Rian: Thanks for all the reviews you guys! I've been having a lot of fun writing this story so I hope ya'll enjoy it! ^^
Shade: Me too, this has been great!
"Your room is nearly complete." Shockwave informed Jack as they observed the workers removing the last of the materials, after which their equipment would be removed.
Jack only nodded, arms wrapped around himself. He had spent more time in Shockwave's room, in his berth, than he ever wanted to go through again. Perhaps the only saving grace had been that aside from the groping and tugging on his wires, was that Shockwave had not forcefully opened his panel.
'Probably doesn't want to ruin my polish.' Jack thought bitterly, and the unspoken 'yet' to that terrified him. "What…what did you have them install?" he asked. 'Besides an outside lock.'
"A berth of your own, a storage unit to be filled with energon. If you continue as you have, I will allow additives." Shockwave ran a claw over his helm, unaware when the mech winced.
"Is that all, master?"
Shockwave paused thoughtfully. "I will, of course, expect you to continue upkeep of yourself even when Knock Out is not called in." he said. "You must always be presentable. And if you particularly please me, I will even allow you an allotted time on the DataNet."
Jack blinked. He didn't want to give away he had no idea what that was, as he doubted he could cover his lack of knowledge with it. "How…generous of you." He said. From the sound of the name, he took a wild guess it was something of an alternative internet here.
"Indeed it is." Shockwave agreed, fingers trailing across his helm. It took Herculean effort not to duck under the revolting touch.
Jack tried to distract himself, fingers tightening on his arms. "So, um, when exactly will you be going to your part- uh, gathering?"
"Three orns. I expect you to be presentable before we leave. I will be...displeased, if you are not." Shockwave warned him not so casually.
Jack nodded. "Yes, master." he said quietly. His digits tightened even more on his arms when Shockwave trailed his claws over his arm.
"I will have the necessary products purchased for you before then, so there should be no excuses as to why you do no look your best."
Jack nodded, though he felt threatened by the fact Shockwave was going to buy more for him. It meant what little protection he had by way of keeping 'polished' was about to leave him now that Shockwave didn't have to be careful. It made Jack shudder.
And when the construction workers had hauled the equipment out, Jack dashed inside. He was instantly hit by the scent of a newly finished room, and it was strange to believe the room had just been part of the wall previously.
It was rather generously spacious, if bare room with a window on the other side. There was a set of cabinets to one side, likely where the energon was to be stored. The berth was a bit on the larger scale, though Jack tried not to think about why as he saw a small closet-sized indent in the wall.
The fact it reminded him of a shower was only enhanced when he saw the holders for polish and cloths, and the top of it had a spigot where solvent came out. 'So I can wash myself without having to leave the room.'
Jack really tried not to think of why that was, but the fact this was becoming more and more of a gilded cage didn't help alleviate any fears. "So...this is all mine?" He asked, though there wasn't much in the room. Best to keep up the pretense of being 'happy' and 'content' with what he had.
"Yes, and in addition to yourself I expect you to keep this room clean. This is not the mines where you were allowed to leave everything lying around." Shockwave replied.
Jack's jaw clenched, wishing he could snap back about that. 'There was nowhere to put anything aside from our finds.' he thought sourly.
Not that he expected Shockwave to understand the difficulty of the mines-oh no, Shockwave was so above all of that.
It made Jack's fury brew, but he was met with the calming of the crystals embedded into his plating; they eased his anger, but did nothing to stop his thoughts from being furious. 'Just gotta find some way to escape. Then I'll hopefully never see him again.'
Then maybe he could find his way to Optimus... it was a slim hope. And right now, that was all he had. Just a hope to get out of here, and to help change the world. 'Starting with getting rid of the caste.' Jack thought fiercely.
He often wondered if Megatron was still working toward his goal, still fighting in the arena...
'He…he couldn't be dead.' Jack thought, the notion actually scaring him. It was a strange thing, to wish the silver mech was still alive, but he'd grown so used to him, to being his…friend that Jack didn't want to see him in any state except alive. 'Maybe there's a way to check, are these things broadcasted?'
"Master, is…is there a way for me to use the DataNet early? I…" Jack reached for some excuses to use it. "I want to know how I can…please you." The words felt heavy and bitter, Jack wanting to vomit from having to say it.
Shockwave looked at him, optic glowing bright. He beckoned Jack over, who warily approached him but stiffened as the mech grabbed a hold of his wrist. "Tell me then, what is your current knowledge of interfacing?"
Jack's plating crawled, fighting to keep the grimace off his face, but he had an absolutely true response. "Only that it's bad if I'm touched in a way I don't want."
The other mech was silent, his thumb rubbing over the wires in Jack's wrist, who fought not to jerk away. "And…were you to expand your knowledge, it would make you less resistant to accepting my touch?"
"I...maybe?" Jack suggested, wriggling under the touch a little. "I don't want to...upset you, master."
The purple mech was silent for a long moment, before he nodded sharply. "Very well then. You may do your research for five breems, and no more for this sol."
Jack wanted to sigh in relief, but settled for nodding along. "Yes, thank you, master." He stiffened as the servo reached up to cup his chin, tilting his head to meet his gaze.
"I do expect the allotted time I will allow for this research to be used in…practical application, for the future." Shockwave's optic burned brighter, and Jack knew exactly what he meant.
The thought made him want shudder, but held himself tightly. "Yes…master."
"Good." Shockwave nodded, releasing him as he went to leave the room. Jack shuddered with relief, hoping Shockwave didn't hear the clinking of his plating.
When the mech left, Jack heard the door lock and thought it was overkill if he was just going to get him the device to access the DataNet. 'Still, as long as I can see if there's any news on Megatron I can put up with it.'
And not knowing how long he'd be alone for, Jack looked around for something that could be a possible escape route.
There wasn't much of anything though. There was a window, but attempting to open it revealed that it had been locked down like the door.
There was a grate in the shower, just large enough that could maybe fit him if he tried to squeeze through, but it was too high up. There was another grate to likely vent the room itself, but unless he found the construction workers missed something, he'd need to find a way to break through the lock and sneak out. 'Somehow.' Jack thought morosely. He straightened up as all too soon he heard the door unlocking.
Shockwave came in, carrying a small device that must have been similar to a laptop or computer, but with no top to fold up- merely keys. It was placed carefully on the desk. "Five breems and no longer." He stated once more. "I will be making preparations for your polish to be delivered, so use your time wisely." Shockwave added.
Jack nodded, head low until he heard the lock of the door. He zipped over to the computer, relieved that Shockwave wouldn't be looking over his shoulder for this, and his optics looking over the glyphs on the keys. It was a strange disconnect as his mind translated them into letters he could understand, and immediately searched for any mentions of Megatron.
It was slow- articles were strangely titled, and Jack doubted that many would write about a low caste gladiator trying to stir up trouble.
'He's alive though.' Jack thought in relief as he did manage to find one, from a small publisher. The strangeness of that relief only gave him the briefest of pause, but he once again accepted that he'd grown to care about Megatron beyond seeing changing him as just a mission.
'And he is managing to gain some attention, albeit not exactly the good kind.' Jack thought, seeing how the articles had branded him as a dissenter and to watch out for. 'Hmm. Progress, no matter how slow. Any publicity was good publicity. And for everyone who disagrees, there has to be someone who does want things to change.' Jack added. 'Not everyone can be satisfied with the way things are.'
The first time around had proven that, from what he remembered of Ratchet's story. There was no doubt it would happen again, and he had to be there for it.
'Which means getting out of here.' Jack thought. If he wanted any chance of keeping Megatron on the straight and narrow, he had to get back to him. 'Somehow.' Jack searched for more on the progress Megatron was making, but to his frustration there was nothing else. 'Well, at least I got enough to know he's stirring things up out there.'
Jack paused, wondering how much time had passed. He probably had a few minutes still, and it wouldn't hurt to just...surf around the Datanet for a bit. Find out what Cybertronians were interested in and whatnot.
Nodding to himself, Jack thought of what he could search for. The answer came obviously enough, and he looked up racing. The results were almost instant; articles on races from recent and old, and even a few video clips of recent competitions. He blinked when he thought he saw Knock Out in one video, just by the fact the Cybertronian alt-mode reminded him a lot of the red mech's earth mode.
'Well, even if it's not him, I can certainly believe he'd be interested in it.' Jack thought. He looked up what Cybertron considered art, and found a lot of unsurprisingly metal constructs. What did surprise him were to see things that actually resembled paintings. 'Then again…' Jack remembered how Knock Out applied the 'paint' to his plating, and realized the idea wasn't as strange as he thought.
Tilting his head, Jack tried to think of what else he could look up with the time he still had.
Pictures of Iacon dotted the pages, come ground level, others from above. It truly was a beautiful city. A pity it was full of scum from the high caste.
'And Orion is in there somewhere.' Jack thought. Given the trip he took to Iacon before, he never got to see much beside just a street and a jewelry store. The thought of it still burned, but at least he knew it only took roughly two hours to reach. 'In a vehicle, but I'll still need an alt-mode too.' And that wasn't even getting into the fact he didn't know where Orion worked either.
Briefly he wondered if Shockwave would take him again, but shook the thought from his head. As far has he knew, the mech had no reason to take him again, unless his party was to be held there.
Jack sighed, but stiffened as he heard the sound of the door unlocking. Quickly, he closed the window and stepped back as Shockwave came in. "Time's up already?" he asked nervously. "Seemed so short."
"You may have more time at a later date, provided you earn the privilege." Jack grimaced. That was the last thing he wanted to do.
"So, when will the polish be arriving?" Jack asked, just to get away from the topic.
"In an orn; given the short time frame for which the gathering is to take place, I specified a rush delivery." Shockwave explained as he closed the laptop-like device and lifted it carefully up.
Jack nodded, and decided to fish for more information. "And where is this gathering going to be? And, will there be bots from all ever going of just…centered to the city its in?"
"It shall take place in Praxus- a hub of cultural and scientific marvels." Shockwave informed, causing a bit of despair to sink in.
That...was not the answer he wanted to hear. "Oh." Jack glanced away, his optic caught sight of the crystals in his plating. He gestured to them. "And I take it that's where these came from?"
"Astute." Shockwave replied. "And the gathering is to take place adjacent to the Helix Gardens. Should you behave yourself, I will allow you to see it."
Jack clenched his jaw. "How kind of you, master." He said through his denta.
"Clean yourself; when the polish arrives, I expect you do have it finished before we leave."
Jack vented deeply, but forced himself to nod. "Of course, master. But what will you be doing?" Jack asked, keeping his optics form narrowing. He doubted he was going to be dissected so soon, but Shockwave had to be up to something.
"I will be making the final preparations for my presentation, and going over the samples I took for a final check." Shockwave said. "I will also be making arrangements for a short stay in Praxus should the conference last more than a sol."
Jack grimaced. "And I suppose this doesn't mean I get my own room."
"Correct. As my slave it is only logical that you are with me at all times, especially in a city foreign to you." Shockwave said, his optic bright as he trailed over Jack's frame.
The look made his plating crawl, and Jack hugged himself. "Right, logical." He murmured. 'Just fragging great- even more time to be trapped with Shockwave.'
"Is anyone...special going to be there? Like the council? Or a Prime? Others from different castes?"
Shockwave stared at him, and Jack worried he'd said something wrong. Finally, he spoke, "The council may have a representative there, though the Prime does not show unless it's of important matters. Others may attend, if their presence is important enough."
Jack nodded in confirmation, not all that surprised. He knew next to nothing on the current Prime, or even Primes in general, but he hadn't expected one to be drawn to a party of all things.
His spark ached at the thought of Optimus.
"Why are you so interested?" Shockwave asked, cutting through his thoughts as the optic narrowed slightly.
Jack stiffened. "Well, it's just…I've never had much interaction with bots…above ground. I'm only hoping I don't get overwhelmed."
"Your reasoning ...is logical." Shockwave admitted after a long, tense moment. "During the gathering you will remain at my side in case of such an event."
'You're going to be the reason for most of the tenseness.' Jack thought scathingly, but only nodded. "Yes, master."
Shockwave made for the door. "I will bring your energon before I turn in for recharge."
Jack at least found nothing being added to be relieving. 'At least I don't have to sleep in Shockwave's berth anymore.' He thought. "Yes, master."
Jack moved to his own berth, clean, without rust, and most blessedly of all devoid of Shockwave. He only hoped it stayed that way.
Jack sank onto the metal bed, and despite the ring of the lock in his audios, he was relieved to lie here without anyone else most of all. 'And if I'm going to be forced to spend more time with him, I'd better enjoy the times he's gone even more.'
Jack shifted uncomfortably as he and Shockwave drove over the city of Praxus, nervous about the uncomfortable event ahead of them. The city, from what little he could see of it from his tiny window, was beautiful. More so than even Iacon had been. Buildings spiraled upward, metal glistening as soft lights glowed from within.
Jack saw his reflection in the window, of how he'd shined and polished himself before Shockwave dragged him to the transport. He shuddered when he remembered how that red optic brightened intensely when he saw Jack, but thankfully his hand never grabbed anything but his arm. 'So far.' Jack thought sourly.
The lights of Praxus distracted him; they lit up the city, almost like a star on its own. It was even more lively than Iacon and Kaon, with vehicles driving along the impressive road ways that spiraled through the city. Bots walked along the sidewalk, talking animatedly to each other, and the towers were tall and impressive. Jack wondered which building was their destination.
Not far in the distance he saw a massive building, in what was likely the center of the city. Beautiful, and glistening like a jewel, Jack's eyes were stuck to it as though mesmerized. 'Okay, that's amazing.' He thought. The closer they got to the building, the more Jack realized this was their destination. 'Seriously? Kind of overkill for a party, but these high caste bots seem to like excessive things.' He added sullenly.
"You will be courteous to any who speak to you. You will not speak unless spoken to." Shockwave informed as they started to slow.
Jack frowned at the thought of talking to anyone, but forced himself to nod. "Yes, master." He said quietly. Up close the building looked even more gigantic, and he was pulled out of the transport once Shockwave halted it entirely.
Jack grimaced as the sounds came from all around, causing him to take a moment to process everything as he was lead into the building. Jack blinked, hearing a more muted but no less talkative environment. Jack scoped out the lobby; mechs and femmes littered the room, speaking to one another and though a few glanced at them, none approached.
Jack raised a brow when he realized they hadn't moved from the entryway, and that the grip on his wrist was tight. "Are…are you actually nervous to be here?" he whispered incredulously.
"No." Shockwave said tightly before forcing them to move forward.
'You're a big fat liar.' Jack thought with a snort, though didn't dare voice it aloud.
There were several elevators going up, and Shockwave dragged him into one of them before finally letting him go. There were several other bots inside, but thankfully it wasn't cramped. Jack did though find it a bit confusing that when their optics looked him over, they didn't sneer before turning away. 'That's kind of weird, and shallow.' He thought. Had just a touch up and some polish changed his looks that much?
The elevator jerked to a stop on a higher floor, and the other bots left before only a single mech entered, pushing the button to take them to the top. His optics roved over Jack before he leaned against the wall as the door closed again.
"What was that about?" Jack asked, creeped out by the unnerving stares around them.
Jack couldn't help shuddering when they finally got out of the elevator.
Shockwave's optic had been narrowed, the only sign he was displeased. "You are…pleasing to look at. Even more so than before." He really didn't sound like he was pleased with that.
And while Jack didn't either, hadn't the point in fixing him up been to do that? And he couldn't resist goading him about it. "I thought looking good was to reflect well on you?" It was as close to saying 'You're the one that wanted this' without spelling it out for him.
Shockwave fell silent, saying nothing as they stepped into another crowd. There was a lot of chatting, laughing and overall a buzz of noise that echoed around them.
Jack looked around the wide, high ceiling room. There were large windows at the back and sides, giving a glimpse into the darkening sky outside, along with the glittering of the city lights. They were too high for Jack to appreciate the sight, his tank churning just from the fact they were likely on the top floor.
He looked around again, seeing the seats nestled into rows. 'There are more than I thought there'd be.' he thought. All this for a science convention? Jack sighed heavily.
"Shockwave?" Jack almost jumped, because a bot came up, and he didn't know what was more unbelievable; that someone knew Shockwave, or that they actually looked pleased he was here. "It's been so long since you came here. Usually you're too busy sulking in your tower."
Jack bit his lip, but a snicker slipped through.
"I do not 'sulk' around my tower." The scientist retorted sharply, his optic trained on Jack who ducked his head in return. "I perform research to further the advancement of Cybertron."
The bot waved their hand dismissively. "Yes, you and everyone else here."
Shockwave's shoulder tensed, and Jack just found another tell that he was displeased. It was weird seeing someone talk to him so bluntly. "I have been making strides, and came tonight to present my findings." The bot still didn't look at all that impressed, and their gaze finally turned to Jack, a brow cocked at the sight of him. "Well, it's certainly odd of you to bring someone. At least your date's very pretty."
Jack sputtered at the thought that he was Shockwave date. Or that the mech considered him good looking. The red optic grew impossibly bright.
"This," Shockwave stated slowly, dangerously, "is not my date. I have brought my slave here to showcase his unique, astounding properties."
The bot blinked slowly, processing the information for a moment before giving Jack another look. "Your slave, huh? And you brought it up here with you?"
Jack gritted his denta, but clenched his jaw.
"As I have stated, he serves a crucial part of my presentation." Shockwave replied, but the other bot looked even more dubious.
"Really?" They asked flatly. Shaking their head, they started to walk away. "It's your career."
"That was unpleasant." Jack said, still seething over being called an it.
"Indeed." Shockwave agreed, him in one of his rare, furious states. Jack supposed insulting his 'research' was one way to do it.
"Can you just take me to the room you rented and lock me in there?" Jack asked, hopeless as the idea was of leaving this area.
"No." Shockwave didn't even look at him. "You are a part of my presentation." he repeated, then paused. "And if I must suffer this, so will you."
Jack scowled, crossing his arms. "Figures." he muttered. "I hope no one else thinks I'm your date. That was embarrassing." Yet even as he said as much another mech was walking up to them, stopping to speak with Shockwave. The mech was clearly displeased with the other, but was unable to pull away without causing a minor scene. Jack turned his attention elsewhere while Shockwave was otherwise engaged.
Jack wished he was elsewhere more than ever, but this could be his only chance to see if Orion was around. So far no luck, just bots talking with each other until the conference started. He looked around, seeing that Shockwave was still busy with his companion, gazing upon the tables to see the assortments of energon and additives. Well, they didn't lack for variety at least...
It looked good, all the colors he wasn't sure energon could be. Then again some of it might not have been energon at all, as he slowly realized that Cybertronians ate more. Energon had just been the only option on Earth.
He wondered what all could be there- did they eat other kinds of fuel, like oil maybe? He knew they could eat bits of metal, given the rust sticks, but he saw more than those on the tables. Jack rubbed his stomach, tank churning. He was hungry, and Shockwave did seem distracted. He glanced to the purple mech, and quietly walked up to the table and swiped a tiny cube.
He stared at it for a moment, glancing around to see if anyone had seen him, before swallowing the little cube. A cloying mixture of bitter and sweet coated his mouth, causing a shudder to run through him. Jack resisted humming as the after taste lingered. He risked swiping another, the same sweetness to it despite it's different color. Even normal energon didn't taste this good. Jack turned to get back to Shockwave, but froze as a mech stopped in front of him. Jack tried not to wince. There was no way he hadn't seen him eat those cubes.
"S-sorry." Jack said quickly, pausing awkwardly in front of him, peering to the side of the mech. "I didn't mean to disturb you. I'll be on my way now..."
"Nonsense, it's not like no one else hasn't eaten a bit early." The mech said. "It can be boring being expected to wait around." He smiled. "I don't think I've seen you around before. I'm Spectrum." The mech introduced himself politely enough. "And you are?"
"Oh er..." Jack vented nervously, eyeing Shockwave behind him. "...J-23." He muttered, despising the designation but knowing Shockwave would be displeased were he to give out his other one.
It must have been an odd name as Spectrum raised a brow before shrugging. "Interesting choice your creators must have made."
"Yeah..." Jack mumbled. "I-is there something you need?" He asked, shifting on his pedes now. "Because I have to get going-"
"Wait, don't go just yet." The other mech said. Jack jerked back, a bit confused and startled. "It's just, it's been a while since someone new turned up. I'm sure the date you came with won't mind waiting just a bit longer?"
"Well actually-" Jack began but was interrupted as the mech pulled out a chair for him, gesturing him to sit with a small smile. Jack glanced nervously at Shockwave, but the mech was still busy speaking with another bot. He sighed. "Alright." Jack muttered, and reluctantly sat down.
The mech, Spectrum, sat down on the other side of the table, plucking a little glowing cube for himself.
"What do you think of the place?" Spectrum asked.
Jack shrugged. "It's...nice." it was the only good thing he could say about this evening unless he found who he was looking for.
Spectrum hummed. "These meetings can be so dull, I know." He admitted. "But they do always have something that piques my interest. One reason to keep donating I suppose."
"You donated to this gala?" Jack asked, raising an optic ridge. It wasn't too surprising really, though he had thought it self sufficient.
Spectrum nodded. "Yes. May I inquire as to who brought you?" He tilted his head. "Unless of course, you're one of the speakers tonight."
"Oh, no, nothing like that." Jack brushed off, the tension in his shoulders leaving as he relaxed. "I'm with Shockwave- he brought me to show me off."
Spectrum blinked slowly. "Shockwave? He's actually here?" He asked, and glanced around until he spotted the mech. "Well, I'm certain that's causing a stir. He's quite the recluse." He added, before smiling back at Jack. "Though I can see why he wanted to show you off."
Jack fell quiet, pulling his hands away from the table as his optics were downcast. Discomfort and unease radiated off him.
Spectrum seemed to notice the mood shift, and frowned. "I'm sorry, have I said something wrong?"
"It's nothing." Jack replied softly, wanting to be as far away from this place as possible.
Spectrum raised an optic ridge again. "It doesn't sound like nothing."
Jack frowned, shrugging, shoulders tense again. "Well it is." Honestly, he'd rather be back with Shockwave than to continue sitting here and hear another bot talk about his looks. "I should go." He said abruptly, making to stand. "Shockwave will be looking for me soon enough."
Spectrum shook his head. "I doubt it." He paused. "But I suppose the conference will begin soon anyway." He smiled. "It was a pleasure to meet you, and I hope to see you again soon."
"Likewise." He responded politely, leaving the table and the mech.
Jack grimaced, hoping he didn't see him again. He stiffened a little when Shockwave's face caught his own, spotting him having left after all. Jack quickly made his way over to quell any building anger. Jack ducked under the intense stare, a bit floundering on how to explain his absence. "I, um, was hungry." He mumbled. Shockwave looked past him, focusing instead on the mech that was just now leaving the table. The purple mech's optic brightened to a hot red in seconds.
Jack stiffened as Shockwave turned that gaze back in him. "You spoke to someone?" He demanded.
Jack clenched his fists. "He talked to me first." He muttered. Shockwave didn't appear to have been anymore impressed by that answer, glaring at the retreating mech. Jack frowned. "Nothing happened." He said, and added more snidely, "And here I thought you didn't get jealous."
Shockwave didn't honor that with an answer, instead taking a firm hold of his hand.
Jack winced at the grip, fingers tight on his hand as he was dragged along. 'Geez, what's wrong now?' He thought bitterly.
"Do not go near him again." Shockwave warned as he was dragged to a table.
Jack glowered as he was forced to sit down, and tried to wrench his arm away. "Do you not hear yourself?" 'And how hypocritical that is?' he thought.
The grip tightened as he was forced to sit a table. "That was not a request."
Jack grimaced, but his optics found the table was laden with energon and the strange little cubes on it as well. He glanced at Shockwave, who didn't look at him as he picked a glass up. Jack smirked a little at seeing Shockwave drinking after dealing with his own caste, before swiping a glass for himself. The taste was stronger than regular energon, but very sweet too.
"For the rest of the duration of this gathering, you will remain by my side at all times." Shockwave said as he placed his glass down. Jack stared at it, it's contents completely gone. He hadn't even seen the mech take a sip!
Shockwave's brightened optic fixated on him, and Jack grimaced. "Yes Master. As you wish."
"And when we retire to my room, you will clean yourself." Shockwave replied, gaze moving to scan the others around them.
Jack fought to keep the snarl off his face as he ducked his head. 'Possessive fragger.' "Yes, master." He repeated.
Around them the bots talked on, like everything was normal, and only glancing over at them briefly. Jack kept his gaze straight ahead, trying to ignore everyone as well. It felt impossible, as he was constantly tense.
"How long until you do your presentation?" Jack asked, but he was in a grey zone of wanting to leave. To leave would be a relief, but not what likely awaited him. 'Maybe I can get him to stall us going the room here.'
"In half a joor." Shockwave said curtly.
Jack tried not to fidget, just because he was growing bored, and the tenseness didn't help settle his nerves. He tried look around the room again, but it was filled with faces he didn't recognize and forgot within moments of their passing. 'Would Orion be holding a camera?' The thought was ridiculous, but so far there seemed to be at least familiar equivalents Jack had seen.
"Desist your squirming." Shockwave said abruptly, and Jack stilled in his chair, frowning still.
"After this is done for the night, can you show me the Helix Gardens? I'd like to see where these came from." Jack said, just to prolong having to go to that room with the other mech.
"If things proceed well, I may."
Jack narrowed his optics, but that was likely as good an answer he'd get. "Yes, master." He murmured. His optics flitted around the room again, but he nearly stalled when he saw a tall figure roaming around the room, a small little orb flittering around him, zooming in and out as a light indicated it was filming.
Jack stared at the mech, seeing the red and blue plating, a younger but unmistakable face. His spark pulsing tightly in his chest, optics glued to the mech. There were differences than what he remembered from before, but not enough that he could mistake him for anyone else.
'It's really him, I can't believe it!' Jack's chest lightening, spark pulsing as he found himself smiling, relief coursing through him. 'I have to find a way to talk to him, I can't lose my chance.' He thought. Without thinking, he tried to stand-only to get yanked back down. He flinched when he met Shockwave's intense, narrowed gaze.
"Who were you staring at?" he asked, voice low and dark.
Jack grimaced. 'Scrap.'
"N-no one. I saw a light and was wondering what it was...I've never seen anything like that before." He said softly, pointing to the floating orb around Orion Pax.
Shockwave looked at the orb, optic cycling wide to its normal state. "The camera?" he questioned. Jack was incredulous to believe that's what it was. "Not even in your own home?"
Jack shook his head. "Never had a need to use one. I...I barely used the DataNet as it was. My time was always spent with Creator and his experimenting." He sank into his seat, leaning in closer to Shockwave, not even believing he was doing this, but he wouldn't let talking to Orion slip him by. He'd do anything for this chance.
With great reluctance, Jack reached out to grab Shockwave's arm in a gentle, warm hold, pressing flush against it as he widened his optics pleadingly. "May I please go look at it?" he asked breathlessly.
Shockwave was silent for a long moment, but there was a hesitance in his response, optic focused entirely on Jack's face and how he clutched his arm. "For a few breems. No more." He conceded.
Jack found his grin more genuine than he wanted, but he couldn't help feeling giddy. "Yes, okay." he barely got out before flitting from his seat. His optics tracked the path Orion left through, and he found the mech gazing at the area where the conference speakers likely would talk. 'Probably looking for a better angle.' he thought.
Jack gathered his resolve, and stepped lightly up to him. "H-hey, can I ask you a question?"
The mech stopped, seeming genuinely surprised that someone was speaking to him, bright blue optics finding their way to Jack's. He smiled politely though, and Jack's spark pulsed rapidly. The mech was smiling, looking at him. "Yes, can I help you?"
Jack nervously pointed to the camera. "I-I was wondering how that worked. I've, well," his optics lowered, "I've never see one before."
Orion didn't mock him, or sneer, something he had come to expect of the high caste. It was a welcome relief when instead, he actually started to explain. "This device has been programmed to follow my signature, connected to my neural network so I may decide whether something is of special note to record." Orion said, and the orb flitted around Jack before going back to the stage. "I am more than content to let it roam, and take in the sights than restrict it to a single spot."
Jack blinked, tilting his head as he smiled. "That's so cool." he shook himself, rubbing his arm sheepishly. "Uh, I mean impressive."
"It is a simple device...but it is refreshing to see someone so intrigued." Orion's optics became a little lighter, his smile more sincere.
Jack found himself smiling back even wider. It was strange to know this mech would likely become Optimus, but the way he acted was so painfully familiar. "Well, if you got anything more to say, like, about what you do, I'd love to hear it."
"I am merely a simple data clerk." Orion went on to say, looking over the crowd. "I record these events, and take my findings back to the Iacon Hall of Records, where they are then put away for history to remember."
Jack may have already known some of it, but it made it that much more important to hear Orion explain it himself. 'I'm really here, talking to him.' he thought. He wondered if he should get right into talking about his 'caste', but decided to ease into it. "I used to work in the mines," he started, letting the information settle for a moment, "so a lot of this is very...new to me."
Orion looked at him, and no doubt he saw the discrepancy. "If you worked in the mines; pardon my prying, but why are you here?"
Jack didn't have to fake his resentment. "I was bought by one of the mechs here. One prison was traded for another."
"I...see." Jack didn't miss the look of displeasure at the knowledge, but it made him wonder at which part.
Jack wasn't sure he wanted to press and get a nasty shock like with Arcee. 'This is future Optimus though.' he thought, but then again Megatron was radically different than he thought he'd be too. He supposed there was only one way to find out. "It must be nice though to have a...bit more freedom." he pointedly said that, hoping to see a reaction that gave him some hope.
The mech's optics shuttered a little, looking at Jack with something akin to pity. "A privilege many take for granted." He glanced around the room, staring pointedly at the many drunken mechs and femmes.
"Yes, that sounds about right." Jack muttered. He ducked his head when Orion glanced at him. "I just wish they would see how lucky they really are, and that they could use their position to help others than hoard it." he rubbed his arm. "I-I hope you don't report me for dissension. I'm just...venting."
"There's no need. You're merely stating your own opinions." Orion nodded in understanding.
Jack smiled as he looked down at the ground again. "You know, I really like talking to you. You're not as...stuffy as I'm used to dealing with." he then decided to try and be a bit bolder. "Would...would it be okay to get in contact with you? If-well, I wanted to just talk? Or, would that be a bit too forward?"
"Not at all. But are you allowed access to the DataNet?" Orion asked out of genuine curiosity.
Jack's smile froze for a moment, but eased slowly. "Yes, I can use the DataNet. It's a privilege to use, so I'm afraid I won't be able to speak to you regularly. I hope we can still talk though."
A simple nod, and Jack couldn't help the pang of hurt in his spark as he was painfully reminded of Optimus. Always kind, always understanding.
It made him miss that bot, but Jack hoped that he never changed for the worst. "Then," Jack remembered the IP address of the computer, and bit his lip momentarily, "can we exchange contacts?" His spark soared when Orion agreed, and Jack ducked his head shyly as he rattled off the numbers and got one in return.
All too soon though, a bot walked onto the stage, calling for attention and to take their seats.
Jack sighed. "I'll talk to you later then." he said, smiling briefly as Orion nodded.
"I hope to hear from you soon."
"Same." Jack said as he made his way back to Shockwave, who was watching him attentively.
"You took a long time." he said suspiciously, as the smaller mech sat back down.
Jack wondered if he was going to read everything this mech said like that. "He was from another caste, one I never met before; I was curious and wanted to learn more."
"Which caste?" Shockwave asked invasively.
"Something called a data clerk. He's supposed to record events and store the information for later I think?" Jack informed rather quickly.
Shockwave stared at him for a long moment, but nodded sharply. "Yes, that is why he would be here. And have you satisfied your curiosity over such triviality?"
Jack bit back the snarl. "Yes, I have." he muttered. "But I am curious about the other castes; may at a later time, would I be able to use the DataNet again to look at the information next time?"
"If you please me, I will allot you a set time to access it." Jack forced down the tremors that threaten to run down his spine at the tone, not too suspicious in and of itself, unless one knew Shockwave as he did.
"O-okay." Jack tensed as his voice stuttered, but moved forward. "And, what would that entail doing?"
"I will think on it."
Jack's face was blank, but he grimaced inside. 'That could mean anything, and nothing about it good.' Jack drew his attention away from Shockwave, and back to the stage where the mech was still talking.
"I would like to welcome you all to this conference..." The bot introduced the keynote speakers, and Jack was not surprised to hear Shockwave's name among them. There was a bit of a stir though, just reinforcing that the mech really didn't get out much.
Jack was a bit agitated, because when the first bot, a femme, stepped up on stage to speak, all optics were on her. Jack wondered if when Shockwave spoke, he would be forced to go up with him and demonstrate his special abilities. 'And isn't that a terrifying guessing game; is he going to scratch me, or make me heal something in front of everyone?' Morbidly, Jack also thought the mech might kill him to prove a point. One thing for certain, the dark energon was going to be put out there- and that was really bad.
Was there anything he could do to prevent that? Jack couldn't think of anything beyond 'accidentally' tripping and causing the stuff to shatter along the floor. After that Shockwave would probably literally beat him to death.
Jack shuddered. 'Even if I can come back from it, I'd rather not go through it again.' he thought, only listening with the minimal attention to the bots that kept coming on stage to speak, his own agitation growing when he knew eventually it would be Shockwave's turn.
And whatever he had planned for his 'demonstration'.
