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randomplaces2011-01-31 05:03 pm
random_xtras) wrote in randomplaces2011-01-31 05:03 pm
Entry tags:
lr'verse. Washington, Diego Garcia, and other places. Displacement
Ironhide: *striding across the lawn- which he's not supposed to walk on- AGAIN... as Ratchet exits the embassy* Ratchet! Look at this! *holding up a datapad with a holo on it and grinning like he just won pure ethanol in a poker game*
Ratchet:*Fixes the Topkick with a LOOK.* What have I told you about the grass?
Ironhide: *impatiently* Never mind that! Look! *thrusts the datapad into his friend's hands* Bumblebee just sent it from Cybertron.
Ratchet: *Takes the pad, and peers at it*
holo: *shows Bumblebee standing side by side with her young mech, Bluestreak. The two little bots have their heads tipped to the side so that they're touching, and they're smiling widely at the picture taker. In their joined arms is cradled a Cybertronian so new that it hasn't even been painted yet*
Ironhide: *looks like he's going to bust with pride* His name's Iron Dust.
Ratchet: *Smirks, the expression warm.* Cute little scraplet.
Ironhide: I knew Bumblebee would do me proud. *you'd think he requested that newspark himself*
Ratchet: Hmph. It ain't always about you, ya trigger happy glitch. *doesn't mean anything by it*
Ironhide: She said I get to be Grandpa. *challenging smirk in his good optic*
Ratchet: Kid's gonna have you wrapped around its digits.
Ironhide: I know how to handle young bots. Look how well I trained Bumblebee. *whose last act on Earth had been to accidentally blow up the West Wing of the White House because she was overcharged out of her processor. Yeah, thanks, Ironhide*
Ratchet: How're those repairs in DC going?
Ironhide: Eh. No idea. *shrugs indifferently* Give me my holo. I have to go show Will.
Ratchet: Fine, fine... *Offers the datapad back.* And stay offa the grass. Maintenance is gonna sugar yer gas tank one of these days. And I'll let em.
Ironhide: *snorts as he takes the pad* Sugar in the gas tank is a silly human myth. Besides, even if it did work it would be rendered ineffective by the amount of bio diesel I have in there. *strides off down the walk* Later, grumbler.
Ratchet: Even so. It's itchy.
Ironhide: *and now he's going to laugh till he turns the corner, transforms, and drives away down the busy street*
Ratchet: *Huffs and retreats back into the embassy, intending to go and take a nap in his little basement hidey hole.*
elevator: *hums softly as it lowers him down from his berth room to the steel reinforced concrete bunker subbasement that rests well below the level of most the rest of the city. When it stops and the door slides open Ratchet is greeted by cool silence which is broken only by the soft rush of the underground river that passes through one corner of the room*
Ratchet: *Lets out a soft vent of air he'd not realized before that he was holding as he steps off of the lift and moves further into the room. He is tired, cranky... sore as always. It sounds so nice to just settle down next to that river and rest for a while.*
blind cave fish: *sense the vibrations of the lift and know that the being who brought them here and who feeds them is coming. Dance by the bank just like any pet fish will*
Ratchet: *As is his habit, he pulls out a container of food and taps some into the water over where the fish are swimming. Once this is done he stretches out there along the bank, optics dim as he tries to settle, but unable to stop thinking about the picture of Bee and her family, all smiling and happy. It just makes the old medic feel... lonely.*
fish: *darting about and eating the food, oblivious to the deep and solitary thoughts of their master. They know nothing of his status as the last single bot from the band that first came to Earth*
Ratchet: *Doesn't talk to the feeding fish like he usually does, processor instead filled with thoughts of someone that he could hold, talk to... just be with...*
fish: *seem to reflect the holo that sits on Ratchet's desk in his study. The one that shows Optimus, his new mate, and the four young Primes they've gotten from the restored Allspark*
Ratchet: *As happy as he is for Optimus and his family... the thought just leaves him hurting more. Everyone around him was finding someone... was he flawed in some way?*
fish: *finish eating and dart away, their pale forms fading into the dark water*
Ratchet: *Watches them disappear into the murky water, optics dim.*
Will Lennox: *pings his private comm*
Ratchet: //...Yeah?//
Will: //You said to remind you to shut down sometime today.//
Ratchet: //Yeah yeah yeah... Thanks...//
Will: //... Are you feeling alright? You don't usually drop that far into informal idiom.// *translation: Ironhide told me you're being a grumpy pants*
Ratchet: //Just need a good recharge cycle is all.//
Will: //Alright. I'll leave you to it then. Lennox out.//
Ratchet: *Cuts the commlink at this, settling down with a heavy sigh of his vents*
river: *continues its soft rushing whisper, the sound holding imagined sympathy and a soothing sameness*
Ratchet: *The sound soon lulls him into a restless recharge, any comfort that could be gained nullified by the empty sensation of loneliness plaguing him.*
Some hours later
small form: *drops onto Ratchet and then curls up before settling down and purring softly*
Ratchet: *lets out a quiet grumble at the intrusion of another, shifting slightly.*
second small bot: *squeaks as it's squished slightly against a wall by his movements. ...But that's where his river had been when he went to sleep...*
sounds: *are wrong. There is no sound of the river, but of a faint drip, and of electric lights, and of the running of other bots*
stone floor: *rough under Ratchet's side*
Ratchet: *Wakes quickly enough at this, optics flicking on as he pushes himself to sit up, suddenly wary.*
small bot: *yells as he falls off his place on top of Ratchet* Hey! Slaggit, I was sleepin' there, ya fragger!
Bumblebee: *looks over and says in a male voice* Hey, Ratchet. Bad dreams again?
Ratchet: ... *Looks from Bee to the strange bot that is cursing at him, armor ruffling slightly.* ...Somethin' like that, yeah...
Bumblebee: *walks over and pat pats him* Well, it's about the time that you told me to wake you up anyway. Skids, cut that out. Some guys are still sleeping.
bad mouth bot: Thrrrpt! *makes a hand gesture*
Ratchet: *Is more than a little confused by the fact that Bumblebee is now apparently male... though he's distracted by the hand gesture that the little mech Bee called Skids made.* ...Oi. *Got your attention tinybot? Have a disapproving medic SCOWL.*
Skids: *will make the gesture at Ratchet too! And then get jumped on by the little bot that Ratchet had pressed against the wall. A scuffle ensues, accompanied by vehement cursing in Cybertronian and English*
Bumblebee: *sighs and wanders off*
Ratchet: *At the squabbling, he's instantly reminded of another set of larger twins...* Knock it off! *Grabs the two tiny bots by their scruff bars and hauls them apart from each other.*
Twins: *squawk and then hang there, looking at him with puppy optics*
somebody: *coughs from over by where Ratchet's head had been laying*
Ratchet: *About to unleash a famous round of Ratchet's Rants... when that cough draws his attention*
Beachbreak: *laying there, battered, half repaired, but very much alive. And grinning at Ratchet with sympathy and that well remembered good nature*
Ratchet: *As surprised as he is, the tiny twin terrors more than likely can escape his grip.*
Twins: *do so. And then transform and SCRAM!*
Beachbreak: Doc? You okay?
Jazz: *also alive! Sits up and rubs his optics* Hey, can't a cat get any sleep around here?
Ratchet: *See this? The sight of a medic having a logic error, his processor locking up, and him keeling over?*
Jazz: *shouts and jumps up to catch Ratchet and then lower him gently to the floor* Ratchet? Ratchet, respond!
Bumblebee: *hurrying back, his optics wide with alarm*
Beachbreak: *worrying there in his nest of monitors and life support*
Ratchet: *Is unconscious, but seems to be okay. There's only so much surprise an old crabbypants medic can take after all.*
Jazz: *presses a few circuits to bring him back online* Ratchet... respond. C'mon, man. What's gotten inta you?
Bumblebee: *offers his can of oil*
Jazz:*grabs that and attempts to feed it to Ratchet* Yeah, he probably didn' fuel again. You'd think he was helpless the way he gits when 'Hide ain't around.
Ratchet: *Groans as he starts to come around, optics flickering on dimly. The taste of the fuel they are trying to feed him drives him to try and push the can away, making a face.* Gah! What're you trying to do, offline me?
Jazz: Hey, it ain't that bad. At least there ain't no scum on this shipment. *gives the can back to Bumblebee and then eyes Ratchet with sharp brown optics*
Beachbreak: *coughs softly again*
Ratchet: ...Tch.
Jazz: Don't you tch at me, Hatchet.
Ratchet: ...What did you just call me? *His hand twitches, as though longing to have a wrench curled into his grip so he could menace the saboteur with it.*
Jazz: *bit of a smirk* You heard me, Hatchet.
Bumblebee: *slips away silently*
Ratchet: *Light swat upside the head.* Knock it off.
Jazz: *laughs, the deep rich sound echoing through the dim and shadowed chamber*
Ratchet: *Grumbles at the little pest.* You would think that sorta thing was funny.
Jazz: Yup. *grins the grin that Ratchet remembers well. The one that never let anything get it down. Then picks up a part that's laying on the floor* So, we gonna pick up where we left off when I doped ya?
Beachbreak: *small chuckle at that, and another cough*
Ratchet: *splutters at that* You what?!
Jazz: *griiiin* You was tired, 'n gonna do somethin' stupid. *offers the part, which is one of the last that Ratchet will need for Beachbreak's repairs. The first ones still lay in a pile on the floor*
Ratchet: *Eyes the parts... And recognizes his own organizational skills enough to know that's NOT the next part.* ...Good thing you aren't the medic. *Takes the part away from Jazz, and puts it back in the pile where it belongs.*
Jazz: *unabashed. Offers a tool instead. Nope, not the one Ratchet needs*
Ratchet: ...Wrong one. *Ahh, comfortable familiarity...*
Jazz: No way, man. You always use this one. *grin*
Ratchet: Not to install hardware seats. Or the armor moorings. To do that, I need this one!
Jazz: *squints at it with one optic, then makes like comparing it to the one in his hand as Beachbreak laughs softly* ...Huh, maybe yer right.
Ratchet: *Takes the tool from Jazz's hand and menaces him with it.* Of course I'm right!
Jazz: *just grins and plays soft human dance music*
Ratchet: If you don't want me screwing this up, then try not to sabotage the repairs anymore, yeah?
Jazz: *chuckles and starts talking about femmes he knew back on Cybertron*
Two days later
Ratchet: *...For all the similarities with where he'd come from... there are so many differences. The relations between the humans and Autobots are tenacious at best, a fact that leaves Ratchet feeling slightly lost. He's gotten used to peace, to his new life on Earth... and now here he is right back where he'd started.*
Mudflap: *scoots up behind the medic where he's standing and staring out to sea* Optimuth 'n Ironhide're back! *happy flail and runs off again*
Ratchet: *Stares after the crazy bot, a rather bewildered expression on his faceplates.*
little red crab: *chooses that moment to climb up on his foot and wave its eye stalks*
Ratchet: *Looks down at the little crab when his sensors reported its presence, optics focusing slightly in interest*
crab: *picks delicately at some wiring that shows between the panels of his foot. It's not strong enough to damage, but the little touch will tickle*
Ratchet: *Little servos that control the finer motions of his foot twitch at that!* Hey. Cut that out.
crab: *pick pick poke*
Ratchet: *Leans down to shoo the little crab away from that spot!*
hand: *smacks him soundly on the caboose*
Ratchet: *Is so surprised that he jumps, and winds up flat on his face*
crab: *booking it*
hands: *lift Ratchet and set him on his feet as husky female laughter sounds, and then arms are going around him and he's being kissed till the world spins*
Ratchet: *Is more than a little overwhelmed by this, letting out a soft dazed sound of surprise.*
hands: *on his shoulders as... a very female Ironhide grins at him* Did you take care of yourself, you stupid slagger?
Ratchet: *Does a quick hardset of his BIOS so that he won't lock up again... but it's a close call.*
Ironhide: *frowns when he doesn't reply, and then shakes him slightly* Ratchet?
Mudflap: *over behind some saw palmetto scrub* Ratchet 'n Ironhide, sittin' in a tree..!
Ironhide: *folds out a cannon*
Mudflap: *books!*
Ironhide: *puts cannon away and puts her hand back on Ratchet's shoulder, her optics concerned under frowning brow ridges*
Ratchet: *Manages a rather unintelligent sound of bewilderment, not sure what to make of any of this.*
Ironhide: *frown deepens* Has Jazz been sneaking you minerals again?
Ratchet: ...He doped me, apparently. *...WHY did that sound so sulky?*
Ironhide: When? *looks into his optics searchingly*
Ratchet: Dunno. He said something about it after I woke up.
Ironhide: Today? *hand on one shoulder starting a comfortable and soothing rubbing*
Ratchet: Naw... couple'a days ago... *The touch on his shoulder is new... but it's relaxing him, nonetheless.*
Ironhide: *gaze softens with affection and hopefulness* *quietly* Did you decide?
Ratchet: *Stares at the femme like an organic deer caught in the headlights*
Ironhide: *hope dies a little* *quietly* So you don't want to be my mate.
Ratchet: ...What? *That tone of voice is the one he usually uses when blindsided by something completely new to him*
Ironhide: *very concerned now* Were you not listening when I spoke to you before Optimus and I left for the mainland? I asked you to decide while I was gone if we should word bond.
Ratchet: ...You did? *Asks this in a faint tone, optics wide*
Ironhide: *grumbles with frustration, though she's still concerned* Yes! I did! And you said you would, you slagger!
Ratchet: ...I... I don't remember... *Primus, what's wrong with him?*
Ironhide: *upset at him, but she remembers how hard Ratchet had been working to keep Beachbreak online, so instead of thinking he'd tuned her out and decking him for it she just pulls him close* Do you need more time?
Ratchet: *Can still recognize an upset Ironhide... and feels bad for causing it.* I... I guess I do...
Ironhide: Alright. *lets go of him and steps back, taking away the snuggles*
Ratchet: *Makes a mental note to run a full processor diagnostic scan on himself the next chance he gets*
Ironhide: *turning away, but not without the same wistful sideways glances that the Ironhide Ratchet used to know would give to his Chromia when she was angry at him*
Ratchet: *Tilts his head slightly, noticing that look, but not sure what to do about it.*
Ironhide: *sees the headtilt and upgrades the look to wistful puppy dog eyes without thinking*
Ratchet: *Feels his spark twist in its casing at that look.* ...What?
Ironhide: *quietly* I love you, you slagger. *turns and strides away*
Ratchet: *Watches her go, looking more than a little startled*
beach: *falls silent but for the swish of waves after she's gone*
Ratchet: *Doesn't know what to think, retreating to his corner of the main cavern.*
Longarm: *looks up from giving a squirming and cursing Knockout a noogie* Hi, Ratchet.
Epps: Hey, Ratchet! *grins, and then turns back to Longarm* No no, use yer knuckles, man. Yeah, like that.
Ratchet: ...Hello. *Is very much a confused mech, doesn't even give them his usual warnings about playing nice*
Longarm: *lets Knockout go and watches as the medic heads over to the corner by Beachbreak* ...I think he and Ironhide had another fight.
Knockout: :\
Epps: *also watching, sympathy on his face* Daaang. That guy really needs lessons on how ta interact with women.
Ratchet: *If only they knew 8/*
Beachbreak: *sleeping and recharging when Ratchet gets to the corner*
Skids: *digging through Ratchet's supplies and muttering about where's the copper wire*
Ratchet: Ah-HEM. -_-;;;
Skids: *JUMPS and whirls, gives Ratchet a guilty look, and then bolts just as fast as his little tires can go*
Longarm: Hey! Alt modes are for outside!
Skids: *gone!*
Longarm: *shakes head and chuckles as he settles down onto his skidplate to chat further with Epps*
Ratchet: *Huffs, and halfheartedly tosses a wrench after Skids*
Beachbreak: *startles at the clatter and turns his head, blinking sleepy optics* *sees Ratchet and smiles at him*
Ratchet: ...Sorry about that. *Offers Beachbreak a gruff smile.* Go back into recharge.
Beachbreak: *quietly, his voice still weak and scratchy* Yes, sir. *shutters optics and drops back into sleep mode*
Fig: *yet another walking dead!* *comes over and looks at Beachbreak, then tilts his head up to look at Ratchet* How's 'e doin'?
Ratchet: ...There's still repair work to be done... but he's definitely improving.
Fig: *quietly, his eyes turning back to the small mech* Good. That's good.
Ratchet: *Nods* I'm having him rest now, so when these repairs are finished he'll be one hundred percent.
Fig: Even his spark? You said there was some damage to that.
Ratchet: *Luckily, had read the files on Beachbreak's repairs.* Been working on that damage bit by bit. By the time the repair schedule is over with, his spark will be fine too.
Fig: *big grin* That's great. *holds up a fistful of something* You give 'em these when he wakes up?
Ratchet: *Chuckles, holding out a hand* Don't see why not.
Fig: *grins and dumps the fistful of pennies into the medibot's big hand* Thanks. I better get going. Need some sleep myself, you know.
Ratchet: I'll let him know you stopped by. *Finds a container to stow the pennies in.*
Fig: *last grin and a slight salute as he walks off toward the tunnel that leads to the human barracks*
Ratchet: *Smirks after him, before turning to boot up the small scanner he always carries with him. Once it boots he hooks into it, running that processor scan on himself.*
scanner: *works away, and then makes a cheery beep as it informs him that his systems are finally fully recharged!*
Ratchet: *Very nice. But what the slag is wrong with my processor?*
scanner: *reports all processor systems at optimum functionality*
Elita: *darts into the cavern with a small shriek* Arcee! That's COLD!
Arcee: *laughing as she follows her commander in* That's why it's called an ice cube, 'Lita!
Ratchet: *Stares at the femmes, optics widening. If his processor isn't damaged... then something STRANGE has happened.*
Elita and Arcee: *yes, Elita's alive, and Arcee is walking on feet instead of roaring around on tires. And right now the two friends are dancing around and sparring at each other as they ignore Epps' cheery wolf whistles*
Ratchet: *Feels his spark ache as he recalls how hard Elita's death had hit Optimus... and yet here she is, alive and well.*
Optimus: *speak of the devil, here he comes striding into the room, his head turning toward the sound of the golden femme's laughter*
Elita: *busy trying to pin Arcee down, squeaks as she's lifted into the air, and then turns and tries to knock Optimus over with the force of her affectionate greeting*
Optimus: *happy rumbles as Arcee and Epps laugh*
Ratchet: *Can remember what it was like helping Optimus survive after Elita was gone... long nights soothing the distraught mech to recharge, convincing him each day to get up, be brave. That it would be okay. And here? It had never even happened. The medic stays silent as he watches the two interacting in such a sweet carefree way.*
Optimus: *takes one step back in a slight stumble, and then lifts his head to beam at his mate before gently setting her on her feet and turning to walk toward Ratchet*
Ratchet: *Watches Optimus approach, the faint brightening of his optics the only hint of anything wrong at the moment.*
Optimus: *looks down at Beachbreak as he reaches the medic* *quietly* How is he, Ratchet?
Ratchet: *Focuses on the familiar routine of reporting like a drowning man might cling to a life raft.* There's damage yet to repair... but he is in good spirits, and is actually recovering ahead of the tentative schedule I initially gave.
Optimus: That's good. *soberly lifts his optics to meet those of his CMO and then frowns* Something else is troubling you.
Ratchet: *As always, the medic huffs when Optimus calls him on his troubled processor, glancing away in a manner that could be construed as sullen.* Meh. I'm just tired is all. Fending off copper thieves will do that to a bot.
Optimus: *gentle hand on his friend's shoulder* *quietly* Were you able to tell Ironhide?
Ratchet: ...Tell Ironhide? *Nope!*
Optimus: *sigh that holds sympathy* I truly think that she will respect your decision, Ratchet. She respects you too much to do otherwise.
Ratchet: ...My decision? *Repeats this in an oddly quiet voice, optics flickering.*
Optimus: *softly* To not become her word mate, despite having been thought of such for the past fifty vorns. *concern* Did you recharge while we were away?
Ratchet: *...That long?! Manages a faint burst of static from his vocalizer as his processor decided that it had taken enough and locked on him, sending him straight to the floor a moment later.*
Optimus: *not quite straight. Strong arms catch him and lower him even as Optimus scans his friend and tries to find the cause of his shutdown*
Elita and Arcee: *running over even as Ironhide rushes past them to kneel next to Optimus*
Optimus: Do not crowd him. I'm trying to discern the problem.
Ironhide: *her husky voice gruff* The stupid glitch is too afraid to tell me no, isn't he?
Elita: *looks up at her quickly*
Ironhide: I knew it. *lowers her head for a moment, and then scowls at the insensate mech*
Ratchet: *The only indicator of anything being wrong is the way his logic centers are cycling so quickly through their restart-refresh protocols. Otherwise, the gruff medic seems to have nothing wrong with him, aside from being unconscious.*
Ironhide: *reaches out and slugs him gently upside the head* I know, alright? I won't bother you again. *gets up and walks away*
Elita: *watches her go, expression full of sympathy*
Arcee: 'Hide, wait! *scoots after mentor*
Optimus: *attempting to bring Ratchet back online*
Ratchet: *Finally, his logic centers find a way to filter the conflicting data, and he does stir, optics flicking on dimly as he lets out a confused groan.*
Optimus: *quietly* Ratchet, are you able to respond?
Ratchet: ...Yes...
Optimus: *deep voice takes on a gentle tone* Ironhide knows.
Ratchet: *Looks up at Optimus with a bewildered frown before he realizes what the Peterbilt is talking about.* ...Oh.
Optimus: I suspect that you will have nothing to fear from her now.
Ratchet: ...I'm not af- *Shakes his head with a sigh.* We need to talk.
Optimus: Very well. *sits Ratchet up and lets go of him, expression quizzical.*
Ratchet: *Seeing as everyone has cleared out of the area, he gets straight to the point.* I'm not who you think I am.
Optimus: *slow blink as Elita goes to attention at his side* What do you mean?
Ratchet: Well... before about... three days ago, I didn't live here. It's... hard to explain. Autobots had won... we'd made peace with the humans. So many things are different here...
Optimus: *quietly* Who are you?
Ratchet: I am Ratchet... just not... your Ratchet, I suppose...
Optimus: *glances at Elita, silent communication passing between them*
Elita: *turns back to Ratchet* An alternate universe?
Ratchet: I suppose so.
Optimus: So then... our Ratchet is in your reality?
Ratchet: Seems like the most logical solution.
Optimus: What is your reality like?
Ratchet: We've set up an embassy on earth... the war is done with. Some former Decepticons have even integrated into the Autobots.
Optimus: They've returned? *surprise and hope*
Elita: *puts a slender hand on her mate's leg*
Ratchet: Some. Others are still in hiding, but Optimus in that reality is organizing groups to find these bots and reassure them, offer them a chance at a better life.
Optimus: *bows his head for a moment, and then looks up* We're going to have to try and find a way to help you return.
Ratchet: *Looks surprised at how easily the seemingly improbable tale is accepted.* Thank you.
Elita: Are Perceptor and Wheeljack alive in your reality?
Ratchet: *Nods* Alive and well.
Elita: *looks up at her mate* They'll do it. As soon as the Ratchet of our reality lets it be known that he's been displaced, they will find a way to send him back to where he belongs.
Optimus: *nods* Indeed.
Ratchet: *Wryly* Assuming that Wheeljack doesn't blow herself up first.
Optimus: *pauses* 'Her' is usually a pronoun used for females, Ratchet.
Ratchet: I know that!
Elita: *hand over her mouth as her optics dance with surprise and amusement*
Optimus: *confused* Then...
Ratchet: *Smirks at Optimus* Yees?
Optimus: But... the Wheeljack that I knew was unquestionably male...
Ratchet: And the one I know is definitely a femme.
Elita: *has noted the affection in his voice as he speaks of the female Wheeljack* Your bond mate?
Ratchet: *Shakes his head* No. We dated when we were younger, but eventually decided we were better as friends. Heck, we built the Dinobots together at that point.
Optimus: ...Dinobots?
Ratchet: Transformers designed with Terran dinosaurs as alternate modes. They aren't very bright, but they're good bots.
Optimus: *thoughtful* I see...
Ratchet: Mostly I was just there as an adviser... it was her project.
Elita: Are you with your reality's Ironhide, then?
Ratchet: ...He's bonded to Chromia, actually.
Optimus: *rocks back slightly this time* He?
Ratchet: *Chuckles* Yes. He.
Optimus: *slowly* Were there any other differences between the Autobots that you know and those that you have met here?
Ratchet: *Thinks* Bee is a femme, with a mate and a kid... Arcee has a different frame configuration... *His optics dim slightly, tone more serious.* Jazz, Beachbreak and Fig are all offlined.
Elita: *gasps and puts her hands to her mouth*
Optimus: Bumblebee... a creator? And... though they were not the ones I know, the thought of such losses grieves my spark. I am thankful that the Ratchet of this reality was able to bring Jazz and Beachbreak back with Sam's Allspark shard.
Ratchet: *Nods* It is good to see them alive and well.
Optimus: *starts to speak further, but then pauses and tilts his head* Ah. Elita and I must go and attend the debriefing concerning our trip to the mainland.
Ratchet: Ah. Very well. I imagine you'll be wanting to continue this talk later then?
Optimus: *thoughtfully, as he scoops Elita up and stands* I... think that I know enough.
Ratchet: Alright.
Optimus: Please, make yourself at home as much as you are able till your friends retrieve you.
Elita: And don't be afraid of Ironhide.
Ratchet: *Huffs at Elita.* I am not afraid of Ironhide.
Elita: *smiles as she's born away by her mate*
Beachbreak: *little wibbly sound as he has a bad dream*
Ratchet: *Reaches up to give Beachbreak's shoulder a reassuring rub at this.*
Beachbreak: *sighs and settles down, his monitors steadying out*
Ratchet: *Relieved to see this*
Arcee: *enters the cavern in bike mode, closely followed by Knockout and Bumblebee. The three young bots go over to a far corner and transform, then settle down and start to play some sort of game with flat disks of metal and cardboard*
Ratchet: *Watches the three young bots, staying where he is.*
Skids and Mudflap: *come careening in, and then transform and run over to the others, crying that they found their pogs!*
Ratchet: What in the Pit are you two going on about?
Skids: *stops and looks at him oddly as his brother continues to Bumblebee's group* Pogs, duh.
Ratchet: ...And those are?
Skids: *holds up a bag full of the cardboard disks, his expression saying that he thinks Ratchet's glitching*
Ratchet: ...Cardboard disks. What about em?
Skids: They're pogs. *glances toward the game, impatient to go play*
Ratchet: ...And?
Skids: I wanna go play with 'em. *turns and scoots over to the others, tucking himself under Bumblebee's arm in his eagerness to become part of the circle*
Ratchet: *Stares after them, more than a little confused*
human with a medic patch on his uniform: *comes into the cavern and walks over to Ratchet, a huge roll of paper under one arm. Pauses when he sees the big yellow mech's expression* What have they done now?
Ratchet: *Looks down at the human, tilting his head.* Nothing. They're playing something called 'Pogs', I think it is?
medic: ... You've seen them play pogs before. You made Arcee her slammer. *confused expression on his face*
Ratchet: ...Oh. *This... was more than a little awkward*
medic: Has Jazz been slipping you minerals again? *frown*
Ratchet: No... just been tired is all. *Not that this was a lie.*
medic: *pats him on the knee, then offers up the roll of paper, which is tied with a piece of heavy twine* I got a bigger copy of that medical journal you were interested in. Maybe you can settle down and enjoy a good read.
Ratchet: *Takes the paper carefully, offering the medic a small grin.* Thanks.
medic: *grins back* You're welcome, Ratchet. *gives the knee a friendly slap and turns and walks off*
Ratchet: *Unties the twine, then uncurls the paper with care and sees that he now owns a magazine of his own. One about certain human surgical techniques, antibiotics, and immunizations. The paper is thin and flimsy, and the pictures are all black and white, but it's that issue that he'd been trying to track down back home! He can't help but grin when he sees this and skims the contents. He'd been trying to find this issue for months.*
Beachbreak: *sighs and turns his head* Doc?
Ratchet: *looks to Beachbreak when he asks for him.* Yes?
Beachbreak: *watching him* Sup?
Ratchet: Oh, I'm just glad to get my hands on this.
Beachbreak: *slight grin and shutters his optics again* Oh. *soft sound as he sinks back into sleep mode*
Ratchet: *Settles back holding the issue carefully. He'll read for some time, before he finally falls asleep with the paper draped over his chest.*
Some time later
Ironhide: *staggers into the cavern, drunk as a lord and singing at the top of her vocalizer*
Ratchet: *Starts awake at the noise, optics still dimmed as he looked for the source of the racket.*
youngbots: *watching with startled optics as the big femme stumbles around*
Jazz, Longarm and Salvage: *frozen in mid-card game, their stares full of incredulity as they too watch*
Ratchet: *Sets the paper aside before pushing up to his feet and moving towards Ironhide. Gestures toward where Beachbreak is resting* Allspark above Ironhide, you need to turn down the volume on that vox. We've got bots sleeping here.
Ironhide: *squints at him and then snorts and wanders away from him*
Ratchet: *Heaves a sigh at this, moving to head outside. He is still feeling so out of place, hoping that the fresh air in his intakes might help him settle.*
island: *quiet but for the sound of waves lapping the night darkened beaches and the whisper of the wind through the saw palmetto and trees*
soft murmur of voices: *breaks the silence over there. Optimus' deep rumble and someone with a lighter voice*
Ratchet: *Not wanting to disturb Optimus and who he can only assume is Elita, the medic moves the other direction to find somewhere quiet to brood.*
Jazz: *finds him there a few moments later* Hey, Hatchet, what's up? *plunks down beside him*
Ratchet: *Nods to the saboteur, heaving a faint sigh.* Hello, Jazz.
Jazz: *looks at him sideways* And..?
Ratchet: It's... just getting a bit claustrophobic in there...
Jazz: *look becomes knowing* You don't gotta be afraid of 'Hide.
Ratchet: I'm not afraid of her. *Not entirely. He's used to having his own solitary place to hide out in, and is finding he isn't sure how to settle himself without that*
Jazz: You remember I have a BS detector, right, man?
Ratchet: *Eyes Jazz at this, an optic ridge raised.*
Jazz: You're scared of somethin'.
Ratchet: Hmph. It's not fear. *It might be, but as if the medic would ever admit it*
Jazz: Bull$%&$#
Ratchet: *Blinks at this, looking uncertain.*
Jazz: *studying his face and slowly getting a look of surprise on his own* You ain't as sure about that 'no' as our Ratchet is.
Ratchet: ...What do you mean?
Jazz: Our Ratchet never was interested in 'Hide that way, but he never wanted ta hurt her. You're thinkin' about it.
Ratchet: I... can't think about her that way. We only just met. *Frowns out at the ocean*
Jazz: *frowns* Your 'Hide's dead?
Ratchet: No. Nothing like that. Ironhide in my universe... we're friends. And besides, he's with Chromia.
Jazz: ...He.
Ratchet: Yeah.
Jazz: *thinks about that* With 'Mia.
Ratchet: *Nods* Mhm.
Jazz: So who're you with?
Ratchet: *His optics dim briefly when Jazz asks that.* ...I'm not with anyone.
Jazz: *slightly surprised* But you wanna be.
Ratchet: Well... yes.
Jazz: *quirks a brow* So you ain't as cranky 'n anti-social as our Ratch.
Ratchet: *Lets out a quiet huff at that, tilting his head.* Says you.
Jazz: *just grins at him, but then looks up eagerly as a shooting star streaks overhead. Everything about the small silver mech suggests waiting and yearning*
Ratchet: *Looks to the silver mech, curious.* Waiting for something?
Jazz: *softly* Waitin' for my lady. She's on her way.
Ratchet: Your lady? Who's that?
Jazz: *another sideways look* Ironfist.
Ratchet: Yeah? When did this happen?
Jazz: ...A looong time ago. You mean your Jazz don't got any sweet lady ta keep his shiny aft grounded?
Ratchet: *Looks pained at this, optics shuttering.*
Jazz: ... Man, that silence's scarin' me.
Ratchet: ...Can we... talk about something else? *The topic of Jazz still hurts the medic. For all he might complain about the mech, Ratchet had come to think of the saboteur as a good friend, and blames himself for his death.*
Jazz: *glances over toward Optimus and then makes a soft meep. Statics a bit and then pat pats Ratchet and starts talking about a time when Ironfist met up with Starscream... and made the Seeker cry*
Ratchet: *Smirks, optics dimmed with amusement.* Sounds like she'll be able to keep up with your antics then.
Jazz: She's ben keepin' me in line most my life. *big grin and his optics are bright*
Ratchet: Well, someone has to.
Jazz: Thrrpt! *then tilts his head as a call reaches him and Ratchet*
Lennox: //Report to the lagoon, guys. We have a pickup to do.//
Ratchet: //On my way.//
Jazz: //What the Hatchman said.// *getting to his feet and then shaking sand out of his wiring*
Ratchet: *Pushes to his feet, giving himself a shake.* Let's get moving then.
Jazz: *singing about sand in his booty as he flips into alt mode and zooms off*
Ratchet: *Chuckles at this, folding down into his own alt and following the silver mech*
Later
Optimus: Knockout, please stop revving your engine. Motorcycles without drivers aren't supposed to do that.
Salvage: And don't just make your rider appear, either. The people on the dock will see it.
Knockout: *MASSIVE sulk*
twins: *making their holodrivers flip each other the bird*
Ratchet: *His holodriver just scowls at the twins, disapproval apparent.* You two need to knock that slag off.
twins: *consider for a moment, and then make their drivers salute him too*
Optimus: *deep sigh*
Ratchet: You two are really grinding down on my last gear.
twins: *laugh about that*
Jazz: *quietly* And I'm gonna tell 'Hide.
twins: *silent, drivers sitting primly and facing the front of their cabs*
Ratchet: *Grumbles a bit, holodriver glowering down at his steering wheel.*
Optimus: *silent as the ship docks, and then he's quietly signaling the roll out and leading his people down the ramp*
Ratchet: *Rolls down after him, observing the team as he does so.*
Jazz: *herding the youngsters after Ratchet, his holodriver laughing as someone on shore yells 'SOLSTICE' in tones of absolute fanboy glee*
Ratchet: *Can't help the grin on his holodriver's face at that excited shout.*
Optimus: *leads his team through the big city of Tokyo, and then finally out into the countryside. Rumbles reassuringly at the twins, who have been frightened into lamb-like shadowing by the Tokyo traffic*
Ratchet: *Sticks close to them, revving his engine to spook off a driver that had been considering cutting the twins off, or something equally dangerous and asinine.*
Jazz: *nearly lost Knockout there for a moment, but manages to get himself and the youngster back into the convoy. Makes a relieved sound over comms when the traffic finally starts to thin out a bit as they get further from the city*
Ratchet: *Doesn't say as much, but he's definitely relieved when they escape the snarls of city traffic.*
Optimus: *sound of surprise from up ahead*
Ratchet: //Optimus? What is it?//
Optimus: *slows so that Ironhide can drive past the convoy and take her place at the end of it* //How did you get here, Ironhide?//
Ironhide: //Never mind that. Rassleflavin mumblegrumble, leaving me behind!//
Jazz: *snerk*
Ratchet: *Chuckles wryly.*
Optimus: *sternly* //We'll speak of this later.// *again starts out in the direction of the volcano that is their destination*
Ironhide: *irritable snort*
Ratchet: *Follows the convoy, keeping an eye on their surroundings.*
Optimus: *leads them right up onto the volcano, and once they're certain they're not being observed he leads the team the last way cross country toward where smoke is raising lazily into the sky*
Ironhide: Ratchet, stop driving so close to the slagging crater.
Ratchet: I'm not that close, just cool your pistons. *But, he will edge away a bit*
Ironhide: You're too slagging close.
Ratchet: Well I just moved. Not that much room to move.
Knockout: *jeers softly, but then yelps as the ground crumbles beneath the yellow Hummer*
Jazz: *transforms and grabs the youngster, but then watches helplessly as his larger friend falls* RATCH!
Ironhide: NO! *drives after Ratchet, and is followed by chunks of the crater rim*
Ratchet: *Lets out a yell of alarm as he feels the ground give way under his tires. Transforming, he grabs for the edge, though everything he reaches for gives way under his bulk and sends him tumbling.*
*There is a rumble. A searing flash of pain, and then darkness.*
((Co-written with![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
ohprimuswhy))
Ratchet:*Fixes the Topkick with a LOOK.* What have I told you about the grass?
Ironhide: *impatiently* Never mind that! Look! *thrusts the datapad into his friend's hands* Bumblebee just sent it from Cybertron.
Ratchet: *Takes the pad, and peers at it*
holo: *shows Bumblebee standing side by side with her young mech, Bluestreak. The two little bots have their heads tipped to the side so that they're touching, and they're smiling widely at the picture taker. In their joined arms is cradled a Cybertronian so new that it hasn't even been painted yet*
Ironhide: *looks like he's going to bust with pride* His name's Iron Dust.
Ratchet: *Smirks, the expression warm.* Cute little scraplet.
Ironhide: I knew Bumblebee would do me proud. *you'd think he requested that newspark himself*
Ratchet: Hmph. It ain't always about you, ya trigger happy glitch. *doesn't mean anything by it*
Ironhide: She said I get to be Grandpa. *challenging smirk in his good optic*
Ratchet: Kid's gonna have you wrapped around its digits.
Ironhide: I know how to handle young bots. Look how well I trained Bumblebee. *whose last act on Earth had been to accidentally blow up the West Wing of the White House because she was overcharged out of her processor. Yeah, thanks, Ironhide*
Ratchet: How're those repairs in DC going?
Ironhide: Eh. No idea. *shrugs indifferently* Give me my holo. I have to go show Will.
Ratchet: Fine, fine... *Offers the datapad back.* And stay offa the grass. Maintenance is gonna sugar yer gas tank one of these days. And I'll let em.
Ironhide: *snorts as he takes the pad* Sugar in the gas tank is a silly human myth. Besides, even if it did work it would be rendered ineffective by the amount of bio diesel I have in there. *strides off down the walk* Later, grumbler.
Ratchet: Even so. It's itchy.
Ironhide: *and now he's going to laugh till he turns the corner, transforms, and drives away down the busy street*
Ratchet: *Huffs and retreats back into the embassy, intending to go and take a nap in his little basement hidey hole.*
elevator: *hums softly as it lowers him down from his berth room to the steel reinforced concrete bunker subbasement that rests well below the level of most the rest of the city. When it stops and the door slides open Ratchet is greeted by cool silence which is broken only by the soft rush of the underground river that passes through one corner of the room*
Ratchet: *Lets out a soft vent of air he'd not realized before that he was holding as he steps off of the lift and moves further into the room. He is tired, cranky... sore as always. It sounds so nice to just settle down next to that river and rest for a while.*
blind cave fish: *sense the vibrations of the lift and know that the being who brought them here and who feeds them is coming. Dance by the bank just like any pet fish will*
Ratchet: *As is his habit, he pulls out a container of food and taps some into the water over where the fish are swimming. Once this is done he stretches out there along the bank, optics dim as he tries to settle, but unable to stop thinking about the picture of Bee and her family, all smiling and happy. It just makes the old medic feel... lonely.*
fish: *darting about and eating the food, oblivious to the deep and solitary thoughts of their master. They know nothing of his status as the last single bot from the band that first came to Earth*
Ratchet: *Doesn't talk to the feeding fish like he usually does, processor instead filled with thoughts of someone that he could hold, talk to... just be with...*
fish: *seem to reflect the holo that sits on Ratchet's desk in his study. The one that shows Optimus, his new mate, and the four young Primes they've gotten from the restored Allspark*
Ratchet: *As happy as he is for Optimus and his family... the thought just leaves him hurting more. Everyone around him was finding someone... was he flawed in some way?*
fish: *finish eating and dart away, their pale forms fading into the dark water*
Ratchet: *Watches them disappear into the murky water, optics dim.*
Will Lennox: *pings his private comm*
Ratchet: //...Yeah?//
Will: //You said to remind you to shut down sometime today.//
Ratchet: //Yeah yeah yeah... Thanks...//
Will: //... Are you feeling alright? You don't usually drop that far into informal idiom.// *translation: Ironhide told me you're being a grumpy pants*
Ratchet: //Just need a good recharge cycle is all.//
Will: //Alright. I'll leave you to it then. Lennox out.//
Ratchet: *Cuts the commlink at this, settling down with a heavy sigh of his vents*
river: *continues its soft rushing whisper, the sound holding imagined sympathy and a soothing sameness*
Ratchet: *The sound soon lulls him into a restless recharge, any comfort that could be gained nullified by the empty sensation of loneliness plaguing him.*
small form: *drops onto Ratchet and then curls up before settling down and purring softly*
Ratchet: *lets out a quiet grumble at the intrusion of another, shifting slightly.*
second small bot: *squeaks as it's squished slightly against a wall by his movements. ...But that's where his river had been when he went to sleep...*
sounds: *are wrong. There is no sound of the river, but of a faint drip, and of electric lights, and of the running of other bots*
stone floor: *rough under Ratchet's side*
Ratchet: *Wakes quickly enough at this, optics flicking on as he pushes himself to sit up, suddenly wary.*
small bot: *yells as he falls off his place on top of Ratchet* Hey! Slaggit, I was sleepin' there, ya fragger!
Bumblebee: *looks over and says in a male voice* Hey, Ratchet. Bad dreams again?
Ratchet: ... *Looks from Bee to the strange bot that is cursing at him, armor ruffling slightly.* ...Somethin' like that, yeah...
Bumblebee: *walks over and pat pats him* Well, it's about the time that you told me to wake you up anyway. Skids, cut that out. Some guys are still sleeping.
bad mouth bot: Thrrrpt! *makes a hand gesture*
Ratchet: *Is more than a little confused by the fact that Bumblebee is now apparently male... though he's distracted by the hand gesture that the little mech Bee called Skids made.* ...Oi. *Got your attention tinybot? Have a disapproving medic SCOWL.*
Skids: *will make the gesture at Ratchet too! And then get jumped on by the little bot that Ratchet had pressed against the wall. A scuffle ensues, accompanied by vehement cursing in Cybertronian and English*
Bumblebee: *sighs and wanders off*
Ratchet: *At the squabbling, he's instantly reminded of another set of larger twins...* Knock it off! *Grabs the two tiny bots by their scruff bars and hauls them apart from each other.*
Twins: *squawk and then hang there, looking at him with puppy optics*
somebody: *coughs from over by where Ratchet's head had been laying*
Ratchet: *About to unleash a famous round of Ratchet's Rants... when that cough draws his attention*
Beachbreak: *laying there, battered, half repaired, but very much alive. And grinning at Ratchet with sympathy and that well remembered good nature*
Ratchet: *As surprised as he is, the tiny twin terrors more than likely can escape his grip.*
Twins: *do so. And then transform and SCRAM!*
Beachbreak: Doc? You okay?
Jazz: *also alive! Sits up and rubs his optics* Hey, can't a cat get any sleep around here?
Ratchet: *See this? The sight of a medic having a logic error, his processor locking up, and him keeling over?*
Jazz: *shouts and jumps up to catch Ratchet and then lower him gently to the floor* Ratchet? Ratchet, respond!
Bumblebee: *hurrying back, his optics wide with alarm*
Beachbreak: *worrying there in his nest of monitors and life support*
Ratchet: *Is unconscious, but seems to be okay. There's only so much surprise an old crabbypants medic can take after all.*
Jazz: *presses a few circuits to bring him back online* Ratchet... respond. C'mon, man. What's gotten inta you?
Bumblebee: *offers his can of oil*
Jazz:*grabs that and attempts to feed it to Ratchet* Yeah, he probably didn' fuel again. You'd think he was helpless the way he gits when 'Hide ain't around.
Ratchet: *Groans as he starts to come around, optics flickering on dimly. The taste of the fuel they are trying to feed him drives him to try and push the can away, making a face.* Gah! What're you trying to do, offline me?
Jazz: Hey, it ain't that bad. At least there ain't no scum on this shipment. *gives the can back to Bumblebee and then eyes Ratchet with sharp brown optics*
Beachbreak: *coughs softly again*
Ratchet: ...Tch.
Jazz: Don't you tch at me, Hatchet.
Ratchet: ...What did you just call me? *His hand twitches, as though longing to have a wrench curled into his grip so he could menace the saboteur with it.*
Jazz: *bit of a smirk* You heard me, Hatchet.
Bumblebee: *slips away silently*
Ratchet: *Light swat upside the head.* Knock it off.
Jazz: *laughs, the deep rich sound echoing through the dim and shadowed chamber*
Ratchet: *Grumbles at the little pest.* You would think that sorta thing was funny.
Jazz: Yup. *grins the grin that Ratchet remembers well. The one that never let anything get it down. Then picks up a part that's laying on the floor* So, we gonna pick up where we left off when I doped ya?
Beachbreak: *small chuckle at that, and another cough*
Ratchet: *splutters at that* You what?!
Jazz: *griiiin* You was tired, 'n gonna do somethin' stupid. *offers the part, which is one of the last that Ratchet will need for Beachbreak's repairs. The first ones still lay in a pile on the floor*
Ratchet: *Eyes the parts... And recognizes his own organizational skills enough to know that's NOT the next part.* ...Good thing you aren't the medic. *Takes the part away from Jazz, and puts it back in the pile where it belongs.*
Jazz: *unabashed. Offers a tool instead. Nope, not the one Ratchet needs*
Ratchet: ...Wrong one. *Ahh, comfortable familiarity...*
Jazz: No way, man. You always use this one. *grin*
Ratchet: Not to install hardware seats. Or the armor moorings. To do that, I need this one!
Jazz: *squints at it with one optic, then makes like comparing it to the one in his hand as Beachbreak laughs softly* ...Huh, maybe yer right.
Ratchet: *Takes the tool from Jazz's hand and menaces him with it.* Of course I'm right!
Jazz: *just grins and plays soft human dance music*
Ratchet: If you don't want me screwing this up, then try not to sabotage the repairs anymore, yeah?
Jazz: *chuckles and starts talking about femmes he knew back on Cybertron*
Ratchet: *...For all the similarities with where he'd come from... there are so many differences. The relations between the humans and Autobots are tenacious at best, a fact that leaves Ratchet feeling slightly lost. He's gotten used to peace, to his new life on Earth... and now here he is right back where he'd started.*
Mudflap: *scoots up behind the medic where he's standing and staring out to sea* Optimuth 'n Ironhide're back! *happy flail and runs off again*
Ratchet: *Stares after the crazy bot, a rather bewildered expression on his faceplates.*
little red crab: *chooses that moment to climb up on his foot and wave its eye stalks*
Ratchet: *Looks down at the little crab when his sensors reported its presence, optics focusing slightly in interest*
crab: *picks delicately at some wiring that shows between the panels of his foot. It's not strong enough to damage, but the little touch will tickle*
Ratchet: *Little servos that control the finer motions of his foot twitch at that!* Hey. Cut that out.
crab: *pick pick poke*
Ratchet: *Leans down to shoo the little crab away from that spot!*
hand: *smacks him soundly on the caboose*
Ratchet: *Is so surprised that he jumps, and winds up flat on his face*
crab: *booking it*
hands: *lift Ratchet and set him on his feet as husky female laughter sounds, and then arms are going around him and he's being kissed till the world spins*
Ratchet: *Is more than a little overwhelmed by this, letting out a soft dazed sound of surprise.*
hands: *on his shoulders as... a very female Ironhide grins at him* Did you take care of yourself, you stupid slagger?
Ratchet: *Does a quick hardset of his BIOS so that he won't lock up again... but it's a close call.*
Ironhide: *frowns when he doesn't reply, and then shakes him slightly* Ratchet?
Mudflap: *over behind some saw palmetto scrub* Ratchet 'n Ironhide, sittin' in a tree..!
Ironhide: *folds out a cannon*
Mudflap: *books!*
Ironhide: *puts cannon away and puts her hand back on Ratchet's shoulder, her optics concerned under frowning brow ridges*
Ratchet: *Manages a rather unintelligent sound of bewilderment, not sure what to make of any of this.*
Ironhide: *frown deepens* Has Jazz been sneaking you minerals again?
Ratchet: ...He doped me, apparently. *...WHY did that sound so sulky?*
Ironhide: When? *looks into his optics searchingly*
Ratchet: Dunno. He said something about it after I woke up.
Ironhide: Today? *hand on one shoulder starting a comfortable and soothing rubbing*
Ratchet: Naw... couple'a days ago... *The touch on his shoulder is new... but it's relaxing him, nonetheless.*
Ironhide: *gaze softens with affection and hopefulness* *quietly* Did you decide?
Ratchet: *Stares at the femme like an organic deer caught in the headlights*
Ironhide: *hope dies a little* *quietly* So you don't want to be my mate.
Ratchet: ...What? *That tone of voice is the one he usually uses when blindsided by something completely new to him*
Ironhide: *very concerned now* Were you not listening when I spoke to you before Optimus and I left for the mainland? I asked you to decide while I was gone if we should word bond.
Ratchet: ...You did? *Asks this in a faint tone, optics wide*
Ironhide: *grumbles with frustration, though she's still concerned* Yes! I did! And you said you would, you slagger!
Ratchet: ...I... I don't remember... *Primus, what's wrong with him?*
Ironhide: *upset at him, but she remembers how hard Ratchet had been working to keep Beachbreak online, so instead of thinking he'd tuned her out and decking him for it she just pulls him close* Do you need more time?
Ratchet: *Can still recognize an upset Ironhide... and feels bad for causing it.* I... I guess I do...
Ironhide: Alright. *lets go of him and steps back, taking away the snuggles*
Ratchet: *Makes a mental note to run a full processor diagnostic scan on himself the next chance he gets*
Ironhide: *turning away, but not without the same wistful sideways glances that the Ironhide Ratchet used to know would give to his Chromia when she was angry at him*
Ratchet: *Tilts his head slightly, noticing that look, but not sure what to do about it.*
Ironhide: *sees the headtilt and upgrades the look to wistful puppy dog eyes without thinking*
Ratchet: *Feels his spark twist in its casing at that look.* ...What?
Ironhide: *quietly* I love you, you slagger. *turns and strides away*
Ratchet: *Watches her go, looking more than a little startled*
beach: *falls silent but for the swish of waves after she's gone*
Ratchet: *Doesn't know what to think, retreating to his corner of the main cavern.*
Longarm: *looks up from giving a squirming and cursing Knockout a noogie* Hi, Ratchet.
Epps: Hey, Ratchet! *grins, and then turns back to Longarm* No no, use yer knuckles, man. Yeah, like that.
Ratchet: ...Hello. *Is very much a confused mech, doesn't even give them his usual warnings about playing nice*
Longarm: *lets Knockout go and watches as the medic heads over to the corner by Beachbreak* ...I think he and Ironhide had another fight.
Knockout: :\
Epps: *also watching, sympathy on his face* Daaang. That guy really needs lessons on how ta interact with women.
Ratchet: *If only they knew 8/*
Beachbreak: *sleeping and recharging when Ratchet gets to the corner*
Skids: *digging through Ratchet's supplies and muttering about where's the copper wire*
Ratchet: Ah-HEM. -_-;;;
Skids: *JUMPS and whirls, gives Ratchet a guilty look, and then bolts just as fast as his little tires can go*
Longarm: Hey! Alt modes are for outside!
Skids: *gone!*
Longarm: *shakes head and chuckles as he settles down onto his skidplate to chat further with Epps*
Ratchet: *Huffs, and halfheartedly tosses a wrench after Skids*
Beachbreak: *startles at the clatter and turns his head, blinking sleepy optics* *sees Ratchet and smiles at him*
Ratchet: ...Sorry about that. *Offers Beachbreak a gruff smile.* Go back into recharge.
Beachbreak: *quietly, his voice still weak and scratchy* Yes, sir. *shutters optics and drops back into sleep mode*
Fig: *yet another walking dead!* *comes over and looks at Beachbreak, then tilts his head up to look at Ratchet* How's 'e doin'?
Ratchet: ...There's still repair work to be done... but he's definitely improving.
Fig: *quietly, his eyes turning back to the small mech* Good. That's good.
Ratchet: *Nods* I'm having him rest now, so when these repairs are finished he'll be one hundred percent.
Fig: Even his spark? You said there was some damage to that.
Ratchet: *Luckily, had read the files on Beachbreak's repairs.* Been working on that damage bit by bit. By the time the repair schedule is over with, his spark will be fine too.
Fig: *big grin* That's great. *holds up a fistful of something* You give 'em these when he wakes up?
Ratchet: *Chuckles, holding out a hand* Don't see why not.
Fig: *grins and dumps the fistful of pennies into the medibot's big hand* Thanks. I better get going. Need some sleep myself, you know.
Ratchet: I'll let him know you stopped by. *Finds a container to stow the pennies in.*
Fig: *last grin and a slight salute as he walks off toward the tunnel that leads to the human barracks*
Ratchet: *Smirks after him, before turning to boot up the small scanner he always carries with him. Once it boots he hooks into it, running that processor scan on himself.*
scanner: *works away, and then makes a cheery beep as it informs him that his systems are finally fully recharged!*
Ratchet: *Very nice. But what the slag is wrong with my processor?*
scanner: *reports all processor systems at optimum functionality*
Elita: *darts into the cavern with a small shriek* Arcee! That's COLD!
Arcee: *laughing as she follows her commander in* That's why it's called an ice cube, 'Lita!
Ratchet: *Stares at the femmes, optics widening. If his processor isn't damaged... then something STRANGE has happened.*
Elita and Arcee: *yes, Elita's alive, and Arcee is walking on feet instead of roaring around on tires. And right now the two friends are dancing around and sparring at each other as they ignore Epps' cheery wolf whistles*
Ratchet: *Feels his spark ache as he recalls how hard Elita's death had hit Optimus... and yet here she is, alive and well.*
Optimus: *speak of the devil, here he comes striding into the room, his head turning toward the sound of the golden femme's laughter*
Elita: *busy trying to pin Arcee down, squeaks as she's lifted into the air, and then turns and tries to knock Optimus over with the force of her affectionate greeting*
Optimus: *happy rumbles as Arcee and Epps laugh*
Ratchet: *Can remember what it was like helping Optimus survive after Elita was gone... long nights soothing the distraught mech to recharge, convincing him each day to get up, be brave. That it would be okay. And here? It had never even happened. The medic stays silent as he watches the two interacting in such a sweet carefree way.*
Optimus: *takes one step back in a slight stumble, and then lifts his head to beam at his mate before gently setting her on her feet and turning to walk toward Ratchet*
Ratchet: *Watches Optimus approach, the faint brightening of his optics the only hint of anything wrong at the moment.*
Optimus: *looks down at Beachbreak as he reaches the medic* *quietly* How is he, Ratchet?
Ratchet: *Focuses on the familiar routine of reporting like a drowning man might cling to a life raft.* There's damage yet to repair... but he is in good spirits, and is actually recovering ahead of the tentative schedule I initially gave.
Optimus: That's good. *soberly lifts his optics to meet those of his CMO and then frowns* Something else is troubling you.
Ratchet: *As always, the medic huffs when Optimus calls him on his troubled processor, glancing away in a manner that could be construed as sullen.* Meh. I'm just tired is all. Fending off copper thieves will do that to a bot.
Optimus: *gentle hand on his friend's shoulder* *quietly* Were you able to tell Ironhide?
Ratchet: ...Tell Ironhide? *Nope!*
Optimus: *sigh that holds sympathy* I truly think that she will respect your decision, Ratchet. She respects you too much to do otherwise.
Ratchet: ...My decision? *Repeats this in an oddly quiet voice, optics flickering.*
Optimus: *softly* To not become her word mate, despite having been thought of such for the past fifty vorns. *concern* Did you recharge while we were away?
Ratchet: *...That long?! Manages a faint burst of static from his vocalizer as his processor decided that it had taken enough and locked on him, sending him straight to the floor a moment later.*
Optimus: *not quite straight. Strong arms catch him and lower him even as Optimus scans his friend and tries to find the cause of his shutdown*
Elita and Arcee: *running over even as Ironhide rushes past them to kneel next to Optimus*
Optimus: Do not crowd him. I'm trying to discern the problem.
Ironhide: *her husky voice gruff* The stupid glitch is too afraid to tell me no, isn't he?
Elita: *looks up at her quickly*
Ironhide: I knew it. *lowers her head for a moment, and then scowls at the insensate mech*
Ratchet: *The only indicator of anything being wrong is the way his logic centers are cycling so quickly through their restart-refresh protocols. Otherwise, the gruff medic seems to have nothing wrong with him, aside from being unconscious.*
Ironhide: *reaches out and slugs him gently upside the head* I know, alright? I won't bother you again. *gets up and walks away*
Elita: *watches her go, expression full of sympathy*
Arcee: 'Hide, wait! *scoots after mentor*
Optimus: *attempting to bring Ratchet back online*
Ratchet: *Finally, his logic centers find a way to filter the conflicting data, and he does stir, optics flicking on dimly as he lets out a confused groan.*
Optimus: *quietly* Ratchet, are you able to respond?
Ratchet: ...Yes...
Optimus: *deep voice takes on a gentle tone* Ironhide knows.
Ratchet: *Looks up at Optimus with a bewildered frown before he realizes what the Peterbilt is talking about.* ...Oh.
Optimus: I suspect that you will have nothing to fear from her now.
Ratchet: ...I'm not af- *Shakes his head with a sigh.* We need to talk.
Optimus: Very well. *sits Ratchet up and lets go of him, expression quizzical.*
Ratchet: *Seeing as everyone has cleared out of the area, he gets straight to the point.* I'm not who you think I am.
Optimus: *slow blink as Elita goes to attention at his side* What do you mean?
Ratchet: Well... before about... three days ago, I didn't live here. It's... hard to explain. Autobots had won... we'd made peace with the humans. So many things are different here...
Optimus: *quietly* Who are you?
Ratchet: I am Ratchet... just not... your Ratchet, I suppose...
Optimus: *glances at Elita, silent communication passing between them*
Elita: *turns back to Ratchet* An alternate universe?
Ratchet: I suppose so.
Optimus: So then... our Ratchet is in your reality?
Ratchet: Seems like the most logical solution.
Optimus: What is your reality like?
Ratchet: We've set up an embassy on earth... the war is done with. Some former Decepticons have even integrated into the Autobots.
Optimus: They've returned? *surprise and hope*
Elita: *puts a slender hand on her mate's leg*
Ratchet: Some. Others are still in hiding, but Optimus in that reality is organizing groups to find these bots and reassure them, offer them a chance at a better life.
Optimus: *bows his head for a moment, and then looks up* We're going to have to try and find a way to help you return.
Ratchet: *Looks surprised at how easily the seemingly improbable tale is accepted.* Thank you.
Elita: Are Perceptor and Wheeljack alive in your reality?
Ratchet: *Nods* Alive and well.
Elita: *looks up at her mate* They'll do it. As soon as the Ratchet of our reality lets it be known that he's been displaced, they will find a way to send him back to where he belongs.
Optimus: *nods* Indeed.
Ratchet: *Wryly* Assuming that Wheeljack doesn't blow herself up first.
Optimus: *pauses* 'Her' is usually a pronoun used for females, Ratchet.
Ratchet: I know that!
Elita: *hand over her mouth as her optics dance with surprise and amusement*
Optimus: *confused* Then...
Ratchet: *Smirks at Optimus* Yees?
Optimus: But... the Wheeljack that I knew was unquestionably male...
Ratchet: And the one I know is definitely a femme.
Elita: *has noted the affection in his voice as he speaks of the female Wheeljack* Your bond mate?
Ratchet: *Shakes his head* No. We dated when we were younger, but eventually decided we were better as friends. Heck, we built the Dinobots together at that point.
Optimus: ...Dinobots?
Ratchet: Transformers designed with Terran dinosaurs as alternate modes. They aren't very bright, but they're good bots.
Optimus: *thoughtful* I see...
Ratchet: Mostly I was just there as an adviser... it was her project.
Elita: Are you with your reality's Ironhide, then?
Ratchet: ...He's bonded to Chromia, actually.
Optimus: *rocks back slightly this time* He?
Ratchet: *Chuckles* Yes. He.
Optimus: *slowly* Were there any other differences between the Autobots that you know and those that you have met here?
Ratchet: *Thinks* Bee is a femme, with a mate and a kid... Arcee has a different frame configuration... *His optics dim slightly, tone more serious.* Jazz, Beachbreak and Fig are all offlined.
Elita: *gasps and puts her hands to her mouth*
Optimus: Bumblebee... a creator? And... though they were not the ones I know, the thought of such losses grieves my spark. I am thankful that the Ratchet of this reality was able to bring Jazz and Beachbreak back with Sam's Allspark shard.
Ratchet: *Nods* It is good to see them alive and well.
Optimus: *starts to speak further, but then pauses and tilts his head* Ah. Elita and I must go and attend the debriefing concerning our trip to the mainland.
Ratchet: Ah. Very well. I imagine you'll be wanting to continue this talk later then?
Optimus: *thoughtfully, as he scoops Elita up and stands* I... think that I know enough.
Ratchet: Alright.
Optimus: Please, make yourself at home as much as you are able till your friends retrieve you.
Elita: And don't be afraid of Ironhide.
Ratchet: *Huffs at Elita.* I am not afraid of Ironhide.
Elita: *smiles as she's born away by her mate*
Beachbreak: *little wibbly sound as he has a bad dream*
Ratchet: *Reaches up to give Beachbreak's shoulder a reassuring rub at this.*
Beachbreak: *sighs and settles down, his monitors steadying out*
Ratchet: *Relieved to see this*
Arcee: *enters the cavern in bike mode, closely followed by Knockout and Bumblebee. The three young bots go over to a far corner and transform, then settle down and start to play some sort of game with flat disks of metal and cardboard*
Ratchet: *Watches the three young bots, staying where he is.*
Skids and Mudflap: *come careening in, and then transform and run over to the others, crying that they found their pogs!*
Ratchet: What in the Pit are you two going on about?
Skids: *stops and looks at him oddly as his brother continues to Bumblebee's group* Pogs, duh.
Ratchet: ...And those are?
Skids: *holds up a bag full of the cardboard disks, his expression saying that he thinks Ratchet's glitching*
Ratchet: ...Cardboard disks. What about em?
Skids: They're pogs. *glances toward the game, impatient to go play*
Ratchet: ...And?
Skids: I wanna go play with 'em. *turns and scoots over to the others, tucking himself under Bumblebee's arm in his eagerness to become part of the circle*
Ratchet: *Stares after them, more than a little confused*
human with a medic patch on his uniform: *comes into the cavern and walks over to Ratchet, a huge roll of paper under one arm. Pauses when he sees the big yellow mech's expression* What have they done now?
Ratchet: *Looks down at the human, tilting his head.* Nothing. They're playing something called 'Pogs', I think it is?
medic: ... You've seen them play pogs before. You made Arcee her slammer. *confused expression on his face*
Ratchet: ...Oh. *This... was more than a little awkward*
medic: Has Jazz been slipping you minerals again? *frown*
Ratchet: No... just been tired is all. *Not that this was a lie.*
medic: *pats him on the knee, then offers up the roll of paper, which is tied with a piece of heavy twine* I got a bigger copy of that medical journal you were interested in. Maybe you can settle down and enjoy a good read.
Ratchet: *Takes the paper carefully, offering the medic a small grin.* Thanks.
medic: *grins back* You're welcome, Ratchet. *gives the knee a friendly slap and turns and walks off*
Ratchet: *Unties the twine, then uncurls the paper with care and sees that he now owns a magazine of his own. One about certain human surgical techniques, antibiotics, and immunizations. The paper is thin and flimsy, and the pictures are all black and white, but it's that issue that he'd been trying to track down back home! He can't help but grin when he sees this and skims the contents. He'd been trying to find this issue for months.*
Beachbreak: *sighs and turns his head* Doc?
Ratchet: *looks to Beachbreak when he asks for him.* Yes?
Beachbreak: *watching him* Sup?
Ratchet: Oh, I'm just glad to get my hands on this.
Beachbreak: *slight grin and shutters his optics again* Oh. *soft sound as he sinks back into sleep mode*
Ratchet: *Settles back holding the issue carefully. He'll read for some time, before he finally falls asleep with the paper draped over his chest.*
Ironhide: *staggers into the cavern, drunk as a lord and singing at the top of her vocalizer*
Ratchet: *Starts awake at the noise, optics still dimmed as he looked for the source of the racket.*
youngbots: *watching with startled optics as the big femme stumbles around*
Jazz, Longarm and Salvage: *frozen in mid-card game, their stares full of incredulity as they too watch*
Ratchet: *Sets the paper aside before pushing up to his feet and moving towards Ironhide. Gestures toward where Beachbreak is resting* Allspark above Ironhide, you need to turn down the volume on that vox. We've got bots sleeping here.
Ironhide: *squints at him and then snorts and wanders away from him*
Ratchet: *Heaves a sigh at this, moving to head outside. He is still feeling so out of place, hoping that the fresh air in his intakes might help him settle.*
island: *quiet but for the sound of waves lapping the night darkened beaches and the whisper of the wind through the saw palmetto and trees*
soft murmur of voices: *breaks the silence over there. Optimus' deep rumble and someone with a lighter voice*
Ratchet: *Not wanting to disturb Optimus and who he can only assume is Elita, the medic moves the other direction to find somewhere quiet to brood.*
Jazz: *finds him there a few moments later* Hey, Hatchet, what's up? *plunks down beside him*
Ratchet: *Nods to the saboteur, heaving a faint sigh.* Hello, Jazz.
Jazz: *looks at him sideways* And..?
Ratchet: It's... just getting a bit claustrophobic in there...
Jazz: *look becomes knowing* You don't gotta be afraid of 'Hide.
Ratchet: I'm not afraid of her. *Not entirely. He's used to having his own solitary place to hide out in, and is finding he isn't sure how to settle himself without that*
Jazz: You remember I have a BS detector, right, man?
Ratchet: *Eyes Jazz at this, an optic ridge raised.*
Jazz: You're scared of somethin'.
Ratchet: Hmph. It's not fear. *It might be, but as if the medic would ever admit it*
Jazz: Bull$%&$#
Ratchet: *Blinks at this, looking uncertain.*
Jazz: *studying his face and slowly getting a look of surprise on his own* You ain't as sure about that 'no' as our Ratchet is.
Ratchet: ...What do you mean?
Jazz: Our Ratchet never was interested in 'Hide that way, but he never wanted ta hurt her. You're thinkin' about it.
Ratchet: I... can't think about her that way. We only just met. *Frowns out at the ocean*
Jazz: *frowns* Your 'Hide's dead?
Ratchet: No. Nothing like that. Ironhide in my universe... we're friends. And besides, he's with Chromia.
Jazz: ...He.
Ratchet: Yeah.
Jazz: *thinks about that* With 'Mia.
Ratchet: *Nods* Mhm.
Jazz: So who're you with?
Ratchet: *His optics dim briefly when Jazz asks that.* ...I'm not with anyone.
Jazz: *slightly surprised* But you wanna be.
Ratchet: Well... yes.
Jazz: *quirks a brow* So you ain't as cranky 'n anti-social as our Ratch.
Ratchet: *Lets out a quiet huff at that, tilting his head.* Says you.
Jazz: *just grins at him, but then looks up eagerly as a shooting star streaks overhead. Everything about the small silver mech suggests waiting and yearning*
Ratchet: *Looks to the silver mech, curious.* Waiting for something?
Jazz: *softly* Waitin' for my lady. She's on her way.
Ratchet: Your lady? Who's that?
Jazz: *another sideways look* Ironfist.
Ratchet: Yeah? When did this happen?
Jazz: ...A looong time ago. You mean your Jazz don't got any sweet lady ta keep his shiny aft grounded?
Ratchet: *Looks pained at this, optics shuttering.*
Jazz: ... Man, that silence's scarin' me.
Ratchet: ...Can we... talk about something else? *The topic of Jazz still hurts the medic. For all he might complain about the mech, Ratchet had come to think of the saboteur as a good friend, and blames himself for his death.*
Jazz: *glances over toward Optimus and then makes a soft meep. Statics a bit and then pat pats Ratchet and starts talking about a time when Ironfist met up with Starscream... and made the Seeker cry*
Ratchet: *Smirks, optics dimmed with amusement.* Sounds like she'll be able to keep up with your antics then.
Jazz: She's ben keepin' me in line most my life. *big grin and his optics are bright*
Ratchet: Well, someone has to.
Jazz: Thrrpt! *then tilts his head as a call reaches him and Ratchet*
Lennox: //Report to the lagoon, guys. We have a pickup to do.//
Ratchet: //On my way.//
Jazz: //What the Hatchman said.// *getting to his feet and then shaking sand out of his wiring*
Ratchet: *Pushes to his feet, giving himself a shake.* Let's get moving then.
Jazz: *singing about sand in his booty as he flips into alt mode and zooms off*
Ratchet: *Chuckles at this, folding down into his own alt and following the silver mech*
Optimus: Knockout, please stop revving your engine. Motorcycles without drivers aren't supposed to do that.
Salvage: And don't just make your rider appear, either. The people on the dock will see it.
Knockout: *MASSIVE sulk*
twins: *making their holodrivers flip each other the bird*
Ratchet: *His holodriver just scowls at the twins, disapproval apparent.* You two need to knock that slag off.
twins: *consider for a moment, and then make their drivers salute him too*
Optimus: *deep sigh*
Ratchet: You two are really grinding down on my last gear.
twins: *laugh about that*
Jazz: *quietly* And I'm gonna tell 'Hide.
twins: *silent, drivers sitting primly and facing the front of their cabs*
Ratchet: *Grumbles a bit, holodriver glowering down at his steering wheel.*
Optimus: *silent as the ship docks, and then he's quietly signaling the roll out and leading his people down the ramp*
Ratchet: *Rolls down after him, observing the team as he does so.*
Jazz: *herding the youngsters after Ratchet, his holodriver laughing as someone on shore yells 'SOLSTICE' in tones of absolute fanboy glee*
Ratchet: *Can't help the grin on his holodriver's face at that excited shout.*
Optimus: *leads his team through the big city of Tokyo, and then finally out into the countryside. Rumbles reassuringly at the twins, who have been frightened into lamb-like shadowing by the Tokyo traffic*
Ratchet: *Sticks close to them, revving his engine to spook off a driver that had been considering cutting the twins off, or something equally dangerous and asinine.*
Jazz: *nearly lost Knockout there for a moment, but manages to get himself and the youngster back into the convoy. Makes a relieved sound over comms when the traffic finally starts to thin out a bit as they get further from the city*
Ratchet: *Doesn't say as much, but he's definitely relieved when they escape the snarls of city traffic.*
Optimus: *sound of surprise from up ahead*
Ratchet: //Optimus? What is it?//
Optimus: *slows so that Ironhide can drive past the convoy and take her place at the end of it* //How did you get here, Ironhide?//
Ironhide: //Never mind that. Rassleflavin mumblegrumble, leaving me behind!//
Jazz: *snerk*
Ratchet: *Chuckles wryly.*
Optimus: *sternly* //We'll speak of this later.// *again starts out in the direction of the volcano that is their destination*
Ironhide: *irritable snort*
Ratchet: *Follows the convoy, keeping an eye on their surroundings.*
Optimus: *leads them right up onto the volcano, and once they're certain they're not being observed he leads the team the last way cross country toward where smoke is raising lazily into the sky*
Ironhide: Ratchet, stop driving so close to the slagging crater.
Ratchet: I'm not that close, just cool your pistons. *But, he will edge away a bit*
Ironhide: You're too slagging close.
Ratchet: Well I just moved. Not that much room to move.
Knockout: *jeers softly, but then yelps as the ground crumbles beneath the yellow Hummer*
Jazz: *transforms and grabs the youngster, but then watches helplessly as his larger friend falls* RATCH!
Ironhide: NO! *drives after Ratchet, and is followed by chunks of the crater rim*
Ratchet: *Lets out a yell of alarm as he feels the ground give way under his tires. Transforming, he grabs for the edge, though everything he reaches for gives way under his bulk and sends him tumbling.*
*There is a rumble. A searing flash of pain, and then darkness.*
((Co-written with
ohprimuswhy))