The Power Within - Transformers Prime (2)

Chapter Thirty-Eight

  "Guys," I cut him off before he could tear up. I wouldn't be able to handle it if he did. "There's a lot in play here. If Cybertron is going to be revived, we first need the Omega Keys and then we need a way to get to the planet. It's not just going to happen." My tone softened. "And they may be leaving Earth, but they won't be leaving us. We all have a special bond with the Autobots, and even lightyears can't break that. No matter the outcome, we aren't losing them."

  "Ratchet, ground bridge," Arcee said over the comms. I frowned. That was quick. There must have been no fight or Dreadwing surrendered or-

  The five Autobots walked through the ground bridge into the base. It didn't seem like anything changed, except Optimus was carrying a massive hammer.

  "I am granting you the power to create," Cleona said, her hand on a golden hammer. "The forge will be able to form anything you wish, and may only be used by a Prime."

  "Thank you, my lady," Solus Prime bowed deeply.

  "It's no Star Saber," Smokescreen's voice broke the flash. "But I bet it can shatter Megatron's blade and put some dents into that ugly mug of his."

  Arcee shook her head. "It's not that kind of hammer."

  "With the Decepticons in possession of all four Omega Keys," Ratchet said. "A more appropriate use of the forge would be to use it to replicate our own."

  "Even with such power," Optimus said. "Their reconstruction would require a level of expertise I do not possess." I could hear the frustration in his tone.

  "I guess we better hope Megatron doesn't destroy the keys to prevent anyone from ever going home." Arcee commented and everyone sucked in a breath.

  The Prime didn't seem concerned though. "Megatron may be evil, but I believe he will use the keys for their intended purpose."

  "Then I say we let him keep them and do the work for us," Bulkhead suggested. Everyone turned to him. "I mean, what difference does it make who restores Cybertron?"

  "If Megatron revives Cybertron," Optimus said. "He will no doubt use it to his political advantage."

  "You lost me."

  "In all likelihood, the leader of the Decepticons will portray himself as our planet's savior and brand all Autobots as war criminals."

  "The grand deception continues," Arcee muttered.

  Ratchet stepped forward. "Megatron's so called 'achievement' could influence Cybertron for eons to come. Poisoning the sparks and minds of its returning citizens is hardly the ideal was to begin a new age."

  "And Primus," I spoke up, causing them all to turn to me. "If Megatron takes control of Cybertron, his corruption will spread into Primus and poison him again. Let's say he does end up controlling the planet, and does the whole poisoning the sparks and minds thing for returning Cybertronians. On such a large scale, it'll kill Primus all over again."

  We all fell silent before Optimus spoke again.

  "But there is hope," He said. "For while Megatron may have the keys, he has yet to discover the existence of the Omega Lock itself."

  "Omega Lock?" Jack asked.

  "Wait," Arcee said. "Now you lost me."

  "That which the four relics were designed to activate," The Prime explained. "We must locate the device before Megatron does and secure it until we can recover the keys."

  Ratchet gaped. "There are no more Iacon entries to decode. This lock could be anywhere on Earth!"

  "It is on Cybertron."