Transformers Prime: A New Beginning

Chapter 26: Shattered

Normal Perspective:

Two weeks had passed since Cyclonus had arrived on Earth. Within that time, not much had changed. Starscream's trial had progressed, and he had been given the privilege of being outside his room whenever he wanted to be as a reward for saving the children, but he wasn't allowed to be in the Command Center by himself, just in case he tried to pull any tricks or tried to escape. He was also not allowed to be outside his room without his stasis cuffs.

His interrogations also continued, with Starscream still heading out with the Autobots to raid mines, but their attempts usually ended up failing, with the 'Bot's stockpile still low, only being able to collect and process enough Energon to produce about two or three cubes per mine.

Things were looking bleak in terms of their fuel supply.

However, something odd was also going on, as the Autobots began to notice. Ever since the day after Starscream saved the kids, Michael began to give some of the Autobots odd looks whenever he saw them. It wasn't noticeable at first, but they soon began to pick up on it. But whenever they tried asking him about it, he wouldn't give them a clear answer. They kept a close optic on him whenever he was around, but they were starting to become concerned. Especially Bumblebee and Cliffjumper.

Michael also became tense whenever he was around the 'Bots. He didn't know why, but ever since that day, he began to have strange dreams, but they didn't feel like dreams. To him, they felt more like memories.

Memories that didn't belong to him.

One day, about two weeks since the dreams first started, Michael was sitting in the human area with Jessica, Miko, and Jack. Raf was still working on schoolwork, and Vince was hanging out elsewhere. Michael, Jack and Miko were sitting on the couch while Jessica stood nearby when Bumblebee came in. He smiled when he saw his sparkmate, but frowned when he noticed that Michael was struggling to smile back. He was becoming more and more concerned with each day that passed. He wanted to know why his sparkmate was acting like this, but he didn't know where to start. Deciding to at least try and help, he walked over to where Michael was sitting.

"<:Michael? Is everything okay?:>"

Michael looked up at his boyfriend, and tried to put on a brave face, but found that he couldn't.

"I... really don't know to be honest. Ever since the day Starscream saved the others, I began to have strange dreams." Michael replied, unsure.

"<:Would you... like to talk about them?:>"

"No thanks, 'Bee." Michael smiled. "I'm sure I'll be able to figure it out. Thank you though."

Bumblebee didn't feel completely reassured, but couldn't keep himself from smiling. He knew his sparkmate was strong, and that he would be able to get through whatever was bothering him. Before they could say anything else, a signal was detected on the console, which Ratchet noticed.

"Optimus!" The CMO called, and the Prime, as well as the other Autobots and Starscream, entered the room. "I've just picked up a Cybertronian life signal, but it's... odd."

Ratchet pulled the signal up on the console, and they all looked at the screen.

The life signal appeared to be roughly similar to Michael's own, but it was staticky, and the profile picture appeared as a glitchy mess.

The Autobots looked over at Michael, then back at the screen. Michael was still there, so his signal shouldn't be appearing. But if that was the case,

Who was making the signal?

"Could this be a Decepticon trick?" Arcee asked.

"I don't know. Replicating life signals is not an easy feat, even for the Decepticons." Ratchet replied.