Chapter 11: Maverick
"Brother Optimus Prime, come quickly! It's Maverick he's dying!"
What Megatron didn't know was that if he had held out a little longer, the outcome might have been very different. Maverick's brave appearance had only been a façade. As the ultimate heavy tank of the Autobots, maintaining such a massive body demanded an immense amount of energy.
But the Autobots had been relentlessly hunted and cornered by the Decepticons there was no way they could find enough resources to keep Maverick operational. Moreover, the heroic Autobot supersoldier had consumed almost all his remaining energy fighting against Megatron. Now, utterly drained, Maverick collapsed just outside the Autobot base. His strength was gone; he could barely move.
If the Decepticons had launched a counterattack at that very moment, the Autobots would likely have been wiped out completely.
"Master, your courage will forever be remembered by all Autobots!"
Optimus Prime, having rushed to the scene upon hearing the news, stood silently before the fallen giant. This once-great warrior had been the very symbol of Autobot dominance on Cybertron but now, witnessing the end of such a legend, even the great Prime felt powerless. Transformers could not cry, but deep within their Sparks, a wave of grief rippled through them.
"Commander Optimus Prime," Maverick rasped weakly, "you need not mourn for me. As an Autobot warrior, I should have foreseen this end. It is my honor to sacrifice myself for Cybertron's defense. But now, I have one final duty to see all of you, my comrades, escape this planet safely."
Many Autobots found it hard to accept, but the truth was undeniable: Cybertron, their home, was no longer a place where Autobots could survive. Continuing a guerrilla resistance was pointless. The only path left was to flee and seek refuge somewhere else in the universe.
"No! This is our home! We Autobots will fight for Cybertron until the very end!"
Leaving would mean abandoning their very Sparks the essence of who they were. Such cowardice was unworthy of the Autobots.
As soon as the Mighty Maverick spoke, protests erupted among the crowd. It was no surprise. Since Megatron and the Decepticons had seized control of the planet, peaceful Autobots had been ruthlessly purged. Now, barely one in ten remained alive on the brink of extinction.
Despite his own sorrow, Optimus Prime understood the situation perfectly. As the last commander of the Autobots, he faced his people and spoke firmly:
"Fellow Autobots, I am Optimus Prime. I understand how you feel right now, but we must face the truth of Maverick's words. We've completely lost control of our home planet, Cybertron and this time, we must leave.
I've already been working with Ironhide and the others on an evacuation plan. I know it won't be easy, but it must be done. Soon, Bumblebee and Ratchet will announce the coordinates of the safe zone we've discovered. Everyone is free to choose where to go. I, Optimus Prime, will fight to the very last moment to ensure every one of you escapes safely."
In truth, Maverick didn't even need to remind him. Optimus Prime had already been preparing the evacuation plan and now was the time to reveal it. Those capable of long-distance travel would head to a new planet to establish a new Autobot base.
As for those who fell in battle, their comrades would recover their dormant Sparks and attempt to revive them on a new world. Those whose Sparks were fully extinguished and whose bodies were beyond repair would be given a cosmic funeral: their remains would be cast into the void near a black hole, returning their metal shells to the universe ensuring they would never fall into Decepticon hands or be turned into soulless puppets.
"Optimus Prime," Maverick said faintly, his voice trembling, "take my Spark as well. I can no longer fight. Let my remaining energy power your Ark. The rest is up to you... I hope we'll meet again someday."
Upon hearing Optimus Prime's plan, the great Maverick made one final, heroic decision to sacrifice himself completely, giving his comrades one last chance at survival.
Though many Autobots could not bear the thought, it was a harsh truth: with their limited energy reserves, even leaving Cybertron's atmosphere would be a monumental challenge.
"No… this can't be. We can't leave. This this is our home! My family and friends are all here…"
"In this vast universe, if we part ways today, when will we ever meet again? I… I don't want to go!"
Perhaps it was the sight of the Commander's sacrifice that finally broke their resolve. One by one, battered Autobots fell to their knees, pounding their chests in anguish.
"Rotenburo, kid get up! Stand tall like an Autobot!" shouted Ratchet, the logistics officer. He helped a young Autobot, Rodimus, to his feet. The young soldier looked lost still green, untested by war.
"Do you know why I'm telling you this?" Ratchet continued sternly. "Because aside from a handful of civilians we managed to rescue, you're the only surviving Autobot from the First War Zone. Tell me who can your comrades depend on now? Commander Maverick is burning the last of his strength to give you a future. If you don't go… then who will?"
War was cruel. But from the fires of this war, new warriors would rise young Autobots forged in tragedy and courage.
But first, these brave few had to escape Cybertron.
(End of Chapter)