Disclaimer: It's not mine. Be thankful, or it would be the only thing running on Tv. ^^
Author's note: Just posting the chapters again. Enjoy. ^^
~o~o~o~
Chapter 2
By Misty Mina
Inferno sat in front of the med bay on the floor, waiting for the CMO to come out and either tell him that everything was fine or that he'd just lost his best friend. Ratchet had been silent while driving back to the Ark at top speed. Usually, that was never a good thing. The medic not yelling, cursing or hurling his wrench at anyone was a sure sign that the situation was serious.
The fire truck had been waiting for hours and every minute felt like the pit. If Red Alert would deactivate because of him and his foolish bravado, he knew he'd never forgive himself.
Prime walked up to the sitting fire engine. He'd been informed about the whole incident and hoped that his security director would be alright. He knew only the important parts of the battle, but not the details. As much as he would like to know, he wouldn't question the red mech while he was in such a state.
"Anything new?" Prime asked.
Inferno didn't lift his head, he couldn't. There was no energy left after that rough battle and the shock when he saw Red Alert's injuries. But he recognized Prime's voice anyway. It was unique among them.
Optimus sighed and leaned against the wall next to the sitting mech. He trusted Ratchet and his skills, but there were always times when even his medic couldn't save everyone. All they could do now is wait for the CMO to come out of the med bay and tell them about Red's status.
Prime's presence was unsettling Inferno greatly. The leader's words were engraved in his processor.
'Leaving your partner or your team in the midst of battle to fight alone, ...can be a death sentence!'
He always thought the death sentence would be meant for him. Now he knew that his leader meant not only him, but also the bots who were with him. How could things go so wrong?
"Optimus Prime, sir..." Inferno started in a weak voice, yet he couldn't find the words to continue.
The Prime waited patiently for his soldier to continue.
"...I dun' know ...how much you've 'eard. ..."
Optimus was sure that Inferno meant the mission.
"...but this, ...is all my fault."
It surprised the Autobot leader to hear that. Perhaps Inferno felt guilty and was exaggerating it.
"How so?"
The red mech shifted a bit before he leaned back against the wall. Looking up his optics met his leader's.
"I let 'im down. I went agains' Red's orders!" He confessed.
That was what Optimus had suspected already. But there was no use to hold someone responsible for this.
"That doesn't matter Inferno. All that matters now, is if Red Alert will pull through or..." He didn't dare finish that sentence.
"If he doesn', ...could I ask a favor?" A bold question from the fire truck in such a delicate situation. The Prime listened anyway.
"If Red deactivates, ...then throw meh in the brig and lemme rust there."
Desperation was clearly written in Inferno's optics. Optimus was sure his soldier wouldn't even mind to be handed to the Cons on a silver platter.
"That is not helping Red Alert at the very moment. I doubt he would wish for any disciplinary measures and you know that." The Prime's calm voice was the only thing that kept Inferno from raging in the hallway, which was thankfully empty. Jazz and Prowl kept the other bots busy and away from the med bay while Ratchet did his best to save the security director.
Inferno turned his gaze away from his leader. He didn't know anything anymore. Not if Red would pull through or if he would be mad at him if he did. Or what he himself would do if he didn't. The thought alone was terrifying enough, reality would be much worse.
Seeing the red mech so miserable was a rare sight and the Prime doubted that anything could help Inferno now. But he could still try.
"I believe in Red Alert's will to live and I believe in Ratchet's skills. You should do that too."
"You better!..." An exhausted and partly energon covered Ratchet walked up to them. They hadn't noticed how the doors had opened or that the light above the med had been switched off. But the medic's answer alone was enough for them. Red Alert would pull through. That still didn't stop them from asking.
"How is he? Can I see 'im? Will..." Inferno started to babble.
"Hold it or I will sedate you!" The Medic snapped. He was exhausted and needed some high grade.
"Red Alert is far from being fine, but stable. Yes you can go and see him, but don't disturb him. Meaning: No noise, no touching or talking! Got that?" Ratchet knew how to get his point across.
Inferno didn't wait for the medic to change his mind and rushed through the doors leaving Optimus behind with his CMO.
When Inferno was out of audio range, Optimus asked the questions which might unsettle the fire engine.
"How is Red Alert really?"
"You want all the details?" There was no playfulness in Ratchet's voice.
"As much as I'm able to process. I am no medic."
Ratchet wished he could just sit down and be done with the day.
"Well if you insist. The shot wasn't that bad. His fuel tanks were still working and had a small leak. I replaced the tanks and the energon, but the little slagger almost deactivated on me." The medic was annoyed, but also glad. Annoyed that Red Alert gave him such a hard time and glad that he would be alright.
"Did he loose that much energon?"
"No, the crack in his helmet damaged a few microchips and his secondary hard drive. On the top of that, the corrupted data mingled with the self repair system. I'm also pretty sure that Red Alert had tweaked one or two programs without my knowledge or approval, which of course only added to the whole mess."
The CMO might be right about that. Red Alert was known for being paranoid beyond the usual norm for someone who'd experienced war.
"How did he get the crack? My reports state that he'd been shot and that's all." Optimus wondered.
"Make an educated guess! Red's frame isn't a heavy built like you or the Twins. The shot threw him back against the rock. Of course, the force must have been strong enough to crack his helmet. Lucky for him though, or else the shot might have gone right through him and blast his fuel tanks to the matrix." Ratchet was grumpy by now and Optimus knew when it was better to back off.
"Alright, I'll add this to the report later."
"Do you think Inferno should be disciplined? Because I think this could be labeled as an unfortunate accident." It was rare that Ratchet stood up for someone. In his opinion, nobody was at fault, well except the Decepticons of course.
"...No, ...seeing what his recklessness has caused, is enough."
~o~o~o~
Red Alert lay on a medical berth in recharge. He was hooked up on different machines and Inferno had not the slightest idea what their function was. But his friend was still here and that was all that mattered. The matrix and Primus could wait and if he had his way, they could wait forever.
Inferno could only stand next to Red since there wasn't much space left due to the machines supporting the patient. However it was more than enough. He couldn't bring up the patience to wait for the next day. He had to see with his own optics that Red would live. Inferno felt like such a great fool. He had lied to himself. That his impulsive decision would be the best course of action. That he did it to protect Red Alert.
'Idiot!' His processor repeated over and over.
Protecting would have meant to stay by his side. Not to run off. Inferno realized that he'd been nothing but a great show off. Trying to impress the Lamborghini with his skill and strength and forgetting his own duty as bodyguard. After this, he would be lucky if Red could bear to stay in the same room with him again.
If anyone would have asked the fire engine why he'd tried to impress his friend in the first place, he wouldn't be able to answer that.
That Inferno could prove himself? That he was worthy to be his protector? That Red Alert would depend on him? Those were excuses. Nothing but self-righteous excuses.
Perhaps it would be better and safer for Red to look for a better bodyguard. Someone who was reliable, cautious and considerate. Everything he was not. That sounded like a good idea. He could name several bots who were more suited for the job than him. He should talk to Prime about that.
It will take some time for Red Alert to online. Enough time think about the future, ...without his best friend.
~o~o~o~
Day after day passed by and there was still no change concerning Red Alert's condition. He was oblivious to the world around him. But that didn't mean the Ark didn't have it's own problems. Nobody ever had really appreciated Red's work or his duty.
Now, since he was unavailable, the crew actually realized what he had done for them. Everyone did their best and yet, they couldn't replace their security director. The monitor room wasn't always occupied. Some cameras in the open couldn't be repaired. Wheeljack blew his lab up almost every day instead of once a week. The Twins always got away with their pranks and were bored of it and Laserbeak managed to infiltrate the base twice already. They were just lucky that no important information had leaked out.
Some Autobots stopped by when they had the time and when Ratchet would let them. Inferno came to visit Red Alert every day, regardless of time and the medic's mood. But even the fire engine's presence hadn't changed anything. Ratchet unhooked a machine whenever he deemed it safe to do so and soon only one machine was left to monitor Red's spark.
One day when Inferno walked through the base, he heard some shouts from the med bay. Worried about Red Alert, he ran down the hallway and encountered a small crowd in front of the med bay's doors. He pushed everyone out of his way, ignoring the indignant yelling and the protests until he stood inside the room. Now he knew what all the ruckus was about.
Red Alert was online.
He rushed to his side and didn't see how Red Alert twitched when he came closer. Or that he looked at him differently. He was just glad that he could finally talk to his friend and apologize for everything. The fire engine had to kneel next to the berth to be face to face with the Lamborghini.
"Red, finalle! Ya 'ad meh worried there, ya know? I, ...I thought ya wouldn' wake up. I'm so sorry. Tha's all my fault!..." Inferno babbled, but Red Alert didn't stop him.
All Inferno did was to repeat that he was worried, that he was sorry and that he'd never do something like that again. But soon even he noticed that his friend had yet to say something, ...anything at all. Normally, Red would have exploded by now and would have called him reckless, careless, foolish and that he should think before acting. However the silence was new and unsettling.
"Red? Ya ok?" Inferno asked.
The crowd behind them, at the entrance of the med bay, had disappeared, thanks to Prowl's interference and Ratchet's grumpy mood. They made their way over to the bed ridden security director, but even they thought his silence was odd.
Red Alert only stared at the fire truck with an odd look, but soon found his voice to answer him.
"...That is nice and all, but ...who are you?"
~o~o~o~
"I'm sorry Optimus, but there is nothing I can do."
Ratchet had told him Red's status, but the Prime still had a tiny bit of hope left. They were currently in Ratchet's office, trying to find a solution to the current problem. After Optimus had heard about Red Alert's data loss, he'd waited for the CMO to get his tests done and tell him the result.
Ratchet had shooed the fire engine out and told the SIC to keep an eye on him. From the look on Inferno's faceplates, he was close to pull a Prowl on him and just crash.
"Are you certain? What about a backup?"
The medic sighed. If things were just so easy. The hope of his leader was wearing on his patience.
"If there was one, it would be no problem. He never trusted me to make one just in case and the slagger had tweaked his own program. That's actually the reason why we almost lost him to the matrix. Red Alert rewrote the code for the backup program, but the code was incomplete. The order was to delete every backup file of the security system and the files of the Ark if his systems were on the brink to deactivation. Which makes sense. Imagine if we would lose him on the battle field. Our entire security system could fall into Megatron's servos."
Optimus knew this would mean the end of the Autobots and victory for the Decepticons. Red Alert's responsibility was even greater than his own. If he, as leader fell in battle, there wouldn't be any valuable information for their enemies left. All he did was organize the whole mess. But the rules were different for Ratchet, Red Alert, Jazz or Prowl. If one of them fell in battle and the Cons would be able to retrieve the data of the fallen comrade, the war would be decided.
"Why didn't he seek your advice? He certainly had a good reason to rewrite it, but I doubt he had the knowledge to do so."
The CMO snorted in disdain. A trait he had picked up from the humans, which was very fitting for these situations.
"My guess is that his glitch acted up. His paranoia got the better of him and instead of seeking professional help, he read a data pad. Does he think medics waste all their time with fixing a few dents? His code was faulty of course. Instead of deleting the relevant files, it deleted everything!"
This would certainly explain why Red Alert didn't recognize Inferno or anyone else. Not even him or Ratchet.
"The humans use data recovery programs. We should have them too, don't we?" Optimus didn't have any medical knowledge, he just guessed.
"The human's technology is primitive! Their data still leaves traces even after they delete it. Our systems are way beyond that. It makes no sense to have these programs since there isn't anything left to recover. Thankfully only his secondary hard drive has been wiped. His main hard drive is still intact. If not, he would be worse than a sparkling. Red Alert would be 'processor dead' so to speak."
This was the point where Optimus couldn't follow him anymore.
"Bear with me Ratchet, but why is this a good thing? Red Alert has forgotten everything!"
"No, not really. The main hard drive stores basics. Like the own designation, motor skills, communication- and transformation ability. It is also basic information, if the mech or femme has been build for a certain task. Like for security. Red Alert knows everything he has to know about his job. But he has forgotten the past and the present. The secondary hard drive stores memories. Meaning: he knows 'how' different things work, but he can't recall the Ark's entire system. "
It was a cold comfort, but better than nothing. If the crew members valued their friendship with Red Alert, then they would try and go from there. It may be the end for many things and it was also the beginning for something new.
"But he will never be the same again, right?" He just had to know.
The medic shook his head.
"Sadly, ...no. Like every other mech, Red's personality has been shaped from his experiences. But all in all, maybe it's in his favor, because his glitch was also on his secondary hard drive. Since there is no data, there is no glitch. He can start anew."
"...It won't be too hard for Red Alert to get to know everyone ...again. But those who know him, his old self, will have a much harder time, ...to let go." It was hard for Optimus to accept the fact, but he knew it will be much harder for Inferno.
There was nothing they could do now. Showing Red Alert what he had done for the base would be the easy part. That was something he understood. What he wouldn't understand was why everyone would give him sad or strange looks.
~o~o~o~
'It can't be!' It was Inferno's only thought and the only thing to hope for. He was pacing up and down in front of the med bay after Ratchet had thrown him out. Prowl observed him with attentive optics. Ready to act should the fire engine freak out or crash down, whatever came first.
However Inferno had no such thing on his processor. He was too busy worrying over his best friend. He didn't know how long he'd paced in front of the door and he was sure the SIC was about to snap at him to calm down. But nothing happened, which was even worse. Noise, action, even stress were things he understood. Silence, calmness and uncertainty was never good. It would always upset him and make him even more nervous.
When he was about to barge into the med bay, the doors opened and out came a pensive Optimus Prime. The look in his leader's optics was something Inferno didn't like.
"Sir..." Prowl began, but didn't dare ask.
Prowl had never seen a bot with, data loss. Among their kind this phenomena was practically unheard of. There were always backups one could rely on. They actually have to delete files if their hard drive needed space. The file wouldn't disappear by itself.
Organics were different. Humans had brains which they didn't even use to their full potential. If an information was uninteresting or useless, it was a matter of time until their brain would toss the information out. It was easy for them to forget things and even forget a lifetime worth of memories. They just call it amnesia instead of data loss and unlike the cybertronian kind, humans had the chance to remember.
"Prowl, please gather everyone who is available in the rec room." It was an order.
Prime not explaining anything meant he had an announcement to make which would certainly change things on base. Nodding only, he left for the rec. room while informing everyone via comm. link.
Inferno didn't know what to say. Should he ask? See for himself? ...Did he even want to know what was going on? He was just so confused. Why didn't Red Alert recognize him?
Seeing the fire truck's confusion hurt Optimus' spark.
"Go inside Inferno. Ratchet will explain everything."
The red mech reached the door with two steps but hesitated. He was afraid to know the truth. However, he couldn't just forsake Red Alert. If he was so confused already, he could only imagine how the Lamborghini felt. He had to be strong now, for Red's sake! ...Even if it hurt his spark.
Ratchet was already waiting inside. Perhaps he had already expected him. Not wasting a minute, the medic took him aside to talk to him. Inferno could spot Red Alert but only for a moment. He was looking at him with these optics again. How couldn't he notice that the look was different?
Red looked at him, ...like he would look at a stranger. He should have seen it when he'd talked to Red for the first time after the incident. His look was empty. Empty optics that held no recognition whatsoever.
Maybe he didn't lose his best friend physically, but it certainly felt like it.
~o~o~o~
It had been dark for so long and when he left the darkness behind it was like waking up to a new world. He didn't know where he was, how he got there or why. It was like he had been created only a few breems ago.
Just to be sure he checked the files. And after the first check he noticed that there weren't many to begin with.
Designation: Red Alert
Build: Security Unit
Faction: Autobot
Alt Mode: Lamborghini Countach LP500S
Transformation module: operational
Motor Skills: 100% functional
Communication Data: 100%
Energon: 70%
The rest wasn't really important. Just a few stats. It had nothing to do with his surroundings. The medic, at least he guessed he was one, asked him different questions. ...Why couldn't he recall any designations? Not the medic's nor the mech who had talked to him?
That red mech had talked to him in a way like he would talk to a friend or someone he really cared for. Red was sorry that he couldn't remember him. He seemed nice.
He had tried for several times now to access anything. Yet he always reached a dead end on his data highway. There weren't any memories left! He would have been ok if he'd found a virus, it would explain his state. But he was met with empty, nameless files.
How was he supposed to go on now? Was he at home? Among friends? They weren't enemies or they wouldn't bother to care for him. He had so many questions. Red Alert could only hope that the other two mechs had all the answers he needed.
It had been a long time since the medic took the other bot aside to talk to him. If Red was not mistaken there had been a sound which he would interpret as a sob, but he wasn't sure.
When the two came out, they had different looks on their faceplates. The medic was not really happy but far from being sad. One could call his look almost neutral. The other however, was clearly distraught. Like, ...he had lost something precious.
They made their way over to him not really saying a single word. It would be interesting to know what exactly they had been talking about.
"Red Alert..." The medic started.
"I am Ratchet, the Chief Medical Officer." Not much but it tells him that he's on a base. Maybe on Cybertron or maybe somewhere in the universe.
"What happened?" This was the question which bothered Red Alert the most. Why was he among strangers? Why weren't there any files left of the bots around him?
The red mech looked away from him as if he felt guilty of something.
"You had... an accident. You have lost all the data on your secondary hard drive, due to your injuries,."
Red Alert looked down and let the news sink in. He was no medic, but even he knew now why he couldn't remember anyone. How was he supposed to pull data from an empty hard drive? The confusion, he felt, started to mingle with fear. He had no idea where he was, who the other bots were or how he was supposed to act.
"...Is there, ...a way to get it back?" Red meant not only the data, he meant his whole life.
"I'm sorry but, ...no. I have no backup from your hard drive. You've always refused to have one made."
Which was true. Backups were measures of precaution. One could make them if they wanted to, but it was not mandatory by rules. Red Alert had always been too paranoid to make one. Saying things like Ratchet would want his job or sell the data to the Decepticons. Utter nonsense of course, but the medic couldn't convince him otherwise.
Red Alert couldn't really comprehend his decision. Why in Primus' name had he refused? Wouldn't it be better to have one even if it was old? At least he wouldn't feel so helpless like he did right now. Perhaps he had been too optimistic when he refused. Or he was just too careless? Anyway, he had to deal with the consequences now. There was no use to regret something he didn't even remember.
"...What now?" Red asked. He didn't know how to go from there.
"I'll do anythin' I can ...tha help ya." It was the first time the red mech beside the medic has spoken since they came out of the office.
Even if his voice sounded insecure and shaken up, Red Alert could hear the sincerity in it as well. There was just one thing he still needed to know.
"Then, ...could you, ...tell me your designation please?" Red knew he sounded awkward. He felt a bit ashamed of himself, since he was the cause of the other's sadness.
The other drew a heavy intake of air through his vents.
"I'm ...Inferno." He answered while his face fell.
Red nodded, finally he had a designation, but that still didn't tell him who exactly the other was. However he didn't dare push Inferno more than he already had. He couldn't really imagine how others felt about his data loss, yet he didn't think it was easy to handle. The medic, Ratchet, lay a comforting servo on his shoulder.
"Inferno will bring you to your quarters and tomorrow, he'll show you around the base. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!" This was clearly no advice. It was an order, at least to Red Alert's audios.
There wasn't much he could do than obey. If he'd try to find his way on his own, he'd get lost as soon as he would leave the med bay.
When Red Alert got up, Inferno was by his side , helping him to get off the berth. His joints felt stiff after such a long time of disuse. Holding onto Inferno's a arm, the Lamborghini made a few hesitant steps. It felt strange to rely on help when walking was something he took for granted.
Inferno didn't let go of him, not once, which he was really grateful for. Red Alert felt insecure and the other's firm hold gave him something to lean on, not only in the physical sense.
They made their way to his quarters and thankfully there was nobody in the hallways. Red wouldn't know how to act if somebody were to greet him and he wouldn't even recognize them. He was sure, things would only get more complicated from now on.
It didn't take long and they stood in front of a door. Red felt a small surge of panic rise.
He didn't even know the code for his own door!
But Inferno had a solution for the problem. He entered the code without thinking.
'So, he'd been in my quarters before.' Red concluded and he was certain it was not only once. He entered the room with Inferno right behind him, but what he discovered was not what he expected.
~o~o~o~
tbc.