Chapter 95 – Divide and Conquer

Prime P.O.V

Two years.

For two long years my Autobots and I have been keeping a low profile, constantly moving around from place to place. While most humans know we have been granted asylum and immunity since the Battle of Chicago, distrust of Transformers is on the increase. Many lives were lost in that battle, the repercussions of which are being felt exponentially every day.

All Autobot-human endeavours have been terminated and while we are tolerated, there is a growing distrust of Transformers in general. Though we were asked to leave our island home of Deigo Garcia, we were not asked to leave this planet altogether so perhaps there is hope that perhaps one day the trust we once shared will be restored.

/Hope! You live in hope for so very many things, how well has that served you?/, the mocking and bitter thought echoed accusingly through my subconscious. Silently clenching and unclenching my servos, I let the thought dissipate unchallenged.

I shifted on my pedes as I awaited the return of my loyal scout, Bumblebee, my optics scanning the horizon. Elita stood not far off talking to Arcee so she thankfully did not see the momentary change in my mood. However, a moment later she turned azure optics towards me in a questioning manner, lingering briefly before resuming their focus on Arcee. /She must have felt the change in my emotions/. I only just refrained from sighing out loud. /Our bond. It is… strengthening/. I decided not to focus on that at present as I already had enough concerns to deal with.

Not long after we arrived on the mainland, I received a transmission from newly arrived Autobots; Hound, Drift and Crosshairs. I contacted Director Mearing in a gesture of good faith to inform them and request they be given asylum and immunity, which luckily, was granted. While I was pleased to have more of my beloved Autobots with me, there was still one I longed to see with all my spark.

/Phoenix/.

I had not seen nor heard from her for two long years. I had almost tried to contact her myself on several occasions but each time I stopped myself. Though it caused me unending pain, I had to respect her decision and desire to be left alone. /At least she is safe – for now/, I tried to reassure myself. Rachet had told me that Phoenix had managed to contact him several times since she had left that horrible day.

I felt my dermas twist into a grimace and a sharp pain stabbed at my spark chamber. While I was glad she was talking to someone and she seemed to be safe, each time he confided in me as to her status, I had to fight down a flare of jealousy and white hot anger that she sought out Rachet over me, that he got to hear her voice and not I. Rachet must have sensed this as he would hesitantly and gently place an apologetic servo on my shoulder in silent comfort after he had finished talking, and give me a reassuring ''pat'' before he walked off to leave me to my thoughts.

Whilst I appreciated the gesture, it did little to mollify my emotions. I felt myself ex-vent deeply as I tried to expel the poisonous thoughts from my processor. The heated air spewing forth from my vents gave a subtle indication to the seething anger that would bubble away silently as I struggled to control my petty jealousy and pain. /Very unbecoming of a Prime…/.

Before I could mentally castigate myself for entertaining that dark train of thought, the welcome sound of my scouts' engines revving and a dust cloud billowing around his yellow form, came into view on the horizon. I felt myself stand taller, my negative thoughts evaporating as I prepared to receive intel Bumblebee had gathered from his mission.

The red sand and dust of the desolate, dry but beautiful plains of Monument Valley was flicked into a cloud as Bumblebee skidded to a halt and rapidly initiated his transformation sequence, coming to stand at attention before me. ''Bumblebee, report,'' I demanded perhaps more assertively than I meant to. I was concerned with the increased attacks on Transformers – all Transformers - and I had not heard from some of my team in a deca-cycle. I folded my arms across my chest and looked down gravely at my trusted scout. I was vaguely aware of the remainder of my team walking over to hear what Bumblebee had to say.

A series of broken phrases spoken through the radio relayed all he had learned, and I felt my spark clench. ''It's bad Cap'n… lost contact with… Wreckers… seems they were… attacked... No prisoners!… No prisoners!… Leadfoot… missing… given 'er all she's got cap'n… but it's no use…. I'm afraid… game over,'' a sad beeping sound was made by my scout and I placed a comforting servo in his shoulder.

''That does not sound good indeed Bumblebee. But we must not lose hope. What of Jazz, Dino, Sideswipe and the other Wreckers; Topspin and Roadbuster? Have you heard any news of them?'' Though I tried to keep the concern from my voice, I felt all of my team, especially Arcee, tense as Bumblebee prepared to answer. I made a note to talk to her at some stage and see how she was going. She seemed to be taking Sideswipe's ''disappearance'' especially hard.

''Sounds of silence…. All quiet… on the…Western Front,'' I saw my normally bubbly and enthusiastic scout slump slightly, ''last seen…. down… Mexico City way,'' at that Bumblebee fell silent, a look of sorrow falling over his faceplates. Some of the others, Arcee included, brought a servo up to cover their dermas as they tried to keep their shock and sadness to themselves.

I gave my faithful scout another pat on the shoulder, ''Though it does indeed seem grim Bumblebee, you have done well on your mission. You continue to prove your worth as my trusted scout,'' I allowed a brief smile to spread across my dermas. The way Bumblebee's form seemed to puff up with pride and the happiness on his faceplates allowed a fleeting wave of warmth wash over me.

I released his shoulder and surveyed my team. Elita, Arcee, Ironhide, Bumblebee, Rachet, Hound, Drift and Crosshairs. With the increased attacks and violence towards Autobots as well as Decepticons, it was likely that my second in Command Jazz and the others were maintaining silence to avoid capture and would rendezvous with us when they thought it was safe for all to do so. /I hope/.

With the increased hostility towards all Transformers, I had also ordered my team to disable their internal tracking systems that allowed us to automatically locate an Autobot, within a certain radius, based on their personal energon signature. I thought it too risky to possibly allow that capability to be used against us, so for now, comms was the only method for keeping in touch.

Crosshairs, one of my newest team members to arrive, spoke up. ''Oh well, that's lovely. So glad we came to this mudball of a planet. It's worked out just peachy so far.'' I had not known too much about him other than he was another weapons expert of sorts and a sharpshooter – with his guns and his mouth.

''Get out…. Leave! It's the end of you and me…. And don't let… the door.. hit you on the way out…'' Bumblebee noticeably started to burr up at Crosshair's remarks. His servos clenching by his sides. I had noticed the friction build between these two.

''Oh, I'm with you Bee,'' Hound's gruff voice weighed in as he plucked the bullet cigar from his dermas and nonchalantly tapped some ''ash'' on the ground. ''If ol' Crosshairs here is unhappy with his holiday destination, he is more than welcome to move along. Might finally get some peace and quiet without him mouthin' off every few joors.'' While I had to stifle a laugh myself, I moved to interrupt before things escalated.

''Alright. That is enough Crosshairs, Hound and Bumblebee. With all that is happening around us, we cannot allow ourselves to turn on each other. Unless it has escaped your attention, our allies are in short supply of late.'' I allowed a stern glance in the direction of all three. Bumblebee looked chagrined that I had need to address him, Hound shrugged his broad shoulders and Crosshairs glowered back towards me, a silent challenge which I met happily.

He looked away.

''Now more than ever, we need to rely on each other, support each other and band together. There are enough outside forces trying to divide us, we do not need to achieve that task ourselves.'' I folded my arms across my chest once again.

Elita walked over to stand beside me, briefly placing a servo on my arm and smiling at me. ''I agree Optimus. While it may seem like dire news we have received, I am sure our friends are laying low for the time being, waiting for a time when they can safely contact us.'' At Elita's words Arcee and some of the others seemed to brighten slightly. I turned my topics towards her and sent her a wave of thanks and smiled.

Over the past two years Elita and I had begun to reconnect. At first, I was very reluctant to spend any time alone with her, feeling I was betraying Phoenix by simply being near her. The look of hurt that would cross her features and Rachet's words, ''Phoenix left because she loved you, she wants to give you the chance to pick up where you left off'' finally forced me abandon that course of action. Slowly and tentatively, we became more comfortable around each other and I found myself enjoying being in her company – not dreading it. Our bond, despite my best efforts not to, reignited. We could share feelings and sense when something was wrong with the other, but we could not hear each other other's thoughts. /Thank Primus for that!/.

I looked down towards Elita's beautiful face as she smiled up at me. While I indeed had strong feelings towards Elita and cared very deeply for her, I could not bring myself to love her as I once did. Something, or rather someone, held me back.

Phoenix.

I closed my optics briefly to rid myself of the haunting image of her face and gave Elita's servo a quick squeeze. I sighed out loud and stepped away from her slightly as I shifted the weight on my pedes. ''While I am sure that is the case Elita, I feel given the current climate and the news Bumblebee brought us just now, it is imperative an effort is made to track them down and help reunite them with us.''

Elita smiled again and folded her arms across her chest, ''Understood. What are your orders Optimus? Who would you have among us undertake this mission?'' Elita was a Commander and seasoned soldier in her own right, capable of leading in my stead. I knew she stood the best chance of keeping my team together.

I took a few steps towards the road Bumblebee had just departed from. ''I will go.'' I looked out across the horizon as the waves of afternoon heat rose from the baked ground, twisting and distorting the view. ''I would have you stay here Elita and assume Command of the Autobots in my absence. I should not be gone long.'' I turned to face her, and I almost looked away at the expression on her faceplates.

Her optics were blazing with barely contained hurt and anger and her dermas were set in a thin line of anger. Her servos were now by her sides, clenched into two fists. It was barely a whisper, but everyone heard, ''No. I will not.''

I felt rather than saw my Autobots awkwardly shuffle on their pedes and fidget with their servos as they watched two leaders, and a previous spark bonded couple, about to engage in an argument. ''Elita,'' I began as I took one step back towards her and stopped on the spot. The corner of her dermas had twisted into a sneer and a very pained expression fell across her visage. This was not Elita 1, leader of the Autobot femme resistance about to address me, this was Elita 1 my once spark bonded, and dear friend allowing millennia of loss and hurt to finally escape.

She took a step closer towards me as she spoke, her optics fixing me with an unflinching and determined stare, her voice steely and resolute, ''I do not care for whatever argument you try to present to me Optimus Prime, I will NOT allow you to abandon me again.'' I felt myself physically flinch at those words and I drew a sharp intake of air through my vents. She had stalked up towards me and was standing right before me, ''I will NOT stay behind and watch you disappear for Primus knows how long.'' She lowered her helm for a moment, her voice lowering, ''I just got you back, I can't lose you again.''

A wave of guilt and sorrow washed over me. I reached out to place my servos on her shoulders, ''Elita, I am not leaving the planet. I am merely leaving the state. I will return..''

Her helm snapped again, and her voice rang out loudly and defiantly, ''You said that to me once before millions of years ago when you last left Cybertron. And did you? DID you return?'' She placed her servos on her hips and raised an optical ridge in challenge. I felt my spark speed up and lurch all at once at the familiar stance.

I could feel the optics of every Autobot bore into me as they awaited my answer. For two normally very private individuals this was becoming quite the public display and I felt a twinge of annoyance snake inside me. ''Elita, perhaps we should discuss this in private..''

''ANSWER ME!'' she screamed at me, her air vents cycling hot air furiously as she struggled to cool her systems. Her optics flashing fire.

I felt my own servos clench in fists by my side and my own ire rising as I was spoken to in such a manner in front of my soldiers. My control was slipping as feelings of regret, anger, sorrow and annoyance all swirled inside me like a hurricane preparing to make landfall. ''NO! I DIDN'T!'' the words erupted as I purged myself of eons of guilt and pain. ''I DID NOT come back for you Elita,'' my frame shook with the strength of my emotions and Elita took a step back from me, a look of shock etched on her delicate features.

My voice lowered and I looked away from her, unable to meet her gaze. ''I wanted to so many times, I tried to, but I could not.'' I felt a pair of servos tentatively touch my arms, sliding down to grasp my own servos. A small part of me recoiled slightly at the intimate and healing touch and at the same time, a small part of me desperately sought it. /I needed redemption. I needed absolution for my actions – from her/.

I slowly raised my helm to look her in the optics once more, allowing the built-up pain and regret I felt show through. Elita made a small sobbing noise and closed her optics. 'I am so sorry. You know as well as I the demands that were upon us at that time in the War. As much as I wanted to return for you, I could not abandon my mission, my soldiers. And then.. then when you…'' I stopped speaking for a moment.

I could not talk about this now, not in front of such a captive audience. We had never had a chance to talk about that day and what had happened. Being on the run and just adapting to being around each other again had taken up our focus and there had never really been the right time to talk. Now would not be that time either.

Elita seemed to understand, her previous anger almost evaporated. ''I understand Prime. But please,'' she looked me directly in my optics, ''PLEASE, take me with you, don't leave me behind again.''

I closed my optics as I heard that desperate plea from her dermas once more and I nodded my helm. I could not, I would not deny her request again. I opened my optics and gave her a small smile. ''Very well Elita, you and I shall head towards Mexico City and try and bring the others safely back.''

Elita allowed a massive smile to break out on her faceplates and she lunged forward and wrapped her arms about me, unable to contain her emotions. Once again, I felt torn between shaking her off and beating a hasty retreat and returning the gesture. I brought my arms up and wrapped them about her smaller frame, holding her close for a second. We had needed this moment – to heal and move forward. There was still much to discuss but for now it was enough.

''Ahem!'' Rachet's attempt at ''clearing his throat'' brought us both back to the present and we pulled apart and turned to face our medic and friend. Rachet had a sad and almost disapproving look on his face as he stepped up to address us both. /Does he disapprove of my interaction with Elita just now or the fact we are both leaving?/. ''Well as – touchingas that was to see you both apologise for past hurts, that does not address the issue of who will be leading us in your stead?''

I gave Rachet a quick smile, ''Duly noted Rachet.'' I would have asked him to do it but I know Rachet would prefer a supporting role and would rebuff the offer of leadership, even though he is more than capable of the role. I turned to face my weapons specialist – my original and trusted weapons specialist – Ironhide. ''Ironhide, I am tasking you with leading my Autobots in my – our - absence.''

He gave me a quick nod, ''Consider it done Prime. I'll keep these punks in line.'' Crosshairs folded his arms across his chest and threw a calculating look towards him.

''Easy Ironhide, perhaps the term ''soldiers'' would be a better choice of words?'' I suggested and smiled before I turned to Rachet. ''And Rachet, I am asking that you act as my second in Command. Will you do that for me?'' I refrained from placing a servo on his shoulder and instead raised an optical ridge at him.

Rachet ex-vented slowly, ''I can hardly say no can I now?'' He gave me a small smile, ''Just don't be gone too long, the pair of you. I can't promise I won't use any of my wrenches in your absence.''

I gave a small laugh, ''I am sure you will have no need.'' I turned to look at all of my team. I gave them a small smile before the gravity of the situation hit home once again. ''We shall be as quick as we can. We shall maintain contact to the best of our abilities. If we are compromised in any way, I shall send a message to you all. Continue to be vigilant and keep a low profile.''

Ironhide and Rachet nodded. ''With a bit of luck, we will all be back here with you within a few days.'' I nodded quickly before I turned to Elita, ''Let's roll out.'' She smiled back at me and we both stepped forward and transformed. Elita had since scanned an Earthen vehicle mode, transforming into a Dodge Viper GTS.

With that we tore off out onto the track that led to the main road and headed in the direction of Mexico City.