Data-file identification number: 6105.
Name: Fastlane.
Frame type: Race Car type.
Mech type: Male carrier.
Age: 1527 years.
Estimated time of enslavement: 384 years.
Occupancy during enslavement: Breeder.
Number of successful births: 53.
Height: 45 meters.
Weight: 32 tons.
Time in therapy: 2 years.
Recent test results: Successful Socialization simulation. Successful Communication simulation. 67% success on Gender-interaction simulation. Completed Independence simulation at a score of 973 out of 1000.
Note: Despite the low success on the Gender-interaction simulation, which is understandable due to his history, I recommend that Fastlane is released from therapy and integrated into society within the next few weeks. If you have any suggestions that might improve his results, I will gladly hear from you.
Echo
Thundercracker looks up from the datapad when there is a gentle knock on the door to his office, and the door opens while he puts the datapad in the desk drawer.
"Do you have a moment?" Megatron asks, leaning against the doorframe.
"Only if it doesn't take long. I have an appointment with Fastlane in a few minutes."Thundercracker says as he checks his chronometer.
"It won't take long. I'm just here to inform you that I have been in contact with Prowl, the director of the Joint Investigation Unit. He urged me to give you this data-file on a new possible client." Megatron explains as he walks over to Thundercracker and places a datapad on the desk in front of the blue seeker, his expression guarded. "I tried to tell him no, but Prowl was unwavering in his belief that you are the one best suited to help this client. Nothing has been decided yet. Look at the data-file when you have time and come to me when you have made a decision."
Thundercracker looks curiously at the datapad containing the data-file on the new client before he adds it to the datapads in the drawer.
"I'll have a look at it later," He promises Megatron.
When Fastlane knocks on the door and interrupts them, Megatron leaves the blue seeker's office with a gentle, encouraging smile to the little race car.
"Always on time," Thundercracker greets with a smile as the race car sits down in the chair across from him.
"I have received the test results from your time spent with Echo and will go through them with you before I explain what she suggests," He says and places the datapad containing the race car's test results on the desk.
"Your Independence score gives an indication of if you will be able to live on your own if we release you from therapy. The most recent test shows a score of 973 out of 1000, which means that you will be able to live alone but will need a little help to fit into the world around you. It is a good indication of your progress while you have been here, and Echo suggests that we release you within the next few weeks," He explains before he moves on to the other test results.
"Over here we have the simulations you have undergone. Socialization, Communication, and Gender-interaction. You have completed the first two successfully, while we would have preferred that the last one scored a bit higher. But with your history, we know that it will take time. We also know that if you are going to improve in that aspect, you need to do it on your own terms and not ours."
"I'm not sure that I'm ready to be let go," Fastlane admits in a low whisper, his optics full of fear and anxiety.
"We aren't going to abandon you if that is what you fear," Thundercracker murmurs soothingly.
He rises and walks around the desk, kneeling in front of Fastlane to come at optic level with the smaller carrier and taking the race car's trembling hands in his own.
"I know how you feel. As you know, I have been in the same situation as you. I know that it is scary to face the world outside these safe walls, but I promise you that you will be okay. The first period alone is always the worst, but it will get better. Trust me." He reassures Fastlane with a smile.
With the trauma they often have experienced, it is not uncommon for the carriers to show this kind of fear.
"You will get a therapist that you can contact about anything that may arise. And if it is necessary, he or she can contact us if you can't solve it on your own."
Fastlane is more composed when Thundercracker rises again, but he still shows uncertainty.
"I understand," Fastlane mutters, still not satisfied with the situation, but he accepts that what he wants can't carry on. His stay at the rehabilitation facility has been a respite while he slowly recovered, and now he has to face the real world and their society's pulsating life again.
They make a new appointment before Thundercracker leads Fastlane to the door and says goodbye with a small reassuring smile. His optics linger on the race car while Fastlane moves down the corridor towards the elevator.
With a mental note to contact Echo to discuss Fastlane's release from therapy, he returns to his desk and takes the datapad Megatron had given him out of the drawer.
The director had been dissatisfied.
After reading the content, he leans back in the chair and offlines his optics with a deep, weary sigh.
Now he knows why Megatron is displeased.
He pushes the unwanted memories from his past out of his mind with great effort. It is rare for them to emerge, but certain things trigger them.
One of them is his own frame type.
He onlines his optics again and stares pensive down at the datapad.
During his stay at the breeding facility, before the enforcers found him, he had solely been bred by seekers to ensure that he got purebred offspring. And the mere thought of having a seeker sire in his office and within touching distance fills him with growing unease.
His unease shows in his wings, and he rises to wander restlessly back and forth while his processor is preoccupied with the issue at hand.
Megatron clearly wants him to say no, but for some reason, he hesitates.
He stops at the window and looks thoughtful out of it, mulling over his decision.
Maybe it is time for him to face the last of his demons?