"Thank you," Ratchet says, but an odd sort of tension bleeds from him once Drift is safely aboard and the doors are clamped shut. At least until Drift speaks again. Ratchet looks back at him, his optics pale and unreadable.

"Well, I didn't know how long I was going to be gone, and I couldn't leave the ship without one. He's ready anyway--he's been ready. It was time."