"I was afraid." The words start tumbling over one another in spite of Fulcrum's reassurances. Even though some part of Krok knows Fulcrum's right – but Fulcrum is listening, and Krok's spark aches to shed some of the weight. "I was afraid," he confesses, "when I realised I was having trouble with fuel… and then you all arrived… I was afraid." He bows his head. "I couldn't afford to say no when Ratchet made his offer. Even if it meant all of you hated me."

And oh, how he'd been afraid of that.

"I'm sorry," he sighs, voice shaking. "I'm sorry, Fulcrum." For the exam, for putting all this on him.