Untangling the Crossed Wires

[Springer]

Day 3, starting in the brig and more than likely moving to medical - hopefully most of the more pressing repairs to others have been completed by now, so work can be started on sorting out Springer's head.

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Springer's had a fair bit of time to himself once Arcee and Twin Twist locked him up. Time spent in pain and a lot of discomfort after the whole ordeal during the attack.

Time to get to know himself a lot better - literally.

Other-Springer's learned a lot - namely, that he was planted in this Springer on order of Shockwave. (At least, that's what Springer assumes, judging by the events. It makes sense - Other Springer is from Shockwave's reality, was loyal to Shockwave, and the whole report-to-Shockwave thing after waking up...)

Springer sharing stuff about his interactions with Shockwave, as well as information gleaned from others, as well as a bit of intel has done wonders to sway Other Springer's opinions.

Thankfully, when Perceptor shared that bit about Ultra Magnus, that was a fairly powerful blow to the alternate Springer's loyalty to Shockwave.

Now, though, they're waiting to be dealt with. At least they're not fighting anymore, though.

[Perceptor]

Springer has a guest. A container full of almost dainty, bite-sized energon cubes in hand, Perceptor makes his way into the brig and heads towards Springer's cell, his expression almost... studiously serene.

"Greetings... Springer?" he asks, setting the cubes down on a small table. "Please forgive the rather juvenile method of your fueling, however..." He turns and offers Springer a thin smirk. "I hope you can forgive me when I say that you are inventive enough that I am not comfortable leaving you in custody of a full ration of energon at once."

Because Springer? Would totally figure out a way to build a bomb with it, even while Perceptor was watching.

The scientist pulls a seat over near the barrier, and then lowers himself into it to get off of his aching knee. "I'm certain that Kup and Xaaron will have plenty of questions for you from a security standpoint," he observes, taking a handful of the little cubes and placing them within the access slot for Springer's cell. Only once his side is secured, does he disengage the locks for Springer's side. "Those aspects are not my concern. My concern are the internal."

He taps his forehead as he picks up a couple of bites for himself and pops one into his mouth. "Now... can you tell me what you know?"

[Springer]

Springer looks up, optics a bit dim. He straightens up a bit with a low groan. He looks a bit better than a few days ago, but still a bit thrashed. Self-repair with limited fuel can only do so much.

He chuckles a bit at the backhanded compliment. "Smart 'bot. Though, I doubt there'll be any more violence out of the ...ah... other me. Or me." He sighs. "But after what went down, those are rather empty words."

Once the cubes come through, Springer scrapes them up and rather unceremoniously gobbles them up. He's a bit hungry, to say the least!

Once they're down, he leans on the door with a sigh. "I know that I got another of me in my head. It happened the day after that stunt with the tree woman - I was running errands for the cops there. Some detective gave me pig iron directions, I got lost, and jumped by Needlenose and Spinister. I black out after getting beat to scrap. I wake up, and it's like I'm suspended in..." Springer looks at his hands, opening and closing them. "In nothing. I could still see, and hear, but I had no control. Other me," he says, tapping a finger on his helmet, "was steering. I think he's from Magnus' reality, 'cause he was real chummy with Shockwave first."

He turns around, shaking his head, then turns back. "Other than that, what I know is as soon as I get a chance, I'm gonna find those three purple piles of scrap and recycle 'em into grease cans!"

[Perceptor]

As soon as the first set of cubes have been consumed, Perceptor sends through another handful. It may look a little careless or casual, but he is, in fact, carefully counting exactly how many go through the pass-through, and how many Springer consumes, just to be certain. Not that he isn't totally certain that Springer couldn't palm one or two, but he's taking a calculated risk on Springer's physical condition and level of current cooperation.

"That is... an impressive shell program," he finally replies, though his expression had visibly darkened at the mention of Shockwave. "What is the program's status as of this moment?"

Arguably a pointless question, since, if the program is in control, it could be lying quite convincingly right now. After all, there had been little, if any, sign that the program had been in control all along, until Impactor had suddenly stumbled upon it. Even those details are a bit hazy for Perceptor thus far. But, still, there are things that Perceptor might be able to learn, depending on how Springer replies.

[Springer]

These cubes as well are consumed quickly - not as hastily as the first, but still pretty fast. Blowing his way out of here hasn't really occurred to either Springer - they just want to be rid of each other right now, and this headache.

"I'm not sure. I'm no tech guy - I just know another me is in my noggin, and while we're getting along, we're not too keen on staying like this." Springer's tone is tense, and he holds his head in his hands. "Memories...our memories keep running together. Like... Stuff Magnus told me about his Springer doing, I recall the events like I was there. Places I've never seen, it's like I visited them just yesterday!"

A sigh. "I don't know how those -master guys handle it..."

[Perceptor]

Perceptor frowns as he sends through a few more cubes. "You... communicate?"

Springer speaks as if this is not merely a program that is accessing both his own as well as falsely implanted memories, but an entirely separate entity. An entity with its own memories and mannerisms and... and emotions.

[Kup]

Two's company, three is a crowd, and four?

However, the fact is, Kup needs to speak with Springer. He needs to have spoken to Springer earlier than this, but in the aftermath of the attack he's been rather busy.

The thing is, he has to know how far the compromise goes. When did Shockwave start listening in on their frequencies? What else has Springer told him? How much more damage will this do to the Autobots?

And he's not the only one who needs to talk to Springer.

The veteran stalks into the room, expression sour over the business at hand. His optics brighten faintly in surprise when he sees that Springer already has company, but then he inclines his head slightly to greet the scientist.

"Perceptor." Then he looks over at the Triple-Changer. "I've got a few questions for Springer myself, but if you don't mind... what'd we miss?"

[Emirate Xaaron]

Emirate Xaaron really should have checked on Springer sooner. He doesn't make excuses, like the fact that Starscream shot him with a missile. Emirate Xaaron follows in behind Kup.

After all, Springer dropped Impactor. Emirate Xaaron would be stupid not to have someone strong and tough around when dealing with Springer. He might just that anyway, but given that Kup is here and is also strong and tough? That is good.

Emirate Xaaron greets Springer with a guarded smile and a quiet, "Hello, Springer. Perceptor. Kup."

It's so frustrating for him. Emirate Xaaron was fairly close to his Springer. He would have died for his Springer, to tell the truth, had Impactor not stepped in for him and shut down the reactor for Emirate Xaaron. This Springer reminds him of his Springer so much, but he's not. He's lied to him, even, and Emirate Xaaron's still frustrated. Not only is it not his Springer, but Shockwave has a piece of him. Disgraceful.

[Springer]

Springer takes the cubes, but speaks before eating.

"Yeah, we talk to each other. Hell, we were having an argument when Twin Twist and Arcee showed up."

A pause.

"He's not too keen on talking right now. Not too pleased with himself over what's went on. Neither am I, but..."

Then Xaaron and Kup show up, and Springer lays the cubes down. His fuel tank just tied itself up in several knots and kicked his appetite in the head. The wrecker's head hangs a bit. "Xaaron, Kup." He sighs. This isn't gonna be fun.

[Perceptor]

Perceptor's frown tightens as he considers Springer's words, absently nodding a greeting to Kup and Xaaron.

"I only arrived a short while ago, myself; you have not missed much at all," Perceptor replies to Kup. "We were discussing the second Springer that seems to be inhabiting Springer's processor. The one who was apparently placed there by Spinister and Needlenose upon Shockwave's orders."

The one who seems to be just a bit more than a mere program.

[Kup]

"You mean the one who gave Shockwave our frequency?" Kup asks bluntly, a barely restrained anger, an undercurrent of betrayal, just barely audible in his voice. He crosses his arms and glowers at Springer. On the one hand, Springer is a friend, an Autobot, and what was done to him was terrible.

But on the other hand, the betrayal hurts, and what's worse, it has the potential to keep hurting.

"How long had he been listening, Springer? How much did he hear?"

[Emirate Xaaron]

"Second Springer?" Emirate Xaaron inquires. It's not the most useful question, so he clarifies, looking more over at Perceptor, "What do you mean by a second Springer?"

The concept is very strange. Did the Decepticon have a dying Springer arrive, preserve his brain module/lasercore/spark/whatever, and implant it into Springer? Sort of like how Rack and Ruin used to be separate mechanisms but are now dependent on each other to live?

He lets Kup handle the security questions. Emirate Xaaron wants to know exactly what is going on, first.

[Springer]

Springer's head snaps up at Kup's question. There's a different look to his optics as he stands up quickly, leaning on the glass. "I was duped, okay?! Shockwave... Where I come from, Shockwave had brought peace to Cybertron! The only conflict was little pockets of rebellion! As far as I knew, I was doing my job to quash the rebellion to keep peace!" He looks down, clenching one hand into a fist. "It doesn't excuse what I did, but ...I was deceived!"

He grasps his head with both hands, crying out as the headache spikes again. He stumbles to the side, and leans against the wall, groaning for a few moments until the heightened pain subsides. Air cycles, and he looks up at Kup. His look is like it was before the outburst. "Uh...since <date and time that corresponds to the event happening in Tainted Donuts>. I assume Shockwave heard everything from <Timestamp corresponding to Heeding Master's Call, later in the day from Tainted Donuts.>."

Then he looks over at Xaaron. "You just saw him."

[Perceptor]

"Kup!" Perceptor snaps, rounding on the elder with a sharp frown. "Yes, there was an egregious security breach which originated with Springer." He holds up one finger toward Kup to forestall any interruption and argument.

"There were, however, extreme circumstances which led to said breach, which you have not yet begun to even listen to, much less process. Now, security issue or not, if you cannot curb your behavior and your incredibly unprofessional personal anger and conduct this interview in a calm and informative manner, then I will escort you out of this area myself until such time as you see fit to behave!"

He pauses long enough to flick his gaze from Kup to Xaaron and back again, before fixing his attention upon Xaaron and indicating Springer with a wave of his hand.

"It appears. That there is. A. Second. Springer. Sharing. His. Processor. Now, may we continue?"

[Kup]

Kup spins on Perceptor, optics flaring brilliantly for a moment before settling into hard-edged ice-crystal.

"Perceptor, you ain't seen me angry yet, but you're about to!" he roars furiously. "You talk to me about unprofessional? I don't walk into medical and tell you how to do your job, but you're going to walk in here and tell me how to do mine?" He jabs his index finger at the floor. "This is my house. Do you understand that? My house! And if you ever talk to me like that again in my house, when I am doing my duty to keep our people safe, I will slam your diode-split, weld-cracked, grill-bent, leaking-fuel-pump chassis back into the cell next to his!"

"No, I did not begin to listen to the circumstances of the beech. You know why? Because priority one is figuring out the extent of the breech! Priority one is figuring out how much damage's been done, and how much danger everyone else might still be in! And if he's telling the truth, he understands that! But you can't ever be bothered to look at whatever sob story's in front of your nose to see how what's going on might affect everyone else!"

"Yes, I'm angry, I've got a right to be, because for all I know right now our guys might still be in danger from this, and I'm going to stay angry until I get whether or not they are sorted out, but Springer ain't so fragile that he can't deal with torqued off Kup asking him questions from the other side of a cell door!"

OOC: I am willing to reconsider and edit Kup's reaction if the current one causes too many issues.