Chapter 2

Bumblebee, Prowl, and Jazz stood on the observation deck of the Julie-Ann and stared in disbelief as the destroyer entered orbit around Cybertron. This was not the Cybertron they remembered it was very different. The Autobot destroyer had passed massive city colonies in space orbiting the planet. Parts of Cybertron were ablaze with lights and other parts were in utter darkness. Cybertron even had a rather ugly looking moon.

"It's so beautiful," Bumblebee breathed. Prowl held his opinion though he had to admit the floating cities were works of art in metal. They saw lightning in Cybertron's high atmosphere, it blazed in all the hues of the rainbow it appeared, Bumblebee had never seen purple lightning, it was a rather light purple, but he definitely scanned that color frequency.

"Is that an ocean?" Jazz asked pointing to a feature in Cybertron's lower hemisphere.

"Yes," responded Blackwolf who stood with Jazz, Bumblebee, Prowl and Rachet. "Cybertron has several oceans, along with mountain ranges, jungles, and something that the scientists say qualifies as a prairie."

"Home," Bumblebee laughed delightedly, "And we're not war anymore?"

Blackwolf glanced at Rachet and shook his head slowly, "No, we Autobots are still at war with the Decepticons, but Cybertron is safe."

"It is said," Rachet spoke thoughtfully, "It was we Transformers who should have tamed Cybertron, but instead it is she who tamed us."

"She?" Prowl asked.

Rachet chuckled, "Oh, I did not mention it. The planet has a consciousness." Jazz, Bumblebee, and Prowl just sort of nodded at this information.

"And Cybertron is not interested in being destroyed again, we Transformers live by her rules." Blackwolf conceded respectfully. "She is a harsh teacher, no mercy." Jazz gave Prowl a confused worried look, but Prowl just shrugged.

"There is much to learn," Jazz commented.

"And time to learn it in," Blackwolf returned. "We must greet the Lord Prime and I am sure he would like his friends there when he wakes."

"This Lord Prime name," Prowl began. "Optimus isn't really going like it. Titles and all that."

Rachet cleared his throat, "Prowl this is our way now."

Blackwolf gave Prowl a hard look. "No disrespect of a Prime is allowed including over familiarity," he stated.

"We were fighting at Optimus' side before you were even fashioned!" Prowl barked.

"Prowl," Rachet said firmly. "Enough, Blackwolf no disrespect was meant. They don't understand yet."

"True," Blackwolf sighed. "Enlighten them soon, I believe you are their re-educational liaison."

"Yes Sir," Rachet answered. "The Lord Prime will be waking soon, perhaps we should go."

Jazz and Bumblebee decided to keep silent, Prowl was going to get them into trouble even before they set foot on Cybertron.

---

Optimus Prime optical sensors registered someone leaning over him, "Welcome to the FUTURE!" Bumblebee yelled gleefully to his commander.

"Bumblebee?" Optimus mumbled confused, as more data flooded his memory. Bumblebee certainly did not look like Bumblebee. Optimus Prime sat up and perceived his surroundings. There were Transformers standing before him, he scanned them biological and metallic characteristics. Than he scanned himself and found similar traits and he felt the Matrix pulsing within his chest.

Bumblebee, Jazz and Prowl rushed forward to address their commander. "Optimus how do you feel?" Bumblebee asked.

"Functional I believe," he answered, "Bumblebee?"

"We have new appearances," Bumblebee said. "We are different inside and out you could say." He pointed out Jazz and Prowl.

"That is Rachet," Bumblebee explained pointing to the medic. "And Blackwolf, he's captain of the Julie-Ann the ship we're on."

"I don't know that name," Optimus remarked still feeling hazy.

Blackwolf stepped forward and bowed respectfully, "Lord Prime, as the first one to welcome you to Cybertron it is truly a honor."

"Cybertron? How long were we in stasis?" he suddenly asked.

"1.3234 million years," Blackwolf answered. "You have e-volved."

"Evolved?" Optimus scanned his own body again. His armor plating was different, it gleamed black, blue, and red, weaponry was on-line he felt different than from before. He stared down at his hand and he felt its strength.

"Megatron's weapon did this apparently, they say we are all infected with a virus that evolves machines." Jazz said breaking the silence. This really did not register with Optimus Prime; he was still trying to figure out what was going on.

"Oh by the way Optimus," Bumblebee chimed in. "So your not confused you're a male."

"Bumblebee your not being helpful," Rachet snapped. "Prime your systems are still initializing."

Blackwolf studied the legend in front of him. So this was Optimus Prime, the male Matrix holder. He certainly looked impressive would he live up to being the heroic leader of legend?

Optimus noticed the Onc armlet on his right wrist and held it up. "Will explain later," Rachet murmured.

Blackwolf was signaled from the command deck that the Julie-Ann was entering the atmosphere having been commanded to land at Autobot high command, a mammoth military complex called Terra Firma.

---

Lady Isis Prime stood in the command room of Terra Firma, watching the Julie-Ann land. How long had all of Cybertron waited for this moment? No one approached her as she watched the Julie-Ann descend she was obviously in deep thought. Another Matrix holder had all sorts of implications. "Medical personnel are at the ready to perform the necessary evaluations?" Isis Prime asked.

"Yes, Lady Prime," a female Transformer, Blazestorm called from her command post.

"I assume this has already gone public?" she asked not particularly interested in scanning the media reports herself.

"Several Megatron cults are all ready calling it the end of times," Blazestorm said amused. Isis Prime shook her head. Cybertron was going to riot. Isis suddenly decided she wanted a very long vacation.

---

"You're a female?" Optimus asked the Transformer doctor who was examining him intently.

"That's correct," Enigma Zeta returned as she studied her instrument readouts completely enthralled with what she was doing. The chance to study a pre-e-volve Matrix holder, the chance would never come again. The Matrix appeared to block any of her scans, damn it. Rachet stood by and watched Optimus being assessed. "I would like to perform a full spectrum scan using the AFE61."

"That would take hours," Rachet complained. "Your supposed to perform a checkup not decode him." Enigma Zeta shook her head; even though Rachet was a medic she often wondered why he had left the military division if he was going to serve with military personnel. "Finished with your dissection?"

Annoyed, Engma Zeta gave Rachet a disgusted look, "I need a few more minutes. You should be able to transform in about a week without much problem, but I wouldn't try it before than. Incredibly your still forming weapons systems it appears."

"He's still e-volving?" Rachet asked surprised.

Males were dense she thought, isn't that what she just said? She would need to pull his files once a full scan of his weaponry compliment had been established. She could get some of the metallic cells once he stopped e-volving. "Done. Try to take it easy for a while. E-volving is a very traumatic for any Transformer and I heard it was twice as hard for you, the Matrix was probably responsible would be my guess. There is still much unknown about the Matrixes any information you are interested in divulging would be of scientific importance."

"Perhaps another time," Optimus Prime muttered glancing over at Rachet.

"We can go?" Rachet asked impatiently, but Engma Zeta had already gone over to her computer and was downloading her scans for further study. Rachet motioned to Optimus Prime for them to leave.

"Are all females that intent on their work?" Optimus asked as they left.

"Most of them are even friendly," Rachet called over his shoulder. Engma Zeta did not hear the conversation. She already had enough for three research papers to present to the medical research counsel, which meant full funding for her research!

---

"These are to be your quarters for now," Rachet said as he looked at a computer file. The two had left the medical center and been greeted by a number of high commanding transformers. Optimus Prime had been explained about that the Matrix holder title and that there was a female Matrix holder. He had allowed himself to be hauled about by Rachet who seemed to know what he was doing. Luckily introductions were quick and relatively painless, Rachet explaining the Lady Prime had ordered a calm reception. The female Prime was not present Optimus Prime noted, being told she would meet him later. Everyone he met was in awe; he certainly had done nothing to earn their respect. He wanted to see Cybertron. "Nice," Rachet commented as they entered the well-furnished quarters usually reserved for dignitaries.

"Where are the others?" Optimus asked.

"Probably in quarters of their own Sir."

"Its really you Rachet?" Optimus questioned suddenly.

The medic Transformer looked at his old friend, "When we were on Eluninean, Megatron had pounced us pretty good, you told me once when we had defeated the Decepticons that you had to admit it would be hard going back to being a glorified librarian, but it would certainly be a quieter job."

Optimus Price chuckled, "Forgive me Rachet."

"None necessary, Lord Prime."

"Is that Lord title necessary?"

"It is our way," Rachet stated simply. "Cybertron is very different than from what it was before. The very planet will defend her existence, we have not been forgiven for almost destroying her." Optimus Prime noted the feminine use of "her" when referring to Cybertron he would ask about it later.

"We Transformers have destroyed much with our wars," Optimus Prime said thoughtfully.

"More than you know," Rachet murmured softly. Optimus Prime turned to Rachet questioningly. Rachet did not want Optimus Prime finding out from a computer database, he sighed and began simply, "Earth was destroyed."

Optimus Prime felt his sensors being overwhelmed, what had Rachet said, Earth destroyed. "What happen?" he whispered almost in audibly. He felt as if he taken a laser cannon hit right in the chest, it couldn't be!

"Another battle in a series in this endless war with the Decepticons. It happened long ago." Rachet explained. "We tried to stop it the Decepticons had created a weapon that used the very energy from the Earth's sun. It created a solar flair of unimaginative size that struck Earth, many Autobots died in the struggle to save Earth, but we failed."

"How long ago?" Optimus demanded.

"It took place 1,543.34 years after Megatron and you clashed on Cybertron releasing the Virus," Rachet returned.

"Did any humans survive?"

"Some, those who did escaped to the stars. We at first tried to help them rebuild on other worlds, but as you could imagine they wanted nothing to do with Transformers. We eventually lost contact with them all together. There are unconfirmed reports that humans have survived all this time, even thrive in other parts of the galaxy. In our guilt we incorporated much of their culture into our own. I am sure you have recognized the Earth names given to many things and Transformers. The computer can supply with you all the historical records of course."

Optimus Prime walked to the large window that looked out over Terra Firma he did not know how to respond to Rachet. "Did you see it?" he finally asked.

"No, I am told it happened quickly."

Optimus Prime sat down in a chair and buried his head in his hands. Rachet knew there was nothing he could say. This news would devastate Bumblebee, he had always been extremely fond of humans especially the Witwicky family.

"Rachet, I think I would like be alone," Optimus Prime quietly sighed.

"The computer will respond to your voice," Rachet said as he left.

---

Optimus Prime sat for long time in cogitative thought, than finally went over to the computer terminal and asked the computer to bring up the data files on the destruction of Earth. He scanned the files, his anger growing as he read of the desperate battle the Autobots fought to save Earth, even offering to surrender. The Decepticons offered no quarter. Anger and resentment at what little value the Decepticons held for life burned his soul and finally in fury he smashed the computer counsel with his fist. The counsel sparked and blew up in front of Optimus Prime he did not care. The computer alerted security.

As several Autobot security guards arrived to see what was going; Optimus Prime stalked out of his quarters and down the corridor. The two security Autobots mumbled something and quickly stepped aside seeing the Lord Prime was obviously not in a good mood.

Optimus Prime wanted to be outside in the night air. He consulted the main computer and found there was a very extensive garden facility in the complex. It seemed as good as any place to think.

The arboretum was huge, strange burnished metallic trees grew hundreds of meters high. Optimus Prime had never seen such foliage before. Metallic plants of various colors grew, though the leaves of many had a tendency to be a dark green brown. Reds and silver metallics were also prevalent. Flowers that resembled Orchids grew on the giant trees. He sensed a sweetly sick smell and realized it was coming from the strange hanging flowers that appeared almost as ghostly images against the dark trees. The facility was open to the night air, the light from Cybertron's moon Hades and the orbital cities filtered through to the walkways.

It was their fault that Earth had been destroyed. If the Autobots had left Earth, but they had stayed on Earth to protect it from the Decepticons, in the end it wasn't enough, it never had. Optimus Prime walked aimlessly in the arboretum, its pathways a maze, lost completely in his own thoughts. There was even a dark pond that swirled around rooted trees and rock outcroppings. A low fog covered its surface adding to its ominous features. Plants that reminded Optimus of ferns and moss clung to the rocks. He wondered if there some sort of fish in the pond, but the water was opaque, appearing more to have the consistence of mercury. He bent forward curiously scanning the water finding there were living organisms moving around in it. Optimus put his hand near the surface and slowly a strange dark fish creature slowly rose bearing large teeth, it appeared to be waiting for something. "Don't do that!" came a loud voice from behind him. Optimus had not heard anyone approach. As he withdrew his hand the fish jumped for his hand and barely missed a finger, it fell back into the water and disappeared. "You're not supposed to feed the Crawdile like that," a female Transformer warned him.

Optimus Prime stared at her for moment, "I didn't know."

"Most of Cybertron's indigenous life are energy drainers. One does not just go around sticking body parts into unknown waters. That is a good way to loose an appendage and they don't always grow back. If you want to feed the Crawdile, here take this." She handed him several small energy cubes, she held one of the cubes over the water and it stirred, she tossed it into the air. The creature, resembling a fish with huge teeth suddenly happily jumped out of water and snatched the cube and dived back into the water and disappeared into the depths of the pond.

The female Transformer smiled at Optimus Prime and stood gazing at him intently. Optimus Prime studied the female Transformer before him, a recognition, "Were you someone I knew before?" he asked hesitantly.

"No," she smiled. "But there is probably some type of recognition from the Matrix. My name is Isis Prime and I am the female Matrix holder." As proof she opened her chest plate and Optimus Prime beheld what he knew was a Matrix. Optimus Prime stared at the Matrix within her chest and he unconsciously reached out to touch it. Isis Prime gasped and quickly stepped back closing her chest plate. "I think we should at least get to know each other a little first don't you think."

"What?" Optimus asked confused.

Isis Prime shook her head smiling realizing he had no clue what he had done, "Never mind. By the way, I hope you don't take your anger out on defenseless computer counsels on a regular basis."

"I," he stopped; he didn't know what quite to say. "Earth."

Isis Prime nodded, "Yes, I took the liberty to looked up what you were researching. I am sorry. Earth was a great loss."

"Why couldn't you have stopped it?" he asked suddenly. "You possess a Matrix!"

Isis Prime was unprepared for such a pointed question; she did not know how to respond. Looking away for a moment, "Cybertron was still in chaos from the Virus. We were unable to protect Earth from the Decepticons…" she stopped. "We… I failed."

"Something, anything…" he began, but stopped and stood silent, how could he respond. He wanted to lash out but for what, Earth was destroyed long ago, old friends long dust in the grave.

Isis Prime sat down on rock edge of the pond. "I swear we did everything we could to save Earth, but it wasn't enough." Optimus just stared at her; he was confused he knew she was telling the truth, he did not want to, he couldn't be angry with her he found. Why was this? Instinctively, he knew that this female Transformer before him knew his anguish even if he could not articulate it on a conscious level. How was that possible, the Matrix? Optimus Prime stared at he pond for while, Isis Prime letting him alone with his thoughts, but she continued to sit on the edge of the pond.

Optimus sighed, "Tell me about Cybertron". Isis Prime nodded smiling. She stood and for a while they walked together. She told him of the great cities built both on Cybertron and in near orbit, how Cybertron traded with hundreds of other worlds and interacted with hundreds more species. The war persisted and that Autobots continued to protect those who could not defend themselves from the Decepticons.

Oceans and lakes existed on Cybertron where none had before filled with unimaginable life. She told him of the dark jungles of Cybertron that continued to evolve and would attack cities that encroached on them or if they themselves had decided to grow. It was the reason that many cities were airborne. When Transformers entered the jungles, they did not always emerge as themselves. She told him of the reestablishment of the great libraries of Cybertron, how Cybertron was once more a center of learning and creation origin of a myriad technologies. Sentient beings from across the galaxy came to learn and study on Cybertron. The histories of thousands of worlds were stored in the great libraries, anyone welcome to explore them. Cybertron for the most part was a world at peace.

She continued telling him that the members of the Council of Ancients had been transformed into what were referred as Oracles and it was they who provided the civilian government for Cybertron. As always the Matrix holder was responsible for the military and protection of Cybertron. Optimus Prime listened to all this in silence.

Finally Isis Prime stopped her narrative, "You need some rest. You should return to your quarters. There is a lot to absorb."

They walked back in silence to his quarters, the to security Autobots were waiting for the Lord Prime to return. "All is fine," Isis Prime told them. "You may leave." The two Autobots nodded and left. "I will see you tomorrow." Isis Prime turned to leave, "Oh by the way the Oracle of Boisran sends greetings, the Oracle before e-volve called himself Alpha Trion, I assume you know each other."

"Alpha Trion is alive?" Optimus Prime asked surprised.

"That is at least what the Oracle told me," Isis Prime returned. "Good night Optimus Prime." Without another word she walked away already deep in her own thoughts.

---

"Isis, what were you expecting?" the Oracle of Tell Basta asked as Isis Prime sat against her dais. The Oracle was a liquid metal that shimmered and changed shape and color. The Hall of the Oracle was decorated with vast jungle scenes that included a myriad of animals and plants, they seemed to move and change at will. One could get lost in such images. Light streamed down on the Oracle and she appeared to move to a rhythmic tide only she felt.

"I don't know," she muttered.

"He would make a good companion for you," Tell Basta suggested.

Isis Prime was immediately suspicious of the Oracle, Oracle's did not usually make casual observations. "He just e-volved, but yes I was attracted to him," Isis Prime conceded. Just what she needed an Oracle helping her with love life.

"You really did not believe that the Matrix had been destroyed did you?" Tell Basta asked. Isis Prime did not answer. The Oracle laughed, her voice a musical melody. "Yes it would be appropriate for the two Matrix holders to be companions. The destruction of Earth will be hard all of the pre-e-volves you couldn't have expected him to have acted differently."

"No of course not," Isis Prime returned defensively. Changing the subject, "Have you felt the Watchers stir by chance?"

The Oracle flashed green and blue, "The Watchers? What do they have to do with any of this? No, why?"

"This seems like something they would find amusing. It is most probable one the Decepticon pre-e-volve forms rescued was Megatron."

"Yes, that would be a logical conclusion," Tell Basta admitted.

"Do you know what that means, the Decepticons think he is some sort of god."

"As do many Cybertronians," the Oracle reminded the female Prime.

"I have always been lenient with the cults," Isis Prime stated. "But I worry."

"Decisions concerning Megatron cults is up to the Oracles, it is a civilian matter," Tell Basta reminded the Matrix holder.

"They could become dangerous instead of just a nuisance," Isis Prime said.

"Noted."

After Isis Prime left the Oracles hall, Tell Basta felt the questioning thoughts from other Oracles wanting to know how long it was expected to take to establish a link from the original Matrix to Cybertron using Isis Prime as an intermediary. Tell Basta assured them it should not take long. Stronger links with Cybertron had to be established the others reminded Tell Basta, by whatever means necessary. The Matrix within Optimus Prime held knowledge and wisdom Cybertron wanted to be able access in times of need.

---

Bumblebee sat staring at the front of the small amphitheater where classes where to be held on their re-education. Jazz and Prowl sat behind him, not having much to say themselves. Earth destroyed, Bumblebee did not want to accept the idea, Spike Witwicky descendants all gone. His friend had died centuries before having lived a long and full filling life or at least according to the historical records. Spike had spent his latter life looking for him and the others after they disappeared.

Jazz and Prowl stood respectfully as Optimus Prime entered the "classroom." He nodded and they sat. Prime came to stand before Bumblebee, "It is hard," he began, but stopped. What he could possibly say that would comfort his friend? Bumblebee did not respond he wanted to be left alone.

"He will need time Sir," Prowl said. Optimus Prime looked at Bumblebee concerned and nodded.

"What exactly are we going to learn here," Jazz asked changing the subject. "They keep calling it re-education, are we going to get brainwashed?"

"No," came a stern voice from somewhere around them. Everyone except Bumblebee scanned to see where the voice was coming from. At the front of the amphitheater a hologram appeared of a strange looking creature without shape. It made one almost sick to watch. "I am the Oracle Aristotle or the Oracle of Philosophy."

"Everyone is certainly into grandiose names," Jazz commented. Prowl snickered.

"The Oracles make up the civilian government on Cybertron," the Oracle began.

"Are you elected?" Jazz call out.

"No," the Oracle said. "We are chosen by Cybertron." The Oracle detested smartass Transformers. What right did they have to question an Oracle? "Shall we begin? We shall start with some history of our evolution, there is much to learn, we are not what we were before, but first I will go over a few quick topics, if you remember anything remember these:

1) Megatron is not a god, but what you choose to believe is of course up to you.

2) There is gender now speciation, if your at all confused about it please ask questions it will save you future embarrassment I promise you.

3) The Oracles are the civilian government on Cybertron, accept it. Our word is law. The Prime or should I say Primes now, are as always in charge of the military, but serve at the Council of Oracles pleasure.

4) The moon Hades is marked off limits it contains highly radioactive debris from the Evolution War. Under absolutely no circumstance are Transformers to approach Hades. No Transformer who has, has ever returned to tell the tale. It is a simple fact again please just accept it. Scanning using planet based or orbital instruments is also useless.

5) It is understood that our civilization and society are very different from pre-e-volve times. After the establishment of Cybertron under the governance of the Oracles many pre-e-volves left Cybertron not accepting or agreeing with way we Oracles governed. One of the laws that caused great consternation among pre-e-volves was that no Transformer not a member of the military or law enforcement is allowed weaponry on the planet. If you decide to become a civilian on Cybertron your weapons will removed. This law does not extend to the orbital city colonies that have their own laws and sub-governments. Transformers who did not agree with the how the Oracles chose to govern established many of the orbital colonies. If you decide you cannot abide by the Oracles governance there is an extensive questionnaire available for you to figure out where you might be happier dwelling. Cybertron has also established many colonies and or outposts on other planets. Most find something that will work for them.

6) A Transformer who chooses to become a Decepticon automatically looses Cybertronian citizenship and is considered exiled. Orbital colonies and off world colonies differ in their acceptance of Decepticons, but most do not.

7) Entering jungles on Cybertron is not good for your health or personality. Enter at your own risk, but I would advise just staying out.

Now with those few simple things covered let me begin teaching you in earnest."

Optimus Prime and the others listened to the Oracle enthralled, except Bumblebee who could have cared less about re-education so he could fit into society. He wanted his friend back.

Optimus Prime as a historian by creation, found the re-education completely absorbing. The Oracle included files on Cybertron's civilian and military setup, cultural information was extensive. Some of which were completely new ideas, Transformers procreated, not building new robots but biologically. It was done by something called the Yingarna, a reference to an African goddess, the mother rainbow serpent. Some things were completely wild, Transformers could mate, have sex or something equivalent according to the Oracle. Humans had such relations to reproduce and from what he had learned, it was usually also done just for fun. A demonstration file was provided.

---

Rachet found his friends busily running through databases, except for Bumblebee who sat in front of the window staring out miserable. "How long has he been like that?" he asked Optimus Prime.

"Nearly a week."

Perhaps he needs to get out, I have permission for us to go to Riyon we'll find him a party." Rachet grinned. "A drink with a cute female should cheer him up."

"I do not think Bumblebee is really into going to a celebration," Optimus Prime returned.

"Perhaps you should speak to Lady Prime, she might have some idea how to help him," Rachet suggested. "It may just take time."

"I'll do that," Optimus said.

"You've met the female Prime?" Prowl asked surprised.

"Yes, our first night here."

"You didn't mention that," Jazz noted. Jazz and Prowl looked at each other, but Optimus Prime did not respond, he was worried about Bumblebee, trying to decide what could be done for his old friend.

---

"Some wounds cannot be healed, this is perhaps one them," Isis Prime admitted as she sat at her command desk, Optimus Prime stood staring out the window with hands behind his back. "He appears to be very strong."

"Will Bumblebee be able to accept what has happened I wonder?" Optimus Prime pondered.

"I cannot answer that," Isis Prime returned. "You did not go with the others to Riyon, I believe they were going to the energy bar Morphias."

"I have had enough awe and reverence for a while," he commented.

Isis Prime laughed, "Than I would stay away from the museum of fallen heroes, your in relief about 600 meters high."

"I want to meet with the Alpha Trion," he sighed.

"Yes, of course. I will have the arrangements made; I do not know the Oracle very well. Most of my interactions with him are functionary only."

Hades was rising over the horizon, "I don't remember Cybertron having any orbital bodies, where did that moon come from anyway?"

Prime Isis made a sound that appeared she was uncomfortable with the subject. Optimus watched her shuffle computer pads nervously, "Cybertron's gravity caught the moon during the Evolution War."

"Convenient," Optimus Prime nodded. "For that radioactive debris. Though I am curious what could have caused such highly radioactive material to form. I don't remember such weaponry…" Optimus was just sort of thinking out loud when Isis Prime interrupted his train of thought.

Isis Prime sighed, "I suppose I should explain about Hades." Optimus turned to her wildly curious about what she had to say. "Would you like to come to my living accommodations for a drink? I have personal quarters on Lake Sithian about 30.98 kilometers from Riyon." Isis Prime smiled at him.

"All right," Optimus said suddenly feeling a nervous.

---

Optimus Prime had to admit the view of the city of Riyon from across the lake was impressive. He glanced around Isis Prime quarters.

"What did the Oracle Aristotle say about Hades, I always forget what the official line on it is, there are several," Isis Prime said as she came in from another room with two cups. She handed one to Optimus Prime who scanned its contents.

"What is it? I have no information on such an energy signature," he asked.

"A gift from a Richianarion ambassador, he called it Glamour. He was little vague on how it was developed. Its good try it, " she encouraged. " The ambassador assured me it is quite rare, I have not found it anywhere else. I have kept some of it for a special occasion." Optimus tasted the energy concoction and sure enough it was pleasant.

Isis Prime walked to the huge bay window and studied the Cybertronian moon Hades, "It is a prison."

"Hades?" Optimus Prime asked noting it was an ancient Greek reference to the realm of the dead. "The Oracle said it was some kind of dumping ground for highly radioactive debris from the Evolution War. The radiation levels are so high nothing can survive there, therefore it is marked off limits - forbidden."

"There is no radioactive debris on Hades, that is the official story told to Cybertronians to keep the curious away," she said. She stared at the moon.

"You said it was prison, for who or what?" Optimus asked.

Optimus watched Isis Prime walk over to a strange grey crystal that he assumed was a decoration of some sort. Isis Prime ran a hand over the crystal, "What I am about to tell you is knowledge only known to the Council of Oracles, myself and several high level Autobot scientists. It must remain that way!" Optimus nodded he understood. "They call themselves the Watchers now, they claim to be the creators of our race."

"The Quintessons!" Optimus Prime hissed.

"Yes," she admitted regretfully. Optimus Prime remembered the last time he had engaged the Quintessons on Earth, he thought they had been destroyed.

"Why are they here?" he demanded.

"When you unleashed the power of the Matrix into the Virus, Cybertron awoke, she called them." Isis Prime hesitated, but than continued, "The Virus forced Cybertron to e-volve, but it happened too quickly, it tore Cybertron apart. The Quintessons had the technology to slow the e-volve, but they demanded payment for their intervention. Our planet struck an agreement with the Quintessons for the technology that slowed the e-volve process."

"I don't understand how could Cybertron, I understand the consciousness is primal, acts by instinct at best?" he said angrily.

"That is not entirely true," Isis Prime admitted.

Optimus found his ire growing, "Assuming this is all possible, what type of agreement was made?"

"They wanted to live, half dead and almost powerless, they would not pass quietly into the night. So they are kept barely alive on Hades, and they watch."

"Who?" Optimus asked.

"Us, all Transformer life," she explained. "But in the end I believe the few remaining Quintessons have grown bored." Optimus Prime was reminded of the silly TV reality shows humans had been so enthralled with and number of Autobots if he remembered correctly.

"Why not destroy Hades?" he questioned harshly. "The technology is certainly available. The Quintessons are dangerous no matter how powerless or barely alive they may be which is probably just an act."

Isis Prime shook her head, "It is not that easy. We have controlled them since the e-volve."

Prime suddenly threw his cup against the floor angrily. "How many more acquiesces did our people have to make to survive?"

"Without the Watchers slowing the e-volve process Cybertron would have destroyed herself and our civilization would have ceased to exist. The Watchers do nothing else but watch. Cybertron did what it had to do to survive!"

"Earth would have not perished," he spat at her.

"You don't know that."

"We Transformers would not have destroyed that poor world, we are the ones who couldn't go quietly into the night!"

"It was your actions that made the e-volve possible," Isis Prime reminded Optimus. He stood fists gripped at his side.

"It was my decisions that destroyed Earth."

Isis Prime sighed, "No it was the Decepticons who destroyed Earth. As for the other you did what was needed so we could survive, as did Cybertron did with the Quintessons. Preservation of the species is not a failing."

Optimus Prime was silent as he stared out the bay window, he felt Isis Prime stand next to him. She gingerly leaned against him, "You are no longer the only Prime there is enough responsibility for both of us to bear." Strange emotions flooded Optimus Prime systems, he enjoyed the new sensations this female caused him. Whispers from his own imagination encouraged him to want this female.

Isis Prime reached out and touched Optimus chest gently, slowly, deliberately. Optimus responded by caressing her arm, when his Onc touched hers she stepped close to him, and initiated a mating. Optimus Prime was fully unprepared for what happen next.

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