[001 | Video - Static Ahoy!]

[shutupndrive]

[It had taken a moment or two..maybe it was three--he really couldn't say--but when everything had finally settled and he'd gotten most of his bearings back, realization hit him as he peered at the mark on his arm.

He'd seen that mark before. Primus it had been awhile but he'd had that mark on his arm before.

Pushing himself up, Smokescreen had tried to activate his navigation systems but nothing was working right and he had no idea how long it had been since he'd been here before. Looking around didn't really help with his problem, considering he was pretty sure he was in the middle of the Badlands.

Lucky, it seemed like his comms were still working, though they were full of static.

It was something though.]

--anyone c-c-copy?

This--Smokesc--n.

[Man he hoped someone would be able to understand this.]

Not sure--w-w-where I am. Badlands--? Navigation systems not---king.

--could use some help.

[Anyone? Someone?]

Comments

video

[neededthat]

[Ratchet hears that familiar voice and sees who it is.

His optics widen.]

Smokescreen? [His voice is urgent as he tries to take in the other's surroundings, and his condition.

The Badlands? He had yet to go there but... he's heard bad things about it already. Which makes the situation that much worse.]

video

[shutupndrive]

[For a moment, Smokescreen doesn't respond. The voice is familiar--very familiar--but the last time he'd heard that voice in this place...was not long after everything with Optimus.

Doorwings twitching, the rookie's optics narrow curiously.]

R-R-Ratchet?

[neededthat]

[He waves his hand, frustratedly as he glares into the feed.]

Yes, yes, it's me! I have no memory of this place, yadda yadda. [Glad we got that out of the way. He knows the schpeel already from Bulk and Wheeljack.]

Do you need help? I can be over there in about ten minutes, give or take a few minutes.

[shutupndrive]

[Well then!]

Navigation---not working. Can't find my way b-b-back.

[He gives the other a sheepish grin, rubbing the back of his neck.]

If you wouldn't m-m-mind.

Action

[neededthat]

[He gives a curt nod, and ends the feed. Transforming, he makes his way out towards the Badlands out from Solus' Temple.

It takes the old bot a little over fifteen minutes, but he magaes to see Smokescreen in the distance. At least, he thinks it is.

Cautiously, he flicks his headlights on and off, to get his attention from a small distance. If it was a foe, well, he'll drive the opposite way.]

Action

[shutupndrive]

[Once the feed cuts, Smokescreen gets to his feet and stretches a bit, all his joints feeling stiff. His arms dropped and he started to try and fix his navigation systems, frowning as the solution evaded him--

He really should have paid more attention when the others tried to teach him.

The flicking headlights catches his attention though and he grins, immediately transforming and flashing his own lights in return, engine revving before he takes off to meet the other.]

[neededthat]

[Ratchet transforms back to normal as he meets him halfway. He stands, looking rather prepared to look over the young autobot for any damage or injuries.]

Are you alright? [He asks once Smokescreen got closer.]

[shutupndrive]

[The rookie transforms as well, skidding a bit as he grins brightly.]

Outside of my systems being really messed up and stiff joints, I think I'm alright. No other damage that I can find, docbot!

[His doorwings twitch and he shifts closer.]

So you're here now too...And Bulk's still here. Wheeljack too. I wonder who else from home is here...

[neededthat]

Let's worry about getting your systems back under control first.

[He glances at his glyph curiously, trying to get a good look.]

Is your glyph intact?

[shutupndrive]

[His optics flicker and he turns his arm a bit, showing off Alpha Trion's glyph.]

Yeah. It..was weird to see it form but yeah it's alright.

[He drops his arm and looks back at the doctor.]

I'm still with Alpha Trion, which is a relief.

[neededthat]

So you've been here before as well.

[Ratchet purses his mouth into a thin line before he shakes his head and soon transforms again.]

The reunion can wait for now. Let's get you out of here and fixed up. We'll head back to Solus' Temple. I'm sure they won't mind me borrowing a few things at the medbay.

[shutupndrive]

Yeah I have--wait. You remember this place too?

[His optics narrow curiously but Ratchet's already transforming and he doesn't want the other to get irritated with him so he follows suit.]

Right. Lead the way, docbot!

[neededthat]

[Ratchet starts driving back in the direction of Solus' temple.]

No I don't. But you said you were still with Alpha Trion. I can only assume you've been here before.

Wheeljack, Bulkhead and... others have filled me in. Apparently this is my third time here.

[shutupndrive]

[He follows, speeding up just a bit to fall in place beside Ratchet as they go.]

Oh--right. Yeah, I was here...actually, I have no idea how long it's been since I was here. But I was here before. I remember by first stay here.

[neededthat]

You remember.

[He falls silent before he speeds up a little faster.]

Remind me never to come here again, alone.

[shutupndrive]

Yeah, I do. I wonder why you don't remember being here before...

[But a small part of him was glad because he'd rather not have the other remember what had happened with Optimus.]

Right. Yeah, the Badlands aren't fun. I remember a lot of horrible slag coming out of here.

[neededthat]

[His side mirror shifts to look at the other car.]

What is the last thing you remember from our home universe, Smokescreen?

[shutupndrive]

[For a moment, the only noises coming from Smokescreen are the rev of his engine and the occasional grind as his tires hit rocks. He's nervous to answer, remembering his it could be sometimes but Ratchet at least knew him from the jump so...]

We defeated Unicron and reignited the Well of Allsparks. Megatron disbanded the Decepticons and Optimus...Optimus is one with the Allspark.

[neededthat]

[He's quiet, for a few moments before his side mirror goes back into place.]

You are not to tell Wheeljack or Bulkhead about what happened to Optimus, or anything that happened on Cybertron.

Do you understand?

[shutupndrive]

What? Why?

[The idea of keeping secrets from the others wasn't something Smokescreen was too fond of and he sped up a bit to get closer to Ratchet.]

But what am I suppose to say? They're going to wonder and question my paint job anyway so it's bond to eventually come up. And what if they end up remembering! Because that happens sometimes!

[neededthat]

I spoke with Knock Out, whom of which is from the same timeline we are. And he actually brought up a good point.

If we were to tell them now, and they went back to reach our timeline, events might change. For all we know, there could no Cybertron if they try to stop what happens. Who knows what could happen.

I know, I don't like the idea either but... it's for their own good.

[shutupndrive]

Oh...I gues that makes--

[Wait a minute.

His engine revs some and he speeds up just a bit.]

Cherrybomb's still here? And he remembers the same stuff as us? Hah! So he knows he's an Autobot now!

[neededthat]

[Ratchet on the other hand screeches to a stop adruptly, his whole frame shaking as he does so, his headlights are bright in surprise.]

Cherrybomb?

[shutupndrive]

[Oh scrap.

He'd said that outloud. In front of Ratchet.

Tires screeching as he hits the brakes, skidding slightly and turning slightly so he's almost turned around backwards now, Smokescreen chuckles hesitantly.]

Um...you know. Knock Out.

[neededthat]

You... You two are...

[Give him a second, he's reeling. Hard. But a few tense moments later he rolls up beside him. If only you could really see the look he's giving you.]

Why him?