A Friend for Graduation by Spin
Chapter 2: The Professor and his charge
Professor Datasnipe's laboratory, like all of the Academy's facilities, is of the up most standard, filled with the most advanced equipment available, most of which having been invented at the Academy its self by one professor or another. The light blue of the metal walls maximises on all the light available to them, leaving very little room for anything to hide in shadow. Consequently the room is revealed in its full glory of spare parts, twisted shards of unknown alloys and polymers, oil and chemical spills that may never be cleaned up, and assorted tools that litter every available work surface. The quantity of empty energon cans suggest the occupants of the lab have not vacated the vicinity for the best part of a planetary rotation.
A slight rustling sound attracts the blue mech's attention towards a crude perch type structure towards one side of the laboratory, upon which a metallic creature watches him with interest. Its tri-tone green form made up almost entirely of triangular shapes, from the brighter prisms of its head and body, to the darker panels that make up the sharp wings, claws and tail, all carefully highlighted with a paler green. Tilting his head in acknowledgement he silently approaches the creature, and proceeds to stroke its head and neck in greeting. Optic sensors powering down in pleasure, the little thing starts to hum in appreciation.
"Hm?" The other occupant looks up from his work, and over towards the winged creature. Noticing the other mech, he straightens himself and turns more fully towards the pair. "Good day to you, Soundwave. I was not expecting you to drop by until after your daily lectures had finished." His cultured tones call out conversationally in greeting.
"Lectures concluded three beams prior arrival." Is the monotone response, though the young mech's attention is still focused upon the humming, green creature in front of him.
"Oh?" Silently the older mech checks his chronometer before snorting slightly. "Yes, I suppose they did." Shaking his head and frowning he muses. "Well I suppose this means I'll have to listen to that old fool Nobletrans complaining that I missed today's meeting of faculty when next we meet." Now starting to slowly pace, Datasnipe continues. "Really, as if I desire to waste my vorns away listening to him and his fellow weak willed, layabouts whining about how terrible it would be if a repeat of the Torn and Vos war were to occur. As if they really care as long as it dose not somehow involve Encrypmetro. The whole world could be blown up so long as they are safe in their lecture theatres."
Familiar with their companion's attitude towards pacifism, the younger mechs silently look on unfazed by his emotive rant. Finally, when the professor takes a moment's pause, Soundwave initiates a change of topic in the flow of words.
"Request design progress update" is the calm query from the dark blue mech.
"Design progress?" The dark green and maroon mech seams confused for a moment, but a musicale whirl sound from the tri-themed mech seamed to bring enlightenment. "Oh! Design progress." His frown fades as his lips quirk into a half-smile. "Of course you would not want to listen to me complaining about those fools any more than I would whish to listen to their endless complaints." Signalling Soundwave over he returns to the desk he was working at prior Soundwave's arrival. "Our new friend is a far more interesting, not to mention pleasant topic of conversation."
Watching its larger companions walk away, the small creature beeps a few notes before coming to a decision. Spreading its wings, and bending its legs, it proceeds to launch itself into the air with enough force to glide to Soundwave's shoulder.
"Now, now, Trijade. You should not be taking advantage of our young friend's fondness for you." Datasnipe softly reprimands the little creature, which emits an equally soft whirl sound in response, but declines from vacating its new perch.
The surface of the desk consists of multiple screens each displaying blue prints for some kind of mechanical construct. Studying the schematics before him, Soundwave begins to scroll through the designs present on one of the smaller screens.
"Exo-structure spherical in design." The monotone voice summaries Soundwave's observations of the reoccurring theme to the presented external designs.
"Quite. My Trijade might be aesthetically pleasing but he is hardly discreet, nor aerodynamically agile. This design will suit the roll of our new little friend far better than one such as his."
"Desired function remains surveillance."
"Indeed, knowledge is power, Soundwave, especially in these uncertain times." Pausing in his study of the schematics before him, Soundwave reaches a conclusion.
"Design approaching completion."
"Which means we will be required to go on a 'scavenger hunt' soon." Datesnipe confirms, slightly lost in thought.
"Scavenger hunt?"
Whirl
"You are well aware that this is not an Academy approved project, and some of the components we will require would raise to many questions if I were to try to procure them through official channels." Soundwave speared Trijade a thoughtful glance before absently flicking through the schematics again.
"They would prohibit the project." Somehow the monotone voice sounded softer, almost sad, though his face possessed no visible features through which this could be confirmed.
"Oh no." Soundwave immediately gives his full attention to the master of data retrieval and encryption, and finds him frowning; staring thought the screens as if looking upon the cause of all the universe's problems. "As I said before 'knowledge is power', and those in charge of the running of the Academy would seek to claim this project for their own personal gain." Neither the angry red flash of Soundwave's visor nor the heat in his voice when he next speaks are missed by Datasnipe or Trijade.
"Time of 'scavenger hunt' commencement?" Datasnipe exchanges a knowing look with Trijade before answering.
"I have some other matters to attend to tonight," Datasnipe comments, while downloading the schematics to a data-pad. "Come by my personnel quarters tomorrow and we will start making the required arrangements." Knowing he is being dismissed, Soundwave nods his acceptance, before lifting Trijade back on to his original perch and making his way to the door. He pauses at the door for a final query.
"Desired time of arrival?"
"Not too early Soundwave, this could be quite a late night." Receiving all the response he expects, Soundwave leaves the laboratory, the door automatically shutting behind him. Noticing Soundwave's departure, Datasnipe turns to his remaining companion, a smile tugging at his lips.
"He is a good mech, so he is. Quiet, intelligent, though lacking a bit in self-confidence for now, but with the potential for a great many things, that will help shape our future. Though I doubt he will achieve his full potential while trapped, confined and impeded in the this gilded cage of knowledge."
Whirl Trijade tilts his head in query. Grinning at his small friend Datasnipe indulges his curiosity by explaining further.
"Like our oh so well educated employers, you can have all the knowledge of a world" he gestures around them to suggest the vast resources of the Academy "but it means nothing if you lack the wisdom or will to use it." He looks thoughtful for a moment before continuing. "Will comes from within the spark, and I cannot help there. Wisdom, however, comes from individual experiences, and those I can help guide and expand for both our young friends." Smiling to himself he subspaces the data-pad, for safekeeping. He then raises his left arm to call Trijade to him. Once comfortably perched, both professor and creation, head towards the door of the laboratory themselves. "Now, let us see what that egotistical ignoramus, believes is so important that he must intrude upon my time this day."
Author Notes:
Wow been a while since I did an update, sorry Uni has been both time consuming, motivationally taxing and all round boring :( At least there's just my final year exams left to sit, though I don't know whether I'm more relived or terrified it's nearly over. No idea what I'm going to do with the rest of my life. Oh well, enough of my griping, everyone has there own problems to deal with.
Weird thing about this story I've got chaps 5 and 6 completed when I've done nothing more than planed 3 and 4. No exams or lectures for another week, lets see if I can flesh out chap 3.
Oh and in case anybody cares, the reason for the Spherical design is that in the first Ep of Transformer "More than meets the eye" Lazerbeak looks like a Frisbee with antennae, before they leave Cybertron.
Thanks for reading, please Review, even if it's just to say: "Read it" or "Done".