Disclaimer: I only own my OCs.

Authoress: *tucked into a corner with a tub of ice cream*

Pandimala: *sits next to Authoress* Do you want to talk about it?

Authoress: *shakes head* No, and you won't want to talk to me after this. It'll be easier on both of us if we stop talking now.

Pandimala: *confused* What do you mean?

Authoress: *shakes head and refuses to answer*

Chapter 15: Working Conditions

Pandimala's 1st P.O.V.

I winced as pain shot up my side. Fragging creation of a glitch, I didn't remember my last round of healing going this painfully. To be fair, though, the newly designated Megatronus and I tore into each other completely. It was almost animalistic the way we fought against each other. However, we had been able to trade words. At first, it was strange. He started our conversation, which was weird in itself, and then he started asking about my goals and what I planned on doing to achieve them.

Of course, I knew what my goals were. Live through this and meet with Paul in the future. I had to make it. And I needed the mech in front of me to do that. So, I turned it on him. I might have been annoyed with him as well, too. He asked me about my goals when he didn't even have a designation to stand on. So, I yelled at him for it.

When I regained consciousness, I came to find out that he chose a designation after my defeat. Megatronus. The first step toward becoming Megatron, leader of the Decepticons. This was a crucial time for my plans that I needed to succeed. Hopefully, I impressed Megatronus enough to have him bring me into his confidence. This would be about when he started gathering his first followers, and I needed to be one of them. I needed to be.

"Stop fidgeting," I flinched as Pistal walked beside my med berth. She, Haptic, and Rinada had been hovering over me since I woke up about eight solars ago. Before that, I had been out another seven. It was weird how time seemed more irrelevant the longer I was Cybertronian. When I was human, fifteen solars would have felt like an age. Now, it felt like a solar was all that passed. "I need to scan you over to see how your repairs are holding. The three of us haven't been working tirelessly on your chassis just to have you throw it away."

I rolled my optics at that. "I highly doubt that my shifting slightly will cause any real problems. You all have had me walking for three solars now."

Thwack!

A yelp escaped my vocals, and I rubbed my helm before looking back to see the other occupant of the room looking down at me. "Thank you, Soundwave," Pistal thanked the mech before she looked back at me. "And you stay still. I mean it."

I couldn't stop the pout that formed on my faceplate at that before I gave up. I wanted to get out of here, and the medics knew it. I was getting restless and anxious. I needed to do something. So, this was supposed to be my last checkup before I was let go.

And Soundwave's presence? Ever since I saved the twins, he had been spending more time with me than I thought possible, given his originally standoffish attitude when I first arrived. He wasn't mean, obviously, but he rarely was out among other bots. Even the first solar after I saved the twins, the mech had spent time in the room while I got to know his symbiots. I thought it was to make sure I wasn't some psycho, but his reputation from my past didn't add up with that. Given how long I had been here, he had to have video of me and know that I wouldn't do that to them. Four solars before my fight with Megatronus, he had visited me alone for the first time and given me some advice before I got some small talk out of him.

The solar of the fight, before I left here, he had wished me luck and said he was going to want to talk to me after the fight was done. Of course, given my unconscious state after the fight, he had to wait a few solars. But, once I could have visitors, he sat with me and talked about taking me to meet Megatronus outside of the fighting ring. Soundwave said the mech wanted to meet with me for some time but wanted to see how the fight went. I guess I passed some sort of test from them.

"So, what are you doing here, Soundwave?" While I was getting used to the mech showing up where I was, it was weird that he was at this checkup.

"I'd like to meet with both of you," I recognized the recording of Megatronus' voice. So, he wanted to see us. This might be it. Now, I just needed to get medical clearance, and I could go to this meeting.

But, as I thought about it, I realized something weird. "Didn't you tell me he worked in the mines on his off-solars? Is he allowed to meet with us while he is working?"

This time, he took a clip from Swindle. "Show her the mines for a solar while I'm gone. I think she'd strangely appreciate it."

Swindle was right, of course. Given the impact that places like the mines and the Pits had in the history of the war that was destined to start, I wanted to see them. So many Decepticons had come from these bad places, and honestly, I could see why they fought as they did. The discrimination alone was something unbelievable to see.

While it hadn't happened yet, I had heard stories from some of my gladiator contacts. One even told a story about a medic who, in his solars before becoming a medic, had gone to Iacon not knowing about the rules that banned travel and had been arrested before being shipped back to Tarn. He ended up being able to go back for medical training thanks to an outreach program the Council started to appease an ally they were trying to make. From what I heard, he now used those skills to work on bots who didn't have access to a medic or to help other medics on the more damaging fights. Pistal said he had helped her and Megatronus' medic after his fight with Soundwave. It wasn't long after that fight that Swindle acquired Haptic and Rinada, so he wouldn't be dependent on outside help that could be bribed. It was a weakness that he hadn't liked to see. So, Swindle was now the owner with the most medics on staff. Given my recovery rate, it was a good investment.

"He's right," I agreed with the recording. "Being as isolated as I was when I was younger, I didn't get an opportunity to experience a lot. And reading datapads can only get you so far." But, as I said that, a thought occurred to me. "But won't the mining enforcers get mad that we are there wasting Megatronus' time that he can be using mining?"

When Soundwave shook his helm, I suddenly felt that this agreement came with some strings attached. "Enforcers will allow talking. We must work for it, however."

I had a feeling that was going to be the case. While Soundwave and I had grown closer since the incident with the twins, I hadn't told him about my little alt-mode secret. Actually, not only hadn't I told anybot about it, but despite my injuries, I hadn't been given any deep scans that would have revealed my dormant wings. Getting a deep scan was incredibly expensive. I had cost Swindle thirteen million credits, and I thought that was a lot, which it was. However, to get a deep scan done cost managers, at a minimum, two hundred million credits due to the energon shortages and the power it supposedly used to run them.

That spoke a lot about how bad things were on Cybertron if Regulon IV, a planet without many resources, could afford to do them on a bot they barely knew.

Hopefully, my wings were still encased enough not to cause me issues underground. Soundwave and Megatronus didn't have seeker alt modes, and according to fan theories, seekers alts, which my scans showed I was probably going to have as my secondary, were the most affected by claustrophobia. Worse, I knew that my wings could technically pop any solar now. After they found out, Scuttlebug estimated it could be anywhere from thirty solars to a stellar. And I was well past the thirty solar mark. However, I wasn't quite at the stellar mark yet. I was close but not there yet.

So, this underground excursion would be dangerous if I didn't keep my helm about me. However, it was a risk I needed to take.

There was one hurdle that I still needed to get over for this to happen. "Am I cleared?"

Pistal frowned but nodded. "Light work down there, and you'll be fine. Try not to get into any problems while you are there, femme. I don't need you back here so soon. Honestly, I'm starting to memorize your stats at this click."

"Awe, I knew you cared," I teased the femme with a laugh. The return glare I got for that caused me to stand up and start my way out.

While it hurt slightly to walk, I would be fine. I needed this meeting with Megatronus and would not let this stop me. This would be my chance, and I needed to see it through.

"Miss Pandi!" I turned and smiled when I saw Rillen walk up. He was so worried about me when I came back that Swindle had to pause his fights so that he could be here for me. While the mech might not be as intelligent as most bots, he was a great friend. "You're alright now? It doesn't hurt?"

Time for a slight lie to the mech. "Nope, I'm all better now, Rillen," I said with a smile before shaking my helm. "Knowing you were here watching out for me helped me recover faster. Thanks for that."

That caused the mech to give me a big smile. "I had to make sure you were safe, Miss Pandi. No bot will get past me."

"That's good, Rillen," I reaffirmed to the mech before placing a servo on his shoulder. "I need to ask you a big favor. Soundwave and I are going to the mines to talk with Megatronus. That means we need you to protect the compound while the two of us are gone. That's especially since Swindle is at the Pits this solar."

Swindle had four bots in fights this solar, so he would be gone for a long time. During my recovery, Swindle had upped the number of gladiators he had to twenty total, including Soundwave and myself. That left fourteen fighters here at the compound to keep it defended. Swindle hadn't received any threats since that last break-in attempt, so I wasn't worried. However, it would make Rillen feel better if he knew he was helping us.

"Oh," Rillen started to answer me. "I can do that, Ms. Pandi. I can do that. No bot will get by me. Nope. Nope. Nope. I'll make sure to keep everybot safe. I will, Ms. Pandi."

I smiled at his determination. "Thank you, Rillen. I'll send you a message when we are on our way back, okay?"

He nodded rapidly before he answered. "Okay, Ms. Pandi. I'll wait for it." He then paused. "When you get back, can we have story time?"

"Of course, Rillen. And the symbiots can join us again. You liked that last time, right?"

He nodded quickly. "Yes, Ms. Pandi. They can come too. We can have a story party."

"We can. But you have to make sure everybot stays safe until we get back, okay? The twins will be here while we are gone, so make sure you work hard. Okay?"

"Okay, Ms. Pandi. You have fun!"

Fun wasn't the word I'd use for the mines, but Rillen didn't quite understand that, so I smiled and nodded. "I will, Rillen. We'll be back later. Go and get your early solar energon now so you are ready for the solar."

"Yes, Ms. Pandi. I'll see you later, Ms. Pandi," Rillen said as his goodbye before he walked away.

With that, Soundwave and I made our way out of the compound and started the five-click walk from the compound to the transport system that would take us to the mine faster. What would have been a cycle walk would only take us five clicks once we got to the transit post. Once we arrived, we hopped on the transport, making its way to the mine. It seemed like no time had passed before we exited and made our way to the mine entrance.

"Why are you so thoughtful with Rillen?" I glanced at Soundwave as he asked that.

I could tell he wasn't malicious in asking, so I smiled. "Because he needed a friend, and I needed somebot to talk to that first solar. Given the looks I received from the bots in the rec room, that first solar, Rillen was my safest choice. When we talked, I saw he could be a great friend. And loyal. Given the state of things around here, having a bot as loyal as Rillen as my friend was important. While I could take care of myself, having other strong bots with me was a plus. Regardless of that, though, I could tell he was kind. Call me idyllic, but having a bot I could call a friend those first cycles was priceless."

"So, you owe him?"

"I do, more than I'll ever be able to make up to him," I agreed as we walked further. I owed Rillen so much. As Soundwave and I fell into a comfortable silence, I thought back to the beginning solars. While I had no plans to run from Swindle then, being alone was strange after my arrival. That was especially after growing close with all of the bots on Regulon IV. I was even starting to know more of the Hive before Thrust showed up. Going from all that communication and closeness to nothing had been daunting.

And then, I went to the rec room for the first time. When I first walked in, the looks I was getting from bots made me sure they were sick. Honestly, I had almost walked out when I saw the big bot sitting in the corner by himself. He looked upset, so I went and asked to sit with him. Just me asking perked the mech's attitude up, and he quickly had me join him. Rillen got so excited that he tripped over himself and caught himself before he fell, though his helm whacked off the table. After that, we introduced ourselves before talking about little things.

"We're here," I glanced at Soundwave for a nano before I took in my surroundings.

The entrance was huge. Of course, depending on what bots needed access, it had to be. Around us, different kinds of bots were moving in and out of the mine. The two of us walked forward for a little until a large blue and gray hauler mech walked in front of us. "Unless you're working down there, this is as far as you two go." He then glanced over at me, and I felt disgusted at the look on his faceplate. "Unless I can convince you to give up the femme's company for a few credits?"

"You don't have a shot, Colrand," I glanced to the side as Megatronus walked toward us from inside the mine. "Pandimala here would tear you apart in nanos. And if she didn't, Soundwave wouldn't be far behind. I fought both of them, and our fights could have gone either way."

The newly identified Colrand glared at him, though I noticed he took a few steps away from us before he spoke. "The walking taboo graces the light with his presence." He then glanced at us. "Doesn't matter how much your new designation scares the bosses; civies don't have access to the mines."

"Then it's a good thing that the bosses are hiring them for the solar to help us catch up after the cave-in the other solar." Megatronus shot back at the mech with a raised optic ridge.

At that, Colrand looked defeated and moved away. When Megatronus motioned his helm to the mine entrance, Soundwave and I followed him. As we walked, I figured it would be rude not to thank him for sticking up for me. While his new designation was causing him some trouble, from what that conversation told me, he didn't need to add more by sticking up for me. "Thanks for that back there, by the way."

He glanced down at me and raised an optic ridge. "You are welcome, though I didn't lie to the mech. If I had allowed you to take care of the mech, you would have torn him apart. And I've known Soundwave long enough to know he wouldn't let an attack on one of Swindle's bots go unanswered." He then shook his helm. "How have you been recovering?"

Given that Soundwave hinted this meeting would focus on me, I wasn't surprised when he asked this. "Smoothly. I'm still smarting in some of my joints, but they're moveable. You did a real number on my chassis."

I was surprised when Megatronus let out a disbelieving vent. "You're one to talk about their joints hurting. You dislocated enough of mine that I was worried about being able to move as freely as I wanted. Where did you learn that?"

"Here and there. Mostly reading." It was somewhat true. I read about it and then learned from different people about it. He didn't need to know that it was mostly instinct. "I've been holding back on that for our fight, though."

"I noticed," Megatronus continued to lead us deeper into the mine. "Finaqua couldn't silence his vocals about it while I was recovering. Said he was surprised you hadn't used it before."

"I didn't need it before," I shot back at the mech with a shake of my helm. And I didn't. Were there some close calls? Yes, there were. However, each of those times, I was able to pull ahead.

To my surprise, Soundwave jumped in with a clip. "Even against Pondar?"

Well… "Okay, I might have used it then if the twins hadn't shown up. But they did, and I focused more on protecting them. It helped me see a way to win without showing that."

"It worked out for you," Megatronus agreed as we slowed in front of a wall section, tools on the ground in front. "I set up this station for us to work at. It is isolated enough where we can discuss what we need to." This was going to be it.

"So, there was more to this talk than idle chitchat," I commented back as I picked up a pickaxe and started working.

"Don't pretend as if you didn't suspect, Pandimala," Megatronus spoke as we all began to mine. "Our talk during our fight more than showed you my intentions, as I hope did my choice in designation. I have plans for the future, and given what Soundwave and I have seen, we wish for you to join us."

This was it. However, I couldn't just accept right away. That would bring up questions that I was not ready to answer yet. "What are your plans?"

"The most important goal for now is to earn our way into the higher castes and important circles. I already have a friend in Iacon who is willing to introduce us to important figures if we can." That had to be Orion; who would one solar be Optimus Prime. I was curious if Megatronus already knew him.

"To do that, we must be free to move," Soundwave added.

"And once you are a part of the gladiatorial ranks, there is only one way to do that," Megatronus added. "An impossible fight. The odds of each of us fighting alone are almost impossible. However, Finaqua and I have been working another angle." He then stopped, which caused Soundwave and me to stop before he pointedly stared at me. "If we do a team fight, we might stand a chance. I've fought you, and I knew that with your help, the three of us would put up a good fight against whatever horror the organizers pit us against."

"They won't make it easy," I pointed out as I kept swinging the pick.

"They never do," Soundwave responded to that. He had a point. Honestly, there were some solars that it could be a downright energon bath.

"Will you join us?" There it was. The question that I had hoped to hear. It was the question that I needed to hear. After all the work, training, pain, and sacrifices I had to make already, it had built up to this moment.

There was only one answer.

"Yes."

Megatronus' 1st P.O.V.

She said yes. Hearing those words leave her vocals was a greater relief than I thought. While we knew the odds were good that the femme would, some secrets about the femme made us hesitate in assuming she would. One of those was her goals. While she didn't make them known, it was obvious that Pandimala had them. Without knowing what those goals were, we knew that she might say no to a partnership with us. Some plans were best accomplished alone.

Yet when I asked, she said yes.

Now, we had our team assembled. Three of the top-ranked gladiators in the Pits and we would work together to fight our way out. And when we did, we could begin work on my true goal: eradicating the caste system. It was a demeaning system that tore down bots despite the benefits we could make to our planet. In the mines and the Pits, I had seen many low-caste bots who could change Cybertron for the better. Yet, they were held back simply because they were not created into the correct caste. Some, like Soundwave, were created into a better caste but were struck down after making just one enemy of a bot of the highest caste.

"We'll have to set up training sessions," Pandimala pointed out as we worked. I was honestly impressed with both of them. For never being in the mines before, Soundwave and Pandimala kept up with the workload I was moving while we talked.

"Leave that to Swindle and Finaqua," Soundwave put in. "The two of them would love to make a deal out of it."

And he was right. As laid back as Finaqua was, he enjoyed the discussions that intelligent bots could give him, and Swindle was an intelligent bot. Most didn't see it due to the quality of most of his gladiators, but it shone through when the mech picked up exceptional bots seemingly out of nowhere. First, there was Soundwave, who Swindle was able to get to sign as a gladiator despite being free. And then there was Pandimala, who, despite being sold to Swindle, showed loyalty and respect to the mech where most in her situation wouldn't.

"They would," I agreed with Soundwave. "However, for now, we can learn more about each other. Since I am bringing up the idea, I will start." This seemed like it would allow us to start being open with each other. "I am Megatronus, and I wish to see Cybertron freed from the offlining grip the caste system has on it."

Silence followed my statement for a few clicks before Soundwave physically spoke. "I am Soundwave, and I want to live on a Cybertron where I don't need to fear for my and my symbiotes' sparks." I barely kept the surprise I felt off of my faceplate. I honestly thought Soundwave could not speak, which would explain why he used the clips.

More silence, outside of the pickaxes falling, followed Soundwave's statement. Glancing at Pandimala, she seemed to be debating something in her processor before finally speaking. "I am Pandimala, and I want to use whatever power I possess to create a Cybertron where all bots are treated equally despite any advantages or disadvantages they may have."

It seemed all three of our goals aligned—at least these goals. While I didn't doubt that they had other goals, as I did, this was a good start for now. We hadn't met often, and trusting each other to the extent we would need to would take time. "It looks like we are back to me," I pointed out before I continued. "I add two cubes of vanadium to my energon when Finaqua gets a supply in. I find it adds depth to the energon."

"Three rust sticks and a pinch of copper shavings to offset flavor." Interesting choice. Copper shavings weren't the most popular additive. It made me wonder how the mech was introduced to that combination in the first place.

Unlike the last question, Pandimala didn't hesitate to answer. "Definitely rust powder, silver powder, and gold powder mixed in with my energon. Had it once, and nothing has tasted better since." Silver and gold? Those weren't common additives to energon. I had never heard of them being added to energon until now. A few bots joked about it, but none had taken it seriously. I'd have to try the combination since both were common waste products in the mines. Rust powder wasn't too hard to come by.

"Silver and gold?" Soundwave seemed just as confused as I was about it. "Swindle had some?"

Pandimala nodded. "Yeah, he was going to toss it, but I asked for it to try. He agreed only if he got a taste as well. Now, he has started a hoard of both metals."

Before she could continue, we all froze as the ground beneath our pedes shook. That didn't feel like it was from our work, but an unstable shaft was nearby. "Proceed with caution. That wasn't our shaft, but that tells me the whole area may be compromised."

And with that, talking between the three of us drifted away as we continued to mine the precious minerals and energon in front of us. Of course, energon was rarely seen. It was becoming a rarity in the mine, where once it could be found at every pickaxe strike. Cybertron was being siphoned of its energon by the greedy one percent in the caste system. Gorging themselves while we suffered and bled to mine it for them. It had to stop.

Looking between Soundwave and Pandimala, I realized I had taken the next step toward achieving that goal. If it weren't for Pandimala, I would still be formulating how to announce my intentions.

Flashback

I grinned as we traded blows. My spark was racing in excitement that I had never felt before. I was fighting the apex predator I had seen in this femme so often. And it was just like I imagined it would be. Each attack she made caused me to fight with everything I had, or her drive and power would defeat me. With that power, she had me on the defensive, and it was a thrill I hadn't felt since my first fight in the arena.

She had to be my third member. There would be no other bot suited for the position. But first, I needed to know her goals to convince her to help me with my own. "You fight well." She looked confused as I started talking. "What do you fight for that drives you like this? As if the entire planet will crash down around you if you aren't fighting with everything you have?"

The growl I received back from the femme was a surprise and the words she spoke after even more so. "You're one to talk about goals. It's obvious you have one, yet you hide behind it."

What was that? "I do not hide behind my goals, femme," I felt anger pulse through my system at the insinuation she was laying forth. I didn't hide. I was fighting to fulfill my goals and wouldn't back down. How dare she claim that I was hiding?

I didn't expect the femme to suddenly duck below my strike to shove me back, anger in her optics. "That's a load of slag," She then increased her strikes as she continued. "I've heard the rumors. You have plans to change Cybertron. Yet you hide behind an identification number instead of giving those who would follow you a designation to look to. You show your lack of commitment by hiding behind your number, not letting the planet see who you wish to be. I am Pandimala, and I fight against the pandemonium and malice that infects the known universe. I will be the spark that will affect change in the world." She struck out with her fist, which caught onto my faceplate and forced me back a few steps as she asked, "How are you going to move forward if you are cowering in the shadow of those around you?"

Her words struck a cord deep inside me, one that I had been ignorant of and hadn't noticed. With renewed energy, I swung at the femme, catching her off guard as I did. I accepted her words as I turned the tide of the battle against her. She was right. I had been hiding, and I hadn't even realized it. I needed a designation that would show those of us in the lower caste that change was coming, and it would be one that changed the entirety of Cybertron forever.

I was momentarily brought out of my thoughts as our fists impacted against each other, causing us to slide away from each other. As I knew the fight was ending, one designation echoed in my helm.

Pandimala took a step toward me.

One designation that would show Cybertron that I was dedicated to making change.

She took another step.

To fight against the powers that reigned over us.

And she took a third step.

A designation that the oppressed and abused lower caste could rally behind, striking fear into the sparks of the greedy and corrupt.

Pandimala fell to her knees in front of me.

A designation that would be remembered forever as the one that changed Cybertron for the better.

Finally, Pandimala's optics went dark as she fell in defeat in front of me.

"And our victor is D-16! What a fight! What a fight!"

No. That was no longer my designation. It was time for Cybertron to learn who I was. The MC was more than willing to run up to me as I motioned to him. Without hesitation, I took the mic from the now-startled MC.

"I will no longer be known as D-16," I could feel my systems start to fail, wanting to succumb to the damages I received from the fight. However, I was not done. There was one more task I needed to do. "I am…Megatronus."

End of Flashback.

Swindle's 1st P.O.V.

I wasn't sure why, but I felt as if there was tension in the air. This whole solar felt off. Perhaps it was the fact that I was away much longer than usual. Or it was that my two strongest fighters were currently in the mines of Kaon, listening to whatever Megatronus wished to talk to them about. Or perhaps it was the lack of defense my compound now had. As night slowly started to stretch its shadows, I quickened my pace. Soundwave had already called me, saying they were about to board the transit that would bring them closer to the compound, and I was about ten clicks from the same location. I just needed to get back without any problems.

Movement coming from in front of me caused me to stop and aim my cannon forward. This wouldn't be the first time somebot tried to lift a few credits from me. "Whoever is there has three nanos before I blow this path apart."

"Hold your fire; I come with a message," I tensed at the vocals that came from in front of me. I knew them, though not well. After a few clicks, the mech in question must have realized that I wasn't going to fire right away and finally stepped into the light. Navy blue and orange plating looked scuffed as the mech slowed, moving close enough to let me see him. Zardil. He was one of Cycliar's bots. He was not great at fighting but was known to be a crafty mech in the right situation.

After a few clicks of silence, I realized the mech wanted me to speak first. "What message do you have for me? I don't have any business with Cycliar right now." Cycliar and I never saw optic to optic. He even tried to convince me to sell Pandimala to him before her first fight. He didn't want her chassis to get scarred so he could get better credits out of her. At least, that was what he told me.

"You might not have business with him, but my boss does with you," My energon felt cold as Zardil continued to talk. "You and your ilk have been slowing business for the boss. Most of us enjoy energon shed in offlining, and this no-offlining rule has been eating into Cycliar's profits."

I studied the mech for a nano. "So this is his warning to me?"

My chassis tensed when the mech shook his helm. "No, I'm just here to talk." My spark started to race as an alert from the compound came through my messages. When I glanced back at the mech in shock, he smirked. "That's your warning, and you better listen to it, or next time, Cycliar won't hold back."

A snarl ripped from my vocals as I opened fire on the mech. His laughter drove me further into my anger as he ran from me. Every ounce of my being wanted to chase after the mech and make him tell me everything, but I knew my compound was vulnerable, so I ran, getting on my comm with Onslaught. "My compound's been attacked. I need assistance."

The response was immediate. "We can be there in ten clicks."

Ten clicks would be too late, but I would need help in the aftermath. "Thank you," Once I disconnected from him, I got on a comm with Soundwave. "Soundwave, the compound has been attacked."

"Received word from Frenzy. ETA five clicks." Soundwave sent back.

"Take out any stragglers that you cross. I'll explain the situation once we take count of damages." I sent back before I disconnected.

From his estimate, the three of us would arrive at about the same time. As I ran, I started to plan. Cycliar would pay for this. Most of our fighters were on par with each other, outside of our higher-classed fighters. While I would typically have the advantage in that stage, since Pandimala and Soundwave more than outclassed Schadium, Overrun, and his newest acquisition, Pollog, both of my high-classed fighters had been away from the compound, leaving Rillen and my mid fighters to defend it.

The only relief that I had was that Cycliar wasn't stupid. While he would cause a lot of damage and take as many resources as his ilk could carry, he wouldn't risk offlining any of my bots. The organizers in the Pits despised when offlinings happened away from the audience. Usually, it landed the manager responsible with major fines and the offlining of whatever bots did the offlining or who were in on the attack in the first place. He just couldn't risk it.

Arriving on the scene, I growled as I took in the damage. Fires were being put out, holes were in the infrastructure, and I was sure I would find plenty of missing energon. I could see many of my gladiators injured, moving to the two medic stations Rinada and Haptic already set up. When I didn't see Pistal at first, I grew worried that one of my medics had been attacked. However, that fear was averted when I saw the femme running forward.

When her optic caught mine, she motioned me to follow her. "Swindle, I'm going to need your help."

My help? I didn't have any medical training, and the femme knew that. Why was she going to need my help? However, I had to trust she knew what she was talking about. So, I followed her. We moved further from the recovery area, and I noticed plenty of energon on the ground. The main fighting had to take place here. There was no other accounting of it.

"How many attacked?" I asked the femme as I moved with her.

"Ten. Though, none of them breached the walls, according to the others. The three most dangerous bots were held off here." Pistal answered me before she started to slow down.

"How did they…" I allowed my question to fade as I finally registered what was before me—metal torn away from the protoform, causing wires to stick out and energon to flow. Rillen had been the front line, and he didn't look good. "Can you save him?"

At the same time I asked the question, I noticed movement in front of me. Focusing, I felt numb as I saw Pandimala's faceplate. I knew she was friends with Rillen, and this probably wasn't easy for her. Unfortunately, Pistal finished her scans and shook her helm. "He's taken too much damage." She then stood and moved out of the way.

Pandimala didn't waste a nano sitting beside the mech, picking him up into her lap. The mech, who looked more offline than online, was still conscious as Pandimala moved his helm to look at her. "Ms. Pandi, I knew you'd come. I made sure no bot got by me, Ms. Pandi. I kept everybot safe."

"You did a perfect job, Rillen. I'm so proud of you." I could hear the pain in her vocals, though she tried to hide it from the mech.

"Ms. Pandi…I'm getting cold." My spark clenched in pain at his words, so I had no clue how Pandimala could keep the pain she had to be feeling off her faceplate. "Ms. Pandi, am I a good friend?"

At that, Pandimala couldn't hold back a sob before she nodded. "You are the best friend anybot could ask for, Rillen."

"Why are you crying, Ms. Pandi? Are you sad?" Rillen was worried about her, though he was slowly offlining.

Pandimala shook her helm, though I could see the tears falling from her faceplate. "Rillen, I don't deserve a friend like you. I'm glad I met you."

"I'm glad you're my friend, Ms. Pandi." I noticed at this point that his optics were slowly starting to flicker. After a nano, he seemed to try to fight it. "Ms. Pandi…I'm tired. But you said I couldn't go to recharge if I was hurt."

Tears continued to fall down Pandimala's faceplate as she shook her helm. "It's time for you to go to recharge, Rillen. You fought hard enough."

"Can you tell me a story, Ms. Pandi?"

A flash of pain went across Pandimala's faceplate at his request. This wasn't going to be easy for her. But, I had a feeling she knew that Rillen would keep fighting the inevitable, thus putting himself in more pain if she didn't. The sound of pedesteps behind me caused me to glance behind me to see my brothers walking forward. They could wait a few nanos. So, I motioned them to stop. While Blast Off, Brawl, and Vortex looked confused, I saw a look of understanding in Onslaught's optics. He must have figured out what must have happened.

I turned back to the scene in front of me as Pandimala finally answered him. "Of course, Rillen. It's a new one that I want you to keep with you. Okay?"

"Okay, Ms. Pandi." His vocals were already sounding weak as he looked up at Pandimala.

It took Pandimala a few more nanos before she started to speak. "Once upon a time, there was a brave mech. He was tall and always had a smile on his faceplate. This mech was kind to all bots he came across, no matter what they looked like or what caste they were from. One solar, he saved his best friend from a bad mech and was offlined." She paused for a nano at that, probably to refocus, before she continued. "When he offlined, he stood at the entrance of the Well of Allsparks, where Primus himself greeted the mech. 'Brave one,' Primus started, 'You have earned the right to anything you wish. Name it, and it shall be yours.'. However, the mech couldn't think of anything he might ask for, so he shook his helm before he answered Primus. 'There's nothing I want.' At his words, the god smiled at the mech. 'You are just as selfless in coming home to me as you were in your living existence. The Well shall be a paradise for you. Energon will never run dry, and all you find will be at peace with themselves and you. For the rest of eternity, you shall know happiness.' At the words of Primus, the mech was overcome with a peace he never knew in his living existence." I noticed Rillen's optics were barely lit, holding on with his last pulsing energon. "Finally, Primus knelt before the mech and embraced his creation, who had finally come home to him."

Silence filled the area as Pandimala stared down at the mech. "Rillen?" Her voice barely came out as a whisper.

No response came from the mech as the light faded from behind his optics.

"Rillen?"

No answer came, as no answer would ever come again from the mech.

This realization must have overcome Pandimala as she pulled the mech's offlined chassis close to her, embracing it as a harrowing cry escaped her as she seemed to accept that Rillen was offline. I had a feeling that the story she told Rillen was her prayer to Primus to bring Rillen home to him. While we didn't see much of the god in the desolate wasteland Cybertron was becoming, it was only fitting that she give the naive mech hope in his final clicks.

Another cry ripped from Pandimala's vocals, and she clutched Rillen's chassis close as she rocked back and forth with it, his energon moving across her chassis. She was mourning the loss of her friend. The rest of us realized this was a deeply emotional moment for her, and thankfully, we did not move to disturb her.

Five clicks after she started, Pandimala finally seemed to calm as she set Rillen's chassis back on the ground. From there, she knelt beside his chassis and positioned it so Rillen's servos were clasped over his empty spark chamber. She leaned toward him until her helm touched his before whispering something to him. Pandimala stayed like that for another click before finally standing and nodding toward Pistal.

In a strange move, Soundwave moved forward and placed a servo on her shoulder. I knew they were friends, but I didn't realize the mech was that close to her. They stayed like that as Haptic and Rinada joined Pistal and moved Rillen's chassis toward the compound for processing. Funerals were too expensive on Cybertron, and what Pandimala did for the mech was the closest he would probably get.

"Who did this?" Soundwave asked once Rillen's chassis was out of sight.

My brothers had joined us while Soundwave asked that. "I'll tear them to pieces for this," Vortex growled. My brothers had the same look on their faceplates despite only Vortex and Brawl being gladiators. We were brothers, and we were as close as any splitspark twin. To attack one of us was to attack all five of us.

"From the warning I received mere clicks before the alarms went off," I started to answer. "Cycliar is responsible for this. I was stopped on my way back by Zardil, who said he had a message for me. When I said I didn't have any business with Cycliar, he said that Cycliar had business with me." I hesitated, glancing at Pandimala. I wasn't sure how she would take what I said next. "He said that we were hurting Cycliar's business. The no-offlining rule that has spread around the Pits has been eating into Cycliar's profits."

"If a mech can't be flexible in his business dealings, he isn't much of a manager to begin with," Blast Off spoke up. He worked as a bounty hunter for many managers and would know how a good manager should operate. And being able to adjust to the status quo was a hallmark of a good manager.

Brawl looked confused and shook his helm. "So he gave you a warning, how did that,"

"He said that wasn't my warning," I interrupted him. "Zardil said he was just there to talk. I realized what he meant when the first alert came to my messages about the compound being attacked. He then had the nerve to smirk and state that I had just received my warning and how I had better listen, or Cycliar wouldn't hold back. Fragging creation of a glitch laughed as he avoided the shots I fired at him. But I couldn't pursue him. I needed to get back here. I called the rest of you…and you can see what happened."

The area was silent for a nano as everybot seemed to process what I said. I still felt my energon boiling as I thought about the smug look on Zardil's faceplate as he almost danced away from me. This was a direct attack against me, and I would not let it go unpunished. Not after I just lost one of my stronger gladiators to the attack. If there was one good thing about Rillen's offlining, it gave me the power to demand retribution from Cycliar and the bots who attacked.

"I want them,"

Instantly, the energon in my lines froze as we all focused on Pandimala. Her helm was still down, as it had been since Rillen was taken out of sight. The tone in her vocals was one I had never heard from her. The acidity in each syllable was stated with purpose and fury that promised the entire planet would burn.

However, as much as she wanted them, they needed to pay more than she would give. She had her no-offlining rule, and I wanted Cycliar to suffer for what he did. "Pandimala, the need to be offlined for this and with your,"

"I didn't stutter," I tensed as she lifted her helm to force our optics to meet. "I want their energon to spill for what they did. I want to hear their screams, their pleas for mercy from me. But they won't find any. I want to grab their sparks and feel the cold grip of Unicron as he claims each one. I want all four of them. The three who attacked Rillen and the one you called Zardil. The longer they are online, the longer they insult Rillen's memory. I won't let them get away with it."

My energon was frozen in my lines as I stared at Pandimala. The burning fury in her optics was a sight none of us would forget. Ever since her arrival, Pandimala refused to offline any of her opponents. That even included monsters like Pondar. And now, I was seeing a completely different side of the femme. This side of Pandimala would take no prisoners and make anybot who got in her path suffer.

And being the intelligent manager I was, I knew how to answer her. "They're yours. I'll go and send a grievance report to the organizers. Once I find out who they were, I'll make sure you get your revenge."

Instead of responding to me, the femme gave a jerky nod toward me before she walked toward the compound…where they had taken Rillen. I could almost feel a change in the air as she walked away. Cycliar had gone too far, and his bots would pay for it.

Unknown P.O.V.

It was a late night, but I couldn't leave. Not yet. Something was wrong. I could feel a tense energy in the air around me as I paced. Ever since the herald had arrived, the Covenant had changed many times, altering fates that once before were doomed to fall. However, each of those times had caused a great surge of energy to be felt by those of us who still knew how to. But this…this was different.

"Sir, are you alright?"

I glanced down at the young mech working at his cubicle. He was a bright mech with a demanding and important future before him, though he did not see that now.

"I am fine. Finish your work and return home before it gets too late. You need your recharge."

The young mech nodded, though I noticed a reluctance in his optics. "Yes, sir."

I couldn't stop a chuckle from escaping my vocals. "No need to worry; the tomes of research will still be here for you to unravel next solar."

At my response, the mech looked defeated but willing. "Very well, sir,"

If the young mech spoke more, I could not focus on it as the energy that had been tense before was suddenly flooded with pain. Something had happened to the herald. I moved my optics to glance toward the doors. While I wished to find the herald, I was being watched. Sentinel Prime did not trust me, and if I were to go to the herald now, the Prime would find them as well. I could not allow that to happen. So, the herald needed to find me instead. If the Creator wished it, I would meet them.

Shaking my helm, I went to focus back on my young student when a different sensation came over me. While I could see the young mech looking at me with concern, I couldn't focus on him. This new sensation…the herald was intercessing with Primus on behalf of a spark that was to return home. I felt my spark connect with the intercession as the offlined spark moved on. Primus had welcomed the spark home.

I needed to think about this. "Make sure you lock up behind you," I reminded the young mech, who looked confused before I walked toward my chambers. While I usually informed the young mech what I was thinking to encourage the growth I saw in him, this was different. Perhaps once I met the herald, I would question my student on them.

My instinct to retire for the night cycle was a wise one. A sharp pain filled my spark as soon as I closed the door to my chambers. It took my confused processor a few nanos to realize that the Creator was reciprocating his herald's anger. Whatever happened, it hurt the herald. While I wished to be there for the chosen of Primus, I knew it was not yet time. When the time was right, our meeting would take place. Until then, though, I could only send my support to the herald through Primus.

Authoress: *crying into a new tub of ice cream*

Pandimala: *crying and sitting next to Authoress*

Swindle: *shakes helm* We should do something for them.

Soundwave: *recording* Give them time.

AN: Here it is. I'll be honest; I struggled to write Rillen's offlining scene. I had to stop multiple times to get through it. I'm even having to stop myself from crying while doing this editing right now. I've had his offlining planned since I introduced him, but that doesn't make it hurt less. But Pandimala needed a catalyst to give her something in her present time to fight for. Up until now, she's been playing it safe. Fighting just enough to get her through to the future to see Paul again. Rillen's offlining is going to change that attitude in her. And may Unicron curse those who were responsible. And we get that unknown point of view who is feeling the pain that Pandimala (our lovely chosen of Primus) is going through. I'm sure most of you know who this is by this point, but I will keep their identity hidden until they meet.

The next chapter will be seeing the reactions of those in Pandimala's confidence and, of course, that sweet vengeance that we are all ready for at this point. Speaking of the next chapters, here are the titles for them.

Chapter 16: Retribution

Chapter 17: A Spark of Revolution

Chapter 18:...(find out next time!

And that's all for now. As always, I appreciate everyone who takes the time to interact with my stories. Until next time, TTYL! *listening to I Can't Decide by Scissor Sisters*