...
Yeah... I don't really know what to say. I went through a writer's block but not in the sense that I didn't want to continue the story, but that I didn't know how to continue. See, I have major plot points that not only do I not know what order I want them in but how to connect them in a way that won't rush the overall story.
I'm also thinking about switching the story to the 3rd person instead of 1st because I'm more comfortable writing in 3rd. I also have future plot points that would be difficult to explain or write if the entire story is from a single viewpoint. I did mention in the first chapter that I may end up rewriting the story, and changing POV falls under the list of reasons for why.
Anyway, here's the next chapter but just saying, the next one will probably have a change in perspective... and all these previous ones as well.
My systems slowly onlined when my internal clock went off. My vision turned from a black void to the red tint of my visor. I knew that it was almost time for my shift, so I forced myself to wake all the way. I did a quick scan of my surroundings before I transformed and tiredly stretched my sore joints. My internal scanners told me that nothing was out of place or missing. I vented in relief.
Sometimes other vehicons would play pranks by taking something from those recharging. It wasn't anything harmful, just things like armor plates, so when we'd wake we'd find our shoulder guard missing or something. I've woken with my visor missing once. I got it back, of course. The prankers only take such parts for the reaction before giving it back. After all, a higher-up wouldn't ignore an unequipped vehicon lurking the halls.
I continued to make my way through the multitude of recharging alt modes of vehicons, careful not to step or bump into anyone. When I exited the recharging section, I entered what is basically the lounge, if you call a few crates and metal slabs as chairs and tables. Other vehicons greeted me briefly and I nodded in return before moving past them and leaving the barracks.
"Morning, Galen." D4R-3K sounded through the bond. "You missed a few things in your recharge."
This piped my interest as I made my way to the Refuel room. "And what would those be?"
"Well for one, the Prime is on board."
I came to a sudden halt. "...I'm sorry, what?"
"You know... the big blue, red, and silver 'Bot."
"Alright you aft," he sent waves of amusement through the bond, "let me rephrase that. How did the Prime get on board? Did we finally manage to capture him?"
"Ehh... not quite. More like he joined us. Yeah... I'm not exactly sure what happened but Prime seems to have lost his memory files and goes by Orion Pax again. I think I overheard someone mention that it had something to do with the Matrix of Leadership." He told me and I continued walking to the Energon Refuel room. "Megatron gave us specific orders and rules regarding our new 'buddy'."
True to his words, I checked my HUD and there was the data packet. I opened it and scanned the information inside as I finally reached the Refuel room. I picked up a cube and sat at an empty table as I finished reading it, drinking the energon in the process. Three notes stood out to me the most.
- All vehicons assigned to guard the Energon Storage Vault have been tasked to guard Orion Pax's station as well. -
- He is to be under constant surveillance. -
- Any and all questions asked by Orion are to be responded with answers that will benefit the Decepticons cause. -
"Primus slaggit." I breathed to my brother, who sent more waves of amusement through the bond.
"So I guess you're a Sparksitter now." He teased.
I quickly downed the rest of energon before groaning in annoyance. I am not looking forward to my shift today... or any other days forward.
Although I will get sent out on missions, my main purpose on this Primus-forsaken ship is guarding the Energon Storage Vault, and according to the data packet, sparksitting the Prime as well.
I pushed myself up and went to drop off my empty cube before finally walking to my post. On the way there, I heard a familiar voice call my designation. I vented quietly as I stopped and turned around to see a slightly smaller vehicon running up to me. Once he caught up, I waited for his fans to cool him off a little before we both made our way towards our shift. His 'serial number' is CL1-73 while his name is simply Clive. He and 71R-60 are the youngest on the ship as they were among the generation last born from the Well of All Sparks. Due to this, they hang out with each other often.
"So, uh..." He reset his vocalizer. "I heard that you beat up the Autobot femme."
I glanced down at him. "I lost an arm, my visor chipped, and I got many other injuries. I also had the help of my brother. 'Beat up' is an overstatement."
"Still, she didn't slice you guys in half." CL1-73 pointed out.
I scoffed and continued walking. It's amazing how much rumors can bend the truth. Of course, I don't bother too much with them, but D4R-3K will sometimes tell me of the most interesting or just plain ridiculous ones. Strangely, many vehicons come up with rumors revolving the romantic life of not only Decepticon officers but Autobot ones as well. These kinds of rumors were recently given a name based off of the human's vocabulary. It's called 'shipping'. A few vehicons like to even get really dramatic about it just for fun. They'll say things like 'My ship has sailed!' or 'I ship it like FedEx!'.
... Don't ask me what 'FedEx' is.
"Do you think you could show me some moves?" CL1-73 asked rather excitedly.
I looked down at the younger mech with a questioning optics, even if he couldn't see it.
CL1-73's determination faltered slightly under my gaze, "Well, uh, ya see there's... someone I really want to protect and I kinda hoped that you could teach me something."
I didn't say anything and instead just looked back ahead of us. I know why he's asking me for lessons, and I would happily help him, but despite Soundwave not caring about what we do, he still keeps a close optic on us vehicons. My brother and I have no doubt that he would recognize gladiator moves if we performed them on the ship. So, we can't teach the others, even though it hurts to watch them die. I may not be as social as my brother, but I still care for them.
It wasn't long until we reached our station and once we got there, the two other guards nodded farewells and took off to share some energon, while CL1-73 and I shared some awkward silence. We stood on either side of the door and I scoped out where Orion Pax's room is. I also kept a mental note that the entrance was indented into the wall instead of being a part of the wall itself. On the other side of me, I noticed how CL1-73 made subtle glances in my direction. To ignore him, I contacted my brother, however, I felt his connection was quite far. I checked my ship Monitor and sure enough, we were currently orbiting the Earth.
Every vehicon has a ship monitor that was internally built into them when they were constructed. It allows for us to connect with the ship in a similar way as Soundwave. If there is an emergency on board it tells us where, as it is constantly updated with the ship's coordinates. It can also serve as a homing beacon of sorts.
The familiar swoosh of doors opening alerted me once again to my surroundings. I inclined my head to the source of the noise and watched as the former Prime walked out of his station. He glanced down the other end of the hallway before looking at Cl1-73 and I. We tensed and straightened our posture, still unsure about how to treat Orion Pax.
"Excuse me," he said and I looked towards the blue and red mech who now stood right in front of me. I never noticed how tall he actually was until presently, yet I've never been this close to him so I'm not surprised.
"Yes, sir? Do you require something?" CL1-73 asked.
"Yes. I was wondering if one of you could help me find the Refuel room? It seems that I have yet to receive a map of the ship." He then did something that took me by surprise. He smiled slightly as if he found his statement to be amusing. Is Optimus Prime capable of smiling? Or perhaps it's just Orion Pax who can. Either way, it was unusual to be witness to such a thing. In fact, it's quite disturbing now that I look it.
"Of course, sir." I forced myself to say before the pause became obvious. "This way."
With a nod to CL1-73, I led the newest Decepticon member down the dark hallways of the ship. We passed a few other vehicons on our way, and I noticed that they seemed to be avoiding the large, colorful, former-Autobot who moved through a sea of depressing purples. Finally, we reached the Refuel room, and when I opened the door, I saw a group of vehicons, all with their visors up.
Apparently, none of them could see Orion behind me as a vehicon, designated L0U-13, quickly made his way towards me. He was about to say something, but he suddenly stopped and his mouth lay agape.
"O-Orion Pax!" His optics went wide and his mouth lay agape. At his rather loud realization, the others put their masks down. He, however, remained frozen. I quickly reacted and slammed shut his visor for him, earning a muffled yelp from his voice box.
"I apologize for his lack of respect, sir," I said to the now confused mech before leading L0U-13 away and back towards the others. The vehicons scolded him in hushed voices while I subtly watched Orion Pax make his way towards the Refuel machine. With the ex-Autobot gone, I took this opportunity to return to the door and stand by it as I waited for him to finish his cube.
I can understand why the vehicons had their visors up, though. No higher-ups besides Breakdown will take energon from the public Refuel room, as they all had their own private machine in their berthrooms, one that even produces high grade. I wonder why the Prime doesn't just use the one in his private quarters. Maybe, like the map, he wasn't informed of such a thing? I'm thinking too hard about this.
"May I join you?" A voice suddenly asked and I turned to see Orion standing next to me. I didn't have to incline my helm up too much, as he only stood a helm taller than I. Not knowing how to respond, I just nodded and an awkward silence ensued for a moment.
"May I ask why the others all hid their faceplates when I came in?" He asked innocently.
I was stuck. I didn't know how to respond. Obviously, I can't tell him the truth, but what lie do I tell him instead? Perhaps I'll just bend the truth.
"We vehicons hold a strict code amongst ourselves. A code of honor. We hide our faceplates as a show of obedience and unwavering loyalty towards Lord Megatron." He nodded in acknowledgment before taking a sip of his energon with a pondering expression. I prayed that he wouldn't press further. As always, my prayers were ignored.
"And is this 'code' the reason why you all look the same?"
"Yes."
He pondered more as he continued his energon. I looked straight ahead of me at the wall across the room in an attempt not to stare at the curious mech. After a few moments, he abruptly stopped. "My apologies, where are my manners? I hadn't properly introduced myself. My name is Orion Pax. What is yours?"
I stiffened. He asked for my what? I was shocked, to say the least. No higher-up, except Breakdown, of course, had ever asked for a vehicon's name before. Perhaps it's just the Autobot in him? Yet the Autobots weren't known for being the friendliest towards vehicons, especially the fake Prime. So why is he bothering? Perhaps I should humor him, but with what? My serial number or my nickname? After a quick debate, I decided that the latter would lead to fewer questions.
"The others call me Galen."
He smiled... again. "Well, it is nice to meet you, Galen." A few more moments passed before he finally finished his cube. I nearly sighed in relief. The stares from the other vehicons were starting to become uncomfortable. They had been watching me for the duration of my small talk with the blue and red bot. When Orion left to return his now empty cube, I opened the Refuel room doors and waited for him. He returned swiftly and we finally left the room.
I hope this won't be a regular routine.
Hey look! Orion is here! And he's makin' friends with Galen... I don't have much else to say about this chapter.
Anyway, let me know if you guys are able to tell what each vehicon's name is without me telling you. I'm curious if they're obvious or not.
Have a good day/night!