[ti]Ep 2[/ti]Second opinion, please? (closed)

[Deleted]

Episode 2, week 4, day 2

A low growl rumbled in Hazmat's voice box as he stood in the back of his cabin that he shared with Shale with his large arms folded over his massive chest, the digits of his left servo drumming against his right forearm.  Shale wasn't present but was elsewhere doing some sort of mechanical work... or so he assumed. When the day started the mech intended to be in the medical wing of the base either carefully arranging his chemicals in holding containers until he needed them, or getting used to being Ratchet's assistant by memorizing where the grump kept all of his tools so if Haz ever had to use them he'd know where to put them back. And if he couldn't do that he would've washed out the empty Energon cubes so they were properly cleaned instead of being just rinsed.


However his conversation with Bulkhead while he was getting some Energon in the Rec-room had changed that.


At first their conversation started out like any other conversation between warriors; comparing battle scars, mentioning the missions they had gone on while on Cybertron, learning that some of the missions they went on had effected the other's mission such as Hazmat's artillery company providing a distraction so the Wreckers could sneak in, the list went on. Eventually Haz asked for Bulk's opinion on the truce and the Wrecker's answer was straight forward; he wasn't fond of it but because of the threat of MECH the truce had to happen.


That had made the custodial bot curious and chose to dig deeper. He was well aware of MECH being dangerous enough that Bots were required to operate as to bot teams or more, and he found out from Mirage and Thundercloud that MECH could track them, but he wasn't exactly sure as to what the humans did to warrant such a threat. He had also been briefed on using only non-lethal means for fighting MECH. It was at that moment that Bulk spilled the beans about how he found Breakdown getting dissected by MECH resulting in the loss of his optic, though the fact that MECH had turned the eye into a two-way comm shocked Haz to his spark.


Then Bulk mentioned what happened to Air Raid and Hazmat started fuming, and he had been fuming ever since, even after Bulk left for Ground Bridge duty, and even now when he locked himself up in his room in an attempt to calm down... and the isolation wasn't helping.


Hazmat had been fighting battles even back during the Golden Age in the underground against criminals, then during the the caste era when he ended up going against druggies and empties, followed by the great war where he saw so many atrocities, and finally the final days of the conflict after the Arc took off where Bots and Cons alike would be tearing each other apart in a desperate attempt to drink a couple of stray drops of Energon. And even after all that, he had never seen or heard of anything like what MECH did to Breakdown and Air Raid. Not even Megatron himself or the twisted Shockwave were that satanic...


And Optimus Prime wanted the bots to fight these monsters with non-lethal means?? MECH was worse then the Cons, whom the Autobots and orders to shoot on sight back on Cybertron!! He was supposed to use merciful tactics on someone worse then their worst enemy?!? How did that even work??


Hazmat growled again and shook his helm. He needed to get his processor off of this and let himself calm down some before he tried to do anything... because anyone who was anywhere near Hazmat could feel his level of anger in his field... and anyone knew him knew he only experienced this level of anger when he felt like he had been stabbed in the back.


For once he was glad he wasn't anywhere near Shale. She'd be afraid that he was angry at her over their past since that was the only time he had ever been that mad around her.


Hazmat quickly left his room and headed down the hall to do something, anything to get his mind off of this situation. He considered sorting his chemicals but he was going to need a clear processor for that... he needed to relabel them all with their Earth names and then figure out which one was dangerous for humans and then store those chemicals away where none of the humans could get hurt by them.

So he headed for the wash room to thoroughly wash the used Energon cubes and cylinders. As he walked his large pedes thudded against the floor and the hydraulics in his legs groaned quietly with each step. Yep, getting old. he thought for a split seond as he walked. However as he walked is anger was still radiating outwards in his field so anyone he passed could feel it when he passed. Upon arriving at the wash room Haz headed for the rear sink where there was a box of cubes that had been rinsed. One quick scan showed that they were still dirty though. Water pressure only did so much.


Grasping a cube in his left servo, Hazmat reached for the sprayer hose on the sink, curled the digits of his right servo around the grip... and ended up spraying himself in the face plate with water. He quickly let go and let his arm fall to his side but it wad too late now. Normally he'd find it funny and make a pun out of it... but Haz was at his limit and getting his optics full of water pushed him to his boiling point.


CRUNCH!!


From a human's perspective the a large bot was holding onto a piece of artwork that was some kind of metal structure. To a Cybertronian though it was clear that Haz was holding onto an empty cube that he had just crushed into a miniature lobe ball with one servo with one squeeze. The cube might as well have been made of aluminum foil. Old mech his aft.


With a sigh Hazmat tossed the mangled hunk of metal over his shoulder and grabbed a new cube.

[Optimus Prime]

"Something is troubling you."

A statement, as well as an open invitation to speak.

Hazmat would likely not need to turn around to recognize who owned that voice, its low baritone and calm delivery as recognizable as the individual's bold red and blue frame. It was a voice projected from so many speakers on Cybertron, rallying on screens and communication relays for the equality and peace that was so desired back in the day. A cry for choice, and yell for greater things for the future of their people, and later on, it was a powerful voice that inspired warriors on the field to keep to arms, and fight for what they all believed in with their sparks.

Now, the Prime stood within the doorway to the room, his posture upright and formal, shoulders pulled back and helm held high to look over at the large Cybertronian to evaluate and consider just what was going on. It was impossible to read the Prime's emotions at the moment, for the powerful field that flowed from his core was even and non-wavering, holding no information or other tells that could be used as a cheat sheet for others to judge his emotions. But it still had a presence. Strength, power, it radiated a constant background element that was hard to describe, sourced from the Matrix itself. While his field remained neutral though, the tone of voice had held an inflection of concern, and true interest in trying to amend something that may not be able to be helped.

Optimus had no idea what was troubling the newcomer, but with newcomers you never knew what they brought with them. What baggage they carried on their shoulders. At any given moment something could go amiss, something could go wrong, and they could turn against their peers out of traumatic stresses that shove them to a breaking point. It could happen to them all if the right buttons were pushed, and not long ago it had happened with one of his most long-standing soldiers, forced to watch in dismay as they departed not only the base, but the faction as a whole. But while there was some worry that Hazmat could be toppling down this path, he did not hinge the way he spoke nor acted upon the idea. To shoehorn him into that mold, would clip the wings of any progress that could be made, and could further instigate troubles and force a non issue, into a guarantee.

Alas, after Optimus had spoken, he took a couple calm strides into the room with a rolling thrum of his heavy peds. He kept a comfortable distance away, not crowding Hazmat, but he did wish to get out of the doorway, since it was the only entrance and exit to the room. He had no desire to imply that the mech was now trapped here, and would have no means to escape if he truly wished to.

Patiently, Optimus waited, hoping that he would not need to pry or ask directly what was going wrong.

[Deleted]

Upon hearing the voice of his leader behind him the custodial bot almost jumped and quickly put down the uncleaned cube in the scrub sink. How did he not notice his own commanding officer nearby? He should've at least heard him walking through the doorway, or seen the big, strong, red mech when Hazmat entered the wash room if the last of the Primes had already been within the room. How long had the Prime been aware that Hazmat was feeling angry?? The thought that Haz hadn't noticed at all surprised and worried him, especially since there was no reason for Prime to sneak up in anyone in his own base.


Instead of answering the Prime right away though Haz instead found himself trying to figure out how he didn't notice Optimus before the mech spoke up. It was as if he had been blinded by something. But what could've blinded-


Hazmat's wisdom started to regain control as he realized what was happening. His anger had blinded him. Of course, it was the only thing that made sense. He was so angry that it was the only thing his processor was focusing on. Hazmat was behaving the way he did back when he was with the 'Cons. That was not acceptable. How could he of been so foolish to let his anger build this much? There was no way he could talk to even Shale in this state, never mind talking to the Prime.


So as Hazmat slowly sucked in air through his complex filter assembly and then slowly vented it, his anger slowly melted away from his field. It didn't completely vanish and it took a whole two minutes, but what little was left was under the large mech's control... he hoped. Now Hazmat's field was filled with the calm, wise, and yet strong presence he was known for back during the war. Now after two whole minutes and 30 seconds of not responding to Optimus Prime, Hazmat turned to face hid commander hoping that the Prime didn't mind that Hazmat hadn't responded till he got his temper under control.


For the first time Hazmat saw the last of the primes with his own two optics and it was clear that the recordings and images broadcasted didn't do the large mech justice. He knew the Prime was big but not this big, even though Haz easily had 35% more mass, if not more. However what the Prime lacked in mass compared to Hazmat he most likely made up to it in speed and skill... making Hazmat glad he never met the mech when he was with the Cons. He would've given Optimus a run for his Energon but still would've lost. A part of Hazmat, the part that was still ashamed over being a Deception, felt unworthy of being in the presence of the Prime. Still he was here and the Prime was patiently waiting for an answer.


Finally Hazmat spoke. "Sir," he began with a slight bow of his head. "I... I just found out about Air Raid and what MECH did to him. I ended up taking it kinda hard." the large black and green mech said, choosing to be blunt with his answer. He said nothing more though, wanting to see what the Prime said about that before dropped the lob ball on what was really making him angry. The answer he got might defuse the whole situation, depending on what the Prime said.

[Optimus Prime]

Optimus was not a sneaky mech, nor ever really tried to be, but in the confines of the base where he walked on regular from station to station, his footfalls could sometimes fall into the backdrop as a normality. A presence. He was always around in some way, more often or not stationed at a console. Whatever the case, he had been walking towards the Control Room, when he heard the unmistakable crackle of something being crushed and destroyed. Things happened, mistakes were made, but a clatter of something hitting the ground a moment later? And it warranted at least a cursory glance into the doorway to see if everything had been alright.

An angry individual, frustration, it was easy to see in the way he carried himself, the way he furiously scrubbed and cleaned at the containers. One didn’t need to be particularly adept at reading postures and emotions to pick up on this, it projected plainly enough, with a nice bit of punctuation in the form of the crushed and mangled cube left to lay on the ground. Water dripped off the object's ragged surface to speckle down onto the smooth floor below, a tattle on the fact it had been tossed. It is these occurrences that prompted his minor intervention, and this that inspired this conversation this day.

There was no rush to reply, and Optimus did not pry or press again for an answer. Despite the minutes ticking on, he only waited patiently at his post, motionless, with arms hung at rest loosely at his side. He did not cross his limbs, nor shift his weight, nothing to signify impatience or a desire for the mech to hurry up. If Hazmat needed a moment to collect himself? Then he could take as many as he desired to filter his thoughts properly to articulate himself. The Prime would have waited even longer if it was needed, but it seemed Hazmat found himself after a short bit, and started to state what bothered him.

Ah... Air Raid...

It was a touchy subject, one that could still bring great heartache to Optimus. He considered it a failure on his part, and an inability to find a means to save the solider. He almost wished that Air Raid had just been killed, slaughtered on the battlefield where he could then return to the Allspark and find peace, but the red mech could not be so lucky. Trapped in his own body, puppeted, locked down where his frame was disconnected from his psyche... alive, but not... Ratchet, a surgeon, one trained for such things could not even attempt to cure what ailed him, and it didn't even seem like a lack of tools and resources were to blame. No hope, no goals, nothing to strive for...

"That just shows empathy for others."

Calm words, sympathetic to the frustration Hazmat was experiencing.

"What happened to Air Raid will never be forgotten, but we can take measures to protect our own and try to ensure that it does not occur again. This is why the truce is in place, and why none are permitted to leave the Outpost alone."

[Deleted]

A very slight smile crossed Hazmat's lips for a moment as he realized just how patient Optimus was being with him, more than willing to give the black and green bot the time he needed to collect himself and get his temper under control. The custodial mech didn't know Orion Pax before he became a prime so he didn't know his personality, but to Haz this was once again proof as to why Optimus had been named a Prime... and especially why Hazmat had not. As far as the former artillery commander was concerned him being a former 'Con disqualified him.


But this only made the Hazmat even more conflicted over the current situation with MECH.


"Perhaps... perhaps not..." was how Hazmat answered what the Prime said first, knowing that in this situation both answers rang true; the 'perhaps' because Hazmay was upset over Air Raid getting turned into a vegetable, but the 'perhaps not' was because that wasn't the primary thing that was making him upset.


Though as Optimus continued Hazmat field fluttered slightly in approval. "Which I agree with. Moving in groups will greatly reduce the chances of MECH attacking again. And I also agree with a truce as well. The ceasefire will allow us to focus on making repairs and easing some of the built up stress we've gotten." Hazmat began before he pointed out something that concerned him. "Although we should be careful as to whom we allow to interact with the 'Cons during this cease-fire. Those that are trigger-happy or have a more... complicated... history with the 'Cons should be kept at a distance because a brawl might break out if the wrong words are said, in which case the truce will fall apart."


On the word 'complicated' Hazmat's field had once again shifted slightly, but this time to shame due to his history with the 'Cons. He had actually been referring to himself when he said this. He was sure they had a list of defectors somewhere, and if that was the case they'd have his name on it. Anyone who knew Hazmat was on that possible list might open fire on the spot without even considering the consequences for doing so. Due to that Hazmat was planning on avoiding the neutral base ((where he could run into a Deception and possibly restart the war)) much as he could. He figured the Prime knew about his past with the Deceptions and the circumstances behind him defecting to the Autobots, considering Red Alert had been such a stickler over the details before even letting Hazmat down to the planet. How could the security chief not tell Optimus about this once all the greetings were done?  Hazmat would've called the Prime and informed him that a known crest switcher had shown up if he was in Red Alert's pedes.


Feeling a slight ache in his right ankle, due to him having been leaning on that leg this whole time, Hazmat shifted his weight to his left leg causing the hydraulics to groan in protest. ::I hate getting old.:: he thought as he tried to carefully phrase what he was going to say while giving Optimus a chance to respond to what he just said. "It's not the truce or Air Raid's fate that is the foundation of my anger. It's... " he hesitated, knowing full well he was about to verbally disagree with something that both the Prime and Megatron agreed on for the truce.


"It's... your condition that only non-lethal means should be used to fight MECH. I literally can't comprehend why you would make such a condition."

[Optimus Prime]

Hazmat acted like Optimus had not taken such precautions, and was not treating the truce as the fragile thing that it was. This was a balancing act, one that could be tipped out of alignment and off center with the most careful of flicks to the scale, let alone permitting actions that are more brash and careless to throw the scale right on its side. Individuals that were here longer term knew their limitations, they knew that it would be not in their favor to go to Haven and interact with a Con, and regulated themselves because of this. For example, Bulkhead was not going to be paired up with Breakdown, and expected to cooperate, for Optimus' order and the pressure of the truce could only stay a hand for so long. This said, some things were orchestrated, and the freedom that they all held was monitored by Red Alert and Optimus himself.

No... Hazmat had no need to fear trigger happy individuals stepping out of line, because the illusion of a line to step over, is just that, and will lead nowhere. No opportunity, no real CHANCE. But Optimus could not fault him for not seeing this much, he was new, didn't understand things around this base, and had no first had experience with the way he led the team. Most around here would fear breaking the balance in play, even if opportunity to cause issue was presented to them in full. Those that were trigger happy enough to cause issue? Weren’t allowed. If a Decepticon took the first shot? Well... there are security cameras for a reason, and they have their Warlord to fear for breaking the cease fire, a threat far more terrifying than Optimus' own.

"Trust that we have things balanced."

This lack of faith however didn't seem to be the true issue here though, and Optimus listened patiently after these words to see if the core of concerns would make itself known. He didn't need to wait long though, Hazmat speaking up once again to bring up a valid concern. Once more however, it was his newness to the team making itself known.

"The humans are a naïve and young species, blind to worlds beyond their own. They act out of ignorance, and MECH's actions are a symptom of their culture."

Such a young species, barely functional for the tiniest of glimmers in the grand scheme of the cosmoses. They were safely tucked away in their little corner of the galaxy, too new to seek other worlds on their own, too tiny to be harassed prematurely by greater forces, they were destined to grow and learn and evolve at their own pace until Cybertronians showed up, and put a wrench into everything they had known and worked for.

"They see our kind as tools that mimic life, and not what we are, advancing their technology by exploiting the advancements of another creator."

Optimus knew this fact well. The children even were amazed and had a hard time swallowing the idea that Cybertronian had emotions and could feel sadness and grief. They were open to the concept however, receptive, and learned quickly by one on one experiences, but MECH... they saw what they wanted, and only observed Cybertronian screaming in pain, a primitive reaction any 'technology' could show to get away from what was damaging it.

"We are not meant to be upon Earth, but fate has brought us. It is not the native's fault they reacted poorly to our appearance."

THEY were the intruders, THEY were the unwelcome guests. THEY were the ones introducing the fact there were other species in the universe with sentience, and that there is technology far superior to exploit and try to pull from. It was holding a piece of candy in front of a child, and expecting them not to grasp blindly for it.

"If MECH threatens your life, greater force for survival is approved. You are not to simply lay down weapon and let yourself die... but I will not condone blind slaughter."

[Deleted]

"Balanced... curious choice of term, don't you think?" Hazmat asked with a cocked eyebrow, a hair confused over the Prime's statement. However it wasn't more then a second later that the large mech's optics widened, his jaw went slack, and his field started to ripple with shock when he realized a problem. It wasn't what Optimus had said about balance though, but when the green and black mech fully realized how he had reacted to the Prime's request for trust:


Hazmat had asked himself if he could trust the Prime on his word, and that was what shocked him. How could he think such a thing? Not trust a Prime? That concept was prosperous without proof and Hazmat had none. Was he truly having so much trouble trusting another? He trusted Shale on the spot after talking to her for a moment, and yet he wouldn't trust Optimus?


He held up a servo as if asking for quiet and gave Optimus an apologetic look. "Don't answer that. I... I think all that time spent in isolation on Cybertron has left me with an impaired judgment. For eons the only thing I had to rely on was myself, and anyone I encountered shot first and never asked questions because they were desperate for the Energon I had." Hazmat admitted, analyzing the situation. "Might be a while before I should be trusted with a commanding role. I apologize if my previous comments were out of line." Hazmat stated before shutting himself up to listen to everything that Optimus had to say. He refused to allow his explosive temper get the best of him and instead hung on all of Optimus's words, analyzing them carefully so his wisdom would be what talks.


And the blue and red mech had a point... several of them in fact and they were all good. Humans were in fact new to the galaxy. They couldn't even send a person to another planet yet! "And our being here has resulted in humanity taking an evolutionary and technological path that they were never supposed to go down." Hazmat stated as if adding to what the Prime was saying about them not suppose to be on Earth. What could've been a peaceful race could become a race of conquerors instead.


However there was something that was bothering the large mech...


Rubbing his chin with his right servo, Hazmat began to speak about what was bothering him. He spoke slowly, as if he was analyzing each of his own words for a flaw. "I took Miko out to Jasper rather recently to help her with a paper she needed to do for school. While there I saw an innocent race that was ignorant of their place in the galaxy. I saw a people who, despite their flaws, could live and thrive in communities without disagreeing too much. I saw a people that educate their young with games that simultaneously taught them important lessons for life. It wouldn't surprise me at all if they were willing to lay down their lives do protect their children and family. I agree that if they found out about us publicly they would panic." Hazmat began, then paused to lower his servo back to his side.


"But this MECH... from what I heard I can't see them being being a product of fear or ignorance. They aim to acquire power by any means necessary at the expense of everyone around them. And they are too well organized to have just come into existence recently. Dissecting us is just another avenue to acquire power faster. I can't see them being peaceful if we leave or if we were never here. They're conquerors, and as soon as we're gone they will turn their sights on their own kind."


Hazmat paused again before sighing through his vents. "Optimus... MECH just seems like humanity's own equivalent to the Deceptions to me."

[Optimus Prime]

A less tolerant and more on edge leader may have been perturbed by what Hazmat had just said regarding Optimus' choice of words. It could have been seen as a challenge over a decision, directly confronting about how it was phrased as if the leader was trying to hide something or play semantics... This was not the case however, Optimus watching patiently as Hazmat came to his own conclusions regarding the situation. Widened eyes, a slack jaw, it appeared they were flabbergasted at their own brashness, which really wasn't that brash in the grand scheme of things. There is always someone worse out there, someone else with far less respect for rank and file that would confront.

A dip of the helm, a wordless acknowledgment, Optimus did not directly address what Hazmat had said at first; for it was something the mech had to work out on his own. Moving from being a loner, to adapting to functioning around others again? Well, it was a tricky path, one that would have a few bumps and hurdles along the way. None could blame someone for these stumbles, and letting them fade off as the conversation progressed was best.

And what a progression it was.

Optimus shifted his weight then, a slow roll of his mass to his opposite leg to get a bit more comfortable as it seemed he was here for a long haul. He listened intently, not looking away or seeming to be distracted, giving the other Cybertroniann his full attention on what he had to say. The words were very true, and had some valid points, but Hazmat's perspective on the planet he just arrived upon was short sighted. He did not know much about the Humans, and had only observed a tiny sliver of life that masks away the turmoil and true problems. On Cybertron, if someone only got to take a peek at a road in Iacon, they would believe their people to be far more prosperous than it was.

"Every culture has its own Decepticons."

He started, the tone of his voice changing. It had been authoritative before, leadership offering an answer to a question with intent to teach insight and shed illumination upon the motivation behind his actions. Now however? It had mellowed, lower, speaking not of fact but philosophy and a subject of debate.

"Humans find conflict if there are none to be had. War with other countries, cultures, religions, there is always a Decepticon, one that changes upon the viewpoint of those involved."

Primitive. Earth had no united front, and bickered with itself over concepts that in the grand scheme of things were frivolous and small minded. They thrived off of greed, and Optimus was not ignorant over the fact that the very country he had allied with and had helped him, thirsted for its own wealth and power at the cost of the lower rank and file. He held no illusions that they eagerly set them up with this base and the resources they had just to be nice, he knew it was also an attempt to garner favor if things were to go belly up from other alien species.

"It is not our position to fight their battles for them. It is not our right to push our ideals."

Said a bit more forcibly, Optimus wanted this point to really be driven home. If an outsider species with superior technology had swooped in to assist Cybertron during the war, there would be a chance they would obliterate a side blindly because they are just outsiders with no true insight. They don't know it all, and it wasn’t their place to promote a victor. Cybertronians severed themselves from other's control once already, and Optimus knew how little that was appreciated in the past.

"If we were to break the Tyrest Accord, we could make gods out of whomever we willed. We could alter this planet's progression based upon the country that we happened to land upon and befriend."

Luck, chance, where they landed, and who befriended them would skew their perspectives and leave them close minded and narrowed upon the country they were loyal to. Other regions were just as viable, they had their own culture, their own norms, their own beliefs, and the Autobots were shoved down into this one particular point. Skewed.

"All we can, and will do, is take back what was stolen from us."

[Deleted]

A simple nod... that was it? No reprimand? No disciplinary act? Just a nod of understanding? Wow. Optimus Prime was being far more merciful then Hazmat thought he deserved at that moment. Even the black and green bot would've given someone a stern look and a warning if they had used such a tone and taken such a stand with him.


And yet here Hazmat was, having been granted mercy by Optimus over his foul comment, and what was Hazmat doing? He was looking the gifted mech in the mouth because he couldn't understand why he was given it. How it seemed as though the Prime was also dropping the topic and focusing on real issue that was bothering Hazmat, so the custodial bot did the same.


He had been given a merciful response. Time to accept it and move on.


And what the Prime said next was not only clear as a bell, but could be summed up into a small sentence; ::Hazmat, you really jumped to conclusions on this topic.::[\i] he thought as a tiny sense of self-loathing flickered in the custodial mech's field as he realized he most recent mistake... out of the servo full of mistakes he made earlier. He had tried to judge the whole situation by what he saw in tiny bit he had encountered. How could he of been so foolish in his judgement?


As Optimus continued Hazmat's judgment continued to improve, as if the Prime's wisdom was reawakening Hazmat's. It was becoming clear that before he tried to make any decision and judgments considering humanity he needed to learn way more about them. As the explanation continued on how humans always seemed to seek conflict, it reminded Hazmat of all the times he had to defend himself and others while doing his routine cleaning jobs.


"If humanity has had their own versions of the Deceptions even from the beginning, and considering that we've had our own undesirables causing trouble even during the Golden Age... maybe the only real difference between Cybertronians and humans is size." The large mech speculated, hoping he was understanding what Optimus was saying correctly.


However when Optimus mentioned that they shouldn't try to conquer the humans either, Hazmat found himself admitting to himself that there was a temptation to right all the wrongs on Earth. But now he was in his right processor enough to understand that doing so would only make him an oppressor, and what was right for him might be out right harmful for the rest of humanity.


"At times though it feels like taking back what was stolen isn't enough. I find myself wanting to take preemptive measures to prevent MECH from harming anyone or stealing anything. Maybe scout out for their bases so when they strike again we might be able to cut them off at the pass so they can't take away one of our allies. Maybe even stop them from attacking us." He commented. He had a feeling that Optimus would disagree, but he just didn't want Air Raid's fate to befall anyone else. The thought that it could be Shale being taken apart by MECH and left to rot inside her own body... the very thought made him shutter.


One thing started to stick out to Hazmat though...


"Wait... Optimus, is it possible that Megatron agrees with you on some level when it comes to not interfering with this planet? The Deceptions have been here for 3 years and haven't tried to conquer anything on Earth as far as I can tell. They are even traveling as robots in disguise like us so is it possible that they also hold some level of respect for this planet?"

[Optimus Prime]

When boiled down to core values and attributes of a sentient creature, things seldom strayed from a common mold. Some hive-mind species of course deviated a great deal due to their born unity, but even they had their own 'defects' that mutated out from the fold and walked their own paths. Nothing was perfect, individuals strayed, ideals and concepts clashed, and evolution remained a common qualifier. The shell in which this 'soul' resides, can be metal, flesh, gaseous, fluidized, and many other vessels of containment, but they all were similar on some level.

Optimus chose to not speak more on this, it a solid realization for Hazmat, and one that needn't be the focus of this discussion. He did offer a slight nod of his helm however to show an agreement on the sentiment and that the large mech was on the right path in considering things. The conversation then flowed back to the crux of the issue, and focused in upon MECH once more.

"This world is small, yet expansive. We work diligently with our allies, but MECH remains elusive."

Even when a base had been found, and a frontal assault was formed, MECH found a way to remain two steps ahead. So very little of value came from that facility, most of it blown up and turned to ash in the explosion. It left a sour note of defeat that was difficult to shake off, picking up the breadcrumbs they could scour out from the mess to try to get some kind of path or direction to walk next.

"We are doing what we can."

Optimus was patient, but it felt like Hazmat was pointing out fairly obvious things when it came to what they could be doing. Zoom-Zoom was picking apart the data he found, Fowler was tracking down leads of individuals that may be recruited by MECH. Their scouting missions for Energon were also paired with looking for facilities in remote regions or abandoned locations. They were not idly sitting by waiting for MECH to act, and then scrabbling to try to respond in time to do something about it. With the truce in play, they even had Soundwave filtering through information at a nauseating pace to try to link up security footage with known MECH personnel, among other things.

It wasn't as easy as just 'scouting out a base'.

The subject shifted a bit then, and Optimus' frame did the same. His weight rolling gradually over to his other leg, his stance otherwise remaining the same as when they had started.

"I cannot speak for Megatron, but I do not believe his hand is stayed out of respect."

The idea was rather ludicrous to the Prime, but he knew he had known the Warlord far longer than most others, and that the Megatron others see, tends to be just the shell layer to keep individuals in line. Optimus knew however, that there would be no form of respect for human kind. They were viewed as filthy organic parasites leaching resources off of this small world, and getting in the way. Their buildings acted as shields and obstacles for mining operations, and hindering scouting capabilities. The humans not only did this, but also aided the Autobots, making Megatron's quarry that much more elusive and difficult to track. The most surface value to be seen though was the fast Megatron refused to take on an Earth Alt-Mode, rejecting the planet in full.

"It would require too many resources to wipe the planet clean."

Blunt cold truth. The amount of poisons and bombs and materials needed to eradicate an entire planet of an organic 'infestation' was numerous and far beyond what would be a casual decision for convenience sake. Megatron would also need to do it all from orbit, with keen detection out for primitive weaponry, for nukes and other bombs could make a notable issue if they were to reach the Nemesis. Simplistic as they may be, bombs were still bombs, and it was one target verses the entire planet's population. The only thing saving the planet right now was the resource race that was happening, and the lack of an easy path.

[Deleted]

Hazmat frowned slightly at what Optimus had just said. That statement just rubbed him the wrong way. "Ehhhh... I'm sorry Optimus but it's gonna be a while before I can see a Decepticon as an ally. Even when having a common enemy." Hazmat admitted. Everyone, including Hazmat, wanted the war to end and he guessed that no mech wanted that more then the Prime standing before him... but having a common foe won't make bitter enemies allies, only make them tolerate each other till the danger's passed. He knew he'd only he able to tolerate the Deceptions for now. For Hazmat to consider them an ally... that was going to take some doing.


But another thought occurred to Hazmat...


"Wait... do you mean that we have an ally in the humans? Besides the children I mean. A... how should I put this... a human equivalent to Autobots?"


If humans had their own Deceptions throughout their ages then surely they had their own Autobots to stand in their way and say 'no.' If they didn't have their own Autobots then their Deceptions would've taken over by now and MECH wouldn't have to hide as much as they are now. They'd have so many like-minded individuals that they'd be too big to hide. He wanted to ask what the human's Autobots, or anti-MECH in this case, thought of MECH and if they thought MECH should be destroyed, but he first needed to know if they even existed.


As for the short detour about Megatron having respect, Hazmat chose not to respond... mainly because he was mentally kicking himself for bringing up the idea. Megatron having respect his big green aft. Maybe when he was Megatrous, but not now. Now Hazmat was certain that his processor wasn't functioning properly. He might even be considered compromised. He really needed to have Ratchet or someone else check his processor for stress damage from his time on Cybertron alone.


So he remained quiet, patiently waiting for Optimus to respond, and perhaps point out where his processor was going wrong again next.

[Optimus Prime]

Optimus did not realize that Hazmat was truly so detached from this world, that the others had not caught him up to everything that was going on around him. The fact he was permitted to go on a trip around the park with Miko while not understanding their allies in full, was a bit of a concern. He did not fear Hazmat harming the child, he could tell the Autobot acted with care, but he did now hold concern if he had known all the road rules and other tasks that needed to be followed to be able to fit in within a human environment and not draw unwanted attention. Evidently it had panned out on some level, as Optimus had not heard of anything yet, but it was something of note.

With a controlled movement, Optimus lifted his right hand, raising it to gesture lightly at the very room they stood within. The motion would then continue in order to indicate the base as a whole, Optimus' helm rising to follow as if he were looking through the walls as he did so. He spoke in regards to the base overall, and not just the area they currently stood.

"All of this would not be possible without our human allies. They have supplied shelter, resources, and aid us when possible."

The Prime lowered his hand then, resting it once more at his side while he turned to regard Hazmat once again.

"In return, we protect from the Decepticons, and assist when we can."

He thought back then for when Fowler tasked them with transporting the Dynamic Nuclear Generation System, and how questionable that decision was. It was needed in order to relocate it to safe storage, but it was still assisting them with a deadly weapon. Granted, the object had already been constructed, and it only needed to be moved because the plane that had been carrying it had gone down. Leaving the task to the humans in full also would have meant MECH would likely have gotten their hands on the weapon. Not a foreseeable event, but one that panned out better for them in the long run.

"It is not all work however; the relationships with our allies can bring stability and comfort."

Optimus' voice shifted then, a lighter tone coming into play while he spoke of subjects that were not as grim or foreboding as MECH. The overall shift was subtle though, a prickle of amusement woven between the words loosely.

"Bumblebee and Bluestreak have taken a particular liking to the native world, and explore it in their own ways, just as you will."

They all valued Earth in differing means. Whether it was becoming engrossed in their entertainment, their writings, the things they constructed, the beautify of the natural world, or ((for the most cynical)) just for the Energon it held, there was something all of them could appreciate on some level. Optimus himself could find plenty to enjoy if he had the time to do so, but found himself too busy to partake most of the time.

[Deleted]

What did I just say? Hazmat wondered when the Prime seemed to pause for a few nano-cycles longer then he had during the rest of the conversation. Yeah their conversation had been all over the place due to Hazmat's processor currently being a little unstable, but all of Optimus's answers had been prompted. What was different now?


Hazmat didn't have to wait long for his answer though. And it surprised him to the point that his gaze actually followed Optimus's hand as he motioned as not only this room but the entire base. "The humans gave you all of this?" he asked perplexed as his chest mounted lights that acted as his alt's warning flashers opened to reveal his decontamination scanners and began to come online, his field starting to fill with curiosity. Hazmat turned a little to his right and a few golden beams of light radiated out passed the Prime and began to scan the back wall. While the scanners were meant to identify contaminates they could also be used to identify compounds that Hazmat wasn't familiar with. What his quick scan showed him was quite intriguing.


"And there I was thinking we were using the typical electromagnetic shielding that was developed on Cybertron. The humans managed to achieve the same level of shielding by simply combining different compounds that aren't native to Cybertron. Fascinating!" he said as his scanners deactivated and the warning flashers closed to conceal the scanners. His previous anger and concerns gone, replaced by the wise mech that Hazmat was known for, he turned back to Optimus as the blue and red mech continued and mentioned how two other Autobots tend to explore the world. "I'm gonna need to remember to ask them to show me the best place to start studying this world. Watching what the humans do with their vehicles and mimicking them will only go so far." he mused what accidentally giving away how he had handled himself well with Miko when they were out on the town.


He had simply learned from watching the humans. It was easy to see that the lights suspended over intersections were meant to direct traffic; red meant stop, green for go, though the yellow light seemed to have multiple purposes since some humans accelerated when they saw it while others began to slow in preparation to stop and others just ignored it and only stopped when they got the red. The orange lights on the sides of the cars meant they wanted to go in that direction, either to shift lanes or turn... though some humans didn't use this. Also the signs on the sides of the roads gave directions as well, such as permitted speeds and the names of certain roads. However one thing that Hazmat had learned that he was sure could come in handy was that vehicles that had warning lights and sirens, like his own alternative mode, could activate them to make most of the humans get out of the way and allow them to ignore the speed limits. That could come in handy if Hazmat and other Autobots needed to get moving in a hurry while within city limits. However since it attracted attention as well it should be used sparingly.


"Unless of course you have a recommendation on where I should begin learning about humans and their world." Hazmat added after a moment. Why shouldn't he ask Optimus for advice on where to begin? He had at one point been the archivist Orion Pax, and an archivist was always curious. Surly some of that curiosity remained when the mech before the custodial bot became a Prime. Hazmat was willing to bet that during his spare time the Prime-


The black and green bot's train of thought stopped there when he realized he made an assumption. "You... you do have the spare time to occasionally indulge your curiosity, right?"

[Optimus Prime]

Ah, it seemed Hazmat had taken what he spoke of far more literal than intended, something Optimus did not count upon. The Prime was about to offer additional words to gift clarity, and clean up loose ends on the subject, when a system on the other mech came online, making him pause momentarily to try to evaluate what exactly was happening.

A golden light, a scanning element. It was much like the beam they used to process vehicles for their Alternative Modes, but it did not hold a blue tone, and instead shone with a golden light. It passed over the far wall with a flick, before seeming to turn off as the data it needed was obtained. The scan wouldn't reveal much of value however, for there were no contaminants to be picked up on of note. Typical wear, normal environmental elements. Not even a trace amount of toxic matter unless you considered normal dirt and grit to be a horrible thing.

More was said then, Hazmat continuing to misunderstand what Optimus was implying, over exaggerating the capabilities of the native inhabitants and writing off everything the base held within it as their work. This was very far from the truth, and he had to wait for an appropriate time to interject, before things cascaded too far out of hand away from the truth.

"The humans supplied a foundation, but we installed our technology."

While it did not really MATTER if Hazmat thought the humans were more advanced than they were, it perhaps helping him to not be caught off guard by MECH if they were to take a grand leap in technology, a lack of accurate facts could not be permitted to continue in good faith. Optimus didn't feel comfortable just letting that slide, especially if it could result in him unintentionally making a fool out of himself.

"The Ground Bridge, our shielding, majority of the generators, computer systems, and pumps are sourced from the Ark. The humans provide a location, and raw materials to span the gaps."

He only then addressed what more was said, wishing to get that clarified first. It felt a bit odd having to be wordier, opting to make himself clearer rather than his broader more straightforward commentary he traditionally did.

"My time is primarily dominated by other tasks. You can however seek more insight from Bluestreak, Bumblebee, or any other of the numerous inhabitants that favor the native world if you wish."

[Deleted]

Hm... so it seemed he jumped to conclusions again. Just how much is my processor misfiring? Hazmat mentally worried as he listened to Optimus Prime reply to his observations... which turned out to be a bit off the mark. It was easy to tell from the parts that Hazmat had scanned that there was some sort of compound within that wall that was capable of blocking signals, but that didn't mean it applied to the entire base. As he continued to listen to Optmius, Hazmat's gaze shifted to the right and slowly panned to the left, as if he was attempting to visualize the entire base and figure out which part was made by human hands and which was done by Cybertronian servos. The part of Hazmat that was still a little bit immature wanted to say No duh. as the Prime listed some of the parts that the Autobots provided for the base, but that also brought into perspective just how much the humans have provided.

"It would appear that I misunderstood what you meant when you said we're working with some of the humans. This is much more then an alliance, isn't it?" focusing his full attention back onto his leader, Hazmat started to feel more appreciation for the humans, and a level of respect for them. "I'm going to need to talk to Bumblebee or Bluestreak sooner then later. Now I'm really intrigued by these humans." Hazmat commented. He could now seem himself huddled over a console reading about human culture. How fitting for a mech getting up in years.

It wasn't until he had that thought that he caught something that Optimus had said. The wording seemed a bit... off. Saying that his time was dominated just rubbed Hazmat the wrong way. "Hm..." Hazmat brought up his right servo and started to rub his chin in thought as he cradled the elbow of his right arm with his left servo. He was thinking about how much he had to manage during the war on Cybertron, and the list was really long. Rations, medical supplies, troop moral, attack formations, the list went on and on. And yet he knew that it was nothing compared to how much Optimus had to manage during the war, and now Optimus was running this rag tag group of what Hazmat would consider misfit warriors against the well organized Decepticons. It couldn't of been easy for him, and chances were the Prime wouldn't get a chance to relax and relieve his stress that much.

That's when Hazmat got an idea, and it was written all over his faceplate when he did.

"Changing the topic a bit. You said your time is dominated by other tasks, correct? I'm going to have trouble wording this but, is there a way for me to relieve you of some of those tasks? Take some of the weight off your shoulders per say? I'm not exactly in a position to lead but there must be something I can do to help."