Chapter 5

Gravix interrupted the uneasiness. “Don’t you suppose we should make sure it’s really him first?”

“I knew you’d say something like that Gravix” Artifice said loudly. “Waitstate old buddy, why don’t you just have the medics check me out. They can verify my identity better than anyone.”

Waitstate was still stunned. “Yeah, I’ll have them do that.”

“I…I’ll be back in my quarters” A very confused Gravix replied. Of so many things Gravix could be sure of, and Artifice’s death was one of them, so how could this really be Artifice?

“Our medics are amongst the best. Maybe this time around they can figure out what went wrong.” Waitstate seemed to be lost in his own train of thought. He was plagued by the same question that sent Gravix from the docking bay that moment. Was what he was seeing real or just a hopeful delusion?

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“He checks out just fine,” Lifeblood announced.

Welder looked up at Waitstate. “This most certainly is the same Artifice we worked on. There are too many identifying marks on his internal workings including the parts that we put in before his departure. There is no way this could have been faked so well.”

“There seems to be a few upgrades, and even a few downgrades, but they’re right” Restore confirmed. “This most certainly is the real Artifice.”

“It’s just too much” Waitstate said as he took a seat. “How is any of this possible?”

“We never really were sure of what his ailment was. Perhaps it just needed time to run through his system” Welder suggested.

Artifice sat up with a cheerful smile. “Hey, can’t you just be glad that I’m back?”

Waitstate let out an uneasy chuckle. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right.”

“Why don’t we have a few drinks in the bar? I know it has grown a bit cliché, but I’m just dying for some overcharged energon,” Artifice stated.

“Dying, heh, interesting choice of words,” Waitstate said as he stood up. “It’s a deal. First let’s get you re-acquainted with the crew.”

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A few of the crewmembers came up to the conference room to meet with Artifice personally. He would have rather waited on the bridge, but Waitstate convinced him it would get too crowded and interfere with operations.

“Seems your death was but a rumor” Scamp said with a grin. “However, I can’t really tell the difference between you and the lifeless body that was laying in the med bay a few weeks ago.”

“Funny, very funny” Artifice replied.

The good-natured bickering went on for a while. Eventually, everyone was invited to the plaza for Artifice’s welcome home party.

“The bar hasn’t changed much” Artifice said upon entering.

“You haven’t been gone that long you know” Amethyst said as she took a seat.

“Oh, well I’m very sorry I upset you Amethyst!” Artifice replied angrily.

Amethyst looked at Artifice strangely. “I was trying to be humorous.” She was still trying to get acquainted with some of the crewmembers, but her comments were never taken with such negativity.

“Is that what you call funny?” he asked.

Waitstate waved at Artifice. “She didn’t mean any harm. If you’re not feeling up to this perhaps we should have the medics check you out again.”

Artifice calmed down. “I’m sorry, I just haven’t been feeling so well since I got back.”

“Perhaps a drink. What would you like?” Waitstate asked.

“Give me the strongest stuff you’ve got” Artifice replied.

Waitstate was a little surprised by the request. Artifice didn’t usually have a strong drink; in fact, he usually had some of the weakest stuff the bar had to offer. “I see death changes a bot.”

Artifice chuckled. “You can say that again.”

Waitstate received a comm message from Gravix. “There are a few articles you might find interesting in this Book.”

“You’d think my brother would be decent enough to join us” Artifice remarked.

Waitstate patted Artifice on the shoulder. “I’m sure he has his reasons. I’ll see if I can’t con them out of him when I go to review his findings.”

“Findings?” Artifice queried.

“Oh, that’s right, you couldn’t have known” Waitstate replied. “Gravix recovered the Book of Mordalis. He’s been translating it since he came on board not too long ago. Apparently it’s written in some dialect of Ancient Autobot.”

“The Book of Mordalis eh?” Artifice’s interests were perked. “Could I join you?”

“No offense Artifice, but you just got back. Until you’re in full running order, classified information will remain classified, even to you.” Artifice looked disappointed. “Don’t worry, it’ll only be temporary.”

Artifice looked away and took a sip of his drink. “Don’t worry, I understand. Meet me back here will you?”

“I certainly will” Waitstate smiled back.