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The surface of the planet was desolate, ravaged by war. Buildings that once stood tall, now reduced to rubble. Those who remained were left to fight, or otherwise perish as they futilely waited for aid. A combat mech was sent to comb the area for any signs of life, as his troop’s numbers began to dwindle, they could use all the help they could get. He had heard of a local medic far out into the wasteland. The last sign was a distress signal, which led deep into the heart of the city. They would be a valuable asset, if he could find them.
The road was cratered, and covered with debris. Though his alt mode was no stranger to rough terrain, he opted to use his legs to more easily maneuver through the destruction. The signal was near, though the hope of finding anyone was quickly dashed. Before him lay a pile of metal and rock, clearly the former site of a med bay. Some pillars and girders still held, but barely, uselessly holding up what remained of the ceiling. As carefully as a mech his size could be, he trudged forward, scanning with his yellowed optics.
No movement could be seen, and whoever he could find scattered beneath stone were either crushed beyond recognition or their sparks had simply gone out long ago. As he began to believe his search was over, he noticed something a ways away. Where he’d been standing was only part of the med bay, and ahead of him stood the half that seemed more structurally sound. He could see hallways and roofing streaked with smoke and dust. He made his way over, continuing his scan until… a sound.
Moving as quickly as possible without damaging anything further he made his way towards it. A large door now powered down was pried open with ease by the mech, revealing the inside of a large open room. Gurneys and medical supplies were strewn about. Clearly, someone had been using this as a shelter before he arrived. But as he looked closer he realized it was in vain.
Bots with missing limbs, heads or half their bodies’ lay on some gurneys, motionless. Some were even sporting their neighbor’s parts, made apparent by the mismatching colors and sizes. As he looked ahead he noticed one bot, curled into a ball, staring into the wall, shaking. SHAKING. They were ALIVE. Breakdown couldn't believe it.
“H-hey!” He called out to them, no response. Was it a trick of the light? Post mortem seizing? He had to be sure. Slowly he walked over, placing a hand on the mech’s shoulder. “Are you-” Without warning he was given a swipe to the face, though the bot was smaller than him, they landed a good blow, leaving him dazed. “DON’T LOOK AT ME!!” They shrieked, their voice reverberating through the halls.
Breakdown checked his face for any bleeding before trying a different approach. He raised his hands, steady, as he took a closer look at them. Their eyes shone red in the darkness, filled with fear and anger. Though they appeared unharmed, their paint was stripped, down to the metal, littered with scratches and dents. Clearly they were sensitive about their appearance, and though the larger mech felt as though being alive were more important, he played along, looking away as to not agitate them further.
“Okay, okay… I'm not looking, see?” He lowered his voice to a gentler volume, listening as the bot before him shifted around nervously. “I came here to find someone, a medic. Could that be you?” A weak laugh was heard, quickly darting his optics towards the other made it clear where it was coming from. “If you want to call me a medic after… this-” Breakdown could see him gesturing towards the room in his peripherals. “Be my guest.” The battle mech could see their form collapse onto the floor, back into the fetal position. “I couldn't save any of them.” His voice was strained, clearly on the verge of tears. “Maybe it’s for the best. Could you imagine them seeing me like this? Calm, collected Knockout, in shambles over a shitty paint job.”
He laughed again, louder. Breakdown turned his head towards him, optics dimming with pity. He approached again, slowly, reaching out a hand towards the other mech’s shoulder. Knockout flinched, leading the larger mech to pull back. “Listen… this war… I’ve seen even the toughest bots crack up over it.” He kneeled down, meeting Knockout at eye level, the latter avoiding his gaze. “No one will ever be prepared for how to react to something like this, until it happens. The smallest things will leave you broken.”
He could see Knockout’s optics well up with tears as he continued. “But what matters is that you’re still here. I’m still here. And two bots together, are better than one bot alone.” Breakdown reaches a hand towards Knockout who looks up with a bit more resolve. “Are you with me?” The other bot clasped a clawed hand into his, responding, determined: “I’m with you.”