PROLOGUE
--Cycle 8214--
"It's not your fault, Optronix."
The red and black Autobot said nothing as he stood over the closed metal coffin, staring at the small hologram projected above it.
"These things happen. Even during times of peace, bots are lost and...." Whirlwind sighed as she gave a shrug of her shoulders. "You can't expect to keep every last bot alive."
Optronix closed his optics but remained silent.
"He was my friend too, you know. And Lockout's. We were all close to him."
"Whirlwind," Optronix spoke quietly. "I appreciate what you're trying to do, but... I need some time alone."
Whirlwind took a step back, frowning as she slowly nodded. "Right. I understand. We'll be outside waiting. Try not to take too long."
"I won't. Thank you, Whirlwind."
With that, the green and blue Autobot left the memorial chamber as Optronix continued to stared forlornly at the plaque bolted onto the casket.
Dion of Iacon Minor. Date of deactivation: Cycle 8214, Polyhex.
--Cycle 8314--
"There." The small yellow mech pointed towards a small facility less than two miles away. "That's where Zizza operates."
"I should have known," Optronix muttered, raising his visor. "There had been reports of a large number of newborn protoforms being transferred to Kalis for caretaking. Most caretakers usually only take one or two under their wing, sometimes three. But any more than that is pushing it."
"So, this Zizza person," said Zoom, crouched right beside Optronix. "Does she have any, like, defenses or something? Like some Gyronian Sentries she's tipped off or a couple of Guardian drones she's gotten a hold of?"
"As far as I know, she only has a single Guardminder unit that she's reprogrammed," replied the yellow bot. "It usually patrols the outside perimeters around this time...."
"I see it." Flying overhead, Delta Seeker pointed to a tall gold drone emerging from behind the facility. "It's armed with a... scrap, is that a Chaos-Rift Combustor? Weren't those banned?"
Optronix looked down at the yellow bot. "If I were you, I'd get to somewhere safe. Thank you for your help, er...."
"Bumblebee," the yellow bot supplied, grinning.
"Thank you, Bumblebee. I'm sure you'll make a fine Autobot someday. Now get going."
As the young mech drove off, Optronix turned back to the Guardminder drone... and saw that Zoom was already advancing towards it.
"Zoom!" Optronix exclaimed. "What the Pit are you doing?!"
"Being just like you, boss-bot!" Zoom called back. "Isn't this how you took out the Hork-Bajir on Sleegab Five?"
"That wasn't--! Don't do this, kid!"
"Why not?" Zoom asked, getting closer to the drone. "It's not like he can do much--"
Locking its sights on the purple Autobot, the Guardminder took aim and fired its weapon at him.
In spite of the gruesomeness of it all, Optronix could not look away as his comrade's pieces flew in all directions....
Zoom of Nyon. Date of deactivation: Cycle 8314, Kalis.
--Cycle 8614--
"Let me see her!"
"She's too far gone, Optronix," Pharma said, blocking the Autobot's path to the medbay. "The rust has already corroded her armor plating. If you get anywhere near her, you could--"
"I don't care!" Optronix roared. "I'm her sparkmate! I deserve to see her before she... before she--"
"Come on, pal." A hand fell on his shoulder. "Let's get you--"
"Get your hands off me!" Optronix whirled around and struck Impactor across the face. The Autobot veteran was unfazed as he stared impassively at his former student.
"You need to relax," Impactor grunted. "There's nothing you can do. She's gone."
"This is all your fault," Optronix snarled, jabbing a finger into Impactor's chest. "If you had just let me do things my way, she would have never been hit by that rust gun."
"That Maraudicon was going to hit one of us eventually. It could have been you or me who had gotten hit instead."
"Maybe it should've been you."
Optronix hadn't realized what he had said until Impactor was already walking away, glaring at his once-protege over his shoulder.
"Right. I get it now. See you later, Optronix."
Before Optronix could call him back, the door slammed shut just as the flatline sounded from the other room.
Kiloton of Uraya. Date of deactivation: Cycle 8614, Helex
EIGHTY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE
Part 1: Idle Hands
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