flipping-the-coin

[flipping-the-coin]

Orion...I know I shouldn't get involved but...don't you think that you and Optimus should fix the differences you have? I know it scares you but he is also a victim of all this and I know that if he had known that you didn't want this he would have found a way to reunite you with your loved one.

You shouldn't love each other, I know, but at least settle your differences *I'll give you an energon candy* and learn to tolerate each other even if it doesn't seem like it. Optimus needs you and even if he doesn't show himself, he's still a child so he needs you (along with Megatron) to make cybertron shine once again but better

From the desk of  Head Archivist: Orion Pax Hall of Records East Trion Square Iacon

Ah. this is an incredibly difficult subject for me, please understand. I would genuinely like to believe you, anonymous one, that Optimus is not a threat to me or my Conjunx, but it simply is not true. I will agree with you that he may be a victim as well, but that does not excuse what he forced me to endure. 

I know that you may believe that he was not aware that I was an unconsenting party in this arrangement, but I can assure you that I made my displeasure known to him again and again for millennia. My distress was obvious. My desires were crystal clear, especially after I was granted my freedom after Optimus and Megatronus united against the Unmaker. 

Optimus had the opportunity then to rectify this situation. He knew what it was I wanted. He knew what Megatronus and I meant to one another. He knew that I was taken against my will. He knew that Megatronus and I were perfectly capable of ending this war on our own. He knew that we sought to restore Cybertron. He knew everything! 

He had the chance to reunite us! He had the chance to do what was right! What did he do? He lied! He concocted a tale of amnesia instead of telling everyone the truth! He locked me away again and chose to continue with his war despite my continued communication expressing my anger. 

He would not even let me die in peace! No, he had to try and pass this torment off on another! A youngling, no less! I may have disagreed with Smokescreen’s indoctrinated opinions, but he did not deserve to be locked away as I was for a new wave of war to start all over again! If Smokescreen had taken the Matrix… I would not have been able to stop him from destroying everything that mattered to me… 

I was not even granted freedom after my beloved was killed… I was not allowed to properly grieve. I was not given permission to cry with my own optics. I was not allowed to seek out his frame and touch him one last time. I was not allowed a goodbye! 

He said nothing… I was alone. He chose to keep me alone, in the dark and broken. I’m sorry, but not even a tempting energon candy can make those pains vanish. I fear him so deeply that I can not even begin to express it properly.

Orion Pax

#two sides to a coin au #transformers prime au #orion pax responds #transformers prime #maccadam #megaop #two sides asks #transformers #transformers au

[flipping-the-coin]

Ratchet you said why you dont like Orion, but what did Megatron do to make you not like him before the war?

𝔉𝔯𝔬𝔪 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔬𝔣𝔣𝔦𝔠𝔢 𝔬𝔣 𝔓𝔯𝔦𝔪𝔞𝔩 𝔖𝔱𝔢𝔴𝔞𝔯𝔡: ℜ𝔞𝔱𝔠𝔥𝔢𝔱

ℭ𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔯𝔞𝔩 ℑ𝔞𝔠𝔬𝔫 -

ℭ𝔶𝔟𝔢𝔯𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔫𝔦𝔞𝔫 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔫𝔠𝔦𝔩 ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔪𝔟𝔢𝔯𝔰 -

𝔊𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔫𝔞𝔫𝔠𝔢 𝔇𝔦𝔳𝔦𝔰𝔦𝔬𝔫 -

I didn't have a problem with him prior to the war. Not really.

I disliked him a great deal. I heard enough rumors, saw enough interviews, and otherwise gathered more than enough information to come to the conclusion that he's an entitled arrogant prick. Always going on about his battles and his fragging achievements, he annoyed me. I didn't have a problem with his preaching, but he was always running some sort of advertisement as well.

Yes, I am well aware that's how gladiators get their sponsors. No, I still don't like it. I didn't like his personality and I thoroughly disliked his entire disposition. I didn't even meet the mech in person until after I had to repair Orion's broken hinges. I tried to give Megatron the benefit of the doubt. I swear on the thirteen I did try. But regardless of my efforts-

He was just as much of a glitch in person.

I fragging hate Megatron and that fact has remained static since the beginning. It is almost poetic. If I believed in sparkmates, I would say that Megatron is my ordained foe. We share just enough in common that we have valid reasons to hate each other. Even without his crimes against Cybertron tacked onto his name, I still don't like him.

He's a glitch. That's it. Plain and simple.

𝔓𝔯𝔦𝔪𝔞𝔩 𝔖𝔱𝔢𝔴𝔞𝔯𝔡 - ℜ𝔞𝔱𝔠𝔥𝔢𝔱

#maccadam #transformers prime au #transformers #two sides to a coin au #transformers prime #megatron #ratchet #ratchet responds #tfp ratchet #pre war cybertron

[flipping-the-coin]

for 𝙳𝚘𝚌𝚝𝚘𝚛 𝙵𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝 𝙰𝚒𝚍 how do you feel about the whole Orion situation? And I wanted to thank you for eliminating the excess pills that Ratchet gave Orion since I really don't trust him to take care of Orion. I'm sorry if we're careless I could kill him.

𝙸𝚊𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚒𝚊𝚗 𝙼𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚌𝚊𝚕 𝚆𝚒𝚗𝚐-

𝚃𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚜𝚖𝚒𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚂𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛: 𝙳𝚘𝚌. 𝙵𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝 𝙰𝚒𝚍

𝚃𝚛𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚂𝚚𝚞𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝙲𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚌-

━━▲━━

I'm afraid I didn't quite understand your last sentence. But I was more than happy to help! Doctor Ratchet can be a bit jittery at times and sometimes forgets to count the pills properly! It really isn't any bother on my end! He gets a little lost in his mind, and I am more than happy to fix such a minor mistake. Please don't speak too harshly of my mentor. He's... unstable. He's been through a lot and I genuinely think he just needs to process everything he's been through. The amount of work he takes on is mind blowing. I honestly believe its going to kill him if he isn't careful.

About Mr. Pax...

I don't know if I am qualified to talk about it. I'm just an assisting Doctor, I'm not meant to have an opinion on the matter. Besides, I think Doctor Ratchet would be a bit upset...

He never reads old medical files. Why would he read this?

I don't think I will get in trouble for answering this question. If you want my real thoughts on the subject, then I guess I am just concerned for everyone involved. Obviously Mr. Pax has seen a lot of terrible things and experienced horrors I can't even begin to imagine. He's not one to talk about it a lot when I visit him for tea with Miss Melody. I don't know everything, but what I do know scares me.

He was locked away within Optimus Prime during the entirety of the war. He felt everything. He saw everything. He had no control. I... I can hardly comprehend that. Being trapped in your own frame with no way out? No way to have even the smallest semblance of control? I would have gone mad. It pleases and surprises me to see him come back to himself so fast. By all accounts, recovering from severe trauma like that in twenty vorns in a miracle. I am not exactly fond of Megatron, but he is a good Conjunx for Mr. Pax. They are happy together. They deserve it after all that has happened. The war is over, and think its best if what happened during it is allowed to become history, not a weight on the present.

Mr. Pax is healing... but my mentor is not. Doctor Ratchet seems to be actively trying to make Mr. Pax's life worse. I've listened to my mentor ramble on and on for groons. He seems to have warped the figure of Orion Pax into a whole new person. He refers to Orion Pax as his friend, a precious thing to protect. Then the very next moment he uses strange glyphs and snarls as if Mr. Pax were there threatening him at gunpoint. Doctor Ratchet seems terrified of Orion Pax. I can't claim to pinpoint why, but his aggressive reaction is laced with fear whenever I am close enough to feel his field.

Doctor Ratchet is getting worse and Orion Pax is getting better. I've tried to get my mentor to assign me to Mr. Pax, but at this point he's made Mr. Pax into a pet project of sorts. He hates him. He fears him. He wants to keep him safe and destroy him all at the same time.

Orion Pax is healing.

Ratchet is breaking down.

I am doing what I can to help and make things right, but I can only do so much. I follow Ratchet whenever I can manage it and I try to stay with him overnight when he's upset, that way he can't do anything rash. Part of me wants to report him, but I can't exactly report him for things he's written, no matter how... disturbing. I would much rather he get his murderous thoughts out on a document than act on them.

I just wish everyone could get better.

━━▲━━

𝙳𝚘𝚌𝚝𝚘𝚛 𝙵𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝 𝙰𝚒𝚍

#maccadam #transformers prime au #transformers #transformers prime #orion pax #two sides to a coin au #first aid #first aid writes #post war cybertron

[flipping-the-coin]

Optimus wuts the mst worst thing youv ever done?

[[TRANSMISSION RECEIVED: SUBJECT = QUERY…. SCANNING…. 21% THREAT LEVEL NULL = NEGATIVE: CENSORING NOT REQUIRED = CATAGORIZATION: REROUTING…. SECONDARY SCANS COMPLETE: TRANSMISSION = 77% WITHIN PARAMETERES]]

[[TRANMISSION FORWARDED…. RECEIVED = SEEN]]

[[//RESPONSE IN PROGRESS… RESPONSE COMPLETE: TRANSMISSION SENT//]]

═════════════════

Anonymous, I am afraid your question is very... complicated for me.

I lived my entire life in a state of constant warfare. It is almost impossible for me to pinpoint any one act that could be reasonably labelled as being worse than any other. There was so much death and destruction, much of which I did not even directly order to be wrought. If one were to think logically, the entire war could be easily pinned on myself and Megatron.

Putting aside my crimes against my host, I am unsure what exactly I would call the worst act I have committed. My early memory is uncertain, and there is much I do not recall. Even now, much of my memory is a blur of experience and combat. If I try hard enough, I can pull some things from the fog, but not much. I know I did horrible things, but much of it is distant. I am well aware that I killed millions and that I issued orders to burn cities and slaughter civilians. Yet, I cannot actively recall the moment, the memory. I carry within myself knowledge, but not the emotion I am sure most would be burdened with. It is a blessing and a curse.

Now, considering I cannot speak on the matter of the war with any degree of accuracy in large part due to the lack of morality during that time, I shall instead lean on my personal interactions.

I believe that the worst thing I ever did during the war, at least in my personal life, was leave Ratchet alone for so long. I was never the best companion to anyone, nor was I an excellent friend. But what I am burdened with the most in my personal interactions is the simple fact that Ratchet was left to raise Bumblebee in my stead. I had a war to lead, but I was selfish I could not bear to let Bumblebee go once I had him. My host agreed. We were both selfish. We both wanted to keep him. We couldn't help it.

That meant that the task of raising him fell the one we both trusted most. Ratchet cared for Bumblebee in our absence and the rest of our inner circle cared for Bee when Ratchet could not. We were not there as much as we should have been. We both wanted to, but we both had to fight. Megatron was my foe and I was Orion's. We did not have the will or the time to be there and ease the burden of raising a sparkling.

I regret that I missed so much of Bumblebee's early life. I think we both regret it. It was not right to leave Ratchet alone, and above all else, it was cruel.

═════════════════

[[TRANSMISSION SENDER = OPTIMUS PRIME = PRIME OF CYBERTRON: LEADER OF THE AUTOBOTS: PRIMUS’S ANGEL: SAVIOR OF CYBERTRON: LOREKEEPER: SIRE]]

[[TRANSMISSION END]]

#maccadam #transformers prime au #transformers #two sides to a coin au #transformers prime #orion pax #optimus responds #optimus prime #megatron #bumblebee #ratchet

[flipping-the-coin]

Ratchet, canyou explain how field attacks work? Why is pax so good at them? Is there any defense against attacks like that? If field attacks are so powerful they can make the prime collapse, why werent they used during the war to help take down Megatron and the cons? Is there special training for that kind of weapon?

𝔉𝔯𝔬𝔪 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔬𝔣𝔣𝔦𝔠𝔢 𝔬𝔣 𝔓𝔯𝔦𝔪𝔞𝔩 𝔖𝔱𝔢𝔴𝔞𝔯𝔡: ℜ𝔞𝔱𝔠𝔥𝔢𝔱

ℭ𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔯𝔞𝔩 ℑ𝔞𝔠𝔬𝔫 -

ℭ𝔶𝔟𝔢𝔯𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔫𝔦𝔞𝔫 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔫𝔠𝔦𝔩 ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔪𝔟𝔢𝔯𝔰 -

𝔊𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔫𝔞𝔫𝔠𝔢 𝔇𝔦𝔳𝔦𝔰𝔦𝔬𝔫 -

Orion is so fragging good at using his field as a weapon because evidently, he's had millennia to master it. I don't know everything, but based on what I've pieced together, Orion mainly expressed himself through emotion when he was within the Matrix. Without a frame to divert his attention, he could put his entire being into expressing emotion physically. I assume he likely caused Optimus pain by sending electrical currents through sensory systems in his and Optimus's shared frame. But again, I don't know the details. All I can say for sure is that his skill in focusing his emotions transferred directly into the most severe field attacks I have ever witnessed.

Let me make this clear. The EM field of a Cybertronian is not meant to be painful. It's purpose is to express emotion without words through electromagnetic shifts and flares. The average civilian does this without thinking until they are trained to hold their field close or are given a dampener. It is instinctual for our kind since we are so varied and can be forged with special needs and alternate ways of communicating. In fact, field communication is considered to be the first and purest way to express desire and emotion. Supposedly, before there was language, our kind were bound together as one through the whims of our sparks. Much like words, field flares are not meant to cause actual pain. They are merely intended to get a point across.

But of course, as with all things, there are exceptions.

As a Doctor, I was trained to actively dull my field and taught to increase and decrease my ability to sense fields at will. I learned this through focus training where I was instructed to actively force more of my attention into specific sensory organs. The same general premise applies for those trained to use their field. Not everyone can do it, mind you. Training to use one's field is incredibly difficult since it requires a mech to learn how to imbue more of their emotion into their field through an actual exertion of energy and mental strength. Even when trained, most only learn how to stun temporarily or to create a shield of sorts which makes it impossible for whoever is behind the trained field user to be read by others.

The only actual defense against field attacks is to completely shut off the ability to sense fields. Being unable to sense a field means it cannot be registered as pain. However, that is a very... unsettling process for the untrained. It is akin to losing a whole separate set of optics and is very distressing for anyone who hasn't gone through endurance training. Fields are used for so much, and you never really know how much you rely on it until you walk directly into a wall because your proximity sensors were shut off along with your field. I honestly don't know how the humans last without the ability to sense one another.

It is also somewhat dangerous to train as a field user. Once you learn to use your field as a weapon, it is incredibly difficult to go back to using it as a simple means of communication. Trained users, even when they are trying to be docile and loving, have been taught to put so much emotion into their fields that they are incapable of being mild in their communications. Their average field usage is suffocating for normal mecha, and when they get violent, it physically hurts. Sensors read the emotion being flared as danger, which in turn is translated into pain since the processor is unable to locate any actual source of pain in the frame.

It is a flaw of Cybertronian biology. But it is what allows us to sense danger, so there is no actual winning in this regard.

Explanations out of the way, it is because of the sheer amount of training involved that few soldiers were ever trained in the art of wielding fields. It is time consuming in the extreme and during the war, we simply couldn't risk having our soldiers hurting each other with their fields when things got tense. It would have been chaos. Not to mention field users would have projected their feelings at all times like blazing beacons for the Decepticons to notice. It was simply more efficient for the average soldier to live with field dampeners and keep their emotions hidden from view.

Only the elites were trained to use their fields, and even that was more of a side note. The knowledge needed to train field users was all but lost when the Primacy was destroyed and only the Elite Guard still maintain a degree of the skill that field users once had. Even they are nothing like the Limit Breakers the Council employed before and during the start of the war.

EM fields are not intended to be made into weapons. And quite frankly, I think turning fields into weapons is something that should go die along with the sins of war.

𝔓𝔯𝔦𝔪𝔞𝔩 𝔖𝔱𝔢𝔴𝔞𝔯𝔡 - ℜ𝔞𝔱𝔠𝔥𝔢𝔱

#maccadam #transformers prime au #transformers #two sides to a coin au #transformers prime #orion pax #cybertronian culture #cybertronian biology #ratchet responds #tfp ratchet #ratchet

[flipping-the-coin]

Ratchet, in your last post you mention orion having spark merge injuries. 1 Can you please explain that a bit more in depth, how did orion get hurt spark merging? 2 what kind of injuries did he have? 3 where they Megatron's fault? 4 what other kinds of injuries can come from sparkplay? 5 how do you fix those kinds of injuries? 6 are those kind of injuries common?

𝔉𝔯𝔬𝔪 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔬𝔣𝔣𝔦𝔠𝔢 𝔬𝔣 𝔓𝔯𝔦𝔪𝔞𝔩 𝔖𝔱𝔢𝔴𝔞𝔯𝔡: ℜ𝔞𝔱𝔠𝔥𝔢𝔱

ℭ𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔯𝔞𝔩 ℑ𝔞𝔠𝔬𝔫 -

ℭ𝔶𝔟𝔢𝔯𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔫𝔦𝔞𝔫 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔫𝔠𝔦𝔩 ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔪𝔟𝔢𝔯𝔰 -

𝔊𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔫𝔞𝔫𝔠𝔢 𝔇𝔦𝔳𝔦𝔰𝔦𝔬𝔫 -

If the core of your questioning didn't revolve around Pax, I would have told you to go ask your caretaker about the details of merging. I may be a doctor, but I am not a pediatrician nor do I specialize in the more sensitive parts of the frame. However, in this instance I am willing to answer your queries. I will begin with a bit of an explanation of spark merging as a whole.

Spark merging is, in simple terms, exactly what it claims to be in the name. The spark is the power source that keeps the Cybertronian frame functioning, and it is tied so deeply to the rest of the frame that it often physically reacts to emotions an individual is experiencing, much like an engine would have varying levels of performability based on environment. If you are religious, then the spark is the essence of a Cybertronian and it dictates our emotions rather than the processor having control over such reactions. With all this said, the spark is highly sensitive and very delicate when exposed to another of its kind. Merging sparks can have many practical uses, but it is often used as a sign of trust largely because of how dangerous it can be if one is not careful. For this reason, some frame types are recommended to avoid merging with other specific frame types for both parties' safety. Too big a difference in size and frequency can cause pain for one or both parties. And frame size can also play a factor in potential danger since a larger frame will have larger clamps and hinges.

To keep it nice and simple, the clamps are what keep a pair locked together during merging so that nothing can possibly harm them from the outside during the delicate procedure that is a merge. There is a reason most try to remain within their frame range when picking partners. Clamps can break, sparks can go out of sync and cause severe damage, charge levels can be too high for a smaller frame and burn them out, and honestly the list goes on. Orion's injuries stemmed from incompatibility issues not just in spark, but also in frame.

Megatron is fraggin huge, and Orion, while not exactly small, is dwarfed by him in almost every regard. I don't care to know the details of Orion's dalliance in Kaon prior to the war, but eventually he came to me with several broken hinges and one torn clamp from his fling with Megatron. By Primus, I wished it stayed a fling. I did make attempts to use his injuries as a way to show him that continued interactions with Megatron of the variety he favored were damaging.

Of course, he didn't care for my concerns. I was punished severely once he found out about Orion's interactions with Megatron.

In short, his injuries were relatively minor and they absolutely were caused by Megatron. I've already listed several potential outcomes of poor interfacing, but some of the most common injuries are easy enough to fix. Broken hinges need to be pushed back into place and held there with medical grade cast tape that wears away naturally. Torn clamps are stitched closed and medically made inactive until they fully heal. Burnt out sensors and other internals may require surgery to fully address, but often it is enough to just slap the patient with boosters for a few deca-cycles. Dents and whatnot just require a quick pop out and buffing.

The more serious problems such as spark chamber cracks require surgery and bedrest, but such things are rare. Most of the time, foolish younglings keeping beat up in their efforts to have a good time recover quickly.

I hope that answers your questions.

𝔓𝔯𝔦𝔪𝔞𝔩 𝔖𝔱𝔢𝔴𝔞𝔯𝔡 - ℜ𝔞𝔱𝔠𝔥𝔢𝔱

#maccadam #transformers prime au #transformers #two sides to a coin au #transformers prime #orion pax #megatron #cybertronian culture #ratchet responds #tfp ratchet #ratchet #pre war cybertron

[flipping-the-coin]

[Inquisitorial Report: Subject - Head Archivist Orion Pax]

[Authorization Level: Prime]

[Listed Authorizations: Optimus Prime]

[Assigned Inquisitor: Jazz]

[Seven deca-cycles into assignment]

Hooooooooooooooboy. Things certainly took a turn for the messed up after your return was announced. Orion Pax is NOT OKAY. He hasn't left his hab since the announcements went out on the news, and has spent each cycle working himself up into a near frenzy with paranoia and fear. Of YOU, Optimus. He’s scared of you.

He hasn't been to the Archives in many cycles, and has mostly been spending his time in berth, shaking like a slagging leaf in the wind. He's started having nightmares nearly every recharge cycle, most are severe in their presentation. Megatron even is struggling with the lack of proper recharge due to Orion’s disruptions. Several times in a recharge cycle he wakes Megatron either by screaming, thrashing or releasing some extreme field manipulations. It sometimes takes a joor or longer to calm him back down enough to attempt to recharge again.

He's also been having a difficult time keeping his field under control. Apparently this is why he has chosen to self-isolate in their hab. I heard him and Megatron discussing it this morning. Orion indicated that he feared he would unintentionally harm others if he were to leave. Judging by how ah….. Oppressive his positive emotions feel when he’s at home, I can only imagine how bad his negative ones must feel.

Megatron then contacted Ratchet to request some medications and an extension of medical leave. Sounds like the two argued a little, I'm not sure, but Megatron was angry enough for Orion to politely suggest he calm down.

Regardless, Orion Pax is terrified of you. I'm… trying not to take what Orion says to spark. I'm not going to lie to you, Optimus. I always had a hunch that you weren't… him. I don't know all the details of how you came to be and I don't blame you for your creation but its… It's hard to stay neutral after hearing the mech who was my best friend speak about how afraid he is. Of you.

Primus, Optimus… In his nightmares, you come to trap him and to kill Megatron. He’s petrified of you coming after Megatron. He sometimes rambles for joors about you fulfilling your duty and coming for them. I’m not… entirely sure what he means by being trapped. I can’t even pretend to fully understand the situation between you two during the war, but it sounds like it was a truly torturous experience for him, by how much he fears returning to that state.

I tried again to crack into his medical records to see if I could find any more answers on his thoughts regarding his time with you, but yeah, It was a no-go. Orion’s records are LOCKED DOWN. It's honestly… a little weird. Medical files aren’t usually secured so tightly. Maybe this is something to ask Ratchet about??

Anyway, he was working when the news of your return came through to him. I happened to be at just the right angle to see exactly what happened: Orion was at his work station assisting his archivists in processing data from the current news cycle when your announcement hit. As soon as he processed your voice he froze solid, and his optics cycled in a weird way, like he was in a dark room. He started to shake uncontrollably, so much so that I could hear his plating rattling even from where I was hiding.

One of the other archivists came up behind him and placed their servo on his shoulder, and that sent Orion into a frenzy. He tried to run, but he didn't seem to know where he was. He crashed into a wall and clawed at it like a mechanimal. I don’t think he was processing visual signals correctly. It was a mess; datapads everywhere, work stations overturned, broken shelving units... The archivists all scattered, one of them thought to comm Megatron. By the time he arrived, Orion had been locked in his work station for everyone's safety, and was on the floor in a near catatonic state. He didn't even address Megatron when he came in, nor did he seem to notice Megatron when he gathered him into his arms to soothe him. Megatron stayed with Orion in the Archives until it closed down for the cycle, singing to him and telling him that he was safe. Once all the other archivists had gone home, then he brought Orion out and carried him back to their hab. He couldn't get Orion to talk to him until the next morning, though.

Listen Optimus. I really don’t understand the deal between you two. I wasn’t there all the time. I have no idea how bad things were for each of you, but I do know that I have never seen Orion react to anything that way. I have never seen him that afraid. And it lingered, OP. He has been in a constant state of fear since that cycle, even with Megatron at his side. He jumps at every sound he hears, even when he’s in recharge. He seems to think that you and the guard are an imminent threat.

I’m not entirely sure what your intentions are with Orion, but my suggestion is that you do not attempt to approach him until his fears have been pacified, unless you wanna get bit. As usual, here's a journal entry.

_______

I am absolutely devastated. I am unsure if I can even properly describe all the emotions tumbling in my spark at the news I received this cycle. Megatronus and I were so diligent in filing all the appropriate forms to ensure I got the time off we needed for our trip to Kaon. All the slagging hoops they made us jump through…

I should have expected this. Every single step was nothing but spark wrenching setback after setback. It wasn’t enough for us to prove our bond personally, we had to fill out forms and documents that end up not accepting our cultural rites and refusing to acknowledge a bond forged in secrecy for fear of persecution.

Our bond was forged before these fragging forms were even written!! He and I were united in spark and frame millennia before most of those glitches were even forged! Why do they have so much power over which rites are deemed acceptable and which are not? They do not even have an appropriate option for the cultural rites of Vos!!

I was appalled when they tried to offer me forms to have an Iaconian rite performed for us. Our rites are SACRED. They cannot simply be overwritten by the new Iaconian standards and I know I was probably more emotional than required when I expressed my disgust at the notion. But I was then reassured that if I only wrote a letter to the board of registrations explaining our situation and reasons for refusing a new rite, that we would be able to register our bond this way. Another setback, as that was refused with no reasons given, although I suspect the reasoning was simply seeing “Megatron of Kaon” as one of the parties involved. Filing or registering anything with his designation attached is difficult.

After that I spoke with upper archival staff to see what I should do, and they suggested reaching out to Senator Blueflow personally, as he is the one who approves connubial leave requests. I had, thus far, known Blueflow to be a somewhat reasonable mech, so I was hopeful that that would be fruitful. But he merely directed me to the file the connubial request forms even though I had already explained to him that Megatronus and I were currently unregistered.

Rejected. Another letter sent. This time with many archivists writing testimonials affirming that our bond is obvious, active and healthy. Only to be rejected again. I do not qualify as our bond, despite being millennia strong, does not meet the requirements. I should have expected it. I should have known. But it hurts.

I have worked so hard… I never took a cycle off. I came in when I was not required when asked. I performed beyond my designated shifts in the hopes that this one request would be granted; so that Megatronus and I may go home and reforge our rites in the very place we forged them originally. It is sacred to us… Why can’t they understand that?? Why do they not see the obvious pain in my spark at being denied the right to properly reforge an old and yearning bond?

It’s not fair. I understand that they hate him, but why is that enough to deny us the same benefits and rights that all the others are entitled to?

#two sides to a coin au #transformers prime au #two sides supplemental writing #two sides supplemental jazz #two sides supplemental inquisitorial report

[flipping-the-coin]

[Patient Report: OP-7845-91653]

[Authorization Requirement: Alpha]

[Document Status: Sensitive - 94% preserved]

[Listed Authorized Individuals: Primal Steward Ratchet]

[Overseeing Medical Personnel: - Primary Physician: CMO Ratchet - Secondary Assistant: First Aid]

[Session: #004]

═════════════════

Orion was a decent enough patient this session. No serious deviations from what I’ve recorded. Through medication he has begun to return to awareness without any serious side effects. He’s still very unstable, but he is improving bit by bit. He hit me with his field again when I got too close, but that is to be expected. He's still very sensitive to anything and everything. 

Megatron loomed over me as usual. He tried incredibly hard to get a rise out of me, but unfortunately for him, I was wise enough to take a low dose of sedatives before arriving. They kept me calm at the cost of awareness. I worked in a daze, but it wasn’t as if I needed to be on my best behavior when Orion was too unsettled to even let me closer than a foot away without Megatron holding him. Orion may need to be issued ration tickets for the time being. He’s too thin and Megatron is exhausted caring for him. To my knowledge, Orion should have a sizable inheritance. As soon as he is aware enough to come and claim it, I will give it to him and he won’t need to live the way he does.

It is the least I can do. He’s entitled to his inheritance, and with Alpha Trion currently MIA, there is no point leaving a bunch of shanix and assets to rot in a vault. The banks are nearly open again. I might be able to pull some strings and give Orion access prior to his registry as a citizen, but I can’t get Megatron access when their conjunxing is unconfirmed. Slagging policies. I’m sure Megatron blames me for a lot of the issues we are dealing with globally. Primus, I wish I could show him just how chaotic things are. No matter how hard I try, files fly under my radar and sneak past the correct authorities and worm their way into legalization. I’m just one mech. I can’t do everything.

Sometimes I detest the fact that Optimus left this role for me in his will. But I know he wasn’t in his right mind at the time. It wasn’t like he trusted many of us anyway. 

Orion muttered strange things. Lots of pleas to be released and all sorts of nonsense about Bumblebee being ‘their’ sparkling. I don’t give a frag about a lot of it. The arrogance is startling. Still, I got some information from him through a few pointed questions. Megatron almost punched me for it, but I asked about Optimus again. I got a scrambled answer and a field attack in response.

I don’t have all the pieces to this puzzle, but I am beginning to put things together. I know that Orion and Optimus shared a frame throughout the war due to the Matrix. I know that the Matrix seemed to have… made Optimus. I have no clue what process allowed that to happen, but that’s what I’ve gathered. Orion was locked within the Matrix throughout Optimus’s functioning, which explains why he is the way he is. They appeared to have been able to communicate, but based on what Orion has muttered, there was a severe miscommunication issue or Orion is delusional.

The way he talks about Optimus… you would think my Prime was murdering sparklings in their cradles. War did lead him to have to make some tough calls, but everyone suffered during the conflict. Orion isn’t special in that regard. The Primus forsaken slagger really seems willing to die on the hill of Optimus being the worst thing since the Quints. 

Frag him.

I gave Orion a new dose of sedatives and left before I could get hit again. Orion Pax makes me angry. Far more than I care to admit. He was my friend. My closest companion before the war. But… I didn’t choose for it to be that way. Maybe my old fears are re-emerging. Having Optimus around made it impossible for me to think about my past. The circumstances of mine and Orion’s association were irrelevant. I didn’t want to be there and I would have been punished if Orion deviated, but I like to think we took comfort in one another.

Then he just had to fall for that mongrel Gladiator. I really shouldn’t have helped by giving him the train ticket to Kaon, but he was just so very broken. He had something he finally loved and I didn’t have the spark to deny him. I was trapped in the constraints of my deal, but he could enjoy himself a bit if I covered for him. 

So many vorns later… that decision still haunts me. I should have stopped him. I should have refused to let him go to Kaon. My biggest fear at the time was that Alph- my sponsor, was going to kill me. Who could have imagined that the end of our entire civilization would have come about instead. I was worried about vanishing mysteriously when I should have really been paying more attention. I don’t like to think about all the times I considered going to Alpha Trion. It brings back bad memories. The war made it all seem so small.

Slag, I honestly believed I was trying to court my best friend. 

I still haven’t processed that fact. How am I supposed to process that? I firmly believed that Optimus was just Orion given a new form. I thought I knew him. But now that I am Orion’s doctor and now that Optimus is gone-

I don’t think I knew either of them.

It doesn't matter anymore. I’m old and memories are difficult for me at times. I don’t want to think about any of it. I have more important things to do. I can’t allow myself to lose control. I can’t be angry with Orion. I need to stay composed. Once I put the pieces of this messed up story together, then I can decide how best to act. I don’t have enough information.

Patience. That was Optimus’s best trait. I just need to emulate him.

So long as I am patient, I will get through this. I can get the frag out of being Orion’s doctor as soon as the clinics are operational. I can get away from all of this. These slagging memories that I don’t want to recall.

═════════════════

[Assistant First Aid Report:

Everything was delivered without issue! I managed to come inside and clean up a little bit for Mr. Pax, which was nice. I got everything all picked up and I even managed to give Mr. Megatron a care package without seeming rude. At least, I hope it wasn’t rude. 

However I think there is something that should come to your attention, Doctor. I think your pill dosage was a little high this time. I know mistakes happen so please don’t take offense! I was just looking at the pill case and noted a few too many in there to be healthy. I don’t think it would have killed Mr. Pax thankfully. But it would have been very painful for him. Luckily for all of us, I removed the excess pills before anything could go wrong.

I just thought you would like to know. You have some serious jitters sometimes, so if you would like, I can count out pills when you need it, Doctor.]

#maccadam #transformers prime au #transformers #two sides to a coin au #transformers prime #orion pax #two sides supplemental writing #megaop #megatron #post war cybertron #tfp ratchet #ratchet patient reports

[flipping-the-coin]

[Inquisitorial Report: Subject - Megatron of Kaon]

[Authorization Level: Alpha (Elite Guard Selective)]

[Listed Authorizations: Head Elite Guardsmech Smokescreen]

[Assigned Inquisitor: Hush]

[15 Vorns after Cybertron’s Restoration - One Vorn into assignment]

═════════════════

Hush here with another report. As usual, it's been a pretty tame stellar cycle. Megatron really doesn’t do much, Smokescreen. I’m not joking. I thought he was terrifying at first, and don’t mischaracterize me when I say he still is absolutely terrifying, but if you know how to deal with him, it isn’t all that bad. He’s been doing a lot of writing recently, but that’s about it. He wrote a rather well done piece on Orion Pax’s dancing. I didn’t think I was one for romantics, but even I can admit it was a wonderful little thing. It was so sweet and well thought out. I think Orion will like it when he reads it. I plan to go find some nice solarite blooms for Megatron to give to Orion alongside the poem he’s composed. It will be a lovely accent piece to really add to the feeling of the gift.

There really isn’t a lot about Megatron to discuss, but since I would like to meet glyph count and have something to do other than knit another three stuffed turbo foxes, I’m going to tell you more about what’s been going on. Hope you don’t mind Head Guardsmech, but I’m really quite bored and this is a nice way to get my thoughts recorded for when I inevitably have my memory wiped and I need a refresher on handling my targets.

So you know I made up a company, right? Of course you do, I put it in my last report. Anyway, I put on my disguise, changed my paint, and swapped out my visor for a gold one before going to meet Orion as my new persona, Melody. I double-checked that everything looked good and covered up the wings of my badge. Then, once it was a good way through the morning, I walked up and rang the doorbell with my bag of gardening tools. You have no idea how long I spent frantically learning about gardening. I read everything I could get my servos on and I even went to train under a florist for a few deca-cycles. I had Carnage go out and look for plants for me as well. Did you know that the ruins of Crystal City are filled with plants thought extinct? I mean the city has been on fire since the Quints blew up Vector Omega, but the fires aren’t as bad now, so I could feasibly go fetch some plants.

Right, back on topic. I made sure my disguise was perfect and then rang the bell. I made sure Megatron would be out at the time just so that in case things went south I would be able to book it without being murdered. Orion’s field is nasty, but it won’t outright kill a mech, at least not based on what I’ve seen. If the Primal Steward and Megatron can walk it off, I am sure I can handle it too. That said, Orion answered the door pretty quickly and seemed genuinely surprised to see anyone there at all. I smiled as nicely as I was able, and our interaction went something like this:

“Hello! I’m Melody from Melody Photographics and Landscaping! Would you happen to be Orion Pax?” 

Orion was really shocked when I introduced myself. He hesitated a lot at the door but replied soon enough.

“Yes, I am Head Archivist Pax. What can I do for you?”

 I think he was expecting me to demand money or something with how he was giving me a look. Maybe he thought Megatron hadn’t paid dear Melody for the pictures. He wouldn’t have been wrong if he had thought that. Megatron hasn’t paid me for scrap, but at this point, I do what I do because I’m bored, so I guess it doesn’t matter.

“I was hired to tend to your garden and the exterior of your hab. Would it be possible for me to step in so we can discuss what you would like to get from this arrangement? I can begin work as soon as I know the budget I will have available and what you would like to see your garden become.”

Again, he looked like someone had come and slapped him upside the helm with a brick. Honestly, I can see why Megatron is fond of Orion’s optics. They are very expressive when he’s running through lots of emotions. He invited me in pretty quickly, and we ended up sitting down to discuss plans over tea. Orion makes killer tea by the way. I don’t think I’ve had tea since I got put in this post of mine, so his tea was extra nice. Did you know he likes his tea with loose crystals? I didn’t but now I do. 

We chatted for a bit and he asked all about how I got my job and who hired me. I told him Megatron hired me to take care of the place since my photographs turned out well and he liked my work. I also let him know that I do have a feline named Carnage who stays with me to assist me with my visual impairment. That one I came up with on the spot when I accidentally slipped up about my visor. See, the one I was wearing wasn’t actually a medically enhanced one, it was just protective. I think he might have been worried I was hiding something, either that or he was just curious. Whatever the case, I panicked a bit and took off my visor to show him why I have it.

I might have scared him, but I don’t think so. It’s really hard to tell with Orion. Sometimes he’s as clear as crystal, and other times he’s impossible to read. He just looked at my mutated optics, asked if they were painful, and then made an understanding noise. It was… relieving to have somebody look at my face and not be disguised. Megatron is going to have a field day when he finds out that his nickname of 'spider’ for me is far more accurate than he originally assumed. I know what I look like. I know that it’s because of my optics that I was made into an Inquisitor.

Sorry, it’s just nice to not be immediately gagged at. Following my reveal, Orion asked about Carnage, to which I just stated that Carnage comes and goes but doesn’t cause trouble. Then, once he seemed confident in my genuine interest in gardening, he grabbed some datapads, floor plans, schematics, designs, and so much more that I didn’t even know he had. By the time he had everything laid out, his entire kitchen table was covered in documents detailing his property and how he would like his garden to look. It was honestly super fun working with him to design the layout of the garden. We spent all cycle debating what would look best where.

I’ll tell you what, though: Orion Pax is rich. Megatron never spends much shanix, so I haven’t actually seen the sheer amount of cash these two monsters have in their accounts. But when I asked how much I could spend and made it clear I was happy to purchase whatever was missing, Orion outright shut that idea down. He shook his helm and went over the expenses for the garden, which I will have you know are absolutely astronomical considering what Orion wants. This is what he told me:

“Melody, you look like you haven’t fueled properly in vorns. I am not going to have you take shanix out of your hard earned salary to pay for my garden. I have a substantial inheritance to my name, and even with all these expenses, I will still hardly scratch the surface of those funds.”

He showed me his account, Smokescreen. He’s got more shanix than some senators have at this point! He’s disgustingly wealthy, and I did, in fact, choke a bit when I read his account balance. Orion is related to Alpha Trion, right? Well, that fragger must have been swimming in funds because Orion looks like some sort of foreign prince with how much shanix he has just sitting around. He told me a good chunk of his inheritance was made null and void with the shift in economics and the new currency system, but that much of it still held strong because many of his assets are in relics, property, and documents.

It was wild. I ended up handing Megatron a copy of the amount of shanix in his and Orion’s accounts a few cycles later, and he did an actual spittake at the number. I can’t blame him. Even deca-cycles after the matter, I still find myself recalling just how much cash my targets have to their names. I haven’t seen that much money anywhere, much less in one place at the same time. 

Back on the subject of the garden. Orion made his plans, and I’ve been spending the past couple of deca-cyles hunting down things he wants. Orion has been helping too, and so far we meet once a deca-cycle to go over plans again. I’ve already begun clearing out the garden of all the random plant growth already there. The dirt is all sifted and energon shards have been distributed to fertilize it all. I got some bots to bring over the trees Orion ordered and I managed to convince Megatron to help me hold them up while I got the holes prepared. Currently, there is one huge techtite tree that shot up like a vining holoshade and two smaller trees from Crystal City that I grabbed. I don’t actually know what they are, and neither does Orion. We are both looking into it, but they are pretty so they are allowed to just kinda hang there.

I spent a cycle with Orion laying down walkways too. That was fun. We talked about all sorts of plants and had lunch on the deck after spending the morning laying down eco friendly path pieces. We got into an argument over a bench we were putting together for the garden, but that argument resolved itself when Megatron came out and showed us that we were both reading the manual wrong. We put one screw in the wrong place, and the whole thing looked like a fragged up mess.

I got laughed at and Orion got kisses. I may or may not have been rather bitter about that. But we got the bench finished and got seeds for some copper growths spread around. I expect them to grow in alongside the newest plants we have shipping in rather quickly. Oh, we also got a nice tea table put under the techtite tree. We’ve had lunch there once a deca-cycle ever since. First Aid even came by once and got to fuel with us! He’s really nice. I really enjoy First Aid’s company. He knows a great deal and is very caring. He took one look at my optics and prescribed me some medication I don’t know.

I’ve been taking it for a while now and I must say, while it hasn’t fixed my life’s problems or the sensitivity of my optics, I can now withstand a little more dust before my optics get all agitated. 

As a side note, Carnage has been sleeping on top of my cockpit for a while now, and just the other cycle I decided to open it up because he kept pawing at it. He jumped right in and refused to hop out. He hasn’t emerged in cycles, but he doesn’t seem to be very concerned. I can feel him in there and it’s actually pretty comforting. Is that normal? I mean, I know that some of the big fliers will let others ride in their cockpits, but are they supposed to have to fuel more afterwards?

That’s all I’ve got for now. I will keep you updated, as usual. 

═════════════════

[Report Received: Visibility Status - Seen]

[Note from Head Elite Guardsman Smokescreen: Hush for Primus’s sake, you are getting far too comfortable in your role. I can’t exactly stop you now, but please, be careful before giving away your weaknesses. As for your question? I am afraid I don’t have the answer. Very little is known about yours and others frame types. A lot of information was lost during the war. So unless you are in pain, I wouldn’t worry about it.]

#maccadam #transformers prime au #transformers #two sides to a coin au #transformers prime #orion pax #megaop #megatron #two sides supplemental writing #cybertronian culture #hush reports

[flipping-the-coin]

[Inquisitorial Report: Subject - Megatron of Kaon]

[Authorization Level: Alpha (Elite Guard Selective)]

[Listed Authorizations: Head Elite Guardsmech Smokescreen]

[Assigned Inquisitor: Hush]

[15 Vorns after Cybertron’s Restoration - Ten Stellar-cycles into assignment]

═════════════════

It has been a quiet three stellar cycles, at least by Megatron and Orion standards. Megatron and Orion did some traveling around lower Iacon and spent time at the shops to celebrate their conjunxing anniversary. They were disgustingly romantic as always and got some iced energon which they shared with comically small spoons. They also danced under the light of Luna 1 on the roof and shared a few kisses. I got a few pictures of their whole date because it was, admittedly, rather cute. I left them on the table for Megatron to review. He actually smiled when he saw the pictures I took. I went to great lengths to get excellent images of Orion. Megatron isn’t the greatest photographer and the last one that was hired to take some anniversary pictures for my targets fled the scene a moment after arriving. 

Orion was so fragging sad after he failed to get anyone willing to take pictures. So honestly I am just happy I could help. Orion is a good mech deep down. I didn’t think so when I first got here, but then again, I didn’t think Megatron was capable of love either. I don’t believe that anymore. I’ve been here almost a full vorn and I have seen more than I would have liked to. But through those experiences, I can safely say that their affection is genuine. Orion’s name has been slandered for no real reason and Megatron, while formerly a mech worthy of being jailed, is no longer who he once was. I can’t look at wartime pictures of Megatron and see the same mech who sits hunched over at his desk in the afternoon to write poetry. 

Don’t worry, I left a note with the pictures. I forged a document that stated I was a photographer from a company I made up which I have named ‘Melody Photographics & Landscaping’. Megatron grinned and smiled up at my vent when he saw it. I think he appreciates my efforts. I know Orion certainly did. When he got the pictures he was ecstatic and gushed at Megatron for a half groon about how lovely the photos came out. Of course then he praised Megatron for a long while for being able to find a photographer and for surprising him with pictures after their anniversary. But I am just happy to see them happy. It’s kind of strange, but after being here so long, their joy has begun to infect me.

I know that protocol dictates that I am meant to get my memory files uploaded and then wiped, but I would like to keep these ones, at least until my mission is complete. Sure I’ve seen some things, but I’m happy with that. There are enough good memories to drown out the scary ones.

On another note, ‘Melody Photographics & Landscaping’ has now been ‘hired’ by Megatron to work around the outside of the hab. I forged all the documentation so don’t stress about it, Head Guardsmech. I’ve got some new paint lined up and I plan to begin working in the garden and fixing up the exterior of the hab going forward. Orion is affiliated with the Prime after all. His reputation is tied to our Lord Prime’s. It’s only right that I help fix everything up. I already have a bunch of building material purchased and ready to go. I will begin work once I introduce myself under my alias and get information about what Orion would like the exterior of the hab to look like.

I know it is risky, but I plan to use this alias business of mine to assist Megatron and Orion going forward. I know I am not supposed to be too involved, but I am tired of sitting around. Besides, the sheer level of disrespect thrown at my targets is ridiculous. Few mecha are willing to serve them in public establishments! So if no one else will do it, I will. And before you tell me it's foolish, I have logical reasons behind the choice as well, at least aside from saving our Prime’s reputation. If I am the one supplying them with services, then I will know exactly what they are doing and I will be able to give better reports. With that said, I could use some additional funding going forward. Not much mind you, just enough to buy some tools and more paint. 

Oh, and before I forget, Carnage has begun staying with me more often! He comes back far more frequently now and he loves to recharge directly on my chassis. I am not sure why exactly, but I assume it's because a cyber-feline’s hearing is better than my own and he enjoys the sound of my spark. I don’t actually know if he’s a he, but it felt weird to not have some sort of designator for him. I didn’t want to keep calling him an it after he spent so many long nights curled up at my side when I was lonely. 

Actually, Carnage has shown me a few interesting things about the hab and the surrounding area. Firstly, there are a few exotic crystals nearby that the records list as being extinct. I have already excavated them and am cultivating them quietly so that they can be put in Orion’s garden once I get permission to get working. Carnage also showed me a store that had a new visor that I may or may not have bought. Sorry, but the one issued by the guard really just didn’t meet my needs. My optics are… incredibly sensitive to anything and everything. Boredom wasn’t the only thing that led me to clean Megatron’s hab obsessively. 

Dust hurts. At least now with my new visor, it doesn’t burn as much. I can see without as much suffering on my end. 

 Lastly, there are tunnel systems, not the ones for the Primes mind you, running beneath a good chunk of Iacon. I think they were sewers connected to the old factory districts from before the war. Most have collapsed, but a few are still in decent enough repair to traverse. One of these tunnels leads directly to that engraver’s house. I’ve found a whole stash of illegal drugs down there. I fully plan to examine that engraver further once I have a free moment. This is getting ridiculous and I refuse to put Orion and Megatron at risk of catching something from fumes. 

I read in one of the archive’s files that creating drugs like circuit breakers makes nasty fumes that can make mecha seriously ill. I don’t know if that’s what the engraver is doing or if he’s just a distributor, but I would like a warrant to begin looking into him as well. For all we know, he could be affiliated with some underground network. I think it was Megatron who said it, but in his words, “The black market is always open for business.”

Oh, and before I forget, I think you will be happy to know that Orion Pax has stopped freezing up terribly at depictions of the Prime. He doesn’t need to shield his optics from the billboards anymore. This is huge progress! Although I must admit I agree with Megatron when it comes to those things. They are gross . Our Prime just looks wrong on them. Who allowed the senate to purchase rights to our Prime’s image? I don’t want to point digits at the Primal Steward or the Council, but I think you should look into that because it’s not only disrespectful, but really fragging uncomfortable to look at considering Optimus Prime is a holy figure. 

I saw one billboard just the other cycle with our Prime’s image smiling alongside one of his quotes while holding up a cube of energon. It was an energon advertisement. For Primus’s sake, our Prime hasn’t even been dead twenty vorns and he’s already being used to prop up businesses. Can we at least remove the ones around lower Iacon? It’s not like anything will get sold down here anyway. Megatron agrees with me on this front. 

No I don’t talk to him directly, but I have made a few noises while he was discussing the billboards by himself. He took that to be a sign of my agreement and honestly, he wasn’t wrong to make that assumption. Megatron wrote a whole article on how disrespectful and wasteful it is to have Optimus Prime literally everywhere across Iacon. How many memorials does he need? He’s holy, yes. I will fully and gladly acknowledge that. But he isn’t some prop to be piloted. Please, look into the situation. I implore you, Head Guardsmech.

That’s all I have to report on for now. Megatron left some more pre war documents out for me, so if you don’t mind, I’ve got some reading to do. I am halfway through a selection of Ascenticon legislation proposals. 

═════════════════

[Report Received: Visibility Status - Seen]

[Note from Head Elite Guardsmech Smokescreen: Hush, are you serious? You are far beyond mere spying now. If you were anyone else, I would have pulled you back and had you sent to a Chaplain. However, considering Megatron has tolerated you so far and even seems to appreciate you, I will leave you be. Just, be careful. He’s unpredictable.]

#maccadam #transformers prime au #transformers #two sides to a coin au #transformers prime #orion pax #megaop #megatron #two sides supplemental writing #hush reports #post war cybertron #cybertronian culture

[flipping-the-coin]

A little quiz for Two Sides because why not.

#maccadam #transformers prime au #transformers #two sides to a coin au #transformers prime #personality quiz

[flipping-the-coin]

𝙳𝚘𝚌𝚝𝚘𝚛 𝙵𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝 𝙰𝚒𝚍 could you please tell us maybe about the syth-en, if you know anything about it of course.

𝙸𝚊𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚒𝚊𝚗 𝙼𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚌𝚊𝚕 𝚆𝚒𝚗𝚐-

𝚃𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚜𝚖𝚒𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚂𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛: 𝙳𝚘𝚌. 𝙵𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝 𝙰𝚒𝚍

𝚃𝚛𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚂𝚚𝚞𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝙲𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚌-

━━▲━━

I am not the most well informed on the subject of synthetic energon, but I will gladly disclose what I know!

There have been attempts throughout history to create a substitute for energon. The old Council of Cybertron made many rather unethical attempts through experimentation with various compounds on criminals. All that came from those experiments were several highly addictive performance enhancing drugs like 'circuit breakers' and 'The touch of Primus'. Both drugs made the user feel invincible and removed their ability to control how much force they exerted in even simple activities. But aside from drugs, the Council never got anywhere with the formula.

It was only through Doctor Ratchet's efforts that gave us the base formula for Synthetic energon. I do not know all the details since I was not on Earth during the production of the formula. The process by which he created the original compound is also not written anywhere. Whatever he did, Doctor Ratchet is the only living mech with a full formula of the original synthetic energon compound. He kept very poor documentation on Earth, but what records we do have indicate that his synthetic energon has a few supposed benefits.

Heightened physical capabilities

Heightened senses

Increased cognitive function

Increased self esteem

Increased immune and internal system functionality

It sounds like a super fuel above all else, and the lack of study into the potential side effects only confirm that the original synthetic energon formula is unstable. While it is still possible to have it turned into a proper energon substitute, it highly dangerous in the form it took on Earth. Doctor Ratchet didn't have it in his systems long enough for any true backlash to settle in. Adding to that, the synthetic energon was drained from him rather than running its normal course in his frame. For all we know, he could have experienced no side effects if allowed to function normally. But we cannot know that when all of his aches and pains could have been pinned onto the injuries he sustained that led to the synthetic energon being drained in the first place.

The Decepticons did end up obtaining the formula, but to my knowledge, they have failed to perfect it. No one has managed to truly create a substitute to energon. Currently the substitute the Decepticons have managed to create serves to prolong the time between each needed refueling. It essentially increases the power of the already present energon within a bot, serving as a multiplier for the nutritional value. It doesn't replace energon, but it helps the frame use what energon it has more efficently.

I am afraid I do not know the name of this compound. I have only witnessed it amongst those who work near the starports. I suspect Knockout might be the only living distributer of the drug, especially since it seems to boost confidence and have an addictive quality.

I hope that answers your question! I apologize for not having access to more data!

━━▲━━

𝙳𝚘𝚌𝚝𝚘𝚛 𝙵𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝 𝙰𝚒𝚍

#maccadam #transformers prime au #transformers #two sides to a coin au #transformers prime #cybertronian culture #synthetic energon #first aid #first aid writes

[flipping-the-coin]

Whats ur top 3 biggest regrets from before u died, Optimus?

[[TRANSMISSION RECEIVED: SUBJECT = QUERY…. SCANNING…. 45% THREAT LEVEL DELTA = NEGATIVE: CENSORING NOT REQUIRED = CATAGORIZATION: REROUTING…. SECONDARY SCANS COMPLETE: TRANSMISSION = 81% WITHIN PARAMETERES]]

[[TRANMISSION FORWARDED…. RECEIVED = SEEN]]

[[//RESPONSE IN PROGRESS… RESPONSE COMPLETE: TRANSMISSION SENT//]]

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I have a great many regrets. So many that I doubt I could ever vocalize, much less write them all down even if I had the next four million vorns to do so. The war... is now a delicate subject for myself and many others. We may jest and make fun of the situation now that it has come to a close, but the wounds remain. Many of us carry scars that can neither be spoken aloud or shared. I may show nothing but strength to those under me, but I did not have my woes washed away with my rebirth.

My most wide regret is simply that I was unable to save more of our kind during the war. So many instances where I could have chosen a gentler option, all passed by because I feared the potential outcome. Cities shelled until they were nothing but rubble in the hope that it would slow the enemy down. Energon deposits poisoned and destroyed to harm both friend and foe in a self destructive act of rebellion. The screams of the innocent as they were destroyed in the crossfire, all written off as necessary sacrifices. There was no victory to be found. In the end it was all so very meaningless. I didn't think so at the time, and deep down I do believe that fighting was our only option. We would have been destroyed otherwise, Megatron would have killed me and my host and there would have been nothing left when he was through. Still, we fought because it was all we knew. We fought because...

We were told to.

My second regret is far more selfish. I doubt any other would understand me except Orion Pax himself. But I regret allowing Megatron to be killed. I know there was little I could have done considering it was Bumblebee who wielded the blade and I was mad with rage and loss. However, I wish it had not happened. I wish Megatron had lived for one simple reason.

Orion Pax made it hurt. Every moment of every cycle after that event felt as though my spark were being torn in two and both forced to endure the heat of a plasma pool as well as the chill of the arctic at the same time. It was too loud and yet so very lonely. It was red hot and yet frigid at all times. I could find no piece as every part of my frame shivered and was assaulted in waves of agony that I eventually was unable to discern whether they came from me or my host. Our emotions mixed so deeply during those cycles that I cannot remember much at all. All I know what that Smokescreen tended to me in between my deliriums and that never before had I endured torment as great as what I was being put through. I cannot even begin to properly explain how much I wanted it all to end, if only so that it would stop.

Yes, if there was a way, I would have liked to have kept Megatron alive. The agony I endured on a daily basis was nothing compared to what me and my host went through after Megatron's death.

As for my final regret... you might assume it was that I never had the chance to be with my beloved throughout the long vorns of strife. But no. That is not what I regret most amidst everything here. I am ashamed to admit it, but I never questioned my history. I never asked about Orion Pax. If I had done that, if I had asked anyone, things could have been different. Ratchet would have told me of Orion's relationships, Jazz could have told me about his ties to Alpha Trion. By Primus if I had just gone to examine Orion's hab and read through his journal or something of the like, we could have gotten along. We could have avoided war altogether.

We could have been happy. I could have gotten to know my host without pain and we could have eventually separated somehow. Or barring that, we could have at least come to an agreement. Things would have been better if I had just questioned something, anything.

One question was all it would have taken.

And that is where I failed in my design.

═════════════════

[[TRANSMISSION SENDER = OPTIMUS PRIME = PRIME OF CYBERTRON: LEADER OF THE AUTOBOTS: PRIMUS’S ANGEL: SAVIOR OF CYBERTRON: LOREKEEPER: SIRE]]

[[TRANSMISSION END]]

#maccadam #transformers prime au #transformers #two sides to a coin au #transformers prime #orion pax #optimus prime #optimus responds #tfp optimus

[flipping-the-coin]

For Ratchet. Whats is your favorite and least favorites things about Orion Pax?

𝔉𝔯𝔬𝔪 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔬𝔣𝔣𝔦𝔠𝔢 𝔬𝔣 𝔓𝔯𝔦𝔪𝔞𝔩 𝔖𝔱𝔢𝔴𝔞𝔯𝔡: ℜ𝔞𝔱𝔠𝔥𝔢𝔱

ℭ𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔯𝔞𝔩 ℑ𝔞𝔠𝔬𝔫 -

ℭ𝔶𝔟𝔢𝔯𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔫𝔦𝔞𝔫 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔫𝔠𝔦𝔩 ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔪𝔟𝔢𝔯𝔰 -

𝔊𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔫𝔞𝔫𝔠𝔢 𝔇𝔦𝔳𝔦𝔰𝔦𝔬𝔫 -

My least and most favored trait of Orion is quite simple.

He's alive.

𝔓𝔯𝔦𝔪𝔞𝔩 𝔖𝔱𝔢𝔴𝔞𝔯𝔡 - ℜ𝔞𝔱𝔠𝔥𝔢𝔱

#maccadam #transformers prime au #transformers #two sides to a coin au #transformers prime #orion pax #ratchet responds #tfp ratchet #alternate universe

[flipping-the-coin]

Hush; whats the best and worst parts about living in megatrons walls?

ℰ𝓁𝒾𝓉ℯ 𝒢𝓊𝒶𝓇𝒹𝓈𝓂ℯ𝒸𝒽: 𝒜ℊℯ𝓃𝓉 ℋ𝓊𝓈𝒽

◇─◇──◇─◇

I'm not quite sure how you managed to get this question to me, but I'm pinning the blame on Megatron. Whatever the case, it's not a problem. I've got nothing better to do stuck up here all the time.

Let me start off by saying that there is a LOT I could ramble about here. There are plenty of great things about being the unwanted roomie, and for that same reason, there are more than a few negatives when it comes to this whole arrangement. Some of the worst parts of this whole situation include everything listed below.

Its boring as slag here. Megatron never does anything of interest, and then on the odd chance that he does, it's always for Orion and so its sappy as frag.

The funds the guard gives me are just not enough to make do. Not to be ungrateful, but I have Carnage and my two other pets to take care of. I never told Paradox about them, but well, I didn't think it was important until I started going hungry.

It gets really cold up here in the walls sometimes, usually during the rainy season. Megatron has a space heater since the sound of the actual heater that was built into the hab makes Orion twitchy. But that space heater doesn't work through walls.

Megatron and Orion interface all. the. time. I don't think I need to say much more aside from stating that I tend to take a walk when they do their thing.

Orion organizes his stuff WRONG. Nothing is put into any sort of decipherable organizational order and it drives me mad. I've tried fixing it, but then Orion gets mad at Megatron and Megatron in turn gets mad at me. So I just have to deal with it.

The whole hab is decorated in a very debatable manner, but I can mostly deal with it... except when it comes to Orion's stupid RUG. The thing is neon yellow with black stripes to make it look like miner marks. It's hideous and clashes with every other piece of furniture, but Orion loves it. Megatron tolerates it.

I've had to stop attempted murders about... twelve times now? Four where from Ratchet putting too many pills in Orion's meds, not sure if it was an accident or not. Two were from Ratchet again, but in a more physical sense. The rest where just mechs with vendettas trying to screw Megatron over in subtle ways. They suck at it by the way. Poisoning energon stopped being effective two stellar cycles into the great war.

That's about the worst of it I think. As for the good things? Let me list those in similar fashion real quick.

Megatron gives me stuff to read. It's REALLY boring up here, so every now and then he throws me a bone so to speak and offers me reading material. Pretty sure its mostly illegal, but it's something to do.

Megatron also lets me proofread his writing and edit sometimes. With no one else in the hab more often than not, I suspect he enjoys knowing someone is listening when he spends groons reading poetry. It's a nice distractor once you get used to the romantic nature of his work.

Every now and then Megatron makes me something absolutely delicious to eat. It's usually after I do him a favor, but by the Thirteen, he makes amazing pastries. I am willing to jump through hoops to get some of his cooking.

I got annoyed with Orion's garden situation so I took up the role of gardener with a disguise in place. Now once every two deca-cycles I get to have tea with him and First Aid. It's a blast.

I got to blanket as a gift from Orion once while I was using my alias. I adore that blanket.

Yeah I think that's the most notable stuff. The cons kinda outway the pros, but it is what it is. I'm happy enough I suppose. I've got my pets and I've got my little spot in the walls.

It's fine.

#maccadam #transformers prime au #transformers #two sides to a coin au #transformers prime #two sides supplemental writing #megaop #orion pax #megatron #hush reports #transformers oc

[flipping-the-coin]

Ratchet what did orion do to make u hate him so much? Wernt you freinds b4 the war?

𝔉𝔯𝔬𝔪 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔬𝔣𝔣𝔦𝔠𝔢 𝔬𝔣 𝔓𝔯𝔦𝔪𝔞𝔩 𝔖𝔱𝔢𝔴𝔞𝔯𝔡: ℜ𝔞𝔱𝔠𝔥𝔢𝔱

ℭ𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔯𝔞𝔩 ℑ𝔞𝔠𝔬𝔫 -

ℭ𝔶𝔟𝔢𝔯𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔫𝔦𝔞𝔫 ℭ𝔬𝔲𝔫𝔠𝔦𝔩 ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔪𝔟𝔢𝔯𝔰 -

𝔊𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔫𝔞𝔫𝔠𝔢 𝔇𝔦𝔳𝔦𝔰𝔦𝔬𝔫 -

Orion did not do any one thing to make me despise him. It is a collection of all he has done and the consequences of those actions, regardless of whether they were intended or not. I... did not hate him before the war. We were friends, at least insomuch as fellow prisoners sharing the same cell can be. He made my life a living torment, but I did not blame him for it. Not in the beginning. He didn't know. I still don't think he knows.

It is not exactly public knowledge, but Alpha Trion had his digits in many more ventures than one might suspect. I don't know the full extent of it, but I do know for a fact that he had several other mecha higher up the ladder killed so that I could rise to the station of CMO. Even that promotion was more of a curse than a blessing. I could have made it to CMO on my own, but I rose far faster than I was prepared to handle... and all because Alpha Trion wanted to punish me for plotting. Everyone congratulated me when I was promoted. They all thought it meant my hard work was bearing fruit. Primus, they were all wrong.

I thought Alpha Trion was going to kill me when I attempted to get Orion away from him and failed. That foolish archivist... Orion didn't understand when I asked him to flee with me. He couldn't see that he was a puppet just like me. If he had just listened when I asked him to come with me, we could have vanished into the night and gotten away from Alpha Trion. Then we could have gone our separate ways if he wanted, but I was trying to be a good friend. I was trying to get us both out of the web Alpha Trion wove. By the Allspark, I tried so fragging hard.

When he didn't follow me, I knew I had to go back. I couldn't leave him there to suffer alone. We may not have gotten along all the time, but at least when we were together, we could think about other things aside from our absolutely slagged circumstances. So I came back to Iacon. I gave up on my plan to escape and came back. The Master Archivist must have known I would come crawling back. He didn't kill me, no, he forced a promotion on me and effectively ensured that I would be too overworked to think so deeply.

I wasn't always this cranky. No matter how strange it might sound, I used to party once upon a time. I was known for being somewhat wild in my youth. You can ask Soundwave. He will corroborate my story on that front.

That wildness died when Alpha Trion began to communicate directly with me. Up until I was promoted to the station of Head Doctor at the Trion Square clinic he had only pulled strings behind the scenes. But at that point, he started to reach out to me. At first I saw it as my work being noticed by a mech of high standing. I was excited at the prospect of possibly getting a sponsor to fund my research into cures for the plagues threatening the lower levels. I should have known better than to jump at the chance to accept Alpha Trion's sponsorship, but at the time I was desperate for funding and trusted Alpha Trion's reputation of a reasonable mech.

Fragging idiotic assumption.

That was the real start of it all. I had been caught in his web since the moment I stepped into Iacon, but it was only then that I found myself being tasked with things I first found insignificant. Studies into frame alternations on Alpha Trion's request. Additional scholarships to pay for my education in other fields of medicine. Research on the physiology of developing mecha. Not to mention the many various lectures and camps Alpha Trion paid for me to attend that were focused around studying the relics of old to see if they had medicinal use.

He paid for everything. He made it look like I was just a lucky mech chosen from amongst thousands for my talent. A reward program in a sense. But I learned. Primus below I learned. He was involved in many aspects of my life. I have my suspicions, but I believe he singled me out long before I began interacting with Orion. I can't tell you exactly why he chose me, but he did. He gave me my Iaconian citizenship through an anonymous sponsorship program that Jazz informed me of vorns later. He got me my position serving under Doctor Burnout, and he made... unfortunate things happen whenever I deviated from the role he set me in. For a long time I thought that I just had the worse luck on Cybertron when after looking too deeply into family registers I would find myself overwhelmed with work for deca-cycles at a time.

When I looked too closely, I was punished. When I stayed in my station and studied harder, I was rewarded. For many long vorns it was not made obvious aside from the occasional comms from Alpha Trion requesting specific research or offering me the chance to attend a new seminar. However at some point perhaps a few hundred vorns after the death of Sentinel Prime, Alpha Trion outright ordered me to come to the Archives and speak with his apprentice. He wanted me to be tutor of a sort and to educate Orion on matters of the frame. I suppose the old cogger wasn't exactly fond of the idea of teaching interfacing Ed on his own.

I spent a few deca-cycles doing that, and I came to tolerate Orion. We didn't really get along, but we could at least be around one another. But then it got worse. Alpha Trion pushed me to keep coming back to the Archives even when my work was done. When I attempted to decline for one reason or another, my schedule would miraculously clear to make time for my visits to see Orion. Whenever I pulled a sick day to be by myself, Alpha Trion caught the lie the moment it escaped my derma, and that's when things got... rough for me.

He outright threatened me. I remember it clearly. He came to my office and he towered over me as he laid out all he'd done for me. He gestured to all I had and he threatened to take it all away. At first I laughed, but when my apprentice at the time was found dead a few cycles later, I took Alpha Trion FAR more seriously. It wasn't an innocent sponsorship anymore. I was caught in his web and I couldn't escape even if I wanted to... not without losing everything. It only became more obvious from there, that with the fragger then ordering me to keep Orion in line. I was given strict orders to ensure he remained in perfect health and that his mental state remained stable. Orion was not to deviate from his current behavioral patterns, and the moment he did, I was to inform Alpha Trion without hesitation.

That's when I knew we were both pawns. I saw Orion in that moment and I knew that he was just like me. I still had no clue WHY Alpha Trion cared so much for him or even why Orion was kept the way he was. But I know that it was a few vorns into our forced friendship that I decided to try and take Orion and run. That plan failed, as I have already stated.

From that point onward, whenever Orion did something out of line, it was not him who was punished. It was me. Do you have any idea how terrified I was whenever Alpha Trion called? My tendency to smoke didn't emerge from nowhere after Optimus's death. I was stressed to the pits and back with work and the ever looming threat of death. I thought that by keeping Orion busy, I could save my plating. I thought that by giving him that blasted ticket to Kaon that he would get it out of his system and things could return to a status quo.

It didn't. Every time he talked about Kaon and how much fun he had there, I thought I was going to go to my hab and promptly be killed. Nowhere was safe. I only felt somewhat secure when I was with Jazz and Orion since I knew for a fact that Alpha Trion wouldn't kill me when I was with them. That would be detrimental to Orion's mental state, and since the fragger cared for Orion so much, he probably wouldn't do that to him. I spent every single cycle fearing for my life. It only got worse when nothing happened. Orion was good at hiding his activities. And every single spark merging injury I fixed in Orion only made me fear for my life more.

I couldn't help but snap at Orion from time to time. He didn't understand when I told him to be careful. How could he? He didn't know he was a puppet until he talked to Megatron. By then he didn't see how tied up I was. I was just his old friend Ratchet. His best friend always there to take care of him.

Slagger didn't see how much I was hurting to protect him.

I was putting my life on the line by not telling Alpha Trion. I had everything hanging by a thread while Orion was off fragging his gladiator lover. Do you understand where the bitterness stems from? I didn't blame Orion in the beginning, but with everything that happened during the war? That foolish archivist, he made it so much worse. I wish he remained docile and calm. I wish he still had reason in his processors. Maybe then... maybe then things would have been better.

It wasn't his fault we were both subject to Alpha Trion. But he made it SO much worse. Him hurting my beloved and dragging out our war was only fuel on the fire.

𝔓𝔯𝔦𝔪𝔞𝔩 𝔖𝔱𝔢𝔴𝔞𝔯𝔡 - ℜ𝔞𝔱𝔠𝔥𝔢𝔱

#maccadam #transformers prime au #transformers #two sides to a coin au #transformers prime #orion pax #megaop #ratchet #ratchet responds #pre war cybertron

[flipping-the-coin]

What was Ratchet and Optimus's reunion like?

𝙁𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙎𝙢𝙤𝙠𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣, 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙀𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙂𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨𝙢𝙚𝙘𝙝. 

(𝙄 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬, 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙡𝙤𝙛𝙩𝙮 𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩? 𝙄 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙡𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙩.)

𝙏𝙤 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣.

▼△▼△▼△▼△▼

Hello questioner! I am sure you were probably hoping that Ratchet or someone else was going to respond, but I snagged this file first and I thought it would be good to give my thoughts. Did you know Optimus fell asleep with this question on his desk? He's always so tired and I don't think he realizes it. I wonder if he even knows how to recharge without being forced to his berth sometimes. I don't mind coming in to give him a thermal sheet though. Its one of the few times I get to see him without it being for something work related.

Anyway, to answer your question, Ratchet and Optimus's reunion is a little bit... complicated. Well not really, but I should say they kind of had two. There was the public one back on Earth and in the Council Chambers, but there was also their private meeting. Both of them are always stuck in their heads or busy with something or other, so I don't think they know about how much I know. I'm not the most well informed because of how big the guard are now, BUT being around the Council Chambers all the time lets me know the important stuff.

From what I know, Optimus and Ratchet haven't done anything really... intimate. However they are still kinda loud. Their private meeting was largely recorded by agents walking the halls, at least the audio at any rate. They need to get Ratchet's room soundproofed if they are going to keep hanging out in there. Its not usually a problem since Ratchet recharges like the dead, but Optimus is not like that. I've seen him at his worst and he's not exactly easy to deal with when it comes to getting him to recharge.

From what I gathered, there was a lot of reassuring going on as Ratchet tried to get Optimus to rest. Plenty of lovey dovey words and all that slag. I don't know all the details of their private reunion, but I could tell there were a lot of tears involved. Optimus cried and I think after he finally fell into recharge, Ratchet must have gotten up because my agents noted a LOT of cursing and angry planning. None of it was aimed at Optimus, but yeah Ratchet is not right in the head and Optimus is unstable. They got to be together though! I am happy that they could meet again because since then they haven't really done anything not work related together.

So yeah, based on what I know, it was very emotional. They still need to get their room fixed though. I don't want to hear when they finally get around to doing Conjunxed couple stuff. Or better yet, they can go get an actual hab. Those two live and vent work and I am pretty sure that isn't healthy.

Hope that was a reasonable answer!

#maccadam #transformers prime au #transformers #two sides to a coin au #transformers prime #smokescreen responds #smokescreen #optimus #ratchet #optiratch