Woo! I actually finished this pretty quickly. Seems like it's been forever but my sense of time has been warped lately.
Anyway, this picks up with the Autobots after Starscream fled with the red energon. Then follows the events of 'Legacy' (s2e20) and 'Alpha; Omega' (s2e21). I was not going to write about the Autobots getting the Omega Keys, that's why I wrote The Split in the first place. But it seems that Pepper had other ideas and here we are. Enjoy!
"Look out!"
Starscream fired his missiles. While everyone else dove aside expecting an explosion from the red energon, Echo stepped forward. Not only had he grabbed the phase-shifter for Smokescreen, but he brought the shield generator with him as well. He held it out in front of him and focused on what kind of shield he wanted it to generate. It responded instantly, creating a large concave shield. The missiles hit the shield and exploded, the shape of the shield directing the blast back toward Starscream. The flames subsided and Echo lowered the deactivated shield generator. Starscream was nowhere to be seen but Echo knew he had fled through a ground bridge.
"Whoa! Now that was impressive!" exclaimed Smokescreen.
"You weren't so bad yourself, Autobot," replied Echo. He turned to the twins. "Golf, Indy, are those two still alive?" He gestured to the two clones Starscream had left behind.
"Hm. It's harder to tell since they don't have sparks, but yeah, it seems like they are," answered Indy.
"Good. Bring them back with us." Echo turned to Optimus. "And we'll be taking the rest of the red energon as well. Unless, you desperately need it for something?"
Optimus shook his helm. "No. You can have it."
"Thank you. In return, you can keep the Apex Armor and the phase-shifter. We have no use for them. And this as well." Echo handed the shield generator over to Smokescreen who was closest to him.
"Are you sure?" asked Smokescreen.
"Quite certain," replied Echo, going over to the storage container that the humans had been transporting the red energon in. There was a gaping hole in the side where Starscream had ripped it open but the three remaining clusters of crystals were undamaged. "This is more valuable to us than any of those items."
"Out of curiosity," Arcee spoke up. "Why is that?"
Echo's gaze fell on her and she shifted uncomfortably, her armor clamping tight over her frame.
"Where do you think we got the red energon to power our hyperspeed mods up until now?"
She just shrugged and gestured vaguely.
It was Optimus who answered, his voice deep and unsettled. "Liliy."
"Precisely. If we could find another source to draw from for a while, it would be better for her. Though, from what I've read, red energon is harder to process from its crystal form so I doubt we'll get very much out of these." He touched his comm. "Alfa, send me Kilo and Charlie. And if Pepper wants to meet with Optimus, now's his chance."
A moment later, a ground bridge opened.
"Why did you ask for me?" the femme grumbled as she stepped out of the portal followed by Kilo.
"Because we have a present for you." Echo gestured to the container.
Charlie's optics actually lit up at the sight of the crystals, her tone much happier when she spoke. "My, Echo, you shouldn't have. Kilo, please be a dear."
Kilo rumbled a chuckle as he picked up the container. The twins were waiting by the ground bridge, each carrying one of Starscream's clones over their shoulder. Charlie followed Kilo back through the portal. The twins threw a mock salute at the Autobots before they disappeared. Before Echo could follow however, Pepper came running out and almost collided with him.
"Oh, sorry, Echo." Pepper nimbly sidestepped and moved around the flyer. "Optimus," he called, coming up to the Prime. "The Madam told you I was decoding the Iacon database, right? I need your help."
Echo shook his helm, amused by Pepper's not-so-subtle excitement and disappeared through the portal, leaving the snow plow with the Autobots.
"To think that the CRC had the Iacon database and was decoding it this entire time," grumbled Ratchet as he watched Optimus pour over and discuss the glyphs scrolling across the main monitors with the enthusiastic, neon yellow mech standing on the other side of them. "One more thing to be annoyed at Liliy for."
"But at least they were trying to keep the relics out of Decepticon servos as much as we would have," Arcee pointed out. "And in the end, they gave the relics they had to us."
"Yeah, Ratch. You really need to stop hating on Liliy and her team so much," added Bulkhead. "They've helped us a lot."
"I can't believe you can say that after they broke your arm, Bulkhead."
"It could've been worse," Pepper suddenly piped up. "The Madam has been known to lop limbs off for less."
Ratchet whirled around to glare at Pepper. "She wouldn't dare!"
"Well, not unless you outright became our enemies-This one here, Optimus." He pointed a glyph for Optimus to highlight before addressing Ratchet again. "But she does try to reign in her temper if she likes you."
They were almost done with the next set of coordinates when the computer picked a beacon signal. The signal's location came up on one of the monitors, interrupting the two mechs.
"Tch. Seems like Soundwave still beat us to the punch," grumbled Pepper.
"Pepper, you remain here with Ratchet." Optimus turned to look at the others who had gathered while Ratchet readied the ground bridge and Pepper came down to the main floor. "Where is Smokescreen?"
"Out training again with Jack," answered Arcee.
"We cannot wait. Autobots, transform and roll out," ordered Optimus.
With that, most of Team Prime transformed and disappeared through the portal.
"While they are out in the field," Ratchet said after he shut down the ground bridge, "I'll need to use the computer to monitor them, so you'll have to put your translating on hold."
"No worries, Doc. I already linked it to this data pad so I won't be in your way." Pepper held up a data pad he pulled out of his subspace.
"My name is not Doc," growled Ratchet.
"Alright. Geez. No wonder you don't like the Madam," said Pepper, leaning against the concrete tiers, out of Ratchet's way. "You guys are a lot alike."
"I am nothing like Liliy," Ratchet shot back.
"Short-tempered but also super caring." He smirked as he continued the decoding on his data pad. "Yeah, you two aren't alike at all."
"Hmph."
The computer beeped again.
"That's strange," mused Ratchet.
Pepper glanced up. "What is it?"
Ratchet didn't answer him, instead opening a comm to the Away Team. "Optimus, I just picked up a second Iacon locator beacon."
No answer.
"Optimus? Do you read?"
More static.
Just then, Jack and Smokescreen came back, laughing about their latest prank.
"Will you two keep it down!" Ratchet snapped at them before going back to the comm. "Arcee? Bulkhead? Can anyone hear me?"
"Ratchet, what's going on?" asked Jack.
"Our sensors detected a second Iacon locator beacon," Ratchet explained, turning to them. "But I can't reach Optimus."
"I'll go," offered Smokescreen, suddenly serious.
"Alone?" Ratchet asked.
"Not alone," Pepper interjected, stepping forward. He waved his data pad slightly. "I just finished decoding that set of coordinates Optimus and I were working on and they match those of the second beacon. The first beacon may be a decoy. You should keep trying to raise Optimus while Smokescreen and I go scout out the second site." He put his data pad away and went to the ground bridge controls.
"Fine. But if Liliy gets mad-" Ratchet started.
Pepper cut him off. "Don't worry. I'll keep out of trouble."
Pepper went through the ground bridge first. He turned to Smokescreen as the portal closed and saw that Jack was also there. He frowned.
"Why is the kid here too?"
Smokescreen shrugged. "I asked him to come along."
Pepper's optics narrowed farther in disapproval. "Stay close," he said to Jack and snapped his mask down over his face.
"Let's go grab a relic," Smokescreen cheered, moving ahead.
"We're not grabbing anything," insisted Pepper, following him. Jack had to run to keep up with them. "This is a scouting mission. We'll wait for Optimus before we strike."
They peeked around some rocks and took in the scene. There were several vehicons with mining equipment gathered, some digging and some standing guard. Several insecticons were moving rocks. In the middle of it all was the relic stuck in the side of a giant boulder.
"Whoa. It's a sword," observed Jack.
"Not just any sword," replied Smokescreen. "That looks like the Star Saber, a legendary weapon forged by Solus Prime... As lore would have it. It's rumored to wield the power of the Matrix. I'm gonna make Optimus proud."
"Sounds similar to a human legend I read once," mused Pepper. "About another sword in a stone."
"You mean the legend of King Arthur-wait," Jack looked up at him. "You know about our old legends?"
"Of course. I've been on Earth since before that one was even told. I have quite the collection of human literature. Anyway, about this Star Saber, if it is indeed a legendary sword stuck in a stone, as the story goes there is only one person who can pull it out. And that person would be the one who carries the Matrix already."
"You don't know that," said Smokescreen. "I'm gonna go try and grab it."
"No, you can't," insisted Pepper.
"Why not?"
It was Jack that answered. "Because Megatron's here."
There, off to one side, was the big silver mech giving orders to some miners.
"The Dark Lord himself." Smokescreen smirked and smashed his fist into his palm. "He won't know what hit him."
"Smokescreen, we should really wait for backup," Pepper insisted again.
"You heard Ratchet backup's not available right now." Smokescreen stood up from his hiding place. "You can wait if you want but I'm going in."
"Wait-" But Smokescreen was already running toward the relic with his blasters out. Pepper sighed. "...He didn't wait."
"Yeah," Jack agreed. "He's still pretty impulsive-!"
A metal shield slammed down next to him while Pepper crouched on his other side. Jack ducked lower and covered his head with his arms as a few blaster shots slammed into the shield but Pepper held it firm. Then there was the unearthly screech of two insecticons. They fired twice more before passing overhead.
"Kid, call Ratchet," Pepper ordered, standing, optics never leaving the Cons. "Tell him to get Optimus here now before Smokescreen gets himself killed. I'll deal with these two." He drew a sword from his back. Pepper moved away from the boy so he wouldn't accidentally step on him while he fought. He took a ready stance with his shield up as one of the insecticons descended upon him.
Jack pulled out his phone and dialed the base. "Ratchet, you gotta get Optimus here now! Smokescreen went for the relic. It's called the Star Sab-"
Pepper's shout cut him off. "Look out, kid!"
Jack jerked his head up in time to see Pepper's thrown sword pierce the insecticon that was about to grab him in the shoulder. Pepper changed his now empty servo into a blaster to deal with the other insecticon that was still attacking him.
{Where in the name of Cybertron are you?} Ratchet's voice filtered through the phone as Jack ran to get away from the insecticon. {And did you say Star Sab?}
The insecticon screeched shrilly as it tore the sword from its shoulder and went after Jack. Ratchet must have heard it because he called Jack's name before cutting the link to try to call Optimus again. Energon dripped from the gaping wound in the insecticon's shoulder and its arm hung limp and useless as it chased after Jack. The boy dodged the grasping claw and then dove to the side to avoid being crushed by a ped. He rolled to his feet and ran for a narrow gap in the rocks nearby. He slipped into the gap just in time as he felt the wind from the claw that barely missed him. Once he was inside, the insecticon still tried to get him but it could only fit a single clawed digit into the gap. Jack dodged it twice before there was a loud crash outside his hiding spot and the insecticon was gone. He heard it screeching again, followed by blaster fire, silence and then: "Kid?"
Jack moved forward and peeked out of the gap in the rocks. Pepper was limping away from the insecticon's body, a nasty gash in his leg that was oozing energon. He also had a large dent in one shoulder guard that made it impossible to raise his arm. Using his shield for support, he crouched before the boy.
"Are you alright, kid? No injuries?"
Jack stepped out. "Yeah. I'm fine. Just a little shaken up."
Blaster fire sounded in the distance. Pepper looked up and accessed the SDS. All of Team Prime with the exception of Ratchet had arrived. And Smokescreen was still online.
"Seems like Optimus has finally arrived. I hope Smokescreen is ok. He's alive at least."
Arcee, Bulkhead, and Bumblebee engaged the Cons to rescue Smokescreen while Optimus went after the Star Saber that was being carried off by the Nemesis, still stuck in the giant boulder. Megatron took to the air to stop the Prime, but the troops he left behind did not fare well against the Autobots.
Smokescreen was a little banged up when they got to him but he was able to still get to his peds. Arcee grabbed his arm and pulled him closer to her level.
"Where's Jack?" she demanded.
"I, uh, left him over there with Pepper." There was a body of an insecticon near where he pointed. Dread crept over him. "Oh no."
"Jack!" Arcee transformed and took off. She rounded the rocks.
Pepper was there, down on one knee, blaster charged and his rectangular shield hiding most of his frame. He put away his blaster when she transformed. "Oh, it's just you."
"Where's Jack?" she asked, worried.
"Arcee?" Jack stepped out from behind the shield and came up to her as she crouched to his level. "Arcee."
"What could you possibly have been thinking?" she reprimanded.
"I-" He hung his head. "I'm sorry."
"Is Optimus going after the Star Saber?" asked Pepper, trying to change the subject. He pushed himself to his peds using his shield for support. "Does he need help?"
"You wouldn't be much help to him if he did," Bulkhead answered, eyeing the field patch Pepper had applied to his own leg.
"You'd be surprised. Where is he now?"
"Still trying to catch the Nemesis," beeped Bumblebee from beyond the rocks.
They all moved, Pepper still limping despite his statement, to better watch Optimus launch himself off the mountain toward the giant boulder being hauled away by the warship. One of Megatron's bolts hit him, nearly knocking him off course but he transformed and managed to reach out and catch the hilt of the Star Saber. Megatron and his eradicons flew past him and up toward the Nemesis. While Optimus hung there, the saber began to glow, energy swirling around the blade as it slid out of the rock. Megatron retreated into the Nemesis as Optimus fell. The Prime hit the ground with a resounding boom, dust flying from the slight crater he made. Optimus rose to his peds and pulled the saber out of the ground.
"I loosened it for him," Smokescreen claimed.
Pepper rolled his optics behind his mask. "More like I was right. Just like Arthur and Excalibur, only Optimus could pull the sword out of the stone."
The Nemesis released the giant boulder and it came crashing down the side of the mountain toward Optimus.
"OPTIMUS! RETREAT!" Arcee shouted at him in alarm.
"NOW!" Bulkhead bellowed beside her.
Optimus turned from examining the saber to look at the approaching threat. Just as it was about to crush him, he swung the Star Saber up, slicing the giant boulder cleanly, the two halves rolling to a stop well behind him. Pepper let out a low whistle.
"Did he just…?" started Bulkhead.
"Sure did," chirped Bumblebee.
"No way," breathed Jack.
Optimus looked up at the Nemesis. After a moment, he ran forward few steps before spinning and swinging his sword. The blade released a wave of energy that crashed into the Nemesis causing the ship shudder violently. Smoke poured from the damaged engines as it continued to retreat.
"It can do that?" Smokescreen asked in awe.
"Apparently," Pepper answered bluntly. While the power of the Star Saber was impressive, he was already used to overpowered weapons, having seen Liliy's laserblade in action.
Optimus watched to Nemesis until it disappeared. The Star Saber stopped glowing once the threat was out of site. Finally he turned toward the group. They came forward to meet him. He caught sight of Pepper limping along behind them and frowned. What was Liliy going to say about that?
Pepper caught his look. {She doesn't need to know until after I'm fixed.} He privately commed him. {Besides a few injuries are worth it if it keeps the kid safe.} He glanced down at Jack.
Optimus nodded gratefully.
"Shall we return then?" Pepper asked out loud.
"Ratchet, we need a bridge," Optimus said into his comm.
A ground bridge appeared and they returned to the base.
"How epic was that," exclaimed Smokescreen as they went. "Aha, I saw it with my own optics." He spun, copying Optimus' finishing move. "But I still don't believe it."
Arcee rounded on him. "You know what I don't believe! That after everything you've been told, you still put a human at risk."
Jack tried to interrupt. "Arcee-"
But she just ignored him, turning on Pepper instead. "And you! I expected better of you too. You've been on Earth longer."
"Arc-" Jack tried again.
This time it was Pepper who cut him off. He pushed his mask up to glare down at the smaller femme. "Ok. First of all, don't blame this on me. I didn't even know he was there until after the bridge was closed. I also advised Smokescreen to wait for backup," he gestured at the white and blue mech, "but he didn't listen. He gave away our position-probably without realizing it-when he broke cover and left me to defend the human by myself because he was too focused on 'making Optimus proud'." The last part was accompanied by air quotes.
"Ouch," said Bulkhead.
Smokescreen looked hurt and ashamed.
"Are you gonna blame your injuries on him too?" accused Ratchet.
Pepper looked up. "No. Those are my fault. I was trying to take the insecticons down without relying on Red En." That was just an excuse though. He actually didn't have any red energon with him.
"Plus you had to throw your sword to save me," added Jack, finally able to a get a word in. "And besides, none of this was Smokescreen's fault. Or Pepper's. I shouldn't have even gone."
Arcee sighed. "It's late. I'll talk to you about this tomorrow." She looked over at Ratchet. "Send Jack home."
"But-" Jack started to object but Arcee gave him a stern glare. "Hhhhh. Fine." And he left through the ground bridge.
Arcee turned back to Smokescreen once Jack was gone. "We've been in need of another Autobot in our ranks. Not another child."
"Look, Arcee. I was wrong," said Smokescreen. "And I'm sorry. Again. And if you need to kick me off Team Prime-"
Optimus spoke up, his tone stern. "Disregard for human safety, or anyone's safety, including your own," he glanced over at Pepper, who was now perched on the edge of the bottom concrete tier next to the stairs, "will not be tolerated. Do you understand?"
"Fully, sir," answered Smokescreen.
"Technically, I'm not part of Team Prime," Pepper said, holding up a digit to punctuate his point. He waved toward the ground bridge. "And if you don't want me around, I can go."
"I would like you to stay, Pepper," replied Optimus. "If only to help me finish decoding the Iacon database."
"As you wish."
Optimus looked around at the faces of his little team. "We Autobots must never lose sight of the fact that upon this Earth we are titans. And such power must be used wisely."
The Star Saber suddenly started glowing again in his servo. Optimus lifted it in front of his face.
"Whoa," Bulkhead voiced everyone's surprise.
"Optimus, speak to me," Ratchet demanded as the Prime's optics seemed to grow distant while he stared at the glowing blade. "Optimus."
"I am receiving a message," Optimus finally replied.
"From who?" asked Ratchet.
"Alpha Trion."
That surprised everyone even more.
"Optimus, what is Alpha Trion saying?" inquired Ratchet.
Optimus did not reply. He just continued to stare at the blade, optics moving as they watched something no one else could see. The saber finally stopped glowing and Optimus collapsed down on one knee with a groan.
Ratchet was at his side in an instant. "Easy, Optimus." He helped him back to his peds.
"So, did Alpha Trion ask about me?" Smokescreen asked.
Annoyed, Bulkhead pushed him aside. "What was the message?"
"It is paramount that we recover the final four Iacon relics," Optimus answered. "The Omega Keys."
"Keys?" repeated Arcee.
"To what?" Ratchet wanted to know.
"To the regeneration of our home planet," answered Optimus.
That shocked all the Autobots.
The least surprised was Pepper. "The keys to restoring Cybertron, huh? Sounds like we're in for a real treasure hunt."
Optimus turned to him. "Pepper, I would like us to start decoding right away."
"Unfortunately, you'll have to start without me. Either I get this leg taken care of now," he gestured to his injured thigh, "or I'll have to go home and the Madam might not let me come back."
"Ratchet, would you please fix Pepper." It was more of an order than a request.
Ratchet nodded, still too stunned to speak. He went over Pepper and helped him to the medbay.
"Why didn't you say something about this earlier?" Ratchet asked after he actually found out how bad the injury was.
"Well, I'm afraid most of the CRC has inherited the Madam's habit of ignoring their injuries until they become severely debilitating. And with everything that was going on after we got back, you seemed more concerned about Optimus."
"When it's something like this, you better speak up next time," Ratchet chided.
"In that case, after you're done with me, you might want to check on Smokescreen. It looks like someone shot him in the back."
Ratchet did grab Smokescreen and pull him over to the medbay after he was done with Pepper's repairs. The medic insisted that Pepper stay off his leg for a while to let his self-repair systems take care of the rest. Bulkhead moved a large crate to the back of the monitors for Pepper to sit on so he could continue to help Optimus with the decoding.
"Whoa," Pepper exclaimed, looking over Optimus' work. "You've gotten this far already?"
"I am not sure," the Prime answered, "but after the message from Alpha Trion, the decoding has become a little easier."
"Lucky."
There was air of excitement among the rest of the Autobots after the idea of restoring Cybertron finally sunk in.
"Pack your gear," Bulkhead declared. "We're going back to Cybertron."
"I really can't believe it," beeped Bumblebee.
Ratchet actually laughed. He had just finished up with some minor repairs on Smokescreen. He turned to the scout. "Well, believe it now, Bumblebee. Civilization at last."
"But I just got here," pouted Smokescreen.
"Remember oil baths," Arcee said. "First thing I'm gonna do planet side is soak for an entire solar cycle."
Bulkhead laughed this time. "I can't wait to tell Miko."
That seemed to kill the mood.
"...And Jack," added Arcee, quietly.
"And Raf." The tone of his beeps sad.
Smokescreen got up from the med berth and went over to Optimus.
"Uh, Optimus, keys open doors. Can they really revive an entire planet?"
Optimus paused his work and turned to him. "While I am unfamiliar with the lore of these Omega Keys, Alpha Trion knew many secrets. And the Ancients possessed technology that has long been lost to what we consider modern science." The other Autobots gathered around to listen. "Whatever their function, this much is certain, we cannot restore Cybertron without all four Omega keys in our possession."
"Which means can't afford to lose a single one to Megatron," Arcee put in.
"Four sets of coordinates from Alpha Trion remain encrypted." Optimus turned back to the console. "It is logical to conclude that each corresponds to the location of one of the Omega keys." He looked through the monitor at Pepper. "We must not waver until we decode them all. The future of our home world depends on it."
"Optimus, Pepper, sorry to bother you but…"
"What is it, Ratchet?" Optimus turned to him.
"I need Pepper actually," Ratchet said. Pepper stood up moved to the side of the monitors to get a better view of him. "Liliy said we could still ask her for supplies, right?"
Pepper nodded. "As far as I'm aware, yes."
"Well, I'm trying to make a holder for Optimus to better carry the Star Saber and I'm missing a few pieces." Ratchet handed a data pad up to him. "I also added a few medical supplies that I'm almost out of."
"Sure, Ratchet," Pepper said. "If you don't mind, Optimus?"
"That is fine, Pepper," replied Optimus. "I can manage for a little while without you. Just remember to come back."
Pepper smiled. "Don't worry. I'll do my best to convince the Madam."
He snapped down his mask and requested a ground bridge back to the CRC base. It opened behind him and he turned and went through it.
"Pepper, you're back," Leecher said as Pepper entered the main hall and pushed his mask up.
"Just for a bit. Ratchet needed me to get a few things," Pepper replied, handing them the data pad that Ratchet had given him.
Leecher took the data pad but didn't look at it right away. "What happened to your leg?"
Of course they would notice that. "It was just a scratch. Ratchet took care of it."
Leecher looked at the data pad. They turned. There was a single mech crossing the hall. "Foxtrot, catch." And tossed the pad at him.
Despite his surprise, the medic expertly caught the data pad and looked at it. "What's this?"
"Please go get those items out of storage for Pepper," Leecher ordered.
"On it!" And Foxtrot ran off.
Once he was gone, Leecher whirled on Pepper and grabbed him by his collar armor to pull him down to their level. The mask popped open to reveal that Liliy was also with Leech. She was frowning.
"Just a scratch?" she hissed. "Pepper, you went out on a mission with them, didn't you?"
"Well, I couldn't let the new kid go alone," Pepper answered sheepishly. "And Optimus and the rest of the team were unreachable at the time."
"And how were you injured?"
"Two insecticons. I had to protect the human-Jack, I believe-on my own."
"Two insecticons should've been easy for you, even while protecting a human. Unless…" Her gaze traveled down his chassis.
"Yeah. I was in such a rush to speak to Optimus, I forgot to grab a canister of Red En for my mod," he admitted.
Liliy sighed and Leecher released his collar. "Pepper…"
"I know. I'm sorry."
"Well, I'm glad you're ok," Liliy said as Leecher pulled a canister of Red En from their subspace and put it in Pepper's servo. "But don't forget to take this with you this time."
"Yes ma'am." He opened a panel on his right side, opposite his t-cog, and inserted the canister into the mod.
"So, how is the decoding going?"
"The latest coordinates led to a legendary sword called the Star Saber. Only Optimus can wield it but it is pretty powerful." He projected images of Optimus cleaving the giant boulder in two and then damaging the Nemesis for them to see.
Leech whistled. "That could turn the tide of the war."
"Megatron probably knows this and that's why he left," said Liliy.
"Left? Megatron left Earth?" asked Pepper.
"Yeah. We tracked the Nemesis to the dark side of the moon where they hid their space bridge and then Megatron and Dreadwing disappeared through the portal to parts unknown. No doubt he went to look for a way to counter Optimus and his new found power."
"Greaaaat… Anyway, the Star Saber also apparently contained a message from Alpha Trion, the old archivist from Iacon."
"Yes, I know of him."
"According to him, Optimus said, the last four relics are called Omega Keys and they are the keys to reviving Cybertron."
"Reviving Cybertron? But how do you revive a planet with keys?"
"I'm not sure but I get the feeling that Optimus isn't telling us everything."
"That's probably wise, just in case someone gets captured by the Decepticons."
"So, is it alright for me to go back and finish helping Optimus?"
"Yes. That's fine. But No. More. Missions." Leecher's digit poked Pepper in the chest with each word out of Liliy's mouth. "Am I clearly understood?"
Pepper snapped to attention and saluted. "Yes Ma'am!"
"Good. Now where is Fox with those supplies?"
"I'm back," Pepper called as he stepped out of a ground bridge near the medbay.
"Oh, good. Did you get everything?" Ratchet eyed the small cart Pepper brought with him.
"Yeah. The Madam just gave me some energon too since I'll be staying here until we done with the decoding and I didn't know how your stores were."
"Liliy is letting you stay?" asked Optimus, turning from the console.
Pepper looked up at him. "Yeah. She was a little upset that I went on a mission and got hurt but after I explained everything to her and told her about the Omega Keys, she said I could come back. Of course, I had to promise not to go on any more missions."
Optimus smiled. "I am glad. I appreciate your help."
"She also said to be aware that Megatron may be planning something to counter the Star Saber. Apparently, he left Earth via the Decepticon space bridge a while ago but he returned while I was at home."
"We will keep that in mind." Optimus went back to decoding.
"Can I leave this to you, Ratchet?" Pepper asked.
"Yes. I'll take care of it. You go help Optimus."
"Autobots, we have decoded the first set of the final four coordinates." Optimus faced the others as he gave his orders. "Divide into teams in the event that we are able to decode another before the first team returns."
"I'm on team one," exclaimed Smokescreen. "Who's with me?"
"I'll go," Arcee replied.
"After you, sir-ma'am," Smokescreen corrected. He just wasn't sure how to address her. "Commander?"
"This should be interesting," Ratchet said as he opened the ground bridge for them.
{Be careful this time, Smokescreen.} Pepper commed him as he disappeared. {And maybe use that relic you're carrying.}
{Oh, yeah. I forgot I had that. Thanks.}
Pepper rolled his optics and went back to work.
{Ratchet, ground bridge! Now!} Arcee commed the base desperately a while later.
But by the time Ratchet got the ground bridge open, only Arcee came staggering back.
"Arcee, what happened? Where's Smokescreen?" asked Ratchet, guiding her over to the medbay to sit down.
"Did you get the relic?" inquired Bulkhead.
"No," Arcee replied. "Megatron showed up. He was wielding a sword with the same power as the Star Saber. After I called for a bridge, he hit us with an energy wave that threw us into the air like ragdolls. Smokescreen recovered first and engaged Megatron with his blaster. I got up and fired at him too but he swung his sword again, releasing another wave. It hit Smokescreen and carried him into the side of the pyramid. And then he was just… gone. Like he'd turned to dust."
"Poor kid," said Bulkhead.
"Arcee, do not blame yourself," Ratchet told her. "It could just've as easily been you-" He looked at the sound of a blaster charging.
It was Bulkhead. He was angry and battle-ready. "Well, I say we go claim a piece of Megatron's miserable metal hide."
"Yeah, let's go," Bumblebee agreed.
"No." Optimus' voice stopped them. "We have already lost another one of our own today."
"No you haven't," Pepper spoke up suddenly.
"What?" asked Ratchet.
"Smokescreen." Pepper, now on the main floor, turned to the console and typed in a few commands. A map appeared on the monitor. There were two indicators on it, one Autobot, one Decepticon. He highlighted the Autobot signal. "According to the SDS, he's still alive. Going by the exact coordinates of his spark, I'd guess he's inside the pyramid he hit."
"But… how?" asked Arcee.
Pepper turned to look at her. "The phase-shifter. He still had it on him and I advised him to use it as you guys were leaving. The impact very likely activated the shifter and that would explain why it seemed like he was 'just gone'."
"The SDS cannot tell his condition?" asked Optimus.
"No. Just that a spark is still active. But given what Arcee witnessed, it would appear that Megatron is now in possession of something equal to the Star Saber. Even with the phase-shifter, an impact from that most likely knocked him unconscious since he's not moving."
"If Megatron really has obtained might to equal the Star Saber, then only I have a chance of recovering the Omega Key and bringing back Smokescreen," said Optimus.
"The fate of Cybertron rests upon the key's retrieval," agreed Ratchet.
"Whether Megatron knows it or not," added Bulkhead.
"I guess it's a good thing I finished making that holder," said Ratchet. "Optimus, let me attach it before you go."
"I'll keep working on decoding while you're gone," offered Pepper.
"Thank you, Pepper. I'm counting on you."
"Stay safe, Optimus."
After Optimus left, Ratchet turned to Pepper.
"Can you bring up that SDS thing again?"
"Sure." Pepper pulled it up on one monitor while he used the other two for decoding. "Keeping an optic on Optimus?"
"Yes."
Optimus' and Megatron's signals danced around for a bit while they fought.
"Oh. Smokescreen's finally moving," Bulkhead exclaimed.
Smokescreen closed in on the fight and his signal almost merged with Optimus'. But they pulled apart again and stood next to each other.
{Ratchet, ground bridge!} Optimus commed.
Ratchet quickly activated the ground bridge controls. Optimus came through first carrying the Star Saber in his servo but most of the blade was missing. He also had an ugly gash on his shoulder guard. Ratchet guided him over to the medbay as the ground bridge shut down.
Smokescreen came in behind Optimus. He was carrying the Omega Key and the phase-shifter was visible on his other wrist.
"Smokescreen! Glad to see you're alive," exclaimed Bulkhead.
"Yeah. Acree thought you were dead but Pepper said you were alive," added Bumblebee.
"So the phase-shifter helped after all?" asked Pepper.
Smokescreen smiled. "Yeah. Thanks for the reminder, pal. That wave hit me like a wrecking ball. The impact must've activated the shifter. I don't know how long I was unconscious-"
"Only about half an hour," Pepper told him. "Anyway that's how long it was from Arcee's arrival to when your spark signal started moving again."
"That's not bad I guess." Smokescreen shrugged. "But when I made my way back outside, Optimus and Megatron were deep in an epic throwdown. I waited for the right moment to make my move."
"You're learning," said Arcee.
Ratchet had checked over Optimus and said he was fine to keep working. The Prime moved over to the console after setting aside the remains of the Star Saber. Pepper gave him a look, silently asking if Optimus was sure he was alright. Optimus just nodded at him. Pepper nodded back once before going back to his place on the other side of the monitors.
"By the way, can I keep this?" Smokescreen asked Ratchet, showing him the phase-shifter. "I mean it is really working out for me."
"Yeah. I guess," sighed Ratchet. "Though, I didn't even know you had it."
"Oh. Yeah. I got from Pepper's friends, the flyers. It's what I used to get the Apex Armor from Starscream."
"Well if they gave it to you, then you can definitely keep it."
"Yes!" cheered Smokescreen. "Signature weapon!"
Then he turned and saw the broken Star Saber. His cheerful mood dropped as he approached it. The others gathered around behind him.
"You got yours," said Bulkhead. "Optimus lost his."
"The balance of power shifted again," stated Arcee.
"While he may have wielded the power of the Ancients for only one day, Optimus does not require it to be the mightiest of warriors."
Pepper happened to glance at Optimus' face through the monitor after Ratchet spoke and caught the briefest glimpse of something odd in the Prime's optics but then he blinked and it was gone.
You know what's funny. I have rewatched these episodes a lot but it wasn't until I was thinking how to write them that I made the connection between the Star Saber and the Sword in the Stone/King Arthur. That led Pepper having a sword and shield like a knight. He is a snow plow so I imagined that his plow blade becomes his shield. It hangs on his back over his sword. And when he is sitting, you can't see his helm over the shield when you're behind him.
My next challenge is how to write the rest of the keys. Till next time.