Chapter Text
While spending time away from the Lost Light, Ratchet and Drift had taken some time to explore. The pair had been traveling along a desert highway in the mid-day sun. The heat produced wavy lines above the pavement, which caused a mirage.
Everything seemed fine except for the fact that the heat was starting to make Ratchet feel a bit tired. The tough old medic shrugged it off. It wasn’t as if he could do anything about it for now. He didn’t wish to worry Drift any.
Drift had noticed that Ratchet had slowed down. He assumed that Ratchet wouldn’t want him to comment on it, so he just slowed down to keep in pace with him. The heat wasn’t easy on him either.
The pair moved along for what seemed like hours, though the landscape didn’t change much. When you have seen one interesting red rock formation the rest start to look less interesting. So much for an exiting adventure.
All the sudden, grey smoke wafted up from Ratchets’ hood making Drift snap to attention. He races in front of Ratchet, shouting at him to stop while spinning around to block him.
Ratchet slams on his brakes to avoid Drift with an annoyed grunt. “What the frag are you doing mech? Has the heat gone to your circuitry?” He asks, clearly irritated.
“Ratchet, you’re smoking!” Drift shouted.
Ratchet paused and sensed that his internal temperature was getting too high. He sighed, knowing that Drift was right. If his engine temperature kept rising it could cause serious damage.
“It’s only light smoke, my coolant is probably low. I’m not catching on fire or anything.” Ratchet explained.
Drift sensed that Ratchet was worried. As much as he wanted to comfort him, he had to solve the heating problem and fast. He turned on his GPS receiver to try and see if there was anything on the map nearby. If they could find a city or a town the could get him some fresh coolant.
“I am able to see what appears to be a hotel on my GPS. Doesn’t look like a fancy place but if we can get you fuel and supplies it’s alright with me.” Drift suggested.
It was a tense few kliks for Drift. He stuck close to Ratchet as they headed around a rock formation and further down the highway. Sure enough there was an outpost which looked like a worn old building in the middle of nowhere.
It appeared to be a two story hotel that must have been something to look at in its prime. Instead it was now a dusty building who’s owner neglected to clean the windows for at least a century or two.
“Well, looks like this is it Ratch.” Drift said, transforming and stretching his shoulders. Ratchet followed suit and followed Drift inside. He staggered a bit since transforming so fast made him feel dizzy.
“Why don’t you sit down? I’ll get us a room.” Drift put a hand on Ratchets’ shoulder to steady him until he sat in a chair inside the waiting area. Ratchet replied with a steady nod and a stoic expression.
Drift hurried over to the reception desk and rings the bell with his finger. A tall, slender mech came out of the office and stood behind the large wooden counter. It seems oddly clean in comparison to the outside of the building.
“Can I help you sir?” He asks, seeming to stare into Drift’s optics.
“Yes. I need a room for the night.” Drift replies. “The big guy needs some coolant, can we either order fuel or is there a place to get it near by.”
“I can have some fuel delivered to your room. Which will be 50 shanix for the night. There is a dispenser that has supplies.” The receptionist answered. He had a slight of a drawl to his voice that made Drift think that there was something off. The mech didn’t seem intoxicated so perhaps he was just tired.
“That seems fair.” Drift replied and slapped his payment onto the wooden desk.
The receptionist seemed to glare at him for hitting his desk like that. Drift lifted his servo carefully away from the lacquered wood.
“Sorry, I’m in kind of a hurry. No scratches, see?” Drift gingerly patted the desk where his servo had made contact.
The receptionist seemed to grunt under his breath and hand off a set of brass room keys for Drift. He studied them in his servo for a moment they didn’t seem anything like the plastic key cards he was used to.
“Come on Ratch, lets go get you cooled off.” Drift said, gesturing to the hallway. His concern for the medic was his main priority despite the fact that he was delighted to spend the night with him.
“About time.” Ratchet replied as he walked with Drift down the hallway to find their room. They made no delay about getting inside.
“I will get the air conditioner working, why don’t you go and find the coolant?” Ratchet suggested. He sat on the bed as soon as they entered. He had realized that the puffs of smoke had mostly stopped when he was not putting any strain on his engine.
“Alright. I will be back as soon as I can.” Drift told him.
As Drift began the hunt for the dispenser he noticed how everything in the hotel looked older. Not so much older that it was completely out of date but it gave him a strange feeling. It were as if the place had been frozen in time.
It had an odd overly clean feeling to it, whomever owned the place liked things immaculate. He also realized that he hadn’t seen any other guests yet. Of course a hotel in the middle of a desert wouldn’t be a popular place but it did strike him as odd.
In an alcove he found the dispenser which had an array of supplies. Coolants, spare parts and sweets were set in rows and columns to choose from. Drift selected a jug of coolant and inserted his shantix into the machine. The crank in the dispenser turned and the bottle of coolant plopped into the vending area. He scooped up the bottle and took it with him. On his way out he wondered if he should return trip for sweets when his traveling companion was feeling better.
“Hey Ratch, I got your coolant.” He opens the door to their hotel and pokes his helm inside. There wasn’t a response. “Uh, are you in here?” He asks, thinking that he may have gotten the wrong room.