Chapter 11: Hope for the Hopeless

A form shifted underneath the large tarp and rolled on its side, pressing against the person beside them. A sleepy smile graced the femme's face once she connected with the warmth. Orange optics fluttered open and watched the sparkling's even venting, shielded by strong arms. Taking in the moment, Firespark observed the sleeping mech's face. He looked peaceful, with his dermas slightly parted as he vented. Suddenly realizing what was in front of her, the femme quickly scooted away from him, careful not to disturb the sleeping mechs.

The sleeping quarters only held one large berth with not enough room for someone to sleep comfortably on the floor. Solarflare offered that he'd sleep in the main room, but Firespark insisted that he'd sleep on the berth with her, with them sleeping on opposite ends. For extra measures, Thunderstrike would sleep in between them.

The femme's mindful actions didn't go unnoticed by Solarflare since his blue optics opened to gaze at her. "What's wrong? Are you nervous?"

Speechless, Firespark nodded before answering, "Yeah, yeah, I'm a little nervous. How'd you sleep?"

Solarflare yawned, "I had the best sleep in years since I was sleeping next to the world's most beautiful femme," he smirked when he caught her blush, "That and this berth is comfortable, I'm gonna be honest here, those berths back at the cave were hard as rocks."

"Well, I'm sorry that our cave wasn't a five-star premium hotel," Firespark retorted, looking away from the mech with arms crossed over her chassis.

Thunderstrike chirped at the two, awoken by the commotion between them. The pair beamed at him, "Good morning to you too, little one," Solarflare chuckled as the sparklet struggled out of his grasp and crawled toward the pink femme.

Firespark picked him up once he reached her and held him close, "You know, not to burst your bubble, but I think he likes me more than you,"

Solarflare flailed around in the sheets before sitting up tall, "I'm sorry, but who found him? Oh, that's right, me! So it's obvious that's I'm his favorite?"

Firespark hummed in question before looking at the sparkling chewing on her digit, "Thunderstrike, who do you want to feed you? Me or Solarflare?"

Solarflare huffed in bewilderment, "Really, you're making the kid choose?"

Thunderstrike, amused by the distraught mech as he pointed a stubby finger at Firespark; and laughed.

The femme, proud that her point had been proven, got up to leave the room but halted before she collided into a large frame. "Oh, good morning Optimus,"

Solarflare quickly stood at attention at the mention of the leader's name as the Prime entered the room. "Sir, is there a problem?"

"No, in fact, I bring good news. I have collaborated with the place where I am sending you, and they have agreed to take you all in; however, Firespark, I have deemed you as their medic."

The pink femme gaped at the Prime in shock, "S-sir, with all due respect, I have no expertise in that field. I still have so much to learn."

Optimus's wise optics gazed at the troubled Cybertronian, "I have made that decision based on the work that you performed on the Autobots you aided; Midnight is one of them. Ratchet has also agreed on this and will help you learn more advanced techniques. We will depart in the afternoon." With those last words, he left them to process the information.

The red and orange mech wrapped an arm around Firespark's back, "You'll do great, you know how I know? Because I'm still here, aren't I?" A smile returned to Firespark's face. "We'll be fine, and we'll be away from the war, hopefully."

Refueling went by quickly, and Firespark rushed toward the medical bay. She was determined to cram as much information in as possible before she left. Stationed at his terminal, Ratchet busied himself with recording information and other things that he didn't notice the femme's presence until she closed the doors. He did a double-take once he saw her pink frame enter his peripheral vision. "Ah, Firspark, I didn't hear you come in,"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I was wondering if you'd be willing to teach me some of the bases of medical treatments." The femme apologized, standing by his side.

Surprised, Ratchet looked at her, "What is there to learn. You know all of them and have nearly perfected them, despite the conditions you were in."

Firespark sighed, "I know, but I'm just worried that I'll forget something or what if I make things worse," She stopped her rant when the medic's strong servos touched her shoulder, "All I can say is treat it like you would if you were in that hole of yours." Ratchet replied.

Firespark thought it over until she nodded in understanding, "Thank you, Uncle Ratchet,"

Ratchet smiled, "I hope that you find what you're looking for,"

Solarflare, Thunderstrike, and Optimus were waiting by the groundbridge when Firespark arrived. "Sorry, I had to do a refresher course,"

Solarflare looked away while Optimus nodded toward Ratchet when he was at the groundbridge controls. Without another word, the red and white medic typed in the coordinates.

The blue-green portal whirled to life, and the couple held each other's servos. Their new life would be on the other side, and they did not know the place. Optimus was the first to walk through, and the two followed suit.

Their optics had to re-adjust at the bright sunlight once they exited the groundbridge. The scent of salty seawater wafted into Firespark's olfactory sensors, and the calling of seagulls was above them. She inwardly chuckled when Solarflare stiffened at the sight of them and mumbling, 'Don't discharge, don't discharge' as they walked.

The dirt trail they traveled on led to a high wall with a force field dome protecting whatever was inside. Two guards stationed on top identified the mighty Prime and made an opening in the field, granting them access.

Inside the towering walls was a refugee camp. Firespark recognized some of the bots that passed by them since she had healed them. A few waved in greeting or held recognition in their optics when they saw her.

A mech approached the pair and called out in greeting, "Optimus Prime, are these the new arrivals that we discussed?"

"Indeed Trailblazer," he then turned to the pair, "Firespark, Solarflare, this is Trailblazer, the mech in charge of this retreat,"

The brown and orange mech nodded toward them, "I've heard much about you two, and I must say, Firespark, it is a joy to have you on our team. Our camp hasn't had a medic in a long while. Come, I will give you a tour of our fine establishment."