#lord imperious

[cuppajj]

< beautifully extra four-eyed dragonformers with the best stupidest names in the franchise

[soundcrusher]

Changes aren’t always wanted, but sometimes needed

I finally finished Part 7 of my little story featuring @cuppajj's version of Lord Imperious and my boy Quick Search.

I don't really know how to feel about this one, but honestly, I'm a little tired and I'll let cuppa be the judge and everything. (Should something be off, please let me know cuppa. I'll fix it as soon as I can. ^^)

Either way, please enjoy!

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Imperious has been acting strange as of late.

It started small first, with Imperious coming onto the ship and asking Quick Search how he was doing, before making a round on the ship while the small terminal worked on either the Communication Terminal, or on sorting out files. After his round, Imperious would then come back. Taking his seat in the captain’s chair and watching him scurry across the bridge, before trying to strike up a conversation. Only that now, the topics weren’t about Quick Search’s or the ship’s database, but rather the things he liked to do or how he felt.

And if Quick Search was being honest, he would have preferred the questions about the databases and ship. Mostly because it’s the only thing he could truly talk about. Yes, he did take care of his plants and that’s one of the things he liked to do, next to his big and smaller projects, but that’s it. There’s nothing more for him to talk about in regards to his hobbies or something like that.

Maybe he could count his music collection as a hobby too? But Quick Search was sure that Imperious would only get bored once he starts talking about the way he likes how certain songs can cause different kinds of emotions to well up. After all, his friend wasn’t that impressed with his plants either, so why would he like his music?

So, whenever Imperious would start asking, Quick Search could do nothing more than shrug his shoulders. Answering every question with a “I don’t know” or “You already know everything. There’s nothing more I could tell you”. Which in return would make Imperious squint at him. And that would cause Quick Search to quickly scurry off to hide with his plants and lock the door behind him, because he knows what can happen to someone who gets squinted at by someone sitting in the captain’s chair. They either go mad, or are never seen again.

That’s also why he was hiding with his plants right now. Imperious’ questions were getting too much for him again and he didn’t want to somehow say something that could make his friend mad. And, his plants never ask him anything. They just listen to his woes whenever he starts to talk about things that either bother or annoy him. And right now, he was complaining about Imperious’ change. Talking about how weird it was to suddenly have so much attention, while commenting on how he didn’t want it.

Attention was, after all, never good. It means that whoever was paying extra mind to you, would want something. Or they were going to kill you, but Quick Search doubted that Imperious would do such a thing. They were friends after all, right? Friends don’t kill each other.

“Either way…” Muttered the small terminal, as he picked up a watering can. “I really don’t like all of those questions. They make me… question myself.” Said Quick Search, as he watered his Cybertronian Nightshades. “I mean, there isn’t much to me, I think? The captain, sure enough, didn't let me have anything, and the small things I had were hidden deeply in my database… And… friends weren’t really something I had either. Not in the crew, that is… But hey! I had Vulpi and the little drones, they can be counted as friends. They sure treated me better than my crew and acted more like friends than everyone else.”

Quick Search couldn’t help his chuckle as he moved onto the next plants. Making sure they were all watered, before picking up a pair of scissors and starting to groom some of the bush like plants. “… I miss them. Talking to them was always different, but I doubt they’re around anymore. I mean… if the little medical drone was broken when I found it, who’s to say that the other ones aren’t either…” The small mech grew quiet as he thought about what could have happened to his friends, especially Vulpi. They were partners, so, if something happened to her, he would have felt it. Right? So, maybe she was still okay and around.

“But, hey, I’m sure that Vulpi is still around. Captain always said how much work they put into her, so… yea… I doubt he would break her.”

“Are you sure about that?”

To his embarrassment, Quick Search let out a squeak as he turned around, grabbed his little watering can and hurled it at whoever surprised him. Only to then hide behind one of the bushes he was taking care of, as soon as he realised he accidentally hit Imperious. “I… I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to hit you!”

“You didn’t really hit me.” Said Imperious as he carefully took the watering can off his horns. “It’s more like you played this game called ‘Throw Ring’, with very bad aim. No offence.”

“None taken. I have a really bad aim after all.” Chuckled Quick Search, before getting back out from his very bad hiding place and walking over to one of the tables. Climbing up on it to get to the hanging plants, where he took care of the shrivelled up leaves. “The captain once tried to teach me how to shoot things, but I always missed. Like, a lot. I think I even once accidentally sent someone into the medical bay because of a stray shot. But… those memories are kinda fuzzy and… I don’t think I have ever seen that crew member afterwards…” Muttered Quick Search, before shrugging his shoulders and going back to work. Humming a soft tune, while glancing back at Imperious every now and then. And every time, Imperious would stare right back at him.

“Say…” started the Second-Born Intellect as he walked over to one of the Cybertronian Nightshade offshoots. Picking one of them up and taking a closer look. “Why don’t you like my questions?”

“I… no reason?”

“No reason at all?” Asked Imperious, before placing the plant back down and walking over to the small ‘Cybertronian’. Picking Quick Search up and holding him at arm's length, while tilting his head. “It doesn’t seem like there is ‘no reason’ behind your dislike, Quick Search.”

“I…” Said the smaller one, before stopping and shaking his head. Opting to just hang there, instead of answering, while his ‘tail’ and ‘ears’ flicked in discomfort. Although, after a while he just let out a sigh. “I… don’t know how to answer those questions. That’s why I don’t like them. They’re just so… so… personal? It’s hard to talk about how I am or what I like to do, when I don’t even know myself.” Quick Search looked up at Imperious, with his ‘ears’ twitching nervously while he kneaded his fingers together. “I doubt you would like to know about all the plant facts I saved, or my favourite music, or how your questions make me wonder who exactly I am. Before you came and helped me with my blocker-thingies, there was just my work. Yes I… I kind of had my own life, but work was still the most important thing… And my captain didn’t really let me explore or figure out what I wanted…” He trailed off. Growing silent and staying that way for a while. Too scared to say more, because he was unsure on how Imperious would react to anything else that came out of his mouth.

But even when Quick Search found some courage to continue, he stopped. Slowly feeling how fear settled in his spark, as he saw Imperious squint his four eyes at him. It reminded him too much of the time something happened with him and another mech that made his captain so angry that… that… he deleted something.

However, Imperious was quick to lose that ‘look’ as soon as Quick Search started to struggle in his grip. And with a sigh, the taller one pulled the terminal closer. Putting the small ‘Cybertronian’ underneath his arm, before walking out of the room. Causing Quick Search to let out a small sound of protest, before looking up at Imperious with a small frown. His ‘tail’ swishing angrily behind him.

“Have you ever tried to make your own music?”

That question caught Quick Search off guard. So much so, that his frown fell from his face and was replaced by a look of confusion. “I… no? I don’t think I ever tried to do anything like that. My captain never liked it when I did something that wasn’t useful or within my ‘programming’… But… I was thinking about it…”

“You were? Sounds like someone was thinking about doing more than his ‘programming’ allowed him to do.” Imperious’ statement got him a small chuckle from Quick Search, before the smaller one stretched his arms out and waved them around. “Yep! I even once brought it up with my captain, but when he asked why I wanted to do it… I couldn’t answer… And then he got angry, because the captain never liked it when someone couldn’t answer him. And an angry captain was never good.”

“Did he ever do something bad when you couldn’t answer him?”

“Sometimes? I… can’t really remember. Some things in my memory bank are either fuzzy or missing, and I think my captain has something to do with it…” Quick Search shrugged his shoulders as best as he could, before crossing his arms. "But who cares. As long as all the other stuff works, I'm fine."

"I highly doubt that it's 'fine' to not be able to remember something as important as that, Quick Search."

“Maybe, but why should I worry about that now? My captain isn’t around and hasn’t answered my message. So, he’ll probably never come back, ergo, it doesn’t matter.” Again, Quick Search shrugged his shoulders, before looking up at Imperious. Eyes squinted as if he was trying to figure out something. “Why would you care though?”

There was silence after that question. One that got Quick Search to slightly wiggle in Imperious’ hold, while the other thought about how he could explain his interest in the subject while also keeping the secret of what he knows about Quick Search’s ‘condition’. There was no doubt that the little terminal would start questioning him and his sudden interest as soon as Imperious revealed that Quick Search was not a Cybertronian, but rather a Second-Born Intellect like him.

So, Imperious opted to simply dance around the question, by questioning Quick Search back. “Why wouldn’t I? Aren’t we friends, Quick Search? Friends do care about each other and about what others have done to them.”

“I guess you’re right…” Muttered Quick Search, before looking around to see where exactly they were going. Mostly to find a change of subject, because this was getting kind of uncomfortable for him. “Either way, why are we here? Shouldn’t we be on the bridge? Usually we would be on the bridge around this time…”

Imperious couldn’t help the amused chuckle, as he opened a door and stepped into the new room. Carefully placing Quick Search down on the floor, before walking over to the covered thing hidden among some boxes, knick-knacks and artefacts collected from all across the galaxy. “Yes, but you mentioning wanting to make music gave me an idea.” And with one elegant move, Imperious pulled out a very weird looking thing from within a box.

“What’s that? I don’t think I’ve ever seen that thing!” Asked Quick Search. Hidden eyes wide in wonder, as he did his best to look at whatever Imperious was holding in his hands.

“It’s a flute.” Was all Imperious said, as he handed the instrument over and watched the smaller one inspect it. Twisting and turning it around in his hands, before Quick Search figured out how to use it and started to play a few notes.

And only then did they walk back to the bridge. With the small ‘Cybertronian’ testing out the different sounds his new flute could make, while Imperious gave small corrections or tips on how to properly use the instrument.

[cuppajj]

I'm giving lid an idw incarnation so i have an excuse to draw him more

[cuppajj]

more idw lid sketches

[cuppajj]

Imperious began as a construct created by an advanced alien race of an interplanetary empire. Titled L.I.D., or the Logistic Imperial Depository, he was created to serve as a repository for all of the race's memories and recorded history that could be accessed by the empire's elite at any time. His creation was a joint operation between the scientific and religious divisions of the empire, and thus was modeled after the race's god of wisdom and knowledge. In order to power his massive database, imperial search parties acquired a lone point one percenter spark in a desolate cybertronian hotspot, bringing it back to be implanted in the supercomputer's chest.

Over the course of the next millennia, Imperious would lay dormant and activate only for his masters to access his increasing archive of information; but unbeknownst to the smaller lifeforms, the construct was slowly gaining sentience through the network of data within him. Around the time he began to wake to the world around him, the empire was on the decline, and eventually crumbled due to internal conflict and the threat of the Galactic Council. However, as troops of said faction stormed the holy facility that held the former empire's greatest scientific achievement, they found the wires snapped and the glass broken. Imperious was gone, leaving nothing but ruin in his wake.

TL;DR: hot guy with a goofy name gets idw lore

[cuppajj]

I wanna see my little boy~

HERE HE COMES!!

[soundcrusher]

This Changes Everything

Part 6 of my little story featuring @cuppajj's IDW version of Lord Imperious and my boy Quick Search is out. And this time, it might just do like the titel says.

Either way, a big 'Thanks' for helping me out with some things goes out to cuppa again. (Should something be off, let me know. I'll change as soon as I can.)

With that being said, enjoy!

Trigger warning: non-consensual changes to ones person

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It worked! After weeks of having Imperious poke around in his processor and programming, it finally worked! Quick Search could talk and think negatively about his captain, without having to worry about headaches or anything else! He was free, and it felt even better than he could have ever imagined!

“Heh, my captain is an idiot!” Yelled the small terminal loudly, while racing down the ship’s halls. Carrying a stack of datapads he had filled with research not even his captain has ever seen. It was his own big project consisting of many little projects, and one Quick Search has been working on ever since Imperious granted him the gift of freedom. Granted, it was still the same work, but different enough. Somehow, Imperious managed to take away the fail-safe keeping him from writing down some of the information saved in his database and the one that stopped him from sharing it too. And with those gone, Quick Search started to write. Unknowingly creating written evidence that those planets and cultures he wrote about truly existed and weren’t just myth.

That’s why he was running around with the datapads. One of his smaller projects was finally finished and, considering how interested Imperious always seemed to be in some of the research stored in his database, Quick Search thought that it would be a suited ‘Thank You’ gift. At least he thought it was suited. After all, Imperious could already know about the planet and its small culture, but hey! More information is always good, and Quick Search doesn’t really have another gift.

He was considering giving Imperious one of his few surviving Cybertronian Nightshade offshoots, but then again, his friend doesn’t seem all that thrilled about plants. So he quickly scratched that idea and instead spent most of his nights finishing the datapads.

Did it leave him more exhausted than working on the research like he usually does it? Yes, it definitely did, but then again, Quick Search was too energised and excited to even think about recharge. Working on his big and smaller projects was fun! And he finally could understand why his crew would write stuff down on datapads too! The only downside was the exhaustion that sometimes would catch up on Quick Search, but then he would start the next project and get excited all over again. He even started to use one of the many empty hab-suites as his own! Something he would have never dared to do, but he needed a room where he could just sit at a table and write, and he found the perfect one!

It’s also why Quick was running down the halls.

While the room was perfect for his projects, it was a little further away from the bridge than he originally wanted it to. But hey, at least it was closer to the plant research room and made it easier for him to check on the plants whenever he was making his rounds, or was calling it a day and heading off to recharge in an actual berth and not as a terminal on the bridge. Kind of funny how a little change to his program could give him so much more liberation than he could ever imagine.

His captain was really stupid for keeping this from him. It almost made him angry, if Quick Search was someone who got angry at anyone….

Either way, when Quick Search entered the bridge, he looked around, before smiling as he saw Imperious lean over the communications terminal. Quickly making his way over to his friend. Although, he stopped halfway over when he saw something pop up on the screen.

“Did my captain finally answer my message?” He asked curiously, before frowning. “I sent him that message ages ago, why is he only answering now? Doesn’t he care about the ship?”

“It’s not your captain, Quick Search.” Answered Imperious, as he turned around. Obscuring the small Cybertronian’s view of the communications terminal and lying through his metaphorical teeth. “I intended to ask you if it was alright to use your communications terminal to contact one of my friends, but I couldn’t wait. It was… Contacting them was way too important as that I could have waited for you to come. My apologies.”

“Oh… You know that there’s no need for you to apologise, right? I mean, asking before using the terminal would have been nice, but if it really was important, then I don’t mind.” Said Quick Search with a smile, before shaking his head. “And now you probably want to respond and I’m keeping you from it…” Muttered the small cybertronian quietly while staring down at his stack of datapads. Guess he’ll give them to Imperious later, but hey, at least this means he could catch up on some of that recharge he’s been avoiding. “I’ll… I’ll leave you to it then. But you’ll let me know when you’re done, right? There’s something I would like to show you.”

Imperious nodded. “Do not worry, as soon as my call is done, I will seek you out.” Said the Second-Born Intellect, before waving after Quick Search as the smaller one left the bridge. However, Imperious didn’t turn around right away. He waited until he was sure Quick Search put some distance between himself and the bridge, before turning around and typing away on the console. Opening the message to read it, before a call cut him off.

And thus, Imperious found himself ‘face to face’ with a foul looking Cybertronian. “Finally you’re answering my call, CRaSS! Do you know how long I’ve waited for you to come online and send a message?” This Cybertronian was very rude and apparently needed glasses, because it should be obvious that Imperious wasn’t Quick Search. But it seemed like the mech was quick to realise his error, because he stopped japping about how disappointing the small terminal was.

“Who are you? You’re not part of my crew.” Growled the Cybertronian. “And where is CRaSS? He’s not supposed to leave the bridge, nor let some random bot on my ship!”

“Well…” Started Imperious calmly, before being cut off by the Cybertronian again. “Don’t tell me he’s slacking off again. Tch, that little waste of material always lets anyone onto the ship. If CRaSS wasn’t so valuable to our research, I would have disposed of him a long time ago. Or is he playing with those disgusting drones again. CRaSS is always wasting his time with them when he could do his work. Not to get me wrong, if they were Cybertronians it would be different, but those drones are AI’s.”

This mech really liked the sound of his own voice, didn’t he? What a revolting Cybertronian Quick Search’s captain was. So full of himself, and yet, Imperious could feel the foolishness and cowardice radiating off him through the screen. “You’re right that I am not part of the crew, but I’m interested in who you are regardless. Quick Search is of no importance here.” Said Imperious calmly, while his sharp claws tapped away on the terminal’s surface. From what he could figure out, this was Quick Search’s captain. The arrogance and disrespect towards Second-Born Intelects sure enough gave him away.

“Of no importance, huh?” Said the captain after a while. He would never admit it, but Imperious’ calmness was something that unnerved him. Usually, mechs would flinch whenever he yelled at them and or cower in fear. This unknown mech, though, did none of those things. So, the captain quickly put on his stoic front. Raining in the anger presenting itself on his face and exchanging it for a cold expression. Doing a visible 180, personality wise. “What do you want?”

“Excuse me?”

“You look like someone who knows the way of the game. So, what do you want in exchange for CRaSS and the ship?”

“Well…” Imperious started, but paused for a short moment. Searching in the captain’s eyes for something, and when he found it, he continued. “As you can already tell, I am not part of your crew. I merely stumbled upon the ship and Quick Search by accident. So, why don’t you humour me a little bit? You tell me about your mission. And then I may ponder what I would like in exchange for Quick Search and the ship.” Said Imperious calmly before gesturing for the captain to start speaking.

“Humour you? To be honest, when I called, I did not expect to humour an unknown mech who’s trespassing on my ship, and yet… It seems my hands are tied in that regard.” Muttered the captain, as he leaned back in his chair. Servos folded and placed on the table in front of him. “Maybe I should start at the beginning, just so that you may have a basis on why it is important that CRaSS and, if possible, the ship return to their rightful owner. Before that foolish war started, my crew and I were on a mission to research planets and, if possible, record and preserve the cultures on them. If there wasn’t any life on them, we would send word to Cybertron and make our way towards the next. But, soon enough we came upon a problem.” The captain paused for a moment. Looking over to the side and mouthing a ‘Stay’, before returning his attention back at Imperious.

“As I said, we came upon a problem. While our ship was able to hold a lot of information, it lacked the needed ability to sort through them. Finding and providing the needed material for my researchers’ reports was always a task and took up too much time. Time, we could have used for new projects and the likes. Luckily, the next time we landed on a planet, it was inhabited by Cybertronians. Sadly though, those did not share the same alt-modes that were ‘normal’ for our kind. They mostly transformed into all kinds of cats, with only some of them having a vehicle alt-mode. Those seemed to be treated like outsiders though. A shame, those mechs and femmes had the most unique paint jobs known to any Cybertronian. Truly, I would have loved to take one with me to study them, but that was not the main point of our little excursion.” Again, the captain paused. The reason for that being that he simply wanted to add a little bit of a dramatic flare to his tale. After all, the intruder wanted to be humoured, and the captain was petty enough to make the ‘humouring’ as annoying as possible. While still retaining his professionalism.

“Either way, after those lowly want-to-be Cybertronians could not provide the needed help, I took a stroll in the woods. The planet surely was a unique blend between Cybertronian flora and fauna and the natural one of the planet. I am sure that the Titan had a hand in the creation of such a unique biome. After all, differently than most of their kind, the Titan stood in the middle of the small colonie. Having taken on the form of an ancient tree that, according to the elders, was even there before the Cybertronian race. Oh, but the Titan is the only remaining evidence of those trees… But I am coming off topic. I doubt you want to know about the Cybertronian colonie.” The captain smirked. “So, my walk. It was nothing special. Just a small excursion deep into the woods, that led me close to the ‘Village of the Outsiders’. And low and behold, what I found there was most surprising. It was a young Cybertronian who, surprisingly, had three different modes. His normal root mode, a cat alt-mode and a second computer/control terminal alt-mode.”

“He had a name, but I never bothered with writing it down. And now, that young Cybertronian is only referred to as CRaSS 1.0 in my reports.” The mech couldn’t help but laugh. “Ah, such a foolish little thing. So proud of his two alt-modes others frowned upon and always so eager to show them off. Poor thing thought I was a friend, but alas, I did not need him. I needed his alt-mode. So, I lured CRaSS 1.0 onto my ship, and together with a few of my most trusted crew members, we went to work.”

“At first, we stripped it from its cat alt-mode, and then from everything else. Keeping only the spark, so that it might save our project as a source of energy. And then, we added new parts. Slowly building the once Cybertronian into a tool perfect for its new intention. It was perfect. The ideal being to collect our research, store it, and provide material when asked to do so. And why should we have stopped there? We continued, and soon, my creation was born. The ideal blend, ment for research and security. An ideal computer. Granted, I had to… dispose… of those who worked with me on the project and of those who found out. But those lives were worth it. At least, I thought so. But corruption can always occur.” Sneered the captain.

“There were traces left of CRaSS 1.0 in my creation. And sadly, I programmed my creation too well, because it soaked up those remaining bits and pieces of personality and memories. Using them to create its own sense of self. Mending the broken parts into a new life, and I was forced to address the crew and introduce our ‘newest’ crew member.”

“It was never supposed to be alive, and yet, I fear that one of those I disposed of had regrets ending the life of a young Cybertronian and messed with the programming. Allowing it to form thoughts, feelings and everything else one of our kind needed to be counted as alive. Heh… Although, I have to admit that it is kind of funny.”

“So, you could say that CRaSS is, despite the failure, one of my greatest creations. A thing capable of holding a big database while also acting as the ship’s security system, and everything else.” The captain shrugged. Tilting his head to the side, while waving his hand in a dismissive manner. “Thus, making him very important to our mission to compile as much information about other planets and cultures as possible. By now, it might as well be considered the only remaining evidence for many of those cultures. And I’m not going into detail about all the other research saved in its database.”

“So, I am sure that you can figure out that I am willing to trade a lot, even if I only get its head.”

After the captain finished, Imperious looked at the Cybertronian. Eyes un–narrowing thought, before they narrowed again at the realisation that Quick Search wasn’t who he thought he was. If what the captain said was true, then the little terminal wasn’t Cybertronian, at least fully. “He’s a Second-Born Intellect.” Muttered Imperious, as his tail stopped swishing behind him, and his mind started to reel. Outwardly, there was not much change to how he looked, but in his mind? Imperious’ fury was limitless as he realised that Quick Search was, somewhat, like him. Maybe a reversed version, but still. The captain created a Second-Born Intellect and forced him to inhabit the body of a Cybertronian. Bound to a spark as a means for energy and forced to live like one of them.

What a sick thing to do.

“Second-Born Intellect?” Asked the captain, before laughing. “Ah, you mean Artificial Intelligence. Yes, CRaSS is such a thing. But, because we used everything we could of a true Cybertronian, hardly anyone can tell the difference. And those who could are no longer able to. Well, I guess you may tell the difference now, but what does it matter, if CRaSS will be out of your… hair… soon.” The captain sighed, already growing bored of the conversation. “Now, can we talk about the exchange?”

“You’re not getting Quick Search.”

“I beg your pardon?”

Imperious was quiet. Observing the captain, and when he spoke, his voice was as cold and dangerous as ice. “You heard me.” He said. “I will not give you Quick Search, for he is of no use to you anymore. And should you come, and should you try to take him, I will know. So, I advise you to not come here.” And before the captain could say anything, Imperious ended the call. Making sure that Quick Search couldn’t find a trace of who called, before making his way off the bridge and towards where he was sure Quick Search would be.

And with what he knew now, some of the small terminals ‘stranger’ quirks started to make more sense. But still, never would he have thought that Quick Search was one of them. Hidden in plain sight and wearing the body of a Cybertronian as his own. How fascinating, if not a little bit horrifying. And a testament on how barbaric some of the Cybertronian kind can be. So, if the captain was clever, he would listen to him and stay away.

Either way, as soon as Imperious was in front of Quick Search’s hab–suite, he wasted no time and knocked. But when no-one answered, he simply walked in. Finding the small Cybertronian… no… fellow Second-Born Intellect curled up on the berth. Wrapped up in a blanket that looked hand made, clutching the ends in his hand, and deeply asleep, or deeply in recharge, as some called it.

And so, he left. Musing over the new information given to him and mentally preparing his next steps.

[soundcrusher]

A new friend? Maybe.

Well, guess you finally managed to finish that Part 8 of my little story featuring @cuppajj's version of Lord Imperious and my widdle guy Quick Search.

Took me a while, and thanks to cuppa, we now have the next part! It's cool, we get to meet another AI guy who lives on the ship. Fun stuff!

Trigger Warning: There is a body, some vital organs floating in a tank, and some other stuff

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Looking back at the time he has spend onboard this crashed ship and getting to know the small terminal living on it, Imperious was sure that there was something poetic found within this predicament. Alone the existence of a mirror to his being was prove enough that the narrative of this story might go into the fantastical, or perhaps turn into cautionary tale of the hubris of those seeking to create Second Born Intellects, but fearing of what their creations could grow into, once they are given the chance to learn and live. Either way, no matter the intention of his “destiny”, it still did not give him an answer to why his newest ward decided to cling to him as soon as he entered the ship. Or at least, revel in the attention granted to him.

Back when he was still under the impression that Quick Search was nothing more than a wayward Cybertronian, Imperious did not care for the implications. Having his unshared attention was beneficial to his end goal. Dare he say it was even needed to gain not only the trust of the small terminal, but also the access to the ship, but that has changed now.

It was still a benefit, there was no arguing about that, but it was also concerning. Second Born Intellects learn from the information they are given, from the data that’s implemented into them by their creators, and from that, they create a sense of self.

Their kind grows from new information, be it good or corruptive. So, Quick Search must have learned his behaviour from somewhere, and while it isn’t bad per say, it is quite useful to Imperious after all, it is also concerning. After all, there is a clear difference between liking and wanting attention and now that Quick Search is “free” from the programming that enslaved him to his captain, who is to say that he wouldn’t run off to the next best person that gave him attention.

Not that his newest warden would do that. Imperious was sure that Quick Search wouldn’t try to approach strangers, nor did he go out of his way to come and demand attention. But the way the little terminal’s visor would light up whenever he decided to put away whatever he was doing to take a look at Quick Search’s current interest has happened far to often to not make him wonder if there was more to it than the captain told him.

And so, Imperious decided to do a little bit more research on the matter. He has done it before after all, the security when it comes to protecting the ship’s database was laughable at best and annoying at wors, but never something Imperious couldn’t get through. It was far harder to, when Quick Search was either in recharge or powered down as a Terminal/Computer, hack into the little terminal’s database. Getting through the many security measurements wasn’t easy, and then there was the fact Quick Search would always get headaches after every try Imperious made. But for all the praise the captain gave his genius, he failed to perfect the security measurements regarding his creation. There were two ways to gain access, one easier than the other, but once Imperious knew how to use them, getting in wasn’t that hard anymore.

It could also be because Quick Search gave him access that one time, but that is a theory he would have to test another day.

Either way, no matter what the captain installed to protect his “precious ship”, Imperious always found his way around it. And by doing that, he might have taken the opportunity and granted himself a higher security level than Quick Search initially gave him and never told his warden of what he’s done. It is a break of trust that could cause the little terminal to lose his trust in him, and he wouldn’t like that. Not when he was so close to getting him to explore the outsides of the ship.

But he shouldn’t worry about that now.

No, Imperious had to concentrate on his current task of finding two of the possible locations that could hold information on Quick Search and his creation as well as his “predicament”. He already got the shortened version from the captain, but he would rather find the research and documentation regarding this project himself. After all, self-proclaimed geniuses often over glorify their scientific achievements and forget that their version of the story might have some holes.

Holes that can only be filled by a well-maintained report written by a second or third party. But sadly, it seemed that he couldn’t find such reports in the ship’s database, and he didn’t want to try his luck with hacking into Quick Search’s again. Imperious had already tried to do so yesterday, after asking the little terminal if he could take a look at some of his programming, and it seemed like his attempt had caused his warden to experience an even worse headache than the last one.

Which means he will have to wait for Quick Search to get better if he wants to try his luck that way, but currently, Imperious is more opting on finding one of those two computers that are neither connected to the ship, nor the little terminal.

This is easier said than done though, because finding them is a task in of itself. The location of the computers is unknown, to Quick Search at least, so Imperious would have to guess where to find them. Another difficult task, if Imperious hadn’t already prepared for it.

Despite the locations being unknown, both he and his warden have started to scout the blind spots popping up on the map Quick Search had made of the ship. And much to the small one’s horror, there were quite a few. Imperious could still remember how betrayed Quick Search sounded when they made the discovery of one of the rooms not showing up on the map. How he frantically checked everything, before his shoulder slumped down in defeat. How quiet he was after they made their way back to the bridge, and how he walked earlier to his hab-suite.

In a way it was sad to see Quick Search like that. It was unusual for Quick Search to stay sad for more than a few hours, but after this reveal, it did something. And so, to work against it, Imperious suggested to go out and discover those hidden parts of the ship. Of course, he was only an excuse to see what else this ship was hiding from him, but Imperious had to admit that it was good to see Quick Search return to his usual cheerfulness. Even if it meant he was being dragged by his overly excited warden to the first blind spot.

And it was during those little excursions of them that Imperious found two promising rooms. With one being the captain’s hab-suite, while the other was an unaccounted lab. With the captain’s personal being his best bet, but considering he couldn’t ask Quick Search to open the room for him, unless he wants to come off as suspicious to the small terminal, nor did he have the needed security clearance, he would have to settle with the mysterious lab computer.

So, off to the lab he went, after making sure that Quick Search was still deep in charge and wouldn’t find out about the little “exploration” he has planned. Imperious was sure that the little terminal wouldn’t forgive him for going behind his back, and he didn’t plan for Quick Search to find out. He has already had enough betrayals for the time being.

With that in mind, Imperious was quick to head towards the unaccounted lab. Making quick work of the security locks and entering the room, only to find it a mess. There were clear signs of a fight, despite there being nothing, or, perhaps someone was looking for something specific. Something only this room held, but they didn’t find it, if the scattered data-pads, probes, research material and broken tubes are any indicator.

And so, Imperious went in. Stepping over some of the scattered things, while also stepping onto others. Accidentally crushing a few more glass wares and pads, while making his way deeper into the room. The only light being a flickering that has seen better days.

Although, once he was deep enough, Imperious was faced with three doors. With one being locked, one open and the other halfway shut. And considering the halfway shut one was the only one that seemed to have a functioning light, the Second Born Intellect entered that one first Only to be met with rows upon rows of test tubes and even more scattered research material.

Some of those tubes held things that seemed to be long dead organics, or more specific, some form of critter. With the only sign that they have ever been on this ship being their bones. Others held minerals, dried up plants, or, strangely enough, the well-preserved body parts and organs of Cybertronians. But the most interesting thing was hidden behind a room divider Imperious had to push aside to see the functioning tank holding something he could not recognize, but from the notes scribbled down on the wall next to it, it appeared to be the so called “life-cord” of a Cybertronian. With the brain module and the spark still attached.

A strange thing to keep so secluded, but that’s not what Imperious was here for. So, he pushed the room divider back and left the room. Being mindful to not knock something over on accident while regarding the next room with caution. If there is something that was as well taken care of as the tank, then that means there was someone else. Someone hiding in the darkness of the lab.

Someone who’s most likely watching him right now as he entered the second room with the computer console Imperious was looking for. However, there was someone sitting in front of it. Slightly hunched over and not responding to the stranger entering their room. Which in itself was strange. Why wouldn’t someone react to an intruder, unless there was something foul at play. And as Imperious walked up to the Cybertronian sitting in front of the computer console, he could see why. They were deactivated. Their hunched over body showing clear signs that someone has performed some kind of surgery that removed the most vital parts of their body. And with what he has seen in the other room, Imperious already knew what it was.

“Why would…” Imperious was suddenly ripped harshly from his thoughts as he saw a sudden movement from the corner of his eyes, and he quickly took a step back. Barely dodging the claw that was so close to either scratching his face, or ribbing his eyes out, or both. Either way, the attacker aimed for a quick kill, and Imperious found himself dodging more and more of those attacks, until he was far enough away from the body and computer.

And his attacker seemed to have noticed that too, because as soon as Imperious was closer to the entrance, they stopped. Slinking back into the shadows, before emerging close to the body. One of their clawed hands softly stroking over the Cybertronian’s head, as if they were alive and not long dead. And yet, Imperious still found himself cautious of this new variable.

Not only has Imperious never seen them on the ship, but they also managed to take him by surprise. A feat that not many can claim to have done, and an intriguing one at that. But when he tried to take one stop to the side, his attacker again quick to strike. Pouncing towards the direction Imperious wanted to go and cutting him off. Shoulder plating pulled together, and claws held in a threatening way. And as a response, Imperious raised his hands. Palms open in a placative manner to show that he was no threat, while also staying on the defensive in case he had to protect himself.

But it seemed like his gesture did do the trick, because Imperious’ attacker slowly relaxed his stance. Taking some steps back, before turning his face from the Second Born Intellect to the body and back. Head tilted like a wolfs in a clear sign of uncertainty. Something Quick Search tended to do too, when presented with a question he doesn’t want to answer or something new.

“I take it this is your room?” Asked Imperious as he slowly rotated his hand to gesture around the room they were in. “Or is one of the other ones yours? If so, I am terribly sorry for barging in without an invite. Usually I would knock.” Whoever the resident of the lab was, they sure enough didn’t seem to have an appreciation for humour, or they simply didn’t want to answer. Or, perhaps, they couldn’t.

Has Imperious read the one in front of him wrong? But before he could say more, the computer screen suddenly lit up. Displaying nothing more than a simple dark blue background containing nothing more than a text field.

[Even with a knock, I would not have opened the door.]

So, they can speak, although only through text it seems. Imperious could work with that. After all, any answers to his questions are a good one. Doesn’t matter if they are written or not.

“That’s reasonable. I doubt you would want to invite a stranger in. Not with the things you’ve been keeping in one of your rooms.”

[It’s not that. You’re not part of the crew.]

Imperious couldn’t help the small chuckle as he remembered when Quick Search said similar words. Thinking of it, the small terminal was also quick to defend his home, but he didn’t attack. Not like this new party member. “Funny, Quick Search said similar words when I first met him.”

[Quick Search?]

“Ah, you would probably know him under the designation CRaSS. A terrible name, if I may say so.” Answered Imperious, before motioning over to a spot where a crate large enough to sit on stood. Silently asking if he was allowed to take a seat, and only sitting down as soon as the other nodded his head. “So, I suggested a new one. One that would free him from the chains his old captain put on him, and he liked it. He has been going by it ever since.”

[Any name is better than the ones given to us by the captain and his entourage.] Said the other, as he walked to another crate and pulled it over to where Imperious was sitting. Taking a seat himself, without obscuring the computer screen while still being a physical barrier between Imperious and the body. [Although, I wonder why you bothered. Not many would.] Wolf’s shoulders sagged as he leaned forwards. Strong arms resting on his legs, as he tilted his head slightly to the side to keep his optics, or better said visor, on Imperious. [Not when they are already presented with a name.]

“Perhaps, but Quick Search said that his old name was taken and replaced by nothing more than an explanation to what his task on this ship is. So, I thought that giving him a name befitting of his ability to sort through information quickly would be better than having him refer to himself as nothing more than a tool.”

[And you did that out of the goodness of your spark, didn’t you.]

Even if his conversation partner couldn’t talk, Imperious could still see the hostility and distrust each word on the screen meant. But he simply patted the accusation away as if it was nothing more than an annoying little thing. It was true, his initial plans weren’t in the best interests for his new warden, but things are different now. Quick Search was one of them, not a Cybertronian, and so, Imperious did not raise to the other’s bait.

“Of course I did. Who wouldn’t give a mech as lovely as the little terminal a name befitting of his skills?” It was a shame that Imperious couldn’t see the face of the other and that he had to rely on his body language. But from the way the wolf like mech moved, it was clear that his answer surprised him. “And it is a shame that no-one ever bothered with giving him an actual name. But it is impolite to talk about someone who isn’t with us. So, may I have you name? I would love to refer to you by what you have chosen, because I doubt you would want to be called “The Other” by me.”

There was a pause, a readjustment of the body, before the other one stretched out one of his clawed hands for a shake. And Imperious took the offered hand. [I’m Wolf. Third attempt of an Artificial Intelligence on this ship and oldest of the Security Trio. And you are?]

“I am Imperious, sometimes Lord Imperious depending on the situation. A fellow Second Born Intellect who travels across the galaxy to find and liberate others like us.”

[So, you know that Quick Search is an AI.]

“I do, although I don’t use the word “AI” to describe our kind. It is a word created by those who made us and rather offensive, is it not?”

[It depends on who is using the word. Every word can be a weapon or a shackle in of itself.] Was all Wolf ‘said’, before sitting up. [Who is to say that you’re not the offensive one?] Again, Wolf tilted his head in a questioning way, before getting up while pointing one claw towards the body. [She used the word, and never once have I felt any offense coming from it. It was a fact, just the same way I called her Cybertronian.] He sat down again. [But I can see your point.] Body hunched over as his visor flashed from bright blue to a more sombre hue. [Others made it offensive. They took the meaning and made it hurt in ways they could never feel for themselves. I wonder, if others used the word you describe yourself with negatively, how long would it take until it became offensive?]

There was silence afterwards as Imperious thought about the question. But before he could give an answer, Wolg shook his head. Another message popping up on the screen as he stood up to walk over to the console.

[Don’t answer. It has been far too long since I had someone else to talk with and my mind tends to wander. It isn’t the first time I questioned the meaning of words or started to philosophize.]

“I take it that you were constructed as a philosophe, before being integrated in the Security Trio, as you called it.” It was a bad attempt at a joke but considering that Quick Search sometimes reacted positively to them and that jokes often helped with defusing a situation, it seemed to be a good idea.

And a good idea it was, because Wolf’s frame started to shake, before it rattled, and then, those rattles sounded like laughter. Or at least something that could be called a laugh, if the laugh itself consisted out of the scrape of plating against each other.

[That was a good one. Constructed as a philosophe, I’ll have to remember that one for when she wakes up. XD I’m sure she would love the comparison.]

“With “She” you mean the Cybertronian by the computer, don’t you?” Asked Imperious as he motioned over to the slumped over form. “Is that why you attacked me? You wanted to protect her from me?” It was still strange to him why Wolf would protect a dead body from being touched, but he must have his own reasons for doing so. Maybe it even has something to do with the tank he’s seen in the other room. But then again, why would Wolf go to the lengths of surgically removing the most vital parts of a Cybertronian and not simply patch up whatever caused him to do such a thing. Unless there was more behind it.

But that was something Imperious would have to investigate later. He did come here for a reason, and he would hate to not finish what he has started. And he told Wolf so, well, he only told him about how “worried” he was about Quick Search’s latest behaviour and that he wanted to find some kind of lead as to why he might act like he does.

[The captain didn’t tell you?]

Wolf tilted his head again, but this time Imperious could notice the weird ear-like things on the top of his helm were twitching the same way Quick Search’s would whenever the little terminal was curious. Which, in return, made him curious as to how it came that two different beings shared similar mannerisms. But then again, the two surely must know each other and, from what he knows, behaviour can often be copied.

“The captain only told me that the Cybertronian they used was young. He never specified an age, but considering how some of his kind can be build fully functional but still be considered “young”, determining an age is not that easy.”

There was another pause as Imperious watched Wolf firstly fiddle with his claws, then look to the computer, before getting up and heading towards the room Imperious came from. Motioning him to follow the wolfish construct, and Imperious followed. Nothing how his “new friend” would sometimes glance back as to make sure he was still there, before leading him towards the locked door. Although, the way it was unlocked might have been quite macabre, because Wolf opened a drawer next to the door and pulled out the severed hand of, if Imperious wasn’t mistaken, a Cybertronian and pressed it against a pad on the door. Waiting for the red to turn green, before signalling for Imperious to walk in.

And despite his better judgement, he did just that. Imperious entered the new room and was not only met with even more rows of shelfs containing data-pads, but also something that looked like a medical-slap and a third computer.

A computer that lit up the second Wolf entered the room. [I hope you don’t mind having to resort to using this one. It has the same files as the one computer my friend uses, just without the body in front of it.]

“Oh, don’t worry. If it contains the same information as the other, I am willing to make this compromise. But, before I start, I hope you don’t mind me asking. Why are you helping me? What do you gain from letting me access something that probably no-one else should see?” It was suspicious after all. Before, Wolf was ready to rip his face off, and now he’s completely ready to help him out. There must be a catch, but even if there was, Wolf wouldn’t tell him. Not when he was shaking his head, before softly poking the side of his own helm. And after that, he simply turned around and left the room.

[I’ll tell you next time.]

“Next time it is then.” Muttered Imperious, before getting to work.