Disclaimers:
Transformers are owned by Hasbro.
I make no
monetary profit from my fanfic/fanart.
Summary:
Monitor's profile and story.
Author's
Note: Monitor created by Seawave and Equus.
Rating -
PG
~~~~~~~
MONITOR
ALLEGIANCE: AUTOBOT
FUNCTION: INFORMATION STORAGE/GATHERING
"Violence
does not compute."
Profile: Always talks in
technical terms, which few understand. Though he and Highbrow can understand
each other very well! Monitor sometimes has trouble expressing his feelings, as
he can't find the appropriate words for them. Has hardly any sense of humour.
Monitor DOES NOT understand any slang terms or expressions. He's very
intelligent and has many bright ideas. He's very loyal. He cares very much about
his fellow Autobots, although he seems cold and impersonal. He is sometimes
bitter and ruthless towards the Decepticons. Monitor sees no point in the
Transformers war. He has since been given a disk with almost every slang term
in the human language. Although Monitor wants to keep it a secret, he dearly
loves the Autobot (Ex-Decepticon spy) Diskette. He occasionally plays computer
games in his transformed mode when he's bored.
Abilities: Monitor
transforms into a PC. Has great many gigabytes of storage and great access
speeds in this mode. He can run any program and is equipped with the ultimate
anti virus software. He's capable of hacking any computer, including Teletraan
I and Two if necessary. He can access the Internet and download at breakneck speed.
Monitor has no firepower in either modes, but uses a small hand-blaster when
necessary.
Weaknesses: He has little
strength in robot mode. His screen in computer mode, chest in robot mode is
very sensitive and can be easily damaged. Behind it, is his sensor. It is extremely
sensitive. If slightly damaged, sends immense pain throughout his body. It
leaves Monitor absolutely helpless. Crucial in a battle. His ruthlessness can
sometimes lead him into more than he can handle alone. Despite his advanced
software, he's paranoid about computer bugs and viruses. Has been known to
panic so much that he blew a major short circuit. (Although he won't admit it
he's jealous of his Decepticon adversary, Virus who's immune to all computer
viruses) He's sometimes too overprotective of Diskette.
--
TECH SPECS --
STRENGTH
--
4 INTELLIGENCE -- 10
SPEED
-- 1
RANK -- 6
ENDURANCE
--
5 COURAGE -- 7
FIREPOWER
--
1 SKILL -- 8
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MONITOR
"Megatron!"
called Soundwave, "The Autobots have a new monitoring computer."
"Another
one? They've got three now. Three blasted Teletraans!"
"This
one is called Monitor."
"Find
out if we can use it, if not, I want it destroyed."
"Yes,
Megatron."
* * *
Monitor,
a newly created Autobot sat in computer mode in the computer room in Autobot
headquarters, accessing data. When he had finished, he transformed from
computer mode into robot mode.
He
flailed to notice Laserbeak on a ledge. When Monitor left the room, the
Decepticon Condor left to inform Megatron.
* * *
"First,
we will see if he can be of value to us. If his download speed is as fast as
Laserbeak reports, he could be very useful.
"Agreed,
Megatron," Soundwave said.
"Laserbeak,
I want you to return to Autobot Headquarters an gather all available
information on this Monitor."
* * *
"Prime,"
said, Monitor, approaching his leader. "I have a logical method to defeat
the Decepticons when next they attack."
"What
is it, Monitor?"
Monitor
told Optimus his plan. Laserbeak transmitted the new Autobot's plan to
Megatron.
* * *
"Quite
intelligent, this Monitor ...Intriguing plan."
"I
have devised an effective counter attack," Soundwave informed Megatron,
moments later.
"Good
work. We must ascertain if we can use Monitor, if not, he must be
destroyed."
"Yes,
Megatron."
* * *
The
Decepticons staged their attack the Autobots the following day.
"Putting
plan into operation," Monitor informed.
It did
not take long for the Decepticons countered Monitor's plan.
"What?
... Resistance? Impossible!" he yelled, as he was blasted painfully in the
chest. An explosion which blew some of his circuitry, shattering his extremely
sensitive VDU chest. Bonecrusher levelled his weapon, about to blast the
helpless Monitor again. Fortunately for him, Ironhide, blasted the Decepticon
first.
"Hey,
Monitor, you all right?"
"Ohh
... ohhh ..." Monitor groaned, was badly wounded and could barely talk.
Ironhide gently picked him up, carried him to the repair bay
"Hey,
Monitor, looks like you could some repair work ..." Ratchet said.
"Yeah,
he sure could," Ironhide confided.
Monitor
didn't know what `yeah' meant, but was too weak to ask them. He fell
unconscious in Ironhide's arms. Ratchet took him and gently placed him on the
repair bed.
"Light,
isn't he?"
"As
a featheroid."
Carefully
Ratchet began to repair him.
In less
than an hour, he had finished.
"Thank
you, Ratchet."
Ratchet
smiled. "You want anything, just ask the Doc."
* * *
"Looks
like your `plan' didn't compute " Air Raid teased.
"Sarcasm
is not appreciated."
Air Raid
turned away.
"That
plan of his didn't even work" he heard Cliffjumper say. "Some
genius!"
Why
can't they understand? he thought to himself. Everyone makes errors. The
Decepticons must have had forewarning.
Upset,
Monitor and began to walk away.
"Looks
like your planning needs a little more work," teased Slingshot coming
after him.
"I
wish to be left alone!" Monitor snapped.
Slingshot
grabbed both Monitor's his.
"I
could easily trash you" he said, pushing Monitor onto the floor. "The
only thing that's preventing me from doing so is that you're an Autobot. A poor
excuse for one, though. You're such a gutless wimp, Monitor."
"GUTLESS
- Does not compute."
"A
miracle anything does," said Slingshot walking off.
Monitor
stood, feeling angry, upset, but didn't know how to express his feelings. He
walked into the computer room, his usual hang-out, then transformed into his
personal computer mode on the desk, quite contented with staying there for
hours, doing nothing, then decided to play a round of Space Invaders to get his
mind off his troubles.
* * *
Slingshot
approached to Optimus Prime.
"Prime
... I need some info ... real quick ... I gotta use one of the
Teletraans..."
"Sorry,
Slingshot, they're both in use the only other computer you could use is ...
"
"Monitor
..." he groaned.
"Slingshot,
don't jump to conclusion about Monitor. He' still learning the ropes."
The
Aerialbot remembered Silverbolt once saying the same thing about the humans.
"He's
only a week old," Optimus continued, "and how old are you?"
Before
Slingshot could say, Optimus Prime said, "you're quite young for a
Transformer, but not compared to Monitor. He's young, inexperienced, although
intelligent and he can't help the way he is. Please just accept him and respect
that."
"O
... okay ... I'm sorry, Prime."
"That's
all right. Monitor should be in the computer room."
Slingshot
started to walk there.
"What
does he do all day in there? Just sit there staring at the wall? How exciting
..."
"Hey,
Mono, baby ... " Slingshot said, entering the room.
Monitor
didn't know what `Mono baby' meant, but he was still on the outs with
Slingshot.
"What
do you want?" he asked, cross.
"Hey
... " said Slingshot, cheerfully. "You're not still mad with me are
ya?"
Slingshot
put both his hands on either side of Monitor.
"What
do you want?" Monitor repeated.
"Hey,
dude, I ..."
"DOES
NOT COMPUTE --" stated Monitor.
"What?"
"DUDE
- Does not compute."
"Oh,
hey, Man ..."
"Your
logic is faulty. There are no male humans in this vicinity."
"Listen,
chum, I ..."
"CHUM
- Does not compute."
Slingshot
was getting steamed.
"I'll
blast your screen into particles if you don't shut up!!"
"Do
not do that!"
"It
was just a figure of speech! I'd never blast an Autobot, but what's all this
'does not compute' stuff?"
"Slang
does not compute" explained Monitor. "I do not understand it."
"Oh.
Well then, Monitor, would you please be able to ..."
Slingshot
told Monitor what he wanted and in less than three minutes, Monitor provided
him with all the information he needed.
"Thanks,
I guess I owe you an apology.
"Accepted."
* * *
While
Monitor stood next to Teletraan I, Calliber Tron entered the main control room.
"Hey,
Monitor, whatcha doin'?
Monitor
could grasp the meaning of 'whatcha' and `doin' in such a context.
"It
is obvious, Calliber Tron, that I am standing in the control room, conversing
with Teletraan I."
"Well
yeah, but what else you up to?"
"I
am not 'up to' anything. I am merely seeking to download Teletraan's files into
my CPU for greater communication and
"Oh.
Well have fun."
"I
do not quite understand you, Calliber Tron."
"The
feelin's mutual, Mono"
"Mono?
Ah. You are attempting to give me a pet name.
Calliber
Tron smiled. "You know you're not to bad."
"Bad.
I am not evil!"
"Hey,
that's not what I meant, Mono. You should really brush up on your lingo. I
gotta go, but see ya 'round."
"I
have no doubt you will," Monitor said, catching Calliber Tron's gist.
* * *
A few
days later, another Autobot/Decepticon battle raged. Monitor hated fighting,
but felt he had to as his duty as an Autobot. His firepower was limited to a
small hand-blaster, which quickly ran out of energy.
Blaster
looked at him.
"What's
amatter, kid, you outta ammo?"
Monitor
looked at Blaster.
"Does
not compute."
"Your
blaster's run out of juice."
"Juice?
My EC01 blasted does not run on juice. It requires rechargi-"
"Hey,
don't worry about it, Dude."
"DUDE
- Does not compute."
"Forget
it."
Blaster
gave Monitor a slightly larger gun. The computer bot took a while to get the
hang of it, but truth be known, he would rather be connected to the Internet,
downloading useful software.
Later
that battle, Monitor was blasted in the shin and fell to the ground. Blast Off,
shot him again in his back. Monitor was in agony, but he managed to fire a
round at the attacking Decepticon, giving him a window to escape.
Monitor
ran, amidst blasts into Autobot Headquarters and ran smack bang into Ratchet.
"Monitor,
you all right?"
"Too
much ... violence" he said weakly. " I cannot take anymore..."
Ratchet
looked sympathetic, took Monitor to the repair bay and repaired his blast
wounds.
The
Autobots had taken victory this battle and were returning inside.
"How
d' y' like that?!" said Sideswipe, excitedly. "We beat the
turkeys!"
Air Raid
saw Monitor.
"Hey,
dude, whatcha chicken out for?"
Monitor
looked at him. "DUDE - Does not compute" he stated. "And your
logic is faulty. I do not detect the presence of any flightless Earth
birds."
"What
I am stating, Monitor," said Air Raid, sarcastically,
"was
why did you make a hasty depart away from the battle?"
"I
could not take anymore violence."
"You're
a such woos, dude."
"DUDE
and WOOS do not compute!" said Monitor his voice rising a little.
"You're
a chicken, dude."
"I
am not a bird."
"Stop
what, dude?"
"Please
- DUDE does not compute."
"Then
what does, dude?"
Monitor
was silent. He wished he knew what `dude' meant.
"Hey,
dude ..." started Air Raid, teasing.
"DUDE
DOES NOT COMPUTE!"
Air Raid
grabbed him.
"Don't
yell at me, chum. Anyone could scrap you with minimal effort, you pathetic
wimp."
Why do
they not leave me be? he thought sadly.
He tried
to struggle free.
"Please
let me go ..." he said.
Air Raid
let him go and pushed him onto the floor.
"You're
a wimp, dude ..." he said.
"Stop
it ... " said Monitor, standing up.
"Stop
what, dude?"
Monitor
couldn't stand it anymore and stormed off.
Optimus
saw Monitor storming to the computer room in high dungeon.
"Whoa,
Monitor - you got a bee in your bonnet?"
"Does
not compute."
"I'm
sorry. What's troubling you?"
"I
wish the others would leave me be," he sobbed. "They constantly
hassle me about my dialogue, my actions. Optimus Prime, I fear the Decepticons
and I detest violence - and my dialogue - slang I cannot compute. Do you
understand how I feel?"
"Yes,
Monitor, I do. I'll explain to the others.
"Much
obliged."
"And
you are not the only one who detests violence."
* * *
Optimus
gathered the Autobots in the main control room.
"Listen,"
he said to them. "About Monitor. It is not his fault he fears Decepticons.
Also with his weak body strength, he can be easily damaged or even destroyed.
Most of us detest violence as much as he does. - One final thing. He does not
understand slang - words or expressions. Words like 'dude,' 'yeah' and so forth
do not compute with him. Please speak formally to him - and respect his
feelings."
The other
Autobots felt guilty about hassling him and apologised. Monitor was angry about
what they had said, but forgave them and was grateful they understood him a
little better.
* * *
Later,
Blaster walked into the main control room and saw Monitor, by himself.
"Hey
dude, ... sorry ... Monitor. What's happenin'?"
"Nothing
is happening as you can clearly see."
To many,
Monitor may come across as abrupt, even a little rude, but to those who knew
him better, he was just stating a fact.
"Sorry.
What are you doing?"
"It
is obvious, Blaster, that I am connecting with Teletraan I."
"Oh.
I could see that."
"Then
why did you ask?"
"It's
a figure of speech. Forget it du ... Monitor."
"I
will never understand the likes of you," Monitor said, shaking his head.
By the
looks of him, it seemed doubtful Blaster would understand Monitor either.
* * *
A few
hours later ...
"Prime,"
Sideswipe called. "We found this Deceptijerk sneaking around outside.
Slugslingger,
the Decepticon tried to struggle free and was promptly placed into a prison
cell.
Later,
when the Autobots were recharging, they found they were running low on energon
and had to conserve it. Later on, every Autobot had recharged, except Monitor
and only one energon cube remained. The Decepticon prisoner had not been given
any thing to eat and was absolutely starving. Monitor was about to drink his
cube.
"Wait,
Monitor," said Optimus Prime. "I'm going to have to gave that energon
cube to Slugslingger."
"What?!"
"His
need is greater than yours. He's needs recharging badly."
Monitor
paused, but then drank the cube.
"Monitor!!"
exclaimed Optimus Prime, somewhat shocked.
"I
do not care about Decepticons, Prime. They despise us. They are our enemies ...
They are ruthless, heartless, merciless, cruel ... and-"
"I
know."
"Then
why-"
"I
know what they're like, but all the same, they're sentient beings like
ourselves and they deserve a right to live the same as we do. They may not be
the nicest beings in the universe, but we are only harsh to them if we need
to be. One of all Autobots' most respected laws is - always respect life - any
life. Monitor, do you understand?"
"Yes,
Prime ... I ... I apologise."
"It's
all right - Just Remember next time."
Monitor
nodded and walked away.
As luck
would have it, Optimus later found an energon cube behind the storage unit. He
was a little hungry himself, but felt he had to give it to the starving
Decepticon prisoner.
Monitor
saw him.
Prime
is hungry, he thought, he hardly recharged as he wished for us all to recharge
first. Ten why does he not drink the cube?
Monitor
followed him. He saw Optimus Prime go into the cell with the Decepticon
prisoner.
Through
the window in the door, Monitor looked at the Decepticon., kneeling.
He is
in dire need to recharge, thought Monitor, but Prime also needs the cube...
Monitor
observed Optimus Prime.
"Here
you are, Slugslingger," he said. "Sorry for the delay. We were low on
energy. Here."
Optimus
Prime gave the Decepticon the cube. Slugslingger began to drink it like the
speed of light.
"Slowly,"
said Optimus. "It's not going to fly away."
Slugslingger
slowed down and finished the cube.
"Ohh
... thanks ..." he breathed.
Optimus
Prime began to interrogate him.
"Why
were you sneaking around?"
"Megatron
wanted me to spy on the Autobots."
"What
did you learn?"
"Sideswipe
nabbed me before I could get any info."
Slugslingger
was somewhat frightened of what Optimus might do to him. The Autobot Leader
asked him a few more questions, then released him.
Monitor
could not believe how kind Optimus was to the Decepticon, but then He thought
about how Prime said that they were sentient beings.
Perhaps
I should exert more favour to them, thought Monitor. What
Prime said is true - they may not be the nicest beings in the universe, but
they do not deserve to be treated as though they were scrap metal. Monitor
cherished the important lesson of caring that he had learned.
* * *
The next
Morning, Monitor decided to explore. He was a little tired of the computer
room. He had seen many pictures of Earth's wilderness on many different sites
and wanted to explore for himself.
Whilst
exploring, he was attacked by Decepticons. "At times like this ... I wish
I transformed into a vehicle with a large acceleration factor! ... Monitor to
Autobots ... I need help immediately! Decepticons attacking! Send
immediate assistance!!..."
Monitor
dived into some trees for cover.
* * *
"Skyfire!
"exclaimed Optimus Prime, at Autobot headquarters. "Quickly, Monitor
needs your help - fast."
"Don't
worry, Prime. I'll get him."
* * *
Monitor
was blasted in the back as tried to find some deeper cover. "Ohh ... I
hope my message got through ..."
He was
blasted again. He could barely crawl away. "No ... They are going to
terminate me ..."
Monitor
heard a blast and shut his optics. One of the three Decepticons fell.
"Beat
it, Deceptibums, before I fry your circuits!" threatened Skyfire, fighting
them off.
The large
jet landed and helped Monitor aboard.
"Thank
you, Skyfire." Monitor's voice conveyed the relief he felt.
"That's
all right, dude - oops, sorry - Monitor."
Monitor
smiled, then lay back down and rested.
Later,
Skyfire arrived home. He transformed and carried Monitor inside.
"He's
all right, Prime. I managed to drive off those dirty Decepticons. Monitor's
been shot in his leg and back, but no severe damage. I'll Get Ratchet to take a
dekko."
"DEKKO
- Does not compute" said Monitor, regaining consciousness.
"Don't
worry about it, Monitor. I'll take a dekk - uh a look."
It did
not take long for Ratchet repaired him.
"Thanks."
The Doc
smiled. "Just don't run for a couple of days."
Monitor
managed to smile.
* * *
Blitzwing,
Blast Off and Vortex arrived back at Decepticon headquarters.
"Well?
Where's the Autobot?" Megatron demanded.
"Uh,
Megatron ... we almost had him, but-"
"Almost
...? ALMOST???!!!"
"Uh
... we ... we ... you see, Megatron, we had Monitor totally at our mercy, but
Skyfire attacked us. He ... he-" Megatron furiously blasted at them all.
The force of the blast threw them onto the floor.
"I
will deal with that Autobot wimp myself! Soundwave, create a diversion."
"Yes,
Megatron ... Remote human settlement located. Autobots will be lured
away."
"Excellent,
Soundwave."
* * *
Autobot
headquarters ...
"Attention,
Optimus Prime!"
"What
is it, Teletraan I?"
"Decepticons
attacking - remote village ..."
"Autobots,
we have to stop them ... those humans are in danger..."
"Optimus"
said Teletraan, " all Autobots required for attack, but I suggest Monitor
remain. He is still recovering, and we may need him for communications."
"Affirmative,"
agreed Optimus. "Monitor?"
Monitor
nodded, "If you get into any trouble, I am able to hack any computer to
send assistance."
Unbeknownst
to all the Autobots, Soundwave had used a carrier wave to disrupt Monitor's
hacking powers and the Autobots' radio transmissions.
Megatron
laughed, soft and evil, and flew into a cloud for camouflage.
"Good
..." he sneered. "They've taken the bait ... Now to catch the fish,
but first I have to disconnect their security ... Done."
He waited
until all the Autobots were out of sight.
"Now,
Monitor --" he said, quietly -- "Prepare to be terminated--"
Megatron
flew into Autobot headquarters and entered the computer room.
"Greetings,
Monitor ..."
"MEGATRON!!"
He
immediately tried to hack Teletraan I and radio the others.
"What's
happening? ..."
"You
are totally helpless, fool ... I have disabled your hacking powers - and you
cannot make radio contact with the Autobots for help."
"This
is not a good predicament."
Megatron
smiled. "What an accurate description."
Monitor
ignored the sarcasm. Megatron came towards him.
"Do
not hurt me," he stated.
Megatron
laughed and blasted near him.
"NO!"
"You
make me sick, Autobrat ..."
"AUTOBRAT
- Does not compute."
Megatron
clenched his fist. "Maybe this will --"
"No
... no ... please not my screen ..."
Megatron
slammed his fist through Monitor's sensitive screen. The Autobot cried out in
agony. The Decepticon leader reached inside him .
"Ahh,
this is it ... your sensor - the most sensitive part of your body... And just
what I need."
"Don't
..." Monitor said, his voice strained.
Megatron
grabbed his extremely sensitive sensor module. Pain ripped through the Autobot
like wildfire.
"Please.."
he rasped. Despite the excruciating pain, Monitor tried in vain to transform
into his robot mode.
"STOP
PLEASE!!"
The pain
was absolutely unbearable.
"Please,
Megatron ..."
The
Decepticon Leader ripped out the sensor.
Pain as
Monitor had never known tore through him, but mercifully, it did not last long,
before his body went entirely numb.
Monitor
managed to transform into his robot mode, slowly, grateful he felt no pain. He
put his hand gently over his damaged chest. Megatron blasted at him. Monitor
crawled away, and threw a computer screen at Megatron's head, which angered the
Decepticon. Megatron grabbed Monitor him, but the Autobot managed to struggle
free. The Decepticon Leader blocked his path. There was no where for him to go.
"How
amusing ..." said Megatron, smiling evilly.
"Please
do not harm me ..." begged Monitor very frightened.
Megatron
stood in front of him. "Harm you? ... How pathetic..." He pointed his
fusion cannon at the hapless Autobot.
Monitor's
face now showed his fear and shock. "No ... please, Megatron ..."
The white
Decepticon looked down at him.
"You
are worthless piece of crap ..."
"CRAP
- Does not compute" started Monitor. "M-Megatron ..." The
Autobot tried a desperate track. "I do not wish to die. Please have mercy
..."
Megatron
smiled evilly. "-- MERCY DOES NOT COMPUTE -- "
The
blasts from Megatron's fusion cannon were the last sounds Monitor heard.
* * *
"A
good thing no humans were hurt," Arcee said.
"Yes,"
Optimus agreed, but I couldn't shake the feeling in my diodes that something
was wrong."
"Neither
Monitor or Teletraan notified us" said Highbrow.
And he
felt even more eerie when he entered the Headquarters, though at a glance,
nothing seemed amiss. He went to check Teletraan all the same.
"Oh
no ... Security and radio transmission facilities have been deactivated
..."
Optimus
ran to the computer room to find Monitor.
And they
found him - mutilated. Optimus looked shocked.
Some of
the other Autobots came to him and were equally shocked.
"That
poor thing ..." said Slingshot sympathetically.
"He
... he was so vulnerable ..." said Optimus sadly, kneeling down to him.
"Ratchet, First Aid, Wheeljack, Hoist, do everything you can for him
..."
Optimus
carefully picked Monitor up in his arms.
"Poor
little dude" said Blaster sadly, gently touching Monitor's face.
* * *
Ratchet,
First Aid, Wheeljack and Hoist worked for hours on the badly damaged Monitor.
"These
are fusion cannon blasts," Ratchet said.
"Megatron..."
Optimus felt a surge of anger well within him, but rage would do his friend no
good.
"Megatron
really gave it to him" said Wheeljack, sadly.
"I'd
love to give it back to him," Optimus said.
"As
would I," Ratchet said. "And he's made off with Monitor's
sensor."
"That
controlled all his computer functions," Optimus said. "Can you
construct another?"
"Fortunately,
yes. Monitor downloaded his schematics into Teletraan I not so long ago. A god
thing too, otherwise we'd be flying blind, but it's no guarantee."
"I
know." Optimus said sadly. "Do everything you can."
"We
will, Prime."
"Is
it possible to strengthen his outer body, so he's not so vulnerable."
"I
don't see why not."
* * *
It took
quite a while to get Monitor's body looking normal again.
"It
must've been so painful ... Ratchet said, "Megatron's in for some real bad
karma as the humans say. I've constructed a new sensor, though I've encased it
in protective metal, so it can't be so easily damaged."
"Good
thinking, Ratchet," First Aid said. "I was thinking about coating his
monitor with a bondage shell, almost impenetrable."
"That's
great."
* * *
"There
... done ... " said Ratchet after many hours. "I hope he's going to
be all right."
Soon after,
Monitor awoke in a panic.
"It's
okay ..." calmed Ratchet.
The newly
repaired Autobot calmed down with relief, when he realised it was Ratchet.
"Ohhh...
It was terrible..." he gasped. "M-Megatron - he ... he... "
"We
know, " said Ratchet gently comforting him," but you're all right
now. We've made your body stronger and your sensor has a protective casing
around it, your monitor's been strengthened, and now you have firepower in both
modes, so you're not so vulnerable."
"Thank
you. It is most appreciated," Monitor smiled, grateful.
Ratchet
smiled. First Aid gave Monitor an energon cube.
"Here,
you must be starving."
Monitor
smiled. He hadn't realised until now just how starving. He drank the cube
quickly.
"Do
you want another one?" asked First Aid.
Monitor
shook his head. "No, thank you. One is sufficient."
* * *
Optimus
came to Monitor.
"Great
to see you back with us," he said, relieved.
"It
was awful, Prime ..." Monitor whispered. "I was petrified... I
am sorry to have behaved in such a cowardly manner."
"I
know and that's understandable. I'm sorry for leaving you alone. The village
attack was bogus."
"BOGUS
- does not compute - and Prime, it's wasn't your fault. You didn't know it was
going to happen."
Optimus
smiled and walked with Monitor into the computer room.
"Here,
I have something for you."
"You
shouldn't have, Prime ... What is it?"
"A
slang disk, and you can also look up slang terms on the Internet, so Calliber
Tron dies not confuse you anymore."
Monitor
chuckled softly. "Much appreciated."
Optimus
smiled back.
"It's
fine," he said, leaving him be.
Monitor
retreated to the computer room, now equipped with new security mechanisms and
transformed into his computer mode. and happily transferred all the data on the
disk into his memory.
"Ahh,
I see now."
* * *
All the
Autobots were grateful, to have him fully functional once more.
Slingshot
went up to him.
"You
all right, dude?" he asked.
He
suddenly gasped and covered his mouth.
"Sorry"
he said apologetically, putting his hands up. "You okay?"
"Affirmative,
Slingshot. I'm fine. "
"Monitor,"
said Air Raid coming to him, "I want to apologise for insulting you
before. It was wrong of me and not very Autobot."
Monitor
smiled. "Hey, dude, It's fine! Let's go take a dekko what the Deceptiturkeys
are plannin,' then we can PARDY ON!!"
*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A LESSON IN FRIENDSHIP
Calliber
Tron and I were left stranded, far from Autobot headquarters after one
Decepticon attack. Both of us were wounded and could not transform. At least
the Automatic Car was semi functional, but its communication systems were
damaged beyond repair.
"Move
it!" he yelled at the car and it set in motion.
"There
is no need to shout," I informed him. "The car's Audio receptors
are-"
"Shut
up!"
I
silenced and jerked a little.
"I
told you to SHUT UP!"
I was a
little shocked and did not say anything more. I decided to start a friendly
conversation to dissipate the negative feelings. But what the humans call
"small talk" is not easy for me. It serves no real purpose, but I
decided to as they say "give it a go."
"How
are you feeling, Calliber Tron?" I asked, uneasily.
"How
am I feeling? Like shit, Monitor, like shit!"
"I
do not understand. How can you 'feel like shit' if you are solid?"
Calliber
Tron rolled his eyes. "Shut up ...."
"
"Shut
up!"
"But-"
Calliber
raised his hand to hit me.
"Don't..."
I said in shock, but he didn't listen. "Don't, Calliber Tron..."
"What
are you gonna do about it?"
I said
nothing, and looked out the window at the Earth scenery we were passing. I did
not know why Calliber Tron was being hostile to me. As far as I was aware I had
not done anything to warrant this behaviour. Perhaps I had done something that
had offended him - which I knew nothing of. I did not think so. I know of all
my actions and since our last small skirmish two point five months ago, no
friction had passed between us. It was simple. He just didn't care about me. If
I fell out of the car and was crushed by its wheels, Calliber Tron wouldn't
care. I felt upset, but what could I do? I looked at the floor of the car, then
out the window again, hoping the Decepticons would not attack us, as we were in
a word, defenceless. I am sure
"Hurry
up with the energon, will ya," Calliber Tron demanded. "I'm starvin'!
Don't just sit there gawkin' at it."
I gave
one of the cubes to him. He snatched it from me and I watched him hurriedly
drink it. That cube meant more to him than I did. If I was an energon cube,
Calliber Tron would have used me without thinking twice - and without caring at
all. I had lost my appetite. Who could think of eating when one of your closest
friends despised you for no reason. I slowly drank my cube for lack of anything
else creative to do.
"I
wish this effin' thing would hurry up...." Calliber Tron complained,
hitting the car.
"The
car is damaged. We cannot increase speed. We will run out of-"
"Who
asked you!?"
I felt
hurt and quite worthless. As if Calliber Tron wanted me to get out of the car
and walk. I wonder why he didn't just push me out and be done with it, not that
I wanted him to of course.
We both
began to feel tired. The emergency energon we had eaten was beginning to run
out. I laid back against the window. The car gave a jolt as it ran over a large
rock. I was thrown over Calliber Tron's lap.
"Get
off!" he yelled, hitting me.
"I
apologize..."
"Shut
up..."
I
predicted he was going to say that. If Mindwave was in the car with him,
Calliber Tron would be kind to him. I am not jealous of Mindwave in any way,
but I wish
"Calliber
Tron, what is the problem?" I asked, hoping I wouldn't get a smack in the
audio. "Do you need-"
"But
"Shut
your effing trap before I rip your bloody vocal components out!!"
I
silenced instantly, shocked by what Calliber Tron had just said, but somehow I
found the courage to say something more.
"
"DID
YOU HEAR WHAT I JUST SAID??!!"
He
grabbed my throat and harshly let me go. I leant my head against the window.
We
finally, thankfully reached Autobot headquarters.
"At
last ..." growled Calliber Tron, climbing out of the car. "I don't
know how much longer I could stand it cooped up in this stupid thing with you,
Monitor."
I felt
quite hurt, but even so, I could not bring myself to hurt Calliber Tron back.
Needless to say he was stronger than me and my retaliation would only serve to
further his anger. Sadly, I climbed out of the car, and could feel Calliber
Tron's eyes glaring at me. I wished I could disappear, like Mirage. And I did
not know how much longer I could have stood Calliber Tron's uncalled for
brutality.
We walked
inside Autobot headquarters.
"Hey,
Monitor, what's the matter?" asked Ratchet, coming to me. "You look
upset."
"There
is nothing wrong, Ratchet," I lied. "The trip was... long and I'm
grateful to be back home."
"It's
great to have you and Cal back. We thought you might not've made it. Can't say
much for the car, though. It's pretty much scrap."
"I
know the feeling."
I felt I
could not tell Ratchet about Calliber Tron's unmeritorious behaviour. I walked
to my quarters. Perhaps I should commit suicide and see what
I entered
my quarters, locked the door, lay on my resting ledge and cried. Perhaps this
is what
I decided
to write a short story on my 'adventure' if you could call it that, perhaps to
come to terms with my feelings. I recall the events exactly. I printed out the
first draft and in my current state of mind, lost it. Darn. Oh well, it does
not matter. I have it saved in my memory.
A few
days later, Calliber Tron came to me.
"Hey,
Mono, I wanna talk to you."
Part of
my was thrilled, the other upset, angry and uneasy.
"What?"
I asked, trying to keep the uncertainty out of my voice.
"Well...."
he began. "Weeeeeell .... I found the thing that you wrote about us in the
car."
Oh no
.... "And..." I managed to choke out.
"Listen,
Mono... I'm not a very emotional, sentimental guy, y'know ..."
"So
I've noticed."
"Hey,
I don't hate you, okay."
"It
seemed like it. You-"
"I'm
sorry. I was in a major league bad mood, that's all. Everything went wrong that
day and then the 'Cons have to attack and shoot my leg... And Sputty was
hurt."
"Well
you did not have to take it all out on me. It really hurt,
"I
realise now, Mono and I'm sorry."
I nodded
slowly.
"And,"
Calliber Tron said, "some things you wrote in that story hurt me,
Monitor."
I looked
at him, puzzled and concerned.
"I'm
sorry, Calliber Tron," I said, apologetically. "Deep down, I knew you
wouldn't, I guess, but by the way you were treating me it sure felt as if you
didn't care at all. I may not seem to be very emotional myself, Cal, but I do
have feelings."
"I
know. I'm sorry, Monitor. Just remember - I've never hated you and never will.
When I'm in a shitty mood, it's best to keep out of my way. I don't mean to
hurt others, but sometimes I do without realising."
"I
have done the same," I confessed. "I forgive you, Calliber
Tron."
He smiled
and patted my shoulder. "And. Mono, don't always be so darn
pessimistic!"
I smiled.
"Can't help it sometimes, but thanks,
He smiled
too. "And Mono, you can try me next time we're stranded."
"I'll
keep that in mind."
Calliber
Tron left to join the others.
I felt
like some quiet time, so retreated back into my quarters, feeling glad that Cal
and I had settled this.
I had
learnt that when friends were angry, with you, it would not last. Friendship is
more powerful than hatred, anger or weapons of any type.
Friends
mean everything to me.
*
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