Chapter 10

'Come on!' I said to Tailgate as he ran behind me. His legs were smaller so I had to stop every few meters to wait for him to catch up. 'Where are we even going?' He asked as he came up beside me.

'You'll see.' I grinned as Remix transformed and I hopped on, the white mini-con getting on his hoverboard before we raced out of the Lost Light.

'Won't Cylonus and Chromedome question where we are?' He asked. 'Don't worry.' I said with a grin, 'I left them both notes.' 'Let's just hope they read them before they terrorize half the ship looking for us.' I heard him mutter, making me laugh.

'So are we going to this "friend" you told me about?' TG asked as we broke through the line of trees that bordered the field, 'And also that's why you brought your guitar?' 'Yes to both of those.' I said, 'Just wait, you're gonna love him.'

For the past week, I'd been going back to the same place and seeing Grimlock. He'd shown me that he could transform a few times but mainly stayed in his dino form. We mostly just sat in our stone circle and talked although some of the conversations were quite one-sided. Grim wasn't much of a talker but I didn't care. 

I did want to show him music though which is why my guitar was currently strapped to my back, in between my wings. I also wanted to show him one of the other crew members.

Domey had been my first thought but he could be a bit intimidating at first, especially if it came to protecting me. Whirl and Cyclonus were quickly crossed off and I spent some time debating whether to show Max, Rung, or even Megatron who I'd gotten to know better. Rodimus had been busy when I went to check on him (surprise there) and Ratchet and First Aid had gone to resupply their medical supplies.

And Brainstorm was just an immediate no-no.

I soon decided on Tailgate cause let's be honest here, that mech can get along with anyone. He's sweet and kind and just a marshmallow at heart. He was also one of the only crew members who could stand on a board without faceplanting.

We quickly approached the meeting area and stopped just before we hit the rocks. Tailgate carried his board under his arm while Remix walked next to me and Skyraid landed on my shoulder.

'He's usually here by now.' I said, as we crossed into the circle and I looked around for him. At the sound of my voice, a helm shot up not too far away and was soon followed by a huge body. I was then plowed down by an over-excited T-rex.

'Easy Grim!' I laughed as I got the scrap nuzzled out of me, 'Jees it's only been 24 hours.' It took a lot of effort to get him off of me but I was finally free from the happy bot. Skyraid went up and took his usual position on his helm. Remix yapped and Grim lowered his helm to him.

'Sorry.' I said to Tailgate as he helped me up, 'He really likes me.' 'I can see that.' He laughed, looking at Grimlock in awe. 'Anyways.' I said, going over to the dinibot and stroking his cheek, 'Grim, this is Tailgate. Tailgate, this is Grimlock. I thought it'd be nice for you to meet one of my friends.'

The silver and yellow mech went over to the much smaller one and bent down to look at him. I walked over as well as TG went rigid with freight. 'It's ok.' I reassured him, 'He's just making sure you're not a threat.'

'Do I look like a threat?' He asked sarcastically, hands on his hips. I tilted my helm and grinned, looking at him up and down, 'That's why I brought you.' I said. I watched as he slowly reached out his servo and petted Grim's nose. The dino purred and leaned into it.

'Looks like I'm not the only one now.' I said, 'But I warn you, he likes to cuddle.' 'I gathered as much.' He laughed, moving his servo up his snout, 'So any idea where he's from?' 'Nada,' I admitted, 'All I got was he's traveling with five other mechs.' 'I see.' He said and went back to petting him.

I then reached behind me and brought my guitar out. I tested a few of the strings to see if it was still in tune and before my digits even finished playing, Grimlock was already there, right by my servos.

'Woah!' I said, backing away in surprise, 'Eager much?' 'I mean, who wouldn't be?' Tailgate asked and went over to sit on one of the rocks, 'You're really good.' A blush formed under my mask but I just nodded and sat next to him. Grim trudged over and seated himself in front of me, my two symbiotes by his side.

'Now this one may be a bit rusty.' I said, adjusting the pegs, 'It took a while to figure out the chords.' 'Like we'll care.' TG said, waving his servo. I grinned and started to play, inhaling before I started to sing.

I believe submarines,

Underneath deep blue sea,

Saw the flags, Japanese,

No one will believe me,

Ran back to the town bar and I told the people how,

I had seen a submarine,

And everyone laughed aloud.

I did spy a periscope,

Dead of night on the eastern coast,

The police made them jokes,

Told me I'd, seen a ghost.

Everyone thinks I'm a liar, no one knows the truth,

If it was a bigger fire,

I would be on the roof.

Ships will rust in Baldwin Bay,

(let me go)

No one trusts what I say,

(I don't know)

Oh, my God, no one paid,

(attention)

Overnight, my hair turned grey.

(Oh-oh-oh)

In the end, it boils down to credibility,

I had none so will die,

With the secrets of the sea.

(submarines)

(can't find me)

Submarine

(submarine)

I finished and was immediately met with applause for Tailgate. Grimlock, who'd been bobbing his helm to the rhythm made us both jump by blasting a jet of fire into the air. 'Well, that's new.' I laughed, reaching over to help a fallen Tailgate.

Grim just growled playfully and nudged my arm, requesting another one. 'Alright, alright,' I grinned and tried to think of one. I started to play but stopped when voices were heard coming up the hill. We all turned to see who it was.

'I'm just saying,' One said, 'We wouldn't have to be here right now if you didn't let him out that much.' 'He needs time outside,' Another argued, 'Besides, he seems like he really likes it. He was right by the door, waiting for me today.'

'For the last time!' A rough one said, 'No one was singing!' 'But I heard it!' A fourth insisted. 'Maybe he really did.' Yet another answered. 'Yeah,' The gruff one said, 'Like we're going to trust Spinster on that.'

Tailgate and at looked at each other in confusion before the voice that just spoke called out again, 'There you are!' It said and got closer. Grimlock turned and walked to the small group of mechs making their way over.

He went up to a dark pink one with a grey helm and immediately put his hand on his jaw, 'See?' He said to the others, 'We found him didn't we?' 'Somehow.' The black, purple, and white one with a mask said. 

The pink one ignored him and turned Grim to face him, 'So is this where you've been coming every day?' He asked, 'Why on Cybertron would you be so excited then?'

I then saw the yellow one with goggles and quite an impressive chin look over and notice us, 'I think there's your answer.' He said and pointed, making the group look at us.

'Decepticons!' Tailgate squealed and went behind me as I stood up and put my arm in front of him while the other unsheathed my sword. Remix started snarling next to me, his hackles raised while Skyraid flared his wings threateningly.

'Autobots!' They growled and aimed their guns at us.

Their group was made of five in total, Grim not included. There was the guy with the chin, the one with the curved mask, the pink one who was looking at us curiously while still holding onto Grimlock, a purple and pink one with a blue mask aiming one heck of a gun at us and the last was a mean -looking blue one who for some reason, looked as though he had half the top of his helm chopped clean off.

'Well, this is honestly the last thing I expected to find here.' The purple and white one said, 'Never thought I'd see two sparklings for at least another millennia. Let alone a cyberwolf or falcon. Thought those were extinct.' 'Oooh!' Blue mask said, 'Can we keep them?'

'First of all!' I interrupted them, 'We're not sparklings. Tail's been alive since before the war started and I'm technically a youngling.' 'So Krok, what should we do with them?' Goggles asked. 

Pinky looked at me and then my servos, 'Is that a guitar?' He asked. 'Yeah,' I said, 'I was just using it.' 'I TOLD YOU!' Blue mask yelled.

The purple and white one called Krok, obviously the leader, put his servo up to his chin in thought, 'Well they're no harm to us,' He said, 'But we could still keep them in the brig.' 'Can I shoot them?' Blue mask asked but was quickly shut down by half helm.

'We could sell them for some quick cash,' He suggested, eyeing my symbiotes. 'No way!' I yelled, both Remix and Skyraid snarling at the idea of being sold again. 'How about we use them as a ransom' Pinky asked.

'Or you could let us go.' Tailgate piped up. 'Yeah,' I said, 'It's not like we're not going to run away if you do.' 'Hey, easy on the double negatives!' The dark blue one said and pointed at blue mask, 'Some of us struggle with them.'

'Just saying.' I shrugged. The group soon turned back to arguing about what to do with us, going into a huddle to decide. While they did, I nudged Tailgate back with my pede. He looked up at me so I jerked my helm in the opposite direction from them. He nodded and we slowly started backing away. 

But Grimlock looked up and saw us. He whined and ran over, making the group look at us. 'Hey!' They yelled and shot at us. I immediately raised my servos, my digits spread, and unleashed a sound wave that stopped the bullets in their tracks. 'Just give the word and I'll tear their servos off.' Remix growled.

'What the-' I heard one of them say but they stopped when Grimlock started growling, not at us but at them. He positioned himself in front of us and faced them, his dentas bared.

'Misfire.' Goggles nudged pinky, 'He's your dino, make him stop.' Misfire hesitated before he slowly approached the Dinobot. 'Hey Grim,' He said, raising his servos, 'It's me remember? Just calm down and come over here.'

But he didn't budge. Instead, he stomped his pede and roared at them. 'You won't hurt Radiowave or Tailgate.' He growled.

'Did he just...?' Krok asked. I looked over to see them all staring, dumbfounded at him. Misfire blinked and then gave a hug smile, 'Hey!' He called and ran forward, 'That was your first proper full sentence Grimlock!'

'It was?' I asked, 'He says about that much when I talk to him sometimes.' They all stared at me, 'WHAT!?' They then all suddenly yelled.

'Yeah,' I said, raising my eyebrow, 'Has he not said much to you?' 'Not said much?!' Misfire said, grabbing me by the shoulders, 'I've been trying for so long to teach him how to speak!' 'He has.' Goggles confirmed, 'It's amusing to watch.'

'Well on a threatening level, that went from ten to one very quickly.' Skyraid said next to me. 'Tell me about it.' I mumbled as Misfire started ranting about what just happened. 'So I can't shoot her?' Blue mask asked. Krok just rolled his optics before he lowered his gun and walked over to me.

'Well then.' He said, 'Since we're on talking levels now,' He held out his servo for me to shake, 'As you know, I'm Krok. The mech with ADHD behind me is Misfire, the one with the big chin is Fulcrum, the trigger-happy one at the back is Spinster and the grumpy looking one is Crankcase.'

'Fitting.' I said, looking at his servo for a bit before taking it. 'I'm Radiowave,' I said, 'The wolf is Remix, the bird is Skyraid, and the marshmallow behind me is Tailgate.' 'Quick question,' Crankcase said, coming over and kneeling by them, 'How did you get a cyberwolf and falcon? Like Krok said, weren't they supposed to be extinct?'

'We rescued them from a poacher.' I said, 'They bonded to me as soon as we arrived back on our ship.' 'What ship?' Fulcrum asked. 'The Lost Light.' Tailgate stated.

They all whipped around to face him, 'The Lost Light?' Misfire asked, 'The Lost Light as in the one Megatron is currently on?' 'Uh yeah,' I said, 'I've been talking to him since he arrived.' 'Oh gosh, she's spoken to Megatron.' Spinster said, 'She's so lucky.'

I shrugged, 'It's just cause he knew my carrier.' I said. 'So then,' Krok said, breaking their fangirl moment, 'How did you meet Grimlock?'

So we spent the next hour talking. I told them how I met Grimlock and Tailaget and I shared a few tales from our adventures on the Lost Light. They told us about their travels and to our surprise, the Scavengers were a pretty funny group. They were like a family, the kind that constantly annoys but loves each other.

I showed them how Sky and Mix transformed as well as how good I was with a gun. While I left them, Spinster sat on the ground with them and stroked Remix who didn't say no to the extra attention.

'So how did you guys meet?' I asked. Their group weren't exactly bots I'd see that just start chatting with each other.

'Well, Spinster and I were already friends when I lost my squad.' Krok said, 'We got together shortly after I left Cybertron. We were called the 'Foragers' back then mind you. Anyways, Spinster and I broke into a prison ship as a friend's death request to rescue Misfire when he was still called Flyhigh.' 

'That's also how we met Crankcase.' Misfire added. 'Really?' Tailgate asked, 'Was he also imprisoned there?' 'Hah!' The blue mech said without breaking a smile, 'Imprisoned? I was the guy piloting that ship when they attacked it!'

'We then came across Flywheels who eagerly joined our group and four years later, we're named the Scavangers and Crankcase is an honorable member instead of a prisoner.' Krok said. 'Who's Flywheels?' I asked, 'And where is he?' 

'I'm getting there now.' Krok said and continued, 'We then found Fulcrum while looting the planet Clemency for energon.'

'I gave them quite a scare.' He laughed, 'I woke up with my fuel pump in Misfires servos cause they thought I was dead.' 'Oh wow,' I grinned, 'That must have been something.' 'Sure as hell was.' Misfire joined in, 'Nailed me right in the face as he woke up. Poor Flywheels looked like he was ready to see Primus right then and there!'

'Now that's an interesting way to meet someone.' Tailgate giggled. I nudged him, 'More interesting than blasting off Whirl's chest just to get out a hole in the ground?' I grinned. He pushed me aside, 'Sure more interesting than just appearing in an escape pod on a desert planet.' He said.

'So how'd you guys come across Grim then?' I asked, translating Skyraid for them as he asked in my processor.

'We found him on a Worldsweeper just the next morning.' Crankcase said, 'Of course, we had no idea what it was doing there but we did find out someone was on the DJD's list after we got a call from them.' He pointed at Grimlock.

'Of course, they then arrived to get him but we set a trap using Grimlock.' Krok said. 'We still got our afts kicked,' Misfire said, 'And that's how we lost Flywheels. Poor guy was ground into a bloody pulp.'

'So from there, we brought him along to use as a bargaining chip if we were ever cornered by Autobots.' The leader continued, 'Over time, he's become a member of the team although he does still have his mood swings. That story also how we're all targeted by the DJD now.'

I blinked but then smiled and rubbed Grim's nose, 'Guess I'm not the only one here on the list then.' I said. 'Wait,' Spinster said, 'You're a sparkling, how're you on the list?' 

'The DJD is the reason I'm here right now and not on Arkendrone.' I simply stated. 'Arkendrone?' Fulcrum asked, 'Isn't that-?' 'The colony wiped out by the DJD, yes. I am the only survivor and have heard that reaction over a million times right now.'

'Eish kid.' Crankcase said, 'That's harsh.' 'Yeah,' I said, 'But I'm starting to look at it differently now. If I hadn't left, I'd have never met the Lost Light crew or any of the bots I know now. I'd have never met Remix or Skyraid.'

'That's nice.' Krok said, 'How you can look on the bright side of things.' I laughed, 'It only took about a year of PTSD and nightmares but yeah, I was eventually able to see it but I must say, the encounter with Overlord didn't help.'

'But then it probably would've taken you longer to discover your mind-controlling abilities.' Tailgate pointed out. 'Wait!' They all yelled, 'You can control people's minds!?' 

'Well, I guess we have to start that story now as well.' I said as Tailgate and I both started laughing.

——————

The four of us were still in good moods when we got back to the Lost Light. 'And just where we're you two?' Cyclonus asked. He and Chromedome were both waiting for us by the flight deck.

'Oh,' I said, 'Just riding around the planet.' 'The south side's really nice.' Tailgate added. 'Well come on.' Domey sighed, 'Rodimus said we're leaving in an hour or so.' 'Ok.' I said and walked with him.

'Not going to tell them about our new friends?' Remix asked. I shrugged so only they could see, 'I'll tell them if it ever comes up.' I said, 'Don't think they'd appreciate me being friends with cons just yet.'

We broke off briefly when I got to my habsuit. I said I wanted to check something before we headed to the bar. I closed the door but didn't take down my mask, instead, I walked over to my desk and sat by my computer. I hardly ever used it but that would definitely change now.

I turned to my sketchbook and scribbled for a few minutes before I clicked on the "Call" option and typed in a number. I tapped the desk while I waited for it to pick up and when it did, a smile broke across my face when it did.

'Hey guys,' I said, 'Good idea on exchanging numbers by the way.' 'No problem,' Krok said as the Scavengers gathered around, 'We just met you two but you and Tailgate may as well be part of the group.'

'Thanks.' I laughed, 'We'll consider it if we ever leave the Lost Light.'