So we start off with some Soundwave perspective , thought he was due some more screen time (scene time?) lol.

Don't have to say much other than Interim (the second in the Timeless instalment) is coming along a slight bit slower than I want (chapter wise anyway, I've gotten everything I want noted), but I have another TF story out, it's set in G1. It's more of a side project called Remnant.

Summary: A sparkling loses the only remaining family she has left, only that isn't all that true as she suddenly finds herself in the care of her Creator. Now she understands why her aunt was so sad at her similarities to her Creator—to Soundwave. But being with the Decepticons might not be as bad as the Autobots claim.

It'll be from the Deception side and meant to be more of a light-hearted story than war based. It's going to include Frenzy, Rumble, Ravage, Ratbat and Lazerbeak.

Anyway, I'll let you read on.

o-o-o-o-o

Chapter 4: Artic Adventure

[Scrapheap]

(episode: 7)

o-o-o-o-o

It was early by even his standards—upon arriving on Earth several years prior, most Decepticons had adjusted their recharge patterns to base it around the planets own mega-cycle (they just called it a day, such a weird term) and so using a Ground-Bridge to arrive at the familiar cliff edge hidden within the mountain range of Jasper, the sun had yet to rise and wouldn't for several more minutes.

As he had stepped through, he spotted Zelda sitting at the edge, legs hanging over. He paused momentarily, normally she'd turn and greet him but today she didn't seem aware of the fact he'd arrived—even with the Ground-Bridge being quite a loud device—and while Zelda had mellowed out over the seven earth years they'd known her, even this silence was odd.

They'd only had a handful of meetings before her sister's offlining but what they saw of her before and after was a striking difference. Nineteen-year-old Zelda had been a bit of a loud person but not in a negative way, she had been talkative and friendly to most, but it was a front he'd come to discover over the years. During those handfuls of meetings, it was only after Optimus's resurrection that they had it confirmed to them that Zelda had become the All-Spark.

While most just accepted it, Soundwave wanted to know more. Why the All-Spark chose Zelda, someone who'd openly admitted she'd done terrible things (it was true, he'd been the one to do research on her after all) and—well she was a fleshy. The questions bothered him for three years before he finally had a chance to learn—watch from Zelda's own perspective.

That chance only came along because he'd expressed his curiosity whether his telepathic ability would work with organic based lifeforms. And it did and while by that point she had already slowly started becoming a techno-organic, she still inhabited her brain which was the only component required.

She'd given him free access to her mind—it… had momentarily taken him aback because no one had offered their processor just like that. He'd questioned her about it, but she gave a breathy laugh and answered: "I trust you, Soundwave."

He did not… he was unsure about when she had come to think of him as a friend—but that revelation had made him realise he considered her his friend too.

It had been a long time since he considered anyone like that—Megatronous had changed a lot over the vorns and while he still saw pieces of his old friend here and there, it was like Megatron was a completely different mech.

And every other Cybertronian on the Nemesis wasn't worth his attention either, it got incredibly lonely with only Lazerbeak. Ravage and the twins were Primus knows where with Shockwave but the only way he knew they lived was because of their bond with him. It gave him some relief at least.

But he was getting off topic—Zelda gave him access to all her memories, the only pieces he was denied was her conversations and meetings with Primus. All he got from them were flashes of star-bright golden optics (similar to that of her own optics), but she seemed surprised at that and they theorised it was perhaps someone else's doing.

That someone else's name beginning with pri and ending in mus.

(He could understand if those conversations were considered sacred—like the Matrix of Leadership could only be truly used by Primes—and embodied All-Sparks it seems.)

But Zelda didn't even inhabit an ounce of embarrassment like humans were about most things. She wasn't even the slightest bit prudish when it came to more… self-indulgent moments—she had been years prior, (he'd brushed through her much younger and darker years—and self-indulgent moments, he didn't want to invade her privacy that much) but she'd matured a lot since she'd become the All-Spark. If Soundwave had to guess, then he'd say it was the knowledge and power of the All-Spark that had a servo in that.

—what was his original line of thought again?

Right, Zelda's odd behaviour.

It had only been four Earth days since Cliffjumper's offlining and while she said she could never truly grieve that loss, it didn't mean she wasn't—instead, he found that perhaps, if anything, Zelda grieved the most.

She was bonded to him after all, and while the bond (she referred to them as threads as to her they looked like literal threads) wasn't that of a physical Creator/Carrier, sibling or Sparkmate, she still was bonded in a faux way.

His spark went out to her.

Soundwave finally moved forward, realising he'd been pondering on these thoughts for exactly two minutes, thirty seconds and fifteen milliseconds and her head twitched which signalled to him she'd finally twigged about him being there, yet she still didn't turn.

And it was fine—over the last four Earth days, the bond that she shared with him had been a lot more… he wanted to say suppressed but it would be an incorrect term to use. Dampened, perhaps.

He'd asked Knockout and Breakout (he didn't physically ask, he'd taken a vow of silence after all) and they also mentioned their own bonds had been more deaden too.

He theorized it could be her subconscious response after losing Cliffjumper. He didn't share a bond with her (nor any Decepticons) at the time Optimus himself had been temporarily offlined but what he heard from other Cons that had been there, was that it hadn't been pretty.

Soundwave approached the cliff edge and sat himself. Zelda shuffled once he'd settled and she slumped against his leg. His servo gently cupped her form, index digit stroking her head.

He disliked seeing Zelda like this but words were not the type of comfort she needed and so they continued with the silence as the sun began to peak over the mountains in the horizon.

o-o-o-o-o

That morning upon arriving back at base after watching the sunrise with Soundwave, I learnt Bulkhead and Bumblebee had been sent out to the Arctic to explore a signal they'd manage to pick up on, Optimus made mention of returning afterwards—something along those lines anyway—and I kinda jumped at the opportunity to join them.

Of course, I had to go and buy the appropriate clothing to do so but it would be definitely worth it!

By the time I arrived back, I'd gone via Ground-Bridge since Jasper didn't have stores that sold the types of clothing I needed—I mean Nevada is a hot state—Bulk and Bee had returned with something.

Ratchet said it looked like a stasis pod, but they wouldn't know what was in it until the ice had thawed and they opened it up.

But I was busy getting into my gear. I knew that Arctic exploration required warm clothing but honesty I was surprised at minimal amount—a brightly coloured parka, red being the traditionally used one; warm trousers, ski pants are suitable; waterproof trousers; thermal underwear; snow boots; and a fleece jacket. The last four you can get the general idea for.

Sunglasses were another, but I went for goggles instead, because the sun can reflect harshly off the snow. I threw in a thick scarf and beanie too and of course, gloves.

I gave my shoulders several shrugs at the new additional weight—I'd never warn anything that required three layers before, it was a bit of a weird feeling and I was getting a wee bit warm.

I tied my hair back into a low ponytail and shoved it up into the beanie, then adjusted my goggles, setting them on my forehead for now.

I tucked my trouser ends into the boots and made sure the straps were tight before I made my way back toward the Hub. As I arrived, the kids and their guardians did too.

I turned my attention to Ratchet as I zipped up my red parka and adjusted the goggles again. "Am I good to go?" I teased, Ratchet took my health very seriously and while I don't get ill via human methods, that didn't mean I couldn't get injured or strained. It annoyed him to no end when I pushed myself.

The grumpy bot rolled his optics and took a moment to scan my clothing. "Yes." He knelt and held out his servo which revealed the badge I was going to be wearing. "Listen to the badge—if it goes off before Optimus and Arcee's, you are to ask for a bridge back to base. Immediately."

I saluted. "Sir, yes sir!"

Ratchet groaned at my behaviour, grumbling about me being a pain in his aft. I chuckled. "Love you too, Ratch'."

He shook his head and stood back up. I finally turned back to the conversation as I pinned the badge onto the right side since the parka had a left breast pocket.

"Indoors where it's warm." Jack back tracked and I chuckled lightly.

"The arctic? I've always wanted to see snow." Raf moved forward, taking the spot Jack had previously been in.

"I would invite you to join, Rafael, but the conditions are much too extreme, even for we Autobots." Optimus explained softly.

"I… understand." Raf nodded, but the disappointment showed on his face.

Optimus turned to enter the Ground-Bridge but paused, turning back around. "But I will bring you back a snowball."

Raf grinned, and it made me feel all gooey inside, ehhh mushy feelings. "That would be awesome!"

Optimus went first with Arcee and I not far behind. As I approached the portal, I pulled down my goggles. The familiar warping feeling tingled my skin and as I stepped through, my feet sunk into the snow and I was hit with wind against my slightly visible cheeks, and oh boy did the temperature hit me.

Whoa, cold, were my first thoughts before I took the moment to glance around the white environment, but definitely worth it!

For several long kilks I just observed my surrounds in awe. I'd never seen so much snow before—I had been to Russia during winter but even that wasn't anywhere near this.

I just—

"No time for sightseeing I'm afraid, Zelda." Optimus' voice brought me back and I turned my optics onto him. He couldn't see my face because it was covered but my embarrassment was visible via my thread.

"Well at least we know we're not gonna loses you out here." Arcee jested, servo on her hip.

"Har har." I responded sarcastically and jested in return: "It's the only time I can't hide from you all."

I could disappear like a cloud of smoke practically anywhere; I'd used the methods plenty of times in attempts to improve the younger bots scanning and searching skills. I probably wasn't the best person to run the so-called game since the likelihood they'd find me is roughly twenty outta a hundred.

I pitied them sometimes but at least they knew I could hide from someone after me if necessary.

Arcee scoffed. "Come now, Zelda, we all know we're going easy on you."

I laughed. "Hahahahahahahaha! You're such a comedian, Arcee!"

Their amusement hummed from the threads.

o-o-o-o-o

We were walking for a while before Optimus stopped almost suddenly. "Hmm, look."

Arcee and I followed his eyeline into the near distance, while my sight wasn't perfect like a Cybertronians, it was far better than a human. So therefore, it took me a nano-kilk to find what it was that Optimus was looking at.

There was movement camouflaged by the snow, it was a large creature—and white. A polar bear.

"Whoa, he's so bushy." I noted with a smile.

"Guess this planet does have some good things." Arcee declared. I rolled my optics.

My eyes had already returned to Optimus, who continued to watch the bear. Even with his mouthguard down, the brightness of his optics gave away his smile.

I liked it when he did, he didn't smile far as much as he should.

o-o-o-o-o

We were out for an hour by now and I hadn't felt the cold seep through yet. But I was thankful because I'd gotten the chance to see animals that would never get too in their natural habitat.

I wasn't the biggest fan of zoos, while they did have good points to them—both for the endangered animals' and for humans, I just disliked the enclosures. My views on the subject were complicated, eh.

I shrugged the thought before it could go off in a tangent.

Optimus voiced his concern on whether I should return but I argued I wasn't feeling the cold yet. It got him but he was hesitant about it.

Arcee went ahead to scout on the ground while Optimus climbed the icy cliff. I stayed on the ground, watching as he climbed.

There was a strong gust of wind and I shivered. Ooooooh man, I flipped jinxed myself didn't I?

Just my fragging luck.

I started doing simple excises to warm my body, knowing standing still wasn't a good idea. I didn't push myself too much either as I didn't want to waste energy.

My badge flashed once.

Shit.

o-o-o-o-o

Another hour past and I was beginning to get worried. My badge had gone off several more times and finally, Optimus's badged did—Arcee's had likely done so too; just in time for a blizzard to start to pick up. I bit my lip as Optimus tried and failed to contact Ratchet.

I shivered, penguin-like swaying side to side and head tucked low.

"Zelda, can you walk?" Optimus asked, raising his voice over the wailing winds.

"Yeah."

"Then let us keep moving. We much find shelter while I continue to try and contact base."

We did and not long after Arcee caught up with us, asking in confusion at the lack of Ground-Bridge. "What's wrong?"

"No one at base is responding. We much move or the blizzard will freeze us." Optimus answered.

"Let's hope it's a minor fault, yeah?" I asked nervously as a spasm racked through my upper body because of the cold.

o-o-o-o-o

We continued walking and I'd been forced to walk behind Optimus's leg in an attempt to shield myself from the cold. My shoulders were hunched, arms crossed tightly, and toes curled in attempts to keep myself warm and not loss feeling.

=Optimus to base, do you read?= OP received nothing in return, only static.

Arcee collapsed to one knee and I bit back the whine the wanted to escape.

Da—Optimus went ahead to aid Arcee to her pedes. "Are you sure a nice long drive won't help? I heard Miami is beautiful this time of year." The femme asked, voice tired.

"The nearest temperate climate is too distant, Arcee. Attempting to reach it would expand too much energy and hasten the freezing processes. Until Ratchet sends for us—" he glanced back at me. "—and he will, our best option would be to seek shelter and insulate ourselves."

As D—Optimus (what the frag, processor? Get it right!) stood once more, I blinked, suddenly feeling very tired to the point my lids drooped unwillingly. I just wanted to fall into my hammock, curl up in my blankets and recharge for as long as I possibly could.

Recharge… I… really tired, I'll just—

"Zelda."

My optics snapped open both at the voice and the gentle prod of a digit that belonged to Arcee.

"Uhhm—w-what?" I asked, rapidly blink in an attempt to fight the desire to recharge.

The two shared a look. "We best find shelter soon." Arcee said, tone worried. The femme gently guided me—which was good because my processor was spinning, and my sense of direction had gone whack.

What way did we even come from? Didn't we already pass an icy cliff just… just like that? What?

o-o-o-o-o

Time pressed on and eventually, we found shelter, it wasn't much but it shielded us from the harsh wind. I had been forced to huddle against Arcee's chassis in a vain attempt to keep me warm via heat that radiated from her frame. It wasn't as effective as they'd hoped.

Arcee, Dad, and I had taken to talking about memories in an attempt to keep ourselves awake, but my filter from my processor and mouth had vanished. Incoherent words and mumbles escaped me, and I didn't even know even a quart of what I was talking about.

Why did I want to visit the Artic anyway? I could've been doing tons better stuff, like… like—what?

—"The longer we remain alert, the longer we remain alive." Dad's voice broke my thought and my lids drooped again. It was getting' harder and harder to fight.

"What do you suggest? Wait, how about a game. Let's play who screwed things up back at base." Arcee voice bitterly, resting her cheek against my helm. I giggled.

"It was Lazerbeak—" What? "I saw 'em!"

"Our predicament could be a result of a simple malfunction." Papa answered, ignoring my giggles. Rude.

"Caused by Bulkhead. Let's see. No com-link. Maybe even no power. The big lug probably tripped over a cord. He'd never been too graceful. Remember when we first arrived on Earth and Bulkhead walked into those power lines?" She chuckled. "Who knew he could dance like that?"

"Bulkhead maybe… too large for this world, but his inner strength is without bounds." His optics dropped to me. "One should not be measured by size alone."

I look at him blankly. "¿Que tal?"

o-o-3rd Person-o-o

As even more time passed, Zelda felt frozen solid. She held no more strength, even struggling to painfully inhale. She wasn't a fool, the likelihood of them offlining here was expediently high.

And the chance that within the next, and possibly finally, breem of her life that the Ground-Bridge would appear, and they'd be saved was almost zilch.

"You know the worst part… after battling cons all these Stellar-cycles, smack down, shot at, blown up… this is how our lights go out?" Arcee asked, arms tightening around the small form in her arms in worry, the mumbling had stopped a short while ago and only her breathing reassured them that Zelda was alive.

"Arcee… this may not be the finish that we had planned. But if this is indeed the end, if we are to become one with the All-Spark." Zelda twitched at the word, it was a subconscious response from the power inside of her.

Arcee lay a servo in his. "It's been an honour serving with you, Optimus Prime."

Finally, Zelda move, her head lifted, and Optimus would see the dim golden optics behind the goggles she wore. They rose to meet his. Her voice was slurred as she slipped into Cybertronian. §Papa…§ Optimus blinked owlishly at the term.§Every spark…be..comes…§

She trailed off, head dipped as her vision turned dark. She heard… vague and muffled voices. Voices that belonged to the two panicked Autobots, calling Zelda's name in vain attempts to awaken her. Arcee even shaking her shoulder but nothing brought Zelda back round to being conscious.

As Arcee continued to call for Zelda, voice strained at feeling the way the thread they shared to her continued to dim and felt so, so fragile that any wrong move would cut that tie, Optimus lifted his helm as he saw the Ground-Bridge open up before them, he heaved himself up.

He helped Arcee who clutched the practically lifeless Zelda to her chassis. They pushed themselves to reach the Ground-Bridge. As they did, Bulkhead came running through with tiny metal creatures that Optimus and Arcee recognised almost immediately.

"Down, down!" Bulkhead ordered as thousands of them came flying towards Arcee and Optimus, the latter of the two using himself as a shield to protect Arcee and ultimately Zelda. As they reached the freezing trio, the scarplets themselves froze solid, bouncing off Optimus' armour.

Once they'd all creased, the conscious duo turned to Bulkhead who lay in the snow.

"I'd invite you in, but the place is a mess."

They rushed through either way, Zelda's live on the line and as they stepped through the Ground-Bridge, Ratchet was on his feet and meeting them.

"Give her to me!" he ordered, and Arcee deposited Zelda onto the Medic's servos. Then Ratchet's chassis shifted, pulling back to reveal his spark, where he gently set Zelda inside the chamber and closed his chassis again.

The white and orange Autobot shuddered, feeling the way Zelda's form radiated the cold that clung to her, but his spark was far hotter, easily overpowering the cold and began to warm Zelda up, bring her back from critical.

The Autobots all slumped in relief.

o-o-o-o-o

Bit of a cliffhanger, huh? Don't worry Zelda's recovering will be in the next chapter as the kids learn some stuff about the resident techno-organic ;)

=Comm links=

§Cybertronian§

Mega-cycle: ~3 weeks

Orn: 13 days

Kilk: ~1.2 minutes

Breem: ~8.3 mintues

Stellar-cycle: ~7.5 months (Cybertronian year)

¿Que tal?: Spanish for 'how are you?'