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]

What?! No Knock Out--!

[He almost flinches, jerking his wheel to the side as he speeds off. Well, he did give him the coordinates.

Ratchet revs his engine a few more times and races after the red car, aiming to catch up with him.]

[deadlydoctor]

[Some exercise will do you good, besides the bar is not all that far away. It's already visible on the distance, in fact.

Knock Out mirror moves a few times to make sure ratchet is still following him.]

Your surprise me Ratchet. Your pistons aren't as rusty as I thought.

[neededthat]

Age isn't everything.

[He says with defiance as he manages to catch up to Knock Out's back wheels, beside him, but doesn't manage to get any closer.]

[deadlydoctor]

I will remind you of that when you try to bring your centuries of medical experience upon me during an argument.

[He lowers his speed one more time so he's driving next to Ratchet.] I have my own clinic here, I build it up all from scratch. [And perhaps some supplies from Solus's medbay.] Wheeljack's now helping and making some equipment but there's still a lot of important tools missing. Like our home, this planet still needs some working.

[They finally reach the entrance of the bar and Knock Out's stops. He changes back to robot more quickly.]

[neededthat]

[He changes back and stands up beside Knock Out, tilting his head to the side to look at him.]

Your own clinic? Why not work at the medbay? There's plenty of room I would assume. As well as tools to use.

[deadlydoctor]

When I arrived here most of the residents were Autobots. [Who would have come to him for help? Or trust him around pointy, invasive tools? But the main reason is...]

I wanted something that was mine. I still go to the main medbay to help from time to time, it's bigger and they are often in need of more medic when trouble strikes.

[neededthat]

Something... to call your own.

[He readjusts his weight on his feet as he turns to face him.]

You first came here as a Decepticon, didn't you?

[deadlydoctor]

[His optics brighter and he frowns as he looks away, slightly embarrassed.] Let's get inside, I need a drink too.

You could say that. [He always have been his own faction, really.] But the past is in the past, isn't t? Besides, factions doesn't matter here, not as much as they do in our universe.

[neededthat]

[Ratchet follows Knock Out inside.]

So it's everyone for themselves here for the most part.

[Not the best situation to have.]

[deadlydoctor]

It's a bit like the old days. Do you remember those? It's hard for me sometimes.

[Hard to remember the old good days at least, the bad ones are something he wishes to forget. Knock Out looks around, waiting to see Dead End or someone at the bar.]

Is no one taking care of this place anymore since that blue chatty bot left? Service those days, tsh. [There's really no one else so he moves to get a few drinks.]

There's the Police force if you feel inclined to join them. And the law Committed, of course. [Knock Out grins as he fetch Ratchet a cube of high grade.] I'm part of that too.

[neededthat]

Of course I remember them. How could I not? [There were many days in which he wished he didn't remember, but they were also a constant reminder for him. To keep pressing forward. For them.

Ratchet takes a seat at the bar inside and side glances at the cube that Knock Out grabs. Might as well humor him with a few sips of the stuff. Not the whole thing.]

I'm a medic, not a police officer. [He says as he neatly rests his hands on the countertop.]

I know my role.

[deadlydoctor]

Old age does things to a mech's processor. [Knock Out hides his grin behind the cube as he drinks but Ratchet would be able to see it in his eyes. Friendly teasing, doc~]

Medics are often needed here thanks to Unicron, you won't be bored.

[neededthat]

[Ratchet frowns a little but takes a sip of his drink before shuddering.

It had been a while since Ratchet actually sat down to have a drink. Pursing his mouth into a thin line, he sets down the drink.]

That's what I've been hearing.

[He says as he lifts his gaze from his drink.]

But things seem to be... pretty quiet right now.

[deadlydoctor]

[Knock Out had the same reaction to the high grade the first day he tasted it in this new universe. That's a good memory, thought, the taste made him remember better days.]

Strong, uh? You will get used to it. For the daily dose we have normal energon, don't worry.

It's always calm before the storm. Let's hope it last for a long time. We need a break. How have things been at home? [It's weird to use that word. Home. But that's how he sees it.]