fics I read

Luna 1, Hecate, Con Facility 147 (location)

Twilight of the Golden Age (time)

FO-03426 (Pov)

…What is this…

"Which one is this again?"..."FO-03423, keep up you idiot"

…It's so cold…

"Shut up will you, I've been doing this for 8 kilo-cycles"... "Take it up with The Senator…This one is clear, activate the next one."

...What is that sound…those voices…

"Fine, fine. How is good old FO-03424 doing?"... "Clear, get to the next one"

…It's all so foggy…

"And darling FO-03425 then?" … "Cut the chatter already. Clear"

…They are getting closer…

"Well, you've been assigned to me and you have to be here, so 'Take it up with the Senator'."..." Provocation like that is only going to get your pay docke- Something is wrong with this one, run a diagnostic"

…Where am I…I was walking home from school…

"Looks like the Data-upload faltered halfway, she is somewhat conscious"..." Well, do something, will you?"

…Why can't I move my body?...

"Ok, I'm resetting the upload, it might disorient her, so we will have to make sure she is functional."

"Rust-damned Cold forged. Can't even function a cycle into their life. Scrap her if it doesn't work."

…I can see…

"Yeah, I think it's working. The upload is stuttering a bit, but it seems stable….There's no reason to kill her Froid."

"That remains to be seen. Let's get to the others and send them into orientation."

Luna 1, Hecate, Con Facility 147

1 Kilo-cycle (Hour) later

FO-03426

Why was I here…My body. I was turned into a machine. I didn't have a single bit of organic matter on me. My "Diagnostic program" told me enough of that…I was flesh and bone just a short while ago…how could this have happened?

I look down at my metallic digits and can't help but shudder at the implication.

I'm a Cybertronian now. A goddamned transformer. A sentient race of machines that could transform into other forms. I was just a casual fan of the franchise, my knowledge being limited to a few cartoons, games and those shitty Michael Bay movies. None of it explained my predicament or why I was standing in a giant chamber with hundreds of other female transformers, or well… "Femmes" as they are called in the setting.

I was literally born just a short while ago…And unlike a natural birth..or well, a natural "Forging", I was "constructed cold". I didn't know what that really meant, but judging by the words of the bots working here, I guessed I wasn't part of a wanted class. I guess it also had to do with the other femmes all around me. All of them were faring a bit better than me but were still wildly confused and concerned. And we had cause for concern.

We all looked the same. Not in some joking manner or the type a racist would say, but we were all perfectly identical. The only differences were the serial numbers on our chests… Mass-produced cybertronians. I thought the species was spawned from Cybertron but I guess there is an artificial method here as well.

The data pack upload was…basic information really. Who we are as a race, basic programs and data packs. A general introduction, but not something that painted a clear picture. What interested me was the fact that my limbs couldn't produce any of the cool weapons I was expecting. A simple welding tool and mining laser were all I had by default.

"Listen up you worthless rust buckets! I am about to read out your assignments for the foreseeable future. Listen up and head to the designated exits. If you loiter around, then know that we will scrap you in a nano-cycle." A robotic voice yells out and I stare at the mech standing on a floating platform hovering in this giant chamber we found ourselves. What made my eyes widen was the red Autobot symbol adorning the chest…Those are supposed to be the good guys! Why the hell is he treating a bunch of newborns like this!

"FO-03257 To 03287. You are assigned as a tertiary police force on the colony of Caminus."

A door opened up in front of the bots mentioned and they quickly moved through it when a security guard behind them unsheathed an oversized cattle prod which sparked with electricity.

"Fo-03288 to 03300. You are assigned as haulers and prospectors in Mining sector 12 of Luna 2."

The next door opened up and most of the femmes quickly moved through, but one actually lagged behind before staring up at the Mech who had been yelling at us all this time, "Why! I don't want to work in any mines! Can't I choose what I want to be or where I work!?" she yelled.

I guess we were different then. …well, of course, we were different, but I guess all of us did have different personalities.

The femme is quickly hit in the back of her neck and tumbles to the ground as she convulses from the sudden electric shock. "Hah! As if a Con gets any say in where they work!" The guard cackles before being shushed by the overseer…or the dude giving assignments.

The overseer did put in his opinion on the matter as well, "Just like us, the pure forged cybertronians, one's Alt-form defines one's use for Cybertron. That is the wisdom of the great high council and the Grand Cybertronian Taxonomy. Cold Constructions like yourself are not exempt from it. This is how it is and how it shall always be."

The guard retorts as he chucks the femme that had spoken up through the door where she is picked up by the others who had already gone through. "If anyone else gets any dumb ideas, feel free to voice them! Make it easier for us to weed out the bad bolts among you!"

After that, the others were very quiet on the matter. For me, I was just confused and concerned as to what was going on. When he called us "Cons", it was in reference to us being cold constructed, rather than any allegiance with the Decepticons… Were they even a thing right now?

Or were they maybe in control? Cause this is a fucking caste system if I've ever seen one and I refuse to believe it's run by Autobots. Maybe it's a universe where the war is over or the roles were reversed….I don't freaking know. I dwell deeper into my theories and begin to ignore the overseer's other assignments until my own number is finally called upon.

"FO-03425 to 03428" My head snapped towards the overseer in fear of where I would have to go.

"You are assigned as miners and demolition operators in the mines of Kaon. What luck of you to be assigned to the glorious homeworld." He said with a sarcastic smirk.

The three other femmes quickly moved towards the designated exit but I hesitated before quickly moving as the guard moved closer. I'm worried because, even with my shitty knowledge of this setting, I knew that Kaon was. It was probably the worst place on the entire planet…and it was the capital of the Decepticons…just what the hell is going on.

Cybertron, Kaon, sector 8 mines.

8 Solar-cycles(Days) later

FO-03426

The trip to Cybertron was probably the best part of my new life…well, it wasn't comfortable in any stretch of the word, but the view. The view was breathtaking. A planet of metal and blue energy, home to one of the oldest civilisations in the cosmos….

And after reaching the spaceport…Things got a lot worse. Kaon was…Well, it was in all honestly absolutely terrible. The metal, once shiny and pristine, was filthy with grime, soot and rust. The Injured and decrepit lined the streets and I quickly found out why. The air was so heavily laced with chemicals and toxic fumes from the local industry that it actually affects our bodies. I could already tell that my finish was being eaten away by the filthy air. I don't think my chassis will be too terribly affected, but it's still absolute garbage.

This place is terrible and once I started work, I considered it hell. Making friends was also a bit hard as my initial plan was to befriend the other femmes I had arrived with. Too bad that we were all scattered and sent to different mining sectors. I was on my own.

My first day of work consisted of being screamed at by my new co-workers due to me apparently replacing another bot who had been crushed when the fixtures of a smelting kiln came loose. It had been less than a week and he was being replaced rather than giving him a chance to recover. I understood the reason for their anger as that mech was completely fucked now, but I obviously hated the fact that it was taken out on me.

I also quickly learned that cold-constructed weren't liked by the overseers and members of the higher castes, but members of my own seemed rather understanding. I guess they don't see the point in hating a group suffering the same shit as they are for idiotic reasons.

It also helped that quite a few were also Cold-forged like me. The initial confrontation didn't give me a good standing though, and trying to get help from others was incredibly difficult. My alt-form was….Well, I was essentially a tank without a canon. I did have my mining laser and that was used for some of the harder metals that an Energon pickaxe couldn't get through.

The welding tool was quickly taken away from me though, but I got a backpack of Seismic charges at least…though it just means that my job won't be the safest. I was meant to do the initial digging for new tunnels and have to work with a Minicon assigned to me in order to find Energon veins. He turned into a little satellite dish and was cute in his own little way. Having him connect to me also gave me quite the energy boost and the work just got easier with him.

But back to the work I have to do. Cave-ins were likely and when the tunnel was finished, I was forced to act as a hauler and general stand-in for what needed to be done. My senior….well, the other guy doing demolitions wasn't really the sharpest tool in the shed.

"What do you mean we can't just use more charges to get through!? If the wall is too tough then we just use more! It's simple!" The mech stated as he held seismic charges in his hand in confusion.

His name was DE-4774 and so far, he was a decent guy. I mean, he was a cold-constructed like me, so it did make sense. He didn't judge me for any crap and just cared about getting the work done….but as mentioned, he wasn't the smartest. His face was also a bit unique. Story goes that his visor got cracked in half a few years ago when he literally got caught in the blast of his explosives. He only got the right optic replaced while the other just got an extra casing. It looked like one of his eyes had a monocle.

It's an interesting detail, but the important bit is the fact that he has messed up before and he can very well do so again.

I grab the bridge of my nose…or the spot between my two eyes-...optics. I should start using the appropriate terms more often, but I'm still too used to being, well, human.

"No Dee. You haven't even bothered scanning if the metal is any different or if it might be supporting the mine shaft. Think about that will you?" I say as I quickly snatch the detonator from his hands. Dee was my little nickname for him due to the fact that referring him by a number really didn't feel right.

A childish whine escapes his lips as I move to collect the extra charges he placed.

"Come on 26! If we get more work done on the payday, then we get a little more! I wanna head to the arena today!" My movements quickly stop as I process his words. The first question was concerning the reason he wants to get paid a bonus.

"As in the very illegal arena matches which were just rumours to my knowledge?" His face freezes as a somewhat scared expression grows on his face…I wasn't going to snitch on him, there was really no reason to do that. Besides, he was the coworker I interacted the most with… so I wouldn't mind having him as a friend as well.

My mind wanders back to the other thing he mentioned. Extra pay is definitely good. Especially as I wasn't aware we were being paid.

I had been provided with what one could consider a bunk bed for me to rest in. I needed to be in my alt-form and was surrounded by countless other miners, but the enclosed space gave a minimum of privacy. We were also given low-grade Energon twice a week.

It "tasted" like….I would consider it a soft drink that has been diluted so much that you can't really taste whatever it originally was. It kept me alive at the very least, but I didn't exactly like it. So hearing that we are getting paid quickly improved my mood on the matter.

"Dee…Give me 2 cycles and we blew through this damned wall. So help me out will you?" his face goes from kicked puppy to gleeful child in a nanosecond. He quickly got to helping me after I scanned the structures with the help of my minicon and moved the charges around to improve our chances.

It took a while to properly place them all, but my little buddy was great at his job. He had a few kinks to sort out, some bugs and latency issues, but he was decent. I wasn't sure if it was a standard among minicons, but mine was completely silent. He didn't talk and he didn't beep.

He was my responsibility now and I did learn to read his body language. I won't pretend I'm an expert with some subtle means of reading people, but rather that I can understand nods and simple hand gestures. He also had to stay with me when we got off work, so I considered him….Well, he was mine. My little buddy.

My main issue at first was the fact that his serial number was about 20 digits long. I cared very little for that and decided to name him. Prorex was what I came up with and in all honesty, I thought it fit. I knew a little bit of Latin when I was still human and the little guy actually seemed happy with the name. Especially after I told him the meaning. That particular term translates to "Deputy", it wasn't quite a term he understood, but I boiled it down to being a person who is not just reliable, but also someone trusted with important tasks. (I let out the law aspects of the term as that muddied the message. I chose it because words like assistant or helper sounded stupid.)

But yeah. Prorex was a lot of help and we quickly finished setting up the charges. I grab Dee by the shoulder and move us back through the mine just in case a cave-in happens anyway. I hold out the detonator to him but he quickly pushes it back as he says, "It's Payday 26! And your first one at that! I want you to do the honours." he states with a stupid grin.

A small smile finds itself on my own face as I take the detonator and connect to its system. With a mental command, a chain of explosions booms in front of us and breaks through the wall at the end of the mineshaft. As the dust settles, we both grow happy at the still standing tunnel and quickly move towards the centre of the explosions.

Approaching the point, my optics quickly catch glimpses of a blue glow through the smoke and ash. Not a lot of things glowed, so I think this might be something very specific.

I start running towards the now broken wall, "Hey wait up!" Dee yells from behind me. I ignore his words and find myself in a small cave formation filled with giant blue crystals glowing blue.

"By the primes, I've never seen so much Energon before! YES! We are so getting that bonus!" Dee cheers as he hops up and down. I on the other hand am looking at the pristine crystals and crouching down to inspect one that was a little smaller than one of my fingers. This was pure Energon, and I was a lonely miner in a caste system… As much as I was a law-abiding citizen in my previous life, I too was vulnerable to the temptation of a simple profit.

"Wait, hold on 26. If the shift manager catches you with that, then who knows what he will do with you." Dee says behind me, but I promptly ignore him before taking the crystal and hiding it within my chest compartment. I wasn't dumb enough to try and use it myself, because I do remember that raw Energon could be lethal to Transformers. It needed to be refined first…and how much of that profit were we really going to see?

I turn around to look at my only friend's face and quickly ask, "You better not sell me out Dee. If you did that, you wouldn't be able to take me along to the arena tonight."

A smile spreads on his face at the idea. While I said it to hammer in the fact that I knew that he was technically doing something illegal, I also wanted to reach out a hand in friendship…besides, after work, I just headed to my bunk, played with Prorex for a little bit and then promptly went to sleep…Recharge…whatever the term is.

For now, I wanted to get paid and also wanted to see what I could use it on.

Cybertron, Kaon, undercity

2 kilo-cycles (hours) later

FO-03426

Now that I was out of the mining sector for the first time, I could confidently say that Kaon didn't get any better. Dee had taken me along some back alleys and shady streets until we made it to the underground arena of Kaon.

It was…less than I expected honestly. I knew Megatron had fought in giant colosseum-like structures akin to the scale of the roman colosseum. All this place had was multiple rings that reminded me of illegal boxing more than anything.

When I asked Dee on the matter, he stared at me with confusion and quickly answered that the Arena was established only 20 stellar-cycles (years) ago. Will admit, I would have expected more in 20 years, but I honestly don't know how to judge these things. Cybertronians could grow very old after all.

I watched a few matches with him and even bet 5 shanix coins in a match. Right, I was paid for my week of working in the mines. 50 Shanix for the work itself and an extra 20 for finding that deposit. Didn't know what kind of value they had, but when I heard that the drinks here were valued at least 10 pieces, I guessed that it wasn't very much. I actually won from the bet and made an extra five coins from it all.

After that match, I bid Dee goodnight and left to explore the undercity in order to make some….connections I guess. I used up about 20 coins in little bribes to other bots in order to find the equivalent of a black market. There, finding a pawn shop or the cybertronian equivalent wasn't too hard as he had the most knick-knacks and the strangest security around him… Not armed guards but rather 6 automated turrets seemingly made from junk staring at the entrance.

I enter the building and find myself in a large room with more turrets, a lot of tools and interesting workbenches. "I recognize your model, but I can't say I know you. What brings 'Femme Ordinance 03426' here? You can't be older than a giga-cycle." A old voice of gravel echoes out from one of the workbenches. The bot was rather bulky as most down here, but certain parts were replaced with sleeker versions. Though, they certainly weren't in the best condition. As I continue staring, I quickly realise that I should be talking rather than standing awkwardly in the doorframe.

I quickly step inside and ask, "Yeah…I haven't been around long…And I didnt even know what that number meant…" I quickly clear my thoughts and approach the mech with unsure steps, "I heard I could sell things here without…consequences…Is this true?

The mech gets up from his seat and opens up his visor to properly address me, "Unless it has the rust plague, I tend to keep my clients a secret…How can I help you today youngling?" he asks with a budding smile.

I'm really unsure about this whole thing, but he did come recommended. I hold out my hand and pull out the Energon shard I had stolen. When I was travelling with Dee, I learned from him that every cybertronian is equipped with Subspace storage pockets that allow Transformers to store their personal paraphernalia in the interdimensional void of unspace. Objects placed in there are tethered to the material world by the Transformers' personal energy supply, each operating on its own frequency.

So in simple terms, I had limited hammerspace. But it was really fucking good Hammerspace. When I asked Dee on why other bots don't use this to smuggle or steal more often, he simply said that a lot don't even know of this. He himself had to be given the program to use it for the sake of his demolition work. He was kind enough to share the software with me as well.

When we arrived at the arena, I stepped aside for a second to put the shard into my own dimensional pocket.

Now that I pulled the shard out and am holding it towards the mech, I grow to appreciate the utility even more. The mech let's his visor cover his optics once more and gently takes the crystal from my hands.

"Give me a cycle or two to appraise it." After heading back to his workbench, he looks over towards a nearby Holoscreen and asks, "Mind turning up the volume on that? Those damn Quintessans are still at it over on Caminus."

I turn my eyes to the screen and interface with it's system over the short area network. It was a bit busted with age, so it's range extended to half of the shop. Makes sense why he wanted me to do it.

As the volume rises, I also focus on the broadcast.

"-stions still remain. The Autobot forces have informed us of no plans or strategies to combat the current situation. The Quintesson Armada is still active in sectors 7 to 12 of the Colony world of Caminus. Casualty reports number in the thousands with at least 237 of them being forged cybertronians from the homeworld.

Sentinel Prime has yet to release a statement on military developments due to the organic Forces deployed by the Quintesson empire. Reports from the frontline have so far indicated that the Thraal forces Na'conda have posed a far greater threat than previously predicted. A new type of 'Reactive bio-organic' armour seems to be the cause of this development. This News report is brought to you by the Daily Cyberspace, signing off." The report stops and some commercial turns on.

I look back at the mech analysing the shard of Energon before letting out an audible sigh, "The council should have taken the fight to those pit-damned slavers many stellar cycles (years) ago, but were too busy with their idiotic Taxonomy and political decadence. Now they have a new race under their command and they don't even want to admit how badly they let this all go to scrap.

We knew about the Klyntar for ages and how they can augment any organics they bond with, but did they ever consider this? No, because they are simple blotches of slime on their own and were never considered a danger. Well, the damn Quintessons actually saw their value and captured a whole lot of them and then!... Wait…I'm sorry youngling, I shouldn't be ranting." he says as he slowly places the shard down and opens a nearby pack revealing a good amount of Shanix.

He fills a small box with them and moves over to me. I give him an answer, "Oh, I don't really mind. The information on Cybertron is…limited and I think even prejudiced. I never heard of this conflict till I walked in here… You called that other race "Klyntar"...Could you tell me about them?"

He scoffs as he hears the name once more, "other than what I said? Not much. Slimy black balls of goo that bond to organics and both assimilate and enhance their natural features. I'm unsure how they react to cybertronians, but that is more or less what is known….But I doubt a miner like you or an old bot like myself have to worry about this whole situation. Kaon might be the worst city on the planet, but that planet is protected to the universe and back."

He hands me the box which I quickly open to reveal far more coins than I currently had, "It was of good quality, and even if unrefined, it's worth a pretty penny. 300 Shanix, no more and no less… Now be on your way now before some Autobot stumbles around. Never know when one of those bureaucrats are around."

I quickly thank the old bot and nod in understanding before taking the box and pocketing it into my Subspace…after that I let my mind wander to what I just heard…

Klyntar….Klyntar….The fucking Klyntar…The species from which the symbiotes of marvel originate from.

WHAT KIND OF BULLSHIT UNIVERSE HAVE I ENDED UP IN!

As one can imagine, these were the thoughts plaguing my mind. Logically speaking, I want to believe that either; This Transformers universe has just got some marvel aspects sprinkled in. I mean, they did crossovers in the past, so I wouldn't discount it….

Though, this could also just be a weird universe where both settings are somehow combined…and if that's the case, then I want to say that I am fucked. I do not wanna be in a universe where infinity stones exist...Or the…well I also don't want to exist in a universe where Unicron exists, but both in one just isn't fair!

ANYWAY! After leaving the shop, I just started wandering in a random direction due to the little revelation I was having. I had to consider the possibilities and I was going to be stuck here for a little while longer.

What about gods then? Where do Primus and Unicron stand compared to the one above al-

"Your mind…It is quiet, but yet you live" I am promptly shaken from my thoughts by a voice that sounded as if it was under heavy auto-tune, or from a busted voice box.

Looking to the side, I see a bot sitting in a nearby alley. He is covered in dirt and his limbs have started to rust. His finish was faded and he seemed as if he hadn't had any Energon in quite some time. That just made me more curious as to his companions.

They were all beast type cybertronians, with the one resembling some kind of wildcat seeming to be the most threatening right now.

All these aspects made it obvious who this bot was. It was Soundwave, homeless on the street.

"What do you mean my mind is quiet?" I ask as I slowly approach him. Ravage, the wildcat one got into a defensive stance. He was quickly waved down by Soundwave, "I don't think she is hostile…"

I continue moving forward and stop in front of him where he finally says, "No matter how close, I can't sense your thoughts…I've never seen someone so quiet…It is…strange"

Right. I remembered that in some continuities, Soundwave was able to read the thoughts and minds of fellow cybertronians. I guess he was that…And with that thought, I also thank whatever entity that brought me here for giving me a defence against it…or it might also be the fact that my mind still considered itself human? Eh, food for thought…

"So you can read minds?" I ask as I continue observing him.

He slowly nods and continues to speak with his strange voice, "Yes…Always could. Was hard at times, but ravage taught me…I've always known what others thought…But you…I don't know what you think."

This does bring up an interesting question that I go to ask him, "Considering that you can supposedly read minds…would that mean that I'm the first person where you don't know their true intentions? Or at least have a normal conversation with?"

"Yes…That is correct. You could kill me or leave and I wouldn't know until you did so." His words made his minicons visibly tense up, but I didn't make any sudden moves in response.

"But I know you wouldn't do that. You are a bit self-serving, but you are not cruel." He quickly states.

I tilt my head in concussion, "I thought your people skills were terrible? Why would you think this?"

"While I cannot read your mind, I can read that of your little friend. And Prorex thinks highly of you." He states…

This guy wasn't at all leaving things to fate. As soon as he realised I couldn't be read by him, he snooped through the mind of my minicon. Speaking of which, the minicon detaches from my shoulder and drops down from the floor where he angrily gestures towards soundwave.

It does prompt me to let out a small chuckle. A small smile formed on my face as I reach into my subspace and bring out the money I had just acquired. Opening the box, I took out 50 coins and slowly handed them to soundwave.

He stares at the opened palm with confusion before asking, "Trying to prove my assessment wrong with an act of selfless kindness?"

I quickly shake my head, "No, I'm actually quite selfish and I don't do things for free."

"I live in desolation, I have nothing to offer in return" He quickly interjects.

I let out a sigh and crouched down to quickly grab his hand. I press the coins into it while making sure not to drop any to the ground. "Maybe, maybe not…And maybe I won't even be rewarded by you, but rather someone or something else"

He looks at the coins in question before looking back at me, "…Explain…"

I stand up and stare at the smog-filled sky, "I've been alive for about 8 Solar cycles now. A ridiculously short time yes, but it doesn't take a genius to understand what position I am in. …My life is predestined without compromise or choice… Destined to work in the mines until I die, with no name and no true identity." I gesture to my chest and point to the serial number marking the only thing that is truly mine.

Looking back at the bot in front of me, I ponder what kind of reality this is and how little I know of it. This was supposed to be a world of good vs evil…and therefore, I can only hope life will be better one day. The Good guys always win in the end after all…So even if I look out for myself, doesn't mean I should never look back at those who have it worse. A fucking caste system isn't going to hold me down forever.

I glance down towards my minicon and ponder what little life I've already led and the fact that this guy actually thinks well of me…Honestly, that was quite the mood boost.

Focusing at Soundwave, I say, "That is the fate I was given….but I still believe that my actions have consequences. Hell, I got some proof of that just now…" I pause for a second to look at Prorex, giving him a small smile to make sure they understood what I meant.

Looking back at the others, I quickly continue, "I wish to believe that those who do good, have good things happen to them and those who do not, get their just punishment. I know it's a naive notion, considering the injustice all around us…But simple acts of kindness can still achieve something. I wish to believe it so. So I choose to help you. You might remember it for the rest of your life, or you might forget tomorrow. But the belief that there is good in a place like this, even if it comes from myself, leaves the possibility that I might get help myself when I one day need it."

I remember this from home. 'When everyone turns a blind eye, then evil will go unstopped'…or something like that. But the point still stood. I do not want to be defined by my suffering. I'll fully admit, I also don't want to die, and having Soundwave remember me for today…it might one day save my life. Can't be sure of course, but one never knows…I want to stay away from the fighting, but I doubt I'll be that lucky….In all honesty, I'm probably going to be one of the first to die…getting isekaied into a setting like this gives the expectation of being someone special, someone who he is destined for more…But me? I'm nobody here. No great plan, no great future…just a cog in the machine…

My mood crumbles and I hang my head low before saying, "Your ability definitely promises a unique future. I won't lie, I do believe that you might repay this kindness in the future…but even if not. I will have done something unique to myself, something that I can be proud of. FO-03426 did this today. I did this today… That is why I have done this…no more and no less." With the last words leaving my mouth, I continue kneeling on the ground before the cranking and grinding of rusty metal grabs my attention.

"Thank you" His voice echoes out. The words move me to the core, and I can't help but feel happy at the….Acknowledgement really. This one act, simplistic as it may be, might be the most important thing I achieve in this new life…because nothing is promised, except for what I can achieve for myself…

I slowly get up from the ground and beckon Prorex back to my shoulder. As I leave the dark alley, I give one last look behind me I see soundwave looking at the money in his hands before getting up and leaving on the other end…

I hope he remembers me. It could be decades or even centuries before the civil war starts…He might remember me when the time comes…or we may never meet again. But I do hope he remembers this day….

Exiting the alley and entering the dirty streets of Kaon's undercity once more, I quickly make for the arena with a single thought.

'Today was eventful enough, I need to get drunk.'

I never saw Soundwave again after that night. I went back to that alley whenever I pawned off raw Energon or anything else I could reasonably get my hands on, but I never saw him again.

I Just hoped he was doing better honestly. I always liked the character, so it would be a shame to see that happen to him.

Life was…in all honesty, was miserable. Prorex and Dee were honestly some of the only reasons the workday was bearable. Dee was just too stupid to be depressed. And Prorex didn't need much too be happy. Me on the other hand?

The shitty work and the mundane nature of my day to day life was grating. Cybertronians didn't have the concept of a weekend, at least not for the members of the lower cast. So it was work every day, and spend my little earnings to go to an oil house, the arena, small knick-knacks and devices and well… "Oil Baths" which cost 2000 Shanix every time…So yeah, that was the biggest luxury really. Every other month basically.

My life passed by quickly and I ironically turned to an old means to cope. Escapism. Buying a Datapad of decent quality was probably the best decision I had made so far and it helped me get through the days. I also started tinkering and tried my best in learning the tech of this planet. The Datapad was definitely useful for that endeavour and I was making good progress on a few subjects. One of which was building a makeshift Energon refinery that would be able to process the small shards I tended to steal.

Ironic. My new life, on an alien planet and in an alien body, and I was finding most of my entertainment in fiction.

In all honesty, I really needed it. Work in the mines was dogshit. The treatment of the foremen and overseers was no better. Local law enforcement…or the supposed "Autobots" were also just depressing to interact with. They didn't search me for contraband very often, but when they did, it was never pleasant. I mean, yes, I was technically breaking the law, but they treated me like a fucking criminal anyway.

Whenever I was ordered to expose my subspace, I was usually able to predict it beforehand when they approached me or something. So, I made a habit of giving whatever contraband and extra money I was hiding to Prorex. I was not even aware that he had his own subspace, but when he poked me in the face when two Autobots were harassing demolisher, I quickly learned of it. In all honesty, if it hadn't been for the little one, I would have been arrested long ago… Well actually, I was arrested once, but it was not due to my own actions but rather the fucking prejudice of this place.

"Con's" that is what bots like me were called…Made one think if that had anything to do with the whole "Decepticon" name. Apparently, the mass-produced Cybertronians were also seen as heretical to Primus and the planet. So any who believed in the religion or believed in the whole Prime mythos, made their dislike of us very clear. It wasn't fair by any stretch of the word. We weren't asked to be born like this, we were literally made and Looked down upon just for our existence.

But yeah. Time went by quickly after I settled into the rhythm, And days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into months… And months, then soon turned to years.

After the first 20 years, or as they are referred to as, "stellar cycles", I had finally found out that Dee was actually Demolisher. The lugnut from Transformers Armada, generally an idiot but with a heart of gold. It made me appreciate him even more.

About 20 years after that, I noticed that the colours of my armour had faded. It's not really a big deal, but the fact that I was visibly affected by my work and this corrosive city really dealt a mental blow.

But I kept at it. I finished the Energon refinery and increased my Illegal profits almost fivefold. That definitely increased my quality of living, but also asked questions as to how I was able to afford a small recharge bay for myself. It was the equivalent of a one-bed apartment with no bathroom, but it sure as hell was better than what I had before. In all honesty, I couldn't care less about what they thought.

I did my work as assigned and I try to make the most of it. This was my new life, and I was responsible for it. And all things considered, I was content…

I had been functioning for almost 80 years by the time this changed. There had been a few things bugging me by this point, such as the decreasing bonuses, the fact that our pay was never increased even though inflation was very real, or the fact that safety regulations were violated more and more often. Or other Cons ended up on the street because they lost their jobs for the dumbest of reasons.

Things were getting worse, and I was willfully turning a blind eye against it. As long as it didn't affect me, for now at least, I wouldn't try and jeopardise my position in life.

The change however did come, and it came in the form of a "thesis" by another cold Construction going by the name "D-16" which came from Tarn.

It was called "After the Ark: Nominus Prime and the Illusion of Progress". Among other things, it states the writer's belief that nonviolent action and the exchange of ideas between Cybertronians could bring about change in the Cybertronian society. I didn't understand some of the historical context and theories being pitched, but that didn't really matter. The core point was very clear to me.

If I was being fully honest, it made me desire more, maybe desired change. For the first time in a very long time, I wanted to change things for myself. I didn't even know where to start. Ever since I began working here, I made sure to save up whatever spare change I had and didn't use between payments.

My initial idea was to buy a spaceship of sorts and simply leave for greater prospects… But, to my great shock, even the smallest and cheapest commercial ship, was over 10 million Shanix… when I learned that, it made clear how extreme this caste system really is. The money and the smallest amenities were just to keep us complacent.

There was no chance for me to earn my freedom through the system that is provided. So yes, I turned to more illegal options. There were smugglers who offered to take me from Cybertron, their prices were much better… Although they were still borderline impossible.

800,000 Shanix to transport me to an intergalactic trading hub. After that, I would be free to do and go where I pleased…

So there was a plan, make as much money as possible to pay the fee. I started doing riskier moves, stealing more Energon from the mines, saving up more money. And somewhere down the line, someone noticed. And I guess they sealed my fate.

Cybertron, Kaon, undercity

93 Stellar cycles since Cold Construction

FO-03426

After a long day of work, I couldn't help but let a smile from my face. The Energon Shard I had today was almost the size of my fist, so I know I would get a decent haul from it. I had to head home first, so I can actually start the refinery. After that, I might actually splurge a bit of money on another oil bat-

"FO-03426, Halt!" A voice of gravel booms out behind me, prompting me to rapidly spin around. Turning around I see two Autobots quickly approach me and before I could even react, a metallic fist crashes into my face.

I yell out in pain as I crash into the ground. I hold my faceplate in pain and my minicon detaches to look at me from below. A quick turnaround and growl, "I was cooperating you pitdam-" before I could even finish my words, I was answered with a kick to the face.

"Search the Minicon's subspace for contraband" One of the two orders, and I could feel my internals freeze up in panic. Staring to the side, I see one of the Autobots roughly grabbing Prorex before jacking some kind of pluck into his neck. Soon after, his subspace reveals the Energon crystal I had hidden within it. Fear overtakes my whole body.

"Well well well, this is quite the offence isn't it Guzzle?" The other bot quickly answers.

"Damn right you are, this damned con has been robbing the people blind! Now if you ask me… I think we should make an example of her. Best to make sure that no other Cons get any similar ideas." The Mech with a voice of gravel states, and I can feel my fight or flight response kicking in.

"Prorex run!" I yell out to the minicon and am glad to see him follow the command. As he runs towards a nearby alley and vanishes from my view, I pull out my mining laser from my subspace and aim it at "Guzzle". Before either of the two can properly react, the red beam lasts against Guzzle's face and scorches his left optic. That is sadly as far as I get, as the better-trained Autobot quickly grabs the weapon before turning his free hand into a glowing red blade. My eyes widened in fear and shock as I see the hard metal slice through my own.

I howl in pain as I suddenly find myself holding my maimed limb, but my cries are soon interrupted when an electric shock hits me directly in the face, forcing me to power down.

I don't know where I am, or how long I've been off-line. My system is rebooting, see that the damage to my arm was still there. What irked me as well, Was the fact that my entire subspace had been emptied of all the money I had stored within. I stored most of it back at my recharge bay, but I couldn't be sure whether or not they raided it.

My sensors finally come online, and to my dismay, I realise I'm strapped to an intricate operating table. Struggling with my restraints quickly proved they were too durable for me to break. I wouldn't be getting out of them without tools or outside help.

Hearing shuffling to the side, I turn my head to see and on about wearing red and gold colours moving around various devices and "medical tools".

I wanted to ask what was going to happen, but quickly found my vocaliser had been completely disabled.

As if knowing what I wanted to do, he quickly said, "You won't be speaking for any of this 'Con'. Don't want you screaming while I work on the important bits. Want to enjoy this, after all, won't have you getting in the way of that. Ah right, where are my manners."

Turning around, He gestures towards his face, "I am Flame, resident scientist and Autobot interrogator."

He moves closer to the operating table and straps something to my chest compartment.

"Just something to make sure you survive the procedure, you wouldn't be a good example if you didn't survive after all." He pressed a few buttons and a device on my chest whirs to life.

After that, he pulls out the cybertronian equivalent of an angle grinder. As the circular blade begins spinning, I realise that he was moving closer and closer towards my head. I start to struggle in my restraints and desperately try to break out. It doesn't work, and any screams I tried to let out simply ceased the moment I had tried.

I was completely helpless and if I had the capability, I would be a sobbing mess.

This Isn't fair.

The device comes closer to my neck, and is just a hair's breadth away.

I don't want to die

The blade begins cutting into the side of my throat and I begin absolutely thrashing on the table.

This Isn't how it is supposed to be

The grinder was halfway through my neck now…it hurts so much…

I won't…I won't die like this!

The blade cuts through my last connections, and I once again shut down….and to my horror, this did not mean my death.

The next time I came too, I was lying in front of my recharge bay, face down in mud and dirt from all the pollution of Kaon's air. My limbs hurt like crazy. It felt as if every nerve was flaring up at the same time. I just stayed there in the dirt, waiting for the pain to subside.

Some of my memories were corrupted, and others were straight-up missing… What did they do to me?

I could sense other bots passing me by, but none were actually trying to help. In that moment, I felt absolutely miserable. All the despair and the stupid shit I've had to suffer so far were being recalled. I could feel myself break down every second.

A raspy and glitchy voice began making gurgling and unintelligible noises. At first, I thought my audio sensors were busted. I quickly realised that I was making the noise. I was sobbing…

"Oh scrap! 26, who did this to you!" I could hear the voice of Demolisher yell out. I'm quickly lifted by my shoulders and am soon put in a bridal carry before he takes me into my recharge Bay. His own was close by… I remember making sure that he took care of himself and didn't spend his money as soon as he got it.

"Those pitdamned Autobots! They have no dignity at all! How could they do this! 'Only reserved for the greatest criminals' my tailpipe! Those lying bastards!" he ended with a growl before taking me to the recharge Bay. He connects me to its systems and forces me to undergo a diagnostic.

And then I realised just what had happened to me.…My missing arm was also replaced with the very mining laser it held…and then… My head had been removed. It was replaced with a new one. A head without a face and just a singular eye…It was a means to show those meant to be shunned. By removing my means of expression, it was easier to be dehumanised…or de-...I'm not even bothering to make up some word.

The fucking Autobots forced me to undergo Empurata….My original head was probably destroyed…and they just…

Just because I stole some Energon and scorched the fuckers eye, They….. They just decapitated me…

A small whirring noise grabs my attention, prompting me to look down and see Prorex climbing up Demolisher's legs.

"Hey! No climbing on me! I don't want you breaking…" He is quickly shut up by him plopping down on his head. He gave me an incredibly sad look and it seemed like he himself was about to start sobbing.

Disconnecting from the recharge bay, I stumble onto my feet. I had gotten some minimal repairs there, and it fixed the whole pain issue.

I quickly moved towards Demolisher and brought up my hand for Prorex to jump onto. He does as prompted and I begin patting him on the head with a finger before saying, "It's ok, little one…It..it won't happen again. Next time they try something like that, they won't see another solar cycle…and don't think for a second I will let these bastards get away with what they've done."

The minicon quickly cheers up and attaches to my shoulder, returning to his usual place.

As I consider what had happened to me, I realise that I have been going at things the wrong way. I was too complacent, too agreeable with the things that have happened. But now that this has happened…... Hell, I hadn't even bothered getting a name for myself. All this had to change.

I look down at my mangled limb and the shoddy work of the installed tool. I will need to fix that entire thing first. Working with one arm also won't be very easy, all things considered, but it'd have to do.

….Honestly, I also need to learn how to fight. Today was just proof of how shoddy I am at it. So…I need to get some training in…and with luck, I can even make some money from it.

I look back to Devastator and ask him, rage, hate and anger lacing my tone, "Dee….I…Fuck it. I'll just say it. For tomorrow, sign me up for the Arena…I think I should give it a proper try for a change.."

Demolisher's face goes from an unsure expression to a dumb smile, "Wait really? I always wanted to have you as a battle sister in a match! Oh, I can't wait!" He starts laughing like an idiot, and I would have formed a smile on my own…

But things would never be the same unless I found my original head…

I was going to get out of this shithole, and I was taking my friend with me…

I wasn't destined for greatness or any granted special fate. I'm just another number after all. And even if I tried to break out with some small acts here and there, they were nothing in the grand scheme of things. Now, I needed to step up and actually make something with my life.