CHAPTER 16

"…I'm not sure that's a good idea"

The bot looked around. Although they were alone in an isolated area of the bar, he was afraid that walls had earshots. That's normal, after all. However, it didn't seem to bother his interlocutor. The latter was drinking his high-grade cube as if there was nothing up in the air.

"You can speak freely. No one here will hear you."

Of course. Illegality had become normal on Cybertron now…That windowless room, without any view on outside, soundproof, didn't allow them to hear bombings that'd started on Iacon. However, it didn't reassure him.

The bot stared at Fracture. That's the first time he met one. He hadn't realized what he was about to ask him yet. However, who else could he ask to? The most feared bounty hunter, Lockdown, had vanished for 1000 years now. He'd probably died during war. It proved he wasn't completely invincible. But since he was nowhere to be seen, he'd come to the purple bot Fracture.

He also had a pretty good reputation as a bounty hunter. That's one of his friends who'd advised him. His friends said that other bounty hunters wouldn't understand. Some, even if necessary for their survival, wouldn't cross a line.

"…Are your services expensive?"

"Oh yes" Fracture nodded. "Then I can offer various prices according to requests. However, let's be clear: I'm not charitable."

He expected such an answer. The bot looked down.

"My friend told me you accepted any kind of request. Any bounty. Any contract with anyone."

The bounty hunter's expression didn't change.

"…Even Ronins can be reluctant" He completed.

"Ronins are as morally wrong as I am" Fracture dryly retorted, a disdainful look. "If you prefer contracting with them…"

"No. I prefer you"

He'd thought about Ronins first. Nevertheless, his friend'd told him that they'd lost many bounties to Fracture. Fracture worked alone unlike Ronins. However, he'd to choose the best out of them.

Fracture had never lost any bounty.

"I'll not judge you" Fracture coldly reassured him. "So, tell me"

The bot let out a sigh. Let's go to business. He grabbed a Pad then clicked on a window. It revealed a picture. He put the Pad on the table, pushing it toward Fracture.

"…This."

Fracture silently observed the picture.

"The son of one of the Fallen Council's favoured. One of the last privileged people."

"…Why?"

He'd said he wouldn't judge him.

Yet he thought Fracture had no limit. That had been his friend's words.

Nevertheless, he chose to reply.

"If he came to die, I would inherit his possessions."

"In these dark times, it doesn't mean anything anymore. Maybe there is no more possession to inherit now. Privileged people had fallen."

"No. I know it"

He paused. Fracture didn't tear his optics off the picture.

His face remained inexpressive.

"I know…" The bot added. "Because nobody but me and this bot, knows the exact place where his possessions are."

"If you say so-"

Silence fell down. Fracture didn't move. Was he thinking?

"…A child…"

Yes, a child.

But a child who gave him so much trouble. Would he refuse? At this instant, the bot viewed himself as naïve to trust his friend's words.

Anyone would refuse…why wouldn't he?

Fracture looked up back at him.

"…Okay."

"Okay?"

The bounty gave him back his Pad.

"I accept the bounty"

"Really?"

Fracture shrugged. Nevertheless, there was a coldness in his optics.

"However…You need to know more things before contracting with me."

"…What?"

Should he be afraid? Fracture would say yes. He shouldn't be taken lightly.

"First, as it is about a child…my price will be way higher for this request. I'll not make you any offer. You'll accept mine."

"I agree…"

"The child will not survive on Cybertron for long anyway. It's better to ease his sufferings."

If there was this…

"However…Hopefully you didn't lie."

"Excuse me?"

Fracture clarified.

"About you being the only one to know the place of these extraordinary possessions. Because once the deed will be done, I want to be paid immediately. It would be unfortunate for you if you modified our contract at this time."

He agreed as well.

"Yes…break a contract is never a good idea. Especially by these times…" The bot stated. "We do whatever to do to survive."

"Especially a contract made with a bounty hunter." Fracture corrected him. "That's the first time for you so allow me to give you a lesson: there is a loyalty clause to respect. I suggest you to not tread it lightly."

He paused to finish his cube.

"Because…if you ever came to trap me, you'll be the next on my list. I'll kill you even for free. I have the right to do."

Then he added with a sinister tone.

"Between us…I would do it without hesitation."

"Deadlock…"

Deadlock didn't reply.

They were at the table, taking their lunch time cube.

As usual, Jetstorm and Slipstream didn't eat along with them. However, the former couldn't even leave his berth. He was so much in pain due to whatever had happened yesterday. That's the reason why he'd just caught sight of Slipstream this morning.

His mentor ate with him.

Deadlock wished he'd been left alone for once.

He wished Shadow Raker had went missing this time…

Anything to be alone…

More he thought about the bot, more he thought about Jetstorm's blows…more he'd difficulties to talk with Shadow Raker. Being in the same room as him…

"Deadlock…answer me"

Deadlock suppressed a sigh.

He forced himself to look at him.

Shadow Raker…looked worried.

No…Concerned.

He didn't know such an expression from his mentor.

"…Is everything alright?"

He would have been stronger, he would have lied.

Deadlock shook his head. That's useless to hide.

"No doubt. I understand"

His voice sounded gentle…almost tender.

Like the day where he'd brought these blades to him…the same tone had been used.

"You know, I think you helped me much" Shadow Raker declared.

"…Really?"

Helped him…to steal bots?

"I know I don't say it enough but…you help me, Deadlock"

Once he'd wished to hear these words…

"You're a good student. The best I ever had. I like you. Much, actually."

Shadow Raker moved closer to him. Deadlock bit his lip. He didn't dare move back. Shadow Raker was in a good mood today.

That wasn't the best time to upset him.

"So…I guess I owe you something…"

What?

A gem? Shanix? For the life of a bot?

For Jetstorm's bruises?

"…You already gave me enough, Master"

He felt a servo brush his cheek. The contact made Deadlock shiver.

Fear…Disgust…

"No. I don't think so, Deadlock. Truth to be told, you deserve better than this. I have been too hard on you…and I wish I could make up for this…"

Make up…

He paused.

"And Minicons need a break too. Else…they break."

Else they break…

Shadow Raker didn't take his servo off.

"So, I decided something."

"Something?"

"A break. Vacations."

He looked up at him again, moving closer.

Vacations…

He'd never heard such a word.

Why would he learn it? From Shadow Raker moreover?

"We could go…I don't know. Near the Sea Rust. All four of us. We would stop thinking about our lives as burglars to enjoy some days, forgetting about that war."

Would it be possible to forget the war?

Vacations…to make him forget about the last night?

He stared deeply into Shadow Raker's optics.

He looked genuinely sorry.

That's the very first time.

Sorry for everything he'd done…To him…

Sorry to the point of offering vacations…near the Sea Rust.

A place he'd never visited before…

But should he take that compassionate act as a promise to change his ways? To treat him better?

Deadlock wasn't sure. Definitely not.

Everything Shadow Raker had done was to keep his accomplice close. His tool…

"It'll do some good to Jetstorm and Slipstream as well, won't it be?" Shadow Raker quietly questioned him.

Jetstorm and Slipstream…did he regret his acts toward them? Was it a way to redeem himself?

They'd probably never had any break…any vacation…

It sounded wrong. But…discovering the Sea Rust? That would be a great opportunity for them. For him as well.

Vacations…he'd never had any. Just going somewhere to forget everything.

However, how could he forget everything…with him around?

"What do you think, Deadlock? It sounds to be a plan"

He caressed his cheek again, his servo going down to his torso.

Deadlock nodded.

If he refused, Shadow Raker would call him ungrateful. He would lash out at Jetstorm…like yesterday.

There was a point Shadow Raker was right on: Jetstorm and Slipstream needed a break.

"…Yes, it is, Master"

"Good"

Shadow Raker took his servo off then stood up.

"So, Deadlock…Finish your cube. You have training, remember?"

He paused.

"Then tonight…we're going back to it."

Deadlock didn't react. Of course…it became their routine now.

Every night.

He couldn't escape it.

"…Master?"

"Yes?"

He gulped.

Should he ask him? Would it be appropriate?

However, he couldn't be peaceful…he'd to erase that picture of the dead bot…killed by his mentor…

In front of him.

"…We'll not kill anyone tonight, right?"

"What do you mean?"

Shadow Raker didn't show any sign of irritation. Quite the contrary. He was patient. He let him go on…

"…I'm not sure I'll be able to watch you kill another bot again, Master…"

He looked down. He didn't want to face his stare.

Any time, he was afraid of his reaction.

"…I understand, Deadlock"

He looked back. Shadow Raker gave him a friendly smile.

"…I'll not kill tonight"

"Really?"

He patted his helm.

"After all, Shanix are the only important things. Don't forget it"

"…There will not be…"

"I give you my word, Deadlock"

Shadow Raker gave his word…

He couldn't betray him now…