Author's Note: Wishing all those who stumble across my little story and this particular chapter as I post it on Christmas Eve 2020, a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays or whatever floats your boat... Happy Thursday evening for those who have no religious affiliations... Whoever you are and wherever you are I wish you peace and goodwill, stay safe and stay chill (as in calm, relaxed, no worries mate ;-) ... Till All Are One!

Now on with the show...

Chapter 71 – I Bid You Return

Prime P.O.V

''Xanthium approaching Tranquility base,'' I notify Mearing and the other Government and NASA officials involved in our unscheduled and secret mission to the dark side of the moon to investigate a crashed spacecraft. A craft whose existence, until a few joors ago, had been kept a secret from us. A craft cloaked not only in the darkness of the far side of the moon, but in bureaucratic red tape and lies.

As we approach the landing area, my optics take in the wreckage of the ''The Ark.'' For a moment I am transported back to Cybertron and that fateful moment as I watched this same craft leave my home planet carrying with it our hopes of winning the war and my mentor and old friend Sentinel Prime. I closed my optics for a moment as regret and sadness washed over me at the sight of the shattered wreckage. Its twisted and mangled shell a reflection of my shattered hopes.

''You're a go for landing,'' a voice replies from the other end. As Rachet and I carefully maneuverer the Xanthium into landing position, I begin to consider what we may find. /Perhaps there is nothing here? Perhaps Sentinel Prime perished in the crash along with the crew? Perhaps the pillars he had fought so desperately to keep safe, have also perished?/.

As the engines powered down and I prepared to leave the craft, I made a conscious effort to focus on the present moment. /Do not think what might be, it is time to find out what is/. ''Rachet, let's roll!'' I call out to my medic and friend as we exited the ship. It is easy to take large strides towards the crashed Ark and we soon arrive, using our lasers to cut a way in through the side of the craft.

Walking inside the massive structure, I announce to those back on Earth, ''We're entering the Ark.'' Using my headlights to illuminate the darkness that surrounds me, I lay optics on the button that activates the ship's crash vault. At the press of the button, a hidden compartment in the ship's floor slides open to reveal its precious cargo – Sentinel Prime and five of his pillars, including what looks to be the control pillar. Feelings of relief, excitement and concern course through me in equal measure.

''His levels are faint. He must have locked himself away to guard the pillars,'' Rachet surmised as he performed a quick scan of Sentinel's vitals.

Bending down I carefully place my arms around Sentinel's frame and lift him out of his prison. ''Sentinel, you're coming home old friend.'' His face seems almost devoid of life, his frame limp in my arms. I activate my comm unit and inform those back on Earth, ''This is Prime. We have Sentinel and the pillars. We are preparing to leave.''

I turn to face Rachet, ''Conduct a quick sweep of the rest of the ship for any possible signs of survivors, though I dare say it is futile, we must try.''

Rachet gave a simple nod and performed an immediate scan of the area before walking off a short distance and sweeping the remainder of the area. He shook his helm, a look of sadness creeping over his features, ''Negative Prime. No other survivors.'' I felt my spark ache for a moment at the loss of fellow Autobots. ''They likely all perished in the initial blast or subsequent crash as they were not safely sealed in the vault.'' Rachet cast serious optics towards me, ''To be honest it is miraculous Sentinel has managed to survive this long, we must move fast if we hope to use the Matrix to revive him.''

Nodding my agreeance, we both move swiftly back towards the Xanthium. Once Sentinel was safely strapped to one of the medical births, I began the sequence for take-off whilst Rachet tended to Sentinel. As the Xanthium easily broke free of the gravitational pull of the moon and travelled swiftly and purposefully back towards Earth, I couldn't help but feel that this was the easy part of the path that lay before us.

Though I was proof of the power of the Matrix and its ability to restore life to Transformer, there was that small twinge of doubt in my processor. /What if it fails? What then?/. There was also the worrying thought of keeping Sentinel away from the Decepticons. If they knew that we had Sentinel Prime in our ranks, two Primes, they may feel forced to intensify their hostilities in a bid to weaken us.

As we hurtled through space the thought of Phoenix also crossed my processor. /And how do you explain Phoenix to Sentinel?/. He will know as soon as he looks at her that she is a femme he has never seen and question where she has come from. /Do I tell him the truth?/. I had just seen what comes of lies and concealing the truth. I resolved to tell Sentinel of Phoenix's origin should he enquire. As to our feelings towards each other and our new relationship, that would remain unspoken for now. It was ''need to know'' basis and at the moment, no one but Phoenix and I needed to know. I allowed my thoughts to drift to that of my beloved Phoenix. I had the better part of at least 36 Earth hours ahead of me as we made the return journey, and as I rarely had the luxury of being able to just 'sit and think'' about anything but especially personal matters, I allowed my processor the guilty pleasure of replaying those precious moments between us.

As I recalled the feel of her servos on my helm, the taste of her glossa as it danced with my own, and her warm body pressed against mine, a wave of excitement and urgency swept over me. I sighed out loud within the cockpit of the craft, ''Soon my Phoenix, soon I will be back by your side and in your arms where I belong. And hopefully, with the revival of Sentinel Prime, we shall be able to spend more time together.'' I couldn't help a small, hopeful smile from spreading across my dermas as I continued to think about the other half of my spark and the distance between us grew smaller and smaller...

''All NEST officials clear the floor. We have ten minutes until attempted contact,'' the announcement echoed around the hanger informing those necessary to make their way to the large bay we were now situated in as Sentinel's seemingly lifeless body prepared to be reawaken by the Matrix that resided in my chest cavity.

I stood nearby, my Autobot troops and Phoenix also gathered, watching me nervously and carefully. Rachet and I had not long gotten back to NEST HQ in Washington DC after our connecting flight from Cape Canaveral. Once Mearing had learned of the pillar's survival, she had requested that her Government take them into immediate possession for further study and to decide if they posed a threat to Earth.

At first, I hesitated given the disaster that befell us after we allowed humans to take possession of the supposed last shard of the Allspark. However, I soon relented as we were guests on their planet and human and Autobot relations were becoming strained of late. Perhaps this would be a gesture of goodwill that might continue to smooth the path between our races and remind each other of the trust we share?

Phoenix watched me closely, offering a smile of support and encouragement, her optics conveying what words could not. Yet again, I had found myself unable to spend time with her as I had to meet with Director Mearing immediately and prepare Sentinel Prime for reactivation. I fought down a rather undignified sigh of frustration and turned to face the sound of voices. Though they were standing behind a glass barrier, my audials could still detect their words. It was Lennox and Mearing.

''Sentinel Prime,'' Lennox explained to Mearing. ''These things run on energon and he's out of it. He's in some sort of sleep mode,'' I listened as Lennox explained in simplified terms what the current situation was to Director Mearing.

I had also seen Sam and Carly enter the room. I had not seen Sam or Carly for quite some time. The duties of a Prime often prevented me from socialising and Sam himself had been busy finishing college and looking for employment. Mikaela, it seemed, had not been the spark for Sam. He seemed to care deeply for Carly, and she for him. I wished them well.

I redirected my attention to the task at hand. The moment had arrived to trust in the power of the Matrix and attempt to bring back my mentor and friend. ''Let us begin.'' I opened my chest cavity and guided the Matrix out. Its bright blue light pulsing within its metal casing within my servos. I strode towards Sentinel, my own spark speeding up in nervous anticipation. I dare not look towards Phoenix.

I was vaguely aware of Lennox explaining what it was I held in my servos and what was about to take place, ''The Great Matrix of Leadership. He holds the only thing in the universe that can repower a Transformer's spark.'' /'Let's hope/, I thought to myself as I came to stand before Sentinel's reclined form. /Please, let this work/.

''This is incredible,'' Carly whispered.

I held the Matrix aloft for a moment, ''Sentinel Prime, we bid you return,'' I plunged the Matrix in his chest. At once Sentinel's form began to twitch and jolt and the sounds of choking, gurgling noises could be heard as his optics came online and his body reanimated. Before I could say another word to welcome my mentor and friend back, he had shoved me to the floor and drawn his impressive blade, bringing it to rest threateningly on my helm. He pinned me down, the sound of growls and gurgling as Sentinel strained to speak again.

''Hold your fire!'' I heard Lennox shout out as he ran down the stairs towards Sentinel and myself.

I brought my servos up to try and push Sentinel off and hold him back all the while trying to talk reassuringly to him, ''Stop Sentinel! It is I, Optimus Prime. It is alright you are safe.'' Though the blade remained near my helm and neck, a killing blow was not delivered as Sentinel tried to process what was happening. /I should have known he would be disoriented and confused after millions of years in stasis/.

I heard my Autobots step forward in preparation to defend me if necessary, Phoenix at the fore. Rachet spoke up trying to soothe Sentinel, ''There is nothing to fear.'' They stepped closer, though Ironhide waved them back, silently reminding them to be cautious and not get too close.

Sentinel's optics, initially wild and fearful, looked around, comprehension slowly dawning. The blade was slowly removed from its deadly position. ''We are here. You are home Sentinel,'' I spoke to him again in reassuring tones.

Sentinel removed his blade and stepped back from me, allowing me to collect the fallen Matrix and begin to get off the floor. ''The war? The war?'' Sentinel asked in a raspy voice as vocal processor left unused for millions of years suddenly began to work again.

I slowly got to my pedes again, ''The war was lost. Cybertron is but a barren wasteland.'' My spark ached to tell my mentor how I had failed and what had become of our home. ''We have taken refuge here on planet Earth. Its human race is our ally.'' I replaced the Matrix within my chest cavity for now.

Sentinel seemed to take what I said with remarkable resilience, ''My ship? We came under fire. The pillars? Where are the pillars?'' Sentinel's voice rose in alarm and concern as he recalled what his mission had been.

''You saved five of them, including the control pillar,'' I reassured Sentinel as I stepped towards him.

Sentinel's tone was one of equal annoyance and shock, ''Only five? We once had hundreds!''

I was unaware of that and for a moment a flash of worry raced through my processor. /What had happened to the others?/.

At this point the strident and demanding voice of Director Mearing rang out, ''Excuse me Gentlemen. May I ask what is this technology you are looking for?'' While Mearing could be abrasive and unpleasant at times, you could not question her bravery and singlemindedness in performing her role.

Sentinel turned his helm towards her, looking down upon her, ''It is the ability to reshape the universe. Together the pillars form a space bridge that I designed, and I alone can control it. It defies your laws of physics to transport matter through time and space.'' Though it was explanation enough, I could not help detecting a small amount of arrogance in Sentinel's tone. I dismissed it.

Mearing challenged Sentinel, ''You're talking about a teleportation device, aren't you?''

I could sense Director Mearing's rising stress and concern and I spoke to try and alleviate it, reassuring her of its intended purposes, ''Yes, for resources, for refuges.''

Mearing took a step backwards as she processed this information and drew an unpleasant conclusion, ''Refugees or troops of soldiers! Weapons, maybe bombs! A means of an instant strike. That's its military function isn't it?'' she demanded.

Once again Sentinel spoke with an air of arrogance and self-entitlement that set off a whisper of concern, ''It is our technology and it must be returned.''

Mearing was not to be deterred, ''Yes, if humans say so! You can't just bring weapons of mass destruction into our atmosphere. Kinda have to clear customs first. A little formality called paperwork that kind of separates us from the animals.'' Mearing's initial annoyance and disbelief at being misled had given way to sarcasm and this did not sit well with Sentinel. Whilst I normally would have replied, Sentinel was my superior and Mearing seemed to be directing the questions to him, so I stood back to observe.

The annoyance Sentinel was clearly beginning to feel towards being spoken to in such a manner leeched through into his tone and his words, ''I will overlook your condescending tone if you heed the gravity of mine. The Decepticons must never know the space bridge is here, for in their hands it would mean the end of your world.'' He fixed her with an authoritative and dismissive stare.

The room was thick with tension and I was about to speak when Mearing, shooting Sentinel her own glare, replied, ''Understood and agreed. However, Sentinel, for the time being, the pillars will remain in human possession. That is non-negotiable.'' She turned on her heel and, followed by Lennox and the other various Government officials, disappeared down the walkways into the bowels of the building. Sam and Carly gave me a brief wave and I inclined my helm in their direction before they followed in her path.

Sentinel scowled in anger and frustration, ''How dare she speak to a Prime with such disrespect.'' Sentinel moved to follow her. I reached out my servo to place it on his arm and prevent him from following. He turned to first look at the offending servo and then towards my helm, searching for an explanation of my actions.

''Easy Sentinel. I can only imagine how confusing this must be for you being awoken in a world whose race and customs you do not understand. The humans of this world are capable of a great many things. While they can indeed be disrespectful and seemingly arrogant, they are also capable of great courage, honour and wisdom. Please, give them a chance to show you this,'' I entreated Sentinel.

He stilled for a moment clearly considering my words before giving a brief nod of his helm, ''very well Optimus, I shall yield to your advice - for now.'' I removed my servo from his arm and nodded, again that whisper of uncertainty echoed through my processor.