[#140] Constructed Cold

[techbilt]

Theme Prompt: #140 Learning Lessons
Title: Constructed Cold
Fandom: Transformers Prime-ish/IDW mash up
Rating/Warnings: PG
Bonus: Yes
Word Count: 603
Summary: At first there is nothing

One moment there is nothing, and the next there is everything.  My systems fire up for the first time and initialization occurs.  I come online with a room full of others.  There are two mecha walking around attempting to help a few of the others.  My own systems boot up and run initial diagnostics - they’re making a benchmark.  My systems are trying to figure out what full health and full power feel like, to remember for later.

 

I don't know how I know these things.

 

The caretakers tell me it will all be explained to me later.  I don’t question it.

 

It takes me longer than my other cohorts to run through the initialization process.  My systems throw up warnings that there is a processor to hardware compatibility error.  The caretakers call a medic and I sit with my medical ports open as the medic attempts to force install the right drivers. 

 

Then there is nothing once more.

 

Then there is everything again, this time I’m in a different room.  The room is white and sterile.  I do not know what this means.  I’m no longer sitting up, but laying down and my Systems are attempting to run the initialization process once more.  I don't understand what the caretakers are talking about.  Only that they keep looking at me, and it makes me feel uncomfortable.  

 

The medic looks at me and I still don’t understand him, his inflection makes it sound like he’s asking a question, but I don’t know what it means.  I watch as the medic types into a console and once more I experience nothingness.

 

Once more I wake up to Everything, and more.  This time, my HUD informs me I have new hardware, a caretaker sits in my room, and he glances at me.

 

“Oh, you’re awake,” he says.  He is white, black, and gold, elegant and fancy looking.  I can’t help but wonder what he’s doing here for me.  “They had to install some extra hardware,” explains the caretaker.  “Your Processor wasn’t built for the socket you have so there were connection errors.”  

 

I don’t really know what this means, but I am silent anyway.

 

“Basically it means that your processor is built differently, we had to modify you so you could function properly,” he explained.

 

“So I am defective?” I ask.  My language packs offer definitions, derogatory, typically sent straight for smelting.

 

“No, you’re not defective,” says the caretaker, I look at him and he places a hand on my shoulder plate.  “You process data differently than most other mecha, and that's fine.  You might have to learn things a different way from many of the others but you are not defective.”

 

“What will happen to me?” I ask.  My cohorts must have been assigned their duties by now.  When will I get mine?

 

“You still have some data to process before you’re ready to perform your function,” says the Caretaker gently.  “I am going to take you somewhere where you can finish your downloads.”

 

“I will need a designation.”

 

The elder mecha hums as he thinks of something.  “Is there a name you like already?”

 

“I do not have a database of names,” I answer.

 

“Well your job will be Tactical planning,” says the caretaker.  “How does Prowl sound?”

 

He looks up the name in his database, meaning to move about or wander stealthily in search of prey, or to roam in a predatory manner.  It’s a name that embodies his function.  “It is acceptable.”

 

“Well Prowl, I am Yoketron and I’m here to take you home.  X-Brawn and Bluestreak are excited to meet you.”