Sari was blown away by Dataminer's revelation that, due to her unique technorganic nature, she will probably live for millions of years. But what does this mean? Of course she always knew that she would likely outlive her father, but living millions of years, will she outlive all humans? Does having an Autobot lifespan make her more Autobot than human? If so, where does she belong? Cybertron, or earth?
That evening, Sari told the rest of her friends everything she learned from Dataminer.
When she got to the part about her life span, there were a few seconds of awkward silence. "Well?" Said Sari, "What do you think?"
Bumblebee was the first to respond. "I think it's cool! We're going to be buds for millions of solar cycles!"
Sari smiled. "Somehow, Bee, I'm not surprised. Thanks!"
"I'm also glad to hear that, Sari," said Optimus. "You will be a very valued comrade in many, many missions, whether they're for earth or for Cybertron. I will be deeply honored to be able to tell future humans and Autobots that I knew you from the beginning of your career."
Ratchet said "And I would be very glad to have you by my side, working and repairing bots for many, many solar cycles to come."
"As you grow and master your mods, Sari, you will come to see what your true destiny is. Perhaps your long lifespan will be just what you need to accomplish that," Said Arcee.
Bulkhead offered up a thought: "What will happen, though, if Sari outlives all the humans?"
Sari frowned. "Oh, gee, thanks for the happy thought, Bulkhead!"
This confused him. "Huh? What did I say?"
Optimus explained, "I think what Sari means, Bulkhead, is that she would then be the only human left in the universe. Sari would be alone, and that makes her feel sad."
Bulkhead understood, and turned toward her. "I didn't mean to make you feel bad, Sari. I'm sorry."
"It's OK, Bulkhead," said Sari. "I know you didn't mean it. It would just be weird being the last human – or half-human left."
"But Sari's also half Cybertronian," says Bumblebee. "So, she's also one of us."
"But, Bee, what does that make me, really?" Sari asked. "Am I an Autobot who happens to be part human, or a human who happens to be part Autobot?"
"Well, you're both!" said Bumblebee.
"Or neither," said Sari. "It's all so weird. And what's my real home? Earth, where I was supposedly 'born' and grew up, or here, where - I guess - I came from?" Sari put her head in her hands and groaned. "Aaargh! I'm so confused. What is home?"
"Here! Here! I vote here!" said Bumblebee. Think of all the stuff we'll be able to do Sari, all the stuff I can show you."
Sari smiled. "I figured I'd get that vote from you, Bee. How does everyone else feel?"
Ratchet piped in: "Well, as long as you ask, I'd like for you to stay here on Cybertron, Sari, only because I would want for us to be able to visit Dataminer on a regular basis to seek his advice on your mods. I'm still a little wary of which ones can be activated without you going into…well, you know."
"Yeah, I know what you mean, Ratchet," said Sari. "And I want to be able to see Dataminer regularly too. Before we left, he invited me to visit him from time to time. Despite his corny sense of humor, he really does have a lot of important knowledge to share with me, and the more he tells me, the more questions I have."
"Well, why can't Sari live on Cybertron and on earth?" asked Bulkhead. "I mean, she can use the space bridge to sort of, you know, be a commuter."
"I don't think using the space bridge as a commuting solution would work out," said Optimus. "The space bridge is meant for special travel only, and each trip has to be approved by the High Council."
Sari turned to Arcee. "Arcee, what do you think?"
"Sari, I'm a little reluctant to offer you advice on such an important decision, seeing as how I've only known you for such a short time. I'm afraid I'll have to abstain on this one," Arcee gave Sari a smile, "but my circuits tell me that whatever decision you make, it will be a good one."
"I understand, Arcee. I wish Prowl was still here," sighed Sari.
That left one person in the group to answer. Everyone turned to Optimus.
"Hey, Optimus, what do you think?" asked Sari.
"Sari, here's my advice to you," said Optimus. "Let me start by asking you a question: of all the Autobots and all the humans in your life, who do you think knows you the best?"
Sari sat back in her chair. She was not expecting this question. She sighed and answered "My Dad."
"Then it seems to me," continued Optimus, "that the person best qualified to help you is your father."
"But what if he just tells me to come back to earth!" protested Sari.
"Maybe he will," said Optimus. "But I would be very surprised if he would make such a snap judgment. In the solar cycles I've known him he strikes me as a very wise and patient man – certainly, patient with you, Sari." Optimus gave her a knowing glance. "I also know that he cares for you very deeply. No matter how he feels personally, he would want to give you the best advice possible."
All the Autobots were in agreement with Optimus' advice.
Professor Sumdac was in his office on a Saturday morning. He liked working Saturdays because it was quiet. Everyone was home – except for a few "eager beavers" like himself, he chuckled. Saturdays were the times when he could set aside Executive Board complaints, political issues, competitive worries, and be free to plan and think big thoughts.
The video phone rang. "Incoming message from Cybertron." He pressed the button to accept.
Sari's face appeared on the screen. "Hi, Dad!"
"Sari! Oh my goodness, how good it is to see you! How are you doing?"
"I'm doing great, Dad! Ratchet, Arcee and I went to go see Dataminer, the technorganic expert. He examined me and told me so much about myself. It was amazing. He was able to turn on a few of my mods, but Dad, he told me something truly incredible."
"What? What did he say, Sari?" Isaac sat up in his chair.
"Dad, you're not going to believe this, but I asked him about my lifespan. Dataminer said that I may live for millions of years."
Isaac blinked his eyes. "Millions…did you say, millions of years?"
"Yep, that's right. According to Dataminer, my Cybertron half keeps my human half alive. As long as my spark chamber is alive, I will stay alive."
Isaac let that thought sink in. "Sari, that is incredible! What a thing to find out!"
"But Dad, there's another reason I'm calling you. I really need to talk to you."
"Oh, Sari, you know I will be happy to listen." Isaac sat back in his chair and gave Sari his full attention. "Tell me everything."
Sari proceeded to share with her father all her feelings – her worry that, living so long, she will wind up being the last human in the universe; her strangeness about having one foot in Cybertron, one foot on earth; her confusion of not knowing who she really is, or where she belongs.
"Who am I, Dad? Am I a human with a Cybertronian side, or am I a Cybertronian with a human side? Where do I really belong? Dad, I'm so confused."
"Oh, my beautiful Sari," her father said, "such heavy burdens to bear for such a young person."
Isaac thought for a moment. "Tell me, when you are on Cybertron, how does it feel to you? Do you feel a connection to the place?"
Sari pondered the question. "I think I do, Dad. Walking around, I do kind of have a feeling like I belong. It's hard to describe, but yes, now that you mention it, it's there."
"Then I think," continued her father, "that staying on Cybertron may be what you ought to do, at least for now – as difficult as it is for me to say that."
"What do you mean, Dad?" Sari asked.
"Well, I do miss you, Sari. But I also want what is best for you. I think, as long as we can keep having these video phone calls, I am willing to wait until I can see you again in person. For now, I believe your destiny calls for you to be on Cybertron."
"Thanks, Dad. Optimus told me you were a very wise person, and he said if there was someone to talk to about my feelings, it was you."
"Well," said Isaac, feeling a little embarrassed, "I am certainly honored to be held in such high esteem." He cleared his throat. "So, do you have a place to stay there?"
"Yes, when we arrived, they managed to find me a nice place. I asked them to make sure it was big enough to let in my Autobot friends," Sari smiled. "When I first called you, it was from my apartment."
"Well, well, an apartment. That's wonderful! Who knows, Sari, maybe someday I may be able to visit you!" said Isaac.
"Hey, Dad, that would be awesome! I'll talk to Optimus and see if you can use the space bridge sometime."
"Sari, one other thing," said Isaac, "What about that meeting with the High Council?"
"Oh, that will not be for a little bit," answered Sari. "Optimus says they will schedule us in. We'll be told when our time comes up."
"Well, don't forget my advice, and be on your best behavior," said Isaac.
"I won't forget, Dad. I'm so glad I called. You're the best Daddy in both worlds!" Sari grinned. "I love you so much!"
"Aw, I love you too, my Sari. You take care of yourself. And you listen to Optimus; he's got good advice there!" Isaac smiled.
"I sure will. OK I'm going to go back to fixing up my apartment. I will call you again soon. Love you Daddy!"
"I love you, my Sari! Good bye!"
"Connection ended" the video phone declared, as Professor Sumdac hung up. "Oh, dear," Isaac let out a deep sigh. "I was afraid she might be staying."
Well, that's Chapter 3. Looks like Sari's staying on Cybertron for now. We shall see what happens in the future. Stay tuned! Thanks for reading.
