Flashback - Metallurgy - [Closed]

[Optimus Prime]

The more he read, the more disgusted he became.

Orion knew the system was broken, he knew it was wrong, but he had no idea just how bad it had become until he truly dove down into the facts of the matter. When one is observing it through the eyes of a data clerk while on task, it can be blinding. It was much like wearing shutters to force them to look upon individual chunks of data as that and that alone. A few wrong things here, maybe something amiss there, but combining them all together painted an entirely different picture. Taking of the shutters to observe the individual fragments as one picture revealed the catastrophic downward spiral to stagnation they had fallen within.

They were dying.

It wasn't a grand death, it wasn't a collapse of society that all could see, it was a slow and painful withering that was so gradual most could not comprehend it until they were forcibly pulled up from their complacent and ignorant path. But even then... what could one do? There was only so much that could be attempted to try to fix things, yet... one could not afford NOT to try. One could not afford to sit idly by waiting for the complete decay.

Orion knew this to be true; he knew it to be fact. But even if he knew he had to do something, he had never wanted to be in the spotlight. He never wanted to be the one directly viewed in politics, so it was perhaps lucky then that he had found an individual to stand behind, someone that held seemingly identical beliefs and ideals. The things they did disagree with were at this point so minute and small it only provided a topic for reasonable debate and not all out bickering conflict.

It is because of this, the data clerk was more than happy to put his skills to the test, and permit himself to research and pull up information that could help the gladiator, which... was such an odd thing to think about. Orion would have never thought he'd speak openly or have anything in common with such... a brute... but that was the point of everything was it not? That one's profession that had been chosen via their builds, and the Guild's bigoted ideals, didn't always fit what an individual was internally.



It was mid day, the sun hanging high amongst the smoky vapors that swirled and coiled in the upper atmosphere. It was still bright out despite this obscuring wisp however, made that much more so my Iacon's general architectural choices. Vibrant white and gold coated the majority of the buildings, amplifying the light to make the city nearly glow in its own way. Flecked within, were bits of color from burgundy to cerulean, weaving into something almost akin to an art piece.

All the buildings themselves seemed to be architecturally fashioned for visual appearance as well as functionality, each one matching and flowing into the next in its own odd elegance. Curved walkways and platforms among circular rings framing transitions between areas, everything was subtly moving in a way that even if there were no individuals it would appear alive. It was a large clash compared to some of the more run down areas of this world, where their buildings stood alone with dark metals and shapes that were easier to be built more so than aesthetically pleasing.

Orion waited patiently outside of the Iacon Hall of Records, the massive ivory and gold building almost built like a centralized hub where everything flowed around it seamlessly. He stood out of the way from foot traffic, holding one datapad under an arm, while the other was held up in front of him with its screen illuminated. He idly tapped and worked on the activated device, tinkering away at last minute organization that was not NEEDED but made him feel better about handing it over to another.

The data clerk would engross himself in this task while he waited, silently happy that Megatronus decided to visit his realm rather than the other way around. While Orion would go to the gladiatorial rings and the surrounding area if he must in order to hand things over, he did not particularly like it at all. It was far too brutal... far too... savage... for his liking. It made him feel exceptionally tiny and feeble, and overall uncomfortable. It was made even worse by the fact that death was somehow celebrated as entertainment in such an area. He knew that this more pristine environment of Iacon may enact some discomfort in the other individual, but he hoped it would not be much.

[Deleted]

Iacon was dangerous in ways Megatronus was still becoming used to. In industrial cities like Kaon and Tarn, threat was ever-present and explicit. Debt collectors, junkies, the overcharged and violently inclined - these were hazards that the miner-turned-gladiator walked through on a daily basis. The outcome of death in the Arenas was one he willingly met and was paid to do so.

Here, in this city of glass and crystal, the danger was more insidious.

He was watched as well as stared at by curious Cybertronians several castes removed from his own industrial frame. There was always one law mech with their visor turned to him; always a gun-sight cast upon him, an invasive inspection at every checkpoint. The Enforcers questioned him on his function, his designated living sector, the purpose of his visit, and the origin of the bolt welded to his wrist that granted him temporary passage on these airy streets. Such an innocuous lump of metal, but the datacodes it bore were all that were keeping Megtronus out of a prison cell.

The gladiator was used to be stared at, and though the overt displays of disgust and suspicion grated, they inspired reams of words that he welcomed. He recited them in his mind, editing the rhetoric as he walked ready to be committed to one of the few precious datapads that he owned.

His visits to Iacon bore fruit beyond what datafiles Orion gave him. Trespassing here put the quality of life in places like Kaon into harrowing contrast, instilling him with the energy he needed to keep speaking out. To be a voice the gilded and the corrupt couldn't ignore, speaking on behalf of the crushed and subjugated masses to fight for justice. His voice, his words had already found an ally in the belly of the beast, and Orion was too valuable to risk in Kaon.

Megatronus could weather Orion's environment better than the dataclerk could traverse the dark and twisting paths of his own. The mech was too polished and fine of form to not be a tempting target, whereas the gladiator was a grotesque curiosity. Some of the larger mechs shouldered him in passing, but largely his path to the Hall of Records was cleared as he approached.

It meant that he saw Orion against the wall before they were in speaking distance. Naturally the archivist had his processor buried in a projection screen, working up until the moment when he was interrupted. Megatronus had privately made it a mission to get the smaller mech to take a whole cycle off. Likely some form of botnapping would need to take place for that to happen.

He sent a ping altering Orion to his presence, a smile easing the severity of his features as he approached.

[Optimus Prime]

If Orion were to look up, Megatronus would be easy to spot amongst the sea of bright colors and gold. A massive broad shouldered frame with spiky adornments, paired with an even iron tone surface area didn't particularly blend in at all. It would have been no challenge, even if there were more individuals strewn about to break up the outline. The issue was however, that Orion didn't look up, and he didn’t seem to be fully aware of his surroundings while he tinkered away at the datapad.

If someone strode near the data clerk, Orion would sense it and react as such, he was not completely oblivious to the world around him. However there was the qualifying factor in play that someone would have to be near him to trigger this reaction. Outside of this personal bubble there was a level of situational ignorance granted only by one in deep focus. The only sad bit was these final modifications weren’t even vital, it was just his dedication to doing things right in whatever job he set his mind to.

It is because of this, Orion seemed somewhat confused for an astro-klik when the ping came. This betrayed just how engrossed he had been in his personally assigned task, having devoted himself to it with his normal level of focus and zeal. After this fleeting moment passed, the clerk's optics focused and settled into a scan across the horizon line, only to latch down onto Megatronus a fraction of a moment later. Orion was not one for more expressive emotions, but he did lightly smile, the look faint but earnest to respond to Megatronus' own.

Once the significantly larger mech got within speaking range, Orion pulled the second datapad out from under his arm, and tucked it behind the first, however did not hand it over yet. He knew it would be rude to just smash the objects out at him and squawk instantly about all the things he found, even though he was rather pleased with himself. He would handle formalities first and as such spoke in an even tone.

"Megatronus, I am glad to see you found your way."

It was not meant to be insulting, not meant to imply Orion expected him to get lost in some way. No. It was simply that Iacon was a massive city with a lot of raised platforms and rises to it that at times almost made it a double leveled entity that added a third axis to directions. If one were not careful, than getting turned around amongst the non linear pathways could be rather simple.

"I hope there were no complications upon arrival?"

Orion could be seen as ignorant at times, but he was no fool. He was not blind. He knew well that Megatronus could easily face conflicts just trying to traverse into such a city. It would not be life threatening typically, not harming one physically (Not that much could boast that to the gladiator even in his dangerous home turf) but it could be damaging in other ways.

The clerk could easily see how individuals who were passing by were giving them odd looks already, wondering just why those of such conflicting castes would even bother gifting a second glance, let alone speaking. The bolt that adorned the brute of a mech's wrist, was another qualifier of just how different their 'levels' were from one another. One needed permission to walk here, while the other flourished with no issue.

Tangible reminders of just how flawed the system was.

[Deleted]

"Nothing exceptional," the larger mech remarked, glancing back over a heavily-armoured pauldron. He wouldn't have been surprised if he'd been followed by a particularly overzealous border-guard.

Seeing no one, Megatronus looked back down to the subject of his visit to the capital. He was being watched - his off-hand answer apparently unsatisfactory. Orion would not hear complaints from the former-miner, however. Megatronus did not like to trouble his friend's mind with personal injustices when there were bigger things to discuss.

Orion's concern still intrigued Megatronus, despite it having been a persistent element of his personality since they'd met. He'd been suspicious of it at first, wondering how much friendly rope would be spooled out to him before he found himself hung from the rafters. The younger mech was painfully sincere, however, and Megatronus was gradually learning not to bristle at any allusions to their differing caste.

The archivist was concerned about a great many things, and few of them superficial, which was unusual for a product of Iacon. Megatronus would trouble himself with invasive checkpoints and baffling directions to hear his thoughts.

It would be a much quicker journey back to Kaon. He was delayed and obstructed at every opportunity on the way in to Iacon, but the gatekeepers couldn't expedite his passage any more to see him out of the glass and crystal city.

Megatronus eyed the datatpads that were obviously intended for him, and was quietly grateful that Orion hadn't simply held them out and sent him back on his way. Whilst not long, the journey here had been enough to demand a short respite before he turned back to the pollution-dark horizon over Kaon.

"Have you somewhere in mind for us to go, Orion?" he asked, glancing to one side again to warn off a particularly lengthy share.

His plating twitched and flared. If a mecha wanted to look upon him so intensely, they could pay to do so in the Arena, not gawp at him in public as if he were some freakish spectacle. Dimly, Megatronus hoped that Orion would choose somewhere private for them to talk, and not some energon cafe or the like.

[Optimus Prime]

When Megatronus glanced back and over his shoulder, Orion couldn't help but find himself easing to the side as if to attempt to do the same around the giant mech. The motion was futile though, and he amended it a fleeting moment later once he realized he would have to lean almost comically far in order to see around the gladiator. It frankly, was not that important. If he had been followed, it would not matter for much longer.

While the larger mech may find the minute social injustices something unworthy of being focused upon, it was always the smaller things that could open doorways for them as far as Orion was concerned. The beginning foundation for their fight to try to obtain equal rights needed to have a strong start, it needed to be fueled from reality viewed from two opposing castes. If you presented an issue from one angle only, it could be dismissed, but getting both pair of optics upon them can change the game.

He may have also been generally concerned.

Whatever the case, upon the Gladiator's words, Orion's helm dipped in a simple nod of understanding twined with some gratefulness. He had not been aware if Megatronus wanted him to hand over and explain what was needed so he could be on his way, or if he had indeed wished to stay longer and discuss what had been found at more length. The Data Clerk was pleased to hear this would not be a short trade, and as such his free hand lifted to gesture down the reflective pathway of Iacon's roads.

"Indeed. We need only travel west a moderate distance."

Upon these words, the data clerk turned and began to walk, trying to keep up a reasonable stride that would not force Megatronus to lumber along uncomfortably slow. While Orion's legs were longer than others traditionally, the gladiator was... significantly larger and could cover an additional half of whatever he could in one stride. Despite this consideration, there would always be a discrepancy of one in a rush, or the other throttling back to a painfully slow stride.

"The Hall of Records is off limits to public access due to the sensitivity of a great portion of the enclosed data, however adjacent a library has been constructed with reasonable free reign."

He declared this simply, informative, and straight to the point of the matter. The library side building was home to much of the information that was more public, or was able to be accessed by those with the appropriate status or job. It was not true and complete free reign, and the majority was nonfiction for research materials, so it would not be the place an average individual would browse aimlessly. Mech tended to have a goal when attending such a location.

"We can speak there with minimal chance of interruption. Or if you require complete solitude due to the nature of discussion, it is a bit of a walk to reach my residence."

Being that their topics could breach into some political debates that could hit on some touchier subjects, it was a consideration. Pointing out the flaws of the caste system and the downward spiral of the Council's... less than idealistic actions and near corrupt inklings being 'shots fired' as far as some others are concerned. As such it was always worth questioning if they would need to go someplace truly locked off from the rest of the world to not worry about being put on some 'threat list' after enough individuals overhear 'terrorist speech' or other over-exaggerations spawned of ignorance and fear of change.

While they would stride, more individuals from the sparsely populated streets would turn and watch. They didn't even attempt to hide their gawking, or even act polite. At most a particularly aware individual may turn their frame away some, their helm would remain angled just enough to side eye. They were trying to make it so that if the brute happened to glance their way they could look another direction as if nothing had been going on. Individuals up ahead on the path, would veer to get off the direct course, as if Megatronus was going to ignore all others and barrel over them like a steamroller with broken steering. It really was quite distressing when observed, and the only ones to truly not react seemed to be those too engrossed in their own thoughts to have noticed.

[Deleted]

Orion's offer to take him into his home surprised Megatronus quite obviously, and it took a moment for him to school his expression. It was an innocent offer, extended mindlessly and without regard for propriety or risk. Friendship, the gladiator reminded himself, as he often did when confronted by Orion's generosity.

"That will not be necessary," he finally replied, allowing the smaller mech to lead the way.

He minded his pace and kept Orion at his hip, unwilling to follow along behind like some obedient turbohound. There were small cues in the mech's frame, in the angle of his helm and shoulders, that allowed Megatronus to follow his direction. He was good enough at reading physical cues that it was automatic.

And it took his attention almost completely off the unwelcoming world around them. Focusing on Orion reminded him of his purpose for being here, and of Orion's desire to help him.

Megatronus nodded to the massive building they were entering the shadow of, glancing up at its towering height. "I would be interested in seeing the library. I've never been inside."

[Optimus Prime]

((I have found a new joy, looking up sci-fi pictures to make up building interiors with. No idea what this is from but I liked it))


Orion did not see anything wrong with his offer, and as such was not actively looking at Megatronus to try to gauge a reaction. He was oblivious to the moment of surprise the other had shown, and was simply excising in his ignorant bubble, where such things being seen as odd, was not a concept. He didn't see the gladiator as a threat. Oh, Megatronus could easily tear him apart, he could be a threat if he so chose to be, but Orion felt he was like a sword. Just because you stand beside the weapon or move it, doesn't mean it was going to carve an arm off. If you misuse it or are carelessly reckless, the edge could lay some real damage.

Besides... what was the gladiator going to do?... rob him? Pftt...

The data clerk's gaze remained ahead, scanning over individuals they passes. Many people were gawking at Megatronus, but some turned and were looking at him as well. Wondering just what someone like him was doing with such a beast and if it was by his own choice. It was getting rather bothersome after some time however, and he was rather grateful for the fact they were in the shadow of the building. Megatronus speaking helped to disrupt the tension the others had caused.

The building was not as large as the Iacon Hall of Records, but it was still substantial. Its arching form hooked up into the air with decorative plates that were mostly ivory with edging of gold. The gold metals branched away from the cylindrical structure, taking angular paths up the sides to lead to the red markings that banded near the roof. Just as the rest of the city, it was built with aesthetics in mind as well as function, and even though they were in its shadow, it still somehow seemed illuminated.

"Ahh, that is a shame you have never been within, but better late than never. We can address the datapads when convenient."

There was an inkling of amusement in his words, surprised yet not that Megatronus has never been within the structure before. Orion wanted to see just how the gladiator would react, as it was possibly going to be a bit of environmental shock. While the exteriors of the buildings were striking in their own way, it was the interiors ((especially of important buildings such as this)) that went above and beyond. Orion turned as they approached, and stepped forth, the doorways sliding aside

The first thing of note was the change in lighting. While the exterior was cast with gold from reflected light off the buildings, and the suns above, the interior was white and silver with a bright subtly tinted blue lighting. The main room was absolutely massive, a pathway arching across an open expanse that held a circular well beneath it. The covered opening had no visible bottom, for light obscured and flowed up to illuminate the room from below. It lit up the pillars that supported the entryway's perimeter, thin pin striping of gold etching out celestial groupings on their fronts.

Past each pillar, rows upon rows of databanks and datapads could be seen, a few Cybertronian flicking through the information to try to seek what they needed. Up above on the railings, red banners were hung down, the emblems for Iacon scrawled across it in pigments that almost seemed to glow with the blue lighting. Across the pathway they strode upon, was a reception area where one could find guidance if any questions were had, as well as divert either way to browse the lower level, or take the lift up above.

Orion has been here countless times, so it was not really a surprise to him. He was accustomed to the massive room, the lighting, and the peculiar crystalline décor that branched and wove on the lower level around the well of light. He knew what to expect, and he knew just how different it was from where Megatronus came from. It is because of this, his helm turned up a bit to try to watch and see how the Gladiator reacted, motioning a hand forward for him to lead the way and explore at his own pace.

[Deleted]

As a miner, Megatronus had spent his surface time in bars and low-end, affordable establishments of questionable repute. Libraries were technically public spaces, but he’d never been interested enough to enter one, nor seen what he could possibly gain from braving the cultural gauntlet. He’d presumed that it would be a series of rooms with racks of datapads inside for files to be processed in private, and banks of data terminals and screens for on-site research. Functional.

This was Iacon, however, and nothing here was purely functional. It was about aesthetic impression; the assertion of wealth and prosperity. The library held more light and space than material, it seemed, and Megatronus was wholly unprepared for the sight of it.

The echo of their footsteps was dampened, and the gladiator did not feel that he was disturbing the serene quiet of the space as he moved inside at Orion’s insistence. He ventured onto the walkway and came to the middle of the bridge, then looked down over the sight into the well of light below. There were decorative pieces of green organic matter (plants?) framing the well – exotic, pointless curiosities. Past the banners, high above their helms, the vaulted ceiling was ornately carved for anyone who wished to spend their time gazing up. The airiness, the light, the carefully designed partitions and walkways: everything seemed to the directed towards internal contemplating and reflection in comfort and peace.

A hundred mechs could live in this space without being as crowded as they were in Kaon’s communal blocks.

With Orion watching, Megatronus couldn’t find it in him to look upon the grand room with scorn as he might have with Impactor or a fellow gladiator. He was far from home, and Orion would not judge him poorly for being captivated.

“Impressive,” he finally announced, but the inflection of his voice lifted the flat statement closer to ‘beautiful’. Megatronus turned his bulk fully back to Orion, watching him ascend the walkway to join him.

Then, because he was curious for an Iaconian’s perspective, he asked, “What’s all this for?”

[Optimus Prime]

Orion followed at a reasonable distance, trying to observe but attempting to not be rude about it. He didn't wish to make Megatronus into a spectacle, but one simply had to appreciate the restrained sort of throttled awe the gladiator was experiencing. The data clerk simply told himself this wasn't ogling at a giant brute for being out of his element, and was more appreciating the reactions of one who had never been gifted the opportunity of viewing such a structure. This could happen to any mech who didn't frequent a library, and didn’t have to do with some class divide.

Walking after at a subdued pace, Orion made his way up to stand before Megatronus once they turned to square off with him. The presented question was one that he wanted to actually mull over and consider well for a moment, not wishing to just blurt out the first thing that came to mind. It is with this; he turned and peered up at the high arching walls and décor, optics trailing the above engravings with care.

"I am sure all have their own interpretation."

He began at last, sounding a bit hesitant.

"It is easy to argue it is simply a display of wealth, something done because they can, and nothing more. But I do not like to believe it is such a thing..."

Truth was that it was most likely the truth. The engravings, the odd crystals and bizarre floral things, it was to display wealth and capability. It was a means to show just how prosperous their city was by dumping so much money into an area that was public. Meant so they all could all see how well off their slice of the world was doing compared to everyone else.

"I always took it as a bridge between here and the outside world. What goes on out there, need not burden you within this realm unless you take it in with you. Detachment. Transitioning to an area you can find solitude and simply relax with none to bring burdens to lie upon your shoulder."

He looked down upon the circle of light below them, finding himself being a bit chattier than norm. But this was a place he liked quite a bit.

"I could find breems slipping between my fingers in this place. Engrossed in research, literature, or inner contemplation simply enjoying the setting. But this is all just my observations."

He paused a moment, hands at some point having found themselves resting on the wall that separated the bridge way from the fall below. Orion drummed his fingertips down a second in thought beside the datapads that were resting on the thick ledge before he spoke a moment after. Some of the wonder was gone from his voice as he leveled out to a bit of awkwardness.

"Unless you mean the building's function as a whole and I entirely misread your inquiry..."

For all he knew Gladiators and others of less than privileged standing in this world, those who suffered the worst effects of the caste system, were not permitted access to such areas at all. Perhaps it was seen as a waste of time for workers to burden themselves with 'higher thinking', guided away from learning what a library even served as. He wouldn't judge or mock if someone DIDN'T know though, such things were beneath him. Orion would really just delight in being able to teach about something new.

[Deleted]

Orion wore his feelings on his gauntlet, not brashly but with something that a Kaonite would dub naivety. Megatornus felt that he could see the smaller mech work through his thoughts, offering the answer that he had expected and would have accepted as truth without a second thought to ultimately reach altogether more personal conclusions about the space and light.

The sudden, faintly embarrassed back-peddle chugged a short, soft laugh from him. He raised a hand for the mech he was coming to think of as a friend to be easy.

"I know what a library is," he murmured, privately enjoying the flash of mortification that crossed the other's field. As a mercy, he lay his hands across the railing and directed his optics upwards. "I just had not expected... this."

There was some bewitching quality to the place that was already seeping in beneath his armour, as his thoughts continued on unbidden. Part of it was Orion's presence, safe and strangely encouraging, that prompted Megatronus to think aloud.

"For my cadre, and the heavy laborers in general, there is a scarcity of words and ideas. Datapads are rare commodities. In the mines, we received notices on communal boards, and anything more detailed was via direct upload. To sit by oneself with words and ideas, to interact with them privately as this place is designed to encourage..."

He trailed off, suddenly conscious of himself, and folded his large hands behind his back. Long, blunt fingers tightened together in a brief squeeze as he regained his composure.

After a pause, Megatronus exhaled roughly and met Orion's ever-patient stare once more. "Yes. Your observation is most fitting."

[Optimus Prime]

A luminous blue gaze followed Megatronus' own to peer back up at the architecture of the library. He was pleased the other mech showed humor about the insinuation he may not have known what a library was, for Orion had noted after the fact that it could have been interoperated as a pure unfiltered insult to his intelligence. The Gladiator's aptitude had never been put into question for the clerk, and anyone with half a processor could see his past speeches and expressions could not have been faked even by a skilled parrot.

Megatronus spoke with power and knowing, backed by experience that created influential ideas that struck home to many that listened. It is this that initially caught Orion's attention, and it was this that led him down the path that ended with him being here this very day, standing in the imposing shadow of this figurehead. It made the Data Clerk feel very small, while at the same time emboldened, for if the individual was turning to look at him for input or ideas, it meant he truly had concepts worth being heard.

But not only were his words respected, it seemed they were valuable enough a champion of Kaon would gift him his TIME.

"I will need to look through what records I have access to then-"

Orion started carefully, thinking over the dilemma that information wasn't readily available to those in Megatronus' previous placement. As he contemplated this, his elbows placed down upon the ledge before him, fingertips lacing together a short distance in front of his features. He focused at nothing in particular on his hands, most likely sifting through his own memories or making notes more so than consciously taking in visuals. Despite this detachment he did pick up in the shift of mood, his tone of voice reacting by dropping to a more serious level.

"-In order to see if it was a purely cultural leaning, or if it was pushed scarcity via an outsiders influence. Possibly a mix of the two."

Lifting his helm up, Orion become more attuned to their surroundings once more, realizing an anomaly that had always been there, but he never really had the pieces to fully calculate it to completion. He often wondered about this thing, he wanted to ask, but he never knew if it was particularly his place to do so. He also did not feel comfortable previously when they two of them did not know one another so well, not wishing to stir issues. But curiosity was an incentive, and Megatronus' near prompting was a push.

"If I may inquire..."

He spoke evenly; some of his hesitancies while apparent, being pushed aside.

"Have you always sought to achieve more than your caste designated, or did some event awaken your ambition and prompt your charge into equal rights and fair choice? For the political ring is far different a realm than the gladiatorial."

Orion derailed from the ignorant wonder he held before, becoming far more calculating in this moment. Perhaps he was trying to see if there was more to Megatronus than was directly apparent, namely if there was a vindictive thing they needed to hide from the public eye, or if there was something worth illuminating. Highlighting the right things could aid in gaining better standings to make sure his ideals were far reaching.

Hunting for information was simply in his nature.

[Deleted]

The strange sense of peace that had just been settling beneath Megatronus's armor evaporated, and the gladiator's massive frame seemed to grow larger as he straightened with flaring plates. He was not angry, nor truly grieved, but it was clear that some dark point had been touched upon and drawn his mind away from the relative sanctuary of this place of learning.

Megatronus held Orion's gaze, noting the hesitance in it. The question was valid, though, and was overdue given how much the archivist had already done for him. "I was arrested. Nothing serious in itself, and had all that had happened been that I spent some time in a cell..."

He shook his head at what might have been, the path not taken and now impossible to retrace. "I'd been, complaining at that point, nothing more. A miner griping about his lot and wondering for something more."

It was easy to return to that night in his memory, but not because of the beating that had followed whilst he was shackled. Paradigm shifts were particularly memorable.

"I was attacked by a police officer who'd undergone empurata, mutilated and stripped of his very personhood. And yet he still served the system that had done it to him."

Megatronus had not spoken of it before, and he took hold of the railing of the bridge as he composed his thoughts - managing the words as carefully as possible. He could not truly convey how deeply what had happened struck him, resonating through his core until it felt like something deep and significant had been rewritten. But he could try, to answer Orion's question.

"It showed me that what is wrong with our society goes beyond mere corruption of the highest powers. It's systemic, an inveterate acceptance of brutality by a populous groomed to think of itself as a set of cogs in some mendacious unsubstantiated machine. Accepting social violence from above because they are your betters, and inflicting it on those below you as is your right."

His hands had tightened around the railing as he spoke, optics narrowing on some unseen enemy in the middle distance. Megatronus bared his sharpened dente in a grimace, which he turned a weakened form of upon Orion.

"I left that cell knowing in my spark that I had to do more than just write, just talk for the sake of waking others up. I had to fight, and to bring that fight for change out in the people."

[Optimus Prime]

Oh.

Had he made a mistake?

Megatronus seemed to shift his entire mood and stance from one of complacency to one ready to defend himself. It was a very pointed shift that ordinarily should make one in his position become nervous for enacting it. Orion however didn’t really change his demeanor, and didn’t really alter anything about his own stance. He watched, he took in the body language displayed, but he didn’t start gearing up an apology or look for a means of backpedaling away from the subject.

It had to be known.

As Megatronus began telling what happened, Orion started recording it down into his mind, hunting through the details spoken and already thinking of cross-referencing some of what was said just to find out what had happened. Not having what he was arrested for disclosed, could be a small red flag in itself to the clerk, but he didn't worry too much about it, paying heed to what was spoken of next.

As the story progressed to the points that caused a sharp emotional shift, Orion turned away from staring up at the other mech, peering down into the illumination below to offer some semblance of privacy to the Gladiator. It was an act to not make him look like a spectacle, to not make him feel cornered by having his gaze piercing into him while he spoke of a potentially vulnerable moment.

The more the other mech spoke, the more Orion seemed to adopt his own frown, finding the situation absolutely repulsive. The story had multiple things that were morally wrong in it, from an individual of the law taking such senseless violence, to the fact it was a hierarchy of abuse and power that permitted individuals to rule over one another in a crooked staircase up to the top manipulators.

"Abhorrent."

Orion's word held its own fair share of venom and distaste, feeding a lot of his frustrations into the single word that couldn't even properly articulate the number of wrongs that were crossed.

"This is a fight that will not be easy. Ignored. Ridiculed. Opposed. To change the corruption is to appoint change upon the complacent. Grand ideals can inspire, but facts and reality are what evoke revelation, and it is a mix that is needed to achieve true progress."

Orion seemed to tab back into a working state of mind, his gaze breaking away from the distant ground below, in order to look back at Megatronus, craning his helm to look up at him.

"The higher Caste, once perceiving a threat, will rebuke, look to demonize. They will claw up every misdeed we have committed and spin it upon its worst point to spread fear. You need to be prepared for whatever transgression led to your arrest to be twisted to its worst angle and shoved in front of you when least expected. But you are likely well aware of this."

A casual gaze broke away then to peer down the bridge towards the inner portions of the building, contemplating what lay beyond the initial layer. Carefully, Orion eased upright again, and picked the twin datapads off of the ledge in order to tuck them beneath an arm once more.

"But I believe our discussion would be better suited elsewhere."

[Deleted]

Megatronus nodded stiffly, and stepped away from the railing. "Agreed," he said, and stood ready to follow.

Orion's observations, delivered with such fervent energy, had talked the gladiator down. The support of fellow laborers was an achievement simply because is was dangerous to rebel. At rallies, there was the risk of arrests, fines, beatings and finding that no work placement awaited you the next orn. Having the passionate but cool, intelligent support of the data clerk was something else entirely.

"I must say that at times like this, Orion Pax, you bring me a great deal of hope," Megatronus said, his harsh features softening a little with the compliment. There was nothing about the gladiator that was gentle or warm, and the signs of his approval could be difficult to perceive.

"You are of a caste who would gain nothing by seeing mine afforded the same rights and priviledges. Indeed, it would cost you. The redistribution of power, labor and wealth means that it will cost someone."

A step forward, two, and then Megatronus was so bold as to frame Orion's shoulders with his hands. His smile was faint but genuine as he regarded the shorter mech.

"Your support as one outside of the oppressed is encouraging, not to mention the immense value of your knowledge and access. I can take opposition, ridicule and anything else the Senate is inclined to throw at me, but I often lack for the appropriate ammunition to fire back."

"As for my arrest... It was a minor brawl in a surface-level cafe." His mouth slanted in a wry grin. "Hardly one for the history books."

[Optimus Prime]

Holding the datapads beneath his arm, Orion was ready to turn about face and begin walking into the inner portion of the library towards where the conference rooms were located. He didn’t get so far as to even begin such a motion however, before Megatronus started to speak again and caught his attention. Changing the direction of his turn, he once more squared off with the larger mech, as always being respectful of his words and paying attention to what was said carefully.

Orion himself was a very reserved individual, who did not partake of grand outward gestures or displays. For some it could make him seem detached and overly distant at times, even when he was trying to be kind and engage in conversation. It is because of this, he was familiar with reserved ways of conducting oneself, and thus had the ability to perceive the other's approval that was present despite it potentially being difficult for others.

At the mention of redistribution of power and the cost to himself and others like him, Orion cast a glance off to the side, knowing what he would say in response, but trying to find words for it. It was difficult in a way, because if everything went according to plan he may truly not be living in the same tier he currently was. He would have to downgrade, and work on savings more in case of emergencies. A medical emergency which would be troubling to his current tier, would instead have a possibility of cleaning out his funds... but... that didn't particularly bother him.

The data clerk was startled a bit back to reality when Megatronus' hands placed down on his shoulders, his helm snapped back upright along with the posts on either side of his helm, looking up at the significantly larger mech. He was locked into prolonged silence still, but it was not due to having his field of vision blotted out mostly out by a Gladiator ((A Gladiator that could potentially pop his head clean off on whim)), but was because of the compliments given with the action.

There further pause, Orion chewing through all he could say. He could go on a small speech about how it was Megatronus' own right, as well as the right of all others to have fair choice in their lives. He could go on about how the redistribution of power and how the numbers would pan out. He could even go on and offer his own words of gratitude that Megatronus would be able to be the voice he couldn't rightfully be, but instead he chose to simplify it down.

"A society is nothing if it is upheld by the suffering of others..."

Orion started gradually.

"Raising quality of life for all, at the cost of luxuries, is only loss to those too ignorant to perceive the future boons."

Perhaps a jab at others, but he didn't care. There were many luxuries provided to those of higher tiers that honestly were not even NEEDED. It was the small things that added up, and it was the small things that would possibly be lost and would raise protest by the profoundly lazy. He could foresee at least one person complaining about being downgraded to a new home they could afford with the wage shifts, only for it to have some 'manual lock' on the door like it was some 'filthy peasant' thing that was beneath them.

"If all are content in their jobs and functions, than productivity will undoubtedly go up, and any drop in 'quality of life' will even out and rise with everyone able to enjoy it."

He smiled a bit at this. In a way, they just had to look at any wage cuts as an investment for future gains.

"But this all means nothing without a voice to project it."