Archive of Our Own ^beta

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Ironhide's body online slowly as his system try to work themselves out of stasis. The old mech stood up body creaking due to a long time without moving.

His hand quickly moved and felt over his carrier hold his spark prodding at the bond to make sure the other had survived the journey. A tired poke from the other's spark let Ironhide release a sigh of relief, before turning to the other stasis pods of his crew.

It was Kup who had awaken next the older bot got up much more slower and Ironhide went to help his sire up. "No need to help 'Hide" Kup mumbled as he worked another stiff joint out his body, "go check on the others", Ironhide nodded but still grumbled, "stubborn mech" under his voice ad he went to go help First Aid.

"Where did we land Ironhide" First Aid asked as he looked around wearily. Ironhide shook his head, "I don't know exactly where we land but it's some planet called Earth. Everything points to Optimus being here but finding him may be a challenge we'll probably need help from the locals on this planet." He explained

"There should be a small military set up that the beings called humans are taking shelter in we should try to make contact with them; it will help." Ironhide said though there was a underlying uncertainty in his voice. First Aid nodded in a agreement and quickly changed the subject with a question, "how is he doing Ironhide?" Ironhide checked his bond again before answering, "he's alright, he's recharging but he will wake up soon."

"So bots' what's going on?" Came an excited voice came from the red and orange bot who was standing next to Kup and a tall silver flier. "We're going to contact the humans to see if we can seek shelter and alliance to help us find Optimus and the others." Ironhide stated he looked over at red and orange mech, "Hot Rod I want you to make first contact you are the least threatening of all of us but don't worry we'll be right behind you just incase anything goes wrong", he ordered as he set up the signal to gain the humans attention.

Will and Epps looked at the signal just sent to their troop in shock. Epps looked over at Will, "please tell me this is just some damn prank man", Will couldn't bring himself to take his eyes off the screen until a voice from another person shouted in shock. His eyes shot up to see a 16ft tall robot colored red and orange.

"Everyone keep aim on that robot!" Will ordered never taking his eyes off the alien. This was not how he was expecting his day to go and he may die, who knows what this alien is capable of.

Hot Rod put his servos up and spoke his a relatively calm voice, "relax I'm not here to hurt you. I am Hot Rod scout and warrior of my crew we we're casted off of our dying planet and was separated from the rest of our teams." He paused to look at Will then to all the other humans, "we were being hunted by Decepticons, an army ran by Megatron he destroyed our planet with war and killed so many innocents wr believe he may be here so we'd like to form an alliance with you humans."

"An... alliance? You want to form an alliance with us?" Will asked but before Hot Rod could answer Epps butted in, "you said 'crew' is there more of yall here?"

Hot Rod inhaled before answering, "yes we would like an alliance, you humans seems like capable being and we'd wish to share with your resources. To answer the other one's question yes there are more of us here, to be honest there's probably a lot more on this planet but there are only five with me at the moment, they sent me in because I am one of the smallest in the crew."

Will still felt skeptical about this but asked, "can we meet the other,s just so we know what we're dealing with?" Hot Rod nodded and quickly went to comm the others,"okay they should be coming in a moment, they are all a bit different from me." He stated excitedly

Ironhide came first followed by Kup, First Aid, and Silverbolt. Will looked on confused Hot Rod said there had been five more with him but there was only four more of them. Ironhide bent down to be more leveled with the humans but still Will and Epps felt intimated by the look of this mech; he was covered in scars and had two cannons on his arms he looked like a though opponent.

"Hello my designation is Ironhide I am the Third in command for the Autobots. As Hot Rod has mentioned my team is seeking shelter and alliance as we have no where else to go. We are on a mission to stop the Decepticons and find our leader Optimus Prime. We can only ask for your assistance We will not force anything upon you."

Will pondered on this for just a moment before sighing and meeting Ironhide's optics, "I think we can work something out," ignoring Epps shout of, "are you crazy!" Will continued on, "we'll contact over higher ups and see what we can do but first I need to ask something. Hot Rod said there were five more of you but I only see four, where's the fifth one?"

Ironhide looked shifted before he turned and glared at Hot Rod who shrunk back, "mech it wasn't my fault I didn't know you didn't want me to say anything about him yet!" He stammered. Ironhide facepalmed and shook his head, "I work with an idiot," the then turned his attention back to Will, "yes there is one more of us but he is very different from the rest of us," his carrying hold open and he pulled out a very small yellow and black armoured bot. Said bot shifted and grumbling sat up in Ironhide's palm. Ironhide held him in a way that shielded the little bot from the humans weapons.

"This is Bumblebee," Ironhide said with a smile Bumblebee cooed and squirmed in his palm.

Will and Epps taking in the sight if the baby robot quickly knew that they were in for one hell of lifetime.

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It had been 7 months since N.E.S.T was formed. They kept tabs on any Decepticon activity and energon signals.

Ironhide kept up his own mission of trying to find Optimus but it never brought any results.

It had taken a while for the humans to actually see Bumblebee as the small crew of Autobots did not trust them and Ironhide never really brought Bumblebee around them. But soon a small playpen was set up for the sparkling in the main room. It was spacious and filled with baby toys.

Right now Ironhide sat near the playpen reading a report Hot Rod gave him. He would occasionally pause to check on his sparkling, smiling as Bumblebee squealed and giggled everytime Ironhide would look at him.

"Hey Ironhide! And hello to you too Bee," Will greeted as he walked up to them. Bumblebee babbled back at Will.

"Hey Will, anything new happening?" Ironhide asked

Will averted his gaze, he did have news but none of it was good judging how Silverbolt and Kup reacted. Dread instantly filled Ironhide at Will's reaction, "nothing good I see" Ironhide deadpanned.

Bumblebee, catching on to his sire's dread let out a chirp and reached for Ironhide. "Come here Bumble," Ironhide soothed as he picked up the sparkling and held him over the armour that covers his spark. He looked intently at Will, "tell me everything."

Will nodded hesitantly, "while Silverbolt and Kup were patrolling they came across something concerning. They came across a signal of a con known as Shockwave talking about how he's figured out that there are more Autobots and," Will paused before continuing, "they got word that he knows about Bumblebee"

"They wanted to let you know but since we still haven't gotten long range communications up and running they told Epps to call me instead." Ironhide let out a snarl holding his sparkling closer to him. "Does he know where our base is?" He asked as he stood up from the playpen and walked towards the computer system. "No he doesn't based on what Epps said but still it would be good to amp up the security here" Ironhide nodded but didn't say anything else.

Soon Kup and Silverbolt came into the hangar. "Ironhide," Kup started, but Ironhide was quick to cut him off, "I heard. I hate it and I hate that he knows but there's not much we can do about that now but make sure he doesn't get his servors on Bumblebee.", He turned to the two mechs, "so what exactly did you hear Shockwave say?" He questioned.

"He was talking to someone, mostly Megatron based on the way he was wording things," Kup said, "he mentioned how he found out there was a living sparkling and how they should figure out where he is to make us suffer." Kup let out a growl when he finished that sentence, the thought of his grandson being in any danger making him angry.

Ironhide nodded but didn't reply, his attention turned towards his sparkling who had slipped into recharge while being held, unaware of the possible danger he was in. Ironhide would try his hardest to not let the cons get anywhere near his sparkling. And if they did he would make sure they would regret ever hurting his family.

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Megatron stared at the screen with interest, going over the information that Shockwave had given him.

A sparkling? Now that was something he was never expecting to hear again ever since he commanded the youth sector attack. He made sure none of those sparklings survived. This one though, no, this one was not born before the youth sectors attack; if they were they would have been a youngling, not a sparkling.

Well, it was nothing to dwell on now. He'll just have to get rid of this one like all the others.

"Soundwave!" Megatron called, the tall mech approached with a nod, " I need you to send Laserbeak to go scope out this new Autobot hideout", he took a quick pause to glance back at the screen of information, "find out a way to get that sparkling."

Soundwave nodded curtly and sent out Laserbeak. Then Laserbeak shot out of the Decepticons base to find the new Autobots base. It took several hours of tracking but soon Laserbeak found what they were looking for and cloaked their spark signature so they could break in through a vent.

Their target was currently being held in the arms of Ironhide while the black armoured mech conversed with Kup. Laserbeak tuned in to record what they were talking about.

"I just don't know what to do, these energon signal detectors are faulty at best. There isn't much we can do to improve security without the right equipment." Ironhide said frustration evident in his voice. Kup could only sigh, "I honestly don't know what to do son. It would've been useful if Jazz and Prowl could've come with us but they couldn't." Kup took a pause before continuing, "there aren't many of us but we make do with what we have and you know that." Ironhide glanced at his sire, "I know I just hope nothing goes horribly wrong for his sake, for everyone's sake."

Laserbeak sent the recording they gathered to the Decepticon base as they flew out of the vent they were in. And as they made their way back Megatron was going over the information Laserbeak sent.

'This will be perfect. They're practically defenseless. Getting rid of them Will be easy,' Megatron thought as he reviewed the feed.

Megatron soon gathered a fleet of Decepticons, "We have recently been informed of a few Autobots hiding out and they have precious cargo with them. We are to go to their base attack with force and take all their information and the cargo. We will destroy anyone who stands in our way." Megatron ordered.

This was all going to plan.

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It was a quiet day at N.E.S.T., which was probably why most of the Autobots were stressed. A quiet day never meant good most of the time.

Ironhide and Kup were at the computer checking over the security systems and looking for any Decepticon activity, Silverbolt had left for patrol but should be returning soon, First Aid was in the Medbay doing who knows what, and Hot Rod was sitting with Bumblebee entertaining the sparkling.

"Whatcha doing lil' Bee?" Hot Rod asked playfully as the sparkling laughed in amusement.

The sparkling had been quiet for the last few days picking up the stress and anxiety from the older bots. It made them all feel relieved that he was starting to calm down and go back to his cheerful self again.

"Hey Silverbolt! Hey Will!", Hot Rod greeted as they came into the main hangar, "hey Hot Rod" Will greeted back as Silverbolt nodded in greeting and made his way over to Ironhide and Kup.

"Anything happen on your patrol Silver?" Kup asked as he turned to face the flier mech.

"Not much sir, I have not seen any Decepticons buy I think-", Silverbolt never got to finish his sentence as a large explosion shook the base. Bumblebee from where he was in the playpen started crying and tried to get himself closer to Ironhide. Ironhide quickly came over and scooped up his sparkling, "how did they find us!" He demanded angrily.

Hot Rod's optics widened with realization, "they're using spark dampers Hide!" He yelled over the explosions. Ironhide wanted to beat these Decepticons down but before he did he turned to Hot Rod and handed him Bumblebee.

The sparkling started to cry and wriggled for Ironhide. Ironhide sent a pulse of comfort and reassurance through their bond. He looked at Hot Rod, "take him and hide him. Don't not leave him alone, am I clear." He ordered Hot Rod nodded wordless and went to go and hide.

Ironhide turned his focus on the attacking drones taking them down with a ruthless fury. He glanced around to see the rest of his team, even the humans fighting the other drones. Ironhide felt like something was off while he fought but couldn't place it.

Once all the Decepticons were taken care of Ironhide looked over his team. Not many seem to be injured and First Aid immediately started patching up Silverbolt who was the most injured amongst them.

Kup walked over to him, "that was too easy of a fight." He pointed out and just as Ironhide was about to say something about that statement a sudden burst of pain and fear went through the bond he shared with Bumblebee.

Ironhide staggered back and clutched at his spark, "BUMBLEBEE!" He roared as he transformed and shot off in the direction he knew his son was, Kup and the rest of the team following from behind.

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Ironhide pushed himself far past his limits; his spark was racing for his child and he swore on everything that no Decepticon would get their filthy servos on him. The rest of the team, including some of the human members, followed him closely behind as they all also held Bumblebee dear to them.

His spark bond to Bumblebee was haywire, the sparkling not old enough to know how to control it when stressed. Ironhide sent a pulse of reassurance to Bumblebee to try and calm him down. It worked a little bit and Ironhide turned his focus on getting to Bumblebee.

But soon he felt the bond getting fainter, not like dying but like his sparkling was getting out of range of him until he could only feel the presence of his sparkling still being alive but not anywhere near. As they approached they saw a badly injured Hot Rod, "Hot Rod are you alright?" Ironhide asked with worry in his voice. Hot Rod nodded and tried to stand up but ended up needing support from First Aid, "I'm sorry Ironhide I tried to stop them mech, but they outnumbered me. They took him Ironhide, they took Bumblebee." Ironhide felt his spark constrict his em field closing up in fear he tried not to show it in his expression though.

Kup felt his creations' fear though and looked over at him with the same anger and desperation that reflected Ironhide's so much. "We'll get him back, Ironhide. We'll make those cons regret ever laying a servo on him." Kup said as he laid a hand on Ironhide's shoulder. Ironhide nodded before helping First Aid get Hot Rod to the medbay while there he finally noticed that Lennox and Epps had followed them there Ironhide knew they both had young children of their own and probably felt the grief he was currently feeling as they were both also close to Bumblebee.

"We'll find him, we can use any resources we have to track those cons and get Bee back" Lennox stated, he knew they would have to try their hardest because the Autobots had done so much for them and it's only best to return the favour and help. Ironhide gave the two humans a grateful look before replying, "thank you all of you. Bumblebee is special to me, especially since I've lost my sparkmate and almost lost him on the same day I lost her." Ironhide sighed as he thought back to that day he'd almost lost his whole family.

Ironhide raced through the destroyed base panic enveloping his spark. "Chromia! Chromia!" He called out as his sparkmate had been in the base due to the fact that she was carrying, Ironhide had been out on a mission before the Decepticons that were still on Cybertron attacked the base. First Aid followed quickly behind as Ironhide tore through fallen debris and flames. They had gotten out most survivors and the injured were being tended to by the other medics but Ironhide's only concern was his sparkmate and unborn sparkling.

Soon they both found who they were looking for, Chromia was pinned under a giant beam and couldn't move. Ironhide quickly went over to his mate and heaved the beam off of her. She coughed up smoke and energon before looking Ironhide in the optics, "Ironhide I'm not going to last much longer," she said weakly and Ironhide knew this he could feel her spark fading, but still he picked her up and held her close, "no you aren't you and out sparkling are going to live," he said.

Chromia gave him a sad smile as she put her servo over her spark. Their sparkling was so close to being born so she decided to give them a chance to live. Her optic flickered as she looked back at her sparkmate, "Ironhide save our sparkling. They're the only thing that matters more now. It's too late for me but you can still save them," her optic flickered once more before finally fading out. Ironhide let out a roar as he felt the bond he had with Chromia shatter and then he started to feel the bond that he had with his sparkling start to fade. First Aid went to help Ironhide but Ironhide put his servo out to stop him when First Aid gave a confused glance Ironhide ordered, "save my sparkling. Do not worry about me, just save my sparkling."

It had taken hours but soon First Aid approached Ironhide, who was getting treated by Utopia an Autobot medic, First Aid was holding something small in his arms and as he reached Ironhide he said, "congratulations, it's a mech" he handed the small yellow and black sparkling to Ironhide.

Ironhide stared at his sparkling lovingly and knew just what to say to him, "hello Bumblebee my love. You're so perfect and I swear I will not let anything happen to you" Bumblebee cooed in response as Ironhide held him close.

Now Ironhide felt as if he had broken his promise to his son. He swore nothing would happen and just like with his mate it took him not being there for something to happen.

He was going to find his son not matter what.

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Optimus stared at the screen that showed Decepticon activity and couldn't help feeling a sense of dread when it showed that they had reappeared in Nevada. "Ratchet I fear the Decepticons may be up to something. They have just returned on the radar after leaving for three days." Ratchet nodded in agreement but it was Smokescreen who spoke up, "Honestly I think they got their hands on a new relic, I mean they leave for three days and come back that's suspicious."

"Whatever they're planning though we'll stop it" Arcee chimed in after she had entered the base with Jack. "The cons got a new weapon?" Jack asked, Optimus shook his head, "we are unsure but it may be the case".

But Optimus could help that nagging voice in his spark that said it was something different from a weapon.

Back on the Decepticons ship Soundwave held the tiny sparkling in their servos. The sparkling had finally stopped screaming, his young body losing the fight to a much needed recharge. Soundwave was curious on what their leader had planned for the child but decided not to question it yet. The sparkling shuddered in his recharge, his optics instantly open as he scrambled out of Soundwave's grip.

Soundwave immediately tightened their grip on the sparkling and the sparkling stopped struggle but refused to look at the bot holding him. He wanted Ironhide but he didn't know where his sire was and none of these bots were being gentle with him. Bumblebee shrunk back as much as he could into the tall purple bots servos as the equally large grey bot looked over him.

"Take him to Shockwave." Was the simple command the grey mech said and the purple bot nodded and turned to walk down a dim corridor. Once they reached the end of the corridor Soundwave knocked on the door. Soon a giant one eyed purple mech opened the door revealing the lab inside. Once the mech, Shockwave, caught sight of the sparkling cowering in Soundwave's servo he quickly, and roughly yank hold of him, ignoring the sparkling's cries of protest at the harsh grabbing.

"You are some interesting freak of nature. Your very existence is wrong." Shockwave told the sparkling as he strapped him down to a medical berth. "I'm going to use you as my newest experiment. You'll be experiment B-127." Bumblebee wriggled against the restraints but it was no use. He was too small and young to break free, this new bot was hurting him a lot! He wanted out! But this mech was ignoring all his crying and wriggling.

"We'll start with those doorwings of yours. Honestly perplexed on how you gained them, though you may have gotten them from a grand-creator." Shockwave gave a harsh yank on one of the tiny doorwings causing it to crack and Bumblebee started crying more loudly. This sparkling was going to make the perfect experiment.

Days later in Nevada at the Autobots base Optimus still couldn't brush off that feeling in his spark that had emerged with the Nemesis returned. He gathered his team to discuss it. "As you all have known by now the Decepticons have recently returned after being gone for three days. It's assumed they may have a new weapon or relic." He paused briefly to look over his team, "Arcee, Smokescreen I want you two to sneak in and see if you can find out what the Decepticons are planning. Do not engage with them if possible. Call us for backup if things go arwy" Both Arcee and Smokescreen nodded before Ratchet opened the groundbridge located near the Nemesis.

As Optimus watched them leave he hoped they could find out what the Decepticons were hiding.

He hoped it was nothing bad.

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Ironhide paced around the medbay, it had been days and there were still no updates on the Decepticons whereabouts or Bumblebee. He could still feel his sparkling's bond but it was too far out to track it and he couldn't feel him as strongly as he could if he were nearby. Sometimes though, he would feel the smallest prick in his spark and he would start to worry, that prick could mean anything, his sparkling was in pain and here he was helpless to stop it.

Hot Rod was still in the medbay for his injuries and was staying uncharacteristically silent. He had tried to apologize earlier but Ironhide stopped him and told him it's not his fault and he doesn't need to apologize. Even though the mech wanted to be mad he couldn't blame the brightly coloured mech since he was practically his little brother, due to Kup adopting him eons back. Ironhide finally stopped pacing and rested his servos on the medical berth Hot Rod was laying on. "Days, it's been days and there still aren't any leads! My sparkling's in pain and yet we cannot find out where those pit-spawned cons went!" He snarled his anger and helplessness building up tremendously which was no help with him in the small medbay because he needed to check on Hot Rod.

Not too long into his pacing Silverbolt rushed into the already small medbay, "Ironhide we found something!", Silverbolt handed him a datapad, " we found Decepticon activity in a place called Jasper, Nevada. We think that may be where they took Bumblebee." Ironhide looked at the datapad, it was a human article about ‘alien sightings’ it showed very blurry photos but Ironhide could make out the forms of Decepticon vechicons and one of Knockout. “Primus, are we sure? We have to be so sure because we don't know how much time we have before they do something…” Ironhide paused for a moment before continuing, “bad happens to my Bumblebee.” Silverbolt nodded, we're sure as this is the only place that shows any Decepticon activity.” Ironhide considered the fact and nodded, “okay we'll gather a force and set off there by tonight. Silverbolt go gather Kup and you're coming also,” he turned to regard Hot Rod and First Aid, “you two are staying here as you're still injured Hot Rod and we cannot leave the base unguarded.”

Later in the night a team was formed and they all boarded on Silverbolt. It was quiet as all the human soldiers chosen to come were resting and Ironhide and Kup were mostly not speaking much. “Son? You worried?” Kup then questioned Ironhide hesitated for a moment, “Yeah I guess I am. I don't know what they're doing to him and I don't even want to think of the pain he's in. Bumblebee must be so scared without me there.” Kup considered his own son for a moment, “we'll get him back no matter what and you know that. Bumblebee means a lot to everyone, including some of the humans, so we're going to make sure the Decepticons regret ever laying optics on him.” Ironhide smiled remembering how excited both Chromia and his’ creators were when they had announced that Chromia was sparked. “Yeah we'll get him back” Ironhide finally responded he knew they'll get him back.

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“Ironhide there's something I need to tell you,” Ironhide looked up at his beloved sparkmate, “Yeah Mia?” He asked as he pulled her closer to him. “I went to see Ratchet today,” she took a quick pause,” Turns out I've sparked.” Ironhide was stunned for just a moment, “really? We're going to have a sparkling?” He asked in shock, Chromia just nodded back in reply. “That's wonderful Mia!” he said as he pulled her into a hug. 

The first bots they had ever told about their upcoming addition to their family were their creators, Optimus, Elita, and Arcee. Everyone was so excited to hear the news Elita hugged her sister and congratulated the both of them. Their family helped a lot to get ready for the new sparkling. And once word got around the Autobots’ base that they were having a sparkling everyone was ecstatic. Ever since the youth sector attacks,  no one has seen a sparkling in such a long time and all the Autobots were happy that a sparkling was finally being born after so long. 

Life for Ironhide and Chromia though did not stay positive for long following the death of Elita and Ironhide's carrier. Ironhide sat by Chromia's side while they were in the medbay for a check up due to the sibling bond of Elita and Chromia being broken and wanting to make sure that their sparkling would be alright. Utopia came over to them and in a quiet, calm voice informed them, “ Everything with the sparkling is fine and they are absolutely healthy and safe. I suggest you take it easy so as to not stress yourself or your sparkling out Mia. And I'm so sorry for your loss.” She then turned towards the spark monitor to make sure Chromia spark was reacting well to the treatment before going off to tend to other patients.

Ironhide gripped his sparkmate’s hand and turned to look at her. Chromia's expression was unreadable but Ironhide knew she was hurting as she let the emotions she was feeling flow through their shared bond. After a long moment of just sitting together Chromia finally spoke, “What's going to happen to us?” Ironhide, taken aback, asked in reply, “what do you mean Mia?” Chromia let in a deep breath before continuing off her earlier question, “with the way the war is going and us having a little one on the way, what's going to happen to us? What if the fighting gets too close. I just lost my older sister and you lost your carrier, both Kup and Optimus just lost their sparkmates due to this war. I'm worried about our family Ironhide!” she took a pause, “ what if something happens to you or me, or Primus forbid our sparkling! I don't want to lose any more family than I already have!” Ironhide didn't reply right away but pulled her closer to him, “I don't know what will happen but, I'll try my damn hardest to make sure that everyone we love is safe. I can't promise but I'll try.” He reassured her.

Soon the Allspark was launched off of Cybertron and a lot of Autobots left the planet to go find it. Ironhide and Chromia were one of the few who decided to stay behind for the moment though, they both knew they would have to leave soon. Ironhide was helping Kup and Hot Rod on a mission to scavenge items they would need when they finally left Cybertron. “You okay there Hide?” Hot Rod asked after some silence. Ironhide looked up from where he was working and nodded, “yeah, I'm fine Roddy just thinking.” Hot Rod didn't seem all that convinced at Ironhide's answer but didn't want to push the oldermechs's buttons anymore so he decided not to press.

Kup, on the other hand, did decide to press further, “you know as well as I know that we can't stay here anymore. We were going to have to leave at some point.” Ironhide let out a huff, “I know that but this was our home. We should still be defending our home!” Before Kup could even muster up a reply, explosions sounded off near the base. Ironhide didn't waste any time transforming and booking it back to base hoping he could reach it in time.

The first few nights alone with Bumblebee were hard. Due to the loss of Chromia, the little sparkling was inconsolable. Utopia, having worked with sparklings and younglings for most of her life, had warned him of this and was trying to help the grieving sire in any way possible. Tonight Bumblebee was screeching and crying as Ironhide held him close and walked up and down a ruined hallway close to the medical center. “Shhh it's alright Bumblebee, everything's alright. I'm right here.” The sparkling hiccuped and nestled his helm in Ironhide's neck. Ironhide let out a small sigh of relief as he made his way back to the berth where he was resting with Bumblebee earlier. Kup had quietly entered the medical center and made his way over to Ironhide.

“How're you holding up son?” Kup asked, keeping his voice low as he eyed the recharging sparkling in Ironhide's arms. “It's been hard, the poor thing wouldn't recharge that much because even though he never truly got to meet her; he misses her. I miss her also, Primus I should've been faster…” Kup knew there wasn't much he could say to make Ironhide feel better so he just took a seat near Ironhide and let him have some silent company. Ironhide, grateful for his own Sire, looked back down at his son ,who was still recharging, and shifted the blanket wrapped around him so he wouldn't get too cold.

When Ironhide awoke from where he was recharging the first thing he did was check his bond with Bumblebee. It was stronger now; they were getting closer. He silently prayed to Primus that he would make it in time for his kid.

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The plane ride felt like an eternity as they finally made their way to Jasper, Nevada. Most of the team was conversing quietly amongst themselves. Soon Silverbolt's voice came over the intercom, “ I'm getting ready to land ‘Hide” he announced. Ironhide nodded, “Yeah you're good to land. Will already let the people at this base know that they're coming, though, we need to stay in alt mode ‘cause the humans here don't know ‘bout us. And once we get off Silverbolt we're going to need you to take off again and land at these coordinates so we can meet up with you.”

“Of course Ironhide.” Silverbolt replied as he landed on the catwalk down on the military base. As they exited, Will quickly approached the men and explained a rundown of their situation, not letting onto the fact that the one they were searching for was an alien child. While Will was discussing with the other humans the bots, minus Silverbolt who had taken off, had activated their holoforms. “If yall need any extra hands just let us know,” one of the soldiers said. Ironhide's holoform nodded, “thank you, we'll take your offer into consideration.” The small group then quickly departed the base to start their mission.

During the long drive the group made small talk with each other while they pinpointed a location to meet up with Silverbolt. “So what's our plan here ‘Hide?” Will asked, sitting inside of Ironhide’s alt mode. Ironhide paused for a moment, “not much of one but once we meet up with Silverbolt we're going to try and track down the ‘Cons exact area. Even though I can feel Bee a lot closer now I don’t know his exact location.”. Ironhide prodded at the bond again, Bumblebee wasn't in pain but it was clear to sense that he was terrified even too terrified to notice his sire's prodding at the bond. “I just hope we're not too late.”

“Soundwave I request you return my test subject to me.” Shockwave stated as he approached the slender purple mech who was cradling the screaming sparkling in one of his hands. Bumblebee was currently trying to free himself from his current captors hands but was too exhausted to make much progress. Soundwave shook his head; Shockwave snorted, “hiding it won't do you much good.” He then took his servo and attempted to quickly grab the sparkling but Soundwave pulled back. One of Shockwave's clawed fingertips did nick Bumblebee causing energon to flow out and Bumblebee to start crying. “I will get it back Soundwave” Shockwave sneered as he stormed off.

Bumblebee in the midst of crying noticed something. His sire. His sire was close! With a terrified pulse Bumblebee pushed his senses of the bond hoping his Sire could find him and bring him home. He really wanted to go home.