Chapter 181 – The Ends Justifies the Means

Prime P.O.V

I had no idea how Lockdown had come to obtain the mythical sword, but I closed my optics as both relief and frustration flooded my systems. That ship – and the Star Saber with it - were back on Cybertron by now and Primus only knew when, or if, the ship would return with Elita and much needed reinforcements.

Behind me I heard Ironhide swear in Cybertronian and Jazz gave an amused chuckle as he rubbed his helm with his servo in exasperation. Cade spoke again as he took in our reactions. ''I thought that ship was here on Earth Prime? Why do you all look so, well, pissed?''

I sighed and turned my optics towards his face on the screen. ''Cade that ship was indeed on Earth - about two and a half, three months ago.''

''Was?'' one of Cade's eyebrows arched up.

''Yeah, as in no longer here Cade.'' Ironhide's gruff voice shot back. ''Elita used it to head back to Cybertron to try and recruit more aid and to remove the Seed.'' Above me I watched Lennox close his eyes in frustration and concern as he muttered a swear word under his breath.

For a moment none of us spoke as the gravity of the situation sunk in. ''It's my fault Prime,'' Ironhide broke the silence, his voice filled with self-recrimination. ''I was in the armoury with Cade that day, I should have…''

''You were not to know of both the Saber's existence nor of its importance Ironhide. None of us did. What you should have done that day is exactly what you did. Helped Cade get Tessa to safety and help free me from the ship.'' Though I refrained from placing a servo on my friend's shoulder, I sent him a reassuring smile. Ironhide merely grunted and averted his gaze as he grappled with my absolution.

Cade's voice drifted down to me once more. ''Why do you need it so badly anyway? I mean, it's a wicked weapon an' all, but surely you guys have other stuff at your disposal? What's wrong with that other massive sword you got that day Prime?''

I shook my helm at my friend. ''Sorry Cade, that's currently classified information,'' I turned my gaze from Cade to Lennox who was staring at me intently, his lips pursed together in annoyance. ''I have to inform the appropriate chain of command before I can divulge that to you – if at all.'' Lennox nodded.

Cade gave a small laugh and sighed. ''I get it big guy. End of the world type stuff again.''

I gave a small chuckle in return, though I felt my spark ache at the unintended truth to his words. ''Something like that Cade.''

A hesitant voice rang out from behind Lennox. ''Lieutenant Colonel Lennox?

Lennox turned to address the voice, some of his own frustration seeping into his tone. ''What is it Wilks?''

The man flinched slightly but continued undeterred. ''We will have a secure line to General Morshower within five minutes Sir. Requesting your presence and that of Optimus Prime, Sir.'' The man in question looked between Lennox and I for confirmation.

''Thank you, Wilks. We will be there directly.'' Lennox looked at me and then turned the screen around to him. ''I'm sorry Cade but time's up. Prime and I have an important meeting to attend to. It was good to see you again.'' Lennox gave Cade a quick smile before he flicked the screen around one more time.

''Yeah sure, thanks Lennox.'' Cade smiled at me. ''Well big guy, good luck with saving the world an' all and getting hold of that sword. If I can be of any help to you, just say the word. I'll fight with you any day.''

I felt a genuine smile of fondness and appreciation spread across my dermas. Cade had once said to me, /You gotta have faith in who we can be Prime. You gotta look through all the junk to find the treasure/. Cade was indeed a friend to be treasured and he had indeed helped to restore my faith in humanity. I inclined my helm towards his image. ''Thank you, Cade Yeager, you once again honour me with your friendship and your bravery. You have already been of more help than you know and, while I would fight alongside you any day as well, I pray to Primus we shall have no need to.''

Cade smiled. ''I hear ya Prime.'' Waving to the two bots behind me he called out. ''See ya Jazz and 'Hide, look out for him,'' he nodded towards me.

''Will do brother, catch ya on tha flip side!'' Jazz waved.

Ironhide grunted and nodded. ''Cade.''

With that Lennox ended the call and the screen went blank. For a moment a heavy feeling engulfed my spark. /Would that be the last time I saw Cade? Would his family become just another casualty in this war that was coming?/.

''Optimus?'' Lennox called out to me interrupting my morose thoughts. ''It's time.'' Lennox turned and faced the monitor before him. Any minute now General Morshower's face would appear and one of the most difficult and delicate conversations I was likely to ever have, would take place.

I merely nodded my helm. ''Ironhide, I need you to get to Hound as Rachet will still be attending to Phoenix, tell him what we have learned about the Saber. Organise an encrypted message for Elita and start sending it immediately and keep sending it until contact is established. Request an immediate return to Earth with the Star Saber. With or without reinforcements.''

''Of course Prime, right away,'' Ironhide nodded his helm and started to make his way to the Autobot personal quarters before he paused, a strange expression on his faceplates. ''And what of Sideswipe, Sunstreaker and Bumblebee? Should we inform them the mission to work with Dirge and Knockout is no longer necessary?''

For a moment I stood there considering Ironhide's words. There was no need for them, any of them, to continue to search for something we knew the location of. And yet, perhaps the greatest purpose of this mission now lay not in finding the Saber itself, but in providing the opportunity for my Autobots, especially one of my most stubborn, aggressive and self-centered bots, to develop tolerance, restraint and team work. Perhaps there may be a chance, however small, that this could be the start of a new future, a new path in working with Decepticons. Allowing the mission to continue could help smooth the way for other bots to learn to unite in a common cause and work together.

''Optimus? Your orders? Shall I contact Sideswipe to disband the team?'' Ironhide questioned. ''Though it does seem a shame..''

My optics shone brightly. ''Indeed Ironhide, it does. While Cade Yeager has indicated the Star Saber is aboard the Temnos, we have yet to receive confirmation from Elita of this fact,'' Ironhide's grin widened as he followed my train of thought. ''I feel it may be prudent to continue the search for the Saber, exhausting ALL possible avenues until such time as I am satisfied the mission has achieved it's purpose. Until then, this information is strictly on a need to know basis and is not to be circulated.''

Ironhide nodded his helm, his optics shining brightly in mirth. ''Understood and I could not agree more Prime. I shall continue to monitor the team's progress and provide you with updates.'' With a quick nod of his helm and a grateful smile, Ironhide departed to carry out my orders.

Jazz chuckled, ''Nicely done Prime. An' Megatron? Should ya inform him?''

I placed my servo in Jazz's shoulder and smiled down at my 2IC. ''Inform him of what Jazz?''

My second shuttered his optics rapidly as he seemed to process what I had just. A nanosecond later, a massive smile spread on his dermas and he chuckled. ''I never thought I would live ta see tha day Optimus Prime didn't play by tha rules! I like it!''

I laughed as I removed my servo from Jazz's shoulder. ''I am learning that perhaps there is some merit in the human saying, ''the ends justify the means''. I will of course inform Megatron we have found the Star Saber, it is the right thing to do and if we are to maintain the truce, honesty and integrity must form its foundations. However, I will tell him when I am ready to do so.''

''Understood Prime an' agreed.'' Jazz nodded his helm towards the catwalk and Lennox who was pacing impatiently on the catwalk. ''Ya better go an do your thang Prime, we can take it from here.'' He turned to follow Ironhide.

''Jazz, a moment please.'' My 2IC halted and awaited my instructions.

''Prime!'' Lennox barked in agitation as he pointed to his watch. ''NOW!''

I ignored him. ''Jazz, I would be grateful if you would stay by Phoenix's side until she awakens from her repairs. I have a feeling I may be here for some time, and I do not want her to awaken alone and without knowing I was thinking of her. Please, explain why I may not be able to be there and tell her I will be by her side as soon as I can.''

Jazz smiled warmly at me. ''Of course Prime. I can do that for ya both.'' He nodded behind me to the tense image of Lennox on the catwalk addressing the visage of General Morshower. ''Good luck. Glad it's you an' not me.''

I grunted. ''Thanks Jazz, I have a feeling we're going to need quite a lot of luck from here on in.'' I nodded curtly and turned on my pedes. Though I walked towards Lennox and Morshower, my spark went with Jazz as he made his way to Phoenix's side.