Chapter Ten - Maybe It Won't Be So Bad

"So, can I count on you for your help?"

Swindle returned the conspiring grin. "Of course! You know I'm willing to help out a friend."

The mech in the chair opposite him grinned wider, showing his sharp denta.

"I knew I could count on you, Swindle," he said. "Razordrift won't have anywhere to hide between both of our networks working to keep an optic out for him."

"Exactly," nodded the shorter conmech. "Tell me, how big of a bounty should we put on his helm?"

Red optics gleamed.

"Please, Swindle. I'm sure you're more than capable of deciding that. Just know-"

Savage paused and leaned forward, sliding something across the table in between them beside the chess board.

"I have no limit."

Seeing what was written on the small card in front of him, Swindle smirked again.

"I see you've acquired a new means of payment?"

"The former Lord Skyrise was willing to give me his fortune," Savage said with a mock shrug. Then his optics narrowed as his mouth twitched upwards in a sharp smile. "That is, without his knowledge he was willing."

"And what of his remaining family?" asked the noble with false concern. "Won't they be needing it?"

"Oh, they won't realize I have access until it's too late. Lord Skyrise's sparkmate has her own fortune, she likely won't even notice. Besides, they've disowned him you know."

"Oh, how petty Towers mecha are," Swindle said with a chuckle.

Savage's deeper laughter joined in. "Indeed."

"Razordrift I hear was seen in Tarn?" inquired Swindle, arching an optic ridge. "His home city-state isn't it?"

"Yes, though he might know it well and be able to hide from me..." Savage replied, moving one of his pieces on the chess board. "I have enough mecha in that area of the world that eventually will find him. Especially, now, with our alliance."

Swindle moved one of his own pieces and nodded. "Yes. And even if we can't find him in Tarn, he has to leave sometime."

"And I'll be waiting for him," grinned the former noble.


The tall flier knocked on the door of the lab, double checking he had the correct coordinates.

His younger brother had requested that he come to Tarn to work with him.

And especially since he had nothing else to do, the former gladiator took him up on his offer.

Shortly, the door opened, revealing a broad mech with one optic for a faceplate.

"Empurata victim," the mech thought to himself, remembering hearing of it.

"Can I help you?" asked the cyclops in a deep monotone.

Giving him a shallow bow, the mech then straightened. "I was informed that you were seeking a new bodyguard. I am here to offer my services. My designation is Razordrift."

"I am Shockwave," the mech said. He beckoned with a hand before turning and going back inside the lab. "Come with me, and we will talk. Speedburst mentioned that you may arrive."


It turned out, as Nitro realized in the following few decacycles as everyone adjusted to their new home and fellow gang members, he was surprised at some things.

Other things, such as his prediction that he would not be caught near Wingnut if he could help it, didn't change or surprise him.

However, while Wheeler and the siblings were closer to Nitro in age, Arson who was the next youngest, four vorns older than the two-wheeler, was actually more similar in terms of maturity and personality.

Except for his like of lighting things on fire and blowing things up.

But then, Nitro liked stabbing mecha that annoyed him so perhaps they both had flaws.

Either way, the young two-wheeler found himself often joining the young seeker on his exploring for useful parts and materials to use for different sorts of bombs and explosives and such.

It turned out, they were both pretty good scavengers, which surprised Nitro since he'd been doing it for vorns but wasn't sure that Arson had.

Arson in return, seemed happy to have someone to talk to about his inventions that would willingly listen and sort of actually understand what he was talking about.

Nitro wondered if he'd actually made a friend.

Also, the gang had made their first few raids which went surprisingly well.

Thundercloud, and Roadrage had formed two teams, one for stealth and one for more of brute force. After they had also assigned roles for each member.

Roadrage led the stealth team, being fairly well suited for it despite his large size. Nitro's responsibilities were mainly any tech related or hacking duties, Arson's was sabotage. Dagger and Taser usually shared the task of getting to and gathering the wanted objective or guarding someone else who was getting it.

On the other team, led by Thundercloud, the entry specialist was Crusher and Ransack took care of demolitions. The team berserker and frontliner was Wingnut, with him and Jetstreak functioning as aerial support and firepower.

Wheeler usually stayed at headquarters as a guard since he had almost zero training. Much to his dismay. The mechling would talk anyone's audio off if they passed by him.

The teams worked and the raids they'd been on so far had been successful.

Nitro found he didn't mind this work as much as he had when he'd worked for Savage.

"Maybe," the fifteen-vorn-old thought. "This won't be so bad."


Thanks so much for reading! Only one more chapter and then this story is finished. A little after it's third birthday, which I still find hard to believe it's three years old now.. But anyways, thanks again for reading! :)