Chapter 9: Resurrection

"Prime!" Ratchet called, "She's awake!" The video footage showed her various parts twitching as if she was just getting use to them, her antennae rotating about while wings folded in and out. She rolled herself to her hands and knees but didn't move any further than that. Optimus came over; watching carefully to Signal's movements.

Optimus Prime found it hard to believe that this seekling was truly Signal; maybe he didn't want her to be. He never understood or got over the fact that she always called him her dad. Optimus never thought of sparklings or even having one to raise, war took over his life before the idea could ever build up. He heard stories from Autobots though, how the first bonding experience is like fighting Unicron depending on the sparkling. With L's beginning experience of killing everything on sight Prime began to prefer Unicron.

"Prime, you ready for this?" Ironhide asked as he walked over. The weapon's master never seemed to miss a thing, even to the finest detail. Without waiting for Prime's response he continued, "You were the first she trusted before; I doubt there will be any difference."

Optimus took a large breath before grabbing the energon ration. He was about to go in when a loud thump came from the enclosure. The Autobots quickly looked at the turmoil inside. L was digging at the floor, clawing the walls, flying up before crashing into the ceiling. She soon began to scream and cry as she continued her escape efforts it wasn't long till she began to leak an assortment of vital fluids. "Prime, you have to calm her down! She doesn't know what is going on or where she is!" Ratchet demanded, not only was he worried about L, but how long the enclosure was going to remain enclosed. Who knows what sort of hell she would wreak if she got out. She quickly began to dispatch the cameras, tearing and chewing at them before going on to something else.

Prime ran to the entrance, hesitating before asking, "How close is she to the door?"

"She's right at it, she hears you. Give me a moment," Ratchet answered as he typed in a few codes, the only working camera showed L chasing a laser that lead her away from the door. "Prime! Get in there now!"


It was miraculous, like nothing in this room existed except for him and Signal. He could only hear the last existing sound of her crashing down to the floor. Ratchet and Ironhide witnessed as she quickly traced the laser source, flying up to it and by quickly flipping tear the laser pointer right off and smash it to the floor.

Prime slowly turned to see her eyes and couldn't help but gasp. This was the first time he actually saw her eyes, and there was no longer any doubt to her identity. They were a deep red as they studied him. A golden faceplate covered half her face, to break the silence the faceplate broke apart to reveal sharp teeth and equal hiss. However terrifying her actions were Optimus did notice her eyes soften to a lavender color, as if curious.

*You need to show her that you mean no harm Prime,* Ratchet whispered, *Just like last time, the first time...*

"Sparkling… I am no threat… It's okay now… You're safe…" Optimus Prime cooed in Cybertronian, expressing as much calmness as he could. He watched as L jolted, her wings twitched frantically and spine tingled as she slowly stood as tall as she could. Anxiety and mistrust filled her red optics as she drew weapons and fluffed her armor. Optimus was careful not to reach out for her, instead continued to be relaxed and coo at her to keep her calm. She began to hiss and scream as she tried to hide herself in the furthest corner, when she realized that she was still trapped she tried to bluff by blasting close to him then backing off screaming as loud as she could.

*Prime,* Ironhide cut in as the sparkling began to fire warning shots, *Sit down, it's hard for her to relax when you're towering over her!*

Ironhide helped raise a few sparklings where he lived before the war, he sometimes spoke about having one of his own but the war destroyed any opportunity of doing so. Ratchet helped parental units complete a full bond with sparklings; it takes a long time for a full bond to be made and it was common complaint about sparklings with sudden and wild behavior because the bond wasn't complete. Optimus was glad to have their help.

He slowly sat down, keeping his hands slightly raised and out to show he truly meant no harm. Signal soberly watched him for hours before she began to get hungry and tired. Optimus was good about talking at her constantly or to make little noises and things. She would glare at him with each sound; she was beginning to relax more and sometimes copied the noise he made. When she began to wear out though Prime knew this was his chance.

"Come here little one. I have food. I won't hurt you" he softly sang as he showed the energon ration. Signal's optics burned brightly as she studied the ration, grabbing a piece of metal and chew on it. "That won't help your hunger," He continued, placing the ration on the floor then pulling his hands in. She glared at him as she took one more bite to convince otherwise, failing. "Come on now sparkling, you are safe..." She slowly crept toward the ration, body as close to the floor as she could get it while shooting quick glances at Prime to make sure he wasn't doing anything. She sniffed at the ration before she copied Optimus' posture and picked up the ration. She quickly wolfed it down before running back to her corner hissing and growling at Prime.

*You are doing great Prime,* Ratchet cheered, *She might still be hungry. Offer some of yours... also address her with her name*

Optimus pulled out a bit of his and called at her, "Signal come and have some more." Again she jolted and she looked shocked, before calming and studiously examined him. She seemed to accept the fact to her name but she acted as if she was waiting for an introduction.

*Why does she seem to want an introduction? Or am I just seeing things?* Prime sent the encoded message to his mentors outside.

After a few minutes Ironhide answered, *I would suggest the introduction. If you are going to continue to address her with a name she is going to have to address you with something besides cries and hisses. It might also help with her memory, we have to give it in slow chunks to prevent something like last time.*

Optimus took the advice. The inquisitive seekling sat opposite of him, copying him like an introverted mirror. "Are you still hungry Signal? I have more energon for you here if you are." She tilted her head as she remained silent, her faceplate that removed itself long ago, made slight showing of hungry teeth before hiding again. "I am Optimus Prime," he continued as he pointed at himself, "I help and care for many things. Protect them and keep them safe. I will never bring you harm Signal. Please come here..." Optimus showed some of the energon and kept it at her level to walk to.

She looked sore as she stood up, about to walk over before her body shuddered and through sorrowful blue eyes she softly sang, "Primes are guardians of peace, but all fought in wars. Not all are good, not all are mean, but fought each other wanting so much more. An optimist seeking peace with one who wanted more: the optimist, a Prime born in war, not in peace, not a guardian but warrior. Ori..." She suddenly stopped her poem, her eyes brightened in youthful glow as she crept toward Optimus, no longer scared or curious but trusting and kind. She graciously took a small portion of the energon before curling close to the Prime's spark to nibble on the scrap and be lulled to a state of recharge.


*... Is that normal?* Prime finally asked as he broke through his shock. How did she know? About to say a name his hasn't heard in more than millennia! Her whole composure changed after that moment, not some wild beast but a calm Cybertronian seekling.

*No,* both Ironhide and Ratchet answered. Ironhide continued to explain, *But Signal isn't your typical seekling either. She began as a grown human, bonded to the Allspark before she became the hybrid that she is. She isn't fully Cybertronian, so maybe this bonded has something with her memory returning or how humans bond. I'll ask Lennox about it when he comes back.*

*Are we actually bonded?* Optimus asked. Looking down at the tranquil seekling that made home in his arms, almost trying to climb in between his armor to be as close as possible.

*It takes a while Prime, but you have made miraculous progress in such short time. As long as she is still asleep and no humans are around you two can come out now.* Ratchet answered.

*Yes Ratchet, thank you,* Prime replied holding in his feeling of pure joy to get out of that small box. The walls spread out to release the two of them, L stirred but only to get in a more comfortable position after Prime stood up.

Ironhide ran up to actually see Signal for the first time. "Awe, look at her. That form almost fits her perfectly..."

Ratchet softly laughed, "The murderous lion or the stealth scout ship?"

Ironhide cooed as he stroked her wings and back delicately, "Both. Primal force and civilized finesse. Good thing the Decepticons never got a hold of her!"

Her audio receptors clicked about as they listened.

"Signal," Prime whispered, pulling her away to hold her out and get a good look at her.

She made a noise something of a cough before crackling, "P... Prime?"

"I knew it! Oh Signal!" Ratchet cried out as she opened her optics. She barely saw Prime before Ratchet snatched her and crushed her in a hug. "We missed you so!"

She fought out of his grip and fell to the floor. She struggled to focus on them, "W-what? Ratchet? Ironhide?... Are we all dead now?"

"You wish!" Ironhide laughed, "No you made it L! You survived!"

She struggled to stand up, looking at her body then to Ratchet who helped her stand. "I... I did... but... you didn't come get me in Antarctica... How?"

The three officers remained quiet, unsure how to really answer her.

"The message? ... but" she grasped her head, she just couldn't remember. "Did I send one? ... I had to tell you something didn't I?" She studied them for the answers but they thought it was all gibberish. "It was really important, I swear! I'm not lying! I... I just... You believe me right?"

Prime bent a knee and gave her a tight hug, *I lost faith in you...* he whispered, *That you were still alive. But I was wrong. I missed you...*

He let go and quietly stood back up. She studied them all carefully, "Boy, you guys act like I've been gone for a long time. It's only been three days or something right?"

The officers looked to each other but they all knew, her memory loss was bad, and perhaps with a daily dose of the Matrix... maybe, possibly she would recover.