Disclaimer: Not mine, unfortunately. Beast Wars belong to Hasbro.
Part five
Depth Charge was sitting in his office, trying to come up with a plan. He was quickly beginning to realize just how important self-control was in this case.
And how little he had of it.
He was so frustrated he couldn't think which led to him becoming more frustrated and eventually starting to panic. And he was furious at himself. In the past… or in this case the future… Slag, this was driving him crazy! On other occasions he had managed to stay calm when dealing with X. Otherwise he would have never caught him.
Then why couldn't he do it now?
Because, unlike then, now he had everything to lose.
As he realized that he felt the panic threaten to rise again but he willed it down. All right, he had discovered the cause of it. Now he would have to work past it.
X was being kept at the lower levels of the facility. He didn't know where exactly but this wasn't a problem. He would use his radar, thank Primus for it. But passing the special security would be a challenge. In the last few days he had confirmed his suspicion that Stunner was an arrogant bastard but a professional nonetheless. His guards were well trained. Depth Charge smirked humourlessly. He certainly couldn't count on guards leaving their posts to get a drink or snoozing during working hours.
They were everywhere, working around the clock…
Their chief had made sure they knew Depth Charge was NOT allowed down there…
He felt hopelessness grip his spark again and this time he submitted to it. It was simply impossible. He was only one bot. He felt like he had felt when the Elders had decided not to destroy the killer he had hunted for four stellar cycles. Only now it was a hundred times worse because he knew exactly what would happen if he failed. If there was at least one more person with him to support him! Not even to do anything, just to be there, to know. But he was completely alone in this.
He pressed his forehead to the surface of the desk and tried to empty his head of all thoughts.
Just then there was a polite knock on the door. Actually, it was the third polite knock, he realized. He hadn't paid attention to the first two. He sighed and called for the person to enter. He looked up to see Mind Game.
"May I have a word with you?" the femme asked carefully, noticing how worn out he looked.
"Does it have to be now?"
"Not necessarily. But it would be best if it's now."
Well, he wasn't getting anywhere with his plan anyway…
"All right." He motioned for her to sit. "What is it?"
The tall femme knitted her fingers in front of her and studied them for a moment, obviously deciding how to begin.
"Your officers have been… a little concerned about you lately. Especially after you spent half of yesterday yelling at them to double the security for no apparent reason which freaked out some civil citizens as well."
"Holy Primus…"
He instantly knew where this was going.
"So, as you might have guessed, they sent me here to check if you were okay."
"Mentally."
"Yes." She confessed.
No, I'm not okay! A psychopathic mass murderer is going to break loose and kill everyone I know, leaving only me to torment me for the rest of my life and I just don't know how to prevent that! I can't sleep because I dream of him every night and I see his face everywhere! I DO feel like I'm loosing my mind and I'm afraid they'll lock me up in a white room and I'll be able to do nothing but scream while the colony is being leveled!
"I'm fine."
She looked at him exasperatedly.
"Depth Charge, your men won't be satisfied unless I stay here for at least another twenty minutes. Why not make good use of this time? It's obvious that something's bothering you. Don't you want to tell me?"
He was longing to tell her. He wanted it so bad he was ready to scream.
"There's nothing to tell." He said irritably. "But if you insist on turning this into a psychiatric session, go on. Are you going to ask me about my childhood?"
She leaned back in her chair.
"No but I'm going to ask you something else. Why do you think the colony's in danger?"
Oh, slag! What do I say now? Play stupid.
"Because anything might happen. Our security is very loose and it needs tightening. I'm just doing my job. I want to get a promotion."
She blinked at him, then slapped her forehead.
"I realize this is very unprofessional and maybe I wouldn't have acted like this if I really thought you were unstable but I have to say… You must think I'm a real idiot! Depth Charge, I've been working here for three years. You may not notice me most of the time but I'm here. Carrying cups, fixing the drinks-machine, delivering messages… Those may be stupid jobs but this doesn't mean I'm stupid. I see you every day. I know you. I know how you normally act. What you're telling me right now is total slag. If something's wrong, don't you think we all have the right to know? Because I can see something IS wrong!"
He gaped at her sudden outburst. He tried to say something but the words just wouldn't come. She was right, of course. He had known her for three years and the explanation he had just given her was an insult to her intelligence. But what could he say to her?
He let his head fall in his hands.
Mind Game closed her optics and calmed visibly. When she opened them again they were full of worry and compassion. Even a bit too much, she noted. In spite of the seriousness of the situation she couldn't help but smirk inwardly at the obvious psychological reason for that. Depression instantly made bots sexier. No femme could resist the "dark hero".
But even her inner smile faded when she looked at the bot on question again. Right now Depth Charge was the embodiment of despair.
"Tell me." She demanded softly again.
"I can't." he whispered.
"Then… Then… Well, then at least let me help! Without asking questions." She said before she could stop herself.
He raised his head slightly.
"Help me? But… why?"
She hesitated. Why indeed? Oh, yes, there was a reason, only she didn't want to admit it. But she preferred being honest when it was possible, so…
"I need something to do. My daughter is really ill. I need to get my mind off things. My job doesn't provide that. That's why I agreed to come here today. It was a distraction. And unlike others I can see what you're worried about is something big and important which might affect the whole colony and therefor me. And I prefer to at least have a hand in my own destiny. If you allow me to help you I promise to do what you say without demanding explanation."
And maybe I want to get your attention. It's horrible but it's true. A lonely mother of a sick child, not particularly pretty… I need a bot and you're cute.
Depth Charge considered this, a glimmer of hope touching his spark. It would be such a relief to have an ally, even if she didn't know everything. Of course, it wouldn't be easy using her help without revealing information. And he really couldn't tell her his story at this stage. He wouldn't have a proof and his claims would sound absurd. She wouldn't believe him just as he wouldn't have believed her had she claimed that she came from the future. But there had to be some roundabout way to… A roundabout way!
He straightened fully.
"Mind Game, if you really want to help, get me the detailed plans of this building. It would be best if they're old ones."
A/N: Don't review! I hate reviews! … Ehem, you didn't take that seriously, did you?
