Of This Life and the Next

Chapter 21: Inner Monologues

Location: A.R.K Ship- Residential Floor- Hoist’s Room

“So…does anyone have any updates on Wedge?” Hotshot asked, tossing the force field-protected energon cube from one hand to the next. Nearby, Medix was sprawled out belly down on Hoist’s berth. His chin rested on his folded arms while Whirl knelt beside him, gently rubbing and massaging his still sore back.

“What sort of ‘updates’ are you asking about?” Medix inquired, not even opening his optics as he basked in the femme’s attention and tender touches.

Hotshot tossed the sphere into the air before catching it expertly, “I mean…does anyone know when he’s gonna be let out, or…why he even did what he did in the first place?” he looked around at his three remaining friends.

Hoist paused and looked over his shoulder, tearing his attention from his invention for a moment, “Yeah…I was wondering about that too…” he turned to the only femme in the room, “Whirl?”

Whirl glanced up but didn’t stop tending to the junior medic’s tender plate, “Um…well…my sire says he’s still in the brig and he won’t be escorted out until the new humans arrive. After that, he’ll be taken back and he’ll have the spend the night in his cell.” The mechs all winced in sympathy for their friend, but Whirl continued, “And tomorrow, instead of joining us for training, he’ll be busy with extra cleaning duties. After that, he’ll be confined to his berthroom –‘no visitors’, that’s what my sire said!- and if he behaves himself throughout the evening, he’ll be allowed to rejoin us the following day.” 

There was another collective sound of empathy.

“That’s harsh…” Hoist announced as he turned back to the ray gun on his desk.

Medix finally opened optics, “It is, but keep in mind, he did attack another youngling.” He reminded calmly. “As much as it pains me to say it, he needs to face the consequences of his actions.”

“Then Scorch should be in the brig too for what he did to you! No offense, Hot Shot!” Whirl sent her friend a sheepish grin.

Hot Shot waved off her concern, “Don’t worry, I agree one hundred and ten percent!”

“That’s not possible. There can only be one hundred percent of anything.” Medix corrected as he lifted his head slightly, “And as to the suggestion of Scorch being put in the brig…I…as much as I would love to see that happen, I’m afraid throwing him into solitary confinement would be an injustice to him…as much as it pains me to say so.” The mechling grumbled, dropping his head back down onto his arms.

Whirl blinked at her interest’s defense of his nemesis, “Medix…he hurt you just to prove a point!” she argued, “He should be locked up, at least for a little bit!” Hot Shot and Hoist nodded in agreement.

Medix sighed and shook his head, “All of that is true, but…in his defense…I don’t think he meant to hurt me as bad as he did. Not physically at least.” He shifted a bit and lifted his head higher, “Scorch was rude and arrogant, but in the end, he didn’t give me a full on beatdown where he needed to be pried off me by several grown mechs. What we had was an embarrassing match…what Wedge partook in was a full out attack. There was no restraint in what he did. He wanted to hurt Stungun.”

The room went quiet at the younglings processed Medix’s words.

Hoist tapped his tool against the desk in thought, “Yeah…that fight did look pretty one sided.” He admitted thoughtfully before turning in his seat to get a full view of his friends, “But does anybody know why he flipped out like that? I know he doesn’t really like Stungun flirting with Lickety and all, but I never thought he’d actually attack him for it!”