Lumen had opted to fly to the central spaceport within Iacon and land there to avoid having the crowd panic at the sight of Megatron.
Optimus had left the ship and brought Sprocket and Jazz with him back to Iacon. As much as it pained him to leave his daughter for even a second, he had to gather his troops for a meeting. Lumen and Megatron had gone to the Chamber of Ancients, where the connection to Primus was the strongest. She was sitting on the floor, deep in thought, when Sprocket entered.
The blue femme watched her old friend with wariness. How could they even be sure she was the same? Optimus had never indulged any specifics on Lumen's defection. And now she was back with Megatron. What about Galvatron?
Galvatron had always said he was Megatron rebuilt. Now what were they supposed to believe.
Lumen looked up at Sprocket and smiled.
"I'm glad to see you, Sprocket." She got to her feet, but didn't approach Sprocket.
"I know you don't trust me… But we are here to help."
Sprocket scoffed at Lumen's words.
"Really? You brought him here to help?" She pointed at Megatron, who stood near the edge of the platform. He didn't move, but watched Sprocket with a mild interest.
"He destroyed everything! He's spent millions of years trying to kill every one of us! And now he just magically wants to help us. I don't buy that for one nano-second."
Lumen sighed, looking at Megatron.
"Everyone has their own idea of justice. I don't agree with what he did. But I understand why."
Sprocket took a step forward.
"Justice? His slaughter has nothing to do with justice! This was never anything more than a vain lust for power! How can you honestly tell me that you forgive him for what he has done to us? To you? To me?"
Megatron finally took a step forward.
"Because I'm her creator."
Sprocket looked at Megatron, then back at Lumen.
"Is that what he told you? And you believed him?"
Lumen shook her head.
"No. That's what I told him."
Sprocket shook her head and moved to walk away. Lumen took a step forward.
"Sprocket, wait. Let me explain!"
The blue femme didn't stop, but left the Chamber without another word. Lumen sighed and looked at Megatron. He came over and wrapped his arm around her small shoulders and tugged her closer to him.
"She will come around eventually."
Lumen sighed.
"I hope so… She was one of the few bots I really thought of as a friend." She kept her optics peeled on the doorway for a few moments before she released herself from Megatron's embrace.
"I have to meditate some more. I keep getting these flashes of the Fallen. I think I'm beginning to understand his motives."
Megatron nodded.
"I know. I've been seeing them too."
Lumen looked up at her creator.
"You have?"
He nodded.
"Yes. I'm not sure, but I think you may be the conduit of those visions. After all, you do have the Wisdom Matrix."
She grinned.
"Maybe you can transfer a little bit of strength my way so I can finally use a blaster, then?"
He laughed and patted her on the head.
"Like you would even know how to shoot it, princess. You should get back to your meditating."
Lumen sat back down on her knees and sighed, trying to concentrate on her plan.
"Are you two settling in? I've made sure you get secure quarters of your own." Optimus interrupted.
Lumen stood up and looked at him.
"Thank you. I'm trying to get a bearing on the Fallen. You've seen the visions as well, I presume?"
He nodded and took her hand.
"I still can't believe you're alive. Galvatron tore you apart."
Lumen involuntarily shuddered at the memory. She had never been as terrified as when Galvatron tore into her. If she never had to see him again, it would still be too soon. Megatron moved over to his daughter and put his hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry Lumen. As long as I'm here, he'll never lay a hand on you again."
Lumen almost wanted to protest. She still had an aversion to being protected, but of course, she had realized that she couldn't stop either of them from trying.
"I realized something just now." She said and looked at Optimus.
"Dad, I'm sorry. I know you were just trying to protect me on earth. I hated it. I wanted my freedom, and I didn't think you understood me. I should have talked to you more and made you understand. I should have proven that I was capable of taking care of myself."
Optimus pulled her into his arms and sighed.
"Lumen, I only did what I did because I was frightened. I thought I had lost you once, and the prospect of losing you again was more than I could take."
She smiled and allowed him to release her before she continued.
"The point is, that I realized just now, that I know my limits, but I have been ignoring them. I do put myself in unnecessary danger just for the sake of learning. I will need someone to protect me from whatever lies ahead. And I need to learn to accept that. I hope that you will accept this task, but in the same breath, I ask that you understand that sometimes I will get hurt. I will fall, but I will get up again."
Optimus nodded and patted her on the cheek.
"I will. Even if I have to share that job with Megatron, I will."
Lumen nodded and resumed her meditating. It wasn't long before she had a plan ready. Optimus was to lead the defense. Any and all civilians and buildings should be protected from whatever assault The Fallen had planned. Megatron should lead the offense. He and his troops should directly attack The Fallen when he arrived. He shouldn't have room to land on the planet or get any foothold in the city.
Lumen would stay in the Stellar Galleries and direct the battle and rescue operations.
Spies were sent out to find out how far The Fallen was from Cybertron, and troops were getting ready for the onslaught. In a few megacycles, they would have to gather the troops and let them know that Megatron would lead the offense. They knew it wouldn't be received well. But they would have to explain to the troops how important this was. They were fighting a common enemy, and their entire existence depended on all of them following orders and relying on the fact that Megatron was there to help them.
Lumen had already set up in the Stellar Galleries. She felt invigorated by the atmosphere. Her thoughts flowed so easily here. The dome allowed her to see the entire would-be battlefield, and her Matrix almost pulsed from the eons of information that had passed through here.
"You wanted to see me?"
Lumen turned and saw her bondmate in the doorway.
"Yes, I have a task for you." She said with a smile.
He came over to her and put his hand on her arm.
"You're practically glowing." He mused.
"I'm receiving so much information here. It's amazing." She said with a smile.
"Anyway, I need you to be my second set of eyes. I need to know what is going on everywhere, and I couldn't think of anyone better suited for that task than you."
Soundwave nodded and removed his facemask.
"I have already sent out my spies to set up surveillance all over the place."
He kissed her softly and pulled back, sliding his mask back into place. She gave him a worried look.
"Please come back to me." She said.
He chuckled softly.
"As you command." He said, before he turned to leave.
"I'll be in touch." Was the last thing he said before he exited the Stellar Galleries.