To Thine Own Self...

By

Lady MoonHawke

“She was, in all likelihood, his long-missing sister...
Do you know anything more?
Anything that might lead me to her?”
Lady Razorsharp -- “Presumed Guilty”

Ekliptika wasn’t aware that the door to her office had opened until she saw the blocky outline of a mech creep across her desk, casting a shadow across her report. It was a familiar shadow, and she smiled in spite of herself, but didn’t look up. Carefully, thoughtfully, she added a line to her report, wrapping up the descriptions of visits Rodimus had made to other Galactic Council worlds. Then she signed her name to it and closed the folder, setting it aside. Only when this was done and the door sliding shut did she look up.

Rodimus Prime made the small office seem to shrink as he stood across the desk from her, familiar cocky grin in place.

“Did I ever tell you how much I like this little office of yours?” he asked. “No one will think of looking for me in here.”

Ekliptika pushed her chair away from the desk, one foot propped on the edge to tilt herself back. “So what brings you to my broom closet?”

He edged his way around the side and sat on her desk, lifting her foot to rub the calf. “Looking for you, of course. Are you busy?”

“Just finished my evaluations of the systems we visited. I have to give a presentation to Optimus Prime tomorrow, but I’m done until then.”

Rodimus let her foot down gently so she was upright again. “In that case, want to be busy?” he asked, eyebrows waggling suggestively.

She stood up, towering over him a little, thanks to her high-heeled boots and his seated position. “I could be convinced,” she answered, slipping her arms around his neck as his stole around her waist.

Ekliptika was more than halfway convinced when her door slid open and Sirius stormed into the room.

“Lieutenant, can I ask you a-” He broke off with an embarrassed cough.

Ekliptika looked at him over Rod’s shoulder. “Wait outside a moment please, Sirius.”

With a silent nod, he backed out, and the door slid closed once again.

Rodimus shook his head. “That kid has got to learn how to knock,” he muttered.

She let her hands slide down to his elbows. “I’ll talk to him about it.” She disengaged his grip gently, stepping back. “Let me find out what he needs, and I’ll meet you later.”

“My place or yours?”

“Are you kidding? My quarters are about as big as this office.”

“Yes, and no one knows where they are to come knocking on your door about this or that problem.”

“Price of fame, I suppose. We can hang out that ‘Do Not Disturb’ icon from Neris XIV.”

“It was described to me as a fertility charm.”

“Then it belongs out of the room.” She pressed him with a quick kiss. “I’ll see you later. Tell Sirius to come in on your way out.”

He stood up from the desk and headed for the door. “You kickin’ me out?”

“If you stay, what excuse will I have for tracking you down later?” Her smile was warm.

“I’ll think of something,” he promised her.

“Good. I’ll be looking forward to it.” She pulled her chair back to the desk, sitting down again.

“Do you really have to see Sirius?”

“He came looking specifically for me. I’d rather get it done with now than have him looking for me again later.” She smiled at him. “You’d rather I did it now, believe me. Sirius is persistent, you know that.”

“Okay, you win. In the name of a persistent youth, I will defer my attentions until later.” He waved a hand in front of the door, and it slid open on its soundless runners. He gave her a final, fond wave then left.

Ekliptika could hear Sirius offer Rodimus a stammering apology, which Rod took rather graciously, considering the circumstances. Then Sirius was through her door and standing before her desk.

“Lieutenant, I am very sorry for interrupting you and-”

She waved him off mid-sentence. “I am going to forget this incident, Sirius. However, I would appreciate it if you knocked before entering in the future. It might be better on all our nerves.” She waited for him to nod, then continued. “Why don’t you sit down and tell me what it was that sent you crashing in here.”

Sirius lowered himself uneasily into a chair. “I wanted to speak to you some time ago, but you left again so quickly after we returned from Omicron Rho.”

Ekliptika tilted her head. “Rodimus’ schedule was very tight in order to make all the off-world visits he could before the visits here begin. Can you tell me about it now?”

Sirius stared at the ceiling a moment, ordering his thought. “That disc you made, of my mother’s memories. How much of it is true?”

Ekliptika laced her fingers and rested her elbows on the desk, leaning forward. “The events depicted were an accurate recounting of your mother’s memories.”

“But are they true with regard to what happened?” Sirius persisted.

“Sirius, everyone’s perceptions of events are colored by their own personal feelings. Truth is subjective, as are many things in life,” Ekliptika explained gently.

“You aren’t answering my question,” he maintained.

“What is it you want to know?” Ekliptika asked.

“Where is my aunt?”

Ekliptika leaned back in her chair. “In complete and total honesty, I have no idea.”

“Can you help me find her?” Sirius asked after a lengthy silence.

Ekliptika looked away, at the walls, the floor, anywhere but at Sirius. Finally, her optics came back to him. “I don’t know if I can,” she responded.

“Why not?” he demanded, coming up from his chair.

“I have many things to consider here, Sirius. Not only my duty to protect Rodimus Prime, but the protection of delegates we are expecting, and my relationship with Rodimus.”

“You will be his bheancoran then, as my mother served my father?” Sirius asked coldly, settling back into his chair.

“The Autobots recognize no such position. I will do whatever I feel is in his best interests, however. It is, as much of life can be, a matter of waiting and seeing. But this is not answering your question either. I do not know how much assistance I could lend you, should you decide to seek your aunt.” She smiled at him, a little sadly. “Have you asked your mother what the archives contain pertaining to her?”

He rubbed his forehead. “Maman cannot access active prisoner lists. But His Lordship’s sister is not on any list of exchanged or released prisoners. She must still be out there somewhere.”

“Sirius, it has been such a long time. There is a very good chance she is dead now.”

“She hasn’t appeared on any list of the dead I have been able to find, either. But they seem to be incomplete. Many casualties of the Great War are not listed, even.”

“Probably because no one cares to go out to Charr and Mars and take a census. I understand your concern, Sirius, but I honestly do not know what I could do to help you.”

Sirius exhaled noisily. “What you did on Omicron Rho. Ask questions, look for evidence, make the answers appear. Please, Lieutenant. I need to know what happened.”

Ekliptika could only sigh, hands pressed to her face. “Sirius, I was incredibly lucky on Omicron Rho. The solution itself was in your mother. I do not see her being in possession of what you seek. Otherwise we would not be having this conversation.”

“Niral Virunai knew something. He said on that disc that he was going to bring it to Cybertron with the Haamdai delegation,” Sirius reminded her.

“Niral Virunai will not be visiting, however. And I doubt very seriously that Rangai Durkal will be invited, nor would he provide the information, considering he was the one trying to frame Lady Razorsharp.” She shook her head. “No, Sirius. I think you must give up this enquiry. There just doesn’t seem to be anywhere for you to go.” She stood, collecting her folder. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help to you,” she said, the interview clearly over.

Sirius rose reluctantly. “Can I escort you back to your quarters?”

“I am not returning to my quarters,” she said, not pushing the issue of where she was going. “Thank you for the offer, though. Please, convey my greetings to your mother and sisters.”

His stately manners took over. “Of course, Lieutenant. Honor to Deceptica.”

“Honor and glory.”

It struck Ekliptika as Sirius walked away; she had meant the words as much as he had.

“Lady Raven.” Ekliptika turned to see Razor standing behind her, watching her son move down the hallway.

Ekliptika was startled; she had been so intent on Sirius' words that she did not hear the other femme approach. “Good evening, Lady Razorsharp.”

There was something odd about Razor's demeanor; usually her manner was cool, but there was iciness in her voice that had not been there before. “Lady Raven, I would appreciate it if you limited your contact with my children.”

Ekliptika was shocked. “I’m afraid I don't understand. Have I done something inappropriate?” she asked coolly.

Razor all but looked down her nose plate at the other femme. “Lord Sirius is in the position to inherit his father's position. I would not have that tainted by the indecision he might see in your example.”

“Your son sought me out, Lady Razorsharp. I did not go to him. I’m certainly not in the habit of seeking the company of younger mechs.”

“Then I will have to speak to him about choosing his counsel much more carefully.” She nodded. “If you will excuse me.”

“Certainly, if you feel the need for an excuse. Though of course, Lady Razorsharp, if I offered you one, it would be of Autobot origin and therefore inferior in your all-knowing eyes.”

“How dare you?!' Razor bristled.

“How dare I what? Offer as good as I'm given? Maybe because to me it wasn't that long ago that I was in the same position as you.” Ekliptika watched as Razorsharp fought to control her expression. “You do realize we sound like a pair of school-age femmes arguing in the recreation area, yes?” She could feel the weight of Razor’s optics on her. “What exactly have I done to wrong you?”

“You say my son comes to you for advice. He came to me first, in this matter of His Excellency’s sister. When I was unable to answer his questions, he said he would wait for you to return; that you would not fail him.” The last words were harsh and bitter.

Ekliptika sighed. “I am sure you did all you could. There was nothing I could tell him about the Governor’s sister, either. He is looking for answers that may not exist.”

Razorsharp studied her. “Will you do as he wishes, and examine the lists I cannot access?”

“He didn’t ask me to, although he did mention it, in a round-about sort of way. Lady Razorsharp, the fact that you could not find what he wanted does not make you a failure. I could never do what you do, mothering an heir like that. I wouldn’t know where to start, even.”

Razorsharp smile was enigmatic. “You start where we all start. With an infant.” With that cryptic remark, she turned and left.

Ekliptika was awake, lying prone on the recharge berth, her chin resting on crossed hands propped up by the headrest. She didn’t move as the door opened, watching without reaction as bands of light played across the wall above her head. The light flickered and was gone, leaving the area near her head faintly illuminated only by her amethyst optics.

“Though you would be asleep by now,” she heard Rod comment.

“Hmm-mm,” she murmured with a small shake of her head. The tone was clearly negative.

The berth dipped then settled as Rodimus joined her, sitting near the head, back resting against the metal wall. “Are you going to stay?” he asked, voice neutral.

“If you don’t mind,” she answered.

He looked down, seeing only the tip of her nose and curve of her cheek in the backwash of light past her head. “You know I don’t,” he replied, letting one hand rest on the metallic skin of her back. “We should probably have that talk about permanent arrangements we kept putting off.”

“I know.” Her reply was listless.

Rodimus slid down until her was propped on one elbow, facing her, though she continued to stare at the wall. “Are you having second thoughts?” His tone was tinged with concern.

She sighed. “Not the way you are thinking. Sirius asked me a question today, and it’s pertinent to the situation.”

“Don’t tell me he wants you to move in with him!” He could feel her chuckle soundlessly.

“No. And even if he did, Razorsharp would never give her approval. No. He asked me if I would become your bheancoran.”

“What did you tell him?”

She turned her head slightly, looking at him. “The truth. That the Autobots have no such rank. It isn’t a recognized position. But now that I think about it, I wish I could.”

“So what would have to happen? If you were going to be my bheancoran?”

She rolled to her side, mirroring his position. “Bheancorans are exclusively Decepticon. It has always been that way.”

Rodimus studies her for signs of a joke. “Okay,” he said slowly. “Is there maybe a second option, because that might have to be a pretty long-distance relationship.”

She rolled to her back, staring at the ceiling. “Perhaps. I may have to speak with Razorsharp, once she’s calmed down a little. I think she’s irritated with me right now.”

“What did you do this time?” Rod asked with a chuckle.

“Spoke to Sirius. She must have had some idea that I was pursuing him.”

“And are you?”

She turned her head to regard him. “Yes, Rodimus Prime,” she replied facetiously. “I am pursuing the Heir to the Decepticon Empire from your recharge berth.”

“Not very quickly,” he observed dryly. “So why does Razor think you’re after her son?”

“He came to me for information that Razorsharp was unable to provide. What that has to do with me or my apparent indecisive nature, I do not know.”

“Indecisive, huh? You certainly don’t strike me as indecisive. You strike me as a femme who knows what she wants and goes after it.”

“Well, what I want right now is to get some rest. Will you be at my briefing for Optimus Prime tomorrow?” she asked curling her frame against his.

“Only if he asks me to be there. I’m not on the schedule yet. Want me to finagle it?”

She shook her head, already drifting off. “I’ll find you after.”

He waited for her to continue, but the dimming of her optics told him she was out for the night. Gathering her closer, he drifted into recharge himself.

Optimus closed the report folder. “This looks fine, Lieutenant. Do you have anything else to add?”

Ekliptika stood before him. “No, sir. I included everything in my report.”

Prime nodded, opening another folder on his desk. “Well, that being the case, I’d like to go over your record, if you have a moment. Have a seat, Lieutenant. This is pretty informal.”

Once she had settled herself in one of the chairs stationed across from him, Prime continued. “You’ve had a number of successful missions recently, between the trips to the Polyhex stations here and on Mars, not to mention whatever trick it was that got Razorsharp out of the stew on Omicron Rho. Rodimus can’t praise you highly enough.”

Ekliptika dropped her head, fighting to keep a grip on her expression. Once under control, she looked up again. “I’m very glad I have been able to serve, Optimus Prime.” It was a textbook answer, giving away nothing.

“Well, considering this record, I’d say you were due for a promotion,” Optimus suggested.

Her face closed immediately. “I would prefer not to be promoted at this time, sir, if it makes any difference.”

“Why not? Don’t you feel like you’ve done a good job?”

She flushed brightly. “I would rather there be no discussion about what I have done well, or at all, to obtain a higher rank.”

Optimus regarded her shrewdly. “Do you want to straighten that out for me?”

She looked away for a moment, then back. “I am involved...personally...with Rodimus Prime. I don’t wish there to be any talk about the matter.”

“You think someone would accuse you of sleeping your way up? No one who has ever worked with you could come to that conclusion, Lieutenant. I don't think you have anything to worry about,” Optimus assured her.

“That’s the problem, Optimus. The very nature of my early assignments kept me apart from the other Autobots. Very few bots actually know me. How can I have ‘earned’ a promotion while sleeping with Rodimus Prime?” She shook her head. “I think, sir, that it would be much better if I simply remain as the Head of Diplomatic Security for Rodimus.”

Optimus frowned. “I’m not sure I should let you accompany Rodimus on any further missions, Lieutenant.”

Ekliptika frowned back. “Why not, sir? Was my performance in any way unsatisfactory?”

“No, no,” Optimus assured her, “but...in light of your...personal attachment, I would be forced to discourage it.”

“Why? Would I be any less likely to put myself between Rodimus Prime and danger? It is my duty.”

“That,” Optimus said, tapping one blued-steel finger on the desk before him, “is exactly why I would ask that you assign another to guard him. It’s a difficult task as it is; I would not have it made more so.” He leaned back in his chair. “I want to keep you both alive and functioning, if it’s all the same to you.”

Her expression turned cold. “I would have walked willingly into a line of blasters before, Optimus Prime. I fail to see the difference.”

“The difference, Lieutenant, is that Rodimus may decide to get you out of that line of blasters.”

She bristled. “Lady Razorsharp was involved with the Governor, yet she did her duty! Why do you think I’d be so inept?”

Optimus shook his head. “I’m not even discussion her. You and she are not the same. You will not react as she did.”

Ekliptika came out of her chair and leaned forward, ands planted firmly on his desk. “She and I are cut from the same cloth, shaped by the same tailor. We had the same teacher, for Primus’ sake. What she and I fall back on is the same. I differ only in my loyalty programming to the Autobots. She serves us because it is her choice.”

“Assuming she serves us,” Optimus grumbled. “This is the exact reason I don't serve directly with Elita.”

“I am definitely not Elita-1, Optimus Prime. I have not even served in her chain of command.”

Optimus considered the femme before him. “You certainly know how to derail everything I throw at you, don't you?”

“I am playing Unmaker’s Advocate.” She fell back into her chair with a sigh. “I will make you a bargain. When and if I feel I am no serving Rodimus Prime’s safety to the best of my ability, I will step aside. But not until. And it will be my decision.”

“And let me tell you that if I ever feel you aren’t doing your job, and the safety of any of my soldiers -- you included, Lieutenant -- is compromised, I will pull you off assignment before you can process it. Do I make myself clear?”

Her gaze was steady. “Trust me, Optimus Prime. I will know before you do.”

“Hmmm,” the Autobot leader rumbled. “Very well, Lieutenant. We will agree to this on a trial basis.” He stared her in the optics, all traces of the accessible leader gone. “I’m not a dictator like Megatron was, Lieutenant, but in the future, please keep in mind exactly who is in charge. Dismissed.”

She stood. “You are indeed nothing like Megatron. I have never felt the urge to shoot you in the back of the head.”

Optimus felt his jaw tighten. He knew of the relationship she’d had with the lost Decepticon leader. “Are you planning to shoot Roddy in the back of the head, Lieutenant?” he had to ask.

“Whatever for?” she asked. “Rodimus didn’t kill my brother. Honor and Glory, Optimus Prime.” With that she was gone, and Optimus could only stare at the closed door after her.

Razorsharp’s favorite rooftop overlooking Iacon seemed deserted at first. She walked out into the cold night air and rested her folded arms on the wide balustrade, picking out Earth and Mars by habit. Stars blazed brightly through Cybertron’s thin atmosphere, almost brightly enough for their individual colors to be seen. Carefully, she picked out one near Mars that she had privately christened in honor of the former Governor. “‘Beautiful are the sparks of the honored dead,’” she whispered in benediction.”

“‘But cold is their eternal fire,’” a voice finished. Razor turned sharply, hand on sword-hilt, ready to challenge any who had dared to disturb her.

The violet glow gave away the intruder’s identity. “What are you doing out here, Lieutenant?” Razorsharp asked, voice cool and clipped.

Ekliptika sighed. “Same thing as you, I suppose. Trying to order my thoughts.” Razorsharp’s optics adjusted to the dim illumination, and she made out the Autobot’s form, seated perilously on the railing.

Razor looked over the edge, spotting the dark ground near a mile away. “Are you planning some spectacular final journey?” she asked.

Ekliptika looked dispassionately over the side. “And take the Coward’s Road? No. I owe too many debts. I’d be ten life-times in service paying them off.”

“Debts to whom?”

“Optimus Prime, for one. I was arrogant and rebellious in his office today. He could have rightly thrown me in the brig.”

Razorsharp had to smile. “Yes, but how would it have looked for Rodimus Prime’s companion to be incarcerated? You are a public figure now by default.”

Ekliptika sighed. “That’s the problem. The very nature of the publicity seems to prevent me from doing my job. Optimus wants me to step down as Rodimus’ Chief Diplomatic Guard.”

“What did you say?”

“I used you as an example. Optimus wasn’t impressed.”

“Oh.” Razorsharp was silent a moment. “You know what your other option is, don’t you?”

“I do. I can’t do it.” She didn’t say the word. She didn’t have to.

“Why not? Even if you served Megatron as bheancoran, you have said that the bond is broken. You made the statement before witnesses, not that it would matter to the half-mad thing he has become. You said yourself Galvatron has no memory of you,” Razor elaborated.

“It’s not him.” Ekliptika pulled her legs closer to her chest, wrapping her arms tightly around them and resting her chin on her knees.

“What then? Rodimus? Does he not wish for more than a casual relationship?”

“It’s not Rod either, or Optimus or any other mech. It’s nothing to do with them.”

“Who, then? Razorsharp cried. “Who is stopping you from making the bond?”

Violet light pierced her. “I am.”

Razorsharp held out a cup of steaming energon to the figure huddled on the sofa. “Here. This should warm you some.”

Ekliptika wormed a hand out to take it. “Paldies,” she said, lapsing into Old Decepticon.

Razor settled into the chair across from her. “You’re welcome,” she replied in Basic. “Now do you want to explain what you meant?”

Ekliptika buried her face in the cup, the steam fogging the shine of her helmet for a moment. When she looked up, Razorsharp could see methanol tears at the corners of her eyes, though didn’t fall. “It’s me,” Ekliptika repeated. “I’m the reason, the problem, the obstacle. Whatever you want to call it, I am the source.”

“How, exactly?”

“Look at me!” She tanked her helmet off, tossing it to the ground between them. Her Autobot sigil flashed in shades of blue. “That is the problem.”

Razorsharp remained composed. “You can hardly be thinking of defecting, assuming the idea even exists for Autobots.”

She shook her head. “I cannot even form the thought. My programming renders the concept as so much static. I can only consider it in the abstract.”

“Is the thought of being a Decepticon that abhorrent to you?”

“I can’t even consider that question,” she replied after a moment. “It’s the loyalty programming. It screens my perceptions through an Autobot filter.”

Razorsharp regarded her thoughtfully for several minutes. “That may well be the problem,” she said softly, almost to herself. “But if it is, then the solution....” She studied Ekliptika for several more minutes. Finally, she rose to her feet. “Come,” she directed, reaching to pull Ekliptika to her feet. “We need to see Prime.”

“Which one?” Ekliptika asked, putting her cup aside. It wasn’t Razorsharp’s habit to refer to either mech simply by title.

“Both of them. It will save time.”

Prime’s office had never been designed to hold many bots, and four was pushing those limits.

Optimus looked less than thrilled to be behind his desk during his off-shift, and the irritation came through in his tone.

“Lady Razorsharp, you should know that I don’t consider any request of yours frivolous, so you know I’m taking this very seriously, but it is the middle of the night. What is so important that it couldn’t wait a few hours?”

“Lady Raven,” Razor replied succinctly.

Optimus was clearly holding on to his temper tightly with both hands. “The Lieutenant has demonstrated many time that she can speak for herself. What has possessed you-”

She interrupted him. “You are missing my meaning, Optimus Prime. It is not Lieutenant Ekliptika I am speaking about, but her counterpart. Ekliptika, through no fault of her own, is repressing her alter ego. Her actions are being dictated by an outside source.”

Optimus shifted his attention to Ekliptika, seated next to Razor. “Lieutenant? Do you want to elaborate?”

It was a moment before Ekliptika could look up. “It’s the loyalty software, Optimus Prime. It’s...interfering with my performance of my duties.”

He flicked a glance between the femme and Rodimus, who leaned against a wall behind her. “How?” he asked, his tone calculating.

“You know I take my dedication to Rodimus Prime’s safety very seriously. The program enforcing my loyalty to the Autobots is preventing me from accessing certain techniques I used when I was a Decepticon.”

“You were adamant earlier that you knew what you were doing, Lieutenant,” Optimus observed. “What more can there possibly be?”

She resisted the urge to look to Rodimus. He was behind her, silently supporting her. “I would become his bheancoran.”

“You think Rodimus Prime has some need of a Decepticon warrior-femme? Because I fail to see the necessity. I also see a couple of large holes in the theory.”

“Such as?” Ekliptika asked.

“You would be making yourself a target for every Decepticon-hating member of the Old Guard out there.”

“I’ve been a target for one thing or another for most of my existence, Optimus Prime. It’s not that large a concern for me.”

Optimus Prime’s optics narrowed. “Are you willing to put Rodimus in that same danger? We know there’s one psychotic Decepticon after him. Do you want him to be a target for similarly inclined Autobots as well? Because taking up what is clearly a Decepticon position will do just that.”

He watched with sympathy as she processed the idea, and he could see her spirit fall with her expression. “I...did not consider,” she said at last. “Forgive me, Optimus Prime.”

Razorsharp erupted out of her chair and grabbed Ekliptika’s wrist, pulling her along as well. “Excuse us, please.” Without waiting to be dismissed, she dragged the quiescent femme out the door. Though it closed behind them, the shouting was clearly audible.

“What are you doing?!” Razor was yelling. “It is your RIGHT to serve as his bheancoran!”

“Not if it only puts him in more danger,” Ekliptika exclaimed. Abruptly, the conversation switched to Old Decepticon, and dropped in volume.

Optimus looked over at Rod. “You’ve been mighty quiet over there. Care to tell me what your thinking?”

Rodimus shrugged. “It’s up to her really, isn’t it? I have the feeling I’m just here for moral support. But for what it’s worth, I think you should let her remove the programming.”

“So she can go ahead with this nonsense of being your exclusive defender? It’s too dangerous, Roddy.”

“No. So her word on the Oath of Loyalty means something. It’s not fair to her to have to be some kind of highly advanced automaton.”

Optimus considered as the rumbling in the hall intensified.

“Then you are a fool!” Razorsharp shouted in Basic.

“Then I’ll be a fool!” Ekliptika responded. “Because there’s nothing else for me to be!”

“I think I see your point,” Optimus conceded.

Optimus stopped just outside the door to Perceptor’s lab.

“You don’t have to do this Lieutenant,” he reminded her. “It’s entirely up to you.”

Ekliptika nodded. “I know, and I considered it during the night. I haven’t changed my mind.”

“Nor have I. Lieutenant, if this procedure is successful, I will not approve any request for you to serve Rodimus as bheancoran. Former Decepticons I can cope with. Former Decepticons holding Decepticon rank is going to far.”

She nodded again. “I understand, Optimus Prime. I am...disappointed, but I can accept it.” She was silent a moment. “You will not forbid me to...?” She left the question hanging.

“Whatever personal relationship exists between the two of you is your own business. But I expect you to relinquish your position on diplomatic missions away from Cybertron, especially if you formalize things.” His voice was stern.

“I will set about finding an adequate replacement, then.” She was going to say something more when the door slid open.

Rodimus came striding out, nearly barreling into Ekliptika in his haste, but she managed to sidestep so that he passed harmlessly between her and Optimus.

“You’d better get in there,” he said to Optimus without preamble. “Razor and Perceptor are trading pot-shots again, and it’s getting ugly. Perceptor wrote the programming in question, so he’s a bit on the touchy side, and Razorsharp keeps referring to it as ‘high-tech slave shackles.’ And she’s got her ‘You are so much refuse’ attitude on today, and that just puts Perceptor more on edge.”

Optimus stared skyward for a moment, as though a solution would drop through the ceiling. When no salvation appeared, he sighed. “Why me?” he asked of no one, then walked quickly through the still-open door.

Rodimus waited until the door had closed, then collected Ekliptika’s hands in his own. “I was half-afraid that wouldn’t work,” he muttered, staring at the door.

“Did you lie to him?” The thought gave her an involuntary shiver of revulsion.

“Not really. The situation isn’t quite that tense yet, but it was heading that way. Another couple of minutes and would have been some serious words exchanged.”

A hint of doubt crossed her features. “Are we going to exchange serious words? Words that can’t be taken back? Are we going to flay each other alive with our verbal skills?”

He smiled and shook his head. “No. It might take a while, but I know we are going to come out of this all right. I have faith in you; I have faith in us.”

She had to smile at his whole-hearted assertions. “Then I need a favor from you.” Freeing her hands, she started pulling weapons from sub-space, piling them into his hands. “Hold these for me. Should I forget where I am, or who I am, I don’t want to risk hurting anyone.”

He tucked away the blasters and daggers carefully. “When do you want them back?”

For a moment, she was silent, considering. “You will know, I think. Better not to set some specific time, in case my recovery isn’t as swift as it should be.”

“Ellie, before you go in there, I just wanted to say, I-”

Swiftly she pressed her fingers over his mouth, stilling his words. “Don’t say it now. Nothing that can’t be easily taken back, should things go wrong.” She gave him one lingering look, then disappeared through the door.

Optimus looked as she came through the door. “Are you ready then, Lieutenant?”

She settled on the exam table. “I am, Optimus Prime.”

“You don’t have to do this their way,” Razorsharp said from the corner where she’d retired.

Ekliptika looked over to her, seeing only the crimson glow in the shadows. “I agreed to this. I’ll explain later, Primus willing.”

Perceptor helped her to recline on the table. “We can try to adjust the feed. Make the effects less difficult to manage, less noticeable.”

Ekliptika shook her head. “No. It comes out entirely. I will deal with the effects it might have.” She felt awareness sliding away as the machines took over her processors’ functions. “Primus protect me,” she whispered.

She awoke to blue optics staring at her; three pairs boring into her with a burning intensity. She struggled to lash out and found herself restrained, arms and legs pinned to the table under her. Lacking the ability to attack or defend herself, she screamed, pouring her frustrations out in her voice.

The hated blue retreated, to be replaced by a single pair of blessedly red optics, surrounded by royal purple and electric blue.

“Raven? Can you hear me?” The ruby eyes studied her with concern.

Raven. Yes. That was her name, her lodestone, that which made her what she was. Slowly, carefully, she nodded, afraid to trust the frightening thing that was her voice.

“Good. I’m going to release you now, all right? I need you to stay calm for a moment.” The Deceptifemme worked at the restraints, freeing her.

The instant she was loose, Raven jumped from the table and raced to a corner, dragging a portable monitor in front of her, optics wild with fear. The other femme approached her slowly, calm and comfort emanating from every inch of her frame.

“I know you’re confused, frightened. You feel alone. Let me help you. Do you remember me?”

She studied carefully the harlequin face and heavy frame, searching for some spark of recognition. “I know you?” she asked, her voice rough and faint.

The femme nodded. “We have worked together on occasion.”

“Then we are friends?”

The smile Raven received was enigmatic. “On occasion.”

An image flashed in Raven’s mind. “Mars,” she blurted out. “You were on Mars. You were accused of treason and banished. Your name was stricken from the Rolls.”

She took it with surprising equanimity. “I know. Do you recall my name?”

Raven nodded. “You are the Lady Razorsharp.” She looked over Razor’s shoulder to the cluster of Autobots across the room. “Am I a prisoner here?” she asked softly. “I recognize Optimus Prime, and though I know I have seen the other mechs before, I cannot recall their designations.”

Razorsharp cast a quick glance over her shoulder as well. “I am sure you will recall in time. You are here willingly, though it may not feel like it at the moment. Will you let me explain what you need to know?”

“Somewhere else?” Raven asked. She considered a moment after Razor nodded, then sighed and nodded back.

Razor grasped the monitor to move it aside, but Raven’s hand clenched around her wrist stopped her. “I have no weapon,” Raven whispered, scarcely loud enough for Razor to hear.

She nodded, then, motioning for Raven to remain where she was, crossed the room to the knot of Autobots.

“Well?” Rodimus asked impatiently? “Is she all right?”

“I am confident that she will be,” Razorsharp replied. “The process has affected her memories, but the information is still there. It is just a matter of finding new pathways to access what she knows.” She looked at Optimus. “She needs a weapon.”

“Too dangerous,” Perceptor weighed in. “She unpredictable right now. She could turn it on any of us.”

“She will not leave the room without one. She will not even relinquish the monitor until she has some means of defending herself,” Razor advised them. “And I wish to perform a small experiment. But I will need Rodimus Prime’s cooperation if it is to work.”

“How dangerous is it?” Optimus asked.

“Assuming Rodimus can defend himself against one under-armed femme? I don’t feel that there is any danger whatsoever.”

“I’ll do whatever she wants, Optimus,” Rodimus asserted. “What do you need me to do?”

“I assume she gave you her weapons before she came in?” When he nodded, she did as well. “I thought it would be you. Give them back to her. Don’t ask her if she remembers you, or anything personal. Just hand them over, and I’ll be watching her reaction.”

“That’s going too far,” Perceptor declared. “She could kill Rodimus with one shot at that kind of range. Her accuracy is uncanny.”

“I’ll take that risk,” Rod insisted. “I know her better than you do. I trust her.”

“You knew Lieutenant Ekliptika. This is a mad Decepticon we are discussing. She’s already attempted violence.” Perceptor was adamant.

“Lady Raven is neither insane nor angry. She is feeling confused and alone, and the more we discuss this, the more concerned for her own safety she becomes. What say you, Optimus Prime?”

Optimus studied Razor’s intent face a moment, then looked over at Raven. She didn’t quite huddle in the corner, but it was clear that she had put as much space as possible between herself and the Autobots. Something had to give, even if it was just a little. “She carries knives, doesn’t she?” Her resisted a twitching eyebrow when both Razorsharp and Rodimus nodded. “Give her one. Carefully,” he stressed.

Raven watched with apprehension as Razor returned, the flame-painted mech following closely.

“It’s all right,” Razor assured her. “We reached an agreement, and can leave any time you wish.”

Silently, the mech offered her a knife, blade pointed away from her, his hand high upon the hilt. She took it carefully, pointing the blade down, and turned it in her hand, watching her reflection flash in the mirror-bright blade. “Thank you, Rodimus,” she murmured, still studying the blade intently. She completely missed his smile, or the satisfied nod from Razorsharp.

“Wait for me outside if you would, Lady Raven,” Razorsharp directed. Raven complied with only a brief hesitation. Then Razor looked at Rodimus. “She told me that she could recall only Optimus Prime’s name.” Then she was out the door, cloaked in a superior smirk.

Perceptor scowled. “Now you have two of them to deal with.”

Rodimus couldn’t stop smiling, but Optimus Prime’s expression was inscrutable.

Raven leaned on the narrow metal railing of Razorsharp’s small balcony, staring into the darkness beyond Iacon. Vilnacron was out there somewhere, still, dark and deserted, as was Polyhex. Lights within the sprawling Autobot city-stronghold turned on and off with the ebb and flow of life, but across the planet, her native city was a city of the dead and forgotten.

It was quiet on the balcony; a still place to take in all the things Razorsharp had told her. There was no question about believing what she had been told. It was coping with the revelations and fitting them all into place that needed time and quiet. She had the memories of the events, but they were static, disconnected, like pictures of another’s trip to some exotic locale.

Behind her, the door slid open, and a gust of warm air rolled out over her. Footsteps clanked solidly across the hard floor, and a dark Seeker mech settled against the railing beside her.

“Are you well, Lady Raven?” Sirius asked.

“Well enough,” she replied. “I am only trying to order my thoughts and thinking about home.”

“Do you miss the old cities? I feel sometimes like I missed so much,” Sirius confessed.

“You did miss something grand, through no fault of your own. Perhaps one day, we can truly fashion a Golden Age of Cybertron again.” She sighed in the darkness. “Your mother tells me you are still searching for information about the Governor’s sister. Have you had any success?”

“None. There is nothing in public records to indicate where or if she was even held by the Autobots.” His tone was forlorn.

Raven stared another moment into the night. Then she pushed back and turned away from the darkness. “I will help you,” she said quietly.

Sirius was stunned for a moment. “How?” he asked finally. “You said you couldn’t get involved.”

“I am on leave until I feel ready to take up my duties again, assuming I can remember what they are, or how to perform them. And if I don’t do something in the meantime, I know I will go insane.”

“How do we start?” Sirius asked.

“The Great Archive in the morning, I think. There are probably some records we can get to there.”

“But I have been through the Archive already. There was nothing,” Sirius protested.

“No offense, Sirius, but you don’t have a security clearance. I may not remember yet what I do with my time, but it must be important if I can access high-level files. We’ll see what’s available in active prisoner files and go from there.”

“Are you sure we should be doing this?”

Raven looked back at Sirius. “Are you regretting the decision to pursue this? If so, you should have mentioned it several days ago.” She checked her stride in the dim hallway.

“No. But we’re going to steal a ship…”

“We are not going to steal the ship. I am going to authorize its use in this matter. I have the clearance to take one, and that is what I intend to do.” She turned away and resumed walking.

“And where are you going so late?” a voice asked form the shadows.

Red optics stared at Raven from a black puddle of shadow, faintly illuminating a harlequin face. “Lady Razorsharp?” she asked.

The figure stepped into the light, and immediately, Raven could see she had been wrong. From boot to wings she resembled her father, but Destiny wore her mother’s face. “No. But I will be happy to fetch her for you, if you prefer to explain to her.”

“Go back to your room, Desty,” Sirius urged. “Forget you saw us.”

Destiny leaned against a beam, clearly ignoring her elder brother. “So what are you doing?” she asked, deftly manipulating lethal claws.

“Your brother is right,” Raven concluded, trying to reassert her authority. “Return to your quarters and do not alarm your mother.”

“Oh, I think she’ll be rather alarmed when she discovers Sirius is missing. Especially when I tell her he left with you,” Destiny pointed out.

“What do you want?” Raven asked bluntly.

“Where are you going?”

“We found her, Des,” Sirius confided.

“We may have found her. How much do you know about Sirius’s search?” Raven asked.

“I know he’s looking for our father’s sister. And I know he hasn’t found anything of use. What do you know?” Razorsharp would have been proud of her challenging tone.

“There is a prisoner camp on one of the Far Outer Colonies, a camp with no available listing of detainees, though there are a large number present. Your aunt is on no other listing I can find, including the listings of the deceased. It’s a long shot, but it is the last place left to look.”

Destiny took in Raven’s explanation in silence. “I’m going with you,” she said finally.

Raven tried to deter her. “Destiny, it’s very dangerous. I can’t let you take that risk.”

“I will go, or none of us will go. I can get to Optimus Prime before you can get to a ship and out of the hanger.”

Raven started to protest, then let it drop. “Okay. You’re with us. Your mother can only kill me once.”

“How did she get through the hanger and off-planet?” Optimus asked, striding along a corridor. These late night sessions were getting old very quickly.

“Apparently she used her old security codes to authorize a ship. The computer thought everything was fine,” Rodimus offered.

Kup snorted. “Well, someone should have denied her access as soon as she switched sides!”

“She didn't switch sides!” Rodimus insisted.

“Well, it sure as hell looks that way to me!” Kup stormed. “A Decepticon is a Decepticon! And the best one is a dead one! Or have both of you forgotten that?!”

“That is ENOUGH!” Optimus bellowed. “Captain, you are out of line. Report to my office and stay put until I get there. And you--” he swung to look at Roddy's stunned face, “will have a lot of explaining to do.”

“You didn't expect her to thank us for repressing her memories then ripping it all away, did you?” Rodimus asked. “Something sent her careening off across the galaxy, Optimus. We need to know what that is.”

Optimus stormed off, Kup in tow. “Fine. Get me Razorsharp. I need answers from her and I need them NOW.”

“Razorsharp to Rodimus Prime,” came a frantic voice over Rod's comm.

“Yeah, Rodimus here,” he snarled.

“The children! She's taken my children!”

“Christ,” Roddy muttered, using a human swear word. “Optimus!!” he shouted after the elder Prime. “We've got another problem!”

“I don't have time for another problem.”

“You have time for this. Apparently Razor's kids are in the boat with Ellie.”

“I told you!” Kup yelled. “They’re building up an assault wave!”

“Captain!!” Optimus barked. He turned and looked at Roddy, clearly at a loss. “Tell her to come down here and we'll piece this together.”

The ship’s engines thrummed softly, vibrating the floor plates and hull ever so slightly. The craft Raven had secured was small, nothing like the Diplomatic Vessels, and there were no private cabins. There were, in fact, no passenger seats, either. Rather, a few seats were bolted before stations arrayed along the walls.

Raven finished inputting the final commands for the autopilot, then rose from the pilot’s seat and moved over to the chair Sirius had appropriated. He was hunched over the tiny terminal, taking Destiny through the information they had lifted from various Archive files.

Razor’s daughter watched her as she approached. “I still don’t see the connection. Where does Lady Thalia fit in all of this? She’s not mentioned by name anywhere.”

“No, she’s not.” Raven settled into a chair at the next station. “Not in these files, or on any list of prisoners anywhere. But if I understand correctly, your father, the Governor, was more than old enough to remember clearly his sister going missing. I’m not willing to believe she left a mate and three children of her own volition. So we are left with the conclusion that she was taken and held against her will. Since she is not listed as a prisoner in any known camp, Sirius and I went further afield, looking specifically for camps with unlisted occupants. This is the only such camp still operating.”

“She could have been at a camp that is no longer operating, then?” Destiny asked.

“Anything is possible. Right now, this is the best option. It shouldn’t take us too long at hyper-light speed to reach Reuter V.”

“How long before the Autobots catch us and take us back in chains?” Sirius asked.

Raven allowed one corner of her mouth to turn up. “Quite a while. Right now, our signal matches that of a regular supply ship scheduled to be in this quadrant. They’ll have to trace our path through the information in the Archives to figure out where we’re going. They’ll have to know what we’re looking for.”

“They are seeking His Excellency’s sister.”

In a corner of Optimus Prime’s office, Kup snorted. “Great. Looking for more Decepticons. We’re going to be awash in the enemy, Prime. She’ll lead them back here in droves, guns blazing.”

Razorsharp turned in her seat to study him through cold eyes. “Lady Thalia was – is – a brilliant theoretical quantum physicist. I very much doubt she will be in possession of a weapon.”

“Why, exactly, are your elder children and Raven chasing across the galaxy for the kids’ aunt, Lady Razorsharp?” Optimus Prime cradled his temples in his hands, trying to contain his anger and the mounting headache.

“Sirius has been obsessed with Lady Thalia’s fate since Omicron Rho. He devoured all the information he could access when we returned, and despaired when there was nothing to learn. He pestered me to pick through the Decepticon Archives for any nugget of data, then declared that ‘the Lieutenant’ would find what he wanted when she returned.” She sighed, then continued reluctantly. “I must confess that I was disturbed that he would turn to her. Somehow, their conversation led to the events of a few days ago. Then they sequestered themselves in a terminal room for long stretches. I have no idea of what they had discovered before they left. But for some reason, Raven has taken Sirius and Destiny off to some unknown location.”

“All right. Roddy, did she talk to you about this at all?” Optimus asked.

He shook his head. “Only indirectly. She was more upset about Razorsharp being angry with her than anything else. She never mentioned pursuing the relation of theirs.”

“And after the removal procedure?” Optimus pressed. “Did she talk about it with you then?”

“I…I was avoiding her. Giving her some space to come to terms with everything.”

Razorsharp looked up. “I was avoiding her as well, Optimus Prime. I think we all were, waiting for Raven to let us know what support, if any, she needed.”

“So we all let the ball drop on this one,” Optimus declared. “I should have let Kup know to suspend her top-level security clearances, but it never occurred to me that she would go off the deep end.”

“I don’t think she has gone off the deep end, Optimus,” Rod put in. “She hasn’t injured anyone, she hasn’t even broken any rules; the ship she took was signed out over her own credentials. It certainly wasn’t a great idea for her to go without telling anyone, but bad judgment isn’t criminal.”

“What about the kids?” Kup asked suddenly. “She sure didn’t have permission to take them.”

“Sirius just recently attained the Age of Choice,” Razorsharp said softly. “He is now by Decepticon law co-guardian of his minor sisters with me. He can give consent for such a trip, especially if he plans to accompany.”

“So you’re telling me that a Decepticon with Autobot security clearance can sign out a ship and take off for parts unknown with someone else’s kids and there’s nothing wrong? What kind of operation are we running here?” Kup demanded.

“She’s not a Decepticon,” Rodimus insisted.

“Has she taken the Oath?” Kup demanded. When Rodimus remained silent, he nodded. “I thought as much. But if it will make you feel better…” He sighed. “So we have a Neutral with Top Priority clearance chasing across the galaxy with two young Decepticons? Does anyone want to argue with that assessment?” The resounding silence encouraged him to continue. “So the question becomes, where are they, and how are we going to get them back?”

“Whatever they found in the databases set them to running,” Razorsharp expounded. “There must have been some clue they found.”

“I agree,” Optimus rumbled. “Lady Razorsharp, go through the archives, if you would. See if you can trace their trail. You know what you’re looking for, right?”

She nodded. “Gladly. But I do not possess sufficient clearance to access the correct files.”

“Noted. Kup, boost Lady Razorsharp’s security clearance. It’s time she had access to everything she needs.”

“But Prime-”

Optimus cut him off with a wave. “She’s still here, Captain. That’s all the proof I need to trust her.” He waited until Kup reluctantly agreed. “Now, how do we go about getting them back?”

“She’ll come back when they’re done,” Rodimus offered.

“Probably,” Prime agreed, “but she’s out there, more or less unarmed, with a pair of adolescents. Do you like the sound of it?” The look on Rod’s face told Optimus he’d made his point. “What do we know about the ship she took?”

“Small four-bot craft. Maybe five or six if everyone is real friendly,” Kup supplied. “We lost track of it shortly after take-off. Tracer signal disappeared. She probably altered it to something we’re not looking for.” There was a trace of grudging admiration in his voice.

“Sounds like a trick you’ve tried in the past,” Optimus observed. “So how do we go about finding her signal now?” “Without knowing where she’s going? Million-to-one odds. There’s just too much traffic out there to chase it all down for a visual inspection.” Kup fiddled with a wall-terminal for a moment. “All set. Her Ladyship has access equal to Lieutenant Ekliptika’s now.”

“So if Ellie could find it, Razorsharp can?” Rodimus asked.

The Security Chief cast a glance at the Deceptifemme. “Yes. If she’s smart enough.”

Raven manipulated the small craft in rings over the landing pad as ground control chewed on her credentials. She kept the ship aloft effortlessly as she mused, hoping against hope that her clearance hadn’t been cancelled back on Cybertron. It was a concern she hadn’t shared with the children. Strange that she still thought of them as children, even though Sirius had already attained his majority, and Destiny, though a few vorns younger, was close to hers as well. It had always struck Raven as odd that femmes should be released from their progenitors’ control before mechs, though perhaps it was because so few femmes had been other than the mates of mechs, and therefore their property.

The radio crackled to life, breaking her reverie. “Permission to land granted, Lieutenant. Enjoy your visit to Reuter V.”

Carefully, she settled the craft on the pad. “Well, that was certainly easier than I expected,” she said, unbuckling her restraints.

“Should it be that easy?” Sirius asked.

“Indeed. This is supposed to be a prison planet. Why should we enjoy our visit?” Destiny pointed out.

“Good questions, both. But the answers are out there.” With that, Raven opened the hatch and went out into the watery light.

Wordlessly, Sirius and Destiny followed her.

Razorsharp paced quickly through the corridors of Iacon, not quite running, but moving quickly enough to make others move out of her way. Reaching her goal, she stretched out an arm to knock, and was forced to jump aside herself when Rodimus came bounding out.

“I’ve found them.”

“We’ve found them.”

Had the situation not been so tense, it would have been a comical moment.

Rodimus stepped back into Optimus Prime’s office, bringing Razorsharp with him. “I found her right outside,” he said, clearly speaking to Optimus.

“I was just on my way up here,” Razorsharp explained. “I tracked Raven’s activity through the computer core. She deleted most of her requests for files, but the requests were still waiting in the garbage files. In addition to database searches, she requested detailed information on one place in particular, Reuter V, and charts and navigationals for the same.”

“Reuter V just checked her credentials with us,” Optimus Prime told her. “We kept them active just in case they were needed. They welcomed her with open arms.”

“So what happens now? Will you send a team to pursue her and bring them back?” Razorsharp asked.

“I don’t want things to get that out of hand. I’m thinking more along the lines of a small mission. Maybe one or two handpicked individuals, assuming of course they’re willing to go.”

Razorsharp exchanged a look with Rodimus.

“Sounds like another starship for us,” he quipped.

The administrator looked up as they entered. “Can I help you?” she asked.

Raven stepped forward. “The children are here to see Lady Thalia.” They’d gone over the options several times, and Raven had held firm. Don’t ask if Thalia was there, simply ask if they cold see her, letting The Powers That Be assume their little group knew what they were doing.

The administrator studied her oversize data pad a moment. “Lady Thalia is in the lab on 4 today. You have been cleared through central command?”

“Before we came here.” Raven assured her. It was only a small lie. She hadn’t bothered to try and explain the presence of the children.

“Go on up, then. Lifts are down the hall to the right.”

Raven led them off with a quick word of thanks.

“It really shouldn’t be this easy,” Destiny murmured in the lift. “What kind of prison offers strangers this kind of access?

“Whatever is going on here, it is clearly not a prison facility,” Raven concurred. “We will simply have to continue as we have done.” She looked over at Sirius, who stood in the corner, arms crossed, eyes on the ceiling. “Are you ready for this?”

Face set firmly, he nodded.

The lift began to slow. “All right, then. Honor to Deceptica.”

“Honor and glory,” they replied solemnly.

The lift’s transparent doors parted, letting the trio out into a small corridor. One wall was floor-to-ceiling transparasteel, offering a complete view of the city, lit by the planet’s weak sun. The remaining walls and the ceiling were white, providing a plain background for works of art Raven had trouble appreciating. Her boots clanked loudly on the tiled floor as she walked to the huge window.

“Well, Sirius, we’re here. It’s your show now. Do you want us to go in with you?” Raven asked.

“I’d rather go by myself at first, if it’s all right with you. I don’t want to frighten her.”

Raven nodded, resting a calming hand on a restless Destiny’s shoulder. “Go ahead, then. We’ll be waiting for you here.”

Squaring his broad shoulder, Sirius moved with deliberation through the swinging doors.

Inside the lab, Sirius was immediately aware of several chemicals hanging in the air, and electricity crackling quietly in a corner. A lone femme worked between two lab tables, pale wings shielding most of her figure from his view. He opened his mouth to address her, and found his harmonizer stuck fast. Clearing his throat, he tried again.

“Lady Thalia?”

The femme turned as he spoke, revealing long pale limbs and a striking face. Her age was clearly written there, but rather than subtract from her beauty, it lent her a kind of grace and wisdom.

“Can I – Straxus?” She whispered the name, as though she couldn’t believe her optics. “No. Not Straxus.” Her voice fell with disappointment.

“No, Lady. His Excellency, Lord Straxus, Governor of New Polyhex, is – was - my father. I am his heir, Sirius.” He looked with confusion around the fully appointed lab. “I’ve come to rescue you.”

Thalia set down her pad to swirl the content of a beaker. “That’s very sweet, my child, but I do not require rescuing.”

“But, the war? How can you be here willingly, slaving for our enemies? Other Decepticons languish in prisons. You must let us return you to freedom.”

Thalia picked up the data pad and made a note of the readings in her experiment, while Sirius looked on, frowning. “Sirius, I've been away from the war for so long. I'm happy here. I'm given freedom to do my work, and that's the only freedom I'm interested in.”

Here was a conversation he could sink his claws into, and he did so with gusto. “Even while your countrymen are still enslaved? Don't you care what's become of Deceptica?”

She looked him in the optics. “Maybe it would be best if Decepticons did not resist the idea of peace. Then they would no longer be enslaved.”

He rounded the table, advancing on her. “If we do not rule, we are enslaved. You must understand. There is no middle ground in this.”

A spark of his father's anger lit her ruby optics. “Do what you want. I am not interested.”

“But---” Sirius was at a loss. “You...you are my father's sister.” He looked down at his hands. “You are my only link to him.”

Thalia put her hand under his chin and raised his optics to hers. “Sirius, my child...your link to your father is within yourself. Let the past be in the past. You are the future of Deceptica. Do what seems best to you for your people.”

“I cannot leave a Decepticon here to serve the Autobots. You must come with us now,” Sirius insisted.

“Sirius, child, I am no longer a Decepticon, though I am no Autobot either. Call me Neutral if you must classify me at all, though these labels are what created the war in the first place.” She sighed, and stroked one finger down his cheek. “No. I will not leave. My life is here now.”

Sirius was silent a moment, trying not to let the bitterness of disappointment overwhelm him. “Will you come out meet my sister and our friend? We risked much to come here and find you, Raven most of all.”

She rewarded him with a smile. “Of course I will. But do not believe that it will change my mind.” She took the arm he offered. “So you have a sibling?”

“I have four. Only Destiny came with us. Velocity is too young to accompany us, and Ishtar and Blade…live with their father. They are only half-siblings to us.”

“Do not censure them for their father, Sirius. Love and respect them as children of your mother deserve.”

He nodded, then opened the lab door for her.

As they came through the door, Raven dropped her hand from Destiny’s shoulder. Though the grip could never have restrained her had Destiny wanted to go, the instant it was released, she rushed forward, embracing Thalia forcefully.

The older femme soothed her niece’s silent sobs. “There, there, child. You have reached the end of your quest. Do not cry now.” She tilted Destiny’s face up and studied it. “You must resemble your mother, though I see signs of my family in you as well.” She kissed Destiny gently on both cheeks. “One for you, and one for Velocity as well, with my love.” She disengaged herself from Destiny and reached for Sirius, kissing him on the forehead. “You have my blessing, heir of my brother. Do what you will with it.” She left them and crossed the room to where Raven stood looking out the window, trying not to interrupt the family scene.

“Lady Raven? Sirius told me you risked much to bring them here. I see now what he meant. You are an Autobot?”

Raven nodded. “In a way. I have been, and I will be again. I am…on leave now, from my senses, some will say.” She looked over at the children, huddled together, the stress of their search finally giving way to relief. “My family is dead, has been dead since the beginning of the War. To reunite yours felt good.”

“I will not be returning,” Thalia said.

“I understand,” Raven replied after a moment. “Will you exchange messages with them in the future? It would be terrible for them to lose you again.”

“Something can be arranged, I am sure. But whatever happens, thank you for bringing them.”

“You are very welcome.” She watched silently as Thalia moved back to Sirius and Destiny. Somehow, she knew the traditional valediction would not be appreciated.

The ride down in the lift was quiet, tinged with a sense of defeat. Finally, near the bottom, Sirius broke the silence.

“Lady Raven, what did you mean, about being an Autobot again? You’re free now. You can do what you want, wear the Decepticon sigil proudly.”

“I meant what I said. When we return to Cybertron, I will take the Autobot Oath of Loyalty, assuming Optimus Prime will allow it.”

“But you could be a Decepticon,” Destiny protested. “You could be one of us.”

“I have lived and died for the Decepticons once, Destiny. Now I will live and work for the Autobots, and when the time comes for me to die, it will be as an Autobot.” The lift slowed and stopped, the doors opening, and the trio stepped out into the pale daylight, directly into the paths of Rodimus Prime, and a clearly upset Razorsharp.

Sirius and Destiny pulled up short, clearly concerned about the expression on their mother’s face. With a deep breath, Sirius stepped forward.

“Greetings, Maman. Welcome to Reuter V.”

Razorsharp inclined her head. “Sirius. Wait in our ship with Destiny, if you please.” Her tone was cool, but far from the worst it could have been.

Raven reached out, touching Razor on the arm. “Razorsharp,” she entreated, looking up and gesturing with one finger.

Razorsharp followed her look, catching sight of a pale figure several stories up in a window. Though the face was unfamiliar, the general lines of the body were not. Gravely, Razorsharp raised one hand in silent salute. After a moment, the figure retuned the gesture, then disappeared form view. Without a word, Razorsharp turned and departed for the ship.

Finally alone, Raven dared to look at Rodimus. “Hello, Rodimus.” Her voice was small and hesitant.

“This was some stunt you pulled,” he said, voice filled with mock severity.

Raven didn’t smile. “I know.”

“Optimus was pretty miffed. And worried.”

“I know.”

“I was worried, too. I was afraid something would happen to you.”

Her optics dropped. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“Do you want to explain why we’re all out here?” Rod asked.

“Straxus was kind to my brother, before the War, and to me, in a distant sort of way. I owed his family something for that. The last member of his family is a scientist here. I thought if I could bring the children out here, I could….”

“Clear up some of your own issues?” he completed.

“Something like that. It was something I could do for them, to repay the kindness Straxus showed my family.” She struggled to keep methanol tears from slipping down her cheeks. “I didn’t mean to disappoint you.”

He tilted her chin up, wiping away the tears with a thumb. “You never disappoint me,” he whispered, then kissed her gently. “Now let’s get home and see if we can pull your fat out of the fire.” He took her hand and pulled her back toward the spaceport.

“I’m not fat.”

Raven stood at attention before Optimus Prime’s desk, optics fixed on a small smudge on the wall behind him, trying with some success not to quake. He had looked decidedly displeased when they had returned, the tiny ship she had signed out in tow behind Rodimus’s much larger vessel. And his orders had been curt. Clean up and report to his office ASAP.

The tapping of Optimus’s stylus against the data pad kept her on edge. Then when it stopped, her anxiety grew.

“Well, Raven. You’ve certainly been busy. Accessing classified files, borrowing ships without checking, entering supposedly secret bases. How you managed all this without violating a single regulation still amazes me. I’m not even sure if I should ask you if you want to make a statement in your own defense.”

“Sir,” she began, “I felt that I owed something…”

“To Straxus’ family,” Optimus interrupted. “Yes. Rodimus included something about that in his report. And Razorsharp has no interest in preferring charges regarding your taking Destiny along. Kup isn’t thrilled, but he can’t find many violations of security beyond sharing soon-to-be-declassified files with an interested party. It’s premature, but I can’t do too much about it. So what do I do with you, Raven?”

“I will accept any punishment you deem appropriate, Optimus Prime.”

“Now there’s the problem. Technically, I can’t assign discipline to a non-Autobot. So I think the first thing is to get you back in the ranks.” He brought out and ancient scroll, and set it on the desk. “Left hand here, please, gently, and right hand up.” He activated the comm. system as she followed his directions.

“Rodimus, come on in here. You’ll probably want to witness this.”

Raven looked over in amazement as Rodimus came through the door, but didn’t move her hands.

“Let’s get things moving along here,” Optimus said, bringing her attention back to him. “Raven, do you swear to uphold the Charter of Cybertron, the Accords of Omicron Rho, and any future agreements the Autobots enter into? Do you further swear to support and defend all allies of the Autobots, Cybertron and its colonies, and all those under our protection, until such time as you retire or you service is terminated by death?”

“With the guidance of Primus I so swear.”

“Excellent,” Optimus declared. He quickly scripted his name onto on of Cybertron’s rare pieces of parchment, then passed it across to Raven. “You need to sign that, and Rodimus will sign as witness.” Once that was accomplished, he quickly pressed a large wax seal to the bottom of the document. "Congratulations, Raven, and welcome to the Autobots. Now, Lieutenant Raven, about that discipline.”

“Cut her some slack, Optimus,” Rod pleaded. “She was confused. She’d just come off that procedure, and she hadn’t taken the oath…”

“Rodimus,” Optimus intoned, “I’m still in charge here. Lieutenant, impersonating an officer is serious business. However, due to the mitigating circumstances, the officer you were impersonating being for all practical purposes yourself, I am inclined to be lenient. You are suspended from duty for one week, and confined to Cybertron. No trotting off planet this time, not even to Earth when Roddy goes. It’s safe enough without a diplomatic guard,” he explained before she could protest. “And you will begin a search for a replacement immediately. You’re going to be busy managing Diplomatic security here on Cybertron. Understood?”

She saluted. “Yes, Sir.”

He handed her the parchment. “Get out of here, both of you.”

Rodimus pulled her to a halt just outside the door. “You said I would know when to give something back to you.” He held out her remaining knife and her blasters.

She accepted them gravely. “Thank you. I am grateful they were safe.” She fitted them comfortably back into her hand, then subspaced them. “So. Did I tell you I was glad to see you on Reuter V?”

“No,” he replied. “But I’m glad you were glad. That…sounds pretty dumb, doesn’t it?”

“Not at all. What do we do now?”

“Start over, maybe? ‘Hi, I’m Rodimus Prime?’”

“With you leaving in two days? There’s no time to start over.” She smiled then. If Rodimus hadn’t known her and believed in her, he could easily have called it evil. “Shall we play more hockey?”

For a moment, he was confused, then light broke across his features. “Hooky. Hockey is something else entirely. We can try it later, but I don’t think you’ll be as pleased with it.” He wrapped his hands around her waist, pulling her closer. “So tell me about your plans for hooky.”

Before she could answer, Optimus emerged from his office, nearly stumbling over them. “Primus help me. You have two sets of quarters between you. Go find some.” With great exaggeration he stepped around then and walked away. “And that’s an order!”

Rodimus suppressed a smirk. Grabbing Raven’s hand, he pulled her away from the wall. “Come on. Hooky it is.”

* THE END *

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