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There was something… well not wrong with the Rookie per say, but definitely something off about him Bulkhead decided.
But Bulkhead couldn't figure out why. Smokescreen was his usual hyperactive, overeager, ready to help, self. Although right now, he stood quietly off in the corner by himself. But why did it irk Bulkhead so much whenever Smokescreen entered the room? It was like the kid sent off warning signals only Bulkhead could read.
Bulkhead’s thoughts shifted to when Wheeljack first arrived and it ended up being Makeshift tricking them. Bulkhead had sensed something was wrong then too. But that was immediate. This strange feeling around Smokescreen seemingly just arose.
Well no that wasn't true. Something had felt off about Smokescreen since after the battle of Darkmount when everyone regrouped and learned, albeit barely, about what happened to Optimus.
‘Did something happen to Smokescreen during then?’ Bulkhead thought absently.
He knew Smokescreen had gone back for Optimus and found the forge to heal him. As much was told by the pair when endlessly questioned by the team about Optimus’ new look. But no one really knew anything beyond Optimus was hurt and Smokescreen helped him. At least Bulkhead didn't. Although he couldn't say he was very close with the kid.
‘Something I'll have to fix, I suppose,’ Bulkhead mused to himself while Optimus relayed the strange energy reading that had been detected somewhere in Colorado.
“Is it a predacon bone?” Bulkhead asked, glancing at the signal flashing on the screen.
“That cannot be determined at this time. We will need to investigate further,” Optimus stated, turning around to face those in the room.
‘This could be my chance to talk with Smokescreen,’ Bulkhead thought to himself.
“Bulkhead, You and Arcee will-”
“Actually Optimus, could you pair me with Smokescreen?”
At the questioning look Optimus gave him, Bulkhead faltered slightly.
“It's just, uh- Well he hasn't had much field experience outside of battles! Uh, Sir.”
Bulkhead hoped that was a believable enough reason for Optimus to send Smokescreen with him. And apparently it was as Optimus nodded, and called Smokescreen over.
As Optimus explained the mission to Smokescreen, Bulkhead noticed Ratchet standing near where Smokescreen was looking ready to argue with Optimus.
‘Odd. Usually Ratchet is looking for any excuse to rid the base Smokescreen and the kids so he can get some quiet,' Bulkhead mused while the groundbridge spun to life.
While Bulkhead was focused on Ratchet, he missed the look Arcee sent Smokescreen when he didn't protest about being sent on an “easy” mission.
‘It's probably nothing,’ Bulkhead decided while he and Smokescreen stepped through the bridge, sending them towards their task at hand.
<•><•><•><•>
They had been walking for some time now, the signal steadily getting weaker the deeper they went. While unusual, it could happen sometimes so Bulkhead didn't find it too concerning.
What was concerning however, was the fact that Smokescreen hadn't said a word the whole time except for an affirmative he gave Bulkhead when they first entered the cave. Unless being quiet was required, Smokescreen was almost always talking and taking up space.
It was a quality that had initially made Bulkhead dislike the rookie. Worsened by the fact that Smokescreen joined the team when Bulkhead was still injured, his cocky, bright attitude made Bulkhead believe that Smokescreen was the exact opposite of what the team needed then.
But Smokescreen had proved himself again and again, showing Bulkhead and the others that he was useful to the team. Even when it got rough, Smokescreen still focused on being positive. He was a beacon of good that Bulkhead honestly thought hadn't existed for a long time. Not since the later days of the war anyway.
Though even Smokescreen seemed dimmer lately, keeping to himself and not interacting with anyone unless it was necessary. Now was the best chance Bulkhead had at getting the kid to talk to him and possibly open up again. Bulkhead would never admit this to anyone, but he missed the brightness Smokescreen brought by just being himself.
“Hey, Smokey, I've been meaning to ask but.. Are you doing alright?” Bulkhead asked, watching the bot next to him with a careful eye.
“Yea, of course, big guy! I have no reason not to be! Why?” Smokescreen answered in his usual bright way.
To anyone else, it would seem that Smokescreen was telling the truth. But Bulkhead wasn't anyone else. He had seen the change in the kid's personality and he was determined to figure out why.
“It's just… I don't know, you just seem quieter lately. I wanted to make sure you were OK, especially after Darkmount.”
Smokescreen scoffed then as he turned around to face Bulkhead, walking backwards into the cavern.
“Oh you mean the coolest battle ever? Where Optimus came barreling in with his new form and kicked the cons back into whatever hole they crawled out of?”
Bulkhead had to stop for a moment when Smokescreen leapt into a fighting stance in front of him. The familiar sight made Bulkhead smile slightly before focusing back on the scanner, Smokescreen spinning back around to walk next to him as he did.
“After something as cool as that, who wouldn't be ok?” Smokescreen proclaimed brightly.
‘Maybe I'm just overthinking it. If something was wrong Smokescreen would say so, the kid had to know that by now.’ Bulkhead thought while studying the new direction the scanner sent them in.
“Whatever you say, Rookie.”
Finally, after walking one direction for a while, the duo turned into a large cavern. Seeing the signal beep faster, Bulkhead stepped forward but stopped when he realized Smokescreen wasn't following him.
Looking up to question the kid, Bulkhead didn't even get a chance to open his mouth before Smokescreen was yanking his wrist suddenly. Startled, Bulkhead dropped the scanner while trying to keep up with the kid speeding out of the cavern as fast as he could.
Smokescreen had barely reached the entrance to the cavern when Bulkhead felt a concussive shockwave hit his back and sent him flying forward. Over the deafening sound of the explosion, Bulkhead hears the telltale sign of a cave-in. Everything goes black before he hits the ground.
<•><•><•><•>
Bulkhead groaned as he woke up on his stomach to a splitting helm-ache and pain radiating from his back.
Glancing up, Bulkhead took a couple of seconds to adjust to the small, dusty space they were in before looking around trying to spot Smokescreen. When his optics finally adjusted to the darkness, Bulkhead spotted the rookie in front of him.
There, Smokescreen lay on his back, optics closed and a small cut of energon bleeding down his helm. While Bulkhead took the brunt of the explosion, it looked like the kid took the brunt of the collapse.
A large rock had landed on Smokescreen’s lower half, leaving just the upper part of his chassis, head and arm exposed. Bulkhead didn't think there was any major damage, but it was hard to tell from his position. Lucky for him, the rocks fell in a way that Bulkhead wasn't injured beyond some scrapes and dents, just stuck. But that also meant he wouldn't be able to get the two of them out.
Before anything though, Bulkhead had to make sure Smokescreen was alright. Reaching his arm out, albeit with some difficulty, Bulkhead was able to grasp Smokescreen’s shoulder.
Giving it a light shake, Bulkhead waited a few seconds for a response. When he received nothing, Bulkhead shook Smokescreen’s shoulder harder, calling out his name as he did.
Bulkhead was about to try a third time when suddenly Smokescreen sputtered out a staticky cough and blearily opened his optics.
However, before Bulkhead could say anything, Smokescreen’s optics opened wide in panic and he began thrashing against the boulder, pinning him down.
Alarmed, Bulkhead tried calling out to the kid to get them to stop.
“Smokescreen!” No response.
“Smokescreen, stop! You're alright, you're fine!” Bulkhead tried to no avail.
“I'm not fine! I have to get to Optimus! I have to make sure he's ok!” Smokescreen gritted out as he continued to thrash about.
Bulkhead was going to ask Smokescreen what he meant when he heard Smokescreen’s panicked breaths. The kid was breathing way too fast to be anywhere near the realm of healthy. Bulkhead might not be a medic, but he did know that improper circulation could lead to serious problems. Problems he had no way of dealing with currently.
Pushing all that aside, Bulkhead focused on the rookie in front of him. Smokescreen had this distant look in his optics, which told Bulkhead getting through to him would be difficult. Caught in his observations, Bulkhead hadn't realized Smokescreen was talking until his voice grew louder.
“Get out! C'mon get out! You can't stay here! You can't let Optimus die here! Just do your job and GET OUT!”
The last bit came out as a shout that caught Bulkhead off guard. Bulkhead couldn't dwell on it long though as the kid's breaths started getting raspier as he was still unable to move from where he was pinned.
“You have to- …Get out. It'll be your- … Fault if they die, so … Just. Get. OUT!” Smokescreen gasped out as his strength started dwindling.
Despite Smokescreen growing weaker, Bulkhead knew his panic wouldn't subside. Bulkhead needed to reach the kid wherever he was but he didn't know how to. He just had to get the kid to listen to him.
Reaching out again, Bulkhead rested his hand on Smokescreen’s shoulder, causing the bot to jolt.
“Smokescreen, look at me, I know you can,” Bulkhead urged gently.
“I can't.. I have to-”
“Get out. I know. But you can't do that alone. We have to work together ok? I promise, we'll get out of here, together.”
Bulkhead’s words seemed to get through to Smokescreen because the kid finally looked over at him. Bulkhead could see unshed tears in Smokescreen’s optics, swirling alongside untamed fear.
“Before we get out of here, I need you to calm down. Can you take a deep breath with me? Just follow me.”
Bulkhead coached gently, taking deep breaths so Smokescreen could follow along. Slowly, Smokescreen was able to copy Bulkhead and even out his breathing, Bulkhead praising him each time he succeeded. Bulkhead watched as Smokescreen took a couple more steadying breaths before opening his optics again.
“You back with me Smokey?”
Smokescreen nodded, looking at the space around them, trying to find an easy way out.
“How do you suppose we get out of here? None of these rocks are particularly small” Smokescreen joked, giving Bulkhead a small, wry smile.
If Smokescreen thought he could avoid talking about what happened by acting like his old self, he clearly underestimated Bulkhead. For now, he would focus on getting them out.
“Can you move your legs at all?”
Bulkhead watched while Smokescreen struggled for a moment before he let out a triumphant shout.
“Yes! I think I can shift enough to get this rock off of me-”
“Wait! That rock is also supporting the one on my back and preventing it from crushing me. If you move it, it could shift further onto me,” Bulkhead stated, scrutinizing the rock above him.
“What do you suggest?”
Bulkhead thought for a moment before looking at the rock. Stumped, he grumbled to himself.
“What if- … no that wouldn't work,” Smokescreen muttered to himself.
“No, what is it? Any idea could help us,” Bulkhead asked.
“What if we lift at the same time? If we can move this rock off, the others should just fall away.”
“That.. Might just work, great idea Smokey!”
“Wait, really?”
“Yea, c'mon, let's try it. On the count of three,”
Bulkhead moved his arm from Smokescreen’s shoulder and braced it under him while Smokescreen shifted himself into a better position.
“One.. Two.. Three!”
Together they pushed against the rock, using all the strength they had. After a few terse seconds, Bulkhead felt the rock lift slightly, relieving the pressure on him.
“Keep pushing, we've almost got it!”
With a final push of strength, Bulkhead raised himself and turned so the rock fell away from them. With the biggest rock off of them, the two could easily get out.
Sitting up, Bulkhead took a second to catch his breath. Simultaneously, he watched Smokescreen, checking him for any injuries.
There was a long gash extending down from Smokescreen’s right knee joint that was bleeding slightly. Not enough to cause concern but something that would have to be treated once they got back to base.
With a final sigh, Bulkhead heaved himself up, testing his legs before offering Smokescreen a hand. Carefully, Smokescreen pulled himself up, with Bulkhead’s help, testing to see if his leg could handle his weight. With a grunt, Smokescreen was successful in putting weight on his leg but Bulkhead hovered close just in case.
Taking a look at their surroundings, Bulkhead realized the explosion took out most of the cave, making traversing out difficult. Together, the two worked their way through the rocks in their path, going slow so as to not slip.
<•><•><•><•>
They had been working through the cave back to the entrance for a while when Bulkhead decided to ask Smokescreen about what happened.
“Hey Smokescreen,”
“Hm?”
“What were you thinking about back under those rocks? You kept mentioning Optimus.”
Bulkhead figured skirting around the question wasn't going to help either of them. Right out with it was the only option he had.
Bulkhead saw Smokescreen freeze for a second before continuing forward, his plating clamping tightly around him.
“Why do you want to know.” Smokescreen said coldly, walking ahead of Bulkhead.
The change in tone caught Bulkhead off guard. Why was Smokescreen so defensive about it?
“Well because I care about you and-”
“Yea, well maybe you shouldn't.”
“OK stop.” Bulkhead said sternly, causing Smokescreen to stop in front of him, still facing away.
“You're my teammate and my friend. I'm going to care about you whether you like it or not, Smokescreen. So quit it and talk to me.”
For a moment, Bulkhead thought Smokescreen would relent. Instead the kid whipped around to face Bulkhead, pointing an accusatory digit at Bulkhead’s chassis. “You don't get to demand answers from me by claiming you're my friend. I'm fine, so drop it.”
“No I won't! Not when it affects you in the field.”
Bulkhead knew he shouldn't have snapped at the kid after he just had a panic attack but he was getting on his nerves.
The annoyance in Smokescreen’s eyes turned to anger very quickly at that.
“What do you know about my performance?! I have been through the pits and back and I have still done the best I possibly could with nothing!” Smokescreen spat.
“I could have judged your capabilities when you were injured but I didn't! Because I knew you were capable! If you can't extend that respect to me, then you don't really care! You just claim you do to feel better about yourself!”
Smokescreen was heaving at the end of his triad, his anger dying down but not leaving.
“Do us both a favor and stop pretending to care. It'll save us both in the end.”
With that Smokescreen turned around and continued heading to the exit, noticeably limping now.
Bulkhead wanted to be angry at Smokescreen but he was mostly confused. What did the kid mean by he had been to the pits and back or he didn't have anything at his side? As far as Bulkhead knew, Smokescreen had barely made it out of training and into an assignment before he was captured by deception forces and then sent into cryo-sleep for billions of years.
Noticing Smokescreen was no longer in sight, Bulkhead shook himself out of his confusion and hurried after him.
When Bulkhead reached the entrance of the cave, he found Smokescreen leaning against a boulder nearby. Bulkhead was surprised, he had honestly thought Smokescreen would leave without him in anger. So Bulkhead questioned as much.
“You're still here?”
At the sound of Bulkhead’s voice, Smokescreen looked up before comming for a bridge, going back to ignoring Bulkhead right after.
Bulkhead wanted to question the kid again and assure him that he did care. But before he could, a groundbridge opened before them and Smokescreen stepped through.
‘There goes my chance to get him to talk,’ Bulkhead lamented to himself as he followed Smokescreen through.
Even if Smokescreen wouldn't talk to him, Bulkhead had his answer now. Something was wrong with the kid and he would be damned if he ignored any longer.