CHAPTER 24

Deadlock couldn't know whether that was a good thing or not.

Dai Atlas allowing them to stay should have relieved him…it should have made him happy…They had been able to escape Shadow Raker. They didn't even know if they were still in Crystal Cities yet…Wing had blindfolded him…He wouldn't have been able to find the way to the Circle of Light's base if Dai Atlas had refused him here. This place seemed secured and well-hidden. His old mentor wouldn't be able to find them.

Yet he couldn't help but wonder about the price of all this…They followed Wing throughout an endless hall, composed of many doors stuck into the wall. In the end, the white bot stopped in front of one of them. He then turned around.

"…Gasket's old place" He softly informed them.

Then he dialled a code on a special device located near the door. It opened. Jetstorm and Slipstream were the very first ones to step inside. That's their new "house" now.

That's quite a fine flat. There was a room containing two berths in, a small kitchen, a lounge holding a screen and a couch.

"There are wash-racks as well as an Onsen if it's necessary. However, there are located outside but I can show you right now."

Deadlock shook his head.

"We don't need it right now."

"I understand. I'll let you rest."

Wing didn't seem to be the type to ask many questions. Deadlock let out a frown, checking his new "home". Jetstorm was already on the couch. A blissful expression was displayed on his face. It looked comfortable. As for Slipstream, he was already on his knees in front of the screen to turn it on.

That wasn't as large as Shadow Raker's domain.

"If I can do anything-" Wing started.

Yes. He could.

"Why?"

That's the only question in his mind.

Yes. Why? Wing remained unmoving. A brief smile appeared on his face.

"…I already gave my reason."

"That's not enough for me."

He will not be tricked again. Everything had a cost…nothing was free. He'd his arms crossed. He wouldn't let Wing go without any response.

"…What do you want from me?"

"Nothing"

"There is always something. What are you doing here? What's this society? What is the Circle of Light? What is your goal?"

He noticed that Jetstorm and Slipstream had both stopped their business to focus on their conversation. They stared at him, a worried expression.

"Be careful, Wing" Deadlock calmly warned him. "If I ever learnt that you tricked me, I'll immediately leave. And beforehand, I would kill you."

"You can't kill me" The white bot instantly replied.

"Really? I'm a murderer, remember?"

Oh yes, he was. Though according to Wing's expression, he didn't seem to believe him. That's odd. He'd witnessed Deadlock killing that bot to prevent Slipstream from doing so.

"You don't take any pleasure in killing."

"That's what you think."

"There is no sadism in you. I followed you all along. I don't need to know you to be sure of it."

Wing let out a soft sigh. Deadlock's stared back at his sheathes. Yes…That seemingly naïve and dumb bot definitely knew how to defend himself. Deadlock didn't have any reason to attack him and he wouldn't dare try.

"You remember your training, right?"

Wing had already read his mind. Deadlock rolled his optics. Annoyance came up again.

"I don't wish to talk about it. Just answer my questions. What will I do here? What do you all expect me to do?"

He corrected himself.

"Or rather, what do YOU expect me to do? The others didn't even bother to accompany me to my noble apartments. You're the one who are my guardian here."

"Right now, not much."

Wing slowly moved closer to the screen. Slipstream hadn't still managed to turn it on. Wing quickly made image appear in two commands. Slipstream's smile widened. He sat down near Jetstorm, captivated by the working screen.

"The others need to trust you. All of you."

"I don't care about their trust."

"Their trust is necessary if you want to stay here."

Deadlock looked down. He wasn't sure if he wanted it…but where else would he go?

"Tomorrow" Wing declared. "You'll wake up early to start daily chores."

"Chores?" Deadlock repeated. He wasn't sure if he'd heard right.

The white bot nodded.

"Cleaning, sweeping, energon's preparation…"

He paused.

"…And you'll polish my weapons."

"Your blades, right?"

He pointed at the sheathes, not even hiding his disdain. Wing didn't reply anything.

"…Sheesh. You are samurais. You don't use any laser-gun."

"This kind of thing isn't useful to us." The white bot retorted. "We forbid any interference in the Great War. However, it doesn't mean we shouldn't learn to defend ourselves."

"Katanas, swords…martial arts will not help you."

Deadlock had never put his laser-gun away all along. As soon as he took it out, Wing didn't even bat one optic. He didn't even put his servo over his sheath in case where Deadlock would decide to use it against him.

He was so naïve…

"You can defend yourselves with."

"And what will happen the day you'll not have load anymore?"

"Primus. You're speaking like Shadow Raker."

In the end, he and Wing weren't that different. If he wanted Deadlock to polish his weapons, he could go to screw himself.

"That's not about this" Wing spoke again. "There are principles in martial arts. You'll not learn them by using a laser-gun."

"Principles? Like stealing?"

"You definitely hate blades…it doesn't surprise me in one way."

Oh yes…Hatred. Deadlock embraced it fully. Why should he hide it?

"I will not touch any blade ever again."

Wing turned around. He was ready to leave.

"I'll come to get you tomorrow. You'll do any chore I'll order you to."

"Ha. You order me now?"

The white bot's tone changed.

"…You'll not refuse it." He firmly and coldly retorted.

In spite of the bot's attitude, Deadlock didn't insist. He wanted to be alone tonight anyway. With Minicons. There had been enough excitement today. Suddenly, Wing took an inspiration. As if he was hesitating to say something.

"Look…As soon as a new member enters in the Circle of Light, that's a new life for them."

"What about it?"

Wing took his time to reply.

"It's customary to take up a new name. Such as an alias."

"What good is there in a new name?" Deadlock sighed.

"That's a proof you wish to embrace the Circle of Light's culture. I don't want you to forget your real name. However, maybe would it help you to take a fresh start."

This smile again…

"Wing isn't my real name. Such as Gasket isn't your friend's real name. Nevertheless, he kept it after leaving the Circle of Light."

"…An user name…"

Silence fell down. Wing looked thoughtful. His optics lightened up. He faced Deadlock again.

"…What about "Drift"?"

"Drift?"

"Instead of being a deadlock…you'll be a wind drift."

Then Wing left the flat, leaving Deadlock alone with Minicons.

Despite they seemingly watched the screen, they'd listened everything.

"…Drift would suit you." Jetstorm agreed.

"What about you? You'll not take up any name?" He asked them, a bit mocking.

"Hmm…We'll think about it" Slipstream smiled.

It left Deadlock speechless. He stared at the door where Wing stood up, a few moments ago.

In the end, he joined Minicons to sit down on the couch.

He was exhausted. He's afraid and he didn't know what'll happen to him…but he could try to enjoy a new comfort…as brief as it would be.

He repeated the name in his head. Over and over…

Drift…

"That's not a good idea, you know."

Wing walked through the Crystal Cities, Axe by his side. He held his weapon at servo. He never abandoned it. Outrigger was grounded. However, Wing had promised him to take his camera-bot Beak back.

"You aren't the only one saying this" Wing sighed.

"After your departure, Star Saber and Dai Atlas yelled at each other" Axe said. "I hardly had a word about it."

He paused.

"I know you loved Gasket" Axe declared. "I liked him too. We had fun together, we were friends, we had our own jokes…but what happened can't be erased."

"I think what I said, Axe. I believe in second chances. No one offered a second chance to Gasket."

"He killed, Wing. What do you want to redeem about it? The Code is applied to everyone."

Axe stopped. He looked up. Wing followed his gaze.

Beak was flying above them, circling around their heads. The camera-bot looking like a bird landed on Wing's shoulderplate. The latter sighed.

"Outrigger is worried, you know."

Beak only rubbed his head against his cheek. Wing turned back, followed by Axe.

"What are you planning to do? Deadlock doesn't seem to be motivated to join us."

"His only problem is his hatred of martial arts."

Axe raised one eyebrow.

"That'll be difficult, so. Fire weapons aren't allowed here."

"That's what I said."

Beak left his shoulderplate to land on Axe's.

"But he has potential" Wing completed. "I think he'll manage. Jetstorm and Slipstream as well. We just need to trust them."