Chapter 10

Orion and Richard entered the room. Ally and Samuel were apparently sparing, combating and testing in speeds. Orion was impressed by the way they jumped about with such acrobatic skill. He could almost see Ally grin with excitement. Billy and Ben were combating the old fashion way, pounding at each other with hearty laughter and fists curled. Each punch barely seemed to dent the mighty armor of the mechs. Simmons stood near the back, arms crossed, carefully watching everyone else.

"Everyone seems to be adjusting well," smiled Richard.

Orion perked, spotting young Bobby in the shadow of Alan's mech. Orion stepped away from Richard's side, coming up behind Bobby. Apparently the two were talking. Nonetheless, the conversation seemed over by the time Orion stepped up beside Bobby.

"We were just discussing rankings and how this might effect Mr Johnson's status," Alan explained.

"Is that so Bobby?" Orion mumbled.

"Yes, sir," mumbled Bobby, lowering his head.

"So you finally woke up, huh Orion?" grinned Alan, placing a hand on Orion's shoulder. "Took us a bit but we came around."

"I wonder why it took us so long," hummed Orion.

"So, Tools, how are things looking," mumbled Alan.

"Kyle?" perked Richard, turning toward the other mech.

"Intel has speed. Demolish has strength. Scout seems good for the small spaces, giving him a stealth advantage. Communication is hard to tell when Simmons hardly speaks or moves," Kyle instructed. "Leader class, untested."

"That's us," nodded Alan, patting Orion on the back. "Shall we spar?"

"Spar?" gasped Orion, stepping back. "I don't the first thing about fighting, even in spar!"

"C'mon, I'll teach you a few things," grinned Alan, leading Orion to the center of the room.

Orion gulped, watching Alan step across from him, arms at his side. Alan's mech was dull in colors, mostly grey. The grin bore sharp fangs, eyes narrowing at Orion. He raised his hands, gripped into tight fists.

"Hit me," ordered Alan.

"Captain, I must disagree…" mumbled Orion. "I know this all for testing purposes and not real but I don't really like the idea of fighting."

Alan lifted his head slightly, smile fading away a moment before returning. It seemed different though. the grin twitched, making the fang like teeth sparkle. Without another word, he charged in. Orion gasped, blocking Alan's swift punch. The others gasped, awestruck by Alan's sudden change. the captain spun around Orion, giving him a swift jab in the back.

"Captain!" gasped Orion, stumbling forward. "Stop!"

"Make me," grinned Alan, holding his arms up.

Orion felt a sudden surge within him. He snarled, turning around and charging for Alan. The captain was shocked a moment, but returned to his pleasant grin. He blocked Orion's first jab, striking him in the stomach. Blinded a moment, Orion saw the inside of the cockpit again before opening his eyes as the machine again. Alan towered over him, Richard and Kyle behind him.

"Might've gone a little too far. My bad…" mumbled Alan. "I wanted to see how strong I could really be. I kinda wanna see if that old man Trion ever taught you anything about fighting."

"Sorry…to disappoint…" growled Orion, standing up slowly. He held his side. Everything ached again.

"I think that's enough for today," sighed Richard. "We can discuss more of this tomorrow."

Everyone piled into the hall, standing their bots back in line. After a moment of waiting, the all clear was given, and they all shut their eyes. Darkness consumed him again but this time Orion didn't panic. This time, it was like waking from a dream. His eyes opened again, the light from outside filtering in. The cockpit opened. Everyone wandered out, complaining about their sore bodies.

"Well that was an experience," grumbled Ally, holding her arm. "I'm gonna feel that tomorrow, Samuel!"

"It's not my fault you can't handle what I dish out," he snickered.

"Orion, you coming?" called Richard, spotting Orion climbing out of his mech.

"Right," mumbled Orion, sliding down the ladder.

Richard grinned, looking over everyone. He wasn't a doctor but it was easy to see everyone was fine, at least on the outside. Orion joined the group last, rubbing the back of his head and offering a small smile. Richard offered him a smile in return, then froze.

"Kyle, grab a med kit!" gasped Richard, pointing at Kyle.

The other scientist leapt, shocked suddenly, then ran off. The others perked, looking over toward him and Orion. Richard stepped up close to Orion, forcing the latter's head back. Orion groaned, slightly confused.

"Orion, you can't feel it can you?" mumbled Richard.

"Feel what?" gasped Orion. "Is something wrong?"

"I must've hit you harder than I thought…" whispered Alan. "I'm sorry, Orion."

Orion's vision blurred in his left eye. He finally felt the soft liquid dripping down the side of his face from his forehead. Kyle returned with the medical kit, along with some of the other on hands assistance. They kept Orion's head back as they applied treatment to the rather large cut on his forehead.

"How bad is it?" groaned Orion, shutting his left eye.

"It might scar," Richard commented. "I should've thought about the physical repercussions. Getting the shell banged about really does damage the inner body."

"Which is why we're sore," added Ally.

"Prolonged workings should relieve soreness," Kyle grinned.

"Though I suggest no more unwilling sparing," snarled Richard, glaring at Richard.

Alan raised his hands in defense, lowering and shaking his head.

"Tomorrow should be interesting then," nodded Samuel. "I'm enjoying this already."

"It was…kinda fun," hummed Bobby. "I like my machine. I don't know what to call it."

"We were thinking of code names," grinned Richard. "Orion suggested it."

"I suggested calling you Ratchet instead of Doctor Tools," gasped Orion. "I said nothing about code names!"

"My friends used to call me Arcee," smiled Ally. "I think I'd like that name for my machine."

"Breakdown," chuckled Ben. "It's an old college name I had."

"I'll think on mine," shrugged Billy, leaving. "Meanwhile, I'm starving!"

"I don't really like most of the nicknames I've got," grumbled Bobby.

Orion watched as the others left. Soon after, the assistance stepped away from him. He felt the bandage on his forehead with one hand. He didn't even feel the pain of the cut originally. Perhaps the shells caused a delay in the nerves. Orion shook his head. Where'd that come from?

"You alright?" whispered Richard.

"Headache," grinned Orion. "For obvious reseasons."

"I'm sorry about that. Kyle felt the same rush of power that the Captain felt. It happens sometimes with the first time use. We expected it," Richard sighed. "We didn't expect him to pound you like that."

"Alan didn't mean it. He was just trying to have a little fun," nodded Orion.

"You are such an optimist," chuckled Richard.

"Yep, optimist," shrugged Orion. An optimistic prime…right?"

"You are in the Prime class…huh?" purred Richard, stroking his chin. "Optimist Prime."

"Optimus?" mumbled Orion.

"Optimus Prime?" Richard perked. "Perfect!"

"No, no!" gasped Orion, waving his hands in protest. "Orion Pax is fine. I'm not a Prime. I don't deserve that honor. I may be an optimist but I'm nothing special."

"If you say so," snickered Richard. "Optimus."

Orion rolled his eyes but smiled.