CHAPTER 12

A few days had passed since Jetstorm's recovery…

Deadlock didn't know if Shadow Raker had been aware of the night where he'd secretly left the domain to retrieve energon for Jetstorm in Kaon. If he did, he'd never talked about it. The only thing he'd advised him to do was to lay low. In Shadow Raker's mind, he'd been merciful to ease his suffering. Else, Jetstorm's torture would have lasted much longer.

More Deadlock thought about it, more in pain he was.

This pain was for Jetstorm…this pain was for Slipstream…

He'd wondered if they'd already been punished in such a way. Probably…this punishment was most likely not recent.

"…Mister Deadlock"

He turned around. Jetstorm was standing up in front of him.

Deadlock hadn't talked to Minicons since the incident.

Sometimes, they ran into each other. During breaks, during meals, during Shadow Raker's leavings…However, Deadlock had decided not to train them anymore. He barely said "hello" to them though most of them he just gave them a cold shoulder.

He didn't act like this out of spite. That's because Deadlock was suffering. He suffered because whenever he put his optics on Jetstorm, he rewatched Jetstorm's horrible treatment, bound to a tree, at the verge of death…his Master training near him and not batting an optic for his pain…

Only because he'd wished to become stronger…Because Deadlock had tried to train them…

He felt guilty of what'd happened.

So Deadlock had chosen to isolate himself. He'd much more difficulties to train up with Shadow Raker. Just like Jetstorm, he'd rewatched Shadow Raker beating Jetstorm into a pulp…A Minicon who couldn't even defend himself…

That was unfair…It reminded him of all this unfairness he'd suffered in the past…as a miner.

That same unfair mentor trained him today…

Deadlock had decided that was none of his business anymore. He put himself apart from Shadow Raker. He put himself apart from Minicons. After the training, he didn't talk to anyone anymore. He just remained in the Onsen, in his room, thinking…

He wasn't sure of what he should do.

"I didn't have the time to talk to you before…" The Minicon bowed to him.

Deadlock remained emotionless.

"I have no reason to talk to you" He coldly replied to him.

That hadn't been his business…and it'd cost them dearly.

"You saved my life, Mister Deadlock…That's not nothing"

Jeststorm paused.

"I just wanted to thank you…"

"I risked my life"

He didn't regret it. Jetstorm had been able to feed himself.

To Deadlock, there was no reason to thank him. That's the orange bot who led him into this Hell. Jetstorm should resent him.

The Minicon looked down, a guilty expression on his face.

No. Not this…

"I'm sorry…I committed a mistake…I paid the price. I understood the lesson. It will not happen again."

He'd shattered a sword. He must have been punished.

However…was he acting as if Shadow Raker's punishment was a normal thing?

"You don't wish to train us anymore, Slipstream and I?" Jetstorm softly asked him.

Deadlock wished he could cut that talk short. He shook his head. He will not give him more explanation.

"That was a mistake"

Jetstorm didn't seem happy with such a reply.

Sadness was obvious in his optics.

"Too bad…I liked….these moments spent with you. Slipstream as well."

"I don't wish to talk about it anymore" He dryly cut him in.

He gave him a nod.

"I understand but…we learnt things. Things that no other Minicon had ever learned of his life."

"I don't think you've learned"

No. They learned nothing. Else Jetstorm wouldn't have come to meet him.

He wouldn't come to thank him.

"…Are you going to stay here, huh?"

Deadlock frowned. What did he imply?

"Will you leave us because of…what I've done?"

So Minicons sensed his state of mind.

Truth to be told, during these few days, Deadlock had actually…hesitated. He couldn't bear that atmosphere anymore. He didn't bear to watch Shadow Raker treat his Minicons as if nothing had ever happened though he'd repeated that this behaviour was normal in the Cybertronian society.

He didn't bear to rewatch these memories over and over…

Though at the same time, where could he go? Where could he hide?

He had no place like home…he would return to his old days…he would struggle to survive and escape Decepticon authorities.

If he left, he would get caught sooner or later. That's certain.

And what they would do to him…

He noticed the broom that Jetstorm was holding.

"…Do your chores" He coldly ordered him. "You don't need another punishment, right?"

Jetstorm remained quiet. The next, Deadlock already left without any more question.

Shall he stay…or shall he leave?

"Deadlock"

Deadlock tried not to react. Outside training, he tried not to interact with Shadow Raker as much as possible. However, tonight was impossible.

"May I have a word with you?"

Deadlock turned around. Shadow Raker spread a smile on his face.

"…Of course Master"

Shadow Raker had something in mind.

"I have some good news"

Good news? Deadlock tried to act curious though he was scared of what it was about.

"What is it?" Deadlock asked.

The Insecticon sat down in front of him.

"Well…We trained together for a long time, you and I. I think you've improved a lot. You definitely progressed"

Did he improve? Deadlock raised one eyebrow. Where was he coming to?

"So" Shadow Raker declared. "I'm sure you'll not disappoint me. From tomorrow…you'll start to work"

Work…

It came back to him.

Shadow Raker had taken him in…he'd trained him up for this work…now he will start it?

"Are you sure, Master?"

"Sure. I watched your improvements, your strength and your qualities…I think you're definitely ready"

He was ready…

He'd been waiting for this sentence for such a long time…

At any time, he'd asked him at which time could he start? When will he be ready?

At any time, that had been the very same cold answer:

"You aren't ready"

Yet even though Deadlock should feel relieved, happy…he wasn't. He'd been waiting for it…yet he didn't feel the happiness. He didn't sense this fulfilment.

No. Simply…hesitation.

Surprise went obvious on his mentor's face. Deadlock realized he should display a bit of a reaction. Deadlock bowed, looking down.

"…I will not disappoint you, Master"

"I know"

Shadow Raker gestured him to get up.

"You'll accompany me from now. Minicons will come with us as well."

"…Minicons too?"

He'd never watched Minicons accompany their Master until now. They'd always remained in the domain with him while Shadow Raker went missing. What was the reason for this?

His gaze lingered to the graveyard.

Did they remain here because Shadow Raker was distrustful of him?

Shadow Raker smiled.

"We are stronger together, right?"

Deadlock nodded. Yes…Together stronger…

He would be able to witness the way Shadow Raker uses them during their trips.

Yet Shadow Raker had never talked about his future job explicitly. At first, he hadn't paid attention to it. Then he'd remembered Shanix in Shadow Raker's nightstand. Shanix he'd offered to him…

As Shadow Raker was about to leave, Deadlock called him back.

"Master…What is basically my job?"

Shadow Raker didn't turn around. Deadlock only felt his smile on his face.

"The job you already love, Deadlock"

The job he'd already loved?

"Charity doesn't exist in this world. Fools wouldn't be always there to give you cubes and stopping you from accomplishing your duties to survive, Deadlock"

A shiver went through his spine.

Deadlock understood.

This night, Deadlock didn't manage to fall asleep.

In order to find some peace of mind, he walked through the garden, amongst graves…

All these students…

This job…

Shadow Raker had chosen him because Deadlock had been used to steal from other bots.

These students…had he chosen them for the very same reason?

Had they died because…they hadn't been experimented enough?

Had Decepticon authorities captured them?

Deadlock stopped.

That was a necessary evil…Shadow Raker did the same thing and encouraged him to do the same.

Of course, Cybertron was falling…everyone needed energon…

But Shadow Raker encouraged him to choose such a path…would he do this his entire life?

Stealing energon to survive? Would be any more than a robber? A fugitive?

You aren't forced to do this.

Whatever else could he do?

Suddenly he heard a noise. Chirping. It came out from behind a tree.

He leaned over.

A nest. A bird.

The one saved by Jetstorm and Slipstream. It was now fully healed. His wing looked like it had been repaired. However, it didn't seem to want to leave now.

Deadlock knelt down to observe it. The bird wasn't afraid. It wasn't afraid of him, while he was a robber.

Indeed, he wouldn't be anything else other than a robber.

But Jetstorm and Slipstream were robbers as well…yet…

Deadlock dared. Finally, he patted the bird's head. The bird didn't move. He just leaned into the touch, deepening the contact.

Yet Jetstorm and Slipstream had saved it.