Heirs of Megatron - Drabble 3
So in this part we're going to introduce you to Damus a nervous young probation assistant that's going to get lucky and meet his secret idol.
"Well... this concludes our review for the day, if you'll present your monitor and go into sleep mode, I'll adjust the settings as per Section 28." The gentle voice seemed to ooze into ever gear and processor in Skids' helm, making him quiver unexpectedly, but he kinda liked it. Without too much thought, the blue bot sat back into his armchair and hoisted it ankle up onto the foot stool. He did not like going into sleep mode when asked so he also went into standby mode instead... of course the idea was you didn't see the codes being typed in but, Skids' probation officer for the moment was different. His name was Damus, he was a medium sized bot, a lovely rusty orange sort of colour with very delicate digits but the most beautiful face Skids had ever actually seen in any bot, especially a bot from Tarn of all places. "Skids... sleep mode... not standby..."
"Heh... can't fool you, ey." Skids scoffed, trying to hide his Nova Cronum accent just a little, always liking to sound a little more sophisticated around Damus. The smile that slid onto the soft dark grey face was as enchanting as always and then Skids was not sure what happened, it was almost as if Damus whispered and he just watched those lips and then... he was out. Damus gave a soft chuckle, noting the way the bright blue bot had jsut slumped suddenly against the chair before he turned to the device and then paused. With a nervous expression, not wanting to break another of these devices, he pulled out a mesh frame to sit between his hand and the object, scattering the strange outlier ability within himself that could render the object inert. He did not want another monitor taken out of his pay cheque as he stroked it and it turned off its guard. Then Damus motioned his digits, he didn't touch the object but it was soon releasing the grip on the cabling within it and allowing a greater radius before it would clamp and send signals to the processor to paralyse the wearer.
"There Skids... all done..." Damus stated, sitting back and then turning to the data pad beside him as Skids suddenly sat up looking dumbfounded. He blinked for a moment, not too sure what had actually happened to himself but he straightened up and then lay his thumb to the pad to sign it. With that sorted, Damus then turned the pad off and then put it in its carrier before then sitting back and looking to the cup of liquid Skids had brought him. It was a little viscous and yet was supposed to be good for opening the mind and soothing, plus it would be rude not to drink it as Skids then looked to him with a soft expression. It made Damus lower his head just a little. "It won't be long and then you'll be back to work at the Special Offices, they are convinced now that you were not and have not been involved in the arms trade your brother is. Have you heard anything from Mudflap?"
"Nae a thing... just know he ain't dead yet." Skids stated, tapping at his chassis to indicate their twin spark but knowing damn well that Damus had just been trying to trip him up. In all honesty, Damus was too to the book to realise when someone was actually lying to him, or perhaps he did not really care. All the same, he was finishing his role as an assistant and in the next lunar cycle would be boosted up to parole office and then Skids would no longer be on probation or parole or whatever it was they had decided to term spying on him. He would be free, so would Damus and he could not help but clear his pipes as Damus was drinking with the restraint of someone too polite not to. "So... done in a lunar cycle the both of us... going to be a shame, not having a set date and time to see you."
"Heh... it will be unusual... but I would consider it a positive, like I had done all the work to train you up and now... heh. This uh... this brew is... unique." Damus stated, smiling his beautiful smile and genuinely enjoying the situation, except for the brew. He had no idea what Skids was being given but considering their different classes it was rather obvious this was just sludge with a hint of mineral and possible the essence of energon, as in fake energon. It was uncomfortable to see and yet as Damus was trying to swallow more and be polite, Skids gave a soft scoffing sound.
"Its pure piss and you know it..." Skids stated, making Damus suddenly freeze, practically dropping the cup as if he had been unable to hide his disgust. It was so embarrassing, he put it down and then was trying to say something when Skids jsut gave a soft snort, trying to reassure him that nothing was wrong. "...you can be rude about it Damus, I'm not gonna hold it against you. Just wish you'd share your opinions more sometimes."
"But... its..."Damus began, only to be a little surprised when Skids stretched his hand out. He suddenly held Damus' hand and though there was a thrilling sensation of static that shot through his system for the touch, it was not right. Damus was aware of his position, his role and jsut how problematic this kind of affection could be for either of them. "Skids... you seem to show a level of... familiarity that seems unnatural for someone in my position as well as your own. Perhaps it is not wise to try and... be familiar."
"Well... I guess in a month's time it would be more appropriate. But I..." Skids began, but Damus was not sure if he felt comfortable with that. It was not that he did not like Skids but, something about this felt a little unsuitable and Damus was concerned with career advancement. He was trying to think of a more polite way to pull back as his face plates were steaming up, but then the door opened and a strange bright yellow bot with a visor and a strange cape came wobbling into the room with the most uncomfortable of laughs.
"Hon-hon-hon... is this a professional liaison or a little bit of romance..." The figure beamed, wobbling right over to them and proving he had a pede that was stuck in wheel form and had never been repaired. He was quick to swing his hands around Damus and Skids, making them both pull back and straighten. They were utterly embarrassed and panicked by the way the figure was looking at them and Skids was the one who gave the growl first.
"Oh fur frag's sake..." Skids groaned in disbelief, rolling his optics as he was then grasped about the shoulders and shaken a little playfully but the figure. It was obvious the pair were comfortable around one another and thankfully it permitted Damus a chance to pull free. "Voltage... its so nice to see you back... we were just..."
"Just finishing up. I'll be returning at the start of the next lunar cycle. in the mean time Skids... oh... Voltage... do you require assistance with those boxes?" Just as Damus was putting the pads into his subspace, he noticed Voltage suddenly wobbled back to the front door where there were several boxes. Each of them were marked 'Skitter Food', which was another name for junk that occasionally got sorted and salvaged by bots on the lowest rung in search of parts. Sometimes upgrades were too expensive and it was better to acquire a new limb to be attached than wait for someone to just fix a software fault in your digits.
"Non... but you are most gracious to ask..." Voltage seemed to beam, somehow hooking up one box and dumping it on the ground in front of Skids' seat. Skids gave a soft swear at the action, but Damus was already to the door and carefully passed Voltage the next box before then stopping to turn towards Skids.
"Very well, until next time, Skids." He felt a little embarrassed, particularly because he was feeling happy around Skids but this situation was still awkward. Upon leaving Skids watched the orange figure go and found himself waving at the door as it closed after Voltage brought the last box in.
"Uh... yeah... Damus." Skids heaved a vent before then straightening up and then turning around to glower at the other bot. He then smacked his hand against the middle of the bot's chassis where something suddenly frizzled. Rather suddenly, it was no longer a disabled bot standing in front of him but his suddenly larger and more powerful looking blue brother who was practically humming as he looked to his twin brother with a smirk as Skids groaned. "What in Unicorn's ball-bearings do you think yer doing?"
"Pfft... he dinnae ken it was me, that Delphi accent is fool proof." Mudflap, a renegade supposed mercenary that had a warrant out for his arrest was grinning wickedly. He was patting the boxes and looking as if the were the turbofox's tail the way he then took up the chair Damus had been sitting in. He was smirking happily as he looked towards his brother and Skids had to admit that somehow he was strangely drawn into this odd situation.
"I thought it was supposed to be a Nyon accent." Skids teased thoughtfully, only for Mudflap to give a soft cackle.
"Anyway... you didn't tell 'im how you felt again, right?" Mudflap leant back against the chair, forcing the bottom to pop out and form a perfect foot stool... even if it was showing how broken the chair actually was. The back of it was practically slumped onto the ground and Mudflap was enjoying the moment as Skids' silence told him straightaway that his brother had not been able to say anything. "Just take an intake, puff out yer chassis, look 'im in the optic and go... Damus... gie us a winch..."
"Mudflap!" Skids growled as he heard his brother sniggering, there was no way Skids was even close to turning around and asking Damus for a kiss. He clapped his hand to his face plates, groaning and shaking his head before deciding to be a bit petty as his brother drained the brew left on the table without even a blink. "That's a useless impression you know."
"Whatever... take a wee keek at this now laddie." Mudflap smirked, throwing himself up onto his pedes and letting the chair finally collapse onto the ground. He patted the boxes and so Skids had to stand up and step to his side, carefully Mudflap slid one of the panels off and within was a selection of some pretty serious weaponry. "That's right... finally got the Ascenticons some decent gear..."
"This is worrying Mudflap... are we seriously coming to a point we need to protect ourselves like this?" Skids questioned and Mudflap patted his brother's shoulder gently before then prodding him firmly on the head.
"Skids... you're a smart boi, but you're dense."
"Good work with Skids, did his brother show up at all or just that weirdo Voltage?" Damus was sitting in the office of his commander, one of the police bot sergeants who was glad of an office job but clearly today was having a bad time of it. His name was Enforcer and he'd once been on the frontlines with his equally uncomfortable looking siblings from his batch of more heavy duty policing units. He'd settled on the desk job when Sentinel Prime had insisted the time of brutal crackdowns was passed... Damus had always suspected that sticking any of the so-called 'Dread' units into parole and prohibition was an easy way to make certain arrangements. But he said nothing until he was given the chance and locked optics with the fearsome red eyes buried in a black helm that was more like some warrior's mask.
"Have we not thought to screen Voltage and ensure he's whom he says he is, sir?" Damus had been considering the situation; Voltage could possibly be Mudflap in disguise because his accent was clearly switching every time they met, but at the same time the body movements were far too clear. What mercenary would dare to pretend to be a disabled unit anyway, that was incredibly unkind... but also what bots tended to give the Empurratted and Disabled the time of day? Functionism insisted that bots who could no longer perform the duties they were designed for had lost their connection to Primus and the Primes and thus would do best to return to the hotspots their sparks were born from. There was no willingness for low-ranked bots to have new bodies or vital repairs and Damus always felt so... so uncomfortable with that level of neglect.
"The guy's cogless, he can't do anything but keep house." Enforcer scoffed in disbelief, making Damus' optics widen for a moment, hating to hear that term although Enforcer couldn't care if he was hurting Damus' feelings. Damus' mother had been cogless after an accident in the frontlines, she's been a perfect and loving mother who'd taught him how even without a cog she could still do some outstanding paperwork. He recalled how the affects of losing a cog had meant systems didn't update and stopped functioning, she'd lost optics and needed to go by sound... urging him to use his voice to help her and learnt he importance of a tidy office. Enforcer knew this, but he didn't care as he straightened up and flicked a pad from the top of his in tray right at the younger bot. "Anyway, I called you back because I've got a job for you, its out of your usual parameters but its good experience."
"Yes sir?" Damus had been curious and also, he'd learnt keeping his emotions in led to good things with these bots, even if he wished he could gouge out one of Enforcer's optics and feed it to him.
"Our guard on D-16 has disappeared on one of his breaks and not returned, Termagax called us as soon as she noted he wasn't on guard." Enforcer grunted, which was strange because D-16, aka Megatron, was high security and a top priority. Ultra Magnus himself had made a point that there was nothing 'good' about that figure's interference and political interests, but Damus was almost excited to hear it.
"Am I to guard him?" His spark was flaring, excitement was screaming within that he was getting a chance to do something amazing. He never let anyone know but, when he'd been back on Tarn with his mother he'd found the poetry and it had soothed him as he'd watched his mother slowly fade away. His pain at the way his mother had been considered a barnacle upon his rising star had been soothed by the words and the understanding that there was a lot in their world that needed to be ripped asunder.
"No... but you're to go there and take the job of his officer for a few lunar cycles, see if you can find the body of his guard or any sign of communications with these Ascenticon scum or worse... the supposed Decepticons we keep hearing whispers about. Not to mention, see if he's having secret meetings with his fellow." Enforcer grunted softly, but there was something unusual in his optics, a sort of flare that bothered Damus greatly. He did not have the time to question it as Enforcer kicked his desk and pointed to the door, the usual sign the meeting was over. "See if you can find any link to them to help us bury this miner with delusions of grandeur."
"And if I find nothing?" Damus questioned as he stood up and went to the door, knowing not to open it yet but stand in front and listen.
"I'm sure you'll find something... but if you don't... we'll figure something out." In other words, this was going to be a setup to actually get Megatron put in for hard labour. That would be nothing to that kind of bot, but there was also the whispers about somewhere else where minds were 'settled' to make bots better for society. it made Damus uncomfortable, although it was not a surprise as he just nodded and held the door handle whilst Enforcer gave a soft chuckle. "You're a good bot Damus, precise and accurate in your work... I know I can trust you to do this job."
Damus marched out of the room, glad he could smother his emotions so that none of them could even feel the spikes in his EM field. Damus was concerned though that this might have been an important job that Enforcer should have been doing. But he was delighted, a chance to be close to the figure that made his whole frame freeze to the spot at his poetry. He could not believe it, but he was a little more calmed perhaps when a familiar probation officer passed by.
"Hey Damus... you're looking proud of yourself, any particular reason?" Crankcase scoffed as he padded past Damus carrying his own collection of data pads. Crankcase was always miserable looking and acting, waiting for a chance to dunk on someone to make his life a little less miserable. Damus might have been a little more accepting but for the way Crankcase was smirking. "Don't tell me... the job of going to check on that D-dude, right?"
"Uh... yes..." Why would he know this at all.
"Typical of the chief... he was given that order specifically and he's thought to pass it on to... well, let's face it Damus you're a glorified paperweight." Crankcase stated before marching off, which made Damus a little cautious as to whether there was something involved in this decision.
"Thank you..." He stated, but as he considered it, a bot that was well-behaved with gleaming credentials and never having put a pede wrong, was a much more believable figure if they were to plant evidence or claim something unpleasant about the figure. It rather insulted Damus.
"Apparently you've got a new officer to check your monitor. He's kinda cute and adorable..." Megaempress was jovial but it was to hide the fact she actually wanted to find something sharp to stab into the neck of every single law enforcement bot that looked at her brother funny. She could not stand the way they always picked on him, whether for his accent, his former low rank or the fact he actually seemed to care... they were such monsters! She'd been rather pleased the latest guard had revealed his problems in the end and was quite sure the police bots did not know the serious stimming issue they had going on amongst their seemingly beefiest members. But this time it was an unusual bot and so she'd let him to the door and then leapt onto her brother's back as he'd been reading, causing a soft grunt. "...his face is kinda handsome..."
"Don't get involved with the police bots Megaempress, they're not worth it." Megatron rumbled gently, swinging an arm up to grab her back and then tilting forward. She gave a grunt as he pulled her suddenly in front of her and onto the ground in a messy heap. She gave a soft swear of frustration to be knocked to the ground as Megatron chuckled softly and then patted at her helm as if she were still so tiny. But she knew how to annoy her brother as she straightened right up and then stood in front of him with a wicked look upon her features.
"You sure? I always hear there's this hot bot called Prowl that's kinda freaky in the right place..." Megaempress sniggered, only for Megatron to clear his pipes very loudly. He was not keen on that thought as she stuck her tongue out at him in a tease.
"All the more reason to avoid them." Megatron knew how much she teased about these things, but he would very much hate it if she got pulled into such a place. However, Megatron noticed the orange bot standing nervously in front of the door, rubbing their hands against a data pad and looking suddenly very anxious. Megatron shook his helm gently and then gave a beckoning motion to the door. "Well... you don't have to stand on ceremony just come in."
"I... uh... it's just... I... yes of course." Damus was feeling ridiculous, humiliating himself in front of the great Megatron simply for not making himself known. But how could he when he was admiring such strength? The stories said Termagax refused to having him go straight to the household and that he had to work his way through his function before any notion of title, rank or ever privilege could be given. It was said he'd survived countless cave-ins and then joined the underground fight scene just to get the rations to keep himself and his companions alive. They'd said every day he'd worked he'd composed in his head, repeating his ballads over and over to stop him becoming a drone. It was said that this was the being that tore apart a gladiator three times his size before a near death experience had meant Termagax felt he was 'ready' to enter her sphere. It was like standing near one of the hallowed Primes and despite his beautiful voice, Damus kept feeling his vocaliser crackle as he tried to speak. "I've come to check the usuals with the machine and ask how you're getting on."
"There's something off with this one bro... he's oddly endearing." Megaempress whispered as she leant into her brother. It made Megatron chuckle as he beckoned Damus to sit upon the chair opposite. He was smiling calmly towards him, welcoming before he then turned to look at his sister with a sharp expression that made her roll her optic. "Don't tell me... you're a fan of his poetry."
"Uh..." Damus stopped dead in front of the chair, utterly embarrassed whilst Megatron's face scrunched up to glare at his sister. She then planted herself onto her brother's lap, making him grunt as she looked expectantly to the nervous orange bot that was twiddling his digits together in anxiety.
"Yes! I knew it... play your cards right and he might read you some..." Megaempress began and then Megatron cleared his throat loudly.
"Empress..." She rolled her eyes, disappointed that she knew she was being sent off.
"Just being friendly... I suppose you want me to leave now?"
"It would be appreciated." Megatron stated and she straightened up with a pout. However, she paused to turn around and give her brother a soft kiss on the cheek plating, making him give a vent. "Be good won't you."
"Alright... but only because I've got to get the deets from Soundwave over the situation with him and his lover..." Megaempress grinned and then turned away to bounce off whilst he was shaking his head in disbelief at her.
"Very good..." He was still not used to understanding that she was his daughter. It was hard to think that all those precious moments he'd shared with her then and even now, there was so much he could not properly convey to her. But that was probably what Termagax had wanted, she was always orchestrating so much without him realising. Still, he turned to Damus and straightened up, bringing his hands together and looking calm yet serious. He was aware this figure might just be a safe one to talk to. "My younger sister, she's spirited and lively... but it belies the conniving mind within. Being imprisoned here has meant she has not had anyone to reel her in from the wild parties."
"Oh... yes... I suppose those are a thing." Damus stated, making it obvious that he had moved to Kaon for work reasons and had certainly not been born here. Damus had never really known how to socialise in the manner or others and certainly, he did not enjoy parties. His idea of pleasure was reading in a comfortable space or listening to opera. "I'm sorry, I'm hardly being appropriate... I should but this is very exciting."
"I've really not had this sort of response before I must say. I doubt though that your superiors would approve..." Megatron rumbled softly, rather amused to think that a younger bot would be in such awe of him. He'd already clocked a slight accent the figure kept covering and he was surprised that they were settling down so calmly in front of him. But Megatron was wise to the subtlety of the superiors as Damus looked a little unsure and he gave another soft vent. "...is there a possibility they've sent you because you're youthful exuberance might hide any snooping you manage?"
"I am to inspect the premises as per my job specifications and ask questions regarding the disappearance of your arranged supervision... but that does not mean I have already come to a bias conclusion. I like the facts... the details... I will do things appropriately." Damus stated, making it clear he was here to do his job, but also not denying that he might have been sent to do that. Thankfully Megatron could read it and was genuinely surprised that this figure was being so... different.
"Heh... not common amongst your fellows... but if you must know, the guard in question has met an uncomfortable fate and I can give you the address of the place he has gone to. But, your superiors will not accept my conclusion on this matter... they forget how strongly addicts hide themselves." Megatron stated and turned to his wrist, tapping at it so a screen projected upwards. He then flicked through a few things before settling on the screen that advertised a place Damus had heard of but never been to before. He blinked in surprise, but he had to agree Megatron was correct, it would be something his superiors would despise knowing. "I had informed him of the Kaon Rehab Program, but I'm not sure he's gone there... he's probably gone to the back alleys to... score, as they say."
"This is quite the allegation and I will endeavour to check both details. However, might... might I be so bold as to ask for your electronic signature on my data pad?" Damus began, only to pull out an older and more roughed up data pad from his bag of items. It was a personal pad, it was lined in purple and there was a beautiful series of flowers etched onto it, making Megatron ponder if he was around a fellow artist, although he was humbled at this display of fandom.
"A whole datapad dedicated to my works... you must have had to scrape and save a good deal of your wages for this." Megatron stated, knowing that someone in Damus' ranking could purchase these pieces but at a significant disadvantage, particularly for personal use. He was quite aware this proved the devotion Damus had for his work and also told him, Damus was more than met the optic.
"I have singular tastes and needs... quality is more important." Damus stated; when his mother had passed he'd inherited a few of her credits that had not gone to the rehousing scheme triggered at her death. With his mentor having passed and his link to Tarn lost, he'd had to sell what he could to be able to accept a narrow berth room with one set of shelves, one charging slab, a communal wash rack and communal canteen. He was content though, he'd taken on his mother's musical collection and his favourites were the operas and sometimes, he played them to sleep to. Damus indeed had singular tastes and he could not help but repeat something his mother had always mused on his tastes. "Especially internal quality."
"I see... I assume your paint colouration has been commented upon greatly... the Policing Forces do not like non-uniform colours, but sticking to parole and probationary work suits you." Megatron noted, aware that the regulation black and white were very expensive paint jobs and frame jobs if this fellow ever got promoted upwards. It was easy to guess why Damus was still amongst the probationary servants.
"It is my mission to ensure transgressors leaving the prison system are found, rehabilitated and with it their records cleansed. It is of particular importance to me to give that second chance..." Damus stated, which only made Megatron give a soft rumble. He was intrigued now, this figure could be exceptionally helpful to him and Megatron would make sure he would keep this one close.
"You're a noble bot... what is your name?"
"Damus... I'm Damus of Tarn." Damus responded gently and Megatron gave another soft rumble.
"You hide the accent well, but I could recall the sound... and you have a poem in your collection that's hard to find outside of Tarn." He then got a surprise as Damus' optics seemed to shine and this beautiful young face became excited... uncomfortably excited. There was a strange menace within his optics that was a little worrying and it proved the fanatic edge in his devotion. This intrigued him all the more.
"I... I have been reading your works for a while, I was stunned to think such beauty and clarity could come from before your Clan took you in. I can read where there's been influence from Termagax and where your earlier work is... harsher... believing in a more direct form of justice." Damus stated, but there was that slightly fanatic glimmer in his optics as if he rather liked the harsh regime Megatron could think of. It was pleasing to hear and Megatron could not help but give a soft chuckle as he stood up from the seat.
"But only to those that have a reason to run from justice... true justice..." An almost dark aura seemed to sit about him for a moment as he smiled towards the figure before then turning towards the kitchen as he gave a soft rumble. "Perhaps you might like some of Termagax's preferred brew, she insists it is for clarity of the mind and takes it before she begins her lectures... it would be pleasant to share words with someone who understands justice."
"I... I would be honoured... Megatron."
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So like many I often think of Skids as having a Glaswegian Accent, I blame the Fan Dub of More Than Meets the Eye. Curiously though, I know Mudflap is only made Skids' twin in the Bayverse and Animated linked Mudflap and Skids as being around each other... I couldn't help myself but make them brothers. I also know that Mudflap in most instances had a French accent, which makes me smirk but for some reason upon deciding I'd write this drabble with them as brothers, I had Skids with a Glaswegian accent and for some reason Mudflap in my head has Brian Cox's Dundonian-hybrid accent.
Yeah I'm aware that probably doesn't make much sense if you don't know about UK and Irish regional accents but its just what was bouncing in my head. Then again I mentally give Thunderclash an Etonian accent, sometimes hear Sixshot as Liverpudlian/ Scouse and Flatline as from Merthyr Tydfil (seriously I don't know my own brain sometimes) and occasionally, to be really random I hear Cyclonus with a vaguely Scandinavian accent that often sounds like he's from North Norway, like Trondheim.
Anyway, this is where my brain decided Tarn aka Damus right now starts up and I had a vague inkling of maybe having this strong relationship with Skids that could be romantic but might not be, I haven't decided yet. But I hope it's vaguely interesting as I try and weave this stuff together.
I also like the idea Tarn has a soft soothing voice very much like Keith David's so although right now he is younger and probably a little more softer with age, later it will be the magnificent voice it should be. This whole thing sent me on a strange journey and then today my brain suddenly went how about Christopher Judge's Magneto voice as a Megatron voice... then I was reminded of Kratos and my brain went... he does Kratos' voice too. My brain is in weird places for this one.
Also yes... there is some vague idea of a plot here so I hope you find it interesting. Yes I know I've given Damus some kind of bizarre background you can hate it if you want this is me throwing ideas out here still so I can understand none of you liking it.
