Title: Arranged by the Stars
Chapter 10: Kindling Conflict
Fandom: G1 AU
Author: femme4jack
Chapter Pairing: Jazz/Prowl, Mirage/Hound, Wheeljack/Ratchet/Ironhide
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Chapter Warnings:arranged sparkbonds, lots of conversation about robot procreation (non mechpreg), AU G1 canon history
Summary: Tempers and excitement are running high as the two bonded pairs prepare for their first kindling.
Notes: Written for the April 2011 challenge at the prowlxjazz community on livejournal. Yes, I know it is now July :)
klik = 1.2 minutes; breem = 8.3 minutes; joor = 6.92 hours; orn = Cybertronian day/32 joor/9.22 earth days; metacycle = Cybertronian month (230 orns)/5.81 earth years, vorn = Cybertronian year/83 earth-years

Arranged by the Stars 10: Kindling Conflict

Medbay, Autobot Base, Iacon, Approx 6-million Years Ago

"Now if ya come this way, I'll show ya the incubation vats," Wheeljack said, his indicator flanges glowing blue and green to indicate his cheerful excitement as he and Ratchet led a group consisting of Optimus Prime, Mirage, Hound, Jazz and Prowl through the newest portion of their base's Medbay. They had just viewed the private chamber where the bonded mechs, connected to a multitude of sensors and personally monitored by himself and Ratchet would engage in the dangerous process of kindling a newspark. The chamber was connected to a second, larger bay with vats that would be filled with a nutrient rich mineral gel, various alloys, donated protoform material and nanites, both coded and blanks. Newsparks would be carefully placed in the vats where they would form their spark chamber around themselves over a period of ten to twenty orns, depending on the spark's size and strength. Once the spark chamber formed, it could then be placed in a pre-constructed sparkling shell (similar to the creation process that had utilized Vector Sigma), or be transferred to a second, larger vat where it would form its own protoform over a period that could last up to a metacycle depending on the complexity and size of the final structure (as well as the relative maturity it would be when it emerged).

It was a vastly different, alien process from that which most mecha among the Autobots had been created, and one which engendered an air of mystery even greater than the mystery that was Vector Sigma. Vector Sigma created both the new sparks and the casings in which they were held on specifications requested by the engineers who built the protoforms into which they were placed, and the mecha who onlined thus were fully mature beings, ready to fulfill their function after a period of mentorship and adjustment. The Alpha practice of sparks forming their own casings and basic protoforms was almost disturbingly organic in nature, which was odd, considering the contempt which many Alphas had once held for organic lifeforms.

"How much influence will we have on the coding and form if we place them in the secondary incubation vats?" Prime asked, placing a large hand on one of the eight larger vats that lined the wall behind the row of smaller vats used for forming the spark chambers.

"All depends," Ratchet explained, placing himself next to Prime. "The final form will be influenced by innate spark traits, but also by the coding and instructions we give the nanites. The coding and spark traits of the mecha who donate material will also be an important factor. Alpha practice was for all the creators to donate protoform material and coding, and for their house lord to select several others with desired traits or status to add to the materials. The priest-medics would carefully monitor as the frame and processors formed, and would add coding and nanites throughout the incubation period in order to shape the process and alleviate any coding issues that came up. In general, the core coding will be a mixture of that of all of those who donate material, and there is no limit to how many donors one uses."

"So one of the decisions ya will be needing to make is who'll donate nanites and protoform material to your sparklings, 'cause it will have a major impact on who your little glitch mouse becomes," Wheeljack added, looking at the two bonded pairs. Hound's grin hadn't faded throughout the entire tour, while Mirage's expression was one of patient indulgence for his bonded, whom he was standing next to rather than slightly behind as would have been Alpha custom. Wheeljack's mask hid his smile, knowing Mirage must have deleted that protocol for Hound's sake. Jazz and Prowl, on the other hand, looked like they would rather be anywhere but where they were at the moment. Both of the newly bonded pairs had been given a full decaorn of light duty (barring emergency) to strengthen their bond and allow it to settle. While the noble and scout appeared to be quite content in their new relationship, Jazz was clearly keeping a distance between himself and Prowl, and Prowl's sensor wings were unusually stiff. Wheeljack's flanges briefly flashed purple in concern.

"Mirage already has a list of those we plan to request donations from for the first go around," Hound said with pride, clearly ready to head to the kindling chamber and start immediately. "Do we need to be concerned about incompatibility issues between donors?"

"Not at all," Wheeljack explained. "The newspark itself will select the coding that best suits it from what is present in donated cultures, and we will be assisting and shaping the process. You can expect some coding glitches to arise, but that is why Ratchet and I will be monitoring the entire process. We can override just about anything the newspark is attempting if it looks like it would cause a major glitch," he said confidently. "But I can tell ya from experience, the less ya intervene with the process, the better the results in terms of spark who feels at home in its own frame and coding."

"Yes, but we are at war. Can we afford the luxury of allowing newsparks to form a personality matrix and form unsuited to that reality?" Prowl asked, speaking up for the first time, drawing every optic and sensor in the room to himself.

No one missed how Jazz stiffened at the comment, his field coiling close to himself. Suddenly Wheeljack had a very good idea what the source of tension was between the two newly bonded mechs.

"Very few of us were coded and intended for war, Prowl," Optimus said carefully, "and we have advantages, and disadvantages, that warbuilds do not have. We need to consider that this new generation's only experience will be that of functioning during a war, and ponder what life we can offer them when that war comes to an end."

"We should build 'em t' do whatever they have t' do t' survive, Prime," Jazz insisted. "This isn't about makin' new soldiers an' creatin' a strategic advantage," he insisted, shooting a glare at Prowl. "I won't be party t' makin' a generation t' be cannon fodder. Make 'em small, efficient, and send 'em in t' hiding, coded t' do whatever it takes t' stay away from the conflict an' survive."

"Like the neutrals have survived?" Prowl asked dispassionately. "You won't save them by sending them away from the war, Jazz. Their best chance for survival is with us, and we need to create a generation who can withstand the rigors of war more successfully than we ourselves have. That is how they will survive. That is what will give us a future, and a strategic advantage."

"Frag you, Prowl! Sparklings aint a strategic advantage for ya t' stick in yer equations!" Jazz yelled, taking a menacing step toward his bonded.

"Enough!" a normally soft voice spoke sternly, and Mirage stepped in between his commanding officers with all of his core elegance, holding up both of his hands in a gesture for peace. "Forgive me, but the Matrix itself chose for us to bond with our partners, to create life together. We must trust it, trust Primus, and trust that process. I agree with Wheeljack. Our manipulation of the next generation should be minimal. If I begin manipulating it, I will code them to be Alphas, and their concern will be for their own power and influence. Jazz, you will inevitably create those who are good at being deadly from the shadows, survivors like yourself. Prowl, you will consider strategic advantage of tantamount concern. My bonded has said, and I agree, that we should give them the best of all of us, and allow their sparks figure out whom they wish to become. They will have gifts of the spark that none of us can anticipate, and that is what will allow them to survive and flourish. That is the blessing of this process of procreation."

The entire room looked at Mirage as though he had spontaneously budded a second head. He had just said more words in a row than any had ever heard the silent Alpha speak at one time.

"What?" he finally said when no one spoke. "My bonded has expressed a desire that I be more forthcoming with my opinions. I am simply following his wishes."

Optimus Prime sat at his desk, his senior commanders and two of his closest friends sitting across from him, their fields and body-language making no secret of the stress that existed between them. He offered a silent prayer to Primus for patience, and perhaps for one of the new sparks to show an aptitude for relationship counseling, because it appeared these two would need it for many vorns to come.

"And aside from the conflict regarding the coding for the newsparks, how are things?" he asked, hoping he didn't sound as awkward as he felt and silently cursing the ancient Primes and their meddling ways. He was beginning to be suspicious that the Matrix had paired these two not out of kindling compatibility, but for sheer entertainment value. Was it possible that the ancient artifact got bored?

Both of his officers looked down toward their pedes, but Optimus didn't miss the sly smile the crept onto Jazz's faceplates, nor the way Prowl's sensor wings flexed just so.

"Let's just say that considerin' how Prowler an' I disagree on just 'bout everything, it's a good thing that the facin' is hotter than a white dwarf star with a..."

"We are fine," Prowl cut Jazz off.

Optimus raised an optic ridge. "Fine," he repeated, dubiously.

"Well, didya expect we'd just stop arguin' in a single orn?" Jazz asked facetiously.

"I suppose I did not," Prime conceded. "But I admit that I am concerned for both of you. If it would help to merge with me..."

Prowl put up his hand. "If it comes to that, we will. But the Matrix did not make a poor choice. We are simply finding that we have more disagreements regarding kindling procedures than even I could have predicted. I recognize that my ability to look at the potential outcomes from a logical standpoint..."

"From a sparkless standpoint, ya mean. It's our sparklings yer talkin' 'bout..." Jazz interrupted.

"From a logical standpoint," Prowl continued as though Jazz had not interrupted, "may seem unfeeling. But I have their best interests and our own at the forefront of my processors. We cannot afford to make these decisions based on sentiment."

Prime cycled air through his intakes and sought out the wisdom of the previous Primes, only to find that the Matrix was silent when it came to the legitimate points his officers both had been making over the previous decaorn as they and the other bonded pair prepared for their first kindling merge. He would have to trust his own coding and spark on this. He had a suspicion he knew at least part of the problem that existed between the two, but needed to confirm it.

"You have both asked me to arbitrate this dispute. Before I give you my decision, I must ask, you say you are interfacing regularly. Does that include merging regularly?"

The immediate upward stiffening of Prowl's sensor wings and Jazz looking anywhere but at Prime was answer enough.

"We...both are finding merging to be highly disconcerting," Prowl finally answered for them both. "We have merged enough to solidify the bond, and have agreed to merge once a decaorn to keep the bond strong enough to kindle."

"You aren't enjoying your merges?" Optimus asked, trying to keep the shock out of his voice.

"Never said that," Jazz huffed. "We...Primus, it's just overwhelmin', losin' ourselves that way, an' feelin' Prowl in my spark more 'n more each time! Feelin' my spark change."

"I believe you will find your conflicts easier to resolve if you merge more frequently," Optimus suggested.

"We'll take that under consideration," Prowl said, effectively ending that line of conversation. "In the meantime, we need your decision regarding the sparkling coding if we are to proceed in three orns as planned."

Optimus was tempted to advise them to wait, to allow themselves more time to settle into the bond. But the command staff had agreed that they needed to have successful newsparks in the vats before Prime approached the next group of mechs the Matrix had selected to bond. Megatron was distracted by an all out rebellion by a group of neutrals and organics who had teamed up on a resource-rich colony world. It was far too distant from Autobot controlled territory for them to be able to intervene, but they could, at least, use the distraction to their advantage. It was the right time for them to kindle and get the sparklings upgraded and safe as quickly as possible.

Optimus regarded them steadily He had already had a private opinion regarding the best course, but would not have intervened in the plans of his officers unless they asked him to. "We are going to take protoform donations from everyone who is willing," he finally said. "These sparklings will belong to all of us. We will trust Primus and the new sparks to be exactly what they need to be for the sake of their own future, and intervene as little as possible."

If anything, Prowl and Jazz looked relieved to both be on the losing side of the argument.

Ratchet and Ironhide were sprawled out on their recently upgraded berth, sharing a single cube of the rationed high grade when Wheeljack pinged them from the door. "Come on in," Ironhide hollered, sending the signal to unlock the door. Wheeljack walked in and plopped himself next to Ratchet, unsubspacing three rust sticks and handing one to each.

"Been experimenting with some new recipes for the sparklings. Thought ya might wanna test the first batch," he said, retracting his mask to take a bite of his own.

"Ya promise Ah'm not gonna explode?" Ironhide asked teasingly, handing the single cube to Wheeljack.

"Make no promises, tell no lies," Wheeljack said noncommittally as he took a sip, his flanges flashing merrily.

"Aw, jest finish it off, Jack," Ironhide commented when Wheeljack made to hand the cube back. "We already had most of it before ya showed up."

"Wouldn't want to get overcharged tonight anyhow, considering what Wheeljack and I are going to be supervising tomorrow," Ratchet said pensively, sounding like getting overcharged was precisely what he needed.

"Shoot, Ah woulda never have believed the day would come when Jazz and 'ole Prowler would be facin' one another, much less bonded and makin' a scraplet of their own," Ironhide commented, taking a bite of his rust stick and raising an optic ridge in pleasure at the way it sparked and crackled under his dentes.

"Ya think those two are okay?" Wheeljack asked, turning to look directly at Ratchet. "They looked about ready to rip one another a new exhaust port the other day."

"Yes," Ratchet said, venting and rubbing his chevron. "I would worry if they weren't arguing. I never expected they would be anything other than explosive. Prime's decision and obtaining all of the donations has calmed them down."

"Heh, my quarters are next to theirs. Lets just say I'm glad I'm either in my lab or recharging here most of the time," Wheeljack said. "Explosive doesn't even begin to cover it"

"They fight that much?" Ironhide asked, looking concerned.

"Oh, I wasn't referring to their fights. Those are usually quiet." Wheeljack's flanges flashed with amusement.

With that explanation, the three shared companionable silence for a moment as they finished munching on their rust sticks, watching the holovid that was quietly playing.

"These are sure good, Jack, but Ah sure wish ya'd cooked up some more high grade instead," Ironhide commented as he finished his.

Wheeljack's flanges flashed a suggestive yellow-green, and he unsubspaced an electro-stim rod, turning it on with a hiss and crackle. "Rust sticks aren't the only things I worked on today," he said deviously. "And there's more than one way to get overcharged. We need to relax Hatchet here so he gets a good recharge before tomorrow, don't ya think?"

"Primus, Ah love it when the Matrix plays matchmaker," Ironhide said, revving his engine, as both he and Wheeljack went to work on the medic's frame before the white and red mech could do anything more than mewl in agreement.