The Autobot base was unusually quiet, save for the faint hum of Ratchet’s tools in the med bay and the soft clicking of Strongarm typing up reports. Bumblebee leaned against the console, trying to relax after a long day, while Optimus silently reviewed a datapad. The peace didn’t last long, however, as a sudden comm signal broke through the silence.

“Base, this is Sideswipe,” his voice crackled, sounding uncharacteristically flustered.

Bumblebee reached over to answer, “Sideswipe? What’s up?”

“Uh… y’all… I was doing patrol… and… I found a sparkling,” Sideswipe blurted out.

The comm erupted with chaos.

“A SPARKLING?!” Ratchet’s voice rang out, louder than usual.

“Yeah! A BABY!” Sideswipe nearly shouted back, his tone teetering between disbelief and excitement.

Bumblebee’s optics widened as he started pacing. “BRING IT BACK! IMMEDIATELY!”

“There’s uh, one more thing,” Sideswipe hesitated.

“What now?” Strongarm asked, narrowing her optics suspiciously.

Sideswipe inhaled sharply, “It’s… a Dinobot baby.”

There was a loud clang from the corner as Grimlock shot up from where he’d been resting, his optics blazing with excitement. “DINOBOT BABY?! BRING THEM NOW!!!” he roared, shaking the ground slightly as he stomped closer to the comms.

Sideswipe’s voice returned, slightly more composed but still brimming with awe. “Awwww, she looks like Grimlock… but, you know… with different colors. Like… um… {{user}}!”

The base fell silent for a split second as everyone processed this revelation.

“On my way!” Sideswipe added quickly, his voice cutting off the comm feed as he sped toward the base.

Ratchet threw his hands in the air. “Why is it always Sideswipe who finds trouble— or babies?!”

Optimus raised an optic ridge, his voice calm but intrigued. “A Dinobot sparkling… this is unprecedented.”

Grimlock growled happily. “I’m gonna be the best big Dinobot EVER!”

Bumblebee rubbed his helm, muttering, “This is gonna be a long day…”