The bridge was slowly murmuring back to life and I scanned the room desperately, trying to gauge everyone's reactions. No one seemed to be reacting outright, or at least in a way I could read. The situation sure sounded serious to me, hell, Megatron himself had sounded pretty damn serious. The Decepticon war commander had lived up to expectations, and definitely seemed the type of guy to send Ravage beating himself against the walls. I couldn't imagine how scared Henry must be, alone on that ship. The Decepticons didn't seem keen on keeping up any 'good guy' appearances for their guest. Unless they already had done that of course, and we were now seeing the aftermath. Had they betrayed Henry?

"If that wasn't the biggest load of slag I ever heard," Jazz complained, "Who does he think he's fooling? Man, Kath, I tell ya." My attention shot up to him. He seemed way too calm about the whole thing.

"What's going to happen to Henry?" I asked.

Jazz sighed. "Henry…we'll get him back. We got a deal. Megatron wants something for sure: he won't risk his leverage." It was a sour sort of relief. I had been the one to risk the Autobots' leverage with Ravage. That fact was true regardless if Megatron wanted Ravage back or not.

Jazz shifted his hips, looking down at me with a pensive sort of frown. "Hey now, it'll all work out, we'll get you both back safe." He leaned in, a smile spread on his face, "And talk about you! Speaking right to the big baddie himself! Good on you, showing him you ain't scared of no 'Con."

"That was a bit stupid, huh?" I laughed nervously, "I should apologize, to Optimus. Or Magnus. Probably Magnus."

"Kath, tell me you ain't thinking of apologizing. That took some real spark, looking out for your friend like that. Oh, and you just know Megs is going to be throwing a real fit about it," He laughed, "Ain't never a good day to be a 'Con, but right now I'd say it's the worst day yet. They'll be steering well clear of his helmet head for a while, that's for sure!"

"He won't hurt Henry, will he?"

His smile flickered, there was an edge to his voice now, a sharp and dangerous sort of thing, "He's not gonna touch a fraggin digit on Henry if he expects any sort of deal with us. He knows better than to play with Prime." The easy smile sprung back, "We'll be making a plan, OP already scheduled our next meeting in your medbay room. It'll be sorted before you know it."

"A meeting?" I twisted to look around the bridge. Optimus was still on the raised platform, discussing something with Magnus. "When did he do that?"

Jazz looked at me curiously. "Just now, while we were talking."

"You can do that?"

"Do what?" He asked.

I demonstrated little finger antennas on my head with my pointer fingers, "Send stuff out, right from your heads? That quick?"

That got a very good laugh out of him. He merrily mimicked my finger antenna, placing his pointer fingers right next to the nubs sticking out on his head. He wiggled his fingers. "Sure thing, just like that, Kath."

The moment was interrupted by someone clearing their throat, or at least making some sort of garbly cough as if to imitate the sound. It was the red bot, Sideswipe, the bot whose station I was still standing on.

"You going to hang around all cycle?" Sideswipe asked me.

"I thought you didn't know English," I said.

He rolled his eyes, "Not earlier, duh. Maggy sent it out."

Jazz leaned in behind me propping his elbow on the metal hood. "Yeah. Ultra Magnus had to send out the language packet en masse as soon as Megatron started chatting. I bet Megatron thought he was being real smart, pulling that on us."

Sideswipe wrinkled his nose at me. "So are you leaving, or…?"

"Oi," Jazz warned, "Manners."

"Am I interrupting anything?" Came the familiar voice of Optimus. I nearly jumped out of my skin.

"Naw OP, just chatting," Jazz said, "You here to steal Kath?"

"Steal me?" I asked.

"A quick meeting in my office, if you would," Optimus said.

I gave Jazz an accusatory look.

Jazz put his palms up in defense, "Didn't know until a nanocycle ago. Swear."

I looked back at Optimus. Was this because I was in trouble? Did he want to make sure I understood the fussing I had gotten from Magnus about following the rules? It was impossible to read him. It didn't feel like I had much of a choice in the matter. "Ok."

Jazz laughed, "Well, don't be so eager, Kath."

Optimus was concerned, "Have I alarmed you?"

The quick back and forth over my head was making me disoriented. Yes, I was alarmed, but I wasn't about to just say that to him. Then I'd have to explain all the reasons why I was alarmed. "A meeting, that's fine," I said. Apparently, I was being just as unconvincing as I felt because Jazz continued to snicker.

"Alright, get her out of here," Jazz said, "I'll hold down the bridge."

"You will?" I asked. Even with Jazz's visor in the way, I felt he had arched his eyebrows way up. "You're a pilot?" I asked. At this point I was stalling. I could see in the corner of my eye that Optimus had his hands cupped and ready for me to take a seat.

Jazz smiled, "Naw, Kath. Just third in command. You two have fun." Stalling or not, that made me pause. Third in command? He didn't really give off the same…vibe as Optimus or Magnus.

Optimus was waiting as patiently as ever and with a goodbye nod I reluctantly turned towards the cupped hands waiting for me, conscious of all three of them watching me. I carefully stepped onto his hands, using his fingers to keep balance, but turns out I didn't really need to: Optimus kept his hands very sturdy, almost uncannily still; it was like stepping onto any ordinary sort of platform. It was still very high up though and I quickly dropped to a seat. Jazz watched me with a slight tilt of his head. Did he know how much trouble I was definitely in? Optimus turned away and we moved towards the exit at the back of the bridge. Jazz called out one last time, "Don't drop her!"

"He is jesting," Optimus reassured from above, "I have not dropped anyone before. You have nothing to fear."

But I felt there was plenty to fear.

"Oh? And what was your plan then?" Optimus was talking to Bumblebee now. The black and yellow bot had appeared the moment we had exited the bridge and was as cheerful as ever, giving no acknowledgment of his sudden exit from the bridge prior. With Optimus translating for me, Bumblebee had said hello, had asked how things had gone, and then had given me a word or two of encouragement before excitedly turning the conversation to Optimus himself. My responses had been equally brief. Not that I wasn't worried about Bee, because I definitely was, but I was getting the distinct impression that it wasn't a topic he wanted brought up right now. I could only wonder if it was a matter of bad timing in general, or because of our current company. If we ever had time alone again I wanted to at least make sure he was alright.

We passed hardly any other bots during the walk, and the few we did either paid us no mind or gave our small group plenty of space. Optimus and Bumblebee seemed more than happy to spend the time talking. I had no clue what about. Though Bumblebee certainly loved using ample hand gestures, he spoke in his language of beeps and chirps which I couldn't understand, and though Optimus did indeed reply to Bumblebee in English, his responses were few and far between, leaving me with only vague and cryptic breadcrumbs.

Still, it was nice. I had expected this walk to be an awkward one, full of forced small talk and long uncomfortable silences. I had been expecting it to be awful for my anxiety, where pressure would build up and up until I was having a nervous breakdown right there in their commander's palm. Bumblebee was my saving grace. It was even sort of relaxing—if that word could even be used anymore. Nothing could remotely be described as relaxed right now. But they were chatting easily with one another, both clearly enjoying the other's company, and I couldn't help but sit silently and absorb the good atmosphere. It was like being in the back seat of a car while the adults or whoever conversed in the front. You were left to yourself in your own world, unbothered but welcome, because you being there and present in that back seat was just as important to the atmosphere as the quiet conversation around you. As a kid it was a prime opportunity to nap, even now I could feel the pull of my eyelids, asking me to just rest my eyes for a bit. To just listen with my eyes shut. I suspected that earlier I had napped with Bumblebee for at least a few minutes, maybe longer. With the exhaustion I could almost forget I had about a trillion things to worry about, I could almost ignore how my stomached ached, or how my arm throbbed. Truly, really, I could almost do it. I did not let my eyes close, and the conversation above me continued on.

Optimus filled a small pause with one of his rare comments: "Fascinating. How so?" He seemed more than happy to let Bumblebee do most of the talking, and Bumblebee seemed more than happy to oblige. The bright yellow bot launched into another long response, gesturing as emphatically as ever. The door-wings he had on his back rose and fell and fluttered nearly just as much as his hands.

Overall, I was pretty sure I was in deep shit. Their commander was carrying me to his office to have a 'chat' with me. It was as if a school principal had burst into a classroom insisting on escorting a student personally to their office. Except this was an alien war commander, not to mention I was smaller than a fucking hamster to him, and instead of a detention it was the fate of Earth and everyone on it at stake. I wasn't getting my prep time for this like I had hoped. I mean, I was still absorbing what Megatron had threatened, not to mention the bombshell that was Henry. Every time my thoughts wandered to him a stabbing jolt of guilt raced through me.

It could have been me. Everything I worried about, all the awful things I thought might happen to me, Henry is living that nightmare. Why did I deserve to escape that fate? Why am I here and not them?

I had no idea. I was given a chance to not only survive but to survive well. I was given the chance to be around beings who seemed to actually care whether we lived through this encounter. I had the chance to possibly protect Earth, and here I was supremely messing it up. Optimus's patience couldn't last forever and after what I did with Ravage, did he even have any reason to trust me? Or trust Earth for that matter?

In my mind's eye was the dark gloomy cell of Ravage, his sharp teeth dragging sparks along the metal bars. He was laughing. Ravage's dark premonition was coming true: first Megatron would wipe out the Autobots, then he'd head for Earth. Megatron wanted his battle with the Autobots more than he wanted Ravage: a servant so loyal he'd mutilate himself at the thought of failing Megatron. Optimus was literally the only thing that could possibly stand in his way.

Congratulations, you made sure the Autobots probably aren't evil. Too bad you talked to their enemy and risked their lives in the process. I'm sure they'd love to put their lives in even more danger just to bail you and your species out of this mess. I'm sure they really appreciate you right now.

"We have arrived." Optimus halted, speaking probably more for my benefit than Bumblebee's. The door in front of us whisked open. "I assume you will wish to return Kathrine to the medbay auxiliary once we are done?"

Bumblebee nodded happily. He gave me a cheerful wave goodbye as Optimus strode into the office. The door shut and then it was just me and him. A stupid teenager and a giant alien robot war commander.

He lowered his hand to the large desk and I carefully stepped off. His office was similar to Magnus's in that it had very little in the way of furniture besides a few shelves, a few chairs, and the desk itself. Where the two differed were the decorations. Where Magnus had had plaques and frames lining the walls, Optimus had only had a handful. Nothing in Optimus's office looked showy or ornate, it didn't even seem like a particularly large space either. What did catch my eye however was a very large rectangular shape resting in the wall directly behind the desk chair. It looked suspiciously like a large blacked-out window—like the one I had seen in Misdirect's room.

"Would you like to see outside?" Optimus asked as he moved around the desk. Taking my silence as confirmation he turned and tapped something on the wall and the dark rectangle shifted to crystal clear in an instant. I could see stars again. A sweeping ripple of glowing clouds hung across the view, saturated with thousands upon thousands of stars. It felt familiar. I supposed any night sky would feel that way—I had no great experience with stars or constellations, for all I knew I was staring at the same night sky as the one from Earth, albeit with way less light pollution and no horizon in sight. Optimus lingered for a moment too, looking out at the stars.

"Beautiful," I said.

"Indeed," He said.

I shifted nervously on my heels, "I actually hadn't seen outside the ship until the bridge. I was too scared, I think." There was silence and I realized he was waiting for me to finish my thought. Reluctantly I continued. "I was afraid it would be too much. Or it would look too different. It would make everything feel hopeless."

"And how does it feel?"

"Like a pretty view," I looked down, "I guess I was hoping it would mean something. But it's just beautiful. It's just stars."

"Are stars visible from Earth's surface?"

The question caught me off guard. I glanced at him. "Depends on where you live. Some places are as clear as this, others not so much." I then added awkwardly, "Could you? See them on your planet?"

"No," He said. "I had seen only pictures. It wasn't until I had left Cybertron's atmosphere for the first time that I saw them as they were."

"Wow. It must have been really bright there, Cybertron."

"Yes."

The room was again silent. This quiet hung in the air, slowly thickening until it felt heavy on my shoulders, and it felt as though I were filling my lungs with an invisible sludge. My palms were clammy. I could feel my heartbeat racing in my ears. It must have only been a few moments before I got the courage to speak, but the words left me slowly, as if the heavy air had slowed my ability to talk, or even think. "We were going to talk?"

"Yes, my bad," He turned from the view, "A check-in, really. And I wished to discuss the events following the discovery of the Allspark." The window behind Optimus continued to proudly display its view. The silky delicate frozen billow of clouds loomed incomplete, alluding to the hulking beast of rock, ice, and starlight that continued far past the confines of the window frame. Optimus stood in this frame too, his silhouette cut from this glowing background, his frame blocking out massive chunks of starlight creating a razor edge between glowing void and smooth armor.

I tried to breathe in the thick air. "I shouldn't have gone to Ravage."

He looked at me.

"It was a stupid mistake. I never wanted to put anyone in danger."

He stood by his seat with one hand on the backrest ready to pull it out and sit. He studied me with the smallest frown. These observations floated faintly through my head. My body felt very far away now, and I spoke honestly but without thought, as if some other force were drawing the words out of me. I could see myself standing there on that big desk, looking up. I honestly had no clue how I was still standing.

I continued, "If you can't trust me, I get that. I completely understand. But please, it was my dumb mistake, we're not bad people. There's tons of humans better than me who don't deserve what's coming. I'll do anything. I'll stay here on the ship, I won't go home. I'll stay and do whatever you need me to do to make up for it. I promise."

As if startled, Optimus touched the wall and the view from the window was once again blacked out. He shook his head, "I'll allow nothing of the sort." He swiftly took his seat. I blinked, dizzy from the sudden movement. My hands were shaking so badly that I had to press them flat against my jeans to keep them still.

"Neither should you worry your people will be abandoned. I have given you my word, Kathrine."

"You don't have to do that," I said.

"I am fully aware that I am under no obligation. I do this regardless."

"But why?"

"I will not see another species destroyed at the hands of our conflict. This is not your war, you should not have it take from you what it has taken from us. I adamantly refuse your request, I will not have your life added to those losses."

"After what I did?" I asked, "What about your people? You should do what's best for them."

His voice was firm but not harsh, "No victory can be called such if it comes at the expense of others."

"But I put your lives in danger for Earth." My voice had risen. I clamped my mouth shut at the realization.

"This is concerning Ravage?"

"Yes! I don't deserve to go home. I messed up! I didn't think about any of you!"

He drew a foot or so closer, his voice gentle "You have done nothing deserving of that fate."

"I could've ruined our chances."

"We have more than enough options at our disposal."

This had me pausing. "We do?"

"Most certainly." His efforts to slouch and reduce the distance between our eye levels were partially in vain. I doubted he intended to give off such an overwhelming presence but his size was not exactly helping things. Even Magnus, as angry as he had been, hadn't seemed so intimidating. There was also the fact I was currently standing on his desk like a fancy paperweight—I doubted that was helping my peace of mind very much either.

"I'm sorry," I blurted.

Optimus leaned back slightly, opening the space up between us a little. "There is no need. I am the one deeply sorry. I am horrified to hear you speak of yourself this way. My intention of this meeting was to apologize, and I see now it was indeed sorely needed. Kathrine, you should not have been left alone as you had been with seemingly so much at risk for your people. These fears of yours could have been put to rest far sooner, instead they were left to grow."

Tears were pooling in my eyes, making the room and its massive occupant blur into a haze. I had taken a step back. "I don't understand."

His voice was laced with concern, the deepness of it rumbled through my ribcage. "I am apologizing for our conduct. No person should have to fear for the future of their planet alone and without an outlet for reassurance."

"It was my fault," I mumbled.

"How could you be responsible?"

The question felt rhetorical but I answered anyway, "The cube. I told them."

"Ah," He said, "Another misleading truth. I will explain but… perhaps we should pause."

I was shaking, tears were seeping out and down my cheeks beyond my control. I turned my face away from the blurry figure before me. I couldn't stop it all from bubbling up past my defenses. I felt cracked like a shell, whose delicate contents now shivered in the air. It was all I could do to keep my legs firmly locked beneath me. "Optimus," I sobbed. "I didn't want anyone else to die. No one knows what's coming. They need someone to help them, but I can't. I'm all they have, and I'm failing them. If Earth doesn't make it…" I couldn't quite get the words out. I swallowed thickly. "Melody should be alive. Melody deserves it. Melody wouldn't mess up like I did. Earth needed someone, but they got me."

"Kathrine," Came his gentle reply, "We are here for Earth, for Henry, and for you. We do this with you."

"I don't deserve that."

"Please, Kathrine." He spoke quietly and I got the distinct impression he wanted me to turn back around towards him. I knew he wouldn't make me do it. I tried my best, but only managed the confidence enough to turn my head and peek at him from the corner of my eye. This was apparently enough though. "Believe me when I say that you are not alone. With Earth in contact with us, we are working towards a solution together. Your part in this will not be as a shield for Earth. I simply ask that you not lose hope, nothing more. I understand this can be just as challenging a task, but we will be here to help you."

I nodded. The tears were finally slowing, but it still took me some time to truly stop them. I could only imagine my face was a red, splotchy, mess. When I finally turned around I kept my eyes on the floor, not wanting to show off my puffy face. "You're talking with Earth?" I asked.

"Indeed. Brainstorm has reported that communication has been productive and that a message will be waiting for you when you return."

I nodded again, "Sorry." He was silent. "For crying," I explained.

"Nonsense," He said.

"What were you going to say about the cube?" I said, hoping to divert the conversation. He didn't seem to mind.

"Kathrine, it is important you know that the Allspark is unlike any other artifact of ours: it calls out to our sparks, no matter the distance. While it's true your observations contributed to its discovery, I'm afraid it would have been located eventually. Whether it would have been within this millennia or in a hundred, there was no preventing it. Your planet was in danger the moment it made contact."

I looked up in despair.

He held up a palm, "All is not lost. If anything its discovery now allows us the unique opportunity to prepare. If we act quickly enough there is a chance Earth could be removed from harm's way entirely."

"So you are going to Earth."

"No. Not unless it proves to be necessary. I fear a high likelihood that the Decepticons would find means to follow us. No. All our preparations will need to be done now, during this brief time our people are in contact. As regrettable as it is, I hope our paths afterward should never again cross. For the safety of your world."

I swallowed hard. Bittersweet, ironic, I wasn't sure. Apparently, the danger had been creeping beneath the surface long before this horrible space adventure had even started. A ticking time bomb. Had anyone even known? "How long has it been on Earth?"

"The Allspark was ejected from the planet several million years ago, three I believe. It had been my decision, in an effort to keep it from the hands of Megatron. It is impossible to say how long it spent in the void before landing on your planet, but I suspect it has been on Earth for at least several hundred thousand years, if not a million or more."

In other words, all of human history had been in danger. Had Dad known that? "You launched it?"

"Correct," He said, "In many ways, responsibility for this situation falls on me."

Three million years ago he had launched it? Three million? That couldn't be right. I wiped my nose on my sleeve. "What do we do now?"

He was apologetic, "At present I can say nothing for certain, but it will be discussed in length in the medbay auxiliary when you return. Until then I'd like to caution you against forming conclusions on the matter as well. Megatron hardly expresses his true motives outright. It may take some time to uncover what he actually wants from us."

I nodded. I guess I had been making a lot of assumptions, most of which apparently weren't so true. I kept my gaze down, embarrassed. "And what's the auxiliary? You said it's near the medbay?"

He frowned, "The medbay auxiliary is where you have been staying."

"I thought that was the medbay."

"No, the auxiliary is an offshoot of the medbay's main body. It is one of three such spaces adjacent to the medbay including the intensive care unit. Ratchet quarantined the auxiliary for your use while First Aid oversees the medbay in his absence. I believe he hoped a calmer environment would provide more comfort." He paused, "I'm curious. You did not find it odd there were no other patients besides yourself?"

He was right of course. Hadn't they just been in a battle? "I noticed. I guess I never asked."

He studied me, "I trust you are feeling at greater ease? Your vital readings have fallen nearly back within acceptable range."

"Yeah. I think so. Thank you." I wiped my face and tried to smooth out my frazzled hair, "I thought you were going to be really angry. I didn't expect this."

"It has been a stressful time for all of us, no doubt especially for yourself."

I let out a half-hearted laugh, "I was so worried about it all that I let Brainstorm shoot me through a damn tube."

He folded his hands neatly on the desk. "What did Brainstorm do?"

I straightened, "Nothing! Not important right now."

We looked at each other for a very long moment. Apparently Optimus was picking his battles today though because eventually he nodded. "Very well. Another time." He gestured to the door and it swished open. Bumblebee popped into view immediately. "Bumblebee will escort you back to the auxiliary. It was a pleasure speaking with you, Kathrine."

"You too," I said, and I meant it.

Kathrine: I will sacrifice myself because I suck.

Optimus: ?

Optimus: You good bro? You need some juice? A snack? Please chill tf out, you're scaring me.

Ooooh booooy guys, sorry for the delay! I am very aware how long this took to come out. You can blame Optimus and his difficult-to-get-right personality. You guys are the literal best though, your patience and support literally means the world. Also, feel free to check out the discord, I am a nut and absolutely love meeting/chatting with y'all. Take care!

dis cord. gg /AzW56m2Ebq