Chapter 6: less noise
Ultra Magnus's P.O.V
Note: echoe018: I'm glad! Hope you weren't waiting too long! BumblePrime615 thank you! I went back to the other chapters and fixed it a bunch. I hope it reads better now. I really wanted Waspinator in this series. But my way of putting him in was a bit cruel. I was having issues coming up with someone who'd work good with Rodimus. So I very meanly though "hey, who are the two biggest punching bags? Well the universe hates Waspinator and the fanbace hates Rodimus! PERFECT! the two greatest failures!" I felt horrible for think that so I had to share. (:
(don't hate me, IDW Rodimus is my space husband whom I love)
Sod it!
I very aggressively used up the last of my handy disinfectant. Tossing the empty container into the recycling unite; already filled with identical containers. It was fine, I had much more in my under the sink in here and my nightstand.
And in my desk...
I diligently rubbed my hands together not leaving space on my servos unclean.
How dose he always do this! I just want him live long enough to be Optimus's successor. So... why do I feel like the bad guy!
I swear he has "evil" written in his code. Or at least targeted towards me; and me alone.
I turned on the water nice and hot to wash the disinfectant off.
Rodimus is the best emotional manipulation on the face of Cybertron. He could always get me to agree to let him do something stupid. Like meteor surfing or let's him play hopscotch with land mines, he said it make it more interesting. Not stopping him from weld Prowls servos to his desk. Or letting him anywhere near the human internet. He has the attention span of a child.
I try not to say no because he needs to make decisions on his own. But even if I say no he gets all whiny, has himself a tiff get angry and then the silence treatment or something equally childish; until something else catches his attention again, rinse and repeat.
This was different. Very different.
I'm not just doing it to spoil everyone's fun. I just...
I let myself sigh out loud.
I'm at least glad he's back safe in the city. I can keep a optic on him better.
Plus these more to worry about then the counsel, There are still Decepticons out there some of which would do anything to kill a Prime.
I dried my hands off and took a slow deep breath.
It's fine.
Every thing will be fine.
I head a thud in the living/ working area.
I couldn't help but roll my optics. prepare for the worse, I stepped out of the washrack. Down the hall wondering what else this aggressive femme has broken today.
However she was no longer on the couch. No, instead she was on the ground in front of the door desperately reaching for the doors keypad and not quite being able to reach it.
Little good that dose, she doesn't even know the code.
I let just out another sigh.
I saw the Energon cube on the table in front of the couch. It still had a little more then half. And I know she was running on empty. At least she listened to one thing I said.
She swung her head over finally noticing me.
"Aww, Scrap,"
I just walked over picking her up and putting her back on the couch. She crossed her arms and shot me a pouty face.
"Give me your wrists," I said dully.
She didn't budge.
"I won't cuff them, behind your back this time," I said trying to sound nicer. And to alleviate the discomfort of last time.
She looked away and held out her wrists limply. I put them one gently and made them less tight.
"I'm still not happy about it," She spat.
"I know, I'm the bad guy, right." I said. seems to be the theme of today...
"Depends, are you gonna "correct me"?" She said snide with a bit of a glare.
Let it go Magnus. You can't win.
"Here," I gave her a touch panel for the entertainment system. Might keep her quiet. "Rest, let ratchet welds health before you brake any. I promise once they set, we'll start your physical therapy. Until then, I have work to catch up on. I'll be right there at my desk if you need help with anything, alright."
Leadframe's P.O.V
Wow.
I had no snarky comeback for that.
Come on, Shoulders. Give me something! To work off of.
"Need the T.V to baby sit for yeah," ok good start but there's no insult. "Don't worry, it's just as stiff and robotic as you are,"
Eh, not my strongest.
Magnus just ignored me and started doing his work at his big aft desk.
Fine.
I guess I win.
...
...
HA!
I grabbed the blanket on the couch and rapped it around me. Took a few tries with the handcuffs.
On the touch pad I scrolled through some of the channels. There I found the news. This could be helpful after all. Whatever information helps, right? Last time I was on Cybertron was... oh, maybe three million years ago.
For all I know, they already know about our secret plan to regroup at Kingdah and blown it up.
I clicked the change news icon and for what city.
Oh.
Very interesting. I saw pictures of 4 different cities all of which were ones I recognized Iacon, Polyhex, Kaon and Kalis. They were the only city's available... I guess the other haven't been rebuilt yet.
I'm really surprised too see they got Kalis up and running again.
I came online there, the war was well on its way. The place was a ghost town last I was their.
But I'm just gonna scoop out the area I'm stuck in for right now. I selected news for Iacon.
"-in light of Senator Brakecase new labour laws, Energon prices have dropped significantly. And with the planet slowly healing from its burn, allows for new deposits to form. While some claim that the new Labor act is much to harsh. The official running the mines say "They've never been running smoother."
"Senator Brekecase even allowed us to interview him after he signed the Workers Rations Relief policy."
It cut to a indoors shot of some odd green mech. Looked to be a big powerful guy. Why don't I remember seeing him on the battlefield. Or anywhere... I'm sure the stiff politicians HATED getting they're armour dirty.
"Ever since Alfa Trion left us, it's been a struggle on all of us. But we need to remember that progress is what drives us forward."
Phffff, that doesn't even mean anything. He literally could have just spoken nothing and it wouldn't equal the same thing. Stupid Autobots... slaver isn't progress. "That's called going backwards".
"How do you feel about the protest coming from some of the Autobots?"
Oh yeah, poor workers but sure let's enslaving our enemy!
"Well, they... they been through a lot. Sometimes peace is harder than war. A lot of them have rivals down in those mines. And sometimes people can't just let the past go."
Wait... those workers... are Decepticons... I looked at my small glass in front of me with a ping of disgust. I suddenly didn't feel so hungry...
"But a lot of them say the new law is "cruel" wouldn't they want them to suffer?"
No, it had to be something more too it. I don't imagine us extending the same courtesy if things were reversed.
It cut to a angry mob of Autobots shouting about these laws. What were they anyways... it cut back to the political mech again.
"A lot of the Autobot are brave fighters not smart might not understand what this law is. It's benefiting the people who said no too fighting. The Autobot, The have it were given a lot for fighting for our planet. Sometimes they might forget that there fight wasn't everyone's. Or perhaps they miss being the centre of attention. Now I don't mean to sound unkind when I say that, but...-"
"Change it please," Magnus said behind me. Yeah probably isn't to fond of the brutal Autobot bashing Going on.
"Hey Magnus, what new laws are they talking about," I asked
His body slumped slightly.
"It's for the Decepticon only. It's forced Double shift work, 18 hours a day, one Energon brake," Magnus said bitterly. "They barely fuel them crumbs."
"Well, if it's such a moral dilemma, you doesn't your pure perfect Prime do something about it,"
Magnus put down his data pad.
"You heard what they think of us. The media makes us sound like barbaric mental escapees, Optimus is considered a ex-military leader. The only real power he has is symbolic,"
I just looked away. Not interested anymore, I don't care about his bosses excuses. just looked through a bunch of the other channel options on the touch remote. I found Ultra Magnus's browser history. What dose the big guy like to watch.
I gave it a click and was very surprised. And discussed...
Earth movies?
Gross.
I scrolled through and found nothing that wasn't from earth. Why would anyone watch any of this crap. Lumpy flesh monsters living their...lumpy fleshy lives. I scrolled through more of the stupid films in Ultra Magnus's had a list with a star on it which were probably his favourites list. None of which I could read. Stupid primitive earth language.
-Marry Poppins
-Sound of music
-Hello Dolly
-Chicago
-Annie
-Chitty chitty bang bang
-Wizard of Oz
All the letters looked funny and I had no chance of saying 'em out-loud.
More Human garbage. Frag, I'd rather watch nothing. All else Cybertron had to offer is reality tv. And that's just about as appealing as the organic stuff.
I went through his music library marked with a music note at the top. Curiously if found the titles of those earth movies in his favourites... what the actual hell? These are connected to his hub's downloads as well... So dose he listen to these when working?
I knew the Autobot were sluts for organics but come on guys!
I just picked the stupid reality tv. It was only better by a very very very small margin. They were interviewing Autobots who had settled down and took to a career. Blur as it seemed, now ran a bar. But on the floor at the autoscum's pedes.
Swindle.
He kept his head low and a leash on him; like a cyber hound. No one payed even the slightest of attention to him. You could only see him in the wide shots. Absolutely pitiful...
We all had tracking/blowing up collars but that actually served a function. This was... I mean... Primus, did everyone just go insane! They can't even give us even a scrap dignity, Cybertronian pride!
They literally turned us into... pets.
Like domesticated animals.
Ok, Before I was being hyperbolic before but... no...
I when I get back on my pedes again... is Ultra Magnus gonna... do that. Was he going to walk me around as a prize on a leash like some kind of show animal.
I sank a little in my seat, I just looked at the screen in horror.
I could take being beaten or whipped or any other form of physics torture. I'm a literal super space tank. I can take it. I... I don't think I'd survive the humiliation. I'd just die on the spot. It's why I don't want to be fraging hand fed.
If he EVER tries leash me, I'll kill him. I will take whatever peace of material he wants to drag me around in. And I'll find a way to kill him with it.
Ultra Magnus's P.O.V
I lied to her about being behind on work. I got it yesterday, I just want to get it done soon. In case someone else comes up or I find something wrong with it in my 12 step proof reading proses.
Honestly more people should do it, I often find simple error in plenty of works. Optimus sometimes get annoyed with me when I do this. But I don't get the problem. If there's a error in the work I can work on it proper because I'm then paranoid that something else is wrong or worst; I'd be signing someone's gibberish. And making Gibberish laws are not what I do.
Rodimus is much worse. He dose it on purpose because he knows it bothers me.
I tried showing him my 12 step proses but... he was largely uninterested.
In fact whenever we discuss his poor writing skills he makes a habit of excusing himself. Promising he'll be back. Then, leaving me there.
After being ditched me fore times I had given up.
I do wonder what Leadframe's literacy writing is like.
I watched the femme watch tv. I could feel the anger she exuded.
She was always so angry. I'm sure once she gets used to it here she'll start to warm up a bit more. Me taking off the cuffs helped her mood. Unfortunately her audited was much to be desired. I'd hope to help fix that.
Until then, I just hope she's more comfortable.
Leadframe's P.O.V
I tugged a little at my cuffed hands lightly.
I felt anxiety build. Nothing extreme just... just a creeping tension. A nervous feeling.
When i hopefully get on two pledes again, then maybe I can fight him better. Back on that horrible snowy rock, I had been on the run without fuel for a long while. I was bested at my worst. This time it will be more fair. I can fake that it hurt more then it should so I get more healing time before he dose Primus know what too me.
He'll be expecting his reward...
But before that happens I can recover and kick his skid plate-
But I still have on the collar...
FRAG!
I silently gritted my dental. I tucked in my field so he hopefully wouldn't notice my seething contempt. I really need a mirror. Maybe I can pick the lock. Or at the very least defuse the functions. I looked around trying to locate a mirror or some sort of reflective source I could uses.
Nothing low enough to the ground.
Hmm, I might just have to wait till I'm able to stand. I know I saw a mirror in the washrack.
But then I got a different idea.
Or tonight I can wait tell he goes recharge then I crawl to the entertainment system and use the reflection off the screen... sure I might not have anything on me that can help but that way I can at least get a good look. Maybe even figure out what I need for it...
On the entertainment system, Blurr was drinking in all the attention while failing to notice he hadn't let enough slack on the leash. Once in a while Blurr would move his hand and the miserable looking Swindle just shut his optics and just do his best to accommodate his masters movement. It was sickening to watch.
I grabbed the Tablet control and scrolled through I don't care. I change my mind. Id much rather watch gross carbon based lumps then this. I went back to Magnus's favourites. The icons with a heart shape on it; and clicked the first one I saw.
Frag it, I guess I'm watching Marry Poppins.
Click.
Some oldie logo appeared with some oldie music playing.
It starting with some narration and... singing?
I looked at the description of the movie on the tablet. I noticed next to it, it had music notes around it. That was to indicate genres.
Oh it's a musical. I looked at a few of the other fleshy films Magnus felt like saving as this one continued to play. They were ALL musicals.
I hadn't noticed but within seconds Ultra Magnus was taken out of his work with a look of horror. Magnus Rushed over faster then a mech of his size should be able too and snatched the table controller and switched it off.
"Dude?!" I Said annoying. "You said I could watch something!"
"That wasn't a invitation to ransack my privet library," Magnus shouted mildly horrified. Like I had found his stash of slash or something.
"Who cares," I said.
Magnus didn't respond. He just put another movie on at random. Some dumb human action movie.
However... very curiously I noticed Magnus was flusher more then any person I've ever seen. He was embarrassed, Humiliated, absolutely horrified. He was shacking a little, nerves on end because of my discover. I don't think I've ever seen anything cuter then a flustered Magnus. His frown had also doubled down. He had place the control tablet far out of reach for me and brooded back to his desk and made no further optic contact.
Tee hee.
I could use this... finally I had a sliver of leverage.
The rest of the day passes without issue. Shoulder hasn't said a word since. A blessing if there ever was one. The human movies were gross to watch, especially when a Mech and Femme of the squishy variety would... get together.
Nearly purged twice.
But now I was just sort of bored. I don't really care for watching shows all day but there wasn't much I could do about it. I shifted my hips but only found pain. I wasn't looking to bust the welds; then I'd get sent back to Ratchet.
I shuttered at the thought...
Not a risk worth taking.
I head Ultra Magnus putting away his datapad and repots so I assume my peace won't last. But that's fine by me. Maybe we can play a game or something. Maybe hollow chest or cards. He seems like he might have those. Ohh, I should ask him if he has dominoes. That be also fun!
But then reality came back. Of corse he wouldn't, that require him to know what fun is!
Frag it-
"Hey Mag's! Got any dominoes!" I enthusiastically said. I didn't want to call him shoulders. My way of buttering him up.
"No," he said seriously.
Oh.
"Got any other kinds of games we could play, I'm kinda bored," I said shuttering my optics fast trying to look all innocent.
"No, but I do have some story pads if you would like," Magnus offered.
Ultra Magnus's P.O.V
I watched her freeze like a statue.
"No, I'm good," She said nervously. That was odd...
I went over to my book shelf and grabbed a book that she might like. It was any grad lore or super complex poetry but a nice read, a little something to pass the time.
Leadframe had super focus on the Entertainment system ignoring me approaching.
But I held it out for her.
"Here," I sounded more aggressive then I meant too. Her optics shifted.
"I'm fine," She said hostile. "I didn't mean to bother you. Forget I ever said anything," The Femme said as if I had poisoned the reading device. She herself look... fearful...
"Leadframe? Are you alright?" I asked confused. This arose suspicion in me. Really odd behaviour for this otherwise prideful femme. She said nothing, but her body made small shifts as if to retreat.
Very well, if she insisted. I went back to the shelves and put the data pad away.
I think I'm finished for today. It was getting late and I haven't really said much in the while. I very slowly approached the couch and sat on the far end. She was comfortably rapped in a blanket and used he cuffed servos to hold on to the corners.
"What movie is this?" I asked trying to make conversation.
She didn't bother looking.
"D'know, one of these fleshes had his spawn kidnapped and he's trying to get her back, be the other wants him to suffer because... well I'm not sure. Guess he's just a aft," She said dull. "It's really hard to watch the fights. The camera shakes to much and both of them are pale skin brown hair creates. So the fights confuse me about who is who. They both look the exact same so I'm not sure who to cheer for."
Her dry cynicism made me smile. I'm glad mindless violence doesn't seem to interest her. Maybe... I could help with that.
"Want to watch one of my favourite movies?" I said a little unsure. The worst that could happen is she makes fun. Even then I can handle it. It's not like she didn't already know my secret.
"Sure," she said as I picked up the device. It was the one she started playing before.
I felt her optics give me a sceptical look from across the couch; recognizing it from before. She didn't say anything keeping her mouth shut.
I was grateful, I'd prefer her to see it first before she chooses to make fun of me at least.
I was a little nervous. I... I hope she likes it. I don't share these things with anyone. Not even Rodimus knows, I'd argue he's the closest person to me. He'd probably laugh and tell the whole world. Well... maybe not. He isn't that cruel I hope. A brat, maybe. But not cruel.
She had hogged all the blankets which made me wonder if it was cold in here. It didn't feel it. I have the thermostat on a very strict schedule to go with the time of day and wether conditions.
I looked over at the quarter full Energon cube she's been sipping at since this morning. She still hadn't finish it. No wonder she's cold, she running on low energy. That had me worried because her priority system is going to need fuel to heal her. Her heating systems might have shut down in order to preserve power for their priority system...
"Hey," I called over "Drink more."
Leadframe's optics turned into dangers. But she did what I said. But still taking only small sips.
Leadframe's P.O.V
Sorry big guy, your singing organics haven't convinced me this isn't poison.
Or worse drudged.
I could deal with poison, I could deal with death.
I've been feeling doozy all day and I was curious if this was the caws. I don't want it to be the case. The Energon tasted wonderfully sweet, probably the best I've had in a looooong time. It pains me to hold back. But I... I don't want anything to happen to me when I'm passed out. If I was being forced in anyway way... I at the very least want to be aware. I was already helpless enough as is.
I hope he's not that big of a cowered.
I hope at the very least he waits until I'm better.
I went back to watching the movie.
Ultra Magnus's P.O.V
She didn't last through the whole thing, her body was using all its energy to her healing protocols; fixing her back. I'm not surprised she was tired out. She was kinda cute when she slept, she looked peaceful and all the tension in her body had gone lax. Over the course of the film she has wiggled in a way that got her in a comfortable position. Even if it did mean I needed to help move her lags back onto the couch; letting the femme take over most of it.
I was gonna head off to recharge but... I wanted to see the end of the movie.
Mr Banks learning the only thing that can truly enrich him is the love of his family. Marry Poppins services is no longer required and she leaves.
I adore her...
She is so powerful and strict but she carries herself in a way that makes her so... wonderful and charming. I'd love to be more like that.
I rested my head in my left servo for support.
Or even for people just to hate me less. But without distance how can anyone respect me. I'm not natural leader like my brother Dominus.
After this I'll go rest for tomorrow. Maybe I'll have better luck. I'll find her some better things to read for tomorrow. I'm sure Rodimus would mind sharing the stories he's left here. I doubt she'd be into poetry or political documents.
I got up and turned down the lights.
Tomorrow would be a better day...