After another hour of searching for any more human survivors in solemn silence, and only having a bit of luck, Optimus and Ratchet brought the remaining people, which counted up to be a little over three dozen out of the thousands that were already there, and brought them to their base. The adults and children all walked through the GroundBridge in wonder, despite that they were still in mourning. Taylor was still waiting atop the console when they arrived, her eyes immediately filling with tears when she saw them. She was in shocked silence for a while, but quickly began bursting out with questions and sobs. Ratchet hurried over to her and did his best to soothe her, which she did appreciate, but she insisted on getting down and speaking with the people. As soon as the medic complied, she raced over to Nurse Darby and threw her into a hug. Optimus spoke with the people for a little while, discussing their course of action here and where they could make there selves at home. Taylor ushered for them to follow her and brought them to a corner of the cave that held smaller rooms, where the former military base had constructed bedrooms no doubt.

Once the humans were taken care of, Optimus rose to his full height and turned his gaze over to his old friend. The medic was already making himself busy, furiously typing on the console, his gaze hard and angry. In his optic was a line of sorrow, but the rest of him was practically shaking in fury. It comforted the Prime to know he wasn't the only one who felt burning rage, but he also felt sad to see his friend falling into such furious despair. He joined his friend's side to see what he was searching for.

"Ratchet, are you able to locate the Nemesis?" he asked sternly, assuming that that was already what he was doing.

The old doctor nodded once, not taking his optic off the flickering screen. "I can trace where they are thanks to the tool I stole from them," he replied, tilting his helm to gesture to the remote control for the GroundBridges. 

Prime considered it lucky that the Decepticons hadn't thought the same to track them. "And we would be able to enter the ship without being detected?"

"If I coordinate it in a certain, unpopulated area of the ship, then yes," Ratchet said, still not looking away as he searched through different variables quickly. When the Prime nodded solemnly, he paused for a moment, turning with a sigh to face his old friend. "Optimus.. if we are to have a better chance at defeating Megatron, you will need more than your blades."

The Prime looked down at his servos, painfully reminded that he no longer had his long range weapons. He nodded solemnly again and looked to his medic again, wondering what he was trying to imply. Ratchet sighed again and shook his helm, turning his back abruptly and going back to his work.

"During the time you were in stasis, I did board the Decepticon warship and take some of their weapons," the doctor explained. "It's a good thing they're too busy controlling the entire planet to notice the small things," he added dryly, his voice nearly a growl. "They are in the vault behind the berth. Choose whichever ones fit you."

Optimus' optics lit up ever so slightly, a tiny smile reaching his derma. He was truly grateful to his old friend, and didn't need to really tell him that for Ratchet to know. The Prime turned after another nod and went where Ratchet had said the vault would be. He opened it easily, and indeed inside were several weapons, some in top shape. Optimus didn't have to wonder why they looked unused; Ratchet was better on the field than he let on, but he preferred to remain at work at a console. The Prime reached in, one blaster catching his optic, and took it in his servos. He lifted it with care, assessing its weight and how well it suited him. Something seemed to click and it fit perfectly in his grasp, like it had been made for him. He swung it left and right slightly before deciding that this would do well enough, if not better than all the other weapons inside. He turned his helm back and used his other servo to shuffle through the stash of blasters and odd looking machines. He pulled up something that looked like an arm band, similar to the long lost phase shifter, and slowly clung it behind his servo. He stared at it when nothing happened for a few moments, wondering what it's use was when it came to him. This was a shield; he remembered seeing it in the halls of Iacon. Though the name for it had been long lost, it was said that nearly nothing could penetrate it. The Prime thought for a moment, then stood and walked back over to where his old friend was still working.

Ratchet sensed him coming, turning to look up at his leader. "Did you find what you need?" he asked. 

Optimus nodded once. "This blaster ought to suit me well," he replied, holding it up. "I request that you take this with you." He now held out the braclet shield, turning it so that the medical officer could look at it. 

The doctor looked an it with a raised optic ridge, his derma turning up in a frown. "Optimus, you need that more than I do," he finally said, backing away and shaking his helm. "Your spark is more important than mine, and you know it," he shot before his friend could argue. 

As much as Optimus wanted to disagree, deep down he knew that his friend was correct. Humble as he was, there was no doubt in his mind that Cybertron did need him to some extent. He was the last of the Primes, and if Cybertron were to ever return to its former glory, they needed leaders such as he. It was not as though he wished to be a ruler, like Megatron did. A long time ago, he had thought and hoped that his team would lead their planet, having gained experience from battle and years of war. He saw Bumblebee in the leading role in the future, admiring his potential and growth as the young scout turned into even more than a warrior. However, it was obvious that those roles could only be fit by him and Ratchet now, and the medic was in no condition to become such a mech. 

The Prime hardened his gaze upon the doctor, who had turned back to his work without a word. After a moment, he turned and walked back to the small vault, rummaging through it once more before he found something suitable. He stood again, now holding his own blaster, a shield bracelet on his wrist, and a smaller gun in his servos. He once again went over to where Ratchet was working, holding out the new weapon firmly.

"Ratchet," he said, watching as his friend turned around. He held out the gun to his friend, nearly pushing it into his servos. "If you are joining me on this mission, you will take this with you." 

The old medic raised an optic ridge, giving Optimus a look again. "Optimus, you know that I-"

The Prime, growing impatient and anxious, gently shoving the weapon into Ratchet's chest chassis, causing his old friend to quickly take it in his own servos. "That is an order," Optimus said sternly, his voice raised just a little.

The medic blinked a few times, looking at the weapon then back at his leader a couple times. Finally, he let out a defeated and exasperated sigh, setting down the gun on the console beside him with a nod. "Alright, Optimus."

Prime nodded coolly, but inside he felt relieved and grateful. Ratchet was his oldest friend, and now was the only one of his old team that remained. He could still remember when they had first met, how they had grown together. The tired old medic was like a brother to him, and sometimes even father like. Optimus himself had often been considered a sire to mechs and femme's alike, and he had to admit, he was doing that on purpose most of the time. He felt responsible for everyone, and loved them all dearly. That left no room for him to have a father figure of his own, however, especially since his mentor was gone. Ratchet was the only one who seemed to step into that role every now and then, and Optimus couldn't express or even understand how grateful and happy that made him.

Optimus wasn't going to lose him on this mission. He refused. 

The computer beeped and both of the mech's perked up. A red dot blinked in and out on the screen, displaying plain as day. It hung in the sky, and both of them realized that the Nemesis was hovering just above the earth, in outer space. They realized with dread that this meant Megatron was nearly ready to leave. Without words, both of them both mentally and physically prepared, Optimus getting his weapons suited while Ratchet worked to set the GroundBridge coordinates. 

It almost didn't feel real, heading into battle this way. It was all so sudden and surreal. This they knew was their last battle, and whoever won was the victor of the entire war. After this, the war, would be over for good. It didn't seem possible, after so many years of constant fighting and war. The other side wasn't too far away now, but it had been so long since they had seen that light that it was nearly blinding. 

As the two were nearly finished getting ready to leave, they heard a pair of small, familiar footsteps echoed quietly behind them. Both mechs turned, their faces growing the tiniest bit solemn when they saw it was Taylor. She had come around the corner, and her face was a mix of worry and sadness. Her hands were wrung together at her chest, and she was biting her lip with tears in her eyes. When they started to spill over, Ratchet set down the gun again and made his way to her. Taylor didn't wait for him, but instead ran towards Optimus' pede. She hugged it tightly when she reached it, sobbing a little.

"Do you have to go?" she whispered just loud enough to catch their audio receptors. 

The Prime knelt over, gently placing a digit on her back. She didn't flinch at all, like she had so many times before. Her fear of them was gone, and now she only feared what would happen to them. "I am afraid we must. Megatron will harm our planet more as its ruler than its destroyer," Optimus said solemnly. 

She nodded, closing her eyes and trying to ease her breath. "I want.. to go with you."

Ratchet stiffened, kneeling over. "Taylor, there is absolutely no way I am allowing you to join us," he said firmly, pointing a digit at her. "This is much too dangerous-"

"And that is why I need to go with you!" she shouted, turning abruptly. Her voice was raised an seemed angry, which surprised the both of them. Taylor was always a gentle, shy girl, even when trying to get her point across. "I can't let you do this alone!" she continued. "I can help, I have abilities now thanks to them, and I nee-"

"Taylor, enough!" Ratchet growled roughly, getting frustrated. Taylor stopped, sobbing angrily now and rubbing her eyes. "I can't allow you to be harmed, do you understand?! I would never be able to forgive myself if anything happened to you! You are staying right here, is that clear?!"

Optimus gazed at the two of them softly, knowing that this was difficult for the both of them. He scooped Taylor up in his servo gently, causing her to yelp a little in surprise as she fell into a sitting position. Once she was secure, he stood up and gently held her in front of his faceplate.

"Taylor, I cannot allow you to join us either. I will not endanger any more human lives, and that includes yours," he told her gently. "I am sorry."

She looked down at her lap, wiping her eyes one last time. After a pause, she nodded her head with a sigh. "Okay. I understand." She looked up again and looked over to Ratchet, who had stood back up and was looking rather regretful about yelling at her. 

The Prime gave her a small, kind smile with a nod of his helm. He walked over to where his friend stood and held her out to him. "I will give you two a few moments alone," he told them.

Ratchet glanced at him with a grateful look in his optic, while Taylor shuffled to stand up in his servo. She turned to face the Prime, her face sad as she looked up at him longingly. With a little smile, she pointed to his chest chassis a few times. The Prime raised an optic ridge at her slightly, but moved his servo to his chest chassis per her request. As soon as she was close enough, the young woman fell forward and hugged his chest plate, her arms spread out over him. It wasn't much distance, and was a rather awkward kind of embrace, but Optimus felt touched within his spark. He closed his optics and did his best to hug her back, leaning his helm down near hers and holding her with his other servo. They held there for a few minutes, neither wishing to let go, but it was Taylor who shuffled out first.

She sniffed, wiping her eyes again and smiling sadly. "Thank you for everything," she said softly. 

Optimus nodded once, giving her his own smile as well before sliding her onto Ratchet's servos. He gave the two another soft look, his optics slightly sad and apologetic, before he turned on his pedes and exited the room, deciding to leave the two to have their own time before battle.

As much as he prayed against it, he knew that they might never return.

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Hey, I finally updated it!!! I had a hard time writing this chapter at first I wasn't sure how to word it and put it into the story. I got it though!!

I hope you liked this chapter. 

We are nearly finished with this book, guys. LIKE I AM LITERALLY ALMOST DONE!!!! Only four or five more chapters left. (Lol this book turned out longer than I thought!)

Not that I don't love my other book or anything, but this will probably feel even more special than when I finished Guardians. Maybe it's because when I finish this, it will be actually done. No sequel or one shots or anything. (Unless you request a few one shots at the end.) This will be like FINISHED finished. 

YAY!!!

And boo, cus the ending is gonna be SO SAD. 

Just preparing you ahead of time. >:)

Bye!

*waves*