Part 10 - Afterwards

To anyone who wasn't there to see it, the narrowly-averted end of the world was a bit of an anti-climax...

xxx

Poppy frowned at the image frozen on the screen, trying to make it make sense. She glanced at the transformer perched beside her.

"So... that... thing is Cybertron...?"

Ramp, gazing longingly at the massive intricately honeycombed image glinting through the light clouds above Chicago, was silent for a moment or two, and when he spoke his voice had an odd staticky buzz to it.

"Home. It has been so long. Even sick as it is... it's still home..."

"But... how?"

"Sentinels' space bridge."

"It transported the entire planet?"

He twisted his head to regard her, eyes flickering.

"The technology once transported a sun. Moving a planet was easy."

"Why didn't we feel anything? I mean, something that big has gravity. Surely we should have felt... I don't know... earthquakes? Tidal waves? Heaviness?"

"I believe the effect of our world's gravity was negated while it was held in the spatial warp. We wouldn't have felt anything until it was completely here. By which time it would be too late."

"And Cybertron would have crashed into earth. Or earth been pulled into Cybertron. And one or both would have been destroyed?"

"Earth, certainly. Cybertron is mostly comprised of extremely dense metals. It would most likely have survived. Gradually incorporated earth's minerals, its energy, into itself. Settled itself into earth's orbit around your sun and recovered."

"But we'd all be dead. Us humans, I mean. Even if we survived the initial collision."

Ramp bowed his head. "I am afraid so."

"And now it's gone. Was it destroyed?"

"We don't know. It would be best to assume that it was, I think. It would be better, for now, to believe that earth is our home, that we have nowhere else to go. That way lies... acceptance."

Poppy nodded sadly and glanced around the lounge. The mood over the last few days, since Bumblebee had thrown himself against the control pillar and stopped the transportation of the devastated planet, had been sombre at best, depressed at worst. It was mostly the loss - again - of their home world, she knew that, but also... how much they must all be hurting to know that the ancient Prime they once revered had betrayed them, their civilisation, their ideals.

She knew that the loss of Ironhide was hurting 'Beat and Stronghold. She thought that their Prime's reported... savagery... had come as a shock to her transformers as well - well, maybe not to Castle and Highdive, but they were combat trained and had already seen action. For the rest - to know that their beloved leader had descended to the level of the 'Cons was... frightening. They understood why, that he'd had no choice, but knowing what he'd done, the vicious slaughter of both Megatron and Sentinel...

She wondered what effect it had had on the Prime himself. The guilt he must be feeling!

"So what happens how?"

Ramp's head rolled back until he was looking at the ceiling.

"We will do what we can to help with the cleanup. Try to repair the damage, physical, mental and... political." He tilted his head to eye Poppy, mouthplates managing a small, humourless smile. "The work we and our counterparts in the other consulates are doing will help. We all have a huge debt to repay. And we must make sure nothing like this can ever happen again."

Poppy sighed and stroked his back.

"It's so unfair."

"The universe isn't fair, Poppy."

"I know, really. I just keep wishing and hoping it would change its mind."

xxx

Zee had called a meeting.

This was unusual, but necessary under the circumstances. All department heads attended, onscreen if not in person. With Aitch hovering behind him, Zee called everyone to order.

"As should be obvious to every member of the Club, our priorities must change."

Aitch resisted rolling his eyes. No, really?

"With the Decepticons defeated and Soundwave dead, we need to refocus. Our ultimate aim is still control, but I believe that should change from military to commercial."

As I've been saying for years. Aitch suppressed a sigh. Zee was old school, from a military background; it wasn't surprising that his initial focus would be the world's armed forces. In a way it echoed the organisation's name. A club was a blunt instrument as well as an association of people.

"Without Soundwave, the possibility of controlling global communications has also gone. However, we know that the so-called neutral transformers have been devising new materials and processes. If we can gain control of them, we can still achieve our goals."

A murmur of agreement, and Zee smiled mirthlessly.

"It's time to bring our little band of troublemakers into the fold."

xxx

The information that Starscream wasn't - entirely - dead came as a most unwelcome shock. Poppy stared at Phil. She'd only ever seen pictures of the 'Con, but the stories had been enough to scare her rigid.

"But I thought..."

Phil shook his head grimly.

"Hard to kill, these transformers. His spark chamber survived, and while his processor was badly damaged, enough survived that Ratchet believes he can be revived."

"But why? He's just... surely he's far too dangerous?"

Phil shrugged helplessly. "Personally I think Ratchet's insane to even think about it. But... from what Jolt has let slip, Starscream used to be a fine scientist, skilled in several disciplines, and Ratchet doesn't want to lose him unless it's absolutely necessary." He hesitated for a second, then frowned. "I'm wondering if there's some history between them too. Ratchet is being really really stubborn about making the attempt."

"But how the hell would that work?"

"Ah." Phil eyed her consideringly. "Starscream's in pieces at the moment, his remains on their way to Diego Garcia... How much do you know about protoforms?"

"Only what I've read in 'Beat's history."

"Right. Well, as far as I can understand it, Ratchet plans to reconstruct Starscream's protoform but making it smaller than it was, and limiting the facility for weapons. He believes - though I think it's more a hope than a belief - that being given a second chance, free of the abuse he apparently suffered under Megatron, is worth the effort and risk."

Poppy stared at him, open-mouthed. "That is completely mad."

"Oh, I agree. But you do not argue with Ratchet once he's made up his mind."

Poppy nodded slowly, then inclined her head.

"It wouldn't half help make Prime feel better though."

Phil stared at her, puzzled, and she managed a small smile. "I don't know the Prime, but from what everyone has said, I imagine he's feeling absolutely gutted about this whole situation. That it's all his fault. To be able to make any sort of reparation..." she shrugged. "I know I'm attributing human feelings and motivation to aliens, but..." she huffed helplessly. "Well, it kind of makes sense to me."

Phil eyed her affectionately and smiled.

"I love the way you think. And yes, I think you're right."

She chuckled. "Just as long as I don't have to mother Starscream!"

"Oh, I don't think you need worry. Even if it works he'll be under the closest scrutiny and tightest security for quite a while."

xxx

"But I don't want to go!"

Poppy heard 'Spin's wail from her office, where she was running her daily check on the situation in Chicago - so far everything was going reasonably well, with all available Autobots, and quite a few neutrals, pitching in to repair the damage Sentinel had caused. Sighing, she pulled herself upright and made her way down to the lounge.

Graham and Phil seemed to be arguing with 'Spin, who was hunkered down with his arms crossed over his front and what Poppy could only call a mulish expression on his face. She frowned.

"What's going on?"

"Poppy! Help! They want me to go and work on Thtarthcream!"

She stumbled to a halt and stared at the officers.

"You WHAT?"

Graham raised his hands placatingly.

"'Spin has the skills needed to forge the new protoform and spark chamber. Prime has requested his help."

Poppy frowned. "Oh, OK, I see. So what's all the fuss about?"

"I don't want to go. I don't want to leave you. And I don't want to work on a Dethepticon!"

Phil sighed irritatedly. "With respect, 'Spin, he's not a 'Con any longer. By the time he's been... reconfigured, he'll be almost an infant. A sparkling. Ratchet is convinced he won't remember anything about his life as a 'Con."

Poppy frowned. "Will he remember anything? I mean, will he still be able to function as a scientist?"

Graham threw his hands in the air and snorted. "I understand about one word in twenty of what Ratchet says, but I gather that that part of his processor is essentially undamaged. Which is a bloody miracle, if you ask me."

"Thtill not going." 'Spin somehow managed to look like a petulant five year old, and Poppy had to bite back a giggle. She laid her hands on his shoulders, expression sombre.

"'Spin, it's for the Prime. It's for us. And you're the only person qualified - isn't he?" she added, frowning at Graham, who nodded. "You really can't say no."

"Yeth I can. I am NOT leaving you, Poppy."

The humans exchanged glances - then Poppy inclined her head, a slow smile dawning on her face. She smirked at Graham, who looked suddenly wary.

"You did say to keep my passport up to date." She grinned at 'Spin. "Well, why don't I come with you then?"

xxx

© JAT 25.02.12

xxx

Here ends Consular. The story will continue, soon, in Renewal