The Human Prime

Chapter 54: Return to Cybertron

I stood over the rocks that formed my sister's grave. I questioned my decision in burying her Cybertronian body in the ashes of our old home. On one hand, it was the site of my sister's greatest victory, the freedom over our parents. One the other hand, it was also the site of years of anguish leading to her despise of the human race. Even so, burying her as a Cybertronian, I knew she would have been proud.

I stifled my tears. While I was deeply saddened that, at the moment of our reconnection, she was violently snatched away from me, I could not dwell on the feeling. Still, I stared at the rocks that were piled over her grave site. I knew by this time, the others would be looking for my guidance on the Cybertronian expedition. Reluctantly, I tore myself away to go meet up with Optimus.

For the first time in many years, I walked in my human form down to the road where my home was built on. I strolled to the nearest town where my sister and I used to sneak away to. I stood at the crosswalk waiting for my turn and wished I could go back. Though I knew I couldn't. When I finally made it to where I was supposed to meet Optimus, I was in tears.

I was kind of embarrassed with myself. I was crying in a public place, letting my face flush with sadness as people passed. I doubted that people paid any attention to me. Why would they? But it still made me angry that I couldn't withhold my emotions, at least until I got back to base.

My moment of deep forlorn was cut short when I realized I was alone in the parking lot. Where was Optimus?

Optimus POV

I stared down at the rocks that marked my teacher's grave. The stones were strategically placed to give the smoothest of looks, almost like the rocks were of one entity. I wished I could take him to the tomb of the Primes, where he could be laid to rest with his brothers, but it would be impossible, at least not until Cybertron was revived. Still, I felt like I had failed my teacher in not giving him the burial he deserved.

I wondered if he would be waiting for me when it was my time. Would the first one I see when I joined the Allspark be him? His hand reached out to me, ready to accept me into the well where I could be at peace. When I finally did see him, would he be proud or ashamed.

Our reunion was brief, and I never got to ask him the questions that plagued my mind. I wondered if Artemis could now hear his voice in her head. I had thought of asking her, but I decided not to burden her. It would be selfish of me to burden her with my questions, to make her a middle-man in my own attempt to stay connected with my teacher.

However, I missed him. Just knowing he was actually gone made me feel isolated. Somehow, I had pretended that he was waiting for me to come home. Someday, after the war, we would meet back at the Iacon hall of records and talk, just like we did before. But now, that hope was forever crushed.

"What will I do without you?" I brought my servo to cradle my helm, trying to keep my emotions from bubbling over. I could feel the loneliness closing in on me. I suddenly jumped when I felt a servo clasp over my other hand.

I turned and found Artemis holding onto my hand. I had completely forgotten that I was supposed to meet her over an hour ago. I was about to apologize when she pulled me into her. She hugged me close to her without a second thought. Her body was shaking just as much as mine, trying to contain the emotion deep within ourselves.

"I'm sorry." Artemis whispered into my chest. "But you're not alone." She held me tighter. I held my arms close around her as well. In a way, I knew we both needed this. This closeness, the feeling that someone who is suffering is close by, was the only thing that was keeping us from falling apart. We hung onto each other for who knows how long. In this time of vulnerability, we stayed incased in ourselves, waiting until we were ready to face the world again.

Autobot Base

"We know we have four Omega keys." Artemis noted, beginning to list them off. "One is on what is left of the moon base, another is in Kalis, the third is in Crystal city, and the last is still in Iacon."

"It would be more efficient to divide into groups, locate the keys individually." Optimus waited for Ratchet to plug in coordinates. "For now, we have an advantage over the Decepticons."

"Whoa, whoa, why isn't Ratchet bridging us to each location?" Smokescreen asked, looking at the coordinates Ratchet typed in.

"Solus' forge might have made our ground bridge into a space bridge, but it doesn't run on air. We need to conserve energy." Artemis growled, folding her arms tightly. "He's dropping us off at the midpoint of the locations."

"When we arrive at Cybertron, we will break off into groups. Artemis, ShadowVolt, you will uncover the key located at the moon base." Optimus began.

"Got it boss bot, you can count on us." ShadowVolt nodded, punched Artemis arm.

"Bulkhead, Smokescreen, and Arcee, you will retrieve the key in Kalis."

"Got it." Bulkhead nodded.

"You can count on us." Smokescreen pounded his chest excitedly.

"Wheeljack, Light, and Bumblebee, will take on Crystal city."

"I will not fail you." Light decreed.

"WE will not fail you." Wheeljack nudged her slightly.

"Finally, Drexel and I will retrieve the Omega key from Iacon." Optimus felt the faceless bot tug at his arm. He tapped his chest before nodding, signaling he was ready.

"Artemis." Artemis heard the small voice call for her. She looked over and noticed Sam trying to get her attention. She bent down. "Will you be okay?"

"Ratchet cleared me for duty. I took a big hit from Spark Eater, but I heal quick-" Artemis began to explain, but Sam interrupted.

"No, not that. Mira…" Sam stood close enough to the railing in order to touch Artemis' face. "You just saw your sister die right before your eyes. Should you be going out to battle so soon after having such a shock?'

"I wonder that myself." Artemis leaned her cheek into Sam's hand. "But I know that sitting here will not honor her memory. I have a destiny to fulfill. And in fulfilling it, I will honor the memory of not only my sister, but all who have fallen."

"Alright." Sam whispered wiping her face, as if she were tearing. "Come back to me then." Artemis didn't respond. She simply rose and turned her head to look at the others. The kids were bidding their bots a safe journey.

She stood behind Optimus just as the others came to do the same. She briefly looked back at Ratchet and smiled slightly, his face looking both worried and excited. Today, today they would bring back Cybertron. If it was the last thing Artemis did, it would happen. She would make sure of it.

"Autobots!" Optimus called out as the bridge opened. Artemis shifted into her Phoenix form, nodding at ShadowVolt to get ready for take-off. "Transform and roll out!"

The Nemesis

Megatron looked upon the Spark of Unicron in his hand. Mira, while not the strongest, was a loyal follower. She would be missed. He slipped the plate back into his chest plate when he heard approaching footsteps. Soundwave stood next to his master, waiting for his opportunity to relay information.

"Go ahead, Soundwave." Megatron ushered his communications chief closer. He watched the faceless bot closely as he brought up data on a recent Energon burst. "A Space bridge? But how?" He remembered Artemis recent adventure on his ship. "Of course, the forge of Solus Prime."

"But what would the Autobots being doing on Cybertron?" Knockout asked, overhearing the conversation.

"I assure you, Knockout, that I wouldn't know. But, if the Autobots have taken their cause to Cybertron, it is in our best interest to follow." Megatron turned to the troopers working the inter-stellar communications. "Contact our sentries on Cybertron. Tell them to confirm the Autobot's location, but do not engage."

"Sir?" Knockout asked, looking up at the tall bot. "Do NOT engage?"

"Indeed, for we will be going after them ourselves, Knockout." Megatron shooed him away, as if to say to go prepare. Knockout did as he was told, sighing as soon as he was out of ear shot.

He wished Mira were here. Things were so much similar when she was around. Sure, she was annoying and made fun of his height one too many times, but at least with her around he could stay in the comfort of his lab. Or at least be guaranteed one less pair of dings.

When he went in to inform Breakdown of the news, he found the lug delicately holding Mira's buffer. It was pathetic to see someone so large mope over something so little. However, some consideration must be taken for the fact that Mira did give Breakdown a second chance. She had brought him back to life and that in itself had a bond Knockout could barely understand.

Knockout, though he would never admit it, had some unresolved feelings for Mira as well. He wasn't sure if it was just undying hatred for the human or if there was a little part of him that missed her constant nagging. Maybe, just a little, he had grown a connection to the human. The way she complimented his finish, the rare occasions she buffed his shoulder plates when Breakdown was gone, and those conversations that ended in not wanting to shove her in the closest air lock were what he missed the most. Those moments, would never come back.

"Breakdown." Knockout whispered, not letting his hidden sadness get the best of him.

"Hm?" Breakdown put the buffer down in one quick motion. Surely he didn't want any other Decepticon to catch on to his emptiness as well.

"We're going Autobot hunting, get packing." Knockout turned away from him and bumped into Dreadwing, who had come to with RazorMane to relay Megatron's orders. "Ah, heir commandant, to what do we owe this-?"

"Orders, from Lord Megatron." Dreadwing filed into the room, bringing up a map of Cybertron onto the computers. "The Decepticons posted on Cybertron have relayed four teams of Autobots."

"They're splitting up?" Knockout crossed his servos, leaning against the control panel.

"Obviously the Autobots are looking for something." RazorMane said blankly, waiting for Dreadwing to continue.

"Megatron had decreed that we all will be sent onto Cybertron, and split up in pursuit after them." Dreadwing pointed to Kalis. "Knockout and Breakdown, you will head to Kalis, and intercept the enemy there."

"Kalis? Our old stomping grounds? Last time I saw that place, it had one heel strut in the scrap yard." Knockout motioned to his partner. "Why send both of us? Our vehicle modes require us to move on the ground. Chases are the bridges leading into Kalis have been long demolished. Why not just send in the troopers?"

"I have no doubt that you will find a way inside the city." Megatron's demonic voice scared Knockout into submission, hiding behind Breakdown. "That is, if you want to continue to prove your usefulness to the Decepticon cause."

Knockout shuttered. It was already happening. He has a suspicion that without Mira cooing in his ear, his Lord would begin to question his usefulness once again. Mira has predicted that such a situation would happen. Unfortunately for him, it happened sooner that he would have liked, meaning that if he wanted to stay on Megatron's good side, he would have to go to Kalis.

"Of course, Lord Megatron." Knockout smiled awkwardly, but Megatron continued as if nothing had happened.

"Dreadwing and RazorMane, you will go to Crystal city in pursuit of the Autobots converging there." Megatron pointed to the moon base, "Afterward, you will take on the enemy heading towards the moon base. Soundwave and I will meet Optimus in Iacon."

Megatron grinned at the idea. The Autobot movements that suggested they were heading to Iacon seemed all too obvious. While he wasn't sure who his rival's backup was he was positive that Optimus would be the one to head there. What a pleasure it would be to end Optimus' life at the steps where he had become Prime.

"If you are all in agreement then, let us go and meet the enemy." He turned away from the ground, directing Soundwave to move the ship towards the Space Bridge.

The Harbinger

"Lord Starscream?" Skywarp asked, watching his master pace back and forth. "My lord?" He asked again.

"What is it Skywarp!" Starscream screeched, struggling to stay calm. He had been wasting away since their Red Energon reserves had been running low. While he had sent his Seekers, filled with the red substance, to steal Energon from Decepticon mines, they were just beginning to run out.

What a lowly existence they had been living. Stealing Energon like scavengers, hunting down what they could before they starved. He hadn't been in a good mood since his Seekers brought home one more mouth to feed, a young femme names Quickstep, who was a little worse for wear. While the young flyer was useful on occasion, she still was anything but a capable warrior compared to the soldiers at Megatron's disposal.

"Lord Starscream," Thundercracker said almost sarcastically. "There is evidence of an activation of a Space Bridge."

"A space bridge you say?" Starscream brought his servo to his chin. He recalled the new space bridge's location, ever since he stumbled upon it out in Earth's orbit. "Perhaps this is our chance to sneak onto the Nemesis and take Megatron by surprise."

"You aren't curious as to where they are going?" Quickstep asked, curious herself.

"Well, of course I am curious! But, it is a minor detail in the light of a diabolical plan." He chuckled to himself, thinking of the moment when he would take his old master's spark at last.

"Even if the minor detail is worth a thousand mega cycles on the throne?" Thundercracker asked. Starscream stopped smiling for a moment, considering the possibility that they were searching for more relics. If that were true, it would make his job of dealing with Megatron a lot easier.

"Perhaps, it would be a good idea to follow our Decepticon brethren." Starscream nodded before gesturing towards Skywarp. "Acquire some Red Energon for later, in case we need to pry the relic from cold digits." Skywarp nodded and went to fetch some doses for transport. "Thundercracker, position the ground bridge as close as you can outside Earth's atmosphere." Thundercracker nodded and began working on the computer. "Quickstep," He looked at the bright optic femme and frowned, "Prepare to take off."

"Yes sir." She saluted and walked over to the ground bridge portal. Thundercracker was about to join them when he noticed a device lying on the ground. He picked it up and maneuvered it in his servos.

"Come on, T.C, let's get going. Put down that piece of junk and get over here!" Skywarp said excitedly.

"Piece of junk, this is-! Right…junk, then no one would care if I hung onto it then. Right?" Thundercracker mounted the device on his right servo, intertwining it into his circuits.

"Whatever puts the roar in your engine, T.C." Skywarp shrugged and stood next to his master. When the rest of the Seekers were ready, Starscream transformed and let his Seekers through the portal.

Space

The Nemesis aligned itself perfectly with the space bridge. Knockout had asked many times why they were bring the entire ship with them to Cybertron. While Megatron had not provided and answer, Dreadwing had explained that whatever the Autobots were looking for was on Cybertron. What they were looking for and how many were unclear. For all they knew, they were looking for dozens of more relics on Cybertron. It would be most efficient to have their base of operations close by.

The ship cruised effortlessly through the space bridge, the crew gazing at the swirling waves of energy. It had been awhile since they returned home. When the familiar black void of space reappeared, they looked anxiously down at their planet. It was cold, colorless in its lifelessness. The grey crisscross of metal representing the terrain of their home showed no sign of moving. Their home just as they left it, a lifeless void.

They were so busy gazing bitterly at their planet that they didn't even see the Seekers buzzing through the bridge behind them. The Seekers were no fools. They knew that they should wait to pass through the bridge themselves. They had waited until the very last moment to pass through. Though, they were quick to move through it, in fear that the bridge would close with them inside.

Once they were positive they weren't found out, they landed on the rear of the ship, ducking their heads behind the wings of the craft. They, too, gazed at the barren planet. Thundercracker, in particular, gritted his teeth and ground his claws into the steel. He swore vengeance on all those who had turned their planet into a wasteland. Everyone: the Autobots, the so called Prime, and even Megatron.

"T.C." Skywarp frowned and pointed towards the moon base. Yes, that used to be their base of operations. When Megatron destroyed Vos, the city owned by the Seekers who flew through its skies, they needed a new place to call home. Or at least, begin plotting their revenge and takeover of the Decepticons. However, it was not the moon base Skywarp was drawing attention to. You could miss it, but there was the shape of something flying up to it, something gold and red. "What is it?"

"Decepticon scouts?" Thundercracker shrugged and looked at Quickstep who seemed to recognize it.

"That's Optimus' second in command. I'm sure of it!" Quickstep nodded, remembering the time when they faced the beast bot.

"Please, the doctor is skilled, but he cannot create the gift of flight." Starscream huffed, thinking his company was far from his level of intelligence.

"No, it was a femme. Ar-Arti-something." Quickstep tried to remember, but couldn't grasp the name at the edge of her lips.

"Well if the Autobots are here as well, surly there is something worthwhile to be found here." Starscream grinned.

"It doesn't look like Megatron is going to the moon base." Thundercracker pointed in the heading of the ship, targeted towards landing on the dead planet.

"Then we are one step ahead of my old master. Perhaps, it will provide us the edge we need to do away with him." Starscream stood up and pointed towards the moon base. "Come; let us pursue the Autobots, while we have the element of surprise."

The Seekers jumped into the void, transforming and bursting their thrusters towards the moon base. None of the parties were aware that they had thrown themselves into what surly would be an all-out battle for their planet.