Chapter 3: Pressure
Perceptor was curious, sitting inside the 'school' with the three children friends he made. He kept looking around, forgetting what was truly going on. Eventually he snapped out of it, after Sam slapped him.
"You said you'd tell us who that was!" snapped Sam.
"I agree. I will…but did you really need to hit me?" whimpered Perceptor, rubbing his check.
"Who was that?" Carly gasped.
"Thundercracker. A Decepticon seeker," he looked at them. They gave him confused looks, so he added, "A bad guy!"
"Got the last part," Sam nodded leaning on the stairs.
"Why'd he call you an Autobot scientist?" Freddie asked.
"That's what I am. The Autobots are the good guys and I'm a scientist," Perceptor explained.
"Wait…Good guys…bad guys…to me it sounds like you're at war!" Carly gasped.
"I…may have forgotten to mention the fact that the Autobots and Decepticons are in a lifelong civil war…" mumbled Perceptor.
"A civil war!" Freddie repeated.
"Yes…Our planet had issues…" Perceptor grumbled.
"We can see that…" Carly whispered.
"Why'd TC come after you?" asked Sam.
"TC…oh Thundercracker…" mumbled Perceptor, "I was the one tracking the vortex. I assume he's lost without his fellow Decepticons, as I am without my fellow Autobots."
"You've got us though," Sam snapped.
"Yes, I have three human children" Perceptor said slowly.
"I see your point," nodded Sam.
"I was hoping you would," smiled Perceptor.
"I've never seen a gun so powerful…" whispered Freddie.
"It seems to be a miniature version of a Decepticon rifle. Standard for the seekers. Autobots have similar guns yet…" Perceptor hesitated. He was given a gun at the beginning of the battle at the vortex.
Perceptor stood up, looking through the jacket pockets and his pants' pockets. He paused, almost jumping, as he touched something in his jacket's right pocket. He held his breath slipping out the slick grey, Autobot blaster. The children gulped. Perceptor looked at the gun in his hands then dropped it.
"What is that…?" Sam gulped.
"A…an Autobot blaster…" Perceptor whispered.
"Why are scared of that?" Freddie asked, noticing Perceptor's worried expression.
"I am a scientist…not a warrior. Mostly…mostly I'm a pacifist…frankly I'm not sure I can use that…" Perceptor whispered, closing his eyes.
"What do we do with it?" Carly asked.
"I sure wish Prowl or anyone was here," Perceptor sobbed, sliding down on the wall till he finally sat.
He wasn't looking at the children anymore. His head was in his hands. He couldn't think logical anymore. He was upset. He cracked under the pressure now. He was alone with three humans and a Decepticon after him. He had pressure on him. He sniffled. He stopped a moment to touch his wet checks. He was curious.
"What…?" he whispered, looking at the liquid that had dripped from his face to his hands.
"Aw…you're crying," mocked Sam.
"Sam!" snapped Carly.
"Crying?" Perceptor repeated.
"You know what that is, don't you?" Freddie asked.
"I'm all wet?" Perceptor mumbled.
"No…" Carly chuckled, walking over to him. "I think at this moment, it means you're sad."
Perceptor groaned as Carly cleaned the water from his checks. He sniffled again, watching her walk back over to her friends. They sat on the stairs leading to a higher floor. He sat, leaning against a wall, by the lockers. He just looked at each of them slowly, quietly, and carefully. Carly had mysterious eyes, shadows guarding her. Sam had a sensitive looking face, clear eyes, but knowing her would lead you to think otherwise. Freddie seemed always concerned.
"I wish my friends were here…" Perceptor whispered.
"Tell us about your friends," offered Carly, "Maybe it will make you feel better."
"Or miss them more," added Sam with a shrug.
"I'm not sure…" Perceptor whispered.
"Come on," Freddie cheered, "To pass the time."
"Right…" Perceptor nodded, smiling once more.