CHAPTER SIX
--Carcer--
"Skids? Hey. Yo. You read me?"
Two fingers snapped in front of Skids' face, bringing him back to reality. He was sitting at a table with Rung, Ariel, and Rapid Run, the latter who was staring at him in concern.
"You okay, pal?" the Camien asked. "You were zoned out there."
"Uh... sorry about that," Skids muttered, blinking. "I didn't... sorry. Where were we?"
Rung set down the holocards he had been holding up. "Was it another flashback?"
"I...." Skids hesitated, stealing a glance at Ariel. The young femme stared back with a hint of worry in her eyes but she said nothing. Returning his gaze to Rung, he said, "Yeah. Yeah, it was. Not a major one. Just... conversations. That's all."
Rung continued to stare at Skids, his large eyebrows joined together in a frown. He opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by Rapid Run, who revved softly.
"So, uh, whose turn is it now? I've lost track. Again."
Rung sighed, breaking his gaze from Skids as he returned to the game. "I believe it is mine," he said as he began to pull out a card from his deck.
Before he could play it, Skids suddenly stood up from his seat, placing down his cards face front. "Sorry. I have to fold. I... I need some time to myself."
"Just as well," Rung said solemnly, folding his cards as well. "It's about time for Ariel's session to start. I'll see you again soon."
Skids nodded before leaving the room. Out of the corner of his optics he saw Rapid Run get up as well but did not notice her following him until they were a good distance away, the sound of her footsteps growing louder as she got closer to him.
Coming to a stop, Skids turned around to face the Camien, folding his arms over his chest. "When I said 'time to myself', I meant 'time to myself.'"
Rapid Run planted her hands on her hips. "No, what you meant was 'skulk around like a loser.' Come on, Skids; if you need someone to talk to, just ask. I've got nowhere else to be."
Skids frowned. "I don't even know you that well. I'm not sure--"
"It never hurts to start somewhere. So go on; tell me a little about yourself and I'll tell you a little about me, then back to you, then me. Maybe then we can form some kind of connection."
Skids considered this idea for a moment before shrugging. "All right then. Let's see... I was forged in Nova Cronum, Cycle 7998...."
* * *
Cyclonus stared at the blue spacecraft as it flew towards him and Whirl. Beside him, the ex-Wrecker readied himself in a fighting stance, although his attention still seemed to be on Cyclonus rather than their new arrival.
"So it's come to this, eh? Got so sick of hangin' around with us that you've decided to call your old Unicron buddies."
"I didn't summon him here," Cyclonus snapped. "I don't know who did, or how he even found us...."
The ex-Herald fell silent as the ship transformed to robot mode, cape-like wings unfurling to allow arms and legs to stretch out. A head emerged from the rear section of the starship, red optics glowing from a silver face ornamented with metal attachments -- a distinction belonging to those of his long-defunct tribe.
Descending from where he had been flying, Scourge landed gracefully before Cyclonus, sweeping his wings behind his back as he stood rigidly and proudly before his former cohort.
"Greetings, Cyclonus of Tetrahex," Scourge said, a devilish grin adorning his features. "It's been a while."
"What do you want, Scourge?" Cyclonus asked, his tone dark. "How did you even find me?"
"Not even a formal greeting? How disappointing." Scourge let his shoulders droop dramatically. "I hope the Autobots haven't already made you change your ways."
"Hardly. I am simply... surprised by your appearance," Cyclonus replied, selecting his words carefully. "Allow me to ask again: What are you doing here?"
Scourge smirked. "I am here to do for you what you once did for me many millennia ago, back at an old, dimly lit basement bar in Ultrix." He held out his hand, expanding crimson-tipped fingers. "I am here to recruit."
* * *
"...That was when I enrolled at the J.A.A.T."
"J.A.A.T.?" Rapid Run asked, tilting her head.
"Sorry, I mean the Jhiaxian Academy of Advanced Technologies," Skids said. "It was run by a High Councilor named Shockwave, who... have you heard of him?"
"I've heard stories from Overcast and the others. Sounds to me he was a sparkless spawn of a glitch."
"Yeah, he wasn't much better back in those days," Skids muttered. "I mean, he was nice enough but... he could be a little cold at times. Some days it felt like he only cared for what his students could do for his own benefit rather than ours."
"Hmm. Did you get along well with the other students?"
Skids thought for a moment. "Yeah. They were an okay bunch. Windcharger was a hoot; one day he magnetized Shockwave to the floor, leaving him stuck there while we left class early. Then there was Trailbreaker, who's always fun to be around. And Scoop... I actually didn't like Scoop that much. He was kind of an overzealous Primian nut, always touting verses from the Covenant of Primus. Then there was Glitch...."
"Glitch?" Rapid Run inquired when Skids trailed off. "Was that his actual name?"
"No, that was just what we called him." Skids frowned as he ran a hand over his helmet. "Uh, anyway... enough about me. It's your turn now."
Rapid Run frowned. "Aren't you going to tell me about Glitch?"
"It's really not important."
"Come on! Don't leave me hanging! What was he like? Was he nice? Was he a jerk?"
"He was...." Skids closed his eyes as he pressed his palm against the crest of his helmet. "He was...."
Hello, Skids.
His optics flashed back on as the all-too-familiar voice resonated in his mind.
It's been a long time.
"Damus," he murmured.
Rapid Run stared back at him. "What?"
"His name was Damus."
"Is that important?"
Skids did not answer her. Instead, he pushed past the Camien and ran back to where Rung and Ariel were.
* * *
"Recruiting?" Cyclonus repeated, staring at Scourge and his proffered hand. "Recruiting for what?"
Scourge smiled. "Well, for you it's less of a recruitment and more of an offer to come out of retirement."
Cyclonus frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"I can't say much -- at least not until you've agreed. All I can tell you is that the gears are still turning. Just because the vehicle has lost its driver doesn't mean it's stopped moving."
Cyclonus narrowed his eyes. "Are you saying...?"
The other Herald's grin widened. "It's not too late to get back into the vehicle, old friend. Maybe you can even take the wheel...."
Cyclonus fell silent at this, his optics darting from Scourge to the outstretched hand. A storm of clashing thoughts stirred within his mind, and when he opened his mouth, he wasn't sure what words were going to come out.
They never had the chance to, for Whirl at that moment that Scourge's face would look really nice with a dent in it.
As the Herald recoiled from the punch, Whirl spun back around and grabbed Cyclonus by the arm. "How about that? I hit him instead of you. I could've, but I--"
"Do not," Cyclonus wrenched his arm free from the Wrecker's grip, "touch me. Ever again."
"Whatever you say, gramps," Whirl sniped back as he turned to run back inside the Titan. "I'll leave you two to play while I go get the guns. Don't kill each other until I get back."
Once the Wrecker had gone, Cyclonus turned back to Scourge, who had already regathered his bearings. The blue-plated Herald glared at his former comrade as he sneered.
"I'll give you one last chance to make your decision. I've known you for long enough to know you'll make the right choice."
Cyclonus stared back at him for a long, pressing moment. Then, in a tone that sounded almost regretful, he said, "I'm sorry, old friend, but I've already chosen my path, and it is no longer with you and the other Heralds."
Scourge's expression became grim. "You are making a grave mistake, Cyclonus. You have no idea what is at hand here."
"No, I don't. But I don't need to." Cyclonus turned to walk away. "I'm sorry, Scourge. I'm sorry things have to be this way."
"I'm sorry, too."
Suddenly, Cyclonus felt himself seize up, his joints locking in place. He tried to move but found himself unable to feel any part of his body. Before he could comprehend what was happening, he heard Scourge speak softly in his audio sensor.
"Unicron lives."
Then everything went black.
No comments:
Post a Comment