Hot Rod

**Caste** | Low

## Profile

*"'Til all are one!"*

'Turbo-revving young punk'. 'Hothead'. 'Rebel'. Hot Rod is 50% rebellion and 50% idealism packed in a racer frame with flames painted across his chest. This means he has to live up to a certain code of behavior, which rarely involves stopping to think about things before leaping to do what he thinks is right. He's fiercely protective of the defenseless and downtrodden, but he also seems to think he's the protagonist of his own story. He once lead a group of ragtag rebels in Nyon, but now that the city's no more, he's just one more face among the fighting forces.

## History

### The Clampdown

Hot Rod was forged as part of the low caste in Nyon during the Clampdown. Despite a frame built for speed, he was assigned to labor. He did *not* like that. When he came online in the last years of Sentinel Prime's regime, the Decepticon movement was already alive and well. No sooner was he forged than started causing trouble.

Nyon was once a great and shining city, since fallen to poverty and ruin. It was Hot Rod's home. Though his frame lacked the strength for heavy work, he had the speed for a courier. It was through that work that he was exposed to the severity of the inequality that gripped Cybertron.

Once alerted to the injustice, he threw himself into righting it. He soon landed himself on government watch lists as a suspected Decepticon sympathizer (and did not help the case by making friends with criminals and terrorists, including Deadlock, Blast Off, and so on). Despite that, he didn't really hit the radar until overthrowing a government research facility following a tip-off from Jazz. After discovering just how deep the evils of the Institute ran, he and Arcee left to go tell his hero, Orion Pax, all about it. Orion told Hot Rod to stop, recon, and plan a hit -- and he's about the only person who could make him stop and plan, too. So they did.

After taking down the Institute, Hot Rod fell into accidental rebellion. He became the somewhat reluctant leader of a band of turbo-revving young punks, including (at various points): Backdrop, Cheetor, Flareup, Jackpot, Moonlight, Nautica, Rewind, Shiftlock, and Whirl. The Nyon Rebels (aka: Team Trouble) undermined law and order in the city of Nyon (by smuggling in medical supplies, helping provide fuel for the starving, arranging for the poor to defend themselves (often with smuggled weapons), and setting up an underground datanet to circumvent government censorship). This landed him on the most wanted list of the Nyon Police Department, which ended up not really working out for them.

After kicking out the Nyon police, the rebels rose in prominence in the city, and with that rose Hot Rod's notoriety. Arsenal, a former member of the Nyon Police, joined Team Trouble, acting as his bodyguard and right hand.

### The Uprising

Finding himself in Kaon when Megatron killed Decimus, a Senator, Hot Rod was arrested along with the Decepticons. Before he could be tried, the Decepticons killed the Senate and took (liberated) Kaon. Together with Orion Pax and a few select Autobots, he worked to help clear civilians out from between the advancing battle lines of the Decepticons and Sentinel's Autobots. Following Sentinel's fall, he returned to Nyon.

As Zeta Prime took power, Hot Rod and the other rebels allowed themselves a moment to hope that things might get better.

But they didn't.

They got worse.

Conditions in Nyon deteriorated under Zeta's leadership. The city become little more than a breeding ground for revolution and the soft-hearted youth who had formed the core of the rebels, who had been working so hard for change and community building, become a full-blown insurgency. Their primary focus moved to arming and fomenting rebellion, and they provided fuel and medical care by almost any means necessary short of murder. Their willingness to trade with Decepticons soured relationships with friendly Autobots, and fractured trust on both sides.

It took the fall of Nyon for the truth about Zeta to come out. Hot Rod invited Orion and a few select Autobots to show them evidence of Zeta's vamparc technology, but even as he revealed it to them, Zeta marched on Nyon to put an end to the rebellion. The blood of Nyon's citizens fed Zeta's Omega Destructors. In the end, only the destruction of the city at Hot Rod's hands halted the Destructors long enough for Pax's team to get away.

Rescued by the Decepticons, they now make their plans to take out Zeta as a temporarily united front.

## Skills

* Making bad ideas sound like good ideas.
* Rushing into things.
* Acting without thinking.
* Beginner's luck.

## Logs

September 2014 Logs* CSI: Rodion: Hot Rod does a little unlicensed investigating, to predictable results in a scene that involves Ultra Magnus.
* To Rodion: Arcee and Hot Rod talk on the way to Rodion.
* Once Upon a Time: EGO-CLASH: Once upon a time, Hot Rod and Knock Out met. It went as you might expect.
* Excitement and Egos: Shiftlock special guest stars as Knock Off and then there's an ego-off!
* Busy Night at the Bar: Political discussion, attempted assassination, and SCIENCE!
* Aah! Talking Bug!: Arcee's a Queen and bugs talk. File under: weird.
* Racers and Spacers: Folks of all stripes meet and mingle and Macaddam's.
October 2014 Logs* Trouble and Trust: Drift's in trouble; Blurr is totally trustworthy.
* Friendly Warning: A warning from a friend, about a friend.
* LF Healer: Hot Rod LF Healer. Ratchet agrees!
* Hello, Goodbye: Shiftlock's friend splits. From her. Look, just read the log.
* House Pests: House Pests are like House Guests, but WORSE. And they BLEED ON EVERYTHING.
* A Little Chaos in Kaon: Much injuries. So confront. Wow.
* From Iacon to Kaon: Hot Rod tries to get Drift and Blurr out of the city TOGETHER with anyone committing MURDER.
* Lost & Found: Blurr is lost! Blast Off's been found!
* Team Bad Idea: Bad idea reinforcing bad idea reinforcing bad idea.
* Birth of a Prime: Drift's having a bad day. HOT ROD IS HERE TO HELP. (Trigger warning for suicide attempts.)
* Questions Answered: Prowl asks questions of INNOCENT BYSTANDS, Sky-Byte delivers a piano, Arcee gets a meeting.
* Small Talk: Hot Rod attempts to smalltalk Chromedome without saying anything incriminating.
* Damsel Update: FEINT LIVES.
November 2014 Logs* Clandestine and Labyrinthine: Hot Rod takes some Camiens exploring. This is all against Chromia's better judgment.
* Idealists: Just two friendly idealists with similar ideals being friends.
* Parental Advice: Shiftlock and Hot Rod aRE NOT READY TO BE PARENTS
* Surprises and Changing: Drift has a surprise! Hot Rod believes in change.
* Tunnels and Trouble: Hot Rod has a GREAT IDEA. Shiftlock is cleaning up messes. Has cleaned up messes. Will clean up messes.
* What Lies Beneath: Scouting around beneath the city in an attempt to find their way into the Institute via the basement, what they find is SOMEONE ELSE (dun dun dun).
NC Institute* Socializing is Dangerous: Nautica meets Hot Rod after the Institute incident, and wonders how to thank someone who helped rescue her- and how to react to the world now that she's seen too much of its dark side. Blast Off actually tries socializing and quickly wonders why he ever gave in to such a crazy idea when an old enemy reappears.
* Escape from the Institute Part I: GMed by Noveria. Nautica and Insecticons break out under the cover of the other prongs of the attack!
* More Meetings, More Plans: Elita, Hot Rod, and Pax make plans to make more plans.
* In All the Wrong Places: Hot Rod comes down to the underside of the wrong side of the tracks looking for the decepticons in the closet. Blurr is slumming it.
* Party Invitations: Hot Rod's fledgling career as a party planner is really getting off to such a great start.
* Party Planning: Nautica and Hot Rod compare plans. VAGUE PLANS.
* All Friends Here: Everyone is a friend of a friend.
* Enemy of My Enemy: Blast Off and Hot Rod are not friends.
* Memos: Hot Rod and Nautica swap memos.
* Secrets and Plans: Arcee and Hot Rod tell Alpha Trion and Orion Pax all about the clinic at the Dead End. Rewind records EVERYTHING.
* Heroic Rescue: Dashing heroes heroically dash. See also: vandalism and chaos.
May 2015 Logs* Rebuilding Nyon: Everyone copes differently and Bulkhead copes by building stuff, big stuff, whole buildings. His project attracts some attention.
* Little Base of Horrors: A raid on an Institute laboratory turns into a rescue mission when Soundwave is captured.
* After Zeta: What happens when Zeta is gone? What's next? WELL IT LOOKS LIKE ARGUING, ACTUALLY.
* IAA? IA-Oh No.: Autobots, Decepticons and Neutrals work together to take down the bad guys!!
* Freedom, Truth, Justice: Megatron is the new hero of Cybertron!!
* 051015 - Origin of a Superweapon: Bulkhead meets with Hot Rod and explains his role in the development in the Vamparc weaponry. It leaves Rod with more questions than answers.
March 2015 Logs* Whirl WHAT?: Pursuit informs others of Whirl's stated intentions and a full on panic for Swivel ensues.
* Jailbirds: A few jailbirds in their cells.
* Broken Stadium Theory: Arcee, Orion Pax and Hot Rod talk sports.
* Updates and SURPRISES: Backdrop gives Hot Rod the update. ON EVERYTHING.
* A Trip Down Memory Lane: Deadlock runs into Lockdown, but doesn't remember him. Quantum shows up and tries to take Hot Rod out while the latter is mistaken as female.
* Not Plans: Hot Rod and Moonlight are definitely not making plans for Nyon or being organized or anything.
* Liaison to Nyon: Whirl goes off to complete his first assignment as the Autobot's new liaison to the Nyon rebels: convincing Hot Rod this is a good idea, followed by a reunion with Blast Off and a meeting with Moonlight.
* Daredevil Deal: Dummies do dares.
* Straight Scrap: Override comes to hear the TRUTH about Cybertron from Hot Rod.
* Bounty: Lockdown comes looking for his bounty who DOESN'T WANNA.
* Speeches and Teaches: Hot Rod and YX-939 return to the Acropolex to catch up with Swivel, and Orion Pax brings a medic in for repairs.
* NPD's Finest: The S.C.U. send a message about what happens to those who work with Hot Rod.
* Recall: The YX units have been recalled. Swivel and Moonlight have objections to that.
* Bob Log 1: Arcee comes by Nyon to arrest Hot Rod but Arsenal FIGHTS HER OFF. (Log title thanks to Scattershot.)
* The Ultimate Price: A memorial dedicated to the late Bumper and Fastback is held at Iacon.
Kaon Uprising* Kaon Uprising: Decepticon Smackdown: The Bots arrest the Cons! Uprising over. Right?
January 2015 Logs* Terrible, Terrible, Terrible: Terrible.
* Monochrome: Black and white? Shades of gray? WHO KNOWS. NOT THEM.
* It Takes All Kinds: An interesting mix of individuals congregate in a Nyon bar.
* Helpers: Hot Rod and Pharma are both helpers, you know.
* Hiding Help: Imager needs help. For some awful reason Arcee thinks Hot Rod might be able to provide.
* Monkey in the Middle: Deadlock tries to abduct an Autobot. Hot Rod tries to get in the way.
* Racing & Rightness: There's a little talk of racing, a little talk of what's right.
* Hot Rod Is A Headache: Hot Rod gives Shiftlock a massive headache and he wasn't even trying.
* Invitations and Cautions: Hot Rod has ideas, Thundercracker has a drink, Panacea has a new job. These are all equally bad.
* Gray: Things get complicated.
* Nothing Suspicious Here: Whirl's not suspicious, Blast Off's not suspicious, Hot Rod's not suspicious.
* Friendly Robbery: Hot Rod and Whirl show up to steal from Wheeljack. It doesn't go as planned.
* Stop Right There, Criminal Scum!: Freedom is not to be found for one fugitive.
* Proper Things: Hot Rod goes looking for Ratchet and Orion Pax. So does Prowl.
* Making a Splash at the Assessment Clinic: Starchamber heads to the Assessment Clinic. Nothing could go wrong, obviously.
* Talking Shop and Dubious Choices: Hot Rod meets Ruiner, who talks shop and Megatron with him. Then Blast Off and Hot Rod have a discussion about Shiftlock, the power- and frailty- of choice, and the shuttle leaves Hot Rod with a warning about the ever-expanding Big Brother nature of the government.
* Twenty Questions; Not Nearly Enough Answers: What starts as a game of twenty questions quickly gets a lot more tense.
* On Tactics and Strategy: Chromia keeps trying to bully adult and officerial behavior into Hot Rod.
* History & Politics: Jazz and Arcee are on patrol; Swift Blade has questions; Hot Rod is Hot Rod.
* Drift Who: Hot Rod comes looking for Drift. With Panacea's help ... he still doesn't find him. OR DOES HE.
* Old Friends and New Friends: Blast Off makes sure Hot Rod is caught up on the gossip, then they meet a new and totally trustworthy friend!
February 2015 Logs* Messages and Messengers: Swivel brings Hot Rod a message from Acuity, who he then goes to meet.
* New Friends: Idealists.
* Cleaning Up and Looking Ahead: Hot Rod and Rewind discuss doing their part.
* Good Tips, Bad News: What started as a good day turns bad when Hot Rod gives Swivel and YX-939 bad news.
* Alas, Turntable: Hot Rod asks Panacea about a missing person.
* Bug Radio: Hot Rod's happy to help Harbinger with her dreams of a radio career.
* No Dates Here: No one is on a date.
* Spies and Cowards: In the end, they are all law-abiding citizens.
* Missing Person: Swivel misplaced a disposable; Arcee's an okay Autobot; Quickswitch causes trouble; Hot Rod is trouble.
* Business Partners: Moonlight's looking for business opportunities. Hot Rod suggests a few.
* GET A ROOM: Whirl snuck Blast Off in. HOT ROD IS SO DISAPPOINTED IN THEM.
* All Better: Shiftlock's better! Hot Rod's happy!
* That's Rough Buddy: Hot Rod gives Blurr advice, then admits he's wrong sometimes. Hot Rod gets into a fight with Quantum again. Hot Rod is then disappointed with Panacea. This scene is clearly all about Hot Rod.
* Storytime: Storytime in Nyon, with all the chaos and explosions you'd expect.
* Rabble Rabble: A little informational gathering turns chaotic when the Enforcers arrive.
* Chop Shop: Flatline gets a patient and a pest. (No one tell Flatline what I called this log!!)
* Criminal Behavior: YX-939 is cautious, Swivel is concerned, and Hot Rod's a criminal.
* On Slavery: A small discussion of slavery.
December 2014 Logs* Throw Me Away: Hot Rod and Feint try to convince Rung to help Blurr. Rung doesn't agree. Everyone gets angry.
* Deliveries, Stalkers: Blast Off's suitor-stalker stalks, but trouble is avoided thanks to HighDef.
* Trust Issues: Hot Rod and Blurr have trust issues for would-be friends.
* More Troubles: Team Trouble grows.
* Off the Beat: Rung is on the run with Skids. Prowl finds him in Nyon.
* Trouble In, Trouble Out: Team Trouble picks up a new member and says goodbye to a friend, for now.
* Looking for Trouble: Chromedome and Scorn come looking for trouble and find it.
* R - E - S - P - E - C - T: Hot Rod's dignity hurts.
* Deal with the DEVIL: Drift's in sad shape. Luckily Starscream wants to help out of the GOODNESS OF HIS SPARK.
* SCRAM! It's the cops!: Barricade delivers a warning. Sort of.
* Making Friends: Hot Rod and Flareup make new friends!! Not at all lying!!
* Crazy Gossip: Shiftlock has some gossip about misc. crazy things for Hot Rod and maybe a mystery listener!
* Delivery Complications: Hot Rod ordered delivery. Blast Off, Blurr, and Exodus complicate it.
* Thorough Reporting: Hot Rod and Ultra Magnus are following up on similar leads.
* Bar Bamboozlement: Big egos in a little bar. :D
* Wheels Training: Kickback tries out some new wheels.
Cops and Rebels* Prisoner Transfer: While on patrol in Nyon, Sky Lynx is called down by Hot Rod to transfer the captured SCU agents to Iacon.
* An End, A Beginning: One of Nyon's medic's passes, but not without a few words, first.
* Down With the Police: Showdown at the Nyon Corral
* Rescue Rebels: Arsenal, Orion Pax, and Rewind come to Hot Rod's rescue.
* S.C.U. more like SUCK: The S.C.U. is tired of Hot Rod's bullshit.
* House of HORROR: The Nyon Rebels HIT BACK.
* Resignation Accepted: Arsenal QUITS. Hot Rod YAYS.
* Troubles in Trouble: YX-939 has a sad update, then the NPD SCU comes to arrest Hot Rod with explosive results.
Autocracy* Megatron Rises: The Decepticons and Team Pax make their big push on Iacon. Three mechs enter, one mech leaves.
* Memories and Meaning: It's not as deep as it sounds.
April 2015 Logs* Nygone: Whirl and Hot Rod finally catch up again! Hot Rod fills Whirl in on an important detail re: Nyon.
* Bye, Backdrop: Backdrop's made new friends.
* 042815 - Exposing Kolkular: What starts off with Hot Rod asking Orion what his plans were turn into Feint exposing the seedy underbelly of the Decepticon base.
* 04-28-15 - Hello, Goodbye: Actually it's more like goodbye, hello, goodbye but that's just confusing.
* Welcome Back, Moonlight!: Moonlight returns to find Nyon Nygone.
* Nyon Falls: Hot Rod invites a small group of Autobots to discover the truth about Zeta Prime. Nyon pays the iron price for the discovery.
* Murder at the Opera: A charity event for Harmonex's opera house goes terribly, terribly wrong.
* Philosophical Disagreements: Breakup? Kind of looks like a breakup.
* Listening Skills: Prowl has an offer!
* Zeta's a Dirty Little Siphonist: See log title.
* Corrupting Cops: Well, corrupting Whirl, anyway. Sort of.
* Nyon Black Market Takedown: In the midst of making a deal with Hot Rod, Swindle is taken down hard by Orion Pax. Perhaps too hard. Is Orion finally feeling the pressure? Or is it rebuild roid rage?
* Just One Question: Hot Rod's flirting with the Decepticons finally gets Orion Pax jealous. Or something like that.
* No Politics Squad: Backdrop tries to figure out where he fits in.
* A Captain's Questions: Springer gets his eyes opened a little.
* Forever After: Orion Pax and Hot Rod attempt to mount a daring rescue while Sentinel Prime battles Megatron. They return home not quite empty handed.
* Rebels in Kaon: Moonlight is pragmatic. Orion is patient. Hot Rod is really good at making Orion want to smack him upside the head.
* Messes and Need: Hot Rod and Arsenal have a tiny disagreement.

## Songs

https://8tracks.com/bluegalbot/hot-rod-s-lookatme-mixtape - By Wheeljack, and it is AWESOME!!!!

http://8tracks.com/tezafofeza/rebels-of-nyon-1 - By ME

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTidn2dBYbY - The song that sums up Hot Rod perfectly is RIGHT HERE. Promise! - Pax.

## Voice

https://soundcloud.com/crashboombanger/rodimus-is-an-asshole

https://soundcloud.com/crashboombanger/roddy

https://soundcloud.com/crashboombanger/rodimus-alarm