I was so busy these days... work, work and work. And a new addiction to our family: the kitten, Zoe! I have my hands soooo full!
Chapter ten: the memories - step four
Jack's heartbeat increased its pace again and, for a moment, the monitor, to which he was connected, went mad. Miko grabbed the young man's hand and squeezed it as hard as she could. Hot tears started rolling down her face "Don't leave me ... please ... " she whispered as she kissed Jack's fingertips.
Then, as before, everything returned to normal within a few seconds. And as it had been for the previous episode, Ratchet didn't know how to explain all this.
The monotonous beep beep of the monitor returned to fill the silence of the room, along with the incessant typing on the buttons of the good doctor.
When Jack opened his eyes, he found himself in a big, very big, room, full of mechs and femmes, of any shape and size. The boy was among the huge crowd and looked around, dazed. It looked like an ocean of metallic bodies swaying here and there, each trying to keep up that position, or to conquer a better one, towards the front rows.
In front of all those Cybertronians, there were those who, according to Jack's opinion, had to be the members of the High Council. Each of them had a podium and a gavel. And it was the sound of a gavel that hit one of the podiums that attracted the attention of the raven teenager.
A respectful silence suddenly filled the huge room. The session was about to begin.
The mech that used the gavel began to speak. His voice was deep and old.
"We are here today in the light of the acts of violence that have occurred in different parts of our planet" he paused and continued, carefully survey the crowd "Those acts are leading us to the brink of a civil war" paused again "In addition, we are here to prove the legitimacy of the caste system. A system legitimately approved by this council and supported by our Prime, Sentinel. A system, until now, that has shown no failures".
Then he became even more serious "As you know, our Prime is missing. We believe he is alive and well and we hope he will be back with us soon".
Another member of the High Council interrupted the speech, but the moderator didn't flinch and invited everyone to stay calm.
"The Gladiator of Kaon, Megatron, was accused of the kidnapping of our Prime" he said, holding his arm and pointing to the big gray mech "Presented to us, Megatron. What have you got to say for yourself, Megatron? ".
"I'm here as requested by this sacred council" said the former gladiator. Then began a series of exchanges between Megatron and the moderator.
The former Decepticon leader told his story in front of the High Council and all Cybertronians in the great room. He concluded his story, thanking Orion Pax and the members of the Council.
No one had noticed Pax until that moment, when the huge gray mech pointed at him with the big hand. Orion, until then, had remained in silence, in a secluded part of the great room. He was leaning against the wall, watching and listening carefully.
" Are you the leader of that faction who call themself Decepticons and that is attacking different parts of our planet? " Another of the councilors asked vehemently .
"Decepticons ? Hmm interesting name" Megatron replied, smiling mischievously .
"Interesting maybe because you were the one who coined that name! " Accused the same counselor.
"No, I don't have to do with either the Decepticons or with the terrorist" Megatron said, rising to his full height. He Ttowered over almost everyone present, including Orion Pax.
"Don't move accusations, if you have no proof!" concluded, angrily, former gladiator.
Jack was distracted by the arrival on the scene of Soundwave. He didn't realize that Orion Pax had left his secluded place close to the wall and had moved to the center of the room, at the foot of the members of the High Council, right next to Megatron. When he began to speak, the boy jerked his head and listened attentively to the words of the young clerk date.
They were right words and full of pity and compassion. Freedom for all, equality for all, this was what Pax was asking.
The image of the young mech with arms raised up, his fists clenched and his gaze determined, would have remained in the memory of Jack for eternity.
A fire pervaded the young human, and without realizing it, he had joined the rest of the crowd that he pronounced with a loud voice, "Autobots! Autobots! Autobots!".
He raised and lowered his fist to the rhythm of the crowd.
Then Jack turned his gaze towards Megatron. And, in that moment, he recognized the leader of the Decepticons. The big mech looked at Orion Pax, his friend, his brother, with wrath and anger. Orion also noticed it. The smile that until that moment the young data clerk had on his face, slowly faded and gave way to a hurt and confused look.
The hammer of the moderator was able to bring the silence in the room only after several minutes.
He spoke harsh words of condemnation against Orion and Megatron. The old mech attributed to the young archivist a great responsibility for the current situation on Cybertron.
Jack saw the reactions of the two mechs. Orion looked down at the floor, his shoulders slumped and his attitude became that of a person humble and respectful toward authority Megatron, however, looked at one by one the members of the board, defiantly, hands resting on her hips and chest out, ready for action.
Then the unexpected happened "The caste system has failed ... and we have been blind not to see it".
Jack saw Orion and Megatronus exchange a look of astonishment. Then turned their attention back to the Council.
The moderator continued with his speech, "As all you know, the Matrix of Leadership is long-lost" from the crowd stood a slight murmur "The sacred artifact is the only one who can guide us in these times of crisis and it is imperative that it is found" he paused. On Megatron's face, Jack could read the longing to be chosen for this mission. Pax remained impassive.
"Orion Pax! We place upon you this quest!" declared the old consuleor.
The room fell into an eerie silence.
The trembling and unsure voice of Orion was barely audible "EE-Excuse me?".
The moderator continued despite the incredulity of the young mech "You'll find the Matrix of Leadership. Arise Optimus Prime!".
The minutes became hours. And Jack's condition hadn't improved. But they were even worse. Ratchet worked frantically to find a solution. But he felt that he was far from finding it.
" Think Ratchet, think ..." he said gritting his teeth and banging his fist on the table. Then he stared at the screen. Jack's brain waves had a strange configuration, very different from the usual. It was only then that he noticed a strange similarity. Or so it seemed to him. Suddenly he remembered seeing the strange pattern in an old document in the Hall of Records. He was a shy young Orion Pax to show it to him. The memory made him smile.
"Arcee! Keep an eye on Jack. I have to do something ... "the doctor ordered.
And he rushed to his room, leaving the others amazed and worried.
"But ... I'm not worthy for all this ... " the voice of Orion was still trembling as he addressed the High Council.
The sarcastic laugh Megatron caught the attention of the room "A faint show of humility" he said turning to his friend a look of anger.
"I didn't choose this ... I didn't want this " Pax was addressing directly to Megatron " But I believe in Cybertron and I believe in tradition. And if my quest can bring our planet into a new era, an era of peace, freedom and equality for all, then I'm are ready for this challenge " said Orion beating his fist on his chest. Then he turned to Megatron "Do you believe me brother ... don't you?" now he was pleading.
"Brother no more!" Megatron replied, yelling and pushing Pax toward the wall.
The Elite guards were immediately next to the new Prime ready to fire on the mech who had attacked the Prime they and put down by force the followers of Megatron.
" Stop!" Optimus' desperate voice was elevated above all others. The guards stopped, as well as the crowd .
Megatron began to laugh " And if I shot you , straight to the spark ? Do you think I would hesitate , Prime? " .
" If you think it is useful for Cybertron , go ahead ... " Optimus said, spreading his arms in front of the big gray mech.
"Not today!" Megatron said in a low voice. Then he came to the mech who was his friend, defiantly "Traitor, you will pay with your life for this!" And finally he shouted "Deceptions! Let's go "and pointed his big cannon up, shot and pierced the ceiling. A large amount of debris fell on the crowd and on Optimus, but without any serious consequence.
Megatron and his followers took flight and left the huge room.
Those who remained began to celebrate their new Prime.
Optimus, on his part, exchanged sad smiles and handshakes with those who approached him. He motioned to the guards that immediatly, escorted him out of the High Council's room.
Jack was proud and happy to have saw such a crucial stage in the life of Orion Pax and the history of Cybertron. He joined the chorus of joyful again, until everything became blurred and he found himself in a new scenery.
Hope you like! And I open to any suggestions or else... please review! ;)