Transformers: Ratchet x Drift

Dratchet in Siege

Drift looked on as the autobots arrived in. Although he didn't go forward, he had his weapons ready.

He watched as his sweet spark went up to talk with them. Impacter, the new bot at the "ward" talked to them as well.

A deal seemed to be made and Ratchet went to get some supplies and Drift followed, in the shadows, to talk with him, alone.

Ratchet's back was to him as he crept down the corridor.

"Yes Drift?" Ratchet asked, despite Drift's best attempt to sneak up on him.

"Where are you going?" The ex-con asked.

"Repairing a space bridge for the autobots." Ratchet said.

That didn't bother Drift. While he didn't join the autobots he, like Ratchet, helped those no matter their alligence.

"Alone?" Drift asked, tensing. He didn't like leaving the ward. Ever. But when Ratchet was involved...

"Impacter is coming along." Ratchet said.

"Good." Drift breathed. He trusted the newest patient and nurse in the ward. "You promise you'll come back?"

Ratchet froze. He gently lifted his hand and caressed one side of Drift's face.

"You know my rule: no promises." Ratchet, as a medic, never made promises. There were so many you couldn't keep. You can't make them better, can't bring them through, can't...

Drift rubbing his head against Ratchet's snapped the medic from his thoughts.

"I'll be waiting." Drift whispered.

As Ratchet's hands left his face, Drift walked back into the ward while the medic went with the autobots. He felt the lingering touch of the medic's gentle hands as he went, while Ratchet remembered the so-close-glow of Drift's optics when their heads were together.

It had been hours. And Drift had heard of what happened. The allspark, the ark, Omega Supreme, the space bridge...but nothing of Ratchet and Impacter.

Drift went looking for them. When he got to the site of the space bridge, Drift found one of them. Impacter.

Drift knew he couldn't do anything for him but say a prayer to Primus to let his friend into his gates.

He continued looking through the rubble until someone walked up to him.

"Drift!" She called. He recognized her, the second-in-command of the autobots. But how did she know him?

Drift ran over to her.

"I saw you in Ratchet's ward." Elita-1 said before he said anything. "I know why you are here. I'm so sorry but Ratchet got on the ark and-" 

Drift stopped her. He had heard the rest, as had anyone left on cybertron.

The ark, and everyone one it, was deactivated. Including Ratchet.

For a moment, Drift was mad at him. Why had he gotten on the ark at all? He said he would come back!

But he didn't promise.

Then Drift smiled. The only thing that could convince Ratchet to leave his patients--leave him--was the greater good. And that was what he died doing.

Then he realized something.

"Optimus was aboard?" He asked Elita-1.

"Yes." She said slowly. "But we are continuing the fight."

"Of course. But I am sorry about your lost..." Drift said, referring to her "special friend" Optimus Prime. "I lost mine too."

Realization spread across Elita-1's face.

"Thank you. I...I am sorry we couldn't protect him"

"My Ratchy, he does what he wants." Drift said. Then he thought, Ratchet died for the greater good. He would want Drift to continue his work... "Now tell me more about our continuing fight."

Somewhere, deep in space, held captive by the Quintessons, Ratchet finally had time to think about Drift.

He hadn't been able to go back to him. He hadn't promised anyway. But there was one promise he always knew, that he didn't tell Drift.

"I will always love you." Ratchet murmered. "I promise."