Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers, its characters, or its contents. I am not making any money off this story or its chapters, nor do I intend to.
Chapter 13: Anything Can Happen
Dealing with an irritable, over tired child was proving to be the ultimate test of Serah's patience. She commended herself on her ability to do so without snapping at the poor kid, and thanked Elaine for the small bottle of melatonin and vial of lavender oil she seemed to have pulled out of nowhere. This occurred about an hour ago before the dark haired woman had rushed off to the Medbay to check on her "patients". There had been no issues after the transfusion and, thankfully, everything was progressing rather well concerning Starscream. Elaine was left with strict instructions to call the CMO if she noticed any major changes, but to otherwise leave minor issues to First Aid and assist if need be. Apparently everyone in the higher chain of command had been in a classified meeting since early that morning, and Ratchet had been required to attend.
Alexis was sleeping contentedly now, curled up on the couch next to Titan. Relishing the peaceful, quiet atmosphere, Serah took the time to make sure there would be a decent meal for the three of them later in the day. Elaine, left to her own devices, would forget to eat and later pass out somewhere. As she didn't feel like lifting her friend off the floor and force feeding her, it would be ideal to bring food directly to her during her shift. Brushing her bangs out of her eyes, she checked on Alexis once more, then got to work.
When his Communications Specialist and Security Director made Optimus Prime aware of the massive amount of confidential information leaked directly from a high ranking officer behind enemy lines, Prime knew he would need to rely upon the advice and counsel of his most qualified Autobot officers. Seated around the large circular table in the newly renovated Conference Center of the base were the high ranking Autobot officers stationed in the Ark. Some had not been made aware of the peculiar nature of the meeting yet, but quickly understood the gravity of what was going on once it was well under way.
Blaster was frowning behind his faceplate as he continued speaking to the others.
"If Soundwave fears for his own safety and the safety of his cassettes, it's possible we've overlooked how unhinged Megatron has become."
"It would be highly illogical for Megatron to offline his most loyal soldier. Soundwave is irreplaceable to him." Prowl paused for a moment. "Soundwave, being as valuable as he is should be in no danger whatsoever."
"Prowl..." Jazz started. "Megatron ain't logical anymore. Something must've seriously slagged his processor. He offlined one of his trines and then went for his elite Seekers. Even Starscream, his Second in Command, wasn't safe. Fragged up his only advantage against us by taking out his air support. Something ain't right."
"We're failing to consider that this could all be one elaborate scheme!" Red Alert piped up.
Optimus rubbed a servo across his faceplate. Honestly, he couldn't quite remember why he decided to invite Red to this meeting.
"No." Ratchet cut in. "This is too desperate a move for Soundwave to make to be a trap. I've seen firsthand what kind of atrocities were committed against the Elite Trine; there's a story behind each wound that needs to be repaired on their frames. Though many of you will refuse to believe it, Megatron is deranged enough to hurt and maybe even kill his own mechs. No one in that base is safe now. It could be processor damage, but our concern is not what's going on with the Decepticon Leader himself; it's the soldiers currently seeking refuge that I'm most concerned about."
A solemn air descended upon the room. There was an important decision to be made; one that would affect the lives of one officer and his cassettes, as well as everyone in the Ark.
"I say we grant them shelter here among the Autobots. Even with the added security and possibility of time in our brig, Soundwave is likely to be safer here than in his own quarters in the Nemesis." Blaster continued. "Think about it. He's faking his own capture and death. In the databurst he sent me, he clearly stated that he needed us to make sure his 'offlining' was convincing enough to fool Megatron into believing he was permanently gone. Megatron isn't going to come searching for a dead soldier. He may be insane, but he wouldn't do that."
"I agree." Prowl nodded. "But with Soundwave gone from the Decepticon Army, it will become even more unstable and unpredictable."
"There's also the added risk of bringing a telepath into our base!" Red piped up again.
"It's a chance we will need to take." Optimus replied. "We have a responsibility toward Cybertron and all cybertronians to do whatever it takes to bring about an end to this war. Don't lose sight of what we are fighting for."
Finished with any small repairs she could assist with, Elaine sat near Starscream's helm, watching him recharge. The transfusion had sapped some of his strength, but seemed to be helping along his self-repair systems. His armor seemed to hold more luster than before, and he was slowly regaining a more healthy appearance, as far as the young woman could tell.
"Amazing." Elaine muttered.
"Hm?" Thundercracker tilted his helm toward her.
"It's amazing to me how resilient you all are. To go through all you have and still hold it together, I mean."
"Without our bonds as a trine..." Thundercracker started. "We'd be long gone by now. Starscream is a an incredible mech. I fear he has taken more abuse than we were aware of. Skywarp and I are in much better condition."
Guilt crossed the blue mech's face before he turned his head.
"I don't think we'll ever see an end to this war. It has gone on for so long now..."
Elaine moved closer to the helm beside her, careful not to jar it and wake the recharging mech.
"Listen to the musnt's, listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, and won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me. Anything can happen, and anything can be."
By the time Elaine had finished, Thundercracker was regarding her with a thoughtful gaze.
"An Earth poem?"
"Something my father used to recite, when I was very young, and he was very drunk." She smiled. "He's gone now, but that stuck with me. Silly, isn't it? That'd I think my father's intoxicated rambling would help at a time like this."
"Not at all." The blue mech leaned back on the berth he was seated on, careful not to pin his wings uncomfortably beneath him and glanced back at Elaine. "I suppose with all that has happened lately, anything can be. I mean, look at Starscream. Hasn't even squished you get, and you talk back to him every day. That's a small miracle in itself."
She laughed.
"He's not that bad. Just...really, really abrasive on the outside I think. You've known him far longer than I have, but I think we can both agree that there's a lot more heart in this disagreeable war machine than many give him credit for."
Thinking of all of the times their trine leader had put his life on the line for them, often disguising his actions as a malicious attempt to overthrow the wretched tyrant out to damage them, Thundercracker was inclined to agree.
Anything can happen.
It gave him hope.