Chapter Text
The boarding chime sounded at the Capitol’s maglev train station and bots rushed to load into the open cars. Orion had his belongings ready and his friends to bid farewell, yet he hesitated. It was all happening so fast.
”You’ll write to me, yeah? Every weekend at least?” Aerial asked him, her hands on the sides of his faceplate as he scrambled to grab his bags.
”Of course!” He promised. “I’m sure there will be lots to share.”
”I’m gonna miss you terribly.” She pulled him into a tight squeeze and the bags he was already holding dropped to the floor. “You know that already… but I hate that you’re going, even if I’m proud of you.”
”I’m also a proud friend,” Ratchet spoke, approaching them and placing a hand on Orion’s shoulder, freeing him from the embrace. “Lots to learn and more friends to make. Safe travels is all we ask.”
Orion managed to gather his bags once more and he straightened. “You’ll hear from me once I’ve settled. I’m not sure how I feel about this yet, but… all will be well.” His optics met Alpha Trion’s. His were beaming with pride which kept Orion in high spirits.
”Godspeed, my friend.” Megatronus said, giving the last farewell as the final boarding chime sounded. “Destiny awaits.”
Behind blurry vision, Orion looked upon the faces of all that he loved, giving a nod and a wave. He was off, boarding a car on the maglev with other bots. He swiped his palm at the door to scan his ticket and found a seat. From there, he set his bags in a compartment above him and stiffly sat on the bench below. The maglev lifted and rushed to life.
There was plenty of unknown about this adventure. He spent the hours on the train thinking about what the school might look like and the people he would meet. Hopefully the professors were all they promised to be. Most of all, he wanted to make Alpha Trion proud.
The train crossed over a mercury sea that glowed in a silvery light reflected from the sun. Orion peered over into the flowing liquid and watched as the reflection of the maglev passed by. He could have sworn he saw a creature swimming below.
When his optics grew heavy and he dozed the rest of the ride away, the maglev came to a sudden stop at the station in Tyrest, a city on the other side of the planet. Orion shook his helm to regain his composer and stood to gather his belongings from the shelf above. Lugging the heaviest bag, he reached for the next one… to feel nothing but an empty space.
He froze and felt around more. Where had his bag gone? He was sure he had put it up beside the other one. But he had dozed off. Surely, no one would have taken it. He looked around himself and under the seat until one quick glance out the window caught his gaze. He saw someone walking away with his bag in hand, pushing through crowds of people. Orion leapt from the maglev with his other belongings.
”Hey!” He called out to the mech, trying to catch up as fast as he could with the other bag. “That’s my stuff!”
The mech gave a quick glance over his shoulder before picking up his sprint. He led Orion out of the crowded station and along the streets of the city. Despite the calls Orion made after the thief, there was not a single passerby who cared enough to help. He was left to be a staring spectacle chasing after this stranger and nothing more. There seemed to be no stopping the mech who took his bag.
As he ran, Orion’s vision burned with frustration. Thieves weren’t common back in Capitol City. The authorities were exceptional there but it was obviously very different in Tyrest. There was no one to help.
After cutting across a street, Orion finally gained some ground and began catching up to the thief. His determination focused his gaze and he was ready to snatch back his belongings. With a thud and a grunt, the thief was on his back… but not from Orion.
“Axel!” An angry voice could be heard from the bot who tackled the thief. Not expecting someone as petite as she was, Orion watched the altercation in surprise. She continued, her foot stomped on the thief’s chest. “Why do I catch you stealing from newcomers again?”
Axel growled. “You’re always in the wrong place at the wrong time, Arcee. Next time, I won’t be so nice!”
”Says the mech who just got bodied on the side of the road. Pfft, gimme this.” She forced the bag from his grasp. “Now get outta here before I call the police on you for the second time this week.”
”Whatever, you piece of slag.” Axel rushed off before Arcee had the chance to make any contact with authorities. It was surprising to Orion that there were indeed police in the city.
Arcee returned the bag to Orion once Axel was out of sight. “Sorry about that. Axel’s known for his petty thievery near the college. We’re hoping to scare him out of the area.”
”I appreciate your help,” Orion thanked, glad to have both bags in possession once again. “Did I hear your name was Arcee?”
She nodded. “You got it. And yours?”
”Orion Pax. The pleasure is all mine.”
”Likewise. Are you here to attend the University?”
Orion frowned, confused. “Did I make it that easy to assume?”
”Well, no one comes here to actually move in, and you don’t look like the mech equipped for the work they offer out here.” She chuckled, humorlessly. “You look like a Capitol kid.”
”Hmm, so it was obvious.” Orion had to admit that it was easy to spot the differences between the city he grew up and where he stood in Tyrest. This city was not nearly as polished, run down in areas, even. The pedestrians gave cold shoulders, crime was clearly higher, and the smell of the street just didn’t sit right with him. “Do you happen to know where I can find Tyrest University?” He finally asked to rid himself of the negative thoughts. “I was told it was supposed to be right near the maglev station but I never saw it.”
Arcee’s optics lit up. “That’s because the college is built into the city! You’re standing in it already!”
Her words prompted Orion to look around, noticing amidst the apartments and industrial buildings that there were also the different school buildings intertwined. They stood near the Tyrest School of Business’ main hub and student housing.
“I would have never known,” Orion admitted.
Arcee motioned him after her, “Then it looks like you’re gonna need a guide. I can take you to where they’re holding orientation. I did mine this morning but it’s happening all day.”
A soft smile spread on Orion’s faceplate hearing she was also a student at Tyrest U. This friendly face on the first day was definitely a gift. Even still, he wished he could have taken his friends along with him on this adventure. There was already an interesting story he would get to tell in his first letter to Aerial, though.
“What did you say your name was, again?” Arcee asked, walking past some of the orientation greeters.
Orion didn’t meet her face as he took at the sight of the Welcome Center and the greeters who seemed too enthusiastic for a place that appeared so dull.
”Orion,” he responded slowly. “Orion Pax.”