Author's Aside: If you'd like music to go along with the scene, give a listen to "Tessa" by Steve Jablonsky
Contrition and honor hung thick in the air, deadening the silence as it drifted in the stale currents of the ARC hangar. Overhead, guiltless halogen bulbs bathed the room in stark white light.
Having proved its mettle to Optimus, the mech once again remained darkened and empty on its repair dock. Standing before it was the Prime himself, flanked on his right by Bumblebee, Mirage, and Ironhide. To his left, General Reims and Colonel Lennox took point for a squad of soldiers. In the ranks were NEST members that had known and fought alongside the Autobots for more than two years. Behind them, the ARC unit held the last file. While three were new to the Cybertronian missions, all were here to behold the consecration of their gunship.
It felt all too familiar to once again be standing at attention in their dress uniforms, respectfully silent in observation of the gleaming titans.
Seemingly analyzing the mech, Optimus Prime spoke to the room. "We have borne witness to this feat of engineering, a coalescence of human and Cybertronian technology. While it will never replace one of us, the people behind it are no less valuable for attempting to fill the role. "
He turned to face Bumblebee. The scout held out his hand and transferred a glinting metal plate to his commander. The battered face of an Autobot badge peered up from his palm. The edges were curled and blackened, countless nicks and irreversible gouges obscured the finer details.
With resolute concentration, Optimus continued his eulogy. "This Autobot emblem belonged to my First Lieutenant, a very old friend, Jazz. Fierce in battle and loyal to his core, what he lacked in stature he rose above in sheer force of will. He loved this planet and its inhabitants. His spark outshone the brilliance of any star, brimming with more life than many warriors his superior."
Approaching the sleeping giant, Optimus held the damaged sigil up to the center of the unmarred chest plates. Between them was a space just the right size for the emblem. With one gentle finger, he slid the metal piece into the depression.
A soft amber light illuminated the edges as the surrounding metal of the mech shifted subtly to accept the symbol and secure it in place. It fit as if it had been built in from the beginning. The blemishes began to fade, the edges unrolling to a flat surface. All but the deepest scars were erased in a matter of seconds on the once-again proud visage.
"We must never forget our pasts, for in those memories, we live on. It is my hope for this team to function with the utmost integrity and justice so that we may continue to fight in Jazz's glory."
General Reims and Colonel Lennox snapped to salute, the soldiers following suit without hesitation.