FAREWELL, MIA AMANTINO

The Ark -- Command Center (3)

 What used to be the Arks bridge is now home to the internal
workings of the Autobot Army while
on Earth and filled with the hum of activity. Independent of
it's Autobot operators the Ark's main
computer, Teletran 2, monitors the Ark's defences, gives
orders to the ship's repair drones, and
otherwise occupies itself with the mundane running of the
ship. It is rare to find this room empty, this
room is the operational heart of the entire Autobot base.
Set into all four walls of the chamber are a vast number of
screens and computer consoles, used for
referencing, and adding, information from Teletran's
databanks. About a dozen padded chairs stand
before the consoles, meaning at least the Autobots here can
work in comfort. All the machinery
looks well cared for, and recently renovated. The Autobots
are well aware that keeping this room
operating at its optimum is one of their major tasks.

Candice is working at a human sized terminal usually used by
one of the smaller Autobots sucj as
Rewind or Eject. She offers s small sigh as she continues
her lessons some of the medtech staff have
given her regarding Teletran's operations...

Optimus Prime enters into the command center......his head
lowered and peering at a datapad
clenched in one of his hands. As if in some distracted
state.....he approaches the large holographic
map display.....clicking it to a larger resolution and
peering at it silently.

*tap-tap-tap* sound off the keys until Candice overhears
someone enter the emmence room.
Normally she wouldn't have noticed right off-hand due to
certain understandable factors. But she
seems somewhat distracted herself at the moment. She looks
over her shoulder...seeing Optimus
near the sme table where he had been the night before. "Hi."

Optimus Prime blinks.....then glances over towards the
source of the greeting. He gives a quick
nod.......turning and making the map rez back to a smaller
image. "Candice......" he says quietly.
"How are you?"

Candice offers a light shrug at the returned greeting.
"Fine. Just doing a little 'homework' after a lil
jaunt earlier. You?"

Optimus Prime tilts his head towards the direction of the
holographic display. "Continuing what I was
working on yesterday. Still have a long way to go."

Candice swerves herself slightly in her seat and rests her
arms on one of the arm rests, cradling her
chin in one of her palms. "Any luck fining anything since
last night?"

Optimus Prime shakes his head slowly. "Er....no
unfortunately." he pauses....then tilts his head to one
side. "How have you been fairing?"

Candice then pulls back a bit. "Considering...everything
that's been happening?" She pauses
somewhat. "I'm...fairing..."

Optimus Prime nods slowly again. "I'm glad to hear that."

Candice nods slowly. At least he didn't ask for great detail
on *how* she was fairing. She presses
her lips together and then questions, "Any word about Trent?
Regarding the body I mean?"

Optimus Prime hmmms? Then nods. "Actually yes. I just
received word that he can now be turned
over. For your custody......" he speaks quietly. Not a very
easy subject.....

Candice sacats her gaze towards the floor as her grip on the
chair tightens...mulling something over.
"I contacted a certain 'Reverend Andy' that Trent had told
me about. He said he would pass the
word along to the others about Trent. he agreed it wouldn't
do well for me to...tell any of his past
collegues myself. Steeljaw, Windcharger, and Ramhorm were
kind enough to come along. Anyway,"
she pauses, "I was wondering...there a way his body could be
cremated in some way? So...no one
could...hurt him again?"

Optimus Prime tilts his head to one side. "Cremated....?" he
blinks. It would be a relatively simple
matter actually. There's lots of devices that could do it.
"I.....believe so...."

Candice lets her thoughts drift momentarily and then comes
to a decision. "It's been several days
already. He should be laid to rest. Would you...I
mean...could---?" She bites her tongue...not
knowing exatcly how to ask.

Optimus Prime sets the datapad to the side.....on the table
and moves to one knee, peering at
Candice intently. "What Candice? You don't have to worry
about asking me....."

Candice draws in a deep breath and speaks within a hushed
tone. "Would would mind being the one
to..." *pause* "...incinerate him. By the lake?"

Optimus Prime blinks for a moment. He's been asked to do
stranger things at times it seems. And
while he may find it somewhat hard to understand how this
particular.......method of handling the
deceased came to be....he nods slowly. "I'll do it
Candice.......if you wish....."

Candice windens her blue eyes and nods quietly. "I'd be
grateful. Would...now be a good time?"

Optimus Prime glances towards the exit of the command center
for a moment.....unsure at first.
But...he nods finally. "I believe we could. I'll have
to.....pick up something I'll need in the medical bay
first...."

Candice starts to get up from her chair. If this seems
sudden it actually is not. However, she
understands how the Commander may feel it...unusual. "All
right. I'll radio the marine camp...and
have him ready...or something. he's...already contained I
think..."

Optimus Prime nods in turn. "I will meet you outside
then....."

Candice nods and starts her way towards the lift. She pauses
then before disappearing into the
corridore and into the lift. "And Prime, thanks..."

Soon...

Pacific Northwest
A mixture of level plains and vast forested mountain chains
compose much of the northwestern
regions of the United States. Shrubby low-lying deserts
alternate with forested and occasionally
tundra -- or ice capped -- mountains. The most prominent of
these are the Rocky Mountains,
extending in full from Canada to New Mexico.
Another mountainous chain, known as the Cascade Range of
Oregon and Washington is a lofty
range with a complicated geological history, one which
includes several alterations due to the nature
of volcanic activity.
These areas present the last refuge of many of the big game
animals that have been a favorite of
human hunters over the years: elk, pronghorn, moose, deer,
bighorn sheep, mountain goats, timber
wolves, and in some remote areas, brown bears

Starscream is flying very high, partially obscured by cloud
cover, banking in long, slow circles over
Mt. St. Hillary. For the moment, he maintains his altitude.

Optimus Prime rumbles quietly out of Mount St.
Hillary....rolling down the front roadway and
actually taking a rather lesser used branch.
Namely.....offroad. Although he avoids the forest for an
obvious reason......instead he takes the large, grassy
area....moving towards the general direction of
Crystal Lake.

Strafe is also flying rather high, but not quite as high as
Screamers..he's actually in the clouds.

Starscream doesn't notice Optimus Prime's progress, as he's
really too high to track the Autobot
Commander. However, he tilts his wings, and slides down,
moving in the same general direction as
OP, perhaps headed for the same region. (Convenient, isn't
it?) ;)

Candice leans back within the Commander's Driver's
seat...lost in her own thoughts at the moment.
She occasionally glances outside the side window nearest her
and idly taps the door. She bites her
lower lip and merely waits for Optimus to arrive at a place
he deems safest.

Optimus Prime keeps his speed low. Perhaps for the extra
'passenger' he has aboard right
now.......carrying him on what will be his final
journey....that will then lead to an eternal rest.
Notably....the Autobot Commander remains somewhat
silent.....perhaps for Candice's
benefit....perhaps for his own musings. With a bare amount
of bumping....his large, red form moves
over a nearby hilltop....then begins to slowly coast down to
the shoreline below. A few moments
later.....and he pulls to a stop with a gentle hiss of the
airbrakes. "We're here Candice...."

Candice blinks as she rouses herself from her musings. She
nods and silently climbs out of Optimus
Prime. After stepping onto the grass she backs away from the
cab to allow him an area within which
to transform...

Starscream, still descending rapidly in the same general
direction, spots a clearing not far from the
lake's shore. He dives, picking up speed, and dissapears
into the tree tops. A very audible
*WHUMF* can be heard as he transforms at the last minute,
and lands.

Optimus Prime transforms as Candice steps clear.....although
his trailer remains behind this
time.....unlike his usual transformations. He takes a step
back.....peers at the shoreline....then back
to Candice. "Is this spot acceptable?"

Candice flickers a glance around at the scenery. A rather
bretah-taking sight to be sure. "Uh...yeah.
It's fine," she states somewhat belatedly as if still in
thought. "You...have good tastes."

Optimus Prime nods slowly.....then turns towards his
trailer. Watching as it unfolds and deploys
outwards, although the weaponry remains noticably retracted
this time. On the small
medtable.....usually reserved for injured
Autobots......there's now the small form of a wooden coffin.
Hardly anything ornamental.....but it serves the purpose
well for now. Silently....Prime stares at
it.....waiting for Candice to decide what she will do next.

Starscream studies the skies for a moment, his expression
deeply lined by smoldering anger. He
begins stalking in the general direction of the lake, taking
no care to mask his progress from anyone
that might be listening. *CRACK* *CRUNCH* *SNAP*

Candice bites her lower lip and shuffles a little nervously.
Well..she asked Optimus to come out here
and bring the extra 'cargo'. She casts a glance towards the
Commander's tailer and can't offer
anything much verbally at the moment. She studdies the
ground at her feet, trying to decide what to
say or do. The young woman prays a small silent prayer
holdong her emotions in check. She blinks
and looks up as she thinks she hears some noise coming from
the surrounding
woodland...somewhere. But...more than likely some rather
large animal. A bear possibly. Well...with
optimus here..shouldn't be much of a concern. She turns back
to Optimus. "Ready..." is all she
states.

The noise of woodlands succumbing to alien metal grows
louder as Starscream unwittingly nears the
little group. A small tree falls not far from the line where
woods meet sandy shore.

Optimus Prime also casts a slight glance towards the noise.
But he tends to come to the same
conclusion....for the moment anyway. Call it a moment of
carelessness......but the scene before him
somewhat holds his attention in this case. Silently.....he
nods in answer to her direction, knowing
how difficult it must be for her. Primus knows he's had
enough trouble as it is with those that he's lost
over the many many years of warfare that he's
experience.....but this is even closer again. With
nothing more than an idle glance.....the trailer springs
into movement. As the claw arm swings down
to the armored compartment.......raising the empty form of
one of Wheeljack's
incinerators.......usually used to completely melt down
anything that he can't scavenge anymore.
Right now.....it serves its purpose for a cremation. As
silently as before.....Prime takes ahold of the
device.........then the trailer's claw arm swings
around.....and picks up the coffin suprisingly
gently.....which it begins to swing around towards the
device it is to be inserted into.....

Starscream takes this dramatic moment to step out of the
woodlands, shoving several small trees out
of his path. Scowling darkly, he stands in clear view for a
moment without realizing he is not alone,
swatting at the leaves and branches that cling to his form
in an irritated fashion.

Candice inwardly cringes at the sound of the equipment being
put to use. She doesn't hearvthe
downed tree due to her attention being focused elsewhere.
Instead...she slowly closes her eyes and
then reopens them...feeling her eyes themselves mist over.
However, at the additional sounds she
*does* take notice. She looks over her shoulder and can only
gap. Not *now* of all times...
"Starscream..."

Starscream's head snaps up as he freezes mid-swat, optics
widening in surprise as he catches sight
of Candice and the Autobot Commander just a little ways off.

Optimus Prime continues to hold the device in his
hands.....on the brink of activating it. When
Candice's words ring out to him. Suprisingly...he turns
slowly.....his gaze swiveling towards the
direction of the seeker's form. "Primus...." he
mutters.....cautiously handing the now loaded
insinerator back to the claw arm nearby.....which moves
without thinking....accepting the item and
carefully placing it back into its compartment...and armored
panel noticably sliding over to protect it.
Satisfied that the burden is safe.....he makes a slight
motion with his hand for Candice to stay near
the trailer......taking a step forward. "It seems more and
more Decepticons are showing up around
this area," he grates somewhat calmly. Internally he
seethes......bad enough that the dead must be
placed to rest. But interruption of that task.... "So this
better have very good reasoning."

Starscream draws himself up to his full height, folding his
arms across his chest, optics narrowed to
furious scarlet slits. "Indeed.. " his voice is heated, "It
does. A few cycles hence five of your warriors
saw fit to savage -one- of mine. Thundercracker. I will not
let such cowardly brutality go
unpunished."

Candice finds she can't will herslf to move at first. By
this point she's struggling more and more to
place herself under emotional control. her features detray
her regardless, however. She backs
towards the trailer one step, and then two...

Starscream's optics snap in Candice's direction, evaluating
her expression, noting aloofly,
"Something appears to be wrong with your pet human."

Optimus Prime tilts his head slightly....his arms hanging
calmly at his side.....as if this were nothing
more than a casual conversation. Even his tone of voice
remains level. "I'm afraid you're mistaken. It
was Thundercracker that had decided to attack the five
Autobots. And they merely defended
themselves. In fact, they were allowing him to leave when he
turned and began firing. Maybe it's time
to get a neurological check done on your seekers." he pauses
as the second sentence is
spoken....then continues.....as neutral as before. "Nothing
that concerns you Starscream."

Candice backs yet another step and remains where she is. She
intakes a sharp breath and turns her
gaze away rather arubtly away from the inquisitive
Seeker...not adding much of anything to help
satisfy his idle curiosity.

Starscream points one finger at Optimus Prime, accusingly. "-
Thundercracker- is not given to
unprovoked attacks. Some count it his flaw, but -I- do not.
I worked on his damage myself. What
was done to him was a far cry from 'self-defense' -- he
could well have been taken permanently
offline. I intend to extract that debt from your warrior's
hides." Starscream's voice is near-snarl, and
his expression betrays his feelings -- an unusual lapse.

Prime's expression remains neutral however......unlike his
usual norm. Rather odd...in the way the
two seemed to have switches places for the moment.
"Thundercracker wasn't about to let up in his
attack." he states evenly.....shifting his own stance
slightly.......now crossing his own arms. "And if he
isn't about to stop shooting then they have no choice but to
stop him. I wasn't there however. But I
have heard the whole story from them."

Candice picks her gaze back up and gathers some of small
distance that remains between her and
the trailer itself as the Autbot and Decepticon converse.
She then comes to another hault
and...merely looks on through almost hollow and glazed eyes.

Starscream looks away, at the placid waters of the lake,
noticeably struggling for self-control.
"Thundercracker would not battle until near-death unless he
was most grievously provoked, or
actively pursued. I know my own." When he looks back, his
optics again settle on Candice, as if
seeking diversion, and he considers her strange behavior.
"And what, exactly, are you doing here?"
He actually has the audacity to ask.

Optimus Prime continues to stand as before. Staring evenly
towards Starscream. "As I said before
that's certainly none of your concern."

Candice presses her lips together firmly. "Never knew I had
to *ask* to be anywhere," she blurts
heatedly seconds after Optimus Prime himself spoke.

Starscream refolds his arms across his chest, masking his
rage with difficulty, substituting amusement.
"I often find the things that are 'none of my concern' most
interesting. Do tell."

Optimus Prime waves idly with one hand.....turning slightly
as to be have facing Starscream......half
watching his trailer. "I'm afraid this is one time that
you're going to have to just keep on wondering
Starscream. Putting your nose where it does not belong will
never get you answers."

Starscream follows Optimus Prime's glance, and eyes the
trailer pointedly, musing, "What do you
have in there that's so important, eh?"

Candice moves herself to the side of the trailer and leans
against it. Somehow she manages to stem
her feelings of vulnerability. But it's not exactly against
a physical force -- although that is also the
case.

Starscream takes a few steps in the direction of the
trailer, more to see Candice's and Optimus
Prime's reaction than anything else, watching them through
canny, narrowed optics.

Optimus Prime glares back at Starscream silently for a few
minutes.....his own patience starting in its
own stretch. Sure enough.....he steps to ensure he's
interposed himself between the Seeker and the
trailer......unwittingly confirming that there's something
inside it. "I think you've worn out your
welcome."

Starscream halts in his progress, and spreads empty hands, a
gesture of mock-goodwill. "Why?
Because I've merely landed here? I pose no threat to you or
yours." He grins menacingly. "I give you
my word of honor."

Candice gasps as the Seeker moves forward and puushes
herself against the metal. "Don't you have
anything *better* to do?" she questions. But her voice isn't
that strong now and sounds a little
broken.

Optimus Prime's right hand clenches into a fist. "Being this
close to the Ark is ground enough. Now
I'm asking you again nicely. Leave."

Starscream replies smoothly, taking another brief scan at
the skies. "Since I have not yet located one
of the five Autobots involved in Thundercracker's injuries,
no, I do not have anything better to do at
the moment." He peers more closely at Candice's face, visual
processors working to resolve her
expressions, small as they are, into recognizable emotions.
"Whatever is the matter.. " he pauses a
moment, dredging up her name, "Candice?"

Candice narrows her eyes into slits. She swallows hard as a
tear finally streaks down her cheek.
with a slight tremble she ventures forward a sinlgle step.
"Like you really give a care," she seeths
darkly.

Optimus Prime's optics narrow further.....as he puts a
restraining hand out in the young woman's
direction. First it was the interruption of a very difficult
time for Candice. Something that he can
understand how she feels. Now questioning her about it
openly......tearing new wounds forward.
Two strikes so they say. "Starscream......." he growls
warningly....

Starscream's optics widen moderately in surprise, his voice
turning ever so slightly defensive. "To my
knowledge, -I- am not the cause of whatever ails you.. " He
takes a small step backwards, optics
flickering between Candice and the larger Robot.

Candice lifts her shirt sleeve to wipe her eyes briefly
after Optimus's plea to be still. She sets her jaw
and doesn't answer the Decepticons taunt. Yet...it may be
clear from her expression her restraint is
now nearing its limits.

Optimus Prime stands where he took the second step.......now
fighting for his own control. Last time
something like this happened.....it was with Bombshell. And
the results weren't very pretty. Although
Prime had been depressed for days afterwards........berating
himself at the surge of emotion. His
hands clench into fists.......as he continues to glare
straight at the seeker. "What you are the cause of
is more distress than I or Candice would frankly care to
deal with." another step forward. "I'm
through asking nicely." he says quietly. "Now I'm telling
you."

Starscream falls back again, wary of the Autobot Commander,
but apparently having decided that
whatever has the capability to make this small, but
undeniably tough human show such pain must be
very interesting indeed. He can't resist another probe, his
tone mocking as he addresses Candice,
"Perhaps if you if you indicated the problem I could assist
you with it." Everything in his expression
indicating the exact opposite.

Candice wishes with all her heart she could wipe that
expression away from the Decepticon's
features. Instead, all she can do is coldly star. "Forget
it! You can't raise the dead!" she yells back
immediately...and without thinking.

Optimus Prime blinks in mid-step at Candice's outburst. He
appears to completely forget about
Starscream as he glances back again......effectively
ignoring the Seeker Commander for the moment.
"Candice......" he says quietly....optics shimmering
lightly. He can't stand to see her like this.....yet
feels helpless to do anything about it......

Starscream's optics widen in his equivalent of an eyebrow-
raise, laughter bubbling from his lips. "An
Autobot? Dead? And I here I thought this was a grim
occaision."

Candice blinkblinks. "Too you..." and many others of the
outside world, "just a small, worthless
human. Satisfied?" she snarls...not even noticing Optimus at
this precise moment.

Optimus Prime's mood darkens.....his self control snapping
to the limit....the very tightrope suddenly
becoming very....very wobbly. He turns back to the
seeker......as if in slow motion. The right hand
raises.....clenched into a trembling fist. The ball is
pitched.....will it be a third strike? "Starscream....."
he growls deeply.

Amazingly, Starscream's laughter ceases, and the glee
swiftly leaves his expression, replaced by a
much more subdued look, one of quiet interest. "You are
mistaken, Candice. Not all Decepticons
count this planet's indigenous life as fodder." He actually
executes a formal, and quite graceful bow.
"You have my apologies."

Candice merely snorts in response to Starscream's fliar for
the dramatic, certainly not impressed.
"Up your aft."

To say Prime is suprised is rather an understatement. Ok so
it wasn't exactly the response he was
expecting as it is. Nevertheless it's enough to snap him
back to reality slightly.....and he returns to
crossing his arms and staring darkly. "Satisfied now?" he
questions.

Starscream tries to puzzle that expression out for a moment,
but gives up, figuring it has something to
do with that strange human biology. He shrugs languidly at
Candice. "Whatever you wish." He
half-turns in Optimus' direction, a touch of humor coming
back into his optics, and a mischievous
sparkle, replying, "Actually, it still begs the question --
what are you doing in the middle of nowhere
with a deceased human?"

Optimus Prime stares for a moment....then does a suprising
thing. He turns around......turning his
back to the seeker and starting to walk back towards the
trailer. He pauses long enough to peer
over his shoulder. "Wouldn't you like to know....." he
mutters before continuing forward.

Now Starscream's interest is -really- piqued. He remains
where he is, watching the Autobot
Commander intently, making no move to leave.

Candice can only find herself internally asking, 'What kind
of stupid, idiotic question is *that*,
Starscream?' She offers the Seeker a blank gaze and quips,
"We thought we'd let him out on a
nature hike." Duh!

Optimus Prime pauses as he nears Candice........glancing
down at her...then back towards
Starscream. Oddly enough....he seems to be waiting for what
she'll decide to do in this case.....

Starscream advances a few steps in Candice's direction, his
wariness as obvious as his curiosity as
he continues to keep a watchful optic on the Autobot
Commander. "I am surprised," he muses, half
to Candice, "That the Autobots have not invested more
research into improving the primitive human
'medicine'. It is surely what I would do, were I allied with
your species."

Candice perks an eyebrow towards the Decepticon's advance.
Her anger from before is joined with
something else. The anger is still there. But this time,
there is raw irritation as well. "Are you certain
you don't have any of your fellow Seekers to annoy?"

Optimus Prime glances back at Starscream in
return..........allowing Candice to speak. In some
cases.....one must let the person being addressed defend
themself. Although he stands ready...just in
case.

Starscream continues his musings obliviously, "Of course --
I have already done so myself, though
admittedly Archeville did not appear to appreciate my
attentions." Optics flickering back to Candice,
he smiles without much humor. "Quite. One of them is
confined to medical bay, and I'm not in the
mood for Skywarp."

Candice hmphs with traces of earlier venom in her voice as
she idly traces the metal of the Autobot
Commander's trailer. "Must be tough being in Command of such
a sordid lot. No wonder why you
go around waltzing in on everyone else."

Optimus Prime continues to remain stilent....standing
completely motionless. Almost as if he's
become simply a part of the background.

Starscream folds his arms across his chest, still regarding
the pair expectantly, waiting for something
more entertaining. He responds to Candice's jibe in kind,
"Quite painful, I agree."

Candice hmphs and turns towards the Seeker. "Well, we all
have our burdens, don't we? Just get
*out* of here already!"

As if on cue to Candice's words....the trailer itself comes
to life.....suddenly displaying its rather
impressive array of weaponry and swiveling about to bear.
One would almost think it was
responding to Candice's command in a case like this.

Optimus Prime crosses his arms quietly and watches.

Candice backs away from the trailer as it begins
shifting...somewhat suprised at the sudden
movement. But...as for its gesture...nice punctuation...

Starscream flinches as the weapons audibly train themselves
on him, but his gaze remains fixed on
Candice, intently. "And why do you desire me to leave?"
Despite his flippant words, his body is
tensed, and ready for flight.

Prime's Trailer remains still.....the weapons still pointing
at their designated target. Although they do
not fire........as if.....waiting.

Candice swings her arms behind her back and intwines her
fingers. She backs away some more as
she heatedly responds, "I thought scientists didn't ask
*dumb* questions."

Starscream smoothly replies, "The fact that you have not
answered it shows my question's merit."

Candice growls softly, "The fact that I haven't answered
shows it's not worth the bother. So," she
pauses, "get *out* of here already. Go...try to assinatate
Megatron again. Or try figuring out how
to...diagnose Frenzy." As if someone *could*! "Just get out
of here and leave us alone!"

An audible *CLICK* followed by several whirls. The turret
swivels slightly as if preparing.....a
missile notably locks into place. Prime himself steps
forward........next to Candice....staring towards
Starscream. "Fun time is over."

Starscream takes a number of steps backwards, conscious that
Prime's trailer will most probably
obey Candice's commands. He inclines his head to Candice,
stating merely, "As you wish." Shifting
his attention to Optimus Prime, he narrows his optics
impercetably. "Non-functional humans,
whatever my reputation would indicate to the contrary, are
not my idea of a fun time. You may,
however, expect me to call on several of your warriors in
the very near future." A few more steps
away, and then he hovers skywards, now open to parting shots
of the verbal or incendiary variety.

Optimus Prime watches quietly as Starscream takes to the
air.....optics still narrowed. Slowly....he
moves to kneel next to Candice......peering down at her in
concern. "Are you allright?" he asks
gently.....the faint whirring of the trailer's turret as it
tracks Starscream filling the air.

Candice stands there with her fist clenched. As much as she
would like too she doesn't say anything
which may prod the trailer to open fire. More than likely
this is due to the memory of the young
man's deceased form laying protected within. He had been
rather...opposed to guns or any such
weaponry. So...all she does is stare blanky up toward's
Starscream. She doesn't even answer
Optimus or acknowledge his presence.

Starscream transforms, and climbs skyward, banking away, his
form soon dwindling, smaller and
smaller.. and then larger again, as he begins picking up
great speed in the skies above, leaving the
two below with a calling card of sorts: a deafening sonic
boom.

As soon as the Seeker leaves visual range Candice's emotions
brake as if a physical force. Her facial
features are buried by her hands before she can reveal the
amount of her anguish as her legs seem to
give way from under her. She sinks to her knees. And all
that can be heard from her are muffled
sobs escaping from her fingers.

Optimus Prime's optics widen. He wasn't prepared for the
sudden explosion of emotions......maybe
because his audio circuits are still ringing from
Starscream's exit. "Candice!" he exclaims.......instantly
sinking to one knee and placing a hand behind her
shoulders.......the other in front of her...as if
fearing she might pitch forward. "It's alright...." he says
quietly......gently, trying to soothe as best he
can. "He's gone now....."

Candice doesn't react as of she heard the mechanoid at at
first. Some emotions...simply need to be
released. And, concidering all that's happeed within the
past few days, (Trent's passing and nearly
loosing Tom) there's a certain amount that needs to be let
out. A good cry if you will. Everyone has
them in the darkest of times. Why not now? Especially when a
certain Seeker wanted to make an
emotionally difficult occasion even more difficult.
Proverbial "straw that broke the camel's back.

Optimus Prime simply sits by quietly as Candice lets it all
out. He watches quietly.......obviously
feeling somewhat awkward in this position.....but giving
whatever comfort he can...given the
situation.

After some time has passed the sobbing begins to subside.
Hiccupping now, Candice tries to dry her
eyes with her fingers and then pulls them away. The skin
around her eyes itself looks to be red and
slighltly swollen from the shed tears. She stares at the
grass on hich she's kneeling, feeling
embarrased and awkward amonmg all the other already present
emotions found there.

Optimus Prime continues to peer intently at
Candice.....worried......but feeling a sense of relief now
that the spell has apparently passed. "Candice....?" he asks
quietly...

*hic* Candice gazes up at the commander looking disheaveled.
And vulnerable. She bites her lower
lip as a shudder runs down her spine.

Optimus Prime very carefully scoops Candice into his
hands.....standing up to his full height and
cradling her gently.....much like he does when usually
carrying her......bracing her on his right forearm
and against his chest. Slowly....he turns back to face the
trailer.....which has now retracted its
weaponry....

Despite his large bulk, the Autobot Commander may still be
able to feel the tremors coursing
through the young woman's body even as she leans herself
agianst his armor. In search of shelter she
rests her forhead against his metalic skin until the
shivering is placed udner control.

Optimus Prime waits patiently for a few moments.....allowing
Candice to gether herself.
Finally....when he speaks...it's still with that
soft.....concerned tone. "Do you want to wait.....until
another time....?"

Candice shakes her head while pulling back from Optimus. She
takes in a breath. "N-no. I...don't
really want to go through what just ha--happened again."

Optimus Prime nods slowly. "I understand." he says
quietly......glancing back to his trailer. Without a
word....the claw arm reaches into the armored
compartment....and retrieves the container
again....this time setting it upon the medtable. Both Prime
and Candice can clearly see through the
glass encasing.....the coffin resting
inside........peacefully. As if.....nothing had ever
happened. The
Autobot Commander steps a bit closer......allowing Candice a
good vantage point. Meanwhile....the
claw arm moves....and poises on the switch that will
activate the incinerator. "Merely give the word
when you are ready....." Prime says softly.

Candice sofly gulps as she settles within a new postition
within his hand. She eyes the casket for a
few moments and then whispers, "Godspeed, Trent," before
offering a small nod in gesture.

The nod is the only gesture needed. With a slight
flick....the claw activates the lever. The device
lights up and begins to blink intensely.....as the casket
starts to glow softly....then begin to grow
brighter. Energy courses through the small, wooden
contruct...and it appears to begin to
dematerialize before one's eyes.....the casket disappearing
piece by piece.....the glowing beginning to
die down again....until finally there is nothing left but a
last spark. This flickers for a few
seconds.....then wisps out of existence in turn.

Candice closes her eyes and opens them again, her quiet
voice breaking the silence after the remains
have been removed. "It's finished then..."

Optimus Prime nods slowly. "He can rest in peace now. No one
can hurt him ever again."

Candice sighs deeply. "Trent...had a brother and a sister.
They were twins. David and Denise. He
never knew what happened to them after *that* night. I--I
want to see if I can find them if I can.
But, Trent had been looking for over 15 years."

Optimus Prime tilts his head downwards.....the relative
silence falling on the area almost.....soothing
in a way. Even as his trailer begins to fold back to its
normal state.....the sounds of shifting gears and
servos seems somewhat dulled. "One can never give up hope
Candice."

Prime's Trailer transforms into Trailer mode.

Candice looks down again. "I'd also try and find out what
really happened to his parents...exactly
why they were murdered." However, she has little knowledge
of how to go about doing so in either
case. She brushes her bangs from her features. "After all, I
guess there can't only be *one*
government consperacy."

Optimus Prime slowly begins to walk around the edge of the
trailer.....lifting the young woman
upwards slightly as he continues to cradle her.
"Candice........we'll do everything we can to help
you."

Candice gazes up at the Commander, the weight of the
enormity of the task seems a bit grate. "What
would happen if something was found...especially of the
'incident'? I don't think anyone would even
listen at this point...not the way things are now."

Optimus Prime shakes his head. "We'll worry about that when
the time comes." he pauses at the
front of his trailer. "For now.....rest tonight. It's been a
very trying time...."

Usually, candice puts up some kind of argument or excuse.
However, this time...she offers neither.
She's far to empotionally an dphysically exahausted to do
so. "Alright..."

Optimus Prime nods in turn......beginning to walk towards
Hillary this time....leaving his trailer sitting
quietly. When next he needs it.......it will be there for
him. For now.....it's better to just walk.