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

[Text]

[4_toteachus]

Oh, hello Ratchet! It's good to see that you're back.

I hope you stay a little longer this time. However, it looks like you're unfamiliar with everything, which is a little strange. Are you a different Ratchet than before?

[Text]

[neededthat]

I suppose you could say that I am different, yes.

I have no memory of this Cybertron. Others have said I've been here twice before.

[Text]

[4_toteachus]

Oh yes, that does tend to happen.

My name is 4, it's nice to meet you again! Welcome to the Haven.

[Text]

[neededthat]

4?

That's a peculiar name.

[Text]

[4_toteachus]

I'm not Cybertronian. It suits me just fine.

[Text]

[neededthat]

It's very unique none the less.

Are there others like you? With numbers for names?

[Text]

[4_toteachus]

Yes, but I haven't seen them in a very long time. I'm from Earth you see, and the person who made me was human. There were 9 of us. 9 was perfectly made. We have a very specific purpose.

[Text]

[neededthat]

A purpose?

And what made 9 so perfect? Nothing is perfect.

[Text]

[4_toteachus]

We were made to survive.

And 9 was perfect because his body was very nicely made. With each one of us the Scientist made, he got better and better at it. 5's body is better made than mine, for example, and 1's body is roughly put together.

[Text]

[neededthat]

Have you tried making improvements and upgrades for yourself here?

[Text/video]

[4_toteachus]

Uh.

I can't upgrade myself like you can... here, let me show you why.

[She switches onto video and waves him. Four is nothing more than a tiny ragdoll with a Decepticon symbol printed clearly on her chest. Where'd that come from?]

I'm made of cloth and little pieces of metal.

[video]

[neededthat]

[Aw, how adorable--

Whatwasthatonherchest.

He's taken aback by that symbol. Why would someone so innocent be on the side of the Decepticons? He squints a little, taking in the rest of her attributes. He decides to switch to video on his end.

Also, she was so small. Why would she be with them?]

Have you ever thought about getting upgrades from others?

[Be cool Ratchet. Be cool. She seems innocent enough.]

[video/text]

[4_toteachus]

I've had people offer to build me a voice box, since I don't have one. Still, the Scientist built me this way for a reason.

[Four is both as innocent and not as innocent as she looks. It's hard to explain.]

One day I'll have someone build me a stronger body. Maybe Shockwave will make one for me.

[video forever] 1/2

[neededthat]

[Ratchet turns his head and covers the comm device, coughing, being caught off guard, and well, he doesn't wish to worry the little thing with the current face he's making.]

[neededthat]

[He calms down his coughing fit and soon recollects himself.

So. She was friends with Shockwave.

Oh Primus, why. Why did it have to be someone as innocent as this? But Ratchet returns to the feed.]

Sorry about that.

So you're... friends with Shockwave?

[4_toteachus]

I like to think of him as my boyfriend, but I don't think he cares that much. It's fun though.

[Blown away yet Ratchet?]

He's an interesting person. I like him.

[neededthat]

[He is internally screaming.]

Boyfriend.

[He suppresses a shudder but smiles a little. Forced, if anything.]

How long have you... known him for?

[4_toteachus]

A year now! He's been around for a while.

[neededthat]

I'm guessing you know a lot about him.

[He's very surprised she has yet to be squashed, or worse, by that scientist.]

I'm glad you're... happy with him.

[Guh.]

[4_toteachus]

He's a Decepticon scientist with a shady reputation, that's how you know him, right?

And I guess you want to know why I'm one too.

[neededthat]

[Ahem. He gives an awkward glance to the side. And then back again.]










Yes. ...and yes.

[4_toteachus]

I'm not as naive as you think I am.

Anyway, it was Tarn who made me one, and it was Megatron who personally told me that I'd make a good addition. I couldn't say no after that.

[neededthat]

[He sighs heavily. It's true, he shouldn't judge by appearances.]

Do you have any idea what the Decepticons have done? [At least, the ones from his own timeline.]

[4_toteachus]

I have a very good idea of what the Decepticons have done.

But I think it's best if we leave it at that.

[neededthat]

[She makes a good point. There's no way she'd sway to their side. But at least she was civil about it all.]

Sounds good to me.