8 hours after last chapter.
"Do you fully understand your orders?"
"Yes, my Theta. Contact the Decepticons at last location, enter their ground bridge, use the memories to locate the target and return."
"Very good. Do not forget to signal before making the jump."
"Understood."
The AI nodded in approval before turning to the Medic and signaling that its Teno armor was ready to depart. Ratchet grunted a profanity before pulling the lever and watching the colorful display appear. Both watched as Chroma went though the 'portal' without a second glance. Theta could feel the eagerness off of the Teno as it walked through.
"Now that Chroma has gone. As we agreed, there will need to be another party to head over to the hunter's ship for data retrieval and destruction of the vessel."
"That technology could be of use to us."
"That ship holds nothing but pain and suffering. Project Teno will track it so it's disposal must be swift."
"Very well. WheelJack and Blaster will go to the location and download any vital information."
"Thank you Ratchet."
Once the bridge was shut off, Optimus walked over to the small AI. "Theta, a word if you please."
"Of course Optimus Prime."
Blaster glared at the figure sitting in front of him. He didn't expect it to be completed by the time his turn to patrol had come up. He thought it would take longer than a few hours but here he was staring at the freak show that forced Chroma to appear and Beat to fade away.
"You certainly were not the image I wanted to wake to."
"Sucks for you."
The hunter slime beast had finally repaired itself and was sitting on the metallic bench inside of it's containment cell. It was rubbing it's sore neck from where the detachment had happened, quite unpleasant. Getting your head torn off was an experience no one should have to go through.
"You deserve so much worse then your head getting taken off."
"You say that until it happens to you. Where is 1337 and that empty shell?"
"Far away from your reach monster!"
"Why must everyone call me that on this planet? I'm a bounty hunter paid to catch a wanted target."
"Proper bounty hunters have strict codes."
The hunter slowly rose from it's seated position, moving it's blank head a couple of times before settling. It walked up to the bullet proof window and leaned against it, "You're thinking of the Bounty Hunter's Guild. They are universal and are forced to abide by a set of rules. I am no longer a part of that ridiculous organization. I'm independent and work for those who allow me to obtain targets the way I see fit."
"Then you're no bounty hunter."
"I am me."
Blaster shook his helm before turning around and activating his com link, Optimus needed to be aware that this thing was alive and too well for his liking.
"How shocking that Chroma did not kill you all. Truly a shadow of it's former self."
He stopped his call and looked at the hideous creature, "That's because Theta changed-"
"One cannot change nature."
"You're an idiot."
"You're the dumbass here."
The mech gaped as he heard the words erupt from the beast. Did that thing just-
"I've learned a few things from my time on Earth."
"Everyone learns the cuss words. Blaster to Optimus Prime."
"Why Theta?"
"What?"
"Why did you do this? Why betray our trust? Have we not been fair with you and Beat?"
Theta's data streams lit up momentarily as it thought on his words. Most members did not mistreat Beat. The only exception was that dreadful Sunstreaker. However, trust must be a two way streak and the AI trusted no Cybertronian. After all, their history revolves around conflict and betrayal. The Knights of Cybertron were no exception either.
"I did what was beneficial to myself and Chroma."
"So hurting Prowl was beneficial?"
Theta stood up, a sigh escaping it's holographic form. "Of course it was beneficial. Prowl was a barrier for my armor. While he trained her to be stronger, attempting to make a connection with her. It was a problem that needed to be erased. Beat cannot forge emotional attachments. It could compromise Chroma."
"You want to keep a murdering war mongering armor intact? Contradicting for you to be created on the basis of peace yet promote violence."
"Did you forget I already told you of my origins. After Amelia was taken by YOUR knights. Our coding was changed by the new owners of Project Teno. Fear and violence are our ways now."
"Then you left Project Teno. To seek a better life for yourself and Chroma."
"Your point?"
"You have the ability to change Theta. You have the gift of free will! They may have changed your coding and told you to cause chaos but you don't have to listen to them. Every being has the right to choose. Whether artificial or not. As I see it, if you can act, think and feel on your own you are just as alive as the hearts that beat in humans or the spark in my chamber."
Theta remained silent. What this Cybertronian said...No one has ever spoken to 1337 like that before. His voice was laced with hope. Forgiveness. Redemption.
Things 1337 had forgotten existed.
"I see why you were chosen to be a Prime. Your words have been heard and noted. Perhaps in the future your idealist ways may inspire change."
Optimus smiled down at the AI. Although he didn't trust the mysterious program, he did have to respect the fact that Theta did hear out opinions and advice. It was open to all thoughts even though it would most likely not approve of them.
"Optimus Prime."
"Yes?"
"I may dislike Cybertronians to a certain extent but you are an exception. There is a certain respect I have for you. Your team though vastly different, come together as a united front against your enemies. From what I have seen and heard; you are the glue that holds it together. Project Teno certainly could have used a leader like you during the rebellion."
Optimus once more smiled at the praise. That certainly was not expected.
"Thank you Theta, I appreciate the kind words."
"Those will be the last you hear from me. Mention our discussion to no one."
Better than nothing he guessed. By this time, he knew Theta was not one for full on displays of emotion. Assuming it was due to 1337 being Artificial Intelligence. Perhaps they showed little to no emotion since they were computerized.
As his thoughts began to dwell deeper into the matter, a familiar ringing in his helm alerted to someone attempting to contact him.
"Yes Blaster? Is everything alright?"
Theta turned toward the Prime once more.
"Are you positive?"
The AI didn't want to intrude on their conversation but if it's learned anything in the thousands of lives, it was that conversations while it was around was never good. Experience talks. So Theta did what it knew to do best, hack. However…
Theta has never hacked into any Cybertronian's personal com. It never had a reason to and sad to admit but, the AI was having a bit of trouble.
See Cybertronian tech was easy and Earthling tech was even easier but 1337 had no clue that an actual Autobot's internal systems were nothing like their regular technology. Their security made it practically impossible to eavesdrop on their conversation. Odd.
"Have you learned anything?"
Learned anything? Hmm what were they talking about? Couldn't have been about Chroma. So who else could it be?
"Careful Blaster. We will be down there shortly."
The hunter! Of course. It must have finished reforming itself. Wonderful! That means departure from Earth would be coming sooner than expected! Paying the Prime no mind, Theta instantly vanished from his office.
Optimus sighed as he assumed Theta found out what he was discussing. He better get down there before that AI did something that would lead to disaster.
"Blaster, Theta has gone to your location. Don't let it do anything reckless.
:Yes sir!Ratchet and Jazz have just arrived. Might wanna hurry boss mech:
The Prime calmly walked past several corridors and through the rec room where he saw Magnolia stepping all over Sari's back causing the young girl to moan in relaxation. The other humans were looking as the woman spoke about what she was doing. Typical human shenanigans.
Heading down a flight of stairs in near the back of the base, he arrived to the brig. Familiar voices could be heard talking.
"Release me from this wretched prison."
"You're in no position to make demands."
"I am in that position. Ah so your leader finally arrives."
Ratchet turned around with glad optics once he saw his friend arrive. "Optimus good."
The Prime merely nodded and turned his attention to the creature. "You've caused us much grief."
"Had you not gotten in my way, this would have never happened. All to protect some lifeless shell and it's devious Artificial Intelligence unit. You know nothing of what they've involved your kind in. Earth was practically invisible to Project Teno but now that 1337 and it's armor have been spotted here, this planet just became of interest."
In other words, Earth was potentially under threat once more. Great. Who would have thought that bringing a femme to train would result in such chaos? Only Team Prime.
"We will be here to defend Earth no matter what."
"Then you will die braver than most."
"Silence abomination."
Mysliwy looked over to a console to see Theta calmly sitting on the edge. The AI had gotten here before Ratchet, Jazz and Prowl but had decided to remain hidden and silent until the Prime had arrived. It wanted him to be a witness to everything that would transpire here.
"There you are 1337."
"Project Teno will not harm the earth in any way. I'll make sure of that."
"Fool. You cannot stop them."
"Not alone I cannot but as you will soon see, I am going to build a force strong enough to take them down."
"What force? You have made zero allies throughout the universe. Even these fools will not help you now."
"You know nothing."
"You've lost 1337. Give up now and return with me to Project Teno."
"Oh I will be returning to Project Teno with you. You're going to lead us straight to them."
"I would rather die."
"Oh don't be so boring, everyone who says that dies. You have no choice either way. The sooner you realize that the better."
"Insufferable AI. Where is your Teno shell?"
"Running an errand for me. Once Chroma returns, we will depart."
Theta looked over at Optimus and waited for his response, it could go either way from here. He looked over at the program, seemingly thinking or searching for something. Theta cared little if they supported the cause. However, it was convenient to have them on their side in case fate cursed the AI and forced them back to earth.
The moment of silence was a bit nerve racking.
"Theta has the support of the Autobots."
1337 wanted to jump for joy at the words spoken (of course that wouldn't happen) but the thought was nice. It turned back to the hunter and actually laughed.
"Haha you fool!"
"They have allied themselves with the rogue AI. Very well. Congratulations you are now enemies of Project Teno."
Optimus sighed, "We are done here."
"Agreed. All we need now is to wait for Chroma to bring back Dave."
"Dave?"
The AI chuckled, "Come shouldn't be long now that Chroma will contact me for the ground bridge."
"How can we trust them? After everything..."
Sunstreaker growled as he paced back and fourth in his and his brothers quarters. Theta and Chroma could never be fully trusted, especially if they were planning on leaving. Who knows what other life they will enjoy taking?
On one of the berths, Sideswipe watched his brother with a frown. He wasn't really sure what Sunny was worried about. Once Theta and Chroma left, all the problems they brought would leave with them.
"What's the deal bro? We should be glad they are packing up to leave once Chroma comes back with whatever it went to fetch."
"They're leaving unchecked."
Sideswipe raised an optic ridge, "They were unchecked before they got here."
"Can you imagine the destruction they caused while out there this whole time?"
Well he wasn't wrong but here's the thing, that wasn't their problem. As harsh as it may sound, they had enough to deal with as it is with this ever escalating war.
"I get it but right now we have our own damages to worry about."
"I can't leave them!"
"No! You can't leave Beat!"
The golden twin stiffened as his brother shouted out the truth. Well, partial truth. He firmly believed that those two crazy idiots would cause major damage but he just couldn't let Beat get away from him again. At this point, he didn't care if his feelings would be returned. He just wanted her to know how he felt about her.
"I can't lose her."
"Are you in love?"
Love? Hardly. He wanted to be with the femme that much was obvious but falling for her that hard proved difficult. He acknowledged she was just a personality and he couldn't allow himself to go through that. Could he?
"No. I don't think so."
"Hm I'm asking you as if you even know what love is like."
"I do know what love is like!"
"No you don't. You've never been in love."
"Neither have you!"
"Are you glitched? I fall in love every day Magnolia comes to base. Can you imagine having a charge that looked like her? Jazz doesn't know what he's got there."
"Truth to that!"
Both brothers chuckled at the thought until Sunstreaker placed a servo on his twin's shoulder.
"I had time to think Sides. I've thought really hard about it too, Really hard."
"Thought about what?"
"I have to go."
"G-go? Go where?"
"With them…."
Sides gasped in shock, was he insane?! "You're not thinking clearly! First off you don't know what this project Teno is! Chroma is on a totally other level than us as you can clearly tell. And even that thing is concerned about this organization. You don't know what either one is truly capable of and you don't know what enemies are out there waiting for those two. Within the Cybertronian community you may be one of the most skilled assassins but out in that ever expanding universe, you may be one of the weakest."
"I know that."
"All this for some femme?"
"No! Sure Beat is part of it but come on bro think about it. This could be the chance for me to know what else is part of the milky way. The Universe is ginormous and who knows what other life is out there? It could be a chance to ally the Autobots with other species who could help us end this war for good. Plus a chance for knowledge! The Knights of Cybertron branched out and because of that look what came out if it? Powerful Artificial Intelligence and just as powerful armor. I want to know what else their influence touched."
"You can't go."
"I'm not going to let you stop me. My processor is set on my choice. I'm going."
Before the twin could utter another word, Sunstreaker had turned and walked out. Intent of complying with his words.
"That idiot. Ugh...look what he's dragged me into."