XVI
Orion groaned, sinking in his seat. He'd never left Iacon and more importantly, he'd never ridden the rail. While transforming and driving manual was an option, riding the train seemed not only faster but also less conspicuous. Ratchet was more than willing to join him. Shockwave joined out of curiosity, without notifying the two, merely following them to the station with no words exchanged. As Shockwave was joining, Knockout decided to complete the motley crew. So, the four sat in facing chairs: Orion beside Ratchet and Shockwave beside Knockout.
"So," Shockwave spoke up. "Shall we devise a plan or are we winging it?
"Haven't we always been winging it?" mumbled Knockout, arms crossed.
"We don't want to cause any problems," sighed Orion. "Get in, get out, no conflict…"
The words of Soundwave echoed in his head. Megatronus once said similar things.How close was he getting to walking Megatron's path? Shutting his optics, he tried to think outside of his visions. Would he become the Megatron of this timeline? The destruction. The death. Even if that means leaving Cybertron. Orion opened his optics. Cybertron. Was Cybertron destined to be destroyed?
"Do you believe in destiny?" whispered Orion, looking out the window.
"I think this entire adventure seems to point to it," Knockout shrugged.
"I don't believe in destiny," scoffed Ratchet. "I believe in choices…and doing the right thing."
"Aw," cooed Knockout. "How rehearsed."
Ratchet glared at him. Knockout grinned. The two were starting a mental battle, staring at each other. Orion grinned slightly. The two balanced the group sometimes, keeping them on a certain side of things. Orion sighed, returning his gaze longingly out the window. How long would riding the line last?
"I believe this is our stop," commented Shockwave, gesturing out the window to the approaching station.
"Remember, low profile," ordered Orion, pointing between Knockout and Ratchet.
"Why are you looking at me!" snapped Ratchet.
"Because he's wound you up," replied Orion, getting to his feet. "Best behavior."
Exiting the train, there was an eerie silence as the train rolled away. The group stood a moment, looking across the station at the small town. Bots were moving gingerly, waving and talking with those they passed. It was entirely different from the big city that was Iacon. Orion looked between the others before leading them in.
"So, we're looking for a former councilman," Knockout reiterated, "who either left willingly or was kicked out by our mystery corrupt councilman. We're sure they're clean? What if they're corrupt too?"
"We're back to square one," Orion sighed.
"I'd say we're well passed square one," Shockwave commented. "At least step 23."
"Why 23?" Ratchet perked.
"Multistep plan," nodded Shockwave, not quite answering the question.
"Where is this guy anyway?" hummed Knockout, glancing between the houses. "We're passing residential."
"I'm follow Soundwave's directions," offered Orion, showing off the pad. "Looks like this guy lives a little out of town."
"Of course, he does," Knockout groaned, rolling his eyes. "Could this get more ominous?"
As they moved through the town, crossing to the outskirts, they found the well-maintained housing and buildings slowly decline until they spotted a small, single-story house on the flat planes. Standing in front of the crooked door, the group paused.
"I stand corrected," Knockout chuckled. "It can get more ominous!"
"Shut up!" snapped Ratchet.
"Shall we knock?" prompted Shockwave, gesturing to the door.
Orion gulped, raising a shaking hand. Tapping on the metal frame, it gently opened to reveal a darkened interior. Knockout groaned, throwing his head back while vaguely gesturing to the door. Ratchet elbowed him. Orion stepped in quietly, peering around.
"Hello?" he called. "Alpha Trion?"
The room was sparse, consisting of a round table without chairs and a series of filled bookcases. The table was set with five cups of Energon. Several books were placed beside one of the cups, one being opened to a random page. The group shuffled in, continuing to look around. There was a shut door to the right. Shockwave gestured to it.
"Shall we knock again?" he offered.
There was a clunk, drawing the group's attention. Knockout had gently closed and locked the door. Ratchet narrowed his optics at him.
"Why?" he snapped.
"Don't need anyone wandering in if things get…complicated," Knockout winked.
"Energon is fresh," mumbled Ratchet, turning his attention to the drinks.
"There's five drinks," hummed Knockout, hands on his hips. "Why does one guy need five drinks?"
"He was expecting us…" whispered Orion, looking over the room.
"Of course, I was, my boy!"
The closed door had opened and shut silently, as an elder bot shuffled passed Shockwave to stand by Orion. The bot beamed as he looked at Orion, grinning and nodding as he stared. Orion chuckled awkwardly, avoiding eye contact.
"Come! Come! I'm sure you have a lot of questions!"
"How did you know we were coming?" Shockwave growled, watching the bot move carefully.
"You're not the only one who keeps track of things," replied Alpha Trion, pointing a finger. "And I've kept an optic on young Orion for a while now…"
"Me?" gasped Orion.
Alpha Trion began handing the glasses out, saving Orion for last. He held the drink out, waiting for Orion to take it but Orion was lost in thought. Alpha Trion wasn't much shorter than him, but bent over with a crooked back. A long beard draped down, swaying slightly as he spoke. His optics were light, watching Orion carefully. Orion took the glass slowly.
"I have so…many questions…" whimpered Orion.
"I'm gonna ask the important one," grinned Knockout, waving a hand. "You know where the Matrix is?"
Ratchet glared at him. He took a sip of Energon.
"Ah, yes, the Matrix of Leadership," sighed Alpha Trion, nodding lightly. "I knew you would come for it eventually."
"So, you have it?" gasped Orion.
"No, but I know where to recover it," Alpha Trion corrected. "It is a gift from Primus."
"Where is it?" Ratchet questioned.
"More importantly, how do we acquire it?" Shockwave spoke firmly.
"As I said, it is a gift from the Primes," nodded Alpha Trion, going through his books. "Only those chosen by Primus can accept his gifts."
Everyone turned to Orion. He hands were shaking, stirring the Energon in the glass. He gulped.
"Are we sure…I'm chosen by Primus?" mumbled Orion, raising his shoulders. "I mean…I'm a cleric…"
Ratchet raised an eyebrow, hands on his hip. Orion chuckled lightly.
"You were born to be a Prime," instructed Alpha Trion, closing the book. "Believe me, if anyone can access the chamber, it'll be you."
"Optimus," Ratchet commented. "You've come this far. You've seen through time. You've literally seen an alternate version of you as a Prime…Are you really questioning your place here?"
"Visions?" perked Alpha Trion. "You've seen through time?"
"Yes," sighed Orion, pinching the bridge of his nose. Headache. "I see how things were likely supposed to happen. Megatron speaking to the council. I…spoke to the council."
"You reclaimed the Matrix," Alpha Trion finished.
"I lead an army…Cybertron is destroyed," groaned Orion, gripping the side of his face. Migraine.
"Optimus, are you…" gasped Ratchet, stepping forward.
"I'm fine. I just…"
Orion felt his sense of balance disappear. He held out a hand, gripping the end of the table to stay standing. Ratchet was quick to his side, holding one arm. Alpha Trion stepped over but didn't move to aid. Orion felt the penetrating light coming from the windows, the darkness swarming around him. Spinning.
"Is this one of your visions?" Alpha Trion murmured.
"Yes," replied Ratchet quickly.
"N-no…this is different," muttered Orion, trying to stand up straight. "This feels… different…"
"Describe it," Shockwave ordered, stepping up behind them. "If this is new, then we need to record it for future tests."
"Tests?" perked Ratchet.
Orion groaned, trying to focus the world. He stared at Alpha Trion. The old bot looked mildly concerned, optics equally focused. The light seemed to shimmer around him. Familiar. He felt so familiar, as if Orion had known this bot his entire life. Shutting his optics to recollect himself, he had the faintest memories play in the back of his mind.
Working at the Archive, placing things on the shelves. He recognized the items: Star Saber, Force Field Generator, Apex Armor, etc. He glanced over his shoulder, seeing someone approaching. After a moment, the blurry figure rematerialized and appeared to be Alpha Trion. The older bot grinned, gesturing to the items Orion had just put away.
"You've done well today," he remarked. "You're leaving for the meeting today, yes? With Megatron?"
Orion felt disconnected, watching his own body moved away with Alpha Trion, talking. The two figures blurred, leaving into the rest of the complex. Orion looked down at his hands, watching his fading hands disappear. It felt like his body was seizing, choking on the memory.
Orion opened his optics, reentering the waking world. He felt sick. Ratchet patted Orion's back, speaking softly but Orion couldn't make sense of it. Alpha Trion gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Will you be alright, my boy?"
"It wasn't…" sighed Orion, shaking his head. "It wasn't like side stepping to the timeline…" He felt his balance slowly returning. "It was a memory, but I don't think it was completely mine."
"Fascinating," hummed Shockwave.
"I see," Alpha Trion nodded, stepping away. "I do not want to keep you longer than needed. I will answer what I can."
"The Matrix location?" coughed Knockout. "We diverted from that…"
"Yes, the location," Alpha Trion replied, returning to his books. He pulled a small page from one of them. "There is a secret chamber in Kaon. Opening it isn't hard." He handed the page to Knockout. "A tunnel. Nothing more or less. Travel to the heart and if you are worthy, Primus will bestow you a gift."
"Thank, Alpha Trion," smiled Orion. "I wish we could repay you."
"Don't think of it," he instructed, placing a hand on his shoulder. "This is how it is meant to be."
"Why me, though?" whispered Orion.
"Like I said," Alpha Trion nodded. "You were born for this…"
Alpha Trion waved them off, watching the group reenter town. They blended into the passing bots, disappearing and leaving onboard the train. Alpha Trion sighed, turning back to his room. He set the glasses away, piling the books. With flick of his wrist, the books began to burn. He sat on the ground and waited. Things quieted down as the day drew closed. Alpha Trion lifted his head, greeting the new figure in his doorway.
"Welcome," Alpha Trion chuckled. "I've been expecting you."
No one in town heard the gun shot. Regardless, it echoed for hours. No one would find the body until the next afternoon.