"Rescue Bot Recruits, do you copy?", Chase said through the command center.

The Rescue Bots all stood there with worried looks as they waited for a response.

"We copy!!", Medix yelled through the comm, "We seem to be trapped in some sort of sandstorm!"

"Stand by", Chase said, "I'll see if I can get a visual. Is there any visibility within the storm?"

"Negative!", Whirl yelled, "I can barely see my own two servos in front of me!"

"And the sand feels like nails against our metal!", Wedge said slightly pained.

"Stay calm and stick together", Heatwave ordered, "the groundbridge has malfunctioned and Boulder is working as fast as he can to get it fixed."

"But what about the humans??", Hoist added, "Don't they need saving??"

Chase was able to get a visual and his spark instantly dropped at what he saw.

The storm was about to get worse.

And he couldn't see the recruits.

"I hope Boulder fixes the groundbridge quickly... the recruits definitely won't survive this...", Chase said to Heatwave.

Heatwave was at a total loss. He didn't know what to do.

And the longer he waited, the more dangerous the storm became.

Suddenly the door slid open.

"Hotshot?!", Blades shrieked.

Hotshot stumbled as he walked, Blades catching him before he could hit the floor.

"You should be resting!", Blades said, "You're not fully healed!"

"My friends and my promise are out there", Hotshot managed to say, "and I want to help."

"Hotshot..."

"We could use all the help we can get", Heatwave spoke up, "Chase, go help Boulder with the groundbridge."

Chase nodded and ran out of the room.

Heatwave stepped away from the command center, "We have visual and comms are functioning. I hope you know what you're doing, Hotshot."

Blades helped guide Hotshot to the chair in front of the command center and helped him sit down.

Hotshot looked up at Heatwave, "I don't... but I'm still gonna try."

Heatwave smiled at that.

Hotshot then got on the comms, "Listen up team."

"Hotshot?!", Wedge said in shock.
"Whoa! Hey buddy!!", Hoist said happily.
"Whoo-hoo! He's back!!", Whirl cheered.
"OH THANK THE ALLSPARK YOU'RE OKAY!!!", Medix cried.

Hotshot smiled widely but quickly refocused, "Yes, I'm okay, but right now I need to get you all out of this storm. Everyone, lights on."

The recruits turned on their lights.

"Are your lights on?"

"Affirmative sweetspark", Medix said through tears.

"Good. Now Whirl, I need you to use your rotors. Hoist, tie one of your winch whips to her and use your other to tie onto Wedge and Medix. That way you all can stick together", Hotshot ordered.

The recruits did exactly as ordered. Whirl lead the way as her rotors blew away the sand.

"Hotshot, are we heading the right way?", Whirl asked.

Hotshot could finally get a heat signature, "Yes, keep going. You're almost out."

At that moment, the storm got even worse.

The recruits dropped to the ground in pain.

"Hotshot", Medix said in pain, "we're not going to make it..."

Hotshot slammed his fist down, "Yes you are and I'm going to make sure of it! No one's dying on my watch! Especially you, Medix!"

That got the recruits right back on their pedes.

"Keep going guys! You're almost there!"

Within a matter of minutes, shared relief within the command center surfaced as the four recruits collapsed outside of the storm.

"We did it", Whirl said tiredly.
"We sure did", Hoist justified.
"Let's hope that never happens again...", Wedge added.
"I think the humans aren't the only ones in need of a rescue...", Medix concluded.

Heatwave just got off the comms at that moment, "That was Boulder. The groundbridge is fixed. We're on our way."

The recruits let out a tired cheer.

Heatwave playfully rubbed Hotshot's helm, "I'm proud of you, Hotshot. That was no easy task, and yet, you handled it like a pro. Good job."

"Thank you Heatwave", Hotshot said with a smile, "can I come along?"

"No you may not!", Blades nagged, "You're still recovering!"

"Aww..."

Heatwave chuckled, "but you can hang out by the groundbridge and wait for us to get back."

Hotshot beamed a big smile, "That works."

Heatwave shut down the command center and followed Blades and Hotshot to the groundbridge.

-----------------------------------------

Tears fell as Hotshot saw his team come through one by one, each of them being carried by a Rescue Bot.

Whirl was the first to come through while being carried by Chase.

Chase gently set Whirl down in front of Hotshot.

Whirl stumbled but was caught by Hotshot, who then brought her in for a hug, "Good to see you Whirl."

"Glad to be seen!", she joked.

Hoist came through next while being carried by Boulder.

Boulder gently set Hoist down next to Whirl.

Hotshot brought Hoist in for a hug, "Hey there buddy."

Hoist smiled widely, "You stole my line."

Giggles ensue.

Wedge was the next to come through while being carried by Heatwave.

Heatwave gently set Wedge down next to Hoist.

Hotshot bro hugged Wedge, "Thanks for not drawing a mustache on me while I was out. Fragger."

Wedge only laughed.

Hotshot let go and then smiled as he looked back toward the groundbridge.

There was only one teammate left.

And this one was the one who was most important to him.

Medix was the last to come through while being carried by Blades.

Blades barely got in two steps away from the groundbridge when he noticed Hotshot running. He gently set down Medix in time for Hotshot to almost tacklehug the young medic.

Hotshot's spark swelled with so much love as he hugged Medix. He never wanted to let go.

Medix didn't want to let go either.

"You have no idea how awesome it feels to have you in my arms again, Medix", Hotshot said as he hugged more tightly.

Medix cried into Hotshot's shoulder.

Hotshot quickly let go of the hug and cupped both of Medix's cheekplates, worry clear in his voice, "Medix?? Are you o-"

"You idiot."

Hotshot was shocked, "Wh-"

"You big, stupid idiot!", Medix said as he squeezed his optics shut, more tears falling.

The Recruits and Rescue Bots only looked on in shock.

Hotshot let go of Medix, confusion and hurt clear on his face, "Medix I-"

"You risked the one thing I care about the most just to save me."

"W-What is it..?"

Medix looked up at Hotshot with tears still falling, "Your life."

Tears fell down Hotshot's face as Medix cupped his cheekplates.

"You're an idiot, Hotshot", Medix said with a smile, "but you're my idiot. You risked your life to save mine without hesitation."

Hotshot smiled as he wrapped his arms around Medix's waist, bringing him much closer, "I had to... I couldn't stand the thought of seeing you get hurt... You mean everything to me Medix. That's why I wanted you to have the promise ring."

Medix started falling in love again.

Hotshot continued, "Yeah it was pretty idiotic of me to risk my life for you... but could you blame me? I love you way too much, Medix... and you know what else?"

Medix couldn't stop his tears, "What?"

Hotshot rested his forehelm against Medix's as he said in the sweetest voice, "I plan on having a future with you."

Medix wrapped his arms around Hotshot's neck and went straight in for a passionate kiss, tears streaming down his faceplates as the kiss deepened.

All bots in the room cheered.