Optimus jerked with startled pain when the gun slammed into him, but didn't have the chance to properly complain before they were under attack. He felt one fragile little body entangle itself between his heels - and purposefully or not, he knew what was going to happen only a moment before it did.

::Look out!::

He tugged at Cliffjumper, pulling him down into a protective embrace as he went down hard, guarding the smaller mech's frame from both the weight of the fall and the prodding cables already reaching out. But instead of flailing helplessly on the floor as they teetered toward the stairs, he rolled with it, feeling yet another crunch as something small and vulnerable was crumpled under his bulk.

Then another, as they continued to clang and roll toward the stairs.