Coherent. Chapter Two
5 rewrites and 18 pages later...
This chapter wasn't meant to be this long. It was supposed to deal with Prowl's weirdness and then move on. Instead it dragged it's heels rather impressively and insisted on lots and lots of exposition. Hopefully this means the next chapter will be easy to write and I can start playing with canon characters. Not that I'm not. Some of them just aren't going by their canon names.
Title: A Spark, Remembrance
Story Arc: A Spark, Coherent
Chapter Two
Characters: Prowl, a bunch of OCs for plot related purposes
Disclaimer: Not mine
Warnings: vague mentions of torture, spark merging (for reasons I consider pure medical and with no sexual implications)
Summary: In the darkness of Shockwave's lair, one Autobot unravels the truth of the war as he is forced to recall all incarnations of his existance
There is pain, Shockwave is displeased by his duplicity and has hacked his pain receptors, setting them ablaze. But he cannot set aside from the course he has set them upon; they will see this journey through to the end.
Prowl was fascinating for a recently sparked mech. Fuse-Link kept the XD995 in sight as they walked through the streets of Iacon, heading over to his new lab at the academy. Out in the crowds, with EM fields clashing with wild abandon and wireless networks singing through the airwaves, the mech should have been soaking it all up. Instead, his EM fields were drawn close and Fuse-Link couldn’t get a location ping off him, indicating he’d shut down his wireless receivers.
nbsp;Knowledge was vital to development for newly sparked Cybertronians and it was illogical that Prowl was removing himself from the flow. Fuse-Link’s own network of scientists murmured to him through the numerous spark links he had built with them. They all hummed with curiosity, minds firing a billion different hypothesises and solutions as they tinkered in laboratories across Cybertron. Fuse-Link tuned them and their projects (all so fascinating, though!) out as he focused on his own subject.
Prowl’s behaviour fit with the information the medic beside him had given him. A highly developed personality matrix in too short a time period, unwilling to let others access to his systems, not even his batch. Paranoia? It wasn’t uncommon with coherent sparks, but not to the degree his subject was displaying. A mech excluding himself from his batch was near unheard of.
Removing Solder’s unique access code? That went beyond any spark given talent. It required a fundamental understanding of Cybertronian programming at its most basic level. Solder had told him of Zeta’s assessment, that Prowl’s spark was old, the glyph Zeta had used was specific to the forerunners of their race that had been enslaved by the Quintessons. It was a fascinating puzzle, looking at the pieces he had and the curiosity to know who exactly he had in front of him was overwhelming.
And entirely unfair to Prowl. A spark that had been to the Allspark came back a new individual, regardless of whether its spark frequencies had been wiped clean or some remained pre-set. But curiosity was linked directly to his core function, it was impossible to repress.
He watched with interest as tension slowly built in Prowl’s EM field as the crowds thickened. What was the cause, the lack of space, the number of open fields and grids pressing against him? Cybertronians were a deeply social race; some form of communication was almost always open at some level, allowing whatever knowledge a mech was comfortable with being public to be shared at instantaneous rates between complete strangers
Interesting. Very interesting. If the mech wasn’t so skittish, Fuse-Link wouldn’t hesitate to invite him into a grid uplink, simply to watch the way Prowl’s processors worked. Belatedly, he recalled the advice one of the mentors had insisted on giving before they left for his lab, as though Fuse-Link had never mentored a new spark before.
“Don’t share with him,” Immobilizer had stared down at him. “Do not offer to share in any form of way with him. I mean it. He will not react well.”
Fuse-Link had inwardly scoffed. How else was he supposed to work out what was going on with the mech? And if the medic had managed to coax a personality scan out of him, then it wasn’t not out of the realm of possibility.
-How much experience have you had with coherent sparks?- Fuse-Link asked, opening a secure comm line to the medic beside him.
-I have the basic files about them but I’ve never personally handled a case. The last recorded case occurred during my predecessor’s time,- Solder tilted his helm curiously towards the scientist. -I believe you handled the spark assessment then.-
-I did,- Fuse-Link confirmed, -I’ve been studying sparks and the Allspark for most of my functioning. It truly is fascinating, the unique properties of the Allspark resonate perfectly with spark energy and yet no one knows how Solus managed to forge it. With his Matrix lost and budding and splitting protocols no longer being uploaded into new mechs, it seems prudent to discern how the Allspark was created.-
-And you think studying coherent sparks will help you with this endeavour?- the medic gave Fuse-Link an unreadable look.
-They are vital clues to figuring out what exactly happens to a spark when it returns the Allspark. And from the preliminary data you have given me, Prowl appears to be an unprecedented case. His personality matrix is too developed, even for a coherent mech.-
Solder stumbled in confusion and Fuse-Link and Prowl drew to a halt, the scientist kept an optic on the XD995 who almost looked…sullen. Too developed, Fuse-Link thought to himself, emotion programming, personality, he is far, far too new to be this advanced.
“Are you alright, medic Solder?” Prowl asked, the faintest traces of concern colouring his tone.
“I’m fine,” Solder said hastily, resuming their previous pace, “I just received a piece of news I wasn’t expecting.”
Prowl levelled a solid stare at the medic but if he didn’t believe Solder, he gave no trace of it. Instead he returned to his silent position by the medic’s side.
-I thought that was normal,- Solder pinged to Fuse-Link privately, -I mean, they retain spark code from their previous existence so it makes sense that they would develop faster. The files say that should happen, although they never mentioned outpacing the batch entirely. I assumed that was merely an oversight in the databanks.-
-There have been no records of that happening,- Fuse-Link replied. -Yes, coherent sparks do develop faster, but not at this rate. Your scans and my own observations indicate that his personality matrix has developed enough to give him a defined sense of self and the beginnings of emotion programming. The closest match I have on record at the same age would just be starting to identify itself as an individual.-
Solder shot a worried look to the mech by his side. -What does that mean for Prowl?-
The scientist brightened immediately. -Well, that’s what I’m here to find out! The implications for my research are immense. It isn’t unheard of for coherent mechs to recall memories of their previous existence, though often they are severely fragmented. Given the difference in Prowl’s case already, I’m hoping that he may retain a substantial amount of pre-set spark frequencies. Once we get to my lab, I’ll actually be able to determine that amount; I have the equipment for it after--
-Do you really want that?- Solder cut in, and something in his voice was cold.
Fuse-Link paused, reaching out his network of scientists for counsel. He always said something wrong when conversing with mechs from different functions and had learnt that his fellows were often able to point out his mistake.
-I’m afraid I don’t understand,- he said cautiously.
-A spark that has come from the Allspark but still retains traces of its previous existence is to be treated as a new spark, - the medic reminded him, -No matter who Prowl’s spark belonged to previously, he is a different person, a new person. You are not to pressure him to recall any supposed memories he might have.-
The confusion cleared from Fuse-Link as he received several mental admonishments over his lack of empathy. -Oh no, that is certainly not allowed,- the scientist assured him. -I would not do that, not to a newly sparked mech. If he was fully developed, assured of his identity and curious about his previous existence, I might be tempted to ask him then. But not now, he is far too new.-
The fragmented memories that had been shared with him by some of his subjects often were horrifying, flashes of pain and terror. The common understanding was that it was mainly the strongest memories that were retained, moments that left deep impressions on a spark. And given the turbulence of the beginnings of Cybertronian civilisation, it was not surprising that many only remembered the dark parts of those lives. No, as interesting as Prowl’s memories could possibly be, he had no intention of bringing them up so early in the mech’s life.
“Solder,” Prowl said abruptly, diverting the other mechs’ attention back to him, “How long will this take?”
“How long will what take?”
“How long will I stay with Fuse-Link?” he clarified, “I understand that his study is important but what do I do in the meantime?”
Interesting, Fuse-Link reflected, that Prowl would not speak to him directly or give him any form of acknowledgement. “Whatever you want,” he chimed in with a dismissive shrug, “My subjects normally return to their batch and mentors while I analyse my results. Learn more about themselves and Cybertron,” Fuse-Link gave Prowl a considering look. The mech was just so strange, none of the other coherent sparks had been bothered by inactivity; they had been adjusting and learning all that they could.
A grimace flitted across Prowl’s face before he could suppress it. “What if I wanted to take up a function?”
Solder and Fuse-Link briefly faltered. That was unexpected. “Too young,” Solder answered when he recovered, “Minimum age is 5 vorns before a mech can even take up training for a function.”
“No exceptions?”
“No,” the medic answered firmly. “That time is necessary, a mech must be sure of himself and what he wants before he decides to commit to a function. Upgrading a frame to suit the function is a lengthy process, after the frame has been reformatting; you must adjust to new core code protocols. Those can take several vorns to settle properly and integrate into you. Choosing a wrong function means being stuck in a form entirely inappropriate for whatever function might suit you better and of course, downgrading takes even longer. That’s a long time to be spending doing something you don’t like.”
“So I am to remain in my company of my batch?” Prowl scowled briefly.
“Only when Fuse-Link cannot supervise you directly but I’ll unlock your access to the infonet,” Solder assured the other mech, “You can download as many algorithms and other complex puzzles as you won’t be bored.”
Fuse-Link’s optics had widened at this piece of information. -He is capable of problem solving already?-
-Yes. He gets bored very easily.-
Fuse-Link was silent for a while and then in a rare moment of fore-sight and concern, added, -You don’t think he’s too young to have access to the infonet?-
A flicker of amusement escaped through Solder’s fields. -I trust you to supply him with a large amount of scientific studies to keep him entertained so he doesn’t have to return to his batch. The infonet should be a last stop measure for him, - Solder abruptly sobered. -You never answered my question though.-
Fuse-Link flicked through his own short term memory files in confusion. -I didn’t?-
-Do you really hope that he holds a high amount of pre-set spark frequencies?-
-Well, yes,- the scientist admitted, -If he could recall his stay in the Allspark, that would be certainly most astounding and informative. However, the probability of that occurring is very low, 0.000000078%. I would be happy with a complete memory file, those are rare and by studying the codes I hope to understand what causes the degeneracy that leads to their loss-
-If you were Prowl, would you want that though?- Solder cut in, -Being able to recall complete chunks of someone else’s life? How does a newly sparked mech even begin to distinguish where he starts and the fragments begin?-
Nightmarish visions spun through Fuse-Link processor and the scientist shuddered involuntarily. -It’s never been a problem before,- he answered unsteadily, -15% is the highest amount a spark spectrum has ever been pre-set. Those mechs developed relatively normal albeit at a faster pace than their batch. They were markedly paranoid though; very few ever moved beyond the bonds of their batch and sought connections with mechs elsewhere. The pre-set frequencies did shape the personality matrix to some extent but it was near superficial. Some aspects of their temperament would be inherited from their predecessor however other than that they were very much new individuals. I was able to quantify that by studying cases where the spark frequencies had been on record and I could contact former acquaintances and friends to confirm it.-
Solder was quiet for a long moment, keeping watch on Prowl in the corner of his optic. -And they are otherwise healthy?-
-They definitely show symptoms of spark trauma,- Fuse-Link admitted reluctantly. -I’ve come to recognise the signs well. The tests that I’ll be doing, I can show you the exact patterns in the spark spectrum that indicate trauma.-
Solder’s optics flickered a pale green as he accessed Iacon’s medical database. -Looks like there is some studying I’ll need to do,- he replied.
Convincing Prowl to concede to Fuse-Link’s tests had been no easy task. The mech was volatile, bored far too easily, was completely uninterested in spending time with his batch and he spent a lot of time haunting the academy lab restlessly. Unfortunately for the scientist, Solder had abandoned him very early on to return to his patients and to do some private research. Prowl remained aloof and distrustful to Fuse-Link and with the medic gone, had settled on plain refusing to allow Fuse-Link into his systems.
“I’ve received a message from Tech-Gear,” Fuse-Link announced, determined that this was the orn he would make some progress.
Prowl raised an optic from the corner he’d sequestered himself in, several educational datapads plugged into his forearm ports. “And?” he asked with complete disinterest.
“He has some experiments he needs to run today down in the quantum labs,” the scientist responded. “The ST144s from your batch will be here.”
Prowl’s optics narrowed at him. “And?”
Fuse-Link frowned at the antagonism directed towards himself. “You don’t want to see them?”
“No,” Prowl answered shortly. He returned his attention to the equations he had been working through.
Fuse-Link had been fascinated initially by Prowl’s distance towards his own batch but worry had quickly arisen as time passed and Prowl became increasingly isolated. Cybertronians simply didn’t exist by themselves, their neural and quantum connections with each other didn’t allow it and their own mental development depended on a continuous influx of information. That allowed them perspective; they then chose which codes and behaviours they would amplify and build upon.
Under normal circumstances, Prowl’s mental development should have been stunted. Instead, his personality matrix continued to develop at an advanced rate…or so Fuse-Link assumed, as he had not been able to coax a systems scan out of him.
“You know,” Fuse-Link started, not letting any frustration escape him, “It is entirely possible that you could upload a diagnostic report of your personality matrix to an unsparked terminal. There would be no processor to processor contact at all.”
Prowl’s optics locked onto the scientist and he tilted his helm in thought. “That is acceptable,” he allowed.
It wasn’t exactly progress. Even though Fuse-Link was not a medic, he was deeply uncomfortable with how isolated Prowl was determined to make himself. “I need to study your spark,” Fuse-Link said bluntly. He raised his hand before the mech could protest, “For your own sake. Your development is too advanced, even for a coherent spark and Solder is not entirely sure that is a good thing.”
Fuse-Link and Solder had discussed this issue at length. Whilst Fuse-Link was fascinated by the possibilities it could hold for his research, the medic had been extremely worried about whether they were witnessing a deep level spark imprint. It was possible to influence immature sparks with imprints, therefore ensuring the new spark took particular traits from a donor spark. However, given the Cybertronian creed that freedom was the right of all sentients, the amount of influence through an imprint was highly restricted, they only occurred in extreme medical cases where a defect in the frequencies of a spark needed correcting. A deep level imprint could result in a spark clone, preventing a new mech from ever reaching their full potential as their spark had been deliberately shaped.
Prowl’s case made a fascinating case-study. Fuse-Link held the suspicion that he had a substantially higher amount than 15% of his frequencies retained. Whether a spark had been completely reset through the Allspark or not, it was understood that a newly sparked mech was a new individual.
But, Fuse-Link wondered as he watched Prowl, what if a mech retained enough of his predecessor’s frequencies that he began to reconstruct a dead personality matrix? Would that negate the need to integrate with other mechs, as he already had the basis to develop a personality matrix? A mature personality matrix was the result of experiences shaping a mech’s core code. A spark carried those codes in its frequencies and constantly updated and rewrote them as the mech lived. Newly sparked mechs shared unrestrictedly with mentors and other mechs to gain those experiences second hand.
Solder had argued and said if what Fuse-Link suspected was true, then technically what was occurring within Prowl was illegal, the same as a spark cloning. Fuse-Link had pointed out that it was hard to persecute someone who was legally dead and it could also be technically looked at as an extreme matrix reboot. Those occurred when a personality matrix had been destabilized completely and the spark rewrote all its coding though imperfectly, causing a shift in the mech’s disposition. Unfortunately, all of this was conjecture until the scientist could convince Prowl to let him study his spark.
“No,” Prowl replied calmly. The XD995’s green optics blinked lazily at him as he worked through his assignment. “Solder may perform whatever tests you need from my spark when he gets back.”
Fuse-Link was pleased to hear he would finally be making some progress but was torn by his rising indignation. “May I inquire why you won’t let me do it myself?” he asked.
Prowl levelled an even gaze at him. “I don’t know you,” he said simply.
The scientist frowned at him. “But you aren’t even trying to know me,” he said.
It was true, much of Fuse-Link databanks were unfirewalled and a simple ping off him would give Prowl all sorts of information about Fuse-Link. It was basic courtesy to do that when mechs were introduced to each other and Prowl had decided to firmly ignore it.
Mentally, Fuse-Link added ‘rude’ to the record he was building around Prowl.
“I’m sorry,” the XD995 replied in a clipped tone, “But at the moment, I have no interest in knowing you either.”
Very rude, the scientist was quick to amend. Fuse-Link recalled the subject that had retained 15% of his spark frequencies, and decided he had not been this unapproachable.
“Is there a reason for that?” he inquired.
Prowl paused and disconnected all his datapads, giving Fuse-Link his full attention. “I…just know I should be cautious about other beings,” he replied. His optics dimmed in thought (he can already self-analyse his own behaviour, Fuse-Link noted with wonder and a slight chill of fear), “Cautious but I suppose I’m being overly so. It is just difficult…it is one thing to acknowledge that my core codes are zealous and another to act against them.”
This was familiar. Fuse-Link’s subject often would confess that they found trusting complete strangers difficult but they were several vorns of age when they were advanced enough to distrust other mechs. This was all too soon for Prowl and he had had extremely limited exposure, even within his own batch. The fear solidified within Fuse-Link and his fellow scientists inside his active network.
-Solder?- he pinged across the Iacon infonet, -I think you should head back here, there are some tests that I need to run and I think it’s best we do them as soon as possible.-
“Well,” Fuse-Link stared at the readout on the holographic terminal and fought to keep down rising alarm, “That’s very interesting. And unprecedented.”
“Unprecedented?” Prowl glanced up from the medical berth he was sitting on, he was currently appraising a datapad Immobilizer had brought in for him. The enforcer had been in Solder’s near vicinity when Fuse-Link’s message had come in and had accompanied him to the academy as he would be collecting the ST144s later the orn anyway.
Fuse-Link traced the readout and it zoomed in on the part of the spectrum he’d indicated as Solder approached him. “40% of your spark frequencies are pre-set. The highest ever recorded before was 15%. I’m actually not entirely sure what this means for you, Prowl.”
-Slag, that can’t be right, - Solder muttered as he poked at the readout.
-Must have been a very short stay in the Allspark,- Fuse-Link offered, -Zeta had to be right about his spark being old.-
-He can’t have been on record, none of the known ones have died recently,- Solder replied.
-It matches though, if you look here,- Fuse-Link tapped a particular sequence of short, jagged fragments in the spark spectrum, -That pattern is consistent with trauma in confirmed cases where the spark has been on record and the predecessor was embodied by the Quintessons.-
Solder tilted his head thoughtfully at Prowl. -And those mechs, they were reluctant to share with mechs outside their batches, right?-
-Yes. It’s a fear of being reprogrammed by the Quintessons, so deep that it’s been imprinted onto the spark and often is retained through the Allspark. Except, when the mech is resparked, they don’t have the coping mechanisms their predecessor would have had to handle it. They become irrationally reluctant to let other mechs into their systems.-
-But it was alright within the batch?- Immobilizer cut into the conversation, the enforcer stood by the lab’s door.
Solder and Fuse-Link both started in surprise, having not noticed Immobilizer’s presence. Prowl flicked his optics over to them briefly, then his optics switched off as his attention returned to his datapad.
-You didn’t tell me you were so close by,- the medic scolded him. He glanced at Fuse-Link apologetically; -I added him into the comm line at the start.-
-To answer your question, yes,- Fuse-Link admitted reluctantly, giving an affirmative pulse in response to Solder to let him know he was not bothered. -By the time they had advanced enough to this point, they were already intricately linked to their own batchmates. It was just outsiders they had a problem with.-
The three mechs all simultaneously turned their attention to Prowl, who was studiously ignoring them. -40% would be enough to have enough core coding that it could kickstart the personality matrix development,- Solder said softly.
-Coupled with spark trauma and we get a mech that can’t handle the thought of someone else in his systems and has developed too fast to form a connection with his own batch,- Immobilizer summarized.
-Unprecedented,- Fuse-Link muttered, the shock catching up with him again.-How incredible!-
-Can we fix it Solder?- Immobilizer asked, deliberately ignoring the scientist as he yammered about the implications for his research.
-We should definitely encourage him to link up with his own batch,- the medic answered. -Maybe a low level imprint on his spark if he wants to expand his core code range and have some diversity but getting the clearance for that is problematic.-
“Are you done talking over me?” Prowl suddenly called out, his optics still dark.
Immobilizer gave Prowl a considering look as Solder said apologetically, “Sorry about that but there are strict regulations about what can be discussed around coherent sparks in case they feel pressured to be someone they are not.”
The XD995 disconnected from the datapad, optics flickering back on. “Fuse-Link said you thought my rapid development may not be a good thing.”
“And I stand by that assessment,” Solder said firmly, “You are isolating yourself from complete interactions of Cybertronian society. You don’t even want to have anything to with your own batch.”
“They assaulted me,” Prowl replied frostily, “And almost tore my personality matrix apart. I don’t see any reason to trust them.”
“Do you want to remain like this though?” the medic asked pointedly. “Alone and disconnected?”
“Disconnected?” Prowl turned his attention inward for a moment. “No. But the restriction in my programming is difficult to work around.”
Solder frowned, “That can be fixed by spark imprints…but only if you genuinely want those imprints to take.” He took a step close to the new mech and paused when Prowl flinched away from him. “Prowl?”
The XD995 cycled his fists closed as he steeled himself to face the medic. “It’s...” static filled his vocaliser for a moment, “Core code conflict. I need to…rewriting…”
The medic lunged for his charge just as the light faded in Prowl’s optics and he dropped to the floor. With practiced ease as the new mech trembled uncontrollably, he slid a wrist cable into Prowl’s right shoulder port and uplinked into-
A load of error reports slammed against Solder’s firewalls. The medic ignored them as he carefully navigated his way through Prowl’s walls, using the access code that was unique to him as the medic who onlined the XD995. He quickly ran a diagnostic as he moved towards Prowl’s core codes, where he found two lines of behavioural programming invalidating the other. It took a few astroseconds to analyse the codes and then he carefully deleted one line.
Awareness flooded back through Prowl’s processor as the crash halted. The XD995 took a moment to observe Solder’s work then turned his attention to the medic.
-Thankyou,- he said honestly.
Solder didn’t reply initially, his processor was going over the results from the diagnostic and his own observations. -You wrote your own behavior core code,- he said finally, as he sent a pulse to Fuse-Link and Immobilizer that all was well.
-Yes,- Prowl answered quietly.
Many questions rose up in Solder’s mind; he chose to address the most pressing one. -Why?-
-I…the codes that are developing by themselves have embed too much caution in me. I wanted to move beyond them. I just don’t understand why this is happening.-
Solder felt confusion and annoyance build on Prowl’s side of the hardlink connection. -Spark trauma,- the medic supplied, -Something happened to your spark and it remembers…but you, XD99525, have never personally experience it and so you don’t have the coping mechanisms to handle it.-
The medic watched the new mech slowly digest the information methodically. There was a ripple through Prowl’s processor as he experienced a paradigm shift, his mental landscape reshaping itself as he adjusted to a new understanding of himself.
-This…- the thought drifted almost lazily and Solder was fairly certain he was not meant to hear, -This is what it means to be coherent.-
-Your spark is writing codes that will presumably protect you but because of the trauma, it can’t tell that the behaviours it’s encouraging you to develop are actually unnecessary and harmful to you,- the medic continued.
-I understand,- Prowl responded neutrally and Solder could feel that the new spark truly did. -When I wrote my own codes, I thought they would override the pre-existing one and allow me to act…well, I am unsure how I would act under normal circumstances.-
The medic did not dignify that with a response and the XD995 relented eventually. -Very well,- Prowl replied with a hint of apology, -I hoped they would override the other codes.-
-Core coding,- Solder informed him tightly, -Does not get overwritten unless you suffer from a personality matrix destabilisation that wipes everything completely. That is why it is core coding. And you are far too smart not to know that, you’ve been reading up on core programming in your free time. You were careless.-
Prowl paused for an astrosecond before responding. -Arrogant actually, I believe. How interesting. That is not a good personality trait to be developing when I have nothing to back it up.-
The medic was startled into laughing aloud. -Integrating a sense of humility into you will be a problem, I can tell.-
The new mech gently nudged Solder’s consciousness and the medic began to withdraw. His cable retracted back into his wrist and he helped Prowl to his pedes.
“Well,” Solder exvented roughly, “Prowl tried to write his own core codes, causing a programming conflict. Easily broken but he has been doing it for a while and he needs to stop,” the medic levelled a glare at the XD995. “If you keep that up you could risk a complete systems failure and other unpleasantness that are not associated with a normal functioning. I recommend low level spark imprinting as soon as possible. No more experiments until we get your development under control.”
“How would those help me?” the XD995 asked quietly.
“Oh,” Fuse-Link piped up, enthusiastic that they were heading into something he was very familiar with, having witnessed treatment for many of his subjects, “You choose a mech with traits that you like because you will be inheriting them a few of them. Under controlled conditions, you carefully expose your sparks to each other and you replace the frequencies that are incessantly writing the behavioural code. Absorbing spark energy of course, means that some sort of baseline bond will form but you get lots of new coding that you can integrate into your matrix.”
Prowl shot the scientist an alarmed look. “Wouldn’t the donor spark then gain the trauma?” he demanded. Spark merging was a two process, it was impossible for it to be one-sided.
“Coherent spark or not, maturity determines the strength of the imprint. A new spark wouldn’t be able to exert a lot of influence on an old spark,” Fuse-Link explained cheerfully.
Prowl, Solder and Immobilizer shot him a deadpan look simultaneously. “However,” the scientist amended somewhat mournfully, “Given the unprecedented nature of your spark, there’s no telling what could happen.”
It would take Solder a few orns to gain the necessary permission from both the Iacon Medical Board and the Prime. The knowledge did not make it easier for Prowl as he paced within the room he had been allocated. He could feel his spark slowly writing off new codes, new protocols, shaping his personality matrix. Each equation that slipped into his processors left him colder, more exhausted as he battled to edit the programming. The medic had left him with firm instructions not to write new codes but he had not mentioned attempting to shape the programming as they developed.
A new spark needed experiences and understanding before it could start predetermining its responses, in essence, developing a basic personality. From there on, every new interaction gave more context, more insight, and as the mech came to understand himself better, his spark would write more complex codes, building up a true sentient being.
But Prowl had missed that stage, he did not have enough personal experiences himself to know who he was but his spark retained its recordings of someone else’s life and was using that knowledge (incomplete, 40% of his spectrum had been determined which meant that about half of that existence had been lost) to make a partial reconstruction of someone that was not him. Or maybe it was. Half of him was a long dead mech and half was someone who was new.
No. He wanted to have the opportunity to be what he wanted to be. And what he did know was that right now, he wanted the codes that his spark was writing to have come from this existence. That made him a new being, a distinct entity, not someone’s personality matrix ghost.
With an annoyed huff, he settled on his berth. Fuse-Link had muttered something about data to analysis, archives to search, and oh, there’s an energon dispenser at the entrance of the corridor, before initiating a frame lockdown and logging himself completely into his terminal. The scientist had been fascinated by the information Solder had collected on his systems.
Prowl briefly turned his attention to the algorithms Solder had given him, but he’d solved them 2,948,865 times since he’d got them. Perhaps if he could download some more…?
He activated his wireless receivers, feeling the gentle buzz of radio signals against his EM fields. The rush of information that surged through his processors was overwhelming but incredible. Everything from Polyhexian politics, Koanite sports to the latest music downloads and vid dramas pushed for his attention. He thrived in it, new data was integral and exhilarating to Cybertronians and he’d been cut off and deprived from assimilating it from his mentors. He was connected and there was just so much to learn…
A brush against his cyber awareness had him flinching. He wasn’t alone of course; billions of other Cybertronians were linked into the infonet, accessing information, communicating, a planet’s worth of minds working in sync.
His core programming quailed and said to ignore the processor trying to attract his attention. His core programming was also the result of an incomplete spark code and was completely paranoid.
He pushed himself past the parameters they had assigned him with a great deal of difficulty, setting off a whole heap of internal errors and ignored them.
-Hello?- he pinged in query as he ran a search for complex algorithm problems. -Do you need something?-
He felt a surge of amusement from the stranger, -What don’t I need? How about a complete private uplink? There’s a grid that I know that has fantastic virtual--
Prowl’s processor stalled for an astrosecond. His core programming floundered in confusion then his firewalls automatically shut off the connection. He had not just been prepositioned. He had not been.
Perhaps being able to reach out and communicate with other mechs was not worth it.
If Immobilizer was startled to find the normally reticent XD995 outside his apartment the next orn, he did not show it. “Come in,” he stepped back and allowed Prowl into his home without another word.
The new mech’s optics swept over the room, taking in as many details as possible. The room was sparsely furnished; no superfluous items were to be found. It appealed to Prowl’s growing sense of efficiency.
“Has Fuse-Link discovered the secret to the Allspark yet?” the Enforcer asked drolly. He retrieved a puzzle holocube from his room and gave it over to Prowl.
“What?” the non-sequitur completely confused the XD995.
“I imagine that he must be busy with all the data they’ve pulled on your processors,” Immobilizer clarified.
Preparing for the imprint meant a lot of tests needed to be run on Prowl’s spark and coding. That Prowl had made it through it without suffering another crash was nothing short of amazing.
Prowl turned his attention back to the cube. “I believe he overloaded with joy when the data came in at the end of the last orn,” he deadpanned smoothly.
Immobilizer’s engine stalled. “How much access have you had to the infonet?” he accused.
Prowl levelled an optic at him. “There’s no such thing as too much access to the infonet.”
Immobilizer gave Prowl a Look. It was one he had mastered after dealing with criminals over the many vorns. It bounced ineffectively off Prowl’s grey, metallic helm but that was to be expected. Immobilizer had no doubt that whatever was going on inside the new mech’s processor; his mind would be something that had no equivalent before in Cybertronian history.
“Is there a purpose to this visit?” he asked pointedly, deciding to appeal to Prowl’s sense of timekeeping.
“I came to ask if you would be the one to provide the imprint,” Prowl answered promptly, refocusing on his original task.
The Enforcer tilted his helm as he studied the mech in front of him. Under normal circumstances he would not have hesitated, the imprint he would have received would be inconsequential and eventually dissipate with no effects towards him. However, given the age Fuse-Link had estimated Prowl’s spark was and the abnormality of the spark itself held troubling connotations. He would be risking himself, no matter what precautions they took. But Prowl had not shown the slightest interest in any of the other mentors or any other mechs. To refuse him meant condemning him to a life in solitude.
It didn’t take him long to come to a conclusion.
“Yes.”
-It’s okay to feel nervous,- Solder tightbeamed as he entered the medbay. The team of medics already there ran the final checks and disabled Prowl’s motor systems.
-Are you worried, medic Solder?- Prowl replied dryly. It was a strange sensation to be disconnected from his frame this way, similar to the first time he had onlined and was so new, but different because he was used to being able to move. His frame remained upright on the medberth, it had been set into lockdown to keep it from crumpling into a heap.
Something began to stir inside him at a long forgotten memory. It felt a lot like fear.
-No. Yes. Maybe a little. Fuse-Link has been expounding a lot of theories on what is about to happen.-
-How considerate of him,- Prowl fought to keep to his composure and was pleased that there was no trace of strain in his fields or his voice.
-Inconsiderate, Prowl, inconsiderate,- Solder corrected.
-Share them with Immobilizer. He should find them interesting-
-You are a horrid new mech who shouldn’t have ever discovered sarcasm.-
The aforementioned new mech would have smirked but he was suddenly in the strong grips of total panic. This was wrong, wrong, wrong; they were going to pull apart his processors, pry every secret he had then reprogram his frame-
No. It was nothing more than a memory, a leftover fragment from a life that was not his. He watched with weary anticipation as Immobilizer came in and settled beside him in close proximity. One of the medics linked up to his systems and a long shudder went through the Enforcer, then he went completely still.
Prowl could feel the electrostatic buzz against his receivers that indicated the med team was co-ordinating their work via a private grid. There was no need to speak aloud when neither him nor Immobilizer were able to understand medic script.
Solder logged himself into Prowl’s systems, pausing at Prowl’s firewalls.-I need you to bring down your firewalls,- Solder said.
Prowl moved through his protocols and came to the unwelcome discovery that his core codes had highjacked his own programming. -I can’t.-
Solder paused, -That is disturbing.- Then the medic was moving through his defences using his access code, the sensation was unpleasant but not painful. -Sorry about that,- the medic said.
Prowl gave a mental shrug. -I am eager for this to be over.”
He watched as Solder accessed a particular program and made adjustments to different parts of his programming. Parts of his processor suddenly shut off and he could not access them, this time he couldn’t keep the panic from flaring within him and it spilled over the hardline connection. Then, he felt the medic receive a high frequency transmission, and Solder activated a line of code, opening his chest plates and exposing his spark chamber.
Stop, stop, stopstopstopSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOP-
-Prowl? You need to calm down; it’s me, Solder-
He needed to defend himself, but he couldn’t think, couldn’t program viral code to eject the foreign presence inside his processor because they had shut down half of his-
-Calm down, Prowl-
GetoutoutoutoutGetOUT!
-It’s just a memory fragment, it’s not even your memory, you need to calm down Prowl-
--me, Solder, Prowl?-
Solder? No. Who was Solder? They had capture him, had finally got himself caught-
-PROWL-
STOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOP
-Going ahead with this anyway. Just wait, it’ll be better soon-
NONONONONONO. He wasn't going back, wouldn't ever serve the Empire again, wouldn't ever let them-
Then something touched his spark, there was the gentle meld of wild energy and a feeling of wry amusement directed at his very self. It cut through the panic enveloping his processor; they did not know about the spark networks, that sparks were capable of quantum entanglement.
It’s a memory, he heard from the other end of the entanglement. You are quite safe and have taken many, many vorns off Solder’s life. I fear he may never return to the medical profession again.
He recognised that dry sense of humour. It was similar to his own, developed after the briefest of brushes with Immobilizer’s spark.
I thought you would never calm down. The memories that you were sharing…were not pleasant.
Interest immediately spiked. You saw the old memories? What, no, who-
The rebuke came almost immediately. That does not matter, Immobilizer said firmly. Suffice to say, you do have complete memories just as Fuse-Link suspected and we could learn many fascinating things from them but that is not what we are doing here.
Very well, Prowl subsided unhappily. Even though he was determined to be his own person, it did not mean he was not curious to know who he had been before.
However, I now know where to begin this.
Prowl could feel the Enforcer’s frequencies begin to adjust, the change in a particular set of frequencies that matched so closely with a segment of himself. Then the energies melted together and he could feel part of himself changing, copying that part of Immobilizer just as Immobilizer took something from him-
There was a flash of horror, of understanding from Immobilizer’s spark at whatever he had received. And there was a connection building between them, quantum threads tying their sparks together and through that bridge he could almost see-
He slammed against a hard mental block. Enough, Immobilizer commanded quietly. Coldly. You are overstepping yourself. That was far too deep.
Prowl backpedalled furiously. I’m sorry, he said honestly, allowing his shame to filter down through their connection.
Immobilizer was quiet for a moment as he adjusted to the change in his spark. Then he directed Prowl’s attention to his own. How do you feel?
Prowl felt…safe. There had been a perpetual undercurrent of fear that had been inside him all this time. He hadn’t even been aware of it, it had been part of him since his onlining and now it was gone. He was…looser, his core codes had been so narrow and focused and now they had expanded out with new codes from Immobilizer’s spark and he could think so much more clearly now.
Better, he thought with a faint sense of relief. Finally he could determine things for himself. Better.
Chapter Two outtakes
Table of contents
This chapter wasn't meant to be this long. It was supposed to deal with Prowl's weirdness and then move on. Instead it dragged it's heels rather impressively and insisted on lots and lots of exposition. Hopefully this means the next chapter will be easy to write and I can start playing with canon characters. Not that I'm not. Some of them just aren't going by their canon names.
Title: A Spark, Remembrance
Story Arc: A Spark, Coherent
Chapter Two
Characters: Prowl, a bunch of OCs for plot related purposes
Disclaimer: Not mine
Warnings: vague mentions of torture, spark merging (for reasons I consider pure medical and with no sexual implications)
Summary: In the darkness of Shockwave's lair, one Autobot unravels the truth of the war as he is forced to recall all incarnations of his existance
There is pain, Shockwave is displeased by his duplicity and has hacked his pain receptors, setting them ablaze. But he cannot set aside from the course he has set them upon; they will see this journey through to the end.
Prowl was fascinating for a recently sparked mech. Fuse-Link kept the XD995 in sight as they walked through the streets of Iacon, heading over to his new lab at the academy. Out in the crowds, with EM fields clashing with wild abandon and wireless networks singing through the airwaves, the mech should have been soaking it all up. Instead, his EM fields were drawn close and Fuse-Link couldn’t get a location ping off him, indicating he’d shut down his wireless receivers.
nbsp;Knowledge was vital to development for newly sparked Cybertronians and it was illogical that Prowl was removing himself from the flow. Fuse-Link’s own network of scientists murmured to him through the numerous spark links he had built with them. They all hummed with curiosity, minds firing a billion different hypothesises and solutions as they tinkered in laboratories across Cybertron. Fuse-Link tuned them and their projects (all so fascinating, though!) out as he focused on his own subject.
Prowl’s behaviour fit with the information the medic beside him had given him. A highly developed personality matrix in too short a time period, unwilling to let others access to his systems, not even his batch. Paranoia? It wasn’t uncommon with coherent sparks, but not to the degree his subject was displaying. A mech excluding himself from his batch was near unheard of.
Removing Solder’s unique access code? That went beyond any spark given talent. It required a fundamental understanding of Cybertronian programming at its most basic level. Solder had told him of Zeta’s assessment, that Prowl’s spark was old, the glyph Zeta had used was specific to the forerunners of their race that had been enslaved by the Quintessons. It was a fascinating puzzle, looking at the pieces he had and the curiosity to know who exactly he had in front of him was overwhelming.
And entirely unfair to Prowl. A spark that had been to the Allspark came back a new individual, regardless of whether its spark frequencies had been wiped clean or some remained pre-set. But curiosity was linked directly to his core function, it was impossible to repress.
He watched with interest as tension slowly built in Prowl’s EM field as the crowds thickened. What was the cause, the lack of space, the number of open fields and grids pressing against him? Cybertronians were a deeply social race; some form of communication was almost always open at some level, allowing whatever knowledge a mech was comfortable with being public to be shared at instantaneous rates between complete strangers
Interesting. Very interesting. If the mech wasn’t so skittish, Fuse-Link wouldn’t hesitate to invite him into a grid uplink, simply to watch the way Prowl’s processors worked. Belatedly, he recalled the advice one of the mentors had insisted on giving before they left for his lab, as though Fuse-Link had never mentored a new spark before.
“Don’t share with him,” Immobilizer had stared down at him. “Do not offer to share in any form of way with him. I mean it. He will not react well.”
Fuse-Link had inwardly scoffed. How else was he supposed to work out what was going on with the mech? And if the medic had managed to coax a personality scan out of him, then it wasn’t not out of the realm of possibility.
-How much experience have you had with coherent sparks?- Fuse-Link asked, opening a secure comm line to the medic beside him.
-I have the basic files about them but I’ve never personally handled a case. The last recorded case occurred during my predecessor’s time,- Solder tilted his helm curiously towards the scientist. -I believe you handled the spark assessment then.-
-I did,- Fuse-Link confirmed, -I’ve been studying sparks and the Allspark for most of my functioning. It truly is fascinating, the unique properties of the Allspark resonate perfectly with spark energy and yet no one knows how Solus managed to forge it. With his Matrix lost and budding and splitting protocols no longer being uploaded into new mechs, it seems prudent to discern how the Allspark was created.-
-And you think studying coherent sparks will help you with this endeavour?- the medic gave Fuse-Link an unreadable look.
-They are vital clues to figuring out what exactly happens to a spark when it returns the Allspark. And from the preliminary data you have given me, Prowl appears to be an unprecedented case. His personality matrix is too developed, even for a coherent mech.-
Solder stumbled in confusion and Fuse-Link and Prowl drew to a halt, the scientist kept an optic on the XD995 who almost looked…sullen. Too developed, Fuse-Link thought to himself, emotion programming, personality, he is far, far too new to be this advanced.
“Are you alright, medic Solder?” Prowl asked, the faintest traces of concern colouring his tone.
“I’m fine,” Solder said hastily, resuming their previous pace, “I just received a piece of news I wasn’t expecting.”
Prowl levelled a solid stare at the medic but if he didn’t believe Solder, he gave no trace of it. Instead he returned to his silent position by the medic’s side.
-I thought that was normal,- Solder pinged to Fuse-Link privately, -I mean, they retain spark code from their previous existence so it makes sense that they would develop faster. The files say that should happen, although they never mentioned outpacing the batch entirely. I assumed that was merely an oversight in the databanks.-
-There have been no records of that happening,- Fuse-Link replied. -Yes, coherent sparks do develop faster, but not at this rate. Your scans and my own observations indicate that his personality matrix has developed enough to give him a defined sense of self and the beginnings of emotion programming. The closest match I have on record at the same age would just be starting to identify itself as an individual.-
Solder shot a worried look to the mech by his side. -What does that mean for Prowl?-
The scientist brightened immediately. -Well, that’s what I’m here to find out! The implications for my research are immense. It isn’t unheard of for coherent mechs to recall memories of their previous existence, though often they are severely fragmented. Given the difference in Prowl’s case already, I’m hoping that he may retain a substantial amount of pre-set spark frequencies. Once we get to my lab, I’ll actually be able to determine that amount; I have the equipment for it after--
-Do you really want that?- Solder cut in, and something in his voice was cold.
Fuse-Link paused, reaching out his network of scientists for counsel. He always said something wrong when conversing with mechs from different functions and had learnt that his fellows were often able to point out his mistake.
-I’m afraid I don’t understand,- he said cautiously.
-A spark that has come from the Allspark but still retains traces of its previous existence is to be treated as a new spark, - the medic reminded him, -No matter who Prowl’s spark belonged to previously, he is a different person, a new person. You are not to pressure him to recall any supposed memories he might have.-
The confusion cleared from Fuse-Link as he received several mental admonishments over his lack of empathy. -Oh no, that is certainly not allowed,- the scientist assured him. -I would not do that, not to a newly sparked mech. If he was fully developed, assured of his identity and curious about his previous existence, I might be tempted to ask him then. But not now, he is far too new.-
The fragmented memories that had been shared with him by some of his subjects often were horrifying, flashes of pain and terror. The common understanding was that it was mainly the strongest memories that were retained, moments that left deep impressions on a spark. And given the turbulence of the beginnings of Cybertronian civilisation, it was not surprising that many only remembered the dark parts of those lives. No, as interesting as Prowl’s memories could possibly be, he had no intention of bringing them up so early in the mech’s life.
“Solder,” Prowl said abruptly, diverting the other mechs’ attention back to him, “How long will this take?”
“How long will what take?”
“How long will I stay with Fuse-Link?” he clarified, “I understand that his study is important but what do I do in the meantime?”
Interesting, Fuse-Link reflected, that Prowl would not speak to him directly or give him any form of acknowledgement. “Whatever you want,” he chimed in with a dismissive shrug, “My subjects normally return to their batch and mentors while I analyse my results. Learn more about themselves and Cybertron,” Fuse-Link gave Prowl a considering look. The mech was just so strange, none of the other coherent sparks had been bothered by inactivity; they had been adjusting and learning all that they could.
A grimace flitted across Prowl’s face before he could suppress it. “What if I wanted to take up a function?”
Solder and Fuse-Link briefly faltered. That was unexpected. “Too young,” Solder answered when he recovered, “Minimum age is 5 vorns before a mech can even take up training for a function.”
“No exceptions?”
“No,” the medic answered firmly. “That time is necessary, a mech must be sure of himself and what he wants before he decides to commit to a function. Upgrading a frame to suit the function is a lengthy process, after the frame has been reformatting; you must adjust to new core code protocols. Those can take several vorns to settle properly and integrate into you. Choosing a wrong function means being stuck in a form entirely inappropriate for whatever function might suit you better and of course, downgrading takes even longer. That’s a long time to be spending doing something you don’t like.”
“So I am to remain in my company of my batch?” Prowl scowled briefly.
“Only when Fuse-Link cannot supervise you directly but I’ll unlock your access to the infonet,” Solder assured the other mech, “You can download as many algorithms and other complex puzzles as you won’t be bored.”
Fuse-Link’s optics had widened at this piece of information. -He is capable of problem solving already?-
-Yes. He gets bored very easily.-
Fuse-Link was silent for a while and then in a rare moment of fore-sight and concern, added, -You don’t think he’s too young to have access to the infonet?-
A flicker of amusement escaped through Solder’s fields. -I trust you to supply him with a large amount of scientific studies to keep him entertained so he doesn’t have to return to his batch. The infonet should be a last stop measure for him, - Solder abruptly sobered. -You never answered my question though.-
Fuse-Link flicked through his own short term memory files in confusion. -I didn’t?-
-Do you really hope that he holds a high amount of pre-set spark frequencies?-
-Well, yes,- the scientist admitted, -If he could recall his stay in the Allspark, that would be certainly most astounding and informative. However, the probability of that occurring is very low, 0.000000078%. I would be happy with a complete memory file, those are rare and by studying the codes I hope to understand what causes the degeneracy that leads to their loss-
-If you were Prowl, would you want that though?- Solder cut in, -Being able to recall complete chunks of someone else’s life? How does a newly sparked mech even begin to distinguish where he starts and the fragments begin?-
Nightmarish visions spun through Fuse-Link processor and the scientist shuddered involuntarily. -It’s never been a problem before,- he answered unsteadily, -15% is the highest amount a spark spectrum has ever been pre-set. Those mechs developed relatively normal albeit at a faster pace than their batch. They were markedly paranoid though; very few ever moved beyond the bonds of their batch and sought connections with mechs elsewhere. The pre-set frequencies did shape the personality matrix to some extent but it was near superficial. Some aspects of their temperament would be inherited from their predecessor however other than that they were very much new individuals. I was able to quantify that by studying cases where the spark frequencies had been on record and I could contact former acquaintances and friends to confirm it.-
Solder was quiet for a long moment, keeping watch on Prowl in the corner of his optic. -And they are otherwise healthy?-
-They definitely show symptoms of spark trauma,- Fuse-Link admitted reluctantly. -I’ve come to recognise the signs well. The tests that I’ll be doing, I can show you the exact patterns in the spark spectrum that indicate trauma.-
Solder’s optics flickered a pale green as he accessed Iacon’s medical database. -Looks like there is some studying I’ll need to do,- he replied.
Convincing Prowl to concede to Fuse-Link’s tests had been no easy task. The mech was volatile, bored far too easily, was completely uninterested in spending time with his batch and he spent a lot of time haunting the academy lab restlessly. Unfortunately for the scientist, Solder had abandoned him very early on to return to his patients and to do some private research. Prowl remained aloof and distrustful to Fuse-Link and with the medic gone, had settled on plain refusing to allow Fuse-Link into his systems.
“I’ve received a message from Tech-Gear,” Fuse-Link announced, determined that this was the orn he would make some progress.
Prowl raised an optic from the corner he’d sequestered himself in, several educational datapads plugged into his forearm ports. “And?” he asked with complete disinterest.
“He has some experiments he needs to run today down in the quantum labs,” the scientist responded. “The ST144s from your batch will be here.”
Prowl’s optics narrowed at him. “And?”
Fuse-Link frowned at the antagonism directed towards himself. “You don’t want to see them?”
“No,” Prowl answered shortly. He returned his attention to the equations he had been working through.
Fuse-Link had been fascinated initially by Prowl’s distance towards his own batch but worry had quickly arisen as time passed and Prowl became increasingly isolated. Cybertronians simply didn’t exist by themselves, their neural and quantum connections with each other didn’t allow it and their own mental development depended on a continuous influx of information. That allowed them perspective; they then chose which codes and behaviours they would amplify and build upon.
Under normal circumstances, Prowl’s mental development should have been stunted. Instead, his personality matrix continued to develop at an advanced rate…or so Fuse-Link assumed, as he had not been able to coax a systems scan out of him.
“You know,” Fuse-Link started, not letting any frustration escape him, “It is entirely possible that you could upload a diagnostic report of your personality matrix to an unsparked terminal. There would be no processor to processor contact at all.”
Prowl’s optics locked onto the scientist and he tilted his helm in thought. “That is acceptable,” he allowed.
It wasn’t exactly progress. Even though Fuse-Link was not a medic, he was deeply uncomfortable with how isolated Prowl was determined to make himself. “I need to study your spark,” Fuse-Link said bluntly. He raised his hand before the mech could protest, “For your own sake. Your development is too advanced, even for a coherent spark and Solder is not entirely sure that is a good thing.”
Fuse-Link and Solder had discussed this issue at length. Whilst Fuse-Link was fascinated by the possibilities it could hold for his research, the medic had been extremely worried about whether they were witnessing a deep level spark imprint. It was possible to influence immature sparks with imprints, therefore ensuring the new spark took particular traits from a donor spark. However, given the Cybertronian creed that freedom was the right of all sentients, the amount of influence through an imprint was highly restricted, they only occurred in extreme medical cases where a defect in the frequencies of a spark needed correcting. A deep level imprint could result in a spark clone, preventing a new mech from ever reaching their full potential as their spark had been deliberately shaped.
Prowl’s case made a fascinating case-study. Fuse-Link held the suspicion that he had a substantially higher amount than 15% of his frequencies retained. Whether a spark had been completely reset through the Allspark or not, it was understood that a newly sparked mech was a new individual.
But, Fuse-Link wondered as he watched Prowl, what if a mech retained enough of his predecessor’s frequencies that he began to reconstruct a dead personality matrix? Would that negate the need to integrate with other mechs, as he already had the basis to develop a personality matrix? A mature personality matrix was the result of experiences shaping a mech’s core code. A spark carried those codes in its frequencies and constantly updated and rewrote them as the mech lived. Newly sparked mechs shared unrestrictedly with mentors and other mechs to gain those experiences second hand.
Solder had argued and said if what Fuse-Link suspected was true, then technically what was occurring within Prowl was illegal, the same as a spark cloning. Fuse-Link had pointed out that it was hard to persecute someone who was legally dead and it could also be technically looked at as an extreme matrix reboot. Those occurred when a personality matrix had been destabilized completely and the spark rewrote all its coding though imperfectly, causing a shift in the mech’s disposition. Unfortunately, all of this was conjecture until the scientist could convince Prowl to let him study his spark.
“No,” Prowl replied calmly. The XD995’s green optics blinked lazily at him as he worked through his assignment. “Solder may perform whatever tests you need from my spark when he gets back.”
Fuse-Link was pleased to hear he would finally be making some progress but was torn by his rising indignation. “May I inquire why you won’t let me do it myself?” he asked.
Prowl levelled an even gaze at him. “I don’t know you,” he said simply.
The scientist frowned at him. “But you aren’t even trying to know me,” he said.
It was true, much of Fuse-Link databanks were unfirewalled and a simple ping off him would give Prowl all sorts of information about Fuse-Link. It was basic courtesy to do that when mechs were introduced to each other and Prowl had decided to firmly ignore it.
Mentally, Fuse-Link added ‘rude’ to the record he was building around Prowl.
“I’m sorry,” the XD995 replied in a clipped tone, “But at the moment, I have no interest in knowing you either.”
Very rude, the scientist was quick to amend. Fuse-Link recalled the subject that had retained 15% of his spark frequencies, and decided he had not been this unapproachable.
“Is there a reason for that?” he inquired.
Prowl paused and disconnected all his datapads, giving Fuse-Link his full attention. “I…just know I should be cautious about other beings,” he replied. His optics dimmed in thought (he can already self-analyse his own behaviour, Fuse-Link noted with wonder and a slight chill of fear), “Cautious but I suppose I’m being overly so. It is just difficult…it is one thing to acknowledge that my core codes are zealous and another to act against them.”
This was familiar. Fuse-Link’s subject often would confess that they found trusting complete strangers difficult but they were several vorns of age when they were advanced enough to distrust other mechs. This was all too soon for Prowl and he had had extremely limited exposure, even within his own batch. The fear solidified within Fuse-Link and his fellow scientists inside his active network.
-Solder?- he pinged across the Iacon infonet, -I think you should head back here, there are some tests that I need to run and I think it’s best we do them as soon as possible.-
“Well,” Fuse-Link stared at the readout on the holographic terminal and fought to keep down rising alarm, “That’s very interesting. And unprecedented.”
“Unprecedented?” Prowl glanced up from the medical berth he was sitting on, he was currently appraising a datapad Immobilizer had brought in for him. The enforcer had been in Solder’s near vicinity when Fuse-Link’s message had come in and had accompanied him to the academy as he would be collecting the ST144s later the orn anyway.
Fuse-Link traced the readout and it zoomed in on the part of the spectrum he’d indicated as Solder approached him. “40% of your spark frequencies are pre-set. The highest ever recorded before was 15%. I’m actually not entirely sure what this means for you, Prowl.”
-Slag, that can’t be right, - Solder muttered as he poked at the readout.
-Must have been a very short stay in the Allspark,- Fuse-Link offered, -Zeta had to be right about his spark being old.-
-He can’t have been on record, none of the known ones have died recently,- Solder replied.
-It matches though, if you look here,- Fuse-Link tapped a particular sequence of short, jagged fragments in the spark spectrum, -That pattern is consistent with trauma in confirmed cases where the spark has been on record and the predecessor was embodied by the Quintessons.-
Solder tilted his head thoughtfully at Prowl. -And those mechs, they were reluctant to share with mechs outside their batches, right?-
-Yes. It’s a fear of being reprogrammed by the Quintessons, so deep that it’s been imprinted onto the spark and often is retained through the Allspark. Except, when the mech is resparked, they don’t have the coping mechanisms their predecessor would have had to handle it. They become irrationally reluctant to let other mechs into their systems.-
-But it was alright within the batch?- Immobilizer cut into the conversation, the enforcer stood by the lab’s door.
Solder and Fuse-Link both started in surprise, having not noticed Immobilizer’s presence. Prowl flicked his optics over to them briefly, then his optics switched off as his attention returned to his datapad.
-You didn’t tell me you were so close by,- the medic scolded him. He glanced at Fuse-Link apologetically; -I added him into the comm line at the start.-
-To answer your question, yes,- Fuse-Link admitted reluctantly, giving an affirmative pulse in response to Solder to let him know he was not bothered. -By the time they had advanced enough to this point, they were already intricately linked to their own batchmates. It was just outsiders they had a problem with.-
The three mechs all simultaneously turned their attention to Prowl, who was studiously ignoring them. -40% would be enough to have enough core coding that it could kickstart the personality matrix development,- Solder said softly.
-Coupled with spark trauma and we get a mech that can’t handle the thought of someone else in his systems and has developed too fast to form a connection with his own batch,- Immobilizer summarized.
-Unprecedented,- Fuse-Link muttered, the shock catching up with him again.-How incredible!-
-Can we fix it Solder?- Immobilizer asked, deliberately ignoring the scientist as he yammered about the implications for his research.
-We should definitely encourage him to link up with his own batch,- the medic answered. -Maybe a low level imprint on his spark if he wants to expand his core code range and have some diversity but getting the clearance for that is problematic.-
“Are you done talking over me?” Prowl suddenly called out, his optics still dark.
Immobilizer gave Prowl a considering look as Solder said apologetically, “Sorry about that but there are strict regulations about what can be discussed around coherent sparks in case they feel pressured to be someone they are not.”
The XD995 disconnected from the datapad, optics flickering back on. “Fuse-Link said you thought my rapid development may not be a good thing.”
“And I stand by that assessment,” Solder said firmly, “You are isolating yourself from complete interactions of Cybertronian society. You don’t even want to have anything to with your own batch.”
“They assaulted me,” Prowl replied frostily, “And almost tore my personality matrix apart. I don’t see any reason to trust them.”
“Do you want to remain like this though?” the medic asked pointedly. “Alone and disconnected?”
“Disconnected?” Prowl turned his attention inward for a moment. “No. But the restriction in my programming is difficult to work around.”
Solder frowned, “That can be fixed by spark imprints…but only if you genuinely want those imprints to take.” He took a step close to the new mech and paused when Prowl flinched away from him. “Prowl?”
The XD995 cycled his fists closed as he steeled himself to face the medic. “It’s...” static filled his vocaliser for a moment, “Core code conflict. I need to…rewriting…”
The medic lunged for his charge just as the light faded in Prowl’s optics and he dropped to the floor. With practiced ease as the new mech trembled uncontrollably, he slid a wrist cable into Prowl’s right shoulder port and uplinked into-
A load of error reports slammed against Solder’s firewalls. The medic ignored them as he carefully navigated his way through Prowl’s walls, using the access code that was unique to him as the medic who onlined the XD995. He quickly ran a diagnostic as he moved towards Prowl’s core codes, where he found two lines of behavioural programming invalidating the other. It took a few astroseconds to analyse the codes and then he carefully deleted one line.
Awareness flooded back through Prowl’s processor as the crash halted. The XD995 took a moment to observe Solder’s work then turned his attention to the medic.
-Thankyou,- he said honestly.
Solder didn’t reply initially, his processor was going over the results from the diagnostic and his own observations. -You wrote your own behavior core code,- he said finally, as he sent a pulse to Fuse-Link and Immobilizer that all was well.
-Yes,- Prowl answered quietly.
Many questions rose up in Solder’s mind; he chose to address the most pressing one. -Why?-
-I…the codes that are developing by themselves have embed too much caution in me. I wanted to move beyond them. I just don’t understand why this is happening.-
Solder felt confusion and annoyance build on Prowl’s side of the hardlink connection. -Spark trauma,- the medic supplied, -Something happened to your spark and it remembers…but you, XD99525, have never personally experience it and so you don’t have the coping mechanisms to handle it.-
The medic watched the new mech slowly digest the information methodically. There was a ripple through Prowl’s processor as he experienced a paradigm shift, his mental landscape reshaping itself as he adjusted to a new understanding of himself.
-This…- the thought drifted almost lazily and Solder was fairly certain he was not meant to hear, -This is what it means to be coherent.-
-Your spark is writing codes that will presumably protect you but because of the trauma, it can’t tell that the behaviours it’s encouraging you to develop are actually unnecessary and harmful to you,- the medic continued.
-I understand,- Prowl responded neutrally and Solder could feel that the new spark truly did. -When I wrote my own codes, I thought they would override the pre-existing one and allow me to act…well, I am unsure how I would act under normal circumstances.-
The medic did not dignify that with a response and the XD995 relented eventually. -Very well,- Prowl replied with a hint of apology, -I hoped they would override the other codes.-
-Core coding,- Solder informed him tightly, -Does not get overwritten unless you suffer from a personality matrix destabilisation that wipes everything completely. That is why it is core coding. And you are far too smart not to know that, you’ve been reading up on core programming in your free time. You were careless.-
Prowl paused for an astrosecond before responding. -Arrogant actually, I believe. How interesting. That is not a good personality trait to be developing when I have nothing to back it up.-
The medic was startled into laughing aloud. -Integrating a sense of humility into you will be a problem, I can tell.-
The new mech gently nudged Solder’s consciousness and the medic began to withdraw. His cable retracted back into his wrist and he helped Prowl to his pedes.
“Well,” Solder exvented roughly, “Prowl tried to write his own core codes, causing a programming conflict. Easily broken but he has been doing it for a while and he needs to stop,” the medic levelled a glare at the XD995. “If you keep that up you could risk a complete systems failure and other unpleasantness that are not associated with a normal functioning. I recommend low level spark imprinting as soon as possible. No more experiments until we get your development under control.”
“How would those help me?” the XD995 asked quietly.
“Oh,” Fuse-Link piped up, enthusiastic that they were heading into something he was very familiar with, having witnessed treatment for many of his subjects, “You choose a mech with traits that you like because you will be inheriting them a few of them. Under controlled conditions, you carefully expose your sparks to each other and you replace the frequencies that are incessantly writing the behavioural code. Absorbing spark energy of course, means that some sort of baseline bond will form but you get lots of new coding that you can integrate into your matrix.”
Prowl shot the scientist an alarmed look. “Wouldn’t the donor spark then gain the trauma?” he demanded. Spark merging was a two process, it was impossible for it to be one-sided.
“Coherent spark or not, maturity determines the strength of the imprint. A new spark wouldn’t be able to exert a lot of influence on an old spark,” Fuse-Link explained cheerfully.
Prowl, Solder and Immobilizer shot him a deadpan look simultaneously. “However,” the scientist amended somewhat mournfully, “Given the unprecedented nature of your spark, there’s no telling what could happen.”
It would take Solder a few orns to gain the necessary permission from both the Iacon Medical Board and the Prime. The knowledge did not make it easier for Prowl as he paced within the room he had been allocated. He could feel his spark slowly writing off new codes, new protocols, shaping his personality matrix. Each equation that slipped into his processors left him colder, more exhausted as he battled to edit the programming. The medic had left him with firm instructions not to write new codes but he had not mentioned attempting to shape the programming as they developed.
A new spark needed experiences and understanding before it could start predetermining its responses, in essence, developing a basic personality. From there on, every new interaction gave more context, more insight, and as the mech came to understand himself better, his spark would write more complex codes, building up a true sentient being.
But Prowl had missed that stage, he did not have enough personal experiences himself to know who he was but his spark retained its recordings of someone else’s life and was using that knowledge (incomplete, 40% of his spectrum had been determined which meant that about half of that existence had been lost) to make a partial reconstruction of someone that was not him. Or maybe it was. Half of him was a long dead mech and half was someone who was new.
No. He wanted to have the opportunity to be what he wanted to be. And what he did know was that right now, he wanted the codes that his spark was writing to have come from this existence. That made him a new being, a distinct entity, not someone’s personality matrix ghost.
With an annoyed huff, he settled on his berth. Fuse-Link had muttered something about data to analysis, archives to search, and oh, there’s an energon dispenser at the entrance of the corridor, before initiating a frame lockdown and logging himself completely into his terminal. The scientist had been fascinated by the information Solder had collected on his systems.
Prowl briefly turned his attention to the algorithms Solder had given him, but he’d solved them 2,948,865 times since he’d got them. Perhaps if he could download some more…?
He activated his wireless receivers, feeling the gentle buzz of radio signals against his EM fields. The rush of information that surged through his processors was overwhelming but incredible. Everything from Polyhexian politics, Koanite sports to the latest music downloads and vid dramas pushed for his attention. He thrived in it, new data was integral and exhilarating to Cybertronians and he’d been cut off and deprived from assimilating it from his mentors. He was connected and there was just so much to learn…
A brush against his cyber awareness had him flinching. He wasn’t alone of course; billions of other Cybertronians were linked into the infonet, accessing information, communicating, a planet’s worth of minds working in sync.
His core programming quailed and said to ignore the processor trying to attract his attention. His core programming was also the result of an incomplete spark code and was completely paranoid.
He pushed himself past the parameters they had assigned him with a great deal of difficulty, setting off a whole heap of internal errors and ignored them.
-Hello?- he pinged in query as he ran a search for complex algorithm problems. -Do you need something?-
He felt a surge of amusement from the stranger, -What don’t I need? How about a complete private uplink? There’s a grid that I know that has fantastic virtual--
Prowl’s processor stalled for an astrosecond. His core programming floundered in confusion then his firewalls automatically shut off the connection. He had not just been prepositioned. He had not been.
Perhaps being able to reach out and communicate with other mechs was not worth it.
If Immobilizer was startled to find the normally reticent XD995 outside his apartment the next orn, he did not show it. “Come in,” he stepped back and allowed Prowl into his home without another word.
The new mech’s optics swept over the room, taking in as many details as possible. The room was sparsely furnished; no superfluous items were to be found. It appealed to Prowl’s growing sense of efficiency.
“Has Fuse-Link discovered the secret to the Allspark yet?” the Enforcer asked drolly. He retrieved a puzzle holocube from his room and gave it over to Prowl.
“What?” the non-sequitur completely confused the XD995.
“I imagine that he must be busy with all the data they’ve pulled on your processors,” Immobilizer clarified.
Preparing for the imprint meant a lot of tests needed to be run on Prowl’s spark and coding. That Prowl had made it through it without suffering another crash was nothing short of amazing.
Prowl turned his attention back to the cube. “I believe he overloaded with joy when the data came in at the end of the last orn,” he deadpanned smoothly.
Immobilizer’s engine stalled. “How much access have you had to the infonet?” he accused.
Prowl levelled an optic at him. “There’s no such thing as too much access to the infonet.”
Immobilizer gave Prowl a Look. It was one he had mastered after dealing with criminals over the many vorns. It bounced ineffectively off Prowl’s grey, metallic helm but that was to be expected. Immobilizer had no doubt that whatever was going on inside the new mech’s processor; his mind would be something that had no equivalent before in Cybertronian history.
“Is there a purpose to this visit?” he asked pointedly, deciding to appeal to Prowl’s sense of timekeeping.
“I came to ask if you would be the one to provide the imprint,” Prowl answered promptly, refocusing on his original task.
The Enforcer tilted his helm as he studied the mech in front of him. Under normal circumstances he would not have hesitated, the imprint he would have received would be inconsequential and eventually dissipate with no effects towards him. However, given the age Fuse-Link had estimated Prowl’s spark was and the abnormality of the spark itself held troubling connotations. He would be risking himself, no matter what precautions they took. But Prowl had not shown the slightest interest in any of the other mentors or any other mechs. To refuse him meant condemning him to a life in solitude.
It didn’t take him long to come to a conclusion.
“Yes.”
-It’s okay to feel nervous,- Solder tightbeamed as he entered the medbay. The team of medics already there ran the final checks and disabled Prowl’s motor systems.
-Are you worried, medic Solder?- Prowl replied dryly. It was a strange sensation to be disconnected from his frame this way, similar to the first time he had onlined and was so new, but different because he was used to being able to move. His frame remained upright on the medberth, it had been set into lockdown to keep it from crumpling into a heap.
Something began to stir inside him at a long forgotten memory. It felt a lot like fear.
-No. Yes. Maybe a little. Fuse-Link has been expounding a lot of theories on what is about to happen.-
-How considerate of him,- Prowl fought to keep to his composure and was pleased that there was no trace of strain in his fields or his voice.
-Inconsiderate, Prowl, inconsiderate,- Solder corrected.
-Share them with Immobilizer. He should find them interesting-
-You are a horrid new mech who shouldn’t have ever discovered sarcasm.-
The aforementioned new mech would have smirked but he was suddenly in the strong grips of total panic. This was wrong, wrong, wrong; they were going to pull apart his processors, pry every secret he had then reprogram his frame-
No. It was nothing more than a memory, a leftover fragment from a life that was not his. He watched with weary anticipation as Immobilizer came in and settled beside him in close proximity. One of the medics linked up to his systems and a long shudder went through the Enforcer, then he went completely still.
Prowl could feel the electrostatic buzz against his receivers that indicated the med team was co-ordinating their work via a private grid. There was no need to speak aloud when neither him nor Immobilizer were able to understand medic script.
Solder logged himself into Prowl’s systems, pausing at Prowl’s firewalls.-I need you to bring down your firewalls,- Solder said.
Prowl moved through his protocols and came to the unwelcome discovery that his core codes had highjacked his own programming. -I can’t.-
Solder paused, -That is disturbing.- Then the medic was moving through his defences using his access code, the sensation was unpleasant but not painful. -Sorry about that,- the medic said.
Prowl gave a mental shrug. -I am eager for this to be over.”
He watched as Solder accessed a particular program and made adjustments to different parts of his programming. Parts of his processor suddenly shut off and he could not access them, this time he couldn’t keep the panic from flaring within him and it spilled over the hardline connection. Then, he felt the medic receive a high frequency transmission, and Solder activated a line of code, opening his chest plates and exposing his spark chamber.
Stop, stop, stopstopstopSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOP-
-Prowl? You need to calm down; it’s me, Solder-
He needed to defend himself, but he couldn’t think, couldn’t program viral code to eject the foreign presence inside his processor because they had shut down half of his-
-Calm down, Prowl-
GetoutoutoutoutGetOUT!
-It’s just a memory fragment, it’s not even your memory, you need to calm down Prowl-
--me, Solder, Prowl?-
Solder? No. Who was Solder? They had capture him, had finally got himself caught-
-PROWL-
STOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOP
-Going ahead with this anyway. Just wait, it’ll be better soon-
NONONONONONO. He wasn't going back, wouldn't ever serve the Empire again, wouldn't ever let them-
Then something touched his spark, there was the gentle meld of wild energy and a feeling of wry amusement directed at his very self. It cut through the panic enveloping his processor; they did not know about the spark networks, that sparks were capable of quantum entanglement.
It’s a memory, he heard from the other end of the entanglement. You are quite safe and have taken many, many vorns off Solder’s life. I fear he may never return to the medical profession again.
He recognised that dry sense of humour. It was similar to his own, developed after the briefest of brushes with Immobilizer’s spark.
I thought you would never calm down. The memories that you were sharing…were not pleasant.
Interest immediately spiked. You saw the old memories? What, no, who-
The rebuke came almost immediately. That does not matter, Immobilizer said firmly. Suffice to say, you do have complete memories just as Fuse-Link suspected and we could learn many fascinating things from them but that is not what we are doing here.
Very well, Prowl subsided unhappily. Even though he was determined to be his own person, it did not mean he was not curious to know who he had been before.
However, I now know where to begin this.
Prowl could feel the Enforcer’s frequencies begin to adjust, the change in a particular set of frequencies that matched so closely with a segment of himself. Then the energies melted together and he could feel part of himself changing, copying that part of Immobilizer just as Immobilizer took something from him-
There was a flash of horror, of understanding from Immobilizer’s spark at whatever he had received. And there was a connection building between them, quantum threads tying their sparks together and through that bridge he could almost see-
He slammed against a hard mental block. Enough, Immobilizer commanded quietly. Coldly. You are overstepping yourself. That was far too deep.
Prowl backpedalled furiously. I’m sorry, he said honestly, allowing his shame to filter down through their connection.
Immobilizer was quiet for a moment as he adjusted to the change in his spark. Then he directed Prowl’s attention to his own. How do you feel?
Prowl felt…safe. There had been a perpetual undercurrent of fear that had been inside him all this time. He hadn’t even been aware of it, it had been part of him since his onlining and now it was gone. He was…looser, his core codes had been so narrow and focused and now they had expanded out with new codes from Immobilizer’s spark and he could think so much more clearly now.
Better, he thought with a faint sense of relief. Finally he could determine things for himself. Better.
Chapter Two outtakes
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