My Falling Star Chapter 8

….:::~CHAPTER 8~:::….

After gently laying Kayda's limp, recharging frame into her berth, Prime sighed and chuckled softly looking down onto her admiringly. She was quite something…

Shaking his head, Prime turned away and sank onto his own berth and let his back fall against its vast, flat surface. Recharge sounded really good right now. But as he tried to offline his tired optics, questions began to flood his CPU.

'Why did I have to be the one to receive Kayda?'

'…Of all places to land in the universe, why did it have to be on earth?'

'What is my future now that I have Kayda?'

'Will everything change for the better or for the worst?'

But the question that made a slight feeling of horror…cold… lifeless… horror slide into Prime's systems was the one question Prime shuddered to think about.

'What would Megatron do if he knew about Kayda's existence?'

'…would he kill her…?'

'…or…would he do something…worse?'

Prime shuddered and laid inert to that idea. Worse than death? He could only imagine the torture and punishment that that sick twisted CPU of Megatron's could think of. Megatron was the one responsible for killing off most of Cybertron's youth brutally…and those were sparklings and younglings that did nothing to him…Optimus could only speculate what he would do to the daughter of his worst enemy.

Shaking Prime tried to push those thoughts out of his mind. The last thing he needed to do right now was work himself up over nothing…even though it really wasn't. Megatron was still out there…looming on the outer rim of this solar system…waiting to strike.

Sitting up Optimus rubbed his tired optics, scolding himself for letting his processer wander this far, even though this is something he knew he would have to think about eventually…he just…didn't want to think of it now; not while all of this still seemed so sweet and innocent. Whether Prime liked to admit it to himself or not, he knew that one day, Kayda…his sweet, beloved spark…would fall into danger whether it be at the hands of Megatron or another Decepticon. He HAD to protect her, for the future of all Cybertronians. But how? It wasn't like he could be around her all hour of the day looking over her 'like-a-hawk'; he had everyday duties to attend to. It wasn't like he could just drag her around with him EVERYWHERE. That in all honestly just wasn't possible. No matter how much SHE would love it, it just would not work.

Again shaking his head and sinking back against his berth; closing his tired optics, Prime sighed slowly and chuckled. "Trouble your CPU with this…tomorrow."

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1:30 am.

That's what the digital clock above Kayda's berth read.

The rain beat down against the roof of the hanger harshly and the winds howled something fierce and a tiny sparkling quivered at every little sound.

Looking at the ceiling at the soft but vibrant colors that danced through the night, Kayda couldn't find comfort and quivered. The noises of the wind and rain combined scared her, and the bright sudden flashes from the small window up in the corner of the room didn't help.

Pulling herself up to look out of her berth, the rest of the room seemed to be very weakly eliminated by her nightlight. She let her optics wander until they rested on the big berth on the other side of the berth, and daddy that lay on top of it. He was turned on his side away from her; deep in recharge.

Chirping wearily Kayda watched Prime. He didn't move. So…she chirped again. Nothing. Not so much as a twitch.

Feeling alone, scared, and utterly helpless Kayda sank back down into her berth and rolled over to watch the colors light up across the ceiling. As long as she focused on the colors…she would be okay.

*BOOM*

The thunder cracked across the entire base like a bomb exploding. It even rattled loose siding and shook windows. But suddenly following was a blinding flash of lightning…then…everything went black.

As the colors suddenly went out, the room fell into total blackness and another crack of loud thunder rolled across the night sky.

Scared, alone, helpless, and now in the dark; Kayda did the one thing that saved her before.

"DADDY!"

Prime shot up from his berth and stared blankly into the darkness then looked at the clock…which wasn't on. The power had gone out.

Another bolt of lightning streaked across the sky followed closely by ominous thunder.

Weeping, and vocalizer shaking, Kayda called again into the darkness. "DADDY!"

Realizing he had heard something, Prime stood up and activated his headlights because the room was so dark. Looking around at first, with a quick stride he made his way across the room and looked into Kayda's berth.

Wide awake with fluid seeping from her optics Kayda looked up to see a bright pair of dark sapphire blue optics looking down at her lovingly and then heard a soothing deep voice.

"It's alright Kayda…it's alright…don't be afraid."

Gently sweeping her up into his arms, Prime pulled Kayda close and cooed. "It's only a thunderstorm little one."

Pushing her face into his chest armor, Kayda shook and whimpered. "Daddy…"

Hushing her weeping cries Prime rubbed her back plate affectionately. "I'm here Kayda…don't be afraid…"

Gently seating himself with Kayda close to him, Prime chuckled as he gently caressed her cheek. Apparently she was scared of more than just the dark and mechs fighting; it appeared that thunderstorms resided on that list as well. Not that he could blame her, in a sense…thunderstorms somewhat startled him too when he first came here…somewhat. When he first witnessed the fearsome might and fury of a thunderstorm, he had mistaken the sound of thunder for enemy fire… ah, a mistake and embarrassment he would never forget.

But in Kayda's case it was different; much different. She was just a little sparkling that was terrified because she didn't understand what was going on and why that loud sound continued. She shuddered and wept helplessly in Prime's arms. She didn't like this loud noise and wanted it to stop.

Prime could feel the pain and immense fear flooding into Kayda's spark and could also feel her tiny body shiver and grab for his chest armor desperately. His spark just melted in both pain and sympathy for his little Kayda. She really was terrified, and there was nothing he could do. Or was there something?

Pulling Kayda closer to his chest and face Optimus nuzzled the trembling sparkling and cooed softly. She whimpered and nuzzled closer closing her optics tightly. Optimus wrapped his massive arms around Kayda and purred. Well, not exactly purring but a gentle humming sound emanated from his chest and vocalizer as he rubbed his nose plate and face against Kayda's.

Watching him curiously with her bright sky/sapphire blue optics she stared in wonder at Optimus. Did he really just start…purring? She thought only she could do that! Optimus laughed quietly as his large deep blue optics scanned Kayda. She wasn't shaking so hard now and was focusing more on him than the storm; and that is what he wanted. She looked away from his face to his broad, massive flame decorated arms that surrounded her in a warm safe haven. Being next to her daddy's chest with his arms wrapped around her had to be the best feeling ever. It made her feel much safer and a lot less scared.

Prime could feel this; he could feel the fear slowly reseeding her spark now as she stared up at him with curiosity. As long as he kept her from worrying about the thunderstorm going on outside and focusing on him, everything would be alright.

But…It was just about 2:00 in the morning now, and his optics struggled to stay online. He still needed a few hours of recharge. And apparently he was not the only one.

Slowly, Kayda rubbed her tiny optics and yawned looking up at Prime with 'exhaustion' written on her face plate. Prime laughed quietly as he rose to his pads. "So, do you think its safe enough to power down?"

As Prime quietly approached and stopped in front of her berth Kayda looked up and whimpered. And even as Prime lowered her in she whimpered slightly louder but then grabbed Prime's chest armor…and…would not let go.

Gently picking her back up out of the berth, Prime cautiously tried to pry Kayda's digits free from his armor. "Come now Kayda, it's time for you to power down."

Squawking, Kayda reluctantly maintained her grip.

Not wanting to hurt her little hand, Prime looked away mumbling. "Alright…you win."

Looking up Kayda smiled and cooed as she nuzzled against Prime. He smiled and chuckled softly. "Just for tonight. Don't let this become a habit like the shower thing."

Purring and nuzzling closer Kayda slowly started to drift into recharge.

After grabbing her light blue N.E.S.T. blanket and wrapping her in it along with grabbing Gaffy (That's the name Kayda and Bumblebee chose with Epps' help of course), Prime quietly crossed the room and slowly sat down on his berth. Lying down with Kayda still on his chest, Prime made the necessary adjustments and let his body sag against the flat surface beneath him. Watching Kayda, he laughed quietly every time she flinched or whimpered or even both as she fell into deep stasis. Keeping an arm around her small petite body, Prime chuckled silently and caressed her head.

"I'll always be here to protect you Kayda…"

Then…leaning his heavy head against the berth, Prime soon found himself drifting away into recharge as well.

….*****….

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"—Prime?...Prime!...Are you awake?...Are you even there? Answer your damn comm. link!—."

Without opening his optics, prime groaned activating his end of the comm. link and tiredly answered. "—What do you want Ratchet…—?"

Within seconds he responded with slight urgency. "—We need you in the command center right away…it's rather important—."

Sitting up slightly being careful of Kayda who was still on his chest, Prime mumbled. "—I'll be there as soon as I can—."

After closing the link, Prime slowly stood up and rewrapped Kayda in her blanket. She was deep in recharge and probably intended to stay that way. Prime really didn't want to have to deal with a cranky sparkling this morning after her scare last night.

Walking smoothly but quickly through the hallways with Kayda still in his arms, Prime entered through the doors outside and crossed the tarmac letting the cool morning air into his systems. It was still dark and the sun was just starting to come over the horizon. It was dawn.

…

Walking into the command center, Prime saw Major Lennox and Captain Epps standing on the catwalk with a selected few other soldiers with Ratchet in close proximity. Whispering but speaking sternly Prime groaned. "You better have a good reason for waking me this early Ratchet."

Having looked at Prime and then the small sparkling in his arms, Ratchet chuckled warmly. "Did we have a rough night sir?"

Looking down at Kayda, Optimus slowly nodded. "The thunder frightened her quite a bit last night…enough to the point where she was crying for me."

Looking back up Prime quickly changed the subject. "But never mind that…why is it that you've summoned me here so early?"

Looking away laughing quietly, Ratchet turned to Lennox. "Like I said over the link…it's something that requires your immediate attention."

Rolling his optics also looking to the human soldiers Prime groaned. "Yes. Ratchet I have gathered THAT much, but I have yet to know what all this is about!"

Galloway stepped forward slowly. "It's Defense Secretary Keller, he wishes to talk to you…"

Growling Prime swayed. "And this could not wait until later?"

Epps set an uneasy hand of Will's shoulder looking at him and motioning to the Autobot commander. "May I?"

Will nodded toward Optimus half laughing. "Be my guest."

Looking up at the large red and blue mass Epps laughed half-heartedly. "Listen big guy, the thing of it is…is that secretary Keller is on a private jet being flown here as we speak. And something tells me that whatever he wants to talk to you about has to do with that new little 'bundle-of-joy' that's asleep in your arms."

Groaning and looking away Prime's shoulders sank. Just…great.

Looking back at Will and Epps Prime shook his head. "Why do I suddenly have a massive unsettling feeling building up in my fuel tank?"

Will looked away laughing slightly. "Trust me big guy, you're not the only one with butterflies in your stomach."

Holding up a defying finger, Epps grinned. "Uh Will, he doesn't have a stomach…he has a fuel tank."

Turning around to Epps, Will scowled. "Shut up Epps. He knows what I meant!"

Optimus chuckled quietly to himself. Humans… truly were different.

Will shook his head and gently pushed Epps away. "Anyway, back to the original subject; Defense Secretary Keller is on his way here now, and if I heard the second thing correctly…General Morshower will also be listening to the meeting over a live satellite link."

Looking down at Kayda who had now sprawled out and was in human terms…'drooling'…Prime sighed and looked at the ceiling. "Perfect."

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….*****….

"Mr. Secretary…please with all due respect why do you insist on wasting your time with these machines? What could you possibly merit from this?"

As defense secretary Keller walked across the tarmac from his private jet with uncountable body guards he groaned and looked out of the corner of his eye. "Theodore..."

Turning to him Galloway stopped. "Yes sir?"

Keller let his shoulders sag as he stopped and looked Galloway up and down. "How long have I been in office?"

"Almost four years now sir." Galloway looked around…almost proud.

Keller nodded. "Hmmm…and how long have you been in office?"

Galloway turned away adjusting his glasses. Keller nodded and continued toward the base doors. "Galloway…do us both a favor and for once in your life…just shut up."

Looking down and somewhat cowering Galloway nodded. "Yes sir."

Two on-duty soldiers slowly opened the large steel doors. Stepping inside with his escort he stopped and took in the scene. Several soldiers at their stations…Major Lennox standing at attention with Captain Robert Epps beside him…and of course…a 32 foot tall, red and blue flame patterned male alien robot who was standing proud with his hands neatly tucked behind his back watching him and his party cautiously.

"Hello Secretary Keller, it is always a pleasure to see you."

Kneeling slowly Prime showed a friendly smile. He had absolutely no problems toward Secretary Keller and General Morshower…just Galloway.

Secretary Keller smiled and nodded in return. "It is good to see you as well my friend."

Prime nodded and again stood as Keller ascended up the stairway to the catwalk. Both Will and Epps again stood at attention facing Keller and saluted. Keller lifted a modest hand. "At ease gentleman."

Epps and Galloway both rested as another soldier turned away from a nearby screen. "Major, we have a link with the Pentagon and General Morshower is on standby…awaiting your orders."

Walking over to the screens Lennox nodded. "Proceed."

Turning back to the screen the soldier established a link and nodded. "We're ready sir."

Standing in front of the camera Major Lennox stood at attention. "We are ready for you sir."

From a separate screen Morshower nodded. "I trust that Defense Secretary Keller is there."

Also stepping in front of the screen next to Lennox, Keller nodded. "Yes Glenn, I made it safe and sound."

General Morshower nodded and laughed. "Oh John…I can always count on you to have a good sense of humor."

Setting his laughing aside Morshower sat up clearing his throat. "But John, as much as I would love to sit and talk with you, it has come to my attention that we have more serious matters at hand…matters concerning a certain alien commander."

Suddenly all eyes drifted to Optimus.

Looking around with uncertainty Prime sank slightly. "Have I done something wrong here?"

In most situations Prime was used to having all human eyes and Autobot optics on him…but not like this.

Lennox laughed half-heartedly and shrugged. "Not exactly big guy…"

Clearing his throat Keller walked up and rested against the rail of the catwalk. "Prime, I'm not going to beat around the bush with you so I'll get straight to the point. Our government is not so sure about your new…um…'addition'."

Prime looked away closing his optics. "You know? About Kayda I mean?"

Keller motioned to Galloway who was standing nearby and remaining silent. "Did you really expect him to stay quiet about this?"

Prime looked up opening his optics and then to the curious organic onlookers. "Just what seems to be the problem secretary? My Kayda is not causing any harm and is not a nuisance, if anything she could be considered a blessing to our dwindling species!"

On the screen Morshower put up his hands in defense. "And we fully understand and respect that Prime, we really do…but much of the President's beneficiaries feel that by having that…um…"

"Sparkling." Prime said suddenly as he turned away growling quietly.

Morshower cleared his throat. "…Sparkling with you, the government feels that she is a distraction and the United Kingdom agrees."

Prime looked up straightening his stature. "So what is it you are trying to say General Morshower? That I am not capable of raising my own offspring without seeing to my commands as well?"

Keller stepped forward holding up a single hand. "Now Prime, please try to understand…we just don't want you…biting off more than you can chew."

Leaning forward Prime raised an optic ridge. "Come again?"

Lennox laughed motioning toward Keller. "What he meant to say big guy is that our government doesn't want you trying to take on more than one thing at once…you know…having too much to handle."

Leaning back Prime scoffed. "Major...Secretary…General…I am more than capable of caring for my sparkling and commanding my army. I have been in this universe for quite some time and I do believe I know how to multi-task."

As Prime looked away, there was a long awkward and somewhat ominous pause until Keller laughed abruptly. "Where is the little tyke anyway?"

Looking up letting his frustration fade, Prime sighed. "She is as of now in my room in her berth…recharging."

Galloway shot into the conversation abruptly. "You left her alone? Pfffffttt and you call yourself a parent?"

Growling out loud Prime lowered his gaze to match Galloway's with an ominous stare of disapproval in his optics. "With all due respect Director…my Kayda is as safe as can be in the care of my most trusted scout, Bumblebee."

Grabbing Galloway by the back of the collar Keller hissed in his ear. "Do you honestly take pride in trying to piss off the largest and probably most powerful living thing on this planet? Honestly Theodore, if you wish to be mauled by him then I would urge you to continue on your accusations otherwise be silent."

Looking extremely pallor Galloway nodded and backed away. The last thing he wanted was to end up like Captain Epps' image that he had spoke of a few days earlier…nothing but a red puddle on the floor with a few spare bones and organs lying here and there with Autobot pads belonging to the Commander Optimus Prime stained in blood. Shaking Galloway tried to cast the sickening thoughts out of his mind.

Resetting his broad shoulders, Prime stood up straight. "Defense Secretary Keller, … General Morshower, please…I understand that my having a sparkling now must trouble your government immensely, but rest assured having young will not disallow me from completing day to day tasks as well as being overall commander of my species. Kayda is of no disadvantage to me or your government."

Lennox lifted a hand laughing half-heartedly as he turned to D.S. Keller. "Mr. Secretary I too must say that with all respect intended; Prime is probably the ONE and ONLY bot around here that you don't have to worry about. True, he probably does have enough on his processer to worry about as it is, but if he wants his kid; who are we to say any different?"

Keller looked to Morshower's face on the screen. Morshower looked away and nodded.

Lennox too nodded and continued. "And General would you not say that it is technically Prime's right that he keeps the child? I mean after all it is a right of sharing 'D' I mean 'C NA'. Face facts gentleman he IS Kayda's rightful guardian and her well being is of HIS jurisdiction… NOT ours."

Morshower leaned forward resting his arms. "I have to agree with Major Lennox…Prime is more than capable of making this decision on his own and if he wishes to keep the little one, than he has my full support."

Lennox turned to Prime nodding triumphantly with a wide smirk on his face.

"However."

Lennox turned back to the screen. Morshower smiled vaguely. "What on God's green earth is 'CNA'?"

Lennox laughed sheepishly looking at Prime for assistance. "Well it's like—."

"DADDY!"

Every being in the room suddenly turned toward the doors to see Bumblebee standing motionless with a very excited sparkling in his hands. Kayda squealed and reached for Optimus with grabby digits, wanting to be held.

Laughing out loud, Keller cocked his head and looked at the sparkling. "Well, it looks like someone is happy to see you Prime."

Nodding Prime glanced over his shoulder smiling. "That she does Secretary Keller…that she does."

Looking back to Kayda, slowly he approached.

She giggled, squealed and cooed and she continued to reach for Optimus. Laughing quietly to himself, Prime gently took the hysteric sparkling from Bumblebee's arms into his own and nestled her against his chest. Sighing and continuing to coo, Kayda gently gripped Prime's chest armor and nuzzled into him.

Sighing through his intakes Prime looked up and turned to face the skeptical human eyes.

Keller laughed looking the sparkling up and down. "So this is the little one causing all the ruckus."

Shrugging sheepishly Prime nodded. "Yes."

Just then Kayda rubbed her face giggling hard before rubbing her entire face against Prime's cheek plate. As Prime slowly started to smile; all but Galloway started to laugh.

Noticing that all the other fleshy creatures in the room where laughing, then it only made sense that she laugh too.

Shaking his head and scoffing quietly, Prime adjusted Kayda in his arms and looked down. "I do hate to cut this hearing short, but I do have other responsibilities to attend to. Secretary Keller, General Morshower…"

Prime gently dipped his head as he back away. "…it is always a pleasure to speak with you."

Both Keller and Morshower nodded in sync to one another as Prime turned away to leave.

But looking up over Prime's massive shoulder Kayda smiled and waved. "Bye-bye."

Prime looked at her; shocked…but soon shook his head and walked out of the hanger laughing.

Keller casually turned and looked to both Lennox and Morshower laughing. "She's quite a cute little thing if I do say so myself."

Morshower nodded chuckling softly. "That she is."

Galloway scoffed out loud gaining Keller's, Morshower's, Lennox's and Epps' attentions. "How can you think of anything that looks like that as being 'cute'?"

Epps scowled and snapped back sarcastically. "Well most kids are cute at that age Galloway."

Galloway growled as he stormed down the stairs and out of the hanger. Keller chuckled slowly beginning to follow. "Major Lennox, be sure to keep me updated on the child's progress…I think I kind of like the little squirt."

Morshower nodded. "The Pentagon needs to stay updated as well Lennox; something like this can't be ignored."

Nodding to both Keller and Morshower, Lennox agreed. "I will be sure to do that…uh…sirs."

Nodding one last time, Morshower disconnected his link and Keller disappeared out the door with his body guards into the sound of helicopter blades coming on.

As soon as a helicopter faded into the distance Epps sighed looking at Will who returned the gesture. Epps laughed and shrugged. "Well that could have gone worse."

…

But the truth of it was, things were going to get worse…much…much worse.

Up in the planet's atmosphere on the military transmission satellite, Soundwave froze in astonishment.

Optimus Prime…has…offspring?

Soundwave replayed certain parts of the transmission over again just to verify that he had heard correctly.

-"… My Kayda is not causing any harm and is not a nuisance, if anything she could be considered a blessing to our dwindling species!"-

-"So what is it you are trying to say General Morshower? That I am not capable of raising my own offspring without seeing to my commands as well?"-

-"Major...Secretary…General…I am more than capable of caring for my sparkling and commanding my army. I have been in this universe for quite some time and I do believe I know how to multi-task."-

Offspring?

Sparkling?

Kayda?

Was Soundwave hearing this correctly? Does Optimus Prime really have a sparkling?

These transmissions were the proof! OPTIMUS PRIME! The supreme commander of the Autobots…has offspring!

This is just what Megatron would want to hear…and Soundwave knew that.

Quickly dis-attaching himself from the satellite Soundwave transformed into an alien-like vehicle that resembled a jet and shot into deep space toward Mars chuckling.

"Objective complete: necessary information obtained."

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