Unaware on Cybertron... Iacon Medical Bay.
Back home, oblivious to these events in the bar, or those, the new incept was being examined.
Again.
"He's perfectly normal," Rad protested as the young mech had his gyrometers examined. "Why do you insist upon these unnecessary tests?"
"Rodimus' orders, you know that. He wants to make absolutely sure our new friend here is in working order."
First Aid turned to look at Rad. And also, to look down. First Aid was taller.
"I know and you know he's just fine, but Rodimus doesn't want a monster on his hands."
"He won't be. Not once we've taught him the Code of Primus anyways."
First Aid set down what appeared to be a square sheet of light, marked here and there with Cybertronian symbols indicating this verdict or that.
"One thing you have to understand here is that we're dealing with a whole lot of untested, Rad, and that means being extra careful. It's the same with anything new, technology-wise. But until now, we've never used alien technology-"
"They're not aliens First Aid. They're Autobots too."
"Let me finish, Rad. We've never used alien technology before. At least, to produce life. And despite your research indicating with as absolute certainty as one can possibly get that the Allspark is indeed identical to the Matrix, that only applies to what you learned. Remember: in theory, everything works. Reality brings with it all sorts of variables that need to be accounted for."
"So we're just going to prod his servos until Rodimus is either satisfied or until our new friend gets tired and decides to go all plasma on us?"
"It won't come to that. The tests are pretty much complete; it's just the little details we need to work on, and then he'll be outfitted with a suitable alt mode and allowed to join the rest of the Autobots."
First Aid turned to the incept-in-question.
"I have to say this though: he's rather unusual in appearance-even for someone who's still largely a protoform."
With the light square back in front of First Aid, the tests resumed.
-Rad couldn't help but think he saw pain on the incept's face, even though his fellow Autobot was clearly in suspension-and unconscious-
Again.
"He's perfectly normal," Rad protested as the young mech had his gyrometers examined. "Why do you insist upon these unnecessary tests?"
"Rodimus' orders, you know that. He wants to make absolutely sure our new friend here is in working order."
First Aid turned to look at Rad. And also, to look down. First Aid was taller.
"I know and you know he's just fine, but Rodimus doesn't want a monster on his hands."
"He won't be. Not once we've taught him the Code of Primus anyways."
First Aid set down what appeared to be a square sheet of light, marked here and there with Cybertronian symbols indicating this verdict or that.
"One thing you have to understand here is that we're dealing with a whole lot of untested, Rad, and that means being extra careful. It's the same with anything new, technology-wise. But until now, we've never used alien technology-"
"They're not aliens First Aid. They're Autobots too."
"Let me finish, Rad. We've never used alien technology before. At least, to produce life. And despite your research indicating with as absolute certainty as one can possibly get that the Allspark is indeed identical to the Matrix, that only applies to what you learned. Remember: in theory, everything works. Reality brings with it all sorts of variables that need to be accounted for."
"So we're just going to prod his servos until Rodimus is either satisfied or until our new friend gets tired and decides to go all plasma on us?"
"It won't come to that. The tests are pretty much complete; it's just the little details we need to work on, and then he'll be outfitted with a suitable alt mode and allowed to join the rest of the Autobots."
First Aid turned to the incept-in-question.
"I have to say this though: he's rather unusual in appearance-even for someone who's still largely a protoform."
With the light square back in front of First Aid, the tests resumed.
-Rad couldn't help but think he saw pain on the incept's face, even though his fellow Autobot was clearly in suspension-and unconscious-