Ratchet POV
I came online to some rather strange noises. It sounded like someone was using my tools. I got up, stepped out of my office, and saw Autumn standing at another berth working on the torso of what was going to be a massive frame. Judging by the size of that torso, I would have to say that the resulting frame would be easily taller than Optimus by a good twenty-five percent. That would make the bot almost forty human feet in height if not more.
I looked around and saw that Ravage was still in recharge, and a pair of apparently completed doorwings was resting on the berth Autumn had been on. I stepped over to look at the torso she was working on. It was the strangest setup I had ever seen. There was a standard spark regulator, but that was connected to three oversized spark chambers! Those three chambers were interconnected so that energy from one would flow through the others and vice versa. That didn't make any sense at all. Then there was a fourth but normal sized spark chamber centered just below those three so that it was somewhat connected to the other three as well. I shook my helm as I tried to understand why this was being done. Granted the three oversized spark chambers were being set up so that basically one extremely high powered spark could be divided between them, but I only knew of maybe three bots who would need something that large. Then there was the fourth spark chamber. It was clear to me from looking at the set up that a minute amount of power would trickle into the fourth chamber, but why it was there at all, I didn't know. What I did know, was that what I could see in that torso was far beyond my medical knowledge and skill to create.
It was sheer curiosity that prompted me to scan the frame Autumn was building, and that's when I found that other than the very strange spark chamber assembly, that everything was being expertly assembled. That strange torso had several extra flex points to provide greater mobility, but it was odd in that the chest area of the torso was being made to resemble that of a femme.
I knew that femmes generally had a larger chest because they could then gestate a second spark. Rare, and unusual, but it was possible, and many femmes had chosen to do so. The resulting sparkling was always loved and cared for by the femme who had carried that sparkling. There was a reason that femmes were given the respect that they were. They carried, and nurtured a developing spark until it was strong enough to inhabit a frame of its own.
The frame that Autumn was building wasn't just that of a femme. This frame was meant to be a carrier! I could tell by looking at it, that this frame would end up creating life a great many times. Then I looked up at Autumn. Those aquamarine colored optics of hers weren't shining with a normal level of brightness. They were dim; barely even online, with only the faintest glow of operation.
That's when it struck me. Autumn didn't have the skills or even the knowledge to build a frame like this. Clean parts, and even name most of them? Sure, she could do that… but this? This was something that I knew was impossible. What was she thinking? How was she doing this? I just had to know.
"Autumn?"
I called her name softly, but I was completely ignored, so I tried again.
"Autumn?" This time I called her in a normal speaking tone, but she still ignored me.
There wasn't anything about this that was normal. There was only one bot on base who could tell me what was going on in Autumn's mind.
:Soundwave, can you tell me what Autumn is currently doing?: I asked him.
:Autobot Autumn is in a state of recharge. Unit Ravage accompanying Autobot Autumn during her dreams.: ~ Soundwave.
:No, Autumn is in my medbay working on building a frame!: I replied tensely.
:Negative. Autobot Autumn is in recharge. Soundwave currently monitoring dream sequence.: Soundwave answered.
:That's not possible Soundwave! I am watching Autumn build a frame!: I shot back.
:Autobot Autumn currently dreaming of sitting with Unit Ravage in her lap watching sunset from the cliffs. Unit Ravage confirms.: Soundwave argued.
If Soundwave said that Autumn was in recharge…
:Prowl… I need you to bring Soundwave to the medbay now. This is important.: I sent quickly.
Prowl acknowledged the transmission, and a few moments later he escorted Soundwave into the medbay. The noted Decepticon froze when he looked over at Autumn who hadn't stopped working on the torso in front of her.
"Not possible. Autobot Autumn still in recharge cycle. Autobot Autumn's frame should not be functioning with governing intelligence in that state." Soundwave said as the glow from his visor dimmed for a few seconds.
Prowl looked from Autumn to Soundwave in obvious shock. "Are you saying that you can't detect anything causing her to do… that?" Prowl demanded with a gesture towards the still working Autumn.
"Affirmative. Scan indicates Autobot Autumn's frame in powered down status for recharge. Factor behind current mobilization; unknown."
The slight note of fear in Soundwave's voice sent an icy chill through my frame. If Soundwave was unable to detect why Autumn was able to move about like this while in recharge, then there was a very serious problem at servo!
"Soundwave, can I trust you to help me examine Autumn's programming later?" I asked him.
"Affirmative. Safeguarding last creation of Allspark; paramount." Soundwave replied before looking over at Autumn. "Identification of unknown guidance of vital importance in safety of Autobot Autumn."
"I can't argue with you at all on that sentiment!" I agreed quickly.
"There is some possibility that my bond with Autumn would be of some use, should that prove not to be the case, I still wish to assist." Prowl told us solemnly.
"Assistance of Tactician Prowl; required! Bond guarantees verification of Autobot Autumn's emotional state. Soundwave attempt to use telepathy for identification of unknown form of guidance."
I knew that at this point, it would take all three of us working together to find out how Autumn was functioning while in a state of recharge. We would also hopefully be able find out who or what was controlling her frame while she was in recharge! To do this, I would need Soundwave here and with unrestricted access to Autumn. He couldn't do that if he was still confined to the brig.
:Optimus, I need you to come to the medbay. Both Soundwave and Prowl are already here, because there is a new problem with Autumn.: I sent with a heavy spark.
:I will come now. May I ask what this new problem is?: Optimus responded quickly.
:You'll see for yourself when you get here.: I sent back cryptically, knowing that would make him arrive faster.
All three of us, myself, Prowl, and Soundwave stood there watching Autumn work. Her movements were precise, yet at the same time, they were far more graceful and somehow feminine than Autumn had ever been. That's when I realized what I thought might be a possibility.
"Prowl, do you recall my stating that Autumn's personality core is split?" I asked suddenly.
"Yes, I do. You informed those bots at that particular meeting that Autumn has two separate and distinct personalities. One is filled with anger, depression, and fear, while the other is kind, gentle, and loving." Prowl said before he turned and looked at me intently. "Do you believe that what we are seeing might be that second personality in control?"
"I suppose it's possible. But if that personality is in control right now; that doesn't explain where the knowledge to do that came from." I said gesturing at Autumn still building a frame.
Optimus POV
I wasn't at all pleased about being brought out of my recharge by Ratchet's insistence that I come to the medbay. When the door opened, I saw all three bots staring at Autumn who appeared to be working on a torso section of a frame.
"So what exactly is this 'new problem'?" I asked tiredly.
"Look at Autumn and tell me what you see." Ratchet told me almost patiently.
I looked over at Autumn, and studied her carefully. Several of her back plates were missing, in addition to her doorwings. That alone would throw her off balance, both because of the missing weight, and because of the missing sensory input. There was also the detail of her working on that piece of frame.
"Do you mean beside the fact of her missing doorwings, parts, and that she is working on a frame?" I asked irritably.
"Soundwave confirms that Autumn is currently in recharge. So what does that tell you?" Ratchet replied in his normal grouchy tone.
Now I was looking at Autumn while fully alert. She seemed to know exactly what she was doing as she continued to assemble that frame. It was clear to me now that she was building one from scratch. I was unaware that she possessed such knowledge. Constructing an entire frame was a delicate, and time consuming task that she was having no problems with, while Ratchet would have considerable difficulty doing so without any type of schematics to follow. I conducted a scan of Autumn and froze.
"Ratchet, my scanners may be in need of calibration. I could be mistaken, but believe that I am picking up a slight amount of Allspark energy in Autumn's frame." I said pensively.
Ratchet's brow ridges rose before he too turned and scanned Autumn. I noticed that the other two bots performed a scan as well.
"Autumn is showing a merest trace of Allspark energy. Almost undetectable, but it is there." Ratchet replied.
I couldn't help but notice that Autumn ignored all of us in favor of what she was doing. In fact, she didn't pay any attention to us at all! It was very disconcerting, and disturbing to me because she acted as if we weren't even there.
This was radically different behavior than I had previously seen from Autumn. Every time I had seen her prior to this day, she had been timid, fearful, and very apprehensive. She would most certainly not have simply ignored other bots being close to her.
Suddenly, Autumn seemed to finish what she was doing. She turned around, walked to the other side of the medbay, and lay face down on the berth. I could hear the sounds of various systems cycling down as she entered a state of recharge. A quick scan from Ratchet confirmed that she was in recharge, and he quickly stepped over and put Autumn into stasis.
Once Autumn was in stasis, Ratchet began to attach the doorwings that were already waiting on the berth. It was only a short matter of time for him to install and adjust those doorwings, and then the plating around them. Once he had finished her repairs, he put her back into a state of recharge. It was only when the medic stepped back that Soundwave spoke.
"Theoretical possibility; Allspark implanted frame knowledge during transformation." Soundwave mused aloud.
Ratchet shook his helm. "That would be about the only thing that could explain that torso she built."
"Are you saying that it isn't one she modified?" I asked curiously.
"A torso that size? Why would I have a blank torso that big Optimus? You can't use it… you're too small! There's isn't a bot on Earth big enough to use that thing… and I'm including the Decepticons in there as well." Ratchet groused before shaking his helm again. "No, Autumn built that from scratch… and honestly… I'd be hard pressed to match the skill that went into it." Anything else he might have said went unspoken when Chromia walked in to the medbay.
Chromia POV
I walked in to the medbay where Autumn was recharging, only to find Prowl, Soundwave, Optimus, and Ratchet standing there with very serious expressions on their faceplates. "If there's a problem I can return to supervise Autumn and Ravage later." I suggested.
"There is indeed a problem Chromia, but it concerns Autumn. We just aren't sure what we should do about it." Optimus answered heavily.
"Why do anything yet?" Ratchet asked quickly. "She hasn't caused any problems. Yes… she's going to be using a lot of materials if she somehow manages to complete that frame she started, but I don't see any problems with her doing it."
"Suggestion; Femme units supervise Autobot Autumn constantly. Unit Ravage poses emotional distraction while online. Secondary suggestion; Autobot Autumn recharge in medbay to observe any further abnormalities. Further suggestion; allow Autobot Autumn to continue construction of blank frame." Soundwave stated.
"Exactly what frame is being discussed?" I almost demanded, since I didn't enjoy being the only one who didn't know what was going on.
"That frame." Prowl pointed out.
I looked over to see the torso section of a frame that would end up making Optimus seem short. I walked over to get a better look, and saw that the chest plates hadn't been installed yet. On the other servo, the spark chamber assembly was absolutely strange!
"Ratchet… could something like this even work?" I asked in surprise.
"Possibly… but it would take an extremely powerful spark for that to happen. I can only think of three bots in existence who might be able to use it." He answered while looking at the frame with a thoughtful expression.
"I think we need to take Soundwave's suggestions. I want Autumn recharging here. If nothing else I can watch her while she builds this thing. I might even get to learn something from it." The medic said softly.
That was when I looked at Ratchet hard. He wasn't displaying any of his typical grouchiness. Actually, he seemed to be so engrossed with what Autumn had done that he was almost… almost ignoring everything else. Then he shook his helm and looked at us.
"I need to recharge before I try to think about this. For now, I say we go with Soundwave's suggestions." Ratchet said before walking back to his office.
That was when Ravage came online and stretched before walking over and jumping up onto Autumn's berth. The big Cybercat just sat there for a moment, before Autumn rolled over and sat up. As soon as she did, Ravage was in her lap.
"Prowl, I want you to assign Soundwave a set of quarters near yours." Optimus instructed seriously. "Soundwave… I don't like doing this, but it seems that your assistance is going to be needed. Therefore, I can't have you in the brig. I will need some time to ensure that none of my Autobots will attack you or your symbionts on sight. Hopefully that issue will be resolved in a few days. After that, you will be allowed the freedom of the base."
"Understood." Soundwave answered simply.
Prowl led Soundwave out, and I noticed that Autumn was once more focused on Ravage. That just had to be one of the strangest things I have seen. I knew that Ravage was a very skilled and deadly opponent, but it seemed that Ravage would actually Autumn, and from what I had been told, Autumn was fiercely protective of Ravage. Oh I have seen the damage to Hide's alt mode, and personally, I don't blame Autumn in the slightest. He knows better than to threaten a sparkling or a sparkling's friends. He might as well have asked Autumn to damage him! He's lucky that Ratchet is merely making him wait a while before repairing the damage. If it were up to me, he would be forced to repair that damage himself. He might be my sparkmate, but sometimes… he can be a total glitch!
I was lost in my own thoughts as I watched Autumn pet and play with Ravage as she sat on the medical berth. Her focus was entirely on the Cybercat when the door to the medbay opened.
"Autumn?" Blue asked softly. "Why are you in the medbay?"
'She's here strictly for observation, Bluestreak. There is nothing wrong with her." I said quickly to reassure the rather talkative mech.
"Autumn?"
"Blue!" Autumn almost squealed happily.
Autumn's wings rose into a position of sheer joy and a smile lit up her faceplates as she looked over at the bot in the doorway.
"How have you been?" Blue asked with a light smile of his own.
"I've got a kitty!" Autumn exclaimed loudly and excitedly.
I could tell when Blue finally noticed Ravage because his whole frame seemed to stiffen, and his smile faltered a bit.
"That's Ravage… isn't it?" Blue asked hesitantly.
"Yep! And I get to keep her." Autumn said before her smile vanished.
"Well, for now anyway. Sooner or later, whoever owns her is going to come get her, and then I won't have her anymore." Autumn whispered sadly.
It tore at my spark to see a mere sparkling so sad. I was going to reassure her, but Ravage beat me to it. That Cybercat reared up and licked Autumn right across her faceplates. That raspy glossa went from Autumn's chin up to her chevron, and Autumn giggled in response before wrapping her arms around the Symbiont and hugging her tightly.
"But for right now, I have her, and I'm going to love her for as long as I can." Autumn murmured as she buried her helm in Ravage's frame.
:Blue, this is the second time that I've seen Ravage cheer Autumn up, when she started to become depressed. For right now, Arcee, Elita, and I will be switching off as we keep on optic on the two of them. I haven't seen you here since we arrived, but Soundwave is also on base, and he will be assisting Ratchet to help Autumn. Something tells me she needs that.: I sent quickly.
:What makes you so certain that Ravage won't hurt her? Autumn was hurt more than enough by her sire, and I don't want to see her hurt again.: Blue responded just as quickly.
:I don't want to see that happen either. No one does… except that organic thing that calls itself Galloway. Ravage will help to protect Autumn if it comes down to it. She was even snarling at Hide yesterday, because Autumn is frightened of him.: I sent with a huff.
:Some bot just needs to trip and fall on that slagger! Autumn has a pretty good reason to be afraid of Hide. One of the first times she was allowed out of the medbay after she became a bot; she was supposed to report to Hide for combat training. That slagger had Mirage ambush her. Her wings were torn up and almost torn off! I beat them both pretty good for it though.: Bluestreak answered at first with anger, but a bit of pride at the end.
I couldn't blame him for being proud of that victory. Even my sparkmate admitted to being very impressed that 'meek little Bluestreak' had gotten down right vicious! He had shared the logs with me. Mirage had been heavily damaged which even included a few skid marks from Bluestreak's tires. Ironhide hadn't fared a whole lot better, and that was why he was actually proud of Bluestreak. The mech had gone from being almost as timid as Autumn, to a bot who could hold his own against two who were supposed to be better trained than he was.
:I can understand you being angry at him Blue. The first time I set optics on him after several vorn of separation, I hit him twice because of that. He knows better that to submit a bot to that when he knows next to nothing about them. Thankfully Jazz is teaching her to defend herself now. From what I've been told, he holds back just enough to make her fight at her best, without taking any chances of hurting her.: I told the mech.
Autumn was nuzzling Ravage when she looked up at Blue. "Where have you been? I have seen you in several solar cycles."
"I've been out on patrol. Making sure the Decepticons don't start any trouble. If they do… a whole lot of Autobots show up to deal with them." Bluestreak said with a smile at Autumn.
:Well, I know Jazz won't hurt her, but he does give her a good workout! She likes those training sessions though, because she's usually happy even though she's also tired afterwards.: Blue sent.
Bluestreak POV
"So Autumn… when did you find Ravage?" I asked casually. I couldn't help but be concerned about that Cybercat being so close to Autumn. She had put me in the medbay several times, so I knew how dangerous she could be. I think the only bot who hasn't been attacked by her or seen her in action is Wheeljack. Even Sunstreaker and Sideswipe don't find her an easy target because she's fast on her pedes.
"The day before yesterday. Sunstreaker and Sideswipe were teaching me how to drive that morning, and then I went back to my quarters and sat down to rest a bit. The next thing I know, Jazz is there bringing me to meet new bots. They took me to my old room, and we talked before Jazz came in and said how they're friends of his. They wanted me to show them what I learned that morning, so we were going to the tarmac, but that… that…"
Autumn had been smiling when she started, but when she broke off, she was scared. I stepped over to the berth she was sitting on and started to rub her back plates soothingly. Ravage started purring at the same time. I wasn't sure if it was me or Ravage who calmed her down, but one of us sure did.
"Galloway was there and immediately began threatening to have sweet little Autumn here broken up into spare parts. Not that he'll ever get the chance because I'll step on him the instant he tries!" Chromia said in a near snarl of anger.
Autumn was gaping up at the femme with shock and disbelief clear in her optics and face plates.
"Then I think I'll give whatever is left of him to Ravage as a chew toy!" Chromia added as she crossed her arms over her chest.
I heard a peculiar coughing sound and looked over to see that it was coming from Ravage who appeared to be… laughing. I had to smile, because it looked like both of them would enjoy getting a hold of Galloway.
Autumn looked down at the Cybercat before gaping at Chromia. She did that for several seconds before she glanced at me and then looked back at Chromia.
"His head is probably hard enough to damage your pedes if you step on him." Autumn said quietly.
Chromia and I both burst out laughing at that. She was laughing so hard that her knees buckled. I had to admit, Autumn had a point. Galloway was the most stubborn individual I'd ever met.
Chromia stepped over to Autumn, grabbed her helm, and held it so that Autumn was looking her in the optics.
"Thank you Autumn. I haven't laughed like that in a couple of vorn. I knew I was going to like you. We're going to get along beautifully." Chromia said with a smile.
That was all it took. Autumn showed us that bright smile of hers that made my spark ache to see it again. As long as she was with those she felt she could trust, Autumn allowed that beatific smile to be seen. It was no wonder that I loved her as much as I did. I could gaze at that smile for many long vorn.