Airazor made a noise despite her every attempt not to, small and warbling and vibrating in her chest behind the maximal crest. Mournful.

[Of course it was, she tells herself. It was the only reliable source of parts and energon their half of the maximals had available, and was likely the only reason Primal and Cheetor and Rhinox were still online at all. It made sense. It made sense. And yet it still crushes her spark like another maximal has met their end.]

I see. [She takes refuge in sounding stern, the way she always had] You did what you had to do. I understand. Better the ship than any of you.