Through the Shattered Glass Epilogue

The new Prime could barely walk on his own two legs, Breakdown and Dreadwing happily carry their leader to the med bay, Knockout racing ahead to prepare. Arachnid brings up the rear watching in concern, Starscream taking matter into his own hands and shooing the prying vehicons. Soundwave returns to the helm of the Nemesis ushering the flying fortress away from the ruins of the Black Tower leaving the human military to cover their tracks.

“Nice and easy, sir,” Breakdown speaks as he and Dreadwing lay Megatronus Prime on the medical berth, “Knockout will have you fixed in no time.”

Megatronus merely let's out a low groan, his left servo flying to grip at his chest just over his spark, “Taking the Matrix... I am certain it is not meant to hurt this badly....”

“I don't believe that is the Matrix causing you such pain, sir,” Knockout answers gently moving his leader's servo and running a scanner across the  Prime's spark chamber, “The Matrix has fused with your systems perfectly, but, in doing so it's also sharing the poison that contaminated it while Optimus held it.”

“Poison!” Starscream, Dreadwing, and Breakdown shout in alarm.

“Not in that sense!” Knockout quickly remarks, “It is nothing deadly... I think.... I'll know for sure what it is once Soundwave digs up those files.”

Megatronus merely closes his optics moving on servo to hold his head, “This... feels so unreal...” He speaks slowly, gazing at the ceiling, “I... I can hear them. Their wisdom... filling my memory banks, joining with my own mind. I'm going to have a head ache for a few cycles I just know it....”

“Are they saying anything useful?” Starscream inquires.

Megatronus doesn't speak at first, keeping his optics closed, his head felt like it was swimming on an ethereal plane, “History.... mostly. Of Cybertron... the cosmos... the first of the ancients that walked on this world, what the ancient humans they saw. The star maps they made. I can see them drawing them out as they gaze at the emptiness of space....” He smiles and opens his optics, “It's not so empty after all. Cybertron's golden era... a joyous time...” His smile wanes, “The corruption that soon plagued it... the down fall of our world....”

A gleaming pair of red optics suddenly crosses his mind followed by a maniacal laugh, a being of black and red appears, Megatronus suddenly let's out a scream, arching his back, “Optimus! No... gah!” He grips at his spark again, “The poison, ah... this must be what Cybertron... what the All Spark felt when he took it. Poison, corruption....”

“Megatronus!” Starscream was by his side in a moment, pushing their leader back onto the berth, “Easy now, Optimus can't get you. He's dead.”

“No....” Megatronus speaks, “He still lives... barely... the Matrix tells me... he's alive, unwell but alive.”

“At the black tower still?” Breakdown asks in alarm.

“I... cannot tell....” Megatronus answers.

Arachnid scoffs, “If he's not dead yet he will be soon. I doubt the Autobots will come back for him.”

One of the monitors flash, Knockout quickly turn his attention to it, “About time Soundwave! Let's see....” He hums as he reads over the report, “The same poison that corrupted Cybertron's core, it was transmitted to it by Optimus using Matrix. The Matrix came from the core, if you will, a piece of the core became poisoned and the rest soon followed.

Starscream points out, “And now it's poisoning Megatronus?”

“No...” Megatronus replies, “It.... receding....”

“Come again?” Knockout inquires.

Megatronus closes his optics, “It was I who the Matrix was intended for. When Optimus stole it from my grasps, it became corrupted.” He then splays his servo protectively over his spark, “But now... after so many eons... I have claimed it. It will take some time... but, I believe I will reverse the effects of the poison. As for Cybertron... I fear that will involve us getting back to her, and through the Autobot blockade, should it still be there.” He groans again his servo slipping from his chest to rest by his side, “Did... the humans make it through... safely?” he speaks softly.

“We are assuming so,” Starscream answers, “They disappeared from Soundwave's radar.”

Megatronus nods as he slips into recharge, “Good....”

“Alright out,” Breakdown orders giving Starscream and Dreadwing a shove towards the doors, “All of you, out. He needs rest. We all do.”

The fliers attempt to voice a protest at they are pushed away, Arachnid skittering further down the hallway to avoid being tripped over. Knockout quickly sneers at them, “Let him recharge. Doctor's orders. Out!” and with that the door to the med bay were locked tight, permitting only Breakdown and Knockout passage.

Dreadwing sigh, “Well, thank Primus, Megatronus Prime lives. But, you don't think Optimus truly survived that, do you?”

“It's possible,” Arachnid states, “The Autobots may have scattered, but if Wheeljack's ship is intact, they may use it to carry him away. But we can worry about that later.”

“What do you mean later?” Starscream questions the spider.

She giggles, “Forgotten already? We got the matrix, made the Black Tower fall, kept all of our ranks, got the humans, hopefully, back home,  and scattered the Autobots! If this isn't a Decepticon victory then I don't know what is!”

“I'm with her on this one,” Dreadwing notes as they make their was back to the helm of the ship where Soundwave stands.

Soundwave turns to greet them briefly before looking back ahead as the ground below flies by, the Nemesis racing to the highest part of the sky and away from prying human eyes once more. The silent officer seems rather on edge as he looks between various screen of the main console. “What's troubling you Soundwave?” Starscream finally asks.

His answer comes from a single picture Soundwave pulls up showing a group of three humans. Soundwave points at it, then shows their world's Jack, Miko, and Rafael.

“They are in no danger,” Starscream remarks, “Honestly. We just rid ourselves of three humans youths. We should not put them in danger as well. They know we are on their side. Let us leave it at that.”

Soundwave looks over his shoulder that the second in command, playing a voice clip in Megatronus voice, “It is our job to protect the humans.”

“We will put them in more danger by bringing them here,” Starscream replies. The Autobot were adamant about harming the three we escorted through the Black Tower, do you want them,” he points to the screen, “To be similar targets?”

Soundwave merely turns his head away and closes the screen in response.

“I thought so,” Starscream replies, “It is for the best if you do not mettle further into human affairs.”

“Even if some are our allies now?” Dreadwing points out.

Starscream huffs, “It's merely a mutual agreement to not shoot each other. Megatronus does not want humans harmed, and the best way to insure that is to keep the humans as far from Cybertroian affairs as possible!” Starscream then turns on his heel and leaves the control room.

Arachnid blinks and smirks, “He misses them.”

“Oh yeah,” Dreadwing nods in agreement.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Across the vast Atlantic Ocean, the survivor from America take refuge in the over sea forts and military outpost. Word has spread that the Black Tower fell, but few were eager to cross the sea once again, dreading that the titanic aliens still live. A small number growled that she should be taken back, other saying they would swim or steer the boat themselves if they must, or quickly learn to fly! Many more tried to speak common sense into the eager ones and a shout match ensues.

Jack, Miko, and Rafael stand together looking back out across the open sea from a wooden walkway worn by time but still holding fast. “Do you think we'll ever see them again?” Jack asks his friends.

“It's possible,” Miko answers, “Unlikely but possible.”

“I think we will,” Raf answers and nods, “Heck, I bet our mirror counter parts showed them how useful we can be!”

Miko scoffs, “They won't come for us. And we can't get back to them. We should move out anyway. Well, I should. I have to get back to Japan, and that is a long way from Germany.” With that, she nods and turns to leave.

“You're going to walk there?” Jack asks raising an eyebrow.

Miko laughs, “Of course not! There's a train that crosses over Europe and Asia leading back to the Far East. It'll be a long ride but I'll get back home that way.” She pauses, she a place to go but what of the others, “What about you two? Where will you go?”

Rafael shrugs then zips up his leather jacket, “I have family in Spain. I'll go to their estate. Surly I can find a bus or something.”

Their eyes then turn to Jack, he was the odd man out, no family outside of the United States, he wouldn't have anywhere to take shelter save for and Army outpost. Jack chuckles then turns away from them, “I'll go by foot to wherever I want. You two go on, I'll be alright.”

“You sure?” Rafael inquires, “We've got room.”

“I'm sure,” the older youth answers.

Miko shrugs and waves goodbye, “Suit yourself. See you guys later.”

“Good bye Miko,” Rafael calls out then turns, “So long Jack, take care.” He hops over the guard rail and makes his way towards the Main Road following Miko for a short time.

Jack sighs and turn to leave unsure of what to do. His family was now truly, what he wouldn't give to find the Blue-eyes again. But that was wishful thinking, “Might as walk around Europe. I have no where else to go. Then I'll walk over Asia. Who knows, maybe I'll just walk the world over....” he sighs sadly, “All alone....”

A hand suddenly drops onto his shoulder, Jack turns to find Rafael smiling up at him, “You're coming with me, and that's that.” He then grabs Jack's shirt and pulls him along.

“Why!” Jack shouts in protest.

“It's what friends do,” Raf simply answers.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Letting loose a shrill tone, the whistles calls 'All aboard!' Miko sits with a duffel bag in her lap looking out over the landscape as the train sets off into a blinding speed. With a forlorn sigh she leans back into her seat and looks around the carriage. A hand full of people slept towards the back, with her all alone up at the front. She casts her brown eyes to her duffel bag, sitting it in the chair next to her and opens it. Only a short moment of digging and out she pulls the sound gun. A makeshift civilian weapon against the towering aliens. A tear drop as blue as the streaks in her hair falls onto the device. She quickly wipes her eyes and stores the object again, “Come now Miko. Just because you kept it doesn't mean you'll ever have to use it again. Best to just forget your encounter with them! You'll never see them again.”

Something golden darts by the corner of her eye. Miko twists around in her seat looking back out the window curiously. Nothing but a blurr of landscape greets her. Dismissing it as a flash of light, she lays back in her seat to look ahead once more and tries to sleep.

Tink!

Miko looks to the window again, greeted by a gold and silver mechanical bird flying along side the train. She nearly leaps into the walkway at the sight muffling a scream of fright. The drone was back! But, it was a blue-eye drone, right?

Tink, tink!

The alien bird taps the glass again with one wing ushering Miko back closer to it. She places one hand on the frosty glass, her breathe momentarily fogs her view, “What are you doing here?” she asks the bird, “I can't open the window. They're locked when we are moving this fast.”

Again the bird does tap. Brakes screech as the train begins to slow jostling its passengers awake. The engineers voice come over the intercom, “Apologies for jolt, ladies and gentlemen. We are nearing the next station, due to inclement weather we will now travel at a slower speed. You may open your windows if you wish but we will close them once more when we are one mile from the storm. A warning will be given.”

With a snap, the lock becomes undone. Miko doesn't give it a second thought and quickly raises her window, “Get in.” Laserbeak happily obliges, darting inside and lands on the floor, trying to stay out of sight as Miko closes the window again. She then reaches down and speaks to the odd bird, “You're that drone, why are you here?”

A single tentacle reach out and grabs Miko's tablet, a message quickly opens on the screen, 'Master wanted to find you three. I found you. Next will find the others. Stay with you until you are home.'

“Well... okay,” Miko agrees and nods, “Just stay down there for now, alright?”

'Acknowledged.'
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A torrent of rain captures Rafael and Jack in a unwelcome, bitter, cold shower. The male youths, one in leather the other in ragged cotton, darts through the Swiss streets and hug the sides of building in search of some kind of shelter. Rafael finds it, an abandoned garage with a large, red, off road vehicle parked within, the side door was ajar and the garage door hung just off the roadway, “That'll work!” He declares and runs across the street, Jack following close at his heels then slamming the door once both were inside.

The worn building smells on earth and stone with hints of oil and metal. Raf pauses and shakes himself off; Jack let's loose shiver, his teeth chatter as he removes the soaked cotton shirt and wrings it out, “Thank God we're out of that. We should wait here until the storm blows over.

“Second,” Raf shivers as he removes his jacket, then shoes and finally socks leaving his pants on. “Its a maelstrom out there!” He grumbles shaking out his jacket then hanging it o the jeep's side view mirror. He claps the shoes together trying to rid them of water then rings out socks.

Jack mimic his motions. “I wonder if there's a heater in here...” he muses leaving his shoes by the jeep, he hangs his shirt and sock on the other mirror as he moves around the garage and its sole occupant. Their feet burn and hurt they were so cold, the added roughness of the concrete floor was not helping in the slightest.

Unknown to the human youths, they were not alone in the garage, suddenly finding himself as a towel rack, Breakdown jolts out of recharge, where did this wet fabrics come from! And now they blocked his rear view, how inconsiderate! He looks around his shelter then draws his intakes sharply, a human! No, two humans! But not just any humans, he couldn't believe it, talk about dumb luck, “Jack? Rafael?”

Rafael jumps at the mention of his name and spins around, feeling rather exposed, “Hello?” His eyes dart around, “Who's there?” Jack freezes in place not daring to take another step, holding his haunch like a statue. Raf looks out the windows but sees little thanks to the rain, “Did you hear that Jack?”

Jack nods, “Yeah... I think someone is in here with us!” He ducks and checks under the red jeep finding nothing of use nor sign of another being.

A hearty laugh fills the small space, “Have you forgotten me already? We only last saw each other several earth weeks ago! I'm right here.”

“Right here where!?” the humans shout in unison terribly confused.

“Under your nose!” he answers, “Well, right now your clothes. Get them off of me will ya?”

No... it couldn't be.... Jack's eyes light up with glee and runs back to the front of the jeep, “You're a  Blue-eye!”

“Decepticon,” the hidden titan answers, “Call me Breakdown. Now about these wet fabrics?”

Rafael pauses in confusion then gasps picking his jaw up off the floor, “Oh! Right! Sorry!” He darts around pucking his jack and socks from the mirrors, grabbing Jack's clothing as well and quickly throwing them to his friend “I didn't know it was you.”

“Well that's the point of this mode,” Breakdown answers in a jovial manner, “You two look cold. This rain must've messed with your heating systems.”

“Cold and wet go together most of the time,” Rafael answers, “Did you see a heater?”

Breakdown opens his doors instead, “Hop in, I'll warm you up.”

“We'll get you wet!” Jack points out, “And you're a mechanical being! Won't water hurt you?”

“I've been caught in the rain before,” Breakdown notes, “Now get in before you get sick. My heater is still kicking.”

No point in arguing with something Rafael gaged being at least two tons if not more. Shoot, probably easily more the more he thought about it. They happily hop in finding the cabin already quite warm, “You weren't kidding!” he laughs placing the wet shoes in the floor board and holding his socks in front of a vent.

Mind if we stay here awhile?” Jack asks looking at Breakdown's dashboard taking note of the Decepticon symbol etched into the steering wheel.

“Not one bit,” he answers, “Hey, where's the femme?”

Jack tilts his head, “Miko?”

“Yeah,” Breakdown answers, “I thought you three would stick together.

Rafael sighs, “She was rather forceful in her task to get back to Japan. Its her home after all.”

Silence takes over the garage as the humans shiver and slowly warm up as their clothes begin to dry, “What about you two?” Breakdown finally asks.

“We're going to Spain,” Rafael answers, “I have family there we can stay with.”

“How are you going to get there?” the bulky red jeep inquires.

Jack shrugs, “Bus, I guess. All air travel has been grounded until further notice.”

A hearty laugh escapes from Breakdown's vocalizer, “Bus? What fun is that, cramped with a bunch of strangers.” He pulls up a mini map and displays it on the dash board, “This is 'Spain' right? España?”

“Sí!” Rafael answers then laughs, “I didn't know you knew Spanish.”

Breakdown chuckles, “This information highway you humans have is very useful at learning all of Earth's languages. Now, getting to Spain, I'll take ya!”

“You?” Jack and Raf question.

“Sí,” Breakdown answers, “Better to travel with friends. And this way, I'll know you'll be safe.” he revs his engine and hits a button on the back wall raising the rusted door, “Off we go!” Without giving them a chance to protest, the large red jeep speed off for a cross Europe travel.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The train screeches a horrid racket as it reach the port side station, a voice calls out repeating in several languages, “All heading for Japan, please depart and head for the docks. Ticket booths available and customers service representatives are willing to aide any who need assistance.”

Miko yawns and stand taking a moment to stretch then reaches over for her duffel bag, it cargo distorting the fabric walls, “Hope you're not to heavy, Birdy.” With a grunt she picks up her bag and tosses it over her shoulders. She waivers for a moment to find her balance then exits the train leaning to one side, using her hip to help carry the heavy cargo.

Her boat wasn't set to leave for a couple of hours, Miko takes the chance to head into a forest with hopes of ridding herself of the metal passenger, “Alright Bridy, this is where you get off.” With a huff, the bag hit the cold ground and she quickly undoes the zipper.

Laserbeak takes the chance to fly out of the fabric confines and to the air, “Well, gee! If I known you would do that I'd let you off sooner!” She calls after him, “Take care Birdy!”

A swoosh is heard over head as Miko turns to leave, dismissing it for a military airplane. Suddenly a loud ground shaking thud knocks her off balance and to the forest ground, “What the!” She turns around seeing a dull gold and silver titian standing before her, the drone on his arm, “Oh! Is he your bird?” She calls out to him, “You must be a Blue-eye. You haven't hurt me yet.”

Soundwave silently nods and lowers his arm, Laserbeak quickly flips back into place on his master's chest. He then looks down and cast an image of Jack and Rafael in front of her. Miko shakes her head, “Haven't seen them. Left them on the other side of the continent. Look if you are here to worry about me save it! Rumor has it you got rid of the Red-eyes. So we're safe. Nice knowing you but, its better if we don't.”

“You are lying.” Soundwave speaks in a voice clip.

Miko turn back to him, “What makes you say that?” Soundwave taps Laserbeak. “Okay,” she answers, “So you are the greatest thing since ever. Proof that life exist elsewhere. But you don't need me! I don't need you! Go back to wherever it is you stay!” she turns and starts to walk away fighting back tears, “We shouldn't be speaking. Why did you come to find me?” she hiccups softly.

Soundwave plays several recording in various voices, 'What are friends for? Humans are crafty creatures. They make for a good advantage at times. You miss them don't you.'

Miko stops again and drops her bag trying to fight back the falling tears, “You don't mean a word of it!” She scoops up her bag and takes off out of the woods and back towards the docks. She wipes away the tears and pulls out her cellphone, finding it on a new contact she had not made. The number was absurdly long, but the description caught her attention, 'If ever need us, we are here, we are watching over.'

“Stupid aliens,” Miko mutters exiting the screen and pocketing the phone once more.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Breakdown drives along the deserted road between cities, his human passengers currently leaning against each other fast asleep and once again fully clothed, their shoes however forgotten in the back floorboard. Breakdown takes a quick look at the humans and chuckles as he goes along following Rafael's directions to the Esquivel home, “Primus if Knockout saw me now.... Starscream would try to take my head if he knew what I was doing.”

He feels Jack squirming in his seat before pushing up and letting out a loud yawn, causing Rafael to groan and roll over, pulling the jacket over his head. Jack rubs his eyes then scratches at the peach fuzz forming along his jaw, “G'morning Breakdown. Where are we?”

“Close,” came a short soft answer, “If I calculated this right, you two should be there in time for morning rations.”

Rafael yawns giving up on any additional sleep and looks out the window, “Wow... been a long time since I've seen the sunrise over this field.” The phrase catches Jack attention, they run to look out over the green earth, the sky dusted pink and blue by the dawn, “So different from what we saw just a few weeks ago.”

Jack chuckles, “A few weeks ago we were running for our lives. You think we'll be safe here?”

“We're being escorted by a Decepticon, I don't think we could get much safer,” Rafael notes, “Hey Breakdown. Are you going to stay with us?”

Breakdown says nothing at first, his engine turning to a hum as if he was thinking, “I... don't think I can. I have my duties on the Nemesis and with the others to take care of. I
m Knockout's medical assistant, remember?” The boys shrunk in defeat, that's right, this was just a lull in the Cybertroian Civil War. The titian slows to a halt at the base of long winding driveway, “This the place?”

Rafael looks up the hill at the waiting estate, “Yep! Home sweet home. Well, it is now anyway.” The passenger door opens with ease, the duo grabs their shoes and hops onto the road.

Jack looks at Rafael, “Hey listen... thanks, for coming back for me.”

Rafael nods, “You bet.”

“Guess this is goodbye,” Breakdown speaks sadly and begins to roll away.

They turn and hold out one arm each, “Wait Breakdown!” They run after him and grab his front fender making him stop out of fear of hurting them.

“Let go, I hate long good byes,” he protest at them.

“Will we ever see you again?” Rafael inquires, “I mean... you can't leave just like that!”

Jack nods, “And the other Deceptions. I mean, we don't look like much but we can be useful. Please Breakdown? Thanks to the Autobots and Optimus, I don't have any family left. I got something personal on them!”

“And my sisters, Mama, and Papa” Rafael notes, “We all agreed to meet here but that doesn't change that our house, our home, was ruined when Jasper went up in smoke.”

Breakdown revs his engine, “Both of ya are safer here then with us.”

“What if they come back?” the question in unison.

They are met with a chuckle, “Check your communicators.” Perplexed, they reach into their pockets and check their contact list, two new numbers, both absurdly long, have been added, “'B' is me, 'N' is our ship. He then back away from them and spins around, “So if you ever get in trouble, call me.” And with that the red titian hurried away to who knows where. The two friends exchange a look then share a nod and a smile. Not now, maybe not next week, or even next month, but should the need ever arise, they had their back up.

Megatronus Prime looks out from his ship, please by the reports Soundwave and Breakdown brought back, “We will watch the air, they can watch the ground, with our new human allies, we will bring light back to Cybertron.”