CHAPTER 84
"... We only have one artifact left. "
The Crown of Solomus ... The Book of Epistemus ... the Diamond of Adaptus ... the Hand of Mortilus ...
Time had frozen for a few days, so that everyone could recover from the attack organized by the residents of the Sanctuary. But now they had to find the last artifact. And there was no time to waste.
That was the reason why they were all gathered in the meeting room. Not just Cybertronians, but also representatives of the United States military, who had come to the base for the first time. Cade, Emily and other high-ranking military commanders. One of them was named Fowler, who had been a former teammate of Mary.
"… Where is the last one hidden?" asked the commanding officer, in a low tone.
Her voice was still marked by shock. It was light, but Father John managed to discern it. He thought back to Aaron's corpse that he had felt under his fingers during the explosion and Father John couldn't help but feel empathy for her. After all, she had lost a comrade, even if she tried to say nothing.
The mood was a little warmer than in recent days, but there was still a lot of tension. A few days ... it had not been enough for them to get up, to recover from their injuries. At this thought, Father John suppressed a small sigh. He should stay in the wheelchair for a few more days. He, who loved to walk, painfully was painfully reminded that he was more diminished now. However, he kept his feelings to himself.
He was not the most to be pitied. He had suffered only a temporary and physical loss. His friends had endured worse than that. Arcee, Ratchet, Cliffjumper, Karan, Emily, Cade ...
And Gasket… and Wing… By reflex, Father John sought the proximity of the Cybertronian. Even if the latter said nothing, the human felt his presence at his side. He felt his fear, his constant anguish since the bombings in Crown City, which he did not exteriorize at the moment. He tried to give him a discreet sign, but unfortunately it was time for the mission.
Everyone listened carefully to Dai Atlas.
"The last one… what's their name already?" Emily questioned him.
"…The Vessel of Primus."
"The Vessel of Primus..."
Father John guessed that Dai Atlas had crossed his arms around his chassis, closing in more.
"Well, where is it, Dai Atlas?" growled Star Saber, in a creaky voice. "Since it was you who hid these artifacts ..."
There was a touch of jealousy in his voice.
A silence fell. Everyone was eagerly awaiting his response.
"…I do not know."
His revelation was like a bomb.
Immediately, an echo of surprise answered him. Bumblebee was the first to react.
"How's that "you don't know"? I thought you hid the five!"
"I hid the five," said Dai Atlas immediately, coldly. "I hid the Vessel of Primus in the GN-z11 Galaxy, at a specific point. But…"
He paused.
"... Before the creation of the Circle of Light as we know it these days, I went back. I went back there ... and the Vessel was gone."
"Are you telling us that you lost it?" growled Star Saber. "the Vessel of Primus, out of everything?"
"But ... a Vessel... it must be obvious, right?" Karan offered hesitantly.
He guessed that Dai Atlas had shaken his helm.
"It's not a Vessel, in the literal sense of the word. But a vessel, which is an envelope, a support."
"What was it?" asked Outrigger.
"A spark. The purest and brightest spark the universe has ever worn."
A spark ... Nobody expected it.
"... The heart of a Cybertronian, right?" commented Emily, for confirmation.
"Did you carry a spark? Was it a relic?" said Kat.
"The most precious relic."
Drift cleared his throat.
"The spark would have gone out?"
"The other relics have been preserved for all these millennia" retorted Dai Atlas, the acid tone. "Why would the Vessel of Primus have gone extinct and become untraceable?"
Night spoke.
"But wait ... If I understand correctly, artifacts are only dangerous when they are gathered, right?"
"That's right."
"But ... if we don't find the last artefact" she suggested, "we have nothing to worry about. Because even if they got the others, they would be helpless without the last one."
It was good reasoning.
Unfortunately, Dai Atlas denied it in one sentence.
"Technically, yes. But the artifacts are already dangerous enough in themselves. After all, using just one caused the earthquakes on Cybertron and on Earth."
"And Arkus was destroyed by one too," added Bumblebee, dark in tone.
"And the five gathered together would undoubtedly lead to a cataclysm which would destroy a complete civilization. That's why we have to find the five."
"And when we will get the five ..." asked Wing, "what will we do with it?"
It had been a question they all had wondered, after all.
What to do with artifacts… and how to protect them?
"... I planned to take them back" decreed Dai Atlas. "Probably place them somewhere else. Elsewhere, where no one would find them."
"And reproduce the same mistake?" growled Star Saber.
"It's better than not acting" retorted Emily. "Even if ... our enemies will try again and again to recover them no matter what."
"Hence the reason why we have to kill them all. Until the last one" said Star Saber.
Father John felt Wing shiver. He guessed the cold gaze of Dai Atlas in the direction of his comrade.
Rung also spoke, addressing Star Saber.
"I think killing them won't solve anything."
"This will solve many things!"
"What if others are after the artifacts? Others after them? Because it is a possibility. Killing them will not send the following others the right message. They will not understand how dreadful the artifacts are in the hands of a malicious person."
"And who are you to act so self-righteous?" hissed his interlocutor. "You are not a devout Primus believer like we are! Your opinion is worth nothing!" Star Saber sniffed, dismissive.
Rung looked at him sadly.
"... Does that make you happy, Star Saber? Eliminate everyone you consider heretical? Really?"
Father John could not describe what followed. He just guessed that Wing had stood in front of him.
The next moment, Star Saber was overpowered by Dai Atlas and Ultra Magnus. He heard the leader of the Circle of Light raise his voice, before violently pushing Star Saber away.
Probably far from Rung.
"His opinion is worth everything, Star Saber! Without him, we wouldn't be here. And if you don't agree, you can get out!"
The threat was evident enough in his voice. And Father John guessed the surprise among the other members of the Circle of Light. Apparently, Dai Atlas was not in the habit of raising his voice.
Star Saber growled, but after a few unbearable seconds, he said nothing and the silence fell.
Emily sighed in turn. She cleared her throat, her voice becoming confident and determined again. As it was when they first met.
"I trust you to find them. If you ever have to go to find this missing object, humans will defend themselves as much as they can. If you keep your word and promise to come back."
Dai Atlas's response was faster than they expected… and no less unexpected.
"… We will come back. We are involved, anyway. We will not let you down."
For the first time since the meeting started, Father John felt Wing relax considerably.
He gave him a slight smile that the human hastened to return.
Even though the Circle of Light was neutral, Dai Atlas promised humans to come back to protect them.
It was more than humans could ask for.
"Would you like a helping hand, Father John?"
In his wheelchair, Father John was having a little trouble cleaning Glacius' chassis. Wing was considerate and probably must have felt it beforehand. Father John put his wet sponge on his lap, before slowly turning his wheelchair in his direction.
He had already entered the infirmary and had probably bent down to assist him.
"… It's nice of you" Father John said. "Mary has already gone to get some water and soap to help me."
"Oh ... I thought ..."
"Thank you for offering" reassured the priest in a soft tone.
Father John turned to the Cybertronian, still comatose. Some days when he came to visit him, he sometimes thought he heard him move. Once he swore he'd heard him cough.
But every day was alike. Glacius did not wake up.
"... I'm sorry" said Wing sadly.
"He will come back," replied the priest. "I'm sure he will wake up."
It was only a matter of time, after all ... Father John picked up the towel, squeezing it in his hand like a need for contact.
He felt a smile on Wing's face.
"... You have kept your promise. You took care of him ... as you promised him. Everyday. You never stop."
"That's what friends do."
"Friends and family."
A short silence fell. Father John closed his eyes, thoughtful.
"I did not fully keep my promise ... I promised to give them a roof. To Glacius and Swelter. Help them take care of the kittens they had taken in. At the moment, Glacius is here, I worry for him, for his condition ... but I also worry for his companion."
Wing took a while to answer.
"… Would you like him to join us?"
"I know they are part of the Sanctuary. That they participated in these crimes. They made serious mistakes ... But Glacius and Swelter were slaves. They did not have a complete choice. And I know there is good in them. I feel it."
"… I could not judge you, Father John."
He suppressed an almost inaudible sigh.
"… I will never judge you… even less for wanting to help another. To wish that they listen to us."
Father John gently brought his wheelchair closer to Wing so that he could reach out and touch his metal ankle.
"… You want to help her too. You want her to listen to you."
"I looked for her signal. It cannot be found…"
He felt helplessness in Wing's tone. Father John heard a movement and he understood that Wing had straightened up.
"She is my daughter… I know it will be difficult… we lost touch. We haven't talked for centuries, millennia…" replied Wing, in a melancholy tone. "It's been ... so long. And besides, I had forgotten her."
"It wasn't your fault."
"I was her parent… if I could have done something… I could have looked for her more. Not giving up on her…"
Father John did not agree.
"You did your best, Wing. You can't blame yourself for it. You came back for her."
"... You met her, didn't you? When ... you came to the Sanctuary."
Father John did not know at the time that she was his daughter.
If he had known ... he would also have tried more to communicate with her. To learn about her.
"… How was Heavenlight? I mean... Glowstrike."
Father John had not forgotten it.
Their exchange. The priest felt a slight twinge in the heart. Even if he had to be honest, he had to manage Wing and find the right words.
He didn't want him to feel guilty more than he already was.
"... All I can say ... was that she was unhappy."
"Unhappy…"
"She was trying to hide it. Surely, she was looking for something ... something that allowed her to find happiness. This is how I perceived it."
"…You have the right."
Wing took a breath.
"You have the right to blame her for hurting Mary. For hurting you. I know ... you had gone through hell at the Sanctuary. And you would be right. Even if she is my daughter ... I cannot claim that she caused no pain."
Blaming her...
Father John could not deny it. He thought back to the fear he had felt when he and Mary were separated. When he was trapped in this cage until Glacius released him.
He'd thought he would never see her again.
"... Maybe I blame her. But I learned not to judge."
Wing had to keep hope. Let him hold onto something.
"I tried to talk to her. I tried to make her understand that she didn't have to be so cruel but ... I doubt that a human could make her listen."
"You managed to make Glacius listen to you. Even being a human."
"I know. But it is not the same thing. I would love to do more to help you. But ... I think it's up to you to talk to her. Someone she loved. Even if she did not listen to me because I was worth nothing for her, she will surely listen to you, in memory of your moments spent together."
"You have already done much for me, Father John. Don't blame yourself. And then ... right now... what matters is finding the last artifact. And for me ... find a way to contact her before I talk to her."
Father John looked down. He felt helpless that he couldn't do more. But perhaps it was the best thing to do. Let the father speak to his daughter.
"…I want to try. At least try."
He felt Wing put a metallic digit on his shoulder.
"... Even if it breaks my spark ... I know Dai Atlas will want her to be punished. And it will surely be. But ... I don't want her to be sentenced to death. I don't want to give up. I abandoned her once. I don't want to start over. And if ... talking to her, so that she listens to me ... would at least lessen her pain, I'm ready to try."
"… I would like to do the same for Swelter."
Swelter may not have been his child, but Father John also wanted to try everything to get him out of this hell. So that at least he and Glacius were reunited, whatever the outcome of this conflict.
Even now, Father John was listening to Glacius' slow breathing.
Would he approve? Yes, without a doubt. Glacius would approve.
"… Wing."
"Yes?"
"I think you're right. At three, we will undoubtedly be more efficient together. I would like you to lend me a hand."
He guessed a smile light up Wing's face.
"Willingly, Father John. I would be happy to do this."
Father John smiles back.
As Wing got closer, the Cybertronian added.
"And ... I'll talk to Dai Atlas. At Ultra Magnus. For you, for Swelter, for Glacius."
His tone became more determined.
"I will do everything so that their sentence is lessened."
"Wing…"
"If you feel that you have not kept your promise, I will do everything for you to keep it. In totality."
The human nodded, willingly accepting help.
Wing didn't need a reason to help him.
"Glacius would surely be happy to hear from you."
"... I want to stay," she heard Night protest.
Drift shook his helm. With a look that was both severe and tender, Karan watched the orange samurai put his servo on his daughter's shoulderplate in a gentle embrace, inviting her to look at him.
"... I know you want it."
"I want to stay with you" Night insisted.
"My place is here. The Crystal Cities need you, Night."
He paused.
"… Fracture needs you. And ... you're not going to give up on Kat either, are you?"
"Hm" Night replied, in an annoyed pout.
From a distance, sitting in the sand outside the base, the two twins watched the scene. If she could have, Karan would have smiled at Night's reaction.
She couldn't blame her. In a way, she understood how she was feeling. Her father wanted her to return to the Crystal Cities without him, who would stay behind to assist the Autobots and the Circle of Light in retrieving the last artifact.
"We will celebrate the ceremony when I return" assured him the orange samurai.
"… Promise?" Night asked. "With Jetstorm, Slipstream, Divebomb and Airazor?"
"With Jetstorm, Slipstream, Divebomb and Airazor. With everyone."
"It is a promise?"
"... It's an oath."
When Karan watched Night and Drift exchange a loving hug, Karan thought bitterly how much she missed her parents. How difficult it was to manage on your own without them. Even since her arrival at the Crystal Cities.
She hadn't forgotten it. Those evenings watching movies with her father and mother ... that was what she'd missed the most.
"... Mom would like you to come back" Kat whispered to her.
Karan turned to her, amazed. Kat turned her attention back to her.
"... You could come back with me. At the Crystal Cities ... or on Cybertron, if you wish" her sister offered.
"… On Cybertron?"
"I'm not going to force you to do anything. It's your choice."
Kat took a while before continuing.
"I must admit that I would be more reassured if you came back with Night and I" admitted Kat.
Karan's tone was a little mischievous.
"Come on. And what do you have to offer me so that I accept?"
"What you want," Kat said in the same tone.
"Specify, dear sister."
Kat chuckled.
"We could… go shopping at the Crystal Cities."
"You hate shopping."
"I'm not a fan of it ... but you love it. And even without shopping, we could still… spend time at the Underground City. Make bumper cars, drink cubes…"
"Come home late," Karan continued. "And go beyond the curfew."
"Come home late and go past the curfew," Kat repeated.
Karan was almost touched. Kat ... really wanted her to come back with her.
Karan had always thought that now that she knew how to fend for herself, she no longer needed her sister.
She was relieved that it wasn't true... and she felt it was tempting. Return, resume life, far from this conflict ...
After all, initially she was not part of the mission. That hadn't been her place.
Karan looked down. In the end, she pulled Kat into her arms, hugging her. Her sister hastened to return it.
Before ... she surely wouldn't have hesitated to go back with her.
"... I have been with them. From the start" said Karan. "I think I have to stay until the end."
"…It's your choice."
Kat did not try to protest. And somewhere it relieved her twin. After a longer hug than usual, Kat gently pulled away from her to gaze at her.
"But ... please pay attention to yourself."
"... I'll be careful, little sister. Just ... wait for me, okay?"
Kat nodded.
"Always ... big sister."
These words… That was what she needed ... words of encouragement. Not hearing that this mission was not made for her.
This had been the case at the outset. But Karan was committed. She got involved with Outrigger, members of the Circle of Light, Autobots ... No way she would abandon them.
"… Karan" her sister whispered softly, pointing to something.
Karan turned around.
It was then that she saw him.
Again. This red task in the distance. This eight-legged Minicon, with yellow optics, who looked at her with embarrassment and shame.
As well as another emotion that Karan discerned. … Guilt.
He did not approach her. He expected her to come to him first. And at his sight, the orange and black Cyclops did not know how to react, how to feel.
Was she angry? Yes. Was she relieved? Yes. It was ... very contradictory, very paradoxical emotions.
All she knew was that her betrayal had created a hatred for him, which had disappeared.
Her hatred ... as well as her love. Love, or the closest thing she'd felt toward Chop Shop.
It wasn't a crush, according to Kat.
"... Karan" Kat said.
"... What?"
"You are completely free to choose. If you never want to talk to him again, see him again ...you're totally free."
If Karan had been able to, she would have frowned. She knew her sister better than anyone.
"…But?"
"I think ... you'd be wrong not to let him explain. Once for all. You should listen to him, at least before you make a decision."
Karan curled up.
Was that what her sister advised her to do? But ... What's the point now?
However, Kat sounded to be sure of what she was saying.
"... We will never get back together. It's no longer Chop Shop."
"It's no longer Chop Shop" quietly approved Outrigger who came behind them, stopping to look at the Minicon in the distance.
He closed his optics, thoughtful.
"... But you don't know. And in any case, you could always start from scratch. With his true identity. His identity as Minicon."
He took a time before adding.
"... You could try to become friends."
"It would be a too optimistic scenario" sighed Karan.
"… You can be optimistic, sometimes."
Night, in turn, joined them. Kat turned to her and Night grabbed her by the waist before kissing her gently on the helmet, hugging her tight.
"Did you miss me, darling?"
"... You know it is true."
Silence fell over the group.
Night gave a bitter smile, swiveling towards Karan. The Minicon still hadn't moved.
"... I thought I would never forgive Fracture when I learned about his bounty hunter past" she confessed softly.
Karan stiffened slightly.
She hadn't expected it... She hadn't expected Night to mention her past so abruptly.
"To me, he was a murderer. And it was not possible that I was his daughter. Let me be like him."
Night took a breath, before continuing, looking a little less tense.
Seriously, she spoke to Karan.
"Dad says everyone deserves a second chance. And all that Fracture expected was to be offered one to him. Maybe Chop Shop… well… the last remaining part of Chop Shop, expects the same. A second chance."
Karan looked down.
"... And if he doesn't deserve it?" she questioned her, doubtful.
Night just smiled at her.
"It's up to you to see if he deserves it or not. But he has a right. And in my opinion, if "Chop Shop" remains close to the base, it is to see a particular person."
A person…
"... I think moments that you spent together counted for him" Kat approved.
"… And how do we know?"
"There is always a sign."
The Minicon remained motionless, not trying to make the slightest move.
Then, when Karan looked at him, his yellow optics crossed her globe.
None of them moved. Karan simply felt anger build up before disappearing.
A sign… And which one?
Then, unexpectedly, the Minicon made a gesture.
A simple gesture, without trying to get close to her, to force her to forgive him.
Because Karan knew that she would not forgive.
At least, she wouldn't forget.
But this gesture was enough to pick up a few pieces of her spark. In a single gesture, in a single item, he had supported Kat's words.
By showing something ... the item she had given him during their trip to the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
The Eiffel Tower miniature… the gift he had accepted from her.
He had kept it ... he hadn't thrown it away.
Karan hesitated. She felt Kat gently push her forward, as if she was encouraging her. Karan took a step.
Then another.
Then she stopped. She waited for Kat to hug her from behind, resting her head on her shoulderplate.
"… Be careful."
"Go home ... Kat."
"I love you, Karan."
Again, the warmth embalmed her being.
"... I love you too, Kat."
Karan took her servo before turning around.
The space bridge had appeared. Then, after a last wave, Kat and Night entered the space bridge, servo in servo.
Karan would have smiled.
It was not a farewell. Kat and she would meet again. She knew it. And she knew that Night would take care of her, as she deserved.
She met Drift's gaze and the two felt a weak bond bind them to the idea of watching them leave.
Then, once the space bridge disappeared, Karan turned to walk slowly towards Chop Shop.
No ... No Chop Shop any longer.
Righty. Karan put her servo on her chassis.
Yes. Righty. She had to get used to this idea now.
