Precious Things

by Phantom

Chapter Twelve

For the rest of the journey Alita amused herself by spreading vicious rumors about the Decepticon high command. A little malicious gossip could be fun! "And Galvatron used to recharge with a teddy bear!" she whooped. The Stunticons all snickered at the sissy mental image.

"We're here," Dead End announced as he slowly nudged the unwieldy pod through the planet's atmosphere. Wildrider had been allowed to pilot them to their destination, but this maneuver required a steadier hand, and a more level head.

"So that's Monacus," Motormaster mused, studying the sleazy-looking planet. "My kind'a place!" The Stunticons all heartily agreed.

Despite all his dire predictions, Dead End managed to land the craft in one piece. The Decepticons all piled out for a night on the town, except for Sport, who lagged behind to wait for Alita. "Aren't you coming?" he asked as she started off in a different direction.

Alita cursed to herself as she turned to the young mech. She was grateful to him for saving her life, but she didn't want him to get too attached or learn too much. "Oh yes, I'm meeting my boyfriend here. Don't worry, he'll arrange for my transport back."

She felt a twinge of guilt as his crestfallen expression. "I should have known that you were too good for me," he said softly.

"Don't say that," she said sternly, lifting up his chin and forcing his gaze to meet hers. "It was my fault for leading you on. I was feeling lonely and missing my boyfriend, but I realize now that I can't cheat on him, not even with a terrific guy like you. Don't kick yourself, soon you'll have the girls swooning over you."

"You think?" Sport asked, his deflated pride beginning to swell up again.

Alita had to fight hard to smother a smile. She hoped his head wouldn't swell up *too* much. "Yeah, I think so. Now hurry and catch up to your friends before they start the fun without you." Impetuously, she kissed him on the cheek.

Sport smiled at her a bit bashfully. "I don't think I'll ever get to see you again, since high-ranking soldiers like you rarely socialize with the grunts like me. Still, I'll never forget you."

Alita nodded sadly. "No, I don't think we will meet again, but you saved my life. I'll never forget you either." Sport hugged her briefly, then let go and stepped away, trying to control his emotions.

"Hey, kid!" Wildrider yelled. "You comin' or not? You too, lady! You're missin' all the fun!"

"Goodbye," Sport whispered and hugged her. She hugged him back, surprised at the wave of emotion that hit her. Imagine feeling sorry for a Decepticon!

Sport turned away and visibly straightened himself up, determined to recover and have a good time. "Hey, guys, wait up!" he yelled. "I'm coming!"

Alita laughed as she watched Sport race after the receding specs on the horizon. He was young, he'd recover. She shook her head ruefully as she summoned her bonding bracelet from subspace and reattached it to her arm. She had removed it before her mission in fear that it might distract her with nostalgic thoughts and also attract unwanted attention, for bonding was a very rare practice. All the same, she had missed its comforting weight on her wrist and was very relieved to have it back where it belonged.

She roamed around Monacus, poking her head into one bar or casino after another. Her temper began to simmer as she endured innumerable cat calls while her quarry continued to elude her. Finally she found what -- or who -- she had been looking for in one of the darkest, scummiest bars on the planet. 'Figures,' she thought. 'Should have looked here first. Why he hangs out in these kinds of places is beyond me. I know it's all to catch dangerous criminals and all, but he does it for *fun!*'

She snuck over to his table and purred in his audio, "Hi there, handsome. Long time no see."

The robot jumped and nearly spilled his mug of enersuds. He whipped around, hand going for his weapon, then stopped and grinned when he saw who it was. "Alita! By the smelter, what are you doing here?" he asked curiously.

Alita grinned as she pushed a disgusting-looking creature out of its seat and inspected the surface, sitting down once she had ascertained that it was safe. "It's a long story, Defcon. Suffice it to say that I need your help. I'll tell you all about it if you buy me a drink."

"You're on," Defcon nodded, summoning the multiple-limbed waiter and ordering another round of enersuds, which Alita greedily consumed while telling her story.

Defcon shook his head when she finished, emitting a low whistle. "Damn girl, you've sure been through enough. Saved the universe's tail again, huh? And I can't believe you've gone and gotten yourself bonded. I know there was never really anything between us, but it's hard to imagine you tied down. I wish both of you the best, though."

Alita smiled, feeling rather touched. Despite his rough occupation, Defcon always knew how to treat a lady right. "But what about that little favor?"

"Right this way," he gestured with a sweep of his arm, quickly paying the bar tab and ushering her outside. "She might not look like much, but she'll get you where you need to go. I recently, *ahem*, acquired her from a few rogue 'Cons."

Alita stopped short when she caught sight of the small craft. "Defcon, it's got a huge 'Con symbol on it! I can't go flying up Iacon with that!"

Defcon grinned. "Nothing that a little paint won't solve." He quickly summoned one of the planet's scuttling creatures, who did the job in record time.

Still, Alita was not impressed. "Don't you think it's a bit obvious?" she asked, eyeing the hot pink splotch across the hull that hid the telltale insignia.

Defcon shook his head. "Dunno, but it'll have to do. That's all that we've got for the moment."

Alita nodded. "How much do I owe you?"

Defcon smiled at her. "Little lady, it's free of charge, in honor of your bonding and of our past happy memories. Now get in that thing and get going, the others are probably worried sick."

Alita shook her head ruefully. "No, they probably just think I'm dead. Thanks for your help, Defcon." She squeezed his hand in farewell. "Goodbye, and good luck! On this rock, you'll need it."

"Goodbye!" Defcon yelled over the engines. He waved until the ship was nothing but a small speck shooting out into space. "And good luck to you too."

end of Chapter Twelve

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