Precious Things

by Phantom

Chapter One

When had it all started?

The tall, sleek figure frowned to himself as he studied the pitted, battle-scarred landscape. This war had been dragging on for what was almost literally a lifetime. True, nine million years wasn't old for a Transformer by a long shot. If so, then why did he feel so positively ancient? The memories of ceaseless combat stretched back so far that he could scarcely remember what peace was like.

A stab of emotional pain burst through him as his optics roved over the twisted surface of his home. Cybertron, the once vibrant planet, practically pulsing with a life all its own, was now a burnt-out hulk, a painful reminder of the true consequence of war.

"Optimus?" a soft voice whispered behind him. The gentle inquiry went unheeded.

Alita came up beside her mate and slipped an arm about his waist. "Please don't look so sad," she pleaded. "I know the recent silence has you worried, but brooding about it won't help." She gestured at the expansive view through the observation window. "I know that it's not exactly in the best shape it's ever been, but Cybertron still has a sort of dignified beauty that has endured all these years. Despite everything that has happened, it has endured, and so will we. Cybertron is still worth fighting for."

Optimus turned to face her, and she was shocked at the frustration and despair so clearly displayed, despite the mask. "That's just what I'm afraid of," he murmured. "Cybertron has been worth fighting for since the war started, but no side has ever been able to hold on to her for long. Instead of showing our appreciation by working in harmony to rebuild our planet, our race is in disharmony, squabbling like schoolchildren over the last piece of candy." Alita did not understand the precise wording of this allusion, as with many of his other Earth sayings, but she could easily grasp the concept. "We have shown our appreciation jealously, trying to possess her entirely. We have showered our prize with bullets instead of energy, and now all that we have struggled so exhaustively for is all but destroyed."

He grasped her by the shoulders suddenly, startling her a bit. "Why are we fighting?" he asked her forcefully. "No, not the same old worn-out reasons," he cut her off as she opened her mouth. "After nine million years of war, I no longer feel obliged to protect the universe from the Decepticons. The lines have blurred so much over the years that I'm no longer sure anyone is in the right."

Alita stared him full in the optics for a moment. "I don't now why we're fighting anymore," she whispered. "I would give anything to just lay down my weapon and surrender if it would mean my death and a release from all these senseless battles, but I know all too well that we would be left alive to watch as everything we've fought for falls to ashes. We have to believe we're doing some good, otherwise we are lost."

She wrapped her arms around his waist, embracing him. She sighed in relief as he folded her into his arms, accepting the solace that she offered. She had seen him question the war throughout the years, doubting their motives and reasons, but never with such despair. The destruction of Earth a month ago had hit him very hare, and even Perceptor had noted the change in his leader's mood. In atonement for the unbearable amount of grief swamping him, Optimus had erected a monument to his second home with his own two hands. Three days later, it lay in ruins, as did the planet itself.

"Come to bed, love," Alita murmured in his audio sensor, stroking his back reassuringly. "There's no sense in brooding out here."

Prime's gloom lifted a bit as he smiled at her with his optics. "I love you so much," he sighed as he caressed her jawline. "I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost you. You're all I've got left."

"Don't think about that now," she soothed, steering him towards their quarters. "I'm here, and that's all that matters."

end of Chapter One

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