Wow, we've reached 40 chapters!
Trust me, I swear to Primus this half of the story wasn't supposed to be this long...
It's just, I can't help writing more and more!
This plot is developing into something I could never have imagined, and it's thanks to you all that I continue with it :D
I can't wait to start on OTSH Part 2!
But for now...
Enjoy!
Of The Spark And Heart
Part 1
Chapter 40
The room was spacious and drafty, surrounded by the usual concrete walls and glass-paned windows that would have allowed in light if the sun were so kind as to break the overhanging cloud cover. The door was left open, providing a great flush of chilly wind to billow in from outside, thus ridding the room of any organic life. The snow had been a sudden and unexpected occurrence, coming despite the previous forecast for continued sun and clear skies for the human's strange custom known as 'Allhallows Eve' or 'Halloween'. The fields of grass were now blanketed in pure, sparkling white fluffs of crystallized water vapor, giving off a lovely view of which couldn't be achieved by summer times.
There wasn't a human in sight, each one filing inside before the building-wide lockdown commenced at ten sharp. Military jets lined the perimeter of the space, along with various all terrain vehicles the humans called ATVs, and a few other bulky, ground-based assault machines. A few of these were in prototype stage, and classified to the general public. Exposed beams overhelm crisscrossed and weaved together in a primitive, but inventive, array of support. Balconies attached to the rim of the walls, connecting to other scaffolds so the smaller species of the base could examine their aircraft or speak easier with one of their larger counterparts.
Two of these said Cybertronians walked across the floor, enjoying each other's company while they held a leisured conversation in their language. The shorter of the two, a fembot, had not yet attained her own English language microchip, so she was limited to her natural words. This didn't bother her peer however, for the two had continued to speak far past the professional issues facing them.
The fembot was extremely tall considering she was what she was. However, though she was less than a foot shorter than him, the mech had no trouble looking at her as just another strong, capable fembot. Unlike the humans, Cybertronians did not include vertical length in their decisions on personal compatibility. Instead, personality and capability was measured. When the mech set his gaze on her again, she met optic contact and smiled, "I find the humans here on base to be extremely hospitable considering my associates and I appeared so suddenly," she commented, taking another appreciative gaze around her, "it goes to show what a species may find that they never expected from such a primitive race."
"Maybe it is because they are primitive that they may reach such levels of generosity." the mech responded, "Our kind have grown so hostile and distant from one another; and we are supposedly the intellectually flamboyant race." a deep, rich chuckle escaped from the Commander, reverberating softly off the walls. The fembot detached from her counterpart and strode over to a jet, running her servo over it gently. Almost as if she were admiring it. Her faceplates didn't show the same humor as her peer, more set in a distant sadness. "That is the saddest truth of the Cybertronian race Commander Ultra Magnus." she agreed, giving a sigh before retracting her arm and watching the falling flakes of snow just beyond the door.
Ultra Magnus slowly came up beside the fembot, unsure of what to say. She was an interesting 'Bot, that was for sure. She never had a bad thing to say to any being on base, her patience was immaculate, and she appreciated the planet she dwelled on more than any other Cybertronian Magnus knew. Her past was just as mysterious as her arrival, which had been touched more than once by the mech and his comrades. The same answers always came up however, allowing no one to truly understand this fembot and her group's unexpected lace into their faction.
This was one of the rare times when he was left speechless, grappling with the silence for words. His company didn't seem to notice the tension between them, and she remained silent as she reached out to catch the snow in her servo. "There's no need to be so formal. You may refer to me as Magnus." he finally spoke up, shattering the fragile break in their conversation. The fembot grinned, studying the tiny white fleck in her palm as it quickly melted.
"And you may refer to me as Cameo, or fembot, or Commander," she returned warmly, shuttered her optics and returned her gaze outside, "I have no preference."
"Cameo is a...handsome designation for someone such as yourself."
Cameo abruptly locked gazes with him, her expression unreadable. Just as unexpectedly, she reached up and cupped his cheekplate, making him freeze in place. He didn't know what to do with her physically touching him, nor could he process with his CPU running so quickly and chaotically. While Cameo simply observed him, Magnus stood, confused and conflicted, before he took this chance to actually study her as well.
Her optics were a vivid, bright shade of green, while the outer rim appeared a darker emerald. Her faceplates were long and sculpted, her features delicate to the optic. The armoring on her helm was a deeper hue than her optics, with the small details lining the sides and middle being a lovely sapphire. Every word she said was with a tender, rich voice that made Magnus' spark react in a strange and nearly frightening way. From the first time he'd seen her, Magnus had held these confusing symptoms building inside of him, rattling his resolve and making his question the sanity of his processor.
"I am quite found of your designation as well, Magnus. It fits you well," she brought her servo away, breaking their optic contact, "perhaps you wouldn't mind joining me for a walk?" Cameo started forward before Magnus could react, making him fumble for an answer as she was already setting her ped down into the piles of ice. "Through the snow?" he inquired doubtfully, "Won't our internal workings be effected by this?"
The Fabial rounded back around and leaned forward, taking the mech's servo and nearly dragging him behind her into the open. As her digits interlaced with his own, Magnus felt searing heat shoot up his arm, causing his wires to buzz and a slight heat to flush his spark chamber. He stumbled along behind her until they were almost in the middle of the field, snow stretching around them like the mercury seas of Cybertron. The trees were covered in the substance, while the distant, black river had floating chunks of solid ice flowing through the currents. It truly was a mirrored image of the vast expanse of starred sky above them. When he truly took the time to observe his surroundings and take in the sight of purity, Magnus could admit to himself that it was a beautiful scene unlike any he'd seen before.
The dots of white against the black of the night sky stripped the air from him, while the frigid cold caused a cloud of vapor to appear from his vents. Magnus could feel his core temperature dropping, but there was a certain clarity that came to his CPU that he found refreshing after so much stress. In the vorns he had lived on Cybertron before coming to Earth, he'd never had the chance to experience the interesting qualities of weather. The events were so random and legendary for him that he had only lived through a single acid rain shower in his entire life cycle. And he hadn't enjoyed that nearly as much as this.
Sticking out his servo, Magnus caught a few of his own flakes of snow, smiling in a sparkling-like joy as it melted into a small puddle in his palm. Cameo laughed lightly at his reaction and Magnus felt his spark jump at the sound. Why do I feel this way? he wondered, smiling widely at Cameo as she too caught her own flakes and let the water drip to her peds. Am I ill? Insane maybe? "It is wonderful, is it not?" she asked, crouching down to gather a few scoops of snow. Magnus nodded, watching the fembot as she stood with both her servos full of white. She lifted them higher, motioning towards him. Magnus took one servo of snow and immediately felt the sharp bites of cold in his digits.
Suddenly, Cameo dropped her hold of snow, letting it fall to the sheet below. Her vents shuddered and so did the rest of her frame, her plates rattling slightly when she did so. Her servo came up and wrapped around herself, trying to settle her shaking. Ultra Magnus threw his snow away, coming closer with his servos hovering and his faceplates dripping with concern.
Not knowing what else to do, he acted before he could process, bringing Cameo close and hugging her frame to his. He firmly gripped onto her, trying to share his bodily heat so she wouldn't freeze an energon line or possibly stall a system. The fembot shuddered with his action, her frame rigid. But slowly, she relaxed into him, her internal thermometer starting to take effect.
After about a click, Magnus realized what he was doing and he jerked away, holding his servos up as his spark leapt into his throat and he felt his tanks flip. "I-I apologize for that..." he stuttered, beginning to back away. Secretly, he was far from sorry he'd gotten so close to Cameo. In fact, he'd felt rather...excited about it- however strange that may sound. Before he could move completely away, Cameo snatched his arm, locking gazes with him for a moment. Her thoughts couldn't possibly be read as she came nearer again and fixed herself into a perfect niche against him. Magnus froze with her like this, his arms situated awkwardly away from her. Cameo said nothing as she continued to press to him, sucking in his offered warmth without a single word.
Finally, Magnus circled his arms around her frame, setting them on her spinal support where they could rest. Together, the big, uncouth Commanding mech and the adventurous, sweet Fabial Leader stood amidst the snowfall. They could have separated at any moment, but neither did. Magnus was intrigued by Cameo's reaction to his removal from her those moments before, but he didn't question it. For some odd, unfathomable, extraordinary reason, this felt...right. Normal. Natural.
He could feel the purr of her vents and the flush of hot air leaking across his chassis and midsection. The thrall of vibrations echoing from her inner workings reached him and caused his limbs to unintentionally go more lax. He could feel his helm touching hers at one point, his faceplates brushing against the side. His optics were heavy and languid, making it hard for him to stay online with such a warm, soft presence within his grasp. Her faceplates were so close to his own, to the point where he could feel the light of her optics on his lip plates.
They both drew nearer, moving at an impossibly deliberate pace as they inclined together. The sound of their sparks literally singing beneath their armor could be heard as clearly as the sharp winter breeze. The Commander's own was beating at its casing like a caged Predacon, burning hot and strong with the whimsical tunes of his spark song. Was this...? Could she really be his...?
Was it possibly he could very well be holding his sparkmate?
The mech fought to regain himself, for he had only recently met the fembot and continued to hold his gentlemech values. However, the eclipse of his CPU clouded any and all sense of reason, only pure instinct and spur-of-the-moment manners driving him now. Her optics met his, thick with understanding and a haze similar to his own. At that moment, everything else was thrown to the wind. He could, nor wanted to, longer process. There was only this. Them. Gently as he could possibly muster, the mech cupped her cheekplate, inching ever the less distantly towards her awaiting lip plates...
~All capable Autobot personnel to the front lobby immediately! This is not a drill. I repeat: this is not a drill.~
Both 'Bots went like stone in each other's grasp. Too quickly, Magnus forced himself to part away from Cameo, which for some reason made his spark song sputter into a quiet, twisting discomfort. he felt it calling for Cameo, pulling him to her by its invisible, but inconceivably strong force. Pushing off the incident to the back of his processor with minor difficulty, Magnus followed Cameo inside as they rushed back through the snow. Though neither of them seemed to notice, both their chassis plating was faintly glowing with a pinkish hue. The remnants of their moment faded to the back of their processors, to the utter despair of Magnus' spark. I'm most definitely going insane, he decided, making a note in his CPU to visit Ratchet in the next few kalons.
The voice on the com had been Red Alert, his tone nothing short of terrified. When both the Cybertronians were held up by the humans, Magnus growled in frustration and searched for a better route than that of which the volley of humans was taking. Tapping the fembot's shoulderbolt, Magnus cocked his helm behind him to an adjacent path. The Fabial nodded and followed behind.
The grey of the walls blurred beside them as they sprinted through each, ignoring the flashes of red as they screamed of the apparent danger. Ultra Magus felt like his audios were ripping from his helm, the sound of the alarms tearing through them mercilessly. As the pair were steadily making progress towards the front of the base, they were unexpectedly stopped again by another figure stumbling from their quarters.
Magnus skidded to a stop, raising his arm to bar off Cameo from going any further as well. The figure was definitely mech, and just by his paint scheme, Magnus was immediately able to recognize him. Giving an aggravated groan, he struck the wall, startling the mech and fully waking him from his groggy state. "Ultra Magnus!" he exclaimed.
"Sunstreaker." he greeted back blandly.
"Who's she?"
"No time. Where is your sibling?"
At that moment, the said sibling came tumbling out after his brother, tripping over his own peds as his recently awoken CPU tried to grasp everything at once. Landing on his aft, Sideswipe stared around him dumbly before he found Magnus and Cameo standing before him. His optics wider now, Sideswipe scrambled to his peds, snapping his helm around him towards the blaring alarms. "Sunny, when did these guys get here?" he demanded, looking to his brother, "Nevermind that; what the frag is goin' on?"
"We'll explain later," Ultra Magnus cut in, breaking off whatever it was Sunstreaker was about to say, "follow us."
A mint-green form blurred into the bulk of bodies flooding into the space around her, bumping into her as they moved or even shifted in the slightest. Though she was smaller than them and able to slip around more easier, she was still having a difficult time maneuvering amongst the mass. To make things worse, humans were scuttling around her peds, nearly making her trip over them anytime she took a step. When Inferno accidentally jabbed her in the tank cavity, she huffed so loud that multiple faces and faceplates turned towards her, confused by her outburst.
As quickly as she could, the fembot dodged the crowd and dived into the cracks. When she popped up to search the wave of taller, wider mechs and the measly bunch of fembots scattered about, she could barely make out a yellowish-green form in the back corner. Now filled with a better purpose, the fembot pushed herself through the group and she skirted around the edge of the newly arrived Fabials. The one she remembered being called Beta turned towards her as she passed, nodding his helm towards her before returning to the fembot beside him, his arm wrapped protectively around her tank cavity. She recalled that Fabial to be designated as Corra.
Finally making it through those pushing further into the room, the fembot vented a sigh of relief, her lip plates pulling up into a broad smile as she spotted the one she was after. She sprinted forward, running through the path of Ultra Magnus, Cameo, and the twins as they arrived. Sideswipe rounded on he wheels on his peds, shifting them away before he collided into her. When she was close enough, the fembot launched herself forward, hitting the mech she aimed for with all of her weight, making him fall back against the wall. His shocked call hit the air as she circled her arms around his neck, cutting him off mid-cry. "Moonracer!" he yelled in surprised, placing his servos on her sides as she swayed him from side to side.
"Ratchet!" she called back, giggling into his audio receptor. The analyst pulled back to see his faceplates before stealing a quick kiss. Moonracer could hear his vents as they hitched and the way he leaned into her embrace. He would usually chastise her for public displays of affection, but it seemed like he was less willing to uphold that rule at the moment. Knowing that she had the control of them, Moonracer ended the kiss and teased the poor mech by slowly dragging her servo up his pelvic armor and around his tank cavity so it appeared she was simply trying to wrap her arm around him.
Ratchet made a single, strangled noise at her action and his servo tightened on her shoulderbolt. The fembot could feel the mech's rise in temperature and the way his vents took in air erratically. Taking this as a win, Moonracer fit herself snugly against her mech and ignored his pointed glares and irritated rev. "This isn't the time for you to be playing games Moonracer," Ratchet hissed, ducking his helm closer, "why the sudden happiness to see me?"
Moonracer laid her helm on the mech's shoulderbolt, tucking it close to his neck. Was he still asking her questions? After all that she'd said to him? They hadn't done anything yet concerning interfacing or anything near that so far, but she was getting to that point. Anytime she saw this mech, he made her feel like she belonged- like she was apart of something grand and special. When she found herself caught up in his arms, she felt like she was at home. Ratchet to her was just...perfect.
"Because, my silly mech, I haven't had the chance to see you recently. I start to miss you after-"
"Everyone, please, may I have your attention?"
The chatter and noise began to die around the couple, dwindling down into a soft murmuring. Each occupant of the room turned toward the front, allowing a slender view for Moonracer and Ratchet to see through. Rethalia had been the one to call for everyone's quiet, her sparkmate standing beside her. Moonracer grabbed Ratchet's servo and drug him toward the crowd, allowing them to get a better look. "Why do you think they called us here?" Moonracer whispered, carefully studying her leaders as they surveyed the gathered.
"I have no clue..." Ratchet answered back, his servo squeezing tighter. He seemed nervous and unsure, which in turn made Moonracer anxious. The alarms were no longer on, however the density in the air was enough to take their place. Moonracer could see Ultra Magnus making his way through the thick of the Cybertronians and humans to get to the Primes. "It hasn't something to do with Lero and Rodimus, does it? They're alright?" Moonracer inquired concernedly. The CMO shook his helm, still watching the Primes and City Commander with far too much worry for Moonracer's liking.
"At twenty-hundred hours, a transmission was received concerning an attack made on the Diego Garcia base." Optimus announced, causing the room to immediately erupt in voices, "We are yet to be informed of the severity of the damage, as well as current status." Moonracer pulled closer to Ratchet as Cybertronians and humans alike squeezed forward, calling out questions and demands. The mech beside her raised an arm to part those before him, allowing them to edge forward. While the chaos of the crowd prevented any further words before they settled down, Moonracer held onto her mech as they reached the front of the gathered.
Rethalia was staring into the distance too avidly, her body language too tense. Her mate beside her was the same way. Moonracer felt a pang of longing towards the two when she recognized the blatant signs of inner bond communication. She wished she could understand what it was like to have such a deep, meaningful experience with another being. Ratchet would never bond with her for a good, long time, and Moonracer understood. But that didn't mean she liked it.
The fembot stole a glance at the one beside her, taking in the hard expression and handsome features of her mech. "What do you mean, an attack on Diego Garcia?" he demanded, snapping Moonracer from her thoughts. Optimus and Rethalia were quiet a click more before they moved in separate directions. Optimus intercepted Ratchet while Rethalia faced an equally as grim Ultra Magnus.
"Arachnid has launched an assault on the base, for no apparent reason. At the moment, our forces are pinned and are awaiting assistance. I am planning on sending a limited group to the base, with appropriate resources and human aid." the Prime raised himself taller so he would be able to browse above the sea of Cybertronians, "The report included the designations of every Seeker, Combaticon, and ground-based Decepticon warrior involved."
"What about the Dinobots? Are they not on base?"
"They are, however, there is only so much they and Nightmare can handle without help."
Moonracer dipped her optic ridges down in concern, switching her gaze from between her leaders to the humans. They were already racing about, gathering supplies and shouting orders at one another. She detached from Ratchet, moving forward so to approach her fembot leader. As she came nearer, she began to hear the conversation between Rethalia and Magnus: "...Arcee, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker, Smokescreen, Firestar, Mirage, Hound, and yourself to the front hangar. Can you do that?" when the mech nodded, Rethalia sent him off. Magnus disappeared into the crowd, allowing Moonracer to come forward. She took Rethalia's servo in her own and had the Prime turn to her.
For vorns, Moonracer and Rethalia had been the closest of comrades. When Rethalia Prime had been Elita One, Moonracer had served under her command. Time after time, they saved each other's lives and confided in one another for their mental strife. They'd grown closer through battle, and made connections only sisters in arms could. Moonracer knew the look on her commander's faceplates when she saw it, and this was that time.
"There's something more to this, isn't there?" Moonracer murmured, just low enough for Rethalia to hear. The commander paused, studying the Analyst's features carefully. Her own expression was unreadable, while her shoulderbolts seemed tense and stressed. The world's noises died below a dull rumble as Moonracer focused on nothing but the one before her. The black and pink fembot appeared as if she wanted to say something, but she was holding back.
Before she could answer however, her mate's voice boomed across the space, "Captain Robert Epps, your men are needed on this mission. There are human casualties and injured in need of retrieval." Moonracer searched for the man and found him to her left, on the edge of the crowd. His head shot up at the call of his designation and he nodded before leaning dangerously off the railing. His arm waved over his head, motioning to those below as he shouted commands and pointed out specific humans.
"Alright, listen up!" he began, his voice stretching broadly across the room, "This is operation Driveby, mark on my word, live on Runaway. Optimus, I want your chalk on moveout. You, get a line with the crew closest to our target, then tell them I want two Raptors, F-16s, and F-35s on the deck ASAP. Load 'em with HEAT rounds." heads and helms spun to listen in on the man, including Moonracer, "We'll remobilize on arrival. ETA to pause is predicted at two and a half to three hours. We're dropping into the hot zone, so keep your heads up! I want a spider-net perimeter defense, active on touchdown. Everyone test your telecom and relay to me. Debriefing en route." his attention turned again, "Rainwing, you're with me. Haul ass and move out!"
In a new chaos, a fluster of shapes bustled around Moonracer's peds, making her freeze in fear of possibly stepping on a human. When she found an opening, she jumped forward towards Rethalia, facing her once again. "What are we going to do?" she demanded, holding her leader with a solid, stern gaze. Rethalia's mandible visibly clenched, holding back something. It was so frustrating seeing the Prime withholding so much from her friend, but at the same time, Moonracer had become used to it. Rethalia was now a Prime after all. Things were meant to be this way now.
Backing off, Moonracer gave a small smile and sighed. Things were how they were for a reason: to keep everyone safe. If Rethalia felt holding information from her was in the best mind of control and safety, then Moonracer would trust her. Nothing would be powerful enough to displace their loyalty to one another. Nothing.
Rethalia returned to her friend, placing both servos on her shoulderbolts before she squeezed them reassuringly. "Moonracer, you are someone I can healthily say I trust with my life. If there is any reason I will not speak, it is with the best intentions." her optic ridges rose, flashing a deeper concern as she locked optics with the analyst, "I'm leaving for Diego Garcia, and so is Ultra Magnus. Firelight will be placed into your care while we are away, while Liora will be with Firestar. Compute?" as her words sunk in, Moonracer's helm bounced up and down, her lip plates unable to match the whirlwind of thoughts in her processor.
"Thank you." with a last supportive grin, Rethalia left and blended into the clustering array of 'Bots and humans filing for the doors. Optimus was still with Ratchet at the front of the room, while the rest of the gathered were hurrying to their respective places. A single figure stood out towards the back, still lingering behind as their comrades gushed outside. Moonracer narrowed her optics, openly confused at the oddly shaped heap on the ground. Another, larger being hovered over them, clad in black. Moonracer raised herself onto her toelinks, craning her neck to get a better look. Following what she assumed was the form of a mech kneeling on the floor, she glanced at what he was stationed over, her optics straying on the simple fabrics that scrunched under their curled body; the way their limbs jerked and twisted; the tumble of golden hair that splayed as a fan behind their cranium. Her vents seized.
"Ratchet!" she called, still staring at the pair by the back wall, "Ratchet, now please!" the sound of an approaching being had Moonracer glancing toward the source, finding the yellow-green medic striding over to her with a worried expression. "What is it Moonracer? Are you hurt?" he began to search her before she could react, firmly taking her close so to give her a good examination. She lifted her servos, laying them on Ratchet's own so she could remove them. "No," she grabbed his digits in her own and started for the two in the back, making sure the CMO had no chance to escape from her as he was dragged along, "not me. Her."
The instant he set his own optics on the two, he was launching forward, passing Moonracer so to reach them faster. He was already on his kneebolts when Moonracer caught up, holding out one arm so to bar off the mech stationed over his charge. Sol pushed on, repeatedly shoving the medic's arm away as he attempted to stay as close as he could with the human. Moonracer came from behind, setting a gentle servo on Sol's shoulderbolt. He jumped and whirled at her touch, his expression edgy and anxious. Moonracer felt her pipes clench as she witnessed the pain settling over Solas' faceplates as he returned to watching over Fera. The Guardian was nearly as uncomfortable as his charge, and it broke the analyst's spark to be helpless in watching so.
Ratchet was able to grab Fera and start away with her, Solas hot on his heelpeds. As they parted, Moonracer found herself as one of only three beings left in the room. And they as well were at work, ignoring her presence entirely. Rethalia and her group were gone, Captain Robert Epps and his team were gone, and Optimus Prime had ordered the remaining personnel on site to their own stations. Moonracer had nowhere else to go but to Firelight, and complete her only given task.
Memories, moments, and visions passed before her view, sneaking from the outer rims of her conscious to block her senses. She saw her home, in the days of its completeness and times of glory. Before its fall, Moonracer had belief. She holds that same belief and hope now, on her new home of Earth. Who couldn't be, with two leaders who are full of nothing but the emotion? There could only be hope in this everlasting war, she knew that. But still, lasting in the farthest depths of her CPU, Moonracer feared there maybe no peace here. This could possibly be the face of the Cybertronian kind's last stand. "Hatred is a battle of which cannot be won..." she sighed, shuttering her optics as she started for the halls, "you were so right my creator...so very, very right. I can only hope the others will see the same way."
It was so dark. Oh so very dark. The sucking abyss saturated every inch of her consciousness in crushing black, forcing her to fumble for a grip on reality. A boundless, endless entity of power emerged forth from within her, surrounding her in a world of which had no solid surface, and simply allowed her to drift. Smell was but a bitter flow of air around her nose, with a musty edge to it that made her stomach turn. Heavy, incredible pressure was mounting in her head, making her eyes feel like they were about to pop and her brain was being pushed out her ears. A wispy tendril of smoke was crawling around her leg, brushing her skin as it went along, and just floating along with her wherever she twisted.
It was a gentle thing, testing out its limits as it touched her ankles, shins, thighs, arms, and onward. The cold, frigid feel was something she could anchor herself to, to get her mind in a better clarity. It wouldn't work, and she knew this, however, she still tried desperately to open herself up to it and cling onto it like a child to their mother. Frustratingly, in some way or manner it began to develop an attitude of some sort, driving away when she attempted contact before circling back to its original spot around her. Where it touched, the dark was a little less intimidating, but when it left, that was where the burning began.
As the silver liquid had done so long ago, the smoke now pierced her outer layers of skin. It spread like wildfire, beginning in her legs and then shooting up her spine to blossom out through her flesh. A festering, boiling fluster of warmth bled across every inch of her, digging deep within her and gathering at her core. From her fingertips to her toes, the very air became ablaze, burning her nose when she breathed and scalding the insides of her lungs. Tips of the smoke traveled, then broke off, letting itself quickly make contact with her and pull away just as swiftly.
She writhed and squirmed, or at least tried. An invisible force chained her down, allowing her no reprieve as she struggled for freedom. Foggy bits of her mind registered only the steadily rising heat, and it threw her into an involuntary panic. The rawness pinching at her wrists made her fight even more, while the constant agony that came from her ankle only increased as she thrashed the limb. She was nowhere and without time, but she feared she may have passed centuries by now, wallowing in this flame. Am I in Hell? she asked the boundless entity of which she sailed in, her inner voice full of a horrified fragility. No, Hell would be far worse. But God does this hurt!
The embers slithered along the length of her spine, making her arch against whatever tried keeping her still and release a terrible, awfully silent, scream. Her mouth lay open in an aching lock, stuck wide with her horrible affliction. Eyes as blue as ice squeezed tightly shut, maybe praying the pain was a terrific figment of her imagination. Fingers, knitted with their own bouts of dry-ice fever, curled into her palms and pressed bright pink crescents into her soft flesh. She continued to yell out in her agony, hoping and begging for relief where she could see no light of it in sight. She ached for the embrace of her mother, and the seemingly magical properties that included that simply took her hurting away.
She wanted to speak with her uncle, confide him in her worries, and listen in on the lax teases and helpful advice he'd give her. There was a moment she caught herself wanting to find herself taken into James' grip as he hugged her to him like before. She yearned for the sound of her father's voice, and the way he always made everything better. Tears, whether they be real or not, rushed down her face, choking her with sobs that she hadn't let loose since her father's death. She wanted him here, so very badly, just to hold her hand and wipe the sweat from her forehead as she cooked alive.
She wanted Hope here.
No, not Hope. Solas Kaon.
She needed to feel the protection he gave and the words of concern he always told her. A sore hole in her heart swelled with the memory of his warm touch, the feel of his vents blowing warm air over her chilled body, the instances of which he kept her alive as the nameless presence she called Hope. Her heart yearned for his side of their bond. She needed it. So very, very badly.
His name danced on her lips, nothing more than the sound of air and a few murmured tones from her parched lips. But on she continued, saying the mantra of names over and over as though they were the only thing in the universe she cared about. A plea rose on her tongue, bleaching her will and stubbornness as she allowed herself to fall to inner deprivation. Solas, help me, please!
While she went on with her words and focused on nothing other than them and them alone, every one of her muscles cramped and seized. Gasping for oxygen, she felt herself flexing painfully tight, the entirety of her body soaked in a clutching tangle. Her skin flickered and twitched spastically, stuck in an utter cycle as she continued to burn, then seize, then relax before starting all over again. There was no longer any time to cry or shout, for her entire mind was set on her instilled jerking state.
There was no sign of her light, Solas or otherwise, and it scared her to death to find herself in pain, in the dark. It was this fright that enabled her to battle harder, with more angered yanking between her attacks and more patience as the wave passed over her. Bravely, she tried to break free, but it was of no use. Her arms and legs were pinned, making it that much harder for her to move. A sharp sting by her neck made her once again open her mouth in that quiet yelling she had done before. It never was going to end, was it?
But then, her contractions began to wither. Starting from her feet up, she could feel the knots inside her undoing and falling apart. The pressure subsided to a dull ringing in her ears, while the intense spasms she expected slowly turned to nothing more than a memory. Even the heat, once so blazing hot and peeling the hope of relief from her system, was becoming a kinder amber smolder. The clustering, bustling fit of her mind was slowing to a stop, and turning a far more languid side. She could breath better, hear better, smell better, feel better. But could she see?
Slowly, cautiously, she relaxed her eyes. The sewn crevices cracked in the movement, threatening to split with the slightest shift. She twisted her head experimentally, testing out the different levels of hues before coming to a still once again. Her heart was banging on the cage of her ribs, attempting to jump out into the world. Blood roared in her ears, giving her that bell-like echo from before. Actual light bit into her sight, causing her to squint against its blinding rays. It hurt to look into this new luminance though she previously had dwelled among the dark. A desert seemed to have rested on her tongue, for it was thick and dry whenever she swallowed.
There was still a sense of flight in her body, as if she could lift right up into the sky at any moment like the balloons little children wound up losing and letting soar away. Yet, it might have been difficult for her to do that if it had anything to do with the restraints on her wrists and ankles. Her neck was still sore from whatever pricked her, while her mind was slow in coming to grips with the blurry area around her. Wherever she was, it was very white, and very sparse. For a split second, she guessed she was in Heaven, however she quickly threw away that guess considering she would be clad in a flowing white robe and not held down by... What is holding me down? she wondered, rolling her head over to glance down at her arms.
Black strips wound around her arms, legs, and over her body. Too familiar with this scene, she rolled her eyes and groaned, throwing her head back and loosely closing her lids. This was the same restraining bed they had used in Saint Louis. There was no forgetting a time like that, or the feel of drugs in her system. She had become used to them enough by now to know when they were being used.
"Welcome back to the land of the living Miss Lennox."
Fera opened her eyes again and grinned groggily, placing the voice immediately before she even looked at the woman sitting beside her. "Let me guess: another 'fit' right? Just give me the news Doc, I can handle it. I'm paralyzed, aren't I?" she asked humorously. Terra smirked at the joke, but she didn't laugh. Instead, she reached forward and began to undo Fera's restrains, allowing the girl to lift her arms and rub the sensitive skin there. Before the doctor could see, Fera drug the back of her hand across her eyes, removing what was left of her crusted tears. Surprisingly, she was able to sit up, and even swing her legs around the edge of her bed, allowing her to better face her doctor.
"This was no laughing matter Fera," she scolded lightly, making the teen's smile fall, "You could very well have been paralyzed considering you've had more than one 'fit' in the past few months. I had to give you diazepam and morphine to calm you down." she stood and walked over to the counter by the back wall, grabbing a few materials and then placing them on a cart. The sound of running water hit the air and Fera set her hands beside her, watching the woman work. "Solas was in a panic when he saw you go down. We were barely able to get you away from him to treat you. He's still sitting outside the door right now, waiting for you."
"How long have I been out?" Fera inquired, marginally surprised at her Guardian that he would show his more protective side towards the doctors. She felt a smidge better knowing that he cared so much, but she also had her more stubborn side that absolutely hated when he did things like that. She wasn't a child, so she didn't need to be babied. Doctor Shelby pushed her cart back towards Fera and handed her a glass of water, from which the girl drank deeply from. "About twelve hours." she answered easily, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. Fera tried breathing and drinking at the same time, resulting in her coughing out most of what had gone down.
Terra handed her a small paper towel and Fera wiped herself off before giving the woman a disbelieving look. "Twelve hours?" she croaked, her throat still scratchy from the water incident. Terra nodded, gathering what she needed before walking closer to Fera, instrument in hand. "I actually thought you'd stay out longer from the amount of medication I gave you. However, it seems like I was wrong. Do you feel this?" the Doctor tapped Fera's knee a little too hard, making the girl yipe and jump on the bed. "Good, you're not gonna lose your leg." she returned to the cart as Fera's mouth fell open, her eyebrows burrowed. "Nice to know." she retorted.
Doctor Shelby went on to check Fera's blood pressure, her motor functions, her visibility, her ears, her eyes, her nose, and the ever so pleasant: weight. She was done within the hour, and when she had finished, the woman plopped back onto her rolling stool with an almost tired release of breath. "We still don't know what's causing them, and we haven't been able to since any scan we put on you, medical or Cybertronian." she murmured sadly, making Fera sag in disappointment, "Ratchet would like to have a check-in with you later on, just to get a second look. He told me to go over a few things..." she went on to recommend an incredibly pointless list of activities and overall dos-and-don'ts for Fera that she waited for nearly a half hour.
"Is this all necessary?" she demanded, flashing her impatience to be set free. Terra smiled mischievously, giving the girl her answer right away. "No, I just wanted to see how long you'd last before you rushed out to go see your boy toy out there." the woman suddenly burst into laughter when Fera's face dropped into a horrified expression, her cheeks flushing pink. Apparently lunch hadn't been the last of the love teasing.
"Can you not be so immature?! He's not my boy toy!" Fera sniped hotly, overly embarrassed at the Doctor's behavior. She searched the ceiling for any surveillance cameras, and found none. So the only place to get privacy here was in your room or in the medbay? Charming. Terra leaned back in her chair, holding her stomach as her laughter increased with the look on Fera's face. The teen was scowling now, far past the humor and teasing. Her face was red and her head sunk into her shoulders, while her fingers dug into the lip of the mattress. Gosh could this woman get any more unprofessional?
Fera moaned and let her head fall back, her irritation rising. Terra was beginning to calm down, but she still wiped the tears from her eyes before she would look at Fera straight. "Ok, ok, I'm sorry. But you've got to admit, it was kinda funny."
"Hilarious. Can I go now?"
"Yeah, I think I've tortured you enough. But I want you back here for a checkup today. Remember, Ratchet wants to look you over too when I'm done with you."
Before the teen could register anything else than that she was free, she nodded and quickly exited the room, knowing exactly where to go as she passed the door. Her heart tugged at her, like a string was physically pulling on her body. Her feet moved themselves, carrying her far faster than she should have been able to right off of meds. It was an odd knowing, this feeling, but at the same time, it was so welcomed that Fera called for more and more of it as she went. She indulged herself in it, bringing it forth from the depths she'd been blocking it from and joining with it in excitement.
As the seconds ticked by, Fera hurriedly dodged the people of the halls and called back greetings that were thrown her way with barely a notion of attention as she went. By the time she recognized any of these halls, she was already in front of the door to his room, using the recently installed keypad to allow her access. The large door slid aside, allowing her to rush forward and into the already waiting hand of her Guardian.
Giving a surprised yelp, Fera felt her heart skip a beat at the sudden grab at her and drop of her stomach as she lifted into the air. A hearty chuckle escaped from her Guardian and the female huffed at his show of amusement. "I was worried about you." he said, softer than what Fera felt was normal. A fuzzy warmth perked in her heart as he said this, a grin playing at her lips. She yanked her arms free of the mech's hands, using them instead to situate herself better. "Of course you were. You always are."
"Such is the downside of being a Guardian."
Fera once again rolled her eyes and moved her shoulders, trying to get them loose and relaxed. There was a tense soreness in her neck that refused to go away, and it bothered her to no end as she tried to relieve it. "Well its over now, thank God." she sighed, folding her arms on Sol's chest and laying her head in the bundle. This had become the usual procedure for them both now, with Fera lying on Solas' chest while he lounged on the wall. They'd find themselves talking for hours about everything and nothing, pulling up pieces that they themselves hadn't touched for years. Or in the Cybertronian's case, vorns as she'd been told.
Something had happened that day Sol projected that memory of himself with Astrea. It was like a door had suddenly been opened, allowing rivers and floods of comfort and familiarity to surface around them. Fera could see herself being more at ease around Solas and the other 'Bots, to the point where she really had no care between human and Cybertronian. It was an interesting transition, one that Fera had been uncertain about in the beginning. However, the more it transgressed, the less odd it seemed. It was natural. Always there.
"Can you still feel me?" she murmured, pushed forth her side of their bond in a hidden attempt for contact. The curling, crawling fingers her reaches made were received by massive ropes of Solas' own, making Fera's muscles unwind in relief. So he was still here. She relished in the soothing aura she got from the link, giving a small smile as his chest rumbled beneath her. "Of course, I always will be. You simply need look for me."
"I couldn't see you earlier, during the...fit. It was like your weren't there anymore...I couldn't even feel you." there was a hint of fright in her tone, and the mech vibrated his chest again in reassurance. A tender brush on her back came from Sol's thumb as he rubbed the surface carefully. Warmth seeped into Fera's body, so different from the burning she'd experienced before. Her eyelids were becoming heavy, and she lifted her head to rub her eyes in trying to stay alert better. Those meds must not have been as worn off as she thought.
To distract herself, Fera shifted and readjusted herself, using Sol as support so she could stand. She was getting used to the awkward bulk of cast on her foot, but it was still difficult to handle sometimes. Solas watched her silently, letting her use her own power to scale his frame to the spot on his shoulder that she'd already claimed as her perch. She twisted around and sat beside his head, one hand set on the side as she steadied herself and wondered what to do next. "You shouldn't mind the bond so much, it will be blocked sometimes." he commented, turning his face slightly towards her. Fera snorted and heaved herself up once again, skillfully hanging on to Sol's helmet as she leaned over to look him in the face. "You're one to talk," she replied incredulously, "since you pretty much freak out every time I get a paper cut."
"Those scars on your body are not 'paper cuts' Fera, any one of those could have gone too deep. When you were there, your injuries became my own."
"Don't you think I know that? Besides," she yanked herself straighter and ducked beside Sol's head, coming to a squat by his neck. She peered around for a time before finding what she was after, using the slim form of her hands to dip into the crevices there. Where was that annoying itch coming from? "when did you become the touchy-feely guy? Aren't you supposed to be the big tough 'Bot guarding the Stone thing?" with her arms wrist-deep in his helmet, Fera was able to locate and remove the twig that had somehow lodged into Sol's armor. When she pulled back, she was suddenly lurched forward as the mech sat forward. Nearly thrown off, the human grabbed on for dear life, wrapping her arms around whatever she could.
When he'd stopped moving and Fera was able to loosen her hold slightly, a hand came from above, plucking her from his shoulder to hover before him. His expression was blatantly shocked, on-edge of speechless. Fera could feel the chill through their bond, something that was far darker than she had expected. Her skin rose in goosebumps, prickling the hairs on the back of her neck and making her stomach fill with butterflies. Suddenly unwilling to look Sol in the very wide, very staring eyes, Fera struggled to get free. Even now, she wasn't one for heights, especially free-hanging ones.
Solas placed her back in his hand, maybe sensing the discomfort she'd blared through their link. In return, he sent his own emotions: ones of confusion and anger and awe. Such a deterring array of jumbled up information made Fera's head ache with the sere amount. Rubbing a temple, she glanced up at her Guardian for an explanation, only getting a serious, emotionless set of metal features as an immediate answer. "How in the ten levels of Pit do you know of the Stone of Primus?"
The teen shook her head, attempting to dislodge the buzzing in her ear from the overload of Sol's emotional message. As her ankle began to complain of overuse, Fera plopped back down in a sitting position on Sol's palm, sticking a finger in her ear to help aid the incessant bell. "Rodimus told me about it. Though, I hope you realize I would have found out eventually, with his help or not." she dropped her hand, now equally as grim as her Guardian, "What is this thing Solas? Why do I have it? And why didn't you tell me about it before?" she grabbed her necklace, wanting to feel the familiar charm and its important significance to her.
This, Stone of Primus, was a gift from her father. Nothing more. Why should it be? What could change it from what it already was to her? Fera dared the mech to challenge the pendant, but at the same time, she probed their bond, silently egging him for answers. "It's ok, I can handle it. I'm a big girl." she assured lightly. Finally, he gave a sigh. The binds contorting the walls in their connection dropped, allowing Fera to feel every weary, heart-wrenching defeat enlaced with this apparent truth. Fingers tightening around the Stone, Fera rose and set one hand on Sol's chest, keeping up her determined expression, but also trying to encourage him at the same time.
"It is a legendary...creation, capable of great and incomprehensible power," he began, keeping up a strong eye contact with her. Fera blinked, increasing her hold on her necklace to the point where her knuckles paled. Solas' vents fluttered almost apprehensively, but Fera came closer, urging him on. "and while there isn't much we understand about it, as we had the AllSpark, we do realize that it holds within it a power of which we've never encountered. It has yet to be explored further, so those who know of it -the very few of us who do- can only explain that it is considered dangerously unstable."
"And you gave it to me? Some bomb on a string?"
"We had originally given it to Ironhide: a comrade of ours. However, it came into your male creator's ownership shortly before the mech's murder, and when your creator began to pass away, he bestowed it upon you." Solas rose his hand, placing her back on his shoulder. Fera squirmed into a more comfortable position and she leaned on Sol's helmet, her arms wrapped around her knees. Just the mention of her father brought back bad memories for her, and when his vision crossed before her eyes, she felt her stomach clench and her heart skip a beat. "So," she began softly, trying to distract herself, "how does it work? When it woke you up, I didn't know how I did it. I still don't."
Fera could feel Sol nudging their bond experimentally, trying to delve further into the source of her abrupt sadness. She pulled away, not completely sure if she wanted to share that part of herself yet. Solas didn't approach any longer, but he still lingered at the edges of the bond, always there, always hovering. "No one is certain how the Stone of Primus is activated or deactivated, nor how it is controlled. It was sere chance it reactivated me, and I am uncertain of how we may be able to recreate the trigger."
A short pinch stabbed into Fera's chest as she drew away from Solas' bond, trying to escape for a few moments to think about things herself. If she had been given some ancient power of an alien species, she would have been a little more excited about it if she knew how to use it. It was like an impossible game of guess, as if questions would be the only thing she found concerning the artifact. So far, she knew next to nothing about it, which by what she could predict, was about the same amount the 'Bots knew. But if it could bring a mech from a coma, what else could it possibly do? Heal wounds? Read minds? Be turned into a weapon?
The possibilities were endless, and it made Fera do a double take when she was forced to remind herself that she was in the middle of it all. She held the power of infinite wonder in her hands, yet all she could think of was how to turn the thing on. She didn't want money, or fame, or world domination. All it was she wanted was the ability to leave a mark. Already, she knew she would be remembered by quite a few people. But was that enough? Every single person on the planet wanted to leave a massive print of their being existent, whether it be statues, stories, legends, or important items. It was the journey of making that impact that every man, woman, and child dreamed of. And Fera knew it was selfish to want more of the life she already dreaded was a dream every morning she woke up, but she couldn't help it. This was what she'd been looking for all this time.
This was her mark.
"Let's think back to when it happened." she suggested, giving a massive yawn as she felt herself falling into the influence of the lingering drugs, "Your chest opened up, I leaned in, the Stone exploded-"
"The Stone did what?"
"Exploded." she paused, thinking of a better way to explain the experience, "There was a giant ball of light, it got really hot, and electricity was everywhere. I don't really remember that much to tell you considering I was knocked out right afterwards, but all I do know was that for some reason, the Stone drew me to you, and when I got there, it basically took over. It's like..." she tightened her hold on her knees, the blood running throughout her body suddenly cold despite the warm form she sat on, "I wasn't even me anymore. All I could think of...was you."
There was a certain point where Fera knew the line was cheesy at best, but she couldn't help the way it sounded. No matter the crude attempt at reliving her past, Fera could confidently say that this was exactly how she felt. In better times, she would be able to go deeper and analyze the situation as she'd done all the years of her life. She would be able to infer and connect one and two together to get her answers. It was a perk of being the daughter of a military Major.
However, right now, all she could do was fall asleep. It was beyond her control, and beyond reasoning, but she couldn't help the moment her eyes closed and she gave a sleepy sigh as she snuggled closer to her only source of warmth. There was more here to be said, and more to be dealt with. Just...in the morning.
"Fera, there maybe a way of activating it." he murmured quietly, so much so that she wondered if she'd heard, "We think you maybe the key."
Damn drugs.
The hours passing by were loaded with the highest of tension, both created and groomed by every sentient being dwelling in the room at that moment. Constantly, the sound of hushed voices and tapping digits or fingers filled the space, causing the massive screen at the front of the room to flicker from one vision to the next. Lights were dim and weak, with the only available glow coming from the prompters and simple desk lights the humans required for their work. Each of the smaller creatures were stationed along the balconies, hunched over their designated areas while their fingers flew furiously over their panels. There were only four Cybertronians in the room at the time, with two of them joining their human comrades in using their talents in scouring for information pertaining to the current mission.
It had been quite awhile since the last report had been received, and anxiety was beginning to build in not only the mechs, but their human peers as well. The black and white mech by the counsel glanced back up at his work, staring avidly at the changing pictures on the screen as they went from one picture to the next, too impossibly fast for the humans to understand, but just slow enough for the Cybertronians to comprehend. Prowl growled in frustration and continued to input separate commands into the keyboard. The smaller, yellow scout beside him was having no further luck than his comrade, the small beeps and clicks he released being evidence of his lack of success.
One of the humans working at their personal monitor wiped the sweat from their brow, causing the bulky device known as 'headphones' to shift with the move. Beside him, Samuel Witwicky stood with his shoulders tense and his arms crossed, a look of pure concentration entrapping his features. It was quite the sight to see the formerly awkward, playful human be so utterly focused. Watching him, from his spot standing by the back of the room before the balcony wall, was Optimus. Whom, like the many filing around him, was nearly sick with worry.
Communications had been down for hours now, shutting off one and all forms of reaching those who had traveled to the Diego Garcia mission. The humans had been unable to access a viable point to speak with the members of the assist team, preventing Optimus from talking with one of his comrades. Though it bothered him to find himself so debilitated, the Prime was highly discouraged when he found his bond with his sparkmate to be blocked. She wasn't responding to his hails or a single message he sent. There wasn't a moment in his spark which the mech figured she was simply ignoring him, for he knew full well she would have done no such thing. It frustrated him to no end to know she was there, but be unable to communicate.
"You ok Optimus? You look mad." Sam spoke up, making the mech jerk. He hadn't realized he'd been staring off into the distance, allowing the human male to sneak up on him and lean over the railing's edge. He looked thoroughly concerned, his dark eyebrows digging deeply into his eyes. The large Cybertronian vented a long cycle, returning his gaze ahead so to watch the ongoing efforts by his comrades and human peers. "I am fine Samuel, but I appreciate your concern."
"Is it Rethalia Prime? No one has said anything about the 'Bots that went, but I heard she went with Epps and the rest of them." the male continued, hesitance heavy in his tone. Optimus frowned deeper, his spark twitching uncomfortably with the mere possibility of his sparkmate being harmed in some way. He would feel it of course, but with the bond being as blocked as it was...
"Yes Sam...It is. I am concerned for her wellbeing."
"I understand. Well, I kinda do, considering I've got Carly and Danny to worry about...nothing like you guys have to deal with. I really admire that about all of you: being able to tell each other's feeling and thoughts like you do. It's amazing." he commented, causing the Prime to glance back up in his direction, "I'm sure she'll be fine though. You guys aren't Commanders for nothing." Optimus allowed himself to grin at Sam's words, finding them to offer a strange comfort. True, Rethalia was Commander for good reason. The Prime found himself worrying over silly, minute things, where he should have full confidence in his sparkmate instead. "Thank you Sam."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, incoming signal!" one of the analysts called out, rising to their feet. Sam spun around, followed by everyone else in the room, including the Prime. He found a single female on her feet by the far end of the row of counsels, her headphones around her neck as she signaled over one of the higher-ranking officials. Colonel James Marks hurried over, with another, older man on his heels. She showed them her findings and the three conversed among themselves, discussing things that were alien to Optimus in all terms. The mech grabbed the rails, trying to get a better view of those by the wall. "What is it you have found Colonel?" he inquired, intrigued by the serious expressions on each of their faces. The male perked up at the sound of his name, but he didn't answer, instead allowing the more qualified of the company respond. Pushing the small, crystalline lenses and wire further up the bridge of his nose, the man wiped the sweat from his forehead, "It's not a viral attack, which it appeared to be at first. However, it is instead a request for visual transmission."
Another 'Bot, Red Alert, stepped up, darting his optics nervously between his leader and the analyst, "From who?"
"Someone by the name of..." he jerked back down, scanning the screen, "ALPHA_SOLAR_PROMINENCE. All caps, with an untraceable feed." his questioning gaze traveled from Optimus, to Red Alert, then the Colonel, who paused for a moment to think.
"Saint Louis." Prowl suddenly interjected, not even peeking up for an astrosecond to address the men as he continued his work on the main screens, "A solar prominence is an arch-shaped figure of gaseous material, brightly visible, that is anchored by the photosphere and reaches the star's corona. Thus, the main command center of the Saint Louis metropolitan area was decidedly referred to as SOLAR_PROMINENCE, in tune with the appearance of the architectural structure, the Gateway Arch, or Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, as it is properly called. Am I the only being who logged his basic modus operandi files?"
The stark silence that followed the mech's observation was brittle and quick, with most the humans involved with the request giving the Cybertronian an open, awed stare. Optimus and those who had held the pleasure of knowing Prowl before his landfall knew that the Autobot had certain...qualities that separated him from the rest, emotionally wise. A few times, the Prime had caught the comments 'computer with legs' and 'unsocial techie' around the base, but he decided to ignore them. Humans had their rights to opinions, which he did not hold the power to compromise. Revving his vocal processor in a way he'd noticed a few humans do when they wanted attention, the Prime dared to break the quiet. "I assume it is Wheeljack and Greenlight. Place them through."
The screen crackled to life, fizzling out everything else and replacing it with a black screen. At the sound of Prowl's aggravated snarl, the Prime feared that the poor mech may very well finally have that meltdown everyone had been expecting. Instead, the Analyst merely stormed away from his work and towards the far corner, sulking in the shade of the area as he crossed his arms and glared ahead.
"Prime! Optimus, where are ya?! Dear almighty, sweet Matrix, this is bad!"
Wheeljack's terrified voice filtered clearly through the speakers, booming loudly throughout the room. Optimus swung around at the sound, his optics locking instantly on the profile of his comrade's enlarged appearance on the screen. When the mech found his leader slowly approaching the feed, he sighed and his body sagged to the point where his shoulderbolt mount almost bumped into the projector. "Thank Primus... Where are Rethalia and the others?"
"En route for Diego Garcia -though they should have arrived by now-, along with Captain Robert Epps and his team. Is there something wrong?"
"Frag!" the technician suddenly cursed lowly in his natural language, slamming a fist into the control panel on his side of the connection. The video buzzed and almost gave out with his sudden assault, static blanketing the view for a nanoclick. One suddenly visible fembot behind the technician stepped up to drag him away from the device before he broke it...or it exploded. Again. "The attack on Diego Garcia was a ruse Optimus," Greenlight stated grimly, her optics alive with worry, "a simple deception by the master deceptors." she struggled to calm down Wheeljack, who had both servos on his helm as he began to fall into a nervous fritz.
The Autobot Commander's spark dropped to his peds, his tanks spinning wildly. Suddenly he was bellowing into his bond with his sparkmate, digging painfully deep into their connection despite the impossibility of their block. This wasn't her; she wouldn't bar him off like this. Something else was amiss, and the Prime would figure out what if it was the end of him. Greenlight took pity on the shocked audience, leaving Wheeljack to himself for a few clicks so to address them properly. "You remember the surveillance drones? Not the interception models, but those we had more recently released?" Optimus nodded, "They caught major Decepticon activity just outside the Southern American sovereign state of Argentina, signaling a landfall."
"The ambush was a distraction." Optimus vented, so softly that he feared he wouldn't be heard. So many things rushed through his processor at that moment, overwhelming him with feelings of despair and anxiety. His spark was sputtering erratically, almost as if it wished to jump from its casing. He yearned to share a word with his mate, if only to know she was unharmed. Drastic realization slammed into him like a wall, and he fell forward onto the control panel, holding himself up with only a shaking arm. The enemy wished to attack one side of the planet, their true intentions laid out on the opposite end, thus allowing their plans to proceed while any interference was handled by their trickery. I can't feel her at all, the Prime thought, horrified. It is as if...as if she isn't there any longer. This sensation was too familiar with his being separated with his sparkmate those long, lonely vorns he'd been on the AllSpark voyage mission. Of course, she was there, he just couldn't feel her.
"There has been no communications between ourselves and the Diego Garcia team, permitting us to believe that there may be dampeners along the area. Wheeljack and I have sent counteractive drones to the area in hopes they could be disarmed, but we are unsure if they'll work. Have you had any luck?"
"None as far as I am immediately aware of. You mentioned a landfall?"
"It's an Alpha-class warship, reformatted into a cargo hauler. We are still unsure of what it's hauling, but considering it's the Nemesis, it-"
"The Nemesis?" Optimus echoed, his tone betraying his surprise, "You are certain it is what appears to be?" if the mech didn't know any better, he would have thought the fembot looked offended. "Of course!" she exclaimed, "It's kind of difficult not to recognize the Primus-forsaken planet-with-wings. But with everyone out at Diego Garcia, and our inability to contact them, there's absolutely nothing we can do about it."
"There are available assistance here-"
"You would never get there in time." she interrupted, her words grave, "They're landing the thing now, Optimus, not in a few hours. Now. All we can do is watch them and pray to all upper powers that whatever is in that ship, won't be the end of us."
Every time I see TF 1, I can't help but think of Fera when I see Sarah and Will's baby...
My FF has officially reached my real life.
Kinda freaking me out.
Anyway guys, don't forget: The contest is still open until OTSH Part 2, so don't forget to submit something!
I can't wait to see what you all can do :D
Credit callout: Lunar Mist, for giving me permission to use the term 'spark song' ^v^ you guys should check out her stuff, it's pretty good!
*Chapter Inspiration: The Messenger= Linkin Park*