Time Before War

by SilverStormPax18

After graduation the Cybertronians find themselves getting into the swing of everyday life as adults. The era was a peaceful era, no wars, no protest, everything was working well together, this was known as the Golden Age. If you would have asked any Cybertronian then young or old if they thought a war would consume the planet within a year or two most would have laughed saying you

1. Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Peace of Life
Orian stared at the ground as he walked toward his job at the Iacon Hall of Records, every day was the same, come in sort files and documents, and leave. The kind of life Orian liked, it was simple, plus there was a reason to show up at work every day, Elita-One. Orian had seen many femmes in his years of school but none had come close to this one, she was graceful and beautiful. Her smile made his spark skip a beat, Orian pushed opened the doors of Iacon, Elita looked at him as the doors opened. "Good Morning Orian, ready for another fun filled day?" Orian smiled, "Yes I am and you?" Elita chuckled "Oh I'm ready but you might change your mind." She wiggled her finger at him to follow her, Orians face dropped into a frown. "What do you mean Elita?" Elita opened the door to another archive room where huge stacks of data pads were spread across room. "Got in another shipment of info." Orian rolled his eyes, "I wonder why the council insist on all data to be transferred here?" Elita laughed, "It's the council who knows why they do anything." Orian nodded in agreement as he began the long task of sorting the data pads.

SilverStorm joyfully skipped up the Iacon doors, she missed working here it was cake compared to the army. SilverStorm opened the doors to find Elita at the front desk, "My brother around?" Elita nodded "yeah he's sorting a huge shipment of data pads." SilverStorm smirked, "Did he ask you yet?" Elita giggles and shook her head, "No, I think he's scared to ask." SilverStorm just rolled her eyes, "he's liked you for what like two years now?" Elita laughed, " More like a year and a half but same difference." SilverStorm leaned on the desk, "he better get on the ball or some other Mechs gonna steal you." Elita smiled and gave a small chuckle, "So how is Magnus?" SilverStorm blushed, "what about him?" Elita just gave her a smug look, SilverStorm played with her fingers. "He's fine, he is going to the lieutenant training camp." Elita nudged SilverStorm as she walked by, "So has he asked you?" SilverStorm, shook her head, "what is with these mechs, like it so obvious we like them!" Elita shrugged "oh well guess we just have to keep waiting." SilverStorm nodded thoughtfully, "You on lunch?" Elita nodded back, "Good lets go I need another girl to talk to." Elita smiled and followed SilverStorm out of the building.
Orian sighed heavily the clock showed it was lunch time but if he stopped he would never final before tonight. Orian shook his head, "I must stay the course." Orian continued working. About an hour later Orians work door opened to reveal the master archivist, Alpha Trion, "Sir?" Orian asked coming to a standing position. "Why are you not to lunch?" Orian looked to the mess around him, "There's too much work to do." Alpha Trion smiled, with each passing day he knew his decision was the right one, "My young apprentice, the work is not going anywhere now go and join others on their breaks." Orian went to speak but was stopped when Alpha Trion held up his hand and walked away. Orian smiled and walked out of Iacon seeing his sister and Elita sitting at a Cafe. SilverStorm saw her brother coming over, "Here he comes Elita." Elites eyes widened with her mouth of a huge gulp of energon. SilverStorm smirked as Orian came closer, "Hey brother you finally decided to take a break." Orian pulled a chair over, "Alpha Trion made me." Elita smiled "Good" was all she said. Orian looked to his right "Elita I wanted to ask you something." Elitas spark began to pump faster, SilverStorm coughed excusing herself from the scene. Orian took a deep breath and began his question with caution, "Elita would you, what I mean is, well I was wondering, you probably don't but if you want too maybe we could I don't know hang out sometime?" Elita stared at the fumbling mech next to her, after he had finally finished Elita smiled at him grabbing his hand, "I would love to go on a date with you." Orian sighed in relief, "Oh good." Both sat for while talking as SilverStorm peaked at them from around the corner of the Cafe building," about time Orian." She giggled, as she turned to walk away she ran into another bot, "Oh I beg you...Ultra?" Ultra Magnus nodded, "Hello Storm, who are you spying on?" SilverStorm laughed "My brother finally asked this femme he likes out on a date." Ultra Magnus smirked, "well your wanted back at the base, The General wants to talk to you." SilverStorm rolled her eyes, "He's been trying to get me to go to the higher command trainings, I'm not built for commanding people, I'm too soft for that." Ultra Magnus smiled "Well at least you are compatible to work with that explosive technician WheelJack drives me crazy." SilverStorm laughed, "He makes life interesting for sure."

Bulkhead lifted the blueprints to examine the building before him. The construction of Koans new capital building was on schedule. The lunch whistle blew as the crew dispersed into their separate lunch groups.
Bulkhead normally say alone staring at the scenery around him, Kaon was beautiful except for the gladiatorial arena which was right behind the construction site. When working at night Bulkhead could watch the games going on. One gladiator in particular was unbeatable, Megatronus, Bulkhead found himself cheering for him as he worked. Bulkhead sighed he missed having fun with his friend Wheeljack, since he had joined the military WheelJack had less time for meeting up. The whistle blew again signaling the end of the lunch break. Bulkhead gulped down a swing of energon before heading back.

Arcee gathered the papers the students laid on her desk, "thank you thank you..." She repeated to each student. Being a teacher was hard but it could be rewarding, trying to teach history to a bunch of teenagers was harder then it sounded. Arcee smiled as she gathered all the papers for grading that night, she knew TailGate would be thrilled that she had more homework to grade. Tailgate and Arcee were married but we're waiting to start a family, both were too dedicated to their jobs to have one.

The long day had come to an end and all cybertronians where heading home for the night, well most. Orian and Elita walked along the sea of rust, talking about work and what they saw for their future. Orian smiled, "I will probably stay at Iacon, and maybe someday get married." Elita giggled, "Well I guess we have the same plans." Orian smirked "meaning?" Elita put on a coy face, "oh nothing, nothing." SilverStorm was back on the base with UltraMagnus going over drills and codes. Arcee was grade papers with Tailgate leaning over her shoulder, which was annoying the scrap out of her. "Tailgate why don't you go do something?" Tailgate laughed "without you?" Arcee sighed "Yes! Don't you have any...paperwork to do?" Tailgate shook his head "Nope I leave all work at work" Arcee groaned it was going to be a long night of grading. Bulkhead snuggled under the blanket that was on his bed, getting to bed late and getting up early was never something anybot would enjoy but at least he had work.

Ratchet held a pile of papers and books as he walked into the Rec room where SilverStorm and Magnus were, he walked over to a table not even glancing in the direction of the two training. "Hey Ratch, whatcha got?" Ratchet looked up at the femme who was now leaning over the table trying to see what Ratchet was carrying. Scoffing Ratchet harshly sat down on the benched seat, "Trying to get some studying in if those idiots in my bunkhouse would ever shut up." SilverStorm taking the hint walked back over to Magnus, "someones grouchy"
"I heard that!" Ratchet called across the hall, SilverStorm rolled her eyes Ratchets hearing was incredible. "Well fine then what you studying?" She yelled, "How to patch an energon leak caused by an energy blast using a field patch." SilverStorm face turned, "Yuck no thanks, that's one thing me and Orian have in common, other than looks, is spilled energon grosses me out!" Ratchet chuckled, "So you joined the military?" SilverStorm went to defend herself but couldn't come up with one fast enough, "yeah well you joined the military too so…"
"Good come back Stormy." Ultra Magnus smirked.

The next night….
"I don't know Orian, I guess I am just getting bored with the arena." Orians eyes widened, "Bored with the gladiatorial? How?" Megatronous shrugged, "It's boring, nothing can beat me so nothing presents a challenge." Orian rolled his eyes, "So what are you going to do?" Megatronous shrugged again, "I was thinking maybe political." Orian stopped dead in his tracks, "Political? Why political?"
"You ask a lot of questions you know that?"
"I'm an archivist that's what I do. So?"
"I don't like the way Cybertron is run, there is so much inequality amongst us. The council controls everything." Orian nodded in agreement, "I've noticed that too, I've been reading into Cybertrons past and from the look of the present that's exactly where we are heading again." Megatronus grabbed Orians shoulder "would you help me?" Orians eyes widened in shock, "You...You Megatronus are asking for help." Megatronus just rolled his eyes, "Yes Im asking you to help me begin my political track! You and Soundwave!" Orian smiled, "Sure Megatronus, although I don't know how much help I'm gonna be, I don't know a whole lot about politics and I work a lot." Megatronus just scoffed and continued walking, "you are always working nothing new there." The two continued walking and talking for a couple more blocks before dropping Megatronus off at his apartment. "I'm gonna have to change my name." Orian spun around "Change your name? Whatever for?" Megatronus laughed, "It's far to long for the political rally. By the time I introduce my shelf the speech would be over." Orian just laughed, "Whatever Megatronus."

Elita watched from the window of her apartment building, Orian walked by everyday on his way home. Elita sighed, he was late today. Suddenly Orian appeared from around the corner, kicking a can as he walked. Elita ran over to the mirror making sure she looked fine and ran down the steps. Calmly she opened the door, "Orian fancy seeing you here where you headed?" Orian looked up from his can kicking, "Oh hello Elita, How are you?" Elita smiled, "Im good and how are you?" Orian smiled back, "good." An awkward silence followed, "Well I better be going." Orian sighed, "I will see you at work tomorrow." Elita smiled back, "See you then."
Orian walked away, around another Corning and running smack into SilverStorm. "SilverStorm! What are you doing?" SilverStorm just laughed, "That's no way to talk to the girl you like."
Orian smirked, "I already asked her you." SilverStorm crossed her arms, "So that means you should be talking to her more not less. What do boys learn in school?" with that she turned and walked away, mumbling something to herself. Orian just shook his head, his sister certainly was a force to be reckoned with.
The next day…
Megatronous stood atop a stand speaking to the people of Cybertron with Soundwave at his side, Orian stood not far away not wanting to cause attention, "Here me, my fellow Cybertronians! The time is now! The council cares little of us, they enslave us, treat the lower class with no respect! Join me! Only together will we overcome oppression!"
Orian smiled, megatron spoke with such passion and fire, he had a huge following. "He has a way with words doesn't he." Orian turned around, "Starscream, where's Knockout?" Starscream shrugged, "Don't know don't care." Orian just rolled his eyes, to which StarScream replied, "what and you know exactly where SilverStorm is?" Orian laughed "actually I do, she is at the Cybertron Elite Guard base right now helping Ratchet study for his Lieutenant field medic exam."
"Oh your good." StarScream huffs. Orian changed the subject, "you're here supporting Megatron right?" StarScream waved his hand, "yeah I guess I means he's been a half decent friend we..." StarScreams data phone began to ring, "half a moment."
"Knockout what do you want? I'm busy...I don't care...yes...bye." StarScream rolled his eyes,
"now I know where my brother is, he is at the University of Medical Sciences applying for their medical assistant course." Orian smiled "that is a good profession, not many have the will for it." StarScream chuckled "yeah, like you huh?" Orian frowned, "I'm not that type, I don't do well around spilled energon." StarScream erupted in laughter, "oh Primus that's good I'll remember that for sure" Orian crossed his arms "fine screamer what are you going for?" StarScream stood up a little straighter "you are looking at the top of his class senior analyst at the Cybertronian College of Chemistry and Sciences!" Orian sighed, "very nice StarScream"
"Thank you for your attention!" Megatron had finished his speech and was coming over toward Orian, "well Orian what did you think? StarScream! Thank you for joining us!" Orian smirked "very well spoken Megatron. I am still getting used to your new name." Megatron laughed, "as am I, are you ready StarScream?" StarScream nodded "obviously!"
"Excuse us Orian we have business to discuss." Orian nodded his head, "no worries I'm meeting with Alpha Trion anyway."

Orian met with Alpha Trion in the Iacon hall of records, "Alpha Trion?" Orian called through the Hall, he came up on a table, on it was the covenant of Primus. "The covenant of Primus" He whispered, lightly touching the page it was opened to. "Beautiful isn't it?" Alpha Trion startled Orian who jumped, "sorry my student I did not mean to frighten you."
"It's fine" Orian breathed, "I was looking for you." Alpha Trion smiled, "I have some
Thing to show you" Alpha Trion led him to his office, "Here." He handed Orian a sword, it was well crafted with beautiful designs. "What is it?" He asked in awe, "It is my sword, granted to me a long time ago. I am going to teach you how to use it." Orian eyes widen placing the sword down, "no sir, I mean I can't it..."
"Orian" alpha Trion stood up to walk around him. "There is dark days ahead and an evil force is rising, I know your hatred of violence but you must learn to defend yourself." Orian backed up, "in sorry alpha Trion I can't bring myself to do it." Alpha Trion sag back down, "I want you to think about it tonight, let me know your final decision in the morning." Orian sighed, "Yes sir."

Alpha Trion watched the troubled youngling leaving, he wanted so badly to tell him what he knew but he could not break the trust of his brethren the Primes. "If you only knew Orian." Alpha Trion sighed sadly waking to a window seeing a beautiful sunset, "enjoy these days Cybertron, darkness is rising."

Orian walked slowly home, the sun had set and darkness had fallen over Cybertron, both moons shone brightly lighting his way. Alpha Trions words troubled him, he did not like violence, there was a way to solve everything and you did not need violence to do so. "Well if it isn't Orian Pax, you wouldn't happen to be the Orian that is best friends with Megatron." Orian stopped dead as the voice came from behind him, "I am actually" he spoke turning around. "Good" the bot replied cracking his hands and neck, "cause' we were sent to make sure you deliver a message to Megatron." Orian shrugged "what's the message"
"Oh don't worry he'll understand." The bot swung hitting Orian across the face, "what is this?!" Orian panicked, going to runaway he turned smack into two more bots then four surrounded him, "you see Megatron has been a bit of a nuisance, some people don't agree with him and those are the people who hired us to do this." Two of the bots grabbed Orians arms, holding him in position as that the other two could begin beating him. Orian gasped as painful blows were delivered to his abdominal area. "Please stop!" He choked "alright alright" the one who seemed to be the leader spoke, "I think he's had enough, but just to make sure Megatron gets the message, the bot drew a knife driving it into Orians shoulder above his spark, Orian cried out in pain, "now now" the mech leaned in closer, Orian breathed heavily pain shooting through his whole body. "Why?" Orian managed to choke out, the mech just laughed, "because we got paid, and it's fun." He twisted the knife causing Orian to blackout from the pain, "throw him in the alley with the rest of the trash." Orians body was thrown into a dark alley, as the mech's walked away laughing, "This should please them."

SilverStorm jerked, "Ouch!" she grabbed her shoulder, Ultra Magnus shook his head startled, "Stormy whats wrong?" SilverStorm looked panicked, "I don't know, my shoulder just starting jabbing and I…Oh no, Orian!" SilverStorm took off out of the hall, running faster than she had ever run before. She could feel it something was wrong with Orian. Megatron was walking up the street heading home when he saw SilverStorm bolting toward him, he could tell something was wrong, "SILVERSTORM!" He shouted waving, "Come with me!" She shouted in reply keeping her pace as he joined her, "Whats wrong?"
"I feel pain, I think something is wrong is with Orian, have you heard from him?"
"Not since the end of my speech when we split ways!" Both continued running, "Where are we headed?" SilverStorm shook her head, "I am just following a feeling, turn right!" SilverStorm skid to a stop. "Orian!" she hollered, the street was eerily quiet, "Orian! Are you here?" Megatron hollered.

Orian slowly came around, his vision was blurred and his hearing buzzy, through it he could hear muffled voices. His whole body ached and his shoulder stung with a harsh pain, "i…im..he..here" he tried to speak and move.

"Shh! Listen" Megatron and SilverStorm both stopped intently listening, "I heard something, she made her way toward the alley. "Orian?" she whispered, the moonlight caught a glare of red metal. "Orian!" SilverStorm shouted, Megatron close behind her. Both bent down next to a shaking Orian, "Oh Orian." SilverStorm held back her tears, "Megatron we have to get him help." Megatron nodded calling emergency services, Orian tried to sit up, "No! Orian stay down, you're really hurt Megatron is getting help." Megatron knelt back down, "Help is on the way, Orian who did this?" Orian shook trying to speak, "I…I don't…."
"never mind Orian just save your strength." Megatron looked to SilverSotrm, "I have a feeling I know who did this."

A few minutes later sirens were heard as emergency services came, "Where's the victim?"
"In here" Megatron shouted, "back away please, we need room." The alley lite up with lights as the crew work, "We have multiple fractures, possible concussion, and a knife wound, dangerously close to the spark. We need to get him into surgery stat!" SilverStorm clung to Megatron as he wrapped his arms around her, "I can't lose him" she tried holding back the tears that threaten to spill, "I can't!" Megatron ran his hand along her head and down her back, "Hes gonna be ok, he is strong." The EMT approached them, "You related?" SilverStorm wiped her tears, "Im his sister."
"Your brother is in bad shape, we are transporting him to the nearest emergency center, you can come with us if you wish. SilverStorm nodded afraid to speak should the tears begin to fall, "We will come" Megatron spoke.

SilverStorm paced back and forth, "How long does it take to take a knife out!" Megatron was sitting with his head in his hands. "It's only been an hour Storm, sit down." SilverStorm groaned, "I can't rest knowing Orians hurt, where's Ratchet I called him 30mins ago. Who would do this to him, he is so kind and compassionate, he doesn't have an enemy in the world." Megatron stared at the floor, "This is my fault." SilverStorm wiped around, "What do you mean your fault?", Megatron shook his head, "I am…rebelling against the council, turning the people against them calling them out, and Orian is my best friend, they knew they could hurt me… by hurting him." SilverStorm closed her eyes, sighing as she sat down next to Megatron, as Ratchet came rushing in, "Where is he? I came as fast as I could!" Megatron replied, "hes still in surgery we are waiting." Ratchet sat down on the other side of SilverStorm, "How did this happen? Orian doesn't have an enemy anywhere, the guy's cringes killing a fly." Both Megatron and SilverStorm nodded in agreement, the threesome went silent all praying that their brother and friend would be ok.

Megatron paced the floor, SilverStorm had fallen asleep on ratchets shoulder, Ratchet was also a sleep his head against the back wall. It had been five hours since they had found Orian and he had been brought to the hospital. Megatron couldn't sleep, he had to find out who did this and set them straight, going straight to the causal and accusing them would only result in him being thrown in prison, asking around the streets would only prove futile. Thought whirled his head, "Excuse me?" A nurse came up to him, "Are you related to Orian?" Megatron shook his head, "No I am a friend his sister is right here." He pointed to SilverStorm, "Thank you" the nurse gently shook SilverStorm rousing both her and Ratchet, "Excuse me Ms. Pax, your brother is out of surgery and in recovery." SilverStorm jumped up, "can I see him?" The nurse nodded, "Only for a bit, hes still unconscious, his body has been through a trauma. He will be in intensive care for a while." SilverStorm looked to Ratchet ad Megatron, "Can.."
"Im sorry only family." SilverStorm raised her eyebrows, "They are family, they are practically brothers to Orian." The nurse wen to shake her head, "Look who has to know that they aren't related? Ill vouch for them." The nurse smirked, "You're a smart one. Ok they can come but only those two." SilverStorm nodded, "Come on" she motioned for them to follow her behind the nurse. They walked down the long white corridor making a few turn before finally passing through the Intensive Care wing doorway, "He is in the room" the nurse stopped before opening the door, "Mind you he's gonna look a little different, hooked up to equipment. " SilverStorm sighed, nodding she walked through the open door. Orian was laid flat on his back, an Energon IV was slowly dripping as a spark monitor beeped. His shoulder was wrapped up with is arm resting on his chest. SilverStorm let the tears fall as she saw the damage done to him, "dents, cuts, knife wound, and minimal internal damage." The nurse read off the clipboard, "According to this all of his internal injuries have been treated." SilverStorm sat down next to Orian, putting his hand in hers, "Orian? Its Stormy, Ratchet and Megatron are here with me." Orian did not reply nor move, his breathing was labored but assisted by a medical ventilator. Ratchet tapped SilverStorm on the shoulder, "Megatrons gone." SilverStorm whipped her head around the room, "but he was just here."

Megatron stormed down the main streets of Cybertron, he didn't know exactly what he was going to do but something had to be done. He stood before the Council Citadel, light rain began fall as thunder cracked in the distance. Megatron raised his blaster, preparing to start an all-out war with the Council there and now when he data phone rang, "Megatron! Where in the name of cybertron did you go?" Megatron sighed lowering his weapon, "I went for a walk SilverStorm, I wasn't ready to see Orian in such a state. I need to clear my head." Megatron glared at the building before turning, "I'm on my way back now, is he awake?"
"No but being here when he does will mean a lot to him."
"I'm on my way." Megatron stopped turning one last time to look up at the Citadel, "Your destruction is emanate, very soon you will know what it feels like to suffer."