Besides, I might be able to do something else that I wasn't able to do." She looked at Optimus for a moment. "Maybe we can go for a drive."

"I am afraid that is out of the question for the time being, Azura." She gave him a pouty expression, making Optimus smile widen at her as her expression was very cute. "There is something that we must do." He turned away from her and looked at the other autobots. "Autobots, prepare to..." He paused for a moment, glancing down at the kids who were listening to him.

"Roll out?" Arcee questioned, finishing the sentence for him.

"Remain here." Optimus corrected, surprising the femme as he glanced over at the medic. "Ratchet, you'll come with me." He looked back at Arcee who was frowning unhappily. "Arcee, we'll be outside of communications range for some time. So I'm putting you in charge."

Azura glanced at Miko when she made a comment to Bulkhead about it, but she was focused on Arcee who seemed very unhappy about the arrangement. "Optimus, with all due respect, playing bodyguard is one thing. Baby sitting's another!" Jack sighed in irritation and walked away from Arcee, annoyed that he was referring to them as children. Azura, though, felt a little hurt that Arcee didn't want to stick around. It was feeding into her fear of being left alone, and she didn't like that there was some animosity already from Arcee. "Besides, Ratchet hasn't been in the field since the war."

"My pistons maybe rusty, but my hearing is sharp as ever!" Ratchet snapped back at the femme, slightly annoyed by the femme's comment.

Optimus simply responded to Arcee's frustration. "For the moment, it's only reconnaissance."

Arcee wasn't buying it as she placed her hands on her hips. "Then why do I hear an edge in your voice?"

"Arcee, much has changed in the last twenty-four hours," Optimus explained calmly to the femme. "And we all need to adapt. Especially now that the decepticons are actively looking for information about the children." He glanced at Azura and noticed Azura seemed troubled by something. "You are also best at keeping Azura company. She too is mourning." Arcee looked at the girl as she flinched when Optimus spoke of her. "Ratchet, bridge us out."

Ratchet pulled the lever of the bridge and activated it. He and Optimus proceeded towards the vortex, but not before Azura spoke up. "You will come back, won't you?" Optimus stopped and glanced back as her voice sounded so small and fearful that he was surprised. "You will...right?"

"Of course, we will be back," Ratchet responded affirmatively with a light hearted tone and a smile on his face. "You already know what we are investigating, Azura. Please understand it is necessary and not safe for you come along."

"Mmm...okay..." Azura placed her hand on her wrist and rubbed nervously. She watched as Ratchet and Optimus continued to walk, even though she wanted to follow them. Mostly because she didn't want to be left alone. She looked at Arcee when the two went through before looking down at Jack, who was looking at her curiously. "How did you guys find out about the school being closed?"

"Mom got a call just before she left for work," Jack responded with a shrug. "I was eating my breakfast at the time...kind of lucky, in a way. Now we are here." He looked up at Arcee. "Okay, chief, so uh, what's on the activities list?"