[voice] Posting from the Solian sector

[docbot]

[ 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. ]

Comments

[Voice]

[docbot]

Neither would I.

[ To be fair, McCrane, it's sort of like the idea of humans working on humans, to Ratchet... the only human he'd ever consider letting near his parts are Raf and a certain lady nurse back home. But that's not important right now, is it? ]

Ah, regular upkeep. You're a mech after my own spark.

[ Such politeness! Such willingness to cooperate! McCrane, you're Ratchet's new favourite, make no mistake. ]

It's no intrusion at all. Come see me whenever you're ready, so we can do an initial exam and I can tell you exactly how much I can help you.

[Voice]

[mccrane]

It would do no good for the people we are trying to protect, if we broke down in combat.

[That is the important thing. They'd gotten repairs after most of their field-work, if just because criminals kept engineering bigger and bigger mecha for them to fight.]

Have you fixed many robots before?

[Because really, he wants some credentials first, even if he is trying to be polite about it. This is still so, so awkward for him.]

Is it what you were built for?

[Voice]

[docbot]

That's exactly what I keep trying to tell- [ Ratchet huffs, cutting himself off from a very long, extended rant. ]

Nevermind that. But yes, I'm a medic, designed and trained for the repair of other Cybertronians. And, given your design, I'm going to posit that I'd be able to transfer my skills towards aiding you and your companions as well.

At the very least, I'd be able to help with hardware issues... [ Oh! A thought! ] And actually, if you are human-made, my human friend Raf may very well be able to take care of your software upkeep. He's rather brilliant in that regard.

[Video]

[mccrane]

[He catches that cutoff anyhow, and is interested by it.] Do your friends really refuse repairs?

[He nods, however. If this is what you were designed for, he feels at least marginally better. At least maybe your tools will be able to fit inside them.]

Will there be a fee for your services?

[This one, he's much less certain about. He knows the engineers for the Brave Police were paid, but he'd never been the one paying. The only things he'd ever been authorized to buy himself had been gasoline or bullets, or the occasional laboratory contract for forensics work.]

[He does brighten considerably at the notion of a human working on him, however!] I would be happy to let the both of you look over my frame, if you would like to get an idea of what might be involved.

[docbot]

[ A sigh. ] They do. It's mostly because they feel like I could be using my time more effectively caring for others, so their intentions are good, but, well. It's rather annoying.

[ Blinkablink. Oh. He hadn't even considered that. ] It's not like we have any monetary units at our disposal now, even if I were planning on charging one. I, ah, if you wanted to just owe me a favour in the future, that would be fine with me.

[mccrane]

Despite that it is what you're built for?

Maybe they have a processing error.

[Because having someone who can do repairs, and not going to them to get repairs sounded silly to McCrane.]

Since I currently reside in the Junkyard, is there anything I can look for for you?

[It isn't quite payment, but he wants to help.]

[docbot]

Oh, probably.

[ Ratchet sighs and shakes his head, thinking of all the stupid decisions his comrades have made previously before coming back to the conversation. ]

Ah, nothing in particular right now, although I suppose if you see any parts that look like they might work for you, you should bring them here. If I can start stocking things to repair you and your partners with, that'll make it easier to work later.

[mccrane]

I will keep watch.

For parts for myself, or parts that might be useful to a Cybertronian.

[He smiles a little. If you're looking for pieces for him, he suspects you're going to need pieces for others, too.]

[docbot]

[ Ratchet is taken aback at the sudden kindness, but he's not going to turn it down. ]

Thank you. That would be even more helpful to me. You're a good mech, McCrane.

[mccrane]

I'm only sad that you seem so surprised to find one.

[He smiles a little, though, and will let you get back to work. You have plenty to attend to, he can tell.]