The tall red and blue Autobot stood on the top of the base. The setting sun glowed softly over the Nevada desert horizon. He placed his large hands on his hips, welcoming the warmth of the falling sun. He released a small sigh, looking for his comfortable spot. A ledge at the center of the plateau divided the two halves, one side the helicopter pad, the other, a large landing that served as Cliffjumpers memorial over looking the vast desert. Optimus climbed over the ledge and lowered himself onto the plateaus surface. He eased himself back, leaning carefully against the ledge, and sprawled his long legs in front of him. He enjoyed this time, time that he could spend in quiet solace to reflect, and meditate. Being a leader was a challenge, but the last of the Prime's? It was a burden he would never wish on his worst enemy. His processors were constantly analysing, strategizing, and calculating various outcomes, plotting new moves, like a never-ending game of cyber chess. Of course not to mention the wisdom of the collective Prime's whispering in his audio receptors every nano-second, it was hard to find peace amongst the pressure. But, when the night was warm and clear, and the sun glowed in the vibrant coloured sky as it slowly kissed the sand, it was easier for him to let go, to let his mind and spark wander.
These were the moments he relished, the moments where he was only responsible to himself, the moments he could sit and appreciate the beauty of this world he now donned home, the moments spent reading old data pads, going through old digital photos, or even simply just watching, and listening to life around him. He closed his optics, slowly losing himself in the warm evening air. A gentle breeze slinked through his cables, cooling his engines and circuitry. He sighed, as he opened his cobalt blue optics. How could he resist such a beautiful evening? It deserved his admiration.
Every evening since the beginning of the war, he would watch the sun set. Another day passed, another day to add to the tally. Every night, he looked on as the sun slowly faded, and the once bright sky, now replaced with a dark abyss. But it was the night he looked most forward too. Only at night could he look upon the stars and their multitudes, as they twinkled in the blackness. Only at night, did the memories from so long ago slowly come alive once again. He could remember, back when he was a clerk in Iacon, before the war, before Optimus, before he had to say goodbye. He felt a faint smile begin to spread on his faceplates as he recalled that fateful evening. The evening he met that whom he loved the most. The evening he met her.
He was young, naïve, full of knowledge, yet still had so much more to learn. After his shift, he travelled to a peak on the outskirts of Iacon, overlooking the large city, but that wasn't the view that attracted him to this special spot, it was the unlimited sky he could observe. The lights and fumes from the city obscured the stars, but no bot ever noticed; they were too busy with the city that was in constant motion to ever stop and look up. He had his data pads spread across the ground, perfect for mapping constellations, studying the cosmos, and observing different celestial bodies. He settled on the ground, focusing the telephoto lens on the optical enhancer scope. He breathed, relishing the peace and quiet, but it was short lived. He could hear an engine approaching, screaming up to the edge of the peak. Suddenly a small car roared around the corner, screeched their brakes, and transformed in a brilliant display, landing a few yards away from him and his optic scope. He choked on the smoke that filled the air, swatting it away with his arms, as he tried to get a glimpse at the crazed driver.
"Yes! New record! Woo! Yeah!" A young femme voice celebrated joyously from behind the dissipating smoke, followed by excited laughter. He continued to wheeze as he ventilated the smoke out of his system. He stood up and cautiously called out through the smoke.
"Excuse me? I don't mean to be rude but…you-" He immediately stopped mid sentence. The smoke had cleared, and he had a clear view of her.
Time began to blur, everything seemed moved in slow motion. It was her optics that he noticed first. They were big, bright, iridescent hues of blue, a shade he had never seen before, a shade only she possessed. Her smooth faceplates shone under the stars, but her smile was brighter, exposing her perfect denta. Her helm was a dusted pink, dipping at the back then curling up at the end. Her body was slim and sleek, matching her helm in colour. She was beautiful, stunning, absolutely captivating. He had never seen such perfection in his entire life. She twirled around on her pink pedes, finally acknowledging him. Her optics widened as she began to speak but he couldn't hear a sound. He shook his helm in embarrassment, nervously playing with his knotted fingers.
"I'm sorry, could you repeat that?" He asked shyly, he could feel his faceplates beginning to heat up. She smiled and giggled, taking a step closer, they were now face-to-face.
"I said, I didn't realize that someone was here. I'm really sorry for disturbing you…uhhh…" She furrowed her brow, extending her hand. He grabbed it tentatively and shook.
"Orion. Orion Pax." He answered trying to calm his vocalizers. They continued to shake their hands up and down gently, almost rhythmically, neither one wanting to be the first to let go. Her hands were smooth and warm, her long fingers fit perfectly in his. She looked down at their hands, giggling.
"I'm Ariel. It's nice to meet you, Orion." She smiled sweetly, as they both let go slowly.
"It's nice to meet you too, uh, Ariel." He laughed nervously as she rose on her pedes, peering over his shoulder.
"What are you doing up here all by yourself anyways? Are you waiting for someone? If you don't mind me asking…" She glided towards the data pads and optical scope, kneeling down for a closer view. He followed behind, mindful of his distance so as not to loom over her. He could barely think straight as he watched her, every move she made caused his spark to pulse faster.
"Waiting for someone? No, no, I'm just doing some research. It's just me…well I mean not anymore, obviously, because you're here now." He rubbed his helm as his faceplates began to burn. Ariel turned to him and smiled, raising an optic ridge.
"What type of research? Wait let me guess… judging by the optical scope, and multiple data pads, I'd say…celestial tracker?" She gently picked up a data pad and began to read it, looking up at the sky every now and then.
"Oh, no I wouldn't say a tracker… more of an observer, really. I'm actually a clerk, at the Iacon Hall of Records." He stepped around her, apologizing profusely as he tiptoed around the data pads. He clumsily sat beside the pink femme, keeping an appropriate distance. She lowered the data pad and giggled again.
"So studying the stars is your hobby then?" She asked coyly, raising an optic ridge. He averted his optics, and idly played with the data pad in front of him.
"You could say that." He smiled, stealing subtle glances at her as she scrolled through the data pad.
"I'm relieved…I wouldn't want to be keeping you from important research. I mean, unless you'd prefer I left. I can leave, I don't want to be a bother." Her voice became worried and concerned, almost apologetic. He shook his helm rapidly and smiled.
"No, no it's okay, I don't mind the company. You can stay if you want, you don't have to but you're welcome to join me…although studying isn't really an activity most bots are willing to participate in." He closed his optics and leaned his helm back. Way to go, you're giving her every reason to leave. How can such a smart bot lose all intelligence just because of a femme? He opened his optics and looked back to where she was sitting, half expecting the space to be vacant. To his delight she was still there, staring intensely at the data screen.
"Actually, I'd love to stay… I've always been interested in constellations and their history…could you, show me?" Her voice soft and gentle, she turned the data screen towards him exposing the various constellations he had mapped. He could feel himself beginning to relax, and a smile spread across his faceplates.
"I'd love to." He moved closer to the optical scope, adjusting the dials and clicking different buttons. Ariel slowly moved closer to him, placing the data pad in her lap. She could feel her hands shaking slightly, and tried stifling them by placing them under her legs. He looked back to her pointing towards the data pad, his cobalt optics held her gaze as he spoke.
"May I?" She blinked then realized what he had said, looking down and handing him the data pad quickly. She giggled nervously as her faceplates began to heat up. He began to focus the lens, searching for the first constellation. She stole subtle glances at him as he worked, smiling widely. He remained oblivious, focused on finding the perfect constellation to show her first.
"So…are you training for something?" He questioned as he continued to peer through the viewfinder. Ariel turned her helm, and raised an optic ridge.
"You could say that." She answered coyly, giving him a small smirk. He leaned back from the viewfinder, and smiled.
"Hmmm…your answer is quite oblique. In which case I'll assume you're an assassin, or a criminal…in either case I don't feel comfortable knowing this information." He smirked as he raised an optic ridge. Ariel dropped her mouth in shock, and looked into his optics.
"Then I should probably leave now…" She started to rise as his face changed from playfulness to fear. She froze and began to giggle, gently tapping his shoulder pad. "I'm kidding! I'm not a criminal… or an assassin. Not very apt in deception are you?" She gave him a small wink, seating herself next to him again. He shrugged, nodding his helm shyly. She giggled, rubbing the side of her helm. "I'm actually training to get into the Iacon Military Academy. We have to pass a physical examination. I've been trying to race up to the peak lately…no one comes up here, well at least I thought no one came up here." She elbowed him gently, as he turned the viewfinder towards her.
"The Military? That's an interesting choice for someone like…" His voice trailed off as he motioned to her. She rolled her optics and smiled.
"I know I don't look like a soldier. But I want to go into Intelligence; gathering knowledge, decrypting stolen plans, and preventing potential uprisings and raids before they happen." He nodded his helm, listening to her explanation. She turned to him, smiling. "What about you? Ever done any service?"
"Not on a battlefield. My place is in the Records Hall. I'm no soldier… and certainly no Gladiator. I could never do what they do." He looked away, suddenly ashamed of how weak he appeared. Ariel placed a hand gently on his shoulder. Her smile was warm and kind.
"Your occupation is just as important as a soldier. Preserving our knowledge is something that our society depends on. I think it's something you should be proud of. Any bot can shoot a gun, but not every bot can map the sky. To me, that's more impressive." He turned to her and gave a bashful smile; he could feel his faceplates heating up again. They looked into each other's optics for a moment, and each could feel their spark pulse faster. He broke away first, motioning to the viewfinder.
"So, uh, the first celestial body that I've mapped out is the easiest to see in the night sky, especially when it's clear like tonight. It's just on the western side there. It's known as the Nova constellation, and was named after one of the original thirteen Prime's… one of the greatest warriors of all time…" Each moved closer still, as he continued to explain the history and point to them in the sky. Ariel read the data pad and listened intently, mapping the constellations with her fingertips along the night sky. He stared at her as she sat in awe, gazing at the beauty above them. He had never been so excited to study the stars, than that night, and he couldn't wait until next time.
Optimus opened his optics, refocusing them as he observed his surroundings. The sun had fully set, and the moon was starting to rise. He checked his internal clock. How long was I in recharge? Almost an hour… I wonder what the others are doing right now… How late do human children stay up at night while at a sleepover? Probably should've researched that before hand. The Prime stretched his arms and sighed as the battle worn gears popped and squeaked. He furrowed his optic ridge. You're no Orion Pax anymore Prime, the golden years of your youth have come and gone… and took no prisoners. He leaned his helm back, gently massaging the tight neck cables with his hands. He let his optics wander the sky above it was a perfectly clear night. He smiled faintly, returning his helm to its proper place. His optics scanned the many constellations, connecting them with the tip of his finger. He parted his lips and began to whisper into the silent eve.
"The first celestial body that I've mapped out, is the easiest to see in the night sky, especially when it's clear like tonight. It's just on the western side there…" He spoke slowly as he motioned to the point on the evening sky, and he could feel his spark begin to ache. "It's the constellation recognized here on Earth as a great warrior…" He paused, looking over to where she would have been sitting. "Do you know what they named this great hunter amongst the stars?" He placed a hand gently on the vacant spot beside him, looking back to the constellation. "Orion."