CHAPTER 78

"…I don't know anything, you stranger"

After the twentieth try, Drift almost gave up.

As expected, they'd arrived on the Moon of Athena before the nightfall. As soon as the pod had landed, Drift, Jetstorm and Slipstream hadn't wasted their time. All three of them, on a moon they'd never known about and that they'd just heard about, they'd searched for the wanted target.

Because it had been the reason behind Fracture's arrival, right? What else would he come to the Moon of Athena for, if not for the 100,000 Shanix as a prize on that bot's head?

He'd got rid of the Ronins…but maybe by acting such, he'd caused a way bigger problem since Fracture had now a free servo for the bounty. After all, he'd eliminated for him some serious competitors. Nothing would stop him now…

Even if…between Fracture and Ronins, he couldn't know which one was worse.

However, he'd got a goal. He would never leave another bounty to Fracture or another bounty hunter who would use a hunt to satisfy their murderous urges. Whether he'd left Ronins didn't change anything. He would deal with them alone. Along with Jetstorm and Slipstream.

Whatever that bounty did, they deserved a second chance…Like he'd been given one…

And Fracture wouldn't be the one giving them such a mercy.

Stilts hadn't lied. That's difficult to find the target here, among all these bots who looked exactly the same, all of them having the same appearance. However, the only comfort Drift could have had been these bunkers where inhabitants lived in. Maybe Fracture would have some difficulties and Drift would be able to find the bounty before the purple bot could.

He hadn't had any other choice so he'd used traditional ways: asking every passer-by about an individual named Astro 4788.

However, it's quite naïve from him. Drift knew it. The moon had been overpopulated. Nevertheless, he'd been able to locate the specific area where the target had been living. But which bunker…that felt like trying to find some dust in the space.

Drift let out a deep sigh. In the end, he collapsed on a bench, observing as clones passed him.

"Mister Drift…We'll succeed" Slipstream tried to reassure him.

"Yes. He shouldn't be far" Jetstorm added.

"He mustn't be far but he is nowhere to be found" Drift said.

He frowned. Maybe Fracture had already captured him…maybe it was hopeless…the bounty was wanted dead or alive.

Get up.

Drift covered his face. Wing would have told him to go on.

He wouldn't be a good Circle of Light member if he gave up. Wing hadn't given up on him. He'll not give up on that individual.

"Stay close" Drift ordered them, before standing up.

He must keep on.

He tried again. He asked any passer-by to help them. He endured refusals, he endured 'sorry, I don't know' over and over. Jetstorm and Slipstream mimicked him though it was more difficult for them since sometimes, clones didn't even notice them.

They kept on…until they found a passer-by who displayed a warm smile as soon as Drift mentioned Astro 4788.

The orange bot couldn't believe it. But he'd got some hope again when the clone pointed at a road traced in the rock, leading to an unknown direction.

"At the end of it, a silver and red bunker. You cannot miss it"

If he hadn't been that reserved, Drift would have embraced the bot. But he didn't have any time for such a thing. He hastily thanked him before ordering the Minicons to undeploy. They quickly obeyed then Drift transformed in his alt-mode, following the road.

He would save him…He swore it…

A silver and red bunker…

Indeed, it was quite obvious unlike some other, green or grey bunkers that surrounded Drift. Drift could catch sight of them in his mirror while he sped up.

Drift stopped at the entrance. He turned back in his robot-mode while keeping Jetstorm and Slipstream on his wrists. He stepped for the door, a determined look on his face. He strongly knocked at the door.

"Astro 4788?" He called.

He knocked again. In the end, an opening appeared in the metallic door, a camera coming out from it. A red laser scanned through Drift's chassis. The latter got startled, taking a defensive stance before realizing that the camera was actually identifying him.

A small beep could be heard.

Something appeared on the screen. Despite his lacunas, Drift could read "Failed Search" on.

Stilts hadn't lied about the Moon of Athena' security.

For one moment, Drift thought back it was hopeless. But a few instants afterward, the door loudly opened.

A clone appeared in front of him, granting him a wary stare.

"…Astro 4788?" Drift repeated.

"That's me" He replied, a cold and stern voice. "What do you want, stranger?"

Yes. Clones acted hostile toward the ones who didn't look like them. And the 'stranger' term was still friendlier than some other names Drift had been called by. Drift had been viewed as an 'intruder' and an 'invader' by some other clones.

Drift took a breath.

"You are in danger"

"Really? How so?"

"There is a prize on your head" Drift told him.

"Hm"

Astro 4788's expression didn't change.

"Why is it your business?"

"A bounty hunter is after you" The orange bot declared. "A Decepticon. His name is Fracture."

"And you'll betray a member of your own faction?"

Drift froze. He'd forgot about the colour of his optics. He let out a sigh. He shouldn't forget that he was a Decepticon above everything.

But since he'd joined Ronins…shall he view himself as such again?

"Well, in the end, it doesn't surprise me" The clone stated. "After all, Decepticons are known to stab each other."

"Maybe" Drift agreed. "But you must believe me. The bounty hunter after you…He isn't a normal guy"

"It isn't Lockdown who's after me"

The clone was about to close the door. Drift couldn't let him go.

"Listen! Even if it isn't Lockdown, Fracture is still a monster as well. He is a devious, merciless enemy without any honour. He'll not give up."

"What do you know about it? Do you personally know him?"

Drift remained silent. Shall he be honest? Telling him they'd been rivals?

In the end, he chose to omit that part.

"…I know him, yes. I know his methods. He's a sadist. If he catches you, he'll torture you. He'll kill you before delivering you to the bot who'd put the prize on your head"

"He can't get me. I'm in a bunker. It's safe enough."

"Fracture will find another way"

His greatest fear was that Fracture get the same idea as Ronins'. Blowing up the Moon of Athena.

"Really? Which one?" Astro 4788 asked, some curiosity in his voice.

"I don't know but…He can target your friends. Your loved ones. He can force you to turn yourself in. He's able to do everything."

He'd no honour after all, as Drift wished to repeat.

"So, if he catches me…Why would it be your business?"

Yes…

After all, Drift could leave. He'd warned him. If he didn't want to believe him, that's all up to him. Why should he endanger himself?

Why should he endanger Minicons?

Astro 4788 could deal with it alone.

Yet…Drift insisted.

"Please. Allow me to remain by your side"

"You think I cannot defend myself?"

Drift didn't leave. He had to accept.

"…I'll not let one more person die"

The clone seemed surprised. Some lights appeared in his optics for a few seconds, before his frown appeared again. He let out a sigh and stepped aside to let him in.

"As you wish"

Thanks, Drift thought.

Late in the night, Drift and Astro 4788 were still up. Even if the clone seemed still sceptical about Drift's warnings, he seemed to believe him more. He could have left to go in recharge, he could have let Drift keep a watch. Yet he stayed with him. Remaining in alert, they sat in front of each other, observing everything, jumping a bit at the slightest noise.

They didn't know when Fracture would come. But they were ready.

Drift glanced back at the bot. Forager had mentioned the prize on his head but…he hadn't said anything about reasons behind the ad.

"…Why?" In the end, he asked.

"Why what?"

"…Why you do you think there is a bounty on your head?"

Astro 4788 frowned. Drift suddenly realized that he should have minded his own business. But maybe was he protecting a murderer? A terrorist?

If that's so…Should he risk his own life to save him? To defend him from Fracture?

Astro 4788 sighed.

"…Who is the one wanting my head?"

Drift tried to remember. Who'd published the ad about the bounty?

He didn't remember…He just remembered the faction. Forager had talked about it.

"…Decepticons"

"It doesn't surprise me. There are many and many bounties on our heads coming from them"

"What do you mean?"

Astro 4788 simply grabbed a cube of energon. He took a sip of it.

"Decepticons believe that clones shouldn't exist. And they shouldn't live on a moon that they could use and take for themselves. Like as a base or something else. So, they hunt us. They send bounty hunters or assassins to get rid of us."

Yet the population was still massive on the Moon of Athena…Why doing it in such a way?

In any case, Drift couldn't find any excuse to Decepticons who paid for the murder of clones simply because they existed.

"…Megatron could use an army for it"

"You think he'd use an army for it? While he's fighting Autobots at the same time?"

It was pertinent…but something was off about it.

"…Why 100,000 Shanix on your head as a prize? That's a big prize"

No. Astro 4788 hid something.

That's obvious. The clone looked away from Drift. He wasn't telling him the truth…

He needed to know…But the clone wouldn't reveal him anything…

"…Tell me. Please."

"…The founder is dying. I'm the one in charge to replace him"

It left him speechless. Forager hadn't mentioned such a thing.

There was a bounty on his head…only because he'll take the leadership of the Moon of Athena?

"It's a secret. The other inhabitants don't know anything about it. If the future leader dies" Astro 4788 said. "the other clones would probably turn themselves in. They would submit to Megatron."

"It's awful…"

He didn't deserve it. A bounty on his head…only because he existed.

So…Even if Fracture wasn't the one taking that bounty…another will.

He just dodged the problem. He didn't resolve it.

"…Which faction do you support?" Drift questioned him.

Even if he'd an idea about it.

"Autobots"

"Why? Because you think they'll defend you against Megatron's invasion?"

"Not only that"

Astro 4788 sighed. In the end, he displayed a small smile.

"Because they know about the value of life. Even if we are clones, they allow us to exist. They allow us to have our own culture, our own customs…They have real values. They believe in them. They aren't there for money or power…they just want their home back. They want to keep the most of survivors they can protect."

They'd killed Gasket…

They'd imprisoned him…

They'd sold Jetstorm and Slipstream…

But for the very first time…Drift thought that Astro' words weren't pure nonsense. He believed him. He believed that Autobots had their own values…their good side…

Or maybe he'd been so disappointed, hurt by Decepticons…and he'd never really tried to know more about the other side.

"Why are you with them?" Astro 4788 asked him.

"What?"

"Decepticons"

It's a good question…

Drift wasn't proud of it.

"…I wanted to survive"

But…life wasn't just about survival. He'd realized it.

He glanced back at his wrists.

Wing's warm smile came back into his memory.

Yes…there was definitely more than just survival.

"You aren't forced to stay with them. You share…Some of Autobot values."

Autobot values…

Once he would have taken it as an insult. But this time, he didn't feel much about it. Or maybe some kind of pride in.

Drift…Autobot?

Was it possible?

He didn't have any time to answer. Suddenly, a deafening noise interrupted them. Drift and Astro 4788 immediately jumped, standing up.

The bunker' door had just exploded.

Out of instinct, Drift put himself in front of the clone.

His weapons were out.

Smoke vanishing, Fracture appeared in front of them.