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camwynTitle: Interlude: Ratchet
Rating: G
Characters/Pairings: Ratchet, human OC
DOCUMENT NAME/INFORMANT: "RATCHET"
INFORMANT'S ADDRESS: INDIAN SPRINGS AUXILIARY ARMY AIRFIELD
INDIAN SPRINGS, NV
INTERVIEW LOCATION: HANGAR 12
INDIAN SPRINGS AUXILIARY ARMY AIRFIELD
INDIAN SPRINGS, NV
TRIBE/NATION: AUTOBOT/CYBERTRONIAN
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
DATE OF INTERVIEW: 06/04/07
INTERVIEWER: DR. BARBARA LANGER
TRANSCRIBER: CAROLYN BECKER
TAPE NUMBER: #IH-NV-.027
RESTRICTIONS: THIS RECORDED INTERVIEW IS PROPERTY OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE 'FIRST CONTACT' ARCHIVE, TO BE ACCESSED BY INDIVIDUALS OF TS//BYE 3642//NF CLASSIFICATION LEVEL IN ACCORDANCE WITH DEPARTMENT POLICY.
Langer: Today, June 4, 2007, I am in Hangar 12 of Indian Springs Auxiliary Army Airfield, the area tentatively designated 'Autobase'. I'm here today for a preliminary interview of the machine alien designated 'Ratchet' for the State Department's First Contact archive. My name is Dr. Barbara Langer.
Ratchet: Hello, Dr. Langer. It's good to meet you.
Langer: It's good to meet you too, Ratchet. Do you mind if I sit down?
Ratchet: Not at all. Is there a reason I ought to mind?
Langer: In some Earth cultures it's considered a sign of respect to remain standing in the presence of another until given permission. I'm afraid we don't know enough about your people to make that assumption.
Ratchet: (laughs) I see. You can relax if you want, Dr. Langer. I have no intention of making you any more uncomfortable today.
Langer: I'm not- well, all right, I suppose I am. How were you able to tell, if you don't mind my asking?
Ratchet: (taps the center of his face) Your pheromone profile and body posture is consistent with high levels of stress. I suspect your blood cortisone levels are exceptionally high at the moment.
Langer: I see. Ah- is that something all of your people would be able to detect?
Ratchet: No, not likely. I had multiple modifications to my sensory arrays when I assumed a medic's function on Cybertron. Airborne chemical sampling and rapid analysis was one of them.
Langer: I see. Would you mind if we came back to that topic later? I'd like to be able to put it properly in context.
Ratchet: Of course. Where did you want to begin?
Langer: One measures a circle beginning anywhere, so I suppose any topic is as good as any other to start with. Tell me about your own beginning- who created you, and how. Assuming that's a permitted subject.
Ratchet: Of course it is, Dr. Langer. I was built in a mech production facility on the planet Cybertron- I would say which one, but it was torn down to make way for new construction so long ago that it hardly matters any more- and incepted into a production cohort as a- yes? You want to say something?
Langer: No, I don't want to interrupt-
Ratchet: Nonsense. I know an incipient question when I see one. Ask, ask.
Langer: My apologies. You're using terminology I haven't heard used in quite that way before. 'Incepted'?
Ratchet: Imbued with life and a spark by the Allspark, the source of all life on Cybertron. You would say, given a soul.
Langer: You- have a soul? I'm sorry, that was incredibly offensive of me-
Ratchet: You apologize a great deal. You're never going to last through an interview with Ironhide if you keep this up. (laughs) Don't worry, Dr. Langer. I find your people as unusual as you find mine. I merely have the advantage of having read a great deal of your human Internet.
Langer: If that's the case then I really have to apologize. That's a terrible way to learn about my species.
Ratchet: But an honest one. It's the face you show to yourselves, not one you put on for outsiders.
Langer: Yes, I suppose that's true. (clears throat) If I may, though. You mentioned a spark. How does that, um... how does that work?
Ratchet: It would take me a very long time to explain in full detail. If all you want is a summary, I can tell you this: we begin our existence as unsparked, unaware, inactive bodies, built in factories or by hand. We call these unsparked shapes 'protoforms'. Until they are brought into the Hall of the Allspark and its action is invoked upon them, they are no different from any other machine- no more aware than that sound recording device you have in your lap now.
Langer: Really? You're not programmed to become aware?
Ratchet: Protoforms are programmed before they're constructed, and given as much stored data and information as necessary to begin life as independent beings, but no. Even if a programmed, data-bearing protoform is activated before being given a spark, it's not aware. At best, it's an unconscious drone.
Langer: I see. Is that what you meant by 'incepted'?
Ratchet: Yes.
Langer: Rather like a human being born?
Ratchet: I... suppose. We have the word 'born' in our language- (unintelligible sequence of clicks and beeps)- but it is not a word we use for ourselves. Or for any living thing. The word for living things beginning is- (different series of sounds). Life is incepted. Stars, or planets, or mountain ranges, are born.
Langer: I see. Does that apply to biological organisms as well?
Ratchet: Yes.
Langer: We may come back to that later. Or possibly schedule another interview about that at a later date.
Ratchet: Of course. I'm always happy to answer questions, Dr. Langer.
Langer: Thank you. Now, if I may, you mentioned a... production cohort? Could you clarify that, please?
Ratchet: Certainly. All Cybertronians are built for some specific purpose or function, and all of us are incepted with the data necessary to fulfil that function. Data, however, is not the same thing as experience. A new incept is assigned to a cohort of mechs of similar function and purpose, who provide upbringing, fellowship, experience, protection- a microcosm of society, controlled and turned inward.
Langer: Like a human family?
Ratchet: Somewhat. A cohort of mechs has a common purpose and function, and most often forms a common work unit. In times of war cohorts generally remain together, performing as a single military unit under whichever mech is best suited for combat leadership. So a little like one of your human families, and a little like one of your trade unions, and one of your military units as well.
Langer: I see. And your cohort was a production cohort? What does that mean, exactly?
Ratchet: It means that we were all involved in manufacturing to greater or lesser degree. My original function was that of toolmaker.
Langer: But that changed?
Ratchet: I chose to change it, yes.
Langer: How did your programmers feel about that?
Ratchet: Fallback certainly appreciated my decision to become a medic when I reattached his legs!
Langer: Was Fallback also the one who built you? In the facility you mentioned?
Ratchet: No, that was Strongarm. Programmer and builder are two very different functions. I believe you would consider them two different genders.
Langer: Genders- so Strongarm was female, and Fallback male?
Ratchet: No, Strongarm was a builder, and Fallback a programmer. From what I've learned of your people, the human gender binary is based in social roles derived from your reproductive biology.
Langer: And your people reproduce externally.
Ratchet: Yes.
Langer: So when you refer to another Cybertronian as 'he'-
Ratchet: I do so largely by default, for lack of a better alternative. None of the human languages I'm familiar with have analogues to the words we would use in Cybertronian. Believe me, I've searched.
Langer: Wait, so does that mean that when you changed function from toolmaker to medic, it was effectively a change in your gender as well?
Ratchet: Something like that, yes. Although it's not really that great of a shift, considering some of the mechs I know who've gone through bigger changes. Ironhide, for example, was incepted into a construction cohort and later changed his function to military specialist. That represented a shift from using the word (series of whistles and beeps) to refer to him to the word (different series of sounds) instead.
Langer: (pause) I'm going to be here a long time, aren't I.
Ratchet: Probably, yes. You might want to acquire some more efficient recording media.
Rating: G
Characters/Pairings: Ratchet, human OC
DOCUMENT NAME/INFORMANT: "RATCHET"
INFORMANT'S ADDRESS: INDIAN SPRINGS AUXILIARY ARMY AIRFIELD
INDIAN SPRINGS, NV
INTERVIEW LOCATION: HANGAR 12
INDIAN SPRINGS AUXILIARY ARMY AIRFIELD
INDIAN SPRINGS, NV
TRIBE/NATION: AUTOBOT/CYBERTRONIAN
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
DATE OF INTERVIEW: 06/04/07
INTERVIEWER: DR. BARBARA LANGER
TRANSCRIBER: CAROLYN BECKER
TAPE NUMBER: #IH-NV-.027
RESTRICTIONS: THIS RECORDED INTERVIEW IS PROPERTY OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE 'FIRST CONTACT' ARCHIVE, TO BE ACCESSED BY INDIVIDUALS OF TS//BYE 3642//NF CLASSIFICATION LEVEL IN ACCORDANCE WITH DEPARTMENT POLICY.
Langer: Today, June 4, 2007, I am in Hangar 12 of Indian Springs Auxiliary Army Airfield, the area tentatively designated 'Autobase'. I'm here today for a preliminary interview of the machine alien designated 'Ratchet' for the State Department's First Contact archive. My name is Dr. Barbara Langer.
Ratchet: Hello, Dr. Langer. It's good to meet you.
Langer: It's good to meet you too, Ratchet. Do you mind if I sit down?
Ratchet: Not at all. Is there a reason I ought to mind?
Langer: In some Earth cultures it's considered a sign of respect to remain standing in the presence of another until given permission. I'm afraid we don't know enough about your people to make that assumption.
Ratchet: (laughs) I see. You can relax if you want, Dr. Langer. I have no intention of making you any more uncomfortable today.
Langer: I'm not- well, all right, I suppose I am. How were you able to tell, if you don't mind my asking?
Ratchet: (taps the center of his face) Your pheromone profile and body posture is consistent with high levels of stress. I suspect your blood cortisone levels are exceptionally high at the moment.
Langer: I see. Ah- is that something all of your people would be able to detect?
Ratchet: No, not likely. I had multiple modifications to my sensory arrays when I assumed a medic's function on Cybertron. Airborne chemical sampling and rapid analysis was one of them.
Langer: I see. Would you mind if we came back to that topic later? I'd like to be able to put it properly in context.
Ratchet: Of course. Where did you want to begin?
Langer: One measures a circle beginning anywhere, so I suppose any topic is as good as any other to start with. Tell me about your own beginning- who created you, and how. Assuming that's a permitted subject.
Ratchet: Of course it is, Dr. Langer. I was built in a mech production facility on the planet Cybertron- I would say which one, but it was torn down to make way for new construction so long ago that it hardly matters any more- and incepted into a production cohort as a- yes? You want to say something?
Langer: No, I don't want to interrupt-
Ratchet: Nonsense. I know an incipient question when I see one. Ask, ask.
Langer: My apologies. You're using terminology I haven't heard used in quite that way before. 'Incepted'?
Ratchet: Imbued with life and a spark by the Allspark, the source of all life on Cybertron. You would say, given a soul.
Langer: You- have a soul? I'm sorry, that was incredibly offensive of me-
Ratchet: You apologize a great deal. You're never going to last through an interview with Ironhide if you keep this up. (laughs) Don't worry, Dr. Langer. I find your people as unusual as you find mine. I merely have the advantage of having read a great deal of your human Internet.
Langer: If that's the case then I really have to apologize. That's a terrible way to learn about my species.
Ratchet: But an honest one. It's the face you show to yourselves, not one you put on for outsiders.
Langer: Yes, I suppose that's true. (clears throat) If I may, though. You mentioned a spark. How does that, um... how does that work?
Ratchet: It would take me a very long time to explain in full detail. If all you want is a summary, I can tell you this: we begin our existence as unsparked, unaware, inactive bodies, built in factories or by hand. We call these unsparked shapes 'protoforms'. Until they are brought into the Hall of the Allspark and its action is invoked upon them, they are no different from any other machine- no more aware than that sound recording device you have in your lap now.
Langer: Really? You're not programmed to become aware?
Ratchet: Protoforms are programmed before they're constructed, and given as much stored data and information as necessary to begin life as independent beings, but no. Even if a programmed, data-bearing protoform is activated before being given a spark, it's not aware. At best, it's an unconscious drone.
Langer: I see. Is that what you meant by 'incepted'?
Ratchet: Yes.
Langer: Rather like a human being born?
Ratchet: I... suppose. We have the word 'born' in our language- (unintelligible sequence of clicks and beeps)- but it is not a word we use for ourselves. Or for any living thing. The word for living things beginning is- (different series of sounds). Life is incepted. Stars, or planets, or mountain ranges, are born.
Langer: I see. Does that apply to biological organisms as well?
Ratchet: Yes.
Langer: We may come back to that later. Or possibly schedule another interview about that at a later date.
Ratchet: Of course. I'm always happy to answer questions, Dr. Langer.
Langer: Thank you. Now, if I may, you mentioned a... production cohort? Could you clarify that, please?
Ratchet: Certainly. All Cybertronians are built for some specific purpose or function, and all of us are incepted with the data necessary to fulfil that function. Data, however, is not the same thing as experience. A new incept is assigned to a cohort of mechs of similar function and purpose, who provide upbringing, fellowship, experience, protection- a microcosm of society, controlled and turned inward.
Langer: Like a human family?
Ratchet: Somewhat. A cohort of mechs has a common purpose and function, and most often forms a common work unit. In times of war cohorts generally remain together, performing as a single military unit under whichever mech is best suited for combat leadership. So a little like one of your human families, and a little like one of your trade unions, and one of your military units as well.
Langer: I see. And your cohort was a production cohort? What does that mean, exactly?
Ratchet: It means that we were all involved in manufacturing to greater or lesser degree. My original function was that of toolmaker.
Langer: But that changed?
Ratchet: I chose to change it, yes.
Langer: How did your programmers feel about that?
Ratchet: Fallback certainly appreciated my decision to become a medic when I reattached his legs!
Langer: Was Fallback also the one who built you? In the facility you mentioned?
Ratchet: No, that was Strongarm. Programmer and builder are two very different functions. I believe you would consider them two different genders.
Langer: Genders- so Strongarm was female, and Fallback male?
Ratchet: No, Strongarm was a builder, and Fallback a programmer. From what I've learned of your people, the human gender binary is based in social roles derived from your reproductive biology.
Langer: And your people reproduce externally.
Ratchet: Yes.
Langer: So when you refer to another Cybertronian as 'he'-
Ratchet: I do so largely by default, for lack of a better alternative. None of the human languages I'm familiar with have analogues to the words we would use in Cybertronian. Believe me, I've searched.
Langer: Wait, so does that mean that when you changed function from toolmaker to medic, it was effectively a change in your gender as well?
Ratchet: Something like that, yes. Although it's not really that great of a shift, considering some of the mechs I know who've gone through bigger changes. Ironhide, for example, was incepted into a construction cohort and later changed his function to military specialist. That represented a shift from using the word (series of whistles and beeps) to refer to him to the word (different series of sounds) instead.
Langer: (pause) I'm going to be here a long time, aren't I.
Ratchet: Probably, yes. You might want to acquire some more efficient recording media.
no subject
Date: 2012-01-16 10:52 am (UTC)