Megatronus led Orion to a bar located down the street from the arena. Because it was so close to the arena, it was very popular with gladiators and spectators alike.

Orion had never been to a bar. Iacon didn't have a lot of bars because the Council was trying to curb the rise of unruly drunks in the streets. There was Maccadam's Old Oil House, situated just east of the High Council Pavilions. Orion had been there once with Ratchet, but found it to be a little too overwhelming even for his social butterfly personality. He wasn't one to drink much anyway.

After setting foot in the Kaonian bar, Orion soon realized that Maccadam's was much nicer. The building itself seemed to be falling apart at the seams, yet was somehow still standing. There was a counter in the back of the large room where the bartender, a heavyset mech with one optic, was serving drinks to customers. Every table seemed to be occupied. Orion wondered where Megatronus and himself were going to sit.

"Well, if it isn't the champion Megatronus himself!" The bartender called from the bar counter. Every bot at the counter turned to look and Orion sheepishly ducked behind Megatronus to hide from their prying optics. "Congratulations on the win! We were rooting for you!"

"Thank you, Noctis. I couldn't disappoint my fans, now could I?" Megatronus replied smoothly. For a moment, Orion thought that the gladiator had forgotten he was there. "Now, I assume you saved a table for me?"

"Of course! You'll always have a place at my bar."

"That's good, because I brought a friend with me."

Orion squeaked in surprise when Megatronus hooked an arm around his shoulders and pulled him to his side. He had to quickly adjust the hood of his cloak, which had nearly been swiped off in the sudden movement. As he looked around, he could hear the whispers between bots nearby. They had to be talking about him based on the snickers that kept coming from their table. He huffed and tried to ignore them.

"Ah. He's a small fellow, isn't he? What's his name?"

Uh oh. Orion hadn't told Megatronus his name yet! How embarrassing!

Megatronus peered down at him. "I don't believe you told me your name, little one."

Orion froze, unsure what to do. His mind raced as he tried to compose himself enough to speak. "I-I... I don't know.."

"You don't know your own name?"

"No!" Orion quickly said. Primus, he could already feel his cheeks heating up with embarrassment. He was so flustered that he could hardly think! Now he was fumbling over his words. "No... m-my name is.... um.. my name is... Orion Pax! Yes, my name is Orion Pax!"

Megatronus was silent for a moment, then he let out a laugh and playfully shook Orion. "You are quite a funny fellow, Orion Pax. I like you." He said with a smile. Now he turned to address everyone else, all of which had been patiently waiting for an answer. "Everyone, this is my new friend Orion Pax!"

Orion ducked even further into his hood when everyone around him began clapping. A friend? Megatronus already considered him a friend despite the fact that they had barely met? The archivist supposed it wasn't a bad thing and just went with it.

***

Orion followed Megatronus into a separate room that was smaller than the large dining room they had just been in. There were only a few tables scattered around, most of which were empty.

Sat at one of the tables was a slender mech. Instead of a face, he had a blank visor that conveyed no emotion. Orion felt a shiver travel down his backstrut just looking at the eerie mech, yet Megatronus hardly seemed fazed.

"Soundwave, this is Orion Pax. I brought him here so we could speak in private." Megatronus said, gesturing to Orion with one servo. As he sat down at the table with Soundwave, he looked over at Orion and chuckled. "Take that silly thing off. There's no need for it here." The gladiator was referring to the cloak that hid Orion's appearance.

Orion wasn't sure what to do. If he revealed himself as an Iaconian, how would Megatronus react? There was no way he'd be able to escape if things went south, especially with all those unruly mechs just beyond the door. After a brief moment of thought, he let out a sigh and pulled back the hood of his cloak. Orion then took a seat at the table, trying his best not to look intimidated.

Megatronus was visibly surprised, while Soundwave just continued to stare. "You are from Iacon?"

Orion swallowed his fear and nodded.

"Hm. You are a bold one, leaving the safety of the city and coming to Kaon. I admire your courage. What exactly brings you here, Orion Pax?"

Orion cast a slight glance at Soundwave, who still hadn't moved an inch, before looking back over at Megatronus. He drew in a deep breath to calm himself and began to speak. "I've heard many things about you, Megatronus, but what interests me the most is your taste for freedom. I have seen the injustice you speak of. The Council is overstepping its boundaries and abusing its power. I want to do something about it. I am but a simple archivist who wishes for change and I think we can achieve it together. You already have followers that will listen. If we work together, I believe we will be able to make our voices heard."

"You seem wise beyond your years." Megatronus mused.

"I've spent a lot of my time reading datapads in the Archives." Orion replied, blushing a bit upon receiving the compliment. "There is a lot of information in those records that could help strengthen and validate our points."

"I see." Megatronus stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Do you think I would be able to come there and join you in your studies? That seems like it would be most effective, does it not?"

Orion perked up, already beaming with happiness. He couldn't believe this was actually happening. "Of course! I just need Alpha Trion's permission. As soon as I get confirmation from him, I'll.. uh.. I'll notify you!"

Megatronus smiled at the young archivist, seeing how happy he was. Perhaps Orion would be the very thing that would give him an edge in the political arena. A devious plan was already beginning to formulate in his mind. One that would hopefully reward him with the power he craved.