Alpha 'verse. Iacon. Start of the story.

[random_xtras]

Ratchet had just gotten back from the bar in that nexus between realities, but even a rousing good poker game with his alternates hadn't helped him to feel better. The murder of his friends Bladewing and Skystriker was just too recent, and the uncertainty over the fate of their newly sparked Seeklet worried him so much that his energy wasn't sitting properly in his tank.

He sighed as he turned into an alley that was a shortcut back to his clinic, and then froze and scanned his surroundings as he thought he heard something. "Hello? Is someone there?"

Comments

[alpha_prime]

//This is Alpha Prime how can I help you Skyfire.// came Alpha's voice over the Comm

[random_xtras]

The big aerialbot hesitated for a moment as he wondered how to word what he wanted to say, then settled for simply saying, //We've found her.//

[alpha_prime]

The sound of a shattering Energon cube could be heard over the Comm. Line //Who found Astra?// she asked in a quiet voice.

[random_xtras]

//It was Ratchet,// said Skyfire quietly. //She's injured, but asking to fly.//

[alpha_prime]

//It is good to know that she is asking to fly, does Ratchet want me to come to his clinic?// Alpha asked.

Wheeljack sighed at Ratchet's reason for blaming him.

[random_xtras]

Ratchet looked toward the sigh, then offered his brother some red gum candy from the package he'd just found.

//I'll ask him,// said Skyfire, and did so.

"No. People would wonder why she was coming." The medibot frowned with protective concern, then looked at Wheeljack. "You have anything keeping you here? Or are you free to go to Earth?"

[alpha_prime]

Wheeljack shook his helm and said "no I am not leaving Astra"

//Skyfire?// Alpha Prime asked since he had gone silent.

[random_xtras]

Ratchet growled in one of his rare shows of temper and tried to slap Wheeljack upside the head. "She's going to Earth, you boltbrain."

//Ratchet said no,// reported Skyfire distractedly. //But now he and Wheejack are discussing bringing Astra to Earth.//

[alpha_prime]

//why would she be taken to earth?// Alpha Prime asked.

Wheeljack ducked and chuckled and unknowingly asked the same question Alpha Prime did "why?"

[random_xtras]

"Because," said Ratchet. "I know and trust all the 'Bots on Earth. So Astra'll be safer there."

Skyfire lifted his brow ridges and relayed this to the Prime.