Silverbolt came online slowly, his systems running a diagnostics check as he sat up and stretched his arms. Pistons wheezed and gears clicked into place, the elegant machinery of Cybertronian life slowly stirring. When he opened his optics, a barrage of multi-colored notifications assaulted his vision, his audial receptors beeping with each line of text.
Spark core energy: 87%
Sensory cables: 59% activated, charging additional systems
Energon levels: Sub-optimal. Recommendation: Locate and utilize local power sources.
Feeling slightly annoyed, he closed each alert, the windows shrinking into their respective thumbnail on the right side of his vision. There, a column of symbols stood stacked one atop the other. Some he knew the function to, such as the blue cube that represented Energon levels. Others, such as a shield icon, he didn't remember how to work, and left alone. He didn't particularly care to burn down his roommate's space just yet.
The stack of symbols slid into the right edge of his vision, until it was completely free of holographic projections. Satisfied, he swung his pedes over the side of his recharging pod and planted them upon the metallic floor, and then stood. Lowering his wings to avoid the grey ceiling, Silverbolt suddenly realized how tall he was, towering over the pod that had accommodated him.
"Well, look who's up."
Silverbolt turned his helm towards the source of the voice and saw Breakdown, seated in the only chair in the room, hunched over a blue glow he deduced to be a computer monitor. The scout was typing away at the keyboard in a manic speed, his digits blurring over the buttons as lines of text sprawled across the screen.
"What are you writing?" Silverbolt asked, transfixed by the speed at which Breakdown was progressing. It was like watching a snake grow in a time-lapse, slithering its way down the page in neat rows from left to right.
"It's a report Bludgeon assigned to me. I had to go outside the ship, take a look at the hull density and composition, and report on the damage. Then, I calculate the amount of material displaced," the scout summarized matter-of-factly. "And that still doesn't cover the internal damage, as well as the materials used by our crew during all this." At the look of confusion on the other mech's faceplate, Breakdown clarified. "All I do is look at what happened to the ship and identify the problems. I leave the cost management and construction planning to Swindle and Nautica, and everyone else helps by performing the actual grunt work."
Silverbolt whistled, impressed by the detail involved in the assignment. "What happened to the ship?"
Breakdown went still for a moment, silence filling the room. Then he responded, "An asteroid hit it."
The other mech just stared. "An asteroid? That's really what happened?"
Breakdown turned and looked into Silverbolt's optics for a few seconds, gauging his reaction. Then he grinned, chuckling as he gave the answer. "To be honest, our pilot's really not the best."
Oh Primus, Nautica's going to kill me if she hears of this, the scout inwardly groaned.
Silverbolt just scrutinized him for a few more moments. Then he backed away, raising his servos in mock surrender. "All right, I believe you," he said. "So, are you nearly done with your report, or something? I haven't had some low-grade Energon in a while."
"I'm almost finished," came the reply. "Give me a few more minutes."
"Alright," Silverbolt answered. He paced back over to his recharge pod and sat upon it, waiting for Breakdown.
The entire time, his thoughts wandered, split between the burning figure and the mechs on this ship. One question remained in his mind, though he dared not ask anyone. Lockdown was most likely listening, and he had no wish of returning to the prison.
Where did I come from?
Silverbolt and Breakdown could hear the raucous laughter as they neared the doors leading to the circular Break Room, followed by the slamming of fists on a table, and a round of excited murmuring that that would occasionally erupt into another round of yelling. Silverbolt jumped as the fists began to slam again, while Breakdown simply sighed and shook his head. Right as they arrived at the entrance, Breakdown pulled Silverbolt to the side, despite his smaller size, and looked up to make his point.
"Now, before you walk through those doors, before you even think of going in, let me help you with some ground rules," the scout stated. Silverbolt was suitably confused, thought he let him speak.
"Firstly," Breakdown ordered, "be careful around Repugnus and Swindle. Those guys will prank you at some point. Don't trust what Swindle says, either. He's a good con man, and that's the only reason he's on our ship."
Silverbolt nodded, making sure to follow every word.
"Secondly, combat training sessions take place right after the second break here, so be ready. Now, since we were partnered together, we work as maintenance on the outside of the hull, so I'm essentially your instructor. As for your trainer…" – he shrugged – "may Primus have mercy on you. Finally…"
Breakdown held up a thick wad of credits in front of the other mech's faceplate. "Be aware about what's going on. Seriously, I just stole all of your money without even trying."
Silverbolt blinked. Then his features set into an expression of exasperation. "Can you give it back?"
Breakdown just chuckled. "Come on, what kind of a question is that?" He held the credits behind his back as Silverbolt lunged for it. "Aw, now you're not even trying."
"I'm asking you, just give it back!" huffed Silverbolt.
"How about we play a game?" Breakdown asked. "I'm hiding, and you're it…"
"Get back here!"
Silverbolt chased Breakdown in a circle around the entire Break Room, the scout laughing the entire way.
The inhabitants of the Break Room fell silent as the doors opened, Repugnus frozen in the midst of arm-wrestling Swindle at a table of their own, Nautica and Blackarachnia looking towards the door in hushed anticipation. Even Bludgeon straightened from his seat at a table in the corner of the room, his optics fixated upon the entrance.
Had Breakdown and the new recruit arrived? Tiny whispers flitted amongst the team members, who shifted uncomfortably in the silence. The nearby window that overlooked the upper side of the Knight's Temenos reflected the light of the stars on the glinting hull, casting a square of silvery light upon the metallic floor. The result was a quiet, muted atmosphere that was filled with glinting surfaces, the only other illumination coming from a series of golden-hued lights set in the ceiling. The result was as if the sun and the moon were setting at the same time, the light combining to create a calming atmosphere.
That very calm was shattered when two forms barreled through the doorway, one triumphantly waving one of his arms in the air, the other lunging for that same limb. Suddenly, they both stopped in the room, hunching over as their air intakes wheezed. Breakdown had his back towards the window as he straightened and held up the stack of credits again, while Silverbolt simply glared at him from across the room. A row of five tables was situated on either side of the room, while the two Cybertronians took up the space in between the rows.
"Now," Silverbolt panted, "can you just give it back? We're done running!"
"You still didn't ask the question," chided Breakdown.
"Wha-," Silverbolt began. Complete and utter frustration, laced with confusion, appeared on his features. "I've been asking the whole time!" He held his palms out in a conciliatory gesture, and asked, "Now will you please give the money back-" His optics widened in surprise as Breakdown simply grinned and dropped the stack in the outstretched palms.
"Why…" Silverbolt exclaimed.
"See," laughed Breakdown, "sooner or later everyone remembers the question!"
The entire Break Room erupted in laughter, Repugnus snorting as he bent over his drink while Swindle looked on with a wry grin. Nautica giggled while Blackarachnia simply scoffed and looked out the window. Even Bludgeon seemed to be amused, his shoulders shaking as he fought to remain silent.
"You're kidding me…" Silverbolt muttered, glaring at his roommate. Breakdown smiled innocently in response as he bowed low, spreading his arms out as he did so. When he straightened, the smile became a more sincere one, filled with genuine amusement. He pointed a digit towards the left side of the room.
"The Energon's over there," he said simply, and then walked over to the very spot. Silverbolt stood for a short moment, and then followed, shaking his head. Any thoughts of annoyance had gone, replaced with a silent mirth at the hilarity of the situation.
It was hard to remain irritated with Breakdown.