Chapter Nineteen

                                    

                                          
 Episode 13 - Sick Mind (1)
                          
[Amanda]
                          
  I sat crossed legged on the couch at the base, reading over the documents created at the last BeckIT meeting regarding the work being done at an Indigenous village in Northern Canada. It was the weekend, so Miko, Jack, and Raf were at their houses, doing whatever it is their family does on weekends until one o'clock, when Bulkhead, Arcee, and Bumblebee would pick them up and bring them to the base. I on the other hand, had nowhere to go and had no one to be with, so Optimus decided a while ago that I'd spend the entire day at the base, since he was more concerned that I'd be a Decepticon target over the others because I was seen with him. 
                          
  Ratchet had been on the main computers all day, only leaving to tinker with a few things from his lab now and then. Bumblebee, Arcee, and Bulkhead had been rotating on patrols, but were all back now because it was almost one o'clock. Optimus had been popping in and out all day, but had also returned for the moment.
                          
  "Amanda," I looked up to see Optimus walking towards the platform. "Would you like to join me on patrol?"
                          
  "Sure thing." I stood, glad for the distraction, and began to head down the stairs when Ratchet spoke up from his place at the base's main computers.
                          
  "Optimus, you're not going to believe this," The medic said, his gaze solely on his screen. "But I've pinpointed the location of the Decepticon warship."
                          
  The Prime gave me an apologetic look before heading towards Ratchet. "How did you penetrate their cloaking technology?"
                          
  Disappointed, I sat down on the stair that I stood on and tried not to feel too let down. The truth was, Optimus and I barely had any time together, unlike the others and their Autobots. Since he was the leader of the team, he was always being called by either Ratchet or Agent Fowler to do something.
                          
    Maybe this is for the best. You know, so you don't get too attached.
                          
  For god's sake, I thought I shut you up.
                          
  "I was experimenting with variable frequency wavelengths when I stumbled upon it," Ratchet was explaining. "Even still, their ship must be experiencing some kind of electromagnetic breach."
                          
  The other Autobots walked up to the computer as well as Arcee spoke up. "With Megatron deceased and the element of surprise-"
                          
  "We could cause some serious damage." Bulkhead finished. 
                          
  The computer beeped again, and Ratchet informed us to what it was. "Also on the same frequency, an Autobot emergency beacon."
                          
  "The Decepticons can wait," Optimus said immediately. "There may be Autobots in distress. Ratchet, bring your medical kit."
                          
  Arcee fired up the ground bridge and both Optimus and Ratchet walked through. Once it closed, Bumblebee buzzed something.
                          
  "Bee's right," Arcee said. "Someone has to go grab the kids." 
                          
  They all exchanged looks, not wanting to leave while two Autobots were out on a mission. Holding back a sigh, I stood. 
                          
  "I'll get them," I said, pulling out my phone to signal a car to arrive at the nearest road.
                          
  "You can drive?" Bulkhead asked.
                          
  "I'm sixteen," I replied. "I can assure you I can drive. Even if I couldn't, I have some self driving cars. I've already signaled one to meet me on the nearest road."
                          
  Arcee nodded. "Call in when you get here and we'll open the door for you."
                          
  "Right," I began to walk down the hall that lead to the large door that acted as the entrance and exit to the base. The door began to slide up, allowing me to slip out and keep walking. After walking for around five minutes, I spotted the road and a sleek black Ford Mustang parked to the side. My handprint on the driver side handle unlocked the car and I slid in, taking the spare keys out of their hiding spot underneath the seat. Revving the engine a bit, I began driving towards Jasper.