randomplaces | Dread 'verse. Dreadnought's Nevada base. Family call.

Optimus offered a smile to the young mech who opened the door for he, Elita, and Bit. "Bronx, isn't it? Thank you."

"Yes, sir." The barrel-chested dark orange rookie saluted, his other hand flexing with tension. "They're in the Arielbots' quarters."

"Thank you," said the Prime, sobering as he walked inside, and feeling disturbed by Rainbird's soft laughter from the rec room as she watched cartoons.

"Optimus." Kup stuck his head out of the room that housed the mainframe.

"Yes, Kup?" He paused to look down at his old friend as Elita continued on.

"Dread's ben in there with 'em since it happened. See if you can't get him to go out and stretch a bit." The Security Chief frowned. "It ain't good for those weapon types to stay penned up too long."

"I'll see what I can do." Optimus nodded and then excused himself and strode over to look inside, where his mate was hugging the fearful young combiner team and speaking to them softly. Dreadnought sat with his back to the wall near the door, and the Prime could see at a glance that there would be no budging him. The black Decepticon's feline protective instinct had been roused and it would be better to just let him be.

"Where's Bumblebee?" he asked softly instead.

Dreadnought pointed to one of the storage compartments in his chest. "Sleepin'. Bit's safe."

Optimus nodded, then settled himself to kneel in the hallway and offer what support was required of him.