Thief

Jazz was feeling restless the next day. Maestro was still resting and he didn't want to disturb the old mech by asking him what he had to do today. So Jazz decided to go out and explore Ferronix a little more. He could've gone over to Bronze's, but after what happened yesterday, he figured it was best to keep at a distance for a while till things calmed down. Besides, Orchestra was probably there.

All these thoughts sifted through Jazz's mind as he cruised through Ferronix's narrow streets and he found himself slowing down, when all he wanted to do was break free. There had to be a way he could stop thinking for a while. He increased speed till he was almost flying along the street, enjoying the rush and all the blurred images whizzing past his sensors.

He didn't notice the dead end around the corner till it was too late. He slammed on his breaks, but it didn't stop him in time. He impacted sideways with the titanium wall, felt metal cave in, and then slipped into blissful darkness…

"Jazz."

Jazz groaned as the world came back into focus and pain assailed his circuits. He hoped the voice was Maestro's.

"Jazz, wake up."

The voice was female and somewhat familiar.

"I am awake," he said.

"Well then transform. Unless you want to be stuck there."

Jazz transformed slowly, ignoring the cries of protest from his internal mechanics. His optics focused on Orchestra kneeling beside him.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"Was in the area. Heard the crash. Came over and found you nesting in the wall. I probably don't want to know what happened."

"Not really."

"Thought so. Now where does it hurt?"

"Everywhere."

"Good. Then you're ok."

"Huh? How'd you figure that?"

"If you were badly injured somewhere, you'd have pointed out the specific area. Since you just hurt everywhere, you're just feeling the after-effects of the impact."

"Right, that makes sense." He struggled to a sitting position and brought his arm up, revealing a gash on his side that leaked oil every now and then. "Darn it! Maestro's gonna kill me."

Orchestra came closer to him. "Hold still and let me have a look." Jazz flinched away. She sighed. "I'm trying to help you."

"Why should I trust you? Maestro said you didn't even want me to be created."

"I thought he'd fail."

"Well that's encouraging. Now you think I'm a failure."

"I did not say that. Look, I can help you now, or I can leave you here to try and make it back home on your own. Its your choice."

"Maestro warned me there'd be days like these. Oh alright, but don't even think of trying any funny tricks."

Orchestra let the comment slide and began to patch up Jazz the best she could. She had to admit she admired his patience and the fact that he did nothing more than wince a few times as she applied her first aid skills – which were nothing to be marveled at – to his wound.

"Okay," she said at last. "Lets get you up and back home, c'mon, on your feet." She helped him stand and put an arm around his waist. "Now take it slowly."

The walk home was a long one and for a long while there was silence between bot and femme. Then Jazz spoke up.

"So what do you want in return for helping me?"

"Oh you'll know soon enough."

"But why wait? No time like the present as they say."

"Well if you must know, I want the key."

"The key?"

"Maestro's key, the one that brought you to life. Get it for me and we're even."

"No offense and all, but why would you be wanting that?"

"That's being too curious."

"That's messing with Maestro's stuff. You'll pardon me if I say I have a right to know."

"For life then," she said. "Maestro's success with you has made me think that building a new robot to take our places once we're gone may not be such a bad idea."

"Take your place? What do you mean?"

"Oh come now, don't be so naïve. Why do you think Maestro created you? Not for the companionship, I'll tell you that. He made you to take his place, to carry on his work after he's gone. Don't believe me? Ask him yourself."

Jazz didn't reply and fell back into silence for the rest of the walk home.

When they got back to the house Orchestra remained outside.

"You owe me," she said. "Go on. My sensors indicate Maestro's still asleep. You should have no problem."

Jazz tossed her a black look and went inside. He quietly slipped into Maestro's room. With the light grace of a dancer he crossed the room and found the key on a small table. After picking it up, he came back out to Orchestra.

"Nice job," she said. "You'll make a fine saboteur someday. Tell Maestro not to bother looking for me. Bronze and I leave Ferronix tonight."

"Have a safe trip," Jazz replied caustically and shut the door.

Maestro found Jazz later that evening sitting on his berth and looking at the ceiling. He noticed all the dents and scrapes.

"Primus above Jazz, what happened to you?" he asked, coming inside quickly.

"I'm alright. I just had a small accident. I'll be fine," Jazz tried to assure him. "I was going a bit too fast and hit a wall 'cause I couldn't stop in time."

"Any particular reason for speeding?"

"Too much energy."

"Hmm… Well a most odd thing happened just now. I seem to have misplaced the key I used to bring you to life. I was going to give it to you as a sort of gift, and now I simply cannot remember where I put it. I could have sworn I left it on the table."

"You did. I took it."

"Oh. Well that's alright then."

"No, its not. I gave it to Orchestra."

"Orchestra? … Jazz, what really happened to you today?"

Jazz caved in and told Maestro about everything that took place from the time he left the house, but to his surprise, the old robot didn't look angry.

"Well well, the key is gone. It doesn't matter. I know Bronze will see that it's put to good use. Orchestra," he sighed. "She was never quite the same after Chord died. Perhaps she blames me partly for his death."

"Why would she do that?"

"I was supposed to protect him."

"Nobody's perfect."

Maestro laughed. "I guess not. Don't fret Jazz, and don't be angry with them if you can help it. They're just doing what they think is right. Anger is a negative emotion, remember that."

"I'll try to…. But can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Why did you give me the name Jazz?"

"Well… as you know I was a musician once upon a time."

"Still are."

Maestro smiled at him. "Maybe just a little bit. Anyway, one of my favorite genres of music was, and still is, jazz music. Hence your name."

"Alright. Then how about you teach me a little more about music and all that stuff?" Jazz asked.

Part of him recalled what Orchestra had said about Maestro creating him to take his place and carry on his work. Jazz wanted to make sure he did at least one thing right.

"I thought you'd never ask," Maestro said.