Chapter 126 – We're done!

Prime P.O.V

I was seething.

A tumultuous storm of anger, betrayal, pain and loss raged inside of me as I watched my remaining Autobots approach along with our human allies. /A Seed! They have possession of a seed./ Of all the things Jazz could have divulged to me in that moment, that was the furthest thing from my processor.

I felt a sneer return to my dermas as I walked down the ramp and came to stand impatiently within the deserted train yard chosen as our rendezvous point. I folded my arms across my chest. /Or do they? Perhaps it wasn't the humans who orchestrated obtaining the seed after all/. My processor flashed back to that fight before I was captured. I sensed the presence of Megatron. /Perhaps…they too have been manipulated, used and lied to. For if they truly knew what the seed was capable of…perhaps…/. I gave a low, irritated, and frustrated growl as my conscience fought with itself and my Autobots came to a dusty stop before me.

Bumblebee's door flew open and Cade Yaeger stepped out, followed promptly by his daughter Tessa and her boyfriend Shane. They all appeared to be shaken up but were otherwise unharmed. A brief feeling of relief skittered across my spark before it was consumed with anger and a deep sense of betrayal. I unfolded my arms and stalked towards them, ''You humans! After all we have done for you, after all the friends we have lost defending you, you don't know what you have wrought upon yourselves.''

Cade looked perplexed and mildly irritated himself. 'What? What is it now? What are you talking about? I mean, I'm doing stuff out of my league here!'' He seemed genuinely clueless. Bumblebee and the others transformed and took up various positions standing around us. Crosshairs sat on top of a train carriage, taking great delight in watching the scene unfold before him.

I shook my helm in disappointment and disbelief, ''You don't see who's controlling who. Within that man made prototype I fought; I sensed the presence of Megatron.'' They might as well know.

Cade's face screwed up in confusion for a brief moment as he tried to place the name. ''What, the Decepticon that started the Chicago war?''

I nodded my helm and narrowed my optics but before I could reply Brains spoke up.

''How do you think KSI built those bots in the first place, hm? They had a whole mess of dead Decepticon heads, and they were downloading their minds! And I was in charge of autopsy duty. No union, no benefits, no nothing. They hooked me up to Megatron, and that mind wasn't as dead as they thought. He fed them the science and specs! All so they could build him a brand-new body. KSI might have named the body the snappy name like Galvatron, but that's just Megatron reincarnated!'' Brains shivered as he recalled his experience. ''Those red, beady eyes..ugh!''

Tessa interrupted, ''You knew this, and you didn't warn them?'' She seemed somewhat annoyed and incredulous that Brains would choose to keep such information a secret.

I fixed my optics on her. ''And do you think they would have listened to him even if he had Tessa?'' She lowered her head as I rebuked her comment. The corner of my derma curled up in disgust, ''Joshua Joyce was so focused on trying to ''control our genome'', on trying to supersede us, that he did not realise that he himself was being controlled and manipulated.''

There was a deep sigh off to my right as Jazz walked up to stand beside me. ''Tessa, I'm afraid Prime's right. I have been observin' it for over three years an' I saw tha proof of it maself when we entered Joyce's lab. Galvatron – who was once Megatron - infected Joyce's creation with his evil, nasty chromosomes.'' Jazz's voice took on a hard edge to it as he continued, ''He's been playin' KSI all this time, all so that he could manipulate them inta goin' after tha ''Seed.''

Shane stepped forward looking perplexed. ''Wait. What? ''The Seed''?''

Tessa nodded her head slowly, ''Those nasty soldiers that were chasing us. I saw them on board the ship before you found me. They took something that they called the ''Seed.''

''Yeah, you've all mentioned this ''Seed'', but what is it?'' Cade stepped towards me a questioning look on his face. ''It doesn't sound good whatever it is. Especially given your reaction Prime,'' Cade nodded his head in my direction.

Ironhide gave a low chuckle, ''Oh it most certainly isn't good Cade.''

Hound spoke up, rolling the words around his cigar, ''Listen. Sixty million years ago, give or take an eon...''

''Thousands of planets were cyber-formed with Seeds. They turned organic life into our elemental metals. It would seem Joshua Joyce is about to make that happen all over again,'' Rachet continued coolly as he looked sternly at all three humans.

Jazz's face also looked grim as he spoke, ''And that's what Galvatron wants ta happen again. He wants ta detonate that Seed in one of tha biggest cities an' kill millions! He's gonna show tha world, "Baby, I'm back."

I felt a flash of anger tear through me at the senselessness of the whole situation. ''The blast wave will incinerate that city into molten metal. He'll have enough to build a massive army and annihilate your species - forever.'' My left servo clenched tightly into a fist and I cast Cade and the other humans a harsh stare. They withered under my glare. A small part of me felt bad for taking my anger out on the only three humans who seemed to want to help us, for making them shoulder the blame for their whole species. /But, isn't that what my Autobots and I have been made to do? Haven't we all been targeted by humans and tared with the same brush as the Decepticons?/.

I was vaguely aware of Brains grabbing a flower from the field and walking back towards the ship's ramp, ''You dumb, greedy bastards just brought extinction to yourself. Not my problem, though. I'm free at last!''

While I had not voiced the words as such, I found myself agreeing with Brains' summation and I shifted on my pedes, preparing to walk towards the ship myself.

Cade looked imploringly towards me and then at the other Autobots. ''Wait! We gotta get the Seed before Galvatron does. We can't let that happen again. Prime - please.''

Ironhide folded his arms across his chest and made a grunting noise, ''Humph, and why not Cade? It's not like humans want us here anymore anyway. As Joyce said, ''we are no longer needed.''

Cade ignored Ironhide's comments and started to walk towards me, his arm outstretched. ''Prime?''

Rachet sighed out loud, ''Even IF we were to stay and help you Cade, we aren't even sure where Joyce has the Seed.''

I tore my gaze away from Cade and began to make my way towards the ramp, only to stop short once again as I heard Jazz clear his throat in a decidedly human manner. This action caught my attention and I turned to cast a quizzical glance at my Second.

''Ahh, actually Rachet, Prime, Cade.'' Jazz's face seemed to look almost apologetic which seemed out of keeping with the context of the discussion. ''What if I told ya I knew where tha Seed currently is and where it's headed to?'' At this I saw the surprise in everyone's faces.

I narrowed my optics dangerously at my Second and placed my servos on my hips. ''I'd say as my 2IC, why didn't you make me aware of this until now.'' I glowered at him.

Jazz cast me a sheepish look and rubbed the back of his helm, ''Fair point Optimus.''

''Well? Where is it?'' Cade turned his attention from me onto my Special Ops and 2IC, fixing him with a hopeful expression.

Jazz gave me a serious stare, ''Beijing, China. I've received intel that Joyce an' Attinger are headed there to tha KSI facility with all their R&D an' – tha Seed – even as we speak.''

There was a chorus of gasps and muttering throughout the group but the phrase that caught my attention was, /I've received intel/. I took a menacing step towards Jazz, my fists clenched by my sides and a thunderous look on my face. There was an icy tone to my voice. ''Jazz? From whom did you receive this intel? Who would be in a position to know that information and get it to you?''

Jazz cast his visored face skywards for a moment before he fixed his gaze on me and then the other Autobots. ''Prime, Autobots; forgive me for what I'm about ta say but please understand it had ta be done ta ensure nothin' jeopardised her cover..''

/HER cover/. My spark ceased pulsing momentarily and then thudded strongly in my chest. My optics flashed dangerously, and I folded my arms across my chest in an effort to control my wayward emotions. Elita had since descended the ramp to come and stand beside me, offering silent support, a fact I was thankful for. I had a feeling I knew whom he was referring to, but I had to know for sure. ''Jazz? Who is her? And what cover are you referring to?'' Elita rested a servo lightly on my arm and although I tensed, I did not brush it away. I needed to remain grounded.

Jazz must have noted the anger burning in my optics and he averted his visor for a moment, cycling air deeply through his vents as he prepared to divulge his guilty secret. ''Phoenix.'' I closed my optics, and I felt every nerve, every fibre of my being tense. ''Her is Phoenix Prime, an' she is currently keepin' watch over Joyce's facility.'' There was a collective gasp of shock from the group as Jazz said her name. Cade eyed me carefully for my reaction.

''You… You mean Phoenix is alive and safe and has been for the past two or so weeks in China?'' Rachet's voice was incredulous but filled with relief.

''What has she been doing there? What was her mission and why weren't any of us informed about it?'' Ironhide questioned, his voice tinged with hurt and annoyance.

''I'd very much like to know that myself – Jazz?'', I growled out to him. My arms had unfolded from my chest at the mention of her name and now my servos were clenched tightly in anger by my side. /Who are you angry at? Phoenix or your 2IC?/.

Elita had removed her servo from my side and tried to send me a reassuring smile, ''At least you can all take solace from the fact Phoenix is alive and well. Perhaps that should be your focus not so much why she is there?'' Jazz shot her a smile though it quickly died as I ignored her comment and stalked towards him.

Jazz once again turned his visored face towards mine and gave me a sad smile. ''Well Prime, ya see about two weeks before ya came back ta us, I got in touch with Phoenix when she was out on one of her patrols.'' Jazz raised his servos in supplication. ''I didn't know what your status was Prime, an' I knew from various communiques that Phoenix had broadcast, that she was effectively in charge of tha Autobots in your stead.''

Drift and Crosshairs once again seemed to rankle at this comment only to be silenced by a thunderous look from me and series of angry whirs and beeps from Bumblebee and the sound of Ironhide's cannons whirring to life. Jazz paused to see how I would react. I said nothing as I came to stand right before him, towering over him.

Jazz nodded his helm. ''I filled Phoenix in about Attinger, Joyce, KSI an' their nefarious deals an' schemes. I also told her of ma hunch about a possible deal Attinger an' Joyce had going with Lockdown. When I explained ta her about tha Seed, Phoenix did not need ta be asked ta travel ta China, I could not stop her! She knew tha importance of increasin' our surveillance on ALL of Joyce's assets ta ascertain when an' where he might make his move.''

I subconsciously loomed over Jazz, my optics flicking rapidly across his face, every wire and cable taught with tension and anger. /How could he allow my Phoenix to head over there - alone!/. I was livid. And he knew it.

Jazz's voice grew softer and he hung his helm in either guilt or shame. ''Her mission was ta keep an eye on tha KSI's Chinese facility as a last line of defence an' learn of Joyce's plans. She managed ta find out that Joyce intended ta bring tha Seed there,'' he raised his helm to nod in my direction briefly, ''when it was finally obtained in exchange for you Prime an' Lockdown caused all that ruckus in Chicago.'' He lowered his helm again, avoiding my gaze. ''Phoenix believes Joyce intends ta detonate tha Seed in tha Mongolian desert. He aims ta make enough Transformium ta adequately supply his company for tha foreseeable future.''

Jazz's shoulders slumped and his voice sounded pained. ''Phoenix knew that should ya not somehow be restored ta us Prime, that should ma team an' I fail ta meet up with y'all an' stop them here, she knew that Joyce would be in a position ta deploy tha Seed over there. Should that come ta pass she was gonna….'' Jazz paused a moment almost unable to finish his sentence.

''What Jazz? What was she going to do?'' I ground out through clenched denta in a low and threatening tone. I felt Cade and Elita's eyes and optics upon me, but I ignored them both. There was only one bot I was focused on at the moment.

Jazz ex-vented as he spoke, as if he was trying to purge himself of his guilt, his sense of betrayal and his pain, ''Prime, forgive me, but she was, or rather is, gonna sacrifice herself ta stop that from happenin'.''

I closed my optics tightly as I felt myself consumed by a tidal wave of fear, pain and blind fury. I felt a tremor course through my frame with the effort of containing all of the emotions I felt. I raised my right servo, making to hit Jazz as a feral growl was torn from my dermas. There was a flash of pink and white by my side as Elita appeared before me and came to stand next to Jazz, who stood resolutely and determinedly before me, preparing to take whatever punishment I saw fit to dish out.

A look of utter shock and disappointment was etched into her face and it made me pause. ''OPTIMUS!'' A look of defiance settled on her features as her servos settled on her hips. ''Enough!''

At the sight of Elita and Jazz, two of my dearest friends, standing before me, shocked, concerned and somewhat disappointed in me – in my reaction - I immediately felt a sense of shame wash over me. I took an unsteady step back and lowered my servo and my helm. My optics darted about the ground as I fought to regain control over my emotions and my spark. I fought to banish the darkness that threatened to consume me. ''I… I'm sorry Jazz, Elita, my Autobots…I don't know..''

Jazz stepped towards me, a kind and understanding smile on his dermas. His servo lay gently on mine. ''S'okay Prime. I understand an' I'm sorry Prime, truly I am.'' Jazz removed his servo. ''But, it doesn't have ta be that way. We can still do somethin' about all of it. We can still do somethin' ta save Phoenix and save Earth. YOU can still do somethin' - ya just have ta make tha choice.'' Jazz folded his arms across his chest and looked defiantly at me, raising an optic ridge in silent challenge.

''Well, if Phoenix and the Seed are in China, then as far as I'm concerned, we need to be there too!'' Rachet spoke up looking defiantly towards me too.

Ironhide's cannons whirred to life, causing Shane and Tessa to flinch. ''I've been itching to blow something up and, if Phoenix is in any trouble, just try and stop me.'' Ironhide cast me an obstinate look and began to walk up the ramp into the bowels of the ship.

''Prime? Looks like you have more than one reason to stay here and fight. So, are we going – or we staying?'' Cade looked hopefully towards me as the remainder of my Autobots shuffled awkwardly and agitatedly on their pedes as they awaited my orders.

I felt my denta grind together as I fought back the rising pain and hurt I felt at Phoenix making such a decision without at least trying to contact me after she knew I had returned. Her decision, along with my waning faith in humanity, was making for a potentially explosive mix within my spark. I all but growled out my reply, ''We aid Phoenix, we retrieve the Seed – and then we're done!'' /I'm done!/. My optics flashed angrily as I stalked towards the awaiting maw of the ship.

I was belatedly aware of the sound of sirens growing closer as the human law enforcement closed in on us. /I am done with the humans and their greed and – I am done giving Phoenix space. When this is over she will talk to me whether she likes it or not!/.