AN:
Hey guys. Universal. Was. AWESOME!
I rode the Transformers 3D ride about four times (and would have done more if I hadn't been a touch worried about my Mum.)
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Something really cool happened to. It was what we thought was our last day at Universal and the park was getting ready to do this Halloween thing in which we had to leave. If we wanted to go back in for the Halloween thing we would have to buy tickets.
Well, I hadn't been able to ride the Transformers ride at that point and I was very disappointed, so Mumma told me to go ahead and buy a Halloween ticket. Lo and behold, some guys friend hadn't been able to make it to the event and so I got his ticket in for FREE and his express pass! THANK YOU LORD JESUS CHRIST!
So happy.
Also, I got a Bumblebee and Optimus-head drinking cup (the Optimus one is sitting on my desk to give inspiration) as well as a NEST cap and a Transformers shirt.
There's more I want to say, but I'll save it for the next chapter.
Without anymore delay, the next chapter!;
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CHAPTER SIX:
A Matter of Morals
Optimus Prime, once known long ago as the humble but wise data clerk Orion Pax, was generally a good, calm, yet firm mech. Unless in battle, the Leader of the Autobots was ever the diplomat who strove to protect all living beings.
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There was almost nothing of the diplomat in him now; his angered footsteps made the ground shake, servos clenched into tight fists. Those who were in his path moved out of his way…..fast, in awe of seeing an infuriated Autobot outside of battle.
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Even Galloway, in all his pompous confidence, had to stop his haranguing of the soldiers and Bumblebee when Optimus stormed towards him, optic ridges narrowed.
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"What is the problem here?" Optimus growled low, making Galloway start ever-so-slightly. The beaureacrat had annoyed the Autobot leader many MANY times but NEVER had he heard THIS tone.
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However, Galloway managed to shake off the Autobots commanding aura reasonably well…..outwardly, at least.
"The problem," Galloway stated, straightening his tie. "is that you have an unregistered Autobot here on American soil."
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Optimus leaned down so that his imposing face was right in the scrawny mans own. "And how, may I ask, is that a problem?"
Galloway cleared his throat. "Yes, it is a problem. We simply CANNOT have a million of you robots stomping around on American soil."
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"With all due respect, sir, it was ONE Autobot, not five (5)." Lennox cut in.
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"Stay out of this, soldier." Galloway yelled at the man and Optimus vaguely thought that it was a good thing Ironhide hadn't heard that order; the weapons specialist was especially protective of the whole Lennox family since had had become the Lennox Family Guardian and such a tone towards Will would not have been ignored or tolerated.
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"She is not registered because she has only just arrived." Optimus growled out. "If I remember correctly"—and his tone implied that there was no way he could NOT remember—"each and every Autobot has up to eight (8) hours to register. We picked her up not four (4) hours ago."
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Galloway huffed. "And what's this about this robot being female?"
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Bumblebee revved his engines—"Son of a *&^%, let me at'em!"—and slammed one fist into his palm; the very human gesture of a person ready to introduce someone-elses head into a brick wall…..hard.
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Optimus held a restraining hand towards Bumblebee, even though his own frame quivered a little in anger. "Are you discriminating against her because of her gender? Do not even your people have laws against such things?"
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"Well, can you trust your robots and this new female to BEHAVE themselves?"
At this, both Optimus and Bumblebee paused, staring at the annoying mongrel of a man, sensing that he meant more behind the word 'behave' then simply being on good behavior.
A quick Google search, however, crossed THAT language barrier and it might have been better if they had never understood Galloways innuendo.
Cooling vents gushed steam as Optimus tried hard to keep his temper and NOT dropkick the liaison through the wall.
"I have some idea how the ruffians of this planet treat your femmes," Optimus growled, his voice, if possible, going even lower. "but that is NOT how we treat ours. You need not worry about…..bad behavior. Now I suggest you leave before something happens we may both regret."
Maybe it was the fury in Optimus's shining blue optics, maybe it was the slight quivering of his frame, or maybe it was the fact that Bumblebee was continually growling 'let me at'em' while making threatening hand gestures. Either way, Galloway made his brightest decision of the day and beat a hasty retreat.
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"We're not through discussing this, Prime." Galloway said over his shoulder.
"Yes, we are." Optimus said finally, watching carefully as the infuriating liaison turned the corner.
Just then, Ratchets voice spoke through the Primes comm-link. *Prime? You're needed in here.*
Immediately, the Leader of the Autobots did a one-eighty and started back towards the med-bay, motioning quickly for Bumblebee to follow. The yellow and black mech was perfectly happy to oblige, excited at getting to see the femme.
*What's wrong? Is she hurt?* Optimus demanded.
*No… but the medics voice was hesitant…..uncertain. *…..but there is something we must discuss.*
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MED BAY
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Now Optimus stood in the med-bay with the other Autobots, the femme still in a forced recharge on the med-berth.
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All of the Autobots were tense; it showed in the way they stood, the way cables and lines clenched and released, in the position of the door wings on some, and furrowed optic-ridges.
"Prime," Ratchet said respectfully when the Autobot leader stepped into the room, giving a deep nod and showing that now they needed the judgment and diplomacy of the Prime not just their friend. "There is a debate on whether or not to access the femmes memory core."
Optimus tensed himself. Accessing an Autobots memory-core was very serious business. If it was done, they could view the femmes entire life through her eyes, a very personal experience and something that was usually only done with bondmates.
Even Bumblebee let out a surprised whirr at the announcement.
"And why is this option being considered?" Optimus asked.
"Ratchet can't find ANYTHING wrong with her!" Sideswipe answered. "No reason why she would believe herself to have been human."
"It is true I can find no glitch." Ratchet put in. "But that's no reason to access her memory core."
"There's every reason!" Sideswipe cut in. "The femme believes that she was a human! That's not normal! How can she be fixed if we can't find the problem!?"
"It is dishonorable to intrude on the femmes memories, her life, without her permission." Drift said firmly.
Optimus held up a servo and they all fell silent. Then he addressed his medic and close friend. "And you can find NOTHING wrong with her?"
"Not even a crossed wire." Ratchet responded. "And I've checked and re-checked EVERYTHING five (5) times over!"
"Then we must wake her and ask for her permission." Optimus stated firmly.
"But she's not in her right mind!" Sideswipe countered.
"If we explain to her what a look at her memory core will prove, perhaps she will allow us." Optimus said calmly. "But I will NOT sanction a memory probe unless she willingly gives her permission."
VOCABULARY:
SANCTION: (verb) to authorize, approve, or allow
INFURIATED: the state of being extremely angry
POMPUS: extremely proud
CITATIONS:
sanction. (n.d.). Unabridged. Retrieved October 15, 2014, from website: browse/sanction