[ti]Ep 3[/ti]Moving Up [Closed]

[Optimus Prime]

Episode 3 | Week 3 | Day 5

There were many things that Optimus did not know nor understand about humanity.

There were just as many things he did not know nor understand about Miko.

The young human could not seem to keep herself out of trouble despite how many warnings or disappointed discussions she had with teachers, family, and Bulkhead alike. It was a bad habit that never seemed to relent, a constant presence where scheduled pickups were regularly shifting and deviating depending on how severely she had messed up that day. It made planning things mildly more problematic since she had preferred Bulkhead, yet Optimus could not have the mech on continuous standby waiting for the call to go retrieve her.

In contrast, trying to grab anyone who was available didn't always pan out either, since numerous of their ranks did not hold an applicable Alt-Mode. There certainly was no way that an aerial would be permitted to land anywhere within the city, let alone a school. What this all boiled down to, was the fact that Optimus needed to pick up the slack this time, much to Miko's dismay.

The drive there had been relatively peaceful. Trying to detach from the stressors of the base, trying to simply mentally shut down and let the road guide. There was the knowledge that this momentary silence would not last, Miko likely disrupting things, though there was a chance she may not try to force discussion with him at all, knowing that he wasn't the most talkative of souls. There was also the buffer of his disapproval of her getting detention.

Again.

Miko had seemed momentarily remorseful, as if she truly felt bad, yet Optimus wagered it most certainly was not remorse at what she had done, but rather the fact she had gotten caught. That was the catch. For as many times as she was confronted, just as many she likely got what she wanted behind the scenes. It would be a never-ending battle, and he did not have the energy to try to speak about the issue. So, he kept quiet, knowing that alone would do much. A silent discussion in its own right.

It may instill a fear he may pick her up sometimes after detention.

It likely wouldn't change anything however.

Whatever the case, Miko had been deposited at her house, and Optimus then made the drive back to their makeshift home here on Earth. As with his departure, he attempted to relax on the way back, laying out a plan for what he would do the rest of the day, while also considering the next course of actions for his Autobots as a whole. Occupying his mind made the drive pass by quickly, and as the great door that hid their base slid closed behind him, Optimus would transform.

Swiftly, the relatively quiet rolling of wheels transitioned to the heavy double impact footfalls of the large Cybertronian's peds. The noises echoed somewhat within the stone corridor, passively announcing his presence so that others would not transform and speed around the bend to the exterior. It was only a few fleeting moments before he would exit into the large Control Room, his gaze flicking over to the doorway to the Medical Bay a brief second, remembering who had once ruled it, and where they now were.

[Deleted]

Emerging from the medbay, Starfall placed a hand to her shoulder as she rolled the joint, trying to work some feeling back into it after having laid down for so long. Given her nature, it was hard for her to stay still for any long period of time other than to recharge, and her body agreed with her, the aches and protests of her mechanisms more than likely a symptom of her wartime modifications. Star was far from a bot of science, and even though it was her body that had been changed, she didn’t understand the extent to which her body had been altered beyond feelings, aches and oddities she had already gotten used to. And even then, it seemed bots of science didn’t understand much beyond that either. It made Starfall wonder just what had been done to her in the name of saving her life and making her stronger.

Her optics facing the floor as she continued to walk, Starfall moved to trying to exercise the other arm, stretching it across her chest as she walked. Relatively unaware of the world around her, she finally stopped in her tracks when she noticed the frame of another bot peering directly at her, or rather, the way she had came. From a cursory glance, the other bot was taller than Starfall was, something she didn’t find happening often. But that red and blue colour scheme looked familiar… and that’s when everything clicked. That, as it so happened, had to be Optimus Prime.

Quickly snapping out of her little stupor, her arm moved from across her chest and down to her side as she came to attention. Someone who’d read her file or been familiar with track record of disobeying orders might’ve found such an action strange for the femme, but anyone who knew Starfall well would’ve known she had no issue with authority, unlike more rebellious bots. No, her reckless tendencies were just that, going against the chain of command in the name of taking an action that she saw as necessary.

“Optimus Prime, sir!” she stated, and though not actually saluting him, her tone might as well have been one. It was at that moment that Starfall realized that she was a bot he’d never seen before, roaming around his base. And well, she liked to think that he at least found her intimidating. “My name is Starfall, touched down today. And ready to do my part in smashing the ‘cons.” The femme continued, her voice growing a little less formal and a little more eager as the thought of kicking tailpipe crossed her mind. “...Sir.”

[Optimus Prime]

Having already been focused on the doorway, Optimus noticed instantaneously the second it moved aside and was replaced by a yellow frame. At the most fleeting of cursory glance, it would be easy to quickly associate the color with Bumblebee. The tone was not commonly seen around any longer in Optimus’s experience, it a flash of color that had gotten to a point it had almost become a signature to the young mech. However, this was but a flickered thought and nothing more, as that was where the similarities were abruptly cut off and this newcomer made their own mark. This individual was a femme, much taller and sturdier, a brawler of sorts it appeared. Given the way she moved calmly and at ease, there was no question she was one of their own, one who must have just arrived and gotten their first check by Patch to get a record started.

It was surreal in a way, how every single day that passed could bring with it another soul. A sudden appearance abruptly throwing a new piece of a puzzle onto a table. The question was if said puzzle fit for the goal they sought, or if it was an oddity that would further muddle and confuse as things progressed.

Cyan optics watched how to femme carried herself, noting how she seemed distracted and in her own mind a moment... a few fractions of seconds passing... before she abruptly transitioned to a more formal state once evidently realizing she was not only not alone, but in the presence of the Prime.

While it was unneeded, the fact the femme stood at attention was appreciated. Further appreciation was then felt at the fact that she did not pair it with a salute. It showed formality without falling too militaristic. He had loosened this rope because it had worked for him and his team in the recent past when they first arrived to Earth, though he was questioning if this preference would need to be changed with the attitudes of many on base. It was a consideration for another time however. Whatever the case, his own frame would settle, noting that whatever plans he may have had, would no longer be valid.

"Welcome to Omega One, Starfall."

Earnest, not a hollow greeting. While Optimus was under a good deal of stress, and he was not one to seek social interactions even on the best of days, he was not going to simply address and then walk away. He wanted to know what he could from this newcomer, for knowing their capabilities and proposed skills through a report, was a hollow shell of knowledge versus knowing how they thought and carried themselves. There was also the possibility of information being brought long distances that could be valid for the war as a whole, something better known now rather than later. As such, he was paying attention carefully, having already noticed her more direct want to simply bash and go.

"I trust you have been informed of our standing on this world?"

Optimus needed to get a baseline of what was happening here. Starfall could be so new she didn't even know this world had other lifeforms on it, or she may have already been caught up to speed and was just returning to her modest room to try to rest after the trip. The scale was rather broad, and so he said no further, trying to let her fill the blanks herself.

What came next depended entirely on what her response would be.

[Deleted]

Seeing the last of the Primes in person was one thing, but hearing him talk was another. Starfall had heard the words of the great Optimus Prime before of course, though that had only been in the speeches broadcast amongst the Autobot forces during wartime. But that didn’t compare to having him address her directly. One might compare what Starfall was feeling to being starstruck, but this wasn’t quite that. At least, she didn’t think so, anyway.

What struck the femme most wasn’t the feeling of awe or even the mild degree of intimidation, but the fact that he was greeting her in such an earnest and honest fashion. For someone of his status, concerned with running what remained of an army, Starfall had expected that at most he would simply dismiss her presence - or dress her down for not saluting a commanding officer. To that extent, receiving such a stoic yet warm welcome was a relief.

“Thank you, sir.” Starfall replied, maintaining her formality. Given that Optimus Prime hadn’t taken her to task about the lack of a salute, she was beginning to wager that perhaps things on Earth weren’t run as tightly as they had been on Cybertron - yet another welcome relief, if it was at all true. Then again, Bumblebee had indicated as much, buddy system aside. And that led Starfall to her next train of thought.

“I have, Bee - Bumblebee, got me up to speed on everything I needed to know.” She caught herself briefly after referring to Bumblebee by his nickname, uncertain as to whether or not it might’ve been one that Optimus was familiar with. It made sense that he would’ve been, but then again, it was also a matter of formality - and Starfall’s was beginning to slip.

“Humans, checking in with Patch, scanning a new alt-mode…” The femme continued, before stopping herself briefly once again, as if chasing a thought, before resuming her speech. “I was on my way to do that now, actually. Something about an Agent?” Admittedly Starfall couldn’t quite remember the name of the human in particular that Bumblebee had mentioned, though in her defence, they all seemed to have such bizarre names.

All the while, Starfall observed how Optimus’ body language shifted in response. Though she wasn’t particularly adept at measuring the changes in a person’s posture, she was mostly just keeping an eye out for any major flags or signals to indicate whether or not she could loosen up a little more. Not that it had really had any impact thus far, given that the entire time she had been speaking, she’d been slowly losing her formal facade. It wasn’t a matter of disrespect, at least not an intentional one, though Starfall was evidently trying to push the boundaries of what was expected and test the water.

[Optimus Prime]

Ah, Bumblebee would have done a good job at catching Starfall up to speed, so Optimus did not worry if something would have been omitted. The scout was well acquainted with Earth, and had been around long enough to know far more details than the average individual who roamed this outpost. This fact was even more accurate given he not only worked around this planet for some time, but that he had a friend on this world that further taught him that much more. While those sorts of depths would not be reached with a simple conversation, Optimus believed that the chances that something of note was omitted was quite low.

As Starfall continued to speak, Optimus himself continued to observe her body language and phrasing. He was focused, attempting to learn all he could in the first interactions with any of his Autobots across the years. It could convey truth on who they are as a core before being influenced by others, or it could show attempts to falsify and convey a better soldier than they truly were. It was difficult to tell the difference between such lines at times, yet he tried, noting how she slipped towards informality only to snap back by using Bumblebee's full name.

"You are thinking of Agent Fowler."

Optimus' own body language did not convey much in turn. He remained squared off and almost formal, though it was hard to say if it was done by familiarity, or by true intent to portray a specific icon and expectation that came with it. The Prime certainly was a title to uphold, and it would not be appropriate to slouch or look too lax and carefree. As official as he may seem, he did not tense or seem off put by any informal tendencies she may display, brushing past without the slightest of attention given to them.

"His expertise assists on certain models that otherwise are difficult to obtain."

Flyers were profoundly difficult at times. Without Agent Fowler, They would need to sit adjacent to a military outpost and wait for something applicable to fly overhead during training exercises or other tasks. It was patience and luck hand in hand. Tanks and more aggressive military forms would be borderline impossible unless they were to infiltrate a base or museum of sorts by Bridging into its interior.

"What range of alternate forms do you prefer?"

Typically, details on an individual's frame would indicate what line they may fall within. A smaller Cybertronian with limited to no visible wheels likely favored motorcycles of some sort, while a moderate sized Cybertronian tended to fit within a standard car range. Treads of course implied military, while wings made things abundantly clear. This did not mean that such details had to be seen however. They could be obscured like the individual before him, which could even mean they were a monoformer, they transformed into a mode that was utility over maneuverability, or they were a hovering form of some type.

The first two could be worked with, it simply being a case where they could not go into human populated areas. The latter brought with it some concerns and a need to investigate applicable alternatives if desired. While pushing someone away from their core element wasn’t ideal, if they wished to not be alienated from certain missions, it would need to be considered. Not obligatory, but considered.

Alas, he could be putting too much concern into this puzzle, as there was no way he could settle on any single path of options given what he could see visually.

[Deleted]

The femme nodded as Optimus corrected her, her body language by now effectively at rest, though not slacking or hunched by any means. Even then, tall as she was, Optimus Prime was still taller. “Fowler, right.” Starfall noted, doing her best to commit the name to memory. If the Prime remembered it, chances were he was important, something that Bumblebee had also made clear.

The question that Optimus posed to her next caught Starfall a little off guard, but it was by no means an offensive thing to ask. It was true that her robot form concealed much of her alt-mode’s features, tucking in or otherwise hiding any kibble that could hint as to her vehicle of choice. The femme herself didn’t find it to be of any particular concern, and if anything, the game of others trying to guess what she turned into was certainly humorous whenever it came up. Answers often ranged between tank or truck, though every now and then someone would guess something more outlandish. Again, the truth behind her nature lied with the alterations made to her form, though as to the purpose of doing so, she had little idea.

“Something heavy. Wheels too. Don’t much like being off the ground if I can help it.” Starfall replied, a hint of playfulness in her voice. Though now likely wasn’t the best time to beat around the bush, she almost couldn’t help herself. It seemed she was really pushing the limits of formality now.

“Not much unlike you, sir.” The femme added, making a small gesture with her hand towards Optimus’ frame. Though it was likely that their alternate modes had similarities, Starfall wagered that there were some differences. Everyone knew that the leader of the Autobots turned into a truck, though perhaps that had changed in his time on Earth, while Starfall’s current mode of choice was probably best described as a “fist on six wheels”. But given Bumblebee’s cursory demonstration of what range of alternate modes Earth had to offer, the femme wasn’t confident that she would find that here.

[Optimus Prime]

Optimus's helm turned ever so slightly at Starfall's comment, glancing back in the Ground Bridge’s direction without doing so enough to lay eyes upon it.

A vehicle such as the form he chose would be easy to obtain. A short outing, some patience, and they would be able to locate whatever variant of truck that stood out to her. This would not be an awkward wait by an airfield, nor trying to look at images on a screen to find something for Fowler to bring in or guide her to. As far as he was concerned, seeking it out personally was the best case scenario for all involved. There was something so impersonal about working with Fowler at times, treating an Alt-Mode as something that could be 'purchased' through a catalogue, when an individual should click with it on some deeper level upon laying eyes on it.

Starfall would have a variety of options to look over.

"Such a form should be simple enough to acquire."

As Optimus said this, his weight would rock back slightly, before he eased into a turn towards the computer terminal. His stride was deliberate and calm, each footfall a thrumming double impact noise that was signature to his form. It held notable weight behind the eased strikes, the large mech not a small individual in the slightest. Yet, despite such a fact, he moved with care, mindful of what lay below given the base's rougher status meant some things could dislodge that needn’t be destroyed under foot. Keeping note of the conduits beneath the terminal, he would halt.

Reaching up, Optimus typed keys quickly with one hand, zeroing in on a familiar location that had been logged for such occasions. It was where he obtained his own Alt-Mode years prior, and it was a perfect place for others to seek theirs as well should they have not found other means to do so. Its service would continue this day, as the monitor locked down on the coordinates, a green wireframe listing out the terrain as the Ground Bridge clicked and was ready to be summoned with a push of a lever.

"I assume you have time for such an outing."

Cyan optics flicked to the corner of his vision as he said this, his frame easing around just enough that he could look upon the femme without his high mounted shoulder armor getting in the way. She did not appear to be injured, and she hadn’t seem worn down and mentally beat up enough to want to see recharge before all else. While appearances could certainly be deceiving, and Starfall may have been hoping to retreat as soon as possible, this topic was important enough that getting it out of the way was more beneficial than pushing it off.

The unforeseen could always strike, and a situation may come at any moment where they would need to flee or go into a human populated zone. If she was barred from such a thing, it could be dangerous for herself, and the local populace. As such. Optimus did rather put Starfall on the spot, phrasing it as though she had a choice, and while she technically did if she truly did not feel up to seeking an Alt-Mode at the moment, it wasn’t an encouraged option.

[Deleted]

There was something about Optimus Prime that had Starfall starstruck. She’d met other big bots before, and given her own alt mode, there wasn’t even that much of a height discrepancy between her and Optimus. Perhaps it was his rank, his legendary status or even just his tone of voice. But whatever it was, it had the femme shifting uneasily between at ease and more formal. As he began to walk over to the Ground Bridge terminal, Starfall hesitated for a moment before following suit.

It was reassuring to hear from the word of the Prime himself that he would be able to accommodate her somewhat simple request. Though she’d come to terms with the idea of scanning a human vehicle as her alternate form, that had remained some unease about what she might end up with. But to know that at any rate, Optimus had settled on a form that suited him, and now felt that acquiring a similar form for Starfall would be a simple task, did help to put her mind at ease.

Given their similar forms, Starfall’s footsteps made a sound much like Optimus’ own, though she didn’t walk with the same care and reverence. What was for Optimus a careful stride, making sure not to step on anything that couldn’t take his weight, was just a simple strut for Starfall, though she only caught up to him when he came to a stop.

The femme was in something of a trance, taking in both the base, but also still starstruck by her meeting with Optimus. And so when he spoke again, asking her a question in what felt more subtly like a command than a request, it took her a moment to speak.

“Of course, sir.” She answered rigidly, almost as if it was suffocating to speak. Even if she somehow did have plans, it wasn’t like an opportunity such as this came round often. She would make time. “I’m ready whenever you are.”

[Optimus Prime]

Optimus knew he didn't give Starfall much of a choice in the matter in the way he had phrased and approached this outing, however as far as he could tell from their short interaction, she wasn’t injured or in desperate need of rest. As such, when she declared she was ready whenever he was, his hand would reach over and grasp hold of the Ground Bridge control, lifting the handle up with a clunk that activated the large gateway.

Electricity crackled down the multiple metal rings of the Ground Bridge walkway, a snarled hiss made as the systems heaved online. The mechanics that created the entire device had numerous points that were visible, showing just how roughly it had been put together. A moment after this sequence began and the engines all roared active, the rock wall at the end of this path would rupture into a glowing vortex, blues, greens, purples... all meshed within a white cyclone that radiated out rather than in. To those who were not acquainted well with such technology, it could seem imposing in a way, a vibrant display leading to the great unknown. To Optimus however, it was but another day, his frame leaning back upright, before he started to walk.

There was no turn towards Starfall after this, not offering even a glance back to see if there was any apprehension should she indeed feel uncertain. Her footfalls would say as much, if she hesitated, or if she would readily follow at his heel. Whatever the case, the other side was a violent shift of environment that could almost be a slap to the face.

Dry and painfully recycled air would burst into sharp wilderness and higher humidity. The clicks and hum of an active outpost would transition to wind casting over rustling branches and leaves. There was a deep muffled growl of large movement that was not immediately visible however, a steady sound with no variation. They would be standing within a modest clearing, grasses and plant life broken up and patchwork from footfalls continuously breaking its surface, not enough time offered to mask it all over and permit regrowth.

Careening up on one side were large trees that blotted out where they were in a cast of shadow, dark barks and a denseness to it that showed it would not lead off readily to a road or path, while on the opposite side was a large ridge of rock and dirt, abruptly raising up at an aggressive incline to counter the trees behind it. Across the surface were additional mars and trenches, some stones pushed down and compacted, while others were looser from being pulled out underfoot.

More than a couple had walked this area.

Continuing to not look nor cast a glance back at Starfall, Optimus would ease his strides up to this incline, his right foot rising to lodge into a familiar point, before pushing up to scale it only enough that he could look over its crest. All things considered, it was not particularly a far climb, especially for those of Starfall and Optimus' stature, though it did well to obscure the majority of their frames should they not climb too far up.

Should the yellow femme move with him, she would soon see the source of the humming noise.

A highway.

The large interstate freeway cut through the condensed landscape a fair distance beneath their current position. The incline where they were abruptly sliced down on the other side of the two Cybertronian, wire netting bolted into the cliff side with long rods to keep any dislodged rocks and landslides as contained as possible from striking or completely impairing the traffic below. The road curved gently to try to bypass the environmental obstacles that were simply too expensive to excavate, but all in all the flow of traffic was strong with an abundance of differing vehicles. Motorcycles to trucks, cars and buses, accented with an occasional construction vehicle or mobile home. It appeared white, black, and silver were the most common colors, but a burst of red or blue were not a rarity.

So long as they kept low, none would think to look up far enough to see them, and if they did happen to do so, then discerning details as they drove past were difficult if not impossible.

"Thousands pass daily. You no doubt will find something that catches your eye."

Optimus spoke with an eased pace, not seeming hurried in the slightest.

[Deleted]

Starfall’s purple optics grew wide as the energy of the forming groundbridge crackled and swirled, the green and blue energies reflected in her gaze. Seeing the groundbridge for the first time was certainly a sight to behold, as were most things on this alien planet of Earth. And yet, much like those other sights, it seemed that they were so commonplace to the other Autobots already that it was of little heed. Optimus himself reinforced this idea, as he walked silently into the portal and vanished from sight.

After a moment longer to drink in the sight of the groundbridge, Starfall followed the larger mech, her footfalls echoing as she entered the portal’s periphery. The femme didn’t hesitate out of fear or worry, but rather wonder. Her head turned slowly as her widened gaze took in the sight of the bridge’s corridor, the swirling colours of the portal now surrounding her in its entirety. And yet, further still, there was what she would find on the other side.

Leaves crunched loudly as Starfall’s heavy pedes crushed them underfoot, a sound unfamiliar to the femme. Her gaze jolted down sharply at the source of the noise as she exited the bridge, at first fearful of some manner of trap before realising her naive folly. The lush and vibrant vegetation was a far cry from the steel of Cybertron.

Starfall yearned to take in all of the verdant greenery around her as best she could, but the Prime’s pace denied her such luxury. Perhaps that in itself was fortuitous, lest the femme lose herself to wonder and idle for far longer than was needed. Still, it did little to stop her wandering gaze from trying its best to capture as much of the moment as she could in what little time Optimus Prime permitted. And by the time that the femme snapped out of her stupor, the mech was already scaling the incline that shielded them from the view of others.

Following once again, Starfall made her way to the incline, pressing her pede against it. To her surprise, the mud and muck recessed somewhat as her heavy foot released its weight onto it, and for a moment Starfall was puzzled by the sensation. Once she finally found a degree of stability, the femme pulled herself upwards, much as Optimus had so that she could see over the side.

And, as she did so, the femme finally could finally cast her gaze to the source of the mild humming that had plagued her since they have arrived. A highway, the first thing since leaving the groundbridge that she found analogous to their home of Cybertron, with many cars whizzing down it. Her brow raised slightly as she looked over the many vehicles intently, trying to gauge an idea of what human vehicles were like. Bumblebee’s primer had given her some idea, which this only further cemented.

“I see.” Starfall replied, trying her best to mask her unease at the thought of changing her altmode from a form that she had felt so comfortable in to something so… primitive. Though the femme was far from an alt mode connoisseur, the idea of scanning a human vehicle rubbed her the wrong way. And yet, it was necessary, something enforced by the mech at her side himself. “Hopefully this won’t take too long.”

[Optimus Prime]

Once Starfall would clear the vortex, the Ground Bridge would slam away, leaving an audible void where it had once been. It both showcased the overall quiet of the area, while also highlighting the low hum, a dichotomy of noise and silence that separated concrete and metal from the green wilderness in a unique way.

Earth certainly was quite different from Cybertron, a true alien landscape that could be jarring in many ways.

Some thrived within such an emotion, a sense of wonder and awe that was so strong that they turned to exploration of the stars to chase the feeling. Trying to learn as much as they could and experience everything the universe had to offer. Seeking new planets, new species, new civilizations... mapping out the endless stretch of the deepest portions of space. While it was such an expected ordeal that those first stepping onto the world may have a form of shock given the violent clash between metallic and organic based planets, Optimus' thoughts were too distant to have considered it in the now.

There was so much to think on, so much to do... if he were but a small amount more observant than he would have given Starfall a chance to orient, answer any questions she may have... Yet, he didn't, simply progressing further as though they had stepped into a new room within Omega One itself, climbing up the two step incline to look over at the traffic below, and its abundance of options.

While he had blindly disregarded her confusing introduction to this region, as Starfall moved up to his side to look over, her dismayed reaction to seeing what they had to work with was borderline impossible to ignore. It caused Optimus' expression to soften, understanding the sorrow many would experience with a need to shed off what they were to put on what was essentially a costume. Some handled it better than others, some absolutely hated the idea, and many were indifferent overall.

To Optimus, it hadn’t been a concern and he never offered it a second thought. For so long he never felt like he had a choice in what he was and what he had to be, that freedom having been taken from his hands the second Orion became Prime. From needing to fill a militaristic role, needing to become an icon, all the way to the Matrix simply deciding what he would be upgraded into and how he would look. It was inconsequential, though he could recognize how others could be bothered.

"I understand our situation is not ideal."

While Earth may have more streamlined options available, what they could offer overall didn't touch what Cybertron could.

"Take whatever time you need."

Most didn't require a profoundly long stretch to locate something that spoke to them, given just how fast options shifted through once turning the bend, yet, if they needed to wait some than it simply was what it was

From this point, Optimus could ask a question, try to start up some sort of discussion to fill the void as they waited, however he wasn't the best of such things. He wouldn't be opposed if Starfall were to do so, he simply did not seek it out himself, thinking about what was going on around Omega instead.