Chapter Text
[NOTICE: FORGE DESIGNATION OP-1.13ORIONPAXOPTIMUSPRIME — ACTIVE]
Megatron paused.
...okay.
“What?” Elita asked, an irate note to her voice. “You don’t like the guard schedule?”
“No,” Megatron passed the schedule back to Elita. “You did good work. This is acceptable. Do you know where Orion is?”
The femme narrowed her optics. “...do I want to know?”
He stared at her flatly.
She shrugged. “Last I heard, he took B to the archives. He’s attempting recruitment.”
“Right, thank you.” Megatron moved towards the door.
“Lord Megatron,” Elita called. “Please don’t start another fist fight.”
The silver mech glared at her. “Insubordinate.”
“Idiot.”
******
[NOTICE: FORGE – ACTIVATED]
[DIRECTIVE: LOCATE LORD PROTECTOR]
Optimus missed a step and almost ran into a wall.
B burst into giggles on his back.
Datawork stifled her own giggles behind him.
The prime huffed good-naturedly, trying to mask his concern.
...has his system ever asked him to seek out Megatron before?
“Is something wrong?” Datawork asked when he took too long to continue the tour.
“Hm, no, I do not believe so,” Optimus assured her. “However, I believe Lord Megatron will be arriving soon. Shall we meet him at the entrance?”
B and Datawork fixed him with nearly identical looks, a mix of concern and disbelief.
Optimus didn’t flinch, his steady smile stayed.
“I wanna see D,” B declared after a cycle of thought. “But you havata be honest. Kay?”
The prime snorted and switched directions towards the lobby. “Oh dear, am I in trouble?”
B nodded firmly. “Yeah. Big trouble. No lying.”
Datawork giggled. “Yes, Orion, no lying. Alpha Trion taught you better than that,” she teased gently.
“He’s the one who taught me to lie,” Optimus complained.
“Gasp!” B announced, nearly sending the two adults into full-blown laughter. “Afafa Trine wouldn’t do that. You lying again.”
“Alpha Trion,” Optimus corrected. “And it’s You are, or you’re.”
B poked his cheek. “Avoiding the subject.”
“My goodness,” Datawork cooed. “You’re so smart.”
The youngling preened as they finally reached the lobby.
The sight that met them nearly sent Optimus into laughter again.
One of the poor interns was stuttering and mumbling as he tried to explain to Megatron where Optimus was. Megatron didn’t look angry, but he was easily twice the intern’s size, had a naturally stern expression, and thick armor.
“Datacloud,” Orion called, amusement in his voice. He stretched his EM field to offer a wave of comfort and reassurance to the poor, frazzled Matureling. “I can take it from here.”
Megatron’s helm snapped around at the sound of his voice and stayed fixed on the prime.
Datacloud blubbered his thanks before all but fleeing.
Optimus watched him go fondly.
“I’d best check on my ward,” Datawork mused.
“Lord Megatron is not for the faint of spark.” Optimus agreed.
Megatron rolled his optics, but tellingly didn’t argue. He knew he was intimidating. “I need to talk to you,” he announced bluntly.
“Well, lucky for you,” Optimus replied cheerfully. “I have some time for a meeting. Would my office suffice?”
The silver mech hummed his agreement and followed the Head Archivist to his private office.
“Hi, D,” B greeted. “Rion almost ran into a wall.”
Megatron snorted. “Really? Amusing.”
“Glitch,” Optimus grumbled.
“Language,” Megatron chided.
“Ratchet says way worse things,” B informed them dutifully. “So it’s okay.”
Megatron and Optimus exchanged a look.
They would have to talk to Ratchet later.
They settled in the office, B was freed from the harness, and the adults picked two chairs to relax in.
“What does it mean by forge activated?” Megatron asked immediately.
Optimus frowned and cupped his chin in thought. “I... I’m not completely sure, to be honest. In a different context, I would say it is referring to the chamber where Primus produces newsparks.”
B pulled a box of blocks from a cubby and started bringing them to Megatron one by one.
“Right, but this is in reference to you,” Megatron pointed out. He quietly thanked B for the blocks and started balancing them on his leg.
“Well, one way to find out,” Optimus moved to his personal console and quickly entered his credentials before searching for Forged Prime records. “I’m sure something here will help.”
“Unless it’s new,” Megatron grumbled. The tower on his leg was growing. B had a huge grin as he continued carting blocks to his guardian.
“Hm.” The search narrowed down to a single entry. Optimus read through it twice before deciding he probably wasn’t hallucinating. “...how do you feel about getting another sparkling?”