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]

Astra chirped as the scanner was run over her, even though she was tired all the talking kept waking her.

[random_xtras]

Ratchet scanned twice, then scanned Skyfire's hold and chuckled. "There's nothing wrong with her, Skyfire. But you've got your hold comm set to two way. You need to change it so you can hear her, but she can't hear anyone outside the hold."

"Oh. Of course," said Skyfire, embarrassed. He absently held Astra close with one hand as he made the adjustments.

Ratchet tickled the little one's cheek with his finger, but then froze and whirled, gun in hand, as Skywarp suddenly appeared in the room.

The purple and grey Seeker held his hands up to show that they were empty except for a tiny Seeker doll of the sort that hadn't been made since before the war. "I come in peace. I've got something for the kid."

Ratchet scowled and thought unkind things about Seekers, and about Starscream in general, but nodded. "Let's see it."

Skywarp slowly lowered his right hand and held out the toy. "She cries for her mentor if you tip her upside down and rightside up."

"I would too," said Ratchet, his scowl softening as he saw the age of the little carnival toy and the scuffs on the Skywarp-coloured paint. Then he nodded and held the toy up to Astra. "Do you want a baby?"

[alpha_prime]

Astra nodded holding her arms out, ["pwease"] she skreeked.

[random_xtras]

Ratchet put the little doll into her arms, making sure that she had a good grip on it before he let go.

And Skyfire watched her with a smile, while keeping one eye on Skywarp.

[alpha_prime]

Astra looked over at Skywarp and skreeked "[who that?]"

[random_xtras]

"That's the guy that gave you the baby," said Ratchet. "He's got to go now."

Skywarp's wondering grin dropped to a scowl.

[alpha_prime]

"[Tank you]" Astra skreeked before yawning.

[random_xtras]

Skywarp meeped softly when he saw the yawn. "Oh, she's tired. Yeah. I better go. Bye!"

Skyfire winced slightly at the sound of the purple and grey Seeker's warp.

[alpha_prime]

Astra curled up around the doll, yawning again before slipping into recharge.

[random_xtras]

"I'll go and get ready for the trip," said Skyfire quietly as he tucked the bitty and her new friend into his hold and closed the hatch. "See you soon, Ratchet."

"Yeah. See you, buddy." Ratchet grinned a bit as he saw the big ParaSeeker to the door, and then looked thoughtful as he started getting his own things together. "I bet Astra would like one of those big soft Optimus Prime dolls that they sell on Earth..."