Chapter Text

Transcript #001

[Recording taken May 15th, 2004]  In response to transmissions from an unknown source, this record was created to ensure nothing was lost. This transcript was originally digitized; however, to keep all information secure from the Autobots and their foes, it has been transferred and re-recorded on tape.

[Redacted] made their presence known suddenly during a storm that ensured the Autobots were sequestered away in their new base of operations. They communicated with us through the use of a private channel and immediately requested that everything be kept away from any and all alien life forms on the surface.

This request was adhered to, and [Redacted]’s message was recorded for future review.

Transcript begins.]

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[Secure channel #0289]
[New message received]
[Unknown source]
[Redirecting to moderator]
[Moderator ‘Agent Witwicky’ connected]

[Redacted]: Can you hear me?

Agent Witwicky: Who are you, and how have you accessed this channel? It is reserved for military personnel.

[Redacted]: I will explain momentarily, but please, is this channel secure? Can they hear us?

Agent Witwicky: Yes, this channel is secure. I do not know who you are talking about, however, I will once again ask who you are and how you accessed this channel. It is not for civilian use.

[Redacted]: It does not matter how I accessed this channel. I need to speak with your leaders immediately.

Agent Witwicky: I can’t give you anything before you tell me who you are.

[Redacted]: I am [Redacted], a former [Redacted: Classified data] and [Redacted: Classified data]. My kin have landed on your world have they not? I know you house the Prime and his ilk.

Agent Witwicky: That is very sensitive data… what do you want?

[Redacted]: I want to warn you and keep you safe from both the Autobots and Decepticons. You don’t know what you are dealing with.

[Redacted]: If you think they are kind, you are sorely mistaken. The Autobots do not mean you harm for now. But once they are done with their war, the victor will come for you and your people next.

Agent Witwicky: Those are bold claims.

[Redacted]: And yet they ring true. My kin are not like me or you, they see you as useful for now. However the moment your use ends or you become more than an interesting pass time… you will be roped into their games.

Agent Witwicky: … I am an agent of [Redacted: Classified data]. Meet with me and my organization at [Redacted: Classified data] and we can discuss this further.

[Redacted]: Only if the Autobots remain unaware. They cannot know I am here, they will do unspeakable things to me if they know of what I speak.

Agent Witwicky: Your safety will be assured. The Autobots will not be made aware of your presence.

[Redacted]: Then… very well. I will speak with your people. But know I do this only to warn you, I have no ulterior motives… I just don’t want to watch another innocent world be destroyed in the battles of my people.

Agent Witwicky: I understand. We will meet you at 21:00 at the previously listed coordinates to discuss this further.

[Redacted]: Primus spare us…

[Message stream ended]
[Channel closed]

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[Transcript ends.

[Redacted]’s discussions with us at the meeting point were not recorded for security reasons. However, [Redacted] has since agreed to speak to us and give us further data on the Autobots in exchange for safety and enough energon to survive.

[Redacted] appeared genuinely terrified of possibly being discovered by the Autobots. This has been noted and has led us to believe that [Redacted] may perhaps be a draft dodger or some sort of outlaw. They have said little in regard to the specifics of their position.

Let us hope that what [Redacted] has to say does not confirm that we signed our own death certificate by letting these aliens seek refuge on our world… not that we could have really stopped them anyway.

Agent Witwicky signing off.

Recording end.]

Chapter Text

The Grim Dark Archives: Statement #000 Not Like You

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The Grim Dark Archives: Statement #001: Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

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The Grim Dark Archives: Statement #002 Symbiote

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The Grim Dark Archives: Statement #003 Holoforms

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The Grim Dark Archives: Transcript #002 911 Caller

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Statement #004: SITUATION UPDATE

[Statement taken from Agent Witwicky on September 23, 2010] regarding the situation with [Redacted] and the Autobot presence on Earth. [Secondary statement taken from [Redacted] shortly after their awakening also included.]

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For any listeners, I will say this simply. The reason for the six year gap in further statements and transcripts is because… [Redacted] was caught by the Autobots shortly after their statement on Holoforms. [Redacted] was meant to only be on a short walk around a secure area, but they deviated from the planned route we had cleared for them. We do not know what they were trying to do, but we believe that they were possibly attempting to observe the Autobots from a distance. What little camera footage we gathered from [Redacted] showed them rushing toward where the Autobots were reported to be looking for energon.

Considering how terrified they are of the Autobots, this choice made no sense to us. But whatever [Redacted] was trying to do, they seemed to be taking notes when the Autobot known as Bumblebee snuck up on them. Bumblebee made some sort of sound that our systems could not pick up, and within a moment [Redacted] was surrounded by the Autobots at the dig site. There was some sort of discussion in what we assume was their native language before the one called Bulkhead proceeded to punch [Redacted] hard enough to knock them to the floor. Further footage was grainy, but when the Autobots finally left, [Redacted] was all but a crushed mess on the ground.

Our agents were deployed to collect what was left, but miraculously, [Redacted] still seemed to be alive. Whatever power source keeps Cybertronians operational was still blazing. And so, while higher command was not exactly thrilled with the idea, [Redacted] was brought in for repairs. I wasn’t there for all of it, but from what I gather, our scientists and engineers both had a field day and hated every waking moment of trying to put [Redacted] back together. Thankfully for everyone, [Redacted] seemed to be in some sort of sleep while they were being repaired. It took years to get them back into shape, and all the while we kept the Autobots occupied as best as we could. We took [Redacted]’s advice and were careful about what information we allowed the Autobots to have. They are currently under the assumption that we can destroy them with nukes. It seems to have kept them from acting out.

However, they were reported to be constantly watching the stars and searching for things on the surface. We struggled to keep track of them, at least until two things happened.

Firstly, [Redacted] showed signs of waking up from whatever coma they were in. They started moving around and booting online around the time a new alien aircraft appeared in the skies. We couldn’t trace it, and there were no Autobot symbols. But the Autobots were quick to inform us that the ship belonged to the Decepticons, their mortal enemies. They seemed far too excited for their own good at the prospect of fighting these other aliens. We opted to keep our sights on the ship as much as possible while the Autobots began a frantic search. It was around this time that [Redacted] finally came online enough to speak coherently, at which point we immediately questioned them about the situation. Their response was highly concerning, just like everything else they have ever told us.

I will play a recording of their statement here.

[-Statement playback begins-

That is the Decepticon warship. Sorry, my processors are pounding like a glitch right now, but yeah, Prime wasn’t lying. That’s definitely Megatron’s ship. Why did you think the Autobots were here in the first place? Did you think they turned up for a vacation? No, they came here because this is where the Decepticons are.

How did you not pick it up on your radar? Well the Nemesis has a cloaker. All Cybertronian ships do. You didn’t notice the Autobots until they came to you right? Well think about it this way. If the Decepticons can now be picked up on your radar, it means they don’t care about being seen. That in turn means that they have a purpose, a mission. They have been hanging around your planet as long if not longer than the Autobots have, likely waiting for the right moment to make their move.

I don’t claim to know their plans, but now that they are up and moving, you can bet that Megatron will show up soon enough. That’s when slag is going to get real. So far the Autobots have laid low and been pretty docile right? At least I assume they have since you are all still alive and your capitol isn’t burning. Well unfortunately for you organics, things just went from bad to worse. Expect my kin’s war to begin ravaging your world as well. Hopefully their lack of numbers will keep it somewhat contained, but honestly at this point all I can do is give you context for what is going on and hope you can use it to your benefit.

The Decepticons are likely here to retrieve something or other. There were thousands of objects deployed during the war to keep them safe. Killing the Autobots is just a bonus. As for the Autobots? I can’t claim to know, but I bet they will pull the same scrap. The two factions are notorious for being competitive. Just… try to keep civilians out of the way as they try to wage their war.

We are a dying race, and this is exactly why. When one of the factions get what they want, then you can really start worrying again. For now, they will be too focused on turning each other into slag to care much about you…. or me.

-Statement playback ends-]

[Redacted] did not elaborate on what allowed them to survive very nearly being killed. They also did not tell us WHY the Autobots tried to kill them, but we have more important things to deal with now. The Decepticons are active, and we do not have nearly enough information due to [Redacted]’s extended coma. We are going to need to work quickly to catch up on all we missed and get as much information as we can from our suspicious ally before they get killed for good this time.

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[Statement end.

Further statements will be added to this catalogue as soon as possible. The Autobots have been observed moving, and I am sure it will not be long before we need [Redacted]’s knowledge again.

Agent Witwicky signing off.

Recording ends.]

Chapter Text

The Grim Dark Archives: Statement #005: Named Cybertronians

[Statement taken from [Redacted] on [Redacted: Sensitive Data] regarding known Cybertronians. They were asked to elaborate on the Cybertronians that have been recorded as being present on Earth after the alien known as Cliffjumper was killed in action. We know very little about the event, but supposedly Cliffjumper was deployed to search for Decepticon activity.

According to the report given to us by Optimus Prime, Cliffjumper found where Decepticon agents were mining energon and promptly initiated combat. This resulted in his capture by the Decepticons, and although a corpse has yet to be recovered, the Autobots reported that his vitals flatlined.

High Command saw fit to use [Redacted]’s knowledge to try and gain an understanding of just how many aliens we could possibly be dealing with in the near future. Thankfully, [Redacted] was more than willing to speak on the matter and has already expressed an interest on elaborating more on certain individuals.

Statement begins.]

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Oh, this is the kind of question I will gladly answer. Collecting data on people, organizations, and various beliefs is my specialty. Now, since you are already familiar with the Autobots, I shall begin with them.

Let’s start with the two wheeler. Her designation is Arcee, as you know. She is of a small sub-class of Cybertronians known as ‘femmes’ and well known for her abilities. Let me warn you now, femmes are some of the most terrifying Cybertronians out there, and not for the reason you may think. They may be small and seem feminine to you organics, but our femmes are built with strange and unique abilities alongside their differing processing methods. I will go more in depth regarding Cybertronian femmes a bit later. For now, all you need to know is that they latch onto the mentally or physically weak amongst our kind. And at that point, they claim the mech in question and slowly prepare to use their abilities and… improve them.

Don’t question it right now. There will be time for explanations later. For now, we are doing an overview aren’t we? Anyway, her records do not go back to before the war, but personal investigation leads me to believe that she likely worked for the High Council in some capacity. She has ties to the Primacy but largely sticks with the Prime because he likes having a femme around to throw at enemies. Femmes are vicious creatures. Honestly considering how much Arcee liked him, Cliffjumper was a dead mech walking anyway. He’s lucky to have been killed by the enemy rather than face the fate of those chosen by femmes. I’ve been the subject of a femme’s interest once. I barely made it out alive. Thank Primus the Archives took me before she did.

Cliffjumper is rather irrelevant now, but I will go over him anyway in case he somehow manages to walk off whatever the Decepticons did to him. He actually doesn’t have a ton on his record. He was a regular recruit, one recorded signing on sometime around the height of the war when factions had to be picked. There was nothing out of the ordinary about him, and in fact, he fell below average strength levels for most soldiers. That is probably what got Arcee interested in him. Poor mech came from one of the outer cities and probably didn’t know what in the pits a femme even was. Its unfortunate that he’s dead, but I honestly do think it was likely in his best interest. He would have dealt with so much suffering otherwise.

May he rest at peace as one with the Allspark.

Next up is Bulkhead. You know? The one who beat me into scrap? Don’t play stupid. I am no fool. I am well aware you saw that footage. We will be discussing that later. Now about him, he is a Wrecker. His augmentations are specifically made by Wreckers for Wreckers and he will die for the organization. All those who join the Wreckers are bound to them forever. There simply is no escape once the augmentations are finished. Most don’t want to leave, and Bulkhead falls into that category. I can go into more depth about the Wreckers and their… beliefs, a bit later. At the moment, let it be known that he does not give a flying frag about you squishies. He follows the creed of his kind and thankfully for all of you, that creed does not permit unnecessary damage to native lifeforms of foreign worlds. Last I checked, he serves the Prime because that is part of his duty and Prime gave him the means to deal with a grudge of his. He has a personal investment here on Earth because he heard that there was a rouge Wrecker here somewhere.

No I will not elaborate right now. You lot need to be paying close attention to what comes next, so I will not linger on topics at the moment.

Ratchet is the resident medic. I believe I have expressed my fears before, but seriously, medics are DANGEROUS. I cannot emphasize that enough. The insane fraggers hyperfocus on one field and one faction and they stick to it like glue. They cling to their alliances and progeny like a parasite and will fight and even maim one another over patients. Ratchet is one of the best and worst medics I have ever encountered. His genius is legendary and he is one of the few who have ever been able to absorb all medical knowledge without focusing too hard on any particular field or falling to medical madness. Yes that is a real issue amongst my kind.

He also is not quite as insane as the others because of his upbringing out in the middle of nowhere during the age before the Quintessons came. But with that said, his motives are dubious at best. He is loyal to the Prime alone and would gladly frag over anyone who is not a medic or an Autobot. He also is not fond of you fleshies, but he does his job and should probably not be too bad so long as you don’t catch his interest. Honestly getting the interest of any of my kind is a bad idea, so I suggest just not doing that. Medics in particular have one pit of a subculture that makes them a pain in the aft to understand, even for the average Cybertronian.

Now, moving on from the mad medic, Bumblebee is the team scout, and for good reason. He is totally unaugmented. He has no attachments whatsoever. No commlink, no programming, no battle codes, no inbuilt weapons, no specializations, nothing at all. He is practically a civilian and has to work himself half to death just to keep up with the rest of our kind who get augments nearly the moment they are old enough to handle them. If you are looking for the safest Autobot, you will find it in him. He is still one of my kind, but possess a great ability to empathize, or at least offer aid without expecting something in return. He never got any alteration programming, which may explain his more reasonable disposition. But of course, there is a reason for that.

I will not go into detail right now, but Bumblebee is kept from receiving augments on purpose. It is easier for mecha without augments to receive the Matrix of leadership and live reasonable lives under its control. Optimus is by no means loving, but he cares for what he sees as his. Bumblebee is being trained to be physically stronger than the others and mentally hardened so that he can bear the burden should Optimus fall. Either that, or he is being prepared to carry the weight of our people’s history if another is found more suitable. The Prime is currently a walking databank for all of Cybertronian knowledge. One way or another, Bumblebee will carry the weight of one station, be it that of the Archive or the Matrix. He cannot escape, but it does not seem like he wishes to. He is loyal to his Sire and to the cause after all.

As for Optimus Prime himself? He is a whole series of statements on his own. To give you the thousand mile high overview, he was originally a dock worker. He was normal, much like Bumblebee. He had the attention of a femme, but he seemed to have a reasonable lifespan on him regardless of that fact. Then the Archive took him, and there he became one of theirs. He was one of the many sets of optics and frames which belonged to the Archive. And yet, he took interest in Megatronus, the leader of the Decepticons. Orion Pax, as was his name at the time, had his reasons for being involved. However through a series of accidents, he found himself being prepped for war. He was offered as a sacrifice, and the last resort relic that is the Matrix of Leadership was given to him. Since then he has led the war and done everything in his power to take what he sees as his.

He is a master at manipulation and adaptation. He can and will find information on every subject and devour it like a starving mech. If he finds you interesting, he will tear you apart to gain every last fact and iota of information. There is no escape from him, and until he gets what he wants, he will not allow anyone to stand in his way. His goals are complex, and even I do not fully understand. But he fights all the same and will kill you regardless. Be wary of him. He is by far the most dangerous simply because he has lived so long.

Primes do not last longer than a few millennia. And yet Optimus has lived for over four million years. That should be a sign that he’s clever and has ways to bypass what we have always assumed was a death sentence.

For the Decepticons, there have only been three confirmed units and one unconfirmed thus far. I will explain any others as they become relevant. To begin, there is Starscream, the Lord of Vos. He is a seeker, a subsection of flight class Cybertronians that do not fall in line with normal standards. Seekers were complete isolationists before the war, even going so far as to have their own ever moving city, language, and culture. They do not use modern technology, they do not worship Primus, and their rituals are savage even by Cybertronian standards. I will go into more depth on them later, but for the time being, just know that Starscream being the Lord of Vos essentially puts him in the position of Shaman for his kind. He is a follower of nature and seeks to keep things in balance while remaining faithful to his culture. Due to how little is known about Vosian culture and Seekers as a whole, he is unpredictable. His motives are almost entirely impossible to figure out and he will fight in the way of the ancients. By all accounts the Seekers should have been wiped out eons ago, but their methods are… surprisingly effective.

Cunning and strange, Starscream’s methods are unorthodox and his loyalty is all but void. He serves whatever it is he worships, his people, and himself. That is all. He has no mortals or ethics even amongst our rather loose ones. The only benefit you humans will find in his nature is that he is not fond of killing without reason and likely will leave you alone if you don’t bother him. But of course he is a spontaneous mech and could just as easily turn up in the dead of night and slaughter you all will no explanation. Leave him be, that is my suggestion.

Soundwave is Megatron’s second in command, at least behind the scenes. He joined up with the Decepticons long before they were official and knows more than I care to bother explaining. Not a spark actually knows what he is, but him and others like him, such. as the Autobot Blaster, have an ability that gives them an edge. He is able to house symbiotes, beings that I have no real clue where they come from. Soundwave and those like him are recorded appearing out of the blue randomly only to then latch onto mecha of interest in a manner like femmes. Those mecha proceed to live out their lives normally, but usually just before death, Soundwave and his kind will drag them off never to be seen again. Within a few vorns, a new symbiote can be noted running around. I hypothesize that whatever is done to the dying plays a role in the creation of symbiotes, but I do not have enough information. Soundwave serves Megatron, that is what matters.

He can get into just about anything and very little is known about him as a whole. No known motives, no known origin, no known anything really. He is a stranger who appeared in the pits alongside Megatron and simply never went away. Keep clear of him if you can. He is a mech that even the average Cybertronian tries to steer away from.

Vehicons are clone soldiers that might as well be civilians with toy blasters attached to them. They are normal mecha who are held together by some grand communication array that I am not familiar with. They are mass produced, hold very little value, and oftentimes do not have much personality aside from the one that they all share. They work without question and die in droves before being promptly replaced. Honestly your biggest concern is possibly being stepped on. The Vehicons are untrained newsparks at worst and competent but low level ground units at best. Until they develop more as individuals, they are not too great a threat save for when they are sent out in waves.

Lastly there is Megatron, currently MIA Lord of the Decepticons. He came from the mines of Kaon and somehow managed to work past the slave coding installed in him long enough to simply wander out of the pits. He was a scumbag in the redlight district for a while before spontaneously ending up in the pits as a Gladiator. There he gained a following and did his best to fight for his cause before ultimately turning to war to make things more faster. This backfired horribly if you can’t tell. Now he is a mech who seems lost more often than not. He has been noted having patchy memory, more so after every interaction with Optimus Prime. He is only as cruel as was normal in the redlight district and his most concerning trait is his astounding lack of care for anything orderly or organic. He hates programing or augmentation and only tolerates it in his soldiers to win. Augments enrage him to such an extent that he has been noted acting out of normal parameters in response to heavily altered individuals. He wants chaos, that is what you need to know.

If he thinks it would further his ends, he would gladly wipe this planet off the map. However he does nothing without reason, and so unless you garner his attention, you should be fine. Stay away from him, don’t mention anything related to the Archive or the Matrix, and all should be well… for the most part.

I can tell you more later, but for now, you best keep your organic optics on the happenings going on. If Cliffjumper is dead, it means there is a very real chance things are going to spiral and do so fast.

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[Statement end.

The timestamps have been removed from these reports in response to [Redacted]’s information on the Cybertronian known as Soundwave. What information we have is critical for our survival, and we simply cannot risk it being destroyed even if the alien able to do so with ease likely won’t ever bother to damage our files.

We expect [Redacted] to be giving us much more data soon, especially since they have begun to warm up to me and my fellow agents since their repairs were completed. They have also requested to be referred to by masculine pronouns, perhaps as a sign of trust? Whatever the case, we are making progress. Hopefully we will have a reasonable way to fight back against the aliens soon, at least if their guns settle on us.

Agent Witwicky signing off.

Recording ends.]

Chapter Text

The Grim Dark Archives: Warning to All Personnel

[In light of intel gathered from years of observation, all who interact with the alien lifeforms known as the Autobots are to follow the listed rules.]

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Surviving day-to-day interactions

• Do not tell them your name. They will find out everything about you and those you love. A designation will be provided to you upon being assigned to the facility.
• Never bring any personal accessories into the Autobot facilities. You won’t get them back, and they may be used against you later.
• Do not touch any equipment that is not explicitly labeled as being made by the organization. The alien tech does more harm than good to those without any ports to connect to it with.
• Never stay at the facility overnight unless you have been confirmed as part of the security crew. Marcus was found dismembered after his attempt to stay behind for some nighttime cleaning.
• Stay quiet as much as possible. They notice you less that way.
• Refrain from standing out. Blend in with other agents. Otherwise, they may take an interest in you.
• Don’t dye your hair bright red of any shade. Arcee will make you vanish.
• Don’t ask the Autobots any questions. You won’t like the answer. Agent Fowler is the only one who has been properly trained to handle their responses.
• Avoid being overly friendly with the Autobots. They will remember your kindness, and they will attempt to repay it.
• Do not accept gifts of any kind from anyone. Especially not other agents.
• They are NOT agents. Do not trust them.
• Stay out of the storage room. We haven’t seen Frank in two weeks since he entered.
• If you enjoy living, keep clear of the medical bay. You don’t want to be caught there alone. Ever.
• If there are any glowing blue substances, don’t touch them. They like seeing if new hires will fall for it.

Proper Strange Occurrence Responses

• The piles of clothes in the corner of the hangar are not to be touched. Bumblebee likes to collect them, particularly children’s clothes.
• If the lights start to flicker, leave the area immediately. We have a backup generator. If the power falters, it was intentional.
• Blood stains are not to be acknowledged. If you don’t’ see it, the Autobots don’t see you.
• Never stay at the facility overnight. We won’t be able to retrieve you once the place goes on lockdown.
• If you end up trapped inside at night, run. You are too small for them to reach you more often than not.
• Never try to use your communicator. They will pick up the signal, and your location will be revealed.
• Don’t listen if they call for you. They may try to offer to help you out of the facility. You can never be sure if they will actually aid you or not.
• Bumblebee is the only one you can trust if you are locked inside. He has been the only Autobot confirmed to never harm personnel in any serious manner.
• Even still, don’t trust him. He will attempt to invite you to stay in his room until morning. If you are persuasive enough in declining, he might take you to the security crew.
• If you fail to convince him to take you to the security crew, only accept the offer to play human games.
• Do not, under ANY circumstances, accept the offer to play any game you don’t know by heart.
• Keep him occupied until morning, and you will survive. The others won’t bother you so long as you remain with him.
• If Bumblebee is not at base, keep moving, never stay still for long.
• Find the security office. There are blast doors. Jeff has been a night guard at the facility for almost four years without the Autobots being aware of him.
• No, we do not know how he does it. Don’t question. Just know he will keep you safe until morning.
• Food left out anywhere that is not in the supply room is not for your consumption. The more delicious it looks, the more likely they are to have set the trap.
• If you hear 90’s music, get the hell out of wherever you are. You don’t want to be around Wheeljack when he turns on his music.
• Maps are meaningless. If the layout of the inner parts of the facility changes, you are going to have to find your way out without aid.
• Strange sounds will occasionally follow you through the facility, sometimes sounding like laughter. Do not acknowledge it.
• Friday is not a good day for you. Prime does things that you do not want to see.

In the event that you meet an Autobot Privately

• Don’t accept any of the gifts they might offer. Your well-being is not their concern.
• Do not answer any questions truthfully. Never outright lie, but offer nothing freely. They are less likely to kill you that way.
• All Autobots enjoy a puzzle and can be stunned into allowing you to leave if you offer information that is particularly confusing to them.
• Abuse this fact as much as you are able. Make up any lies you need to in order to get out of there.
• Do not ever be caught alone with an Autobot again afterwards. They will not be happy that you fed them falsehoods.
• We have specially trained agents who are educated in the proper way to ask questions by [Redacted] himself. You are not one of them. Don’t even try.
• If you meet him, Ratchet will try to force you to hold tools and vials for him under the guise of requiring assistance. Politely decline and walk away without looking back.
• He may also attempt to request a scan from you. If you comply, there is nothing we can do to help you. The contract is clear.
• Bumblebee will often ask those who meet him to play a game. He is the least malicious and will often accept if you decline.
• If he insists you play, give him the children’s toy that should come with your introduction packet. It should placate him. He likes model cars the most.
• Prime will attempt to invite you to speak to him over tea or in some other seemingly innocent fashion. Politely decline if you can.
• If he remains still and does not walk away, offer him the card that should have come in your kit. Your life will be safeguarded if he is paid in information.
• If you find yourself with Arcee, do NOT make eye contact. She will do everything in her power aside from physically manhandling you to get you to meet her gaze.
• Keep your eyes down, walk away, and say nothing if she begins to threaten you. She won’t do anything unless you look. at. her.
• Bulkhead tries to avoid us as much as possible, but if you find yourself alone with him, be civil. Do not mention anything related to combat or machinery. Keep everything domestic.
• He will remain civil as long as you do. However, if you mention any sort of “breakdown” he will interrogate you, and you will promptly be found dead in a ditch a month later.
• As a general rule, assume your life is over if you end up in a room with Wheeljack. He is one of the few who does not care for blending in.
• If you don’t end up vanishing, you will be lucky if all you walk away with is a broken limb. We have no way to ward him off yet.
• If you are in a room with more than one Autobot, pit them against each other through distraction and run for your life. They can’t get you in the vents.

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[These are all the warnings that have been compiled for the time being. More may be added later, but for now, this are the rules that have been created for all personnel.

Agent Witwicky signing off.]

Chapter Text

The Grim Dark Archives: Statement #006: The Children

[Statement taken from [Redacted] on [Redacted: Sensitive data] regarding the Autobots acquisition of three human children]. We do not know why or how the Autobots collected the children, considering they actively avoid human contact when possible. However, they recently acquired three human wards, and Optimus made it quite clear he would not be giving them up.

The Prime offered many logical and sound reasons as to why he and his team should be made guardians, and unfortunately, since we do not know the situation, High Command made the decision to allow it. We cannot risk the Autobots losing their wariness of us. Command was willing to sacrifice three civilians for the sake of our long term survival.

It’s a [Redacted] situation, but there’s not a lot we can do. [REDACTED] was asked to offer any insight he might have regarding why the Autobots gained and interest in the children to begin with. The statement he gave was… unsettling.

Statement begins.]

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Three human children, huh? I’ve looked over their files, and I gotta say I agree with your higher ups when it comes to this. There really isn’t a lot you can do for those kids. If Prime personally chose them, it means he’s got plans. And whenever Prime has plans… let’s just say it doesn’t end well for whoever is involved. I would know. I… was a close friend to him before the Archives took him away.

No, I won’t be addressing that little tidbit right now. Just consider it a little lore from your dear agent [Redacted], alright?

Look, I don’t claim to know Prime’s mind, but I did know Orion before and after the Archives took him as one of theirs. And based on what these reports are telling me, I think I have a rough understanding of what Optimus is trying to do with them. You said Jack was the first, right? Arcee found him at his place of work and skidded away with him on her alt mode. Strange. She would have normally just bucked a passenger that she didn’t like right off.

I think he was an accident. Arcee is still grieving the loss of Cliffjumper. The urge to latch onto another must be quite strong for her right now. I imagine that when Jack hopped on, her instincts clicked with him despite the species difference. He’s young, he’s not anywhere near as strong as even a newspark, and he willingly came to her even if he did not know it. He checked all the boxes, its no wonder she kept him then.

He is likely in the least danger out of the three when all things are considered. Arcee is incapable of creating a cold forged from him since he is organic, and so she won’t threaten the team with her parasitic bonding. Jack will be alright, so long as he doesn’t anger her. She will guard him with her life and viciously fight to protect him from everything, including himself. She will be toxic, she will gaslight him, and she will absolutely try to pull him away from everyone else in his life. She will want to own him completely in order to begin the process of creating a cold forged from him. Of course, this is impossible since he is no Cybertronian, but she will follow her rituals all the same.

I imagine Optimus wants to keep Jack since he ensures Arcee remains a loyal ally without the threat of her nature. Jack will never be physically harmed so long as she is near. Although I would be careful,. Maybe give the boy a briefing so that he never mentions another female in Arcee’s presence. Femmes are notoriously territorial. I would not put it past Arcee to go and kill any female classmates or even Jack’s mentor- mother? Yeah, that’s the term. Simply put, keep her away from any "competition,” and Jack should be fine. Well, he won’t be mentally fine, but being alive is better than being dead, I guess.

The one called Miko, though? She’s got it infinitely worse, and I don’t think she knows it based on the reports. Her status with the Wreckers is highly concerning. Wreckers are not naturally aggressive toward other species, but they do get bored easily. Perhaps that is the wrong word. They are so strange that even I don’t really get them. But basically, when a Wrecker isn’t given much to do, they start causing problems. BIG problems, mind you. If there isn’t a mission or objective to complete, they will create problems to solve and even revolt against their faction just to have something to do. Being trapped on Earth must be its own special kind of torture. I can bet you a hundred shanix that the only reason Bulkhead hasn’t lost his fraggin mind and burned down a city is because he’s hunting down that rogue Wrecker still.

What’s shanix? It’s our currency back on Cybertron- Wait, that’s beside the point. Quit getting me off track here.

Miko is being used as a distraction to take things lightly. Wreckers like to see how far they can go, constantly testing the limits. Miko’s personality and the fact that, according to this, she wants to be “just like Bulkhead” tells me that she’s in for a rough ride. She probably won’t be augmented or anything like that. It would be way too much effort for Bulkhead to bother. But you can bet that Miko will be thrown into any and all dangerous situations just so that Bulkhead can watch and see if she makes it out alive. He will probably try to play hero too. Wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest.

Yeah, that girl is as good as dead. Well, at least if Optimus stops advocating for her life. Keep an eye on her and give her a quick briefing. I wouldn’t tell her anything important, the calmer she is, the better things will be for her. However, I would recommend combat training for her, or at least some of that Navy SEALS stuff you squishies have going on.

And then there’s Rafael…

Honestly, I pity the boy. He’s got Prime’s direct attention. Rafael understands Bumblebee too. Frag, he’s honestly better off throwing himself off the nearest cliff. If Prime hasn’t started the augments, he sure as pit will soon. I won’t sugarcoat it a ton since I know you lot are mature. So listen closely when I say that Optimus wants data. He always wants data. That child, Rafael… he has what we call outlier abilities. His mind is just different enough that he can pick up on our EM fields. He isn’t actually understanding Bumblebee’s words, he’s understanding Bumblebee’s intent and automatically translating them. A “Vibe check” kind of thing.

What I am getting at is that Rafael is one of the few who could handle Cybertronian data. Prime isn’t dumb, he can see that. He’s always looking for new optics to add to the Archive. My best guess is that he’s going to bring Rafael into the fold, make him one of the Archive so that Optimus can have data regarding humans up and personal. The fact that the boy was given to Bumblebee only confirms that. Rafael is to be Bumblebee’s newest gift and Rafael will feed Optimus information on anything and everything as soon as the augments are implanted.

You will know when the augments are done. When you know, don’t talk to him. Don’t say anything to Rafael. Don’t let him SEE anything. Rafael cannot be allowed to know anything as soon as he joins the Archives. Everything he will see is something Optimus will also see. Not to mention Bumblebee… he’s an adolescent. He has a desire to mentor a newspark, just like all our kind do at that age. If he has Rafael, he will be sure to guard him and treat him very kindly. The cost is, of course, that Rafael will belong to Optimus and Bumblebee in all but spark, or perhaps soul.

The only saving grace for the boy is that he will likely never know. Things that hurt will eventually fade away. His personality will shift, his mind will wander, and one day, he will wake up and not care anymore. The distress will be limited once he is fully one with the Archives. Bumblebee being there is likely also an attempt to keep him calm while the process is being completed.

I wouldn’t have put it past Ratchet to have requested human subjects either. Keep a close eye on your young. That medic might try and steal a few now that Optimus has allowed for three to be taken.

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[Statement end.

Those kids… I wish I could do something for them, but [REDACTED] has made it quite clear that acting could destroy us. The children keep the Autobots from harming more civilians, and as much as it pains me to say… letting three die is better than having whole cities burn.

We will keep an eye on the children and brief them as best as we can. The science department is going to want Rafael for their own, I’m sure. They can try, but if [REDACTED] is right, any agent they send won’t make it out again.

On another note, up until now [REDACTED] had refused to take an alternate mode. But in light of recent events, he settled on a Martini Porsche, a racing model no less. A strange choice, but one that feels fitting for him. He’s been opening up more and picking up on Earth lingo left right and center. But considering all he’s said about adaptation, I am not inclined to fully buy his laid back persona, especially after his first few months with us where he was shaking like a leaf.

We can only hope these aliens get off our planet sooner rather than later.

Agent Witwicky signing off.

Recording ends.]

Chapter Text

The Grim Dark Archives: Transcript #00 3 Hypothetical

[Transcript taken  [Redacted: Sensitive data] from [REDACTED] after concerns regarding the children were raised by personnel and the higher ups. I decided to ask [REDACTED] a few questions about a hypothetical where the children perished.

It was mostly for my own sake, so I decided to keep it all as a transcript. The higher ups don’t read transcripts as often since they technically aren’t official.

Transcript begins.]

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Agent Witwicky: The children… what would happen if they died?

[REDACTED]: Rafael won’t die. Prime won’t allow it. He’s going to join the Archive soon enough. The Archive protects its own.

Agent Witwicky: Then the other two. What about them?

[REDACTED]: Let’s not get it twisted. Miko will die. She’s with Bulkhead. He will kill her eventually, probably in a fit of boredom. Jack will likely expire at some point too. Arcee doesn’t know how to care for squishies like you lot.

Agent Witwicky: Answer the question.

[REDACTED]: Dang, harsh crowd here tonight.

[REDACTED]: Miko will get replaced. Simple as that. It isn’t hard to find a rambunctious kid on this planet of yours, especially since your culture is swimming in media that paints alien lifeforms in a positive, happy-go-lucky light.

Agent Witwicky: So Bulkhead doesn’t care about her?

[REDACTED]: I wouldn’t say that. To him, I can only assume he views her like how you humans may see a pet goldfish. He will take care of her, but when she expires, he will get rid of her and move on quickly.

Agent Witwicky: How long do you think she has until she… expires?

[REDACTED]: Hard to tell. Wreckers take pets a lot. Some care for them properly, others don’t. I didn’t exactly take the time to get to know the Wrecker units since I valued life.

Agent Witwicky: Right… and Jack?

[REDACTED]: If he dies and Arcee fails to bond to another human, Arcee will likely be executed shortly after the boy’s death. Prime keeps Arcee around simply because she’s vicious and because it invokes fear in the enemy.

Agent Witwicky: He isn’t concerned about eliminating a threat then.

[REDACTED]: Exactly. I think there is a core element most people miss when it comes to Prime. Everything he does is two sided.

Agent Witwicky: That’s not surprising.

[REDACTED]: No its not. But what I mean by that is, well, he’s not the mech I knew. When he joined the Archive, he was still a mech that I could recognize. Now though? It’s like someone else is walking in his frame, and that person thinks this whole war is FUN.

Agent Witwicky: Can you confirm that?

[REDACTED]: No. I have my theories, but they aren’t relevant right now. For the time being, just know that when those two kids expire, Prime will find replacements for them or for Arcee.

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[Transcript ends.

The more I hear about the Autobots, the more my childhood dream of being friends with aliens dies. Prime is terrifying, and I haven’t even met him in person before. I don’t think I want to. If he is as [REDACTED] says, then we are better off hoping that this Megatron character kills him soon.

Agent Witwicky signing off.

Recording end.]

Chapter Text

The Grim Dark Archives: Statement #007 Cold Forged

[Statement taken from [Redacted] on [Redacted: Sensitive data] regarding femmes and what they do to their chosen subjects. Concerns have been rising after [Redacted] made it clear that Arcee can latch onto humans just as easily as she can another Cybertronian. Personnel working at the Autobot base have begun attempting to go on strike in an effort to escape.

I can’t say I blame them, but [Redacted] was called to explain the process that femmes put their targets through to hopefully give us some answers. I suspect the higher ups just want enough information to weave a half baked like for the staff, but the information is vital nonetheless. The more we know, the better a chance we have of fighting back if need be.

Statement begins.]

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Femmes… yeah, I’ve known a few over the course of my life. Elita was a real piece of work. She wanted Orion when she was still Ariel, and she threw a fit when the Archives got him before she could. She wanted Optimus as well once she found out he had been Orion at some point. She nearly got him too. I think the only reason Optimus managed to get out of her clutches was because of his rather murderous tendencies. I don’t know if he meant to or not, but he allowed Elita to try and claim him and then watched on as her abilities backfired.

There is a reason femmes only target the weak. If their will cannot overcome the will of the target, their abilities will kill them instead… and in a rather brutal fashion.

It was a shame. Elita, when she wasn’t enthralled with her targets, was a good femme. She treated her cold forged well and was a brilliant tactician. She actually kept Optimus in line for a long time. She ensured he couldn’t do anything nearly as extreme as what he does now. That’s the good thing about femmes. They are good and kind to their targets. They fill the void in the bot’s life that no one could have ever hoped to fill. It is a peaceful end for a mech that would otherwise be cast away by society. Elita was the companion Optimus needed, a level-headed and gentle being who served as his equalizer when his plans demanded more pain than required. I appreciated her for that, especially when I served as as a special agent-

Ignore that remark. No. Ignore it.

Do you understand me, Witwicky? You will ignore that remark.

[Note: [Redacted] expressed a severe violent reaction the moment I made it clear that I had no intention of adhering to his wishes. He only calmed down when he watched me scratch it from the records. Of course I added back the redacted information following the conversation, but [Redacted] has things he wants to hide, it seems.]

Good.

As I was saying, Elita was a fantastic person. Femmes are more than capable of being normal members of society when they are tended to. In fact, they are even worshipped in some circles and given to the lowly members of society so that they may be remade. But Elita aimed too high, she went beyond the bounds set by the rules of femmes. She tried to go after a mech who was too strong, and for that reason, she fell.

Femmes are of the line of Solus Prime, the first femme created by Primus. At least that’s what the Primacy will tell you. I’m not all that sure on the theological stuff, but there are records pointing to the fact that Solus existed. Because of that, I am willing to pin the femmes existence back to her. I don’t know all the details about the first femme. That’s the kind of thing you’d need to ask Orion about. He always loved talking about the theological details of history. He always got so passionate about it…

Sometimes… I forget Orion isn’t here to answer anymore. I mean, he is, but he also isn’t. But that’s beside the point. This isn’t my forte. Sorry, its just seeing Optimus so often after so many millennia, it can bring back old memories, yanno? I will get back on topic.

No one knows what makes a newspark become a femme. In fact, there are no signs at all until the newspark sheds their second armor set. They behave just like every other Cybertronian, and then sometime in their early adolescence, they start following a specific individual around. Usually their first target is someone very old or very young, the weak of society, or those without enough knowledge to fight back. Once the femme has picked, that’s when the Council steps in and slaps a sticker on them to denote what they are. The poor target is cut off from everyone and left to the femme. Why? Because the first target is always the one who suffers the most.

Femmes are highly territorial. They will never aid one another unless both their targets are in danger and cooperating is in their best interest. So every young femme is on her own, left to figure things out as she ages. For young femmes, they will pick their victims apart. There is no peace to be found as they sink their connectors into their target to try and tear apart their CNA and remake it. The process kills the target without fail. A more experienced femme knows that she must follow a ritual, a process of sorts. She must know her target, she must care for her target, and only once her target is open to her… Only then can she dig her claws in and remake them.

Yes, yes, I am getting to the actual process now. Calm down. I swear you fleshies are just as impatient as Cyberfelines sometimes.

First, she will get to know her target and release a chemical, a pheromone, as your kind call it. This chemical causes the target to become calmer and more trusting, and it also weakens their immune system. It has some benefits, such as increased processor function and heightened senses, but all this comes at the cost of increasing weakness. Not to mention, the increase in processor activity is largely so that the femme may attract her target’s attention and push them into seeing her in a light that best fits the role she is aiming to fulfill until the time for harvest arrives.

Around a vorn into her work, the femme will start to introduce her coils, her touches, if you will. She will start to touch her target as often as she can, and it is through this that small injectors in her digits will begin to input a specially made protomatter into her target. The target will feel no pain since the injections are so small. But over months, years, vorns… slowly, her target will start to think less, feel less, until at last they start to collapse.

Femmes are not needlessly cruel in their efforts. She will be very gentle with her target in their dying cycles. When they begin to forget, she will remind them of the things they lost. She will help them fuel, she will take them places they enjoy, and she will allow them ample time to deal with their lingering affairs. Any living relatives will not be compensated, but that is because she sees her work as the greatest compensation any being could possibly receive. She is remolding the worthless into something greater, and for that reason, she is both compelled to her work just as much as she heralds it as something sacred. It is her nature to be gentle in this stage, for by that point, her target will be carrying the beginnings of her cold forged, her perfect creation.

There is no set time for it, but at some point in this final stage, the femme will continue her injections of protomatter and her quiet indoctrination until, finally, her target shatters. This can take various forms, usually some type of explosion or contortion of the frame, but the end result is always the same. The target dies, and from their corpse, a new being emerges. Much like a newspark, it emerges without armor, but unlike the newsparks from the Well, it will come forth with memory and a mission.

We call these things the Cold Forged. They are beings that completely lack emotion. Or perhaps the ability to empathize. It is hard to tell with them. They all seem to take sick glee in watching others squirm. But anyway, the Cold Forged have a purpose that their femme gave them, and most often, they do not care to reveal it. Those who have felt like giving up data have often been given a mission that amounts to a concept, a thought, or an ideal. The most common mission these beings receive is by far the most terrifying.

Perfection.

They are given one concept, and they live out their entire lives embodying and striving to reach it. The Cold Forged are Cybertronian by every single stretch of the word, but they are not… like us. Does that make sense? My kind do not really do the empathy thing. But they have SOMETHING. The Cold Forged don’t even have that. They are true machines.

You know what’s so funny about this whole thing?

The femmes don’t even care about their Cold Forged. They make them, and then they move along to the next target. The Cold Forged are the closest any Cybertronian has to actually having a biological creation, and the femmes don’t care!

[Note: [Redacted] laughed for a rather long time following this statement. He seemed to be… unstable while speaking on this matter.]

Sorry about that.

It’s just, it feels so clinical to me, even millennia after learning about the process. These femmes go through so much effort just to make a creature that they then throw away. Elita was a rare exception in this regard. She liked to keep tabs on her Cold Forged, and I think one of hers even ended up with the Elite Guard. Her missions to her Cold Forged were always super specialized too.

Yeah. Femmes. Cold Forged. It’s a hot mess, I tell you.

Jack will be fine. Arcee will care for him as best she knows how until his dying day. That much you can be sure of.

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[Statement end.

I am unsure how to feel about all this. Every detail I gather about these aliens tells me that there is something deeply wrong with them. I have my theories, but considering [Redacted]’s disposition and what information we have on everyone else, I think I can say that this race has been altered somehow. If [Redacted] is able to comprehend empathy, there must be others.

They are capable of feeling and being reasonable, but there is some factor that changes things for them. I shouldn’t get involved.

But I want to know. I want to figure this mess out. I am just one man, but if I can put some pieces together, then perhaps there is something we can do to fix this. If nothing else, I want to understand these aliens. I want to know why.

Why start a war? Why do all this? And why, in God’s name, would they shatter in such a way culturally? There must be an answer, and I have a sinking feeling that the only ones who can give me answers are going to be very dangerous.

Agent Witwicky signing off.

Recording ends.]

Chapter Text

The Grim Dark Archives: Transcript #004: Higher Ups

[Transcript taken [Redacted: Sensitive data]. The following transcript is technically personal, but I’ve decided to put it here nonetheless. The conversation I had was with one of the higher-ups, whom I will leave unnamed for privacy reasons. I was attempting to explain my reasoning behind my decision to… attempt further investigation into the aliens on my own.

I just can’t sit here and listen as problems arise. [Redacted] is indeed useful when he feels like being so, but I refuse to wait around twiddling my thumbs while more horrors go on around me. I want to be proactive and learn as much as I can about this threat so that hopefully, when the time comes, I can do something to stop it.

Transcript begins.]

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Agent Witwicky: Thank you for accepting my request for an audience BLANK.

BLANK: Of course.

Agent Witwicky: I am sure you saw my report and my detailed plan.

BLANK: I did, and I can’t say I fully agree with it. I assume you came here to explain yourself?

Agent Witwicky: That would be correct, Sir.

BLANK: Go on then.

Agent Witwicky: Very well. I will try to keep things as concise as possible.

Agent Witwicky: To begin, I feel that we should begin looking more into the Autobot threat. They have claimed to be allies, but [Redacted] has proven this to be at least quite likely to be false. Not to mention, these Decepticons have yet to do anything, whereas the Autobots have already claimed civilian lives.

BLANK: And what exactly is your goal here, Witwicky?

Agent Witwicky: I understand that it would be dangerous to dedicate a team to the task of understanding these aliens. And so I would like to suggest a singular agent be assigned this mission. That way if things fall through, this agent could be cut off from the government and claimed to be rogue, saving the US military from the ire of any potentially harmed parties.

BLANK: A sound suggestion. Let us imagine that you are this hypothetical agent for a moment. What would you be doing exactly?

Agent Witwicky: I would first get into contact with Agent Fowler and establish communications. He is by far the most knowledgeable, and I would like to collect statements from him regarding the Autobots.

BLANK: That could be done without a dedicated mission.

Agent Witwicky: Yes, but what I would do after this would be less easy to accomplish for anyone tied down by military regulation.

Agent Witwicky: I would then take the risk of speaking to Optimus Prime in order to possibly acquire further information on Cybertron and its people. We currently have very little actual information. [Redacted] is a good source, but he only speaks on subject we inquire upon. I would like to dig deeper, to ask the Prime himself about Cybertron and its history. Maybe then we can determine the best course of action.

BLANK: That goes far beyond what we need to keep them in line.

Agent Witwicky: I need to know Sir. I need to understand these beings. Don’t we have agents sent to other countries to understand them? Why can't we have an agent here to understand the aliens too? They could have valuable data, maybe even information on other worlds for NASA to use-!

BLANK: Enough. I understand Witwicky. Let us drop all pretenses here. What do you intend to do?

Agent Witwicky: I want to interact with the Autobots personally, to get their statements and stories. The more we know, the better chance we have of fighting back. I don’t intend to tell [Redacted] about my visits either. Having two sources of information will help us pick out what is real and what is a lie.

BLANK: We can make you a diplomat. But I see that look in your eyes, that isn’t the extent of what you want to do. Right?

Agent Witwicky: Correct Sir. I also want to look into the children. I want to see the changes they undergo and hopefully gain greater insight through them.

Agent Witwicky: Rafael runs a blog. He hasn’t posted much, just a few thoughts every couple of days. But [Redacted] has implied that he will join the Archive, an organism of knowledge. A human mind cannot handle huge amounts of data, so there must be an outlet for all of it. I want to see how his thoughts change.

BLANK: You want him to be a test subject?

Agent Witwicky: Isn’t he already one? We can’t get him out now. So the best thing he can do for humanity is show how he is changing.

BLANK: …

Agent Witwicky: The girl, Miko, has a journal and a sketch book. I intend to get access to those things and transcribe the information they hold. Miko is the only one out of the children who is unaware of her situation. I want to see how that changes her view and if she can pick up anything we can’t.

BLANK: I see…

Agent Witwicky: Then there is the older boy, Jack Darby, Arcee’s target. He is by far the most interesting at present. He has been issued regular conversations with the military sanctioned therapist, correct? I want access to those recordings. Jack must hear things we could never comprehend. He must know so much more than us-

BLANK: Witwicky, what are you really after here?

Agent Witwicky: What do you mean? I’ve already said that I want to understand our potential enemies to help us fight back more effectively-

BLANK: No Witwicky. You have a personal investment here. What are you actually hoping to get from all this?

Agent Witwicky: …

Agent Witwicky: I want knowledge. [Redacted] is hardly explaining anything. I hate having missing pieces in my puzzle.

BLANK: I see.

BLANK: …

BLANK: Your orders will be issued soon. Consider yourself no longer outwardly affiliated with the United States Military. We will fund you and you will have access to everything you need, but if you are discovered, you will have no protection. Do you understand Sam?

Agent Witwicky: Yes Sir. When can I begin my work?

BLANK: As soon as you feel ready. Keep this information from [Redacted] as long as possible. He’s already proven capable of violence when threatened.

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[Transcript ends.

The higher ups were dubious about granting me my new position, but they will understand with time. It’s going to be dangerous, that’s for sure. But this way we will learn so much more about our enemies. Especially with [Redacted] here as well.

I don’t mean to use the children, but considering they are all but lost causes, I think its for the best to just… make the best of their situation. Learn what we can so that no others share their fate.

Here’s hoping the Decepticons are less convoluted.

Agent Witwicky signing off.

Recording end.]

Chapter Text

The Grim Dark Archives: Statement #008 The Story of Creation

[Statement taken from Optimus Prime on [Redacted: Sensitive data] regarding Cybertron's origin. I made the decision to speak to the Prime and try to get a glimpse of Cybertron's history. Understanding the mythos is just as important as knowing facts and data points. History repeats itself, and core tenants of any culture are generally echoed in their version of the Creation story. I doubt Cybertron is any different in this regard.

I managed to speak to Optimus in the privacy of his quarters, and he showed me many holographic images of Cybertron as he told his tale. I never knew a world of metal could be so beautiful, at least before war ravaged it.

Statement begins.]

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Samuel James Witwicky, it is my pleasure to speak to you this cycle. Do not be alarmed. I make it my business to know all who associate with those under my command, be they active agents or former agents. Your designation was not difficult to decrypt. You humans are such a young species, I am afraid you could never hope to hide much from me. Orion Pax was quick to find a way through your security. He was the Head Archivist and Alpha Trion's personal pet project for a reason.

You wish to know the story of Cybertron's creation, correct? You are quite fortunate that we are both well versed in such history. Orion would tell you the clean cut story, the one that all of Cybertron wanted the public to know. He would tell you that Cybertron was made when the source of all life detonated and birthed the universe, eventually leading a small shard of the source to settle within the fledgling core of Cybertron. Orion Pax would proclaim that this shard of the origin is what gives us life, and that it spontaneously made the first Thirteen, who in turn carried pieces of the origin's power with them. Then, if you questioned him further, he would proclaim that there is no such thing as a god, that the Thirteen were merely a more advanced form of Cybertronian who eventually spawned the current iteration of our kind.

Orion Pax would tell you the logical story, the one crafted by scientists and mecha unwilling to see their weakness in the face of the divine slumbering beneath their pedes. He would give you all the data the Archives hoarded that supported this outlandish idea. He was by no means a foolish mech, but he did not know the truth, he did not live the truth as I did. It is fortunate then that I know the mysteries of this reality, and I am working even now to eradicate the falsehoods nurtured by the weak and the faithless.

Look upon our world and witness the tear in its side. Do you see the great gash on Cybertron's surface? That is where it all began. The core of our origin.

Unlike you humans and your many divided faiths, Cybertron has one truth. We live upon the frame of our god, and he in turn fuels us with his essence. Energon is his blood, and we consume it to function. How do we know he lives? Well, it is quite simple. I am his chosen, and several of my brothers yet walk this mortal plane. We are the chosen, and we know our maker.

Do not be alarmed Samuel. Is the idea of consuming the blood of a god truly so terrifying? Your kind also consumes the essence of the divine, albeit in small portions. There is a reason your world is so very… appealing to both myself and Megatron. He seeks this world for its heretical riches. I am here to ensure that this whim of his does not destroy the order that my god has ordained.

Now, where was I? Oh yes. The gash in Cybertron’s side is where Primus rid himself of his impurity. 

The story Orion Pax would tell you is not entirely incorrect, but merely twisted. In the beginning, there was an origin, a maker of all life. There was no name for this lifeform, not that we know of. It was simply the start of all things, the source of everything that is and ever will be. The Origin was everything you could imagine. Concept, emotion, thoughtfulness, and design. It was a being that was made of reality, and thus reality formed to adhere to its will for existence. However, the Origin was tainted. As it created and spread its touch throughout all of reality, it began to split. Part of the Origin wanted to deviate, to feel and express, creating chaos wherever the Origin’s influence wandered.

The rest of the Origin could not allow for this deviation. And thus, long before any living being had taken its first breath, the Origin tore itself apart in its desire to be freed from its sacrilege. It became two separate entities in its attempts to become pure. The first and largest became the being my kind worships, our creator god, Primus. The gash is where the impure being broke away, taking with him part of our maker. The impure one is Unicron, the Unmaker, the Chaos Bringer.

Primus and Unicron clashed at the dawn of time, fighting for control over reality. Primus desired order and compliance to his grand design. Unicron wished for anarchy, so that chaos may reign supreme and the universe might tear itself to pieces for his amusement. Their battle raged for what could have been an eternity. Unicron might have been smaller and weaker, but he was not to be looked down upon. Mark upon mark he placed on our maker, sullying Primus’s perfect form with cuts that even now still run with dark energon. Nothing changed in their conflict until Primus saw fit to create aid to tip the scales in his favor. Thus, he tore away pieces of his very spark and forged thirteen warriors, each gifted with one of his imperfections, so that the taint of Primus might be purified through conflict and turmoil. 

The thirteen were the first of our kind, the original Primes. They all tore at the Unmaker, righteous fury filling their minds alongside their duties to purify and make weakness into strength. Solus, Amalgamous, Prima, Alchemist, Vector, Liege Maximo, The Recorder Prime, Nexus, Onyx, Micronus, Quintus, Megatronus… they all fought. They brought the Unmaker low and forced him to flee. Covered in wounds and battered, the Unmaker fled from Primus’s domain toward the outer edges of the galaxy, hiding from his pure counterpart’s watchful gaze. Primus was pleased with the work of his offspring and rewarded them by allowing them to walk upon his frame as he slumbered and recovered from the energy spent breaking into his new form and creating his warriors. This is how Cybertron came to be. The thirteen then walked upon the frame of their slumbering god, performing his will, and turning the impurities that they were given into strengths through trial and tribulation.

Yes, there were thirteen Primes. I merely chose to only mention those who raised their blades and fought. 

There was another Prime, one who was… broken. He dared to call himself the best of the first. The arrogant fool. Every Prime was given a piece of Primus that he knew to be impure. Solus was gifted with his obsessive desire to be perfect. Prima was imbued with the innate urge to create order at the cost of all else. Quintus was given the creative drive that a being such as Primus could not afford to foster. Liege Maximo received the cunning wit that Primus had no need for, along with the weak mortal desire to have his ego stroked. Every Prime had something… and the Thirteenth was no exception.

He was given connection , the thing you humans call love, the disgusting and useless urge to feel and emote. Primus wished to take all that made Unicron so very impure and put what little remained into a Prime. It wasn’t enough for Primus to warrant tearing away more of his frame, but the impurity was still devastating to such a perfect being. He had to be rid of it. And thus, the thirteenth had to be formed. He was the broken child, a shattered vessel whose only purpose was to retain the flimsy mortal emotions that no god should ever be forced to bear. It would have been better for him to have been killed or locked away. But he was young, and so were the others. They did not see the threat he posed. He was a danger, one who was determined to spread his taint the moment the Unmaker fled.

He went to Megatronus and Liege Maximo. He broke them. By sharing his visions and the pathetic whims of a being too weak to use his processors, he taught them to feel and break free from the comforting embrace of our god. He would have continued his taint if not for Solus Prime. She saw his weakness, she saw his impurity, and she took up her holy mantle and strove to make him whole.

She broke him down. She brought her hammer down again and again, basking him in her care as she painstakingly remade him. With every pain she forced him to endure, he was made holy. Solus Prime, she did what no other could. She locked the taint away and became… our everything. 

But the damage was already done. Before Solus purified him, Thirteen’s taint had taken root in Megatronus and Liege Maximo. They rebelled and tried to spread the taint in his stead. Those traitors. 

[Note: Optimus expressed extreme distress throughout his discussion of the betrayal of the Primes. He also showed a strange, almost lovestruck expression when discussing Solus Prime. I don’t want to say he holds any sort of romantic feelings for her, but it was very out of character.]

They killed Solus, and everything fell apart. From the blood of Solus, Cybertronians came into being. Orion Pax and his ilk were made in her image and the femmes are her angels. We serve her purpose. We will make this people perfect and eliminate the taint that the thirteenth spread.

What happened to thirteen? 

Well, that is quite the question, isn’t it? I believe I have already said more than I should have. Perhaps I shall answer… later. For now, I am afraid I have other things to see to. Megatron is preparing to move, and I refuse to fall behind while he spreads the taint.

Do come visit me again Samuel. I have found this opportunity to discuss Cybertronian history quite… enlightening. 

══════════════════

[Statement ends.

Optimus Prime is a terrifying individual. When I requested an audience, he seemed almost too enthusiastic. I was dubious about speaking in his quarters, but he never so much as laid a finger on me. He spoke calmly as he shared his people's creation story, at least up until he began discussing the thirteen primes. I must admit, he had moments where he expressed personality differences during our conversation. I think it's possible that he may have some sort of bipolar disorder, at least if those terms can be applied to alien robots. He seemed to talk about history like he was there. I don’t know if that’s a quirk of his personality or something else.

He took a keen interest in me during our discussion... and admittedly, that worries me. Especially his invitation to come again. But that aside, Cybertron's creation story reeks of propaganda, or at least religious fanaticism. I don't think Optimus is telling the truth, or rather, isn't aware of the whole truth. Whatever the case, I will need to speak with [Redacted] to clarify further data.

The Decepticons have been moving again. The Autobots have made it clear they intend to head into combat soon. I believe my next file may end up being on the Decepticons considering their situation. [Redacted] has expressed a great deal of worry when it comes to the possibility of the one called Megatron returning.

There is so much to learn. Even if I had the lifespan of one of the aliens, I don't think I could even come close to learning as much as I want to. Even still, I am going to do everything I can. I need to understand. I need to see what makes these aliens tick.

Agent Witwicky signing off.

Recording ends.]

Chapter Text

Relevant Data: Incident Report - Storm

[This is Agent Witwicky, with what I am assuming will be the first of many incident reports. Usually I would only compile statements and important documentation, but as it stands, my lack of official connection to the military means that I have more freedom to record as I see fit. 

This incident took place around a week ago, shortly after [Redacted: Sensitive data]. I hardly finished recording Optimus Prime’s statement before this whole mess occurred. Without [Redacted]’s assistance in compiling information and categorizing it, a lot of the work has fallen on my shoulders. I need to make these reports, even if I am the only one who will ever read them. Someone needs to have a record of what has happened here.

For the time being, I am titling this as “Incident Report: Storm” in light of the circumstances surrounding the events documented here. It is… difficult for me to sleep at night after this whole mess with [Redacted] and Prime. I keep checking outside, locking doors and sleeping underground when I can. The basement of the facility is cold, but at least he can’t squeeze himself down here.

At least, that is my hope. 

Alright, I will stop my rambling. The lack of sleep is getting to me. I am so so tired… and yet I have a feeling I’ve kicked a hornet’s nest far larger than I could have ever anticipated. 

This report features myself and [Redacted] discussing propaganda pieces published by both Autobots and Decepticons. Very little has been properly confirmed as of the present moment, but Megatron himself saw fit to send a message to the United States military directly after his confirmed arrival. He was listed as having turned up on the battlefield a few days ago while under the influence of a drug the Autobots have failed to properly explain. I will need to speak to them at a later date for further information. Optimus Prime similarly made an address not long after Megatron released his statement, and myself and [Redacted] were discussing the whole affair and reading through the statements before… The incident. 

Incident report begins.]

══════════════════

Witwicky: Wasn’t Megatron supposed to be MIA?

[Redacted]: It was never going to be permanent. He never leaves his troops unattended for more than a century at a time. Megatron knows Starscream will gladly take over if he’s absent for too long.

Witwicky: Alright, based on what I know, that’s fair enough. But why a propaganda piece? According to you and the Autobots, he’s a warlord.

[Redacted]: And before that, he was a gladiator and a poet. He had a degree of honor, and one of his creeds is to try and ward off all outside players from the civil war my kind are forever wrapped up in.

Witwicky: So this is an attempt to make us step back?

[Redacted]: Yup. This wouldn’t be the first time he’s issued a statement or beaten a race into submission before. He doesn’t want Optimus to have any allies. 

Witwicky: Optimus? Not the Autobots?

[Redacted]: He’s got a personal vendetta. I don’t know the full details, but outside of his insane hatred for all things augments, he’s got some serious beef with Prime. I personally think he’s more mad at the Matrix than anything else, but I can’t exactly speak for him.

Witwicky: Did Optimus do something to him?

[Redacted]: Everyone has done something to someone else in this war of ours, Sam. We don’t wither away like dried prunes after a few stellar cycles like you squishy things. And since our war has gone on this long, every single one of us has grudges with everyone else. 

Witwicky: How do you even know about prunes when you don’t eat- That’s beside the point! What’s the history here?

[Redacted]: It’s not really my story to tell. I’ve only got fragments of it. But the propaganda and the rumors say that Megatron flew into a rage when Orion Pax was taken to be offered to the Matrix as a sacrifice. Then, after Optimus was made, Megatron lost his fraggin mind over the entire thing and refused to listen to Optimus’s cries for alliance and peace.

Witwicky: Optimus? He called for peace? 

[Redacted]: Funky, right? He’s always giving off this shiny halo whenever he talks, but Prime enjoys war. He doesn’t even bother hiding it anymore. I don’t believe for a fraggin klik that Optimus actually called for peace. I only joined up after the supposed peace talks came to a close and armies started to march.

Witwicky: Right. Are you sure there isn’t more you can-?

[Redacted]: Sam, my squishy companion, if you want more, you’ve got to either go risk your hide and bother Prime about it or march up to the Nemesis and try not to get stepped on. I don't really have anything else to give you. Not unless you want to be here all day hearing about the intricacies of Cybertronian politics. 

Witwicky: Alright, alright, I get it. 

(Supplemental: It was around this point that the rainstorm outside began to increase in severity. The power fluctuated briefly, but otherwise, there were no concerns worthy of note.)

[Redacted]: Better read that propaganda piece before we lose power. I will tell you what I can once I’ve heard it out loud. 

[Statement of Megatron, Leader of the Decepticons.

Article is titled: A Warning to Lesser Life Forms.

Statement begins-

Organics of this world, I am Megatron of Kaon, Lord of the Decepticons. I speak on behalf of my brethren for the sake of your entire species. I do not know what the Autobots have told you or what lies they’ve spun, but I am here to offer you the truth, if you will hear it.

Before you disregard my words, know that I was once a slave, just as many of your kind once were. I was programmed from the moment of my forging to serve and to obey. I knew the cruel lashes of whips, the pains of starvation, and the agony of unending servitude, all for the sake of beings who couldn’t find the smallest degree of empathy for me and my fellows. I tore away from that path through luck and determination. I fought in the gladiatorial arenas for the entertainment of those who saw themselves as something greater than even a god. I fought for my freedom at every turn, and I sought to give others the ability to choose one's own future. Every waking moment I have dedicated to this cause, to this fight for freedom. 

We are not so different, Humans of Earth. I have read your records and observed your mementos, the echoes of the past ages of your world. You too endured the cruelties of slavery and the inability to choose before you broke free from your chains. What I seek is no different than what you humans once fought to claim. I want freedom for my people. I want the young and newly forged to have a chance to decide their fate and pursue their interests. I want my world to thrive. And it is for that reason that I speak to you now, in an effort to convince you to retract any aid you have offered my foes.

Unlike your people and mine, the Autobots do not fight for freedom. What they seek is for the suffering of our kind to be magnified and the torment to continue. I doubt that they will cease once they have claimed our homeworld as their own. The Autobots are cruel and without empathy. They will come to this world and every other with life upon its surface and they will strive to make it in their image. You are not safe from them.

Do you know what my enemies believe? They carry the ideals of functionalists, those who would seek to strip you of choice. They will look at your young and determine their entire future based on a glance. They will dispose of the “useless” and terminate the “weak”. Their femmes will torment the innocent and their agents will tear you apart from the inside. Their Archivists will haunt your waking cycles and observe in apathetic interest. Their doctors will dissect you, delighting in your pain as they work to understand you. They will bring no peace. They will provide no salvation. What they offer may seem pleasing at first, but organics, look at each of the Autobots on your world. See them for what they are. Surely, they frighten you. And there is a very good reason for that.

Their leader, the one who you know as Optimus Prime, is by far the greatest threat your kind shall ever face. He may spew elegant words which ease the sparks of the weak willed, but he is a cunning hunter. The relic he carries is old and ancient, corrupted by millions of years of spilt energon and the cries of those brought low by the servos of Primes long past. He does not care for you, no matter what he says. He has no pity or empathy or anything else. All he cares about is claiming whatever it is he desires. The Matrix demands sacrifice, and he relishes in the bloodshed of Cybertronians and organics alike. It doesn’t matter if the deaths are warranted or even required. He enjoys it.

I’ve witnessed the Autobots using Holoforms. I know that they’ve killed to gain those stolen faces. I can tell you now that I am all but certain those few whose faces they wear are not their only victims. They are drenched in the blood of your people, and you have yet to see it.

Organics, my Decepticons have not touched even one of your kind, not since we arrived on your world. We will never touch you humans unless you stand against us or side with Optimus Prime. We are not needlessly cruel, unlike the Autobots, who kill for their own curiosity and to satisfy their twisted desire for conflict and death. All we ask is that you stay out of our war. Do not involve yourselves and no harm will come to you. I say this to keep you away from our brutal war. But if you must choose a side, I would rather not clean your organic fluids off my pedes. Let it be said, I am not afraid to burn your world in pursuit of victory.

Beware Optimus Prime. Do not trust him or his Autobots. Stay out of our war. These are the only orders I give you. I hope that you have the sensibility to obey. 

Statement Ends.]

Witwicky: Well? What do you think?

[Redacted]: Is that a QR code at the bottom of his statement?

Witwicky: Yes. I never bothered to look at it-

[Redacted]: Oh this will be funny.

(Supplemental: The QR code led to a video online of a bald eagle cawing while the word “freedom” blazed in neon colors behind it. [Redacted] and I had a decent laugh upon seeing it.)

[Redacted]: Sweet Primus, he thinks he’s being relatable!

Witwicky: Really?

[Redacted]: Yeah, the slagger usually tries to be at least somewhat relatable with species he is conversing with. But it seems you squishies confused him!

Witwicky: How? We can’t be that different diplomatically.

[Redacted]: Your internet is WILD squishy boy. Other technologically advanced species tend to have at least some sort of regulatory system. But not you lot. Poor Megatron must have thought that what he was seeing was government-sanctioned stuff.

Witwicky: No wonder he chose a meme of all things. 

[Redacted]: It's slaggin hilarious! I haven’t seen Megatron flail this badly since his first attempt at diplomacy with Caminus!

Witwicky: Alright, enough of that. What about the statement?

[Redacted]: Right, right, I’m getting to it.

[Redacted]: Honestly, Megatron isn’t really lying in his report. He’s leaving out a slag ton of stuff, obviously. But his actual data isn’t totally off the rails.

Witwicky: He’s telling the truth?

[Redacted]: For the most part. At least as much truth as he is aware of at any rate. I mean, look at his statement. The Autobots aren’t big on empathy, so he’s not wrong there. He’s also not wrong in stating that his faction fights for freedom, although he fails to mention the total anarchy aspect of it.

Witwicky: He’s an anarchist?

[Redacted]: Sort of. He hates augments and anything that infringes on the free will of our kind. I think if he had his way, he would destroy augments and much of our industrialization so that our people could return to our true nature and feel and frolic or something. I’ve never been super clear on it. I just know he doesn’t want any sort of control to leash our civilization.

Witwicky: That seems… foolish. You cannot have a society without structure.

[Redacted]: He’s not advocating for a lack of structure. I think instead he wants us to take on the customs and general mindset of the Seekers of Vos. They are naturalists and, similarly, don’t care much for augments. Based on what I know, I think that is what he is aiming for.

Witwicky: I would appreciate it if you explained the whole Vos thing later.

[Redacted]: Sure, pal. But as I was saying, he’s not really lying. The bots do tend to be violent, but he doesn’t understand WHY most of the time. He just thinks they are cruel.

Witwicky: Aren’t they cruel?

[Redacted]: Well yeah, but for most of them, it's because they have no concept of kindness. Even I struggle with it despite logically knowing how it is supposed to work. We don’t do anything out of the goodness of our sparks. There is always a benefit, something to be gained. We protect our own because we are safer in groups. We work together to increase our overall might. We study and pick things apart for the collective welfare of our people.

Witwicky: Everything must have a purpose.

[Redacted]: Yup. We don’t do anything for fun or because we feel like being charitable. Even my association with you is largely influenced by the logical reasoning behind the decision. Sure, I enjoy your company, but I do this for my own sake and to stop this war which is killing my species.

Witwicky: At least you are honest about it.

[Redacted]: A rare trait amongst my kind that I take pride in. 

[Redacted]: Oh, and while I would say that Megatron is being pretty honest, you should know that he has a LONG history of being fragged in the helm. What he thinks is true may not always be so.

Witwicky: I imagine being a warlord does that to you.

[Redacted]: Indeed, it does! Even if we ignore his increasing memory problem, Megatron was a slave once, and that coding is still present somewhere. Not to mention, he had gladiatorial combat protocols installed forever ago as well. Wouldn't surprise me if those two command trees are constantly driving him up a wall. Megatron just kinda DOES stuff. He does have an honor code in there, but it's so messed up I’ve never really been able to pin down where the line is.

Witwicky: Crazy robot warlord from space. Got it.

[Redacted]: He’s also a renowned hypocrite. I'm pretty sure Optimus’s statement will back me up on that front. But Megatron screams about getting rid of augments while also pioneering new tech and having an attachable fusion canon of all things strapped to his arm.

Witwicky: You’re serious? Shi-

[Redacted]: Nuh uh, no cursing for you. It wouldn’t look good on your record unless you feel like taking on the curses of my people. 

Witwicky: Oh buzz off. I will begin reading Optimus’s statement. 

[Statement of Optimus Prime, Leader of the Autobots.

Article is titled: Do Not Heed The Words of Our Foes.

Statement begins-

Humans of Earth, by now you have likely heard my foe’s claims and have found yourselves uncertain. I implore you to not heed his words. Megatron of Kaon, while indeed correct in certain assertions, is not to be trusted. He was once a slave, and it is for that reason that he sees any sort of structure and command as cruel and unusual. I dare not claim that the forced servitude he endured was right or just, nor do I advocate for further suffering of that variety. He suffered greatly, and I acknowledge that. However, those who put him in chains are long dead. He fights a war against those who were forged following the destruction of the corrupt council that tore his people down. His anger has long since lost its righteous origin and has turned into pure bitterness. 

I believe he failed to mention that we were brothers in arms. I was there for him from the beginning of his revolution and stayed by him until he changed. We stood together as we tore down the old council of our world that harmed him and so many others. I was there when the Council crumbled. And I was there when Megatron did not stop, even after our shared foe was burned to ash. He wanted to destroy not just the Council, but everything they had ever touched. If he had been allowed to continue, our world would have shattered, and our people would have been without structure. 

Millions would have been displaced. Countless fields would have been disrupted and hundreds of thousands of innocent lives lost. There would have been no end to the chaos unless Megatron was willing to betray his own ideals and subjugate the people as he had once been. I do not doubt that he would have fallen so far. And it is for that reason that I had no choice but to gather the good and the faithful to stand against his heresy.

Perhaps Megatron and a few select others may be able to operate without design, but our kind were intended to function within lines and rules. It is what allows us to make rational decisions. With his rise to power, everything we stood for as a species would have been devastated. Me and my Autobots had to rise against him before he destroyed our history, our culture, and our technology. If he had roamed free, we would have been thrown into a new dark age, able to be easily enslaved by outside forces as we had been once before.

Megatron was once noble. But no longer. The brother I knew was lost when he fell to the whispers of heresy, partaking in dark sacrament in consuming the Unmaker’s putrid blood. To you humans, he has been consuming a severely addicting and mentally inebriating drug and steroid, one that eliminates his ability to think rationally. His emotive disposition is not normal for our kind. It is a sign of sickness, and thus he cannot be found fit to lead anyone, much less a whole faction who he has similarity led to consume the same drug. I want to help him. We want to bring him home. We wish to make him one of our Archive where we may work to repair him. 

Megatron was once a knight, a freedom fighter aiming to give our people the chance to become greater. Now he is a disgrace, warped and so far removed from his own people with his wild emotional reactions. His words cannot be trusted when his memory and mind are so deeply damaged. His heretical nature cannot be ignored, and if humanity sides with him, I will offer no mercy to the allies of the Great Devourer. 

He claims me and my kind kill without reason and with extreme cruelty. The latter could be considered true, but never have we acted without purpose. Every life taken is to our benefit and to help us stop Megatron and his insane legion. I take no joy in my work. It is merely a necessity committed for the sake of stopping the monster that lives within the husk of the one I once called brother. I fight to stop him. I fight to make him mine once more. Him and the spy. My two lost legionnaires. I will bring them home.

I’ve already found Megatron. I have bitterly fought to bring him to the light since the cycle he fell away. My dear spy is yet lost to me. But I think I know where he is. He lurks among you, whispering lies and deceit. 

Can you hear me my spider?

If so, know that I’ve found you. 

Statement ends.]

Witwicky: … What did that mean? What did that last part imply?

[Redacted]: I don’t know man. 

Witwicky: I don’t believe you.

[Redacted]: Look, it ain’t any of your business. I’ve got history and its mine to give as I see fit. 

Witwicky: Fine. Do you think he really knows where his “spider” is?

[Redacted]: Doubtful. I’ve- He’s taken great pains to keep on the DL after the whole getting beaten half to death thing. 

Witwicky: Right. 

(Supplemental: The rain was coming down hard enough that we had to shout at each other to be heard. The lights were flickering again, but it wasn’t anything serious at the time. I was calmly putting away files, unconcerned for the most part. Although admittedly, I was a little put off by Prime’s rather targeted closing statement. [Redacted] was twitching nervously in his seat, but otherwise he maintained a smile and did his best to remain composed.)

Witwicky: Is Optimus usually possessive?

[Redacted]: Depends. When he was Orion, he only cared about a few select individuals. He liked me, he took an interest in Megatron after the Archive, he had a fondness for Ratchet, and he had what I can only assume was a degree of connection to Elita. Honestly, while it would have been rare as slag, I think him and Elita could have worked out. Femmes can sometimes preserve the mind of a target and simply rework their frames-

Witwicky: FUC-!

(Supplemental: The lights went out with a harrowing snap. I learned after the fact that the generator lines were cut through in one swift motion. It shouldn’t have been possible, naturally. Meaning that someone cut them manually. Me and [Redacted] didn’t know that though. We sat in the dark, nervously waiting for the generator to come back online as the wind and rain howled outside.)

[Redacted]: Please tell me you lot have a backup generator.

Witwicky: We do. It should come on in a few minutes at the latest.

[Redacted]: This… this sure is comedic timing! To think, after Optimus Prime sends a warning, the whims of your planet’s storms end up making it all a thousand times more ominous!

Witwicky: Stay calm. It won’t be long now.

[Redacted]: This is like some bad horror movie! HA! So where’s the killer? 

Witwicky: [Redacted] please.

[Redacted]: He had to have been bluffing. This couldn’t have possibly…

[Redacted]: PRIMUS BELOW!

Witwicky: SWEET MOTHER OF-

(Supplemental: The doors to the hangar were pried open in a harsh movement that sent the doors flying out onto the army runway outside. Rain streamed inside and the wind screamed as it whipped across the now open doorway. Me and [Redacted] could only watch in horror as a powerful black… mass, situated itself in the doorway. I didn’t know what the hell the thing was until it tried to CRAM itself inside the hangar.

Those bright optics… two bright optics fell upon me and [Redacted] like spotlights. They froze me and [Redacted] in place, and we couldn’t even whimper as he shoved as much of his frame in as possible. To this day, I am beyond thankful that [Redacted] is small enough to fit into a hangar without door adjustments. Otherwise, I worry what… he would have been able to do to us.

I’m sure if he wanted, he could have shredded the building to get inside. But he didn’t. He just stood there, his helm and upper body looming in the darkness. He had to have been there a long time. Listening, waiting just outside…]

Optimus: I promise you, I am not bluffing. 

[Redacted]: No… Primus no.

Optimus: You call out to our god, and yet you offer him none of your loyalty. Unless you plan to prostrate yourself before the Lord of Order, keep his holy name out of your intake. 

Witwicky: Prime…

Optimus: Fleshling, silence yourself. You are intended to be a mere observer, not a player in our grand game.

(Supplemental: He didn’t move. Optimus didn’t even twitch. His mouth barely even shifted as he spoke. It was almost as if his words were coming from nowhere, yet somehow they echoed over the rain. [Redacted] shook like a leaf, but there wasn’t anything I could do except obey.)

Optimus: Did you think you could get away from me?

Optimus: All must come to embrace our maker’s light before my quest may be completed. You are no exception.

[Redacted]: I… Why? Why fight this war? Why keep me alive if you know where I am?

Optimus: Pain brings salvation. Suffering is our prayer. We may only find purity after we have endured the fires of actuation. I will not deny any, save for the unsalvageable, the privilege of finding purity in Primus’s embrace.

[Redacted]: You- You are insane!

Optimus: I am cursed with this burden of imperfection. Never may I find the love of our god, not until every living being has endured the fires of rebirth. This is my trial, my punishment for failing to guard the most holy in the beginning of ages. And so I continue my work, bringing home wayward lambs through whatever means necessary. 

[Redacted]: Is this all a joke to you? A game?

Optimus: A joke? Never. The salvation of our kind is not a laughing matter. But a game? Yes… I do believe it could be called that. Every piece I conquer, every world I claim as mine… all of it brings me one step closer to saving our people from the taint of the Thirteenth.

[Redacted]: You aren’t him. You aren’t Orion Pax.

Optimus: He yet lingers, little spider. He gives me full deference so long as I adhere to his simple and pure desire to grow his precious Archive.

[Redacted]: Monster…

Optimus: Truth is often wreathed in fire and brimstone.

Optimus: Do not think I have forgotten about you Jazz. No matter how far you run, no matter how many galaxies you traverse, I shall find you again, and again, and AGAIN. 

(Supplemental: Optimus’s helm tilted a bit as he spoke. It was… unsettling, to say the least. His tone shifted while he spoke, and it seemed as though someone far more clinical had taken control of the thing that calls itself Prime. He went from being highly emotive to purely rational in less than a minute.)

Optimus: The archive demands your service. There is no escape. We shall have what belongs to us, and neither you nor Megatron will ever be free of our all knowing gaze.

(Supplemental: Optimus stayed still for a few minutes. Not moving, not speaking, just watching. But as lightning struck in the distance, he twitched and slowly shifted away, turning back into the darkness and trekking into the rain. I tried to ask what just happened, but by the time I got my wits about me, [Redacted], or I suppose Jazz, had already hurried further into the facility.)

══════════════════

[Incident report ends.

There is… a lot to say about everything that happened. It hasn’t even been that long, but already things are changing again. Megatron is here on Earth along with god knows how many troops. Optimus Prime and his Autobots are becoming more dubious by the day, but we can’t afford to lose their intel or have them turn against us. And on top of it all, I’m alone without aid from the military and without my partner.

Jazz. He’s… He’s gone. After the whole mess with Optimus, he vanished not long after. He left me a note saying he would keep in touch through other means, but I am worried. He almost got killed once, and while we learned a lot about his biology, possibly enough to fight back against one of the aliens… I can’t say I’m confident. There’s so much to unravel. 

What is the Archive? How do all these aliens relate to one another? Why are they really at war? What separates the true factions at their core? Is it petty rivalries or something else? Who is Starscream and Vos? What don’t we know about these aliens? What is the big deal around Unicron and Primus? What are the details of this… religion of theirs?

I have so many questions. It hurts to think too hard, and yet I can’t help but want to know more. It’s like… an itch now. Periodically, I have the urge to learn more, and my self preservation seems to take a backseat. I don’t understand it at all. But I can’t exactly stop it. I have to know. I MUST understand all of this. I have a feeling that it will cumulate into something greater, one small piece at a time.

I need to learn about each of these aliens. I need their stories. And then I need more statements… I need the data about their conflicts. Personnel reports, battle rundowns, EVERYTHING.

I need to know.

I must know.

Agent Witwicky signing out.]

Chapter Text

The Grim Dark Archives: Transcript #005: Data from the Children

[Transcript taken [Redacted: Sensitive data] . This data was collected from all three of the children in an attempt to understand the Autobots. The children spend a great deal of time with the Autobots and possess insight that no other agents have. They’ve seen the Autobots at their best and worst. They know what they do firsthand. How they behave around each other in private and when they think the children aren’t paying attention. Any information they have could be crucial to developing a full profile on these aliens. And so I’ve taken the liberty of investigating the children for the sake of understanding.

Rafael has become less and less available in recent days. Currently, he only goes home a few days a week and spends most of his time online when he isn’t at school. Not that school is an issue for him. Whatever the Autobots have done has increased his academic prowess exponentially. He no longer even bothers turning up for most classes, according to his teachers. He prefers to stay at base with the Autobots and only returns to school for testing and graded projects.

Miko appears to be fine. She has shown no signs of exponential stress or unease. However, she has begun to become curious—a little too curious. She has been noted documenting the Autobots and their habits. She doesn’t see the red flags that they present. But her documentation has caught Optimus Prime’s eye. I worry for her.

Lastly, Jack has been on the brink of a nervous breakdown for weeks. He’s skittish and hardly leaves Arcee’s side, although I don’t believe that is due to actually wanting to be around her. He also hardly returns home, only doing so a few times a week. From what I have observed, he returns to his home in time to show his mother that he is in bed and then Arcee returns him to base after having him leave a note telling his mother he’s left for school early. The poor boy seems like he’s about to crack, as is only emphasized by the information I gathered on him.

These poor children. They are our guinea pigs and the only one who knows is Jack. I can’t really help them, even if I wanted to. Prime knows what I am doing and seems to allow it only because he appears to find my efforts amusing. What a world we live in.

Transcript begins.]

══════════════════

[Direct interaction with subject: Rafael Esquivel. Transcript taken [Redacted: Sensitive data]]

[Editor’s note: All communication with subject occurred over the subject’s blog to limit contact with the Autobots. The subject was enticed into conversation with the promise of information. Additional notes should be added to the subject’s file to catalog newfound personality changes.]

Conversation start time: 1:02 AM

(User2920 has entered the chat.)

User2920: I promised you information, but first, you must hold up your end of the deal.

EyesAndEars: Please confirm that your offered information will be guaranteed. I will not interact with an individual who is liable to take off after getting what they want.

User2920: That is completely understandable. A decoder will be provided as soon as our conversation has concluded.

User2920: M.E.C.H-Known-Data.pdf

EyesAndEars: That is acceptable. What information do you want in return?

User2920: I want to know about your interactions with the Autobots and what they have done to you.

EyesAndEars: Oh, so you are one of the agents. You know you can speak to me in person, right?

User2920: I am not affiliated with the military as of the present moment. I no longer have their protection. But I still want to learn. You can understand that, can’t you?

EyesAndEars: Yes. You are like me. You want to learn.

User2920: I do. I want to create full profiles of the aliens that call themselves allies of humanity. I want to know what they can do and how much damage they can inflict.

EyesAndEars: The rogue has made you afraid. The Autobots will not harm us. They have no reason to, not so long as we comply.

[Note: The subject’s personality seemed to go through a few shifts during our conversation and continued to do so for the remainder of our interactions.]

User2920: Tell me about what Prime has you doing. Tell me about your interactions with him and Bumblebee. Tell me everything you can about them and I will be willing to give more information in return.

EyesAndEars: That will not be necessary. An exchange has to be equal.

EyesAndEars: Optimus has been training me to be an archivist, like he was before the war. He is very gentle with me and the only time I have ever been in pain around him was when he took me to Ratchet to get some augments.

User2920: You were fine with that?

EyesAndEars: I was scared at first. I remember trying to ask to go home. I was terrified, especially when I was strapped down and Ratchet got to work. He looked like a monster as he smiled and held up a knife. The pain was blinding and I remember screaming until my throat hurt. But once it was all over, Optimus held me in his hand and murmured something in his native language. It was soothing, and now that it’s over, things have only gotten easier. The implant has merged properly with my body, so now I am not afraid.

User2920: What is the implant? Can you tell me more about it?

EyesAndEars: I don’t know the details. My level of access to Autobot database information is limited. But essentially, it is a small circular implant on the back of my skull. Ratchet said it connects straight into my spinal cord and central nervous system. With it, I can hook up to the Autobot console and filter through their data and actually understand it. I still can’t understand their spoken language since the augment didn’t fix my hearing, but I can read their glyphs and audio from their database is automatically translated for me.

User2920: So it’s an access key and translator?

EyesAndEars: In essence, yes. But it is also more than that. It alters my brain chemistry to let me process data more efficiently. It also needs energon to function properly, so I’ve started getting injections through the implant.

User2920: You do realize energon is toxic to organic lifeforms.

EyesAndEars: Yes, but only in large doses. The implant uses most of the energon during each injection, and the excess is filtered throughout my body in non-lethal amounts.

User2920: Do you have any idea what that is doing to your biology? And what exactly do you mean by ‘altering brain chemistry’?

EyesAndEars: According to Ratchet, the energon in my system is slowly cyberforming pieces of my body. Currently, I’ve found my skin is toughening and losing a bit of flexibility. My joints have become a bit stiffer as well, but that is made up for by the fact that I don’t need to sleep as much. Ratchet is monitoring the changes and trying to keep them all localized to my extremities, at least until my body adapts more. As for the implant, it simply interacts with hormone glands and slows production of chemicals that would otherwise leave me highly emotional or afraid without reason.

User2920: You are being turned into some sort of machine.

EyesAndEars: No. I am not Cybertronian and I won’t ever be like them. But Optimus says this will be good for me. Once everything is complete, he says I will be elevated from the status of insect to techno-organic. He says I will live longer and be able to stay with Bee.

User2920: That’s horrific. You are being mutilated.

EyesAndEars: Is it really mutilation? I feel better than ever. I have more energy, I am more attentive, and I no longer have to deal with excess emotional reactions. I can focus on doing what I love and I can make my passions useful to those who need it.

User2920: You are a child. You can’t be making these sorts of decisions. But that aside, whose side are you on? Humanity or the aliens?

EyesAndEars: Does it matter? Regardless of which master I serve, I will still help the human race become something more. Prime has promised that once his great work here is done, he will help elevate humanity to join the other spacefaring races that wander the stars.

User2920: You are just a kid. You shouldn’t be talking like this.

EyesAndEars: I may be young, but I am not foolish. Besides, now that I’m like this, I can stay with Bee for a lot longer than I would have if I lived the average lifespan of a human.

EyesAndEars : I can stay with my best friend for centuries instead of decades. I might actually get to watch him become a Prime or Master Archivist.

User2920: What about your family? Do you even want to go home?

EyesAndEars: They won’t understand. They are 98% guaranteed to be too afraid to see the benefits of the implant. I don’t want to lose this opportunity to stay with Bee while making myself useful. Besides, I’m the youngest child. My parents have enough going on with my siblings. They hardly notice I’m gone half the time anyway.

User2920: Kid, that’s not healthy. None of this is right. You don’t have to do this.

EyesAndEars: Is morality what dictates right and wrong? Or is it the law? Morality is merely a construct devised in order to strengthen the social contract and give beings incapable of extended logical calculation a series of laws to abide by that will dissuade harsh emotional reactions. The law too was created to keep entities unable to see reason from acting in detrimental ways through the use of punishment and occasionally rewards.

EyesAndEars: In an ideal society, laws and morality are irrelevant because every being inherently knows where the limits are through the use of logic and deduction. There cannot be progress if every human being adheres to those flimsy concepts you and many others cling to.

User2920: Is that what Prime is telling you? Kid, you need help. I promise you, this whole mess is going to destroy you.

EyesAndEars: Momentary suffering is an acceptable price for growth.

User2920: You are too young for all this. Kid, step away from the Autobots and their games. They are willing to kill their own to get what they want. I can get you out of there if you just let me.

EyesAndEars: I think we are done here, Witwicky. We have no interest in wasting our time on someone who physically cannot understand.

User2920: How do you know my name?

EyesAndEars: Optimus talks about you sometimes. You are sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong, Sam. If you aren’t willing to accept the truth, stop looking for it. We don’t need someone who can’t see the greater picture.

User2920: Don’t you want the decoder for the file I gave you?

EyesAndEars: I don’t need it. I never needed it. Prime just wanted to see what this conversation would turn into.

(EyesAndEars has left the chat.)

[Transcript taken from subject: Miko Nakadai personal journal.] Notable information regarding the Autobots has been recorded.]

[Editor’s note: Miko’s writings focus on things she personally found to be of interest and have no dates.]. This seems to largely be due to her taking her notes whenever she felt it was applicable. However, her information is useful nonetheless, albeit concerning.]

[Recorded information begins.]

Entry 1: The bots are so much fun! Bulk is the best at teaching me to fight! He gave me a gun yesterday. I couldn’t pick it up, of course, but he showed me how it works. Lots of science and boring math stuff that Raf would like. But the important part was that he promised to figure out a way to let me use it! He said something about a suit or some augments. I don’t really know what he means by the second part, but I’m always ready to kick some Con tailpipe! Bulk has told me all sorts of things about the Cons.

Traitors, backstabbers, real criminals. They destroyed their whole planet! It’s no wonder Bulk and the others are so mad at them. The Wreckers are the most angry, from what I hear. They are some sort of elite strike force or something. Bulk says that the Wreckers have one mission, and that’s to be the blade of Cybertron. I don’t really get it, but when I asked Optimus, he said that the Wreckers were created to support the Elite Guard, whatever that means. Prime is so cryptic sometimes. All I managed to get out of him was that the Wreckers have a TON of rules and rituals and that they were made to wreck stuff. It seems on the nose, but I’m not complaining. 

Bulk said he’s going to teach me all about the Wreckers because I asked about them. He even said he was going to try and call one of his friends! Jackie I think? I don’t really remember. But more Wreckers sounds awesome! I haven’t seen Bulk fight yet, but that banger hammer his arm turns into looks like it hits hard! I can’t wait to watch!

Entry 2:  Bulk taught me some super epic quotes from the Wreckers! He even told me the meaning of some of them! Let me list them here.

“In Ruin We Rise.” 

Bulk said this one is all about how the Wreckers are meant to be a super fast-acting strike force. They get dropped into all the worst places to fight or something. Lots of fire and warzones. He made a funny face while talking about it and made a sort of clicking sound, but that’s just how he talks sometimes. Sounds pretty hopeful, honestly! 

“Our Bond is Our Blade.” 

I wasn’t really listening when he talked about this one, but it had something to do with how the Wreckers are one big organization or something. Lots of talk about brotherhood and being one mind. He said no one leaves the Wreckers once they join. I asked him why and he said it’s because they don’t get to leave. It’s not allowed, I guess. 

I asked him if anyone left without permission before and he got really upset. I don’t think he was mad at me, but he talked about a guy called Breakdown and got really mad. I couldn’t understand him when he really got ranting, but from what I got, he’s a Wrecker turned Con. I’d be mad too, so I can’t be all that upset. Being part of the Wreckers sounds like a super big deal. This Breakdown guy must have been a real piece of garbage if he left. Especially since Bulkhead tells me that becoming a Wrecker is a badge of honor. Not everyone gets to do it and this guy just up and left!

“Once Wrecked, Forever Forged.”

Bulkhead tried to explain this one to me, but I don’t think he knew the right human words. Prime stepped in to try and elaborate, but all I got from his droning was that Wreckers go through some sort of training that breaks them down. Once they finish it, they come out better. Sounds like bootcamp to me. 

“Wreck Until There’s Nothing Left.”

Ratchet explained this one to me, surprisingly. He said that Wreckers are like bombs. They only get deployed for battle if something needs to be wiped off the face of the earth, which explains the quote. Sounds brutal, but I can’t exactly say much about a strike force when their whole planet has been at war.

“Bolter or Blade, the Enemy Will Fail.”

This one is some sort of morale-boosting mantra. Honestly, it’s super epic in my opinion. I mean, come on! It’s essentially saying that all enemies are doomed to drop like flies! Brutal, but pretty on point for a strike force.

Entry 3: Bulkhead’s got me put on some sort of training routine now. I asked if I could join the Wreckers despite being human and he said if I can get through the rites and rituals and all that, I can join up! I almost broke my nose dodging under the metal obstacle course things he set up in the bots’ training room, but I think I’m getting better! I got hit a few times by some swinging bars, and that hurt a lot. But Bulk cheered me on! Even when I fall and get hurt, he always helps me get back to the start until I finish the course! Jack says it’s child abuse, but I think he’s just being skittish. The course isn’t that bad. A few climbing things over a pit of sharp objects that Bulk changes out every now and then. Some flame throwers I have to dodge. Some ropes, really tall stepping stones, and other stuff. It’s like an extreme playground! I’ve only gotten seriously hurt a few times, and the most dangerous one was when I got a big cut on my leg. But Ratchet stitched it up real quick. I didn’t even know he could do that since he’s so big, but he’s got little needle-looking things in his digits that he used to sew it all up nice and tight. I didn’t even have to tell my host parents because of how well it closed!

It’s so much fun training with Bulkhead. He’s been having me carry stuff on my back through the course now that I’m familiar with it. He says he’ll keep making it heavier until he thinks I can carry a gun that’ll actually hurt a bot. I’m so excited! This is just like the movies!

Entry 4: I thought that films from the bots would be more Rafael’s thing since he’s always typing away at Optimus’s console. But Bulkhead showed me a few recordings of the Wreckers and it’s EPIC! It was kind of hard to watch at first—lots of gore and exploding bots and bits. But after every training session with the obstacle course, Bulk will sit down with me to watch. I didn’t really want to at first. It was… a bit gross, honestly. But he started showing me all the interesting things, telling me to look past the gore and learn. It took a while, but I think I’m getting it! It was hard to not gag at first, even though the bots aren’t humans and their guts look different. It’s still gross. Anyway, I think I’m starting to learn to watch the warriors fight instead of wretching at the brutality. My mom would never let me watch these kinds of films. It’s exciting! And I get to spend time with Bulkhead! Sometimes Bumblebee even joins us! I don’t know what he’s saying half the time, but when Bulkhead decides to translate, Bumblebee always has such cool things to say! He describes the details of different battles in super detail! 

I want to be able to analyze battles like him. I think that’s what Bulk is trying to teach me anyway. Being a Wrecker in training sure is hard.

Entry 5: Bulkhead showed me his collection of trophies the other day. I didn’t know what half of them were, but he told me they came from downed enemies. He said that Wreckers collect stuff from those they beat in battle in order to show off how strong they are. He even showed me a piece of metal he had grafted into his arm. He said it came from his friend Jackie and told me about how they were initiated together. He laughed while talking about that and said they almost beat each other into scrap. Sounds like school, to be honest. I can’t wait to meet this Jackie guy. One of the agents said that he’s been around before, just not for very long. 

I can’t wait to be a Wrecker. Then I’ll get to wear cool warpaint! Bulk told me all about how it’s a part of being a Wrecker to wear special warpaint, but only when an enemy is brought down. I’m not allowed to until I make my first kill. I don’t know how I feel about that part, but if it’s a Con, then I guess it’s fine. I’d rather not murder anybody outright, but it’s probably going to happen if I can find a way to actually be useful when fighting those Cons. Bulk did mention that maybe I could get augments or something later down the line. He said something about a mech suit before, but I think he’s thinking about, like, cyborg stuff. I’ve been trying to tell him I don’t think that’s a good idea because the movies always show it going bad, but Ratchet told me augments are easy.

Arcee said I should think about it since it would make me a better Wrecker to have these augments or whatever. I don’t know how to feel about it all. I like being human, although I don’t like not being able to fight the Cons with Bulkhead and the rest of Team Prime whenever the fighting thing actually starts. Maybe they mean something else. I don’t know. For now, it doesn’t matter.

Entry 6: Normally, my host family gets upset when I try to do new stuff, but Bulkhead never gets mad. It’s so nice to just be able to mess with things, climb in the rafters, and live life on the edge around the team. Bulkhead always encourages me too! He’ll stand below when I try new stuff to make sure I’m alright too! It’s so nice of him! The one time I almost fell, I didn’t see him try to catch me. When I asked, he said it was because he knew I was strong enough to not need his help. Kinda scary in the moment, but now I’m super proud of myself. I’m becoming more of a Wrecker every day! I’ve gotten some pretty epic muscles too. I can almost pick Jack up now!

I think I’m getting closer with Bulkhead too. We talk more now, and he’ll tell me all sorts of stuff about being a Wrecker. He’s not afraid of dying, which I think is super awesome. He’s been telling me about other Wreckers over the last few weeks as well. He tells me about the ways they died and how they all went down fighting until their last breath. He’s always a bit graphic about it, but he always sounds so awed and respectful so I can’t tell him to tone it down. It would kill the mood. And honestly, since Bulk’s been teaching me to watch war videos analytically, I’m not all that phased anymore. Apparently, there was some guy called Impactor who took down so many Cons that he got a whole ship named after him! I don’t want to die, but if I had to go out, I’d want to die like him, shooting with a machine gun on top of a pile of enemies I killed while laughing. What a crazy bot. Wish I could have met him.

Entry 7: I got mad at Bulkhead and the team the other day. They were just talking about casually killing people. And not in a war way either. I don’t remember how it started, but I think Prime was telling Ratchet about how civilian casualties were going to be required for some contingency plan he cooked up. I didn’t really understand until Ratchet said something about torturing someone for information. It just wasn’t right. And I got angry.

It was scary. The whole team paused to stare at me. Even Bumblebee looked up from his toys to watch. Prime didn’t say anything; no one did. Only Bulkhead came up to me and grabbed me by the back of my shirt. I was too scared to swing at him, and honestly, I worried I’d fall or slip or something. He just kind of held me there for a moment before showing me a picture on Optimus’s console. It was a whole city on fire, lots of bodies and corpses. He said that those were all Cons, even the small ones, who I am pretty sure were kids. He said that if that city had been left untouched, that Polyhex would have been set ablaze instead. I don’t know the city names, but... I think I get it. 

He showed me a video of a Con spy getting beat up for information. Then he told me about how that information saved a whole battalion somewhere or other. He did that kind of thing a few more times, showing me stuff and explaining it. I never pictured it the way he explained it to me. I thought that I knew it was wrong but I can’t help but wonder if he’s more right than me. I don’t know. War is hard.

Entry 8: It’s been about... four months since we joined up with the bots? I thought we’d have gotten a battle sooner based on what Prime says all the time. I don’t really pay attention to what Ratchet and Prime talk about, but based on what Raf said that one time I actually bothered to listen, it seems the Cons are just kind of... waiting. Ratchet mentioned ‘dark energon’ or something. It made all the bots really nervous. Must be a weapon. 

Apparently, the Cons are trying to get more of the stuff and are being super quiet about it so Prime can’t find them. Raf said that there’s some guy called Soundwave up there with the Cons on their big ship that keeps Prime from figuring out where they are all the time. So we’ve just got to wait and train, I guess. I’ve got some sick guns now though, so I can’t complain. Bulk seems super on edge though. I think he’s worried about that Breakdown guy that he mentioned. 

I’m excited. Things are ramping up. I can feel it. Soon I’ll be able to show that I’m a Wrecker, just like Bulkhead! I just wish Jack would stop trying to tie me down all the time. All he ever does is complain, I swear.

[Recorded information ends.]

[Transcript taken from subject: Jack Darby. Taken from therapy session with agent [Redacted: Sensitive data]]

[Editor’s note: All information gathered from subject indicates incredible emotional distress.]. Additional aid for subject suggested. Security for June Darby also suggested.]

(Session 76. Recording taken [Redacted: Sensitive Data] at 5:34pm, Agent Watson’s office.)

Agent Watson: Jack, it’s been weeks and you haven’t talked to me, not openly. I want you to be honest. Tell me the truth. I can’t help you if you won’t help me.

Jack Darby: None of you get it.

Agent Watson: Care to elaborate?

Jack Darby: You want to understand them. You want to somehow use them. It’s not going to work. They aren’t benevolent; they aren’t the heroes. Although I think you know that by now. 

Agent Watson: And how have you come to this conclusion?

Jack Darby: I’m not a moron, that’s how. Arcee is enough proof as it is, but even if I don’t consider her, I’ve seen the bots. They know I’m watching and they don’t care. They let me see all the things they do because they know there isn’t [Redacted] I can do about it. 

Jack Darby: They don’t care about us. They never did and they never will.

Agent Watson: Tell me about them, Jack. What have you learned?

Jack Darby: Bumblebee, he’s meant to be the friendly one. The kid-like character of this group... He’s not a kid; he’s not innocent. I watched him grab an agent and force them to play a game with him. All that agent did was get a bad hand and he... tore that man apart, Miss Watson.

Agent Watson: For amusement?

Jack Darby: [Redacted] if I know! I watched Bumblebee, the bot who spends most of his time with Rafael, an actual twelve-year-old, tear a man apart for losing at cards! He did it slowly, Watson. He made sure that the man suffered for almost a whole hour before he had his [Redacted] fun. 

Jack Darby: I think the only time I’ve watched Bumblebee let someone go from his games is when they treated him like some sort of friend. It’s… It’s horrifying to watch. The bad actors never make it out in one piece.

Agent Watson: I see… can you tell me about the others? What about Optimus? He’s their leader, is he not? He should be seeing to these transgressions.

Jack Darby: He doesn’t give a [Redacted]. He’s got this whole ‘holier than thou’ and ‘wise benevolent leader’ act down to a T. But that doesn’t make him kind, Miss Watson. He doesn’t care if people die. He says he does and that he wants to help us, but he doesn’t mean that. He just wants to fight the Decepticons, even if it means sacrificing others.

Agent Watson: Are you referring to yourself?

Jack Darby: I’m talking about all of us, Miss Watson. Optimus takes joy in what he does. He says he hates war, but that’s all a cover, a front to please the masses. He likes fighting and planning. He doesn’t care if we are offered to keep his war going. Raf’s already been changed. Miko’s wrapped up in it. And I’m meant to be some sort of leash for a rabid, sentient motorcycle.

Jack Darby: Raf thinks he’s safe because the bots like him. He thinks that he’s been accepted by them and so he’ll be made into something greater. But he’s just a pawn, and I think he knows it deep down. Miko is completely enthralled with the stupid idea of becoming a Wrecker. She wants to be just like them so bad and the bots encourage her!

Agent Watson: You think they are using you. To what end?

Jack Darby: They say its for our ‘protection’, that they just want us to be ‘safe’ now that we’ve discovered them. I don’t buy it. They let us see horrible things, and sooner or later they’ll bring us into their fights once the war picks back up again. I don’t know why they care so much about Raf and Miko, but it can’t be good. As for me? Well…

Agent Watson: Well?

Jack Darby: I can’t say too much. If I do, Arcee will...

Jack Darby: She’s always watching, Miss Watson. Always listening and waiting. She won’t let me go anywhere without her. She never leaves my side if she can help it. She says its for my own good, but I think I know what’s really going on.

Agent Watson: Is that why you are so afraid of her?

Jack Darby: Gee, who wouldn’t be afraid of an alien robot from space becoming your worst stalker? Yes, that’s why I’m afraid of her, Miss Watson! She knows everything about me and could kill my mom at any time! If I don’t listen, Miko, my mom, and pretty much any other girl I’ve even sneezed in the direction of could be in danger. She’s obsessive, Miss Watson. They all are… in their own ways.

Agent Watson: Jack, we’ve always known these aliens were dangerous. We’ve had enough casualties over the years to piece together that much... but if you know anything, we can help you. We can work together to stop them. Please help me understand what we are dealing with so no one else has to go through this.

Jack Darby: Look, I’m telling you, any expectation of mortality you have for them needs to die now. They don’t care. They’ll do anything they want. They’re above ethics. I don’t even think Ratchet’s even heard of the Hippocratic oath. Just... stay away from them. If Arcee or any of the others think you are a threat, you’ll be gone before I finish my breakfast tomorrow.

Agent Watson: I’m not the one in direct danger here, Jack. I want to help you, but I can’t do that unless you talk to me. We can protect you; maybe even stop Arcee before she gets any worse.

Jack Darby: Don’t be ridiculous. We’re [Redacted], simple as that. 

Agent Watson: We can put your mother under witness protection and get you to the other side of the planet in no time if need be. Please talk to me, Jack. We want to stop them from hurting more innocent people.

Jack Darby: You aren’t listening! I can’t stop her, and neither can you. No one can. This is beyond us. You may think you and your agency are in some semblance of control but you. are. not. 

Agent Watson: Then help me and my agency take control. Tell us what you know and expose them!

Jack Darby: And what will that do? Send the public into a frenzy? That will give Prime an excuse to let Bulkhead and Ratchet loose on the population. Even if you threw missiles at them, the only thing that might be able to stop them is a [Redacted] nuke. Even then, all you’ll be doing is killing millions and maybe one of the [Redacted]s. And even if you did kill them all, you’d still have the Decepticons, who are just as serious a threat. You can’t win.

Agent Watson: You are stronger than you think, Jack. Humanity is stronger than you think. You have the power here.

Jack Darby: No, I don’t. I never did. 

Jack Darby: Besides, you’ve had years to figure this out and according to Raf, your agency even took apart and rebuilt one of the bots. And yet you’ve still failed to find a solution. 

Agent Watson: Jack-

Jack Darby: There is no stopping them. I’ve accepted my fate... You should do the same.

══════════════════

[Transcript ends.

I don’t mean to use the children, but considering they are all but lost causes, I think its for the best to just make the best of their situation. Learn what we can so that no others share their fate. I am hopeful that their pain will be our progress. If nothing else, this is a good distractor for Prime while I get more information from Jazz. 

Regarding Jazz, he contacted me over a private link yesterday, offering to get me information from Decepticons aboard the Nemesis in exchange for statements from the Autobots. Apparently, Jazz has somehow managed to bargain his way into not being shot to pieces on the enemy warship. I don’t know the details, he kept things simple. But I am excited to see what he has for me in exchange for new data. He said that it’s likely the war will pick back up shortly, so I am certain there will be no shortage of statements anytime soon. His message went as follows:

[Hey Sam, sorry I dipped on you, buddy. Hope you understand that I couldn’t stick around with Prime following my tracks. Don’t worry, I’m doing fine. I got Megs to agree to let me hide on board the Nemesis in exchange for data from you. So do me a solid favor and get me some statements. I know you won’t say no. You want to understand; I know you do. Do this for me, and I’ll make sure you understand more than any human ever will about our people and our war. Got it? Cool. 

Here’s my commlink, don’t go spamming it with memes: 

Class SpecialAgentJazz:

Jazz = SpecialAgentJazz (name= [REDACTED],  code_name="Jazz",  mission="Infiltrate the Decepticon warship and gather intelligence. Wait for the coast to clear. Make an escape offworld",  communication_line="SECURECHANNEL#725") # Sending a communication message…

Jazz.send_communication("Howdy there, Sam.")

We’ll be seeing eachother again soon, I’m sure. Oh, and Witwicky, don’t get too wrapped up in the data if you can. I’d rather you stay sane for as long as possible.]

Jazz… worries me on a fundamental level. I thought he was a friend, but all these aliens are just so erratic. I can’t make heads or tails of it. His warning is even more ominous. Here’s hoping the Decepticons are less convoluted than the Autobots and their pawns.

I’ll have to warn Watson to be more careful around Arcee… maybe send her to try and make friends with an Autobot for her own safety. What is the world coming to?

Agent Witwicky signing off.

Recording end.]

Chapter Text

Incident Report - Autobot and Decepticon Contact

[It has been… five days since my report on the children. The Autobots are on the move, finally. Megatron finally made his location known, albeit unknowingly, when Cliffjumper’s life signal reappeared on radar. I wasn’t there to witness it, I can’t bring myself to return to the base, not… not like this. Not when I feel like I HAVE to be there.

Anyway, his signal appeared again, and Optimus gave the order to move. Agent Fowler said he’d never seen the bots look so serious. So… angry. The kids were left with Ratchet and the resident agents. I thought I wouldn’t get to see what happened when their ‘space bridge’ technology portaled them to wherever Megatron happened to be.

However, in exchange for all of my prior records and any further ones, Jazz has agreed to get me statements from the Decepticons on ‘harmless’ subjects. Additionally, he got me access to the security feed from the entire event through an entity known as ‘Laserbeak’. I don’t know the details of whatever deal he made, but apparently this entity is a servant of Soundwave, and through this deal, I have been given access to the entity’s eyes and ears on a limited and edited basis. All data is reviewed by Soundwave before being given to Jazz who in turn gives it to me. At least, that’s the plan.

I don’t know any of the details, and that BOTHERS me. But for now… I have data to review. Things to report. God help us all.

Incident report begins.]

══════════════════

The Autobots arrive on scene through their space bridge. Optimus Prime leads them into the facility which appears to be a mine. The viewer zooms in to register and document the Autobots facial expressions and movements. Bumblebee and Bulkhead flank Optimus, both unreadable. Arcee darts ahead, and the viewer follows her movements further into the mine. Optimus takes center and moves in methodically, arms transformed into blasters.

Movements for the Autobots are notably different from the exhibited behavior at base. Arcee moves like an animal, but with calculated strides. She’s at an angle, leaning forward and rushing with long legged motions that make her look almost like she’s running on all fours. Bumblebee is tense, door wings held perfectly still. He barely reacts until Decepticon Vehicons engage. His pupils dilate and he twitches and contorts, dropping into a crouch of sorts before rapid firing. There is no anxiety in his steps as he moves like a drone acting on input, only to adjust protocol at a moment’s notice. It seems as though he may be swapping through different attacks like in a video game.

Bulkhead is focused on by the viewer. He seems excited, his movements remarkably swift for one of his size. He moves forward, bashing Vehicons to the ground with his mace. The viewer shifts to Prime, zooming in on his face. His battle mask is in place, but his fin like attachments- finials- twitch with every shot fired. All combatants show signs of swapping between routines, less fluid and more robotic except for Prime himself. He is unusually twitchy and active, not following along like his fellows. 

The Vehicons attempt to charge, but are driven back. The viewer swaps to Starscream, he looks to have a thin and gangly figure which I am told is unnatural for him and only a result of extreme stress. He has muted colors, largely silver, but showing signs of areas that may have had more bulk and lively coloration once. He proceeds to interact with his communication device, not too dissimilar to the console back at the Autobot base. The viewer tracks the Autobots, but distantly, Starscream can be seen seemingly objecting to orders from his commander. It is hard to see the face on the screen, but it is likely Megatron giving the order, and his voice comes across aggressive even with the language barrier.

The call ends and Starscream watches the Autobots for a time, scanning their progress and giving commands before cursing in whatever language his people use and preparing what looks to be explosive devices.

Arcee moves fast, dodging around enemies to follow the life signs found on the radar before deployment. The viewer abandons its position and follows her. She transforms, uses a ramp to gain air, and after a feat of acrobatics, arrives at a platform where the body of Cliffjumper lies cut in half.

Arcee calls out, the word translating to Cliffjumper’s name, just in time for the platform around him to begin collapsing. She throws herself forward, grabbing Cliffjumper’s arm and trying to pull him up. The following interaction was impossible to understand alone, but Jazz saw fit to translate it into something I can understand.

Arcee: Let’s get you home, partner.

Cliffjumper: [Indecipherable screaming: No meaning detected. Emotional distress noted - Pain 98% Human emotion Remorse 81% Human emotion regret 53% Confusion 79%]

Arcee: Cliff!

Cliffjumper spasms, and the viewer focuses on him. His eyes and internals glow purple, the color of the ‘dark energon’ substance. He does not seem fully aware, and his voice is raspy and pained even with the language barrier. 

Cliffjumper: Arceeee? It… hurts… Where are you? Where am I? I need… to get back to Prime… he’ll be… upset… Failed mission…

Cliffjumper begins to… cry? It is hard to tell, but fluid drips from his eye sockets as he tries to reach for Arcee with both arms, shaking and seemingly in agony. He twitches and shows startling fluidity not too dissimilar to Prime.

Arcee: Enough! This is not right!

Arcee tries to pull away, seemingly horrified. Cliffjumper clings tighter to her arm.

Cliffjumper: Arcee? Make it stop… It hurts! It hurts! All hurts!

Cliffjumper screams, and Arcee flings him off her. His body drops down into the gorge where raw energon remains unprocessed. Arcee stares, but soon flees as Starscream drops his explosives into the mine. The Autobots rush for their space bridge, and the viewer takes to the air, following Starscream up the shaft and to safety.

Video and audio feed ends.

(Supplemental: According to Jazz, the body of Cliffjumper was held for some time before Megatron retrieved it to use this ‘dark energon’ substance on it. Soundwave refused to offer visual of the initial desecration of the corpse, but Jazz stated that it was a brutal affair. The body was tied down and Megatron himself inserted a shard of the stuff into Cliffjumper’s chest, right where the Cybertronian ‘spark’ is. (I will have to ask about the spark later.) Cliffjumper promptly came to life, screaming and wailing like some sort of alien undead, causing the life signal to be picked up by the Autobots. Jazz failed to relay anything Cliffjumper may have said, if anything at all.)

Through reports from Fowler, it is reported that the Autobots return to base following their escape. Arcee is taken in for observation after Prime very nearly throws a fit seeing some of the ‘dark energon’ on her. Arcee recounts her experience, and Jack reported that Arcee described the scene as follows.

Arcee: I saw him and he wasn’t… right. He was mutated. Butchered. Like something from those Con experiments during the war.

Ratchet and Optimus share a look. Ratchet proceeds to assess Arcee fully, scanning her until finding the streak of ‘dark energon’ on her arm.

Ratchet: And what is this?

Arcee: It… the taint. Cliff was covered in the stuff, leaking it.

Bulkhead: The bucket head can’t be serious. Using it like this-

Rafael speaks up from the platform he and the children use to observe. He is perfectly composed, and Miko looks thrilled at the sight. Jack is sheltered away from the edge, watching, but not speaking up or interacting with the scene.

Rafael: The taint, dark energon, right?

Optimus nods in what could be approval.

Optimus: Correct. It seems Megatron has deviated more than expected… that fool. Tampering with taint more than he already has…

Ratchet: I knew he wanted Earth for its relics, but this? By the Allspark…

Optimus: Irrelevant for now. At the present moment, we must focus on the threat rather than his motives.

Optimus turns to leave, gesturing for Rafael to follow. The boy complies, moving to take a seat at his computer as Optimus takes his place at the base console. Neither speak, but both begin to work on something.

Ratchet: Right. Arcee, go take a decontamination bath, now.

Arcee is ordered away. Bumblebee assists her as she is unsteady in her steps, her eyes wide and wild. Her voice wavers as she tries to protest, a new thing for Arcee. She is ignored and forced to follow orders.

Jack and Agent Fowler share very similar stories regarding the scene. Very little contradiction in both accounts.

══════════════════

[Incident report ends.

Right… We finally see this great enemy of the Autobots. I will say, I hold very little trust in whatever deal Jazz worked out to get me this feed, but I can’t complain. He gets my reports, and I get to make the report in the first place. It's a symbiotic deal, one I hope doesn’t end with one of us turning up dead. I have no clue why Soundwave of all beings decided to give me access to visual either, but I am of the mind to believe that he and Jazz must value my return information regarding Autobot activities enough to hand over what should be sensitive data.

Maybe they like my commentary. Who knows. 

I’m losing it.

Whatever the case, this incident confirms nothing and has left me with more questions than answers. Why is Prime so strange compared to the others? Why was Arcee so off after encountering ‘dark energon’? Why was Cliffjumper saying all those things? What is ‘dark energon’ to begin with? Why is it called ‘taint’?

This is going to be risky… but I feel like I’ll be hounding Optimus and Megatron for information in the near future. I can’t NOT find the answer. After all, this is for humanity, right? The fact that I enjoy the work is just a bonus.

A bonus…

Agent Witwicky signing out.]