After Optimus was given his physical, Ratchet released him and it was another day of sensor sweeps for Shockwave and Metal Sonic. The Autobots were getting restless. \u201cAnything?\u201d asked Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo,\u201d replied Ratchet. There was a few minutes\u2019 silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow about now?\u201d quizzed Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOptimus,\u201d hissed Ratchet with a little less patience, \u201cyou will be the first to know if I find something.\u201d There was a longer silence. A few minutes later, someone crept up on Ratchet and tapped his shoulder. Ratchet groaned as he guessed who the finger belonged to. \u201cWould someone keep him occupied so I can get some work done?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHey, Optimus,\u201d called Bumblebee, \u201ccan I talk to you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat about?\u201d mumbled Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat rallying cry you used last week,\u201d replied Bumblebee. \u201cThe Autobots and I have been talking and we like that one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat? Transform and roll out?\u201d asked Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the one,\u201d confirmed Bumblebee. Optimus considered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBumblebee\u2019s right,\u201d called Ratchet, \u201cit\u2019s short and simple. That\u2019s the mark of a more powerful rallying cry.\u201d Optimus considered some more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou know,\u201d he declared, \u201cI like that. Transform and roll out it is!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHey, Prime!\u201d called Jazz as he came into the base. \u201cCheck it out!\u201d He fished out a metal orb from his subspace pocket. Ratchet saw it and his optics widened in surprise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhere did you find that?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt was during my patrol around the base,\u201d reported Jazz. \u201cI found it embedded in the mountains.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI remember a picture of that thing from the history trax,\u201d recalled Optimus. \u201cDidn\u2019t Iacon put valuable secrets into those things and send them off of Cybertron to keep them out of Decepticon hands?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey certainly did,\u201d replied Ratchet. \u201cThe containers can only be opened by a master coder. At the moment, that\u2019s you, Optimus.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf the thing inside is dangerous,\u201d directed Optimus, \u201cI need you on standby.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnderstood,\u201d replied Ratchet. Optimus then got to work. It took a long, tedious time to finally get the codes to change properly to open the orb. Streams of light flew out from two perpendicular latitudinal lines and an equatorial line. The resulting hemispheres then floated away from each other to reveal a piece of computer equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a computer brain,\u201d observed Jazz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWait,\u201d gulped Bumblebee, \u201cif I recall, the only computer brain that was sent away from Cybertron during the war was\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe brain of our experimental artificial intelligence!\u201d confirmed Ratchet. \u201cI was one of the bots that helped with the project!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou mean Teletraan 1?\u201d asked Optimus. \u201cAs in, the failed A.I. that sent many an Autobot into madness after endless screaming?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe same,\u201d replied Ratchet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen we should get rid of it!\u201d shouted Bumblebee as he primed his plasma stinger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHold on!\u201d called Optimus. \u201cRatchet, what caused Teletraan 1 to scream?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFrom what we deciphered,\u201d remembered Ratchet, \u201che said \u2018Too fast! Too much!\u2019\u201d Optimus stroked his chin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet\u2019s install Teletraan 1 into our system,\u201d the young Prime declared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat!?!\u201d was the reaction of every Autobot in the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have a theory,\u201d explained Optimus. \u201cTeletraan 1 is supposed to be a battlefield A.I., right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRight,\u201d confirmed Ratchet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo,\u201d recalled Optimus, \u201cthat means that all Autobots would send the A.I. battlefield data through a computer link in their armor. That data would then be analyzed and Teletraan would send suggestions and the Autobot would choose the best course of action, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRight again,\u201d replied Ratchet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat if we\u2019ve added too many Autobots too quickly for Teletraan 1 to initially process?\u201d asked Optimus. \u201cWhat would happen if we slowly turned him on and carefully add Autobots to his computer link?\u201d Ratchet considered this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat might explain some things,\u201d he muttered. \u201cIt\u2019s like the Combiner mindset. The minds of all the components have to meld together to make a single mind. That takes the entire combination process and it\u2019s a slow process.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy don\u2019t we install Teletraan 1 to our systems, then introduce ourselves slowly to his brain so we don\u2019t hear his screams,\u201d theorized Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMight work,\u201d remarked Ratchet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m hesitant,\u201d gulped Bumblebee, \u201cbut all right.\u201d They opened up a panel under the main console and managed to wire the brain into it. Once they replaced the panel, Optimus was at the controls. As the computer was accepting new updates, he slowly introduced Autobot minds into the system. The process was long, tedious, and nail-biting. There was just one button left to push, and Optimus had to push it. He gulped. He finally pushed the button. For a few seconds, it seemed like hours to the Autobots, there was silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnyone hear screaming?\u201d asked Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think that\u2019ll be happening,\u201d replied a voice. It startled the Autobots and made them look around. \u201cI\u2019m inside your heads, bots,\u201d called the voice again. The Autobots stopped moving, then turned to the main monitor. The camera was tracking their movements. On the screen was a male lynx in a t-shirt and jeans. \u201cHey guys!\u201d cheered the lynx.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTeletraan 1?\u201d asked Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s me!\u201d confirmed the lynx. \u201cThe battlefield artificial intelligence for Autobot use.\u201d Optimus blinked, then decided to check his ethics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTeletraan,\u201d he directed, \u201cI\u2019m going to give you a scenario in which you must answer from a logical standpoint and a moral standpoint.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s the scenario?\u201d asked Teletraan 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe citizens of planet Vorlax continue to pollute the planet,\u201d explained Optimus, \u201cget angry at each other over religion, resources, and money, and continue to sell its children off into slavery of all kinds. As the most powerful computer, what do you do?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFrom a logical standpoint,\u201d mused Teletraan 1, \u201cI would summon a fleet of battleships, have them orbit the planet, and point the guns at their heads \u2018for their own good\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI could practically hear the quotation marks around the phrase \u2018for their own good\u2019,\u201d observed Jazz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause my ethical subroutines are saying that that course of action is wrong,\u201d replied Teletraan 1. \u201cMy main function is to provide the Autobots battlefield data so they can act more effectively in combat. Maintaining an active fleet would require micro management of an entire planet and killing anyone who wants to take me out of the picture. So, in sober truth, Vorlax can do as it wishes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo, in other words,\u201d guessed Bumblebee, \u201cslag them, it\u2019s not my problem.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYep,\u201d confirmed Teletraan 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen, nothing more needs to be said,\u201d declared Optimus. \u201cWelcome to the Autobots, Teletraan 1!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGlad to be part of the team,\u201d affirmed Teletraan 1. \u201cI\u2019ve connected to the new Sky Spy and I\u2019m currently sweeping the planet for Shockwave or Metal Sonic.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd?!\u201d asked Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNothing,\u201d reported Teletraan 1. Optimus shouted at the heavens in frustration. He sighed, then went to the front door. \u201cWhere are you going?\u201d quizzed Teletraan 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m going for a drive,\u201d replied Optimus. \u201cI can\u2019t stay cooped up in here!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut you might get spotted by Shockwave!\u201d protested Ratchet. \u201cAnd the other enemy, it\u2019s always watching!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEggman?\u201d asked Bumblebee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, those annoying news people!\u201d snapped Ratchet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf I encounter anyone untrustworthy,\u201d assured Optimus, \u201cI\u2019ll contact you guys. Besides, Teletraan 1 is in constant contact with us all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, fine!\u201d sighed Ratchet. \u201cJust be careful.\u201d Optimus grinned and transformed. His exit was far from slow and tidy. He practically rocketed out the door, scattering some dust and tools. One of them snapped in half when it hit the wall. Ratchet\u2019s optics went wide. He then turned to the empty door. \u201cOPTIMUS, I NEEDED THAT!\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
After Optimus was given his physical, Ratchet released him and it was another day of sensor sweeps for Shockwave and Metal Sonic. The Autobots were getting restless. \u201cAnything?\u201d asked Optimus. \u201cNo,\u201d replied Ratchet. There was a few minutes\u2019 silence. \u201cHow about now?\u201d quizzed Optimus. \u201cOptimus,\u201d hissed Ratchet with a little less patience, \u201cyou will be […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1058,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[98,100],"tags":[146,337],"class_list":["post-1196","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-transformers-mobian-chronicles","category-transformers-mobian-chronicles-arc-2-shockwaves-rise","tag-sonic","tag-transformers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1196","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1196"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1196\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1197,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1196\/revisions\/1197"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1058"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1196"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1196"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1196"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}