Infected

Chapter 8

Solar POV.

I felt my spark scream. I could still hear my carrier's voice. He sounded, genuinely worried. Like something terrible was coming... Like he wanted to tell me what but one of the other doctors needed him. The hospital, the hospital, had to close its doors... The room swayed momentarily around me. Mr. Frost must have jumped into action because someone guided me to a chair. I could hear my friend's frantic worries. They knew something terrible was going on... I don't react to news like this. It took a while but I finally told my friends what Carrier told me. After the announcement, several mechs outside the hospital tried rioting, thinking it was fake news or some political bullslag. The riot quickly went viral around the city, paired with that news alert and already high tensions. The panic we saw wasn't just bots trying to get away from anyone infected, but also away from anyone hostile.

The hospital had to close its front doors to prevent the rioters from entering, but so many scared bots flooded in from other entrees they had to lock down completely. Ratchet was worried that the virus had spread undetected faster than anyone saw coming. The city itself was to go into full lockdown within the half hour. My friends had all gone quiet from the news, even Harmony's door wings stopped moving. I think we all felt the overwhelming weight hanging over us. There was something else at play here... But part of me was scared that was my paranoia talking.

"I think maybe you kids should get some recharge. It's been, quite the day." Frost gently urged everyone. The seekers nodded and found themselves a comfy corner to pack into. Harmony decided to sleep on the living room couch with Wavelength, while I- I couldn't sleep at all. I watched Cybertrons moons from the window. What was Sire doing right now? Actually, he was probably attempting to talk things over with Cybertons council. They like to get into every mess they can, only to make it worse somehow. I don't like them. At all. Fake primes, all of them. Ratchet is probably still trying to smooth things over inside the hospital.

I frown to myself. Where did this virus even come from? Not that I gave a truly genuine thought. I remember Carrier saying that it was odd, there was absolutely no pattern between patients. What sort of illness does that? There's always a pattern. Weak immune system, age, other diseases, time of the year, normal stuff like that.

"Solar?" I heard someone whisper.

"Hm? Who was that?" I ask, curious which friend was awake.

"Me." I see Wavelength flop a servo.

"Ah. What's got you awake?" I ask leaning against the wall to face him.

"Anxiety." He whispers.

I nod.

"Same here Waves. It's just, so weird and terrifying what's going on..." I admit.

"Yeah. What sort of virus causes this much of a panic?"

"I don't know. I'm scared Carrier doesn't even know."

"But Ratchets a medic? How would he not know?"

"Because I overheard him saying it didn't follow a pattern."

Wavelength doesn't respond.

"So, then where did it come from?" He finally whispers back.

"Carrier couldn't figure that out either."

"So it's a mystery..."

"Yeah."

Neither of us say anything for a while.

"Let's figure it out. The five of us." I say without thinking, surprising myself.

I don't want to sit in useless anxiety though.

"I'm sorry?!" Wavelength perks up,

"Let's look at everyone who's gotten it, and figure this out." I repeat.

"Um. Solar, we're teens!" Wavelength stresses.

"Yeah. Healthy teens. And stubborn ones too." I decide to go with it.

"Well yeah... It does sound fun." Wavelength chuckles. "We could steal a ship. Then we could really make progress."

"Why not? I mean, Eclipse is a survivalist! She would know what to do in case of an emergency." I press.

"And Siege is the best planner we have! He could easily figure out how to best get to where and when, thus helping us avoid red spots in the city!" Wavelength eagerly adds.

"Exactly! Flare is brilliant at getting out of sticky situations, with him he might be able
to avoid getting infected in the first place!"

"And with Ratchet being your carrier, you could help us in case we do!"

"Me? What about you? Wavelength that map and battle simulator of yours is invaluable!"

The two of us eagerly start talking about a plan. The five of us could try taking Mr. Thundercracker's ship. It was in perfect condition and was large enough for 20 maybe 30 bots, each having enough room to be comfortable. None of us would have to worry about being stuck quarantined in one place. The ship could take us anywhere in the city! Wavelength quickly started talking about how to slip past our creators. Neither of us cared to plan much about Ultra Magness. Ratchet was stuck in the hospital and Optimus might be to busy to notice, as much as it stings to stab them both in the back... Mr. Skywarp, is insane. He might encourage, and he might not. It would safer to distract him just in case. Mr. Thundercracker... Well he'll be tricky. We were plotting to steal his pride and joy for Primus sake.

Wavelength suggested doing it at night, when everyone was in recharge. That was a fair idea!