re_alignment | [voice] Posting from the Solian sector

[ After being informed by Drift that biological warfare is still a Thing in at least one of the dimensions represented here, Ratchet's decided to play things safe in terms of infection control. This is why you're being treated to a voice-post, featuring the gruff voice of our favourite Autobot medic right now. ]

Right. Well. I don't care what kind of grudges you've got, but whether you're Autobot, Decepticon or something else, things like illness and contagious disease are an issue here, especially given our ... questionable resources. So, since there seems to be a sizable population of Cybertronians around, I'd request that any and all of you come find me if you're in need of medical attention. I can't promise to fix anything that ails you, but I can at least scan you and tell you what I'd need to fix things.

And I can promise that the longer you wait on finding me for medical attention, the more annoyed I will be that you waited. Keep that in mind if you're on the fence about things.

[ Yep. That was quite obviously a threat. Ratchet's a doctor, not a nursemaid. ]

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[There is another medic here? Congratulations, you have Pharma's attention. Now if you'd just turn on your video feed...]

Cornering the market before checking on your competition? Tsk, bad form.

[Pharma's sporting the same symptoms as Drift- namely deterioration and copious amounts of red fluids leaking from various orifices. He doesn't seem bothered though.]

[ Unfortunately for Pharma, all he's going to get is a voice feed -- Ratchet's a bit too busy to be staring into his comm-camera all day, thanks. ]

Cornering would imply that there's other medics around whose competence I deem high enough to trust with my fellow Cybertronians... and if there are any, I haven't met them yet.

[ He squints at the screen, optics blinking when he notes the other bot's symptoms. ]

And speaking of medical care, it looks like you're in sore need of some.

[That gets both of Pharma's eyebrow ridges up.]

Well then, allow me to introduce myself. I am Pharma, and I happen to be the best medic Autobot high command ever had.

As for my illness- I assure you, I have it under control.

And you are?

Hmm. Well, I'm Ratchet, and I'm a mech of actions, not words, so if you want to come prove it to me, I'd be much obliged.

[ He refers both to Pharma's skill and to his control of his illness with that, and his words are infused with a certain sharp sarcasm. Obviously he's had his fill of mechs who didn't live up to his expectations. ]

Edited 2012-06-30 12:49 (UTC)

[Ratchet? Pharma's optics widen and his dentals clench, but other that he keeps himself from reacting too obviously. Was it the Ratchet from his world? If so, he would be infected too...]

Unfortunately, I'm a little busy with finding the cure for the plague. It would be very irresponsible of me to leave my quarters and risk spreading further infection.

[ Nope on both counts, but it's not like Ratchet's going to be telling you that, Pharma. ]

Working on a cure for the plague... ah. So you're in the same boat as Drift then. [ That's why your name sounded familiar. ] If you're his Pharma, I should note that his disease isn't contagious anymore, probably due to the work of Vector Prime. If you haven't asked him for help, you might want to so that you can come mingle with the rest of us.

[ A pause, then Ratchet speaks as if... vaguely amused. ] After all, it can't be easy trying to do research without hands.

[ He really shouldn't be amused by that, but the amount of times he's had to deal with bots trying to work around injuries that are so awkward and yet so relatively easily fixed has given him a sense of humour about this sort of thing. ]

Not contagious? I was under the impression he only slowed down the disease. Do you have proof that it will not spread? Other than Drift's word that it won't, that is.

[Urgh, this lack of hands thing is really starting to piss Pharma off. Not only is it inconvenient, but its also proved pretty humiliating.]

Yes, it is difficult. But I shall overcome, haha. [That reminds him to post to the network later in regards to finding himself replacements.]

I swabbed a sample of the infected ... liquid against a bit of test-appropriate live-metal in a controlled container. The disease kept attacking what there was of Drift's tissue in itself, but left the other live sample clear. Given Drift's actions before, which implied a relatively swift transmission, I'd say that test's results were as best as we can get in terms of proving that it's no longer contagious.

[ Ratchet pauses, then, thinking over his decisions. ] Although I do realize that I may have put a bit more faith in the powers of the Firstforged than I should have.

[ It's hard, that admission, but it's one that he has to make, given that the one he's talking to is a medic and will recognize his failings, whether he admits them or not... and now he's going to huff and change the subject. ]

Well, if you're interested, I could probably come take a look. I'm probably going to end up building a set of servos for one of the other mechs here, so finding the materials to make you a pair wouldn't be a huge inconvenience. I don't know if they'll be as good as what you were sparked with, but at least you'd have servos to work with.

I see. I'm assuming that means you also have access to a lab? [Because Pharma is pretty proud of his right now. He will also have to duplicate your test with a sample from his own infected rust before he believes he's not contagious.]

Certainly sounds like they've managed to charm you pretty quickly. [He still doesn't believe in this 'magic' stuff.]

Oh? [A Ratchet supplying him hands? How ironic. And it means that either this is the one from his world who has conveniently forgotten the whole incident like Drift, or its a different version. How interesting...]

Someone else here is missing their hands? What an odd coincidence.

Edited 2012-07-01 20:54 (UTC)

No, just a basic kit that I keep with me in case of emergencies. Keeping a test for contagion around in the middle of a war where the enemy has been known to use biological agents is ... generally considered to be a good idea, after all. [ If Ratchet sounds a bit pained, it's because he didn't always keep that particular part of his kit with him, and it's lead to issues before. ]

They are rather magnificent. Can you blame me? [ Yep, definitely sounding a bit sheepish there. ]

It's... it's less that he's missing his hands and more that he was constructed without them. I still have to manufacture them for him, though.

Ah, you're a field medic. Yes, preparedness is of the utmost importance in such volatile situations. I treat emergency patients myself- just generally in a clinic.

[Pharma can't help but laugh.] Mm, if you say so. They have been generous to me at the very least.

Constructed without? That is an odd configuration... A drone of some kind?

Yes, I am. I find it's more useful for me to be out in the field where I can treat people more swiftly. [ Not that he has a problem with mechs who stay back in clinics. There's uses for both kinds of medics, after all. ]

Oh? Have they gifted you with anything?

[ A pause as Ratchet tries to get his thoughts together. ] I'm not quite sure. He seems sentient enough, but given that he has no vocalizer to speak with and no hands to write with, communication has been tricky.

I have been given living quarters and use of this well maintained laboratory. Also an acolyte to serve as my errand mech. [He's proud of that.]

Virtually no means of communication.... [Sounds like someone wanted this bot to be quiet for a reason. How intriguing.] I must confess, I would love to get my hands on him for some exploration.

When I have hands, that is.

Impressive. [ Ratchet is somewhat jealous, because lab, but he's also rather glad that he doesn't need an errand mech because... hands. ]

No, none thus far. Although, I suppose with the Link, he's much more verbose now. [Ratchet doesn't really like the way that Pharma used the word "exploration", but he'll let it ride. Maybe it was just a slip. ]

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