I know I know, I'm really putting the humans to shame in here but I'm not including everyone in that section, honestly, they're just trying to do what they think is best regardless of if it is the best. Unfortunately as far as I know Ratchet didn't have much interaction with human medicine no matter how many times I looked through the movies (and even some of the later cartoons) they did tend to leave that for the humans and I'm guessing (though who can know?) that said autobot hasn't had a lot of opportunity to work on live patients :( (scratches chin and head turns towards another story ~~SLAP~~ No, focus!)

So as you know I don't own Transformers (if I did I'd probably live in my ridiculous top of the line with everything in it car)

Ready and waiting for another...

Part Nine

Optimus Prime

The mission in Tibet had been a long and tediously uneventful one, if anything could be said Prime couldn't have picked a better partner to accompany him and show why he had chosen Bumblebee to watch over Sam as his guardian when they had first arrived. Though Bumblebee lacked experience he had a natural instinct when it came to hunting down Decepticon allegiants and this Optimus found to be a useful skill. He was at that moment, proud of the younger scout, knowing he would have flourished before the war took everything they had.

However their return back to base had been hurried along due to an incident that was rapidly growing out of hand. The director, Theodore Galloway, hadn't specified why but Optimus could tell he waited for their return rather anxiously. Where Galloway kept his reasoning vague and simply demanded he keep his inferiors in line, Optimus's autobot team members did not and he was soon contacted by both Ironhide, Prowl and Ratchet who gave him a more broad analysis of the situation.

It disheartened him to find the human boy Sam was once again at the center of things and not in a positive way. Though Optimus's would have enjoyed seeing him again, and he knew he could agree the same would be said for Bumblebee, he would rather it not be under the circumstances in which Sam was currently facing. Not wanting to reveal too much over their transmissions Ratchet hadn't said much only that he, along with the help of Prowl, had intercepted the boy when he'd come looking for an autobot as he was faced with the fact the knowledge from the allspark appeared to have re-emerged making his life one of misery and distress. Sam had specifically asked that none of the other humans know about this as he feared they would take him away and try to decipher the information before he could give it to its true owners. That alone only showed Optimus again and again Sam's bravery and unwavering trust in their kind but he was then faced with the ultimate dilemma that this was not how Galloway would see it, even if he had all the facts. Galloway's thoughts tended to go one certain side.

As the hours ticked by and they finally touched down on the Earths soil, that's when the shrieking over the cons really started up. True to Lennox's training he had discovered Sam's hiding location in the autobots med bay and reported the injured boy to his superiors who were now removing Sam, by force if you listened to the way Ironhide and Prowl were screeching to him, with the autobots conducting an intervention of some kind. They would not let the doctors take him away when he had stated he didn't want to leave, further more they agreed he could not be in better hands then with Ratchet (they were even admitting that out loud) so why were they removing the boy at all?

Transforming into his alt-mode and revving his engines, the yellow scout hot on his heels, they hastily sprinted to their hanger in the hopes to calm the situation down before any serious actions were taken in the heat of the moment. Optimus snorted humanly as he recognized the twins Mudflap and Skids apparently on lookout outside surrounded by several guards not sure what to do. Though not yet causing any damage they were impeding the soldier's entrance with a display of what could be called their usual nutty violence. They ceased promptly on Optimus's command and parted and he ordered Bumble to make sure it stayed that way.

Shouting form several members inside blasted at his receptors as the doors opened and he quite literally stumbled into the ensuing shouting match. It hadn't yet become physical but had Optimus not arrived when he did he feared it would have.

"Autobots, calm yourself!" His order dispersed in haste the humans and the mechs to opposite sides of the room. He was somewhat ashamed at that moment for the autobots behavior; it was easy for arguments to escalate with humans seeing as they were such physically different species and as such had many conflicting ideals.

His first look at Sam sent waves of anguish and distress through his spark. How could the humans have let him deteriorate this way? He had lost significant body mass since his departure only a month ago, his bones protruding unhealthy under his skin which had taken on a sickly shade of grey. The humans had every right to worry over him. Ratchet had admitted to Optimus while he was on route that the boy wasn't in the best of conditions, but this was mostly due to the fact that he hadn't been caring for himself properly and also maybe (but not yet fully known) the effects of the other matter he wished so urgently to discuss. After Sam had healed from his wounds, began eating regularly and got out in the sun Ratchet was optimistic is would help return his health.

As Sam caught sight of Optimus his eyes brightened immensely and Optimus could have swore he felt a quiver of energy pulse through the air. Optimus could sense something so familiar from the boy and yet it was also something new. In any case Optimus had just moments to let the situation sink in around him, knowing it would surly stop his spark to look at Sam again once he uttered these words. He was the leader after all and it was these decisions that tore him apart.

"Autobots you will all stand down, now let the humans pass." His orders had the effect of shock and disbelief and he just couldn't bring himself to look at the boy, at this comrade who had put everything in getting here to see Optimus, with which he would now turn away. Would the boy ever forgive this decision? The fact was Optimus's hands were tied. This was (as Galloway would see it as no other) a human issue, Galloway had been trying to make clear to him, that their human doctors had researched such Cybertroian techno interactions (Optimus wondered where they'd gotten that from seeing as Ratchet was quiet about such things) and it did not matter that Sam was as close to many of the autobots as humans could be and that Ratchet assured him he was the best suited to take care of Sam in his current state as his condition pertained an understanding of Cybertroian technology that they could not possibly know, but Galloway would listen to none of it. He was oddly raving.

"OPTIMUS!" Came the wrenching cry that Optimus couldn't bare as the humans filed gratefully outside and out of sight as the autobots stared incredibly at their leader. He could still hear the cries of outrage, confusion and incredulity through the comms.

"Sir, he begged me not to let them take him away. He feared for his freedom should they find he was staying here. I do not understand why they won't let Ratchet take care of him." Prowl was the first to approach him, teetering trust settling in his optics.

"There was no other choice to be made. The humans were relentless in the notion they be given the opportunity to check Sam and we, as guests, have no rights when it comes to human affairs as Galloway made perfectly clear to me. We have to trust the humans know what they are doing and should they require help that they will ask for it, this is their planet, Sam is one of their own." His words reigned final and the bots shuffled off one by one, some still seething but Optimus felt they understood somewhat even if they didn't like it. "Ratchet, Prowl, I need to speak with you both. You must tell me everything you know, everything that happened."

They hastily clambered into the med bay shutting the doors behind them before Ratchet returned to his screens bringing up everything he had been able to deduce with the help of Prowl so far.

"It is unquestionable that the effect the allspark had on Sam has returned Optimus, however its consequence seems to have changed." Ratchet began as the autobot leader listened with rapt attention. "Some of the knowledge has returned though as Sam describes it, mostly in bits and pieces. My true concern is the display and burst of Energon Energy Prowl depicted when he retrieved him. I have thoroughly scanned Prowl and can detect no lasting effects with close contact; I would need to also scan the Decepticon to know more of direct exposure but he has yet to be found."

"What about Sam? How is his body able to handle this?" Optimus had to know. He was certain it would break his spark if Sam were to only become sicker should this transformation be unstoppable.

"He is weak though I cannot properly ascertain if this is due to his inability to take care of himself or the cause of this…. change. If I cannot observe him further Optimus I may not know. What were you thinking handing Sam over?" Ratchet was known for his crass bold opinions; it was what made him a good medic. But he was not someone who knew the terms of something called a compromise. For Ratchet, his orders were followed regardless if a bot liked it or not, no options, while on Optimus's side he had recently had to give up the majority of decisions made to the humans as the autobots remained guests on a planet that was not theirs.

"I will not let them harm him Ratchet, my word on that is final. For now we must wait and be patient, that goes for all of you." He eyed Prowl rather sternly and hoped Bumblebee would also heed his warning.

Sam

He was so heavy. The body his mind was presently attached to seemed so foreign to him, so weighty it sank so incredibly deep into a bottomless nothing he was certain he could never pull himself up again. His mind, when he could string thoughts together, was slow, sluggish, debilitating that he forgot and struggled just to understand. Where was he? Who was he? What was happening?

He didn't know how long it had been but when Sam regained the ability to think, when he came to reflect on the past and the actions he and others had made, a hole had materialized inside his heart. A hole that permeated so dreadfully within his soul, the corners of his vision seemed dark, inviting. It hurt. It hurt to think, it hurt to feel, his physical pain was nothing to this soul shattering.

The injuries acquired by the rouge Decepticon had healed a significant amount, the only indicator of time he had to go by. Ratchet's thoughtfully applied bandages had been cut away, his flesh pushed back in shape by professionals but still so jagged and ruptured, it would never be the same. All this and Sam couldn't have cared less. What did any of it matter now that he was, in all intense purposes, a prisoner he had so feared to be?

Sometime later Reece made his first appearance. He sat by Sam's bedside and spoke to him about something, Sam didn't pay attention. What was the point, Reece had his toy and Galloway had his prize. What was wrong with people like them or were they normal and he the oddity?

Not put off Reece was determined to help Sam break through his 'depression'. It was so oddly amusing that the only reason for said 'depression' was the fact that he was locked away like this. Reece truly believed he was trying to help the boy but he just didn't comprehend, he didn't seem able to understand that Sam needed the autobots. To Reece this seemed a preposterous idea, that any human could connect or form that kind a connection to a machine for that is the way he truly saw the autobots. It meant he was mentally unwell. So foolish. And yet with Reece acting as Sam's proxy, Sam had no say in the decisions. Reece decided everything for him.

By visit four Reece had begun cutting back on the heavy medication Sam had been put on. Though he could feel his fingers and toes again it was a challenge to move much, his muscles had atrophied from disuse that he needed help to hold a cup of water to his lips. He tried his best to regain use of his body every moment he was given alone but he doubted he could stand, let alone run for any break he saw.

One night as he rested his eyes, glad at the lightness in medication giving him the chance to think, he heard but barely a whispered conversation. He thought the voice might belong to Lennox and that alone had his teeth compressed together. He was speaking to Reece and they were arguing, trying their best to keep it down and unheard.

"….did you know?" Lennox asked his voice seemingly angered.

"I recommended it." Reece replied unfazed.

"Without even telling him? Don't you think he'll want to know you're shipping him off? What am I supposed to tell the autobots? Galloway barley keeps them informed as it is and they're getting restless."

"I'm sure you can break it to them gently, but this is about Sam's welfare. He isn't doing well here; he needs a change of pace, somewhere else to recover."

"What he needs is to be around the autobots, they've already offered their services a multiple times and all you've done is slap them away. What about the deal you made with Optimus? That Optimus could talk with him alone and Ratchet could check in on him. You can't just ignore that. You want him to open up? By doing this he'll shut down even more, I'm telling you….."

"I understand you feel for this boy, but I've seen this before, perhaps not with these exact circumstances but with similar conditions. Now I know this has been extremely painful for you all but I am doing this on his behalf."

The room was silent again and Sam heard their footsteps move on. Everything in his life was being slowly but surly trampled on until he had nothing to hold onto. It was almost as if this systematic assault was there to break him until he could stand it no more and gave them what they wanted, what they were after all along.

Whatever Lennox's intentions were now it didn't matter. Sam had depended on him, had told him secrets and trusted him only to have his friend, the one man he had looked up to, stab him in the back. He had run straight to Galloway and informed him of everything leading to his forceful capture. A part of himself had shattered when he realized this. Hearing him now, in a way he felt he understood Lennox did care but it was difficult for Sam to see past that.

And then there was Optimus. Sam had crossed deserts, had run into ongoing battle and given the autobot everything he had asked of him. When Optimus had turned away from him, when Sam had called to him to stop this and Optimus had just…. He cracked. Optimus would just let him go? Would let these people take him away who didn't have a clue as to what was really happening. His mind was without hope, without any faith that someone could help him now. That anyone wanted to.

With all of this there was only one thing he could think to do. One thing left to him, one thing not anyone could take from him for the moment. He would not subjugate himself to this torture any further; he would show Reece the defiance he had from the beginning that no matter how much he was drugged and forced, they couldn't control him. He would never be theirs.

Oh Dear God, where do I go from here?