Chapter Text
Will Lennox's POV
Six months after the war known as "The Age of Extinction," I was stationed at the military base in County, Nevada. We were ensuring that no Decepticons would ever again threaten planet Earth. We were also searching for Quintessa. Optimus Prime said she hadn't died during the fall of Cybertron. We knew she was weak. Optimus had spent the last few months searching for her, but with no results. The Colonel finally gave us leave to go home and rest.
I couldn't wait to see my beautiful wife, Sarah... We had been trying to get pregnant for some time, without success. As soon as I got home, I saw a blonde with green eyes waiting for me at the door. I didn't think twice—dropped my things and ran to hug her. A hug followed by a kiss full of longing—a warm kiss, not lustful, just full of love.
Once inside, I looked around and saw that nothing had changed. All the furniture was in its place. I looked at the shelf and saw our photos—our wedding day. I looked at my beautiful wife, admiring her beauty, those green eyes I fell in love with.
Sarah: I missed you.
Lennox: I missed you even more.
[Time Skip – A few weeks later]
I was in the backyard fixing the lawn mower when I heard a loud noise coming from inside. Immediately after, I heard Sarah scream. Without thinking, I ran toward the house, but grabbed a gun I had hidden in the doghouse. I entered through the back door, took position, and cleared the kitchen and living room—nothing. Then I heard a noise from the third floor. I climbed the stairs cautiously.
Suddenly, I heard a crash—it came from our bedroom. The whole house shook like half of it had been destroyed.
When I looked into our room, I saw Sarah being held by Megatron. He looked at me and then flew away with her.
Lennox: SARAAAHHHH!!!
I rushed down the stairs and grabbed a military communicator, sending a message to the Colonel, asking him to alert the Autobots:
"Megatron is back. He has Sarah. He broke into my house and took her. I'm heading to the base. He must be with Quintessa."
After sending the message, I packed my things and took the first flight back to County. As soon as I arrived at the base, I saw Optimus.
Optimus: I'm sorry, Commander Lennox. I never meant for your family to get involved in this war.
Lennox: Optimus, this isn't your fault. Let's rescue Sarah and end this.
[Time Skip]
We were tracking Sarah's location through a necklace I gave her—it had a tracker. Eventually, we were able to find her location: she was in Texas.
Lennox: What's the plan?
I tried to stay as calm as possible.
Optimus: We go to Texas. We storm the location. Quintessa is weak. Megatron doesn't have many with him, and he's also weakened.
Sergeant Robert Epps: So we've got the advantage. Should be easy.
Optimus: Yes, we have the advantage. But they have Sarah. They may use her as a hostage. We'll be extremely cautious. We're not here to defeat Megatron or even Quintessa.
Optimus: Autobots, our top priority is rescuing Sarah and keeping the soldiers safe. No matter what happens, Sarah is the priority. Forget Megatron and Quintessa. Once she's safe—then focus on one thing... Quintessa!
Optimus always put humans above all else—even himself. I remember the day Optimus gave his life for Sam Witwicky. When I heard of his death, I didn't believe it at first. But when I saw his body, a sharp pain took over me.
Lennox: Thank you, Optimus. You heard him, soldiers! The Autobots will cover us while we rescue Sarah. No heroics! Once she's safe, evacuate the area!
[Time Skip – Texas]
We were in a firefight with the Decepticons. Optimus shot Starscream, forcing him to flee.
Megatron: Don't run, you useless coward!
Optimus: Surrender, Megatron!
Megatron had no choice but to flee and abandon his allies. Once inside, I saw Sarah kneeling, arms raised and chained. Quintessa stood before her—partially human, partially Cybertronian. Sarah had some scratches. I looked at Optimus, and he nodded.
Optimus: Autobots, advance!
Lennox: Let's move, people!
We ran toward Quintessa. She didn't retaliate—just pulled out an object the size of a seed. She turned toward Sarah. I stopped as I saw her pull Sarah up.
Optimus: Quintessa, let her go!
Quintessa: My perfect creation. I've been waiting for you...
Optimus: Release the human, Quintessa. Your problem is with me.
Without warning, Quintessa plunged the object into Sarah's belly, below her navel.
Lennox: SARAAAHH!!
Optimus charged and threw her away, plunging his sword into her chest. I ran to Sarah. She was groaning in pain, holding her belly where the object had entered.
Lennox: Hey, breathe... I'm here with you...
She screamed in pain.
Lennox: OPTIMUS!!!
Optimus came closer and knelt down.
Lennox: Quintessa put something inside her! She won't survive if we don't get it out!!
Optimus picked her up.
Optimus: You'll have to trust me. I'll take her with me. I'll use my jets to reach County base. Ratchet and his human specialists can help her.
I nodded. Optimus flew off with Sarah. I gathered my soldiers and ordered them to retrieve Quintessa's body to be destroyed—completely, leaving no remains. We wouldn't risk another Megatron incident.
[Time Skip – County Base]
As soon as I arrived, I headed straight to the medical wing. I found Sarah on a gurney.
Lennox: Is she going to be okay?
Everyone looked at me in silence. Why were they quiet?
Lennox: Tell me... Is she going to be okay?
Colonel: Lennox!!
I turned and saw the Colonel.
Colonel: Come. Only Optimus can explain.
Outside, I saw doctors looking somber. Whatever it was—it wasn't good.
Optimus: Lennox... What I have to say is not pleasant...
He looked at me.
Optimus: Millions of years ago, Quintessa created me—her "perfect creation." She tried to recreate that perfection again and again—but failed, until now. For millennia she worked on one thing—something that could control anything with energon. But it needed something to grow... She knew she wouldn't live forever. The war drained her. She planned to use Earth as the host, but we stopped her. So... she found another host. A female host.
Lennox: What Quintessa put inside Sarah...
Colonel: I'll be honest, Lennox. She's not going to survive. That thing has taken over what would've been your child.
Lennox: Child?...
Ratchet: Sarah is... was pregnant. But the thing Quintessa put inside her fused with the embryo. Now... your child is that thing.
Lennox: Can't you remove it?
Ratchet: We tried. But Sarah became too weak. If we continued, she'd die. The thing won't come out—it'll only leave when Sarah dies. Without life, it has no reason to stay in the host...
Soldier: Sir Lennox! Sarah's awake!
I rushed to her side.
Sarah: You... you have to let... Lennox...
Lennox: Don't push yourself, love. You're tired.
Sarah: I was going to tell you, but everything happened so fast...
Lennox: It's okay...
Sarah: That "thing"... is our child. You may not see it that way, but it is. Don't let them take my baby away. We'll raise it...
Lennox: I can't... It'll kill you!
Sarah: I don't care... We fought so hard to have a child, Lennox... I'll give my life to protect this baby—robot, prototype, whatever it is. I'll go as far as I can, and raise it as my child... because I know there's life inside me...
Lennox: Are you sure about this?
Sarah: Absolutely.
I turned and saw the doctors ready to move her to a resting room. After making sure she was okay, I went to see the Colonel and Optimus.
Lennox: Optimus! Colonel!
Optimus/Colonel: Yes?
Lennox: Sarah wants to keep the "child"! She feels there's life inside her. I don't want this—but it's her wish...
Optimus: Is she certain?
Lennox: Yes...
Colonel: She could die, Lennox!
Lennox: She knows. I warned her. But she doesn't care. She's willing to give her life for the child she's dreamed of.
Optimus: Lennox, I don't know what that thing inside her is capable of—but its power is immense.
Colonel: Forgive my words, Lennox. But Optimus, we have an advantage. If it's that powerful, maybe we can use it in our favor...
Optimus: What do you mean?
Colonel: If Sarah manages to give birth, the "child" might be Cybertronian—like you Autobots. She may have Quintessa's power. This "child" could end your war—perhaps even be the salvation of your planet...
Lennox: The Colonel's right. Quintessa would've used this "child" to revive Cybertron—for evil. But we can use it... for good!
Optimus: You're both right. But know this: Megatron knows Quintessa's plan. He will come for the child.
Colonel: We'll be ready. We'll train and raise the child to fight for us. When Megatron comes—we'll end this war that has taken so many lives.