Chapter 1: Surviving the initial Change

A/N This came about because I wanted to try my hand at writing first person POV. I thought I would start with something easy like a rules list. Yes they have been done but I don't think they have been done from this perspective. I promise they will get funnier as it goes. Nightshade will get more bored as the last 24 hours pass. This is set right after the first chapter of Question when she is supposed to be resting for 72 earth hours.

"Thanks for checking on me Knock Out. Now can I rest? I told you how Ratchet promised to weld you to a berth if you bothered me?"

"Oooh I am so afraid! I would be so bored but you need this glitching is no fun. I'm going to see if I can persuade Bumblebee and Smokescreen to race me. Looking forward to when you join us again."

"Go Knock Out." Data pad where are you? Seriously it has only been 2 days but 2 days is leaving me talking to myself and inanimate objects. I think this rest and fueling sentence is starting to make me crazy. I'll write rules to help someone not get in this situation. "

Nightshade begins to write

I have been Cybertronian for the past three years. You have heard that there are two people in the world. Those who learn from other peoples mistakes and those who have to make the mistakes. I am now writing rules to help whomever may find this to avoid making my mistakes. First some rules for surviving after you become a member of a totally different species. Of course the likely hood of that happening is low but not impossible as it happened to me and I have read about others who are not as vocal about it. They are not as vocal maybe because they are smarter. Anyway here are those rules. They may apply to any sentient species but because I am a human turned Cybertronian I am writing as if you have just become one as well.

There are many ways this could happen. First you may have simply fallen asleep one night and woke up the next morning as an alien. If this happens you should pinch yourself or stick your finger in a light socket or grab a power line because you are most likely dreaming. If it actually happened you will not feel anything from the pinch and then feel the rush of the current. Being Cybertronian I am told it would actually feel pleasant. I haven't actually tried but there are rumors. I won't elaborate.

Second you are stupid enough to touch an object you have no clue about, drink a substance you've never seen or pour an unknown substance all over your body. Here is a rule for that. Keep your hands to yourself and if it isn't yours don't touch it. If you did you may find yourself Cybertronian, or a mutant but I digress.

The third way is to have the misfortune of dying and waking to find a cheeky and slightly sadistic deity, Primus, waiting to reincarnate you and send you back as one of his children. If so all I can say is I am truly sorry. If this happens you may be fortunate enough to come back as a sparkling then have your whole life to figure out the rules.

Finally the fourth way is the way it happened to me and at least one other. I didn't tell Megatron about her so don't you either. I had the misfortune of becoming a lab rat in some idiotic mad scientist's experiment. (See M.E.C.H)

Rule 1. Don't panic

Sure you will most likely be a little bit afraid but don't under any circumstances allow yourself to get into a full blown panic attack. It will make the situation worse. Initially I was in too much pain to panic. I heard voices and knew I had to keep cool. I had to be patient. A distraction came as I knew it would and I made a break for it. Panic would have let my captors know I was conscious and would not have had the time I needed to plan. If you are sent back by Primus by all means make him explain things to you. Don't let him send you back afraid.

Rule 2. Take a moment to analyze the situation. Be aware of your surroundings and do a quick diagnostic.

Going on pure fear or anger is never a good idea. Seek strategic advantages. I had a keen sense of time and used that to know when I would have to face my captors. If you can find a high ground get there. Be aware of yourself. I didn't even realize what I was until much later and that gave myself away. I couldn't keep my secret.

Rule 3. It may sound contrary but instinct can be a good thing. Use it.

As a human you had the hormone adrenaline. You know fight or flight. It kept you alive. In the same vein Cybertronians have battle protocols that will engage automatically in dangerous situations. They are similar in function to adrenaline but do more. Trust what comes up on your HUD.

Rule 4. Don't try to go home.

This should be obvious but I was stupid enough to try it. I had no idea where I was only general directions. I was going to go back to school like nothing happened. Remember how I said I didn't even know what I was. I didn't bother to look. Yeah bad mistake on so many levels. If you still think you want to think about this first. Your family and friends won't recognize you. They will most likely freak out. Besides, haven't you seen the sci-fi shows? What is the first thing those mad scientist humans want to do to the alien? Right find out more about it and now via interview. If you are like me you didn't come from one lab table to wind up in pieces on another. Don't do it. Stay away and look for those of your own kind. Consider yourself dead to your family and friends or you really will be.

Rule 5. You don't have to tell everything you know.

Unless you find yourself in a human court this is a really good one to remember. When you find others like you, other Cybertronians, you don't have to tell them right away that you were not born a Cybertronian. Trust me the wrong individual with this information can and will use it against you if given the opportunity. Tell only those you really know you trust and if your life depends on it. A good way to get around having to tell anyone is to fake amnesia. That buys you time to figure out who is trust worthy.

"Nightshade, What are you doing? Not resting from the sounds of it. Shall I comm Ratchet?"

"Knock Out, Leave me alone. I'm fine. You're just still mad that I went to him when all this started. Grow up and get over it."

"I care about you, sweetspark. I wish you had come to me first"

"See, that's just it, he doesn't call me that. It gets weird when you do. Now if I may back to resting before I comm Ratchet."

Ok that is it. Next chapter if I do another will be her rules for surviving when you serve a crazy warlord better known as living with cons.