Infected

Chapter 43

Eclipse P.O.V

Flare waved down Siege as Solar walked a few feet into the tunnel.

"It's natural. But I don't think the rocks were." Solar pulled his servo away from the rock wall. His winglets flicked curiously.

"There's no dust." I frown looking at his clean digits.

*I think there's something down there.* Harmony tapped Solar's armor.

We all look at each other as Siege lands behind us.

"Since when was this here?" He picked up Harmony and put her on his shoulder.

"We don't know, but Harmony senses something down there." Wavelength was already running new simulations.

"Then we go in. Is the ship still cloaked?" Siege looked in the dark pathway.

"Yep. Completely." Solar nodded. "Let's go!"

"Ah, into the dark and lonely and suspicious tunnel. Fun!" Flare chuckled.

"Eclipse, Harmony, you both walk ahead. Harmony, lead us to what you're hearing." Solar instructed. "Eclipse, guard her as you walk."

We both nod and lead the group down into the island.

"It's cold." Flare whispered.

"It's freezing." Siege agreed.

*It's louder. I'm hearing a computer.*

"A computer?" Wavelength paused.

"Underground?" Solar's helm tilted.

"That's not creepy." Flare whistled.

"The tunnel is about to open up." I inform the others while studying the stone walls.

"Then it's time to dim lights and go radio silent. We have no idea what's down here. " Siege intructed.

We nod and power down our bio lights. It wasn't a large cave, just large enough for ten bots. But against the back rockwall was a computer. It was huge, constantly sifting through large amounts of data. There were a few crates scattered around. The other tunnels had an attempt at a camp set up. For cybertronians...

I frown and watch as Wavelength looked over the computer. It looked? Unique... Powerful and worked well, but definitely, special looking. Whatever it was doing though, the data had a completely different source. The cave was oddly creepy. Like something was freakishly off somewhere but you couldn't tell where. My gears and wires kept crawling. Solar walked over and joined Wavelength in his new study.

:It's creepy in here.: Flare glared at the empty camp.

:Yeah. But I don't think it belongs to whoever had the camera.: Wavelength picked up one of the monitors.

*Why say that?* Harmony stayed closer to Siege.

:Well for one the engineering is completely different. The models and companies for most of these parts are completely different. The camera was something simple and advanced. Plus the camp is a total junkyard.: Wavelength set it back down.

:So then how many groups are here on Earth?:

:That's weird? Wouldn't there be more evidence that the humans know then? I mean, we're advanced but humans tend to have a fair idea of what is on their planet.: Flare's wings twitched.

:He has a point. Especially with how close we are to Europe.: Siege looked back up the tunnel.

:Then this place has to be something that isn't visited often. Although, a visit was recent.: I muse looking at the state of things.

*It smells weird in here.* Harmony huffed.

:Oh gross. It does.: Solar's face scrunched up.

:Any luck with the computer?: I walked over to Wavelength as he fiddled with a hard drive.

:Kinda...: Wavelength brushed off the question. He never did that.

:Kinda? Wavelength what does that mean?: Siege zeroed in on him.

:We- need- LEAVE. We're leaving.: Wavelength started shaking.

:What do you mean we're leaving?: Solar stood up as Wavelength tried accessing the computer controls. An alert popped up and the computer lights went red. Wavelength went rigid.

:They um- Know we're here...:

:WHAT!: Siege spun to face the entrance.

:How?!: My optics widened.

:What did you do?!: Solar kneeled down to stop the alert.

:I tried shutting it down! It-it-: Wavelength was panicking worse.

:Wavelength stop. We need to leave. He's figured something out and whatever it is, it isn't good. Someone is coming.: I grab Wavelength's servo.

*No can do! Someone is at the entrance.* Harmony took his other servo.

I could see the look in her eyes. She knew how to work computers as well. It was something she and Wavelength bonded over.

:Then hide. Hide in a way where you can run and grab onto our wings.: Siege ordered.

Flare ducked behind one of the tents, Harmony got behind the computer which I knew already was a disaster and Siege pulled myself and Wavelength behind several of the crates. Solar was unable to stand and duck away in time before two bots walked into the cave.

"Yeah, the alert went off. A rat probably ran over the board again." I heard a familiar voice.

"A rat or- You!!!!!" The other paused.

"You're the ship brat!" The first growled.

"Me?! Oh- oh no! That's not me!" Solar panicked and fell back onto the first idea that came to mind.

"Oh really? Then who are you?" I? Wait I recognized that voice?

I poke my helm above the crate. It was the two pirate lackeys that made Solar and I escorted them around our ship!

"I'm um. A refuge. From the war." Solar was stiff as a board.

"Nope. We know you. You're- what was his name?"

"Solar." The second pirate rolled his eyes.

"Oh! No that's not me. I'm- SolAR" Solar played it cool, kinda. In his own, awful use of what little theater skills he had.

"SolAR? Not SolER?" The first paused.

He looked genuinely confused. Well- I don't recall them being that bright...

"Yep. This other bot was down here while I was trying to seek shelter. He hit my helm and ran out. That must be SolER. I'm SolAR." Solar swallowed.

"The brat left?! First they steal from us then they wreck some rando? Where did SolER go?!" The second one launched into an interrogation.

"He ran out the tunnel as I was passing out." Beautifully lying Solar.

:Smooth lying so far.: Flare typed in the chat.

:Thanks...-_-: Solar typed back and physically ignored him.

"Well clearly there's a missing mech to find-" Solar was cut off.

The cave lights flicker and the pirates pause and then scream, immediately trying to leave. As they ran I could hear them screaming the ghost was back. For a moment I sat there stunned. How- How ditzy were they...? SolAR?! SolAR?! Solar and I stare at each other completely baffled at what happened. Flare and Siege were staring at the tunnel wondering what on Cybertron just happened. Harmony stepped out with an amused expression as Space Mouse ran back into her servo. Wavelength looked like he was resetting.

:SolAR???: I type.

:I panicked. I got lucky. Let's leave.: Solar was cracking a confused smile.

I shake my helm as we all creep out of the tunnel and onto our ship. Once aboard, we left. Wavelength went off to recharge. I noticed the hard drive was still in his servo. Harmony ran after him as Space Mouse ran after them both. Those two discovered something. And whatever it was, it managed to freak out the guy who could predict nearly every possible outcome.