Chapter 14 is updated. Go check it out before reading this.

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"Absolutely not!" Ratchet exclaimed. He quickly moved forward to grab the now cowering sparkling, but was stopped by an enormous red and blue arm.

Optimus sighed and looked to the ground, lowering the sparkling. "Smokescreen, you may not understand this now, but my sacrifice is well worth the outcome. Both you and Bumblebee have entire lifespans ahead of you, far more time to live than I. If either of your lives were to end this soon, it would be a tragedy indee-"

"Oh, boo hoo. Now, could we please get on with the trade?" Starscream's long sharp digits clacked against a nearby tabletop rhythmically. Nearby, Knockout had set down Bumblebee and was examining his buzz saw, often looking up towards the screen deviously.

Optimus looked up. "Where shall we meet?"

Starscream moved his clicking claws up to his chin, as if pondering some genius plot. "Hmm, now let's see. How about an abandoned energon mine? That should be good and empty."

The Prime was literally planning his own execution, and he knew it. Still, he kept his brave face on in order to keep his team calm. "Send me the exact coordinates. I expect to meet nothing but yourself, Bumblebee, and the dust, Starscream," Optimus warned.

The seeker laughed and put on what he thought was an innocent expression. "Oh, Prime, would I ever deceive you?"

Ratchet and Arcee growled in unison. "Absolutely you would! Like Bulkhead said, it's in your name!" The medic exclaimed.

"Ya slimy piece of slag..." Wheeljack muttered under his breath. He received no scolding look for his words.

The seeker seemed fairly upset with the name-calling, and his faceplate was crunched up in a snarl to prove it. "Fair enough, though I expect you will come alone as well."

"You have my word," the Prime nodded.

Starscream smirked. "Good. I sent the coordinates to your monitor. We will meet immediately." The screen faded to black, and soon Optimus could see only the reflections of his scared teammates' faceplates.

He turned around and took a deep breath, steeling himself. His eyes were closed in thought.

"I can see how this would be difficult for you to embrace, but you cannot stop me. I apolog-"

He suddenly cut off what would have been a speech when something wrapped around his right leg.

He looked down to see the small sparkling Smokescreen doing his best to wrap twig arms around a leg wider than himself. He was soon joined by Arcee and Ratchet, then Bulkhead, Wheeljack, and finally Ultra Magnus (who seemed very awkward showing affection to his superior).

To Optimus, this was the tipping point. He felt lubricant gathering behind his optics for the first time in centuries.

The corners of his mouth quivered. It was the subtlest motion, going unnoticed by everyone who didn't know him deeper than a "fellow Autobot". Ratchet noticed. The medic slowly patted the larger mech's back struts in a comforting manner.

When Optimus looked at him, Ratchet sighed, "Do what you must, I know we can't stop you. We'll always be Autobots. Make sure you offline as one too."

The Prime nodded solemnly. "Thank you, friends. I will do my best to save our little friend, if I offline doing so. When I call for a ground ridge, you may come and pick up Bumblebee. I will hopefully be gone by then."

Ultra Magnus nodded. "Yes sir." His makeshift hand came up to his brow in a salute. Slowly, more hands came up in the gesture, and soon Optimus was standing alone, feeling more prideful than ever.

"Goodbye," Optimus let the smallest of smiles appear on his faceplate. "Until next time, brothers."

He activated a ground bridge and stepped through.

He didn't notice the small camera placed on his right leg.