Kinetica POV
"Really? Just what is it that gives you that impression?" I asked Mikaela with a grin.
"I don't know." She answered with a slight shake of her head. "Something just tells me that you're gonna get some hearts right! And I think you plan to have some fun doing it." She added with a chuckle.
"A mother is supposed to know it when their child gets hurt." Autumn muttered with a frown as she looked at the cube of energon in her hands.
"Now… you'll know if something bad happens to me." Autumn said softly as she looked up at me. "Won't you Mami?" She asked.
I would need to be both blind and deaf not to see the almost desperate hope in her eyes or hear the pleading tone of her voice as she asked me that question. I have shared Autumn's mind for a few months now, I know just how much she needs the love and approval of a parent, someone that she can look up to and actually love. The man that she unfortunately had to call her father wasn't someone that she could love, and he certainly wasn't someone she could admire because there was nothing that was even remotely admirable about him.
My remains had been in the possession of Samuel Witwicky for several months. I knew how much he wanted to make things work with Mikaela, and how much his parents actually cared about him. That was why I arranged to leave his possession. As soon as Autumn lifted what little was left of me, I felt it.
I could feel Autumn's desperation, fear, loneliness, despair, and even her fierce longing for someone that actually cared about her. The instant I felt those things from her, I knew. I knew that I could, and would be that someone! I would see to it that this child received a much better life than she'd had. She would be loved and cared for, because I would remake her body into that of my own child, so that I could become her mother.
Some might wonder why I would even bother with her when there were other bots available like Ratchet or Optimus who could easily have provided me with a frame much sooner. To that I say, I am already the mother of an entire species, so it is in my nature to care for others. Autumn knows well the emotional pain of loss because she feels it so acutely that it has become almost a physical sensation. That pain is very similar to my own. I was forced to do nothing but watch as my children were killed many terrible ways… some in the horrible fashion of being spark raped to death, and I felt every part of it. By helping Autumn to overcome the pain of her loss, I will also overcome my own.
Autumn is my child now, and I will see to it that she is but the first of many. The time has come for Cybertron to be renewed, and I will have to unite both factions. I will need to unite all bots into a single cohesive society, so they may have a common goal.
I looked down into the hopeful optics gazing at me desperately and smiled. "Of course I will Autumn. That is something you don't need to worry about. Now drink your energon, because I know you need it."
Autumn nodded her head and resumed drinking her cube while Mikaela snickered.
"Mikaela… quit laughing and drink your coffee. It's not quite sunup so you've got a long day ahead of you." I told her seriously.
"Yes Mother!" Mikaela replied sarcastically.
I chuckled as Autumn glanced rapidly between the two of us. "That's right... I am a mother! I am the mother of the entire Cybertronian race, so I won't have any qualms about assuming the position of your mother as well. I have millions of years of experience at it so you can bet that I know exactly what I'm doing!" I said sternly.
"So does that mean I get to call you 'mom' now too?" Mikaela asked with a touch of mischievousness in her tone.
"I don't see why not." I answered candidly.
The expression on Mikaela's face was one of shock and disbelief… but there was also… just a hint of hope there as well, if one looked closely.
"Seriously?" Mikaela whispered hoarsely.
"Yes, seriously." I told her bluntly. "I know that like Autumn, you are also bereft of your biological mother. I can't replace her, but I can certainly be there for you."
Mikaela's eyes became very moist with tears that she wasn't allowing to fall. I know that what I'd just told her had affected her a lot. I know this because I'd made sure to stay close to both Sam and Mikaela, so I'd heard her tell Sam a great many things… the loss of her mother was only one of them. That is how I know my offer means a lot to her. Somehow, she knows that I am not joking; her rapid pulse and ragged breathing tell me that. I watch her swallow the lump in her throat, before she nods and goes back to drinking her coffee.
"So if you're my Mami, and her Mami too, does that mean Mikaela's my sister now?" Autumn asked me.
I knew at once that she was being honest and sincere in her question, because I could feel the burst of hope in her spark. She'd been without a family who cared about her for so long, that the mere possibility of having someone who seemed to care as a member of her family was extremely important to her.
"Yes Autumn, it does. Besides, the two of you are close in age, and even similar in appearance… at least… you were; before I changed you into a bot that is. Before you even ask Mikaela, that was not easily done! What I did to Autumn was very dangerous, and could have killed her. I had to focus a lot of effort into keeping her alive and safe." I said as I answered Autumn's question and the unspoken question on Mikaela's face before she could ask.
"I take it that you were responsible for the force field in my medbay?" Ratchet demanded.
"Yes, I was. Even then I was watching over and protecting Autumn as much as I could." I replied.
"What about when Soundwave was rummaging around in her processors? Why didn't you stop that?" Ironhide asked grouchily.
"Actually, I did." I said calmly. "I simply made sure that Soundwave learned how young Autumn really is. That was all I needed to do."
I looked Ironhide in the optics firmly. "Once he understood just how young Autumn really is… he became a staunch protector for her. Now I know that you don't believe that to be the case, but all the evidence you need is right in front of you."
"And just what 'evidence' would that be?" Ironhide promptly demanded.
I placed my left hand almost on the table, but not actually touching it, so there would be no overt means of alerting Ravage that I had put my hand behind her. I sent a simple message to her spark, which I could easily manage, and she spun to jump into my waiting hand. I lifted the Cybercat so that there could be no mistaking my point.
"Ravage stays with Autumn to ensure that she remains safe and content. Soundwave is very serious about Autumn's protection… almost as serious as I am." I stated in a soft but level tone to ensure that there could be no mistaking what I meant.
Autumn giggled at that. "I think Mami means it." She said quietly.
I looked down at her and smiled lightly. "Oh you do, do you?"
Autumn nodded with wide optics. "I don't think you'd be here if you didn't." She said a bit nervously.
I placed Ravage back on the table and reached down to lift Autumn into a hug as a way to reassure the young femme. "You're absolutely right Autumn! I wouldn't be here, but I am here, and I'm not going anywhere."
When Autumn gave me a brilliant smile, I set her back in her seat to finish her energon, while I opened another cube of my own.
Mikaela POV
She really means it. Somehow… I know she isn't joking in the slightest. All I have is my aunt and my dad, but then, that's all Autumn's had for a long time too. Her aunt never really gave a damn about her, and her dad… well, the world is better off without someone like him. Me? I know my dad loves me, and I'm sure my aunt cares too, but still, I sometimes feel like I'm missing something or someone. Kinetica just said that she would be that someone in my life.
It's hard not to have a mother who loves you. I know my dad loves me, but he hasn't been able to be there for me when he's been in prison for so many years, and still has a few more years to serve. Kinetica though, she's right here and somehow, I don't think she's going anywhere anytime soon.
It took me a while to get myself under control. I wanted to cry, but for some reason I was also madder than hell. I wanted to yell, scream, and demand to know where she'd been all my life. I already knew the answer to that though. She'd been trapped under Hoover Dam, while being forced to make sparklings that Sector Seven could then kill. It really hurt to think about that. It hurt to think that this… woman who had just adopted me so casually and claimed me as her daughter was unable to do anything while her actual children were callously murdered for the sake of experiments and demonstrations. But then I realized that there was something even worse than that. Now she was not only forced to deal with the people who done those things to her children, but she has to be nice to them as well!
Still, she has every reason in the world to hate humans, but she made Autumn into her daughter, and now she's even claiming me. I'm not ready for this. Last night, I went to sleep trying to think of another way that I could help Autumn, and now I feel like I'm just as much of a wreck as she is. I didn't know... I just didn't know how much I really missed having a mother in my life until now.
I can't help it, I want to know, I need to know how she'll react.
"So tell me Mom… what's next on the agenda?" I tried to sound casual as I said that, but I think my voice broke.
"What's next on the agenda, is that after you finish your coffee Young Lady, you'll eat some eggs, bacon, and toast for breakfast because you need the protein." Kinetica told me firmly. "Don't try to argue with me about it, because I can be a whole lot worse than Ratchet." She added with a small smile.
I couldn't help my sarcastic response. "What are you going to do? Tie me to a bed and force feed me?"
"Oh I won't have to go to those extremes. Judicious use of force fields will make you eat it!" Kinetica told me with a cold smile.
I started to make a retort, but Ratchet started laughing pretty loud. I frowned at him because I really don't like being laughed at, but then, nobody does.
"What are you laughing at Ratchet? You'd better not be laughing at my daughter Mikaela, because if I even sense you working today, I'll use a force field to immobilize you to a berth!" Kinetica said while glaring at the medic. "And yes, I can know what every bot is doing in an instant just by thinking about it!"
Both of the Terror Twins started snickering.
"You two can get that thought out of your processors right now! If I do have to pin Ratchet to a berth to keep him from working, then I'll also carry out one of his threats and stick both of you to the ceiling… of the brig!" Kinetica snapped.
"We never said a word!" Sunstreaker growled.
"You don't have to! I'm the All Spark! I can sense every single thought that goes through those processors of yours. You won't get the chance to prank Ratchet when he can't do anything to stop you!" Kinetica said firmly with a glare at the Twins.
I started laughing hard. "I totally called it!" I shouted before doubling over from laughing.
"What do you mean?" Prowl asked me with confusion written all over his face.
"She's gonna get everybody's heart right and straighten out a bunch of things around here!" I replied before laughing even harder.
Soundwave POV
I walked into the rec room intending to retrieve a cube of energon for myself, along with fuel for my symbionts. I saw the group of mechs, Arcee and Mikaela sitting at one of the tables. There was a femme also sitting at that table that I had never met. A slight amount of concentration would allow me to detect even the thoughts of a human, but this unknown femme… she was completely undetectable to me! I could sense nothing of her thoughts or emotions. I find this to be very disturbing because it should not be possible to thwart my abilities in such a way.
Taking a moment to observe carefully, I see that Autumn is sitting right next to this unknown femme with a very content expression. I make a slightly deeper probe of her thoughts and I know all that I need to.
I freeze as the knowledge hit me. To say that I am both stunned and astonished is a drastic understatement! This femme is the All Spark! Auto Autumn is convinced of it, and I have no doubts either! The size of the femme's frame alone is a clear indication that this is indeed the frame that Autobot Autumn was constructing while in apparent recharge. There is also the fact that I recognize it.
Autobot Autumn is both happy and content to be in the All Spark's presence. I am unable to find fault with that. This femme is not a vengeful entity as I would have supposed. Instead as the All Spark, this femme is care, compassion, mercy, and love personified. She is exactly what Autobot Autumn requires.
I recover from my motionless state and move to sit at the table across from Autobot Autumn. The young femme looks up at me when I sit down and an expression of sheer terror claims her features as she freezes entirely.
Autumn POV
I couldn't move, I couldn't scream, I couldn't do anything but stare up at the bot that had haunted a lot of my nightmares. For some reason, I was even more scared of this bot than I'd ever been of my father!
I was so scared that I wasn't even venting at all. I guess that's how I heard it. A menacing, rumbling growl that was more frightening than anything I'd ever heard before. It was coming from the table in front of me and I looked down to see Ravage standing in front of me with her missiles pointed straight at the bot from my nightmares. Then I heard Mami start to chuckle.
I was scared and confused at the same time. How could she possibly find anything funny about this? I looked to my left to see her smiling at the bot.
"Well Soundwave… I think you just lost one of your symbionts, because it seems as if Ravage likes Autumn more than she likes you!" Mami said still chuckling.
"Negative. Unit Ravage performing designated task of protecting Autobot Autumn from all perceived threats. Autobot Autumn, terrified by presence of Soundwave, Unit Ravage, responding appropriately." The purple bot said in a voice that had no feelings in it at all, and that scared me even more.
Optimus POV
What I saw as I looked down the table was quite surprising to me. There were only two bots present who did not seem to be surprised by the confrontation taking place! Those two are Kinetica, and Soundwave. I have to admit to being shocked. Ravage appears to be a mere instant away from attacking Soundwave in defense of Autumn! Why this is so, is baffling to me.
One thing that is very disturbing about this situation is that Ravage doesn't appear to be bluffing in the least. That rumbling growl of hers is slowly getting louder and she is crouched in a position that will allow her to spring into action in an instant. She is more that ready and willing to attack her Carrier!
All around the table, almost everyone here is gaping at the scene in front of them. Arcee is stunned with her mouth hanging open, the Twins are gaping and glaring at Soundwave at the same time, Ironhide is gaping in frozen shock, and Prowl is also gaping and twitching at the same time. I think he is about to glitch. Suddenly, Jazz starts laughing quite loudly.
"Ya know Autumn, Ah don' think ya been introduced ta Soundwave yet, so lemme tell ya, he's da one dat owns Ravage."
Autumn turned to gape at Jazz in disbelief while pointing at Soundwave. "He owns Ravage?"
"Yes Autumn, he does. Soundwave has told Ravage to protect you from anything you might be scared of. Since you are scared of him, Ravage is going to make sure that you have nothing to worry about. If she has to attack Soundwave, she will do exactly that. It's exactly what Soundwave told her to do." Kinetica said as she answered Autumn's question.
Autumn turned in her seat to look at Kinetica with confusion on her face. "Why?"
Kinetica leaned closer and placed her hand on Autumn's opposite shoulder in a one armed hug. "Soundwave told Ravage to protect you because he wants you safe. He wants you to be safe, and he wants you to feel safe! If Ravage has to threaten him for that to happen, then that is what will occur. No one here is going to hurt you Autumn. Everyone here… and I do mean everyone, intends to make sure that you do not get hurt."
"Why?" Autumn asked softly.
"Personification of All Spark correct. Ensured safety of Autobot Autumn necessary. Existence of Autobot Autumn, indication of potential future for Cybertron." Soundwave stated bluntly.
"You see Autumn? You are just the beginning of a bright new future." Kinetica said to Autumn with a smile as she reached out and pulled Ravage back in front of Autumn to the cube of energon waiting for her.
At that moment, an incredible amount of weight seemed to lift from my shoulders and spark. I wasn't exactly sure why that was, until I realized something. The All Spark was no longer lost to us! Where before, only sparklings would be created by giving life to a frame, now advice and wisdom could be obtained as well. It means that there is a future for Cybertron! While life may now continue for us, I can only hope that somehow this war will cease.
:This is Optimus Prime to all bots in range. The All Spark has not been destroyed as we thought. The All Spark now resides in the frame of the femme with the designation of Kinetica. With the All Spark no longer lost to us, all efforts must now focus on ending this war. If peace is possible, we must find the means to achieve it. Cybertron is not as dead as had previously been thought. Our world can be rebuilt, but that can never happen as long as we are at war.: I sent on an unencrypted frequency.
:With Megatron dead, you may address me as Lord Starscream! What exactly do you propose by way of peace Optimus Prime? We will meet in one Terrestrial week to discuss the possibilities.: