Phoenix

Company

Andromeda didn't say much during her recovery. For the next two days she just sat, watching as Surefire led the Escort without her once again.

"I told you." Blueline's optics said. "I told you, you shouldn't have gone."

I know, I know. She thought. She knew the medic was only trying to protect her. She knew that he would keep her grounded as long as possible to monitor her condition.

Condition.

It was like a forbidden word. Blueline only ever spoke of it in hushed tones. Andromeda was grateful for that, though. The last thing she wanted was for the others to find out.

xxx

The Runners were training that afternoon, but their Commander was speaking with Blueline. Andromeda could hear every word, but she wasn't paying attention. Finally, the Commander nodded and left. Andromeda could hear him talking outside the door. Someone else was there. She could feel Blueline's gaze on her.

"Ratchet, you can come in now."

Andromeda's head snapped up, looking towards the door. Ratchet stood there, looking right back at her. Blueline left now, too.

"I'm sure you didn't just come to chase Blueline away." Andromeda said once she was sure the head medic wouldn't hear.

"I only wanted to make sure you're recovering well." He said innocently, not moving. Andromeda sighed.

"Well, don't just stand there. Sit down."

The Runner did as he was told, taking a seat at a respectful distance. She looked at him for a moment, then forced herself to say it.

"Thank you, for helping me."

Ratchet hesitated, looking a bit surprised.

"... You're welcome." He finally replied, not sure what else to say.

There was a long minute of silence. Andromeda could tell there was something he wanted to ask.

"Why are you really here?" She finally asked. "If you're not going to say anything, you might as well leave."

Ratchet hesitated again, embarrassed.

"... Only curiosity, ma'am." He answered, avoiding the real answer.

"Curiosity leads to doubt." Andromeda said. "And I'd rather not have a member of a visiting unit doubt me for anything."

Ratchet nodded, trying to find the right words.

"It's just... I―I've never met a female Captain before. But at the same time I've never met a Captain that leads their unit so... passionately." He paused, seeming to struggle against his own words. "... You've been an object of my admiration for quite some time. In fact, you're quite famous among the other Escorts. But no one seems to know what makes you so different from the rest."

Andromeda thought about this for a moment before replying.

"When I was young―and I'm sure you've heard it yourself―the stereotype was that femmes weren't as strong as mechs." She recalled. "That they weren't as fast, weren't as smart... and they certainly couldn't lead as well as the mechs."

Ratchet nodded slightly, remembering.

"I was told that all my life." She continued. "... And I hated it. So I proved them wrong. I trained, even before the war began. I grew stronger, faster. And now I lead one of the most important units in the army."

It was only half the truth, and Andromeda felt that Ratchet could somehow sense it. Nonetheless, he didn't ask.

"I could say the same for you." She told him. "You're different, even from the other Runners."

Ratchet blinked, caught off guard. He thought for a moment.

"... I've never really been sure why that's so." He said quietly. "Everywhere I go, I seem to stand out from the rest. As a sparkling, I was taught to embrace it, but in a war where everyone is the same, I find it hard to do now."

Andromeda was quiet. She found herself empathetic, though her story was much different from his. She was different in a way that no one knew. Her condition, though invisible, was the true source of her divergence. However, only Blueline and Surefire would ever know it.

"I've seen it." She said. "... And perhaps the reason you yourself don't understand it is because you don't see from others' perspective."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't give up on what you were taught just yet."

xxx

Having Ratchet around helped pass the time while she was grounded. He visited her more often now. When she was alone, Andromeda found herself missing his company. He was different, and now she knew why.

Ratchet didn't seem to understand his own spark. Andromeda, however, saw clearly. He was fierce. Not in the same way as her, though. His battle was silent. A war against death itself. She had seen it herself, how he reacted hearing that she had been hurt. Though they had not been friends at the time, he knew his enemy. The pain of the wounded.

This is what made him different. This is what would lead him to greatness.

Don't give up what you were taught. She thought again. Don't give up your battle.

This is what she found herself admiring him for.