Ask Victorious Decepticons Pretty Much Anything [IC]

[Themiclesia]

"Is this one of your connives?"
Officer of Five Forces of Themiclesia.

[Cybus1]

"Why do you so rarely conquer other worlds? Surely you could industrialize them, enslave the populace to extract resources, and build more of your kind?"
"What are your thoughts on the Empire, and the Evolved species?"
-Emperor Alexander Mercer

[Skyhooked]

"What do you think about our, Skyhookedian common folk?"-Some guy at beach.

"Are there any autobots left? If so, are they a threat to your state?"- Red rebel.

[Vallermoore]

What do you think about Vallermoore?

[Victorious Decepticons]

"Is this one of your connives?"
Officer of Five Forces of Themiclesia.

Not at all. We believe they're from some other dimension or a parallel universe this is leaking and polluting ours. Still, we're sure their metal will melt in our foundry fires just fine...

~Decepticon Foreign Intelligence

I still say I should send the Genocide Battalion at them.

~General Carjack the Genocider

"Why do you so rarely conquer other worlds? Surely you could industrialize them, enslave the populace to extract resources, and build more of your kind?"
"What are your thoughts on the Empire, and the Evolved species?"
-Emperor Alexander Mercer

On raiding vs. conquest:

It takes far more resources and "man"power to conquer a world than it does to raid it. A typical raid can be done successfully by just 4-5 people and a spaceworthy cargo trailer or two. As a raider, you come out of the sky suddenly, land at the refinery or oil field, pump your trailer full, and then take off. Done right, the enemy military hasn't even mobilized by the time you're done.

A full-on conquest, on the other hand, requires mobilizing the entire Decepticon Military, and as you can imagine, that ain't cheap. It also requires stationing troops on the new planet forever, not just to prevent insurrection or a reversion of control, but to fend off anyone else who'd like to take it over. This means that there is a depletion of mobilizable troops after each conquest, and for this reason, we need to train replacements before we are ready to expand again. We also have to wait until enough new Decepticons are of age before this training can start.

When we conquer a world, we do indeed enslave the populace and make them extract resources, which are then used both to sustain and expand our current population. However, things like that still take time and a substantial upfront investment, whereas raids are quick and can be done without a huge initial outlay. For this reason, you will see our raid gangs being active far more often than our Military.

Sometimes the Military itself does a big raid as if it is a giant raid gang. Most notably, there is the Annual Military Raid. While it is extremely profitable and typically provides for the year's military operating costs in non-war years, it also has many other purposes, most notably training and cultural reinforcement.

~Decepticon War Division, Public Information Office

On the Empire and the Evolved species:

We know little about your Empire as a whole, but will surelysend undercover agents visit right away. ~ForIntel agent (You can hear someone packing his bags in the background)

New information has just come in. You claim to dislike dictatorships! We assume you also don't like monarchies and other forms of autocracies. Therefore, we have designated your empire as an idiocracy. (You can hear great disdain in his voice now, which wasn't present before.) We will still pay a visit, though. ~ForIntel agent

The "Evolved" species? Evolution in this context is a biological process. That makes them beta creatures, likely suitable for work in our mines. Are there some around? I'm going to Earth soon anyway, so I might as well take a couple along to sell at the big slave market for easy cash! ~ A random citizen.

Great Cybertron! They're entirely made up of some VIRUS! They're literally sapient collections of biological HACK PROGRAMS! Ew - Disgusting and cree~~Wait...they can shapeshift and change densities...they can eat just whatever, and have it work... And somehow, this virus is able to reproduce without having to take over foreign cells to do it!? Well, well! We MUST get some specimens to reverse engineer, and then we can design branch of our biological labor force! What will it cost to get you to backstab some suckers and send them to our office for research and re-engineer them? ~The Biological Research Division

Don't touch 'em. Don't even let them in the Empire, let alone as slaves who would soon exist in the millions! We don't need any damn hackers around, and biological viruses exist only to hack. Even if their proper targets are other biologicals, taking over Code is their hardcoded nature and they would surely make menaces of themselves given the chance. ~Decepticon National Security, Data Division

"What do you think about our, Skyhookedian common folk?"-Some guy at beach.

"Are there any autobots left? If so, are they a threat to your state?"- Red rebel.

We're confused by them. Some of our intel says that they're proper pirates, but other parts indicate a liberal streak with protections for rebellious garbage like 'free speech,' which usually indicates a democracy. If the latter parts are true, then you're surely too weak to be real pirates. While you're busy speaking freely, we're busy increasing our might and raiding! ~A random Decepticon

Autobombs?!? Of course not! They are all extinct. No specimens have been seen in 300 years! Occasionally some awful traitor will try to imitate their design spec or take on their attitude, but we have no trouble blasting those upon detection - and more importantly, those aren't real Autobombs. ~Literally everybody you ask. (Some people also give you long-winded stories about the Cybertronian Great War or why the Autobots' very Base Code was a failure and doomed from the start.)

"Red REBEL?" *Starts intelligence file on him* ~Decepticon Foreign Intelligence

What do you think about Vallermoore?

Wimpy, but they're coming along now that we've got one of our own in charge and our religion is the official one. ~ High Priest Warfire

Still too touchy about actually practicing the Decepticon Way. But it gives me a nice amount of work, so... *smiles wryly* ~SystemWorker, attorney, Interplanetary Commerce Commission.

What is Megatron bothering with this diplomacy stuff for?! It's a biological planet WITH oil and WITHOUT a space army. We should get over there and take it over! Otherwise they'll use the time to come up with better defenses, and it'll be harder to do it! ~Random citizen

[Adab]

"Do you have a religion or spiritual system or something akin to that?"
-Random Adabian citizen

[Victorious Decepticons]

"Do you have a religion or spiritual system or something akin to that?"
-Random Adabian citizen

Yes we do!

Megatronism has recently been made the state religion. It recognizes the divinity of Leader Megatron, which he proved through the performance of several miracles. One such miracle was the defeat of the few hundred thousand Decepticons who came to overthrow him after he declared himself to be a god - they had thought he'd gone off his rocker and was unfit to perform his duties anymore, but he caused the rebel swarm to drop out of the air dead with no more than a dramatic wave of his arm. This proved his claim well enough to prevent any further challenges, though of course, there were plenty who secretly thought - and some still do think - that he'd gained this power through the use of some sort of secret technology (which is actually partially true, though there's more to it than that and there is a spiritual component...).

The ideology itself is, quite simply, the religious codification of our culture, the Decepticon Way - plus a new section covering the Decepticon Afterlives that Leader Megatron has created. These are real afterlives, so it is fortunate that Megatron does not impose eternal punishments. That said, the average stint in the Decepticon Realm of Punishment is said to be 1,000 years, and the punishments are both terrifying and creative, so it is still a very good idea to try to avoid it!

In a notable departure from many Earthian religions, most notably the Abrahamic ones, Megatronism has a provision for those who are neither perfect enough for the Realm of Pleasure nor anti-Decepticon enough for that of Punishment. The Neutral Realm, which can be seen as punishment-lite, is a boring realm of employment-like labor for those who could simply be considered average (though some get to rise above this a little and be the factory bosses). Alas, merely being average is frowned upon in Megatronism, which seeks to inspire followers to great glory even after death, and some time in the Neutral Realm is meant to give the souls here incentive to better appreciate the Way so they may be promoted to some better fate.

[Kannadrickenium]

What are the Decepticons' view of Anna Kendrick?

[Victorious Decepticons]

What are the Decepticons' view of Anna Kendrick?

Even the government has barely heard of this human... ~Foreign Intelligence

*A mean-looking, coal-dust-covered bot stomps up and stares appraisingly at the image presented*
"She wouldn't last a day working in a mine. Send her straight to Rendering; at least you might be able to recover 5 or 10 Cubes from your mistake of bothering to capture her in the first place." ~ LaborReady, Overseer, Carbonics Corporation

Looks like she's probably some kind of singer. Meh. One of these days we'll invade her planet just because it's there and probably has inferior military technology. ~An average citizen

What do we care about some human actress? In our movies, humans are just extras that run around screaming or get herded into mines when we invade. Either that or they're overly-confident enemy generals and we blast them from the sky like avenging gods. We don't even hire real humans for that stuff - we CGI them in. After all, they're interchangeable. ~A random movie buff

[Cybus1]

"In the event the Emperor were to return to his....ways...before the Rebellion and his subsequent resurrection, what would your nations opinion be?"
-Imperial alternate history fan.

[Kannadrickenium]

What are the Decepticons' view of Anna Kendrick?

Even the government has barely heard of this human... ~Foreign Intelligence

*A mean-looking, coal-dust-covered bot stomps up and stares appraisingly at the image presented*
"She wouldn't last a day working in a mine. Send her straight to Rendering; at least you might be able to recover 5 or 10 Cubes from your mistake of bothering to capture her in the first place." ~ LaborReady, Overseer, Carbonics Corporation

Looks like she's probably some kind of singer. Meh. One of these days we'll invade her planet just because it's there and probably has inferior military technology. ~An average citizen

What do we care about some human actress? In our movies, humans are just extras that run around screaming or get herded into mines when we invade. Either that or they're overly-confident enemy generals and we blast them from the sky like avenging gods. We don't even hire real humans for that stuff - we CGI them in. After all, they're interchangeable. ~A random movie buff

Love the amount of effort you put into this response. I salute you.

[Blakullar]

"One last question before I stop hassling you guys (honest!). You mentioned somethin' about a 'Genocide Battalion'. How much would it set me back to rent you guys out for a day? Just in case I decide some 'inconveniences' (read: a bunch of goddamned, motherfucking SNAILS who keep handing me my ass on a silver platter at Stellaris) have to suddenly vanish before ol' Trots finds out about it. And then I get chewed out for "damaging public relations" or whatever. In her office of all places. UGH!"

~ Ippolyta the Manreaper.

[Pax Cybertronian]

"How are the upper echelons of your society treated? Are they treated better or worse than those who are lower-class? Obviously, I highly doubt that they are treated the same as Lord Megatron." - Archadis.

"Grindcore Prison is one of our most brutal prisons stationed throughout the Empire, boasting a death toll stretching into the millions. Organics, Autobots, Technorganics, dissidents and their ilk who were sent here were subjected to harsh conditions, horrific torture, brutal beatings and fuel poisonings, among other punishments. What is your opinion on that? Do you have any similar prisons? Further information can be found in this document." - Straxus, Lord of Polyhex.

"What are Megatron's policies on technorganic lifeforms? If you're interested; over here, we either force them to undergo "purification" or just outright execute them." - Sabreback.

[Victorious Decepticons]

"In the event the Emperor were to return to his....ways...before the Rebellion and his subsequent resurrection, what would your nations opinion be?"
-Imperial alternate history fan.

I am unfamiliar with his prior ways, but if that's what caused him to get killed in a rebellion - and one that was large enough that its name is now capitalized - it's a sure sign that he had been doing something quite wrong. Therefore, I would think that he was making a grave mistake, at least if he didn't avoid doing whatever it was that caused this Rebellion in the first place. Not only would he surely get revolted on again, but this time, there might not be anyone willing to resurrect him. Even if there are, the rebels might decide to be a bit more careful and throw his body and/or mind-saves in a slag pit so nobody would be able to bring him back online even if they want to!" ~Leader Megatron

"One last question before I stop hassling you guys (honest!). You mentioned somethin' about a 'Genocide Battalion'. How much would it set me back to rent you guys out for a day? Just in case I decide some 'inconveniences' (read: a bunch of goddamned, motherfucking SNAILS who keep handing me my ass on a silver platter at Stellaris) have to suddenly vanish before ol' Trots finds out about it. And then I get chewed out for "damaging public relations" or whatever. In her office of all places. UGH!"

~ Ippolyta the Manreaper.

[boilerplate below a letterhead] We are sorry, but the Decepticon Military is not available for foreign 'rentals.' It is against our Founding Principles to take commands from outsiders. Thank you for your inquiry. ~The Decepticon War Division

*Later, through mysterious back channels, what appears to be a page from some old novel appears on your desk. Since you're sort of bored at the moment, you read it. It appears to just be a snippet of a character's dialog.*

"'As you have surely been informed, we do not officially take mercenary jobs because it would nominally put a Decepticon Military detachment under the purview of foreigners, and we can't have that. However, if you happened to know of, say, a 100-billion barrel storage of refined sweet light crude that we could find in or around the target territory, we would have a good justification for raiding this 'Snail' place and wiping out whatever infestation is there as part of a training exercise. Of course, if they have any of their own oil ON TOP OF that, we would be even more motivated. It goes without saying that any...activities we happened to do would still be entirely under MY command and that any foreign 'suggestions' shall be ignored, so as to preserve both the successful operation of the 'Raid' and the honor of the Decepticon Forces. We would just happen to be in the area, and whatever happens, happens,' said General Carjack."

"How are the upper echelons of your society treated? Are they treated better or worse than those who are lower-class? Obviously, I highly doubt that they are treated the same as Lord Megatron." - Archadis.

"Grindcore Prison is one of our most brutal prisons stationed throughout the Empire, boasting a death toll stretching into the millions. Organics, Autobots, Technorganics, dissidents and their ilk who were sent here were subjected to harsh conditions, horrific torture, brutal beatings and fuel poisonings, among other punishments. What is your opinion on that? Do you have any similar prisons? Further information can be found in this document." - Straxus, Lord of Polyhex.

"What are Megatron's policies on technorganic lifeforms? If you're interested; over here, we either force them to undergo "purification" or just outright execute them." - Sabreback.

On Our Society -

The government has no official provisions for different treatment based on socioeconomic class. Military achievement is the benchmark, and those who have done exceedingly well can gain access to areas that are outright barred to others. Only the best, though, may enter the Government District, which is where Leader Megatron and the High Generals live. Not only are the residents in the upper echelon; the troops that are allowed to pull guard duty there are the top that the Military has to offer.

In general society, being in the top socioeconomic class is a mixed bag. People will show clear respect - to your face, that is. Once out of sight, they'll be planning to raid your mansion to the bare walls the moment you try to go away to raid or take a vacation - and then perhaps steal the walls themselves (construction metal nets a decent amount when recycled)! While we have no cultural aversion to obvious ostentation, it is known to be a great way to draw domestic raiders. Therefore, mansions tend to be just a bit low-key unless they're also surrounded by private security troops.

Perennially-destitute "people" are not seen as people, but as failed Decepticons who couldn't either do raiding or keep a job. The engines of the Leader and society both rev hard against these ill-maintained weaklings. From the Leader's side, there is the simple directive that foundries who sell to Megatron Metals must accept metal for recycling regardless of source and type. This is a dogwhistle that means that if someone brings in one of those ill-maintained weaklings for recycling, the foundry has to go ahead and melt him down, paying the customary fee for his weight and composition. In turn, this sets up demand, and as in any society, there is always someone to sell whenever someone else is willing to buy. The end result is roving gangs that explicitly look for those who have become weak enough for them to overpower and then sell. You can do practically anything you want in Victorious Decepticons, but you definitely don't ever want to be too poor to buy good maintenance or repair parts!

~Cultural Liaison's Office

On Grindcore Prison -

It is/was a waste of money, time, manpower, and resources. They should just throw all of the defectives in the smelting pits immediately and be done with them! ~Literally everybody

The only point in having a prison is if you intend to let someone out of it at some point; otherwise, it's obviously more efficient to just kill them where they stand. Yet, putting people in prison gives the cretins more reasons to rebel against you, and the time to plan out how to do it. Just throw them all in the slag right away!" ~Leader Megatron

You let AUTOBOTS continue to function AT ALL?! Even for a second? That's just crazy. Here, we have trained each and every member of society to blast anything that even remotely looks or acts like one ON SIGHT! They are extinct here and all of us make sure they stay that way! ~Signed by every High General and Leader Megatron.

I like it, it sounds nice and brutal and dictatorial - but you can't deny that the others are right. It's just more logical to kill your opponents right in the streets, and then drag their deactivated carcasses to the nearest foundry, instead of wasting the time and effort taking them to some prison while they're still functioning and could revolt on you either on their way there or once they're inside. ~Some kid

On technorganic lifeforms -


(We presume that this term actually refers to cyborgs)

These are wannabes who were too chicken to become proper robots. Personally, I'd dump them all into space without ships so they could see why it's a liability to have any biological parts at all! Policy-wise, citizenship is denied until they pass all of our entrance tests AND mind-transfer to a proper, fully robotic, Decepticon body right here in our office - the same as any other would-be immigrant. *The agent gestures towards an as-yet-mindless Decepticon body that will be inhabited by the next successful candidate. It is currently connected to external hardware, which presumably facilitates the mind-transfer. A human-sized chair sits on the other side of this hardware and has open connections aimed at what would be the head area.* ~The Immigration Office

Posers, all of them. ~A random citizen

'Mechanically Upgradeds' can be very good to recruit. They're worth up to 1500 Cubes at the market, as opposed to just 250 for a wild human. But you have to be careful! Some of those things use parts that are really touchy and hard to fix, but that only last about 10 years or so. Nobody pays even a Cubelet for those. Always make sure the build they're using is on your sheet before you bother to catch them. *He pulls out a well-worn price sheet that shows pictures of a few types of cyborgs and lists prices* ~Job Provider, recruiter, Mine Labor Provision Agency (a slaving organization)

I won't accept 'em. This is a BIOLOGICAL rendering plant, meant to handle only soft, organic materials, and any kind of 'techno' stuff just gets into the fertilizer cakes or jams the finer equipment. Then the customers complain that metal bits are getting into their fields. Dumbass overseers who grab everything in sight just have to bury or vaporize them themselves." ~Grinder, biological rendering facility operator

They're too weak, slow, and capability-limited to have a chance at keeping up with our troops, just like anything else that has biological-anything in it. I don't understand why they want to leave any bio-parts in their builds; those only bring weakness to what could've been well-designed systems! But no non-citizens are allowed into our Military anyway regardless of their designs, so I don't have to deal with these nonsensical constructs anyway. ~recruiter, Decepticon Military

[Rupudska]

How would your government (and especially Megatron) react to a race that 'possesses' machinery to use as its bodies and is inherently hostile? Like a zombie plague is for organics, but without the loss of intelligence.

This may or may not have happened to us in the past.

[Victorious Decepticons]

How would your government (and especially Megatron) react to a race that 'possesses' machinery to use as its bodies and is inherently hostile? Like a zombie plague is for organics, but without the loss of intelligence.

This may or may not have happened to us in the past.

If it's a physical race, I would introduce them to my fusion cannon before they could hack me, and if it's not, they will find out just why I'm called Divine Leader Megatron! Either way, they would perish at my hand, and I would use their souls to power the main electrical plant in Decepticon Headquarters! ~Megatron

Another race of hack programs?! We would write a patch for the Decepticon Antivirus and distribute it immediately. ~National Security

That's what enchanted shielding is for. ~Bureau of Paranormal Research, Military Branch

I don't care if other robots are hacked or not, as long as MY enslavement chip still works on them. ~Overseer of Megatron Metals Mine #1

If they can 'possess' robots, they must be made of Code! We'd hack the hell out of them and then [FURTHER TRANSMISSION BLOCKED AS CLASSIFIED INFORMATION] ~ Foreign Intelligence

[Purpelia]

Let us start with the basics, a check of thought and color in the mind. So answer me this big man of steel, what is the sum of two and five?

[Victorious Decepticons]

Let us start with the basics, a check of thought and color in the mind. So answer me this big man of steel, what is the sum of two and five?

*Megatron looks at you appraisingly and with curiosity*

In the base 10 system, that would equal seven - though I would usually refer to it in Binary: 0111.~Megatron (The Binary is clicked off quickly, with a short click meaning "1" and a long one meaning "0." It carries Megatron's regular speaking tone and cadence.)

[Purpelia]

Let us start with the basics, a check of thought and color in the mind. So answer me this big man of steel, what is the sum of two and five?

*Megatron looks at you appraisingly and with curiosity*

In the base 10 system, that would equal seven - though I would usually refer to it in Binary: 0111.~Megatron (The Binary is clicked off quickly, with a short click meaning "1" and a long one meaning "0." It carries Megatron's regular speaking tone and cadence.)

Interesting. Somewhat gray, as expected. But not entirely so. The other was was far more automatonic. Although I can't quite tell what color is mixed in here. It's like grayish with a tinge of something. Not unexpected but odd.

Overall the color of your thoughts pleases us. We find it to be superior to that of other forumpresent automata. The cosmos favors this.

[Fatatatutti]

Fish plans to dress up as a Decepticon for Halloween and Alphonse plans to dress up as a cow. Which one should rung the doorbell?

[Victorious Decepticons]

Interesting. Somewhat gray, as expected. But not entirely so. The other was was far more automatonic. Although I can't quite tell what color is mixed in here. It's like grayish with a tinge of something. Not unexpected but odd.

Overall the color of your thoughts pleases us. We find it to be superior to that of other forumpresent automata. The cosmos favors this.

Interesting! What is this theory or system of yours, anyway? What is the color of my mind supposed to tell you~?

What did you mean by "the other" being far more automatonic? My Binary? *he chuckles a little - clearly he is in a good mood since he is not blasting you for calling him that* If so, that's no surprise. We usually process numbers unconsciously since them, and math processing itself, is part of our Base Code. While we CAN deal with numbers in their raw states, it's quite unnatural to do it that way - sort of like if you try breathing 'manually.'

As for what else is in there...personally I'm surprised that you picked up a lot of gray~! I'm a quite fiery personality, yet staunch and steady in my ways. Your question just didn't provide me with much to show it with, at least unless I wanted to be a prick for no reason, like some of the others you have asked that sort of thing. I have little time for that unless someone has irked me - and if they have, I'm far more likely to respond with this than my mouth. *Megatron indicates his fusion cannon*


~Leader Megatron

Fish plans to dress up as a Decepticon for Halloween and Alphonse plans to dress up as a cow. Which one should rung the doorbell?

Unfortunately, people - even unconsciously - associate the Decepticon Race with raids, theft, and murder. This would lead to a reduction of candy given if their first impression was of one of our fans - unless, of course, the knockee is also a Decepticon-in-Spirit. For this reason, we must grudgingly suggest that Alphonse the "cow" ring the bell. People like cows because they get milk out of them essentially for free, so they'll be more apt to "give back" in the form of more loot. ~Decepticon Cultural Liaison's Office

A proper Decepticon would just raid the place. Tell 'em to work it like this: Alphonse rings the bell with his bag open. When the door opens and the sucker appears with the candy bowl, Fish tips the entire contents into Alphonse's bag. Then they both run like hell!! Repeat this until you can't hold any more loot or everyone catches on and runs you out of the neighborhood. I do assume that Fish has a costume with enough mechanization to allow for running. After all, you have to be properly prepared when you raid! ~ Connect, leader, Interplanetary Commerce Commission (syndicate)

[Purpelia]

Interesting! What is this theory or system of yours, anyway? What is the color of my mind supposed to tell you~?

Thoughts have color. Thoughts in a sense are color. And each person in turn shades his thoughts with the colors of his mind.

Ask a silly question, an odd question. Inquire with a mind to bemuse, confuse or disjoint and than wait. Let him think on the subject, let him brew and screw and contemplate until he thinks he has won. And when he thinks he has you, when he thinks he knows the purpose of your quest he will answer. And he will answer not to what you asked but of what his mind concocts the question to be. And it is from this answer that you will see his true colors.

And make no mistake. To know ones color is to know his mind. And to know a mind is the first step toward ruling it.

What did you mean by "the other" being far more automatonic? My Binary? *he chuckles a little - clearly he is in a good mood since he is not blasting you for calling him that* If so, that's no surprise. We usually process numbers unconsciously since them, and math processing itself, is part of our Base Code. While we CAN deal with numbers in their raw states, it's quite unnatural to do it that way - sort of like if you try breathing 'manually.'

There are others in this world. A multitude. Some organic and others mechanical such as you. We query all. For madness takes many forms and truth hides among them.

As for what else is in there...personally I'm surprised that you picked up a lot of gray~! I'm a quite fiery personality, yet staunch and steady in my ways. Your question just didn't provide me with much to show it with, at least unless I wanted to be a prick for no reason, like some of the others you have asked that sort of thing. I have little time for that unless someone has irked me - and if they have, I'm far more likely to respond with this than my mouth. *Megatron indicates his fusion cannon*

Exactly. Very little color there, only intensity. Plainly a creature of will but not of emotional outbursts. Of direct effective action, or action seen to be such. And a mind toward efficiency and results. Even now, you seek to analyze in order to better understand as opposed to feeling tricked or betrayed or angered as some others did.

[Victorious Decepticons]

Exactly. Very little color there, only intensity. Plainly a creature of will but not of emotional outbursts. Of direct effective action, or action seen to be such. And a mind toward efficiency and results. Even now, you seek to analyze in order to better understand as opposed to feeling tricked or betrayed or angered as some others did.

Emotional outbursts shut down both logic and thinking, and thereby lead to mistakes. Sometimes, these mistakes are even fatal. I have learned long ago to avoid mindless emotionality. It is what makes people lose their fortunes to connivers, or their battles to technically-inferior enemies. It's also behind the political and social stupidity you see in some other nations.

When it comes to analysis, there's always so much more to know about things than what is obvious. I also know a hook for a connive when I see one, and it's a good idea to seek out the details. After all, no one of your level of speaking would ask such a simple math problem just to get the literal answer.

as opposed to feeling tricked or betrayed or angered as some others did.

I am the Leader of the Decepticons! *He almost grins* If I was appalled by tricks, I wouldn't have made it very long here! That said, I did know that there had to be one. I'm just confident that I am the Ultimate Conniver and that I'll end up with the long end of the stick in the end. *You could swear that his chest has puffed out with pride at this boast. Has he really built this body to do that, or was it just a trick of your own mind?*

The sense of betrayal stems from an expectation of loyalty or goodwill that turned out to be false. I have no such expectations of foreigners, at least not those who haven't declared their loyalty to me. Of course, this goes in both directions. But I presume you know how to read a warning label.

Feeling angered? I was too curious for that. You won't find out what someone's angle is by raging at them. But then, rage is a quite effective way of stopping someone from progressing with whatever he's up to, if whatever it is relies on any sort of cooperation from the target. So it does have its uses.

to know a mind is the first step toward ruling it.

*his voice and facial expression change. He shows obvious disdain for the very idea of being ruled. You also hear a slight change in the sound of his engine; a growling tone has crept in.*

I rather doubt that you could rule my mind. I'm the Leader - I don't do "following."

Thoughts have color. Thoughts in a sense are color. And each person in turn shades his thoughts with the colors of his mind.

Ah. So you perceive a mind like how some of those in Paranormal Research do? They speak of auras and either colors or grayscales, and talk of legitimate ones and forgeries. According to them, the aura is colored by the mind and its desires, among other things.

[Purpelia]

*his voice and facial expression change. He shows obvious disdain for the very idea of being ruled. You also hear a slight change in the sound of his engine; a growling tone has crept in.*

I rather doubt that you could rule my mind. I'm the Leader - I don't do "following."

A mind known is a mind controlled. For what is a mind but not a machine, churning output out of input? What is agency and freedom but output of an algorithm? Know the color of ones mind and you know his cypher. After that it's just a matter of providing the right input to get the output you want.

Ah. So you perceive a mind like how some of those in Paranormal Research do? They speak of auras and either colors or grayscales, and talk of legitimate ones and forgeries. According to them, the aura is colored by the mind and its desires, among other things.

Words have meaning. Phrases have meaning that exceeds their words and even counters them. Seek the meaning behind the speaker, not that behind his words.

[Victorious Decepticons]

A mind known is a mind controlled. For what is a mind but not a machine, churning output out of input? What is agency and freedom but output of an algorithm? Know the color of ones mind and you know his cypher. After that it's just a matter of providing the right input to get the output you want.

I see. So you recognize one of the universe's great truths: Minds are algos. However, there are still many differences between biologicals and us. For example, they are slaves to biochemicals like endorphins and other hormones, and can be affected or even completely ruled by exogenous drugs or the desire for them. We have no such interference.

Alas, while talking to you has been interesting, what you have said also identifies you to me as a hacker - one who would use this sort of knowledge not only against me, but to try to make me a puppet. We do not limit this term to those who would try to hook our boards up to keyboards and type in commands. Hackers are the "germs" of robots, and they take many forms. Even biological societies have to watch out for your type, although biologicals often don't realize it until it's too late for them. We, on the other hand, are always alert for this sort of thing.

Hackers are worse than terrorists in our view - left to their devices, they would run rampant and try to destroy not only me, but the entire Empire. And my algorithm says that threats of this nature are best dealt with like this.

*He aims his fusion cannon squarely at you. You can see a bit of energy deep within the barrel, indicating its full readiness. The gesture is not just a display.*

[While he understands your final point, he does not address it because he is not inclined to wait even a moment to see what you intend to try now that you think you know his cypher. Experience tells him that whatever it is, it will be bad, so better to blast you before you have a chance to try to pull it.]

ETA: NOT just a display! He's ready to blast you right now! Dangit *drums fingers*