[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

[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?

[shutupndrive]

[Were Smokescreen in bot mode, he'd be shrinking back a bit, Doorwings drooping as he tried not to flinch. Being a car, he merely backs up slightly as Ratchet gets closer.]

Well he--we...the first time I was here...he's not the bot he use to be. He's actually pretty awesome to be around....and not to mention slagging nice to look at.

[neededthat]

Did you forget that he was a Decepticon?

[His engine revs angrily.]

He merely joined the winning side because it was convenient for him.

[shutupndrive]

Yeah well, when I left here, Knock Out wasn't the same Knock Out I knew from home. He didn't change factions here because at the time amegatron was here and would have killed him, Ratchet. Maybe his decision to join us was for his own benefit but he stood by us in the end and I trust him!

[Yeah, have an angry engine rev back as he jerks forward some, clearly irritated.]

I'm not an idiot, docbot. You don't know what we went through here, especially after the stuff with Optimus and I just--I like him okay?

[neededthat]

[Ratchet is about to snap back at him but suddenly his headlights turn off.

He jumps up, transformed as he looks down at him.]

What do you mean by that? [His hands ball into fists, anxious all of a sudden.]

What about Optimus?

[shutupndrive]

[Realization hits Smokescreen like a ton of bricks and he immediately transforms, optics dim as he backs up some, feeling a sharp twist to his spark.]

I didn't--what I meant was--he.......the last time I was here...Optimus arrived not long after I did but he--he didn't have a glyph like the rest of us. There were others like him--other glyph less and they ended up....going crazy.

[His voice is weak and laced with static, the young bot unable to look at Ratchet.]

Optimus he--he asked Bulkhead and I to....to...he....

[neededthat]

[He had no glyph? No... No no. Ratchet wasn't going to believe it.

Ratchet watches the rookie before he walks up to him, grabbing his shoulders almost urgently.]

What. Happened, Smokescreen? Please tell me someone fixed him...

[shutupndrive]

[Smokescreen jerks a bit, vents hitching as he meets Ratchet's gaze. His optics are dim--barely glowing as he stares at the medic, a haunted, pain look there as he slowly shakes his head.]

We...no one knew....we had to--he asked us to...we didn't want to but there was no other way, Ratchet.

[neededthat]

Somebody must have done something...!

[Ratchet's gaze grows frantic before he lets go of Smokescreen. He does his best to keep himself in control.]

Was I there? Did I at least make an attempt to save him? [He wants to know if he made an effort for his dear old friend.]

[shutupndrive]

Everyone was trying, Ratchet. Even the Firstforged but no one...we couldn't figure out how to fix it and they all just started losing control.

[Theres more static lacing his words and he lifts a hand to rub his helm, trembling some because Primus does it hurt, even now.]

I'm sorry, Ratchet. I'm so sorry.

[neededthat]

[Ratchet feels his frame shake but he closes his optics with a heavy sigh through his vents.

But he lifts his hand again, only to rest it on Smokescreen's shoulder.]

You... followed some tough orders. [He says before his hand falls away, falling silent as he rubs at his face, his hand trembling.]

[shutupndrive]

.....I didn't want to...I really didn't.

[His vents cycle roughly before he turns away slightly, Doorwings twitching as he stares off in what he hopes is the direction of Haven.]

....We should..lingering out here isn't good.

[neededthat]

R-Right, of course.

[They were sitting ducks out here. There was no more need for talking. They could do that within the safety of Haven. Plus, Ratchet wanted some time to calm himself down with a good ride.

He transforms again and starts speeding off towards Solus' Temple, knowing that Smokescreen could easily catch up. ]

[shutupndrive]

[Quick to change as well, Smokescreen speeds off after the medic though he makes a point to trail behind just a bit, knowing that the medic needs time to get his head together.

In fact, Smokescreen's pretty sure he needs it as well considering how sick he feels.]

[neededthat]

[Through the entire trip back, Ratchet never utters a single word. One they make ot up to Solus' Temple, he transforms to step inside, trying to recall the medbay once more, having been here for less than a day.]