Runaway

Interlude - A Four of Thirteen Discussion

"The youngling has swayed and dove into the dark," came the veiled accusing tone.

Vector sighed as he nodded, optics darting towards the minicon. "Yes."

Micronus stared up at him, optics narrowed. "This is not good, Vector. The gift could be harmful in the wrong hands."

"Especially since he doesn't know he has it yet," added Alchemist thoughtfully, a deep frown etched on his faceplate. "Alpha Trion and I could try to keep an optic on him, but it's hard when we're in Iacon and he's... Well, I doubt we'd have much effect on him even if we did make contact currently."

Alpha Trion let out a huff, stroking his beard. "Alchemist is right. And there is no interpreter. Not yet."

"We wondered about a few to gift with that," said Vector slowly. He shook his helm. "But they are no longer with the youngling."

"Can you tell us anything of the outcome of this?" inquired Micronus curtly. "Or are you and Alpha Trion going to keep tight-lipped about anything you do know?"

Vector shook his helm again, though his faceplate was grim. "I only remind you all. The youngling will survive."

"That's comforting at least," Amalgamous thought, crossing his servos in his corner where he'd been listening to his brothers argue. "Apparently V's seen something."

Why else would he have chosen this specific youngling?

Alpha Trion, if he had seen something too from that book and Quill of his, was keeping silent also.

Mal just wanted his playful young charge back really. This is what you got when you traded mecha to watch over. Vector however, rarely asked. So Mal had figured it was with good reason.

He trusted V though.

He just hoped his former charge would as Vector had promised, survive to see the end of the war.

And more than just him of course.

But Mal always got a little attached to the mecha selected for him to watch. After all, the reason they designated mecha to their watching Primes, was because they showed characteristics similar to them.

Steeldust was a little like Amalgamous. So, he was assigned to watch the Velocitronian descendant.

Until Vector had requested to move him into his watch instead.

And Mal could share. So, he had. If Vector was asking, it was important.

Grumbling, Micronus said his farewells and left the pocket dimension.

"Do you really think we shouldn't try and contact the youngling?" Alchemist asked.

"Haven't we meddled in his life enough?" wondered the Shifter Prime, speaking up finally.

"You and I both know, he wouldn't have made it as far as he has if one of us hadn't intervened," Alpha Trion said quietly, glancing towards Mal. "If Vector hadn't, you would have tried, I know."

Amalgamous was seldom serious, but he took his guarding very seriously. He hated when he lost charges.

Not as much as Quintus perhaps, but he did.

"Yeah. But should we really attract attention to him is what I mean?" Amalgamous said. "You know, they'll get suspicious if you or Macadam here randomly show up. I mean, I don't think any of the Cybertronians suspect who either of you really are, but..."

"That's a good point," Alchemist nodded. "Mal is right. However, we should keep an audio out in case he does land in Iacon at some point. It would look less suspicious if we approached him in our home turf."