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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 14**

**Written by StSE, Universe G1**

Note: This happens an unspecified amount of time since the last chapter…. But a decent amount of time has passed..

---

“You look good!” Scream exclaimed as the two Aerialbot clones came out of Speed’s workshop. They were now modified like he and TC were. Well, almost. They were a slightly different color in their new F-22 alt modes than Scream and TC. But now they all sported the new MIT ‘insignias’ and had the rechargeable long-life batteries like the military clones. Well, without the nuclear power systems. Sharon was a stickler for using the ‘green technology’ of solar and water power supply systems.

“Thanks!” Silver said as he turned in a circle.

“So, you’re going to train us to fly as well as you?” Blue said in a hopeful tone. He’d been stuck in their contrails for so long now, his old alt mode just not able to keep up. His Seeker brothers could fly circles around him, and now that he’d been fully upgraded with all the new combat fighter technology – he was itching to learn!

Daniel slapped their wings as he and his clones came out of the workshop. “Well, now that all of you have the military programs and all the experimental upgrades, we might as well plan several intense training sessions.”

“So we’re going to be included now?” Silver asked with a hopeful face. He’d hated it when his new brothers had gone off and left them behind with Sharon. He wanted to have fun as well!

Sharon walked up to her brother, noting the sadness hidden in his eyes. “You doing ok Daniel?” she asked.

The strong man’s face fell a bit. The circles under his eyes becoming obvious to the clones now.. The unexpected death of his husband had been hard on him. Very hard! Only the fact that Shado seemed so much like Sam had kept him going. In some ways, he felt like he could feel Sam with him whenever he touched the man’s former clone. As he broke down a bit, he felt the blue-and-white clone surround him with an arm. Just like Sam would’ve done. “Ya, I’m fine. Heart attacks happen, just have to accept it,” he said with sadness filling his voice. But he smiled at the Mirage clone, and gave him a pat. “But somehow I think I still have Sam with me. It’s like he’s in his clone.”

Sharon gave her brother a hug. “Do you still want to stay here all alone?” she asked him as she glanced at the expansive mansion. Daniel had already sold off the corporations that Sam had left him. Just keeping enough stock in the robotics company to have a vote to cast…

Daniel’s shoulders sagged. “You know, I’ve been thinking of something. Maybe we should go in the house and talk about it?” he told her.

She and her big family of clones followed him inside.

----

“Come on Sharon – It’d be GREAT!!!” TC and Jester exclaimed as they danced around the study.

Shado quietly handed Sharon her favorite drink. He gave her a big smile, hopeful that she would take Daniel up on his offer. Actually, it had been Shado’s idea. Whispered in Daniel’s ear late one night as he and Speed snuggled on either side of the grieving man… But Shado wasn’t concerned if Sharon ever found out where the idea originated, just that she agreed to it. Life with Speed was hard without the calming influence of Sam. And Shado really hoped that his cousins would distract the obnoxious clone.

Sharon smiled at the ‘prim and proper’ clone. He had struck up quite the friendship with the studious Blue, and she knew he merely dealt with life as Speed’s brother. He was so like his deceased human partner – it was heart wrenching. She had a funny feeling that he had been the one coming up with this idea. It would be as good for him, as for Daniel.

She glanced over at Silver, who was happily being shown around by Speed. Who once-again was showing off his trophies. Those two had really hit it off as well. Even coming up with a new ‘Silver catching Speed in midair’ game! They loved the attention it got from the humans..

Turning her eyes back to Daniels, she decided that perhaps it would be best for everyone involved if her family moved in with Daniel. After all, she’d never look at another human for a relationship – and somehow, she didn’t think her brother would either. “Ok Daniel, I’ll sell my place and we’ll move in,” she said as she gave him a hug.

Shado and Blue met optics from across the room, smiles lighting up on their faces. They would be ‘brothers’ in a sense now. Shado walked over to his friend, handing him a mineral oil cherry flavored drink. “Would you be interested in going to the coffee shop with me sometime?” he asked. In a sense, asking the clone out.

“The one in the mega-bookstore?” Blue asked. His smile widened as the Mirage clone nodded. He had found a true love for books! And that bookstore had an entire section dedicated to military subjects. And Shado didn’t seem the least bit bothered that he’d sit there for hours and read. Shado would just purchase a New York Times newspaper and lean against him as he caught up on current happenings. Yes, Shado did seem more suited in temperament for him than Silver. He nodded, patting his friend on his shoulder mount.

Silver noticed the exchange. With a gleam in his optics he rapped Speed on his helm, silencing the clone in mid-brag. “Hey, looks like we’ll be living together. You want to see if you can hang on while I blow out my afterburners?” he asked.

Speed set his trophy down. “Then we’ll compete against TC and Jester?” he asked in a hopeful tone. He yelped in glee as Silver nodded. “I wanna! I wanna! Let’s go practice so that we can beat those freagin’ losers!!!” Grabbing Silver’s hand, he dragged him out of the room.

Sharon and Daniel smiled as they watched the clones interact. It was so obvious that the pairings were going to change a bit. But it was definitely more suitable pairings that were going on.

“So did you ever figure out what that new chest interfacing was all about?” Daniel asked her.

“I meant to ask Perceptor, but with Sam’s death and everything, well….” Sharon replied with a shrug.

“And Starscream just blew it off, explaining the energy adaptations the same way you had?” He took another sip as he thought about it.

“Yes, which does make sense. But then why are they attracted to each other’s core now? Even the military clones are attracted to the energy adapted clones for some reason. I’ve even detected a definite frequency difference between adapted and non-adapted clones.” Sharon sighed, so many questions filled her – but she just had no clue.

Daniel took another sip, his eyes turning to their clones. Blue and Shado had tucked themselves in a corner on one of the couches. Shado leaned back against Blue with an expression of contentment as they whispered things to each other. He’d felt sorry for Shado. The poor clone had taken Sam’s death almost as hard as he had. True, Shado had Speed – but their personalities had never truly clicked.

But now that the cousins were moving in, Shado had a suitable clone to pair up with. Blue was quite and studious, just the type that the ‘high society’ clone would like. Daniel chuckled, for he wondered at the ‘high society’ temperament. True, it had fit in very well with Sam and his business trips. But it was so different from the other clones’ temperaments. But now Shado had a clone partner it seemed. Someone to pair with long after Daniel died.

“Well, whatever it is, Shado has it now. Speed told me as such when he upgraded him with one of the new batteries. And so do Silver and Blue,” Daniel informed her.

“Yes, I knew those two had it. Scream is able to somehow synch with their energy adaptations.” Sharon turned her eyes onto the red Seeker, who had gotten a game of pool started up with TC, Jester and Jag.

“So, you’re saying there’s a definite frequency difference between the adapted clones and those that aren’t?”

“Yes, one of the electrical engineering students I have in my Intro to Robotics course, even built a scanning device that differentiates between the two. It’s a nice, handheld device,” she explained. Shado extracted himself from Blue as he noticed her set down an empty glass. Coming up to her he gave her a questioning look as he held out his hand. “Café’ latte this time please,” Sharon told him. She chuckled as she noticed TC look over at her as he heard her order. The blue Seeker met the quiet Mirage clone behind the bar, smiling as he showed his cousin how to properly make Sharon’s favorite.

“Extra credit, hmmmm?” Daniel said with a wink. He knew many students failed that course, and Sharon was always giving them options within their specialty areas to help her with her own research. And always offered enough extra credit points to make it worth their while to do it…

“Whatever works. And you know what else I’ve found out?” Sharon said with a grin. She smiled at Shado as he handed her the coffee. He hovered as she took her first sip. Beaming in pure ecstasy as she complemented his work…Then he and TC took off and resumed their clone socializing.

“What’s that?”

“Well, that damned malicious program we’ve been fighting with – well, turns out that the clones with the frequency change aren’t affected.” This had been a true relief, since her own family of clones had been handling a multitude of infected clones for the past few months.

Daniel set his glass down, his eyes full of seriousness. True, he was only a stock holder now, but this malicious program was causing major chaos within both companies. The only way to fix the affected droids currently was to shut them down, rip out both processors and completely replace the hardware. But some of them were starting to get re-infected with the same malicious program later on. “Still no effective anti-viral program huh?”

“No, whoever came up with the malicious software is a fucking genius. It’s as slick as the HIV virus in changing its surface coding. We’ve created a stronger fire wall that seems to be suppressing its effects for an indefinite period of time, how long – who knows. But at least we know it’ll infect primarily bulk-order models, since a higher and higher percent of the private models are becoming energy adapted. They are fully protected from it.” She took another sip of her coffee. Her eyes wandering over to their clones, she was so happy that they were protected from the glitch program!

“I guess it’s safe to assume you’ve got an appointment with Perceptor soon,” Daniel stated.

Sharon sighed, she hated bothering the Autobot scientist – but she needed fresh ideas on this issue. And perhaps he could help her figure out how to make all the clones develop the energy adaptations. It seemed the simplest way to beat the damned hacker’s program. They just had to figure out HOW to have the adaptations installed in every clone that came off the line. “He’s supposed to be available next week. As long as the Decepticons don’t create more chaos, or any more situations come up on my end. I’ve got an appointment then.”

“So, in one week hopefully we’ll have the solution – that’ll help the stock prices.” Daniel smiled at her, he sounded so much like Sam when he said that. “But how’s the other project coming along?”

“The off-planet battle suits? Ready for field testing now. Though they look like bad Halo costumes,” Sharon chuckled.

“So you converted motocross helmets like I recommended?” Daniel asked.

“Yes, but put the gold coated face shields on them to block solar radiation. The suits themselves are coated in a new polymer that is bullet proof and radiation proof. There’s also an oxygen recycling unit, so that you could stay underwater for an extended period of time. Also, the entire system is powered with the same lightweight battery that the clones are. Has a thirty year power supply. More than sufficient for use on other planets.” She sat back, very pleased with her newest project. The exterior cybernetic enhancement suit, or ECE, was going to help humans make great strides in protecting their colonies on other planets.

Daniel grinned; he did love to ‘test’ the new creations that his sister came up with! “Well, we’re planning a trip to Yellowstone to let all the clones practice with their new upgrades. You got enough suits for, say, eight men?”

“Have nine ready,” she said with a smile. Lifting her coffee mug, she touched it to Daniel’s upraised glass…

----

Shado helped Blue carry his bags of newly purchased books up the stairs to their new room. Daniel had told him that he could have his pick of rooms since he understood that Shado preferred to hang out with Blue, than with him and Speed. The Mirage clone smiled happily as he glanced back at the blue Aerialbot clone. He’d been beyond happy when Silver had boldly taken his place next to Daniel. That meant that Silver had ‘taken’ Speed from him. And Shado was just THRILLED not to have to interface with the ruffian anymore! He had even purchased a ‘thank you’ card for Silver..

Blue was so much more cultured. Yes, he was a bookworm, but Shado could handle that. At least Blue KNEW how to act properly! For the last week, they had gone out every day. At first, helping each other shop for furniture for their new shared room. And then to movies and bookstores… Now Shado knew without a doubt, that Blue was the right one for him!

They walked into their shared room. Shado eagerly helping Blue arrange his books on the antique oak bookcase sectional which took up an entire wall in the large room. Blue paused as he finished, his fingers caressing the binding of one of his favorite Aerial warfare books. Then fingers curled around his, turning his head, he smiled as his optics met those of Shado.

“You know, I think I’m falling in love with you,” Shado said in a soft tone. He rubbed Blue’s fingers as he spoke, his optics full of honesty.

The Skydive clone studied the blue-and-white ground clone with an intensity that made a wave of heat flow over Shado’s networks. “Can we feel love Shado?” he asked as he cocked his head. Sharon was continually claiming that she thought they were alive. But those whispered words from his first master always seemed to enter Silver’s meta. Telling him that he was merely a machine - so he could not truly feel - that he was nothing.

“We are alive Silver. Just like dogs and cats are.. That’s what Sam always told me. That’s why he put those things in the owner’s manuals,” the Mirage clone said. His deceased owner had even conferred with him on how to word it. Granted, not all owners cared to follow the recommendations on how to treat their clones. They didn’t care about the warnings concerning possible ‘glitches’ that could occur due to mistreatment. But Sam had always expected that one day ‘humane treatment’ laws would protect clones. And he’d tried to protect his corporation in that event.

“But Senator didn’t follow those guidelines. He said we were mere machines. That’s what the law says. And machines can’t feel,” Blue countered.

Shado sighed and pulled the clone close. “If we have no true emotions, then why do you prefer me over Silver? Why did I choose you over Speed?” He ran his hand along Blue’s side, caressing his armor, making the Aerialbot clone shiver. “Sure your sensors react the same way whether I do this or Silver does it. But how does your meta react? If we were to both do it at the same time – whose lips would you seek out?”

Blue shivered at his touch, but even as his interface nets responded – his meta was deep in contemplation of Shado’s words. It was true; he’d seek Shado’s lips over Silver’s. Regardless of what his automatic responses were to both of their attentions – his meta felt a preference. The realization that the former company CEO thought they were as alive as a pet cat – blew him away. “So, so even Sam thought we were alive – even as he built and sold us?” he asked.

Shado shrugged. “He equated himself with a farmer. Farmer’s produce cattle and other livestock for future slaughter. Yet, every human considers the livestock alive and sentient. They know that they feel pain.” He caressed the side of his cousin’s blue helm. “But we are more like dogs. We are built to be companions like Fido is. We are programmed to be partners like bomb-sniffing dogs are. We aren’t built to merely be slaughtered like a cow – we are built to be loved, cherished and trusted with our human partner’s life. So we are somehow – alive.”

“We are alive,” Blue whispered, his optics filling with tears as he finally accepted the notion. It made sense how Shado explained it. They were as alive as a dog was. And maybe, someday, there would be laws to protect them from abuse. Just like there were laws protecting dogs and cats. So he could truly feel emotions! He could truly love! “You… You love me?” he stammered as he stared into the blue depths of Shado’s optics.

“Yes, I do. I’ve been attracted to you since our first training session together. But I was stuck with Speed because of Sam. That’s the only reason I didn’t approach you then,” Shado said softly, his hands sliding around Blue’s waist, caressing the jet engines on his back.

“To be honest, I was attracted to you as well. But.. I was stuck with Silver for similar reasons,” Blue replied. “This whole week… Moving in with you guys.. Combining our extended family.. Well, I think I love you too.. Now that I know I can actually love,” he added the last part with a cock-eyed grin.

Shado pulled back from him. Going to his nightstand, he opened the drawer and pulled out two platinum rings. He came back up to Blue and knelt down. “I know we can’t officially get married. But, would you wear this ring and swear to be my clone partner?” he asked as he looked up at Blue and held out the ring.

Blue stared at the ring. He knew that TC and Sharon wore a similar set on their left ring fingers; while Scream, Jester and Jag wore gold ones on their right ring fingers. Sharon had explained it to the new clones that it meant she and TC were ‘married’ – while the gold ring on the opposite hand meant they were ‘family’. She’d promised to get Silver and Blue some gold ones soon. He trembled as he thought about having one on his left hand, just like TC did. A wash of emotion rolled over him. He was wanted, he was loved. Not only by family – but also in a romantic way! “Yes, I’ll swear it!” he said as he offered his left hand for Shado to slide it onto.

Then he did the same to Shado. As he stood up, they embraced with a true passion he’d never experienced. For the first time, they’d both truly chosen their own mate! Just as living free beings did! Without a word between them, they re-arranged the entire room and pushed the two beds together. They would defrag separately no more. For they were clone mates now…

Shado lay on his side, stroking his partner’s beautiful blue armor. He let his hand wander down to Blue’s codpiece, teasing him a bit. His core pulsed wildly as he pressed tightly against him. To him, this wasn’t just another overload… It was somehow much more significant than that.

“Do you feel the pulsing Shado?” Blue asked as he shifted so that he faced his partner. His hand wandered over Shado’s chest armor, feeling the hotness of the pulsing core.

“Yes,” Shado replied. Something caused him to want to shift his hand. Even though his own interface nets ached to feel Blue’s – his very core wanted to touch Blue’s core. It was a much stronger urge than mere overloading.. So much stronger..

“There’s a different way of interfacing. We can actually interface our very cores you know,” Blue whispered as he traced circles on Shado’s chest armor. That pulsing core so close to his fingertips… “That first night at Sharon’s, I saw Scream and Jag do it that way, and then TC and Jester. It was.. Strangely beautiful.”

“Show me…” Shado gasped as Blue’s fingers caused brilliant arcs of sensation to flow through his nets. He wanted this first time together to be special.. To be different.. To be a new experience for them both.. His energy field began to flux wildly as Blue opened his primary core access panel. “Ahhhhhhh,” he moaned as he arched up. Those fingertips actually caressing him from the inside, stroking his very core! His entire chassis shuddered as a wave of the most incredible pleasure crashed over him like an avalanche.

He fumbled with Blue’s access panel, wanting so desperately to make Blue feel the same way that his hand shook. As he got the panel open, his optics widened at the sight of the blue swirl of raw energy flowing around the clone’s core. Speed had told him that they had these energy adaptations – but he hadn’t realized what they actually were. Hesitantly, he dipped his hand within Blue. Sparks seemed to fly through his networks as the blue energy surrounded his fingers.

It was Blue’s turn to arch up in total ecstasy. “Mmmmmm,” he moaned. “Put our chest’s together… The energy.. Will combine..” he gasped as he removed his fingers from Shado’s energy. He took Shado’s lips roughly, his glossa plugging within even as he felt Shado remove his fingers and pull them tightly together. Suddenly, his world turned into a brilliant blue fire as their energy adaptations seemed to combine. He felt his consciousness turn into a duality. As if he was somehow in both chassis at once. Unable to handle the surge any longer, his systems initiated automatic shutdown sequences – just as Shado’s did. They both went still as they deactivated….

…. Slowly, the alarms went off inside his meta. Shado brought his systems back online one-at-a-time. His entire chassis tingled with the intensity of the new experience. And as he activated his optics, he found himself staring into the half-lit optics of his partner. With a half-baked smile, he weakly took Blue’s lips in a gentle kiss. “That was amazing! But I’ve never seen anything like it mentioned in the owner’s manual.”

Blue chuckled as he carefully shut and latched Shado’s access panel. “I know, I think Scream found this type of interfacing by accident. But it’s incredible – isn’t it?”

Shado shut his access panel, and then snuggled up against him. “Yes, and most definitely something that can only be done clone-to-clone. Perhaps that’s why it’s not in the manual. We aren’t supposed to even be with each other.”

The Skydive clone wrapped his arms around his new partner and kissed him on his helm. “Probably not, but I’m so glad the Trakersly’s let us,” he whispered. “I love you Shado,” he added as his optics began to darken.

Shado smiled, snuggling in his arms. “I love you too Blue,” he replied as he also went into defragmentation.

-----

Shado and Blue stood in front of Sharon and Daniel while they ate breakfast. “Is this ok?” they asked with hopefulness in their voices as they held their left hands out. The platinum men’s wedding bands glinting in the morning light.

Sharon dropped her fork and stared at them with a surprised expression. Sure, she’d ‘married’ TC – but she hadn’t expected the clones to show such initiative and decide to marry each other! Not that she had a problem with the idea, she was just surprised. “Well, um, I guess so. But shouldn’t you two have discussed this with us first?” she asked.

Daniel sat back, crossing his arms as he leveled his gaze at Shado. The clone shifted uneasily, not sure if he’d done something to irritate his human owner. “Shado, I’m really disappointed in you,” the man said.

“I’m.. I’m sorry Daniel,” Shado stammered in shock. He’d thought they’d be happy since he and Blue were trying to emulate Sharon and TC. He twirled the ring around his finger anxiously as he gulped and looked at the ground.

“I’m sorry too, Sharon. I hadn’t realized that you… Wouldn’t.. Approve..” Blue said softly, his voice breaking as tears welled up in his optics. He also looked at the ground in shame.

The siblings glanced at each other and winked, both of them having a general idea of what the other one was up to. They both stood up, forcing their particular clone to meet their eyes.

“Damnit Shado! Why’d you do it behind my back?! Why!” Daniel snarled. Shado began to stammer some more apologies as the man berated him for his impulsiveness.

Sharon also glared at her clone. “I also expected better of you Blue. I thought you would think before you act! Now, both of you give me those rings!” she demanded as she held her hand out. With tears streaming down their faces, the two clones handed her their ‘partner rings’.

The two siblings sat back down, the two tearful clones standing there sobbing in front of them.

“Geese, what’s up their tailpipes?” Speed quipped as he and Silver walked in.

“Shutup and both of you sit down,” Daniel ordered. The two clones glanced at each other, shrugged, and sat down at the table. Their optics still glued on the silently sobbing pair.

“You ok?” TC asked as he and Jester came in with more coffee and orange juice for the siblings. He patted Blue’s drooping wing, worry on his face.

“Be quiet and sit down you two,” Sharon ordered as she kept her eyes locked on the remorseful pair.

Of course, here came Scream and Jag, bringing in the paper. Scream saw the tears on Blue’s face. He put his arm protectively around his new brother. “Who made him cry?! I’m going to so-” he snarled as he glared at the other clones seated at the table.

“I did, so sit down and shut up you two,” Sharon barked.

A flash of surprise flowed over Scream’s features, as did Jag. With confusion in their optics, they joined the rest of the clones seated at the table. All of them worried about the sobbing pair, but having no clue as to what was up.

Sharon and Daniel stood up. “We have a little issue here. Seems that these two decided to elope in their room and get married. Which is NOT going to work!” Daniel informed the rest of them.

There were shocked looks and whispered words between many of the clones. Blue’s sobs were now audible.

“I think Yellowstone will make the perfect backdrop for a ceremony. So, Scream, you and Jag come up with a good poem. TC, you and Jester come up with a good meal to cook over a fire,” Sharon ordered with a smile beginning to grace her features.

Blue and Shado looked up in total shock. “W-what?” Blue stammered in disbelief as he looked from human to human.

Daniel still glared at Shado. “You know WHY I’m disappointed in you?” he demanded more than asked.

Shado bit his lip and shook his head.

“Because Sam would kick my ass if I didn’t walk his clone down the isle,” Daniel said as he pulled the blue-and-white clone into his arms.

“And Blue, do you know why I’m disappointed in you?” Sharon asked him.

“Um, no ma-am,” he replied as he shifted his feet anxiously.

“Because you didn’t let me plan your ceremony! I’m your mother – and BY GOD – I’m going to plan it. And don’t you dare argue!” she threatened with a smile.

Blue yelped in happiness and pulled her into his arms. “I’m sorry.. I didn’t know there’d be a ceremony..” he whispered…

---

Primary storyline shall end in this book. You can find the continuation of the Mentors at http://anime.adult-fanfiction.org/story.php?no=600046693, which is the second book. Though other miniplots that started in this first book, shall continue in this book. As long as their 'timelines' fall before the apocalyspe that is to occur in the second book.. So this isn't over by any means!

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