Being Human (Transformers Prime)

Chapter Twenty Eight | Pain of Loss

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal."

~Richard Puz, The Carolinian

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Jack wanted to scream. He wanted to hit something, destroy anything, to get the rage that filled his chest out of his system. How many times had he seen Megatron? Talked to him? Looked him in the optics? And yet the sadist had never once let on that he had murdered June Darby in cold blood. Arcee had tried to comfort him but he stalked off, and the smaller femme knew better than to try and follow him. More than likely, he was still unaware of his own strength, and could potentially hurt her if she tried.

Optimus, instead, went after the boy, following him through the halls of the base, noting his shaking muscle cables. They were silent for a long time before he spoke.

"Jack, losing your mother has been a tragedy; and we will punish Megatron accordingly for his crimes. But do not let revenge and anger be your focus of attention."

"Do you know how many times I saw him?" Jack growled angrily, his back to the Prime. "How many times I looked him in the optics? And not once did it even occur to me that he might have killed my mom. He never let on to it!" He whirled. "All those times, I had the chance to extinguish his spark! And yet I never even knew!"

Optimus' optics widened slightly in surprise, his mouth opening yet no words came out. Jack's optics began to glow red, illuminating the harsh lines of his faceplates.

"I had every opportunity, and I didn't even know!" Jack screamed, and his fist went flying in a wild punch, full of raw energy. Optimus flinched as it hit the wall, causing a sizeable dent that would be there permanently. However, it did make the boy calm down, and as he took several long vents he closed his optics, leaning against that damaged wall.

"Jack . . ." Optimus began slowly, questioningly, wary about this new development.

Energon tears leaked from the corner of Jack's optic, and when he opened them again they were blue, but Optimus still saw the red which lined his pupils. Another shuttering of the optics and the red was gone, or at least reduced to miniscule amounts that the 'bot couldn't see.

Jack spoke softer now, vocalizers laden with emotion. "Was there . . . A funeral? Did they bury her?"

Optimus gave him a nod. "Yes. And once you require an alternate mode, you may go see her as soon as possible."

Just then his audio clicked with an incoming call, and he turned away slightly to answer it.

[Smokescreen to base. Bulkhead and I have returned from scouting; there was no sign of energon. Wheeljack and Shovel are still in the mine.]

"Understood." Optimus answered, returning his gaze to Jack. "Jack, there is something I need to attend to. But if you need any more guidance or help, I will be more than happy to assist you when I get back."

"Thanks, Optimus." The boy said wearily, slumping against the wall as Optimus left.

"Ratchet, prepare a Groundbridge." The Prime instructed. "Smokescreen and Bulkhead, return to base."

"And where are you going?" Ratchet asked Optimus, like a parent catching their child sneaking off to a party.

Optimus frowned. "I have the feeling that the Decepticons are up to something. I am going to check on Wheeljack and Shovel."

Without another word of protest Ratchet let him go, Arcee raising an optic ridge with interest at the medic.

"You seemed pretty quick to let him go. Are you not concerned?" She questioned.