Transformers Prime: Evolution

12. Hunting the Codex

The Autobot base hummed softly beneath the vast Nevada desert. Inside, the Autobots remained focused, meticulously combing through data in their search for the Codex of Solus Prime. Optimus Prime stood at the center of the main control room, silently reviewing their leads. His calm presence belied the weight of the looming threat—ShadowDread, a menace he could not ignore. Yet, his resolve remained unwavering.

Warpath, stationed near the ground bridge, entertained the humans with his booming voice. Towering over them, his enthusiasm was as loud as his tales of battle. "...And there I was, knee-deep in energon, blasting through a horde of Decepticons! BOOM! BOOM! You should've seen Megatron's face when he realized he was losing! Priceless!" Warpath's laughter echoed through the room, captivating Miko, Jack, and Raf.

Miko, ever the thrill-seeker, grinned. "You sound like Bulkhead! I wish I could've seen that. Ever think about taking me on one of those adventures?"

Jack immediately frowned, nudging her. "Miko, don't give him ideas."

Warpath laughed heartily, shaking the ground beneath them. "Ha! You've got guts, kid, but war isn't a game. Trust me, you don't want to be part of it."

As the conversation continued, Mirage stood in the shadows, his lean, sleek frame contrasting Warpath's bulk. Leaning against the wall with arms crossed, he watched with quiet disinterest, his presence calm and calculating. Unlike Warpath's loud bravado, Mirage's demeanor was sharp, refined. Eventually, he spoke.

"Unlike him," Mirage began, his voice smooth and detached, "I wasn't always in the thick of battle. I spent most of my time scouting. Oversaw Autobot colonies across the galaxy, keeping them hidden from Decepticons—until they found us." His tone darkened, the air around them thickening. "I was the only one who made it out. Watched my team fall, one by one. We tried to hold out, to fight back, but sometimes survival means not being seen."

Raf, hesitant yet curious, asked, "Did you ever have a chance to fight back?"

Mirage glanced at him, optics narrowing. "Not always. Sometimes, you win by retreating."

Warpath, sensing the shift in the room, broke the somber tone with his booming voice. "Mirage might like sneakin' around, but I like to go in loud! Like that time on Cybertron with Ironhide and Prime—there was this massive, corrupted space slug! Thing could swallow a dropship whole, but we took care of it. Cleaned the core, saved Cybertron for a while." He grinned, flexing proudly. "BOOM! Problem solved!"

Miko's eyes sparkled with excitement. "That's so metal!" she exclaimed, practically bouncing.

Meanwhile, Mirage remained silent, lost in thought. Jack, picking up on Mirage's tension, nodded toward him respectfully. "Sounds like you did everything you could."

Warpath continued, recounting his adventures as the room lightened once more. "After that mission, I joined Prime's team for good. Been through cosmic storms, Decepticons, and now Earth. Wherever the war goes, I'll be there, ready to fight."

Mirage, arms still crossed, gave a slight nod to Jack's earlier comment but said nothing more. His thoughts lingered on battles long past, ones not filled with glory but survival.

Optimus Prime stood quietly in the command center, his optics focused on intelligence reports regarding the Codex of Solus Prime. The weight of this mission felt heavier than usual. It wasn't just the looming threat of the Decepticons or ShadowDread's evolving menace that burdened him. This time, the Autobots' actions would depend heavily on human cooperation. They couldn't afford to act alone—Fowler had made that clear.

In a corner of the base, a more relaxed conversation unfolded near the armory. Bulkhead and Arcee were catching up with Roadbuster and Topspin, two Wreckers who had recently joined the team. Their camaraderie shone through as they swapped stories about past battles.