Knight in Borrowed Armor 3
A Transformers Prime Fanfiction
The Autobots stood in stunned silence. Whatever they had expected, this was not it.
"I am afraid it would be difficult for me to accept your surrender," Optimus finally said, "as we are not to my knowledge enemies, and you have neither attacked nor harmed any of us."
"You are the nearest kin of the one who wore this shell?" the warrior asked in confusion.
Optimus glanced at Mrs. Darby, who only shook her head. The humans were just as confused by this as the Autobots. The Prime weighed his words carefully.
"This 'shell' as you call it belonged to one of my soldier's. Cliffjumper. We were indeed his family. He died in battle several months ago."
"I am sorry for your loss," said Cliffjumper's voice. His body turned to Arcee and looked at her, optics glowing with compassion. "Clearly you were close to the one whose shell I inhabit. Astonishment fills your visage, as does pain. Please forgive me if I have caused this with my sudden appearance. Did you then not give permission for this body to be preserved as a host for me?"
With a snarl of pain Arcee spun around and strode out of the silo. Jack looked up at Optimus and received a nod. The human jogged out after the Autobot. The golden eyed warrior stared after her.
"Maybe you should tell us who, exactly, you are," Ratchet growled.
"As I told your Lady," he answered, "I am currently nameless. If you mean you want to know what I am; I am a warrior of the light, and I pray an honest one. I have never before stolen an unwilling shell. But time and action might speak better for my character than I could."
"Well, what was your name?" Ratchet demanded in irritation.
"I have lost it," the warrior said sadly, "With my previous Lady passed on, I cannot even recall what once I had, and I cannot receive another until I am taken into another lady's service. Is it necessary for you to have a name to accept my surrender?"
"Again, surrender is the action of an enemy," Optimus patiently explained. "You have yet to prove yourself as such."
The nameless warrior smiled sadly.
"Indeed, I have fallen in with a noble band. But I am afraid taking the shell of your soldier without your permission is a grievous offense."
"But it seems to me that you didn't know where the body came from," June interrupted. "How is that your fault?"
"Yeah!" Bulkhead piped up. "How'd you get Cliff's frame anyway?"
"The humans must be responsible for this," Ratchet growled, "M.E.C.H. or one of their governments. Our allies indeed!"
"Easy old friend," Optimus said soothingly.
The concerned look grew on the strange warrior's face.
"I am afraid I simply awoke in this body," the warrior hesitated.
"Perhaps you should begin from the beginning," Optimus offered.
"Actually it would be best if I contacted my allies," the other responded. "I am afraid I have far more questions than answers about this matter, and it appears the situation is very grave. Do not fear, I place no claim on this shell and will abdicate it immediately if that is your wish. I only ask that you allow me to carry out my final duty and deliver my message. "
"Who are your allies?" The Prime asked.
"I am not exactly certain. Much time may have passed. But if you allow me to contact any ranking member of the Imperial government they will know who to approach."
"Wait," June spoke up again. "You spoke of an empire, which empire?"
"The Empire of the Eagle," the warrior replied.
"Hey, isn't your government's symbol thingy, an eagle?" Bulkhead asked eagerly.
Optimus raised a hand for silence, indicating they should let Mrs. Darby do the talking.
The woman looked at the strange warrior intently for a moment without speaking.
"You mentioned a lady you served," she said slowly. "What was her name?"
"Boudicca," he answered softly.
The woman nodded but her eyes grew sharp.
"You told me you carried a message of great importance for the empire, but you claim to have served the Iceni queen?"
"Yes, I am glad her name has survived her," the warrior said warmly. "Her husband the king was a subordinate to the Imperial royals. I was supposed to deliver a message to them from the legions stationed near my Lady's lands. But I cannot until some questions are answered."
"I think you should brace yourself warrior," June said softly, "If it was the Boudicca I know of who you served then your message is long overdue."
"Good Lady I am aware that some time must have passed," he responded, "But the message I carry is still dear."
"Warrior, Queen Boudicca died nearly two thousand years ago, her lands were halfway around the world from here. The Roman Empire fell a few hundred years after that."
The silo grew quiet. June wasn't quite sure how she had expected the warrior to react but he only looked at her curiously.
"I see, that will make my mission more difficult, but still not impossible. He," he turned to look at Bulkhead, "mentioned that the symbol of your nation is the eagle?"
"Yes, it is," June answered.
"And you tongue is predominantly formed form the speech of the Empire?"
"Yes, modern English is over half Latin in origin."
"The duty I was given was a grave one Lady. I cannot speak of it except to a delegated servant of the Empire or one of its descendant nations. By the two clues I mentioned I believe your nation to be one of those. There will be someone among your rulers who will know of what I speak. If not, they will know where I can find one."
The woman looked over to Optimus, a question in her eyes.
"We have already notified Agent Fowler and he is in route. Ratchet?" the Prime asked.
"ETA thirty minutes," the medic replied curtly.
"Thank you," the nameless one said sincerely.
"Well, no matter who you are, that body was cut in half," Ratchet said examining the seam with a practiced eye. "And it looks to me like it was inexpertly repaired. And I do use the term repaired loosely. Come into my lab and let me get a proper scan of you while we wait."
The warrior looked somewhat apprehensive at this, and glanced at June. She smiled up at him reassuringly.
"Don't worry. Ratchet doesn't bite," she reassured him. "If you'd like I will assist him."
"That would be preferable," he smiled back through the scars marring his faceplate.
The warrior held out a hand to assist Mrs. Darby down the stairs. She accepted the assistance with good grace despite an odd tingle of energy the seemed to flow from her hand to his. She was about to comment on it when the tingle suddenly increased to a surge. She let out a gasp of surprise as her entire body was infused with golden light. The mech staggered, but managed to scoop her up into his hands before she fell. June could hear Optimus calling her name urgently. But for the moment was entirely focused on the pair of glowing gold optics before her.
"Nitor," she stated calmly.
The warrior gently placed her back on her feet and bowed down on one knee.
"My Lady, I am at your service."