Chapter 13

Astroburn grinned and clapped Anárion on the back. " 'Bolts! How've you been, man? I haven't heard from you in ages. You just dropped of the face of Cybertron. What's up?"

Anárion visibly tensed, and Isis raised an eyebrow. " 'Bolts,' " she asked, amused.

"What? Didn't he tell you?" Astroburn looked at her.

"It is not a good subject," Anárion interrupted.

"Sure it is," the younger male wouldn't give up. "The hero's just modest, that's all. See, back when we were in our flight training, this bot was the top of our class. I tell you, Isis, he's the best. Even saved some of us from our own stupidity a few times. So everyone, including our instructors, named him after one of the heroes from the early years of the Great War: Commander Silverbolt of the Aerialbots."

"There are, however, a few points they miscalculated," Anárion objected. "I am not half the man Commander Silverbolt was. He was the one who destroyed the Key to Vector Sigma and he was a great leader. I do not deserve his name. He never failed like I have."

"What in the inferno is this slag?!" Astroburn was shocked. "Come on, Silverbolt, everyone back in the academy owes you their lives at least once. I know I sure do."

"Anárion?" Isis put a hand on his shoulder, sensing that something was seriously wrong.

"It is not something I wish to discus," he replied. "Isis, would you walk with me for a little wile? I need to clear my head."

"Sure," she nodded and began to walk away from the Predacon laboratory.

"Astroburn," Anárion called back for the last time.

"Yeah?" their optics met.

"Don't ever call me Silverbolt again. Ever." With that, he and Isis disappeared.

* * * * * * * * * *

"What was that all about?" Isis looked up at Anárion as they walked down the street in the direction of his apartment.

"You asked why I bothered to go after you. It has to do with that."

"Tell me."

Anárion took a deep breath. "Alright, you do deserve to know. It was five stellar cycles after I graduated from flight training where they had indeed called me Silverbolt ever since my first year. I never minded. In fact I became so used to it, I abandoned the name Anárion completely. When my training was complete, I joined Maximal Air Force. About two stellar cycles later, they put me on reckon and paired me with another pilot. Her name was Laurelin, and she and I worked together for three stellar cycles."

"She was just your partner?" Isis double checked casually.

Anárion smiled at her. "We were not lovers, if that is what you were asking."

"Oh," she blushed brightly. "Not that it would bother me."

"No, of course not, Isis," his smile widened since he knew that it would have bothered her a great deal. "May I return to the subject at hand?" Isis nodded, urging him to continue. "Five stellar cycles into my service and three after the beginning of our partnership, we were sent to a secret section of the Predacon territory for a prisoner exchange. We were ordered to receive the three Maximals being released. But when we arrived…" he paused an took a deep breath.

"When we arrived, we found their dismembered bodies scattered in front of the Predacon prison. Laurelin and I immediately drew our weapons. It had all been an ambush. Unfortunately before we had a chance to act, a dozen Predacons appeared from their hideouts, and we were both captured. Shifter was there, and I was forced to watch as he tortured, raped, and later killed Laurelin. I am still unsure of how I escaped, but I remember clearly holding her beaten, broken, body as she drew her last breath. Her optics grew dim, and then she was gone, her spark left her body to join the Matrix.

"Yes, I escaped, but I was unable to save her. She…she died in my arms, and I should have helped her in some way, but I could not. I am not a hero, and I certainly don't deserve to carry Commander Silverbolt's name."

Isis listened, then took his hand in hers. "Sh this is a vengeance gig for you?"

"I prefer not to think of it that way," Anárion sighed and shook his head. "Yes, I want to see that monster pay for everything he's done to you, to Laurelin, and to thousands of other Maximals. But this isn't just about him. More than anything, I wish to make up for what I've done, but I suppose I can never succeed."

"What you did? Anárion, I can tell you exactly what you did. You saved me from a life of pain and torture, or worse, from a life as a Predacon. What happened to your partner was in no way your fault. I understand you may have survivor's guilt, but I'm glad that you did. If you hadn't, I may not be here, at least not as myself."

A single silver tear slid down Anárion's face. He was so grateful to here her say those words, but his heart was still so heavy. Gently, Isis brushed away the tear, and her hand came to rest, cupping his face. Anárion turned his head slightly, and pressed his lips against her open palm.

Isis, in her turn, also felt like crying. Anárion was the kindest, most considerate male she'd ever known. It was a pity he wouldn't, or couldn't, see his own kindness and the goodness of his heart. She smiled up at him and brought her hand back to her side. Then, ever so slowly she brought her face closer to his until their lips met in a soft, but passionate kiss.

After a moment, Anárion drew back and released a deep sigh. "Isis, I…" he didn't get a chance to finish what he was about to say. Three carefully aimed laser charges were shot from a gun concealed by shadows, aimed at him. One of them hit him directly in the middle of his torso plate, missing his spark chamber by an inch. Anárion fell to the ground with a loud crash. His body shook violently, and sparks flew in every direction as his internal wiring began to break down.

Isis heard herself scream Anárion's name, but she had very little time to comprehend what had happened before her warrior instincts kicked in, and they screamed at her to go after the shooter. The shadows shifted, and her acute sight spotted what looked like a silhouette. Sparing Anárion only one quick glance, she broke out into a run. The silhouette ran too, and it was very fast indeed. Isis chased it through several dark allies before they finally reached a fairly well lit street. Then she froze.