Co-Authered by Kitra and Omicron

"Metrotitain speaking aloud."
::Radio communications dialog::
~Metrotitain speaking in a bond.~

Atlantis

Intermission!

Into the past

Part One

The call came from the Great Library, or rather from deep within and under it, the oldest of sections. But this call came directly to the quarters of the not so new leaders of Circle of Light. Very few mechs outside of the Knights knew the codes to get a comm through- and as far as most knew no one from the Library's buried archive section.

It was, in a term, a little creepy. As the caller was willing waiting for however long it took to be answered.

It was the Circles second in command who answered, the old triple changer eyeing the call critically before answering it. "Master Knight Axe of the Circle of Light, who is this?"

The black mech was quietly conferring with his mate, wondering what the Great Library could want that had them use codes this rarely used. It threw up questions as to how they had gotten them in the first place.

A very, very old mech was on the screen, looking far older then... well, anyone the black and gold Master knew. Even the ornate, purple, white and pale redish-pink armor was nothing like the last hundred styles. But the still dark blue optics were full of awareness and cunning in the aged face, regarding the younger mech.

"Axe?" The elder- for how could this mech be anything but, "Ah, it is good to see you still live, and Master Knight now." He smiled, the long 'mustache' and 'beard' shifting as he did so, though maybe he knew these two things already.

Axe face-palmed, "Who else but you, old mech? I'm not going to ask how you got the codes." He snorted amused. "Good to see you alive and kicking Alpha Trion. What do we owe the call?" He rumbled amused at the comment his mate gave about cunning oldtimers calling for the attention in the weirdest ways.

"I need one of your Knights to escort me, and one of my archivists, to your domain from my own." The elder more ordered rather then asked, but then he was old enough to give orders to the whole planet.

"Do you, now? Anything you want to tell me now, or are you out to surprise me and my mate, oldtimer?" No Axe was not shy about talking like that to a mech more than ancient to him. He wondered what could be this important, but didn't question that the old mech had reason to call them.

"It is a surprise gift you can say," Alpha Trion said, and then paused before added, "Well, two, gifts. And I expect you to take good care of my fur, the race that came from died out when I was young."

Something was up, given that this mech rarely parted with any of his almost just as old and prized furs, or hides. The last time was when he presented one to Dai Atlas, and a warning within about Nova Prime.

Axe snorted and gave the old mech an 'oh really' look. "Does it have to be me or my mate? Or rather someone inconspicuous? When didn't Dai and I care well for gifts given to us? We didn't maim you either, and you're definitely a gift by Primus. Even if you sometimes make me question whether it was a good one or not." He retorted, smiling fondly. The black mech lazily flopped in his chair, letting the camera adjust automatically.

"Any Knight will do, for the escort, but I am still not flying." The old one added with a glare for his last flight that was not inside a shuttle. "The gift is for the both of you." He added.

Axe raised an optic ridge suspiciously. "Uh-huh. We'll see when you come here. I know who I'll send. You get a ground transport." Blue optics rolled in faked annoyance. The mech really couldn't understand why Alpha Trion had taken that flight that badly... Really not...

"Sir? I found Oriiiiii-eek!" A pale yellow femme entered into to background, the archivist saw her master on a call- looking startled in a way that said Alpha Trion didn't call anyone outside his librarians...at all. But her reflex was to vanish back into the stacks in the background in a way that put the cyber ninjas to shame.

"I will await my escort in the Songs Of Primus hall." Alpha Trion said as he blinked, then returned his attention to Axe, not at all bothered by what happened.

Axe barked a laugh and nodded. "Seeya when ya come here, oldtimer. Don't fall apart on the way. I can't go back in time to get a copy of schematics." The black mech winked and gave a lazy wave. "Go and care for your startled helper."

The elder hummed, snorting at the comment as he rose and just cut the line. Walking out of the room, knowing his aid would return as he picked up a small fur bundle, with a smaller box hidden within. Then there was just to collect the strong young mech he sent for and wait.

Axe idly called for one of the ground-bound knights. A mech two thirds his size and sent him out. The senior knight had a transportation alt mode. So even if the ancient mech decided to ride with a transport, he at least could use the knights transport.

Alpha Trion, as proud as a mech he was, wasn't so proud that he minded a ride on the back of a truck mech. He was unable to transform anymore, even if the elder had his cog anymore, and with his chosen archivist fallowing behind the escort Knight. Once in the joined sprawl of Crystal City and her mate Achat, the mech waited for the younger librarian to transform- holding soft bundle tightly to one side, and leaned over to lift his master up. One armed and still being gentle, but strong enough to aid his elder.

"Good lad," Alpha Trion said, amused at the happy hum he got for the praise as he brushing himself off, and turned to the Knight that had carried as well as escorted him, "You as well Tycon." the elder added, then started off to the where the leaders of the Knights of Light would be without another word.

The red and blue mech lingered as long as he dared behind his master to give a more proper thanks, but was embarrassed as he had to trot after Alpha Trion.

~This is an odd one for being from the archives.~ Crystal City spoke to her titanic mate, prodding Achat in the bond sharply to wake up at this new development at their gates as the Librarian and Knight grounders scrambled after the elder. She was watching the group from her cameras, then through her mates as they entered the more 'warrior' side of the two joined cities. Something about the tall, light blue and gold mech was drawing her attention, or maybe what he held clutched and protected against his front.

Achat chuckled softly, watching the awkward mech. ~He's adorable. So naive.~

The knight too was eyeing the two archivists with interest, rumbling amused at the younger one.

The city vibrated under their pedes, physical evidence of his amusement, even if his field was tightly controlled to avoid embarrassing the young one more. ~Utterly adorable. Do you know what brought Trion here?~ He nudged his mate, cameras zooming in on the package Orion was carrying.

~That thing is something important.~ His mate said as she noted the soft brown or treated organic. ~That is one of the furs of the old child's collection.~ she pointed out, also noting how in a free moment the young librarian rested a hand on one of Achat's walls. And wondered if the Metrotitan that used to be the first Great Library was still alive, he had been so quiet it was possible the oldest of their kind, even older then Achat and Metroplex had finally taken his last rest.

The city pressed the wall back against the seeking hand, rumbling fondly. Somewhere further ahead a yelp could be heard. Dai Atlas had gotten evicted from his office by a pair of machine arms. Achat at least had had the decency to evict him before their guests could see it happen. The grumpy ex-general made his way to the citadels main chamber, knowing full well that Alpha Trion would come there.

Axe was already waiting there, unable to hide the grin that said, yes, I heard it, yes, I told him to toss you out. He purred and patted his mates shoulder earning a glare from the red opticked mech before both turned their attention to the visitors.

The light blue and gold youth, not to mention the escort both almost ran into Alpha Trion as the elder stopped suddenly at the entrance to the citadel main chamber. The archivist flared and ripples his armor to stay put himself, changing his balance so not to run over the shorter elder. It could have been a way to mess with them, but the look on the purple mech seemed more like he was reminded of the past. Able to see the differences, the slow changes over the vrons.

Alpha Trion walked right over to the leaders of the Knights and joined cities, in the background Tycon rested a reassuring hand on the younger mech's shoulder. Smiling at the awestruck look that came as Orion was taking in a new place, though almost just as old as his library home. Considering the habits of archivist...

::Master Axe,:: Tycon commed privately, reporting quickly, ::There was no incidences, nor anyone fallowing our guests. And I think this might be the first time Orion here has emerged from the Great Library in a long time. Or at all.:: He smiled a small amused smile, looking ahead to the triple changers.

::Oh great, a newbie to the world. Good to know everything went well.:: Axe snickered softly, easily sharing the comm with his mate. He looked for all the world like the regal and proper second in command to his mate that he could be, except for that tiny smile tugging at his faceplates and the utterly relaxed stance. His mate was the opposite as always, authority in every line of his fairly relaxed frame.

"Greetings, Alpha Trion. What brought you and your young student here? What is so important to need such secrecy?" Dai Atlas asked quietly, voice carrying the authority he had held as a general and now Order Master across the room.

Alpha Trion stopped in front of the two, and without missing a beat said, "I am just that important, as you should well know young mech." The once wings, now sweeping robe like panels twitched behind the elder, his mustache twitching as well in a huff that this whipper-snapper forgot such an important thing. Then the elder softened, smiling to see these two again as the young mech came up behind his master- more hiding behind the mech that was quite a bit smaller. "It is good to see you both. Come, meet Orion Pax." He said, and hoped the two were as sharp as ever that they would know nothing he did wasn't for a reason.

Despite the odd size of him- coming up to Dai Atlas's lower chest plate, and taller than the average mech by a head and shoulders, this Orion Pax was clearly an archivist. Armor panels were tucked in a submissive way, shy in the field as well as looking overwhelmed at everything, he almost tripped over his own feet coming to his master. But what was surprising was that he was holding Alpha Trion's prized fur, wrapped neatly and tightly it was being protected against his front. He ducked his head before remembering to bow to the two ranked officers- the old way as Alpha Trion must have taught him.

Dai Atlas snorted amused. "Well aware you're that important, though for you alone I would've send Axe as transport." The black mech in question smirked, and then focused on the awkward young mech.

"Nice to meet you, lad. Considering your upbringing you probably know a great deal about me and my mate already." He purred softly, it was clear that both triple changers had decided it would be better if Axe did the addressing. Primus, Orion probably was about to combust from embarrassment at the near stumble, and wasn't he adorable all shy and submissive like that? They both felt that something was off with the blue and red mech, but what was not of interest right now. Both blue and red optics narrowed, regarding the package with open interest.

"Yes sir," the deep voice was very soft, not light from his frame but someone that had likely only known the peace of his archives. "Sire speaks highly if you both as well."

"Are you going to keep is standing here all vron Dai? Did you forget your manners to offer energon?" Alpha Trion asked, but just waiting for the reactions to come once realized.

Axe snickered and Dai Atlas growled, rolling his optics. "Whatever you wish... Primus should've given you some manners, old timer." he rumbled dangerously, but without any heat behind it as he gestured them to follow. Dismissing Tycon for now with a nod.

The giant led the way back to his and Axe private quarters, moving to a cabinet on the side and pulling out a flask as well as the fitting cubes for the high grade as the others found a place on the couches and seats provided.

He poured everyone a glass and offered them on a tray, leaving everyone to choose on their own.

Orion waited last, and then after another look at Dai Atlas with the even bigger frame took the one cup that had a little less, being polite, "Thank you sir." He said while Alpha Trion continued to be a nosy old mech asking about Knights he had known, where they still alive and how they were. Orion standing waiting with an archivist's ability to wait longer than most trained mechs until the elder was good and ready.

Namely he was sure that no listeners where around.

Axe watched amused, flopped comfortably across his chair. He watched the youth, rumbling contently. He turned his audios out of listening to Alpha Trion asking holes into Dai Atlas' armor. The Sovereign was answering like a robot, pretty much zoning out of it as much as he could. He knew well why he at times hated the old mech with a passion, right now was such a moment.

Then just as a blue wing was twitching, Orion Pax gave a soft, almost unheard sound that was a mix of a growling chirp. A subtle sound, but one that seemed to focus the elder to coming around to the reason for being there. He knew the old mech this one did, more so that Alpha Trion didn't notice what happened.

"There are many changes happening," Alpha Trion said after savoring his drink, and looked right at the awkward youth, "Including unsuspected additions that have come and left my Great Library. Orion Pax here as example may not be the youngest soon. But there are other changes that are less joyous and that I fear."

Dai Atlas hummed softly. "There's unrests, and they're starting to grow into a rebellion." He sighed, having seen the signs before. "I hope they find a solution before we have a civil war, but I fear our current leaders are blind to the needs of the poor."

The blue triple changer eyed Orion for a moment, then Trion. "So what's the real reason, you don't come here to chat up on old times. What made you leave your beloved library?" He questioned, full well knowing there was a serious issue at hand, and chit chat could wait.

"I am no longer a Prime," Alpha Trion said, growled and huffed, "Though I find myself wishing to be once again, to head off what I see coming. But as you know my Matrix is no more." He motioned Orion to go to the larger blue mech, "Not as it once was, so I am...taking a precaution. And entrusting two very important things to the both of you."

The youth was almost reluctant to pass over the bundle of fur, he knew what was in it after all. Dai Atlas could feel through the soft, spotted organic hide and fur there was a harder box hidden inside.

The large mech quietly took the wrapped gift, eyeing the elder. He could feel the box, rumbling deeply. "What are you talking about, mech?" The knight quietly put the package down in his lap, engine rumbling softly. Axe had sat up, leaning forward to see better as his mate very carefully unwrapped the bundle.

Orion shuffled back watching everything, and likely noting all small details. He glanced back as Alpha Trion continued as the fur exposed the red box, and within two glittering, powerful artifacts that as soon as the shielding box was lifted, the Great Swords reacted, if not outright shivering in morning to one.

One, colored a mix of energon blue and shimmering like a live spark, being framed in silver; a Key to Vector Sigma that pulsed in reaction to being exposed. It was the fragment of arched crystal that had the swords singing a grieving song. It was still alive despite being the only piece remaining of the Matrix that Alpha Trion once carried in nearly forgotten times past.

Alpha Trion leaned over, soundly smacking the Master Knights on their legs to snap them out of the stupor.

Axe squawked as he fell over backwards, with his chair. "EY!"

Dai twitched and whined softly. Both had been drowned by their swords grieving for the Matrix that both swords had known for nearly their entire existence. A white hand hovered over the key, gently tracing the box before switching to rest lightly across the splitter of the Matrix.

He stammered, voice soft and barely audible. "Why us?"

"It was no easy thing to decide," Alpha Trion said levelly, regarding the two as if he was still a Prime, "As I know your stubborn side will make it a little hard for the Oracle's vision to come true. Yet I have spoken with her and Vector Sigma these last decacycles." How he did so wasn't mentioned though, and he looked at the Matrix shard. "I have made three Convoys with what remained of my Matrix over these long vrons- and a new one will be born in the space fleet within half vron." The elder regarded the two and spoke clearly, "And another, will take the last shard. Or rather it will find the mech no matter how hard you try to hide it Dai Atlas, as the second of the new Convoys will come from you and Axe."

The Sovereign blinked rapidly. "You... mean to tell me that..." He trailed off disbelief in every line of his frame. It was a lot more to take in for Dai Atlas and Axe than they would like.

Axe rumbled, picking himself up, off the floor. "If it is supposed to happen, it will. Fate doesn't always go the way we want it to. But a convoy? From us?"

"From who else?" Alpha Trion snorted, "Though I believe it will be one for civilians, but of which if you coming children I do not know. Other then Sigma seems a little smug in regards to you Dai Atlas." He paused a long moment and added to just Axe, "I can tell you, your daughter will be very graceful."

Axe raised an optic ridge. "You're due for another unsecured flight it seems... oldtimer, your processors are going haywire again."

Dai Atlas hummed softly. "I already know I'm a toy to them, at least I always feel like one." He snorted softly. "We'll see what happens when the time comes."

Alpha Trion glared at Axe, "I will throw my eldest at you, if you dare." He said in warning, huffed and returned his attention to Dai Atlas, motioning to the still open box, "The shard of my old Matrix will find its barrier when the time is right, and the Key is for the next Prime." He settles back down, looking a bit concern, "I do not envy the next, who will rise far above what Sentinel has become, but will be forged in the coming war."

The blue mech shrugged a wing. "Neither do I. I know well enough what the madness of one battle too many can do, something Nova should've gotten an impression of, first hand." He snarled softly and eyed the two artifacts again, then wrapped them back up as careful as they had come.

Axe grinned. "So you do love me, always knew ya had a softie in there." He purred gently, not at all bothered by the threat. Then he turned briefly to regard Orion intently, scrutinizing the young archivist before turning back to watch his mate. "Let us hope that whoever ends up leading through the war doesn't lose sight of his goals. No matter how long they end up fighting to achieve it." He rumbled.

"I believe he will be the first of a new kind of Primes," Alpha Trion sighed, and his optics dimmed, murmuring that he hoped to live that long.

Orion had almost lost the awestruck look, and was soaking up what was said, listening intently as the Knights spoke of Nova. He looked like he would be happy to keep listening through the orn- and likely could even if it was just someone ranting and pacing circles around him. Orion seemed to be considering something at the mention of the new Prime, and likely being one of Alpha Trion's, might have an idea of who it would be, or who the elder was watching for it. It would just be getting the youth away from his sire and master.

Dai Atlas nodded, glancing to his mate. He didn't like this at all, but knew as well as Alpha Trion that the war was inevitable. Maybe there would be a quick end to it, even if they doubted it. Both triples eyed Orion amused, knowing the need for knowledge was great in this one.

"You may ask Orion," Alpha Trion said after a private com. looking back with softer optics for the young mech, "I know these two Master Knights, but you may ask."

"...may I see the record rooms of the joined cities?" Orion asked in a soft voice, not as shy but at least not muted, "Of both Achat and Crystal City herself?" He knew of the Metrotitans happily buried within the cities.

Crystal City prodded her mate, and Axe as her correct city commander, giving her stamp of approval.

The black knight snorted and made a shooing gesture, smiling. "Go ahead. Plunge in there, just watch out for cheeky machine arms, those two have a unique brand of humor, startling mechs out of their reading trance is part of it." He warned.

Dai Atlas rumbled, "You know how to get there?"

The young mech shook his head, then ducked it, "I have never been here sir." he said, Orion waiting for instruction, from a data pack or the Metrotitan himself.

Achat cooed out loud, having listened in. "Follow the blue lights, they'll lead you, curious one." His deep voice rumbled through the room.

Armor plates rippled and flared in the only show of excitement before Orion politely excused himself and retracted. Unaware of the Metortitan's talking, and plotting, Crystal City picking out choice stories that where absorbing- but long as well. Even Alpha Trion couldn't drag one of his more senior archivists from good story, more so if a true one.

~I know Axe will want to talk to him,~ The femme titan said, shivering a few walls as she plotted. ~And we both know the old one will want to leave as soon as he's done boring Dai out of his processer again.~

Achat purred. ~Dai already is bored and ready to tear the old one apart, look, his wings are quivering.~ The city really, really had to resist the urge to tweak the white wings. It wouldn't do to embarrass his grumpy blue knight just for the heck of it... or would it? ~Think I should?~

His mate 'trilled' a note into the bond, all sorts of mischief coming from her at the idea.