h a r d w i r e d

Chasing promises on the horizon. Log of Hardwire, non-affiliated Cybertronian.

[thesixteenthspark]

The snow melted, and in its place the smell of damp pine filled the forests. Rider looked to his friend with a wide smile. They found some time to themselves amidst the chaos, and though the boy enjoyed the company of the others, his place here in the forest, alone with Hardwire, reminded him of how he first came to find Cybertronians, to know them as friends. It reminded him of the conversation and the sights that brought together memories that seemed older than his whole live lived thus far.

Hardwire had not gotten used to the beauty of Earth. It seemed that each day held for him a new surprise, wonderment and marvels to be amazed by. While he felt like a giant treading on tender ground, and always moved with gentleness and caution in this world so small and so precious. All the same he felt for her people and most of all the boy all the way down on the path below. Hardwire turned when Rider had gone silent for some time. The Cybertronian tore his eyes of the beautiful, constantly changing patchwork of clouds above and slowly lowered himself with one knee to the ground and let his hand drop down next to the boy.“Is there something on your mind, Rider?” he asked with smile, warmth and a small frown to his his optics. 

[thewanderingrider]

“What about that medic who helped you back on Cybertron?” Rider asked, walking over to where Hardwire drew on the beach, and saw he regal image of a smiling robot stare up at the sky. As the dusk faded into night, so too did Rider’s thoughts darken with Hardwire’s words.

“Well, Geardust can get help from that same person, too! That shouldn’t be an issue, but…I’m sure that he wants to live, too,” he said emphatically. “There‘s no reason why he would want to give up on everything now. Not when we‘ve all come this far. I won’t give up on him, and I wouldn‘t want Geardust to give up on himself, either.”

As Rider’s breathing slowed, he straightened himself and shot an apologetic look to Hardwire. “Sorry. I just want Geardust to be well, too…” he murmured quietly. “Just…be there, for him. Encourage him as only a brother can. The rest will support you both. I know I am,” he said, a smile tugging at his lips again.

[thesixteenthspark]

“Yes, he very well possibly could help, if the resources are available. I’m sure reconstruction like that is quite demanding, especially for the patient.” Hardwire frowned and looked at his brother’s smile in the sand. He gently and quickly added an anxious looking figure next to Geardust, with a less detailed helm and narrow, uneasy looking face full of hard angles and a tight slit for a mouth. “That’s what I used to look like.” his current worried expression softened into a playful grin, looking at himself with a sigh and a chuckle. “Afraid of my own shadow but with a good brother to hold me by the hand, brave and bright like the break of day!”  Hardwire’s softly glowing optics looked at the small, hopeful eyes of the boy next to him where he kneeled to be as close to the ground as possible. “Oh, Rider I would never ever give up on Geardust, but I find myself in this hard position of not knowing when my care becomes a burden for him, does that make sense? I mean...I feel, in here,” he laid a hand over his sparkchamber. “That something is deeply wrong with him. He gets so frustrated and ignores me when I ask, but well, you’ve seen us together. Things are as complicated between us as they are difficult. I think we both look back on these young mechs with very different memories of what it was like, then.” the warm breeze moved the veil of his solar strips and made them jingle.  “He thinks of it fondly, like his purpose was to be my guardian, and I hated being so dependent on him, always so afraid of the world outside. I have seen so much of our beautiful galaxy, on my own, because I had to go out there all alone. I came back changed. He survived a war.”  Hardwire rested a sandy finger to his chin. “You’re right, of course. How do you humans solve conflict with family? Do you have any special way of bonding? I’ve studied your culture of course but it’s so endlessly varied, and amazing!”

[thesixteenthspark]

The snow melted, and in its place the smell of damp pine filled the forests. Rider looked to his friend with a wide smile. They found some time to themselves amidst the chaos, and though the boy enjoyed the company of the others, his place here in the forest, alone with Hardwire, reminded him of how he first came to find Cybertronians, to know them as friends. It reminded him of the conversation and the sights that brought together memories that seemed older than his whole live lived thus far.

Hardwire had not gotten used to the beauty of Earth. It seemed that each day held for him a new surprise, wonderment and marvels to be amazed by. While he felt like a giant treading on tender ground, and always moved with gentleness and caution in this world so small and so precious. All the same he felt for her people and most of all the boy all the way down on the path below. Hardwire turned when Rider had gone silent for some time. The Cybertronian tore his eyes of the beautiful, constantly changing patchwork of clouds above and slowly lowered himself with one knee to the ground and let his hand drop down next to the boy.“Is there something on your mind, Rider?” he asked with smile, warmth and a small frown to his his optics. 

[thewanderingrider]

“I kind of find it hard to believe that I did so much, just wandering around Cybertron trying to find a way home,” Rider admitted with a soft giggle. It helped put his mind at ease, and it distracted him from the large distance between him and the ground. “I’m sure you all had some idea of a purpose for your lives before I fell in,” he half-joked, but he could not deny his own memories. He still remembered the last words that all of his companions said to him before he left through the space bridge. It was not that they lacked purpose, he began to realize; it was the hope that the purpose was good, and that it did not have to be just about killing people who disagreed with their side. It could simply be about helping one another in their pain and distress. That didn’t have anything to do with power, or the differences between robots and humans; only about love. Anybody, Rider realized, was capable of that, and that alone moved mountains.

These thoughts came to him as they reached the clearing, in the fast-fading light of the sunset, Rider could spy the alternating white lines of cresting waves upon the shore. 

“Providence is right,” Rider murmured, following his friend’s gaze up into the deepening blue sky. “This is nice…no light pollution, not as much wind chill here than on the beach. Did he bring somebody here?” the boy wondered aloud. “Maybe Geardust or Snowblind came with him.”

[thesixteenthspark]

Hardwire smiled, warmly and widely as ever.  

”Oh, Rider. I think that most of all, you gave a very diverse group of broken and disillusioned mechanicals hope. A thing easily lost as an immortal being treading through cycles upon cycles of hopelessness.” The mech noted the hard grip on his armor by the small hands that held on for balance and he slowly, gently and carefully eased himself to the ground. ”I should look into getting an alt-mode, finally! I’d so much rather give you a ride as vehicle than endangering you up high! Thoughtless Hardwire enjoys young Rider’s company on his left shoulder.” Hardwire beamed with a lighthearted chuckle. He looked up at the view of the shore, tilting his head. ”Oh! Yes, yes I imagine so. Perhaps both? My brother is so very fond of him, and so does our white mech seem to be. It’s strange, I get the feeling we’ve all met somehow, somehwere but I can’t be sure of it. Some of my memory was damaged when I fell ill with Red Rust, and my brother…well. Whatever happened to him changed him. Changed him so much. I think that the only thing that remains of the person I knew are his hands.” Hardwire paused and frowned. “Snowblind does not recognize me, nor does Providence…but, heh, I never really left our home much, back then. Perhaps I saw them through the window when I mustered enough courage to peer outside to watch Geardust leave for his daily study sessions.”

[thewanderingrider]

“Is it really?” Rider asked, half-incredulous. “All this time, I’ve had it figured that guys like you would have everything figured out. So many years to talk things through, to develop all that technology to solve all your problems. I guess it goes to show that it doesn’t,” he supposed, growing quieter. “You‘d be surprised at how often people on earth think the same way.”

The boy hopped onto the windy beach as Hardwire let him down, and he ran as far as to the line where the sand looked darker, the limits of where the waves lapped up to the shore. “Vehicles are fine and all,” he began, looking back up to Hardwire, “but I haven’t minded sitting on your shoulder too. I feel like I’m talking to another person that way. A very very tall and giant person, but you get the point,” he added sheepishly.

Rider looked at the setting sun for some time before he answered his friend with a small frown. “Really? I’d think Providence would be able to remember you if he lived well beforehand and met you before the war. Do you guys forget things as you get older? Sometimes humans do…But Geardust doesn’t seem all that different to me from what you describe of him. More moody, perhaps, and a little more tired and frustrated with, well. Everything. But he still tries his hardest, and he never turns his bitterness or his suffering on others, either. I think that says more about him than his looks, or even some of his surface behavior.”

[thesixteenthspark]

Hardwire watched the boy run forward to the ocean, smiling happily at the serenity of the moment. His own feet sunk into the soft sand and he reached down to draw patterns and letters in the soft, damp, organic ground. Everything about this planet made his spark sing with joy. It was so beautiful, no poem nor art could do it justice.  “I do.” He chuckled back. “But, I am a transformer. I used to turn into a hover speeder that doubled as a light weight air craft. My T-cog is non-functional, however and the surgery to repair it is...likely quite the ordeal. It would be nice to drive places, with you. See more of your world.” He smiled while looking at the sand where he idly dragged his long, slender fingers. “This is what he used to look like.” Hardwire added, after a pause. having just recreated a perfect portrait of his brother in the sand. “It’s more than battle damage. Geardust is broken. Severely. He thinks that I don’t know, but I do, just like he feels whatever pains me. His fuel lines are frayed, his brain easily overheats, every joint is worn and every cog sticks or won’t latch because...likely, he was repaired by any means necessary and parts available at the time. When I look at him, I ask myself if he has any desire to live, when I ask him he walks away. I feel utterly helpless, Rider...what am I supposed to do?” 

[thesixteenthspark]

The snow melted, and in its place the smell of damp pine filled the forests. Rider looked to his friend with a wide smile. They found some time to themselves amidst the chaos, and though the boy enjoyed the company of the others, his place here in the forest, alone with Hardwire, reminded him of how he first came to find Cybertronians, to know them as friends. It reminded him of the conversation and the sights that brought together memories that seemed older than his whole live lived thus far.

Hardwire had not gotten used to the beauty of Earth. It seemed that each day held for him a new surprise, wonderment and marvels to be amazed by. While he felt like a giant treading on tender ground, and always moved with gentleness and caution in this world so small and so precious. All the same he felt for her people and most of all the boy all the way down on the path below. Hardwire turned when Rider had gone silent for some time. The Cybertronian tore his eyes of the beautiful, constantly changing patchwork of clouds above and slowly lowered himself with one knee to the ground and let his hand drop down next to the boy.“Is there something on your mind, Rider?” he asked with smile, warmth and a small frown to his his optics. 

[thewanderingrider]

“I kind of find it hard to believe that I did so much, just wandering around Cybertron trying to find a way home,” Rider admitted with a soft giggle. It helped put his mind at ease, and it distracted him from the large distance between him and the ground. “I’m sure you all had some idea of a purpose for your lives before I fell in,” he half-joked, but he could not deny his own memories. He still remembered the last words that all of his companions said to him before he left through the space bridge. It was not that they lacked purpose, he began to realize; it was the hope that the purpose was good, and that it did not have to be just about killing people who disagreed with their side. It could simply be about helping one another in their pain and distress. That didn’t have anything to do with power, or the differences between robots and humans; only about love. Anybody, Rider realized, was capable of that, and that alone moved mountains.

These thoughts came to him as they reached the clearing, in the fast-fading light of the sunset, Rider could spy the alternating white lines of cresting waves upon the shore. 

“Providence is right,” Rider murmured, following his friend’s gaze up into the deepening blue sky. “This is nice…no light pollution, not as much wind chill here than on the beach. Did he bring somebody here?” the boy wondered aloud. “Maybe Geardust or Snowblind came with him.”

[thesixteenthspark]

Hardwire smiled, warmly and widely as ever.  

”Oh, Rider. I think that most of all, you gave a very diverse group of broken and disillusioned mechanicals hope. A thing easily lost as an immortal being treading through cycles upon cycles of hopelessness.” The mech noted the hard grip on his armor by the small hands that held on for balance and he slowly, gently and carefully eased himself to the ground. ”I should look into getting an alt-mode, finally! I’d so much rather give you a ride as vehicle than endangering you up high! Thoughtless Hardwire enjoys young Rider’s company on his left shoulder.” Hardwire beamed with a lighthearted chuckle. He looked up at the view of the shore, tilting his head. ”Oh! Yes, yes I imagine so. Perhaps both? My brother is so very fond of him, and so does our white mech seem to be. It’s strange, I get the feeling we’ve all met somehow, somehwere but I can’t be sure of it. Some of my memory was damaged when I fell ill with Red Rust, and my brother…well. Whatever happened to him changed him. Changed him so much. I think that the only thing that remains of the person I knew are his hands.” Hardwire paused and frowned. “Snowblind does not recognize me, nor does Providence...but, heh, I never really left our home much, back then. Perhaps I saw them through the window when I mustered enough courage to peer outside to watch Geardust leave for his daily study sessions.”

[thesixteenthspark]

The snow melted, and in its place the smell of damp pine filled the forests. Rider looked to his friend with a wide smile. They found some time to themselves amidst the chaos, and though the boy enjoyed the company of the others, his place here in the forest, alone with Hardwire, reminded him of how he first came to find Cybertronians, to know them as friends. It reminded him of the conversation and the sights that brought together memories that seemed older than his whole live lived thus far.

Hardwire had not gotten used to the beauty of Earth. It seemed that each day held for him a new surprise, wonderment and marvels to be amazed by. While he felt like a giant treading on tender ground, and always moved with gentleness and caution in this world so small and so precious. All the same he felt for her people and most of all the boy all the way down on the path below. Hardwire turned when Rider had gone silent for some time. The Cybertronian tore his eyes of the beautiful, constantly changing patchwork of clouds above and slowly lowered himself with one knee to the ground and let his hand drop down next to the boy.“Is there something on your mind, Rider?” he asked with smile, warmth and a small frown to his his optics. 

[thewanderingrider]

Rider was always surprised by Hardwire’s gentleness and poise. Snowblind had the same but it always felt more sinister. Many of the others, like Geardust and Volver, were more clumsy, and despite Providence’s best efforts his massive frame could not accommodate the tight confines of the forest.

“Here on earth we just call you guys ‘prodigies,’ which basically means easily really smart,” he commented, laughing a little.

Rider wondered if he would be able to work together one day with Hardwire as equals. He doubted his studies, even if he stayed through graduate school, would put him on an equal standing with his friend’s knowledge. Still, he hoped to work together for a common cause in some capacity. Just being here with him brought joy and a drive to keep it for as long as he lived.

He had a curious expression on his face shortly thereafter, however. “I haven’t heard of Planar, though. What is he like?”

[thesixteenthspark]

“Ah, hah! Forgive me, I forget that he goes under a new name now. Time apart from old friends will do that. I mean Disher.” Hardwire added with a giggle and slightly lopsided, playful smile. “He used to be called Planar and he was, aside from my brother, my closest and dearest friend. He is truly a brilliant mind and a scientist that values spark as much as brain module. It was in the ruins of his observatory that I found you. A place a spent a lot of time in, before the war.”

Hardwire’s voice faltered slightly. He kept striding through the forest, gently carding his long fingers through the leaves and needles of the trees that he passed. Ash, maple, birch, evergreen. He heard an identified each delicate song of the birds that he made sure to frighten as little as possible, but offered the odd robin or blue jay an apologetic look whenever he disturbed their territory.

“Nothing quite cemented the feeling of loss as returning to a place of great knowledge, a deeper understanding of our vast and magnificent cosmos…in trampled, charred ruins. I felt that…it needed to be remembered. Mourned, perhaps. I kept returning there, every day since I arrived on Cybertron. I knew that…somehow, someday, it would be important again.”

Hardwire turned to look at the human on his shoulder and smiled, his optics glowing with warmth and joy.

“I was right.”

[thewanderingrider]

“Disher?” Rider asked, racking his memory temporarily with an unfocused gaze that seemed to look up to try and find an answer. “Oh! He’s the one with Hawk, the green robot, right? He sounded old but very gentle, as I remember…”

Even through Rider’s memory-lane reverie, he did not fail to catch the falter in Hardwire’s voice. He listened to his friend’s voice growing graver, and his smile faded from sight. Hardwire seemed lost in his thoughts about nature they were surrounded by, but it seemed to mask a deeper issue. Rider did not stop to ask about what ran through Hardwire’s head. He felt more comfortable with the idea that his friend would bring up any issues that he needed to get off his chest. For now, they walked together, and for Rider that was enough.

“Important in a very strange way,” the boy replied softly. “I don’t think either of us expected this…but you were right, indeed,” he supposed, laughing a little.

[thesixteenthspark]

Hardwire nodded once, giving the boy a small smile.

"Rider," Hardwire spoke up again after a short pause, and when he did it was with a renewed glow to his ornate seams of biolights. "You gave us all something very important that we had lost so long ago. You have me something that I needed. I believe that all of this happened for a reason, and no matter where this road takes us I just hope I get to wander it with you."

Hardwire had reached a small clearing upon the woodland hill, overlooking the stretch of the shore below.

"Providence says you can see the stars perfectly from here, you can even see Cybertron..." Hardwire said softly and looked skyward as the wind tugged at the long strands his head-mounted solar sail.

[thesixteenthspark]

The snow melted, and in its place the smell of damp pine filled the forests. Rider looked to his friend with a wide smile. They found some time to themselves amidst the chaos, and though the boy enjoyed the company of the others, his place here in the forest, alone with Hardwire, reminded him of how he first came to find Cybertronians, to know them as friends. It reminded him of the conversation and the sights that brought together memories that seemed older than his whole live lived thus far.

Hardwire had not gotten used to the beauty of Earth. It seemed that each day held for him a new surprise, wonderment and marvels to be amazed by. While he felt like a giant treading on tender ground, and always moved with gentleness and caution in this world so small and so precious. All the same he felt for her people and most of all the boy all the way down on the path below. Hardwire turned when Rider had gone silent for some time. The Cybertronian tore his eyes of the beautiful, constantly changing patchwork of clouds above and slowly lowered himself with one knee to the ground and let his hand drop down next to the boy.“Is there something on your mind, Rider?” he asked with smile, warmth and a small frown to his his optics. 

[thewanderingrider]

Rider was always surprised by Hardwire’s gentleness and poise. Snowblind had the same but it always felt more sinister. Many of the others, like Geardust and Volver, were more clumsy, and despite Providence’s best efforts his massive frame could not accommodate the tight confines of the forest.

“Here on earth we just call you guys ‘prodigies,’ which basically means easily really smart,” he commented, laughing a little.

Rider wondered if he would be able to work together one day with Hardwire as equals. He doubted his studies, even if he stayed through graduate school, would put him on an equal standing with his friend’s knowledge. Still, he hoped to work together for a common cause in some capacity. Just being here with him brought joy and a drive to keep it for as long as he lived.

He had a curious expression on his face shortly thereafter, however. “I haven’t heard of Planar, though. What is he like?”

[thesixteenthspark]

"Ah, hah! Forgive me, I forget that he goes under a new name now. Time apart from old friends will do that. I mean Disher." Hardwire added with a giggle and slightly lopsided, playful smile. "He used to be called Planar and he was, aside from my brother, my closest and dearest friend. He is truly a brilliant mind and a scientist that values spark as much as brain module. It was in the ruins of his observatory that I found you. A place a spent a lot of time in, before the war."

Hardwire's voice faltered slightly. He kept striding through the forest, gently carding his long fingers through the leaves and needles of the trees that he passed. Ash, maple, birch, evergreen. He heard an identified each delicate song of the birds that he made sure to frighten as little as possible, but offered the odd robin or blue jay an apologetic look whenever he disturbed their territory.

"Nothing quite cemented the feeling of loss as returning to a place of great knowledge, a deeper understanding of our vast and magnificent cosmos...in trampled, charred ruins. I felt that...it needed to be remembered. Mourned, perhaps. I kept returning there, every day since I arrived on Cybertron. I knew that...somehow, someday, it would be important again."

Hardwire turned to look at the human on his shoulder and smiled, his optics glowing with warmth and joy.

"I was right."

[thesixteenthspark]

The snow melted, and in its place the smell of damp pine filled the forests. Rider looked to his friend with a wide smile. They found some time to themselves amidst the chaos, and though the boy enjoyed the company of the others, his place here in the forest, alone with Hardwire, reminded him of how he first came to find Cybertronians, to know them as friends. It reminded him of the conversation and the sights that brought together memories that seemed older than his whole live lived thus far.

Hardwire had not gotten used to the beauty of Earth. It seemed that each day held for him a new surprise, wonderment and marvels to be amazed by. While he felt like a giant treading on tender ground, and always moved with gentleness and caution in this world so small and so precious. All the same he felt for her people and most of all the boy all the way down on the path below. Hardwire turned when Rider had gone silent for some time. The Cybertronian tore his eyes of the beautiful, constantly changing patchwork of clouds above and slowly lowered himself with one knee to the ground and let his hand drop down next to the boy.“Is there something on your mind, Rider?” he asked with smile, warmth and a small frown to his his optics. 

[thewanderingrider]

“Mom’s holding up alright, but she’s a worrier,” Rider joked with a smile. The boy nestled into Hardwire’s shoulder, resting his arms over bent knees as Hardwire tread high over the wooded earth. “It’s what she does, but she’s doing okay. Working as always, but happy I’m back. The robots, she’s still figuring out how to process it. I think she’s just glad that you’re on our side. I mean, well. You know what I mean.”

Rider tried to steady his feet and stand on Hardwire’s shoulder, holding onto folded solar foils as a means of support. When he peered down at the ground far below his grip tightened instinctively, and he instantly straightened his posture and looked forward. Nope. He was not going to look that far down again. The view of the forests and the distant mountains in the sunlight looked more appealing to him anyways.

“So…what do you think of earth thus far?” he asked Hardwire. “It must feel a little small compared to Cybertron. Probably a lot more green, at least from where we are.”

[thesixteenthspark]

“I am so happy for her and you. Do give her my warmest regards and well wishes whenever you are able, my friend! I would certainly love to meet her if she ever would be willing. Then I could tell her what a fine young man she’s raised!” Hardwire gestured excitedly as he spoke with the familiar sing-song flow to his soft, melodic voice.

The two came upon a clearing as Hardwire wandered slowly through the woods, most of his frame aglow in a shimmer from how much sun he was able to absorb. He basked in it with a wide smile and watched the first signs of spring dance in the air around Rider.

“As for Earth, I daresay through all my journeys I have yet to see such a beautiful world. I understand it certainly has its geological problems, and I’ve already spent some time in my resting state to draft up plans and blueprints for devices that could aid the regions most effected by unstable weather and drought. Nothing grand that will solve a problem overnight but I was hoping to share these with someone able to use them, at least. I used to be an engineer, before the war…it is a fine feeling to put those old skills to a good use.”

[thewanderingrider]

“She might have to gather up the courage first,” Rider surmised with a giggle, amused at the scene that unfolded in his mind of how such an encounter might unfold. For some reason, he couldn’t really think of any adult he knew that would react well to giant robots.

The way that Hardwire seemed to carry himself in the sunlight made everything brighter in Rider’s eyes, and they were aglow with wonder, seeing the world like it were noontime, though the afternoon began to approach evening. As Hardwire spoke, Rider listened, and sat all the more in awe of his gentle friend. The plans reminded him of the field trips in elementary school, when he and the class were taken to see the science center.

“You’ve already thought about fixing up local problems?” Rider asked, half to himself from his incredulity. “That’s so cool! I’m sure everybody here would appreciate you for it. Though…we don’t get many droughts here. Just a lot of snow,” the boy supposed, giggling again. “Now California, THEY could use your help!”

[thesixteenthspark]

Hardwire's soft smile grew wider as the young man on his shoulder spoke. He listened with a preciseness to his receptors, making sure to capture each word, each pronunciation, each little mannerism of his human friend to understand him better. At the same time, he managed to sway and gently press himself past trees and foliage without breaking a single branch.

"Oh, yes. Heh. My mind tends to get to work without my even being aware of it. Hyper-adaptability. It is what we call an outlier ability, a sort of...glitch or misfire between spark and brain module. Some of our people used to see it as gifts of Primus but later it became something our leaders feared. I was never aware of it until my friend Planar helped me understand and conceal it, and it is an ability easily concealed, fortunately. Not everyone was as lucky."

Hardwire looked upon the landscape and the peaceful corner of Earth he was fortunate enough to stay in. He turned to Rider with a curious look, smirking at the thought.

"That would be truly wonderful, but I would never want to risk any hostilities or suspicions of my actions. I was hoping you would be able to help me deliver some of my drafts to your own leaders or interested parties. Maine is a lovely location, but your Earth is not all Maine, as I have studied...tidal waves, earth quakes, drought and pollution. We could help...build systems of support, stabilize, rebuild, shelter the needing...I hope such a day will come."

The massive mech's millennia old optics beamed with an excitement and hope of youth as he looked at the boy propped up on his shoulder, and smiled.

"I would like to stay here, with you. Always."

[thesixteenthspark]

The snow melted, and in its place the smell of damp pine filled the forests. Rider looked to his friend with a wide smile. They found some time to themselves amidst the chaos, and though the boy enjoyed the company of the others, his place here in the forest, alone with Hardwire, reminded him of how he first came to find Cybertronians, to know them as friends. It reminded him of the conversation and the sights that brought together memories that seemed older than his whole live lived thus far.

Hardwire had not gotten used to the beauty of Earth. It seemed that each day held for him a new surprise, wonderment and marvels to be amazed by. While he felt like a giant treading on tender ground, and always moved with gentleness and caution in this world so small and so precious. All the same he felt for her people and most of all the boy all the way down on the path below. Hardwire turned when Rider had gone silent for some time. The Cybertronian tore his eyes of the beautiful, constantly changing patchwork of clouds above and slowly lowered himself with one knee to the ground and let his hand drop down next to the boy.“Is there something on your mind, Rider?” he asked with smile, warmth and a small frown to his his optics. 

[thewanderingrider]

“Mom’s holding up alright, but she’s a worrier,” Rider joked with a smile. The boy nestled into Hardwire’s shoulder, resting his arms over bent knees as Hardwire tread high over the wooded earth. “It’s what she does, but she’s doing okay. Working as always, but happy I’m back. The robots, she’s still figuring out how to process it. I think she’s just glad that you’re on our side. I mean, well. You know what I mean.”

Rider tried to steady his feet and stand on Hardwire’s shoulder, holding onto folded solar foils as a means of support. When he peered down at the ground far below his grip tightened instinctively, and he instantly straightened his posture and looked forward. Nope. He was not going to look that far down again. The view of the forests and the distant mountains in the sunlight looked more appealing to him anyways.

“So…what do you think of earth thus far?” he asked Hardwire. “It must feel a little small compared to Cybertron. Probably a lot more green, at least from where we are.”

[thesixteenthspark]

"I am so happy for her and you. Do give her my warmest regards and well wishes whenever you are able, my friend! I would certainly love to meet her if she ever would be willing. Then I could tell her what a fine young man she's raised!" Hardwire gestured excitedly as he spoke with the familiar sing-song flow to his soft, melodic voice.

The two came upon a clearing as Hardwire wandered slowly through the woods, most of his frame aglow in a shimmer from how much sun he was able to absorb. He basked in it with a wide smile and watched the first signs of spring dance in the air around Rider.

"As for Earth, I daresay through all my journeys I have yet to see such a beautiful world. I understand it certainly has its geological problems, and I've already spent some time in my resting state to draft up plans and blueprints for devices that could aid the regions most effected by unstable weather and drought. Nothing grand that will solve a problem overnight but I was hoping to share these with someone able to use them, at least. I used to be an engineer, before the war...it is a fine feeling to put those old skills to a good use."

[thesixteenthspark]

The snow melted, and in its place the smell of damp pine filled the forests. Rider looked to his friend with a wide smile. They found some time to themselves amidst the chaos, and though the boy enjoyed the company of the others, his place here in the forest, alone with Hardwire, reminded him of how he first came to find Cybertronians, to know them as friends. It reminded him of the conversation and the sights that brought together memories that seemed older than his whole live lived thus far.

Hardwire had not gotten used to the beauty of Earth. It seemed that each day held for him a new surprise, wonderment and marvels to be amazed by. While he felt like a giant treading on tender ground, and always moved with gentleness and caution in this world so small and so precious. All the same he felt for her people and most of all the boy all the way down on the path below. Hardwire turned when Rider had gone silent for some time. The Cybertronian tore his eyes of the beautiful, constantly changing patchwork of clouds above and slowly lowered himself with one knee to the ground and let his hand drop down next to the boy.“Is there something on your mind, Rider?” he asked with smile, warmth and a small frown to his his optics. 

[thewanderingrider]

“That’s one way of putting it,” Rider remarked with a giggle.

As his laugh died down, the boy’s eyes remained wide with excitement and wonder at the memories Hardwire recalled. He tried to imagine a primeval earth, and thought it to be a very green planet, buried in trees and birds that would fly above the canopies. The glow in his awestruck gaze slowly died as the image in his mind faded into visions of war. He remembered Megatron again, and New York. For all of its horror, he could not imagine a world where nothing remained but ashes and corpses. Being beyond his comprehension, Rider could only stare ahead in silent, sober contemplation. But as Hardwire apologized, the boy found the strength somewhere within to smile again.

“There is nothing to apologize for,” he reassured his giant friend. “Knowing you as I do now, I would brave it all over again. I still intend on visiting Cybertron with you again someday, you know!”

[thesixteenthspark]

Hardwire looked at Rider with renewed strength of his own. While he didn’t speak of it, his arrival at Earth had changed him, and it was likely an obvious change. He felt the constant disharmony of his brother’s life force stir in his own, the fear and worry Geardust never let go of and now, in his own way, Hardwire understood why. The world is a scary place and some are out to harm you. Some can’t be trusted. Some are evil. He studied his palm in a moment of silence. His hands were repaired and so was his armor from the invasive parasite he’d been taken over by. When one human has betrayed them and nearly killed them all, he came to the sobering realization that he was a sheltered and naive person, and it had seeded him with doubts that had rooted deep in his spark. Doubts that gave him the most fear when Rider trusted him so implicitly.

His spark twisted with guilt when he noticed how much the boy tried to keep things cheerful. His dour, introspective mood likely both confused and worried his young friend. It wasn’t at all what Hardwire wanted. He too wanted to enjoy the day.

“Thank you…my friend. You honor me beyond ways I could explain. You always have.” He answered, finally. He returned the smile. “For trusting me. Would you like to walk with me? I quite miss the presence of you on my shoulder.”

Hardwire lowered his hand to act as a platform for Rider and his optics beamed anew with excitement.

[thewanderingrider]

Rider beamed and jumped to his feet. “I thought you’d never ask!” he exclaimed as he stepped on Hardwire’s shoulders. He might not be able to see Cybertron again from Hardwire’s height, but he was sure he’d see the his native home in a whole new way, and if he was with his long-missed friend he wanted nothing more. That, he quickly realized, was the source of his joy, not simply the views they could share together.

“I’ve missed it too,” the small boy admitted, looking up to Hardwire, and a melancholic twinkle in his eye. “I’m glad I can see you again…”

[thesixteenthspark]

Hardwire's golden face seemed to instantly glisten with a joy that was relieving to his weary spark. His violet gaze thinned as he smiled sideways to the boy on his shoulder, holding a protective hand around Rider as he slowly and carefully pulled himself from the ground and rose like the giant he was on this organic world. Grass, moss and earth rained from where it had gotten stuck to his limbs and he angled himself gently to avoid the trees nearby as he ascended to their height.

"So am I."

Hardwire move with the grace of flowing mist through the frail and beautiful nature that surrounded him, gently lifting and guiding the branches that came too close as he walked. His steps were measured to tread only where the humans themselves had made their paths.

"It is an honor to be here with you, Rider...and it is far more beautiful than I could have imagined. How is your mother doing? I imagine very happy to have you safe and sound back at home!"

[thesixteenthspark]

The snow melted, and in its place the smell of damp pine filled the forests. Rider looked to his friend with a wide smile. They found some time to themselves amidst the chaos, and though the boy enjoyed the company of the others, his place here in the forest, alone with Hardwire, reminded him of how he first came to find Cybertronians, to know them as friends. It reminded him of the conversation and the sights that brought together memories that seemed older than his whole live lived thus far.

Hardwire had not gotten used to the beauty of Earth. It seemed that each day held for him a new surprise, wonderment and marvels to be amazed by. While he felt like a giant treading on tender ground, and always moved with gentleness and caution in this world so small and so precious. All the same he felt for her people and most of all the boy all the way down on the path below. Hardwire turned when Rider had gone silent for some time. The Cybertronian tore his eyes of the beautiful, constantly changing patchwork of clouds above and slowly lowered himself with one knee to the ground and let his hand drop down next to the boy.“Is there something on your mind, Rider?” he asked with smile, warmth and a small frown to his his optics. 

[thewanderingrider]

“That’s one way of putting it,” Rider remarked with a giggle.

As his laugh died down, the boy’s eyes remained wide with excitement and wonder at the memories Hardwire recalled. He tried to imagine a primeval earth, and thought it to be a very green planet, buried in trees and birds that would fly above the canopies. The glow in his awestruck gaze slowly died as the image in his mind faded into visions of war. He remembered Megatron again, and New York. For all of its horror, he could not imagine a world where nothing remained but ashes and corpses. Being beyond his comprehension, Rider could only stare ahead in silent, sober contemplation. But as Hardwire apologized, the boy found the strength somewhere within to smile again.

“There is nothing to apologize for,” he reassured his giant friend. “Knowing you as I do now, I would brave it all over again. I still intend on visiting Cybertron with you again someday, you know!”

[thesixteenthspark]

Hardwire looked at Rider with renewed strength of his own. While he didn't speak of it, his arrival at Earth had changed him, and it was likely an obvious change. He felt the constant disharmony of his brother's life force stir in his own, the fear and worry Geardust never let go of and now, in his own way, Hardwire understood why. The world is a scary place and some are out to harm you. Some can't be trusted. Some are evil. He studied his palm in a moment of silence. His hands were repaired and so was his armor from the invasive parasite he'd been taken over by. When one human has betrayed them and nearly killed them all, he came to the sobering realization that he was a sheltered and naive person, and it had seeded him with doubts that had rooted deep in his spark. Doubts that gave him the most fear when Rider trusted him so implicitly.

His spark twisted with guilt when he noticed how much the boy tried to keep things cheerful. His dour, introspective mood likely both confused and worried his young friend. It wasn't at all what Hardwire wanted. He too wanted to enjoy the day.

"Thank you...my friend. You honor me beyond ways I could explain. You always have." He answered, finally. He returned the smile. "For trusting me. Would you like to walk with me? I quite miss the presence of you on my shoulder."

Hardwire lowered his hand to act as a platform for Rider and his optics beamed anew with excitement.

[thesixteenthspark]

The snow melted, and in its place the smell of damp pine filled the forests. Rider looked to his friend with a wide smile. They found some time to themselves amidst the chaos, and though the boy enjoyed the company of the others, his place here in the forest, alone with Hardwire, reminded him of how he first came to find Cybertronians, to know them as friends. It reminded him of the conversation and the sights that brought together memories that seemed older than his whole live lived thus far.

Hardwire had not gotten used to the beauty of Earth. It seemed that each day held for him a new surprise, wonderment and marvels to be amazed by. While he felt like a giant treading on tender ground, and always moved with gentleness and caution in this world so small and so precious. All the same he felt for her people and most of all the boy all the way down on the path below. Hardwire turned when Rider had gone silent for some time. The Cybertronian tore his eyes of the beautiful, constantly changing patchwork of clouds above and slowly lowered himself with one knee to the ground and let his hand drop down next to the boy.“Is there something on your mind, Rider?” he asked with smile, warmth and a small frown to his his optics. 

[thesixteenthspark]

Hardwire let off a soft, long vent of heated air and couldn’t help but to chuckle while wiping over his segmented face. He then shook his head and let a hand come down to rest next to Rider, smiling reassuringly.  “No, not at all. Quite the opposite, my friend. I am just easily moved by such displays and the long cycles have come and gone without art, music and poetry…it is something extraordinary to hear it again, and from you. You likely know by now that you have befriended a rather sentimental cybertronian.”  Hardwire let his gaze turn upward to the sky and paused to consider Rider’s words.  “I know next to nothing about Megatron, aside from what I have read. My brother saved me from the perils of the war, even though I did not want to leave his side. I know just as little of what happened during the long cycles of war…but I returned to find my home had been destroyed and what remains is more or less just a husk of Cybertron. Sitting here with you…and after all that has happened to us, I suppose I slowly come to realize what I, and my people, have lost…and why so many of us are in so much pain.”

[thewanderingrider]

Hardwire’s words put Rider at a loss for words. He understood them as an immigrant, not a native, and yet for that difference, among the first of his sights on Cybertron was the scarred landscapes. The devastation still played vividly in the young boy’s mind.

It pleased Rider to know that Geardust acted in Hardwire’s best interest, but felt his heart twist in pity (or was it empathy?) that it came at Geardust’s personal sacrifice. He wondered what the skull-faced mechanic used to look like. Did he used to look like Hardwire? He tried imagining Geardust with a face, the same soft smile and the slow glow of the optics, perhaps wings or a more gentle, sleek look. His mind wandered and he remained silent, half in wonder and half in a growing understanding of Hardwire’s suffering, even if it was a minute gain. The distance hindered them, but it did not stop Rider from trying to comprehend Hardwire more.

“If anybody saw Cybertron like I did, I think they would realize why you did what you did here,” he supposed, softly. “We’re not too different, sometimes. It might look nice, but Earth has its own share of problems.”

[thesixteenthspark]

"Oh, yes...of course. I have spent some time studying what access I have to your stored information that can be found online. Is that what you call it?" Hardwire asked with a tilt of his head and a renewed smile. "...and we're strangely alike, I agree...wether it be art, music, politics, war...and certainly love. I suppose to you, my kind must seem immortal...I calculated our history parallell to yours and even my own lifetime. When I was constructed and given life, your world was supposedly one of lush wilderness without civilization. From then to here, where I sit now, my people have done everything we can to destroy one another, destroyed our home in the process...even erased whole species from the galaxy. We have brought with us great darkness into the universe...and I pray to Primus that this is more than a lull, that we have finally realized and ended this madness. Cybertron used to be so beautiful, so bustling with life and frequent trade with the great neighboring empires of our system." Hardwire sighed and shook his head. "Forgive me, I did not mean to slip into this state of mind. I think I just feel so undeserving of all of this, and these moments here with you, my friend. Even this has not been without its great danger and darkness. For that I am so...so sorry, Rider."

[thesixteenthspark]

The snow melted, and in its place the smell of damp pine filled the forests. Rider looked to his friend with a wide smile. They found some time to themselves amidst the chaos, and though the boy enjoyed the company of the others, his place here in the forest, alone with Hardwire, reminded him of how he first came to find Cybertronians, to know them as friends. It reminded him of the conversation and the sights that brought together memories that seemed older than his whole live lived thus far.

Hardwire had not gotten used to the beauty of Earth. It seemed that each day held for him a new surprise, wonderment and marvels to be amazed by. While he felt like a giant treading on tender ground, and always moved with gentleness and caution in this world so small and so precious. All the same he felt for her people and most of all the boy all the way down on the path below. Hardwire turned when Rider had gone silent for some time. The Cybertronian tore his eyes of the beautiful, constantly changing patchwork of clouds above and slowly lowered himself with one knee to the ground and let his hand drop down next to the boy.“Is there something on your mind, Rider?” he asked with smile, warmth and a small frown to his his optics. 

[thesixteenthspark]

Hardwire let off a soft, long vent of heated air and couldn’t help but to chuckle while wiping over his segmented face. He then shook his head and let a hand come down to rest next to Rider, smiling reassuringly.  “No, not at all. Quite the opposite, my friend. I am just easily moved by such displays and the long cycles have come and gone without art, music and poetry…it is something extraordinary to hear it again, and from you. You likely know by now that you have befriended a rather sentimental cybertronian.”  Hardwire let his gaze turn upward to the sky and paused to consider Rider’s words.  “I know next to nothing about Megatron, aside from what I have read. My brother saved me from the perils of the war, even though I did not want to leave his side. I know just as little of what happened during the long cycles of war…but I returned to find my home had been destroyed and what remains is more or less just a husk of Cybertron. Sitting here with you…and after all that has happened to us, I suppose I slowly come to realize what I, and my people, have lost…and why so many of us are in so much pain.”

[thesixteenthspark]

The snow melted, and in its place the smell of damp pine filled the forests. Rider looked to his friend with a wide smile. They found some time to themselves amidst the chaos, and though the boy enjoyed the company of the others, his place here in the forest, alone with Hardwire, reminded him of how he first came to find Cybertronians, to know them as friends. It reminded him of the conversation and the sights that brought together memories that seemed older than his whole live lived thus far.

Hardwire had not gotten used to the beauty of Earth. It seemed that each day held for him a new surprise, wonderment and marvels to be amazed by. While he felt like a giant treading on tender ground, and always moved with gentleness and caution in this world so small and so precious. All the same he felt for her people and most of all the boy all the way down on the path below. Hardwire turned when Rider had gone silent for some time. The Cybertronian tore his eyes of the beautiful, constantly changing patchwork of clouds above and slowly lowered himself with one knee to the ground and let his hand drop down next to the boy.“Is there something on your mind, Rider?” he asked with smile, warmth and a small frown to his his optics. 

[thewanderingrider]

An earthling! Rider remembered Hardwire’s excited voice, the big smile spread across that golden face and the violet gaze. Though he wasn’t aware of it, he was smiling as well. In his hands he held a book of poems, and he remembered Hardwire telling him that before he was found, he was busy reading a book.

“I’m just remembering my journeys with you over Cybertron,” Rider explained softly. “Now that we have a chance to breathe, and a chance to reflect on those days…”

He remembered his promise to Hardwire, and to the others, as he said his goodbyes, never knowing if he would see them again. It accelerated his perception to the present, shocking him into realization that Hardwire was here. He sat right next to the giant mech, and they had been through more than Rider would have ever for. It wasn’t quite what he expected, but he was happy all the same. 

Then he remembered the atoll, and what happened to his peaceful friend, grew a little disquieted over Hardwire’s own worries. “I’m okay,” he reassured the NAIL with a quiet smile. “Really. And I wanted to bring you here to share a poem that makes me think of you.”

[thesixteenthspark]

Hardwire let his head fall into a tilt as he smiled even wider. His violet optics glowed with warmth and affection while he listened to the small voice below. He could hardly believe the bravery and strength in his little, brilliant, young friend and all they’ve been through. Rider was well and safe, now. He could not be happier than at this very moment. The honor he had of making his friend made his spark swell and-

“A poem? Oh! Oh, how wonderful! Hold on just let me - oh dear - forgive me, trees…”

Hardwire beamed with excitement and tried his very cautiously best to lower his long limbs to the ground without destroying the environment. After some twisting and turning, he finally managed to lower himself enough to sit beside Rider, smiling brightly and optics aglow.

[thewanderingrider]

Rider beamed. It was that smile with closed eyes again, as he sat crosslegged and looked up to the giant machine that lay next to him. “It’s by William Stafford. The poem is called, “Ask Me.”

His small, sleeved hands opened up the poetry book to the page he had bookmarked. With a small, quiet cough, Rider began to read the words, and the rustling of the leaves in the forest grew silent. The boy spoke soft and clearly throughout his recitation, and it disappeared into the winding forests and waters around them.

Some time when the river is ice ask me mistakes I have made. Ask me whether what I have done is my life. Others have come their slow way into my thought, and some have tried to help or to hurt: ask me what difference their strongest love or hate has made.

I will listen to what you say. You and I can turn and look at the silent river and wait. We know the current is there, hidden; and there are comings and goings from miles away that hold the stillness exactly before us. What the river says, that is what I say.

[thesixteenthspark]

The soft wind of spring swayed the long strips of solar absorbing metallico that hung from the hinges around helm, giving rise to a faint, melodic chime each time one brushed against another. Compared to his comrades, the mechanism of Hardwire's frame was a silent one, sometimes humming softly when recharging, otherwise it moved and existed with a quiet gentleness. However, as he sat and listened to some of the most beautiful poetry he had ever heard in his millions of years of living, the Cybetronian's spark flared up and lit every seam of biolight on his body with a brilliant, violet glow. He had tipped his head forward and dimmed his optics to allow his vast and constantly processing mind to focus only on Rider's voice. In so doing, and listening to poetry written by his people that made young Rider think of him, Hardwire found himself unraveling within. Quietly but completely, all the same. There were too many things that stirred and ached and stormed within his spark at once. Most of all he found himself moved to silence, and while he said nothing, what he felt was was likely obvious through the glow of his lights and the excess energon that left wet streaks over his golden features.

"...I do not recall when last I heard poetry."

Hardwire's voice was small and silent, directed only toward Rider, and in so doing appeared almost human for how few layers of synthesization it had in this state. To a human, such a statement would seem both ordinary and expected. To an near immortal creature with a mind so complex and vast it even became a cipher to itself; full of instantaneous feeds of data and processes of new information and a photographic memory of every event it ever had witnessed or learned - this statement was anything but ordinary.

"It is so beautiful...and I do not know what has earned me to be thought of in such a beautiful way, by you." The optics slowly lit up in their narrow casings and took in the precious sight below, paired with a very loving smile.

[thesixteenthspark]

The snow melted, and in its place the smell of damp pine filled the forests. Rider looked to his friend with a wide smile. They found some time to themselves amidst the chaos, and though the boy enjoyed the company of the others, his place here in the forest, alone with Hardwire, reminded him of how he first came to find Cybertronians, to know them as friends. It reminded him of the conversation and the sights that brought together memories that seemed older than his whole live lived thus far.

Hardwire had not gotten used to the beauty of Earth. It seemed that each day held for him a new surprise, wonderment and marvels to be amazed by. While he felt like a giant treading on tender ground, and always moved with gentleness and caution in this world so small and so precious. All the same he felt for her people and most of all the boy all the way down on the path below. Hardwire turned when Rider had gone silent for some time. The Cybertronian tore his eyes of the beautiful, constantly changing patchwork of clouds above and slowly lowered himself with one knee to the ground and let his hand drop down next to the boy.“Is there something on your mind, Rider?” he asked with smile, warmth and a small frown to his his optics. 

[thewanderingrider]

An earthling! Rider remembered Hardwire’s excited voice, the big smile spread across that golden face and the violet gaze. Though he wasn’t aware of it, he was smiling as well. In his hands he held a book of poems, and he remembered Hardwire telling him that before he was found, he was busy reading a book.

“I’m just remembering my journeys with you over Cybertron,” Rider explained softly. “Now that we have a chance to breathe, and a chance to reflect on those days…”

He remembered his promise to Hardwire, and to the others, as he said his goodbyes, never knowing if he would see them again. It accelerated his perception to the present, shocking him into realization that Hardwire was here. He sat right next to the giant mech, and they had been through more than Rider would have ever for. It wasn’t quite what he expected, but he was happy all the same. 

Then he remembered the atoll, and what happened to his peaceful friend, grew a little disquieted over Hardwire’s own worries. “I’m okay,” he reassured the NAIL with a quiet smile. “Really. And I wanted to bring you here to share a poem that makes me think of you.”

[thesixteenthspark]

Hardwire let his head fall into a tilt as he smiled even wider. His violet optics glowed with warmth and affection while he listened to the small voice below. He could hardly believe the bravery and strength in his little, brilliant, young friend and all they've been through. Rider was well and safe, now. He could not be happier than at this very moment. The honor he had of making his friend made his spark swell and-

"A poem? Oh! Oh, how wonderful! Hold on just let me - oh dear - forgive me, trees..."

Hardwire beamed with excitement and tried his very cautiously best to lower his long limbs to the ground without destroying the environment. After some twisting and turning, he finally managed to lower himself enough to sit beside Rider, smiling brightly and optics aglow.

[thesixteenthspark]

The snow melted, and in its place the smell of damp pine filled the forests. Rider looked to his friend with a wide smile. They found some time to themselves amidst the chaos, and though the boy enjoyed the company of the others, his place here in the forest, alone with Hardwire, reminded him of how he first came to find Cybertronians, to know them as friends. It reminded him of the conversation and the sights that brought together memories that seemed older than his whole live lived thus far.

Hardwire had not gotten used to the beauty of Earth. It seemed that each day held for him a new surprise, wonderment and marvels to be amazed by. While he felt like a giant treading on tender ground, and always moved with gentleness and caution in this world so small and so precious. All the same he felt for her people and most of all the boy all the way down on the path below. Hardwire turned when Rider had gone silent for some time. The Cybertronian tore his eyes of the beautiful, constantly changing patchwork of clouds above and slowly lowered himself with one knee to the ground and let his hand drop down next to the boy.“Is there something on your mind, Rider?” he asked with smile, warmth and a small frown to his his optics.