Tomato
Legacy Name: Tomato

Tomato was constructed by a scientist who needed someone to tend to the garden he had built. This was no ordinary garden though as Tomato had to be built like a tank, hardy to deal with the obstacles of growing strange seeds found in the Exclusion Zone. Tomato was constructed with some of the strongest scrap that Mandark could possibly find with some help from his other creations. Most of it was covered in a red substance that could not be removed and thus Mandark named his new mechanical creation Tomato. It's just a shame it didn't smell as nice as a tomato. Regardless the new guy was put to work quickly, plowing the field, planting the seeds, watering the crops. There were multiple small fields within the lab, all used for testing various plants found outside. Some were regular vegetables and fruits like corn and apples but others seem to consist of strange shapes and colors. For instance, there was a seed that was given to Tomato that was analyzed and identified as a pear. When it finally matured it seemed to turn a purple color and produce a strange bubbling. A quick test concluded that it was soap bubbles and that the fruit itself had the properties of antibacterial hand soap. Research of this nature is of great importance to Mandark and thus Tomato is held in high regards. Of course most mechanicals are programmed to remain civil toward one another so jealousy shouldn't be an issue. The problem that seems to occur most often is when the mechanicals develop friendships with each other...
Such a thing happened to Tomato over the course of a year while working with a fellow creation named Jetfire. Jetfire is the one who is sent out to retrieve any interesting plant life that may prove useful to Mandark's research. He's often quite successful in his search and brings back a bountiful harvest for Tomato to plant. The gardener is always happy to see the little tiger stop by, always impressed by his own harvest.

"Today's finds are incredible as always, Jetfire."
"Same thing, different day Tomato. Though I think you'll find these of interest."
Jet pawed over a small packet that contained a picture of a cluster of tomatoes. The eyes of the other widened.
"Are these...?"
"Tiny tomatoes? Like your name? Sure are! You like them?"
"I adore them Jetfire. Thank you."
"Jet is fine, we're friends after all!"
"Friends...

Tomato sure liked the sound of that. Mandark had always warned about making friends but Jet was always so nice and took pride in his work as well as complimented Tomato whenever he stopped by. Surely being friends couldn't be so terrible. The days after felt less tedious as the friends would meet up more and more often. First it had been weekly, then bi-weekly. Soon enough Jet was stopping in almost every other day to check in on the other. Tomato got to show him all the fantastic plants he had been brought, all the seeds that had been gathered and tended to carefully. It had been such a nice bonding exercise, the poor hooved mechanical had almost forgotten how lonely it had gotten while working in the garden all by his lonesome.
One day Jetfire stopped in to say hello and ask if his friend had any requests. Tomato told him he hoped he found some more tomato seeds! He loved growing the tiny things even though they were small and nearly inedible but it was still fun nonetheless! It was the last time the gardener would see his friend again. Days turned into weeks and soon turned into months. No sign of Jet. Not even a single metal whisker. Mandark simply told him that the tiger was gone and there was nothing they could do about it. There was no distress signal to follow, no body to find. It dampened Tomato's spirits as another mechanical beast with no name was sent as replacement to be his plant finder. He went about his daily duties but he was not as enthusiastic as he once was...

"Hello, Tomato. How is the garden?"
A firm yet gentle voice spoke to him, unmistakably belonging to the second in command, NV. Tomato was surprised he had stopped by.
"It is going fine I suppose."
"You sound down, what is wrong? Need maintenance?"
"No... I just miss Jet."
"I know it is hard. A good friend is not easy to make."
"No..."
"Perhaps you should talk to FSM. He is missing his friend too. Maybe both of you could be friends."
"I will think about it. Thank you NV."
"Of course. Chin up. You are doing great work here."
With that his visitor disappeared into the elevator. He had forgotten about FSM and Klaymen. The pair had also bonded closely and it wasn't long after that when Klay went missing. Shortly after that they had a meeting about how friendships could lead to issues and to avoid them at all costs. Tomato believed it could not be a mere coincidence. Surely their creator did not cause this disappearance? No, Klay had simply fallen into disrepair and could not make it back. There was even a distress call that was sent out by the mechanical dog! Jet was different. He was far from disrepair. Mandark kept up to date on his maintenance due to the nature of his work. This distressed Tomato further. Perhaps something sinister did occur. He hoped he could meet with FSM soon and discuss the matter. Something was very off about the situation. He could feel it in his circuitry.