CHAPTER 13
The night after, his work began.
His very first job.
In their alt-modes, Deadlock and Shadow Raker were heading to the City. Minicons had already fixed themselves on their owner before leaving. As they drove, Deadlock repeatedly glanced back at his mentor. As if Shadow Raker being still around reassured him.
"Do you feel nervous, Deadlock?"
Nervous?
That was nothing he hadn't already done. After all, he'd been stealing for so many years before he'd met Shadow Raker. Furthermore, he wasn't alone tonight. Shadow Raker, Jetstorm and Slipstream accompanied him. That should be easy…
"…No."
"Don't lie to me, Deadlock. Don't worry. Your uneasiness is natural"
Yet that's more difficult. There were more things at stake. Deadlock'd only assaulted bots at bars' entrances. Or at stores. Or just at the middle of isolated streets. He'd still managed to quickly escape on his own anyway.
Here, he will downright infiltrate in some houses, apartments…
He's afraid of being recognized by other bots…He's afraid of being sold out to Decepticon authorities…
Moreover, he was afraid of not being good enough. If Shadow Raker wasn't satisfied with him, he would kick him out of the domain. He would just abandon him to his fate.
As if more hesitation was needed…
"If you remain close to me, by my side, if you just obey…everything'll be alright" Shadow Raker added.
He could feel his smile.
Deadlock remained silent. He wasn't sure of his feelings…Apprehension, anxiety…
…Guilt?
No. He couldn't feel any guilt. He couldn't feel guilty over stealing. After all, they committed such acts in order to survive.
That's the same words he'd repeated to himself over and over in the past. His survival mattered more than anything else.
He followed Shadow Raker. Town was growing bigger as they're getting closer.
"Coast is clear"
Shadow Raker was the very first one to transform. Deadlock hurriedly imitated him. They turned around in one sharp move, facing a house.
Their target.
Shadow Raker kept looking around, as if he checked that nobody would come. He then whispered.
"I started with an easy house."
"Easy?"
"That should be so simple. There is no inhabitant inside. No one shall see us. We'll be quick."
Yes…if they could avoid a confrontation…
Shadow Raker deployed his Minicons. Jetstorm and Slipstream transformed.
"…Jetstorm, unlock this. Now."
Jetstorm simply bowed. He avoided any optic contact with Shadow Raker. The incident was still present in their minds…not only in Jetstorm's.
Deadlock let out a sigh. He watched as Jetstorm slowly came closer to the door. There was a Pad on, preventing them from coming in. A code was necessary.
How could he…?
Deadlock couldn't help but wonder. However, it didn't stop the Minicon from typing different numbers and cybertronian characters as if it had been nothing.
As if he'd been used to do this…
A blue light appeared on the screen. Jetstorm then entered an unreadable code in.
Was he hacking it?
Had Shadow Raker taught them to hack?
Slipstream turned around to face Deadlock, as if he had been reading his mind. As if he had sensed his doubts…he gave him a reassuring smile.
"…It will be okay, Mister Deadlock"
That was a normal thing to them.
Deadlock didn't reply anything.
A green light followed by a beep emanated from the Pad.
Jetstorm moved back. Shadow Raker stepped forward then pushed the door.
He'd been able to open it easily. Inside, the room was plunged into darkness. Shadow Raker clapped.
Light appeared, revealing a small living-room.
"Just spread out" The Insecticon ordered them. "We're back here in a few minutes. Keep moving."
Minicons bowed again then rushed for different directions. Deadlock realized that Shadow Raker didn't move. He frowned. What was he doing?
"Well, Deadlock? Aren't your legs working anymore?"
"What about you?"
"I keep a watch on the door. Someone must to. Hurry up. Take care of the rooms."
It made sense…
Nevertheless, Deadlock couldn't help but wonder if Shadow Raker remained here because he was the closest to the exit. He could escape easily.
He didn't add anything else. He went upstairs. Here, many rooms were offered to him. As he came in one of them, he realized that's a child's room. A simple bed, some toys…
Had they had money enough left to buy such things for their kid?
He decided not to keep on. After all, Shadow Raker wanted Shanix. Or any other valued item…They probably had no such things in a child's room…
Then he thought it was low to steal a kid who'd asked nothing…
He stepped in another room. Possibly the parent's room. He realized time quickly passed…He hurriedly opened cupboards, closets, drawers…He searched for something useful…
Indeed. Gold Shanix. Such as the ones Shadow Raker had offered to him. Not only that…but stones as well. Stones with many various colours…Blue, purple…stones they could find on the Moon of Athena. They were known to be extremely expensive here.
At this right instant, Deadlock's spark jumped in his chest.
He'd never witnessed such a beautiful thing.
He wondered…How would he feel if he ever possessed one…? Anyone would sell their soul in order to gain such a rarity…especially because Cybertron was dying…
There was nothing much beside this here…
For a brief moment, Deadlock wondered if he wasn't stealing the last treasure from this family. Treasures that would guarantee them survival if the conflict went deadlier, more destructive…as if they probably expected a better life while owning such items.
He quickly shook his head. He opened his chassis to hide them in. They just will sell their kid's toys…
He glanced back at a picture on the nightstand.
The completed family. He quickly guessed that the father was a military…or a cop. He carried an insignia.
An Autobot insignia.
In his arms, a little girl with quite big arms. He'd mistaken her for a boy first. He took a second glance then realized they were definitely a "she". All blue, white and yellow reflections…she possessed an Autobot insignia as well.
He shook his head then looked away.
He shouldn't be thinking about it.
He must join others.
"Deadlock! Hurry up!"
He jumped. For one time, he thought the family had returned.
He crossed through stairs to join his mentor back. Minicons had already been undeployed, in their disk-forms on Shadow Raker's wrists.
"We're leaving! NOW!"
Drift nodded then immediately transformed. They mustn't waste more time…
"Let's check what you've brought back to me"
What you've brought back to me…
Deadlock didn't reply anything. He reluctantly opened his chassis to take the items out. He put Shanix as well as the rarest stones on the table.
His mentor's optics brightened. Deadlock had never witnessed such an expression before. Shadow Raker had never smiled in such a manner.
He'd never been so happy…
He immediately grabbed Shanix then examined the stones in every detail.
His smile widened.
"You did a great job, Deadlock"
Deadlock should be happy. He should be thrilled…His mentor was pleased with him. He'd wished he would never disappoint him…
However, he'd this unpleasant feeling…Shadow Raker was stealing things that should belong to him…Things that should be rightfully his…Deadlock had been the one to take them. Shadow Raker had just kept a watch on the door.
Shadow Raker viewed them as his…it irritated him…It bothered him.
His mentor turned back to his Minicons. Jetstorm and Slisptream displayed their things. No Shanix. Just weapons such as a laser-gun or an assault rifle. If the father was indeed a cop, finding weapons in the house should have been predictable. Yet Shadow Raker was displeased with their results.
"I told you I wanted valued items" He growled.
"I know, Master" Slipstream said. "However, we thought…that could be still useful to defend ourselves or-"
"I don't care. I teach martial arts. Understood? We aren't using such ephemeral trinkets like…an assault rifle! We'll have to load them once they'll be short of lasers. How will we load them?"
Both Minicons didn't retort anything. They couldn't talk with him. That was unnecessary. Shadow Raker paused then turned back to Slipstream.
"Don't become like Jetstorm, Slipstream. You're better than that."
Jetstorm shivered. It hurt him. Of course. Shadow Raker made no secret of his preferences. To him, Slipstream was the best. Jetstorm was nothing.
Shadow Raker stood up. He was ready to go, bringing his treasures along with him…
Deadlock felt anger now.
"Here, Deadlock"
At the last moment, Shadow Raker turned around to throw something at him. It rolled to his pedes.
Deadlock looked down.
An Athena stone.
He didn't understand.
"It's for you, Deadlock. After all, you deserve a reward"
A reward…
Deadlock picked up the stone. He didn't realize first…then wonder and awe overwhelmed him.
He just gave him a stone…to him?
This stone belonged to him? Truly?
"There is no more precious treasure than money you can earn, Deadlock," Shadow Raker stated. "Remember this. As long as you'll work for me, you'll never be short of such items."
A treasure…
For one instant, Deadlock forgot that's a stolen stone. He just held it. He was scared of breaking it…
He could gain more…if he kept working for Shadow Raker…
He could sell them…he could get a roof…
He could get a better life…
He forgot the place where this stone was from.
He didn't pay attention to Jetstorm and Slipstream, who'd had gained nothing but insults…
No. Only the treasure in his servos mattered.