Transformers Galaxy Force: Thunder Storm
Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers.
Chapter 98
Coby looked at the space where the Atlantis once was. He just couldn't believe it. In one moment, his entire life was put on end. His brother was gone, trapped on board the Atlantis in Super Starscream's hand.
"I'm sorry, Bud. It's all my fault."
"No it isn't," she insisted.
"I'm the one who told him to get in the other pod!"
"You didn't know that Noise Maze would catch him," she told him. "It's not your fault, Coby. We'll find him. I know we will." She pulled him into a hug, whispering, "It's not weak to cry." She held him as he sobbed on her shoulder for a few minutes until he pulled away, whipping his eyes. "Feel better?"
He nodded, smiling. "Thank you, Lori. To be honest, I'm glad you weren't on that pod too."
She raised an eyebrow at that, "Why?"
He blushed slightly, "Well, since my life just hit rock bottom anyway, now that I have to explain to my parents why Bud won't be at dinner… Lori, I… ever since I saw you during that field trip to the beach… I…" he took a breath, and it all came out. "Lori, I think I'm falling in love with you. I never told you before, because I didn't want to risk our friendship. I don't want to risk that. But, if you want to try being more than friends... Sorry, I'll stop. If you want to hit me, go ahead."
"Why would I hit you for telling me how you feel?" she asked, hugging him instead. "It's nice to know that anyone could feel that way about me, even if it's you. Most boys don't see me the way you do." She paused for a bit, thinking. "Honestly, I wouldn't mind giving it a try. Just one thing."
He pulled away from her, "What?"
She smiled, "We need to get your brother back first. This won't be any fun without him around to tease you."
"And you think that that memory would be why he's on the moon?" Galaxy Convoy asked as he flew towards the moon.
"It was the only other time he felt responsible for something he considered a catastrophe," Lori answered, checking over the spacesuit she had put on before climbing into Galaxy Convoy's cab.
"It would be logical to think that he would be unconsciously drawn there because of that," Emission said. Only the three of them were heading for the location where the Atlantis was once hidden by Vector Prime two years ago. Lori was hoping she was right about her theory. Thankfully, Galaxy Convoy and Emission seemed to think it was a good possibility.
Rodimus kicked a rock, watching it float aimlessly in the air as it sailed away from him. He remembered being in an escape pod here, two – maybe more like 3 now – years ago. He had felt so awful then. Lori had been there for him then, comforting him quicker than he thought possible. He looked at his hands. Did he really deserve that comfort? He wanted to hold her and cry on her shoulder, but could he really hold her with blood on his hands?
He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he failed to notice three figures approaching him. He turned in shock as he felt a hand on his shoulder to come face to face with a blue visor. "How long will you hide?" Emission asked.
"Emission, Galaxy Convoy, Lori," he gasped, optics moving to each one in turn. "How did you find me?"
"A woman's intuition," Galaxy Convoy answered.
"We miss you at home, Coby," Lori said.
"I… I can't go back," Rodimus said.
"Rodimus,…" Lori began.
"Lori, I… I killed them! I didn't even give them a chance! I murdered them!" Rodimus said. "How is what I did any better than what Master Megatron did to Excellion, First Aid, and Backpack? How can I be with you when I have blood on my hands?"
So that's it, Galaxy Convoy thought. "Rodimus, many died in the war that devastated Seibertron. I have also taken many lives. It's best to talk about these things, not run away from them. That's why we're here."
"The past will always haunt us if we try to run away," Emission said. "There's an Xian tale about one named Fear, who ran away from his abusive parents. But because he wouldn't face his fear of parents, he wasn't raised correctly and ended up becoming one of the worst criminals on the planet. He eventually took his own life, rather than face the consequences of his actions."
"I'm still no better than a Destron," Rodimus said.
"You are better," Lori insisted. "You are better because you regret your actions."
"Did you enjoy taking their lives, Rodimus Convoy?" Galaxy Convoy asked.
Rodimus shook his head.
"Even though we had fought for a long time, even though I knew I had to do it, killing Master Galvatron was the hardest thing for me to do," Galaxy Convoy said. "I didn't want to do it, because I hoped, and still hope, that a part of the Cybertron that he once was still existed.
"Yes," he continued, seeing the shocked faces on the other three. "Master Galvatron was once a Cybertron, one of the most elite. I would have trusted him with my very life. His betrayal hurt several. When he vanished and resurfaced as Master Megatron, hardly anyone else recognized him. They thought he had died at Master Megatron's hands, which he did, in a way. Master Megatron killed anyone who recognized him for who he once was. First Gunner's father, Ratchet; Backguild's uncle, Computus; Dreadlock's superior officer, Skywire; my cousin, Red Alert; my brother, Magnus; he even killed his own sparkmate."
"War does not decide who is right, but who is left," Emission said. "Death occurs in battle. It's a sad fact of life."
"I will always love you, Rodimus," Lori said. "Even if you became worse than the Destrons, I will always love you."
"Lori…" Rodimus trailed off. For a second, the space around them glowed gold, and then they were suddenly all on Earth, in the woods behind her house. Lori pulled off her helmet and took a breath of fresh air as Rodimus turned back into Coby. He collapsed into her waiting arms, burying his head in her shoulder. "I'm sorry," he whispered as tears ran down his face. "I'm so sorry."
"He warped us here?" Emission asked Galaxy Convoy.
"No," the Soushireikan answered. "I used the Matrix." He looked at the Terraformer who sobbed in Lori's arms. He's younger than I was, and he's already seen one of the worst horrors of war. Time and care will heal the wounds, but I doubt he will ever loose the scars.
