Infected

Chapter 16

"I'm confused. I thought you said he couldn't be trusted?" I quickly catch up to my commander.

"Well, he seems to have proven a change in spark." The older mech looks down. "You're curious aren't you?"

"Very much sir!!" I beamed.

I remember the walk to my commanders office as awkward but exciting. An ex-con wanted to join the Wreckers. And not just any con, Deadlock. Fascination had been bubbling in my tanks all day. It took a lot of begging but I was allowed to meet him. Deadlock or not! Every bot deserves a friend! My commander opened to door. Of course he always predicted my actions and blocked my path. I was in the middle of trying to climb over his arm and introduce myself. Eventually he just shut me up and spoke himself.

"Hi!!! I'm a wrecker here! It's so nice to meet you! Everyone here is great! They'll love you! I mean they love me so obviously they'll like you. I can show you the ropes-"

"This!" My commander had cut me off, "Is one of my wild cards. He means well I swear by it. He just needs..... supervision."

"Hey!!"

After that. I was allowed to give the grand tour! Nothing was left unexplained. Looking back on it, I know why my commander let me. While yes, I was loud and constantly a lot to take in, I also loved the bots around me. I loved genuinely being their friends. And I think a friend is what Deadlock needed. I was by his side a lot the first month he was with us. After that, we'll we were still together a lot. I was sad to see him leave the Wreckers. His reasoning was understandable. Especially given his history. I threw him a farewell party. It wasn't big, but I know he loved it.

"So, where do you think you'll go?"

"I'm not sure, I'm honestly hoping to find Optimus."

"Yeah. Commander talks about him a lot."

"Have you ever meet the prime?"

"Yeah. When I was younger. Early to mid teens I think. He- he stopped me from going dark. Commander though? Commander really gave me a reason not to."

"Well dear friend, the universe has kept you safe. I'm honored to know that. I hope the universe will do the same for me."

"Please, I'm sure it will!" I nudge his shoulder. "You said so yourself! Everyone has their place. The universe knows that place and will help you there. But it's up to you to define and fight for that place."

My friend chuckles.

"I did say that? Didn't I?"

We didn't see each other for years afterwards. During that time we lost contact as well. The Wreckers grew thinner in rank. Not many of us originals were around any more. I dare say, myself and 34 others? 34 out 168. 168 out of the once 952. Some left, most were killed in action. Of course, that's the way of the Wreckers. We die off quickly, as sad as it is. My commander held badges for every Wrecker who fought. He keeps them safe.

"Sir? I need to talk to you." I knocked on his door one day.

"Oh! Come in." He smiled and motioned to the seat. At this point it was his eighth office.

"I- I wish to leave the Wreckers. Join Optimus."

He stopped typing.

"Leave? You love it here?" He sounded shocked.

"I do! And everyone here! The Wreckers are my family. But-" I sighed. "I don't know. I just feel like I need to be with Optimus and his troops."

"A feeling?"

"From deep in my spark. I'm not sure how else to explain it."

I left not long after. My commander denied it, but everyone knew he was upset. Who could blame him? Him and I had grown close. The escort to Optimus had been safe enough. A con attack and hunt for us delayed the process. But I made it. The Ark was just beginning construction at this point. Barely had the ship skeleton built. Given my Wrecker background, I was made a front liner. Optimus was a kind leader. He looked out for everyone. Made sure we all survived. He took losses hard, learning from as many he could. As for the bots around? Well some I liked, some I didn't.

"Those would be the terror twins. Don't get close. They're bad news."

"Why?" No one ever told me.

But they seemed to like me. Sunstreaker and I became secret chat buddies. Sideswipe and I ran around playing simple games of tag. My time with Optimus lasted for the rest of the war. I grew on a lot of the bots there. They grew on me. I think we all could agree the war got better on Earth though.

"The sunsets here, they're beautiful." Arcee sighed.

"Yeah. Nothin' like home."

"For better or worse?"

"Better I think. The nature here is great."

"Until it floods."

"Enough. This is a stealth mission." Our squad leader scolded everyone.

A series of yes sirs and we continued. I liked Earth. Earth meant the war was almost over.