001 | Video

[neededthat]

[The feed flickers to life and Ratchet peers into the communicator he has, tinkering with it. At least it's working... somewhat. He looks like he has woken up in the temple of Solian Temple.]

Blasted thing. My own communications aren’t working. It must be scattered or something. [The video flickers and Ratchet smacks it a few more times, to make it focus again, grumbling under his breath as he looks around.]

Ultra Magnus, Bumble Bee, if anyone can hear this, I require assistance. I don’t know if you can triangulate my transmission and find my exact location or not, but-- Oh, what am I saying?

[He rubs at his face, his mind raking for ideas.]

That bot said this is Cybertron but... it's not one I'm familiar with. [He pauses with a heavy sigh passing through his vents.]

For all I know, I could be just talking to myself with this thing.

[...]

Scrap.

Comments

[neededthat]

The... the third time?

[He rubs his brow, looking ahead of himself.]

Why would they bring me here three times? [Even if he can't remember.]

[neverputincharge]

I dunno, Ratchet. This is the first time you didn't remember bein' here, though. [Or at least he didn't seem to remember.] But I wish I was makin' this up. Arcee and Cliffjumper were both here twice. Everybody else once. If we knew how to stop it we would. Cause I ain't been enjoyin' it.

[His expression turns a little pained. Can you see why he was wary now? He's not sure he wants to let team members that close again. Not this soon. Even if he was real. Watching most of your family members disappear on you, in some cases more than once, has quite the emotional impact on you.]

[neededthat]

[He notes that expression change and lifts a hand. He's heistant, but he rests a hand on his shoulder. Ratchet wags a finger at him, almost scolding.]

None of that now.

Optimus would want us to keep moving forward, no matter where we are, Bulkhead.

We'll... make the best of what we have, and who we have here.

[neverputincharge]

[He has to resist pulling away from that touch. But the scolding makes him look back ton Ratchet. He's kind of missed that gentle scolding. It's nice to hear it again.

Stop it, you're almost making him want to hug you.]

Right, yeah...Optimus would want us to keep goin'.

[As he's managed to do when the rest have disappeared.]

Yeah, it's the best we can do. Just work with what we have.

[neededthat]

[He nods, with a bit more confidence.]

That's the spirit, Bulkhead.

Now. Who gave you your... friend there? [He says, pointing to the lizard.]

[neverputincharge]

[He smiles a little, but then tilts his head, and reaches up a hand to pick up the lizard. Good subject change, he'll take it. He then holds it out toward Ratchet. The lizard in question chirps at Ratchet. Hi!]

His name's Barricade. He was making them for people. Wasn't gonna take one, but then he convinced me having one could be useful.

[neededthat]

[He looks at the creature and visibly flinches away from it.

Small things that moved reminded him too much of Scraplets.]

How useful is it exactly, for someone like yourself?

[neverputincharge]

[Bulkhead sees that flinch, and draws his hand back. He doesn't want to make Ratchet too uncomfortable, though the firelizard creels a little in protest. Aww, no new friend making.]

Well, he's handy for fetchin' stuff in places I can't get to. Carryin' stuff, and works pretty good as an extra set of eyes and ears, and keeping track of people. [Like Miko, when she was here.]

Not a bad little companion either.