A short one.

Hopefully, more will follow, but I'm am thankful for those of you who have read this far.

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On Reflection

Noble Six, Wednesday 22nd October 2008, 18:06

As things began to settle down once again, Six found herself falling into her own routine; one that meant keeping to herself, for the most part. There were times where she would work with the others under the ever-watchful gaze of Captain Hughes, and occasionally Optimus Prime. Part of her hated it, loathed the authority an alien wielded over her. She cared not for the surveillance she received, it had always been a constant in her life after all, but him, she was not his subordinate. She was not his to instruct and order like some...pet.

Despite her anticipation, his orders never came. Words did, painfully so, but there was never any instruction. Captain Hughes was left bark her commands while Optimus merely watched with those blue eyes that shone with such emotion that Six found herself taken aback whenever her guard was low. It wasn't a regular occurrence, but it was enough to leave her uncomfortable and pondering thoughts she never thought she would have. It didn't help that she had so much time to herself, time alone to think about...well...everything. There was no Dot to caution her. There was no mission to focus her. There was no imminent threat to distract...

She was alone.

For the first time in a long time, it was just her. Nothing else. No one else. And, while it may be her own doing, the alternative was not her ideal. Despite her short time with NEST she couldn't bring herself to fall in with them. It was so different, they were different, different than anything she'd witnessed. How could she bring herself to like it when it was all she could do not to loathe it? And yet, she wanted to help! To save the people she'd sworn to protect. To fight for Humanity regardless of where she was. Only this wasn't like before. This time it was harder. This time they wanted something more, someone more. Someone she hadn't been in a long time.

Maija.

A name that had scarcely been voiced. Not since she became B312. Maija had long since been buried deep away from a world that had no need of a scared little orphan who'd done nothing but hide while her parents were butchered. No. B312 was what the world needed. There was no fear there. No helplessness. No weakness. Becoming-

"Noble Six." The gravelly voice of Optimus Prime pulls her from her thoughts. She turns to him, fingers uncurling from fists she hadn't realised she'd formed.

"Prime." She nods in greeting before returning her eyes to the sea and its burning horizon. It would be night soon. Another day passing in quiet as her time away lengthened.

The ground trembles as Optimus moves to her side, "You visit this place often, may I ask why?"

No.

"It's quiet."

"You did not strike me as someone who prefers the quiet." A soft hum, like that of an engine accompanies his words, "An error on my part."

"What can I say? I'm just full of surprises," any hint of light-heartedness is drowned out by the bitterness of her tone and the sigh that swiftly follows. "You don't usually come for casual conversion. What do you want?"

Out of the corner of her eye, she notices Optimus kneel down, a muffled thud following his knee as it makes contact with the sand. The brows of his too human face pinch together while blue eyes glow softly, almost beseeching.

"We are concerned. I have been informed that your engagements with others are minimal, and I have noticed how you retreat here at every possible occasion. It does not need to be this way, Noble Six. You need not be so alone; we are here for you. The inci-"

"Should never have happened," she growls. Despite how long it had been the incident still played on her. To be so compromised to do that-

It was so ingrained in her every fiber of being. How could it not happen? And, how could it not happen again?

"It'll only happen again, and again, and again. I-" I would feel no remorse for it.

She hesitates, the words catching in her throat as her thoughts try and catch up. It was not that she cared for the machines, she didn't believe herself capable, but with all the time she had been giving herself... she was starting to see. They were all this Earth had. Without them, the planet would burn under an enemy so advanced they could not hope to win. In all her rage and rush to return, she'd missed it. Missed the hope these beings brought to those they worked with.

How could she destroy that?

They'd do it all on their own. They're aliens, remember?

For the briefest of moments, the warm metal hand of Optimus settles across her shoulders and it's all she can do to not shrug it away in an instant. And, just as the temptation rears its head with a roll of her shoulders, his hand is gone.

"You have more strength than you realise. My time on Earth has shown me that not all Humans are capable of changing over a cycle. Many require time and patience to adjust and rise to the occasion because they believe so strongly in their cause. It does not have to mean they are lost." The words that follow are so tender, so warm, that shutting them out is nigh on impossible.

"We do not wish to lose you, Noble Six."

"I'm not lost," the words are brought with conviction. The edge to them is dulled, for she can see what the machine is trying to do. It is, however, unwarranted. "Nor do I need saving."

"Perhaps. However, I have seen too many lose themselves in their refusal to adapt and you may one day find yourself becoming the very enemy you once fought."

Six mulls over his words, barely able to comprehend the idea of her becoming like the Covenant. She's just about to argue that point when he holds up a hand. Frowning, she stows her argument, knowing full well that it was like talking to wall when he was like this.

"If you are so certain of the contrary, then I ask that you prove it."

A smile pulls at her lips with the realisation of what his words meant. She dared not hope, but... but did he finally get it? Did he finally understand who- what she was? A warrior. A soldier. One that needed this. It had been weeks since the mention of Sideswipe's desire to spar with her and she had given into the idea that it would never happen. Not that she blamed them. How could they- she trust herself not to get taken in by Aegis? By her own rampant thoughts? Despite her recent good behaviour, she knew she was walking a fine line and for all of Guardian's bravado, she was wary of what lay on the other side. However...

She turns, facing Optimus properly as she takes in the declaration of challenge that roars from his features. A stubborn part of her was hard-pressed to not take on the challenge he so brazenly presented, not to mention the opportunity of action that he brought before her. Training was all well and good, but recent weeks had seen her starved of anything that brought a challenge. There had been a distinct lack of thrill that had her blood roaring through her veins, her muscles aching with exhilaration, and her body straining beneath the waves of exhaustion that each and every skirmish had once brought. Fighting for her life with every fiber of her being had been a daily excursion.

She'd take what she could get.

"Fine." Her posture straightens with her bold words, "I'll have you eating your words, Prime."

Since the first mention of one of them wanting to spar with her, she'd been aching to put the creature in its place. But nothing had come of it. The conversation she'd had with Optimus had seemingly been swept under the rug as the revelation of her augmentations took precedence. She hadn't and still didn't understand the commotion about something that could not be changed. Especially when it had been her choice to make.

"As you wish." She's certain that she spots an amused smile crossing the usually serious face of Optimus, but it's quick to vanish as he gestures back to the base. "Sideswipe stands ready for your match. I would be more than happy to provide you with a lift back..."

'Now?!" The grin on her face grows wider as she can't help but interrupt his offer.

A nod greets her before he swiftly transforms into a large truck with a succession of clicking and grinding metal, "I requested that the Major allow you to prove your capability to restrain yourself to both you and those that also reside at this base. He agreed, after some persuasion."

"Why?" For a moment she takes a step towards the truck and its open door, but she's quick to realise herself and turn towards the base. A door clicks shut followed by the revving of an engine as Optimus falls in next to her.

"It is not anyone's desire that you remain on the side-lines, Noble Six. Your isolation following the incident with KnockOut, both self-inflicted and otherwise, has left a divide. It is paramount that we resolve this, for your sake. You offered us your assistance while being upfront about your origins and your opinions." Optimus pauses for a moment, and she's thankful for the moment to process his words. Words that sound more and more like an apology the more she considers them.

"It was in our eagerness that this did not weigh on our decisions enough to take a second look before, as the Humans say, throwing you out of the frying pan into the fire. I-"

"Stop." She holds up a hand as she physically comes to a stop, with Optimus breaking mere seconds later. Her eyes shift between him and the distant silhouette of the base in a narrow contemplative gaze before her head shakes with a sigh of frustration.

"For a moment, I thought you had it. That you realised I'm not some small weak Human in need of protection from what's out there," her hand jerks outward, spreading over the horizon and then up towards the stars. "I thought- I do not need your sympathies. I do not need to be excused from my lack of control. That is my mistake to bare. And, today I will prove that I can bear it. Alone."

Fists clenched at her sides as she gives her strong forceful words their definitive end. And end that she was confident that she could back up with her own actions. She would prove it to all of them, and herself. She was no wild animal. She was in control.

"I do not doubt your strength, Noble Six," Optimus rumbles as they start moving. "None of us do. But that does not mean that we cannot ease your burden."

Casting him a sidelong glance, she gives him no response as they continue making their way to the base and her long-awaited match. The sun drops below the horizon as they do, it's burning oranges, reds, and yellows fading away into the dark that beats at their backs. Optimus lights the rest of the way while lights bloom all over the base before them. It was almost time.

The alien in question is stood waiting for her when they arrive, just as Optimus had said. A grin lines his smug metal face as his bright blue eyes watch her approach. She can't help but mirror his expression as her hand come up to clench over the patch they had repaired so long ago as it all but quivers with the exhilaration that begins to beat through her body.

Finally.

"Ready to see what the pit looks like, squishy?"

Her grin widens. Her steps towards him quicken. She would to this without armour.

"I'm Ready. Are you?"

It had been far too long.

Next: I Know You Love To Fall