If Only

Chapter 19

As it turns out, robots don't just spend all their free time practicing for war, or talking to one another, but play human games too. Every morning since my weekend began, Ratchet has been playing video games with me. Dead Space, being the game, to be exact. Kinda strange, come to think if it, because its about aliens and I'm playing with an alien.

Nevertheless, its fun, and its time given to me I don't have to think about the war going on or about my past. I'm pleased to be able to spend time with these guys now. They're not so bad once you get to know them. Ha, Ratchet happens to really get into video games as well. Always screaming at the screen if a jump scare comes around or shouts if something doesn't go his way. Quite the comedy show.

The door opens behind us, and Bumblebee walks in and takes a look at what we were doing. After examining it, he asks, "Hey, can I play?" Using all of the radio stations known to him.

"Why don't we play a racing game now?" I propose, directing their attention to the stack of video games sitting on the desk across from the large screen sitting in front of Ratchet and I.

"Why not?" Ratchet chuckles.

Switching out the discs, Bumblebee takes a seat next to Ratchet and we begin racing one another. It didn't surprise me when Bumblebee won almost every game, he was a Camaro and they were known for their speed. Ratchet, was beginning to get flustered with his constant loosing pattern, and grumbles under his breath often. While I just enjoyed playing.

In the middle of playing, Bumblebee lost track of the game and began shaking his head, putting his hands to his face. "What's the matter, bee?" I asked, dropping the controller after pausing the game.

"It..it's nothing, girly." He shakes his head, putting his hands up.

"What happened?" Ratchet pressed, lying a hand on Bee's shoulder. Being the medic and all, he wasn't giving up against interrogation.

"How..should.. I know? I'm good. Let's race!" Bumblebee buzzed, attempting to get us off the topic.

Shrugging it off, Ratchet huffed and sat back down and we began playing once more. Then, an emergency beacon blared through the speakers of the base. Immediately reacting, I dropped by controller and raced to the computers, followed by the others.

"What is it?!" Someone called, as I ignored them and went to search for the answer.

Tracking back the signal, nothing was working. Beginning to get extremely frustrated with the little help I'm given, I turned to the soldiers all watching with caution. "Don't just stand there! Go get the other coders! Now!"

Grumbling, I ran my fingers through my hair and continued on typing on the keypad. The other coders ran in swiftly after, taking a seat next to me. "Who is it?" They shouted simultaneously.

"How should I know? That's what I'm figuring out now. Get to work." Cutting them off, I shot them a glare and we all got to work, the constant tapping echoing through the room.

General Marcus was the next to run in, air blowing out his ears in anger, carrying piles of paper. "Link Tyson escaped prison yesterday around 2:34, being the one to hack our systems just a few weeks ago." Stopping to rub his forehead. "He could be the one doing it now."

"You think?" I retort, stomping my foot. This was becoming hard to keep from allowing him to get the classified files, even with the help from the others.

This continued on for a good 30 minutes, each hacker working at the edge of their seats. I don't think I have ever encountered anyone this good before. Yes, people out there are definitely more experienced than me, but this, this is too advanced. Not many people have the skills to beat 5 hackers at once, I did it at one point, but that was me. I don't even quite comprehend that. I guess it was because of how desperately I wanted the information. Maybe the same for this guy.