Transformers: Of Bots and Men

Processor Over Matter

Ratchet fell silent, unable to believe his own audio-receptors. He exchanged glances with Preceptor and Wheeljack, who were equally floored. The things Massacre was describing were events and information that she had no way of knowing, unless she truly was the organic.

"It is you..." Ratchet let out. "You're online..."

"Not for long." Massacre replied as the sound of jet engines filled the comm link. "Megatron's furious that I escaped and I've got cons trying to find me."

Her voice seemed to catch and the fear coursing through her system became all too obvious.

"I don't know where I am, I don't know how long I can evade the cons, and I know that even if I find my way to Iacon-"

"The Elite Guard would terminate you before you even reached the Great Dome." Wheeljack finished for her.

"Please..." Massacre begged. "I need help..."

"Don't worry, little one." Ratchet assured her. "I'll make sure you get to safety, even if I have to come find you myself."

Massacre went to reply, but instead she let out a yelp, the line suddenly cutting off. With a sliver a fear working through his shell, Ratchet transformed, rolling out with Preceptor and Wheeljack right behind him.

...

Optimus stood in the war room, looking over a large holographic map of Cybertron. Around him were his most trusted Lieutenants; Ironhide, Jazz, and Ultra Magnus. Though the Autobots had been victorious in protecting Iacon, the recent attack on CORD had made it quite clear that there was still a great deal of work to do before the war could come to an end.

Optimus barely heard the doors to the war room open, though he did hear the sound of his friend Ratchet screeching to a halt in his vehicle mode. He looked up as Ratchet entered his robot mode, the look on his faceplate showing a great deal of distress.

"Ratchet, is everything alright?" Optimus questions.

"I'm afraid not, Optimus." The Med-bot replied. "I need to speak to you, in private if possible."

Optimus turned to his lieutenants, who all wordlessly stood up and left the room. Wheeljack and Preceptor entered not long after, sealing the doors behind them.

"Is this about Bumblebee?" Optimus asked.

"No, the young scout will be fine, albeit mute I'm afraid." Ratchet assured him. "This visit is about something else."

"We're here about what happened back at our facility." Wheeljack explained.

"Yes, I heard about Grapple and Hoist." Optimus replied, looking down sadly. "You have my condolences for their loss."

"Optimus, you remember the little organic CORD had on sight?" Ratchet asked.

"How could I forget?" Optimus answered, a rare smile gracing his face plate. "You have told me many fond stories of her."

"Well, it would seem that she managed to survive the attack, though not entirely unscathed." Ratchet continued.

Optimus' metallic eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Preceptor quickly stepped in to explain.

"I'm not sure how, but the Decepticons managed to get ahold of my Organic Energon theory." He declared. "Megatron thought the organic could be used to revive Massacre, and he was both right and wrong."

"Massacre is online?!" Optimus exclaimed.

"Yes, and no." Wheeljack replied. "Apparently, the organic's consciousness has taken hold of the con and is running the show."