Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

And from Our Father came,

Thirteen Children, each with a different name.

The first, Prima, a hero honor-bound and true, made in the Father’s own image, wielding a Saber of untold purity and truth. 

The second, Vector, strategic and bold, his Blades of Time left the future to unfold. 

The third, Alpha Trion, the writer, the teacher—his goal? With his Quill, to record the past, present and future. 

The fourth was Solus, radiant as a sun, with her Forge, saw that every task was done. 

The next was Micronus, the fifth in line, though small in body, with his Chimera, his mind was something to never take in kind.  

The sixth was Alchemist, a mystic at spark, able to change matter, and see things—with his Lenses—in their most basic form of art.

The seventh was Nexus, a welcomed wave of chaos and bravado, the first combiner, with his Enigma, the epitome of a warrior desperado. 

The Eighth was the beast, Onyx was his name, his Mask allowing his spark to travel from the physical to the spiritual plain. 

The ninth was Amalgamous, a being who was in a constant state of flux, the jokester of the troupe, with his Scythe for good luck. 

 Quintus was the tenth, a perfectionist, daydreamer and thinker, with the Emberstone at his side none of his questions went unanswered. 

The eleventh sibling, one of silver tongue and cruel speech, was Liege Maximo, a manipulator with unparalleled wit—add his Darts and his intentions always hit. 

The twelfth prime, Megatronus, was the one forged closest to the Evil, armed with the Requiem, all his enemies would kneel. 

And last comes Thirteen, but here is the twist, for you see while his siblings’ sparks were full of contradictions, his spark wasn’t —He spoke well, listened better and united his siblings together. 

And so ends this tale, of our Father’s children.

 But remember, as their descendants we can always do better.

Chapter Text

Third Person's P.O.V.: 

Jazz sat quietly on a crate in the main hangar of the Saint Helena Augusta base. The storm outside raged, rain bucketing down upon the roof, and soaking the asphalt and surrounding landscape. The sky was nearly black with overcast, and the lightning illuminated the world in a heinous yellow color. 

Jazz had his servos curled into fists, and he was resting his chin on them, staring at the space between his pedes. His cheek plates had symmetrical stains from tears of energon rolling down them for hours on end. He was trying to block out the incessant arguing that was going on around him. 

"I'm telling you," Sideswipe exclaimed, his voice box straining from the rife emotions within him, "Sunny can't be dead! He just can't!" 

"He was at ground zero with Beta and Optimus, kid!" Crosshairs barked back, "He got blown to the Allspark! Nothin' could've survived that." 

"If Sunny were dead, then I'd be in agony." Sideswipe replied firmly, "We share a split spark -- if he dies, I would be non-functional." 

"Kid makes a point." Ratchet said, not looking up from the computers, "They're twins. They share more than just the same sentio metallico. " 

Jazz grit his teeth as he rubbed his temples, the rest of the team devolving into more squabbling. He finally shot to his feet, his voice -- usually cheery and kind -- came out in a militaristic bark, 

"Shut the frag up!" 

Everyone went deathly silent, and turned to face Jazz. The human soldiers -- those who weren't in hospital from the battle -- all stared up at the visored mech with concern. 

Jazz took a deep vent and put his servos on his hips, "Sides," he turned his visored face to the red Lambo Twin, "Are you . . .  are you sure, man?" 

Sideswipe shrugged helplessly -- he too looked wrecked. Symmetrical marks on his cheeks from where he shed tears of his own in private. He looked weak in general, his once vibrant cherry red paint was a few hues duller. 

"Back on Cybertron, there was another set of twins: Topspin and Twintwist -- the wrecker twins, remember them?" 

Ironhide grunted in the affirmative, "Adrenaline junkies." 

Sideswipe sighed shakily, "Twintwist was KIA in the battle of Tyger Pax, and Topspin, who was with me and Sunny at the time, just . . . dropped dead." 

"Wait, seriously?" Crosshairs looked horrified, "I thought you could survive without your spark twin." 

"It varies. Depends on the bond." Sideswipe replied, "The point is, if Sunny were in the Allspark I would either be A: comatose or B: dead." 

Ratchet walked up to Sideswipe and rubbed his chin, "And all you feel is fatigue?" 

Sideswipe nodded, "Yeah. Like when me and Sunny are separated for too long." 

Colonel Josiah Morris, who had been shockingly quiet since their return from the SpaceBridge battle, finally spoke up from his perch on the catwalk, "Still doesn't change the fact that your twin is not here, and neither is Beta and Optimus." He leaned on the railing, staring right into Jazz's glowing visor, since he was at eye level with most of the bots from his vantage point, "We can't do shit to locate them -- alive or dead-- much less bring back their bodies." 

Ironhide's one optic flashed in the low light, "And whose fault is that, huh?" he approached the human, "You blindsided us with the missiles, and gave us no time to retreat!" his British accent gruff and grating as he spoke. 

Morris seethed angrily, "I did what was best for the greater good! That Shockwave guy got through, god knows what else was coming through with him!" 

"But ya cost us our leader! And a pair o' the best fighters we ever known!" Crosshairs tagged on. 

Morris sighed, "Optimus' demise is a blow to our ranks, without a doubt. But, I can honestly say that I am not sad, nor overjoyed Beta-04 is gone." he said darkly. 

"What did you say?" Prowl perked up from his spot at the monitors. 

"She was a vigilante. Trigger happy." Morris shot back, "She made it her mission to disobey orders and burden us with whatever fucked up shit she lived with." 

Ironhide bared his dentals at him, his servos curling into fists, "You ignorant little-!" 

"'Hide! 'Hide!" Jazz was quick to skitter before the hulking black mech, "Not right now-" 

"He's disgracing her memories!" The weapons specialist boomed, "She died for us -- and he's not even sorry Beta's dead!" 

"I know, I know." Jazz placed his hand on his shoulder, "But he ain't worth it, bud. He just ain't. Go cool off." 

Ironhide shrugged Jazz off with a defiant huff as he marched off, leaving the hangar, and stepping out into the rain. Morris bristled, the veins in his forehead visible as he white-knuckled the railing of the platform he stood on. 

"Have you all lost your fuckin' senses?!" He barked, "We got a mad scientist running roughshod god knows where by now, and you'd rather point fingers and blame!" 

Jazz gave pause, and turned to glare over his shoulder at the human. Lightening split the sky, followed by a clap of thunder as the visored mech spoke, 

"All our fingers are pointin' at the same person, Colonel." He growled, "Don't forget that." he then turned on his heel and walked away. 

Morris gave a defiant huff as he turned on his heel and marched back into his office, slamming the door before slumping into his office chair. He rested his elbows on his desk, and steepled his fingers, listening to the rain bombard the window outside. His steely eyes flitted down to his desk, where a file lay, poking out from under a stack of papers. 

He reached down and pulled the file out, and stared at it, tapping his finger on the desk. A huge red 'CLASSIFIED' stamp was across the front of it. 

Morris flipped the file open, within was several photographs, dating as far back as 1875. All of them photos of the same family through multiple generations, and throughout history.  The earliest of the photos, taken in 1875, showed a crummy black and white image of what looked like a family, standing before a small and unassuming steam engine. 

The next one, taken in 1890, showed a much larger family, with an upgraded steam engine. Morris flipped the polaroid over and on the back, in elegant handwriting, was written, 

'Our Guardian from the Stars, and our beloved family.' 

1900, 1930, 1950, 1975 . . . each one showing a picture of the same family through the ages. As new editions came, and the elderly passed on. But in each photograph, there was an oddly familiar vehicle in the background. Once the photos became colorized, Morris bristled as he saw a stark purple hue, and the 1920's Ford Model-A had upgraded to a Ford Pick-up Truck. 

Morris then came to the last -- and most recent of the photos -- dated 2010, a clear colorized photograph of a purple GMC TopKick. Sitting on the hood was a young teenage girl, probably 14 or 15, with wild ginger hair. Morris flipped the photo over, and on the back, written in print was, 

'Our Guardian from the Stars. May she watch over our little girl, always.' 

Just then, the door to the Colonel's office opened, and Private Morganson poked his head in, "Sir?" 

Morris sighed, rubbing his temple, "Come in, Private." he ordered gruffly. 

Morganson slipped in, closing the door behind him, "You wanted to see me, Sir?" 

Morris nods as he picked up the file, Morganson seemed to tense as his eyes fell on the file, "Oh, the file on the Addair family -- I-I gave that to you weeks ago, Sir."

Morris nods as he pulled out the photo with the red-headed girl, "This one-- this kid. What's her name?" 

"Oh. Uh . . ." Private Morganson came closer, "If the records are right, that's PJ Dallan. Descendant of the original Addair family." 

"She still alive?" 

"She should be, Sir." 

"Find her." 

Morganson gave pause, "S-Sir? She's a civilian -"

Morris slapped his palm on his desk, making the Private jump a bit from the sudden sound. Morris then slid the photo over to the Private, "The truck she's sitting on -- look familiar?" 

Morganson looked down at the photo, "It looks like Beta-04's vehicle mode." 

"Look closer. Near the rear wheel-well." Morris ordered. 

The lanky Private did as ordered and looked closer, his eyes widening as he saw a faded image of the Autobot CyberNinja logo plastered onto the chassis of the truck. 

"It is Beta-04's alt mode. Thats a fuckin' Autobot in that picture." Morris jabbed his finger against the photo, "And she told us she never had contact with humans. She lied." He then tossed the rest of the photos onto his desk, "All of these vehicles were Beta-04 through the ages. From the minute she crashed here in 1841, she's been in consistent contact with this specific family. Why?" 

"I don't know, Sir." 

Morris stood up from his desk, "Thats why we find this girl." He held up the photo with PJ Dallan in it, "And we have a little conversation with her." 

"Sir, that photo was taken over 10 years ago, she's probably an adult now- " 

Morris rubbed the bridge of his nose, "You're a member of a classified military faction that works with an advanced alien race -- you can find this girl from 10 years ago! Use your brain!" Morris shoved the photo into the Private's chest, "Now go!" 

Private Morganson scrambled out of his commander's office like his life depended on it. Morris then turned back to his desk, and stared down at the pictures strewn about upon the cold surface. 

"Why? Why this family? And why keep it from us?"

Chapter Text

Beta-04's P.O.V.:

"What the fuck?" 

"Beta-"

"No, seriously Optimus, what the fuck?!" 

My spark was racing within my chest cavity, as I paced back and forth before Optimus, who was seated before me on a piece of risen metal from the Cybertronian landscape. One leg -- damaged and mangled-- was outstretched.  Sunstreaker wasn't too far away, in the process of making make-shift manacles for Knockout, who was protesting it -- vehemently. 

"Beta, please calm down." Optimus held up his servos in a calming gesture, "Getting agitated won't fix our situation." 

I bristled, "This isn't a situation, this is a massive clusterfuck!" 

Sunny looked up, "She makes a point." He said with a hapless shrug. 

I ran my servos over the crest of my helm, the burning pain of my wounds like a distant memory as the cybertronian equivalent of adrenaline pumped through my veins. 

"How are we not dead?" I waved my arms, exasperated. 

Optimus winced as he gently cradled his leg, before staring up at me, "It would seem that upon the SpaceBridge explosion, instead of us perishing, we were transported through the vortex." 

"And shunted all the way to Cybertron." Knockout quipped as he swatted at Sunstreaker half heartedly, "This is just perfect! This is the last place I want to be!" 

Anger spiked in my being, as I turned to the Decepticon and marched up to him, "You don't get to talk! It's cause of you that we're stranded on this fucking waste!" 

Knockout's optics flashed with anger, as he took a step closer to me, "I'm sorry, last time I checked, you were the one who ran right towards the SpaceBridge!" 

I grabbed him by the throat, "I'm not the one who let Shockwave come to earth! What is wrong with you?! Do you have any idea what you've done?! You absolute-"

I was cut short as Sunstreaker shoved me back. My grip fell away from Knockout's neck, and the ombre colored con coughed as he rubbed his throat. I glared down at Sunstreaker, as he postured up to me. 

"Cool off." Sunny said, "Nobody's happy about it, but beating the scrap out of Knockout isn't gonna make anyone feel better." 

I leaned in more, "Speak for yourself." I then turned away from the pair and walked off a ways, before sitting down on a naturally piece of raised metal and stared at the distant  Kaon skyline with burning hatred. 

Shockwave was on earth, and I was exactly where I shouldn't be. I was away, far away from the monster that ruined me, and there was nothing I could do about it. At least, not right now. I reached up and rubbed the sides of my temple, taking a breath, 

"This can't be happening." I muttered to myself, "I never had a good track record about life being kind to me, but come on." I whispered, "Primus just hates me." 

"I doubt that is the case. Primus loves all his children." 

I didn't even flinch, hearing Optimus' voice. I turned in my seat, seeing the Prime limping up to me, one servo on his upper thigh. My gaze flickered down to his leg, seeing the damage from the boulder falling on it, when we were back on earth. 

"You shouldn't be walking around on that leg so much." I commented gruffly as I turned my gaze back to the skyline. 

Optimus hobbled closer and sat down beside me, wincing in pain, "Perhaps." He looked over at me, his cerulean optics piercing right through my battle mask. 

I sighed and rubbed the back of my neck, "Wanna shoot for Kaon?" I gestured to the distant skyline. 

"It is our only option until we find a better means of transportation. Iacon would be preferable, but that is in the opposite hemisphere." Optimus said, "I am concerned about you, though." 

"That's nothing new." I replied quickly, as I reached into my subspace to pull out . . . my last pain regulator. Right. I was running out, and I was planning on synthesizing more back at the Augusta base. I cursed under my breath and put it back in my subspace. 

"What is it?" Optimus asked. 

"Gotta use my pain regulation stuff sparingly. I'm running out." I muttered irritably, "Great. Stranded on Cybertron, and I'm gonna be cranky." 

"You mean this isn't you cranky now?" Knockout quipped, his optical ridges raised, "Primus, you must be a joy to live with." 

My helm snapped around to the con, "Nobody asked you." I snapped, before I turned to Optimus, and stood up, turning to the two moons overhead and the stars, "We should find a place to make camp. Not a fan of the idea of traveling at night." 

"Seconded." Knockout raised his servos haphazardly, due to the cuffs. 

Optimus looked around, "Hmm. If we could find shelter, but I am not familiar with this area." 

"Why don't we ask the Decepticon?" I turned to Knockout, with my servos on my hips, "This is the Con Capital after all." I said. 

Knockout scoffed and rolled his angled optics, "Just because I wear the badge doesn't mean I know everything. I'll have you know, I've never been to Kaon." 

I tilted my head, "You're the shittiest Decepticon I ever met. And I met a con whose name was Bloop." I spat. 

Knockout scowled as he turned his nose up, "And you're the rudest Autobot I've ever met -- And I once dealt with Kup. So we're even." 

I cursed under my breath as I looked around, before looking at the stars. Sunstreaker looked up at me, "You got an idea, Mrs. Cranky Pants?"

I grumbled under my breath, before speaking, "I resent that." I then looked to the Kaon skyline, "I have an idea of where we are, but it's been a minute since I've been anywhere near Kaon. I think I passed through her once or twice." 

"You think?" Sunstreaker asked incredulously. 

I rolled my optics, "One: It was eons ago, my memory isn't that good. And two: I was probably high on circuit boosters, which doesn't help." 

"Since when did you take circuit boosters?!" Sunstreaker exclaimed, waving his arms, exasperated. 

I waved Sunstreaker off dismissively, staring at the stars, tracing the familiar constellations with my optics, "This way." I turned and headed westward, toward the city. Sunstreaker pushed Knockout forward, holding him at blaster point, the con protesting all the while.

I glanced over my shoulder, seeing Optimus walking beside me -- well, more like hobbling. He did an excellent job at maintaining his stoic demeanor, but even I noticed the slight pinch of his optical ridges from pain. His leg -- mangled from the SpaceBridge explosion -- was leaking energon, and sparking. 

I slowed my pace so I was in-stride with him, and -- without warning -- I placed his arm over my shoulder, "Lean on me. You're gonna break your leg even more if you keep that up." 

Optimus grunted, but didn't object, "Thank you." He looked over at my masked expression. 

I grunted softly as we kept walking along. Our progress was slow, but steady -- I did my best to ignore Knockout's complaining, but without my pain regulators, my joints were really starting to bother me. I only had one left, and I couldn't waste it, just in case I really needed one. Regardless, I kept my pain to myself, like always, and focused more on getting Optimus to shelter. 

Soon, we came upon a rise, and below us, was a natural alcove, with the metal of Cybertron's surface sweeping up into an overhang. 

I couldn't help but smirk, "Banzai." I murmured. 

It wasn't long after, that I was able to get Optimus down into the shadow of the alcove, sitting him down. Sunstreaker forced Knockout to sit down as well, "You stay." He chided the con. 

Knockout pouted, "It would have been faster if we drove." He said with a snort.

"Yeah, like we're letting you transform." I spat as I looked around the space, "Besides, OP's got a bum leg, and I don't think we should be splitting up." 

"For once, we can agree." Sunny concurred as he sat down beside Knockout, who had begun to fuss with his makeshift handcuffs, cursing under his breath. Optimus shifted in his spot, looking down at his leg, wincing as sparks began to fly from the open gashes. Optimus cringed in pain, his servo hovering over the wounds. 

"That looks bad, Boss." Sunstreaker quipped, "Are your self-repair systems doing anything?" 

Optimus looked over to the yellow twin, "They have -- my systems have staved off the energon leaking, but as far as closing the wounds, I fear it is beyond their capability or -- ah-" he winced as his leg sparked again, "manage my pain." 

I shifted from leg to leg, before I turned to him, "You think you'll be able to make the rest of the trek to Kaon by morning?" 

Optimus looked up at me, "I will, regardless if I am in condition to, or not." 

I nod, "Well," I looked skyward, seeing the two moons nestling in the far east, "Luna One is just rising, so we got time." I said, "Probably a good 10 earth hours before Rigel and Sol come up." 

"So, what? We recharge here? In the open? Are you insane?" Knockout gasped, "Do you know what sleeping on hard ground will do to my back?" 

"Nobody cares." I said with a tired sigh, before turning to Optimus, "I'll handle watch -- you and Sunny rest. I'll keep an eye on the diva." 

"Diva?!" 

Optimus huffed softly, "I cannot ask this of you." 

"You aren't. I'm volunteering." I replied, "Its fine. Not the first all nighter I've pulled." 

Optimus looked unsure, before his leg sparked again, and he seethed, "I do not know if recharge will be possible." He looked down at his leg. 

I hummed, before sighing, "You'd be surprised how getting shunted across the universe will exhaust you." I said. 

A ghost of a smile graced his lips, "Thank you, Beta-04." 

I only nodded, and walked off a ways, sitting down at the edge of the alcove, as the three mechs hunkered down, and eventually, I heard the rhythmic vents of their recharge. 

Chapter Text

Beta-04's POV~

Cybertron was a funny planet in the sense that it . . . didn't technically have a sun. Rigel and Sol are scientifically moons -- they aren't stars. They revolve around the planet, like Luna One and Two. But, they give off light, they allow us to have a difference between day and night. 

Do I know why Rigel and Sol give off light? No. I don't. 

Nor do I really care, in this instance. 

I stared up as Luna One travelled across the sky, Luna Two following farther behind. And if I really squinted my optics, I could see the vague shapes that outlined long-abandoned base on Luna One -- a once mighty Autobot Stronghold long ago. Now reduced to rubble. Barely a skeleton of the former stronghold.

The entire landscape that surrounded us was a collage of beautiful reflections of purples, blues and pinks. Cybertron's metallic surface reflecting any and all light sources in the area. I was familiar with this -- the endless swaths of metal, but it I also remembered a different Cybertron. Somewhere buried deep in my memories, a part of the planet that was rich with flora, intricate metallic life that mimicked the organic.

Life beyond the cities, near the Sea of Rust. A place of the wild, a place that was pure, and uncorrupted. Until the war reached there, too. The war infected everything, like a virus. Corrupting, burning, melting. . . nothing was safe from it.

Nothing. 

 It was so quiet -- almost too quiet. It had been centuries since I had experienced quiet like this. The only thing I heard was the distant sounds of mechanical machinery -- deep in the bowels of the planet below. Still whirring away, tired, and wounded -- Cybertron was still doing its due diligence. Guilt bubbled up in the core of my being. We did this. We did this to our home. I rested my helm in my servo,

"I'm sorry . . ." I whispered, staring out at the planet, "I'm sorry we did this to you."

Behind me, Optimus was recharging -- propped up against a rise of metal, while Sunny was asleep on his back, with his arms folded behind his helm. Knockout lay curled up on his side, also asleep. 

It was . . . oddly peaceful. Aside from the horrific anxiety I was feeling being separated from the rest of the team, and with Shockwave on earth. They needed me, I needed to be there, and I couldn't. And there was nothing I could do to change that, at least not now. 

I ran my shaking servos over my helm, letting out a trembling sigh. They were gonna find out what happened to me, one way or another, they would. Either Shockwave would brag about it in his creepy-monotone way, or I'd just bite the bullet and show them. I stared down at my lap, fiddling with my fingers, the glowing points of my two leading digits casting a faint reflective glow on the metallic surface beneath me. 

"They're gonna find one one way or another, Beta." I told myself softly, "You gonna let Shockwave take that from you, too?" I steepled my fingers, "He's already got so much power over you . . ." I whispered to myself, "Why would you let him take even more?" 

I let out a shaky sigh, feeling emotion clog my throat. I looked over my shoulder, seeing my companions sound asleep. I then turned back to the distant horizon, and un-deployed my battle mask. The cool air of Cyberton graced my face, and for the first time in months, it felt like I could actually breathe. 

I reached up with my fingers and traced the brutalized contours of my face, before I bowed my head, a tear of energon slipping free and cascading down my face.  I was a monster -- I needed to be a monster, cause the alternative was being vulnerable. 

And I don't know if I'd survive being vulnerable. 

I choked sob escaped from my lips as I covered my optics with my servo -- I felt like I was being backed into a corner. A wild animal being poked from all sides. Pressure from the Autobots to tell the truth, then Shockwave on the other side. All encompassing. My teammates didn't understand why I am the way that I am. And, in some cruel way, I was relieved that was not applicable to the Decepticons. Especially not Shockwave.

They saw me as another beast to be put down -- Shockwave sees me as failed opportunity. 

The Autobots? The Autobots see me as something that can be fixed. Something that needs to be helped. I couldn't stand that. I couldn't stand that kindness. I didn't deserve it. 

I closed my optics tightly, taking deep vents. Nothing you can do now. Just breathe. I tried to tell myself, Focus on what you can do. Get to Kaon, find a way back to earth. I told myself. Right now, you're safe. You're alive, you're among friends -- minus Knockout, but he's hardly a threat -- and you're safe. 

I then looked over my shoulder, seeing the others still asleep, tucked under the overhang above us -- safe from the universe. Even for just this moment -- injuries aside-- they were safe. I wiped more tears of energon from my face, and stared up at the two moons overhead, breathing deeply. 

I heard a faint shift behind me, and I instantly snapped my mask over my face, before turning to find the source of the noise. It was Optimus. He was shifting in his sleep, optics fluttering open. His expression creased with pain. 

My optics narrowed behind my mask, "He shouldn't be in that much pain . . . " I muttered as I stood up, and walked over to him. 

Optimus began to stir upon my approach, reaching down and messaging his leg, wincing, before he looked up at me. 

"Still bothering you?" 

Optimus shifted to sit up more, "I fear my pain receptors in my legs have been damaged, which would explain why I am in this much pain." He sighed, "Regardless of the severity of the wound." 

"You had half a mountain dropped on your leg from a SpaceBridge explosion." I replied as I took a seat beside him, "Give yourself more credit." 

Optimus scoffed as he turned his gaze to the moons overhead, "You should recharge." He told me, "It doesn't look like I will be getting any recharge, so I will take the watch for the evening." 

I stared down at his mangled leg, as it sparked and spasmed. I sighed and rubbed my neck. I knew a thing or two about being in pain, how to manage it, or just . . . cope with it. Just thinking about it now sent a wave of throbbing pain into my joints. 

I sighed as I folded my servos in my lap, "You're not gonna make it to Kaon unless you recharge, and give your self repair systems time to work. We don't got a medic." 

"I am aware." Optimus rumbled.

I reached into my subspace and pulled out my last pain regulator. I was gonna save it for later -- when and if I went into a pain crisis -- but I took one more look at Optimus' damaged leg, then silently handed the device over to him. 

Optimus stared at it, then up at me, "No. I couldn't take this from you." He said. 

"You're the one who's suffering right now. This can curb your pain for a few hours." I told him, "Its meant to deal with my chronic pain, so the potency should be enough to get you to Kaon." 

Optimus stared at it, unsure, before he looked up at me again, "Beta, I am capable of handling this without the assistance of medication." 

"I know," I replied with a shrug, "doesn't mean you have to, or you should." I pushed held out my servo more, "Besides, I'm already stranded on Cybertron with one mech who hates me," I motioned to Sunny, "And the other -- his existence just pisses me off--" I referred to Knockout, "If I have to hear you grunt and groan in pain the whole hike to Kaon, I may just put a bullet in my head and be done with it." 

I held in a snicker seeing Optimus stare at me like a dear in the headlights, before he took the device from my hand, "You concern me, Beta-04." 

"Join the crowd." I replied, leaning back on the formation of metal behind us, "Just put the end in your teeth, and snap off the other end with your digit." I instructed him. 

Optimus did as I told him, before he inhaled -- then promptly erupted into coughs, blue smoke spilling from his lips, "P-Primus have mercy-" He wheezed. 

I chuckled, watching the mighty, stoic Prime devolve into hacking and wheezing for a few seconds, before he looked over at me with an arched brow, "This is . . . this is vile." He said. 

"I never said it was good, I said it worked." 

Optimus stared at the long pipe in his digits, before he spoke again, his voice low, "I rarely see you without one of these. Is your pain . . . that bad?" 

I sighed, reaching down and rubbing my own knee to soothe the pain, "Better since Ratchet stopped the joint erosion from progressing -- but it's done its damage." 

Optimus eyed the pain regulator like an old enemy, before he placed it between his derma, and took another inhale. This time, he was able to keep his composure, and he exhaled slowly, the plume of blue smoke spiraling about his face. 

Oh fuck. 

I stared rather shamelessly through my mask as Optimus' pensive expression relaxed as the formula began to take hold. 

Oh, fuck he looks so hot right now. 

I began to panic internally, as I quickly busied myself by staring at anything but him.  I stared down at my feet as Optimus took another hit, before he let his head rest back, his helm tipping upward to face the sky. 

"Thank you." He said softly, "This isn't your last one, is it? I know you mentioned your reserves are low." 

I fiddled with my digits, "I got a few more." I lied - I just flat out lied. 

I didn't want him to worry about what I did or didn't have. I was capable -- I had survived just fine before I developed the formula to regulate my pain. 

Well . . . I use 'survived just fine' loosely, if we're being honest. I remembered those days just being . . . brutal survival. Regardless, I didn't feel like starting any argument or conflict. If I go into pain crisis, well . . .  that's for future Beta-04 to deal with. I thought to myself. 

Optimus coughed again, smoke billowing from his mouth, as he tried to suffer through the taste, he then turned his gaze to me, with half-closed cerulean eyes, "I must admit," his voice was stilted, "it is . . . well, I never expected to be back home so soon." 

"I never expected to be back home at all." I replied back, staring up at the moons overhead, "Certainly not under these circumstances." 

Optimus peered at me, before he spoke, his voice rumbling deep in his chest, "Beta, we will stop Shockwave."

I scoffed, pushing myself to standing, and placing my hand on my hips, "Just get some sleep, ok?" 

Optimus looked as if he were about to say something, but he stopped. I gave a short huff, and padded off, heading back to my previous post. I sat down, and turned my gaze heavenward, watching the stars. 

Chapter Text

Third Person's P.O.V.:

Jazz pulled onto the base, transforming from his alt mode to his bot mode. He walked briskly across the tarmac, the early morning sun reflected off the roofs of the hangars. The SIC sighed as he took a beat, staring out at the landscape from behind his visor. Anxiety plagued his being, afraid of what hell he was about to walk into once he opened those hangar doors. 

This wasn't the first time Jazz ever had to lead. He's lead his own operations before -- he's lead his own team before. But this? A full autobot team? One that had been commanded by a Prime? He felt way out of his league. And it felt . . . different. Permanent. 

Did Jazz ever want to be in charge of his own squadron? Yes. Eventually. But not like this. 

Not at the cost of Optimus Prime. Or Beta-04. Or Sunstreaker. 

Jazz rubbed the back of his neck in a futile effort to message out the aches in his upper back struts. He could just imagine Beta-04 now, cursing out Morris for nearly blowing them up with the missile strike back at the SpaceBridge, rejecting Ratchet's help for her wounds. 

Putting the others first, making sure she was the last one treated. Because she viewed her life as lesser to everyone else's. Jazz's servo fell to his side, feeling like a dead weight attached to his shoulder. He could just envision her, watching from the back of the crowd, not being afraid to speak her mind. 

"We could use some of her foul mouth right 'bout now." Jazz muttered as he walked his way to the main hangar, "Could use Optimus right 'bout now -- frag, could use any of 'em right 'bout now." 

The doors felt heavier as Jazz pulled them open. He stepped inside and gazed at the team, who were all talking amongst themselves. Ironhide looked up from his conversation with Prowl, as he walked up to Jazz, 

"Hey, 'Hide." Jazz greeted. 

Ironhide rested a large servo on Jazz's shoulder, "Long patrol, doing some thinking, hmm?" He asked, his British accent gruff. 

Jazz shrugged, "Dunno if it was thinkin' to be honest. Just . . . " He shook his helm, "Feels like the same tune playing over and over in my head. And I can't get think of any other song." 

Ironhide sighed as he gave Jazz's shoulder a comforting pat, "We will find a way to go on. It's what Optimus would have wanted." 

Jazz sighed, looking up at him, before turning to Ratchet who was at the monitors, "Anything popping up on the radar doc?" he asked. 

Ratchet looked up from his work on the screen. He sighed and rubbed under his optics -- Ratchet looked tired than normal. His frame looked like it carried the weight of the world upon his shoulder. Ratchet sighed heavily and rubbed the back of his neck, 

"No. No sign of Shockwave, or Megatron." He said, "I've been bouncing our scanners off the satellites, and trying to expand our range. Nothing. No energon that we don't know about, no weird energy signatures." 

"Nothin'." Crosshairs sighed as he walked up, overhearing the conversation, "We're sittin' ducks, waiting on the cons move. Again."

Jazz put his hands on his hips, sighing deeply, shaking his head, "Seems to always be the case, man." he murmured softly, "We're  . . . " his voice stalled, "We're up against Shockwave, and down two of our big guns. And Sunny . . ." His gaze drifted over to Sideswipe, who was sitting on a medical berth, "well, without Sunny, Sides is runnin' on fumes." 

"Seems like the second we get a leg up, we're knocked back to the bottom of the pile, again." Ironhide rumbled, "What are we gonna do, Jazz?" the dark autobot looked down to the visored mech. 

Jazz shook his head, rubbing the side of his face, "I-I dunno, man." He whispered, "I-" His voice box failed him again, "Man, I . . . I got nothin'. We could run patrols, y'know? But -" 

"It's not even safe to go on patrols, now that we are even fewer than before." Ironhide said. 

Jazz nodded, "Y'know, it's funny," He crossed his servos over his chest, "Beta called it -- she wasn't an easy bot to live with. But, Primus, bro," he looked around the quiet hangar, "it feels empty without her." 

Ratchet wandered over to the pair of them, "She was an insufferable piece of scrap, but she could pull her act together when it mattered." He mumbled. 

Jazz chuckled sadly, "She's the only bot who's gotten Optimus that flustered, y'know." 

"It was the cursing, I'm sure." Ratchet mused, rolling his optics. 

Jazz looked up, seeing Bee walking into the hangar, and the visored mech felt his spark pang. Everyone was coping with the loss in their own way, but Bee? 

Optimus was about as close to a father as Bee ever had. And, while Bumblebee did his damndest to put on a brave face, Jazz knew that the time he had been spending on his own was to grieve the loss of Optimus, and Beta. 

Bee looked up, his door wings perking up, "Oh. Hey, guys. Didn't know anyone was in here." 

Jazz walked over to him, "Where were you, bud?" he asked. 

Bee looked away, giving a small trill, "Just thinking. A lot's happened."

Jazz nods, "Yeah. It has." He placed a hand on his shoulder, "You need anything, we're here. Together."

Bee shifted, looking down at the floor, "I miss him, Jazz." 

Jazz felt his spark break. He was trying to be so strong about it, trying to be a soldier and just move on to the next set of orders. Jazz's mouth set into a thin line, as he moved closer, draping his arm around Bee and pulling him into his side, 

"I miss him too, Bee. All of 'em." He replied softly. 

Bumblebee was silent, unable to stop some tears from gathering in his optics, and sliding down his cheeks. 

Chapter Text

Beta-04's  P.O.V.:

The moons passed overhead silently, and once they did, the suns rose on the horizon. The cool pinks, purples and blues that were reflected by the stars and nebulas, were replaced with vibrant blues and golds and yellows. The entirety of the landscape seemed to take on a new energy. I watched as the sky lightened, the stars still visible, but the atmosphere brightened with the presence of the suns. I then stood up and stretched my arms over my helm, leaning back and groaning as my back struts popped.

I turned to my companions, who were all still sleeping. I walked over to them, seeing Optimus sleeping peacefully, sitting upright, with his arms crossed over his chest plate and his helm lulled to one side. Both Sunny and Knockout hadn't moved. I walked over to Sunstreaker and cleared my throat,

"Yo, Lambo." I said.

Sunny groans and sat up, rubbing  his helm, "Ugh, it's morning already?" He blinked up at me blearily, and he paused, "Oh. Its you." 

I scoffed, "Jeez, you don't have to sound that disappointed." I put my servos on my hips, "I get it -- you don't like me. Never asked you to like me in the first place." 

Sunstreaker got up with a groan, before he staggered uneasily. I tensed up, reaching out with a hand, "Easy-" 

He grunted as he rubbed his forehead, "I'm fine." He said, "Just -- what happens when I'm separated from Sides." 

"Should we be worried?" 

Sunstreaker looked up at me, rolling his optics, "No. I'll just be woozy." He rubbed his helm, then looked up at me, "And, to clarify, I don't dislike you, ok? You're . . . you're just complicated. And frustrating. " He huffed. 

"We're all complicated and frustrating to an extent." 

"And you can be harsh." 

I shrugged, "Eh. True." 

"And an asshole." 

"Hey-" 

Suddenly, a voice interrupted us, "If you two don't mind, could you please assist me? I cannot move well in these absurd manacles!" 

I turned, seeing Knockout glaring up at us as he sat cross-legged on the ground. I rolled my optics with a sigh, and reached down, grabbing one of Knockout's arms and pulling him upright. He grunted, once he was standing, and dusted his armor plating off to the best of his ability, 

"Sleeping out in the open like a bunch of savages -- unacceptable." He muttered irritably. 

"You'll live." I shouldered past the con, and walked over to Optimus who was -- to my surprise -- still asleep.

I gave pause, and gently knelt down beside him, "Prime?" I reached up and gently shook his arm. 

Optimus slowly stirred, his optics flittering open as he looked over at me, "Ah- Beta. Good morning." 

"How's the leg?" I asked, my gaze flickering down to his wounded limb. 

"Much better . . . at least, in regards to managing my pain." He said as he shifted. 

I stood back, and extended my servo down, offering him a hand standing. Optimus reached out, and his servo encased mine -- it was solid, and warm. Harsh, but also gentle. His digits curled around my wrists, putting pressure on the joint with the power and strength of a prime.  I helped him up, giving him time to navigate is injured leg. Once he was upright and stable, I turned my gaze to the Kaon skyline. 

"Alrighty then." I murmured, "We got a long hike ahead of us." 

Like yesterday, the travel was slow, but steady. Optimus was moving alot better now that his pain was under control, but Sunstreaker was running on half stamina at the most. The separation from his twin was clearly taking its toll on the yellow Lambo. Seeing his struggle, I opted to take charge of Knockout. There was a part of me that was stunned that I was the best-functioning bot present, aside from Knockout. 

But he'd sooner stab you in the back as look at you. 

I shoved Knockout forward as we kept walking, the lithe Decepticon stumbled and shot a glare over his shoulder at me, "Brute." 

"Piss-ant." I shot back, "Sticks and stones, KO, we can do this all day." 

Knockout turned to face me, still walking, but moving backwards, his bright optics raked me up and down as he smirked, "I suppose it is wise to lean into the brute physique. Clearly, the feminine side was . . .  lost in the CyberNinja programming." 

I scoffed and shook my helm, "What? You think calling me ugly is gonna work." I pushed him back, nearly making the Decepticon fall aft over teakettle, "Try harder." 

Knockout scoffed, "Breakdown was right about you, you're an animal." 

"At least I don't follow the ideologies of a megalomaniac hellbent on slavery, death, and warmongering." I said back in a sing-song tone. 

That seemed to strike a nerve. Knockout shot me a glare from over his shoulder, "You don't know everything." 

"Then by all means, murderer," I leaned in close, "enlighten this brute. I'm smarter than I look." 

Knockout's expression softened. It was minute, practically invisible, but I clocked it. The softening of his brow, his scowl lessening in severity. He shook his head, "Like I said, you don't know the whole story. Sometimes . . . you don't have a choice." 

This struck me, I tilted my head, "There's always a choice. Always." I snapped, "What? What could be so bad that you have to follow Megatron so blindly? You're a smart Con, Knockout. I highly doubt it's just blind obedience." 

Knockout rolled his optics and shook his head, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you." 

"Try me." I pushed him forward again, "Or, we could just go back to insulting each other, that's always fun." 

Knockout scoffed, "You're paint job needs a massive overhaul." 

Playground insults it is, I laughed dry, "Me? At least I don't look like a walking mid-life crisis. What is that? Ombre and chrome?" 

Our banter continued for some time, before it eventually fizzled out. Kaon grew closer and closer, piercing the morning sky like giant clawed digits scraping the heavens. I stared overhead, the sight of the imposing city triggering memories from long ago. Hell, everything seemed to trigger those memories as of late. As we continued to make our way regardless, something stirred within my spark. 

It felt . . . other. Like, it didn't originate from my own thoughts and feelings. It was a feeling, yes. But, not mine. Someone imposing their feelings on mine. I think? 

I paused, and looked out across the landscape, the feeling growing stronger. A desire. A need. 

"We must see her." 

The words came from a single voice, comprised of many. I grumbled and rubbed the back of my neck, shaking my head, "Maybe I am loosing it." I thought to myself. 

"We must see this one again." 

Again. The voice. It was gentle, but loud. It was an amalgamation of contradictions that cancelled itself out into a singular . . . thing. Again, the need rose in my spark, a desire. 

You need to go to Acropolex. 

I blinked hard, trying to will the feeling to dissipate from me. Acropolex? The ancient capital from the Golden Age?

"Beta?" 

I was brought out of my stupor and turned, seeing Optimus looking at me with concern evident on his features. I cleared my throat, "Yeah?" I walked closer, tugging Knockout along by the arm. 

"Are you alright? You seemed distracted." 

"I'm fine." I said curtly, "Just being in Kaon -- stirs old memories." 

Knockout rolled his optics, "Ohh, look at me, I'm a brooding soldier with a dodgy, dark past. I don't like to talk about my feelings cause I'm edgy and dark and- OW!" He yelped as I smacked him upside the head. 

It wasn't long after, that we finally passed into city limits. I stared up at the long abandoned architecture around us. The buildings themselves seemed to bear down upon us with burning hatred. Like, the landscape itself knew we weren't Decepticons. 

Anxiety plagued my being as we passed through long-abandoned streets, "Where do we even begin?" I asked. 

Optimus looked over, "Perhaps the Deception laboratories have something of use." 

My spark sank into my gut, "Uh . . . the labs?" I was unable to hide the waver in my voice, "You sure that's a good idea?" 

"We don't have a better one." Sunstreaker said. 

I shifted anxiously again, feeling the city walls creep in around me, surrounding me, crushing me. 

"You won't find anything of use here, I am afraid. Whatever Megatron left behind, we collected long ago." 

We all whipped around to face the new voice, I activated my blaster and instinctively took a stance before Optimus. A mech and a femme were perched on one of the buildings overhead, peering down at us with blue optics. The mech had a large sniper rifle, and was red and black in color. The femme was tall, curvy, robin's egg blue with white accents.

The femme smiled, shouldering a large hammer, "Hi, boys." 

Sunstreaker dropped his firearm and for the first time, in a long time, I saw him smile,

"Chromia! Percy! You're a sight for sore optics!" 

Chapter Text

Beta-04's P.O.V.:

I slowly lowered my blaster as the two bots made their way down to us. Their names were not known to me. But judging by Sunstreaker's reaction, they were friends. 

I hope. 

Optimus hobbled forward, limbing on his damaged leg, "Perceptor, Chromia . . ." a ghost of a smile curled his lips, "you are both a welcome sight." 

Chromia, the femme, was about a head shorter than me. Her helm was elegant, with large shoulder pauldrons, she came up to Optimus and put her servo on his shoulder, "Looking a bit worse for ware, Optimus." 

Perceptor, who was shorter than Chromia -- about Jazz's height -- walked forward, "We received  a massive energy surge on our scanners, before we picked up your life signals moving towards Kaon." He said matter of factly, "Clearly, you lot have a lot of explaining to do." 

Chromia looked past Optimus, her eyes meeting mine, through my mask, "Yeah. A lot. Like this newbie." She walked up to me, "Never seen you before, hun. What's your name?" 

I tilted my head, my optics raking over her form in a calculative matter, "Beta-04." I replied sharply. 

Chromia blinked, "Well, aren't you just a ray of sunshine." she smirked.

I sighed and turned to Optimus, "Who are these people?" I asked. 

Optimus nods, "Beta-04, this is Chromia, one of my heads of security, and Perceptor, one of Cybertron's finest scientific minds." He gestured to each of them in turn, "I thought you both left Cybertron." 

"We tried,"  Chromia responded, "but our ship crapped out on us." 

I finally spoke up, trying to get over the initial shock of seeing new faces, "Uh, just a thought." I said, "How bout we have our little kumbaya  somewhere safe. Preferably, indoors." 

Perceptor and Chromia gave Optimus a perplexed look after I spoke, "Beta-04 is correct." He said, "Do you have someplace safe where we can go?" 

"And get fixed." I tagged on. 

"Beta-" Optimus started. 

"Forgive me for not wanting to watch you drag that leg around." I gestured to his wounded leg. 

"We have a . . . well, the closest to a stronghold as we can get. It's in Iacon." Perceptor then reached up to his audio receptor, "Wheeljack, we're on our way back, prepare sickbay, and the medical equipment."

"Wheeljack's here?!" Sunny perked up even more. 

I subtly moved over to Optimus and watched as Perceptor spoke with whoever was on the other end of the com link. I leaned over to Optimus, "We can trust them, right?" 

Optimus looked over at me, "I assure you, Beta-04, Chromia and Preceptor are some of my most trusted Autobots, as well as Wheeljack." 

I nod slowly, looking up as Perceptor finished conversing with Wheeljack on the com link, before turning to the rest of us. I shifted nervously, tilting my helm, as I watched the newcomers through my mask like a hawk. 

Preceptor put his servos on his hips, "Well, then, if you come with us, we have a ship-- and we will get you to Iacon." he said, before turning and walking back through the darkness of the city. 

I hesitantly followed, keeping to the back of the group, dragging Knockout along by the arm, who was quietly muttering protests the entire time. As we moved through the long-abandoned city, that feeling resumed. Surrounded by the familiar architecture that was so inherently Decepticon, the most broken parts of myself squirmed in discomfort and unease. 

Knockout looked over his shoulder at me, "You're awfully quiet." he mused, "You're usually raving and cursing right about now." 

My gaze snapped over to him, "And you care, why?" 

He shrugged, "I don't. Just like to tease." 

I shoved him hard between the shoulder struts, making him stumble -- nearly falling face first into the hard ground, "Wha- hey!" he glared once he regained his balance. 

"And I like to beat the scrap outta cons." I tilted my head, "So don't tempt me." 

Knockout gave me a snobby look, before he called, "I want a different guard! This one is being abusive!" 

Optimus looked over from conversing with Chromia, giving me an arched brow look. I shrugged, "He was being a dick." 

I could have sworn Optimus actually rolled his optics, before he kept on walking. I chuckled under my breath, and focused by attention back on the group. We all rounded a corner, and came upon a small cybertronian ship, tucked away in the shadow of a dilapidated building. The ship itself was nothing impressive, and I could tell it wasn't meant for space travel. It looked worse for ware, with visible patch jobs and repairs. 

I tilted my head, staring at the ship as Chromia walked up to the ship opening the rear cargo hold door, before turning to the rest of us. Sunstreaker walked up to the ship, "Is this . . . a repurposed escape shuttle?" He asked. 

"Indeed." Perceptor said as he walked inside, "It is by no means capable of space travel, but it helps us get from city to city well enough." 

I watched one by one as everyone loaded up onto the ship. It was a tight fit, for sure. Once you add in Optimus and Knockout, well, there was a part of me that was concerned I was gonna wind up on someone's lap. I slowly got into the shuttle, having to duck my head a bit to avoid my crests scraping the roof. 

Knockout grumbled as he was pressed uncomfortably against the wall, squished between a divider and Sidewipe, "I miss the Nemesis." he bemoaned. 

Chromia and Perceptor took their posts in the cockpit, while I found a seat beside Optimus. I listened as Chromia powered up the ship, and it wasn't long before we were in the air, cruising across Cybertron's surface. I turned my gaze to a small window, watching as the Kaon skyline got smaller and smaller. 

"Good riddance." I murmured under my breath. 

Optimus glanced at me, "Have you been to Kaon before?" he asked. 

"Not willingly." I replied. 

Sunstreaker perked up, "Ohh, was that were you were tortured as a POW?" 

I rolled my optics, "Primus sake-" 

"What?" He crossed his arms, "I'm not allowed to ask? You clam up so bad, it's so predictable." 

I opened my mouth to respond, before Optimus cut me off, "Sunstreaker, Beta-04's past is her business. She will tell us when, and if she is ready." He glanced at me. 

I was sucked in by the kindness in his eyes, before I averted my gaze, "Thanks, Prime." 

Chapter Text

Third Person's P.O.V.:

The ride to Iacon was full of idle chatter, mostly between Sunstreaker and Chromia and Perceptor. Old friends catching up and trading stories since their separation. Optimus listened to the idle chatter, feeling a moment of peace wash over him for the first time since the chaos of getting shunted to Cybertron. It was nice being surrounded by allies for once, and -- if memory served him right -- there was not an immediate threat of Decepticons. At least, for now. They were all scattered to the stars, just like the Autobots were. 

Beta had been quiet the entire ride, sitting back as best she could in the cramped space, with her arms crossed over her chest plate and her head lulled down on her chest. Optimus looked over at her, watching as her form shifted with the idle rattle of the shuttle. In the dim light of the space, her tattoos and bio lights glowed, casting faint reflections on her own armor plating. Optimus' optics fixated on a block of text on her shoulder plating, translating to something like 'honor', or 'wisdom'. Upon closer inspection, Optimus noticed that the tattoos were not painted on, but carved into the metal, grooves against her plating. 

All across her plating were scars, some larger than others. Chips in her paint made the overall purple coloration more faded. His optics drifted up to Beta's mask, trying to see past the tinted glass that covered her face. She exuded such presence, she took command of her space, and yet Optimus still couldn't put a face to her voice. 

And day by day, it tore away at him. More so than he'd like to admit. 

There was something . . . refreshing about Beta-04. That didn't mean he liked her cynical demeanor, or the . . . cursing. Primus, she did have a foul mouth, didn't she? Regardless, it wasn't even about the context of her words, it was just . . . the way she went about life. Unafraid of adversity. More than prepared to stand up for herself, or others. Even going so far as to threaten Colonel Morris when he mouthed off. 

Again, Optimus didn't agree with it, but he admired it. 

The ship jostled, and Beta gave a lurch, her helm snapping up, "Hmm!" she inhaled, "Yeah- I'm up." Her helm snapped left and right. 

Optimus shifted in his seat, "We are still en route to Iacon." he told her, "Were you recharging?" 

Beta-04 cleared her throat, rubbing her neck, "Must've dozed off." she mumbled. 

Optimus hummed, reaching down and messaging his leg, aware of the pain in it. Though it was much more manageable -- whatever was in that device did the job well. "You spent the whole night keeping watch, it would stand to reason that you are tired. And, given what we endured back on earth, you have not gotten the chance to properly rest yet." 

Beta scoffed, "Yeah, I'll rest later. When Shockwave's taken care of." she mumbled, staring down at her pedes.

Optimus felt his spark twist at the mention of the one-eyed Decepticon, and he stared at her profile, "We will stop him, together." he replied. 

Beta sighed, leaning back so her back strut was pressed firmly to the interior wall of the shuttle, she then turned her head, looking out the window at the landscape below, "Nah. I'll handle Shockwave." She retorted, "Universe hasn't given me much, but it owes me that at least. Shockwave, and the DJD." 

Optimus audio finals gave a twitch as they perked forward, "Beta, the path of revenge is a cold and isolating one." He rumbled, "You will not find solace or peace." 

Beta's voice came low, "I honestly could give less of a fuck about solace and peace." she bit back, "I don't care. I really don't Optimus. I'm . . . I'm sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear, but I really don't care if I die or not." she turned her masked face to him, "If I can do any amount of good in this Primus-forsaken universe, it'll be making sure Shockwave doesn't hurt anyone else, ever again." 

Optimus stared at her, feeling his spark clench painfully upon hearing her words. So assured that this was her existence, that she could not see her worth outside of her ability to kill the enemy. It struck a cord deep in Optimus' being. His servo was reaching to her, as if it had a mind of its own. 

The others were too busy conversing to take notice, as Optimus placed his servo on her forearm. Beta's masked face snapped down to it, then lifted to look at him, 

Optimus spoke, his voice low against the rumble of the shuttle's engine, "You're worth is more than what you say it is." he said, "You're life has meaning outside of its capability to take lives." 

Beta scoffed, and Optimus could feel her tensing under his hand, as she spoke, "It's my life. My fucked up life. Who else thinks that my life means anything more than what I say it does?" 

"I do." Optimus' words left his derma. 

He could tell they struck a cord in her, because she went silent, and her posture relaxed beneath his hand. Emboldened by her response, and -- against his better judgement -- he continued, "If your life doesn't matter to you, that is one thing. But it matters to me. All life is precious, no matter its origin, or what it has been subjected to." 

"We had this discussion before." she said as she stared up at the ceiling of the shuttle, "You say, 'all life is precious' and I say, 'even Megatron? The DJD?' and then we both agree to disagree." 

Optimus swallowed as he released his grip on her arm, "Perhaps -- but regardless of that, regardless of all that you have been though, even if I do not know it, I know that it is not worth being so careless with your life. Because, whether you think it or not, your life is precious, Beta-04. If not to yourself, then to those around you. To me." 

Beta-04 was quiet at his words, she fiddled with her digits, pulling and wringing them to the point Optimus was concerned she'd snap them clean off. She shifted, and cleared her throat, "U-uhm . . ." she hunched her shoulders, "Heh. Wow. I uh . . ." she made an odd noise in her throat, "Nobody's ever really . . . told me I mattered before. Well, at least not in a long time.  So-- uhm. Yeah. Thanks, I think." 

Being honest? Being completely honest? Optimus full on expected Beta to retort with some crude joke, or brush it off with her cynical outlook on the world. Or just straight up hit him. 

But this? Optimus watched Beta transform into a totally different bot. She became softer, all over, she shrank down, hunching her shoulders. Unsure, surprised, honest in her response. If he didn't have near-perfect self control, his jaw would be on the floor. 

Beta went silent after that, turning her gaze to the window and watching the broken planet go by beneath them. Across from them, not distracted by conversation, Knockout had watched the whole interaction with a calculating expression. 

Very interesting. 

Chapter Text

Third Person's P.O.V.:

Jazz was sitting in his berth room, reading over a report from Crosshairs on a data pad. The lights were off in the space, the only source of illumination was the glow from Jazz's visor, and the light from the data pad. Soul music echoed through the space, Jazz having tapped into a local radio station. 

He would often do this, listen to music as he worked. It gave him some semblance of normalcy. Music was such a huge part of his life back on Cybertron. And Jazz was thrilled to see such a massive amount of music on earth, different genres, and eras. As Jazz idly bopped his head along to the beat, he scrolled through the text, reading over the report carefully -- even re-reading some parts to make sure he got the information right. 

Jazz was interrupted by a sharp knock at the door to his quarters. The visored mech lifted his head, turning down the music, "Yeah?" he called. 

"It's Prowl." 

Jazz lowered the data pad, "Come in, Prowlers." 

The cop bot walked in, closing the door behind him, his own optics adding to the low light in the space. 

Jazz tilted his head, "You ok?" 

"Fine." Prowl sighed, looking around, "Just . . . wanted to give you this," he reached into his subspace and produced a data pad, "Its my quarterly reports on supplies and . . . everything else. Usually these go to Optimus but -" 

Jazz's smile vanished as he took the data pads, "I'll just add it to my pile." He mumbled. 

There was a pause, before Jazz spoke, "Prowl, you're a strategist. You run, like, at least 20 probable outcomes before you go get your energon rations. Is there any chance-?" 

Prowl sighed, his door wings drooping, "Jazz, Beta-04, Sunstreaker and Optimus were at ground zero. Unless some supernatural event occurred -- which it didn't -- they were atomized instantly." 

A pause, 

"And it's 10 probable outcomes of getting my energon rations. I'm thorough. Not a control freak." 

Jazz snorted and chuckled, "Prowl, you are a control freak. Beta had you dead to rights on that from the get go." 

Prowl looked away, before he walked over and leaned on the wall, closing his optics, "The last thing I said to her was 'what is wrong with you'," he muttered, "that was the last thing she heard from me. Before she sacrificed everything to try and save Optimus and all of us." 

Jazz's mouth twisted as he stared down at the data pad in his servo, "Y'know, I was talkin' to the Doc about this," he muttered, "Beta called it -- and she was honest. She wasn't an easy lady to live with, but . . . she had so much presence, y'know?" 

Prowl hummed, "She commanded the space, even when she wasn't trying to." He muttered, "I don't know why I said that to her. I shouldn't have. She was pulling her weight like anyone else. It wasn't her fault." 

Jazz set the data pad aside and stood up, walking over to the Praxian, "She got under your chassis cause she knew just how to tick you off." He said, "She did it with Optimus too -- picked on 'em. Made 'em all flustered." He stood beside Prowl, "I'd like to think she knew how good of a mech you are, Prowl. She was a smart lady, she must've known." 

Prowl looked over at him, "You have a pep talk like that just locked and loaded?" 

"Not really." Jazz replied with a chuckle, "Just kinda . . . y'know, flow with it." 

Prowl scoffed quietly as he righted himself, "I have to get back -- I'm on evening patrol with Crosshairs. Primus help me." He rubbed his temple, "The Irish accent was a choice, right? He's not stuck with it?" 

Jazz snickered under his breath, "Far as I know, yeah." 

Prowl tipped his helm back with a groan as his door wings fluttered, "Pray for me, will you?" he asked as he opened the doors to Jazz's quarters. 

Jazz rolled his optics behind his visor, "You got it, Praxian." 

Prowl made a 'tsk' noise, before he left, gently closing the door behind him. Jazz sat back down on the berth, picked up the data pad  and turned the radio station back on. 

Funeral for a Friend by Elton John echoed through the dimly lit space. 

Chapter Text

Third Person's P.O.V.:

Beta-04 jerked to alertness as the transport rattled to a stop, the landing gear bumping along the uprooted metal of Cybertron's traumatized surface. 

"We're here!" Chroma's voice came from the front of the ship. 

Beta uncurled herself from her seat, stretching her arms over her head with a soft sigh as the entrance to the ship opened. Sunstreaker walked out first, pushing Knockout along, Chromia and Perceptor followed. Beta and Optimus exited the cramped transport together, the tall femme rolling her shoulders, working out the kinks. She lifted her gaze and paused, taking in the great city around her. 

It was different from Kaon -- down to the colors of the metal used to craft the buildings. A city of rounded edges and humble magnificence. Beta had memories of Iacon when the lights illuminated the skyline, a pillar of safety on Cybertron. A city of learning, of democracy. 

Now it was  . . . empty. No lights, no sounds. Just the oppressive absence of life. 

It wasn't like Kaon -- Beta-04 did not feel a sense of unease as she walked down the empty street, it was just .  . . sadness. Isolation. Missing what once was. 

Optimus stared up at the towering buildings as he walked beside me, "It is good to see Iacon again -- regardless if it has life or not." 

Beta merely grunted in response, staring ahead as Chromia came to an old automatic door, and punched in a code on a control panel. 

"Is this . . . Wheeljack's old workshop?" Sunstreaker asked. 

Perceptor nodded, "We were able to connect it to the old service tunnels beneath the city, which allows us to have access to the bulk of Iacon for the most part." He stepped in as the doors parted, "Still trying to map the rest of the tunnels however." 

"You mean figure out which ones aren't infested with Insecticon sentries." Chromia added with a snort. 

Beta paused and stared at them, "Great. Robobugs. Eugh." she shuddered as walked through the door.

The group walked down a short hallway before entering into the space. Beta was greeted with a warm golden light that made her pause. The interior of the space was a series of tables piled with . . . clutter, basically. Machine parts and scrap metal piled awkwardly about the space.

Lights were crudely fixated to the wall to provide a warm glow, which was a stark contrast to the bleak outdoors. Several doors lead off the main area. Chromia walked past Beta and called, "Jackie! We're back!" 

There was a clatter from behind one of the piles of spare parts before a mech's head popped out, "Haha! Hey! You survived!"

Now, Beta had heard of Wheeljack. Once or twice in passing, a brilliant engineer and inventor -- though he did have an issue with is inventions often . . . exploding in his face. Wheeljack's face was covered with a mask, the only feature visible were two large, round optics.  With each syllable of speech, little wings on the side of his head lit up with a warm light. 

He has head blinkies? Beta thought, rather amused as Wheeljack tried to navigate around the clutter. He was about Preceptor's height, with a white paint job, accented with red and green. 

Beta watched as Wheeljack tripped, nearly ate dirt, and knocked off the bulk of the spare parts on the table. The fell to the ground with a massive ruckus, and Beta took great amusement as Wheeljack tried -- and failed -- to do damage control.

"I'll clean that up later!" He exclaimed, trotting over to the group. 

Optimus took a step forward, "Wheeljack, it is good to see you." he placed a hand on the smaller mech's shoulder. 

"Good to see ya too, Prime! Wish it was in better circumstances, but, y'know." He shrugged, before turning to the tall femme beside him, "Hey, who's the newbie?" 

Optimus placed a servo on Beta's arm, and the femme tensed under the touch, "Wheeljack, meet Beta-04. Autobot CyberNinja, and dear friend." 

Beta held up a servo, "Whoa, we aren't friends yet, Boss. Still very much coworkers." 

Sunstreaker walked forward, "Ignore her, Jackie. She gets grumpier by the second." 

"Sunny!" Wheeljack opened his arms, and the two shared a brief hug, "Primus, it's good to see you, buds!" 

"Same here." Sunstreaker pulled away, "What happened? Why are you still on Cybertron?" 

Wheeljack shrugged helplessly, "We got our ship up and running, but it crapped out on us before we could clear Cybertron. Crashed just south of Iacon." 

"We salvaged what we could," Chromia added, "Built up Wheeljack's old garage, and added a few things. It's not much, but it's home." 

Beta looked around the space, "Is it just you three?" She asked. 

The three of them all exchanged looks, before Perceptor spoke, "We were . . .  the only four to survive the crash of our ship." 

Beta paused, then lifted a digit, counting to herself, "You said four. I see three." 

"Oh, yes." Perceptor's optics widened a moment, "Rung is probably in his office." 

"Rung?" Beta echoed, "Who's gotta sucky name like Rung?" 

Wheeljack rolled his optics, "He was the ship psychiatrist." 

The femme clammed up at that. A shrink. Perfect. As if her luck couldn't get any better. Trapped on the other side of the universe, unable to get to Shockwave, and trapped with a legit shrink. 

As if on cue, a voice came from down one of the halls that lead off the main workspace, "Wheeljack, I took a look at those maps of the old service tunnels and-" the door slid open, revealing a small mech, with pumpkin orange color plating and giant spectacles over his optics. His little audio fins twitched, "O-oh! I did not realize we had company." 

Beta took a step back as Optimus walked forward, "We have met before once, Rung. Tyger Pax triage outpost, I believe." 

"Ah, yes. I could never forget Optimus Prime. " The pair shook hands. 

Optimus spoke, "Rung, this is Sunstreaker, and Beta-04." He gestured to the tall femme, who, by this point, slowly stepped behind Knockout. 

The con sputtered, "Are you--" he hissed under his breath, "Are you hiding behind me???" 

Beta leaned down, "One word and I knock your teeth in." she then perked up, giving a curt nod to Rung in greeting. 

Further pleasantries were exchanged before Wheeljack cleared off a space for Optimus to sit down and get repairs done. Sunstreaker was given some much needed energon to drink, which he took with thanks as Chromia took over guarding Knockout, who surprise, surprise, continued to complain. 

Beta hovered near Optimus as Wheeljack did his work. Watching the engineer use his tools with skill and precision, 

"So . . . are you a medic?" Beta asked him. 

"Not on paper." Wheeljack looked up, "But uh, you work with any type of machinery you kinda learn the basic first aid stuff. Did a lot of work with Ratchet back in the day." 

"Didn't you two try and create like, enhanced Cybertronian soldiers or something?" Chromia piped up. 

Wheeljack pointed his tool at her, "Uhh, they were called DinoBots, and they were epic, so excuse you." he went back to working on Optimus' leg. 

Beta watched Wheeljack work, watching Optimus every wince with a calculated gaze-- hidden behind her mask. She slowly eased herself down and sat on the table beside the Prime, fiddling with her servos, 

"We need to figure out how to get back to earth." She told Optimus. 

"Agreed." Optimus replied, "When we have refueled, and rested, we will." 

Anger spiked in her core, "There's not time to fraggin' rest when Shockwave is doing Primus knows what." 

"Wait, Shockwave?" Perceptor looked up from his own desk, tucked away in the far corner, "Shockwave . . .  made it through?" 

Beta whirled on the Autobot Scientist, "You saw Shockwave come through the SpaceBridge on this side?"  

Preceptor nodded, "We didn't realize it was a SpaceBridge until it was too late, unfortunately. Error on my part, I did not account for the fact he got control of the remaining Insectacon hive that was left here in stasis." 

Beta stood up, "You mean to tell me, you knew Shockwave was coming, and you didn't stop him?" 

Perceptor frowned, "We are only four bots, Rung is a monoformer-- he does not have weapons. We tried, but as I said, it was too late." 

"Great!" Beta exclaimed, "Fuckin' beautiful! I'm trapped on Cybertron, away from earth -- where Shockwave is-- and no way to get home!" She sat down heavily, "Fuckin' perfect .  . ." 

Optimus gave Beta an empathetic look as Rung Chromia exchanged concerned looks. Sunny spoke up, 

"Where was the SpaceBridge located? On Cybertron, I mean." He asked. 

Chromia shrugged, "He was smart about it -- he built it way out there, former City of Tarn. The OG Decepticon Capital." 

"And his old stomping ground." Beta added, "Makes sense-- he knows that city like the back of his hand." she whispered. 

Rung piped up, "You seem to know an awful lot about Shockwave, Beta." he tilted his head. 

Beta huffed, "I was a POW once upon a time, you learn a thing or too about the people torturing you for information." she stood up, "You guys got a planet map?" 

"Uh, yeah." Wheeljack nodded, "Over there," he pointed to a pile of . . . more stuff, "It should be over there. Just, like, dig around." 

"Why do you need the map, Beta?" Optimus asked. 

Beta walked over to the table and began rooting through the machine scraps, "So I can plan a route to Tarn, find that SpaceBridge, and use it to shunt us back to earth -- then put a bullet in Shockwave's face to finish off the day." She found the device, and walked off down one of the halls, the doors shutting behind her. 

The bots watched her go, Wheeljack piping up as he worked on Optimus' wounded leg, "Long day then for you, lady." 

Chapter Text

Third Person's P.O.V.: 

Optimus was relived to be fully mobile again on his injured leg. Wheeljack did excellent work. The tall mech thanked Wheeljack, before he moved over to the others, who were talking amongst themselves. Sunstreaker looked up, "Oh, hey. Feeling better?" 

Optimus nodded in the affirmative, "Yes. I am, thank you. How are you fairing, Sunstreaker? Being separated from your spark twin cannot be easy." 

Sunstreaker's optical ridges furrowed, "Hmm . . . definitely fatigued. Don't know if driving is a good idea -- burn too much energon too quickly. Honestly, Its a miracle I'm even functioning right now." 

Chromia spoke up, "Sunstreaker was just telling me about Ironhide." She said, a fond smile gracing her lips, "I'm . . . I am glad he is safe." 

"More than safe." Sunny quipped, "Pain in everyone's asses. Stupid British accent he's got . . ." he muttered into his cup of energon. 

Optimus turned his gaze to Chromia, and a rare smile tugged at his lip, "Ironhide will be overjoyed to see you."  

Chromia smiled to herself, looking down and fiddling with her digits. She bit her lower derma as she nodded appreciatively to Optimus. 

Wheeljack popped up from behind a pile of scrap parts, "Ohhh, someone's gushin' over big ol' Ironhide, huh? Huh?" 

Chromia shot the engineer a pointed glare, "I warned you if you brought that scrap up, I'd throw something at you. Don't tempt me." 

Wheeljack made a small 'eep' noise and quickly ducked behind his pile of junk to return to whatever task it was. Optimus let out a breathy chuckle, before he scanned the space, "Beta is still off on her own, I take it?" he asked, seeing the absence of the tall purple and white femme bot. 

Rung looked up, "I believe so. Quite the lone wolf I take it, hmm?" 

Optimus nods, "Beta-04 has demonstrated herself to be a capable warrior -- though I don't think she understands how much value she truly has outside her . . . capacity to do others harm." 

"Sounds Angsty." Chromia quipped. 

"Sounds . . .  self-destructive." Perceptor added, "Poor dear must've been put through Primus knows what." 

"She won't talk about it." Sunstreaker said, "Just clams up, gives you this look." 

The aforementioned femme was walking back to the main area when she paused, hearing her name being thrown around through the door. She stopped, lowering the device that held the map projection and listened intently. 

"Perhaps she does not feel like she is able to talk about it." Rung pipes up, his voice muffled behind the door, "Trauma is a very complicated thing, Sunstreaker." 

Beta tensed, tightening her grip on the map as she took a step away from the door. I feeling twisted in her gut -- a feeling of shame. They were right. Absolutely right, unfortunately. Beta wasn't unaware of her behavior, and once upon a time, she wouldn't have cared less of anyone's opinion. 

It was because she was becoming attached. Beta gave a tired sigh before she pressed a button and the automatic door opened, and she stepped into the space. The others all turned to her, and Optimus approached her, handing her a cube of energon. 

Beta looked down at the cube, then up at him, "What's this for?" 

"For you." Optimus said, "Chromia and the others have been able to salvage what little energon is left, and have it stockpiled. It will be good for you to refuel. For all of us." 

Beta tilted her head, "You should save it." she said, "Safe it for someone who needs it." she then set the map projector on one of the tables and turned it on. A holo projection of Cybertron appeared in the space. 

Optimus looks at the untouched energon, before setting it aside and approaching the map, "What is it you've discovered?" he asked. 

Beta reached up and pointed to a spot on the map, "We're here -- Western sector of Iacon, right? Getting to Tarn means getting to the southern hemisphere of the planet. Down here." she pointed to another hotspot on the map. 

"With you so far, Beta." Sunny quipped. 

Beta leaned against the desk, "You're remodeled escape pod worked, but I doubt it's got enough gas in it to carry all of us. Not unless you give it a serious overhaul." 

Wheeljack perked up, "I could probably cobble something together." he notes, "Percy, if you'd help?" 

"Of course." Perceptor nods. 

Beta nods, "But we got problems." She pressed a button on the map projector, and a red route appeared, "Most direct path to Tarn not only takes us through the wilds, it also takes us directly through Acropolex."  

Optimus made a face, "Those ruins have been untouched since the war began. . . Primus knows what lurks within those ancient walls." 

"There's ancient stories-- that whole city is a hot mess of bad juju." Chromia added. 

Beta nods, "Its either this, or we take the service tunnels and risk waking up the Insectacon hive, and . . . whatever else is down there." 

"Uh, question," Sunny lifted his hand, "What are we gonna do with him?" He pointed to Knockout, who was sitting in a corner, still handcuffed and pouting like a petulant child. 

Optimus hummed, "Knockout will come with us. Not even he deserves to be stranded alone on this world." 

"How kind of you." Knockout shot Optimus a withering glare, "I can help, you know! I am a scientist! If you'd release me!" 

Beta tilted her helm, "You? You're a scientist?"

"Scientist with style, thank you very much!" He pouted. 

Beta facepalmed hard. 

Optimus nodded, before turning, "Wheeljack, Perceptor, start reconfiguring the shuttle as soon as you are able." He paused, "If you do run into complications, enlist Knockout for assistance -- and if Knockout is uncooperative . . . well." He cast a glance to Beta. 

She let out a low snicker, "Ohhh, I like that sound of that." she slammed her fists together, "Hear that, KO? I get to thrash you around if you aren't helpful!" 

Knockout flipped the femme off. 

Both Wheeljack and Perceptor  nodded in the affirmative, as Optimus continued, "The rest of us with gather supplies for our journey. I suspect it will be a long one." 

Beta watched as the bots dispersed to pursue their own chores and tasks, Perceptor and Wheeljack dragging Knockout along just in case. It wasn't long before Beta became aware that she was alone in the space. She turned, staring at the map of Cybertron, flickering in the low light of Wheeljack's workshop. 

"We wish to see this one again." 

The femme flinched, the voice creeping up the back of her mind as she looked around the space, searching for the source of the voice, even though, deep down, she knew the voice could not possibly exist in this small space. She stared at the map again, the icon that marked Acropolex seemed to shine brighter than the others. Beta drummed her digits on the table, reaching up with her other hand and tapping the map icon, the map in turn zoomed in on just the city, and Beta tilted her head, as she moved the view of the map. 

"What is in Acropolex that's so important . . .?" she wondered to herself. 

She then heard a small plunk beside her, and she looked down, seeing the untouched energon from before being placed down beside her. She looked up, seeing Optimus giving her a kind stare, "I admire your plan, and cartography, Beta-04." 

The femme snorted, "I'm hardly a cartographer." She said as she turned off the map, "But thanks." 

Optimus pulled up a seat and sat down, "Please, refuel. You've nigh on sit down since we got here." He gestured to the energon. 

Beta took it, and retracted the bottom half of her mask, dark derma plates pursed as she tipped the container back and sipped the energon. It was bitter, it had grit to it. The filter job was terrible, and it was obviously low quality, but she didn't complain. Fuel was fuel. 

Optimus leaned on the workbench with one arm, "How are you fairing?" 

"I think you know the answer to that," Beta replies between sips. 

Optimus looked down at his servos, "At the SpaceBridge, you had the opportunity to flee. I ordered you to retreat, but you disobeyed." He lifted his gaze to her, "Why?" 

Beta paused, and lowered the container of energon, the bottom half of her mask snapping shut, "Does it matter?" her voice came in a low huff. 

"It does." Optimus said, before he sighed, running his servo over his helm, "From the moment I met you, the moment you came into our lives, you made it clear that being on a team is not something you desired." He leaned in more, "Yet time and time again, you risk life and limb for those around you. You saved my life when I was shot by that sniper -- at the expense of your own." 

"Optimus-" 

"You nearly broke your body saving Bumblebee." 

Her servo curled into a fist, "Optimus, please-" 

He leaned in more, "You try to convince us that you do not care, but you do. You care so deeply-" 

Beta's fist slammed into the table, making Optimus jump, "Stop it!" she suddenly barked, her tattoos flaring at the outburst, "Just stop it! Stop trying to fucking psychoanalyze me and make me into something I'm not!" 

Optimus' optics flickered over her form, searching her body language, "Beta, I am merely trying to-" 

"Stop trying then!" She stood up, nearly knocking the energon over, "I am not some hero! I am not good! So stop making me out to be one!" She took a step closer to him, "I can't be good. I can't be anything other than what they made me into!" 

He had brought her to this point before. A point where she was on the defensive -- her walls as high as they would go. Optimus would have backed off at this point in the past, but no. Not this time. 

He slowly stood up to meet her, "I don't believe this." He said calmly and evenly, "I believe there is a goodness in you, a goodness that is trying so hard to climb out of the abyss, but you will not let it for whatever reason." 

"Because I can't!" Her voice broke as she slammed her fist down into the table again, this time with more force.

"Why not, Beta-04?" Optimus pressed further, he was so close, "Why can't you let yourself embrace this goodness inside you?" 

"Because I don't fucking deserve it!" 

Optimus paused, his mouth pressing into a thin line as he stared at her. Heaving and shaking as she glared at him through her mask, the animosity billowing off her with such intensity. 

"I don't fucking deserve it!" She repeated, "There! You happy?! You cracked the fucking code, Prime! You figured me out, I'm a self-loathing amalgamation of pain, and suffering and violence and I don't deserve to be fucking happy!" She let out a shaky breath, "Because if I do, if I allow myself to be good, to get attached to good people, they die! And it's always my fucking fault!"  

Optimus' shoulders dropped, his optical ridges furrowing as her words rang out in the space, holding so much presence and weight. Beta took a shaky step back as she leaned on the table for support, her head dropping between her shoulders. He reached out for her, his spark compelling him to ground her with his presence. 

She swatted his hand away, "Don't you fucking touch me! How dare you make me feel this?! Now, of all times?" she pointed an accusing digit at him. 

"Your welfare matters to me." Optimus retorted evenly, "And I see you suffering in silence every day. I notice it, Beta-04. You are clearly tormented from within." 

"No shit!" Beta shouted back, "But so is everyone else! I'm not fucking special!" 

Optimus' mouth twisted, "Yes you are!" His voice raised, sounding like thunder. 

This gave Beta pause, her body straightened at his words. 

Optimus continued, "How do you not see it?" he asked, his voice lowering again, "How do you not see your worth the way we do? Your power, your ambition." He shrugged his shoulders helplessly, "Every individual has their worth. Every being in this universe who is willing to do good for goodness sake has their worth. And you," he gestured to her, his digits curling as she flinched away from him, "your acts contracdict what you say." 

He took a step closer, "You are tormented, Beta-04." He looked into her masked face, "But despite that . . . you still do good." 

Beta said nothing. She was ghostly quiet. Her spark was thundering in her audio receptors, her digits curling into shaking fists. She lifted her gaze and her voice rumbled forth, low and grating, 

"You're fuckin' right I'm tormented." she took a step closer, almost nose to nose with him, "But you don't get it. You don't get it, because you're so frustratingly optimistic. You don't look at your reflection and hate what stares back. When you look at yourself, you are not haunted by what you have turned into." she then brushed past him, slamming her shoulder into his with such force, Optimus stumbled, his lower back slamming into the workbench. 

Beta walked past him with slow, deliberate steps. The automatic door opening. She paused at the threshold, before looking over at him, 

"Don't try and save me, Optimus. You'll just wind up drowning beside me." 

Optimus watched her shape vanish into the darkness, before he slumped down in his seat, sitting alone in the suffocating silence. 

Chapter Text

Third Person's P.O.V.: 

Crosshairs knew his rifle like the back of his own servo. Every groove, facet and slope of metal was familiar to him. He wasn't the type of mech to give his gun a name, or anything like that. But this weapon, this long rifle, had been with him through thick and thin and he would be lying if he said he hadn't formed an emotional attachment to it. 

He sat in the main hangar, his rifle across his lap, running some gun oil along the length of the barrel, before rubbing it into the intricate workings of the firing mechanism. It was something he did when he was anxious, giving him something to do when there was nothing else to occupy his mind. His rifle shone in the afternoon light, a side effect of being obsessively cleaned and worked over since the SpaceBridge explosion a week ago. 

The losses were all still so fresh. Everyone was coping in their own way -- or trying to. 

Crosshairs almost wished there was more Decepticon activity, just to busy his mind. Give him something to take his anger out on. 

But instead, his gun was on the receiving end of it -- getting oh so, ruthlessly cleaned multiple times a day. The sniper was just closing the lid on his gun oil when the door to the hangar opened, and Jazz walked through, Ironhide right on his heels. 

He perked up, "Hey." He greeted. 

Jazz looked over, "Hey -- patrol go ok with Prowl?" he asked. 

Crosshairs nodded, "Not a sign of cons anywhere -- all the usual energon hotspots are empty. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing." he said. 

Jazz hummed, "I dunno either." He placed his servos on his hips, shaking his head, "I mean, now that Megatron's got Shockwave, it could lead to a whole other host of problems." 

Crosshairs was about to respond, when Ratchet spoke up, "Jazz, Ironhide, Crosshairs, get over here!" 

The trio exchanged worried looks before crossing the hangar to Ratchet, who was typing away at the monitors. 

Jazz looked up, seeing an energy ping appear on the screen, "Ohhh, don't tell me-- Cons?" 

Ratchet looked up, "It would appear so --way out in the desert in the Middle East." he said, "Along with another energy signature I do not recognize." 

"Is it Cybertronian?" Ironhide asked. 

"Yes." He nods, "But it's not Decepticon, or Autobot." 

Jazz sighed, "It was bound to happen sooner or later--" he turned, "Sound the alarm, doc. The con's ain't gonna wait for us to mourn our dead. We still got a job to do." 

~~~~~~~~~~

The night sky was reprieve from the brutal desert heat. If anything, it was a bit chilly -- the winds kicked up the desert sands, pelting the Autobot's armor plating like a million tiny pieces of debris. It was eerily quiet, as Jazz scanned the seemingly endless sand dunes. He then pulled up a device from his subspace, showing a map of the surrounding area, with a red dot not too far ahead, beyond a wall of sand dunes. 

Prowl peered over Jazz's shoulder, "It is definitely not an energon reading. Or an Autobot Beacon." 

"Or a 'Con one." Jazz chirps, "But it's . . . somethin'." 

Ironhide powered up his mounted canons, "Let's be aware, ok? This is Shockwave we're dealing with. I'd call him even more dangerous than Megatron." 

Crosshairs looked down the scope of his rifle, "Megatron is a feckin' arsehole, but he ain't no goon. Shockwave, though . . ." he shuddered, "The stuff he's done . . ." 

Jazz turned to the others, "Lets keep moving, people." he said as he began to tread through the shifting sands. 

The team was quiet -- there was a somberness about everyone. Their first mission without Optimus. It didn't feel the same. It didn't feel right. Jazz knew the others missed Optimus, and deep down, they probably questioned his ability to lead. He didn't blame them. How could he hope to compare to someone so great? Someone seemingly so flawless and strong? 

Jazz sighed as he made his way down the steep sand dunes, his pedes sinking into the cool sand as he walked. He could not help but remember fondly his first mission with Beta. It was also in the desert. 

'If I get sand in my joints and they freeze up, there will be murder."

He scoffed to himself with an amused smile, thinking of the purple and white femme bot. She had seen more of earth than he ever had -- she knew the domestic customs of the planet, seen its history. 

He wanted to talk to her about it. Hear about what she had seen -- all the weird and quirky things humans do. He wanted to hear all the stories from her. 

And now, he'd probably never get that chance. 

The team soon came to a crest of a sand dune and Jazz held up his servo, a command for everyone to stop. He then got low, and began army crawling up the rise, just enough for his head to peak over it. The others following his lead. 

What Jazz saw made his spark drop into his tanks. 

The valley below was interrupted with jutting rocks. Spires of hardened earth sticking out of the sand. Vehicons were drilling into the rock, dozens of them. Standing at the center of the operation was Breakdown, Starscream and . . . 

"Shockwave." Jazz whispered. 

Shockwave looked like a demon, his one optic flickering about as he observed the mining operation about him. 

Prowl hunkered down beside Jazz, "What are they mining for?" 

Bee let out a soft trill, "It's not energon, is it?" 

"No." Jazz answered, "No, Ratchet would've picked up a signal if they unearthed any." He then looked to Crosshairs, "Cross, could you?" he gestured to his rifle. 

Crosshairs hummed the affirmative, setting up his rifle and peering through the scope, adjusting it to zoom in and focus the vision. He moved from Vehicon to Vehicon, observing their movements until he zoned in on one who seemed to have discovered something. The Vehicon then pulled out . . .

"It's a skull." Crosshairs said, "Its a feckin' skull." 

"What?" Sideswipe pushed Crosshairs aside, "Lemme see-" 

"Ey-" Crosshairs swatted at the red twin, "No touchy." he hugged his rifle to his person. 

Jazz rolled his optics, before he turned back to the scene before him, able to make out the shape of the skull in the low light. 

The Vehicon brought it over to Shockwave and handed it to him. He took it, and held it up to the moonlight to inspect it, "Yes." his voice carried over the whistling desert wind, "This is an ideal subject." 

"Subject? Subject for what?" Sideswipe looked to Jazz, "Jazz, what do we do?" 

Jazz chewed his bottom derma, "We gotta get that skull." he said, "If it's important to Shockwave, then it can't be good." 

He turned to the others, "Alrighty, Crosshairs, post up here and pick 'em off." 

Crosshairs nodded, "You got it." he said. 

"The rest of us, split up, divide and conquer," Jazz continued, "Except for you, Sides." 

Sideswipe looked confused, "What? Why?" 

"Your stamina is whack without your spark twin." Jazz said, "You stay here, cover Crosshairs' position, ok?" 

Sideswipe looked like he was about to object, but nodded solemnly. Jazz then popped up into a crouch, "Use the rocks as cover, pick off the cons one by one -- isolate Shockwave." He looked to each of them in turn, "And no hero business. We already lost three -- I got no business burying anyone else, ok?" 

All of them collectively nodded, gazing at Jazz. 

Jazz lifted his servo, and it transformed into a blaster, "Then let's do this -- for Optimus, Sunny . . ." he gave a pause, "Let's do it for Beta." 

Jazz turned and hunkered low, "Cross -- hit it." 

Crosshairs shouldered his rifle, and took aim. He centered his scope right on Shockwave, center mass. He took a deep breath in, "This one's for you, Luv." He then closed his digit around the trigger. The shot rang out like a crack of thunder, and Shockwave reeled back as the bullet pierced his metal hide. 

He stumbled back, gripping his chest -- it was not fatal. He was too heavily armored. But, that one shot meant everything in that moment. 

"Move!" Jazz jumped over the crest of the dune and tore down the slope. 

Crosshairs fired another shot, but Shockwave was too quick, blocking it with his canon arm, "Autobots," the one-eyed con thundered, "Starscream, see to it they are dealt with." 

Starscream glared, "I do not take orders from you!" He hissed. 

Shockwave, still shielding himself with his canon arm, turned and backhanded Starscream across the face -- still clutching the odd skull -- "Your argument is illogical, Starscream!" he boomed, "Subdue the Autobots, or I will tell Megatron of your idiocy!" 

Starscream clutched his face, a small trickle of energon sliding from the corner of his mouth, "So be it." he hissed, then turned, charging forward before transforming and taking flight. 

Jazz and the others were working their way through the Cons, taking them down with practiced ease. Jazz shot a Vehicon through the helm, before ducking behind cover, looking up, catching a glimpse of Starscream taking flight, "Shit-!" He winced as a splatter of blaster fire pelted the rock that was his cover. 

He looked around, searching the battlefield, before he caught a glimpse of Prowl, who was in the middle of a slugging match with another Vheicon, "Prowlers!" He shouted. 

"I'm a little busy, Jazz!" The police bot retorted, as he socked the Vehicon in the face. 

Jazz poked out of cover, shot up another Vehicon, before ducking back down, "Prowl, Starscream's airborne! You gotta keep him off Crosshairs!" 

Prowl looked up, before he yelped as the Vehicon tackled him into the sand. Jazz's spark seized, "Prowl!" he took aim with his blaster, and fired. 

The Vehicon slumped dead over Prowl, and Prowl was quick to kick it off, before he postured up, and searched the night sky, "I'm on it!" he barked, before he vanished into the fray. 

Jazz refocused his attention to the battle, hearing Ironside's thunderous battlecry as he charged Shockwave, guns blazing. Each shot of his mounted arm canons seemed to rattle the sky. Shockwave stumbled back, barely dodging the volley. Jazz darted out, quick as can be, and charged forward, each stride kicking up a swath of sand as he ran to Shockwave. 

Meanwhile, up on the dune, Crosshairs was picking away Vehicons one by one. Contrary to his Casanova style, to his jeering demeanor, Crosshairs was a cold killer. His expression was stone as he pulled the trigger -- not even flinching at the recoil of his rifle. 

Sideswipe crouched beside him, watching the battle unfold, before he looked up, hearing a jet engine approach, "We got Starscream, incoming." 

Crosshairs gave a curt grunt, "Keep him off me' arse, kid." He shifted his aim and fired another shot, blowing a Vehicon's head clean off, saving Bumblebee. 

Both of Sideswipe's servos transformed into blasters and he opened fire in a wide spray, creating a wall of blaster fire to keep Starscream at bay, and it worked. Starscream banked off with an annoyed growl. Sideswipe's arms then fell to his sides as his vision swam, fatigue hit him like a truck. 

Crosshairs glanced up from the sight of his rifle, "Sides? Oy!" He kicked him with his leg, "Sideswipe!" 

Sideswipe shook his helm, "I-I'm good! Just . . . my spark - It . . ." he winced, feeling pain radiate through his chest, "Not having Sunny here it . . . it hurts." 

"Shit-" Crosshairs looked up, seeing Starscream bank back around for another pass. The sniper popped up onto his knees and lifted his rifle, firing off a clean shot that clipped the seeker in the wing, sending him veering off. While Starscream was so low, Prowl took his opportunity and jumped up, tackling the jet out of the sky and the pair crashed into a sand dune in a massive cloud of dust.

Crosshairs waited just enough to see Prowl get up again before he turned and grabbed Sideswipe by the arm, shaking him, "Hey, hey eyes on me!" 

Sideswipe looked up, his wide, young optics unfocused, "Crosshairs -- I need my brother." 

Crosshairs looked him over, feeling a pang of empathy, "I know, laddie." he gently held his arm, "But you gotta stick to it. For yer brother, ok?"

Sideswipe nodded, albiet solemnly, "Yeah . . . yeah."

Back down in the slope, Ironhide reeled back as Shockwave swatted him with his canon arm, "Your interference is most illogical!" he boomed. 

Ironhide's one optic flashed, "Illogical' this, Shockwave!" He reeled his hand back and punched him hard. 

Shockwave stumbled back, and postured up, his one optic recalibrating, "Breakdown, engage!" He commanded. 

Breakdown, who was keeping Jazz and Bumblebee occupied, grins, "With pleasure!" He swatted the two smaller mechs aside before charging Ironhide head on. The two heavy-set mechs clashed, and Breakdown slammed his helm into Ironhide's, making him yell. 

"You killed my Knockout!" He thundered, "I'm gonna make you pay!" His servo transformed into a hammer and he swung at Ironhide hard. 

Ironhide dodged, and kicked him in the chest, "That death isn't on us, Breakdown!" 

Jazz managed to posture up, his head spinning, his optics recalibrated behind his visor, and he caught the image of Shockwave turning away from the fight. 

"Soundwave, I require a GroundBridge." He spoke. 

"Oh no you don't -!" Jazz postured up and sprinted toward Shockwave as a GroundBridge Portal opened. The smaller mech took a few bounding steps before he jumped forward and grabbed the Skull in both his servos. It was the skull of a beast, horned in nature. He held onto it and pulled with all his might. 

Shockwave turned, his optic gazing down at the mech, "You're interference is most illogical." He rumbled. 

Jazz wasn't able to stop the wrecking-ball like blow that was Shockwave slamming the muzzle of his canon arm into his face. It laid Jazz out flat on his back, and cracked his visor. The SIC stared up at the field of stars as he heard Shockwave give the order for retreat. He looked over, seeing Bumblebee and Prowl -- who was covered head to toe in sand -- come into his vision. 

"Jazz? Are you ok?"  Bee asked. 

Jazz slowly sat up, his helm spinning as he lifted his servo, and uncurled his digits, revealing a piece of broken horn from the skull, " . . . Y-yeah. I'm good." He mumbled. 

The others gathered around their commander, peering at the curved horn beneath a blanket of stars in a moonless, desert sky. 

Chapter Text

Beta-04's P.O.V:

The idle chatter was seemingly deafening as we prepared for our departure. Honestly, I wasn't paying attention to any of it -- though I probably should have. I was too busy being angry. I hadn't felt this type of anger in a long, long time. The anger was just sitting in me, like a hot, festering ball of . . . something. How dare he? How dare Optimus bring all this shit up? It wasn't his place!

I played all my cards, I got angry, and defensive. And he still kept pushing. Why? What was he gonna get out of it? Seeing me become pathetic and self-loathing? I'm always pathetic and self-loathing. 

I sighed, clinching by servos behind my helm and messaging my neck cables, closing my optics tightly. I didn't like this. I didn't like that Optimus thought it was ok to barge in like that. Why? Because he cared? Bullshit. He sees a charity case -- like everyone else. 

A deep, shuddering sigh left my form as my hands dropped to my sides, swinging like pendulums. 

"Uh, pardon me." 

I perked up, looking over my shoulder and seeing none other than Rung peering up at me through his glasses. Great. The Shrink. I thought misrably. 

"Can I help you?" I didn't bother to mask the tiredness in my voice -- maybe Rung would take it as his cue to, respectfully, fuck off. 

Rung took a step forward, "I just thought, since we would be traveling together, we could get to know each other." He offered, "I will be quite honest, I have not seen a femme quite like you before." 

He wants to be buddies? Ugh, Primus, strike me down now and I'd die happy, I turned to face him, looking over the much smaller mech, "You thought wrong." I said coldly, "Not really in the mood to make new friends. Just wanna get back to Earth, and do my fraggin' job." 

"Your job?" Rung echoed, "Do you have some profession?" 

"Yeah. Killing Decepticons." The words dripped from my lips, like venom, "Killing them, brutally, painfully -- making them suffer for what they have done." 

Rung's eyes widened behind his goggles as I postured up, purposefully showing off my height to him, "Now . . . if you'll excuse me." I stepped past the smaller mech and made my way to the outdoor area of Wheeljack's garage. There, both Perceptor and Wheeljack -- and Knockout -- were shoulders deep in the bowels of the escape pod. 

Perceptor looked up, "Oh! Beta-04!" He sat upright, sliding out from beneath the hull of the ship. 

"How's the ship coming?" I asked, scanning over the patchwork hull. 

"It's coming." Wheeljack's voice griped from under the hood, near the engine, "You can't rush genius." 

"We need a timeframe." I said firmly. 

Wheeljack pulled his helm free, the lights on the side of his helm flashing in the low light of Cybertron, "We're working on it." He said, "Probably another hour or so." 

I did my best to subdue a snarl of frustration as I put my hands on my hips, "Damn . . ." I turned and walked back into the garage. 

As I passed through the threshold, I heard approaching footfalls from an opposing hallway. I knew it was Optimus. I turned, and beheld the Prime as he stood merely a few feet away from me. All that rage festering inside me condensed and directed itself at Optimus. I postured, my servos curling into shaking fists. 

"Beta." Optimus spoke. 

Oh, my name sounded so tender on his tongue. His deep baritone caressed my name, and stared at me with those big, innocent optics. So full of sadness and compassion. 

"I'm not talking to you." My voice was utterly trembling. 

Optimus' brows rose, before he looked down. He looked like a kicked puppy, his mouth twisting into an expression I could not pinpoint. Why? Why did he have to look like that? So fucking earnest and kind?!

I looked down at my pedes. I screwed my optics shut, unable to look at Optimus' expression. I felt my servos tremble. I grit my teeth, "I-I can't do this-" I turned away and stormed off. 

I could've sworn I heard Optimus whisper my name as I stormed down the hall, and slipped into an empty room. I closed the door behind me, and pressed my back to it. The cool metal of the door was striking against the heat of my armor plating. I felt my spark hammer in my chest. I reached up and pressed my servo to my chest in a futile effort to calm it down. I let out a shaky gasp, feeling my knees go weak. I slid to the floor, still gasping and panting. 

The voices began to creep up, memories starting to filter to the front of my CPU. Screaming, and tearing. Ripping. Beating. 

I screwed my eyes shut, "No, no, no shut up-" I began to hyperventilate. 

The world began to become distorted, like I was sinking in an icy ocean. I grabbed my helm, pulling my knees to my chest as I rocked back and forth. I was alone in the dark, horribly alone, and in pain. My spark was hammering in my chest, so hard and so fast I felt like it was going to burst from my body. 

"Please-" My voice was barely a whisper -- pathetic and small, "Stop it. . ." 

I could feel his icy digits prying into my CPU, digits raking across my pain center, alighting my body in fiery agony. 

I was so utterly alone in my pain.

Third Person's P.O.V:

Optimus, against his better judgement, had approached the door that Beta had vanished into. His steps were quiet as he approached the dark, automatic door. He lifted his servo to gently knock, but gave pause, as he heard muffled noises coming from within. 

Alarm bells began to go off in Optimus' mind -- was Beta hurt? Was she having some form of a medical emergency? Optimus reached down to the keypad to open the door when realization dawned on him as Beta-04 let out another sound. 

It was a sob. 

A small, pitiful sob, followed by her voice -- cracked and broken, "I'm so alone . . ." her voice was so muffled and faint, Optimus could barely hear it through the door. 

Optimus' spark throbbed with empathy as he listened to Beta fall apart. Optimus' servo, which was hovering in the form of a fist mid-knock, uncurled and pressed flat to the door. Slowly, the mighty Prime knelt down, so he could hear her cries more clearly. He leaned in, letting his helm press to the cool metal of the door. His spark was utterly throbbing, hearing her sob and beg for something to stop. 

Optimus sighed deeply, as he adjusted his position and sat with his back pressed to the door, tipping his helm up to the ceiling. 

"You are not alone." Optimus rumbled, his voice so low and deep that it vibrated through the floor, "You are not alone. I'm here. I'm here." 

Optimus then closed his optics, breathing deeply, "I'm here, Beta-04. I'm here." His voice was so soft. 

Suddenly, a meek voice came from the door, 

". . . Thank you." 

Chapter Text

Beta-04's P.O.V.:

The ominous creaks and groans of the augmented escape shuttle permeated the uncomfortable silence. If the space wasn't cramped before, it sure as hell was now. Adding Wheeljack, and Rung to the mix made the close quarters even closer. Furthermore, there were important items -- like medical equipment-- Wheeljack had insisted on bringing along.

So not only was personal space non-existent, we had stuff piled on top of us.

I hate it here. 

I had made the active choice to sit as far away from Optimus as I could. 

I know, I know, how childish can I be?

I was currently smushed up against the corner closest to the exit hatch with Wheeljack pressed into my side and Knockout sitting at my feet -- his hands bound again, much to his dismay.  Crammed up in the front cockpit were Chromia and Perceptor, while Rung was stuffed in the back with us. Optimus was one adjustment away from having to sit with his knees pulled up to his chest. His back was hunched, and his arms were tucked across his abdomen. I at least had a bare wall I could lean against. Idly, I watched the landscape glide buy out of the window across the way. 

Occasionally, the augmented engines would putter and stall, giving the entire group a momentary pause -- but just before the panic would set in, the engines would fire back on and the ship would continue on its way. Honestly, it was a miracle this thing was flying to begin with. The escape pod was built to carry maybe 3 or 4 bots -- and certainly not bots my size, or Optimus's. 

After the ship gave another stall, Knockout finally spoke, "This is by far the worst situation I have ever been in!" He exclaimed, "You could at least uncuff me! I helped you augment the ship!" 

My eyes flickered down to him from behind my mask, "We could always kill you. Would that be a better option?" 

Sunstreaker shot me a look, "Beta!" 

"What? It's an option." I shrugged, "It'll free up space -- and I need it. I got long legs." 

Knockout gave me a look, "I . . . I can't tell if you're being serious." 

"Neither can I, Con." I replied, "So how 'bout you just count your lucky stars I'm not in a killing mood today and shut the fuck up?" 

Knockout went silent, opting to just stare at the floor. I crossed my arms over my chest plate and huffed, staring out the window. I could feel Sunstreaker's eyes on me. I did my best to just ignore them when Sunstreaker finally spoke up, 

"What is with you?" he huffed. 

"Thats a loaded question." I bit back. 

Sunstreaker scoffed, "Oh you know exactly what I'm talking about. You're being more edge-lordy than normal." 

I gave a surprised sound, "Edgelord? Where'd you pick that up?" 

Sunstreaker huffed, "Look, we all get it. We need to get back to Earth. And we're working on it, but you breathing own our necks and being a pain in the aft isn't helping anybody!" 

Sunny was right -- He was. And the rational part of me wanted to take a deep vent and agree with him. 

But fuck being rational, right? 

I snarled and rubbed the back of my neck, "You don't get to talk, Sunny. You have no fraggin' idea how bad it is that Shockwave is on earth and the others are left alone to deal with that monster!" 

"Oh, and you do?!" Sunstreaker barked back. 

"G-guys-" Wheeljack held up his servos. 

"Yeah. I fucking do. So why don't you just butt out and stop staring fucking daggers at me?! I'm doing my best!" I snapped back.

Sunstreaker's mouth twisted into a frustrated snarl, "Well, clearly, your best isn't good enough, is it?!" 

"Sunstreaker!" Optimus suddenly barked. 

I paused, and blinked behind my mask. It stung. The words stung. 

Instantly, I could picture Prowl, looking at me with the same distain and annoyance, his voice echoing in the back of my mind, 

"What is wrong with you?" 

"What is wrong with you?" 

"Your best isn't good enough!" 

You're not enough. You're broken. You're not good enough. You're broken. 

I stared at my legs, and worked my servos, wringing them as I took a shaky breath in, feeling my CPU start to pull me under. Words of self loathing clouded my thoughts. 

"Beta?" Sunstreaker's voice permeated the silence, "What? That got to you?" 

"Shut up." I said sharply. 

Sunstreaker huffed, "Make me." 

I bristled, "Sunny, I am warning you." 

"And I don't care, CyberNinja." He huffed, "You're gonna tell me why Shockwave being on earth is such a tough spot for you! I'm sick of tip-toeing around your emotional issues!" 

"Sunny, shut the fuck up!" I shouted. 

"Both of you, enough!" Optimus barked. 

"Again, make me!" Sunstreaker stood up, "Talk, Femme! What the hell is wrong with you?!" 

"You wanna know?!" I was going blind with rage, "You wanna know what's fucking wrong with me?!" 

Sunstreaker made a sarcastic gesture, "Why else would I be screaming at you?" 

" Shockwave broke me!" 

Sunstreaker froze, his expression turning into one of confusion. 

"Shockwave destroyed me!" I repeated, "He ripped me apart and slapped me back together, over, and over again! He's a ghoul! A monster! Who takes sadistic joy in making a bot pass out from pain!" I was shaking with rage, "You ever have your own brain module removed?! No?! Then SHUT UP!" 

Even Knockout was staring at me. I was breathing hard, staring right at Sunstreaker, "I am the way that I am because Shockwave taught me what true suffering is. He broke me down to my most basic parts and made me feel like I was nothing." I seethed, the words dripping from my lips, "So, yeah. Maybe I'm not good enough. Maybe Prowl was right -- there is something wrong with me. But whatever, right? My tone became biting, and sarcastic, "I'm just the fucking workhorse. I kill things, that's all that matters in the end, doesn't it? My ability to kill cons." 

I slumped back in my seat, shaking in anger, seeing Sunstreaker's shocked expression, "So . . . you happy now? You got your answer." I crossed my arms over my chest and stared out the window. 

" . . . Whoa." Wheeljack mumbled. 

Sunstreaker swallowed, "Beta-" 

"Sunstreaker, you shut the hell up, before I make you." I snarled. 

Sunny went quiet and stared at his lap. 

I pulled in on myself, staring out the small window, thanking Primus that my mask was intact, it was able to conceal the tears that were carving chasms in my cheek plates. 

Chapter Text

Third Person's P.O.V.:

Jazz stood anxiously near Ratchet's work station, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, staring at Ratchet's back as he leaned over the piece of the skull they had brought back. 

"You uh . . . figure anything out, Doc?" Jazz asked, idly fiddling with his digits. 

"Not since the last time you asked me, which was two minutes ago." Ratchet bit back over his shoulder. 

"Sorry." Jazz looked down, his hands resting at his sides. 

Ratchet heaved a tired sigh as he turned his gaze back to the work beneath him, digits working dexterously, slowly maneuvering the piece of fossil with a pair of forceps. Usually this kind of work was second nature to Ratchet. But he was distracted. Off his game.  

Who could blame him? He had lost his oldest friend. Eons of friendship, forged through times good and bad. He had been thinking a lot about how Optimus. More specifically the Optimus  he had met once upon a time. Ratchet was merely a medical intern at the time, and Optimus wasn't even Optimus. He was a bright-eyed Orion Pax, a data clerk who'd look at the world with such wonder and appreciation. 

Their meeting was rather comical. With Ratchet having his nose buried in a data pad, researching something important -- he'd have to assume, he long-since forgotten the topic -- when he was unceremoniously bumped into. It was Orion, now kneeling down and gathering the mass of data pads and data scrolls that had scattered along the sidewalk. 

Ratchet smiled warmly at the memory, stopping his task. Orion was so awkward back then -- stuttering and mumbling. Incredibly humble -- even self-conscious. Little did Ratchet know, that interaction, one of pure chance, would ignite a friendship that would last millions of years. 

Ratchet forced himself out of his trance and turned his weathered optics back to his task, reaching over on his worktable to grab a scanner. Still holding the piece of fossil with the forceps, he scanned the item, and watched as the device processed the information. 

What will we do without you, Optimus? Ratchet thought to himself as he braced against his work table. He felt as if a piece of himself had perished when the SpaceBridge exploded. Worst of all, there was no time to mourn, no time to cry. 

Beep-beep!

The scanner flashed in his servo, drawing his optics to the screen. The information that bore into his optics shook him to his very spark. 

"This cannot be-!" he gaped. 

"Ratchet?" 

The medic turned, seeing Jazz there, the others also beginning to congregate around him after hearing his exclamation. Jazz tilted his helm, "Doc? Everything good?" he prompted. 

"No, Jazz." The old medic responded, "Everything is most certainly not good." he held up the piece of the skull, "I scanned this skull, and based on just looking at it, I can tell it is fossilized." 

"Duh." Sideswipe griped, "We can all tell it's old as scrap." 

Ratchet went to shoot the red lambo a harsh look, but stopped himself, remembering Sideswipe's weakened state with the absence of his spark twin. The medic continued, "I was able to isolate the DNA from the specimen, and according to my scanner, it is not DNA. It's CNA, which means --" 

"It's cybertronian." Prowl gaped. 

"Eh?!" Crosshairs pushed past an indignant Ironhide as he stepped forward, "The fuck ya mean it's cybertronian?!" 

Ratchet held up the scanner, "It is CNA, Crosshairs. Science doesn't lie." he said, "Furthermore . . . I recognized the sequence pattern." 

"Doc . . ." Jazz took a step forward, "What was that skull that Shockwave dug up?" 

Ratchet felt his spark sink into his abdomen as he spoke, the words cementing the harshness of their new reality, 

"Its the ancient remains of a Predacon." 

Chapter Text

Third Person's P.O.V.:

It had been a good there hours and Beta hadn't uttered a single word since that outburst. She just sat in looming silence, her masked face staring out the window. The sullenness permeated from her, and when the others tried to strike up friendly conversation, she didn't even respond. Didn't even acknowledge them. Even Optimus spoke up, asking her if she was alright, but Beta-04 didn't respond. Didn't look at him, she just stared out at the landscape that moved by. 

Chromia, who was in the cockpit with Perceptor, glanced at the scientist, "Looks like things are coming to a boiling point back there." 

"To her credit, Sunstreaker did keep egging her on." He replied as he adjusted the controls, "We are fortunate she didn't restrained herself and didn't come to blows." 

Chromia huffed as she slumped in her seat, crossing her arms over her chest plate, ". . . Do you think what she said is true? She  . . . she endured that?" 

Perceptor stopped his task and turned his helm fully to Chromia, "In my experience, you do not divulge that type of information unless it is truthful." 

Chromia opened her mouth to respond when the ship gave a shudder and a groan, as the engines stalled out. Perceptor gave an exasperated sigh as he pressed a few buttons, the usual formula that would restart the engines and sputters back to life.  But the engines remained quiet, and the ship began to tip downward to the surface of Cybertron. 

"Scrap!" Perceptor cursed as he gripped the controls. 

"Perceptor, what is happening?" Optimus boomed. 

Perceptor pulled on the joystick, forcing the ship out of the nose dive it was about to head into, "The engines have cut out!" He shouted. 

Beta was rigid as she braced herself in the seat, the entire hull of the transport began to shudder as it rapidly descended downwards, "Piece of junk-!" The femme cursed. 

Wheeljack scrambled into the cockpit and took one look at the controls, "Looks like we hit some kinda  . . . energy field-whoa!" The ship jostled, knocking the mechanic over, "It cut power to the engines!" 

Beta looked up, "What? Like an EMP field?" she called. 

"S-Sorta-- but that's not really possible!" Wheeljack yelped, pulling himself back to the controls to look at the flashing lights, "I-its coming from the planets surface, according to the scanners-- coming from--"

"Acropolex!" Beta's voice thundered over the creaking hull, "We're coming up on Acropolex, that has to be the--WHOA!" The ship lurched again, knocking Beta off balance and slamming into the floor of the ship with a yelp. 

Perceptor tried to hold onto the joystick, to maintain some form of control over the ship, but his digits slipped and he fell back out of his spot. Chromia lunged forward, grabbing the joystick and pulling on it hard, "Better hang on, guys! We're going down!" 

Beta tensed at Chromia's words, the ship rattling further as she heard pieces of the hull peel away from the air pressure outside. Knockout as curled up in the corner, his optics blown wide with fear as he looked around wildly. Beta turned her gaze to Sunstreaker, who was currently holding onto Wheeljack as the pair struggled to find footing for themselves in the trembling interior of the ship. Beta tried to get herself upright, but the ship lurched and she was tossed across the floor like a piece of discarded laundry. 

Optimus turned to her, "Beta --" he moved shakily, reaching out for her, his servo brushing against her arm in an attempt to grab her. 

The ship lurched again and Beta managed to get on her hands and knees, "The hell is happening out there?!" She called to Chromia. 

Chromia looked over, "We're going down! Brace for impact, people!" She yelled. 

Beta turned her masked face to Optimus, and began to hunker down, bracing her body as she felt the ship rattle as the hull was pushed to its absolute limit. Beta screwed her optics shut and buried her helm between her shoulders in a desperate attempt to shield herself from the incoming impact. 

Suddenly, amongst the chaos, and -- well, Knockout shrieking -- Beta felt something snake around her form. It took her a moment to realize what it was, and when she did she almost lost it. 

Optimus. 

Optimus wrapped his powerful arms around her and curled his body over hers, caging her with his own form. Beta felt his arm cinch around her body and his helm bury against her back. He was shielding her. He was fucking shielding her with his own body. 

Everyone within the pod was thrown like rag dolls when it hit ground. The god-awful sound of metal screeching against metal as the ship carved a wound into the surface of the planet. When it all finally went still again, the occupants began to pull themselves upright. Wheeljack was helping Rung and Sunstreaker, the yellow lambo taking the worst of it as he also had used himself as a living shield for Rung. 

"Thank you, Sunstreaker-" Rung groans as he managed to sit up. 

"Don't mention it. Ow." Sunny slowly sat up, rubbing his lower back, "Ohhh, my body will never forgive me for this abuse-" 

Chromia's voice came from the cockpit, "Sound off! Who's dead and who's still kickin'?" 

A collective groan from Knockout, Wheeljack, Rung and Sunstreaker was heard in response. Perceptor managed to pry himself from the mangled seating of the cock pit, "Optimus, are you still functional?" He called. 

"Indeed." Optimus' voice responded, "As is Beta." 

Beta lay on her side, staring up at Optimus, who was still over her. His face was inches from hers, and Beta-04 was painfully aware of how close their bodies were. 

" . . . You didn't have to do that." she said, as Optimus got off her, wincing in pain. 

"Yes I did." Optimus replied as he stood up. 

Beta slowly sat up, but paused as she felt a familiar burning pain blossom in her leg. No, no no- not now. She thought desperately as she absentmindedly rubbed the joint, trying to play it off as soreness from the crash. The impact from the crash, and all that jostling must've sparked something -- set something off because pain was starting to form in her legs and arms and across her lower back. 

And she didn't have a pain regulator -- she gave the last one to Optimus. 

Beta took a deep breath, steeling herself against the pain as she stood up, and made her way out of the ship with the others. Wheeljack was quick to trot around to the engines and began taking stock of the damage, and while he did that, Beta walked a ways off from the group, taking in their surroundings. 

Acropolex rose up above them not even a mile away. Even around the crash site of the augmented shuttle, Beta could see the ancient remnants of structures. Echoes of lives that once lived in this city. The pain was increasing by the second, and it took all Beta had to keep it together and focus on the task at hand. 

We wish to see this one again. Within Acropolex. 

There it was again. That urge -- that voice that wasn't her own echoing in her CPU. Commanding her to follow it. 

Beta was drawn out of her stupor as she heard Optimus, "Damage assessment, Wheeljack?" he asked. 

"You want the good news or the bad news?" The engineer piped up, the lights blinking on his head. 

"Good news, please." Sunny quipped. 

"The ship didn't explode on impact." Wheeljack said. 

Beta scoffed, "Thats the good news? What's the bad news?" 

Wheeljack took a step back and kicked the hull of the ship with his pede, and as he did, one of the engine thrusters fell off and rolled away from the main hull, "Ship's scrapped. We gotta hoof it from here." 

Beta felt dread coil in her gestation tank as she shifted anxiously. Transforming into her alt mode was hard enough as it is -- but with this . . . pain crisis she was in, she was legitimately worried her body would just crumble. 

"What caused the ship to crash, anyway?" Rung asked as he adjusted his glasses over his optics, while dusting off his orange plating. 

"I'm still not sure." Wheeljack said, "It was an energy field of some kind -- it totally cut power to the engines." 

Beta turned her gaze to the ruins that rose up to greet them, "Must be the city." she said, "Old man used to tell me stories -- the location of Acropolex was not just a random spot on a map." 

"What do you mean?" Optimus took a step closer to her.

Beta messaged her elbow as it flared in pain, "I don't know how real or factual this is but . . . Old Man said this was where bots would go to go immersent. Supposedly, the city has service tunnels that get closest to the core of the planet. Easier to go immersent that way." 

"Immersent?" Wheeljack quoted, "Bots still did that?" 

" . . .Uh, what is going Immersent?" Chromia asked, as she adjusted Knockout's handcuffs, much to the Decepticon Scientists protests. 

"Old practice." Beta's voice cut sharp in the quiet air, "Most CyberNinja Houses practiced it right up until Cybertron went dark. Basically -- you give yourself back to Cybertron. Let your CPU become one with the core of the planet, allow the cyber metal to absorb your chassis. A way of giving back to our creator -- or some mumbo-jumbo spiritual crap like that." 

"Whoa." Chromia glanced at the tall femme, "And Acropolex was the city to do that?" 

Beta shrugged, "Suppose." 

"We cannot remain out in the open." Optimus said, "As Wheeljack stated before, we will continue our journey on foot." He turned his optics heavenward, "Let us go into the ruins and find a place to make camp for the night." 

Beta let all the others pass her, clocking the glare Sunstreaker gave her, before she brought up the rear, unable to shake the growing pain in her body, or the voice in her head, begging to see her again. 

Chapter Text

Beta-04's P.O.V.: 

For all the legends revolving around Acropolex, I was bracing myself to get an even worse vibe than Kaon. But, as I passed through the shadows of ancient structures, hollow places where only the ghosts remained, I didn't get anything negative at all. No impending sense of  doom or panic. 

It was more a sense of melancholy. Like, the city itself accepted the fact that it was in ruins, with little chance to regain the former glory it once had. Most of the structures barely resembled buildings anymore, unlike Kaon or Iacon -- where the clear outlines of buildings was seen. Acropolex had been so-long abandoned that the buildings were barely recognizable. Hollow. 

They looked more like obelisks than anything else. 

The oncoming night didn't do much to help with the almost otherworldly site the ancient buildings gave off. Weathered by wind and time, none of them were intact, most of them had walls missing, and the hard edges were softened by eons of winds blowing particles of dust across the hard surfaces. 

I found myself stopping, and staring at a large skyscraper, no doubt a once shining beacon, reduced to a dark sentinel against the evening sky. 

"Beta? You coming?" 

I flinched and turned, seeing Rung peering at me with a perplexed expression. 

"Yeah, yeah-- Jeez." I muttered, resuming my pace, following the rest of the group deeper into the city. 

With each passing moment, the pain in my body was worsening. Going beyond the dull throb and ache I was used to. This was something else.  I was usually able to mask my pain, I was so used to living with it, it wasn't that hard. But this wasn't my usual pain. 

I could only hope a night's recharge could reset something -- or maybe I could sleep through whatever this was. Either way, I was relieved when Optimus found a building that was mostly intact, and declared this would be a good place to sleep for the night. After getting settled, there was a tense silence surrounding us. 

I had found a place to sit down where I could prop my leg up, which helped a little. The closest bot to me was Sunstreaker, and he was making it a point to not even look at me. I couldn't blame him. 

Maybe it was the pain, maybe it was the writhing storm of self-loathing thoughts in my head, but I spoke softly to him, 

"I'm sorry." I said, staring at his profile through my mask, "There's no excuse for the way I acted. You deserve better than that from a team mate. I'm . . . I'm sorry." 

Sunstreaker glanced at me, before turning fully to face me, "Is . . . what you said true?" He asked, "About Shockwave?" 

It was at this point that I noticed everyone else was staring at me, Knockout included. The Decepticon looked . .. genuinely curious and/or concerned as he scooted closer to the group, his servos still bound. 

It took all I had to not dive into my old bag of tricks and bite back with a hateful comment, or hide behind my walls. I messaged my leg, feeling it throb and burn, "Yeah." I said quietly, "It's . . . it's true. Thats why I've been so anxious about getting back to earth. I - I know what he's capable of. And . . . I'm afraid for Jazz and the others." I looked from my leg, to Sunstreaker, "I'm afraid for your brother." 

Sunstreaker's face softened, just a little, "Why didn't you just open with that?" 

"Because being vulnerable fuckin' sucks." I spat back, before I winced and gripped my leg as a shot of pain exploded through me, "Fuck-!" 

"Are you alright?" Rung asked, standing up and taking a step closer. 

"I'm fine." I held up a hand, stopping the mono former, "Its fine." I breathed deeply, as the wave of pain subsided just enough to get control of it, "Old problems just buggin' me is all." 

"Use one of your pain regulation devices." Optimus quipped from his spot not too far away. 

I looked over at him, and sighed, letting my back rest against the wall I was pressed up against, "Not yet." I muttered idly. 

"Pain . . . regulator?" Wheeljack piped up, the lights affixed to his helm flashing brighter in the dimly lit space. 

"Uhm . . . yeah. Right." I sighed, "I had a case of chronic joint erosion for a long, long time, along with a host of other health problems. Came up with a pretty potent pain medication that helped mediate it." 

"So  . . . drugs." Wheeljack said, "You do drugs." 

I let out an audible scoff, "I used to do drugs. Used to jack myself up so much on circuit boosters I'd be high off my aft for days." I mumbled, rubbing my leg. 

". . . Why would you do that to yourself?" Wheeljack asked. 

"Because -!" I paused, and swallowed, "Because it was the only thing that could numb the pain . . .until I found the pain regulator formula I use now." 

Thankfully, nobody seemed to be interested in asking me anymore questions. Thank Primus for little miracles. Everyone seemed to occupy themselves for quiet conversation as the evening wound down. 

"We need someone to take watch." Knockout quipped, "I do not feel like getting my spark torn from my chest by some decrepit creature, thank you very much." 

"I'll go." I held up my hand, "Give me a break from you jackasses anyway." I muttered with a quiet chuckle. 

"And I shall accompany you." Optimus rose to his feet. 

"No worries, OP," I managed to get upright, biting back the pain in my body, "I got it." 

"I know," Optimus walked forward, "But I feel it best to have multiple people on watch at a time. We have the means for that now, anyways." 

Too pre-occupied with my pain to bother arguing with him, I merely huffed and ambled out of the structure we were all camping in, sitting down just outside the entrance and staring up at the starry sky. 

Optimus came out beside me, slowly easing himself down as well. We both sat in relative silence -- it wasn't awkward, but it was oddly peaceful considering everything we had gone through leading up to this point. 

But after a few moments, Optimus spoke, and his words made my spark drop into my stomach. 

"I know you don't have anymore pain regulators." 

My helm snapped over to him, "How the hell did you-?"

Optimus held up a hand, signaling me to be quiet, "I know we have only known each other a short time, but in that time I have known you, you are constantly smoking those pain regulators. Why would you suffer now when you still had one? I came to the conclusion just now that you do not have anymore, you gave your last one to me." 

"You needed it more than I did." I replied softly, staring at the ground. 

Optimus turned to face me, but I continued to avoid his gaze, "But now you are in pain --" he leaned forward more, "And by the way you're talking, you're concealing the amount of pain you are in." 

I sighed, "I forget you're a soldier sometimes -- you clock things others don't." I rubbed my legs, "Guess I spend too much time in my own head." 

"I think we're all guilty of that at one point or another." Optimus replied, "How bad is the pain?" 

"Worse than normal." I managed to choke out, shifting in discomfort, "I think my pain receptors are misfiring. It's happened before." 

"How long does it usually last?" 

I finally bucked up the courage to look at him, and instantly I was drawn in by his beautiful optics. Wait, beautiful? Why did that word come to mind? 

They really were something, though. So full of emotion and compassion. 

My knee-jerk response was to lie, honestly. Tell him that it wouldn't last long, that I could sleep it off. But one look into his cyan orbs and I couldn't lie to him. 

"Depends." I said softly, "One time, I could sleep it off, another time . . . it lasted for days." 

Optimus scooted closer to me in response, and I resisted the urge to move away. Not out of disgust -- just . . . out of fear. Fear of what his proximity would do to my harsh resolve. 

"Is there anything I can do?" 

Oh, Primus he sounds so sweet. I thought miserably as I ran my servo over my helm, tracing along one of the black crests on my head, "N-no, I'll . . .I'll be ok." I said softly. 

I wasn't all too surprised when I felt his servo rest itself on my shoulder, his digits curling against my chassis as he spoke, "You should get some rest. Please." He almost begged, "You need it more than most." 

"What about the watch?" I asked, finding myself unable to argue with him about it. 

Optimus' derma turned up into a small smile, "I will handle it. You merely need to rest your body. Please, if not for yourself, then for me." 

"How can I say no to you. . . ." I mumbled as I shifted and laid down on my side beside him, ". . . Thanks, Optimus."  I paused again, " . . . and I'm sorry for . . . loosing my temper." 

Optimus voice fell on my audio receptors, "Apology accepted, Beta. Now, please, rest. You deserve it." 

My poor body, battered and trembling from pain, finally succumbed to a much-needed recharge, feeling safer than I had in a long time with Optimus on guard beside me. 

Chapter Text

Third Person's P.O.V:

Optimus stared up at the two moons as they made their nightly trek across the sky. Despite the circumstances, it was peaceful sitting out beneath the stars. Things were quiet -- the only sound was the wind whistling against the metal ruins, and the distant, deep thrum of the inner most workings of Cybertron. 

Optimus gaze pulled from the stars and fell down upon the femme beside him. Her back was to him, curled in on herself, almost in the fetal position. The plating on her back expanded and contracted as she cycled vents through her body. Optimus' optics danced across the scars that were visible to him. There were countless abrasions in her form, each one highlighted by the column of bio light that ran up her spinal cord. 

Every so often, her body would twitch and almost convulse, no doubt a bout of pain permeating the fog of recharge. 

Optimus was no stranger to pain at all -- he had endured his fair share of physical and physiological punishment at the hands of their enemies. But he couldn't imagine being in such consistent pain for so long. It must be all she knows. Optimus' servos flexed, digits curling and uncurling anxiously as he looked at her resting form. 

Her words echoed in his CPU, how she didn't deserve to be good. How much she hated herself. 

Optimus  was no stranger to self-loathing. Many late nights were spent laying awake in his berth going over battle decisions and wondering if things could be different. If lost loved ones could have been saved if he had made a different call. But Beta? Beta went beyond that, she alluded that if anyone died that she remotely knew, anyone, it was her fault. 

Optimus felt his spark pang with empathy. Beta was so clueless to her own positive traits, just wallowing in her own negativity because she thought she deserved it. Maybe a younger Optimus would allow that to happen. Take her advice and leave her before she pulled him down as well. 

But Optimus wasn't younger. He was old, war-torn and aware of the impact this war had on others, and the cruelest part of himself couldn't help but pin the blame on himself. Beta had gone through so much torment, so much pain, because he couldn't stop the war. He didn't have it in him to end Megatron. 

And that notion tore him up inside. 

A shift from beside him brought Optimus out of his thoughts. Beta was slowly sitting upright, bracing herself up on one servo as her back coiled slowly. Her tattoos, which usually had a subtle consistent glow about them, were now almost white with how intense the glow was. 

"Beta?" Optimus turned to face her, "Are you alright? You should resume recharging." 

Beta didn't respond, slowly standing up, her knee joints making painful creaking sounds, as she rose to her full height. Optimus stood up beside her, his servos coming up to her in an effort to stabilize her. 

"Beta, what are you doing?" He asked. 

Beta's masked face, per usual, concealed all evidence of emotion and expression turned away from him. Her profile highlighted by the evening sky. She then began walking deeper into the ruins, away from him. Optimus' optics widened as he moved after her, reaching out and griping her arm, 

"Beta, it is not safe." He turned her to face him, "What is going on? Are you alright?" 

Beta pulled her arm free, and turned back in the same direction and resumed walking. Optimus gave a confused noise as he turned between the others -- who were still peacefully asleep -- and Beta, who was still making steady progress in walking away. Optimus turned and jogged back to the others, poking his head in, 

"Perceptor!" Optimus hissed in a low voice. 

Perceptor woke with a snort, sitting upright, "U-h huh?" 

"Take over the watch." Optimus ordered, "I will be back shortly." 

Optimus was already out of earshot when Perceptor could manage a follow up question. The Prime kicked it up to a jog to catch up with Beta, her shape a silhouette in the darkness. Optimus reached out to grab her arm again, "Beta, what are you doing?"

Beta went to pull away again, but Optimus held firm, "Beta, stop! That is an order!"

Beta's helm snapped to his, and the voice that came forth was not her own. It sounded like a thousand voices compiled into one, "We wish to see this one again." 

Optimus, shocked by the response, loosened his grip enough for Beta to wrench her arm free and turn away. She then transformed into her alt mode, heavy tires hitting the metal as her engine revved. Optimus transformed also, and followed her deeper into the ruins. Beta rumbled along at an idle pace, not rushing, but her pace was determined. Optimus drove up beside her,

"Beta, can you hear me?" his voice rose up from his engine.

No response. Beta only increased her speed to pass him.

The pair wove through the dark ruins, deeper and deeper into Acropolex. Finally, after what seemed like forever, Beta came to a stop before a particularly large building. She then transformed, and staggered a bit.

Optimus transformed beside her, staring up at the building as he spoke, "What are we doing here, Beta?" 

The intense glow from her tattoos faded, and Beta stumbled, "Whoa-" she reached out to brace herself on something. 

Optimus moved forward, gripping her arm to stabilize her, "Beta, what happened?" 

"Uhm . . ." The femme looked over at him, "You tell me. All I remember is going to sleep and having nightmares. Not . . . waking up in the middle of bumfuck nowhere." 

"You woke up, and just began walking." Optimus told her, "And . . . and when you spoke, your voice was not your own. . ."

Beta paused, " . . . What did I say to you?" 

Optimus let her arm go, "You said, 'I wish to see this one gain'." He said. 

Beta visibly stiffened, turning her gaze back to the building before them, "Oh, you have gotta be kidding me . . ." she whispered hoarsely. 

"Beta, is there something you haven't told me?" Optimus asked. 

"Yeah. There's a lotta stuff I haven't told you." Beta said, "Y'know, my whole back story, my first kiss, my first fuck-" 

"Beta." Optimus tone dropped, "You know what I am talking about." He reached out again, and rested his servo on her arm, "Beta . . . your markings -- they were glowing white when you woke. Is that something that happens?"

Beta's helm snapped down to his servo on her arm, and Optimus instinctively pulled away. There was a pregnant pause, before Beta's shoulders slumped, "Been . . . hearing a voice in my head. Not like the little voice that tells you you're a piece of shit all the time." 

"Beta, nobody has that voice but you." Optimus put his servos on his hips. 

"Yeah, yeah, whatever -- it was different. Not my own. Telling me it wanted to see me. In Acropolex. Started when we got to Iacon and its only gotten stronger the closer we got to Acropolex. And in my dreams . . . the voice came back, and it changed." she said. 

"Changed how?" 

Beta turned and stared at the building before them, "It changed from just words to a command."

Optimus looked to the building too, "And it lead you here?" He gestured to the ruins.

Beta nods, "In the dream, I was walking towards something. Someone. Suppose it translated to the real world, too." She took a step and passed through the threshold of the building. 

Optimus followed her, "Do you think it was some sort of vision?" 

Beta stared at the walls of the hallway, faded remnants of carvings and murals littered the space, "It is a thing for CyberNinjas." She said, tracing over the relief carvings with her digits, the metal itself almost seemed to glow under her touch, "Rumors would go around the lower ranks -- the great masters of the Houses could 'ascend' to another plain of existence and communicate through the energy of the spark."

Optimus stopped and stared at a particular grand carving. It stretched above him, depicting a bot, sitting in a prayer position. Their optics were white circular shapes, casting beams of light outward. The rest of the mural was a depiction of some form of spirit towering over the bot. Bestial in appearance, with wings and a mask that had three faces stacked on top of one another.

"Beta," Optimus got her attention, "forgive me if I am wrong, but is that . . .?"

He trailed off as Beta approached the mural, looking up, "Yeah. Onyx Prime -- the beast. The spirit walker." she whispered. She then turned, taking in the entirety of the dark hallway, " . . . I think I know what this place is." she continued walking down the hall.

Optimus took one last look at the mural, then followed her, "You do?"

"Yeah. Read about places like this in training." Beta came to the top of a set of stairs, peering own into the darkness, "Temples dedicated to the Original Thirteen." She looked over her shoulder at him, "Used for prayer, and intense training." she began walking down the stairs.

But as Beta's pede settled on the first step, a deep thrumming sound rumbled from the walls, and the steps began to light up, each one covered in Ancient Cybertronian Runes. Illuminating the path down into the darkness.

"Okay . . ." Beta said softly, "Mystical glowing steps. Interesting."

Optimus peered down from beside her, "The temple must be reacting to your presence. You are a CyberNinja. It must recognize that."

"So --" she looked over her shoulder at him as she took another step, "You believe this ancient ruin has feelings?" 

Optimus gave her a deadpan look, "You said it yourself: Mystical glowing steps."

Optimus could audibly hear her rolling her eyes as she continued down ward. The glowing ruins spreading out to the walls, filling the entire space with a subdued blue light. As they reached the bottom, the slick metal halls transformed into a more organic appearance. Jagged bedrock surrounded them, with inorganic patterns in the walls. Beta reached out and let her servo idly scrape the wall, caressing the uneven rock forms. Tiny glowing blue veins of energon came alight beneath her digits. 

"Energon . . .?" Beta whispered, "How . . .?" 

Optimus stared, one foot still on the last step. He had never seen Beta so elegant before,  moving her servo over the walls, watching the energon react beneath her touch, "The planet itself is reacting to you." His voice pierced the silence. 

"What?" Beta turned to him, pulling her servo away from the walls. 

"The planet -- the rock and metal." Optimus walked up beside her, "It's reacting to your touch. How are you doing that?" 

"I don't know. You tell me. You're the one saying I can talk to rocks. Little insulting, by the way. I'm dumb, sure, but not that dumb." 

Optimus frowned and reached forward, grabbing her servo. Beta gave a quiet gasp as he pressed her servo back to the rock. Upon contact, the same small energon veins lit up under her touch. Beta was more focused on his hand touching hers, but Optimus stared at her, 

"See? This place knows who you are. What you are." He rumbled, "That must mean something." 

"Sure . . ." Beta spoke slowly, "C-can you let go of my hand now?" 

Optimus' optics widened, "Oh- forgive me." he pulled his hand away. 

Beta turned from him and kept walking down the dimly lit cave, Optimus following suit. The hall soon began to turn into a tunnel, the ground getting more and more uneven the deeper they went. 

"Perhaps we should turn back." Optimus said, ducking his helm low to avoid a low hanging stalactite.

"You can turn back if you want." Beta said, "I gotta see what this is."

Optimus set his jaw, "I am not leaving you here alone." He said as he followed her.

The pair soon rounded a turn and Beta froze in her place, a sharp gasp leaving her throat. Optimus came up behind her to see what she was looking at. And he too, couldn't help but gasp.

Littered down the tunnel were bodies. Cybertronian bodies. Partially merged with the tunnel, wires and stone hopelessly entangling the lifeless corpses. Some still had limbs visible, and they hung listlessly. Some had bodies pierced by the planet itself, being torn apart and pulled back into the rock and metal itself. Each expression of the bodies was perfectly surrene, as if they were finally at peace. Content smiles on their deformed faces. 

"Holy Primus . . ." Beta whispered, "Holy fuck, this is an Immersent Temple. " 

Optimus reached out and gripped her arm, "Beta, we should go. This is consecrated ground." He rumbled, "I do not wish to disturb those who have found peace here." 

Beta didn't respond, tugging her arm free as she continued forward, carefully working her way around the bodies. Optimus followed suit, staring at the cybertronian forms. Each part of the body that was melted into the planet glowed faintly with energon -- the lifeblood of these bots now existing within their planet, truly giving back to their creator. 

Beta began to move faster, working her way deeper into the tunnel. Farther and farther from the chaos of the world, deeper into the bowels of her home. Each time her servo touched the wall, it flashed a gentle blue upon the contact, and some of the immersent bodies twitched, as if sensing the presence of another. 

Beta finally rounded another turn, and lifted her gaze, and froze. Her entire body locked up, her optics almost failing to process what ws before her. 

" . . . S-Sire?" 

Chapter Text

Third Person's P.O.V.:

An immersent bot was before her, at the end of the tunnel. A once brilliant black and gold finish was now ravaged by time, more gun-metal gray then anything else. All of his limbs were completely engulfed by the planet, save for one, which hung limply at his side. Wires were coiled around his torso, burrowing into his skin. His chest plate lay at his feet, leaving an exposed spark, the brilliant light now dim, barely a flicker. The bot's head hung low between mighty shoulders. 

The bot seemed to shift at her words. 

Beta lurched forward, running up to the bot, her servos hovering, before they finally settled on his face, reaching up and cradling his weathered cheek plates, "Old Man . . .?" 

Optimus soon arrived, his optics widening at the sight, " . . . Stormcharger? Is that you?" 

Beta lifted his helm, and gasped again, seeing the face she had longed to see for so long. Stormcharger. Her mentor. The Sire, the father, she never had. His optics were half shuttered, his helm limp in her servos. Beta swiped her digit beneath his optic, 

"Sire, it's me." Her voice was the softest Optimus had ever heard it, "Its Beta-04." 

His weathered optics slowly opened, but they didn't look at her, they looked through her, "This one . . ." his voice was gravelly, and weak, "this is the one we wished to see again." a small smile graced his weathered face, "Hello, forever." 

Beta's throat sealed up, thick with emotion as she leaned in, pressing her forehelm to his, "Hello always." she replied back, her voice cracking on every syllable. 

Stormcharger's hand lifted, albeit shaky. No doubt taking all the strength in his atrophied body to do so. Digits -- blunted by time and punishment -- grazed her masked face with the most tender touch, 

"We hoped to see this one again before this body no longer holds its spark." 

Optimus dared to take a step forward, "What does he mean, Beta?" 

Beta didn't look at him, unable to peel her eyes from her mentor, "He's speaking as a collective. Part of him is already one with . . . with the Allspark." she said. 

"She is correct." Stormcharger rumbled, still tracing idle shapes in her face and neck with his digits, "This body is almost empty  . . . almost gone." 

Beta stroked his cheeks, "Why didn't you come for me?" her voice broke, "I waited for you. You never showed up." 

"The body was broken beyond repair." Stormcharger whispered, "This one decided to give himself back to our creator -- so his death would have meaning." 

Beta sniffled, "No, no I refuse to accept that." she said, "We're getting you outta here, and we're getting you home." She reached down and tried to pry some of the rock and metal off him. 

"Young one. . ." 

"Just save your strength." Beta reeled a fist back and struck the rock with all her might. Nothing. Just the sound of metal striking rock. "I'm taking you home." 

"Young one . . .!" 

Beta reached forward and tried to grab the wires encircling his torso, but a the moment her digits touched it, a shock rocketed up her arm, alighting the tunnel with a spark. She shouted in pain, reeling back and shaking out her servo. 

"Beta-04!" 

Beta lifted her helm, cradling her servo, to see Stormcharger looking at her. Not through her. At her. He lifted his arm, his spark giving a small flare as he spoke, 

"Come here." 

Beta walked forward, letting him take her servo in his. He stared at her masked face, "Its time to stop." 

"No, no, no -" Beta shook her helm, "Don't say that. Don't do that. We can figure something out." She gripped his servo in hers. 

"Young one . . ." He whispered, "This was my choice to make." He pulled his hand from hers, caressing her cheek. 

"No!" Beta's voice was in utter shambles, "You were supposed to come to Earth with me! You were supposed to find me! You left me alone for centuries!" She hiccuped, "I waited for you. You were all I ever needed!" 

"Shh . . . shh . . ." he gently hushed her, stroking her cheek with his thumb, "Shh, young one. I am sorry I left you. I did not intend for that . . ." he whispered, "But, not for a moment, were you ever alone." 

"I am alone!" Her voice shook the walls, "I am alone! I was born alone! I will die alone! You were the only one who made me feel like my life was Worth anything! " 

"Your life has always, always had worth. Before I ever spoke those words to you. Your existence is important because you simply exist." His breath hitched, "You are not victim to your circumstances -- do not let what Vos, and Tarn, and Shockwave -- do not let what they did to you break you." 

"It did break me. You were the only one who could put me back together." 

"And look at you now. Alive. Strong." He winced, his optics drifting from hers ,"Stronger than I ever could be . . . " 

"Old Man?" She gently shook his arm, "Hey!" 

His eyes refocused, "My time is limited. I am grateful I was finally able to contact you before . . . I go." He said, touching her masked face, "Let me see you  . . . one last time. Please." 

Beta froze, before she hesitantly reached up and slid her mask off her face, letting it fall to her feet. Optimus, who was behind her, witnessing it all, stared down at her mask, then at the back of her helm. A small, selfish part of him wished she would turn around so he could see what had been hidden from him for so, so long. 

Beta utterly melted as Stormcharger cupped her cheek, touching the tortured metal on her face, "There's my girl . . ." he whispered, leaning his helm as far forward as he could manage. His spark was smaller by the second, barely an ember, "Your fate is yours to decide. . ." he whispered, "Nobody makes your fate, but you, my dear girl." 

"I need you." Tears made of energon rolled down her cheeks, "Please don't leave me. Please." 

"I never left." he pressed his forehead to hers, "This . . . this one never left you. And never will leave you. Not fully."  His voice spoke as the collective again, "And this one is so, so proud. . .  so . . . proud . . ." his servo pressed to her chest plate, right over her spark.

Beta searched his face, watching as the light faded from his eyes, and his head went limp in her hands. His arm went limp dangling at his side as the last of his spark flickered out. 

"Sire . . .?" Beta held his face, "Sire!" she shook his helm, " . . . Dad?" 

Nothing. 

Optimus dared to take a step forward, "Beta . . . he's gone." 

"No!" She bared her teeth, keeping her back to him, "No! I lost Quickshadow, I can't loose him! NO!" Her voice echoed off the walls, "Please-!" Her back hunched as she slowly sank to her knees, "I can't loose anyone else . . ." 

Beta turned her helm into Stormchargers cold hand, holding it to her face, "I can't . . . " 

Optimus took another step forward, knowing that no words could comfort her. Nothing could soothe the pain she was feeling. Nothing he could say could soften this blow. 

But there was something he could do. He knelt behind her, bending to his knees, his optics moving along her back which heaved with quiet sobs. His eyes then drifted to the mask that lay beside her. He wanted to see her face, more than anything -- but he would not take advantage of her vulnerable state. Instead, he closed his eyes optics, sealing them tightly and gathered her in his powerful arms. Collecting her limp limbs and pressing her trembling form to his. One servo came up and pressed to the side of her helm, 

"It's okay." He rumbled out, "Its okay, Beta. Cry all you need to. I am here. . . and you are not alone." 

It was as if his words gave her the permission to allow herself to fall apart. Once tense and resistant to his embrace, Beta melted into him, utterly sobbing as she clawed at her own armor plating. 

Optimus squeezed his optics tighter, coiling her in his arms, in a futile effort to protect her from the cruelty of the universe. He held her, in the bowels of the planet, stroking her arm as he spoke quiet nothings, hushing her through her cries and giving her the grace to utterly and completely fall apart. 

It wouldn't last forever, and regardless of the heartache of the moment, Optimus felt honored to be the one to hold her close and soothe her. 

To be the one to hold the pieces as she fell apart. 

The pair sat in the darkness of the tunnel, isolated from everything and everyone, surrounded by the corpses of bots with serene expressions. The only sounds were Beta-04's broken cries, and Optimus gentle words. 

"You are okay. You are not alone. I am here . . . I'm here." 

Chapter Text

Third Person's P.O.V.:

"WHAT?!" 

Ratchet flinched, his audio receptors nearly short-circuiting from the thunderous boom of Ironhide's voice. The medic cringed as he looked over at him, shooting him a nasty, withering glare. Ironhide clocked the look and cleared his throat, looking away for a brief moment, 

"Sorry . . . but, are you certain?" 

Ratchet turned his attention back to the fossil that was held in his forceps, "I am most definitely certain."  He set the sample down on his work bench. 

"Why are the cons diggin' up Predacon bones?" Jazz murmured. 

Ratchet shook his head, "I think the more appropriate question is what. As in what in the name of Primus and the Thirteen are Predacon bones doing here, on earth." 

"I'm sorry, what the hell is a predacon?" 

Ratchet tried to hide the eye roll and exhausted vent that left his chasis, tired but ultimately didn't try that hard, knowing who the voice belonged to. 

Colonel Morris strutted into the hangar, looking as steely and emotionally unavailable as ever.  In one hand he held a folder, the other was tucked into the pocket of his uniform pants. 

All the Autobots exchanged anxious looks, before Ratchet spoke, turning to fully face the human, "Much akin to dinosaurs, actually -- a pre-history beast that existed long before most of modern cybertronian civilization." 

"Not much is really known about them." Ironhide quipped, "Only that they were big, nasty and when they were alive, they ruled the planet." 

"So what append then if these predacons were so powerful?" Morris scanned the faces of each bot. 

"The Great Cataclysm." Ratchet said, turning his gaze to the sliver of fossil that sat on his workbench, "It was a mass extinction event -- a passing star interfered with one of Cybertron's Suns, and the gravitational flux redirected countless asteroids down upon the planet's surface -- thus eradicating the Predacons."

"Still doesn't explain how their fossils wound up on earth." Bumblebee buzzed. 

"Shockwave must be involved somehow." Prowl said, "Its the only explanation." 

"I thought this Shockwave goon was more into biological warfare." Morris spat. 

Jazz rubbed his chin, "Hmm. Doc . . . you think it's possible to . . . regrow a Predacon with the CNA from fossils?" He asked. 

Ratchet's brow furrowed heavily, "If there's any cruel mind to make that possible it would be Shockwave." He said. 

"Wait, seriously?" Sideswipe looked between Ratchet and Jazz, "You think Megatron went through all this scrap of building a SpaceBridge so Shockwave could grow Predacons inside a glass tube? Thats the big play? Beast wars?" 

"We got no way of knowing for sure." Jazz turned to Sideswipe, "Still doesn't answer the question as to how Predacon bones wound up on earth to begin with, either." 

Ratchet sighed, "Whatever the reason is, it doesn't change the fact that these fossils are here, on earth, and Megatron knows they are here too." He picked up the fossil sample again, "I will try and carbon date the sample, and isolate its unique energy signature, perhaps we can get to the rest of them before the Decepticons do." 

Jazz nodded grimly, "Here's hopin'." 

Chapter Text

Beta-04's P.O.V.:

I don't know how long I sat there, allowing myself to just fall to pieces. It felt as if I was coming undone. Everything I had worked so hard to build up, every wall I had built brick by brick -- every barrier. Everything I had created to shield myself from the horrors of the word was coming undone. Unravelling. And I couldn't stop it. 

For all I had endured; all the suffering from Shockwave, the brutalization from the DJD -- all of it. Every second of unbearable agony paled in comparison to what I was feeling now. I truly felt like I was dying. Like my spark was strangling itself, because the agony of existing in a world without him was too much to bear. 

The only thing remotely grounding me was the sensation of Optimus' arms around my body. He was holding me tightly, as if physically holding me together, keeping all my pieces from scattering onto the cave floor. 

And for all of my thoughts, for every ounce of will telling me to shun him away, fearing his opinion on me would change -- I was so grateful for him.  

I cried until I had nothing left. I cried until static filled my voice box and it was on the verge of short-circuiting. And still, I sat on the floor, bent and curled in on myself, my optics shuttered to the world. 

Slowly, my servo slid across the uneven floor and gripped my mask, and I slid it into place again. I slowly righted myself, feeling Optimus gently loosen his hold on me. 

"Did you see anything? Did you see my face?" I was shocked at the eerie calmness to my voice. 

Optimus seemed to be shocked too, I could see it on his face, and hear it in his tone, "No. I did not." 

"Good." I rose to my feet, rolling my shoulders and turning away, unable to bring myself to look at Stormchargers' body. 

It's not him anymore. He's gone. It's just a shell.  I told myself, my servos curling into fists, "Lets get back to the others." 

"Beta , wait." Optimus caught my arm, "Look at me." 

I paused, and turned to face him, "If you're gonna try and get some intimate shit outta me, it's not happening." The bite came back into my voice. 

Optimus' audio finals gave a small twitch as he looked at me, "You have to let this go." His voice was so deep, "This anger to the world . . . to everything, you have to let it go." 

"You say it like it's so easy." I said bitterly, turning away and walking to the stairs, "I told you to keep away. Last thing I want is to drag you down with me." 

Thats it. Be a dick. Build those walls higher than before. Get angry, piss him off. 

"That statement in itself tells me you care about my wellbeing -- which means you do care." Optimus followed me, "Beta, please just -- just look at me." 

Keep walking. 

I stopped on the stairs, the same glow illuminating the space around us. 

Don't you fucking stop. Keep those walls up! 

"Please  . . . look at me." 

DON'T YOU FUCKING STOP. 

I turned to face him, seeing he was right behind me, gazing up into my mask with those deep, beautiful optics of his. My breathing was shaky as I held his gaze. Optimus regarded me, his audio finals slowly tipping back as his expression slowly turned into one of sadness. A deep, profound sadness. 

"I am so sorry." He said. 

"Yeah, me too." I kept holding his gaze. 

He took a step closer, "I know what it is like to loose someone who knew the most vulnerable parts of yourself." He said, "And I do not say this to shift the focus onto me, I merely say it to let you know that you are not alone in this feeling." 

"I know." I said quietly, "And I appreciate it -- but we don't have time for feelings-" 

"Her name was Elita One." 

I froze, blinking numbly and tilting my head, "I-I'm sorry?" 

Optimus slowly sat down on the steps, leaving space for me beside him, "Her name . . . was Elita One." 

I took a step closer and slowly lowered myself down to sit beside him. We sat side by side on these mystical glowing steps, the walls reflecting runes of a civilization long gone down upon us as I stared at Optimus' profile. He seemed different -- almost softer. His posture was less statuesque, allowing himself to curl inward. 

"I was a simple Archivist when we met." He wasn't looking at me, he was looking down at his pedes, "And she was a dock worker. Both of us low in the caste system, but when I saw her for the first time it felt as if . . . my spark was set aflame." 

Is he . . . no. No he's not-- he's not telling me about his dead girlfriend is he? 

Optimus turned his gaze to me, "She was the one to ask me to courting first. And the rest was history. After I was made Prime, I asked her to be Conjunx Endura. And she said yes." 

Not dead girlfriend. DEAD WIFE.

"I-" My voice failed me, and I worked my servos over, "you -- this is really private stuff, Boss." I said, "Why are you telling me this?" 

Optimus looked down at his hands, "Megatron was the one that took her from me." He said, "She had gone on a recon mission -- but was captured and . . . executed." 

I stared at him, swallowing thickly. Optimus didn't look like a Prime anymore. Now I knew what he looked like. 

A mourning husband. 

"She gave the world color. Her spark was too great for the body it hosted. That was my Elita." He placed a servo over his chest plate, "A piece of my spark died with her on that day -- and I have never known a pain like that since." 

I reached out, and placed a servo on his shoulder, "Why . . . why are you telling me this, Optimus?" I asked again. 

Optimus heaved a deep sigh, tilting his helm back, "The only person who knew of the circumstances surrounding Elita's death was myself, Megatron and Ratchet. . . it was time someone else knew as well." 

"And you choose me?" I pointed to myself, then paused, "Optimus, it's me, Beta-04." 

A ghost of a smile crossed his lips, "You say that like it is a bad thing." He looked over at me. 

"I mean -- wouldn't exactly say my life's been a walk in the park." I let my arms rest in my lap. 

"There is an inherent beauty in our individual uniqueness." Optimus replied, "Regardless of the paths that our lives have taken us on -- even if we had no say in our circumstances." He sighed, "I chose to tell you about Elita because I trust you, Beta-04. And I wanted you to know that you are not alone in this feeling. You never were." 

I stared at him, reaching up and pressing a servo to my chest, "Feels like I'm dying." I murmured. "And I've come close to dying several times but this -- this sucks." 

"It will heal." Optimus said, "In time, the feeling will fade. But it will never entirely vanish from you. The grief will walk beside you, instead of consume you."  

I felt my spark throb at his words as I nodded, "Thank you." I inhaled shakily, "And thank you -- for before. With the screaming and crying. I know that was ugly." 

"If you had not reacted like that I would have thought something was wrong with you." Optimus replied, "And it was my honor to be the one to hold you in that moment." 

There was a pause, as I leaned back and inhaled deeply, cycling the cool air through my tanks, "For what it's worth -- I'm sorry about Elita. I never met her, but she must've been one helluva lady to get your attention." 

Optimus smiled and nodded in thanks, "She was actually a bit like you." 

I scoffed "In what way?"

"She was unstoppable. Kind. Loyal. Passionate." Optimus got a far-off look in his optics as he folded his servos in his lap, "She was opinionated and she knew what she wanted out of her life." 

We both sat in silence together. I looked down at my legs, tracing some of the tattoos etched into my armor plating, "Quickshadow was my Elita One." I said suddenly, "I had my fair share of emotionless flings but . . .well, I wouldn't have met Quickshadow without the Old Man." 

I could feel Optimus staring at me, a warmth returning to his expression, "How did the two of you meet?" 

I pulled my knees to my chest, sighing deeply, but I couldn't help the smile that dawned on my face, "Stormcharger introduced us -- we had a mission together. She was an intelligence officer, I was . . .me. The hired muscle. We hooked up on the mission and kept seeing each other afterwards." I turned to look at Optimus, "I dunno if it was love. Probably wasn't, but . . . it was nice." 

Optimus gaze was so soft and gentle, "Perhaps it was love. You never know." 

I slowly uncurled from my spot, and rose to my feet, looking down at Optimus, "Maybe. Though, I'm not exactly the ideal candidate to know anything about love." I extended my servo to him, "C'mon -- let's let the dead rest." 

Optimus reached up and gripped my servo, and I pulled him to his feet. 

We made out way out of the immersent temple, stepping out into the earliest signs of the dawn. As we passed through the entrance, I looked over my shoulder, staring into the darkness.

I felt my throat get think as a new wave of emotion wash over me, 

"Sleep tight, Dad." My voice was just a whisper, "See you on the other side."

Chapter Text

Beta-04's P.O.V.:

The city of Tarn rose up from the horizon line like a great spire, piercing the heavens. We had been traveling a good few days, and things had been relatively quiet. More specifically, I had been quiet. Not the brooding quiet I had been before. More of a contemplative quiet. All I could think about was Stormcharger, his weathered face imprinted on my mind. 

I tried to remember him as he was -- larger than life, full of kindness and wisdom but all I could see was that weathered husk. I could steel feel the cool touch of his servo on my cheek, as if it had scarred my face, forever imprinted on my metal hide. Recharging was even harder than usual, because every time I closed my optics I would relive his last moments over and over again. Nights were harder than usual because of it -- usually I could manage the nightmares, but these? These hurt -- I would wake up from these dreams with tears streaming down my cheeks. 

It was worse than the memories of my time as a POW. 

The others had given me grace , which I was grateful for. Optimus was kind enough to fill everyone in on what had happened, and they all seemed to understand that I needed time to process. 

Which I was eternally grateful for. 

Hell, even Sunstreaker wasn't giving me shit anymore. 

Regardless, with the Tarn skyline approaching, I gave pause, and stared at it feeling a chill creep up my spine -- like icy needles or claws piercing my chassis. Chromia was the first to notice, and she turned to face me, "You ok?" she asked. 

"Yeah." I said, "Well, I mean-- no, but it's fine." I corrected myself, "Sorry. Just . . . bad memories." I gestured to the creeping skyline. 

Sunstreaker also paused, staring at me with an arched optical ridge. I met his gaze, and was about to snap at him, but stopped myself. I sighed for a moment, before I kept walking, "Primus it must've been . . . centuries ago at this point but -- when I was a POW, I was held in Tarn." 

Sunny froze, "I thought it was Kaon-" 

"It was both." I replied, my voice quiet as I kept walking, "I was considered a 'high-value' prisoner for my potential." I used air quotes, "Kinda ping-ponged between Tarn and Kaon depending on how the war was goin'." 

Wheeljack came up on my other side, Knockout being held at blaster point by him, "Were you an intelligence officer?" He asked, "Usually Cons don't keep prisoners alive unless their intelligence, or they have somethin' they need." 

"No, no." I said, "I was uh-- well, still am, a CyberNinja." I said, "I got captured cause I was sent to assassinate the DJD." 

"You WHAT?!" Wheeljack whipped around to face me, "You?! Went to kill the DJD, alone?! Thats like-- crazy town banana pants!" 

I stared at him, "C-crazy town banana pants? Seriously?" 

"I am with Wheeljack on this," Perceptor piped up, "your superiors must have had great confidence in your abilities to send you out for the DJD alone." 

"I dunno if it was confidence, or just plain desperation." I replied as I looked at the approaching skyline, "I fucked up. I got caught. And I paid the price -- Primus, I paid." I felt the ache bloom in my body just at the thought. 

I noticed Knockout was staring at me, his expression unreadable. I met his gaze, "What?" I barked, "You shocked one of you is capable of that shit?" 

Knockout's optical ridges furrowed as he took a step closer to me, "The only bots in the universe who aren't afraid of the DJD are Megatron and Shockwave -- trust me, dearie, we think they're just as much animals as you do." 

We stared at each other, as my servos curled into fists. I grit my dentals, "I got no empathy for you." I hissed, "You made your choice." 

"Uhm- pardon me for interrupting." Rung's voice made me pull away and divert my attention from the Con. 

He held up a digit, "I thought it was Shockwave who . . . who tortured you." He said. 

"Yeah -- he did. After the DJD realized they weren't gonna get anything outta me, they forked me off to Shockwave so he could have his . . . fun." I spat the word out like venom. 

"Well, you just have the worst luck, don't you?" Chromia said, though her expression read true empathy. 

I gave a dry laugh, "Heh. Oh yeah." 

Optimus looked over his shoulder, "You've never been this open about your past Beta," a gentle smile graced his lips, "it is refreshing. And admirable." 

I rolled my optics as I huffed, curling and uncurling my digits anxiously, "Would you prefer I brood and cuss you out, cause I can do that." But there was no true malice behind my words, and Optimus seemed to pick up on that because his optics seemed to sparkle with mirth. 

We continued walking in silence for a beat, and I watched as Chromia took over walking with Knockout. I clocked the look he gave me as he passed me by. It was different than the destained sneer I usually got. This one was almost . . . empathetic. 

I didn't think it was possible for a Decepticon to make an expression like that. 

"Hey, Beta?" 

I looked over to my other side, seeing Sunstreaker peering up at me. Internally, I braced myself for an incoming conflict as I spoke, "Wassup?" 

Sunstreaker looked akin to a kicked puppy, staring more at his feet than making effort to make eye contact with me, "I'm sorry -- bout what I said before. It was way outta line, and with all you went through-" 

"Don't, okay?"  I cut him off, "I don't want the excuse 'I didn't know you went through that, otherwise I would've kept my mouth shut'." I told him, "You said it. You said I wasn't good enough.  And maybe you're right, Sunny. Maybe I'm not good enough. Fine, whatever. " I gave an exasperated noise, "Nobody is more aware of my own fuck-ups than I am -- you don't need to shove them down my throat." 

Sunny's optical ridges rose, "I'm sorry." He said quietly. 

I hummed, "Don't be sorry. Just . . . I don't know, just don't be sorry. Sorry doesn't mend the sharpness of words. Sorry doesn't bring back the dead." 

Sunstreaker took a step closer so he walked in stride beside me. 

We passed into the city limits and instantly my entire body went on edge. It was almost a subconscious reaction, just knowing I was in the same place that had brought me so much pain and suffering sent my body into a state of anxiety. More so than usual. My pace slowed, allowing myself too bring up the rear as the others looked around the space. 

"Perceptor," Optimus voice carried, "Where would the SpaceBridge be located?" He asked. 

"Hard to say specifically." Perceptor said, tapping his chin, "Our scanners were not powerful enough to isolate the specific location of the energy surge, all we were able to determine is that it was in Tarn." 

"Can't be too many places that can house a SpaceBridge." Wheeljack said. 

I paused, closing my optics behind my mask. "Fuuuuuck." I whispered, "Facing all my demons today." I held up a servo. "I know where we can start looking." 

Everyone turned to me, including Optimus. 

"Really?" Rung took a step towards me. 

"Yeah I--" I looked around at the agonizingly familiar landscape, "Yeah. This way." I turned and began walking down another street, the metallic thuds of my pedes on the metal ground seemed to echo louder as I walked. 

I kept my optics straight ahead as I walked down the dark steet, feeling like I was walking to the gallows. Each step was a mental battle to keep going forward. That one red optic flashing across the inside of my eyelids every time I blinked. I lead the group through the winding streets, before the street opened up to a wider city center, with a building stretching up before us. This one, in comparison to the rest of the city, looked much cleaner. The metal still had its shine -- not collecting dust and debris like everything else. 

"This is it." I said quietly. 

Wheeljack came up beside me, "It has to be -- the building still looks used." 

"What is this place?" Chromia asked. 

I walked up to the building, staring up at the looming structure. It wasn't as tall as some of the skyscrapers, mostly because I knew the rest of it stretched deep underground. Shockwave always did appricate a good secret underground base. I looked at the door before me, eying it like an old enemy. 

"This," I spoke, answering Chromia, "Is the place where I was turned into the monstrosity that now stands before you." I reached up and placed my hand to the door, "This is where Shockwave broke me." 

Chapter Text

Beta-04's P.O.V.:

I didn't wait for the others to respond as I turned my attention to the keypad and examined it. Wheeljack came up beside me, "You think you could smash it?" 

"I could, but Shockwave probably trapped it." I said, "What do you think?" 

Wheeljack gently removed the control panel, revealing a mass of wires, "I think I can hack it." He said, the lights on the side of his head illuminating with every syllable spoken. 

"You think?" Sunny quipped from behind me, "What happens if you trip some kinda booby trap?" 

"Then we die?" Wheeljack offered over his shoulder. 

"Oh is that all?" Sunny facepalmed, "Ugh." 

I took a step back and looked back up at the door, tilting my head and examining every feature. It was a familair -- painfully familiar. The last time I had seen this door was being dragged within, kicking and shouting curses to my captors. 

Now I was about to walk in willingly. 

The world began to swim around me as I stared at the large automatic door. The voices of the other Autobots began to get further away, as I sank deeper into my own thoughts, like sinking into the ocean. Other voices -- memories -- began to crawl across my CPU.

The vice grip of the metal bands that held me down to the operating table. 

The blooming pain as tools began to cut open my body. 

The ringing of my own audio receptors as my screams filled the room. They gagged me after the first day, said my screams were too distracting. 

I remembered the harshness of that cold cell wall as I lay in a heap of my own energon and broken body parts. The cold floor the only comfort to soothe the burning pain in my face and form. 

"Beta?" 

I jerked out of the abyss and turned, looking to see Optimus standing beside me, staring at my profile. 

"Memories?" he asked. 

I gave a noncommittal sound of the affirmative as I turned my gaze back to the door, "Facing lotta demons on this trip." I murmured. 

I felt the weight of Optimus' servo on my shoulder, "I am here." He told me, "You are not alone." 

I nodded wordlessly, reaching up with my servo and letting it rest over his, giving it a squeeze -- a silent thank you. 

"I got it!" 

We both looked up as the door slid open with the groan of metal grinding on metal. I stifled a snort of amusement as Wheeljack did a dorky little victory dance, 

"Am I good, or am I just that good?" he pointed to himself. 

Chromia walked through the threshold, "Yeah, yeah, you're a genius Jackie and we're lucky you're here." She smacked him lightheartedly upside the head, "Ya dork." 

Perceptor and Rung followed suit, vanishing into the darkness -- followed my Sunstreaker, dragging along a protesting Knockout. Optimus' servo left my shoulder, and he stopped with one pede over the threshold. He turned to face me, and extended his servo out to me, 

"One step at a time, Beta." He rumbled, "You are not alone." 

I stared at his servo, then at his face, before looking past him into the darkness. My spark was thundering in my chest. I slowly lifted my arm and let my digits thread with his. Optimus gently held my servo and stepped into the shadows of the interior. 

I took a big breath, steeled myself, then followed, passing into the darkness. 

Oppressive. 

Thats the best way I could describe it as I walked down the hall, and stepped into an elevator with the others. Wheeljack pressed a button, "Going down. Next stop, the horrors of Shockwave's experiments for the war effort-Ow!" Wheeljack winced as Chromia elbowed him in the flank. 

"Read the room." She said, nodding in my direction. 

I perked up, "Oh, don't worry about it." She said softly, "Honestly a little dark humor isn't all bad. Got me through some dark times." 

Wheeljack gave a pleased hum, "See? Someone who understands me." 

"Nobody understands you." Sunstreaker griped as the elevator shuddered, then began to descend downward, "Hell, if it weren't for those stupid head-blinky things, no-one would even know you're speaking." 

"They're called helm-lights, Sunny."  Wheeljack replied. 

I listened to the bots bicker as the elevator continued its descent. I stood shoulder to shoulder with Optimus, and with each rumble from the elevator, a wave of anxiety crashed over me before coiling itself into an ever growing pit in my abdomen. I could feel Optimus watching my every movement. And I felt a gentle nudge against my servo. My helm turned slightly down, seeing Optimus' digit was gently extended towards mine in an offering. 

My digit met his, and before I knew it, his hand engulfed mine. I lifted my gaze to his, and he offered a reassuring smile. A smile that was -- No, it wasn't like the sun. It was gentle, subdued but true. 

More like moonlight, I guess. Yeah . . . yeah, moonlight. 

I was drawn out of the dumbass romantic internal monologue as the elevator ground to a halt and the doors slid open. I stepped out with the others into a long hallway, flanked with rooms. 

No. 

No, I remembered this hallway. 

Not rooms. 

Cells. 

I took a shaky vent, focusing on cycling the air through my tanks as I followed the others. Rung inspected one of the cells, peering through the bars, 

"Barbaric . . ." he whispered, "Even by Decepticon prison standards this is-" 

"We weren't prisoners." My voice carried out, making Rung look over, "We were his --" I paused, "things. I was gonna say animals, but even animals were treated better than I was." I walked down the hall, looking into the cells as I passed. 

I saw energon stained onto the floor, claw marks on the walls. 

Chains wrapped haphazardly around the bar doors, echoes of former prisoners' attempts to end their own suffering. 

"There were more than just you?" Optimus asked. 

"Dozens. Each one a special focus of Shockwave's ideas." I walked over to another cell, "Each one a different project." 

"Hey Beta?" 

I turned, hearing Sunstreaker who stood before one of the cells, inspecting something, "Yeah?" 

"Can you come here?" He asked. 

I slowly crossed the hall, approaching the cell Sunstreaker was looking at. Sunstreaker moved aside, pointing to something beside the cell door, "Isn't that --?" 

042902.

Bold as daylight on a plaque right beside the cell door. 

I swear my spark almost dropped right down into my gestation tank at the sight of the number, "Y-Yeah that's-- that's my number." 

"Beta-04." Sunny looked at me, his optics steadily widening, "When we got captured by the cons*, when we first met. The plan you used, with-with the number. You were sure Megatron would fall for it."

"Beta," I flinched, hearing Optimus' voice behind me, "Did Megatron know?" 

I stared at the number, before I moved over to the cell itself, my servos coming up and curling around the icy cold bars, "Of course he did." I said, "I was -- I was supposed  to be his big secret." I then pulled, the door swinging open with ease. 

"Big secret?" Chromia asked, "What do you mean? What does that number mean?" 

The creak of the metal door opening seemed deafening as I stood in the entrance to the cell. It was smaller than I remembered. Much smaller. I stepped inside, taking in the space. 

"042902." I repeated the number, "It was the lab number I was given. After I was rescued I made it a part of my name, so I would never forget what I survived. Beta-04." I looked over at them, "You guys keep looking for the SpaceBridge. I'll catch up. Promise." 

I listened to their receding footfalls, as I walked further into the space. The floor had permanent energon stains on it, as well as the walls. I traced my digits over it. My energon. Shackles still lay on the floor, fractured, from where my rescuer had broken my chains and carried me out. 

I knelt down and picked up one of the chains, holding it in my hand. The chain was rusted and coming apart. I found myself sitting with my back to the wall, staring at the door. Also seeing Optimus still leering in the doorway, watching me. 

Of course he wouldn't leave. 

Why am I not surprised. 

"I'd always sit right here. If I had the strength to sit upright." I said, "Always watched the door. Always." 

Optimus walked inside the cell, looking around, "I did not realize Megatron was aware of you as a prisoner." He said, sitting down beside me. 

"I killed two members of the DJD -- how could he not be?" I pulled my knees to my chest, "T-the stuff they did, Optimus . . . The DJD were fucked up. I -- I remember waking up --" my voice choked, "With my . . . with my brain module on the table next to me." 

"Oh . . . Beta . . ." Optimus servo found mine again. 

I scoffed, feeling my voice crack, "I did get a lotta free drinks at the bars after I was rescued -- the only femme to see her own brain module." I reached up and touched the back of my helm, "Vos and Kaon wanted to see how much they could push the pain center before it overloaded . . . it was a fun day."

My eyes scanned the space, seeing a series of haphazard scratches on the floor. I traced over them with my fingers -- counting marks. Counting the days? Weeks? It was so long ago I couldn't remember. I remember my digits bleeding as I gouged the floor to leave the mark there.

Some desperate attempt to make sure there was evidence that I was there. That I existed. In case my spark couldn't take it anymore.

 Optimus sat beside me, ever patient, still holding my hand, "You are far braver than most -- coming back to this place." He said. 

"Not like I have much of a choice." I replied bitterly, standing up, "We gotta get home, right?" 

Optimus stood up beside me, looking into my masked face, "Indeed but --" 

I hugged myself, "Its fucked up, Optimus. It's decades of fucked up, and I could fill books with the shit they did to me. The shit I still have to feel every day." I clawed at my own arms, "I can feel all the trauma that this whole adventure will drag up at a later date. I can fall apart when I get home." I turned away from him. 

"Can I be there when you do?" 

I froze, my body tensing, before turning to face him, "Huh?" 

Optimus seemed to realize what he had said, because his optics flickered downward for a moment, "When we return home -- will you allow me to be there to help you? I cannot even--" he paused, "Imagine what you endured and I feel as though you have endured this pain alone for so long . . . it only seems right that you have someone there. Because you are not alone." 

"You've been saying that a lot." I commented, "Is it cause of what . . .Dad said?" I asked as I walked out of the cell. 

"Partially. Partially because it is also the truth." 

I sighed, running my servo over my helm, "I mean, I guess." I began walking further down the hall, "That's a really fuckin' weird thing to ask somebody. Sweet, but weird." 

Optimus walked beside me, "Forgive me -- I merely wish to help."

"I know. It's okay." I let my servos fall to my side, "Its just . . . all so messy. There's a part of me that . . . that wants to talk about it. I know talking about it will help but it's messy. So much shit happened. I don't even know where to begin. Much less how to made me feel." 

Optimus looked like he was about to say something when a voice echoed from further down the hall, 

"OP! Beta! We found something!" It was Chromia. 

Optimus looked to me, "We can discuss this further at a later date, if you wish." He then set off at a jog down the hall. 

I shrugged, "Its whatever, I guess. Doesn't really undo what's been done." I mumbled mostly to myself, trotting after Optimus. 

*Reference to the end of Cyborg Series, Book One: "Somewhere In-Between"

Chapter Text

Beta-04's P.O.V.:

Following Chroma's voice through the dark halls was like re-living every memory. Every bad thing that ever happened to me was ripped to the surface with every step. 

With every memory, a scar on my form throbbed, as if to remind me that yes, it did happen, and yes it still hurts. 

After all this time -- it still hurts. 

Optimus and I rounded a turn and walked through an open door -- the narrow hallway of cells opened up into a huge laboratory and I froze in the doorway. Optimus walked past me and came up to the others, who were all crowded around a console with a large computer screen. But I wasn't looking at that, I was looking at the operating table that stood in the center of the room, with side tables and shelves littered with tools and bottles full of Primus knows what. Suspended above the table was an operating machine of Shockwave's own making -- long arms rigged with cruel tools hung limply. 

I slowly approached the table, seeing faint energon stains on it, as well as the floor around it. I reached out and let my servo run over the surface, tracing the shackles that once restrained me to his table. All four limbs, plus one that went around my throat. 

I was vaguely aware of the others talking urgently about whatever they had discovered on the computer, but it was quickly getting downed out, replaced with the voices of memories. My servo began to shake, the anxiety coiling inside me transforming into anger. My servo curled into a trembling fist as I grit my teeth--my spark starting to hammer to loudly within my body it was the only thing I could really hear. 

My vision swam. 

The next thing I was registering was grabbing the table and ripping it out of the floor -- apparently it was bolted down -- because the sound of metal crying out under duress filled the space. I flung the table and it slammed against the wall with a deafening crash before settling to the floor. I stood there, staring at the mess I had made, my breath heavy as my servos trembled at my sides. 

Everyone else was staring at me fully. 

"My, my, aren't we one for dramatics." Knockout quipped. 

I turned to the others, tapping my digits against my thigh idly, "Sorry." 

"No, don't be." Chromia said, "It was actually kinda impressive." 

I walked over to them, "What'd you find?" 

They all parted for me, allowing me to have access to the console. I stood before it, staring up at the faded screen. It was paragraphs of information and notes, all meticulously organized. 

I leaned in close, reading aloud, 'The time excavating in the Acid Wastes has been successful. I know have the specimens required to . . . clone my Master's army." 

"So he wasn't alone." Sunstreaker said, "He was working on something." 

We all then collectively turned to Knockout who stared at each of us with wide eyes. He pulled his shackled hands up to his body, "Whoa, whoa -- what? Why are you all staring at me?" 

"I think you know why." Wheeljack scowled, putting his hands on his hips, "What was Shockwave bringin' with him? What were these 'clones'?" 

Knockout huffed, "You greatly overestimate my position in the Decepticon ranks." He scoffed, "Any information about this was strictly need-to-know." 

"But you knew Shockwave was coming. You knew you were building a goddamn SpaceBridge back on earth." I interjected, moving closer to him, "You knew. You fucking knew, so don't lie to us and play fucking dumb!" My voice rose with every word I spoke. 

Knockout shot me a look, "I assure you I am many things but dumb is not one of them!" He said, "Certainly not dumb enough to help the Autobots!" 

My servo curled into a fist as I tilted my head, "Oh, you're going to tell us everything you know." I said. 

Knockout rolled his optics, sneering at me, "What? That supposed to scare me?" He leaned in more, "You're the coward -- all that parading and showing off how strong you are, and yet underneath all of that is just a scared, pathetic femme." 

I stared down at him, feeling anger coil within my being as I stared down at Knockout. My servo then retracted and transformed into my blaster arm and I lifted it and held it level with Knockout's chest.

"Talk, or you die." I said. 

"Whoa!" Wheeljack yelped, moving away from my firearm.

"Beta!" Sunstreaker barked. 

Knockout stared at my weapon, then up at me, "You wouldn't. Not with your teammates here." he snarled. 

"I would." I said, as my blaster powered up, "But not because I care about what they think, but because I'd get to look Breakdown in the eye and tell him that I put a blaster shot through your spark." I took a step closer, the barrel of my blaster inches from his chest. 

Knockout's sneer wavered as he stared at my blaster, "You wouldn't -" 

"Wanna bet?" I pushed the blaster into his chest, "Talk. Or die. Pretty fucking simple." 

"You're a monster!" Knockout shouted. 

I shrugged, "I know. It's what Shockwave made me to be. This is what I was built to do." I took a step closer, "Now, you gonna quit bitchin'? Or am I gonna kill you? I really don't care either way." 

"Beta." Optimus took a step forward, "There is another way." 

"Not one that gets us to earth faster than this!" I barked over my shoulder, "Don't test me, OP. I am really trying to keep my grip on my self control but I am one comment away from showing you all how much of a monster I really am." 

Knockout held up his hand, "Ok! Ok! Just put the blaster down!" He shouted. 

I then lifted it to his face, "It doesn't go away till you're done talking!" I shouted back. 

Knockout stared at me, "You're crazy!" 

"Now you're getting it!" I snarled, "Talk, con!" 

"I don't know specifics! Like I said, I'm just a medic! It really was need-to-know!" Knockout snapped back, "But there was the word Project Predacon thrown around! Shockwave was doing something big! Something that Megatron was sure would end the war for good!"

I lowered my blaster, "Shockwave's speciality is bio-mechanical warfare,." I said. 

"Isn't the Acid Wastes the biggest mass grave of Predacon remains-" Perceptor paused, his eyes going wide, "Oh my . . ." 

"He cloned an army of Predacons?!" Chromia exclaimed, "Seriously?!"

"But-" I looked to Optimus, "The Predacons never made it through the portal." I said, 

"No." Optimus nodded solemnly, "We were able to detonate the SpaceBridge before anything else came through." 

"So . . ." Wheeljack raised his servo, akin to a student in class, "If the predacons aren't on earth . . . then where -?" 

I felt something hit the top of my head. I blinked, and reached up and ran my digits over my helm, pulling them back to reveal some gooey energon-like substance between my fingers. I flinched as another plop of it splattered across my head. I slowly turned my helm up to the ceiling, 

"Erm . . . Wheeljack?" I whispered, "I think I found one." 

Everyone turned their gaze upwards and Wheeljack let out an unceremonious 'eep' noise as he scampered behind Sunstreaker for cover. Coiled like a serpent in the rafters was some kind of beast. It looked like an earth panther -- very cat like in its build, but it had a long serpent-like neck, with the face of a lizard and a long, whip-like tail. 

Two golden optics bore down upon us, drool dripping from its maw as it let out something between a hiss and a snarl. My servo transformed back into a blaster and I held it up, 

"Optimus?"  

Optimus held up his own blaster too, his battle mask sliding over his face, "No sudden moves." He said. 

The predacon tilted its head, its long tail giving a quick lash back and forth. It unhinged its jaw, wider than anatomically possible. It coiled its body, before it lunged down. 

I fired off several blaster shots, hitting my target, making the creature scream. Optimus pushed me back, keeping his blaster also trained on the predacon. 

"This is not possible!" Perceptor exclaimed, "The actual odds of cloning something that has been dead for eons is . . .0000000-" 

"Don't even." I barked over my shoulder, "Don't give me that percentage shit, Perceptor. It's standing right here, it's alive! And it wants to fucking eat us!" 

"Perhaps it doesn't want to mean us harm." Perceptor counters. 

The creature's optics locked onto me, and it gave a screech, before lunging forward and tackling me. I yelped as I fell back, one arm bracing against its throat to keep it from biting me. 

"I THINK IT MEANS US HARM! A LOT OF HARM!" I shouted back as I punched the creature in the snout. 

The creature had one paw pressed to my chest, claws digging into my metal chassis as it continued to snap at me. Suddenly, the predacon got knocked off by none other than a body slam via Chromia. I looked over, watching as the beast rolled away, before righting itself. I looked up, seeing Chromia straddling me, looking down with a smirk. 

I chuckled quietly, "Not the first time I've been straddled by a hottie. Damn." 

"I'm taken, sweetspark." She extended her servo to me, a smile on her derma, "But I'm flattered." 

"Yeah, yeah, I know." I took her servo and stood up, "Ironhide, you lucky fragger" I then turned to the predacon, blaster raised and I began firing. 

Chromia joined me as well, her arm transforming into a blaster too and firing. The predacon shrieked in pain, before turning and charging madly towards Rung. I lowered my blaster and bolted forward, closing the distance between myself and the creature in a few strides. I leapt upon it, encircling my arms around its neck and pinning it to the ground. 

It was strong. I barely had it in me to maintain some form of control. I managed to get its head into a headlock, pinning it to the cold floor as the rest of the body writhed behind me like a fish on a hook. 

Chromia came into my vision, helping me pin its head down as Wheeljack and Perceptor leapt onto its body to keep it still. 

"This thing is strong!" Wheeljack yelped as he was nearly bucked off. Optimus walked up to us, kneeling by the Predacon and staring at its head as it snarled and snapped. 

I looked at Optimus through my mask, "You gonna put a bullet in this thing or should I?" I asked. "I don't care either way, Hoss, just wanna know the game plan!" I winced as the sharp spines along its back dug into my arm. 

Optimus peered down at the Predacon, then lifting his gaze up to me, "Let it go." 

I stared at him, ". . .I'm sorry, what?" 

"Let it go." He said, standing up, "It is a beast -- it is not attacking us out of malice, it is attacking out of fear." He gestured around us, "Regardless of the horrors that have occurred in this space, this is the Predacon's home." He looked at me, "I think we can sympathize with protecting our home." 

I stared at him, then sighed deeply, letting out an exasperated noise, "You a your altruism-" I looked over my shoulder, "On my count, bail." 

The others nodded in agreement. 

"One, two . . . three!" I let go and combat rolled away. 

Chromia scrambled back as Perceptor and Wheeljack threw themselves off the beast. The predacon paused, slowly pushing up onto its paws, scanning us slowly. 

It then locked onto me, tilting its head. I felt my spark drop into my stomach, "Easy . . ." I held up my servos, "Good Predacon. Nice Predacon- WHOA!" I felt the force of the Predacon as it pounced on me, pinning me on my back with one massive paw on my chest. 

I was nose to nose with this thing, staring into its optics as it snarled. 

"Beta!" Rung gasped, as Sunstreaker reached for his blaster. 

I made a motion for him to stop with my servo, "No, no don't!" I exclaimed, not taking my eyes of the predacon, "You'll only piss it off." 

The predacon reeled back, opening its mouth, before unleashing a roar that shook the whole room. I grit my teeth and winced, curling in on myself and covering my audio receptors as I was hit point blank with a predacon roar at god knows how many decibels. 

The roar faded out, and the Predacon gave me one last snort, before it spun on its hind legs and galloped off into the shadows, disappearing down on of the many offshoot hallways that surrounded us. 

I slowly uncurled from my spot on the floor, and sat up. I rubbed my audio receptors, wincing as a ringing sound kept fading in and out. 

"Are you alright?" Optimus knelt beside me, but his voice was muffled from the ringing. 

"What?" I called, louder than my normal speaking tone, "I can't hear you! All I hear is ringing, cause that's what happens when you get a predacon roaring at you at point blank range!" I rubbed my audios again. 

Optimus gave me a kind look as he helped me to my feet, "It will wear off." He told me. 

I scoffed and sighed, "Lets just  . . . find this SpaceBridge before we run into something else." 

Chapter Text

Somewhere in the Mountains in Mexico

Third Person's P.O.V.:

The opressive heat was even getting to Megatron. Not so much that it affected him in any particular way, but when the warlord landed on the aired, desert mountainside, he was happier than he'd ever admit to see the reaching maw of the cave that rose up before him. A welcomed break from the sun's barrage. 

Beside him, Starscream, Thundercracker and Skywarp also landed, in perfect flanking positions. 

"Master," Starscream padded after Megatron, "What brings us to this location?" 

Megatron hummed, but didn't respond, only shooting Starscream a withering glare over his shoulder as he continued forward. 

"Woof." Thundercracker mused, walking up beside his triplet, "Talk about the cold shoulder." 

Starscream responded by elbowing Thundercracker in the flank, "Shut up, you! Clearly our Master wants to show, rather than merely tell us." 

"Or." Skywarp countered, coming up on Starscream's other side, "He's giving you the cold shoulder because of your massive royal fuck up which lead to the Autobots getting wind of the SpaceBridge and Shockwave in the first place." 

Starscream bristled, glaring at his twin, "That is not how that happened." 

"Oh yeah?" Thundercracker chuffed, "I seem to remember Soundwave playing a very candid recording of you bitching and moanin' about not finding the satellite, and harpin' on about how we're all at Shockwave's beck and call.*" He crossed his arms, "Honestly, you're lucky Megatron didn't scrap you for parts, brother." 

If Starscream could shrink, he would in that moment. His wings gave a flustered flutter, "How was I supposed to know that the Autobots were clearly spying on us?!"

"Enough! All of you!" Megatron's thundering tone shut the triplets up, the warmonger shooting a glare at the three of them with his burning red optics, before he continued into the cave. 

The three of them followed Megatron, albeit tentatively and quietly, being sure there was enough distance between them and Megatron to make a run for it, just in case he decided to go one one of his infamous tirades and take his anger out on them.  The small group rounded a turn and the cave opened up into a huge vaulted cavern. Affixed to the walls were energon lamps, and the Seekers found themselves gawking at what was before them.

It was, in layman's terms, a fully functional laboratory. There were computers, workbenches, all manner of tools and devices needed. The most striking thing, however, with the huge chambers, mounted on stands. They were each filled with a cloudy green liquid, and occasionally it would bubble and slosh around. 

At the center of it all, leaning over a workbench, examining their most recent Predacon find, was Shockwave. His one optic scrutinizing the sample as he picked at it with a pair of pliers. 

"Shockwave." Megatron greeted, taking in the space, "I see you have been making good use of the offsite laboratory that we crafted in your absence." 

"Crafted to my specifications." Shockwave replied, lifting his head to meet Megatron's gaze, "Having this laboratory set up just in case the SpaceBridge failed was a logical course of action." 

"Indeed." Megatron cast a death glare to Starscream, "We must be thankful for Shockwave's foresight. Correct, Starscream?"

Starscream shrank beneath his master's gaze, averting his eyes, "Indeed, Lord Megatron." 

"There was a reasonable margin of error that would have led to the Autobots uncovering the SpaceBridge before I could bring through the Predacons I had cloned on Cybertron." Shockwave said, "It would have been illogical to not have some form of back up plan." 

"And uh," Thundercracker pipes up, "what exactly is that backup plan, Shockwave?"

Shockwave picked up the fractured fossil in one servo, "While incomplete, thanks to the Autobots, this Predacon remain is full of CNA which allows me to resume the cloning process here, on Earth." 

"How did Predacons get to earth anyways?" Skywarp asked, "Didn't they all, like, die in the Cataclysm?" 

"Not all of them." Shockwave walked leisurely to the large containers, dragging his digits along the glass, "I had discovered ancient texts implying that a small population of Predacons had escaped the Cataclysm. More specifically, they must have attached themselves to an asteroid and travelled the stars. Before landing here, on earth, millions of years ago." 

Thundercracker blinked numbly, "Wait -- how many millions we talkin' here?" 

"Around 60 million, I would say." Shockwave said.

"Oh my Primus, Predacons killed the dinosaurs." Thundercracker gaped. 

"It is possible that they were on the same asteroid, but there is no evidence that confirms this." Shockwave stared at the murk fluid in the chamber, "That being said, time wore away at the Predacons, as it does to all living things. While these fossil deposits are sparse, there should be enough to clone more Predacons. Though not at the same scale as my lab back on Cybertron." 

Starscream rolled his optics, "You think of everything, don't you?" 

"It is in my programming to consider all possible outcomes." Shockwave turned back to the seekers. The murky liquid in the chamber behind him roiled and a mechanical, clawed hand pressed to the glass, as a bestial cry came from within it. 

Even Megatron shifted back on one pede at the noise while the Seekers flocked together in a scaredy ball. 

"And once we have enough Predacon remains," Shockwave said, "I will be able to clone more, and with them under my command we shall hunt down the Autobots, and put an end to their illogical resistance once and for all." 

Chapter Text

Beta-04's P.O.V.:

I felt a little numb. Walking through a place that was such a source of pain and suffering for me  -- I suppose it was the only way to cope with it. 

Wasn't like I could just opt out. This was our only way home.

Wheeljack and Perceptor were taking the lead, walking down the winding halls, following the power conductors in the ceiling --  according to the both of them it would lead us to where the SpaceBridge was, since it was such a massive use of power and energy. 

I had been quiet since the Predacon had slunk off into the darkness, partially because my hearing was royally fucked from being roared at from point blank range, partially because I . . . really had not much to say. I felt exposed, like someone rooting through my underwear drawer and finding all my dirty secrets. 

Not to say being experimented on against my will was considered a dirty secret, but . . . it was a time where I had not autonomy over what happened to me, and I felt vulnerable. 

Hell, I think to some degree I always felt vulnerable -- probably explains my delightful personality. 

We all rounded a turn and paused before a huge door. A really big, heavily reinforced door with a really complex looking keypad attached to it. 

"Well, this has to be it." Sunstreaker quipped, "Why else would there be a reinforced door here?" 

"To keep weapons of mass destruction safely isolated?" Perceptor offered as he began examining the door while Wheeljack took a crack at the keypad.

I turned and looked back the way we had come, scanning the darkness, "You think there's more than one Predacon lurking in here?" I asked. 

"We would be foolish to assume otherwise." Optimus rumbled in reply, "The one we encountered very well could be one of an entire army that was not able to make its way through the SpaceBridge." 

Wheeljack pulled the panel off the keypad and peered down at it, "Ooo-kayy. Small problem." he looked over at us, "This is way more complicated than the front door." 

"Then we gotta be on the right track." Chromia quipped, "What's the problem?" 

Wheeljack rubbed his neck, his optics narrowing, "There may be a risk of me . . . getting electrocuted. The key pad has security measures. Dummy leads. Booby traps. It's a work of art!" 

My childish ass self snorted, "Heh. Booby."  

"I'm serious." Wheeljack spoke again, exasperated, "I'm not gonna get through this thing anytime soon." 

"And I fear time is not on our side." Optimus said grimly. 

"What about punching our way in?" Sunstreaker asked 

I took one look at the door and tilted my helm, "I can try."

Knockout scoffed, "Oh really? You? You can kick down a door that big?" 

I shrugged, "I can try." I replied, "What's the worst that's gonna happen?" 

"You get electrocuted and die." Wheeljack deadpanned.

"Bust a seal and injure yourself." Rung added. 

"Suffer a compound injury to your joints." Optimus tagged on.

My shoulders slumped, "You all suck." I rolled my shoulders as I approached the door, "I'm not letting Shockwave screw us over. Screw me over again." I stared at the seam where the doors were connected, "I refuse to give him that." 

I reached out and touched the seam where the automatic doors joined, before I took a step back, becoming more aware of the pain in my legs and body by the second. I let my optics roll closed as I lifted my servos, muttering in the Prime Vernacular. 

"Whoa, whoa, what's she doing?" Chromia asked. 

"Shh." Optimus hushed the femme, "Watch." 

I felt heat rise in my form, the energon heating up in my veins as my spark pulse raced faster and faster. I reeled my leg back, pistons tight and wires coiling, before I sent all that heat, all that power, right down into my leg as I shot out a devastating front kick. 

In all honesty? I didn't think the kick would do shit. Just a Hail Mary. If I wasn't so . . . broken, if I was in my prime, maybe I'd be able to. 

My pede made contact and to my utter shock, the metal bent and bowed beneath the force, splitting open. 

"Holy slag!" Wheeljack yelped. 

I pulled my foot out of the door and approached it, the hole was big enough to fit two servos between. I looked over to Optimus, "Help me out?" 

He nods, jogging forward, each of us slotting a servo through the opening. I yanked one way, Optimus the other -- the doors screeched in protest. But regardless, the doors moved on their runners. I grit my dentals, pushing the doors with all I could. Eventually, we stopped when it was wide enough to pass through. I backed away and put my servos on my hips, letting my helm lull over to face Knockout, 

"You were saying?" 

Knockout scowled at me, "I don't like you." 

"I don't like me, either." I replied, taking a breath and stepping inside. 

The interior was dark, with only a few energon lamps illuminating the space. The largest source of light, however, was not the energon lamps overhead, it was the glowing parts of the dormant SpaceBridge. The metal frame that would house the portal was huge, far bigger than our GroundBridge back on earth. 

Wheeljack scampered past me and made a b-line for the wall of computers and monitors, starting to type away furiously. 

"It'll take a while to power it up and get it online." He said over his shoulder as Perceptor joined him,

"Agreed." Perceptor quipped, "We will also have to navigate about the multitude of security measures Shockwave no doubt put in." 

I looked around the space, seeing more computers and machinery.  I sighed deeply, as Optimus stood beside me, addressing Wheeljack and Perceptor, 

"We will monitor for any unwanted visitors until you can get it online." 

I turned my gaze to the door we all just passed through. My servo transformed into a blaster, straining my audios to listen. There was a beat of silence, before from the bowels of the lab an unholy screech echoed. 

Then another.

And another. 

"So. . ." I turned to Optimus, "Remember that whole thing you said about the one predacon that we ran into, and how it could be one of an army?"

Optimus also activated his blaster, his battle mask sliding over his face, "The army is awake. And it knows it is not alone."