A/N: Thank you everyone for the kind reviews and comments. I adore you all and with that being said . . . I'm not apologizing for this chapter. I'm not. *runs and hides*
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners (Hasbro et. al.). The original characters and plot are the property of the author of this story. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any previously copyrighted material. No copyright infringement is intended.
Agent William Fowler had seen a lot of things since he'd become the official liaison for the Autobots. He was not prepared for the chaos they came upon. The truck stop where they were set to meet up with June, Wheeljack and Optimus was on fire. Several firetrucks were already on the scene along with other first responders. Thankfully, it looked like there were few casualties. Police cruisers were fanned out around two familiar forms. The officers had their weapons out and trained on the two bots, one of which was obviously injured. Behind them sat a conspicuously empty wrecker.
Hopping out of the truck he took off across the parking lot, flashing his badge and bellowing instructions.
"Pull back! Weapons down! Those are friendlies!"
"Agent Fowler!" Ratchet took a step forward and had to shield himself from the sudden hail of gunfire.
"Dammit! I said stand down!" Grabbing the closest officer he shook the man. "Whose in charge here?"
"I am. Officer Routh, now who are you?"
"Special Agent William Fowler with the United States Government. Thank you for your diligence Officer Routh, but the military will take it from here."
Officer Routh narrowed her eyes. "I see. So those rumors about Jasper are true then."
"Unfortunately, yes. Now I need to speak to my guys. Please have your officers stand down."
She nodded. "Just be careful. There was another one here when we first arrived. It shot at us and took off."
"Silver with red? All pointy."
"Yeah."
"Decepticon, not one of the good guys. These," He gestured to Ratchet and Wheeljack. "These are the good guys. They are on our side."
"If you say so. Never thought aliens would turn out to be giant ass robots. Give me little green men any day." She waved off her men nodding to William.
He ran to Ratchet who was tending to Wheeljack. "Ratchet! What happened? Where are June and Optimus?"
"I-I don't know where June is, she was driving that-" Ratchet pointed at the demolished truck. "They took Optimus . . ."
Taking a deep breath William steeled himself and approached the truck. The door was wedged shut, and he ended up having to break the glass. The cab was empty.
"She's not here. Did the medics get to her?"
"I don't know! I'm a little busy trying to keep Wheeljack online!"
Frowning he went back to speak with the commander in charge of the squad sent with him. "We've got one down, might be a critical injury. You have those tools handy?"
"Yessir, everything we could salvage from M.E.C.H. is here."
"Good, go get that 'bot loaded up and transport them both to the safe house. If the medic argues, tranquilize him." With a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach he watched his men go to work. This was not how things were supposed to happen.
###
If it was possible for a Cybertronian to cry, Optimus felt that now would be an appropriate time. He'd never in his long life felt so completely lost. The light from the ground bridge faded and he was left staring at the gunmetal gray of the Nemesis' inner corridors. He didn't bother trying to talk to Soundwave or Knockout as he was dragged along. He was not going to beg for mercy. There would be none given. He was not going to insult and belittle them, it would serve no purpose. He was not going to play the victim. So he kept silent.
They reached their destination. A door sliding open. Several Vehicons appeared and he was finally lifted only to be placed on a table. He blinked several times recognizing Knockout's medical bay.
"Why . . .?"
Knockout smirked at him as he snapped the restraints over wrists and ankles. He stood back for a moment looking Optimus over before pulling loose the snyth-mesh around his waist. There was a low whistle. "You really shouldn't still be functioning Prime. I've seen some pretty nasty wounds, but this . . . This is quite extraordinary."
Optimus kept silent, not wanting to provoke the smaller 'bot. Soundwave watched for a moment then turned and left.
"This is going to take a while. I hope you don't mind if I don't use anesthesia, I don't like to waste it."
Optimus laid his head back, staring up at the ceiling. Knockout didn't give him any time to prepare himself, going straight to work. Even with his pain receptors off he could feel every tug and prod.
"What is this stuff?" Long strands of wire dangled from pointed digits. "You let a human root around inside you? Disgusting. Now I'll have to test you for all kinds of parasites."
"I wasn't exactly conscious at the time." He locked optics with the medic. "Why are you doing this?"
"What? This? Because I was told to. You really think I would fix you up after what you've done?"
"No, but you should see to your own injuries first."
"As if you really care about my injuries Prime. Don't try to work your sanctimonious crap on me."
Optimus let it drop. He looked over as the door opened again. Starscream strode in servos tightly clenched.
"Prime." He growled.
"Starscream, you can't be in here! I'm work-" Knockout yelped as he was slammed out of the way, crashing to the ground.
"Starscream . . ." Optimus met the red optics ashamed to see the rage and devastation in them, knowing it was for the loss of their home.
"You . . . You destroyed it, our only hope of going home and it's gone." Starscream was shaking, servos clenching spasmodically, clicking filling the air. "And for what? A world full of barely sentient organics that don't understand the first thing about how the universe works. I don't care if you are a Prime or not, you had no right to take that from us."
"Maybe you should speak to Megatron of this. I would not have been forced to make such a decision if not for him." Optimus held his gaze even as Starscream advanced on him.
"Is that so."
Optimus jerked, his wrists clanging against the restraints as Starscream plunged a servo into his wound.
"You are always so right, always so slagging right." He twisted something and Optimus shouted as the sensation overloaded the sensory block. Starscream laughed and leaned down. "You are nothing but a criminal now. The worst kind of traitor. Lord Megatron is going to let you live just long enough for you to watch everything you love and cherish turned to ash then he's going to execute you before all surviving Cybertronians. Cementing himself as their savior. You, the Prime, will join the ranks of the Fallen while he will start a new era, free of Primes, false gods, and war."
"Stop it Starscream, if you damage him further I won't be able to repair him." Knockout was dripping energon from his helm, his optics glazed and unfocused.
"Oh yes and we wouldn't want that would we." Removing his hand, Starscream reached up to tap the plating over Optimus' spark. Smearing the plating with fresh energon as he did so. "It will be fun to watch Megatron rip the Matrix from your chest and claim what was always rightfully his."
With a grin the seeker raked his talons down sensitive abdominal plating. It took all of Optimus' will power not to cry out as pain flooded his senses.
"So I won't do any permanent damage."
"Starscream, please . . . You don't have to do this . . ." Optimus' vents were cycling too rapidly, his processor in danger of shutting down as agony burned out the sensor blocks.
"Oh, but don't I?" He ran his talons around the edge of the wound drawing sparks. Optimus flinched, the deep ache of the wound only made worse by the sharp burning pain of the new scratches. "You left me at the bottom of this world to die in that frozen waste. Thankfully, I had the Apex armor or I would have perished just as you intended. Now, after everything, I am finally back in my rightful place at Megatron's side. And that is where I will stay because he alone is the one who will save us. Not you. Not some simpering demigod ensconced in a gilded tower and most certainly not Primus. I've suffered enough through this war, lost more than you can imagine and you've taken away the only chance any of us had of getting even a fraction of it back."
"I am sorry, Starscream . . . It was never my intention-"
A fist slammed into the berth next to his head. "Do not speak to me of intentions. You intended to defeat my Master at any cost. Any. Cost. Well there are those of us unwilling to pay that price."
Optimus watched, optics wide as Starscream activated the controls, raising the berth so that he was nearly standing. The only thing keeping him upright and on the table were the restraints. He could feel the tension against his ankles and wrists. With a sickening jolt he realized he had no control over his legs. As the bed came completely upright his knees buckled. He was left hanging by his wrists, shoulders wrenched back, the strain setting his circuits ablaze with fresh agony.
"I will never sacrifice a life if it means saving my own." He ground out. "But I will fight to keep freedom a choice for all life."
"Enough Starscream, get out." Optimus turned his head surprised to see Knockout brandishing his prod at the enraged seeker. "You need to calm down. If you kill him now you might as well take his place."
It seemed for a moment that Starscream was going to argue then with a growl he turned and walked out. "I will be back to check on your progress, Knockout."
Once the door was shut, Knockout turned back to Optimus. A wry smile twisted his lips as he pushed Optimus upright and laid the table back. "I think I might take your offer. Not sure I can work like this." He stepped away muttering. "Could really use Breakdown's help about now . . ."
How long Optimus lay there, the pain seeming to ebb and flow with each vent cycle could have been a nanoklik or a joor. All he knew was that he wasn't sure how much longer he could endure it. I'm just a librarian. I never wanted to start a war and I certainly never wanted things to end like this. He knew he was losing consciousness, his optics dimming.
You didn't start the war, but you will have to end it Orion Pax. You cannot give up the mantle of Prime so easily. You have to be strong. There will be other battles to fight before the war can be won, but all is not lost.
"How can you be sure? What if it's a mistake?" Even if it was a dream it was nice to hear from his old mentor once again.
Do you really think Primus would pick the wrong person? He chose you for a reason Orion Pax, now find that reason.
Find the reason? What did that mean? "What do you mean?"
There was no answer and Optimus was left to wonder if the last few day's events had finally driven him out of his processor.