A Leap of Faith - ***
Chapter 2

Metallic red eyes watched carefully as drops of blue liquid turned a dark purple. Razor sharp teeth smiled as another single metallic eye lifted the container moving the liquid around before transferring it to another glass vessel. Long black fingers used a small dropper, pulling some of the liquid. It moved the dropper over an organic creature, its whiskers moving as it used its little paws to rub at the little pink nose. Three drops were released.

A sharp piercing noise echoed throughout the whole laboratory. The small mouse rolled onto its back, the fine fur falling off in pieces. A leg fell from the body along with a tail. Eventually, the body stopped moving, eyes as black as coal rolled thick drops of blood as deep scarlet onto the metal table, skin pulling away revealing decaying tissue and eaten bones.

"The third trial was a success," spoke Shockwave as he placed the dropper down. One of the Decepticon lab helpers scooped up the remaining pieces of the dead mouse. "To know if it works on Cybertronians, I will need a test subject. Once that test is completed, one more will be needed."

Megatron reached out into the hallway past the Decepticon carrying the carcass. He pulled in another soldier, the door closing behind. Screams echoing down the hallway as metal feet walked away.

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Callie stared at the metal hand. She swallowed hard; her body pressed against the wall acting as if she was trying to climb up it. Lennox sighed and took Callie's hand allowing him to pull her upon the outstretch servo. Callie started shaking and gripped Lennox tightly, especially when Ratchet rosed to his full height. He wasn't as tall as the Autobot Commander, but his height was something that caused fear to race through Callie's small form.

Ratchet didn't have to travel far. The red and blue mech stood outside the Autobot's hangar watching as the weapon specialist, a black mech with huge cannons known as Ironhide, trained a few of the new Autobot that have recently arrived.

"Optimus, I have concluded my research," called out Ratchet as he stopped beside the Autobot commander. Optimus glanced over his broad shoulder to stare at Ratchet. He noticed Callie within the Autobot medic's servo, her small form wrapped tightly within Lennox's arms.

"Is the young femme responsible for creating the Cybertronian metal?" asked the commander, his deep baritone voice calm as he spoke.

Ratchet nodded bringing up the small piece he grabbed before picking up Callie and the Major. Optimus took it into his large servo and brought it up to his optics. He narrowed his eyes as he studied the small metal sheet, turning it in different directions before placing it back in Ratchet's open servo.

"I ran all the possibilities, even testing it with a few drops of energon," elaborated Ratchet as he pocketed the metal sheet into his subspace. "Callie has an ability no human should have. Until I do more testing, we won't know how she achieved this ability or what else could be associated with it."

Optimus nodded before turning towards the training that was happening near the old runway. He crossed his arms over his broad chassis. He did a sideway glance towards the young femme before returning his optics to Ironhide's training, the few younger bots beginning to circle the black mech.

"Run your test, Ratchet," affirmed the commander's deep baritone voice. "The femme will remain on base till we understand everything about her ability and how she received it. Keep me updated on what you find."

Prime stepped away and walked back towards Ironhide. Ratchet turned from the training and began his track back to the medbay. He placed his servo upon the ground allowing the Major to hop off before rising and setting Callie upon the metal berth. Callie quickly crawled to the edge only to stop when she saw how far down it was to the ground.

"I am going to gather some earth alloys. As Prime stated, we need to understand the full extent of your abilities." Callie looked up at the mech and watched as Ratchet stepped out. Lennox had already left, mentioning that he had to return to his own work leaving Callie alone with her thoughts.

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Callie ran out of the Autobot's hangar, her breathing coming in pants. She didn't stop, only tripping upon a rock and dropping to her hands and knees. Ratchet ran her through plenty of tests, learning everything about her. Curling upon her knees and wrapping her arms around her stomach, Callie sobbed into the ground. She wanted nothing to do with these titans. Her life was destroyed even before she graduated high school, taken away at the young age of seventeen.

Sitting back upon her legs, Callie stared out. The small military base had seen better days, nestled within thick trees up high in the mountains. Remains of hangars and buildings littered the sides while one huge building and three solid hangars remained.

Footprints running towards her pulled Callie to look over her shoulder. Lennox along with Emma stopped by her side, Emma dropping to her knees. Callie looked up at them both before noticing within the distance behind them. The Autobot commander stood outside the Autobot's hangar, his blue optics looking in their direction, a strange expression dancing across his metallic face.

"Are you okay, Callie?" Emma's voice drew Callie back to her friend. Tears pricked against her eyes before the young woman fell upon the older woman's laps, her sobs echoing around the empty area.

"Ratchet knows everything," cried Callie. Her hands gripped Emma's pants, wet stains making their appearance upon the material.

Emma wrapped her arms around the young woman. "Oh Callie, this is a good thing. Now, we know the extent on what has happened to you."

"There is nothing they can do," yelled Callie as she pushed back. "Those monsters didn't just experiment on me; they tortured and raped me. I don't want anything to do with any of them." Callie screamed before crashing against Emma, her sobs coming harder.

Emma looked at the Major as Lennox looked back at the Autobot commander. Lennox watched as Prime curled his servo before turning away and disappearing through the metal door that lead into the Autobot's hidden base. While Megatron has caused problems for both the humans and the Autobots, Lennox had to agree with Optimus regarding one thing. Megatron never went after humans to violate them or even use them. No, the Decepticon leader was planning something. The question was what.

.%.

The Autobot commander walked through the dark hallways of the hidden base. Ratchet stepped out one of the doors; his metallic arms crossed over his chest. Prime looked down at his friend before following the medic inside the lab.

Results of the testing laid out upon the large metal tables. Blood sat within a small beaker while slides contained both energon and the young woman's blood, some already set upon a large instrument. Different shapes of earth metal set next to the microscope. Some of the pieces were already shaped like Cybertronian metal. There was even a small weapon, a blaster.

Ratchet sighed as he stopped by the metal berth, his metallic body colliding against the huge object. "I never meant to scare the young femme."

"I know you didn't," replied the commander. His blue optics stopped at the blood. Occasionally the mixture moved catching the light causing something within to reflect. "What did you learn?"

"Megatron has something planned. I just don't know what," replied the Autobot medic. He walked the short distance from the berth to the lab table. Picking up the beaker, he turned towards Prime. "Her blood is a mixture of energon, human blood, and small bits of Cybertronian metal. That is why the femme can create our living metal."

Optimus glanced over his broad shoulder to the closed door. "She screamed about being tortured and physically harmed. Could that have been the result regarding her mixed blood?"

Ratchet shook her head, "Unfortunately not. When we found her Prime, her body showed trauma. Injections within both arms, not once but multiple times. No, the assault came after when Shockwave was able to find his results."

Optimus sighed deeply. He recalled the night when Callie ran into them. A small skirmish took place that required his team. While it was rare, occasionally the Decepticons decided to still cause some troubles and usually within a public place. Prime took Ratchet and Ironhide while Lennox took a few of his men. It luckily took place within a desolate location of a huge city with hollowed out buildings and construction machines. Prime tried to keep the damage to a minimal. It was during that battle that Callie ran towards them.

Optimus was standing towards the back near Lennox while Ironhide took care of the last Decepticon. The sight of Callie was one that Prime would never forget. The young femme's body looked haunting. Dirt and dried blood caked her body. Glass stuck to the bottom of her feet. Her clothing was barely held together. It was her eyes, though, that he noticed the most. Deep emerald that showed so much fear.

"I remember you saying that you saw liquid still covering most of the femme," spoke Optimus as he closed his optics trying to push the harsh memory to the back of his processor.

Ratchet sadly nodded, "Yes. A mixture of blood and transfluid, the results of multiple interfaces."

Optimus curled his fist and growled deeply, "I want to know what Megatron has planned."

"I want the same, Prime, but we have no clues besides the femme and the results I have found."

Optimus cycled his vents before turning towards the door and walking out. He continued down the hallway to where it opened wide. A few of the Autobots sat around a large screen while some played a game with a metal ball. Prime didn't stop even when Ironhide glanced in his direction, a raised optical ridge upon his face.

Turning away, the Autobot commander disappeared down another corridor. He stopped before a large door and pressed a few keys into the keypad, the light switching from red to green. Once inside, the door slammed shut and the light returned to red. The sound of metal screeching and slamming echoed down the hallway.

.%.

Callie changed into her running clothing, the last of sunlight casting an orange glow across the land followed by the dark colors of purple and blue. Stepping out through the glass double doors, she adjusted her shoes along with her hair tie before pushing off, running down the broken runway and out of the small base.

Thoughts trailed through Callie's mind as she pushed herself forward, the muscles in her legs aching as she ran through the rough terrain down towards the empty beach. The waves pulled and splashed against the sand, pieces of driftwood remaining. The moon reflected against the water as giant waves crashed against the high cliffs.

Callie breathed deeply and continuing pushing, the splash of water as her sneakers hit the ground. Her arms continued pumping, fueling her as she tried pushing her thoughts to the back of her mind. She didn't want to recall what had happened to her, what everyone was trying to offer her.

During dinner, Major Lennox approached her. He explained that Ratchet was sorry for scaring her, even Prime was upset about how things turned out. In the whole process, Lennox offered a solution for Callie. She could use her ability to help Ratchet with repairs. Occasionally the Autobots went on missions and sometimes returned with damage done to their metallic frames. Callie wouldn't have to touch the Autobots, but she could create enough Cybertronian metal to help with the repairs.

Callie stood up and slammed her hands down upon the table. She told Lennox that she didn't want anything to do with the metal titans. She wanted everyone to leave her alone. Both Lennox and Emma explained that with the results from what they learned, she couldn't be left unprotected or even alone. Something was happening because of what happened to her, something that no one was prepared for.

Stopping near a small ravine where a waterfall fell upon a mix of stones and disappeared within the short stream that ran into the ocean, Callie stared into the darkness, listening to the crashing water. Her mind circled on everything that has happened in over six years of her life. Dropping to her hands and knees, she leaned over and allowed the tears to burn within her eyes before trailing and dripping upon the ground.

"Callie." The young woman looked over her shoulder sharply. Bright blue optics approached her, large metallic feet making deep impressions within the sand.

"What are you doing here?" She bit out, her tone laced with venom and hatred. She ran the back of her hand across her face, drying her tears before narrowing her emerald eyes at the Autobot commander.

Optimus dropped down to one knee, his metallic form reflecting against the pale moon. "Callie, please, I only want to help you."

"I don't want your help," she retorted back sharply. "Don't you get it. You monsters took everything away from me You destroyed me!"

Optimus dropped his helm, his sapphire optics closing as he vented deeply. "I understand the difficulties, but my Autobots are not like the Decepticons. I cannot take back what has happened to you, but I can promise you that nothing like that will happen again."

Callie stood, her arms crossing over her chest. "You cannot promise a damn thing. Just leave me alone."

Taking a step back, her foot slipped across a loose stone. Her eyes widen as the scene flew by her in slow motion. Her arms flayed in front as her voice screamed. Optimus moved quickly, sand flying where his knee had once laid. He reached with his arm, his black servo wrapping around the young woman. He rolled, tucking her against his large chassis. Callie's eyes remain wide with fear as both tried to calm down.

"Are you okay?" asked the Autobot commander after a few minutes. His vents were still cycling. His spark kept pulsing at a speed of a race car. He slowly uncurled his servo and glanced down at the woman in his dark, metallic hand.

Callie pushed to her knees, her hands lying flat against Prime's chest. Slowly, she rose her head to stare into the ocean-blue optics of the commander. "You saved me?"

Prime smiled gently as he helped the young woman to the ground before pushing his metal form up, his knee landing gently upon the sand. "You thought I wouldn't?"

"I don't deserve it." Callie stated softly as she dropped her head to stare at the ground. "I am damage goods with a strange ability. Why even save me?"

Optimus reached out with a single digit, the touch gentle as he raised Callie's face to look him in the optics, "You are not damage good. Your ability can help others just as much as it can destroy. I saved you because every life even one that has gone through so much trauma is worth saving."

Callie watched as Optimus pushed against the ground and stood to his full twenty-eight-foot height. He smiled down at the young woman before turning away and walking back to the base. Callie stared at the Autobot commander as he disappeared into the trees leaving her alone with only the sound of the waterfall and the splashing waves.

.%.

Callie returned to base after a few minutes to herself. The base was empty with most soldiers already within the human living quarters. Upon her walk back, she thought about everything that had happened. Prime could have let her perished, but instead, he saved her saying that her life was worth saving. She still didn't believe it could mean anything, but maybe just maybe she was wrong. Could the offer that Lennox was giving her be a chance to start over?

Stopping at the double glass door, Callie looked over towards the Autobot's hangar. Optimus stood outside talking with Major Lennox and Ironhide. She watched as he looked at her, his blue optics narrowing and then widening as if he was thinking and realizing at the same time. With a deep swallow, Callie quickly disappeared into the building unsure exactly what that all meant.

Callie moved down the wall to a window that looked out towards the runway. The Autobot commander was still looking in her direction. She waited for a few minutes, wondering what was on his mind before she watched as Major Lennox waved goodbye and both mechs disappeared into the Autobot hangar, the huge metal door closing shut. With a deep sigh, Callie finally made her way down the hallways towards her room.

.%.

Lennox walked back to the humans' living quarters. His thoughts remained upon what he had learned about Callie. So much has changed within the eight years. He recalled how the Autobots arrived, searching for an object that was supposedly their way of life only to learn that it was destroyed. With no hope or chance of returning home, the Autobots formed an alliance with the military, helping them stop Decepticons that caused problems throughout the world.

If only it was that easy.

The door to his room opened with a swish. He walked in, slamming the button to close and lock it. It was a small room containing a desk, chair, dresser, and a small bed. Even with his rank, he decided to stay with the few humans that have remained faithful to the Autobots. It never made sense. Why did humanity finally turn against the Autobots? They did nothing wrong, but alas, it was just not meant to be.

A single artifact, one with an important clue tied to it started the downfall. Battles after battles, cities destroyed, human lives lost. The Decepticons didn't care. The Autobots didn't want the same result to happen to Earth as their homeland, but each battle did not conclude the small war, it only prolonged it.

When Optimus Prime finally solved the final puzzle, it was an all-out sprint. No human knew what was so important about this single artifact. Learning about its abilities and what exactly it did change everyone's opinion. The final battle lasted for three years with Optimus coming out as the victor. While his metal frame looked like it went through more than just a warzone with twisted pieces, leaking liquid, and deep scratches, the Prime of Cybertron stood against the Decepticon Warlord and succeeded.

Too bad humanity didn't see it as a victory.

While the Optimus Prime received the Matrix of Leadership, the Autobot commander had lost the trust of humanity. No longer safe out in the open, Major Lennox along with General Moreshower and the President of the United States moved the Autobots to a hidden location, one that was completely off the maps. The war between the Autobots and Decepticons was heard no more. Humans feared all Cybertronians whether they be friend or foe. Special teams began to hunt them going as far to involve themselves when Autobots and Decepticons fought.

It was chaos and learning that humans were now being experimented on by the Decepticons brought even more issues. Major Lennox along with Optimus Prime just wanted this nightmare to be over, but what chance is there when hope seems like a small grain of sand that keeps being pulled out to the sea during each crashing wave?