27- Orion Pax (Part 1).
"In high sight, we accomplished what was required. With Unicron's awakening, extreme measures needed to be taken: enemies became allies, allies became confidantes. And with the Matrix of Leadership, the galaxy was saved. Though at an immeasurable, personal cost. When Optimus surrendered the matrix, he lost more than the collective wisdom of the Primes, he lost himself." Ratchet retold to everyone.
"That doesn't follow. Optimus knew Megatron." Arcee started.
"They were like BFFs." Bulkhead added.
"(Well, more like worse enemies forever.)"
"Then how it is possible that he acted that way?" Cliff asked.
"If Optimus did not know his own name, perhaps it is because the title of Prime hasn't yet been granted to him." Ratchet concluded.
"Huh?" Aris asked.
"What?" Luke asked.
"Say again?" Leia added.
"With the power of the matrix no longer within him, it would stand to reason that Optimus has reverted to his pre-Prime state: the historical archivist, Orion Pax." Ratchet explained.
"You mean in his mind." Satine assumed.
"Are you telling me Prime thinks he's some kind of Decepticon librarian?" Anakin asked.
Meanwhile, in the Nemesis's bridge…
"Attention crew, our guest is currently in isolation to help ease his transition. But when Orion Pax emerges, he is to be showed every courtesy. And the first to address him as Optimus Prime will have their voice box torn out." Megatron announced.
"Lord Megatron, is it wise to allow an Autobot, current or former, full run of the premises?"
"Nothing happens aboard this ship without my knowledge. You would do well to remember that, Airachnid. But there's no need for concern: Orion does not possess the same fight Optimus' is so renowned for."
"Then what use is he to our cause?"
"Ah, rest assured. Orion Pax will indeed earn his stripes."
Inside the ship's medical bay, Knock Out was doing something on Orion's shoulder.
"Welcome back to the winning team." Knock Out said, revealing that Optimus now had the Decepticon emblem instead of the Autobots'.
Back at base…
"Being a Decepticon is a choice, master Skywalker. One that I have a hard time believing Optimus would make, at any point in his life." Ratchet clarified.
"So if he's ridding with the Cons…" Bulkhead started.
"It's because Megatron is working some kind of voodoo." Cliff ended.
"Orion Pax may not currently be an Autobot up here." Ratchet said pointing his head. "But I must believe he will never stop being one in here." He pointed to his spark. "We must locate him, to know for certain."
"Hold on. All special agents of the Republic, in or out the military, have special trackers inside their bodies to know exactly where they are. Are you telling me you can't just track Prime?" Obi Wan asked.
"Optimus's signal has not reappeared since he embarked for Planet X's core. But we must get to work finding him, if we have any hope of initiating his contingency plan."
"Contingency plan?" Arcee asked.
"What contingency?" Bulkhead followed.
"Is that even a word?" Han asked.
"The key card." Sky remembered, showing it.
"What's that?" His father asked.
"Optimus gave it to me before they departure. I promised him I will keep it safe and sound. So, what's it do?"
"It grants access to Vector Sigma: the repository of the wisdom of the Primes." Ratchet answered.
"Is that some sort of supercomputer?" Sky's mother asked.
"So we can just download Optimus's memories back into him?" Luke added.
"Great! Which one is Vector Sigma? Over here? Somewhere in back?" Sky asked pointing at the terminals.
"Vector Sigma is more than a supercomputer, Sky. It is an ancient source of mystical power…on Cybertron." Ratchet revealed.
Back in the Nemesis, Megatron was accompanying Orion into the bridge. He saw all the Decepticons turning at him, stopping on what they were doing, but nothing more.
"You have been a captive of the Autobots, and locked in stasis for quite some time, Orion. Long enough for us to be in exodus on another galaxy. One very far away from our world." Megatron told him.
"Exodus, why?" Orion asked.
"Because the warlord Ratchet's careless actions led to this."
What Megatron showed next let Orion without words, horrified by what he was seeing.
"Cybertron."
Seeing his planet dead, Megatron could observe Orion's face showing pure anger and rage, which made him smile. Meanwhile, at base…
"Wait. That means I have to go to your home planet?!" Sky asked in disbelief.
"No, you don't have to. Is too risky to travel to an unknown planet from outside our galaxy." Ahsoka objected.
"I'm in."
"You're not going either, Han. Not when one of you can." Lux said looking at the Autobots.
"They're right. Sky's too young, he's not even a padawan. Why send a child to do the job of an Autobot?" Satine defended.
"Because only a Prime can access Vector Sigma, or one chosen by a Prime. Optimus gave the key card to Sky, it is now imprinted with his unique bio signature." Ratchet revealed.
"So, you mean Sky is like some kind of honorary Prime?" Aris asked.
"Let's just say Sky is the only one who can return Optimus to the Autobot we knew." Ratchet clarified.
"But why would Optimus willfully endanger a human? A little boy?" Ahsoka demanded.
"Maybe Optimus believes there's more to Sky than meets the eye. And by that I am not referring only to his special ability with the Force Lightning." Arcee suggested.
"What?" Obi Wan asked surprised.
"Ahsoka, what is she referring to?" Anakin asked.
"Uh, I will explain that later, Master."
"All of which is moot, the key card is useless to us without a means of reaching Cybertron. Which we at present do not possess." Ratchet reminded.
"Dude, what about that?"
"Han, the ground bridge barely got them into the galaxy's edge. Remember?" Aris pointed.
"Yeah, but Ratchet built it. Can he just upgrade it as a space bridge, or simply turbocharge it?" He suggested. Which made Ratchet think about that.
"Well, there is nothing bad in trying. By the way, what about Planet X?" Leia reminded.
"Well, now that Unicron is gone, is nothing more than an ordinary planet. But surprisingly it keeps moving adrift through space. With its actual trajectory and in a couple of weeks, it will end getting out the galaxy, and it will keep wondering in deep space to an unknown fate." Ratchet deduced.
Back to the Nemesis…
"I cannot believe Ratchet's capable of such horrors." Orion said in disbelief.
"Yes, and to think the Doctor of Doom's mad quest for power continues. His marauders pursued us to this galaxy's territory, ruled by an advanced galactic society called the Galactic Republic. We feel they are not ready to behold us, but we have resolved to protect this galaxy from the same tragedy which was dealt to our own."
"One question, Megatron. Why are we called Decepticons?"
"Another craven Autobots scare tactic: the name was meant to demonize us. Instead, we wear it as a badge of honor: for us speaking the truth is a deception, then we are gladly guilty." Megatron invented, earning a nod from Orion. "Now please Orion, there will be plenty of time for catching up, you must rest."
Megatron was about to leave when…
"Megatron, I will do my part to stop Ratchet's unspeakable crimes of aggression." Orion said as he balled up his fist. "This I vow, with all my spark."
That made Megatron smirk as he left Orion on the bridge. Moments later, he was with Soundwave.
"It seems we have successfully achieved control of Orion's spark. Now to put his mind to work. Have you sanitized the data core?" Megatron asked, earning a nod from Soundwave. "Excellent. Our new archivist will require unlimited access to our files, and would be counterproductive for him to stumble upon any sensitive information."
Sometime later, on his home world, Sky was waiting for Arcee to pass an enjoyable day the two of them alone. The reason: it was the anniversary of his parents' wedding, and they wanted to pass sometime between them. Right in that moment, Arcee arrived.
"Are you sure your parents are okay with you passing the entire day with me?"
"Of course, this is an important day for them, and they now know that I'm always okay with you." He answered riding on her. "By the way, any sign of Optimus?"
Arcee sighed. "Sorry, not today."
"Not yet. But we will find him, sooner or later. Trust me." Sky said encouraged.
"Thank you, Sky. A little hope is always welcome. Well, let's put that aside so we can enjoy our trip today." Arcee affirmed before starting to drive to their destination.
On the Nemesis, Megatron was walking with Knock Out, talking about their next step of the Decepticon campaign.
"When we stormed the Iacon Hall of Records in the waging days of the war for Cybertron, we acquired highly classified files. Files written with Autobot codes, which we have been unable to decipher."
"Autobot codes which the Iacon archivist Orion Pax should have no trouble cracking. Considering what's at stake, shouldn't we beef up the security around here?"
"Knock Out, I believe that Orion will perform most effectively if he does not feel threatened or confined in any way. However, it is no coincidence that Orion's workstation is located in direct proximity to the energon storage vault."
"Which is under constant surveillance. Well played."
Meanwhile, in the Autobot base, Aris was testing her lightsaber skills with training droids when she suddenly heard some beeping noise. She looked over and saw Ratchet working on the ground bridge. She also saw BB-8 carrying some pieces to him.
"Thank you, BB-8." He said.
"Ratchet, are you turbocharging the ground bridge?" Aris asked.
"Tinkering." He corrected. "No need to get anyone's hopes up just yet."
Back on the Nemesis, Orion was working on his workstation, typing on the terminal, until one of millions of red cybertronian letters turned blue. In that moment, Megatron arrived.
"Orion, how fair's Project Iacon?"
"I am a bit rusty; I fear. I've only managed to decode three entries."
"And what do these entries comprise?"
"They were logged by Autobot archivists during the war, after I entered stasis. My only knowledge of their contents so far is that they are coordinates. Targeting locations on this very galaxy, probably planets of different star systems." Orion reported showing a hologram of some locations of the galaxy. "I surmise that they could indicate hiding places for vessels, shuttled from Cybertron for safekeeping."
"Such as historical documents or cultural artifacts?" Megatron asked looking at the hologram.
"My greatest fear would be weapons of mass destruction, hidden away for later use."
"All the more reason it is essential that we do everything in our power to keep said vessels from Autobot reach. We are fortunate to have you on our side, Orion Pax." Megatron said before heading to the exit.
"Lord Megatron, I am puzzled by one particular finding: I have discovered several historic references to Starscream as your second-in-command." Orion said as he showed an image of the former Decepticon. "Yet I have not seen him aboard the ship."
"Sadly, commander Starscream is dead." Megatron simply answered before leaving.
Megatron returned to the bridge, where Soundwave was with his duties.
"Orion ask many questions. A valuable trade in an archivist, but not in a Decepticon. It is a matter of time before he unravels our fabrications, and his innate sense of right and wrong rises to the surface. I only hope that Orion will complete Project Iacon before I am forced to destroy him. Once and for all."
At the Autobot base, Ratchet continued his job when the terminal sounded and showed a transmission.
"Ratchet, are you there? We have a serious situation."
"Master Skywalker, is it Optimus?"
"The Decepticons. They have returned to Coruscant, and they're attacking the same location they hit three weeks ago." Anakin reported.
"(I wonder if they are there looking for what they came for the first time.)"
"Another space bridge?" Bulkhead suggested.
"But for all we know Optimus is riding with them." Cliffjumper said.
"Roll out." Ratchet declared.
The clone troopers were firing AV-7 Antivehicle Cannons at Breakdown and Knock Out, the only Decepticons who were getting the power source. But they managed to stand their ground, returning fire with their own guns, destroying the cannons. In that moment, they saw a ground bridge appear next to them and the four Autobots coming through it in vehicle form, transforming and running at them.
"Drop the power source!" Cliff shouted.
"Aren't you missing someone?" Knock Out mocked.
They aimed their weapons at them, but unfortunately a few Decepticon air troopers appeared from the smoke and fired at them. The Autobots managed to take them down.
"Ready for that bridge!" Knock Out called through com-link, making a ground bridge portal appeared in front of the two Decepticons. "We'll be sure to tell the Big O you said hello." Knock Out said saluting them before he and Breakdown entered the portal.
But Arcee was not going to allow them to leave so easily, so she changed to vehicle form and went after them.
"Arcee!" Cliff yelled.
She managed to evade the last air Decepticon's shots and jump into the portal before it closed, passing Knock Out and Breakdown and getting inside the Nemesis.
"Scrap." Knock Out cursed.
Arcee continued driving through the ship's corridors until she encountered some Vehicons and a leaper who fired at her. She engaged them in robot form, disposing of them one by one in close combat until she took down the leaper, who survived, and she put her feet on his head.
"Where's Optimus? Answer me!" She demanded, threatening with her wrist blade.
A trio of Decepticon tanks approached her from the front, but she used the leaper's body to cover herself. Next, she dodged the shots and eliminated the first one with her blades, the second with some acrobatics and shot down the last one. Next, she changed back to vehicle form and continue the search. Unfortunately, Soundwave already detected her and was showing it to his leader.
"What?" Megatron said in disbelief.
"Arcee." Airachnid recognized, activating her spider mode. "Allow me to welcome her aboard."
"No. If Orion so much as lays eyes on another Autobot, let alone be allowed to witness its destruction, everything he currently believes will be called into question. See to it that Arcee is escorted off this ship immediately." Megatron commanded to Soundwave, who nodded.
The sounds of Arcee engaging the Decepticons reached to Orion's workstation, which caught his attention. Arcee continued making her way between the Decepticons, dodging their shots and fired them back with her vehicle form's weapons, and passing them through. Taking a look out, Orion saw some Vehicons with guns ready moving.
"Orion, please return to your station. Lord Megatron's orders." One of them told him before going with the rest.
But Orion's instinct told him to go investigate it. Soundwave stood in middle of an intersection, waiting for Arcee, who speeded up once she spotted him as Orion was getting close to Soundwave's location. Once Arcee was close enough, Soundwave charged the ground bridge, and when Arcee was about to jump at him, he activated it and made her jump through it. When Orion met him, everything was done.
"I heard a commotion." Orion said, but Soundwave simply looked at him before walking away.
The portal took Arcee to one of Naboo's polar regions. She changed form, seeing where she was.
"What the…? NOOOOOOOOO!"
Moments later, Ratchet was checking her back at base with Sky by her side.
"You weren't able to determine the Decepticons' location? Or if Optimus was even aboard ship?" Ratchet asked.
"I…couldn't confirm." She answered.
Enraged, Bulkhead hit one of Ratchet's tools hard.
"Bulkhead!" Ratchet shouted.
"What?! You needed that?! The only thing I need is our head honcho back!" Bulkhead shouted as he slammed his fists together.
"Is not your fault." Sky said, trying to comfort her.
"I know. But if any of us needed rescuing, Optimus would've found a way. I didn't, simply as that."
"Ratchet! What happened out there? Reports indicated at least a dozen wounded. The senate want some explanation, and the council said that if you don't start acting like a team, they will allow the Republic military command to control all your operations. And believe me, I don't want that to happen." Anakin said before hang up.
"But then what would you do?" Aris asked.
"Who knows? Maybe they'll force us to deliver them our knowledge about cybertronian technology, or simply advance weaponry!" Ratchet said sarcastically.
"I don't blame Skywalker. Optimus would've evacuated all natives in the area before engaging the Cons." Arcee said.
"(That's the first thing he would have done.)"
"We don't actually know what Optimus would've done because he's not here!" Bulkhead retorted.
"You're pretty good at stating the obvious, Bulk. Anything else you'd like to mention that we already know?" Cliffjumper asked annoyed.
"Nothing I can say in front of the children." Bulkhead answered.
"Enough!" Luke yelled, earning the Bots' attention. "Arguing and shouting between all you are not going to solve anything! Aren't we overlooking one positive? Nobody is talking about what the Cons just got their claws on."
"Yes. We've managed to allow them to finally acquire a power source for their space bridge!" Ratchet reminded.
"And how exactly would that be a positive?" Arcee asked.
"We let them finish building their space bridge." Luke started.
"Why? So they can bring more zombies back from Cybertron?" Bulkhead asked.
"No, so we can commander it, and use it to send Sky to Cybertron." Leia explained.
"What?" Sky asked in disbelief. "Guys, I know how important this is for all of you, but I don't think go to Cybertron is a good idea for me."
"That aside, that's a pretty good idea." Han remarked.
"Oh well, if Han thinks is a good idea." Arcee said sarcastically.
"At least we are trying to help and think for a plan." Aris said annoyed. "And nobody said it would be easy, but you've seized a space bridge before."
"We blew up one." Cliff corrected. "That's a whole lot different that the four of us seizing and holding one."
"(Let's not forget about its location.)"
"Bee's right, we'd have to find the thing first." Arcee supported.
"Uh, hello! If it's a space bridge isn't it…" Han began as he pointed upwards.
"The term space refers to its transport range, no its physical location!" Ratchet corrected. "And we've been monitoring the deeps of known space of every region, including the galaxy's edge, since the last one! We'd know if it were there."
"So the bridge could be at any place of the galaxy." Leia realized.
"Like trying to find a servo in a scrapyard." Bulkhead remarked.
"Then maybe we better start looking." Arcee declared.
"We could ask the Jedi to search it for us on known or very important systems of the Republic, that could make our job easier." Cliffjumper suggested.
"But the fact remains, we do not know what the Decepticons have in store for Optimus, of if he is truly safe from harm." Ratchet said.
Around the Nemesis, which was now passing through a nebula, a squadron of air soldiers was finishing their patrol and was about to return to the ship. But they were not aware that suddenly, another starfighter appeared from behind them and followed them into the ship's hangar. Its form was unmistakable, it was Starscream. The air troops transformed once inside the hangar, Starscream managed to get inside before the doors closed and waited for the cost clear so he could transform. Once inside, he moved sneaky through the corridors, until he arrived to his destination: the energon store vault. But there were two guardians at the door, so he simply walked at them. When they saw him, they pulled out their melee weapons.
"Starscream."
"That's commander Starscream. What's your malfunction? Lower your weapons immediately." He corrected them.
"I'm sorry, sir. But Lord Megatron ordered that you'd taken into custody if should you ever return to the ship." The other guardian explained.
"What? Clearly there has been a mistake." Starscream retorted, right before he decapitated one of them with his claws.
The other tried to shot at him, but missed and hit the light. Starscream took advantage of this and finished the other with his claws. Moments later, Starscream walked out of the vault, carrying four energon cubes. Suddenly, he heard footsteps getting closer, so he was forced to hide. He decided to do it in the closest room, but once inside, he was surprised at seeing who was working on a terminal, especially when he turned at him.
"No. Optimus Prime?" He questioned dropping the energon and aiming his missiles at him, while he looked confused.
To be continued…