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Market Commodity	By : Scienceteacher Category: Transformers > G1 > Round Robins Views: 11586 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Do not own the Transformers, am not making anything from this story.

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***Mentors part 9**

**Written by StSE, Universe G1**

**Time Frame: One year after military begins to receive full shipments of bulk-order clones, and the Autobot clones coming to market. And six months after Megatron's failed attempt at chaos.

Rumble transformed. Flicking his infrared sensors on, he looked around the interior of the rail car. Wooden crates were stacked three high, packed tightly together. With a smirk, he pulled out the Blackberry that Soundwave had handed him. Flipping it open, he typed in the code that he’d been given. He set the Blackberry down as it began to transmit a signal. Patting a couple crates as he walked towards the sealed doors, he snickered. “Well have fun creating chaos! He, he, he…” With that, he transformed and slid under the crack under the door, falling by the side of the railroad tracks.

After the train had passed, he transformed and tapped his com link. “//Ready for pickup Starscream//,” he said.

“//Mission successful?//” the high pitched Air Commander’s voice asked.

“//Affirmative, now you gonna freagin’ pick me up or what?!?//” Rumble demanded to know.

“//Locking on signal. And you’d better learn some respect you little slagger!//” Starscream’s voice growled back.

----

In the darkness of the train car, optics briefly lit up in each crate. Clones packed for shipment activating. “Receiving download… Affirmative… Upgrade loaded… Deactivating sequence resumed…” fifty voices said in unison. Then silence resumed. The Blackberry beeped one last time and went dark. Its memory automatically deleted all traces of its use. The sound of the tracks as they rolled underneath the swaying car was now the only sound to be heard.

And the train continued on its way to Ft Campbell. With a nasty surprise in store for the members of the 101st Airborne division. Yes, before long the Screaming Eagles would fit their name. Fit it to a tee… And from that central base, chaos would begin to radiate outward, like spokes in a tire…

-----

“Man, this is so COOL!!” TC exclaimed as Optimus Prime pulled up with the moving trailer in tow. The little blue Seeker just couldn’t believe they had the Supreme Commander of the Autobots helping them move. This was beyond cool! But he couldn’t think of a better word at the moment.

Speed smacked him up side his helm. “You are such a dolt,” he snickered as he marched over to the back of the trailer and opened it.

TC shrugged off the insult. Heck, Speed couldn’t manage even one sentence without including an insult in it, so a clone got used to ignoring him. Wandering up to the semi cab, he patted the mech’s hood as he pulled a Dr. Pepper out of his cockpit. “Um, Optimus?” he asked.

“Yes TC,” the Autobot replied. Airbrakes hissed, and the hitch connection between the trailer and him deactivated with a ‘sssttt’. With the trailer now securely parked, Prime transformed and knelt down to look at the tiny image of Thundercracker.

Damn these mechs were huge! TC wondered if he’d ever get used to it. No, he didn’t fear them in the least – but he was beginning to wonder how the mech would consume what he was going to offer him. He looked down at the bottle of Dr. Pepper, then up at the mech who was now peering at him with a look of curiosity. “Ya wanna sip? It’s KILLER on the sensors!” he offered as he held up the bottle.

Optimus raised one of his optic ridges in amusement. It was fascinating how these clones truly showed both human and mech trait. He knew how much this particular soda seemed to mean to these clones, so for the little guy to offer him one was a sign of friendship. So he decided that he’d accept the gift, even though he had no intention of actually putting the stuff on his glossa. “Thank you TC, I accept it. But would you please put the lid back on and toss it in my cab. I’ll drink it later. When I have time to enjoy it.”

TC beamed in happiness. The mech liked the soda too! He was right! He fumbled to get the lid screwed back on, and when Prime lowered one of his cab windows, he zoomed up and set it inside. “It’s still cold too! Well, guess I should get to work,” he said. But then an idea seemed to pass over his meta. He zoomed up so that he was level with Prime’s optics. “So, you wanna go shopping later?” he whispered.

“TC, get your afterburners down here and help us!” Scream yelled from behind the trailer. His arms were full of boxes as he glared up at his brother.

“We’ll talk about it later. You’ve just GOT to see Macy’s, I’m tellin’ ya!” TC told Prime even as he zoomed down to help

Bluestreak walked by Prime at about that time. He stopped and cocked his head as he seemed to consider the idea of the big mech in the middle of a human department store. He scratched his helm as he tried to figure out just how Prime could even get in there. Then he opened his mouth in order to make his observation…

“Don’t even go there Bluestreak, it’s not going to happen,” the red mech said, conveniently cutting him off before he go into a long spill. “But, now that I come to think about it. YOU’D fit through those doors, now wouldn’t you?” His optics brightened slightly, which told Bluestreak that there was a good possibility that he’d end up being ordered to do it.

He shrugged. “Well, as long as I get to use YOUR account. Sure, Prime, I’ll cover for you,” he chuckled as he continued on his original path.

Optimus sighed as he rolled his optics. Between his own sharp-meta’d mechs – and the clones.. It sure kept him on his metal toes. He felt a tap on his leg armor. Looking down, a smile crossed his hidden lips as he met the Professor’s eyes. Offering her his hand to get into, he lifted her to optic level.

“Just wanted to thank you for helping us move. You really didn’t have to,” Sharon said as she patted his hand.

“We owe you more than you realize. It is the least we can do. And the Aerialbots are stationed not far away, in case you should ever need their assistance.” Both of them knew that she was a potential target now that Megatron knew his Trojan horse had been found and deleted. True, they had somewhat ‘trained’ the little clones during her stay at Autobot City. The little mechs just thought those ‘games’ of laser tag were for fun. But they’d actually been quite impressive to Prowl and his team whom were ‘playing’ against them. And to impress Prowl, said a lot.

But Prime still didn’t feel comfortable, unless some of his own men were near. He highly doubted that Megatron was done with his schemes involving the clones. And it was better to be safe – than sorry.

“Poor Slingshot is going to have his hands full living near them – don’t you think?” Sharon chuckled as she winked at Prime.

Optimus nodded. “Perhaps it will be good for him to be continually shown up by those he considers beneath him. Settle him down a bit.”

The woman shrugged, that particular Aerialbot kind’ve reminded her of Speed – though without the continual cussing. He was just as much a braggart. And Scream and TC THRILLED at proving his boasts were false! “Well, at least they’ll keep each other occupied and out of trouble,” she said.

“Yes, I suspect you are correct,” he agreed with a nod….

------

Omega-333 scanned around him. The Shockwave variant-C clone had been assigned to guard station A2, his commanding officer for the day was a Private Signin. The soldier couldn’t even be twenty years of age, and seemed highly self-important. Granted, no one else seemed to think he was. But he was constantly bragging to the silent clone about his incredible accomplishments during basic training ‘back in the day’.

Since this variant of the base model was built to perform MP duty, he actually had a faceplate instead of the single red optic. This made the model more 'personable' for soldiers and civilians to deal with. Well, according to market research into it. But regardless, because of the faceplate, his emotional state was much easier to gauge. The Private would have been wise to notice that the clone had a scowl and was starting to grind his dental plates together. But Signin was so sure of himself - he didn't even bother to even care what the clone thought.

Turning his red optics back to the line of cars, which were stopping while he checked that they had proper ID, Omega-333 tried to ignore the annoying commander he was stuck with. But the continual bragging and telling him that HE wasn’t performing his duties as well as a human Private could, just seemed to ‘irk’ the military clone for some reason. Finally, he’d had it. Turning abruptly, he got into the young man’s face. “I highly suggest that you keep your mouth shut and show the behavior proper for a soldier to display,” he snarled. Then he turned and went back to his duty.

Private Signin sputtered in disbelief. “I’m your fucking superior officer you prick!” he shot back. “Get away from the window, you can’t do it right anyhow!” He grabbed the clone’s arm, trying to pull the clone away from the window. This idea really didn’t work - since the clone was 250lbs of solid metal, and the young soldier weighed 130lbs soaking wet.

Omega-333 shook him off like a flea, slamming the soldier against the back of the guard shack. And promptly went back to checking ID’s.

Pulling his assault rifle out that had been slung over his shoulder, the young MP snarled at the clone as he leveled the weapon at him. “I order you to stand down Omega-333!”

The clone glanced behind him. “For what reason?”

“You are glitched, not to mention – an asswipe,” the Private smirked. He liked being over this machine. Made him feel like he had some kind of control! But his smirk disappeared as swiftly as the rifle from his hands. He found himself flying backwards, landing with a thud in the back of the guard shack. Before he could even draw a breath, he was hog tied and his mouth duct taped shut.

The clone went back to his duties; A smile on his face - now that he had eliminated the distraction that had plagued him from performing them to his high standards.

-----

“Another one?” Sharon sighed as she looked at the programmer over their vid link.

“Yes, this one attacked his commanding officer and tied him up. He then went back to his duties like nothing was amiss. When asked for his reason, he stated that the Private was impeding his job performance,” the young man replied.

“How many is that now?” She asked.

“Fifty minor personality glitches in the last two weeks - We normally just have two during the same period.”

Sharon drummed her fingers. This was a technician from Tim’s company this time. Last hour it was one from Sam’s company. But these were clones manufactured in completely different regions, programmed with two totally different programs from different mainframes… “What geographical locations have these incidents been at?” she asked. There had to be a common denominator – had to be!

“Upper Southeast; Tennessee and Kentucky to be more specific.”

“All of them were in those states?” Sharon asked. Her eyebrow shot up, since this was the same region as the other company’s clone behavior issues. Very strange indeed.

“Yes. We’ve tried standard delete/reload/reboot sequences – but it hasn’t repaired the programming glitch. That’s why we had to contact you.”

Sharon sighed and rubbed her forehead. It might as well be the other tech from the other company telling her this. Everything was eerily identical. “Ok, what have you done with the glitched clones?” she asked.

“Stassis and storage,” he said.

“Ok, send two of the more glitched ones to my lab. I’ll see what I can find.” Sharon nodded to the younger man as he disappeared from the screen.

A knock at her office door interrupted her thoughts. Swiveling in her chair she told them to come in. TC’s ever cheerful face poked in. “Hey, the glitched civilian clones just arrived.”

“Ok, come with me to the lab then,” she said as she stood up. As they walked down the hall, she noticed Scream and Jag silently fall in behind her. “Don’t you two have some students to tutor?” she asked.

Scream shrugged as he smiled at her back. TC had called him and told him about the glitched clones coming in. The blue Seeker was worried they might go berserk or something. So, let’s just say, Scream decided that the entire ‘cavalry’ should be there in case she needed them. “Nope. We were bored, so we figured we’d drop by. See if anything exciting was happening,” he told her.

Just then, Jester showed up and fell in behind the group. Now Sharon knew they were up to something. Something more than merely being bored. “TC called you boys – didn’t he?” she said with a sly glance at her blue clone. Predictably, he blushed - Which simply confirmed her suspicions about him being worried about her safety…

“Yes Sharon, he was concerned for your safety,” Jag agreed.

Sharon rolled her eyes as they entered her lab. Two crates sat there. “Well, since you guys are here, open them up. TC, hook a data link to them before we activate them.” She went over to one of her drawers and pulled her diagnostic laptop out, powering it up as her clones prepared the new arrivals..

An Inferno clone stood up first, his optics brightening as he activated. TC typed away on the laptop he’d connected straight into the clone’s meta. “Model: Inferno 52430-Z-0022 SDT activated – registered to fire station 3. Designation: Mercury.. Who is my current commanding officer?” the clone stated. He scanned around him with his blue optics, logging in the fact that he was no longer at the fire station he’d just been in, he was now in a lab. His face flooded with confusion.

“Current commander shall be Sharon Trakersly, log me into your meta,” Sharon said. She looked back down, typing some commands to her laptop so that she could bring up the programs she’d need.

“Where is the fire engines?” he asked.

“You are in a lab so that we can find the source of your glitch. There are no fire engines,” Sharon replied without looking up.

Mercury ground his dental plates together as he considered this. “But there has to be fire engines, where are they?” he demanded more than asked.

This caused Sharon to look up at him curiously. “There are none. Like I said. You are being repaired. There are no fire engines here.”

Confusion flooded the Inferno clone. He was a fire fighter, thus he needed a fire engine to perform his duties. Without a fire engine he could not do his job. Was this woman in the white coat – keeping him from his duties?!? How dare she! Peoples’ lives were at risk! He must have a fire engine! “I demand a fire engine!” he growled as he balled up his fists.

Sharon leaned back on her stool. “Why?”

He sputtered in shock. Was it not obvious WHY he needed a fire engine?!? “To fight the fire of course.”

“There is no fire.”

“Yes there is,” Mercury was sure of it. There was a fire that needed to be put out!

“No there isn’t.”

“I said – THERE IS! QUIT ARGUING WITH ME – AKKKKKKK!” the clone fell forward in temporary stasis lock.

Scream had a rather smug look as he made a show of blowing off the end of his null-ray. “Yep, works every time,” he snickered. The second the glitched clone had made a move towards Sharon – he’d been ready.

Swiftly, Jag had his hands handcuffed behind him. Dragging him over to a chair, he watched as Jester strapped him to it with heavy straps. “Bastard ain’t movin’ now!” the Sideswipe clone quipped.

“Ok TC, thank you for calling your brothers,” Sharon said as she walked up to him. Leaning over his shoulder, she studied what his laptop had read during the Inferno clone’s little act. “Hmmmm, fascinating,” she mumbled.

The glitched clone came back on line just then. He strained against his bonds, glaring daggers at the clones who were standing around him. Because of them, a building was burning! People were dying! He became frantic to break loose. He must perform his designated job. Suddenly, he couldn’t move even a bearing. Only his optics moved.

“Ok, linked to his secondary processor. He’ll be locked now. Ready for diagnostics,” TC announced as he finished typing in the commands…

------

And so it began. More and more clones showing up with minor behavioral glitches. At first they seemed to become fixated on their duties. To the point of arguing and even voluntarily overriding their assigned commander/master…. Clones from both companies were equally affected. Programming experts from both companies collaborated through MIT and Dr. Trakersly. But the cause was not easily discovered. The malicious program changing slightly each time it was discovered.

And it slowly spread. In most clones, it stayed in a non-symptomatic state. But was still highly infectious.. Attacking any uninfected clone that the carrier came with ten feet of… The short wave frequency bursts that it used to spread, not having a wide range. But some clones even passed it just through touch. And right under the noses of both Autobots and researchers, a ticking time-bomb slowly counted down….

---

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