When All Lights Go Out I (TFP)

Chapter 13

"Well...that one is hard to answer. I am not a doctor, so Ratchet would know the reason for it. But as you can survive on either human food and energon...I am not so sure. But..." Cliffjumper turned a corner and Azura noticed a unit block ahead of them and assumed that was where she would be living. "The low-grade Ratchet is talking about is a specialized low grade that is produced within our bodies. This is something all of us have had when we were sparklings. It contains elements that are necessary for our growth. And while you look like a human, it is possible something that membrane around your protoform will shed and those elements and minerals will be important for your growth."

"Right..." Azura listened intently and was instantly curious. "Is it something I could try? I assume you have it in your system."

"Yes I do...however...I would not recommend getting it from me." She frowned in surprise at Cliff's response. "If it was your only option, I could definitely feed it to you. It is better than specialized low grade, but it is better for a sparkling to get the low grade energon from their carrier. In this instance, Optimus..." Azura groaned and immediately glared out the window in frustration. "The reason being, when a carrier has a sparkling, the low grade energon they produce is different. It has additional minerals and elements sparklings need. While it is true that anyone can feed a sparkling, but the sparkling's best low grade will always come from the carrier."

Azura just stared out of the window, not knowing what to say. "Hmm...kind of sounds like their version of breast feeding," Fowler comments and she immediately snorted in amusement. "I guess he's probably not wrong...though, that has me thinking." She turned her head and looked at Fowler curiously. "Even though you can survive on human food, it may not necessarily be the best thing for you. I imagine there might come a time where human food no longer keeps you sustained...or maybe, your body gets weakened to the point of starvation, even if you keep eating food. Your body might be able to absorb human nutrients right now, most likely using the different nutrients in the food as a substitute for what you should have been getting from the low grade, but that could change."

"I had not even though of that, Agent Fowler," Cliffjumper said thoughtfully. "That is definitely something to think about." Azura had not thought of that either, and she also did not like it. "Personally, I would hate for the reason Azura comes back to the base would be on the need to fulfil her hunger for low grade energon. That would seem rather unfair in my opinion."

"I don't think it would really be about fair, Cliff. I think it would simply be her body's way of telling her it is time to stop having human food and ingest the right thing. I know it sounds cruel, but that is something we cannot control." Fowler gave Azura a sympathetic look as she had a frustrated frown on her face. "I am afraid you will have to think outside the box now, Azura. I am sure you know that too...but I am going to try and be there to help you. I may not be an autobot, but I'll do my best for you."

Azura smiled at him. "You are already doing the best you can, Fowler...I am actually surprised you're prepared to rent a unit for me. I am technically old enough to try and get a job..."

"I don't know..." Cliff interrupts uncertainly as he pulled into the driveway of the unit. "I know you want to feel like you are part of this world, Azura, but you don't need to try too hard."

"It isn't about that, it's about helping, Fowler," Azura said as she looked at the unit curiously. It was a modern unit by the looks of it and she was happy. She glanced at the dash with a smile. "Having a job means I could help with the utilities and take some of the burden off Fowler."

"You don't need to do that. I earn more than enough in my position." Fowler opened the door and stepped out. "You should come inside and make yourself comfortable. I've made sure to stock the fridge with just the necessary things for now. There's milk, bread, butter, jam and ham...very, very basic stuff."