Complex Robotics

Count The Saints

"No one asked for your opinion, little glitch."

I groaned, "Can't you two get along? It is entirely too early in the morning to deal with your constant bickering."

Quickshift just rolled his silver eyes, before his lip-plates turned up into a grin that barely veiled his excitement, "So, you tellin' her tha good news or am I, Sunshine?"

Susntreaker gave a low growl for the nickname,  before he answered,"We're leaving."

My eyes widened, and the sudden joy filled my chest had my heart beating faster. "Really? We are?"

"Yes, I've managed to repair my navigational systems. Using the human's satellite I've pinpointed the location of the base. Luckily for us, they did not relocate."

"And the bond?" I found myself blurting out before I could stop myself.

I could feel him visibly tensing, mainly because I was still inside of him. for a long moment, he didn't say anything, and I immediately regretted bringing Sideswipe up. As much as I wanted to know what happened, I shouldn't have brought up a sensitive subject. The twin bond was a whole lot weaker because of the long absence of each other, and I remember Sideswipe talk about how they had to strengthen their bond again. It was far more fragile than either twin liked.

"I can't feel him." Sunstreaker answered, snapping me out of my musing.

Quickshift shot me a perplexed look, but I stared down at my lap, "Oh."

I really did want to see him again. The guilt was eating away at me, getting to a point where he was showing up in my dreams. Out of all the pandemonium that quickly engulfed my life, Sideswipe was something of an anchor that held me down, and kept me from spiraling off into insanity. His spirit was always warm, welcoming, and caring. He always managed to cheer me up somehow, and cared for me in a way that was almost like a guardian.

And I cared for him too. I wanted him to be safe and happy, and I made a promise that I'd help him reconnect with his twin. And I wasn't about to break it.

"You really care for him...don't you?" Sunstreaker suddenly spoke up again. His voice was soft, and sounded slightly uncertain.

I looked up at the dashboard. It was an old habit from being in Sideswipe so much. It was familiar, but at the same time distinctive. "Yeah...I really do."

"Would you sacrifice your life for him?" He sneered, but I ignored the bite.

I just took a deep breath and answered, "He's done it on many occasions for me, so I would return the favor."

"What about your family? Wasn't it the idiotic reason for you coming here in the first place?" He spat.

My heart lurched at the thought of my family, but I pushed it aside.

"You'd risk separating yourself from your family permanently for an alien's life?"

"Yes." I was surprised how firm and sure I sounded. I didn't even miss a heartbeat, answering without really even processing the question all the way.

After all I've done to keep my family safe, I'd risk it all to save Sideswipe? I'd risk my own life?

Of course I would, because he'd do the same thing for me. Even though Sunstreaker is here, he'd do it. Because that's how much he cared. It was rare, but when Sideswipe became fiercely protective and caring for something or someone, he wouldn't stop. Ever.

And it was something that I deeply admire about him.

I let out a soft sigh, muttering aloud, "This is going to sound crazy, but I'd give about anything to just hear him call me schlemiel again." Quickshift crawled up beside me, leaning into my side softly, and let out a soft rumble from his tiny engine. I gave a small smile, rubbing between the tiny antennas mounted on his head.