Me:Warnings include suggestiveness and language, onto the next chapter and I will see you at the end for updates!
(Maggie's POV)
The light above us sputtered slightly. Its constant eerie flickering was starting to give me a headache.
"So let me get this straight," Lauren said.
"You want to wrap me up in some bandages, throw on a lab coat, and pretend that I'm you?" she said. Her index finger pointing at me fiercely.
"Yes, only until I can figure out where our alt-modes are being kept and if we can access them," she pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head.
"Right, right, the alternative forms of yourselves," Lauren looked to the metallic tiling. Brow furrowed in contemplation. Possibly working out the potential outcomes of this endeavor.
"And if Galloway finds out I'm not you?" she said flatly.
"He's not really one to pay attention to details," Meg interjected.
"Just pretend to be resting whenever we talk to anyone outside of our group," Alex added. The counselor leaned back to rest against the wall, her gaze locked on the floor in silent deliberation. For a moment, she was still. She looked up, her gaze locked on me.
"What if you can't come back?" I could feel the cold shiver of doubt and fear crawling up my spine.
"If I'm not far, I can still communicate with Alex and Meg,"
"And if you can't?" she insisted.
"Then I'll figure out another means to get in contact,"
"Why not all of you go? Strength in numbers once you get to wherever you are,"
"Then Galloway knows right where to find us and instill even stricter conditions to contain us," Alex stepped forward, her stance was a bit shaky, but her words were firm.
"With a decoy, we can figure out what's going on, getting around Galloway with minimal risk to the Autobots and us," the frustrated confusion on the lieutenant's face remained. And I felt our influence slipping away.
"Please," I breathed, stepping closer to her.
"We need help, and we don't have much time," I took her hand in my own. If I felt groveling would help the situation, I think I would be on my knees. For now, I settled with trying my best to make her understand the circumstance we were facing.
"I know we have no business asking you to risk so much for strangers, and you could go on your way without putting yourself in danger," my grip tightened slightly on her palm.
"But I am asking you to help us ensure the safety of this planet, and–" I felt my breath catch in my throat, and I swallowed the emotions rising within me.
"T-to help save our family," I breathed.
"They mean everything to us, to me, and they can change the tide of this invasion," I placed my other hand to strengthen the contact.
"As for right now, you're our only hope," Lauren looked to each of us before closing her eyes. As if collecting her thoughts to make her decision. Letting out a deep breath, she spoke.
"Alright, I'll be the decoy to your trojan horse," I closed my eyes and breathed a sigh of relief.
We have a chance
"Give me the costume then," she said, holding her hand out to me.
"Sorry, Lennox has what you need. I don't know if these will remain once I remove them," I said, taking hold of my garments.
"So, how's that supposed to work?" she pointed at the necklace. I looked down and held it in my hands. Eying at the glyphs etched upon its surface. It felt like so long ago that I had received this as a gift. I thought it nothing more than a trinket then. Never realizing how much power it possesses. Even now, I cannot begin to comprehend its secrets.
Fate has a sense of humor, that's for sure
"From what we know about it, this is what allows me to take human form but only when it has come in contact with my Cybertronian body,"
"It's connected to us, and if I take it off, this form dissipates, and I return to wherever my alt-mode is,"
"Got it, so I take that last, I'm assuming?"
"Preferably," I smiled, and she followed in kind.
"Let's give this asshat Galloway what for," she jutted her hand out towards me. I took it in my grasp and shook it firmly. Hopefully, solidifying a mutual trust in each other.
"This is going to be one hell of an HR report someday," she added, running a hand through her ponytail, tugging at her curls, and twisting them between her fingers.
"Keep it between us, and we can avoid the long-winded presentation," Meg added with a huff. It was nice to let out a lighthearted chuckle at her comment. It helped ease the pounding in my chest at the thought of entering unknown danger. A knock on the door stole our attention. The guard pushed it ajar.
He gave a curt, "Lennox is on his way," and closed the door before any of us could respond.
"Showtime," Lauren teased.
I felt my stomach churned at the uncertainty we were facing. The fear of waking up stranded in a laboratory somewhere was terrifying. But there was not another conceivable option that came to mind. Without a way to move about the base and look, we were trapped without our alt-modes.
The Autobots were under heavy watch by Galloway's men. They have no chance of engaging in any confrontation without putting themselves or us at risk. It really was humiliating the level of vulnerability we exposed ourselves to. We thought it was right to trust the offices who wanted a part in our operations. As part of the Autobots' human complement, knowing the faults of human error, I feel like we should have known better. Now we're stuck. A haphazardly thought-up ruse and a prayer that by some miracle, this worked in our favor.
The opening of the door brought me out of my thoughts. Lennox came in disguise and bandages in hand.
"We don't have much time. I think I alerted one of Galloway's lackeys coming over here," he muttered, quickly passing the clothes to the lieutenant. Lauren then switched her outer clothing in place of the collared shirt and jacket. Alex took the bandages from Lennox. He handed her some condiment packets.
"This all we have?" she eyed the ketchup logo on the packet in her hand.
"Sorry, I didn't have time to get fake blood from party city, ok?" Alex then tore open the condiment packet and squeezed the ketchup onto the gauze to stain it. It was mediocre at best, but it should work for now.
With everyone doing their tasks, I sank back into the corner of the room to contemplate what I was about to do without understanding the transformation. The only thing I had to go from was Alex's incident. Trying to understand what she explained as an out-of-body experience.
*~* Flashback *~*
"When you're like this, you feel detached almost," She muttered. "You're drawn to something, outside of yourself." her vision stuck to the ground in a confused scowl, like her words were not doing her experience justice.
The ends of my servo drummed against the datapad.
Alex was currently separated from her alt-mode. We were trying to gain a better understanding of the transformation, and I was taking notes. Meg and Katy stood beside me. Here to bear witness and provide moral support.
"When you find that part, you become whole again," her hand reached for the bridge of her nose, and her eyes closed tight in frustration.
"In this form, I feel…torn?" she said, her hands gesturing towards her human physique.
"I feel incomplete like this," she looked up at us. I nodded, attempting to convey some sense of understanding.
"Since we changed, that…body, became ours and it connected with our…human soul,"
"Our soul is still present and still human," I nodded.
"But ain't we Cybertronian now?" Meg interjected. Alex and I looked up at her, her face contorted in confusion.
"Sorry, I'm finding it hard to follow," she admitted.
"You're not the only one," Katy added. Leaning against the wall across from Alex.
"Wouldn't it be better to just try this out ourselves?" Katy mused. Jutting her thumb to the crates that held our amulets.
"Ya know, get a feel for the experience?"
"Not necessarily. We don't know for sure that the same thing will happen," I responded, scrolling back into my notes.
"For all we know, the minute those amulets touch us, we could be put into permanent stasis,"
"Oh...Fair point," Katy agreed.
"I wish I could give a better explanation," Alex huffed. Crossing her legs to sit on the berth. It was almost strange to see her this way. To see her movements be so…human.
I zoned out, trying to think of the best way to describe just how different we are to the Autobots. Aside from objectively looking Cybertronian, we are irrevocably human in nature.
"We can't think logistically like the Autobots. We still feel and think like humans," I said.
"Yes! Exactly! The only difference now is that we are Cybertronian in form," Alex agreed.
"And what about the whole disintegrating part?" Meg asked.
"Honestly, it feels like your body is falling asleep," Her brow furrowed in concentration.
"Like a staticky feeling, but…all over," she gestured from her shoulders to her legs.
"Does it hurt?"
"No, you just knock out," Alex stared at the ground for a minute. Thinking.
"Hmmm, I could go for a good nap," Katy breathed. A twitch of a smile on her face and an air of excitement emanating from her.
"Sounds too easy," Meg mumbled. To a certain degree, I agreed with her.
Limited explanation let doubt run rampant across my mind. With it came an overwhelming sense of uncertainty. Not that our current situation allowed for much else to come to mind. I kept mulling over that vague explanation. Trying to commit it to memory.
Should I try to escape?
Would it be better to remain and get some intel?
What if Galloway finds out our ruse?
Constant worries filtered through my head, making me dizzy with anxious thoughts.
"Maggie," Alex put her hand on my shoulder, shaking me out of my reverie.
"You ready?" Lauren asked. I looked at her and slowly nodded my head. Without looking too closely, she made for a convincing double. At least I know that should anything happen to me, Meg, Lauren, and Alex would be safe.
"Thank you for doing this," she showed a hint of a smile with a nod.
"Just make sure you get back in one piece," she responded.
"I'll do my best," I breathed. If only I believed my words. With a sigh, I let go of Lauren's hand and placed mine over the necklace. The cold metal tingled against my fingertips, and I felt the chilling stab of fear prickle along my spine.
It's now or never
I undid the clasp and held the jewelry in my hand. Looking down at the necklace, I realized the drastic change some metal and rock had on my life. It alone was not the catalyst. My family raised me to be who I was, and because of that, I met the fantastic friends I call sisters. In a way, I know I was born for this. This gem was only a part of the journey that got me this far. Magdalena Cadabera has made it this far, and right now, her family's safety depends on her. Lauren brought her hand up to me and gave a comforting smile. Taking all the hesitation and fear writhing within me, I took a breath and released it all for a moment of peace.
I dropped the jewelry in her open palm, and a tingling sensation overcame my body. I felt Meg and Alex come beside me and take hold of my shoulders and arms to steady me. The tingle turned into pins and needles, and I felt my legs turn to jelly before I lost feeling in them entirely.
"I-I can't" a panting breath escaped my lips. I felt everything slowing down,
"I know, I know, just let it happen," Alex whispered. She and Meg lowered me onto the ground, both holding tight to my hands. The numbing sensation took over, and I was hit with a wave of exhaustion. A yawn escaped my mouth, and my eyelids felt droopy. I barely registered the grip on my hand tighten or the voice that came after.
"See you on the other side," Meg said, her voice sounded far away. I soon loss feeling in my body entirely. The only thing I could register was the absence of feeling. I could not determine whether my senses had been numbed or there was a complete absence of stimuli that left me feeling nothing. It was strange that I was so alert to such nonexistence. I felt the impulse to grab something, to dictate my experience, but there was no form to signal and no object to reach out to. Until suddenly, there was something. This…entity, it was calling out to me. It wasn't a person or a sentient being, just a connection that my soul was trying to regain. It was not something I could identify, but it felt familiar. For lack of a better term, I felt like a moth drawn to a welcoming flame. I somehow regained a sense of physical form as I drew closer. I felt my being merging with this other part of me, fitting me into place, like fingers into a glove. Once this was complete, my senses became agitated—light, sounds, and touches coming all at once. To my temporarily quiet mind, the sudden shift from silence to chaos felt jarring. At first, they were muffled and distant sensations.
Things became more evident, closer, and pain radiated from a focused area of my body. I did my best not to react, as my predicament's focus became a reminder in my mind. Voices were no longer muffled, and I could hear people moving around me. My vision was blurred, but I could tell that I was not in my alt form. Lights were above me. Thankfully my head was concealed beneath a tented tarp. The pain in my optic became more apparent as my senses sharpened. I felt dried energon crusting on my faceplates. A stabbing ache was coming from the crushed pieces of metal around my optic plating. The repair would be painful for sure.
Assuming I make it out of here…alive
The voices around me stopped. And I froze, hoping I hadn't spoken my thoughts out loud. The sound of footsteps faded away. My anxiety diminishing once I heard the secure lock of a heavy door and the lights dimming. I did a thermal scan to confirm my assumption that no other person was in the room. I was thankful for the tarp as it concealed my head movements from any cameras. Seeing the shadows around me, I discerned that Meg and Alex's alt modes were nearby. Shifting my head slightly so I could see under the covering. In front of me, I saw the bottom ped of Alex's form, her flaming decals a bright contrast to the darkness of the area. On the opposite end of the room, I saw the sleek black of Meg's dark plating. The silver chrome gleamed in the dim light. It frightened me how still they lay. I felt my chest tighten at the sudden memory of Optimus…and the events transpiring afterward did nothing to console my whirring spark. I took a few breaths to calm myself and steady my nerves for a moment.
Focus, we only have one shot at this
I attempted to activate my comm link. Turning my head on its side, careful not to disturb my tented covering, I pressed my audio against the floor, activating the receptor.
"Maggie to Alex," I whispered into the line. Silence and static answered.
"Maggie to Alex, do you copy?" Still no reply.
Please, someone answer, I prayed.
"Maggie to Ratchet, are you there?"
"Magdalena, this is Ratchet"
Thank God
"Transfer is complete, I am in my alt-mode, Alex was not responding,"
"Galloway just left us to interrogate them. They may be occupied," I breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that we had a chance.
"Maggie…how severe are your injuries?"the concern in his voice was enough to make me smile, despite the circumstance.
Ever the concerned medic
"Not fatal, but the sooner it is attended, the better chance I have at maintaining my vision."
There was a brief pause, and then I heard him breathe.
"Are you under surveillance?"
"Not at the moment, but that is definitely subject to change,"
"Can you identify where you are?"
"No, I can't get a good look at my surroundings,"
"Very well, remember protocol, and keep communication brief when necessary,"
"Understood," Another pause permeated the line. I felt the emotional tug of anxiety once again. I knew that it would be a distraction from the never-ending stream of what-ifs and could-haves in my head if I didn't speak now.
"Ratchet,"
"Yes?"
"I love you, and I can't wait to see you after all this blows over,"
It was simple and to the point. Completely lacking the emotional romanticism that I intended to convey. But that, at times, was Ratchet. He had no affinity for affection. His understanding of compassion was, at best, a mediocre approach with a blunt retort. Only in the silence of simplicity did his genuine emotions show. He was no suave Casanova. He was the most akin to what dating a robot was like among our relationships. Now here I am, understanding and exhibiting his mannerisms. There was a time I had wanted to be showered in affection. To be adored by someone. Ratchet means the same, without the frivolity of exuberance. As a scientific experiment, he is direct in his words and detailed in his fondness. There was no other response but the truth. The truth that I adored him and loved him deeply.
"I love you, Magdalena," I heard the relief in his voice and was happy to grant him comfort.
"Please be careful, and be sure to not injure yourself further," there was the bluntness I needed to hear.
"I'll do my best,"
"I'll hold you to those words,"
"I expect nothing less," with that, the comm went silent as we both disconnected. I attempted to survey the area through the cracks and openings around my tent. I managed to understand that we were still on Diego Garcia since the comm link was available. The portions of the room I could see were concrete walls, with water damage and older light fixtures. Possibly an underground bunker I had not seen. The comm pinged, and I felt my spark leap before pressing my audio to the ground
"Alex to Maggie"
"Maggie here,"
"Thank God, you're still in reach,"
"Yes, but it is hard to tell where,"
"What's wrong?"
"We're in the same room, I mean, your alt modes are here, but we're in Bi-Ped form."
"This building is older and not anything like the updated tech we have at our facility,"
"Any other indicators?"
"No, there were people here, and I'm locked in some sort of hangar or underground bunker,"
"I'll have to ask Lennox to check the building records of the base. Very few buildings can accommodate Cybertronian bodies," I heard the lump in her throat before she finished her sentence. Before I could offer a word of comfort, I listened to the clicking of the door lock coming undone.
"Alex, I think I hear them coming. I'll contact you as soon as I have an opportunity," I quickly ended the connection. I turned my head back to its original position, shutting my optics off to ensure my death-like state was believable. The mutter of human footsteps and voices came closer. As lights began turning on, I held onto the only truth I could to remain still.
We have a chance. Let's make the best of it
(Optimus's POV)
I hovered over the expanse of the universe. Contemplating the lessons Primus had instilled in me. From the start of this creation to the many others that coincided afterward. Even the expansion of entities that existed amongst the cosmos. That notion alone gave me pause, the fact that we were fighting such a war among one another, and the entire universe went on with its blossoming of life and destruction. And for a moment…I prioritized our dilemma above all else that existed. I felt ashamed with the arrogance of it all. Thinking that there was such a force dedicated to this minuscule ripple in the universe. The eons of massacre and destruction…was any of it worth it? Is any of this warranted? Was my death necessary among the cosmic flow of the universe?
The stream of endless questions did nothing to calm my anxious processor. So much information was given, and I am only left with more questions…but one stood out most pressing of all.
"Primus,"
"Yes, my son," the entity in question was inspecting a galaxy within his servo. He looked at it with admiration and light. His lip plates turned upwards at the floating orb of light and dust.
"Why did the war happen?" His gaze turned to me, letting the cluster float away as he came towards me.
"Are you asking why it occurred?" He paused. His optics stared intently into mine.
"Or are you asking why I let it happen?" the tone in his voice shifted. I felt as if I was a sparkling being scolded by a saddened creator.
"The latter," I muttered. Bright optics shuttered for a moment, and Primus brought me closer to his faceplates.
"That is a complex answer, but I will do my best to ensure you understand," the softness in his features returned. A smile came onto his lip plates, and I no longer felt that anxiety of disappointment lingering in my processor.
"You know all too well the existence of evil," I felt the shudder of memories that plague my processor. Memories that allowed that darkness to pierce its vile claws on my spark. The source of my fears. The weight of my sins. It all came from the malevolence I've endured.
"Yes, more than enough examples to choose from,"
"And each time you encountered it, you've managed to wound it severely,"
"But, what is a wound? When evil means to kill all good, it encounters," My optics found him again, his faceplates pensive, waiting for me to continue.
"Good encounters, what humans call, an uphill battle,"
"Good can be tainted, it can be twisted into something vile, it…it can be defeated,"
Still, he remained silent, prompting me to continue.
"What happens when Good can take no more?" I looked out into the universe I was surrounded in, seeing its shining beauty.
"What happens when wickedness wins?" I whispered.
"You are seceding when combat has not even begun,"
"This fight has been going on for longer than I have existed, and it will last eons more,"
"So, why did I make you so inclined to good?" He mused. I processed his words carefully, still unable to decipher his meaning.
"Don't…you know?"
"Let me ask you this, my son," he brought me closer to him. And turned to face our universe. "What do you see?"
"The universe," a chuckle escaped his lip plates.
"Add a bit more detail in your response, please,"
"The expanding explosion?"
"Go on,"
"Spacetime and its contents," I looked around, searching for an explanation.
"Radiation, Matter, galaxies, planets, moons, and stars–"
"Indeed," Primus spoke. His servos crossed over his chest. An adoring looks upon his faceplates.
"The universe is a marvelous amalgamation of accidents and chance,"
"The life that is brought into the world is a replication of that,"
"As a creator, one can hope there is peace in their sparkling's lives," He turned to me, a somber look in his optics.
"But to control every aspect of your life, no matter how long or brief, would not do you justice,"
"What do you mean?"
"Love, my son. The calamity of life and existence itself is all chaos. Beautifully experienced and whole," he raised his servo again, a cluster of stars appearing within his digits.
"Those who delusion themselves to what is black and what is white will never understand the beauty of accidents like the universe,"
"I'm sorry for not understanding,"
"No need for it, my son. There is much to be discovered in your time," he raised his other servo, and I rose to meet his optics.
"Not everything needs understanding for you to love and learn from it,"
"What is it you want me to take away from this,"
"Many things," Primus grinned, his servo cradling me with the tenderness of a creator.
"For one, I would hope that you don't let the fear of death keep you from living,"
"I hope you understand your part in this new existence,"
"and with all my spark, I hope that you are happier,"
"Assuming I make it back," he chuckled deeply, his servo pulling away from around me.
"You've learned much, but for your return, trust your family to do their part," he moved away. Focusing attention on the other entities surrounding us. For a moment, I felt myself smile. There was hope for the end of this timeless waiting. So long as my Autobots prevailed, I'd return. So long as Alex succeeds, I can see her once more.
Me: hey everyone, its been a year+ and i am so happy to be back in action, I'm FINALLY graduating and I've got a job all set after school! I just want to say thank you to everyone who kept reading and re-reading this story! i do want to see it completed and I fully intended to continue with it just give me some time.
Ironhide: I think you've had bloody enough time, and more!
Me: and we're back! Hey guys
Ratchet: that has to have been the longest stasis I've ever had
Jazz: how are we supposed to keep up if you don't finish this
Me: Hey chill out school comes first and i just finished writing and presenting my thesis, ok i got priorities
Optimus: indeed, education is an important factor of this humans life and we must respect it
Ironhide: so...I can't blast her to smithereens?
Optimus:...
Ironhide: please?
Me: *tightening my laces and stretching my legs*
Optimus: *looks to me* Run
Me: Yeah i got it *runs away in scared*
Ironhide: *charges cannons* C'MERE SQUISHY!
Bumblebee: RUN FORREST RUN!