An Interluding Moment Post 2/4

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Drabble For TMNT_Tech_geek

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An Interluding Moment

Optimus sighed as he looked over the data pad in his hand. It seemed as if the past three months was non-stop insanity what with the sudden Decepticons asking for asylum to the discovery of Sector Thirteen to just about everything. It made for a mountain of paperwork that was for slagging sure.

Frowning he dropped the pad in disgust, refusing to pick up another one like he knew he was suppose too. John Keller had given him some requests from the various military operations and branches of the government but "requests" might be the wrong description of what they really were. Demands were more like it and Optimus was running out of excuses to hold them off.

Prowl's head came up at the sound of the pad hitting the desk and he looked over at his superior. "Something the matter Optimus?"

Optimus glanced over at his friend with a sigh. "Hmm? Oh, no. Not really."

"Is there something wrong with the report?" Prowl persisted, a frown marring his features. Prowl was a great guy, Optimus would be the first to admit but sometimes his second in command's need for perfection, especially in the reports, even frustrated Optimus a time or two.

"No, I just need a small break." Optimus glanced at the mound of data pads on Prowl's own desk. "Perhaps you could use a break as well? See what Jazz is getting into."

"I believe he was doing something with Ironhide and the humans and a few others out in the desert," Prowl responded promptly. "Something about learning Skyfire's flight range."

"Even better. Why don't you take the opportunity and advantage of your empty hanger and get some much needed rest."

"I do not need any rest," Prowl instantly countered.

"Tell Ratchet that." Optimus leveled a stare at the white mech.

Prowl shifted slightly. "I believe we are over due for a break," he agreed as he began to stand. "I'll just speak with Red Alert and-"

"Isn't Red working on the under ground base's alarm system?" Optimus frowned.

"He said something to that affect," Prowl admitted and Optimus shook his head.

"And Ironhide calls me a workaholic."

Prowl frowned at the odd word. "Workaholic?"

"Just go get some rest and we'll pick this back up later this afternoon."

"If you insist," Prowl began but Optimus was already darting out of the main hanger doors and headed across the courtyard. It was surprisingly quiet in the base. Most of the mechs had to be out in the desert with Ironhide and the humans. Clearly Bumblebee and Barricade had gone as their hanger doors were wide open and wherever Barricade went his team was right behind him so that was three more mechs out of the base.

It was actually relaxing. The soft sound of the wind blowing across the desert, enough clouds in the sky to keep the sun from bearing down on them but not completely cloudy that it was dreary. He nodded towards Perceptor who was just exiting out of the newly constructed "mess hall" which was really a new hanger where they were storing the many Energon cubes and where Perceptor and Wheeljack were making what could best be described as a distillery to turn the said cubes into liquid Energon.

With Perceptor headed off towards his own hanger for a break of his own Optimus wasn't expecting anyone inside the hanger and was surprised when he nearly plowed into a figure nearly as tall as his own. "Sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going-"

"It is quite all right Optimus Prime," a rather flat voice replied and Optimus gave the Decepticon a sharp glare.

"What is it going to take for you to just call me 'Optimus'?" he frowned. "I have given you permission to. On numerous occasions."

"It is not your complete designation," Soundwave replied crisply. "To call you anything but would be an insult."

"Who's insulted?" Optimus asked, surprise and shock running through him. "I'm not."

"Indeed," Soundwave tilted his head. "While you and your First Team would not find this at all problematic, to show you any discourtesy would not be wise at this juncture."

"You mean with Prowl and the others still wary of you and Barricade along with his team," Optimus sighed as he finally entered the storage hanger completely. He wasn't surprised to find Soundwave's team spread out about the hanger. Rumble lifted a glass towards him in a sort of greeting while Frenzy chirped something quietly to him.

"They are still wary of us as well as Barricade and his own team," Soundwave confirmed. "I believe it will be so until something has been done with Starscream and the other Decepticons."

"Working on it," Optimus groaned as he retrieved one of the few completed bottles of Energon and thought about the multiple requests he and John had gone over in trying to locate said seeker and the Decepticons under his command.

"Starscream may be insane but he is still a formidable opponent," Soundwave suddenly offered and Optimus looked up at Soundwave in surprise.

"You think there will be problems?"

"Hah!"

Optimus turned towards the small huff and looked at Rumble in askance. It was Ravage who spoke however. "Starscream always is a problem," the black cat drawled. "But he can be dangerous too in a rather insane way."

Optimus couldn't help but nod as Soundwave spoke again. "It is best to cover all possibilities when dealing with Starscream."

"It's very hard for us to get a read on him from our standpoint," Optimus admitted with a small frown. "We have very little information on him pre-war."

"We ourselves know very little of his background Optimus Pri-"

"'Optimus'."

"Prime," Soundwave finished pointedly and Optimus had to shake his head as he caught something out of the edge of his field of vision.

He wondered vaguely why Frenzy would be glaring at the floor but believed that it wasn't his business and if anything were wrong Rumble would help the mech out. Frenzy had been through enough after the fight at Hoover Dam followed by his capture by Sector Thirteen. Clearly there were still some issues with him. Hopefully the other Decepticons would be able to help him through it.

"Starscream is nothing but tenacious," Soundwave continued steadily. "While most of his plans are questionable he is still very intelligent in his own right."

"In other words he's not just crazy but he's crazy-dangerous," Optimus sighed as he sloshed the Energon in the small cup.

"Precisely Optimus Prime." The 'Prime' was added quickly and it only gave Optimus time to shoot the Decepticon communication officer a sharp frown. He was surprised to see Frenzy lifting his glare from the floor to aim at his commanding officer. 'Strange,' Optimus thought but he let it go as he filled another glass of Energon from the dispenser and set it aside to fill another glass for Prowl who was more than likely already back in the main hanger going over the many data pads.

"Well for now we just have to focus on finding Starscream," Optimus stated. "We can worry about confronting him after that."

"Starscream will not be easily discovered," Soundwave told him. "While he's reckless at times he still knows how to cover his tracks. As he is a flyer as well it is twice as hard to follow."

"I'm sure we'll think of something however," Optimus smiled. "Especially with all of you and Barricade giving us much needed insight on how he works." Soundwave tilted his head inquisitively and for some reason Frenzy's glare got even more intent.

"With the end of Cybertron it is in our best interest to pool our recourses," Soundwave finally spoke. "Starscream is refusing to see any other point other than his own."

"And he's set on fighting us," Optimus sighed.

"It is understandable from a certain standpoint."

Optimus looked at Soundwave in surprise. "How do you mean?"

"Many Decepticons, though they would never admit it, are frightened by the end of the war," Soundwave stated flatly.

Optimus seemed surprised. "What do you mean?"

"Many Decepticons have become settled in battle," Soundwave explained. "It is the apprehension of the unknown after the war that has them nervous."

"War is all they know," Optimus frowned as he thought about it. Soundwave did have a point.

"Mmm," Soundwave nodded in agreement. "Are you rested now?"

Optimus looked at him in surprise. "Yeah, actually." He drained the glass and refilled it one last time before he snagged to one he had set aside for Prowl. "Thanks for keeping me company."

"We were here first," Rumble huffed but Optimus just chuckled.

"Still."

"It was nothing Optimus Prime," Soundwave nodded.

It was then that the sound of a jet engine roared above them and everyone in the hanger tensed before realization settled. "We're going to have to speak to Sunstorm about flying over the base without notice," Optimus muttered.

"I would leave it to Skyfire to handle Sunstorm," Soundwave advised. "Sunstorm may find your orders more a challenge than something to be obeyed."

"Thanks for the advice," Optimus smiled. "I'll speak to Skyfire when he returns."

"Have a good day Optimus Prime," Soundwave gave him a slight nod as Optimus headed out the door.

"Yeah, you too. And thanks again."

Soundwave said nothing but Optimus honestly didn't expect him too. He had a ton of paperwork to work his way through and Soundwave had given him something to think about in terms of Starscream and the Decepticons who followed him. He'd have to run it by Prowl and a few of the others. Though he wondered what it was about their conversation that had Frenzy glaring so.