ʜᴇʏ ɢᴜʏꜱ! ɪ ᴅᴇᴄɪᴅᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴘᴏꜱᴛ ᴀ ᴍɪɴɪ-ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ! ɪᴛ'ꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴄʟᴏꜱᴇ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ᴀꜱ ʟᴏɴɢ ᴀꜱ
ᴍʏ ᴜꜱᴜᴀʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀꜱ, ʙᴜᴛ ɪ'ᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ ꜱᴏ ʙᴜꜱʏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇɴ'ᴛ ʜᴀᴅ ᴍᴜᴄʜ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴡʀɪᴛᴇ. ꜱᴏʀʀʏ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ, ʙᴜᴛ ʜᴏᴘᴇꜰᴜʟʟʏ, ᴛʜɪꜱ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴡɪʟʟ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ᴜᴘ ꜰᴏʀ ɪᴛ.
ᴇɴᴊᴏʏ!
Hot air immediately surrounded my body like a thick fog, my nose scrunching from the feeling as I finally left the small antique store. Year-long heat was something I was still getting used to, and I could say with certainty that I didn't like it. I stretched my arms above me, sighing softly as my muscles screamed in relief. As much as I loved working at the tiny shop, sitting in one place for an extended period was not doing my body any favors.
With a exhale, I scanned the area around me until they caught a familiar red and blue. Wasting no time, I rushed to the Semi-truck, my tired demeanor disappearing as I climbed inside.
"Hey, Optimus." I greeted, sliding into the familiar seats.
"Hello Astra, how was work?" The Prime asked, the door closing behind me.
"Good, there was a fair amount of customers today," I chirped, leaning back against the seat. Optimus hummed, the vehicle lurching forward. "I'm surprised to see you, though," I commented, drawing the mech's attention. "I thought you were out searching for Energon with Bulkhead."
"We came back early." He vaguely answered. I raised an eyebrow at that, my head tilting.
"Is that a good or a bad thing?"
"It... didn't go as planned." The Prime revealed a slight hesitancy in his tone.
"I see.." I didn't have to ask him to know they didn't get any Energon, and I couldn't help but be worried. I knew the Autobots were running dangerously low, and I didn't want to know what would happen if they completely ran out. Even though Optimus tried to hide it, I knew he was concerned as well.
My gaze lazily traveled up the road when a wave of deja vu hit me. I squinted, my green hues landing on a barely noticeable trail ahead. My face lit up in realization, and I couldn't stop the small smile from rising.
"You see that trail up there?" I asked, straightening myself as I pointed to the obscure road.
"Yes."
"Turn there." His mirror tilted in my direction, and I could practically feel the confusion coming from him in waves. I smirked, my green hues bright. "Just trust me," I added, my smile widening as he turned. I knew the dirt path would go on for a couple more minutes, so I got comfortable again.
"Where are we going?" Optimus inquired. I shook my head, zipping my lips with my fingers.
"You'll see," I teased.
We silently traveled up the rugged trail. If you could even call it a trail anymore, the dirt road had ended a few minutes back, and now it was nothing but flat desert rock as we traveled upwards. I knew my request was strange, but I had a feeling that Optimus needed to relax, even if it was just for a moment. Eventually, we reached our destination, and right when he stopped, I hopped out.
Immediately the wind blew through my long hair, tangling it up in a frenzy behind me. I sighed in contentment, taking a deep breath as I stared at the view before me. We were on top of one of the flats, miles up from the ground, and as much as I hated the desert, I had to admit it was beautiful from this height.
Almost in a trance, I moved to the edge, getting myself comfortable as I sat on the warmed rock. I barely heard Optimus transform from behind me, my mind more entranced by the rolling sands to notice. It was only when the vibrations of his footsteps came closer did I pull myself from the landscape.
Optimus silently sat beside me, his optics softening slightly. The sun was setting, basking the sky in a deep orange and pink, the colors reflecting off his finish. I basked in the peace for a moment, allowing my mind to wander from the questions that constantly ran through my thoughts.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" I murmured, breaking the quiet air between us.
"Yes. It is." He answered softly. I smiled, thoughtfully rubbing the crystal around my neck. Being in nature always comforted me. It allowed me to forget and get away from everything, even if it was just for a moment. In a way, it reminded me of Dad. I pulled my knees to my chest as something contracted inside me, a frown pulling at my lips.
"Do you miss it?" Even though I didn't look, I could feel Optimus's gaze. "Cybertron." I finished, turning to look at the bot. The light in his eye diminished slightly, his attention returning to the view before us.
"Yes... I do." His voice was somber; his optics focused on a point in the distance. My fingers nervously tapped my legs as I debated asking the question that ran through my thoughts. It was one I had ever since I'd heard of the new planet, though I never asked for fear of bringing up unsavory memories. After a few more minutes, I opened my mouth.
"What was Cybertron like?" I inquired, tilting my head towards him. He let out what sounded like a sigh, and for a moment, I thought I'd have said something to trouble him. Just as I started to backtrack, he spoke.
"It was a big planet, slightly bigger than this galaxy's Saturn." I untensed as he spoke, my gaze locked unto his figure. "There were towering cities made of metal, with technology that surpassed that of this world." His mouth quirked slightly as if the cities were sitting before him. "Beyond the city were vast metallic plains, spiraling mountains made from metal, and even bottomless neon-lit chasm, something you could see even miles away from the planet."
I listened intently as Optimus told me how Cybertron was before the war. He told stories about his time before he became a Prime. When he was nothing more than a lowly librarian named Orian, as Optimus continued to tell me about his planet and how Cybertronians used to live, I couldn't help but notice how much lighter he seemed. His usually stoic expression was gone, and his whole countenance was relaxed.
As he talked, the stars slowly showed their faces, and I couldn't help but stare at them, wondering which one led to his home. Despite my want to listen, I couldn't stop the heaviness that drew my eyelids shut. My head lightly hit a cool surface as my breaths slowed, and I barely processed the fact that my guardian had stopped talking. If I were looking at him would've noticed the gentle smile on his lips as his optics stared at my slumbering figure.
As my consciousness faded, I imagined the world Optimus spoke of, and I couldn't help but think it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.
* * * * * *
Fowler sighed, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. His dark hues watched the waiter as she walked past, the woman barely giving him so much as a glance. With a long sigh, he looked at his watch, his brows furrowing in annoyance as he returned to his methodical tapping.
Why was Fowler here, you ask? One of his old friends had contacted him and asked him to meet them at this tiny restaurant in the middle of nowhere. Why his friend insisted on meeting him was unknown, but his thoughts ran rampant at the endless possibilities. He only hoped that this meeting was about anything other than her daughter.
I don't need to deal with that mess. Agent Fowler thought, sipping the glass of water in front of him. A body sliding into the booth drew him from his thoughts, and his gaze met with stunning blue ones.
"It's not like you to be late," Fowler commented lightly. The woman in front of him let out an amused breath, moving a strand of caramel hair out of her face. She was tired, Fowler noted carefully. Her usually vibrant eyes seemed dull, and the bags underneath her eyes only confirmed his suspicions.
"I apologize, Will. It's harder than you think to get out of a shift." She teased softly, a small smile lifting her lips. Though it quickly faded, her fingers intertwining in front of her. "You must be wondering why I asked to meet you after so many years."
"Well, I know it wasn't to catch up." The Agent retorted. The woman ignored him, her lips drawn in a tense line. His playful demeanor disappeared as a thick tension came between them. He unconsciously straightened, suddenly feeling the slightest bit unnerved.
"It's about M.E.C.H." He stiffened, trying to hide the slight panic rising inside him. Her icy hues were locked onto him, carefully studying the man's expression. She leaned closer, careful to keep her voice barely above a whisper. "What do you know about Project Chimera?" His brows furrowed in confusion before a stark realization filled him.
"I take it you're still looking into M.E.C.H." It wasn't a question, and he knew he was right by the flash of guilt in her eyes. He scoffed. "Maya, It's not only illegal, but it's also incredibly dangerous. If these people knew what you were doing-"
"So you don't deny you know something."
"I didn't say that." He stated, taking another sip of his drink. Maya's jaw clenched, her blue eyes flashing. She could quickly tell he was lying to her, but at this rate, Maya knew he wouldn't tell her anything. Her gaze dropped to the table, her hands clenching as she tried to stop them from shaking.
"You promised." She spat lowly. "You promised me that if you found anything, you would tell me." Fowler's gaze softened, his hand reaching hers.
"Maya, you have to understand-" Her eyes flicked up to his, pulling away from his grasp.
"No, William. You have to understand that I can't just let this go. Those monsters took David away from me. I refuse to let the same thing happen to my daughter," She snapped. Her anger slowly faded, her shoulders dropping in defeat. "If you know anything about what they are planning, I need you to tell me, Will." Fowler adverted in gaze, unable to look into hers.
"As a Federal Agent, you know I can't discuss these things with a civilian." He spoke firmly, a hint of warning in his voice.
"I see." Maya gritted out. After less than a second, she lifted herself from the table, her face a mixture of anger and defeat. "If you change your mind, you know where to find me." With that, she walked off, leaving the Agent alone once more. Fowler sighed, guilt bubbling inside him as he leaned his face in his hands.
As much as it pained him, Maya could never know the truth her daughter already knew. Having four children in the mix was already dangerous enough, and he couldn't allow any more civilians to know. With a groan, he grabbed the cup before him, downing the drink in one gulp. He glanced outside as the cup hit the table, watching his old friend enter her car and drive off.
I promise you, Maya. I won't let her get hurt, even if it's the last thing I do.
ᴛʜᴀɴᴋꜱ ꜱᴏ ᴍᴜᴄʜ ꜰᴏʀ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ! ɪ ᴀᴘᴏʟᴏɢɪᴢᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱʜᴏʀᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ. ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴏɴᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴍʏ ɪᴅᴇᴀꜱ ɪ ʜᴀᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴀꜱɴ'ᴛ ᴀʙʟᴇ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴅʀᴀᴡɴ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ 20 ᴘᴀɢᴇꜱ. ʜᴏᴡᴇᴠᴇʀ, ɪ ᴀᴍ ᴀʟᴍᴏꜱᴛ ᴅᴏɴᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴇxᴛ ᴏɴᴇ, ᴀɴᴅ ɪᴛ ꜱʜᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴇ ᴏᴜᴛ ꜱᴏᴏɴ! (ᴋɴᴏᴄᴋ ᴏɴ ᴡᴏᴏᴅ)
ʟᴇᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ. ʜᴏᴘᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀɴ ᴀᴍᴀᴢɪɴɢ ᴅᴀʏ/ɴɪɢʜᴛ.