Becoming Prime

Battles

Optimus stood in front of the grim faces of the council. There was an uneasy, tense hush that befell the council chambers. They waited expectantly for their Prime to speak.

“Yesterday there was an attack within the city state of Tarn. This was like no other attack we have yet seen. The weapons used are not ones that our armaments scientists have any knowledge of which means, they were developed outside of the City of Iacon and outside of the council’s awareness.”

The council erupted into murmurs and questions. Optimus raised his hand patiently waiting for them to quieten.

“The weapons are powered with energon. Which as you all know is a highly combustible substance. The damage that resulted from this attack was unprecedented. Please observe.”

He drew up a screen that projected a data track recording of surveillance of the Tarn central hub. The images were blurry, dark. A blinding flash filled the screen, the council gasped audibly as the city seemed to erupt in flames and energon explosions littered the skies casting an eerie white, blue glow over the devastated city. The council elder spoke up; “Those people...”

Optimus faced him his expression grim. “The central hub of Tarn, where their city council were located was completely destroyed; it has taken almost a quarter of the city with it.”
“How many...?”

Optimus lowered his head sadly. “Over 500 people were killed and almost 1000 are still unaccounted for.” The council was silent as Optimus let the news sink in.

“What do we do?”

“Tarn believes that the attack came from Iacon. We evacuate as many as we can. Try to contain the damage and the energon fuelled fires. And attempt to prevent a civil war.”
“Optimus... you were supposed to be with the Tarn council...”

Optimus was filled with guilt at the statement. “Yes I was. I received warning that the city was to be attacked. I sent warning to the council and ordered the immediate evacuation of their city, they did not believe me. They were in the city when it was attacked. There are no survivors.”

“You could have stopped this!?”

“No councillor. I received warning only a cycle before the attack. I was fortunate to have gotten word to them at all.” The council were in shock. Visibly shaken and distraught, their cries for vengeance, justice filled the chamber.

“Councillors please, calm down!” Optimus raised his deep voice over the noise.
“How can you ask us to calm down Prime? The rebels have declared war on our very way of life!”

“That is why I have come to the decision to disband the council.”

Thick silence followed. They stared at him in disbelief.
“You can’t do that.” The elder insisted.

“Councillor I think you’ll find that I can. It is no longer safe for you. You are being targeted as a whole. The tacticians tell me that they will come for you next. Once the council is disbanded there will only be myself as a target.”

“This is outrageous Prime! You are putting yourself at too great a risk. Where is Lord Megatron? He should have some say in this.”

“Lord Megatron no longer has any authority in this city.” Optimus growled. “I have reason to believe that he is in fact the leader of the rebel movement.”

The chambers erupted in chaos at the accusation.

“Who do you think you are?!” The council elder pointed an angry finger at Optimus, who held his ground with fierce authority. “You have no right to do...”

“I have every right councillor.” Optimus’s growl rose above the commotion. The other councillors looked in their direction, Optimus had never been one to stand up to them, never mind challenge them.

“I was appointed Prime by all of you. I did not choose this position, it is mine by birthright and I accepted it. Now my first responsibility is and always has been to the people of this planet. I will do everything in my power to keep them safe. I will not allow your bureaucracy to be instrumental in the deaths of innocents. The council will be disbanded that is my final order. The very survival of our planet is at stake. Iacon cannot afford to fall. We have a duty to the people and a responsibility to protect the Allspark at its core.”

Optimus glared firmly at the elder now standing before him. “I cannot lead my people if you all insist on maintaining your petty power struggle with the smaller city states. We are going to have to learn to defend ourselves before it’s too late.”

He glanced around the chamber. “Now you all were appointed on this council through your services to Cybertron, you are all experts in your relative fields be it science or weapons.” He glanced at the minority of warriors also present on the council. His tone softened “I need you all to be of service to Cybertron once again. I am asking you, all of you to stand with me. Help me defend our people, our way of life, from the corruption that is threatening to tear us apart from within.”

The council members glanced at each other nervously and back at their leader standing in front of them. Most of them agreed with their Prime, slowly they left the chamber, many placing a comforting and supporting hand on Optimus’s arms as they passed him. Others stormed out of the room visibly angry.

Ultra Magnus stepped up to Optimus. He glanced at him. “Well that went well.”
Optimus rolled his optics. “Are we really going to be at war?” Ultra Magnus asked quietly.

Optimus glanced out of the window of the council chambers. His voice was filled with renewed determination. “Not if I can help it Ultra.”
****

Ironhide waited anxiously in Optimus’s room. He was still not 100% but Ratchet had allowed him to leave the med-bay as he was now preoccupied with the injured filing in from Tarn. Optimus had simply told him to wait for him here. He had seemed different, colder, distracted.

Optimus marched through the door, his head down, he was deep in thought. He glanced at Ironhide as he entered the room before seating himself behind his desk. His mask was up as usual; his demeanour was one of formality. Ironhide found himself admiring the young leader’s confidence; he had certainly come into his own since he had met him.

“Please take a seat Ironhide.”

Ironhide obliged wincing slightly as he lowered himself into the seat, his injuries still not fully healed. Optimus frowned at his grimace. “Ratchet let you leave before you were completely recovered?”

Ironhide gave him a small grin. “Ratchet has his hands full and didn’t want a fuss.”
“Hmmm...” Optimus leant forward on his desk his hands clasped in front of him. “Ironhide I need to know where you stand.”

It was Ironhide’s turn to frown. “I’m not sure I understand.”

Optimus dropped his head and sighed leaving his chair he paced over to the window and stared out onto the city.
“There is a war coming Ironhide... I don’t think it’s in my power to prevent it.” He hung his head sadly. Ironhide couldn’t think of anything to say. He instead stood and went to stand beside Optimus.

“If there is war Optimus... I for one will be glad knowing you’ll be there to lead us through it.” Optimus shot him a wry look. “Flattery will get you nowhere Ironhide.” He answered softly. Ironhide allowed himself a chuckle. He glanced up at Optimus, whose expression was hidden by his mask, he focused on the azure blue optics staring at the city before them, and he could see the sadness, the regret at allowing it to come to this. Ironhide turned to face him. “It’s not your fault you know. All of this.”

Optimus narrowed his optics at him; “I should have seen it. I was the closest to Megatron...” He turned away. “I never even suspected this was his plan all along. I thought that if I gave him what I thought he wanted...” He shuddered slightly at the memories of his humiliation and his submission. “He would be satisfied.” He looked straight at Ironhide. “I was wrong. And I was betrayed by those closest to me.”

Ironhide hung his head, he knew his actions had hurt Optimus; he had no idea how deeply.
“Optimus, I know I can’t ask your forgiveness but I will do everything I can to help you stand against Megatron. I only hope that it goes someway to you regaining your trust in me.”

Optimus was silent for a little while. His voice was so soft Ironhide almost didn’t register. His optics were staring at the floor absently. “I still trust you.”

Ironhide stared at him bewildered. “But after what I did...”
“We all make mistakes Ironhide. We get one chance to make it right.”
Ironhide turned to him determined. “Then I want to make it right. I want to serve you in any way I can.”

Optimus smiled. “I don’t want you to serve me Ironhide. I need you to work with me. The people out there don’t know how to defend themselves. They’re going to need someone to show them if war breaks out. I don’t need a servant; I need a warrior by my side. I am asking you to be my weapons specialist and teacher to those who are going to need your expertise and your experience.”

Ironhide was stunned at the request. He struggled to find the words. Optimus smiled. “Well it’s novel that I’ve managed to render you speechless.”

“Ultra’s not going to like this.”

“He will come around, he respects my decisions. That is all I ask of you.” Ironhide looked at Optimus in a new light. “Respect my decisions; do not be afraid to question me. Most of all Ironhide... I ask that you trust me.” Ironhide drew himself to attention stiffly; he stood in awe of the young leader in front of him. He no longer saw the insecure ‘bot that had asked him for help over two stellar cycles ago. He saw his Prime, his leader and at that moment Ironhide solemnly swore to himself he would do all he could to protect him even if it meant his spark. He nodded in acknowledgement.

“I’m flattered Optimus...”

Optimus huffed lightly. “Don’t be, you have your work cut out for you.” He cast a sideways glance at the smaller mech feeling the warmth seeping through his circuits, a faint longing he had spent many a long solar cycle controlling, repressing. He had a duty to his people, what he wanted would have to wait, indefinitely if need be.

Ironhide felt his capacitor cycle more rapidly with pride. He caught Optimus’s optics watching him closely, his capacitor skipped; he toyed with the thought of telling Optimus how he felt whenever he was around him, how his circuits burned with desire, with a longing he hadn’t felt in a long time. Optimus looked away; Ironhide steadied his capacitor pounding within him.

No, not now. Optimus didn’t see him that way, he convinced himself. He cast a sidelong gaze at the taller, stoic ‘bot. ‘I will be all that he needs me to be.’ Ironhide thought to himself. His gaze followed Optimus’s coming to rest on the city of Iacon.
****
Ultra raced through the corridor. Fear ate through his systems like acid. The lights in the building suddenly went out plunging him into darkness. He stumbled as he ran into the wall, his optics not being able to adjust fast enough to the darkness. He was almost frantic; he could hear them getting closer. He needed to find Optimus. He set off running blindly; loud voices could be heard behind him. Weapons fire. Ultra Magnus was panicked. He had to find him before they did. He glanced behind him. Still unable to see, he collided heavily with a solid object and was sent sprawling on the floor. He blinked at the light that shone in his face. His optics widened as he saw who he had run into, he began scrambling backwards in fear. The mech approached him. “Find out where he is hiding. Tear his mind apart if you have to.”

Ultra’s optics fell onto the large warrior beside Megatron. His red visor shone in the darkness. The mech approached him. Ultra felt like someone was stabbing him through the cortex, his hands gripped either side of his head and he screamed with agony as the strange warrior bore into his mind. ‘A telepath?’ This was the last thought Ultra had as he fell into unconsciousness.
****
Ironhide and Optimus were startled by the ensuing darkness. Screams could be heard in the corridor. Ironhide growled deeply. “Optimus do you still have those ceremonial energon blades built into your system?”

“How do you know about them?”

“Um... I checked your personal files when I was in the med-bay.” He saw Optimus’s blue optics shining at him from the darkness. “There was nothing else to do in there!” He insisted softly.

“Yes I have them but I have never used them, I wouldn’t know how...” Optimus quickly changed the subject.

“Now is a good time to learn.”

He could still see Optimus’s faint outline as light was cast into the room from the window. He watched as Optimus concentrated on drawing his swords. Superheated from his internal circuits they glowed a white, orange. Ironhide smiled. “Now it’s just like I taught you except this time the swords are attached so try not to get your arms blown off.”

Optimus didn’t respond as he peered his head into the dark corridor. He crept out slowly. A piercing scream filled the air. Optimus shot off in the direction of the sound. Ironhide rolled his optics. “Optimus! Wait!” He hissed. Optimus halted a few feet away from him. ‘Slag he can move fast.’ Ironhide swore to himself. “You can’t just go rushing in. Assess the situation; gauge your enemy, then strike to kill.”

“I don’t intend on killing anyone.”

Ironhide grabbed both of Optimus’s arms firmly. His optics hard. “Optimus those warriors out there, if this is them, they’re not going to give you a choice. You want defend your people? You have to be willing to engage your enemy. They will not show you, me or anyone any mercy.” Optimus glared at him fiercely causing Ironhide to shrink back a little.

“We will not take a life unless it is absolutely necessary. Do I make myself clear Ironhide?”

Ironhide relented reluctantly. “Understood Prime.”

Optimus’s optics narrowed. “Something has to set us apart, I won’t allow us to become like them. Otherwise what the frag are we fighting for?”

He turned and continued to jog down the corridor towards the sounds of weapons fire. Ironhide followed close behind. Soon enough they were greeted by warriors attempting to fight their way into the central palace. They jumped into the fray, Ironhide was thankful at how fast Optimus picked up the use of his weapons. Warriors turned to flee as Optimus began to overwhelm them; fear and surprise gripped them as he hacked into their defences, barking orders to the ‘bots behind him. Guards picked themselves up and reigned shots down on the retreating warriors.

Ironhide’s comm. buzzed ‘Ironhide...’ The comm. was weak, static.
‘Ultra? Is that you?’
‘Help... me...’ Ironhide took one last look at the fading battle in front of him and dashed back into the blackened building. Optimus saw him disappear, he was worried. Ordering the guards to shoot any rebel on sight he ran swiftly after Ironhide, disappearing into the shadows of the central Palace.