Alright, this is another alternative POV chapter. For those of you who wanted to know more details about what is going on with the bond, this is the chapter you have been waiting for. It is a lot of information to try to get across and I tried to do so in a readable and concise manner. Take notes and if you think of something that I didn't address, let me know and I'll try to make sure I do so in a later chapter.
Warning: there is another actual *gasp* cuss word here.
Disclaimer: Yada, yada, every one already knows the disclaimer. If you don't, look at one from the last 19 chapters.
Optimus looked down at the two humans standing on his desk, gauging their reactions to what Ratchet was telling them. For the moment, both Sergeant Epps and Major Lennox were staring with rapt, if somewhat uneasy, attention at the data pad Ratchet held before them showing a rather crude diagram representing the differences between a brother bond and a pet bond and how Sam and Bumblebee's bond had initially been structured. From the tenor of Ratchet's voice, the Prime suspected that the truth had drastically changed from that seemingly distant starting point.
"Wait, wait, wait!" Epps suddenly held up a hand, cutting the medic off, as if just realizing something. "Pet-bond? As in 'Pet'? What,like a poodle?"
Ratchet fell silent, looking at the dark-skinned human soldier. Knowing the CMO as well as he did, Optimus saw the faint indicators of building alarm. "Yes, that is what it is called."
"And just what, exactly, is a Pet-bond?" Epps demanded again, scowling.
Ratchet hesitated, glancing at Optimus before looking at Bumblebee and Sam. "Well…"
"It's the name for the only type of bond a Cybertronian can form with a non-Cybertronian." Sam interrupted, Bumblebee moving his hand to place the young human back on the desk, all in that almost eerie synchronization of action they had displayed since they had walked into his office.
Sam continued, walking closer to the two. "It's called that 'cause the 'Bot is so much stronger than the non-Cybertronian that the 'Bot can control their actions. It's illegal for Autobots to form that bond because it's basically slavery with telepathy added on top."
"Oh hell no!" Epps almost danced on his toes, shaking his head heatedly, his voice rising in pitch and cadence. "Slavery? Telepathy?"
He looked at Sam for a moment then actually glared up at Bumblebee. "There ain't no way I'm gonna just let that go."
Optimus saw Bumblebee flinch slightly. But Sam intervened quickly once again. "That Pet-bond stuff doesn't apply to us. And even if it did, I still wouldn't want to get rid of it. I like having this connection and I wouldn't give it up no matter what. Unless he wanted to." Sam finished a little more hesitantly.
Both of the more mature humans frowned. "That's creepy man." Epps shuddered slightly.
"Its not exactly something we advertise." Ratchet muttered darkly. "That's why it's illegal."
"Wait." Lennox stepped toward Sam, but pointed at Bumblebee while he looked at the younger human. "You said you had a Brother-bond with him."
"I do."
"But you aren't Cybertronian." Lennox accused.
"Hey, that's right!" Epps looked like he was about to get excited again.
"AllSpark." Sam repeated, tapping the side of his head.
That made Optimus consider something new. As Sam continued to speak to the human soldiers, assuring them he was not a pet and that he and Bumblebee really were more like brothers, the Autobot leader pinged Ratchet with a query over their private comm.
/Ratchet, how much of those changes to the nature of their bond are related to the AllSpark and how much is related to the adaptive nature of Sam's mind itself as an organic entity?/
/Why do you ask that, Prime?/ Ratchet asked, not taking attention off the ongoing conversation on the desk.
Optimus' engine rumbled thoughtfully as he released a warm intake of air. /What I have been able to learn about the AllSpark through the Matrix does not suggest it should be able to do all that we are witnessing./
Ratchet shot startled optics up to him. /Come again?/
/All we know for sure is that the AllSpark allowed Sam to initiate the bond./ Optimus clarified. /We also know that biological systems are remarkably adaptable. What if Sam's brain is itself adapting and learning to protect itself?/
/But all the Pet-bonds we have studied…/ Ratchet started to protest.
/Were formed by Decepticons./ Optimus interrupted. /It occurred to me that Primus would not give all of us an ability if its only use was to subvert the wills of other creatures. Not when such an action is clearly against his greatest precepts./
/Unless it was as a temptation to test our convictions and our character./ Ratchet pointed out testily.
/Perhaps./ Optimus allowed. /And it is often a great temptation, which is why it was outlawed. However, we know that Bumblebee would have been able to completely override Sam's defense mechanisms when the bond formed, had he wanted to, correct?/
Ratchet nodded, the motion catching Bumblebee's attention who pinged them for permission to be brought into their conversation.
Optimus acquiesced and did so, seeing how their conversation did concern the young scout, even as Ratchet replied. /And he still could if he was of a mind to. But it would be more difficult now./
/Perhaps what we are really looking at is the only Pet-bond we have studied in which the stronger partner was determined not to conquer the weaker. Where equality was encouraged from the very beginning./ Optimus pointed out, shooting a questioning glance at Bumblebee.
Bumblebee nodded quickly, though the Prime noticed the slight flattening of his antennae at the pointed reminder of how his bond to Sam had formed.
/And you think that one difference might be significant enough to allow the inherently adaptive nature of organic neural centers to adapt a Pet-bond into something more equitable to both partners?/ Ratchet demanded skeptically.
Optimus noted that Bumblebee glanced down at Sam, who was still engaging the two other humans, but not knowing the reason, he continued. /My point is, we have no records of how such a bond develops under such conditions…/
/Wait. Are you saying I'm… my mind I mean… is what is changing our bond like this?/
Recognizing that voice, Optimus and Ratchet both blinked down at the young human who was continuing to speak, trying to calm a still animatedly gesticulating Epps.
/Sam?/ Optimus's systems hitched slightly in surprise.
/How did you…?/ Ratchet started, then growled. He stepped forward to where Sam finally looked up from Lennox and Epps as the medic drew closer. "Don't. Move."
Optimus knew that tone and hoped the boy would comply. Hoped he would not be overly frightened. Intimidated, perhaps… pit, Optimus was intimidated when Ratchet used that tone with him. He just hoped the boy was not terrified.
Luckily, Sam just froze, swallowing nervously as Ratchet lowered one hand close to his head so that sensitive scanners in his fingers could scan the youth's brain. There was absolute silence in Optimus' office for exactly eight point thirty-nine seconds as Ratchet ran his scans. Then the momentary peace was broken, rather ineloquently, by the medic himself.
"Frag me."
Optimus blinked at Bumblebee who whirred nervously while Lennox and Epps exchanged glances with each other.
Sam irritably pushed at the big (to him) finger until he could look up at Ratchet. "Don't you dare say that and not tell me what you found."
Ratchet blinked, refocusing on the humans standing on the desk, then specifically on Sam. "Your brain is functioning at ninety-three percent efficiency, which is a considerable improvement over the ten to thirty percent efficiency the human brain normally operates within."
Sam's – as well as the other humans' – eyes widened and it was a moment before he could find his voice. "Is… is that the AllSpark or the bond?"
"Unknown at this time." Ratchet conceded. "But it could explain the changes in your and Bumblebee's bond that we have noted." Ratchet glanced at Optimus and the Prime could see the hint of concerned hesitance in his old friend before he looked back with apprehension at the human in question. "It will require some… study… to find out."
"Wait a minute!" Lennox burst out, holding his hands up, stepping forward. "What just happened?"
All eyes and optics turned back to Ratchet, who vented a sigh and brought back up his datapad, on which two additional diagrams had been added to the ones depicting a Pet-bond – where the hash mark was nonexistent – and a typical brother bond. One of the new diagrams showed a shallow arc boasting two hash marks, each one at the far end of the curving line. The other similarly had two hash marks, but they divided the gentle arch into thirds.
Optimus listened as Ratchet explained that the first of the two new diagrams represented a spark-mate bond, where the spark boundary was quite literally at the other's spark. As Ratchet explained how that differed from the fourth diagram where, while the boundaries crossed each other, each still had part of their mind that was not involved in the link, Optimus further pondered the line of thought he had been following earlier about the nature of Pet-bonds.
The more he considered it, the more he felt it likely that, while it was possible Sam might have initiated the bond, it had indeed started as a Pet-bond rather than something different. It was even possible that Bumblebee might have initiated it himself, but, if his theory was correct, his entrenched and instinctive desire not to crush Sam's soul or mind might have led to the structure of the bond as it was when Ratchet first mapped it. It had, after all, been almost a month since it formed before Bumblebee confessed to its formation. What if their bond had already started this progression before Ratchet first examined it?
Considering how much it had changed, and how quickly those changes had occurred, once both knew about and used the bond, Optimus knew it was not beyond the realm of possibility. Unfortunately, at this point it was only a theory. An hypothesis, really. The only way to know for sure would be to test it.
But that would mean intentionally forming such a bond with another human. That was not something he could condone, let alone suggest.
Sudden silence, snapped the Autobot leader's attention back to the others. They were clearly trying to digest Ratchet's explanation.
"And apparently, his brain is now functioning at three times its normal capacity and efficiency. His ability to multi-task appears to be on a par with almost any mech."
"Really?" Lennox asked, staring at Sam.
Sam was shaking his head. "I don't see… I mean I don't feel any smarter than I did before. And that would make me smarter right? If I was using more of my brain?
"Hmph" Ratchet grunted, looking at the youth in question. "What is one thousand, two-hundred and ninety six multiplied by three-hundred and seventy-two divided by the square root of two thousand, two-hundred and four?"
Sam only blinked, answering almost instinctively, "Ten thousand, two-hundred sixty nine point three, three, zero, eight si… oh." His eyes grew wide. "Wow… I shouldn't have been able to do that!"
Lennox and Epps were blinking dumbly at Sam who looked about ready to crawl out of his own skin. Optimus, for his part was impressed. Even he would never have considered the humans capable of such processing ability. Bumblebee looked surprised, but also pleased.
"Hmm." Ratchet shifted on his pedes. "He was also able to access and use Bumblebee's comm. to communicate with Optimus and myself while concurrently maintaining a conversation with you. That is something that, while technically possible for mechs, is considered impolite. That is if you forgo the aditional fact he was also using another's comm. rather than his own – which as a human he doesn't have."
"Oops, sorry." Sam mumbled, though he looked numb at all that had just been revealed.
Lennox looked up at Bumblebee. "And you're… okay with the fact the kid can just up and use one of your systems like that?"
Bumblebee shrugged. "It was a conversation we were both involved in and it was the only way Sam could participate in it. Knowing that, Sam knew he was welcome to do so."
Optimus saw Sam nod in agreement.
"But…" Lennox paused, his expression thoughtful. "You mean he could have used it anyway? Even if you hadn't given him permission?"
"He has before." Bumblebee shrugged again, though Optimus was not convinced the scout was quite as calm as he looked. "So I would assume he could again."
Sam looked embarrassed, but then Bumblebee put a finger on his tiny shoulder for just a moment. The gesture was not lost on anyone else in the room.
Then Ratchet spoke again. "This does raise another salient point. I will have to rewrite any restrictive coding yet again if…"
"Restrictive what?" Epps asked, looking horrified anew.
"Programming that would make it impossible for Bee to do anything to me like what happened in the mess hall." Sam quietly explained then looked back up at Ratchet stepping toward the medic. "But what about me?"
"Obviously, I cannot upload any programming codes into your organic brain." Ratchet began and gestured toward Bumblebee. "All I can do is prevent Bumblebee from imposing on you."
"Do it." Bumblebee said instantly, nodding resolutely, though Optimus thought he caught a hint of unease in the younger mech.
"Absolutely not!" Sam said at the same time.
The two looked at each other.
"I don't understand, Sam." Bumblebee said quietly, still slightly apprehensive but with determination. "I thought you wanted to avoid what happened in the mess hall."
"But it won't be fair for you!" Sam exclaimed, walking up to his brother.
Optimus knew Bumblebee well enough to see the worry in the smaller mech's optics. "But I want you to be protected."
"You are my protection, Bee." Sam said, equally as soft, one hand reaching up to touch his brother. "And you're all the protection I need. I don't want to have an advantage over you like that if you don't have it too."
"But…"
"Bee." Optimus was impressed by the maturity in the young man's voice. "You're the one that said bonds are about equality. Right now we have that. I don't want that to change, even if it's to 'protect' me."
Optimus shifted his gaze to Lennox and Epps as the two brothers lapsed into momentary silence. If he read the two soldier's body language and expressions correctly, they were at once confused, worried and yet impressed. An interesting, though entirely understandable combination.
"But what if I…" Bumblebee began with a soft keen at some thought.
"Bee!" Sam snapped, cutting the mech off, then his expression softened. "That doesn't matter. We're brothers, remember?"
They fell silent again, doubtlessly communicating over their bond rather than with words. The two other humans shifted uneasily, but Optimus was willing to give them all the time they needed to reach a decision. Flicking a glance at Ratchet showed the medic was likewise willing to be patient, even if he was still testy about it. That was just Ratchet.
Optimus was sure that, given time, Sam would be able to take the usual Ratchet in stride. Until then, he was glad to see his CMO showing gentleness to the boy – a boy who, despite being an adult to his species, was very much like a youngling in many ways to Cybertronians. Of course, all humans were.
"Well?" Ratchet demanded at length.
Sam, still looking at Bumblebee shook his head fiercely. After a moment Bumblebee deflated slightly, but then gave the young human an almost relieved nod. He looked up at the medic.
"I will honor Sam's request." However, Optimus suspected that if anything like what had happened yesterday were to happen again, Bumblebee would not agree so willingly a second time and he felt a swell of pride in the young scout.
Something materialized out of subspace in Ratchet's hand less than an astrosecond before a wrench was hurled unerringly to glance off the side of Bumblebee's helm. "That was for wasting my time writing the coding to begin with."
Optimus stifled a sudden, un-primely chuckle, knowing his CMO well enough to know the other mech just needed to let off steam. The humans were staring slack jawed at Ratchet, while Sam rubbed the back of his head, eyes narrowed in a wince. Bumblebee was mirroring Sam's actions – actually, it was probably the other way around – and warbled something borderline rude but mostly apologetic.
Ratchet considered them, then he huffed once in mollified acknowledgement, armored platting settling slightly over his frame. "Then there is only one other thing I must mention here. This is no longer a bond that can be severed. To do so would likely kill you both."
Hope everyone was taking notes about any questions you might still have about the structure of their bond (not necessarily any additional changes Sam might experience... I'll get there in following chapters) and will share them with me. On that note, one more chapter to go with the alternative POV, then its back to Sam and Bee exclusively.