Forbidden Fruit
Part 7
"How do Decepticons operate?" Wheeljack glanced up at the question, coming face to face with no other than Hot Shot. Even though he would have never expected his old friend to ask him something like that he acted like it was not such a big surprise and merely queried: "What do you mean exactly?"
Clearly encouraged by the fact that Wheeljack seemed willing to answer his question Hot Shot explained: "What really sets Autobots apart from Decepticons?"
That was a simple enough question to answer, Wheeljack decided and spoke: "The Decepticon vow."
There was a nod from the young Autobot, followed by: "What is it all about, really?"
Wheeljack frowned slightly at the odd curiosity the Autobot was displaying and spoke slowly, his tone thoughtful: "I probably shouldn't tell you but I think I can trust you with this." The thing was, no Autobot had ever asked that so he did not know if he was allowed to tell. "It is to follow the force we deem worthy of ruling, to fight so that one day there will be only one ruler."
"Oh..." Hot Shot mumbled, sounding slightly put out. "Dictatorship."
"It's the only way to preserve peace", Wheeljack said, feeling like he should at least attempt to defend his views. "History has proven that."
A small hum followed from Hot Shot, accompanied by a mumbled: "Maybe..."
&
"Until only one rules..." Hot Shot muttered while leaning on the table before him, his chin resting on his palm. He was in deep thought, had been ever since his discussion with Wheeljack. Still, he immediately noticed Scavenger's heavy footfalls when the older transformer entered the room. The wise Autobot immediately caught on the glum atmosphere and spoke out: "What is on your mind, Hot Shot?"
"Until only one rules", Hot Shot repeated, this time loud enough for the other to hear. "Until peace is gained no matter the cost. They're the same thing aren't they?" He looked up at that, turning his head and meeting Scavenger's unreadable gaze. Just like always Scavenger's optics revealed nothing to Hot Shot as the older Autobot walked closer and around the desk. He studied Hot Shot for a long while, staying quiet. Hot Shot also waited silently, knowing that interrupting Scavenger while he was thinking would be a big mistake.
"Hmm..." Scavenger hummed, a clear sign that he was finally ready to speak. "Yes, deep down I suppose so." The expressionless optics studied Hot Shot's own intently. "Why are you thinking about this?"
Not about to tell Scavenger about his recent encounters with Galvatron Hot Shot shrugged, trying to act nonchalant, before replying: "Just trying to figure out what makes Decepticons tick."
"They aren't that different from us, deep down", Scavenger spoke then, apparently buying Hot Shot's vague answer. He placed his hands on the table, leaning forward a bit as he continued: "I should know, I've posed as one." A warning look came on Scavenger's face then, the only one Hot Shot was able to recognize, having seen it so many times. The pale optics almost glared into Hot Shot's own as Scavenger drawled: "But, they think differently from us. They believe that ends justify the means."
Hot Shot thought about it for a moment, before starting timidly, not sure what Scavenger would think of his theory and fearing a possible explosion: "Maybe they're just tired...tired of things not moving, of everything staying the same for aeons." Sometimes even he got tired of the constant battles, only paused by tense standstills.
There seemed to be some kind of reluctant understanding on Scavenger's steely face before the older Autobot commented firmly: "But never forget that they started this."
"Did they really?" Hot Shot asked, a bit more intensely that he had intended. But he knew he had a point and he wanted to speak out his opinion, so he continued: "Can you honestly tell me that you know that for sure? No one that old is around anymore. Nothing is certain. We have no history because of this war." Hot Shot paused then, turning his head away. He stared forlornly into a close-by corner and mumbled quietly: "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that."
But when Scavenger did not speak for a while Hot Shot turned back to his former tutor. The older transformer did not look angered at all as he spoke with more understanding and compassion than Hot Shot had ever heard from the other Autobot before: "It's alright, Hot Shot. We all have our moments of doubt." Scavenger briefly touched one of Hot Shot's broad shoulders, a small gesture of comfort. "I'm only amazed it didn't happen to you sooner", the former spy finished before turning around and walking off, leaving Hot Shot to ponder about things once more.
&
It was only with very brief interest that Hot Shot noticed Rad and Alexis walk through the room he was sitting in. The two were looking around, apparently playing hide and seek with the other children and their Minicon friends. Rad let out a loud complaint before flopping down to sit in the middle of the floor. Alexis looked angry but did not speak out. Since the children looked like they were going to stick around for a while longer Hot Shot spoke out: "Do the ends justify the means?"
Both humans turned their eyes to Hot Shot, apparently surprised that the Autobot had spoken. It was Rad who responded: "What do you mean?"
"Is it okay to kill hundreds now so that future generations can live in peace?" Hot Shot questioned bluntly, not caring what the humans would think of the question. He had not danced around his words previously and was not about to do so now. He still noticed himself wincing, though, when Rad's face turned into a disapproving frown and the boy exclaimed: "Of course not! What can the future be built on if everyone gets killed?"
"You shouldn't be asking this from us, Hot Shot", Alexis commented calmly. It was rather strange to see the girl not siding with Rad with her pacifistic nature but she had been spending a lot of time thinking since Starscream's death. Hot Shot had heard her asking Scavenger about Cybertron's history.
"Why do you say that?" Hot Shot asked from the girl, kneeling down to be closer to the pair of humans. Any other time the children had been very determined to have the Autobot's hear their opinion on matters, even going as far as running away on a dangerous trip across the countryside defenceless.
Alexis's face had a calm expression as she started to speak in a manner that was completely different from her usual know-it-all tone of voice: "We humans have more limited lifespans. We think of things differently from you Transformers." Alexis looked down at the floor, a gesture that showed shyness that the girl rarely displayed. "We haven't had the same kind of a violent past. We have different opinions on war, peace, time, life, and even death."
"What are you saying, Alexis?" Rad snapped suddenly, bringing the girl's startled eyes to his own. "Don't tell me you think it's okay that people get killed-!"
"I don't think that!" Alexis snarled, effectively silencing Rad's raving. "But we're different from them. This isn't our world that has been in a terrible civil war for who knows how long." Alexis glanced at Hot Shot and the Autobot felt an understanding of sorts pass between them. Then the girl turned back to Rad. "We could never even begin to understand what it's like to fight for your entire life just to stay alive. They're allowed to grow tired of it. Think of all the times you have complained about school. That's nothing compared to what the Autobots and Decepticons have had to go through."
Hot Shot slowly reached out and touched Alexis' shoulder with his fingertip as gently as he could. The girl's attention turned to him immediately and the yellow transformer spoke: "You've grown a lot, Alexis. Not even I have thought about it that way." He smiled softly. "You've helped me understand something very important. Thanks." Then the Autobot stood up. "Now don't fight with Rad, Alexis. He's just a child, like you're supposed to be." Hot Shot walked off then, only briefly hearing Rad's rasp as he spoke a quiet and amazed reply to Alexis.
To be continued…
