Chapter 6

Rev scurried into the garage after Mister Fixit. He'd taken the chip back. She frantically wondered what he was planning to do with it. A nail of worry stabbed at her chest when he pulled out a heavy portable safe and opened it. There were already other items inside that Mister Fixit considered valuable. The chip was going to join them; it was going to be locked away again. Rev's core sunk. "Oh, come on, Dad, stop!" she pleaded. "What are you doing?"

"This chip is too daggum important, Rev!" Mister Fixit asserted. He was highly upset, and the crossness in his tone was enough to make Rev lower her head to avoid his angry face. "It's goin' where I know can't nobody get it. I'm puttin' it in here and I'm buryin' it."

Rev glared up at him. "Oh, more like, so I can't get it, right?" she guessed. "I barely even know what it is!"

"It's a power chip, Rev! A Morbot power chip!"

Rev froze. "Wait, a what?!" she squeaked.

"Yes." Mister Fixit weighed it in his hands. "And I plan on sellin' it one of these days," he added.

"You're gonna sell it?" Rev was in complete disbelief. She felt her frustration rising more and more.

"You dang right I am!" Mister Fixit eagerly studied the Morbot power chip in his hand. His optics were big and greedy, daresay hungry, as he pictured the fortune. It took several moments for him to peel his gaze from it. Rev slowly shook her head at him as he went on. "You know how much this bad boy could go for at an auction, Motorbug?" He bent down to her level, smiling from ear to ear. "It'd make us rich," he whispered. "We'd be billionaires!" He sat up, laughing. "Yes sir, boy!" he cackled. "We's gon' be swimmin' in washers before the transaction's even over!"

"Where'd you even get it from?" Rev asked.

"Out in the desert," Mister Fixit replied. "I was out there one day with my metal detector and it picked it up." He gasped suddenly. The discovery apparently gave him another idea. His eyes lit up again and his grin widened even more. "What if there's more stuff like this out there?" he eagerly wondered aloud. "I'll bet there's a buncha knickknacks and doodads out there I can find! Rich, I tell ya, Motorbug, rich!"

Rev facepalmed herself.

"Oh, don't gimme that," Mister Fixit told her. "It's my business, Rev, you know that."

"Whatever!" Rev yelled. She was already sick of hearing his delusions. She moved on knowing she couldn't talk him out of them. "Glitch is planning to find all the gateways," she said. "He needs the Morbot power chips!"

Something dawned on Rev just as she finished. Her optics moved to the chip Mister Fixit was holding.

"Rev…" He understood what she was thinking.

"That chip must go to the gateway out west!" Rev exclaimed. "Dad, he needs it!"

"Yeah, well, I need it more and I had it first!" Mister Fixit protested.

"Seriously, Dad?" Rev groaned.

Mister Fixit gave a sigh. "Well what am I supposed to do?"

Rev tiredly turned away.

"I ain't givin' it up, Rev, ya hear?" Mister Fixit stayed adamant. "I can't, it's too important."

"The world's important, too!" Rev snapped. "And it won't be here if Glitch can't activate the gateways!"

Mister Fixit rested a hand on a hip. His gaze grew calculating and firm. He went on to stare at Rev in a long, hardened silence. She realized what he was thinking, and it made her furious.

"Dad, no."

"That's what it is, innit?" Mister Fixit stubbornly stood by his convictions. "It's the newcomer. The handsome young fella ya just met a lil' bit ago!"

"It's not that!" Rev refuted. She struggled to keep her composure. Mister Fixit actually thought she only wanted the chip to impress Glitch. How could he be that narrow-minded?

"Y'know what?" Mister Fixit angrily went on. "I done 'bout had it up to here with you, Miss Priss. Ever since that Glitch has been 'round, you been actin' out. Ya been stayin' out longer than ya normally do, and now ya been goin' through stuff ya ain't supposed to."

"What about you?!" Rev shouted. "Why do you have to keep things from me? You protect me from literally everything! First the Mil uprising, and now my own life! You don't even want me to find out who I am!"

Mister Fixit didn't answer.

"I'll always be your daughter, Dad," Rev continued. "I'll always be your Motorbug, but...I'm not a little girl."

"So be it."

Rev jerked her head up. "What do you mean?"

"If ya want Glitch to have it so bad, then here ya go." Mister Fixit held out the Morbot power chip for her to take. "I hope he's worth it," he remarked.

Rev couldn't bear to hear him anymore after his last comment. She snatched the chip from him and fled from his sight, storming out of the garage. She sped to her room—as quickly as she could with all the junk obstacles in her way—and slammed the door. It didn't do any good since the door had a weak latch. It just popped open again a second later. Rev didn't care; her charging bed became the perfect surface to cry on. She collapsed at her bedside and sobbed hopelessly. The oil in her tears stained the blanket. She didn't know what was worth crying over more: what Mister Fixit thought of Glitch, or her longtime urge to get away from him after everything else. His mental state. His denial. His need to constantly shelter her. It all felt like too much.

He couldn't mean it. Rev tried rationalizing it. He's sick. He's gotten worse. Dr. Axon could probably treat him, but he doesn't realize he needs it. She stifled another sob. He loved her, she knew that. But she couldn't change him. Nor could she stand so much as the thought of losing her own sanity trying to.

She wasn't aware that she'd fallen asleep until she woke up to something against her hand. The Morbot power chip had slipped out of her fingers. Rev opened her eyes and raised her head to see Serval licking her three digits with his metal tongue. He saw her coming around and stopped. He went on to rest his head against her hand with a hopeful meow. His metallic purrs vibrated through the bed. It made Rev feel a trifle better. She affectionately booped Serval's nose. "Hi, baby," she whispered.

Serval mewed a hello back.

Rev gave a soft giggle. "Were you worried about your sister?" she cooed. "I'm okay, don't worry. Where's Drill-Bit?" With perfect timing, she heard a little laugh and looked toward her door. A turquoise optic glowed at her through the crack before flitting out of view with the laughter. "I know you're out there!" Rev teased at her.

Drill-Bit eventually popped her head into the room. "Hi!" she greeted in a funny voice.

Rev got up and wiped her eyes. "What kinda trouble are you gettin' into out there?" she joked.

"I'm not gettin' in trouble, I'm bein' good!" Drill-Bit assured her.

Rev looked at Serval with a raised brow. "Is she?" she asked him.

Serval gave a nod.

Drill-Bit stepped into the room. "When is Glitch comin' back, Rev?"

She sounded worried that she may not see him. Rev didn't blame her. She felt bad for promising that to Drill-Bit. Glitch told Rev what his plans were after seeing Feeble. He would head back to Dr. Axon's, where he'd likely begin making plans for his first Morbot gateway trip. Rev kept that from Drill-Bit, covering it up with a white lie to calm her down during her tantrum. She would've thrown an even bigger fit if she knew Glitch wasn't returning then. Rev cringed at herself. No matter how hard she tried to make something work, it always found a way to blow up in her face. "I don't know, Drill-Bit," she admitted. "He may or may not come back to the house today." When she said that, Drill-Bit's lip puckered slightly. Rev tensed as she expected her to burst out crying any second. "Oh, I'm sorry," she gently added.

Serval jumped to Rev's aid, almost literally as he hopped down from her charging bed and circled around Drill-Bit with a purr. It distracted her from her disappointment. She giggled as Serval rolled around at her feet and pawed at the air. Rev relaxed. Serval always came in clutch.

"Serval's up for some fun, though!" Rev eagerly suggested. "How about you and your first mate Scratchclaw go off on a brand-new adventure together?"

Drill-Bit liked the idea. Rev could tell after the spark returned to her face. "Ok!" she exclaimed. "C'mon, Scratchclaw! Our crew's waitin'!"

She ran out the room. Serval briefly glanced at Rev before he followed her. Rev got down in front of him and rubbed his head with both hands. The sleek Droid feline could tell she had something else on her mind as he studied her with his yellow optics. He couldn't tell what, though, and therefore could only give a puzzled mew.

"I'm going off with Glitch and the others." Rev kept her voice low so only Serval could hear. "Can you take care of her while I'm gone?" she asked him.

Serval visibly faltered at the idea. He gave an unsure meow. Rev's chest tightened at his worried reaction, and immediately, a large part of her felt awful for asking such a favor from him.

"I know, I know." Rev kept Serval's head in her hands. "But someone has to make sure the chip gets where it needs to go and…" She tearfully glanced down. "I need to find me," she whimpered.

Serval meowed emotionally. When Rev lifted her head, he padded forward and gave her an affectionate lick. He dipped his head at her to accept the favor.

Rev hugged him close. She didn't feel she deserved his love or trust. "Good boy." She cried harder. "Oh, you're such a good baby."

She felt things, a great deal of things, in that moment. There was the pain of leaving Serval and Drill-Bit behind in the house, the guilt of possibly being selfish, and the fear of traveling into the unknown. But Rev didn't just feel she needed to do it. She knew. It wasn't just the world she wanted to see. She understood she was linked to something greater than herself. It was out there, waiting to be found. It called out to her, not from the canyons beyond or the universe itself, but from deep within. Rev was finally ready to answer that call. As much as the choice hurt, she knew leaving was the only way.

"Scratchclaw, ya comin', matey?"

Drill-Bit's call from outside the room prompted Serval to go. He gave Rev one final lick before heading out. Rev sat on her bedroom floor alone for a while. For some reason, she began to scan over it quietly.

Her and Drill-Bit's rooms were the cleanest in the house. She made certain to keep them that way. They were the only two rooms she could protect from Mister Fixit's junk storm. Rev's bedroom had become her sanctuary from the rest of the house. She remembered the week after Mister Fixit finished repairing her. When he showed her the bedroom he put together for her, she was over the moon. It was the first time she hugged him and called him her dad. Mister Fixit's junk problem pushed her away from him, though. Rev wanted them to do more things together, but she quickly realized his stuff came before anything else. Even when she started showing interest in professional racing, Mister Fixit's work and mess were all he could seem to focus on. Rev thought about the big race she was supposed to participate in a few months before, the one she mentioned to Glitch when they first met. She had a feeling it would've been her big break. But she never went. Mister Fixit had stressed her out so much that she knew she wouldn't have been able to compete at her best. She backed out of the competition just days before it was scheduled.

She thought back to when Mister Fixit built Drill-Bit for her one day. She was a wonderful gift, but Rev couldn't help but wonder if Mister Fixit only made Drill-Bit to keep her out of his hair. She prayed Drill-Bit would be okay in the house without her, so long as she had Serval watching her. He was a great kitty. He didn't talk, but he was more responsible than anyone else Rev knew.

She winced on the inside. She was afraid of her own decision. But as she held the Morbot power chip close, determination replaced her fear.

Rev packed quickly. She didn't know how far the gateway would be or how long they would be gone, so she made sure to plan ahead. She packed a few emergency batteries, a bottle of coolant, hygiene supplies, and lubricant for her tires. When Rev was done, she placed the power chip in her hip pouch. She adjusted her vest, then picked up her small bag and got ready to leave. Once she stepped outside, she could hear the familiar sounds of Mister Fixit's tools as he kept busy in his garage. She didn't want him to know she was leaving. So he didn't find out.

...

Glitch sat at Dr. Axon's table across from Feeble. He watched him snore with oil dribbling from his mouth. They were in the middle of discussing the map when he abruptly fell asleep. Glitch sighed. After everything he learned about Feeble that day, he didn't expect narcolepsy to be one of his characteristics. Glitch tried getting him up, but he didn't have any luck. Melvin tried, too, but he couldn't get Feeble to budge, either.

It was Dr. Axon who had the most successful attempt. He shouted directly into Feeble's auditory sensor. "THE SHIP IS BEING TAKEN OVER, CAPTAIN IRON-EYE!" he belted.

Feeble jolted out of his sleep. His single optic frantically darted back and forth. "Huh?!" he yelped. He drew his dagger to ready himself for the nonexistent danger. "I be Captain Iron-Eye!" he snarled. "Want to take over me ship, do ye? Show yeself and battle me like a real Droid pirate! Arrrgh!" He stopped and looked around. From the little bit of vision he had left, he could tell he was still in Axon's lab at his house. He fell into his chair and lowered his dagger while clearing his throat. "Aye, forgive me, mateys," he said.

"It is quite all right, Feeble," Dr. Axon assured him.

Once Feeble settled down, Axon wheeled in a hefty amount of equipment. With Melvin's help, he placed the crate near the table.

"Is this the stuff we'll need for the trip?" Glitch skimmed it all over.

"It is!" Axon responded. "These are the necessary supplies! According to navigational records, the trip to the gateway will be a two-day journey by vehicle. If we leave at dawn, I estimate we will make it there by Tuesday. From there, we will find the power chip. My archives tell me the Morbots kept them hidden not too far from their respective gateways. Like how one might leave a key under a mat, if I may compare." He chuckled.

Glitch hoped it wouldn't be too rough of a trip—or perilous. If it was, he would risk ruining his recovery. He held out faith that it would be an in and out job for the most part. He noticed Dr. Axon reading his uncertainty.

"It is not too late to change your mind," he gently reminded him.

"I'll be okay," Glitch promised. "You'll be there if something happens!"

"Of course." Axon smiled understandingly. "I just do not want you to exert yourself too much."

Glitch smiled back at him reassuringly. He held up a hand. "I won't. Scout's honor!"

"Alright, then!" Dr. Axon went over to the supplies. "Let the journey commence!" he exclaimed.

"Hello? Is anybody there?"

A voice from outside buzzed through Axon's comm. He quickly went over to answer it. "Yes, hello?"

"Hi, Dr. Axon! It's me, Rev! Can I come in?"

Dr. Axon's face warmed when he realized who it was. "Why, of course, my dear!" he said. "One second while I unlock the door."

Glitch looked to the lab entrance as he expected to see Rev at any moment. He heard the front door open and close after Dr. Axon unlocked it. Rev came through the house and stepped into the lab, looking around. She spotted the supplies the group would be taking. "Sweet!" She sounded relieved. "I'm right on time!"

"Uh, pardon?" Dr. Axon exchanged a glance with Melvin nearby.

Glitch looked at Rev more closely. He saw she had a small bag packed and froze a little. He eventually got his senses back and hurried up to her.

"Wait, Rev, what are you doing?"

Rev held up her bag. "I'm taggin' along!" she replied.

Glitch shook his head. "Rev, come on…," he gently started.

Rev let out an irritated huff. "Why not?" she asked. "How come you don't want me to help? I've got just as much to do with the Morbots as you, Glitch."

Glitch hesitated. Of course she did. But he saw how Mister Fixit behaved. He was overprotective of her; surely, he didn't give her the green light to go with them.

"Does he know?"

Glitch put out the question, just to be sure. Rev's expression immediately seemed to change a little. It even took her a couple of seconds longer to answer than it should have. Just as Glitch expected. Yep, he thought. She's gettin' ready to lie.

Rev quickly nodded her head up and down. "Yeah!" She finally answered. "Yeah, he's letting me go." She was obviously trying to keep cool.

Glitch looked down with a small sigh.

"But this is why you need me!"

Rev opened her hip pouch and went into it. She quickly pulled out what she had been carrying inside it. Glitch, Dr. Axon, Feeble, and Melvin alike all gawked at what she was holding. It was a Morbot power chip.

"Rev, dear!" Dr. Axon rushed over to see it more closely, completely stunned. Rev gave the chip to him. "Where in the world did you find this?" he breathed.

"Dad had it." Rev's eyes lowered slightly when she answered. Glitch tried deciphering what could've been wrong, but he wasn't able to tell. There was something more to it than met the eye. It clearly bothered Rev, whatever it was, but he decided not to probe any further.

"This is splendid!" Dr. Axon was practically glowing as he held the Morbot power chip. "Our first step in the journey has already been completed! Thank you for this, Rev! Now, are you sure you are willing to come along?"

Rev looked at Axon. She confidently smiled. "Yeah, like, totally!" she exclaimed. "I'm born ready!"

Feeble hobbled between Glitch and Axon suddenly. They both moved over to give him room. He walked closer to Rev, pleasantly studying her with his one half-blind optic. "Aye." He grinned up at her. "The Sally be right," he said. "She was born for her purpose."

He glanced toward Glitch. They both shared knowing, amused smiles and Rev noticed. She placed her hands on her hips. "Ahem!" she said, mildly. "What're you two hidin' from me?"

Glitch briefly lowered his head, still smiling. He met her expectant gaze. "We're demigods, Rev," he told her.

Rev's green optics grew bigger than Glitch had ever seen them. She stifled a gasp, even trembling a little as she tried containing her shock and excitement. But she definitely couldn't. The adventurous, tomboyish, half-Morbot she-Droid couldn't help herself. She unleashed the enthusiastic reaction everyone had been expecting. "That is so frickin' rad!" she squealed.