EDITED 8/4/2016 Changed Burnrate to Burn Out since Fun Pub stole my idea of making Diaclone Black Skids into a female Autobot. >:(
EXODUS
Timeline: 995 Years Ago (5 Years after Volume III (and before IV))
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The meeting had not gone well; that much Ultra Magnus could tell as Zeta Prime stormed out of the room, a furious look on his face. As Ultra Magnus began to walk alongside the blue and gold Prime, he carefully said, "How did it go?"
"They're leaving," was all Zeta said, his bitter tone practically telling Magnus to not press the matter further.
For the past few months, several Autobots had begun to lose faith in the cause, being horrified by the effects of the war and being disappointed in Zeta Prime's failure to fix things. While Ultra Magnus certainly did not want these Autobots to leave, he could see how Zeta's actions could convince them to go through with their plans of desertion.
"So that's the Masterforce Warriors gone," Magnus muttered. "Are you going to meet with Dai Atlas next?"
"Should I even bother at this point?" Zeta Prime snapped, whirling to face him. "The results are going to be the same as with Zetca and Metalhawk, and the rest. Should I just let them all go?"
Ultra Magnus did not know how to respond and Zeta did not give him a chance to, already striding down the corridor too fast for him to catch up.
* * *
"You're leaving?"
Fixer sighed as she nursed her glass of energon. She had been expecting this exact response and was prepared to answer it.
"Yes, Burn Out, I'm leaving Cybertron... and the Autobots."
The black and red fembot sitting across from her wore an expression that almost made her regret her decision. "But why? I never had you pinned down as a quitter."
"I'm not quitting," Fixer said sternly. "It's just... I get a sick feeling whenever injured bots are dragged into the base. I didn't even know what some parts- like a motor relay- looked like until the Triggerbots were brought in from Stanix."
Burn Out frowned. "Well, if you're that sure about leaving, I suppose I can't stop you. When are you leaving and where are you going?"
"In two solar cycles, on board the Peaceful Resolution." Fixer then shrugged. "As for where to, who knows. Wherever Primus guides us, I suppose."
* * *
"I implore you to reconsider, Dai Atlas."
The old Autobot glowered at Zeta Prime as he sat across from him. "I had made up my mind the very day this war was declared. I only waited five years to see if you truly deserved the title of Prime."
A nasty scowl crossed Zeta's golden face. "Are you saying that I am unworthy of it?"
"If you wish to jump to that conclusion, then yes. You continue to use up Cybertron's resources in response to the Decepticons' attacks, instead of seeking peaceful negotiations or simply letting Cybertron fall to them while we seek haven elsewhere."
Zeta's optics flared. "Because, Dai Atlas, unlike you, I am not a coward. I refuse to let Cybertron fall and I know that there is no peace to be found in negotiations."
Dai Atlas glared at him. "Of course not. Your actions have already angered the Decepticons enough."
Zeta Prime's hands gripped his end of the table. His voice tight with fury, he growled, "Get out of my sight, you coward."
The former High Councilor's eyes met his and a silent exchange of derision passed between them before Dai Atlas finally got up to leave, his last words being, "Time rust you."
* * *
"Why are you staying?"
It was a simple enough question; one born from curiosity rather than with the accusatory tones he had heard from others. The fact that it was his most trusted confidant made him all the more sure of this.
"Because, Beta Maxx, I have faith," Alpha Trion said to his Mini-Con companion. "Perhaps not in Zeta Prime himself, but in the Autobot cause in general. I have faith that, one day, whether it'll be tomorrow or a millennia from now, we'll get through this war, just as we have in the past."
Standing on his floating hoverscooter, Beta Maxx raised a skeptic eyebrow. "Are you sure it's not because of something else?"
Alpha Trion's face was expressionless. "Whatever makes you say that?"
Beta Maxx shrugged. "I don't know, it's just... that seemed like a generic response. But that's just me. Micronus knows that we Mini-Cons will never understand you bigger bots."
The old historian smiled as his companion flew back to his studies. The truth was, his ever-observant apprentice was right; he had another reason for staying on Cybertron. It was the same reason why he had stayed under Galactus Prime's tyranny and why he had stayed behind on Nova's expedition, all against his better judgment.
It was Vector Sigma. The moment he was brought online by the ancient super-computer, he had felt drawn to it, felt as if it were his duty to protect it. And thus he had vowed to do just that, no matter what happened.
Only he knew of this secret vow. Not Beta Maxx, not any of the Primes, not even his best and closest friends. For if anyone knew, they would no doubt target him as a way to get to Vector Sigma. And so he said nothing, lest he risk the probability of an apocalypse.
* * *
Zetca and the Masterforce Warriors, destined for Master.
Dai Atlas and the Circle of Light, destined for Theophany.
Metalhawk and his followers, destined for Archon.
Ultra Magnus' face fell as he went further down the list. So many people vital to the Autobot cause had left; without them, they would be to closer to defeat than ever. If these deserters had thought an exodus such as this would actually improve the war effort, they were wrong.
Instead, they had left nothing but a dark stain on Cybertronian history.
A Dark Epoch.
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