Seeking Solace – Ashes to Ashes
Chapter 2
"The only cure for grief is action"
Six days...
Six tireless days since the battle that claimed the spark of Rodimus Prime. Most of the injured had been treated and repaired, leaving only the critically wounded to remain in the infirmary. It was now the evening, the city was quiet for the most part. Even the usually crowded streets lacked the bustling activity. New Iacon City was in mourning.
Second-in-command and now acting Autobot leader, Ultra Magnus was exhausted. He barely had a moment of rest, even less to mourn his friend and commander. The memorial held only two days prior and it would be a couple days more before Rodimus and the other Autobots lost are laid to rest in the Autobot mausoleum. Still drifting through the Hadeen star system, Cybertron had once called home. Rodimus would be entombed in the Veil of remembrance, beside the tomb of his predecessor.
Since Ultra Magnus had shared the news of Rodimus' death to the Earth, her colonies and outposts, and to the Galactic Alliance; a near unending pilgrimage of humans and races converged onto the Autobot city. As the week progressed the numbers of those paying respect to the Prime began to lessen. Politicians and plenipotentiaries continuously demanded conference with the city commander. Requests, Ultra Magnus had purposely been ignoring. There was far too much to do, than humouring the selfish demands revolving around three centuries' old agreements and treaties. Demands that could wait. Far too many questions about Rodimus' demise were left unanswered.
Pinching the bridge of his nose, the acting Autobot leader cycled an intake of air in a tire sigh. Ultra Magnus tried clearing away the onslaught of questions and uncertainty from his processor as he continued through the corridor. One question dug in and lingered, a question he repetitively asked.
Where was the Matrix of Leadership?
The uncertainty of the ancient artifacts whereabouts left many, including Ultra Magnus, concerned. No one could confirm if Kryax had taken it, reports from units that had gone to the air of the Prime all conclude the Decepticons left empty handed. Some wondered if Kryax was even after the Matrix or if his goal was to remove Rodimus Prime permanently from the resistance against the black mech. Though there are now doubts. None wanted to consider the worst; that the Matrix died with Rodimus. If it too were gone, there was no telling what that meant for their kind, Autobot or Decepticon.
Stopping before the council room door, Magnus once again tried to clear his processor. Cycling another sigh the large mech was finding it difficult to hide his exhaustion. Perhaps he'll cycle down for a short recharge once the meeting ended. Ultra Magnus once again hid that exhaustion behind a stoic mask as he pressed the door release and entered the room.
The city commander noted that he was the last to arrive. Senior officers and unit commanders congregated around the table in quiet conversation. As Ultra Magnus entered, the chatting halted and each member took to their seat. Good, perhaps this will not be an overly long meeting, Magnus thought to himself before addressing the room.
"Progress report." Said the blue and white mech, taking a seat in the chair reserved for the second in command. He could not bring himself to sit where Rodimus once did.
The Commander's chair remains empty, a reminder of what had been lost.
If anyone noticed his reluctance, no one mentioned it. Nor did anyone speak up about the city commander having been working without stop. That did not mean however that his exhaustion went unnoticed. Data pads were picked up, each filed with reports and notes from the last few days. It was Hotspot, the commander of the Protectobots that spoke first.
The Protectobot updated the progress of the rescue and recovery efforts in the small town that fell victim to the Decepticons. The town had been used to lure the Autobots into a trap. Rodimus knew it had been as trap, but he could not ignore the citizens held hostage by Kryax. None argued with the decision to go to their aid. Their compassion for life was exploited with dire consequence. The report itself bore grim news, many lives were lost whether from the initial battle or before rescue had come. Many more were injured. Dozens of homes and businesses were destroyed, crumbled and broken debris all that remained of the buildings that once stood. The town all but had been wiped off the map. Victims even now were still being pulled from the rubble.
"3246 injured and counting, 286 of those are in critical condition and transferred to hospitals, 329 are dead." Hotspot said. "Those numbers are expected to rise as the day goes on."
It was unsettling news. A reminder yet again that the Autobots failed to uphold their promise to protect the innocent. A failure that was becoming far too common since Kryax' rise to power. Media coverage and human politics were not helping matters either.
News casters have yet to stop reporting the devastation of the Decepticon attack. The news and live coverage of Rodimus' memorial had gotten much less media attention in comparison. City politicians, senators, and angered relatives of the victims demanding compensation. Conflict during the rescue and recovery as well as the reconstruction of the town was ongoing. Autobots assigned could do no more than accept the blame. Three hundred years and humans still blamed them for the actions of the Decepticons.
The room was silent for a moment as the numbers of those they could not save, sunk in. It was Silverbolt to read his report next. The Aerialbot commander having only returned that day from one of several patrols. There were still no sign of the Decepticons. The trail having gone cold near the western American cost. Patrols of Autobot flyers and EDC squadrons spanned the globe hoping to find any clue as to where the Decepticons had vanished to.
"The only other place they could have gone is off world."
"Orbital outpost and satellite scanners have not detected anything unaccountable leaving the planet," added Cosmos via vidcam. "The Decepticons are still on Earth, we just don't know where."
Ultra Magnus was not happy about that news. If Kryax did have the Matrix a believed, why hadn't he returned to Charr? Did this imply there were worse to come from the Decepticons? Perhaps the Decepticon didn't have it after all. The city commander allowed minute hope slip through. If only they were so lucky, but he would need to question the human that had been recovered with Rodimus.
The meeting continued for the next hour. Progress reports of updates and concerns within New Iacon City. Requests for construction and removal from the citizens both Cybertronian, Paradron refugees, and organic. Then there were the updates from outposts. The expansion of Titan 21 were completed. The Selena Colony on the western side of the sea of Tranquility were requesting additional security. Ultra Magnus made note to send some of the younger Autobots. Might give then something to burn off excess energy common among Cybertronic youths.
Hoist, quite proudly, reported the radio array on the north side of the valley had been completed. A much needed communication array with the hope of solving the ongoing issues solar storms created. Scattershot stopping the boisterous architect from taking over the meeting with the fine details of the construction.
While Snarl continued to fill in for the Chief Medical Officer, the Technobot commander updated First Aid's condition. Good news that visibly relieved the Protectobot commander. Quiet chuckles spread out as Hotspot tried to hide his embarrassment. A reprieve from the seriousness the meeting created. No one cast judgement on the firetruck, everyone shared the sentiment, and glad to hear the CMO was recovering. It was well welcomed news.
The Technobot medic continued on, the number of bots that can return to duty had grown. The critical patients were recovering steadily and were to remain off the roster. Some too kept off for nearly a month. Human soldiers including members of the EDC that had been injured too were recovering albeit much slowly as organic healing takes the needed time to complete. It was a miracle that there hadn't been a high number having been killed in battle. Bitter sweet information compared to the number of innocents that were not so lucky.
Then came the update the officers wanted to hear. The human that has been found unconscious next to Rodimus remained in the coma she had fallen into. Those gathered didn't hide their disappointed. It was no secret that they were concerned both for the human but more so the information about the Matrix. They all wanted the answer. Some casting glances to the other empty chair. The Sparkmasters commander would not be joining the council to give her report of the battle anytime soon. Though there was hope given as Scattershot mentions that a there were positive changes in the human's condition. Increased brain activity gave hope that the human may be recover. For now the senior officers and unit commanders were content with that news.
Many commenting if only the Sparkmaster's cydrake could speak, for the mechanical beast was the only other witness. Playful jabs at the beast's expense brought a lighter mood to the room as conversation once again picked up. Ultra Magnus, satisfied with the meeting called it to adjourn. Leaving those present to continue with their work, and preparations for the send-off to the mausoleum.
With that everyone rose from their seats and filtered out of the room. Ultra Magnus graciously waving off concerns for his wellbeing, promising to get some rest. Grimlock having surprised him the most with his concern. The volatile Dinobot commander rarely showed his softer side to other Autobots, especially with witnesses to it.
Catching the Technobot commander before he left, Magnus requested to be notified when the human awakes. Scattershot acknowledge the request with an affirmative. No other concerns, Ultra Magnus followed the others from the council room, saying farewell to the few that lingered. He made his was down the corridor to his quarters. Nothing else needed his attention as the city commander went to take some much needed rest. Setting his internal clock to make it a short recharge, ready to wake at a moment's notice should something arise.
It was dark, nothing to illuminate the space beyond the red glow of optics spread out in the cavern. The Decepticons were taking shelter within the remains of a collapsed volcano. Recent flows of lava having long since cooled. The cavern managed to retain its structural shape even as lava had seeped into it, covering what remains of what looked to be computer equipment. None of the Decepticons cared how or when the collapse happened. Yet to a few among the group the remnants of computers and what appear to be the bridge of a shuttle, clearly Cybertronian in design, looked familiar.
There were no jovial conversation. The chatting present was a quiet mutter among groups. Glances were risked towards the infuriated Decepticon leader. The vast majority of the group kept their distance, but the cavern did not give much space. Fearing Kryax may take his fury out on any of them. Much to their relief their leader seemed to keep himself in check.
It had been days since the attack on that human settlement. Rumour spread that the Prime had been killed. Kryax seemed certain about it. Without their Prime, the Autobots morale would be broken. Definitely a positive for the Decepticons efforts against their eon old enemy. Yet the Decepticon leader was not in a pleased mood. The black has not become any less mysterious since the day he took command of the Decepticon army. No one, but the second and third in command were privy to Kryax' obsession over the Autobot artifact. Even they did not know his true intentions.
Kryax' violet optics blazed brightly in bridled anger. The two senior officers standing either side, as the black mech brooded while sitting on a chair having remained untouched. Both officers stood patiently and obediently before their leader.
"Why worry so much?" Spoke the sinister mech to Kryax' left. A flyer, Third-in-command and Air Commander. "Rodimus Prime clearly would not have survive and the Matrix died with him."
Big mistake. Kryax let go of his hold on his anger. Abruptly rising to his feet, forcing the Air Commander to step back quickly. Terror flitting across his features, fearing that he will meet his demise. The quiet muttering halted as the Decepticons froze in fear of their angered leader.
"I would know if the Matrix had expired!" Kryax yelled.
No, the Matrix still existed. The black mech could sense it. Who was it given to however, was the question.
"Does that mean Rodimus still lives?" Spoke an unidentified mech, hiding amongst the others. Not wishing to have Kryax' anger turned onto him.
"The Prime is very much dead." Assured the Decepticon leader, but did not explain further.
Kryax let his anger simmer as he began filing in his mind a list of Autobots that may now carry the Matrix. It was possible the black mech admitted that the Prime still functioned when Autobots reinforcements had arrived. Anyone of them may have it. Surely it had not been that flesh creature. Kryax was disgusted by that thought, no, that would be quite unlikely.
The Decepticons dared not move or speak which Kryax thought in silence. The Air commander relieved that he had been spared the wrath of their leader. The tension broke with the sharp snap of a figurative whip cracking. Kryax addressed the Decepticons.
"Bring me the Matrix bearer."
The air smelled overly sterilised with an underlying hint of a metallic scent. Constant hum and periodic beeps of medical equipment kept the suffocating silence hospitals are known for, at bay. The massive bulk of the Dinobot medic made nary a sound as he quietly went about his work. Running tests and diagnosing scans of the few injured that remained in the infirmary. Scattershot assisted where he could as they filled in for the Chief Medical Officer.
First Air, though confined to berth, directed and supplied instruction. Having to be repetitively reminded that he was a patient and not on actively duty. Leave it to Ratchet's best pupil to work while bedridden. The Protectobot resigned to recharge when Snarl threatened, rather excitedly the ambulance noted, to remove the Protectobot's vocalizer and weld him to the berth. Lifeline, who had been passing by offered to hold the CMO down. The femme elicited laughter from other two as first Aid, as much as he could, look affronted. With a wink Lifeline left the med bay for the evening.
The two medics kept the mood lighthearted as they joked about the ghost of Ratchet appearing when patients become difficult. Light laughter momentarily filled the silence. A joyful sound. One that had been on short supply over the past week. When the silence returned it was a comfortable atmosphere. As the CMO rested, the Dinobot and Technobot went back to logging medical data and checking test results. Occasionally comparing notes with human and Nebulon medics that would throughout the day travel to and from the adjacent infirmary set up for the more organic patients.
Doctors and the occasional nurse had to cautiously skirt by the slumbering bulk of the cydrake that made camp at the door that separates the two hospitals. The mecha beast paid no attention to any of the humans or Nebulons that passed by. Lay obediently, waiting for someone to step through the door. The door itself was more than large enough to allow the cydrake through as it allow for Autobot medics to cross into the other infirmary to attend to patients.
Within the quiet hours of the evening came subtle movement as muscles twitch. Slowly one finger and then another slowly moved. Eye lids still shut did not hide the minute movement of the eyes beneath. Slowly grey eyes peeked through. Pupils expand and contract under the florescent lighting. Monitoring machines beeped as vitals were displayed. The hiss of the oxygen pump adding to the soft cacophony of sounds. Weight on one hand drew tired eyes to see the sleeping form of a blonde woman. Seated in a chair pitched forward with her head resting on one arm. A freed arm reaching to and held in a light grip a bandaged hand. Fingers twitched and ached slightly as they tried to move.
Fingers curled and wrist twisting as it gripped the sleeping woman's hand, holding as tight as bandages allow. Having been disturbed by the movement, the sleeping woman awoke. Her head lifted slowly, blonde hair falling into her face.
Blue eyes met grey ones.
"Hi." the unused voice croaked.
New Iacon City - the new name for Autobot city. In the 3 centuries since its construction has expanded in the valley becoming a small piece of Cybertron on Earth. Officially declared Cybertronian soil as a gift of friendship and to be a place for the refugees of Cybertron's destruction can call home.