XXVII

Orion took a deep sigh, pulling his shoulders and trying to stand up taller as he looked at his reflection in the metal wall. It was the closest thing to a mirror he could find. It was the first time he'd really taken his new form into consideration. His height, his arms, and even the brightness of his optics. It was like looking at someone else.

"Are you doing okay?"

Orion could see Ratchet enter, but the medic chose to stay lingering in the doorway. He understood that the young prime needed some space after everything that had happened. Orion enjoyed moments to himself. It was this time that he could hear the Matrix calling out. The voices were less sharp and more soothing. They spoke softly to him and sometimes he would dream of another time, about primes from the past. Ratchet was always there to ground him back to the present though.

"I'm still functioning," chuckled Orion, glancing over his shoulder. "Trying to figure out what to do next."

"I've got something that might make you happy," grinned Ratchet.

"Oh?"

Ratchet stepped forward, handing Orion a small metal shield. Looking it over, he found it to be the insignia that he'd seen several times in his vision. It was slick and thick, welded together with thin lines and prepared to be welded onto something. Orion grinned.

"Well?" hummed Ratchet, hands on his hips.

"It's perfect, Ratchet," whispered Orion. "When can you put it on?"

"Put it on?" perked Ratchet. "On what?"

"Me."

Ratchet looked between the logo and Orion before shrugging lightly with a smile.

"Where you want it?"

"Shoulder," Orion nodded, gesturing to his shoulder piece. "Just like it my visions."

"Are you sure you want it like that? Exactly from the visions?"

Orion nodded, handing the insignia back to Ratchet. The medic nodded.

"Think Knockout or Shockwave would weld this onto them?" chuckled Ratchet.

"Shockwave, maybe. Knockout will be a challenge."

"In your visions…where was it on me?"

Orion tilted his head back, looking up and thinking. He looked back down, watching Ratchet hold up the metal, gentle placing it on his shoulders and arms. Orion grinned lightly, stepping up and grabbing the insignia.

"It was smaller and right here," Orion instructed, pointing to a portion on Ratchet's chest where his shoulder piece bent. "Blends right in actually…"

"Surprised you remember," hummed Ratchet, taking the insignia back. He held it, staring at it. His smile slowly faded. "Are we on the right path yet?"

"It's hard to say," sighed Orion, looking back to his reflection. "But I think we're on a path and we have to make the most of that, I guess."

Ratchet nodded.

"Who knows, maybe we'll catch up to that timeline someday…"

"Based on what I've seen and what you've told us…I don't think I want to."

Orion nodded.

"Then let's just make the most of this timeline."

A/N

Book 1 over. i decided to split this into multiple books cuz why the f not. And i wanted to step away from Orion's POV for a bit. So there's gonna at least be a book 2. Working title is "Conspiracy" and will feature Bumblebee as our main hero. Keep an optic out for it. Not sure when I'll get around to it. So much to do these days...