Chapter 49 – Out of the Ashes…
Rachet P.O.V
''OC… I… I don't know how to say this to you. Optimus is… dead,'' I started to reach for her.
She gave a strangled cry. A sob of disbelief, of fear, of pain. A pain greater than I had never known could exist. She stood there, her body shaking, trembling with utter grief and despair before she screamed ''NO, NO, NO!'' I looked on in horror and amazement as she brought both of her servos in front of her. They were alight, flames leaping high into the air. Her whole body started to ignite, consumed by the rage and anger she must have felt at Prime's loss. I was vaguely aware of various objects around the room beginning to float and rise into the air. /HOLY SLAGGING HELL!/ What on Earth was happening?
I watched as OC screamed her anguish, as though it would tear her apart if she didn't allow it to escape. ''PRIME…. CHASE…..NO… NOT AGAIN… I CAN'T LOSE HIM TOO… NO…"'
I had to reach her, though I knew she was too far gone. I had to try. For Prime. ''OC! PLEASE, LISTEN.'' I started to move towards her, arms outstretched in surrender and silent support.
OC's optics flashed and burned with fire, pure rage and pain. ''GET AWAY FROM ME – LEAVE ME NOW!'' Her whole body was shaking violently. ''RACHET GET AWAY.. I CAN'T STOP.. LEAVE!'' My spark clenched painfully in my chest as I took in the sight of my friend in such utter agony, consuming herself in her own pain.
I don't think I will ever forget the sound that she made then. It was a loud scream, almost like a screech, anguished and bitter, filled with rage and terror, pain and desolation. My optics went wide as I noticed at the same time, the flames spewing from her servos and her body grew bigger. The room started to shake and vibrate. /She is going to explode!/. I HAD to act.
While she had her optics closed in momentary pain, I made a move. I raced around behind her, producing the syringe filled with sedative I had hidden in my subspace a few joors ago when OC had first woken up and realised she was now a Transformer. I had it in case she lost control. While I hadn't needed it then – I sure as the pits needed it now!
I lunged at her back and wrapped an arm about her torso as tightly as I could, the flames did not concern me. I didn't care if I got burned. I sunk the needle into the main cable in her neck, injecting it all. I barely had enough time to do that before she screamed in rage and flung me as though I was a small sparkling across the room, sending me crashing into the wall. My shoulder hurt and the impact left a dent, but I had narrowly avoided being consumed by the fireball she shot in either direction, obliterating the wall on either side.
She turned on me ready to confront whoever did that to her. I held out a servo, pleading with her. The sight of me must have stirred some sort of recognition in her as the flames began to die down, the maelstrom of objects crashed to the ground and my friend sobbed out loud, ''Rachet, I'm sorry. I can't… so much pain,'' and she stumbled to her knees.
I felt so guilty for having to do that to her and so sorry that I could not help her in her grief and pain. ''OC, I'm so sorry. I HAD to.. it will be okay. I will be here for you.'' I tried to comfort her. With that the sedatives kicked in and she shuttered her optics and fell into darkness.
That had been several hours ago. I had promptly put out the fires and scooped her up, placing her on the berth again and checking all of her vitals. She was in a deep sleep but otherwise unharmed. I could not say the same for the Med Bay.
There were two huge holes in two of the walls where OC had blasted them with fireballs. There were piles of broken glass and rubble from the various objects she had moved and thrown with her psychokinesis. /No doubt there will be trouble over this. I don't know what will happen to OC, especially with her newfound powers and her new powerful form. With Prime gone, who will stop the Government from taking her away – apart from herself I guess!/.
I stood guard over her comatose form. ''I'm sorry OC. I wish there was something I could do to take your pain away from you.'' I knew the pain and anger my own spark felt at Prime's loss, I could not imagine what she must be feeling. I busied myself by placing restraints on her servos and her pedes. /Perhaps, if I could somehow restrain them it might be harder for her to channel that power again?/ Anything was worth trying.
I checked my internal chronometer. They had been in the air for about six hours, so they had at least 14 more hours of flight time and then landing etc. OC's sedative I had administered although fast acting, would only last for another hour or two. If I had to, I would sedate her again, but I doubt I would get away with it again. I just hope she is able to keep some control. Out of the blue my comm sounded. ::Rachet here:: I growled into my comm as exhaustion and frustration took their toll on me.
::Rachet, it's Jazz. How is OC? You haven't told her, have you?:: He sounded – excited.
I cursed in Cybertroanian. ::Well of course I slagging have you son of a glitch! And for your information it did NOT go down well::
::Oh. We knew she would be upset..:: Jazz started to talk.
::UPSET? JAZZ, she nearly exploded with grief, anger and pain! I have never seen anything like it:: I could not keep the anger and pain out of my voice at recalling OC so upset and at the apparent nonchalant reaction Jazz had given.
::She fragging what? HOW?:: Jazz was incredulous.
::She nearly exploded Jazz. I will not discuss this with you now but OC is not the same as you remember her. She has been through some changes – in more than one way. Suffice it to say as a result of these changes I had to sedate her before she destroyed herself, me and the Med Bay:: I spat out at our acting Commander.
::HOLY FRAGGING HELL!:: Jazz exclaimed.
::You can say that again! Why have you contacted me anyway?:: I asked somewhat annoyed and intrigued.
::Well that there Rachet pal is the kicker. Ya see… and hold on to ya hats here… Sam… thinks he has found a way to bring Prime back to life!:: Jazz could not contain his excitement.
For the millionth time in the past few days my spark stopped. ::What the slag Jazz! Are you fragging joking me?:: I felt a wave of hope flow over me. ::How can he do that?::
::Man I don't fully understand it but something about the Matrix and the Dagger's tip.. We are heading to Egypt now with Prime's body. We just ditched Galloway so should be smooth sailing without that arsehole!:: Jazz sounded so excited.
I looked down at OC. ::Jazz if there is the slightest chance this will work, PLEASE do everything in your power to bring Prime back. It has to work. Without Prime, I fear all will be lost::
::Oh, you can say that again Rachet, don't need to tell me how important the Big Bot is. We are talking end of the World here. The Fallen. He is real! One of the Thirteen Primes turned evil. Only a Prime can defeat him. That's why they needed Sam, to get to Optimus and kill him so the Fallen could finish what he started millennia ago – destroying Earth!::
I closed my optics. /Primus help us all. Please… return Optimus to us/.
::I gotta go man, just thought ya should know what we're up to. I don't know when we will be back, or if we will be back:: Jazz's confidence dimmed slightly.
I growled down the comm link, ::Do NOT talk like that Jazz. It will work. It has to work; the alternative does not bear thinking. Have Prime contact me as soon as he has defeated the Fallen and you are all safe::
Jazz laughed, ::Wish I had your confidence mate, but will do. See ya Rachet!:: Again, silence.
I cast my optics down to OC, she was stirring. It would not be long now before the effects of the sedative wore off and she would be awake. Before that happened, I had to think of what to say to her to try and cast some light down into the dark hole I knew she was in. I gently touched her face, ''Please OC, hold on, don't give up. It will be okay. Prime is coming back to us – to you! Hold on.
