What should and what shouldn't

[Deleted]

Characters: @sv19 and Soundwave
Location: Nemesis communications center
Content Warnings: A whole lot of periods, and commas to spare.
Plot Summary: Sv19 begins thinking a little more of Deception origins. The vehicon has questions, and Soundwave is prepared to give the appropriate answers...deemed appropriate by Soundwave that is.

[Deleted]

Sev entered the communication center, his red visor scanning for one particular mech that he knew he could trust when it came to data. As time had past, Sev had spoken to Sari, and the human had introduced new concepts to him. These ways of thinking had also caused other inquiries to sprout, and now Sev was surrounded in a vast, dry desert of questions. His programming did not provide answers, he now thirsted for knowledge. He had gone over in his mind several times that if he could have these questions answered, he could act as a more effective drone.

Sev did not entirely believe Sari’s words, or the questions he had, it was obvious that Megatron’s wise teachings couldn’t be accused of corruption. It was a matter of finding adequate responses to the enemy when they asked similar questions. After obtaining the correct quantity of knowledge, he would be able to thwart any arguments against his faction. Afterall, nothing could trump raw logic, or historical truth. A few drones had looked at him funny when he’d brought up his dilemma too them, or some even laughed or left the conversation. Sev suspected that sometimes his brothers just couldn’t think the way he did, or somehow didn’t want to. He’d have wanted to glance at their blue prints and his blue-prints, however, he was no genius when it came to mechanics. For all he knew they just didn’t want to talk about it.

The communications center had sustained a certain gloominess, most of the lights in the hub emitting from the varies screens. Sev spotted the mech he needed a word with: Soundwave. His darker coloring resulting in him blending in with plenty of the room. Sev’s colorblind optics struggled only a moment to find the Decepticon, before he continued on for the lanky mech. Sev let his exterior show a calmness that it usually did, the problem though was his interior. Soundwave wasn’t known to speak, and according to rumors, the mech was always watching everything. There wasn’t a single Decepticon secret that wasn’t his.

And that’s why I need to talk to him. Sev mentally grunted to himself. He knew this communications officer wasn’t known the be generous to say the least. Regardless, Sev knew himself. He wasn’t going to rest until he got some kind of answer. So onward he went. Once behind the mech, he cleared his throat.
“Soundwave sir”, Sev couldn’t have been standing straighter, He gave a salute. He went on.
“ I require data, but lack the authorization to uncover it myself. I need your assistance sir.”

[Soundwave]

Posted in his usual station, Soundwave was quietly installing the latest entries of data logs himself personally. Many of which were larger records of what was needed to be in the logistics, others more trivial than others. Such as worker lives and complaints. As to why he was doing this all by himself? He simply took a great amount of joy of personally writing it all in rather than see a list of entries done up by others. He couldn't possibly guess as to what went through their minds during entry but he does for his own mind seeing as he records some thoughts for some of his vaguer entries.

His helm shifted and reflected the many screens before him, entranced at the colors and words that sped upwards! Tentacles and hands were busy at work tacking away at keys that had long since lost their markings as to what characters they were. Some more abused than others.

The peaceful tranquility was startled and all that was kept in a brisk pace was halted when someone who had the bearings to interrupt his meditation decided it would be best to do it now instead of at the end of one of his entries. Those tentacles SCHUNCK back into his chest cavity while that highly polished masked turned to reflect what was essentially a clone, in his eyes, and the room around him. Bitterness slowly filled his being before his programming started to correct this vile error. A stoic stance was taken, squared shoulders and pedes set a good distance while his hands remained unclenched. The lanky bot stared at Sev, wondering just what he wanted from him.

Upon hearing the request his own optics reflected his onboard personal computer working away. Unseen to Sev but only for Soundwave...

Inquisition Of Unauthorized Data From:

Scanning For Recognition-- Vehicon Unit Sv-19

Low In Order Of Chain Of Command, Must Obtain Rights For Higher Level Knowledge

Level Desired To Be Obtained Is Currently Unknown And In Need of Review...

His mask tilted a bit in inquiry before his shoulders slackened. A curiosity filled this mech as his onboard systems detached it from major controls. This lead to his helm canting to the side to give an indirect question as to what he wanted to learn.

[Deleted]

As a dyslexic, colorblind soldier, it was already difficult for Sev to do research on his own. It was especially hard for him to focus his eyes upon an eerily white-ish screen. Yet it felt like it was just as hard to approach Soundwave. The instant the mech turned around, Sev could tell that he’d come at a bad time. Then again, history had proved to show Decepticons didn’t like to be disturbed period. It would be foolhardy to think the head of communications was an exception. When Soundwave tilted his helm in slight question after going over a few details within his own helm, Sev was grateful he hadn’t been instantly dismissed.

Sev knew he wasn’t one to boast when it came to ranking. But give him a chance, and he believed he could let his history brag of his durability. Baturally, when he was slightly nervous Sev’s servo’s itched for a blade to toy with, comfortably sliding between his digits. The fact that he was in front of superior of this caliber, he couldn’t afford to show any sign of—feeling. Fortunate favored the prepared, and Sev had run this scenario through his helm several times in order to mentally prepare himself for this. His visor and mask showed of little emotion just as Soundwave’s did. The scarlet red visor glowed undefeated in its wearer’s quest.

“Sir, I desire to review files regarding a detailed record of Decepticon origin, in all its reasoning and the situations that lead up to it sir.” Sev’s words were with genuine respect, never giving way to the mech’s slight fear of the other. Before Sev spoke of why he wanted those files in order to not prolong this encounter, he knew he had to choose his words carefully. He could say the source of the questions was a neutral entity. No. Too suspicious. Soundwave would see right through him being obscure about the origin of his question. He couldn’t exactly give Soundwave a lead to think he had been talking to a human. Intuition told Sev something wouldn’t add up correctly and Sari could get hurt.

“Sir, I discovered that my processor can’t grasp certain concepts of Decepticon reasoning. I lack details of this factions origin. My processor’s logic cannot be whole without this data, sir.” Sev ended decisively. He didn’t know that his programming was subtely making sure he hadn’t been able to think clearly, and had been smartly made so that it covered specific areas when they were being brought into question. It was limiting enough that Sev’s processor couldn’t function to its fullest, but it was also made so that he was too limited, as to provide space for a warrior-creativity. Still. Sev wasn’t lying about the source. Why bring it up if he brought it into trouble? But it was true that he had discovered complications.

[Soundwave]

Soundwave hadn't bothered learning everyone's disabilities aboard this massive ship. Just ones that he had felt were more important and keep track of. Like Starscream's ego or Bonecrusher's endless hatred for anything that isn't hate itself. The mech stood before Sev, wondering just what was needed from him, should he bother? He could gloss over his inquiries and shut him down with hidden glee. Yet his mask tilted slightly upwards like a downwards casting glance was thrown upon Sev when poised such inquiries.

He will bother to learn more of this particular mech.

Inquisition Of Decepticon Origins Desired

Allow Further Access To Glorious Uprising Against The Old Ways

...

Behavior Of Vehicon In Question At Hand Is Showing Signs Of Tampering

Exercise Extreme Caution And Provide Reports

...

Redact Reports To Vehicon Control:

Suggestion - Watch This Vehicon

His face screen flickered rapidly, deciding and judging what may be done! He was silent and unmoving, calculating and readjusting certain files that may need to be sorted for better understanding for this mech. Suddenly he flinched his entire body before stepping back to the console with a rising servo. A few tacks to the console by those deft fingers, a quickness that showed as the screens above flicked about before it landed on Sv-19's profile. Red words were lifted in some sections, suggesting that he had further clearance in the history of the Decepticons.

Soundwave knew that he would be taking a huge risk here. Yet he can keep track of this Sv-19 if need be. Grant him access and allow his cognitive abilities to shine rather than be a simple made to order robot. A better warrior out on the battlefield was needed. Seeing as they only have so many resources to expend at will before they do have to worry about the long run. Slaves can only last for so long.

[Deleted]

Sev anxiously waited for Soundwave to decide on what to do with him. Oh, how Sev hated all this. He disliked approaching people he didn’t completely know and asking for something, especially if it was a formidable member of high command. It was a struggle to keep his calm. But Soundwave wasn’t about to get beneath the vehicons mask and see past what Sev’s defenses. Sev was going to make sure no one got behind his mask, save his brothers. Truthfully, Sev didn’t know who he truly was, but he knew what he was supposed to be. Unfortunately, Sev was discovering who his identity didn’t always match his role. But He didn’t want to be reprogrammed for some reason. The thought of someone plugging him in one moment and then him walking out as something or someone else was so unnerving it almost made him flinch.

Sev exhaled, his systems releasing soft whispers of ex-vents as to collect himself and in relief as Soundwave began typing away to provide Sev what appeared to be data.

The vehicon was still standing at respectful attention, as Soundwave wordlessly turned around, still close to his screen. Was the vehicon being granted access? Was knowledge and understanding just within his grasp? The vehicon blinked behind his visor, before tilting his helm in silent question. He needed to be sure before just assuming he was given access just like that.

Sev narrowed his eyes momentarily behind his own visor.
“Sir?” He asked, clearly questioning if Soundwave was confirming what Sev believed the silent mech was. ‘Sir’ was a neutral word, and a controlled word. It showed Sev wasn’t going to just dive in, assuming that Soundwave was giving a giant thumbs up. Sev believed it also was appropriate since in the Decepticon ranks, you could never be too careful. Not to mention, showing that you weren’t a fool displayed intelligence…and just doing that could get you far. It was practically a currency to the Decepticons. If you were smart, you got places. If not? Then you already had two feet in the scrap yard.

Sev managed to look like he was patiently awaiting Soundwave’s reply…

[Soundwave]

Masks and identity, both go hand in hand in containing true motives. Some motives were better kept for personal reasons. Others to instill fear or commemorate bravado. The masks these two wore were of varying degrees of secrecy. One face more commonly known, seen, ordered. The other rarely discovered by optics that are not medically trained or of greater standing in power. For the time being, a sense of mutual understanding of the masks they wore tugged at the back of this Communication's Officer's mind. Something about the history of the past was kept a secret from Soundwave... He knew of it. Yet a bit of chaos was needed to perfect tranquility.

The dark blue mech will need to acquire a list of personal watchers over this particular Vehicon. Brutally efficient in extracting information in many ways. Be it from the darkness of the shadows or more brutal means. The list of names his onboard computers processed were narrowed down leaving what looked like a promising pool of individuals to mere drops of names.

Acquiring List Of Potential Spies For Sev-19

Requirements: Discretion, Tactile Wordplay, Good Note Taking

List Of Names Drastically Reduced

His optics scanned the names lazily, some he could trust more readily and others not so much. One did catch his optics and had them lingering, causing his onboard computers to mark such a name. Tarn.

While his eyes busied themselves with those names his helm gave a slight inclination to Sev's confirmation question. Access has been granted... If one considers lines of blacked out words to be considered a good amount of access.

[Deleted]

Access to Decepticon data...he had the clearance. Sev mentally gave a long sigh of relief, as he gratefully wrote this incident off as mostly over, if not completely so. Soundwave remained quiet, as he had throughout the encounter. 

Sev's wheels whirred backwards, as he moved towards a separate computer screen, deciding against taking the one his superior stood in front of. It seemed too disrespectful, not to mention, there was nothing else Sev required from Soundwave. Sev approached another screen, typing in his request for which files, and being granted access once he punched in his Vehicon number. Sev narrowed his eyes once the light of the screen reflected off his sable black mask. IN concentration, he began reading from the top down about Deception origin. 

He could feel Soundwave's void of a screen emotionlessly boring into his back. He wasn't going to be doing this without someone monitoring him, no doubt. Decepticon trust didn't work that way. Until he displayed complete loyalty when it counted the most, or did something glorious in the name of Lord Megatron, Sev likely wouldn't be trusted entirely. Such trust had to be built, like a bridge. Just like a bridge, it would be a two-way path. Sev mentally noted how he'd done something quite questionable lately. Of course no Decepticon knew about it though. Otherwise he wouldn't have been able to be within a sixty meters of any data he wanted. Sev tried to shove the thoughts aside as he dug into reading: 

'In the waning days of the Golden Age of Cybertron...' It began. Sev couldn't help but pause, wondering what the Golden ages of Cybertron where. It must have been a war-free planet. War free. Sev concentrated on imagining a Cybertron where there was no war.  Golden Age meant most were likely happy. Sev continued imagining people walking around buildings....and being happy there was no war. His image was failing though. Once again his programming limited him, only allowing the mechs and femmes 'walking around' look like they were on patrol, each having military alternate modes. The building they were circumnavigating looked like a clean barracks, with a flag of Megatron decorating it. There were statues of the mech everywhere, posing with his sword. 

Sev canceled his imaging process, as he went on to read. 

'...Megatron ****************** was a gladiator in the arenas of Kaon. From there he noticed the results of Cybertron's current caste system. ****** ***** ***************...'

Sev blinked behind his visor at the first few sentences of his studying. He was only going to find pieces of the puzzle. This was going to be a very long research effort after all. The vehicon's vents hissed with slight disappointment, before he continued...