so sexy dangerous

[thanksoptimus]

It's ambiguous whether or not robots have traditional day and night cycles, but regardless, Orion's plan took place at a time in which activity at the Archive was minimal. He knew where the other bots were expected to be, and his trajectory had them coming nowhere close to them. While technically illegal, it was a very gentle sort of illegal, which was something he was prepared to deal with when it came to interacting with Megatronus the revolutionary gladiator.

While it was possible that Megatronus could have requested Archive information in a traditional sense, Orion can't imagine that authority figures wouldn't take the opportunity to give the bot trouble wherever possible, and more importantly, the information he was taking Megatronus to see was of the restricted variety. So restricted, in fact, that his initial discovery of it had been mostly unintentional, and it wasn't something he felt was prudent to try to download even now.

At any rate, he knows all the passwords for entry and basically lives here so breaking in isn't in itself any kind of feat. The hardest part honestly is keeping Megatronus from sticking out like the sore thumb he is.

"If we refrain from entering the common areas I suspect we were be able to avoid any unwanted encounters," he says quietly as they move in past one of the back entrances. "Though it will be important to keep our presences...unobtrusive."

This is not at all pointed at Megatronus. Not at all.

Comments

[bigfuckinggun]

There is really only so unobtrusive someone with Megatronus' frame can be. Although it will be some time yet before he has the alterations made that will grant him flight along with dozens of stylised pointy bits and extraneous spikes, he still towers over most other bots, and his heavy armour and non-retractable arm mounted cannon* make him especially conspicuous in a place like this.

Honestly it makes him uneasy, how clear it is that he does not belong here, but he reminds himself that his uneasiness is nothing more the result of a lifetime of being forced to live within the restraints of an oppressive and unjust system. He draws himself up a little as they enter the Archive – just as Orion remarks on the need to be inconspicuous.

He pointedly looks down at his companion, one eyebrow raised. "I will do my best to seem academic."


____________
*which probably reads as a sign of aggression in a culture where typically if a weapon is visible it has been cycled out intentionally but let's not get started on that kind of thing eh

[thanksoptimus]

Honestly, Megatronus just walking around in a place like this is enough to sound like a cacophony. He is the largest bot Orion has ever seen, and generally twice the size of anyone who would typically be seen in these halls. Sometimes military types would come here for information, but that was about it. Orion is relatively large for an Archivist, having an alt form that is proficient for hauling things around, but he only rises part way up Megatronus's chest and probably weighs twice as much just in bulk.

It all balances out in he end, Orion figures. Megatronus is out of place here, but perhaps less out of place than Orion felt in Kaon. It wasn't that he felt that he was in particular danger there - no more than the native residents anyway - but it was obvious that he didn't belong, and he'd felt guilt for being a physical representation of the type of bots they were hoping to fight against.

All the more reason to resemble them only in body instead of mind. He's determined to use whatever privileges he has to help and nothing else.

It's obvious that Orion knows every turn and corner off by spark in this place. He checks at all the right moments to see that no one is around, and at one point warns Megatronus back just in time to avoid a passing sentry. One of many roving guards.

"Security detail," he says in a hush. "Most likely bored and inattentive at this time. Once they pass they are not likely to retread this path for a while."

[bigfuckinggun]

"I could crush any one of these oblivious fools with one hand," Megatronus grumbles under his breath, peering impatiently after the sentry's retreating back. Stealth is not his forte, and he isn't used to having to carefully and furtively avoid anyone who, like these guards, would scarcely present a challenge if he was permitted to handle things the way he preferred.

There's no real bite to his complaint, though; he knows there's nothing to be gained by aggression here, and he's completely willing to defer to Orion's knowledge of the Archives. Just, you know, sometimes you just have to point out that you could totally crush a guy with one hand.

[thanksoptimus]

All the more reason to avoid a confrontation, Orion thinks. Megatronus's handling of these things always sounds a bit crass to Orion's understanding of the world, but he supposes it would. Megatronus comes from a different place, and combat is the main way he's been given to express control of things. Orion mostly just hopes for a day when that won't have to be the case.

All the same, the idea of Megatronus crushing his coworkers makes Orion flinch a little. He doesn't really want to dwell on the idea.

"I am well aware," Orion says, genuinely acknowledging that physical prowess as a truth. The guards are well trained, he knows, but Megatronus is, well...he's something else. His frown deepens a little, though, uncertain.

"...Though, I must insist that if a conflict is to arise that we will not resort to violence. This is my home."

[bigfuckinggun]

He hesitates, for a second, at that – although he knows it's in his best interests as much as anything else to avoid violence in this particular situation, the idea of ruling out the option altogether is somewhat uncomfortable – but the frown on Orion's face, and that flinch, reminds Megatronus that, beyond what is sensible and practical, he has his friend's feelings to consider.

There's an apology in his optics as he inclines his head, just slightly, and murmurs, "As you wish."

[thanksoptimus]

Orion takes the admission without question, thankful for his friends understanding. He knows Megatronus well enough that he knows conceding anything to anyone is no small gesture, and he is glad for that trust above all else.

He smiles slightly in acknowledgment and nods. The sentries have passed by now and he takes the lead again, guiding the gladiator through a series of halls, and access areas of different clearance levels. The one he's headed for is towards the core of the building, the very oldest of the archives - so old that they actually have a collection of hard copies to go alone with the digital transcriptions.

"These historical accounts come from before the age of the current Senate," he explains as they arrive closer to the goal. "Perhaps beyond the scope of any modern tampering."

[bigfuckinggun]

Whatever misgivings Megatronus might have about coming here, he can see that Orion is in his element. Most of their face to face meetings before now have been on Megatronus' own territory, where it was clear that it Orion felt the guilt of intrusion, and without the self-assurance of justified rebellion to dispel it. There is none of that nervousness about him here, though, and it's refreshing to see this confidence in the archivist's step.

"And you are allowed to read these files?" he muses. It's partially disbelief, and slightly concern for the trouble his friend may be getting himself into – but there's a note of satisfaction, there too.

[thanksoptimus]

"Not exactly," he says, carrying on regardless. He'd discovered them mostly by accident, having simply dug deeper and deeper into the Archives for his personal pursuits and not fully realizing the importance of what he'd been decoding until it had been in his hands. He could get into trouble, certainly. He honestly doesn't know what will happen if they get caught, but on the other hand, he thinks that the censoring of such information is a crime in itself.

"I suspect they have been put aside for a reason," he says, typing in another passcode into the lock of a sliding door. He does have to verify with his own number, but he's not going to get into how he's linking his name to the whole thing. "Regardless of whether it has been made illegal to view them, to keep the history of our world hidden from public access is an obstruction of justice."

i dont have ANY icons for INTENSE GAZING

[bigfuckinggun]

Megatronus huffs his agreement as he follows Orion through the doorway (he almost has to duck). "Indeed," he growls. "The jealous hoarding of knowledge is one of the most insidious symptoms of the disease that consumes our world."

The gladiator straightens up once he's clear of the doorway, his optics roving over soft blue lights that those who installed them would doubtless not have wanted the likes of him to see. Then, as the door slides shut behind them, his gaze falls back on Orion, and he hesitates.

"Orion," he says, quietly. "I would hope you know I do not take this for granted – I understand what you are risking to bring me here. You have everything to lose, and far less than I to gain..." He looks down at the smaller bot, a serious expression on his face; "Your courage is commendable... and I am deeply glad of it."

GAZE GAZE GAZE

[thanksoptimus]

He smiles a little at that, unmistakably pleased with that declaration of approval. It's not that Orion is one to be overly guided by the opinions of others, but Megatronus is someone whom he has formed a great deal of respect for. Someone who has already done so much more for this movement than he could ever hope to.

"It is the least I can do in these circumstances," he says, looking up to meet his gaze. "Every bot has a role to play in changing things for the better, and I will not allow mine to end here."

[bigfuckinggun]

Orion's humility is never a surprise, but Megatronus smiles at him for a moment, almost laughs – not because there's anything ridiculous or worthy of mockery in Orion's attitude, but out of fondness, and continuing disbelief that he has someone so uncommonly noble as an ally; as a friend.

"You are right, of course," he replies, resting a heavy hand lightly on Orion's shoulder. "What sparkless husk could open his eyes to the suffering of his brothers without lifting a hand to help? All the same... " He doesn't finish that sentence, instead falling silent for a moment, his gaze lingering on Orion's in wordless gratitude. Then he drops his hand, and announces, "Come – let us defy the worthless precepts of an obsolete order. Lead me there, Orion Pax."

[thanksoptimus]

Orion's eyes linger on him for a few moments after that, before giving him a meaningful nod and carrying on without feeling the need to give a verbal answer. He signs in to the terminal and lets them in through the security doors, to the access locked area beyond.

There is only one access point in this room and one screen - presumably because only one person would be intended to enter at a time. Orion glances upwards at that though, wondering if the area may be under surveillance. He's in two mind about the worry though - on one hand, if it is such a critical area, surely they would want to keep it under watch - but on the other hand...it may defeat the point of it being secret if the security footage could duplicate the information within.

He pauses for a few moments, considering it, before heading to the terminal. He would like to feel comforted by the idea that Alpha Trion would likely be the one intended for access, but the idea of upsetting the old bot is perhaps more bothersome than most others.

"There is a chance we may be under surveillance - I have reason to doubt, but I am not certain."

[bigfuckinggun]

"Hm." Megatronus frowns, casting a wary glance about the room they've entered. "I have nothing to fear from Iacon, Orion. They know my name and they know my goals; if they tried to arrest me the wrath of Kaon would pour down on them like a cascade of molten metal, red-hot and furious. I doubt they would like to take the risk." The thought makes him grin, but his expression sobers as he turns back to Orion. "But you..."