CHAPTER 7
Drift was kneeling down on the ground, his optics shut down and his servos on his knees. He didn't care about the wet floor. He needed peace, needed to be alone by himself. He followed his old mentor's advice. An advice he transmitted to his pupils. He ran away from his mentor a long time ago. However, he admitted some of his advices could be useful. Whenever he was in distress, he must find a moment of respite to calm down and meditate.
His breath back to normal, his optics opened up. He checked Fracture. The Decepticon still was out. At least, it had been easier. He had managed to apply a tourniquet by using the few resources available. Though he didn't usually do that, he also had searched Fracture. Indeed, he had been able to find some tools to stop the energon from covering most the floor, like a rope. Denny had been the one who had explained it to him. Cybertronians's conditions may have been different from that of humans, he had not studied medicine. At least, Fracture had stopped moaning in pain and colour had returned to his face.
By searching him, Drift obviously picked up weapons. He wouldn't let Fracture kill him and he definitely wouldn't give them back to him. He was not a robber. That was self-defence. While he was watching the purple Decepticon, he noticed Fracture displayed a peaceful expression on his face, like he would recharge on his berth instead of recharging in a cave, with an enemy close and one crushed leg.
Drift was a bit caught. He wondered how Fracture could sleep at night. Of course…His actions wouldn't prevent him to rest. He had no feelings, after all.
But that was so rare to meet Decepticons with such…normal expression. Almost human expression…Of course, he didn't take Grimlock and Sideswipe into account. They may be ex-criminals. But Fracture was something else.
Drift was about to go back to his meditation when he heard grunting. He was on alert again, watching the Decepticon open his optics up, looking all around him. He obviously had forgotten what happened. He froze when he noticed Drift from afar.
Drift could understand that everything came back to him.
"You knocked me out" He grumbled.
Drift rolled his optics.
"You fainted" He simply answered.
"It never happened to me. I've had worse"
"There is a first time for everything"
Fracture struggled to sit up. He glanced at the tourniquet. Drift could appreciate his surprise and disbelief in his rival's optics.
"…You really did it"
"I told you: I couldn't let you die"
Fracture had his arms crossed. He didn't seem to be happy. Drift didn't care. After all, gratefulness was a virtue Decepticon didn't possess. This darling Fracture had a lot of ego and couldn't accept his enemy's help.
"Please" Drift dryly said. "Don't thank me"
"Do you truly believe I'm going to thank you?" Fracture roared. "I didn't ask you for help. It isn't my fault if you are unable to finish your enemies."
Drift remained collected. He wouldn't play to this kind of game.
"It's your entire fault if we are trapped here anyway" Fracture added.
"Excuse me?"
Did he hear well? He stared at Fracture, incredulous.
"Are you saying that's my fault?"
"If you had not escaped, we wouldn't be trapped in that damn cave!"
"Beg pardon?"
This time, Drift got up. Fracture crossed the line.
"You really are dishonest!" The samurai replied. "Need I remind you that you are the ones who captured me first?"
"We are foes! You would have done the same!"
"Not in order to lure your comrades!" Drift snarled. "We would have placed you into stasis pods. Afterward, we would have leaded you back to Cybertron! You'll have been judged by a High Court. We wouldn't have used you as a mean to blackmail others."
"Yes" Fracture sneered, deadpan. "That's a lot better to be put on a trial in a court like a common criminal, with a haughty Judge sentencing you to death."
Drift shook his head. He wouldn't believe it.
"I don't think you would be sentenced to death. Definitely a prison sentence, but not death"
At least, he thought it was. As another Autobot Council had been established, life sentence must be rarely applied. Fracture offered a compassionate smile. He looked like he had sympathy for him. What for?
"Where were you all these years, Drift?" He said. "Do you think that because Autobots won this war, they would abolish life sentence for criminals? Were you really on Cybertron?"
He paused.
"Ah. You were travelling with your Minicons on your ship, exploring galaxies."
"I don't believe you"
"That's the truth" Fracture insisted. "People who have power aren't merciful toward us. Not only toward political criminals. Common criminals aren't spared either. Robbers, cheaters…"
Drift clenched his fists. He mustn't get carried away. However, he couldn't bear what Fracture was implying.
"I'm not a robber! I've changed unlike you! You are spreading lies about Autobots. After all, Optimus had been the one who won the war. He never condoned death. He always preferred forgiveness to punishment."
As I do, Drift thought. If he had decided to become a bounty hunter, that's because he had wanted to give another chance to criminals, a chance for criminals to redeem themselves and follow another path. That was for this reason he had been ruthless toward them. He never would have expected that the Autobot Council orders their captures to kill them. No. He refused to believe in his words. Fracture was a consummate liar.
Fracture shrugged.
"I think the Autobot Council doesn't like Optimus's team."
"What do you know about it?"
The purple Decepticon sighed.
"Why would Bumblebee get such a job? Why didn't he get a higher rank?"
"Autobots are not like Decepticons" Drift replied. "We didn't win this war for glory. We ended a conflict."
He had the strange feeling to face his old mentor again. This latter always said that he would have appreciated to have Drift as a second in command. That's why he had chosen to cut ties with him. That's why he had taken Jetstorm and Slipstream away from him.
Fracture stared at him. His smile was wiped off his face. It was like he was considering Drift's words. No…Fracture could fake any emotion.
"Do you really believe Decepticons enjoyed this war, Drift? Do you really believe you Autobots were the only ones with troubles?"
"I didn't say such a thing"
"Oh yes…You meant it. You are wrong. After all, Decepticons are not welcomed back on Cybertron. That's why Steeljaw wishes to create his paradise on Earth. He wants Decepticons to have a place they could call their home, a place where they wouldn't be judged."
Drift frowned. Something sounded wrong in his words…
"If you truly are unwanted on Cybertron, why are you around? Why did they allow a Decepticon bounty hunter such like you to work?"
Fracture's haughty look came back.
"You pretend to know me, Drift, but you don't. I've worked to build a small reputation, even before the war. Of course, I'm not like the greatest bounty hunters like Lockdown. But at least, I'm efficient. They probably think that some Decepticons are a lot more effective than Autobots to do the dirty work. They know Decepticons are merciless and forgiveness isn't part of their vocabulary."
Fracture's words hit Drift. His explanation was valid. In his first years as a lone bounty hunter, Drift had been outraged to know some Decepticons still were allowed to "hunt". But Drift had thought that it was a way to forgive bots who had pledged an allegiance to Megatron.
"…Would you like to have your paradise on Earth?" He asked him.
Fracture shook his head.
"As I said, I do not care. I'm a bounty hunter before being a Decepticon. Steeljaw's wishes do not concern me."
Drift sat down. He should have expected it.
"Don't believe you are beyond reproach, Fracture. Whatever your motives are, you remain a criminal."
"Why?" Fracture retorted. "I'm not more criminal than you. Your boyfriend's bounty was legal. I only hunted, Drift"
Drift warned him with a single nod not to go on.
"Legal doesn't mean moral, Fracture. You said it yourself. If criminals are executed, then you are the one sending them to death. And you wouldn't feel anything over it."
Deep down Drift still couldn't afford to believe his words. He also had hunted them…He had leaded them back on Cybertron.
Did he send them to death too?
Did Jetstorm and Slipstream help him to do this?
"They just need to be smarter" Fracture shrugged. "Do you really think morality matters today? You are not the only one needing money."
He paused before giggling.
"Though I admit I love my job. I love using my gadgets to capture my preys. By the way, I have such lovely jewels on me and-"
He froze. He didn't smile anymore. Drift gave him a blank stare. He understood.
"You little-" Fracture growled. "You took them!"
"You don't need them"
"And yet you are the one bitching about honour? Give them back now!"
Fracture's tone went serious. Drift was not impressed.
"Drop it, Fracture. I hid your gadgets. If you dare to try to find them, I will tie you the same way you did to me in your base."
Fracture murderously glared at him. It didn't change from usual. Drift had kept some rope on him to restrain him in the worst scenario.
"Wait until you recharge, Drift" Fracture said with an almost hysterical tone. "You shall see what I will do to you…"
"You will not do it, Fracture." The samurai said. "You are weakened now"
Fracture tried to get up but immediately fell down, screaming out of pain. Drift let out a deep sigh.
"I do not possess painkillers"
"No matter…Pain reminds me I'm alive and you'll bite the dust soon"