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Greenlight could've driven from Crystal City to Iacon herself, but there was something more dramatic and exciting about waking up early to catch a solar rail when the stars still glittered in the sky. She’d been looking forward to the break from her rigorous schedule at the science academy and decided a short stay in the capital would clear her helm.
The train sped across the craggy land, gathering early risers from smaller cities on the way to Iacon. Greenlight pressed her face against the glass, watching silvery streams of luminescent liquid streak by. The dark sky was overtaken with a wash of brilliant orange, the fresh sunlight illuminating the peaks of the Cybertronian Mountains.
Before long, they arrived in the city, thrown into a noisy world of flashing lights and busy streets. An enormous screen mounted on one of the golden skyscrapers played footage of Nominus Prime giving a speech. Neon signs advertised fancy energon, concerts, and luxury trips to the colonies.
The place was soon packed with Iaconians who didn't feel like driving on the roads during the morning rush. Most kept their optics glued to their datapads. Some listened to music. Others clutched steaming mugs of oil, still half-asleep.
Amidst the bustling atmosphere, Greenlight found herself tuning into a quiet conversation going on behind her between a group of newcomers.
“Heh. There’s nothing funnier than fools worried about organics,” a bot grumbled. “Did you hear they’re staging another demonstration at the senate building?”
Organics. The word was often spat out like a curse on Cybertron. Like something disgusting, filthy. But for Greenlight, there was nothing she loved more than getting out of her mechanical bubble and learning about other species scattered across the stars.
“Primus forbid we set up energon plants on a backwater planet because there might be some slimy dirt dwellers in the area,” another bot said. The others chuckled.
As they yammered on about Titans and the Expansion, Greenlight had to restrain herself from whipping around and confronting them. When it was too much to tolerate, she got up with an annoyed sigh and headed for an empty seat in the back.
Debating if she should jump off and drive the rest of the way to the city center, her attention was drawn to a stunning bot standing on the platform as they pulled up to another station. She was powerfully built, regal. Her pink plating gleamed in the sunlight. Greenlight couldn't tear her gaze away.
When the bot boarded, she greeted nearby commuters with a wide smile before searching for a spot. Greenlight’s sparkbeat kicked into high gear when she looked in her direction and strolled down the aisle.
“Mind if I join you?” The bot’s voice was smooth, pleasant.
“Yes, of course. I mean...no I don’t mind.” Oh great, she was embarrassing herself already.
The bot settled into the seat across from Greenlight and held up a servo, palm facing outward in the customary Cybertronian greeting, her blue optics warm. “I’m Arcee.”
Greenlight touched her servo to Arcee’s. “Greenlight.”
"Braving the rails, eh, Greenlight? Are you from around here?”
“No, Crystal City.”
"What do you do there?” Arcee leaned forward in her seat a little bit.
“Well, I’ve been studying xenobiology...”
Greenlight didn’t mean to get so long-winded, but once she started talking, it all rushed out. Everything from her helm-achingly difficult organic chemistry classes to her habsuite mates having late night parties and never letting her recharge.
As she went into detail on her big project on bioluminescent plants, she realized she was rambling and quickly cut herself off, hoping Arcee wasn’t about to find another place to sit.
But Arcee looked enthralled. "Wow, that’s amazing! I'm happy for you.”
As they talked more, the conversation shifted from xenobiology to life around Iacon. Arcee shared all the best spots in the city: nightclubs, theaters, casinos, sports venues, public archives, museums, the best place to get a pint of energon.
"And what do you do?" Greenlight ventured to ask after they'd lapsed into silence for a moment.
"Oh, I work at an energon refinery.” There was a note of melancholy in Arcee’s voice. Her gaze drifted out the window at the sleek buildings. "Long hours, exhausting work...but it's good. As long as I’m doing my part for Cybertron, I’m satisfied. But sometimes I wish I could do something else.”
“Like what?”
“Gladiating.” Arcee seemed to light up at that. “The dream life.”
Greenlight’s spark wouldn’t stop racing. Arcee was mesmerizing. Energetic. Beautiful. She really wanted to get to know her better. Maybe ask if she wanted to meet up somewhere...
Before she could say anything else, their ride sadly came to a stop in front of a large plaza and Arcee climbed to her pedes.
"Well, this is the end for me,” Arcee said. “I hope I didn’t interrupt your peace and quiet too much.”
“Not at all. Interrupt me anytime.” Greenlight cringed and quickly added, “Good luck with everything.”
"Thanks..." Arcee’s optics lingered on Greenlight’s face, a faint flush of energon rising to her cheeks. "It was a pleasure meeting you."
* * *
Later that evening, in the comfort of her hotel room, Greenlight popped into a holonet forum dedicated to community and sightseeing around Iacon. There was a place for meeting other bots.
After agonizing over what to say for way too long, she typed a simple message: Arcee, I met you on the solar rail today. You brightened my morning. I’d love to see you again. -Greenlight.
She stared at it for several kliks before hitting delete, laughing to herself at the absurdity. She wasn’t in some sappy romance film. There was no way she’d actually see that bot again.