I enjoyed write this chapter. So I hope you'll enjoy read it! ;)
Chapter fourteen: the memories - step eight
The Military Staff of the Autobots had gathered inside what was now their strategic base: the Hall of Records. Optimus was seated on a sort of stool and he was talking with Ironhide and Prowl. Jazz was sitting along with Bumblebee. The two spoke softly and they had a strange grin on their faces. The black and white mech cleared his throat and said "You all know the story of the thirteen Primes ... right? ".
The other occupants of the room looked at him confused.
"And?" asked annoyed Ironhide, standing up and putting both hands on his hips.
"Well ... you can always learn from the past ... as often remember us our dear boss bot ... " he added as he walked with a slow pace towards Optimus. The Autobot leader nodded and smiled.
"Who would like to see a picture of The Fallen?" Jazz said, choking back laughter. Bumblebee put a hand on the vocalizer, refraining from laughing out loud.
Prowl and Ironhide stared at the two, looking very annoyed.
"Come on ... show us this fantastic picture! "Prowl said finally, rising from his chair and waving hands in the air, angry.
No one was expecting what happened next. Jazz kicked the stool on which Optimus was sitting and the Prime made a memorable flight, going to slam the ground with his back first and then with the helmet. The legs were resting on the stool upside down. Optimus remained in that position for a few seconds.
There a moment of silence, then the room was invaded by a rare sound: Optimus' laugh. A moment later the rest of the Autobots laughed uproariously.
Prime slowly stood up and walked over to Jazz, resting a hand on the shoulder of the mech.
"Thanks" he said, smiling. The friend smiled back. "But if you'll do that again, either Primus in person will save you!" Added the big red and blue mech still smiling as he walked away. The smile on Jazz's lips instantly vanished, giving way to an expression of dismay and terror that did nothing but increase the laughter of those present.
Even Jack was folded with laughter.
"They have found it" Alpha Trion's words echoed through the enormity of the room and broke the mood.
Jack stared at him surprised and confused. He had no idea what the old mech was referring to.
And not just the young human. Optimus, Jazz, Ironhide, Prowl and Bumblebee stared at the chief archivist with the same confusion.
"What?" asked finally Kazz. That mech had no problem in releasing what he had in mind, Jack thought.
Alpha Trion entered into the room and began to walk. He passed each mech and stopped right in front of Prime. He stared at the younger mech intently and said "The dark energon ... Megatron and the Decepticons have come into possession of the fossilized blood of Unicron ... "
"But how is that possible? Where did they find it?" Optimus murmured.
"That does not matter now!" said the wise old Trion "The most important thing is to find out what the intentions of Megatron are and how to stop him!" He concluded firmly.
All the Autobots in the big room nodded.
"Well, let's go to work!" urged Prime "Jazz and Prowl will deal with the analysis of the communication network of the Decepticons, Ironhide and Bumblee will patrol the borders of Iacon in search of information. I will stay here at the Hall for now ... I need to know what we are fighting against ... ".
All mechs present nodded and headed in two different directions, after the orders of their Prime.
Optimus then turned to his mentor and said "Master ... I need you to find the information I about the dark energon ".
"Of course, my student. Follow me" and they went out together from the room towards the of the chief archivist. Jack saw them move away, their two figures more and more distant and confused until they were enveloped in a thick fog.
Miko was sitting on the sidelines struggling with her feelings. She was so focused that she didn't notice Bulkhead's heavy footsteps who was approaching her.
"Hey Miko" said the green giant as he sat down beside the girl.
"Hey Bulk" Miko forced herself to look like the usual and a half smile spread on her lips. Her friend and guardian noticed immediately that something was wrong with the girl. Her usual energetic and cheerful verve was definitely off.
"What's wrong Miko?" Bulkhead asked, stroking the back of the girl with his big finger.
Miko didn't hold back longer and let the tears flowed down her face. She grabbed the big toe of her guardian with such force that it seemed like her life depended on it. For several minutes the two friends stood in that position, motionless.
Then finally the girl let go the grip and wiped her tears "I cannot bear to lose him too ..." she murmured, her voice was barely audible.
"I don't understand" said the big green Autobot.
"I don't think I've even accepted the fact that we had lost Optimus ..." the girl's voice was broken by tears "how can I bear to lose even Jack?" And she stared at his guardian with an air of expectation.
Bulkhead reached out a big hand and invited Miko to stand on it. The girl jumped and the Green Giant brought her up to his face.
"Listen Miko... you... we will not lose Jack, Primus will not allow it ... not even Rachet".
The girl looked up at her friend smiling a little "Really?"
"Really!" Repeated the big green mech as he walked into the room where the others were.
"Optimus we must do something ... and soon! "Jazz was almost cried to his Prime.
The big red and blue mech didn't flinch despite the tone of his friend and lieutenant.
"Running and running we will not brought us to victory... we will never win this war!" added Jazz, violently beating his fist on the table. Everyone in the room, including Jack, were shocked by the gesture of the trusted lieutenant. All except Optimus, who, with his famous temper, stood where he was and said "And what do you suggest we do, my friend?".
"Fight!" said Jazz, beating again his fist on the table, but with less force.
"Yes ,.. fight! "repeated Sideswipes, banging his fist on his chest several times. The present mechs exchanged looks of approval.
However, Optimus was unimpressed. He stood, arms crossed over his chest and his famous emotionless expression on his face. But Jack could see a little indecision on the Prime's face. At this point of his life, Optimus didn't wear yet his famous battlemask and the emotion inside him trickled outside.
The boy had always thought that mask as a means of defense during battles, a security tool ... physics. He was, however, realizing that it was also a means of emotional protection: hidden behind that piece of metal lurked the most profound expressions of Optimus. Wearing the mask, Prime is protected from the outside world. No one could really know what emotions and feelings the leader of the Autobots felt: anger, hatred, fear, despair ... love.
"We need to continue with this strategy fellow Autobots" the room, until then filled with the murmurs, became silent again. Even Jack was brought out of his thoughts.
"Sooner or later the dark energon in possession of Megatron will run out and we could go on the offensive" he concluded, closing his fist in front of his chest.
"I hope you're right, Prime!" Jazz ended just before leaving the room.
"I hope so too, my friend... I hope so..." Optimus whispered, but the words were barely audible. And the big red and blue mech found himself alone with Alpha Trion (and Jack!) in the big room.
The Prime dropped into one of the big chairs, rested his arms on the table and his head on top of them. He stood motionless for a few moments. Then his mentor approached him, sat down beside him and put a hand on the young mech's shoulder.
Optimus raised his head and looked toward the old archivist. They exchanged a smile. A scene that Jack remembered an episode from his childhood, one of the few memories of his father ... the boy let out a bitter smile.
"Do you think there is even a possibility that we could never win this war?" The question that came from Optimus' lips not hinted misunderstandings.
"Only Primus might answer your question, Optimus" sighed the old archivist.
"Will Cybertron survive? Will our planet ever return to its former splendor ... a new Golden Age?" the determined leader of a few moments before had dropped his mask.
Alpha Trion then giggled and said "Cybertron has gone through many difficult times and it will cross many of them in the future" then he got up and yet started to pace back and forth across the room. Optimus straightened up and looked over the old mech.
"You underestimate the power of our planet!" said the bearded mech.
"I agree with you Trion. Our planet is strong ... but what will become of its people?" asked then Prime.
"Its people?" asked Alpha Trion arching his right eyebrow,"You mean YOUR people, Optimus Prime" now the young mech was watching quizzically at the older one.
The chief archivist stopped and stared at the Prime "You are our Prime, Optimus. You are the guide of this planet. To you, has been given the task of protecting the people, your people ... ".
"I'm just a simple archivist ... I'm adapting to a situation bigger than me ... I am not worthy of all this" he paused and narrowed his optics" How can I protect Cybertron and the entire population without destroying the planet? How?" asked with a slight desperation the young Prime.
"With the Matrox of Leadership" was the simple reply of the old mech "It 's time to start your journey, Optimus Prime. Primus has chosen you for a reason. Don't hesitate, don't be afraid ... our creator is at yoor side and he will guide you along the way. It will not be easy, but you can do it, my student ... ".
"And how can you be so sure of it?" asked in a weak voice Optimus.
"There are some things that are better not disclosed. You'll have to find your way alone, Optimus Prime. Good luck "and said that Alpha Trion left the room and the young Prime, alone ,with his thoughts.
The familiar white light enveloped the room. But before fading out, Jack clearly read the confusion and sadness on Optimus' face.
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