[ti]Flashback[/ti]It's That Sudden Stop At The Bottom ... [Steelstrike]

[Deleted]

Timeline: Pre-war ( During the Golden Age)
Characters: Steelstrike | Senator Shockwave

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     As merely a Scientist? One didn't need to be watched and could go where they wanted to when they wanted to and go rather undisturbed within their own selective company, be it in solitude or in a group. Experiments could be completed in a timely manner- or untimely, whichever said Scientist usually liked to lean towards. Not to mention the main thing was that they didn't have to answer to anyone but their own superiors, and that was usually limited to 'so how is yadda yadda coming along'. One could just sit and work until their frames screamed at them to recharge. There was not usually a schedule they had to follow unless it was their own. 

     As a Senator that was all changed. Meetings, saving face, reporting on this and that, keeping up with daily briefings, listening to endless chatter from underlings, file complaints, read said complaints, try not to short out one's own fuse by all the stuff suddenly being thrown into their lap. Oh, and SCHEDULES. That was the worst, at least according to the newest Senator on the block- podium, rather, but that was also seen differently depending on the side you stood on. Best thing about all of this was the power he gained from having such a title attached to his designation, not used in the way he figured his fellow Senators did, and he had already made enough of a namesake for himself because he could pretty much say what he wanted and not get into TOO much trouble over it.

     The punishment he was getting now was enough. Restrictions to where he could go because of risk of assassinations that came up from sources. Each one had a Bodyguard who was to follow them around and keep track of their whereabouts. Besides the Council and his Institute Shockwave pretty much kept to his normal routine but the fact he couldn't just go wherever and grab a drink? Okay, that was a little annoying and would definitely take some getting used to.

     Which, that guard of his should have been arriving at any moment, freshly assigned to the Senator. Would one find him standing in wait? Disgusted by the delay it took for the Seeker to arrive? Scold him and rish withholding his pay for his failure already?

     Nope! He would instead be finding him in his lab, trying out a new experiment with explosive material that was BOUND to work!

     ... Or not, as hinted by the small BOOM that came from the room. The room in which the Senator exited from, fanning off his faceplate and coughing some. There wasn't a ton of smoke at least, but having been close enough to it had caused a dark soot to coat his faceplate, helm, neck and part of his upper chassis and arms... save for around his optics, which were protected by the covers he'd had over them that formed rings around the edges. He carried his datapad in his non moving servo, then looked to his students who had come to see what the commotion was about.

     "That... that did NOT turn out as expected!" He laughed some and rubbed the back of his helm. "Carry on, carry on! I'm alright, I promise. Just need to jot down the notes on that and get my mess cleaned up." 

[Deleted]

In all honesty- Steelstrike was glad to be rid of Cress, and had- when his contract had expired- had promptly refused to accept a renewal. Frag, Cress was lucky he hadn't just fired up his afterburners and *left*, credits or no. The mech sure knew how to make his processor ache and his plating crawl- and that was even *before* Meister had relayed the noble's 'finer' points.


Still, he could hope that maybe this one was better- his employer was a scientist, right? Or had been? Steelstrike wasn't clear on the details. Only that the mech was now a Senator. If he's another one of those mecha like Cress, I'm going to shoot him in the leg. Primus, I couldn't take another Cress.


Another vent- drawing cool air in over his internal gears- he approached. Was that scorched looking mech his new assignment? Frag, he hoped so. Steelstrike was just about done wandering around searching for 'Shockwave'...


Wings hiking up slightly in uncertainty, he approached, regarding the scorched mech with a slightly wary look. "...Are you Senator Shockwave, sir?"

[Deleted]

     Shockwave was still ushering his students along when Steelstrike arrived, and though he regarded the Seeker, it really was a rather awkward time. Not only was he answering several questions about what had gone on and what that noise was, but then he was being asked fifty times in a row if he was alright and if any of them could assist him. So when Steelstrike came to address him as well? It was a good thing that the tri-colored mech did his best to ensure everyone got their statements through his audials. 

     "OH! Yes! That I am. I'm-" Shockwave paused when he spotted one of the students gesturing for him to come over. Shockwave smiled and nodded then motioned to the Seeker. "Oh Primus, super SUPER sorry, but can... yes. Give me just a moment," he said, holding up a single digit as he quickly made his way across the room to the young mech who had called him over. The Senator glanced over his shoulder at the datapad and the two had a brief conversation, Shockwave offering assistance in something that Steelstrike probably wouldn't be able to see from his angle and distance. After a nod the two separated and Shockwave made his way back over to his guard.

     "I'm really sorry about all of that! The Institute has been quite busy lately, and trying to conduct my own experiments sometimes leaves me rather... well..." Shockwave laughed and pointed to his faceplate. "As you can see, sometimes they don't end in my favor. But! That is not the point here." He fisted his servo and covered his mouth then cleared his throat, then held said servo out towards the Seeker. "I am Shockwave. Um. Senator Shockwave, yes. That really... hm. That has an odd ring to it. I haven't quite gotten used to such a title. I'm a little out of my element at the moment so you'll have to forgive me." 

     One who was a 'commoner' was not supposed to shake the servo of a Council member nor make optic contact unless they were given direct permission to, but it seemed that Shockwave either didn't know or didn't care since he regarded the new Bodyguard with all of the fixings of one who shared the same title as he. 

     "I would offer to sit down in my office so we can discuss arrangements and such, but I fear that there is... quite a mess in there. So! If you are up for a stroll, I'll show you the Institute instead. We can talk arrangements then and you can tell me about yourself."

[Deleted]

Steelstrike's optics shuttered, though to his credit, the aerial managed to keep his bafflement at the Senator's almost rambling to himself, clamping his field down for a click before releasing it, and letting his wings cant into a more relaxed pose. Whatever he'd been expecting- even in the privacy of his own processor- had not been *that*.

To say he'd been completely confused for a moment was an understatement; however, he hoped he'd re-oriented swiftly enough (especially with the Senator's apparent distraction) that his falter had gone un-noticed. "Senator-" he tried again- only to be ignored as the mech whirled away, to assist some other- a student, he supposed.

He gave a slightly annoyed flick of his wings- then vented and resigned himself to wait, offlining his optics.

Fortunately the Senator returned in a click or two, and Steelstrike shifted forward, onlining his optics again. "I've never been to an Institute, Senator." he answered finally, carefully. "...If I may be so bold- a stroll is likely safer than remaining in a stationary location." Though both had risks.

[Deleted]

     "Hey hey! Nope!" Shockwave turned and extended his arm out, in turn holding up his index digit up in Steelstrike's faceplate, then tilted it from one side to another. "Rule number one? When addressing me, it's Shockwave. Shockwave. Not Senator. I was not given the designation of Senator when I was created. Shockwave, however? I will gladly answer to that." He lowered his servo and walked over to a counter where he grabbed up a rag and started to wipe at his faceplate to try and remove some of the soot that was there. He would definitely need to hit the washracks at some point. "It's such a silly thing, really. Senator this and that? Really! If one is supposed to work for the Cybertronians, I don't understand why they have to be given a title of authority as though those not of their social standing are below them. What a foolish thing indeed. Bothersome."

     Shockwave scoffed some to himself as he rubbed hard at his cheek, then frowned as he continued to get the black soot on the mesh. Well, there really was no point to trying further as it really wouldn't come off entirely unless he had a good scrub. Perhaps he'd stop there once he had given Steelstrike the tour.

     "Besides. Here? I'm not a Senator anyway. Within the walls of this Institution I am simply a Teacher and a Student. I pass on the knowledge and experience I have to my students and they take the tools they have at their disposals and run with it. Each eventually develops their own skills and gifts that they perfect and from that I can learn as well. So you see, no one being is above another and that is how I like it. It's just a giant circle where each one of us can contribute to the other." He tossed the rag into a basin that he passed then turned to face Steelstrike. He had some smears of soot on different portions of his "So if you please... simply address me as Shockwave, especially while here. You won't gain any higher ground by recognizing me by my new job, Steelstrike, and, quite simply? You aren't going to earn any more credits by calling me Senator. You'll only make me have to remind you of my request each time I hear it and I highly doubt you wish for me to correct you that many times." 

     A smile was given as he walked past the Seeker and patted him lightly on the shoulder. He made his way to the lift and called for it, standing in wait there with his datapad now tucked under his arm. 

     "If you've never been to an Institution, you're about to be in for a treat! This is the best one on Cybertron, if I do say so myself. We'll start at the top and work our way down. That way you can see everything so in case you're needing to go to a particular location you'll know where it's at." There was a chime that indicated the lift had arrived and the doors opened. Shockwave stepped inside, then turned and moved for the console to direct it where to go, though would wait for Steelstrike to follow.

[Deleted]

Steelstrike's wings canted back- in surprise, perhaps- before the flier was inclining his helm, acknowledging the correction, though he was still just a bit confused. Why *wouldn't* a mech want to use the title they'd been granted? It made no *sense* to him. But then again, I won't ever be a Senator or noble. Maybe their processors are wired differently?

Realizing only after that, that he hadn't actually given a verbal confirmation- after all, he wasn't about to start giving lessons in wing-speak- Steelstrike reset his vocalizer. "Yes, sir." he answered. "..I mean, Shockwave." His weight shifted slightly. "I suppose I can manage that- but only in here. If we go anywhere else, I'll be using your proper title." he added, after another pause.

And then Shockwave was patting him on the shoulder, and moving, and Steelstrike reined in the protest at such casual contact and followed. "I'm not stupid- I've heard of teaching places like this. But I've never actually *been* in one. I'm a guard." he added.

[Deleted]

     "Proper title? Oh my, you're really by the books, aren't you? Charming. I suppose I need someone like you on my tail, then. Perhaps I'll get some of my act together so I can be a much more 'proper' Senator, yes? Very well. Outside of here I'll allow for you to call me Senator, if only to save face in the company of my colleagues. Otherwise? My proper title is Shockwave." He was used to his students calling him 'Professor', but that was far different from 'Senator' to him. Considering what he was also slowly figuring out about those who served with him? Well...

     Once Steelstrike had followed him into the lift and made his comment about being stupid, he gave a light chuckle. "Now now, my dear Steelstrike. As far as calling you stupid? I did no such thing and I highly doubt by any meaning of the word that you are such. No, it's simply a comment. I know you've probably heard of these sort of Institutes opening up here and there around various locations on Cybertron, but this one? Oh, this one is the greatest of them all! I mean, I am the one who created it, so of course it would be." He grinned to Steelstrike as though amused by his own statement. He pushed the button for the upper floor and the doors shut, then he just stood back as they started going up.

     "Since I suppose you're going to be spending quite a bit of time here, I suppose I shouldn't be rude. I formally welcome to the Academy for Advanced Technology. I do hope you enjoy your stay here. And don't worry, I promise that I have no set schedule for anything so you don't need one either. I practically run late for everything... fashionably so, at least, but still quite late. Especially for anything having to do with Council meetings- which I tend to forget about- so you may have to remind this ol' processor of mine when I have those."

     When they reached their floor the lift chimed and the doors opened he stepped out of the lift. They were on an open floor, where they were surrounded by walls of windows and a dome ceiling. Just to the left there was a door that lead to the outside portion. No matter where you stood, you could see every part of Iacon. "This is the observation platform. Iacon looks alright during the day, but when the cycle ends and the sun goes down? It's mesmerizing! This is one of my favorite places to go, especially when I'm needing to think so you should look for me here if I happen to come up missing."

[Deleted]

"Very well, sir." Steelstrike answered, at being reminded yet again of the other mech's name. Oddly enough, this one hadn't even attempted to yell at him yet. And while this kind of behavior was .... mostly unexpected... in a Senator, it was refreshing enough that it didn't immediately rile the flyer. Instead, he gave a sort of passive shrug, even as the lift doors closed; his wings drew in just slightly at the enclosed space, but that was it. "You aren't the first Senator I've been in the employ of, sir." he added. "Though the other certainly hadn't founded any Institutes that I was aware of."


He was definitely feeling cooperative today. "And I didn't say that *you* called me stupid, sir. Only that I wasn't sure what went on in an Institute- this Advanced Technology place. It isn't my function, is what I meant." Science. Huh. He preferred more concrete things. Like flying, and occasionally getting overcharged with Vega.


He paused, then added, "If you don't have any set schedule- and that's a good thing, keeps from being predictable- how will I know where we're supposed to go every cycle?"


And then the lift doors opened, and they were stepping out.


Sky was Steelstrike's first thought, even as his wings relaxed and fanned out in appreciation, almost missing Shockwave's words as he gave a pleased ex-vent. Only after a long moment did he re-focus on the Senator. "I can see why you'd want to be up here... Shockwave."

[Deleted]

     “I wanted to offer something to those of Cybertron. None of the others have founded such a place as this because it doesn’t push their own agendas. I, one the other hand, want to provide those around me with all that I am able to. Within my power, of course. Even as a Senator I have limited resources, after all. I was lucky enough to have this allowed to me.”

     Shockwave took in a deep breath and smiled then stepped forward until he reached one of the windows and placed a servo delicately on it. Two panels on his back shifted and the wings on his arms lifted. “This is a beautiful place to be. You can be close to the sky without even having to open your wings. In ways, being this high up makes me feel as though I am closer to Primus himself… allows me to collect my thoughts and clear my head. When great doubt plagues me and I wonder if what I am doing is all for nothing? Being here somehow brings me back to my center and tells me that it is, in fact, for the greater good. Even if I do not see the result of the changes myself, they are still happening.”

     There was a chuckle and he turned around to face Steelstrike again. “Feel free to come here whenever you like. Don’t be bothered if you see my students up here as well, for many of them study the Universe around us and discovery is much easier without the lights of Iacon distracting them.”

     Shockwave thought momentarily, then shrugged some as he made his way back to the lift to take Steelstrike to the other floors. “As far as my schedule is concerned? My dear Steelstrike. I am a Senator, so I make my own schedule. I don’t necessarily follow everything like clockwork. It makes living much more enjoyable that way. Now! The other floors deserve to have a look-over as well and I can show you to a hab suite of your own. Do you have any preferences?” The doors to the lift opened and he stood in wait, taking them down two floors to the residence quarters once the Seeker joined him.

[Deleted]

"...It's definitely an interesting idea." Steelstrike allowed, only taking a few paces closer. "Are your students mostly nobles?"

He didn't think he was going to like *that*. Finally, finally, he returned his attention (mostly) to the Senator. His wings remained hitched slightly higher than resting position, angled in a way that indicated he was *much* more content and willing to cooperate than he had been previously. Funny, what the idea of sky did to his processors. "And just anyone- anyone in this facility, at least- can come up here?" He sounded both obscurely pleased and a little irritated.

Then he shook his helm, refocusing fully. "You have my thanks, Shockwave. I might not be a Seeker- but... I still prefer the sky to the ground." He paused, before adding, "Preference wise- at least a window. No interior rooms for me." His faceplate heated slightly. "...I might have *made* a window last time."

That said, he gave a hike of his wings, turning on his heel thruster and following the other mech. "If I'm to be your guard- may I at least be so bold as to suggest a meeting time and place every cycle? So I have at least an *idea* of where you are?"

[Deleted]

     "Yes, anyone who is a student here can come up to this floor. It requires a keycode- but don't worry, you'll have all the necessary ones needed to access the different areas of the facility. As far as the students are concerned? Nobles.. Gracious, no. Most of my students..." Shockwave paused for a moment. He had never really ever thought about it before, not did he really seem to be bothered about it either. No, it didn't matter. "Actually, they come from all walks of life. I'm certain some of them are nobles- given they can be turned into whatever their Creators want them to be- but I would be surprised if a majority of them are not from the lower and middle castes. This is a facility for all, Steelstrike. I'm not going to deny the best in education, development and advancements just because of ones status. That's despicable and cruel. As far as who can come up here?"

     Shockwave paused as the lift carried them down a couple of floors to where the first area of habsuites were. He had heard Steelstrike's request on the type of room he wanted and Shockwave thought about it before he started off down the hallway. There were doors along both sides which them turned some and went down another hallway. It was like a giant square shape with back-to-back rooms in the center for the students who had no preference or didn't like windows, while the ones on the outside were like those that Steel wanted.

     "A window it is. No need to make your own! I have several empty rooms right down this way so you can pick whichever you like one we pass this section."

     He rounded a corner of a room and went down three or four more rooms before he stopped by one and checked on his datapad. He then typed a couple numbers in the keypad just to the side of the door and it slid open. It was a basic room, enough space for housing, with a single berth, small table next to it with another table across the opposite wall, and the window straight ahead in the middle of the room. "Feel free to move things around as you see fit. Decorate, whatever. It's your space so make it comfortable." He turned to Steel and handed him the datapad to him that he had been holding. "Here you go. This datapad is yours. It has all the maps of this building, important rooms, keycodes to get into the various floors... all you need to know. It's also able to connect to the comm system here so you can contact me in my lap or my room. Speaking of!"

     "My habsuite is just down this way. Head down the hall-" he gestured down the hall and made a turning motion- "turn the corner and walk all the way down. It's the corner one at the end of that hall. You can also contact me on that to find out where I am to meet up- if we really need to. You may have been hired as my Guard, Steelstrike, but don't think you need to follow at my heels. Sometimes I do enjoy my privacy, as I am sure you do as well."

     He grinned some at Steel then tucked his arms behind his back and cupped one servo in the other then nodded. "Now. Is there anywhere you particularly would like to see, or shall we just continue on our tour?"

[Deleted]

"All walks of life?" Steelstrike sounded dubious now, not for his own sake, but for the fact he'd heard most of the more common frames weren't viewed as entirely apt for the sciences- or whatever kind of subjects Shockwave's institute offered. "Isn't that a little... different... than most places?" He was genuinely curious, as he followed Shockwave down the hall, and arrived at the room Shockwave had evidently chosen for him.

The aerial gave a short incline of his helm, listening as the Senator explained how he could reach him, or locate him, if need be. It all seemed to check out, even if it wasn't the arrangement he'd been expecting. "Of course, sir." he said, finally.

Then another thought struck him. "Sen- I mean, sir... if I'm not to be your shadow, then how will I know whether or not you're in need of defense?"

A few moments later, the Senator's last question registered, and he shook his helm briefly. "No, sir. I believe this part of the tour is satisfactory."

[Deleted]

     "This Institute IS different, Steelstrike. We should not be limited to what we are allowed to do by which we were 'created for', be it by our frames or the life we were brought into. Everyone should be allowed to shape whatever path they want for themselves. Of course, I do wish that my fellow Senators shared my thoughts on it. Perhaps then we would all be making a difference for Cybertron. They are sadly set in their ways, unfortunately."

     Shockwave made his way to the window and stared outside, his servos folded behind his back as he stared at the city below. The wing panels on his arms fluttered slightly and the ones on his back shifted as he rolled his shoulder joints. Then he just stood still again.

     "You are not to be my shadow, Steelstrike. For one, I do not like it when I am hovered around. I enjoy the absence of company, especially when I am working. So while you are here, you are free to come and go as you please, explore the grounds, whatever you like. Just... anything other than remaining within my vision at all times, yes? Don't worry, you'll still get your pay no matter if you are recharging till the late cycle or out defending my honor. If I need you, I can call for you. There is no need to be so uptight."

     Shockwave paused for a moment, turning his helm to the side. He reached one servo to his audial and tapped it slightly. He had received a private comm and, by the expression on his faceplate when he turned to Steelstrike again, it was clearly not one that made him happy.

     "I apologize, Steel, but it seems my audience is being requested by the Senate. Care to join me?"

[Deleted]

"What else is new?" Steelstrike rumbled, crossing his arms over his chassis, though he let his arms fall again, only a moment later. "You do realize-" No, that sounded too confrontational. "I don't see how every bot can't see how the Senate-" Nope, still too confrontational.


"Things need to *change*." he said finally, half to himself. "If more bots would only rally..." But it was a lost cause, at the moment, it seemed. Too many bots were *happy* living dull, uneventful, boring lives, doing what they were designed for and not much else.

He appeared about to say more, before falling silent, noting that Shockwave was receiving a comm signal.

At the Senator's final words, wings went rigid, before he inclined his helm. "That *is* my job, sir." he offered. "Lead the way."

[Deleted]

     "You really ought to learn to speak your mind without worrying about how others would perceive it." Shockwave offered a chuckle after his reference to the clear multiple attempts to say an idea of his. "How every bot can't see how the Senate... is as self-indulgent as they are?" He smirked some and shrugged. "It's fine, Steel. Your words are safe with me. Within these walls you're free to let your thoughts flow how you seem fit. Wouldn't you agree that a facility like this is needed? If so, do not dare tarnish the freedoms you're allowed here."

     "Perhaps one day the Cybertronian people will see that they are much more than what they allow for the Senate to dictate for them. Perhaps." Mostly said to himself, but said all the same.

     Shockwave started out of the room and made his way back to the lift. Once Steel was inside the Senator would press for the bottom floor. He needed to gather his thoughts and prepare himself. He hated meetings like this, especially when they were so sudden, but he wasn't in charge so he just... did as he was told. Meeting was called? He attended. Routine business, he assumed, so it wasn't anything he really needed to do much mental preparation for.

     'If you didn't count the fact that he couldn't stand most of the things that got said by that...'

     Bottom floor ding happened and Shockwave was pulled out of his moment of temper. He looked at Steel and offered a smile, nodded, then stepped out of the lift and made his way to exit the building to make his way through the streets of Iacon.