Destiny

 "Sorry, Alpha Trion, but that is all the time I have for today. I need to refuel briefly, then return to my patrols." Waverod was reluctant to leave -- to be in Alpha Trion's presence was deeply comforting for some reason, like his spark resonated unconsciously with the old scholar.

"I understand. You have done well. Contact my office when you can come again. I have another passage that I think you will find most interesting." Waverod walked out. As she did she passed Optimus Prime. The Autobot leader, recently made Prime, was Alpha Trion's protégé back when he went by Orion Pax. Waverod gave a nod in greeting, which Optimus returned. He walked out of the office. Outside, she transformed and took off, her elongated aerial form akin to a tetrajet, but stretched.

"Are you sure you want Waverod to know, Alpha Trion?" Optimus Prime's concern was not with trustworthiness, but with the difficulty that could result when either secret came out.

"One secret he will know at some point, as will all who follow your leadership. And as for the other -- she has a great gift for languages. At some point, his linguistic curiosity will lead him to the Covenant. Better to find it now, and work with me on it. I can explain some of the more … obscure passages. Merely rendering the text into modern language is not understanding it, as you know." Alpha Trion had long been searching for a way to influence the rumors and legends about both The Fallen and The Arisen, but some things are beyond the smartest and wisest of bots.

"And can you be sure you won't merely be giving him your interpretation of things? I know what you think of me--"

"Whatever became of The Arisen after the Age of Primes is not written in the Covenant. At least, not yet. And as for The Fallen, well, after his exile no one has heard anything of him. Remember, Optimus, I was there for these things. I can explain some of it. Even then, Waverod must make up her own mind. He is an observer who draws his own conclusions."

"Why not write it with the Quill, then? Surely, that would preserve what you remember." Optimus knew Alpha Trion kept this artifact, and that it was used to write the Covenant of Primus.

"The Quill writes what it chooses to write. I have long suspected that the Covenant of Primus is obscure, not merely because of our imperfect knowledge, but because it is intended to be obscure. It tells of the future, not just the past. But any clear prophecy, if it is not false, ultimately destroys free will, and therefore any responsibility. Even those passages I cannot yet understand are likely to talk about events in a cryptic way."

Optimus Prime paused. "I'm not just thinking of our side. Megatron, too, has read at least some of the Covenant. He may think something is about him. And right or not, he may act on it."

Alpha Trion agreed, to a point. "He may. But would any such act be worse than those he might do without such inspiration? Given his actions since the Council named you Prime, it seems unlikely. Now, what did you want to discuss?"