Age of Smoke Part 1: The Autobot Code

Chapter 38: Callings

Ratchet finished removing the mod block and shut the panel on Prowl's back.

"All right," he said. "Now get out of here. Take it easy for the next few decaorns, and don't use that thing for more than twenty joors at a time, ever."

Prowl thanked him, but didn't acknowledge Ratchet's instructions before leaving. Ratchet sighed and glanced across the room…

…to where First Aid's berth was empty again.

Fragging mechling.

He stormed into the larger medbay and scanned the room for First Aid.

Lifeline came over. "Sir, is there something you need?"

"Where's that slagging 'Con mechling?"

"First Aid?" Lifeline said. "Cut him some slack, sir, he's got a natural inclination for the field. Besides, he's safer here than wandering around anywhere else. We all know what to do if he collapses… true, he should be resting more, but—"

"I said, where is he?" Ratchet demanded again.

Lifeline frowned, crossing her arms. "He's in the other room. Ratchet, you should watch him work for a few breems before you start yelling at him."

"He's not trained."

"We need as much help as we can get."

Ratchet sighed and walked away, headed for the third part of the medbay.

He saw First Aid almost as soon as he went through the doors. The mechling was talking to a patient, cheerfully checking the mech's vitals.

Lifeline's words rang in his audios, but Ratchet ignored them, storming across the room. "You!"

First Aid jumped, and turned to look at Ratchet. "Sorry, sir," he said. "I'll get back to my berth right away."

"Don't you 'sorry sir' me," Ratchet growled. "I told you a thousand fragging times. If this happens once more, I'll permanently magnetize you to the berth."

First Aid let Ratchet shoo him toward the smaller medbay.

The younger mech was trying to hide it, but Ratchet could see his pain and exhaustion in his slow deliberate motions and the dimness of his optics.

First Aid sat down on his berth and accepted the small cube of med grade Ratchet gave him. He was still barely able to keep energon down.

Ratchet had been so busy he'd neglected to work on a new cure for the mechling's malady.

First Aid sipped the energon, then looked up. "Ratchet?"

"What?"

"Can I… once you find a way to repair me… will you let me be a medic?"

Ratchet was about to snap at him that that was out of the question, but something desperate and hopeful in the mechling's optics stopped him.

"Ratchet?"

"Tell me about the mech you were checking on when I found you."

"Oh, him?" First Aid said, and then launched into a detailed description of the mech's injuries and what the medics were doing to treat him.

It was undeniably impressive. "Hmph," Ratchet said. "You're just a youngling. If you went to school, though… then you could be a medic.

The light faded from First Aid's optics and he looked down.

"What?" Ratchet said.

"Nothing," First Aid replied. "I guess it's probably kind of hard to be a medic anyway."

"There's nothing wrong with school," Ratchet said. "I'm sure we could get you into a local trade school—you don't have to go to the Iacon Academy or anything."

That didn't seem to cheer him up.

"Finish as much of that energon as you can, and then get some rest."

Ratchet had other things to do. And then he should work on First Aid's problem. He had a few ideas, he just hadn't had time to look into the possibilities. He made for the door, but a quiet voice stopped him.

"Ratchet?"

"What?" he snapped, turning around. "Is your spark giving you trouble? I told you, you need to rest."

"I've just never…" First Aid said.

"Never what?"

"Never been to school."

Ratchet stared at him.

The red and white mech looked down into his cube of energon, obviously ashamed.

"You did mention that before," Ratchet said. "I looked it up. Mechlings have to go to school, even in Kaon. It's the law there too."

"Well, I didn't… and a lot of my friends," First Aid said. "There are just… too many of us, and not enough schools, and our creators are too busy to take us, or sometimes they'd get sent to the mines…"

"Yours?"

"No," First Aid said. "Mine are still okay… I think… I guess I did go to school for a couple of orns, but I didn't understand what was happening so I didn't go back. I had to spend time looking for ways to get energon anyway, because there was never enough at home…"

Ratchet wasn't sure what to say.

"I don't even… I don't even know how to read."

Ratchet blinked. "But… what about all the monitoring machines?"

"I can read numbers," First Aid said. "And I've been learning some words, so I know what some of the labels in the stockroom say. I'm good at memorizing them, but I can't read words I've never seen."

"I… had no idea," Ratchet said.

"I guess I… really just want to help mecha. But I don't think I can go to school."

"Hmph," Ratchet said. "Don't be ridiculous. Wait here." He left, but commed Hot Spot.

Hot Spot responded quickly. "What?" he said. "Is First Aid all right? He seems upset about something."

"He wants to be a medic."

"I know."

"But he can't read."

Silence on the other end.

Ratchet continued. "I'm assuming that at least one of you can. I'd like one of you to come teach him, seeing as I'm sure you can spare the time."

"I… all right. I mean I could, but I'm not a very good… Here, I'll ask everyone."

Ratchet went back to the smaller medbay, then to his office. He got a blank datapad and plugged it into his computer, then searched for some beginning reading material to put on it.

Hot Spot spoke over the comm. again. "Groove will do it."

"Then have him come to the medbay," Ratchet said.

"He's on his way."

Ratchet stepped back into the small medbay with the datapad. He only had to wait half a breem before Groove came in.

First Aid looked up. "Hey!"

"Hey, mechling," Groove approached First Aid's berth and Ratchet met him there and handed him the datapad.

"What… what are you doing here?" First Aid asked.

"I'm going to teach you how to read," Groove smiled.

First Aid hunched his shoulders. "I… really? I don't know I-I-I might not be smart enough."

Groove shook his helm and sat down at the end of the berth. "Don't be silly. You'll catch on quickly."

"Really?" First Aid's voice caught a little, but he smiled.

"Yeah," Groove said, turning the datapad on. "Promise."

Ratchet left them there, feeling pleased with himself.

The screen went black, and Optimus sighed.

He'd spoken to so many Councils over the past half a vorn, he ought to be used to this.

Elita came up behind him. "So," she said. "Central City won't make an alliance with us."

"No," Optimus said. "Though perhaps after some time they will reconsider."

"Perhaps," Elita said.

They had seemed very strongly opposed to the idea, unfortunately.

So that would set back their plans to build a second base.

"I can contact some of the other cities in that area," Elita said.

"Please do," Optimus looked up at the dark screen. "I am willing to talk to any and all of them."

Chromia wasn't here at the moment, but Optimus had received a report from her department just a few joors ago.

They had enough energon and credit for now, but they were running out of space. They needed a larger medical wing, more barracks, and better organization.

The current Autobot base was very well-planned and secure, but it wouldn't be capable of meeting their needs much longer.

Things weren't going very well in Slaughter City either, though Prowl had his battle computer back and was doing everything he could, the Decepticons were deeply entrenched in the city.

Aside from that, the Decepticons had taken Pescus Hex. It had been a mostly peaceful take-over, though the Council had almost certainly been slaughtered.

"Optimus?"

"Yes?"

"Would you like me to tell cities you'd be willing to talk to them now, or would you like me to schedule appointments for later?"

Optimus considered. "Please set up appointments for me… I am not feeling…"

"I understand," Elita put a delicate hand on his arm. "In fact, I think you need a break from working on the Code as well."

"Actually," an idea sprung into Optimus's processor. "Your help in writing the Autobot Code has been invaluable. Perhaps I should show our work to Alpha Trion and see if he has any input."

Elita nodded, but he could feel that she was troubled. "That's a good idea."

Optimus glanced at her. "You have reservations?"

She frowned. "Yes. Don't read too much into it, though. I just have a hard time trusting him."

Optimus nodded. That was understandable, given Yoketron's attitude about Alpha Trion.

"I do think it's a good idea," she said. "I can clear your schedule for the rest of the orn."

"Thank you. I don't know if that will be necessary,"

"You need a break," Elita insisted. "Take the rest of the orn off. Go talk to Alpha Trion."

She didn't seem in a mood to be argued with, so he left the conference room and stopped by his office to pick up a copy of the code, then left the base.

He drove, instead of taking a groundbridge, because he had the time, and it was nice to think on the way.

Once again, the Hall of Records brought back… feelings. His memories of this place were limited—at least his own memories—but he knew he had spent the majority of his adult life as Orion Pax here.

He made his way into Alpha Trion's office, noticing several mecha staring at him. A few even approached, to ask if he was really Optimus. Fortunately, no one was angry. That happened sometimes when he went out in public. He realized that when he got back to base, Red Alert would probably be upset that he hadn't brought any guards.

He reached Alpha Trion's office and pressed the entry request. The door slid open almost immediately.

"Welcome, young Prime," Alpha Trion said. "I believe I've spoken to you before about traveling the city alone."

"I am aware," Optimus said. "I forgot. I am accustomed to walking freely around my own base, and didn't think—"

"You're bigger and stronger than you were before visiting the Core, but you're not invincible or immortal, by any means."

Optimus nodded. "I will try to be more mindful of that in the future."

Alpha Trion nodded. "So, have you run out of reading material again?"

"Yes, and I am willing to read more, though that isn't why I've come to speak with you."

Alpha Trion gestured for him to sit down and he did so.

"What's on your processor, young Prime?"

"Since researching historical armies, I have begun a project…"

Optimus described his vision for the Autobot Code while Alpha Trion sat quietly, listening. When he was finished he handed the datapad to his old mentor and then sat waiting while the mech read it.

He couldn't read Alpha Trion's expression, so sitting and waiting was nerve-wracking, but Alpha Trion finished the document quickly and set it down on his desk, looking thoughtful.

Optimus waited.

"This is written in the Covenant."

"It is?"

"Yes," Alpha Trion said. "'And they shall receive the standard and the code; and it shall be unto them a way and a path.'"

Optimus blinked. "I had not realized that."

"That is how it generally goes," Alpha Trion said. "I just happen to read the Covenant frequently."

Optimus smiled slightly. "Perhaps I should follow your example in that."

"You have it memorized, you know," Alpha Trion said.

"I do?"

"Or, at least several of the previous Primes did. Also, in case you haven't noticed, your own memories are being added to the Matrix. If you read the covenant through once, you will always be able to revisit it and quote it."

"I did not think about that," Optimus said.

"What is the next line? Can you find it?"

Optimus searched through the Matrix, delving into the knowledge of the past Primes, until he found the passage in one of his predecessors' memories. "'And they shall give of their own life's energon to it for illumination in the darkness.'" He frowned. "That sounds…"

"Ominous?" Alpha Trion said. "You don't think this code of yours is going to require sacrifice on the part of your soldiers? It isn't easy to fight a war honorably. Now, there are a few points I'd like to talk about, after reading what you have so far. I don't have any suggestions, per se, just some cautions, and things to point out…"

He had less to say about it than Optimus had expected. And a few of his points were simply grammatical errors.

When he was finished, he handed the datapad back to Optimus. "I know your writing style. Some of this doesn't seem to be your wording."

"Elita has been helping me."

Alpha Trion nodded. "Well, by all means, continue to accept her help. She is a good writer."

"Thank you," Optimus said. "I will pass along your praise."

"How is that going, by the way? I found out what Yoketron did—how he brought you to Simfur and…"

"Our bond is intact," Optimus said. "And strong. The only negative effect seems to be that it is stronger than a normal bond, which will increase our chances of sympathetic spark failure, should one of us offline."

Alpha Trion nodded. "It would have been better if you hadn't done that."

"Do you know why Primes can't bond?"

"It… the decision came in multiple parts. I believe Primus wished for his servants to be more loyal to Cyberton as a whole than to a single mech or femme. And he also redesigns those who receive the Matrix to have strength and constitutions more like my siblings and I. Our sparks are not truly compatible with those of the general populace… I am actually surprised that Elita doesn't seem to be having any spark trouble. Perhaps the Allspark modified her spark to make it more compatible with yours."

Optimus nodded.

"I sense you have more questions," Alpha Trion said. "You may ask them openly. Now that you are our Prime, there is very little that I won't be willing to explain to you."

"I have been thinking about the Council system," Optimus said. "I accessed my memories about its establishment, at the end of the age of the Primes."

Alpha Trion nodded.

"It seems as if it should, in theory, be an excellent form of government… and I do understand why they made the decision to implement it… but what I don't understand is the system before… from the knowledge of the earliest Primes… you and your siblings ruled Cybertron in justice."

Alpha Trion raised an optic ridge. "True," he said.

"That system seemed to work," Optimus said. "Why did you step down? Since then… since then, there have been many wars."

"That is also true," Alpha Trion said. "And the decision to step down was not ours." He sighed. "In those times, Primus spoke with us often. He sees the future like a terrain, with valleys and gullies and hills. He can often see what the results of his decisions will be… and he saw corruption in our future. As Megatronus and Liege Maximo have shown, we are not infallibly good. There is darkness within all of us. If Primus had allowed us to reign indefinitely, we would have been corrupted by our own power and would eventually have betrayed our creator and our home."

"I have a hard time imagining that," Optimus said.

Alpha Trion smiled. "Thank you. That is high praise. I'll admit I have a hard time imagining some of us being corrupt. Especially Prima and Nexus… of course, Alchemist is already a lawless criminal." He smirked.

"I haven't spoken to him in a while."

"Neither have I," Alpha Trion said. "Though he does comm. me occasionally in the middle of the off-cycle to tell me the newest joke he's thought up about my beard."

Optimus hesitated.

"And before you ask about that… yes, Alchemist has always made fun of my beard, from the very beginning. I think he's just jealous because he doesn't havea beard."

Optimus frowned as a sudden thought occurred to him. "Have you always had a beard?"

"Yes," Alpha Trion said.

"You were sparked with it?"

"We're getting off topic," Alpha Trion said. "And you'd better not fall in with Alchemist about this. I've had to put up with him since before the Allspark, and I'm sure you can imagine I'm tired of it."

Optimus nodded solemnly.

He would have to ask Maccadam about it later.

"Now, what were we talking about? The Primes? Corruption?"

"Yes," Optimus said. "It… still troubles me. Is it impossible to resist corruption, then? Are we all so intrinsically flawed that time and power would destroy all of us?"

Alpha Trion tapped his fingers against each other. "A deep question, from a deep thinker. In truth, I don't know the answer."

Optimus sat back slightly. "Did you ever ask Primus?"

"I did," Alpha Trion said. "I was angry when my siblings and I were asked to step down. Primus refrained from answering the question. In truth—do not construe this as disrespect in any way—I am not certain if Primus knows the answer either."

"But he… I have always been taught that he is all powerful, that he knows everything."

Alpha Trion nodded. "That is the easier truth to believe. Compared to us, and in regard to us, he knows everything and has all power. But do not forget, he had a brother. And Unicron nearly destroyed him—would have destroyed him if it were not for his carefully constructed dustborn."

"Dustborn?"

"His children," Alpha Trion said. "My siblings and I. But I digress. Suffice it to say that the truth of our existence and of who and what Primus is, is so magnificent and yet so simple that it must be kept secret, for very few would believe it."

"Now I am curious," Optimus said, though he felt a certain measure of uneasiness.

"Search the Matrix. I'm sure I explained it to at least one Prime in the past. These things were more commonly known before the Quintesson wars. Many things were more commonly known before then. In any case, I don't know why mecha fall to corruption. Perhaps there is some sort of intrinsic flaw in all of us. But I do know that if we are aware of our flaws, we can fight them and overcome them. If you are concerned about your leadership, follow your spark and listen to the Matrix. You are no ordinary mech. You are Optimus Prime, the last of the Primes. Your faults will not prevent you from fulfilling your destiny."

Optimus looked down, as he remembered receiving the Matrix, and the trial Primus had given him—the trial that had ended with the whole planet burning.

"Optimus?"

"What if… what if my choices—the decisions I believe to be right—allow the war to continue until Cybertron is destroyed?"

The older mech looked down. "I cannot give you an answer."

"But… do you know the answer?"

"The answer will distract you. What mission did Primus assign you when you spoke to him?"

"I… am to ensure that Megatron does not win the war. But Primus also said he could be saved."

"Winning the war and killing Megatron are two different things," Alpha Trion said. "It is your choice, though. I cannot make it for you. Now, since we've been talking, there are some more things I've realized about your code that I'd like to discuss…"