Ello! Been awhile! I hope you all enjoy this latest chappy!
Final days
When did everything become so quite? So still?
It never occurred to her how long she must have been standing in front of that giant window; glaring with spaced optics, un-noticing of the traffic and lights from the streets below.
"Eter..uh…Phoenix? Are you alright?" the red and gold mech shifted uneasily in his berth. No reply was returned. He turned to Kup, probably just hoping the old mech could help somehow but it seemed that would not be the case; Kup had taken his own vow of silence, starring to the floor with a cringing face.
This is the first time Rodimus had ever seen Kup painfully effected by his own story. The usual gleam in the veteran's optics whenever he would go on about one of his 'old adventures' was absent. He knew that not all of Kup's stories were…in a way 'pleasant'. No wonder he was so reluctant; sometimes history hurt more than one.
Rodimus remained still, though the silent absent stares of the other two bots in the room still made him uncomfortable and uneasy. When Kup finally spoke up in a quite tone he almost jumped out of his berth.
"I'm sorry." The teal mech looked to the femme. "Now you know why I didn't want to tell yo-"
"No it isn't."
"What?" both mechs looked up in surprise.
"That's not all, is there?" she never turned from the window, "It still doesn't explain so many things."
"Sigh…no…suppose it doesn't." he rubbed the bridge of his olfactory sensor. "But you know we don't have to continue.
"I know but…" with very little motion the purple femme sat back down into the cold metal seat. Did she want to hear more? She didn't even know why she wasn't crying her optics out right now. Perhaps she didn't really know what to feel. Sad….angry? Of course these were natural. But so many other emotions…they were coming so quickly she couldn't decide which was the strongest.
That mech…Khaos…he killed her. He killed her mother; the one who brought her life, treating it like it was some kind of sick joke.
Supposing it was anger winning the fight within; a burning fire suddenly flared inside her spark, fists viciously clenching. He will pay. But for now, there was much more to learn.
Can't really say she didn't bring this on herself. She did ask for the truth after all. Might as well finish what had been started. "I want to know…more than anything."
The teal mech gave another sigh but nodded all the same. "Alright. Needless to say saying good-bye was the hardest thing…."
It was a hard day for many. There were other bots on moon Base 2 that lost someone that day. As the Elite showed up and started to clean up what little was left; others where mourning their loss.
It's even harder when you have to wait till all others have left before you can bury your alien mate. Headshot never left her side for a nanosec. Not even when we put her in her place of rest did he budge. It was just us and a few others who knew that stayed to bid her fair well.
The carved stone stung his optics, but even more did it burn his poor spark. Everyone standing around him we're nothing but mere shadows except for the small sparkling hugging tightly to his chest.
Eternia laid against him calmly, apart from the occasional small cooing noises and little wiggling of her pedes.
One by one the shadowy figures went away till it was nothing but him, Eternia and what now was his bondmate's grave.
Pain…was such a lowly word for how he felt. Without conciseness he bent down onto a knee, stroking a servo over Eclipse's name. "I'm sorry. I wish I could have done more."
"Baabaa." The purple femme tugged his shoulder. Gently he lifted her in both servos to optic view, looking over what he had left. "At least I can try to make things right between us." He forced a small smile, holding Eternia close enough so her small digits could just touch the gravestone curiously. "Say…goodbye to mama sweetspark."
"Mnnann."
Enough time past he thought, tugging his sparkling back in again fearing the empty space between them. "Just you and me now." He almost didn't notice Kup's servo patting his shoulder from behind until the teal mech helped him to his pedes.
"What caught us off guard was Ultra Magnus."
"He was there?"
"What part of 'Decepticons sneak attacking a planet' did you not get son? Coarse he was there! My guess to see to the bots who just lost their home…believe it when I say; that bot doesn't express much but when he does…you know.
Never have I seen him so distraught."
"Wait, we're talking about the same Ultra Magnus right? The same stiff, do-everything by the book, I don't know how to lighten up Magnus?" Rodimus cocked an optic ridge.
"Who do you think I ment?" Kup huffed. "Anyway, one look at you and there was a wwhhoollee lot of explaining to do. You can only imagine how much fun THAT was. Coarse…once we spilled about Eclipse; I think he was a little more understanding…I think."
"I am very sorry for your loss Headshot;" the towering blue and white mech looked down to the little bundle in the other mechs arms. "But I do think it would have been better if the Guard was told this beforehand about your 'encounter' and this-"
"Her."
"Pardon?"
"She is not a 'this'," Headshot glared "Eternia is a femme. Despite her different…appearances and CNA."
"I apologize," he nodded "I did not mean to offend."
"If your science council wants any information," Kup stepped in "Better ask Yoketron. As of day one this has been Wreckers business.
Phoenix cocked an optic ridge "Wreckers?"
"Again, another story."
"Hmm, a good explanation as to why I have not heard of this until now. Very well, but soon we must discuss the arrangement of you Headshot and your …little one. I recommend a location in Iacon, close to our headquarters. For protection."
"Why so close?" fury built up inside the silver mech. Did they really think that he wouldn't see what they were doing? Maybe he was blinded by his paranoia, or maybe just his rage speaking for him; either way the mech found himself yelling, screeching at the top of his vocaliser towards the Magnus. "Is it really to protect her or because you want to experiment on her in those labs and need close access? Is that it?!"
Kup could see the steam building behind Headshot's growling denta. "Headshot…calm down."
"Take her without me knowing and seeing what makes her 'tick'? What her insides look like? Don't think I don't know about those so called 'scientist' in those labs! Cause guess what! She is normal! Just because someone looks different doesn't mean-"
'Headshot!" The truck shook the growling mech by the shoulder plates. "Calm down solider! You're being paranoid!"
It took a klick or two for his senses to come back to him. Kup was right…he was becoming paranoid. Dangerously so. Rubbing his brow Headshot collapsed backward onto a rock just low enough for him to sit.
Ultra Magnus stared unfazed by the sudden outburst towards him, "Again I apologize for any misunderstanding, but please do keep that temper of yours under control or next time there will be consequences for you actions."
"Ya…uh sorry I…. Just…been a long orbital cycle ya know?."
"Understood." The blue and white mech nodded. "I will hope that you, Eternia and your past neighbours shall find final peace in your future."
"Ya," Rising from his seat he picked up the tiny winged femme from his knee, "Me too." Headshot looked back once more to their once beautiful home and the loved one who filled his life.
It didn't seem to be enough but there was nothing else despite the piercing sting in his chest. "Good-bye Eclipse." His optics filled with coolant, "I hope you find new adventures wherever you are."
"Maababa!" a small servo patted his chin.
Down he gazed to a bright optic sparkling, smiling back at him, almost as if…she was saying everything was going to be ok. "You know," he smiled back, tickling her chin, "You just might be right."
Bright blue lighting blurred the corner of his optics, watching the last of the troopers, farmers, neighbours he may never see again leave followed by Ultra Magnus. Only Kup stood there by the opening of the space bridge, waiting patiently.
Time to go. To start again. "But never forget." He whispered. He caught up with the old veteran; greeted by a small pat of the backstrut and lead away by an arm over his shoulders.
"So….after a while ya got a new home, moved to the city and managed to find a place near me! Heh….it was pretty good after that. Not that Eclipse was never on your old mech's processor. No. She was always there." Smoke floated from his cy-gar. "In a small way….she was in all our minds."
"It doesn't make sense."
"What?"
"Didn't she explain that she was an ETERNAL being? How…how could have this happen if Ecli- my…mother, could bring herself back the first time when her and Headshot was attacked by that inceticon?"
"Actually," Rodimus scratched his helm "That part's been buggin' me too Kup. If she's from a race that can supposing live forever..then why…"
Burnt ash fell to the floor when tapped off the edge of the cy-gar before sticking it back between his denta. "That…I pondered myself for the first while. Took some time for me to work up the ability to ask Headshot. Didn't actually think he would know himself," he rotated his shoulder, hearing a small 'click' "Fraggin old joints. But no.
Uh….I can't really remember the full explanation but…just to hit the basics here; 'member when Eclipse said only a chosen few of her race can…reproduce?"
Phoenix nodded.
"Well, seems another reason for it was because was also the only real way her species can offline."
"Come again?"
"See, when one has a 'sparkling' I guess in your case, apparently the carrier," Kup grumbled while scratching his helm, "Gives part of their…'soul', I think, to their soon-to –be bornling in order to give them life. This uh….this is where it gets a little complicated for me and my memory bank here."
"No rush." Phoenix stiffly smiled. "So I'm..part…of her?" Digits shook, sliding over her spark chamber; pulsing, beating, the very source that made her function.
"Ya…in more ways than one." The old mech smirked "See..ga…fragging…Ah! Now it's coming back! Right. Like I said; part of a carriers 'soul' becomes their bornlings 'spark'. The newborn will grow and become stronger in both spark and frame but the parent…doesn't. When an Eternal being willingly gives part of their soul to another it cuts their life cycle down. They are no longer immune to certain things and lose abilities.
"Like…..healing or resurrecting themselves." Her audio fins flattened.
"Ya…or that. Now you listen good kid; no, in anyway are you the reason she is gone. It was all an unfortunate coincidence and if anything, I know for a FACT that Eclipse would never regret giving part of herself to you. She gave you life to call your own. Don't waste it."
She looked through coolant filled optics to the veteran. Once more she didn't know what to feel. He was right though; best not waste a gift that you have been given.
"Now, I suppose you want to hear the rest?"
"Yes."
"Fine then."
"Needless to say things were pretty quiet after a few solar cycles. Going back to normal, you were growing up, Headshot watching you.
I never knew a lot of 'parents' in my lifetime but I knew that mech well enough to know when he was proud of something. Pride and joy of his you were. Can't say I didn't enjoy watching your hyper little self run around when you learned to use your pedes whenever you came to visit. Definitely a challenge. Don't know how he did it.
Anyway, life was peaceful again for you two…until one day your old mech got a visit or well, more of a proposal from the Elite Guard. Sigh."
"I'm sorry but the answer is no." Eternia giggled, bouncing playfully on Headshot's knee. He seemed too preoccupied with the sparkling he tended not to notice the Magnus standing before him.
"Do listen to reason Headshot. If there was anyone else suitable for this mission we would not hesitate but clearly this is not the case. Which is why we are here personally to ask you."
"Apparently, but I still stand by my answer. No."
Deeply venting, the hammer wielding mech gazed out to the side viewing the lightened buildings. "Headshot, this assignment has cost us 3 Autobots. Your expertise in undercover work is in great need if we are to find out anything about the Decepticon rebel attacks."
"He was a spy?!" Rodimus exclaimed.
Kup nodded,"Yup. The fragging best."
"I knew that name sounded familiar! I read about him when I was going through the Elite archives one time. Headshot was the top undercover agent this side of Cybertron! He's the one who brought down hundreds of undercover smuggling rings and rebels!"
"That he was. Though for certain reasons it was kept on the down low. Which you will keep to yourself from now on. You got that solider?"
"Yes sir" the mech saluted with a smirk.
Eternia looked up in confusion when her father stopped playing and placed her down to her pedes. "And do you also know how long missions like that take? How long it takes to gain ones trust let alone access to information. It could be eons…cycles before I come back. IF I come back."
"That is why we only need you to retrieve certain information." A shorter grey and blue mech stepped from behind the Magnus. His helm was quite high and there was a small gap in his upper denta.
Intrigued with the strange mechs Eternia rushed up excitingly to the shorter of the two. "Hi." She chirped.
When the mech looked down he quickly stepped back in surprise and slight horror.
She blinked curiously. Why did he back away? Was there something on her faceplate?
"Do not worry Highbrow," Magnus replied "She means you no harm."
"Uh yes...right. She is has some very interesting …stabilizers?" He looked suspiciously at the smiling Eternia's wings as she flapped them happily. "Right well, as I was saying," he coughed, trying to ignore he little purple femme now running around him giggling. "None of the chaps in my opinion have the intellect or enough experience in the field as you do. Primus there a well-meaning set of troops but I'm afraid they still lack the skill of stealth and knowing ones enemy. Especially for a mission like this."
Headshot paused. Sitting bent forward he watched Eternia playfully pretend to try and poke Highbrow's leg; despite the mech backing away in whatever fear he was trying not to show. "You sure you have absolutely NO ONE else for this position?"
"Yes." The Magnus nodded "As I said before we have lost 3 beforehand. This information is the upmost urgency against the Decepticon cause. I understand about your," he faced the femme running to her father's side, hugging his leg. "Concerns for you little one. We have discussed it. If you do not have any bot in mind we will offer a decent caretaker for Eternia."
"There…" headshot stroked her helm without a glance. "There is no need. I trust Kup enough."
"Kup Minor?" Highbrow exclaimed "But he's a solider. I highly doubt he will be likely to take the job of sparkling sitter."
"Does this mean you are willing to take the objective?"
Headshot remained quiet and unmoving, even when Eternia crawled into his lap did he budge.
"Papa?" a tiny voice chirped. Slowly she was greeted with an uncertain smile. The sparkling at first seemed confused but a playful rub on the top of her helm spread a laughing smile across her own.
"I'll think about it.' His glance stiffened peering upward toward the other mechs before him. 'You'll have my answer in a few megacycles."
"I should have said something..."
"NO!" The purple winged femme ran from Kup's side grasping tightly to Headshot's leg. "I don't want you to go!"
"Eternia I must-"
"No! " His spark stung peering into the weepy optics of his sparkling. "S-stay papa." She sniffled. 'you don't have to go away!"
"Ah sweetspark," he kneeled low for her to hug his neck. "I will only be for little while. Besides," tipping her chin up with a digit, "I need you to keep an optic on Kup for me. Ok?" he winked.
"Sniff…ok."
"I promise we will be back together again in time. But I need to do something that will make sure that you have a safe future for when we do; so I need you to be a big femme and take care of yourself and Kup." He felt the tiny arms around him tighten. "I love you."
"I love you too. Be safe papa."
"I will. Cause you know what?"
"What?" she sniffled, rubbing a wet optic.
"Knowing that you're gonna be there to greet me when I come home, giving me one of your biggest hugs is what's gonna keep me going. We gotta be strong and keep moving on for each other. You will won't you hun? For me?"
With a quivering smile she nodded. "I-I will. For you," she slowly released her grip from his neck "a-and f-for mama."
"Ya," he pecked her forhead "for mama." Rising to both pedes, Headshot slung his containment sack over his shoulder, holding Eternia's servo with his free arm and leading her over to take Kup's.
"I'll be back as soon as I can."
"Ya better be." Kup smirked. "Don't think I didn't hear that 'I need to be watched' comment."
"Hehe ya…promise me you'll look after her. Keep her safe, do what's best and whatnot."
"I will." The old mech nodded, shaking the other's servo firmly. "And by Primus keep safe."
"I will. You've been a good friend to me Kup. After this, think I'm gonna retire for good. Then I can slouch on the seat all day or go to Maccadams with your lazy aft." He chuckled.
"Heh, not to bad yourself kid. Don't think I'll miss much of that mouth of yours."
It had been sometime since the two had nothing but mere silence between them. Saving the few moments they had left? Why not?
"Take care. The both of you." A pat of the shoulder and a stroke of her helm he turned on his pede and left for the vessel that had just arrived.
"Sniff…bye papa." A shaky servo waved, the other grasping the teal mech's leg.
"I knew how dangerous and tedious Headshot's profession was. It took real skill to do what he did.
During the war, and I knew he wasn't the only one; but if it wasn't for bots like him taking that kind of a risk, being behind enemy lines, we would have never gotten the kind of info we had o helped us win it. But…knowing that I didn't say anything.
I should have convinced him to stay but…I dunno, maybe it was because I knew he was good at what he did and that's why I didn't. Figured it would be a quick job for him.
That's….a mistake I regret to this day."
Faceplate was pressed against the glass, squeaking when dragged across, searching through the passing by bots.
"Eternia, I will not tell you again to come away from that window." Bowls of hot energon were carefully placed on the table. "Time to eat." Kup walked to the sparkling's side.
She'd gotten bigger these past few stellar cycles. "Just a klick longer?" she plucked her face from the glass with a pouty lip. You would think she would be more ecstatic to eat now that she was bigger; then again he was no expert on the subject of growing sparklings. Though, seeing how much time he and Eternia have spent together defiantly can say he was more expert than most. In fact, time has become very extensive; not that the teal mech didn't enjoy being around her it was just …..worrisome.
"You asked that 5 klicks ago. Move it solider." He helped her down from the chair.
"But what if papa comes back and he doesn't see me waiting for him?"
The corner of his lip components twitched into a smile. "Like I always tell ya sweetspark, he knows where to find us. Now go on."
"When IS papa coming home?"
'Oi,' he thought 'This question again.' "If I told you once I've said it a thousand times Eternia, I don't know. Maybe nex-"
"It's always next time!" she stomped "He was supposed to be home ages ago!"
"Now young missy you do not yell at your superior like that! If you were in my line up you would be discharged! Now move to that table!"
"No!"
"Eternia I wi-"
"I wanna keep looking! I really wanna be outside but you won't let me!"
"It's for your own prot-"
"And why can't I play with other bots? My room gets boring by myself." She sat back onto the floor on her aft pouting.
"I told you it's because neither the rest of Cyberton or you are ready for each other yet. You just need to be patient –"
"I don't wanna be patient anymore!"
"That is enough!" the old pede finally came down. "It's time for dinner, now march to that table sol-" The sound of sniffling caught him off guard. Down by his pedes Eternia wiped the coolant filling her optics with the back of her fists. Sighing, the old mech kneeled before the little winged femme, pulling her into a hug. "I'm….I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell at ya. Nnhh….I miss him too, but I promised to take care of you until he comes back and that's what I'm gonna do. We just need to wait a little longer."
"I…hic*….i know." She smiled up at him. 'I will be and I promise I will look after you too."
"I know you will." He gently rubbed the top of her helm. "I know….now! Let's get some lunch huh?"
"Ok!" with a skip and a hop Eternia raced towards the kitchen leaving Kup to stare out the window.
"Are you coming?"
"Ya," he turned, still starring out the window saddened. "Ya, I'm comin'." He didn't want to tell her. Hopefully Headshot will come up in surprise before she realizes; she wasn't wrong about him. He should have finished and arrived back home 2 stellar cycles ago but there has been no sign, no mention or even a notice about Headshot's whereabouts.
Kup had lost track on how many times he had gone to the Guard and asked about his status only to receive the same answers every time; 'No one knows this point in time.' or 'He has not reported in yet.'
Not reported in yet? That didn't sound like Headshot. Spies were to report every so often, saying that no one has heard from the silver mech yet was too out of place.
"Something didn't feel right…I could feel it in my structure. But I didn't want to worry you so I kept it to myself.
Unfortunately, my feeling was right a couple of megacycles later…"
"Ultra Magnus, Highbrow." He opened the door in slight surprise. "What can I do for ya?' Nervousness overcame the veterans frame as both mechs looked at each other uncertainly.
"Perhaps it is better if we came in." The magnus peered over Kup's shoulder, spotting Eternia playing with a few toys on the floor behind him. "Privately."
Klicks later Eternia curiously pressed her audio sensor against her bedroom door only to be frustrated hearing nothing but blurred sounds coming from the other room.
"What do you mean he's been 'disconnected'?!" It took every ounce of Kup's will from shouting at the top of his vocaliser. "When did this happen?!"
"Be assured Kup we did not know of this situation until recently." Highbrow did not move from his upright position. "We have been trying to get back into contact with Headshot the first we heard he had vanished."
"Vanished? And just how long ago was that hmm?!"
. "A few meta-cycles past. Our sources tell-"
"META-CYCLES?! I fragging knew it! Every time I came in asking I knew something was wrong!"
"Kup please-"
"Every time I asked I was told scrap-all when you knew this whole time he was missing."
"Kup we-"
"Where was he last located? I'm going in."
"Kup Minor you will stand down!" the thunderous boom of Ultra Magnus' hammer silenced the room. "The Elite is not careless as to leave a solider behind. You of all bots should know this. When it first became noticeable that Headshot became missing in action we sent in a back-up to find out what had happened."
Kup scoffed. "So why was I not told?"
"The very reason you have just said." Highbrow explained "As skilled as you are we could not have you or a fleet charging in and possibly exposing Headshot; but clearly…" he sighed "That is now not the case."
As much as he wanted to argue Kup sat himself down with whatever little self-restraint he had left. He had been in this service for too long to know disobeying your superior would get you nowhere. "What…have you found out?"
Neither mech responded, only turning to each other. It was obvious that not one or the other knew who should be the one to speak. Kup sat up straight and formal, waiting patiently for an answer. It was not a long wait until Ultra Magnus cleared his vocaliser with his free servo behind his back. "As Highbrow explained; when we first took notice to Headshot's disappearance we sent in another recruit to find out what exactly had happened. Unfortunately, what we had been told…"Kup raised an optic ridge at the blue and white mech suddenly starring towards Eternia's door. "Headshot," his voice lowered almost to a whisper; whatever it was he was about to say he obviously did not want the sparkling to hear it. "Has been captured and has been taken prisoner of the Decepticons."
Kup gasped, jaw dropping.
"What?! How?!" the femme was unconsciously unaware of how close she brought her faceplate into the teal mech's. "He…he's not still with them is he?!"
Kup apparently took no notice either, only staring at the ground and sighing. "The last he was heard of he had managed to secretly transmit the location of where the last of the Deccepticons where hiding but when a team got there there was nothing to be found. It had to be after that when suspicions were starting to stir and Headshot had to lay low; so that was most likely why no one had heard from him for such a time…..but unfortunately some scumbot found and ratted him out."
"What?"
"Soon after the recruit they sent out to find him went missing too. No one knew where the cons or where Headshot disappeared to."
Phoenix stood frozen, standing in place.
"I'm sorry Eternia." He expected to look up to see Phoenix distraught but to his surprise she only stood there; silent but rubbing her chin deep in thought. "Eternia?"
"When….when I was in my trial; one of the council members mentioned that my father was a-"
"A traitor?"
She nodded.
"They are liars!" the younger bots were caught off guard by Kup's sudden rage. "They only said that cause they don't know what really happened!" he bit down into his cy-gar "None of them do."
"What do you mean?"
"Sigh…I'm getting ahead of myself here. Best to keep this story in order or this won't make much sense." He growled.
"It was a little after I was told the news about Headshot that the council had asked me to come to the Guard."
"To tell you where Headshot wa-"
"With you."
Phoenix immediately paused. "Oh."
" is pretty much when things really got heated. They uhh...oi..They um."
"They what Kup?" Rodimus leaned in curiously. "Come on, you already spoke the story half way through don't stop now!"
"It wasn't the council you or I was expecting Rodimus. It was the Science Council that was waiting," he shook his helm, merely glancing toward Phoenix "I knew right then what they were going to ask. I said no of course; then they went on and on about how I should think about the future possibilities you could help them with yatta yatta. Peh! Bunch of-"he grumbled something under his breath. "I kept firm with my answer and I did it in the most mature, appropriate way to show that I ment it."
WHACK!
Fist denting the trooper's faceplate as they fell quickly to the ground. "ARE YOU LOT GLITCHING!?"
"Kup will you calm down!" Wheeljack struggled to keep hold of the fuming mech's arm. "We didn't mean anything by it!"
"This response is unnecessary and not acceptable." Perceptor kept hold of the other. "It is best you stop this before the Guard will have you court marshalled."
"He's right! Ngh, you really think Eternia wants to see you like this?"
"Ngh," it didn't take long for Kup to ease up against the scientists and look to his side. Shuffling behind a pillar, worried and scared was the little purple femme. Optics filled with coolant starring right at him. "Your right," he waited until they released his arms. "I'm fine now."
"Kup," the white mech patted his shoulder. "The last thing we would want to do is harm her. All we are asking is to think about her safety. If word somehow gets out that an actual alien-cybertronian SPARKLING existed who knows who or what might come after her. Especially after Headshot…"
"SHH!"
"Kup," a little voice chirped. The mech's looked down to Eternia, slowly waddling out from her hiding place towards them. "What about papa?"
"Nothing." Kup scooped her up into his arms.
"But-"
"But nothing. Right Wheeljack?"
"Uh," he couldn't tell if the glare Kup was giving him was 'answer wisely' or 'certain doom'. "Uh ya ya it was nothing."
"As we were trying to explain Kup," Perceptor shifted his glasses. "It would be wise to let us examine her, not for science though the exploration of her CNA would prove most interesting; but for her health. If she were to be injured and it was unknown to what the problem was-"
"He's right Kup. At least let us do a brief short examination. A check-up if you will. Harmless. No operations, just a small CNA sample and scan and that will be the end of it. Come on mech, think about it. It will be good for her."
Mere thoughtful grumbling could be heard briefly. "Ya," Eternia leaned against his chest looking up curiously. "I suppose your right. But no funny stuff. Just…do what is quick and get it over with. I don't want her comin out scared out of her plating."
"Of course." The red mech nodded.
"Hey there." Wheeljack lowered himself to Eternia's line of site with a playful tone. "Dawww. Hehe real cutie this one."
"Coarse she is! Now Eternia listen close," He gently turned her towards him. "These mech's are just gonna check you over alright? Nothing to be scared about."
"It's all right," Wheeljack reached out. At first she tried to move from the white mech's servos but with a slight nudge from Kup's arm she nervously leaned forward into Wheeljack's. It was overwhelmingly strange being another bot's arms, especially since seeing other cybertronians was such a rare occasion for her. The feeling did not feel much better as she watched Kup sink into the distance, being carried away by the pair of strange mechs down the long hallway.
"Alright Eternia," Wheeljack pulled down a large greenish-grey metallic arm from a side wall, reaching over top of her; a large square pane of pale blue glass was held on its end. "Were just gonna scan ya over reeaalll quick ok?" a small twinge jolted through her as he gently laid her onto her backstruts onto the cold table. "Now just lay back on the table nice and easy while we take some images of your frame."
"W-will it hurt?" the little femme slightly huddled her limbs closely.
"Naaww. Just think of it as taking a picture with a really big camera. You have a nice smile don't you?"
"I..I guess."
"Come on then," he tickled her stomach "Let's see your biggest smile!"
Eternia could'nt help but giggle at Wheeljack's wiggling digit, smiling up at the glass pane. Perceptor could be heard of to the side, tapping away at the monitor. With a press of a button the glass briefly flashed a bright light. Gently she was flipped onto her stomach and another flash flickered from the side of her optic. "I shall look over the scans. Wheeljack," the red mech turned bluntly "Collect the CNA sample and take any other notes."
A simple nod and the scientist rummaged through a nearby drawer with his back to the sparkling. Eternia sat up, curiously watching Wheeljack's movements. Doing as Kup told her; she behaved and sat quietly as the scientist measured, weighed and inspected her all over. When they had finished she kicked her dangling pedes playfully over the berthside waiting while Perceptor was explaining and pointing over images appearing over the giant floating opaque screens above them to Wheeljack.
The green, red and white mech rubbed his chin worryingly. "That could be a serious problem." Eternia's helm tilted to the side as he turned to her. "Uhh, not that…it is for you to worry about" he laughed nervously as he picked up the sparkling and carried her out the door, Perceptor silently following behind; datapad in servo.
"Bout' time." Kup grumbled, arms crossed and pede tapping impatiently, Ultra Magnus standing silently at his side.
"Kuppy!" a smile stretched over her faceplate as she was put down to the floor and ran into a tight hug of the teal mech's leg.
"Heyya kid. Hey! Brought ya something." Reaching behind with just a servo he pulled out a silver ball with a red stripe around its middle.
Her optics widened with excitement looking over the new toy "Ohhh! Thank you!" she clasped the ball from his servos automatically bouncing it onto the floor.
"You're welcome sweetspark." He watched the sparkling run off to the side to play. "So? What did you find?" when the two mechs before him exchanged glances he vented a heavy sigh. "Alright. I take it whatever you have to say is bad so let's get this over with."
Perceptor did not hesitate to reply. "Although her vitals and structure work are as normal as any Cybertronian.,"
"With the occasional oddity of her eternal half." Wheeljack interrupted.
"There is a part of her in our scans that show that is something….concerning… in her circuitry."
"And this would be?"
Wheeljack held the datapad containing an odd image in front of the veteran. "See this part here? See the kind glowy green ball right below her spark chamber and is attached to the main wire? Ya, that shouldn't be there. But unfortunately because it's mostly attached to her main circuits and her spark itself we can't remove it. At least not setting it off anyway."
"Setting it off? The frag you mean? What is it?"
"We believe it is a reaction to the combining of Cybertronian circuitry and alien or organic matter." Perceptor searched through his datapad. "One that has been slowly developing over time along with Eternia's natural growth."
"And just how is this concerning?" asked the Magnus.
"It is unstable. Capable of combusting if one was to tamper with it or if Eternia was to suddenly build up a sudden rush of emotion at a critical rate."
"So she is able to unknowingly harm herself."
"Not only herself." Wheeljack sighed "But to anybot who is within a..er..let's say..20..30 mile radius of her."
"What?!" Kup chewed down onto the tip of his cy-gar, failing to see Eternia playfully chase her bouncing ball down the main hallway.
It's difficult to know why or how without a proper examination but well long story short….she's a walking bomb."
"I don't believe it!" the old veteran stomped.
"Sorry but that's the facts."
Ultra Magnus rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I do not consider her a threat Kup but perhaps it is better for her and civilians if she stayed with th-"
"Absolutely not! This answer is no."
"At least think about this Kup Minor, if not for Cybertronians then for Eternia's wellbeing. It would also benefit her if she was to be examined further with your approval as so Wheeljack and Perceptor came just find a way to remove this strange growth."
"Nrgh, fine. I'll give it a thought, but this will have to be at another time. This has been enough for one day and now it's time to head ho-….Eternia?" It took only a moment for all for mech's to turn and look over the room, no sparkling in sight.
"Ahhhh! W-hat is that thing?" cried a femme from outside the main doors.
"Ah scrap." A nanoklick and the four mech's dashed out the entrance into the street. It did not take long for them to spot a small circle of bots standing in a circle down the way.
"What kind of stabilizers are those?"
"It's so small!"
"Ugh, I think an experiment got loose."
"Hey there are you lost?"
Eternia hugged her ball tightly standing in the centre of everyone's attention. It was difficult to look over so many optics that were looking down at her, all different expressions, curious, scared, intrigued, and disgusted. It was frightening. She was always thought it would be exciting to see other bots that would always walk by her home window but now...
So much noise. The noise of chatter around her becoming louder and louder...it was all so overwhelming. Scared, she clutched her ball tighter trying to look though bot's legs for a way out or if Kup was coming to save her, but so many more bots had come running up making the circle thicker it was impossible.
"Are they real?" The sudden yank of a wing let out a small yelp from the sparkling. Her wing was then released but the pain still stung her backstruts. "Primus they are!"
"That's so werid."
"Do you think it's some odd looking Decepticon?"
"Those things felt so odd."
Terror and coolant filled her optics as more servos came down trying to touch the sparkling. She squatted as low as her legs could go; hugging the ball to her chest and optics shut tightly awaiting the torment. "I wanna go home!" she whimpered. "PAPA!"
"Gangway! Come'n through! Move it ya bunch of loiterers!" Kup pushed, yanked and squished himself in through the crowd trying to create a pathway to the sparkling. "Eternia." He scoured through the crowd to the centre, but soon as there was a gap within the circle the winged femme took off through Kup's legs, coolant filled optics still held firmly shut. "Eternia! Wait!"
But she couldn't hear him. Running past everyone even Perceptor, Ultra Magnus and Wheeljack as the white mech tried to kneel down and catch her in his open arms she kept on running. "Kup! We gotta catch her or things are about to end badly!"
Taking heed to the scientist's word the teal mech bolted after the frightened femme chasing her into the emptiness of a bare open space of an early construction zone. Luckily for having longer legs he managed to scoop Eternia up and held the trembling sparkling to his chest. "Hey hey." He stroked her helm "It's alright kid. It's ok. Caaalmm down." Sniffling was the only sound she could make without squeaking or breaking out in more tears. The sound of incoming pede steps of the other mech's were ignored as she snuggled deeper into Kup's hold.
"Is she alright?" Wheeljack skidded to a stop.
"Ya…for the most part." He calmly placed her down.
"Sigh. This was what we were all afraid of Kup. Bots are just…not ready to see someone like her after the war and all. You have to admit she would be a lot better if she was in the protection of the Elite."
"I said no." he stood firmly with fists resting on his hips. "We have been fine all this time. It wouldn't be any different 5 stellar cycles form now!"
"You don't know that! Who knows what could happen over time!"
"I know her better then you lot!"
"Kup please calm yourself!" the Magnus stepped in.
"You know what? This whole thing was a bad idea!"
"Hey! We found out about the growth didn't we?"
Eternia turned from one yelling mech to the other, the dread and fear swelling up again. The noise…the noise was only getting louder, piercing her hearing and spark. It hurt so much she dropped the ball and covered her audio fins. "Stop…..please stop." The yelling only continued, the overwhelming pain growing inside. "Stop it…..stop it!"
Slowly a blue glowing aura burning around the sparkling's frame…
"We need to keep everyone safe!"
"Frag it she is not a freak!"
"STOP IITTT!"
Before the mechs knew or even heard of the high pitched shriek; they found themselves tossed like rag dolls into the air by a surrounding blue aftershock.
The explosion almost sounded silent at first until the ground-shattering boom followed suit as bots, streetlamps, billboards where tossed relentlessly in the air; their cries barely heard as windows in buildings completely shattered if not crumbled to the ground. Debris flew rampant in the air from the construction site until nothing was left.
Darkness, smoke and rubble covered the city. Everything fell silent, broken and shattered. Nothing moved, nothing stirred; as if the world had come to a sudden stop. A crater in the face of Cybertron.
Within a smaller deep crater, in the centro of it all; a frame black and burnt laid unmoving. Metal of the chest had ripped open, only a small pulsing spark illuminated the frame of the lifeless sparkling.
To Be continued…..
Feel'in the angst yet?