[ti]Ep 3[/ti]Format (Closed for now)

[Ratchet]

The slide down to the ravine was messy and chaotic.

And familiar.

Ratchet had a strange sense of deja vu as his wheels fought for traction on the scree and loose stones. One small shrub was caught behind a tire, branches sadly being carried away from it’s rooting place. The slide down was loud with Ratchet’s internals fighting to keep traction and the slithery hissing of stones and scree sliding loosely.

Unable to really get any traction, not aware there were humans just back up the incline -although at the moment hidden behind a wall of brush and scrub – Ratchet transformed, rolling over onto his peds and forcing himself upright.

At the bottom of the incline, near the water line, a larger tree had taken hold. Ratchet slid into this, and used it as a means of slowing his descent. His heavy weight pulled the sapling forward, half tearing it out of the ground before he was able to finally get control of himself.

With a splash, he landed in the water, once more standing in swift moving water. It was the same ravine, the same water, he had been in earlier, just farther west.

Again he felt the need to hide, to escape. He could feel the ...whatever it was that had been shot at him... swinging on his plating, just below and behind his right arm where he couldn’t reach. Occasionally it gave him a sharp shock, drawing a painful grunt from him.

That voice again. In his head.

::--Ratchet, it’s me, Bee! Where are you? Are you ok?--::

He had no idea what a Ratchet was. He had no idea what a Bee was. He didn’t even know how he was hearing a voice in his head, different from his own. He only knew he was angry and upset and still frightened.

But the tone of the other...there was something to it. It wasn’t threatening, it wasn’t angry. He didn’t know if he could trust the voice... but at least at the moment it didn’t seem dangerous.

And it almost seemed....familiar.

He didn’t even know how he managed to answer it, but answer it he did.

::Why are they after me? I don’t know who they are! Make them leave me alone!::

Heavy peds splashing through the water, occasionally slamming down onto exposed rock as he moved. Up ahead, the ravine split slightly, leading into an offshoot, where the water circled around before rejoining the main river. Here was a shallow bank jutting out from the river, thick grass growing, and a few tall willow trees took a defiant stand in an attempt to grow. Directly behind this, a rough cliff face with rocks and shrubs angled up back in the same direction as the road.

Slowing to a stop for a moment, Ratchet waded through the water to push his way up onto this small bank, crouching to move in under the willows as best he could, in an attempt to hide.

[Ren]

Bumblebee needn’t have worried, for as far as MECH had come with their technology since first learning of the Cybertronian invaders on Earth? They could not - at least, not yet - tap into direct comms with their current setup.

But they were more than aware of Bumblebee’s presence, and while their initial goal had been to capture the ambulance, the yellow Camaro had practically driven into their laps. He seemed to be alone, probably why he was acting with hesitation, and so they would continue to watch.

With all the confusion of the weapon going off, some of the civilians that’d witnessed the random attack had begun to leave the area. Enough reports had been called in that should any police arrive? Well, their statements probably wouldn’t be needed. The entire thing had hopefully been caught on camera, with the clerk being able to provide more details should they be needed.

They left in a hurry, not really giving the yellow and black muscle car a second glance as they made their way past and back onto the freeway. Those that remained sat in their cars, waiting. Their attention on the MECH vehicle, wondering just what had happened to the ambulance. Was this some sort of movie thing? Or a military training exercise?

MECH would have to act with caution. Bumblebee wasn’t doing much of anything, and while it was risky - and so very reckless - to attempt another capture, they would be foolish not to seize this opportunity. Another cartridge was hastily loaded into the weapon, although they would not leave the vehicle to fire it. No, not yet. Biding their time, waiting for the Cybertronian to creep forward in some vain attempt to rescue his friend.

Only… the Peterbilt from the highway had caught up, moving within sight. They’d kept in contact with their teammates, they understood and knew well what’d happened to their own flatbed truck, and while those soldiers had managed to escape on foot? There was no telling what would happen with nowhere to run.

They watched as both Peterbilt and Camaro made their way around the gas station itself, yet wouldn’t move to follow.

Not yet.

[Bumblebee]

This moment of uncertainty was dragging on forever. He didn’t want to just sit here, knowing that with each passing second Ratchet was getting further and further away, risking getting caught by MECH again or giving them enough time to call in for backup.

He wanted nothing more than to stop MECH right here, right now. It wouldn’t take much, all he’d have to do was ram them down into the trees before they realized what happened. From there, he’d have ample cover to… well…

No. No, no that wasn’t right. Ratchet was the priority here, and while anger had bubbled up at seeing the green Mustang, at least they were not following. He knew they could probably see him, he stood out, and maybe that was a good thing. Maybe with their attention on him, Ratchet could get somewhere safe.

His comm clicked to life, yet his attention was kept fully on the lone car in front of him.

::--I will, please hurry.--:: there was no real urgency to his beeps, he wasn’t in any sort of immediate danger that he could tell. But knowing that he couldn’t do anything until Optimus arrived filled him with a newfound sense of worry.

He tried to watch from where he was what MECH were doing in the car. There was some sort of movement from the passenger, however, the darkened windows made it very hard to see anything with clarity.

All he could do was wait.

Another click, his comm pinged to life once more- and once again he’d been expecting Optimus. A status report, an order, something to fill the silence.

Only it was… Ratchet.

The response was so very concerning. He didn’t know who MECH were? Had they done something to him to make him forget? Was that why he sounded so scared?

::--That’s MECH, Ratchet. They are bad. Stay away from them! Get somewhere safe. Hide. Optimus will be here soon, we’ll come and get you and take you home, okay? Just stay safe. They can’t hear you over the comm, so keep talking to me okay?--::

He tried to think of what he would want to hear in a situation like this. Knowing that Optimus was on the way would hopefully be a source of comfort, maybe inspire him to keep going a little longer if he was hurt or scared. It wouldn’t be long now.

Or so he hoped.

Time was dragging. Every second felt like an eternity, until- Optimus.

Bee’s attention shifted briefly to the Prime, taking note of the mirror that was dangling and barely hanging on. He wasn’t sure what’d happened back on the freeway with the flatbed truck, but he was just thankful that Optimus was okay, even if that looked like it hurt.

He wouldn’t move as Optimus passed him, only when the Holoform glanced his way would he ease into a slow crawl, following around the side of the building before moving around the back.

::--Optimus, Ratchet doesn’t know who they are.--:: he started, quietly. ::--I told him to hide, and to keep talking to me. I… don’t think he knows what’s going on.--::

It felt awful to say out loud, but something had definitely happened to their medic. They just had to get to him, to bring him back to the Omega base, and then from there, maybe it would be okay.

With Optimus here, he felt safer- his confidence had come back, and as such he would begin to speed up, pulling ahead of Optimus in what little space they had.

::--He went through the trees, I’m gonna try and find him. There should be ample cover, and I think MECH can’t get through.--::

It was only a matter of time before they did attempt to chase, though. Meaning they had to move quickly.

Out of view of the remaining witnesses, he would push forwards, hurtling into the line of trees and disappearing within them. He moved with speed, almost too fast- not realizing that there was a drop just beyond the cover of trees.

Oh slag!!

Out of instinct, he would shift forms mid-tumble as he made his way down, using one servo to try and slow himself, harshly scraping rock and mud as he did so. It made no use, but at least he wasn’t in complete freefall. Landing on his pedes in water, he glanced around frantically, trying to work out which way Ratchet had gone. A whir of transformation as his blaster shifted from his arm, just in case MECH were somehow down here already.

[Optimus Prime]

Time seemed to slow to a crawl in these moments. The silent pass of the MECH vehicle, the gradual roll of Bumblebee keeping pace... there was movement of some kind in the green muscle car, though deciphering the actions were just as impossible for Optimus as it had been for Bumblebee. Whether it was inert or not however did not matter, for the Prime's unseen gaze would remain carefully on them to be ready for the worst, while trying to keep a bead on what direction the helicopter was. This lulling standoff was bad enough while they tried to maneuver around the building. Yet, what made it all worse were the words that followed from the other Cybertronian.

At Bumblebee's report, Optimus froze in his thoughts, trying to consider what it meant even if he knew fully what had happened. The video had said as much, claiming clear as day what occurred to get to this result, yet to hear it confirmed outside of that lone cold recording just made it hit a second time with newfound strength. Sorrow and rage at the turn of events flooded over him for another moment, a fresh wound that ripped into his side. Yet, for all that it hurt, for all the pain it caused, he had to smother it and focus on the now.

A flash of movement snapped his thoughts out from the momentary haze, watching as Bumblebee rocketed off the edge into the trees to vanish behind it. Optimus hesitated a moment, a fleeting worry about being seen, before he had to cast it to the wayside to force an end to all of this. If Ratchet was indeed on the move, and he had no clue what was going on here, then he needed to act just as fast to end this right here and now. With this thought, Optimus' let out an annoyed low growl of engines, before the truck hooked to the side and followed Bumblebee down into the ravine.

Previously, Optimus grabbed onto the side of the slope to slow his descent, not wishing to stumble across something or strike Bumblebee should the Scout not move immediately. This time however, Optimus didn’t so much as try to do such a thing. The second his peds formed they rammed down into the slope with a crash of rock and tilled earth, grating for just a moment before he swung forward and half leapt down with a heaving crush of rock and foliage, knowing Bumblebee would be on the move and well out of the line of impact.

A heavy slam, a snarled hiss of hydraulics, Optimus' frame settled at the bottom of the slope, one foot sunken into the water while the other was upon the bank beside it. His arms were somewhat fanned on either side for balance from such a rush down, helping to halt his momentum as he got a bead on the environment. His battle mask snapped up and into place, a couple last clicks as lingering transformation settled and locked down.

This was familiar. This all looked similar from before. Different trees, new skylines, and a lack of mountains, yet it was the same as well, a similar feeling of Déjà vu washing over him. This was but a fleeting thought, a momentary flicker, before cyan eyes snapped down to the waterway.

Running through the stream earlier, the murk and grime it kicked up from the heavy impacts were undeniable. Easy trails that had dissipated far too early for them to track Ratchet back then. However now? Now they were here far earlier, and as such the murky path had yet to fully clear. If it were to only flow one way, it meant Ratchet had gone downstream. If the murk seemed to streak past them in both directions, it meant Ratchet went upstream. Once deciphering what direction it was, Optimus' frame would ease back, a subtle roll of weight...

Before he heaved into a charge again.

Optimus wasn't going to let MECH beat him there this time. He wasn't going to let them have a chance to do anything if he could help it. He was going to get hold of Ratchet and instantly demand a bridge just to get them somewhere safe where issues could then be addressed from there. They just needed to catch up... they just needed to find him, and they had to do it fast.

::Keep him calm. Ask where he hid::

His words were hollow.

If Ratchet truly knew nothing... then Optimus knew trying to speak to him could be stressful, to throw another unfamiliar voice into the mix. As such, he kept silent despite a want to reach out to his old friend, relying on Bumblebee while he charged down the water, limbs cutting through it with minimal to no resistance.

[Ratchet]

He remained where he was, hoping to just stay hidden. The creatures that had tied him down, had hurt him...they were smaller than he was, and he was again hoping that they might have trouble navigating their way down here. He had been chased by that flying object....if he stayed here, maybe he could just wait them out. After, he could....

Could...

Could what? Just hope to sneak past and find a safe place?

The voice in his head spoke again, and he listened.

As time passed, Ratchet’s processor was making leaps and bounds in connecting new neural pathways, just as any newly sparked individual’s would. Normally, he would have caretakers with him, helping him, explaining things to him. Here, now, he was alone and frightened, but those pathways were still forming.

He realized that the other voice was indeed another person, and not just some strange part of himself talking. That somehow they were talking even though the other one wasn’t anywhere near him. The sounds the other one was making became clearer and clearer to him, forming more words that made more sense.

It didn’t put him at more ease, however. Just because he knew what the other one was saying, didn’t mean he was trustworthy. Even if....even if....his voice was almost achingly familiar.

The fact the other one had told him to hide, however, helped. It seemed he was in danger, and that the other one was at least concerned about him.

Optimus will be here soon, we’ll come and take you home...

Optimus must be another.

Home.

Home had no images, but the word brought a feeling of safety and security. That’s what a home was, right? A safe place?

Home would be good.

The other voice asked him to keep talking, but Ratchet didn’t know what to say. He didn’t know what to talk about – he didn’t know anything about anything, other than what was going on right this moment.

He latched back onto something the voice had said.

::Who is MECH? Why are they chasing me? I haven’t done anything to anyone!::

There was a sudden, unsure pause.

::...Have I?::

[Ren]

As the Peterbilt and Camaro moved around the building, it was time for MECH to shift into action. Flinging open the passenger door, the soldier with the weapon would scramble forwards - almost stumbling as he caught his footing, rushing toward the line of trees and disappearing within.

They weren’t going to get away so easily.

Moving on foot, he would try his best to keep an eye on just where the two vehicles went. There were only so many places to move, given the terrain, and remaining on a forward path seemed to be the smartest option.

Until they vanished entirely.

It took him a good few seconds to catch up to find out why, combat boots skidding as he neared the edge of a ravine. Peering over, he could only watch in dismay from afar. Aiming the weapon at the yellow Cybertronian, he wondered - if only for a moment - if it was worth taking a shot.

A familiar thrum of blades, growing ever closer - the helicopter had caught up. Hovering over Optimus and Bumblebee, the single turret whirred as it moved, locking into place and aiming directly at the smaller Cybertronian.

They would not fire- not yet. Biding their time, waiting for the yellow alien to move just far enough away from the other to get a direct shot.

They weren’t going to fail again.

[Bumblebee]

Landing with a thud, Bumblebee was quick to move. Not only because they couldn’t afford to stand around, but also to give Optimus enough room. Pedes thudding down as he made his way through the small river, optics whirring as he frantically looked for any signs of their medic.

This was eerily familiar, only this time? They had gotten here first. MECH were nowhere in sight, at least that he could tell, only… in his panic, he couldn’t tell at an immediate glance which way Ratchet had gone.

Looking down, he began looking for any signs of disruption in the soft gravel and dirt- not turning as Optimus slammed down behind him and began to move.

Blaster still drawn, he would follow the Prime - quickly overtaking the other mech and keeping his attention downward, completely focused on his task, almost unaware of the thrum of whirring blades that were quickly approaching.

::--Will do.--:: short, to the point, not wanting to talk long to Optimus in case Ratchet was trying to reach out to him once more.

Another click of his comm sounded, relief washing over him at hearing that it was Ratchet. At least he was talking, at least he was alive- panicked, but alive.

The question that was asked made him pause for a flicker of a second, though. How to even answer that without instilling more fear?

::--They want to hurt our kind, it’s a long story. You haven’t done anything wrong, promise. We’ll fill you in on the details when we get you somewhere safe- home. When we get you home.--::

It was so hard to sound calm when he himself was stressing, but he was doing his best.

::--Where are you, Ratchet? We’re close, I think, can you see us?--:: it was worth a shot. Ratchet was close, wherever he was, but with all the rocks and areas that could be utilized as a hiding place? They could easily miss him, and he wasn’t about to let that happen.

[Optimus Prime]

The trail of kicked up murk was an efficient way to track the other Cybertronian and deduce that he’d stuck to the waterways. It was slightly concerning with all things taken into account however, as should he be so easy to track through this method, then it meant he would have been easy for MECH to pursue as well. Abandoning said waterways and maneuvering through the clustered trees would be somewhat harder to be tracked by foot due to rough terrain, though, trees would give negligible cover from the watchful eye of the helicopter... unless Ratchet found an area where the leaves were dense enough to hide his profoundly bright paint. It was a bad situation no matter what way it was spun, no correct answer available.

Whatever the case, if Ratchet was hiding, then there was no way he would’ve made it particularly far before he made such a decision to do so. The bulky mech may be quicker than he appeared at times... but in the end he didn’t have the stride or agility to truly haul down the water a profound distance. It was because of this, Optimus' charge would ease back some once he’d traveled a reasonable distance, the cutting run tapering down to a jog, which is where the real problems would start as he came across the division where the water could flow in two different directions.

A flick of cyan optics, a fast twitch of the helm between the two paths... after seeing what he needed to see, believing it was the true path and not one created of his own progression, the Prime would ease and start down the offshoot. While he had been jogging previously, he had now slowed down to a ridged stride, trying to keep an eye on any discrepancies of the banks to look for plowed open mud and dirt that could signal where Ratchet may have veered off course. Optimus didn't get particularly far however, until he took note of just how CLOSE the helicopter was getting to their location.

The Prime eased to a full stop then, helm turning marginally enough to see the black shape out of the corner of his eye. His lip beneath the battle mask twitched up slightly, annoyed it was following them as they sought out Ratchet, using them as tracking hounds to find their initial wounded prey. This kindled irritation, but what really was concerning was the large turret he could see that seemed to be already focused down upon them as if looking for an opportunity.

Optimus' weight that had been leaned forward in his pursuit now swung back then as his frame pivoted around violently. As he did so his right arm would raise, squared off fingertips flaring out momentarily before clenching down into a fist. With a sound of transformation, the panels on his forearm would surge out and pull away, hand swinging down to fold within, while a cylinder of a twin rifle would hatchet up and around to take its place. The second the barrel was straight, red armor would slam and lock back to steady the weapon, lines and etchings along its sides suddenly flaring with blue that trailed to the end as power revved up.

The barrel of the weapon was aimed straight at the helicopter, its end smoldering as power collected within it. Thin wisping trails of energy drifted out from its outer edges, its centermost point seething so brightly it transitioned to a searing white that growled lowly with contained force. Optimus' stance was tall with a heavy edge of fearless aggression, helm locked upon them with intense focus, as there seemed to be no waiver or hesitation in the weapon tracking their every movement.

He was testing their determination.

[Ratchet]

Home.

The word that was spoken to him seemed odd. It was a word that he was certain he had never heard before, and yet it brought images to his mind. A place of comfort.

Safety.

He had strange images move through his mind like waves, lapping at a shore. Bright towers of light, jutting up against a black sky, like beacons, pointing the way into the heavens. Neon signs flashing, advertising wares and gathering places. Beautiful architecture, graceful spires and buttresses. Rooms and buildings were new things were being created everyday, understanding how the world worked a little better.

What was that place, that wonderful, marvellous place. Was that home?

Ratchet didn’t understand it, but he felt a sense of pride around it.

The voice, too, seemed more and more familiar. He couldn’t place it – there was no face to go with it – but the reverberations of the buzzes and trills inside his own head was so familiar. There was a sense of concern around it, a feeling of....responsibility, in a way.

Our kind, the voice had said. We. Our kind.

Belonging.

Ratchet, still crouched, moved forward a little, to peer out through the foliage of the willows.

At first there was nothing, just the running water, the sky overhead, and the rocky canyon walls.

Then, like a startling burst of color, a brilliant yellow individual appeared at the end of the canyon, moving into view.

Narrowing his optics, Ratchet studied the other very closely. He didn’t know how, but he knew this person....this must be the one talking to him.

He knew he needed to make a decision. He could hear the same sound as before – that chopping sound of the helicopter. The ones that were chasing him...they were getting close.

Trust? Or not?

Irritation, this inability to make a clean decision. The yellow individual was clearly nothing like the smaller beings who had tied him up. Ratchet was unable to see what he himself looked like, but he could tell the other one wasn’t human. He was larger. Thicker.

Trust? Or not?

What choice did he have? He couldn’t stay there forever.

There was only one....

...Our kind....somewhere safe....home. When we get you home.
Home.

Steeling himself, wary, on edge, Ratchet raised a large hand, and pushed away the willows. He didn’t step down from the exposed ledge he was crouching on, but he moved forward, allowing himself to be seen as he crouched.

::Here,:: he sent back, ::I’m here.::

[Bumblebee]

The thrum of helicopter blades grew ever closer, yet Bumblebee kept moving. He was more than aware of their presence, he knew they were watching and no doubt so very close behind now, but he wasn’t about to let them take Ratchet. Not again.

This mentality made him momentarily forget that both he and Optimus were both in danger, but being so close to the Prime, he was certain that MECH wouldn’t try anything. Not with two of them here. Ratchet was alone, wherever he was. He was more at risk, and Bee found himself hoping that his words had done enough to convince their medic that he was a friend, and that he was telling the truth.

The lingering silence over the comm did not bode well, and the helicopter was so noisy now, so loud and disrupting any and all thought processes about what to do next. With that came a sense of fear, a weird feeling of almost-nausea in his tank. He knew they were right there, they’d caught up- found them. Now it was only a matter of time before a move was made.

They were running out of time.

Pushing himself forwards, pulling away from Optimus even further as he continued his frantic search. The helicopter’s blades drowning out almost all other noise now, including that of the Prime coming to a stop behind him.

A click of his comm. A whir of transformation from behind him.

Movement.

Bumblebee’s attention snapped instantly to the familiar-looking servo, before the rest of Ratchet came into view.

::--Ratchet!--:: Even through his beeps, the sheer relief could be felt. Ratchet was okay. He was okay and in one piece. There weren’t any missing limbs that he could see, the only thing amiss was the whole… forgetfulness. But he was alive.

::--You need to come with us! A ground bridge will be opening in a minute to take us home!--::

Oh, right! He should probably call for that!

Keeping his focus on Ratchet as he ran, closing the distance between himself and the medic, he raised a servo to the side of his helm- an unseen conversation between himself and Bulkhead on the other side. He wasn’t paying attention to what Optimus was doing behind him, no shots had been fired yet, although he was ready to turn on a heel and assist should he need to do so.

::--Optimus, over here!--:: there was some urgency to his tone as he addressed the Prime. They wouldn’t have long to move once the vortex swirled to life nearby, and the last thing they could afford was Optimus falling behind in an attempt to slow down MECH.

[Ren]

A gentle whir, the mechanisms of the turret sounded as it trained onto the yellow Cybertronian - barely audible over the thrum of the spinning blades. Lowering their altitude just slightly, the air pressure from the rotors began disrupting the surface of the water.

With two Cybertronian within striking range, and a third somewhere amongst the foliage? They’d have to make this count- outnumbered, with a disadvantage of being in the air, they quickly realized they only had one shot before they’d have to retreat.

A good thing that one shot was all they would need.

They watched curiously as the yellow alien began sprinting forwards- effectively separating himself from the larger Cybertronian. There was enough distance now that a direct shot could be made-

However, they were not stupid.

Easing backward, the front of the helicopter dipped some - almost as if staring down Optimus. The movement had drawn their attention, the weapon aimed at them was an obvious cause for concern. While they had parachutes and other safety protocols put into place should they take a direct hit, or lose altitude for whatever reason? There was no telling what a weapon of that caliber could do.

A tense second. Then another. The turret groaned in protest as it was moved and angled downward, aiming directly now at the defiant Cybertronian below.

A violent but abrupt bang was heard a flicker of a second later, the sound echoing throughout the ravine as a single shot was fired from the turret. A singular ball-like projectile hurtled toward its target, sprawling open to reveal itself for what it really was. A netting made of tightly woven cables that crackled loudly.

While they had no intent on capturing the larger Cybertronian, this shot was an attempt to jerk his arm back and knock any potential blast off course should they hit their mark.

Of course, should it somehow disable him to a point they could fire again? Well, it’d be their lucky day.

((Changed Bee & MECH post order because of how things played out. Shot fired at Optimus was done with permission, thank you!))

[Optimus Prime]

Optimus watched the MECH helicopter fiercely with intense focus, the apertures within his optics flicking and twitching ever so slightly in response to the faintest movements of the flying threat. He wanted to be aware of an incoming attack, he wanted to be able to respond accordingly to keep himself and the others safe, while potentially retaliating to try to spook off their assailants. For all of his focus however, despite how rigid his stance was and his narrowed attention to every detail, he did not completely cast aside the thought of the ground forces that they had left in their wake.

The foot soldiers were threats, unknown weaponry housed within their vehicle that could be deployed against them in one way or another. The only thing that kept Optimus from glancing his attention to the direction they had come from, was the fact that he and Bumblebee's strides were substantially longer than their own. Add in the terrain difficulties? And he was banking on them lagging behind some. Even if the path was flat asphalt... they would have a few moments of a buffer.

A buffer they could hopefully use to get Ratchet out of here.

Because of this fact, it permitted Optimus to keep his focus absolute for these fleeting moments, keeping an eye on the cannon, keeping watch in how the helicopter would dip or move in response to his weaponry... He hoped they would back off, that some sort of self-preservation would kick in and they would deem the loss of their lives not worth the gain of taking that one shot that may not even result in victory. This hope was worthless however, as it seemed MECH's determination cast all of this aside to gain a prize of some kind no matter how slim their favor. This fact was apparent readily, Optimus able to see the weapon finally lock down onto his shape, and hear the solid bang of it shooting a moment later.

The boom of the weapon was followed by a twist of frame.

Optimus did not know the true velocity of the weapon itself, no clue if it was a laser canon ripped from a Cybertronian's frame, or if it was some other sort of capture device like the harpoon or a net. If it was a true shot? Well, there was little he could do but try to duck. If it was a slower weapon? A step to the side would be in order to attempt an avoidance maneuver that could end in his benefit. With this in mind, he ducked sharply at the sound, arms thrusting out at either side to throw his momentum down, before he pushed his mass sharply in a lurching twist to move a couple paces to his left.

Heavy peds rammed against river rock violently, water spraying up as the large Cybertronian's footfalls crashed through it with ease. The netting narrowly missed its target due to the Prime's quick response, snapping down into the stream with crackles of electricity. Pulses seemed to try to trigger a couple seconds, before water flooded into the internals and it shorted out with an angry sputter.

::--Optimus, over here!--::

A flick of a glance, a sharp look past his shoulder... Optimus knew the direction Bee had continued down, and as such knew the way to go, yet the helicopter had not backed off. As such, his frame would wrench upright once again, the charged weapon rising in a flash of movement before the rifle-like blast slammed out with its own snarled sound. Seething energy would launch out then, a sharp snap of blue and white that rocketed at high speed. The catch however was the fact it was aimed intentionally to miss, a warning shot that hopefully would be a bit too close for comfort. He once more hoped self-preservation would be on their side.

Whether it worked or not, Optimus did not linger to watch. Instead, he twisted his frame in the direction Bumblebee had departed, his left arm holding out at his side. Just as his right had transformed, so did the left, only instead of a gun there was now a sword in its place. The two sections of blade snapped out at opposite angles, locking together a second later. Not even a moment after being formed, the blade would hook down to snag into the netting, piercing into it enough to get a sort of 'grip' when paired with an upward swipe that threw some stones with it in the process.

Should the weapon still be electrified, a swinging lurch of the arm should cause it to slide off the blade. If he had grabbed it with his hand? There was a chance a surge of electricity would make him tighten his grip rather than let go. As such, Optimus would start down the path towards Bumblebee, trying to keep 'hold' of the technology so it could be evaluated later.

::On my way::

Swiftly catching up, Optimus' stride would slow as he saw Bumblebee, glancing over then to see Ratchet who was thankfully in one piece it seemed. This was a profound relief, and yet... Optimus remained silent for this moment, which didn't exactly feel great. If Ratchet did not recognize them, and Bumblebee had been playing mediator... it was best to let the Scout continue with whatever trust was formed. Because of this, Optimus simply looked at Ratchet a moment, gaze dimming a bit with sadness before flicking to the side, turning to try to look back to see if the helicopter was priming another shot.

[Ratchet]

Ratchet watched the yellow being worriedly as he approached.

He sounded glad to see him, there was that, at least.

He spoke that word again. Home. The rest of it he didn’t understand, words that made no sense to him just yet. Ground Bridge....but that other word was still there. Home.

He opened his mouth to speak, but suddenly sounds were echoing down the ravine, loud and hostile. One of them, a loud sharp retort, seemed to ignite something in his mind, a lost floating memory of something, somewhere. Alarm flickered down his spinal strut, and he stood more upright.

Memories of pain seemed to float through him, a ghost of the past, and he gave a faint shudder, casting off anxious field like a dog shaking water from it’s coat.

Again, Ratchet was about to speak, when there were the sounds of heavy footsteps, moving swiftly towards them. Growing more alarmed, Ratchet took a step back, unsure.

The other individual who came into view was much larger than the yellow being. Thicker, taller, squarer. Clearly holding something in his hand that was long and appeared sharp. A flicker of something within Ratchet’s processor informed him this was a weapon. A tool to be used to strike, to pierce, to injure.

He had felt safe with the yellow being because, in the back of his mind, Ratchet felt that perhaps he could get away from him if needed. He was smaller than Ratchet, and while still bigger than the other beings who hurt him, Ratchet felt he could possibly square off better with this one if need be. Closer to his own size.

But the newcomer was much larger, and clearly some sort of fighter.

Ratchet flight or flight kicked in again.

Only this time, he was tired. He had run too long, and was too overcome, too drained with confusion and fear.

Instinct kicked in.

Planting his feet in a wide stance, completely unaware and oblivious of the sound echoing out as his hands retracted into his forearms, to be replaced by long, squared off blades snapping outwards, arms held out slightly to his sides in an aggressive stance.

He narrowed his optics as he stared at the taller of the two beings.

“I don’t know who you are,” he rumbled, “But I won’t let anyone hurt me again. Stay. Back.”

[Ren]

A clunk, a heavy whir of machinery as the turret settled after firing the initial shot. Unfortunately, they had missed their mark- yet weren’t about to give up so easily. Movement within the helicopter indicated that another shot was swiftly being loaded - only they would not get so far as to fire again.

A shot was fired at them only seconds later, leaving them little to no time to maneuver let alone prepare for such an attack even with the weapon aimed directly at them. Should this Cybertronian have been intending to hit them, it would’ve been catastrophic. Only, it was a warning shot. Intentionally missing them, sending a warning.

A warning that appeared to have been heeded, as moments later the helicopter would slowly ease backward. Keeping the nose of the craft pointed at Optimus, almost as if to keep an eye on him, they would begin to make their slow retreat, not even risking a second shot as the large Cybertronian turned his back and fled in the direction of the smaller yellow one.

Even though today had been a failure with no true capture to their name, some progress had been made. The tools used this day had both worked and failed- improvements and advancements would be done, and in the long run? MECH would be stronger because of it.

Veering sharply to the right, the helicopter would bank, turning around completely and heading back to wherever they had been sent from.

Next time? They would be successful.

[Bumblebee]

Come ooonnnn Bulkhead…

Bee had to give a rough, estimated guess of where they were in the ravine, quickly giving the big green mech the name of the gas station as a starting point to hopefully narrow down the coordinates needed for the bridge. It wouldn’t take him long to work out an approximation, but it felt like it was taking forever.

A loud bang, then a familiar noise, the sound of a two shots fired that echoed throughout the area snapped Bee’s attention from his thoughts, and he glanced over his shoulder to try and work out what was going on, ready to sprint to assist if need be. That second sound was Optimus’ gun, yet there was no sound of a helicopter crashing into the rocky river below or sounds of any kind of return fire.

For a moment, he panicked, hesitantly shifting his weight as he readied himself to run- but Optimus’ voice sounded over the comm, and moments later the Prime had begun making his way over.

Relief.

Turning back to Ratchet, he wondered if seeing Optimus would jog some sort of memory. He had to at least remember the Prime, he had to.

And yet…

A shifting of posture from Ratchet, another familiar noise - this time of transformation - Bee’s optics widened as Ratchet stared Optimus down in a stance that could only be seen as aggressive.

--Hey, hey Ratchet it’s okay! That’s Optimus, he’s our friend and leader of the Autobots. It’s okay!-- he beeped quickly, keeping his gaze on their medic.

Sidestepping a couple of paces, Bumblebee would move to stand in front of Optimus- holding both servos up, palms facing Ratchet with squared fingers splayed outward. A show of passiveness, a sign that he was no threat and meant no harm. A sign that he was telling the truth.

--He’s on our side, promise. He won’t hurt you.-- he was sure Optimus could just… tell Ratchet this himself, but given the fact their medic had immediately gone on the defense? It probably wouldn’t go over well at all.

It was so sad to see Ratchet unable to remember Optimus. They’d probably been friends longer than Bee had even been alive and yet he didn’t recognize him at all. Whatever MECH had done to him, he hoped they could somehow reverse it.

Trying to push these thoughts down before he began dwelling too much on what if they couldn’t, there was a third - and very much welcome - noise. The nearby area illuminating with brilliant green and yellow as a vortex spiralled to life a few short paces across the river.

::I sure hope that’s close enough for you guys!:: Bulkhead’s voice sounding over the comm to both Optimus and Bee a moment later, followed by a nervous chuckle as if to bleed off stress.