Chapter 4: Wing

Deadlock didn't know how long he had been wandering on this planet. It is dark out now and he is tired. He tried to transform multiple times to see if the substance that makes him transfixed has wore off, but none of his attempts were successful. He can't transform his hands into cannons. Every time Deadlock tried to get his inner weapon out, it would partially transform into a gun then quickly back into his hand. He had been looking more at his transfixed hands than what lies ahead of him.

Then Deadlock fell down the canyon, due to the fact that he wasn't paying attention, and he tumbled to the ground below. After he brushed himself off from the somewhat embarrassing incident, he saw lights coming from a chasm below him.

Deadlock hid himself behind a bolder to scout this strange site. It seems to be a tower of some sort. If there is someone who built the tower, then there is a possibility for a ship inside. If Deadlock can find that said ship, then he can return to battle and win the war. He studies the tower to notice purple aliens guiding other alien species to what look like jail cells. These purple aliens, or at least alien to Deadlock, come in different sizes from the large brawny type to the more tall and skinny type. Yes, he thought. When there are many alien species in one place, then there must be a way to transfer them. Which means there is a ship on the premise.

Before Deadlock can make any more observations, his conscious told him to look behind him. A heavily disguised figure stood there with his hand reaching out to him. Deadlock quickly attacks the figure; however with every punch, the figure quickly and effectively dodges every attack. The figure soon found itself against the canyon wall. Deadlock attacks the cornered foe. The figure then quickly jumps over the attacker and lands on the other side as Deadlock's fist hits the wall. Deadlock then tires to activate his inner weapon, but the transfix solution is still in effect and he cannot shoot at his opponent.

"Calm yourself, stranger. I'm a friend" the figure's warm yet strong voice tries to comfort his attacker.

"Friend?" Deadlock puzzled. "You don't know me."

"I don't need to know you to mean you no harm," the figure assures. "I am your ally. My name is Wing. Where did you come from? Are there others like you?"

The Decepticon answers, "I'm looking for a ship. Are you like your 'friends' down there?"

"They're friend to no one." Wing points at the tower. "They are slave traders. They capture all matter of races and bring them here." The figure faces Deadlock. "You need a ship. I can help you if you can help me. I wish to free the captives. Alone, it would be impossible, but together-"

"I'll need a gun," Deadlock said. He looks at the tower again and sees it with many tough guards. "Err, two guns."

The figure points at the upper ledge with two guards patrolling the area "We can strike the guards on the upper pass first. You can use their armaments," Wing instructs and faces the Decepticon. "Once we free the captives, we'll commander you a ship. You can take the captives with you."

Deadlock is not thrilled with the last part of the request. "Not likely." The last thing that he needs is extra baggage; in this case, extra life forms.

"I can't leave this planet. You must do this. Helping another is a highest calling one can aspire to."

"You sound like an Autobot." Deadlock didn't like how Wing sounds in his sentences.

The figure questions, "What does an Autobot sound like?"

The Decepticon glared at him as he gave him the answer. "Weak."

Wing and Deadlock position themselves on the ledge above the guards. They jump off the edge and pounced on the guards. Wing quickly subdued his target. Deadlock, on the other hand, didn't get his target on his pounce. The guard prepares his weapon as Deadlock struggles against him. Fire shot out of the armament, but the Decepticon evades the flames. Deadlock tackled the guard head on which finally subdued him. He turned to Wing to find something different about him. Either his optics where deceiving him or…

"You're Cybertronian!" Deadlock exclaims. He couldn't believe it as the flames from the guard's weapon have burned all that is covering Wing's true self. Wing has white armor with red and yellow accent colors and an appearance of a samurai. Deadlock scolds," I knew you were an Autobot."

"I'm no Autobot," Wing denies the claim as he brushes off the soot that is left on his true appearance.

"Well, you're no Decepticon. That's for sure."

Wing only said, "Let's go" as a reply. The Decepticon has only one question to ask this Cybertronian. "What are you?"

Wing answers, "Alone is what I am. I'm alone." He begins to walk toward the tower. "If you want to get out of here, we've better get moving."

When they got to their position, Wing explains the situation to Deadlock. The captives are directly below him and the ship is at the far end of the base. The plan is for Deadlock to keep the slave traders away while Wing frees the captives.

"By the way, what's your name?" Wing asks the Decepticon.

Deadlock wasn't sure how to respond. If he gave Wing his current name, the mission to get his ship could be in jeopardy. He needs an alias, a new name. Fortunately, a breeze creates a drift of sand and dust gave the Decepticon the idea. "Drift," he answers. Yes, it is simple and a bit dumb, but it will do for now.

"Good luck, Drift," Wing said in a hopeful tone and with a grin on his faceplate.

They got into their positions and are ready to implement the plan. They break into the prison site as the alarms are going off.

"We need to hurry," Wing told Drift. "You keep the guards- Drift!"

Drift already deserts Wing and ran off to get his ship. He can't wait to get off of this planet and back to the war. He utilizes the armaments to blast any slave traders in his way. Wing cannot free the captives now with the alarms going off and the guards coming his way. "You'll be free one day," he promises the captives before he transformed into a jet and flies after his partner.

Drift is close to the ship. Before he can board it, a large, muscular slaver quickly and aggressively approaches him. Drift tries to shoot down his opponent, but finds the armaments are out of ammunition. He quickly tries to transform his hand into a gun as a last effort, but the transfix solution is still in effect and his weapon fails to deploy. The slaver raises his arms to smash the intruder. Drift quickly knew that he is scrap.

As Wing got out of the tower, he met a horrible site. The muscular slaver is beating the spark out of Drift. Warm pools of energon seeps out of the many cracks on his severely damaged body. Drift cannot move and can scarcely keep himself online. A slaver that seems to be nicely decorated approach the alien robot.

"Well, well. A Decepticon" the slaver amuse with a large grin on his face as more slavers crowds around the interesting site. "How interesting." After that statement, Drift offline his systems.

Wing swiftly charges through the crowd of slavers in jet mode. The sound of metal being crushed and ripped out rang in his audios. When he got to Drift's body, he transformed into his robot mode, took out his swords, and swiftly attacks any part of the slavers that is still touching the body. Wing quickly picks up Drift and puts him over his left shoulder. He uses the sword on his right hand to clear an exit from the crowd as he carries his partner out of the fray. When Wing finally got out, he threw Drift into the air and transformed into jet mode. He caught the body on his frame and flies off as fast as he can without losing the precious cargo.

When Wing is at a great enough distance, he flies close to the ground and transforms into robot mode. This action causes him to drop Drifts body to the ground. Wing picks up the body and runs in a fast yet steady pace.

Wing finally took a better look at Drift now that the danger has passed. All of Drift's limbs have been ripped off of him. His chassis is missing some armor, which exposes some parts and wires. The head is covered with scratches and dents. Fortunately for Wing, Drift still has a pulse from his spark. He's alive, but barely.

Even through Drift betrayed him, Wing felt in his spark that he is just lost and needs guidance. He is not like the other Decepticons. There is something special about this bot.

First, Drift needs to be stabilized and repaired. Hopefully, there is still time to save him.