[Fic] Handle With Care (This End Up) - 02
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0 0 Part Two 0 0
Shockwave sat patiently before his console. He’d assumed the status-update meeting with the Earth forces would last around a couple of breems. It was now well into its second cycle.
This was not the first time it had happened. On multiple occasions, Lord Megatron had needed to deal with things that popped up while the meetings were in progress. Generally small things, like urgent reports arriving or the odd fit of Starscreamian pique. As he had during those previous occasions, Shockwave simply waited. One did not walk off to find other work to do while one’s commander dealt with interruptions. It would be inexcusably rude, and such a dismissive gesture directed toward a superior officer could get a rude Decepticon executed.
Besides, it gave Cybertron’s Guardian a window of opportunity to observe the political and military situation surrounding his commander. Being on Cybertron gave him an edge up on any power struggles in the Earth ranks, but at the same time, being on Cybertron put Shockwave out of sight and often out of mind. He could never pass up any opportunity to gather information or further secure his own position with Lord Megatron. So he patiently waited, and he listened closely.
This time, it seemed Onslaught had just arrived from somewhere, apparently summoned to Lord Megatron’s presence immediately upon arrival in order to be reduced to a melted pile of shamed armor plating by the Decepticon Supreme Commander. Lord Megatron took his time peeling thin metal strips off the Combaticon’s skidplate using his vocalizer alone. Shockwave watched and took idle notes on technique and particularly flinch-worthy phrasing.
“ -- completely useless to me if he can’t keep his fragging rotor blades off the rest of the troops. And you are just as pathetic if you cannot keep your scrap-waste team under control, Onslaught. How many slagging times has Vortex wound up that underclocked glitch -- ”
‘Ah, Vortex,’ Shockwave thought. This was most certainly not new, then. Onslaught’s gestalt had been troublesome to his leader since day one, and Shockwave could generally do next to nothing to aid him. He had pondered questioning the usefulness of the Combaticons, but logic dictated that their confrontational, belligerent separate personalities were more than made up for by Bruticus’ presence on the battlefield. That was more important to the war effort than however bothersome the combiner team seemed to be the rest of the time.
Yet as he waited for the Combaticon leader to be dismissed, Shockwave realized that he might actually be of some help in this particular instance. It would relieve Megatron of the burden of continually disciplining the unrepentant fraggers, and perhaps lead to the Supreme Commander bestowing some favor upon him. An opportunity to curry favor was not to be passed up.
Besides, Shockwave viewed the Combaticon leader’s lack of loyalty to the Decepticon Cause as basically offensive. Attempting to overthrow Lord Megatron? Fine. That was acceptable behavior for a subordinate in the Decepticon army. Starscream did that every other day, it seemed. However, the loyalty programming he had aided the screechy Second to install in the Combaticons ensured that they wouldn’t betray the Decepticon Cause by betraying Lord Megatron anymore. They had explained to the combiner team at great length -- admittedly, in order to grind in how deep the programming went -- that the team would now serve the Cause in the Supreme Commander’s name.
Direct violence tripped motor control errors; actively trying to attack Lord Megatron caused the Combaticons’ weaponry to deactivate, their limbs to go numb, and eventually triggered random tensile cable seizures if the stupid fools insisted on trying to continue. Seditious thoughts, on the other hand, caused a complete system reset. Violence was only to be expected, after all, but it was the resentment and outright disagreement that Lord Megatron wished to burn out at the root. It was simple to restrain physical violence in the ranks, but bringing mecha back to the Cause required much more...coercion.
He’d thought that the logic had been clear, but Shockwave had seen the program logs. The Constructicons tracked how often it was triggered. This wasn’t bringing mecha back to the Cause. This was dragging mecha with no belief to begin with kicking and screaming into the ranks. The Combaticons had absolutely no connection to the Cause other than that loyalty program. If they held any belief in it, they would hold at least some respect for its founder and leader. From the frequency the program had been activated, that wasn’t true.
The violence-prevention protocols were rarely activated at all, but the thought censorship meant to direct the team back into the Cause continued to run above acceptable numbers. The activation frequency had tapered off as time passed, of course, but that was learned behavior as the Combaticons figured out how to dodge and block the program. That was the reason programmed loyalty didn’t last. On a long enough timeline, if the programmed mecha didn’t internalize the learned behaviors, it was possible to eventually work around enforced loyalty.
From observing their misbehavior, Shockwave could only conclude that the Combaticons were finding work-arounds instead of learning true loyalty. He held them in contempt because that led him to think that, even now, they weren’t Decepticons. They were mercenaries. Chained to the faction, but not invested in it. They were as distasteful as the Neutrals. A civil war that had drained Cybertron and stretched on for nine million years, but they refused to choose a side? At least the Autobots had the strength of conviction to take a stand!
Unfortunately for the Combaticons’ stubborn refusal to be tamed into Decepticon soldiers, Starscream agreed with Shockwave’s analysis of the program logs. The Decepticon Second was a petty, vindictive slagger. Where Shockwave gathered data and used logic to back his dislike of the combiner team, Starscream passionately hated them for continuing to exist. He’d agreed to tune-up the loyalty program in a dozen years or so, just to spite them.
On a personal level, Shockwave acknowledged that he might, just possibly, still hold an unreasonable grudge against the combiner team for temporarily defeating and exiling him from Cybertron. And, once upon a failed coup, Onslaught had attempted to take over a city from him. Shockwave had thrown the strategist and his entire unit into a detention center for millions of years as recompense, but that still rankled.
So offering Lord Megatron a solution would not only win favor with the Supreme Commander, it’d also serve as a nice bit of revenge for Shockwave. If the advice was accepted, it would rub Onslaught’s face in how low he’d fallen that the Combaticon leader was judged incapable of disciplining his own team. The humiliation might even facilitate better conduct from the whole combiner team. Their behavior certainly couldn’t get much worse.
With that thought in mind, Shockwave interrupted the tirade. “Lord Megatron, I apologize in advance for my interruption, but I might have a solution. If I may?”
Megatron cut himself off in the middle of roughly shaking his subcommander. Onslaught’s cannons made such convenient handles. And while the insides had sensors meant to withstand powerful blasts, the outer casings had no such protection.
The Combaticon was actively trying not to provoke more anger at this point. His attempts to speak reasonably with his Lord had halted the moment Megatron grabbed the barrel, hand threatening to crush it in his grip. Defending his team was not worth the result. Crushed cannon barrels were…painful. Staying silent or making placating noises was far preferable.
“Shockwave, you’d better have something useful to say,” the Supreme Commander growled. Onslaught just hung from his hand and waited for the shaking to resume.
“Yes, Lord Megatron,” Shockwave said respectfully. “I have recently been made aware of a Decepticon officer who has returned from deployment off-world. He has applied for placement in our newest campaign, and his record is quite exemplary in comparison to some.” He did not look at Onslaught, no matter how loud the implication was. The Combaticon’s visor twitched, and he turned his head slowly to glare through the screen at Shockwave. “You might find his specialized expertise useful for the issue at hand.” Hint hint, the mecha hanging from said hand.
Hint taken. Megatron looked suddenly thoughtful, and oh, Onslaught didn’t like that one bit. The Combaticon leader looked warily at their leader. Angered reprimands were good in comparison to when the Supreme Commander started thinking. His immediate rage caused bodily pain; his thought-tempered reactions caused worse for mind and body alike.
The Combaticons’ unique situation and reprogramming were an abject demonstration of that fact.
“He has also shown a...commendable dedication to duty,” Shockwave finished smoothly, if not a little smugly. “I had wished to acknowledge that dedication before commissioning him again. Receiving a disciplinary assignment may be considered a reward, of sorts. He seems to enjoy dealing with stubborn individuals. As his record shows, he has a history of taking command of troublesome troops, who then give subsequent officers far less trouble than prior to their stint under his command.”
The warlord kept his thoughtful glare as he accepted the data packet Shockwave hastily put together describing the aforementioned officer’s specs. The one-optic mech made sure to include descriptions of what aspects of his duty this officer had been so proficient at.
“While I do not doubt temporary removal of Bruticus from Earth will hamper progress,” of course his tone held no doubt, why would he doubt, surely Onslaught believed every sincerity-oozing word Shockwave said, “the advantage gained from increased performance and cooperation will prove more beneficial in the long term. Not to mention that rewarding an outstanding officer will serve as an example for the ranks.” For more than the officers, in fact. Rewards and punishments could be handed down from above in equal measure, which was a reminder the more rebellious soldiers needed. Shockwave’s recommended action could be see either way: rewarding an officer, or punishing a soldier.
Megatron took some time to consider the files, slowly releasing the cannon half-crumpled in his grip as he thought. Onslaught straightened cautiously to stand at attention at his shoulder, not stupid enough to dare leave without permission. The Combaticon leader flexed his armament a few times, testing the damage, and eyed the screen with scant favor. Shockwave looked blankly back. He knew Onslaught wasn’t buying the innocent act, but what could the Combaticon do right now? Protest that it was his right to discipline Vortex when he’d manifestly failed to do so?
Onslaught could respect the strategy behind the powerplay, even if he was on the losing side. Even with the mask in place, Shockwave could read a grudging respect off his expression. Both subcommanders knew just who’d won today. It was only a question of how Megatron acknowledged the victor.
Shockwave couldn’t see Megatron’s expression as his lord turned around, but the Combaticon now facing him certainly could. Apprehension lit the mecha’s visor bright red, and Shockwave couldn’t help but lean forward just a bit in anticipation.
“Commendable indeed,” Megatron said with a dry laugh.
Rewards and outstanding officers; rebellious grunts and their well-deserved punishments.
Onslaught’s sudden flinch was such a sweet reward.
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0 0 The Booty (Bibliotecaria_D speaks) 0 0
DEAR HOLY PRIMUS IT’S SO NICE TO ONLY HAVE TO EDIT. And kick the author into writing, but mostly just editing. [/leaves responsibility to Shibara]
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>> 0 0 Part Three 0 0
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0 0 Part Two 0 0
Shockwave sat patiently before his console. He’d assumed the status-update meeting with the Earth forces would last around a couple of breems. It was now well into its second cycle.
This was not the first time it had happened. On multiple occasions, Lord Megatron had needed to deal with things that popped up while the meetings were in progress. Generally small things, like urgent reports arriving or the odd fit of Starscreamian pique. As he had during those previous occasions, Shockwave simply waited. One did not walk off to find other work to do while one’s commander dealt with interruptions. It would be inexcusably rude, and such a dismissive gesture directed toward a superior officer could get a rude Decepticon executed.
Besides, it gave Cybertron’s Guardian a window of opportunity to observe the political and military situation surrounding his commander. Being on Cybertron gave him an edge up on any power struggles in the Earth ranks, but at the same time, being on Cybertron put Shockwave out of sight and often out of mind. He could never pass up any opportunity to gather information or further secure his own position with Lord Megatron. So he patiently waited, and he listened closely.
This time, it seemed Onslaught had just arrived from somewhere, apparently summoned to Lord Megatron’s presence immediately upon arrival in order to be reduced to a melted pile of shamed armor plating by the Decepticon Supreme Commander. Lord Megatron took his time peeling thin metal strips off the Combaticon’s skidplate using his vocalizer alone. Shockwave watched and took idle notes on technique and particularly flinch-worthy phrasing.
“ -- completely useless to me if he can’t keep his fragging rotor blades off the rest of the troops. And you are just as pathetic if you cannot keep your scrap-waste team under control, Onslaught. How many slagging times has Vortex wound up that underclocked glitch -- ”
‘Ah, Vortex,’ Shockwave thought. This was most certainly not new, then. Onslaught’s gestalt had been troublesome to his leader since day one, and Shockwave could generally do next to nothing to aid him. He had pondered questioning the usefulness of the Combaticons, but logic dictated that their confrontational, belligerent separate personalities were more than made up for by Bruticus’ presence on the battlefield. That was more important to the war effort than however bothersome the combiner team seemed to be the rest of the time.
Yet as he waited for the Combaticon leader to be dismissed, Shockwave realized that he might actually be of some help in this particular instance. It would relieve Megatron of the burden of continually disciplining the unrepentant fraggers, and perhaps lead to the Supreme Commander bestowing some favor upon him. An opportunity to curry favor was not to be passed up.
Besides, Shockwave viewed the Combaticon leader’s lack of loyalty to the Decepticon Cause as basically offensive. Attempting to overthrow Lord Megatron? Fine. That was acceptable behavior for a subordinate in the Decepticon army. Starscream did that every other day, it seemed. However, the loyalty programming he had aided the screechy Second to install in the Combaticons ensured that they wouldn’t betray the Decepticon Cause by betraying Lord Megatron anymore. They had explained to the combiner team at great length -- admittedly, in order to grind in how deep the programming went -- that the team would now serve the Cause in the Supreme Commander’s name.
Direct violence tripped motor control errors; actively trying to attack Lord Megatron caused the Combaticons’ weaponry to deactivate, their limbs to go numb, and eventually triggered random tensile cable seizures if the stupid fools insisted on trying to continue. Seditious thoughts, on the other hand, caused a complete system reset. Violence was only to be expected, after all, but it was the resentment and outright disagreement that Lord Megatron wished to burn out at the root. It was simple to restrain physical violence in the ranks, but bringing mecha back to the Cause required much more...coercion.
He’d thought that the logic had been clear, but Shockwave had seen the program logs. The Constructicons tracked how often it was triggered. This wasn’t bringing mecha back to the Cause. This was dragging mecha with no belief to begin with kicking and screaming into the ranks. The Combaticons had absolutely no connection to the Cause other than that loyalty program. If they held any belief in it, they would hold at least some respect for its founder and leader. From the frequency the program had been activated, that wasn’t true.
The violence-prevention protocols were rarely activated at all, but the thought censorship meant to direct the team back into the Cause continued to run above acceptable numbers. The activation frequency had tapered off as time passed, of course, but that was learned behavior as the Combaticons figured out how to dodge and block the program. That was the reason programmed loyalty didn’t last. On a long enough timeline, if the programmed mecha didn’t internalize the learned behaviors, it was possible to eventually work around enforced loyalty.
From observing their misbehavior, Shockwave could only conclude that the Combaticons were finding work-arounds instead of learning true loyalty. He held them in contempt because that led him to think that, even now, they weren’t Decepticons. They were mercenaries. Chained to the faction, but not invested in it. They were as distasteful as the Neutrals. A civil war that had drained Cybertron and stretched on for nine million years, but they refused to choose a side? At least the Autobots had the strength of conviction to take a stand!
Unfortunately for the Combaticons’ stubborn refusal to be tamed into Decepticon soldiers, Starscream agreed with Shockwave’s analysis of the program logs. The Decepticon Second was a petty, vindictive slagger. Where Shockwave gathered data and used logic to back his dislike of the combiner team, Starscream passionately hated them for continuing to exist. He’d agreed to tune-up the loyalty program in a dozen years or so, just to spite them.
On a personal level, Shockwave acknowledged that he might, just possibly, still hold an unreasonable grudge against the combiner team for temporarily defeating and exiling him from Cybertron. And, once upon a failed coup, Onslaught had attempted to take over a city from him. Shockwave had thrown the strategist and his entire unit into a detention center for millions of years as recompense, but that still rankled.
So offering Lord Megatron a solution would not only win favor with the Supreme Commander, it’d also serve as a nice bit of revenge for Shockwave. If the advice was accepted, it would rub Onslaught’s face in how low he’d fallen that the Combaticon leader was judged incapable of disciplining his own team. The humiliation might even facilitate better conduct from the whole combiner team. Their behavior certainly couldn’t get much worse.
With that thought in mind, Shockwave interrupted the tirade. “Lord Megatron, I apologize in advance for my interruption, but I might have a solution. If I may?”
Megatron cut himself off in the middle of roughly shaking his subcommander. Onslaught’s cannons made such convenient handles. And while the insides had sensors meant to withstand powerful blasts, the outer casings had no such protection.
The Combaticon was actively trying not to provoke more anger at this point. His attempts to speak reasonably with his Lord had halted the moment Megatron grabbed the barrel, hand threatening to crush it in his grip. Defending his team was not worth the result. Crushed cannon barrels were…painful. Staying silent or making placating noises was far preferable.
“Shockwave, you’d better have something useful to say,” the Supreme Commander growled. Onslaught just hung from his hand and waited for the shaking to resume.
“Yes, Lord Megatron,” Shockwave said respectfully. “I have recently been made aware of a Decepticon officer who has returned from deployment off-world. He has applied for placement in our newest campaign, and his record is quite exemplary in comparison to some.” He did not look at Onslaught, no matter how loud the implication was. The Combaticon’s visor twitched, and he turned his head slowly to glare through the screen at Shockwave. “You might find his specialized expertise useful for the issue at hand.” Hint hint, the mecha hanging from said hand.
Hint taken. Megatron looked suddenly thoughtful, and oh, Onslaught didn’t like that one bit. The Combaticon leader looked warily at their leader. Angered reprimands were good in comparison to when the Supreme Commander started thinking. His immediate rage caused bodily pain; his thought-tempered reactions caused worse for mind and body alike.
The Combaticons’ unique situation and reprogramming were an abject demonstration of that fact.
“He has also shown a...commendable dedication to duty,” Shockwave finished smoothly, if not a little smugly. “I had wished to acknowledge that dedication before commissioning him again. Receiving a disciplinary assignment may be considered a reward, of sorts. He seems to enjoy dealing with stubborn individuals. As his record shows, he has a history of taking command of troublesome troops, who then give subsequent officers far less trouble than prior to their stint under his command.”
The warlord kept his thoughtful glare as he accepted the data packet Shockwave hastily put together describing the aforementioned officer’s specs. The one-optic mech made sure to include descriptions of what aspects of his duty this officer had been so proficient at.
“While I do not doubt temporary removal of Bruticus from Earth will hamper progress,” of course his tone held no doubt, why would he doubt, surely Onslaught believed every sincerity-oozing word Shockwave said, “the advantage gained from increased performance and cooperation will prove more beneficial in the long term. Not to mention that rewarding an outstanding officer will serve as an example for the ranks.” For more than the officers, in fact. Rewards and punishments could be handed down from above in equal measure, which was a reminder the more rebellious soldiers needed. Shockwave’s recommended action could be see either way: rewarding an officer, or punishing a soldier.
Megatron took some time to consider the files, slowly releasing the cannon half-crumpled in his grip as he thought. Onslaught straightened cautiously to stand at attention at his shoulder, not stupid enough to dare leave without permission. The Combaticon leader flexed his armament a few times, testing the damage, and eyed the screen with scant favor. Shockwave looked blankly back. He knew Onslaught wasn’t buying the innocent act, but what could the Combaticon do right now? Protest that it was his right to discipline Vortex when he’d manifestly failed to do so?
Onslaught could respect the strategy behind the powerplay, even if he was on the losing side. Even with the mask in place, Shockwave could read a grudging respect off his expression. Both subcommanders knew just who’d won today. It was only a question of how Megatron acknowledged the victor.
Shockwave couldn’t see Megatron’s expression as his lord turned around, but the Combaticon now facing him certainly could. Apprehension lit the mecha’s visor bright red, and Shockwave couldn’t help but lean forward just a bit in anticipation.
“Commendable indeed,” Megatron said with a dry laugh.
Rewards and outstanding officers; rebellious grunts and their well-deserved punishments.
Onslaught’s sudden flinch was such a sweet reward.
.
.
.
.
.
0 0 The Booty (Bibliotecaria_D speaks) 0 0
DEAR HOLY PRIMUS IT’S SO NICE TO ONLY HAVE TO EDIT. And kick the author into writing, but mostly just editing. [/leaves responsibility to Shibara]
.
.
.
>> 0 0 Part Three 0 0