CHAPTER 65
I believe humans have managed to find our Sanctuary!
They had been found ... they had been discovered ...
For several minutes, Father John stopped breathing. Not only because of the grip around his waist that made it difficult for his breath to pass through his body, but also because of the terror that crushed him when the Cybertronian who'd caught them said these few words.
This state lasted the time of the Cybertronian's way on the stairs, where Father John felt the precipitous steps making the hand which kept him above the ground tremble.
This panic ... Father John had already felt it. At Garboil's place. When he had listened to the tapes and when Filch had thrown him into the void to prevent him from telling Wing.
This same state ... but worse. Worse because he was currently in an unknown location. Worse because he had just met Saberhorn again. Worse because Wing was not there to protect him.
Worse because Mary was present. He felt her terror in addition to his own. In the other hand, not far from him, he could hear her screaming, struggling in vain to free herself from the grip of the Cybertronian.
Yes. All of this lasted until the steps stopped and she reached the end of the steps. Father John felt the presence of Saberhorn and the so-called Glowstrike a few meters from him.
He could guess their eyes, or rather their optics, focused on them. In an attempt to recover air, Father John placed his hand on the Cybertronian' cold and metallic hand. His feet cutting through the space, he tried to straighten up, desperately trying to catch his breath.
Fortunately, the Cybertronian seemed to understand the message since she instantly released her grip a few seconds later.
"I'm sorry ! I am not aware of my strength compared to that of humans. It's the first time I've seen it so close!" She apologized awkwardly.
And it was not sarcastic. She sounded extremely sincere and embarrassed by her gesture.
But this brief moment of respite did not last long. A short silence fell before Glowstrike's voice rose again.
"… How did humans get here?" She asked calmly.
Again, Father John shivered. This same detached tone. It was one thing to hear her talk to someone else. It was quite another to hear her speak to himself.
"Well," she added, in a tone that, even without raising her voice, sounded a little more impatient after another silence. "I wait. How did humans like you get here? In our field? In our Sanctuary?"
A Sanctuary…
Father John did not answer. Neither did Mary, but he knew her. Mary was a soldier. She probably had to challenge her silently at the moment. She would refuse to speak. It was even certain.
The other Cybertronian ended up speaking for them.
"Are you sure they speak our language?"
"Of course they do" said Glowstrike coldly. "Otherwise, the Autobots would not waste their time protecting them and their planet."
Father John bowed his head.
A new step. One of the two interlocutors got closer. He could not guess which one.
"I imagined them more talkative" wondered the Cybertronian. "Kickback says they are, from what he's seen."
"And you still believe that fool, Rose?" sighed Glowstrike.
"Glowstrike ..."
This time it was Saberhorn who spoke in a grave tone.
And a cold sensation ran through Father John's back as soon as he heard the sentence he had unconsciously feared since he had learned of Saberhorn's presence in these places.
"…I recognize him. I don't recognize the female human, but I recognize that one."
"Really?" Glowstrike said in response.
He could guess that the latter had bent over. Rose raised her hands. Probably for Saberhorn and Glowstrike to inspect them more closely.
"Where do you recognize him from? They all look alike" she replied in an almost acid voice.
"… He was at Garboil's castle. With the member of the Circle of Light. With Wing."
He had expected it. They had been spotted. After his experience with the Decepticons whom he had met, Father John tried not to imagine what these would be likely to do to them. To him, to Mary.
He listened to Glowstrike's quiet breath.
Was it…hesitation? However, this short moment disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.
Her tone now indicated a trace of curiosity.
" …What is your name?"
He guessed that Mary was silently telling him not to answer.
Father John sighed before doing so. Saberhorn had already recognized him, anyway.
"You can call me Father John."
But he couldn't know if Glowstrike really cared.
She spoke to Saberhorn again.
"You said you'd met Wing, the one named Bumblebee and another Autobot at Arkus, didn't you?"
"Indeed."
"And Scorponok also met them at Messatine."
But he guessed it was something she already knew.
Father John understood where she was coming from. Wing, as well as the Circle of Light in general, was neutral. Father John had tried not to forget it.
"So the Circle of Light and the Autobots have allied against us," she said coldly. "Isn't it true, Father John?"
She had trouble pronouncing his name. But by the venom that appeared discreetly in her tone, it was not accidental.
Father John chose to remain silent.
"In that case, there is no longer any possible neutrality," Glowstrike squeaked in a voice that made him shiver again. "As long as they didn't attack us, there was no need to attack them. But now that they have chosen sides ... They will blame the Autobots for dragging them into this conflict. Like the humans they supposedly intended to protect."
He stiffened while Mary continued to struggle in Rose's hand. It was clearly a threat to them. And the following exchange revealed a ball of anguish in the priest's chest, which he tried as best he could to channel it.
"Glowy…" Rose asked after a silence. "What are you ... what are you going to do with it? Humans? Can we keep them?"
Her tone was almost innocent.
"No human is supposed to know of our existence. They discovered our Sanctuary. And they risk revealing our location to Autobots and humans."
She paused.
"I'm sure the Queen will be happy to add these two to her collection."
Mary screamed. Father John almost heard her knock on Rose's metallic hand to let go of her. But Rose did not let go. Father John was suddenly trapped in her palm again. He started coughing again, looking for air.
"Glowy…" said Rose, hesitant.
"Glowstrike," Saberhorn pointed out to her. "Wing saved me."
This silenced the latter.
"And then ... It might be better to keep them alive."
He didn't add anything more.
Father John could have guessed a fine smile on the lips of the female Cybertronian.
"It's true" she approved in a honeyed tone.
Again, he felt her leaning over them.
"What are you going to do with us?" spat Mary, anger evident in her tone.
"We don't have to kill you. Only if you cooperate."
"What?"
"We need sacred items," Glowstrike replied calmly. "We can hold you hostage ... and give you back to the Autobots against the artifact you have."
The Book of Epistemus.
No. It was out of the question. They already had the Crown, the Diamond ... they couldn't let them have the only artifact they had!
Mary took a while to retort.
"And how do we know you are going to keep your word? That you're going to get us back to the Autobots?"
"We have something called class," Saberhorn replied dryly. "And what interest will we have in keeping you here?"
"Except to fulfill another of the Queen's pleasures," Glowstrike added, almost spitting in disgust.
Again, Rose loosened her grip.
Father John was afraid.
They couldn't ... They couldn't use them as hostages. Autobots had the safety of humans in mind.
If they accepted the exchange, their chance to save the universe would only be greatly diminished by the loss of a new artifact.
But if the Autobots refused…
Father John was afraid for him and for Mary. He couldn't pretend otherwise.
But he would be mad if by their fault, especially his own, the universe and everything he knew were destroyed.
The only thing that comforted him was that at least Mary shared his same state of mind. The next moment, she retorted contemptuously.
"Do you really believe that the Autobots will move for us? To give you something more important?"
Wing would, thought Father John bitterly. The Autobots would do it too. But even if the Circle of Light was supposed to be neutral and not affiliate with humans, Father John knew that Wing would do everything possible to save him in such a situation.
I don't want to lose you and not remembering you.
He really believed him.
"They always did in the past," Glowstrike squeaked. "To the point of jeopardizing the safety of the universe. It will not change habit."
"You are really mad" scolded Mary. "Completely crazy."
Again, she struggled.
Then she burst out.
"Do you dare to collect artifacts? To the point of potentially condemning an entire universe? Will you destroy your own planet? Cybertron? Are you kidding me? Whereas from the start, this damn conflict between Autobots and Decepticons was over your destroyed planet!"
Father John felt annoyance from Saberhorn but he felt no emotion from Glowstrike.
It was as if her words didn't reach her.
"And what do you know about Cybertron, human?" Glowstrike articulated slowly.
"I know enough to worry about it."
"Cybertron is no longer home," Saberhorn retorted coldly. "Why do you think we took refuge here? Because the Autobots went after us."
Mary's distribution was faster than all the others.
"Just like you went after Gasket? How are you better than Autobots?"
Father John would not have dared.
She was extremely courageous. It was the Mary he knew. The Mary soldier. The brave.
He would not have dared to brave his fear to express such anger. But it had been a mistake.
A huge mistake since the next moment, Glowstrike and Saberhorn exchanged with a knowing tone.
"So, this little human knows Gasket."
"It's perfect. Two birds with one stone."
Mary growled.
"You are monsters. And I know that one day, you will pay! It's a universal fact. Everyone pays one day or another!"
"Be lucky that we keep you alive" squeaked Saberhorn.
Then he spoke to Rose.
"I admire her bravery. She is either incredibly brave or incredibly foolish. You could have taken care of these prisoners. But if she continues, I'll take care of her."
"Get screwed!" Mary replied in response.
"Mary! Stop that!" shouted Father John.
They were not in a position to negotiate.
He guessed a shrug from Saberhorn.
"You asked for it."
There was a rapid movement.
The priest understood immediately.
"No ! Leave her be!" begged Father John.
Immediately, he lost his means. Mary released a squeak. Saberhorn had just grabbed her.
"Leave her alone! Leave her alone!"
"I don't think so," Saberhorn replied dryly.
"No! Stop it! stop -"
A shot had just echoed in his ears.
Father John's heart almost stopped. A faint noise, like broken glass.
It came from Mary's revolver.
Immediately afterwards, Saberhorn let out a shrill howl. A howl of pain.
A thud was heard as Saberhorn clapped his hands over his face. Mary had fallen to the ground.
Father John hadn't discerned any emotion from Glowstrike ... at least until now.
He felt a strong rage from the Cybertronian femme. And Father John understood that Mary had used her weapon against her jailer.
According to the sound of broken glass, Father John remembered the Cybertronian optics. Mary had targeted Saberhorn's.
And as soon as Mary touched the ground, the femme had made a sharp movement of the foot which she struck on Mary.
Father John thought he was coming out of his own body. To become a spectator when Mary hit the wall in a distant echo.
"Mary!"
But Mary did not answer.
His blood froze. And for a moment, Father John believed that Glowstrike had killed her.
But when Glowstrike's footsteps wandered and she leaned over to pick up something, Father John was relieved to hear Mary's jerky breathing.
A smell of blood hit his nostrils.
Mary needed care. And Father John's relief evaporated when Glowstrike said the word grimly.
"Actually, we don't really need two humans."
"Mary! Glowstrike, stop!" begged Father John.
Glowstrike did not answer.
"Glowstrike!" repeated Father John.
She sounded to be talking to someone outside the room. By communication?
"Tarantulas. Order your Autobot to heal Saberhorn if it does not want to see one of the humans he intended to protect serve as an experiment."
"John ..." spat Mary between two coughs.
"Mary ..."
Reassure her… He had to reassure her… find the words…
"We will get out of this. Mary… I promise we'll make it! We'll get out of here! I will come for you!" shouted Father John, losing his voice.
But Mary did not answer.
He understood that she had already disappeared. That they had already taken her.
He was placed on a metal surface.
Father John guessed that it was a Cybertronian-sized table. He heard the steps of the Cybertronian move away.
"... You must think I'm cruel. That I am a monster," commented Glowstrike, contemptuously.
Father John did not answer.
He felt like he was facing a lion. An animal that would jump on him at any moment.
"... You won't be the first to tell me. Neither the last, I think."
"Where's Mary?"
He only thought of her. Strictly speaking, even if Glowstrike terrorized him, she was only the least of his problems in relation to Mary's condition.
He guessed a shrug from Glowstrike.
"She needs care" said Father John. "We are not made of metal like you Cybertronians."
"I already know that."
He understood that she had moved away.
"She needs a doctor."
"You can only hope that the Autobot medic can also treat humans. But he will only take care of her if he takes care of Saberhorn's optics. Your friend was the first to attack him."
"You were threatening us, Glowstrike ..."
But he already guessed that she didn't care.
Father John inspired. He had to calm down. He would get nothing in that state.
"We felt threatened."
"I can tell you here because no one will believe a human. They are weak and pathetic."
She sighed.
"Saberhorn wouldn't have hurt her anyway."
"How could we know?"
"Because I know him. Because what happened to Arkus has affected him greatly, even if he doesn't show anything. And I think he asked to keep you alive because he felt indebted. A kind of Code of Honor that he shapes in his own way."
Glowstrike had probably winced at this last sentence.
A Code of Honor. Like the honor taught by Wing?
Father John bit his lip. He absolutely didn't resent Mary for defending herself. She wanted to protect herself. Protect him too.
"If your friends return the artifact to us," continued Glowstrike, "it is very likely that he would have forced me to keep my word.
"I thought there was a Queen" said Father John after a silence.
He felt her shudder at this observation.
"Who's in charge here?"
"Do you expect me to answer you?" she replied dryly. "It's not about humans. The chain of commanding only involves the Sanctuary."
"But there is indeed a Queen in these places ..."
A Queen whom Glowstrike apparently wanted to have murdered.
But Father John was careful not to say it.
"How can you really guarantee our security? The Queen doesn't know we're here, right?"
"Of course, she doesn't know" growled Glowstrike. She would be able to kill you without thinking about benefits you could bring us."
She sounded to pull herself together. Her tone became detached again.
"But if the Autobots refuse, I would have no interest in keeping you alive."
"Saberhorn would oblige you to respect your word?" repeated Father John, without believing too much.
But he had to talk to her. He had to try to convince her to let him see Mary. He had to chat with her.
At least let him try.
"…I said it."
"Mary was protecting me. You would have done the same for Saberhorn if the roles had been reversed."
"And what makes you think that?"
Continue. Continue.
"You must really love him to listen to him so much."
"I do not love him."
Despite herself, there was hesitation.
"He is just a tool for me. A very helpful tool."
"I do not believe you."
"Believe what you want."
"Don't make yourself more cruel than you already are."
For him, Glowstrike's attitude was not that of someone who viewed Saberhorn as a tool. Again, the threat returned in her tone.
"Don't dare give me orders, human. You don't know me."
"Mary was protecting me," insisted Father John. "If anyone is to be punished, it's me."
"Perhaps."
Her voice showed that she was considering his words.
"But you're the one who's close to the Autobots. Not her."
Father John cleared his throat to camouflage his trembling voice.
For a moment, he wanted to give up.
Don't say more. But ... he thought that by persevering…
"I'm not that close to the Autobots."
"But you're close to Wing," she said.
"Why are you interested?"
"Because from the start, he only stands up in our way. He and the Circle of Light."
Glowstrike sounded to straighten up.
"They claim their neutrality. But in the end, they are Autobots at spark. What a joke. And they claim to be Autobots by keeping humans as pets."
Pet…
It's been a long time since this phrase came back. Father John shivered in spite of himself.
"But you want to know something, human?"
He knew that Glowstrike had turned around.
"The Circle of Light is not a strong ally for Autobots. That's why they're not our primary target. Why we don't target them first. Because they are cowards. They refuse to assume their positions, they refuse to assume war and they refuse to take responsibility. They always give up at the last moment."
Resentment, Father John guessed.
Glowstrike inspired.
"… They will abandon you too. Humans, Autobots. All the same."
"No," replied Father John gently.
"They'll abandon you. Not only are humans pathetic, but they are naive too."
He would not abandon Wing and Wing would not abandon him. That was what he was trying to say to himself.
"You seem to be very mad at them."
"Of course. They refuse to let us take what belongs to us."
"The artifacts do not belong to you," replied Father John, suddenly and rather firmly.
He hadn't spoken until now.
Maybe Mary influenced him too ...
"Neither you nor the Autobots. To no one."
"So, they belong to the Circle of Light. This is what you mean."
"I said they didn't belong to anyone."
"It's almost touching. The way you defend the Circle of Light. The way you defend Wing."
The disdain returned.
"You know. If I were in power, if the Circle of Light had been a bit unreasonable and had kept its neutrality, they would surely have been spared. But alright. It would be the perfect scenario."
"The perfect scenario would be for you to return the artifacts."
"Not if the Sanctuary is in danger."
"You will only cause deaths."
This silenced Glowstrike.
"…No. Not that much. As long as you leave us alone. I am not Airachnid."
Suddenly she cut herself off. Father John felt that she was glaring at him.
"... You are only a human. What would you understand anyway? About the conflict? About the Sanctuary?"
Chat with her… He had to choose the right words. At least so that she would let him be with Mary. Or that he's locked up in the same cell as her.
"You are right. I do not understand. I learn. I just want to know what pushes you to such extremes when the war is over."
"Is the war over? Do you mean that?"
Then Father John guessed a mean smile on Glowstrike's face.
It was he who stepped back in turn. He almost slipped and caught himself with a hand, placing his hand on the cold metal of the table.
"… Do you want me to show you something?" whispered Glowstrike.
Father John did not answer.
He heard Glowstrike initiate communication.
Then her voice echoed in his brain.
"Scorponok. Queen Airachnid sends you a squad of one hundred Insecticons to assist you in your mission to Frayus."
Father John almost collapsed.
The news struck him like a thunderclap.
Hundred Insecticons…
"... Don't break them and don't come back empty-handed" she finished threateningly.
… Wing, Rung and Bumblebee…
They could be powerful ... but they would be largely overtaken by such a squadron ...
And for now, only Father John and Glowstrike knew they were on their way. To retrieve the following artifact.
Suddenly, his feet left the metal surface. Glowstrike had grabbed him, carrying him at arm's length as she tightened her grip around the waist.
He was then projected into a location that was much narrower for him. A door in front of him closed.
A cage…
"…Do it. Now say I'm a monster" Glowstrike repeated, almost in a provocative tone.
Father John bit his lip.
What to answer ...? Glowstrike wouldn't let him see Mary. And she had just sent a whole squadron to recover an artifact and get rid of the Autobots.
He had failed. He had failed to talk with her.
The anxiety ball took him by the throat. However, he could only articulate.
"... You would like me to tell you that you are. That you are a monster. But I will not do it. I will not offer you such a pleasure."
Glowstrike did not answer.
He heard only a faint, almost audible sigh.
Then the door closed.
He must have dozed off.
The thoughts had looped in his head over and over again. Thoughts he was trying to bury as much as possible.
It was too late. With them as hostages, with a squadron of this size that came for the Autobots, they would not win.
They would die. He wouldn't even be with Mary when that will happen.
But he was not to listen to them. He knew he shouldn't.
The situation was not yet lost, after all.
They kept them hostage. Mary had to hold on…
He had to join her, watch over her.
He heard the door reopen. Father John frowned.
Was it Glowstrike who was coming back?
Or someone else?
But it was not her. It was not her step.
" …My Lady?"
This voice…
He recognized it. Father John straightened up and came closer to be heard.
"Glacius! "
He felt Glacius stiffen.
"…You here ! Human ... well ... I don't remember your name."
"Me here" Father John smiled.
Bad thoughts went away, even temporarily.
"What are you doing here?"
"... I met Swelter" said Father John. "And ... I wanted to follow him."
"Why is that?"
Father John took a while to answer.
"For ... kittens. Those he cares for."
"Oh."
Silence fell.
He didn't know if Glacius would listen to him ... if he would act as distrustfully as Swelter.
Father John took a breath. It was better to try.
Try everything.
"... would you let me out of here?"
Glacius' response was faster than expected.
"If you were locked up, it's for a good reason."
"I know. But I need to go out to help my friend."
"Your friend?"
Father John nodded.
"She is in danger. Please, Glacius."
"... I don't know if I should believe you."
He had to think.
"... I may have a solution for Swelter's kittens. But for that, I have to go out."
"You mean you would take them with you?"
Glacius sighed.
"Swelter no longer recharges. He is afraid of losing them."
"I'll take them with me. I'll take care of them. I would do my best to provide them with a home. And if you wish, I would offer you shelter. You both."
"A shelter ? To me and Swelter?"
"Yes."
Father John coughed. He was still suffering from Glowstrike's grip.
"I won't abandon you. It is a promise."
No matter what Mary would say ... It wasn't the most important now.
Glacius did not answer immediately.
But a few moments later, the doors opened. Father John suppressed a sigh of relief and quickly went out.
He looked for Glacius using his hand.
He ended up touching his arm.
"Thank you."
"We have to go out, then," said Glacius.
Father John quickly searched his memory.
Glowstrike had mentioned a name ...
Taran ... Something ... Tarantula ...
He remembered.
"Take me to where the so-called Tarantulas is."