Archivists and gladiators are treated in almost the same way,because both are overexploited at work, while archivists are manipulated to change or erase things from history for the benefit of the higher-ups, while the gladiators bring them "entertainment and fun". There are many differences in how their treatment is, but it is terrifying on both counts.
But one of the similarities is that both are forced to drink red energon to increase their work capacity, for this reason, Orion has that color in his optics, Megatronus too, but he turns them blue back thanks to a technology he has.
Orion Pax wants to repeat the suffering of the high command to do justice, Megatron does not want to, because he does not want to be a replacement for the old ones.
Aligned continuity gave us the most insane friend group for Orion Pax and we don’t do nearly enough with it as we should
Orion, archivist, saw a revolution and IMMEDIATELY got on board
Megatronus, angry, hates the system, a little power hungry
Ratchet, depending on interpretation he’s either grumpy as fuck or a party animal who has yet to experience the horrors™️
Soundwave, BFFs with Megatron, has experienced the horrors™️ but he’s still a silly guy
Shockwave, depending on wether or not empurata is real in aligned he’s either a senator who teaches outliers against the councils wishes, or an empathy lacking dude who likes making crimes against nature
High Tide, grumpy and angry drill sergeant, probably swears like a motherfucker, he has a handy dog named SERVO, calls young people “hatchlings”